The king gave the order, and Yan Shu's new story was delivered to the bookseller that afternoon.

After the people in the bookshop worked hard to print it, the next morning, Xiaoyao Gongzi's latest masterpiece "The Two-Faced Talent Died Under the Flowers" began to be sold.

Needless to say, it was naturally sold out.

The bookseller urgently reprinted two or three times, but it was still not enough to sell.

In the morning, Hanlin scholar Zou Mozhong finished drafting the imperial edict for the king. Seeing that the king was free, he quickly took out a banknote from his pocket and presented it to him, saying, "Your Majesty, this is the remuneration for this month's manuscript of Master Xiaoyao. Please pass it on to me."

- Seeing that the books she wrote became popular one after another, Yan Shu's value also rose rapidly. Now she can earn fifty or sixty taels of silver for a book.

In a month, two or three hundred taels can be easily obtained.

However, it is not easy to get such a large amount of silver, so the booksellers have already used banknotes to pay the remuneration.

Yuwen Lan took it and asked casually, "How is the new one selling?"

Zou Mozhong said, "Your Majesty, are you talking about the one called "The Two-Faced Scholar"? Of course it's doing very well! When the bookseller came to give me the banknote just now, he said that thousands of copies have been sold."

Thousands of copies?

It's only been this morning.

Yuwen Lan raised his eyebrows and asked, "So, how are the reactions from those who have read it?"

Scholar Zou immediately said, "Of course it's good. Master Xiaoyao's books always spark widespread discussion among the people. This time it's even more so than usual. Readers are amazed. If it wasn't written in the book, who would have thought that there would be such a two-faced person in the world?"

Ahem, of course, these are polite words in writing. In fact, what Scholar Zou is thinking at this time is -

[They are all guessing who this is about, my majesty! Some even suspect it's the eldest princess and the prince consort! After all, this is a talented man with a wealthy family. Who can tell me if it's true! Is the prince consort really so bold? ? ? 】

【Tsk, of course the most important thing now is, I don't know how the princess will react after reading it. 】

【But I heard that the princess never likes reading books, she only likes socializing, I guess she won't be able to read it for a while! 】

Yuwen Lan, who was listening silently, also thought so, so he said, "Bring me two printed stories."

Zou Mozhong was stunned, a little confused, thinking, hasn't the emperor already read the manuscript? Why does he need a printed one?

But he still hurriedly agreed. After leaving Yu's study, he immediately went to the street to buy two newly printed ones and sent them to the palace for the king.

Yuwen Lan took the new storybook and flipped through it. He intuitively felt that the handwriting of the printed version was clearer and smoother to read.

Well, it's much more comfortable to read than the crooked manuscript written by Yan Shu.

It seems that it would be better to ask her to practice calligraphy.

Just as he was thinking this, he saw officials from the Ministry of Justice and the Dali Temple outside asking to see him.

He put down the script and summoned the person in.

After the two men bowed to him, they said, "Your Majesty, after interrogation and investigation, it has been confirmed that those who made a fuss in front of the Imperial College list yesterday were all candidates taking the exam this time. Most of them were jealous because they failed the exam, and they joined in the fuss when they saw someone making trouble. But among them, there were about five or six people who started spreading rumors as soon as the list was announced. We have carefully investigated and found that these people were usually very poor academic performers, and they were not even qualified to apply for the Imperial College."

- You know, not everyone who wants to take the exam can take the Imperial College. For example, the second batch of applicants are all recommended by local education officials or famous academies to obtain the qualification.

Yuwen Lan asked, "How did they take the exam?"

The assistant minister of the Ministry of Justice quickly replied, "These people confessed after being tortured. In fact, someone helped them secretly manipulate the exam and entered the exam without telling anyone. They also told them that if they saw Li Tianrui's name when the results were announced, they would spread rumors and create trouble on the spot."

It was indeed true.

Yuwen Lan asked, "Can you find out who is behind it?"

