Hongmi replied, "I bought toys and snacks at the market. There was a bag of roasted chestnuts in there; I remember my sister-in-law likes them."
As he spoke, he opened the cloth bag and took out a packet of roasted chestnuts. Each chestnut had a split opening, revealing the golden chestnut kernels inside.
"You still remember this taste."
"Because I like to eat it too." Hongmi peeled one for Murun, "Try it."
"Delicious." Mu Run chewed, savoring the fragrant taste. "Where's Lan Zhi, Zhao Niangzi's niece?"
"They are learning the rules."
"Don't delay them. They'll be released to marry in a few years. All the palace maids are the same; they'll be released from the palace no later than twenty."
"These young girls are not easy to manage."
"Oh? What happened?"
"Just now, Lan Zhi got into a fight with a head maid from the Department of Internal Affairs."
"Huh? A fight!"
"The nanny wanted to examine her body to see if she had any hidden illnesses. She didn't want to take off her clothes, so she argued with the nanny and even got physical."
"Is the little girl shy? You could be more tactful."
"What's the point of being tactful? We're all women, what's there to be ashamed of? In the end, when I went over, I exempted her from the physical examination out of respect for Lady Zhao. But I still punished her for breaking palace rules by making her work in the laundry room for a month."
"..."
"She was quite dissatisfied and said she wanted her aunt to come. I don't tolerate that. Even if Madam Zhao really comes, things will still be the same. Otherwise, what if others follow suit and don't follow the rules?"
"Yes, chaos will ensue if there are no rules. You handle these matters; I'll back you up."
"Thank you, sister-in-law."
"No need to thank me. By the way, what about Qiao Dongzi keeping a mistress?"
Redmi hesitated for a moment, wondering whether he should say it or not.
"What? You really have a mistress?"
"No... that woman is a friend of Brother Qiao from the martial arts world, she came to catch up with him." Hongmi still concealed the fact that Yushan came to see Fu Yunchen.
Mu Run didn't suspect anything. "That's good. Don't mention it to Madam Qiao either, so she won't overthink it."
"I know." That's why she didn't say anything.
...
Shangyun Pavilion.
As the heavy snow fell, Yu Shan pulled her fiery red fox fur coat tighter around her shoulders and admired the swirling snowflakes.
I reached out and caught a few glistening snowflakes, which melted into tiny water droplets in my palm, bringing a cool sensation that seeped into my body.
A steady footstep approached, and Yu Shan looked over.
Seeing Fu Yunchen's maturity and depth, so different from his younger self, a pure and gentle smile appeared on her beautiful face. "Yunchen, it's been a long time."
Fu Yunchen looked at her almost unchanged face, especially her eyes, which were as still and beautiful as a virgin lake.
"The beauty remains the same." Fu Yunchen smiled.
"It is a great honor to hear you say these words."
"Hehe, how is it staying here?"
"It's so much better than the inn." Yu Shan led Fu Yunchen into the guest room.
Outside, it was freezing cold, but inside, it was warm and cozy, with lush greenery and flowers, making it impossible to feel the slightest bit of cold.
Yu Shan had already prepared tea and refreshments in the warm pavilion and invited Fu Yunchen to take a seat.
Fu Yunchen said, "Back then, you left without saying goodbye, and Qiao Dongzi searched for you for a long time."
"And you?" Yu Shan poured tea for Fu Yunchen. "Have you looked for me?"
"No," Fu Yunchen replied truthfully.
Yu Shan paused as she poured him tea, and a few drops of tea spilled outside the cup.
She hurriedly wiped away the water stains with a handkerchief, saying, "Sorry."
Fu Yunchen looked at her reaction and said, "You don't come here unless you have a reason. What brings you here this time?" His tone was much calmer than when they first met.
Yu Shan said, "Have some tea first, let me think about how to tell you."
Fu Yunchen picked up the teacup as instructed, took a small sip... It was fragrant at first, but left a bitter aftertaste, so he put it down.
After watching him finish his tea, Yu Shan smiled and said, "That's enough. There's no need for people from the martial world to beat around the bush."
“That’s more like you,” Fu Yunchen said.
"Yes, Yubing Manor has lost a valuable treasure and would like to ask for your help in finding it."
"What kind of treasure?"
"Silver-winged Ice Cicada".
"Is it the legendary Silver-Winged Ice Cicada that can bring the dead back to life?" Fu Yunchen asked, somewhat surprised.
Yu Shan nodded, "The idea of bringing someone back from the dead is an exaggeration, but there is still a chance of recovery from a serious illness. Five days ago, my mother was seriously injured and fell into a coma. Most of the treasure vault was looted. Everything else is fine, but we absolutely must find this Silver Wing Ice Cicada, and it's also for my mother's sake."
"Any clues?" Fu Yunchen asked.
"No. The other party acted very meticulously and left nothing behind."
"Could it be an inside job?"
"I've already used the 'Truthful Fragrance' method to inquire, and it wasn't done by anyone from the manor."
Fu Yunchen thought for a moment, "Do you have a list of all the lost treasures? The Silver Wing Ice Cicada is too conspicuous, so the thief might not easily expose himself. He probably won't be as careful with the others."
“I don’t have it on me,” Yu Shan replied, “but I can go back to the manor to get it right away.”
“Okay. I’ll send someone to look for it once the list arrives,” Fu Yunchen said.
"Thank you." Yu Shan breathed a sigh of relief, then poured Fu Yunchen more tea. "Please enjoy."
Fu Yunchen picked up his teacup and drank it all in one gulp, then turned the teacup upside down on the table. "I have other things to do, so I'll head back now."
"Okay, I'll take it to you." Yu Shan looked at the teacup, her smile becoming even more gentle and charming.
Fu Yunchen nodded and walked outside.
As Yu Shan watched his retreating figure, her expression gradually changed... His brown eyes were filled with determination, and a wicked smile appeared on one side of his rosy lips, his gentle charm vanished, replaced by arrogance.
A man in gray suddenly appeared beside her. "Young Miss, is it done?"
"With me in charge, there's nothing I can't accomplish. Just wait and see."
"yes."
...
The border ban issued by the Middle Jin Dynasty not only failed to stop the people from the Middle Jin Dynasty from migrating to Chongyang Prefecture, but also caused considerable unrest.
When the people of the Northern Jin Dynasty saw that the Jin Dynasty had imposed border restrictions, they feared that their own area would also be restricted, so they began to travel in large groups to Chongyang Prefecture.
In addition, a large number of people from the Wu Kingdom also fled to Chongyang Prefecture.
Naturally, among these refugees were also spies from various countries, causing chaos throughout Chongyang Prefecture.
"Should we continue to collect them?" Mu Run asked worriedly after reading the official documents from various places. "But with the current snow disaster, supplies in Chongyang Prefecture are starting to run out. And they might leave after the snow disaster is over."
"Let them come and go as they please; what we care about now is our reputation."
Mu Run stretched and said, "He who wins the hearts of the people wins the world."
Fu Yunchen nodded, "That's true. No matter how you acquire the country, it is ultimately the will of the people that ensures its longevity."
"The cost was not small either."
"It was worth the effort. These people have been a great help, whether it was repairing river channels or roads. There are many skilled craftsmen among them."
Mu Run suddenly realized, "With wide roads, flat rivers, and land to plant wherever you want, all the grain will end up in your own pocket. In the end, how many people will be willing to leave?"
---Aside---
I have acute gastroenteritis. I'll update again tomorrow when I feel better.
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