14 stamina
◎This is indeed something that His Royal Highness Prince Zhao can accomplish.◎
"Greetings, Your Highness."
Not long after returning to the palace, Lu Jing saw Xie Qian leading a team of craftsmen, and he didn't know where they were going.
Xie Qian smiled and explained, "I am supervising the construction of the training ground for Lord Gu so that he has nothing to worry about."
He felt obliged to do this. Lord Gu had been painstakingly preparing his blueprints for days. The day before yesterday, Lord Gu had shown him the preliminary drawings, and Xie Qian was already extremely satisfied, nearly sending them to the Ministry of the Imperial Household to be handed over to the craftsmen right then and there. However, Lord Gu said there were still a few details that needed to be refined, and after carefully questioning his opinion, he agreed to give him the final draft in three days.
Xie Qian kept every version of the blueprints carefully. He was very grateful to Lord Gu for helping him so sincerely.
Seeing that His Highness had no other instructions, Xie Qian bowed and went to work. A group of craftsmen followed him. At first glance, he really had the aura of a head of the Ministry of Works.
Sun Jing smiled and shook his head. Wu Anhou and Lord Gu had been getting along well these days. After all, they were both good friends of His Highness, and it was always worth getting to know them.
Lu Jing was originally planning to ask someone to invite Gu Ningxi to his study, but when passing by the flower garden, he saw him from afar concentrating on painting something under the sycamore tree.
The weather was warm and the sky was a clear blue. The duty room was adjacent to a flower garden, and since the weather was nice today, Gu Ningxi had his writing brush, inkstone, and paper moved to the stone table beneath the sycamore tree.
Hearing footsteps, Gu Ningxi raised his eyes and quickly saluted.
"Your Highness."
Lu Jing looked at the drawing paper spread out before him. A wooden chariot was meticulously depicted in the center, even the smallest details of the joints were highlighted to facilitate the craftsman's carving. Gu Ningxi was quite proud of her work. She had learned a lot about the ways of the world during her years in the Sixth Ministry, and it had always felt superficial. But the skills she had learned in the Ministry of Industry were truly practical.
She said, "I am painting a general driving a carriage."
Such a majestic chariot required at least four charioteers. However, all of them had been lost, and Marquis Wu'an had forgotten the original appearance of the wooden figures. Gu Ningxi tried to draw a draft, and Marquis Wu'an liked it very much, so he decided to use it.
Lu Jing withdrew his gaze from the drawings. Gu Ningxi knew that he had something to explain, so she listened quietly to what he said.
"On the fifth day of next month, accompany me out of the capital."
Gu Ningxi simply counted the days of her period and then nodded, "I understand."
Apart from that, she did not ask any more questions because she knew that April 11 was Empress Yiwen's birthday.
…
In Fengyi Palace, Empress Yao dismissed the maids from the outer palace and taught her youngest son, "You've already come of age, but why are you still so ignorant? Do you have to pick on Qi'an?"
Lu Chen argued, "I feel that King Zhao is too reckless, relying on his military achievements to embarrass my brother in public."
My brother is kind and doesn't bother with him, but I have to let my father know how magnanimous my brother is.
Empress Yao felt exhausted. "How many times have I told you that harmony between you brothers should be your top priority?"
Qi'an was able to act this way because His Majesty was always willing to support him. Besides, Qi'an lost his mother at a young age, so what harm would there be in giving him a little leniency?
Lu Chen wanted to retort, but noticing the tired look between his mother's brows, he quickly swallowed his words and said, "Are you feeling unwell, mother?"
There was genuine concern in his tone. Empress Yao felt warm in her heart and shook her head slightly, saying, "It's just that I haven't slept well these past few days."
She couldn't do anything about her youngest son, who was the most filial and usually listened to her. However, when it came to his relationship with Qi'an, she couldn't help but compete with him.
"You," Queen Yao sighed, "be at peace."
"I understand."
…
Late at night, when everyone is asleep, the candle in the study of Leyouyuan is still lit.
"What is the lord drawing?" Yin Lan added oil to the lamp and looked curiously at the drawing in Gu Ningxi's hand.
Gu Ningxi moistened the ink and said, "I'm thinking about whether I can draw a headdress."
Xie Qian, the Marquis of Wu'an, gave her a piece of jade, which she kept in her study. She drew a picture of a chariot for Xie Qian, which he insisted on giving her as a thank you gift.
Bohai is rich in Xiuyan jade, and jade can be seen everywhere in the storehouse of Wu'an Marquis Mansion.
