Chapter 153: Preparing to Go Back to the Capital City

Ji Cheng Kang was speechless when he heard the news.

"Since Highness Cheng wants to preside over your wedding ceremony in the capital city, I think you and Mai should set out as soon as possible," Ji Cheng Kang handed the letter to Ji Yun An.

Ji Yun An looked at the letter and muttered, "I didn't expect that Highness Cheng would look after me and Mai so much."

Ji Yun An thought to himself, 'I didn't have the honor to meet His Highness when I was back in the capital city Mai once cooked for His Highness when he stayed in the county yamen, His Highness must be doing this for Mai, it looks like I'm profiting from association with Mai.'

Ji Cheng Kang found it a bit funny that Highness Cheng, who was famous for being henpecked, was so passionate about being Mai and his matchmaker.

However, this was a great thing. With Highness Cheng's support, not only Zhao Heng but the rest of the Ji family wouldn't object to this marriage.

Ji Yun An nodded and said, "This is such an honor, it looks like His Highness appreciates Mai a lot, how lovely! You are right, Magistrate Lu, we shouldn't disrespect His Highness and ignore his offer."

Ji Cheng Kang smiled bitterly and said, "How come I feel Highness Cheng is rushing you and Mai back to the capital city because he wants to try Roast Whole Lamb? Can Mai make that, imagine how furious His Highness is going to be if Mai can't make it?"

Ji Yun An nodded and said, "Mai knows how to do it, don't worry, Uncle."

Ji Cheng Kang let out a sigh of relief thought to himself, 'Great, we don't want to upset His Highness.'

Ji Yun An walked out of the camp and Liu Yun walked in.

"General Ji, I just saw young master heading out, is everything all right?"

Ji Cheng Kang nodded and said, "Yes, he is going to the county yamen to discuss some details with Magistrate Lu."

Liu Yun frowned and said, "Young master Yun An needs to head back to the capital city in no time, I'm afraid you will have to miss the wedding."

Ji Cheng Kang had to apply for leave two months in advance, and now it looked impossible.

Ji Cheng Kang smiled bitterly and said, "It's an honor that His Highness Cheng is offering to preside over Yun An and Mai's wedding, I'm sure Zhao Heng will attend the wedding, Yun An won't be alone."

Liu Yun nodded and said, "Yes, young master won't be alone!"

......

Wei Qiyu was thrilled when he heard Ji Yun An and Chen Xiao Mai were heading back to the capital city for their wedding.

"Isn't it great that we are going back to the capital city together, I was so sad when I thought I had to go back alone, but now we can keep each other company along the way!" Wei Qiyu gesticulated merrily.

Wei Qiyu's father kicked him out in a spleen, but as days went by, his father started to regret and rush him back in the letters. Wei Qiyu was the only son in the family, his father had great expectations for him.

Ji Yun An glanced at Wei Qiyu and said, "You are excited because we can keep each other company, or because you covet the food Mai has packed."

Wei Qiyu pouted, "Why are you so petty, my friend? Plus, I've left some paintings for you, haven't I?"

Ji Yun An suppressed a laughter, "To be fair, you are the one who insisted on leaving them for me."

Several days ago, Chen Xiao Cai organized a tea reception where the attendees wrote poems and painted traditional Chinese paintings.

Most attendees were accomplished calligraphers and painters, they left their works to Chen Xiao Cai as a thank you gift for his hospitality. Wei Qiyu, who took great pride in his painting skills, painted several ones of different styles in one go and presented them to Chen Xiao Cai.

And now Ji Yun An was teasing him even though he appreciated how considerate his friends was.

"All right, my friend, you know I was just joking, thank you for your paintings."

Wei Qiyu finally put on a smile and said, "All right, all right, in all seriousness, I need to congratulate you, His Highness Cheng won't just honor everyone with his attendance in a wedding."

Ji Yun An smiled shyly. Engagement banquet and wedding ceremony carried different meanings, he felt grateful to Highness Cheng for offering presiding over his wedding.

"My father won't create difficulties now that Highness Cheng is supporting me and Mai, it's a shame that Uncle can't make it to the wedding though," Ji Yun An said regretfully.

Wei Qiyu comforted his friend, "But I'm sure General Ji doesn't mind it, all he cares is your happiness."

"Yes, I'm lucky to have such an amazing uncle," said Ji Yun An.

......

The news that Highness Cheng was Ji Yun An and Chen Xiao Mai's matchmaker had reached Zhao Heng's ears.

Zhao Heng thought that was a joke at first. But after a careful inquiry, he found that not only the news was true, but His Highness Cheng was going to preside over their wedding.

Zhao Heng who originally planned to give Chen Xiao Mai a hard time now had to rethink it.

