Chapter 45 Going Out
After arranging the carriage, Liu Qi returned to the east wing and saw Zhuang Dongqing dozing off to the side, Cen Yan holding a book, and two reclining chairs side by side.
The courtyard was quiet, bathed in the bright morning light, creating a tranquil and beautiful scene.
For a moment, Liu Qi didn't dare to utter a sound.
Cen Yan heard the sound and looked up.
As Liu Qi approached, Cen Yanxian said, "Keep your voice down."
"yes."
"Everything is arranged."
This refers to all of Cen Yan's instructions.
"Have cushions been added to the carriage?"
Liu Qi: "It's covered thickly."
"You didn't just pave one side, did you?"
If Zhuang Dongqing were given special treatment, most people would feel embarrassed.
Liu Qi understood, shook his head, glanced at the sleeping Zhuang Dongqing, and hesitated before speaking.
Cen Yan understood. "Something important has happened?"
"Not really, it's just some belated news."
Cen Yan: "Let's talk about it all in the carriage then."
Liu Qi nodded.
Looking at the sky, Cen Yan said, "By the way, he's been here for quite a while now. You and Liu Fu should check together to see if there's anything missing or insufficient. We can take care of it together in town today."
There's no need to look any further. Liu Qi already knows what's going on. "Their food and clothing are all based on your rations, Master. If there's anything lacking, it's probably some headdresses and accessories to make a good impression. The storeroom has them, but I'm still unsure whether to prepare them for the young master."
That's a good question.
Cen Yan thought for a moment and simply said, "I'll ask him when he wakes up."
Knowing what Liu Qi was struggling with, Zhuang Dongqing was currently just a retainer of the Prince's mansion. It didn't matter if he dressed well or ate well; it wouldn't attract attention. But if he were to wear luxurious gold and jade, it would inevitably lead outsiders to speculate about Zhuang Dongqing's identity, which would backfire.
Cen Yan didn't dwell on these things. If Zhuang Dongqing liked them, he could have them prepared. The key point was that after being together for so long, Cen Yan didn't think Zhuang Dongqing loved gold and jade. He only saw that Zhuang Dongqing liked good food and a comfortable life. As for what he wore... he always wore soft hairbands and never even saw a jade crown. If he cared, he could buy it himself with his monthly allowance from the Prince's Mansion.
Then, as if remembering something, Cen Yan touched his wrist and said, "I could get him a consecrated Bodhisattva pendant."
Liu Qi agreed, "That's right, I'll remember that, I'll ask about it next time I go to Daci Temple."
They then chatted for a few more minutes about the furnishings of the east wing, and what extra things should be prepared if Cen Yan were to stay overnight from time to time.
Seeing that the sun was about to set, he woke Zhuang Dongqing up and got into the carriage.
Zhuang Dongqing was dazed when she woke up.
Cen Yan didn't urge him, letting Liu Fu support him as the group slowly went out.
Once inside the carriage, Zhuang Dongqing naturally didn't notice the changes.
I just felt quite comfortable.
After drinking two glasses of water and eating half a lotus flower pastry, I woke up.
"Does your head hurt?" Cen Yan asked him.
Zhuang Dongqing's eyes were dull, and he yawned, truthfully saying, "I feel like my brain isn't working."
I still haven't been sleeping enough.
But Cen Yan wouldn't let him close his eyes anymore, saying only, "Wake up, we'll be at the Ministry of Revenue soon, get some rest tonight."
Zhuang Dongqing nodded.
Now that he was awake, Liu Qi no longer needed to keep her voice down as she reported the latest news from the capital.
"The decision on the deposed crown prince was made this morning."
"Execute him, and order the Ministry of Justice, the Censorate, and the Court of Judicial Review to conduct a thorough investigation into the plot to rebel and mutiny at the hunting grounds."
Cen Yan was not surprised.
Then he asked, "What about the others?"
Liu Qi: "After the court session, it is said that the imperial physician was summoned to the main hall. At noon, a message was sent out saying that His Majesty was too heartbroken and his old illness had relapsed. After that, the court was suspended for half a month, and all matters of the court were handed over to the cabinet. The fourth prince was appointed to handle some state affairs."
Cen Yan suddenly smiled.
Zhuang Dongqing asked, puzzled, "Is something wrong?"
"If you look closely, everything is wrong; it all depends on what you ask."
Zhuang Dongqing couldn't see it at all.
Cen Yan was quite patient and didn't think it was useless for Zhuang Dongqing to know these things. Since he asked, he analyzed them one by one, "First of all, the decree to suspend court for half a month due to excessive grief is very interesting. It is necessary to thoroughly investigate the Spring Hunting Rebellion, but it is also necessary to suspend court. Without the person in charge, what was found in the process and how to deal with it is a lot of questions."
