Chu Yuanchen had been in the Northern Frontier for many years and had not had much time to spend with Chu Yuanyi. In the past, he had only heard Jingle mention occasionally that Chu Yuanyi was not good at martial arts and preferred reading. Now it seemed that he was not bad at anything, but he just had no talent at all.
Chu Yuanchen shook his head. Although it didn't matter if Chu Yuanyi didn't go to the battlefield as long as he was there, he couldn't be so lazy.
This was not the place to talk, so Chu Yuanchen got himself a bun, got on his horse, and said, "Let's go back to Beijing."
At his command, the carriage started moving, just like when they came to the garden, a group of guards were guarding the carriage, except that now there was one more person, Chu Yuanchen.
Xigui and the guards had already eaten something before entering the garden, so Jingle asked Nanny Lan to have their meal with them.
The carriage drove fast and steadily. After the meal, Sheng Xiyan felt tired and drunk. She yawned several times. Jingle coaxed her to close her eyes and take a nap.
She took a nap as she was told, and the next moment she closed her eyes, the carriage had arrived in the capital.
They returned just in time, the city gate was not closed yet, and the carriage took Sheng Xiyan all the way to the Sheng Mansion before returning to the palace.
The brother and sister entered the mansion from the corner gate and walked towards the ceremonial gate.
It was almost dusk, but there was still a patch of sunset glow in the sky, and the whole sky was reflected with a faint glow.
The cool autumn breeze blew across Sheng Xiyan's face, dispelling some of her sleepiness and making her feel much more energetic.
"Sister." At this time, Sheng Yan spoke, hesitantly, "There is one thing I don't know whether I should say..."
Sheng Xiyan raised her eyebrows and looked at him.
This kid has always been carefree, and it's rare to see him so entangled.
Sheng Yan frowned and stammered, "Sister, if one of my friends did something wrong and I accidentally discovered it..."
He had not intended to say that it was really disloyal to talk about other people's faults in private, especially about friends. However, when he just returned to Beijing, he pestered Chu Yuanchen to tell him a lot about military affairs. Chu Yuanchen's words "A general cannot consider his own likes and dislikes, your decision will affect the life or death of many people" made him suddenly realize that in this world, right and wrong may not be summed up in one word, such as whether one is loyal or not.
"Is it about Ah Cheng?" Sheng Xiyan knew that Ah Cheng was his best friend.
Sheng Yan shook his head: "It's not Ah Cheng."
Sheng Xiyan narrowed her eyes and understood: "Is it Chu Yuanyi?"
Sheng Yan nodded and told himself: It was my sister who guessed it, I didn’t report it!
Sheng Xiyan groaned and said, "Brother Yan, tell me first, and then I will decide whether to tell the princess."
Sheng Yan always listened to Sheng Xiyan, and said obediently: "When we went to the garden just now, the princess asked Chu Yuanyi if he had met the Jiang family. Chu Yuanyi said no. But in fact, he had met them."
Sheng Xiyan raised her eyebrows and confirmed, "He has seen it?"
Since the words had already been spoken, Sheng Yan simply said in one breath: "When I came back from the palace three days ago, I happened to see Chu Yuanyi walking alone into a small alley. I wanted to call him, but there was an old woman in the alley, and Chu Yuanyi called her grandma."
The old princess of the Chu family had passed away a long time ago, so the person who called her “grandmother” must be someone from the Jiang family.
Sheng Yan had been in and out of the palace recently, so he naturally knew that Princess Jingle had divorced her husband, but he didn't know much about what happened between the Jiang family and the Zhenbei Palace. Chu Yuanyi called that person grandma, so he didn't take it to heart and left. It wasn't until today when he heard the princess asking Chu Yuanyi if he had met the Jiang family that he remembered this matter again.
He heard with his own ears that Chu Yuanyi said "no" and that Chu Yuanyi had deceived the princess.
Sheng Yan himself had actually lied to Sheng Xingan, Liu, and his aunt, but he had never lied to Sheng Xiyan, because his sister was sincere to him, just like the princess was sincere to Chu Yuanyi. Sheng Yan felt that he should not lie to someone who was sincere to him.
Especially later, he heard the princess solemnly instruct Chu Yuanyi not to pay attention to the Jiang family.
