Chapter 37 Feeling sorry for Erlang
Sun Qingzhao did not see Zhou Chuanxing, because Zhou Chuanxing had to return to the palace on urgent business.
Tang Xinuan did have lunch with Sun Qingzhao.
After lunch, Sun Qingzhao invited Tang Xinuan to watch a traditional opera.
Xiaoqian stopped him.
"Young master, you're not fully recovered yet. You should go home. If you overwork yourself, it won't be easy for you to come out again in the future."
Tang Xinuan was indeed a little tired.
"Oh well."
Since arriving in the capital, Sun Qingzhao has been penniless, living like a beggar, eating whatever he could find.
Han Xi was the first good person he met.
I can't bear to part with you.
"Young Master Han, where do you live? I'll come to see you tomorrow."
Tang Xinuan wanted to reply to him without even thinking, but Xiaoqian beat her to it.
“Our master is very strict, and young master cannot make friends casually. Why don’t you leave your address, young master, so we can come to see you when we’re out?”
Sun Qingzhao casually pointed to an inn, "That's it. If you can get out, go to that inn to find me."
Tang Xinuan was determined to give the silver to Zhou Chuanxing.
But when she got home, Zhou Chuanxing hadn't returned yet.
She took a nap in the afternoon, but when she woke up, she still hadn't seen Zhou Chuanxing. She waited until dark, but he still hadn't returned.
"Eunuch Wei, is Erlang always this busy?"
Eunuch Wei replied truthfully, "His Highness is extremely busy, so busy that he doesn't even have time to eat. It's only during these few days since you came that His Highness has managed to take a break. Normally, this old servant can't even see him."
Tang Xi felt sorry for Zhou Chuanxing, who had worked so hard.
I don't know how I can help him.
She had promised to help him deal with his clansmen before she left the Marquis's mansion, but she has been sick ever since she left and still needs him to take care of her.
She's been feeling better these past couple of days, but she's been so busy going out to have fun that she hasn't thought about helping him.
After eating and sleeping well, Tang Xinuan sat in the pavilion, swinging on the swing while pondering what she could do to help Zhou Chuanxing.
“Eunuch Wei,” Tang Xinuan waved her hand, gesturing for him to come to her side, “What is Erlang’s biggest worry?”
Eunuch Wei actually knew a thing or two. "If you ask what our Prince worries about most, it's definitely the affairs of the court."
Tang Xinuan knew nothing about politics, so she stopped swinging on the swing and tilted her head in deep thought.
"Women can't be officials, and besides, I don't understand it. Could you explain it in more detail, Eunuch Wei?"
Eunuch Wei recounted to Tang Xinuan the troubles the prince had recently encountered.
"Originally, I shouldn't have said these things, but since you're not an outsider, Miss Tang, I'll just tell you the truth."
Tang Xinuan was very happy that Eunuch Wei didn't treat her like an outsider. "Tell me quickly."
She was sitting while Eunuch Wei was standing, as it was too tall for them to talk.
"Bring a chair over here, and we can talk slowly."
Eunuch Wei dared not sit, but Tang Xinu insisted that he sit, so he sat down on a chair.
"The prince went out to fight when he was thirteen years old and only returned to the court last year. The emperor is in poor health and has entrusted this vast country to our prince. The prince has never handled state affairs before."
Alas, this past year, this old servant has watched Your Highness come and go. I don't know how many days Your Highness was busy dealing with state affairs and couldn't sleep all night long.
But those old ministers, which one of them is easy to deal with?
If you're too nice to them, they'll think you lack authority and ability.
They were harsh on them, but behind their backs they tripped them up, formed cliques, and opposed the prince.
Last year, the prince got angry and killed a group of people before things calmed down.
But these people weren't exactly honest either; they just became more discreet.
For more than a year, the prince kept lamenting that it would be great if the court recruited more capable young talents.
But our Great Zhou Dynasty hasn't held an imperial examination for over a decade.
The newly appointed officials were all recommended by other officials.
Miss Tang, think about it. Whoever recommends someone isn't related to them. If this goes on for a while, how many capable people will remain in the court...?
Tang Xinuan took Wei Gonggong's words to heart.
She didn't know how to help Zhou Chuanxing before.
That gives me some ideas.
