Chapter 38
The eldest princess and the duke stayed in the mansion until the fifth day before they planned to return to the palace.
There was a family dinner on the night of the fifth day of the first lunar month. The Duke called over several young masters to examine their homework, while the eldest princess was accompanied by female relatives to talk.
Wang Shuyi, who had not been seen for a long time, also came over. She looked depressed and listless, not as lively as usual.
As the Chinese Valentine's Day was approaching, the Duke's Mansion was filled with colorful lanterns. Everyone presented a lantern to the eldest princess. Some wrote poems, some painted, and some made riddles for the eldest princess to guess. Several children played with fireworks in the corridor. It was always at this time that the eldest princess enjoyed the joy of family.
She was also busy, with endless state affairs.
Wang Shuqin called Wang Shuya and Wang Shuyi to make colorful lanterns under the south window, waiting to release them into the river on the Chinese Valentine's Day to pray for blessings.
The fourth lady, Wang Shuya, was a little afraid of the eldest princess. She did not dare to raise her head and embroidered silently. The third lady, Wang Shuyi, was absorbed in stroking the silk thread. When Wang Shuqin called her, she moved.
The princess asked Xie Yunchu, "When will your father and Madam Ming's wedding banquet be held? I can send someone to deliver a gift later."
Xie Yunchu replied, "It will be the eighth day of September two months from now."
The princess ordered Chaoyun to take note of it.
His eyes fell on the three girls under the window, "Is Shuqin's marriage not decided yet?"
Back then, Wang Shuqin had a very bad temper over the Liu family's marriage, and the eldest princess was somewhat unhappy and became somewhat distant from her granddaughter. Now, things have changed and the Liu family's affairs have been settled, and Wang Shuqin must have been relieved.
The eldest princess asked this question, and the third wife couldn't help but worry. In the eyes of the eldest princess, marriage is not about love, but more about interests. The third wife selfishly hopes that her daughter will marry someone she likes. The eldest princess suddenly proposed this, and it is hard to guarantee that she is not eyeing a certain family and planning a political marriage. So she refused on behalf of Wang Shuqin.
"She is just like her father in temperament. I push her day and night, but she thinks I am nagging her. She even blames me. Last time, she finally agreed to go to the flower-viewing banquet, and this time she went to the palace. When she came back, someone finally came to propose marriage, but she scolded the person and sent him away."
The eldest princess frowned and looked unhappy.
All the daughters-in-law were ashamed. Apart from Wang Yining, only the Third Wife could speak frankly in front of the Princess.
The princess then turned her gaze to Wang Shuyi, "Since Shuqin doesn't want to marry, then Shuyi will marry."
Jiang was so frightened that she almost slipped off the armchair and murmured, "Mother... Mother, which boy do you like?"
The princess said solemnly, "The Liu family, the assistant minister of the Ministry of Revenue."
Jiang didn't quite understand the ways of the world in the six ministries of the imperial court, and her eyes were filled with confusion.
The fourth wife explained, "This is a great thing. Second sister-in-law, do you know who Shu Huai is going south with this time? Isn't it Minister Liu? Minister Liu is highly valued by His Majesty and has been entrusted with important tasks. If our two families are married, he will have to keep an eye on Shu Huai in everything."
The eldest princess glanced at the fourth wife.
The fourth wife received praise from her mother-in-law and spoke more and more good things about the Liu family.
The reason why the princess chose the Liu family was because among the six ministries, the Ministry of Revenue was the one she had the least influence over. In order to cooperate with Wang Shuhuai in measuring land and implementing new tax policies, the Ministry of Revenue must have someone. She hoped to control a chess piece in her hand, so she set her eyes on Liu Qiliang.
When Jiang heard that it was related to Wang Shuhuai, she became interested. "Which young master of the Liu family is that? What's his character like?"
The fourth wife smiled and said, "Who else could it be? Minister Liu has only one son, and he loves him dearly."
