lady, please calm down

At the end of June, stocks in the Caizhou Stock Exchange suddenly rose across the board. Among them, the most rapid increases were seen in the Luliuwei Farmland Reclamation Company, which was responsible for military farming, and the Sihai Trading Company, which was closely related to many military factories.

From June 27 to early July, there were five consecutive daily limit increases.
These two commercial banks were the first to be listed on the exchange. Today, their size has become extremely large. However, the fact that they can still have such a fierce growth trend despite such a large size indicates that a huge positive factor has definitely occurred.

After a brief moment of surprise, the people followed suit and invariably associated it with the war in the north.
On the second day of July, the Princess of Chu brought all the family members to worship the ancestors of the Chen family in the mansion. They went out of the city the next day to worship at the Martyrs' Shrine. For the first time, she let Chen Ji, as the eldest son, preside over the ceremony.

This series of actions almost implicitly informed everyone of the great victory of the King of Chu in the north.

However, the exact official news has not yet been announced, and there are many different opinions on how big the victory is.

The third night of the first lunar month, at the back house of the palace.

The originally quite secluded courtyard in the fifth entrance has become unusually busy recently, and is often still brightly lit late at night.

At the end of the Xu hour, Ru'er came in front holding a lantern and leading Cai Huanniang inside.

Huang Doudou, who was specifically keeping an eye on the "big things" here, hurriedly took Cai Huan into the largest hall in the courtyard. The hall was three rooms wide, but at the moment it was full of dozens of people, including weavers and embroiderers.

In the center, a crimson gauze dress was fixed on a huge stretcher. Several embroiderers were surrounding the dress, carefully embroidering cloud and dragon patterns on it.

Huang Doudou saw Cai Huan stopping here to take a closer look, so he hurried forward and explained in a low voice: "Your Majesty, this is the court dress. The crown dress for ascending the throne was just made this morning."

As they were talking, Huang Doudou led Cai Huan to a corner of the hall, where they saw a set of black imperial robes and crowns hanging on the clothes hanger.

Although Cai Huan was not good at needlework, she was an expert at identifying goods. She twisted the crown with her fingers, felt the fabric, and took a closer look at the embroidery. She raised the corners of her mouth in great satisfaction.

Huang Doudou saw this and couldn't help but say, "Don't worry, Madam. I am very concerned about this important matter. These weavers and embroiderers were carefully selected by me from the palace. I will never make any mistakes."

But his extremely humble attitude made Cai Hua frown. She said, "Your Highness hates it when other people call themselves slaves. You should just call yourself 'our family' as before."

"Thank you for the reminder, Madam."

Huang Doudou immediately bowed and said.

Although he was promoted by the King of Chu, he had been in Tokyo for a long time and actually had few opportunities to talk to the King of Chu.

But everyone knows that Empress Cai is the one who can best grasp the temper of the King of Chu and who understands him best. Even the princess consort is not as good as her.

After inspecting the area, Cai Hua said to Huang Doudou before leaving, "The weather has been hot lately, so make sure there is ice in the yard for cooling down. If you run out, go to the front yard manager Weng Bingding to get some, so as not to let the embroiderers suffer from the heat. Tell them to work harder for a few more days, and I will give them a generous reward once all kinds of clothes, ornaments and crowns are ready."

"Thank you, Madam. These are all our responsibilities. We don't deserve your reward."

Huang Doudou humbly declined the offer in the way he had done with nobles in the past, but unexpectedly, this flattery backfired. Cai Hua raised her eyebrows and said in a low voice, "You said you would reward me, so what do you think of my family's little reward? As long as you work hard, my Chu Palace has never treated anyone unfairly!"

"Yes Yes Yes"

Huang Doudou said hurriedly.

After Cai Huan left, a godchild who had been following Huang Doudou carefully stepped forward and fanned Huang Doudou while whispering, "Godfather, this Lady Cai has a weird temper and is much harder to serve than Your Highness."

“Less noise”

Huang Doudou impatiently pushed away Gan'er's palm-leaf fan, thinking: Nonsense, how can Your Highness compare with this one? In the past, Your Highness's wealth and life and death were only in the hands of the King of Chu, but this Concubine Cai, with a father who is the Prime Minister and a wealth of business, has the same influence in Huaibei as the Princess!
Such a woman can be loved by the King of Chu, but she does not rely solely on men to survive in the world. Compared with His Highness who can only rely on the King of Chu, such a charming and strong woman is of course full of confidence!
Only after Cai Huan's figure completely disappeared in the twilight did Huang Doudou stand up straight. What was being made in the hall would undoubtedly be used when the King of Chu ascended the throne in the future.

