Do You Know?: Rule the World.

Chapter 177 Minglan is intelligent, Zhao Pan'er goes to the capital
In early June of the fifth year of the Hongwu reign, all matters concerning the southern expeditionary army were proceeding in an orderly manner.

Under Zhao Zonghui's determined efforts, the imperial relatives beyond the fifth degree of kinship had packed up and were preparing to leave the capital.

However, for ease of management, their offices were limited to the vicinity of Kaifeng Prefecture.

Two additional Outer Clan Affairs Offices were established to specifically manage the affairs of clan members outside the five degrees of mourning.

Furthermore, members of the imperial clan were not allowed to bypass the Grand Clan Court and enter the palace to petition the emperor directly; otherwise, officials of the Grand Clan Court would be fined for six months.

For many years, members of the imperial family had acted arrogantly and domineeringly in Bianjing (Kaifeng), and many ordinary people supported them.

The managers and accountants of several major restaurants, led by Fanlou, were busy settling accounts and demanding payment from the imperial family members who were about to leave the capital for the wine debts they had accumulated over the years.

The palace, Funing Hall, is filled with the wafting fragrance of sandalwood incense.

Zhao Han held the register of relatives within five degrees of kinship sent by Zhao Zonghui.

Currently, there are still more than 700 members of the imperial clan living in the Muqin Residence and receiving stipends. Including their wives, children, and unmarried daughters, the total number is more than 2,000.

Although the number of people affected is not large, even after cutting back on expenses, it is still a considerable expenditure for the national treasury.

Minglan stood quietly to the side, gently waving a round fan, her eyebrows and eyes relaxed. Ever since Wei Xiaoniang recovered, she was in a great mood.

A moment later, Zhao Han turned to Qingyun and said in a deep voice, "Tell Zhao Zonghui that officials in the Outer Clan Court do not need to be appointed by officials with the surname Zong."

In the past, all officials in the Imperial Clan Court were surnamed Zong, that is, Zhao.

"This servant understands." Qingyun replied, her brows furrowing slightly as she cautiously raised her eyes.

"If this servant dares to ask, will seeking out officials of the opposite sex cause criticism from the imperial family? Should we reconsider this matter?"

Upon hearing this, Minglan smiled and said, "When clan affairs are all managed by members of the same clan, it's inevitable that some relatives will cover for each other."

“The members of the imperial family have a special status, and some of them have been spoiled in the capital. Now that they have left the capital, they may become even more unrestrained.”

"If officials with the surname Zong are allowed to manage things, at best they will turn a blind eye out of consideration for their kinship, and at worst they will be coerced into condoning their actions. Who can the local people complain to?"

"The Department of Outer Clan Affairs is in charge of the outer clansmen within five degrees of kinship, and should be outside the clan circle."

"Finding officials from outside the imperial family to serve in this capacity will ensure that the law is followed and that the local people can see the court's determination to control the imperial clan."

"Your Majesty, am I right?" Minglan asked Zhao Han with a smile and expectant eyes.

Zhao Han held her hand and smiled, "Ming'er is right. There will naturally be criticism, but rules should be changed in time."

"This servant was foolish and failed to understand His Majesty's profound meaning. This servant will go and convey the decree now." Qingyun bowed and, after receiving Zhao Han's permission, stepped out of Funing Palace.

As noon approached, Minglan, along with Xiaotao and Danju, personally cooked the meal.

Before long, several palace servants set up tables and chairs in the inner hall and quietly served the dishes.

Zhao Han sat upright on the soft stool, her gaze fixed on the table.

On the table were roasted mutton, fish soup, scallion-flavored crucian carp fillets, blanched kale, and fried dough twists...

Several dishes, a mix of meat and vegetables, rise in the steam, their aromas enveloping the food, making one's mouth water just by looking at them.

Minglan took the handkerchief Xiaotao handed her, gently wiped the sweat from her forehead, and smiled, saying, "A few days ago, Lady Gu came to the palace and mentioned using the method I gave her to make fish soup."

“Her son Chang and daughter Xian both really liked it and ate it for several days in a row.”

"I taught her a few more dishes, and I didn't expect that Lady Gu was also quite knowledgeable about food."

Zhao Han held silver chopsticks, picked up the crisp and tender kale from the plate, and said quietly, "No wonder Lady Gu goes straight to your bedchamber after visiting Hua Lan every time she enters the palace. So that's what you're discussing."

