The green hut made of curtains is ventilated and cool after night falls.
Xue Bai then said: "Let's go back to the house."
"Can I go back to the house?" Yan Yanjiu had already woken up and asked, "Are there any etiquette?"
"Ignore the etiquette." Xue Bai felt a little sleepy and said casually: "The guests have left, we make our own decisions."
Qinglan then added: "Yes, the wife is the mistress, and the mistress decides the affairs of the house."
"Am I the one who makes the decision?" Yan Yan muttered, rolling her eyes as she wondered what she had in mind.
Xue Bai took a lantern and took her to the backyard. He couldn't see the gravel path clearly in the night, so he naturally held her hand, feeling that it was very cold.
Yan Yan felt Xue Bai's palm was big and warm. She was afraid that the ice would hit him, so she looked up and saw that he was looking at the road intently, so she silently felt the warmth.
Xue Bai said: "You are leaving home for the first time tonight. I must be worried about you, right?"
"Um."
Yan Yan responded in a muffled voice at first, and then said with some dissatisfaction: "I'm not a child anymore."
Xue's house was very big, but there were not many servants. It looked deserted. It wasn't until we got to the main house and saw the lights brightly lit that we felt warm.
The bride's belongings have been put in, including a large wardrobe, a dressing table, a big red box on the floor, and a brand-new red silk quilt... This was arranged by Mrs. Cui herself. Mrs. Cui burst into tears when she gave the wedding away. She is more like Yan Yan's biological mother.
"Did you drink today's medicine?" Xue Bai asked.
"Don't worry, Mr. Lang." Yong'er replied, "I've already drank it."
"But I'm hungry." Yan Yan said, "I haven't been allowed to eat for a whole day. It seems like the bride just lives to starve."
Rather than saying she was hungry, it was better to say she was greedy. The dishes at today's wedding banquet were rich and delicious. When she was sitting in the green hut, Li Jilan secretly brought some of various dishes to her. It's not satisfying to eat like this.
Since the mistress had spoken, Xue Bai asked the kitchen to bring some food.
At that time, people held a banquet and had a big dish called "Hun Yang Shihu", which involved stuffing glutinous rice and spices into the belly of a goose, and then stuffing the goose into the belly of a sheep to roast. Because mutton, goose meat, and spices were more expensive than each other, so Nobles especially like to use this dish to show their status... Xue Bai doesn't like it, because he thinks the mutton fat stew doesn't taste good.
Therefore, today's wedding banquets mostly consist of delicate dishes. Depending on the meat quality of different parts of the mutton, it should be grilled, pan-fried, and stir-fried. You can't eat stir-fry at this time, but you can put a charcoal stove in the yard and grill some lamb tenderloin.
The Sichuan peppercorns are ground into powder, mixed with a little salt and sesame seeds and sprinkled on the freshly oiled meat, which is very fragrant.
"Are you ready?" Yan Yan came forward, stretched out her hand to warm it on the stove, and sniffed.
"Come on, have you taken off your makeup?"
"Of course, take a look."
Xue Bai looked at her face and saw that the skin on her face was smooth and delicate, and could be broken with a blow... He couldn't tell whether she had applied makeup or not.
"It's really unruly to eat this on the wedding night, isn't it?" Yan Yan said, taking the meat skewers handed over by Xue Bai, blowing on them carefully, and taking a small bite. It was so delicious that it was bubbling. Feel.
Xue Bai watched her blowing and avoided looking.
He felt even more unnatural when he heard her say "bridal chamber".
"As expected of the boss behind Fengwei Building." Yan Yan patted his shoulder and praised him.
It seemed that Xue Baixian had never received such praise from her when he won the first prize.
"My barbecue skills are not that good. The key lies in the concept of cooking food."
"Brother is talking nonsense again."
Yan Yan was so happy with her meal that she forgot all about it and called "brother" smoothly. She realized something was wrong first and hurriedly told Qing Lan and Yong'er to eat quickly to cover up the past.
She had big eyes and a small belly. She had just complained that she was hungry, but she had not eaten much and was already full, so she yawned.
Yong'er quickly started to wash up.