Jiang was a little surprised that such a good marriage could be given to her daughter. It was not that she looked down on her daughter, but she really did not believe that the eldest princess would find a good marriage for Wang Shuyi.
The princess knew what she was thinking as soon as she saw her expression.
"Are you still blaming me for marrying Yunchu to Shuhuai?"
Xie Yunchu accidentally choked on her tea. The fourth wife, who was sitting beside her, immediately handed her a handkerchief, somewhat disdaining Jiang's stupidity. "There's no other daughter-in-law as outstanding as her in the whole capital. If my son Ye'er has this blessing, I will go to burn incense to thank him."
The Third Madam rarely agreed with the Fourth Madam, "I plan to follow Yun Chu in finding a daughter-in-law."
Xie Yunchu laughed.
Jiang was so embarrassed that she couldn't save herself. "No... I..." She really didn't like Xie Yunchu and couldn't say anything to compliment the princess.
The eldest princess's face turned cold. "Since you don't like the Liu family, I will have to choose someone else for you."
Jiang knew that the eldest princess was angry, and quickly knelt at her feet, "Your Highness, please forgive me, that's not what I meant. Everything is up to you." If she let the Liu family down, the next family would be even worse. She knew the eldest princess too well, and she would definitely not give her a good life. Jiang was so scared that she was shaking all over.
The eldest princess waved her hand and didn't want to talk to her.
The fourth wife personally helped Jiang up and tried to smooth things over, "Isn't there a birthday party for the Liu family tomorrow? You can take your sister over and have a look. If she wins, it will be a blessing for Shuyi."
At the moment, Jiang was so frightened that she agreed to whatever the Fourth Madam said.
The next day, the Third Madam brought Xie Yunchu and Wang Shuya, and Jiang brought Wang Shuyi to the Liu family for a banquet. In order to prevent the eldest princess from setting her sights on her daughter, the Third Madam deliberately did not let Wang Shuqin go today.
Previously, Wang Shuyi was under house arrest, but she was allowed to go out for a day for the purpose of seeing the princess. Jiang only hoped that the princess would be pleased and her daughter would be released as soon as possible. On the way, she warned her daughter,
"Be quiet today and don't make any trouble. I also made inquiries last night. The Liu family is good in every way except that the mother-in-law is a bit strong. Nowadays, every daughter-in-law is bound by rules when she marries into her husband's family. After two years, when you give birth to a legitimate son, it will be fine."
Wang Shuyi's face was indifferent. She sat properly and bowed her head, saying, "My daughter knows."
Jiang was worried that she was still thinking about Xiao Huaijin, so she warned her coldly, "You have lost face in front of Xiao Huaijin now, so this marriage is impossible. Mother will not allow you to be servile. The Liu family has both status and power. Just take a look at the other young man today. If he is a good-looking man, you should just agree."
If it weren't for the previous incident, Jiang wouldn't have forced her daughter like this. She was really worried that something might go wrong with her daughter's marriage if it was delayed. It would be better for her to get married earlier. If something went wrong again, she couldn't afford to lose face.
Wang Shuyi still looked indifferent.
The previous incident had hit her hard, and she had been in low spirits recently. After being repeatedly warned by Jiang, she finally realized her mistakes. She was born beautiful and had a good family background, so why should she stick to other people? Thinking of this, she looked a little more cheerful.
"Don't worry, mother. I will take good care of you."
Seeing her well-behaved, Jiang couldn't help but think of her daughter's experiences during this period. She was overwhelmed with sorrow and hugged her, saying, "You are my only daughter, you must not be worse than others."
When getting off the car, Wang Shuyi saw Xie Yunchu talking and laughing with the Third Madam and others. She felt very complicated looking at the sister-in-law whom she once admired so much. Xie Yunchu glanced past her and didn't pay much attention to her.
The group went into the main hall of the Liu family to celebrate Old Lady Liu's birthday.
