Chapter 136 I dare not slack off, but my makeup isn't applied evenly enough? ...
When everyone returned to Hongzheng Pavilion, it was already close to dusk, just in time for dinner.
Using the pretext of "inviting a Taoist priest to discuss Taoist doctrines," Yu Nie calmly settled Cui Miaochang and Aunt Liu.
On the surface, she grew up in a Buddhist monastery, chanting scriptures and praying for the peace of the country. Now, she has developed an interest in Taoist principles. In the eyes of outsiders, this is just a natural act of a practitioner turning to the Tao and learning from various sources.
Her search for reclusive masters was in line with her past cultivation. Others would only think that she wanted to master the three religions, and no one would suspect that there was another plan hidden under this pure heart seeking the Tao.
After dinner, the Hongzheng Restaurant gradually quieted down.
After Song Ai arranged their accommodations, Yu Nie led Cui Miaochang back to her own palace and recounted the turmoil they had encountered along the way.
She left Lingbao Temple originally only to go to Longxi to buy saltpeter, but encountered an unexpected turn of events on the way and was forcibly taken into the palace, becoming a substitute for a princess who did not want to marry far away.
Later, she met Huan Xun, who was actually the Crown Prince's Junior Tutor and concurrently the Vice Minister of the Imperial Secretariat. The two of them cleverly resolved the crisis of the marriage alliance, and she recounted the whole story to Cui Miaochang.
However, when she mentioned Huan Xun, she omitted the marriage agreement between them.
The moonlight outside the window was as bright as day. Then, she turned her attention to the imperial court, recounting to Cui Miaochang how the aristocratic families were declining, the poor families were rising, the old rules had been broken, and a new order was coming.
Cui Miaochang, who had been listening silently, frowned and her eyes flashed with a sharp light as Yu Nie finished speaking: "So that's how it is. No wonder I saw many government officials rushing towards Dingzhou on my way to the capital. It turns out that such earth-shattering changes have taken place in the court and the country."
She recounted what she had seen and heard along the way: "In the past, the banditry in the three prefectures was like a wildfire, and the government was powerless to deal with it. The people's livelihood was in such a state of decline that I saw that the dynasty was too deeply entrenched to recover and I had long felt that its fate was sealed and there was no way to save it."
“Even beneath this stagnant pool, I feel there is still a glimmer of hope for revival.” She brought up the court’s actions she had just mentioned: “Returning land to the people is something that has not been seen for hundreds of years.”
At this point, Yu Nie dared not say that she was involved in this matter.
She merely echoed, "The aristocratic families have been accomplices to the tyrants for many years, and the people are already filled with resentment. They cling to their power, engage in empty talk that harms the country, and not only empty the national treasury but also the very foundation of the people's hearts. On the surface, they are seizing land, but in reality, they are seizing the livelihoods of the people. Their collapse is a cycle of cause and effect. The policy of 'land reform' is imperative."
"Water can carry a boat, but it can also capsize it. This world is nominally the emperor's world, but in reality, it is the people's world. Whoever is the ruler depends on the people's hearts, and whoever is the emperor will not be able to sit firmly on the throne if the people's hearts turn away from him."
“Looking back at previous dynasties, and even earlier dynasties, which dynasty that betrayed the people’s hearts, treated the people like pigs and dogs, and exploited them without restraint did not decline and perish?” She said slowly, “Only when farmers have land, residents have houses, the elderly are cared for, and the young have access to education… can the world have a stable foundation.”
Facing his disciple, the candlelight outlined his profile, which still retained a childlike innocence but whose eyes had become much more somber.
Cui Miaochang vaguely realized that she was no longer the little girl who only tinkered with strange and unusual things in Huaiyuan. In her conversation, she could now analyze the political situation and see the rise and fall of dynasties.
Cui Miaochang felt both gratified and heartbroken by this change. In less than half a year, she had undergone such a transformation, which showed how much bloodshed and injustice she had witnessed in Jian'an.