As a newly married woman, it was inevitable that there would be many inconveniences. She would look for a basin and ask where to get water. The more Yan Yan waited, the more sleepy she became. She stood there as if she was about to fall asleep, but from time to time she glanced at Xue Bai secretly, her eyes a little dodgy.
Xue Bai had been busy all day and didn't want to accompany her in such a leisurely manner. He changed into his spring clothes and lay down on the side of the bed to sleep.
The new thick and soft bedding is very comfortable.
Just lying like this, he seemed to feel the happiness of getting married.
After finally washing up over there, Yong'er was about to leave, but found that Yan Yan was holding her hand and wouldn't let go.
"Sanniang... No, madam. What's wrong, madam?"
"Let's talk together. Qinglan will come too."
Yan Yan was obviously sleepy, so she insisted on holding Qing Lan and Yong Er to continue the conversation. She didn't dare to let go until she peeked at Xue Bai who had fallen asleep.
Xue Bai knew that she was a little scared, but he didn't say anything, thinking that she was still too young...
The newlyweds are actually very familiar with each other, and they don't feel awkward lying together.
The candle was blown out, and he lay there and gradually fell into a deep sleep. As he fell asleep, a pair of cold little hands reached into his arms and held him there.
~~
Li Tengkong took the scissors and cut off a small section of the candle wick to make the candle brighter.
She didn't have to do this little thing herself, but she and her brothers and sisters were standing in the lobby. If she didn't do something, she would be even more uncomfortable.
The lights in the hall were brightly lit, and everyone was waiting for Li Linfu to wake up.
"The phase must have been lost, right? Grandpa even fainted in front of the saint."
The speaker was Qi Lang Li Yu. Although he had not gone to Xue Bai's wedding, he had heard Li Xiu's general remarks and couldn't help but feel anxious.
Li Xiu's face was dark and he murmured: "If it's just the phase, that's it. The most worrying thing is..."
He did not continue talking. Over the years, Li Linfu's attacks on Wei Jian and Wang Zhongsi were directed at the East Palace, forcing Li Heng to divorce his wife twice. At present, Zhang Bian and Li Heng have a good relationship. Once he becomes prime minister, he will probably use their Li family to establish their authority first.
"I told you a long time ago that I should have made preparations in advance." Thirteenth Prince Li Wei complained: "When I wanted to make friends with Xue Bai, he had to ground me, but now it's better. After grandpa falls, everyone in the family will be shaken." There is no one who can do anything."
The words were directed at Li Xiu, which immediately aroused the minds of many people, and they began to mention, consciously or unconsciously, how to separate the families.
This was another trouble that Li Xiu encountered. He was not the eldest son and had many brothers. Once Li Linfu lost power, he would not even be able to serve the public at home.
He sometimes thought that my grandfather had offended so many people. After he was dismissed as prime minister, it would be better to divide the family property and let the brothers avoid trouble themselves. It's just... As my grandfather's most valued son, he should get more.
Under such circumstances, one can imagine the atmosphere in the hall.
Li Tengkong didn't want to get involved in this, so he couldn't leave. She could cut off candle wicks but could not cut off worries, so she simply closed her eyes and meditated, silently reciting Taoist scriptures.
"Seventeen." Li Shiniang came over and whispered: "You have medical skills and know when grandpa will wake up, right?"
"Grandma, you should rest more."
"Sure enough." Li Shiyiniang smiled slightly proudly, realized something was wrong, and immediately stopped, saying: "I think you are the most capable in this family."
"What are the talents of a Taoist who is quiet and inactive?"
"You heard that they are worried about the prince and Zhang Bian, but in the long run, who is the most worthy of friendship? The imperial concubine's sworn brother, the saint personally went to his wedding banquet, and he has been appointed as an official Yushitai at a young age..."
Li Shiniang kept chattering for her own purpose, and finally asked: "Can you ask Xue Bai? Recommend your brother-in-law to be a minister. I heard from Xuan Lang that he encouraged Zhang Bian and his grandfather to compete for the position. In fact, Zhang Bian recommended many people."
"At this time of year, the fortunes and disasters of moving to an official position are unpredictable." Li Tengkong did not open his eyes and shook his head lightly, "And I have no such friendship with Xue Bai."
"Seventeen, Xuanlang and I treated you well in the past."
