Volume 1: Huatangchun Chapter 1: The Sudden Grace of the Emperor
In the spring of the 18th year of Dacheng's reign in Yongning, Ling Deyan, the Minister of Household Affairs, received an imperial edict, ordering him to take his family and follow the Holy Spirit to Baoding Mountain on the outskirts of Shangdu in the capital ten days later to pray for blessings.
The edict came without any warning, caught off guard, and was not consistent with common sense. This made him feel uneasy and puzzled. Just when he was thinking about whether this sudden imperial favor was a blessing or a curse, a servant came to report that Mr. Shen had arrived. He thought it was just the right time to visit him, so he hurriedly got up and went to greet him.
"Did Xing Zhi just receive the imperial edict?" Shen Ziru asked directly about the matter as soon as he sat down.
"How does Brother Boshan know about this?" Ling Deyan felt that no matter how abnormal the matter was, the news would not spread so quickly.
"I came from the East Palace, how do you think I knew?" Shen Ziru's youngest daughter, Shen Tong, is the crown prince of the current dynasty. As the father-in-law of the prince, he is naturally better informed than others.
Ling Deyan nodded slightly and said in a deep voice: "You and I have known each other for several years, and I can honestly say that I am worried about this edict."
Shen Ziru put down the tea cup in his hand and nodded slightly to express his understanding.
Ling Deyan continued: "Praying for blessings at Baoding Mountain is a grand ceremony of the country. All the civil and military officials of the court will accompany you. This is natural. But why did the Holy One appoint me to go there with my family today? What merits do I have for this honor?" This is against the rules..." He focused his eyes and asked hesitantly: "Perhaps His Highness the Crown Prince has something else to say?"
Shen Ziru frowned slightly and said directly: "I also felt strange when I heard about this matter, so naturally I wanted to ask more. His Highness the Crown Prince said that when His Majesty mentioned this matter, he and His Highness Six were both present. However, His Majesty did not say anything more. Just say that you were ordered to inspect the southwest counties to punish corruption and clean up the officialdom. It is a meritorious service, and I will take this as a reward." He paused and continued: "Although there is no precedent for this matter, but this is the reason. It’s not far-fetched and you don’t need to worry.”
Ling Deyan was silent for a moment and sighed: "The great road of the world and the laws of the court should not be violated or violated. If you behave uprightly, there is nothing to worry about."
Shen Zhiru nodded: "That's the truth. In fact, we entered the court as officials in the same year, and once governed the local government together. I know very well what kind of character and temperament you have. You have always been thrifty, and there is nothing wrong with it. In my opinion, this is definitely not a bad thing." When he saw that Ling Deyan did not respond, he changed his tone and asked with a smile: "My sister-in-law and Lizhi went to Sujiang, Jiangnan to have relatives and haven't come back yet?"
Ling Deyan came back to his senses, and changed his expression to a slightly relaxed expression: "I received a letter the day before yesterday, saying that I will be back in half a month. "
"How is your health, Mr. Chen?"
"Although my father-in-law and mother-in-law are old, their bodies are very strong. It can be seen that the mountains and rivers of Jiangnan nourish people!"
He had a special attachment to the land in the south of the Yangtze River. He always thought that when his children would get married and have a home, he would return to his hometown as an official when he was old, and return to the green mountains and green waters of the south of the Yangtze River with his wife.
"Heng'er hasn't gone yet?"
"She actually wanted to go. She said she couldn't bear to see me stay alone in Shang, so she stayed with me."
"Haha, OK, I really like your two children. Li Zhi is handsome and magnanimous, and has a gentleman's style; Heng'er is beautiful and elegant, and her aura is amazing. I just wish I didn't have another son and a half, so I couldn't be with you. It is a great regret in my life to have children and in-laws!" Shen Ziru shook his head and said, and when you listen carefully, you can hear the deep regret hidden in these words.
Ling Deyan also understood the profound meaning, and said while waving his hands, "These brothers and sisters have caused me to worry a lot, so don't mention it!" Then he changed the topic and asked in a low voice: "Did you just mention that His Highness the Sixth Prince is back?"
Shen Ziru smiled and nodded, "He will always come back for the blessing ceremony. I heard from His Highness the Crown Prince that when he came back this time, the Holy One mentioned something to calm him down."
Ling Deyan stroked his beard and didn't ask any more questions.
Seeing that he was thinking a little, Shen Ziru brought the topic to the blessing ceremony: "So, only Heng'er will go to Baoding Mountain with you this time?"
Ling Deyan nodded and said with furrowed eyebrows: "Abnormal things in the world are bound to lead to uncertain fortunes and misfortunes."
As the sun set, Ling Deyan finally saw Ling Qingxi and her personal maid Yueying walking towards him from the gate, talking and laughing. He could often see this clear and warm smile on his daughter's face, which was his greatest love for her.
Expectation is also its biggest worry.
Ling Qingxi smiled like a flower, stepped forward and saluted: "Dad, I'm back.
"Where did you go today?" Ling Deyan continued before she could answer: "You said you stayed at home with me, but I didn't see you waiting around much. Instead, you ran out every day. You and your brother
Just like that, your grandfather spoiled you rotten. Now I regret that I left you two brothers and sisters to grow up in Sujiang. You didn’t learn much, but you have the same unruly personality."
Ling Qingxi stepped forward with a smile, took Ling Deyan's arm and said, "Dad, don't be angry. I went to Baohua Temple to offer incense today, why did I provoke your grandpa to move out? He is currently living with his grandma, mother and brother.
Where's Xu Tianlun? Please, don't let him get red ears and sneeze again. How about I go back to the house to tidy up and come out to have dinner with you, and then play chess with you?"
Seeing her charming and flattering look, Ling Deyan couldn't pretend to be angry and said warmly: "After dinner, follow me to the study. I have something important to tell you."
Ling Qingxi nodded with a smile, and then went back to the room with Yue Ying. Ling Deyan looked at her retreating back and thought of what Shen Zhiru had just said about the brother and sister, and fell into deep worry.
His daughter is now over seventeen, and he knows very well that if their family hadn't deliberately kept a low profile, Qingxi's appearance and talent would have brought an endless stream of people coming to propose marriage. He and his wife had originally fallen in love with General Zeng Ji.
The youngest son Zeng Qidao has often come to the mansion to play with the general's wife since he was a child, and he is naturally familiar with Qingxi. This pair of young children seems to be a match. However, the two families have never revealed this matter. But this matter, I'm afraid
He couldn't put it off any longer. He always felt that letting Qingxi's temper continue to put it off would eventually harm her.
Later, Ling Deyan returned to Sujiang and stood in his hometown. The sun was setting in the west and the shadows of the trees were mottled. Thinking of this evening in Shangdu Ling Mansion, he sighed: "It's still too late in the end."