Chapter 61: A Superfluous Move The chef in this restaurant is indeed...
The chef in this restaurant is really good. When Qi Buchen was enjoying his meal, someone knocked on the door.
The attendant standing outside the door announced loudly: "Sir, the Cavalry Commander Xing Chan requests an audience."
Qi Buchen was wondering who this person was, when she saw Yinzhen turn his head and look at her inquiringly. She was slow to react and realized that this was the name of her original body's eldest brother.
He quickly put down his chopsticks, straightened his clothes, and then signaled to Yinzhen.
Yinzhen ordered, "Send it."
Su Peisheng personally went to open the door and invited the person in: "Master Xingchan, please come in."
Then a middle-aged man in his thirties came in with his head bowed, and greeted with a bow: "Greetings to the Fourth Prince and the Fourth Lady."
Qi Buchen looked at Yinzhen, who glanced at her and said, "No need to be so polite, Su Peisheng, please take a seat."
Xing Chan sat down, smiling warmly, "I was meeting friends next door. I heard the Fourth Prince and his wife were here, so I thought I'd come over to pay my respects." He then asked, "How's the Fourth Lady these days? Mother thinks of you all the time."
It was not appropriate for Yinzhen to speak. Qi Buchen gave a dry laugh and replied, "I'm fine. Thank you, mother, and the family for your concern." He found another topic that would not go wrong, "The New Year is coming soon. Is everything ready at home?"
It was obvious that there was really nothing to talk about on this topic. Although Fei Yanggu had passed away for several years and the younger generations had not yet established themselves, with Qi Buchen as the prince's wife, the Ulanara family would not be so poor that they could not even prepare everything for the New Year.
Xing Chan replied a few words according to the rules, then politely excused himself. When he was almost at the door, he turned back and said, "Mother misses Madam very much. If Madam is free, please come home and visit."
After saying that, he walked away.
Qi Buchen frowned. This was the second person from the Ulanara family who told her to go home. What was going on?
Yinzhen picked up a piece of food for her with his chopsticks and asked, "How about I accompany you back tomorrow?"
"Ah?" Qi Buchen reacted and shook his head. "No need. The New Year is coming soon, and I haven't been busy with the affairs at the mansion yet. Let's wait until the New Year. On the second day of the New Year, won't it be the right time to go back to my parents' home?"
"I'm afraid that won't work." Yinzhen disagreed.
Qi Buchen was surprised: "Why?"
Yinzhen explained: "We have to go to the palace from the first to the fifth day of the New Year and stay there for a day. The Ulanara family... my mother-in-law should also be summoned to the palace for a banquet." Although Xingchan is over 30 years old, he is not qualified to enter the palace.
Qi Buchen really didn't know about this, and it wasn't her fault. After all, she had only been here for over a year, and it was her first time celebrating the New Year outside the palace.
"What should I do?" Qi Buchen was in a dilemma. She had so much to do and it was really difficult to manage hundreds of people, especially since this was not a company. She had to worry about the eating, drinking, defecating, urinating and sleeping of these hundreds of people.
"I'll ask Madam Cheng to help you," Yinzhen said. "She'll be busy for a while, so I'll free up a day."
Cheng Ma was Yinzhen's wet nurse. She was a smart person. Although she was not very old, she had been in retirement since leaving the palace. She lived like an old lady at home and only came to the mansion to pay her respects during the holidays.
Qi Buchen said reluctantly: "Okay."
Yinzhen said helplessly, "Mother-in-law must have something to tell you." He thought Qi Buchen was unwilling to return to her parents' home.
"I know, it's not that I don't want to go back." Qi Buchen explained, "It's just that many plans have been disrupted." She had originally planned her time well, but now she can only squeeze out time to rearrange it and then free up a day. Disrupting plans is the most annoying thing.
After eating two more bites, the two returned home. The next day, they both went to the palace to attend the welcoming banquet for the Korean delegation.
As expected, most of North Korea's tributes were unique medicinal herbs such as Korean ginseng, and there were also some jewelry and other things, but the quality was so good that even Qi Buchen, who had seen a lot of the world in this year, didn't look down on them, let alone others.
But there was still a surprise this year. North Korea transported a tiger from afar!
Yes, it was a real tiger! It was over three meters long, almost as tall as Yinzhen. Although it looked exhausted from all the running, it still looked arrogant and domineering as it lay in its iron cage. Its eyes were filled with blood and gore as it looked at the humans around it.
