Chapter 418: Afraid of ghosts, but have shame (asking for monthly votes)
Tutor Chu made this suggestion and gave three reasons.
In the opinion of Master Chu, first of all, Minister Wei is a man with a good brain and a sharp tongue, good at coping with emergencies, and very suitable for dealing with diplomatic relations.
Secondly, he is young and calm enough, which shows that Dasheng is full of talented people and there are many talented young people who can be used as pillars of society.
Finally, she is born good-looking and is more suitable to represent the image of Dasheng than those ugly ones.
When the officials heard the last sentence, they all subconsciously looked around, trying to find the "those misfits" that the old tutor mentioned.
Wei Shuyi looked flattered.
It seems that Master Chu is in a very good mood today. He even made an exception and praised someone in public, and his praise was not in a sarcastic way.
From this, it can be seen that the Grand Tutor now treats him with some favor.
This was related to the fact that for most of the past year, whenever court officials tried to question "Madam Chang", he would always stand on the side of "Madam Chang" - although most of the time, on the surface, he was just acting according to the emperor's will.
But after a few times, Master Chu's attitude towards him in private became more and more gentle, and Wei Shuyi slowly had the answer in his heart... He thought that the Master might have realized that the soul of his former student was hidden in that body.
Therefore, the supreme secret book called "Pandering to the Grand Tutor's Favor" that the whole court had been seeking but could not obtain was actually found by Wei Shuyi by accident...
At this moment, Wei Shuyi, feeling honored, took the initiative to step out and bowed to the throne: "Your servant, Wei Shuyi, is willing to go on a diplomatic mission to Eastern Luo on behalf of His Majesty to help our dynasty's diplomatic relations."
He knew that this mission to a foreign country sounded glamorous, and if the results of the mission could satisfy the saint and gain respect and admiration from the foreign country, he would most likely be promoted after returning. However, this journey would inevitably be full of dangers...
Putting aside the troubled times, the current situation in the northeast has become extremely dangerous due to the rebellions of the Mohe and Kangdingshan. The direction of this trip is on the edge of that dangerous place.
But as the Taifu said, he is the most suitable candidate.
If even he cannot arrive safely, then no one else will be able to carry out this mission.
He was highly regarded and promoted by the empress, and was able to hold a high position at a young age. Now that the country is in turmoil and the country needs it, there is no reason for him to shrink back.
The Emperor of the Holy Cemeter looked at the young man who bowed and saluted for a moment, then slowly nodded.
The matter of Wei Shuyi being sent as an envoy to Dongluo was decided on the same day.
After the morning court session, Wei Shuyi and several officials from the Ministry of Rites were left alone to discuss the details of the matter.
As we need to arrive in Dongluo before the New Year, the journey cannot be delayed, so three days later, I have to prepare to leave Beijing.
Before Wei Shuyi left, the empress specifically reminded him: "Qing Wei, take care of yourself on this trip."
Wei Shuyi agreed, bowed, and left the Ganlu Hall.
However, after returning to Duke Zheng's mansion, Minister Wei, who was facing his daily routine of burning incense, suddenly realized that his decision today seemed a bit hasty...
The victory report said that "she" had toured Japan with the new king of Dong Luo, and after returning from Japan, "she" must have passed through Seongju... As a hero who sent troops to quell the civil strife in Dong Luo, "she" would most likely not miss the succession ceremony of the new king of Dong Luo, right?
So... it is very likely that he met "her" in Dong Luo, right?
"My husband, aren't you going to burn incense today?" Changji asked when he saw his husband suddenly stop.
"No...don't burn it." Wei Shuyi came back to his senses and told Changji: "Also, go to Dayun Temple tomorrow and ask for a talisman to ward off evil spirits."
Before Changji could agree, he heard his husband change his mind: "No, you can't go to Dayun Temple, go to other temples to ask for it..."
"She" is the soul that returned from the Heavenly Maiden Tower in Dayun Temple. The huge Dayun Temple is probably "her" territory, and the things she asked for are probably useless to "her".
Finally, Wei Shuyi gave another reminder: "Also, go there secretly and don't make it public."
Nothing else, even though I’m afraid of ghosts, I still have to keep my dignity.
Minister Wei, who was a bright and cheerful man, was filled with emotions that he could not express to outsiders.
On the way to the small Buddhist temple, his steps were normal, but his heart was beating very fast.
Are you afraid?
The answer is yes. It is a natural fear inherited from his parents and is beyond his control.
But...want to meet "her"?
The answer is also yes.
The rooted intention could not be destroyed despite all the incredible obstacles... This was also beyond his control.
Before this, his understanding of the four words "God's will plays tricks on people" was ultimately too superficial and limited.
After coming out of the small Buddhist temple, Wei Shuyi looked at the yellow plum blossoms blooming in the snow with a faint fragrance.
Since "she" left Beijing, this plum tree has bloomed twice.
But this year "she" still has no time to return to Beijing to enjoy it.
