Chapter 3 Chapter 3 A Dream
Lu Chen stood there, a cold look between his brows.
He had been back in the capital for less than a month, and had not yet had time to carefully purchase servants. Most of the people employed in the mansion were recruited from various branches of the Zheng family. Now it seemed that they were indeed a disaster.
But now that things have come to this, there is no point in thinking about it. Lu Chen frowned and said patiently, "Since Mother knows where I went, she should know that yesterday was just an ordinary banquet and gathering, and has nothing to do with others. I hope Mother will not say anything nonsense."
Zheng Lanbi pursed her lips slightly, not quite believing it. She was about to ask again when she saw Lu Chen had already turned and left. She couldn't help but walk forward a few steps and called out, "Sanlang?"
Lu Chen stopped at the bottom of the stairs, turned around, and a faint smile played on his lips. "There are only three or two servants who know my whereabouts. Once I find them, I will not let them go. Since mother has nothing to do, please prepare some money for her."
"Sanlang!" Zheng Lanbi's face turned pale. She looked at him in disbelief, her voice trembling. "Who... who are you talking to?!"
Lu Chen frowned and glanced at her, but in the end he said nothing and walked straight out of the yard.
Zheng Lanbi watched her son walk away without looking back. She was so angry that she couldn't even stand still. She swayed twice. Madam Cui hurried forward to support her, "Madam, Madam..."
Zheng Lanbi used the force to steady herself, took a slow breath, and her eyes moistened. "Sanlang was very obedient when he was young. He always listened to me and was sweet-spoken...but his temper was ruined during those years away from home."
"Madam, please don't overthink it." Madam Cui hurriedly held her hand and said soothingly, "After all, my husband and you are connected by heart. What young man doesn't love bright colors? The wealth and luxury in the capital are alluring. Once my husband meets a few more noble ladies, I won't worry that he won't be able to stop loving Ning."
Zheng Lanbi turned her head and wiped away the tears from the corner of her eyes. Her expression gradually turned cold. "The Lu family is no longer what it used to be. We can't make any mistakes. Marriage is always a matter of parents' decision. If I arrange a marriage for him, he can't refuse."
"Madam, that's exactly what you said!" Madam Cui agreed repeatedly, then rolled her eyes towards the East Courtyard and sneered, "Even if we report it to the authorities, the one chosen by the parents must be the principal wife. Anyone married secretly can only be considered a concubine at best."
Zheng Lanbi raised her hand to smooth her hair and said calmly, "Aju, take my name card and ask the wife of the Duke of Zhongqin to come to our house.
Her family's Sanniang and Xu Shiliuniang were both the princess's study companions, and she is also my eldest sister-in-law's cousin. With such a connection, I can definitely ask her for some information."
**
After Lu Chen left, Zhe Rou didn't rest for too long. She quickly put on her clothes, got up, and washed up.
Although Zheng Lanbi explicitly forbade her to enter Songchun Courtyard to pay her respects, there were many people in the mansion and she didn't want to be known as lazy.
Moreover, now that Lu Chen had returned to Beijing to take up his post, social interactions between officials and their families were inevitable. People of the time appreciated elegance, and ordinary banquets often included burning incense, making tea, or arranging flowers and hanging paintings. Coming from the countryside, she knew very little about these things, and needed to learn quickly.
She did not ask to be proficient in all four arts, but at least she had to know a thing or two. Otherwise, if she did not understand anything when people talked about them at banquets in the future, she would be laughed at.
Others will not only look down on her, but also look down on Lu Chen.
Zhe Rou knew that she came from a humble background, but she did not feel inferior because of this. As long as she studied hard, she would not be much worse than the wife of an official.
After breakfast, Zhe Rou and Xiao Chan sorted out the boxes together.
She didn't bring many things from Taozhou. The most important ones were medical books and notes, as well as prepared medicinal materials, which had already been put away. The rest were mostly miscellaneous items, including a few local rituals, which she planned to give to her sister-in-law Lu Wan in two days.
Lu Wan was originally Lu Chen's cousin. Because her father died early and her mother remarried, she was raised in Lu Chen's home since she was a child.
Four years ago, something happened to the Lu family, and she was inevitably implicated. Fortunately, the Changping Earl's Mansion, to which she was originally engaged, kept her promise and did not break off the engagement. She was still welcomed as the Crown Prince's wife.
