Chapter 23 Duke Zheng
The room was filled with dazzling light and splendor.
As Li Qu watched Huai Chun open the jewelry boxes one by one, it felt as if she had stepped into a museum.
"This crown is inlaid with 666 pearls of uniform size and 98 seven-colored gemstones, woven with gold thread and decorated with phoenixes and kingfisher feathers. It is the only one of its kind in the world."
"This set of 28 auspicious ruby headdresses is a masterpiece."
"This set is made of imperial green jadeite, a rare treasure."
"This is a sapphire headdress inlaid with kingfisher feathers and gold."
"This set..."
Every time Huaichun introduced something, he would glance at Li Qu's expression.
Li Qu stopped opening the box only when he stopped in front of the jade headdress.
She stepped forward and asked, "Does Auntie like this set?"
Li Qu could only marvel at the superb skills of the craftsmen of the time and the immense wealth and power of the Zhou family.
Five legendary jade pieces of our time: a twisted jade bracelet, a dragon hairpin, a pearl necklace, a Duan family jade bracelet, and Wanrong's three-piece jade set.
Only when they are put together can they be compared to the jade headdress in front of her.
Huaichun smiled and asked again, "Does Auntie like it?"
"I admire it." Li Qu seemed oblivious to her budding romance. "Continue opening the boxes."
Treat it like visiting a museum.
"It would be even better if the young lady could tell us a few stories about her origins, craftsmanship, and the previous owner."
Seeing that Li Qu showed no sign of covetousness, Huai Chun felt a tightness in his chest.
She hoped that Li Qu would ask: "May I have this concubine?"
At that time, she would dutifully remind her with a smile: This is the betrothal gift saved for the first wife. If the concubine likes it, she may ask the Third Master for it.
The Third Master would certainly not give a concubine jewelry or headdress that would be considered inappropriate.
It would be better if she were to embarrass herself in front of Third Master!
After walking around for a while, Li Qu was full of admiration, and Huai Chun could hardly keep smiling.
Because Li Qu was truly just admiring her, without the slightest bit of greed.
Seeing that it was getting late, Li Qu finally let go of Huaichun's advances: "If I like this ivory floral gold hairpin and this gold-inlaid jade hairpin, would it be presumptuous of me to take them?"
Huaichun forced a smile: "They're all small items. If you like them, Auntie, you can pick out a few more."
"These two will do then. Where else do you think it's worth browsing, Miss Young Love?"
"Apart from that, there's nothing else worth visiting."
"Then let's go back. I'll trouble Miss Huaichun to arrange for someone to deliver what I need to Fanghua Garden before sunset."
Huaichun forced a smile: "Okay."
Li Qu led Granny Xu towards Fanghua Garden.
Granny Xu was still reeling from the visual shock she had just witnessed: "If you put in a little effort, Third Master might be pleased and reward you with one or two pieces of fine jewelry."
Li Qu smiled faintly: "I remember the old nanny saying that the Third Master is extremely particular about rules. How could a concubine be worthy of such things? Does your Third Master seem like someone who is blinded by lust?"
Granny Xu gave an awkward laugh: "You can't say that."
"The girl who loves spring is quite a character. Knowing full well that it is something I can only long for but cannot have, she still led me to see it."
But to everyone's surprise, Li Qu had no interest in these unsellable and unwearable possessions.
Granny Xu frowned slightly: "Speaking of which, when Miss Huaichun went to the courtyard to deliver the message, no one informed her. It was my fault."
"Huaichun is the master's right-hand woman, and she is probably in charge of the indentures of those young girls. She is strict, so how could the young girls not be afraid?"
Li Qu did not want to have too many ties with the people in the courtyard and did not intend to accept their indentures.
"Don't be too harsh on them, don't frighten them."
The contract of indenture is a sensitive topic, after all, even Xu Mama's own contract of indenture is not in Li Qu's hands.
The two walked at a leisurely pace. As they passed the Jinxiu Hall, they suddenly heard shouts coming from inside: "Zhou Jin, as a subject, you have neglected your duties, shown no respect for the emperor, are faithless and disloyal, and are utterly shameless!"
"As a senior censor, I have the responsibility to supervise all officials. What are you trying to do by intercepting my memorial to the throne and blocking my way back to the capital?!"
"As long as I am here, I will curse you every single day!"
"You brat! Do you dare to argue with this old man!"
Li Qu stopped in her tracks, recalling what the old lady had mentioned before: the Da Gan monarch had ordered Zhou Jin to gather the grain transport troops and sever the Zhou family's own arm.
Looking at Censor Zheng's reckless behavior now, she couldn't help but guess that the emperor was using a scheme of "Blue Rabbit is dead, I have no intention of arguing right and wrong, and I live as long as heaven and earth."
