After the mourning period ended, Chen Tingjian spent three days entertaining some local officials, relatives and friends, and then arranged the marriage of his younger brother Chen Tingshi.
Chen Tingshi was already of this age, and the woman he married was not from a prominent family, so the wedding was not a grand one.
On the second day after the wedding, Chen Tingshi and his new wife Fang came to offer tea to his brother and sister-in-law. Huayang, who was watching the ceremony, met Chen Jingzong's new aunt for the first time.
Fang was thirty-six years old. She was an orphan and was adopted by the old lady of the Chen family. She was half an adopted daughter and half a maid. Fang was plain-looking. When she reached the age of marriage, she couldn't bear to leave the old lady and was willing to serve her all her life. When the old lady died, Chen Tingjian came back and asked Fang what her plans were. Fang had no place to go and hoped to stay in the Chen family and take care of the old lady's yard.
Fang is of average appearance and personality, not very smart, but not stupid either.
After the evil deeds of Qi and Chen Jizong were exposed, Chen Tingjian replaced almost all the original servants in the old house. Later, he arranged for Fang to take care of his younger brother. He took into consideration that Fang had served the old lady for so long and was very familiar with his younger brother. When his younger brother was lonely, Fang could recall the old lady's life with his younger brother. He really didn't expect that his younger brother would fall in love with Fang, who was of this age and appearance.
Chen Tingshi told his brother what was in his heart: "I am already this age. Even if someone is willing to marry me, I don't have the face to do so. I married Fang just to have a companion in the future. If we can have a son or a daughter, it will be my blessing. If not, it doesn't matter. I am so stupid that I don't know how to raise a child. It will be less troublesome if I don't have one."
Seeing his dejected look, Chen Tingjian felt angry and sad, and of course he agreed with everything his brother said.
After settling his brother's marriage, Chen Tingjian had no reason to be attached to his ancestral home where he had lived for two years. The court still had a lot of things to do, and he couldn't wait to return to Beijing to show his skills.
On April 15th, the family officially set off back to Beijing.
The townspeople followed the convoy for a very long time. When they passed Lingzhou City, officials, wealthy families and common people in the city also came out to see them off.
There was a wealthy man named Gao whose garden was taken away by the King of Xiang because of his beautiful garden. Because the princess sued the King of Xiang, he got his garden back after the King of Xiang fell, so he was very grateful to the princess. Hearing that the princess liked peonies, the wealthy man named Gao bought a plate of peony treasures called "White Snow Tower" at a high price, brought it personally, and knelt on the roadside to present it to the princess.
Any other gift would be fine, but when Huayang heard that someone wanted to present her with peonies, she was somewhat tempted.
Chaoyun and Chaoyue were both serving their master in the carriage. They understood what he meant and told the coachman to stop.
As soon as the carriage stopped, Chen Jingzong, who was riding a horse beside it, came to the window.
Chaoyun lifted half of the curtain, and Huayang's gaze passed Chen Jingzong and fell on the peony flowers in the hands of the wealthy Gao.
It was the peony season, and although the white snow tower was not very old, it was blooming well. Five flowers as big as bowls had bloomed among the green branches and leaves. The spotless white petals trembled in the sunshine with the breeze, looking delicate and adorable.
Huayang winked at Chen Jingzong.
Chen Jingzong jumped off his horse, walked over and said to the wealthy man, "You take good care of the flowers. The princess accepts them."
The wealthy Gao was overjoyed and looked as if he had picked up silver.
He didn't dare to look inside the car window, and respectfully handed the white glazed and colored flowerpot in his hand to the prince consort.
Chen Jingzong took it, and the peony flowers swayed gently, and the two large white peonies almost passed by his face.
Chen Jingzong was a rough man and had never thought that flowers and plants were anything special before. But at this moment, he realized the beauty of the white peony, which was fragrant and white, just like her.
In front of the car door, Chaoyun lifted the curtain, Chaoyue carefully took the flowerpot and took the opportunity to stuff a silver note into the hands of the prince consort.
Chen Jingzong took a casual look and found that it was a denomination of 100 taels, and the reward was naturally from the wealthy family named Gao.
He secretly felt a toothache. Fortunately, Huayang was a princess, otherwise he would not be able to support her with his salary alone.
The moment the curtain was lowered, Huayang saw a familiar face in the crowd on the roadside. It was the Lady of Lingyuan County who had been killed by King Xiang in her previous life.
It was a sunny day, and Lady Lingyuan was standing there in a plain dress with a gentle smile on her face.
Huayang nodded at her from a distance, feeling a little lighter than when he had just received the peony.
.
Back then, Huayang and his men traveled south to Lingzhou, and it took them two months on the road. This time, they were heading north back to the capital, and the speed was almost the same. When they arrived at the nearest post station to the capital, it was already mid-June.
