rebuke
Ever since that day's gathering in the Imperial Garden, Su Qingfan and Zhou Yingxue would often find excuses to persuade Ning Lingyi to go out of the palace.
Or they would talk about the new arrival of a few docile Western horses in the Imperial Stables, or mention that a flower garden in the palace was in full bloom in spring.
Ning Lingyi knew what they were thinking, and occasionally followed their lead, temporarily leaving the pile of paperwork to stretch her muscles.
That evening, when the rosy clouds were still lingering, Su Qingfan persuaded her to go out of the palace in disguise to experience the hustle and bustle of the capital's night market.
"Your Majesty is trapped within the palace walls all day long. It's time to see how the people of the capital live." Su Qingfan said softly as he tied an ordinary moon-white cloak on Ning Lingyi. "I heard that a new Hu people's wine shop has opened in the West Market. Their roasted lamb is very authentic."
Ning Lingyi was slightly interested by her words and said with a smile, "Well, I'll do as you say this time, but don't alarm others."
The three of them only brought a few capable guards with them and quietly left the palace through the side door.
Before he even stepped out of the Imperial Street in front of the palace, he heard a burst of hurried yet steady footsteps behind him.
"Your Majesty! Lord Su! Lord Zhou! What a coincidence! Where are you going?"
Ning Lingyi turned around and saw Shen Qingyan and Nong Zishi coming one after the other. Shen Qingyan had just the right amount of surprise and joy on his face, while Nong Zishi still had that serious look on his face, but his pace was a little faster than usual.
Ning Lingyi smiled inwardly, this "chance encounter" was a bit too deliberate.
Before she could speak, Shen Qingyan had already bowed and said, "The Minister of Agriculture and I were just about to head to the West Market to check on the repairs of an official office. We didn't expect to run into Your Majesty. What a coincidence."
Nong Zishi echoed muffledly from the side: "It's on the way."
Ning Lingyi looked at these two important ministers, one was elegant and graceful, the other was simple and strong, but at this moment they both had some subtle thoughts of "vying for favor", and she couldn't help but feel a little funny and helpless.
"Since it's on our way, let's go together." She said lightly, tacitly agreeing to this tacit encounter.
As the lights come on, the night market in Beijing gradually becomes bustling.
Wine flags are waving, the air is filled with aromas of food, the cries of various vendors can be heard one after another, and pedestrians are shoulder to shoulder, creating a scene of peace and prosperity.
Ning Lingyi was in this bustling world, watching the people around her busy or leisurely figures, listening to the vibrant noise, and the fatigue of the past few days was really diluted a little.
We walked to a rather grand restaurant, which was packed with guests and filled with fragrance.
Shen Qingyan stepped forward at the right moment and said with a smile, "Your Majesty, you must be tired after walking for so long. This restaurant is a well-established one in the capital, and the dishes are quite good. Why don't you let me host you and invite your Majesty and the others to try some delicious food and rest for a while?"
As soon as he finished speaking, Nong Zishi seemed to have taken root under his feet, not moving at all, just staring at the restaurant sign, as if studying the quality of its painting.
Seeing this, Su Qingfan couldn't help but jokingly said, "Prime Minister Nong, Prime Minister Chen has already spoken, why don't you say anything? Could it be that you are reluctant to give up those few taels of salary silver?"
Nong Zishi remained calm upon hearing this, even stroking his beard with a righteous air, his voice booming, "Lord Su, you are mistaken. It's not that I'm stingy, but my salary is limited and I need to spend it where it counts. Since Prime Minister Chen is so kind and generous, I would like to thank him in advance on behalf of Your Majesty!"
After saying that, he actually bowed to Shen Qingyan.
Su Qingfan was stunned at first, then he couldn't help laughing out loud.
Ning Lingyi looked at Nong Zishi's frank look, which said, "I'm going to do big things with my money, so your money won't be wasted," and then looked at Shen Qingyan's mouth that was a little stiff for a moment, and couldn't help but smile.
Shen Qingyan took a deep breath and glanced at Nong Zishi, but he still had to maintain his composure: "Minister Nong... is truly wise and righteous. It is a blessing for us to serve Your Majesty."
After saying that, he turned around and went to arrange the meal in the private room, but his back looked a bit depressed no matter how you looked at him.
After having their meal, the group continued to stroll around the night market.
