gnovel Chapter 54 Yao Jin exposed
Chapter 54 Yao Jin exposed
By the time the donkey cart entered the imperial city, the sky had completely darkened, and the twilight outlined the heavy silhouette of the palace walls.
The hall was brightly lit with candles, and the gilded lamps cast a warm glow, making the hall feel cozy and inviting.
The tableware for dinner had just been cleared away by the palace servants when Empress Zhangsun was reclining on a soft couch, holding Princess Xincheng, who had just woken up, in her arms.
The little girl's face was rosy from sleeping, and her big, dark eyes gazed innocently at the ceiling of the palace. She was quiet, well-behaved, and adorable.
Li Shimin sat on a round-backed chair to the side, holding a cup of warm tea between his fingertips, his brows and eyes relaxed, chatting with the Empress about the trivial matters that had been happening in the court recently.
As an emperor, he faced the obsequious flattery and polite formalities of his court officials every day. Only in the Hall of State Affairs, in front of his wife and children, could he shed some of the cold air of a supreme ruler and find a touch of human warmth.
Suddenly, hurried, light footsteps sounded outside the hall, followed by Sizi's clear voice: "Father! Mother! Sizi is back! I caught so many little fish today!"
The little girl rushed into the palace gate, her pale yellow dress speckled with bits of grass and mud.
A dried water stain remained on her small face, and she clutched a willow twig in her hand. The willow leaves had long since been shaken off, leaving only a few scattered pieces, drooping listlessly.
She was panting heavily, her hair damp with a thin layer of sweat, but her eyes were full of joy.
Li Shimin put down his teacup, immediately opened his arms, and scooped her up onto his lap.
Sizi immediately snuggled into his arms and chattered away, reporting on her day's events at breakneck speed.
A beautiful pot covered the new winery, which was even more spacious than the kitchen, and inside were large, shiny copper pots.
Guoguo took her to catch fish by the stream behind the mountain. They used a delicate little bamboo cage filled with fragrant fermented rice.
She even named each fish: one was called Ah Hua, another Shi Tou, and one that swam extremely fast was named Xiao Kuai.
"The fried little fish in the pot were so delicious! The outer skin was crunchy, and the meat inside was white and tender. Sizi ate several by herself!"
In the midst of their lively conversation, Sizi suddenly remembered the important matter. He reached into his sleeve with his chubby little hand and pulled out an oil paper package.
The oil paper had long been soaked in grease until it was translucent, and inside were two small fish fried to a golden brown and crispy texture. She had carried them all the way in her arms, and they still retained a faint warmth.
"Guoguo specially asked Sizi to bring these for his mother! He said his mother is weak and can't eat greasy food, so these two were slowly fried over low heat and all the oil was drained off, so they're not greasy at all!"
Empress Zhangsun took the oil paper package, looked at the tempting little fish inside, and then at the water stains on her daughter's face and the bits of grass on her skirt. A gentle ripple spread across her eyes.
She reached out and took the handkerchief, gently wiping the beads of sweat from Sizi's nose, and asked softly, "Did you have a good time today, Sizi?"
"Of course I had a great time! Sizi was so happy!" Sizi nodded vigorously, her little head bobbing like she was pecking at rice. She quickly added, "Pretty Master even asked Sizi to bring two jars of wine for Father and Mother!"
One jar was for Father, but the old man said it was strong and Father should sip it slowly; the other jar was for Mother, the wine was mild, it would warm her stomach and was more effective than medicinal tea!
As soon as she finished speaking, Chang Le slowly walked into the hall.
She was holding two jars of wine in her arms. The jars were small and exquisite, with thin walls and a bright glaze. The mouths of the jars were sealed tightly with mountain yellow clay mixed with straw. Even through the walls of the jars, one could smell a clear and mellow aroma of wine.
She still carried the sweet scent of the rice paddies in the suburbs and the moisture from the stream. Her long hair was slightly loosened by the evening breeze, with a few strands falling around her ears. She had shed her usual princess-like dignity and restraint, revealing a rare sense of ease and relaxation.
"Father, Mother." Chang Le walked over and gently placed the two jars of wine on the carved table. She bowed slightly, her demeanor gentle and graceful. "Young Master Wang specially asked his daughter to bring these to you two."
This jar of first-pressed liquor was prepared for my father. He said that he had heard that my father preferred strong liquor, and since this liquor has a rich alcohol content, he specially invited my father to taste it.
This second batch of wine was brewed for my mother. It has a mild alcohol content and a smooth taste. Warming a cup before bed can soothe the stomach, dispel cold, and nourish the body.
Li Shimin's gaze fell on the two jars of wine, and his eyes suddenly narrowed.
The shape of this wine jar, the method of sealing it with mud, and even the intense aroma of wine wafting from the jar wall were exactly the same as the wine jar that was "confiscated" from Cheng Yaojin at the Duke of Lu's mansion that day!
After he brought the jar of wine back to the palace, he shared half of it with Empress Zhangsun that very night.
The liquor is crystal clear, with a sharp, piercing taste that is like a knife on the palate, but a lingering, sweet aftertaste that is rich in layers and has an exquisite flavor.
He had been drinking wine for half his life, but he had never tasted such a mellow and superior wine.
At the time, Cheng Yaojin, that old fox, insisted that he had bought it from itinerant merchants, and he didn't believe it at all.
What ordinary traveling merchant could brew such a fine spirit?
However, Cheng Yaojin refused to reveal the truth, so he didn't investigate further. He just kept it in mind and concluded that the old fox was hiding something and playing tricks on him.
As an emperor, he was surrounded by scheming and calculating people. Only his close friends like Cheng Yaojin dared to hide wine and play tricks in front of him, revealing their private thoughts, without having to wear the mask of a subject all the time.
Upon seeing these two jars of wine, all my doubts instantly vanished.
The wine didn't come from any traveling merchants or merchants, but from Wang Zhihuan, a low-key and unassuming young man who lived a peaceful life in a farm outside the city.
Li Shimin leaned back in his chair, his fingertips lightly tapping the armrest. A playful yet knowing smile slowly crept onto his lips, as if he had seen through his old friend's little secret, revealing a touch of childlike innocence unique to adults.
No wonder that old codger guarded that jar of wine like it was his lifeblood, refusing to part with it even for a second.
Now I finally understand. It wasn't about protecting the wine at all; it was about secretly hiding the secrets to brewing wine, afraid that if others found out, they would all ask for it and deprive him of his unique enjoyment.
But a question arose in his mind: how did Cheng Yaojin know about Wang Zhihuan? And why would he send his son to the farm?
Li Shimin narrowed his eyes, tapped his knee twice with his fingertips, and quickly understood the problem.
It must have been Cheng Chumo who bumped into Chen Laosan's donkey cart in the East Market, recognized it as a carriage of the Imperial Guards, guessed that there were noble people from the palace on board, and after returning home, he discussed it with Cheng Yaojin and then sent people to secretly keep an eye on them.
Strictly speaking, following the princess's carriage was, at best, a display of excessive curiosity, and at worst, a capital offense against the imperial authority.
But Li Shimin knew perfectly well that Cheng Yaojin, this old brother, although he looked rough and cunning all his life, was loyal to him to the bone, and had not a single wicked thought.
Sending someone to follow her wasn't just spying; it was clearly an elder brother's concern, worried that the young girl might encounter some unscrupulous villains outside the palace, and wanting to secretly protect her from the shadows.
However, his methods were too unorthodox. For the dignified Duke of Lu to secretly send people to watch the princess's carriage was truly absurd and laughable if word got out.