Sheng Yan looked careless, but he was actually quite sharp. He realized that the Jiang family might have a big problem, and Chu Yuanyi must know it. But even so, Chu Yuanyi did not tell the truth to the princess.
After Sheng Yan finished speaking, he felt relieved: "Sister, is it because the Jiang family is not good that the princess does not allow Chu Yuanyi to see them?" He actually did not want to know what the Jiang family was like, so he asked casually, without waiting for Sheng Xiyan to answer, and then said to himself, "Is it not good for me to tell you this?"
"No." Sheng Xiyan said affirmatively.
She believed that the princess must have told Chu Yuanyi about what Jiang Ting had done. It would be bad for Chu Yuanyi to meet the Jiang family in private, and it would be unclear what was right and wrong. If the princess knew about this, she would be very sad.
Sheng Xiyan was not very familiar with Chu Yuanyi, but she knew that he was a bit soft-hearted and could be easily manipulated.
Since his sister said so, Sheng Yan felt relieved.
Sheng Xiyan added: "Just pretend you don't know about this."
Sheng Yan responded: "Anyway, Chu Yuanyi didn't see me."
He said let it go and he would let it go without getting entangled.
It was almost completely dark. Sheng Xiyan thought that if she went to the Zhenbei Palace now, she would probably not be back before curfew, so she decided to go tomorrow.
So she went to the main courtyard with Sheng Yan.
They had just come back from outside and needed to greet Mrs. Liu.
Liu was a lady of the third rank and had no qualifications to go to the garden today. When she saw Sheng Xiyan and Sheng Yan coming back, she felt a little upset that her son Sheng Ying was too young, otherwise Sheng Yan would not have had a chance to attend such an occasion.
She asked a few questions and then sent Sheng Yan away, then said to Sheng Xiyan, "Sister Yan, the manager I sent out to buy wood came back this afternoon, and brought back two carts of Huanghuali wood. Last time you said you liked the look of Jiangnan, and I have already asked someone to find a master in the capital."
Sheng Xiyan bowed and said, "Thank you, mother."
Liu was now thinking about sending her away to marry her off as soon as possible, and said earnestly: "If you are going to the Zhenbei Palace in a few days, ask the princess when she is free, and I will ask someone to measure the size of the new house." The next step was to make the furniture.
Sheng Xiyan smiled and said, "Thank you mother for delivering the letter to the princess in person."
Liu laughed twice and said, "Yes, I didn't think it through enough."
"Master."
After autumn, the Xiangfei bamboo curtain in the main hall was replaced with a pearl curtain. After the curtain was opened, Sheng Xingan walked in with a slightly gloomy expression.
He had just returned to the capital and was still wearing his official uniform. He came straight here as soon as he got back to the mansion.
After the greetings, Sheng Xingan sat down and said solemnly without even taking a sip of water: "Please take care of your family during the next few days and don't go out unless necessary."
Liu didn't know what was going on. Seeing his serious expression, she felt a little panicked and quickly replied "Yes". But she couldn't help asking, "What about Sister Yan's furniture..." Do you want to fight again?
Sheng Xingan had just heard what was going on outside and said impatiently, "What does this have to do with Sister Yan's furniture? I'm telling you to stay out of trouble."
Liu: “…”
She didn't dare to retort, and asked cautiously: "Master, what happened in the court?"
Sheng Xingan shook his head heavily.
How would he know?
The emperor is still in the garden and has not come back yet. I don’t know how the dragon is doing.
There is no prince in this dynasty, let alone a crown prince. If anything happens to the emperor, Prince Zhao is closer to the emperor in terms of blood relationship and is also the legitimate son of the previous emperor. I am afraid that at that time, only Prince Zhao can succeed to the throne.
Sheng Xingan took a sip of tea, hesitating whether he should go and show goodwill to King Zhao first.
His expression was so obvious that Sheng Xiyan knew what he was thinking about. She curled her lips and reminded him, "Father, Prince Zhao has always disliked Governor Xiao."
As soon as these words came out, Sheng Xingan's heart turned cold.
