Chapter 439: Blue Outshines the Indigo【Gratitude! Bow again! Owe 20,000 characters】

Inside the Great Hall,

The Emperor and Empress exchanged a glance: "Fang'er, you are quite hard-hearted!"

Zhao Fang pursed his lips and continued to bow with cupped hands: "Father, the ancients say that without rules, one cannot form a circle, and also that kindness and severity should be applied together."

The Emperor nodded: "Good, I know! However, Fang'er! Today is the Lantern Festival!"

"Yes! This son understands! Father, is there any precious ginseng left in the palace? Physician Yu is of supreme medical skill, and this son would like to..."

The Emperor waved his hand: "Fang'er, you need not trouble yourself! That boy from the Xu family already sent the items over yesterday evening!"

"Jing Ge'er?"

The Empress smiled and nodded at Zhao Fang, confirming his guess.

"Father, Mother, where would Jing Ge'er get such good things?"

After Zhao Fang asked, his eyes lit up, and he lightly tapped his own forehead: "How could this son have forgotten! It is the Pan family that currently handles trade with the Jin Kingdom in Dengzhou! If they obtained any good things, they would certainly send them to the Xu family!"

Seeing his son had figured it out himself, the Emperor spoke no more, holding the teacup offered by a female official and sipping contentedly.

"Father, Mother, Imperial Brother..."

A milky, childish voice came.

Zhao Fang hurriedly looked to the side, just in time to see Princess Yue'er being carried out in the arms of a female official, rubbing her eyes from time to time.

The expressions of the Emperor and Zhao Fang softened in extreme similarity. Before the Emperor could stand up, Zhao Fang had already run to the female official and taken Princess Yue'er into his arms: "Little Sister, did you just wake up?"

Princess Yue'er nodded: "Imperial Brother, Father and Mother said we are going to watch the lanterns on the Xuande Gate tower tonight, and told me to take a nap so I wouldn't be sleepy later!"

"Little Sister is so well-behaved!"

As he spoke, Zhao Fang stroked Princess Yue'er's hair.

After stroking it, he felt the space beside him darken. The Emperor stood beside Zhao Fang and reached out: "Fang'er, it is my turn to hold her."

Just as the Emperor took Princess Yue'er, a female official arrived at the hall entrance and bowed: "Your Majesty, Your Highness, Consort Rong and the little princess have arrived."

The Empress smiled: "Invite them in quickly!"

Zhao Fang's own little sister, in the Emperor's arms, twisted her body, looked at the Emperor and said: "Father, this daughter wants to get down!"

"Why?" the Emperor asked with a smile in a soft voice.

"If Father holds me, he cannot hold Princess Yu'er," the princess said in a cute voice.

"Hahaha!"

The Emperor laughed, stroked his beard with one hand, and said: "Yue'er, you underestimate me too much!"

During this conversation,

Consort Rong, dressed in noble attire, had already walked over carrying Princess Yu'er.

After the exchange of bows and greetings, the little princess in Consort Rong's arms looked at her older sister in the Emperor's arms with some envy.

Under her long eyelashes, the little princess's eyes were lively; they were very similar to Consort Rong and Rong Feiyan, yet she did not cry or fuss.

Zhao Fang walked up to Consort Rong: "Consort Rong, I would like to hold Little Sister Yu'er."

Consort Rong smiled slightly and handed her daughter over.

Then, to Consort Rong's surprise, Zhao Fang held her for a moment before stuffing Princess Yu'er into the Emperor's arms: "Father, it is just right for you to hold one in each arm!"

Seeing this scene, the Empress smiled and exchanged a look with Consort Rong.

After the Emperor persisted for a quarter of an hour, he gave a look to the Grand Eunuch at his side.

The Grand Eunuch understood and hurriedly said: "Your Majesty, you still have some memorials left to approve, look..."

The Emperor nodded solemnly: "State affairs are paramount. Fang'er, come here!"

