Chapter 229 Chapter 229 Burning incense and praying for a child
After getting a big tiger, Yu Li became obsessed with training the tiger, making sure it lost weight so that it could run faster in the future.
This training was actually quite simple. As long as she got a little closer, the big tiger would be scared and run around in panic. The whole Xuanyou Garden was in chaos, with the sound of tiger roars echoing.
The guards standing outside Xuanyou Garden heard the commotion inside and looked sympathetic.
I never thought that one day they would actually sympathize with a wild beast. It's really unpredictable.
However, it seems that as long as he is related to the Madam, it is no big deal. The servants in the Duke of Zhenguo's Mansion now have a blind trust in Yu Li.
After Yu Li finished the training, the big tiger lay on the ground panting. Even when the two children tried to touch it, it was too tired to respond.
Of course, there was also a reason why Yu Lizhen was there.
The tiger was washed very clean, its fur was shiny and smooth, and felt particularly comfortable to the touch.
Fu Yanhui and Fu Yansheng could not help but bury their little faces in the big tiger and rub them against it, crying and screaming. They even treated the fat tiger's body as a hill and climbed on it, feeling extremely happy.
The guards around were all a little envious, children's happiness was so simple.
After leaving Xuanyou Garden, the two were still reluctant to leave and asked, "Aunt, when will we come to play again next time?"
They really like big tigers. They are furry, won’t resist, and won’t bite them. Who doesn’t like such a big cat?
Of course, they also knew that it would only be so well-behaved when the little aunt was around, and they didn't dare to come over at other times.
Yu Li said: "Next time you pass the assessment of my uncle, I will bring you here."
The brother and sister looked at each other and pouted.
As they grow older, in addition to reading and practicing calligraphy, they also have to learn music, chess, calligraphy, painting, riding and archery, etc. There are more and more things to learn, and almost the whole day is filled.
What's even more frightening is that the uncle would check on them every once in a while. The uncle knew so many things, and he required them to learn what he knew himself.
Every time they faced their uncle’s assessment, the brother and sister felt as if they were facing a formidable enemy, fearing that they would fail.
At this time, Yu Li said again: "The weather is getting hotter and hotter. Next month, I will take you to the village to play. I will bring the black horse and the tiger with me, and let them carry you away."
No child could refuse to play with the big tiger. The brother and sister’s eyes lit up and they said that they would work hard to complete their uncle’s assessment and study hard.
In order to ride a big tiger, I have to try my best!
The brother and sister were very motivated and worked hard to learn how to ride the big tiger. Yu Li also worked hard to make the black horse and the big tiger able to withstand the pressure she put on them and serve as her mounts.
For this reason, she often took the big tiger and the black horse to the horse farm and started walking the horses and tigers to train their adaptability.
Whenever the guards at the stable saw this scene, they felt their eyes were opened.
In the past, when the lady walked the horse, they already felt it was so special. They didn’t expect that the lady could walk the horse and the tiger together. It was really extraordinary.
When Fu Wenxiao came back from court and saw this, he couldn't help but fall silent.
Chu Shaoyu, who followed Fu Wenxiao, was just stunned for a moment, then ran over with a look of surprise: "Cousin, let me help you walk."
He was eager to try, full of enthusiasm.
Seeing this, Yu Li generously gave him the two ropes in his hand.
In order to make it easier to walk them, she put ropes on both animals and held the other end in her hand, pulling them along. If they lay on the ground and refused to move, she could drag them forward and force them to move.
Two animals: "..."
Those two ropes look like dog leashes.
If someone saw the horse king and the tiger tied with dog leashes like this, they would probably shed tears for them.
Now, the person walking the tiger and the black horse has become Chu Shaoyu, but because of Yu Li's presence, they still walk slowly and dare not run around.
Yu Li walked aside and asked, "Cousin, why are you here?"
Chu Shaoyu said as he rode his horse, "Cousin, are you free the day after tomorrow? My mother said she's going to Yuhua Temple to burn incense and eat vegetarian food the day after tomorrow. She wanted to invite you to go with her. It just so happens that I have a day off the day after tomorrow, so I'll go with you."
