nucmednet Chapter 353 Crying children are fed by milk
Chapter 353 Crying children are fed by milk
In the herb garden, Shangguan Haomu was teaching Zhou Ziqian how to identify poisonous weeds.
"This is Gelsemium elegans. It kills people instantly when it comes into contact with blood." His fingertips avoided a bright red plant. "But in the right dosage, it's a good medicine for heart disease."
Zhou Ziqian carefully took note. Shangguan Haomu suddenly changed the subject: "Seventh Prince, do you know what your greatest advantage is?"
“I…have no advantage.”
"Wrong." Shangguan Haomu plucked a white flower. "It's because everyone thinks you're not a threat." He crushed the flower, the juice staining his fingertips red. "Just like this Drunken Immortal Lotus—it looks harmless, but it's the main ingredient in making Ecstasy Powder."
The setting sun lengthened their shadows.
Zhou Ziqian thought of the palace servants who discussed state affairs in front of him, and suddenly understood what "walls have ears" meant.
"There's a saying in our hometown," Su Yue bit the brush, "the crying child gets the milk."
Zhou Ziqian was transcribing her "Thirty-Six Stratagems of Palace Fighting" when he paused. "Sister, are you saying... that I should get better at feigning illness?"
"More than that." Su Yue dipped her tea in the water and drew circles on the stone table. "For example, on the day of the Emperor's birthday banquet—" She suddenly coughed violently, then smiled slyly, "Look, if someone proposed that you marry to bring good luck at this time..."
Zhou Ziqian suddenly realized: "The more coincidental the illness, the easier it will be for my father to refuse!"
"Smart!" Su Yue clapped her hands. "Remember, in a world where women are respected, the prince's greatest weapon is—" She lowered her voice, "to make people feel distressed."
The koi fish in the lotus pond jumped up, splashing water on Zhou Ziqian's cuffs.
He suddenly remembered what his father often said: "Qian'er, sometimes weakness is more powerful than strength."
The next day, Zhou Ziqian passed by the kitchen and heard an argument inside.
"It's only natural for women to serve as officials!" Shangguan Haochen shouted, her pregnant belly protruding. "But why do you say men can't..."
"Shh!" Mu Feng covered his mouth nervously, "If this gets out, you'll get spanked."
Zhou Ziqian stepped back silently.
In Mingxi Country, it was rare for men to enter officialdom. Even Prince Zhou Chufan only held a nominal position in the Ministry of Clan Affairs at the beginning.
He thought of Liang Junze's talent and Gu Qingyan's strategy - if she were a woman, she would have been made a marquis and appointed as a prime minister long ago.
"Seventh Prince?" Shen Yunyan appeared behind him, holding a newly made abacus. "Want to learn how to keep accounts?"
Zhou Ziqian shook his head and smiled bitterly.
Yes, in this world where women are respected, all men can master are these "boudoir skills".
On the eve of his return to the palace, Zhou Ziqian sorted out his thoughts under the lamp:
1. Leaving Blank Space on the Path of Qin — (A painting by Liang Junze)
2. Shadow Deterrence——(Gu Qingyan gives a whistle)
3. The Philosophy of Poisonous Weeds — (Medicine Bag Compiled by Shangguan Haomu)
4. The Essence of Crying Scenes — (Su Yue’s Personal Tips on Coughing)
Suddenly, the fragrance of osmanthus wafted in from outside the window.
He opened the window and saw Lin Yuxuan waving at him from under the tree: "Seventh Prince, try the newly made tranquilizing cake!"
Zhou Ziqian went downstairs and found everyone there.
Liang Junze was playing the piano, Gu Qingyan was teaching Yaoyao how to play the Nine Rings game, and the Shangguan brothers were studying the recipe together - what a beautiful picture of "Pleasures in the Boudoir".
"Here." Mu Feng handed over a blouse embroidered with orchids. "Wearing it next to your skin can calm your mind."
Zhou Ziqian touched the fine stitches and his eyes suddenly turned red.
In this world where women are respected, he felt for the first time that the care between men could be so warm and pure.
The moonlight was as bright as water, and Zhou Ziqian quietly put a jade pendant into the gift box for his father and his wife.
The back of the jade pendant was engraved with the newly learned musical score - it was the "Youlan Cao" taught to him by Liang Junze, which was perfect for listening to quietly while burning incense.
