Chapter 71 Drink Your Broken Wine
Jiang Qiaosheng closed the door and left.
Wen Yao held the envelope in his hand. The plain white paper and the lingering fragrance of wisteria melted in an instant.
Shangjing and Bianliang are a thousand miles apart. This letter must have passed through countless hands before it was delivered. Damn it, the purple wisteria fragrance could still be retained.
She unsealed it and pulled out a piece of paper. Lou Chengyi's handwriting, written in iron-painted and silver-hook style, was so bold and bold that it could be seen through the paper. The first sentence read, "Has arrived in Shangjing." The second sentence read, "Outside the building, at the bridgehead, I have buried ten jars of Fengyue wine, ready to drink in the spring."
After reading it, Wen Yao reached out and touched the envelope again, turned the letter over and looked at it carefully, confirming that Lou Chengyi had sent a letter from thousands of miles away with only these two sentences, and did not mention anything else.
She frowned, tore the letter into pieces and threw them aside, thinking to herself, who the hell wants to drink your crappy wine?
The next day, the eunuchs who delivered the message from the palace arrived early outside the Prince of Yan's mansion. The emperor summoned Zhao Xuanxu to the palace, and also ordered Wen Yao to accompany him to visit Concubine Su. Wen Yao was unfazed, packed up the preserved fruit, and rode into the imperial city with Zhao Xuanxu. Zhao Xuanxu went to the Yonghe Palace, the harem and the Yonghe Palace, respectively, to the north and south. The two separated at the palace gates.
"Let's go." Wen Yao waved at him, said goodbye, picked up the food box, and left with a eunuch. Zhao Xuanxu stood there watching Wen Yao walk away. A group of eunuchs beside him didn't dare to rush him, and they wanted to say something but hesitated, feeling anxious. Finally, when Wen Yao turned a corner and disappeared completely, Zhao Xuanxu withdrew his gaze, turned around, and strode forward.
The eunuch beside him breathed a sigh of relief and hurriedly followed him, flattering him, "Your Highness has helped His Majesty relieve a burden this time. His Majesty has already asked the Imperial Household Department to draw up a list of rewards and awards, and is waiting for Your Highness's return to reward him!"
Zhao Xuanxu turned a deaf ear and showed no reaction. He walked with the gait of a dragon and a tiger, his sleeves fluttering, and stepped into the Yonghe Palace, passing by the people who were bowing to him.
As soon as he stepped in, the eyes of everyone in the hall were focused on him.
Zhang Yun was originally mixed in the crowd with his head down, pretending to be timid. When Zhao Xuanxu came in, he breathed a sigh of relief, straightened his shoulders and stood up straight.
The expressions of the others were far more complex. Joy, disgust, indifference—a variety of expressions. A young eunuch stood by, slowly stirring the incense burner with a silver hairpin. A distinctive scent of incense spread, disappearing like a snake into the warm spring day. The pearl-encrusted curtain parted in the middle, revealing the emperor behind it.
The emperor looked quite different today, wearing a Taoist robe with crane patterns and a silver crown. His complexion was rosy, and surrounded by the fragrant mist, he truly had the air of an immortal.
Zhao Xuanxu stood in front of him.
"You've done a good job." The emperor ignored him and pointed to the side. "The Huai River flooded, and Suzhou suffered. Someone submitted a memorial to me, discussing buying out the people's land in Suzhou, promoting the use of mulberry trees instead of crops, and increasing silk production to fill the national treasury. Since you're here, listen."
"Father, I still think this is a good idea."
As the emperor finished speaking, the King of Qin stepped forward, bowed, and spoke first: "Farming on the frontiers, forging armor, maintaining military supplies...everything requires money. Since the people of Nanyang are so interested in Tianshui silk and are willing to pay a million taels of silver for it, why not use mulberry trees instead of farmland, increase the silk production of the Textile Bureau, and exchange it for silver to alleviate the problem of an empty treasury?"
"Fourth brother," Prince Yong said in a gentle yet firm voice, "Food is the people's most important need. Floods in Suzhou have submerged fertile farmland, and with spring planting just around the corner, the people are already anxious. Planting mulberry trees instead of fields will take time for the mulberry seedlings to mature, so where will the people get their rice? How can they possibly have enough to eat? Even if we transfer rice from other provinces, the price will undoubtedly rise, and the people will undoubtedly be dissatisfied."
The King of Qin glared at the King of Yong, his tone cold, and said, "Brother, why don't you mention the money the people can earn from replacing their fields with mulberry trees? If they have enough money, how can the people not be able to afford rice from other provinces?"
