Chapter 40: The Test from the Future Mother-in-Law, the Empress!

Palace of Earthly Tranquility.

Empress Ma’s family banquet was in full swing.

All of the imperial princes under Emperor Zhu were in attendance, including those who were already married as well as the younger ones who had yet to take wives.

Furthermore, the married princes had all brought their respective imperial consorts with them.

The Crown Prince, Zhu Biao, was accompanied by his primary consort, Lady Chang—daughter of Chang Yuchun—alongside his pregnant secondary consort, Lady Lü. He had also brought Zhu Xiongoying to the banquet.

The Second Prince, Zhu Shuang, had married Guanyinnu, the daughter of Wang Baobao, and had no children as of yet.

The primary consort of the Third Prince, Zhu Gang, had tragically passed away not long after giving birth to their eldest son that very same year.

The Fourth Prince, Zhu Di, was currently busy preparing to establish his own independent princely residence due to his appointment as the Grand Coordinator of Waterways.

His marriage had long since been meticulously arranged by Emperor Zhu himself, who had betrothed him to Lady Xu, the eldest daughter of Xu Da, the Duke of Wei.

The moment the Mansion of the Prince of Yan completed its renovations would be the day Zhu Di celebrated his grand wedding.

As the prospective Princess of Yan, Lady Xu had also received an invitation from Empress Ma.

From the Fifth Prince, Zhu Su, onward, the remaining princes were still quite young and unmarried, yet they uniformly shared one common status: they were all students of Qin Feng.

The family banquet was lively and bustling, bringing a bright smile to Empress Ma’s face.

She glanced toward Zhu Biao and suddenly asked, "Eldest son, where is your father? And why hasn't the prospective son-in-law I invited arrived yet?"

Zhu Biao was still lost in the profound shock of learning that Qin Feng was a man from future generations, unable to pull himself back to reality. Hearing Empress Ma's inquiry, he raised his head with a blank expression.

"Mother, I'm not entirely sure. He should be here shortly."

"I've said it before: if the prospective son-in-law doesn't show, this family banquet will not commence. I must lay eyes on him today without fail."

Empress Ma had heard whispers concerning Qin Feng for quite some time, and she had listened more than once as Emperor Zhu spoke of Qin Feng in private.

Emperor Zhu's words were filled with nothing but praise for Qin Feng, praise that rivaled the high regard Emperor Zhu traditionally reserved for Wang Baobao, that legendary hero of the northern steppes.

Being both virtuous and wise, Empress Ma quickly realized just how crucial Qin Feng was to Emperor Zhu.

Even though deep down in her heart she felt a reluctant pang at the thought of her daughter marrying away, she still wished to use this family banquet to meet Qin Feng in person and judge whether he was truly a suitable match for her daughter.

"Mother, is this supposed to be a family banquet or a feast at Hong Gate?"

Empress Ma delivered a sharp slap to Zhu Biao’s back and rolled her eyes. "Yingrao is the flesh of my heart. I must vet her future husband myself."

"If he wants to become my son-in-law, his appearance, character, and capability must all pass muster."

"Judging from what you and your father have said, Qin Feng's abilities are up to standard, but I haven't yet laid eyes on his looks or his character. I cannot rest easy marrying Yingrao off to him just like that."

Zhu Biao nudged his younger brothers with his chin and said, "Mother, if you truly wish to understand him, why don't you ask them what they think of Qin Feng?"

Empress Ma retorted, "How have I not inquired? Taking the imperial princes out of the palace to play truant, setting fire to the Upper Forest Park, and embezzling the imperial treasury's silver—all these matters have already reached the Palace of Earthly Tranquility. Tell me, how can I feel at ease about this young man's character?"

Zhu Di hurriedly stepped forward to defend Qin Feng. "Mother, those were all mere misunderstandings that people held regarding the Teacher. The Teacher is truly a wonderful person."

Zhu Biao chuckled and said, "Mother, just listen to them. The Fourth Brother and the others all hold a favorable impression of Qin Feng. Make sure you don't end up frightening the man away."

Empress Ma rolled her eyes. "Am I truly a person devoid of tact? Why hasn't your father arrived yet? He is late to every single family banquet."

