20 Teasing
◎Late at night, in the stillness of the room, we are all together.◎
"It's just the wind."
The moonlight was dim, and Lu Jing's voice was filled with helplessness when he noticed that the person on the other side had stopped writing with his ink brush.
Gu Ningxi smiled awkwardly, thinking about her current state, which was probably what the book described as "panic-stricken".
"How's the painting going?" Seeing that Gu Ningxi was really uneasy, Lu Jing deliberately started a conversation.
"It's almost done." Gu Ningxi replied.
They looked at the blueprints together by candlelight. Gu Ningxi said, "I'm wondering if we can add a mechanism to the Jiangdong plow, preferably one that can control how deep the plowshare sinks into the soil. That way, it can be more adaptable to different situations, whether deep or shallow plowing."
However, she didn't have any suitable ideas for the time being, so she could only scribble on another piece of white paper to find some ideas.
Lu Jing saw that the Jiangdong plow had an armrest added to the tip, with both sides curved upward like ox horns, making the whole plow look delicate and vivid.
"What's the purpose of this? Is it to facilitate traction?"
Gu Ningxi said honestly, "It's just a decoration. I accidentally spilled some ink, so I just drew a few strokes to make it look like a bull's horn."
Farmers work hard in the fields, and such flashy things are of little use. It would be better to save a piece of wood and a few copper coins and just use a crossbar.
Lu Jing smiled slightly, and Gu Ningxi also felt that his additions were perfect.
"What do you think, Your Highness?"
The candlelight flickered, and as Gu Ningxi looked up with a smile, she was caught off guard by the sight of His Royal Highness Prince Zhao. They had unknowingly grown very close, and as their eyes met, Gu Ningxi could almost see herself clearly in his gaze.
It was late at night and everyone was asleep in the same room. Both of them felt a little uncomfortable and stepped back at the same time.
Lu Jing went to look at the pair of ox horns on the handrail. These strokes were very much in Gu Ningxi's own style.
He said, "We still have plenty of time to return to Beijing. We can stay in the town for the next two days and walk around the village more."
"Really?" Gu Ningxi's eyes were filled with surprise. This way, she could consult more local people.
Seeing his happy expression, Lu Jing unconsciously smiled along with him and nodded, saying, "Of course."
Agriculture and sericulture are the foundation of people's livelihood. If they can make better agricultural tools, it will be worthwhile for them to stay for another month.
The candle flame had burned down, the night was deep and the dew was heavy. It seemed inappropriate for Gu Ningxi to be alone with His Royal Highness Prince Zhao. However, when the sound of swords clashing, carried by the wind, reached her ears, Gu Ningxi no longer cared about this layer of etiquette.
She subconsciously looked towards His Royal Highness Prince Zhao. Lu Jing had heard the noise long ago and simply said, "Don't worry."
His voice was calm and composed, and Gu Ningxi unconsciously relaxed along with him. However, she had no intention of drawing anymore, so she put the blueprint away.
The two sat for a while, and Gu Ningxi was thinking about what to say to break the silence in the room.
She asked, "Your Highness doesn't wear a sword?"
She remembered that His Royal Highness Prince Zhao had a Seven-Star Dragon Abyss Sword, which was said to be forged by two great sword masters, Ou Yezi and Gan Jiang. It could cut iron silently and was the best sword.
Your Majesty obtained this sword by chance. Later, when the news of Prince Zhao's recovery of Bingzhou and his great victory over Liu Jingzhou came back, Your Majesty personally bestowed this sword upon Prince Zhao in Hanyuan Hall.
Bingzhou was the birthplace of the Jin Dynasty. The loss of Bingzhou undoubtedly caused turmoil in the court and unrest among the people.
Your Majesty sent several famous generals to fight against Liu Jingzhou, but they all returned in defeat. Finally, you had no choice but to transfer King Zhao back from the eastern front.
King Zhao gained fame after the battle to recapture Bingzhou, and half of the military power of the Jin Dynasty came into his hands.
While chronicling King Zhao's achievements, the historians also faithfully documented the reasons for the loss of Bingzhou. One reason was that King Huai, Lu Chen, was stubborn and self-righteous. After suffering repeated defeats, he led his family and elite troops back to the capital under the pretext of seeking assistance.
