Chapter 171 Yan Er
After Ming Huashang and Li Huazhang finished touring the palace, it was almost time for lunch. As usual, the lunch was Ming Huashang's favorite flavor. The spring breeze was warm and the wine and food were full. Ming Huashang couldn't help but feel sleepy. Li Huazhang knew that she didn't sleep well last night, so he advised: "If you feel sleepy, go to sleep for a while, don't force yourself."
Ming Huachang thought that today was her first day after marriage. It seemed not good to sleep in the daytime right after getting married. She hesitated and said, "But, I haven't done anything. Even the people in the palace haven't recognized me yet..."
"All you need to do is be yourself," Li Huazhang said gently, "I'll accompany you."
With Li Huazhang's words, Ming Huashang completely put aside her worries, took off her hair and went back to the inner room to sleep. The bed was much more comfortable than the green room. Ming Huashang lay on the soft bed and fell asleep in a short while.
This time she slept soundly, Ming Huachang felt like she was trapped in a cloud, and she was very relaxed both physically and mentally. When she woke up, the window was reflecting the dark blue sky, and the light in the room was dim, like an old painting. He sat in the misty twilight, his profile was cold and clear, holding a book in one hand, and the other hand passed through her hair, slowly massaging her scalp.
Ming Huashang had just woken up and didn't want to move, so she lay on her side and looked at him silently. His eyes fell on the book, his eyebrows were sharp, his eyes were bright, his face was like jade, and his expression was very serious, exactly like the "other people's child" in the eyes of the neighbors.
Ming Huashang had long been accustomed to having an excellent brother. He could do things she couldn't do, and learn things she couldn't learn. She was used to praising him, looking up to him, and rationalizing all his achievements. Today, looking at him from a level angle, Ming Huashang suddenly found that there would be bloodshot in his eyes. When he saw something he didn't understand, he would frown and think for a long time.
Ming Huashang suddenly reached out and gently pressed his temple. Li Huazhang was startled and realized that Ming Huashang had woken up. He put down the book and asked, "Did I wake you up?"
"No." Lying there like this was too hard to do anything, so Ming Huashang simply sat up, hung on him and rubbed his temples. "It's so dark now, why don't you turn on the light?"
Li Huazhang instinctively wanted to dodge, but then he realized that Ming Huachang was not only his sister, but also his wife from now on. He forced himself to stop his movements, and then the warm and fragrant jade came into his arms. He paused, reached out to hold her waist, and tried to get used to the physical contact.
Ming Huashang rubbed his temples for a while and asked, "Do your eyes feel better?"
Li Huazhang nodded, but he didn't really feel his eyes. In this situation, he had no time to feel his eyes. Li Huazhang habitually maintained a calm and cool gentleman's demeanor. Seeing how proper he was, Ming Huashang felt embarrassed to hang on to him. She silently withdrew her hand and looked at what book it was that made Li Huazhang reluctant to put it down.
There was a booklet beside the couch, which was covered with dense words. Ming Huashang picked it up, flipped through it for a while, and asked, "What is this?"
"Guanglu Temple's account book for last month.
"The fragrance in her arms suddenly disappeared, and Li Huazhang felt a sense of loss, but he was too embarrassed to pull her back, so he replied absentmindedly, "I should do my job. Now that I am the Minister of Guanglu Temple, I should be familiar with the flow of water in Guanglu Temple."
Guanglu Temple was in charge of food, from the food used in the imperial court sacrificial ceremonies, the state banquets when the emperor entertained civil and military officials and foreign envoys, to the daily diet of each member of the royal family, seasonal fruits, wine and seasonings. These things seemed insignificant, but with so many mouths to feed in the palace, a lot of salt and rice were consumed every day, and all of these needed to be purchased, prepared, and cooked by Guanglu Temple, and then sent to each palace one by one. The account books of Guanglu Temple were by no means a small number.
Ming Huashang lowered her head to look at the account book. Li Huazhang saw that she was looking at it seriously and stood up to light the lamp next to her. Ming Huashang felt the sudden light and sighed silently in her heart.
Although he didn't say it, Ming Huashang knew that he would rather stay up until his eyes turned red than turn on the light because he was afraid of waking her up. In fact, he could have taken it outside to see it, but he kept his promise and stayed by her side, accompanying her every step.
Her second brother was the same, seemingly aloof and unattainable, but in fact he was very considerate and kind to others. When he was kind to others, he was gentle and gentle, silently and did a lot, but he never made a fuss about it.
