Chapter 86: Visitors from the Capital

Chapter 86: Visitors from the Capital

The carriage moved smoothly along the concrete road. After massaging one of Yu Lanyi's calves, Zheng Shanci moved to the other. The scent of medicinal wine filled the carriage, creating a quiet and intimate atmosphere. The only sound was the rolling of the wheels, and with the curtains closed, it was just the two of them.

Zheng Shanci kept his head down, and Yu Lanyi could only see his profile.

"I didn't mean to snap at you earlier. I was just getting a bit impatient," Yu Lanyi muttered softly.

"I know," Zheng Shanci replied, putting the lid back on the medicinal wine. "Waiting can be frustrating at times, but it's alright."

After applying the medicinal wine, Yu Lanyi soon felt a warmth spreading through his calf, and his heart grew warm as well.

The irritation Yu Lanyi felt from being watched earlier had mostly faded. The man was too considerate, making it impossible for Yu Lanyi to stay angry.

Zheng Shanci gently placed Yu Lanyi's leg down and smiled. "You finally got a chance to go out today, yet you spent so much time waiting for me."

"Although we didn't spend much time together, I still had fun," Yu Lanyi said, his eyes narrowing like a cat that had just stolen something.

"If this happens again, just sit in the chair. Don't tire yourself out," Zheng Shanci advised.

Yu Lanyi didn't want to sit. He felt embarrassed, especially with everyone watching him. His temper wasn't the best to begin with. He hummed in response, brushing off Zheng Shanci's suggestion.

Originally, they had planned to go boating until evening and then eat at a restaurant, but now Yu Lanyi had to return home with Zheng Shanci for dinner.

Lin Geer was still in her confinement period, and Zheng Shancheng came home for dinner that night. After the meal, he called over to Zheng Shanci, "Shanci, could you help give Duo Duo a formal name?"

Zheng Shanci thought for a moment and said, "Cultivate virtue, and virtue will lead to harmony from the start. Let's name him Tongchu. I hope Duo Duo grows up to be a person of upright moral character. When he's older, we'll hire a tutor to teach him to read and write."

Lin Geer wholeheartedly agreed with Zheng Shanci's plan to have Duo Duo educated. She didn't expect him to become a scholar, but being able to read and understand accounts would be enough.

Thus, Duo Duo's formal name was decided as Zheng Tongchu.

Lin Geer's complexion had greatly improved during her postpartum recovery. She shook a rattle to entertain Zheng Tongchu and smiled when she saw Yu Lanyi arrive with a pair of tiger-head shoes. "Lan Yi, you're here again."

"Sister-in-law, I bought these new tiger-head shoes for Duo Duo."

"Duo Duo says thank you, Auntie."

Yu Lanyi realized he had been elevated to a higher familial rank and seemed pleased. He reached out and poked Duo Duo's plump cheek, causing the baby to puff out his cheeks.

"Kids are so much fun," Yu Lanyi accidentally blurted out his true thoughts.

He quickly realized his slip and awkwardly met Lin Geer's amused gaze.

Lin Geer tucked the small quilt around Zheng Tongchu. "Kids are indeed fun, but thank goodness for the wet nurse. Otherwise, when they start crying, it can keep you up all night. Not to mention changing diapers and all that. Having a child around means you have to constantly look after them."

"I carried him for ten months, then had to recover postpartum. All in all, it's been a year without doing much," Lin Geer said, her gaze softening as she looked at Zheng Tongchu. Once she recovered, she planned to help out at the food shop again. Staying at home was too boring with nothing to do. She felt at ease leaving the child with the wet nurse.

Perhaps because she came from a farming family, Lin Geer couldn't stay idle even after having a child. In the village, only the last two months of pregnancy and the postpartum period were considered restful. The rest of the time, there was always work to be done.

Lin Geer noticed Yu Lanyi neatly placing the small tiger-head shoes on the bed and thought to herself that this brother-in-law was still like a child. She asked, "Isn't today a day off? Didn't Shanci spend time with you?"

At this, Yu Lanyi raised an eyebrow slightly. "He's busy. There's some literary gathering he has to attend as the county magistrate."

It seemed like he never had a moment to rest.

However, at night, he was quite passionate.

