Chapter 083

This estate in the suburbs of Beijing was a reward bestowed upon Zhan Yue by Emperor Zhanghe after he was promoted to the commander-in-chief of the Jinwu Guards. It belonged to Zhan Yue's personal sphere of influence.

Over the years, he has cultivated many loyal servants there.

The person who managed the farm for Zhan Yue was a steward named Tian. Steward Tian was a thoughtful person with a very handsome appearance, a large square face, thick eyebrows and big eyes, and he looked honest and dutiful.

Seeing Jiashan and Zhanyue getting off the carriage, Manager Tian bowed first and was extremely respectful: "After receiving the news yesterday, I have taken care of everything. Your Excellency and Princess, please come in."

Since he could help Zhan Yue look after the farm, Jia Shan knew that this person must be his confidant. She smiled gently at the farm manager and said, "Thank you for your hard work."

Manager Tian hurriedly said, "I dare not."

He led the two men to the upper house of the estate.

In the flower shed on the farm, some native cabbages and radishes were planted. They were all well grown, lush and full of life.

Jiashan had never thought that Zhan Yue's farm would grow these. She was about to ask about it, but Zhan Yue guessed what she was thinking at a glance and took the initiative to explain: "When we were in Changchun Temple before, I saw that you really liked to eat the cabbages grown by your aunt, so I specially asked someone to grow some."

"Shall I give you something to try during lunch?" Zhan Yue asked with a smile.

In the bright morning light, his smiling pupils were filled with tenderness and affection, just like at the beginning of the years.

Thinking of how Zhan Yue was always so considerate, Jia Shan felt a warm sensation in her heart. She didn't care about the presence of Su Yu and the others, and leaned her head slightly towards Zhan Yue's shoulder.

"Yanqing." Jiashan opened her red lips slightly and called out Zhan Yue's calligraphy seriously.

Zhan Yue said "Hmm?" and looked down at her.

Jiashan's face was rosy with rouge, her eyes were like crystals, and she whispered in a low voice: "You are so nice."

Jiashan was wearing a scarlet skirt today, and a pair of pearl bells on her ears. At this moment, the pearl bells were blown by the wind and made a tinkling sound, which suddenly struck Zhan Yue's heart and caused ripples in his chest.

He gently grasped her waist as if no one was around, his Adam's apple moved, and he whispered, "You just know it."

Jiashan raised her eyebrows and looked at him, her excited eyes unconsciously showing a bit of silent charm.

She said angrily, "I was planning to show you my cooking skills on your birthday. Since I'm in the mood today, I'll show you my skills at lunch later."

"Oh?" Zhan Yue asked softly, and turned his head to her, "Am I so honored?"

Jiashan nodded: "Yes."

"Apart from my father and Yuankang, only you can make me so willing." Jiashan's voice was delicate and crisp, and she spoke word by word.

Zhan Yue's smile deepened. He raised one hand and gently brushed away Jia Shan's hair, his eyes extremely gentle.

Jiashan first learned to cook six years ago when he was celebrating Emperor Zhang He’s birthday.

Even though Emperor Zhanghe protected Jiashan because of Empress Pei's early death, he was not her father alone after all, and had many children. In order to always keep a place in her father's heart, Jiashan worked harder than others.

Although the craftsmanship is a little rusty, the effort put into it is unique. I didn't expect that this effort can be used in other ways today.

At lunch, Jiashan first served a bowl of clear soup noodles and lotus seed porridge, and then two hot vegetarian dishes and a bowl of pork tenderloin boiled in sauerkraut soup.

Although it was not a delicacy, the dishes looked and smelled very good. Jiashan usually lived a life of luxury, so it was rare for her to be able to cook like this.

Perhaps because he was afraid that the food might not suit Zhan Yue’s taste, Jia Shan raised his eyes and said to him after he finished his work: “I just learned how to cook this dish today. You have to finish it even if it doesn’t taste good.”

Zhan Yue bent his lips, beckoned Jia Shan to sit together, his eyes were filled with a hint of tenderness: "Princess, don't worry, I can't bear to leave you alone."

Jiashan picked up the chopsticks and a smile appeared on his face.

