When the sky turned white, Yang Fan came out of a side room, looked up at the sky, and tiptoed to the bridal chamber with a red "Happy" character.
He had already been back for a while. After comforting Wan'er, Yang Fan took advantage of the fact that the sky was still dark to rush back through the night. He first sat in a quiet room without any furnishings and rested for a while. Seeing that the first rays of dawn had appeared, he hurried back to the new room. The bride and groom couldn't let the servants see that they were sleeping in separate rooms on the first day.
Yang Fan was worried that Xiao Man might have locked the door and fallen asleep, and he would have to knock on the door to wake her up. Unexpectedly, when he gently pushed the door, it opened, and Yang Fan quietly slipped in. When he entered the room, he saw that the curtains on the bed had not been put down, and the brocade quilt was still neat. Xiao Man was lying on the table in front of the window, sound asleep.
Yang Fan softly walked over, and saw Xiao Man lying on the table with her head tilted, holding a brush in her hand, and a thick list of gifts in front of her. Yang Fan tilted his head to look, and saw that there was a large piece of paper in front of Xiao Man, and on it were rows of neatly written small words. It was the list that Xiao Man had organized.
Yang Fan gently sighed, took the brush from her hand, and put it on the table. He then went to the couch and took a thin blanket to cover her body. He sat down across from the table, and quietly looked at her.
Xiao Man's arms were on the table as a pillow, her head slightly tilted, and the hair ornament on her head was still on. Her hair was still misty, and it set off her charming and beautiful little face. Her long eyelashes were like a curtain, and her small mouth was slightly open. Her expression was incomparably cute, and people couldn't help but want to kiss her.
Yang Fan stared at her, and couldn't help but think of the first time they met. He was sitting on the wall, pretending to be a thief, and she was holding a spear, and her clothes fluttered, like a fairy flying in the sky. At that time, he would never have thought that one day, she would become his wife.
Wife?
Yang Fan suddenly recalled Xiaoman's strange habit of wanting to resist once she was touched by a man, and his brows couldn't help but tighten slightly. He could tell that Butchie was not lying. Last night, when he reached out to pat Butchie's shoulder, Butchie's casual slash was definitely a natural reaction.
Of course, he had patted Xiao Man's shoulder before, but she was not so sensitive at that time. It seemed that light contact was not enough to arouse such a strong reaction from her. It was only because she was a bride last night, with a special identity and a special moment that she was particularly frightened.
If that's the case, does that mean that Butchie's quirk only kicks in when she realizes that a man wants to be intimate with her?
When he thought up to here, Yang Fan couldn't help but feel gloomy.
Although he was young, he had traveled extensively and heard many strange things. He knew that there were some people in this world who were different from ordinary people. For example, some people were mysophobic and washed their hands dozens of times a day. Some people liked pink and painted everything in the house pink, including the horse they rode and the dog they raised. He had also seen a person who liked to eat raw things, whether it was earthworms, frogs, snakes, dogs, sparrows …
But Butchie's quirk … Was this a natural quirk, or was it because of what she had experienced … The uncomfortable feeling became stronger. Yang Fan didn't want to think about it anymore. He gently spat out a mouthful of impure air and drove this unpleasant thought out of his mind. His eyes once again fixed on Butchie's face.
She was his bride, but it was only now that he had the opportunity to look at her appearance.
As soon as he looked, Yang Fan immediately noticed something strange. Butchie had a pair of black and bright eyebrows. Although it slightly affected her gentle and beautiful appearance, it also gave her a kind of heroic spirit that was different from other women. Her pair of heroic eyebrows was unforgettable.
At this moment, her eyebrows had become thin and curved. It was obvious that they had been trimmed. Yang Fan looked at Butchie, who had suddenly become unusually charming, and couldn't help but reveal a gentle smile on his lips. He gently stretched out his hand and swept it along Butchie's curved eyebrows, as if he was drawing her eyebrows.
His fingertips were actually still a little distance from Butchie's eyebrows, but for some reason, after his hand gently swept past, Butchie's eyelids moved and she suddenly woke up.
"Ah!" Butchie opened her eyes and saw Yang Fan sitting across from her. She couldn't help but cover her mouth in surprise.
Yang Fan smiled and said, "You're awake? Why did you fall asleep here? You didn't even remove your makeup. Can this relieve your tiredness? "
"Oh, I … I'm fine." Butchie straightened her back, and the thin blanket on her shoulders slid down. Butchie touched the blanket around her waist and secretly glanced at Yang Fan. A warm feeling welled up in her heart.
Yang Fan said, "Why didn't you sleep well last night? What's the rush to tidy up the gift list?"
