Chapter 197 Chapter 197 is the only genuine version...

Xie Danling spoke excitedly.

"My cousin Xing also bought me a really beautiful bird. It's bright yellow, plump and round, with a beautiful tail. I heard it'll even be able to talk when it grows up."

Xie Danling accidentally veered off topic again, excitedly remarking on how beautiful her bird was, how it wouldn't fly away even when released from its cage and would even sleep on her shoulder. As she spoke, she didn't forget to confess to the cat, "You're the most beautiful!"

Gu Zhizhuo still remembered that she once said that the tabby pattern on Shen Mao's body had twelve different shades of black, which looked extremely beautiful.

"Meow~"

After the cat finished eating the shrimps, it washed its face obediently. Xie Danling's heart melted.

"By the way, Cousin Danling, please send someone to talk to my aunt. Otherwise, you and my aunt can stay at the palace for a few days to avoid being pushed around."

Xie Danling nodded repeatedly. She had originally wanted to let Awu go, but on second thought, she decided to go herself. "I'll be back soon."

She ran away with her skirt lifted up. Gu Zhizhuo watched her leave, yawned, and watched the singing and dancing in a distracted manner. Just when he was feeling bored, Gu Yican sneaked up from behind, holding a bird made of leaves in his right hand and waved it in front of her.

Wow. Gu Zhizhuo's eyes lit up.

The birds are woven so vividly that they seem as if they will flap their wings and fly away at any time.

Gu Zhizhuo happily took it and was about to ask him where he picked the leaves, when he saw that the dogwood tree behind Xie Yingchen's seat that had been cut down for decoration was bare, with only the bright red fruits left on the branches.

She covered her mouth with her hands and smiled, then changed the subject and asked, "How do you know that Cousin Xing gave a bird to Cousin Danling?"

"I won't tell you." Gu Yican said proudly, "I'm really awesome."

Forget it. Gu Zhizhuo made a face and didn't ask any more questions.

The bird dangled from her hand, and the cat's eyes widened as it pounced on it with its claws outstretched.

“Didn’t catch him!”

"Meow."

"Still haven't caught him."

The cat meowed happily and ran around the hall excitedly, not shy at all.

Everyone: “…”

Ever since the beginning of palace banquets during the Great Qi Dynasty, there had never been such a lively atmosphere. It was probably not even in the previous dynasty.

Until the banquet was over, the emperor did not come back. Duoleng acted as if nothing had happened and even came over to toast Gu Yican three times. In the end, he was half drunk and half awake and had to be helped down.

Xie Yingchen glanced at the clepsydra in the corner and stood up first. Seeing this, everyone in the hall also stood up and greeted him respectfully.

Only then did they leave Huazhang Palace one after another.

Gu Zhizhuo wanted to wait for Xie Danling, but Ah Wu came over and told them that Concubine Shu had asked them to go back first. She then quietly handed her a letter: "The Empress asked me to give this to the eldest lady. The Empress said that the eldest lady does not need to enter the palace on the day of the fifth princess' coming of age."

Gu Zhizhuo took the letter silently and hid it in his sleeve pocket.

Walking out of the palace gate, she looked around and walked briskly towards Xie Yingchen.

"Sir." Gu Zhizhuo pulled his sleeve and showed him the newly woven straw bird. "Sir, isn't it beautiful? Cancan gave it to me."

Gu Yican raised his chin towards him proudly.

Xie Yingchen: "It looks good."

"Right, right, it can still fly."

Gu Zhizhuo happily picked up the bird and shook it left and right. Its wings seemed to really flutter in the wind.

The cat on her shoulder was staring blankly.

Cough cough.

Prince Li cleared his throat and indicated that he was there too.

He scolded her, "Girl, when will you control your temper? You embarrassed the Queen in public. If this is really investigated, it will be a crime of disobedience."

Gu Zhizhuo said confidently: "The Queen is ill."

"You still say that." Prince Li threatened her with a fierce face. If she hadn't come up with this excuse on the spur of the moment, he would have had to step forward.

That's the Queen!

Even in the common people, she has to call her aunt. Not filial at all!

"Don't do this again, understand?"