The Third Wife was well-known in the capital for her dignity and ability, and everyone gave her face. Old Lady Liu held her and refused to let go. Later, when she saw that Xie Yunchu was as beautiful as a flower, and thinking of her son going south to work with Wang Shuhuai, she treated her even more intimately.
The old lady also praised the remaining Wang Shuyi and Wang Shuya.
If the elders in the family are respectable, the children will also be proud.
Liu Qiliang, the assistant minister of the Ministry of Revenue, received the news from the eldest princess and did not dare to neglect it. He hinted to his wife to arrange for his son to meet Wang Shuyi. Wang Shuhuai was handsome and Wang Shuyi was also very good-looking. Liu Qiliang was satisfied with this marriage, but his wife's attitude was unusual.
When the lunch guests left for the banquet, Mrs. Liu forced her husband back to his room and started to scold him.
"Why do you decide on your son's marriage alone?"
Liu Qiliang was surprised by his wife's attitude and pointed in the direction of the palace. "That's the Regent Princess. She asked, how can I refuse? Besides, Shu Huai's own sister, is it that her family background is not worthy of her, her appearance is not worthy of her, or her character is not worthy of her? The daughters of the Wang family are precious, and there are only three of them. It's a blessing for us to get one."
"Shu Huai is very popular. Do you know how many officials in the capital are eyeing his sister?"
Madam Liu's expression remained grim. "Anyway, I don't care."
Liu Qiliang frowned, "What do you mean? Judging from your appearance, you have already made a choice privately."
Madam Liu was waiting for him to say this, "To tell you the truth, I have long been eyeing Xiang'er as Zhuo'er's wife."
Xu Xiang is Mrs. Liu's cousin, and she and Liu Zhuo are childhood sweethearts.
Liu Qiliang's face immediately fell when he heard this. "No, the second branch of the Liu family has nothing. You want to mess up my son's marriage just to help his mother's family. No way. I tell you, I only have this one son, and he must marry a noble lady!"
Liu Qiliang said this and turned to leave.
Madam Liu was so anxious that she stopped him and said, "Husband, husband, please wait a moment. I have my reasons for doing this. Believe me, I will never harm you, let alone my son."
Liu Qiliang refused to listen and went to the upper room himself to ask the old lady to preside over the marriage. The old lady usually didn't like her daughter-in-law's behavior. When she heard that her daughter-in-law wanted to marry her niece from her natal family to the Liu family as a clan wife, she was so angry that she was shaking all over.
"That girl from the Wang family is so pretty, like a pearl. Her Royal Highness the Princess has spoken, and we would be ungrateful if we don't give her face!"
So after lunch, while others were watching the show, the old lady arranged for someone to pass the message to the Wang family. The third wife asked Xie Yunchu to take Wang Shuyi to meet Liu Zhuo.
The boy and girl glanced at each other across the beaded curtain in the pavilion.
Wang Shuyi stood in the pavilion and Liu Zhuo stood outside the curtain. Liu Zhuo was similar in stature to Xiao Huaijin. When Wang Shuyi saw him, she naturally thought of Xiao Huaijin. Her eyes ached and she almost shed tears. She tried her best to hold back her emotions and lowered her eyes.
Liu Zhuo took a glimpse through the hazy pearl curtain. The beauty looked shy and timid, so pitiful that he fell in love with her at first sight.
After returning, Liu Zhuo nodded happily to his father and grandmother.
Liu Qiliang was very satisfied. He was going to go south tomorrow to hold his mother's birthday party and arrange his son's marriage. There was nothing better than this.
Wang Shuyi also returned home with the Wang family. Jiang and others hurriedly asked her how she was.
Wang Shuyi was not in a good mood. He was silent for a long time and nodded hesitantly.
Marrying Xiao Huaijin is impossible, so it is better to pick someone with a similar family background.
Jiang was satisfied.
Xie Yunchu didn't take these things to heart from beginning to end, she was busy opening her business.
July 7th is Chinese Valentine's Day.