After the words fell, the assistant minister of the Ministry of Justice and the junior official of the Dali Temple looked at each other and said, "It was a long-term servant under the subordinate of the Princess's mansion, Zhao Chengwen, named Feng Dejin."

Oh, Zhao Chengwen's subordinates?

Yuwen Lan had already guessed what was going on.

The one who was beaten with a stick was his nephew, and Concubine Ning was his niece. It seemed that this was a deliberate revenge on Yan Shu.

He said in a deep voice, "Go to the Princess's Mansion to arrest the man and continue to interrogate him to see if there is someone behind this attendant."

The Vice Minister of the Ministry of Justice and the Junior Official of the Dali Temple immediately agreed.

——Because it involved the Princess's Mansion, they did not dare to arrest people at first.

Now that His Majesty has spoken, no one needs to be afraid.

~~

After the two men left, it was already noon.

Yuwen Lan had lunch in Qianming Palace and was not sleepy for a while, so he took the banknotes and went to Ganlu Palace while there was nothing important for the time being.

Well, today is the day when the bookseller pays the manuscript, and the money-loving girl must be waiting eagerly.

But when he arrived at the place, he saw her eating melon seeds on the warm couch, and she didn't seem to be in a hurry.

Seeing him coming, she hurriedly dropped the melon seeds in her hand, stood up, cleared her throat and said, "Your Majesty, I respectfully welcome you."

Yuwen Lan hummed, sat down at the table and asked, "Did you not write the story book?"

Yan Shu said, "I was tired from writing yesterday and want to take a break today."

Ahem, mainly because I was concentrating on waiting to eat melons today, how could I have the mood to write? It

's strange to say, it's been half a day, and many people in the city have guessed that the story book is about the son-in-law Zhao Chengwen, why is the princess still silent?

It makes her have no thoughts to do anything else, which is really anxious.

Yuwen Lan, who was listening silently, "..."

glanced at the melon seed shells on the table. He already believed that she was really waiting to see the excitement.

In order to help her divert her attention, he took out the banknote and said, "This is your payment for the article, which was delivered today."

As expected, her eyes lit up, and she took it with a smile, saying, "Thank you, Your Majesty."

Hehe, another three hundred taels were deposited into the account. It turns out that money makes people feel comfortable!

Yuwen Lan just found it funny and asked, "You don't have to spend money in the palace, and your monthly salary is enough now. Why do you still like money so much?"

Yan Shu pouted and said, "I didn't live a rich life before, so I think money is a good thing. Your Majesty won't understand."

Humph, anyway, these are all earned by herself, so it's okay to like it.

Especially seeing that there are fewer and fewer people in the palace, maybe one day the emperor doesn't need her as a target and kicks her out.

Of course she has to protect herself!

Yuwen Lan, "..."

How come after so many things, she still thinks he will abandon her?

He wanted to talk to her about this problem, but before he could open his mouth, he saw someone outside the door reporting, "Master, Aunt Zhushu from Ci'an Palace is here."

Ci'an Palace?

Yan Shu was stunned, glanced at Yuwen Lan, and hurriedly said, "Please come in."

A moment later, the Queen Mother's female official Zhushu stepped into the palace.

Seeing Yuwen Lan was also there, Zhushu hurriedly bowed, "Your Majesty, I am here to see you."

Yuwen Lan hummed and asked, "Is there anything the Queen Mother needs?"

Zhushu said, "Ci'an Palace has just made some water chestnut cakes, which are very refreshing. The Queen Mother asked Concubine Yi to go over and taste them."

Water chestnut cakes?

Yan Shu muttered in her heart, is the Queen Mother trying to find out something again, so she asked her to go over?

At this moment, she heard Yuwen Lan ask, "I also want to eat water chestnut cakes, I wonder if I can go over with you?"

Zhushu smiled and said, "Your Majesty, you are joking. If you move, the Queen Mother will definitely be very happy."

