soy sauce lady

Chapter 16

Autumn is approaching, and the flood control has finally settled, and the victims have returned to their homes in order.

Wen Suan ate quietly, studied the flowers and plants planted by the master's house in the yard for a while, and went to play with the children of Lin Xuan's family for a while, more than half of the day passed.

She was lying on the table doing nothing, when Liang Qingde walked into her room carrying a plate.

"Master Wen, I heard that you are from Jiangnan, so you have to try to see if the candied lotus root I made is authentic."

Wen Su jumped up excitedly when she heard the words, "Oh, Mrs. Lin, you are such a kind person, I haven't eaten this for a long time."

Liang Qingde sat down next to her, pushed the plate in front of her, and said with a smile: "These days the regent goes out frequently, my lord is quite free."

When her movements froze, Wen Su gave a dry laugh, and silently ate the lotus root.

It's not that she is idle, it's just that the Prince Regent deliberately avoided her recently, and he hasn't seen her since that night.It was a little strange at first, but after hearing the news that Taizhou prefect committed suicide in prison, she understood.

The regent actually took good care of her, and kept many things from her because he was afraid that she would not adapt.It was because she had seen darkness and cunning when she first entered the officialdom, but she hadn't experienced the blood and cruelty in it.

Thinking of this, I can no longer eat half a piece of lotus root in my hand.

"Master Wen," Liang Qingde called her suddenly, his eyes flickered, and he said in a low voice, "Although he didn't say anything on the surface, judging from the fact that he was assassinated that day, he cares about you very much. One thing about women?"

"Ah?" Wen Su looked up in a nasty voice, "What's the matter?"

"I would like to ask my lord to take good care of him. It has not been easy for him these years. It is rare to meet a caring person. I hope my lord will not fulfill his wish."

Liang Qingde's eyes were burning, burning her face hot.The lotus root piece in Wen Su's hand fell to the table with a bang, and the four big characters kept beating her heart:

Lovely people, lovely people, lovely people...

"Lin, Mrs. Lin... Did you misunderstand something?" She got up in a panic and almost swept the plates on the table to the ground.

Seeing how flustered she was, Liang Qingde couldn't help covering his lips and laughing, "When I found out that Yan Chun was interested in me, I was also flustered like this, but after thinking about it, it was because I also thought about him that I was so at a loss. "

"..." Wen Sufeng petrified, so she also had that thought about the regent?
At this moment, someone knocked on the door, and Zhao Quan, who finally got rid of the image of zongzi, regained his confidence, stood by the door and said in a high-spirited manner: "Master Wen, my lord, please come over."

Wen Su was startled when he heard the words, but flinched inexplicably, and Liang Qingde covered his mouth and started to laugh lightly again.She stabilized her mind, as if she wanted to prove that she was not at a loss, and strode out the door...

Xiao Zheng was at the riverside at this time, wearing a solemn court uniform on his body. The black sleeves fluttered in the wind, and the dark gold dragon pattern embroidered in a majestic manner, which set off his calm and majestic face even more awe-inspiring.

He stood tall on the long embankment, and below him were officials kneeling on the ground, with loose clothes, not in a panic.

There were crowds of onlookers around, and when they heard that these people had embezzled the disaster relief funds, they were immediately enraged, shouting and cursing one after another, wishing to chew their flesh and bones.

It was such a scene when Wen Su arrived.

Zhao Quan protected her and squeezed through the crowd to the embankment. Lin Xuan and Qi Jian stood there side by side, both with solemn expressions.

Wen Su turned his head and glanced at those officials, no longer domineering as before, only self-pity and sorrow, for the money that life will not bring and death will not take, why bother?

There was a shadow cast by her side, and as soon as she looked up, she saw the regent stepped down a few steps, and stretched out his hand towards her, "Come up."

His fingers trembled slightly, Liang Qingde's words seemed to ring in his ears again, and his heartbeat suddenly became agitated.

"Wen Qing?"

Wen Su took a deep breath, and finally handed her his hand, and he climbed up the embankment with his help, looking down at the crowd below.

With his back to the river, Xiao Zheng placed one hand behind her waist to protect her from falling, and said in a low voice: "The embankment of a thousand miles was destroyed by an ant's nest. Without you, these people would not have confessed so easily, so I feel that I must let you see this scene, Wenqing, do you feel your achievement?"