For her senior uncle, Yu Nie's transformation was not a natural progression, but rather a rebirth after experiencing despair.
Besides, Cui Miaochang knew better than anyone how much grief Ahui's death had brought to the person before her.
They grew up together and considered each other family. Ah Hui's death undoubtedly extinguished the last spark of innocence in her heart, forcing her to grow up.
After saying those words, Yu Nie suddenly felt a gaze lingering on his face.
Noticing that Cui Miaochang was watching her, she felt a tightness in her chest, afraid that her martial uncle would see more, discover the schemes she had not yet spoken of, and discover that she was hiding Langxi's true whereabouts.
Thinking of this, she used the action of adjusting her cuffs to cover up her panic.
She glanced at the late night outside and realized it was getting late.
He then turned to Cui Miaochang and said, "Uncle-Master, it's getting late. You must be tired from your journey. Why don't you rest first? We can talk about the rest tomorrow."
Upon hearing this, Cui Miaochang did not refuse.
She stood up, her gaze lingering on Yu Nie's face for a moment.
“You’ve really grown up now.” She said with an unprecedented sigh, “I only hope you remember that you don’t have to bear everything alone.”
“Uncle-Master…” Her eyes suddenly reddened.
Cui Miaochang waved her hand: "Let's rest."
Seeing that she was about to get up to see her off, she raised her hand to stop her: "No need to see me off, it's just a few steps, please stay here."
Despite what she said, Yu Nie still followed her.
Finally, as instructed, he stopped under the eaves, watching the maids inside the building lead Cui Miaochang away.
Watching her slightly thin figure gradually walk away along the corridor until she finally disappeared into the night at the end of the corridor.
She only looked away when the figure was completely out of sight, her mind filled with countless thoughts.
*
The next day, when Yu Nie woke up, Cui Wei told her that Cui Miaochang had left a message early in the morning, saying that she wanted to go out for a walk by herself.
When she was in Huaiyuan, Cui Miaochang had a habit of getting up early to go out, but she didn't think much of it.
After washing up, she had breakfast with Aunt Liu.
Seeing that Aunt Liu's complexion had improved but her eyes still held a hint of weariness from her illness, she couldn't help but worry. After a moment's thought, she instructed Song Ai to fetch the imperial physician to examine Aunt Liu carefully, lest the illness develop into something more serious.
After these arrangements were made, Yu Nie set off for the Jiheng Mansion.
After recuperating for some time, Huan Xun's injuries have greatly improved, and he is currently exercising at the shooting range specially set up in the mansion.
When she arrived, he was dressed in martial arts attire, the gold thread on his cuffs shimmering faintly. He was standing under the only sycamore tree on the shooting range, concentrating intently, drawing his bow and arrow, aiming for a perfect shot.
She walked over, a faint smile on her lips: "Lord Huan, your archery skills are excellent. Even after lying down for so long, your technique is still as rusty as ever, and your style remains as impressive as ever."
Huan Xun turned around upon hearing the sound and casually placed his bow on the ground.
He seemed quite pleased with her praise, letting out a soft chuckle as he approached her. He wiped the thin layer of sweat from his forehead with the handkerchief Xie Cheng handed him and stopped in front of her.
His bright black eyes held a hint of mockery: "Is that all?" He tilted his head, his tone carrying the unpretentious arrogance unique to young men: "If Your Highness would be willing to come and see a few more times, I can shoot even more beautiful ones."
Such an ambiguous statement! She gazed at his bright red lips, her throat tightening, a burning thirst welling up inside her.
The boy's fragrance wafted over, a scent unlike any other perfume.
As he spoke, he suddenly narrowed his eyes and scrutinized her.
Her thick eyelashes cast small shadows under her eyes, and his gaze traced her eyebrows and eyes down to her full lips, as if he were appreciating some precious calligraphy or painting.
At such close range, the dark cloud pattern on the collar of his martial arts uniform was clearly visible.
Before her uneasy gaze, he leaned in close without warning, startling her so much that she leaned back slightly. The sudden closeness of his presence made her uneasy.
