Chapter 158 158 Unkind Visitors
"What did you say?" Du Qingtang raised his head from the official documents, his eyes cold. "Who is my sister getting married to?"
Minister Ma was secretly surprised. Why did the Shangshu look so surprised and not happy?
Du Qingtang tapped the table with his fingers: "Master Ma."
Minister Ma was startled and quickly replied, "It was Ning Yucheng, the Deputy Minister of Rites!"
A completely unfamiliar name.
Du Qingtang frowned. "How did Lord Ma know that my sister was about to get married? How come I didn't know anything about it?"
Minister Ma was stunned for a moment. He had no idea at all?
He swallowed and answered carefully, "This humble official also heard it from others. I came here to deliver official documents to you and to say congratulations."
Minister Ma cursed in his heart, wondering who the hell was that scoundrel who had deliberately misled him and caused him to offend the Minister!
Du Qingtang narrowed his eyes and said, "Master Ma, please ask for my help to clarify what is going on."
The chilling tone sounded more like "Find me the person who spread the rumor, or I will break his neck."
Minister Ma's heart trembled, and he replied "yes" respectfully, then slipped away.
Not long after he walked out of the door, Minister Ma saw several officials gathered together to chat, and he could vaguely hear words like "Minister", "Sister", "Ning Yucheng" and so on.
Minister Ma perked up and secretly pricked up his ears.
"Ning Yucheng is truly capable. He's become associated with the Minister, and his future is assured."
"I've heard that many people have witnessed Miss T from the Wen'an Marquis's mansion being seen with Ning Yucheng on numerous occasions. Yet, the Minister of State hasn't mentioned a single word about any of his sisters being engaged. Does this constitute an unmatched, unengaged relationship?"
"Be quiet! Be careful that the Minister hears you and will not forgive you!"
"That's right. Zhang hadn't heard of any young lady from the Wen'an Marquis's mansion being engaged, yet she was being so close to a man like Ning Yucheng in public. It was truly... inappropriate."
"Sun feels the same way. His Excellency, the Minister, is known for his adherence to rules. Why would he push his own sisters into this fire?"
"With the Shangshu's vision, he would never let her sister marry a fifth-rank official. I think it's more like he's hiding it..."
Minister Ma quickly deduced the whole story from a few words. He suddenly coughed forcefully and said seriously, "You're not working in the duty room, but hiding here gossiping. You're all itching for trouble, aren't you?"
Several people in charge were suddenly startled and quickly bowed and begged for mercy.
Minister Ma snorted coldly and waved his hand: "Go quickly!"
Several officials disappeared in a flash. Minister Ma strolled back to the Shangshu's duty room with his hands behind his back and recounted everything he had learned.
Du Qingtang held the pen and replied lightly, "I know."
Minister Ma paused, then gave a subtle reminder: "Sir, in my humble opinion, some things should be decided early to avoid any adverse consequences."
Du Qingtang: “…”
This was a roundabout way of hinting that the girl from the Du family had secretly had something to do with someone.
Du Qingtang couldn't stand it, so he picked up the spare inkstone on the table and smashed it over.
Minister Ma dodged and narrowly avoided the attack, but when he looked up he was met with the death stare of the Minister.
Minister Ma: "...I know I am wrong. Please punish me, sir."
It can be said that he slid to his knees very quickly.
The wrinkles between Du Qingtang's eyebrows deepened, and he asked, "How many people know about this now?"
Minister Ma thought for a moment and said, "Almost everyone in our Ministry of Works knows about this."
Everyone in the Ministry of Works knows it = Everyone in the court knows it
Du Qingtang began to have a headache: "...Pass the order down, no one in the Ministry of Works is allowed to make irresponsible comments. If anyone is caught by this official, they will be fined two months' salary."
Minister Ma did not suspect anything and passed on the Shangshu's gag order.
"Why can't I tell you? Doesn't the Minister agree to this marriage?"
"Why do you care so much? The Minister has given orders, and we should just obey."
In this way, the rumors about "the daughter of the Marquis Wen'an and the Deputy Minister of the Ministry of Rites being about to get married" disappeared without a trace throughout the Ministry of Works, and no one dared to mention it again.
As for things outside the Ministry of Industry, that is beyond Du Qingtang's control.
Du Qingtang knew what those people would say without even thinking. He raised his hand and rubbed his eyebrows, his brain working rapidly.
It is known that there are only two unmarried girls in the Du family, namely Du Qingzhu and Du Qingju.
Du Qingju devoted herself to medicine. Apart from providing free medical services, she also taught medical staff in the Women's Medical Bureau and rarely appeared in public.
Then the "Miss of the Wen'an Marquis's Mansion" in the rumor is most likely Du Qingzhu.
Du Qingzhu is a girl who loves beauty. Since she came to Xiajing on July 20, she has often visited Ningxiang Tower and major jewelry stores.