"Because mulberry trees are being used to replace farmland, the only ones who benefit are merchants, not the people!" King Yong's voice darkened. "If the floods are not eradicated and farmland is sold at a low price, how can the people survive?"
The King of Qin gritted his teeth and said, "Why be so stubborn? Filling the treasury and guarding the border to prevent the Northern Liao from moving south is the top priority now!"
The two princes exchanged sharp words, refusing to give in. No one around them, including the emperor, reacted much, clearly having argued more than once. Just then, the curtains outside the door parted, and a young eunuch entered. He stepped a few steps closer to the emperor and whispered a few words.
"Really? The magic pill is done?" The emperor suddenly became more energetic. He put his hands on his knees, leaned forward, and asked the eunuch earnestly: "Okay, okay, come quickly, let me go and take a look!"
With that, he turned away, leaving his ministers and son standing on the ground. After taking a few steps, the emperor suddenly thought of something. He turned his head and fixed his gaze on Zhang Yun, who was hiding in the crowd. He spoke slowly, "We'll discuss the matter of replacing farmland with mulberry trees later. My dear Zhang, the Ministry of Revenue's flower and stone tax needs more attention this year."
Zhang Yun's handsome face wrinkled into a bitter melon. He closed his eyes, lowered his head, took two steps forward and bowed: "Yes."
The emperor nodded and turned to leave. Outside, the imperial carriage landed, and the eunuch's shrill voice rang out. Then, a group of palace servants accompanied the Emperor of Tianshui to the alchemy room.
The emperor was discussing state affairs with his important ministers. Halfway through the discussion, the Taoist priest's elixir was ready, so he excitedly left the ministers behind - this was ridiculous no matter how you looked at it.
No one moved, someone sighed softly.
Zhao Xuanxu was indifferent and annoyed, feeling that this trip was a waste of time and that it would be better to wait for Wen Yao at the palace gate. He turned around and walked out first. Zhang Yun hurriedly caught up, chasing him all the way to the corridor, panting: "Wait, wait, wait, there's something we need to discuss!"
Zhao Xuanxu glanced at it: "Flower and Stone Gang?"
Zhang Yun nodded and then shook his head, pointing to a number with his hand. "This year, the amount handed over by the Imperial Household Department has doubled compared to previous years. They're actually quite bold in asking for it! Go back and tell me in detail. Where's Wen Yaoren?"
Wen Yao was naturally still in Yunjin Pavilion.
As soon as she arrived, Su Bin was in a good mood, and her laughter could be heard through the window. On the soft couch in the inner room, Su Bin's belly was covered with a layer of fox fur cloth, with preserved fruits at hand. She took off her shoes and socks and lay on it, smiling coquettishly, holding Wen Yao's hand tightly: "This is the taste, I have been thinking about it for a long time."
Concubine Su was having a difficult pregnancy. Hong Shu said she felt like vomiting at the mere smell of meat, and couldn't stomach it at all. But a pregnant woman couldn't just eat vegetarian food, so she had to hold her breath and force herself to eat. As a result, after half a month of this, she lost a lot of weight, her chin becoming thinner and more pointed.
The emperor had a son in his old age, so although he didn't attach much importance to him, he did show some concern. Wen Yao looked around and saw that in just a few days, Yunjin Pavilion had already acquired many fine items.
There were brisk footsteps at the door. Hong Shu brought a bowl of swallow's ear soup and held it in front of Su Bin, carefully comforting her: "Your Majesty, you didn't eat much this morning. It's still early now. Have something to eat."
Supin had no appetite at all.
Her eyebrows, which had become increasingly arched from the painting, rose, and she casually touched the armor on her hand. In front of Wen Yao, her temper, which had become increasingly erratic since her pregnancy, remained calm. She spoke gently, "Then use some."
"Okay." Hong Shu was delighted. She took a small bowl and placed two spoonfuls of swallow's ear mushrooms in it. A young palace maid quietly came up to the side and pricked the bowl with a silver needle. Then, she picked up the swallow's ear soup and swallowed it in big gulps without saying a word, then retreated to the side with her head lowered.
Wen Yao was stunned: "This is——"
Supin smiled, covering her red lips. "There are all kinds of dirty and smelly tricks in the palace. My belly is getting bigger day by day, so I have to be more careful about what I eat, wear and use."
About a cup of tea passed, and neither the maid nor Yinzhen showed any signs of abnormality. Hong Shu poured some Yan Er tea and handed it to Concubine Su, also giving a bowl to Wen Yao.
Wen Yao didn't like this kind of soup, which was as light as porridge but lacked the aroma of porridge. She tilted her head back, swallowed it whole, put down the bowl and stood up.