Many women were frightened and screamed.
Yinzhen's first reaction was to block Qi Buchen behind him, but Qi Buchen poked his head out from behind him and exclaimed in surprise: "It's actually alive."
Looking at her excited look, Yinzhen suddenly felt that his previous actions were a bit redundant.
Very lost.
The Korean envoy was still talking about it, saying that this was a tiger king that the Korean army accidentally hunted. The Korean king thought that only the great emperor of the Qing Dynasty was qualified to own such a domineering tiger king, so he sent it over from thousands of miles away.
Anyway, Kangxi was flattered to the point of being very happy and comfortable, and then Kangxi generously rewarded him with a lot of rare treasures and silks.
Qi Buchen only needed to make a rough calculation to know that North Korea had made a profit.
Although Hu was domineering, he still had someone send her away first out of consideration for the female relatives present, and then began the normal banquet process.
Qi Buchen also saw the song and dance troupe that came from North Korea.
A little disappointed.
Today's singers and dancers are obviously different from the Korean girl groups of later generations. Qi Buchen also knows that the Korean dancers who are just wearing traditional costumes not only have exaggerated makeup, but also boring dance moves.
Qi Buchen lost interest after taking a quick look.
Yinzhen: "Why don't you watch it?"
Qi Buchen curled his lips and covered his mouth as he moved closer: "It's boring, it's better to listen to an opera." After all, the voices of the actors are intoxicating to listen to.
Yinzhen really wanted to knock her back and ask her who said there was nothing good about the opera when he wanted to add a few opera singers to the mansion to entertain her, and who was it that made her so anxious by her babbling.
Unfortunately, he was outside now and couldn't do anything. Yinzhen just felt his hands itching.
Qi Buchen suddenly understood the meaning of Yinzhen's eyes when he looked at her, and leaned closer and said, "That's why it shows how boring this performance is."
Yinzhen quietly glared at her, telling her to be more restrained and not to speak even if it was the truth. If someone overheard this and tried to stir up trouble, it might even become a diplomatic incident.
Qi Buchen covered his mouth and chuckled. Yinzhen looked at his wife who was laughing like a little mouse that had stolen oil, and felt his hands itching more and more and couldn't stop.
I really want to rub it and pinch it.
But it doesn't work.
Regretfully, he placed his hands on his legs and rubbed them secretly, then raised his head and drank from the wine glass.
Qi Buchen tutted in disapproval: "Why are you drinking so hastily? No one's competing with you. Alcohol isn't a good thing, drink less."
While complaining, I picked up some food for him and urged him to eat more.
Yinzhen looked at the person who was chattering beside him, and suddenly a warmth he had never felt before surged into his heart. He slowly replied, "I understand."
He carefully ate all the dishes that Qi Buchen had picked up.
…
That day, Yinzhen got up early as usual and prepared to go to the study, but found that Qi Buchen, who had not gotten up early to see him off for a long time, was already dressed and waiting for him.
"What happened?" Yinzhen asked curiously, "Why are you up so early?"
Qi Buchen smiled widely: "Nothing, I just wanted to have breakfast with you and see you off."
Yinzhen was relieved that nothing had happened, and then he asked with concern: "Did you not sleep well last night? Are you feeling tired? Su Peisheng, have someone call the imperial physician to come to the house and see Fu Jin when it's daybreak."
It was only the beginning of the morning hour. Normally, Qi Buchen would be soundly sleeping at this time and would not be able to get up.
"No, no need." Qi Buchen quickly stopped him, "I'm really fine, let's eat first, eat."
Today's breakfast was also unusually rich, which made Yinzhen even more puzzled.
After the meal, Yinzhen prepared to leave: "It's cold outside, don't come out to see me off." He also reminded, "If you feel unwell, be sure to call the imperial physician."
Qi Buchen walked forward helplessly, smiled and helped him put on his cloak and hat, and put a hand warmer in his hand. Then he took a half step back, stood there and looked at Yinzhen seriously.
"Happy birthday."
Yinzhen's face was dazed at first, then gradually became lively, and an extremely happy energy slowly emanated from his whole body.
He looked at Qi Buchen with bright eyes.
He even forgot that today was his birthday.
"Aren't you going to say thank you?" Qi Buchen tilted his head and looked at him teasingly.