——There are special tailors and embroiderers with superb skills in the Wen'an Marquis's mansion, so Du Qingzhu doesn't like to go to the ready-made clothing stores and tailor shops in the city. If she wants new clothes, she can just tell the tailor, take the measurements, and she can wear them in three to five days.
Only she would be seen "going in and out together, in an intimate manner" with Mr. Ning.
But Du Qingtang firmly believed that Du Qingzhu and Ning Yucheng had absolutely, absolutely no relationship!
More than ten years ago, at the instigation of Zhu, Du Qingzhu wanted to become a concubine of the wealthy Wang. However, the furious Du Qingmei beat her severely with a tree branch, which left a deep psychological trauma on her and made her stay away from the opposite sex.
In recent years, Du Qingzhu has grown up gradually. She is beautiful, talented, and wealthy, which has attracted many men.
But without exception, Du Qingzhu rejected them all.
"I'm wealthy and can support myself. Why should I marry a man I've never met, bear children for him, and endure the irreversible damage to my body caused by childbirth?"
"Not only that, I have to take care of his parents-in-law and the household chores. If I run into a nasty mother-in-law who finds fault with me, I really can't help but punch her against the wall and I won't be able to get her off."
From this we can see that Du Qingzhu would never suffer the pain of love, and it is even more impossible for her to have a secret relationship with a man without telling her family.
What's more, Du Qingzhu has only been in Xiajing for more than ten days. He has been going out early and coming back late for Shixiang Pavilion. How can he have the time to meet the opposite sex?
Even if she had the time, Du Qingzhu would not openly go in and out of public places with a man.
So the question is, why did this rumor appear?
Did her political enemies spread it deliberately to take this opportunity to slander her?
Or is it just a misunderstanding?
Or... did Ning Yucheng do it on purpose?
Du Qingtang tapped the official document with his fingertips, seeming to be lost in thought.
......
Because of the rumors, Du Qingtang stayed in the Ministry of Works the whole day.
The gong sounded for the end of the shift, and Du Qingtang rushed out of the Ministry of Works like a gust of wind. Ignoring the instructions and comments of the officials around him, he got on the carriage and headed straight for the Shixiang Pavilion.
The Food Fragrance Pavilion will open tomorrow. Du Qingzhu is directing the waiters to make preparations before the opening. His voice is loud and powerful, and he seems energetic and confident.
Du Qingtang did not go in. He just took a look and then lowered the curtain, leaning against the carriage and closing his eyes to rest.
After a while, Du Liu reported, "Master, Miss Seven is out."
Du Qingtang didn't open his eyes: "Follow him."
Du Liuyi shook the reins and quietly followed the carriage in front.
Du Qingzhu's carriage stopped in front of Linlangzhai, the largest jewelry store in Xiajing.
Du Qingtang opened the curtain of the car a barely perceptible gap, guessing that she was here to pick up the birthday gift customized for Du Qingqin.
Asakusa Midori's figure, holding up her skirt, trotted into Linlangzhai. However, Du Qingtang did not lower the curtain of the carriage. Instead, he waited patiently for something like a hunter lurking in the dark.
After a few breaths, a handsome man in a blue round-necked robe walked into Linlangzhai.
About half an incense stick of time later, Du Qingzhu walked out of Linlangzhai with a hairpin box in his hand.
The man in blue robe followed closely behind.
The two of them were so close that their clothes got tangled when the wind blew.
Perhaps noticing someone behind him, Du Qingzhu turned around.
The man also turned his head, his jaw moving slightly, as if he was talking to the waiter in Linlangzhai.
Du Qingzhu turned his face, wrinkled his nose, muttered something, and trotted towards the carriage. His figure was as light as a deer in the woods. He stepped on the horse stool and jumped lightly to get into the carriage.
The man in blue robe walked down the stairs and stood under the flag of the tavern next to Linlangzhai.
The wine flag fluttered in the wind, covering most of his face.
Du Qingtang lowered the car curtain: "Go back."
"yes."
The rumbling of the carriage moved along the street.
A breeze lifted the car curtain and blew a conversation into Du Qingtang's ears.
"Did you see that? Ning Yucheng is accompanying the young lady from the Wen'an Marquis's residence to Linlangzhai again."
"That person just now was Wen Anbo's sister? She looked like she was already past the age of marriage, but how did you know her identity?"
"A while ago, news spread in the capital that Wen Anbo's sisters were buying up a lot of shops, and the Shixiang Pavilion in the south of the city was one of them. I happen to live in the south of the city, and one day I was passing by Shixiang Pavilion and happened to meet Miss Du."
"I see. It's just that Wen Anbo's vision is really not very good. Ning Yucheng is a fifth-rank official in the capital, and he has an old mother who is always ill. He is really not a good match."
"So what? Although Wen Anbo is a woman, and although many people in the court are hostile to her, you and I must admit that she has real ability, and she will definitely not stop at the second rank in her lifetime. When Ning Yucheng marries the daughter of the Du family, Wen Anbo will also promote him for the sake of his sisters..."