"I know." I won't change it!

Prince Li was satisfied to see that she was well behaved, so he followed them out and said to Xie Yingchen as he walked, "I think that Princess Jiaye of Xiliang is a sensible girl. If Xie Jing could have some advice from her, he would have less worries in the future." As he spoke, he looked at Xie Yingchen carefully.

As the clan leader, he really didn't want the Xie family to kill each other.

Chen'er is not a cruel person. If Xie Jing could be obedient, Xie Yingchen might not kill him.

Fearing he might refuse outright, Prince Li quickly added, "Let's wait and see. I think he's at least more sensible than that Ji guy."

"October 14th is a bit too early for the wedding, Chen'er?"

Prince Li felt that the decision was a bit hasty.

There are also many good days after October 15th.

Xie Yingchen said gently, "Granduncle, this is not my wedding date, so don't ask me. As long as the emperor is happy, it's fine."

What wedding date?! Gu Yican silently changed places with his sister, walked between her and Xie Yichen, and pulled his sleeve for her.

Yeah. Now I feel relieved.

When they arrived at the palace gate, Prince Li went ahead.

Xie Yingchen watched Gu Zhizhuo and his companions' carriage leave, then got on his own carriage.

Huai Jingzhi was already waiting in the carriage. He stood up and greeted him, then said, "Sir, this is an urgent document sent from Yongzhou."

Xie Yingchen took it and asked, "Jingzhi, can you weave a bird with leaves?"

ah?

Huai Jingzhi was knowledgeable and talented, and was well-versed in the classics, history, and literature, but he had never studied this.

"Won't."

He didn't know if it was an illusion, but when his young master looked up at him, there seemed to be deep disappointment in his eyes, as if it was an unforgivable sin that he couldn't weave birds.

No! He is a staff member. When did a staff member have to know how to weave birds?

Huai Jingzhi was puzzled and wanted to have a good talk with his young master about what a qualified aide should do.

"Forget it." Xie Yingchen flipped open one of the books and said without looking up, "Send someone to prepare some willow branches."

The unspoken words were stuck in my throat and turned into...

"yes."

He had to ask who could weave a bird.

Xie Yingchen continued to flip through the documents with his head down, and when he returned home he hurried to the study. Despite his busy schedule, he did not forget to remind him to find willow branches.

Willow branches were not difficult to find. In less than an hour, the servants had found a large pile and sent them directly to the study.

These willow branches are green and very tough.

Xie Yingchen pushed the documents aside and picked out the two that looked the best.

He had just watched Gu Yican weaving at the dinner table. Before he started, he thought it should be easy, but after he started, the willow branches were completely out of control in his hands. He kept bending them, and he couldn't even make a simple grasshopper, let alone a bird.

“That shouldn’t be the case.”

Xie Yingchen frowned slightly. He had been taught by several tutors since he was young, and was also personally guided by the late emperor. He learned things quickly, understood them almost at a glance, and remembered them forever.

How come you can’t even make up a grasshopper?

Huh?

After being folded repeatedly, the willow branches finally had creases and willow fibers, and could no longer be used.

Xie Yingchen put it down and picked two more willow leaves. This time, he managed to weave the outline of the body, but it was a little loose. He exerted force with his hands, and with a "crack", the willow leaves broke.

continue.

Huai Jingzhi lit the oil lamp, took another look at the sky outside, and suggested, "Sir, how about I send someone to catch a live one?"

It's cold in October, so it's not easy to catch grasshoppers, but it's not impossible. One night's work is enough.

Xie Yingchen put down the willow branch in his hand, looked up at him silently, and sized him up and down, which made him feel uneasy.

Xie Yingchen: "No wonder you can't get married."

Huai Jingzhi:!

Sir, what you said is a bit heartbreaking.

After trying several more times, he could still barely weave the body, and more than half of the willow branches piled on the desk were gone.

Boom boom boom.

The sound of the third watch gong rang out in the dark night.

"Sir, you should go to bed." Huai Jingzhi said firmly, "If you don't go to bed, I will go to the Zhenbei Palace to complain tomorrow. If Miss Gu finds out..."

