Choosing a sunny day, Zheng Wuji and Xu Chunjun came to visit the Huaiyang Prince's Mansion.
Zheng Wuji was drinking tea and talking with Yao Zheng, the concubine of King Huaiyang, in the front hall.
Xu Chunjun and the female family members of the Huaiyang Prince were in the back house. The princess was old. When Xu Chunjun saw her, he just said a few words and then left.
Concubine Jiang liked Xu Chunjun very much, so she invited her to her room to drink tea and talk.
In addition, the youngest daughter of King Huaiyang, Yao Ruowei, recently returned to her parents' home, and she and Xu Chunjun hit it off immediately.
"Chunjun, your cook is indeed brought from the capital, and the pastries he makes taste unique." Concubine Jiang Fang likes the pastries made by Xu Chunjun's cook, so Chunjun will bring a few every time he comes.
Such exquisite snacks.
"You're really flattering me. Is there any chef I need in the palace?" Xu Chunjun said humbly, "But this is more or less my wish."
"Chun Jun, you are a little too busy on weekdays. I can't let you stay with me for much longer." Yao Ruowei was so pampered that she had no idea, "Whenever you can find time to live here for a while.
That’s how good it is!”
Yao Ruowei was named the county head, and her husband went to Jiangnan for inspection for almost half a year, so she returned to her parents' home.
She and her older sisters at home are far apart in age and cannot talk to each other.
But when I met Xu Chunjun, I felt that she was approachable in every way, so I always wanted Xu Chunjun to accompany her.
"The county master shows his love, and Chunjun dare not disobey his orders." Xu Chunjun said with a smile, "But I'm afraid that he will come too often and be annoying."
Yao Ruowei hurriedly said: "That's nothing. People say that guests come frequently, but you don't come very often. It must be because of me."
"Since the county master doesn't mind, I will come here often in the future." Xu Chunjun originally wanted to get closer to the people in the Huaiyang Palace, but he was afraid of arousing suspicion.
Yao Ruowei's proposal was exactly what she wanted.
In the front hall, Zheng Wuji was also chatting and laughing with Yao Zheng.
Yao Zheng said: "Brother Zheng, you are now setting up volunteer schools in various counties, which is really a good thing to win the hearts of the people.
Even if you report it to the court, you will definitely get a reward."
Zheng Wuji shook his head repeatedly and said: "This matter can be hidden from others, how can I hide it from you, Lord Marquis? Chenzhou has a prince sitting in charge, and it is both peaceful and prosperous. I can't do much, but I can't do nothing.
So I had no choice but to use this excuse to gain reputation, just to make my face look better when reporting on my work."
"Even so, it is indeed beneficial to the people." Yao Zhengdao, "To be honest, there are wealthy businessmen in Chenzhou, but there are not many people who have taken the imperial examination.
Now that you are here and have done this, it will be complete. We will have light in our faces!"
Zheng Wuji hurriedly said a few more words of humility, and then said: "To be honest with you, Lord Marquis, I have always been a little uneasy in my heart.
It’s not for anything else, but since I came here, both the prince and you have taken great care of me.
I'm thinking about repaying you, but I don't know how to do it. It's really worrying!"
"Brother Zheng, you are too polite. We are all the emperor's ministers, and it is enough for you to be loyal to His Majesty.
But don't even think about doing anything for us, it's not in line with the rules, it's against the rules, you can't do it, you can't do it."
When Zheng Wuji heard what he said, he complimented him a few more times.
This guy has a knack for flattering people, and he doesn't just mean flattery.
He knew that Yao Zheng was not without ambition, but because he was the youngest son and a commoner, he could only stay with his father to fulfill his filial piety.
Although some words cannot be said clearly, they can also be expressed tactfully.
Although Yao Zheng was still wary of Zheng Wuji in his heart, he found it useful to listen to his words, so on the surface he got along extremely well with Zheng Wuji.
Zheng Wuji and his wife did not stay for dinner, even though the people from the Huaiyang Palace tried their best to persuade them to stay.
Sitting on the carriage, Zheng Wuji said to Xu Chunjun: "It's almost time for the autumn harvest. It's time to get ready to take action on what we discussed before."
"Fortunately, we can now maintain a semblance of peace with the Huaiyang Prince's Palace." Xu Chunjun knew in his heart that it was impossible for them to truly become friends with the people from the Huaiyang Prince's Palace. "They should not be hindered."
"Yes, we have only two purposes here. One is to do some practical things for the local people, and the other is to find fault with King Huaiyang." Zheng Wuji said, "It's just the beginning now, I hope
It will be smoother in the future.”
"That Yao Ruowei is very innocent, she is willing to get close to me, this is an opportunity.
I'm afraid that other people in the Yao family will be more wary of me because of this. There are many people in the Huaiyang Prince's Palace who are very scheming." After all, Xu Chunjun is just a woman in the inner house. Unlike Zheng Wuji, who can show up in public and be able to communicate with the Prince of Huaiyang.
He also had a head-to-head confrontation with people in Chenzhou's officialdom.
"Madam has already helped me a lot." Zheng Wuji sighed, "With you here, I have less worries!"
Xu Chunjun is a down-to-earth helper, and she has a big heart and a long-sightedness that ordinary women don't have.
Zheng Wuji often thought, if he were not a woman, what kind of pillar of the country would Xu Chunjun be?
"Mr. Wu hasn't been back for a few days," Xu Chunjun said. "After the free school is established, the children from poor families can really have a way out.
Chenzhou looks peaceful on the surface, but in fact it is the most difficult for the people to stand up.
Regardless of officialdom, land or business, they have long been firmly controlled by these people."
"The King of Huaiyang did not go to the capital to avoid suspicion, but it will be a disaster for the people of Chenzhou." Zheng Wuji also shook his head and sighed.
Back at the government office, Zi Ling happily brought a plate of snacks over and said to Xu Chunjun with a smile: "Girl, this is Aunt Huang's new horseshoe cake. It's fragrant and soft. Please try some of it."
Xu Chunjun was so close that he only smelled the smell of oil on the pastries, and felt nauseated in his heart.
He hurriedly covered his mouth with a handkerchief, but still retched.
"Girl, what's going on?" Zi Ling asked in fright.
"What kind of oil was put in this cake?" Xu Chunjun leaned back and said, "It smells weird to me."
"It just added some lard, and it was freshly cooked, so why does it have a strange smell?" Zi Ling felt very strange. Xu Chunjun usually put lard in the snacks he ate, but it had never been like this before.
Zheng Wuji took a piece and tasted it and said: "My food is very good, there is no strange smell. Are you feeling uncomfortable somewhere?"
Before Xu Chunjun could speak, Zi Ling's eyes suddenly lit up.
"Girl, could it be that you are in luck?" Zi Ling whispered, "Please ask a doctor to come and take a look."
After Zheng Wuji heard this, he was stunned for a moment, and then quickly called for a doctor.
Xu Chunjun was indeed pregnant, but she didn't take it to heart because she was a little acclimated to the local conditions in Chenzhou and her monthly information was uncertain.
But Zheng Wuji was so happy that he wanted to help Xu Chunjun but didn't dare to use any force.
Said: "You must be careful. From today on, don't work even a little bit, let alone worry a little bit."
Raise your baby with peace of mind, I will be there for you in everything!"