“Yes, Lady Gu has a wonderful personality, and I get along very well with her.” Minglan smiled brightly, her eyes crinkling.

Whether in the Sheng family or the palace, she preferred studying food to cosmetics, and Yuan Wenying happened to be the same.

Mrs. Shao and her daughter Xian'er have always been well-behaved and obedient. Yuan Wenying is of upright and gentle character, and now she treats Xian'er as her own daughter.

After lunch, Zhao Han leaned back on the soft couch to rest.

Minglan sat upright to one side, holding the teacup with her left hand and the tea whisk in her right, her fingertips gently stirring the tea in the bowl.

She would occasionally furrow her brows and shake her head in dissatisfaction; she wasn't very skilled at making tea.

Among the four daughters of the Sheng family, Mo Lan is the most outstanding in matters of elegance and refinement. In terms of talent, even Hua Lan cannot compare to her.

"Summon Song Yinzhang." Zhao Han turned to look at the eunuch standing behind the screen.

Minglan's eyes lit up. She put down her teacup, craned her neck, and asked softly, "Is it that girl from Qiantang who plays the pipa so well?"

"Exactly, we have nothing to do right now, let her play a couple of tunes to cheer us up."

"That's wonderful! I can also listen to this beautiful music." Minglan said, her face filled with anticipation. She rested her chin on her hands and leaned on the table, her bright eyes showing a touch of coquettishness.

Before long, led by a palace attendant, Song Yinzhang, carrying a pipa, strode forward.

She was dressed in a pinkish-red ruqun (a type of traditional Chinese dress) that reached her chest, revealing a slender, fair neck. Her face was lightly powdered, and her eyes held a hint of bewilderment and restraint.

Upon reaching the inner palace, she respectfully bowed and said, "This servant greets Your Majesty, Your Highness."

Zhao Han glanced at her lightly, "No need for formalities, please take a seat."

"I summoned you here today simply to hear your pipa playing; there's no need for formalities."

"Yes, ma'am." Song Yinzhang smiled and couldn't help but glance at Minglan out of the corner of her eye. This was the first time she had seen a concubine in the harem.

“When I was in Qiantang, the piece I played most often was ‘Mingfei Qu’.”

"The melody is not lively, but it is elegant. If Your Majesty and Your Highness do not mind, would you like to listen?" As he spoke, Song Yinzhang gently placed his fingers on the pipa strings.

Zhao Han nodded. "This song will do."

Before long, melodious pipa music flowed from Song Yinzhang's hands, and Danju, who was standing to the side, unconsciously squinted her eyes.

Even Xiao Tao, who knew nothing about music theory, found the sound extremely pleasant to listen to. She opened her eyes wide and looked at Song Yinzhang with a silly smile on her lips.

After the song ended.

Minglan snapped out of her reverie and couldn't help but praise, "The music is beautiful, and the person is absolutely stunning."

"Your Majesty may praise the music, but if you are praising a person... this servant must refrain from using the word 'exquisite beauty'."

Minglan smiled gently, "How could that be? You come from Jiangnan, and you have the unique elegance and grace of a woman from a water town. You are captivating at first glance."

Song Yinzhang lowered her eyes slightly, a faint blush appearing on her cheeks, and whispered, "This servant can hardly be considered clever and graceful."

"If Your Highness were to see my sister Pan'er, you would surely think that she is the real beauty."

"Not only is she extremely beautiful, but she is also knowledgeable in poetry and literature, good at managing shops, and efficient in her work. No one in Qiantang can match her in tea and acrobatics; she is far superior to any servant."

"This servant knows nothing but the pipa."

Upon hearing this, Minglan raised an eyebrow, unable to help but feel curious about the Pan'er she was referring to.

Song Yinzhang's eyes couldn't help but redden.

Since her sister passed away, Zhao Pan'er has taken care of her in every way, just like a real sister.

When she left the music camp, she had never performed on stage. Zhao Pan'er was worried that she would be bullied, so she only knew how to practice the pipa every day and would send her some clothes and food every few days.

The two are now separated by a thousand miles, and even sending a letter takes days. Song Yinzhang, who is used to relying on Zhao Pan'er, can't help but feel a pang of sadness. Seeing this, Minglan gestured for her to come forward and spoke, taking her hand and saying softly, "Is your sister Pan'er also a member of the Yueying?"