Well, in fact, the Queen Mother knew that Your Majesty was here, so she asked her to come and summon Concubine Yi.

Yuwen Lan understood, it seemed that the Queen Mother's target was actually him.

He hummed and said to Yan Shu, "Then let's go together."

Although Yan Shu didn't understand why, she thought it was much better to have the emperor accompany her, so she agreed and went out with him.

~~

When they arrived at Ci'an Palace, Yan Shu bowed to the Queen Mother, and Yuwen Lan took the initiative to say, "I heard that there was water chestnut cake to eat, so I shamelessly came to get a plate. I hope the Queen Mother will not dislike it." The Queen Mother laughed

, "What are you talking about? Your Majesty is willing to come, I can't wait to be happy."

Then she ordered the palace servants to serve tea and snacks.

But in her heart, she snorted and laughed, "I knew you were worried about Concubine Yi and wanted to come with me. What, do you think I will eat her? 】

Soon, the water chestnut cake and hot tea were served.

Yan Shu saw that the cake was translucent tea color, like jelly in later generations.

After trying a bite, she felt it was soft, smooth and chewy, with the sweet aroma of water chestnuts.

It was said that the best snack chef in the palace was in the Queen Mother's palace, and it seemed to be true.

But, what did the Queen Mother ask her to do?

She was very cautious and did not dare to eat too much for a while.

Looking at the side, Yuwen Lan also ate a piece of water chestnut cake, nodded and said, "I haven't eaten water chestnut cake for a while, it's really good." The Queen

Mother smiled and said, "If it tastes good, eat more. This thing is nourishing and reduces noise. It's just right to eat in spring."

As she said that, she changed the subject and said, "Speaking of which, I just read the storybook of Master Xiaoyao this morning. Why do I feel that the people in it this time are a little familiar..."

Before she finished speaking, she heard a cough.

It turned out that Yuwen Lan was drinking tea from a cup and accidentally choked. The Queen Mother

hurriedly asked, "Your Majesty, are you okay?"

Yuwen Lan tried to calm down and said, "Nothing."

After speaking, he glanced at Yan Shu, but saw that she was heartlessly picking up another piece of water chestnut cake and putting it into her mouth.

[Oh, it turns out that the Queen Mother wants to ask about the script. Anyway, the emperor asked someone to write it. It has nothing to do with me. Continue eating. ]

Yuwen Lan, "..."

This burden was really thrown away cleanly.

But before he could answer, he heard Xiao Shunzi running to the door to report, "Your Majesty, the eldest princess and the prince consort are asking for an audience in Qianming Palace."

Instantly, the voices of two people flooded into his ears.

Yan Shu, [Huh? The eldest princess and Zhao Chengwen are here together? I wonder if I can eat live melon again today! ! ! Hurry up and ask them to come here directly, Emperor!!!]

Queen Mother, [Why are they here at this time? Could it be that they came to see the Emperor after reading the storybook? I think that bastard looks like Zhao Chengwen!]

Yuwen Lan, "..."

Before he could say anything, the Queen Mother said directly, "Your Majesty hasn't finished his snacks yet, why don't you ask them to come directly to Ci'an Palace."

Yan Shu, [!!! Wouldn't that be a big scene? Great, I can eat live melons again today!!! The Queen Mother understands me!!!] Yuwen Lan, "..." Is this another person who comes to watch the excitement? However,