The curtain dropped, the carriage drove away, and the voices of conversation faded away with it.
-
When they returned to the Wen'an Earl's Mansion, all eight Du sisters were present, sitting in the flower hall chatting and laughing.
Ruan Ran held little Lihua in her arms, whispered to her nieces, and laughed from time to time.
Several nephews were playing chess in pairs.
On the chessboard, you and I fight back and forth, and the whole place is filled with smoke!
Seeing Du Qingtang coming back, it was almost time. The sun was setting in the west and the moon was rising in the east. The group moved to the dining room.
As the birthday girl, Du Qingqin sat in the main seat.
Then they sit down in order of age.
The table on the left was occupied by brothers-in-law, and on the right were nephews and nieces.
According to the rules, the birthday person starts eating first.
Du Qingqin took a piece of sweet and sour pork with chopsticks, and it tasted sour and sweet. A smile made the corners of her eyes wrinkle a little, but she didn't look old at all, and added a unique charm of the baptism of time. "It's delicious, everyone should try it too."
Everyone responded and started eating.
"Sweet and sour pork is delicious."
"Spicy fish! I want to eat spicy fish!"
"We agreed to give each of us a piece of candied sweet potato. I can't break my promise and get fat."
“A mellow and full-flavored wine, great!”
After eating and drinking, it was time to give gifts.
Except for the eldest brother-in-law, the other five brothers-in-law followed their wives in giving gifts.
The gifts from the nine sisters were different, but Du Qingtang's was the most practical.
She gave Du Qingqin two thousand taels of silver notes and said confidently, "Go buy whatever you want yourself."
Du Qingqin didn't know whether to laugh or cry. She took the banknote and put it together with the previous gift. "Thank you for the jade. I like it very much."
Sure enough, no one doesn't like warm banknotes.
After the peers have given gifts, it is now the turn of the younger generation.
The most unique one is the longevity painting by Du Qingqin's only daughter Fang Jie'er.
There are 128 ways to write the word "Shou", and Fang Jie'er embroidered them stitch by stitch.
After receiving it, Du Qingqin couldn't let it go. Her eyes sparkled and she was obviously very moved.
Du Qingtang crossed her arms, and this heartwarming scene brought a smile to her face.
When I turned my head inadvertently, my eyes met Du Qingmei's.
Du Qingmei chuckled softly, Du Qingtang nodded slightly, looked away, and focused his attention on today's birthday boy.
Du Qingmei's eyes dimmed for a moment, and her smile became much more forced.
......
Nearing midnight, the birthday banquet ended and everyone dispersed and returned to their homes to rest.
We were happy tonight and everyone drank some wine, some were drunk and some were just slightly tipsy.
Du Qingzhu was thinking about the opening of Shixiang Pavilion tomorrow, so he only drank two glasses of fruit wine. Now his eyes were shining, and he was holding Du Qingju's arm and talking in a sticky tone.
"Honestly, I'm a little nervous. What if Xia Jing's diners don't like Shi Xiang Pavilion? I've invested a lot of money in it. What if I lose it all... Ugh! Impossible! It won't happen!"
Du Qingzhu smacked his lips, then put his hands on his hips and said triumphantly, "With Chef Du here, I'm sure the diners at Xia Jing will be reluctant to leave!"
Du Qingju nodded in response. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Du Qingtang approaching. She smiled and waved her hand, calling softly, "Present the jade."
Du Qingtang responded, walked beside Du Qingzhu, and asked bluntly, "Seventh Sister, have there been any strange people around you recently?"
"A strange person?" Du Qingzhu tapped his chin lightly, tilted his head and thought for a moment, then suddenly his eyes lit up, "There really is one!"
Du Qingju's expression turned serious. "Who is that person? Is he a man or a woman? What are his intentions towards you?"
Du Qingzhu held her face in her hands, frowning in disgust. "That man is haunting me. Wherever I go, he follows me. He thinks I don't know. Every time I look over, he turns his head away, preventing me from seeing his face clearly."
Du Qingzhu snorted twice: "I'm not a fool, how could I not see his intention? He's clearly after my money!"
Du Qingtang: “…”
Nonsense, it's obvious that he's attracted by your status as a silly girl.
As long as he can marry Wen Anbo's sister, why worry about his career going wrong?
He could have shown his affection openly or asked a matchmaker to propose marriage, but he should never have used such a disgusting method.
Du Qingtang's eyes were cold and sharp, and he moved Du Qingzhu's hair bun lovingly: "Leave this matter to me. Don't wander around recently. Go home quickly when the Food Fragrance Pavilion closes."
Du Qingzhu let out a light moan.
Du Qingtang plucked the tassel of her hairpin and said in a slightly stern tone, with a warning tone: "Du Qingzhu, do you hear clearly?"
