Chapter 78: The person you like with the sachet?
"General Liu asked us to return to the capital, but he didn't say why. Now the northwest and the Turks are unstoppable. Duke Jiang of Shanhaiguan returned to the capital last year, and all the generals of Shanhaiguan followed him back to enjoy their retirement, leaving only a few old generals to guard the border, exposed to the wind and sun. You know what, the wine in Kyoto is better than the wine in the border, huh?" The man's voice was rough, and it sounded like the man who had just barged in.
"Even the young ladies are so pretty, unlike the Northwest, where there's no grass growing. If you look at it for too long, even the women look like yellow sand."
The voice became louder and louder, and even Cheng Xianzhi, who didn't move closer, could hear it clearly.
The accompanying person advised, "Brother Sun, you've had too much to drink. General Liu asked you and me to come back so that the court could allocate some military funds to the northwest front. If you ask me, Shanhaiguan won't send troops, then the court's military funds should be given to us in the northwest."
Han Zhou looked at Cheng Xianzhi on the side. According to the information in their conversation, these two people had indeed returned from the northwest.
"The general stationed in the northwest has returned to Kyoto. Doesn't the Ministry of War know about this?" Lu Tingwan sat back in his original seat, his eyes filled with doubt.
"Guarding the border without an imperial edict to return to the capital is tantamount to treason," Cheng Xianzhi said calmly. "And this man actually dared to brazenly appear in the market taverns without any reservation, acting with impunity. I'm afraid his story isn't that simple."
"Han Zhou, have someone keep an eye on this matter secretly. Be careful not to alert the enemy."
Han Zhou responded and sat back down. Cheng Xianzhi's gaze shifted to Lu Tingwan, "Do you know who the commander-in-chief of the Northwest garrison is?"
Lu Tingwan looked up and shook his head.
"Liu Qiyuan, the mother's family of your Lu family's mistress."
Lu Tingwan keenly sensed the meaning behind this, "You mean, this matter is related to the Lu family?"
"I didn't say that." Cheng Xianzhi was very cautious.
Lu Tingwan wanted to speak again, but he no longer had the intention to continue the conversation.
Several people stayed in the private room until the people in the next room left before they were ready to leave. Lu Tingwan was the first to leave the private room. When she was walking down the stairs, she was accidentally bumped by someone and lost her balance. She was ready to use her hands to resist, but a big hand grabbed her waist and caught her steadily.
Lu Tingwan wanted to thank him, but after seeing the man's face clearly, the words stopped on his lips.
Luo Yunchu's face came into view, and he was also surprised: "Yan Li? Why are you here too?"
Lu Tingwan took a few steps back, leaning his waist against the handrail of the stairs, and said cautiously: "Of course you came here to drink, isn't that the same for Master Luo?"
Luo Yunchu noticed her resistance, but couldn't help but step forward and say, "I'm here to discuss the matter of opening a joint shop with the shopkeeper from Tanzhou. Yanli, I know you are wary of me, but if you want to continue doing business, we can still start over..."
Lu Tingwan raised the corner of his lips slightly and chuckled, "Mr. Luo, I have made everything clear to you that day in Tanzhou. What misunderstandings do you have?"
"Now that you've returned to Kyoto, are you content to just stay at home every day?"
"Then you won't have to worry about it. Besides, since you already know my identity, you should also know that being so aggressive at this moment is probably not in accordance with etiquette."
Luo Yunchu collected his emotions and closed his folding fan, "I didn't mean to pester you."
Cheng Xianzhi, who came out of the private room on the second floor, saw this scene. Lu Tingwan was looking up at Luo Yunchu. Cheng Xianzhi couldn't see her face, and he didn't know whether Lu Tingwan had any intention of rekindling her old feelings for Luo Yunchu at this moment.
Han Zhou also noticed it and reminded, "Who is that? Luo Yunchu?"
