Xie Yushu had written to Han Zhongyu two days in advance, so when they arrived in the capital, Han Zhongyu, Lanting, and Qiushuang were already waiting for them at the gate.
The twelfth lunar month is the peak season for going to the market and buying New Year's goods. Especially when going to the capital, the road outside the city gates is so crowded that it's no exaggeration to say that people are jostling each other, both those going to the market to buy New Year's goods and those who have come from afar to see the lantern festival.
The temporary dormitory in the suburbs has been set up. It has wooden walls and roof, and a heated kang bed inside. Xie Tianqi and the others ran over to take a look out of curiosity and said that it was quite warm. Some people who came early for the New Year had already moved in, and there was also free hot porridge next to it.
Many food stalls have also moved in nearby, selling steamed buns, dumplings, soup noodles, wontons, and other food.
Not only are they delicious, but they're also quite cheap. Meat buns cost two copper coins each, and steaming hot steamed buns are only one copper coin each.
Xie Tianqi and Liu Xiaodong held the steamed bun in one hand and ate it with the other. Nanxing laughed at them, saying that the steamed bun was bigger than their faces.
Han Zhongyu saw this and said
"The size and price of these steamed buns were set by the Emperor, so that ordinary people who come from afar can eat the cheapest and most delicious steamed buns."
Not only are the steamed buns and mantou cheap, but there is also free porridge available every day at 9 am and 3 pm, so even if you really can't afford to spend money, you won't go hungry.
This prosperous era has come so quickly, and the vast number of farmers have also contributed to it. The rich come to the city to take their money and enjoy themselves, while the farmers, because their money was hard-earned, are reluctant to spend it. We cannot let them go hungry; it would be disheartening for the farmers.
Xie Yushu nodded.
"An emperor who has achieved this level of success can indeed be considered a wise ruler."
Serving such a court gives me peace of mind.
Seeing that they had been traveling for several days, Han Zhongyu said...
"I've already booked the banquet. We'll go eat there later, and then I'll take you back."
They were indeed hungry, and it was almost noon, so Xie Yushu and the others went directly through the officials' passage and entered the city.
Han Zhongyu booked Yipin Renjia Restaurant, which is the closest and most decent restaurant to the city gate, so that they could have a hot meal as soon as they arrived. Otherwise, with so many people and cars on the street, it would be hard to know when they would get home.
This place is relatively close to the city gate, and it's a mixed bag of people. Usually, high-ranking officials and nobles rarely come here. This time, Han Zhongyu also considered that the roads in the city were difficult to travel, so he let Xie Yushu and the others have something to eat here first. Although the place is not as nice as the noble restaurants in the east of the city, the food is still quite good.
Unexpectedly, in such a place that was not favored by high-ranking officials and nobles, they actually ran into the Fifth Prince upon entering.
The Fifth Prince was also dressed in a low-key manner, wearing a very ordinary cloak and a hat that covered half of his face. If it weren't for running into someone he didn't recognize, it would be really hard to recognize him.
Seeing the Fifth Prince dressed like this, Nanxing cleverly pretended not to recognize him and led Xie Baotian and the others upstairs.
Han Zhongyu and Xie Yushu were standing in front of the Fifth Prince, so they couldn't pretend they didn't see him. They stopped and bowed respectfully to the Fifth Prince.
The Fifth Prince was also surprised to run into Han Zhongyu here, but after a moment's reaction, he took the initiative to step forward and say...
"What a coincidence! The Right Chancellor is also dining here?"
Oh! Princess Jingde has come to the capital too!
"A chance encounter is worse than a planned meeting. Since we've run into each other, how about I, the prince, treat you both to a meal?"
Han Zhongyu refused.
"Thank you for your kindness, Fifth Prince, but I have already made reservations. If you have time, Fifth Prince, why don't you stay and have some more?"
Han Zhongyu's words were practically a blatant attempt to kick him out. A prince who had just finished eating, going back to eat more? If word got out, wouldn't he lose all face?
The Fifth Prince was angry that Han Zhongyu hadn't given him any face, but he didn't dare offend him directly, since he had been trying to win him over. So he could only pretend to be magnanimous and smile.
"Since Lord Han has already made his decision, I will not disturb him any longer. By the way, Lord Han, have you considered what I mentioned a few days ago?"
"I have always respected you. If you are willing to lend a helping hand, I will repay you tenfold."
Han Zhongyu said respectfully
"Fifth Prince, please forgive me. I am only acting in accordance with the law. Please forgive me for being powerless to help."
The Fifth Prince couldn't even maintain his fake smile anymore, and said coldly.
"Why be so stubborn, Lord Han? The future is uncertain, and no one can predict what will happen. I truly admire your abilities, Lord Han. Please don't go down such a dark path. The gates of my Fifth Prince's residence are always open for you."
After the Fifth Prince finished speaking, he left without waiting for Han Zhongyu's reply.
Xie Yushu imitated the Tao in a strange voice
"The gates of my Fifth Prince's residence are always open for you."
Tsk tsk! It's like I'm going to marry you!
"They seem to like you quite a bit?"
Han Zhongyu's ears hurt
"What nonsense are you spouting! You're making it seem like I'm the one who's innocent!"
As the two women were jokingly going upstairs, a man happened to be coming down from upstairs. The moment he met them, he gave them a subtle look before hurriedly leaving.
Xie Yushu turned around as if sensing something, but only saw a back view.
Han Zhongyu asked in confusion
"That person has a familiar scent."
"What familiar scent? Perfume? Or poison?"
"Not that kind of thing, it's bloody, chilling, it's hard to describe in detail."
But I feel he's a fallen soldier. He has a murderous aura, but no righteousness. He's probably serving personal gain now.
Han Zhongyu immediately thought of the Fifth Prince, who had just left from here. Xie Yushu also had this guess. Could it be that the Fifth Prince had secretly bribed some army?
However, with so many people around, the two tacitly stopped talking and went directly to a private room to have dinner with Xie Baotian and the others before returning to the Princess's residence.
The Fifth Prince was indeed starting to panic. Seeing that the Third Prince had been made Crown Prince and more and more people were turning to support him, the Fifth Prince himself was becoming increasingly isolated and powerless. Although the new commander of the Chu family army was his man and could still be used by him, there were far more officials in the court who supported the Crown Prince than those who supported him.
Although Consort Chu was released from confinement, she did not regain the emperor's favor. Now, besides him, the twins are allowed to see her once every two weeks, but apart from having a meal, it does not solve any problems.
Consort Chu didn't have any capable people under her command, so she couldn't know many things immediately and naturally couldn't prepare in advance. For example, the matter of the Third Prince being named Crown Prince, if she were a Noble Consort, she would definitely have noticed when Emperor Qingyuan had this intention. But now, she was probably the last in the entire palace to know.
This feeling of being out of control filled her with constant anxiety, but they had no outside help to turn the tide. To turn the tide, they could only play the emotional card and the family card with Emperor Qingyuan.
For servants, the only option was to use money to pave the way.
In any case, they couldn't just accept it like that. The palace was a cannibalistic place; if they wanted to live comfortably, they either had to die or climb to the top.
She and her children, born noble, how could they be subservient to others?
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