Candidate for the Prince Consort
That person is also Pei Zhaoying's worst plan.
She could still endure all kinds of oppression, which were imposed for the sake of the country's reputation and squeezed Pei Zhaoying's foothold.
If they put a knife to her neck and refused to give her a chance to live, she would have no choice but to fight to the death.
Pei Zhaoying didn't want that person to be the one who would kill her in the end, so she agreed to Xiao Bo's idea and looked for the right opportunity to track him down.
Xiao Bo said "Don't be afraid", and as if his words were true, she was really not so scared anymore.
When the storm is about to come, there are people who will ride the same boat with you and provide you with a solid support.
After Pei Zhaoying lost sensation in her legs for years and was unable to walk, her muscles atrophied and became extremely thin and weak. It was obvious at a glance that she could not support her body.
Lu Yunqi said that if you want to have a chance to stand up, you must first keep your legs plump and healthy.
For that glimmer of distant hope, Pei Zhaoying tried to eat as much as possible.
The five grains nourished his qi and he resumed his normal diet. He no longer had to drink just a little rice soup and then put down his chopsticks. Pei Zhaoying's symptoms of liver qi stagnation actually improved. Seeing the plants and trees in the mansion flourishing, people followed the instinct of all things to fight for vitality.
Pei Zhaoying looked at herself in the mirror. The sunken areas on her cheeks had filled in a little. Although she was still noticeably thinner, her figure was now somewhat closer to the brighter look she remembered.
She complained with a smile:
"I listened to Doctor Lu and told him to replenish the flesh and blood on my legs. How come all the flesh went to my face?"
The eyes of the woman in the mirror moved with it, her joy and anger surpassing the beauty of the spring scene. She was sincerely happy, accepting the present, no longer torturing herself, and then she found herself in the spring.
Qiluo Road:
"Your Highness is too thin. It would be great if he gained some weight. He would look much better, like the Guanyin painting by Wu Dai Dang Feng."
"How can I be compared with Guanyin? You are the most slick-tongued one."
Pei Zhaoying opened the warehouse and gave rewards to the servants. All those who worked in the mansion, regardless of their rank, were rewarded.
Servants who signed living contracts would try their best to prepare a thick amount of silver for their personal use and give it out early. If any of the attendants liked a flower ornament or earring, Pei Zhaoying would take it out of the dressing box and give it to them as a reward, regardless of its value.
The maids, both big and small, also made new clothes for her with new silk, which was not for the New Year or any other festival, and made everyone overjoyed.
Pei Zhaoying listened to the voices of thanks and felt that it was fortunate that she had restrained her bad temper in time. Otherwise, if she did not change it and kept beating and scolding her servants at every turn, it would be only a matter of time before the servants turned against her.
The closer it gets to the day when the new bride arrives, the more she wants to keep everyone united.
Jin Chenxiao was good at gathering intelligence. The Ministry of Rites submitted a list, and the emperor approved it. Before the Ministry of Rites copied the list to the Princess's Mansion, she informed Pei Zhaoying of the people on the list.
The list was compiled in a booklet, with "Xiao Yu Cheng" at the top.
Pei Zhaoying's blood boiled, and she immediately frowned, biting her lower lip and muttering:
"What bad luck! Why doesn't he ask to be removed?"
Fortunately, the second name is "Xiao Bo".
After seeing this chosen candidate, Pei Zhaoying had no intention of looking any further. The people behind him were just there to fill the numbers.
Those who are selected will be notified by officials from the Ministry of Rites.
Her eyes lingered on Xiao Bo's name for a long time, wondering how he would react after receiving the news.
He is a low-key person and probably won't talk too much in front of others.
Then it would be difficult for Pei Zhaoying to guess whether he was willing to be the prince consort or not.
After the Ministry of Rites has completed the notification, the Emperor and the Empress Dowager will conduct written and martial arts tests, the scale of which is unprecedented since the founding of the dynasty.
