She fell out after crying at the wrong grave

Xu Tingzhou worked very quickly, almost day and night, and submitted the completed work to the Ministry of Works three days before the wedding.

The wounds on Ah's body were about to scab over, and she couldn't climb up or climb ladders at all, so she had to pick up some easy jobs like mixing colors and washing brushes to help out.

So in the end it was Xu Tingzhou who was working hard.

He seemed to have been trying to find ways to control his grief and anger. Ah'ao didn't quite understand it before, until she herself felt the same way, and then she understood why Xu Tingzhou tortured himself so much every day.

"That's enough. There's no need to be so picky." Ah'ao blocked the sun with her hand between her eyebrows, a little impatient, "Such a corner, even if we inspect it later, who would climb up to see it?"

Xu Tingzhou held a pen in his hand, and hung on the ladder. He drew a few strokes before turning back, "What else can I do? After finishing this matter, there is another matter. I am just pretending to do it, so I will dawdle and be more meticulous, to show that I have done my best."

What nonsense.

Ah-yi had no appetite in the morning, and came to help him without eating or drinking. It was almost noon, and the sun made her dizzy. She stood under the shade of a tree, "You really have talent. If Mr. Huai sees you, he might make an exception and reopen the mountain gate to accept you."

Xu Tingzhou chuckled twice, "I didn't know your identity before, but now I know. You are still a few years younger than me. Do you want to be my senior sister?"

Knowing that Ah'ao had been unhappy in recent days, Xu Tingzhou deliberately said a few more words to her in order to comfort her.

After all, when they were in Wuling before, it was she and Hengzhi who saved him both publicly and privately. Even a drop of water should be repaid with a spring, let alone saving him from a dangerous situation.

He has not been idle these days.

Everyone in the court knew that because the special envoy from Yuanzhou gave His Majesty good ideas, His Majesty made an exception and kept him in the Ministry of Works, making him a new favorite.

Moreover, Xu Tingzhou was different from others. Shen Zhuo had many ministers that he trusted. Except for those who were somewhat supernatural or had some special skills, the rest did not last long.

What a coincidence, Xu Tingzhou is the one who has some supernatural connections and also has some special skills.

So it caused some commotion in the court.

Given the current situation in the court, the upright officials, led by Yan Tongjun, naturally disdain to flatter. People with some power, such as Jin Feng, would not bother to win over someone without a background.

Then, those who are still obsessed with flattering and getting close to Xu Tingzhou can only be the ministers who are unable to integrate into the mainstream and are not powerful enough.

Every day when Xu Tingzhou went out of the palace, he would receive countless invitations to drink.

Being a scattered official also has its advantages. They are not bound by any rules, are scattered in various positions in the court, mingle in various restaurants and food stalls, and are the most well-informed.

Like right now.

Xu Tingzhou rolled up his sleeves casually and looked at A'ao below with amusement.

"Yesterday, I went to Yanqinglou for a drink. This restaurant is really as famous as it is said to be. I bought the Touhua Ci and Cherry Biluo that Your Highness mentioned. When I saw Ying'en before entering the house, I asked her to take them back. When the beginning of summer comes, Sushan will be available again."

Ah-yi sat down beside the tree altar, thinking that by the time the summer begins, I will probably be on the grassland. She didn't bother to chat with him, "Just say what you want to say."

Xu Tingzhou thought for a moment and looked in the distance, where some newly sent craftsmen from the Ministry of Works were mending the brick seams and tile surfaces. I'm afraid it's not appropriate to say the following words in such a loud voice, so that someone with a keen eye can hear them.

He put the pen at his waist, climbed down the ladder in a few steps, and walked in front of A'an.

In recent days, as she is about to get married, the Shanggong Bureau has finally been able to afford to give the princess some nice clothes.

The dress Ah-yi was wearing today was a thin snow-blue dress made of gauze, and he didn't know what the specific style was called. She didn't wear any jewelry, and with her sleeves rolled up casually, she could see a pair of arms, folded and supporting her chin, like mutton-fat jade.