Yinzhen said obediently: "Thank you."
Qi Buchen was amused by his sudden well-behaved behavior. He chuckled, walked forward, pushed him, and turned to go out: "Okay, go to school. There will be a gift when you come back in the evening."
Upon hearing that there was a gift, Yinzhen stopped in his tracks and wanted to ask what it was, but Qi Buchen pushed him away.
Standing outside the door, Yinzhen was a little dazed. He turned his head to look at Su Peisheng beside him. He knew that this dog servant must know what gift the concubine had prepared.
I want to ask.
Moved his lips.
Finally, I took a step and set off.
Forget it, let’s wait for Fu Jin to speak herself.
In the study, the Grand Tutor finished his speech and announced a break.
Yinqi came up to Yinzhen and asked, "Fourth brother, is there anything good happening today?"
"Hmm?" Yinzhen was confused. "No."
"Really?" Yinqi was puzzled. "But you look very happy."
Yinzhen pursed his lips: "No."
Yinqi compromised: "Okay." He patted his head as he was about to leave, "By the way, today is your birthday, right, Fourth Brother? Do you want to celebrate?"
"No need." Yinzhen shook his head, "I don't have time."
"That's right." Yin Qi was frustrated. "The tutor has more and more homework."
Yinzhi came over at this time and said, "Fourth brother, today is your birthday. I have prepared something delicious for you. Here."
When Yinzhen saw it, he couldn't help but frown.
It was a brush washer. The material was good and it was definitely not cheap, but the color combination really hit Yinzhen's aesthetic pain point.
Even Yinqi, who had no particular taste for aesthetics, found it somewhat offensive. Wasn't Third Brother here to give Fourth Brother a gift, or to disgust Fourth Brother? Everyone knew Fourth Brother hated things that were gaudy, overly colorful, and filled with every possible color.
But it was not his turn to speak about his brothers' affairs, so he just said, "Fourth brother, please have someone deliver my gift to you after school." Then he quickly slipped away.
"Why, you don't like it?" Yinzhi said with a sad look, "I spent a lot of time choosing the material for this and paid a lot of money to have it made."
It was done on purpose to disgust him.
Yinzhen gritted his teeth and took it, saying stiffly, "Thank you, Third Brother. I... like it."
"As long as you like it." Yinzhi smiled so hard that it made people want to hit him. "If you like it, use it more often. Don't worry if it breaks. If it breaks, I'll make another one for you."
Then he walked away leisurely with his hands behind his back.
Yinzhen sat down, placed the brush washer on the farthest corner of the table, and closed his eyes to concentrate.
Don’t be angry, don’t be angry. Think about Fu Jin and her gift.
Yinzhen spent the whole day in anticipation, but was occasionally disgusted by Yu Guangzhong's gorgeous brushstrokes.
But it's disgusting, I've gotten used to it.
Although he was looking forward to it, unfortunately he had to go back later than usual today because the emperor and various concubines gave him birthday gifts, and he had to kowtow to them one by one to express his gratitude.
It was dark when we got back home.
Qi Buchen was waiting for him at the second gate.
Yinzhen helped her to pull up her hood and scolded her, "Why are you out in such cold weather? Just wait inside."
Qi Buchen pursed his lips and smiled, without saying anything, and the two of them returned to the main room together.
After cleaning up, Qi Buchen ordered the meal to be served.
The meal was delicious, but Yinzhen wanted to know what the gift was. However, there were a bunch of servants around him, so he didn't have the nerve to ask.
After finishing his meal in a distracted state, Yinzhen stared at Qi Buchen. Qi Buchen could guess what he was thinking. He chuckled, stood up, grabbed his sleeve, and led him to the east room.
None of the servants followed, and they all filed out of the main room.
When he opened the curtain, Yinzhen saw a round object placed in the middle of the table on the couch by the wall. It was completely white with bright red and green colors on it.
The strong color reminded Yinzhen of the brush washer, and he instinctively frowned slightly, but when he thought that this was a gift prepared by his wife, he relaxed and felt that it was not unacceptable.
After walking in, Yinzhen discovered that this was actually food. The bright red and green colors on it were red flowers and green leaves, but the shapes of the flowers and green leaves were somewhat horrible.
Qi Buchen blushed a little when he saw the strange-shaped flowers on it, and said embarrassedly: "This is my first time making it, so it doesn't look good. Don't be disgusted, it still tastes good."