Wen Su glanced down, slowly becoming serious, "What the lord said is very true. I became an official by accident, but now that I have today, I really don't regret the act of unveiling the list at the beginning."

The crowd below were still cursing corrupt officials, but now they couldn't help being attracted by the two figures above and gradually quieted down.

It's not because of appearance, that weak woman in plain clothes is facing the wind, standing beside the Prince Regent but not overwhelmed by him, like a newborn scorching sun, warm and warm but hard to hide her momentum.

It is said that many years later, the local people still recalled the incident, and they could not fully describe how this legendary woman left in the history of Daliang Kingdom stood side by side with the regent to clean up the filth.

But at this time, Xiao Zheng just smiled slightly at her profile, then turned to face the Yangtze River, staring at the looming towers and pavilions on the opposite side.

Wen Su followed him and turned around, followed his gaze, "What is the prince looking at?"

"Look at Jiangnan." He raised his hand and pointed towards the opposite side, his voice resounding: "Wenqing, wait, this king will definitely wipe out the rebellion and fulfill your wish to return home."

Wen Su opened his mouth, looking at his delicate side face, he couldn't say a word.

Not long ago when she stood here with Liu Ke, he sang a poem "Recalling Jiangnan", but today he stood with the regent, but he gave her a promise.

She never said that she wanted to go back, but he seemed to know everything.

Wen Su lowered her eyes, the river was far away, she suddenly laughed, she couldn't help but compare Liu Ke with the Prince Regent, she was really confused.

Xiao Zheng turned his head and glanced at her, "Wen Qing, have you ever thought that you are actually very suitable for officialdom."

Wen Su was slightly taken aback.

"Compared with husband and son, you are more suitable for making suggestions."

What's more, her status will never allow her to live a mediocre life.

Xiao Zheng turned his head to stare into her eyes, and smiled slightly, "Do you still remember that you asked me what plans I have for you in the future?"

Wen Su, who was still in a daze, nodded her head.

"This king has planned everything for you." He hooked his lips, his eyes shone brightly, "It must be much better than what you planned by yourself."

He smiled brightly, but Wen Su was inexplicably terrified.

For some reason, I suddenly felt that the Prince Regent's smile was so sinister...

After this incident, the officials in the surrounding areas were almost exhausted, and there was a backlog of affairs, which urgently needed to be supplemented by officials.Xiao Zheng took the opportunity to fill in his confidants, but transferred Qi Jian, a meritorious person, to work in the distant Taiyuan, which made people feel uncomfortable.

Qi Jian herself was also very dissatisfied, but she didn't dare to speak out, so she complained to Wen Su vaguely.

At that time, Wen Su was packing up and preparing to leave for Beijing. Hearing the news, he stopped his movements, then turned his head and smiled at him by the door and scolded him: "Stupid, Wuyuan, the regent is doing this for you!" OK."

"What?" Qi Jian was puzzled.

"Nowadays, the surrounding officials are almost empty. If you stay, you will definitely sit on the position of magistrate. In addition to the reputation won by this flood control, the later officials will unconsciously regard you as a person who has made great achievements. They will pay more respect and flatter you. You have to ask, then what kind of person will you become?" Wen Su dropped the burden in his hands, walked to the door and patted him on the shoulder in a deep way, "Wu Yuan, you are still young..."

Qi Jian was startled, then suddenly realized, turned around and left, "Then I have to hurry up and thank the regent."

Wen Su stared blankly at the back of him leaving quickly, and before she recovered, she saw someone walking into the gate clapping her hands, "Just now I listened to Mr. what."

Seeing the familiar brown figure approaching, Wen Su gave a dry cough, "Mr. Lin is really embarrassing to me, in fact, I was just talking nonsense to comfort him."

Lin Xuan smiled and nodded, "I think so too."

Uh, you really don't give face.

"My lord, is everything packed?" Lin Xuan asked Wen Su with a smile when he reached the door and saw the bundles on the table.

"Yeah, it's almost there." Wen Su smiled shyly, raised her hand and bowed to him, "The biggest reward of this trip to Jiangbei is to meet Mr. He has heard about Mr.'s demeanor for a long time, and my father admires it even more. For now, there are no regrets.”