If she could find many talented people and appoint them to official positions, they could replace those old scoundrels and relieve Zhou Chuanxing of his burdens.
But where can she find talented people?
By the way, Sun Qingzhao is so smart, he's definitely cut out to be an official.
I'll just recommend it to Zhou Chuanxing.
I can definitely help him.
Tang Xinu originally wanted to wait for Zhou Chuanxing to return, as she had already come up with a great way to help him.
But even as I waited until my eyelids were drooping, I still didn't see anyone.
Xiaoqian advised her, "Miss, you should rest early. You've finally gotten better. If you overwork yourself, the Prince will have to take care of you again."
Tang Xinuan readily agreed, "Then I'll sleep, you sleep too."
Zhou Chuanxing returned late at night.
The Emperor suddenly woke up for a while today, and he and Prince Duan rushed into the palace.
The three brothers held hands, gazing at each other with tears in their eyes, none of them knowing what to say.
The emperor struggled to write his will, wanting to hand over the Great Zhou dynasty to his second brother while he still had the ability.
Zhou Chuanxing saw through his intention and stopped him.
Zhou Chuanxing had no ambition to become emperor; he only wanted to spend the rest of his life enjoying the scenery with the girl he loved.
The emperor was awake for a short while but then fell asleep again, and the matter was dropped.
Normally, after finishing his court affairs at this hour, Zhou Chuanxing would stay in the palace.
Now that he has a girl he likes at home, he doesn't want to stay outside for even a moment longer.
Prince Duan even teased him, saying, "Why are you still making a fuss so late? You should just stay in the palace."
Zhou Chuanxing casually replied, "You can stay if you want, I have to go home."
Prince Duan didn't want to stay in the palace alone, so he said, "I'll go with you."
In the afternoon, Zhou Chuanxing ordered people to investigate Yao Qilin's identity and background, and a reply came in the evening.
“Your Highness,” Tao Guan walked beside the sedan chair and relayed the information he had gathered to Zhou Chuanxing without missing a single word, “Yao Qilin’s real name is not Yao Qilin, but Yao Lin. He is the youngest son of Grand Tutor Yao…”
Zhou Chuanxing asked in surprise, "How come I've never heard of Grand Tutor Yao having such a clever son before?"
The pottery jar replied, "Yao Lin was born to Grand Tutor Yao and a courtesan. I heard that the courtesan was extremely beautiful and was kept by Grand Tutor Yao. When she was beautiful, Grand Tutor Yao treated her very well. Now that she is old and faded, Grand Tutor Yao no longer likes her and has become disgusted with her."
Not only did they despise her for being old and unattractive, they also disliked her for her poor family background.
As a result, Yao Lin was also disliked.
I heard that Yao Lin was severely beaten by Grand Tutor Yao after returning home in the afternoon. He said that participating in the Caiyuelou competition was beneath him, and that being ranked alongside a woman was a disgrace to men...
In any case, Grand Tutor Yao looked down on this son in every way, probably considering it a stain on his life.
Prince Duan couldn't help but curse, "This Grand Tutor has gone too far."
Tao Guan was also very angry. "That's right. I heard that in the past two years, Grand Tutor Yao has barely given us any living expenses. We rely entirely on Yao Lin to make a living by writing and selling paintings. He participated in the Caiyuelou Competition this time for the reward of a few dozen taels of silver."
He only came out because he heard that his mother was sick and it was very expensive.
This even earned him a beating from the Grand Tutor.
Prince Duan couldn't stand this kind of thing. He looked at Zhou Chuanxing and asked, "Second Brother, should we help Yao Lin?"
Zhou Chuanxing didn't really want to get involved in this matter.
"The imperial examination is coming soon. Yao Lin is really talented. He will definitely pass the exam and become a Juren."
The earthenware jar said angrily, "Your Highness, you don't know that Yao Lin cannot participate in the imperial examination."
Prince Duan asked instinctively, "Why?"
Tao Guan: "I inquired and found out that Grand Tutor Yao will not recommend anyone, nor will he allow others to recommend him. He said that a child born to a courtesan has no right to enter the court. By the way, even so, yesterday when Prince Rui asked him to cheat, he still refused."
Zhou Chuanxing was truly angry this time. "Bring Yao Lin to see me tomorrow."
