lady, please calm down

Afternoon on the fifth day of the lunar month.

After Chen Chu finished discussing things with the four golden flowers, he went straight to Hanchun Hall after returning home.

Not long after, Mao'er hurried downstairs and went to the medicine store in the mansion to get the plaster himself.

The king of Chu was born in the army, so his palace always had various medicines for treating wounds and bruises.

In the bedroom, Chen Chu lifted up his clothes. On the left side of his navel, a black and purple footprint was clearly visible.

Mao'er squatted in front of Chen Chu, applied the 'Xuefu Zhuyu Ointment' carefully to the injured area, then rubbed his palms to warm them, raised his face and said, "My lord, be patient, I need to rub the injured area some times." , rubbing it to heat it will help the medicine to dissipate."

Chen Chu agreed, and Mao'er rubbed it carefully. At the same time, he paid attention to the official's expression. Seeing that he didn't show any pain, he slowly increased the force and said distressedly: "What's the matter with Tiedan? I don't want to go." If you don't want to, why bother to take such a heavy blow, just in case the person is kicked out."

Mao'er didn't finish his words, but the resentment contained in them was very clear.

On New Year's Eve, because Chen Chu called him "assassin", many people in the bodyguard knew about it.

Erlang, Xiaoyi and others thought this was extremely strange. They had all seen with their own eyes the scene where Uncle Shen entrusted Tiedan to Tiedan before his death, so they were not surprised at all that something happened between Brother Chen and Tiedan. They were even very happy to see it happen.

Because of this, the two of them didn't understand why Tie Dan reacted so strongly and kicked Brother Chen out of the bed. If Tie Dan didn't want to, why did he sneak into Brother Chen's bed to sleep?

Cat's dissatisfaction also stems from this. You climbed up on the bed on your own initiative, and you kicked everyone in my family!

If he hadn't known Tiedan for a long time and knew that she didn't have so many twists and turns, Mao'er would have thought that she was going to play hard to get.

"Afterwards, I asked Ru'er and the brother on duty that night. Tie Dan probably had good intentions and wanted to help me warm my bed and do other things. She might not understand."

Chen Chu explained for Tie Dan, then smiled at Mao'er and said, "Everyone knows that Princess Chu is virtuous and generous, so they will not hate Tie Dan for this."

How could Mao'er, who had been married for many years, fail to understand what Guan Ren meant? He just said: "Guan Ren kicked her for no reason, and he still tried his best to excuse her."

Chen Chu was silent for a few moments, then sighed, and then said: "My wife also knows that Tiedan is not good at dealing with others. Uncle Shen died in the battle for me in Huaibei. Now she is the only one left in the world. Although Tiedan doesn't say anything, In fact, she is afraid. Afraid of me and afraid that you will not like her or accept her. Otherwise, with her temperament, how could she think of warming the bed to please others?"

Mao'er drooped his eyelids, silently rubbing the blood, and finally sighed, "Then I'll tell Yunong later and give Tiedan a monthly salary in the houfu. Huanying Garden is still empty, so I'll give it to you later." Have someone clean it up”

Among the female relatives of the palace, no one lives by monthly routines. For example, Mao'er and Caihua each manage a large number of affairs and handle millions of dollars every month.

Ayu also has positions such as Caizhou Five-Day Talk and Caizhou Literary Academy, not to mention the richest dowry among the four girls.

Even Yunong has a job as a perfume and luggage designer to make extra money.

But the meaning of this monthly example is quite different. It means that Maoer has regarded Tiedan as one of his own.

Chen Chu couldn't help but be surprised that Mao'er accepted Tie Dan so smoothly this time, and couldn't help but flatter him: "My wife is really generous, haha."

Mao'er raised his head, rolled his eyes at Chen Chu with an angry look, and then sighed again, "When the officials fought in Tokyo, Mao'er also understood some things. People, it is true to cherish the people in front of you while you are alive." , if you die, you will want to make up for it."

At this point, Mao'er stopped. Chen Chu heard some clues and asked, "Has something happened recently?"

"Ah."

Mao'er responded first, then wiped the ointment on his hand, sat side by side with Chen Chu, and then said: "A few days ago, Bai Lu wrote to me, saying that she would like to marry into the Bai family and serve Yutang's eldest brother and mother."

"..." Chen Chu was silent for a few moments and said: "Bai Lu is not yet thirty years old. Doesn't this mean she will be a widow for the rest of her life? Is someone forcing her to do this?"

"Of course not." Mao'er shook his head, "I also tried to persuade her once in my letter, but she said that she had been insulted by thieves and that Brother Bai had not given up on her for many years. She also said in her letter, The reason why I never accepted Big Brother Bai back then was not because I disliked Big Brother Bai as a thief, but because he felt that he was a loser and not worthy of being valued by the prince. In the end, the two of them were separated by yin and yang, but they could not break through this layer of paper. It’s so regrettable”

Cat's eyes turned slightly red as he spoke.

