Chapter 126
The hottest part of the summer has arrived. During the day, Xiangmian hid in the garden to cool off, writing down the curtains, window screens, tables, chairs, benches, and ornaments that needed to be purchased for the new home……. At night, she went to Jinling City to shop, picking out some favorite things and sending them directly to the new home.
The days flowed calmly, as she expected, Zhou Xian Yang no longer appeared in the Jing Yi Yuan.
The land she bought at the beginning of the year has been excavated and copper mines and hot springs have been discovered.
Zhou Xianyang only wrote a letter to Xiao Bei, asking him to deliver it.
The letter said that the copper mine had been reported to His Majesty and submitted to the court for processing, and asked her to give the land deed to Xiao Bei to bring back. His Majesty will ask the Ministry of Revenue to take over and reward the Yü Wang family with 10,000 taels of silver, which has already been cashed into a silver check and given to her with the letter.
Secondly, the land of the hot springs, the land deed is still at her disposal. Whether it is resale, or create a manor for their own use, or for business are good.
Rong Xiangmian put away the letter along with the letter of separation, and took the paperwork out to Xiao Bei.
Xiao Bei took it with a cold face, and stood there quietly, not walking.
“What’s wrong?”
“Do you have nothing to say to our master?”
Rong Xiangxiang saw that he had nothing to say, and only said, “Thank your master for me.”
Xiao Bei frowned: “You don’t want to ask if he’s okay?”
“Whether he is good or not is none of my business.”
Xiao Bei wanted to say something else, but was glared at by Xiao Nan, and all his words were glared back.
He bowed and left the house, complaining loudly to his sister, “He eats well and sleeps well here, and his color is getting better and better. He’s getting thinner and thinner every day.”
Zhou Xian Yang has been living in the Yul Wang Mansion as simply as he did in the Western Qin army. He lives and eats in the study and reads the investigation reports sent from all over the world.
When the Kunning Palace in the near servants were collectively executed, he wanted to find the truth of his mother was wronged can only start from the Chengqian Palace, one by one to find a breakthrough point. And to do it covertly, but also to hit the nail on the head, fortunately, Chen Rixin, he was in the palace so many years, can help him a hand.
The Yu family so-called “foreign affairs”, “corruption” and other crimes, but also related to the Dan has not yet been the unification of the northwest of the ministries, fight and talk for so many years, which entanglements are complex. He sent people deep into the northwest investigation for a long time, only because he never believe that uncle will accept bribes in the peace talks, cede the good country.
Half a day passed after he finished combing through the latest news. Wu Feng rushed to deliver a message, “The Emperor has summoned you to enter the palace in the afternoon, the Wangfei is afraid of missing the hour, so she asked me to come and inform you first, so as not to waste time by having the inner officials of the palace make another trip to the Wangfu.”
“She took the trouble.” Zhou Xian Yang got up and went out, instructing him as he walked, “In the future, you don’t need to personally run for this kind of thing, just send someone. You and Xiao Nan make sure to stay by her side at all times.”
Chongzheng Hall, King Qing is also there. Since he found out that the dike in Jiangzhou was related to him, Zhou Xian Yang felt uneasy when he saw him, but his face was always calm, and he still took the initiative to address him, “Second brother.”
“Fourth brother, why have you lost weight? Did you work too hard to organize the birthday banquet for that princess of yours?”
Zhou Xian Yang smiled, not picking up on this jab.
The Emperor had called his two sons over to explain their official business.
Shade officer selection thing, that day in the Jing Yi Yuan and princes and marquis of the family with the gathering, already through a happy atmosphere revealed some, will soon be formally implemented. The emperor’s intention was to have Xian Yang and Xian Yao to preside over this offending matter.
This time to participate in the selection and shade of the official assessment of each is the capital of the noble family of young people, they and those who study hard out of the talent is different, shade of the official is the family behind their reward, selected may not be grateful to him, the failure of the heart must have a disagreement.
Because this matter involves a lot of people, if you let the other officials to supervise, the gods fight, they can only suffer, must use the prince in order to suppress this first reform.
Therefore, King Qing and King Yu took up this responsibility.
This matter is very unusual. Previously. The queen claimed to be sick, has been in Chengqian Palace recuperation. Zhang Pan down the Ministry of Justice prison strictly, Marquis Yongan recently lying ill, has not come to the court. Li Wang’s backer saw the loss of power, at this moment the emperor to the other two prince entrusted, the dynasty is bound to have more speculation.
However, when the two of them went to the harem to pay their respects, Imperial Concubine looked worried and told them, “A few days ago, the Emperor gave an oracle saying that the Empress’s birthday was coming up, a big birthday, and instructed me to organize it properly.”
King Qing and Mother Consort looked at each other, their hearts clear. It looked like the storm that had iterated some time ago had caused the Emperor to become suspicious, suspecting that they were rushing towards the Zhang family and King Li. He wanted to appease Marquis Yongan and King Li, and was going to let the Empress out.
It was just that the matter of the Empress’ confinement was hidden from all of them from Yang Xian, and at the moment, neither of them had explicitly said anything about it.
Now, the Royal Concubine learned that the two children had been reused, and even more so, she did not see the slightest joy: “His Majesty sent you on such an offending errand, and I don’t know what he was thinking, is it because he values you, or he wants to penalize you, or to test you?”
King Qing laughed: “Mother consort can only rest assured that my son is doing his job impartially, so let’s just offend people! Do you want us to please those playboys? It’s important to get things done to Father’s satisfaction.”
Imperial Concubine sighed: “That’s right. Since we have to use it, it’s impossible to sell it both ways. When the Empress comes out after her birthday, this Imperial Noble Consort of mine will inevitably be pricked. The two of you should be careful with your words and behavior, don’t let anyone take hold of you.”
