Chapter 13 Between the people and Yunzhu, he was not resolute…
Ayan's guess was absolutely right.
At first, Xiao Ming'an was not keen to come when he heard that Yunzhu had called him for something. It wasn't until she quoted Yunzhu's words that Xiao Ming'an reluctantly went to Yunzhu's courtyard.
As soon as she entered, she saw a mountain of books piled up in front of Yunzhu. Xiao Ming'an was puzzled, so he sat down next to Yunzhu and asked, "What exactly do you want me to help you with?"
While Xiao Ming'an was there, Yunzhu was reading some of the classics by herself. When she heard Xiao Ming'an ask about them, she quickly handed the book to him and told him about what He Sinan had told her when she went out that day.
Superstition and supernatural phenomena.
Although He Chonghuan's predictions were sometimes quite accurate, Xiao Ming'an, relying on her status as a county princess, had never had any taboos since childhood. She usually let prophecies go in one ear and out the other, and almost never took them seriously.
Seeing her attitude, Yunzhu wasn't in a hurry to make her believe her.
She simply pressed the book against Xiao Ming'an's face and said, "If you think what he said is false, then that's perfect. Now you have the chance to test him."
"Here, I've taken out all the historical records about locust plagues. Quickly read them to me. If what he said is indeed untrue, then we don't need to panic. But if some of the information does match the current situation, then it's always good to be prepared, isn't it?"
That's true.
Although Xiao Ming'an has a terrible temper, he is often easy to coax and can reason with.
With just a few words, Yunzhu had her completely won over.
She then followed Yunzhu's instructions and began reading to her.
"It's a deal: one book for one outing. Next time you have to come with me!"
Before starting school, Xiao Ming'an remembered to remind Yunzhu.
Yunzhu nodded repeatedly and said a lot of nice things to her, which finally made her completely willing to study for her.
When Xiao Mingzhang returned, this was the scene he saw—
His sister was sitting next to his wife, and the two of them had a book open in front of them. His wife couldn't read the Chinese characters, so his sister read the book for her and then relayed the words to her sentence by sentence.
Xiao Mingzhang didn't know how they had reconciled, but seeing the two heads huddled together like two quiet rabbits, for once, all his fatigue vanished in that moment.
He stood outside the study for a while, intending to call Yunzhu to have dinner, but seeing that she and Xiao Ming'an were really looking at each other so intently, he ordered someone to take the dinner away first.
—
Yunzhu listened attentively to Xiao Ming'an's lecture.
From dusk until now, with the moon shining brightly outside and candlelight flickering inside, she finally looked up, astonished by the swift passage of time.
Xiao Ming'an was also somewhat surprised; without realizing it, she had been talking to Yunzhu for so long in one go.
However, you don't know until you look at these books. Xiao Ming'an's originally carefree mind suddenly became more meticulous.
The locust plague in Qingzhou is remarkably similar to a locust plague that occurred several hundred years ago, which was followed by a drought, as recorded in historical texts.
That natural disaster lasted for three whole years, and due to the rulers' incompetence, it ultimately led to the downfall of the dynasty.
"How about we talk about the rest tomorrow?" They hadn't had dinner yet, and Yunzhu felt embarrassed to keep clinging to Xiao Ming'an.
Xiao Ming'an nodded. There was no need for Yunzhu to call her anymore. She wanted to come again tomorrow to see what signs were still present in the natural disasters recorded in the history books, and how those successful rulers dealt with them.
The two agreed on a time to meet the next day, and Yunzhu then saw Xiao Ming'an off at the door.
However, to their surprise, as soon as they stepped out of the study, they saw a figure sitting upright in the courtyard.
They were both very familiar with that figure; his broad back shone with the gentle moonlight, and his upright posture, like that of a pine or cypress, exuded the dignity of a gentleman.
"Brother!" Xiao Ming'an exclaimed excitedly, "You're back?"
"Hmm." Xiao Mingzhang stood up, put down the book in his hand, and couldn't help but smile when he saw the two of them arm in arm and looking intimate. "I just asked the kitchen to make a few more dishes. Since you've finished reading, why don't you stay and have a meal with us?"
Since Xiao Mingzhang wanted her to stay, Xiao Ming'an naturally had no reason to rush to leave.
She took Yunzhu's arm and readily agreed. After exchanging a few more words with Xiao Mingzhang, she once again affectionately pulled Yunzhu toward their small flower hall.
After finishing dinner, Xiao Ming'an finally left Yunzhu and Xiao Mingzhang's courtyard.
Yunzhu escorted her to the courtyard gate, watching her figure pass over the artificial hill outside the courtyard until she could no longer see her, before turning around.
But as soon as she turned around, she unexpectedly bumped into a solid and thick wall of people.
Yunzhu covered her head and looked up at Xiao Mingzhang reproachfully, "Why did you scare me?"