Later, Zhe Rou married Lu Chen, and the news was sent back to the capital. Among the relatives of the Lu family, only Lu Wan gave her a return gift. It was a rubbing of a very rare medical book. Probably to prevent it from being worn out by the bumps on the road, it was carefully wrapped with several layers of brown oil paper. Lu Wan also affectionately called her "sister-in-law" in the letter, and wished her and her husband a loving and happy marriage.
Zhe Rou still remembers how happy she was when she received the reply letter. Before going to bed, she couldn't help but put the letter on the bedside and glanced at it from time to time, so much so that Lu Chen pinched his nose and laughed at her for being silly.
How could he not be happy? His sister called her sister-in-law.
In a few days, it will be the full moon celebration for Lu Wan's little girl. Zhe Rou has already prepared a generous gift, and she wants to send it together with these local gifts as a token of her love.
"Madam, where do you think this box should be placed?" Xiaochan picked up a carved wooden box from the box next to her and asked her.
Zhe Rou smiled when she saw the wooden box, reached out to take it, and said softly, "Give it to me."
The box was filled with some old things that Lu Chen had given her in the past, including letters, chess pieces, and a pair of faded Mohelos.
On the first Lantern Festival after her marriage, she and Lu Chen went to the lantern festival and met a Hu merchant selling Mohele.
When she was little, she saw her aunt buy a cat for her cousin in her uncle's clinic. It was painted with gold and colorful patterns, and looked chubby and cute. Her cousin dressed it up with various clothes. Zhe Rou could only peek at it from afar, feeling extremely envious.
But a pair of Mohelo from the Hu merchant cost forty or fifty strings of cash, and at that time Lu Chen's monthly salary was only ten strings of cash. She secretly pinched her purse and turned her head, pretending to be unhappy.
Seeing that she was jealous, Lu Chen dug some new soil and made two rough and clumsy fat clay dolls. He picked up a pen and sketched out their facial features and expressions. He also used the remaining clay to make a clay doll, saying that he would leave it for the children to play with.
The snow was falling lightly. She sat under the eaves, watching him making clay figures while fragrant and sticky taro was roasting in a charcoal brazier beside her.
Lu Chen smiled and teased her at that time, saying that when they had a child in the future, the child would be both smart and handsome. He even thought of a name. If it was a boy, he would name him Minlang, and if it was a girl, she would name her Minniang.
Zhe Rou's face flushed red because of him. She picked up a snowball and threw it at him, scolding him for being shameless.
Thinking of the old days, Zhe Rou's heart softened. She touched the two little gray faces of Mohele and carefully put them into the drawer of the wardrobe.
After putting away the miscellaneous items, Zhe Rou changed her clothes and took Xiao Chan to the Zhouqiao Market near the Imperial Street, intending to buy some spices and learn how to make incense in her spare time.
When you walk to the prosperous area, you will see endless restaurants and foot shops on the long street, with wine banners waving, people coming and going, and the scene is bustling with activity.
After buying the spices, they walked east and happened to pass by a snack shop. Zhe Rou bought a bowl of sugar iced small yuanzi for Xiao Chan.
"Is it delicious?"
"Delicious! Thank you, my lady!"
A silly smile appeared on Xiaochan's face, and Zherou also smiled and raised her hand to pinch her little face.
After eating another spoonful of xiaoyuanzi, Xiaochan looked up and was about to speak when she suddenly saw a noble house at the end of the long street. She hesitated for a moment, then said happily, "My lady, look, isn't that my husband?"
Zhe Rou was stunned, and turned back to look in the direction she was looking, and saw Lu Chen dismounting outside a house gate, handing the horsewhip to the serving boy, straightening his clothes and sleeves, his figure standing tall and straight, like a strong bamboo.
The brilliant sunset light shone through the pine branches and slanted down on him, making it impossible to see his face and expression.
"Madam, are you going to look for your husband?" Xiaochan asked excitedly.
The houses near Zhouqiao were all owned by noble families. Zhe Rou saw eight official lanterns in bamboo baskets hanging high on both sides of the main gate. The word "Xu" was written in fine official script on the lanterns. She thought it must be the residence of Xu Chong, the prime minister.
"He has something important to do, so we won't bother him."
Zhe Rou smiled and shook her head, pulled Xiao Chan up, and turned to go to the green fish market in the south.
Lu Chen has always loved the fermented fish made by her. When she was in Taozhou, she would pickle a few jars of it every spring and autumn.