Sheng Xiyan's words were cryptic, but Sheng Xing'an also understood that King Zhao was not so simple in his dislike for Xiao Shuo. He had never been satisfied with the emperor's favoritism towards Xiao Shuo. Especially after the incident at the Earl of Jian'an's mansion, he had made many overt and covert accusations in front of the emperor. Apart from other things, King Zhao had even pointed out in public today that Xiao Shuo "used the emperor to control the princes"!
Could Xiao Shuo tolerate King Zhao's succession? He was not stupid.
"You're right." Sheng Xing'an thought about it and nodded.
If something unexpected happened to the emperor, Xiao Shuo would probably prefer to pick a child from the royal family to succeed him rather than choose Prince Zhao.
In this era, no one can suppress Xiao Shuo.
Ever since Xiao Shuo merged the East and West factories, in addition to the Silijian, even the Yumajian is now in his hands. He can immediately mobilize 50,000 troops with a single order. It is very easy to suppress King Zhao who has no real power.
It would be better to seek refuge with Xiao Shuo than with King Zhao, because Xiao Shuo would definitely look down on me.
Sheng Xingan sighed and gave up the idea of following the dragon.
He was quiet here, but for most people, this night was almost a sleepless night, either tossing and turning or talking with counselors by candlelight. When it was time for the court the next morning, everyone had dark shadows under their eyes, some could not hide their excitement, some were lost, and some yawned.
They did not have to wait long before a eunuch came out and announced that the court session was adjourned today.
Under everyone's gaze, Lin Shoufu finally mustered up the courage to ask, "Excuse me, Eunuch Qiu, is the emperor okay?"
Eunuch Qiu said with a gentle face, "Don't worry, my lords. The emperor is fine. Governor Xiao ordered me to tell you that the court will be suspended for seven days. All memorials can be sent to the Imperial Household Department."
"We are relieved to know that the emperor is in good health. Thank you, eunuch."
Eunuch Qiu is gone.
Instead, the ministers felt even more uneasy. The emperor must be very ill as he had been suspended for seven days.
They looked at each other and walked out in twos and threes, unable to hide their heavy feelings.
The emperor's sudden illness caused countless undercurrents to surge in the entire court. Everyone had their own thoughts and watched secretly.
Yu Zhu finally returned to the capital in a grand manner at noon. Under the protection of the imperial guards, the dragon chariot was surrounded tightly. Xiao Shuo, dressed in a red Qilin robe, rode his horse beside the dragon chariot. The corners of his eyes were raised, and he was so handsome that people were reluctant to look away.
Sheng Xiyan's carriage dodged to the side and waited until the emperor passed before continuing forward. It first turned to Huashang Street to buy freshly baked cakes, and then headed straight for the Zhenbei Palace.
Sheng Xiyan came in a hurry and did not deliver the note in advance. However, as soon as she arrived at the palace, someone immediately welcomed her in.
"Princess."
Sheng Xiyan walked into the main room with confidence, and after greeting everyone, she asked Xigui to pass the cakes up.
“The plum blossom cakes are just out of the oven, they are delicious!”
Jingle smiled and said, "Let me try it."
The plum blossom pastry was made in the shape of a plum blossom, with a light pink skin. Jingle picked up a piece and took a bite, her eyes lit up.
This plum blossom pastry is crispy and fragrant. The pastry melts in your mouth without being greasy or dry. The red bean paste wrapped in it is soft, sweet, and not greasy.
She praised: "It's really good. It's even better with rose tea."
Aunt Lan smiled and had rose tea served. Soon the main room was filled with a faint floral fragrance that was refreshing.
After eating a piece of plum blossom pastry, Sheng Xiyan calmed down and signaled to Nanny Lan that she wanted to say something.
After all the servants in the main room had left, she told Jingle what Sheng Yan had told her, trying to be as tactful as possible.
Jingle slowly put down the teacup in her hand, and the smile on her face gradually disappeared.
Jingle was a little surprised that Sheng Xiyan would suddenly come over today. Now she knew the reason, but she felt like something was blocking her heart.
Sheng Xiyan said tactfully: "Princess. Brother Yi may have just met you occasionally..."
Jingle shook her head: "He called that person grandma!" She clenched her hands tightly and sneered, "Chu Yuanyi has betrayed his ancestors and even forgot who his own grandmother is!"
The Chu family was seeking marriage, and the child born was to inherit and offer sacrifices to the Chu family. The grandmother of Chu Yuanchen and Chu Yuanyi should have been the Princess of Zhennan who had passed away long ago.