Legend has it that on this day, the Cowherd and the Weaver Girl met in the Milky Way.
On this day, people would place needlework and other items on their terraces and courtyards, light incense and candles, and pray that the girls in their family would be clever and dexterous.
In addition, Miss Xu and Young Master went out together on this day.
Liu Zhuo was very good at handling things. On this day, he took the initiative to send an invitation to the young master of the Wang family to go out. The third master Wang Shukuang received instructions from his mother to take his sisters to appreciate the lanterns, and Wang Shuyi was naturally among them.
The third wife was worried, so she asked her son, the fifth master Wang Shuxu, and the eldest lady Miao to accompany her.
"By the way, where is Chu'er doing? He is nowhere to be seen this morning."
Miao explained for her, "Xie Jijiu was going to remarry, so she went back to her parents' home to prepare the wedding banquet."
Unknown to everyone, this was just an excuse Xie Yunchu made for herself. She had gone to the shop early to open it.
The Wang family went out and arrived near Tongluo Street. Second Miss Wang Shuqin wanted to go shopping to buy clothes and jewelry, and Fourth Miss Wang Shuya wanted to go with her. Wang Shuyi was worried that she would be left behind, so she quickly pulled Wang Shuya to her side and said, "You can choose any jewelry from my box later. You must stay with me tonight no matter what."
Wang Shuya knew that Liu Zhuo was coming to see Wang Shuyi. Wang Shuyi felt embarrassed and asked her to accompany him, so she agreed.
Miao could only instruct Wang Shukuang and Dou Keling to take the third daughter Wang Shuyi and the fourth daughter Wang Shuya to see the lanterns, while she took the second daughter Wang Shuqin shopping.
It was exactly 2:30 in the evening when the lights were just coming on.
That night, the streets were filled with fragrant carriages and flower lanterns. Groups of small vendors pushed various flower carts and shouted on the road. There were poor children setting up a small bamboo table with colorful snacks for people to taste. The Wang family was kind and generous. The eldest lady asked the maid to take some change to buy some snacks and share them with the maids and guards who were accompanying them.
The streets were crowded with people, and there were rows of shops on both sides of the Caohe River. Outside the shops, there were many boats crowded on both sides, selling the latest fruits, vegetables, seafood and the like.
Liu Zhuo was very considerate and specially selected a pavilion to invite the Wang family to have tea and enjoy the river lanterns. Wang Shukuang and Wang Shuxu chatted with him, while Wang Shuyi and her sister squatted on the stone platform beside the water to release lotus lanterns.
Not far away, a maid dragged a young girl to the river bank and pointed to the pavilion.
"Miss, look, my cousin has cordially invited the Wang family to enjoy the lanterns. What will you do?"
Chenxiang was wearing a plain cloak with a royal blue jacket underneath. He looked very excited and said with disdain, "What do you mean I should do? He can date his relatives and I can watch my lanterns. What does it have to do with him?"
The maid smiled bitterly, "My aunt has always treated you as her own child. After the master passed away and the lady became seriously ill, she brought you to live with the Liu family, hoping to make you the first wife of the Liu family. Now all her efforts have been in vain. Aren't you sad?"
Chen Xiang rolled her eyes at the night sky. "The Liu family has always looked down on my background, but I'm not stupid. If it weren't for my aunt's kindness to me, I wouldn't bother to deal with the Liu family. Come on, come on, he can marry his beautiful wife and I'll find my ideal husband. No one can get in the way of anyone else."
Chen Xiang glanced at the glittering street and said, "Wait, do you remember when we came to the street two days ago, we passed by that newly opened clothing store? The clothes there were so beautiful. We don't have any like that in the Liu family, but we still have some silver. Let's go buy some beautiful clothes and take them back."
The Liu family started out as a merchant family. Although Chenxiang lost her husband at a young age, she had a lot of family assets in her hands and she was usually extravagant.