Hearing that it was made by Fu Jin herself, the slight aesthetic discomfort had already flown away, and Yin Zhen said happily: "I don't mind."
"Sit down." Qi Buchen asked him to sit on the couch beside the table, and then she sat opposite him and introduced it enthusiastically, "This is called a birthday cake, specially prepared for people who have birthdays."
"Now, are you ready?"
Yinzhen was stunned by the question: "Huh?"
Qi Buchen did not answer his doubts. He put his hands together in front of his chest, cleared his throat, and then clapped his hands and sang: "Happy birthday to you, happy birthday to you..."
In the flickering candlelight, Yinzhen looked at the face in front of him in the flickering light and shadow, and listened to the clear voice singing the unknown little song that was neither a melody nor a tune. He felt as if he was dreaming. It was all too unreal. In a trance, he felt that the person opposite him seemed to be getting more and more blurred and was about to disappear.
He stretched out his hand, wanting to catch the person who was about to disappear, but was suddenly awakened by a crisp voice: "Happy birthday to Yinzhen!!"
"Pah pah pah."
Qi Buchen was clapping very enthusiastically, but he noticed that Yinzhen raised his hand and wiped his face.
Oh, you must be crying because you are so moved.
Qi Buchen laughed secretly in his heart, but pretended not to know. To save the boy's face, he urged him seriously: "Make a wish quickly, make a wish."
"Ah?" Yinzhen was still confused.
Qi Buchen explained seriously, "On a birthday, you have to sing the birthday song, make a wish, blow out the candles, and eat cake. Now it's time to make a wish. You do this..." He demonstrated by holding his hands in front of him, "Then close your eyes and repeat your wish in your mind."
"Hurry, hurry up."
The urged Yinzhen was like a fool at this time. He completed his wish step by step. When he opened his eyes, he saw the candlestick on the table being pushed in front of him.
"Come on, blow out the candles."
Yinzhen looked hesitantly at Qi Buchen, who was looking expectant, and opened his mouth to blow out the candle in the middle.
"Blow it all, blow it all."
Yinzhen hesitated and blew out the other two, then saw Qi Buchen clapping his hands and shouting, "Eat cake."
Yinzhen was just about to ask someone to come in and serve... the cake, when he saw Qi Buchen sitting up across from him at lightning speed, one hand on the table, the other hand on the cake, and then smeared the white stuff on his hand on his face.
"Happy birthday, hahahaha." Qi Buchen smiled brightly.
Yinzhen sat there in a daze, not knowing how to react.
Qi Buchen ignored him, went to the side and got the plate and knife that had been prepared earlier, cut a clean piece of cake and handed it to him.
Yinzhen was still sitting there staring at her blankly. Qi Buchen frowned and pretended to be angry and said, "Why, do you dislike me?"
Yinzhen reacted with a start, quickly took it, and shook his head, saying, "No... no."
Qi Buchen laughed again, cut himself a portion, and started eating with a fork. Seeing that Yinzhen didn't move, he glared at him and said, "Eat, what are you looking at me for?"
"Oh oh." Yinzhen imitated her and used a fork to cut off a piece of cake and put it into his mouth.
Soft and sweet, just like the tide rising in his heart.
Qi Buchen felt a bit sick of it after taking two bites. He figured it out himself: there was too much sugar.
She put down the cake in her hand and said a little embarrassedly: "Uh, it seems that there is too much sugar. If you can't finish it, don't eat it. I will share it with Baozhu and the others later."
Yinzhen, who was enjoying his meal, became unhappy when he heard this: "You are not allowed to share."
"Ah?" Qi Buchen explained, "We can't keep this. If we can't finish it, won't it go bad if we leave it there? And I put too much sugar in it, won't you feel sick? Let them each have two bites, so it won't be wasted."
"Not greasy." Yinzhen pulled the remaining cake towards him, "I can finish it."
Qi Buchen looked at him with amusement: "Why are you still guarding the food? It's not like you can only eat it once. The chefs in the mansion have all learned it. You can ask for it anytime you want to eat it in the future."
He pulled the cake back and said, "It's not good to eat too much of this stuff at once."
As he said this, he stood up and took the cake out to distribute to everyone.
Yinzhen quickly stuffed the remaining cake in his hand into his mouth, snatched back the cake that Qi Buchen was about to take away, and pretended to be angry: "How dare you disobey my order? I told you not to give it to me!"