Yu Lanyi had thought more than once about asking his family to arrange a less demanding position for Zheng Shanci once they returned to the capital.

After teasing his nephew for a while, Yu Lanyi went to the tavern to check the accounts. There was often a man who came to drink at the tavern. He didn't speak, nor did he take the liquor back; he just liked to come to this tavern to drink.

Xiao Er: "This liquor called 'Yunke Du' is really a good name."

Yu Lanyi quickened his pace as he checked the account books. Seeing these few entries, he was also pleased. Who wouldn't be pleased to see money? He could buy himself a new outfit and also get one for Zheng Shanci.

Xiao Er had come to drink here many times, and each time Yu Lanyi acted as if he didn't see him. He asked, "Boss, I'm a regular customer here, why don't you ever greet me?"

Well, he actually came to question him. It was clear he was from out of town. Otherwise, who in Xinfeng County wouldn't know him?

Yu Lanyi: "You pay for the liquor, and I collect the money. What else is there to say?"

He disliked frivolous playboys and detested people who loved to drink, always reeking of alcohol.

Xiao Er had been staying in Xinfeng County for a long time and had tried all the local snacks and eateries. He planned to go back to Qingzhou. Today, he came to buy liquor to take back. He had his servant bring a cart, "Boss, fill this cart up."

The tavern clerk helped load the cart with liquor. Xiao Er looked around with satisfaction, "My father is urging me to return home, otherwise I would stay here to drink and eat. Perhaps I'll open a tavern in the future, mainly for my own drinking."

Yu Lanyi knew from these words that Xiao Er was a playboy. Xiao Er sighed, "This liquor is called 'Yunke Du.' I thought the person who brewed this strong liquor must be a lover of liquor."

Yu Lanyi: "The recipe for brewing this liquor was given to me by my husband, but he is not a lover of liquor." He is fond of money.

Xiao Er's eyes lit up, and he cupped his hands, "May I ask who this gentleman is?"

Why does Zheng Shanci always attract these alcohol enthusiasts? Yu Lanyi thought. He still told Xiao Er, "My husband is the local magistrate."

Xiao Er was delighted and said, "I must pay a visit in the future."

Xiao Er was being forced by his elders to return home to prepare for next year's imperial exams. The Xiao family were wealthy merchants in Qingzhou, and after three generations, they were now eligible to take the imperial exams. Except for the eldest brother, all the other family members, whether they had studied or not, had to take the exams.

The servant urged the second young master to return quickly. Xiao Er didn't delay any longer and had the cart pushed back to Qingzhou.

Yu Lanyi: "Weirdo."

Zheng Shanci was pleased after attending the literary gathering in Xinfeng County today. When he returned home, Yu Lanyi told him about meeting Xiao Er. Zheng Shanci smiled and said, "Maybe we'll meet again in the future."

He picked up some vegetables for Yu Lanyi, "Eat more vegetables."

Seeing the vegetables in his bowl, Yu Lanyi's mouth turned down, and he reluctantly ate them.

"Things at the county office have slowed down recently. I've handed most of the tasks to my subordinates. From now on, I won't have much to do during my days off." As the head of the county office, Zheng Shanci only needed to oversee the major directions. Occasionally, he had to pay attention to details, such as personally inspecting the river channels and the progress of building repairs, and visiting the factories. If he didn't go for a few months, there was no guarantee that the people below wouldn't cause any problems.

For example, the incident at the perfume factory. The manager had secretly accepted a large order without informing Zheng Shanci, and the order had to be completed in a very short time. The manager, greedy for money, almost dragged the entire factory down. Such orders should rather be refused than risk the factory's reputation. Otherwise, people would say the perfume factory was unreliable and didn't deliver on time, and this would haunt the factory forever.

"Zheng Shanci, next time you have a day off, let's go hiking. I want to see the sunrise." Yu Lanyi hadn't gone hiking for a long time.

Zheng Shanci agreed, looking at Yu Lanyi with a soft heart. Yu Lanyi had always loved to have fun, but now he had learned to manage the accounts and take care of the tavern business. Zheng Shanci had been busy with county affairs and hadn't spent much time with him.

Even when they went out, it was only after dinner in the evening that they could take a walk outside.

