Yuxi Episode (15)

The brilliant sunlight shines on the courtyard through the colorful leaves of the linden tree.

In the past, a jujube tree was planted in the main courtyard, and the nickname of jujube came from this. But the jujube tree withered not long after they moved away, and later, with Yuxi's consent, a bodhi tree was planted here.

More than forty years have passed, and the linden tree has grown so luxuriantly that it covers most of the courtyard. Living in this yard in summer is very cool.

Yuxi lay on the rocking chair, and said with some regret: "If your father is still alive, I can drink tea and play chess with him here."

Since Yunqing left, Qiyou and Qixuan siblings have taken turns to accompany her, and Yuxi is not alone. It's just that every time I think of Yunqing, I can't help feeling down. With Yun Qing not around, his heart is always empty.

Because when Yunqing left, Yuxi went on a hunger strike and wanted to follow him. During that time, the Qiyou siblings did not dare to mention Yunqing in front of her. But now more than half a year has passed, and seeing Yuxi gradually recovering, the two brothers no longer shy away from mentioning Yunqing.

Qiyou said with a smile: "Mom, I don't want to play with Dad's stinky chess basket!" It's okay to be poor in chess, the key is always to regret the game. Sometimes he was so angry that he didn't want to leave, but he didn't have the courage, let alone feel aggrieved.

Yu Xi scolded with a smile: "If you want your father to hear it, he must scold you to death." In fact, she didn't want to play chess with Yun Qing before, it was boring.

The two chatted for a while, and then heard the guard report that Qi Xuan had returned.

Because Qixuan wanted to paint a landscape painting of Qujiang, during this time he went to collect scenery under the sun every day.

Qiyou went to take a shower and changed his clothes before coming here.

Looking at Qixuan who was tanned a lot, Qiyou joked: "When I go to Jiangnan, I'm afraid you won't be able to draw, third brother."

Yuxi smiled and said: "It's better than being idle all day long."

Qiyou's face collapsed in an instant: "Mom, I have been tired for more than forty years. Now that I am sixty years old, shouldn't I enjoy myself?" Too busy to touch the ground. On the other hand, his third brother lived a life of ease.

The mother and son talked to each other, but Qixuan just smiled and didn't interrupt. He is stupid and can't speak for Qiyou, so he doesn't speak on such occasions.

Bingmei brought over two plates of sliced ​​watermelon. Because Yuxi is getting old, the watermelon is only kept in a cool place, not even in the well.

Fearing that it would be too cold, Yuxi would have diarrhea after eating.

Yuxi took a bamboo stick, poked a piece and ate it.

After eating two pieces of melon, Qiyou nodded and said, "This melon is sweeter than yesterday's."

While eating melons, Qixuan asked Yuxi: "Mom, when are we going to Jiangnan?" He was going to start painting tomorrow, and he knew when to leave, and he knew exactly what to do.

"Let's leave before Mid-Autumn Festival!"

Qixuan put down the bamboo stick, and asked with a surprised face: "Mother, why did you leave before the Mid-Autumn Festival?" He originally thought that no matter what, he would leave after the Mid-Autumn Festival. One is two yuan, and the other is that there is no need to spend the Mid-Autumn Festival on the road.

Yuxi said: "Do you want all the officials in Pickaxe City to come and see us out of the city gate?"

Qixuan said: "Mother, when we go to Jiangnan, we can pretend to be disguised, so that no one can see our identity." It's not so troublesome like he used to go out to play.

But he didn't even think about it, he took two guards out back then. As long as he doesn't take the initiative to reveal his identity, who knows who you are. Besides, Qi Xuan was just an idle prince with no real power at that time, and he couldn't threaten them, even if he knew his identity, no one particularly cared. But Yuxi is different, if she finds out that there is something wrong with her, Wu Shamao will lose her protection. These officials are naturally going to hold it.

Qiyou directly rolled his eyes: "This third brother, it's useless no matter how we disguise ourselves." Yuxi was very conspicuous and brought the two of them with him at such an old age. Unless Yuxi is asked to dress up as a country old lady, they dress up as a country old man, so maybe no one will recognize it. It doesn't matter to him, but how can Yuxi suffer so much at such an age.

Yuxi smiled and said: "Even if they know our identities, it's okay, they don't dare to bother me." Several high-ranking officials from the chief political envoy came only once, and they didn't come again after Qiyou hinted that Yuxi didn't want to be disturbed up.

That night, Yu Xi asked Yu Zhi: "How's the matter with Cao Ren?"

Yu Zhi said: "Mrs. Cao's natal nephew has a big business in Hao City. It is said that Mrs. Cao holds half of the shares." There are people in the court who like to be officials. Similarly, it is easy to do business with an official at home.