The emperor also officially issued an edict that starting from the day of Pei Zhaoying's wedding, all agricultural taxes and 50% of commercial taxes in the Jingji area will be exempted for three years.
Merchants are always driven by profit, and now the bulk raw material merchants who are dealing in supplies in the local areas will rush to the capital upon hearing the news. The silver and money resources in the hands of the princes will naturally flow into the emperor's feet in an endless stream.
Although she resented the forced marriage, Pei Zhaoying had to admit that Pei Heng had indeed maximized the value of the series of arrangements related to her marriage.
It was a bright spring day, and Pei Zhaoying wanted to act like a good host and have fun with the people. Unfortunately, his movements were restricted, so he still asked someone to make a kite and told the little girls not to be restrained and to run and play on the grass.
Especially the centipede kite, which can wriggle separately in the air, segment by segment, which is vivid and very interesting.
Pei Zhaoying, on the other hand, held a silk fan, hugged the well-behaved little civet cat, and sat under the eaves, watching with a smile.
This dilapidated and gloomy mansion revived amid laughter and joy.
Normally, Pei Zhaoying would be so upset that she would throw plates and cups when she saw her servants taking a few quick steps in front of her. She even smashed several sets of precious white porcelain until only a single cup remained.
Fortunately, everyone's life finally got better as Pei Zhaoying's condition became better.
On the other side of the wall, the young boys in the martial arts field saw the sky full of centipedes, swallows, and eagle kites flying around in the intervals between competitions, and they laughed and jumped for joy.
The training and patrolling of the personal guards were tiring, and Pei Zhaoying would often slaughter cattle and sheep to reward the soldiers. Although they were not allowed to drink, the soldiers were still so moved that they were willing to die for him.
"There's going to be a wedding at the mansion, and His Highness's mood has really improved."
Jiang Yubai personally trained the new recruits who were to be incorporated into the Royal Guards. He knew that young people were naturally cheerful and lively, so it was not appropriate to suppress them harshly. He endured it and kept silent.
The brave young man said:
"I wonder what the criteria are for selecting a prince consort? I do have some good martial arts skills, so would I have a chance to participate?"
Jin Chenxiao poked his forehead and scolded him with a smile:
"Don't even think about it. The competition for the imperial consort not only requires a civil and military examination, comparable to selecting the top scholar, but also requires the candidate's official rank and family background! There are no commoners without any family background on the Ministry of Rites' candidate list. Protecting His Highness's safety is the most important thing. Don't have any messy thoughts."
After the words came out, the young man was still smiling, while some people's faces were darker than the bottom of a pot.
Jin Chenxiao secretly cried out that it was not good, and wanted to explain that she had no intention of indirectly criticizing Jiang Yubai, but she saw Jiang Yubai drink some water, stand up and walk towards the young general and said:
"Oh, you've got some great martial arts skills already? Good boy, let's practice. I'll help you work on your arrogance."
Then, Jiang Yubai pulled the young general onto the training ground with his bare hands, and taught him a few techniques to fight the enemy, which made the surrounding guards convinced of this commander.
He looked like he didn't care about the matter of the prince consort at all. Jin Chenxiao breathed a sigh of relief, but was not sure whether it was a good thing or a bad thing.
During this process, Xiao Bo and Pei Zhaoying discussed tracing clues from the medical case.
Lu Yunqi said without hesitation that she had intended to supplement the medical records. She readily presented the medical records to them and promised not to mention them to anyone.
Pei Zhaoying was not familiar with medical knowledge. Xiao Bo read it for a long time, copied a copy and took it back to study slowly. In the occasional correspondence with Pei Zhaoying, he only wrote down some ideas and inspirations.
Even more impartial than Pei Zhaoying.
Pei Zhaoying read it again and again, but could not find any hint of Xiao Bo's doubts about the selection of the son-in-law between the lines. This made Pei Zhaoying feel uncomfortable asking proactively, as it would seem that she was being too enthusiastic.
