23. Green tea
Prime Minister Wen looked her up and down, narrowing his fox-like eyes, his pupils drooping slightly, and speaking in a somewhat puzzling voice, "Madam Yun, are you feeling better?"
"Yes, thank you for your concern." Yun Zhihe said softly, her eyebrows were lightly drawn like the distant mountains, and her eyes were clear and calm.
She scoffed softly, "You're born with a good-looking appearance, just like your mother."
Although the Wen family is a neighbor of the Yun family, Prime Minister Wen does not have a good relationship with Yun Qianli. It is no wonder that she forbids Wen Yanhe from secretly running to the Yun family.
Although Yun Zhihe didn't know about the grudge between the two of them, she was now working under Prime Minister Wen, so naturally she had to have a good relationship with him.
Yun Zhihe chuckled softly, his eyes curved. "Lord Wen, your praise is unmerited. My mother is truly graceful, but I have only inherited a bit of her grace. I cannot compare to her."
She said a few words to Prime Minister Wen, which were slightly sarcastic.
Prime Minister Wen looked at her, chuckled, handed her a stack of documents and left her alone.
His Majesty has ordered Prime Minister Wen to draft the law on slavery. It was not the turn of Yun Zhihe, a young lady who had just entered the officialdom, to participate in this, but His Majesty has already ordered her to assist. Anyone with a clear mind can see that this is preferential treatment.
She looked through the documents in her hand, carefully not missing a single detail.
This was the original law regarding slavery and slavery. Although slaves were considered objects, if you look closely they were even less than objects.
She slowly frowned, thinking that the lowly class was in a low position, but now she was not even considered a human being.
But the laws on slavery and slavery that Prime Minister Wen gave her made Yun Zhihe think deeply.
Your Majesty only ordered the amendment of the status of slaves and did not mention the status of slaves.
Prime Minister Wen's move was to revise the slave status as well.
This matter would not have been discussed so quickly, but with Prime Minister Wen taking charge alone, the process went much faster. During the morning court session, he debated with a group of scholars, and with Xuanyuan Ying's tacit approval, he smiled and scolded the opposing officials.
The little fox's temperament is like his mother's.
Yun Zhihe lowered his eyes thoughtfully.
Such rapid progress and preparation can only mean that Prime Minister Wen had prepared for it a long time ago - Prime Minister Wen also wanted to abolish the status of slaves.
Yun Zhihe was slightly surprised by this guess and concealed the thought in his eyes.
Prime Minister Wen came from a humble family, and although his current status and position was deliberately promoted by His Majesty, it was more due to his own abilities.
Modifying the law is no small matter, and it requires someone to visit and investigate every day. Naturally, this task was given to Yun Zhihe, who has the lowest official position among the group of women.
She took it calmly, thinking of going to the brothel to investigate those lowly young men. Just as she was about to get up and leave, she saw Wen Yanhe at the door.
He was wearing a well-fitting official uniform, with a smile on his face, his inky black hair held in place by a jade crown, and he moved politely. Anyone who saw him would be able to praise his unique and clear demeanor.
It seems that he has become more tactful after entering the officialdom.
He was the male official serving His Majesty, unlike those palace maids...
More like... a secretary?
Yun Zhihe thought about it and felt that this word seemed to be very suitable for describing Wen Yanhe's current official position.
In just a moment, their eyes met.
The voice was light, "Lord Yun..."
Yun Zhihe saw the teasing in his eyes and coughed lightly. Because they were in the palace and there were many people around, she had to be polite, so she responded lightly.
She was a sixth-rank official, but he didn't have to address her as "Sir" because he just had the bad temper of a fox.
Wen Yanhe handed the document to Prime Minister Wen. The mother and son did not make any eye contact, just like... ordinary superiors and subordinates.
Because Wen Yanhe was appointed as a male official, many people in the court wrote letters to Prime Minister Wen, most of them warning His Majesty that the Wen family had too much power, and that both mother and son were officials, which had ruined state affairs.
In addition to the issue of law revision, Prime Minister Wen has been under a lot of pressure recently, and he now has dark circles under his eyes.
After handing in the paperwork, he was about to leave again. He looked at Yun Zhihe, "Madam Yun, where are you going?"
It was just a courtesy. I just wanted to say a few words to the lady in front of me.
"Brothel."
She said it without hesitation.
Wen Yanhe's expression froze for a moment.
He had a rather forced smile, his fox fangs clenched in a sullen rage, "Madam Yun has really picked up a lot of good habits."
Yun Zhihe paused, then realized he had misunderstood. After a moment's hesitation, he began to explain, "It's not what you think. We want to investigate the living conditions of these lowly young masters."
“…to facilitate the modification of the law.”
Wen Yanhe's expression softened, and he quickly narrowed his peach blossom eyes and smiled, "Can you go with Madam Yun?"
Although she didn't know why he went to join in the fun in the brothel, she nodded slightly and secretly glanced at Prime Minister Wen who was writing seriously. She didn't notice and breathed a sigh of relief.
Yun Zhihe suddenly remembered that there seemed to be... a young man of low status in the Yun Mansion, and he suddenly rejected Wen Yanhe's request to go to the brothel.
