Chapter 218 Chapter 218 Preparation
Ever since Fu Wenxiao returned to Beijing, many people have been secretly watching him, not to mention that now that he has inherited the Zhenguo Mansion and become the youngest duke in the Daqing Dynasty, even more people are paying attention to him.
When they learned that he had actually gone to the saint to ask for a horse that the king of the northwest had paid tribute to as a gift to his wife, everyone thought he was crazy.
Which man would give a wild horse to his wife?
I heard that the horse king has an extremely fierce temper and no one can tame it. It has even hurt many people, so most people don't dare to get close to it easily.
Even men don't dare to approach such a horse king, let alone women?
Is there something wrong with Fu Xiao's brain for giving such a fierce horse to his wife?
When the third prince heard about this, he felt the same way and even used it to ridicule the incident.
But later, some people said that maybe the wife of the Duke of Zhenguo had unique preferences. What if she was different from ordinary women and she just liked ferocious beasts?
Don't forget, the wife of the Duke of Zhenguo is not one of those law-abiding aristocratic daughters in the capital. She is from the South. It is said that the customs in the South are barbaric and the women there tend to be a bit arrogant.
And she was a country girl, she used to be a pig butcher...
Anyone who has checked Fu Wenxiao's life in the South in recent years knows about this. After all, everyone in Shanping County is watching, so many things can be easily found out.
The people sent over investigated everything from Fu Wenxiao's marriage to his wife going to the county town to slaughter pigs to his taking the imperial examination...
When hearing the news, many people were shocked.
They really couldn't imagine that the wife of the Duke of Zhenguo looked so thin and weak, how could she hold a butcher knife?
By the way, I heard that she is very strong and should be able to lift a butcher knife.
But a girl's strength is limited, right? Why would she do something as bloody and dirty as killing a pig? You can't judge a person by his appearance.
Also, Fu Xiao actually married a pig butcher?
This last one was what shocked them the most.
A man like Fu Xiao, who has a noble status, has never suffered any grievances since childhood, and is the most picky person, but he not only married a country girl, but also a pig-killing girl? What is he trying to do?
Is it because the pig-killing woman is pretty?
But there are many beautiful women in this world. Even if the pig-killing girl is beautiful, there is no need for her to be so wronged.
Many men cannot understand Fu Xiao’s choice.
How much did Fu Xiao love the pig-killing girl to bring her back to the capital and even make her his principal wife?
The Third Prince used to think that Fu Xiao was wronging himself.
With Yu's status, she is not even qualified to be their concubine. Fu Xiao is a duke after all, there is no need to put himself in such a difficult position.
However, after he met Fu Xiao and his wife at the banquet at the Duke of Zhenguo's Mansion last month, he knew that Fu Xiao was not wronging himself and that he was sincere to his wife.
In the end, the Third Prince could only attribute it to Fu Xiao’s special taste.
Otherwise, I really can't figure out why he would be so wronged to marry such a girl, who is not only a butcher but also a glutton.
Not only the third prince thought so, many people had the same idea.
Because of Fu Xiao, they would not openly laugh at him for marrying a butcher girl. It was not because they wanted to be polite, but they were afraid that if they mentioned it, it would get to the Saint. If the Saint felt that Fu Xiao was wronged, there was no telling what the Saint would do for him.
There are precedents for this kind of thing, and they don't want to challenge Fu Xiao's status in the saint's mind.
Therefore, not many people in the capital knew that the wife of the Duke of Zhenguo was a pig butcher, and there was no need to say anything about it.
Even if they mocked Fu Xiao for marrying a butcher girl, it would not hurt Fu Xiao at all and would not be a setback to him. It would even make people think that he had a good character and did not abandon his wife.
What's there to mention?
At this moment, when the Third Prince heard his aides mention that they would start teaching Fu Xiao a lesson by starting with his wife, he thought of these things again.
He pondered for a while and asked, "Do you think Fu Xiao's wife really likes wild animals? Otherwise, why would Fu Xiao give his wife a fierce horse?"
"this……"
The staff present looked at each other, none of them were sure.
According to normal people's usual thinking, how could a girl like a fierce horse? Isn't it ironic that Fu Xiao gave her a fierce horse?
But what if, what if Fu Xiao’s wife’s preferences are so different?
The third prince's eyes flickered slightly, and he said, "Speaking of which, there are many ferocious beasts raised in the rare bird garden in the palace, all of which were tributes from various places. If Fu Xiao's wife really likes them..."
There was a meaningful look on his face.
Some of the staff around were also smart, and someone immediately said, "The end of this month is the Queen's birthday, and the ladies will come to the palace to celebrate the Queen's birthday. This is a good opportunity."
The third prince showed a look of satisfaction on his face.
Look, didn’t this opportunity come so quickly?
He felt happy as long as he thought that he would soon be able to teach Fu Xiao a lesson and make him suffer. Maybe he could do something about it then.
**
Doctor Xu stayed in the Duke's Mansion for a few days, and then went to Kangle Hall to practice medicine.
