"Here, try this chicken soup."
The dishes were displayed on the table. Shen Yungui scooped up a small bowl of soup familiarly and handed it to Wen Yiqing across half the table. "I specially asked your cook to make it today. You have been working really hard these days, so make up for it."
Wen Yiqing lowered his eyes and saw a piece of short ribs wrapped in sweet and sour sauce placed in the small bowl in front of him.
She raised her head, Bian Chen retracted her hand and said, "I remember you like to eat this."
Shanshan looked around, then picked up a chopstick and put it tremblingly into his mother's bowl.
"Mom, eat more."
Wen Yiqing took a deep breath and said tiredly: "That's enough."
"Has your cook changed?" Shen Yungui took a sip of the chicken soup and asked doubtfully, "It seems to taste a little different from when I came back last time."
"Uncle Shen, have you tasted it too?" Shanshan said happily: "I have an imperial chef who cooks as delicious as the palace banquet."
"Imperial chef?" Shen Yungui was stunned and asked in surprise: "The Queen Mother rewarded you? No, if it was the Empress Dowager, such a big thing would have spread all over the capital long ago. Where did you get the imperial chef? "
Shanshan: "Yes... um!"
Her mouth was covered and she couldn't say a word. She blinked and looked at her mother in confusion.
Can't you say it?
Wen Yiqing broke into a cold sweat.
At this moment, Bian Chen took the initiative to rescue him: "I stayed in the palace for a while and left the palace for some reason. Shanshan got used to the royal chef's skills in the palace, so he asked the eldest princess to find him."
"Yeah?"
Wen Yiqing nodded stiffly.
Shen Yungui asked worriedly: "Why were you kicked out of the palace? Will it cause you any trouble?"
"No, I...I asked the eldest princess."
Shen Yungui had no doubts. He knew that she was now close to the eldest princess and the queen mother, and she had always loved her daughter. It was understandable that she bothered to find an imperial cook.
only……
He drank chicken soup and glanced at the people around him calmly.
Why does this person know so clearly about the Wen family?
Even he has never heard of it!
Bian Chen just pretended not to notice his gaze and tasted the dinner with a cold expression.
Shanshan felt guilty, thinking that he was hungry, so he kept putting chopsticks into his bowl, "Uncle, eat more."
The emperor responded warmly: "Okay."
"You also have soup, and this fish. Although this fish is not as delicious as the one I caught with you before, it is still much more delicious than the one from Shiweilou."
"good."
Shen Yungui said abruptly: "When did you go fishing?"
Shanshan opened her round eyes and looked at him innocently.
Bian Chen said coldly: "It has nothing to do with you."
"..."
Shen Yungui swallowed his anger and said, "Shanshan, next time your school is on vacation, shall I take you to play in a village outside the city? I bought a village in the suburbs of Beijing, and there are many flowers planted there."
Shanshan looked over with bright eyes.
"Shan Shan." Bian Chen also said, "Come to my house next time during the holiday."
Shanshan looked at him with bright eyes.
Chen Yungui suddenly turned his head.
"My garden is very big." There is no garden in the whole capital that is bigger than the Imperial Garden. "You can come with Jiahe."
Shen Yungui immediately said: "Shanshan, you can also invite Miss Wen to come with you, and there are stones."
It was as if there was a fragrant meat bone hanging on both sides. Shanshan was like a tempted puppy. Both sides were greedy and in a dilemma.
Bian Chen; "My mother misses you so much."
Upon hearing this, Shanshan didn't care about anything else and immediately said: "Okay!"
She was also cute and played with the kind Queen Mother!
Shen Yungui: "..."
When did these two get so good? !
He originally brought a gift to the door, but it was difficult to take it out. He knew Wen Yiqing's temperament and would definitely refuse. Normally it would be better to be rejected. But at this time, when outsiders were present, it was absolutely unacceptable to lose face in front of outsiders.
The table was full of dishes, and none of the three of them had any taste for it.
Shanshan was the only one who didn't realize it, his belly was round after eating, and his little feet were raised happily under the table.
After finally finishing dinner, Wen Yiqing breathed a long sigh of relief, "It's getting late, you should go back."
"Don't be in a hurry." Shen Yungui glanced sideways at the other person. Sure enough, seeing that the other person was motionless, he said, "I'll play with Shanshan for a while."
Just as Shanshan was about to agree, her mother said, "She still has some homework to do."
Shanshan: "..."
"Then I'll sit down for a while."
Bian Chen remained motionless.
Wen Yiqing pursed her lips: "It's up to you."
She bent down and picked up her little daughter, then left the two of them here and left first.
