97 Contraceptive Soup
◎Gu Ningxi unconsciously hid in the back of the couch, but was quickly pressed back into someone's arms.◎
In August of the first year of the Tianguan reign, after half a year, the Ministry of Households officially completed a detailed national population census.
The Great Jin Dynasty had 303 states and a total of more than 4.2 million households, which was less than half of the population during the heyday of the previous dynasty.
Years of war and chaos have decimated the population of the Central Plains. The Turks still threaten China from the north, leaving border troubles unresolved and national humiliation unavoidable.
In addition to encouraging agriculture and sericulture to develop production, the imperial court issued a series of edicts to encourage people to have children, increase the population, and enrich the labor force.
At court, the Minister of Rites, Yue Zhong, stepped forward and offered a warning: "Your Majesty, I have a petition to submit. Since Your Majesty ascended the throne, the government has been revitalized, and the people of the land have united. However, for an emperor, the succession of state and society is of paramount importance. With the harem now empty, there is no Empress to preside over the other harems and set an example for the nation, nor are there concubines to provide a patriarchal family and stabilize the foundation of the state. For peace and prosperity to prevail across the land, it is time to establish a queen and select a virtuous concubine to align with Heaven's will and the will of the people. I earnestly implore Your Majesty to issue a swift ruling and order the Ministry of Rites to handle the relevant matters, to ensure the safety of the state and the comfort of the people."
As soon as these words were spoken, many people in the court responded.
"Your Majesty, if the position of the Empress is determined, then the inner chamber will be at peace. If the inner chamber is at peace, then Your Majesty will have no other distractions and can focus solely on state affairs. I second the Ministry of Rites' request."
"Your Majesty is diligent in governing the country and loves the people, and the whole nation is loyal to you. I believe the Ministry of Rites' proposal is absolutely correct, and I second your request to take a concubine."
"I second the motion."
"I second this motion."
Amidst the chorus of responses, Xie Qian, who knew the inside story, also stepped out to join in the fun.
Lu Jing said, "We'll discuss this later."
After the court was dismissed, civil and military officials returned to their offices, traveling in groups of three or five.
Although His Majesty had not issued an explicit decree at the court meeting, his intention to establish a queen and take concubines was already evident. Many aristocratic families with daughters of marriageable age were inevitably agitated.
His Majesty had never married before ascending the throne, leaving the position of empress vacant. The opportunity for further advancement for the family lay before him. Even if he could not become empress, it would be a great honor for any family to have one of the four concubines.
Among the court officials, Marquis Xuanping, who had been lonely for a long time, has recently changed his decadent state.
"My Lord, congratulations."
The eldest daughter of Marquis Xuanping has just been engaged to the Duke of Qi. Who wouldn't say it's a perfect match?
Back then, the Ningguo Duke's estate delayed the engagement, forcing the Gu family's eldest daughter into her twenties. After some maneuvering by the Duke's estate, the Gu family ultimately broke off the engagement. Who could have imagined that the Ningguo Duke's son remains unmarried, while the Gu family's eldest daughter finds a better match?
The Duke of Qi is young and promising. He is a close minister to the emperor and his future career is limitless.
Marquis Xuanping smiled as he accepted the compliments from his colleagues. Someone else jokingly said, "Second Young Master Gu hasn't returned to the capital yet, has he? Your Majesty is truly blessed. Second Young Master has earned His Majesty's trust, first being promoted to the position of Secretary of the Central Secretariat, and then even representing the Emperor on tours. Now that he's back, I'm afraid he'll be promoted again, right?"
This remark struck a chord with Marquis Xuanping. Last year, His Majesty had clearly intended to take Ningxi into the palace with the ceremony of a empress, but Ningxi somehow persuaded His Majesty to abandon the matter. At this point, there had to be an explanation; we couldn't let another palace get there first.
While responding to his colleagues' words with a smile, Marquis Xuanping became worried in his heart.
No matter how respectable Ning Xi's career was, it could not compare to being the noble and prominent mistress of the empress who was above everyone else, and could not bring protection to the family.
