readytorunbook Chapter 185: The State Letter
Chapter 185: The State Letter
In fact, it is not right to say that Cui Zimin is a fake gentleman. He just took the opportunity to plot against the Zhao family and wanted to do them a favor.
But how could Zhao Fangyu not see that his real intention was not to drink, but to Shisiniang?
He took the letter, stuffed it into Chunshao's hand, and asked Cui Zimin to sit down.
The meal was neither salty nor bland. The Fourth Prince was not used to such occasions. He was so embarrassed that he wished he could find a hole to crawl into.
As soon as they left the Fourth Prince's residence, Zhao Fangyu sent Chunshao to deliver the things to the eldest lady, and asked someone to give a message to Fourteenth Lady, asking her to be careful when going out recently.
Then he took Zhou Qinghe for a walk in the half-repaired garden.
There is flowing water over a small bridge, and a trickle of white silk flows out from the depths of the flower scene. Exotic flowers are smoldering, and there are beautiful scenery on both sides. The white walls, black tiles, and carved lattice windows frame the boundless spring scenery.
There are also rare flowers and plants that Zhou Qinghe had specially found for the workers in the Ministry of Works. They are rooted among the trees in the valley, hiding a few exquisite small stone animals, which are naive, round and charming.
The rockery separates the two sides of the land. On the right side, according to Zhao Fangyu's preference, there are hundreds of green bamboos, dozens of banana trees, and scattered cherries. There are also stone tables and stone benches, bamboo chairs and beds, small mountain screens, incense tables, flower tables, tea tables and snack tables. They are scattered at different heights and each has its own interest, creating a quiet and leisurely scene.
Zhao Fangyu had been married for many days, but she had never taken a careful look at every corner of the palace. Now, she brought Zhou Qinghe for a stroll, and listened to him occasionally telling her where to rest. With a burner of incense and two books, she would have a wonderful life.
In the middle, a moon gate is framed by a rockery, and inside the moon gate there are many willow leaf nets woven by clever maids and old women. They are stacked and extended from the rockery, hanging down to form a soft willow leaf curtain.
"What a clever idea."
Zhao Fangyu's praise made Zhou Qinghe blush.
Zhao Fangyu was not a stingy person. He turned around and asked someone to make the snacks that Zhou Qinghe liked.
"I'm thinking of holding a banquet in the palace once the lotus pond in the back is built."
Zhou Qinghe never asked Zhao Fangyu why she held the banquet. Anyway, the money was in her hands, so she could do whatever she wanted.
"can."
Zhou Qinghe agreed readily, and Zhao Fangyu took the initiative to explain the reason: "The Yang family has offended me many times, so let her know that I am not that easy to bully."
Zhou Qinghe knew this. Zhao Fangyu would never let go of any grudges against some people, such as the third prince.
"can."
Then, afraid that Zhao Fangyu would think he was unhappy, he added: "If you need anything, just call me."
It would also be beneficial for Zhou Qinghe if Zhao Fangyu dealt with the Yang family. It would be a mutually beneficial thing for Zhao Fangyu to charge into battle alone.
The banquet was scheduled for summer, the Song family's farewell banquet. This year's late spring cold was particularly severe, and even after the farewell banquet, the grass and trees outside the city were still not green.
Zhao Fangyu would occasionally go to the Pilu Temple outside the city to worship. There were few people there, and there were many persimmons and loquats planted outside the Zen room. The scenery was best in autumn, when you could see the mountains shrouded in fog and autumn persimmons hanging on the branches. You could lie down in the Zen room and take a warm nap. It was also a very relaxing place.
Before Zhao Fangyu's summer banquet was held, news suddenly came that the vassal king was coming to the capital.
The new king of the grassland will send his son and daughter to Beijing to negotiate peace with Daliang.
"The letter from the country says that the Sheli Kingdom wants to form a friendly relationship with Daliang and help Daliang."