Shanshan could not struggle, so he lay on his mother's shoulders and waved goodbye to the two of them pitifully.
Shen Yungui looked away and turned around to see another person sitting next to him, drinking tea calmly and showing no intention of getting up to say goodbye.
Normally, he would naturally not ask for trouble and come back next time when he has the opportunity. But today is different. He changed his sitting position, asked his servant to refill his tea, and waited patiently.
The room was so quiet that you could almost hear your breathing.
The tea was refilled to the second cup, and no one else showed any intention of leaving home. Shen Yungui couldn't sit still.
"You..." He paused before asking, "What's your surname?"
Bian is a royal surname, so it is inconvenient to reveal it to outsiders. Bian Chen said casually: "Your surname is Chen."
"Mr. Chen." Shen Yungui raised his glass to him from a distance: "The capital is vast, and it is Shen's fate to be able to see Mr. Chen twice. Since we were destined to meet him, Shen offered tea instead of wine and toasted to Mr. Chen. "
Bian Chen didn't even raise his head or answer a word.
Shen Yungui raised his eyebrows, but was not annoyed, so he drank all the tea in his cup, walked to the seat next to him and sat down.
Bian Chen didn't know why, but saw him leaning over, covering his face with a folding fan, acting sneakily.
He glanced around and saw that only a servant was waiting nearby, so he lowered his voice and said: "Mr. Chen, I won't talk around in circles with you. I will tell you what I have to say directly. You and I are here tonight. Everyone knows what the purpose is, and there is no need to mention the nonsense of persuasion. Since we can’t persuade the other party no matter what, why not cooperate for the time being?”
"cooperate?"
Bian Chen remained calm: "What kind of cooperation?"
"What you don't know is that there is actually another person in the capital who has the same purpose as the two of us."
Bian Chen: "He Lanzhou?"
Shen Yun returned the words and said in surprise: "You know?"
Bian Chen thoughtfully picked up the tea cup, took a sip, and signaled: "Continue."
"..." Shen Yungui's eyelids twitched, and he suppressed his temper for the time being, and continued: "Since you know, I will keep the story short. He Lanzhou is the number one scholar with a criminal record, he is young, has good looks, and is a popular person in front of the emperor. , it can be said that he has a bright future. He and Qing Niang have a friendship from the same hometown, and they have had friendship before. Now they are still teaching at Qingsong Academy, and they are close to Shanshan. He is close to the water, this person is a real danger, and we have to guard against him. "
Bian Chen nodded slightly in agreement.
"You want to cooperate with me?" He said: "You have evil intentions, why should I trust you?"
"Shen is indeed untrustworthy, but compared to He Lanzhou, in Qing Niang's heart, Master He probably carries more weight."
Bian Chen said: "You and her were childhood sweethearts."
Shen Yungui said sadly: "She and I have known each other since we were childhood sweethearts, but now we are just family friends."
Bian Chen nodded: "You are somewhat self-aware."
Shen Yungui: "..."
He took a deep breath.
"But He Lanzhou is different. She was the one who saw He Lanzhou's talent and potential at a glance and gave him money to go to Beijing to take the exam. Mr. Xiao He is handsome, has a clean family background, and is on good terms with Shanshan. He has a brighter future than me, a merchant. Shen Yungui asked in a low voice: "Does Mr. Chen think he is compared with Mr. Xiao He?"
Bian Chenxin said: It's just a He Lanzhou...
He then thought of Wen Yiqing's cold treatment and the involvement of past events... Then he picked up the tea cup and took a sip.
"Go on."
"Although He Lanzhou is hateful, there is nothing to fear as long as you and I work together. After He Lanzhou gives up, it will be just you and me, each relying on his own ability. Mr. Chen, one opponent is always easier than two opponents, you say so no?"
Bian Chen was noncommittal.
"Mr. Chen?" Shen Yungui waved his hand: "If Mr. Chen doesn't agree, just pretend that Shen didn't mention this matter. I'll just talk to Mr. He later..."
"Are you threatening me?"
"It's hard to describe the threat, it's just to strike first to gain advantage." Shen Yungui said with a smile.
Bian Chen raised the corners of his lips, "You are quite brave."
He has been emperor for many years, but no one has threatened him for a long time.
Since he didn't deny it, it was his acquiescence.
"Shen is doing business in the capital. He has met various merchants in the capital, but he has never met Mr. Chen." Shen Yun looked back at his demeanor, with serious marks on his brows, like a person who always gave orders in a high position. He guessed: "Can Mr. Chen become an official?"
Bian Chen said: "The family is a bit poor in income."
Could it be that he is a dandy under the shadow of his ancestors?
It really doesn’t look like it.
