lady, please calm down

Southeast corner of Tokyo City, Nancibei Lane.

At dusk, another distinguished guest came to the home of Old Lady Bai, who had just moved here at the end of last year.
A few neighbors gathered at the entrance of the alley, looking towards the end from time to time. People from the capital were very knowledgeable. One of them looked at the tall and handsome horses outside the alley and said to his neighbors in a low voice: "In the winter of the third year of Xuanqing, after the prince defeated the Jin-Xia coalition outside the city, he sent Duke Zheng, General Xiao Tong, and General Qin to lead the army to Xixia. Only then did we have Hequ horses in the Central Plains. These horses are very valuable. Even if they are injured and retired from active service, they are still priced at forty or fifty taels and are snapped up as stallions."

"Silang, are you saying that the person who came to visit Old Lady Bai today is a general in the army?"

"It's almost certain! Even though they are all wearing ordinary clothes, their bold demeanor cannot be hidden in their every move."

"Now that you put it, it does seem like the Huaibei Army is general. I originally thought that Old Lady Bai had a relative working in the Kaifeng government office, but now it seems that she must have a descendant serving in the army!"

"Haha, never mind who they are. Anyway, we can't afford to offend them. Could it be that you have forgotten those hooligans in Bajiao Lane next door?"

There were originally several men who practiced martial arts and were idlers under a steward in the mansion of Qian Yinian, the Minister of Revenue. Later, the Qian family fell into ruin and they became idlers.

At the end of last year, arranged by her daughter-in-law, Old Mrs. Bai and her grandson moved into a two-courtyard house in Nan Cibei Lane. This family has three generations of grandparents and grandchildren, and there are no adult men in the family.

In the eyes of others, isn't this the perfect target for 'extortion and poverty'?
However, those hooligans hit the nail on the head this time. They had only harassed and threatened the widowed White Widow a few times, but they were beaten up by a group of men in the alley in broad daylight.

Not only were they beaten, but later the Kaifeng government intervened and not only did they not help the Bajiaoxiang gang to "seek justice", but they also exiled them all 2,000 miles away and sent them directly to Liaodong.
Afterwards, in order to prevent retaliation, a group of yamen runners were even left outside Old Lady Bai's house to guard it 24 hours a day.

Nowadays, although the yamen runners no longer guard outside the Bai family's door like door gods, Nan Cibei Lane has become the most frequently patrolled place in the south of the city.

Since the beginning of the Chinese New Year, every now and then, there would be ladies in elegant clothes and men with loud voices coming to visit in the alley.

Everyone speculated that the family of Mrs. Bai, who was plain-looking and low-key, must have a capable descendant working in the government office.

But today, it seems that Mrs. Bai's background is not limited to the government office.

At the end of the alley, at Old Lady Bai’s house.

The maid A-Bi looked curiously at the handsome young man who was sitting on a low stool, held by the hand of his mother-in-law.

At the end of last year, her mistress, Madam Bai, bought her from a human trafficker to work as a servant in her home. At first, she was very afraid of the ruffians causing trouble.

As things developed later, she naturally realized that the host family was extraordinary, but what the origins of her own family were was something that even her mother-in-law and the lady had never mentioned to her.

I only know from the spirit tablet enshrined in the back house that my 'master' is called Bai Yutang. It sounds like a nice name, and the master should be a dashing and handsome man, but for some reason he died young.

Next to her, the mother-in-law was acting out of character, urging the handsome brother who came to visit today to go back quickly. "Brother Chu said he wanted to see me, and he has already seen me, so go back early! I'm not saying anything to you, but you didn't learn from the dangerous incident last month. You brought a few people to my place. What if you run into bad guys again?"

Chen Chu had just sat down for less than half an hour when he couldn't help but smile and said, "Auntie is right. Where's Nian Zong? Auntie, let me take a look at this kid."

Nian Zong is a child adopted by Bai Lu from the Orphanage Bureau two years ago. His surname is Bai and he is just five years old this year.