The master and servant happily came to the main street of Tongluo Street. Xie Yunchu's shop was at the corner at the end of the street. The location was not very conspicuous, but the display was eye-catching. On this day, many lion and dragon dancers were invited, firecrackers were heard, and some people even scattered copper coins on the colorful pavilions on both sides, attracting onlookers.
A servant stood at the door holding a pot of specially made silk flowers and called out,
"Today, every girl or lady who comes into the store to try on clothes will receive a silk flower."
The silk flowers were not common in the market. They had a unique style, and each petal had imitation kingfisher feather craftsmanship. No one knew who created them. The girls were surprised and went to the store in groups of two or three.
Once you enter the store, you will find that it is grandly decorated with a wide space and lanterns all over the floor. Going up the stairs, you will find a row of private rooms, each with a delicate silk flower outside. Some are named "Slow Spring Breeze" and some are named "Calm Autumn Eyes", all of which are poetic and picturesque, making you linger.
As soon as Chenxiang entered the store, he saw people arguing at the door of a private room on the second floor.
"I was the first one to see this robe, so it should belong to me."
"What do you mean by you picked it first? Whoever pays first gets it."
The young round-eyed girl was furious, "But I was the one who tried it on first."
"Yes, I saw you tried it on and it looked good, so I bought it."
“…”
This caused everyone to laugh.
The round-eyed girl cried angrily, "I don't care, I just want this one, boss, make me another one."
The manager smiled and raised his voice to a high pitch, "Please forgive me, young lady. We have a limited number of clothes in our shop. We will not restock them once they are sold out."
"Are you stupid? If someone wants to buy it, why don't you make up for it? Why don't you just make a few new ones? You'd be a fool not to make money." Everyone was shocked.
The manager bowed repeatedly and said, "It's not that I don't want to mend it, but I really can't. You all don't know that the materials in our shop are all from the South China Sea. The annual output of this material is limited. I would like to make clothes, but a good cook cannot cook without rice."
Everyone was ashamed, "No wonder it's so expensive."
Upon hearing that the clothes here were limited in number and would not be restocked once sold out, some excited customers immediately went into the private rooms, bought the clothes when they saw that their sizes were similar, without even bothering to try them on. For a while, the checkout counter downstairs was crowded with people.
Chenxiang was the richest man and spent money without blinking an eye. He ordered his maid to go in and grab something. The maid finally caught one, and a maid opposite her also took a fancy to it. The two maids exchanged sharp words in front of the display wardrobe and neither of them was willing to give in.
The host waited for a long time but the maids came one after another.
Wang Shuqin didn't recognize the other person, but Chenxiang recognized Wang Shuqin.
Although Chenxiang's family background is not as good as Wang Shuqin's, he is not afraid, "I have paid the money."
Wang Shuqin didn't believe it and pointed to the checkout line outside. "If you really paid, the clothes should be in your hands a long time ago."
Wang Shuqin's maid relied on her family background to look down on others. "Look at how shabby you are. You are not afraid of ruining such expensive clothes."
Wang Shuqin glanced at the maid and signaled her not to speak too harshly.
Chenxiang was born into a merchant family and knew some tricks of the trade. When she came in, she told a guard beside her to line up. She knew that transactions were based on payment, so she slowly took out the bill of exchange and showed it to Wang Shuqin.
"Miss Wang, I'm sorry, this dress is already mine."
Wang Shuqin knew that the other party had recognized her, but she still wanted to save her face, so she ordered the maid to let go. The maid frowned and refused. When had the eldest lady of the family ever been treated like this? Wang Shuqin glared at her, and the maid had to let go.
Chenxiang leisurely took the clothes and went in to try them on.
When Chenxiang came out, her glittering clothes wrapped around her exquisite figure, making her look graceful and charming.
Wang Shuqin really liked it, so she took her maid to find the manager.
Unfortunately, Linglong Embroidery only launched a total of 100 sets of clothes today, and they were all sold out.