"Is it a legitimate business?"

Yu Zhi nodded and said, "It's legitimate business. Seafood from Fujian, tea, satin and porcelain from Jiangnan, and medicinal materials from Yunnan are all very popular here." It's also because of Cao Ren's backing, otherwise he would come here to steal business from others. The rice bowl has long been squeezed out.

"What about salt and iron?" Salt and iron are strictly controlled by the imperial court.

Yu Zhi shook his head and said, "I haven't touched this."

Yuxi snorted and said, "So, apart from being lustful, Cao Ren has no other major problems?" When he was in Cao Ren's position, he knew that he liked beauties, and some people gave him beautiful young women as beautiful as flowers.

Yu Zhi nodded and said, "I haven't found any other major problems for now."

Yu Xi's face was a little ugly. But no such thing as corruption and bribery was found, and Yu Xi didn't want to touch him.

It was Yu Zhi who said: "Queen Mother, the nine girls from the Lu family did not elope with the third young master of the Zhao family. However, they were originally scheduled to be carried into Cao's mansion on the 20th of last month, but now they have pushed back the time. The exact time has not yet been determined. .”

It is really a crime for a fifty-three-year-old old man to rape a sixteen-year-old girl.

Two days later, Cao Ren sent the prepared Mid-Autumn Festival ceremony to Pingxi Palace.

Originally thought that it was Qiyou who greeted him this time. But she didn't expect that Yuxi wanted to see him.

Cao Ren not only didn't feel flattered, but raised his heart. This ancestor is not easy to deal with!

My family knew about my own affairs, and if the queen mother knew about his taking so many concubines, she would definitely not want to see him again.

Standing at the gate of the courtyard for more than half an hour, the whole body is sweating, and the official robe is soaked. Just when Cao Ren couldn't stand it any longer, Yuxi finally saw him.

Seeing Yuxi, Cao Ren knelt on the ground and kowtowed to salute: "The empress dowager is a thousand years old."

After finishing the ceremony, Yuxi didn't ask him to get up, but asked: "I heard that Mr. Cao has taken many concubines in the past few years. After a while, he will be the bridegroom's official again. Mr. Cao, you are really old and strong." !"

Everyone in the world knows that Yuxi hates concubines. It was also because of this that Cao Ren did not bring the girl from the Lu family into the mansion.

The most worrying thing still happened. Cao Ren didn't make any excuses, but just knelt on the ground and confessed: "It's the minister who didn't hold back, please punish the Queen Mother." Those who are in the officialdom are the most shrewd. Instead of making excuses to shirk responsibility, it is better to confess your mistakes, and the punishment will be smaller.

The main thing is taking a concubine, which is not a crime. He believed that the emperor would not take off his black hat because of this matter.

Yuxi said lightly: "Whether you can't hold it, or you haven't thought of evading it at all, you know it in your heart. Cao Ren, don't make it too late." Nothing happened now, but it doesn't mean that nothing will happen in the future.

When Cao Ren walked out of Pingxi Palace, his legs were weak.

Seeing Yuxi's unhappy expression, Qiyou asked, "Mother, what did Cao Ren tell you?"

Knowing the ins and outs, Qi Xuan couldn't help lowering his head. I think that when he was young, he also had a lot of concubines. Although these women basically climbed up on their own initiative, they were still ashamed to hear Yuxi's disgusted tone.

Qiyou said indifferently: "Just find any reason, just dismiss him."

Yu Xi glanced at him, and said: "The state owns the state law, and the family has family rules. Whichever one is violated, the crime will be punished. Although Cao Ren is lustful, he has not embezzled or accepted bribes or committed other things. I can't rely on my own preferences. Come and deal with him." Even if you are a superior person, you can't act according to your temper. Set a precedent, and there will be no scruples in the future. After a long time, the law is useless, and when the emperor has no restraint, he can do whatever he wants, and it is easy to cause cholera. So even though she hated Cao Ren, Yu Xi never thought of dealing with Cao Ren.

Qiyou said: "Mother, since this is the case, why are you still depressed?"

Yuxi sighed, and said: "I feel that this world is too unfair to women. I don't know when women will be able to truly be equal to men." Although she has made a lot of efforts, it has also achieved some results. However, patriarchy and inferiority are deeply ingrained, even after more than 50 years, it cannot be changed.

"Mother, because of you, many women have the opportunity to study. Also because of you, it is easier for some women to get along with each other than before." Like in the Zhou Dynasty, it was considered a shame for women to get along with each other. Many women cannot reconcile even after being tortured to death. But now there is legal protection, as long as you fight your own way, even if your natal family objects, you can still reconcile. And after reconciliation, they can live a good life.