Gu Ningxi couldn't refuse the Marquis's generosity. She didn't know much about jade, so she simply picked one from several rough stones based on her preference.
Perhaps it was the newcomer's luck, but after the jade was opened, the jade material obtained was unexpectedly good.
Xie Qian smiled and said, "This piece of jade is destined to be with Master Gu. It belongs to Master Gu."
Gu Ningxi thanked him and thought about his mother's birthday, which was a good opportunity to use this piece of jade to make a set of head ornaments for his mother.
She tried to draw some patterns herself, but after all, everyone has their own expertise, and she was not satisfied with the several drafts she drew and threw them into the trash can.
"Your Excellency draws very well."
There was also a picture left on the desk, depicting a pair of orchid hairpins with jade petals and pearls as cores, which were elegant and charming.
This was Gu Ningxi's favorite picture. She smiled and said, "As long as you like it."
She wanted to make a pair of jade hairpins for Yinlan as well: "When you get married in the future, this pair of hairpins will be perfect to complement your makeup."
"Sir..." There was a hint of surprise in Yin Lan's eyes, and her face turned slightly red when talking about marriage.
She turned the candlelight a little brighter so as not to disturb the adults who were busy.
…
After the date for leaving the city was set, Gu Ningxi arranged the three matters in hand.
The Eastern Palace was naturally the first place she would go. Gu Ningxi faithfully drafted the arrangements for the Ministry of Works for the beginning of next month. If His Royal Highness the Crown Prince wanted to look for her during this period, she might not be able to return in time.
His Royal Highness the Crown Prince was busy with court affairs in the afternoon, but he still took a quarter of an hour to summon her.
Lu Heng's tone was as gentle as usual: "You have been on duty at Prince Zhao's Mansion this month. How do you feel?"
Gu Ningxi avoided the main point, focusing on her renovations of the gardens and parade grounds at Prince Zhao's mansion. She also didn't hide the fact that Prince Zhao had ordered her to draw a blueprint for a chariot. As for other people and events within Prince Zhao's mansion, unless His Royal Highness the Crown Prince specifically inquired, she assumed she knew very little.
Lu Heng smiled and said, "Many people have come into Prince Zhao's palace over the years. It's understandable that you don't know any of them."
There must be spies from the Eastern Palace within Prince Zhao's residence. Gu Ningxi thought that she was in a separate duty room, and didn't interact much with anyone in the residence. Ever since she'd arrived at Prince Zhao's residence on business, the Crown Prince had rarely summoned her privately, lest it get out and start gossip, lest the Crown Prince of the Eastern Palace even have to monitor his own brother.
After sitting for a while, the Crown Prince didn't mention returning to the Eastern Palace. Gu Ningxi pondered the matter for a long time before opening her mouth. Prince Zhao's mansion wasn't yet fully renovated, so she had reason to stay a little longer without having to worry about gossip.
As for the other two matters, Gu Ningxi had already completed the blueprints for the wooden chariot and submitted them to the Marquis of Wu'an. The jewelry patterns and jade had also been delivered to the shop. The craftsman she had hired was renowned for his craftsmanship. Upon returning to Beijing, Gu Ningxi should be able to obtain the set of bright jade headpieces.
After all matters were arranged, Gu Ningxi finally told his mother about leaving Beijing to save her from worrying for a few more days.
She was painting by the window while Madam Meng and her maids packed her boxes. She pushed her newly made corsets down to the bottom and couldn't help but ask, "Why did Prince Zhao want you to come with him when he left the capital?" She couldn't help but feel sorry for her daughter, who had been traveling so long.
Gu Ningxi gently explained to his mother, "During this trip to the Imperial Mausoleum, the Ministry of Works will need to inspect any areas that require repairs. Also, along the way, His Royal Highness Prince Zhao will be inspecting the farmland and irrigation systems outside the capital for Your Majesty, so the Ministry of Works will be sending officials along."
A few days ago, the Minister of Works summoned her and explained the two matters to her. Originally, the Ministry of Works should have informed her of these matters, but because she happened to be in Prince Zhao's mansion that day, she learned the news from His Highness Prince Zhao in advance.
Gu Ningxi said, "I have no work to do in the Ministry of Industry recently, so I am the most suitable person to go this time."
Madam Meng ordered her maid to bring her clothes: "How long will this trip take?"
Gu Ningxi roughly calculated: "It will take about half a month."
Mrs. Meng felt somewhat relieved. "Luckily, it happened to be a coincidence, and my period had just ended. But a girl should be more careful when she goes out."
"The child knows."
After three days of packing, Mrs. Meng packed the things she had missed one by one.