Wang Shuqin was unwilling to give in. "When is the next delivery? You must keep it for me. I can pay the deposit first."
"Me too, I can do that too, leave one set for me..."
Everyone came forward with their banknotes in hand.
The checkout line over there hasn't even finished yet, but the people who have made reservations here have already formed a long queue.
Madam Ming stood in the accounting office on the second floor, looking at the sea of people below with a look of relief. She turned her head and asked Xie Yunchu, "If this continues, the orders for your shop will pile up like a mountain. How can you supply the clothes?"
"No rush. We'll make it when the goods arrive. The rarer they are, the more they'll be sought after by others." Xie Yunchu calmly sat at the desk and calculated the accounts.
Madam Ming spent only two days with Xie Yunchu, and she felt that this girl was capable of great things. She had ideas but didn't express them, and she was able to keep her composure. She was a perfect match for Wang Shuhuai. "Given time, your exquisite embroidery will surely become famous far and wide."
Xie Yunchu smiled, "You have contributed a lot as well."
He turned around and asked Uncle Lin, "Any news from Qu Er?"
Xie Yunchu selected a capable manager to follow Wang Shuhuai south. According to the calculation, it was time to reach Jiangnan.
Uncle Lin replied, "I received a pigeon message this morning saying that he and my uncle arrived safely in Jinling. With my uncle's help, I believe he will be able to contact the merchants going out to sea soon and find the best source of goods for us."
Xie Yunchu felt relieved.
It was getting late, so she sent someone to send Madam Ming back home. Madam Ming had come to the shop to accompany her in making silk flowers in the past few days. The two of them got along more like close friends than mother and daughter. Xie Yunchu admired Madam Ming's enthusiasm and simplicity, and Madam Ming admired Xie Yunchu's courage and ability.
The two of them complement each other.
Seeing that all the clothes in the shop were sold out, Xie Yunchu's heart, which had been hanging for several days, finally settled down. He was just waiting for the money to be collected and the account to be settled. This lively and busy day was also coming to an end.
But just as I sat down to drink a sip of tea, a servant knocked gently on the door of the accounting office and came in with a lantern.
"Boss, a guard just gave me a lantern, saying it was for our boss of Linglong Embroidery. The shopkeeper asked me to deliver it."
The servant placed the lantern on the high table in front of the door, closed the door and left.
Xie Yunchu and his servants stared at the gorgeous lantern in amazement.
"Could this be the wrong delivery?"
"How could they send it to the wrong owner when they designated Linglong Embroidery?"
"And this lantern is inlaid with gold and jade, it's worth a lot..." Xia An came closer, holding up the silk and taking a look.
"Hey, there's a red bean embroidered on it. Red beans represent lovesickness. Could it be that my son-in-law arranged for someone to send it here?"
Xie Yunchu opened his eyes and asked, "How is that possible?"
Anyone in this world can do it, except Wang Shuhuai.
In her previous life, she accompanied him for eight years. During every Lantern Festival and Chinese Valentine's Day, she would personally make an exquisite lantern for him. Sometimes she would write an acrostic poem with hidden affection, sometimes she would paint a green and blue landscape painting with a distant artistic conception, and sometimes she would embroider a red bean. Over the past eight years, she had made a total of sixteen palace lanterns, and each pattern was never repeated.
But Wang Shuhuai never gave her anything in return.
He always took a break from his busy schedule to admire it, then smiled at her tiredly, "Madam, you did a great job, it's thoughtful. Madam, take a look at where it is."
At that time, just these few words, which were not full of affection, soothed her empty heart.
She was too easily satisfied, even with just a look from him.
"Throw it away."
She is a married woman and cannot accept gifts from anyone.
After Xie Yunchu finished speaking, he lowered his eyes and continued to work.
Xia An was a little reluctant to part with it. This lamp was made of rosewood and had eight painted and embroidered sides. When he pressed the mechanism on the handle, the lamp surface would rotate and the flower tassels would sway with it. The eight colorful embroideries would pour down from top to bottom, like the Milky Way leaking out five-colored lights.
