Ming Dynasty: Traveling through the harem, Zhu Yuanzhang was dumbfounded

Chapter 117 Mu Ying's Worries

"Wow! Son-in-law, I didn't expect that you would be willing to treat me with these things despite my rare visit!"

Mu Ying looked at the table full of food and couldn't help swallowing his saliva as he sighed.

Sitting on the chair, Yang Chen glanced at him and asked Xiaochun beside him.

“Are there any extra dishes today?”

Xiaochun covered her mouth and laughed.

"Return home, there are no additional dishes, but two pots of meat are missing."

Yang Chen nodded slightly and shrugged:
"You heard it too. I didn't do anything special to you."

"But since you're here, let's eat. I've been hungry for most of the day."

Since the past few days, Yang Chen has been living the same life almost every day. He goes to the palace to teach, and then returns home to write books.

The only difference was that yesterday he went to the Imperial Clothing Bureau to have a set of blue official robes tailored for him.

Zhu Biao told him that this was the official uniform that all officials of the Ming Dynasty needed to wear. In addition, there were two sets of clothes: court robes and sacrificial robes, a total of three sets being made at the same time.

He was very much looking forward to the thought of himself wearing an ancient costume.

"Since my son-in-law has said so, I won't be polite."

Mu Ying was always rude to Yang Chen. As soon as he finished speaking, he picked up a big piece of meat with chopsticks and put it in the bowl and started to eat it with relish.

He ignored the other person and waited until they were satisfied with the meal and everything on the table had been cleared before he asked.

"Okay, you didn't go back to your own house, but came to my place. It must be about something. Now that you've eaten and drunk, you should be able to tell me, right?"

Yang Chen asked this question outside the door, but Mu Ying did not answer at that time.

He didn't ask any more questions. The timing was right, so he naturally wanted to know the reason.

"Well, it's a long story." Mu Ying's original playful smile disappeared in the blink of an eye, replaced by a face full of sorrow.

Looking at the other person's appearance, Yang Chen became even more curious. Who could make this Ming general so upset?
Mu Ying pondered for a moment, his eyes no longer in distress, and he said seriously:

"That's right, son-in-law. You accidentally ran into Ling'er earlier. This was caused by my negligence. As an adult, I shouldn't interfere in your affairs.

But this matter concerns the fate of you, me and Ling'er. Now I ask you, what do you think of Ling'er?

I need an answer from you."

Faced with Mu Ying's straightforwardness, Yang Chen obviously did not expect that it was about Mu Lingxi.

After thinking about this issue for some time, I have my own idea in mind.

"If I have to say, I definitely don't want to marry her. After all, the age difference between her and me is too big."

This is Yang Chen’s inner answer. Even though he is an ordinary man, his inner moral bottom line still makes him feel very embarrassed in front of a teenage girl.

It feels like I can already recite the multiplication table, but my wife has just been born and she can't even walk or speak yet.

In short, he felt very uncomfortable.

Hearing this, Mu Ying's face showed disappointment. It was obvious that he did not expect that Yang Chen would have such an idea in his mind.

As for the reason being age, he couldn't imagine it. His daughter was young, but in folks, a girl of this age would probably be pregnant.

As a powerful person, no one would say anything even if someone was unmarried at the age of 20.

Not to mention that Mu Ying is half a daughter slave.

Seeing that Mu Ying seemed to be in a bad mood, Yang Chen changed the subject and said:
"General, you don't have to worry too much. I know you are worried that I will fight to the death and don't want to marry her.

But His Majesty has already insisted on doing this, and there is certainly no one in this world who can go against his wishes.

Not to mention that the Queen was behind this matter and fanned the flames.

Now that things have come to this, it is no longer up to you and me to decide.
Besides, I said I wanted to marry your daughter, but I didn't say when.

If it is because I mind your daughter's young age, then I don't mind postponing the marriage until she is eighteen."

Mu Ying's pupils shrank slightly and a smile appeared on his face.

"Hey! As expected of my son-in-law, his brain is much smarter than a general like me. This is really good and a very good idea!

But why eighteen?"

"That's because eighteen is the age of maturity."

Yang Chen was just about to talk about becoming an adult at the age of eighteen, but suddenly he remembered that Mu Ying didn't seem to know his true identity.

