soy sauce lady

Chapter 5

The test results of the Prince Regent's Mansion came out soon, the first name was naturally Fu Qingyu, and Wen Su was barely in the middle, so he could stay anyway.

As for the ranks of Qin Rong and other five official ladies, it is said that it is no longer possible to test, because the regent only ordered Zhao Quan: "Send me out of the house if you are a good student." There is no mention of the grades.

The ladies from the official family came here with the ardent expectations of their families. After working hard for so long, how could they be willing to be sent away like this?

Especially Qin Rong, who had sworn to her family before coming here that she would not go back unless she got the title of concubine.For this reason, she also caused a lot of trouble.

To put it simply, it was nothing more than stripping naked and crawling on the bed of the regent, wanting to make some scandals, but the person who entered the room later turned out to be the king of Pingyang, so it caused a big tragedy.

It turned out that Xiao Zheng considered Xiao Duan's poor health, so he vacated the East Nuan Pavilion where he lived, and moved to the west.

At this point, the battle for the regent of several official ladies ended in annihilation of the entire army, and they were all sent out of the mansion the next day.

Today, there are only two female staff members left in the Regent's Palace: the well-deserved Fu Qingyu and the half-toned Wen Su.

The royalist party had sent the news to the little emperor. Recently, the little emperor was angry with Xiao Zheng over the appointment of the number one scholar, and he was overjoyed when he heard the news.

Ha, don't you want women to be officials?Now there are only two left, it depends on what you want to do!
His Majesty the Emperor was in a good mood, so he decided to take advantage of the good mood to handle the appointment of the number one scholar, and sent someone to invite Xiao Zheng to come to the Imperial Study for discussion.

He has already made up his mind, and today he will defend his Ninth Five-Year Honor no matter what, so just order Liu Ke, no discussion!
Fugui saw the unstoppable determination in His Majesty's exquisite eyebrows and eyes, and he kept worrying in his heart: Today, the little ancestor must never quarrel with the regent, he looked at the unfathomable expression of the regent I'm afraid...

Not long after, there was a sound of footsteps outside the hall, and then a eunuch sang loudly: "The regent has arrived—"

Before the words finished, Xiao Zheng had already pushed the door and walked in.The black court attire with wide sleeves and wide robe added endless charm to his body. There was a gentle and alienated smile on his mouth, but his eyes were as calm as ever.

"Your Majesty, have you considered it?" As he approached the table, his neutral tone clearly fell into the emperor's ears.

The little emperor raised his eyebrows, "Uncle Huang is straight to the point, that's okay, I've already made up my mind."

"Oh?" Xiao Zheng gently raised his hand, "Please tell me, Your Majesty."

"Just order..."

The voice stopped suddenly, because His Majesty the Emperor saw his uncle suddenly unfasten the belt around his waist.

"Your Majesty, please continue." Xiao Zheng held the buckle with his right hand, tapped his left palm lightly, and looked at him calmly.

There was a burst of horror in the emperor's eyes.

He knew what it was.

When Xiao Zheng fought in all directions and was in the limelight, Emperor Chongguang once rewarded him with a precious sword, saying that seeing the sword was like seeing himself, and even said that this sword can be used to flog the faint king and kill the slanderous ministers.

At that time, Xiao Zheng replied respectfully: "If you are in the palace, the ministers are not allowed to wear swords, how can you make the emperor faint and slander the ministers?"

Emperor Chongguang thought for a moment when he heard the words, and then he untied the belt around his waist and handed it to him, "The palace always wears a belt. If there is such a day, you can use this belt."

After recalling, the little emperor secretly swallowed.

This is a threat, a naked threat!

"Your Majesty hasn't made a decision yet..." Xiao Zheng tapped the buckle unhurriedly, but his eyes narrowed slightly, revealing a hint of danger.

"Zhen..." The little emperor clenched his fists and wanted to say Liu Ke's name, but he was also afraid that Xiao Zheng would really do something to him.

He is not a good person, what is it to beat the emperor?He can do anything!

"I, I think..." The little emperor held up the ink pen, hesitating between the two names on the booklet in front of him.

"Your Majesty, for the sake of the country, you must not make decisions based on personal preferences."

When Xiao Zheng said this, he finally stopped knocking on the buckle. The emperor was about to breathe a sigh of relief, but he suddenly slammed the buckle on the table again, and the emperor almost jumped out of the chair in shock.

"Indecisiveness is not an act of a wise king, His Majesty should make a decision early in the morning."