It can be described as magnificent.
But since Xie Yunchu had given the order, Xia An dared not disobey. He handed it to the servant outside the door and told him to throw it into the river.
The servant saw the gorgeous lantern and was surprised, thinking that his master and his son-in-law were angry, so he sent it to the shopkeeper. The shopkeeper also mistakenly thought that the lantern was a gift from Wang Shuhuai.
"Wait a minute. Young couples quarrel at the head of the bed and make up at the foot of the bed. They must have had a quarrel and are unhappy. You can't guarantee that the boss will look for it again one day. Put it in the warehouse first and tell the boss to throw it away. When the boss wants to take it out again, if he doesn't remember it after a month, it won't be too late to throw it away."
The servant also felt that the shopkeeper's move was safe.
Wang Shuhuai only learned the news a month later.
On the day he left the capital, there were still some unfinished business to be sorted out, so he asked his guard Qi Wei to stay in the capital. Qi Wei arrived in Jinling a month later.
Wang Shuhuai has been very busy over the past month.
When he first arrived, he did not rush to carry out drastic reforms. Instead, he immediately entertained officials from Jiangnan and gradually figured out the ways to get around them. The Jin Dynasty implemented a two-capital system, and there were also officials from six ministries in Nanjing. This time, the national policy of measuring land and verifying population was jointly presided over by Liu Qiliang, the assistant minister of the Ministry of Revenue, and the minister of the Ministry of Revenue in Nanjing.
Liu Qiliang held the real power, while the Nanjing Minister of Revenue was just a sinecure.
Although his job was easy, he was highly respected. Wang Shuhuai knew that the seventy-year-old Shangshu was a well-known idealist and radical who wanted to change the lazy and corrupt style of court officials. He was regarded as an upright official by the people. Wang Shuhuai put forward his ideas and received full support from the old Shangshu.
During this period, Wang Shuhuai accompanied Liu Qiliang in the official circles of Nanjing, and at the same time followed the old minister to visit various counties in Suzhou and Hangzhou, and he had a general understanding of the situation in Jiangnan.
It can be said that he is busy all day and night, without a moment of rest.
On the night of August 14, Wang Shuhuai returned home for another social event.
The light was dim, dimly illuminating a corner of the stone path.
Wang Shuhuai drank a lot of wine and was supported by Minggui as he stood on the stone path to enjoy the breeze.
This is the eldest princess's residence in Jiangnan. It is neither big nor small and has three courtyards. Usually, there is only an old couple looking after it, boiling water and cooking for Wang Shuhuai. Wang Shuhuai lives and works in the study in the front yard.
There is a bamboo forest in the southwest of the study. Now the bamboos are withered and the petals are falling. Wang Shuhuai stepped on the dead leaves and made a crackling sound, which was the only movement in the night. This corner of dead bamboo looked very much like the bamboo forest in front of Chunjing Hall. Wang Shuhuai stood on the stone path and was absent-minded for a moment.
Suddenly, the clouds broke and the moon came out. The vast and boundless moonlight poured down, casting a layer of icy light around him, making his aura even sharper.
He couldn't remember how long he hadn't thought of her. Only a fleeting image of her flashed across his mind in his dreams. When he woke up, he had no time to figure out what was going on and had to rush to the government office. Today, he didn't know if it was because of the alcohol, or if it was the moonlight shining on his head that reminded him of something. Wang Shuhuai stared at the depths of the stone path and asked Minggui softly,
"Is there any news from the capital?"
Ming Gui was confused. "Are you referring to the Duke? The Duke sends you court reports every three days so that you can understand the general situation of the court. Oh, by the way, the Madam and the Master miss you very much and sent a few letters. They are still in the study. You didn't have time to read them before. Do you want me to find them for you?"
Wang Shuhuai felt as if his heart was being pulled by a thin thread, and he felt an inexplicable pain.