If he rashly told it out, according to Mu Ying's character, he would definitely ask him questions thoroughly. Wouldn't he be in an awkward situation then?
So I had to find something else to change the topic.

"In short, this matter has been resolved. General Mu, don't worry. Even if I don't do it for your sake, I will do it for hers."

As he spoke, an expression that all men understand came into his face, and seeing this, Mu Ying immediately responded with a similar expression.

“By the way, son-in-law, regarding the competition between you and my daughter, I want to know how you would compete?
Although my daughter is a woman, you must have seen her strength. If you are not careful, I am afraid that you might get hurt. If you get sick, it could be a big deal. I dare not make a guarantee easily!"

When Mu Ying thought about his daughter being able to wield a long spear, he was worried about Yang Chen, let alone him.

Even if an ordinary captain wanted to capture Mu Lingxi, it would definitely not be a trivial matter.

God knows how a little girl can have such talent.

Yang Chen and Mu Ying looked at each other and said calmly:
"General Mu? Do you really think I can't use the weapons you saw a few days ago?"

Mu Ying's originally worried expression changed instantly, thinking of how Yang Chen had demonstrated the power of gunpowder to them a few days ago.

Whether it is a modified explosive pack, a grenade, or a shotgun, any of these things are deadly weapons on the battlefield.

If my daughter could become a general and lead the soldiers to fight their way out on the battlefield.

Then Yang Chen is the butcher!

The scene of the explosion of the explosive pack is still vivid in his mind, and he will never forget it. The explosive pack shattered the template five meters away.

The corners of his mouth twitched and he said:
"No? Son-in-law, we don't have to do this, right? It seems a bit against the rules to use these weapons in battle."

It’s no wonder Mu Ying said that, but using gunpowder weapons against cold weapons is really like cheating.

Even a person who has never learned any martial arts can ignite a cannon as long as he has a fire starter in his hand.

The power of a cannonball is enough to penetrate a boulder weighing hundreds of pounds.

If it hits a person, he would probably be turned into minced meat.

Each of those grenades and explosive packs is comparable to a cannonball. If detonated close to a flesh-and-blood person, it will definitely turn the person into powder and blow him away with the wind.

Yang Chen smiled casually and said frankly:

"What's against the rules? Who said that two people can only use cold weapons when fighting?
Why can't I use firearms? I invented these firearms. As the master, it is completely natural for me to use these weapons to fight against others.

I know what you are worried about, General Mu, but don't worry. I know the power of these firearms very well and I know how to use them without hurting others. She is your precious daughter and my nominal fiancée. No matter what, I will not really do anything to her. "

With this guarantee, Mu Ying finally breathed a sigh of relief.

"That's good, that's good. I know you understand, son-in-law."

The two chatted for a while until they ran out of topics and it was completely dark. Mu Ying then took the initiative to ask to leave.

Standing outside the mansion, watching Mu Ying disappear into the crowd, he also returned to his mansion.

Two days later.

Several beauties and eunuchs in the palace brought three sets of official uniforms to Yang Chen.

Each of the three concubines held a piece of clothing that was obviously very expensive. It was folded very neatly, and the texture on it alone showed that the craftsmanship was very exquisite.

"The strict selection by our ancestors is different."

Yang Chen couldn't help but sigh after just one look.

The sound was neither loud nor soft, and was just heard by one of the beauties in front.

She didn't understand why the adult in front of her spoke like that.

The eunuch standing on the side excitedly introduced them to Yang Chen one by one.

"Your Excellency Yang, from left to right are the court robes, sacrificial robes, and official robes that you are in charge of."

Following the eunuch's introduction, Yang Chen gradually understood the materials and special features of his three sets of clothes.

Court dress is the clothing worn by civil and military officials when the court holds important court meetings such as grand sacrifices, celebrations of success, New Year's Day, Winter Solstice, Holy Days, the issuance of imperial edicts, reading of imperial edicts, submission of memorials, and the transmission of decrees.

The characteristics of court dress are that the number of beams on the crown distinguishes the quality of the dress, and it is matched with clothes of different colors and patterns.
It is generally composed of a Liang crown, a red silk robe (with a blue collar edge), a white gauze inner garment, a red silk skirt with a blue edge, a red silk knee-guard, a big belt, a leather belt, a sash, white socks and black shoes.

