Xu Pingzhi: Just You Two Wait

"But one year, for some unknown reason, my father flew into a rage and banished my mother to the cold palace, even threatening to depose her. However, the officials pleaded with him to stay, and I was too young to remember anything then," Princess Huaiqing said helplessly.

"Although the Empress Dowager was released from the Cold Palace the following year, the Emperor never visited her palace again. As a result, my fourth brother was also neglected. And I have never been favored by the Emperor since I was a child."

"Consort Chen was actually a very jealous and petty person. Even though the eldest prince was later made crown prince, she was never at ease and was always hostile to me and my fourth brother."

"This Non-Self narrow-minded view; do you know why Lin'an is at odds with me?"

Xu Qi'an's heart skipped a beat. "Was it instigated by Consort Chen?"

Huaiqing nodded slowly. "Lin'an is deeply favored by the Emperor, who indulges her in every way. In the first few years, Consort Chen was worried that the Crown Prince's position was unstable, so she often encouraged Lin'an to cause trouble and make things difficult for me."

Poor Lin'an, you must have bullied her terribly. Even though Lin'an was the one who started the trouble, Xu Qi'an still felt sorry for her. It wasn't that he favored Biao Biao; both his first and second wives were equally dear to him.

I just feel that with Biao Biao's level of skill, Huai Qing would bully her to death.

On second thought, perhaps this was exactly what Consort Chen wanted. The more she understood her daughter, the more she encouraged her to provoke others, thus achieving the desired effect.

Imagine, Emperor Yuanjing doted on Lin'an, yet was repeatedly bullied by Huaiqing to the point of tears. How could Emperor Yuanjing not dislike Huaiqing?

"What are His Majesty's reasons for deposing the Empress?" Xu Qi'an asked.

"There was no reason why he was remonstrated to the death by his ministers," Huaiqing shook his head.

Deposing an empress, like deposing a crown prince, is both a family matter for the emperor and a matter of national importance. Even the scholar-official class cannot easily divorce their wives, let alone an empress, who is the mother of the nation.

Without reason, how could the civil and military officials possibly agree to Emperor Yuanjing's decision to depose the empress?

But why would Emperor Yuanjing suddenly fly into a rage and want to depose the empress without a reason?

There must be more to this story than meets the eye.

"When did this happen?" Xu Qi'an asked, then, realizing he was being too nosy, added:

"It might be related to the Consort Fu case. Ah no, this humble servant has no intention of doubting Her Majesty the Empress."

Princess Huaiqing glanced at him sideways and said calmly, "If you're curious, just ask. Why make so many excuses?"

Xu Qi'an felt somewhat embarrassed.

"In the thirteenth year of Yuanjing," Huaiqing withdrew his gaze, looking into the distance, and said, "As for the reason, I don't know. Even after asking my mother many times, she never answered."

In the thirteenth year of Yuanjing's reign, Xu Qi'an nodded, recognizing the name, and said, "Thank you for informing me, Princess."

He originally thought that Emperor Yuanjing did not establish a fourth prince because the crown prince was rather dull-witted, but now it seems that there are deeper reasons behind it.

Yes, while the Crown Prince isn't particularly shrewd, how much better can the Fourth Prince be? Hmm, it's possible the Fourth Prince is hiding his abilities. Let's ask Duke Wei later; with his sharp eye, whatever he says about the Fourth Prince, that's what the Fourth Prince will say.

After walking a few steps, Huaiqing suddenly said, "Why end things in such a hurry today? With your abilities, you don't need to go home to 'consider' things."

Xu Qi'an felt that Huaiqing was quite honest with him, and he should also be honest with her, as this would help maintain a good relationship.

"I'm just trying to buy time," Xu Qi'an said.

"Delaying time?" Huaiqing frowned.

"Yes," Xu Qi'an said helplessly, inhaling the princess's faint fragrance.

"I offended too many people in the Sangbo and Yunzhou cases, and His Majesty also dislikes me. He originally intended to posthumously confer upon me the title of Viscount, but this was cancelled due to my resurrection."