Li Shiniang didn't realize that there had been a big change in her family, and her behavior of pursuing personal gain was extremely inappropriate. She even begged, "I'm not teaching you a lot about anything. Now that we have difficulties, Don’t you care about me?”
After begging for a while, Li Shiniang couldn't help but get annoyed when she saw that Li Tengkong still didn't respond, and deliberately stabbed Li Tengkong's sore spot a little.
"Forget it. Xue Bai must be having sex with his wife at the wedding. You and he may not have that kind of friendship."
Li Tengkong was taking care of his grandfather, but he hadn't thought about these things yet. He was stunned when he heard this.
Li Shiniang said again: "I heard that the young lady of the Yan family met Xue Bai through being a close friend with you. You did the same, and personally helped others steal things that were yours. You and I To be honest, are you jealous?”
"..."
Li Tengkong stayed up all night, enduring all the messy and annoying things in the Right Prime Minister's Mansion.
Until the morning drum sounded, Li Linfu woke up.
A maid came over and said, "Seventeenth Mother, Alang calls you over."
Dozens of brothers and sisters in the hall all turned to look at Li Tengkong, with various emotions in their eyes.
After leaving the lobby, the cool morning breeze blew, making people's eyes sting.
Li Tengkong walked alone through the corridor and entered the main room. She was very worried, worried that Li Linfu would call her "Yang Taizhen" again.
However, Li Linfu, who was sitting there, looked clearer, but his face looked older and tired.
"Grandpa."
"I understand." Li Linfu said slowly: "A saint must be able to do three things when he is a prime minister."
He had actually regained his consciousness. The confusion in his memory last night might just be accidental.
"Talent is one. You must be good at taxation to satisfy the saint's banquets; you must be able to serve the saint's will. The saint is tired of the pedantry and rigidity when scholars govern the country; and you must be able to check and balance the East Palace so that the saint can enjoy the feast with peace of mind. Lishan Don’t worry about becoming the emperor when you take a bath in the hot springs.”
These words were disrespectful. It was the first time for Li Tengkong to hear her grandfather speak like this, and she couldn't help but worry about whether he was sober.
Li Linfu said: "Zhang Bian can't do these three things. Zhang Bian is different from his father. Zhang Bian is authoritarian and domineering, while Zhang Bian became a prince-in-law at a young age. He has a slow personality and is good at dancing with long sleeves. He can't become his true self. How can he be allowed to do so?" A prime minister to whom the saint is completely satisfied.”
"In this case, Grandpa can rest assured." Li Tengkong said, "My daughter will ask someone to bring some breakfast food."
"Xue Bai knows this, but still wants to support Zhang Bian as prime minister? It's just a deception. On the surface, he is assisting Zhang Bian, but in fact, he is cultivating party members to assist King Qing. The reason why he was calm last night was because he had guessed it early. The saint’s will.”
Li Linfu talked to himself until the end, and then said: "Go and tell Xue Bai that I will use Zahu's marriage to Li Heng to replace Zahu."
"Master, can I allow my daughter to feel her pulse?"
"I have nothing to do as a father. Go, go now."
Li Tengkong was still a little worried, but seeing that his grandfather had recovered from his illness, he had no choice but to resign.
…
"The phase will not be lost."
Li Linfu murmured to himself, and his expression gradually relaxed.
But he actually couldn't completely convince himself. For a moment, worry appeared in his eyes.
"Is it true that the phase will not be lost?"
He closed his eyes and thought.
After a while, Li Xiu and several brothers came over and called in a low voice: "Master, the officials are all here."
Seeing that Li Linfu didn't answer, Li Xiu came closer.
The next moment, Li Linfu opened his eyes, stared at him, and shouted: "What are you doing here?!"
"My child knows his fault."
"Pei Kuan?"
Li Xiu was stunned, looked around, and found that Li Linfu was indeed referring to him.
"Grandpa, I am Juro..."
"Pei Kuan is close to me because he wants to replace me." Li Linfu was furious and shouted: "Why don't you drag Pei Kuan down?!"
"Grandpa, look, I am Juro."
"Drag Pei Kuan down!"
Li Yu immediately held Li Xiu down and refused to let him come forward to explain. He ordered someone to come and drag him out.