It is woven using various techniques. According to the eunuch, although the texture above is for a seventh-rank official, the materials and styles used are all made according to the standards of a sixth-rank official.

"I am a seventh-rank official, why am I using sixth-rank controlled techniques and craftsmanship to make it?"

Yang Chen asked curiously, only to see the eunuch respond respectfully.

"Replying to Lord Yang, this matter was personally instructed by the Crown Prince. He said that Lord Yang has an important matter to handle, so naturally he cannot be handled according to the ordinary official position and needs special care."

This is why this eunuch was willing to behave like this in front of Yang Chen.

You know, in the entire Ming Dynasty, there were many people holding seventh-rank officials, but not many, let alone people who could make the prince personally go to the Shangyi Bureau to give instructions.

These eunuchs are in the palace all year round. Which older guy is not a shrewd man?
A lot of useful content can be determined by just a few clues.

After learning the reason, Yang Chen didn't say much.

The sacrificial robes at the back are the clothes worn by officials when they accompany the emperor to offer sacrifices to suburban temples and the altars of grain.

The characteristics of the sacrificial garment are that the upper garment is a blue silk garment with a white collar and edge, the lower garment is a red silk garment, the red silk covers the knees, and there is a square curved collar around the neck.

The crown, belt and ribbon are the same as those for court dress.

The more Yang Chen looked at it, the more he felt that the craftsmanship was exquisite. If he hadn't traveled through time, he would have thought that this thing was a fine product made by some ancient costume clothing company.

To be precise, if these three pieces of clothing in his hands were sold in the future, they would definitely fetch a sky-high price.

At a quick glance, there is not a single thread loose, it is truly a work of art.

As for the last official uniform, it is the clothes he will wear the day after tomorrow.

Official uniforms are customized with black gauze hats, round-collared shirts, and belts.

There is no need to introduce the color. Generally speaking, blue is the main color. The official uniforms of officials from the fifth to the seventh rank are all this color.

"Sir, all three sets of official uniforms have been delivered, and my little task has been completed. We will take our leave now."

The four maids around Yang Chen had already taken away all the clothes, and Yang Chen took out some money from his pocket.

He walked forward with a smile.

"Thank you for your hard work. You must be exhausted after all this trip. Come on, these small beans are not a token of respect, but I hope you will accept them."

When everyone heard that the other party wanted to give them beans, everyone waved their hands to refuse.

"You are too polite, sir. This is what we should do. No reward is required."

"Yes, sir."

Faced with this politeness, several palace maids repeatedly denied it and hurriedly prepared to leave.

"Hey! Don't say that. I've always been generous. I hope you won't refuse my kindness. I don't care about this little thing."

After saying that, he stuffed the golden beans into the other person's hand, then returned to his mansion and closed the door, leaving the other person no chance to refuse.

"My lord, you!"

The eunuch looked embarrassed and wanted to catch up, but the palace maids and colleagues beside him shouted in surprise:

"It's gold!"

"Wow! They really are golden beans!"

Everyone checked the things in their hands and found that there was actually a gold bean worth between ten and five taels of silver on their palms.

This thing is enough to cover their salary for several months.

Everyone looked at each other in bewilderment at Yang Chen's strange behavior. They wondered what kind of person this Lord Yang was that he was willing to give such a reward to a group of servants like them.

Inside the mansion, the four female servants were all confused.

The chirping of spring orioles and swallows can be heard.

"Master, I don't know why you gave them so much money? They are just following orders, don't they need to do us a favor?"

"Yes, I wanted to ask just now, but Sister Xiaochun beat me to it. Master, why is this happening?"

Facing the repeated questioning from the four delicate girls, Yang Chen just revealed a mysterious smile.

"Haha, don't ask me any more questions about this. I have my reasons for doing this."

Hearing this, the four of them all understood that since their patriarch had already said so, he definitely would not want to reveal it to them, so they wisely kept their mouths shut.

Although Yang Chen had a good temper, they had seen him lose his temper before. Even if the Prince of Yan from the Ming Dynasty came, they would have to endure the scolding in front of him.

The four palace maids considered themselves lucky to be able to serve such a master. Naturally, they had done a lot of homework and knew how to treat this head of the family.

The next morning.

Yang Chen was awakened by a shove.

"Brother Yang! Brother Yang! Get up! You're late!"

(End of this chapter)