After walking out of the Empress's hall, the Emperor lightly shook his sore arms and said with a hateful tone: "That brat!"

The Emperor put on a show of walking to the hall where memorials were processed,

He walked with his hands behind his back to the wall at the side to admire the newly made, enlarged-by-one-quarter, massive map of the Great Zhou.

"Tsk!"

Looking at the map, the Emperor let out a tsk of great satisfaction!

Then he shook his head with great self-satisfaction, clearly very proud of his act of expanding the territory.

At this moment,

A eunuch at the side said softly: "Your Majesty! Official Zhao has arrived."

The Emperor continued to admire the map without turning his head, saying: "Mm! Let him in."

Soon, Zhao Zilong walked into the hall, bowing.

"Zilong, what is the matter?"

The Emperor asked, looking at the territories of Northern Liao and the Jin Kingdom with his hands behind his back.

"Your Majesty, Taifeng says he has matters tonight and will go to watch the lanterns at the gate tower beside Xuande Tower later."

The Emperor turned his head: "What matter is so important?"

"Replying to Your Majesty, Taifeng says he is going to check on the former officials of Bai Gao once more, to prevent any unusual movements."

The Emperor nodded: "I heard that Meifeng intends to yield the future position of Chief of the Imperial City Division to Taifeng?"

"Replying to Your Majesty, that is indeed the case! But Taifeng has no such intention."

After Zhao Zilong finished replying, he glanced at the Emperor.

The Emperor let out a long breath: "Brotherly friendship is a good thing, but do not let it delay official business, otherwise I will surely have to punish them!"

"This subject understands."

"How are things with the Shen family?"

"Replying to Your Majesty, Physician Yu's grandson, Yu Huguang, previously went to the Marquis Yongyi's residence to express thanks and has now been invited to the Shen family to take a pulse."

"Mm! I know this Yu boy is a master at treating external wounds in the Northwest. But regarding illnesses of the internal organs, he is not old; how is his medical skill?"

"According to the old physician, he is a blue that outshines the indigo."

The Emperor nodded: "Good!"

Shen family,

The air in the entire backyard was filled with the faint scent of decocting medicine.

Yu Huguang had already gone into the bedroom to take a pulse and examine the patient,

and the main hall was warm and... quiet.

Shen Daxianggong had no concubines in his household, and like the Xu family, he had three sons and two daughters.

However, the eldest and second sons were serving as officials outside and could not return to the capital, and the eldest daughter was already married, leaving only the youngest daughter raised by his side.

On the Luo Han chair at the head of the hall,

Shen Daxianggong, a giant of the southern officialdom of the Great Zhou who was very slick in the imperial court, now had bags under his eyes.

Madam Shen, whom Xiong Yan, the future brother-in-law of Zaiduan, had previously met in Tanzhou, now had a few strands of white hair at her temples.

Xu Zaijing, sitting in the hall, twitched his nose,

and could vaguely smell the medicinal scent on this Madam Shen; clearly, she had been personally caring for Shen Herui, who was lying ill in bed.

The quiet atmosphere was somewhat awkward.

Shen Daxianggong looked at Madam Shen with a pained heart, raised his teacup, and signaled: "Wulang, drink tea!"

Xu Zaijing picked up the teacup, nodded at Madam Shen, who was looking at him with a worried expression, and took a light sip.

"I heard that Wulang went to the Northwest last year; is Yu Yu Xiaodaren Yu also in the Northwest?"

After Xu Zaijing put down the teacup, his eyes were full of appreciation for the tea soup. He looked at Shen Daxianggong and said: "Yes! This boy went to the Northwest last August and arrived at the main camp in September."

He glanced again at the worried Madam Shen and continued: "At that time, as soon as I entered the military camp, I went to find my familiar Big Brother Yu! As a result, just as I entered his tent, I saw a tall and fierce man weeping!"