"Secondly, after the deposed crown prince, the eldest son was the third prince, and the son of the fourth prince was of noble status."
"Li Cheng has been deposed, and now the Empress's family needs to be dealt with. That means the direct line of the Empress is finished, and there is absolutely no chance that the young prince under the Empress's kneeling will inherit the throne."
“Since ancient times, if the eldest son is not chosen, then the eldest son should be chosen. The path of choosing the eldest son is blocked. If the eldest son is chosen, then the third prince should be in charge of the country, but instead the fourth prince is chosen.”
Cen Yan laughed and said, "Your Majesty is afraid that the court will be too peaceful and there won't be any trouble."
Zhuang Dongqing: "Isn't stability good?"
Cen Yan smiled and glanced at Zhuang Dongqing, knowing that he didn't understand, so he didn't go into details. "Well, it depends on what you want. For ordinary people, they naturally hope for a peaceful life."
"But for that one, control and checks and balances are even more important."
Changing the subject, he added casually, "But none of this has anything to do with us."
"I'm still recovering from my illness. I'll be fully recovered when the three departments come to a conclusion."
Zhuang Dongqing understood this sentence.
Before the case of treason is settled, Cen Yan will have to feign illness.
Zhuang Dongqing: "It's fine."
"It's a good time to close the door and recuperate."
Cen Yan glanced at him and, seeing his sincere expression, realized he truly meant it, and couldn't help but curl the corners of her lips into a smile.
Following Zhuang Dongqing's words, she said, "Yes, you can also enjoy a life of leisure with our young master. Fill your bowls with delicious food and drinks, and bask in the afternoon sun."
Zhuang Dongqing didn't find it a joke; instead, she added seriously, "There's one more thing."
"Go to bed early and get up early; don't keep looking at official documents if it's too late."
After a moment of surprise, Cen Yan smiled and said, "Okay."
Liu Qi quickly pressed his advantage, "I'll write it down too, and I'll keep an eye on Master."
He had long been dissatisfied with Cen Yan reviewing official documents late at night, but Cen Yan was stubborn and not someone anyone could persuade. Now that he had agreed to Zhuang Dongqing's request, Liu Qi had no choice but to take advantage of the situation.
As expected, Cen Yan glared at him after he finished speaking.
Liu Qi observes the nose with his eyes and the heart with his nose.
Perhaps because he was in a really good mood, Cen Yan didn't hold it against him afterward.
With her mind racing, Zhuang Dongqing thought of something and glanced at Cen Yan. Before she could even hesitate, she heard him say sharply, "Just say what you have to say."
Zhuang Dongqing: "You said it."
"It wasn't something I insisted on asking."
After thinking for a moment, he put his armor back on and said, "I just wanted to ask, nothing more."
"Um, didn't the Dowager Princess request an imperial decree to grant you a marriage? Will it happen?"
Cen Yan laughed, "Just asking, nothing more?"
Zhuang Dongqing: "..."
Zhuang Dongqing looked away, avoiding eye contact.
Having already annoyed Zhuang Dongqing last night, Cen Yan chuckled twice and, without keeping him in suspense, said directly, "No."
"It's hard to say what the rest is."
"Just remember this: if a marriage is to be arranged, given my status, I will either be a member of the imperial family or the daughter of a high-ranking official. As for the former, His Majesty already has so many good sons that he is wary of, and he doesn't want another one; as for the latter, the Dingxi Prince's Mansion is already at its limit, and he doesn't want to see the mansion's power expand any further."
The words were vague. Zhuang Dongqing thought for a moment, only remembering the words "cannot," and nodded.
Cen Yan: "Are you relieved?"
Zhuang Dongqing: "..."
Zhuang Dongqing said in a very low voice, "I'm not worried at all."
Cen Yan persisted, "Hmm, if you're not worried, then what are you asking?"
"..."
Zhuang Dongqing: "Are we almost there?"
He actually pulled back the carriage curtain to look outside.
Cen Yan was overjoyed. He glanced outside and decided to give his young master a way out, saying, "Yes, it'll be soon."
*
Officials were quick to register the household registrations of their servants.
They didn't even need Cen Yan to show his face. Before they arrived, the Prince's Mansion had already sent someone to give them a heads-up. As soon as they got off the carriage, an official led them inside, asked them questions one by one, and checked their identity certificates and household registration certificates. When asked what they wanted to change to, Zhuang Dongqing hesitated.
Cen Yan asked around and learned that Zhuang Dongqing and Liu Fu had different plans.
After thinking for a moment, he suggested, "Let's start with agriculture. It'll be easier to make changes from there, and we can revise it later if needed."
Zhuang Dongqing thought this made sense, looked at Liu Fu, and Liu Fu nodded in agreement, so the matter was settled.
