After returning to the capital, the eldest daughter saved her entire clan with her medical skills.

Chapter 235 A Rare Return Gift

"Alright, alright, listen to my son. I'll let you off the hook today. What did you eat at the General Zhenguo's mansion? Why did you take so long? I thought you were staying there."

"I ate many delicious things that I had never eaten before. Madam Xue and Princess Lingjun were so thoughtful that they even prepared gifts for me."

"A gift? What gift? Let me see where it is."

Yan Ning immediately became interested. It had been snowing every day, which prevented her from going anywhere. She was stuck at home all day and was almost getting sick from boredom.

My husband is extremely busy, and my eldest son is busy with his studies. I can only pass the time by playing with my youngest son. Otherwise, I really don't know how I would get through this.

While her youngest son had been invited to visit his friends' homes, she had no one to talk to, making her days incredibly boring and dull.

"Duan Yan, place the wooden bucket on the table."

Gu Mingcheng gave instructions to the person who had just entered the room.

"What a rich fruity aroma! Cheng'er, what wonderful thing did you bring? Let your mother see it."

Yan Ning sniffed hard, her beautiful eyes lit up, and she eagerly leaned over to see what was inside, whether it really was fruit as she guessed.

“Mother, remove the mattress on top and you’ll see for yourself.”

Gu Mingcheng kept a straight face, but looked like he was asking for credit, which made Yan Ning laugh out loud.

She eagerly lifted the blanket covering the wooden tub, her beautiful eyes widening as she stared in disbelief at what was inside, letting out a gasp.

"Are they really fruits?! Good heavens, how did you get such fresh fruits, and vegetables too? The leaves are so fresh."

"Madam, what is the matter that surprises you so much?"

A clear, melodious male voice came from outside the door, and a young man dressed in a blue brocade robe and a jade crown came out of the snow.

The thick snow had turned his clothes white, but it did not diminish his gentle and refined demeanor in the slightest.

"My husband has finished court. Come and see what rare things Cheng'er brought us."

When Yan Ning saw her husband return, her beautiful eyes lit up and a happy smile appeared on her face.

"My son is so young, yet he's already bringing things for his parents. He's so sensible."

Gu Qingfeng looked at his wife and children with a face full of doting affection, his brows revealing tenderness.

"Father, this is what I brought back from the Zhenguo General's Mansion. Please try it and see how it tastes."

When Gu Mingcheng saw his father, a childlike smile appeared on his face, as if he was eager to take credit.

In his heart, his mother was a weak woman who should be pampered by the whole family.

He is a man, and he should always give in to his mother and not argue with her.

Only in front of her father would she show an expression of adoration and worship.

"The General's Mansion?"

Gu Qingfeng was taken aback. The Minister's Mansion had never had any dealings with the General's Mansion, so why would they take the initiative to send them something today?

Is the other party trying to win me over?

"Peach Blossom, quickly fetch a basin of water to wash these fruits and vegetables. I can't wait to taste them. They smell so good! I've never smelled such fragrant fruit before. Go quickly."

Yan Ning hurriedly waved her hand to tell the maid to prepare some water, her eyes fixed on the fruits and vegetables in the wooden bucket, her mouth practically watering.

"Madam, please be cautious. The Minister's Mansion has never had any dealings with the General's Mansion. The fact that they suddenly sent such expensive and rare fruits and vegetables today suggests something is amiss."

Gu Qingfeng also saw the fresh fruits and vegetables in the wooden bucket. His pupils widened in surprise, and he realized that something was amiss. He quickly stopped his wife.

"Let's talk business if there's something to discuss. What's there to be afraid of? The manor will help if it can, and we'll talk about it if it can't."

Yan Ning didn't care at all; she didn't care about the intricacies of court politics.

Her father greatly admired General Xue Yan, praising him highly on several occasions. Even she was influenced by this and always felt that Xue Yan was not a bad person.

How could a general who could lead troops to fight the enemy and even personally fund the provision of provisions for his soldiers be a bad person?

In other words, the emperor was blind to reason, favoring sycophants and alienating virtuous ministers, listening to the slander of the Left Chancellor and others, and framing loyal officials.

Although she was a woman, she secretly despised the emperor's way of doing things.

There are just some things that can only be kept in one's heart and cannot be said aloud.