"Vegetarian?" Yu Li's eyes lit up. "Is it delicious?"
"Of course, the vegetarian food there is famous, and everyone who has eaten it praises it." Chu Shaoyu said, "I went there with my mother two years ago, and it was really good."
Yu Li agreed immediately. She was always very positive about delicious food.
Chu Shaoyu turned around and asked, "Cousin Fu, do you want to go with us?"
Fu Wenxiao shook his head, "I have something to do the day after tomorrow, I have to go to the Fifth Army Camp."
Chu Shaoyu sighed, remembering what he had heard from his father recently. The old emperor was dissatisfied with the corruption in the Fifth Army Camp, and he asked his cousin Fu to rectify it. This was something that could easily offend people. Once the Fifth Army Camp was rectified, those nobles who had benefited from it would probably hate the Duke of Zhenguo to death.
He couldn't help but curl his lips. People all said that the old emperor favored his nephew, the Duke of Zhenguo, but in his opinion, he was not that doting. All those tasks that were easy to offend people were assigned to the Duke of Zhenguo. How could that be considered doting on him?
I heard that it was like this in the past.
It's okay as long as the old emperor is around, as he can suppress people's dissatisfaction with the Duke of Zhenguo. But after he passes away and the new emperor ascends the throne, he will definitely settle accounts with the Duke of Zhenguo.
He felt that the old emperor would not have failed to think of this, but he still acted in this way. It could only be said that he did not dote on his nephew that much, or he wanted to leave him to the next emperor to deal with and let the new emperor win the hearts of the people.
Thinking of this, Chu Shaoyu felt that the saint in the palace was really terrifying.
While Chu Shaoyu was daydreaming, Fu Wenxiao suddenly asked, "I heard that you have been very close to Prince Rong recently, and you often go together..."
He paused, looked at Yu Li, and said nothing.
Chu Shaoyu saw him staring at him with a dark look in his eyes, and his hair stood on end. He quickly said, "Cousin Fu, I didn't do anything bad. I went there to check the information. I didn't do anything."
Recently, Prince Rong has often invited him to brothels and gambling houses to eat, drink and have fun.
He did go there, but just to take a look, eat and drink, and he didn't go whoring or gambling. He was even mocked by Prince Rong behind his back, calling him a coward and a wimp, and he was called a dandy for nothing.
Chu Shaoyu felt aggrieved. Wasn't it his half-brothers who helped him spread the reputation of a playboy?
When he came back from Jiangnan, although he was the prince of Rui, he had no job and did nothing. Compared with his half-brothers who already had jobs, he was like an idle playboy.
That's how the reputation spread.
Chu Shaoyu has been under the control of Concubine Rui since he was a child. Although he was a little spoiled, he never bullied men or women, never visited prostitutes or gambled, and never harmed anyone.
Unexpectedly, in the eyes of Prince Rong, he would become a coward and a wimp. Isn't this too much?
Fu Wenxiao patted him and said, "I trust you."
Otherwise, he wouldn't be allowed to interact with Li Niang.
Chu Shaoyu was immediately moved. In addition to his grandmother and mother, his cousin Fu also believed in him. Compared to those half-brothers who only knew how to complain, his cousin Fu was more like a brother.
When his father heard that he and Prince Rong went to those places, he didn't believe him at all. He said he was fooling around and wanted to call the family law. If his grandmother and mother hadn't stopped him, he would have been beaten.
Fu Wenxiao said: "Prince Rong's son has always been generous in his actions. If you have nothing to do in the future, you should have less contact with him."
"I know." Chu Shaoyu nodded obediently.
He also didn't like Prince Rong, but he went with him during this period just because he needed to go to those places to gather information, and he did find out a lot of useful information.
It’s a rare opportunity to come to the Duke Zhenguo’s Mansion, so Chu Shaoyu decided to have a meal here before leaving.
Zhou hadn't seen him for some time and was very enthusiastic towards him. The two children also happily called him Uncle Chu and played with him.