Du Qingzhu shuddered, and most of the sleepiness disappeared. Like a little cattail with its neck grabbed, he nodded rapidly, "I understand, I understand. I'm not going anywhere after closing time. I'm going straight home!"
Du Qingtang was finally satisfied and turned to look at Du Qingju: "Eighth sister, go to bed early. You still have a free clinic tomorrow."
Du Qingju smiled and agreed, and casually mentioned, "I didn't have time to tell you about my eldest sister's birthday earlier, but the Seventh Prince's wife sent someone to ask me to come over this morning and help her with her pregnancy."
Du Qingtang raised his eyebrows slightly. The Seventh Prince's Consort?
Du Qingju's voice rose at the end, unable to conceal her joy: "This is the first royal family member to have a female doctor see them since the establishment of the Female Medical Bureau."
Before this, the female doctors in the Women's Medical Bureau had treated women in the civilian population, but the concubines in the harem, the ladies of the royal family and other women of status had never asked the female doctors to visit them for treatment.
Du Qingju knew that they did not trust the female doctors in the Female Medical Bureau.
Du Qingju was overjoyed when the Seventh Prince's wife extended an olive branch to her. She was determined to ensure that the baby in the Seventh Prince's wife's belly was born safely, with both mother and daughter or mother and child safe!
Thinking of this, Du Qingju couldn't help but sigh: "To be honest, the Seventh Prince is really confused."
Du Qingzhu touched his cheek, which was hot from drinking, and asked curiously, "What do you mean?"
Du Qingju said, "The Seventh Prince's wife was pregnant with twins. The concubine, relying on the Seventh Prince's favor, bumped into the Seventh Prince's wife, but he protected the concubine, and the Seventh Prince's wife was so angry that she had abdominal pain on the spot, and then she started bleeding."
"The Seventh Prince's wife somehow found out that I'm an expert in gynecology, so she sent someone to invite me over."
Du Qingzhu tutted, "What a Seventh Prince who favors his concubine over his wife. I feel like those other princes aren't that... mmmmmm!"
Du Qingtang grabbed Du Qingzhu's mouth, preventing her from finishing her words: "It's getting late, stop talking nonsense, and go back to bed."
The Wen'an Marquis's Mansion is full of Emperor Qingyuan's eyes. Even if the princes have a million faults and even if Emperor Qingyuan does not value those princes, Du Qingzhu cannot be so careless as to gossip about the princes behind their backs.
Du Qingzhu pouted and glared at Du Qingtang.
Du Qingtang said calmly, "You don't want to go to the Food Fragrance Pavilion to unveil the signboard tomorrow with dark circles under your eyes, do you?"
Du Qingzhu thought about it and immediately became obedient. He went back home, took a shower, turned off the lights and went to sleep.
Du Qingtang returned to the main courtyard and called Du Yi: "Go check on the Minister of Rites, Ning Yucheng."
Du Yi stepped down and went to handle the matter overnight.
On the other side, Du Qingmei sat in front of the dressing table and combed her long hair after taking a bath.
Guo Qian was almost asleep when he suddenly remembered something. He opened his eyes and looked at Du Qingmei, saying softly, "Madam, when are you going to bring up that matter with Xianyu?"
Du Qingmei paused and said nonchalantly, "Everyone is here tonight, and I didn't find a chance to talk to Xianyu alone."
Guo Qian was anxious, but he didn't show it on his face. He casually said, "Why don't we go ask tomorrow morning?"
After the dispute last month, Du Qingmei didn't have the nerve to mention the matter of letting Guo Qian become an official to the youngest brother.
She agreed verbally, but in her heart she had made up her mind to let the matter go and wait for a while - at least not this year, and then try to bring it up next year when Xianyu had calmed down.
Guo Qian felt relieved and said affectionately, "Thank you, Madam."
Du Qingmei combed her long hair and lay down on the bed.
There is a huge river between the husband and wife. They sleep in the same bed but have different dreams.
-
The next day, the court was on holiday and the Shixiang Pavilion opened.
Du Qingzhu was wearing an indigo dress that made her look more mature and steady. In full view of everyone, she tore off the red silk, revealing a black lacquered plaque with gold characters.
On the plaque, the three characters "Shixiang Pavilion" are elegant and graceful, obviously written by a woman.
After the unveiling, diners filed in and were amazed at the calligraphy and paintings hanging around.
"Wen Anbo was the top scholar in the imperial examination, and her sister was also very talented in writing and had a beautiful handwriting."
“The poetry is magnificent and brilliant, and the food is equally delicious and unforgettable.”
"I once had hotpot in the northwest. The taste of that hotpot was completely different from that in Xiajing. I still miss it all these years. I never thought I would have the chance to taste it again in my lifetime. I have no regrets in this life!"
"Grandpa, you can try my spicy hot pot, it has a unique flavor."
