Chapter 141: Shangshu Ling Shen Yushan
Xi Qingbai spent a lot of time visiting Xi Qingtong on the first day after returning home. As the sun was setting, he came to the palace again the next day.
Hearing that he was outside, Qingwu's fingers unconsciously clenched the corner of her clothes, and her face looked a little ugly. The demeanor of her elder brother that day was still vivid in her mind. How could she forget it?
Xi Qingtong was fine, as they had always been at odds with each other, but Xi Qingbai gave her a pretty good impression before he changed husbands. Although he did not treat her exactly the same as Xi Qingtong, he was harmonious and caring towards her, and fulfilled his basic responsibilities as an elder brother. So the fact that he did not say a word for her that day also hit Qingwu hard.
Xiao Ji noticed her displeasure and gently held her hand: "If you don't want to see him, then don't see him. I'll have someone send him away."
Qing Wu shook his head and took a deep breath. "No need. I've already met Xi Qingtong and Song Yunhe. Why should I be afraid of him? I want to see why he came here today."
Zhao Tong took his orders and left, soon returning to the front hall with Xi Qingbai. The Xi family's eldest son, dressed in an indigo brocade robe and jingling jade pendants at his waist, had the air of a young master from an aristocratic family.
But when he saw the two people sitting in the main seats, his steps paused noticeably.
"Greetings, Sixth Young Master." Xi Qingbai bowed and the servant behind him put all the gifts on the table. He introduced them one by one, but Xiao Ji only said "hmm" lightly without even raising his eyelids, but just fiddled with the tea lid slowly.
The hall was eerily silent for a moment. Xi Qingbai couldn't help but feel a little awkward, and his eyes involuntarily glanced at his sister Qingwu, who was sitting on the other side.
"...Sister." He said dryly, "Long time no see, are you...okay? I came to see you."
Hearing this, Qing Wu couldn't help but sneer, "Brother, do you think I'm doing well?"
Xi Qingbai was choked by her straightforward question, and all the polite words he had prepared were stuck in his throat.
He looked around. Although the palace was clean and simple, it was obviously not as good as the Xi family mansion. Moreover, Liu Langjun was still here. How should he answer?
After a while, he could only say: "Sister, you have suffered. It is all because of your brother that I have let you down."
This sentence was originally said with some sincerity. Xi Qingbai did feel a little sorry for his sister, but Qingwu's answer made his face freeze again.
"You really are sorry for me."
The day he chose Xi Qingtong and didn't say a single word to help her, Qingwu no longer wanted to recognize him as his brother.
A trace of anger flashed in Xi Qingbai's eyes. As the eldest son of the Xi family, how could he have ever been so publicly disrespected?
"Qing...sister," he almost blurted out Qingwu's real name, but fortunately he stopped in time. Xi Qingbai's heart sank slightly. He didn't understand why this sister didn't want to build a good relationship with him now, but instead her attitude became more presumptuous.
He realized belatedly that his mother was right, and felt that his good intentions had been met with disdain. They had given her so much gold, how could they have wronged her?
"I know I couldn't help you, but we are siblings after all. If I can help you in the future, I will definitely lend a hand. Why are you so resentful, sister?"
This sentence was not only said to Qingwu, but also to Xiao Ji who was beside her. The words implied that he was the eldest son of the Xi family, and they would have to rely on the Xi family if they wanted to do anything in the future.
Hearing the implication of his words, Qingwu sneered again. At this moment, she seemed to have seen the true face of this elder brother. If she disobeyed him in the slightest, she would lose her friendly attitude towards him.
Holding down Xiao Ji who was about to speak, Qing Wu raised his chin and said, "Brother, if you are not here to take a good look at me today, please go back."
Who would truly recognize her after such a long time and come to see her, and still touch her upper lip with her lower lip and say some useless nonsense?
Even bringing some silver would be fine, but what did Xi Qingbai bring? A set of Ru kiln teacups, a set of four treasures of the study, and some fashionable snacks. Was there anything he brought just for her?
These words once again shut Xi Qingbai up. He was furious, but because Xiao Ji was present, he dared not lash out. He could only suppress his anger and said, "Sister, why are you like this? I came to visit you sincerely today."
Xiao Ji remained silent. This was what Qing Wu had agreed with him before Xi Qingbai came in. She wanted him to try not to interrupt and let her see what Xi Qingbai's purpose was alone.
Hearing this, Qing Wu couldn't help but smile again, "I have received your sincerity, big brother. Please go back, big brother. If you stay here for too long, you will be suspected by the emperor and the kings."
Qingwu believed that Xi Qingbai was indeed sincere. After all, he had not been too bad to her in the past. It was just that his sincerity was not much, far less than what he showed to Xi Qingtong, and she didn't need it anymore.