After dinner, Zheng Shanci reached out to hold Yu Lanyi's hand. Yu Lanyi was startled. In his eyes, or in everyone's eyes, Zheng Shanci was a gentle and refined gentleman who wouldn't do such bold things.

Yu Lanyi: "There are still people here."

Zheng Shanci saw the red bracelet on his wrist and touched it, "Alright."

He let go, and the two went to the courtyard. Zheng Shanci pressed him against a tree and kissed him.

Yu Lanyi slowly responded to him.

When the two separated, Yu Lanyi's legs went weak from Zheng Shanci's kisses. One hand pressed against Zheng Shanci's chest as the heat of his breath caused Yu Lanyi to turn his head away, feeling his ears itch.

He touched Zheng Shanci's handsome face, feeling the movement of his Adam's apple. Yu Lanyi had never imagined he could like a man so much.

Zheng Shanci grabbed his hand, following Yu Lanyi's strength, and kissed it, bringing a moist breath. His fingers now carried a hint of intimacy.

"This is too close," thought Yu Lanyi.

Zheng Shanci's eyes were lowered, and Yu Lanyi could see his long eyelashes casting shadows on his fair, handsome face. His slender, well-defined hand gently lifted Yu Lanyi's.

Yu Lanyi felt his heart pounding. In the capital, there were noblemen who kept male companions—something he hadn't known about. Only when accompanying his grandmother to the opera did he mistakenly go down the wrong path intending to ask for directions, only to see a familiar nobleman lifting a male companion's chin, his expression wild, seemingly happier than when with his husband.

Yu Lanyi was stunned at the time, thinking it better to avoid trouble, and silently retreated.

He thought that if he and Zheng Shanci didn't get along after marriage, he wouldn't look for someone else—not for any reason, but because at the first sight of Zheng Shanci, he found him very handsome, with an extraordinary aura.

It would be difficult to find another person like him in the Great Yan Dynasty.

Yu Lanyi's innocent heart suddenly understood that he had been curious about Zheng Shanci from the first moment he saw him.

"My fingers are getting numb," Yu Lanyi rolled his eyes at Zheng Shanci.

Zheng Shanci just smiled without speaking.

The two walked in the courtyard, where fertilizer had been used to plant some flowers and plants, the evening breeze carrying a fragrant scent. Yu Lanyi saw some gravel in the yard and kicked it.

The night turned hot, heavy with summer heat. When they returned to the house, Zheng Shanci had Jin Yun bring two bowls of mung bean soup to drink before sleeping soundly.

The two bowls of mung bean soup were brought over. Zheng Shanci drank quickly, but Yu Lanyi didn't like the taste of mung bean soup, just pinched his nose and finished it, looking miserable and repulsed.

Zheng Shanci saw this and smiled, "Drinking this will make you feel much better."

Yu Lanyi: "Ugh."

Zheng Shanci: "..."

...

Meanwhile, they were living in Xin Feng County. An Geer had married into the household of the Marquis of Changyang, and on the wedding night, Emperor Wuming, along with Wang Fengjun, and the first and second princes, went over. Yu Zhangxing's marriage clearly showed that he was indeed favored by the emperor, as the nobles and officials who came to the Marquis of Changyang's residence for the banquet understood.

The court's civil officials breathed a sigh of relief, thankfully the emperor only let Yu Zhangxing command the imperial guards. If Yu Zhangxing were a civil official, he would also be highly favored by Emperor Wuming. Emperor Wuming saw Yu Zhangxing in his wedding attire and wanted him to perform the ceremonial bow.

He promptly said, "Today is your big day, skip the formalities. I don't want to see you bow today; just enjoy being a groom."

Hearing this, Wang Fengjun was startled. He knew Yu Zhangxing was Emperor Wuming's study companion and had saved his life, but he didn't expect the emperor's feelings for Yu Zhangxing to be so deep.

Yu Zhangxing, broad-shouldered and narrow-waisted, his figure tall and graceful, smiled and said, "Thank you, Your Majesty."

The first prince, Xie Cheng, looked at Yu Zhangxing, his gaze thoughtful.

The emperor's visit to the residence was a tremendous honor. The Marquis of Changyang was elated, and after paying respects to Emperor Wuming, said, "What fortune has befallen my son, to have Your Majesty grace us with your presence. Your Majesty's visit is deeply appreciated."

