Princess Xuan'an had been living in the governor's mansion for some time. She told Wang Changshi that she wanted to wait for Governor Chang to return triumphantly so that she could congratulate him in person.
But now his own governor cannot make it back before the New Year, and he has made the distinguished guest wait for so long in vain. He must have an attitude and explanation. To be on the safe side, Wang Changshi thought about asking the Marquis's opinion first.
After all, he had realized in recent days that the Marquis and the Grand Princess were most likely old acquaintances.
In view of this old acquaintance, Wang Changshi thought that he might be able to ask the Marquis for advice on another matter that had been troubling him recently.
Chang Kuo's leg injury was very serious and he was still unable to get out of bed. When Wang Changshi arrived, A Dian was in the room talking to Chang Kuo.
I don't know what innocent words Ah Dian said, but Chang Kuo burst out laughing.
Adian was also laughing foolishly. The two of them laughed like thunder, but it did not disturb the big orange cat in Adian's arms - this was the orange cat that Chang Suining gave to Adian on his birthday last year. The cat was not yet two years old, but was growing well and looked quite sturdy. At this moment, it was snoring in Adian's arms.
Adian was a little disappointed when he heard the news from Wang Changshi that Chang Suining would not be able to return before the New Year.
But he quickly turned around to comfort Chang Kuo. After all, Uncle Chang was old and injured, so he was the one who was most likely to be sad.
"Uncle Chang, it's okay. I, Juzi, Liuhuo, and Uncle Kang will be with you during the New Year!"
He added: "Plus, Uncle Yu and the others are here too!"
Chang Kuo smiled and nodded, saying, "It's better not to come back. This year is a cold winter, the sea is frozen, and the wind is against us. It's not safe to travel rashly, and the soldiers will suffer too much."
After fighting for such a long time, people are exhausted, so it is better to rest in Dongluo. Although it is very cold in Dongluo, it is still easy to properly accommodate 30,000 soldiers.
After the coldest days of winter, with the protection of the east wind, you can have a triumphant return home smoothly.
Chang Kuo calculated the time and said, "After all, a month or so won't be too much of a problem."
Ah Dian was a very obedient child. After hearing what Chang Kuo said, he soon stopped being sad and said, "Uncle Chang, you should take good care of your injuries and eat more. This way, when Ah Li comes back, he will see a plump and fair Uncle Chang!"
Chang Kuo laughed and agreed, then said to Wang Changshi: "Since Sui Ning will not return before the New Year, we must inform the imperial envoys."
Yu Zeng and others had received the imperial edict and had not planned to return to Beijing before the New Year. However, except for Yu Zeng, those officials whose plans were dashed were still feeling bad.
After Wang Changshi agreed, he saw that there was no fourth person in the room, so he asked in a low voice: "What about the eldest princess..."
Chang Kuo said very naturally: "I will talk to her later. If she wants to wait, she can wait. If she doesn't want to wait, it's up to her."
Wang Changshi nodded, looking somewhat thoughtful.
Chang Kuo seemed to be aware of something: "Does the Chief Secretary have anything else to say?"
"Yes..." Wang Changshi coughed lightly and smiled implicitly: "I see that the Marquis and the Grand Princess are old acquaintances, so I thought of asking the Marquis about the Grand Princess's preferences..."
"I don't know much about his preferences..." Chang Kuo pondered and said, "I only know that this person is arbitrary, likes to eat sweets and candied fruits, likes to wear cinnabar-colored clothes, and loves to wear jade and red and yellow gemstones..."
Wang Changshi was a little stunned. Is this still called “not understanding very well”?
It seems that we are not just old acquaintances.
I guess he asked the right person! Wang Changshi no longer concealed his question: "What I want to ask is, what kind of male servant does Her Royal Highness the Grand Princess like?"
Chang Kuo frowned suddenly, sat up straighter, stared at Wang Changshi for a moment, and then asked, "Why are you asking about this?"
Upon hearing this, Wang Changshi felt that the Marquis was indeed a military general, and since he did not have a wife, he was not meticulous in entertaining guests.
Thinking of this, Wang Changshi explained in detail: "The Grand Princess has a favor to the Governor's Mansion, and entertaining guests requires catering to their preferences. This is also to make the guests feel at home..."
Chang Kuo's expression changed for a while, and he said, "I'm not familiar with her, it's irrelevant! I don't know what she likes in this!"
Wang Changshi: “……?”
Didn't you just say that he likes to eat candied fruit? Chang Kuo said, pulling up the quilt and started to chase him away: "Go ask someone else!"
Then he said, "Why don't you just ask her?"
As he spoke, he suddenly paused, turned his head and looked warily at the bewildered Wang Changshi: "... Changshi, if you have this idea, it shouldn't be something you just thought of today, right?"
"Yes... In recent days, I have sent five or six male servants of different styles over, but they were all sent back by the Grand Princess... That is why I wanted to ask the Marquis..." Wang Changshi's tone was cautious, as if he did not know the situation.
