Chapter 77 Popularity
Shen Yuexi carried two cleaned chickens into the kitchen.
Yang Cong and General Qiu Liming were investigating the enemy situation in Xirong, so she had to cook herself.
General Meng Yue would also come with Xiao Zhuo in the evening. It was too late to take care of the chicks she had raised, so she went to the village head's house to buy two chickens, and asked the head's son to help her slaughter them before bringing them back.
One can be used to make chicken soup and the other can be roasted.
Perhaps because she was cooking, Madam Li and her daughter stayed in the house and never came out. It wasn't until Xiao Zhuo came back that night that they heard some noise outside and slowly walked out of the house.
The whole yard was filled with the aroma of chicken.
Based on her memories from her previous life and the universal manufacturing machine, Shen Yuexi could find almost 80% of the seasonings she wanted by just walking around the village.
Meng Yue, who had just stepped into the courtyard, took a deep sniff and then grinned at Xiao Zhuo: "My Lord, I wonder who prepared this dinner? It smells so delicious. We must have a feast of fine wine and delicious food tonight."
"After this incident, General Meng still has this state of mind. I admire his great talent." The speaker was a man in his thirties who was following behind him.
He was wearing a sky-blue robe, with a tall and capable figure, carrying a scholarly air, yet revealing a hint of wit.
This person was Song Zhen, the prefect of Yuzhou, who was implicated in the incident of the deposed crown prince. Fortunately, he was only demoted and exiled to this frontier area to serve as a small county magistrate.
After receiving Xiao Zhuo's letter a few days ago, he immediately wrote back to Xiao Zhuo, expressing his willingness to be loyal.
The current emperor is becoming more and more incomprehensible, and there are many loyal and honest ministers who have been framed and suffered misfortunes.
Once upon a time, Song Zhen also had lofty ambitions and admired the prince's talents. He wanted to join him, but a sudden change occurred in the court, which made him depressed and frustrated with his desire to serve the country.
Now seeing the deposed prince again, he saw that he was not depressed at all and was still full of fighting spirit. A sense of heroism suddenly rose in his heart.
"No, no, how dare I mention the word 'great talent' in front of the prince." Meng Yue looked at Xiao Zhuo respectfully.
No one knew that the prince was able to capture an enemy city with his wits while facing an overwhelming force.
What a talent that is! It is not something that a small person can compare to.
Now that the Crown Prince was in trouble, he only needed to raise his arm and many would come to him. However, His Royal Highness the Crown Prince had always been mindful of the father-son relationship and had not made any major moves.
But now things are different from the past. The emperor is trying every means to kill the prince and has already torn through that layer of paper.
Since the king is not a king and the father is not a father, why not just rebel against this cowardly court?
Song Zhen nodded, his eyes gleaming as he looked at Xiao Zhuo. He bowed to Xiao Zhuo and said, "I, Song, am not talented, but I will do my utmost to assist you, my lord, in achieving great things."
He is not a general like Meng Yue and Qiu Liming, but he is good at strategy.
Xiao Zhuo stepped forward quickly, holding up his hands. "The enemy is invading, civil unrest is imminent, the country is in ruins, and the people are suffering. Your Majesty sits high on the throne, yet he does not consider the suffering of the people and the threat posed by the enemy. This is not a blessing for all people. I wish to restore order and protect the people. Lord Song, treat me with sincerity and am willing to serve you. I will be at your service.
These words, which were both logical and emotional, touched Song Zhen's heart, and his eyes immediately turned red.
Born into a farming family, he understood the hardships of ordinary people from a young age and aspired to be a high-ranking official. However, he was repeatedly framed in the officialdom, feeling depressed and frustrated. After finally becoming a prefect, he was demoted.
If it weren't for the elderly and children at home, he would have committed suicide to show his determination.
Song Zhen lifted his robe and knelt on the ground, kowtowed, his back as straight as a pine tree bent down: "I am willing to follow His Royal Highness the Crown Prince!"
In Song Zhen's heart, no one can replace the prince, and Xiao Zhuo is the rightful prince of Dayan.
