There must be something wrong with me-Chapter 56 - 50: Loving Family

After lunch.

Zhang Feng dismissed everyone.

Resting for a while.

Then taking a delightful early spring afternoon nap.

In the evening, waking up from bed.

Zhang Feng started practicing martial arts in the hall.

Through the power conversion during practice, Zhang Feng felt his body, sensing that his physique was just right.

Perfectly balanced at the maximum weight value without burdening the internal organs.

Subsequently, Zhang Feng looked at his own attributes.

[Constitution: 15.3]

[Root Bone: 4.5]

[Martial Arts: 0.2]

Martial Arts is a bit low, but the Root Bone is completely beyond the norm.

In the starting five years, it reached the standard of 4.5, three times higher than the end of the last infant world.

The previous infant world’s conclusion was only 1.5

The powerful Root Bone support also caused Zhang Feng to have an astonishing Constitution of 15.3 at just over five years old.

’I’m only 5 years old, still far from the rapid development stage.’

Meanwhile, Zhang Feng looked at his ’small’ body, feeling that there was still much potential.

Not to mention the subsequent strengthening choices.

When Zhang Feng thought of this, he couldn’t help but think about the previous choices.

The second enhancement at the start was [Root Bone +0.2]

The third [Digestion and Absorption +20 grams]

Afterwards, the one-year-old enhancement [Constitution +0.4]

Two years old [Absorption and Digestion +30 grams]

Three years old [Root Bone +0.2]

At four years old, Digestion and Absorption came again [+30 grams]

At five years old, it was still [30 grams]

It seemed that as Zhang Feng continuously chose digestion, its occurrence increased.

And the Root Bone also appeared twice.

Zhang Feng speculated it should be related to the starting of the fighting Grandmaster.

Due to the ’Fighting Start’ factor, the options often included Root Bone and Digestion.

...

In the evening.

Eunuch Zhao came to deliver food again.

However, not calling it a formal dinner, but ’snacks’.

They called it snacks.

On a small table, with four dishes and a soup, always five items per meal, moreover, they always varied.

The Imperial Kitchen completely tailored the dishes based on what Zhang Feng liked, constantly rotating them.

All were luxurious delicacies, rich but not greasy.

"Seventh Prince, take your time."

At this moment, Zhang Feng sat on the bench without moving, and the palace maids around him proactively picked dishes, placing them into Zhang Feng’s bowl.

Zhang Feng only needed to bury his head in eating.

Of course, he could also just open his mouth; they even fed him.

And in this era, eating kneeling was common, but generally, households had tables, chairs, and benches.

Anyway, whatever was comfortable was done, ancient people were human too, they wouldn’t compromise their comfort.

But for imperial banquets, they usually followed the old tradition of previous dynasties, lining up to kneel and using small tables known as ’ji’ to eat.

Zhang Feng spent five years in the Lin Dynasty, learning a lot about ancient etiquette.

He knew that Lin Dynasty was a timeline change ’two hundred years post-Tang Dynasty’.

Many rituals still followed ancestors.

’This year I will be six.’

At this time.

While eating, Zhang Feng thought,

’Last time, a lady officer mentioned etiquette, that after I turn sixteen, for "Emperor Father" birthdays, or any national banquets, I must attend.

Because by then I am considered an adult, ready to leave the palace and establish a house.

But those meals, everyone would be watching each other, very ceremonious.

I suppose eating freely will be difficult.’

Thinking, Zhang Feng finished his meal.

It’s just that, after dinner tonight, Eunuch Zhao did not immediately depart.

Only the palace maids were packing away the dishes, causing slight noises occasionally.

"Hands and feet gentle," Eunuch Zhao scolded them occasionally, raising his eyebrows.

Seeing Eunuch Zhao staying and reprimanding the maids, Zhang Feng asked, "Eunuch Zhao, is there something?"

"Replying to the Seventh Prince, yes, indeed," Eunuch Zhao looked at Zhang Feng, his face turning to a smile instantaneously, "The Empress wants to see you; she wants you to go to Changxiang Palace after your meal."

