Father, who is both a heir and a descendant, is still biased; the bound system has gone berserk.

On the fifteenth day of the eleventh lunar month, heavy snow fell from the sky. At the beginning of the twelfth hour, the Hai family held a family banquet.

This banquet naturally had nothing to do with Old Duan.

Grand Tutor Hai sat in the main seat, with Hai Qiongyan and his wife, Hai Qiongying and her husband, and their two children sitting below them.

Grand Tutor Hai was overjoyed, his face beaming. "I am deeply grateful for His Majesty's favor and the generous gifts bestowed upon the Hai family. Qiongying, you are hereby promoted to the position of Grand Commander of the Thousand Feather Army. Remember to be loyal to the Emperor and love your country, and to perform your duties diligently. You must never fail His Majesty's great favor, nor disgrace the reputation of the Hai family."

Hai Qiongying rose, clasped his hands in a fist salute, and bowed, saying, "Father, rest assured, your son will certainly live up to His Majesty's grace and will never forget your teachings!"

After saying that, he picked up the wine glass in front of him, tilted his head back, and drank it all in one gulp.

Everyone smiled and offered their congratulations, and Hai Qiongyan and her husband even raised their wine glasses.

"Second brother, congratulations!"

Without further ado, the two families drank the wine in their glasses in one gulp.

Behind Haiqiong Banquet, the old woman holding the wine pot also had a smile on her face.

She stepped forward and filled everyone's glasses with wine.

"Granny Fang, why are you pouring the wine? You're getting on in years, you should go and rest."

Hai Qiongying waved her hand.

Granny Fang smiled kindly, "Isn't today a joyous occasion? This old servant wishes to serve the master and the two young masters. If the old lady were still alive..."

Hai Taifu's eyes immediately reddened. "If Hua Xiang were still alive, she would be very proud. Her two sons are both outstanding individuals with great potential."

Her grandchildren are all outstanding... When this old man passes away, I'll have the face to brag to her about it.

As he spoke, Hai Taifu picked up his wine cup and drank it all in one gulp.

With a smile, Granny Fang stepped forward and refilled his wine cup.

"The old lady will surely be very happy."

"Yes, yes, hahaha."

Hai Taifu was delighted, laughed heartily, and picked up his wine cup again.

"Grandfather, please drink less." Hai Mujin pressed down on Grand Tutor Hai's wine cup, then turned to Granny Fang and said, "Granny Fang, please replace Grandfather's wine with medicinal tea!"

Grand Tutor Hai was immediately displeased. "Jin'er, on this joyous occasion, let your grandfather have a few drinks. It's alright!"

Hai Qiongyan said, "Jin'er, tell your grandfather to drink this cup. The next cup will be medicinal tea!"

After Hai Qiongyan finished speaking, ignoring the somewhat displeased look in Hai Taifu's eyes, she instructed Fang Mama to fetch the medicinal tea.

Granny Fang smiled and agreed.

Grand Tutor Hai was reluctant to finish his drink. He took a small sip and sighed, "It's a pity that Qiongzhang left so early. He's probably with your mother right now. If I go down, your mother will surely punish me according to family rules. Cough cough cough."

"Father, Mother and my little sister won't blame you." Hai Qiongying patted Hai Taifu's back.

"Father, our family is celebrating two happy events. In addition to my promotion, Mu Jin has also found a good marriage. Eldest brother and sister-in-law, I would like to toast you."

Hai Qiongying changed the subject, no longer mentioning her deceased mother.

Granny Fang brought over some herbal tea, and upon seeing this, silently withdrew.

She was Hua Xiang's head maid who accompanied her in her dowry. Hua Xiang died young, and although she got married, her husband's family was the Hai family, so she naturally stayed with the Hai family.

Because she was one of the people Hua Xiang left behind, she raised the Hai family's children single-handedly, making her practically a second mother to them.

Granny Fang held a rather high position in the Hai family, unlike ordinary servants.

Even if she interrupted in such a setting and brought up a topic that saddened Hai Taifu, no one would blame her.