Chang Kuo's expression became more complicated.
Five or six?
But...she had sent them all back? Chang Kuo's fur had been blown up, but now it had calmed down a little.
Wang Changshi watched silently for a while, and finally heard Chang Kuo say: "...Our governor's mansion is different from other places. Sui Ning is still a young girl, so there is no need to bother with these things. Not only the Grand Princess, but also those imperial envoys should be treated equally, and it is not appropriate to send any singing girls or prostitutes over."
Wang Changshi was stunned for a moment, then raised his hand and said, "Yes, I was confused for a moment on this matter."
The Governor is still young, so there are some things that you must avoid.
"The Chief Secretary is also thinking about the Governor's Mansion. He has such good intentions, so he can't be said to be wrong." Chang Kuo's tone softened: "The New Year is approaching, and the mansion is busy. I will have someone pay attention to the reception of the Grand Princess."
Wang Changshi agreed and walked out, but he couldn't help but think about Chang Kuo's strange attitude.
When Wang Changshi was thinking hard, he first met Deputy General Jin who came to deliver a letter, and then ran into Princess Xuan'an head-on.
The eldest princess still covered her face with a hat, wore her hair in a high bun, and wore a red fox fur cloak. She exuded a graceful air.
She was followed by a maid and Doctor Guan, who came to see Chang Kuo every day.
Wang Changshi stopped to salute, and Princess Xuan'an nodded slightly to him, then went back to her usual spacious courtyard.
Looking at the back, Wang Changshi's eyes became more thoughtful.
Princess Xuan'an brought doctors to treat the Marquis, which was nothing, but why did the Princess come over every now and then? The Marquis and the Princess were so old and so high-ranking, so there was no need to be so cautious about gender differences, especially since the Princess always followed her heart and was not bound by worldly views...
However, after these days of contact, he clearly felt that the eldest princess had a rather noble and arrogant royal temperament. If she was just an ordinary old acquaintance, she could just ask the servants to pass on her messages from time to time, and there should be no need to come to visit her in person so often, right?
What made the eldest princess willing to lower her noble head? An answer suddenly occurred to Wang Changshi.
Could it be that... Could it be that...
Could it be that the style that this Grand Princess really likes is the hot-tempered and stubborn Chang Hou, who is very annoying at first glance? ! As soon as this guess came out, Wang Changshi suddenly felt that all the meridians in his body were opened!
Combined with the fact that General Chang knew Princess Xuan'an's preferences so well... he could have further suspicions! Wang Changshi took a breath of cold air, and a sudden fear rose in his heart.
He originally thought that he was offering a male servant to entertain the distinguished guest, which was a wise and enlightened act that was not afraid of the secular perspective. Now thinking about it, it was clearly an act of seeking cremation without fear of Chang Hou's slap! Wang Changshi quietly wiped the cold sweat from his forehead. In addition to being afraid, he could not hide the excitement in his heart.
If it is really as he thought, wouldn't it be that Changhou is in my hand and Jinshan is mine? Here, Chief Secretary Wang felt that the future of Jiangdu was getting more and more promising. On the other side, Deputy General Jin had just come out of Chang Kuo's room after delivering the letter.
After going down the stone steps and seeing the familiar figure, Deputy General Jin, who was still struggling in the sea of knowledge, decided to take the risk and implement his long-planned treacherous plan -
"Madam Rong." He stepped aside to the stone steps, clasped his fists and saluted, when something "accidentally" slipped out of his sleeve.
He had already planned the spot in his mind, so the jade pendant fell into the snow pile beside the stone steps at the right time to avoid the fake play from being ruined.
But this also has a disadvantage, which is that the jade pendant makes almost no sound when it falls.
Princess Xuan'an just nodded, lifted her skirt without looking away, and was about to go up the stairs.
Deputy General Jin was anxious and pretended to bend over to pick it up, while exclaiming: "Ouch!"
Princess Xuan'an had already stepped onto the first step. When she heard the voice, she just turned her head slightly and took a look, not caring much.
Deputy General Jin quickly muttered to himself, "Fortunately it didn't break, otherwise I really don't know how to explain to the general!"
Princess Xuan'an stopped and turned around.
Deputy General Jin seemed unaware. He held the jade pendant in front of his eyes with both hands and blew away the snow particles on it.
Princess Xuan'an's eyebrows moved slightly, she took a half step sideways, slightly lifted the moon-white soft gauze hanging from her beard hat, took a closer look, and after confirming that it was correct, she tried to ask: "What is this thing..."
How could the things she gave to Chang Kuo that year be in the hands of this deputy general? "This was entrusted to me by the general in front of the battle line when we were fighting against the Japanese army in Huangshuiyang. I was originally going to pass it on to you. But the general was safe and sound afterwards, so I wanted to return it to him just now. I was so busy delivering the letter that I forgot..." Deputy General Jin said, and suddenly paused, revealing a regretful and embarrassed smile. He quickly put away the jade pendant and scratched the back of his head, as if he felt that he had said too much.