Even the Emperor Qiangu who later created the prosperous age of Chongde was just a child under eight years old at this time, and His Majesty the Emperor who had always been held in his palm gritted his teeth and tried not to cry.

He finally understood that the so-called negotiation had turned into forcing him to submit!

The ink brush in his hand was tightly drawn, the emperor pursed his lips, and finally drew a circle on Zhou Xianda's name.

"Your Majesty is wise." Xiao Zheng buckled his belt almost immediately, with a gratified smile on his face.

The emperor said unconvinced: "At least give Liu Ke a second place."

"His Majesty hand-picked it, as it should be."

The emperor burst into tears, he should hand-picked the No. [-] scholar, why should he choose No. [-]?

There is no way to live in this world...

"By the way, I still have something to report to Your Majesty." Xiao Zheng was about to leave, but suddenly remembered something and stopped again.

The little emperor was startled again when he saw this, and he regained his composure after hearing his words clearly, coughed and said: "Uncle, please tell me."

Xiao Zheng smiled at him, not as indifferent as usual, but somewhat comforting, "It's my king's birthday in a few days, and the king of Pingyang intends to return to Beijing to celebrate his birthday. Now that he has arrived at the Prince Regent's mansion, His Majesty should feel that Are you okay?"

The little emperor's face turned blue immediately.

Not to mention that it is a felony for King Pingyang to go back to Beijing privately, so how can there be such a reason for beheading first and then playing?He glared at Xiao Zheng angrily, pursed his vermilion lips, and did not answer until... Xiao Zheng pressed his hand on the buckle...

"Ah...that's how it is." His majesty smiled instantly on his face, the blue color faded, and his face was flushed, as if what he just heard was a pleasant topic. "It's just a trivial matter. The emperor's uncle's birthday is approaching. I will hold a banquet for you in the palace to celebrate. Originally, I wanted to recall King Pingyang."

Xiao Zheng moved his hands from his waist, nodded with a smile, "Thank you for your kindness, but the court is now at the time to recharge its energy, so there is no need to spend money on this king's little birthday, since your majesty has selected the champion, It should be the Qionglin Banquet."

His Majesty the Emperor, who had been mentioned sadly, glanced at his waist with resentful eyes, and nodded sadly and angrily.

When Xiao Zheng stepped out of the imperial study, His Majesty the Emperor covered his face and went straight to the Empress Dowager's bedroom.

Queen Mother, Uncle Huang was going to beat up his son just now...

In the Prince Regent's Mansion, Wen Su folded her head and shoulders and played the role of a spinning top again.

Fu Qingyu squatted in front of her and comforted her: "Susu, why are you so afraid of me? I don't want you to do bad things."

Wen Su raised her head slightly, revealing two bitter eyes, "But you know that I feel like throwing up when I see cakes now, what kind of cakes do you want me to make?"

Originally thought that Qin Rong's good days would come soon after Qin Rong left, but Fu Qingyu also thought of asking her to make pastries.

Seeing Wen Su's reluctance, Fu Qingyu had no choice but to tell the reason: "Susu, do you know what's going on in the palace recently?"

Wen Su blinked suspiciously, "What's the big deal?"

"My lord's birthday is approaching."

"Ah..." Wen Su suddenly realized, and then asked very sincerely, "What's none of my business?"

Fu Qingyu had an expression of hating iron for being weak, "Susu, you and I are living in the palace now, how can we rely on the prince for promotion in the future? How can you not show something for the prince's birthday?"

Wen Su was stunned again, "So you asked me to make pastries for him?"

Fu Qingyu nodded, "We can't afford luxurious things, and the prince doesn't like ordinary things. It's better to cook some food and put some thought into it. Maybe it can make the prince happy. Besides, you are good at it."

"So that's it." Wen Su stood up, patted on his clothes, and returned to human form, "You are right, after all, I live under someone else's fence, so I'll give it a try."

Fu Qingyu nodded with a smile, and was about to send her out, but Wen Su turned her head around again, smiling like a thief, "Qingyu, why do you know exactly when the prince's birthday is?"

Fu Qingyu's smile froze immediately, her face turned red, Wen Su had already gone out with a smirk on her face...

When Xiao Zheng returned to the palace, he learned that Xiao Duan was waiting for him in the Huxin Pavilion, so he rushed over without changing his court clothes.As soon as he got closer, he saw Xiao Duan in snow clothes half leaning on a grand teacher's chair, looking at him with bent eyes and smiling, his posture was like a painting in a leisurely manner.