The night before departure, she was still worried. After Gu Ningxi fell asleep, she opened the suitcase and counted the clothes inside one by one, fearing that something was missing.
The two servants in Leyouyuan will set off with her daughter, as well as Yinyue. With her personal servant, Madam Meng will feel a little more at ease.
…
The next day was a beautiful, sunny day, and as usual, Prince Zhao traveled with a small entourage. Due to the frequent rains in April, two additional carriages were prepared. Gu Ningxi had brought her own horses, but with the carriage already secured, she was too lazy to ride and simply caught up on some sleep. At noon, the group set out, including the personal guards of Prince Zhao's palace and Xie Qian. They would first detour to Chongsheng Temple, so officials from the Taichang Temple and the Ministry of Rites could wait a few days to catch up.
Chongsheng Temple was the imperial sanctuary of the Jin Dynasty. Empress Yao had suggested that upon King Zhao's safe return from battle, he should visit the temple to pray and fulfill his vow. The Empress and King Zhao discussed the matter and arranged several rituals at the temple to pray for the souls of the fallen soldiers. Empress Yao's kindness and understanding impressed Emperor Mingde, who deemed it fitting that King Zhao be entrusted with this task.
The spring scenery is pleasant, and Chongsheng Temple is located on the top of Feiling Mountain. The vegetation is lush, and hundreds of stone steps lead to the green mountain.
This was Xie Qian's first time here. He had been traveling for most of the day since early morning. Gu Ningxi saw that he was still in high spirits while climbing the mountain.
On the other hand, she has been busy with state affairs for the past two or three years and has neglected military affairs, and her physical strength is even worse than when she was young.
It had been three years since she last came to Chongsheng Temple. Gu Ningxi looked up at the endless stone steps. Things were no different now than when she was little. At least back then, she could still pull on Prince Zhao's sleeve and borrow some of his strength.
We finally reached the stone pavilion halfway up the mountain, and the stone benches there were particularly attractive.
Gu Ningxi suggested, "Why don't you go first, I'll go up the mountain later."
It was really difficult for her to keep up with the pace of these military men.
It's still early and there are no religious ceremonies today, so we should get to the temple before sunset.
Lu Jing said, "Let's all rest here for a while."
Gu Ningxi nodded quickly, even though she seemed to be the only one in the group who needed a break. But the scenery here was beautiful, especially with the nearby observation deck. She couldn't rush through the scenery and completely ignore it; that would be a lot less fun.
She found a stone bench to sit down, calmed her breath, and drank half a pot of water.
She saw that Xie Qian didn't feel tired at all, and went to the side to watch the scenery with great interest.
King Zhao leaned against the pillar of the stone pavilion, wearing a familiar jade pendant with cloud patterns around his waist.
The breeze blows on your face, bringing coolness and comfort.
After sitting for a while, Xie Qian brought back a handful of wild fruits from somewhere. The fruits were green with a hint of red, and were obviously not edible, but the color was very beautiful.
This must have been picked from the tree. Gu Ningxi shook her head helplessly: "Why are you so energetic?"
Before Xie Qian spoke, he glanced at Prince Zhao guiltily, then whispered, "I'm not following His Highness Prince Zhao, I'm forced by the situation."
He couldn't help but recount an old battlefield incident: "Once, when we were fighting Zhoutong, Your Highness, after defeating the enemy's main force, led his troops in pursuit, traveling over 200 miles in a single day and night. He engaged them several times and was victorious every time."
There were officials who tried to pull His Highness's reins, urging him to turn back, as the current results were impressive. However, His Highness said that opportunities were rare and that he must defeat the enemy in one battle.
"We chased him for two days and one night before we captured Zhou Tong in a valley. We didn't take off our armor for two days, and when we were hungry, we relied on naan bread to fill our stomachs."
His Royal Highness King Zhao led the charge, and the soldiers of the Black Armor Army did not dare to complain of being tired.
Xie Qian didn't even want to recount the details of the battle. "When we reached a Jin army fortress, Your Highness and I were so exhausted that the guards barely recognized us. It was only because we matched the secret code that we were able to enter the fortress and resupply the troops."
Gu Ningxi tilted her head slightly, looking in Lu Jing's direction. This was indeed something Prince Zhao could do. She imagined his appearance at that moment for a moment; she had never seen him in such a state of disarray.
Knowing what was going on in his mind, Lu Jing stood up from the stone pillar and said helplessly, "Let's set off after you've rested enough."
【Author’s words】
Xiao Lu is in good physical condition. (I am sure) (Nods)
Girl... a little short of 100 million
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