You are so lucky, Zhao Hou. Are you worthy of the princess?
Xu Tingzhou suppressed his complaints and told us the so-called serious business. "It's like this. Yesterday, an official from the Ministry of War had a drink with us. After a few more drinks, he told us something. I think Your Highness will be interested."

What a mysterious accident.

A'ao looked up at him and motioned for him to continue.

Xu Tingzhou pulled out a wooden box from the side and sat on it, saying, "The rebellion in Pingzhou has been resolved. Zhao Hou's measures were swift and powerful, and all the remnants of Chen Lan were captured and brought to justice. He submitted a memorial, saying that he would move his camp back to the city soon."

His eyes lit up. Ah-yi was indeed interested in this matter. "A great victory?"

Xu Tingzhou looked at her with certainty, "A great victory."

Cleaning up the battlefield and the aftermath were far more important than winning. And from what Ah-yi had known before, these tasks were all tedious and time-consuming.

How long is a day? Can you come back immediately?
Perhaps because she was so doubtful when she was muttering in her mind, Ah'an accidentally said it out loud.

Xu Tingzhou was not surprised.

When they were in Dang County, these two were together every day, and they were much sweeter than they are now.

What did Zhao Hou say at that time? She is my wife.

Tsk tsk, now that they are separated in two places, Xu Tingzhou is not used to it.

"Good question, I asked that lord the same thing." Xu Tingzhou nodded, agreeing deeply, "But he said that he was originally assigned a temporary mission when he went to war, and he treated Zhaohou coldly. Without knowing the other party's situation, he only sent such a small number of people, not even enough to repair the houses after the war. How dare I ask more details, for fear that the young marquis would be upset, and the unlucky ones would be their military department."

When Ah-yi heard this, she actually laughed.

This description indeed fits the image that Hengzhi wants to show to others.

After thinking for a while, she asked, "What kind of person do you think the young marquis is?"

Xu Tingzhou was stunned. He didn't expect her to ask this. After a long while, he finally said a few words, "Heroic and heroic, extraordinary bearing. A little spoiled, but can endure more hardships."

Ah-yi didn't care about her manners at all, she buried her head in her arms with laughter. What's so funny about this, Xu Tingzhou wondered.

"Great minds think alike." Ah-yi even brought him a cup of tea. "You see, he is spoiled, and it is reflected at times like this. He wants to go back to the city, but he is throwing a tantrum and won't say it. In this case, it is at least a small triumph. Should the Ministry of Rites and the Ministry of War prepare? If he doesn't specify a date, the Ministry of Rites and the Ministry of War will have to prepare every day in fear. If he is caught off guard one day, the Censorate will start impeaching him the next day."

Xu Tingzhou had barely finished half a cup of tea when he heard this, dumbfounded, "So he's waiting for them here?"

Ah-yi nodded, "On the day of the expedition, Heng-chi went to the city gate early in the morning, but Your Majesty was so dismissive that he did not come. Not to mention, the negotiations on armor, swords and guns took a long time, and the Ministry of War was hesitant and unwilling to give them. The Ministry of Rites was even more unconcerned, and sent them out of the city without even beating the drums of war." She snorted and laughed, "It was just a random group of makeshift troops, and now they have returned victorious. It will be their day to get anxious soon."

There is another reason.

At that time, Xu Tingzhou was still in Yuanzhou, so naturally he didn't know about this.

but.

"Your Highness is under house arrest in the palace, how did you know so many details?" He was really a little curious.

A'an opened her mouth, but finally closed it.

Before she could figure out how to explain this, a group of ministers who were responsible for acceptance arrived in a mighty procession.

However, the leader was not the Minister of Works.

It was the Secretary of the Central Secretariat, Lu Zhongting.

A'ao and Xu Tingzhou looked at each other, both puzzled.