Then he glanced towards the general's room, as if hesitating whether to send it in now, but finally made an expression that said "next time".
After performing the whole set, Lieutenant General Jin saluted and left.
Princess Xuan'an stood there, somewhat dazed.
Vice Admiral Jin turned around and took a few quick steps. He could no longer maintain his composure, and his shoulders began to tremble slightly with excitement.
As cunning as he was, he really used this to find out the truth he wanted! The reaction of that Lady Rong just now clearly showed that she recognized this jade pendant! This Lady Rong was most likely the "early deceased" mother of Mr. Sui An!
As for why he hid his identity and announced his early death... let him think of a more cunning way to find out!
Deputy General Jin, who considered himself to be treacherous, had just performed a show that was full of mistakes in the eyes of Princess Xuan'an, who knew countless people.
It was difficult for the Grand Princess to approve of Lieutenant General Jin’s acting skills, but she had reason to believe...what the deputy general said was not false.
So, when Chang Kuo was in a life-or-death situation on the battlefield, he thought of her, right? After standing still for a moment, the eldest princess slightly curved her lips and went up the stairs.
When she went in, Adian was running outside after Juzi, while Chang Kuo was leaning against the head of the bed reading a letter.
The letter was written by Chang Sui'an. Upon hearing about his father's life-threatening experience, Chang Sui'an cried while writing. The letter paper was wrinkled with tears and the handwriting was smudged in many places.
Chang Kuo was quite disgusted: "What a useless brat..."
As soon as Princess Xuan'an came in, she heard the muttering and could not help but soften her voice and ask, "Is it a letter from Sui'an?"
"Who else could it be?" Chang Kuo snorted, and seemingly casually threw the letter on the small table beside the bed. The eldest princess walked forward, picked it up and looked at it.
At this moment, besides the two of them, there was only Doctor Guan in the room. As a medical practitioner who had secretly helped Chang Kuo prepare medicine for many years, he knew a little about the relationship between the two.
While the Grand Princess was reading the letter, Doctor Guan took Chang Kuo's pulse and asked about his recovery.
Finally, Doctor Guan said, "In another half a month, General Chang should be able to try to get out of bed and walk around with crutches."
"Crutch?" Chang Kuo asked, "Will you be able to throw it away later?"
Doctor Guan hesitated: "I dare not make a definite statement..."
Chang Kuo understood and was open-minded: "Well, one leg can still be used. Anyway, I don't have many years left to live. Let's make do with it!"
Princess Xuan'an frowned and said, "It's the twelfth month of the lunar calendar, why are you saying such unlucky words?"
But...she and Chang Kuo are indeed no longer young.
Even though she took good care of herself, when she combed her hair yesterday, she suddenly found a few white hairs that had grown in her hair.
Thinking of everything that had happened over the years, the eldest princess lowered her eyes and folded the letter in her hand neatly with care, as if she was sorting out her emotions over the years.
Seeing that she was standing there without saying anything, not knowing what she was thinking about, which was very different from the past, Chang Kuo took the initiative to talk about the fact that Sui Ning did not return home before the New Year.
At last, Chang Kuo seemed to be nonchalant and said, "I spent this New Year holiday without my children around... It's good this way, I can recover alone and have peace and quiet!"
Doctor Guan sighed in his heart, what a pretender to be strong.
But it just so happens that her Highness the Grand Princess really likes this——
"The children are busy with their own things, so it's normal that they can't make it back." The eldest princess said, "At worst, Li Tong and I will stay and spend the New Year with you."
Chang Kuowei turned to look at her with some surprise. Why was this woman so easy to get along with today? She actually took the initiative to ask to stay?
The eldest princess raised her eyebrows: "Why, you don't want to entertain?"
Chang Kuo: "... In such a big governor's mansion, what else do you need two pairs of chopsticks and two bowls of dumplings?"
"I think everyone is like you. We don't use basins to eat dumplings." The eldest princess curled her lips, but there was a smile on the corner of her mouth.
Chang Kuo: "Then I'll make you two golden bowls later!"
The eldest princess glared at him.
Doctor Guan looked at the two people who were in a harmonious atmosphere with curiosity, and when he saw his own prince turned his head to look at him, he immediately withdrew his gaze as if nothing had happened, and pretended to be very busy, turned his head to admire the screen beside him, and nodded with satisfaction - wow, this screen is really a screen.
…
In Youzhou in the twelfth lunar month, the cold wind howled at night.
In the military camp at the foot of a sheltered mountain, torches and firewood piles burning everywhere dispel the biting cold.
Chang Sui'an, wearing the armor of the Xuan Ce Army, walked into the commander's tent and saluted with his fists: "Grand Commander!"
The young man who was sitting cross-legged at the desk checking the military newspaper raised his head, and his eyes were just like the cold winter stars hanging in the sky outside the tent.
See you tomorrow, good night! (Today I am working hard to save up my manuscripts for more chapters)
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