If Yao Lin, who came in third place, was summoned by the Regent, then the second-place winner must carry even more weight.
Prince Duan asked, "What about Minister Sun?"
Zhou Chuanxing refused without hesitation: "Someone with a mind full of tricks, forget it."
After the competition ended, Chu Yanqing was worried about her cousin and naturally wanted to find someone to find out more about her situation.
However, when he turned around to say a few words to Prince Duan, and then went back to look for him, he was gone.
The Caiyuelou competition drew huge crowds, blocking the entire street.
She jumped up and down, looking around, but there was no sign of her cousin.
However, judging from my cousin's clothes, which are all made of expensive silks, she looks like a refined young master, so she must be quite well-dressed.
Worried that her elder brother might die, Chu Yanqing decided to go home first and look for him another day when she had the chance.
When she got home, her older brother was indeed causing trouble.
He beat up all the maids, servants, and guards who were guarding the Green Bamboo Garden.
These days, he torments himself whenever he thinks about it.
They were all in terrible condition, with no part of their bodies in good condition.
Lime and Lychee were beaten the worst; they lay on the ground, barely alive.
Chu Yanqing felt nauseous and ordered someone to find the royal physician to treat these people's injuries.
"Big brother, when are you going to stop making a scene?"
Chu Yannuo has gone mad.
He went mad ever since he found out his cousin had left him.
“I’ll torment them every day if my cousin doesn’t come back.”
Fortunately, she didn't catch up with her cousin, Chu Yanqing thought to herself with relief, otherwise she would definitely have told her older brother the truth.
"Put your hand on your chest and think about it. Is this their fault? It's your cousin who wants to leave you. Why don't you reflect on what you've done?"
Chu Yannuo has nothing to reflect on.
Although he couldn't give his cousin a formal title, he treated her well.
He gave his virginity to his cousin.
If Chu Yanqing could hear his inner thoughts, she might be disgusted to death.
But Chu Yannuo didn't feel disgusted at all.
He was devoted to his cousin and wanted to give her the best of everything in the world.
Over the years, he has never taken a concubine or had any other women. He has been devoted to her wholeheartedly. What could she possibly be dissatisfied with?
He even planned that after having a child with Wei Minxian, he would never touch her again.
He found a doctor to prescribe some medicine that could make men infertile, and he never let his cousin drink that bitter medicine again.
Over the years, he made his cousin drink a lot of contraceptive soup, knowing it was bad for her.
But isn't it all because he loves her that he's moved by these feelings?
Why can't my cousin understand his feelings?
"Chu Yanqing, you are my sister. I hope you can stand on my side. Starting today, you will also go and find someone for me. If you can't find someone in half a month, don't blame me for marrying you off."
Chu Yannuo's marriage was definitely not to find a good husband for his sister; he was just taking his anger out on her.
Chu Yanqing was so angry that she trembled all over.
With tears in her eyes, she glared at Chu Yannuo and said, "You deserve to lose your cousin. You deserve it."
Chu Yanqing won third place in the Smart People Competition today, and was the only female winner. The princess rewarded her on the spot, making her famous throughout the capital.
That very afternoon, someone sent a matchmaker to their door.
He was a young master whose wife had just died.
She has unusual hobbies and is abusive.
His deceased wife was beaten to death by him.
Having already seen Chu Yanqing's beauty, I couldn't resist the urge to visit her. Today, after witnessing her brilliance in winning the Most Intelligent Person Contest, I couldn't stay away for even two hours and came to her door.
At first, they only sent a matchmaker, but later, when they heard that the Prince of Chu had lost his cousin, they personally led the guards from the Duke's mansion to his door.
Chu Yannuo looked down on this kind of person.
A straightforward refusal.
The young master immediately handed over the men he had brought to Prince Chu, saying, "From today onwards, these men will obey Prince Chu's orders until we find my cousin."
Chu Yannuo is short-handed.
If he can't find his cousin, he'll definitely lose control and go crazy.
After a moment's hesitation, he accepted the young master's men.
However, the marriage did not take place.
He always felt that his younger sister knew where his cousin was, and as long as she was willing to tell him, he didn't want to make things difficult for his own sister.
But if she doesn't know what's good for her, then she can't blame her brother for being ruthless.