In the dim light, Ning Lingyi's sharp eyes caught a glimpse of a familiar figure emerging from a time-honored winery, carrying a rather exquisite wine jug. Who else could that figure be but Wang Jingzhi, the Prime Minister? He was acting a bit furtively, glancing around from time to time.
The imperial physician repeatedly warned the prime minister that he was old and needed to rest and abstain from alcohol. Ning Lingyi had just heard him righteously admonish her two days ago to take care of her health and not overwork herself...
I didn't expect to catch him red-handed here.
Wang Jingzhi obviously also saw them. His old face turned red instantly. He subconsciously wanted to cover his face with his wide sleeves and turned around to escape.
"Wang Xiang!"
How could Ning Lingyi let him get away? She immediately shouted and gave a wink to Su Qingfan and the others.
Su Qingfan and Zhou Yingxue understood and stepped forward quickly, blocking Wang Jingzhi's way with a smile. Shen Qingyan and Nong Zishi also surrounded him, blocking the old Prime Minister in the middle.
Wang Jingzhi had no choice but to turn around and bow awkwardly: "Your Majesty, this old minister pays homage. What a coincidence... What a coincidence."
Ning Lingyi walked up to him and, imitating the tone he usually used to advise her, slowly recited, "Your Majesty bears the weight of the nation and its people. You should emulate the sages of the past, nourish your spirit, and maintain a healthy body. You must not overwork yourself, which would harm the harmony of nature. Prime Minister Wang, does this sound familiar?"
Wang Jingzhi's old face turned even redder, his beard even curled up, and he faltered, "This old minister...this old minister is just..."
"Just what?" Ning Lingyi's smile deepened. "It's just that I'm old and have nothing to ask for. I just like this drink, right?"
Wang Jingzhi was so embarrassed by what he said, and in front of so many colleagues, he could only beg for mercy: "Your Majesty, please forgive me. I know I was wrong and I won't do it again..."
Ning Lingyi was delighted to see him in such an awkward position, but she deliberately put on a stern face, stretched out her hand and snatched the wine jug from his tightly grasped hand, weighed it, and found that it was indeed a jug of top-quality Lihuachun wine.
"It's good that you admit your mistake." Ning Lingyi handed the wine pot to the guard behind him and said seriously, "I still need the Prime Minister's assistance to watch over this vast country. This wine is confiscated. Come, send the Prime Minister back home and take good care of him. Without the imperial physician's permission, you are not allowed to drink again!"
Wang Jingzhi watched helplessly as the wine that was about to reach his mouth flew away. He felt heartbroken but could do nothing about it. When he was escorted back by the guards, his back looked so desolate.
It is said that on the second day, Prime Minister Wang took sick leave and did not even attend the morning court. It was obvious that he was very angry.
Upon hearing the news, Ning Lingyi was both angry and amused. In the end, she ordered the eunuchs to pick out a few jars of imperial wine from the palace's collection and secretly send them to the prince's palace. Only then did she calm the old minister's "resentment."
After this incident, everyone became more excited about the trip.
Talking about the old days of the Northern Expedition, I was filled with emotion and unknowingly walked to the vicinity of General Pan Hao's mansion. The Pan family has been a family of generals for generations. Although the mansion is not luxurious, it has a solemn atmosphere.
Now that you're at the door, there's no reason not to go in.
A group of people walked over, and Pan Hao hurried out to greet them upon hearing the news. He invited His Majesty and the important ministers into the mansion. When they stepped into the hall, they saw that although the mansion was not luxurious, it was solemn and dignified everywhere.
Several servants were quietly making arrangements. Incense, candles, vegetarian fruits and other items were already prepared on the side, and the air was filled with the faint scent of sandalwood.
Ning Lingyi glanced over and immediately understood. She asked in a gentle voice, "General Pan, are you preparing for the Qingming Festival memorial ceremony?"
Pan Hao's expression darkened, and he replied respectfully, "Your Majesty, I am preparing to visit the tomb and pay my respects in two days."
Ning Lingyi noticed a hint of sadness between his brows when he mentioned his deceased father, so she softly said, "General Pan served his country with loyalty and bravery. The court and I have never forgotten him. This Qingming Festival, I will issue an order to the Ministry of Rites to hold a memorial service on his behalf to honor his achievements and comfort his spirit."
Upon hearing this, Pan Hao bowed deeply, his voice choked with sobs: "On behalf of my late father, I thank Your Majesty for your grace!"
