Chapter 4 Aunt
Zhao Yan could have entered the Hanlin Academy and worked as an editor in a leisurely job. After his father-in-law had arranged good relationships for him, he could be sent out to other places and then enter the cabinet.
Every step is a height that ordinary people cannot demand.
But he had his own ideas. He wanted to go to the Ministry of Industry to do practical work, so he took over the canal construction project of Jinghui Reservoir from the Ministry of Industry.
Minister He happened to be the Minister of Works and strongly supported his decision.
But his father-in-law said that he was young and hot-headed, and did not know the dangers of officialdom, so he risked his life and property to fight against others.
Since ancient times, successful canal construction would bring eternal fame, while failure would result in the loss of lives.
Zhao Yan was born in the prime minister's mansion and was chosen by the emperor as the third place in the imperial examination when he was still a young man. His essays were copied by the examiners and posted on the wall of the imperial examination hall. Even the wise men in the capital sighed that "there are mountains and rivers between the lines."
Such a bright and beautiful existence is rare in folk stories, but it is a thorn in the eyes of many people in officialdom.
His father-in-law didn't like him joining the Ministry of Works in the first place. He even went to He's house last night and didn't come back until midnight.
Minister He is now falsely accused of corruption and bribery. Others are trying to avoid him, but he is rushing forward.
Yu Huatang knew that he would definitely argue with his father-in-law that being 'cowardly and opportunistic' was not his way of dealing with the world; he would never abandon Minister He at this time. Although he looked like a gentleman with good manners, she knew that he had a pride that others did not have.
This arrogance may seem ridiculous to others, but in her heart, millions of people need such an arrogant official and a pioneer like him, and she also supports him.
By the time she figured this out, Mrs. Zhao had already had a long conversation with the other daughters-in-law.
After a few people praised the second sister-in-law's child Jun'er a few times, Chu Huang came over and said, "Madam, the third young master is here."
Madam Zhao handed Jun'er to Xu Yuanyi and said, "You have been with me for so long, go back and rest. The third daughter-in-law will stay here."
Xu Yuanyi and He Lingfei greeted each other and left through the backyard.
The old woman was leading Zhao Yan over. His hair was combed up, and he only wore an ordinary white jade hairpin. His clothes had changed into the light green color of spring. His movements gave him the feeling of "an upright figure and picturesque features" described in books.
Yu Huatang nervously adjusted her clothes and quietly smoothed the hem of her skirt. She looked up at his expression, which showed no joy but calmness.
When he walked in and paid his respects to his mother, Yu Huatang's breathing became more rapid. The leisurely manner that she had practiced a hundred times was still vulnerable in front of him. Every time she saw him, she was so cautious, nervous and at a loss.
After the ceremony, Mrs. Zhao asked him to sit down and held his hand. "My son, you've been gone for several months, but you still remember that you have a home."
"This job is also hard. Look, you have lost a lot of weight."
Zhao Yan, "Thank you for your concern, mother. Building the canal benefits the country and the people, and we cannot afford to make any mistakes. This is also my duty, so it's not hard work."
Madam Zhao sighed, "That being said, who in the capital would volunteer for such a position like you? Mother may not understand the disputes at court, but your father must have his reasons for being so angry. You may not like what I'm saying, but every mother in the world hopes for the safety of their children."
Zhao Yan said, "Don't worry, mother. This mission will be completed soon."
Mrs. Zhao, "That's good. I'll be staying at home for a few more days this time. Just accompany me to the Fulu Temple to burn incense and pray for a talisman. I hope it will bless you with safety."
Zhao Yan, "I'll be back in four days at the latest. I've already agreed with Qiao Qingxuan to go congratulate him on his promotion tomorrow."
Mrs. Zhao finally said helplessly, "You're grown up now and have your own ideas. You won't stay home for more than a few days. Although I'm worried about you, there's nothing I can do. You work alone in the Ministry of Industry, without anyone caring about you. You overcame your last illness by yourself. How can I be at ease? Why don't you bring Bai Yi over now?"
Yu Huatang's heart skipped a beat. The Ministry of Works would allocate a separate courtyard to house officials during construction, and the rooms wouldn't be too big. If Bai Yi followed him there, wouldn't she have to sleep in the same bed with him...
She felt uncomfortable but didn't know how to resist. She didn't want Bai Yi to follow her...
Mrs. Zhao has always loved her handsome son and considered him in almost everything. Even Bai Yi was her personal maid who was trained by her personally.
Back then, she used a token of trust to get Zhao Yan to marry her, but so many years have passed, and Mrs. Zhao has long known his attitude towards her.
Although her mother-in-law never blamed her on the surface, she secretly felt sorry for her son marrying a woman he didn't love.
Last year, my mother-in-law also suggested that Zhao Yan take Bai Yi as his concubine, so that she could accompany him when he went out to do business and have someone to look after her.
But Zhao Yan refused, saying that he was working in the Ministry of Works, not enjoying himself there, and it would be inappropriate to bring a woman with him.
This year, the Ministry of Industry moved its office out and some officials brought their families with them, so Mrs. Zhao started thinking about this matter again.
Yu Huatang was worriedly thinking about this when Zhao Yan's voice rang out, "No need. Although you can bring your attendants with you, the construction is almost finished after all, so there's no need to mobilize so many troops."
Madam Zhao was about to persuade him, but he changed the subject, saying, "I just heard from the servants that Jun-ge'er looks remarkably like my second brother. I've been away for a long time and haven't prepared any gifts for him. This is a little gift I brought back from the Ministry of Works. I'd appreciate it, mother, for delivering it to him for me."
Madam Zhao smiled and said, "You child, you said you didn't think about this family, but now you're thinking about your nephew. Your second brother has a child, and your fourth brother doesn't seem to be playing outside now, so I'm sure there will be good news soon. But you, when will you..."
Zhao Yan ignored Madam Zhao's words and said calmly, "Although it's the beginning of spring, mother should take care of herself. The weather is changing rapidly and it can be chilly."
Mrs. Zhao nodded, sighed sadly, and didn't know what else to say...
Yu Huatang lowered her head and pinched the corner of her clothes tightly...
After their first marriage consummation, he said that he would give her the respect that Mrs. Zhao deserved. That night, she was in pain and shy, and did not understand what he meant at all.
The following year, he was pressed hard by Mrs. Zhao and slept in her room on New Year's Eve, but afterward he asked her to take birth control pills and said, "Let's wait a little longer."
So she continued to wait. Sometimes she missed him too much and would find various reasons to visit him. Once he came back from a colleague's house drunk and kept complaining of a headache. Bai Yi was too busy to take care of him, so she thought of boiling water with the leaves of the osmanthus fragrans and using the steam to fumigate his nose to relieve his headache.
That day she didn't know that she was still carrying the sachet that her maid had bought outside. There was a hint of musk in the sachet. She originally thought it was just for promoting blood circulation, but she didn't expect that the mixture of several spices would become an aphrodisiac scent.
That night was a rare one of romance.
Afterwards, he regained consciousness and found the sachet on the bed.
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