the Queen Mother is the elder after all, so it's just right to say some things in front of her. He ordered, "The Queen Mother is right. Let's ask them to come here. It's a good opportunity to pay respects to the Queen Mother." Xiao Shunzi agreed and hurried to pass the message. Yuwen Lan also ordered Fu Hai, "Go to Yu's study and get the two storybooks." Fu Hai also agreed and hurried to get them. Not long after, Princess Yuwen Yan and her husband Zhao Chengwen arrived at Ci'an Palace. After entering the palace, the two of them bowed to several people. Zhao Chengwen hid behind his wife as before, looking very honest. And it seemed that he was a little aggrieved. Yuwen Lan saw it all and asked, "Why did you come here suddenly, elder sister?" As he finished speaking, the eldest princess Yuwen Yan said angrily, "Your Majesty and the Queen Mother don't know, just now the people from the Ministry of Justice and the Dali Temple went to the princess's mansion to arrest someone, saying that someone from my mansion instigated someone to cause trouble in the Imperial College and wanted to take him back for interrogation." Yuwen Lan said, "I asked them to go. Yesterday someone made trouble in front of the Imperial College list, trying to disrupt the reputation of the court. The Ministry of Justice and the Dali Temple found out that it was the son-in-law's long-servant who was behind it, so they went to your mansion to arrest someone." Then he asked, "It's just to arrest a servant, elder sister, why did you come to me for this?"

Yuwen Yan choked, but still said, "I'm just afraid that they have wrongly accused a good person. Now they are investigating Feng Dejin, who knows if they will investigate the son-in-law next?"

Yuwen Lan smiled and looked at Zhao Chengwen meaningfully, "The court will not wrongly accuse a good person at will. If the son-in-law did not do it, he will not be investigated."

After the voice fell, Zhao Chengwen hurriedly said, "Your Majesty, please understand, I have never participated in the affairs of the court, and how could I do such a heinous thing?"

This was said as if he was blaming the king for not giving him a job.

Sure enough, the eldest princess also said, "That is to say, why is it that good things don't happen to us, but bad things are simply put on our heads?"

As soon as this was said, Zhao Chengwen tugged at the corner of her clothes, looking very timid and afraid of things.

Yan Shu couldn't help but sigh in her heart, [He's an award-winning actor! He deceived the princess, sold her out and asked her to count money for him. ]

However, upon hearing this, the emperor's face was slightly angry, and he said, "What do you mean by good things? How many people work hard for a year and can barely fill their stomachs, and you have an annual salary of thousands of stones of silver and tens of thousands of taels of silver and eat and enjoy yourself all day long. Isn't this a good thing?"

His voice was already harsh, and everyone in the palace was shocked and lowered their heads.

Yuwen Yan was also stunned, and had to say, "I have spoken out of turn, please calm down, Your Majesty. I am also worried about the son-in-law. You know, he has always been not good at speaking, and I am afraid that he will not speak up for grievances when the time comes."

Grievances?

Yuwen Lan was so angry that he laughed.

He motioned Fu Hai to bring the storybook he had just taken closer, and said to Yu Wenyan, "There is a story here, maybe you should read it."

However, Yu Wenyan said, "I never like to read this kind of gossip made up by ordinary people."

Before Yu Wenlan could say anything else, the queen mother said, "You should still take a look. This storybook is quite interesting, and the things it says are quite accurate."

Yu Wenyan smiled and said, "Your Majesty has lived in the deep palace for a long time, so it must be too boring. This kind of country gossip is nothing more than flattering the people to gain favor. How can it be accurate?" Yu Wenlan

did not say anything more to her, but only ordered Fu Hai, "Tell this story to the eldest princess."

Yan Shu, "?!!"

Asking Fu Hai to tell the eldest princess in front of so many people?

Sure enough, the emperor is still good at it, haha! This is a great idea. All the palace people are listening to the story of the prince consort raising a concubine. Hahahaha! Wonderful and exciting!!!

Yuwen Lan, "..."

Seeing the excitement, it's about her.

Fu Hai answered yes and opened the storybook to talk.

"It is said that there is a talented man in the capital, born in a wealthy family, smart and studious, with a brilliant mind and full of talent. He took the imperial examination at the age of 19 and stood out..."

Hearing this, Yuwen Yan said proudly, "This man is somewhat similar to the prince consort."

The king, the queen mother and Yan Shu did not say anything, but looked at Zhao Chengwen at the same time.

But he was seen with his head down, not knowing what he was thinking.