Su Yu was standing behind Jia Shan, serving the two of them. Seeing the couple enjoying themselves, she couldn't help but smile and said, "Your Highness, don't know that the princess did all this herself, without letting the servants get involved."

"You talk too much." Jiashan's face turned red for a moment when Su Yu suddenly exposed his true intentions.

She happened to catch a glimpse of Liu Qi standing beside her, so she smiled softly and said, "I think it's time to marry you off."

This time, Su Yu blushed. However, she was a female official who had served Jiashan for nearly ten years, so she was still generous and just stood with her hands hanging down, not daring to say anything more.

Since this has been mentioned, Jiashan also intends to take this opportunity to finalize the matter between Suyu and Liuqi. Suyu is not young anymore, and if she stays with him, she may delay her blooming period.

Liu Qi is Zhan Yue's brother-in-law, and his character is trustworthy. Moreover, when he mentioned it to Su Yu before, Su Yu did not object.

Jiashan's eyes naturally fell on Liu Qi, and she said, "The Prince Consort mentioned to me before that he wanted to marry Su Yu to you. If you are really interested, you can ask the official matchmaker to propose marriage in a few days."

"I will make the decision for you." Jiashan said.

Liu Qi is a calm person, but at this moment he couldn't help but turn sideways to glance at Su Yu. Su Yu's ears were burning red, and she was looking down at her toes.

Liu Qi's heart tightened, and he whispered, "Yes. I will go to Beizhili in person and bring Miss Su Yu's family over."

"That's great." Jiashan smiled and really liked Liu Qi's meticulousness.

After a moment, Jiashan opened his mouth again and said to him in a clear voice, "Since my mother passed away, Suyu has always been by my side. If you bully her in the future, I will not let you off just for the sake of my husband's face."

Liu Qi said gently: "If that day ever comes, please don't be polite, Princess."

His words were appropriate, and there was nothing wrong with them. Jiashan was relieved, and turned to look at Zhan Yue. They both saw smiles in each other's eyes.

Tonight, they stayed in the farm.

Before going to bed, Zhan Yue talked to Jia Shan about the marriage of Liu Qi and Su Yu. He put his arm around Jia Shan's shoulders and said softly, "I plan to keep Liu Qi by my side forever. If you can't bear to part with Su Yu, you can let her stay with you and be your housekeeper's wife."

Jiashan's eyes were half-closed as she dozed off. Hearing this, she said calmly, "Before Suyu gets married, I will have another serious talk with her."

"After all, they are the closest people to us. If she wants to lead a good life after getting married, I don't want to force her."

Jiashan's voice is soft, as usual.

But Zhanyue knew that her so-called "sincere talk" would inevitably involve her previous doubts about why Yuankang became blind. Afraid that Jiashan would fall deeper and deeper, Zhan Yue casually twisted a handful of her hair around his fingertips.

He whispered, "Okay."

"Have you noticed the person following Tian Xiang today?"

Jiashan recalled and asked softly, "The one with the scar on his face?"

"Yes." Zhan Yue's sword-like eyebrows flew into his temples, and he said slowly, "His name is Chen Chu, and he will be by your side to protect you in the future."

"Your people are in the open, and his people are in the dark. If there is anything that is inconvenient to investigate, you can also ask Liu Qi to ask him to do it for you."

"This way, safety can be ensured," Zhan Yue said.

Jiashan's expression paused slightly. She knew that this must be Zhan Yue's most secretive man, and he actually entrusted him to her.

Jiashan opened his eyes and turned to look at him.

In the dark night, Zhan Yue's facial features became more tough. Jia Shan raised his hands gently, one hand caressed his face inadvertently, and the other hand unconsciously reached to the back of his head.

Zhan Yue seemed to sense something in his heart, and his head slightly lowered towards Jiashan.

A smile appeared on Jiashan's lips, and two brilliant curls immediately appeared at the corners of her mouth. The two of them were soon sealed with each other's lips.

For a moment, it was hot and fiery, even inseparable.

After a while, Zhan Yue gently stroked the tip of Jiashan's chin with his fingertips and whispered softly, "Why are you so proactive today?"

"Don't you like it?" Jiashan's smile was so bright and brilliant that Zhan Yue felt numb all over.