Old Lady Bai had no choice but to call A-Bi and said, "Girl, bring Zong'er over here."

After Ah Bi left the room, Old Lady Bai pointed at the gifts that Chen Chu brought and said, "Last time the princess came to see me, she brought a bunch of supplements. Why did you bring these? I am an old hag, how can I bear such supplements?"

"Auntie, just eat as much as you want. By the way, Nian Zong is also old enough to go to school. After the summer, let him study with Ji Er, Nian Er, Rao Er and the others."

If Chen Chu brought up this matter to others, they would probably be overjoyed. The current situation is clear. If he can let the younger generation in his family study with the prince since childhood, he will be rich and prosperous for two lifetimes.

But at this time, Chen Chu looked expectant, as if he was afraid that the old lady would not agree.

As expected, I heard Old Lady Bai muttering, "I don't know how to take care of children, otherwise Yutang wouldn't have learned those bad habits of stealing and cheating. If Nianzong went to the palace to study, I don't know what kind of trouble he would get into."

Chen Chu said, "Aunt, what you said is not right. What Yu Tang did in his early years was all due to poverty. He is a man who values ​​filial piety and righteousness. He is a good man."

From the time Chen Chu came into the family, Old Lady Bai never showed any sadness, but Old Bai was her only flesh and blood after all. When she heard Chen Chu acknowledge his son, Old Lady Bai's eyes were wet after all. She wiped her eyes with her sleeve and whispered, "It's all because of the prince's good teaching."

Chen Chu was silent for a moment, then suddenly asked, "Aunt, if there was a choice, would you still let Yu Tang follow me?"

Xiao Yi, who was standing at the door, subconsciously glanced at the big sword on the other side. Xiao Yi and Chen Chu were together day and night. In the past, Brother Chen was very determined and would never say such words of doubt about himself.

Dabaojian, with a cool face, did not give Xiaoyi any response.

But Old Lady Bai gently patted the back of Chen Chu's hand, sighed and said, "I am an old woman, I don't understand anything. But Yu Tang has been with the prince for many years, and often told me how many bad people the prince killed and how many good deeds the princess did. He also said that the prince would make the world like Huaibei in the future, where people would take care of the old and children would have books to read. If the prince can really make the world like that, I would be willing to sacrifice not only a son, but also my old bones."

Old Lady Bai did not directly answer Chen Chu's question, but her simple words contained a hint of encouragement.
As the saying goes, people become wiser with age. After a short time together, Old Lady Bai seemed to have seen some of Chen Chu's inner feelings. She said, "Tomorrow is the prince's big day. As long as the prince has not forgotten why he started the rebellion, he can be a good emperor."

As they were talking, A-Bi walked in with Bai Nianzong.

Chen Chu calmed himself down and talked to the children for a while. Only at the urging of Old Lady Bai did he say goodbye and return home.

After the family sent Chen Chu away, A-Bi couldn't help but ask curiously, "Grandma, who is this person?"

“This is my son’s employer.”

Old Mrs. Bai looked at the vague figure at the alley entrance and replied slowly. Ah Bi had been in the family for a few months. Seeing that the mother-in-law took the initiative to mention the head of the family this time, she couldn't help but be curious and asked carefully: "Mother-in-law, in the past few months, the old master's former companions, friends, and employers have come to visit every now and then. I think the master must have been a great hero when he was alive!"

In the darkness of the night, Mrs. Bai's old face revealed a gentle smile, and she murmured, "He is not a master, nor a hero. He was very naughty when he was young, and he got into trouble a lot when he grew up. It was only after he met the heroes of the Dong family that he lived like a human being."

After leaving the Bai family, Chen Chu still did not return home.

Go straight out of Tokyo City and go to a small hill called Hero's Tomb four miles east of the city.

Three years ago, Qi and Jin fought a fierce battle here, and countless people died.

