Back at the academy, Xi Duanhong lay in bed unable to fall asleep. She once again had doubts about her life experience.
Falling asleep with doubts in mind
Xiu Mu did not have to go to court the next day, so Xi Duanhong took this opportunity to bring Qian Shengxue to his residence.
Looking at the cleared courtyard, Xi Duanhong was very satisfied. Qian Shengxue beside him couldn't help but sigh at the sight of such a big mansion.
"Xi'er, this mansion is so big. It's really different when you become a female official. I really want to be a female official."
Hearing this, Xi Duanhong hurriedly said: "Let's go in first, and we'll talk about the rest later. See if there's anything missing and I'll have someone add it."
Qian Shengxue smiled and shook her head. She looked at Xi Duanhong seriously and said nothing for a long time, but she still thanked him very much: "Thank you, Xi'er. I am very satisfied with this place. This is the best place I have ever lived."
While wandering around the yard with Qian Shengxue, Shisan and Ivan came over and saluted the two of them. It was the first time Qian Shengxue saw a man other than those in the Ji concubine pavilion and the academy. She was somewhat curious and couldn't help but come forward to get closer. mingle
Thirteen and Ivan were a little confused about this. They both looked at Xi Duanhong and waited for her instructions. Xi Duanhong was also very confused about their arrival.
"Thirteen, what are you two doing here?"
Thirteen said respectfully: "Sister Mei said that the lady hasn't come in for so long, so she asked us to come out and have a look."
Ivan walked over with a smile, "Miss's backyard has been tidied up. Sister Mei said she wanted the one at the end."
Qian Shengxue was a little resistant to these people. She always felt that it was not very safe with these people here. "Xi'er, these two people?"
"It doesn't matter. The backyard has told you that you can make your own arrangements," Xi Duanhong took Qian Shengxue's hand and gently patted Qian Shengxue's hand to reassure her, "Let's go, Xue'er."
——
Sacrifice Pavilion
In the Xiyang Hall, the tired Ouyang Zhu was sitting in front of the desk and taking a nap. There were three full stacks of scrolls in front of him, and scrolls that had been corrected were scattered around.
The people who came in tiptoed and didn't dare to make a sound, for fear of disturbing the sleeping people. Unfortunately, Ouyang Zhu slept very lightly, and the slightest movement would wake him up.
The sleepy Ouyang Zhu looked at the person coming dimly, stretched out his hand to smooth his hair, and said lazily: "What's the matter?"
"Sir, if you continue like this, your body will not be able to bear it." Chen Shuli came to the side of the desk and sat down. "Gu Ziang was sent to Jiangnan for inspection. His Majesty just issued an order this morning."
"Your Majesty will not suddenly issue an order. It seems that the old woman has made new moves." Ouyang Zhu rubbed his eyebrows and looked at the pile of scrolls on the table, "What happened over there in Jiangnan?"
There was a pure white long-haired cat that came in with Chen Shuli. Chen Shuli waved to it, "It should be the Jiangnan Xu family. Something may happen to Xu Lingxiang's family."
"Meow~"
Ouyang Zhu glanced indifferently at the white cat that walked in and headed straight towards Chen Shuli, "Humph, when did his Gu family get involved with the Xu family? No matter how hard he can survive, he is still a founding general. He has a fiefdom and prestige and still has to fight with him. That old woman is complicit in this, it’s really ridiculous.”
"Come here, don't wander around," Chen Shuli said, holding him in his arms, "If you run around like this, be careful, I won't let you in."
Cui Fei called twice disdainfully and lay in Chen Shuli's arms, snoring, "Meow meow!"
"No, it should be that the price of merchant ships this year is higher than before. Moreover, there are turbulences in various places that may lead to war, so she sent people to patrol the south of the Yangtze River to take the opportunity to investigate the matter. It is said that the salt merchants and horse traders are not what they used to be. ”
"So, she wants to check the pros and cons of this?" Ouyang Zhu straightened the robe that had fallen to his shoulders, "It doesn't matter much to her whether to check or not. How would the old woman know if someone hadn't secretly pointed it out? ? This Tan Yanxian is really good at taking advantage of people, Li, where is Zihan?"
Chen Shuli put down his fear and patted the paw prints on his body, "He and Qing Yi are in Zhongdu. Do you want Zi Han to go over and investigate?"
Ouyang Zhu thought for a moment and shook his head: "No, let Xi Duanhong go."
Chen Shuli was startled, "Sir, you?"
"Nanlian's death is a trouble for her after all. Xu Zhi said that she asked him to collect information. There will probably be a solution to this matter when she comes back from Jiangnan, not to mention that her current situation continues in Kyoto This is the most dangerous place for her."
"No, I'm just worried about whether she can..."
Ouyang Zhu stared at Chen Shuli with cold eyes and his tone became extremely cold, "Chen Shuli."
"I know, I won't say any more."
"Come here." Ouyang Zhu rarely reached out to the cat, but he swung his tail in disgust and walked away.
Chen Shuli picked up a scroll and opened it, "Sir, Xi Duanhong is a female official now and cannot leave Kyoto at will. I'm afraid your arrangement is inappropriate."
Ouyang Zhu waved his hands disdainfully, "If there's anything wrong, just ask His Majesty to issue a secret edict. He should be worried about how to solve the problem in Jiangnan now. The old woman has been in control for too long. I want to take it from her." Food is as hard as the sky, and he can’t wait for my arrangement."
Chen Shuli was a little embarrassed and didn't know how to speak. He was really worried about what would happen. Ouyang Zhu could naturally see what he was worried about.
"What are you worried about, your child bride?"
Chen Shuli was choked by his words, with a look of embarrassment on his face, "Sir, please don't make fun of me. I'm just worried that she might get into trouble because her mind is not yet sound."
"Hmph," Ouyang Zhu came to him and pinched Chen Shuli's chin, forcing him to look at her, "Everyone in the Sacrificial Concubine Pavilion knows that you like her. Don't you think that everyone doesn't?" Do you know?"
Ouyang Zhu's hand was so strong that he couldn't dodge it at all. His eyes were a bit dodgey and he didn't dare to look directly into his eyes. "Sir, please let go..."
Ouyang Zhu let go of his hand as he wished, "You are beautiful and dedicated. That girl will definitely be very happy in the future, right?"
"Sir, are you praising or ridiculing?" Chen Shuli stood up with a look of indifference on his face, "My lord asked Xi Duanhong to go to Jiangnan, then let Ji Yu follow them."
Ouyang Zhu said with a half-smile, "Oh? If you put Ji Yu next to them, no one will be able to protect you. Are you sure?"
"Ji Yu is losing his talent by my side. What's more, I won't leave Kyoto and I won't leave the Sacrifice Pavilion, so it doesn't matter if he's by my side or not, right?" Chen Shuli's last sentence seemed to have a special meaning. It seems to be complaining and...
There is no problem with Chen Shuli's arrangement. Ouyang Zhu also understands his painstaking efforts, but the road ahead will only be more difficult. Can he really make it in this state? This is his biggest worry.
"It's fine to go according to your arrangement. I will tell His Majesty about this in court tomorrow."