Hearing the words "will arouse suspicion from the emperor and the kings", even though he had already thought about it, Xi Qingbai couldn't help but shudder. Looking at Qingwu again, he saw that he didn't even glance at himself. Xi Qingbai felt that he was doing a thankless job.
It turns out that those who were raised outside can never be tamed!
His chest was heaving with anger, but he finally endured it and bowed to Xiao Ji, then walked out with a flick of his sleeves.
The moment he turned around, Xi Qingbai couldn't help but think that the deposed prince was so indifferent. It seemed that she had marital discord and had angered him. If he didn't lend a hand in the future, how could she have a good life?
No matter what, his visit today cannot be considered as heartless and ungrateful.
In the final analysis, Xi Qingbai was just a little bit troubled by this. Did he really feel sorry for Qingwu? Of course not. That kind of heartache was definitely not as great as his family. Even Xi Qingtong could only rank third in his future career.
He looked at Qingwu hypocritically just to gain peace of mind.
Seeing him walk away with his sleeves swung, his figure gradually disappearing. Xiao Ji immediately looked at Qing Wu, "Why don't you let me speak so I can teach him a lesson? This attitude doesn't seem like he's coming to admit his mistakes at all."
Qing Wu smiled indifferently, "He didn't come here to admit his mistakes. He just came here to calm his own heart."
She shook her head and sighed, "Forget it, don't think about him. Anyway, he is no longer my brother in my heart."
Fugui had just bought all the herbs Grandma had written down, and since the palace already had some, it was quick to get them. Qingwu went to make the medicinal oil, and after she left, Xiaoji decided to read a book. When he stood up, he found the note still on the table beside him.
He paused, took the note in his palm, and slowly walked to the desk. Seeing this, Zhao Tong was afraid that his master would bump into something.
"Master, what are you looking at?"
"This is a note left by grandma. I think the handwriting looks familiar."
Zhao Tong looked at the lines of words spread out on the table. The brush strokes were so smooth and graceful. What beautiful words! Beautiful words...
"Maybe he learned from some great cursive calligrapher? From Master Zhang?" Zhao Tong had been serving Xiao Ji since he was a child, and he knew a lot from what he had seen and heard.
After hearing what Zhao Tong said, Xiao Ji looked carefully and realized that he had been led astray by him in a daze.
"You're right, it's Xi's Zhang family."
After saying that, Xiao Ji put the note in the book, and then asked Zhao Tong to have someone check it out.
"From what Grandma said yesterday, she seemed to know a lot about the Imperial Hospital and her medical skills were superb. I wonder if she's some unorthodox female doctor."
Although I believe that grandma will not harm Qingwu, it is better to try to find out as much as possible just in case.
"Got it. I'll let Wang San go right away."
Wang San was a villager from Hedong Village. When he came to work in the palace, he caught Zhao Tong's eye because of his cleverness. Later, Zhao Tong passed on information through Wang San, which was why the spies did not notice it.
Even if they checked every household in Hedong Village, they would not be able to find out anything. Wang San was a genuine villager of Hedong Village. There were dozens of ordinary men like him in Hedong Village.
Little did they know that they were going in the wrong direction. The "rebellious female doctor from a medical family" was heading towards a mausoleum in the suburbs of Beijing, which was the tomb of Xiao Cunzhen, the only daughter of Xiao Yuluan.
Xiao Cunzhen was born when Xiao Yuluan was 28 years old, and unfortunately died at the age of eight. This was also the reason why Xiao Yuluan gave up fighting for the throne at that time. She only had one daughter who died young. Even if she seized the throne, who would inherit it in the future?
Even if she could adopt a nephew from the clan, Xiao Yuluan could foresee what kind of bloody storm would happen in the future. They are all nephews, so why can he do it but I can't?
Filled with infinite sorrow, Xiao Yuluan came to the mausoleum she had built for her daughter. The entire mausoleum was planted with tung trees, which were in bloom at that time, and the trees were covered with snow-white flowers.
She thought that after more than 20 years, the mausoleum would be overgrown with weeds, but she found it surprisingly clean. The weeds on the roadside had been pulled out cleanly, and there were not even a few fallen leaves on the stone road.
But then I thought, it's already May 3rd, and it's only two or three days away from Zhen'er's death anniversary. She didn't make enemies everywhere in the capital back then, so it's normal for some of her old friends to come and sweep her grave.
Thinking that she had been away from Beijing for so many years and there were still people in Beijing to help her take care of Zhen'er, Xiao Yuluan couldn't help feeling comforted. However, as she got closer and closer to the main tombstone, her heart was slightly lifted. In her eyes, there was a man standing in front of the main tombstone.