Cheng Xianzhi fixed his eyes, picked up his steps, and walked forward.
A few steps away, a faint voice came: "An old friend is here?"
This was said for Lu Tingwan to hear.
The two of them looked over, and Luo Yunchu took a step back and bowed, "Master Cheng."
Lu Tingwan took the opportunity to go downstairs and didn't stay any longer.
Cheng Xianzhi's gaze was cold and arrogant as he glanced at him. Luo Yunchu felt that there was a warning in his eyes.
After leaving the Qingfeng Tavern, Lu Tingwan remained absent-minded, walking along the market street, not caring if anyone was following him. Cheng Xianzhi didn't board a carriage when the person ahead suddenly stopped to browse through jewelry at a small stall, but ultimately didn't find anything he liked.
She didn't bring any money with her when she went to the Ministry of Works today, so even if she picked out something nice, she couldn't buy it. She couldn't ask the person behind her for money.
Although he was her nominal husband, she always felt that her relationship with him had not reached this point.
A vendor on the street was selling purses. The style was no different from ordinary purses, but they were printed with flower juice and then embroidered with patterns. This technique was the same as the one she had used to print silk handkerchiefs in Zhichunli.
When the vendor saw Lu Tingwan approaching, she knew from her attire that she was a wealthy person. She couldn't help but say a few more words, "Madam, would you like to see this flower-scented purse?"
Lu Tingwan asked with great interest, "Auntie, did you make all these purses yourself?"
"Yes, this purse contains dried flowers. Madam, you can also add spices according to your preferences. Summer is coming, so put some basil, rosemary, and lemongrass in it. Wear it with you and it will also repel mosquitoes."
Lu Tingwan started communicating with someone, and before she knew it, a figure was approaching from behind.
Lu Tingwan looked back and saw Cheng Xianzhi's profile. He slowly turned around and looked at the small items on the stall.
Seeing this, the old lady looked at him with a look of disbelief: "Are this young man and young lady together?"
Lu Tingwan nodded silently. He didn't have any money with him, and if he didn't buy something after the conversation started, it would be embarrassing. But if he stayed here and didn't leave, he was afraid that Cheng Xianzhi would mistakenly think that he wanted him to buy a purse for him.
She didn't want him to misunderstand anything.
Lu Tingwan smiled dryly, put the purse in her hand back, and was about to turn around and leave.
The old lady said to Cheng Xianzhi, "If you give this purse to your beloved, they will live together till old age without doubting each other. My dear, please buy one for your wife."
Lu Tingwan wanted to explain, but then she thought about it and realized that she had said nothing wrong, as she was indeed his wife.
No doubt about each other, the person you like?
Cheng Xianzhi was delighted to hear this. He took out some small change from his waist and put it on the stall, then took the purse that Lu Tingwan had put back.
Lu Tingwan didn't buy what she wanted and felt a little disappointed, but the crowds on the street quickly dispelled her gloom.
Cheng Xianzhi walked straight forward, and Lu Tingwan followed. Looking back, he saw Han Zhou following him from a distance. The sky was getting darker, and it was time to go back home.
The moonlight nailed the shadows of the trees on both sides of the road to the bluestone slabs. She lowered her head and stepped on the shadows of the trees step by step. Suddenly, the person in front of her stopped, touched the back of Cheng Xianzhi's forehead, and quickly raised it.
He turned around, stared at her, stuffed the purse into her hand, and said, "Take it."
Lu Tingwan didn't understand what was going on. She looked at her purse with a hint of displeasure. When she saw the man walking away, she dared to mutter quietly, "Why should I take your own things when you don't take them yourself?"
"He's used to the style of the Governor-General of the Imperial Guards and the Minister of the Six Ministries!"
As Lu Tingwan spoke, she swung the purse in her hand without any care. The purse spun around in her fingertips and then released, emitting a faint fragrance from time to time.
The person in front of him said calmly: "If you have anything to say, just speak loudly."