His gaze lingered on her face, finally settling on her eyes, and he remained silent for a long time.
Feeling a little uncomfortable under her gaze, Yu Nie subconsciously raised her hand to lightly touch her cheek: "You're looking at me like that because... my makeup isn't applied evenly?"
His warm breath brushed against her ear, but instead of pulling away, he moved even closer: "Your makeup is applied very well. I was wondering how late you stayed up last night?"
Feeling guilty under his gaze, she avoided his eyes, turned slightly to the side, and explained, "I went to bed early last night... I didn't stay up late."
Huan Xun gave a meaningful "Oh," drawing out the last syllable. His eyes, which had just held a hint of mockery, were now fixed on her, his face clearly saying "I don't believe it."
Under his focused gaze, she finally gave in and turned her head away. Resignedly, she replied, "Okay, okay, I actually didn't sleep all night."
She couldn't sleep a wink until the gunpowder was properly mixed.
Upon hearing this, the smile on his face gradually faded, and he straightened up.
The carefree, youthful air he had just displayed had quietly faded away, replaced by a seriousness that was different from any other form of seriousness.
He said, "Gunpowder is important, but your safety and health are far more important. If it comes at the cost of your health, then there is no point in having gunpowder."
“These days, you’ve been working on research at night and toiling during the day. Have you ever truly rested? Don’t exhaust yourself for this.”
She understood his good intentions; she knew perfectly well that every word he spoke was filled with concern.
But that's precisely why she can't stop.
Gunpowder, in this era dominated by cold weapons, was the key to overturning the world order.
With it, we might be able to fight a few years less and save tens of thousands of lives.
The phrases "starving people everywhere" and "nine out of ten houses empty" that are lightly described in history books actually represent countless deaths and tragedies caused by starvation.
If she were a fraction faster, she might save more people in a city; if she were a fraction stronger, she might save less bloodshed for the soldiers on the frontier.
She dared not slack off.
After he finished speaking, a relaxed smile appeared on her lips: "I know how you feel. From now on, I will definitely go to bed on time."
Huan Xun sensed her pressure and didn't respond for a moment. For the first time in his life, he felt that power wasn't all that useful. If having enough power could help her, then he would have solved some problems.
In fact, he had done so much behind the scenes: Langxi's safety in the palace, Zhao Yunfu's knowledge of the Northern Expedition, and her safety. But even after doing all this, he still felt it wasn't enough.
Unaware of his thoughts, Yu Nie changed the subject, mentioning one of the purposes of his visit that day: "Speaking of which, the gunpowder I've been mixing has improved in both power and stability quite a bit, but..."
She frowned slightly, revealing her unwillingness: "If we want to turn it into a reliable weapon that can be used in actual combat, the current progress is not enough, and we still need to conduct repeated tests."
"Progress is a good thing, but this matter cannot be rushed." With that, he walked to the table set up by the shooting range, picked up the teapot, and poured two cups of tea.
He picked up a glass and handed it to her: "Let's sit down and talk."
She sat down as instructed, and he began to recount another matter they had been secretly undertaking during this time: "A secret letter was sent from Xiao Chengyan's side this morning."
Yu Nie: "How is it? Is his brother willing to negotiate?" Although she learned from Gu Xiangzhi yesterday that Nan Yin was mobilizing troops, she still held onto hope.
After his elder brother, Emperor Xiao Daozun, decided to launch a northern expedition, Xiao Chengyan was placed under strict house arrest.
For the past two weeks, they have been in contact with him through clandestine channels, secretly planning a rescue operation.
From a standpoint of fact, Yu Nie naturally wanted to use him to persuade Nan Yin not to launch a northern expedition to avoid bloodshed, and Xiao Chengyan also did not want the two countries to go to war.
But Huan Xun lowered his gaze when faced with her question.
He said that he had underestimated too many things before, but now he was willing to support his brother in the Northern Expedition.
Upon hearing this answer, Yu Nie was so shocked that he was speechless for a long time.
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