Chapter 229: Osmanthus Fragrance
It was the first time for Su Ruojin to eat real hotpot made with chili peppers. She didn't have time to think about it. She picked up the chopsticks and ate as much as Zhao Lan. She put the lamb and pork belly as thin as cicada wings into the pot and cooked them. She dipped them in the sauce she made. It was fresh, spicy, tender and fragrant as soon as it entered her mouth. She couldn't stop eating it.
If you feel tired of meat, you can blanch some juicy greens and pea sprouts, and then add pearl meatballs, frozen tofu, porcini, chicken mushrooms, etc. It is a delicious dish.
Zhao Lan wanted to scald mutton for her, but she waved her hands and said, "Brother Jin, I really can't eat any more."
Seeing that she really couldn't eat any more, Zhao Lan took some back and ate it himself. Looking at the young lady's satisfied look, his face was full of smiles.
The boys and girls were full of love and affection, flowing freely in the private room. Princess Yuehua glanced at the indifferent Su Yanzu. The confidence and patience she had when she came in had disappeared. She sat in the main seat with a silent look on her face.
Su Yanzu seemed not to see it. He neither ate as heartily as his niece, nor did he hesitate to eat. His niece put down her chopsticks, and he saw that Zhao Lan was still eating, so he continued to accompany her out of politeness.
He didn't put down his chopsticks until Zhao Lan put down his chopsticks and stopped eating.
After the meal, the servants brought water and towels, and the four of them wiped their mouths and hands and sat by the window to digest the food.
Princess Yuehua was in a bad mood, but she still exchanged pleasantries with her nephew, asking him about how Zhao Lan's mission was going and whether Prince Jin and the Princess were busy recently.
At times like this, Su Ruojin and his nephew were just background characters, sitting on the sidelines in silence.
Suddenly, there was a noise on the street. Zhao Lan and Princess Yuehua looked at each other and stood up together. The maid pushed open the window and they looked outside. It turned out that the soldiers were escorting prisoners to clear the way, and the crowd was squeezed and bumped into each other, causing chaos.
The arrested official shouted "it's unfair" and demanded to see the emperor, but the escorting patrol officer remained indifferent and glanced at the passers-by with a stern look on his face, scaring them so much that they all moved to the side.
Not knowing which yamen gate it was, Su Ruojin asked her uncle quietly.
Su Yanzu replied in a low voice: "It's the Ministry of Justice."
In Su Ruojin's opinion, isn't it the government or the Dali Temple that arrests people? Why did the Ministry of Justice arrest someone?
As if seeing her confusion, Zhao Lan said, "Ever since Lord Yang, who used to be the Censor, became the Vice Minister of the Ministry of Justice, the Ministry of Justice has had the function of arresting people."
Good man, Lord Yang is so "capable" that he even does other people's work.
"The emperor doesn't care?"
Zhao Lan snorted coldly, "Not only did His Majesty agree, he also appointed him as the Commander of the Court of Justice."
Court of trial?
Seeing that his niece didn't understand, Su Yanzu whispered to her about the relationship between the Dali Temple, the Ministry of Justice, and the Censorate.
"They are different because of the different times. The legal system of the previous dynasty was very complete. My Great Yin Dynasty has adopted the legal system of the previous dynasty. Similarly, the judicial system of the previous dynasty has also been adopted. The judicial trial system of the three powers of the Dali Temple, the Ministry of Justice, and the Censorate has been adopted."
"Oh." The previous dynasty of the Dayin Dynasty was also called Datang. I wonder if it is the 'Glorious Tang Dynasty'.
"The Dali Temple was transformed from the former Tingwei, and is the highest judicial organ of the court. It is responsible for hearing cases with sentences above exile in the country. The Ministry of Justice is responsible for reviewing cases above exile sentenced by the Dali Temple, and the Censorate is responsible for supervising civil and military officials. However, it can also participate in the hearing of major unjust cases."
Therefore, a judicial trial system was formed in which the Dali Temple was responsible for trial, the Ministry of Justice was responsible for review, and the Censorate was responsible for supervision. Of course, above the three major judicial institutions was the emperor, who dominated all administrative, judicial, and legislative powers.
The judicial system of the Dayin Dynasty mostly followed the system of the previous dynasty, but there were also some differences. The Dali Temple and the Ministry of Justice maintained their responsibilities. In the early days of the Dayin Dynasty, in order to strengthen central power, the Court of Criminal Justice was established, also known as the Court of Criminal Justice in the Palace. It was a trial review agency and also had the power of trial and review.
The main purpose was to weaken the power of the Ministry of Justice and the Dali Temple, which was equivalent to the emperor holding power in his hands.
Hearing this, Su Ruojin hissed, "Then Lord Yang's power must be very great, right?" As the second-in-command of the Ministry of Justice and the emperor's power agent, he truly has the feeling of being second only to the emperor.
Su Yanzu nodded, "I heard that Lord Yang has already started investigating all kinds of cases."
She couldn't help but blurt out, "The riot in Beijing has just been quelled, and the drought has not yet been completely alleviated. Why are we investigating the case at this time?" Is it to put down the riot, or to make things even more chaotic?
The young lady's eyes widened, but the two royal people in front of her could not give her an answer.
Princess Yuehua was in no mood to digest her food. She said, "Alan, my aunt is going back first. If you have nothing else, please come back home early."
Zhao Lan nodded and asked Shuangrui to see her out.
Su Yanzu followed suit and said goodbye. He took two steps, then suddenly turned back and walked in front of Su Ruojin, "Ajin, in the morning, just pretend that I said nothing."
"oh."
Even Su Ruojin smelled a different scent. Su Yanzu, the chief official of the princess's mansion, must have a more sensitive sense of smell than her. Now is not a good time to find a job for Shangguan Yu.
After the two left, Zhao Lan looked at Su Ruojin with inquiring eyes.
Su Ruojin laughed and said, "My uncle... asked me to send Master Shangguan back to the capital."
She just spoke, and even stuttered a bit. Zhao Lan knew she was not telling the truth as soon as he heard it. He smiled and reached out to touch the fluffy bun on her head, but she dodged him, "Brother Jin, don't mess up my hair."
Zhao Lan: ...How come the little girl is so flexible?
He sighed, "Ajin, go back to Weizhou County as soon as possible."
The young man's tender face suddenly turned solemn.
Su Ruojin looked towards the street again. The escort team had passed and the street had returned to normal, as if life was no different. However, the people and families involved had been turned upside down, and it was estimated that their families were not far from being torn apart.
"Brother Jin, what you mean is..."
"A new emperor chooses new ministers." Zhao Lan turned to look at the young lady, "Ajin, do you understand?"
Su Ruojin understood. The new emperor felt that Yang Jingzi was a useful knife and could be used to get rid of disobedient ministers. But in her eyes, Yang Jingzi had seized the opportunity. Who knew what would become of the Dayin Dynasty in his hands?
"I understand." She also sighed, "Then you have to be careful too, Brother Jin."
"Um."
Zhao Lan sent the young lady home.
As soon as I walked out of the hot pot restaurant, I met Lu Youbai, the Minister of Dali Temple. He was not in a very good condition and looked a little haggard.
"Brother Ziyun, what is this..."
"I haven't had much of an appetite lately, so I'll come to your place to eat something strong-flavored."
Zhao Lan glanced at Su Ruojin.
"Brother Jin, you do your thing, I'll go home by myself."
It was so chaotic now, Zhao Lan was not willing to let her go home alone, and dragged her into the hot pot restaurant again, but did not let her eat with Lu Siqing, but let her go to a private resting place, "If you are sleepy, take a nap, I will take you home after I accompany Brother Ziyun well."
"good."
Su Ruojin actually fell asleep in Zhao Lan's private lounge.
Lu Youbai was sweating after eating and felt much better. "It feels so good. I came to the right place."
Zhao Lan smiled without saying anything, looking at Lu Youbai, who was thirty years old. Everyone thought that as the new emperor's in-laws, the Lu family would be given important positions. He was indeed promoted from Shaoqing to Qing, but many cases seemed to be a formality when they went to the Dali Temple. Some cases did not even require the Dali Temple to intervene, and the Ministry of Justice handled them themselves.
Just like Zhao Lan who was suspended from his post, he is now just a prince in name only, with only the title but no real job.
Seeing that he was silent, Lu Youbai laughed, "Why don't you speak?"
"Nothing much to say." Zhao Lan picked up the cup and took two sips of tea.
Lu Youbai asked, "Are you worried that Yang will take advantage of the opportunity to get rid of your people?"
The new emperor was the only one who knew the list of personnel in the secret base of the Exploration Department, because the list of personnel in the Exploration Department was handed over to the next successor by the emperor himself. However, the late emperor never deposed the crown prince, perhaps he still favored a mediocre crown prince.
The prince had been killed by Yang Jingzi, so even if the list was with him, it became a secret forever with his death.
He shook his head.
Lu Youbai sighed and narrowed his eyes. "I never doubted the man surnamed Yang before, but now it seems that why did he go to kill the prince? Could it be that he really wanted to..."
As an outsider with vested interests, there are some things that Lu Youbai really can't say.
He picked up the wine glass in distress and drank it all in one gulp.
Zhao Lan advised him, "Eat your fill, go to work, and stop drinking."
Lu Youbai laughed, "Okay, got it." Isn't it just to accompany the young lady? Okay, he will help her, and she won't be an eyesore anymore.
He stood up.
Zhao Lan walked him to the door.
The crown prince was mediocre and has died, the second prince, Prince of Wei, was capable and was forced to go into exile in Nanyue, the third prince, Prince of Qi, was defeated and died, and the fifth prince, Prince of Xiang, is the new emperor, who is between mediocre and capable.
Zhao Lan remembered what his father had said, "They are either mediocre or capable, but only half-intelligent. Most of these people are stubborn and self-willed."
I didn’t expect that my father’s words would come true.
The new emperor may know what kind of person surnamed Yang is, but he thinks that Yang is obedient and useful, and is a good sword. Could it be that he himself has become a good sword of Yang?
He raised his head and looked at the sky. The sunny sky just a moment ago was suddenly covered with dark clouds, and it seemed that a heavy rain was about to come.
Mao Ya was anxious and was about to knock on the door to call for help, but Zhao Lan, who was coming upstairs, stopped her with a look and made her take three steps back.
Zhao Lan walked into the private room.
The young lady was sleeping soundly on the couch, unaware that lightning was flashing across the sky and thunder was about to come.
Zhao Lan strode to the edge of the couch and covered the young lady's ears with his hands.
With a loud "boom", thunder resounded through the sky.
Su Ruojin was startled in her sleep. She subconsciously reached out and hugged the person leaning against her side, buried her head in his waist, and continued to sleep soundly.
Zhao Lan didn't know that the young lady treated him as a big stuffed toy. She hugged him and fell asleep peacefully. He was stunned at first, then, the corners of his mouth curled up, and he loosened his hands that were covering his ears. His slender fingers pushed the loose hair stuck to her ears behind her ears, revealing the young lady's snow-white and tender cheeks. When the lightning flashed, he could see the fine hair on her cheeks through the light, which was so adorable.
His fingers couldn't help but touch it lightly.
Feeling itchy, Su Ruojin reached out to slap it, but was caught by someone.
In her sleep, Su Ruojin struggled subconsciously, but failed to break free. She did not move, and continued to sleep, allowing the big and small guys to hold her.
Zhao Lan stared at the thin, white and tender little fingers for a long time without moving.
After the lightning and thunder, heavy rain poured down and water fell from the eaves.
There was chaos between heaven and earth.
In the room, the only sound was the rain.
Zhao Lan lowered his head, his lips slowly touched the young lady's fingers, and kissed them lightly. He was nervous and excited, and afraid of being discovered by the young lady, so he raised his head lightly and quickly.
Rainy days go well with sleeping!
The young lady was not awakened at all and was still sleeping soundly. Perhaps she had slept in the same position for too long, so she turned over, naturally pulled her hand away, and continued to sleep.
Zhao Lan, whose waist suddenly became empty: ... soft and fragrant little lady! How could he bear to leave? He turned sideways and half-lay beside the little lady with his clothes on. He patted her gently with one hand and rested his other hand behind his head, smiling and looking at the little lady.
As he laughed, he fell asleep.
I don’t know how long I have slept. Su Ruojin just woke up and was very dazed. She looked at the ceiling and seemed to hear the sound of rain. Is it raining?
It's August now, and it's going to be colder next time. Why don't we buy some more winter clothes when we go back to Wei County?
She was just about to twist her body to stretch before getting up when she found her arms were blocked. She turned her head and saw Zhao Lan lying beside her with her clothes on.
She was so scared that she sat up suddenly.
The noise was so loud that it woke up Zhao Lan.
"Ajin, are you awake?"
The way they spoke made it seem as if they were so familiar with each other that they had already lived together.
"I..." Su Ruojin just remembered that she had lunch with him at noon, and then when Lord Lu came, she came in to rest and fell asleep, "Why didn't you call me!"
Lying on the same bed.
Su Ruojin picked her toes awkwardly and hurried to get off the couch, but the couch was surrounded by the long legs of young and old men.
this……
Zhao Lan followed the young lady's gaze towards his legs, his mouth raised, and he deliberately did not move away.
Su Ruojin discovered his evil intentions, snorted, and reached out to hit him. She had learned kung fu, and if she hit him, it would be strange if he didn't scream.
As a result, someone was too agile and dodged with his legs, reaching out to catch her little fist, and wrapping his broad palm around her small, soft hand.
Su Ruojin's face turned red and she struggled to pull away, but she was no match for the big guy, and the two of them started fighting on the couch.
It's about to get out of control.
A voice came from outside, "Sir, it's getting late, do you want to have dinner here?"
Su Ruojin: ...
Zhao Lan: …
Are you sleeping till this hour?
Outside the door, Mao Ya saw Shuang Rui finally shouting, and then she moved her hand away from his throat, but her gaze was still murderous.
Shuang Rui: ...
A single man and a single woman, the master seemed to be going a bit too far, but when he saw the murderous look in the young lady's eyes, he snorted coldly. If he didn't feel guilty, how could he let a yellow-haired girl like her succeed?
Impossible, absolutely impossible.
Shuangrui touched his throat that had been choked by the yellow-haired girl. He never thought that he would be strangled by someone out of pity. This would ruin his reputation. How could he survive in the future? He looked at Santai with a guilty conscience.
Santai looked away, as if he had never seen this scene before.
Shuang Rui: ...
Is it useful to cover one's ears and steal the bell?
Since there was no one at home, Su Ruojin actually stayed in the hot pot restaurant for dinner. However, it was not hot pot, but light food. After dinner, the rain outside had subsided.
Zhao Lan sent Su Ruojin home.
When they arrived at the Su's house, it was already late and the thunderstorm had gotten heavier, so Su Ruojin had no choice but to put him in the guest room. This guy still wanted to be more stubborn, so she unceremoniously sent him back to the guest room.
The next morning, after the heavy rain and strong winds, the sky was clear and blue. A few osmanthus flowers from the corner of the yard fell to the ground. Ye Huaizhen, who got up early, picked up half a basket of them.
Su Ruojin was very happy to see this, "I'll make some sweet-scented osmanthus wine for everyone to eat."
After the rain, the weather is a bit cool. It would be so comfortable to have a bowl of hot osmanthus wine.
First, add a small amount of water to the glutinous rice flour and knead it into dough. Wait for the water in the pot to boil, pinch the dough into small pieces, roll them into balls and put them into the boiling water. Then add a small amount of glutinous rice flour and water to make a sauce and add it. Finally, add rice wine and wolfberries and bring to a boil. Add sugar and osmanthus when serving.
A bowl of sweet and sticky osmanthus wine is ready!
The group of people ate crab roe buns and rice cakes wrapped in fried dough sticks with osmanthus wine. Everyone was very satisfied and happy.
After eating, Su Ruojin prepared to return to Weizhou County.
"Then I'll have to trouble you, little prince, to take care of the business here."
Zhao Lan glanced at the fake polite young lady and smiled without saying anything.
Su Ruojin giggled and asked Mao Ya and Chun Xiao to pack up and prepare to return to Wei County early tomorrow morning. She planned to visit Su's shop this afternoon.
"Brother Jin, if you are busy, go ahead."
The young lady drove him away again.
Zhao Lan frowned and was about to say something.
The doorman came over and said, "Second Madam, the fourth madam of the Yang family wants to see you."
Su Ruojin did not tell Yang Birong about her return this time, so she didn't know how she knew she was back.
Zhao Lan waved his hand, meaning, you go and entertain the guests, I'll do as I please.
Su Ruojin: ...How can you do as you please?
Zhao Lan went to Su Yanli's study.
Uh... is this guy really so free now?
Forget it, she doesn't care anymore.
Seeing Su Ruojin, Yang Si Niang smiled and said angrily, "If my housekeeper hadn't seen the young prince sending you back, I wouldn't have known you were back."
Su Ruojin smiled and said, "I came to Beijing for business this time."
"What business?"
"There was no seed for the wasteland in the county my father managed, so he planted vegetables with a short production cycle, and I sold them in the shop."
"You even sell small green vegetables?" Yang Si Niang looked like she was saying, "You are really something. You even sell worthless small green vegetables."
Su Ruojin could only smile again after she rolled her eyes at him, "You're looking for me..."
When Yang Si Niang heard her best friend ask this, she sighed, "Ah Jin, it turns out that having power in your family is not good either."
Su Ruojin: ...She has heard of it, but has never experienced it herself.
The two young ladies sat in the bedroom hand in hand and whispered to each other.
Yang Si Niang was a person who could not keep secrets. "Ah Jin, whenever my father comes back, mom and dad will definitely have a big quarrel. I really hope that my father will not come back often like before, but I don't know why, now my father comes back every day, so at home..." They quarrel every day.
Quarrel every day? Thinking of what I heard at the promotion banquet and what I saw on the street yesterday, Lord Yang will only become more and more arrogant and domineering. Madam Yang is a decent person and will definitely not be able to stand it, which means they will quarrel every day.
Thinking about these days...Su Ruojin felt sad.
"These are all men's business. Just let your mother take care of the family and the business."
"Ajin, you don't know, it's because my father handled these cases that the families of the victims came to my mother's shop to make trouble, so my mother quarreled with my father."
Su Ruojin: ...
She said that Madam Yang is not a woman who regards her husband as her God, so has Lord Yang's official position affected Madam Yang's business?
This, this... For a moment, Su Ruojin didn't know how to persuade her.
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