People with such temperaments are prone to being cheated. Didn't the Emperor and Empress Wei rely on the fact that Li Huazhang was a gentleman, so they were so reckless as to destroy the bridge after crossing the river? Ming Huashang felt more and more distressed for him, and said angrily: "It's a waste of God's gift to let you see these."
Now that they were the only two in the room, they were not afraid of being overheard. Although Ming Huachang's words were personal, they were not exaggerated. Li Huazhang had been the Shao Yin of Jingzhao Prefecture. He managed the huge Chang'an in an orderly manner and cleared up all the wrong cases in previous years. Such a talent in internal affairs is now the chef of the royal family. How can this not be a waste of talent?
Li Huazhang did not comment. He sat beside the couch, straightened Ming Huachang's hair, and said slowly, "There are only small officials, but no small things. Moreover, the Minister of Guanglu Temple is one of the Nine Ministers, and his position is not unimportant. Before, when I was in Jingzhao Prefecture, I could only see major events, and it seemed that only murders and city defense were worth caring about. Now that I have arrived at Guanglu Temple, I know how much the daily grain price is, and how much the fruit farmers outside the city will lose for the snow-watching banquet that Chang'an is so eager to attend. The sage said that a gentleman stays away from the kitchen, but in fact, food is the most important thing. Food is the first necessity of the people. Only by looking at the grain consumption can we understand the various aspects of people's lives."
Ming Huashang snorted softly and tapped his shoulder with a book. "Your Highness Prince Yong loves the people like his own children and is very clear about justice. So, it seems that I am the one who is being unreasonable?"
Li Huazhang smiled and took the book. Ming Huazhang didn't use much force, so Li Huazhang pulled her into his arms with a light tug. Ming Huazhang saw that he was "repaying kindness with enmity" and stretched out her hand to pinch his itchy flesh. Li Huazhang could only snatch the book from her hand, throw it on the step, and concentrate on holding her hand.
The two of them laughed and fell on the bed unconsciously. Li Huazhang half propped himself up on top, looking at her beautiful face, fair skin, red lips, long hair draped over her shoulders, and suddenly he became quiet. Ming Huachang also sensed something, and turned her eyes away in a way that was more obvious than obvious, her neck quietly blushing.
Li Huazhang lowered his head and kissed her neck, his voice unconsciously becoming hoarse: "Do you want something to eat?"
Ming Huashang hesitated for a moment and said honestly, "But we still have to eat."
"Let's go." Li Huazhang passed through her waist and legs and easily held her in his arms, "I'll have them bring it in."
·
April 12, Zhenguogong Mansion.
Ming Yuji used his abacus to calculate the numbers in the account book. After the Duke of Zhenguo lost power, all kinds of evil spirits emerged. The Duke of Zhenguo had several shops in Chang'an. Since those people knew that the Duke of Zhenguo had lost favor with the new emperor and had no son, and it was impossible for him to recover in the future, all kinds of troubles emerged one after another. shopkeepers and employees in the shops colluded with each other, trying to make up excuses and fill their pockets.
Duke Zhenguo had anticipated these things. In his words, he had lived through the reigns of Emperor Gaozong, Empress Wu Zetian, and Emperor Li Xian. So many noble families were involved in rebellion and were purged by cruel officials. As a confidant of Crown Prince Zhanghuai, he had been able to escape safely every time. Now that the young master had become a successful person, the family was safe, and his two daughters were by his side, it was already a blessing from God. It would be ungrateful to demand more material things.
The Duke of Zhenguo was open-minded, but Ming Yuji couldn't stand it. She was angry that people outside looked down on her, but it was an indisputable fact that the Duke of Zhenguo had no son, and it was also a fact that Prince Yong was suspected by the palace. Ming Yuji could not influence the palace struggle, so she took the account book and checked it with the steward, penny by penny, and she would never let anyone cheat the Duke of Zhenguo's mansion of a penny.
It is true that the Duke of Zhenguo has no son, but that does not mean that the Ming family is easy to bully.
Ming Yu Ji was so absorbed in calculating that he forgot about time. Suddenly, he heard a maid's report outside. Ming Yu Ji was startled for a moment, then he remembered that today was the day Ming Huashang was returning home.
Ming Yuji hurried to the main hall. Before he entered, he could hear the chattering inside: "Today we passed by the East Market and found that loquats and purple pears were cheaper than usual, so we quickly bought a basket of each. There were also green plums, which were specially transplanted from Jiaqingfang in the Eastern Capital. I took a bite and it tasted the same as the ones in Luoyang. Fortunately, we went early to buy them..."
The Duke of Zhenguo was very helpless: "I thought you would be more mature after getting married, how come you only remember to eat?"
