Lan Ting is a person with exceptional execution skills. As soon as she received Xie Yushu's permission, she took her guards on a training exercise.
It was rare for Han Zhongyu to have some free time, so Xie Yushu took him for a stroll around the villa. Han Zhongyu walked leisurely along the cement path.
"You've built this road very smoothly, it's no worse than the official road! But it does look a little different from the official road!"
"It's quite different. The road here is made of compacted stones at the bottom, and the top layer is made of lime and sand. It should have fewer steps than the official road. It's hard to say whether it's as durable as the official road, but it's convenient for my own use!"
She remembered that the official roads of the Qin Dynasty seemed to have been in use for more than two thousand years and were still there. Nowadays, the rural cement roads need to be rebuilt almost every ten years or so. She didn't know if it was because of the large carts that traveled on them or because they needed to be repaired.
This place isn't far from the official road, only twenty li away. If conditions permit, Xie Yushu plans to extend the road all the way to the official road. If conditions don't permit, she'll just make sure her own piece of land is well-maintained and easy to walk on.
Han Zhongyu didn't continue the topic after hearing this. At the moment, Lord Han hadn't thought about the use of building roads in the countryside. It was just a bit muddy when it rained. So a year later, when he left the city, he felt how amazing it was to leave the official road and walk on a smooth and wide cement road surrounded by all kinds of flowers!
The cement road was bustling with traffic. Whether it was patients seeking medical treatment, merchants buying goods, peddlers selling their wares, or even couples strolling along the road simply because of the beautiful scenery, or children playing, everyone had a peaceful or joyful expression on their face.
Because there lies their hope! The hope of life, the hope of survival!
There is a miracle doctor there who can cure all kinds of stubborn diseases!
There are factories there; you can find a job there to support your family, or you can do some small business there to supplement your household income.
Even more impressively, wealthy merchants from afar brought all sorts of local specialties they had never seen before, and took away crystal-clear glass, various glasswares, fine wines, and toiletries.
The houses there all have glass windows, making them spacious and bright. The people there are always kind and gentle. The only ones with stern faces are the rows of ordinary guards who stand like standard-bearers, but they never abuse their power!
The place is filled with the fragrance of flowers all year round. Even in winter, when the whole earth is covered with snow, there are still bright red winter plum blossoms swaying in the wind and snow.
Life there was so vibrant and prosperous that it seemed to infect the whole world with its vibrant energy!
That place is what people yearn for, and unknowingly, it has become his yearning as well!
Han Zhongyu had no idea what this place would look like a year from now. At this moment, he only felt that after a long day of hard work, being able to take a walk with someone he liked was wonderful, as if all the fatigue of the day had been swept away.
Even if he walked slowly, he couldn't stop the passage of time. Before he knew it, he had finished exploring the villa and it was time for him to go back. Looking at the person in front of him, he really didn't want her to get involved with any danger, but since there was already danger, he had to tell her the truth so that they could be prepared.
Xie Yushu saw him stop and look at her, and asked...
"But is there anything to say?"
Han Zhongyu nodded.
“The people I sent to Kyoto have returned, and we’ve also found out who the masterminds behind those four people who tried to kill you were.”
Who is it?
"It is the newly appointed Princess Rong'an by the Emperor, Chu Mingzhu!"
"Who is this Princess Rong'an? What is her relationship with Xiao Yi?"
At this point, a flash of anger crossed Han Zhongyu's eyes, and his expression became somewhat complicated.
"Princess Rong'an, Chu Mingzhu, was originally the youngest daughter of General Chu Wei, who had been guarding the northwest border for many years. He had made great military achievements and was once a first-rank official, enjoying great glory!"
He also had an eldest daughter who was a concubine in the palace and had a son. However, Chu Wei was later dismissed from his post and imprisoned in the imperial prison for a series of crimes, including forming cliques and engaging in corrupt practices. He later committed suicide in prison, and the Chu family declined from then on.