Shen Yungui lowered his eyes and saw that there were thick calluses on his fingertips. He was thinking a lot, but he didn't show it. He just picked up the cup and smiled with his peach blossom eyes: "Mr. Chen, I will give you more advice in the future."
Bian Chen glanced at him and said coldly: "No need."
He didn't really want to cooperate with this person, he just wanted to use this person's help to make He Lanzhou give up as soon as possible.
Shen Yungui didn't mind either. To show his sincerity, he took the initiative to say goodbye.
When he left Wen's house, he looked back at the plaque in front of the door. He waved the folding fan in his hand gracefully and smiled with his peach-blossom eyes, as if he had just made a fortune in business.
He and He Lanzhou also mentioned the same thing.
As for who believes it...it all depends on their ability!
…
Bian Chen did not follow.
After waiting for a long time after the person left, he stood up and asked his servant about Wen Yiqing's location.
The servants of the Wen family knew the rules but didn't know his identity, so they kept their master's whereabouts secret.
Bian Chen waited patiently for a while.
Before Wen Yiqing ordered someone to drive them away, a carriage stopped at the door of Wen's house.
Shitou ran in the door covered in heat and sweat, and skillfully went to find the midnight snack left for him. However, he was stopped just after he passed the main room.
"Tuoba Heng."
He had also stayed in the palace, so he naturally recognized the emperor. He immediately straightened his back and tensed his body, like a little soldier in a military camp waiting for orders.
Bian Chen looked at him condescendingly: "Take me to find Shanshan."
Shitou: "...Hmm!"
Shanshan is doing homework in the study at the moment.
She grabbed the writing brush and was pushed down by her mother in front of the desk, her little buttocks moving restlessly.
"Mom, can I really not go play with the emperor's uncle?"
Wen Yiqing didn't even raise his head: "Aren't you afraid of being slapped on the palm by Master?"
"I've already finished half of it," she said. "I'll do the remaining half after the emperor's uncle leaves. I'll definitely make it in time."
"Go after you're done."
Shanshan was anxious: "By then, Uncle Shen and Uncle Emperor must have left."
"There will be a chance next time."
This means I don't agree with it at all.
Shanshan had no choice but to lie back in front of his homework, sighing and writing in big characters.
Not long after, she heard someone knocking on the door outside. She looked up and saw Shitou's head poking in. She was immediately happy: "Brother Shitou, you are back!"
Shi Shi quickly retracted his head and moved a step to the side, revealing the person behind him. Shanshan was even more happy. He threw away the brush in his hand and climbed down in a hurry: "Uncle Emperor!"
Wen Yiqing looked up when he heard the sound, was stunned for a moment, and subconsciously grabbed his daughter who was about to fly over.
She said warily: "Why are you here?"
Bian Chen said, "I'm here to see Shan Shan."
"Where is Shen Yungui?"
"He left already."
"and you……"
He lowered his eyes: "After we parted ways in the palace, I never saw her again."
Wen Yiqing pursed her lips.
Shanshan was held in her arms and blinked in confusion. Don't they see each other every day?
Oh...keep it a secret!
She soon felt her mother's hand holding her loosen a little, and then she was free again without any need for her to struggle. She took a step towards the emperor, hesitated for a moment, then cautiously turned back and asked her mother: "Mom, can I go and play?"
Wen Yiqing whispered: "Go."
Then she walked over with confidence.
At this time every day, she would sit with the stone and do her homework. Tonight, Shitou sat alone at his desk, with his back straight and his brush writing big, stiff characters.
Shanshan dragged her treasure chest, which was filled with her toys, but these toys were fine for children to play with, but quite childish for adults to play with. She stood awkwardly in her toy box, picking for a long time but unable to find a suitable toy.
Bian Chen stood in front of the desk and waited.
He lowered his eyes and watched General Wen's young apprentice doing his homework. He wrote three words, made two mistakes, and looked away silently.
Wen Yiqing asked him softly: "No one will notice your coming and going today, right?"
"Won't."
"That……"
"I will be careful when I leave."
Wen Yiqing pursed her lips and stopped speaking.
There was a banging sound next to him for a long time, and finally Shanshan came back with a storybook.
It was the same one the prince gave her.
"Uncle Emperor, can you read Sun Wukong to me?"
The emperor nodded happily.
He held his little daughter in his arms, and his deep and soft voice sounded in the silent study. Wen Yiqing listened absently, the abacus beads rolling on his fingertips, but he forgot to dial up and down.
She glanced furtively out of the corner of her eye.
