History of Women in the Wei Dynasty

Chapter 235 The Prince of Jingzhao Returns to the Capital

Wei Mao was the same; he only remembered having a dream where he reunited with Wei Jing. He couldn't find the reason for his sadness after waking up, and the more he tried to recall the details of the dream, the faster he forgot them.

After daybreak, he went to his mother's residence for breakfast, where his elder sister-in-law Zheng Zheng was already there.

The aunt and daughter-in-law were about to leave for the "Tiaoyin Lane" in the big city. There was a saying that "all the wonderful music in the world comes from Tiaoyin and Yuelu Lanes". Tiaoyin Lane was the most important of the two lanes. There would be many noble ladies gathering there today because a musician had composed music for "The Ballad of Mulan" and it would be played and sung in the largest music pavilion.

After finishing their meal, Lu Luo changed her clothes and did her hair. It was hot in July, but both she and her aunt wore short undershirts over their tops. The undershirts had a special plaid pattern that had just been embroidered, and from a distance, they looked like armor.

After styling her hair, Lu Luo put on a small warrior's crown, drew her eyebrows thicker than usual, and finally applied floral makeup in front of the mirror. The floral makeup was intricately designed, shaped like a drawn bow, and originated from the residence of Princess Chenliu; she believed it would soon become popular in Luoyang.

After applying the sticker, Lu Luo hesitated again, thinking that the other orchid-shaped yellow one looked nicer. She picked it up and lightly touched it to her forehead, asking her daughter-in-law, "Which one looks better?"

Zheng Zheng: "They all look good."

"I knew asking you was a waste of time." Lu Luo turned to the young man and asked, "Which one looks better?"

Wei Mao: "Orchid."

"Why? Does it look bad now that I've pasted it up?"

"It looks ugly, like a mouth has been pasted on."

Zheng Zheng struggled to suppress a laugh.

Lu Luo said angrily, "What mouth? This is a bow! A drawn bow! How annoying, get out of here!"

On the way out, Lu Luo instructed her eldest daughter-in-law: "Today I will talk more. You should keep an eye on which family's woman takes her daughter with her. If there is one who is a good match for Jin'er, you should quietly inquire about the daughter's background."

Zheng Zheng replied, "Yes."

Lu Luo was talkative, and then worriedly said, "I wonder where Jin'er is. Is the road too dangerous? This child, his martial arts are not as good as Bao'er's, and his shamelessness is not as good as Mao'er's. I trust him the most when he is in Luoyang, but I worry the most when he goes on a long journey."

Wei Mao shrugged, pinched his cheek, and thought, "Is it thick? I'll have Yao Yao pinch it another day."

Lu Luo boarded the carriage, still talking non-stop, and said to Wei Mao with a smile, "Once your second brother's marriage is settled, it'll be time for you to get busy. Don't be shy about telling your mother what kind of girl you like, or tell your sister-in-law in advance. But one thing is certain: they must be a good match!"

Wei Mao: "I'm young, how would I know what it means to be well-matched in social status? As long as it pleases my elders and they arrange a marriage for me, I'm willing."

As the carriage moved along, Lu Luo realized that the young man's words earlier were not right.

"Why didn't Mao'er say just now... as long as it pleases his parents? Why did he say... as long as it pleases his elders? I know, this little brat! The elders he's referring to are his godfather, Yuan Zhi! Good, I was thinking this little brat hadn't figured things out yet, turns out he's already prepared for me to decide his marriage!"

Let's return to the story of Wei Yao's family.

Zhao Zhiqing deliberately left home late in the morning to avoid her daughter and prepare a contraceptive decoction. When she was pregnant with Wei Yao, all her innate divine power disappeared, and she would vomit at the smell of anything, suffering more than ordinary pregnant women. It was not until half a year after giving birth to Wei Yao that her divine power slowly recovered.

In the past, the couple left it to fate, and it didn't matter whether they could have children or not. But now they dare not leave it to fate. If she gets pregnant, she will lose two or three years of internal energy. Not only will Zhao Zhi herself be unable to advance in her career, but she will also be a burden to her daughter.

After taking the medicine, the couple went out together. Erzhu Rong waited outside the courtyard, but today Erzhu Rong was not going with his master, but with Wei Yin to go to Quanxue Libei.

That's where the new school is located. Construction begins today, and Xi Jiao, Kong Mi, and Yuan Heng are all there.

Previously, Director Cui had instructed his fellow students to pay a visit to General Wei Yi, with the aim of hiring Wei Yin as the teacher of the "Book of Rites" at the new academy. Teaching would not interfere with copying books, and since the head of the household did not object, Wei Yin naturally accepted the offer.