"Haha..." Lin Xuan laughed happily, "The next day is related to your father."

"Eh? Mister, have you really met my father?"

"Naturally." Lin Xuan took out a booklet from his sleeve and handed it to her, "I made a mistake, the person surnamed Wen is indeed called Jin Chi, this is the book he gave me as a gift, and now it should be returned to the original owner gone."

Wen Su accepted it in surprise. It was an ordinary volume of books without a name. When he opened the cover, there was only one signature: Wen Zijin.

"This is..." Wen Su looked at Lin Xuan hesitantly.

"Your Excellency, there is no need to doubt that this is indeed your father's property. This Wen Zijin must be a member of the Wen clan or an ancestor, but it is a pity that this book was only half written and then stopped. Your father claimed that this book has been preserved for a long time, and it was a coincidence when he gave it to me. , now it seems that it is actually more suitable for you as an adult now."

"So that's how it is..." Wen Su put away the book respectfully, turned around and bowed to him, "Thank you, sir."

Lin Xuan nodded, smiled without saying a word.

Three days after the departure date was set, Wen Su never asked about the fate of those corrupt officials. Since the regent said he could leave, it was all over.

On the day of departure, almost all the people in Taizhou City and nearby towns came out to see them off, and followed them all the way to the city gate.

There was no enthusiasm to persuade them to stay, but the scene was very quiet. It was not until Xiao Zheng lifted the curtain and looked out that the common people fell to their knees one after another, shouting for a thousand years.

Just as Xiao Zheng was about to raise his hand to stop him, Wen Su smiled softly beside him, and stopped him in a low voice: "My lord, you deserve it."

For the simple people, this is the only way to express their gratitude.

Xiao Zheng no longer insisted, accepted it calmly, and was about to put down the curtain, when he saw Liang Qingde holding the child and Lin Xuan standing opposite him, looking at him from a distance.

This farewell, but I don't know when we will see you again.

He glanced at the child again, and nodded towards Lin Xuan. Although there were many complaints in the past, now, let's just believe that he can take good care of Huang Jie.

Seeing this scene, Wen Su felt a little bit at a loss, and just wanted to say something to comfort the regent, but saw Lin Xuan straighten his clothes suddenly, and raised his hand to bow to her.

This prostration is different from the usual etiquette, as if facing a respected venerable, it is extremely solemn and solemn.

"This..." She was astonished, and immediately wanted to lift the curtain to get out of the car, but was held back by Xiao Zheng, "Wen Qing, you can afford it too."

Wen Su was taken aback, he had gently lowered the curtain, and said to Zhao Quan outside: "Go back to Beijing."

Zhao Quan is a very contradictory man. Looking at him tall and mighty, he looks talented, but he really can't change his talkative nature.

On the way back to Beijing, he happened to catch up with Qiu Huo, so he moved out of the same way in the future again, whistling in Wen Su's ear every day, causing her to almost fuck the guy before finishing.

Wen Su herself was not feeling well, the weather was hot and dry, and a big old man was beside her, making her really depressed.Looking back at the regent, he was even more depressed. He was always upright and calm, not a single drop of sweat could be seen on his forehead.

Fortunately, this day will soon end under several autumn rains, but one layer of autumn rain and one layer of coolness, the closer to the capital, the colder the weather.

It was okay when I was resting at the post station every day, but it was more difficult when I was on the road. Although the carriage was strong, the wind penetrated from all directions, and the slightest chill went deep into the bone marrow, which was not inferior to the cold winter.

The climate changed abnormally before and after, Wen Su didn't bring a few clothes for this trip, and he was too embarrassed to say that it was cold, so his nose ran from the cold every time he came and went, and he spoke with a strong nasal voice.

Seeing this, Xiao Zheng didn't say much, and continued on his way, but found one of his own robes to wrap her tightly.

Wen Su was a little embarrassed, "My lord, it's okay. I was on my way to the capital at this time last year. Didn't I go to the capital just as alive and well?"

Xiao Zheng glanced at her, wrapped his robe tighter, and said lightly: "Last year you didn't have me by your side, this year is different."

Wen Su blushed and bowed her head in silence.

Seeing her like this, Xiao Zheng felt a little sad. He wanted to speak out to her many times along the way, but he didn't know how to express it when he met her gaze.

