Zhurou

Chapter 250 Insidious

Zhao Mingzhi looked carefully and found that the designs on the drawings were different. Some used the house as a garden, demolished many houses, and transplanted plants, flowers and trees, leaving only a small courtyard, which was obviously used for enjoying the courtyard; some planned to use the house for permanent residence, with little change to the layout, and only different furniture and other arrangements were drawn; some had only a blank page, with only the current appearance copied for people to add to and modify.

Although there was no extra explanation, when Zhao Mingzhi saw the blueprint and thought about what his brother had just said, that Pei Yong got the house but did not move in, and was still living in the official inn, how could he not know the reason.

He left an empty house and sent her many blueprints, clearly asking her to make the decision and arrange it according to her own preferences.

Just now he had said that there would be a "future between you and me", and now he put this "future" in front of her, and every word and sentence was true to her.

Such sincerity, and such gentleness, gently wrapping people's hearts layer by layer. How can Zhao Mingzhi resist?

She stood there quietly for a long time, her mind was empty, as if she was thinking of nothing, yet as if she was thinking of a lot, before she slowly flipped through the drawings in her hand. She turned around and saw her brother looking relaxed. After a little hesitation, she made way for him and asked him to come closer to have a look. She then said, "You gave that house to Brother Pei, it's right on the Imperial Street, very close to you and me. Ask him to have someone plant a few peach trees and a few racks of grapes so that we can eat them next year. How about planting them here?"

He pointed to a place on the paper.

Zhao Hong suddenly became interested.

He had been back in Beijing for a while, and although he was not very familiar with the Imperial Palace, he could already see that it was in tatters.

The house was more than a hundred years old and had not been regularly maintained in the past. It was also captured and burned twice by the Di people, making it completely uninhabitable.

Because he came back in a hurry, he only repaired the Funing Palace to prevent it from leaking. As for the rest of the place, he really couldn't take care of it for the time being.

  Logically speaking, the emperor is worth millions of gold, and now that he has returned to the palace, everything should naturally be given top priority. However, the internal and external treasuries are all empty. Zhao Hong listens to the three officials crying poor every day, and he just wishes he could eat less. How can he have money to do anything else?

Besides, all kinds of businesses were waiting to be developed in the city, and bricks, tiles, wood and other materials were naturally in short supply for clearing roads and repairing houses. Even the craftsmen were not enough, and he could not compete with the common people for them.

In addition, there were lectures on imperial court, where every minister would quote scriptures today and classics tomorrow, saying that the emperor should not be distracted by material things, and should not indulge in playthings, otherwise it would lead people all over the world to follow suit, and would also lead people to flatter and plunder everywhere, which would end up wasting people's money and time.

In this case, Zhao Hong could only think about digging out the pond in the imperial garden, which was already in a state of disrepair, and planting a few lotuses, let alone rebuilding the palace. He would then postpone it for a few years, waiting for himself to grow up a few years and fill up the treasury a little.

But he was young after all, and who doesn't like to tinker when they are a kid? He leaned over to look at the blueprint for a while, carefully gesturing and saying that peaches should be planted here, and they must be big peaches, as small peaches are not as thick as big peaches. He also said that grapes should be planted there, and it would be best if they were purple grapes, not green ones. The purple ones have a strong sweet and sour taste, unlike the green ones which are bland.

He counted the benefits on his fingers, saying that peaches can bloom in spring, the fruits can be eaten in summer and autumn, and grapes can provide shade. He also pointed to the middle of the drawing and shouted that he wanted to plant something for Zhao Mingzhi as well.

"Sister loves to eat dates, doesn't she? I won't work hard for him to pay for it. I'll ask Director Wang to go out and buy some good date trees..."

As he spoke, he turned around and looked at Wang Shu.

The latter immediately obeyed the order.

Zhao Mingzhi just smiled when he heard this. Seeing that Zhao Hong was standing by the table and refused to move, and seeing that it was getting late, he gave a few drawings to Wang Shu to collect, and asked his brother to take them back to Funing Palace. He only kept the one that only had the original appearance of the house.

Zhao Hong did not use all of Wang's office. He rolled up the one he was looking at and was about to tie it up when he suddenly asked, "If that second brother Pei returns to Jingzhao Prefecture, we can't use his house, right?"

Zhao Mingzhi leaned half of his body against the table for support. He was also rolling up the scroll. He lowered his head to look at the rope. After a few breaths, he raised his head and said, "It's a pity to leave the house empty here. If he returns to Jingzhao Prefecture..."

She wanted to say that if he returned to Jingzhao Prefecture, he might not mind letting you and me stay for a while, and that we could help take care of him, but before she said it, she felt that it made no sense.

Is it true that this is all my brother and I need?

  And as for Pei Yong, where does he need people to help guard him?