When Liu Fu came out of the Ministry of Revenue again, he had already become a good citizen.
Liu Fu was somewhat incredulous and whispered to Zhuang Dongqing, "Actually, there's no need to change it. No matter what, I will still serve the young master."
Zhuang Dongqing: "It's alright. You used to be my page, and from now on you'll be my younger brother."
"Since you're not going home anyway, we'll be together anyway."
These words were spoken so fluently and quickly that Liu Fu was stunned for a moment after hearing them, and his eyes slowly reddened.
Cen Yan: "There's no need to say much about gratitude. Just take good care of your young master."
"Yes!" Liu Fu nodded emphatically.
He was still just a boy, and he couldn't hide his emotions, so he secretly wiped his eyes.
Zhuang Dongqing, however, was a very easygoing person. She grabbed Liu Fu and asked him what good food was available at the restaurant they were going to, and suggested he recommend a few more dishes. Cen Yan saw that Liu Fu was no longer excited and had completely lost focus on the food thanks to Zhuang Dongqing. He chuckled and shook his head, but did not interrupt her.
As an apology, Cen Yan ordered a table full of dishes for Zhuang Dongqing at noon.
The more expensive the dishes, the more elaborate the tricks.
It has some unique features in terms of color, aroma, taste, and presentation.
For example, when Zhuang Dongqing saw fruits and vegetables carved into flowers, he exclaimed, "Wow!"
As the dishes were prepared right before his eyes, the ingredients were mixed with the already heated broth and poured together, instantly releasing a delicious aroma. Zhuang Dongqing swallowed hard, "Wow~"
There are also translucent, flower-like slices that, when placed in hot water, instantly become a bowl of fish soup.
Zhuang Dongqing: "Wow, it tastes pretty good!"
Zhuang Dongqing Kuku is showing off!
Cen Yan couldn't help but remind him, "Slow down, be careful not to choke."
After saying that, Zhuang Dongqing's clear eyes peeked out from the bowl, and she said sincerely, "But it's really delicious."
"...I'll bring you next time."
Okay.
He grabbed those words and ran off, then buried his head back down.
Cen Yan thought that being able to eat was a blessing, so he didn't say anything more.
As expected, Zhuang Dongqing was stuffed after finishing the meal.
Because he ate so heartily, Cen Yan couldn't help but ask for more rice as well.
After finishing my meal, I felt uncomfortable sitting, so I decided to walk to the teahouse instead of using the carriage, which would be a good way to digest my food.
The streets they passed were bustling. Zhuang Dongqing looked around, and soon Liu Fu had more trinkets in his hands, from exquisite clay figurines to brightly colored cloth tigers. There was nothing that Zhuang Dongqing found interesting.
Just before entering the teahouse, Zhuang Dongqing, who had been muttering to herself the whole way, suddenly fell silent.
Cen Yan noticed that his gaze had stopped, so he looked over and saw Li Yang, who hadn't been seen for a long time.
Li Yang didn't notice them and went into the teahouse first.
Zhuang Dongqing was uncertain, "Just now, that was..."
Cen Yan nodded, "Yes, Sixth Prince."
But in his heart he wondered if there were other princes among them.
Without revealing anything, he led Zhuang Dongqing into the teahouse and up to a private room on the second floor.
Li Yang also took a seat on the second floor, but in the lobby, she leaned against the window as if waiting for someone.
As they passed by, Zhuang Dongqing glanced over again.
Upon entering the private room, Cen Yan noticed his restless state and asked, "Do you want to go out and see the Sixth Prince?"
Zhuang Dongqing asked somewhat uneasily, "Is it...appropriate?"
He hurriedly explained, "What I mean is, the Prince's mansion has just gone through so much, and he's a prince, like the Third Prince before..."
But Cen Yan interrupted him, saying, "There's nothing inappropriate about it."
“Li Zhuo is just picking a fight with us. You don’t need to pay attention to what he says.”
"But……"
Zhuang Dongqing actually wanted to go out, but Li Yang's constitution really scared him.
My conscience wanted to leave, but reason held me back.
"Qingqing".
Cen Yan suddenly called him by his nickname, which startled Zhuang Dongqing.
Cen Yan said seriously, "Last time you went to the appointment alone, but this time I'm sitting right here. Do you think you can cause any trouble that I can't handle in just a few words?"
Zhuang Dongqing thought it made some sense.
Cen Yan laughed and said, "Aren't you overestimating yourself?"
Zhuang Dongqing: "..."
Cen Yan: "There's nothing to be afraid of if Liu Qi comes with you."
Gently revealing Zhuang Dongqing's thoughts, she said, "After all, you asked her to do something for you. And since Consort Shu left recently, you'd be hard-pressed to go out and say hello if you didn't."
"Go ahead, don't make things difficult for yourself."
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