Shen Daxianggong nodded somewhat powerlessly and said solemnly: "It must be that his comrades had died in battle, and he was filled with grief?"

Hearing the words "died in battle," Madam Shen associated it with something, and her mood seemed even worse.

Behind the screen in the main hall,

Shen Hezhen, who had just rushed back from outside and heard Xu Zaijing's words, had eyes full of resentment. One look and it was clear she felt Xu Zaijing was too tactless to say such things at this time—bringing up the very thing one shouldn't!

Just as she was about to turn and leave, she heard Xu Zaijing's voice continuing to speak in the main hall.

Xu Zaijing looked at Shen Daxianggong and shook his head: "My lord, that is not the case; rather, this man was scared to tears by the miserable screams of the wounded soldiers being treated by Big Brother Yu in the tent!"

Madam Shen frowned at Xu Zaijing: "This, how could he be scared to tears by screams? Is Yu Yu Xiaodaren Yu's medical skill..."

"Because he was the next one to go in for treatment!"

"Ah?"

Before Madam Shen could speak, Shen Daxianggong nodded: "To be so afraid and still go to Yu Yu Xiaodaren Yu, this Yu Yu Xiaodaren Yu's medical skill must be superb!"

Xu Zaijing nodded: "Previously, the personal guards and scouts beside my father fought with Bai Gao scouts, and he was struck by two arrows in vital spots!"

As he spoke, Xu Zaijing pointed to his own body.

Seeing Xu Zaijing's action, the hand holding the handkerchief of Madam Shen trembled: "These... these are all vital spots!"

"Madam is right, and now I hear that this personal guard..."

After building some suspense, Xu Zaijing said with the corners of his mouth slightly raised: "He can already walk on the ground!"

Hearing this, Madam Shen's eyes lit up; not knowing what she thought of, they immediately dimmed again.

Shen Daxianggong at the side looked much more relaxed. Previously, when he was in the south, he had also seen military physicians treating wounds for people during the suppression of bandits and rebellions.

He looked at Xu Zaijing and said: "Physician Yu is very powerful at treating illnesses of the internal organs, and Yu Yu Xiaodaren Yu must have inherited the family learning, plus his experience in treating knife and arrow wounds in the Western Army..."

Xu Zaijing affirmed: "His medical skill has already reached a higher level."

"Good, good! It must be so!"

Madam Shen nodded repeatedly, and her whole person became lively.

"Official Yu is back."

Before the words of the Shen family's little maid had faded,

Yu Huguang, still with a somewhat weary expression on his face, had already lifted the curtain and walked in.

Looking at Yu Huguang's somewhat solemn expression, Shen Daxianggong stood up from the Luo Han chair and said: "Yu Yu Xiaodaren Yu, my Rui Ge'er..."

Yu Huguang sighed, a sigh that made Madam Shen, who had also stood up, tremble.

"Shen family boy... he won't be able to see the lanterns tonight, but when the Jinming Pool opens, he will be able to watch the competition with us."

As he spoke, Yu Huguang smiled at Xu Zaijing.

Xu Zaijing shook his head helplessly; what time was it to still be speaking like that!

"Re-really?"

Madam Shen took a step forward and asked urgently.

Yu Huguang nodded affirmatively: "I have already applied the needles just now; he should be able to wake up tonight or tomorrow, but he won't be able to get out of bed until after the first lunar month... Hey, hey, hey! Madam, you mustn't!!!"

As he spoke, Yu Huguang walked forward a few quick steps, wanting to support Madam Shen who was already kneeling toward the ground.

Xu Zaijing also stepped forward and reached out, supporting Madam Shen's arm with one hand.

But Xu Zaijing only supported one side, and on the other side, Madam Shen was already kneeling on one knee.

"Madam, you mustn't!"

Yu Huguang supported the other side of Madam Shen and helped her up from the ground.