However, although she only said half of her words, Zhao Hong had already understood. His face, which had been very happy, suddenly looked as if it had been hit by frost. He said "Oh", said a few words to Zhao Mingzhi, urged her to go back to the palace to rest, and then walked away slowly holding the scroll.

He was a small man, wearing a plain robe. There were obviously many people holding lanterns in front of him to lead the way, and there was a line of eunuchs following behind him. Somehow, he managed to walk out without feeling lonely.

As soon as Zhao Hong left, Zhao Mingzhi sat behind the table, looking at the many cups, plates and bowls on the table in front of him, lost in thought.

She already knew what she was feeling, and she also knew what Second Brother Pei was thinking. However, she also knew that things in the world could never always go as planned, so she had to be patient for a while and exchange the present for the future.

But when I heard my younger brother's words "I don't want to wait", which were so similar to my second brother's words "Don't wait", my heart was repeatedly touched and I couldn't help but put myself in his shoes.

After thinking about it, although I feel it is selfish, there is really no other way.

——How could she abandon her brother?

But she couldn't ask her second brother to stay in the capital.

  Although he always said that there was no difference, there was a hidden meaning and a concession in it. Could she just turn a blind eye to it?

Zhao Mingzhi sat alone for a long time. For a moment he felt that he was worrying too much. He was making things difficult for his second brother by being so entangled. But at the same time he felt that it was better to be in a small dilemma now than to be stuck in the future.

However, after thinking so much, she lowered her head to look at the blueprint spread out on the table. There were only simple strokes on it. The houses were neat and the courtyard was empty. There were no extra words. Only a large gap was left in the backyard with the words "training ground" marked on the side. A small area was specially circled on the side, surrounded by rockery, and a line of small words was written in cinnabar with a fine brush.

The words say: You can learn boxing and exercise here to keep healthy, or you can build a pavilion for sitting, plant some bamboo and banana trees, and enjoy the scenery.

Afterwards, he wrote about a few more boxing exercises, but the Taizu Changquan, Five Animal Exercises, etc., were indeed all methods for self-cultivation and rest, and all had gentle movements. It was obvious who they were for.

The handwriting was powerful and decisive.

Zhao Mingzhi read the line of small words over and over again.

She had an excellent memory. There were only forty or fifty words in total. In fact, when she read it the second time, she had already remembered it clearly in her mind, without making any mistakes in any word. However, she could not help but look at the strokes and the shape of the characters, and then at the text. After a long time, she slowly leaned half of her body back against the back of the chair, unable to even suppress the corners of her mouth.

Her heart was soft and collapsed, as if the wind blew through the bamboos, the leaves rustled, or as if the drizzle hit the banana leaves, the banana leaves were naturally dark green, large and swaying with the raindrops, the water drops streaked along the stems, accumulated for a long time at the tip of the leaf where there seemed to be a curl, and then slowly fell to the ground. There was not much movement when it fell, only fine water marks, moistening the ground, soaking the clothes, but not feeling cold on the face.

  ***

On the Imperial Street, as soon as they walked out of the Xuande Gate, Wei Chengyan could no longer keep his mouth shut and kept asking questions into Pei Yong's ears.

He asked at once: "Second brother, when did you know?"

At one point he said, "With Xiao Zhao's status, will your relationship still count?"

For a while, he said, "She only has two siblings, and even an elder or relative can't help her. She might be manipulated by others all the time. You and I can't just sit there and watch, can we?"

He complained again, "I told you to settle it quickly, but you didn't believe me. You didn't know how to hurry up. I thought that marching and fighting would be the same as you expected. Now it's bad. If it doesn't work..."

Before he finished speaking, he saw his second brother looking at him. He didn't know if he was thinking too much or if this time was really different. He just felt that he was being stared at by the opposite person. His whole body was cold. He quickly reflected on himself, swallowed back the original words, turned them around in his throat, and embellished them. When he spit them out again, he turned them into excuses and said, "Xiao Zhao is the most righteous person. I don't think he will abandon you and me..."

Pei Yong ignored his many questions and just said, "You have drunk a lot of wine. There are many people here. Just walk back home to avoid bumping into pedestrians."

As he spoke, he handed the reins to his attendant and sent him back on horseback, while he and Wei Chengyan walked back together.

Since Pei Yong moved to the official inn, Wei Chengyan naturally moved there too. The place was not far from the palace and could be reached in less than half an hour if walking fast.

The two walked side by side along Panlou Street. They saw that the restaurants and shops along the way were brightly lit, there were pedestrians strolling around, peddlers pushing carts, and vendors carrying goods. It was a bustling scene.

When they reached an old woman's stall on the street, Pei Yong stopped to ask the price because she was selling various drinks. He paid and picked up two bamboo tubes, took one for himself and gave the other to Wei Chengyan.

Wei Chengyan was only a little tipsy to begin with, and walking half a street, he was no different from being sober on weekdays. At this moment, he took the drink handed to him by Pei Yong, and after taking a sip, he could tell that it was a hangover cure. Thinking back to what he had just said, he felt a little frivolous, and said ashamedly: "Second brother, I'm not drunk, I just spoke too quickly..."