As the chief steward of Qi's harem, Huang Doudou's greatest wish is naturally to continue serving the new king.

Therefore, it is essential to understand the personalities of the ladies in the harem in advance.

But after a period of contact, she couldn't help but worry. Given Empress Cai's status, if she gave birth to a baby boy, the harem would be in turmoil.

After Cai Huan left the fifth courtyard, she did not return to Qingpu Garden, but went to Hanchun Hall instead.

Along the way, Ru'er, who was holding the lamp in front, was quite uneasy and didn't even notice that Cai Huan stopped.

"Ruer?"

It was not until Cai Huan called out to her that Ru'er turned around and realized that she had already opened up a distance of more than ten steps from Cai Huan.

Ru'er was a little embarrassed, and quickly turned around and ran back, saying, "Why did the Third Lady suddenly stop leaving?"

Cai Huan still stood there, looking her up and down. Ru'er felt uncomfortable being looked at, and couldn't help asking, "Third Madam, what's wrong?"

"Ru'er has been with me since Fuchang Year 3, right?"

"Yes, my parents died of illness one after another, and my uncle couldn't afford to raise me, so he sold me to his family. Since then, I have been serving the Third Lady, and it has been fifteen years now."

It has been many years since her parents passed away, but Ru'er did not seem too sad when she talked about it. Instead, there was a sense of gratitude in her words.

Compared with other children with the same background, she is already very lucky.

Sanniang has a bad reputation outside, but people around her know that she treats outsiders and her own people very differently. In the words of the prince: she treats her comrades as warmly as spring, and treats her enemies as cruelly as winter.

Although Ru'er didn't know what "comrade" meant, she smiled subconsciously.

Cai Huan still stared at Ru'er and said with emotion: "When you came to my house, your uncle was afraid that my family would think you were too young to do the job, so he reported your age as two years older. You were actually ten years old that year, and now you are twenty-five."

Speaking of age, Ru'er's expression darkened, and then she immediately smiled and said, "Yes, Third Lady remembers it exactly."

Cai Huan looked at the candlelight in Hanchun Hall and suddenly said, "What do you think? If you don't get married at this age, you will be an old maid for the rest of your life. If you find someone you like, I will help you prepare a generous dowry and send you off to marry."

Ru'er didn't expect Cai Huan to suddenly say this. She opened her mouth and looked at Cai Huan in surprise.

Her face was full of grievance and loss for a moment, and then she knelt on the ground with a plop as if she was angry, and raised her head and said: "If the Third Lady is tired of seeing me, then let me be a nun."

"Hey! You're still being mad at me!"

Cai Hua's lips curled up slightly, revealing a sly smile after successfully playing a prank on someone.

Ru'er has been with her for more than ten years, and she has never spoken as much as she has with Chen Chu, even though she has spoken with other men combined.

Furthermore, when Ru'er followed Cai Huan into the palace, she already had the status of a maid.

Although Ru'er and Chen Chu had not made any substantial progress over the years, in her own opinion, she had long been a member of the palace.
This kind of thinking is not excessive at all, and it is even a matter of course nowadays.

Just like Zhuan Yun, whom Ayu brought into the palace, if he still doesn't take the initiative to get married after a few years, the palace will have to be responsible for his future life and give him some status.

The whole world is like this.

What's more, the prince is young, heroic, interesting and kind, which is many times better than a blind marriage after leaving the palace.

Besides, anyone with a discerning eye can see that the prince is about to become the emperor!

By then, even if she is given the title of noble lady or a talented woman, she will be transformed from a sparrow into a phoenix.
Therefore, when she heard that Cai Huan was going to marry her off, she was disappointed and sad.

Cai Hua seemed to have had enough of teasing, and said with a chuckle: "I warned you about this when we were in Lulong County, but you were too stupid. If you had half the skills of others, you would have climbed into the prince's bed long ago."

Ru'er blushed, but whispered: "In my eyes, the prince is San Niang's. At the beginning, Ru'er didn't know whether San Niang was joking or serious, so I couldn't do anything rash. If San Niang gives it to Ru'er, Ru'er will take it; if San Niang doesn't give it to me, Ru'er won't steal it."

"."

It must be said that after being master and servant for many years, Ru'er knew Cai Huan's temper very well. Her words stunned Cai Huan, and she even felt guilty for teasing her just now.

"Get up. You keep kneeling down. If others see you, they will think I am bullying you again."