Chu Shaoyu also told Zhou about going to Yuhua Temple to burn incense, "Aunt Zhou, go too. The vegetarian food there is delicious."
Zhou's eyes lit up. She knew that Yuhua Temple not only had delicious vegetarian food, but was also very effective in praying for children and finding a good match.
She agreed immediately, thinking in her heart that she would have to add more incense money when the time comes, asking the Buddha to bless Li Niang and Xiao Ge'er's love and happiness, and it would be best if there was good news soon.
The day of departure came in a blink of an eye.
Early in the morning, Yu Li took Zhou and the two children to Yuhua Temple to burn incense.
Of course, the one who burned incense was Zhou, she went there to eat vegetarian food.
The carriage drove out of the door and arrived at the city gate, where it met the carriage from Prince Rui's Palace and headed towards Yuhua Temple outside the city.
Chu Shaoyu rode on horseback and came to the carriage of the Duke of Zhenguo's Mansion, talking to Yu Li through the window.
"Cousin, have you not tamed the horse king yet?"
"Not yet." Yu Li looked at him riding a horse with envy, "It can only carry me for a few steps now."
It's not possible to make it run for the time being.
Chu Shaoyu felt a little sympathetic. In fact, being able to scare away wild beasts sounded very impressive, but because she was frightened, even the horse couldn't carry her, which was not good.
"Where's the white-browed tiger?"
Yu Li said: "I am also training, when the time comes, I will take whichever one can carry me."
Now, Chu Shaoyu began to feel envious again. How majestic would it be if she could let the white-browed tiger be her mount?
I'm so envious just thinking about it.
Yuhua Temple is located in a county town outside the capital, two hours' journey away.
When they arrived at Yuhua Temple, the group first went into the temple to burn incense.
Princess Rui smiled and said to Yu Li, "I heard that praying for marriage and children here is very effective. Li Niang can also go and pray, and draw a lot at the same time."
Yu Li was confused, "What do you want?"
She doesn't seem to have anything to ask for, right? Whether it's praying for a child or a good marriage, she doesn't need it, and she doesn't believe in these things. If you are not sincere, you'd better not go in.
Princess Rui looked at her expression and knew what the girl was thinking. She felt both amused and helpless.
She and the Duke of Zhenguo have been married for several years, why is she still like a young girl who knows nothing about the world? I don't know if all talented people are like this, or if the Duke of Zhenguo protects her too much and doesn't let those dirty things pollute her eyes, so that she can still maintain a pure heart after getting married.
I feel a little envious.
Princess Rui sighed softly. Which woman doesn't want to be like a carefree girl all her life?
Finally, Princess Rui and Zhou went in together to burn incense.
Yu Li and Chu Shaoyu took the two children to visit the temple and feed the fish in the lotus pond.
After the two men finished burning incense, they went to the temple's dining room to rest and eat vegetarian food.
It was already noon, and the temple had prepared a lot of vegetarian food - this was something Chu Shaoyu had specially ordered, and the entire table was set up.
Princess Rui initially thought that there were too much food and it would be bad if it was not finished and wasted. Yuhua Temple had a rule that food could not be wasted as it was disrespectful to the gods and Buddhas. Even if they were dignitaries, they had to abide by such rules when they came here, after all, the Buddha was watching.
Who would have thought that the food was not enough in the end and we had to order another table of vegetarian food.
Now, Princess Rui finally realized how big of an appetite the wife of the Duke of Zhenguo had.
It seems that the rumors are true. It is said that the wife of the Duke of Zhenguo once enjoyed a royal banquet in the Hall of Mental Cultivation. She ate non-stop in front of the saint, like a reincarnated glutton.
Princess Rui doesn't care about the glutton and the like, but could it be that a family like theirs can't afford to support a child?
No matter how much you eat, it will only cost you a few more taels of silver.
Seeing her eat so happily makes one’s appetite grow.
Everyone ate too much at this meal, even Princess Rui, who usually paid attention to her diet, felt too full.