Zhao Fangyu was busy with his hands, but his mouth was not idle either: "Friendship between Qin and Jin? The war at the border has not stopped yet, how can he talk about friendship between Qin and Jin?"
And the mutual help that happened later, haha, Zhao Fangyu didn’t even want to talk about it.
Zhou Qinghe naturally knew what Zhao Fangyu meant. He had a worried look on his face. He changed his clothes and sat on the bed with a headache. He pinched his brows and said slowly, "Your Majesty means that Qin and Jin can get along well."
"There are many unmarried princes of marriageable age in Daliang, and there are two adult princes who are legitimately born."
Daliang's reserve of princes and princesses is sufficient to enable them to attack or defend.
The emperor has many children and he doesn't feel sorry for them at all.
After all, the emperor is old, and marrying a child to the emperor can bring peace to the border for several years, which is a good deal no matter how you look at it.
Zhao Fangyu gently fiddled with the abacus twice, closed the account book in his hand, turned around and drank a cup of strong tea to refresh himself. This was the new account book sent by Jiangnan. Anticipating something wrong, Zhao Fangyu opened several rice shops on the route from Suzhou to Longxi in the name of Xiangyao's husband's younger brother.
The indentures of Xiangyao's family were all in her hands. With Xiangyao still around, there was no need to worry about anything happening. It was just that they were afraid of people noticing that the indentures were put under the name of her husband's younger brother.
Zhao Fangyu's business income is stable. Xianglu in Quanzhou has opened up bulk trading business, and its business is pretty good. Some merchants want to take advantage of the situation and sell the rare items from the Fourteen States to remote places.
Zhao Fangyu waved her hands. Chunshao saw it from outside the door and the curtain. She walked in silently to give her a massage: "How many princes and princesses are here?"
Zhao Fangyu felt that the prince's visit to congratulate him had ill intentions, and that he was smiling but had a dagger hidden behind his smile. However, the emperor was determined to play dumb, so who dared to expose his mistake?
Everyone is just pretending to be ignorant even though they know the truth. It must be said that Zhao Fangyu's train of thought coincides with that of the veteran officials in the court.
These are not secrets, they are all recorded in the official documents: "It is said that there is one each, but according to my information, there is at least one more hidden among the entourage."
Sure enough, Zhao Fangyu’s guess was correct. The bandits coveted the Central Plains, so how could they be willing to die?
He must have used the name of the congratulation to get into the capital to make plans.
Then there was more than one piece of explosive news.
Zhou Qinghe added: "The Miaojiang King has passed away, and Meng Yangjiang is about to come back."
Zhao Fangyu didn't think of Meng Yanjiang at first, but then he suddenly remembered the strange peacock clothes Meng Yanjiang was wearing when they first met, and it seemed to be real to him.
"The Miaojiang King...is he related?"
Zhou Qinghe nodded: "You probably only know that the concubine of the Duke of Li's mansion is from Miaojiang, but you don't know that she is a famous saint in Miaojiang, with prestige comparable to that of the national teacher."
"This saint girl has an extraordinary origin. She is related to the Miaojiang King and is his daughter. Meng Yangjiang can also be considered his grandson."
Miao territory is deep within the Ten Thousand Mountains, filled with poisonous miasma, snakes and insects, and rarely visited by humans.
When the late emperor conquered Miaojiang, he suffered from language barriers and difficulty in governing, so he could only appoint a Miaojiang King and set up a Dujian Mansion to supervise the area.
"Saintesses usually come from the common people. The concubine was the only saintesse born in the Miaojiang royal family at that time. She was even more powerful than before. The Miaojiang king was worried that the saintesses would endanger his rule, so he took the initiative to marry his daughter to the capital. She was a hostage and could also consolidate his imperial power."
"He has been bedridden for a long time now. It is said that he is sick because he misses his daughter, so he wants to see his daughter again."
It was impossible for the emperor to let such a popular saint return to Miaojiang, so he took the opportunity to recall Meng Yanzhen and formally reward him to make up for his merits that had been taken away by the third prince.