He shook his head slowly, took Minggui's arm, walked along the stone path and went to the study room at the back.
When I arrived at the Moon Cave Gate, I saw a familiar figure leaning on the threshold with a sword in his arms. It was Qi Wei who was hurriedly heading south.
Minggui saw him and his expression brightened, "Qi Wei, you're here. My wife asked you to bring something back."
Qi Wei threw a bundle behind him to Minggui with a calm expression, "Madam said that if you are not honest in Jiangnan, you will have to kneel on the washboard when you return."
Minggui's eyes were hot as he held the bag, smelling the familiar scent, and choked up, "Silly woman, why would I go out to look for prostitutes? Do I have such an idea?" At the end he blamed his wife for not trusting him, feeling aggrieved and sour.
Qi Wei ignored him and bowed respectfully to Wang Shuhuai.
"Sir, I have done my duty and completed all the tasks you requested."
Under the clear moonlight, the young man was dressed in a green official robe, tall and noble. He looked at Qi Wei expressionlessly with his arms hanging down. After a long while, he uttered a hoarse word, "Okay."
Then, his cold eyes swept across the bag in Minggui's hand and gradually moved to Qi Wei.
"Nothing else?"
Qi Wei was completely confused. "What?"
Wang Shuhuai's eyebrows were gloomy, and he controlled his temper and said, "Madam, do you have any message for me?"
Qi Wei recalled that before leaving Beijing, he asked Xie Yunchu if he had any clothes to bring to Wang Shuhuai. Xie Yunchu smiled softly and said,
"I have prepared dozens of sets of clothes, which are enough for Second Master. The Duke also personally gave him 5,000 taels of silver notes. Second Master should have no worries about food and clothing. I have nothing to worry about."
Qi Wei shook his head.
"Madam said you have everything ready and she doesn't need to prepare anything."
Wang Shuhuai did not ask any more questions. He returned to the deserted study and sat alone. Minggui followed him in with his bag and wanted to light the lamp for him. Wang Shuhuai sat in the dark and said, "No hurry."
Minggui was a little stunned. It was hard to tell whether Wang Shuhuai was happy or angry. Minggui rarely cared about him. He glanced at the bag in his arms and said with a smile, "Second Master, um, I want to go back to the wing room and pack this bag."
To put it bluntly, he just wanted to see if his wife had left him any letter or other items.
Even though I couldn't see Minggui's expression clearly, I could tell from his tone that he was happy and impatient.
There was still no expression on Wang Shuhuai's face, only a muffled "hmm" sound came from his chest.
After Minggui left, Qi Wei stood outside the window and felt that he had missed something. He racked his brains and remembered something important. He quickly returned to his residence and brought something.
"Oh, by the way, Second Master, I brought something with me."
Wang Shuhuai quickly turned his eyes away and said in an extremely calm tone, "What is it?"
"A lantern..."
The exquisite and colorful lanterns broke through the night, and the dim yellow light poured out like a soft light, almost illuminating Wang Shuhuai's heart. He slowly stood up and walked to the window.
I vaguely remember that whether it was the Lantern Festival this year or the Chinese Valentine's Day last year, she embroidered a six-sided gauze lantern with a bright red and pink peony pattern. That day, she tiptoed to the study, gently blew out his lamp, and then placed the lamp on the table. The light shone in all directions, casting beautiful peonies on the dark wall.
She was clever and had superb craftsmanship, and he was amazed when he saw her.
Today, however, this lamp, inlaid with gold, jade, and green pine, is even more luxurious than before.
I subconsciously reached out my hand, and Qi Wei outside the window suddenly spoke,
"This is the lantern that His Royal Highness Prince Xin gave to the young lady on the Qixi Festival. The lady's shopkeeper thought it was a gift from you and kept it by mistake. I took it quietly. Do you think it should be thrown away?"
The soft light on Wang Shuhuai's brows suddenly turned silent.
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