"I bought the fruit with good intentions, but you scolded me. Then don't eat it."
Duke Zhenguo was so angry that he blew his beard and glared. A soothing and elegant male voice sounded, saying softly, "I was going to the East Market to investigate the prices of grain and fruit. Shangshang accompanied me. When she saw the fresh fruit, she thought of the Duke and Madam, so she took the trouble to move it back. Shangshang is very filial, and the Duke misunderstood her."
For Li Huazhang's sake, Duke Zhenguo snorted and did not pursue the unfilial daughter. Ming Huashang and Duke Zhenguo did not get along well. She saw a piece of skirt at the door and hurriedly said, "Sister, you are here? Come and see if Lu Li is the same as the one in Dongdu?"
Ming Yuji walked in with her skirt lifted up. Before she could say anything, a plum was stuffed into her hand. The water stains on it were not even dry. Ming Huashang looked at her eagerly. Ming Yuji could only lift it to her mouth and take a light bite.
Ming Huashang asked expectantly, "Is it delicious?"
Ming Yuji nodded, and Ming Huashang immediately said happily: "I said it was delicious, it's obvious that he doesn't know what's good. Look, sister, this is loquat, you can make loquat paste later. This is the cherry sent by Yuyuan, there is still a basket left, I brought it along. There are also purple pears, which will be steamed with sugar and cheese later..."
It is said that a married woman is like spilled water, and when she returns to her parents' home after marriage, she is a guest. But Ming Huashang did not feel like a guest at all. She was talking about how to eat with great interest, as if she had just gone out and bought some fruit that was not available at home on the way back.
The maidservant said flatteringly: "Second Madam is really filial. Even after getting married, she still misses her parents' home."
Ming Huashang said as a matter of course: "It's my own home, if I don't care about it, who will? Hurry up and take the loquats down and peel them, otherwise you won't be able to finish it before dark."
Ming Yuji heard this and said, "Did you hear that? She is not thinking about her parents' home at all. She obviously wants to eat loquat paste but is too lazy to make it, so she came back to order me to come."
Ming Huashang cried out in protest when she heard this: "No way! Leave the loquats here, I will peel them myself. I won't eat until I finish peeling them. I want to fast to show my determination!"
Li Huazhang didn't know how a simple return visit could lead to a hunger strike. He sighed and said, "Don't talk nonsense. You can't joke about this kind of thing."
Ming Huashang was just talking, but after Li Huazhang said that, she immediately asked the maid to keep the loquat and insisted on peeling it herself to prove herself. The maid looked at Ming Yuji in embarrassment, and Ming Yuji waved her hand and said, "Put it down, let Princess Yong peel it slowly, don't delay her dinner."
The maids couldn't help laughing. Li Huazhang sat not far away, feeling helpless. The main hall was filled with laughter. The previous unfamiliarity was swept away. The servants relaxed, as if there was no Prince Yong and Princess Yong, only Erlang and Erniang.
Ming Huashang rolled up her sleeves and really started peeling the loquats. She didn't think at all that she was now the daughter-in-law of the royal family and that she was a distinguished guest when she returned to her parents' home and couldn't do anything. Li Huazhang glanced at the full basket and said nothing. He picked up the loquats in his hands, peeled them silently, and cut the cores, and put the peeled fruits next to Ming Huashang.
The main hall was filled with the fragrance of loquats. Duke Zhenguo saw what Li Huazhang was doing, but he didn't say anything. He just asked, "Auntie, how is the lunch preparation going?"
"I've already given the order. The other dishes are all warming on the stove. Only the roasted deer needs to be turned over. It will be ready in a moment. Do you want to set the table now?"
The Duke of Zhenguo said, "Let the kitchen prepare the food. The meal will be served in the Yanshou Hall."
Ming Yuji was stunned for a moment, and his face showed displeasure. Duke Zhenguo insisted: "Today is the day when Second Mother returns home. No matter what, you cannot skip the elders. Go and pay your respects to your grandmother."
Although the Duke of Zhenguo's Mansion was divided, the Duke of Zhenguo was the heir and should support his mother, so Madam Ming still lived in the mansion. However, there was one way to support one's mother, filial piety, and another way to support one's mother. Now Ming Yuji was the head of the mansion. She had no good feelings for her grandmother by blood, and only let her be supported without worries about food and clothing, but that was all. There was no need to think about paying respects in the morning and evening, and visiting her every morning and evening. Ming Yuji just thought that there was no such person in the Duke of Zhenguo's Mansion.
Ming Huashang passed away today. If he didn't go to see his grandmother, he would be considered unfilial. Ming Yuji reluctantly agreed and walked towards Yanshou Hall.
