Prince Zheng sat on the desk by the window, holding a book in his hand, and looked up at them slightly: "It's still early, so you can rest here for a while. When the time comes, I will ask the butler to take you around." He said
As he said that, his eyes fell on Fo Zhen, and he frowned slightly, but for a moment he was as usual.
Su Yan stared at the middle-aged man in front of him, and for a moment he had the illusion that he was in another world. The last time Duan Yunxuan reunited, he couldn't see his face clearly because of the distance. He only felt that he was as radiant as he was ten years ago.
He had an intimidating aura, but when we looked closer today, it turned out that his temples were all gray and his face was full of grooves.
A burst of sadness surged through her, and she hurriedly lowered her head and hid behind the west building silently.
After the Buddha's obeisance was completed, Xilou also bowed respectfully to Ge Zheng and said: "Junior Xilou, I have admired the great reputation of the prince for a long time. It is truly a blessing to meet him today!"
Ge Zheng had long been accustomed to these flattery words. He did not smile at all and just nodded.
Su Yan found that he was the only one left without a greeting. He thought that if he hid any longer, it would be a disgrace to the academy, so he had no choice but to step forward and bow: "Junior Mr. Shu Youtang, Su Yan, greeting... Your Highness."
Fortunately, Ge Zheng didn't pay attention to her and just smiled and nodded. Su Yan finally breathed a sigh of relief, as if he had gone through some catastrophe.
After a few people were seated, the housekeeper led a group of little girls to carry the heater and serve tea, all in a smooth and flawless manner.
Ge Zheng put down his book, looked at his daughter who rarely came home for a while, and then turned his attention to Su Yan. Xilou clearly saw a puzzling change in his face. It seemed to be pity, and there seemed to be something.
Sad. Before he could make a detailed analysis, Ge Zheng's eyes were fixed on him at some point. At first, they were full of hostility, but in an instant they smiled kindly at him: "You are the head of Wan Chaofang, the leader of Yan State.
Second Young Master?"
Although Xilou is a noble son, the Yan State has almost no say in the six kingdoms, and it has no dignity at all for the descendants of the royal family. It is considered very polite for a person with the status of Prince Zheng to be so gentle.
Xilou knew how to recognize me, and he was even more grateful in his heart. He quickly put away the folding fan, stood up and cupped his hands and said: "Your Majesty actually recognizes me, it is an honor for this junior!"
"Today is just a family banquet, you don't have to be formal, Second Young Master." After saying a few polite words, Ge Zheng got up and went to look through the books on the bookshelf.
The three of you look at me and I look at you, each with his or her own thoughts.
After two cups of tea, everyone was sitting a little bored. Ge Zheng seemed to have found some treasure, and handed two old books to Xilou with a smile on his face: "This is the "Huangdi Neijing" that my sister copied before she came out of the cabinet.
There is this volume of "Shen Nong's Baicao Jing" that she has been searching for all her life. I have not read it for decades. When I saw you today, I suddenly thought of her... There is also dust on the left and right. I heard that you have studied medicine.
It’s better to give it to you instead.”
When Su Yan suddenly heard the news about his aunt Ge Yu, his nerves immediately became tense, and even the fingers holding the teacup trembled slightly.
What did he mean? Why did he send the scroll to Xilou, and it belonged to her aunt? Could there be a connection? There were so many clues in her mind that she still couldn't figure it out. She always felt that something was missing, but it didn't make sense.
The "Shen Nong Baicao Jing" has lost a lot of content along the way. In addition to the "Huang Di Nei Jing", if these two volumes are original, they are first-class treasures! There have long been rumors in the Six Kingdoms that Empress Yu is proficient in pharmacology and has great influence on pharmacology.
She is also very accomplished in the study of ancient books. If she said that she restored the "Shen Nong Baicao Jing", no one would question it.
Naturally, Xilou wanted to decline politely, and Ge Zheng immediately gave the gift, but naturally he wanted to force it on. In the end, Xilou was flattered and accepted the gift happily.