Emperor Wuming: "Enough, my presence is making you uneasy. I am merely here to deliver a gift, and once done, I shall return to the palace."

The emperor's family did not linger long at the marquis's residence, but it was enough to make the people in the capital admire the Marquis of Changyang's household again. Marquis Anxin, wine cup in hand, drank with others, feeling a sense of pride, as Yu Zhangxing was now his son-in-law—this was his son—and he felt honored.

"Your Majesty and Lord Yu share a very close relationship," Wang Fengjun said.

The second prince, Xie Dan, said, "Father, what's the big deal? If my good friend were to marry, I would naturally go to congratulate him."

Emperor Wuming reached out and tapped Xie Dan's forehead, "Your father asked me, why are you butting in? Are you me now?"

Seeing that Emperor Wuming seemed about to get angry, Xie Cheng hurriedly defended his younger brother, "Father, second brother spoke without thinking, please calm your anger."

Wang Fengjun was also startled by Emperor Wuming's words and pulled Xie Dan, urging him to apologize to the emperor.

Emperor Wuming let out a cold, unpredictable laugh.

"Father, your son spoke too quickly; I dare not be you, only to call myself 'this prince'." Xie Dan looked at Emperor Wuming with a pitiful expression, hugging his thigh and shaking it.

"Stop being so cheeky with me, you spend your days idling and still have the nerve to act spoiled with me. When I was your age, I had already mastered the classics and poetry." Emperor Wuming looked at Xie Dan with a half-smile, gently pinching his cheek.

Wang Fengjun sighed in relief, while Xie Cheng, seeing Emperor Wuming so close to Xie Dan, had a shadow of gloom in his eyes.

"Then your son is not like you; elder brother is like you." Xie Dan smiled as he looked at Xie Cheng.

Emperor Wuming's gaze fell on Xie Cheng, who pursed his lips and couldn't help but smile, "Second brother exaggerates too much."

Emperor Wuming beckoned Xie Cheng over and patted his head, "I heard you've been burning the midnight oil, but your health is most important. You shouldn't overwork yourself. I don't want you to excel in your studies only to end up bedridden, understand? Cheng'er."

Xie Cheng felt warmth in his heart and responded, "Your son understands, Father."

...

At Yu Zhangxing's wedding, Yu Shiyan and Ye Yunchu also attended, along with Prince Zhennan and the Zhennan Prince Consort. Seeing how much Emperor Wuming valued the Marquis of Changyang's household, the Zhennan Prince Consort's gaze flickered slightly towards Yu Shiyan.

Yu Shiyan genuinely wished Yu Zhangxing the best; Yu Zhangxing had never bullied him at home and treated him with indifference, but Yu Shiyan always held a sense of admiration for him. Such an elder brother was truly admirable. The young ladies and gentlemen of the capital all desired such a brother.

Ye Yunchu went out drinking with friends.

Yu Shiyan drank a few cups and then stopped, focusing solely on eating.

After the meal, Yu Shiyan and Ye Yunchu boarded the same carriage. Ye Yunchu had no one else; the Prince Consort had wanted to assign him some attractive young men and women as attendants, but Ye Yunchu had refused them all. They were either kept in the courtyard as lowly servants or dismissed.

At night, he usually rested in Yu Shiyan's courtyard. Having drunk, he reeked of alcohol, his handsome face flushed, and the smell of cosmetics on him.

Yu Shiyan helped him to bed and called for some water.

"Shiyan... why are you upset again?"

Yu Shiyan: "What's with the makeup on the prince?"

"That's from socializing, don't worry, my heart belongs solely to you." Ye Yunchu went to embrace Yu Shiyan, his arms as warm as ever.

Even though he said he wanted to live independently, in such an embrace, Yu Shiyan couldn't help but give in. He pushed Ye Yunchu away, "Prince, go and wash up first."

They had been married for some time but still had no children together. Yu Shiyan didn't want children, and the Prince Consort didn't want a firstborn from a concubine. It would be too disgraceful to have a firstborn from a concubine before the main wife entered the household; no respectable family would marry in afterward.