"Uncle is finally back. My nephew has been waiting for a long time, and the food is getting cold." He pointed at the table in front of him.

Xiao Zheng looked at the stone table, there was a pot of high-quality old-fashioned flower carvings, a dazzling array of delicacies such as Zuan shark's fin, dry-roasted rock carp, rock sugar lotus, and lychee meat.

"Uncle Su Wen has always been frugal, so don't scold me for my nephew's expenses today."

Xiao Zheng sat down opposite him, smiled, "I know you love uncle, so how can I blame you."

Xiao Duan's smile became more and more joyful, and his usual slightly downcast appearance seemed to be full of energy at this moment, "By the way, uncle, it will be your birthday soon, do you have any arrangements?"

"It's just a simple matter in the mansion, there is no need to waste money." Xiao Zheng picked up the flagon and poured a glass of wine, and helped Xiao Duan also pour it by the way.

"How can this be done? Uncle is now the most powerful person in Daliang. Didn't the emperor say anything about his birthday?"

Xiao Duan's usually gentle voice sounded a little gloomy at this moment, Xiao Zheng raised his eyes to look at him, his face gradually darkened, "Remember, the most powerful person in Daliang is His Majesty, not this king!"

The tone of these words was a bit heavy, Xiao Duan couldn't help turning pale when he heard the words, but soon he smiled again, "What uncle said is that my nephew made a slip of the tongue."

Only then did Xiao Zheng's expression soften, and he picked up his wine glass and began to sip.

It may be that the topic just now was a bit awkward, and the two of them didn't speak again for a while, and just drank in silence for a while.However, Xiao Duan's eyes always fell on Xiao Zheng.

He was only one step away from the highest position, but his uncle didn't seem to care about it at all.

Is it true, or is it false?

"Uncle," he couldn't help but finally opened his mouth, Xiao Duan gathered his collar, leaned over to Xiao Zheng's position, an imperceptible gleam flashed in his black and white eyes, "You won't... Are you going to be the Prince Regent forever?"

Xiao Zheng's eyes froze, and the wine glass that had just been raised to his lips was slowly put down again.However, he didn't say anything, just looked at Xiao Duan quietly, his unfathomable eyes made it impossible to see what was in his heart.

Xiao Duan felt a burst of coercion in his eyes, and shrank back unconsciously.During this movement, Xiao Zheng got up, flicked his sleeves, and strode away, leaving a moment of astonishment...

After a few glasses of wine, my body felt lighter, but my heart was a little irritable.Xiao Zheng slowed down his pace and let Zhao Quan follow him a few feet away, taking a leisurely walk in the mansion.

It was not the first time that Xiao Duan said those words just now, since he became the regent, this kind of voice would fall into his ears from time to time, and there were many confidants in his court who suggested this.

However, he never responded.

After passing through the back garden, and walking back for a while, Xiao Zheng paused slightly when he came to a courtyard.

Hearing from the steward that those female staff members were arranged here, it was his first time here.

The courtyard is square and very quiet, probably because there are only two people living here at this time.

Xiao Zheng originally planned to leave, but suddenly heard a singing sound, curious for a moment, and followed the sound to find the past.

The door of the kitchen was open, and a woman was wearing a skirt with blue background and white flowers. She was kneading dough on the table sideways. She didn't care if the flour was on the tip of her nose, and she just hummed Jiangnan ditties intoxicated.

Wu Nong's soft words flowed slowly between her lips, soft and sweet, flowing water on a small bridge, clear springs passing over stones, just like the place where the spring water and blue waves are falling, and the Huailin forest is full of Qionghua in May.

His Highness the Prince Regent's heart, which was disturbed by mundane matters, suddenly felt at peace...

Qinghai is located on a plateau, and its products are not as rich as Daliang. Therefore, at certain times every year, Qinghai would come to Daliang to barter. Most of them exchanged gold, silver, bronzes, blankets, fabrics, and precious medicinal materials for tea, silk, and fine white rice noodles.Non-governmental transactions are not large, and they occur all year round.Large-scale transactions are made by the officials of the two countries, usually in May of each year.

This year is a bit different. As soon as April arrived, Qinghai Kingdom's credentials were sent to Liangdu by Kuaima and handed over to the Regent, claiming that Her Majesty the Queen will send a special envoy to Liangdu with the trading group to observe the new deal. Progress.

So in the court hall on the second day, all the ministers started a war of words again.