"Master, don't be angry, Pei Kuan dragged him away."
"No one can replace the true self." Li Linfu muttered to himself, suddenly looked at Li Yu, and shouted angrily: "Chen Xilie, don't be the true self. I don't know what you are thinking?!"
~~
Xue Zhai.
Li Tengkong couldn't find any other excuse to come, so she had to say that she dropped a hairpin when she came to the banquet yesterday, even though she never wore hairpins.
She was welcomed to the front hall and sat down. She watched along the way and saw that the festive decorations in the house had not yet been taken down, and the servants and maids had also received awards, and they were beaming with joy.
"Make room."
Yong'er rushed over from the back hall, bowed hastily, and said, "Madam, please take the time to come inside and talk."
Li Tengkong went to Yan Zhai to see Yan Yan before, and indeed he often went to her boudoir to talk, but now the situation is obviously different.
"Is this... inappropriate?"
"My wife slept late last night, and she felt a little uncomfortable when she woke up this morning. She has been lying in bed, and I would like to ask you to take a pulse."
Li Tengkong couldn't help but think of Li Shiniang's question "Are you jealous?" and felt a little sad.
Her grandpa was narrow-minded, so she had been careful not to learn to be jealous, but today she had to come to the home of a newlywed couple. Even if he was aloof, this would be a great test for his Taoist heart.
"Xue Lang...are you here?"
"Mr. Lang has already gone out in the morning."
Li Tengkong then followed into the main room, walked around the screen, and saw Yan Yan half-leaning on the couch, reading a story.
She was always looking at Yan Yan's expression unconsciously, trying to get some clues about what was going on between her and Xue Bai, but at the same time she knew she shouldn't care about it.
"Here, let me take your pulse."
"Take the time, let me tell you." Yan Yan asked her to sit down on the couch and whispered in her ear: "I'm not uncomfortable, but no one can discipline me after I get married. I want to I wanted to try staying in bed, so I lied to Yonger that I felt uncomfortable."
Li Tengkong was stunned for a moment and looked at Yan Yan silently, thinking that he must be a little envious. He didn't worry about anything and married Xue Bai easily.
Just as she was thinking about it, Yan Yan took her hand and whispered: "I have always wanted to tell you something. You treated me, but I..."
Li Tengkong smiled and said softly: "It's okay, don't say anything anymore."
She knew what Yan Yan wanted to say but she couldn't marry Xue Bai with or without Yan Yan.
"Why are you unhappy?"
"There is something going on at home." Li Tengkong said, "What story are you reading?"
"I bought it from Dongshi. Someone is continuing to write "Journey to the West" and I just started reading it. Let's watch it together."
"good."
Li Tengkong thought that after Xue Bai came back and conveyed those words, she would no longer get involved in those mundane things. She was too tired to pay attention to the intrigues.
Listening to Yan Yan whispering stories, Li Tengkong fell asleep unconsciously.
Beneath her body was a brand new silk quilt, thick and soft, and she slept deeply.
…
When he woke up again, it was already evening and Yan Yan had fallen asleep. Li Tengkong looked at her tender face and felt more and more envious. Suddenly, he heard Yong'er calling "Mr." outside the door.
She quickly stood up, lifted the quilt, and saw Xue Bai standing there.
The two looked at each other and were stunned for a long time.
~~
Three days later, Xue Bai took Yan Yan back home.
When they went out, they saw that the courtyard next door was being renovated. It was originally vacant, but now the owner must have returned or sold it.
"When I have time, I have to visit the neighbors, right?" Yan Yan asked, "The first time you came to my house was when you first moved to Changshoufang."
Xue Bai glanced at Mrs. Guo's mansion to the east and said, "It's okay not to visit."
The couple boarded the carriage and went all the way to Yanzhai in Dunhuafang.
Yan Yan never showed any emotions when she was at Xue Zhai, but this time when she came home, she couldn't help but cry while hugging Wei Yun and Cui.
Yan Kai wanted to comfort him, but he didn't know how. He scratched his head and finally said, "Sister, stop crying. My mother is about to give birth to a younger brother or younger sister."
"You kid, you don't know what to say." Wei Yundang even gave his son a lesson.
