Elder Cen's daughter and son-in-law brought their son over that night after receiving the news that they were coming to Beijing. The family also got a lot of gifts from Shao Yun'an and Wang Shijing, especially Cen Wenyi, the daughter of Mr. Cen, a violet emerald stone bracelet, a beautiful clutch bag, and Gu Yuan, which is priceless in the capital. Cen Wenyi and Fu Luo Zhanshu were also very ashamed of rare things such as ointment. The adoptive son recognized by his father and mother gave them such generous gifts, but they didn't show anything. Luo Zhanshu immediately said that he would prepare a generous gift for his younger brother's family when his father-in-law and mother-in-law returned. It can be said that Shao Yun'an's big gift offensive successfully captured the brother and sister families, laying an important foundation for their family's good relationship with the brothers and sisters in the future.
Elder Cen's son and daughter only thought that the two old people were free and went to the capital to see their children and grandchildren, and they didn't even know that Elder Cen had important matters with him. Mr. Cen did not disclose those peerless books to his son and daughter. After a night of rest, Elder Cen woke up early the next morning. Under the pretext of going to visit his senior brother, Mr. Cen took the gift Shao Yunan gave to his senior brother, and went to his senior brother's house with his wife.
Weng Lao withdrew from the imperial court after the new emperor ascended the throne. Although he accepted the imperial order to be in charge of the Imperial Academy, he himself did not hold any position in the Imperial Academy. Wine and other related people, etc. Weng Lao would go to the Imperial College for a walk every day, and he would return to the mansion in at most an hour if there was nothing to do, and it would be hard to say when he would return to the mansion if there was something to do. It was precisely because he knew about this habit of senior brother that Mr. Cen got up very early to go to the gate of the Imperial College before senior brother went to the Imperial College.
When Mr. Cen arrived, Mr. Weng had just finished his breakfast. It's not that Weng Laolai got up late, but Weng Lao used to do a set of fitness exercises after getting up early, and then read a famous masterpiece before eating breakfast. Breakfast is also always simple, porridge side dishes with steamed buns.
Knowing that the younger brother is coming, Mr. Weng immediately asked his servants to take the younger brother to the main hall, and then asked his wife to welcome the guests with him. When he came to the main hall, Elder Weng was very pleasantly surprised: "Yuebai, brothers and sisters, when did you come to Beijing? Why didn't you inform senior brother in advance, so that I can send someone to pick you up."
"Brother, sister-in-law." Mrs. Cen saluted and shouted. Mrs. Weng, who came in with Mrs. Weng, walked up to Mrs. Cen and happily supported her: "You guys are here. How many times have I written to remind you, you are I refuse to come. This time I come to the capital, I have to stay longer."
Mrs. Cen just smiled, and Old Cen said: "My son and daughter are all in the capital, so there is no reason for my brother to pick them up. I couldn't decide on a specific date before, and when I did, I forgot to give it to him because I was busy with other things. Senior brother wrote a letter, it was my senior brother's fault. So I hope my senior brother and sister-in-law are not to blame for bringing the gift of apology today."
"Hahaha." Weng Lao laughed, "Is it a gift of apology from you, or a 'filial piety' entrusted to you by a junior?"
Elder Cen also laughed, and said without hesitation: "Then senior brother will be my senior brother, I'm borrowing flowers to offer Buddha."
"Hahaha."
It is not the first time that Mr. Weng has received a gift from the distant Xiushui Village. The most recent time, when An Yi returned to Beijing, Shao Yunan brought a lot of gifts to Mr. Weng. This time when Mr. Cen came to Beijing, Shao Yunan brought some more for Mr. Weng, including Guyuan ointment, fresh vegetables, novel snacks, cake. What pleased Mr. Weng most was that Mr. Cen brought him some tea leaves and a small pot of goat's milk wine, which were all part of the share he "saved". Weng Lao's tea and wine have long been "entertained" and he is hungry right now.
Mrs. Weng's clutch bag is also indispensable, as well as a violet emerald stone bracelet. Among other things, this emerald stone bracelet is too precious. As Weng Lao, how could he not know the rarity of this emerald stone. Mrs. Weng said directly that she couldn't take it, and Mrs. Weng liked it because she liked it, but she couldn't accept it because of what her husband said.