The man, dressed in a plain white robe, stood tall and straight like a pine tree. He was leaning over to gently place a bunch of pure white gardenias in front of the tomb. Xiao Yuluan's steps slowed down—Zhen'er had loved white flowers the most back then.
When the man turned around after hearing the voice, Xiao Yuluan suddenly stopped. She recognized this face. The romantic young man back then now had fine lines at the corners of his eyes. He was fifty-three years old this year, but his black hair was frosted and he was still handsome. Time was like a carving knife, which had shaved away his youthfulness and carved out a gentleness like a heavy jade.
The man obviously recognized her, even though she was wearing the ordinary dress prepared by his apprentice, and even though her hair was gray and no longer as glorious as before, he still bowed deeply to her and said, "Your Highness, I pay my respects to the Grand Princess."
Xiao Yuluan's lips moved for a moment before she said casually, "So it's an old friend."
When Shen Yushan heard this, tears suddenly welled up in his old eyes. He was glad that the princess still remembered him.
Xiao Yuluan walked towards the tombstone and looked at the flowers and wine placed in front of it. After a pause, she couldn't help but ask, "Do you come here every year?"
Shen Yushan nodded: "It has never stopped since you left Beijing."
Xiao Yuluan walked slowly to the tomb, her fingertips gently stroking the cool stone. The words "Tomb of my beloved daughter Xiao Cunzhen" were still as clear as new, clearly showing that someone had meticulously cared for it.
Seeing this scene, she couldn't help but turn her head and ask, "Why?"
But he met Shen Yushan's helpless eyes and asked, "Why? Your Highness should know now, right?"
Xiao Yuluan suddenly shut up and changed the subject, "Isn't this... because I think you're too busy with official duties? What position do you hold now? The last time I saw the official newspaper, you were still..."
Before Xiao Yuluan could recall the position she had seen countless years ago, Shen Yushan had already said, "He was promoted to Shangshu Ling two years ago."
Shangshu Ling? This person is the same as the prime minister.
Xiao Yuluan was indeed a little surprised, but after thinking about it, she sighed and said, "If it weren't for your humble family background, with your talent and ability, you would have been able to take this position at least ten years earlier."
Hearing the pity in her words, Shen Yushan lowered his head and smiled, "It's nothing. A new emperor has new ministers. It's normal for His Majesty to prioritize his people after having served Zhongzong. Fortunately, they have made it through... Maybe they have outlasted them?"
These words of humor made Xiao Yuluan burst into laughter. Looking at the old friend in front of her whom she hadn't seen for a long time, she suddenly said, "Why don't you sit down and talk?"
Even though there were many connections in the past, now that so many years have passed, I don’t take it to heart anymore.
"Tell me, how about outlasting them?"
Xiao Yuluan picked up the tribute wine brought by Shen Yushan and poured a glass for each of them. Having been away from home for many years, she didn't believe in any ghosts or monsters. If she didn't drink the wine, the surrounding villagers would take it away and drink it.
Shen Yushan took it casually, but did not dare to touch the man at all. He raised the glass and poured the wine into his mouth. He felt that the wine was particularly mellow, but as he drank it, it became more and more bitter.
"Just outlive them. They're on average a dozen or twenty years older than me, so they're already in their twilight years, aren't they? But Your Highness... you're still as charming and elegant as ever, you don't look like you're in your sixties."
"After so many years, your words have become sweeter. I am in good health, but my appearance is definitely not as good as it was back then..."
With the flattery of an old friend, Xiao Yuluan also smiled slightly, but then she heard Shen Yushan's voice in her ears, "Charm lies in the bones, not in the skin. Your Highness's grace and elegance cannot be summed up by appearance."
This constant praise made Xiao Yuluan look sideways. How come this old guy becomes more eloquent as he gets older?
As if sensing her inner criticism, Shen Yushan took another sip of wine and said, "Without this mouth, how could you have persuaded His Majesty and become the Minister of the Chancellery?"
"Yes, he is old now and becoming more and more foolish. He is old enough to need to be coaxed."
A hint of sarcasm crossed Xiao Yuluan's lips, and she also raised her head and took a sip of wine.
Seeing her as valiant as ever, Shen Yushan couldn't help but ask, "Your Highness hasn't been home for many years. Why are you back now? It can't be for the little princess, right?"
Speaking of this, Xiao Yuluan paused and glanced at Shen Yushan. "Shangshu Ling..."
Shen Yushan let her look at him without feeling uncomfortable at all. He even wished she would look at him more.
"It's really not for Zhen'er."
When she left Beijing, Zhen'er had been gone for six or seven years. Time can dilute all sorrows. At that time, she decided to leave and she thought about never returning to Beijing for the rest of her life.
"I adopted a young apprentice from outside, and now she is married to me in the capital."
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