Chapter 197 [VIP]

Xie Danling spoke excitedly.

"My cousin Xing also bought me a really beautiful bird. It's bright yellow, round and chubby, and has a really pretty tail. I heard it can even talk when it grows up."

Xie Danling inadvertently veered the conversation off-topic again, enthusiastically describing how beautiful her bird was, how it wouldn't fly away even after being released from its cage, and how it would even sleep on her shoulder. As she spoke, she couldn't resist declaring to her cat, "You're the prettiest!"

Gu Zhizhuo still remembered that she once said that the tabby cat's markings had twelve different shades of black, which were incredibly beautiful.

"Mimi~"

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

"By the way, Cousin Danling, could you send someone to talk to Aunt? Or, why don't you and Aunt go stay at the imperial palace for a few days, so you don't end up in a passive position?"

Xie Danling nodded repeatedly. She had originally wanted to send Awu, but then she changed her mind and decided to go herself: "I'll be right back."

She ran off, lifting her skirt. Gu Zhizhu watched her leave, yawned, and watched the song and dance performance half-heartedly. Just as she was getting bored, Gu Yican sneaked up from behind, holding a bird made of leaves in his right hand and waving it in front of her.

Wow! Gu Zhizhuo's eyes lit up.

The birds are so lifelike, they seem ready to take flight at any moment.

Gu Zhizhuo happily accepted the leaves, and was about to ask him where he picked them when she noticed that the dogwood tree behind Xie Yingchen's seat, which had been cut off for decoration, was bare, with only the bright red fruit remaining on the branches.

She covered her mouth and chuckled, then changed the subject, saying, "How did you know that Cousin Xing gave Cousin Danling a bird?"

"I'm not telling you." Gu Yican said smugly, "I'm really amazing."

"Fine, don't tell me then." Gu Zhizhuo made a face and didn't press the matter.

The bird swayed back and forth in her hand, and the cat stared wide-eyed, then pounced with its paw.

"Didn't catch them!"

"Meow".

"Still haven't caught them."

The cat meowed happily and ran excitedly around the hall, showing no shyness whatsoever.

Everyone: "..."

Since the beginning of the Great Qi Dynasty, palace banquets have never been this "lively". It's estimated that even previous dynasties never saw anything like it.

The emperor did not return until the banquet ended. Duo Leng acted as if nothing had happened, and even came over to toast Gu Yican three times. In the end, he was half drunk and had to be helped away.

Xie Yingchen glanced at the water clock in the corner, and stood up first. Seeing this, everyone in the hall also stood up to greet him and see him off.

They then gradually left Huazhang Hall.

Gu Zhizhuo originally wanted to wait for Xie Danling a little longer, but Awu came over with a message saying that Consort Shu told them to go back first, and then secretly handed her a letter: "Her Majesty asked me to give this to the eldest daughter. Her Majesty said that on the day of the Fifth Princess's coming-of-age ceremony, the eldest daughter does not need to go to the palace."

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

Stepping out of the palace gate, she glanced left and right, then walked briskly toward Xie Yingchen.

“Young Master.” Gu Zhizhuo tugged at his sleeve, showing off the newly acquired straw-woven bird. “Young Master, isn’t it pretty? Can Can gave it to me.”

Gu Yican proudly raised her chin at him.

Xie Yingchen: "It looks good."

"Right, right, it can fly too."

Gu Zhizhuo happily picked up the bird and shook it from side to side; its wings seemed to actually flutter in the breeze.

The cat perched on her shoulder stared wide-eyed at the sight.

Cough cough.

Prince Li cleared his throat, indicating that he was also present.

He scolded, "You silly girl, when will you learn to control your temper? You embarrassed the Empress in public. If this is really investigated, it will be considered a crime of disobedience."

Gu Zhizhuo said matter-of-factly, "The Empress is ill."

"You still dare to talk!" Prince Li threatened her with a stern face. If she hadn't come up with this excuse on the spot, he would have had to step in himself.

That's the Empress!

