In the fourth year of Emperor Chong Zhen, there were many wars in the north. The imperial court kept conscripting soldiers, and the military expenses were endless. The corvee and taxes were doubled, and the common people had no way to make a living. The Great An Dynasty had been peaceful for three hundred years, and even the imperial examinations and the Great Yan Examination were forced to stop.
Two years ago, the Yan army conquered Dingzhou and entered Hebei. The imperial court suffered another defeat and retreated to Taiyuan. The two sides were divided by the Funiu River.
In the blink of an eye, it was the New Year again. The common people in An Ling City did not celebrate the New Year as they did in the past. Everyone was in a state of panic. They did not know when the Yan army would come to the capital. Many well-informed people secretly packed their belongings and prepared to go to the south to seek refuge with their relatives after the New Year.
If the common people were so frightened, then the imperial court officials who knew the Yan army better. Before the New Year, there were many family members of officials who left the capital to seek refuge. They did not dare to leave openly, so they used the excuse of visiting relatives and friends. Some even resigned and fled in the night.
When Emperor Chong Zhen heard this, he was furious. On the same day, he ordered the arrest of those good-for-nothings who resigned and fled and put them in prison. He also ordered the Yulin Royal Guards to investigate the situation. Any family member of an official who left the capital without a reason was severely punished.
Because of this, a lot of people were implicated and imprisoned. There was no celebration during the New Year. Everyone lived with their tails between their legs, afraid that the Emperor's anger would burn on them.
Yu Shu was one of the few ministers who were not affected by the war. Over the past few years, the Emperor had put a lot of trust in her. Although the army sent by the imperial court to suppress the rebels had suffered losses on the battlefield, with her advice and strategies, they had won a few battles and slowed down the advance of one hundred thousand Great Yan soldiers. Otherwise, the Great Yan army would have conquered Taiyuan by now.
Emperor Chong Zhen was a proud and arrogant man. He was full of ambition, but he was born at the wrong time. If it were a peaceful era, he might be able to grow into a wise emperor. But, it was a time of chaos. The Imperial Court under his rule had long decayed. How could it resist the Emperor of Great Yan, who had a group of followers who risked their lives for him?
.....
On the fifteenth of the first month, there was a lantern festival in the city. In the evening, the streets were bustling with noise and excitement. There was a sea of people everywhere, and it was completely different from the desolation of the past few days. It was as if the common people in the capital had waited until today to go out.
Yu Shu originally wanted to stay at home and enjoy a leisurely life, but she couldn't stand Xiaoxiu's coaxing and pestering. In the end, she still went out and took a look at Ma Street.
In three years' time, the Forgotten Opportunity Tower's reputation rose sharply. It was not an exaggeration to say that in the capital city, there was nobody who did not know of it. You Qiu Hall and Bing Ying Hall's business strategy was very successful, and people gradually got used to this place that offered bounties to solve problems. It was normal for them to make a lot of money every day, and the sky-high bounties on the Heavenly Secrets List and the rankings of the people became the hottest topic of discussion after a meal. Any random person on the street would be able to talk about it clearly and logically.
When the other aristocratic families' Great Trade Shops discovered that their business had been snatched by the Forgotten Machine Building, it was already too late for them to turn around and try to rope in more customers. Even if there were people who imitated the Forgotten Machine Building and set up bounties and lists in the Great Trade Shops, they were far from being able to compete with the Forgotten Machine Building's monopoly and good management. In the end, they all ended up with nothing and became mere decorations.
The Forgotten Machine Building didn't close its doors for the New Year. From early in the morning to the hour of the five o 'clock, there was an endless stream of people coming and going in front of the main entrance. Most of the shops on Ma Street were open. There was no curfew during the Lantern Festival, so there were many night wanderers. The nearby restaurants and teahouses all benefited from the Forgotten Machine Building, so they didn't have to worry about not having customers.