After Ru'er got up from the ground, Cai Huan said, "Come on, follow me to see the princess."

"Oh"

Ru'er rubbed her sore knees and slowly followed.

Cai Hua smiled and said, "Why don't you ask why you want to see the princess?"

"Oh, what is the purpose of the Third Lady's visit to the Princess?"

"For you!"

"For me?" "Yes, please ask the princess to take you into the palace on behalf of the prince."

"what?"

Ru'er was so scared that she stood still. It was one thing to hope for something, but it was another thing when the event came.

"The Third Lady and the Prince are still in the North. Isn't it too hasty?"

Ru'er, who loved dragons, quickly came up with this reason.

But Cai Huan rolled her eyes and scolded, "You have followed me for so many years, but you still act like a fool! When the prince comes back, how many important things will he have to deal with? How can he take care of you? Now that the princess has taken you into the palace, you will be an old member of the palace! When the prince ascends the throne in the future, there will be some rewards, and you, a fifth-rank talent, will be indispensable! In that case, even if Zhuan Yun and the twin girls enter the palace, they will have to be lower than you. I am helping you to reserve a position so that you can win at the starting line!"

"." Ru'er was stunned for a long time before she understood the logic of the matter. She couldn't help but say gratefully: "Third Madam, you are really thoughtful!"

At the end of the Xu hour, Cai Huan and the nervous Ru'er came to Hanchun Hall.

After talking so much with Ru'er just now, Cai Huan, who was thirsty, felt as if she was back in her own garden. She poured herself a glass of iced fruit wine and drank it all in one gulp.

Cat, who was making a handkerchief on the embroidery frame nearby, saw this and could not help but put down her work temporarily. She criticized with a slight frown: "Sister Cai is craving for coolness again! Doctor Wang has told you many times that Sister Cai is weak and cold inside, and needs to avoid lusting after coolness."

"Hehe, if abstaining from desire is impossible, what's the point of abstaining from cold?"

Cai Huan didn't care at all and even poured herself another half cup of fruit wine.

Mao'er had long been accustomed to Cai Hua's outspokenness and was helpless, so he could only scare her, "Anyway, Dr. Wang said that if you don't change, you will never have children again."

"It's fine if I don't have any. When I gave birth to Ying Er, it almost cost me my life. I won't have any more children. I won't have any more children."

At this point, Cai Hua added, "We still have a good half of our life ahead of us. Nothing is more important than being alive! It's enough for us to have Ji'er at home."

"Sister Cai is really free and easy." Mao Er smiled and shook her head, then suddenly sighed, "Alas, my husband won a great victory in the north and occupied the capital of the Jin Kingdom. Such good news cannot be announced to the whole city, which makes me feel uncomfortable."

"It's only a matter of two or three days, why rush? The draft has been sent to Lin'an. On the sixth day of July, newspapers in Tokyo, Huaibei, Huainan, Jiangnan, and Lin'an will simultaneously publish headlines about the prince's great victory in conquering the imperial capital. The shame of Dingwei eighteen years ago will be avenged in one day. The whole world will be in an uproar by then. What a scene it will be!"

"Yes" Mao'er couldn't help but be absent-minded for a moment. The cause of the turmoil in the Central Plains and even her displacement was the Dingwei Rebellion of that year.

Now, her husband has conquered the capital of the Jin Dynasty, not only avenging her family, but also avenging the national hatred for the Han people all over the world.

This event is not only worthy of celebration in Tokyo and Huaibei, but it is also a piece of great news that should make the people of Huainan and Lin'an feel proud.

Besides this, there will be more good news published in the newspapers.

Mao'er knew very well that once the news of the great victory was announced and more people-friendly policies were introduced, her husband's reputation would be unrivaled throughout the world.

All this publicity, such as Huaibei's decision not to disclose the news until more than 20 newspapers across the country announced it simultaneously, was planned by Ayu.

What Ayu wanted was a collective shock like that of the Three Kingdoms and Four Dynasties, to make the people follow and Lin'an be at a loss.

"Ayu's grasp of public opinion is truly amazing."

Mao'er praised sincerely, but Cai Huan, who had just been praising the matter, curled her lips and said, "If the prince hadn't won the battle, her cleverness would not have been put to use."

Mao Er knew that the two of them didn't get along, so he couldn't help but chuckle and said, "Isn't this good? Your Excellency is fighting in the front, and we each do our own job. We are helping your Excellency and doing good for the country. Isn't this what scholars often say: Husband and wife are one, and the monarch is the monarch and the minister is the minister."