Su Yan couldn't help but glance at his hand, but he didn't expect that he had already hid it in his sleeve impatiently! He could only look away angrily.
Another cup of tea passed by, and the butler immediately refilled it, and by the way changed the carbon for the small heater brought to the Buddha. Ge Zheng was still devoted to turning over the books to see off the guests, and did not have much communication with them during this period.
Su Yan stretched out her hand and beat her knees, twisting her waist to relax. At the same time, she was planning to find some excuse to leave so that she could go to the banquet. She approached the west building and whispered: "Find a chance to run away!"
Xilou slowly swayed the tea cup, tapping the two volumes of medicinal scriptures in his sleeves from time to time. The slightly raised corners of his mouth told Su Yan that he was in a very happy mood at this time, and he was so happy that he didn't want to leave. And it was this joy that made him feel happy.
She stirred up a lot of resentment, and Su Yan kicked him hard. He lost his grip on the teacup and spilled tea on the table.
Su Yan looked at him angrily and said, "Are you unable to move after receiving the gift and wish you could accept the prince as your godfather?"
Xilou took out a handkerchief and wiped his hands, and said with a smile: "You have to be serious about accepting your godfather. First, set up a banquet, entertain relatives and friends, and then bow down and offer tea. But I don't have that free time. If I have this free time, I might as well
I carried you on a big sedan chair to marry you into my home, then I knelt down before heaven and earth, and offered tea to my parents. In this way, I even got a beautiful girl!"
"How shameless! This is in the palace, and you are still so wanton?"
Xilou held his chin and looked at her infatuatedly: "With such a charming woman in front of me, why should I care about the occasion?"
Su Yan gave him an angry look and put him aside.
Fo Zhen glanced towards them and stood up slowly, just like the sound of the cold winter wind drifting through the study: "It's still early, you two should follow me to the backyard to have a look, there's a lot of excitement there."
Although Fo Zhen saved himself, he also saved Su Yan. He was naturally grateful and jumped up in a hurry. He bowed to Ge Zheng and said, "I will forgive you for taking the first step!"
"Wait a minute!" Ge Zheng put down the scroll, patted the dust on his hands, and walked slowly towards Su Yan: "How did Mr. Su meet my son?"
Su Yan subconsciously looked at Xilou, thinking that there was nothing he could do to help, let alone interfere, so he could only deal with it by himself: "Because we both work in the academy, we got to know each other a few times." She didn't know what Ge Zheng wanted.
What to do, but it’s always right to answer questions.
Ge Zheng asked again: "What is your relationship with Zuo Qing?"
"It's a life-saving grace for me."
"Then you and Xilou..."
Su Yan didn't know how to reply for a moment, so he could only stand there in embarrassment. Xilou helped: "Ayan and I are in love!"
Fo Zhen's face was a little pale, but he still smiled and seemed not to have heard what he said.
Ge Zheng looked at the two of them for a moment, then nodded slowly, knowing that he understood, and waved to them, indicating that they could leave.
Su Yan frowned, a little displeased and more confused, but finally able to leave this stuffy and panic-filled room, he couldn't help but breathed a sigh of relief and tugged at the corner of Xilou's clothes.
Xilou slowly stood up and said goodbye: "Then we won't disturb you anymore, I will say goodbye." After saying that, he let Su Yan drag him out.
As they left, the three of them were speechless. However, the maids they met on the way were a little noisy. They seemed to be looking for someone, and they started shoving and quarreling. Fo Zhen couldn't see it, and after some serious questioning, he found out,
It turns out that the century-old tree in the house has become a nest of insects, and they are anxiously looking for Mr. Su.
Fo Zhen was surprised and asked the person behind him: "When did your medical skills involve the palace?"
Su Yan said happily: "Maybe it was the last murder case in Houshan that made me famous, and by the way, it also made my medical skills widely known!"
Fo Zhen believed it to be true, but the maid denied it: "It's not Mr. Su, it's Mr. Su from the house! He is a distinguished guest invited by the prince. He is not only proficient in medical skills, but also very good in martial arts. His hobby of climbing over walls is really...
