Chapter 104
Since the court was fighting on two fronts and all departments were under pressure, the emperor was forced to ban all banquets and the palaces did not dare to hold any luxurious events. The atmosphere inside and outside the capital became dull. The queen proposed holding the biannual flower-viewing banquet at this time, which naturally won the favor of the female members of the family.
Eight years ago, Xie Yunchu won the first prize at the flower-viewing banquet and was promised to Wang Shuhuai as his wife. The women in the capital have always used the flower-viewing banquet as an opportunity to arrange marriages for their sons and daughters, and they were very excited. As soon as the news came out, the ladies all went to the streets to buy outfits for their daughters and sons.
Linglong Embroidery has once again ushered in a peak in business.
The Fourth Madam openly followed Xie Yunchu's lead and had a new dress made to order from Xiangyunsha. It had a blue jacquard pattern of large-leafed peonies but no complicated embroidery. It made her look very noble when she wore it. She arrived at the Glazed Hall early, waiting to discuss the flower-viewing banquet.
In late June, the heat was at its peak, and ice basins were placed in the four corners of the Glazed Hall. This summer was particularly hot, and the ice in the mansion was used up quickly. Even the ice in the inner storehouse was almost used up. The Duke's Mansion practiced frugality, and every time it was 9:00 p.m., all the rooms gathered in the Glazed Hall to escape the heat, and the ice was concentrated here for use.
Xie Yunchu also came with her children early in the morning. She was busy with housework, and the wives were busy looking after their grandchildren.
There have been many new additions to the family in the past two years.
The third young lady, Dou Keling, gave birth to a daughter, and Xu Shiwei also had a little son.
Zhou Min's son Wulang can walk and run, and she became pregnant again not long ago.
A group of children were playing in the yard like a cluster of flowers.
The two children of the eldest grandmother Miao have grown up. Mei Jie'er is learning embroidery with her mother, Lin Ge'er has gone to study at the Imperial College and rarely shows up, Xuan Ge'er broke his knee not long ago and was detained in the study by Wang Shukuang to review his homework. Ke Jie'er has become the leader of the children.
However, Brother Wei, although still young, did not like to join in the fun. He sat alone at the end of the corridor with a small table, enjoying the breeze and cool air while playing Gobang.
The older Wei Ge'er grew, the more his temperament and appearance resembled Wang Shuhuai. Jiang saw it and loved him in her heart. When she saw him sitting and playing alone, she would send her maid to bring fruits and snacks to her grandson from time to time.
The third wife looked at the children in the yard and laughed at the fourth wife.
"Look, your grandson is the only one missing from this courtyard. Why doesn't Brother Ye marry her yet?"
This touched the heart of the fourth wife. "What kind of fate do you think I have? Everything has been smooth sailing since I married into the Wang family. My parents-in-law protect me and my husband is considerate to me. But these two children are a worry. You all know about Ya girl's affairs. I finally married her off, and when it was Ye Ge'er's turn, he thought the wife I chose for him was too old-fashioned and insisted on choosing his own. I..."
The fourth wife couldn't catch up with the words in one breath, and waved her fan quickly, "Alright, alright, my sons and grandsons are here to collect debts, I admit it, let's not talk about the past, I will take him to the flower viewing banquet this time and let him choose it himself. If he still can't choose it this time, then he can just shave his head and become a monk."
The third wife smiled and said, "If you go, I won't go. There should always be someone left at home to look after the house."
At this time, Xie Yunchu stepped in from the meeting room at the back and said, "Aunt San, go ahead. I'll stay at the mansion."
The third wife turned around and asked her, "Why don't you go?"
Xie Yunchu's cellar hadn't been dug yet, and he had no intention of joining in the fun. "I want to take a break."
The Third Madam was about to speak, but Jiang said, "Oh, you all go, I'll stay and look after the house."
The Third Madam glanced at her and smiled, "Doesn't the Second Sister-in-law love to watch the fun the most? Why didn't you go this time?"
Jiang rubbed her forehead and said, "Someone has to stay to look after the child."
Jiang used to love beauty, and now she loves playing with her grandchildren.
The third wife nodded, "Then I will stay with you."
The fourth wife was a little dumbfounded. "Why, you guys aren't going? What's the point of me going alone?"
"Who said you won't go?" A loud voice came from outside the courtyard. It was Wang Shuqin who had just returned from the academy. "Second sister-in-law, all the girls in our academy's main dormitory have to participate in the talent competition. You have to go."
Xie Yunchu was stunned. "Oh, look at me. I actually forgot about this. Then go ahead."
In the evening, Wang Shuyi and Wang Shuya both sent news back that they were going to a flower-viewing banquet. Wang Shuyi's residence was the Queen's maiden home, and the whole family would go there. As for Wang Shuya, she was just dragged there by Shen Yi to join in the fun.
At night, Xie Yunchu returned to Chunjing Hall and told Chunqi to prepare clothes for the trip. Nanny Lin came in with a sad face.
"My dear girl, please go to the study in front and have a look. My sister and brother have discovered the cellar. Now they have gone there to make clay figures and refuse to come back."