Even among ordinary people, she should be addressed as "aunt." She's utterly disrespectful!

"Don't do that again, understand?"

"I understand." It won't be changed!

Prince Li was pleased to see that she was well-behaved and followed them outside. As they walked, he said to Xie Yingchen, "That Xiliang princess named Jiaye seems to be quite sensible. If Xie Jing could have some advice from her, it would save him some trouble in the future." As he spoke, he carefully looked at Xie Yingchen.

As the head of the clan, he really didn't want the Xie family members to fight amongst themselves.

Chen'er is not a ruthless person. If Xie Jing could listen to her, Xie Yingchen might not have gone so far as to kill him.

Fearing he might refuse outright, Prince Li quickly added, "Let's see first, let's take a look first. He seems more sensible than that fellow surnamed Ji."

"Isn't the wedding date of October 14th a bit too rushed, Chen'er?"

Prince Li felt that the decision was made a bit too hastily.

There are also many auspicious days after the 15th of October.

Xie Yingchen said gently, "Grand Uncle, this is not my wedding date, so there's no need to ask me. As long as the Emperor is happy, that's all that matters."

Forget about wedding dates! Gu Yican silently switched places with her sister, walking between her and Xie Yichen, and pulled her sleeve.

Hmm. That feels better now.

Upon arriving at the palace gate, Prince Li went ahead first.

Xie Yingchen watched Gu Zhizhuo and his carriage leave before getting into his own.

Huai Jingzhi was already waiting in the carriage. After rising to greet him, he said, "Young Master, this is an urgent official document sent from Yongzhou."

Xie Yingchen reached out and took it, asking, "Jingzhi, can you weave birds out of leaves?"

ah?

Huai Jingzhi was learned and talented, well-versed in classics, histories, philosophical works, and literary collections, but he had never studied this.

"Won't."

He wasn't sure if it was just his imagination, but when his young master looked up at him, there seemed to be a deep disappointment in his eyes, as if his inability to make up stories about birds was some heinous crime.

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

Huai Jing was baffled and wanted to have a serious talk with his young master about what a qualified advisor should do.

"Never mind." Xie Yingchen opened one of the books and said without looking up, "Have someone prepare some willow branches."

The words that were about to be spoken stuck in his throat, turning into a single sentence...

"yes."

He needs to ask around to see who knows how to weave birds.

Xie Yingchen continued to peruse the documents with his head down. Upon returning to the mansion, he hurriedly went to his study. In the midst of his busy schedule, he did not forget to remind him to find willow branches.

Willow branches weren't hard to find; within an hour, the servants had gathered a large pile and delivered them directly to the study.

These willow branches are lush and green, and extremely resilient.

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

He had just watched Gu Yican weave the willow branches at the banquet. Before he tried it, he thought it wouldn't be difficult, but once he started, the willow branches were completely uncontrollable in his hands. No matter how he tried to bend them, he couldn't even bend 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 childhood, and the late emperor had personally guided him. He learned everything quickly, understood it almost at a glance, and had a photographic memory.

How come you can't even come up with a story about a grasshopper?

Huh?

After being repeatedly bent and folded, the willow twigs finally developed creases and broken strands, rendering them unusable.

Xie Yingchen put it down and picked two more willow leaves. This time, he managed to weave them into the outline of a body, but they were a bit loose. With a bit of force, "snap," the willow leaf broke.

continue.

Huai Jing lit the oil lamp, glanced at the sky outside, and suggested, "Young master, why don't I send someone to catch one alive?"

It's cold in October, so grasshoppers aren't easy to catch, but they're not impossible either; you can catch them in one night.

Xie Yingchen put down the willow branch in his hand, silently looked up at him, and sized him up from head to toe, making him feel uneasy.

Xie Yingchen: "No wonder you can't find a wife."

Huai Jingzhi: !

Young master, what you're saying is a bit harsh.

After several more attempts, I could only manage to weave a body, and more than half of the willow branches piled on the desk were gone.

Knock knock knock.