"The maid said in embarrassment, "I climb over the wall every three days and don't go through the main entrance. As a result, we servants can't even find anyone when there is an emergency!"
Only then did Fo Zhen remember, "I had forgotten that a gentleman came here not long ago. What a coincidence, his surname is also Su. Don't look for it blindly. This Mr. Su also knows medical skills."
Su Yan heard that he had a place for his own use, so he quickly stepped forward and said, "I have been studying medicine for several years. Although I am not as good as the famous doctors in the palace, I still have some ways to treat the trees on your house!"
After saying that, he hurriedly followed the maid, not forgetting to ask the other maids to lead him around the west building. The remaining maids were a little surprised, this new guest really didn't show up!
Su Yan followed the maid to the backyard, took a general look, and immediately prescribed a medicine, saying: "These medicines are available in the pharmacy. When you have time, grab the medicine. Fill it with water and simmer for two hours. When the medicine is ready,
After cooling, apply it on the wormhole three times a day, and it should be fine next spring."
The maid looked at the dazzling prescriptions with the only two recognized ingredients: gentian grass and ginseng. She couldn't help but wonder, does this young woman really have medical skills? Ginseng can also kill insects?!
But right now, I can only treat a dead horse as a living doctor. When I was about to grab medicine, I was pulled back by Su Yan. She pointed at the tree and asked, "Is this a locust tree?"
The maid nodded and said, "The prince specially transplanted it from the backyard a few years ago."
Su Yan suddenly felt a little confused. It turned out that this was the locust tree that she loved to climb when she was a child. He had threatened to cut it down, but he didn't expect...
Su Yan asked again: "Since it was transplanted by the prince, it should be taken seriously by the government. Why do bugs still appear?"
The maid subconsciously glanced at the Buddha and explained in a low voice: "Originally, the wet nurse was always taking care of her. She went back to the countryside a month ago, so we maids took care of it together. The slaves did not dare to relax and worked from dawn to dusk to fertilize and water it.
, I am afraid that it will be injured by the cold, but I have never planted a tree, how can I take good care of it?"
Su Yan asked her carefully: "Who is the wet nurse?"
"Of course she is the nanny of the gentlemen and ladies!" The maid looked at her like she was a fool.
It turns out that it is really her. She has been taking care of the locust tree and has never forgotten herself!
There is a vast flat area behind the nave. Ge Zheng originally thought of arranging the dinner party here, and also setting up a stage in the middle. It would be interesting for a few people to drink and watch a show around the stage. Unexpectedly, the dignitaries like Ruoshui would hear this.
It was the birthday of Prince Gozheng, and many people came uninvited with birthday gifts. Gozheng helplessly looked at these enthusiastic people, and ordered his servants to dismantle the stage and add no less than ten long tables.
Su Yan looked at the spectacular scene in front of him and was a little puzzled. Prince Zheng had long been like a wandering cloud and a crane. Logically speaking, after so many years, those old officials and new officials should have become far away from each other. Even if they wanted to get close, they would be far away from each other.
Under Mo Fei's authority, they, as subordinates, would probably not dare to interact with Prince Zheng too much.
Xilou came over, stopped next to Su Yan and said: "Although the prince has withdrawn from the imperial court, after all, he was once an iron general galloping on the battlefield and the founding hero of Rongguo. His power and prestige are always there, but he can't be seen at ordinary times."
.Now that the prince is holding a birthday banquet, how could the nobles of Ruoshui not come to celebrate his birthday? Even the minister has to show off!"
Su Yan nodded in agreement, "In the past, I always took the rumors told by others seriously. I really thought that the prince was a strong man but was exploited by Mo Fei until he was nothing more than an empty shell. I didn't expect that he was still so stable! I really followed the old saying:
The centipede is dead but not stiff!"
"Although this metaphor is inappropriate, it is the principle. By the way, the person who arranged the banquet does not know the rules. He probably heard some rumors and arranged you and Zuo Qing to live together without taking it too seriously. You can come to me later.