Many diners were originally attracted by the identity of the owner of Shixiang Pavilion and the various promotions on the opening day. After taking their seats, they were attracted by the dishes and snacks of Shixiang Pavilion. After tasting them, they praised them highly and just lowered their heads to enjoy the food.
The lobby and the private rooms on the second and third floors were packed, and the waiters were so busy that they were running quickly between the lobby, private rooms and the kitchen.
In addition to ordinary people, there are also several court officials who came here today.
For example, Yan Tiande and Shi Zishan.
Yan Tiande came specially to show his support, and the latter happened to pass by and was pulled in by Yan Tiande.
Du Qingtang and Shi Zishan had little in common, they were only superiors and subordinates. Du Qingtang didn't want others to know that Yan Tiande had boarded her pirate ship, so she personally led the two of them to the Tianzihao private room, recommended a few dishes, and then left.
Du Qingju reserved a private room at the end of the third floor for use only by the Du family.
At this time, Du Qingtang stood at the door of the private room, looking down at the diners in the lobby.
To be more precise, it was Ning Yucheng who was sitting in the corner.
Ning Yucheng was sharing a table with three scholars, listening to them talking eloquently, listing many policies that benefited the country and the people, and praising the current ruler as a rare wise ruler.
Ning Yucheng had only seen Emperor Qingyuan from afar, and that was at the ceremony of announcing the imperial edicts.
Looking back on the lofty ambitions and feelings of the high officials holding great power at the ceremony, it seems as distant as a dream and a joke.
After entering the court as an official, Ning Yucheng spent ten years climbing from the seventh rank to the fifth rank, but he still has not been qualified to participate in the morning court.
The majestic and kind face in my memory has long been blurred, replaced by a group of hypocritical colleagues in the Ministry of Rites, my old and skinny mother, and the pretty Miss Du.
Ning Yucheng knew that it was despicable to ruin a woman's reputation.
But he had to do it.
He didn't want to continue wearing the official robe with the cuffs washed white, nor did he want to live a tight life where he had to haggle over even the price of a bun.
He wants wealth, glory, high office and generous salary.
Ning Yucheng closed his eyes and comforted himself in his heart that when he married the young lady of the Wen'an Marquis's Mansion, he would treat her well and compensate her to the best of his ability.
Just at this moment, Ning Yucheng suddenly felt a strong gaze falling on him.
It came from above the head, unstoppable.
Ning Yucheng raised his head as if he had sensed something and looked towards the corner of the third floor.
Wen Anbo stood by the railing, his cold gaze as if it had substance, as if he was looking at a dead person.
For a moment, Ning Yucheng felt as if she was being locked onto by a ferocious carnivore, and in an instant her throat would be bitten off, her skin and flesh torn open, revealing her bright red internal organs.
Ning Yucheng almost forgot how to breathe and lowered his head in panic.
Why is Wen Anbo paying attention to me?
Did she know that all this was his...
No!
impossible!
He did it very secretly, and Miss Du was so innocent that it was impossible for her to see his intention.
Wen Anbo was a serious person to begin with, and since he had done something wrong to Miss Du, he couldn't help but feel a little guilty, which gave him the illusion that he was being targeted by Wen Anbo.
Thinking of this, Ning Yucheng's heart fell back to its original place.
After a while, Ning Yucheng looked up again, and the place was empty. Wen Anbo had disappeared.
Ning Yucheng breathed a sigh of relief and finished the remaining food without any appetite. His eyes searched the lobby and fixed on the waiter walking back and forth.
The waiter brought the dishes to the table and left through a small door in the southwest. Soon, he brought back more delicious dishes.
Will Miss Du be in that door?
Ning Yucheng decided to go and take a look.
However, when he stepped forward, he was stopped outside by the waiter.
"Sir, we are the only ones allowed in here. If you want to change clothes, please follow me this way."
Ning Yucheng was a little disappointed. He shook his head and declined, then turned and left.
-
Du Qingtang only stayed in the Food Fragrance Pavilion for an hour and left after lunch.
In the morning, Du Qingtang asked Meng Fang to deliver a visiting card to the princess's mansion. It was time to keep the appointment.
This was not Du Qingtang's first visit to the princess's mansion. The doorman had already taken note of this extraordinary female lord and invited her in with a smile.
They arrived at the main courtyard without any obstructions. Princess Zhaoyang was sitting in front of the dressing table, and her makeup girl was putting on makeup for her.
"A Rong." Du Qingtang walked forward and called softly.
Princess Zhaoyang closed her eyes and waved, "Xianyu, come here quickly and choose a pair of hairpins for me. After I finish my makeup, I will go to Ningxiang Tower for treatment."
She dealt with another batch of spies last night, and it was already dawn when she returned to the princess's mansion.
After taking a bath, I fell asleep and didn't wake up until half an hour ago. After having dinner, I began to prepare for the afternoon trip to Ningxiang Tower.
Unfortunately, no matter how hard he tried, Xianyu still had to wait for a long time.
Du Qingtang wanted to say that they would have to remove their makeup before getting facial treatment at Ningxiang Tower, but he swallowed the words back.
Dressed in gorgeous clothes, with exquisite makeup, surrounded by servants, living an extravagant and ostentatious life...the above fits the public's impression of Princess Zhaoyang.
The only time he saw her without makeup was the night he was promoted to Minister of Works, when they met by chance at the palace gate.
At that time, Princess Zhaoyang came from Yufu Palace, and she had a faint smoky scent on her body.
Du Qingtang didn't think much of it at the time, but now thinking about it, it was more like the smell of incense ash.
It is obvious that Princess Zhaoyang was paying homage to her biological mother and brother in Yufu Palace.
Thinking of Princess Zhaoyang's brother who died before he was even 18 years old, Du Qingtang couldn't help but think divergently.
If this person were still alive, would Princess Zhaoyang still be the crown prince chosen by Emperor Qingyuan?
"By the way, it has to be very pretty."
Princess Zhaoyang's rising tone brought Du Qingtang back to reality from her thoughts. She replied "OK" and went to choose a hairpin from her dressing table.
There are not so many ifs in this world, just focus on what is in front of you.
Du Qingtang thought casually, took out a pair of gold hairpins inlaid with green jade, and placed them next to Princess Zhaoyang: "I think this pair is the best match for Arong's makeup and hair today."
Just at this time, the makeup artist finished applying eye makeup to Princess Zhaoyang. She opened her eyes, and her brown eyes were bright and calm.
He looked at Du Qingtang with a smile on his face: "Okay, then let's use this pair of hairpins."
The makeup girl put a hairpin on Princess Zhaoyang's hair and took out matching earrings to put on. Then she bowed and left quietly.
Princess Zhaoyang raised her hand to fiddle with her earrings, making a clear sound. "Alright, let's go."
Du Qingtang responded, and the two of them rode in a carriage to Ningxiang Tower.
Princess Zhaoyang had her own room in Ningxiang Tower. After the full nursing process was completed, the two of them lay on the mat, enjoying the fan and eating fruits, feeling extremely comfortable.
"Present the jade." Du Qingtang tilted her head when she heard the voice. Princess Zhaoyang looked at her with her chin propped up, her eyes full of curiosity. "I want to know, what has supported you to this day?"
Princess Zhaoyang had wanted to ask this question for a long time.
As a woman herself, she knows very well that life is not easy for women, and her words and actions are restricted by the Three Obediences and Four Virtues, as well as the rules for women.
When Princess Zhaoyang learned that Lord Du disguised himself as a man to take the imperial examination, she was extremely shocked.
She was deeply impressed by Lord Du's courage and talent, and she felt admiration for him.
To be fair, Princess Zhaoyang had developed a desire for self-destruction, whether in Daxia or Daqi.
She wanted to end this life. Even if she was born in a peasant family in the next life, or even reincarnated as a cat or a dog, it would be a hundred times stronger than now.
Let’s look at Lord Du again. He disguised himself as a man to enter the court, then his identity was exposed and he was thrown into prison. Later, he made meritorious contributions while serving his sentence and fought a beautiful turnaround. It was truly an amazing miracle.
Princess Zhaoyang was very curious about whether she had ever hesitated, whether she had ever thought of retreating, and whether she regretted her deceitful behavior over the years.
Du Qingtang pinched the grapes, tracing the round curve with his fingertips, his eyes dazed.
In recent years, she rarely recalled the past, especially those not-so-good experiences in her previous life.
But there are some things she still remembers clearly.
"To be honest, Arong, I have a stubborn personality. Now that I've embarked on this path, I will go on with determination and would rather die than look back."
Princess Zhaoyang raised her eyebrow slightly. "So, in the beginning, what made you decide to take the imperial examination and become an official?"
Du Qingtang ate grapes, her tone a little unclear: "Arong should know what kind of family I was born into. The reason I studied for the imperial examination was very simple. I just didn't want to be a woman like my mother."
She counted on her fingers and explained in detail, "She is short-sighted, regards her husband as her most important thing, and is extremely patriarchal. She has an almost terrifying obsession with having a son."
"What's even more terrifying is that there are many women like my mother in this world."
"At that time, I thought, maybe I can do something." Du Qingtang spread his hands, "Then I took one step at a time and walked to where I am now."
Princess Zhaoyang was deeply touched. Just as she was about to end this heavy topic, Du Qingtang asked back, "What about you?"
"Huh?" Princess Zhaoyang was stunned and seemed unable to react.
Du Qingtang turned sideways, staring at the other person with his distinct black and white eyes: "Why did you choose to take this path?"
To be honest, she never thought that Emperor Qingyuan would choose Princess Zhaoyang and train her to be the next emperor.
In his previous life, Du Qingtang died young and did not live to see the day when Emperor Qingyuan appointed a crown prince.