There were many people on the street. The horse carriage stopped at the intersection, and Yu Shu and Yu Xiaoxiu got off and walked. Colorful lanterns hung on both sides of the street, winding without end, rendering the dark night as bright as day. The pedestrians coming and going were all glowing, either stopping in front of the stalls to pick out lanterns or walking in groups. There were even some young women with makeup on their faces, holding round fans in their hands as they walked through the crowd.
Yu Shu walked leisurely, while Yu Xiu walked briskly in front of her. From time to time, he would turn his head and chat with her, attracting many sidelong glances.
Three years had passed, and now Yu Xiu had grown into an outstanding youth. He had suddenly grown a lot taller, with delicate features and a pair of bright and spirited eyes. At a glance, one could tell that he was the son of a wealthy family. There was no trace of the inferiority complex that he had when he was a child.
Yu Shu, on the other hand, was dressed in a light coat of silk and was dressed in men's clothing. A silver-gray fox hat covered the scarlet scar between her eyebrows. She had an extraordinary bearing, and wherever she passed, pedestrians would give way to her. Even looking at her for a second longer would cause them to feel offended.
Lu Hong and Xu Qing followed behind them, neither too far nor too close. There were also some accompanying black-robed guards. They were all disguised as ordinary people, mingling in the crowd to protect Yu Shu's safety at all times and places.
Entering Wang Ji Lou, Lin Fu, who was strolling around the main hall, came up to greet them with his sharp eyes. Yu Shu waved her hand to indicate that he did not need to follow. She led the others through the hall to the backyard.
Xin Li Shan was calculating the accounts that had been collected over the past few days. On the long table, there were several small mountains of silver that were piled up, sparkling under the light. There were also two large chests of copper coins on the ground to the side. As soon as one entered the door, one could smell the stench of copper, but he was beaming with pride and was very happy.
"Fifth Uncle, you're counting silver again," Yu Xiu teased as soon as he saw him. In the past few years, he had often come to Wang Ji Lou to play, so he was quite familiar with the group of people here.
Xin Li Shan put down the shiny ingot in his hand and deliberately put on a stern face. "You little brat, I only have this little happy thing, and you always make fun of it. To think that I stayed up for two nights to make a General's Lantern for you."
Yu Xiu giggled and moved closer to say good words, "I was wrong, please don't lower yourself to my level. Fifth Uncle is the best to me. Where's my General's Lantern?"
This General's Lantern was the same as the Kong Ming Lantern, both could be released into the air. The difference was that the former was more elaborate and could be held in one's hand with a string, so there was no need to worry that it would fly away. The pattern on the wall of the lantern would change back and forth as it rose and fell, making it infinitely interesting. Last year, Xin Li Shan had made one for him. It was unique in Jing City, no one could copy it, and it could not be sold outside.
Xin Li Shan was also very obedient. Yu Shu had asked him several times to come out of retirement, but he was not willing to become a Celestial Commissioner. Instead, he was willing to hide in Wang Ji Lou and be a miser, researching his strange little inventions.
"Here, it's inside, take it and play with it."
Yu Xiu found a very large General's Lantern and happily went to the courtyard to release the lantern. Only Yu Shu and Xin Li Shan were left in the room, the two of them chatting about serious matters.
"I heard that the Emperor lost his temper because some officials left the capital to seek refuge. You weren't affected, right?" While Xin Li Shan did not go out, he was very well-informed.
"It doesn't matter to me. My whole family is staying in Jing and hasn't gone anywhere," Wang Yao said. Yu Shu shook her head and said with a smile, "But Left Judge Xin secretly sent his two sons and daughters out of the capital. When the Emperor investigated, he was so frightened that he said he was sick and did not dare to go out."
Right now, Anling looked calm on the surface, but inside it was a mess.
Xin Li Shan looked worriedly at her and said, "The Yan army is about to break through Taiyuan and attack the capital. Why are you not anxious at all?"
"What is there to be anxious about?" Yu Shu said calmly, "Even if they take the capital, can they kill all the officials in court? The Yan Emperor wants the country, not to slaughter the world."
