"Before making a decision, I want to see Madam Zhao."
After a long silence, Yang Yuanqing made a request.
Deng Cunli slowly shook his head. "My wife's status is sensitive. Before you see the emperor, it is inconvenient for us to meet you. Coming to see you today is also a bit risky."
Yang Yuanqing smiled knowingly, "It seems that the situation of His Highness and Madam Zhao is not very good."
Deng Cunli said firmly, "Even though the situation is not good, we can still protect you and the Yang family."
Yang Yuanqing nodded, "I believe it. Please forgive me for not being able to reply to Eunuch Deng today."
"That's all right! You can stay here. You can order the servants around. Don't be polite."
"Thank you, Madam Zhao, and thank you, Eunuch Deng."
Yang Yuanqing's attitude was indifferent, but Deng Cunli didn't mind and stood up to say goodbye.
For the next few days, Yang Yuanqing would go out for a stroll after breakfast, aimlessly wandering.
After being away from the capital for thirty years, everything seems strange to me.
When he walked to Wenqing Bookstore, the students from Shanhe Academy and the students from the Imperial College were still arguing endlessly. There was no substance to their argument at all, and others had long been tired of the content, but he was still listening with great interest.
So I would report to Wenqing Bookstore on time every day to listen to the students' debates.
The bookstore owner is familiar with him.
He also bought a complete set of the simplified version of "Qi Lang's Ten Battles with the Flower Thief" and read it with great interest.
He also went to the capital, walked on streets that were both familiar and unfamiliar, and met several old friends who were both familiar and unfamiliar.
He also went to the brothel where the once elegant and romantic people lived.
The courtesan of that time is now middle-aged and has become a brothel owner.
When old acquaintances met, the madam shed tears and warmly entertained the elderly-looking Yang Yuanqing.
Yang Yuanqing was cheerful and in a good mood, "Madam Hua is so kind and righteous that she doesn't mind my ugliness and old age, and even specially prepared a banquet to entertain me."
"My dear, I thought you had died in the northwest, but I never thought you would come back. Did you receive a special pardon?"
"No amnesty. I have no idea what the future holds."
"No matter what, as long as you can come back, it's good. Come on and eat! I specially asked the kitchen to make salt-baked chicken, your favorite."
"Mrs. Hua is thoughtful."
Madam Hua covered her lips and giggled, "Nowadays people call me Mama Hua. I haven't heard anyone call me Madam Hua for many years. When I suddenly heard you call me that, I felt ten years younger. You really are a little lady."
Yang Yuanqing picked up the wine glass and said, "A toast to Madam Hua."
"Thank you, Mr. Sanyuan."
After a few drinks, Yang Yuanqing pointed at the cement road below and said, "The capital has changed a lot. This road alone is breathtaking. I still remember that it was bustling with people and traffic. However, there was always a lingering smell of livestock manure in front of the gate. Now it is much cleaner and tidier."
"This is all thanks to the Shaofu and Sihai Trading Company."
"I heard that cement was first produced by Sihai Trading Company."
"Yes! First, the people of Xinmin County had access to cement roads, and then the entire road from the capital to Luozhou, nearly a thousand miles long, was paved with cement. I heard that the two toll stations in the capital and Luozhou alone bring in thousands of taels of silver a month. Add in the other toll stations, and a single cement road could bring in at least 100,000 or 200,000 yuan a year. Those who invested in the construction of the cement road can now just sit back and collect the money. I'm truly envious."
There was envy in Hua Niangzi's words.
Someone of her status would never have the chance to get such benefits.
Even if I have money, I can’t afford it.
All the participants in Madam Zhao's business are nobles in the capital, so there is no place for her.
"I heard that the owner of Sihai Trading Company is Madam Zhao?"
"Exactly!"
Yang Yuanqing smiled and said, "This lady Zhao is as capable as any man. She is truly remarkable."
"Of course she is. Nowadays, in this capital, I wonder how many women regard Madam Zhao as a role model."
"Oh? What kind of role model?" Yang Yuanqing asked curiously.
"As a woman, you can accomplish things that only men could do in the past. You don't have to be confined to the inner courtyard of the house. I wonder how many women in the boudoir envy Madam Zhao's free life."
"She's not comfortable," Yang Yuanqing muttered, "but she's certainly worthy of being a role model for others."
He drank the wine in the glass, said goodbye to Lady Hua, and continued to wander around the capital.
He even went to a toll station dozens of miles away to experience it himself and had a meal at a rest stop.
His every move was watched and recorded in a small notebook.
He knew it very well, but never hid it.
Just keep an eye on him, as long as you don't kill him.
When his whereabouts were sent to different people, there were naturally different reactions.
…
Li Mansion.
"Did he really buy the complete set of 'Qi Lang's Ten Battles with the Flower Thief'?"
The Minister of the Central Secretariat, Lord Li, looked incredulous.
The brilliant San Yuan Gong of the past personally criticized popular stories and legendary novels, calling them rubbish.
And now, he has become one of those people who knows nothing?
The housekeeper nodded heavily, "I dare not lie to you, Master. Yang Yuanqing did buy the complete set of "Qi Lang's Ten Battles with the Flower Thief"
"Hahaha……"
Lord Li laughed heartily. "I never thought he would fall so low. How could he even be worthy of the title of Duke of Sanyuan?"
After laughing, Lord Li calmed down again. "Have you seen him pick up a pen these days? Has he written any articles or poems?"
"As far as I know, he has never written anything, nor has he ever written any articles or poems. However, the day before yesterday, he set up a stall at the Beijing toll booth for half a day, writing letters for people."