If another prince with Gu family blood could emerge, the position of the Xuanping Marquisate in the court would become even more stable.
In the imperial study, Xie Qian saw a new sachet tied around Qin Yu's waist and smiled meaningfully: "Brother Yanming, I haven't congratulated you yet."
Zhen Yuan also looked over there. Qin Yu was not a person who liked to boast, but at this moment he couldn't hide the smile on his face.
The Duke of Qi's Mansion and the Marquis of Xuanping's Mansion have officially become engaged and have completed the ceremony of accepting the betrothal gift.
Among the return gifts sent by the bride's family, there is usually an embroidery made by the bride herself.
Qin Yu had nothing more to ask for than to marry his young sweetheart. He would definitely cherish her, protect her, and love her, so that she would live a smooth and worry-free life.
The embroidery on the sachet was exquisite, but Lu Jing was not too envious.
It's obvious that Yuan Le is not good at embroidery, he prefers the wood carving she gave him.
Xie Qian asked, "Your Majesty, when will Lord Gu return?"
Lu Jing said without hesitation: "Three more days."
He received a letter from Yuan Le four days ago, saying that she had returned to Beijing from Shannan Road and had already disembarked.
"No wonder His Majesty has been so busy with government affairs these past few days," Xie Qian realized, "He was planning to pick up Lord Gu."
Zhen Yuan had seen through it long ago but didn't say anything, so the atmosphere in the imperial study was relaxed.
…
During the autumn harvest season, the wheat ears on both sides of the road are golden and heavy. The wind blows the wheat waves, which makes people feel happy.
It was still about half a day's journey to the capital, so Gu Ningxi told his entourage to rest for a while.
She sat alone on a slope, looking at the harvest scene in the fields.
Feiyun was eating grass beside her. This was the first time for it to go on a long journey with her. It was indeed worthy of its reputation as the precious horse of the Northwest.
Gu Ningxi rested her hands on the soft grass, stretched out her legs and played with the leaves leisurely.
The journey of the past six months was an experience she had never had in her life before.
She witnessed the toil of migrant workers building fortifications along the riverbank, and watched the earnest pursuit of knowledge from children outside the private school. She watched the fatigue of farmers bent over their ploughs in the fields, and witnessed the joy of the years in the sweat of the harvest. She had seen the beauty of the Great Jin, but also witnessed the hardships of the lower classes trying to make a living. It was difficult to describe her feelings at this moment, perhaps because she felt that in this world, one must always make a difference.
Feiyun, who was eating grass with his head down, suddenly pricked up his ears, and Gu Ningxi touched his head.
Accompanied by the bright sunshine at noon, Gu Ningxi looked at the end of the official road and saw a man and a horse appearing in the distance.
It was too far away to see his face clearly, but he felt incredibly familiar to her.
The sound of horse hooves flying on the official road has not been seen for half a year, but it seems like I saw it just yesterday.
Gu Ningxi asked the first question with a smile: "Your Majesty has thrown away all the guards again?"
"Didn't we agree to only be gone for two months?"
If you set out in March, you will return in May.
Lu Jing extended his hand to the man, and Gu Ningxi took his hand in his palm, and let the man pull him onto the horse and sit in front of him.
Feiyun and Qingzhui were most familiar with each other. The reins of the two horses were tied together, and Feiyun followed obediently.
After all, we haven't seen each other for half a year, and I still have to get used to the unfamiliar feeling.
After picking up the person, Lu Jingyu's horse rode much slower on the return journey.
Gu Ningxi leaned against his chest, feeling the refreshing autumn breeze, her body and mind relaxed.
"Why did you take so long?" As the letters were returned one after another, there were moments when Lu Jing really wanted to go to Hedong Road to bring the person back.
“There’s so much I want to see.”
Wherever you go, there is no point in just sitting down to have a banquet with local officials and listening to their flattery. Naturally, you should walk around and see more in the countryside and on the river banks.