In the past few years, he has put all his energy on other things, but he has never cared about the relationship between men and women. Now when he meets the person he likes, he is like an ignorant teenager.

It's not that he didn't dare to say it, it's just that he saw clearly that Wen Su was still very afraid of his identity, maybe he still missed that nerd in his heart, and speaking directly at this time might only scare her away.

He sighed, thinking that he had persecuted even the emperor countless times, but he was cautious towards her.

Thinking of this, he suddenly laughed, causing Wen Su beside him to look sideways: "My lord, what are you laughing at?"

"It's nothing, this king is just thinking about how to reward you after returning to Beijing."

"Eh? What does the lord intend to reward the next official?" Wen Su came over almost immediately.

Seeing her yearning look, Xiao Zheng laughed even harder, "What do you want?"

"This, my lord, you know, it's actually more suitable for me to be an official..." Wen Su laughed dryly.

"Well, let's reward gold, silver and jewelry."

"Your Majesty," Wen Su burst into tears of gratitude, "Did you ever say that you are wise, martial, and intelligent?"

The capital was already as cold as winter, Fu Qingyu was rubbing her hands and walking from the front yard to her residence, just bumping into King Pingyang who came with a hand stove in his pocket, the white clothes looked more and more cold in this bleak season, but his face With a smile on his face.

"Master Fu intends to go back?"

"Yes, my lord." Fu Qingyu saluted him respectfully.

"Let's wait, Uncle and Master Wen are back, why don't you go and greet them?"

Fu Qingyu was taken aback for a moment, Xiao Duan had already passed her and walked towards the gate with a smile on her face, she reacted and hurriedly followed.

After a while, the clacking sound of horseshoes could be heard clearly. The carriage rolled forward and stopped nearby. Zhao Quan was the first to jump off the shaft and open the curtain.

Fu Qingyu couldn't help but leaned forward and saw the regent getting out of the car in dark green casual clothes. The heart she had been looking forward to for the past few days softened instantly, but then jumped with excitement, as if she had become a person leaning on the door waiting for her beloved to return. Ordinary woman.

However, the regent turned around without even raising his head, and naturally reached into the car, helping another person out.

Wen Su was wrapped up like a bun and was still trembling. When he got out of the car, he was caught by the regent.

As soon as her feet touched the ground, she hurriedly stood up, looked up towards the door, and saw King Pingyang half-smiling, the old housekeeper looked around to show that he didn't see anything, and Fu Qingyu stared at her blankly, with complicated and unspeakable eyes.

This sight made her flinch suddenly, and she unconsciously took two steps to the side, putting some distance away from the regent.

Xiao Zheng's eyes flashed, and he finally looked up at Fu Qingyu...

"Uncle is back." King Pingyang interrupted the strange atmosphere with a timely speech, he came forward with a smile on his face, and looked at Wen Su with concern, "What's the matter, Susu, is she sick?"

"Hmm..." Wen Su answered absently, looking at Fu Qingyu from time to time, but the latter lowered his eyes and showed no intention of going forward.

She sighed in disappointment, someone beside her gently supported her arm, and said in a low voice, "Go in."

As if intending to tell the world, Xiao Zheng held her arm with one hand and wrapped her shoulder with the other, and led her towards the mansion.

Xiao Duan slightly hooked his lips, turned his head and winked at Zhao Quan, "Could it be that they..."

Zhao Quan coughed lightly, leaned close to his ear and whispered two words: "There is drama."

"That's good..." He nodded in satisfaction, his dark eyes sparkling with a smile.

Seeing that the Prince Regent and Wen Su were about to arrive, Fu Qingyu finally looked up and bowed respectfully.

Xiao Zheng responded lightly, and without a moment's pause, he led Wen Su into the courtyard gate.

Wen Su was a little uneasy. She thought she should have explained the misunderstanding by leaving a letter last time, but for some reason, she hasn't seen Fu Qingyu's good looks since she got off the car, and the regent's behavior just now...

Alas, jumping into the Yellow River can't clean it up.

After resting in the palace for a few days, he finally regained his vitality.

It was during the lunch break, Wen Su held up her skirt, and rushed into Dongnuan Pavilion where King Pingyang lived in high spirits.