Old Cen said: "Sister-in-law, it's okay to accept it. Ishii untied a rough stone this time. Although it is not big, it is more than enough to make a few jewelry. This is to show respect to the elders, and secondly, it is also for us to promote this in advance."
Mrs. Weng: "Propaganda?"
Weng Laodao: "Shi Jing and An Geer seem to be trying to figure out some new way with Mr. An. An Geer said that the emerald stone jewelry must be worn, so that all the ladies and ladies in the capital can see it. In the future, he will have a big use."
Weng Lao immediately understood the meaning. He knows the movements of the capital best. He knew that the queen was secretly preparing for an auction house, and he also knew that the queen had recently started thinking about opening a jewelry store. This Shao Yun'an got the emerald stone's female relatives to put on the jewelry again, and he nodded: "Since it is intentional, then madam, please accept it. In the future, I will receive invitations from more wives."
Mrs. Weng caressed the bracelet dearly, and smiled happily: "Although I have never seen these two children, Angeer and Shijing, they must be sensible and filial children. Every time someone comes back from them, they will give us a gift." Bring some gifts. Yuebai and Shuangyin, you are so blessed to have such two good children."
Elder Cen stroked his beard and smiled, Mrs. Cen also smiled happily, Elder Weng was a little bored watching this, and said to Elder Cen, "You are really lucky."
The sourness in those words made Elder Cen laugh out loud, even Mrs. Weng laughed.
Mrs. Weng glanced at his wife, Mrs. Weng stopped laughing, and said to Mrs. Cen: "Shuangyin, the brothers and sisters haven't seen each other for three years, let them talk, and you can accompany me to see what new things Yunan and Shijing have given you." dishes, I asked the kitchen to cook some delicious food for lunch."
"good."
The two wives reserved space for their husbands who must have serious business to discuss. Mrs. Weng called someone to remove all the things Mr. Cen had brought, and the two wives also left afterward.
There were no outsiders, but Mr. Cen picked up the bamboo box he had just kept at hand and stood up and said, "Brother, find a quiet place to talk."
Old Weng got up: "Go to my study, I'll call someone to get it for you."
"No need, I can handle it."
Seeing that Cen Lao persisted and did not force it, Mr. Weng became curious about the contents of the box.
The two came to Weng Lao's study room, and Cen Lao put the bamboo box on Weng Lao's desk and opened it. Inside was a long box wrapped in silk. Elder Cen took it out and put it aside, then said, "Senior brother, look at what is here."
Weng Lao took a closer look, his eyes widened immediately. There are books in the box, and the word "Mencius" is impressively written on the cover of the top book. Professional habits made Mr. Weng immediately realize something important, and he reached out to pick up the book.
Mrs. Cen and Mrs. Weng were talking in the side hall of the small courtyard where Mrs. Weng and Mrs. Weng lived. Mrs. Weng soaked the golden silk chrysanthemum brought by Cen Lao, and there were all kinds of dim sum made by Shao Yun'an on the table, which was very pleasant. Mrs. Weng said: "It is said that good people have good rewards, and you have met good rewards."
Mrs. Cen said with a smile: "The two children Yun An and Shi Jing are really unexpected, especially Yun An, he doesn't know how his head grows, so many ghost ideas. Speaking of which, Yuebai and I have to thank Kang Ning. We are all in the light of Kang Ning. Yun An and Ishii first recognized Kang Ning as their eldest brother, and then they became familiar with my Yuebai family, and they were able to become our sons."
Madam Weng said gratifiedly: "Now Kang Ning is in the eyes of the emperor, and Kang Chen has become an internal secretary again. He is appreciated by the empress. God finally has eyes." Then, she said mockingly: "An Guo The Duke's mansion is now so regretful that they want to jump the moat. The Wu Wang family and the Wu Liu family went to find Kang Chen and returned, but they couldn't even see Kang Chen's face. Now the whole capital is laughing at the Anguo Duke's mansion. I said, this is what you deserve!"