However, Fu Hai continued, "A wealthy family took a fancy to his talent and recruited him as a son-in-law. From then on, he had no worries about food and clothing and was very happy... However, his father-in-law was a wealthy family and did not need him to work hard. The talented man had no place to use his talents and gradually became depressed. He could only keep a young and beautiful woman as a concubine behind his wife's back, wandering around and venting his desires with women..."

Hearing this, the eldest princess finally began to feel something was wrong. After thinking for a while, she glanced at Zhao Chengwen.

But she saw that Zhao Chengwen's eyes were already panicking...

"After tasting beauty for the first time, the talented scholar's appetite was whetted, but he became more and more insatiable. In addition to the six concubines in Beijing, he also lavishly bought a mansion in Jiangnan and kept countless beauties for his own use. The spectacular scene was no less than that of the harem..."

Yuwen Yan was stunned again -

Zhao Chengwen would travel to Jiangnan several times a year on the pretext of business...

While she was stunned, Fu Hai had already talked about the key point, "The concubine had a deep affection for him, and most importantly, she gave birth to two sons for him. How could he bear to let his two sons face shame all day long? After a difficult decision, he finally made up his mind to get rid of his wife as soon as possible..."

Yuwen Yan's heart skipped a beat, and she could not care about so much for a moment. She snatched the book from Fu Hai's hand and started reading.

The more he looked, the more his face turned pale.

Zhao Chengwen, however, was already pale, and hurriedly said, "Your Highness, this is all imagined by the writer of the storybook... Don't take it seriously!"

As soon as he finished speaking, the king suddenly asked him, "In this case, what are you nervous about?"

Zhao Chengwen hurriedly said, "Your Majesty, your Majesty is not nervous..."

But before he finished speaking, the eldest princess threw the book to the ground and said, "Zhao Chengwen, this book is not about you, right?"

Zhao Chengwen hurriedly said, "Of course not! This is clearly someone maliciously making up rumors. The person who wrote this storybook must be damned!"

Despicable?

Yan Shu ate another piece of water chestnut cake as if it had nothing to do with her.

The queen mother glanced at Yuwen Lan.

But Zhao Chengwen rushed to her and the emperor again and said, "Your Majesty, the Empress Dowager, please understand that the slander of this writer is too hateful. He should be arrested immediately and stop making false statements!"

Yuwen Lan smiled and said, "It is a storybook, so it is fictional. Why are you so nervous?"

Zhao Chengwen paused and wanted to say that he was not nervous.

But the king said, "However, I went out of the palace on the fifteenth day of the first lunar month to observe the people's sentiments and happened to meet you."

After saying this, Yuwen Yan looked at Zhao Chengwen with suspicion.

Zhao Chengwen hurriedly said, "I didn't know Your Majesty was there. I am sorry for your rudeness."

Yuwen Lan said, "You bought some snacks from Tianjing Lane and then went to five or six houses. What happened? Did you go to see a friend?"

Before Zhao Chengwen could answer, Yuwen Yan frowned and said, "I didn't know you had a friend living near Tianjing Lane? Tell me, what did you do that night?"

Zhao Chengwen tried to lie, "There is a famous snack shop there. I thought the princess would be hungry after drinking, so I wanted to buy some snacks for her."

Yan Shu was beside him, eating water chestnut cake and clicking her tongue -

[He is still stubborn even when he is about to die. The snacks were obviously bought for the two concubines. ]

Then, Yuwen Lan also said, "Didn't the snacks go to the second family? I heard that there lived a young woman and two boys there." As

soon as Zhao Chengwen said this, Yuwen Yan's eyes widened before Zhao Chengwen could

say anything. "Two boys? That was actually true! Do you want to get rid of me so that the mother and son of that bitch can come in?"

Zhao Chengwen shook his head hurriedly, "No, no, no, how dare I do that to Your Highness..."

Before he finished speaking, Yan Shu quickly interrupted, "That is to say, the illegitimate child is real, but you just don't want to harm the eldest princess?"

