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 Huashang didn't use much force, so Li Huazhang pulled her into his arms with a light tug. Ming Huashang 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. Not only did the rivals maliciously steal the Ming family's business, but even the 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..."

都說嫁出去的女兒潑出去的水，女人出嫁後，再回娘家就是做客了。但明華裳絲毫沒有做客的自覺，她興致勃勃談論怎麽吃，仿佛只是出門一趟，回來時順路買了家裏沒有的水果。

丫鬟讨好地說道：“二娘子真是孝順，哪怕出嫁了也惦記着娘家。”

明華裳理所應當說：“我自己的家，我不惦記誰惦記？枇杷快端下去剝皮，要不然天黑之前熬不完了。”

明雨霁聽後道：“聽到沒有，她這哪裏是惦記娘家，分明是自己想吃枇杷膏，但又懶得做，回來指使我來了。”

明華裳一聽立刻喊冤：“哪有！把枇杷留下，我親自來剝皮，剝不完絕不吃飯，我要絕食明志！”

李華章也不知道回門而已，怎麽就到了絕食明志的地步。他嘆氣道：“別亂說，這種事不能開玩笑。”

明華裳其實也就是說說，但李華章這樣說後，她當即讓丫鬟把枇杷留下，非要親手剝皮來證明自己了。丫鬟為難地看向明雨霁，明雨霁揮手，說：“放下吧，讓雍王妃慢慢剝，別耽誤她吃晚飯。”

丫鬟們忍不住笑了，李華章坐在不遠處，十分無奈。正堂內笑聲融融，先前的生分一掃而空，侍從們的神經都放松下來，仿佛在場沒有雍王、雍王妃，只有二郎君和二娘子。

明華裳挽起袖子，當真剝起枇杷皮來，絲毫不覺得自己現在是皇家的兒媳，回娘家後是貴客，不能動手。李華章看了眼滿滿當當的籮筐，面上沒有說什麽，手裏卻拿起枇杷，默不作聲去皮、削核，将剝好的成果放到明華裳手邊。

正堂中彌漫着一股枇杷清香，鎮國公将李華章的動作看在眼裏，沒說什麽，問：“大娘，午飯準備的怎麽樣了？”

“早就吩咐好了，其他菜都在竈上溫着，只有鹿炙需要翻烤，最多一刻就能上菜。現在要擺飯嗎？”

鎮國公說：“讓廚房準備吧，飯擺在延壽堂。”

明雨霁怔了下，面露不悅。鎮國公堅持道：“今日是二娘回門的日子，無論如何不能越過長輩。去給你們祖母請個安吧。”

鎮國公府雖然分家，但鎮國公是承嗣之人，理應奉養母親，所以明老夫人仍然住在公府裏。然而贍養母親，孝順是一個養法，不孝順又是一個養法。現在公府裏是明雨霁當家，她對這位血緣上的祖母完全沒有好感，只讓人衣食無憂供養着她，但也僅此而已，早晚請安、晨昏定省是不必想了，明雨霁只當鎮國公府裏沒有這號人。

今日明華裳歸寧，不去見祖母會被說不孝，明雨霁不情不願地應下，難得往延壽堂走去。

明老夫人聽到丫鬟傳信雍王和雍王妃要過來，精神為之一振。她趕緊讓丫鬟将茶點準備好，然而等了許久，等到熱水都換了一壺，大房的人才姍姍來遲。

如果放在以前，明老夫人被如此怠慢，肯定要發作了。但今時不同往日，鎮國公老眼昏花，完全當了撒手掌櫃，再不過問公府的事，竟由着那個半路回來的村女掌控公府。

明老夫人擺過祖母的威嚴，也安插過府中人手，偏那個女子軟硬不吃，逼急了當面就回嗆她，把明老夫人氣得胸口疼。然而鎮國公就像聾了一樣，明老夫人幾次表達不滿鎮國公都聽不到，明老夫人沒辦法了，只能人在屋檐下不得不低頭，接受她需要在一個孫女手裏讨生活的現實。

明華裳和明雨霁按照禮節給祖母請安，然後就沒有下話了，坐在一邊默默喝茶。李華章面上更恭敬一些，耐心地回明老夫人的話。

明老夫人本已習慣偏安一隅，但今日當着雍王的面，明老夫人又抖擻起來了。她和明華裳不親，和明雨霁更是從未見過，但雍王可是她精心養大的孫兒，雍王定然會向着她！

明老夫人擺出長輩的款，問李華章衣食住行、人手布置，李華章面上靜如平湖，語氣溫文爾雅，看着一應一答，但仔細回想，他好像什麽都沒說。

明老夫人兜了半天圈子，想說的話卻一句都沒出口。也是邪門，每每到了話口，話題就會被岔開。明老夫人不太滿意進展，正待繼續，這時丫鬟前來禀報，說飯擺好了。

明老夫人沉了臉，習慣性想呵斥下人，沒見她和雍王正在說話嗎？而明華裳已經站起來，一臉無辜打斷談話：“阿父，飯好了，鹿肉冷了就不好吃了，我們快去吃飯吧。”

