When the emperor was unhappy, he would address Duke Zhu Shan by name.
Lu Yunqi responded, without a word, directly pulling out a letter.
Able to not only spy on its contents but also replicate the letter, the emperor seemed satisfied.
"It seems that you've already taken down Zhu Shan's messenger," he said.
"His wife has just become pregnant. Those about to become fathers always want to think more about their children," Lu Yunqi replied.
His voice was dull and mellow, sounding very sincere.
Yet, combined with his facial expression and further pondering on his words, it sent chills down one's spine.
The emperor did not find it chilling, but rather his smile grew wider as he scanned the letter quickly, then scoffed and slapped it onto the table.
"If he enjoys meddling in northern lands' affairs so much, why doesn't he apply to return?" he said, "Is he just waiting for me to invite him? Let everyone see his hard work, and see how I can't do without him?"
Lu Yunqi remained silent.
The emperor didn't need him to answer such questions.
The emperor grumbled a few complaints and then stopped.
"Uncle Qinghe won't disappoint me, will he?" he asked.
Lu Yunqi bowed.
"Your Majesty will see soon enough," Lu Yunqi said.
The emperor raised an eyebrow at him.
"Keeping secrets from me?" he said, not angry but smiling, "Alright, I'll just wait and see."
Lu Yunqi bowed and saluted, silent and calm, yet standing there, he was not to be ignored but exceptionally reassuring.
"You sure do things reassuringly." The emperor couldn't help but praise, "You don't speak much, but no matter what I think of or don't think of, you handle everything well."
"One must be useful," Lu Yunqi said, "Otherwise, by what right can you ask for the emperor's favor?"
The emperor laughed heartily.
"That's right," he said with a bit of emotion, "You, not having read many books, can think this way, yet many of those educated officials do not understand. Each one is thinking about what the emperor owes them, showing an unyielding stance, not realizing that their status today is all given by me."
He looked at Lu Yunqi and nodded with relief.
"Fortunately, among all the civil and military officials, there's you; I can sleep soundly."
Lu Yunqi bowed and saluted.
"Lord Huang has sent me a jar of golden sand again," he said.
"The old dog sure is rich," the emperor cursed, "Ask for more; no harm in asking."
Lu Yunqi responded.
"Watching that old dog biting Zhu Shan is quite entertaining," the emperor laughed with some amusement, "I always said, one thing conquers another, see, leaving a bloodline of the Wan Dachun family was useful. If it's not for himself, who would risk their life? I've figured these officials out, they only do their utmost when it concerns themselves."
"Your Majesty is wise," Lu Yunqi said.
Watching Lu Yunqi retreat, the emperor raised his eyebrows once more.
"You're the same," he muttered to himself, "If not for that family of yours, why would you be so devoted? Everyone takes what they need."
Looking at the thick memorials on the desk, he suddenly felt irritable, but then thought that the desk, besides reviewing memorials, could serve other purposes, and couldn't help getting excited.
"Attend, attend," he called out.
A eunuch hurried in to respond.
"Summon Beauty Liang," the emperor said.
The eunuch did not take the order, looking somewhat uneasy.
"Your Majesty, Beauty Liang has been summoned by the Empress Dowager," he said cautiously, "She said she wanted to listen to the guqin and will stay in the Empress Dowager's palace for the next few days."
The emperor was furious.
What listening to the guqin, clearly knowing about my affair with Beauty Liang in Qingzheng Hall last time, and deliberately punishing me.
The old hag, really thinking she's the heavens.
The emperor held onto the table, his face changing color alternately for a moment.
"I know," he said, not angry, with a slight hint of shame.
The eunuch breathed a sigh of relief, knowing the emperor had a gentle temperament.
...
.....
As the sunlight grew brighter, Zhu Zan saw the girl walking out of the room with a smile on her face.
It seemed she was in a good mood today.
"I've arranged breakfast," Zhu Zan said, waving as if he'd just seen her, and pointed outwards.
Miss Jun responded with an oh.
"Bring some dried food to eat on the road," she said, "The journey is important."
"It's not urgent," Zhu Zan said, "Let's rest for another two days."
Miss Jun looked at him, puzzled.
"Why?" she asked.
Zhu Zan blinked at her.
"For no reason," he said, "It's better to rest."
Does he want to rest? Is he tired? Is he feeling unwell? Miss Jun looked at him; he seemed relatively fine. However, after accompanying her back and forth for so long, it's understandable if he's tired.
No one forced him to come, he insisted on coming, so who's to blame?
Miss Jun thought, feeling a little uneasy.
It was clear she finally understood why he insisted on coming, aside from reasons like my mother's urging and my family's debt to you.
It was simply wanting to call this name, wanting to follow this person.
Although she didn't know why and it seemed inexplicable, liking is inherently kind, and kindness should be treated gently.
"Alright then," Miss Jun said softly, "I also want to rest for a bit."
Zhu Zan's smile widened.
See, indeed, it's more considerate to arrange it this way, and it was the first time he saw her show such an expression.
In the early morning, the hall wasn't as crowded as it was last night.
"You sit first," Zhu Zan said, "I'll go check on the food."
With that, he left before Miss Jun could respond.
The woman delivering the dishes had already come from the kitchen; seeing Zhu Zan, she beamed with joy.
"Noble Son Zhu," she said warmly.
Zhu Zan looked at the food box she was carrying.
"Did you prepare as I asked?" he asked.
"Rest assured, Noble Son," said the woman, "I've been cooking all my life, served all kinds of people."
Zhu Zan nodded, and they walked into the hall together.
With bowls and dishes arranged from the food box onto the table, accompanied by the woman's jokes and laughter.
"Young lady, feel free to eat," she said, "I made all these myself, absolutely clean."
Seeing the woman walk in with Zhu Zan, Miss Jun knew immediately that the food was specially arranged by him. There's nothing wrong with that, but as she looked at the dishes laid out, she increasingly felt something was off.
"These are for me?" she asked, looking at the woman.
The woman nodded, smiling warmly and teasingly.
"The young lady is truly blessed," she laughed, "These are all good things."
Miss Jun nodded.
"I know these are good things," she said calmly, "However, I don't need to prevent miscarriage."
Zhu Zan, who was fidgeting with chopsticks with his head down, was startled, his face suddenly flushed.
Preventing miscarriage?
He knew this woman was a divine doctor; she's undoubtedly more aware of the medicinal benefits than anyone.
"Hey, what did you prepare?" he glared at the woman and said urgently, "Didn't I ask you to prepare that? How come you.."
The woman was also confused.
"Didn't Noble Son say the young lady wasn't well, not fit for travel or anything?" she said, rubbing her hands on her apron, "So unless she's pregnant.."
"I meant she got her period, so wasn't well and needed nourishment," Zhu Zan slammed the table and said.
The woman was momentarily stunned by the shout, and only then did she understand.
"Ah, I see," she responded awkwardly, unwilling to return the silver she'd received, she quickly smile at Miss Jun, "Young lady, don't worry, having children can't be rushed. These medicinal meals are also good for nourishing the body..."
Zhu Zan spat, grabbed the woman, and hurried her out; turning back, he saw Miss Jun standing before him, he was so startled he took a few steps back.
Miss Jun was not angry; she looked at him calmly.
"Zhu Zan," she said, "Are you stupid?"
......
......
(Second part around ten o'clock)