Kangle Hall is a medical clinic which is quite famous in the capital. If common people encounter any difficult and complicated diseases, they will go to Kangle Hall.
It can be said that Kangle Hall is very suitable for Doctor Xu, and this is also the place that Fu Wenxiao specially chose for him.
Because of this incident, Doctor Xu not only had no complaints about being dragged to Beijing by Fu Wenxiao, but was very grateful.
If the Third Prince had not brought him to the capital, he would not have been able to meet so many like-minded people and sit with them to study those difficult and complicated diseases.
Doctor Xu stayed in Kangle Hall from then on.
Originally, Yu Li wanted him to go to the clinic during the day and return to the mansion to rest at night. This would also protect Doctor Xu and let people know that Doctor Xu has a backer to prevent anyone from causing trouble for him.
But Dr. Xu refused.
He felt that the Duke's Mansion was in the inner city, too far from the clinic, and it would be a waste of time to run back and forth every day, so he would rather live directly in the clinic.
Just like when he was in Shanping County, even though the journey home was only a quarter of an hour, he was unwilling to go back. He would rather stay in the clinic, staying with it day and night.
Yu Li didn't force it. When she had time, she would go to the clinic to take a look or send someone to keep an eye on it.
Doctor Xu is now regarded as a "miracle doctor" in the eyes of the world. He was able to save the poisoned Fu Wenxiao. There must be a lot of people watching him. No matter what their purpose is, Doctor Xu is not safe now, and she needs to keep a close eye on him.
Privately, Yu Li also asked Fu Wenxiao: "They all thought that it was Doctor Xu who saved you, old emperor...didn't your uncle have any doubts? Now that Doctor Xu has come to the capital, what if your uncle thinks he can save your mother..."
Thanks to the fact that the mother and son never avoided her when discussing things, even though Yu Li didn't understand many things in the court, she couldn't avoid being told a lot of things by the mother and son, and learned about certain situations in the capital, as well as some conspiracies and intrigues.
She also knew that the old emperor would not be happy to see Princess Yuanan recover her health.
Only the dying Princess Yuan'an can reassure the old emperor and allow him to pay more attention to Fu Wenxiao. If Princess Yuan'an is fine, I'm afraid the first person the old emperor wants to kill is Fu Wenxiao.
Just like back then, when Concubine Xian poisoned Fu Wenxiao, it was hard to explain whether the old emperor was involved or not. He didn't need to do anything. As the master of the palace, it was enough for him to have people give Concubine Xian some convenience.
Fu Wenxiao was poisoned in the palace that year.
No one expected that Concubine Xian would poison Fu Wenxiao, and she succeeded.
The old emperor did love his nephew Fu Wenxiao, but he was also an emperor.
The emperor's mind is unpredictable. If his beloved nephew conflicts with his rule, he will abandon his beloved nephew without hesitation, even if this nephew is his most beloved child who he raised.
Fu Wenxiao smiled at her and said, "There is no such thing as a one-time event, because uncle knows that the person who saved me was not Doctor Xu."
Hearing this, Yu Li was stunned for a rare moment and looked at him in confusion.
She seemed to understand why the old emperor asked Fu Wenxiao to take Doctor Xu away. So that's why.
"Then how do you tell him?" Yu Li asked again.
Fu Wenxiao said: "I said that I met a talented person in the south, and he saved me."
"Did your uncle believe it?" Yu Li asked in surprise. A normal person wouldn't believe it, right? It sounded like a lie.
"Why don't you believe it?" Fu Wenxiao said pointedly, "Others may not believe it, but uncle will definitely believe it."
Seeing that she still looked puzzled, he couldn't help but smile, pulled her into his arms, and rested his chin on her shoulder.
His voice was very gentle, "A-li, have you forgotten? There is still the National Master. The National Master is a talented person that your uncle met, and it was your uncle who personally appointed him as the National Master."
In fact, when the old emperor appointed the imperial teacher, in addition to the fact that the imperial teacher had indeed demonstrated his abilities in front of the old emperor, which made the old emperor firmly believe that the imperial teacher was a capable person, it was also because this was a test by the old emperor of the empress dowager who was in power at the time. He used the imperial teacher to deal with the officials of the empress dowager's faction and brought down many of them.
In short, the old emperor was finally able to successfully appoint the imperial teacher.
Over the years, people have become accustomed to having an imperial master in the capital.
Yu Li sat up straight in an instant, "Oh, and there is also the Imperial Master."
She frowned, and suddenly felt that she was not diligent enough and had not yet mastered the advanced physical skills. She didn't know what would happen if she faced the imperial master.
In fact, after arriving in the capital, she had been paying attention to the Imperial Master, but because the Imperial Master lived in the Imperial Master's Mansion and rarely went out, and because the Imperial Master did not provoke her, she naturally could not do anything.
But if one day the old emperor wants to attack Princess Yuanan and her son, the imperial teacher will definitely help the old emperor.
At that time, she will also face off against the national teacher.
Seeing her getting up, Fu Wenxiao held her back, "Ali, what's wrong?"