Mrs. Cen covered her mouth with a silk handkerchief and smiled, then said: "In the future, they will regret it even more. Brother Xi, get well soon."
Mrs. Weng was stunned for a moment, and shouted: "Brother Xi is alright?!"
Mrs. Cen said: "It's not completely healed yet, but it's obviously started to get better. On the day we left, Brother An told Yue Bai that Brother Xi would be able to put on clothes and shoes by himself, and he would start to respond to things around him. Yes. One time Nizi, the daughter of Yunan and Shijing cried, Brother Xi was able to coax people."
Mrs. Weng was overjoyed, clasped her hands together and shouted to God: "Bodhisattva bless, really Bodhisattva bless." She put down her hands, "Kang Chen is out of Beijing, when he comes back to find out, I'm afraid he will go crazy with joy."
"Isn't that right. Maybe Brother Xi recovered more after we went back this time. Brother Xi is not a fool, he is smart. No matter what we play, none of us can beat him."
Mrs. Weng was overjoyed. Thinking that that poor child Kang Chen was about to end all his hardships, she couldn't help but get wet at the corners of her eyes.
"lady."
Madam Weng immediately controlled her emotions: "Come in."
Mrs. Weng's personal nurse came in: "Ma'am, the master sent a message that the master will have lunch with Master Cen in the study, and told the two ladies not to wait for them."
"Understood. The two of us will have dinner in the room at noon."
"yes."
Mammy went out, and Mrs. Weng said, "I'm afraid the two brothers and sisters have too much to talk about, so don't care about them."
Madam Cen nodded.
In the evening, Mrs. Cen returned to her son's residence alone, but Mr. Cen wanted to stay in Weng's residence for a few days. Mrs. Cen came back to pack some clothes, and she also wanted to stay with Mr. Cen for a few days.
Emperor Yongming is eating with the queen in the Jingyou Palace of the queen. The face of Qi You, the descendant of the king, was very pale, and the relaxed expression on Emperor Yongming's face could tell that he was a bit reluctant. The queen has not been in good health for the past few days, and the abdominal pain that she hasn't had for a long time has begun again, and she even eats a lot less. Emperor Yongming almost ordered Shao Yun'an to go to Beijing to cook for the queen, but was dissuaded by the queen.
Eunuch An originally wanted to go back to the palace to serve, but the queen told him to do things with peace of mind. Those businesses are related to the grand economic plan of the Great Yan Kingdom, so there should be no delay. His body has been like this for many years, and he is used to it.
Eunuch Zhuo, who was serving, received a wink from a young eunuch. He walked over silently and asked in a low voice, "What's the matter?"
"The emperor seeks an audience, and Cen Yuebai, head of Yongxiu County College, is also here."
As soon as Eunuch Zhuo heard this, he immediately turned around and walked up to Emperor Yongming, saying: "Your Majesty, the old emperor is asking for an audience, and Cen Yuebai, the head of the Yongxiu County Academy, has also come."
If Emperor Yongming didn't have a deep impression of Cen Lao before, then he definitely has a deep impression now. He immediately said: "Take the emperor and Cen Yuebai to the imperial study."
"yes."
Emperor Yongming stretched out his hand to hold the queen's cold hand: "I'm going to the imperial study, do you want to lie down?"
Dai Qiyou tried his best to cheer up and said: "Your Majesty, don't worry about your ministers, the old master and Cen Yuebai must have something important to come here."
Emperor Yongming shook the Queen's hand vigorously and stood up.
"The emperor drives—"
Emperor Yongming walked away with a heavy expression, and Dai Qiyou slowly put away the smile he was trying to make on his face, and put his hand on his abdomen that had been in pain today. Can't give up, can't just give up like this, he and he still have many, many days to go on.
As soon as the emperor entered the imperial study, Elder Cen immediately knelt down: "Cen Yuebai, a grass-roots man, kowtowed to the emperor, long live my emperor, long live, long live."
"Excuse me, come and give me a seat."
Weng Lao, who had been excited all day, calmed down and asked aloud, "Your Majesty, what happened?"