Later, it was said that every midnight, there would be sounds of fighting and shouting here, and ordinary people would not dare to come here unless necessary.

At this time, the sky was getting dark and the surroundings were silent.

After Chen Chu dismounted, he accurately found Lao Bai's cenotaph. Under the moonlight, he saw the words "Cemetery of Bai Gong, the Brave Marquis of Huaibei and the Battalion Commander of the Scout Battalion of the 1st Guards Regiment" engraved on the bluestone tombstone.

In front of the stele, there are some slightly dried offerings and no weeds, which shows that people often come here to worship.

Xiaohong, who was quite human, seemed to know who was dirty here. After snorting, she slowly walked forward and licked the stone tablet.

Chen Chu patted Xiao Hong's slender neck, then took out two jars of Huaibei liquor from the bag on the horse's back, turned around and invited, "Come and have a drink with Lao Bai."

Xiao Yi was about to step forward when he heard the stern-faced Da Bao Jian say, "We are on duty, so we are not allowed to drink!"

"."

Xiao Yi and Jiao Tu, who had just taken a step forward, stopped immediately, took a step back each, and protected Chen Chu in the middle in a fan shape.

Indeed, as long as they are not in the mansion, they are responsible for protecting the people outside the mansion.

How can I drink alcohol while on duty?

The incident at Daxiangguo Temple happened not long ago.
A bit disappointing.

Chen Chu had no choice but to sit in front of the grave, fill the wine glass that was already placed there, and take a sip directly from the bottle.

With a "haha", Chen Chu said to Lao Bai, "Just now, I went to see your house. Bai Lu has kept it in good order. I am in good health and a little fatter than before. Your son is also doing well. He has learned hundreds of words before he officially entered the classroom. I think Bai Lu has taught him a lot. I told me that after the summer, I will let your son study with my son."

Chen Chu was talking about trivial matters at home.

Perhaps because he was already worried, he felt drunk in a short while.

By the middle of the night, the world was completely silent, and the city of Tokyo, several miles away, seemed even more dazzling in the night.

Seeing that Chen Chu was already drunk, Xiao Yi couldn't help but feel a little worried, and whispered to Da Baojian: "Old He, should we send someone back to inform the princess? Brother Chen left the house today without telling his family, and he hasn't returned yet. The princess must be worried."

Da Baojian was about to speak when he frowned and gestured with his hand to stop Xiao Yi who was about to say something. He listened quietly to the west for a few seconds and suddenly said, "Xiao Yi, you and Jiao Tu get on your horses and head to the northwest to meet them. Several riders are approaching quickly." As long as they were outside the mansion, Da Baojian would be the first person responsible for the safety of the King of Chu. Even though Xiao Yi didn't hear any movement, he immediately did as he was told. He called Jiao Tu, and the two of them got on their horses and headed to the northwest.

Da Baojian still stayed there with more than ten good fighters to prevent the other party from luring the tiger away from the mountain.

On Xiao Yi's side, after riding his horse for more than ten breaths, he faintly heard the sound of horse hooves rapidly hitting the ground in front of him. He couldn't help but admire Lao He's hearing ability.

After walking a hundred steps forward, the two sides could already see each other's outlines under the moonlight. Xiao Yi shouted into the wind, "Who's riding a horse here?"

The other party had probably already seen him and Jiao Tu, and only one of them replied: "Brother Xiaoyi, I am Xiaoman."

Everyone had lived in the palace for many years, so they naturally recognized each other's voices. Xiao Yi immediately slowed down his horse, and when the two sides got closer, Xiao Yi was still surprised. There were three horses and four people on Xiaoman's side, and on the black horse in the middle sat the princess and Madam Cai.

The petite princess, held in Mrs. Cai's arms, looked a little cute.

Xiaoman and Mrs. Shen each rode a horse, one on the left and one on the right.

When Madam Cai saw the two of them, her expression suddenly relaxed, and she said to the princess in front of her: "Look, I told you he was here."

The princess still asked, "Is the prince here?"