He lowered his head, interlocked his fingers with hers, and kissed her deeply.

The night passed quickly.

The next day, when Su Yu came to help Jia Shan get up, Zhan Yue was gone, and even the temperature beside the bed had become slightly cool.

Jiashan asked curiously, "Where is the prince consort?"

Dancui handed over the willow branch and replied, "Someone from the Five Military Commandery came early in the morning and said that they wanted you to come over to discuss something. Seeing that you were still asleep, you did not disturb the princess."

"He also told us that he would be back before dinner and would take you home with him."

Hearing that it was the Five Military Commandery that invited Zhan Yue to come over, Jia Shan's expression became a little gloomy. He knew that Zhan Yue might not be able to come back for a while, and his vacation was ruined again.

Still feeling a little disappointed, Jiashan said calmly, "Go ask Manager Tian if we will pass by Wuhua Temple on our way back to Beijing. If it is on the way, I won't wait for the Prince Consort. I plan to go to the temple to burn some incense."

Dan Cui said, “Yes.”

After a while, Dancui came back and reported that "Wuhua Temple is on the way back home." Jiashan then cheered up, changed his clothes with their help, and planned to go to Wuhua Temple to add some incense money.

Earlier, when the Empress Dowager was still alive, Master Tongjing, the abbot of Wuhua Temple, was often invited to preach. After the Empress Dowager passed away, although Emperor Zhanghe did not like to chant sutras or worship Buddha, he also gave Master Tongjing the respect he deserved.

Therefore, Wuhua Temple has a high reputation in Beijing and is the most popular Buddhist temple.

Jiashan had long wanted to visit Wuhua Temple. Today was the perfect opportunity, so he quickly changed into casual clothes and went to pray before the Buddha.

I only hope that God will bless Yuankang and my father, and I also hope that Yanqing will have peace and happiness in the future, and will continue to prosper.

Fulfill a vow...

I hope I can give birth to a son for Yan Qingmian as soon as possible.

Jiashan knelt in front of the Buddha with her hands clasped together. Thinking of this, her nostrils twitched slightly. Her lips were dry and she kowtowed several times sincerely before slowly getting up with the help of Dancui.

At noon, Jiashan had a vegetarian meal at Wuhua Temple, where they were personally entertained by Abbot Tongjing.

As a result of years of worshipping Buddha, Tongjing has a gentle face and a kind look.

He asked the nun beside him to serve tea to Jiashan, and said softly, "The princess is very noble, I believe that what she asks for will be granted."

Jiashan smiled and said politely, "I hope it will be as the abbot says."

Master Tongjing has a good reputation, and no matter whether his words were meant to comfort him or not, Jiashan felt a little comforted in his heart.

After finishing the fasting meal, Jiashan took Su Yu and a few others away.

The plum blossoms at Wuhua Temple are the most famous in Beijing. Unfortunately, at this time of year, the plum blossoms have already withered, but the pear blossoms are still in full bloom, so beautiful.

Jiashan had no intention of enjoying the scenery and was about to step onto the carriage when he noticed a man with his sharp eyes and paused as he was about to lift the curtain.

What a coincidence?

Her eyes flickered slightly, and she called Su Yu, "Go over there and invite Miss Feng over for me."

Su Yu took a short while to bring Feng Wanhua over. Feng Wanhua was only accompanied by her personal maid Zhenzhu.

Seeing Jiashan, she didn't seem surprised at all, but just bowed generously.

Jiashan glanced at her calmly, and then told Suyu Dancui, "You and Miss Feng's maid go to the Feng family's carriage. I have something to say to Miss Feng alone."

Jiashan emphasized the last few syllables.

Suyu, Dancui and others all said yes, only Zhenzhu looked at Feng Wanhua worriedly. Feng Wanhua nodded to her, and she followed Suyu and the others to leave.

After Zhenzhu left, Feng Wanhua calmly got into the carriage with Jiashan.

Seeing that she was in a leisurely mood, Jiashan did not say anything either. He just lowered his head and leisurely played with a heart-shaped knot in his hand.

After a while, Feng Wanhua couldn't help herself. She looked straight at Jiashan with her narrow eyes and said, "I wonder what the princess wants me to do?"