"I have to work hard on my physical training." Yu Li said to him seriously, "If you guys fight against the Imperial Master in the future, I don't know how confident I am that I can beat him."
Fu Wenxiao: "..."
Fu Wenxiao was speechless, realizing that she really believed that.
In her mind, since the national teacher is also a talented person, he must have his strengths. She takes this very seriously and regards him as an opponent.
For a moment, his heart was so sad and weak.
Pulling her back into his arms, he stroked her hair and said, "Even if you fight against the Imperial Master one day, he will not be your opponent."
Even the Imperial Master might not be able to withstand a single move and would be beaten to death by her.
Thinking of that scene, he suddenly couldn't help laughing.
"Really?" Yu Li looked at him doubtfully, "How do you know? Have you ever fought with the Imperial Master?"
Fu Wenxiao said: "No, but I know that the national teacher only knows how to make elixirs, and he doesn't know how to fight. He can't beat you."
Yu Li didn't expect this to happen, and his eyes widened: "Isn't the Imperial Master a talented person?"
"There are many kinds of talented people." Fu Wenxiao said confidently, "Just like you are only good at fighting, but not good at refining elixirs."
Yu Li looked at him speechlessly, thinking that it was not right for him to use her as an example. However, she seemed to be a talented person in the eyes of the world, so he was right.
She asked again: "Is the elixir refined by the national master very powerful?"
"Of course it's amazing!" Fu Wenxiao said confidently, "It can eat dead people's food. Do you think it's amazing?"
Yu Li: “…”
It was the first time that Yu Li showed such a choked look, which made him laugh so hard.
He turned his face away, holding back the smile that was rising to his throat, pinched her face, and deliberately asked, "Ali, what's wrong?"
Yu Li came back to his senses, leaned close to his ear and whispered, "I heard that the old emperor has been taking elixirs, so he..."
Fu Wenxiao didn't say anything. He put away the smile on his face and looked at her calmly.
At this moment, she was in his arms, face to face with him, and could more clearly perceive the message of extreme calmness that he exuded.
This was the first time that Yu Li realized so clearly that this person was not the good person she had imagined.
"Ali..."
Fu Wenxiao let her go, and was about to say something but paused. He even looked away in embarrassment, not daring to look at her.
He is not the good man she thought he was. Is she disappointed in him?
At this time, Yu Li asked: "By the way, my mother was poisoned. Do you know who did it?"
Fu Wenxiao was stunned for a moment, then his eyes fell on her face again. He found that she looked calm, as if he was just asking casually. He answered subconsciously: "I don't know. My father and I had accidents one after another. My mother was hit hard. The situation was too chaotic. It might be that time when my mother was also attacked..."
"Who was it?" Yu Li asked, "Did your uncle instruct you to do this?"
Fu Wenxiao was silent again.
But judging from his reaction, Yu Li already understood and was not surprised.
She leaned closer to him and said seriously, "I like you and I also like my mother. I hope you are all right."
Fu Wenxiao looked at her in surprise, his dark jade eyes emitting a bright light, like stars scattered all over the sky. He couldn't help but tighten his arms around her waist, "A Li..."
Yu Li continued: "Although you are not a good person, you are not a bad person either. You are just trying to survive."
In her heart, human life is extremely precious and should be respected.
The premise of this respect is that if those who deserve to be saved actively do evil, then forget it.
She knew Fu Wenxiao's character well, and feelings were hard to take back. Since she loved him, she couldn't easily take him back just because he wasn't the good person she believed he was, right?
Forget it, there’s no need to worry about it so much.
Fu Wenxiao pursed his lips and smiled.
It was like putting down a big stone in his heart, making him feel relaxed and in a good mood.
-
Late April is the Queen's birthday, also known as the Thousand Autumn Festival.
At this time every year, the palace would celebrate the Queen's birthday, and the ladies of honor would come to the palace to wish the Queen a happy birthday.
However, no one knew what the old emperor was thinking this year. He suddenly announced in the court that he would hold a palace banquet for the queen and invite court officials and ladies to the palace to celebrate.
All the prefectures in the capital were busy preparing for this event.
Yu Li didn't feel anything, but this was her first time to attend a palace banquet after becoming the wife of the Duke of Zhenguo. Qing Huan and others were very nervous and began to prepare intensively a few days in advance.
Nanny Hai and Nanny Chen also taught Yu Li the etiquette of the palace.
Yu Li knew nothing about etiquette. Not to mention the etiquette in the palace, even his everyday etiquette was not very good.
Princess Yuan'an is not the type of person who likes to set rules for others. Because Yu Li has a special status, she turns a blind eye to her etiquette, as long as her daughter-in-law is happy.
Not to mention Yu Li's current identity. She is the wife of the Duke. In the capital, only others can salute her. If she doesn't salute others, people in the mansion will naturally not catch her etiquette.
It is with this mentality that everyone chooses to let things take their own course and do as she pleases.
Suddenly, a palace banquet was held, which finally reminded them that their wives seemed to be not very good at etiquette and rules.
Then you must catch it, at least it has to look acceptable on the surface.
Yu Li began to learn the etiquette of the palace.
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