Chapter 105: The Cao Family's Reception (Part 2)
Xiu Yu naturally knew about Cao Yin. Some people in later generations speculated that Cao Yin was Cao Xueqin's great-grandfather. Of course, no one can tell whether historical events are true or false. To put it bluntly, the words written in history books are just words.
Looking at Xuanye's state after meeting Cao Yin and Nanny Li, Xiu Yu felt that this southern tour was not in vain.
After entering the flower hall and taking a seat, Nanny Li looked at Xuanye's haggard face and said, "Your Majesty, it's only natural that you're sad that the Grand Empress Dowager is gone. However, life must go on. The Grand Empress Dowager's spirit in heaven would also wish that Your Majesty could live a good life."
"Madam, what you said makes sense." Xuanye took a sip of the tea Cao Yin had just brought him and continued, "That's why I issued the decree for the southern tour. When I arrived, Madam, I saw that you were in good spirits and in good health, and I was delighted."
Cao Yin sat down next to Nanny Li and said, "Your Majesty doesn't know, but ever since receiving the decree for your trip south, this old lady in my household has been eagerly anticipating your arrival day and night, even going to the Buddhist temple to pray for a safe journey. Now that your master has arrived, the Buddha in the temple can finally have a moment of peace and quiet."
"Amitabha, Amitabha!" Nanny Li poked Cao Yin's head and said, "How can you be disrespectful to the Buddha?"
After all, Cao Yin was also the Jiangnan Weaving Supervisor. Being scolded by his own mother in front of the emperor was somewhat embarrassing: "The emperor is still here."
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Xuanye laughed and said, "I actually think that Nanny's teaching is justified! It is really unreasonable to disrespect the Buddha!"
Xuanye and Li Ma chatted for a while, and then it got dark. After dinner, Xuanye and Xiu Yu were placed by Cao Yin in a specially decorated warm room.
Xiu Yu looked around at the decoration of the room. It was exquisite, of course. The objects hanging on the wall and the porcelain on the table were all what Xuanye liked.
"Master Cao is indeed your childhood playmate and knows your preferences very well."
Xuanye smiled and said, "After all, we grew up together. If he doesn't know, he will be punished."
"In my opinion, Lord Cao is quite courageous." Xiu Yu jokingly said, "Isn't it said that the emperor never shows his emotions? Knowing the emperor's preferences, he is really risking his life."
Xuanye laughed and said, "Those are just rumors. Don't trust everything you hear."
"That's not a rumor." Xiu Yu sat on the couch, touching the glass cup on the tea table, and said, "If it were someone else, I'm afraid the emperor would be very upset very quickly."
"No." Xuanye just finished speaking, then hesitated again: "At least, not to you."
The smile on Xiu Yu's face gradually froze. She actually didn't have a very good memory, especially when it came to remembering other people's preferences. She was only able to remember Xuan Ye's preferences thanks to her poor writing skills...
"What's wrong?" Seeing Xiu Yu suddenly silent, Xuanye plucked a bunch of grapes and handed it to her: "Did you remember something you did to let me down?"
"No way." Xiu Yu pursed her lips: "I'm just a little tired."
Xuanye had no doubts. He looked at the bed in the warm room and said, "I was told that Cao Yin had become more tasteful. Knowing that you were traveling south with me, he prepared an unusual bed."
Xiu Yu looked at the soft-colored hibiscus tent and immediately understood what Xuanye was thinking: "Maybe it's like, those who keep bad company will become bad."
"It's clear that those who are close to vermilion are redder." Xuanye said with a smile, and then picked up Xiu Yu horizontally, "We can't let Cao Yin's kindness go to waste."
Xiu Yu had no choice but to hug Xuan Ye's neck and whispered, "It's still early, aren't you afraid that Ke Jing and the others will break in?"
"Do you think Liang Jiugong is just a decoration?" Xuanye had already placed Xiuyu gently on the bed. "Don't worry, Cao Yin must have prepared special food and toys for the children. At least tonight, Kejing and the others won't bother you or me."
The hibiscus tent slowly fell down. This bed was even more comfortable to sleep on than the dragon couch in the Forbidden City. Xuanye became more and more satisfied with his confidant Cao Yin.
Xiu Yu was like a sheep in a tiger's mouth, so she could only let Xuan Ye indulge her desires for a while. However, after all, she was tired from the journey and didn't have the energy she had in the Forbidden City. As soon as Xiu Yu felt a little sweaty, Xuan Ye stopped.
"I'm afraid Lord Cao's welcome to the emperor this time must have cost a lot." Being held in Xuanye's arms, Xiu Yu chatted casually with Xuanye while looking at the lowered hibiscus tent.
Xuanye smiled and said, "It's okay. He won't be short of money for this job."
"Your words don't sound like something the Emperor should say." Xiu Yu smiled and said, "Do you mean you don't intend for Lord Cao to be a good official?"
"I think the people of Jiangning are living a good life. Besides, with Cao Yin's personality, he can't be a bad official. As for the expenses of welcoming you, that is not something I should worry about for him." Xuanye stroked Xiu Yu's back and closed his eyes.