After a while, Wei Shuyi walked closer to the plum tree. When he was about to pick a branch, he suddenly heard footsteps.
Turning around, I saw Wei Miaoqing wearing a fox fur coat. She walked briskly and her jewelry jingled, as if showing her happy mood.
"I knew that brother must be here!" Wei Miaoqing came over with bright eyes and asked impatiently: "Brother, I heard that Madam Chang led the army to a great victory, is it true?"
Seeing Wei Shuyi nod, she hurriedly said, "Then brother, tell me how you won!"
Once she gets this first-hand information, she can show off to Madam Wu and Axia!
Wei Shuyi was not thinking about this and was thinking about how to get rid of his sister when a maid came. After paying her respects, she told Wei Miaoqing that the girl from the Wu family invited her to Mingfeng Teahouse for tea and storytelling.
Before Wei Miaoqing could refuse, the maid continued, "It is said that what we are talking about today is the story of Madam Chang's great victory over the Japanese army!"
Wei Miaoqing's spirits immediately lifted, and he hurriedly said to his brother: "I'll come back later to look for you, brother!"
The storyteller at Mingfeng Teahouse is getting more and more amazing. He has finished writing the script so quickly! When Wei Miaoqing arrived, although the storyteller had not yet started his lecture, the teahouse was already full, and there were many people standing, making it almost impossible to squeeze in - there was no way, with such an audience base, it would be difficult for it to be quiet.
Wu Chunbai had already taken a seat in the private room on the second floor. When Wei Miaoqing went up, she saw all the familiar girls were there. Yao Xia, with candied fruit in her mouth, waved at her and urged her, "Sister Wei, come quickly... the lecture is about to begin!"
As the storyteller clapped the wake-up stick in his hand, the noisy surroundings soon quieted down.
Outside the teahouse, as the government also released news, the good news of Jiangdu's comprehensive victory quickly spread, adding a strong color to the capital city, which was already feeling desolate and uneasy due to the heavy snow.
In the main courtyard of the Wu family, which was built on the back street, Wu Zhaobai, who had not been out for a long time, vaguely heard the lively noise outside and asked his wife who had just returned from outside: "...Madam, is there a wedding being held?"
"It's a happy event for our entire Dasheng." Madam Wu brushed off the snowflakes on her shoulders and said with a smile, "My husband may not know yet, but Madam Chang won a great victory in Huangshuiyang and wiped out all the Japanese pirates."
Hearing Chang Suining's name, Wu Zhaobai was stunned and said numbly: "Another victory..."
Win, who can beat her?
"This time we have achieved a great victory and great peace. People outside say that the Japanese army will not be able to come again for at least thirty to fifty years." The young lady of the Wu family asked with a smile, "It's so lively outside, with people announcing the victory and admiring the snow. Would you like to go out and take a look, husband?"
Wu Zhaobai looked up in surprise, his lips trembled slightly, and he was suddenly deeply moved.
God knows how long he hasn't been out of the house. Ever since he was scolded by his grandfather and suffered a severe loss of face, he has been depressed for a long time and doesn't want to go out to see people. After that, when the family members go out, they even tacitly don't take him with them! Until now, he has not been able to find a way out until his wife spoke up.
"If my husband doesn't want to, then there is nothing to do..."
"...Yes! I do!" Wu Zhaobai quickly interrupted his wife's words and steady the step that had finally appeared.
Soon, his son Ah Xian also ran over and said, "Dad, it's so lively outside, let's go out and buy some candy!"
Wu Zhaobai was touched. He had never realized before that happiness could be so simple. He couldn't help but ask softly, "What kind of candy does Xian want to eat? Daddy will buy it for you."
"Pine nut candy!"
The smile on Wu Zhaobai's lips paused for a moment, and he suddenly remembered that his child had bet on his life or death, and the stake was three pine nut candies.
But he still went out and bought a big bag of pine nut candies for his son.
He had not been out for a long time, and when he first went out it was the dead of winter, and he was shivering with cold. However, the people did not seem to notice the cold. They passed on the good news of the "Huangshuiyang Victory" from mouth to mouth, as if they were holding a warm stove that made them feel at ease.
Seeing this scene, Wu Zhaobai suppressed his desire to write poetry.
When he returned home with his wife and children, it was already late. As soon as he entered the house, he heard the servant say that his grandfather asked him to talk in the study, and his father and Chunbai were both there.
Wu Zhaobai thought to himself - would they attack and ridicule him for finally going out today? He has been reflecting on himself at home for more than a hundred days... Is that enough?
But when he arrived, no one mentioned his going out, as if the previous unpleasantness and dispute had been put behind them.
Wu Zhaobai had just breathed a sigh of relief when he heard from his grandfather that the imperial court had sent envoys to Dongluo, and his father, as the Minister of Taichang Temple who was in charge of the world's etiquette, was also among the envoys.