When Madam Ming heard the maid tell her that Prince Yong and Princess Yong were coming, she was cheered up. She quickly asked the maid to prepare tea and snacks, but after waiting for a long time, until the hot water was changed, the people from the first house were late.
If it were in the past, Madam Ming would have been so neglected that she would have had a fit. But now was different. The Duke of Zhenguo was old and dim-sighted, and he had completely let go of the affairs of the mansion and let the village girl who came back halfway take control of the mansion.
Madam Ming had used her grandmother's authority and had also placed people in the mansion, but the woman refused to listen to her soft and hard words. When she was pushed to the limit, she retorted to her face, which made Madam Ming so angry that her chest hurt. However, Duke Zhen was like a deaf person. Madam Ming expressed her dissatisfaction several times, but he could not hear her. Madam Ming had no choice but to bow her head under the eaves and accept the reality that she had to make a living from a granddaughter.
Ming Huashang and Ming Yuji greeted their grandmother according to etiquette, and then sat aside and drank tea in silence. Li Huazhang was more respectful and patiently replied to Madam Ming's words.
Madam Ming was used to living in seclusion, but today in front of Prince Yong, she got excited again. She was not close to Ming Huashang, and had never met Ming Yuji, but Prince Yong was her grandson whom she had carefully raised, so he would definitely side with her!
Madam Ming acted like an elder and asked Li Huazhang about his food, clothing, housing, transportation, and staffing. Li Huazhang's face was as calm as a lake, and his tone was gentle and elegant. He seemed to respond to everything, but thinking back carefully, it seemed that he didn't say anything.
Madam Ming went around in circles for a long time, but she didn't say a word of what she wanted to say. It was strange that every time she got to the point of talking, the topic would be changed. Madam Ming was not satisfied with the progress and was about to continue, when the maid came to report that the meal was ready.
Madam Ming's face darkened. She habitually wanted to scold the servants. Didn't she see that she was talking to Prince Yong? But Ming Huashang had already stood up and interrupted the conversation with an innocent look: "Father, the meal is ready. The venison will not taste good if it gets cold. Let's go and eat."
Ming Yuji then stood up and said calmly, "Put out the dishes and chop the venison, we'll be right there."
“Don’t forget the steamed pears!”
Before Madam Ming could say anything, the focus of the room was taken away by Ming Huashang and her sister. As they walked out, Duke Zhenguo, Li Huazhang, and the maids and servants all followed them out.
Madam Ming was left behind, no one paid any attention to her, as if she had been forgotten by the world. She was upset for a while, but then she realized that no one would look at her expression anymore, so she could only swallow her anger and go out to eat with them.
The meal was eaten in silence, in line with the rule of not talking while eating and not talking while sleeping. Ming Huashang finally finished the formalities and breathed a sigh of relief. She wiped her hands and said, "I suddenly remembered that I have some important things to arrange. I'll leave first."
Seeing this, Ming Yuji said, "I'll take you out."
The two of them bowed to Madam Ming, and without even looking at her reaction, they left on their own. After they came out, Ming Yuji asked, "Is there anything important that you haven't arranged?"
Ming Huashang said solemnly: "Peeling loquats."
There were no outsiders in the corridor, so the two of them could talk without worry. Ming Yuji choked and said speechlessly, "You are peeling too slowly. Send it to the kitchen. Make the loquat paste now. It will be ready before dusk."
"Don't worry." Ming Huashang said as a matter of course, "If we can't bear it, we can stay overnight and leave tomorrow. There's no need to rush."
Ming Yuji realized that something was wrong: "After all, you are married. It's not good for outsiders to know that you are living outside right after your wedding."
"It doesn't matter." Ming Huashang said, "I'm just getting married, not being expelled from the Ming family. I live in my own home, why should I be afraid of what people say? Anyway, no matter what we do now, we will be suspected by the palace, so we can do anything."
Ming Yuji thought about it and realized that given Li Huazhang's relationship with the Duke of Zhenguo's Mansion, people would still be suspicious even if they didn't have any contact with him. So why should he be so cautious? Ming Yuji felt that this question was pointless, but still asked, "Is he good to you?"
Ming Huashang nodded and couldn't help but smile: "Some people say that marriage is about finding a man to entrust your life to, but I think that marriage is about choosing a life that makes you happy. Being with him is the life I want."
Ming Yuji was stunned after hearing this, and then laughed after thinking about it. That's right, Ming Huashang has always been very clear about what she wants, so why would she pin the rest of her life on a man being nice to her?