Behind the screen,

the maid beside her held back Shen Hezhen, who wanted to go out,

and the maid shook her head urgently at Shen Hezhen, who had turned to look: "Da Niangzi, Madam has not sent word, you cannot go out!"

Shen Hezhen looked at the scene in the main hall where her mother was being helped up, and relaxed the strength in her hands.

In the hall,

Yu Huguang looked at Madam Shen's face, which was full of gratitude, helped her back to the Luo Han chair, and after sitting down himself, said: "The Shen family boy has been bedridden for many days; in the future, it would be better to let the maids and nannies serve the decoctions!"

"They are not as attentive..."

Yu Huguang shook his head at Madam Shen and said: "If the Shen family boy sees your expression like this, he will be worried, and it will surely aggravate his illness!"

Upon hearing this, Madam Shen hurriedly nodded: "Good, good, I won't go then."

Shen Daxianggong at the side nodded at Yu Huguang with full gratitude.

"The prescription has already been written; I will come to the residence to check on him again tomorrow."

After Yu Huguang finished speaking, he looked at Xu Zaijing.

Xu Zaijing then stood up with Yu Huguang.

"Why not have a meal at our house!" Madam Shen said aloud.

"Uh..."

Yu Huguang glanced outside the hall.

"Today is the Lantern Festival, and we haven't even seen the lanterns; how could we eat at your house?"

After Shen Daxianggong finished speaking, he walked to the two of them: "Come, let us go out together."

After leaving the main hall,

the sun had already tilted to the west,

and the roof of the not-so-tall residence could block the sun in the west.

On the way out,

Xu Zaijing chatted with Shen Daxianggong about the training of troops in the south: with the help of his future father-in-law, Shen Daxianggong, Xiong Yan was still doing well in the south.

Upon arriving at the second gate,

Yu Huguang: "Grand Minister, please stay!"

Grand Minister Shen shook his head with a smile, reached out, and gestured, saying: "Let us walk a bit further!"

After sending them all the way to the main gate,

Yu Huguang and Xu Zaijing mounted their horses and bowed: "Daxianggong, please return to the residence!"

As they spoke, the two nodded and walked forward.

After walking a few dozen steps,

when Xu Zaijing looked back again, he saw Shen Daxianggong standing at the gate, bowing deeply to the two of them.

Yu Huguang was also reminded by Xu Zaijing to look back; he wanted to return the bow, but the distance was too far, so he could only watch as Shen Daxianggong returned to the residence.

"This Shen Daxianggong..."

"Let's go, Jing Ge'er, let's go eat something and drink some good wine! I've been back in the capital for so long and haven't had a single cup of wine yet!"

Xu Zaijing looked at Yu Huguang: "Big Brother Yu, don't you need to go back and look after the old man?"

"As long as Grandfather wakes up, there won't be anything else later! Let's go!"

As they spoke, the two rode their horses with their attendants and rushed toward the Xuande Gate.

In the Shen family courtyard,

Shen Hezhen walked into the main hall and looked at Madam Shen, who had a joyful expression on the Luo Han chair: "Mother, daughter has returned."

Madam Shen beckoned to her daughter. After Shen Hezhen walked close, Madam Shen said: "How was the elegant gathering of the Chai family's young lady?"

Shen Hezhen shook her head: "Mother, Brother is seriously ill; if you hadn't forced me, how could I have gone to any elegant gathering?"

Madam Shen looked at her daughter with gratification: "Did you see the Zheng family's young lady?"

"Mother, you, how did you know she went?"

A smile appeared on Madam Shen's face: "The Chai family young lady sent invitations, and the names of the noble ladies in the capital attending the elegant gathering were written on them."

"What did the Zheng family young lady say to you?"

"Her sister Zheng Ni was concerned about Brother's illness; daughter could see that sister Zheng Ni was worried about Brother."

Grand Madam Shen nodded with a smile: "That would be excellent; it would not be a waste of our family's good intentions! Once your brother's health is restored, the marriage shall proceed."