"Later, His Majesty promised that as long as the case of Consort Fu was thoroughly investigated, I would be reinstated as the Viscount of Changle County."

This is so hard for me.

"Do you think Father Emperor will break his promise?" Princess Huaiqing agreed, "That's a good plan. As long as he doesn't bestow a title, you can delay it for another day."

Xu Qi'an glanced at her in surprise. As expected of Wei Yuan's disciple, their thinking was very much in sync.

The saying "a ruler's word is law" does not mean that the emperor never lies, but rather describes the national policies and imperial edicts issued by the emperor.

Therefore, as long as Emperor Yuanjing did not bestow a title, Xu Qi'an would delay it for another day, lest the dog emperor go back on his word.

"It's getting late, I'll head back to the manor now." Xu Qi'an glanced at the sky; if he went back now, he could still make it for lunch.

"Hmm." Huaiqing nodded.

On the other side, in Emperor Yuanjing's bedroom.

Half an hour before lunch, Emperor Yuanjing returned to his palace after finishing his meditation. His attendant rushed in, beaming, and said:

"Your Majesty, there has been significant progress in the case of Consort Fu! Significant progress!"

Emperor Yuanjing was taken aback, immediately adopting a serious expression, and said in a deep voice, "Speak."

The old eunuch relayed the information reported by the young eunuch to Emperor Yuanjing without missing a single word. The latter listened in silence without making a comment.

"Your Majesty," the old eunuch said meekly, "If this old servant dares to ask, does the Crown Prince's innocence stand?"

Emperor Yuanjing shook his head slightly. "It's too early. To be able to grasp the basic outline of the case in just two days shows that Xu Qi'an is indeed a talented person, but he's a bit too cunning."

He snorted coldly and said, "Go and urge the cabinet to draft the edict as soon as possible; there's no need to choose an auspicious day."

Last time, he sent an old eunuch to the cabinet to deliver an imperial edict. The cabinet received it, but delayed it, citing the lack of auspicious days recently.

"Yes, sir."

Second Uncle Xu, who was in charge of the day patrol, returned to his residence carrying his helmet, the sword at his waist swaying with each step.

There is a half-hour break at noon, during which Xu Pingzhi, as the centurion, would return to his residence for a meal and a cup of tea.

The kitchen was still busy preparing lunch, while my aunt was planting newly bought clivia plants in the backyard. She was wearing a light blue silk dress with a matching pleated long skirt, the dress embroidered with intricate cloud patterns.

When bending over to plant orchids, her slender waist and full hips are accentuated.

Second Uncle Xu, holding his helmet, stood a short distance away and cleared his throat. "Madam, I'm hungry. Could you go to the kitchen and urge them to hurry up?"

My aunt continued planting flowers, ignoring everyone else.

"Lady?"

"What are you shouting for?" Auntie's expression was icy. "Is Lord Xu going out with his colleagues tonight and not coming back?"

Second Uncle Xu was taken aback. "What are you saying, Madam?"

After planting the last clivia, my aunt clapped her hands, put her hands on her hips, and gave a cold laugh:

"What's that saying again? Right, blood is thicker than water. Your own nephew, even after he's made it big, hasn't forgotten you; he even knows to secretly slip you some money."

Second Uncle Xu was taken aback upon hearing this, thinking to himself, "It's been so long since my Dalang gave me money, before he went to Yunzhou. Why are you bringing up this old debt again?"

"No way! My Dalang just jumped out of his coffin yesterday. He went out that day and didn't come home all night. He wouldn't have had time to slip me money."

Second Uncle Xu would definitely not admit it, even if it existed, let alone something completely fabricated.

Upon hearing this, the aunt was furious. Her eyebrows shot up, and she shouted, "Xu Pingzhi, you really are planning to sneak into a brothel with your fifty taels of savings!"

"Erlang told me this morning that Xu Ningyan secretly slipped you fifty taels of silver. I thought if you admitted it, we could let it go, but I didn't expect you to actually want to keep it for yourself."