Xin Li Shan was silent. These years, he could not see through her. Even if he sensed her attitude, he could not guess what she was thinking. As a powerful official, she also played politics and formed cliques. But he could not feel how infatuated she was with power and had no loyalty to the Emperor. It seemed that what she had done these years was just to fulfill her duty and play the role of the Celestial Commissioner, and not out of her own will.
"Strange. Now that you say this, I have nothing to fear." He touched his chin and said, "Originally, I planned to take the wealth of Wang Ji Tower and escape in the night."
Laughter flashed in Yu Shu's eyes. "Then I have to send two more people to watch you. If you run, where can I find a second God of Wealth?"
Xin Lishan laughed, and the solemn atmosphere disappeared in an instant.
.....
That night, the siblings returned to the mansion. They had just entered the door of the north wing when a round little cannonball rushed towards them. It hugged Yu Shu's thigh and raised its head to reveal a big white and chubby face. It pouted its little mouth and sniffed the tip of its nose which was red from the cold. It blinked its eyes in an aggrieved manner.
"Mother and Uncle went out to play and did not bring Little Guoguo."
The two maidservants caught up with her, panting and calling her "Little Ancestor". When they saw Yu Shu, they timidly stopped and said with a pale face, "Little Gongzi woke up and was clamoring to look for you. When we were not paying attention, he snuck out."
A few years ago, Yu Shu adopted this godson. Although she did not deliberately spoil him, he was more mischievous than normal children. He was only five years old and could climb trees and dig out bird nests. He often brought He Xiaochuan and Yu Shu to play tricks on the servant girls in the fu. He was the number one little devil in the family. Yet, he knew how to act obedient and sweet talk. He could coax Zhao Hui and Old Taitai He. They often covered for him. Even Yu Shu had a headache for him.
Yu Xiaoguo had caught a cold from playing yesterday and was sick. He was more clingy than usual. Last night, he slept in Yu Shu's room. His fever only went down this morning.
"You are disobedient again. I won't take you out." Yu Shu reprimanded him, but her hands quickly took off her cloak and wrapped it around her son. She picked him up from the ground and walked inside.
Yu Xiaoguo obediently hugged her neck, his eyes moving around. He turned his head and saw the tiger lantern in his jiujiu's hands. He sweetly called out, "Jiujiu."
Yu Xiu reached over to pinch his cheeks. He smiled and handed the lantern to him. He said dotingly, "When you get better, Jiujiu will take you out to play. I'll buy you whatever you want."
Yu Xiaoguo's face was full of hope, but he did not forget to raise his head to look at his mother's expression.
"We'll talk about it after you get better." Yu Shu said with a straight face. Yu Xiaoguo lowered his head and didn't dare to bargain with her. Even at such a young age, he had learned to read people's expressions. He knew who was in charge of the family and who had the most influence.
Yu Shu carried him back to the room and watched him drink the medicine. She listened to him mumble nonsense. After a while, the child couldn't take it anymore and fell asleep. She patted his head and covered him with the blanket. Looking at his innocent sleeping face, she did not regret it.
She was the first to preside over the ancestral worship ceremony in the second year of Chong Zhen. She did not take this child to the secret chamber of the tomb to verify if he had the Heaven's Mandate Grand Bone, but left him behind. Ji Xingxuan could not endure it and died of illness in the dungeon two years ago. In this world, besides the Prince of Xiang, only she knew his background. Outsiders only knew that he was the child of an old friend that she had adopted. There were even some unflattering rumors that Yu Xiaoguo was born out of wedlock, but no one suspected that she had raised the flesh and blood of her enemy.
It was funny to say that it was because of this living child that she had lived like a princess for the past few years. She did not let her desire for power take over her heart, did not let her eyes be blinded by greed, and did not change into another person. His existence constantly reminded her not to forget her original intentions. No matter how high she sat, no matter how much power she had, what she wanted was to protect the safety of her family. She only wanted to have a clear conscience.
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