Chu Yannuo and the young master reached a preliminary agreement that the two of them would inevitably go out for a drink.
After a hearty meal, he walked alone towards the Marquis's residence.
Who knew that someone would put a sack over his head and beat him up badly.
If it weren't for his superior martial arts skills, he would most likely have been beaten to death in the dead of night.
Once he had managed to break free, they immediately sent people to find the perpetrator.
It turned out to be Zheng Jian'an, who had impeached him a few days ago.
Zheng Jian'an insulted the regent in court and was imprisoned on the spot. He hasn't been seen for many days.
Chu Yannuo still thought he had been secretly executed by the regent.
Although Zheng Jian'an was the youngest son of the Duke of Yu.
Duke Yu was muddleheaded from a young age. If it weren't for the protection of his ancestors and the fact that he had no other brothers, how could he have been granted the title of Duke?
Over the years, the court has treated him as nothing. As a duke, not a single official in the court has ever taken him seriously.
Everyone who meets someone will exchange a few jokes.
His youngest son was even less taken seriously.
To be executed by the regent is a matter of a single word.
But Chu Yannuo never expected that Zheng Jian'an was still alive and dared to attack him.
He immediately led his men to the Duke of Yu's residence and demanded that the Duke of Yu hand over the person.
The Duke of Yu was so frightened that he trembled and could not speak clearly.
Zheng Jian'an was quick-witted and ran away from the backyard.
Chu Yannuo and his men searched all night but couldn't find anyone.
He returned to the Marquis's residence at dawn, still seething with anger.
...
When Zhou Chuanxing returned home late at night, he couldn't resist quietly pushing open Tang Xinuan's bedroom door.
Like a skilled palace maid, she gently tucked the little girl's exposed arm back under the covers.
Summer has arrived, and the weather is gradually getting hotter.
The little girl didn't want to be confined in the blanket; as soon as she was put in, she threw off the blanket and revealed herself.
Zhou Chuanxing sat on the edge of the bed, silently staring at her peaceful sleeping face, unable to suppress a smile.
Regardless, the little girl still came to his side.
Be thankful!
Heaven has been kind to him.
The next day, Zhou Chuanxing got up very early. Some court officials had already arrived at the Prince's Mansion to wait for him, as there were important state affairs that required his attention.
A serious corruption case has occurred in Jiangnan, resulting in the deaths of more than a dozen people.
This is the biggest embezzlement case since his elder brother took power.
It shocked the world.
Zhou Chuanxing immediately ordered someone to draft an imperial edict, sending the Left Chancellor as the Imperial Commissioner to handle the matter.
A large band of bandits emerged in Shanxi, robbing and kidnapping people, abducting women, and committing all sorts of atrocities, causing very serious consequences.
Zhou Chuanxing temporarily transferred the commander of the Imperial Guard to Shanxi to suppress bandits.
With the arrival of summer, the Yellow River is prone to flooding. The Ministry of Works submitted a report stating that many dikes need to be built, requiring both manpower and financial resources.
However, both of these were lacking in the Great Zhou Dynasty.
There has long been a serious talent shortage.
He had no one to send.
As for the project payment...
The imperial court has been fighting wars for decades, and it's already a miracle that it can pay salaries to these court officials. Where would it get the money to allocate to the Ministry of Works?
However, news came from the north that most of the refugees were willing to move to the interior, but a small number were still resisting to the death.
They smashed the farm tools provided by the imperial court, ate the seeds given by the imperial court, and beat the officials sent by the imperial court to resettle the disaster victims.
...
Each and every one of these issues is a major headache.
Looking at the pile of memorials that resembled a small mountain, Zhou Chuanxing wished he could pick them all up and send them to his elder brother.
He didn't want to concern himself with this damn politics for even a day.
It's not going to be possible to have breakfast with the little girl.
I didn't even have time for lunch.
He finished dealing with only the most urgent matters, and by then it was already past noon.
The earthenware jar came over to report at the right time.
"Your Highness, Zheng Jian'an beat up Prince Chu in the middle of the night last night."
Zhou Chuanxing said irritably, "You're really good at causing trouble."
After Tao Guan finished reporting the follow-up events, he said, "The Crown Prince Chu has found out the truth. Zheng Jian'an has escaped. Your Highness, you arranged to meet Zheng Jian'an this afternoon. Will you still go ahead with the meeting?"
