Xu Mao went back to his room to sleep after vomiting from being drunk. Bai Muqiu was embarrassed. On the second night of their marriage, the groom got drunk because she was catching up with him, and the bride had to stay up all night taking care of him.
But Madam Xu did not blame her; she simply told Bai Muqiu to get some rest.
She was actually quite surprised. Her grandfather had told her about Xu Mao, and she had even heard many people's opinions of him.
He was meticulous, upright, and even stubborn, but he was also an extremely upright gentleman with a very proper demeanor. Even those who did not get along with him had nothing to say about his character.
However, she was unwilling to marry just anyone, as her talent was outstanding among the women of Kyoto.
So before the marriage proposal, she gave Xu Mao a test, and it was Xu Mao's answer that surprised her and made her willing to marry him.
After the marriage was arranged, she also corresponded with Xu Mao and truly understood his character.
He was not a dissolute person; on the contrary, he was not only restrained but also clear-headed.
Even on their wedding night, despite being toasted many times, he was not drunk when he was in bed with her. He spoke to her soberly and only went to bed with her after obtaining her consent.
He knows his bottom line and will abide by it.
But now, Xu Mao is surprisingly unrestrained in front of Bai Muqiu, which suggests that their friendship must be very deep.
Therefore, she naturally wouldn't blame Bai Muqiu for anything. She and Xu Mao had a long future ahead of them, so one night wouldn't make a difference.
Bai Muqiu felt embarrassed and took his leave after staying for a day.
Xu Mao understood that his lack of attempt to retain him was simply a gift; maintaining correspondence would suffice.
Bai Jue went on a journey to learn about feng shui, while Bai Muqiu had nowhere to go in the capital, but still found an inn to stay overnight, bought some pastries, and then left.
He didn't know that Kyoto descended into chaos after he left.
That year, Yu Liang was twenty-one years old.
The rebels besieged the city and seized the throne.
They weren't entirely rebels; they were all of royal blood and it was just a power struggle for the throne.
A bloody storm lasted for more than a year, and Xu Mao did not write back, as he was too busy taking care of himself.
Bai Muqiu rarely used her innate divine power, and knowing that Xu Mao was safe and sound, she was relieved.
Later, the court stabilized again. After all, the people didn't care who the emperor was, nor could they control it. As long as the country was stable and the emperor was a wise ruler, how he obtained the throne was not important.
Time heals all wounds.
As it turns out, ambitious people are not too bad off. The new emperor was a capable man who worked hard to govern the country and appointed virtuous and capable officials.
However, Xu Mao was not given an important position. He was a talented man, and the emperor wanted to use him, but Xu Mao was stubborn.
For some reason, the emperor summoned Xu Mao to the palace. The two had a fight, and Xu Mao was not beheaded, but he was demoted and sent to a desolate place.
Madam Xu also went along, even though it wasn't originally necessary, she was willing to go.
Bai Muqiu wanted to secretly check on how the two were doing, but she was still hesitating when she received a letter from Xu Mao.
He said he arrived at his destination and was doing well; his official duties were light, he had time to take care of his wife, and they were even planning to have a child.
I'm numb! Forget it!
Bai Muqiu angrily crumpled the letter into a ball and threw it on the table.
He was worried, but while others had their wives and kids enjoying a warm home, he was still a lonely beast!
However, after calming down from his anger, he opened the letter again and noticed that the handwriting was different from usual.
It sounds easy, but it's probably not that easy.
Bai Muqiu sighed and still secretly went to check on Xu Mao and Madam Xu.
They did indeed live...a life of integrity.
The place is too harsh; farming is difficult, and the whole county is very poor.
The government office where he lived was also dilapidated and couldn't be repaired. Madam Xu was also a simple woman, and they even grew vegetables at home.
Bai Muqiu suddenly remembered that Xu Mao had lived this kind of life when he was studying hard, and he should be able to adapt to it.
That Mrs. Xu was also a woman who was just as capable as any man. She went to the countryside to learn about the situation and had some ideas about the development of women's industries such as textiles in the area.
Bai Muqiu didn't appear; he just silently watched them support each other. They were husband and wife, as well as confidants. They were a perfect match, deeply in love and trusting of each other.
Although life was hard, they managed to get by.
Bai Muqiu watched quietly for a few days and secretly left some medicine on Xu Mao's desk.
It's alright for Xu Mao to have a few scars, but Madam Xu is, after all, a woman, so it's best if she doesn't have any scars.
When Xu Mao saw the item, he was slightly taken aback. There was no signature on the note, but the handwriting was familiar.
—My sister-in-law is as beautiful as a flower; I hope she doesn't end up like you, a rough man, with scars.
Xu Mao held the medicine and couldn't help but laugh out loud, then his eyes welled up with tears.
When Madam Xu received the medicine, she was also surprised. Only then did she understand why Xu Mao treated Bai Muqiu so differently.
Bai Muqiu understood Xu Mao, so he didn't give her any gold or silver. The medicine was for her, and he didn't even meet her when he came.
The fact that Bai Muqiu came here shows her concern for Xu Mao.
Not disturbing him was his way of showing respect for Xu Mao.
The message was to let Xu Mao know that he was aware of the situation and supported it.
He didn't try to persuade him because he knew Xu Mao had his own path to follow. He didn't need to know what that path was; he only knew that no matter what choice Xu Mao made, he would firmly believe in and support him.
Three years later, Xu Mao and his wife completely transformed that desolate county.
Bai Muqiu also closed his shop and wandered around.
Xu Mao won his contest with the emperor, but the emperor was not satisfied. He transferred Xu Mao back to the capital and gave him an important position to test him. Xu Mao accepted the challenge calmly and composedly.
Xu Mao was stubborn and clear-headed, but he was also loyal to the emperor and loved his country.
Previously, he was unwilling to be loyal to the rebel leader, but now that the dust has settled, he has to admit that the current king is worthy of his loyalty.
Dynastic changes are never easy; many lingering problems need to be addressed.
There are also conflicts between old and new officials, which would give even the most powerful emperor a headache.
In addition to these, there is something even more important: reform.
The implementation of new national policies is essential, but there is enormous resistance to it.
Xu Mao was a minister he could use. He admired and recognized Xu Mao, but he also had his own opinions about him. After all, he was an emperor, and he was also frustrated when he encountered a troublemaker.
Especially those capable, kind-hearted, and devoted ministers who serve the country wholeheartedly.
The emperor initially wanted to use the Grand Secretary's connections to make connections, but it turned out that the Grand Secretary's granddaughter, Madam Xu, was also a capable and competent person. If she hadn't been a woman, she would definitely have had a place in the court.
This gave the emperor an even bigger headache. He wanted to use Xu Mao, but he couldn't get along with him. However, the fact that he couldn't get along with Xu Mao was that he was good at using him and that he was effective. This made him very uncomfortable.
The emperor and Xu Mao had a long and complicated relationship, but in the end, Xu Mao finally became the prime minister.
At this time, more than ten years had passed since the emperor rebelled and ascended the throne.
Xu Mao and he finally reached a consensus.
National policy reforms can now be implemented.
They had been plotting for so many years, not only purging the court, but also gradually changing the administration, tax laws, and so on.
Just as water accumulates to form a sea and soil accumulates to form a mountain, the initial results of all the accumulation have been achieved, and it is time to begin sweeping reforms!
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