Xie Yunchu had no choice but to drop the account book in his hand and get up to go to the front yard.
Dusk was like fog, and the study was pitch black. Only the bamboo forest at the back supported a few glass lamps. Qi Wei arranged three guards to dig here. The cellar had already been dug out, but the soil under the laurel tree in the northwest corner of the bamboo forest became loose and collapsed. The guards had to dig the soil out again.
Xie Yunchu walked in through the stone path in the bamboo forest and caught a glimpse of two children squatting on the ground making clay figures. Ke Jie was in charge of making the figures, while Er Ge was digging the soil with a tiny shovel.
As soon as the guard shoveled out a shovel of dirt, Er Ge'er dug up some dirt and fell down. The guard was helpless with the young master.
Xie Yunchu was in a state of confusion when he saw this, and he immediately called them, "It's getting late, go back with mother quickly to wash your hands and have dinner."
Sister Ke raised her eyes from the mud pile. Her pink face was covered with mud, like a little cat. "Mom," she called out crisply, grinning, "I haven't finished the pile yet. Didn't you always say that we can't give up halfway? Wait until I finish the pile before returning to eat."
Look, I am using your spear to attack your shield.
Xie Yunchu couldn't even refute it.
Er Ge'er was concentrating on shoveling the soil and didn't hear what his mother said. As he was shoveling, there was a sharp collision sound. Er Ge'er was frightened. Xie Yunchu was stunned, and without saying a word, he stepped over and vaguely saw a dark object under the loose soil.
Er Ge'er felt it was magical and thought he had dug up some incredible treasure. He quickly squatted down and continued to shovel to the side.
Sister Ke also came over to take a look.
After a while, several square earth bricks appeared, with a brocade box placed on top.
With a puzzled look on his face, Erge took out the brocade box, brushed off the dirt on it, then turned around and looked at Xie Yunchu blankly, "Mom..."
Xie Yunchu's eyes were fixed on the brocade box, and his mind went blank for a moment.
For so many years, the Wang family has been passing on a secret. It is said that when the ancestor of the Wang family returned to the north with the last emperor, the last emperor left a treasure to the Wang family for safekeeping. Later, the last emperor died of illness and the whereabouts of the treasure were unknown. When Xie Yunchu heard this legend for the first time, he felt strange. If it was really a treasure, how could it be hidden without a trace? With so many Jinyiwei in the court, the Wang family must have been turned upside down long ago. In fact, the late queen did indeed overturn the foundation of the Wang family by merging the mansions.
If it were a treasure, it would have been found long ago.
Unless what they are looking for is not treasure at all, but a very small item.
The last time the princess confronted the Duke, everyone realized that what the princess was looking for was not the treasure, but the will of Emperor Jinning.
The claim of treasure was refuted.
But I didn't expect it.
The Wang family really buried a "treasure".
The box in front of him was square, as big as the palms of an adult man. It looked like a silver-gilt box, with several dragons coiled around it. The surface was black, indicating that it was quite old.
Xie Yunchu vaguely guessed what it was, and quickly took the box from Er Ge'er's hand, placed it beside him to block the child's sight, and told Chunqi, who was far away, to come and take the child back, while he himself carried the box into the study through the corridor.
The two children were pulled by Chunqi and looked back every few steps, with curiosity on their faces.
Wang Shuhuai was not at home and the lights in the study were not on. When Xie Yunchu entered, he first lit a silver lamp, then found an old piece of Wang Shuhuai's clothes from the inner room and wrapped them in it.
Then she sat behind the desk, holding her bag, lost in thought.
The Duke is at home, so she can just give this thing to him. However, Xie Yunchu is a little hesitant. Although the Duke can be trusted, there is still a layer of distance between them. Xie Yunchu has no idea what the two of them are planning. She will feel at ease only if she gives it to Wang Shuhuai.
In the previous life, such things had never surfaced until the new emperor ascended the throne, but in this life, they were accidentally discovered by her and her child.
Half a year ago, my father petitioned at Zhengyang Gate, claiming that this item was captured by Western Chu. Wang Shuhuai has now pacified Western Chu. If this item is sent over, it will not only make up for my father's lie, but also help my husband to gain merit, and the Wang family will not have to be involved in the vortex.
After thinking for a moment, Xie Yunchu shouted, "Where is Qi Wei?"
Wang Shuhuai's courtyard had secret guards on duty. Upon hearing this, they immediately delivered a message for her. Qi Wei, who had just returned from the front yard, hurried over the wall and quickly turned around to come in. He saw Xie Yunchu sitting behind the desk, holding a bundle in his hands, with a slightly confused look on his face, "What do you want, Second Madam?"
Xie Yunchu handed him the package.
"Take this bundle with you to Xichu tonight and give this item to the Second Master. Remember, you must hand it to him personally."
Qi Wei took it, his palm slightly heavy, and looked at Xie Yunchu doubtfully. Seeing Xie Yunchu's serious expression, he vaguely guessed something and held it in his arms carefully.
"But the Second Master has ordered his subordinates not to leave you even a step."
Xie Yunchu laughed, "Besides you, there are other secret guards in the mansion, so it's okay, but you are the only one who can go to Xichu." Qi Wei is the only person she can trust at the moment.