"Let's not go to the brothel...let's go to the Yun Mansion."
Wen Yanhe followed her out, feeling somewhat uninterested and a little regretful that he couldn't go to the brothel.
"Why not?"
He has never been there in his life.
"Because I bought a man from a brothel before."
Wen Yanhe's expression froze again. He pursed his lips and didn't speak for a long time.
Her voice was calm and clear, and she had no idea how much turmoil her words had caused in Wen Yanhe's heart.
When Yun Zhihe reached out his hand to pull him into the carriage, Wen Yanhe lowered his eyes and did not extend his hand. Instead, he gave his hand to the servant next to him and asked him to pull him up.
Yun Zhihe looked at his outstretched hand, then looked at Wen Yanhe who got into the carriage without saying a word, feeling a little confused.
Wen Yanhe sat opposite her all the way to Yun Mansion, just looking at the scenery outside the window.
He pursed his lips, rested his palm on his chin, his slender jade-like fingertips on his lips, the lines of his neck were smooth and graceful, and he said nothing.
After a long time, as if he couldn't help it, his voice was slightly hoarse, "Madam Yun is really interested. The Yun family actually keeps Nuan Xiangyu. Is it comfortable?"
He started off with sarcasm as soon as he opened his mouth.
He raised his eyes slightly, his hand still on his chin, his fingertips touching his rosy lower lip. The eyes of the clear-minded and unique young man were slightly red with anger.
Yun Zhihe thought he just followed Prime Minister Wen in looking down on the custom of seeking pleasure and having beautiful women in one's arms, so he spoke.
"It's been a while since I returned to the Yun Mansion to lie down. I was seriously ill a few days ago and my life was not comfortable."
Wen Yanhe's expression relaxed a little, as he thought that she had not visited the prostitute in the brothel for a long time, but he still felt a little uncomfortable and aggrieved.
Although he knew about these things about concubines, he felt a little upset just thinking about her touching other men.
Don’t the young men in brothels buy it just to satisfy their sexual desires?
She pursed her lips and stopped talking, but absent-mindedly followed Yun Zhihe to the Yun Mansion.
As soon as he entered the door, Wang Dad and Qingzhu came to greet him. Wang Dad recognized Wen Yanhe and couldn't help but smile.
Yun Zhihe has made great progress these days, now taking care of both Master Xuan'er and Master Wen.
I don’t know which one to choose as my husband.
Wen Yanhe narrowed his eyes and looked at Qingzhu, examining him carefully from top to bottom.
The green bamboo-patterned waist belt tightly wraps around the slender waist, outlining an excellent figure. Her shoulders are broad and her waist is narrow, and she walks with an elegant and graceful demeanor.
The waist is... extremely slender.
Wen Yanhe gritted his teeth.
Although he is handsome, his waist is not as slender as his.
Qingzhu's eyes were slightly drooping, his face was handsome and clear, with a pitiful temperament, and his thin lips were slightly red.
She called out in a soft and gentle voice, "Madam Yun... I will take off your fur coat for you."
Their eyes suddenly met.
Wen Yanhe chuckled softly, her smile still clear and unique. Her peach-like eyes were moist with ripples, slightly narrowed, and she opened her folding fan.
Although it may seem a bit pretentious to always carry a folding fan in winter.
But he was used to holding this folding fan. The black-haired and white-jade beauty with a folding fan looked quite pleasing to outsiders.
Qingzhu's expression remained calm, as she still looked gentle and clear. She bowed gracefully to welcome the guest.
Yun Zhihe didn't notice anything unusual, but he didn't know that the two of them had already been competing with each other in their eyes.
Qingzhu is smart and is especially good at making tea. Her every move is graceful and skillful, and she gently pours tea for the two of them.
Wen Yanhe paused slightly as he watched his tea-making skills.
The tea art techniques he used were essential for the sons of wealthy families.
Wen Yanhe is the most outstanding young master in the capital. He is proficient in music, chess, calligraphy and painting. His tea art is slightly inferior to his.
The moment Qingzhu left the house, he glanced at her and said with a hint of mockery, "I have seen the warm fragrance of Madam Yun. She is truly a wonderful person."
Yun Zhihe briefly introduced Qingzhu before coming, saying only, "He has a weak personality and was sold into a brothel after his family fell into poverty."
So Wen Yanhe was not too surprised by his method of making tea.
Yun Zhihe frowned and said, "It's not Nuan Xiangyu, don't talk nonsense."
Wen Yanhe didn't listen, but just stared at Qingzhu's back and pursed his lips slightly.
His heart swelled slightly, with ripples of sadness. He snorted softly and lowered his eyes to look at his waist.
Indeed... not as fine as his.
After reminiscing about the past with Father Wang, Yun Zhihe called Qingzhu back. For a moment, there were only three of them in the room.
Under Qingzhu's puzzled gaze, Yun Zhihe spoke carefully, "...Qingzhu, your current household registration is a slave, but...can you tell me about the daily treatment of slaves?"
Qingzhu pursed her lips, her eyes trembling slightly, her face pale, and her voice hoarse, "Madam Yun...slave..."
