Shocking! The entire court was drooling with envy because of me.

"It's my fault, I've made my parents worry," Zhou Wentong obediently admitted his mistake.

Zhou Boyuan choked, his son had never listened to him.

He was told to study hard, but he preferred to study military strategy; he was told to do his best in the imperial examinations, but he went to the battlefield instead.

The father and son always went against each other.

He was a little surprised that he had to admit his mistake so readily today.

"Oh dear, it's good that the child is back. Why are you saying so much? It's good that he's back," Mrs. Zhou said with a smile.

"Wentong, quickly try this starchy intestine and spicy hot pot, they're so delicious!"

As soon as the delicious food was in front of him, Zhou Wentong could no longer resist. The aroma wafted towards his face, and his mouth watered more and more.

"...Can he finish two sausages?" Zhou Boyuan couldn't help but ask from the side.

Throughout the entire Zhiwei Restaurant, starch sausage is his favorite, and I haven't been able to get any for several days.

I had planned to save the best starch sausage for last, but then my son came back.

Zhou Boyuan stared at him expectantly.

Zhou Wentong was very honest: "I can finish it, I can finish it."

In no time at all, he finished off the two starch sausages.

Then he buried his head in the spicy hot pot again.

One bite of spicy hot pot, one bite of rice, then another bite of spicy hot pot and a sip of hot pot in one go.

That was absolutely awesome!

Looking at Zhou Wentong's eating habits, Madam Zhou's eyes were full of heartache: "Slow down, eat slowly."

"Look, the children are starving."

Zhou Boyuan: "..."

This kind of eating behavior is very common at Zhiwei Restaurant.

It's clearly because Shen Niangzi's cooking is absolutely amazing.

"What were you doing in the military camp? Why did you come back?" Zhou Boyuan asked awkwardly.

"Eat slowly, and tell us how you were doing in the army. Did you suffer a lot? Were you injured?" Madam Zhou looked at Zhou Wentong tenderly, her eyes filled with unwavering maternal love.

Zhou Wentong began to speak as he ate:

"Father, Mother, don't worry, I'm doing very well in the army. I only suffered a bit when I was a lowly soldier at the beginning, but luckily I met General Wang Wu."

"General Wang is my mentor. I have learned a lot from him, and the military books I secretly read before have also come in handy."

"..."

Zhou Wentong recounted his previous experiences with great enthusiasm.

Zhou Boyuan and his wife listened attentively, their emotions shifting between joy and sorrow, completely swayed by Zhou Wentong's words.

The reunion of the family of three was especially heartwarming.

......

Meanwhile, Shen Qing and Tuanzi chatted casually for a long time.

When it was lunchtime, Shen Qing casually cooked some food, and also specially made a cat meal for Tuanzi.

After receiving high praise from Tuanzi, the man and the cat ate and drank their fill and fell asleep on the bed.

I have to say, the bed at home is so comfortable, especially with Tuanzi by my side, it's simply one of life's greatest pleasures.

"Qing'er, Qing'er—"

"Qing'er, you're back—"

Just as she was sound asleep, Shen's mother's excited voice rang out from the doorway.

Shen Qing yawned and looked out the window; it was already dark outside.

Goodness, I slept all afternoon.

"Mother, wait a moment, I'm putting on my shoes," Shen Qing called out.

The dumpling opened its big mouth, stretched its two paws forward, then shifted to a more comfortable position and closed its eyes again.

Kittens naturally love to sleep.

Shen Qing took the opportunity to touch the dough a couple of times before putting on his shoes, walking to the door and opening it.

When the door opened, Shen Qing was stunned.

Outside the door, Shen's mother was dressed in a dark green dress, understated yet elegant, with a kingfisher feather hairpin in her hair and a pair of dark satin embroidered shoes on her feet.

He exuded a calm and experienced aura, a stark contrast to his previous weak and easily bullied demeanor in the dilapidated house.

She hadn't seen Shen's mother for a long time.

When they were running Zhiwei Restaurant, the two of them rarely saw each other. During the day, Mrs. Shen had to run Shen's Restaurant, while she was busy with Zhiwei Restaurant and other matters.

Later, he went to the palace and then to the battlefield, and we never saw each other again.

Seeing you today, I never expected that Mother Shen had changed so much.

"Qing'er, you're finally back! How have you been these past few days? Did you encounter any danger on the battlefield? Tell your mother everything." Mother Shen's voice was filled with joy.

Shen Qing called out, "Mother~"

"I'm fine, come inside and talk."

"Alright, alright, Mother hasn't seen you in so long, let Mother take a good look at you."

Shen Qing helped his mother into the house, and his mother looked Shen Qing up and down.

After a long pause, she said with tears in her eyes, "Good, good, Qing'er seems to be getting more and more composed."

Then, she pulled Shen Qing to sit down and began to speak to herself:

"Do you remember how you used to act all cute and clingy whenever you saw me? Your father couldn't do anything about it and just let you run wild."

"Once, you pestered your father not to go to the restaurant, and you insisted that he take you to make steamed buns."

"Those weren't ordinary steamed buns. You insisted that your dad make buns shaped like little rabbits and little tigers. He couldn't stand your fuss and tried his best to make them for you."

"Do you remember? Those were such good times."

Shen's mother's tone was filled with deep longing, and her eyes were slightly moist but she did not cry.

Shen Qing listened quietly, and then took over the conversation.

"Of course I remember. Besides the little rabbit and little tiger, Daddy also helped me make little pig buns and little fish buns. You made some for me too. I was so happy all afternoon."

"Although Father is gone, he will always live in my heart. Mother, Father will be happy to see us doing so well from heaven."

Shen Qing naturally remembered all the things his mother had mentioned.

She inherited all of the original owner's memories, and the memory of making steamed buns left a particularly deep impression on her.

The family of three looked very warm and loving.

"You're right, your father will be happy." Mother Shen patted Shen Qing's hand and wiped away a tear from the corner of her eye.

"Qing'er, tell your mother, what have you experienced since you entered the palace? I heard you were randomly setting up a stall there? Is that true?"

Shen Qing nodded: "Really, I'll tell you slowly."

"..."

Shen Qing patiently recounted her experiences after entering the palace.

During the narration, she also asked the servants in the mansion to cook a few dishes.

When chatting, you can't just talk without doing anything.

Tuanzi, who had been lying on the bed, had somehow moved to Shen Qing's feet, pricked up her ears and listened carefully, occasionally meowing a few times.

Of course, Shen Qing would also answer the questions about Tuanzi.

The two people and the cat talked for a long time, but Shen's mother was unaware that there was another cat participating in the conversation.

Time flew by, and after talking for most of the night, Shen's mother finally left.

Shen Qing then fell asleep again while holding the dumpling.

When she woke up again, it was already broad daylight.

It's time to go to the capital to see the new emperor.