Emperor Yongming couldn't hide his anger and went to sit in front of the dragon chair, and said without hesitation: "Your Majesty has abdominal pain these few days, the quack doctors in the Imperial Hospital still have some residual poison! Can the residual poison always cause abdominal pain?! Zhenzhen Want to chop off their heads!"
Both Weng Lao and Cen were shocked, Weng Lao said: "If not, let's post the emperor's list, and invite famous doctors from all over the world to treat Chitose."
Emperor Yongming said solemnly: "I'm afraid that once the imperial list is posted, some people will take advantage of it to make trouble."
Elder Weng and Elder Cen immediately thought of it. yes. The empress is the thorn in the side of many aristocratic families. As long as there is a queen, there will be no other people in the eyes of the emperor, and there will be no selection of concubines, and they will have no chance to send their daughters into the palace and give birth to a prince.
Elder Cen asked: "Your Majesty, is that Gu Yuan ointment useless?"
Emperor Yongming said sadly: "I thought it was useful, but now it seems that it is useless. Since I took Guyuan Ointment, there was nothing special at first, but after taking it for a few months, I really feel energetic A lot. But for the queen..." Emperor Yongming's sadness made most of the excitement and joy in Weng Lao's heart disappear.
Taking a deep breath, Emperor Yongming asked: "Is the emperor entering the palace so late must have some important business?"
Weng Lao calmed down his mood, bowed and said: "Your Majesty, the reason why this veteran entered the palace at this time is that he has something important to report to the Emperor."
Weng Lao raised his body and looked around, Emperor Yongming signaled, and the personal eunuch who was serving Emperor Yongming in the imperial study retreated. Weng Lao personally picked up the bamboo box that was placed aside and walked forward, and put it on Emperor Yongming's imperial case.
"Please take a look, Your Majesty."
Emperor Yongming looked at Weng Lao suspiciously, and opened the bamboo box. There are books in the box, Emperor Yongming raised his head: "Books?"
"Please look carefully, Your Majesty."
Emperor Yongming took out a book and was even more puzzled: "The Analects?"
Emperor Yongming was not as knowledgeable as Weng Lao, so he thought it was some book he hadn't read. Weng Lao made a gesture for the emperor to continue reading, and Emperor Yongming picked up the book and opened the first page.
"The Master said: 'Learning and... '" Emperor Yongming raised his eyes, his face was serious. He looked back at the book again, and after carefully reading the content on the first page, he raised his eyes again: "Master Emperor, what book is this? There are still characters I don't understand."
Weng Lao: "The emperor will look at the others."
Emperor Yongming put down "The Analects of Confucius" and picked up the one below.
"Poetry... the scriptures?"
Still flipping through a page, Emperor Yongming put down the "Book of Songs" and picked up "The Doctrine of the Mean". And when he picked up an anthology of famous poems from the Tang Dynasty, he realized something, and looked at Weng Lao and Cen Lao with shock.
"Your Majesty..." Weng Lao knelt down on both knees and kowtowed, "A strange man came to the world, bless me; the prosperous age is approaching, Your Majesty is destined." Weng Lao raised his head, his eyes filled with tears of excitement, "These books, Even the old man has never seen a copy. Any one of them will set off a storm in my Dayan. Since October of the fourth year of Yongming, strange people have offered new tea and new wine to His Majesty, and outlined the way for His Majesty's economic prosperity in Dayan; Today, a strange person has presented His Majesty with an ancient masterpiece, which enlightens the wisdom of my students of Dayan. Your Majesty is blessed with great blessings, and you have the help of a strange person. Even if you die like this, you will die without regret..."
"Your Majesty..." Elder Cen also knelt down and told the emperor the origin of these books, which was what Shao Yunan explained to him. Emperor Yongming was shocked.
"Your Majesty is the body of a real dragon, and the fate returns, and my Great Yan will prosper!" Weng Lao's excitement was beyond words. The sadness in Emperor Yongming's heart was also washed away a lot. He put his hands on the box and gradually clenched his fists.
"I will rejuvenate Dayan!"
"Your Majesty..."