Consort Ji told me that Li Zhaole is no longer in Heqing Palace, but not far from her palace. However, they haven't seen each other since she returned. The Empress visited her a few times and bestowed some gifts upon her.
"Is she doing alright in the palace?" I still remember how flustered she was when she was taking care of Junjun.
"In the palace, without the emperor's favor, life was not good. But she was, after all, a princess, and someone who had died in name. Although the emperor did not favor her as much as before, she was still better off than the other concubines."
It was also at that time that a strange little girl arrived, claiming to be the Empress and even saying she was the Emperor's child bride, causing chaos in the palace. At first, the Emperor found it amusing, but later he realized she was a vulgar person and banished her from the palace.
Later, the princess's status improved somewhat. Although she was arrogant, she was polite and knew what was proper. Those who came after her were like pheasants with their tails held high, not knowing who they were.
"I've seen this shameless person before. He does bad things under the guise of a child. I heard he's harmed quite a few families and was beaten up in the middle of the city. Even though he was being beaten to the point of death, he could still jump up and run away."
I remembered when I first arrived; if Consort Ji hadn't mentioned it today, I would have completely forgotten about it.
"Why do you keep talking about those annoying people? It's all in the past. Those who should be executed have been executed, and those who should be exiled have been exiled. Unless their tongues and brains can grow back, they can only do manual labor on the border."
Mother has joined in too. These people bring too much chaos, and they're all so arrogant; they're sure to cause trouble. Consort Ji stopped talking and only spoke to the children.
I don't want to bring it up either. They're all outsiders; why bring them up? It's not like I'm just bored. Now Xie Yuancheng's long-cherished wish has been mostly fulfilled; all that's left is to wait for the fiefdom of Linyang to arrive.
Mother said that every time Consort Ji came out, she would bring the children lots of little trinkets, so they would cling to her legs whenever they saw her. These three little ones, so young, already know how to cling to a big tree.
If Xie Yuancheng makes them fun things every day, wouldn't they follow him wherever he goes?
"I can't stay out of the palace for too long. Half an hour has passed, so I have to go back." Consort Ji held each of the children before returning home.
I saw her to the door. It felt like the past had happened just yesterday. Being a mother for so long makes even a small separation feel sad.
"Ying'er~ I was drawing, and you took the children and ran out~"
I turned around and saw Xie Yuancheng standing behind me. When did he appear? I hadn't been standing at the door for long.
"You haven't been standing here long, it's been two incense sticks already, and your eyes are still fixed on the front."
Xie Yuancheng pulled me back, saying he was showing me something good. He was in great spirits, so I didn't argue with him and followed him back.
"Slow down, I can't keep up." By the end, he was even jogging, and I almost had to be carried the whole way.
"Ying'er, come here, it's very pretty."
Xie Yuancheng pulled me inside. The paintings were already hanging up; they were pictures of Linyang. Was he planning to transform Linyang into a new capital city, or even turn it into a 2020 urban complex?
The center is Linyang City, and all the surrounding villages and towns are connected together. I finally understand why he wanted to make so much money; it was all to build the little city in his heart.
This project will take several years. I looked at it carefully, and the center is surrounded by the big characters "盈" and "诚". It's so thoughtful.
"Aren't you worried about being discovered?" I touched the painting. How did he manage to create such a brain? He'd only been to one place for two years, yet he could create a small city.
"Of course it's made of meat. I asked my master several times before he told me that the foundation and base are the most important. So we should work hard to make money, or it's better to be local tyrants on the sidelines."
I also thought of using animals to help deliver messages, so that I could keep track of everything happening in the city.
"How did they do that?" I was amazed. Xie Yuancheng's money is probably enough for most of the project now, and after it's built, it will still need to be maintained.
"Of course there is a way. Post stations and beacon towers are very important. Our city is not very large. The key is to maintain a good army and attract all countries to come and do business. Soon, we can earn back the money we have spent."
This is such a wonderful gift for you! Aren't you touched? More touched than getting married, right?
"I'm so touched~" I jumped into his arms and cried. He just kept giving me tear gas. I have no idea how long he had been thinking about this behind the scenes.
Xie Yuancheng continued, saying that he had planned everything very thoroughly. When we returned, many places were under construction. He had designated some very poor areas and built high walls to enclose Linyang.
It's not that he doesn't want to help those impoverished areas; it's that they're too lazy and just live off their savings, which goes against his ideas, so it's impossible for them to stay.
"It's a good thing I married you, otherwise I wouldn't even have a chance to get into Linyang~"
"Yes, so we're so glad you're with me. When we get back, we'll give you a big, lively wedding."
"Who gets married twice? You're trying to give me a bad reputation. You say you're sincere with me, but you're not being honest at all."
Why do you need a wedding? All you do is waste money. It's not like you've never been married before. You idiot!
Xie Yuancheng got anxious. Seeing that I wasn't looking at him, he quickly came over and leaned against my leg: "What does Ying'er want? I'll get it for you. You always carry around red clothes. When you see other people having weddings outside, you can be happy for half a day."
"That's because I like watching it, it's none of your business!"
"Then tell me, what would make you happy?" Xie Yuancheng leaned against me and wouldn't move. He wrapped his arms around me and wouldn't let me leave. I tugged at him a couple of times but couldn't break free.
I still told him, since I can't draw: "Aren't you a great artist? If you could draw our wedding scene, I'd probably be laughing in my sleep."
"This is too simple. You ignored me back then, and there wasn't much going on in Linyang. I already finished drawing it and put it in a corner. If you want to see it, I'll show it to you when we get back."
Xie Yuancheng finally got up, and I rubbed his legs: "Don't you mind that the ground is cold? You're like a little kid."
"It's your child~" When did Xie Yuancheng draw it? Unless I go back to the capital, I don't have time to draw.
Dad knows all about his plans, no wonder he always tells me to be understanding. These people are all cut from the same cloth, they don't know how to speak clearly, they only tell one side of the story. I don't know what they're planning, it would be a miracle if I could be understanding.
Xie Yuancheng then told me about what Linyang City looked like that night. I was happy for him, thankful that there wasn't much space. Even if we had money, we couldn't squander it, because we still had to raise our children.
His men are very capable and loyal to him, and he rewards them handsomely. Once Linyang City is established, they will be able to return to their families.
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