Chapter 192 The Prince Acts as Peacemaker
Seeing that the Second Master was going to Yangxin Garden to deliver medicine, and seeing that he had trouble walking, Mengxi felt sorry for him and said that she would go on his behalf. When the Second Master saw this, he was unwilling to let her go again, and coughed and said:
"Xi'er, is your mother okay at Yangxin Garden? Um, did your mother punish you for my unfilial behavior?"
"I heard from Ziyue that the eldest lady is much better today than yesterday, and she is in better spirits. The second master did something rash and wrong because I did not persuade him on weekdays and indulged him. It was right for me to be punished on behalf of the second master, but later the eldest master came and exempted me from punishment because he was worried about the second master's injury. He asked me to come back and serve the second master well, and told me to tell the second master that the matter of Butler An has a result. Since the Xiao family will no longer pursue it, the prefect of Pingyang has changed the death by beating to exile, and the report will be made in the next few days. I want the second master to have some free time these two days and consider a few candidates for butlers and send them to the eldest master. The Xiao family cannot be without a butler for a day, not to mention that the eldest lady is sick now."
When Xiao Jun heard this, he felt heartbroken. As expected, his mother still punished Xier and took out all her resentment towards him on Xier. Fortunately, his father came over and saved Xier.
He stood there and looked at Mengxi for a long time before he spoke:
"Since Xi'er has already visited my mother on my behalf, I will not go there. Xi'er does not need to go there in person. Xi'er can arrange for someone to deliver the medicinal herbs and supplements I prepared to Yangxin Garden."
Mengxi nodded in response, supported Zhiqiu, and followed the Second Master. The couple returned to Xiaoxiang Courtyard together.
…
The private rooms on the second floor of Yipin Teahouse are not separated by screens like in other teahouses. Instead, each room is equipped with wooden doors with different flower panels. Exquisitely framed calligraphy and paintings are hung on the walls, creating a fresh, elegant, simple and generous layout.
The prince chose a private room facing north today. Sandalwood was burning in the room, with a faint fragrance. There were red sandalwood thrones and coffee tables with longevity patterns in the room. A singer was sitting on the last low chair with a guzheng in front of her. The smooth and flowing music flowed from the singer's fingertips, giving people a deep yet ethereal feeling, as if all the noise had gone away and only the sound of nature was left, intoxicating people.
On the longevity-patterned tea table in front of the prince, a complete set of jade tea sets, including teapots, fairness cups, tea strainers, tea tasting cups, and scented cups, were neatly arranged.
"Brewing tea requires great attention to every step, including selecting tea leaves, storing water, placing utensils, brewing tea, and tasting tea. Second brother, the water we use to brew tea today is the mountain spring water that I brought from Luding Mountain..."
The prince brewed tea with graceful movements and explained in detail. He took the boiling water handed to him by Xiao Zongzi, poured the boiling water over the tea set, and then poured water into the teapot from a high place. After pouring, he poured the tea directly into the teapot and explained that this was called washing tea.
After saying that, he poured boiling water into the teapot again. This was the first cup of tea. After it was brewed, he poured the tea into the fairness cup, and then quickly and evenly poured it into the smelling cup. After pouring, he put the tea cup on the smelling cup and turned the cups over. The whole action was done in one go, as smooth as flowing water.
The prince sent her more than a dozen invitations, inviting her to return to Pingyang for a chat, which forced her to wait until the second master's injury healed before sneaking out. Could it be that he just wanted her to watch his tea art?
Mengxi, who was sitting opposite the prince, knew nothing about tea art. The prince's movements dazzled her, but she liked this peaceful, solemn, and warm atmosphere. The quiet music and the prince's explanation formed a harmonious artistic conception of movement and stillness, which made Mengxi feel particularly peaceful and comfortable.
Not knowing what the prince wanted to talk to her about, Mengxi did not say anything, but sat there watching the prince's actions with a smile on her face. After the prince finished flipping, he gently spun out the scent cup, moved it to his nose and took a deep breath, nodding in ecstasy.
Xiao Zongzi had already brought the tea that the prince had poured to Mengxi with both hands and said flatteringly:
"Mr. Li, you are the first person in Da Qi besides the current emperor to taste the tea brewed by the crown prince himself. Not to mention that the water for brewing tea was specially to go to Luding Mountain to get it, but this set of tea set was also brought out from the palace by the crown prince. The crown prince said that this jade cup can preserve the original flavor of the tea."
Mengxi heard this and said to the prince with a smile:
"Thank you for your kindness, brother"
"Brother, please taste this tea. This is Tieguanyin, a new tribute from the south this year. The aroma of the tea is refreshing and even better than the fragrance of orchids. This first cup of tea should be tasted in three small sips. The first sip should be inhaled slowly and then chewed gently, filling the mouth. When the tea in the mouth becomes thick, swallow it slowly. Then take a small sip from the edge of the cup and swallow it. The third sip should be drunk up in the cup. Only then will you have the feeling of 'three sips to know the taste, and the third sip to be moved'"
As the prince spoke, he demonstrated to Mengxi. Mengxi imitated the prince and drank three gulps. As expected, his mouth and nose were fragrant and his cheeks were wet. It was different from what he usually drank. He couldn't help but praise it. Finally, he said with a feeling of unsatisfied desire:
"I often hear people say that a thousand cups of fine wine cannot make a bosom friend, but a cup of tea can also intoxicate people. Today, I tasted the tea made by big brother, and it was really intoxicating."
