Dongling's convoy arrived in the capital at the end of February.
In the car was the empress and his party, who came to the capital to receive a new gift, and they were no longer the empress from now on.
Coming all the way to the capital, their hearts were trembling. Although most of them would get preferential treatment if they voluntarily surrendered their land, it was uncertain whether Bei Li Chaozhong would treat them harshly on purpose.
People are swords and I am fish, and Ning Chengzhi can't guarantee what will happen next.
After his guard of honor left Lin'an, many things were not in his plan.
Compared with him, Concubine Li Gui, who has long been named a queen, is cheerful.
She and Ning Chengzhi were in the same carriage, and when they arrived at the boundary of Beili, they always opened the curtain to look out, and were very interested in the customs of Beili.
Ning Chengzhi was a little displeased, "You are a majestic queen, how can you behave like this?"
After saying this, I felt a little uncomfortable.
He is no longer the emperor, and Concubine Li is no longer the queen.
She was cheerful, "What's the matter, Your Majesty? I am a dignified queen, am I still afraid of being seen by ordinary people? What's more, people in Beili don't care about these things. I heard that there are many ladies in Chunwei this year. Women can go Participating in the imperial examination, what's wrong with the concubine raising the curtain?"
Ning Chengzhi heard the same thing, they have all left Dongling now, and they naturally go to the countryside to do as the Romans do.
But is the scenery outside the car that beautiful
He thought for a while, then leaned his head to follow Concubine Li Gui's line of sight, Concubine Li Gui graciously gave him a seat and slapped him on the face.
Ning Chengzhi was stunned for a moment, and a smile unconsciously appeared on the corner of his mouth.
He looked out the car window and saw that in the early spring, the fields were green and tender, and farmers were farming in the fields with their families.
There was a child nestled in the paddy field playing with mud, his face covered in black mud. The woman stood on the ridge of the field and took out a water bottle and brought it to her husband who was planting rice seedlings to drink.
She gently took out a handkerchief and wiped the sweat from her husband's forehead. The husband smiled and said a few words to her, and she knelt down to wipe the child's face...
What a happy farmhouse scene.
Ning Chengzhi said: "I heard that after the war between Beili and Sangyi, not only the national strength declined, but also 40% of taxes were raised to put pressure on the people. Oh... I, why do I see that these people don't show any signs of suffering?"
Concubine Li smiled and said: "Why do the people not live? The concubine heard that the female monarch has been on the throne for three years. Except when she first ascended the throne, she gave amnesty to the world, and in the next two years, she was light on corvees and poor on taxes. The common people have benefited a lot. Where can't you afford it?"
Ning Chengzhi couldn't help being surprised, "You still know this?"
He always thought that Concubine Li would only eat, drink, play and fool around. He named her queen at the beginning, but it was because she was the last person around him who still had true feelings.
Unexpectedly, now that her queen position is gone, she has grown up instead.
Concubine Li raised her head proudly, "Of course. I didn't know anything in the palace before, it was because His Majesty spoiled me. Now..."
Her expression darkened, and even Ning Chengzhi felt uncomfortable.
That's right, now they have to rely on others to live their lives, how can they be as ignorant of the world as before
Concubine Li quickly continued to laugh, "Now the concubine wants to support His Majesty, so what can I do if I don't learn more and listen more? When I first left Lin'an, the concubine found out that the ten important towns assigned to Beili, the people are also transplanting rice seedlings, but They are not the same as the people outside Lin'an City."
Ning Chengzhi was apprehensive all the way, but he didn't pay attention to the scene outside the car window, so he said, "Why is it different?"
"Most of the people outside Lin'an city are wearing tattered clothes. They presumably planted rice seedlings in the fields and worried about getting dirty, so they didn't put on their clothes. Most of their expressions were also sad. I don't know if it was because there was no rice for the pot in the worrying home, or in worrying about the land. There's too much work here."
"The people in Beili are different. Even the clothes they wear for transplanting rice seedlings are neat, which shows what kind of good clothes they usually wear when they go out to play. Did your Majesty see that child playing in the mud just now?"