"You won't admit it, huh? Would Erlang lie to me? Xu Pingzhi, you heartless bastard! I've managed this family with all my heart and soul, and even raised your unfortunate nephew. Is this how you repay me?"

"Where's Erlang? Tell him to come out." Second Uncle Xu was angry.

"Pah, Erlang is catching up on sleep, don't disturb him. Don't change the subject, are you going to pay the fifty taels or not?"

"I'll hand it over, Madam, please don't be angry." Second Uncle Xu walked into the bedroom dejectedly, his steps quickening so that his aunt wouldn't discover where he hid the silver notes.

Upon entering the bedroom, he went straight to Xu Lingyin's small room, lifted his daughter's bedding, and found all his private savings underneath, a total of eighty taels.

Second Uncle Xu gritted his teeth and made up his mind, pulling out two twenty-tael notes and two five-tael notes.

Just then, he suddenly noticed a bag of green tangerines on the small table beside the bed.

In Xu Pingzhi's eyes, the green tangerine was not just a simple tangerine, so he was particularly sensitive to it and immediately became suspicious.

"Green tangerines are sour and astringent, usually only used for medicinal purposes. Why buy them for no reason? And why put them in Lingyin's room?"

With a hint of doubt in his mind, Second Uncle Xu left the side room, returned to the courtyard, and obediently handed over the silver notes.

The aunt's expression softened slightly. She snorted, took out a delicate little purse from her bosom, and put away the silver notes.

Xu Pingzhi then asked, "Why are there green tangerines on Lingyin's table? Did Dalang buy them?"

"It was Erlang who bought it."

"Fifty taels have arrived," the aunt said with considerable satisfaction.

Erlang bought it. Why would Erlang buy this? His purpose in buying the green tangerines must be different from mine. Wait a minute!

Second Uncle Xu's heart skipped a beat. "Erlang, like Eldest Dalang, didn't return home all night, right?"

"Erlang went out to socialize with his classmates, and as for your nephew, who knows where he's been gallivanting off to." Aunt rolled her eyes.

If it weren't for the previous social deaths he had experienced, Xu Pingzhi would have wholeheartedly agreed with his wife's words. But now, he knows what kind of person his son is.

The Dalang didn't return all night, and neither did the Erlang. Based on my understanding of the Dalang, he most likely went to the Imperial Academy of Music, but it was the Erlang who bought the green oranges.

"Erlang smells like oranges, doesn't he?" Xu Pingzhi asked casually.

The aunt nodded nonchalantly, admiring the clivia she had planted.

The answer is obvious: it was the Dalang who taught the Erlang. If nothing unexpected happens, the Dalang betrayed me, so the Erlang fabricated a story about a secret stash of money to blackmail me. What a scoundrel, daring to scheme against even his own father.

Xu Pingzhi said in a deep voice, "It seems that Erlang has been having headaches lately."

"Um?"

The aunt looked over blankly; she still cared a lot about her son.

"Green tangerines can soothe the mind, treat headaches, and have many other benefits. Otherwise, why would anyone sell them when they're so sour and astringent?" Xu Pingzhi said.

While green tangerines do have medicinal value, the claim that they cure headaches was made up by Uncle Second Uncle Xu. In any case, his wife, who is not well-educated and has never done any housework, would not be able to see through it.

"It must be because of the immense pressure of the imperial examinations." The aunt immediately felt sorry for him.

"Madam, Erlang is not yet married. As his mother, you should take good care of him and not spend all your time tending to flowers and plants," the second uncle admonished.

"This was bought by Erlang for his own consumption, why did you put it in Lingyin's room?"

My aunt wasn't the kind of woman who was a loving mother. Perhaps because she was confident in her beauty, she was particularly arrogant and spoiled. Her care for her children fell far short of the level of genuine concern and warmth.

That's why he was often driven to rage by the annoying Xu Lingyin, and whenever it was time to eat, he would leave his young daughter in the care of Lü'e while he happily ate his meal.

"Erlang gave it to Lingyin himself. I thought it would be a waste to throw it away, so I put it in her room and she can eat it when she comes back from class," Auntie explained.