Just as Empress Ma was showing a trace of displeasure, Emperor Zhu finally walked into the banquet hall, accompanied by Qin Feng.

"I am late. Is everyone already gathered for the banquet this time?"

At that moment, all eyes fell upon Qin Feng standing directly behind Emperor Zhu.

A warm smile played on Qin Feng’s lips as he held out a generous gift and said, "Greetings, Empress! I have prepared a humble token of my respect, hoping it meets with your favor."

Empress Ma looked Qin Feng up and down.

She had never expected Qin Feng’s appearance to be so remarkably striking; he looked vastly superior to those unsightly suitors who had been trying to win Yingrao's hand in marriage.

In terms of appearance, Qin Feng had already completely passed Empress Ma's inspection.

However, observing his casual demeanor and gestures, he seemed entirely unversed in court etiquette.

She lowered her voice and asked Zhu Biao, "What is Qin Feng's family background?"

Zhu Biao froze.

Was he supposed to tell Empress Ma directly that Qin Feng was of commoner stock with zero background or influence?

Furthermore, there was another well-kept secret regarding Qin Feng.

A secret he had only just learned from Emperor Zhu himself.

Qin Feng was actually a traveler from over six hundred years in the future, a man of later ages who had crossed through time into the Great Ming Dynasty.

"Well... Qin Feng doesn't really have much of a background..."

Empress Ma was startled.

"Does that mean he has virtually no family wealth? If Yingrao marries him, won't she be destined to suffer hardship?"

"No, absolutely not! This will simply not do!"

Zhu Biao quickly interposed, "But Qin Feng is hardly lacking in ways to make money. He just established a newspaper for the Ming Dynasty, and within ten days, he delivered over one hundred thousand taels of silver to the imperial treasury."

Hearing this, Empress Ma widened her eyes and nodded in satisfaction. "It seems this young man possesses some genuine talent. In terms of capability, he should pass."

"Mother, if you still have doubts, you can ask the Second and Third Brothers."

"Ever since they established their own princely manors, the two of them have received no end of guidance from Qin Feng."

"Relying on the white sugar and perfume businesses they run outside, heaven knows how much monthly revenue they have brought into their households."

Empress Ma nodded inwardly.

To think this young man also understood commercial ventures and possessed a distinct talent for generating wealth.

With such cleverness and resourcefulness, supporting Yingrao should pose no problem at all.

Yet another thought struck her: Emperor Zhu had only recently promulgated a decree forbidding court officials from engaging in commerce!

Sensing Empress Ma's concern, Zhu Biao added, "Qin Feng is extraordinarily capable, and Father has already granted him permission to both hold official office and engage in trade. However... that is contingent upon him completing two tasks first."

"Which two tasks? Once he fulfills his mission of raising grain and silver for the court, not only will he be granted the right to serve as an official and a merchant, but Yingrao will also be wedded to him."

Empress Ma nodded. "Those two matters indeed concern the very foundation of the state. If he can accomplish them all, his abilities cannot be underestimated."

Though she said this aloud, Empress Ma still harbored a desire to test and challenge Qin Feng somewhat.

Her precious daughter could not simply be whisked away so easily; Yingrao was the apple of her eye!

After a moment of quiet contemplation, Empress Ma said, "Qin Feng, everyone outside claims you are a corrupt official who embezzled the imperial treasury's silver. Do you have any explanation to offer?"

"I have nothing to explain. The innocent remain pure, and I trust that the court will eventually restore my good name."

"His Majesty and the Crown Prince have told me that you once composed a poem in seven steps within the great hall. Since everyone is in such rare high spirits at today's family banquet, take 'purity' as your theme and compose a poem for us!"

Qin Feng froze.

Was this the prospective mother-in-law's first trial for him?

Using poetry to test his intellect and talent?

As a man from later times, he carried countless immortal verses and celebrated masterpieces etched in his memory.

Qin Feng could muddle through the test simply by reciting a couple of lines at random.

For him, this hardly counted as a trial at all.

Wracking his brain for a moment, Qin Feng finally conjured up a poem that perfectly fit the theme.

"Though battered by a thousand blows, it cleaves to the deep mountain; amidst the roaring fires of the kiln, it stands as calm as can be. It fears no shattering of bone or pulverizing frame, so long as pristine purity remains in the human realm."