Xiao Duan nestled comfortably on the soft couch, holding the stove in his arms, as if he had hibernated.

"Hey, why come to this king when you have time?" Seeing Wen Su rushing into the door in high spirits, he sat up straight with a smile, "What's the matter?"

Wen Su was immediately displeased when he heard the words, "Prince Pingyang, you are asking this... don't you want to renege on your debt?"

"Repudiation?" Xiao Duan was startled, his eyes rolled slightly, he understood immediately, he shook his head and said with a smile: "You remember it clearly, well, this is for you." He slowly put down the stove in his hand, walked into the inner room, After a while, he came out with a thick stack of bank notes in his hand.

"Here, so many, not many?"

"It should be more than that?"

Wen Su glanced at him in disbelief, just as he was about to pick it up, Xiao Duan raised his hand and dodged it, "If you don't like it, let it go."

"Hey, a lot, a lot..."

Wen Su quickly expressed his opinion, and Xiao Duan handed her the bank note again.Seeing her counting the money with a smile on her face, he sighed and sat back on the soft couch, "You are a girl, what do you want so much money for?"

"My lord, you don't have to worry about food and clothing, what do you need so much money for?"

"This king has his own uses."

"So does the subordinate."

The corners of Xiao Duan's eyes raised slightly to look at her, "Could it be that you plan to rely on this money to go out of the house to live in the future?"

Wen Su froze for a moment, he was really hit by what he said.

"I advise you not to worry too much, how can Uncle bear you to suffer." Xiao Duan covered his mouth and smiled lightly, his eyes were full of teasing.

"Prince Pingyang, you..." Wen Su blushed thoroughly, was at a loss for words, put the bank note in his bosom and was about to go out.

Xiao Duan glanced at her back, rubbed the stove in his hand, and said unhurriedly: "You are also really hard-hearted, you have been in this business for several months, but you still can't impress you?"

Wen Su's footsteps stopped, and she was very embarrassed. How could this aunt and nephew like to be matchmakers so much!

She shuffled back with complicated emotions, sorting out her thoughts little by little.

She has seen everything the Prince Regent has done for her in Jiangbei. When Liang Qingde told her bluntly, she hadn't tried to figure out what the Prince Regent was thinking. Now that King Pingyang said it, she really had to think about it.

If the regent is really interested in her... what should I do?
But he is an unattainable prince regent, as long as he wants to, the world is his, so why would he take a fancy to him?Even if she fell in love with herself, why should she stand shoulder to shoulder with him?

Wen Su drooped her head and sighed, she is really suitable for a simpler life, neither the intriguing officialdom nor the unfathomable regent is not her destination.

"Master Wen!"

Suddenly someone called her in front of her, Wen Su looked up, the housekeeper stood at the end of the corridor and waved to her mysteriously, "Master Wen, Master Liu learned that you have returned to Beijing and is waiting outside, this old slave came to inform you quietly .”

"Lord Liu?" Wen Su was taken aback, but after realizing it, he gasped, turned around and left, "Just say I'm not here, not here! Not here!"

The butler was puzzled, "What's the matter?"

Unexpectedly, just as he was about to turn into the backyard, the housekeeper hurriedly chased after him.

Wen Su was helpless: "Just say I'm not here, really!"

How do I see Liu Ke now?She didn't know how to answer him at all.

The housekeeper hurriedly waved his hand and said: "It's not this, Master Liu has left, and now the father-in-law next to the Queen Mother is looking for you, saying that the Queen Mother has called you urgently."

Wen Su was confused, and pointed to her nose, "The Queen Mother urgently called me?"

The butler nodded firmly.

As for Empress Dowager Li, Wen Su almost only had a vague impression in her mind, except for a few glances through the bead curtain in the upper court, she was seen once at the Qionglin Banquet, and she remembered that she was a beauty, that's all.

It was already noon when we arrived at the palace, but the queen mother didn't take a lunch break, she seemed to be waiting for her all the time, Wen Su was directly led by the father-in-law to her old man's bedroom.

The temple is lit with tranquilizing incense, and the room is peaceful.The curtain hangs lightly, and the slim figure of the Empress Dowager sits on the couch behind the gauze curtain, which is truly a painting.