Lu Tingwan didn't dare to act rashly and immediately fell silent.
When they returned to Cheng's house, it was already three quarters past midnight. Gongsun Xue was waiting outside the house again with a lamp in her hand. Lu Tingwan got off the carriage first. A hint of surprise flashed across Gongsun Xue's eyes, and soon Cheng Xianzhi's figure appeared. Gongsun Xue put on another smile, the lamplight shining on her outline, and her eyes followed Cheng Xianzhi who was approaching slowly.
Lu Tingwan walked in front, and when she approached the steps, she stuffed the purse in her hand into Gongsun Xue's arms and said lightly, "Here, this is the purse that the master bought specially for Madam."
Cheng Xianzhi saw it clearly. She just gave away the things he gave her?
Lu Tingwan didn't stay for long and stepped into the threshold alone. Gongsun Xue held the purse in her hand and looked at Cheng Xianzhi who was walking towards her with tenderness in her eyes.
"My lord." Gongsun Xue bowed.
"Why are you waiting here?" Cheng Xianzhi's tone was calm, without showing much emotion.
Gongsun Xue asked hesitantly, "Did the Second Madam come back with the Master?"
Cheng Xianzhi sensed the tentativeness in her tone and said, "Well, we met at the Ministry of Works and came back together."
The two entered the mansion together. Gongsun Xue was puzzled. "Second Madam is going to the Ministry of Works?"
"What has she been doing in the mansion these days?" Cheng Xianzhi asked.
She? Gongsun Xue pondered for a moment, wondering why Cheng Xianzhi was so concerned about her.
"After receiving a few imperial decrees from Yongle Palace, the Second Madam entered the palace. The rest of the time, she stayed in Yansheng Hall, mostly studying instruments. She didn't have much else to do anyway."
Cheng Xianzhi told her, "Yes, Lu Tingwan went to the Ministry of Industry for the equipment."
"But didn't you tell Xue'er before that the title of Protector General was given by His Majesty to amuse her? If she can also intervene in the affairs of the Ministry of Works, wouldn't that mean she has real power?" Gongsun Xue said softly, following Cheng Xianzhi closely.
Cheng Xianzhi said nonchalantly, "She went to the Ministry of Works to ask Xie Zhao for advice on machinery. It has nothing to do with the real business."
"I see," Gongsun Xue mused, "She seems to be very close to that Xie Zhao?"
Cheng Xianzhi glanced sideways. Gongsun Xue knew he didn't like people gossiping about him, so she explained, "Xue'er also heard her talk about it a few times..."
"Well," Cheng Xianzhi didn't care. "I'm going back to the study to take care of some official business. You can go back and rest first."
Gongsun Xue was dejected. They had been married for a year, and whenever she tried to get close to him, he always acted indifferent.
The chief general of the northwest returned to Kyoto, and the Ministry of War did not receive any news, so the court naturally did not know about it. In recent days, there have been reports of frequent harassment from the Turks in the northwest, but at a time when the war situation is urgent, these generals should not leave the battlefield.
Liu Qiyuan was originally a subordinate of Jiang Haiyi. Later, due to his meritorious service in defending Shanhaiguan, he was promoted to General of Chariots and Cavalry and transferred to the northwest. Although the northwest was bitterly cold, the sky was high and the waters were far away, and the imperial court could not reach there, so life was relatively easy.
Inside the Jinhua Palace, Queen Mother Jiang was dressed in a purple robe and golden fur coat. Palace Master Hong served some pre-rain Longjing early spring tea and then left.
"Brother, have you heard any rumors in Kyoto these days?" The tea lid gently touched the surface of the tea, causing ripples.
A delicate fragrance lingered in the Jinhua Palace's bedroom. Jiang Haiyi's voice was deep and rich: "What does Your Majesty mean?"