There, I will arrange for someone else to replace you."
Su Yan said with a playful smile: "Be careful, I'll eat all your portion! I happened to be hungry for half a day, and now I'm so hungry that I can eat a cow!"
"I think you look like a loser, and you're a loser who doesn't refuse anyone who comes."
Su Yan didn't think so, and he found a seat and sat down next to her on the west floor. Su Yan suddenly thought of something and sighed inexplicably: "When we were in the study just now, the prince clearly cared about Fo Zhen.
But Fo Zhen seems unwilling to respond."
Xilou stopped worrying about the matter and waved his fan leisurely, "Don't think too much about it. Why should we worry about this person's affairs?"
"After all, we are colleagues, and you care about me too!"
Xilou was a little helpless: "Okay, okay, I care about you, do you have any countermeasures?"
Su Yan shook his head in disappointment.
"Look, you can't do anything, what can I do? As the saying goes, someone needs to tie the bell to untie it, so it won't help if you worry about it."
Su Yan looked at his indifferent expression and suddenly felt depressed in her heart. She snatched his fan and said, "Why are you shaking a fan in such a cold weather? You are crazy because of your frustration!" She put the fan on the corner of the table casually, feeling that something was wrong with her.
Lou is too cold. Even though he looks so warm, this warmth doesn't seem to penetrate deep into his heart.
"In four days' time, the little princess's martial arts contest to recruit a bride will be held in the academy."
When Xilou's words fell on her ears, Su Yan was excited: "A competition to recruit a bride?! Will there be many people in the world?"
"Of course there will be. When the time comes, you can come with me to observe."
Su Yan couldn't help but feel happy, but immediately felt sad again. Yan Zhen was definitely going to participate in the royal competition to recruit a bride. It was a pity that such a good girl like Jin Guan couldn't get the one she loved. She felt sorry for her from the bottom of her heart and couldn't help it.
Even saying it's a pity.
Xilou smiled bitterly, "Who's a pity?"
"Nangong Jinguan! You don't know how much that girl likes Yan Zhen. Every time she sees him, her eyes will bloom! She wants to wrap herself up and roll around, until she rolls directly to him... ahem
!Get in front of him."
"So I am your student, no wonder you are so interested in me..." Xilou said, but he became sad and lamented, "I can't even compare to a student."
Su Yan threw a dried fruit at him and was about to joke with him when he saw Yansheng walking past him. Su Yan immediately became alert and restored his dignified posture. However, their actions had already been seen by everyone behind Yansheng.
In his eyes, an extremely familiar silhouette stood in the shadow of the candlelight moon. He walked past her steadily and calmly, and sat diagonally opposite her.
Su Yan hurriedly lowered his head and picked up the wine glass, but when the wine reached his mouth, he realized how obvious he was. After thinking about it, he simply put down the wine glass and started chatting with Xi Loure.
Zuo Qing withdrew his gaze from her side and fell on the food table. His hands in his sleeves were tightly squeezed together. Yansheng secretly passed a small roll of paper to him from under the food table, and then his red hands relaxed.
Open. He put the letter on his lap and read it carefully from beginning to end. He couldn't help but smile, "Mrs. Xu is reliable in her work. It was completed as expected."
Yansheng asked: "Sir, are you ready?"
"Everything is ready now. All we need is Dongfeng. It depends on when Xilou will complete his mission."
"It seems that this is all for these days. By the way, sir, if this side is finished, who should we touch first on the other side?" He carefully approached and lowered his voice to a low level.
Zuo Qing's eyes glanced at one of the middle-aged men present. The man had just sat down and was talking to Lord Changsun Wuzheng at the next table. He looked away and said quietly: "Mu Shun, Minister of Rites."
"Oh, the competition for marriage is about to begin. The Ministry of Etiquette should host this conference."
"After waiting for so long, I finally got the chance to take action." Zuo Qing held the letter tightly, "One day, I will give him no room to fight back!"