Xiao Guozi was skilled, but after running back and forth six or seven times, his face was covered in sweat.
"Still haven't seen him?" Zhao Shu asked quietly. Wang Jiyang was still causing trouble outside. The imperial examination cheating case and the matter on the fiefdom were not yet over. There were some things that could be settled in the chaos.
"Yes, the Xie family said that Xie Shuling is busy and will not see anyone."
“Then go find Master Xie.” Zhao Shu said, as if commenting on the weather, and then added, “You must go in a very high-profile manner.”
"Sigh." Xiao Guozi turned around and went out the door again.
About 15 minutes later, he returned and said, "Princess, the Xie family said that the eldest master of the Xie family is not in the mansion and will not be back for about ten days."
"If Master Xie is not here, go find Madam Xie. If Madam Xie is not here, go find Old Madam Xie."
Xiao Guozi went again, and returned two quarters of an hour later, covered in sweat. "Princess, the masters of the Xie family are all too busy to see anyone."
Zhao Shu stopped fussing and said, "Go wash up." Then she closed the door to the small study.
As evening fell, the door to the small study opened, and Zhao Shu took out two pieces of paper and handed them to Sheng Xia and Wan Dong, instructing them: "Go, go to the streets and alleys, find some children, and teach them to sing folk songs."
After taking the paper and glancing at it, Shengxia and Wandong immediately understood what the princess was planning. Of course, the princess was not one to suffer a loss.
After the two men accepted the order and left, Zhao Shu summoned Chu Chun and instructed her, "Take some people and, in the name of the Xie family, send some good food to Lord Wang and Fei Chi and the others. In this hot weather, brew a few pots of fine tea and bring them along. Remember, they are all pillars of the nation and cannot be neglected."
Chu Chun shuddered when she heard the last sentence. She wasn't like Green Ivy; she knew exactly what Zhao Shu was up to.
The weather was hot, and double-skin milk became a common way for Prince Yong and Zhao Shu to cool off. Just as they were eating, someone from the kitchen came to ask where to set out the meal.
Zhao Shu thought for a moment, "Chen Songyuan, tell Xing'er to send a portion to Physician Peng when you make double-skin milk pudding."
Upon hearing this, the old woman quickly replied, "Yes," and bowed before leaving.
Upon arriving at Chensong Courtyard, Prince Yong was fiddling with his purple-gold crown.
“Father, have the embroiderer make a dress to match this purple-gold crown,” Zhao Shu said.
Prince Yong fiddled with it for a while, then threw it on the table. “Others have used it, but the Xie family treasures it. I think this purple gold one is very luxurious, so I thought I’d have someone make another one. Look, I’ve already drawn up the design.”
Zhao Shu took the Xuan paper and looked at it. It seemed that Prince Yong had not held a brush for a long time. The brush tip was limp and the lines were not straight, but it did not hinder the viewing. One could tell at a glance what the finished product would look like.
It seems that my father was quite skilled in painting.
"If Father likes it, then let it be done. The only problem is that it's hard to find good craftsmen." In this day and age, unlike in modern times, good craftsmen are indeed hard to find.
Craftsmen with decent skills are usually bought by a family and signed a life-long contract.
"I happen to know someone, so I'll go see him tomorrow."
Zhao Shu was surprised, but she didn't ask. Prince Yong knew many bad friends, so it wasn't surprising that there were one or two special ones.
"Father, how about you come to the palace with me first thing tomorrow morning?"
"Going to the palace? Were you angered by the Xie family? Don't be afraid, my son, I will definitely avenge you." Prince Yong was seething with anger; the Xie family had gone too far!
Zhao Shu smiled, feeling warm inside. She had been pampered since childhood, doted on by the late emperor and empress dowager. Her elder brother was also the emperor's father. There were few situations where she needed to use schemes and tricks. How could she be a match for the Xie family? Having this heart was enough.
“Father, A-Jun is neither angry nor afraid. I heard that Lord Wang has led a group to request a thorough investigation into the imperial examination cheating case. I suppose Uncle is in a dilemma right now. Let’s go and see if we can help.”
Prince Yong hesitated, "As for political affairs, you don't need to worry about them with your imperial uncle."
"I naturally don't care about politics, but if helping my uncle the emperor could bring misfortune to the Xie family, would you help him or not?" Zhao Shu said, then gave a sinister laugh.
Prince Yong rolled his eyes and said, “I am not the kind of person who would settle personal scores. It’s just that as the Prince of Dayong, I have not yet achieved any merit. Now that my brother is in trouble, I will do my best to help. Get up early tomorrow and come to the palace with me.”
Zhao Shu: ...Father, do you dare say it wasn't for personal revenge?
Wang Jiyang, who was still kneeling at the East Gate, saw several maids and servants carrying a food box as tall as a person walking towards her from afar.
The one walking in front was someone Wang Jiyang had seen before; she was Princess Jun's maid, but he couldn't remember her name.
In early spring, he came before Wang Jiyang, curtsied, and said, "Greetings, Your Excellency."
"No need for formalities, is there anything I can do for you?" He had been kneeling all day, and was now drenched in sweat and his knees ached terribly, but he still straightened his back.
For the first time in early spring, she felt admiration for Wang Jiyang and said, "This servant is just passing by." After she finished speaking, she stepped aside and pointed to the huge food box, "This is food and tea that the Xie family sent to you, sir."
As soon as she finished speaking, the maids and servants put down the food box, opened it, and immediately the fragrant aroma of the food wafted out on the wind.
The maids and servants didn't wait for anyone to speak; they took out clean bowls and chopsticks, served rice, arranged dishes, and thoughtfully gave each person a cup of fine Tieguanyin tea.
Looking at the food in front of him, Wang Jiyang suddenly threw his head back and burst into laughter, "Hahaha, hahaha!"
I laughed for a long time, and tears almost welled up in my eyes.
As night fell, at the Jingbo Pavilion of the Yang residence, Wang Kuanqi began to speak as soon as he entered. "Brother Yang, what should we do? Although the Emperor has not yet agreed, with this momentum, he will surely agree." He was extremely anxious. These days, he thought that Wang Jiyang would rush to the Wang family first.
Unexpectedly, Wang Jiyang was so carefree that he never even visited the Wang family.
Yang Zhong's face was icy cold. "What's the panic? The Emperor hasn't agreed yet."
"Brother Yang, aren't you worried? Wang Jiyang is causing trouble right at your doorstep," Wang Kuanqi said, pointing towards the east gate.
"What's the use of panicking? Even if the Emperor agrees, so what?" Yang Zhong felt powerless, but stubbornly refused to admit it.
Wang Kuanqi chimed in, "So what? Wei Tingsi, you said it would have been fine if he had gone, but what's the result? He's still alive and well."
"Hmph." Yang Zhong sneered, "Since we can't get rid of Wei Tingsi for the time being, then let's get rid of Wang Jiyang first." He said through gritted teeth.
"Brother Yang, this is a good idea. There's no time like the present. Let's act tonight. If we wait until tonight, the situation might change and become difficult to control."
After dinner, Zhao Shu returned to Qionghua Courtyard. Her eyelids kept twitching, and she felt restless. She didn't even realize that she was holding the book upside down.
"Princess, why don't you rest?" Green Ivy said.
“No.” She suddenly stood up. “No one can rest tonight. Tell Father that I will go play chess with him later and call Mo Qin over.”
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