Mianxue
Jiang Heng, as one of the most powerful and influential officials in Dayu, simply laughed it off and did nothing. As a result, in the eyes of the old censors who were already resentful, Dou Yanxun appeared to be all-powerful and fooling the powerful, and memorials impeaching him were presented to the Golden Palace like snowflakes.
The original purpose of the censorate was to criticize current affairs and impeach illegal activities. Once problems arose within the censorate, it would be even more difficult to gain the respect of the people. Just when everyone thought that Dou Yanxun's position as the former imperial inspector, personally appointed by Emperor Su, was in jeopardy, another imperial edict came from the Golden Palace, promoting Dou Yanxun to the position of Junior Chamberlain of the Crown Prince's Palace, a fourth-rank official.
Although the Junior Chamberlain of the Crown Prince's Palace does not wield as much power as the Crown Prince's Chamberlain, who is in charge of all matters of the Eastern Palace, he was originally responsible for assisting in handling various affairs of the Eastern Palace. However, since the beginning of this dynasty, he has only been in charge of matters such as etiquette and admonition. Although his rank is not low, it is a truly sinecure.
As a result, opinions in the court were divided. Some believed that Emperor Su was merely trying to comfort Dou Yanxun in his grief over the loss of his wife, promoting him in name only but demoting him in reality, and removing him from the center of power. Others believed that this matter must have involved the secret maneuvering of the Crown Prince, the Eldest Princess, and even the Right Vice Minister of the Ministry of Personnel to barely stabilize Dou Yanxun's position.
Some say that this matter is ultimately just a way for the eldest son's adopted daughter, Lady Zhao'en, to make amends. After all, it's rumored that their divorce was due to Lady Zhao'en's extramarital affair, which led to their separation and the current divorce.
Meanwhile, rumors about Lin Xu's whereabouts spread like wildfire. Some said that after the divorce, she was disgraced by her family and was sent to the countryside in Mujing by Lin Fu to recuperate. Others said that Lin Xu and Zhou Weikan were deeply in love, and after the divorce, Zhou Weikan hid her in his private residence for their trysts...
People have always loved gossip, and these stories, embellished and spread by storytellers, have become even more outrageous. Lady Zhao'en's reputation, which had been praised for her courageous remonstrance before the palace, quickly turned into a laughing stock for people to tease over tea.
Meanwhile, the imperial examinations, which had been postponed for more than half a month due to the thorough investigation into corruption, were brought back to the agenda. Zhao Xiang's faction used the Yu Shi corruption case to purge many opposing forces, causing many neutral officials in the court to feel insecure and dare not challenge Zhao Xiang any further. As a result, within just three days, both the Minister and Vice Minister of Rites, who were originally scheduled to preside over the examinations, declined the offer.
The Crown Prince was very dissatisfied with this, but he knew that the imperial examinations had always required the selection of senior officials with long service in the court, who were either members of the Ministry of Rites or Hanlin Academy scholars. Since the Ministry of Rites had rejected this matter, it could only select from the Hanlin Academy scholars of the current court.
A few days later, the court officially appointed Fu Sheng, who had previously served as a Doctor of Studies at Zhiqiong Hall, to the position.
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The spring rain drizzled for days on end, covering the stone path in front of the door with moss, making it easy to slip and fall. The willow branches dripped with emerald green from the eaves, and the misty rain shrouded everything in a hazy veil, adding a touch of tranquility.
Lin Xu, dressed in a plain blue silk jacket and without makeup, sat smiling in front of the door, holding her infant child in her arms. A clear medicinal fragrance floated in the air, the astragalus and ginseng that Luo Shilan had brewed for her that morning, now mingled with the warm, moist scent of the charcoal fire, spreading its sweet aftertaste.
Since she finished her postpartum confinement, her health has greatly improved thanks to Luo Shilan's careful recuperation, and she now often comes out to walk around in the courtyard.
To make her comfortable, Haiping and Luo Shilan selected the sturdiest wood branches and rattan to weave a rattan chair, wiped it clean, and added a brocade cushion and pillow. Sitting in the courtyard to relax was quite relaxing and pleasant.
In the distance, the courtyard gate was half open, and Yu Mei could be vaguely seen with her hair tied in two buns, each end of which was adorned with a pearl flower. She was playing barefoot in the puddles under the eaves.
The child was innocent and played without fear of the cold. He even turned around with bright eyes and giggled at Lin Xu.
"Look, my dear sister! I caught a little water droplet that can jump!"
Lin Xu smiled, while Hai Ping, who was standing in the corner with his arms crossed and leaning against the wall, frowned slightly.
Hai Ping, already resembling a young man, had a more resolute face when he wasn't smiling, and he seemed even more energetic. He didn't care about his clothes, but even so, Luo Shilan made him wear clean linen shirts every day. Even so, the monotonous gray-blue couldn't suppress the handsome features of the young man who was about to emerge from the ground.
"Yu Mei, be careful not to slip!"
Despite saying this, Haiping couldn't help but smile at Yumei's playful expression. Seeing that Yumei was having more and more fun, even her clothes were wet, Haiping couldn't help but step forward, walking closer to Yumei and escorting her back to the corridor.
The brother and sister stood together. Haiping didn't say much, but his eyes kept falling on the baby in Lin Xu's arms.
In that critical situation, he risked his life to run to the nearby streets and alleys, and managed to find a doctor who was famous far and wide, thus saving Lin Xu's pregnancy.