"I've been in Kyoto for over 20 years, and this is my first time going back to see the outside world."
Lu Jing had not expected that this trip would last for half a year, and Yuan Le's actions and experiences outside the capital were far beyond his expectations.
Gu Ningxi stretched and met the emperor's guards who were chasing him halfway.
The emperor's carriage was parked more than ten miles away from the south city gate, and General Manager Sun had been waiting there for a long time.
Lu Jing carried the person off the horse and took him straight into the palace.
"Okay." Gu Ningxi yawned and could only go home after two days.
As soon as he got into the carriage, Gu Ningxi fell into a deep sleep with his head resting on Lu Jing's lap.
The carriage moved smoothly as Lu Jing covered the man with a thin blanket. The past six months, spent exchanging letters alone, had seemed incredibly long. He looked at the sleeping figure in his arms, feeling as if he were still in a dream.
As the dawn broke, Gu Ningxi woke up at the hour of Mao the next day, and was woken by hunger.
I have already showered and changed into clean pajamas.
Lu Jing ordered people to serve the meal. While drinking porridge, Gu Ningxi saw two imperial doctors waiting in the side hall, looking at them eagerly.
Following His Majesty's instructions, they came to take Lord Gu's pulse.
Under Lu Jing's gaze, Gu Ningxi reluctantly stretched out his hand.
Lu Jing listened to the imperial physician's pulse diagnosis. She had been sick twice due to unfamiliar climate and the two pounds of weight she had gained with great difficulty had gone back to her.
Following His Majesty's instructions, the Imperial Physician prescribed some nourishing remedies for Lord Gu. They combined medicine and food to nourish the body and quickly restore its vitality.
The imperial physician went down to watch over the boiling of medicine, while Lu Jing fed Gu Ningxi porridge: "Why don't you take good care of yourself when you're out there?"
It was not until this moment that the two gradually felt the reality of their reunion.
"What about Your Majesty? Does Your Majesty take care of yourself?"
"Are you still worried about my health?"
Lu Jing didn't take it seriously. Gu Ningxi curled her lips. She was fine in her dream, but he...
She opened her mouth and drank a spoonful of porridge, and her mood suddenly became a little depressed.
After being out of the capital for an inspection tour for half a year, Gu Ningxi was promoted one rank upon his return. In addition to the court rewards, he was also given 15 days of rest.
During these fifteen days, Gu Ningxi took two days off to stay at the Xuanping Marquis Mansion.
Mrs. Meng felt so distressed when she saw her daughter had become so thin, and she tried all kinds of ways to nourish her.
Although it was hard work outside, there was a gleam in Gu Ningxi's eyes.
My family was already preparing for my sister's wedding, which was set for December. The Marquis's Mansion attached great importance to this match with the Duke of Qi's Mansion, and the dowry prepared for my sister continued to increase.
"Your father said that if you get married, the dowry your family gives you will definitely not be inferior to that of your eldest sister."
Mrs. Meng was delighted. Holding the dowry in her hands was the best guarantee for her daughter's future after marriage. She herself had suffered enough from not having a dowry, and at least Xi'er had the support of the Marquis' Mansion and would not repeat her mistakes.
Gu Ningxi concealed the expression in her eyes. Her father did not mention the marriage in front of her, but he used her mother to remind her and test her indirectly.
She didn't reveal the family's hidden agenda. When her mother took her afternoon nap, she said, "I'm going to go see my sister."
"That's good," Mrs. Meng said with a smile, "I can share in your eldest sister's happiness."
In Yuehua Courtyard, Gu Ningwan was embroidering a brocade handkerchief for the wedding.
Sometimes, Gu Ningxi felt that her elder sister was truly exceptional in everything, from music, chess, calligraphy, painting, knitting, and needlework. Qin Yanming's ability to marry her was truly a blessing bestowed upon him by three lifetimes.
If her elder sister were a man, she would surely shine in the court.