"There are rumors in Kyoto that the northwest garrison returned to Kyoto secretly and appeared in the market town. Haven't you heard about it, brother?" Queen Mother Jiang's eyes were as sharp as torches.
"It's nothing but hearsay. If he really returned to the capital without permission, why didn't anyone mention it during the court meeting today? The Queen didn't ask about it in Hanzhang Palace. I guess she's waiting for others to bring it up first." Jiang Haiyi said.
"Liu Qiyuan has asked the court for military pay several times in the past two months. Is the war situation in the northwest really so urgent?" Queen Mother Jiang seemed to see through it.
Jiang Haiyi pondered for a moment: "Did these words come from the mouths of those soldiers?"
Ever since Cheng Xianzhi and his companions encountered the two men at the Qingfeng Tavern, rumors began to spread throughout Kyoto, saying that the chief commander of the Northwest Turkic tribe had joined forces with the foreign enemy to create fake riots in order to demand funding from the court.
Cheng Xianzhi remained silent and did not take any action. Han Zhou had investigated and found that the two people he met at Qingfeng Tavern that day were indeed those who had returned from the northwest. However, they had been discharged from the army last year for violating military discipline and had stayed in the northwest ever since then. They had only recently returned to Kyoto.
As for the news about the war in the northwest, Jiang Haiyi's so-called hearsay was nothing more than drunken talk from these two people, and it was impossible to tell how much truth there was in it.
If the war situation in the northwest is urgent, if someone in the court brings up this matter at this time, it will only damage the relationship between the northwestern soldiers and the court, and will also chill the hearts of the soldiers guarding the border.
Therefore, even if Cheng Xianzhi found out the superficial facts, he would not make a fuss about it. He just secretly sent someone to follow the military pay and supply team transferred to the northwest by the Ministry of War. Whether it was true or not would be clear once they arrived in the northwest.
He had to be on guard. If someone set a trap for him, waiting for him to fall into it, and then accused him of spreading false rumors, misleading the people, and slandering loyal and good people, he would have no choice but to hand over the position of Shangshu he had just taken.
"Liu Qiyuan is a man of cunning thoughts," said Queen Mother Jiang. "Didn't my brother recommend him to the northwest because he was difficult to tame?"
"If Liu Qiyuan is involved in collaborating with the enemy, I'm afraid someone with ulterior motives will take advantage of him. The Jiang family will be the first to bear the brunt of the consequences. It's better to be cautious when necessary."
"The current Minister of Revenue, Liu Baiqi, is Liu Qiyuan's younger brother. If anything happens to Liu Qiyuan, his brother will not be spared. I must make plans," said Queen Mother Jiang. "Yan Li has been serving as a doctor at the Ministry of Revenue for almost a year. When Cheng Xianzhi took over, he cleared out the bloodlines of the six ministries, and now most of them are Cheng Xianzhi's people. As for Yan Li, he abides by his duties and fulfills his responsibilities. Even if he is wary of the Jiang family, he would not dare to transfer talented people at will."
"The Queen Mother is planning to promote Yan Li?" Jiang Haiyi said.
"Qingsheng is a martial artist. He has been with you in Shanhaiguan since he was a child. He has experienced hundreds of battles and is polite and cultured. I have high hopes for both of the Jiang family's children. If he is a capable person, I will use him, but he must make progress on his own."
"Qingsheng is already twenty-six years old. He has returned to Kyoto. Find a girl of equal family background and I will be the one to choose for him."
Although Jiang Qingsheng was a military commander, when he was stationed at Shanhaiguan, local officials would look for women to send to the general's residence. Jiang Qingsheng accepted all of them. Jiang Haiyi knew exactly what kind of person he was.
Although he was secretly sly and greedy, he was indeed gifted in warfare. Having been familiar with the art of war since childhood and influenced by his surroundings, he had already achieved some success in his twenties.
Jiang Haiyi nodded. The situation in the northwest was the tricky one at the moment.
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