Qi Buchen found the way he guarded his food really funny, but he could also understand the child's desire to monopolize something new, so he said helplessly, "Listen, listen, how dare you not listen? I won't give it to you anymore, I won't give it to you anymore."
Yinzhen then sat down, and then carefully took the knife and imitated her just now, cut another piece for himself, and started to eat.
Every time I take a bite, I look at Qi Buchen.
Qi Buchen looked at his stingy look, chuckled, took out a handkerchief and leaned forward: "Come here, I'll wipe the cream off your face."
Yinzhen then remembered that his face was still stained with what Fu Jin had just applied. He glanced at her and reluctantly stretched his face towards her. He didn't dare look at her while she was applying it. He lowered his eyelids and asked with feigned curiosity, "Cream?"
"Oh, it's the outermost layer of white stuff. I just called it that. Does it sound nice?" Qi Buchen carefully wiped the cream off his face and rubbed it with his fingertips. He sat back with satisfaction when he found that it was no longer sticky.
Yinzhen's ears were burning from being rubbed by her, and he mumbled, "It sounds good."
"But seriously," Qi Buchen said, holding his chin with his hand and looking at him, "you really can't eat too much of this, especially since you just had a meal. Be careful not to overeat later."
Yinzhen looked at her warily: "Don't give it to me!"
Qi Buchen was helpless: "No! I promised you, I definitely won't give it to you, okay?"
Yinzhen was finally satisfied and looked at the plate she had left untouched after taking two bites: "You don't want to eat?"
"It's too sweet." Qi Buchen said embarrassedly, "It's a bit greasy. I just had a full meal and now I can't eat anymore."
Yinzhen looked at the cake and then at her, wanting to say something but not saying anything, and just focused on eating his own food.
Qi Buchen just watched him eat piece after piece, and no matter how he tried to stop him, he just ignored him and finished it all.
Qi Buchen was helpless. Fortunately, she didn't do anything big. Even so, he was still worried: "You are so fierce. This is not a good thing. Are you holding on?"
I walked over and wanted to touch his belly, but was blocked.
Yinzhen stared at her seriously: "It's a good thing."
"Okay, okay." Qi Buchen pulled him up, "Let's go out for a walk, otherwise you'll definitely have a stomachache in the middle of the night." He asked again, "Do you want some water? The sweet taste in your mouth is choking me. Forget it, you're already bloated, and drinking water will make you even bloated. You should rinse your mouth first."
He asked someone to come in and help him rinse his mouth, and after he put on his equipment, the two of them went out for a walk in the mansion.
The December nights were really cold, so Qi Buchen complained to him, "Look, I told you not to eat, but you insisted on eating. Isn't it fun to come out in the cold and enjoy the breeze to help digestion?"
Yinzhen didn't like what he heard and remained silent.
The wind felt cold when it blew into his mouth, so Qi Buchen simply stopped talking. The group walked silently along the corridor and came to the garden in the mansion.
The garden is empty, with no tall buildings. The moonlight leaks onto the ground, and the hazy shadows have a unique charm.
Qi Buchen looked up at the moon and couldn't help but sigh: "I wonder how the moon I see in a few hundred years will be different from the moon now?"
Yinzhen looked at his wife, who was suddenly feeling melancholy, and together they gazed at the bright moon in the sky: "People today cannot see the moon of the past, but this moon once shone on the ancients. The ancients and the present are like flowing water, and we all look at the bright moon in the same way."
Qi Buchen smiled and turned to look at him: "Tsk, you are indeed a cultured person. Illiterate people like us can't recite such poems."
It was just a joke, but Yinzhen seemed to take it seriously. He tilted his head and thought for a moment before saying, "I remember the book list I gave you included Li Bai's poetry collection, and this poem was in it. Didn't you read it?"
What should I do if the teacher suddenly catches me not memorizing the lesson?
You can only muddle through!
Qi Buchen laughed and said, "How could I not have seen it? I was just joking with you, haha, haha."
Then he turned and left: "Hey, it's so cold, let's go back."
Yinzhen looked at her fleeing back with a curled mouth, and followed her with his hands behind his back in an air of seniority.
After her birthday, Qi Buchen finally found a day before the New Year. Since Yinzhen had to go to the study, she returned to the Ulanara family alone.