After all, these were not good experiences, and Yun Zhihe spoke so softly because he was afraid of hurting him.
Qingzhu lowered his eyes, a hint of emotion flashed in his eyes, and his fingertips trembled slightly.
"Before... when I was a child, I was sold to a brothel. My father saw my outstanding figure and handsome face, so he personally taught me... and wanted to train me to become an oiran."
Come to think of it...I did spend quite a bit of money when I bought the Qingzhu.
However, Yun Zhihe didn't care much about the money given by His Majesty.
Wen Yanhe observed Qingzhu.
He lowered his head, not looking directly at the two people in front of him, and spoke one sentence at a time.
"I've seen many brothers... beaten to death for not accepting customers, and I've also seen many... who were...
He spoke intermittently.
Wen Yanhe was a man, and the more he spoke, the paler his face became.
Although he was smart, he had never thought that the life of a man in a brothel was so hot and humid, and it was not a life for a human being at all.
Wen Yanhe's face, which was already as white as jade, turned even paler, and his lips trembled slightly. He was a spoiled young man at home, raised with etiquette and documents, and he couldn't stand listening to these dirty things...
There was a hint of sympathy and pity in his eyes as he looked at Qingzhu.
Yun Zhihe's fingertips trembled and his brows became more furrowed as he listened to these things.
Slowly, Qingzhu's voice became choked with sobs, and tears slid down his clear and handsome face. He spoke in a hoarse voice, "Yun, Madam Yun... Qingzhu, Qingzhu is so scared..."
Seeing Qingzhu's emotional breakdown, Yun Zhihe immediately asked him to stop and calm him down.
"Wuwuwu... Madam Yun..."
Qingzhu shook her shoulders and suddenly collapsed into Yun Zhihe's arms.
Wen Yanhe was stunned.
Yun Zhihe was also a little stunned. She wanted to push him away, but seeing him breaking down and crying, she had to suppress her actions and let him hold her, but her body was a little stiff.
"Wuwu... Qingzhu... Qingzhu... I'm so scared..."
He cried in Yun Zhihe's arms, his head resting on her shoulder, his tears wetting her shoulder. Yun Zhihe had no choice but to gently stroke his back to soothe him.
"Well... you've left."
After all, it was his own problem that caused him to break down like this.
As a woman, she felt uncomfortable listening to those things, let alone a young man who witnessed those things with his own eyes.
Wen Yanhe pursed her lips and wanted to go forward and pull him up.
If Qingzhu wanted to, she could throw herself into his arms and cry, and he could comfort her.
Qingzhu cried so hard that her eyes were filled with tears, and her voice was hoarse and choked at the end. She couldn't stop for a long time. She just hugged Yun Zhihe, tears streaming down her face.
Although Wen Yanhe felt a little sympathetic towards him, it was not okay for him to nestle in Yun Zhihe's arms like this.
Just as he was about to ask him to come down, he suddenly saw Qingzhu raise his eyes slightly, his wet eyelashes making him look even more lustful, and he looked straight into his eyes.
Then smiled gently.
There were still tears on her face, her eyes were red, and her shoulders were shaking.
But his smile was gentle and clear.
It's a provocation... and a confrontation.
He held Yun Zhihe in his arms, facing Wen Yanhe, while Yun Zhihe had her back to them.
Wen Yanhe saw his smile pause and his fingertips suddenly clenched the folding fan in his hand, as if he had not expected that this man who looked as clear and innocent as an immortal could have such a scheming mind.
He took a deep breath, and the sympathy and pity he had just shown seemed like a joke. He suppressed the indifference in his eyes and stared into Qingzhu's eyes.
The little fox rarely had such a cold expression. He opened his lips and said in a hollow voice, "...you are really scheming."
Qingzhu saw his lip movements clearly, then lowered her eyes and cried softly.
The young master's hostility was too obvious. It could be sensed as soon as he stepped into the courtyard. He had been working in brothels for so many years, so he was naturally not as simple as he seemed.
The hostility in Mr. Wen's eyes was extremely obvious, with a hint of contempt and disdain.
He hasn't seen Madam Yun for a long time.
Every day I think about the warmth of his body when I held him, gentle and warm.
Qingzhu lowered her eyes in satisfaction and continued to cry in Yun Zhihe's arms.
I miss her so much.
I really want to hug her.
So...satisfied.
"ah--"
Suddenly, Wen Yanhe screamed and collapsed to the ground in an instant.
Yun Zhihe paused, pushed away the crying Qingzhu, and turned to look at Wen Yanhe who was lying on the ground.
"What's wrong?"
Wen Yanhe pursed her lips, her eyes red.
"I wanted to hug Brother Qingzhu and comfort him, but I twisted my ankle the moment I took a step forward."
He collapsed on the ground, his voice hoarse and slightly tearful.
"Zhihe...it hurts..."
The author has something to say:
Who doesn’t love the green tea brother vying for favor in the green tea competition?
Oh, and I'd like to add one of those soft, cute, innocent little princes as the male lead for the next chapter. Is that okay? Is the cast too mixed, or are there too many options for the male lead?
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