The third watch gong sounded in the darkness.

“Young Master, you should go to sleep,” Huai Jingzhi said firmly. “If you don’t go to sleep soon, I’ll go to the Prince of Zhenbei’s mansion to complain tomorrow. If Miss Gu finds out…”

Xie Yingchen silently put down the willow branch.

Just as I was about to go to rest, I heard hurried footsteps approaching in the courtyard.

"Young master, it is Qin Chen."

He recognized the rough, fussy sound as belonging to Qin Chen.

It was indeed Qin Chen. Qin Chen had just returned from Qingzhou. At this hour, the city gates were already closed, but Xie Yingchen had given him a token before he left, so he could enter the city no matter how late he returned to the capital.

He had assumed Xie Yingchen was asleep, so he came over to the study to take a look, only to find the light still on.

"Young master."

He knocked twice on the door, and with a "Come in," he pushed the door open and entered.

"Young master, you're still here."

"Why are you still up so late tonight? If Miss Gu finds out, you're doomed."

Xie Yingchen: "Too talkative."

He happily finished complaining, stood up straight, clasped his hands in greeting, and said, "Your Highness, I have fulfilled my duty and returned from Qingzhou."

Xie Yingchen raised his hand: "Sit."

After saying that, he added, "Today was an accident, don't tell Yaoyao." He said this to Huaijingzhi.

Qin Chen was covered in dust and mud from the long journey; what would take seven or eight days by horseback, he covered in five. He looked quite energetic, beaming as he said, "Young Master, the epidemic in Qingzhou has been brought under control, thanks to the timely delivery of batches of medicine."

Relying solely on the capital to produce medicine pills to supply the people of a prefecture is certainly not enough.

After the initial batch of pills, Xie Yingchen ordered the Imperial Medical Bureau to go to Yizhou to recruit doctors and apprentices for medical clinics. In addition to the silver provided by the court, Gu Zhizhuo also promised to give these clinics two secret prescriptions. With these conditions, clinics flocked to apply.

Xie Yingchen also mobilized some wealthy merchants, offering them permission to purchase relevant medicinal herbs in exchange for their sons' participation in the imperial examinations.

Merchants were considered the lowest of the nine classes, and in the Great Qi Dynasty, they could not enter officialdom through the imperial examinations. Therefore, even if Xie Yingchen only promised each family three slots, it was enough to drive them crazy.

Merchants, especially those with businesses throughout the Great Qi, had extensive connections and resources, ensuring a steady stream of medicinal herbs were delivered to the capital.

Aside from the initial shortage of pills, making them extremely difficult to obtain, later on, everyone in Qingzhou was able to get the medicine.

When Qin Chen went to Qingzhou, his job was simply to escort and distribute pills, and he was not involved in local affairs.

Qin Chen explained the situation in the area and added, "...When I left Qingzhou, there were no deaths from the epidemic for three consecutive days."

Xie Yingchen nodded, his eyes lowered in thought.

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

"Take it yourself."

Alright! Qin Chen wolfed down several pieces, almost choking to death.

After catching his breath, he continued, "Young master, I saw that many people in Qingzhou have erected longevity tablets for Miss Gu. Especially in Wujiang Prefecture, the people Miss Gu saved in Yihe County came from Wujiang Prefecture. The Zhang family there built a shrine for her, and people from the surrounding area go there to worship her."

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

It's terrifying to think about.

"Young master, Qingzhou is in chaos. When I first arrived, some people took advantage of the chaos to incite some young men to storm the government offices, kill people and rob grain. As a result, a fire was set, and with the wind blowing, several streets were burned down, and many people died."

He shook his head and sighed, then said whatever came to mind: "As soon as Chief Eunuch Shen arrived, everyone in Qingzhou became incredibly obedient. With those methods, no wonder he's sitting so comfortably in his chair."

Before Shen Xu left the capital, Xie Yingchen wrote a letter to Qin Chen, instructing him to follow Shen Xu's arrangements in Qingzhou to avoid any inconsistencies in government policies and potential trouble.