It is said that victory and defeat are common in the military. The Prince of Huai was only seventeen years old at the time, so Your Majesty cannot bear to criticize him harshly. The Prince of Zhao's brilliance in this battle overshadowed the Prince of Huai's less glorious past.
In response to Gu Ningxi's question, Lu Jing just smiled and said, "I won't need it tonight."
With His Royal Highness Prince Zhao around, Gu Ningxi felt that he really didn't have to worry.
When the sound of swords and sabers outside stopped, Lu Jing said, "Everyone in the inn is a secret guard, go to bed early."
Gu Ningxi nodded, her voice full of trust, just like when she was a child: "Yeah."
She had seen Prince Zhao off, and she wasn't sleepy yet. Since she could stay in the village for two more days, there was no need to rush to pack her brushes.
The breeze blew away the clouds. Gu Ningxi didn't eat much for dinner and was now feeling a little hungry.
There was midnight snack available in the inn, so she told Yinyue, who was still awake, to get some.
As Gu Ningxi opened the door, he saw Cheng Wu standing in the corridor, waiting for His Royal Highness Prince Zhao to summon him. After not seeing him for a few years, Cheng Wu had already served on the battlefield, made military achievements, and was now a seventh-rank flying cavalry captain in Prince Zhao's palace.
Gu Ningxi asked him, "Have all the assassins been caught?"
Cheng Wu bowed and said, "Yes, we will catch them all in one fell swoop. Sir Gu can rest assured."
Gu Ningxi nodded: "It seems that Your Highness is playing the empty city trick tonight."
After the assassins finally managed to sneak into the guesthouse, they found that His Royal Highness Prince Zhao was not in the room at all. They fell into a trap and had no choice but to surrender.
Cheng Wu had just returned from the inn to report, and he didn't know what was happening in the inn tonight, so he was a little confused by what Lord Gu said.
The secret guards who had been guarding the corridor for half the night were silent. If those dozens of assassins were allowed to attack His Highness's house, even without His Highness's punishment, they would feel ashamed to face their comrades again.
Although Cheng Wu was suspicious, he didn't ask any more questions. Gu Ningxi said "thank you for your hard work" and returned to her room without interrupting him.
The midnight snack in the guesthouse consisted of meat patties and salty porridge. Gu Ningxi broke off half a meat patty and ate it with the porridge with gusto.
She had already drawn all the Jiangdong plows she had seen during the day, but she felt that the plow evaluation and plow construction could be improved.
The Jiangdong plow, which arrived by chance from the south, fully demonstrated the wisdom of the local people. Such a practical plow could never have been created by the Ministry of Works alone.
Gu Ningxi folded the drawings carefully. This trip yielded quite a lot. It seemed that he would have to go out more often in the future if he had the chance.
…
It was already late April when they returned to Kyoto. After a long and tiring journey, Lu Jing told them to return to their homes and rest when they reached Suzaku Street.
Gu Ningxi was not surprised to receive three days off and a double salary. His Highness Prince Zhao always treated those around him well.
Gu Ningxi calculated in the carriage that she could catch up on sleep and do some chores in the mansion from April 21st to 23rd; on the 24th she could familiarize herself with the recent official documents, and on the 25th she would just catch up with the court meeting.
Everything was just right, and Gu Ningxi was very satisfied that she could spend her birthday with her mother.
Outside Prince Zhao's mansion, the envoys from the palace had been waiting for His Highness Prince Zhao for a long time.
Lu Jing stepped into the hall of the palace. According to his father's instructions, he was allowed to rest in the palace for a day or two and then enter the palace when he had some free time.
The envoys were accompanied by two imperial physicians from the palace, who came to check on Prince Zhao's pulse. After delivering the message, the envoys returned to the palace to report.
Lu Jing chose the third day to enter the palace. The Emperor Mingde first asked him about the circumstances of his assassination. Knowing that he was indeed unharmed, the Emperor Mingde felt relieved: "You should bring more people with you when you leave the capital in the future. Why are you so careless once you leave the battlefield?"
The world was just beginning to settle down, and although the whole world was submissive, there were inevitably some unruly people.
Lu Jing agreed, but in fact, just a few dozen assassins could not hurt him at all.
He said, "I have already found some clues about the assassin's origins. I should have the results by the court meeting the day after tomorrow."