"I see." Zhang Feng nodded and attempted to get off the bench.

"Take it slowly!" Eunuch Zhao, quick-eyed and agile-handed, hurried to assist Zhang Feng off the bench.

"Seventh Prince, it’s cold." Inside the hall, another palace maid held a brocade garment, ready to dress Zhang Feng.

Earlier, while Zhang Feng ate, she stood with the garment outside the door, waiting for this moment to say the word ’dress’.

"Hmm." Zhang Feng walked and extended his hand.

She deftly slipped the garment onto Zhang Feng, without touching his face or neck area.

She had no martial arts skills, merely skilled through practice.

"Thank you." Zhang Feng habitually expressed his gratitude; it’s always been like this.

"Seventh Prince humbles the servant..." The dressing palace maid still habitually bows in fear, not daring to raise her head during the bow until Zhang Feng and Eunuch Zhao departed, then slowly righted herself to help her sisters pack the dishes.

This scene has gone on for several years now.

Every time Zhang Feng thanked, she bowed for a long time.

She’s accustomed to it.

And Zhang Feng is used to it as well.

It’s just that initially, facing the Seventh Prince’s gratitude, she was uneasy, but now she appears outwardly uneasy, inwardly sweet.

...

Changxiang Palace, outside the main hall.

With Eunuch Zhao’s support, Zhang Feng reached the steps below the hall’s front.

Above was the ’Changxiang Main Hall’.

"Seventh Prince, this servant will take his leave now," Eunuch Zhao said softly.

He was not summoned by the Empress, merely asked to call someone.

Thus, he was not qualified to enter the "Phoenix Palace" and see the Empress.

Meanwhile, Eunuch Zhao lifted his head, looking at several palace maids in front of the hall.

The palace maids understood implicitly, ready to descend the steps and continue assisting the Seventh Prince up the stairs and into the hall.

"Eunuch Zhao."

However, Zhang Feng saw that Eunuch Zhao was about to leave and stopped him.

The palace maids preparing to come forward saw this and tactfully returned to their original positions.

"I forgot to ask on the way." Zhang Feng looked at Eunuch Zhao, "Why is Mother looking for me?"

"This..." Eunuch Zhao did not know either, but he helped Zhang Feng by suggesting, "I think it might be regarding tomorrow’s academic affairs."

As he guessed, he bent down and said in a lower voice:

"Think about it, at noontime when you were dining, you mentioned ’not wanting to go.’

And among the maids serving your meal at noontime, there was an elder one from beside the Empress.

The Empress is meticulous and cares about you, surely she inquired her and learned of your reluctance to attend the academy.

Thus, I guess the Empress calling you today might be to persuade you."

"Alright." Zhang Feng patted his shoulder like a small adult, completely ignoring any notion of dirtiness associated with eunuchs.

Though some eunuchs who are castrated may suffer from incontinence in the future.

But Zhang Feng only knew that Eunuch Zhao told him all his little secrets.

Moreover, Eunuch Zhao was quite clean.

Otherwise, merely the unpleasant smell would make it hard to achieve his rank as the second most significant eunuch.

After all, there are so many eunuchs in the palace; the Emperor can absolutely pick the clean ones to serve him.

"Eunuch Zhao, go about your business." Zhang Feng said earnestly, "You did not say anything today."

’This little child sometimes speaks quite like an adult.’ Eunuch Zhao found it amusing but quickly bent even lower, bowing, "Young master, this servant will take his leave."

As Eunuch Zhao bowed and raised himself, there was a faint sandalwood scent.

"Hmm." Zhang Feng nodded, "I still have some sandalwood in the hall, Eunuch Zhao, take it to scent yourself."

"Thank you, young master!" Eunuch Zhao smiled even more, thus facing Zhang Feng, he bowed and walked away.

Zhang Feng, to not have him walk bowing all the time, immediately turned not to look at him but to gaze upon the stage.

As Zhang Feng turned around, Eunuch Zhao gave one last bow before straightening up and walking away.

"Seventh Prince, may you be well." The palace maids at the top of the steps also curtsied.

Zhang Feng extended his hands and was supported up the stairs by several palace maids.