Chen Chu opened his arms and took Mao'er into his arms, but said: "I will take care of Lao Bai's mother in Huaibei, but Bai Lu marrying the dead is not a child's play. She needs to think clearly."

"Bai Lu returned to Caizhou with Jia Rou this time. She made it clear in her letter that she would not marry into the Bai family and would not marry anyone else in her life. She also said that she did not want the hero to have no descendants and planned to adopt him from the Orphans and Infants Bureau. A young child who recognizes the Bai family's genealogy will be able to have heirs in the future. Double sacrifices will be held to prevent the incense in front of Brother Bai's grave from being deserted."

Chen Chu rubbed Mao'er's shoulder and finally said: "Okay, adopt a child and support it according to the treatment of the children of martyrs in Huaibei."

While the two were talking, they suddenly heard hurried footsteps outside the door.

Han Lu who was guarding the door didn't even stop him, and the door was pushed open.
Outside the door, it was Cai Hua who looked anxious and Tie Dan who was following behind him with his head lowered.

Mao'er hurriedly removed her head from the official's shoulder, sat up straight, and said a little unhappy: "Sister Cai, don't you know how to knock on the door?"

Cai Hua, however, ignored Mao'er. Her three steps turned into two steps, and she stopped directly in front of Chen Chu. She couldn't wait to ask: "How is the injury?"

As soon as Chen Chu finished applying the medicine, he heard this and lifted up his clothes so that Cai Hua could take a look and feel reassured.

Unexpectedly, Cai Hua was too impatient and reached down from the ribbon.

A precise shot to capture the dragon
Although the New Year has passed, it is still the depth of winter after all, and she has the problem of cold hands and feet in winter.

Chen Chu was so excited that he trembled and hissed.

Tie Dan stood behind him and looked at Sister Cai in confusion, not understanding the rationale behind the latter's method of diagnosing and treating injuries.

Chen Chu finally said: "Hey, it's hurt in the belly! Let go!"

Afternoon, noon.

Cai Hua, who still had some embarrassment on her charming face, left Hanchundang. Tie Dan followed Cai Hua step by step like a pupil who made a mistake, with his head hunched.

Knowing that it was a false alarm, Cai Hua was relieved, but she was angry and annoyed at this ignorant and courageous Cai Hua.

When the two of them walked to Qingpu Garden, Cai Hua suddenly stopped, and the unprepared Tie Guan thrust his head on the back of Cai Hua's head.

Cai Hua, who was already unhappy, couldn't help but get more annoyed. She rubbed the back of her head and turned around to glare at Tie Dan. Tie Dan had been feeling anxious and guilty since he kicked Chu's brother on New Year's Eve.

At this moment, seeing Sister Cai, who had the best relationship with her, looking at her so angrily, Tie Dan rubbed the corner of his clothes, becoming more and more at a loss. He wanted to say a few nice words to coax Sister Cai, but in the end he could only hold back this sentence, "Sister Cai , I was wrong, don’t be angry with me."

Seeing Tie Dan's appearance, Cai Hua finally sighed and turned around to tell Ru'er, "Call Yu Nong to come to Rouzhi Garden."

Then, he took Tie Dan to Ayu's residence.

On a winter afternoon, the Rouge Garden was quiet.

On the desk, a plum blossom is in full bloom in a flower bag, and the rich and noble Sihe incense in the copper incense burner is burning out green smoke.

Ayu gently rocked the stroller in one hand and took a copy of "Lin'an News" officially published by the Lin'an Dynasty of the Zhou Dynasty in the other hand. As the editor-in-chief of the Caizhou Five-Day Talk, she knew the importance of public opinion, so she naturally paid a lot of attention to the mouthpiece of the Zhou Dynasty. .

This Lin'an News was the last issue of the year published on New Year's Eve. Perhaps sensing the growing dissatisfaction in Lin'an City, Lin'an News was doing its best to appease the situation. Regarding the unfavorable situation of the Zhou army's frontline operations, Lin'an News made The explanation is, 'We are both soldiers and civilians of the Zhou Dynasty. We cannot bear to fight brothers and sisters, so our emperor specially ordered the army to temporarily retreat to the south bank of the Yangtze River.'

In short, according to current news, Dazhou exercised extreme restraint in order to avoid bloody conflicts.

In this way, it not only explains the defeat of the Zhou army in Huainan, but also depicts the Zhou state as an image of general knowledge and suffering of grievances.

The King of Chu of Qi State was described as a domineering, arrogant and unreasonable character like Cao Cao who "took hostage the Supreme Emperor" and stirred up the world.

There is no mention at all of the reason why the Zhou army took advantage of the danger and took the initiative to invade Huaibei.