明雨霁随之站起來，平淡說：“擺好碗筷，切好鹿肉，我們這就來。”

“別忘了還有蒸梨！”

明老夫人都沒來得及說話，屋裏的焦點就被明華裳姐妹帶走了。她們兩人一邊說話一邊往外走，鎮國公、李華章還有丫鬟婆子，全都跟着她們湧出。

明老夫人被落在後面，無人搭理，宛如被世界遺忘。她氣悶了一會，意識到如今再沒有人會看她的臉色，只能忍下不快，跟着出去吃飯。

這一頓飯吃得悄無聲息，十分符合食不言，寝不語。明華裳終于走完了過場，心裏長長松了口氣，她擦了手，說：“突然想起我還有些要緊事沒安排妥，我先走了。”

明雨霁見狀，跟着道：“我送你出去。”

她們兩人給明老夫人行禮，也不看老夫人的反應，便自顧自退了出來。等出來後，明雨霁問：“你有什麽要緊事沒安排好？”

明華裳一臉鄭重：“剝枇杷呀。”

回廊上沒有外人，她們倆人能放心地說話。明雨霁哽了下，無語道：“你剝得太慢了，還是送去廚房吧，現在熬枇杷膏，傍晚前還來得及出鍋。”

“不着急。”明華裳理所應當說，“熬不好我們就留宿一夜，等明日再走，有什麽可急的。”

明雨霁下意識覺得不妥：“你畢竟嫁人了，剛成婚就宿在外面，被外人知道不好。”

“沒關系。”明華裳說，“我只是成婚，又不是被明家除名，我住在自己家，為什麽怕人說？反正我們現在無論做什麽都會被宮裏猜忌，那就說明什麽都可以做。”

明雨霁反過來一想也是，以李華章和鎮國公府的關系，就算不來往也會被人猜疑，那還顧忌什麽？明雨霁覺得這個問題白問，但還是道：“他對你好嗎？”

明華裳點頭，不由露出笑意：“有人說成婚就是找一個男人托付終身，但我覺得，成婚是選擇一種能讓自己快樂的生活。和他在一起，就是我想要的生活。”

明雨霁聽後怔忪，想了想失笑。也是，明華裳從來都很清楚自己想要什麽，怎麽會将餘生寄希望于一個男人對自己好呢？

明雨霁知道很多話都不必說了，明華裳如果想過安穩生活，從一開始就不會冒天下之大不韪和兄長成婚，她既然選擇了李華章，就已經做好準備面對這條路上的風風雨雨、帝王猜忌、明争暗鬥。

她像一朵蒲公英，看似柔弱無害，一吹即散，實則生命力綿綿不絕，落到任何地方都能生根發芽。明雨霁相信，明華裳一定會把自己的生活過得很好。

明雨霁無話，反倒是明華裳問道：“公府呢，這段時間還好嗎？”

明雨霁想到外面那些爛攤子，暗嘆一聲，面上依然平靜道：“還好。”

她說得輕描淡寫，但明華裳如何不知道鎮國公府如今的境況。明華裳回頭，認真看着明雨霁：“我一向覺得，只要一家人心在一起，沒什麽坎過不去。有難處不要硬撐，鎮國公府不只是你的責任，它也是我們的家。”

明雨霁心裏仿佛有羽毛拂過，細細麻麻，暗潮湧動，令她無處可躲。這種感覺十分陌生，幾乎讓她無所适從，明雨霁別扭了一會，第一次放棄莫名的執着，坦露自己的難處：“如今所有人都知道鎮國公府沒有男丁頂立門楣，好些管事和外人勾結起來，蒙騙明家的財産。有些賬目我看不明白，你在公府的時間更長，對人手也更了解，不如你來看看？”

明華裳一聽，立即道：“好，賬本在哪，我們這就過去。”

明華裳和明雨霁一拍即合，也不等那兩人了，轉了個彎便朝書房走去。延壽堂內，李華章找了個借口告辭，鎮國公見狀，也跟着出來。

他們兩人走在廊庑上，李華章想到自己搶親的荒唐事，鄭重了臉色，認真向鎮國公致歉：“國公，那日是我無狀了，請您……”

鎮國公大手擡起，道：“不必說了。人不輕狂枉少年，我剛和瑜蘭成親那會，也恨不得一天十二時辰和她待在一起。只是我自以為是，總覺得有志男兒不該耽于內宅，不妨等解決完外面的事情後再來陪她。這一等，就是一輩子。這點，倒是我不及你了。”

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."