Ning Chengzhi nodded, "I see, he is a lively kid."
Concubine Li Gui said solemnly: "I thought about it, if I was working hard and my child was playing there dirty, I would definitely die of anger. After all, there is no maid to help the child wash the clothes, and there is no nanny to hug him. The child goes down to coax, and the peasant woman has to do everything by herself, can't she die of anger?"
Ning Chengzhi thought for a while, and suddenly understood, "You mean, the peasant woman looked smiling, not angry at all, because she had a good life. She didn't have to work in the field, so she went home to wash clothes It doesn't feel like hard work, does it?"
"probably."
She has just learned to pay attention to the people's livelihood, and she is not sure whether what she observes is right or wrong.
But one thing is certain, even though the people of Beili have experienced terrible wars, they are much richer and more comfortable than the people of Dongling.
This is what the people want, the trend of the times, and they have to surrender.
Ning Chengzhi nodded thoughtfully, not knowing what he was worried about, so he silently lowered his head.
Seeing that he was talking and talking, Concubine Li was upset again, and hurriedly comforted him, "What's wrong, Your Majesty?"
"I am no longer His Majesty."
On the surrender document sent to the capital, it was written that he was willing to demote himself as a Marquis and bow down to Bei Li, but what the outcome would be was not up to him.
He was very worried about his future situation.
Concubine Li Gui paused, "Then... Husband?"
puff.
Ning Chengzhi almost didn't tense his expression, he meant that he was worried about his identity, but Concubine Li was thinking about the question of address.
Her mind is still so simple.
He said helplessly, "I mean... well, forget it."
Just let her be so happy, happy every day counts as a day, and tell women to solve those troubles, what kind of man is he
Although he is no longer the emperor, at least he is still a man, and he is still the pillar of the women around him.
…
The guard of honor went all the way to the capital, seeing the tall and majestic gate of the capital from a distance, Concubine Li's mouth opened into a circle.
She thought that the most dignified city wall in the world must be the city wall of Lin'an, but after seeing the city wall in the capital, she realized what it means to see a big witch for a small witch.
This was once the imperial capital left by the great Zhou Dynasty, and it has a completely different vibe from a place like Lin'an, which has a short history of being a capital.
Ning Chengzhi's heart went cold, and he felt ashamed of himself facing the scenery of the capital.
No wonder Yufu looked down on him at the beginning, she really didn't care about the mere status of Emperor Dongling, Bei Li is much better than Dongling.
When approaching the gate of the city, I saw a group of people in official uniforms looking forward to it. Concubine Li saw it through the gap in the curtain of the car, and hurriedly called Ning Chengzhi to watch.
Ning Chengzhi saw the acquaintance at a glance.
The official in charge is the envoy who went to Dongling with Yufu before, what's his name... yes, Chen Jingxing!
He personally greeted him outside the city, which shows that he attaches great importance to it.
He hurriedly got out of the car, stretched out his hand to help Concubine Li get off, and saw Chen Jingxing coming up with a group of officials, who bowed to him with neither humble nor overbearing gesture.
Ning Chengzhi was relieved when he saw his attitude.
Thinking back when he was Emperor Dongling, Chen Jingxing's attitude towards him was no better than now, which shows that he has no intention of neglecting him now.
After seeing each other, Chen Jingxing said with a smile: "Xiaguan and Emperor Ning are quite destined, this is already the second time we have met."
Ning Chengzhi nodded and said: "Yes, if I remember correctly, you are the minister of Honglu Temple in Beili. When you were sent to Dongling as an envoy, you had an outstanding demeanor, which is still impressive."
Chen Jingxing did not show complacency or sarcasm at his intentional flattery, he just said: "It's too much. His Majesty sent me to pick up the two of you, please stay in the post house temporarily to rest, and choose a day to go to the palace to have an audience. "
When Ning Chengzhi heard this, he hesitated.
