"Moon Lady, you also deserve credit for helping the refugees in Yannan. I have no lofty ambitions; I'm quite happy being a shopkeeper."
Before Nangong Zeyue could finish speaking, Lan'er walked in carrying a tray.
"Miss, Young Master Nangong, it's cold outside. Please have some hot tea to warm yourself up."
Lan'er put down her teacup, glanced at Xue'er in Jiang Shuyue's arms, and said with a smile, "Miss, our Xue'er is so lucky. She won't have to worry about not being able to buy fish this winter."
"What do you mean? Does this mean that some merchants are smuggling IOUs into Beijing?"
Last night, after visiting Sui Sui next door, Jiang Shuyue was still worried about where she could get a small white note.
The Emperor's promise is one thing, but the fact remains that there are no fish to buy at the market in the dead of winter.
To ensure Xue'er could eat fish often, he specifically instructed Mei'er to go to the market when she went shopping in the early morning. He asked Zhang Cai to have the villagers who delivered goods to the city keep an eye out for fish and help buy some if they saw anyone fishing.
Lan'er said excitedly, "His Majesty sent two large baskets of small white slips of paper with the Imperial Guards. I put them all into the ice cellar."
"A few large bluefish were also sent along with them. Sister Mei bought a large fishing net and kept them in the lotus pond. Tonight, the kitchen made pickled fish. It's a pity that Young Master Suisui didn't come home today."
"Two big baskets! Xue'er's food supply for this winter is all set. But don't feed Xue'er all dried fish. When we eat chicken at home, save the chicken breast and add some chicken breast to her feed occasionally for better health."
Jiang Shuyue was also quite surprised. Where did the Emperor get two large baskets of small white strips in the middle of winter?
Nangong Zeyue remained expressionless, secretly thinking to herself, "Damn it, this guy is too good at flattering and ingratiating himself."
Lan'er went downstairs, and Jiang Shuyue looked at Nangong Zeyue's gloomy face and said, "Don't be so resistant to entering officialdom. The people you come into contact with at the Court of State Ceremonial come from all over the world, which will help you find your relatives."
After pondering for a moment, Nangong Zeyue's brows relaxed. "I will listen to Yue Niang and do my job well. As for finding my relatives, I have given up hope."
“The local customs are different from the Jianghu, especially the Court of State Ceremonial, where rules and etiquette are very important. The Emperor had his reasons for placing you in that position.”
The Court of State Ceremonial was similar to the modern Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The officials in charge of foreign affairs were like a ceremonial team, with certain requirements for appearance, and they were all carefully selected.
Two days later, Nangong Zeyue went to the Honglu Temple to report for duty in a very casual manner.
From the first day she went to the Honglu Temple, Jiang Shuyue rarely saw Nangong Zeyue.
After several busy days, the pregnant women waiting to give birth in the clinic all gave birth one after another. The rest of the women whose due dates were not yet approaching were resting at home and would only come to the clinic every few days to have their pulse checked.
The next day.
The north wind howled past, causing the tree branches to dance wildly in the wind.
As soon as Jiang Shuyue stepped out of the space in the early morning, she felt the temperature drop a bit.
The window paper rattled loudly in the strong wind, as if it would be blown apart at any moment.
At this moment, Jiang Shuyue especially missed the transparent glass window, which allowed her to enjoy the scenery outside while also protecting her from the biting cold wind.
Last night, she took Xue'er into the space to sleep, and the little one slept soundly inside.
Jiang Shuyue added some charcoal to the charcoal brazier, which was almost extinguished.
"Miss, the wind picked up in the latter half of last night; it looks like it's going to snow again."
Qiuju and Lan'er brought in hot water and breakfast.
Jiang Shuyue looked up and saw a dish of dried fish on the tray. She quickly turned around and walked towards the wardrobe. When she got the clothes, out of Qiuju and Lan'er's sight, with a thought, Xue'er appeared in her arms.