The middle gate of the Ulanara Mansion was wide open, and the men were waiting in a row. As soon as Qi Buchen got out of the carriage, they all knelt on the ground and said, "Your servant greets the Fourth Lady."
Qi Buchen was shocked. Who could accept such a great gift? He quickly stepped forward and helped the leader up: "Big brother, you are too polite. Please stand up quickly."
The servants behind him also quickly helped everyone else up.
"Mother has been waiting for you since she got up early. Please get in the sedan chair, Fourth Lady."
He got into a four-person sedan chair and was carried all the way to the main courtyard, where a room full of female relatives were waiting.
After a round of polite pushing and shoving, Qi Buchen finally sat down in the main seat at the top.
"I haven't seen you for a long time. The Fourth Lady has grown even better." An old woman in navy blue, who was under the Jueluo clan, smiled and said, "It seems she is still supported by the royal family."
This was Fei Yanggu's concubine, now in her fifties. Sitting next to the thirty-something Jueluo, she seemed like an elder. But she had once been the most favored, bearing both Xingchan and Fucun. She had survived four successive first wives, still standing strong, a testament to her power.
Qi Buchen put on a dignified smile and said, "Auntie, you are too kind. Why don't you see Wu Ge?"
The original owner was very fond of her younger brother, and it would seem a bit strange if she didn't ask.
Jueluoshi still had a calm expression: "I accidentally wet my clothes just now, so I went back to my room to change."
Qi Buchen nodded and asked again: "Where are my nieces? Why can't I see them?"
The original owner's eldest brother is in his thirties this year, and his eldest daughter is two years older than Qi Buchen.
"I'm waiting for you to summon me in the back."
"What do you mean by summons, family?" Qi Buchen scolded. "I haven't seen you for a long time. I miss you so much. Please come out soon." In fact, the original owner could hardly say a few words to these nieces when she was at home.
Someone went to the back to invite them out, and six girls came in a row to pay their respects in unison, with two of them even in their wet nurse's arms.
"They're all getting prettier. Who knows who'll get the gift in the future?" Qi Buchen gestured for Baozhu to hand over the gift he'd prepared long ago, and said with a smile, "It seems the family is really well-fed." He then asked the nurse to bring the youngest one over and teased her, "She looks so much like my second sister-in-law. She's sure to be a good-looking girl in the future."
The second sister-in-law covered her mouth and laughed, "Thank you for the compliment, little girl, what can you see now?"
After the meeting and giving gifts, the girls were sent back and a group of people sat in the lobby and chatted, and they talked about Xingchan's youngest son, Baozhu, who was 9 years old this year.
"That kid hasn't embarrassed his grandfather. His teacher, An Da, said he has decent talent, but there's nothing more to teach him." Xing Chan said, seemingly dissatisfied but actually boasting, "Let's find another expert."
"I thought that although I, as a father, could not leave him much wealth, I could still pave the way for him." Xing Chan said with some shame, playing the emotional card. "But my sister also knows that I am not up to the task. I failed to maintain the connections left by my father. Now I can't even find a good teacher."
"Now I can only shamelessly ask my sister to help introduce me."
Introducing a martial arts master is not a big deal. It doesn't require an official position or money, so Qi Buchen agreed readily.
After chatting for a while and having a meal, Qi Buchen returned home seeing that they had nothing to say.
On the way, he sighed that it seemed that the relationship between the original owner and this family was really not very good. It was just a small matter of helping to introduce a teacher, but he had to invite her to his house one after another. Wouldn't it be better to just send someone to tell her?
In the evening, Yinzhen came back and asked her about her visit to her parents' home today. Qi Buchen told her straightforwardly that he was asking her to help find a suitable person to introduce to her.
Yinzhen frowned after hearing this, thought for a moment and glanced at her again. Qi Buchen felt puzzled: "What's wrong? Is Master Wu so hard to invite?"
Yinzhen shook his head helplessly and smiled, saying: "Your elder brother wants you to help introduce Master Wu."
"Ah?" Qi Buchen was puzzled. "That's exactly what he said."
"If I'm not mistaken," Yinzhen said with a firm tone, "your elder brother probably wants Baozhu to study with An Da in the upper study."
Qi Buchen frowned: "Huh?"
Yinzhen explained it more clearly: "Fourteenth will be going to the study room next year. At that time, a study partner and Hahazhu will be chosen. Your eldest brother probably wants Baozhu to be Fourteenth's study partner."