The two sisters had not seen each other for a long time. Gu Ningwan put away her embroidery and listened attentively to Gu Ningxi talking about what she had seen and heard in the outside world.
"Sister, are you in a hurry to embroider?"
"It's just a trivial matter. What difference does it make if it's done a day earlier or later?"
She was more interested in what Gu Ningxi had said about the land system. Although she lived in seclusion, she was surrounded by books and was not completely ignorant of the changes in the court, but she seemed to be working in isolation.
Our dynasty inherited the equal-field system of the previous dynasty. The retired emperor and the King of Shu also spared no effort to promote it during their reigns, and it was perfected by the eleventh year of Mingde.
Every adult male was granted 100 mu of land by the government, 20 mu of which was perpetual land, inheritable for generations; and 80 mu was family land, returned to the court upon death. Half the land was allocated to those with disabilities, and half to those employed in industry and commerce. With so much land and so few people, the people could quickly settle down with land to cultivate.
Gu Ningwan smiled and said, "No matter how much land there is and how few people there are, I would never think of dividing the land among women."
Women have no foundation to stand on, and after marriage they can only rely on the dowry given by their mother's family. In this way, how can they stand in the world?
Gu Ningxi agreed that only widows who remained faithful to their husbands and became household heads in their place were eligible to share the land, which was only twenty mu.
Before she knew it, dusk had fallen. Before Gu Ningxi returned to Leyouyuan, Gu Ningwan gave her one last reminder.
"There are many reports in the capital requesting Your Majesty to establish a queen and take concubines. You..." She sighed softly, "make your own decision."
"I understand. Thank you, sister."
…
In the following days, Gu Ningxi stayed in the palace more often.
After a few days of rest, she finally understood what it meant to be "a short separation is better than a new marriage."
The clouds cleared and the rain stopped on the dragon bed. Gu Ningxi lay on the pillow, feeling tired even to move a finger.
She finally realized how healthy the other person was, so she should worry less about him in the next two years.
Sometimes he couldn't sleep well even in his dreams. Lu Jing kissed the person who was sleeping soundly and heard her mumbling: "No...no more..."
As he took a step further, he suddenly felt that this scene was inexplicably familiar.
Gu Ningxi unconsciously hid in the middle of the couch, but was quickly pushed back into someone's arms.
As she continued to do so, she suddenly opened her eyes in disbelief: "Lu Qian'an?!"
Lu Jing sealed all her resentful words with a kiss, and it was another beautiful night with a full moon.
Half a month later, Gu Ningxi returned to the court. He was promoted to a higher rank and had more matters to handle.
October passed in a busy manner again. What she saw and learned during the six months away from home made her more clear-headed when handling official business and benefited a lot.
She verified the accounts. When it came to local water conservancy projects, no matter how good the accounts were, they could not be clean.
Your Majesty has used severe punishments to serve as a warning to others, and corruption in this dynasty is no longer as rampant as it was in previous dynasties.
Of course, corrupt officials cannot be eradicated. If the water is too clear, there will be no fish. It is impossible to achieve perfection in everything.
At the hour of Si, the door of the imperial study opened and she smelled the familiar scent of medicine again.
Gu Ningxi's face suddenly turned bitter. She didn't like the smell of the medicine and always felt uncomfortable in her stomach after drinking it.
Lu Jing took the medicine bowl and tested the temperature to find it was just right.
This prescription is not suitable for the condition. It should strengthen the spleen and stimulate the appetite, but Yuan Le's appetite has not improved.
The imperial physician had changed his prescription several times. Gu Ningxi bargained with Lu Jing again and again and finally decided to use a dose of medicine every three days.
In the blink of an eye, three days had passed, and she really wanted to deny it.
Lu Jing put a spoonful of medicine to her lips and said, "If you're any later, you'll miss your meal."
Gu Ningxi frowned and drank a spoonful of medicine, then took the medicine bowl herself. She was fed spoonful by spoonful, so she might as well drink it all in one gulp.
After the medicine bowl was empty and he ate three candied fruits, Gu Ningxi suppressed the discomfort and continued to write.