Shanshan nestled quietly in the emperor's arms, and his childish and cute face was somewhat similar to the other man. The two of them read the storybook together. The candlelight was warm and yellow, softly illuminating the father and daughter, and the coldness on the face was dispelled, leaving only a face full of tenderness.
The shop's accounts were presented in front of her, and beside her there was the sound of a brush scratching across the paper.
A bit heartwarming.
It's like a family.
Suddenly, as if he noticed her gaze, the emperor suddenly looked up.
He kept reading in his mouth, but his eyes looked straight into hers. Wen Yiqing was caught peeping, and Wen Yiqing was startled and quickly turned her head. She leaned down in embarrassment, her whole body almost touching the table, she was so ashamed.
The Sun Wukong in the storybook was about to show off his power when the sound of reading suddenly stopped. The reader chuckled, but the low and soft voice was like thunder, vibrating in the ears, and then disappeared in an instant.
"uncle?"
Bian Chen withdrew his gaze and quickly picked it up again.
The soft sound of reading sounded again.
Shi Shi raised his head cautiously.
He glanced at the red tips of Wen Yiqing's ears in confusion, and then looked to the other side with envy.
Then I took out a new piece of paper with great pain and resentment, and started writing from the first question again.
Shanshan never shouted to stop, so Bian Chen continued to read. I don’t know how much time passed, but the story of Sun Wukong came to an abrupt end until a gentle snoring sounded in my arms.
As soon as the sound stopped, Wen Yiqing immediately turned his head.
The emperor held the child and looked at her a little helplessly. It was rare for a man who was always calm to look embarrassed. It was obviously not the first time he held a child, but now his whole body was stiff and he didn't dare to move a finger for fear of accidentally waking the little girl up.
Wen Yiqing smiled.
She stood up and gently picked up her little daughter. Shanshan restlessly changed positions in her arms, and then fell asleep again.
"It doesn't matter." She said softly, "She is a heavy sleeper and can't be woken up easily."
"Um."
Wen Yiqing took the child back to the bedroom and covered her with a quilt. When she went out again, the emperor was guarding the door.
"It's time for you to go." She said, "It's very late, and there are people in the palace waiting for you."
Bian Chen did not move. In the night, his eyes were soft: "I ordered people to plant the flowers you like in the imperial garden."
"..."
"The Queen Mother is thinking of you too."
Wen Yiqing was silent for a moment, then said dumbly: "Those are words to coax kindness."
"Yeah." He said, "But I also want to see you."
Wen Yiqing was speechless.
She lowered her eyes and stared at the tips of her shoes. There was only a not-so-bright lantern under the eaves, and she couldn't even see the embroidery on the shoes. The night wind carries the dryness that has not faded away during the day, carrying the fragrance of the lush grass and trees in the courtyard and the light smell of agarwood.
After a long while, she whispered: "When Shanshan enters the palace, I will always accompany you."
"What about the seventh day of next month?"
"What?"
"On the seventh day of next month, are you free?"
The business in the shop has been booming recently and it has been very busy. Wen Yiqing plans to hire two more clerks. In addition to the current makeup shop, she also has plans to open other shops. She subconsciously recalled her future arrangements following the inquiry. Before she could finish thinking about it, she quickly realized what month next was.
The seventh day of July.
There wasn't even a curfew that day.
Wen Yiqing turned his head hurriedly: "The shop is very busy, there is no time."
"What about at night?"
"nor."
Bian Chen said "hmm" and then asked, "Shan Shan won't go out either?"
On days like the seventh of July, people all over the capital would go out of their homes. Shanshan loved to watch and join in the fun. There were so many fun things waiting outside, how could he stay at home with peace of mind.
Wen Yiqing was speechless.
She sighed and said, "It's time for you to go."
A smile flashed across Bian Chen's lips: "On the seventh day of July, will I come to pick you up?"
"..." She continued: "Be careful when you leave. You are the emperor, and it will not be good if you are discovered."
"I want to see Shan Shan again."
Wen Yiqing did not object and turned sideways to let him in.
There was only a weak lamp lit in the room. The little girl was lying peacefully on the bed and sleeping soundly, holding the quilt with both hands, her cheeks were rosy and her sleeping face was peaceful.
Bian Chen's fingertips gently brushed her soft face. In her sleep, the little girl instinctively tilted her head and rubbed against his palm affectionately. She turned over and grabbed one of his fingers with her little hand.
"mother……"
With a smile on his face, his brows became softer and softer, he struggled slightly and let her hold him without pulling out.
Wen Yiqing leaned on the bedside and watched the father and daughter lost in thought.
Suddenly, she remembered something, stood up straight, and exclaimed: "Shan Shan's homework is not finished yet."
Bian Chen: "..."
The two looked at each other, looking at each other.
