"There are plum blossoms in the cupboard, and they are scattered in baskets. Ask me, a common man, to call them." [The Book of Songs·Guofeng·Zhaonan·Plum Blossoms in Zhaonan]
"A man's ambition is to be in the world. The merits obtained by relying on the kindness of his ancestors are not considered abilities. What he obtains on his own is extraordinary." Zhou Yu said loudly: "Although it is difficult to violate the sacred mandate, a man's ambition must be achieved in the end.
Rely on yourself! Otherwise, not only will I feel miserable, but even my old friends from other places will laugh at me after learning about this matter. I did not rely on my own ability, but took advantage of the east wind."
Liu Jiang was silent for a while. Even though he had thought of thousands of scenarios in his mind, he never thought that there would be someone who would not be interested in getting married to the royal family. This was not because he thought highly of himself, but because of the political benefits that would come from marrying her.
It is something that no powerful person can achieve after generations of hard work. She is destined not to be an unknown eldest princess, and her husband, even if he cannot be the one she loves, must be a man of peerless grace.
Thinking of this, Liu Jiang couldn't help but think of the long-hidden feelings in her heart, as well as the emperor's indifference. Her throat was secretly bitter, and she suddenly thought of something from Zhou Yu's words, and asked hurriedly: "Do you really think so?"
Zhou Yu said calmly: "I pride myself on being upright and I never make excuses."
"Huai Jin holds Yu." Liu Jiang had an idea and said meaningfully. Suddenly, a white and slender hand reached out from the gauze curtain, and opened the gauze curtain a crack, revealing half of his beautiful face: "
Everyone in the court calls you 'Mizuro', and even His Majesty praises you for your both civil and military skills. In my opinion, you are indeed worthy of this prestigious title."
After a simple glance, Zhou Yu hurriedly looked away and smiled indifferently, not modestly, as if he acquiesced to the praise.
"You go down and prepare first, I'll be here soon." After saying this, Liu Jiang's figure turned around and walked to the depths of the waterside pavilion.
It wasn't until this moment that Zhou Yu's secretly tense heartstrings completely relaxed. He didn't have to care about being the emperor's brother-in-law, but he couldn't care less about what he would do to him, the Lujiang Zhou family, and even Yuan Yuan after disobeying the emperor's good wishes.
In Yangzhou, all the adverse effects brought about by Sun Ce, who was still working as a villain on the surface.
After the Weihe edict and the killing of thieves in Liangzhou, Zhou Yu was finally able to establish a direct relationship with the emperor, which gave the Zhou family a lot of leeway in the court, so as not to be completely controlled by the Xun family. Now it is absolutely impossible to do anything because of this matter.
He was estranged from the emperor, so in his exchange with Liu Jiang, he was not so much expressing his feelings as he was deliberately doing the opposite. As for whether there is truth or lies in this, I am afraid it is not necessary.
It's so clear.
In fact, there was more than just Liu Jiang in the gauze. The huge waterside pavilion had tables, mats, lampstands, incense burners and screens standing alone, and there was still a lot of open space. Cai Zhenji, the second daughter of Cai Yong, the commander of Lantai, was hiding just now
Behind the screen, the conversation between the two people could be clearly heard.
Cai Zhenji has a lively personality, and she is a close friend of Liu Jiang, so she has no scruples about talking in private. She said with a smile: "I think Zhou Gongjin is looking for everyone in Chang'an this time, regardless of his character, talent, family background, or official title."
There will be no second one. He is nineteen years old, and he is facing the eldest princess again. I see that your majesty is sincerely planning for the eldest princess’s future. If you miss it now, the next family may not be sure."
"I'm still worried that I won't be able to get married?" Liu Jiang sat down and took a sip of tea. After hearing the words "The emperor is planning for her future," he felt a little unhappy and wanted to say, "He is planning for himself."
.But because these words were too shocking, Liu Jiang had to swallow them alive and retorted: "I think you are tempted. If so, I will tell your majesty and let him marry you!"