Zhou Chuanxing rubbed his temples, feeling a headache coming on. "Tell Shaoyao to help Miss Tang change her clothes at Weishimo. I'm taking her out."
Zhou Chuanxing brought out two of the three senior palace maids who had previously served Tang Xinuan in the palace.
One stayed in the palace to take care of her.
Now, Tang Xinuan is being cared for by peony and angelica.
Each of the two men brought eight palace maids with them, who took turns serving them.
Getting fat is rewarded, getting thin is punished.
Which palace maid didn't do her best? Tang Xinuan visibly became plump.
The first thing Tang Xinuan did after waking up today was to ask if Zhou Chuanxing had returned.
I felt so sorry for him when I learned that he came back in the middle of the night and went out to do errands early the next morning.
"Why does he have so many problems? Aren't all the court officials doing their jobs?"
Eunuch Wei replied with a smile, "The Prince is a pillar of the Great Zhou Dynasty. Nothing can be done without him. No one else can replace him."
Tang Xinuan took out the silver she had received yesterday and put it back. It was such a pity that she hadn't found the time to give it to him yet.
“Miss Tang,” Peony rushed over to tell Tang Xinuan, “His Highness has instructed me to help you change your clothes at Weishimo. His Highness wants to take you out.”
Tang Xinuan was delighted, "Really?"
Peony nodded: "Tao Guan just came to inform me, so it must be true."
Tang Xinuan put the silver away and then asked Xiaoqian to find all her men's clothing.
These men's clothes were all ordered by Zhou Chuanxing from the Imperial Clothing Bureau.
We made more than a dozen sets just for the summer season.
Tang Xinuan has only worn two sets.
"How about this one?" Tang Xinuan asked Xiaoqian, picking up a blue set.
Xiaoqian nodded. "It looks good."
Peony and Eunuch Wei also said it looked beautiful.
Tang Xinuan then decided, "I'll wear this blue one this afternoon."
Tang Xinuan was overjoyed that the prince was taking her out despite his busy schedule, but she was still worried, "Isn't it tiring for the prince to be so busy?"
Peony dares not speak carelessly.
Eunuch Wei laughed and said, "As long as the young lady is well, the prince won't feel tired."
Tang Xinuan suspected he was trying to fool a fool.
"What do you think I can do for the prince?"
Xiaoqian understood her mistress and pondered for a long time but couldn't come up with anything.
The peony remained silent.
After thinking for a moment, Eunuch Wei said, "How about Miss Tang cooks a meal for the Prince herself?"
Tang Xinuan has never cooked before.
She didn't think she had that ability.
"May I?"
She looked at Xiaoqian, who quickly waved her hand, saying that it would be troublesome if the young lady set the prince's kitchen on fire.
Eunuch Wei seemed to understand Xiaoqian's meaning.
Peony remained silent. Eunuch Wei looked at her and asked, "What do you think?"
Peony did have some ideas, but she didn't dare to say them out loud.
The prince values Miss Tang more than his own life; if he were to upset her, she might not survive.
Eunuch Wei looked at Peony, and Tang Xinuan looked at her as well, "Peony, you speak."
Peony hesitated before saying, "Miss Tang is the smartest girl in the Great Zhou Dynasty. Why don't you help the Prince manage the accounts?"
Tang Xinuan didn't understand what she meant, "In charge of the accounts?"
Peony explained, "It refers to the household management, including all the purchases, expenses, and income of our royal residence."
Tang Xinuan understood. "I know. My aunt manages all the household affairs in my aunt's family. Later, when my cousin grew up, she would also help out."
Although she was very knowledgeable in mathematics, she had never actually done these things herself.
I'm not sure if I can do it well.
However, her cousin thought she definitely wouldn't do a good job.
Otherwise, my cousin wouldn't have married Miss Wei.
"Then... shall I give it a try?"
Eunuch Wei and Peony said almost in unison, "Yes, Miss Tang can give it a try. Miss Tang will definitely be able to do it well."
"How could the most intelligent woman in the Great Zhou Dynasty not be able to manage the household affairs of a small royal palace?"
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Author's Note: Chu Yannuo: My cousin can't even manage the household affairs of the Marquis's mansion, but she can manage the Prince's mansion!
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