"Absurd! Degenerate!"
Lord Li was happy about Yang Yuanqing's fall, but at the same time he felt sad about his fall.
How could someone who was once as famous as him fall so low? I feel a little sad that his talent has been wasted.
The butler asked quietly, "Sir, should we remind His Majesty to summon Lord Sanyuan?"
"He doesn't deserve to be called Sanyuan Gong. I don't want to hear the name Sanyuan Gong again."
"I understand."
After a while, Lord Li gave another order: "Observe for a few more days, it won't be too late to remind Your Majesty then."
"As you command!"
…
Xiaozhu.
Gu Jiu sat under the window, playing chess with Liu Zhao.
She casually asked, "What do you think of Yang Yuanqing?"
Liu Zhao said seriously, "It's too early to draw conclusions now."
Gu Jiu chuckled, "He actually went and bought the entire set of 'Qi Lang's Ten Battles with the Flower Thief'. I heard he was enjoying it. The Northwest is so barren that even San Yuan Gong has to quench his thirst with legendary novels."
Liu Zhao casually said, "After not seeing a woman for a long time, a sow becomes as beautiful as Diao Chan. For a scholar, even if he hasn't seen books for a long time, a storybook or a legend can bring joy to his heart."
Gu Ji pursed his lips and smiled, "The words are rough but the truth is there. It seems that San Yuan Gong is really frustrated and actually uses legendary novels to quench his thirst."
"I even went out of my way to look for my former lover."
"You men focus on different things than women do. In this round, you lost half a piece to me."
"I wasn't paying attention to that, so I let you win half the game."
"You're the typical person who can't stand losing. Tomorrow I'll ask Yu Ge'er and Heng Ge'er to make fun of you."
"If they dare to laugh at me, I'll whip them."
Liu Zhao was truly violent.
Gu Jiu glanced at him. "Mr. Sanyuan has been in the northwest for so many years, and he's only a few dozen miles away from the Northwest Camp. The Marquis of Lu has never thought of recruiting him. Don't you find it strange?"
Liu Zhao said, "There's nothing strange about this. The Duke of Lu has always looked down upon the arrogance of scholars. Sanyuan Gong is a great scholar, but when it comes to political strategy, he's nothing."
Gu Jiu said, "Perhaps you have misjudged me. From what I've seen of Mr. Sanyuan these days, I can see he's a very thoughtful person.
At first, I had no hope for him. Thirty years of exile would wear away any talent. But now, I have a little more hope for him. It's a pity that he lives in a separate courtyard and refuses to write articles or poems.
"Perhaps it's not that he's unwilling, but that he doesn't dare. Once he puts pen to paper, his true colors will be revealed. If I were him, I wouldn't even put pen to paper before meeting the emperor."
Gu Jiu did not refute.
She was very curious about what Sanyuan Gong would say when he met the emperor.
…
On this day, someone came from the palace and summoned Yang Yuanqing to the palace for an audience.
Yang Yuanqing dressed neatly and followed the eunuchs into the palace.
After recuperating for many days, Yang Yuanqing's complexion was obviously much better than when he just returned to the capital, and he looked several years younger.
But considering his age, his current image is still that of a down-and-out old man.
After entering the palace, he waited for nearly an hour before being summoned.
Emperor Wende's attitude towards Yang Yuanqing was lukewarm.
Without any greetings, they directly discussed the collection of essays published by Yang Yuanqing when he was young.
Yang Yuanqing said, "I dare not pollute the eyes and ears of the sage with my youthful and frivolous words."
When Emperor Wende wanted to recruit him, Yang Yuanqing said, "He is a piece of rotten wood, unworthy of being appointed. I am afraid that I would be a disgrace to your majesty."
For two consecutive times, Emperor Wende was obviously unhappy.
Then he asked someone to bring a few pots of flowers and plants, and asked Yang Yuanqing to compose an impromptu poem on the theme of flowers and plants.
Yang Yuanqing was about to refuse, but Emperor Wende blocked his way with just one word.
"If you dare to refuse on the grounds of old age again, I will punish you for deceiving the emperor."
There was no other way, Yang Yuanqing could only go ahead with it.
After a while, he got a seven-character poem.
He picked up his brush and wrote down poems for Emperor Wende to read.
Emperor Wende read out the poem and gave it a comment, "It's just mediocre."
"The guilty man has disappointed His Majesty."
Emperor Wende threw the poem aside and said, "I don't blame you. You've wasted thirty years in the northwest, yet you've managed to improvise a poem in such a short time. Although your talent isn't as good as it was in your youth, it's understandable. Go away. I'll summon you to the palace to compose poetry later."
"I, the guilty one, bow to thank Your Majesty."
"There's no need to call yourself a criminal. From this day forward, I absolve you of all guilt."
Yang Yuanqing's expression, which had been wooden, finally showed some expression. "I bow to thank Your Majesty!"
Yang Yuanqing was pardoned, but received no official position. His Majesty also deemed his impromptu poetry mediocre.
Before he left the palace, the news had already spread outside the palace.
People from all walks of life in the capital: "..."
Is such a person worth recruiting?
Even if I have the title of Sanyuan Gong, it is useless if His Majesty evaluates mere mediocreness!
Only Gu Jiu personally rode in a carriage to the palace gate to welcome the only Sanyuan Duke of this dynasty.
－－－－－－Digression－－－－－－
After the children started school, Yuanbao was also struggling to adjust his schedule, which affected his progress in typing.
After today, things should return to normal with tomorrow's update.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