Yu Zhangxing's wedding was a hot topic in the capital. The Marquis of Changyang had handled this well; when Yu Lanyi had his incident, the Marquis still held a grand celebration for him, and now Yu Zhangxing's wedding was also splendid.

Those who once gossiped about Yu Lanyi marrying a humble Jinshi, the young men and women, had now also been married off. Due to their high status, their husbands were mostly fifth or sixth-rank officials, but being young, with their fathers' influence, their futures were limitless.

"The emperor praised Zheng Shanci, but he might still fade into obscurity."

"What achievements can come from a small place? If the Marquis's household and the Duke's household want to use backdoor channels, the court officials would mostly give face, but without achievements, he can only be given a sinecure."

"A sinecure is still good, after all, his background is there." A gentleman covered his mouth and laughed.

If Zheng Shanci were willing to take a sinecure, Yu Lanyi would be a hundred percent agreeable. Previously, Yu Lanyi had worried that Zheng Shanci might not return to the capital, but now he wasn't so concerned. As long as the family exerted effort, Zheng Shanci could return.

The family spoils him so much, how could they let him endure hardship?

Yu Lanyi stuck a hairpin into Zheng Shanci's hair, and Zheng Shanci smiled as he removed it, saying, "This isn't appropriate for the occasion."

It was too gaudy, so much so that Zheng Shanci's eyelids twitched when he saw it in the bronze mirror.

He still used a jade crown to tie his hair up and adjusted his clothes in front of the bronze mirror.

"Xu Geer sent you word yesterday that the imperial envoy from the capital was coming, and you couldn't sit still," Yu Lanyi said, seeing Zheng Shanci sitting upright for the first time.

The imperial envoy is typically a eunuch dispatched by the emperor to deliver edicts to the provinces.

"After all, they're close to the emperor. As a minor official, I have to show proper respect in front of the imperial envoy," Zheng Shanci said with rare seriousness.

Seeing Zheng Shanci like this, Yu Lanyi collapsed onto the table, laughing so hard he could barely catch his breath.

Xu Geer happened to be doing business in Lan County when he noticed some important figures arriving at the post station. Their voices were neither high nor low, with a sharp edge, and he immediately had an idea. He sent someone to investigate and, upon getting the news, didn't waste any time, sending a fast horse to deliver the message to Zheng Shanci.

"You're so stiff," Yu Lanyi remarked.

Zheng Shanci cleared his throat, "One must still be formal and respectful."

The person sent to deliver the edict in Xinfeng County was a capable young eunuch under Feng De, who was slick and worldly, and had caught Emperor Wuming's attention. This was his first solo assignment, and it was a tough one, involving a long journey that few were willing to take on. After this half-year journey, upon his return, new eunuchs would have entered the palace, and it was unclear whether his godfather would still have a spot for him. The young eunuchs all had their own ideas, mostly unwilling to go, wanting to avoid the task altogether.

But he stepped forward quietly to accept the task.

Feng De immediately smiled and beckoned him over, "You're the most thoughtful child, godfather will be waiting for your return."

Before he left, Yu Zhangxing approached him, looking at him with clear eyes and handing him a pouch, saying, "Don't exaggerate, just tell the truth."

He agreed and took the pouch, then promptly informed his godfather about it.

The emperor also called him in to ask, and upon learning that Yu Zhangxing had indeed given him a pouch, he laughed heartily.

When Feng Zhong arrived in Xinfeng County, his subordinates asked, "Should you rest at the post station for a while, or go to deliver the edict?"

"It's better to handle the emperor's business first before resting."

Feng Zhong entered the Zheng residence, and the servants announced that everyone in the family, except for Lin Geer and Zheng Tongchu, came to greet him.

Feng Zhong's eyes lit up when he saw Zheng Shanci; such a distinguished young gentleman was rare even in the capital. Feng Zhong read out the edict, which mostly consisted of rewards of gold, silver, and jewels, something Yu Lanyi had already known about. Seeing the people behind carrying boxes in, his eyes sparkled.

They were going to be rich.

Zheng Shanci had prepared pouches for the servants to hand out to everyone, and he gestured to invite Feng Zhong to have tea, speaking in a neither humble nor pushy tone, "Please sit here, sir. You must be tired from the long journey delivering the emperor's edict."