"Alright, that's enough. Quickly take the green tangerines to the kitchen and have the cooks make some soup. Erlang will want some when he wakes up. Oh, and make a bowl for Dalang too." Xu Pingzhi quickly added after finishing his sentence:

"This soup isn't good, Dalang probably won't want it. You, as his aunt, can't control him. Have Lingyue stew it too. When he comes back tonight, he'll definitely drink it."

The aunt nodded and swayed her hips as she went to get the green tangerines.

Just as lunch was prepared at the manor, Xu Dalang returned, took off his gong and sword, threw them on the ground, sat down at the table, and greeted them:

"Has Second Uncle come back for lunch yet?"

"I'll come back to eat here again. I just received my appointment this morning; starting tomorrow, I won't be patrolling the outer city anymore, I'll be moving to the inner city." Xu Pingzhi said, sipping his soup with a cold expression.

The position remained the same, but the salary was increased by one rank from the outer city to the inner city.

"Great news, great news!"

Xu Qi'an took the bowl and chopsticks handed to him by Lü'e, wondering what was wrong with his second uncle today, as he looked unhappy.

At this moment, Xu Erlang emerged, still half-asleep, glanced at his elder brother, and the two brothers exchanged a knowing look.

"Dad, did you and Mom argue today?" Xu Erlang asked tentatively as he sat down.

"Hmph, none of them give me any peace of mind. Erlang is the best, after all, he came from his mother's womb." The aunt glared at the uncle and nephew.

Xu Erlang's lips curled slightly.

Xu Pingzhi glanced at his aunt's personal maid without showing any emotion and said, "Lü'e, go to the kitchen and see if the soup is ready."

Lü'e obediently responded and took small steps out of the side hall.

What kind of soup is it?

Xu Qi'an, who had spent all his money last night, asked with great interest.

"This is to nourish you and Erlang," Auntie said.

Xu Qi'an and Xu Xinnian exchanged a glance, sensing something was amiss. How did their aunt (mother) know they wanted to nourish their bodies?

Before long, Lü'e came in carrying a large bowl of soup, and a strong, sour aroma wafted over.

A large porcelain bowl was placed on the table, with slices of green tangerines floating in the bright orange broth, the peels still on.

Auntie personally served Xu Xinnian soup, complaining, "Erlang, why didn't you tell your mother when you had a headache? The imperial examination is just around the corner. It's my fault. I didn't take good care of you."

"This green tangerine soup was specially made for you by your mother."

Green tangerine soup?!

"This... isn't this the green tangerine I bought?" Xu Xinnian looked bewildered, thinking to himself, "How can you make soup with green tangerines? This is going to kill someone!"

"Mother, my headache is from drinking too much. I was socializing with colleagues last night," Xu Xinnian, glancing at his elder brother with a guilty look.

"Who came up with this bizarre dish of green tangerine stew?" Xu Qi'an almost burst out laughing, but said with a straight face:

"Green tangerine soup is very nourishing; Erlang must drink plenty."

"You have some too," Second Uncle Xu said calmly. "This soup was painstakingly prepared by Lingyue and your aunt."

"?"

A big question mark appeared in Xu Qi'an's mind.

"Do I, a martial artist at the Spirit Refining Realm, need this thing?" Xu Qi'an retorted.

"Big brother!" Xu Lingyue said softly, "Just drink one bowl, they've been stewing it for a long time."

Xu Qi'an couldn't help but look at his little brother.

The younger brother was watching him too.

Both brothers hoped the other would rise up in rebellion.

"."

"Tons tons tons tons"

In the end, they both drank a large bowl, choking until tears streamed down their faces, and their stomachs churned violently.

"Hahaha, let's eat, let's eat." Second Uncle Xu sipped his wine, a simple smile on his face.

PS: Thanks to "Silent Little Zhuge" for the generous donation. I haven't been able to add extra chapters for donations these past few days, mainly because updating 10,000+ words a day is my daily limit.

I originally intended to correct the typos, but considering the timing, I decided to post it first and then revise it.