Not to mention that she and Jiang Ting have already severed ties, the Chu family and the Jiang family no longer have any connection. Even in the past, Chu Yuanyi should never have called her that.
Jingle became angrier the more he thought about it. A fire started rising from his heart. His breathing became rapid due to anger and his brows were furrowed tightly.
Seeing her lips were pale and her fingers were trembling slightly, Sheng Xiyan knew something was wrong.
She took two steps forward and walked up to her, placed her fingers on her wrist, and after three breaths, decisively took out the needle bag from her sleeve pocket and inserted needles into the Neiguan acupoints on both hands, and then into the Shenmen acupoints on both hands.
She identified the acupuncture points accurately and steadily. After four needles, Jingle's breathing became stable immediately.
"Miss Shengda." Nanny Lan's face changed drastically, but she didn't dare to disturb her until this moment she asked with trembling voice.
Sheng Xiyan let out a sigh of relief, looking a little more relaxed, and said, "It's OK."
Jingle looked much better, but her forehead was still slightly sweaty. Nanny Lan quickly wiped her sweat with a handkerchief and said gently, "Princess, don't be angry. Take care of yourself."
Sheng Xiyan slowly pulled out the silver needle and took her pulse again. Her pulse was already stable.
Jingle herself did not have chest pain, but after eating the herb for so many years, the impact on her heart was still very serious.
Sheng Xiyan remembered that in the previous life, Jingle passed away years ago due to a chest pain attack.
She would come to the Zhenbei Palace from time to time and would check Jingle's pulse. Originally, after taking the medicine for a few days, her heart was slowly recovering, but she didn't expect...
Sheng Xiyan felt a little regretful and annoyed. She had already expressed the matter as tactfully as possible, but she didn't want Jingle to still get so angry because of Chu Yuanyi's call of "grandmother".
She thought for a moment, considered her words, and said, "Princess, please relax for now. Wait until Yi Ge'er comes back and ask him carefully. Maybe Yan Ge'er heard it wrongly. This child has always been clumsy in doing things..."
Jingle pulled the corners of her mouth and forced a smile: "Yan Ge'er is a good child. As her sister, you should not always scold her." This was a joke. She wanted to reassure Sheng Xiyan and tell her that she was fine.
Sheng Xiyan smiled and said coquettishly, "You care about him more than you care about me."
Jingle chuckled and touched her soft head: "Who said that? I love you the most."
Her eyes became much calmer, and after calming down, she ordered, "Madame Lan, ask someone to call Chu Yuanyi over."
When Nanny Lan heard Jingle calling Chu Yuanyi by his name, she knew it meant that Chu Yuanyi would not be let off easily, so she quickly responded and went downstairs to give the order.
Sheng Xiyan asked what medicinal herbs were in the storeroom, took out some commonly used ones, and mixed a pot of tranquilizing tea. Jingle had just taken two sips when a maid came over and reported, "Princess, the second young master has gone out."
Boys are not like girls. Besides, Chu Yuanyi is already twelve years old, and Jingle has never restricted him from going out.
Junle asked expressionlessly, "Where did he go?"
The maid reported, "The servants in the Second Young Master's courtyard said that the Second Young Master had an appointment with someone to buy books in the bookstore. He left after lunch at 1:05 pm and has not returned yet."
Jingle nodded: "Go and tell him to come over immediately when he comes back."
Jingle's mind is completely calm and his pulse is also very good.
Sheng Xiyan felt relieved and chatted with him for a while, talking about all sorts of things under the sun, but she didn't mention Chu Yuanyi again until 15:00 when Chu Yuanchen came back.
As soon as he returned home, he heard that Sheng Xiyan was there too. He was happy that he had good luck today, but when he stepped into the main room, he saw Jingle leaning on the beauty couch in a listless manner.
Chu Yuanchen walked forward quickly and asked worriedly, "Mom, are you feeling unwell?"
Jingle smiled nonchalantly: "I'm fine now, thanks to Sister Yan. I'm just still a little tired."
Sheng Xiyan followed up by saying, "The princess is fine now, don't worry, Prince." She raised her chin slightly, looking as if it was no problem for her to take action herself.