But at least Yan Yan didn't cry anymore.
Xue Bai and Yan Zhenqing didn't care much about these children's moods. After chatting for a while, they went to the study to talk.
"Congratulations, father-in-law."
Yan Zhenqing waved his hand, not wanting to talk about personal matters, but said: "Is it your idea that Zhang Bian recommends me to succeed Wang Wei?"
"Yes." Xue Bai said: "I originally thought that Mr. Mojie could be appointed as the official of Zhongshushe, but it was a pity that fate played a trick on him."
"The so-called 'no merit will not be received'." Yan Zhenqing looked a little serious and said: "I have not made any achievements in my tenure as Yuan Wai Lang. I was moved because of my clinging relationship. It was bad for the officialdom of the Tang Dynasty."
This is the biggest difference between him and Li Linfu, Yang Guozhong and others. Yan Zhenqing is not pedantic, but he always puts personal interests after the country and the country when considering problems.
Xue Bai said: "The official system of the Tang Dynasty has long been broken, but my father-in-law should be promoted as soon as possible and seek a position as prime minister."
"I gave you words, but you didn't listen."
"That's not the case, but the country is in danger." Xue Bai said: "My father-in-law, look at the important ministers in the court, Li Linfu, Zhang Bian, Chen Xilie, and Yang Guozhong. Are there any who can take charge of state affairs?"
Yan Zhenqing sighed and said: "Looking at the prime ministers during the Kaiyuan period, the saints knew how to employ people. People like Yao Chong, Zhang Jiazhen, and Zhang Shuo were extremely capable and talented. These people could make the Tang Dynasty prosperous, the warehouses full, and the private virtues If there are deficiencies, it is inevitable that the officials will be corrupt; at this time, it is time to use gentlemen to correct the atmosphere. After Yao Chong and Zhang Jiazhen, there is Song Jing, after Zhang Shuo, there are Li Yuanhong and Du Xian, and after Yu Wenrong, there is Zhang Jiuling."
After listening to what he said, Xue Bai just realized that Li Longji's frequent phase changes in the past were regular.
"According to this theory, after Li Linfu retires as prime minister, he should not choose a 'capable minister', but a moral gentleman." Xue Bai said with a smile: "My father-in-law is very confident."
"I was just talking about the Kaiyuan period." Yan Zhenqing said: "Now is the Tianbao period... Li Linfu has been the prime minister for more than ten years, and the employment of saints is different from the past."
What he means is that it is impossible for a saint to use an honest gentleman to correct the trend.
Xue Bai said: "It depends on human effort."
Since Yan Zhenqing mentioned this topic, he also agreed with Xue Bai's thoughts. Nowadays, the important ministers in the dynasty have no moral gentlemen, and the Tang Dynasty has reached a time when it must get rid of impetuosity to achieve long-term stability. As "Bi Gua" said, "Bai Ben has no fault." ".
He is willing to stand up and correct the trend, but he is not willing to accept salary for nothing and corrupt the administration, so there is only one way to do it, to make meritorious deeds.
"Although it is good to be a Langguan in Chang'an, it may not be a place for your husband to make meritorious deeds." Yan Zhenqing seemed to be hesitating, walking to the window, looking into the distance, and said: "Helong has made great achievements, maybe I should go there again Go to Longyou."
Xue Bai knew that Yan Zhenqing was busy dealing with Tubo recently. This matter was secret and Yan Zhenqing did not even inform him of the details.
It is obvious that if Tubo instigates rebellion against Nanzhao, the Tang Dynasty will inevitably fight back. Even if Nanzhao was to be conquered, Helong should send troops to contain Tubo.
Yan Zhenqing had just returned to Beijing from Longyou for less than a year. Now that his wife was pregnant, he would inevitably have some worries if he wanted to go abroad again. But he knew very well that in the current situation, trapped in the intrigues in Chang'an, a moral gentleman could not win. He had to achieve a real and great achievement.
…
On the way home from Yanzhai, Xue Bai thought of a question.
What if on the night of the wedding, he knew earlier that Li Longji and Li Heng would be coming, and arranged for dead men to assassinate the father and son?