Because Shen Zhuo had been having a big banquet in the palace recently, he naturally had no time to come and inspect in person. But even if he came, it should be the Ministry of Works and the Ministry of Revenue, one to inspect and the other to settle the accounts.

Someone from the Secretariat is coming. What’s the situation?
Lu Zhongting was wearing court robes, squinting his eyes and smiling as he came over to salute, "Your humble servant greets Her Royal Highness the Princess. May Your Highness live a thousand years."

Among these people, Lu Zhongting was the most senior official. When he saluted, the others behind him followed suit.

I haven't heard Qiansui say this for a long time, it's quite pleasing to the ear.

She nodded slightly and turned sideways, "Please come in, my lords." After a pause, she asked, "I didn't know it was Lord Lu who came here to honor us."

Lu Zhongting said "Oh" and bowed again, "Princess, I am sorry for the trouble. It was supposed to be the Minister of the Central Secretariat, Lord Yan, who came today, but because my teacher was ill, I was afraid that the disease would pass to Your Highness, so it was my turn. It is a great honor for me to meet Your Highness."

The words were so polite, and after explaining the reason clearly, he lifted Ah'ao up without leaving any trace, without leaving any loopholes.

For a princess to do the work of a craftsman was a demeaning thing. In addition, not long ago, His Majesty had publicly humiliated the Princess of Xuancheng, so these ministers who were watching the situation did not want to be too respectful.

But the Minister of the Secretariat had to come at short notice, and when they arrived at the palace gate, the Minister of State was replaced, which made it difficult for them to deal with the situation.

Lu Zhongting's previous words once again lifted Princess Xuancheng up high, making them seem like they were not human beings anyway.

"Your Highness and Lord Xu's carving skills are very exquisite, and the colors are also lifelike. You are worthy of being Mr. Huai Chengbai's disciples. I would like to trouble you to explain it to me."

Lu Zhongting was not polite. He smiled and looked as if he had something to say, and then he took over the most leisurely job.

Several officials from the Ministry of Works behind him were embarrassed for a moment, and then they agreed, "That's right. The remaining bricks and tiles can be inspected by us one by one. Since Lord Lu and His Highness are on the same page about Danqing, why don't we chat while we inspect them?"

A'ao was a little surprised and looked at Xu Tingzhou.

The latter gave her a look that said it was totally fine, and then led several officials from the Ministry of Works away.

Turning around, Lu Zhongting, with his hands clasped, waited three or five steps away in a very polite manner.

Entering the main hall, the first thing that catches your eye is Shen Zhuo's Tibetan paintings that have been repaired and reframed.

Shen Zhuo was a pretentious person. He loved to collect things he could not understand. His works were mixed with real and fake ones, and his treasured painting "Emperor Hunting" was the worst fake among the fake ones.

A'er knows best.

Lu Zhongting looked around at the paintings, then turned around and smiled awkwardly at Ah-yi, "Your Majesty's preferences are truly...unique."

Ah'ao smiled knowingly in response.

"Well, then I will get straight to the point." I wanted to start by talking about these paintings, but now it seems unnecessary given the current situation.

As he said this, he lifted his clothes and knelt down, then clasped his arms together and bowed again.

This Lu Zhongting was as old as her father. Wouldn't it shorten his life if he accepted such a great gift?

Ah-yi moved briskly and carefully avoided the greeting, "Sir, why do you kneel down to a junior like me in this blind spot? What's your intention?"

Although Lu Zhongting's voice was not loud, he said confidently, "It is indeed my fault. I should apologize to Your Highness."

Ah-yi frowned.

"When I saw that there had been no news from the princess for a long time, I thought I had given you a strong medicine and made Your Majesty aware of the damage to the pillar in a roundabout way, causing Your Highness to suffer a lot. I deserve to die." He spoke in an ups and downs manner and kowtowed with his head to the ground.

Ah-yi: ...

If I had known this, I wouldn’t have hidden.

(End of this chapter)