Butchie raised her hand to tidy up a lock of hair at the side of her temple and said with her head lowered, "Favors have to be returned sooner or later. I didn't feel sleepy last night, so I wanted to tidy it up first so that I wouldn't have to do too much cleaning today and accidentally lose one of the gifts. Oh, right, you have to take a special look at this one … "
Butchie suddenly remembered something. She reached into her pocket and took out a cowhide bag. She said, "You threw this in the room last night. I opened it and realized it was something valuable."
Yang Fan took the cowhide bag and asked curiously, "What is this?"
Butchie replied, "I remember that Chen Shou gave it to you after the guests left last night. He said it was a congratulatory gift from someone called Zhao Yu!"
Yang Fan let out an "ah" sound and said, "Yes, I remember now, what did he give me?" Yang Fan said as he opened the leather bag and put his hand inside to feel. Butchie took a deep breath and said in a deep voice, "It's a contract for the transfer of the shops!"
"Transfer of the shops?"
"Yes! This is the contract for the transfer of 16 shops in Luoyang City. I've already looked at it. These 16 shops are all located in the busiest area of Nanshan City's Cross Street. That street has the most customers. There are 17 shops on each side of the street, all of which are extremely profitable. Now … these 16 shops are all yours. "
Yang Fan was stunned. He knew that Shen Mu would give gifts, but he didn't expect the gift to be so generous. He knew that Shen Mu was rich, but he never knew how rich he was. Today, seeing this gift from Shen Mu, he finally understood what it meant to be rich enough to rival a country!
Yang Fan was stunned for a moment, then laughed and said, "How generous! How generous! But … since there are only seventeen shops in that street, and he has given away sixteen of them, why not buy the other one and give it to me? Hehe, then wouldn't the whole street be ours? "
Butchie sniffed and said with a strange expression, "Because the other shop is mine."
"Ah?"
This time, it was Yang Fan's turn to be stunned. Butchie knew how much effort she had put in to buy that shop. It was because the shop owner was convicted of treason and died in prison. Butchie happened to be the person who handled the case. There were many twists and turns in the process. Owning 16 shops was really unimaginable.
Butchie sighed softly and said, "That location is extremely profitable. No matter how much money you offer, no one will change hands. So, since this person can give you 16 shops, he definitely didn't buy them from someone else. It can only be … the shops originally belonged to him."
Yang Fan grunted in acknowledgment. Xiaoman's analysis was not far from the truth. Butchie said, "When I was there, I never knew that those shops belonged to the same person. This shows how secretive this person is. Now, he is so generous. Lang … Langjun … "
Butchie was obviously not used to this title, but she finally said it after a while. When she said "Langjun," her face was already as beautiful as a peach. "Those who give gifts must have a request. This person gave such a generous gift, what is he after? Langjun … You are a general. What does a merchant want from you? Langjun, think twice. "
Yang Fan could feel the deep concern in her words. He smiled and said, "Don't worry. I know why he gave such a generous gift. I know what I'm doing! "
As Yang Fan spoke, he no longer looked at the leather bag but handed it to Butchie.
Butchie hesitated and said, "This is …?"
Yang Fan said, "Who else can I give our family's property to if not my wife?"
"Oh …"
Butchie lowered her head shyly and took the leather bag. She carefully savored the title "wife" and actually felt a little intoxicated …
…
After the morning court, Wu Zetian went to Wucheng Hall. When she arrived, she glanced around and found that one person was missing: Wan 'er.
Wan 'er was her most capable assistant. She was indispensable every day. Every day when she came to Wucheng Hall, Wan' er would be there early to welcome her. She would arrange the official matters that needed to be dealt with according to the priority. Why wasn't she here today?
Wu Zetian was a little unhappy and asked around, "Where is Wan 'er? Why isn't she waiting for me in the hall?"
Eunuch Hai hurriedly bowed and said, "Everyone, Shangguan Daizhao has been feeling a little unwell recently. She is also busy with Bodyguard Yang's wedding. The day before yesterday, everyone agreed to let her take three days off and rest in the manor."
"Oh! Yes, yes, alas! I'm old, really old! I don't even remember what I said … "
Wu Zetian shook her head and sighed. She sat behind the imperial desk.
Without Shangguan Wan 'er's early selection, reading, annotations, and suggestions, Wu Zetian had a hard time going through so many memorials by herself. Her eyes were already a little blurry, and after going through the memorials for a while, her eyes were filled with tears.
Wu Zetian sighed in annoyance. She heavily put down her brush and leaned against the back of the chair. She lightly pinched the space between her eyebrows and closed her eyes to rest. At this time, there was a sudden noise outside. Wu Zetian opened her eyes and angrily said, "Who is making noise outside?"