Maybe the chaos can't be stopped. An Lushan has already returned to Fanyang. Hearing that there is such a big chaos in Chang'an, he is afraid that he will lead troops to help the king. Even without An Lushan, his party members might still introduce someone to rebel, such as Shi Siming.
As the emperor, Li Longji was so stubborn. If he was not eliminated, how could he stop the rebellion?
Xue Bai had always wanted to stop the Anshi Rebellion, but after experiencing everything since the spring of Tianbao's ninth year, he suddenly felt that he couldn't stop it.
He will not flinch, but he knows that he should be prepared. If he cannot stop it, he should calm it down as quickly as possible.
After thinking about it, I returned to Xue's house.
The house next door was still moving, but outside the door of Xue's house stood a dusty man.
"I dare to ask, but Xue Lang is back?"
Xue Bai looked at the other party and said, "What's the matter?"
"Someone asked the villain to bring a sealed letter to Xue Lang." The other party showed a talisman from his sleeve.
Xue Bai then called him forward to talk.
"General Tian has returned to Chang'an and wants to see Xue Lang..."
~~
After not seeing him for a long time, Tian Shengong's temperament has changed drastically. He is calmer and more temperamental.
But the way he looked at Xue Bai was still the same.
"I originally wanted to go back to Chang'an with the general so that I could catch up with my husband's wedding banquet, but when we arrived at Guanzhong, the general said it was too late, so he rode ahead. We didn't dare to disobey the order."
When Tian Shengong said this, Tian Shenyu interrupted: "I originally wanted to tell the general that we should escort him back to Chang'an on horseback, but my brother stopped me."
Xue Bai said: "It's right not to tell. Military life is the most important."
He took out a wine bag from his sleeve and said, "Wedding wine."
"Thank you, Mr. Lang!"
The place where the three of them talked was in a secret room in Fengwei Building, because Xue Bai didn't want others to notice the relationship between him and the Tian brothers too early.
After drinking and talking about their experiences in Hedong, the Tian brothers looked at Xue Bai with emotion.
"We were at the border and heard that Lang Jun won the first prize and became a high official."
"It's just a minor official." Xue Bai really thought that he was a minor official, so he waved his hand and asked, "What is Wang Zhongsi's plan to pacify Nanzhao?"
Although Wang Zhongsi made good friends with him and rushed back to attend his wedding banquet through thick and thin, he did not talk to him much at the wedding banquet.
These things are considered confidential military information.
Tian Shengong and Tian Shenyu were actually embarrassed after hearing the question, but after hesitating for a moment, they still revealed it to Xue Bai.
"Jie Shuai is willing to go south."
"We really don't know the rest, but Marshal Jie believes that attacking Nanzhao should be like Gao Xianzhi destroying Xiaobolu Kingdom. It's not about having many soldiers, but about being unexpected."
"Will you go south with him?"
"yes."
The Tian brothers were a little excited.
Hedong had no more opportunities to make meritorious deeds than Longyou. They had long looked forward to going to Nanzhao to make meritorious deeds, but they never worried about the acclimatization or the miasma in the south.
~~
On the same day, Li Longji summoned Wang Zhongsi.
They are adopted father and son, but they haven't had a good talk for many years.
As soon as Wang Zhongsi entered the palace, he prostrated himself on the ground and expressed his attitude, saying: "Geluofeng betrayed your majesty and served Tubo, which insulted the power of the Tang Dynasty. I am willing to capture him and return him to Chang'an for your majesty, and offer victory outside the palace gate to appease your majesty's anger." !”
"Get up."
Li Longji was not surprised by this answer and asked: "Who do you think is the best candidate to be the governor of Hedong?"
Wang Zhongsi was silent for a moment and responded: "It only takes half a year for me to pacify Nanzhao."
The originally harmonious atmosphere condensed for a moment. Li Longji was very unhappy with this answer, but he did not force Wang Zhongsi to recommend a candidate.
After all, it's not Wang Zhongsi's turn to decide on this candidate.
"How do you plan to pacify Nanzhao in half a year?"
Wang Zhongsi raised his head and looked at the people in the hall boldly. When he saw that the people serving the saint were all old internal officials, he spoke.
"Back to Your Majesty, I am brave...I am ill. Please rest in Chang'an first..."
(End of chapter)