Even at lunchtime, she still had no interest in eating and only managed to eat a few bites. Even her favorite cherry biro seemed greasy and she asked the maid to take it away.
She didn't eat much to begin with, and when she rinsed her mouth after the meal, she couldn't suppress the discomfort in her stomach and vomited everything.
Lu Jing's face changed drastically, and he immediately carried the person to the side hall. The imperial physician who had been prescribing medicine for Gu Ningxi was also summoned in a hurry.
Imperial Physician Li was baffled. His prescription was entirely tailored to Lord Gu's constitution. His colleagues in the Imperial Medical Office had examined it, and they knew there shouldn't be such a big mistake.
Behind a screen, Gu Ningxi was half asleep and half awake, and the conversation outside occasionally fell into her ears.
"...Master Gu, have you taken anything cold or incompatible recently? Or is there anything you eat that incompatible with your diet?"
"My Lords, Lord Gu's food and drink for the past two weeks has been here. Most of it was shared with His Majesty, so there will be no problem."
Imperial Physician Li and another colleague checked carefully and found that it was indeed the case.
A thought arose in his mind, and he dared not hide it in front of the king.
"Your Majesty, I have something to say, but I don't know whether I should say it or not."
He hesitated again and again, and Lu Jing dismissed his attendants.
Imperial Physician Li prostrated himself on the ground. "Your Majesty, Lord Gu is eating and drinking well. I'm afraid to ask if Lord Gu has taken any other medications privately, which could have caused the two prescriptions to conflict?"
These medicines are so incompatible… Sun Jing's eyebrows twitched. Throughout his time serving in the imperial palace, he had always found it strange. His Majesty and Lord Gu were both fine, yet acting as they did, they hadn't had any children for over six months. It was truly illogical.
He didn't dare to speak and looked carefully at His Majesty's calm expression.
The side hall fell silent for a moment.
【Author’s words】
A recommendation for my gay friend’s article: “Meeting the Shocking Branches”, the male protagonist has been exposed!
Biezhi is an orphan and also a killer.
My favorite thing on weekdays is to go to the shop at the city gate to eat a bowl of steaming hot soup dumplings after finishing the tasks assigned by my master, and chat with the deaf man in the shop.
The deaf man could not hear or speak, but his face was very handsome. Even the long and narrow scars could not hide his beauty. One more look at him could make all the fatigue disappear.
The most important thing is that he will always help her cover up what Biezhi said to the deaf man.
That's why Biezhi often complained to him about his master who was like the King of Hell.
Biezhi had never met his master, but had signed a contract and received money to do the job.
The master's reward was generous, but it was extremely torturous.
Biezhi was very distressed and decided to leave after the adoption period expired.
Biezhi also told the deaf man about this matter.
She told the deaf man how she was going to leave, where she was going to wander around the world, and where she would hide if her whereabouts were discovered.
The day of leaving.
As she was walking along the wall, she suddenly heard her master's familiar voice. She was so startled that she quickly hid behind the dense bushes in the forest yard. Unexpectedly, the footsteps were getting closer and closer.
Biezhi raised her eyes and met the deaf man's silent and faintly smiling eyes.
She breathed a sigh of relief until the deaf man asked her, "Where are you going?"
Biezhi was so startled that her lips opened slightly.
The deaf woman's voice is so similar to her master's!
Before she could come to her senses, she saw a figure running forward and bowing, saying, "Your Highness, I haven't seen Miss Biezhi."
Biezhi almost couldn't breathe.
There is only one prince in this dynasty.
Regent Fu Huaiqing.
In an instant, Biezhi felt that his life was over.
-
Fortunately, God was kind to Biezhi and he was not imprisoned but taken back to the palace.
Biezhi was imprisoned in a courtyard.
As time went by, Biezhi felt that this kind of life was not bad, but whenever this thought came to her mind, Fu Huaiqing would bring her a bowl of hot soup dumplings.
Biezhi: “…”
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