He still remembers the stench of blood that filled the room that night. Although he was a boy, he vaguely understood the pain of childbirth for women. At that time, Luo Shilan and the doctor were busy running around in the room, but he could only grit his teeth and stand outside, helpless.
At that time, he couldn't even imagine how panicked he would be if Lin Xu were to have an accident during childbirth, just like his aunt Qi Shuang'er had been...
Fortunately, everything went smoothly afterward, and Lin Xu gave birth to the child without incident. Everyone says postpartum bleeding is terrible, and Luo Shilan was too busy to pay attention to him and his sister at the time, so he managed to sneak a peek through the crowd…
Why are newborn babies so ugly?!
She kept crying and wouldn't stop... The little baby is so inconsiderate, doesn't she know that Lin Xu is weak and has no strength to take care of her?
But within a few days, the little baby grew more and more beautiful. Whenever he saw her, he would bite his fingers and giggle, something he never did to others. Lady Luo said that Lin Xu's baby was a rare beauty in the making, and even though he hadn't fully grown yet, one could already glimpse his future beauty.
He heard it but remained noncommittal. No matter how good-looking someone was, they couldn't compare to Lin Xu's appearance... Although he didn't like Lin Xu when they first met, and even disliked the entire Lin family, the maple forest was ablaze with color then, and he realized that the person who came out from behind the maple forest was indescribably handsome.
That was a beauty he could never describe, even after reading many books. Could the new little sister possibly compare to Lin Xu's looks?
The baby will soon be a month old. Lady Luo has always loved children, otherwise she wouldn't have taken such good care of him and his sister, and the house will become more and more lively.
Lin Xu holds the baby in her arms every day, cherishing him as if he were a rare treasure. The person who used to always have a worried look on her face now often has a smile on her lips and a gentle look in her eyes.
Lin Xu had already given his little sister a nickname a few days after she was born: Mianxue.
Upon hearing this, Lady Luo smiled gently and said, "Mianmian Xuefeifei is indeed a very good name for a young lady."
Lin Xu smiled faintly and shook his head gently: "It's not the 'mian' of 'mianmian mimi' (meaning 'dense and continuous'), but the 'mian' of 'anmian' (meaning 'sleep peacefully'). Sleeping in the snow and frost is as sweet as honey, and one can cultivate a leisurely life deep in the white clouds. I only wish that she could be a carefree person like a hermit, living a life of ease and freedom."
Hai Ping remained silent, but secretly kept Lin Xu's words in mind.
He was studying and practicing calligraphy, and seeing that ancient people all had pen names, he was very envious. He took the opportunity to tell Lin Xu that he wanted one of their pen names. Upon hearing this, Lin Xu looked up at him, her expression very serious. "What kind of person does Haiping want to become in the future?"
The young boy's heart trembled, and he clenched his fists, his palms damp with a thin layer of sweat. "To protect our home and country, to safeguard the common people... and to ensure the safety of Yu Mei and Mian Xue."
Lin Xu couldn't help but laugh at his serious expression, and even the baby Mianxue giggled and bit her finger.
"With such lofty aspirations, how about we name you 'Ling'an'? Although you are still young, you have a broad mind and are calm and self-possessed. Given time, you will surely grow into a great man. At that time, Yumei and Mianxue will naturally call you Brother Ling'an."
Seeing his bewildered expression, Lin Xu unusually stepped forward and casually touched his forehead.
After the rain, the sky cleared, and before he knew it, the world was bright again. He looked up at Lin Xu's figure disappearing around the corner under the eaves, and felt his forehead gradually becoming hot.
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As the last rays of sunset disappeared into the clouds, Lin Xu had just finished breastfeeding Mianxue when Luo Shilan gently lifted the curtain and walked in.
"It's Madam Lin..."
Lin Xu nodded knowingly, straightening her slightly disheveled clothes as she carried Mianxue to the bed and placed her down. A short while later, the wooden door was gently pushed open again, and Gao Youyi, who had recently come to visit her, entered.
As spring warmed, Gao Youyi wore a moon-white brocade jacket with floral patterns, over which she wore a pomegranate-red light-patterned soft silk vest, which made her skin look as white as snow and her face radiant.
Since Lin Fu and Gao Youyi received news that Lin Xu was safe and sound, and then learned of Lin Xu's current hiding place a few days later, Lin Fu was already extremely anxious. How could he wait any longer? That very night, he rushed to the back door of the bookstore in a plain sedan chair. Lin Xu had finally managed to escape from the Dou family, but he had suffered a lot. Even though Lin Xu had repeatedly instructed Zhou Weikan to be extremely discreet when delivering the message, Lin Fu still brought a sedan chair full of tonics and silver notes that night.
Seeing his beloved daughter's pale face, Lin Fu was heartbroken. He tearfully gave her many instructions before hastily leaving at Lin Xu's insistence. Lin Xu refused her father's wish for her to move back to the Lin family. With the old feud with the Dou family still unresolved, and many things she hadn't had time to plan, she couldn't bring danger to her father and the others.
A few days later, after Lin Xu successfully gave birth to Mianxue, Gao Youyi couldn't wait any longer and immediately rushed over through the back door with Lin Fu. Lin Xu had never given birth before, so she was unfamiliar with many things. Gao Youyi was worried that she wouldn't have enough to eat or wear, so she had half of the Lin family's tonics brought over.
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