Fourteenth, Yinzhen's younger brother, would be six next year, and it would be time for him to go to the Upper Study. Every prince who entered the Upper Study was assigned two companions and four "haha beads." The companions were usually chosen from the descendants of ministers, while the "haha beads" were chosen from the bondservants.
The current Defei's family, Wu Ya, had not yet been promoted to a higher rank and was still a bondservant, so she could not be a companion in study. One of Yinzhen's Haha beads came from Wu Ya's family.
Then there was no internal decision about Yinzhen's place as a study companion.
"The royal father usually chooses the study partner," Yinzhen said, "but the royal father doesn't pay much attention to this. He usually asks the gentlemen in the upper study to recommend one."
The implication is that this thing can be done.
Qi Buchen did not intend to facilitate this matter. Everyone in later generations knew that the Fourth Master and his Fourteenth Brother were in a big fight. The rumor that the Fourth Master tampered with the imperial edict and seized the throne from the Fourteenth Master was still believed in 2020.
If someone from the Ulanara family were to become Fourteen's study partner, and they had a falling out later, how would Qi Buchen cope with it?
You should know that the relationship between the tutor and the prince is not ordinary. Just look at Yinzhen’s tutor Li Rongbao, who later became Qianlong’s father-in-law, and you will know that the relationship is very close.
When thinking of Li Rongbao, Qi Buchen would think of his appearance, and he could not imagine the Empress Fucha who was said to have made Emperor Qianlong miss her all his life.
Shaking his head, Qi Buchen threw away his wild thoughts and said, "I really didn't expect that they meant this. You don't have to worry about this matter. I'll ask Su Peisheng to make a list of martial arts masters and send it to the mansion over there."
"You really don't want me to take care of it?" Yinzhen was a little surprised. "It's not a big deal. Being a study partner is a good thing."
Although Yinzhen is not very close to his mother, Concubine De, he still treats his brothers and sisters like an older brother. Therefore, it would be nice to have someone from the Ulanara family to study with him.
He had investigated the Ulanara family before, and the younger generation of children were all pretty good, without any bad habits, and were reassuring.
Qi Buchen shook his head like a rattle: "Really, no need."
Yinzhen thought about the cold relationship between Fu Jin and her brothers that he had investigated before. Since Fu Jin was unwilling, then so be it.
Then he remembered that Fu Jin had a younger brother: "I remember your brother is one year older than Fourteen? Has he started school? Otherwise, he can be Fourteen's study partner."
The more I think about it, the more I feel that Wu Ge is better than Bao Zhu. After all, Bao Zhu is not close to Fu Jin and is a junior. He is indeed not suitable to be a study companion for Shi Si.
Qi Buchen refused even more, covering his hand and saying, "No, absolutely not. He is very stupid. If he goes to the study, he might piss off the tutors to death."
Yinzhen was suddenly pressed down by a soft and warm lump, and his whole body seemed to be frozen. Then he pulled his hand away with a swish, his eyes dodging, his face red and stammering: "How...how can you say that about your own brother..."
Qi Buchen was so overreacted that he felt like a gangster. He withdrew his hand awkwardly: "I'm just telling you the truth... the truth... seriously, you must not mess around with this matter. You must not interfere in the selection of Fourteenth Brother's study partner."
"I understand." Yinzhen turned sideways, stood up, clenched his fist, pressed it to his lips and coughed, "My master is going to the study."
After going out, she hid her hands in her cloak so that no one could see them. She couldn't help but use her other hand to stroke the back of the hand that was touched, and the corners of her mouth couldn't help but curl up.
Qi Buchen didn't know what expression the Ulanara family had when they received the list. Anyway, it was popular these days for married girls to return to their parents' home when they were young, and as long as they sent gifts during the New Year, they were considered filial.
It's New Year again, but this year is much harder than last year. Because I live outside the palace, I have to get up early every day, stay in the palace all day, and come back very late.
So after five days, Qi Buchen felt like his whole body was falling apart, and he slept until mid-afternoon on the sixth day.
After just one day of rest, they started visiting relatives again on the seventh day. Now that Yinzhen had left the palace to set up his own residence, there were only the eldest and the third brother. It seemed easy, but there were many members of the royal family, and each family had to be taken care of, including Defei's family and Tonggiya's family, as well as Yinzhen's teacher and his friends.