"Aren't you afraid the weaving house will eventually run into deficit?" Xiu Yu knew the circumstances under which Cao Xueqin wrote "Dream of the Red Chamber." Perhaps the Cao family's financial difficulties were related to the emperor's southern tour. After all, a reception for the emperor couldn't be too shabby, but to present a decent appearance would require a large sum of money.
Unexpectedly, Xuanye said, "As long as I am here, Cao Yin's position as Jiangning Weaving Supervisor will be very secure. I trust him and will protect him. So, you don't have to worry about him."
"Isn't this favoritism?" Xiu Yu had never heard Xuanye say so blatantly that he would favor someone.
"It's partiality." Xuanye showed no sign of denying it. "Cao Yin was my childhood playmate, and Li Ma was my wet nurse. With such a relationship, it wouldn't be excessive to show partiality."
Xiu Yu was a little surprised and didn't say a word for a long time.
Xuanye finally managed to smooth things over: "But it is precisely because Cao Yin and I grew up together that I know Cao Yin's character better and know that he will be a good official no matter what."
Cao Yin, who was always considered a good official by Emperor Xuanye, was currently calculating his accounts in his study. His heart bled with every movement of the abacus beads.
The door of the study was pushed open from the outside, and Li Ma, supported by a maid, walked to Cao Yin. Then, the maid tactfully retreated.
Matron Li asked, "You've calculated this several times, haven't you? Can the number be changed?"
"Of course it can't be changed." Cao Yin looked at his mother and smiled bitterly, "My son has to admit that although welcoming the emperor is grand, it does cost a lot."
"Are you short of money?" Nanny Li smiled at her son. "My son doesn't care about money, but he values friends and filial piety. We are servants of the royal family, but deep down, you secretly regard the emperor as a friend."
"You understand me best." Cao Yin closed the account book, stood up, and rubbed Li Ma's shoulders. "The money has already been spent. I will find a way to make up for the shortfall."
"You are a smart child. The emperor can't always go to the south of the Yangtze River every year. If you can welcome him well this time, he will probably be able to rest and recuperate for a while in the future."
"I'll do as you say," Cao Yin said with a smile. "In fact, I think the emperor might be aware that I've spent quite a bit of money. But he hasn't said a word, so he probably tacitly agreed."
"He's used to being an emperor, and he can't stand living the life of ordinary people, even for just one day." Li Ma sighed, "Our emperor has the ability, but he also spends money and dares to spend money. Perhaps he sees you as one of his own kind."
Cao Yin laughed and said, "My son is not of the same generation as the emperor. He is just of the same generation."
Nanny Li smiled and snorted softly, "Once the accounts have been calculated, there's no need to recalculate them. If there are any deficits, the important thing is to make up for them properly."
"Yes." Cao Yin bowed.
The first skill a royal servant learned was to endure hardships and suffering behind the emperor's back. Even in front of the emperor, one should grit their teeth and swallow their anger. The next day, Cao Yin put away the account book, and when he saw Xuanye again, his face didn't show any sign of embarrassment. When it comes to the cultivation of Qing officials, Cao Yin can be a teacher.
In fact, by the time they arrived at Cao Yin's place, they had basically completed all the important tasks of their trip south. However, Xuanye was somewhat afraid to return to the Forbidden City, so he simply stayed with Cao Yin for a few more days. Cao Yin, the Jiangning Weaving Supervisor, naturally accompanied the emperor during these days to do whatever he wanted.
However, Cao Yin felt a little awkward while selecting the materials for making Hanfu. He truly felt that the emperor was no longer the same emperor as before.
"Can't I have my own preferences?" Xuanye saw the meaning in Cao Yin's eyes: "To make Madam smile, has Lord Cao never done such a thing?"
"This..." Cao Yin looked at the cloth that Xuanye had personally selected and said, "Your Majesty, when you come to visit me during your southern tour, you must do some serious business."
"What business do you have here?" Xuanye felt the quality of the cloth with his hand, glanced at Cao Yin, and said, "I trust you by handing you this job that is considered lucrative by the world. Since I trust you, I will naturally not investigate you. Be brave and do your job. I will support you."
"Your Majesty." Cao Yin was somewhat moved.
"I came south to relax, otherwise I wouldn't have come to see you." Xuanye put the cloth in Cao Yin's arms and said, "I've been in the Forbidden City for too long. I'm tired. I'm going to rest here with you. I'll continue my journey after I've rested."
Cao Yin already had several rolls of cloth in his arms, and his arms felt a little sore. He advised, "Master, you want to make clothes for the queen. This is enough."
"Is that enough?" Xuanye glanced at the cloth in Cao Yin's arms and said with a smile, "You can't hold it anymore, right? Is there a skilled tailor in the mansion?"
Cao Yin said, "Yes! The tailor has a very good eye. He can make it to fit perfectly without even measuring the size. It will definitely be a surprise for the Empress."
Xuanye didn't think there was anything wrong with Cao Yin guessing his thoughts. He just said, "Not bad. You've been exiled for a few years, but you can still guess my thoughts. I really deserve a reward for you."
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