In the dim morning light, Zhou Chufan stood at the gate of the villa, leading his white horse, kicking the pebbles on the ground with the tip of his boots.
He was still wearing the dark blue court robes prescribed for princes, and the jade belt shone coldly in the morning light, but his handsome face was full of reluctance.
"Xiao Fan, if you dawdle any longer you'll miss the morning court." Su Yue came out of the kitchen wearing an apron, holding an oil-paper bag in her hand. "I made you some sweet-scented osmanthus cake to eat on the way."
Zhou Chufan took the cake and hooked his finger on Su Yue's sleeve: "Sister, do you really want to stay a few more days?"
"His Majesty has granted you ten days of rest." Liang Junze came over, holding Yaoyao who had just woken up. "Xiaofan, be good. I'll go back and make you some almond pastries."
Yaoyao rubbed her eyes and suddenly stretched out her arms towards Zhou Chufan: "Brother Xiaofan, hold me!"
Zhou Chufan hurriedly took the child in his arms, but the little girl leaned over his shoulder and took a bite of the osmanthus cake, scattering the crumbs all over his court robes.
The prince just pinched Yaoyao's cheek helplessly: "Little greedy cat, just like your father Achen."
Shangguan Haochen came out with a bulging belly, holding half a piece of watermelon in his hand. "Oh, our Prince Ning'an is willing to leave?" He deliberately dragged out his voice. "I heard that someone pretended to faint in the imperial study yesterday in order to stay for three more days, but was exposed by the imperial physician?"
"Nonsense!" Zhou Chufan's ears turned red. "I'm really dizzy!"
"Really?" Lin Yuxuan appeared out of nowhere, shaking a medicine bottle in his hand, "Then who asked me for this bottle of 'Pale Complexion Powder'?"
The crowd roared with laughter.
Gu Qingyan slapped his thigh exaggeratedly: "Our Xiaofan has made it big! He knows how to use the self-torture trick!"
Zhou Chufan was so angry that he stamped his feet, and the hem of his court robes was covered with grass debris.
He looked at Su Yue aggrievedly: "Sister, look at them!"
Su Yue suppressed her laughter and brushed the cake crumbs off his shoulders. "Okay, okay, we'll be back in Beijing in two days." She lowered her voice, "I'll bring you some wild honey from the mountains behind."
Zhou Chufan's eyes suddenly lit up. "Right!" He leaned closer mysteriously. "I opened a side door in the wall between the Prince's Mansion and the Su Mansion." He gestured at the height. "It's this wide, and I had Amu install a mechanical lock so only our family can open it."
Mu Feng came over holding Ning Ning and smiled when he heard her words: "No wonder I saw you sneakily measuring the wall the other day."
"What do you mean by sneaking around?" Zhou Chufan protested. "I'm just visiting my neighbor!" He suddenly remembered something and pulled out a delicate copper key from his sleeve. "Sister, keep it. This is the master key."
Su Yue took the key and found a small word "Su" engraved on it.
If the censor saw this, he would probably be charged with the crime of "privately digging the imperial wall".
But looking at Zhou Chufan's bright eyes, he couldn't bear to preach.
The sun is getting higher, and if we don’t set off now, we will miss the morning court.
Zhou Chufan climbed onto the horse, but was still hesitant in adjusting the reins.
"Goodbye, brother!" Yaoyao was held high by Liang Junze and waved a small handkerchief.
"Remember to put away the herbs I dried!" Lin Yuxuan shouted.
"The third secret compartment on the left side of the study..." Gu Qingyan was covered with his mouth by Shangguan Haomu before he could finish his words.
Zhou Chufan finally squeezed the horse's belly and the white horse started to trot.
After running more than ten feet, he suddenly reined in his horse and turned back. In the morning light, he raised his arm high and waved, "Wait for me at the side door!"
Everyone watched the blue figure disappear around the corner of the official road, and no one knew who laughed first.
Su Yue stroked the copper key in her hand, and suddenly thought of the boy covered in wounds when they first met - now he has become the clingiest one.
"Let's go." She turned and called everyone, "We're going to pick peaches."
Yaoyao suddenly pointed to the sky: "Bird!" Everyone looked up and saw a blue bird flying in the direction Zhou Chufan left. Its wings skimmed the morning glow, drawing a gentle arc.