In short, Qi Buchen felt that he was really in a mess during this first year. Yinzhen couldn't help even if he wanted to, because he had to go to the study.
The first month of the year was finally over, and Qi Buchen just thought he could take a breath, but Yinzhen came back and said that Kangxi was going on a trip to tour the capital.
"Ah?" Qi Buchen felt that he must be hallucinating.
Yinzhen also knew that she was really exhausted recently, and said with a smile: "You don't need to follow me this time."
"Ah?!" Qi Buchen perked up and asked meaningfully, "Who are you taking with you?"
Yinzhen glanced at her and said, "Take Su Peisheng with you. Why, do you want to use him?"
"Su Peisheng." Qi Buchen shook his head. "No, no, you take it with you."
Just like that, Yinzhen left with Su Peisheng's bag, leaving Lin Changqing behind.
Qi Buchen looked at Lin Changqing who was watching Yinzhen leave, sighed deeply, and patted Lin Changqing sympathetically.
There's nothing you can do. The Fourth Master's true love is Su Peisheng, and you can't compete with him.
Lin Changqing looked at the departing Fu Jin in confusion and asked the disciple beside him, "Is there anything I don't know?"
The apprentice was confused by the question: "Ah? No, Master."
"What did the lady mean just now?" Lin Changqing thought with a frown.
The apprentice imitated him, frowning and thinking, and stammered, "Maybe Fu Jin missed me when she saw you?"
Lin Changqing glanced at him, and the apprentice shuddered in fear: "I... I was just talking nonsense..."
Lin Changqing nodded: "That makes sense." Women are always clingy like this. They will think about you if they can't see you for a moment.
Unfortunately, this time, I'm afraid he won't be back for more than a month. It seems that he should appear less in front of Fu Jin during this period. Otherwise, what if Fu Jin thinks too much and loses her appetite?
When the time comes, I will definitely deal with him.
Qi Buchen didn't realize that Lin Changqing was avoiding her. During this period, she was the only master in the mansion. Except for going to the palace to pay respects once every two weeks, her life was very comfortable.
I never thought about Yinzhen at all.
But Yinzhen missed her. He had been out for more than half a month. He saw that his eldest brother and third brother had received letters and things from the women in the mansion, but he didn't even have a piece of paper. The coldness emanating from his body was colder than the weather in February.
The capital is not far away, and a round trip can be made in seven or eight days by riding a fast horse. What does this mean? It means that the person in the mansion didn't even think of sending him anything or writing a letter!
Okay, you don't want to send it, right? Then I won't write it for you either!
Yinzhen, who was silently holding back his anger, finally couldn't hold it in anymore and wrote a short greeting letter, and asked someone to send a bunch of things he bought after leaving back to the capital.
Qi Buchen received these things 27 days after leaving Beijing. She was still muttering, "Isn't he coming back soon? It's not enough to bring them all back. Why did you ask someone to send them back specially? What a waste."
Lin Changqing, who overheard this, was watching the situation intently. In fact, half a month after Yinzhen left, he had subtly mentioned whether he should write a letter to the emperor and send some gifts over.
Unexpectedly, Qi Buchen looked at him strangely: "Didn't you take everything with you when you left? What else do you want to give me?"
Lin Changqing had nothing to say and could only ask Baozhu and the other girls for help, asking them to remind Fu Jin to write a letter to the master. Baozhu and the others did mention it, but later said to Lin Changqing with a strange look on her face: "Fu Jin said that nothing has happened recently, so there is nothing to write."
No one mentioned this matter again.
Now that he had received the letter from his master, Lin Changqing knew that his master must want his wife to reply. However, seeing that his wife had not yet instructed him to deliver the letter the next day, he could not sit still and asked for an audience, "I wonder if your wife's reply has been written? So that I can arrange for someone to deliver it."
"Reply? What reply?" Qi Buchen looked puzzled.
Lin Changqing took a deep breath and said with a smile, "It's a reply letter to me."
"Oh, that." Qi Buchen suddenly realized, "I won't reply. It's nothing serious. He will be back soon. Isn't it redundant to send a letter all the way here?"
Yinzhen, who was "doing something unnecessary", was still wondering what his wife would write in reply. Would she be unhappy after reading such a short letter?
But he didn't expect that his wife didn't even think about replying to him.
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