Ming Yuji knew that there was no need to say many things. If Ming Huashang wanted to live a stable life, she would not have risked the world's condemnation and married her brother from the beginning. Since she chose Li Huazhang, she was ready to face the ups and downs, the emperor's suspicion, and the open and secret struggles along the way.
She is like a dandelion, seemingly weak and harmless, and will scatter if blown, but in fact, she has endless vitality and can take root and sprout anywhere she lands. Ming Yuji believes that Ming Huashang will definitely live a good life.
Ming Yuji said nothing, but Ming Huashang asked, "How about the mansion? Is everything going well these days?"
Ming Yuji thought of the rotten stalls outside, sighed, and said calmly, "It's not bad."
She said it lightly, but Ming Huashang knew the current situation of the Zhenguo Mansion. Ming Huashang turned around and looked at Ming Yuji seriously: "I have always believed that as long as the family is united, there is nothing that cannot be overcome. Don't force yourself when there are difficulties. Zhenguo Mansion is not only your responsibility, it is also our home."
Ming Yuji felt as if a feather brushed through her heart, making her feel numb and tingling. The undercurrents were surging, leaving her with nowhere to hide. This feeling was very strange, and she was almost at a loss. Ming Yuji felt awkward for a while, and for the first time she gave up her inexplicable obsession and confessed her difficulties: "Now everyone knows that there is no male heir to the Duke of Zhenguo's Mansion. Many managers colluded with outsiders to defraud the Ming family's property. I don't understand some of the accounts. You have been in the Duke's Mansion longer and know the people better. Why don't you come and take a look?"
When Ming Huashang heard this, she immediately said, "Okay, where is the account book? We'll go there right away."
Ming Huashang and Ming Yuji hit it off immediately, and without waiting for the other two, they turned around and walked towards the study. In Yanshou Hall, Li Huazhang found an excuse to leave, and seeing this, the Duke of Zhenguo followed him out.
As the two of them walked on the corridor, Li Huazhang thought of his absurd act of kidnapping the bride, and his face became serious. He sincerely apologized to the Duke of Zhenguo: "Duke, I was rude that day, please ..."
The Duke of Zhenguo raised his hand and said, "No need to say more. If you are young, you should be reckless. When I first got married to Yulan, I wanted to be with her for twelve hours a day. But I was self-righteous and always thought that a man of ambition should not stay in the inner house. It would be better to wait until I had dealt with the things outside before accompanying her. This wait would last a lifetime. In this respect, I am not as good as you."
When it comes to Wang Yulan, Li Huazhang doesn't know what to say. He used to not understand why the Duke of Zhenguo always laughed at himself when he talked about the past, but now that he has a wife, he finally understands how much regret and remorse are contained in those few short sentences.
However, there are no ifs in the world. Money, fame, status, these are the things that men dream of when they are young. If you lose them, you can get them back. But once you lose a person, you will miss him forever.
And this truth often takes half a lifetime to understand.
Li Huazhang was speechless and could only say, "My Lord, please accept my condolences."
The child was newly married, a great day, and the Duke of Zhenguo did not want to affect Li Huazhang's good mood. He smiled casually and said with his hands behind his back, "Are you still calling me Duke?"
Li Huazhang was so moved that he couldn't help but smile, and finally he could legitimately change his words: "Yes, father."
The Yong Palace was a hodgepodge of good and bad people, and Li Huazhang didn't know who was behind the servants around him, but it was much safer in the Zhenguogong Mansion. Zhenguogong and Li Huazhang walked side by side in the winding corridor, and Zhenguogong asked, "How is the emperor these days?"
Li Huazhang thought of the old emperor who was hiding in Shangyang Palace. He did not dare to take it lightly and shook his head slowly: "The emperor is recuperating in Shangyang Palace and does not see outsiders. I don't know how her body is doing."
Duke Zhenguo sighed and said, "She killed the crown prince and many others. I should hate her, but to be fair, she was a great woman and a powerful emperor. I once wanted to avenge the crown prince, but then I watched Shangshang and you grow up day by day, and gradually understood that the crown prince committed suicide not out of hatred, but out of love. He loved his mother and you, and he couldn't make a choice, so he could only use his life to exchange for your life and the life of Prince Anle. She broke her promise and forced the crown princess and Prince Anle to death, and then you took away her throne. It's time to even it out. If Your Highness knew about this in the afterlife, he certainly wouldn't want you and the emperor to retaliate against each other. When you have time, go to Shangyang Palace to see her. She is also an eighty-year-old woman."
Li Huazhang lowered his eyes and looked at the swaying shadows of the trees on the ground. He was silent for a long time and said softly, "Yes."
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