Zhao Zhi made her way to Xuanyang City Gate alone. On the way, a procession of carriages and horses came from east to west. The knights leading the way rushed to the city gate, shouting repeatedly, "The Prince of Jingzhao is returning to the capital, make way!"

A large group of people arrived, and the rolling wheels and the dense hooves of horses turned half the sky into a yellowish-brown color.

The common people hurried to make way, but some were still kicked by the horses. The cries of frightened children did not slow down the journey of the Prince of Jingzhao and his entourage, and some arrogant warriors even laughed wildly.

As the procession passed in front of Zhao Zhi, she lightly kicked a pebble with her toe, which struck a warrior's mount. Among the warriors leading the way, this fellow had the loudest and most rampant laughter. His mount suddenly neighed, reared up, and began to struggle. He had no choice but to hurriedly jump off the horse. The warriors behind him reacted a little slower, and their horses also let out a miserable cry and crashed to the ground.

The two riders encountered trouble, and the knights behind them were repeatedly obstructed until the main carriage carrying Prince Yuan Yu of Jingzhao slowed down.

The vanguard leader reported, "Your Majesty, villains are causing trouble. One horse has been injured, and another has been tripped up. The injured horse's hindquarters are covered in bloody holes from sand and gravel, with the wounds exposing bone!"

Yuan Yu has been dismissed from his posts as governor and prefect of Xuzhou. Before he is granted a new official position, his subordinates can only address him as "King".

He roared, "Check! Check every single pedestrian!"

"No." Chief Secretary Lu Yuan seized the opportunity to advise Yuan Yu: "If the thieves have such methods, why would they stay put and wait to be arrested? Your Majesty, the capital's imperial guards are now under the command of the Grand Commandant. The situation may not be the same as when you left. You should enter the city slowly to avoid arousing public resentment. It is not too late to vent your anger today after the new military positions are determined."

Yuan Yu hesitated with a gloomy face, then waved her hand, finally heeding the advice.

Yang Aofei, who was standing next to him, bowed and smiled at Lu Yuan, but Lu Yuan didn't even glance at her.

Yuan Yu was about to lose his temper, but Consort Yang quickly hugged him and said, "The Chief Secretary is doing this for your own good. I come from a humble background and am used to being mistreated."

"Getting used to it? What a load of rubbish... Alright, alright, I won't say anything more. Don't worry, Consort Ao, once I return to Luoyang, it won't be long before I'm back to being as powerful as I was in Xuzhou!"

"I don't know anything about summoning wind and rain, I only wish that my husband can be happy and unrestrained at all times."

Yuan Yu felt a surge of vanity from being relied upon, and he promised, "After we enter the city, I will first find your benefactor, Sengzhi, and then find a way to elevate your social status. I will never let you become a concubine!"

He was a young king, used to being domineering, and never bothered to hide his voice from others. Lu Yuan, who was standing next to the carriage, heard this and thought to himself: Looking for Sengzhi? Sengzhi is long dead. A muddle-headed fool and an unknown demoness. I'm waiting to see you two uproot the weeds on his grave.

At this time, Zhao Zhi had already passed through the city gate and went directly to the Changhe Palace gate.

Li Xuanmao, the chief secretary of the Prince of Rencheng's residence, stepped forward and said, "Guard Zhao has finally arrived."

Zhao Zhi looked at him: Get to the point!

Li Xuanmao was used to Zhao Zhi's cold face and taciturn nature, and immediately said, "When the Grand Commandant entered the palace, he got into an argument with General Yu, the commander of the Imperial Guards. The Grand Commandant said that he had encountered assassins again yesterday and that there were not enough guards in his residence. He asked General Yu to select a group of Imperial Guards to serve as guards in the Grand Commandant's residence. General Yu asked the Grand Commandant to produce the imperial edict for mobilizing troops. Then the Grand Commandant said that he was the emperor's uncle and was entrusted by the prime minister. How was his word any different from the imperial edict?"

Zhao Zhi was shocked. How was this any different from treason?
Li Xuanmao sighed deeply: "Alas, the situation in the court is getting more and more chaotic every day. Before the Minister of Works entered the palace, he asked me to tell you that what's even more chaotic is that the Prince of Jingzhao is returning to the capital today. He told me to keep an eye on you and if you run into the Prince of Jingzhao, you must control your temper and not add to the chaos."

"Oh--"

When Li Xuanmao heard that drawn-out "oh," he couldn't help but feel a chill run down his spine.

(End of this chapter)