But she knew that in the year when Da Qi and Da Xia officially went to war, Da Qi beheaded the man in front of her and displayed his head on the city wall.
Emperor Qingyuan had seven sons, including two born to Empress Cao and five other princes.
When picking generals from among the short men, you can always choose a king who can maintain the status quo.
When Emperor Qingyuan allowed Du Qingtang to open a girls' class and set up a female barracks in Shaoqing Prefecture, she deduced the designated candidate for the heir to the throne. Her first reaction was disbelief, and then she was ecstatic.
Du Qingtang was also very curious, so he took the opportunity to ask.
Princess Zhaoyang picked up a grape and said, "Compared to Xianyu's youthful determination, I was naive and almost stupid before I came of age."
He doesn't know how to hide his hatred for Cao.
I gave my love to the wrong person, thinking that the vows I made in my youth would last a lifetime.
"After I went to Daqi, I gradually grew up and understood many truths from books and the environment around me."
Du Qingtang: "In the book?"
Princess Zhaoyang nodded and said, "My residence in Da Qi is very remote, and next door is the cold palace."
"There is a concubine from the previous emperor's time in the cold palace. She was originally the princess of a small country near Da Qi. When the small country was defeated in the war, it offered her as a princess at the request of Da Qi."
"Her room was filled with books, including the Four Books and Five Classics, as well as the Art of War, all of which were brought in from outside the palace."
"I met her by chance and offered to clean her room every day in exchange for the opportunity to study."
"She didn't agree at first and just asked me why I wanted to study and why she should lend me the book."
"I still remember it to this day. The afternoon sun was shining brightly that day. She was sitting by the window, and the sunlight fell on her, gilding her with a layer of golden light. Her whole body was so imposing that one couldn't bear to look directly at her."
"It was then that I suddenly realized that she was a princess of a country. If her motherland had not been defeated in the war, she might have ascended the throne long ago."
Du Qingtang asked her, "So how did you get her to agree to lend you the book?"
Princess Zhaoyang smiled and spoke each word with emphasis: "I said, if I can return to my motherland in my lifetime, I want to be a princess and an empress, and then she agreed."
A hint of surprise flashed across Du Qingtang's face. He didn't expect that Princess Zhaoyang's ambition had been born many years ago.
"In the three years that followed, I learned a lot from the book and from her."
"In the fourth year, Da Qi destroyed her motherland."
"When the news reached the cold palace, she set herself on fire that night." Princess Zhaoyang's tone was filled with regret. "I don't even know her last name. I only know that her title in Da Qi was Concubine Ping."
Du Qingtang was silent for a moment, then said softly, "She just went home."
"Yes, she told me some interesting stories from her childhood the day before." Princess Zhaoyang changed the subject, "Afterwards, when I returned to Daxia, my father asked me what I wanted, and I said I wanted the dragon throne in the Hall of Supreme Harmony."
There is no need to say more about the result, Du Qingtang already knows the answer.
Princess Zhaoyang looked calm: "Perhaps it's out of guilt..."
Du Qingtang tilted his head and spoke in an inaudible voice, "Your Highness, please forgive me for my bold guess. His Majesty placed your princess's residence in the best location in the east of the city. Perhaps he had already made up his mind to entrust his most precious possession to you long before you married into the Daqi clan."
Princess Zhaoyang was stunned.
-
When he returned to the Wen'an Earl's Mansion, Du Yi had been waiting for a long time.
Du Qingtang led him to the study, poured him a cup of tea, and raised his chin slightly: "Let's talk."
Du Yi replied with a "yes," and reported in a serious tone, "It was indeed Ning Yucheng who had the rumor spread. I've even checked his whereabouts over the past few days, and they're exactly the same as Miss Seven's. He'd practically follow Miss Seven into a shop the moment she entered."
Xia Jing said it was big and it was small.
When Ning Yucheng's colleagues saw him and Du Qingzhu coming out one after another, they believed the rumors without a doubt and spread them widely in the Ministry of Rites after returning.
Word spread from one person to ten, from ten to a hundred, and soon it became known to everyone in the court.
Ning Yucheng's clever moves successfully tied himself to Du Qingzhu, or rather, the Wen'an Marquis' Mansion behind Du Qingzhu.
In this era where a woman's reputation is more important than anything else, if you don't want Du Qingzhu to bear the bad reputation of "unmediated adultery" and "private transaction", there is only one way to choose, and that is to let her marry Ning Yucheng.
Thinking of this, Du Qingtang laughed in anger: "She looks ugly, but she has beautiful thoughts."
It seems that she usually behaves too kindly, and some people always treat her as a soft persimmon.
They were like hyenas and jackals, hating her and despising her, yet coveting her and her family, despicable and rampant.
Du Qingtang asked Du Yi to step back and looked at the flickering candlelight with dim eyes.
If you dare to extend your claws to the Du family, you must be prepared to be chopped off by her.