After several rounds of drinks and dishes, the banquet was more than halfway over, but the atmosphere remained harmonious and joyful.

"In another two weeks, it will be the anniversary of your mother's death. When that time comes, your father will definitely have a good talk with her... *chuckle*!"

Before he could finish speaking, Hai Taifu suddenly opened his eyes wide and spat out a mouthful of blood.

"Father!"

"grandfather!"

The Hai family was immediately thrown into chaos.

"Quickly, summon the imperial physician!"

Hai Qiongyan's eyes were bloodshot, and her face contorted with rage as she shouted at the outside.

Hai Qiongying stepped forward, picked up Hai Taifu, and hurriedly headed towards his bedroom.

"Son-in-law... I'm sorry..."

Granny Fang emerged from behind the carved pillar, her face streaked with tears.

In the palace, Ying Yufu and Liao Kong were reporting to the blacksmiths in the Hall of Diligent Governance, accompanied by the Crown Prince.

"Fu'er, are you saying that those Dongchen spies are former subordinates of the deposed crown prince of Dongchen Kingdom?"

Emperor Cangxuan's expression was complex.

"That's right, that's what they said."

Ying Yufu said that she felt Emperor Cangxuan's expression was a little strange.

"Does Father Emperor wish to interrogate them?" the Crown Prince asked.

Emperor Cangxuan waved his hand, "No need. Since they haven't done anything to harm Beixuan, and they were forced into this situation, let's release them from the Heavenly Prison. As for how to settle them..."

Emperor Cangxuan pondered for a moment, then said, "...You and Fu'er handle this as you see fit. I will not interfere in this matter."

The Crown Prince and Ying Yufu exchanged a glance.

The crown prince bowed and said, "Yes, Father!"

Just then, a commotion broke out outside.

Emperor Cangxuan looked towards the door. He Bi immediately stepped forward, opened the door, and was about to ask a question when he saw Hai Qiongying hurriedly bowing outside.

"Your Majesty, my father is dying and wishes to see His Highness the Crown Prince one last time!"

Upon hearing this, not only Ying Yufu and the Crown Prince, but even Emperor Cangxuan was momentarily stunned.

He jumped to his feet and shouted, "Hai Qiongying, what did you say? Say it again!"

Hai Qiongying looked up, her eyes bloodshot. "Your Majesty, my father is dying. He wants to see His Highness the Crown Prince one last time!"

"Hai Qiongying, gather the Thousand Feather Army and accompany me to the Hai family."

"Yes, Your Majesty!"

The group moved extremely fast and quickly left the palace.

Emperor Cangxuan's commotion was quite significant, and soon all the officials and civil servants learned of the news, speculating that something had happened to the Hai family.

Many spies were loitering outside the Hai family's residence, gathering information.

Hai family.

Old Madam Duan led her people straight into Songhe Hall, shouting, "Your father has had such a terrible accident, and you didn't even inform me, his mother! Do you even respect me?"

Old Duan was arrogant and haughty, behaving like the matriarch of the Hai family.

Granny Wang sneered, "Master, Madam, Second Madam, you are all juniors, yet you treat the Old Madam like this. If word gets out, your reputations will suffer."

Hai Qiongyan and the others were all concerned about Grand Tutor Hai. After the physician examined his pulse, he said that Grand Tutor Hai had suddenly fallen ill.

Unfortunately, this acute illness damaged his heart, and there was nothing that could be done.

Grand Tutor Hai was on his deathbed, and he kept calling out the Crown Prince's name.

"Mingxu...has Mingxu arrived yet?"

"Father, my second brother has gone to invite His Highness the Crown Prince. They will be back soon. You must hold on."

Just then, Old Madam Duan started making a scene. Hai Qiongyan's eyes were bloodshot as she glared fiercely at Old Madam Duan. "Guards, throw this old woman out!"

"Hai Qiongyan, how dare you! I am your mother!"

"Mother? You dare to say that?" Jiang strode forward and slapped Old Duan across the face.

The loud slap instantly silenced Old Duan.

Old Madam Duan stared wide-eyed in disbelief. "Jiang, how dare you!"