The black carp in this season is the most tender and delicious. After removing the scales and washing it, cut it into thin sashimi, add dill seeds, orange peel shreds, red yeast rice powder and ginger powder, knead it well and put it in a jar. Marinate it for half a month before opening it. It tastes great when eaten with rice or wine.
"...Admiral?"
The doorman of the Xu Mansion was about to lead Lu Chen into the mansion, but he saw him looking at the restaurants and shops lined up at the end of Zhou Bridge, as if looking for something, and couldn't help but call out to him softly.
Lu Chen turned around when he heard the voice, and smiled, "Nothing, let's go."
The doorman responded quickly, bowed and gestured to lead him into the front yard.
The Xu Mansion looks simple and elegant on the outside, but is quite luxurious on the inside. The beams are made of nanmu wood, painted with gold and covered with lacquer. Jade bamboo cages and gauze lanterns are hung everywhere in the corridor.
Lu Chen just glanced at it and then looked away.
These bamboo cage lanterns are not easy to make. One must first plant jade bamboo in the Four Seasons Greenhouse, and then take the young bamboo that is about to grow leaves and shave it into a thin, translucent skin. If it is a little more, it will look vulgar, and if it is a little less, it will break easily. It is unknown how much manpower and effort it takes to make such a lantern, but in the Xu Mansion, it is only used as a wind lantern under the eaves that can be worn out at will.
Arriving at the study door, Lu Chen was ushered in by the steward. He saw Xu Chong sitting behind a low carved table, grinding tea cakes with a small mill. He was over fifty, with graying hair and a slightly plump figure. At first glance, he looked quite kind.
Lu Chen bowed and saluted, "Mr. Xu."
"My dear nephew." Xu Chong raised his head, a smile on his face before he spoke, and gestured for him to sit down. "Thank you for taking care of Wang Zhonggan's matter, my dear nephew."
He sighed again and continued, "This old man's student is truly unruly. He actually did something as absurd as marrying his father's concubine. If he really had someone secretly take that concubine back to the capital and was impeached by the Censorate, in my opinion, his job as the Huai River Transport Commissioner would be over."
Lu Chen smiled, "You are so kind, sir. The escort officer was once my comrade in the Western Army, and we have a good relationship. Asking him for a favor is a piece of cake. I would like to express my gratitude. I only hope that I can receive more advice from you in the future when I serve in the court."
"Nephew, why should you be so reserved?" Xu Chong said sadly. "If Wang Zhonggan hadn't impeached us back then, the emperor might not have taken his anger out on the Lu family. This is because I failed to discipline you. Seeing Brother Boyuan in trouble, I was helpless and felt truly ashamed."
Lu Chen's expression was calm, without a trace of emotion. "My father was convicted because of the Eastern Palace's involvement. No matter what, it has nothing to do with Wang Caotai."
Xu Chong raised his eyes, his face gentle and smiling, but his eyes were fixed on the young man opposite him like a hawk.
"What's more," Lu Chen met his gaze, a faint smile playing on his lips. "I served in the army in Taozhou. The battlefield was dangerous and I experienced life and death several times. I finally understood one thing: the dead are gone, and the living should look forward."
Hearing this, Xu Chong laughed out loud, gently put the finely ground Dragon and Phoenix tea into the rabbit-hair cup, and poured water over it. "It's very good that my dear nephew can think this way."
After several soups, light clouds gradually appeared in the Jianzhan, swirling and curling.
Xu Chong took the whisk and struck it slowly, as if casually greeting, "My dear nephew, you are both a scholar and a warrior, and you are an extraordinary person. If anyone could have your nephew as their son-in-law, they would probably wake up laughing in their dreams. What a pity..."
After a pause, he smiled and looked at Lu Chen, his eyes scrutinizing him. "I heard that my nephew seemed to have married a wife when he was in Taozhou?"
As he finished speaking, the screen behind him suddenly made a sound, short and light, like the jade pendant on his waist gently knocking against each other.
Lu Chen pretended to be completely unaware. He glanced at the corner of the gold-embroidered shawl that was exposed from under the screen, then calmly looked away.
After a moment, he heard his own calm voice echoing in the house.
"It is true. But I am being unfilial. This marriage has not been approved by my mother. It can only be considered a secret marriage. It is against the rules of etiquette and cannot be counted."
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