The flowers in the pot of white peony had long since withered, leaving only green branches and leaves. Despite this, every time they stayed overnight, Chaoyun and Chaoyue would move the flowers to the princess's room and water them and wipe the leaves when necessary.
It took time for the caravan to settle in the post station. Chen Jingzong and Zhou Ji checked the post station inside and out to make sure there were no unidentified people hiding there.
When Chen Jingzong came back from his inspection, he saw Huayang had already bathed, with her long black hair not yet fully dried, sitting at the table, carefully wiping the leaves of the peony. Her fair and tender face was hidden behind the green leaves, as if a white peony had bloomed again in the branches and leaves.
She seemed to be humming a little tune, but stopped when she caught sight of Chen Jingzong. However, she looked relaxed and happy, and it was obvious that she was in a good mood.
Chen Jingzong then ordered Chao Yun, who was about to leave, "Prepare the lotus bowl."
Chao Yun blushed, lowered his head and walked away.
Huayang, who was concentrating on tidying up the flowers and plants, blushed a little and glared at him, "You are still outside, stop messing around."
Chen Jingzong sat down next to her, drank some tea, and then said, "I didn't do anything for the past two months. Tonight is our last night out, and we have a small courtyard all to ourselves. How about you agree to my request once?"
Huayang only looked at the leaf in his hand: "You also said it was the last night. I have endured it for two months. What's the harm in enduring it for one more night?"
Chen Jingzong: "I think that once you enter the palace tomorrow, you will probably stay there for ten days or half a month before you are willing to leave."
Huayang: …
This was what she really intended. She had lived outside with her husband's family for more than two years. The Chen family would have nothing to blame her for, let alone returning to the palace to stay for half a month, even if she stayed for half a year.
It was for this reason that Huayang prepared to go with Chen Jingzong. As soon as night fell, she lay down on the bed to sleep.
Chen Jingzong slept with her. In the middle of the night, he woke up naturally, fished out the things and came to hug Huayang.
The bed in the post station was already old and creaked as if it would collapse at any time. Huayang did not want to make such an absurd joke with his son-in-law that might be recorded in unofficial history, so he had no choice but to finally agree to the method that Chen Jingzong had long thought of.
There was a small table by the window. The edge of the table was originally about a palm's distance away from the wall, but after Huayang pushed it, it soon touched the wall.
The table could no longer be moved, but the peony pot on the table slid along the table top toward the wall. The dark green peony leaves were shaking slightly at night, and Huayang felt that he might never be able to face this pot of peony again.
When Huayang was unable to make any sound, Chen Jingzong pushed aside the hair around her ears and gave her a kiss.
"Leave the palace early and don't make me wait too long."
.
As soon as it was light in the morning, everyone had breakfast and got back on the bus.
Huayang was very sleepy, but fortunately her carriage was spacious enough. She lay lazily on the couch and slept for more than an hour.
When the heavy and majestic walls of the capital city were already in sight, Chen Jingzong knocked on the window from outside and said, "We'll be in the city in another quarter of an hour."
Chaoyun and Chaoyue hurriedly woke up the princess. One of them wet a towel to help the princess clean her face, while the other quickly prepared her jewelry.
Just as they were getting dressed, Chen Jingzong's voice came in again: "The prince's guards are at the city gate."
Chao Yun smiled and said, "The princess has been away for so long, His Royal Highness the Crown Prince must be worried sick."
When the convoy arrived at the city gate, the princess's carriage was the first to stop.
Before the carriage came to a complete stop, Chen Jingzong had already dismounted and saluted the distinguished young man who had impatiently run over here: "Your humble servant greets His Royal Highness the Crown Prince."
The prince paused slightly.
He had naturally met Chen Jingzong, but because his sister went to Lingzhou with the Chen family not long after her marriage, the prince had only met his brother-in-law a handful of times.
More than two years have passed, and the prince has almost forgotten what his prince consort looks like.
The man standing opposite him at this moment was wearing a crimson official uniform embroidered with a kirin patch. He had a handsome face and an upright figure. Even when he bent down in a gesture of submission, he still looked dignified.
Regardless of whether it is a man or a woman, good looking people will have some advantages. Even though the prince was dissatisfied with his husband, Lord Chen, he could not feel any disgust towards such a brother-in-law for the time being.
"No need to be polite, my Lord," the prince said calmly, his eyes already glancing towards the stopped carriage.
Chaoyun and Chaoyue jumped down first, put the stools in place and then helped the princess get off the car together.
As soon as Huayang appeared, the coldness on the prince's face disappeared, the corners of his mouth curled up, and his eyes looked at his sister brightly.
Huayang's gaze had already been fixed on his brother's face.
This year her younger brother is only twelve years old, and can be considered a young man, but he is still half a head shorter than her. Compared with Chen Jingzong who is not far away, he looks even more like a child.
As soon as Huayang got out of the car, he walked over and pulled his brother into his arms.
Chen Jingzong's face changed slightly, and when he looked at the prince again, his two exposed ears were red.