Su Bin quickly grabbed her hand and asked, "Are you leaving now?"
"Well, the Lama Temple is almost finished."
Supin's fingers loosened, a hint of reluctance. But she immediately smiled, smoothed her hair back, and said, "Okay, then I'll ask you to give my regards to His Royal Highness Prince Yan. Also, Concubine Li was injured by a tiger some time ago, and has been seriously ill recently. I haven't seen her in public for a long time. If His Royal Highness Prince Yan wishes, I can visit her on his behalf."
If she hadn't mentioned it, Wen Yao would have forgotten that there was a Concubine Li in the harem who was planning to have a child with Zhao Xuanxu.
Wen Yao hesitated for a moment and said, "This shouldn't be necessary. You should take care of your health now. It's best not to go to Concubine Li's place."
She spoke cryptically and left immediately after she finished speaking.
Hong Shu watched Wen Yao walk out the door with a glimmer of black clothing, and lowered her head and said, "Your Majesty, do you still need to send the Snow Skin Cream to Concubine Li?"
Concubine Li was a woman of exceptional beauty and the most favored concubine in the imperial harem. But ever since she was inexplicably injured by a tiger, she had become much quieter and was now completely silent.
Concubine Su didn't care whether Concubine Li was the most favored concubine in the palace. As soon as Wen Yao left, she immediately nodded, put the bowl aside, and after a moment's thought, she said, "No need to send it. I don't think Prince Yan cares about this sister. I'll give you the box of Snow Skin Cream as a reward."
Snow Skin Cream can lighten scars and whiten skin. It is very valuable and rare.
Hong Su was overjoyed when she heard this and nodded repeatedly in agreement.
Wen Yao had just left Yunjin Pavilion, and before she could breathe a sigh of relief, she walked a few steps forward and met someone she had never expected.
In the corridor of the palace, she and Guang Qingyu stood opposite each other and their eyes met. The atmosphere was quite awkward for a moment.
"Commander Wen," Guang Qingyu spoke first, walking towards Wen Yao. She still wore a veil, a plain dress, her hair pinned back with a hairpin, and no one was with her.
Wen Yao stood still, nodded to her, and greeted her politely: "Hello, Miss Guang."
Guang Qingyu stared at her for a while, then suddenly said, "Commander Wen doesn't want to see me."
Wen Yao looked up at her.
Guang Qingyu smiled slightly and continued, "I did offend many people last time in Yanling. But you and I each serve our own masters, and we are both following orders. I hope Commander Wen will not blame me for using unscrupulous means."
Wen Yao naturally knew this truth.
She looked at the woman opposite her, slightly surprised. Guang Qingyu was aloof and proud, and she hadn't expected that upon seeing her again after their separation from Yanling, the first thing Guang Qingyu said would be an apology.
"Commander Wen is a rare talent in this world. I admire you." Guang Qingyu's tone softened, but then he suddenly changed his tone and became tough again: "But if we meet again in the future, I will still be as ruthless as last time."
Wen Yao couldn't help but smile as he listened: "Even the number one counselor under Prince Yong admires me, so it seems I am really amazing."
Guang Qingyu: "It's just an empty title, Commander Wen..." She glanced behind Wen Yao and asked: "Are you here to visit Concubine Su this time?"
"Yes." Wen Yao didn't want to say more, and bowed: "I'm done with the visit and will be leaving the palace soon. Miss Guang, please don't bother me any more."
After saying that, she turned around and left in a hurry.
Wen Yao walked quickly, reaching the palace gate in one breath. The Lingyu Guard's carriage was already waiting outside. Wen Yao climbed up the side of the carriage, pushed open the door, and got in.
Who would have thought that as soon as she entered, she would see Zhang Yun sitting on Zhao Xuanxu's right, smiling and greeting her: "Hello, Commander Wen!"
Wen Yao raised an eyebrow, turned around to look outside and then at Zhang Yun: "This is the palace gate, you're coming up like this?"
"The court in Tianshui doesn't care about anything these days, not even cliques or personal interests." Zhang Yun half-jokingly said, "Your Majesty is almost becoming a god, and he's even less interested in worldly affairs."
Zhao Xuanxu pulled Wen Yao to his side, looked down at her expression, and was extremely perceptive. He put his hand on her back and asked, "What's wrong?"
"It's okay, I just met Guang Qingyu." Wen Yao leaned back, his tone more or less depressed, and said: "Su Yi has changed a lot... Hey, do you think the feng shui of this palace is bad? Why is there trouble every time I come back?"
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