At first, Pei Zhaoying had someone prepare some fashionable tribute tea that would suit Xiao Bo's taste and send it to him, in preparation for Xiao Bo to change the subject and talk about these private matters in life, so that she would have a starting point for casual conversation.
However, Xiao Bo was frugal with his words and only expressed his gratitude in a formal manner at the end of the article, which naturally created a distance between them and made it difficult to predict what he was thinking.
Lingling incense, a tranquilizing and soothing fragrance, was lit in the Boshan incense burner. A skilled maid was massaging the acupuncture points on Pei Zhaoying's head. The little civet cat chased the rising smoke, then fluttered around her feet, hooking its claws on the jade-colored brocade jasmine skirt and pulling out the long threads. Pei Zhaoying didn't get annoyed with it, but just asked someone to carry it away first.
The so-called competition for the position of consort was merely a formality, put on for the world to see. After the list of candidates was announced, Pei Zhaoying was certain that the man she would spend her life with was Xiao Bo.
Women always have many fantasies about getting married.
When Pei Zhaoying was young, her father, the king, and her mother, the queen, were both alive, and they often discussed what kind of husband they would choose for her in the future.
The father said that fortunately he was a marginal prince, had no sons, was away from disputes, and would not affect his daughter's marriage.
The princess was impetuous and quick-tempered. She wanted to find a son-in-law for her daughter so that she would not suffer in her husband's family. In her mind, the most important requirement for a good son-in-law was that he should be good-looking.
The reason is that if you spend your whole life with a man and deal with the daily necessities of life, and he has an ugly face, life will be like a year.
Thinking of his mother, Pei Zhaoying laughed inexplicably.
If my mother met Xiao Bo, she would definitely be impressed by his impeccable appearance and would be extremely satisfied.
She knew that Xiao Bo had a dashing appearance and was upright in his job of handling cases, but apart from these well-known impressions, she didn't know anything about Xiao Bo.
She didn't know what kind of tea Xiao Bo liked to drink or what kind of snacks he liked to eat.
Every time Xiao Bo came to her house, she tried her best to arrange different teas to find out Xiao Bo's preferences, but Xiao Bo didn't care.
After Jin Chenxiao inquired, he learned that Xiao Bo's food and lodging were basically at the Dali Temple, where he ate meals corresponding to his official rank, with no dietary restrictions or preferences.
This made Pei Zhaoying very angry. It was like she was trying to touch a person made of clouds, but every time it came back empty. So she decided to simply pack up and go to the Dali Temple to wait for Xiao Bo to finish his official duties for the day, so that she could see her future husband who had fallen into the mortal world.
With her cheeks flushed along with the rosy glow in the sky, Pei Zhaoying lifted the carriage curtain and asked Jin Chenxiao, who had disguised himself as the coachman:
"Tell me, will I be recognized on the street? Is this outfit okay?"
She had appeared in Beijing many times, and this time she was dressed like an ordinary official's daughter, but she also added a lilac veil, which made her beautiful face vaguely visible and concealed her facial features.
"Don't worry, Your Highness. The carriage is very low-key. It was purchased according to the standards of ordinary wealthy families. There are many wealthy merchants like us in the capital. No one will notice us."
Other personal guards in plain clothes blended into the crowd to prevent any accidents.
Pei Zhaoying wanted Jin Chenxiao to make up an excuse so that he could respond in case he was recognized by the court officials.
The next moment, she straightened her back, pressing her chest where her heart was beating like thunder. She didn't need an excuse, she just came to see her fiancé.
She couldn't bear to miss any of the people hurrying in and out of the Dali Temple gate, and forgot to keep lifting the curtain of the carriage with her hand until her wrist became sore.
A familiar figure appeared, with an expression on his face that Pei Zhaoying was unfamiliar with.