It is said that the men of the Chu family were robbed and killed on their way to exile, except for Xiao Jinyu, who was brought back by Xiao Yi. He has now been granted the title of Marquis of Anle and renamed Chu Jinyu!
The women were all sent to the brothel, and some died or were scattered. Only Chu Mingzhu was replaced by the wet nurse.
This year, because Consort Chu gave birth to twins, a boy and a girl, the Imperial Astronomical Bureau calculated that the twins would bring good fortune to their father. As a result, Consort Chu regained favor and the case of witchcraft against the Chu family was overturned.
The current appointment of Marquis Anle and Princess Rong'an is considered the Emperor's explanation for the wrongful conviction of the Chu family! However, Chu Wei's factionalism and corruption are undeniable; it will be difficult for the Chu family to regain its former glory!
"What a magnificent drama of merit overshadowing the emperor, the emperor ordering the subject to die and the subject having no choice but to die, and the emperor's benevolence!"
"The Chu family's daughter is certainly strong-willed. If she hadn't provoked me, I would have praised her for her intelligence and resilience!"
Han Zhongyu was stunned, and quickly covered Xie Yushu's mouth when he realized what was happening.
"You, how dare you say such things! Don't you know that speaking ill of the Emperor is a capital offense!"
"Mmm, mmm..."
Xie Yushu pried open the large hand covering her.
"Let go, he's almost out of breath! Whew! I was careless! I'll be more careful next time!"
We've gotten so used to freedom of speech that we've forgotten this!
Han Zhongyu finally breathed a sigh of relief when he saw that she admitted her mistake quickly and her attitude was relatively proper.
"I didn't expect you to be so perceptive. The main reason for the downfall of the Chu family was that their achievements overshadowed the master and they didn't know how to restrain themselves. Otherwise, with Chu Wei's merits, it wouldn't have been a problem for two or three generations to be glorious!"
That's... quite astute! Isn't this the formula for both novels and TV dramas?
Xie Yushu said awkwardly
"It's a guess, to maintain centralized power! It's not that hard to guess!"
Han Zhongyu...
Isn't it hard to guess? If Chu Wei had understood this, the Chu family wouldn't have been destroyed! And she, a country girl, just blurted it out so casually!
Good heavens! You can be my official!
Han Zhongyu fell into deep self-doubt!
If Xie Yushu knew that Han Zhongyu was on the verge of depression because of something she said, she would definitely have explained that Han Zhongyu really didn't understand politics. But she didn't know that. Seeing Han Zhongyu's blank expression, she asked...
"What’s wrong with you?"
"Nothing much..."
"You still haven't told me, what's going on between Xiao Yi and Chu Mingzhu?"
Xiao Yi was Chu Wei's adopted son and once served as a fourth-rank general in the Chu family army. Chu Wei had intended to marry Chu Mingzhu to him, but Consort Chu did not agree and wanted to find a high-ranking official's family for Chu Mingzhu to marry into. So the matter was put aside. Later, something happened to the Chu family, and Xiao Yi risked his life to save Xiao Jinyu and bring her back to the village.
Now that the Imperial Concubine has regained favor and the war in the west has started again, Xiao Yi has been reinstated to his original position. However, Chu Mingzhu is no longer the Chu Mingzhu of the past. Although the Emperor has granted her the title of Princess, she has no fiefdom and no real power. It is just for show. Although she is a noblewoman, she has been sent to the Jiaofangsi (a government-run entertainment institution). No noble family in the capital would ever marry such a woman!
Now her marriage prospects are stagnant, and Xiao Yi has become the best choice. However, Xiao Yi has already married you. Although the Xiao family matriarch has given you a letter of divorce, Chu Mingzhu is unaware of this. Moreover, Chu Mingzhu has always been spoiled and willful, and now her temperament has become increasingly erratic. That's why she sent someone to assassinate you!
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