Chu Yuanchen believed her.
If she says it's OK, then it's definitely OK.
This trusting look made Sheng Xiyan's smile even more joyful, and her almond eyes sparkled.
Nanny Lan told Chu Yuanchen what had happened. Chu Yuanchen's eyes darkened. "How many members of the Jiang family came?"
There were many things going on yesterday, so Jingle didn't have time to check carefully. He just said, "Jiang Ting's mother and sister are here, and her sister brought a little girl with her."
Jingle knew that Jiang Ting's sister returned to her parents' home with her daughter after becoming a widow. It seemed like it had been more than ten years. She had met Jiang Ting's sisters once or twice, but had never met this little girl.
Chu Yuanchen nodded calmly: "I'll go and take a look."
When he said "see", he naturally didn't mean to "visit", but to see what tricks the Jiang family wanted to play on Chu Yuanyi.
The Jiang family is insignificant to him. If it weren't for Chu Yuanyi, he wouldn't need to pay any attention to them.
Jingle nodded and said, "You can send Sister Yan back as well. It's getting late."
Sheng Xiyan wanted to say no, but then she changed her mind and agreed.
Chu Yuanchen went out of the main hall with her, took her to the stable, pulled Wu Ti out, and then went to the ceremonial gate together.
The Sheng family's carriage was parked at Yimen.
Chu Yuanchen first complained that the Sheng family's carriage was not big enough, so he coaxed her into getting on the palace's carriage, and then he shamelessly sneaked in.
Sheng Xiyan: “…”
Well, she understood why he complained that the Sheng family's carriage was not big enough.
Chu Yuanchen sat upright, his rare seriousness made Sheng Xiyan smile repeatedly, and finally she didn't chase him away.
So, when Sheng Xiyan came, she had a horse-drawn carriage, and when she went back, she had two horse-drawn carriages, plus a black-hoofed horse that had no one to lead it and was just strolling along with the carriages on its own.
As soon as the carriage started moving, Chu Yuanchen, who had succeeded, immediately leaned lazily on the back of the chair, supported his head with his hands, leaned against the window of the carriage, and smiled.
The carriage drove out of the Zhenbei Palace, and Sheng Xiyan called out, "Prince..."
Chu Yuanchen interrupted her: "Call my name."
He looked at him, his peach blossom eyes showing seriousness and persistence.
Sheng Xiyan: “…”
Chu Yuanchen's lips curled up slightly, with a seductive smile, he leaned over and said with a smile: "We are so familiar with each other, just call me Achen."
Sheng Xiyan thought about it and agreed, so she followed his words and called out, "Achen."
There was a unique tenderness in her voice, and the sound of "Ah Chen" was like a feather gently stroking the tip of his heart, making him feel tingly. Chu Yuanchen never knew that his name would sound so good when she said it, and he couldn't help but want to hear it a few more times.
Chu Yuanchen tilted his head and pretended not to hear.
So, Sheng Xiyan called again, her voice a little higher: "Achen."
She took off the white jade pendant from her waist and said, "Have you seen this?"
Chu Yuanchen took the jade pendant and looked at it carefully in his hand.
She continued, "This jade pendant seems to be related to Governor Xiao."
Sheng Xiyan did not hide the truth from him and told him everything she had learned from the wife of Marquis Yongning.
She had little chance to meet Xiao Shuo, but Chu Yuanchen had a good relationship with Xiao Shuo, so it would be the same to ask him to ask.
Chu Yuanchen raised his eyebrows when he heard this, and then he looked at it carefully for a while, from the jade quality to the carving, and then he said uncertainly: "Maybe there is."
He seldom returned to Beijing, and he and Xiao Shuo mostly corresponded only through letters. They met very rarely, so he never noticed that he did not have a similar jade pendant.
"Put it here with me first?" he asked.
Sheng Xiyan agreed readily.
This time, she seemed to have let go of the matter completely, as if she had resolved a major issue.
Chu Yuanchen carefully put away the jade pendant. Thinking of what the wife of the Marquis of Yongning had said, he suddenly asked, "Do you know your brother's background?"
Sheng Xiyan said bluntly: "I can probably guess something, does he have a grudge against the emperor?"
Chu Yuanchen showed some viciousness and said, "I have a blood feud with Darong..."