There was no choice but to go out for a walk to digest the food.
When they were tired, Princess Rui and Zhou took their two children to the meditation room to rest.
Yu Li and Chu Shaoyu were not tired. After sending them back, they decided to stroll around the back mountain of Yuhua Temple.
Yu Li heard that there was a forest of steles in the back mountain and was interested. Chu Shaoyu had been there before and volunteered to lead her there.
The scenery of the mountain behind Yuhua Temple is nice, with the sound of pine waves and the gentle mountain breeze, which dispels some of the stuffiness.
The two walked in the forest of steles, chatting casually.
Suddenly, Yu Li stopped and said, "There is a smell of blood."
Chu Shaoyu's face changed slightly. He sniffed and smelled nothing, but he believed Yu Li. In his heart, as long as Yu Li said it, there was nothing wrong with it.
Yu Li followed the direction of the smell of blood.
The two walked further and further away, and came to a valley in the back mountain of Yuhua Temple, where they saw a pool of blood on the ground.
Chu Shaoyu's face looked a little heavy. Could it be that a murder had happened here?
Yu Li looked around and suddenly walked into the valley, where there was a very hidden cave. As soon as he approached, a sharp knife was swung towards him.
Chu Shaoyu screamed, and then saw her easily snatch the opponent's knife, kick him and knock him to the ground, then step on him and press him down under her feet.
"Let him go!"
Another shout was heard, and Chu Shaoyu was startled, realizing that there were accomplices.
He turned around quickly and looked at the person who was coming. He found that it was a burly man with a big knife in his hand. He had a cold and ferocious expression and rushed towards him with the knife in his hand.
Chu Shaoyu's heart skipped a beat and he quickly found a place to hide.
Yu Li did not move, still stepping on the person under her feet. When the big knife came over, she raised her knife to block it, and used her strength skillfully. The opponent's palm became numb, his hand loosened, the big knife fell to the ground, and then she knocked him away with one knife.
Then she kicked him again, and the burly man flew out like a rag doll, hit the ground hard, and spit out a mouthful of blood.
Chu Shaoyu was very excited when he saw this.
He could naturally see that these two people had come with bad intentions. Although he didn't know who they were, the fact that they were hiding here and attacking anyone they saw showed that they were not good people.
Seeing Yu Li taking action to deal with the two men, he quickly ran over, grabbed the shirt of the man who was vomiting blood, tore it open, and then tied him up with his clothes.
Yu Li also loosened his feet and let Chu Shaoyu tie up the person under his feet.
Just as Chu Shaoyu was busy tying people up, Yu Li heard a noise not far away. Someone was coming.
She didn't care and just stood there waiting.
When they saw the people coming, they turned out to be the Third Prince, the Sixth Prince, the Seventh Prince, the Eighth Prince, and the Prince of Yue, who came with a group of guards.
When these people saw Yu Li, they were surprised.
The Third Prince looked at her suspiciously, "Madam Zhenguogong, why are you here?"
Their eyes turned from Yu Li and Chu Shaoyu, who was tying people up with his butt sticking out, and they were extremely surprised when they saw the two people who were tied up.
Yu Li said: "Come and burn incense."
Burn incense?
After hearing this, the princes couldn't help but think that Fu Xiao seemed to have been married for several years but still had no children. Could it be that the wife of the Duke of Zhenguo was infertile, so she came here to burn incense and pray for a child?
In an instant, several princes thought of this.
Before they could comment on this, they heard Yu Li say, "Why are you here? Are you all here to burn incense?"
She glanced at the group of people and a look of realization appeared on her face.
Except for the Prince of Yue, it seems that these princes have all married and have children. They wouldn't think that they don't have enough children and want to come and have a child, right?
As for seeking marriage or something, that is impossible. They all have wives and concubines, so it is impossible to seek marriage.
The expression on her face was so easy to understand that the princes who saw it clearly had veins throbbing on their foreheads.
They were just about to laugh at her for coming here to ask for a child, but they didn't expect her to laugh at them first.
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