Ayu was naturally angry after seeing this. At the same time, she had already thought of a way to counter Lin'an Shiwen.

This morning, she already knew that the prince had returned to the city. She could use the excuse to discuss the matter at night and let the prince stay overnight.
As the saying goes, a little separation is better than a new marriage.

Ayu has not been affectionate with her husband for more than a year since she became pregnant and gave birth to her child.

Some beautiful pictures inevitably flashed through my mind, which made me feel a little hot. When she was distracted, she suddenly heard the news from the maid that Mrs. Cai and Miss Shen were visiting. Ayu subconsciously picked up the small mirror on the table and took a look. Seeing that her cheeks were flushed, she quickly put the back of her hand against her face to cool it down. His face returned to normal before he walked out of the bedroom to greet him.

Unexpectedly, Cai Hua, who was already outside the door, pushed her straight back to the bedroom.

"What's wrong with Sister Cai?" Ayu asked strangely.

But Cai Hua's words made Ayu's face, which had just calmed down, suddenly turn red again, "Take out the things you packed at the bottom of the box and show Tie Dan."

"."

"Pressing the bottom of the box" refers to the items that are most hidden in the dowry of the mother's family.

The reason why I keep it to the bottom of the box is because I am ashamed to be seen by outsiders.

"I have something at the bottom of the box."

Ayu's face turned red and she denied it.

However, Cai Hua raised her eyebrows and said: "Mao'er's parents died early, and no one prepared those things for Yu Nong when she came home. Only you have them, take them out quickly, there is business."

Seeing Cai Hua talking about those items that were too shy to be seen in such an upright manner, Ayu couldn't help but said: "What about Sister Cai, why don't you show the things at the bottom of the box to Sister Shen?"

Although she didn't take out the things as Cai Hua asked, Ah Yu's words undoubtedly proved that she had something hidden in her "treasure box".

Cai Hua glanced at Nian'er, who was sleeping soundly in the stroller, and said, "Don't you know? I was carried home by the prince back then. How could my mother have time to prepare these things for me? Besides, I don't need them."

When she said "I don't need it either", Cai Hua was actually a little proud.

Ayu pouted, obviously unwilling to take out the things at the bottom of the box.

The object at the bottom of the box is, to put it bluntly, the couple’s enlightenment album. In order to avoid the newlyweds not understanding the Zhou Gong’s gift, the mother’s family will place some books with books in the deepest part of the dowry. If the family is well-off, they will also put some porcelain, A small figure crossing the river made of copper in various poses.

Who would have the nerve to show this kind of thing to others?

However, under the threat of the strong Cai Hua, "If you don't take it, I will turn it over myself", Ayu reluctantly took out her set of little dolls.

Don't tell me, the aristocratic family is different!
There are a total of eighteen small dolls in this set. Not only are they lifelike, but they are also made of gilt silver. What’s even more amazing is that
"Oh, you can still move, hee hee hee."

Cai Hua smiled and rolled her eyes, while Ayu stood aside with a sullen face.

As for Tiedan, although he was staring at the funny little doll in fascination, he still didn't seem to understand what was going on.

until
"Sister Cai, why did you call Nunu here?"

When Yu Nong entered, he saw Sister Cai lying on the table, looking at a row of small dolls and smiling with her eyes closed. She couldn't help being attracted to them.

After a few breaths, Yu Nong immediately understood what it was, and couldn't help but cover her plump little mouth in surprise.

Cai Hua then turned around and glanced at the faces of Ayu, Yunong and Tiedan one by one. Suddenly she smiled and said: "Ayu, Yunong, you two will be teachers and teach Tiedan the relationship between husband and wife." What’s going on?”

"Ah?" Yu Nong looked at Tiedan in astonishment and thought to himself: How can you teach me this! Nunu was a self-taught person back then, so courageous and stupid!

Cai Hua also looked at the only student present, narrowed her fox eyes and smiled: "Tie Dan, you have to study hard, my sister will take a test on you in a few days!"

Even though she was forced by Cai Hua to take on the task of teaching Tiedan, Ayu also delayed her own business.

On the seventh day of the lunar month, an article refuting the news of Lin'an in Zhou Dynasty was published in Caizhou Five Days Talk and Huainan Huaibao at the same time.

She knew that the people of Lin'an would definitely read this article.

As expected, Huaibao was the first to flow into Lin'an City on the 11th.

The opening front-page editorial was a comprehensive counterattack against the Lin'an Times' New Year's Eve report.

The article first lists the Zhou army's betrayal of the alliance and the invasion of the north, as well as the numerous crimes committed by the Zhou army in Huaibei, once again reminding the people of Zhou state why the Huainan uprising happened.

Immediately afterwards, he wrote in the following article: Our troops and people in Huaibei were eager for revenge. The King of Chu thought that the troops and people of Qi and Zhou were all Han, and could not bear to kill each other. He specially ordered the officials of the Ministry of Rites to negotiate peace with the Zhou officials in Anfeng.