Though he could easily ascend himself, he followed the customs here.

Experiencing different identities is also a sensory practice.

He arrived at the hall entrance.

All the palace maids retreated.

One palace maid, in her forties, continued to hold Zhang Feng’s hand, leading him into the hall.

Zhang Feng knew her; her rank was second grade, overseeing all the palace maids in the harem, and also managing the Phoenix Seal.

Considered a "Palace Decree" official in position.

But in fact, here there was no "Palace Decree" or "Imperial Decree;" instead, it continued the Sui Dynasty’s tradition of dividing six supervisors and six departments, which required further detailed job division and personnel naming.

Anyway, very complex, Zhang Feng focused solely on martial arts, having no time for palace maid power struggles.

He simply called her "Palace Decree."

And knew she was a favored figure before the Empress, second among palace maids.

In the harem, she could be called the one who could summon winds and rains, some concubines dared not easily offend this Palace Decree.

"Prince."

At this moment, she was carefully leading Zhang Feng over the threshold before the hall, "Slowly, slowly."

Once inside the spacious and luxurious hall, she released Zhang Feng’s hand and then reported to the silhouette behind the curtain in front:

"Madam, the Seventh Prince has arrived."

"Withdraw," said a melodious yet commanding voice from behind the curtain.

"Yes, Madam."

Then the Palace Decree, who could summon winds and rains, along with the young palace maids in the hall, withdrew.

Once they went down, standing outside the hall on the lower steps.

Clingle, the jade curtain was lifted, and a smiling woman in her thirties stepped out from behind the curtain, came into the hall, and took Zhang Feng’s chubby little hand, saying, "Feng, Mother wants to discuss something with you."

While speaking, she led Zhang Feng to sit by a tea table.

Zhang Feng sat on a bench and then looked at this life’s mother.

From a modern perspective, her temperament and beauty could score around seventy.

But perhaps because of a biological familial bond, Zhang Feng felt the Empress could not be measured by points, and only the word perfect barely sufficed.

"Mother, go ahead."

Zhang Feng obediently brewed tea for the Empress, "I’m listening, Mother."

The Prince’s etiquette is cultivated from childhood; knowing how to brew tea is not uncommon.

"Don’t burn yourself," said the Empress as she pushed down Zhang Feng’s hand, then gently touched Zhang Feng’s chubby little face, "I heard from Xiaoyu that you don’t want to go to the academy?"

"Hmm." Zhang Feng nodded, casually coming up with a reason, "I’m afraid others might mock me for being too fat."

"Who dares?" The Empress’s brow furrowed, with faint wrinkles left by the years at the corner of her eyes, "Who dares to mock this palace’s Feng? This palace will have his tongue pulled out!"

Saying this, the Empress feared her intimidating tone might frighten Zhang Feng, thus gently and softly persuading him:

"Feng, your elder and younger brothers all attended the academy; you cannot not go.

Look, the Prime Minister in the palace and the Minister of Rites, and Master Wang, Master Zhou, their scholarship is very high, much admired by people all over the country.

Take another look..."

The Empress exhorted earnestly, giving many examples, none repetitive.

The Empress was originally the daughter of a former Prime Minister, knowledgeable, well-read in classics and ancient parsable texts.

She could speak of the principles for an hour without stopping, frequently quoting sayings of ancients, all traceable.

Zhang Feng listened for a while without understanding anything but instead raised the teacup, and respectfully toasted the Empress, "Mother, please taste the tea."

"Feng has thought it over?" The Empress happily looked at Zhang Feng, thinking she had persuaded him.

Zhang Feng didn’t know what Mother had said earlier but nodded, "I will go, Mother."

"My Feng understands reason!" The Empress became even happier.

Seeing the Empress smile, Zhang Feng suddenly thought it was good if Mother was happy.

Isn’t it just going to school?

Wherever you sleep, you are sleeping, just take it as another place to eat and sleep.

...

Meanwhile.

A hundred meters outside the hall.

Several eunuchs and dozens of guards opened the way back and forth.

The Emperor was striding with power towards Changxiang Hall.