Qi Xuan also said: "Mother, you have done a lot." What his mother did, it will benefit women all over the world.

Yuxi shook her head and said: "That's not enough." But she also knows that it is a long process for women to be equal to men, and it will definitely not be seen in their lifetime.

Because of this, Yuxi used less lunch than usual.

Qiyou wrote a letter and sent it to the capital. He has no right to dismiss Cao Ren, but his elder brother has it!

Although Yuxi said that Cao Ren was fine, but there were a few clean officials. As long as his elder brother thinks about it, Cao Ren can be dismissed from office on any crime.

Knowing what Qiyou did, Qixuan whispered, "Brother, isn't this bad?"

With a snort, Qiyou said, "What's wrong? Those people who sent beauties to Cao Ren naturally asked for something. Since Cao Ren accepted it, he must have done something for them." Of course, as for that old fox Cao Ren, Even if you work for these people, you won't lose your grip.

If it was normal, Qiyou would not bother with this matter. But who made him upset his wife. Whoever makes his mother unhappy, he will let her go around.

Although Qixuan had worked in the Yamen for two years, he managed it. I am not familiar with the set in the officialdom. After hearing Qiyou's words, he felt reasonable, so he didn't say any more.

After a few days, Yu Zhi said to Yu Xi: "Master, Cao Ren dismissed the singer in the mansion, and he also rejected the girl from the Lu family." As for the concubines in the mansion, they did not move. He probably felt that if he dismissed these concubines too deliberately, it would attract the attention of his opponent.

Yuxi was noncommittal: "It's just for me to see." Dogs can't change eating shit, how could it be possible for Cao Ren to change his temper based on her two words, how could it be possible. It's just that the world is like this, and she can't change it.

Since you are going to Jiangnan, you must arrange your itinerary in advance. Qiyou asked, "Mother, should we take a detour from Henan to Jiangsu, or take another route?"

Yuxi shook her head and said, "From Hubei to Jiangxi, then from Zhejiang to Suzhou." Finally, return to Beijing from Suzhou.

It was bright on the second day of August, and a group of people left the city as soon as the city gate opened, without alarming anyone.

It was not until Yuxi left the city that Cao Ren got the news. At that moment, he was so angry that he cursed: "Why do you raise these wastes? Why are you only reporting such a big matter now?"

Cao Ren didn't have the guts to send someone to watch over Yuxi and Qiyou. But in case something happened, he still sent someone to watch not far from Pingxi Palace. If there is anything unusual, these people will report back. And this person thought that Yuxi would leave after the Mid-Autumn Festival, so he was relatively relaxed during this period.

Madam Cao secretly breathed a sigh of relief when she knew that Yu Xi had left: "Master, wouldn't it be better if the Queen Mother left?" To save myself from worrying all day long.

Even if the Buddha lived in Haocheng and didn't see them, Mrs. Cao would be in a panic. The queen mother is notoriously disgusted with concubines. During the years when she was in power, many officials were dismissed from office because they favored concubines and killed their wives. The husband does not spoil his concubine and kill his wife, but he likes beautiful women. If the queen mother finds a reason to blame her husband because of this dislike, they will be finished.

Thinking about Yuxi's words, Cao Ren gritted his teeth and said, "Send away all the unborn concubines in the backyard!" When he said this, his heart was bleeding!

Mrs. Cao is eager to send these goblins away! I don't know how much money it costs to raise these goblins every year.

A few months later, Cao Ren was dismissed by the emperor for impeachment and dereliction of duty by the censor. Of course, this is for another day.

It is still hot in August. A group of people set out on the road at dawn, and they would find a place to rest at noon. It is also because of this that I walk very slowly. After walking for thirteen days, he had just passed Shiyan.

Qiyou said: "Mother, after a while, we will arrive at Gucheng County. Let's spend the Mid-Autumn Festival there!" Celebrating the Mid-Autumn Festival outside is a different experience.

Yuxi shook her head and said, "We won't go to the county to spend the Mid-Autumn Festival, let's find a farmer's house to live in."

Qiyou was a little hesitant: "Isn't this bad? The Mid-Autumn Festival pays attention to a reunion, and people have a reunion festival. If our group intervenes, it will disturb others."

Yuxi said with a smile: "If you eat at the same table with them, you will not be disturbed. It's rare to come out. I want to take this opportunity to gain a deeper understanding of the real living standards of the people today." I used to live with Yunqing often. In the farmhouse.

"Help, help...", "Do you still have the king's law..."

Then came the cries of men and women, women and children;

Hearing these voices, Yuxi called the leader of the guards and said, "Go and ask what's going on?" She had traveled with Yunqing before and hadn't encountered anything. There are quite a lot of things to do when I go out this time.