"I haven't seen you for two years. How come you've grown so much taller?"
After letting his brother go, Huayang held his brother's shoulders and looked him up and down carefully.
The prince couldn't help but straighten his chest, and at the same time, he was observing his sister.
Ever since the prince could remember, he knew that his sister was the most beautiful person in the palace. Even though the two siblings met every day, the prince would often be moved by his sister's beauty. He felt that it was normal for his father to dote on his sister. When he became emperor in the future, he would continue to dote on his sister like his father did and ensure that his sister would have no worries about food and clothing. If anyone dared to make his sister angry, he would definitely stand up for her.
However, after not seeing each other for more than two years, the prince found that his sister had become more beautiful. She had a bridal bun, which he was not used to. Her face was more beautiful than a peony, and her eyes were clear and bright. Even the brightest black pearl in the palace would pale in comparison to her sister.
"Sister, sister seems to have lost weight."
The prince said awkwardly.
In fact, he wanted to praise his sister for being more beautiful, but such words seemed a bit frivolous, but he had to say something, so the prince had to make up something.
Huayang smiled. In her previous life, she did look much more haggard when she returned to Beijing, but that was definitely not a problem in this life, especially since she had just looked in the mirror and her complexion looked better than when she had put on rouge.
"You've obviously gained weight, but you're just being sweet." Huayang took the opportunity to pinch her brother's face. Of course, she used her figure to block the way for her father-in-law and others who were hurrying towards her from behind.
The prince's face turned even redder. Ever since he was seven or eight years old, he had resisted being pinched on the face, and only his sister could pinch him.
Huayang pinched it once and then let go, moving aside.
"Your Highness the Crown Prince is greeted by your servant Chen Tingjian."
Chen Tingjian led his wife and children and bowed solemnly.
The prince pursed his lips and looked at his sister. He smiled and walked over to help Chen Tingjian up. "Sir, please don't be polite. You have come from a far distance and your mother specially sent me to meet you outside the city."
Chen Tingjian hurriedly headed towards the palace to thank the emperor and empress for their grace.
The prince did not want to chat with the Chen family, so after the formal greetings, he immediately said, "Sir, please get in the carriage. Father has been waiting in the palace for a long time."
Chen Tingjian said respectfully, "Your Highness, Princess, please go first."
The prince nodded, took his sister's hand and went to his prince's carriage.
As Huayang walked forward with her brother, she caught a glimpse of Chen Jingzong beside her. The guy looked very serious in his official uniform and did not look at her much. No one could have imagined how reckless he was last night.
There was an ice tripod and fresh and delicious fruits in the prince's carriage.
"Are you tired, sister?"
With fewer outsiders around, the prince felt much more at ease. Seeing his sister's rosy cheeks and thinking that she was hot, he took the initiative to pick up the fan and help fan herself.
Huayang smiled and said, "It's okay, I just basked in the sun for a while. How about you, how long have you been waiting here?"
The prince said: "About half an hour. My mother was afraid that I would miss the opportunity, so she kicked me out early. Humph, if my sister wasn't here, I wouldn't want to come out in the sun."
If Huayang's respect for her father-in-law was largely because she had witnessed his achievements with her own eyes before her rebirth, then her mother's respect and appreciation for her father-in-law was due to her true ability to judge people, otherwise her mother would not have brought her together with Chen Jingzong.
The Queen Mother has always asked my younger brother to remember my father-in-law's teachings and to respect him like an ordinary disciple. Even this time when my father-in-law returned to the capital, the Queen Mother sent my younger brother out of the city to greet him.
Huayang had been influenced by this for a long time and actually felt that this was what he should do and his brother should not complain about anything.
But now, hearing his brother's complaints again, Huayang suddenly became alert.
Is it because everyone wants the younger brother to respect his father-in-law, and the younger brother is unwilling but has to endure it, and over time his endurance turns into resentment
Just like when she married Chen Jingzong in her previous life, she didn't like that vulgar man. Every time she complained to her mother in private, her mother would only advise her to learn more about Chen Jingzong's good points. She felt upset when she heard that, and the more upset she became, the more she disliked Chen Jingzong. She even reduced the number of times she went to the palace to see her mother.
At that time, she had the mentality of a child, and the younger brother in front of her was a real young man.
Regardless of whether it makes sense or not, everyone has their own preferences. How can you be in a good mood if you go against your preferences
It would be fine if it was an ordinary child, but my younger brother is going to be the emperor in the future. If he holds a grudge against someone now, he will have the ability to take revenge in the future.
After realizing this, Huayang did not persuade her brother to truly respect her father-in-law like her mother did. Instead, she hugged her brother again and said happily, "You miss me so much, it's worth it that I thought about you every day when I was in Lingzhou."
When Lingzhou was mentioned, the prince became excited: "Sister, tell me about the King of Xiang. Did that bastard bully you?"
Huayang smiled and began to tell a story to his brother.
(End of this chapter)