......
The next day, the morning court session ended.
Du Qingtang left the Golden Throne Hall. Cao Yuan walked up to her and said in a voice that was neither too loud nor too low, enough for everyone around to hear, "I heard your sister is getting married soon. Lord Du, please don't forget to send an invitation to Duke Cheng'en's Mansion. I will definitely attend with a generous gift."
After saying that, he changed the subject: "But Lord Du, please forgive me for saying so much. Since ancient times, it has always been the custom to marry the superior and marry the inferior. You are at least a super earl, and a second-rank official. Why would you choose a fifth-rank as your brother-in-law?"
Eyes of intrigue came from all directions, and people stopped spontaneously to see how Wen Anbo would respond.
In fact, for the old men who have been immersed in the officialdom for decades, Ning Yucheng's methods are too despicable, and they can see his intentions at a glance.
But although it is inferior, it is extremely effective.
In previous years, there were people in the capital who had used similar methods to marry noble ladies, and without exception, they were all successful.
Those women had a bad reputation, so in order not to affect the marriages of other women in the family, they had no choice but to marry them off.
This time Ning Yucheng has set his sights on Wen Anbo's sister. Will Wen Anbo agree? Or will he agree?
Just when they were certain that Wen Anbo would succumb to public opinion, Du Qingtang said with a half-smile: "Master Prime Minister, you are a veteran of three dynasties. You have seen more than I have walked. How can you believe rumors that are just hearsay?"
Cao Yuan narrowed his eyes: "Oh? Is this really just empty talk?"
Du Qingtang smiled faintly, refusing to give in. "It's just a rumor. My Lord, please don't be led astray by those unfounded rumors in the future. It would be bad if misunderstandings arise."
After saying this, he bowed and walked away: "I still have to check the progress of the newspaper printing, so I'll take my leave first."
Cao Yuan was so angry after being criticized in a neither light nor severe way that his nose was crooked. He cursed himself for not knowing what was good for him. He snorted coldly and left, leaving the officials looking at each other in amazement.
"Mr. Wen's tongue is getting sharper and sharper."
"Even though Wen Anbo denied the rumor, it's been spreading like wildfire these past few days, and her sister's reputation has been ruined."
"Wen Anbo is over 20 years old, and her sister is older than her. How could she still be unmarried?"
"The Du family's daughter has always been independent. With the examples of Wen Anbo and the Lord of Deyang as examples, I don't find anything strange about her."
"It seems that Ning Yucheng's plan is going to fail."
On the other side, Du Qingtang scolded Cao Yuan, but after leaving, he did not check the printing progress of the newspaper, but went straight to the Ministry of Rites.
The officials of Daxia started their duty at the hour of Mao. Except for the officials of the fifth rank and above who were qualified to attend court, all the others sat in the duty room and began to write furiously.
Du Qingtang entered the Ministry of Rites and casually pulled someone over and asked, "Where is Ning Yucheng?"
The head of the Ministry of Rites saw that the visitor was a woman wearing a purple official robe and immediately understood her identity. He pointed ahead with a respectful yet flattering tone, "She's in the sixth duty room up ahead."
Du Qingtang thanked him and walked straight forward.
As soon as she left, officials from the Ministry of Rites swarmed over and surrounded Zhang Zhushi.
"Why is Mr. Wen An here?"
"Could it be that you are here to support Master Ning?"
"Master Zhang, what did she say to you just now?"
Zhang Zhushi told the truth, and the officials of the Ministry of Rites exchanged glances with each other.
"Go and have a look?"
"Let's go!"
Du Qingtang counted all the way and stopped outside the sixth duty room. Without knocking, he pushed the door open and walked in.
Among the six ministries, only the Shangshu and Shilang had separate duty rooms, while the Yuanwailang's duty room was shared by four people.
Du Qingtang broke into the room, and the official closest to the door scolded him without even looking up: "How dare you trespass..."
A flash of purple passed by the corner of his eye. He suddenly raised his head and saw the person coming. His expression changed slightly: "Wen... Lord Du!"
Du Qingtang ignored him and walked straight to Ning Yucheng.
Ning Yucheng had been poor since childhood and was very good at reading people's faces. He immediately realized that the visitor had ill intentions and his heart skipped a beat.
But he showed no expression. Just as he was about to stand up and salute, Du Qingtang slammed a piece of paper on the table.
Ning Yucheng looked down and his pupils suddenly shrank.
What was written on the paper were the shops that he had followed Miss Du to in the past few days.
Ning Yucheng swallowed his saliva and said in a difficult tone: "This humble official does not understand..."
"Clang—"
Du Qingtang lifted Ning Yucheng up, pressed his hand on the back of his neck, and pressed his entire face on the table, making a loud noise that made one's teeth ache.
"Who cares if you understand this or not? I'm here just to inform you. If you dare to spread rumors about my daughter again, I'll pull out your tongue and feed it to you."
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