Hearing this, Yuwen Yan's face was already ashen and her eyebrows were raised.

Her eyes scanned the hall and suddenly saw the sword that could drive away evil spirits hanging on the pillar. She took a few steps forward, drew out the sword, and chopped at Zhao Chengwen.

"You bastard! I will kill you today!!!"

Zhao Chengwen was so scared that he ran away.

Yuwen Yan chased after him, angrily saying, "You are still a concubine and a skinny horse? You bought a house in Jiangnan to keep a beauty!!! If I don't chop you off today, I will be sorry to the ancestors of the Yuwen family!!!"

Everyone in the hall was horrified, only Yan Shu stared at it intently, shouting in her heart, "

Now it depends on whether the eldest princess's swordsmanship is accurate and whether she can hit him! Tsk, she won't really cut him off there on the spot! Exciting!!! 】

But just as she was thinking this, she saw the princess's sword blade sweep across Zhao Chengwen's arm. The man howled and blood immediately flowed from his arm.

Yan Shu was stunned, and then her body went limp, and she almost fell off the chair.

She was fainting again.

But how could she faint at this moment?

She screamed at herself in her heart, [No! I must not faint at this moment! ! ! Stand up, I can't miss the exciting scene! ! ! ]

Yuwen Lan, "???"

Her face turned pale, and she still wanted to watch the excitement?

He immediately stood up from the couch, took a few steps forward and hugged her in his arms, saying to the two, "Stop."

The Queen Mother also hurriedly said, "Your Majesty is here, how can you do this? Stop it now!"

However, Yu Wenyan's eyes were red as if she was crazy, and she had no intention of stopping.

In the blink of an eye, she slashed at Zhao Chengwen's face again, and blood immediately flowed from Zhao Chengwen's face.

Seeing this, Yan Shu's body became softer, and she almost rolled her eyes.

However, her brain was still using all her remaining rationality to hold on -

[Don't faint! ! ! Hold on for me! ! ! Maybe I really have to cut off my treasure! ! ! This is a scene that will never be seen again! ! !

Yuwen Lan, "???" He

could already feel that she was getting more dizzy, and he didn't dare to delay any longer, so he hurriedly said, "Come, stop her!"

The guards rushed into the hall and finally stopped Yuwen Yan.

Zhao Chengwen knelt on the ground, covering his face and howling.

Yuwen Lan said, "Don't worry, elder sister. I have already asked someone to investigate. If he really did something to let you down, he will be punished according to the national law and family rules."

Yuwen Yan's hair was crooked, and the pearl hairpins on it were scattered all over the floor. She pointed at Zhao Chengwen and said angrily, "You bastard, I have corrupted you over the years! I might as well feed your father's marquisate and your niece's concubine to the dogs!" As soon as

the voice fell, Yan Shu in Yuwen Lan's arms roared again with her soft will, [That's right! So these two knives are not enough! ! ! Another knife, aim at his vitals! ! ! ]

Yuwen Lan, [...]

This girl is hopeless.

He ordered, "Help the princess to rest first, and find a doctor to bandage the wound of the prince consort, but you are not allowed to leave the palace."

Everyone agreed, and invited the couple out of the palace.

The palace was finally quiet, and Yuwen Lan asked the queen mother again, "Did your mother scare you?"

The queen mother sighed, "I'm fine, but this girl's temper hasn't changed at all!"

Yuwen Lan was about to nod, but heard the queen mother say in her heart, [Today, the stinky boy from the Zhao family is really lucky!] "

???"

But he heard the queen mother sigh again, [Alas, speaking of it, the princess is still the best, and men can be chopped at will.]

Yuwen Lan, "???"

But the queen mother asked him again, "What's wrong with Concubine Yi? "

Yuwen Lan came back to his senses and said, "She is bleeding. I will carry her back first." The Queen Mother

nodded quickly and said, "Please have pity on my son. Go quickly."

Yuwen Lan agreed and left with Yan Shu in his arms.