Xie Yingchen silently put down the willow branch.

Just as I was about to take a rest, I heard hurried footsteps in the courtyard.

"Sir, it's Qin Chen."

He knew it was Qin Chen from the hurried voice.

It was indeed Qin Chen. Qin Chen had just returned from Qingzhou. The city gate was closed at this hour, but Xie Yingchen had given him a token before he left, so he could still enter the city even if he returned to Beijing later.

He originally thought that Xie Yingchen had gone to bed, so he came to the study to take a look, but he didn't expect that the light was still on.

"Young Master."

He knocked on the door twice, then pushed it open and walked in with a "Come in".

"Sir, you are still here."

"Why are you still awake so late today? You'll be finished if Miss Gu finds out."

Xie Yingchen: "You're talking too much."

He cheerfully finished his dislike, then stood up straight again, clasped his fists and saluted, saying, "Your Highness, I have returned from Qingzhou, fulfilling your trust."

Xie Yingchen raised his hand and said, "Sit down."

After saying that, he added, "Today's incident was an accident. You are not allowed to tell Yaoyao." He said this to Huai Jingzhi.

Qin Chen was exhausted from the journey, covered in dust and mud. Even if he rode at full speed, it would take seven or eight days, but he arrived in five. He looked energetic and said with great joy, "Master, the epidemic in Qingzhou has been brought under control, thanks to the timely delivery of batches of pills."

It is definitely not enough to rely solely on the capital to produce pills to supply the people of a state.

After the initial batch of pills, Xie Yingchen ordered the Imperial Medical Bureau to Yizhou to recruit doctors and apprentices. Besides the court's financial support, Gu Zhizhuo also promised to provide these clinics with two secret recipes. With these conditions, clinics flocked to sign up.

Xie Yingchen also mobilized some big merchants, allowing their children to purchase the corresponding medicinal materials on the condition that they would be allowed to take the imperial examinations.

Merchants were considered the lowest class of the nine classes and could not enter the government through the imperial examinations in Daqi. Therefore, even if Xie Yingchen only promised to give each family three places, it was enough to drive them crazy.

Merchants, especially the big merchants whose businesses spread across Daqi, have extremely wide connections and channels, and a steady stream of medicinal materials are sent to the capital.

Except for the initial shortage of pills, which made it difficult to get one, later on, everyone in Qingzhou could get the medicine.

When Qin Chen went to Qingzhou, his job was only to escort and distribute pills, and he had nothing to do with local internal affairs.

Qin Chen explained the local situation and added, "...When I left Qingzhou, there had been no deaths from the epidemic for three consecutive days."

Xie Yingchen nodded and lowered his eyes to think.

After finishing the business, Qin Chen asked for a cup of tea and stared at the snacks on the table.

"Get it yourself."

“Okay!” Qin Chen gobbled down several pieces, nearly choking to death.

After catching his breath, he continued, "Young Master, I saw many people in Qingzhou setting up longevity tablets for Miss Gu. Especially in Wujiang Prefecture. One of the people Miss Gu saved in Yihe County was from Wujiang Prefecture. A family surnamed Zhang built a shrine for her, and people from all over the area go there to pay their respects."

They all said, if it weren't for Miss Gu, who knows how many people would have died this time."

It’s scary just thinking about it.

"Sir, Qingzhou is in chaos. When I first arrived, someone took advantage of the situation and instigated some young men to attack the government office, killing people and stealing food. As a result, a fire was set, and the wind blew, burning down several streets, killing many people."

He shook his head and sighed, speaking whatever came to his mind: "Since Lord Shen arrived, it hasn't been long since everyone in Qingzhou became incredibly obedient. With this kind of tactics, it's no wonder he's sitting so firmly in this chair."

Before Shen Xu left the capital, Xie Yingchen wrote a letter to Qin Chen, asking him to follow Shen Xu's arrangements in Qingzhou to avoid any chaos caused by inconsistent government orders.

"As soon as Governor Shen arrived in Qingzhou, he killed a group of people, even making up the charges on them."

Those who came to greet him said they would leave behind their political affairs and curry favor with him.