After getting Xiao Yi's clear answer, the two sides joined together and rushed towards Lao Bai's grave.

On the way, Jiao Tu looked at Xiao Yi several times, wanting to say something but stopping himself. However, Xiao Yi knew what he was surprised about, and could not help but said with a little pride: "What's so strange about this? The sisters-in-law in the palace don't have embroidered pillows. Riding a horse is a piece of cake for them!"

After a while, several people arrived at Lao Bai's grave.

Cai Huan twisted her waist and got off the horse beautifully, but Mao Er was not as cool as her. It was not that the official had taken Mao Er on a horse ride before, but at that time, there was a mounting stone for getting on the horse, and the official had to carry the cat down when getting off the horse. Seeing Cai Huan walk forward by herself after getting off the horse, he couldn't help but said anxiously: "Wait, there's me too."

Cai Hua had no choice but to turn around and pick up the cat, muttering, "It's so short that even the horse can't get off!"

"." Mao'er didn't bother to argue with Cai Huan at this time. After getting off the horse, she picked up the hem of her skirt and trotted to Lao Bai's grave.

Under the moonlight, the husband's face was flushed, and he was talking to the tomb in a long-winded manner. As a couple for many years, Mao'er could sense the husband's strange mood. He couldn't help but feel a lump in his throat. He knelt down beside Chen Chu and called softly, "Husband, what's wrong with you? If you have something sad in your heart, tell Mao'er."

Cai Hua, who had just stood aside, shouted, "You are so good, Chen Xiaolang. You wanted to drink but you didn't come to me, but secretly came to Lao Bai!"

Chen Chu, who was much slower in reaction, looked up when he heard the voice, looked around, and grinned, "Hey, why are Sister Huan and Mao'er here?"

Cai Hua sat aside in a bad mood, snatched the wine jar from Chen Chu, took a sip herself, exhaled with a hiss, and then said, "You will ascend the throne tomorrow! But you can't be found. My father and Lord Chen are alarmed. If they can't find you, they will turn Tokyo City upside down!"

But Chen Chu was stunned for a moment, then slowly turned his head to look at Lao Bai's tombstone, and after a while he said: "Ascend the throne, Lao Bai and the others, they died in order to let me become the emperor, right?"

Cai Hua had already guessed what was on Chen Chu's mind, and couldn't help but say, "Lao Bai and the others are doing this for the loyalty and righteousness in their hearts."

Chen Chu said, "So many people died. If I don't do this job well, how can I be fair to them? Just now, I met Lao Bai's mother. She said that if the whole world became like Huaibei, Lao Bai would have died a worthy death. What if I don't do a good job?"

At one moment, for the first time in more than a decade, Mao'er saw a confused look in the official's eyes. Her heart ached, and she quickly shook the official's hand and gently advised: "Sir, you can do it well."

"If you can't do it well, don't do it!"

Cai Huan winked at Mao'er, then squatted down, held Chen Chu's face with both hands, pressed the thumbs of her left and right hands on the slightly drooping corners of Chen Chu's mouth, and pushed them up.

Well, the originally slightly depressed expression turned into a smiling face in Cai Huan's hands. She giggled, "Look, this is the puppy that I fell in love with at first sight when I was in Tongshan, and who is always full of confidence! If you are upset, I will not be the emperor anymore. How about our family go to your ancestral land of Aolai?"

Not only Mao'er, but also Xiaoyi and Jiao Tu were shocked. How could one persuade others in such a way?

Tomorrow is a big gift, and now you are encouraging the newcomer to quit his job and return to his homeland?
If that were true, the entire Huaibei region would go crazy!

"Aolai ancestral land."

Chen Chu repeated it twice in a murmur, and suddenly burst into laughter, "There is no such thing as Aolai ancestral land. I used it to coax the cat back then."

Everyone thought Chen Chu was just talking drunkenly, but Cai Hua asked, "Then where do you want to go? Maybe to Lusong, Xingjiapo, or Europa, as you mentioned?"

