Do You Know?: Rule the World

"Tomorrow evening at 11:00 PM, she will be singing a short song at Guangyun Terrace. It's the same song you, Brother Zhao, composed, 'Mulanhua.'"

"Sir Wei also said that she had been practicing this poem for a long time and was waiting for Brother Zhao to personally review it after the examination."

Gu Tingye shook his head and sighed.

"This is the first time that Chief Wei has taken the initiative to invite others. Brother Zhao, you are truly blessed!"

Zhao Han raised his eyebrows, a hint of urgency flashed in his eyes, and jokingly said, "Isn't Yunniang from Yiyun Tower also deeply in love with you, Zhong Huai?"

"Hey, stop talking about this. Yunniang is no match for Wei Xingshou."

Gu Tingye waved his hands repeatedly, looked up at the sky, and said solemnly: "See you tomorrow at 11:00 p.m."

"it is good!"

"Where are you going?" Pinlan blinked her almond-shaped eyes and asked curiously.

Zhao Han and Gu Tingye looked at each other, ignored her question, and got into their carriages.

-

On the Huai River, seven large ships broke through the rippling waves and sailed steadily on the river like a long snake.

Sheng Hong and his family went to the capital this time. The luggage and belongings alone filled five ships. The maids and servants who had signed the death contract and volunteered to go to Bianjing took one ship.

In addition, the whole family, young and old, traveled separately on a high-quality ship painted with gold and colorful patterns.

After weighing the pros and cons and observing for these days, Old Lady Sheng finally decided to keep Minglan by her side and take her over as soon as she was settled in Beijing.

When Wang Ruofu learned about this, she felt very happy.

After all, she was reluctant to send Rulan to the old lady to raise, but she also didn't want Lin Qinshuang and her daughter to get this good thing for nothing.

Therefore, in her opinion, only Minglan would be the most suitable person to go there.

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Chapter 33 This is God’s will

Wei Xiaoniang is gentle and always remembers her status as a concubine.

Even if she had ten times the courage, she would not break the rules just because her daughter got face in front of the old lady.

No matter what, as long as it can make Lin Qinshuang unhappy, it will be a great thing for her.

In the cabin, Wang Ruofu was leaning on the soft couch, playing pitching pot with Mother Liu.

Rulan tilted her head and copied the calligraphy with a reluctant look on her face.

This was on the boat, and she had nowhere to hide even if she wanted to be lazy. She also had to be on guard against Sheng Hong coming to check her homework.

Hua Lan was quietly doing needlework on the side, her slender fingers pinching the silver needle, sometimes frowning slightly, sometimes showing a satisfied smile.

When a woman gets married, her dowry often includes items embroidered by her own hands.

For example, bedding and pillowcases are all decorated with auspicious patterns such as mandarin ducks playing in the water and a happy marriage.

These items are often not used in daily life, but are only used to show the upbringing of the girl and the family background.

"The results of the imperial examination will be announced in half a month. I am really worried. I hope that the brother of the Zhao family can give me a royal decree and live a life of luxury."

Wang Ruofu took a deep breath and spoke to herself.

Mother Liu comforted her, "Our eldest daughter is a blessed one, so please don't worry, ma'am."

Wang Ruofu looked down at the arrow in her hand, then at the three copper pots placed not far away.

The mouth of this pot is narrower in the middle and slightly larger on both sides.

However, Wang Ruofu's skill in throwing pots was very poor, and he played here for a long time.

The arrows either flew past the ears of the pot or hit the body of the pot, making a dull "clang clang" sound.

"If Zhao can pass high school, let me throw an arrow into this!"

After saying that, she closed her eyes, flicked her wrist lightly, and the arrow drew a graceful arc -

The next second, there was a loud "clang".

Right at the core!

The master and servant widened their eyes almost at the same time, their faces filled with joy.

"Madam, look at what I'm saying. This is God's will!"

Mother Liu's voice changed with excitement.

Wang Ruofu opened her mouth wide and was speechless for a long time. She secretly decided that when Changbai took the imperial examination in the future, she would also throw the pot once.

On the other hand, after thinking it over, Mrs. Sheng specially sent Fang Mama to personally summon Sheng Hong to talk to her tonight.

In the cabin, Sheng Hong sat beside the old lady a little stiffly.

From time to time, he glanced at her face, his fingers unconsciously stroking the jade pendant around his waist.

"Mother, do you have anything to say to your son?"

Sheng Hong spoke tentatively, his voice a little lower than usual.

Old Madam Sheng's expression remained calm. She put down her teacup and said calmly, "We're about to arrive in Bianjing. Madam Kong has taught us the rules for the young ladies, but isn't it time to establish some rules for our family as well?"

As soon as these words were spoken, Sheng Hong straightened his back and a look of confusion flashed across his face.

"What do you mean, mother? Hasn't our family been quite peaceful these days?"

The old lady's eyes were calm, and a string of Buddhist beads was slowly turning in her hands.