Wen Su, who specially wore court clothes, lowered his eyes and approached, folded his knees and bowed down, "My minister Wen Su sees the Queen Mother."

Upon hearing the sound, the Empress Dowager immediately lifted the gauze curtain and walked out, walked up to her, and stretched out her hand to help her up, "Don't be courteous, Wen Aiqing, the Ai family has asked you to come here to discuss something important."

"You can order the queen mother if you have anything to do." Wen Su couldn't figure out the situation at all, only followed her words, looked at her expression quietly, and frowned slightly, as if she was a little anxious.

"Wen Aiqing, the Ai family has also heard about the corrupt officials in Jiangbei."

Wen Su frowned, why did she suddenly say this?
"Actually, the Ai family invited Wen Aiqing to come here for help."

"Help?"

"That's right." The Empress Dowager sighed, but she didn't let go of her hand, as if she was intimacy, "To be honest, among those corrupt officials in Jiangbei...the brother of the Ai family was involved..." The Empress Dowager showed embarrassment, and sighed one after another , I can't say any more.

Wen Su recalled it immediately, "The queen mother should go to discuss with the regent."

"The regent is not a good friend." The queen mother shook her head, with tears in her eyes, which made people see it unbearably, "Wen Aiqing is also a hero in eliminating corruption this time, and the regent also asks His Majesty for your credit. Aijia even heard that you have a deep personal relationship with the Prince Regent, so please ask Aiqing to help Aijia."

"This……"

Wen Su was very embarrassed, those corrupt officials were unscrupulous, there must be someone in the court, but no one could have imagined that the empress dowager's family would be involved.She is a listed female official, how can she intervene?He also said that he has a deep personal relationship with the Prince Regent, and he doesn't know who made the rumor!
While struggling, the queen mother said again: "Wen Aiqing, the Ai family will not hide it from you. This time, it is not only the Ai family who asks you to help, but also Your Majesty."

"The Queen Mother is saying... Your Majesty intends to keep the uncle?"

The queen mother nodded, staring at her with fiery eyes that implied coercion.

This is really a dilemma, Wen Su lowered his eyes and secretly thought about the countermeasures.

Suddenly there was an exclamation from outside the door, it seemed to be the father-in-law who brought her here, she turned her head in surprise, and saw the regent Shi Shiran walking in with a frosty face, "Just now I heard that the queen mother said that your majesty intends to keep the uncle. ?”

"..."

The little emperor was studying in the imperial study room. Since the Taifu was dismissed, Wang Dingyong, the censor of Zuodu, has been in charge of teaching his studies.

Xiao Zheng rescued Wen Su from the Queen Mother, took her all the way to the imperial study room, raised his hand to signal her to wait by the door, and then pushed the door open, Wang Dingyong was also kicked out after a while, it was the monk Zhang Er Can't figure it out.

Wen Su was a little nervous. I'm afraid that the uncle and nephew will have a big fight again.

Just as he was thinking, the little emperor shouted angrily, followed by the sound of throwing things, and the back door was opened, and even Fugui was kicked out.

Seeing this, Wang Dingyong shook his head, turned around and walked out of the palace, leaving Fugui and Wen Su staring with distressed faces.

Soon the calm was restored inside the door, and the door opened after a while, Xiao Zheng walked out from inside, passed by Wen Su and gave her a slight nod, beckoning her to go back with him.

"My lord, what did you say to Your Majesty?" Wen Su finally couldn't help asking Xiao Zheng when he was about to leave the palace gate.

"The king only said that he is not young anymore, he should have his own choice, whether he wants an uncle or a country, he has to decide by himself."

Wen Su nodded secretly, it is indeed time for the emperor to think clearly, he will be one year older in a blink of an eye, and it is time to mature.

Walking to the side of the carriage, Xiao Zheng looked at her sideways, "The Queen Mother didn't make things difficult for you, did she?"

"No." Wen Su replied naturally, but at the next moment he suddenly woke up, opened his eyes wide and asked in surprise: "Could it be that the prince came here specially because he was dismissed?"

Xiao Zheng's eyes flickered slightly, he coughed dryly, and boarded the car without saying anything.Wen Su could see clearly that his ears seemed to be red.

She couldn't help laughing, feeling soft in her heart.

(End of this chapter)