Chapter 231 Human Relationships
Sun Wei breathed a sigh of relief when he agreed.
"Thank you, sir," she said, then smiled wryly, "It's me, my father and I, who haven't learned the wisdom of our grandfather."
"That's not right," Yu Yi said. "Mr. Sun was unstoppable in Jiankang back then, so full of vigor and ambition. If he hadn't experienced so many hardships, he wouldn't have been content with loneliness. Your Majesty and your father still have the courage to fight, which shows that they haven't suffered the same hardships as Mr. Sun. Isn't this a good thing? Your Majesty's entrustment is just a piece of cake for me. I just wonder how your Majesty plans to persuade your father to return?"
Sun Wei still has no definite answer to this question.
In his previous life, even though his family was ridiculed and Sun Qiao was bullied at the academy, Sun Nian never considered leaving Beijing. In fact, the only reason he returned was because of the turbulent times, and Sun Wei had them forcibly sent back.
But he still couldn't avoid death.
"Let me think of another solution." Sun Wei said.
Yu Yi said, "My lady, it's inconvenient for you to handle this matter. How about leaving it to me?"
Sun Wei was startled and said hurriedly, "Let's not talk about how you're going to convince father. This is my family affair, how can I trouble you again and again?"
Yu Yi said, "I am recuperating at home, and besides writing, I have nothing else to do. Princess, please consider this as finding something for me to do. Your father has abandoned his family and career to come to Jiankang, which shows that he has a persistent desire. However, obsessions always have a source. I will talk to your father and find out what he wants. As long as he can tell me, I will do my best to fulfill it, and it will not be difficult for him to return."
Sun Wei thought for a moment and nodded, "Sir, you are absolutely right. But what if the official position my father wants is in Jiankang?"
Yu Yi smiled bitterly. "If that's the case, then I'm afraid I can't do anything about it. After all, I don't hold any official position right now. But I do have some spare energy to arrange for him to stay outside Jiankang. What do you think, my lady?"
This is exactly what Sun Wei wants.
Even if we can't persuade Sun Nian to return to An Ning, it would be good as long as he leaves Jiankang.
"Sir, you are so dedicated. I am very grateful." Sun Wei said, "I will repay your kindness with all my strength."
Yu Yi smiled.
"Are you serious, my lady?"
Sun Wei was stunned and immediately realized that there was something behind his words.
"Young Master's intention..."
Yu Yi said, "I am only doing you a favor, my lady, and I really need your help."
——
Sun Wei said goodbye to Yu Yi and went to the boat house.
Sima Jun was writing something at his desk. When he saw Sun Wei come in, he stopped writing.
"Madam, did you go to Boyou to borrow books?" His eyes fell on the scroll in her hand.
"Exactly."
"I remember Madam said yesterday that she wanted to borrow a book. What is it?"
Sun Wei placed the book in front of Sima Jun.
He looked at it and saw "Xijing Food Record" written on the cover.
Sima Jun nodded and continued writing: "Madam, are you more interested in eating and drinking, or in the kitchen?"
"Both." Sun Wei said.
She knew Sima Jun must have known about her recent visit to Yu Yi. She had been staying a while longer and needed an excuse. So, she asked Yu Yi to find her a good book.
Yu Yi really had to rummage through all his boxes and drawers before he found this book that looked like a piece of literature.
He told Sun Wei that the book was a gift from a friend and that he had not yet read it, so he had no idea what it was about. Sun Wei didn't care, so he took the book and went to see Sima Jun.
"In that case, Madam, I'm afraid you'll be disappointed," Sima Jun said. "This book contains a conversation between the noble scholar Xu Liang of the previous dynasty and his retainers at a banquet. It discusses statecraft and military tactics, and the language is quite difficult. Madam, if you want to read this, you might as well refer to the military book in my calligraphy collection."
Sun Wei: “…”
Unexpectedly, this person had read books that even Yu Yi had never read.
"I see." Sun Wei's expression was calm. "Looking at the cover, I thought it was all about the kitchen, so it must be easy to read. Well, I'll send someone to return it to Master Yu later."
Before Sima Jun could say more, Sun Wei continued, "I intend to keep A'ru by my side, but I don't know what the prince thinks."
Sima Jun said, "She was originally brought here by Madam. It is up to Madam whether to keep her or not."
"Now it's different from before." Sun Wei said, "Before, she was a slave, but now she has been released. If she stays with me, she will be a servant."
Sima Jun raised his eyes and looked at her.
"What does Madam mean?"
"Servants receive a monthly salary, and servants receive several times that," Sun Wei said. "I'm thinking of setting A'ru's monthly salary in line with the Crown Prince's attendants. How about that?"
Sima Jun nodded and said, "After we arrive in Jiankang, I will have Cao Song pay Aru a monthly salary according to Deng Lian's."
Sun smiled and said, "Thank you, Prince."
After she finished speaking, she still sat there, showing no intention of leaving.
Outside, the sound of servants walking on the deck could be heard, making the cabin even quieter.
Sima Jun couldn't help but look up at her again: "Madam, is there anything else?"
"This ship is about to arrive in Jiankang. When it does, I will definitely go to the palace to pay my respects to the Empress Dowager," Sun Wei said. "When I was in Guangzhou, I collected a box of high-quality South China Pearls and wanted to present them to the Empress Dowager. But I don't know if the Empress Dowager will like them, so I want to ask the Crown Prince to take a look."
After saying this, she called the maid in and presented Sima Jun with a box of South Pearls.
The pearls inside are white and round, and you can tell at a glance that they are of great value.
"Isn't this my birthday gift?" Sima Jun asked, "How did it become the Empress Dowager's?"
Sun Wei: “…”
At first, she had asked Chen Mao to send the South Pearl from Panyu, under the pretext of Sima Jun's birthday gift. But she knew that Sima Jun never liked such things, so it would be useless to give it to him.
I think the maids didn't keep it secret and let Sima Jun know about it.
As expected, apart from Aju, no one can be trusted.
"That was my original plan, but on second thought, the Crown Prince has never been fond of gold, silver, pearls, and jade. Even if he accepted them, he would just throw them away in the treasury, where they would be of no use to him." Sun Wei said, "I heard that the Queen Mother likes to use pearl powder for her daily skincare routine. Giving these South Pearls to the Queen Mother would actually be beneficial."
Sima Jun didn't comment, but said, "So, my birthday gift is just for nothing?"
Sun Wei was speechless for a moment.
His birthday had already been two or three months in the past, and now he was talking to her about birthday gifts...
Just as she was thinking about how to answer, she heard Sima Jun suddenly say, "Madam, what do you think of Bo You?"
Sun Wei's heart moved.
"Master Yu is a man of profound learning and noble character, truly admirable," she said. "Why did the prince suddenly ask this?"
Sima Jun said, "Yesterday, when I was chatting with Governor Yu, we talked about Bo You. He said that Bo You was already old, but had been living a carefree life, and his marriage was being put off again and again. As an elder, he was worried about Bo You. Coincidentally, the palace was selecting a husband for Princess Xin'an, and the Governor wanted to invite me to the palace to recommend Bo You to the Queen Mother. Bo You has been extremely talented since childhood, and he had been the Crown Prince's study companion, so the Queen Mother was very fond of him. Governor Yu suggested that with my help, this marriage could probably be arranged. Madam, do you think I should help you with this?"
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