The chief assistant Ding Zhengyi took the lead in the battle, and said dissatisfiedly: "Yi Di is really rude. I am a leader in etiquette, and the most important thing is honesty. It is presumptuous for the barbarian Lizi to come to test it!"

Lu Fang, Minister of the Ministry of War, who has always supported Xiao Zheng the most, also likes to fight against Ding Zhengyi the most, and he immediately replied: "It's just to see the progress, but it becomes a temptation in the mouth of the chief assistant, so it's hard to block it." No?"

Ding Zhengyi glared at him immediately, he is just a brat, how dare he point fingers at him!Hmph, if it wasn't for Xiao Zheng's former ministry, how could it be his turn to be the Minister of War!
The more Mr. Ding thought about it, the angrier he became, pointing at him and cursing: "You wait on the battlefield, you are illiterate, short-sighted, scheming and cunning, how can you see it?"

Unexpectedly, this scolding silenced the hall, it was so quiet that a needle could be heard.

"It turns out that people who are scrambling in the battlefield have no ink?" Xiao Zheng narrowed his eyes and looked at Ding Zhengyi coldly.

Mr. Ding is old enough to have assisted the monarchs of two dynasties, so seeing Xiao Zheng's expression at this time, he couldn't help feeling a little flustered.

Although he is unwilling, he has to admit that Xiao Zheng is a natural superior, with a self-proclaimed dignity and a strong aura.

"I'm just discussing the matter." Ding Zhengyi took a hard look at Lu Fang, and looked back guiltily, pretending that he didn't see Xiao Zheng's gaze.

"I think that since there are envoys coming, I should treat them nicely, so as to show my demeanor."

It was rare for Zuodu Censor Wang Dingyong not to contradict Xiao Zheng this time, and the royal party couldn't help but be a little surprised.

The little emperor sat on the top, glanced at Xiao Zheng's face quietly, cleared his throat and said: "The matter of the New Deal has always been taken care of by the Regent Emperor Uncle, and this time I must have already been caressing about it. Preparing the Qionglin Banquet is serious."

Xiao Zheng couldn't help laughing when he heard the words, he, the emperor's nephew, was still getting angry with him about the hand-picked champion.

"Alright, why not postpone the Qionglin Banquet until the envoys come and celebrate together." Xiao Zheng looked at the emperor with a half-smile, "In that case, His Majesty should be better prepared."

The emperor was repelled by the army, and immediately became angry, and snorted coldly: "What the emperor said is very true, let's do it like this." After saying that, he walked away with a flick of his sleeves, and Fugui hurriedly shouted "retire from the court" It's rounded off.

When walking out of the palace gate, Lu Fang followed behind Xiao Zheng and said in a low voice: "Your Majesty's temper is getting more and more irritable, and he is somewhat similar to that old nail."

The old nail naturally refers to Ding Zhengyi.

Xiao Zheng just smiled indifferently when he heard the words, "I'm still a child, what are you fussing about with him?"

Lu Fang respectfully said yes, then remembered something again, and asked with a smile: "My lord's birthday is approaching, how do you plan to celebrate?"

Xiao Zheng glanced at him sideways, and strode away, "I don't intend to celebrate, and none of you are allowed to offer gifts."

Lu Fang is busy only saying yes.

Although Xiao Zheng himself said that he would not celebrate, the Prince Regent's Palace is already making preparations.

King Pingyang took the butler first to make the guest list and then the menu, and was very busy, but Xiao Zheng didn't know about these. In his words, he wanted to surprise his uncle.

Basically, it was to make some compensation for what upset him that day.

At the same time, Wen Su was working hard to design a birthday gift for the Prince Regent. He had to spend half a day in the kitchen every day, and finally the cook didn't come, so he simply gave up the kitchen to her.

But these days it seems a little weird, Wen Su always feels that someone is nearby when she is busy, especially when she is humming, but she has seen it, and there is no one else inside and out.

Fortunately, it was not at night, otherwise it would be really scary!

This afternoon, the sun was fine, Wen Su put a chair in front of the kitchen, lying in the yard basking in the sun thinking about creativity.

When it comes to making pastries, she has been greedy since she was a child, and she has practiced her hand skills well, but she just learns what she has.Now that the regent is celebrating his birthday, naturally he can't just present it in a trick that the predecessors have done, that would seem too insincere.In addition, she has never met the Prince Regent several times at all, and she doesn't know what he likes, maybe she can't even grasp the taste well.

Thinking about it this way, I can't help but feel a little discouraged.