However, there was no sincerity in the Lin'an court of the Zhou Dynasty, and the peace talks were delayed.
The article mentioned the terms of the peace negotiation, such as compensation and punishment of Zhou ministers who provoked war between the two countries, but Ayu did not write how much compensation Qi wanted, nor who the war criminals Qi wanted.

In short, these two items were brushed aside, but Ayu spent a lot of pen and ink on the last peace condition. This condition is: the immediate release of the scholars, merchants, and officials imprisoned by the Zhou Kingdom.

He also commented: Scholars and merchants running around and shouting are not for the sake of Qi, but for the justice of the world! The Duke of Lin'an Manchu Dynasty was so narrow-minded and had no tolerance for others!
If the scholars and merchants do not let go, the peace negotiation cannot be concluded!
After reading the entire report, the first impression one gets is that the Qi State had already intended to stop its troops. It was precisely because the Lin'an Dynasty refused to release the scholars and merchants that they continued to march along the Yangtze River.

But the actual situation is that the first thing Shen Gai, who stayed in Anfeng, agreed to was the condition of "releasing the scholars".

But how many people know the true content of the peace negotiation?

Anyway, as soon as this article came out, Chen Chu immediately attracted the favor of a large number of gentry and merchants in Qi and Zhou Dynasties. You see, just because of crying temples and going on strike, the lords of the DPRK imprisoned innocent merchants and have been imprisoning them ever since.

No one in the Manchu Dynasty dared to intercede on their behalf. It was actually the King of Chu of the Qi Kingdom. No, it was the King of Jin of the Zhou Kingdom who always cared about the scholars and merchants!

They even regard their release as the most important peace condition!
Among the Jin princes of Lin'an Dynasty and Anfeng Dynasty, who really protects the people?
On that day, after Huaibao flowed into Lin'an, Emperor Zhou, Qin Huizhi and other Lin'an central officials couldn't help but feel angry and anxious.

The imperial court had no intention of keeping these scholars in prison forever. It originally planned to release them quietly when public opinion about the crying temple subsided.

But as soon as Huaibao reported this, the nature of the matter changed!

If the scholars were released at this time, it would give the impression to the outside world that the Lin'an court must have released them because they could not withstand the pressure from Huaibei.

This was a huge blow to the prestige and legitimacy of the Lin'an Dynasty.

However, if the Lin'an scholars and merchants continue to be imprisoned, they will definitely become more and more attracted to the King of Chu of Qi who will 'justice' for them!

The pressure of public opinion will also increase
Emperor Zhou was in a dilemma. He looked at Qin Huizhi, who was the first to persuade him to go to the north. Although he was extremely angry, he finally did not dare to scold the independent prime minister of the three palaces. Instead, he grabbed the paperweight on the imperial desk and threw it at the low-necked man. The transparent Wan Qixi scolded: "Sir Wan Qi, who said that we can go to Huaibei in January! It's all your fault. Tomorrow you will go to Qi State to discuss peace!"

The jade paperweight happened to hit Wan Qixi's knee. I don't know whether it was painful or frightening. Wan Qixi immediately knelt on the ground and said, "Your Majesty, if I go, I will definitely die!"

"Death is death!"

Seeing that Emperor Zhou was really angry, Qin Huizhi, the number one lackey under the guard, took the initiative and said: "Your Majesty, Master Wanqi can't solve the current predicament even if he sacrifices his life."

"What should Prime Minister Qin do?" Although Emperor Zhou suppressed most of his anger when facing Qin Hui, he could still hear the hint of complaint.

Qin Huizhi bowed and said, "If we send Chen Bokang, the former Huainan administrator, peace talks may be possible."

Chen Bokang has been imprisoned in Dali Temple since November last year. He has been in Huainan for a long time. Not only does he have the same clan friendship with the governor of the Anfeng Dynasty, but he has also been an official in Huainan for many years and has a harmonious relationship with Huaibei.

He is indeed a good candidate to represent Lin'an in peace negotiations.

Emperor Zhou thought for a while and couldn't help but worry: "Master Chen has been detained for many days. Is he still willing to contribute to the country?"

When Qin Huizhi heard this, he sighed and said: "We will go to Dali Temple together to invite Mr. Chen. Mr. Chen has been loyal to the country all his life. I hope he will agree."

Emperor Zhou showed a slightly unnatural look on his face and hesitated: "I want to go too?"

Chen Bokang went through the whole process and was imprisoned without even a single charge. It was really unfair. Emperor Zhou felt guilty and did not want to face him.

Qin Huizhi said: "Your Majesty, at this moment when the country is in danger of survival, we can no longer look forward or backward. I, Lord Wanqi, and your Majesty will go together." (End of this chapter)