What he was most afraid of was going to the palace to have an audience at another day. He heard that Kun Junyue, the crown prince of Xikun, was trapped in the post house and was finally killed by Kun Wushang.
Didn't he come all the way to the capital just to meet Yufu and get such a humble gift
If you are stuck in the post house...
He couldn't help shivering all over, thinking about how to speak to Chen Jingxing.
Chen Jingxing seemed to be aware of his thoughts, and said with a smile: "Emperor Ning, don't worry, Your Majesty is eight or nine months pregnant, and he is inconvenient. Naturally, he can't see guests at any time. Besides, with my Beili's custom, envoys come from afar It is not advisable to face the Holy Spirit immediately, lest you will suffer from diseases such as being unaccustomed to the soil and water due to the exhaustion of the long journey."
What Ning Chengzhi wanted to say, Concubine Li hurriedly stepped forward, "Yes sir, let's just listen to Mr. Chen and go back to the post house to rest. Your Majesty and Mr. Chen have good intentions, how can we let us down?"
As he spoke, he directly thanked Chen Jingxing, "Thank you, Mr. Chen."
Chen Jingxing nodded slightly, and asked the two of them to get on the carriage, "Please, both of you."
Returning to the carriage and crossing the long street all the way into the city, Concubine Li still only looked out of the carriage, very happy with the prosperity of the capital.
She said to the guarding soldiers outside the carriage: "The capital is really prosperous, please go and ask Mr. Chen for me, can we go out for a stroll after we return to the post house?"
The soldier nodded to her first, and then said: "Madam, please go ahead, the visitor is a guest, so naturally there is no reason not to go out."
Concubine Li smiled and narrowed her eyes when she heard this.
The soldier didn't even report to Chen Jingxing, but directly replied that she could go out, she was immediately satisfied, and lowered the curtain of the carriage.
Seeing this, Ning Chengzhi glanced at her, and she said, "Husband, if you don't feel tired at night, let's go out for a stroll. I see that there are many red lights hanging on both sides of the long street, it must be very lively at night."
Ning Chengzhi said: "Can you come out?"
"Yes, I asked."
Concubine Li Gui clung to his ear, and after saying such and such, Ning Chengzhi's eyes lit up immediately, "What you said makes sense, it seems that nothing will happen."
Concubine Li Gui whispered: "If you are worried, you can ask Master Chen when you arrive at the post later."
The guard of honor stopped in front of the post house, Chen Jingxing escorted the two of them in, Ning Chengzhi said: "Master Chen has worked hard, why don't you go in and have a cup of tea before leaving?"
Chen Jingxing said: "I won't bother you two to rest."
Ning Chengzhi thought about it, and pretended to be casual: "By the way, when we first came to the capital, we don't know where we can go shopping here, so we can go to the countryside and learn more about local customs."
Hearing this, Chen Jingxing felt sensible. Emperor Ning, who used to act recklessly in the past, now knows how to follow the Romans, and it is really beneficial.
He thought for a while and said: "The scene of the capital is prosperous, I suggest that you two rest during the day, and go out for a stroll at night when you have had enough rest. The security in the capital is very good, the doors are not closed at night, the roads are not picked up, and there is no curfew at night. The lights are brightly lit whenever you go shopping .Only along this long street, there are restaurants, teahouses, jewelry and clothes, and you two can learn about the food and customs of the capital. It’s just—”
Ning Chengzhi was delighted to hear his detailed introduction, but he didn't want to say another word.
"Just what?"
Thoughts were flying in his head.
For example, they are not allowed to contact or talk to outsiders, for example, they are asked to go out and take Bei Li's soldiers, under the name of protection, they are actually under surveillance, and for example, they are asked to go out as little as possible...
He thought of countless possibilities, but saw Chen Jingxing frowned slightly, and said with some concern: "It's just that there are many delicacies in the capital, you two should be more restrained, don't overeat."
…
"Your Majesty doesn't know, they went shopping at night when they arrived in the capital the day before yesterday. According to the people in the post house, when they came back, their hands were full of all kinds of snacks and jewelry boxes, and their stomachs were round."
After two days, people from Honglu Temple reported to Yufu about the news of Ning Chengzhi and his party, and the expression on Shaoqing's face that wanted to laugh but had to hold back made Yufu want to laugh when he saw it.
She said helplessly: "Is it so funny? Forget it, you can laugh if you want to, I don't think it's just your disrespect in front of the imperial court."
"Hahaha! I am in disrespect, I am in disrespect!"
That Shaoqing laughed so hard that tears flowed down his face, and while laughing, he said that he apologized for his disgrace, Yu Fu couldn't help but imagine the scene he said, is Ning Chengzhi so careless
Chen Jingxing turned his head to look at his subordinate, Yu Fu thought he would stop him with a serious face, but he turned around and smiled himself.
"Your Majesty, it wasn't just the night when we came here. The people in the post said they went out every day, and sometimes they wanted to go to distant scenic spots, and they even asked the people in the post to guide them to go out. They had a great time every day, It doesn't look like surrender at all."
"Yeah yeah."
Lord Shaoqing continued to hold back his laughter, "Master Chen said that day, let them be more restrained when they go out, and don't eat too much, but today the posthouse invited a doctor to say that Emperor Ning couldn't digest the food. Your Majesty, you are ridiculous Laugh, hahaha!"
Yu Fu suppressed a smile, "Is it cured now?"
Chen Jingxing shook his head with a smile, "It's cured, Emperor Ning said to take more walks to help digestion. So he drank the medicine in the posthouse and took his wife to go shopping. His wife always knows how to buy jewelry and clothes, and many shops in the capital are talking about it." , I thought it was a newly married lady from a wealthy family who was so rich."
Hearing this, Yu Fu waved his hands to signal them to stop talking.
Going on, she was afraid that she would lose her dignity in front of her courtiers.
It took her a while to recover, and said: "Since they are having so much fun, let's send someone to play with them. I am not in a hurry to see them."
Chen Jingxing said: "The minister will arrange for the people from Honglu Temple..."
"No."
Yu Fu thought for a while, feeling a bit nasty: "Let Kun Wushang accompany them, anyway, his balm shop also needs rich ladies as buyers, doesn't it?"
Kun Wushang has already successfully turned from a political career to a business career. His shop is doing very well, and now he has opened a second branch.
If it wasn't for the fact that Ning Chengzhi and his wife were rich and big buyers, he wouldn't bother to accompany them.
Ning Chengzhi had seen Kunwu injured before, and when he saw that Yufu had sent him to play with him, he was almost terrified.
Wasn't Kun Junyue killed in this post house
The couple who had played happily for two or three days immediately became worried again, but Kun Wushang comforted them, "Do you know why His Majesty sent me to play with you?"
"have no idea."
Kun Wu raised his legs in pain, "Because my today is very likely to be your tomorrow. Don't think that if you write a letter and demote yourself as a Marquis, Your Majesty will really be able to confer a Marquis to you. If you confer a Marquis, you will bring me a Marquis." What if the government soldiers rebel?"
"Besides, what's wrong with being like me? There is a big house, money, no one dares to control food and drink, and you can rely on your acquaintance with people in the court to seek benefits. Life is so comfortable!"
The ex-Emperor Xikun taught the experience to the ex-Emperor Dongling, but the ex-Empress Dongling was bored. She only heard that there was a big mansion with money and left, going back to her room to try on jewelry.
Bei Li's clothes and jewelry are really beautiful, classic and elegant, even the ordinary women on the street are very gorgeously dressed, she must not lose to others.
I don't know what the two ex-emperors had exchanged, but after two full hours, Ning Chengzhi knocked on her door, "Let's go out, Kun Wushang invites us to visit his balm shop."
"balm?"
Concubine Li's eyes lit up immediately, "Here we come! Here we come!"
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What the hell is it that the company's computer can access QQ but not the webpage... The liberal arts student said that he is computer illiterate, and this chapter is still uploaded by mobile phone.