"Brother Xiao, the sun is getting increasingly scorching, and I've lost my appetite during the day. I just want to eat some light and refreshing plain noodles. Please come with me."
"If you want to go, go by yourself. Why do you have to drag me along? Lord Xie, the most shameless person in the Dali Temple, also has a day when he feels embarrassed?"
"Hehehe, that's all your fault. I was so mean to that noodle-selling girl last time, and I didn't dare to face her alone."
Xie Zheng held Xiao Bo's shoulders and shook him back and forth. Xiao Bo didn't last more than two rounds and surrendered. They walked together to the food stall in the back street of Dali Temple.
Xie Zheng comes from a relaxed family background, has a stable career, has never suffered any hardship, and when he throws a tantrum he acts like an older naughty boy, which always makes Xiao Bo laugh.
When talking about official business, Xie Zheng lowered his voice and scolded his superiors.
The words were so colorful that Xiao Bo laughed and did not forget to advise:
"Be careful, don't talk too much. If someone overhears you and tells him, you'll suffer the consequences."
"Does he think the 'smooth-faced pig' I mentioned is him? If he insists on identifying himself with this guy, it's not my fault."
The two chatted and laughed as they went into the back street. Xie Zheng bumped into Xiao Bo from time to time, and the two seemed to be stuck together as one.
His eyes are bright and charming, and when he smiles from the heart, there is a radiance in his eyes. It turns out that this is what Xiao Bo's life is like.
Not always sober, with a hint of distant courtesy amidst his reserve.
The back street was narrow, making it inconvenient for the carriage to follow. Fortunately, the noodle stall was close to the intersection, so the carriage could see what was happening when it stopped at the intersection.
Pei Zhaoying pinched the jacquard pattern on the handkerchief and felt a pang of pain.
She was about to offer Xiao Bo her respect as if he were a god on earth, only then she realized that this man was not dignified and respectful as if he were made of clay, but was just pretending in front of her!
The same silk handkerchief was blatantly stolen by Xiao Bo that day. After washing it, he folded it into a square, which took up an entire grid of the study drawer. He also put a few dried calligraphy pieces to cover it up, making it even more obvious.
Uncle Chen at the noodle stall was greeting regular customers. His granddaughter Chen Sanniang still remembered the unpleasant quarrel with Xiao Bo. Her face was puffed up as she served the dishes and cups, but Xiao Bo ignored her. Xie Zheng was afraid of leaving a bad impression, so he smiled and talked to him for a long time.
Xiao Bo was busy eating noodles with his chopsticks, and was forced to listen to Xie Zheng's nonsense to Chen Sanniang. Just when he was feeling pitiful, there was a "bang" and the bench at the next table was picked up and smashed.
Sawdust fragments flew across, most of which landed in Xiao Bo's bowl, ruining his entire bowl of noodles.
Xiao Bo wasn't going to do that.
It turned out to be a burly man with a face full of flesh, a notorious scoundrel in this area, a bully who only cared about the weak and the strong. He had picked the most vulnerable grandparents for his meal. Uncle Chen saw that he was about to leave and approached to collect the money. The burly man made it clear with his actions that he would not accept the money for the meal.
Uncle Chen's old bones could not withstand much tossing and turning, just like the old tables, chairs and benches that were shaking and about to fall apart.
Most of the neighbors were just watching the fun, so who would stand up for an old man?
Uncle Chen's eyes were covered with tears. He bent down to count the money for tables, chairs and benches, hoping to piece the broken wooden boards together.
The money for noodles is a small matter. Uncle Chen beat his chest and stamped his feet, regretting that he should not have asked for it. His business items were broken and he suffered a heavy loss. Now he would have to go without food and drink for a long time before he could prepare a dowry for his granddaughter that would not be despised by her in-laws!
"Your Highness, should our people go to help?" Jin Chenxiao knew that Pei Zhaoying was a person who couldn't stand seeing the old and the young being bullied, so he asked for instructions.
"Master Xiao Bo is still here. He won't ignore it."
Jin Chenxiao didn't think so. The faces of the group of people around the stall changed. Some were watching, some were talking. Xiao Bo didn't even frown. Why would he take action?
Xie Zheng was the first to curse:
"Hey! You're eating and dining for free and acting like a bully. Do you have any sense of shame? Pay me back now! The Dali Temple is just around the corner. Be careful! We'll take you to the authorities!"
"Don't try to bluff me! The Dali Temple handles major cases. How could they care about a small lawsuit like mine, worth ten or twenty coins? Even if I refuse to pay, what can you do to me?"
The burly man was about to leave lazily, but was stopped by Xie Zheng. He felt that his reputation as a local thug was damaged, and Chen Sanniang, a little girl, was yelling and refusing to let him go. The burly man raised his hand and was about to knock the frail girl over.
He was the first to fall.
The fall made a loud noise, splashing a cloud of choking yellow soil. The strong man felt a dull pain on the back of his head. He blinked his eyes, not understanding why his vision suddenly turned to blue sky.
"If you don't pay, don't leave. You have to pay for the noodles—the money for your noodles, the money for the tables and chairs, the compensation for the old man's fright, the loss of business caused by the trouble, and my noodles."
Xiao Bo's calculations were so clear and thorough that Xie Zheng was astonished. He was worthy of being the best case-handling official in the Dali Temple.
As soon as the sturdy man stretched out his hand towards Chen Sanniang, he stood up, grabbed his arm with lightning speed and threw him to the ground.
It is inconvenient to expose one's official identity when going out, and for the lives of ordinary people, violent deterrence is often the simplest and most effective way.
The sturdy man looked at the calm and elegant man with stars in his eyes. His thighs were not even as thick as his arms, but he could feel from his primitive instinct that this man could twist his neck as easily as cutting melons and vegetables!
"I...I don't have any money."
"You don't have money? Then take off your clothes to pay off your debt." Although Xiao Bo's expression was indifferent, his tone was more resolute than anyone else, as if he owned this stall.
The strong man complained bitterly. He was a poor gangster who had spent all his money on buying a nice outfit to show off in the streets and maintain his respectability. He made a living by bullying the weak. Now even his outer layer of skin was about to be stripped off, but he had no choice but to do as he was told.
Xie Zheng whispered in his ear, "Brother Xiao Bo, you're really good at calculating. If you were a landlord, you would definitely exploit your tenants."
Xiao Bo had no intention of explaining. After the storm, he still politely asked Uncle Chen to make him another bowl of noodles, as if nothing had happened.
The grandfather and grandson who died tragically in their previous life were examples that he paid special attention to. If they escaped the disaster and lived well, Xiao Bo would believe that there was a chance to change Pei Zhaoying's predicament.
Jin Chenxiao couldn't help but admire in a low voice:
"Lord Xiao Bo made such a quick move! I didn't even see him clearly. Is his martial arts skills superior to mine? Your Highness should quickly tie this kind of person to your side. Tie him down with a marriage contract, and he won't be able to escape. He will serve Your Highness obediently."
Qi Luo said worriedly, "Master Jin, didn't you hear how carefully Master Xiao Bo planned just now? Our Highness is a kind-hearted person, how could he withstand such a cunning scheme? If he sells off the Princess's residence without your Highness knowing, right?"
Pei Zhaoying held her forehead, a helpless smile washing away the bitterness that had been lingering there:
"...I can still find this. Okay, I've seen enough, let's go back home."
The horse pranced along at a leisurely pace, carrying the owner's thoughts with it, and quietly blending into the bustling city life. The carriage was simple and plain, without any decorations. No one would care about this most ordinary merchant carriage in the capital.
Xiao Bo looked up and stared blankly at the intersection where the carriage disappeared.
He had her on his mind, and she happened to come see him.
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