Shen Hezhen nodded forcefully.

After the hall was quiet for a while, Shen Hezhen said: "Mother, at the elegant gathering... daughter felt that the style of my clothes couldn't keep up with theirs."

Madam Shen smiled and stroked Shen Hezhen's hair.

Near the main street of Pan Tower,

Xu Zaijing saw Liang Han's servant, Diaoche, poking his head and looking in the direction he was coming from on the side of the street.

Seeing Xu Zaijing and Qingyun, Diaoche waved happily. After a while, he walked over, bowed, and said: "Wulang, my young master said that thanks to the Chai family's eldest son tonight, we have an excellent place to watch the lanterns!"

"It's just south of Xuande Gate; the little one and the young master have been to see it, the four-story wooden tower has a great view!"

"Let's go!"

As they spoke, the group rushed toward the "excellent place."

South of Xuande Gate,

third floor of the wooden tower,

Xu Zaijing and Yu Huguang walked up together.

Looking at the view that could see most of the area in front of Xuande Tower, Yu Huguang sighed to Xu Zaijing: "Jing Ge'er, I've been in Bianjing for many years, and this is my first time here! Whoa, this third floor is so good, what about the fourth floor?"

Gu Tingye and Zheng Xiao both walked over with their hands behind their backs, looking the part, and heard Yu Huguang's exclamation.

Gu Tingye glanced at the top of the tower and said with some envy: "My little sister is upstairs."

Zheng Xiao sighed: "Sigh! My eldest niece is there too."

Watching Zheng Xiao's expression, Xu Zaijing, who knew the relationship between the Zheng and Shen families, patted him on the shoulder with a smile and said: "Brother Xiao, is there some good news you wish to hear?"

Zheng Xiao nodded listlessly.

A moment later,

Xu Zaijing finished telling the situation of Shen Herui.

Zheng Xiao's eyes widened, he grabbed Xu Zaijing's arm and said: "Jing Ge'er, don't lie to me!"

"The physician is here, ask him yourself."

Less than half a quarter of an hour later,

on the fourth floor,

a maid walked quickly with a smile to the side of Zheng Ni, whose eyes were red.

The sun had already set,

there was still a touch of bright blue in the sky,

and the lanterns in Bianjing City had all been lit.

Jiying Lane,

in the lane, there were passersby and commoners dressed in various ways, carrying lanterns, passing through from time to time.

A line of carriages stopped at the main gate of the Sheng family.

Sheng Hong, with extreme filial piety, supported the Old Madam as they walked to the carriage: "Mother, take it slow!"

The Old Madam nodded, stepped on the carriage stool, and got into the carriage: "Ming'er, come over!"

Minglan nodded and drilled into the carriage.

Beside the carriage,

Fang Mama held little Xiaotao's hand and said toward the carriage: "Old Madam, then we will go to the carriage behind."

"Mm, look after Xiaotao!"

"Yes!"

As she spoke, Fang Mama smiled and helped warm Xiaotao's hands: "Let's go, let's get in the carriage too."

Xiaotao nodded happily and whispered: "Fang Mama, I want to eat..."

"Good, good, we'll buy everything!"

Not far from the Sheng family's carriage team,

a person dressed as a wealthy commoner happened to pass by at this time.

Seeing Xiaotao, who was being led, looking at him with curious eyes, the wealthy commoner hurriedly turned his head to the side.

"Xiaotao, what's wrong?" Fang Mama asked with concern.

Xiaotao shook her head.

The Sheng family's carriage team began to set off,

and the wealthy commoner who had just passed by also left the Sheng family's main gate and got into a carriage on the side of the road.

In the carriage, Zhao Taifeng, dressed as a wealthy commoner, smiled and removed his disguise: "Let's go, to Xuande Gate."

(End of chapter) ===== CHAPTER 440 =====