Emperor Mingde's eyes showed approval. This matter must be strictly investigated and dealt with to deter any rebellious intentions on all sides. He would also not tolerate any suspicion of internal strife.
After noon, Emperor Mingde kept Qi'an alone in the palace for dinner.
He also asked his son about his experiences outside the capital, from Chongsheng Temple to the villages outside the capital, and he didn't care what he heard.
Emperor Mingde had a warm expression. As a child, Qi'an always loved to pester him to play with him. Especially when he was four or five years old, Qi'an would always tell him who he met and what happened in school, like pouring beans out of a bamboo tube.
Emperor Mingde smiled and said, "Have you encountered anything interesting in the suburbs of Beijing recently?"
Lu Jing thought for a moment and said, "When I was in Zhaohe Township, I saw a water-powered drum cart."
Emperor Mingde vaguely remembered the Ministry of Works' memorial regarding the drum cart, which was not a military or national priority, so he usually gave it to the crown prince.
"You are the Minister of Chancellery, so it's just right that you pay more attention to these things."
Lu Jing also found the drum wheel quite interesting, and briefly shared his knowledge with his father. The drum wheel cleverly leveraged force, making it ideal for drawing water for irrigation in areas with turbulent currents.
Emperor Mingde smiled and said, "It seems that you have made great progress in participating in government affairs these days."
This child can fight on horseback and govern on foot. He is truly the son who looks most like him.
…
The lunch lasted until almost noon. After Lu Jing returned home, he heard from Sun Jing that Yuan Le wanted to see him.
Yuan Le should still be resting in the Marquis' Mansion today. Lu Jing said, "Let him come to the study."
Sun Jing saluted: "Yes, Your Highness."
Gu Ningxi's request for a meeting naturally had its reasons. Although she didn't need to beat around the bush in front of His Royal Highness Prince Zhao, she still couldn't help but hesitate about the matter she was going to mention today.
Yesterday she went to the Eastern Palace to pay her respects. Han Tong, the Junior Secretary of the Eastern Palace, "happened" to be on the same road with her and gave her some advice in a roundabout way.
She had been at Prince Zhao's mansion for nearly two months, and it was inappropriate for officials from the Eastern Palace to be on duty there for so long. But how could His Royal Highness the Crown Prince ask his brother for someone? Logically, it should have been His Royal Highness the Prince who initiated the matter. However, His Royal Highness the Prince was so preoccupied with trivial matters that it was inevitable that he might have overlooked such a small matter. Han Zhanshi smiled and said, "Gu Zhongyun should have reminded him at the right time."
His meaning represented the intention of His Royal Highness the Crown Prince, so Gu Ningxi had to take this trip during his free time.
After finally submitting his resignation in a tactful manner, Gu Ningxi watched His Royal Highness Prince Zhao take the teacup and sip the tea.
Lu Jing was indeed quite free today. He raised his eyebrows and asked, "Are you in a hurry to return to the East Palace?"
"It's not a big deal."
Gu Ningxi had no choice but to explain that he couldn't let His Royal Highness Prince Zhao think that he looked down on his palace, that would be very bad.
In fact, if she had a choice, Gu Ningxi would not want to return to the Eastern Palace. However, the situation forced her to do so, and she could not do what she liked or disliked.
Seeing that the person opposite him refused to respond to his words, Gu Ningxi thought that he was obviously doing it on purpose.
She couldn't use His Royal Highness's intention to pressure Prince Zhao. Gu Ningxi's momentum weakened, and she felt unsure. "Your Highness...I just want to ask, can Your Highness give me a definite deadline?"
When the deadline comes, she will return to the Eastern Palace naturally, so that she can give an explanation to both sides.
Lu Jing seemed to think about it, then said casually, "Thirty steps away, wait until you can hit the bull's eye of the target."
"ah?"
Seeing Gu Ningxi's bitter face for a moment, Lu Jing felt inexplicably good and even wanted to pinch his rosy cheeks.
"What's wrong?" His Royal Highness Prince Zhao teased the man in front of him, "Or maybe change it to forty steps?"
Gu Ningxi saw the teasing in his eyes. He was indeed still brooding over what happened in the training ground that day; he just felt that he had lost face!
Gu Ningxi was deflated: "Thirty steps, your servant, your servant understands."
【Author’s words】
Female goose: Bad thing!
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