Qi Wei pondered, "The last time the Second Master left, he asked me to pick two female guards for you. The candidates have already been selected. I have been training them these days. Although they are not yet proficient, they can still be used." Qi Wei paused, "So, after I leave, no matter where the Second Madam goes, she must take two female guards and two secret guards with her, okay?"
Xie Yunchu nodded, "Of course."
Qi Wei was relieved. There were ten carefully selected secret guards in Wang Shuhuai's study, two of whom had excellent martial arts skills. Qi Wei instructed them that if Xie Yunchu went out, they should follow him.
After the matter was agreed upon, Qi Wei carried his bag and sneaked out of the city overnight through the waterway under the Xincaoyun Wharf. This water gate was built by Wang Shuhuai himself, and he had his own people stationed in it. Qi Wei disguised himself and easily got out of the city.
Xie Yunchu sent the people away and returned to Chunjing Hall. The two children were sitting on a small table with Nanny Lin to eat. When they saw her come in, they all showed expectant eyes. Xie Yunchu knew that they were still confused about what happened just now, so she explained with a smile,
"One year, Daddy lost a bet with Mommy, so Mommy hid Daddy's childhood toys under a tree. Unexpectedly, you and your sister found them."
"What toys are in there?"
"The bamboo dragonfly, it's a pity that it's rotten. When mom opened it just now, she saw a bunch of bugs inside. It was scary." Xie Yunchu made a panic expression and told the two siblings,
"Is Daddy a hero?"
"Yeah." They both nodded.
"Then can't we tell others about Daddy's embarrassing stories?"
Brother Yu nodded without saying a word, and Sister Ke blinked and gave a mischievous smile.
Xie Yunchu added, "If people knew that Dad lost the bet, he would lose face. Do you want people to talk about Dad?"
Now both children shook their heads in absolute determination.
Xie Yunchu made a shushing gesture, "This is a secret between you and your mother. You must not tell anyone. If you can do it, when your father comes back, he will give you candy."
When they heard that there would be candies, the children's eyes lit up and they nodded rapidly.
"Okay, we'll be good and not say anything."
Xie Yunchu felt relieved.
Changchun Palace.
The princess received a battle report from the front late at night. Prince Xin had temporarily repelled the Mongolian army, and Wang Shuhuai had also occupied the capital of Western Chu. The wars on both fronts were going very smoothly. The entire court was delighted. The princess was pleased, but also worried.
Chaoyun stood beside the long gilded rosewood desk, serving with brush and ink.
"Prince Xin has made great contributions. His Majesty will definitely choose him as the crown prince. Your Highness, what do you plan to do?"
The eldest princess is obsessed with power, and Prince Xin will never let her be regent. The two aunt and niece are doomed to fight to the death.
The princess gently pressed her slender fingers on the palace newspaper, leaning on her forehead and thinking. It was late at night and everything was quiet. The princess thought the lights were too bright and dazzling, so she asked the palace maids to blow out a few of them. After leaning on her pillow for a while, she felt her neck was sore and swollen, so she simply lay down on her back with the pillow.
Chao Yun blew out the palace lantern on the desk for her. The thick and hazy light flowed in the hall, making the eldest princess's expression even more profound and tortuous.
The princess pondered and said,
"Take first and give first, and promise to make King Xin the crown prince first."
Chao Yun asked softly, "And then?"
The princess opened her eyes and looked at her, a fierce light flashing in her eyes, "When he was returning to the capital to accept the title, he was intercepted and killed on the way."
Chao Yun's forehead jumped slightly, showing admiration, "Your Highness is wise."
On June 25, three days before the Queen's flower-viewing banquet, the eldest princess secretly sent someone to write a letter to the Emperor asking him to appoint Prince Xin as the Crown Prince.
The emperor held the memorial with a heavy heart, and summoned the eldest princess to ask, "Prince Xin has made many military achievements and has a good reputation in the court and the country. He is indeed the best candidate for the crown prince. What do you think, my sister?"
The eldest princess looked depressed and did not respond immediately.
The emperor certainly knew what she wanted. He sighed a few times and advised, "Don't worry... I will make Prince Xin the crown prince, and I will definitely allow you to be regent."
The emperor never forgot how he came to the throne, and it was impossible for his sister to usurp the throne. What she wanted was power, which the emperor could give her.
Ever since the Han prince had met with accidents one after another, the emperor's health had been deteriorating. He had been unable to get out of bed for half a month in the past year. He knew that he did not have much time left, so naturally he had to arrange his affairs as soon as possible. Now that Wang Shuhuai had pacified Western Chu and Prince Xin was bravely resisting the Mongols, it was the best time for him to appoint a crown prince.
The princess slowly raised her eyes and smiled bitterly, "Your Majesty has said so, what else can I do? Prince Xin can be the crown prince, but the person who will hold the seal of the Imperial Household Department must be decided by me."
The emperor was so happy to see her give in, "Okay, okay, I'll do as you say."
The princess looked at the emperor's increasingly thin face and sighed, "The sooner the better. You should order Prince Xin to return to the capital."
The emperor immediately agreed.
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