In Love With My Fierce Farming Wife!
Chapter 1251 - 1162: Joy Overflows onto the Eyebrows

Chapter 1251: Chapter 1162: Joy Overflows onto the Eyebrows

The onlookers around the Su Family’s Mansion praised them for producing a Jinshi Scholar.

Su Ke, dressed in court robe and with fresh flowers in his hair, walked briskly with a smile into the main entrance.

Patriarch Su led the entire family out of the parlor to welcome him personally.

Su Ke formally shook his robe and adjusted his headwear before he knelt down properly to pay his respects.

"Su Ke pays respects to Grandfather! To Father and Mother, to Second Uncle and Second Aunt, Third Uncle, and Third Aunt..."

He continued the long list of salutations before finally bowing his head to the ground.

Only after Su Ke had knocked his head against the floor three times did Patriarch Su laugh heartily and help him to his feet.

"My Ke’er! Today is the happiest day of your grandfather’s life, you have brought honor to your grandfather! I am simply overjoyed!"

Patriarch Su raised his sleeve to wipe the tears from the corner of his eyes, overcome with excitement.

Su Ke was in high spirits on such a joyful occasion!

He was full of life, and with a shy bow to Patriarch Su, he said with the innocence of a child, "It is all thanks to Grandfather’s guidance that Ke’er has achieved today’s success. Hereafter, Su Ke will dedicate himself to elevating our Su Family to new heights!"

Patriarch Su laughed heartily at Su Ke’s determination, "Very good, very good! Truly worthy of being a fine son of the Su Family! Come, let’s go inside and talk!" With that, Patriarch Su led Su Ke into the main hall.

The feast in the main hall was already prepared, and even the wine had been warmed. Today, the whole Su Family had gathered, so many in fact that they had to split into four tables, with men and women seated separately, and juniors also divided by gender.

Only Su Ke and Mrs. Su-Hua were exceptions!

On such a special day, even Mrs. Su-Hua was invited to the main table to sit beside her son Ke’er.

Watching her grown son, Mrs. Su-Hua’s eyes glistened with tears.

He was her child! The hope she had strived for all her life! She was proud of him!

"Come, come, come! On such a day of great joy, let us all drink a few cups of wine in celebration."

Patriarch Su stood up first, and once everyone was on their feet, he announced cheerfully, "Su Ke passed the Imperial Examination as a Jinshi Scholar, a glory never before seen in the many years of our Su family. Today, I, Su Hai, establish a new rule here: from now on, any descendant of the Su Family who achieves great success can have a living shrine erected in the ancestral hall as a reward! This time, Su Ke is no exception!"

Patriarch Su emphasized this point.

His words caused a stir among many of those present.

"No, no, no!"

Su Ke, humbly, stood up and bowed to Patriarch Su, "Grandfather, please do not speak of the living shrine again. I, Su Ke, am still young. Not to mention my position, but as for my first cousin brother, he is an Imperial Envoy personally appointed by His Majesty. In terms of honor, he surpasses me! Moreover, he is the eldest; there’s no reason why he should not have a shrine and instead me. I implore Grandfather never to mention this matter again, lest I be too ashamed to face my first cousin brother!"

His playful teasing made Su Hai burst into laughter.

"You cunning one... Agreed! If we will not erect it, then we will not. As your grandfather, I only have these old bones left and cannot afford to trouble you further."

Su Hai laughed heartily, his gaze on Su Ke now filled with approval.

Yes, neither arrogant nor impulsive, and not letting success go to his head. Su Lao Si has raised this child very well.

He tapped his wine cup against that of Su Lao Si’s and then lifted it to drink.

This left Su Lao Si stunned in place for a long time, only snapping out of it with a hint from Su Ke. A trace of moisture appeared in his eyes as well.

Over the years, his father had always favored him, but compared to the wholehearted and undisguised affection he showed for his eldest brother Su Sikong, it was like heaven and earth apart.

Fortunately, he had grown accustomed to this situation over the years.

People say that both the palm and the back of the hand are made of flesh, yet the flesh in the palm is held protectively, while the flesh on the back of the hand must endure the beating of the wind and rain. They are truly different!

After his eldest brother Su Sikong left, he saw even more of his father’s decline. As a son, all he could do was to take care of his father to the best of his ability and ensure he had no worries concerning food and clothing.

He thought he would never see his father treat him better in this lifetime.

Unexpectedly, just now, because of his son’s reason, his father had made a gesture that he once only made toward his elder brother Su Sikong.

How could he not be surprised!

Ecstatic celebration, an all-night frenzy! The Su Family’s Mansion was engulfed in the rhythm of jubilation, as everyone clinked cups and came together with loud laughter.

Su Ke was also poured full of wine, his little belly swollen.

Unable to resist, he excused himself to sneak out under the guise of needing to relieve himself, but everyone waiting for him to drink was left waiting without any sight of him returning. It was the people at the front who came to report, "Madam, the young master has already taken the carriage out of the mansion, directly to the Imperial Palace. He asked me to convey to everyone that he’ll be back tomorrow morning."

He went to the Imperial Palace? No wonder he hadn’t been seen returning.

Everyone understood the affection between Su Ke and the Empress as siblings, so they didn’t find it strange and continued drinking until late into the night before returning to their rooms to sleep.

While Mrs. Su-Hua was still reflecting, Su Ke had already returned to the gates of the palace to request an audience with the Empress.

The guards of the palace gates naturally recognized Su Ke and immediately went in to report.

Su Pan’er was originally thrilled for Su Ke. Knowing he had come to the palace to see her late at night, she was so happy that she immediately had him summoned into the palace.

After thinking it over, she also sent someone to inform His Majesty.

His Majesty hadn’t returned to the palace tonight; presumably, he was detained by affairs at court.

Su Ke arrived shortly, still dressed in the attire special to a new Jinshi Scholar, looking especially sharp and spirited. This was a very different feeling from usual, and it made Su Pan’er’s eyes moisten with emotion.

Su Ke, looking at her, was equally excited, but soon adjusted himself and knelt down to pay respects.

"This humble official pays respect to the Empress."

"Please get up quickly."

Su Pan’er hurriedly called out, wanting to extend her hand to help him, but ultimately, she did not move.

"Thank you, Empress."

Su Ke then got up and stood straight, his gaze landing on Su Pan’er’s prominently bulging belly, clearly surprised.

As the months of her pregnancy progressed, Su Pan’er’s movements had become slower.

With her hand on the armrest of the chair, she stood up with a particularly joyous smile, "Still calling me Empress? When did we, as siblings, become so estranged?"

Su Ke reached out his hand to help her, but stopped mid-air, slowly retracting his hand, "Fourth sister."

"Ke’er, such a good boy!"

Su Pan’er laughed with great delight, "Your fourth sister got the news early on. Ke’er, you passed the Imperial Examination, and you’ve made your fourth sister very proud. To know that my brother has achieved such scholarly honor, what else could bring me greater joy?"