"I'm wondering what exactly happened between you and Ming'an." Xiao Mingzhang said thoughtfully, his tall frame leaning against the courtyard wall as he looked down at Yunzhu.
Yunzhu: "..."
For the past two years, Xiao Mingzhang believed he had never witnessed any overly intimate behavior between Yunzhu and Xiao Ming'an, and he had grown accustomed to their interactions. However, since their trip to the temple, he had noticed that their relationship seemed to have grown significantly closer than before.
Xiao Ming'an, such a self-centered person, is actually willing to read the book to Yunzhu word by word today.
"…………"
Yunzhu's eyes darted around.
Under Xiao Mingzhang's gaze, her guilty conscience seemed to have nowhere to hide.
But should she tell Xiao Mingzhang what she discovered in the temple?
Given Xiao Mingzhang's rigid and conservative nature, would he allow his sister to commit such outrageous acts?
No, it's better not to tell him for now.
After much deliberation, Yunzhu finally raised her head again, half guilty and half self-righteous, and retorted to Xiao Mingzhang, "What, we get along well, are you going to object?"
"I don't object." A slight smile gradually appeared on Xiao Mingzhang's lips. If they could get along well, he would clearly be the one who benefited the most, so how could he possibly object?
Judging from Yunzhu's current state, it seems she has no intention of telling him the real reason.
Xiao Mingzhang couldn't help but become more and more curious about what exactly was going on between the two.
Xiao Mingzhang's pupils were a deep color, like two flawless agate beads, shining even brighter in the deep darkness, yet also more awe-inspiring.
Yunzhu was once again silently watched by Xiao Mingzhang, and a light sheen of sweat began to appear on her forehead.
But she was determined not to say anything; she would never betray Xiao Ming'an no matter what.
After much thought, she finally came up with another way to divert Xiao Mingzhang's attention.
She pulled Xiao Mingzhang to the brightest spot in the room, sat down with him by candlelight, and said seriously, "Xiao Mingzhang, have you considered that Yunzhou might also be affected by this locust plague in Qingzhou?"
"Hmm?" Xiao Mingzhang raised an eyebrow, signaling Yunzhu to continue.
Yunzhu then relayed everything she had heard from He Sinan that day, as well as the knowledge she had gained from reading, to Xiao Mingzhang.
She said, "I've seen it. Indeed, locust plagues are often accompanied by droughts. Yunzhou's geographical location is not particularly advantageous. It is neither near a major river nor the sea. If one day we really encounter a once-in-a-century water shortage, wouldn't the people of Yunzhou suffer?"
"you……"
Xiao Mingzhang was quite surprised. It turned out that Yunzhu really cared about the people of Yunzhou City.
Yunzhu was a princess from the Western Regions. Ever since Xiao Mingzhang received the imperial decree to marry her, he had never had any expectations of her in these matters.
How can one expect a woman from the Western Regions to truly treat the people of Yunzhou City as her own children and subjects?
He would be content as long as she didn't steal their things and secretly deliver them to her mother country in the Western Regions.
"Hmm? What about me?" Xiao Mingzhang's expression was complicated, mixed with too many unspeakable things. Yunzhu waited and waited, but when he didn't continue, she took the initiative to ask.
"It's nothing." Xiao Mingzhang was in a daze for a moment, but after Yunzhu pressed him for answers, he came back to his senses and said, "What you said makes a lot of sense. Mr. He has already talked to me and my father about the drought during the day. Yunzhu, don't worry, we will not let the people of Yunzhou City suffer. Even if a drought really comes, we will find a solution."
Yunzhu nodded vigorously.
She believed in Xiao Mingzhang; she always believed in Xiao Mingzhang.
“Even so, Ming’an and I will finish reading your books tomorrow. Who knows, we might be able to help in some way, right?” she said optimistically.
"Yes." Xiao Mingzhang was both amused and exasperated.
His Crown Princess was a truly kind and compassionate person who cared deeply for the people. Xiao Mingzhang was very gratified, but at the same time, he felt a great deal of guilt towards her.
Because when his father interrogated him a few days ago, he did not so firmly choose Yunzhu over the people.
"Yunzhu..." Xiao Mingzhang suddenly hugged Yunzhu tightly, wrapping her firmly in his strong arms.
Yunzhu was taken aback. Although she didn't know why Xiao Mingzhang suddenly hugged her like that, the faint scent of bamboo leaves on him quickly brought her a sense of peace.
She sat in Xiao Mingzhang's lap, letting him lock her tightly in front of him, leaving her nowhere but the small space in front of him.
She rested her head against his chest.
She enjoyed it immensely.
She was content and at ease.
A note from the author:
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Here it comes! I secretly changed the title to see how it goes~ If it doesn't work out, I'll change it back~
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