Pei Yong said: "You have always been straightforward and have such a personality. It is also because you are straightforward. It is not a bad thing. However, there are many people on the road. The identities of her sister and brother are different. If someone hears it and spreads it randomly, it will not be good."

Wei Chengyan nodded his head and said in self-reflection, "I was fine when I was on my own, but once I followed my second brother, I liked to talk nonsense. I've already reminded him once before, but I didn't take it seriously."

Seeing that the official post station was in front of him, Pei Yong just nodded and said no more. After entering, he greeted the post officer who came to greet him attentively, and then went to the small courtyard where they lived with Wei Chengyan.

He led the people into the house and told Wei Chengyan to wash his face and rinse his mouth first. After they sat down, he said again: "I have something to tell you, but you drank alcohol today..."

Wei Chengyan regretted it and said hurriedly: "Second brother, I only drank a few cups. Xiao Zhao is hosting a banquet today, so I have to be happy. That's why I exempted the ban."

Pei Yong said, "You love horses, wine and meat. When have I ever asked you to look for horses? Have I ever stopped you from eating meat? But as for the word 'wine', are you lifting the ban today only?"

Wei Chengyan admitted: "Second brother, I was wrong."

Pei Yong said, "You came back to the capital early, so I had people watching you all this time and didn't give you much gold and silver. I wanted you to stop drinking, because it hurts your internal organs and your mind. You only drink occasionally, but how can you keep drinking? I didn't expect you couldn't have it yourself, so you endured it for a while, and when the others came back, you went to rub others' wine, and pretended that nothing happened in front of me - you smelled of alcohol, am I just showing off my nose to you?"

He added: "Relax and work hard in moderation. This doesn't mean you shouldn't drink at all. Just remember the word 'moderation' in your mind."

Wei Chengyan responded honestly, saying: "Don't worry, second brother, I won't say anything else, just wait and see what I will do in the future!"

He felt ashamed at this moment, and clearly had a lot of things he wanted to know, so how could he dare to ask anything else? He just said a few words of idle chat and went back to his room. After he had tidied himself and lay on the bed, just as he was about to fall asleep, he felt something was wrong. Suddenly, he sat up, secretly scolded himself for drinking and delaying important things, so he hurriedly put on his shoes and went out.

As expected, when I arrived at the main hall, although the doors and windows were closed, there was still a candle burning inside. As I hurriedly approached, a man guarding the door called out, "The Third Master is here!"

Wei Chengyan responded and called "Second Brother" from across the door. After hearing Pei Yong say "Come in" from inside, he pushed the door open and left.

In the middle there was a large square table with four benches, and at this moment there were five or six people sitting at it, all of them were familiar brothers.

Wei Chengyan nodded to everyone, found a large space and asked the people next to him to move over and sit there. He didn't dare to speak, just listened to what others were saying.

Pei Yong had finished his arrangements by this time, and after a few more words, everyone took their orders and left. Wei Chengyan was left alone, staring at them eagerly. Finally, he asked, "Second brother, although I have drunk wine, I am not drunk. If you have anything to say, just tell me."

He added, "The rest of us have errands. If Second Brother doesn't call me, I won't be able to sleep well tonight."

Pei Yong did not rush to speak. He poured him a cup of tea and placed it in front of him before asking, "If you go back to Jingzhao Prefecture alone and guard it for a year or two, will that work?"

Wei Chengyan immediately sat up straight and was quiet for a rare moment. After a quick thought, he guessed the reason.

He gritted his teeth and promised, "Don't worry, second brother, there won't be any trouble. No matter where the trouble is, I will always protect that little place, so that you and I brothers will have a way out."

He added, "Actually, it's enough to have Lao Liao and the others guarding. If you ask me to stay in the capital with my second brother, I can still help - but I'm just talking nonsense, and I'll still listen to my second brother's instructions."

Pei Yong did not comment, and said, "Don't worry, there is another matter. There is a scholar living near Wazi in the north of the state. His surname is Fu, and his name is Fu Jiao. I have sent him money to write a poem. You can take time out in the next few days to get the poem for me. If he invites you to dinner, you can stay and eat. If he asks about the affairs of Jingzhao Prefecture, you can tell him the truth. As for other matters, you can make your own decisions."

Wei Chengyan agreed immediately, but then asked curiously, "Why did Second Brother ask him to write a poem? Is it to test him and see if he will be useful in the future?"

Pei Yong did not hide the truth from him and said frankly, "He has a classmate who is a guest of the Deputy Privy Councilor Zhang Yi. I want to use him to do some sinister things."

Thank you for the amulet that San Yu 1 gave to Ming Zhi, and the amulet that San Yu gave to me with a cup of green tea brewed with cold water:)