The two imperial princes immediately said yes.
After ordering the outside matters, the Imperial Concubine asked the palace people to bring the prepared snacks, “This is a new pattern from the palace, you guys bring it back to the residence to try it.”
King Qing took a look, the one for King Yu was more than his own, and laughed: “Mother Consort is biased, why is my son’s less than my fourth brother’s?”
“What nonsense?” Imperial Concubine, as Yü Wang’s nominal mother consort, most mindful of the word eccentric, immediately says, “That box was made by Consort Hui, before sending someone to bring it over, and told Xian Yang to bring it back to Consort Yü Wang.”
“My son was abrupt, mother consort don’t take offense.” King Qing said, gently patting his face.
Imperial Concubine’s face was in disbelief, “You are a Prince and now a father, you must not act in such a frivolous manner in the future.”
“Yes.” King Qing bowed his head.
“Alright, you guys go. This palace is busy preparing for her birthday these days and cannot be free, when she is free, ask your daughter-in-law to come into the palace and talk with us.”
Zhou Xian Yang hesitated for a moment, and did not say anything about him and Xiangmian making peace for the time being.
He took the snacks with him and went to the Jing Yi Garden.
At that time, it was dusk, and the evening sun reflected brilliantly in the water.
The girl sat on a rock by the lake playing in the water. Bright eyes and smiling face, in the sky color rendering, a few more bright and delicate. Her slender feet kicked up white water, making her feel much cooler.
Suddenly, Zhou Xian Yang’s right hand was filled with a strange burning heat. It was a dark and chaotic night with torrential rain, and this foot had been pressed against his shoulder, which he had held tightly, rubbing the soft skin and listening to her pout, “If you can’t do it, get lost.”
When she happened to look up and see Zhou Xian Yang’s long body, quietly gazing at her, Rong Xiangmian collected her smile. She instantly recalled Xiao Bei’s words.
He had indeed cleared his head these days. As for herself, she looked down at her reflection in the lake, she had indeed lived an overly nourishing life.
“You came?”
“Well, Imperial Noble Consort and Noble Consort Hui have made fresh snacks for you to try.”
Xiang Xiang pointed to a nearby rock, and Zhou Xian Yang followed the good advice and walked over to sit beside her, opening a few food boxes.
She had ready-made fruit wines and herbal teas here, and the two of them ate and talked over the beautiful dusk scenery.
“The Emperor has asked King Qing and I to oversee the selection of this Shade Officer posting.”
“Oh ……” Xiangmian knew that this errand was easy to offend, but the appointment of officials is the most important power in the dynasty, if the prince even pushes this, it will only make people doubt the ability and boldness, “You just do your job impartially …… By the way, if the Marquis of Yongding knows about this, Quan Yiyi’s cousin’s shade official matter is handled under you, won’t he be looking for your accommodation? What should we do then?”
Zhou Xian Yang laughed: “I was in the palace back to the Ming, do not understand those civil examinations, let the second brother to manage the selection of civil officials, I go to manage the military generals, so that more can convince the public. If he has the ability to pass the selection and then say.”
When Aimi heard this, she was happy, “What if Liu Quanyi rises to the occasion and passes the selection?”
“At that time everyone will know that we’ve made peace, he shouldn’t come back to ask for any more sponsorships.”
“Cunning.”
Zhou Xian Yang didn’t retort and asked her with some concern, “How will your aunt and uncle’s family satirize you by then, do you know?”
“I grew up being satirized by them, and it’s not like it’s just because I’m divorced. I’m used to it anyway, so I’ll just have less interaction in the future.”
Seeing her so calm, Zhou Xian Yang couldn’t help but feel heartbroken.
Then he told her the main thing: “The Emperor has decided to let Zhang out.”
Xiang Xiang was not surprised, she had known that the Empress would be fine sooner or later, “Her birthday is coming up, the Emperor always favors her for no reason, as long as she is not a regicide and a rebel, any mistakes can be uncovered.”
“You’re not angry?” Zhou Xian Yang had come to her for this, after all, the Empress had treated her like that, it was inevitable that she would be unfair.
Xiang Xiang laughed, “Why would I be angry for someone who doesn’t care? I also have to thank her for helping my mother with her grant. Don’t worry, I will honor her birthday as usual.”
“On that day …… are you still willing to accompany me into the palace and play the half day Yuhang Princess?” This is Zhou Xian Yang’s last question of the day, he even felt a little difficult to speak, did not expect her to take the initiative to mention it.
“Well, a good beginning is a good end.” Rong Xiangmian had already put off all the invitations to feast on Consort Yu these days, this was one of the most important occasions, she would not give away the truth.
Zhou Xian Yang raised a cup of fruit wine, “Thank you, Miss.”
The celadon lightly touched, emitting a pleasing and subtle sound. A stone’s throw away, her eyes flowed, just like that night at the City God Temple, when the beauty of the lanterns took her breath away.
Zhou Xian Yang put down his wine glass, his heart was uncontrollably excited. He lowered his head, almost wanting to run away.
“It’s getting late, I’m going back. On the day I enter the palace, I will come over early to wait for you.”
“Good.” Rong Xiangyang rose to see off his guests, “Remember to take your meals on time, it won’t look good if you lose any more weight.”
Zhou Xian Yang’s body stood still, gazing deeply at the face of Jiaotang, the red lips stained with the slightest hint of sweet fruit wine, his heart pounding.
Rong Xiangyang saw the sudden depth of his eyes and realized that he shouldn’t have said that last sentence.
Before she could react, the man’s breath had already attacked, and gently, tenderly, warmly, pecked her lips.