Xue'er smelled the aroma of dried fish, her eyes instantly cleared, and with a "meow," she struggled to slide to the ground.
Jiang Shuyue took out a robe from the wardrobe. The robe was designed by her and made by the embroiderer according to her instructions.
The style is the same as a modern bathrobe, except that there is a layer of cotton inside.
The bathrobe is warm and comfortable.
After washing up, Jiang Shuyue went over. Seeing that Jiang Shuyue was wearing a bathrobe, Qiuju asked, "Miss, aren't you planning to go out today?"
“Yesterday, Yutong saw me and complained that we hadn’t gotten together in a long time. She said she was coming to my house for tea today. She said she would take the day off and prepare a big feast for lunch.”
Jiang Shuyue sat down on the soft couch and glanced at the breakfast on the coffee table.
A plate of mutton rolls, a soup with goji berries and white fungus, and two side dishes, but what caught her eye was a plate of dried meat.
"Does the capital sell dried meat?"
Qiuju shook her head. "No, I haven't seen any dried meat for sale in the capital. This was sent over by Young Master Nangong."
Jiang Shuyue picked up the goji berry and white fungus soup and tasted a spoonful; the subtle sweetness was just right.
Qiuju said with a smile, "He's only been at the Court of State Ceremonial for a few days, and someone has already given him gifts. It's clear that the Emperor has assigned him a lucrative post."
Jiang Shuyue didn't think so. It was just a small gift; it was hardly a lucrative job.
Furthermore, Nangong Zeyue is a person of high moral character who has always regarded money as dirt, and he disdains to be greedy for it.
Jiang Shuyue smiled and said, "Nangong Zeyue has been in the martial arts world for many years. He is good at dealing with people. Besides, he is sincere, so people are naturally willing to befriend him."
"Oh, by the way, did he come over for breakfast today?"
At this moment, Lan'er came out of the washroom and took over the conversation, saying, "Young Master came over for breakfast yesterday. He hurriedly drank a bowl of porridge, put down the dried meat, and left the mansion. We haven't seen him since."
Lan'er paused and then said, "The servant next door said that the young master comes home very late at night, and every night he falls asleep as soon as he gets back to the mansion, as if he is very tired."
Jiang Shuyue withdrew her chopsticks from the mutton rolls, her eyes showing surprise. "Strange, I haven't heard of any foreigners coming to Wanling. What's he so busy with?"
When Jiang Shuyue visited the Su residence to see Sui Sui, Su Jin had mentioned the duties of the Director of the Court of State Ceremonial, a position where half the year was relatively quiet.
After Jiang Shuyue finished breakfast, Qiuju cleaned up the dishes, while Xue'er licked her lips, still wanting more.
"Miss, I've asked the kitchen to prepare roasted mutton. Miss Du should be arriving soon."
Prepare more.
Jiang Shuyue hugged Xue'er and rubbed her gently before instructing, "Prepare more. Later, send someone to check next door. If Nangong Zeyue returns, invite him over for a drink to relax."
Qiuju accepted the order and left. Jiang Shuyue rinsed her mouth and then went to tease Xue'er.
She wondered if it was just her imagination, but the little guy seemed to be even more affectionate after drinking the spiritual spring water.
It seemed to understand its owner's thoughts as soon as Jiang Shuyue's hand touched its chin.
It snuggled into Jiang Shuyue's arms, tilted its head back, and showed its soft belly. No matter how much Jiang Shuyue petted it, it wouldn't run away.
Soon, Xue'er closed her eyes comfortably and made gurgling sounds.
A moment later, Qiuju returned with a big smile on her face.
"Miss, the palace also sent some dried meat just now. I asked a question, and they said that a prince from the previous dynasty came to the capital to express his goodwill to the emperor, and the dried meat was sent from that princely territory."
"I see. No wonder Nangong Zeyue is so busy that you can't see her anywhere."
As the master and servant were talking, a maid came in to announce that Miss Du had arrived.
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