"How did Chen Xiao Mai get to know Highness Cheng, and why would Highness Cheng favor him so much!" Zhao Heng said bitterly.

Zhao Heng thought to himself, 'I'd better not offend Highness Cheng, and hopefully I can impress him at the wedding so he can exert his influence and give me a promotion!'

Liu Qingmei, Zhao Heng's concubine, felt so indignant. She had been feeling happy in secret that Ji Yun An was going to marry a Bio boy with no background, but who could expect Highness Cheng favored this Bio boy to such degree!

"I heard Highness Cheng only likes Chen Xiao Mai because he is a great cook."

Zhao Heng found that ridiculous, but there was nothing he could do about it.

Liu Qingmei lowered her head. She had also heard about people talking about the magistrate of Sha County, the strange thing was no one paid much attention to his achievements in his official career, but they kept talking about his excellent business ideas and cooking skills. Liu Qingmei guessed Chen Xiao Mai must have learned cooking from that magistrate.

The hot pot which had swept the capital city was said to be invented by that magistrate.

Liu Qingmei let out a sigh. In order to catch up with some, Zhao Heng had been sending gifts to those big shots in order to curry favor in the past few years. Unfortunately, no one had showed any appreciation. She was now green with envy, how come Chen Xiao Mai has won favors from a prince just because of his cooking skills!

Zhao Heng snorted and said, "I can't figure out what's going on, either. But the truth is Highness Cheng adores Chen Xiao Mai, hmm, it looks like I have to build good relations with him, or at least with Yun An."

......

Yuan Bao held his chin and looked at Chen Xiao Mai. "Little Uncle, are you really going to thee capital city?"

Chen Xiao Mai nodded, "Yes!"

"But Little Uncle, Second Uncle said that there is nothing fun in the capital city. Why don't you stay in Sha County with me," Yuan Bao then added, "I will miss you so much, Little Uncle, Dash is a traitor, he spends hours reading books nowadays."

Chen Xiao Mai glanced at Yuan Bao and said, "I will miss you too, but Yuan Bao, it's not like I'm not coming back, I promise you I will come back home after the wedding."

Yuan Bao blinked and said, "Little Uncle, you can't lie to me!"

Chen Xiao Mai nodded and said, "Of course I won't lie to you, have I ever lied to you? And you know what, I will bring some specialties for you."

Yuan Bao puffed up his cheeks and said, "You said exactly the same thing last time, but Second Uncle said that you ate everything on the way back."

Chen Xiao Mai blinked and thought to himself, 'I can't believe Yuan Bao still remembers that.'

"I promise, I won't touch the food on the way back."

Yuan Bao nodded and said, "You can't lie to me this time. If you lie to me this time, you will be punished, you will be a vegetarian for the rest of your life."

Chen Xiao Mai scratched his head and thought to himself, 'I better do what I said, being a vegetarian sounds no fun!'

......

Lu Lin kept fidgeting in his room.

Chen Xiao Mi glanced at Lu Lin and asked, "What are you thinking about? You look so irritated."

Lu Lin took a deep breath and said, "I'm thinking that we need to send someone to keep Mai company, it's his wedding after all."

"That's easy, I'll go," Chen Xiao Mi said without thinking.

Lu Lin looked at Chen Xiao Mi with disbelief, "Have you thought it through?"

Chen Xiao Mi nodded, "Yeah! Think about it, it's either me or Cai who can go, but Cai is busy with the resort, plus he has already been to the capital city for us, so it's my turn this time."

Lu Lin nodded in agreement. "That makes sense, I will prepare enough luggage and money for you, Cai once told me people in the capital city were all snobs, we need to prepare more money."

Chen Xiao Mi nodded and said, "Don't worry, I know how to take care of myself."

......

Lu Lin received another letter from Highness Cheng this day, rushing him to tell the young couple to rush back to the capital city.

Chen Xiao Mi looked at the letter and said, "His Highness is too anxious."

Lu Lin nodded with a dry smile.

Chen Xiao Mi thought to himself that he wanted to keep Mai for another two years, and Ji Yun An was in no rush to get married as well. But now the kids had to get married because of warmhearted Highness Cheng.

Lu Lin thought to himself, 'When Highness Cheng was in Sha County last time, the Imperial Consort kept sending letters to urge him to go back. And now he kept sending letters to urge the kids, isn't that funny.'

Lu Lin sighed and said, "Since His Highness has sent another letter, you guys better hit the road soon."

Chen Xiao Mi nodded and said, "I originally wanted to prepare more food, but now it looks like we can only bring more silver and buy food on the way."

Lu Lin nodded and said, "That's fine, fresh food always tastes better anyways."