"As soon as Commander Shen arrived in Qingzhou, he executed a group of people, even fabricating their crimes on the spot."

Those who came to greet him said they had abandoned politics and were simply flattering him.

Those who did not come to greet him were accused of disrespect and plotting against him.

They all deserve to be killed anyway.

Xie Yingchen smiled faintly. Shen Xu had only been in Qingzhou for a short time, and the memorials impeaching him for indiscriminate killing were already piling up on his desk.

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

"Later, I learned that all the people that Chief Eunuch Shen killed deserved to die. Some had embezzled the court's disaster relief funds, some had been disobedient and delayed the rescue, and some had taken the opportunity to make money and rob women... Chief Eunuch Shen must have felt that it would be too time-consuming to prosecute them one by one and to try to solve the case. He thought it would be better to just kill them directly and also deter others."

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

It was indeed quite intimidating. After a hundred people had died, when Shen Xu said one, no one dared to say another.

No one dared to delay the tasks he assigned, fearing that he might kill them without question in a fit of anger.

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

Huai Jingzhi glanced at the sky again and resigned himself to his fate; the young master would most likely be up all night. He ordered someone to prepare a calming soup and continued, "Chief Supervisor Shen only dared to do this because he believed in the young master's promise. Otherwise, every single thing he did would be a handle against him."

Xie Yingchen twirled the jade ring on his finger, pondered for a moment, and asked, "When did Chief Eunuch Shen set off?"

"He arrived a day later than his subordinate, but he's not in a hurry. It will take him another ten or eight days to get there."

Not only did he not rush, but the grandeur of his travels left Qin Chen speechless every time he saw it. Even after arriving in Qingzhou, he didn't suffer the slightest hardship, even though he himself didn't eat or drink well. Qin Chen couldn't help but shed a tear.

“Jingzhi, grind the powder.”

"yes."

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

"Qin Chen, make another trip and deliver these two items to Chief Eunuch Chen."

Qin Chen accepted it with both hands.

"After you return, you don't need to go back to the capital. Go directly to the Qianji Camp's military camp to await orders."

Qin Chen had previously been transferred to the Thousand Machine Battalion as a captain.

He clasped his hands in acceptance.

He quickly stuffed all the pastries on the table into his mouth. Xie Yingchen handed him a pot of tea, which he drank in one gulp. He also ate a bowl of freshly made calming soup. Without waiting for dawn, he hurriedly left the city that very night.

This trip lasted for three full days.

When Qin Chen returned, it was the middle of the night again, and he brought back an umbrella.

"Young Master, Chief Eunuch Shen sent me back with the 'Umbrella of Ten Thousand People' that was given to Miss Gu by the people of Qingzhou."

"The Umbrella of Ten Thousand People?"

Although it is called an umbrella, it is actually like a canopy when unfolded. The strips of cloth hanging down from the umbrella are of different widths and colors, including expensive silk and ordinary linen.

Each strip of cloth had either a name written on it or a handprint on it. There were hundreds of these strips, each with at least hundreds of names or handprints written on it, densely packed together.

The Umbrella of Ten Thousand People carries the prayers of the people.

This is Yaoyao's merit.

"Prepare the carriage. We're heading to the Prince of Zhenbei's Mansion."

It's almost dawn! Huai Jingzhi hesitated, before he could speak, when Xie Yingchen, clutching the "Umbrella of Ten Thousand People," hurriedly left.

Xie Yingchen frequently visited the Prince of Zhenbei's residence and was very amiable to everyone there. The Grand Madam especially adored him.

Even if he arrived in the middle of the night, the gatekeeper would cheerfully welcome him in without asking a single question. It was just like when his master occasionally came home late; no servants were needed to announce his arrival or lead the way.

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

He shook his head with a wry smile.

Should we go back first and come back tomorrow?

Shall we go sit in the flower hall first?

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

"Young Master!"

The sound of footsteps came from the direction of the ceremonial gate, their steps swift and powerful.

A note from the author: