Chapter 81
Chu Huan was reborn with the memories of her past life, so she learned things quickly and read storybooks when she was bored.
Later I found that all the storybooks on the market were about rich ladies and poor scholars. I found it boring after reading them for a long time, so I decided to write my own.
To this end, she also carries a small notebook and charcoal pencils with her to record any inspiration that comes to her at any time.
It was because of the existence of the small notebook and the charcoal pencil that Chu Huan was able to communicate with the system in time. When she discovered that their conversation was overheard by everyone, she started the private chat and group chat modes.
Later, because there were too many things to learn and no free time, Chu Huan had not read a storybook for a long time, let alone write one.
"What kind of storybook does your Majesty want to write?"
The Queen smiled kindly and spoke clearly, "It doesn't matter what type of person I am, as long as I can vent my anger."
Chu Huan: “…”
system:【……】
This really doesn't hide the intention of torturing the emperor and venting anger in the story.
But the scumbag is worth it!
Chu Hua: "My Lady, when writing a storybook, you have to start with the genre you're best at and most interested in. Otherwise, writing won't go smoothly and you'll easily get stuck."
"For example, having ruled the harem for many years, you might be better at writing about the intrigues between sisters, the palace intrigues, and the sisters helping each other through difficulties, but not so good at describing plots like court battles and business wars."
"You can choose to play to your strengths and avoid your weaknesses, focusing on what you're good at. If certain plot points are unavoidable, you can also seek the opinions of others to make the characters and plot of the story more complete."
The queen nodded repeatedly after hearing this, it makes sense!
The same is true for doing business. Newbies will be less likely to suffer losses if they start in the areas they are most familiar with.
“Shall I start writing now?” The queen changed her self-proclaimed name from “this palace” to “I”, and from the high and mighty mother of a country to a novice author who was humbly seeking advice.
Chu Huan didn't dare to be careless. The boss could be friendly, but the subordinates must never take the boss's good attitude seriously.
"If your Majesty has time."
Chu Huan originally wanted to give some advice, asking the Queen to first survey the market and see what the people like to read most, and not to rush into writing. But after thinking about it, she gave up.
The queen's original intention in writing was to torture the emperor in the storybook, making him as miserable as possible to make herself happy, not to make money. So it doesn't matter whether the storybook has a market or whether it is unpopular.
Does the Queen have time? Of course!
She no longer cares about the emperor breaking his promise to her, no longer feels sad because the emperor favors other concubines. She is away from men and sadness, and she has plenty of free time!
"Okay, I'll write it when I get back."
That’s pretty much it for now.
Chu Huan had to complete the homework left by the old tutor and also had classes in the evening to attend, but she couldn't rush the queen to leave, so she found a safer topic.
"My Lady, is this milk tea to your liking?"
The queen looked at the maid who had always been by her side and said, "Biyu."
Biyu presented a wooden box with gold thread, which contained a complete set of pink gemstone head ornaments.
The Queen said: "This color is suitable for a girl of your age. Please accept it as my thank you gift."
Chu Huan hastily refused: "Your Majesty, I'm just sharing some experience in storytelling. It's not worth such a valuable gift."
What the Queen really wanted to thank was Chu Huan, because she made her understand that men should not be the entire focus of her life, but those remarks came from the conversation between Chu Huan and the system and could not be made public.
Before coming, the queen had found a suitable excuse, and after coming, she found a better excuse.
"I like your milk tea. I'd like to exchange this set of headwear for your milk tea recipe. I'm just using it for myself, not for business. I'll also give you a thank you for sharing your experience. How about that?"
Things had come to this point, and it was obvious that the Queen had to give it to him. Chu Huan couldn't refuse again and again, so she gave Qingzhu a look.
As early as when she took out the milk tea, she had prepared many copied recipes, and would give one to anyone who wanted one, including the Second Prince's wife. Unexpectedly, she had only given out the first one so far.
Qingzhu went to the room to take out the prescription that had been prepared in advance and gave it to Biyu, and the queen said goodbye.
Chu Huan accompanied the queen all the way to the door. Wen Shi and Chu Ping, who had just finished his shift, rushed over. Chu Shu also came with Old Madam Chu and stood respectfully by the side.
Except for Chu Qi who returned to Songshan Academy, the Chu family gathered together to see the queen off.
After watching the Queen's carriage leave, as soon as the family entered the house, Mrs. Chu couldn't wait to ask, "What is the Queen doing here?"
Chu Shu didn't say anything, her eyes were full of curiosity.
She didn't dare to offend Chu Huan now, but if Old Madam Chu asked, she could still eavesdrop on the news.
Chu Huan ignored her and only said to Chu Ping and Wen Shi, "Dad, Mom, it's getting late. I have classes later, so I'll go back and have dinner first."
Because the schedule for morning, noon and evening classes was quite tight, Chu Huan ate alone at Qianhuaju. It had been a long time since she had eaten with her family.
Chu Ping: "Go ahead."
Wen nodded and gave her daughter a look that said, "Mom will take care of it, don't worry!"
Chu Huan went back with peace of mind.
Old Madam Chu looked unhappy, stomping her cane on the ground fiercely, and slamming her tongue against the mulberry tree: "What, I can't order her around anymore?"
Chu Ping: "..."
Wen: “…”
If you have the guts, just curse at her in front of Chu Huan. What’s the point of cursing after you can’t even see her back?
Wen probably understood that these words were just a way for Old Madam Chu to vent her anger, and were meant for her to hear, so it would be best if she could pass them on to Chu Huan, but she was not that kind of mother.
Her daughter is already busy enough, so she won't add to her daughter's troubles. "If mother has any instructions, daughter-in-law will do it."
Since you didn't mention anyone by name, there's no problem with me taking over the conversation.
Old Madam Chu choked. She wanted to say that the person she was going to order was Chu Huan, but she was not sure why the Queen came to see Chu Huan today, so she didn't dare to say anything too extreme.
That girl is now very capable and has many backers. She can say a few words relying on her grandmother's status, but if she goes too far, the two Jinyiwei who are always guarding her will not agree.
"What is the Queen doing here today?" Old Madam Chu asked aggrievedly, "When did that girl become related to the Queen?"
Chu Shu held her breath and concentrated, afraid of missing any details.
If Chu Huan had a good relationship with the Queen, she might be able to use her sister Chu Huan's relationship to get in touch with the Queen, and then her marriage would be completely worry-free.
Chu Ping came back late, so he didn't know and didn't participate in this topic.
Wen Shi had been at home the entire time but was unaware of the situation. "The Queen went to Qianhuaju to look for Huan'er as soon as she arrived. I, your daughter-in-law, don't know the specific situation either."
Old Madam Chu frowned and said, "What use is there for you!"
Over the years, she has become accustomed to bossing her daughter-in-law around, and would verbally suppress her if she was not satisfied. In the past, she would pretend in front of Chu Ping, but now that everyone knows, she is too lazy to pretend.
Chu Ping's eyelids twitched, and he subconsciously looked in the direction where Chu Huan left, thinking: It's only because Huan'er is not here, otherwise my mother would probably say "What are you dreaming about!" on the spot, and be forced to pout.
Wen had long seen through Old Lady Chu's true nature. She didn't have any expectations of this mother-in-law, and didn't feel anything when she was scolded - just scold her, it wouldn't hurt her.
"If you don't believe me, you can go to Qianhuaju and ask Huan'er in person."
I just want to ask you, do you dare to go?!
Old Mrs. Chu: “…”
Don't say it, she really doesn't dare.
Chu Huan, the granddaughter, is different from other grandchildren. She only gives her face outside the Chu family. At other times, if anyone makes her feel uncomfortable, she will immediately fight back.
The sentence "What are you dreaming about!" is still fresh in the memory of Old Mrs. Chu. She is already old and half-buried in the ground, but she doesn't want to add any more psychological trauma. She gets a headache every time she thinks about it.
Seeing that Old Madam Chu was about to be dismissed, Chu Shu finally couldn't remain silent any longer: "Mother, my sister hasn't been out much recently, how come she knows the Queen?"
Old Lady Chu is the mother-in-law, and she is under the pressure of filial piety. The Wen family needs to maintain face. They are not happy with Chu Shu, a concubine's daughter who had such a big idea that she almost got cheated by hooking up with men outside to find a husband. Haha.
"Who knows? Maybe she knows the Queen the same way you know Jing Shuai."
After saying that, Wen turned around and went back to her own yard without paying any attention to Chu Shu's expression that changed instantly.
A concubine's daughter born to a concubine with a bad reputation is always asking about the affairs of the legitimate daughter and the queen. Who gave you face?
After returning to her room, Wen Shi thought about it and decided that she couldn't just let the matter go. She said to Chu Ping with a sullen face, "Back then, I said I wouldn't get involved in their family's affairs. Chu Shu is so worried about me as her mother that she'd rather look for someone outside. Then let her find one herself. I won't be in charge!"
Wen has always been gentle and considerate, and rarely speaks loudly to others. The only time was when Chu Huan was knocked into the lake by Chu Shu and fell unconscious.
At that time, Wen's eyes were bloodshot, full of hatred and hysteria, like a crazy lioness guarding her injured cub, not allowing anyone to hurt her cub again. Chu Ping has never forgotten it.
Chu Ping didn't dare to speak, feeling that if he made a sound, the Wen family would scold him.
The desire to survive is extremely strong.
In the past, Wen always kept all kinds of thoughts in her heart and didn't let them bother her husband. Today, she also confessed.
"In the past, I always thought that the girls of the Chu family 'prosper together and suffer together'. I was worried that Chu Shu's bad reputation would bring trouble to Huan'er. I thought of finding a suitable family to marry Chu Shu off and giving her a dowry from the public funds. This was the last thing I could do as the mistress of the family."
As for the annoying behavior of Liu Yue, Chu Qi, and Chu Shu, Wen Shi believed that she had done her best by doing so.
"But you saw it today too. The way Chu Shu stared at the Queen, it was clear she was trying to use Huan'er to climb up the social ladder! If she wants to climb up the social ladder and has the ability to do so, I have no objection, but she can't step on my Huan'er to do so!"
Wen's expression darkened even further. "Huan'er has finally come this far. I won't allow anyone to ruin her!"
"I won't allow it either!" Seeing that Chu Huan is expected to enter the court as a woman and realize the feat of three members of the Chu family serving as officials in the court at the same time, and may even go higher and further than Chu Qin, Chu Ping is more worried about Chu Huan's future than anyone else.
"If you don't want to get involved, then don't. I'll ask mother or the elders to intervene."
After he said this, Wen Shi, who had just been so confident, hesitated and said, "Is it okay?"
There are cases where the grandmother or clan elders are asked to preside over the girl's marriage. Generally, this is because the girl's parents have passed away and there are no other uncles, aunts or other elders who can preside over the marriage.
But letting Wen negotiate Chu Shu's marriage with resentment would make her unhappy, and Chu Shu would also worry that Wen would interfere. If there were conflicts after the marriage, it would cause unrest in both families.
After repeated consideration, Chu Ping still felt that his idea was better. Just let people know about the discord. Who in the royal family and among the officials didn't know that Chu Huan and Chu Shu didn't get along?
"I'll take care of it."
It was rare to see Chu Ping taking on such an important responsibility, and Wen was quite uncomfortable with it. However, since it was indeed better for Chu Ping to handle this matter, she let it go.
The other side.
While Chu Huan was having dinner, the system asked her: [Sister Huan, what are you going to do with the little note Nangong Ling left for you?]
After Chu Huan learned that the Queen was coming to visit, she hurried to Qianhuaju. All the books were placed in the study in the Fifth Prince's courtyard. Just after sending the Queen back and packing the books, she accidentally found a small note inside.
She recognized the handwriting of the Fifth Prince and the old tutor, and the words she didn't recognize were naturally from Nangong Ling's handwriting.
There were names written on it, some of which she had heard of, and some of which she found unfamiliar.
Chu Hua: [Please help me take a look.]
The system successfully predicted Chu Huan's choice, and her tone was so happy that it seemed to be filled with flowers: [I've already made up my mind!]
[The first one is Hu Qiaoyun, the daughter of Lord Hu from the Ministry of Revenue, who always said, "A woman's place is at home, taking care of her husband and raising her children." Do you remember him? The Lord Hu whose three sons weren't as smart and capable as his one daughter?]
Chu Hua: [Do you remember, did Lord Hu train her later?]
System: [This guy is a bit stubborn. He refuses to admit that women are better than men, but he also can't accept that his three sons' achievements are not as good as his one daughter's. So he came up with an idea that he thinks is brilliant.]
He found better teachers for his three sons and didn't replace his sons' teacher with a teacher who was just average.
Chu Huan was stunned by this amazing operation: [How did he come up with such a "clever" idea?]
The system couldn't figure it out either: [The melon-eating system couldn't detect his inner thoughts. Judging from his actions, he was really twisted.]
[Either you insist on going all the way and refusing to admit that the woman is superior, or you admit your mistakes and raise your daughter well. By doing this in between, promoting the son and suppressing the daughter, what exactly is he trying to prove?]
Did he want his three sons to prove that they were more than just scholars or juren, or did he want his daughter to prove that she was naturally intelligent and could pass the imperial examination without a good teacher?
Chu Huan hesitated for a moment and said, "Your analysis of my son is correct. As for my daughter, I think the suppression is more of a threat."
Lord Hu once said, "A woman in the Ministry of Revenue is like a hen crowing at dawn!" This clearly shows how much he despises women and how he doesn't want them in the court. I suspect he even privately expressed opposition to the Empress.
[Wait a moment.] The system searched for it, [Wow, it really is.]
He actually said that the first empress in history was a hen crowing at dawn, completely denying her achievements and only picking on her faults, accusing her of being ambitious and violating human ethics... Haha, he just took advantage of the fact that the empress had passed away many years ago so he couldn't do anything to her.
Chu Huan had anticipated this and wasn't surprised at all: "He's already this old, and it's hard to change the prejudices he's already formed."
Nowadays, much knowledge can be searched online, but more specialized knowledge requires paid reading or physical books. In ancient times, educational resources were scarce, so many parents would do everything they could to find a good teacher for their children.
[If we apply this to the modern high school entrance exams and college entrance exams, it's easy to understand, right? Many parents sell their homes to take out loans to buy small, shabby, school district apartments. Isn't it all about giving their children better educational resources?]
In ancient times, this was even more difficult. One had to inquire about the court's movements, avoid the examiners' taboos, use a font that would be more likely to please the examiners, and write according to the examiners' preferences. Some of this information could be obtained by spending a small amount of money, while others required connections.
The system put itself in Chu Huan's shoes and quickly understood: "You've found two excellent teachers. With the old Grand Tutor and the old Imperial Preceptor, they'll guide you along the way. Whether it's court trends, the examiners' preferences and preferences, or even their connections, they've got it all. Once you've completed your studies, becoming an official at court will be a breeze."
Chu Hua: [You can say that.]
"I'm a special case, because of your presence and my own abilities, and my contributions to Dasheng, I've earned an opportunity. But if I don't learn well, this opportunity can be taken away at any time."
[Nangong Ling was also the same. She became the fifth prince's study partner, but she had to produce better results than the average male study partner to have a good future. So the little note she gave me was her token of loyalty.]
She knew that we were in this together. She knew that only when I was well could she be well, and only when she was well could I be even better. Just the two of us weren't enough, so she gave me someone she thought was useful.
The list on the small piece of paper was all women, and it was obvious that Nangong Ling had guessed her plan.
The system sighed: [I really don't like playing with people like you who are too stubborn. You're too brainless.]
Chu Huan laughed: [Alright, eat your melon.]
The system quickly became alert again: [The second person on the list is Xiao Lefeng, the second princess.]
Chu Huan didn't know much about the second princess, mainly because she lived in seclusion all year round and there were few rumors about her outside.
Didn't she live in a temple for a long time, eat vegetarian food all year round, and refuse to get married even after she was over 20?
A genuine version of an ancient bachelor aristocrat.
The system revealed a big secret: [The one who has lived in the temple for a long time and has been a vegetarian for years is just a substitute. The real princess ran away long ago.]
Chu Hua: ???
Chu Huan:!!!
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
