Chapter 203: Mother-in-Law and Daughter-in-Law Join Forces
Chapter 203: Mother-in-Law and Daughter-in-Law Join Forces
September 9, 2024
After leaving Xun Yu's study, instead of returning to his own courtyard, he headed to the residence of the Young Master of Miaojiang and Bai Yuwei.
The one who greeted him was Bai Yuwei.
Bai Yuwei smiled and said, "My brother has gone to practice martial arts and can't see you."
"I'm sorry for disturbing you," Xun Yu apologized with a smile. "I promised during the day to take you to see the farming tools I made, so... since it's not convenient today, I'll come again tomorrow."
Bai Yuwei quickly said, "Even if he can't see them, I can!"
The innocent young girl, away from home for the first time, was full of curiosity about everything in the Central Plains.
Xun Yu led her to a special garden in the rear manor.
Looking at the lush green fields, Bai Yuwei couldn't help but exclaim, "You... your family still farms?"
Xun Yu smiled gently and rolled up his sleeves, "It's not my family, it's me."
"You're the one farming?" Bai Yuwei was even more surprised.
In everything, innovation is key. Ordinary farmers farming is not particularly impressive, but Xun Yu, as the heir with the talent of a top scholar and a father who is the Prime Minister, is truly remarkable when he humbles himself to work the land.
Xun Yu tied his robe around his waist, "I originally wanted to serve the court and become an official, but it wasn't until I went to the border that I saw the suffering of the people there from famine. Only then did I realize that what the common folk need is not another official, but someone who can fill their stomachs."
He picked up a curved board made of cast iron, "This is the plow mirror I mentioned earlier. I won't use it to plow the fields just yet."
As he spoke, he skillfully began plowing the field.
Bai Yuwei had seen noble young masters compete in literature and martial arts, and even engage in poison duels, but she had never seen anyone farm.
She watched intently, unable to take her eyes off him.
After plowing for a while, Xun Yu was already sweating profusely.
"Next, let's attach the plow mirror."
He attached the curved board to the plowshare, getting his hands muddy, but his face showed no sign of disgust.
With the plow mirror, turning the soil became much easier and faster.
Xun Yu quickly finished plowing a small ridge and turned to face Bai Yuwei, "See, isn't it much easier now?"
Bai Yuwei was amazed.
Xun Yu smiled and put away the farming tools, "All the vegetables in the garden are planted by me. My aunt loves the vegetables I grow. It would be great if your aunt could also come to the capital."
Bai Yuwei sighed, "My aunt can't come."
Xun Yu smiled, "Yes, I heard you mention that she's confined by the King of Miaojiang. My aunt is quite mischievous; if it were her, she would have sneaked out long ago."
Bai Yuwei said, "My aunt wouldn't do that. She's an extremely dignified and well-mannered lady. In your Central Plains terms, she's a lady."
Xun Yu thought of his aunt's description of Liu Qingyun, who was a shrew who publicly pulled her hair and pushed her into a water jar. She was as far from a lady as could be.
He became more convinced that Liu Qingyun couldn't possibly be Bai Zheng.
But since his father had given the order, he had no choice but to obey.
"Miss Bai, have you heard of the Chu family's Twelve Guards?"
The next day, the officials were on a break.
Zong Zhengxi thought he could finally sleep in, but just after dawn, he was awakened by Little Dezi.
Zong Zhengxi frowned, "Did you forget that I'm not going to court today?"
Little Dezi replied awkwardly, "The Grand Marshal has arrived."
Zong Zhengxi immediately sat up straight.
After washing up, Zong Zhengxi met Lu Yuan in the Tahe Hall.
Lu Yuan was not wearing his court attire but a purple brocade robe for outings.
Zong Zhengxi, not wanting to appear weak as the emperor, decided to reprimand him to show his imperial might. But as soon as he opened his mouth, he sounded like a whiny coward, "Are you going to do your homework today too?"
Little Dezi could hardly bear to watch. Your Majesty, show some imperial dignity!