He was squinting his eyes half awake and half asleep, when his eyes dimmed, someone was obviously standing in front of him.

Wen Su thought it was Fu Qingyu, so she muttered and complained: "I don't know what the regent likes, I'm afraid I can't make good things."

"Oh? What are you going to do for the Prince Regent?"

Wen Su seemed to have heard this voice before, and Wen Su opened her eyes in a jerk, and was facing an exquisite face: a face so white that it was almost transparent, a slightly thin chin, black and white eyes, and a slightly rising bright red lips...

Wen Su blinked, and quickly calculated in his brain, and said with a smile: "Ah, I don't know where this gentleman is from?"

"It's not the first time we've met, so polite." Xiao Duan smiled and stood up straight, looking at her with his arms folded.

Wen Su looked up at the sky, pretending to be stupid, "Have we met?"

"Yeah, isn't it in this yard? About ten steps to the left of your seat."

It's over, it seems to be here to settle accounts.

Wen Su was fully on guard, all she could do was continue to pretend to be stupid, "Well, I'm afraid the young master admitted the wrong person? Why don't I remember?"

Xiao Duan smiled slightly, Bai Hua turned pale, "You have a faint fragrance of Sophora japonica, I remember it very clearly, so don't pretend."

Wen Su suddenly drooped his shoulders, lord, your nose is really bright too, right? !
"I didn't expect you to be among the only two remaining female staff members, otherwise you and I would never have met." Xiao Duan patted the armrest of the chair, signaling her to get up.

Only then did Wen Su realize that she was still sitting, and hurriedly stood up, and saw Xiao Duan sitting on the chair generously, and she was standing instead.

"By the way, what did you say you were going to do for the regent?"

Wen Su decided to pretend to be stupid to the end, and said solemnly: "Young master, I advise you not to ask more about the regent's affairs."

"If you pretend you don't know me, I will ask the regent to ask you in person."

"Uh..." Wen Su was terrified, and hastily bowed down, "The daughter of the people sees the prince of Pingyang."

Xiao Duan nodded with a smile, "That's right, tell me, what are you going to do for the Regent?"

Wen Su sighed, it's not that she can't say it, but she hasn't made it yet, and she doesn't know what it is, so it's really hard to say.

After thinking about it for a long time, I had no choice but to say: "Probably... it's a kind of pastry."

Xiao Duan immediately became interested when he heard the words, raised his eyebrows and looked Wen Su up and down, and when he found that the woman in front of him was actually a beauty, his eyes became clear.

"I see……"

The ending sound was so ecstatic that Wen Su's heart couldn't help trembling.

My lord, what exactly do you understand?

Xiao Duan smiled lightly: "Since you don't know what my uncle likes, how about I tell you?"

"Really?" Wen Su became excited when she heard the words, the more she knew, the less she made mistakes, it couldn't be better.

"Of course it's true." A cunning flashed in Xiao Duan's eyes, but the smile on the corner of his mouth became brighter, he beckoned her to come over, and whispered something in a low voice.

Eh?Wen Su was stunned after hearing this, does the regent have such a hobby?

"What? You don't believe it?"

Wen Su resisted the urge to nod, and saluted, "How dare you, thank you, Lord, for your guidance."

"Yeah." Xiao Duan got up and walked out, and when he was leaving the hospital, he didn't forget to add: "Then I'll be waiting for your cake then."

Wen Su could only obey obediently.

After a while, she suddenly came to her senses, and murmured: "Could it be that the person I often feel recently is King Pingyang?"

No wonder!
On the roof of the kitchen, Zhao Quan turned his head silently, looking at the tall figure sitting beside him.

I don't know what's going on, since I heard this girl's singing that day, the prince seems to be addicted to it, and he always has to listen to it for a while before giving up.Today, because of the sudden visit of King Pingyang, the two even flew onto the roof.

What is it all about.

The same goes for King Pingyang, why come here for nothing?Come on, come on, and even recognize this girl, isn't that the same as exposing the embarrassment of his unfortunate fall from a high altitude that day?
Zhao Quan sighed helplessly, and asked Xiao Zheng in a low voice: "My lord, can you go back?"

Xiao Zheng's eyes were slightly disappointed, he nodded and said: "Go back, it seems that I won't be able to hear that singing today."

It's a pity, but that's the cure for upset and insomnia.

It's a pity that Zhao Quan, who didn't know about it, misunderstood it, and kept holding his chest and praying: "My lord, please don't look at someone who can make cakes. I don't want to retire so early..."

(End of this chapter)