"How can that be done? There are still a lot of political matters to deal with, such as relocating people to Liaodong, reforming the land in Jiangnan, and promoting new grain."

Listening to Chen Chu talking about this, Cai Hua couldn't help but wink at Mao Er secretly, then helped Chen Chu get up and said, "So there are still so many things to do? Then go home and have a good sleep first."

I thought it would take some effort, but I didn't expect Chen Chu to actually get up obediently.

However, he was in such a state that he could not ride a horse, so Xiao Yi rushed back to the city and called for a carriage, and then everyone started to return to the city.

Because he was drunk, Chen Chu vomited painfully while being held in Cai Huan's arms during the not-so-bumpy journey.

Cai Huan was caught off guard and was vomited all over. She, who had a bit of a mysophobia, not only did she not show any reaction, but she quickly asked Maoer to pinch Chen Chu's chin, and she reached her hand into Chen Chu's mouth to push out all the vomit to prevent the dirt from blocking his trachea.

After entering the city, Chen Chu finally calmed down and fell into a deep sleep with his head resting on Mao'er's thighs.

Cai Huan finally had some free time, so she opened the car curtain to let the smell out, and then wiped her dirty hands on Chen Chu's clothes several times, but she was choked by the smell and retched several times.

Mao'er wiped Chen Chu's face with a handkerchief, and then stared at Cai Hua. Cai Hua thought Mao'er was upset about what she had just said, so she rolled her eyes and explained, "I'm not really asking him to run back to Aolai! It's just that he has been nervous for several years. I said that just to make him relax for a while. Men are just like women. When they are tired, don't preach to them. Just go along with what they say and make them happy. They will be fully recovered tomorrow."

Mao'er stroked Chen Chu's face with his thumb, but whispered: "Sister Cai, you don't have to explain to me, I understand. I was just thinking that you understand what the master is thinking better than anyone else in the world. You can help him and coax him. If you had known the master earlier than me, then the princess and the current queen would never have been my turn."

Mao'er's face looked rather lonely, probably because he admitted that he was not as compatible as Cai Huan and his husband.

Cai Hua was stunned for a few moments, then suddenly burst into laughter, "Hahaha, after more than ten years, you're finally willing to admit it?"

The cat pouted and rarely refuted.

It's rare. No matter how hostile they were at the beginning, or how close they became later on, Mao'er has never admitted defeat. Today is the first time since the beginning of the world.

Cai Hua laughed enough and finally said, "After all, I am a few years older than you."

Although he was proud of himself, he immediately revealed his own shortcomings and used his "old age" to make up for the cat's loss.

But the cat said, "What's wrong with being a few years older?"

"Hehe~" Cai Hua twisted her slender waist and shook her upper body. The spring clothes in April were already thin, and there was a dizzying ups and downs. The cat thought she was showing off again, but Cai Hua pointed at her chest and said, "I am a few years older than you. Do you think it is the only one that is growing recklessly?"

After that, Cai Hua pointed to her head and said proudly: "This is the most important thing!"

"You are smart and awesome, that's enough!"

The cat turned its head away in annoyance and muttered, "How old are you? You've grown bigger after having a baby. Don't you feel unsteady when you walk?"

At this moment, Chen Chu, who was resting his head on the cat's legs, closed his eyes, smacked his lips, and muttered, "Okay, okay."

Seeing this, Cai Hua suddenly became playful and stretched out her hand to pinch Chen Chu's cheek, saying with a smile: "Little dog, if the cat and I fell into the water at the same time, who would you save first?"

"Are you bored?"

Mao'er said something to Cai Huan, but her eyes involuntarily looked at Chen Chu at this moment, and she actually felt a little lacking in confidence.

But Chen Chu, who had just yelled something drunk, suddenly started snoring louder.

He said he slept soundly.

In late spring, Tokyo never sleeps.

The King of Chu Returns Home (End of this Chapter)