Lu Yuan calmly said, "I'm not doing homework."
Zong Zhengxi's eyes lit up.
Lu Yuan continued, "Investigate public sentiment."
Zong Zhengxi whispered, "What does investigating public sentiment mean...?"
Lu Yuan: "To work in the fields."
Zong Zhengxi: "..."
What kind of minister would take the Emperor to work in the fields on his day off?
Is there any justice in this world?
---
Governor's Mansion.
Meng Qianqian woke up early as usual, but Lu Yuan was already gone from the mansion.
She wasn't surprised; since he had resumed his duties at court, Lu Yuan had indeed become busier.
As usual, she practiced martial arts for an hour, then went to have breakfast with the Grandmother and Bao Shu. After that, she also prepared to go out.
Today was the day she would fulfill her bet with Princess Wanping, and she had to go to Feng Shui Alley to pick up Ji Li and Si She.
Just as she was about to set off, a wedding invitation arrived from the Princess Mansion.
It was addressed to Liu Qingyun, inviting her to be a witness.
"They want me to lose to her in front of my mother-in-law. What mother-in-law would be happy about this? Regardless of whether I win or lose, I'll lose her favor."
"This is a battle I can win."
"Who came up with this idea?"
Meng Qianqian didn't believe that no one was behind this.
She couldn't help but think of Xun Yu, whom she had seen on the street yesterday.
"Could it be him? What is he up to?"
She had two choices before her: one, intercept the invitation and keep it from Liu Qingyun; two, take Liu Qingyun with her.
"You can't hide a fire with paper. Once you tell a lie, you'll need countless more to cover it up. Sometimes, trying to be clever can backfire."
Meng Qianqian decided to take Liu Qingyun with her.
At that moment, Liu Qingyun was lying on the Empress's bed, casually crossing her legs, twirling a handkerchief on her toes, and leisurely eating fried fruit.
Ever since she had taken her golden bangle, Du Madam had even made colorful fried fruit, and someone had the audacity to believe it!
"Mother," Meng Qianqian called out softly at the door. "I'm coming in."
Liu Qingyun's expression changed, and she sat up in a fluster, throwing the handkerchief onto the bed and stuffing the fried fruit under the pillow.
When Meng Qianqian entered, she saw a celestial beauty sitting upright, her hair elegantly styled, and her demeanor captivating.
Meng Qianqian ignored the scattered fried fruit on the ground and the handkerchief hanging on the treasure cabinet. With a smile, she said, "Mother, I have something to tell you."
After hearing the reason for the bet, Liu Qingyun was indeed furious.
Meng Qianqian apologized sincerely, "Mother, your daughter-in-law was wrong!"
Seeing the bed full of gold jewelry, no matter how her mother-in-law punished her, she wouldn't argue. Liu Qingyun scolded her, "You're not just wrong, I think you've gone crazy! You used my son as a bet, and all you want is a Shier Wei? Since she wants my son so badly, you should have raised the stakes! You should have demanded her entire Princess Mansion! You should have asked for more!"
After her tirade, Liu Qingyun made a gesture of rejection, heartbroken, "From now on, don't even mention that you're a courtesan. You're not worthy!"
Meng Qianqian was completely stunned.
Well... I guess I was thinking too small.
Today, Tan'er also wanted to go.
After staying at the Governor's Mansion for a few days, Liu Qingyun had realized that Tan'er was different from the other maids; she wasn't an ordinary servant, so she brought her along.
The three of them first went to Feng Shui Alley to pick up Ji Li and Si She.
Ji Li was still dressed in dark clothing with white hair, holding a folding fan, and his flamboyant aura seemed to proclaim, 'I am the number one handsome guard of the dynasty!'
Si She managed to restrain himself from beating him up, making him a very emotionally stable snake.
"This is my mother-in-law, Lu Yuan's birth mother."
Meng Qianqian introduced the people in the carriage to Liu Qingyun, then said to Liu Qingyun, "You're the Rooster, and he's the Snake."
Si She looked at Liu Qingyun.
(End of Chapter)
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