In the afternoon, the chirping of cicadas brings a sense of dryness.
The scorching sun shines on the mountains, rocks and corridors, revealing a dazzling golden color.
Princess Changning was lying on the porch, the ice mirror in the corner was giving off a slight chill, but it still couldn't dissipate the heat from her body.
"I hate summer," she muttered. "I'm always sweaty and sticky."
Only ten feet away from her, Xu Yin was slowly painting lotus flowers. This was their homework for today.
"Princess, be satisfied. Not only do the common people have no ice mirrors to use, they also have to work under the bright sun!"
Princess Changning sighed and asked her: "Aren't you hot?"
"It's hot!" Xu Yin put down his painting brush and shook his fan twice to adapt to the situation. "But the weather is like this, what can we do? Our summer in Nanyuan is even more sultry. When I was a child, it was often too hot to sleep, so my father hired a skilled craftsman to help us
Many ditches were dug around the sisters' house. In the summer, when the mechanism is activated, the water in the ditches is led up to the roof and poured down, like rain, which makes it much cooler."
Princess Changning's eyes lit up when she heard this: "It sounds very interesting. Do you have the drawings? I asked my father to build one for me too."
Xu Yin shook his head: "The craftsman just passed through Nanyuan and then lost his trace. We can't find where he is."
"What a pity." Princess Changning said longingly, "I think I should go to your house to see it!"
Xu Yin smiled slightly. The princess was of high status and the emperor loved her so much. She would definitely not marry her away. She thought she would never have the chance to go to Nanyuan in this life.
The two of them did their homework for a while and ate iced melon. The sun gradually set in the west and it was finally not so hot anymore.
Xu Yin packed her things and left the palace. As soon as she stepped into the palace, she was surprised by the news about her old servant.
"The second master is here."
"Second uncle? You mean second uncle?"
"Yes." The old servant said with a smile, "The second master is here to take the third lady home!"
When Xu Yin arrived at the main room, he saw that the second master Xu An was instructing his servants to do things.
"Second uncle!"
Xu An turned his head when he heard the voice, with a smile on his face: "Ayin is back? I haven't seen you for half a year, and you have become a big girl."
Xu Yin and this second uncle are not close, but they are relatives who have not seen each other for several months, and they are particularly cordial at this moment.
"Why didn't you send a letter when your second uncle came? I could greet you in advance."
"The letter was delivered. I thought I was in a hurry on the way, so it was a step ahead of the letter." Xu An sat down and said, "Your father heard that the second Young Master Yan had returned home and urged me to come quickly."
Xu Yin heard that he had something to say, so he asked the irrelevant servants to step back and asked in a low voice: "Why is father so anxious? Is everything okay at home?"
"There is nothing going on at home, but I am worried about you." Xu An said, "Second Young Master Yan is not here, so you are left alone in the capital with no one to take care of you."
Xu Yin was relieved and said with a smile: "I'm doing well now. The situation in the capital is stable, the princess values me very much, and your majesty treats me well."
"That's what I say, but what if something happens? The capital is a place of right and wrong."
Wen Yi on the side said: "Miss Third is in the middle of the situation, and she doesn't know that others are watching with fear. Think about how many major events have happened in the capital since you came? Two nobles in the harem lost power, the general was assassinated, and King Duan
Being imprisoned for treason, which one is not thrilling? How can you not be worried when you are thousands of miles away?"
Xu Yin felt a little guilty when he thought about it: "Then it's none of my business!"
Wen Yi didn't want to expose her face, and said seriously: "In short, your concern is not unreasonable. It would be better for the third lady to leave as soon as possible. After all, the capital is not my place."
Xu Yin had been away from home for half a year, and of course she wanted to go back. Especially after Yan Ling left, time seemed to slow down. It was just that she came to Beijing under an imperial edict, so she had to get the emperor's permission before she could leave safely.
"Your father's memorial has been handed over." Xu An continued, "As originally said, we are ready to take you home and give you a hairpin ceremony. As soon as His Majesty approves, we will leave immediately."
His official position was junior and he was not qualified to meet the emperor, so he just handed over the memorial for his brother. The Xu family was not as important as the Duke of Zhao, so as long as the emperor did not deliberately make things difficult, he would probably agree.
Xu Yin nodded and asked about the situation at home and the specific content of the memorial.
She is Princess Changning's companion, and she is also the emperor's personally appointed County Lord. She should be called over for questioning before approving.
…
The emperor yawned and saw the memorial signed Xu Huan.
When he opened it, he couldn't help but smile.
Since he defeated King Duan, his luck has improved. Duke Zhao just sent a large amount of property, and now Xu Huan also sent a holiday gift.
Speaking of which, Xu Huan has always been good. After the Green Forest Rebellion, governors from various places rarely sent taxes to Beijing, but Nanyuan always sent them. Although it was not much, Nanyuan was not big. Moreover, he gave gifts every year
Not too late, Miss Xu San came to Beijing at the beginning of the year, and the festive etiquette became a little heavier.
Look at this Mid-Autumn Festival gift, it's not much worse than the one Jiang Yi sent.
The emperor happily turned to the back and looked thoughtful when he saw Xu Huan's request.
At this time, the prince came.
Now he follows the emperor every day to handle political affairs, and now he is here to deliver the memorial.
The emperor's heart moved and asked him: "Ji'er, you don't want that marriage in the Yu family, do you have a new candidate in mind?"
The prince was stunned for a moment and replied: "Father, I, my son, did not think so much."
"Then what do you think of Mr. Yongjia County? I think you won't be dissatisfied with her appearance. Although her temper is a bit fierce, she usually looks like a lady..."
"No, no," the prince was startled and quickly objected, "Father, this can't be done!"
"Why not?" The emperor frowned displeased, "You didn't refuse because of Yan Er, right? He is a minister and you are the king, how can you give in to him?"
The prince denied: "No, father, it's because I don't want to..."
The emperor advised: "Think about it again. Regardless of what she said, if they really get married, then you are her husband. Husband is honorable and wife is noble, how can she not protect you?"
"Father, I am not afraid of this, but of her..."
The prince thought to himself, why doesn't he like Yu Manqing? Isn't it because she always has a straight face and likes to teach others? Although Miss Xu San is not like this, she is better than him in all her studies. If she marries her, he will still have to be obedient.
…
But he couldn't say this reason directly. If he did, his father would only dislike him for not having dignity. The prince had an idea and said, "Father, what do you think of Miss Xie from Junbiqi County in Yongjia County?"
The emperor didn't expect him to ask such a question. He was stunned for a moment and replied: "With the title given by me, the Lord of Yongjia County is naturally more noble. But..."
He is not stupid, now is not the time when imperial power is supreme, the Xie family in Qi County is much more powerful than the Xu family.
The prince said: "Father, Yan Da married the eldest daughter of the Xie family in Qi County. If Yan Er cannot marry the Lord of Yongjia County, Duke Zhao will definitely arrange a better marriage for him, right? When the time comes, I will
Aren't you at a disadvantage? How can your son, a noble prince, marry a princess worse than them?"