The Minister of the Ministry of Rites, who was in charge of foreign guests' affairs, was supposed to go this time, but he was old and seriously ill and was not strong enough to travel far in the middle of winter.
After careful consideration, Emperor Shengce finally decided to let the meticulous and law-abiding Wu Siqing go with Wei Shuyi - although Wei Shuyi was young and promising, he looked too young and needed a more experienced official to accompany him to ensure the safety and thoroughness of the trip.
Wu Zhaobai was very surprised. He had thought that he would show his reformed image by the New Year's Day this year...but he did not expect that his father would go on a diplomatic mission to Eastern Luo at the end of the year.
What he didn't expect was that his sister Chunbai was so bold and reckless that she wanted to go with her father.
When officials went on diplomatic missions far away, they were allowed to bring a small number of slaves with them within the prescribed range. Wu Chunbai therefore suggested that she could pretend to be a servant and go along.
Wu Siqing did not agree at first. It was freezing cold and there was turmoil everywhere. It was not the right time for a girl to act recklessly.
Wu Chunbai was particularly persistent.
She was no longer satisfied with just attending flower parties and poetry gatherings and writing poems and essays. It was hard for her not to be attracted by the girl she admired standing in the open world.
She wanted to see what the world was like outside, and she wanted to see what diplomatic relations between countries were like.
These are the reasons why she spoke out.
But there was one thing she didn't dare to say directly - she really wanted to get a close look at the political world that she had never had the opportunity to touch.
She really didn't want to miss this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.
The girl thought she had hidden it well enough, but the longing light in her eyes was still too strange to be hidden from Old Master Wu's eyes.
After a moment, Old Master Wu looked at his son and said, "If Zhao Bai insisted on going with you, would you still refuse?"
Wu Siqing was stunned by the question and subconsciously looked at Wu Zhaobai.
If his son had this idea, and was not afraid of difficulties and took the initiative to gain experience, so as to hone himself, he would probably be very comforted and think that there would be successors.
But when his son heard Chun Bai's idea, he just looked incredibly pedantic...
Wu Siqing silently withdrew his gaze.
Wu Zhaobai: “…”
Why did he attract dislike even though he didn't say anything?
"After this year, Chunbai will be nineteen and an adult." There was a hint of hope in Old Master Wu's eyes: "If she is not afraid and wants to go, let her go."
In the past, they gave too many opportunities to Zhaobai, their only son. Comparatively speaking, Chunbai grew up to be like this in neglect.
Now, although he is already in his twilight years, he suddenly wants to give it a try. If he gives the same opportunity to Zhao Bai to Chun Bai, what will be the result? The result is unknown, but if Zhao Bai can go, Chun Bai can also go.
After hearing his father's words, although Wu Siqing felt that it was inappropriate, he did not dare to disobey.
Wu Zhaobai was stunned. Is it settled like this? Is Chunbai really going to go to Dongluo?
He subconsciously looked at his sister, and subconsciously thought - this was originally... supposed to be his chance, right? But the journey was so cold and dangerous... Just thinking about it made him want to back out.
Alas, he is worthy of being so cowardly.
Wu Zhaobai felt a little disappointed. On the way back, he couldn't help but ask his wife in a depressed tone, "Does my wife also often feel that I am useless?"
The young lady of the Wu family said in a gentle voice: "My husband is now brave enough to reflect on himself, so he is no longer useless."
Wu Zhaobai: “…”
What a "no longer"...
It's okay, it's just a fatal injury...
Wu Zhaobai smiled bitterly: "Madam must be regretting marrying me."
Madam Wu smiled and shook her head: "That's not the case."
Wu Zhaobai was a little stunned.
"When I first met my husband, I felt that although he was old-fashioned, he was a kind-hearted man." The young lady of the Wu family said seriously, "And when you marry someone, you can't just look at the person you want to marry, you have to look at his family. Your husband's family is the best and most open-minded family I have ever seen."
Grandfather, father, mother, Chunbai, are all very good people.
She had been very comfortable living in the Wu family over the years and had never felt depressed at all.
Wu Zhaobai listened intently and thought a lot in an instant.
He didn't know when it started, but every day after waking up, he would be jealous of Chunbai and blame his grandfather for being partial...
But now that Chunbai was going on a long journey, he suddenly felt empty in his heart.
So, he didn't really dislike Chun Bai, he just had been stuck in a rut for too long.
Wu Zhaobai was in a daze, dazed and speechless all the way.
Three days later, Wei Shuyi and Wu Siqing, along with a group of officials on a diplomatic mission, left the capital in a grand procession. Song Xian and Tan Li were also among them.
The day after the diplomatic envoys left the capital, Tuyuhun sent back a memorial, which was presented to the emperor through the hands of a eunuch.
He reported that Princess Gu'an Mingluo had safely given birth to a son. The Tuyuhun leader Murong Yun was very happy with the child and specifically asked His Majesty Dasheng to give him a name.
4300 words, good night!
(End of this chapter)
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