Seeing that his second brother was happy, the prince made her a second cup of tea and talked about the flavor of Guanyin tea. The prince was not in a hurry to talk about things and only talked about tea art. Mengxi was not in a hurry either and really tasted tea with the prince.
Seeing that the tea was almost finished, the prince waved his hand and sent away the singing girl playing the guzheng and the idlers. He looked at Mengxi and said:
"Second brother, do you have any grudge against the Xiao family, a noble family from Pingyang?"
After hearing this, Mengxi's hands trembled a little, and he took the tea in his hand and brought it to his mouth and drank it all. He put down the tea cup, calmed his mind, and then said:
"I have been away from home for many years and have nothing to do with the Xiao family. Why do you say that, brother?"
"Oh, that might be a misunderstanding. Mr. Xiao came to me not long ago and said that he had offended my second brother somehow. The miraculous medicine on the second floor of Yichun Hall was never sold to the Xiao family. He knew that my second brother and I were sworn brothers, so he wanted me to be a peacemaker in the middle. One is to resolve the feud between the two families, and the other is to ask my second brother for help."
After hearing this, Mengxi glanced at Li Du and Ouyang Di standing on the side, smiled bitterly and said:
"I have never heard of this. I think there is some misunderstanding among the people below. Since you have brought it up, I will check it out and impose some restrictions. Please tell Master Xiao Er about this. Don't take it to heart."
"Okay, my second brother is straightforward. Li Zan is hosting a banquet at Fenglai Pavilion today and has invited Second Master Xiao. I think Second Master Xiao is already waiting there. Why don't you come with me so that we can meet and talk it out. It will be convenient for you in the future?"
"this……"
Mengxi sat there hesitating after hearing this. She couldn't go to see the Second Master even if she was beaten to death. Wouldn't that be exposed?
The prince saw that his second brother looked embarrassed and said:
"My second brother has been wandering around in the martial world, so he may not know the major events that have taken place in the court. At the beginning of this year, the Shanrong people repeatedly invaded our northern border. Father has appointed Situ Sen as the General of Guarding the North, and he is leading an army of 200,000. He will set off today and march to the border."
Mengxi glanced at the prince. The court's appointment of a General to Zhenbei would have no bearing on her and the Second Master's business.
Seeing his second brother looking at him, the prince continued:
"Second Master, you don't know that Situ Sen is the nephew of the Empress Dowager. He made great contributions in the suppression of the Shanrong people in the first year of Emperor Jin, and he was stationed in the north for three years. He is familiar with the situation at the border. During these three years, the Shanrong people fled when they heard his name and dared not to attack. In the fourth year of Emperor Jin, he was seriously ill and was transferred back to Pingyang by my father. He has been recuperating in Pingyang. This time, the Shanrong people attacked, and there was no good general in the court. My father had to use General Situ again."
Mengxi finally understood what the prince meant when she heard this. Although she was a little woman in a deep house and didn't care about the affairs of the court, she had been influenced by the prince for the past two years and knew some things. The empress dowager strongly advocated abolishing the prince and protecting the Prince of Yan. The arrogance of the Prince of Yan was suppressed by Emperor Jin two years ago, but after two years of dormancy, his momentum is getting stronger and stronger. This time, the Pingshan Rong people invaded, and the empress dowager's relative, General Situ, once again took charge of the military power and had troops outside. The Prince of Yan was stationed in Pingyang and was controlled by the empress dowager. Even with the support of Emperor Jin, the prince's position as the crown prince was still in jeopardy. Not only did she secretly think:
"I was wondering, how could the Crown Prince, with his status, easily become a peacemaker? Moreover, he spent so much effort to match her up with the Second Master. This was not what the Second Master wanted, but was clearly trying to match Yichun Hall and the Xiao Family to protect him!"
Thinking of this, Mengxi couldn't help but sigh. Everyone in Daqi knew that she was the prince's sworn brother. No one would believe that Yichuntang didn't protect the prince. The prince, Yichuntang, and the Xiao family were already on the same line. They would all be humiliated and honored together! But she couldn't promise that Yichuntang and the Xiao family wouldn't turn against each other.
Seeing his second brother bowing his head in deep thought, the prince began to persuade him:
"You don't know, Second Master Xiao is an upright person, a man of high sentiments and great ambitions, and he has long admired you. Today, you are going back to Pingyang, so why don't you give me a favor? I think you and Second Master Xiao will get along very well."
"Brother, I dare not refuse your kindness, but you also know that since its opening, Yichuntang has never made friends with the rich and powerful. I hope you can forgive me. Please tell Mr. Xiao that Yichuntang and the Xiao family have no hatred. If the Xiao family has any problems in the future, just go to Yichuntang and tell them. I will definitely help you."
After Mengxi finished speaking, she turned to Li Du and Ouyang Di and said:
"Listen, Li Du and Ouyang Di. If the Xiao family members go to Yichun Hall for something in the future, don't embarrass them again."
"Yes, Master, these are probably caused by the guys below. I will teach them a lesson when I get back."
The prince saw his second brother like this, and knew that he was arrogant and would not be easy to persuade. He could only shake his head and give up.
The two chatted for a while. Mengxi saw that it was getting late, so he said he had something to do and stood up to leave. The prince also stood up. The two walked out of the door one after the other. The prince suddenly stopped and turned around and said:
"Second brother, I have always wondered where you were hiding. How could you not be found for two years? To be honest, every time I met you, I arranged people at the four city gates, but no one noticed when you entered or left the city. Second brother..."
As the prince was speaking, his eyes suddenly lit up and he took a step forward and looked at Mengxi's ear.