The soldiers and followers who followed also knelt down and shouted in unison: "We are willing to follow His Royal Highness the Crown Prince!"
Hearing the noise outside, Shen Yuexi washed her hands, put down her handkerchief and walked out of the kitchen.
Shen Yuexi listened attentively to the frank conversation between the king and his minister just now.
She walked out of the kitchen and looked at the people kneeling on the ground in the yard. Her heart was shaken. Only then did she deeply understand what it meant to die for one's friend.
But when she thought about how many people had come, she realized that the food she had prepared was obviously not enough. She turned around and hurried to the kitchen, washed the rice, put it in the pot, and cooked another full pot of rice on the stove.
There are vegetables and rice, and we must ensure that everyone can eat their fill.
Xiao Zhuo raised his eyes to look at Shen Yuexi who was busy in the kitchen, and walked towards her with a faint smile on his lips.
"Cousin," Li Wan opened the door curtain and ran towards Xiao Zhuo, "You are finally back. Wan'er has been waiting for you all afternoon."
Xiao Zhuo turned his body to the side to avoid her flying body, stood still and looked at the person who came with a frown.
"Don't be reckless," Xiao Zhuo's voice was as clear as frost, "If you have anything to discuss, you can discuss it with your cousin's wife.
Li Wan was stunned. She stopped and looked at Xiao Zhuo in disbelief.
Xiao Zhuo rarely looked at her, his eyes serious and earnest: "Your cousin's meaning is my meaning, do you understand?"
The voice was light, yet indescribably cold.
Li Wan was startled by Xiao Zhuo's sudden change, and her heart couldn't help but beat wildly.
She had just seen the scene, and those words of submission struck her heart, causing her to suddenly have endless fantasies.
She looked at Xiao Zhuo steadily, his sharp eyes seemed to be able to see through her thoughts, making her at a loss.
Only then did she realize that although her cousin had been deposed as crown prince, the aura of a superior remained unchanged, though he was now more restrained.
When she first arrived, she clearly saw that her cousin was not as unapproachable as before, and was even very happy to see her mother. Why did he return to his old self in less than a day?
Thinking of the past, she felt unwilling to accept it.
Which of the noble ladies in the capital did not secretly admire the prince? But she knew that her cousin had no intention of getting close to any woman.
Why is it that in just one month, Shen Yuexi can receive such protection from her cousin?
Shen Yuexi is obviously not my cousin's real wife.
A series of doubts and annoyances gave Li Wan a bad feeling.
Thinking of another possibility, she looked at Xiao Zhuo in shock.
Xiao Zhuo ignored Li Wan and walked straight towards Shen Yuexi.
Li Wan's aggrieved expression caught the eyes of Meng Yue who was following behind her. He touched his nose thoughtfully and strode towards the kitchen.
There are always more things to do where there are women, but he still feels that the delicious food in the kitchen is more attractive to him.
Li Wan felt embarrassed when she saw that no one paid any attention to her.
Tears soon filled his eyes.
At this time, Mrs. Li had already stepped out of the room. She had heard and seen what Li Wan had done just now.
As someone who had fought in the Marquis's mansion all her life, she knew that Shen Yuexi was different from the women in the backyard when she first saw her.
She slowly walked up to her daughter, took her hand and scolded her, "Look at you, even if you have something urgent to say, you should wait until your cousin has finished dinner before you tell him, right?"
When Shen Yuexi heard what Madam Li said, she glanced at her indifferently.
"My dear, you've worked so hard," Xiao Zhuo took her hand and suddenly leaned close to her ear and whispered, "About my aunt..."
"I can handle it." Shen Yuexi tugged at his sleeve, indicating to him that General Meng and other outsiders were still there.
Meng Yue looked at the two of them and laughed heartily: "It's okay, just pretend I'm not here. I'm going to eat first. We are soldiers, so there's no need to be so particular. Just do it yourself."
After saying that, he went straight into the kitchen.
Seeing this, Mrs. Li and Li Wan behind him both looked gloomy.
Li Wan wanted to say something else, but was glared back at by Mrs. Li.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com