Chapter 2485 - 2459: Warming the House, Part 3

Bai Shan and the others were leisurely enjoying two cups of tea in the pavilion before guests began to arrive.

Since the decision to invite guests was made on the fly, even the invitations were written at the last minute, only inviting a few close friends.

Feng Zongping ran into Yi Ziyang and Zhao Liulang at the gate. Upon entering and seeing it was just them, they realized it would only be the few of them today.

Indeed, with Yin Huo’s personality, inviting them alone was already rare enough.

But strangely, why wasn’t the Yin family helping him host?

Feng Zongping curiously asked, "So you’ll be living here from now on?"

Yin Huo nodded, "If you need anything, you can come here first."

It was Yin Huo’s first time hosting a banquet himself, lacking experience, but Bai Shan and the others guided him based on their memories.

The key was having lots of good food.

So yesterday they bought a lot of delicious things, including vegetables, meat, dried and fresh fruits.

As soon as they sat down, fresh fruits were served one plate after another.

Zhao Liulang and the others, also inexperienced, found a comfortable spot in the pavilion and started eating from the fruit plates.

After a while, Xu An came with people carrying the barbecue stove and prepared deer meat, set up the iron plate, lit the fire, gave Yin Huo a look, and then stepped back, leaving them to grill the meat themselves.

Yin Huo and the others were already quite experienced at grilling, producing meat with rich flavors, rivaling the chefs at home.

Zhao Liulang saw their skilled hands, sat up with interest, "Wow, haven’t seen you in a year, you guys really improved. Did you learn this in the Western Regions?"

Bai Shan nodded, flipping the meat as he said, "We ate barbecue the most on our way there."

Manbao added, "And also the flatbread."

Feng Zongping laughed, "Today we three can just sit back and enjoy, all depends on you guys."

Plenty who knew how, what they grilled was enough for the three of them. So Bai Shan nodded.

While eating grilled deer meat and some fruit to cut the richness, when everyone was nearly full, the kitchen came and said, "Young master, the dishes are ready, where would you like them served?"

Rare for Zhao Liulang and others to be happy eating barbecue at a banquet, they were stunned upon hearing this, "There are more dishes?"

Yin Huo naturally replied, "Of course, a feast must have dishes."

Zhao Liulang: ...

He patted his not-very-restrained belly, looked around and asked Feng Zongping, "Can you still eat more?"

Feng Zongping paused, then said, "Barely can still eat a bit more."

Manbao, also feeling full from the tasty grilled meat and fruits, said, "Don’t overstuff, let’s save some, and have another round in the evening."

Zhao Liulang widened his eyes, a banquet can be eaten like this?

But since Yin Huo was in charge, it was up to him. So he told Xu An, "Inform the kitchen to hold off on unmade dishes, use the already made ones first, and prepare another table later."

Xu An complied and respectfully withdrew.

Zhao Liulang gave a thumbs-up to Yin Huo, "You’re impressive."

He leaned back on the cushion, relaxed much, bent one leg, and asked, "You’re living here, and your grandmother and father are okay with it?"

Yin Huo smiled lightly, "As long as I’m happy. Grandma and father don’t interfere too much."

Zhao Liulang was quite envious.

Yin Huo slightly curled his lips; nothing much to envy, his grandmother just couldn’t bear him.

Moreover, his sixth sister was pregnant, so his grandmother’s attention was focused on her.

Yin Huo happily took a sip of fruit wine, just one sip, couldn’t have more, and asked Manbao, "Will you go to the imperial estate later?"

Manbao nodded, "Director Xiao said, as long as there are people for vaccination, we’ll go. Right, didn’t His Majesty want the guards vaccinated?"

When Bai Shan mentioned vaccinating them, Zhao Liulang was startled, asking, "Isn’t it best to vaccinate under sixteen years old?"

Manbao: "That’s right, but they’re not much older, and since everyone will travel far in the future, it’d be better to vaccinate."

Feng Zongping and Yi Ziyang immediately said, "Can we get vaccinated too?"

Manbao nodded.

The two pondered; truthfully, deep inside they were a bit scared, but they also wanted immunity from smallpox.

So they exchanged glances and said, "We want to try it too."

Zhao Liulang thought for a while, then said, "How about you vaccinate my son?"

Manbao: "...He’s just a child, don’t hold him back."

She looked him up and down, making Zhao Liulang’s spine shiver, fearing she’d say, "You seem suited," but Zhou Man only shook her head without a word.

Zhao Liulang didn’t feel relieved. Instead, he felt colder.

Manbao told Feng Zongping and Yi Ziyang, "I’ll feel your pulse. Really want to vaccinate, report to the Imperial Hospital, should be okay."

The current emperor was very concerned about this, wishing everyone in the world would voluntarily vaccinate, so granting officials leave for vaccination not only wasn’t met with anger, but the emperor even instructed department heads not to hinder it.

Of course, quasi-princes asking for vaccination outside the age range would also be approved by the emperor with a grand gesture.

So Bai Erlang decided to go vaccinate with Bai Shan.

Upon hearing, Bai Shan immediately prepared various exam journals and papers, saying, "In two months you’ll take the imperial exam, can’t waste half a month."

Bai Erlang: ...

Yin Huo couldn’t help but laugh and even offered, "Should I ask for last year’s exam papers from a teacher at the Chongwen Pavilion?"

Bai Shan nodded, "That would be great."

Already passed the Ming Classic and formally entering officialdom, Liu Huan chuckled, happy as a hen.

Bai Erlang, seeing everyone picking on him, turned to Yin Huo, "While we’re at the imperial estate you’ll have to study alone at the Chongwen Pavilion, if the crown prince suddenly asks about politics..."

Yin Huo said, "I told my father, I’m feeling unwell recently, so I’m planning to take a half-month leave from the Chongwen Pavilion to recuperate."

He smiled slightly, "I’m planning to go to the Guardian of the Nation Temple to worship and relax."

Bai Erlang: ...

This time it was Manbao and the others’ turn to laugh.

Seeing his dissatisfaction, Manbao said, "Be content, Yin Huo and Mingda want to vaccinate too, but their bodies aren’t suitable, however, Changyu is suitable. Unfortunately, the emperor has too many concerns, not willing to let the princes and princesses come to the imperial estate, planning to set up a palace in the Daming Palace for them to vaccinate."

Manbao sighed, "Heard the emperor ordered Prince Gong to bring his children to the capital, rushing to be together for Mid-Autumn Festival."

Bai Shan said, "The order was for all the princes and princesses to bring their children back to the capital, not just Prince Gong alone."

He had drafted the document for that order.

Manbao said, "If that’s the case, Prince Gong will definitely arrive first."