The four characters "君君臣臣" indicate that the cat must know what is being made in the fifth courtyard.

After that, Maoer looked at Cai Huan again and whispered, "I think Jiarou will be in a complicated mood. Sister Cai is the best at coaxing people. If you have nothing to do recently, go and talk to her more."

"It depends on my mood."

Cai Hua slumped in the big chair like Ge You, without any image at all. She then looked at Ru'er who had been keeping her head down and saying nothing. She was thinking about how to bring the topic to this matter, but suddenly she heard Hanlu come to report that Prefect Xu wanted to see her.

Mao'er couldn't help but wonder: although Xu Bang had a close relationship with the palace, the prince was not at home now, and it was already midnight. What urgent matter did he have that required him to visit so late?

But Cai Hua blurted out, "Did he finish what I asked him to do?"

Afterwards, Cai Huan took Mao'er to the front house to meet the guests. Seeing this, Ru'er, who had been nervous for a long time, could only follow them with a disappointed heart.

Entering the front house for the third time, Weng Bingding was drinking tea with Xu Bang.

He did not retreat until he saw the mistress coming.

Xu Bang, who was already the prefect of Caizhou, was like a little thief at this moment, holding a wooden box nervously. He did not dare to let go even when greeting Mao'er and Cai Hua.

This time, even Ru'er, who was deeply trusted by Cai Hua, was driven out. It was not until there were only three of them left in the room that Cai Hua asked, "Are you done?"

"Yeah!" Xu Bang's face flushed and he nodded excitedly.

"open to take a look."

After Cai Hua finished speaking, Xu Bang carefully placed the wooden box on the table, then opened the lid with trembling hands.

The cat was confused and moved closer, only to see a white jade seal of about four inches quietly placed at the bottom of the box, with five dragons carved on it and sea pattern lines on the side.
The cat was sure that it was the first time it saw this thing, but it felt vaguely familiar, as if it had seen it somewhere or heard of it somewhere.

Cai Huan, on her side, reached out and took out the seal.

Xu Bang, who was standing by, quickly stretched out his hands to support him from below to prevent him from falling accidentally.

Seeing him so nervous, Mao'er couldn't help but become more confused, but Cai Hua turned her wrist and showed the words at the bottom of the seal. Mao'er had studied hard for many years and was no longer the illiterate village woman.

But the words printed on the ground were very strange and I couldn't understand them.

"Do you know what is engraved below?"

Cai Hua, who looked very proud, asked about it. Mao Er shook his head honestly and said, "I have seen such characters on antiques in the Caizhou Museum. I heard from Master Li that this is ancient seal script."

"Hehe, not bad, you even know ancient seal characters."

Perhaps because the seal was too heavy, Cai Hua held it up with both hands and read the seal characters on the bottom of the seal word by word: "Received the mandate from heaven, may you live long and prosper!"

"!"

Mao'er didn't recognize ancient seal characters, but he had heard these eight characters before. He took a step back in shock and covered his mouth in shock. After a long while, he stammered, "Is the Imperial Seal handed down?"

"Hmm! Hehe, do you want to play?"

Cai Huan pretended to throw it, and Xu Bang was so frightened that he ignored the difference between men and women and grabbed the jade seal, saying, "My dear aunt! Please don't mess around. It took me almost two years to find the material, find a craftsman, inlay the gold corners, and make it look old!"

The cat, who was staring at the jade seal, looked up in astonishment again. Looking for a craftsman? Making it look old?

"Is this jade seal fake???"

"Nonsense, it's been lost for a thousand years, where can I find it?"

"Why are you lying?"

"What can I do? Of course I want to give him a beating. Now everything is ready. With this thing, isn't it destiny?"

"But it's fake!"

"So what if it's fake! We say it's real, 200,000 soldiers in Huaibei say it's real, and tens of millions of subjects in Qi say it's real. Who dares to question it?"

"."

Cai Huan looked arrogant and domineering, but Mao'er felt that what Sister Cai said made a lot of sense.

Over there, Cai Huan had already started to discuss in a low voice with Xu Bang again, "Tomorrow, Lord Xu will personally send him to Tokyo. My father has already made arrangements and will have someone go to the old site of Lizheng Gate in Luoyang to find a place to bury him."

"Who will 'accidentally' dig this out?"

Xu Bang rubbed his hands excitedly, as if he was going to bury and dig it himself.

Cai Huan said, "My second brother is too close to the prince, so it's not appropriate for you to dig it. You have to pretend. It's best to arrange for the laborers to dig a well, and get this auspicious sign by chance!" (End of this chapter)