At this moment, Nong Zishi, who had been silently observing his surroundings, withdrew his gaze from the inky painting "A Fierce Tiger Descending the Mountain" in the central hall. He stepped forward and addressed Pan Hao sternly, "General Pan, your father's heroic spirit is so radiant that it transcends the sun and moon. It cannot be captured with mere words. I am not very talented, but I have some experience in writing. If you would be so kind as to allow me to personally compose an obituary for you, General, and we will recite it together at your graveside as a token of our respect."
When Pan Hao heard this, his heart warmed. He felt that what Minister Nong said was not only a respect for his father, but also an affirmation of the loyalty and bravery of his entire Pan family.
He knew that Nong Zishi was a man of upright character who did not value empty words. Since he said this, he must be sincere. Expressing his gratitude, he immediately turned around and whispered a few words to the housekeeper standing beside him.
After a moment, the butler brought in a seemingly ordinary brocade box with both hands.
Pan Hao took it and presented it to Nong Zishi personally, saying earnestly, "Minister Nong is so kind that you are willing to write for my father. I am deeply grateful. This is just a small token of my gratitude, just as a token of my gratitude. I hope you will not refuse, otherwise I will be very upset."
Nong Zishi's gaze lingered on the brocade box for a moment, his expression unchanged. He showed none of the false modesty of ordinary scholars. He simply nodded naturally and casually handed it to the attendant beside him, saying, "General Pan's filial piety is commendable. I would be disrespectful to refuse it."
He asked Pan Hao for paper and pen on the spot, pondered for a moment, and then began to write without adding any changes. In an instant, he completed a eulogy praising the merits and deeds. Every word was sincere and every sentence was moving.
Pan Hao read the eulogy, thought of his father's past, and then thought about how he could inherit his father's aspirations now. Tears welled up in his eyes and he actually cried on the spot.
Seeing this, Ning Lingyi said gently, "General Pan, don't be too sad. You have made great military achievements and have inherited your father's glory. If he were still alive, he would be pleased to see you like this."
Pan Hao nodded vigorously, wiped away his tears, and said in a firm voice, "Your Majesty is right! I am happy! If Father could see today, see that our Southern Dynasty's territory is stable, and see that I have not tarnished the Pan family's reputation, he... he would definitely be happy!"
After chatting for a while at Pan's house, everyone said goodbye and left.
After returning to the palace, Ning Lingyi thought of Nong Zishi's behavior in the Pan Mansion. Although it fulfilled Pan Hao's filial piety, the way he calmly accepted the generous gift was still a bit annoying.
She pondered for a moment and sent her trusted eunuch to Nong Mansion.
The eunuch arrived at the Nong Mansion and, in front of Nong Zishi, he recited Ning Lingyi's instructions verbatim, reprimanding him bluntly: "Your Majesty's instructions: Nong Zishi, you've been writing well at the Pan Mansion, making a killing. Do you think I can't see through your intentions? Under the pretext of commemorating the loyal and martyred, you're taking advantage of the situation. You're shameless! You've cultivated a thicker skin than even your Nongshi book!"
The eunuch paused, stole a glance at Nong Zishi's face, then continued with a stern face, "His Majesty also said: Considering that you have done a sincere and filial thing, I will not hold you accountable this time. But you must remember this, and this will not happen again! If I find out that you are using my name again, or under the guise of sympathizing with loyal officials, to extort money from your colleagues, be careful of the consequences!"
Nong Zishi was scolded so badly that he could only kneel on the ground and keep saying yes, promising that he would never do it again.
After the eunuch who delivered the imperial edict left arrogantly, Nong Zishi got up from the ground, dusted off his official robe, but there was not much fear on his face.
He walked to the desk and opened the gift box given by Pan Hao. Inside was a golden ingot.
He picked up a gold ingot, weighed it in his hand, and murmured to himself, "You may scold me, but this great cause of education needs financial support. Your Majesty, Your Majesty, please treat me as a money-obsessed Pixiu..."
After saying this, he carefully put away the gift box, turned around and began to write quickly at his desk again. Under the lamp, he was writing the sequel to his unfinished "Farmer's Daily Lessons".
For him, the money he earned from being scolded would be worth it if he could carve a few more stone tablets to encourage learning and print a few more enlightenment books.
His agricultural science is bound to spread throughout the world.
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