It is true that the housekeeper power is in Wang Ruofu's hands at the moment, but considering Sheng Hong's personality, I'm afraid it won't last for a few months.

Lin Qinshuang acted cute, shed a few tears, and said a few intimate words, and then the Sheng family was once again managed by the concubine.

So, she said calmly, "The emperor is far away in Yangzhou. Some things, no matter how big they are, can be easily suppressed by spending some money and asking for favors."

"But at the feet of the emperor, there are countless eyes watching: the censors of the Imperial Censorate, the spies of political opponents, and colleagues waiting to see the joke."

"If something embarrassing happens again, it won't end so easily."

"You have served as a judge before, so you should know what the accusation would be if you were impeached by the censor for favoring a concubine and neglecting your wife."

Although Mrs. Sheng's voice was soft, it weighed on Sheng Hong's heart like a mountain.

The Household and Marriage Law clearly stipulates that anyone who takes a concubine as his wife shall be sentenced to one and a half years in prison. Anyone who has an affair with his wife or concubine shall be punished with eighty strokes of the cane.

A few years ago, an official was impeached by the Censorate for favoring his concubine and abusing his wife, and was eventually demoted and exiled.

"You treated Lin Qinshuang not only by giving her land but also by giving her a shop, and you made her a concubine who lived a more respectable life than the mistress."

"My wife doesn't look like a wife, and my concubine doesn't look like a concubine."

"That's all I have to say about this matter. If you insist on having your own way, I won't stop you. After all, I'm not your biological mother, so I have no right to interfere in your affairs in the harem!"

As soon as these words were spoken, the cabin became eerily quiet for a moment, with only the sound of the river water hitting the deck.

Sheng Hong suddenly looked up at the old lady. After a moment's silence, he said, "Mother, I will keep your words in mind. From now on, only the eldest lady will be in charge of the household."

"I'll try to avoid Lin's visits as much as possible. As for Wei's... my son will definitely not let her suffer any more grievances."

Upon hearing this, the old lady lowered her eyelids slightly, waved her hand, and signaled Sheng Hong to go back.

Sheng Hong bowed deeply, took three steps back, and then turned and left.

-

After returning to Sheng's house, Sheng Wei specifically instructed the kitchen to prepare a nutritious dinner.

During the meal, he saw that Zhao Han looked tired and didn't say much. Even Pinlan, who was the most noisy in the past, sat quietly next to Shulan.

After dinner, when Zhao Han was about to go back to the courtyard to rest, an apricot-red figure suddenly appeared in the corridor.

"Brother Zhao, this is the calming incense my second sister recently made. It's made of the finest white sandalwood mixed with borneol. It's the best for calming the mind and relieving fatigue. She specifically asked me to bring it to you."

Zhao Han took the calming incense from Pinlan and said with a slight smile, "Go thank the Second Miss for me."

After a pause, he cupped his hands again and said, "Thank you, Miss Pinlan, for making this special trip."

"That's pretty much it."

Upon hearing this, Pinlan's face immediately broke into a smile.

"Brother Zhao, take a good rest. I won't bother you again in a few days!"

After leaving these words, Pinlan lifted up her skirt and ran away in a hurry.

Back in the courtyard, Zhao Han carefully put a pinch of spices into the incense burner.

The moment the tinder was lit, a wisp of green smoke rose up, and the mellow aroma of sandalwood and the cool aroma of borneol intertwined in the air, permeating the entire room like a gurgling stream.

Silent all night.

The next day, the tiredness that had accumulated between Zhao Han's brows finally disappeared.

The soothing incense in the house had long burned out, leaving only a faint lingering fragrance.

Now that the imperial examination is over, there is no need to study day and night anymore. Zhao Han plans to settle down in the capital after the results are announced, and then hire a master with excellent martial arts skills to work in his house.

It's not enough to be good at archery, you also have to learn some self-defense skills.

It would be a pity if all my energy were wasted.

It was almost the hour of Xu. After Chang Qing had prepared the carriage, he said, "Brother, it's time for us to set off. Gu Erlang reminded us several times before we parted yesterday that we must not be late."

"Let's go." Zhao Han responded with a smile.

Guangyuntai is extremely lively today. Lanterns were lit early in the morning, and there was an endless stream of carriages and horses in front of the gate. The building was brightly lit and filled with the scent of incense.

A servant recognized Zhao Han and hurried forward to lead the way. "Greetings, Young Master Zhao. Chief Wei has reserved a good seat for you. The second son of the Gu family is also waiting there."

Chapter 34 White Deer Cave Academy

Zhao Han looked up and saw Gu Tingye sitting in the elegant pavilion with a very comfortable look on his face. Serving him was Eleventh Lady, who was second only to Wei Xingshou in Guangyuntai.

As he entered the elegant pavilion, Gu Tingye put down his wine glass, stood up to greet him, and said with a smile: "If you had come a moment later, Brother Zhao, I would have sent Shi Tou to invite you personally!"

Eleventh Lady followed Yingying and stood up. After bowing, she personally poured two glasses of wine for the two of them.