Those who did not come to greet him were accused of being disrespectful to him and having ulterior motives.

They all deserve to be killed anyway.

Xie Yingchen smiled faintly. Shen Xu had just arrived in Qingzhou not long ago, and his desk was almost piled with memorials impeaching him for indiscriminate killing.

But just as Xie Yingchen had promised before he left, Xie Yingchen blocked all the impeachment memorials and did not interfere with his actions in Qingzhou.

"Later, I learned that all those executed by Governor Shen deserved to die. Some had embezzled the imperial disaster relief funds, some had pretended to obey orders but secretly delayed the rescue of people, and some had taken advantage of the situation to make money and abduct women... Governor Shen must have felt that it would take too long to judge each case one by one, so he decided to just execute them directly, which would shock others."

Qin Chen didn't understand it at first, but he gradually understood it later.

It was indeed shocking. After the blood flowed to a hundred people, no one dared to say anything against Shen Xu's words.

No one dared to delay the task he assigned, for fear that he would get angry and kill them without trial or questioning.

"They are all as well-behaved as a group of rabbits."

Huai Jingzhi glanced at the sky again and accepted his fate. The young master would most likely have to stay up all night. He asked someone to make a bowl of calming soup and followed up on his words, "Superintendent Shen only dared to do this because he believed in the young master's promise. Otherwise, every one of these things would be a handle."

Xie Yingchen twirled his jade fingertips, pondered for a moment, and said, "When did Governor Shen set out?"

"He's a day later than me, but he's not in a hurry. It'll take him another ten or eight days to get here."

Not only was he not in a hurry, but the grandeur of his travels was so impressive that Qin Chen was stunned every time he saw it. Even when he arrived in Qingzhou, he didn't suffer any hardship, even though he himself had to eat and drink poorly. Qin Chen couldn't help but shed a tear.

"Jingzhi, grind."

"yes."

Xie Yingchen quickly wrote a letter and took out a token, which surprised Huai Jingzhi.

"Qin Chen, please make another trip and deliver these two items to Governor Shen."

Qin Chen took it with both hands.

"After you come back, you don't have to go back to the capital. Just go directly to the Qianjiying military camp and wait for orders."

Qin Chen had previously been transferred to the Qianji Camp as a captain.

He clasped his fists in response.

He stuffed all the cakes on the table into his mouth in a few bites. Xie Yingchen handed him a pot of tea, which he drank in one breath. He also had a bowl of freshly cooked calming soup and hurried out of the city at night without waiting for dawn.

This trip lasted three full days.

When Qin Chen came back, it was already late at night, and he brought back an umbrella.

"Sir, Lord Shen asked me to bring back this umbrella, which was given to Miss Gu by the people of Qingzhou."

"Umbrella of the People?"

It is called an umbrella, but in fact it looks like a canopy when unfolded. The strips of cloth hanging from the umbrella are wide, thin, and colorful, made of both expensive silk and ordinary linen.

Each piece of cloth had either a name written on it or a handprint pressed on it. There were hundreds of these cloth strips alone, and each one had at least hundreds of names or handprints written on it, densely packed.

The umbrella of all people brings the wishes of all people.

This is Yaoyao’s merit.

"Prepare the car. Go to Zhenbei Palace."

It's almost five o'clock in the morning! Huai Jingzhi hesitated, and before he could say anything, Xie Yingchen hurried out the door, holding the umbrella.

Xie Yingchen often came and went in the Zhenbei Palace. He was very kind to everyone in the palace, and the lady-in-waiting liked him very much.

Even when he arrived late at night, the concierge happily welcomed him in without even asking a question, just like when his master occasionally returned late, he didn't even need a servant to inform him and lead the way.

As he walked along the bluestone path to the ceremonial gate, a cold wind blew on his head, and Xie Yingchen finally realized that it was indeed too late.

He laughed and shook his head.

Should I go back first and come back tomorrow?

Or should we go sit in the flower hall first?

As the going back and forth wasted time, Xie Yingchen simply turned a corner and walked towards the nearest flower hall.

"Young Master!"

The sound of footsteps came from the direction of the ceremonial gate, and the steps were very powerful.