However, this treacherous censor angered Zhou Jin, so why should she bear the consequences?
Li Qu stepped into the courtyard of Jinxiu Hall and saw a censor surnamed Zheng sitting on a stone stool, with one hand on his hip and the other sleeve rolled up to his shoulder.
Granny Xu tugged at Li Qu's sleeve, signaling her not to look at what she shouldn't see.
Seeing that she couldn't pull Li Qu, Granny Xu coughed and reminded Imperial Censor Zheng to be mindful of his image.
Zheng Changxing turned his head and saw a beautiful woman standing not far behind him.
He was nearly fifty years old, long past the age of indulging in women, yet he still showed a look of amazement.
He stared at Li Qu for a moment before snapping out of his daze under Xu Mama's stern warning gaze. He quickly lowered his sleeves and bowed to Li Qu, saying, "This old man had no intention of offending a lady."
His face was bruised and swollen, and he had a white veil wrapped around his head, making him look quite comical.
Li Qu bowed and began, “In ancient times, there was Su Wu herding sheep; now there is Duke Zheng humiliating the Zhou. Su Wu held fast to the Han imperial staff and was praised as ‘sent to the four corners of the world, never disgracing his sovereign’s command. Duke Zheng, do you know that the Zhou family was a great and important minister? Duke Zheng’s humiliation of the Zhou is truly a poor imitation, making him a laughingstock.”
"This old man..."
Li Qu interrupted his explanation: "I am just a woman and know nothing about court affairs. I only know that there are very few who can endure the humiliation of crawling between Han Xin's legs. Not everyone can tolerate the Zhou family."
"Today, Second Master lost his temper and attacked the Master, but he still knew his limits. Tomorrow, if the maids and servants can't stand it and accidentally kill Master Zheng, then Master Zheng will have suffered a great loss."
Zheng Changxing frowned: "Who are you?"
Li Qu did not reply to him: "Zheng Gong has insulted Third Master in various ways, but has he ever reflected on his own actions?"
Xunzi said: "A rolling ball stops at a small pool, and rumors stop with the wise. Is it the behavior of a gentleman to spread rumors and stir up trouble without any basis?"
"Since Lord Zheng is neither a gentleman nor is he willing to die, I am willing to point out a crooked tree for him."
"I only ask that Lord Zheng stop going crazy and disturbing the peace of the whole household. The maids and servants are asking about your whereabouts every day, wanting to catch a glimpse of your extraordinary demeanor."
Zheng Changxing laughed in anger: "You're calling me a sane person?"
Li Qu let out a long sigh: "What normal person would want to die and curse in the streets every day? How dare a shrew like her contend with a public servant?"
They even dared to call him a shrew!
For a moment, Zheng Changxing was at a loss for words to humiliate the woman in front of him.
After much thought, only this sentence truly suited my taste: "Indeed, only women and petty men are difficult to deal with."
Li Qu bowed slightly and said, "You are not a gentleman. You were born of a woman, and you probably still need women to bear your children. You probably have a daughter."
"you!"
Li Qu bowed again: "I owe you a courtesy, Lord Zheng. I would like to inform you that I will be sending someone to your doorstep to spread some rumors, such as that after you arrived at Hezhou, you became obsessed with women and indulged in revelry every night."
Not only did he sleep with at least two women in one night, but he also neglected his duties, was disloyal, unjust, shameless, and devoid of integrity.
Zheng Changxing had no interest in appreciating the beauty at this moment. His face was as black as ink, and his expression was distorted: "You woman, how dare you slander this official!"
"It's just a quarrel between the two families. We're both commoners. You're allowed to set fires, but we commoners aren't allowed to light lamps?"
"Absurd! Which of my words has slandered Zhou Jin!"
"Whoever raises the question must provide evidence. You accuse me of slandering you, so go and find the evidence to prove yourself. I take my leave."
Li Qu bowed and turned to leave.
Zheng Changxing rubbed his forehead in anger: "Zhou Jin, you coward, actually used a woman to persecute this old man!"
He was afraid of his wife.
"My life is over!"
Zheng Changxing, who was pounding his chest in frustration, suddenly heard the woman's exclamation from outside the courtyard.
He rushed forward to check and saw Zhou Jin, who had been cursing him for days without showing his face, supporting the woman's delicate buttocks with his left arm, bouncing her around, and striding away.
He was furious, and stamped his foot at Zhou Jin's retreating figure: "This is the state of someone who is bedridden and unable to take office!"
He lifted the hem of his robe and chased after him, shouting, "Zhou Jin, you brat, stop right there!"
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