"I have a marriage contract. No one can marry me except Taiyangshi." Cai Zhenji sat at the table and played with the strings twice. She innocently used the marriage contract as a shield, but she was still young.
I still don’t know that a woman like her who has no right to choose marriage is, after all, the same person as Liu Jiang.
"If you are tempted, you will be tempted, and if you marry, you will marry." The eldest princess said casually, and suddenly saw Cai Zhenji, who was playing the piano with her head lowered. Although she was not as stunning as Liu Jiang had seen before, the demure and gentle way she lowered her head, coupled with her belly
The temperament of poetry and calligraphy is far superior to that of almost all women in the world. Such a good daughter does not even know what it feels like to "love someone", so she has to marry a stranger from a high-ranking family, strictly abide by the three cardinal principles and five constant principles, and be ordinary.
Living a strange life really makes people feel... not worth it.
Liu Jiang sighed in his heart, and related to his own experience, his heart became confused for some reason. Many words he said inadvertently came to his mind at once, as if his own voice was murmuring in his ears:
'I will tell your majesty and let him marry you!'
'If you are tempted, return to your heart; if you marry, return to marry.'
'I'm engaged...no one can marry me.'
Liu Jiang's hand holding the tea bowl suddenly started to tremble. She was frightened by an idea that came to her mind!
"Your Highness, Your Highness?" Cai Zhenji watched Liu Jiang distracted for a long time, and at some point, several maids and slaves came outside the screen to urge him to leave.
Liu Jiang suddenly woke up and saw Cai Zhenji's childish and pretty face close in front of him. He couldn't help but smile, stretched out his hand to scratch the other person's nose, and joked: "The scenery in Shanglin Garden is very beautiful, but it's a pity that you are like this
I didn’t have a chance to see it this time, but when I have the chance in the future, I will take you to see it again."
Shanglin Garden, Fuli Palace.
In the past few years, Guanzhong has been stable, but the imperial court still reluctantly repaired the Weiyang Palace. It only repaired the main buildings such as the front hall, sleeping hall and Yeting, and there is really nothing else that can be done about it. This is the case for Weiyang Palace, Shanglin Garden
Even more so, except for a few palaces and gardens where the emperor often went for hunting, which were simply renovated, other places have retained their original flavor.
After all, even the emperor turned a blind eye and did not mention it intentionally. Naturally, other people would not go to this place to set up business. Even if they did, they would all be severely reprimanded by the emperor. This diligent, frugal, and proactive spirit was implemented in all aspects, and gradually formed the imperial court.
The new trend of working from top to bottom has far-reaching influence.
The emperor only came to Fuli Palace once, so the place simply pulled out the weeds and thorns, and dispersed wild beasts, foxes and rabbits. The whole place is still as primitive as before. What's more, this is a palace planted with flowers, grass and trees. After a little renovation, it looks even more pristine.
Lush, natural and pristine.
Several ginkgo trees grow on a square earthen platform. The earthen platform is paved with bricks and stones. Most of them are leftover from when Emperor Xiaowu built the Fuli Palace. There are also a few lines of official characters engraved on the bricks used to build the walls, which vaguely read 'Xia Yang Fu'.
The auspicious words of "Ligong... and the infiniteness of heaven and earth". Those ginkgo trees are tall and straight, and the bark is full of furrows and folds left by the years. The golden leaves of the trees shine brilliantly under the blue sky, and every yellow leaf
, are like delicate gold pieces. When the wind blows, they shake the trees with a rustling sound like hanging bells.
Mu Shun set up a screen under the tree, laid out felt blankets, mats, tables, wine and food, and directed a group of middle-aged and yellow men to rush about, making this simple environment rich and elegant.
The Emperor and Empress Dong were sitting on the throne. He was breaking off a thin branch of ginkgo leaves hanging down with his own hands and handing it to Empress Dong: "This branch of ginkgo leaves will match your golden hair."