Eunuch Hai hurriedly rushed in to report, "Reporting to everyone, Hongwen Scholar Wang Qingzhi has barged into the palace to see the Emperor. This servant said that everyone is dealing with state affairs and told him to wait. He said that everyone has given him a pass and this servant cannot stop him …"
Before she could finish, Wang Qingzhi rushed in from outside, followed by two young eunuchs. When Wang Qingzhi saw Wu Zetian, he immediately bowed to the ground. Without waiting for him to speak, Wu Zetian sneered and said, "Wang Qingzhi, you have been running to our palace quite frequently these days! Today, you are here to depose the Crown Prince and install Wei Wang? "
Wang Qingzhi respectfully said, "Your Majesty, the heir to the throne is the foundation of the country. How can we not value it? Wei Wang's character is noble, virtuous, and knowledgeable. He is the best candidate for the Crown Prince … "
Wu Zetian's face was as heavy as water. She coldly cut him off, saying, "We will not die for a while yet. Why are you so anxious?"
When Wang Qingzhi heard this, he could not help but be stunned. When he stole a glance at Wu Zetian's expression, he panicked even more. Seeing that Wu Zetian was unhappy, Wang Qingzhi hurriedly knelt down and explained, "Your Majesty, please forgive me! This official is loyal and devoted. Everything I think and do is for Your Majesty's country. This official has absolutely no selfish motives! "
Wu Zetian was so angry that she laughed and said, "We have accepted your loyalty. We have many state affairs to attend to. Let's not talk about Crown Prince Yi for the time being! "
As Wu Zetian spoke, she flipped open a memorial in front of her. She picked up a brush to moisten the ink. Without raising her head, she said, "Duke Wang Qingzhi is loyal to the country. He is a role model for all officials. Pass the decree and reward him! "
"Thank you, Your Majesty!"
Wang Qingzhi heaved a sigh of relief and hurriedly kowtowed to the ground. When he saw Wu Zetian's expression just now, he knew that he had come at the wrong time. Fortunately, he was not punished.
Eunuch Little Hai held onto his horsetail whisk and bowed for a long time. Seeing that Wu Zetian was not speaking again, he quietly raised his head and saw that Wu Zetian was reading through a memorial. Little Hai swallowed and said cautiously, "Everyone! This servant is listening to the decree. Uh … I wonder what everyone would like to reward Scholar Wang? "
Wu Zetian replied indifferently, "Reward him with a caning!"
Wu Zetian's brush paused for a moment, then she said, "Have Assistant Minister of the Phoenix Pavilion, Li Zhaode, supervise the execution. Go!"
"This servant … obeys the decree!"
Little Hai's mind raced for a moment before she understood. She hurriedly waved her hand at the two palace guards. The two guards rushed forward and grabbed Wang Qingzhi, dragging him out.
Wang Qingzhi only realized when he heard the word "supervise". Caning had existed since the Eastern Han Dynasty, but emperors throughout the ages rarely used it. So when Wang Qingzhi first heard the word caning, he was still wondering if this "caning" was a reward for him or an official position. By the time he came to his senses, he had already been dragged out of Wucheng Hall.
Little Hai also followed, hurrying to the Hall of Governmental Affairs to see Li Zhaode. Li Zhaode and Di Renjie were discussing the recent fluctuations in the price of grain in Chang 'an. Hearing Little Hai's words, Li Zhaode frowned and said indifferently, "I understand. I will go now!"
As soon as Little Hai left, Li Zhaode began to complain, "What kind of thing is Wang Qingzhi? A lowly person who only knows how to flatter! This person has repeatedly entered the palace to cause a ruckus and annoyed the saints. If the saints want to caning him, then just do it. Why do I have to supervise the execution? When did I, the grand prime minister, become a lowly official? "
Di Renjie stroked his beard and thought for a moment. He glanced at him and said, "The first time Wang Qingzhi entered the palace, it was you, Brother Zhaode, who ruined his plans?"
Li Zhaode stuck out his beard and grunted, "That's right. What about it?"
Di Renjie laughed sinisterly and slowly said, "His Majesty is wise and farsighted. Every word and action has a deep meaning. Now that he has appointed you to supervise the execution, I'm afraid it won't be as simple as a caning … "
At that time, caning rarely killed people. The purpose of caning was mainly to humiliate and punish, so Li Zhaode had never thought of the word "kill". But when Di Renjie said this, Li Zhaode naturally understood. He couldn't help but clap his hands and say, "That's right! Take this opportunity to kill this loathsome thing. Let's see who still dares to plead for Wu Chengsi! "
Di Renjie quickly waved his hands and said, "Why do you say that? I only said that His Majesty might have a deeper meaning. As for what the deeper meaning is, heaven's will is unfathomable. Who can be sure? Prime Minister Li, don't be rash! "
Li Zhaode pointed at Di Renjie and said, "Hey! 'You old fox.' I can't be bothered with you. I'm going to supervise the execution at the Meridian Gate! "
…
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