Song Yinzhang pursed his lips and lowered his head, saying, "The Emperor granted a general amnesty upon his ascension to the throne. Sister Pan'er has been released from her official status and is now running a teahouse in Qiantang to make a living."

"I see."

Zhao Han picked up her cup and slowly sipped her tea. "How's business at her teahouse?"

"In reply to Your Majesty, although the teahouse is located in a somewhat remote area, it is quiet and elegant, and the tea is exquisite. It has already gained a good reputation, and many scholars and literati come here by name, making it very popular."

“Originally, I wanted her to come along, but she didn’t have enough money to settle down in the capital, and she refused to accept the money I offered her.”

As Song Yinzhang spoke, his eyelashes trembled slightly. Worried about losing his composure in front of the palace, he forced himself to hold back his tears.

Zhao Han stroked his chin and said, "In that case, write her a letter and tell her that I am quite curious about her tea skills."

"If she is willing to come to the capital, I will allow her to choose a good place in the capital to open a teahouse. She will not need to worry about the capital and shop arrangements."

Upon hearing this, Song Yinzhang stood there dumbfounded, staring at Zhao Han.

Minglan's eyes flickered slightly, and she smiled as she tugged at her sleeve, "What are you standing there for? Hurry up and thank her!"

Song Yinzhang then came to her senses and immediately curtsied, saying, "This servant thanks Your Majesty for your kindness. This servant will write a letter to tell Sister Pan'er as soon as possible!"

"Rise. If she is not as outstanding as you say, I will punish you for exaggeration and will not let you off lightly."

“This servant…” Song Yinzhang’s heart tightened, her eyes filled with terror, and she didn’t know how to respond for a moment.

Minglan chuckled, "Don't be afraid, the Emperor is just joking with you."

Meanwhile, in Qiantang.

A gentle breeze caressed their faces, and the green willows drooped low. Zhao Pan'er and Sun San Niang were washing clothes by the river.

A passerby saw them and asked, "Third Sister, what are you doing here? Doesn't your son come home to visit after being adopted by someone else?"

"What? Adoption? Who did he adopt?" Sun San Niang threw down her clothes, turned her head, and looked at her with a blank expression.

"You didn't know that you were adopted by your distant sister-in-law, Tao? Right now, they're all in the ancestral hall offering sacrifices to our ancestors."

Sun San Niang frowned, stood up, took a deep breath and said, "No, I have to go back and check on Pan'er."

"Fu Xingui actually dared to do something so big behind my back!"

Knowing that this was no small matter, Zhao Pan'er quickly gathered up the clothes the two of them had only half-washed, saying, "I'll go with you, so they won't bully you because they outnumber you."

"it is good!"

The two exchanged a glance and headed straight for the Fu family ancestral hall, where the elders of the Fu family clan had just finished reading the adoption document.

Sun Sanniang, her face contorted with rage, shouted, "Tao Shi, your deceased husband, Fu Xincai, lived several houses away from my family. We had no connection whatsoever!"

"There's no reason in the world to give your only son to someone else for adoption. What are you up to?!"

Seeing her aggressive demeanor, Tao glanced at Fu Xingui and quickly stepped aside.

Fu Xingui pointed at Sun Sanniang and snorted coldly.

“Zifang is my son. Whether I adopt him or not is my decision. What are you doing here, you woman, pointing fingers?”

"Yes, Third Sister, we've been sisters-in-law for a long time. You can't just stand by and watch my family's vast fortune go uninherited."

“From now on, I will treat Zifang like my own son. Don’t worry, I will never mistreat him.” Tao said softly, her eyes lowered.

"Bah!" Sun Sanniang trembled with anger. "Zifang only has me as his mother. If you want an adopted son, go find someone else. Don't even think about taking my son!"

Upon seeing this, Fu Xingui quickly blocked her path.

The reason for adopting Fu Zifang was not only because he coveted the family property in Tao's hands, but also because he had been secretly having an affair with Tao for half a year and had long wanted to get rid of Sun Sanniang.

"Third Sister, this matter has already been settled. The elders present are all witnesses. You cannot be allowed to act recklessly here."

"Go back right now, or I'll divorce you if you keep fooling around!"

Sun Sanniang's mouth gaped open slightly, "You...you still want to divorce me!"

"That's right, you're jealous, domineering, and don't know how to respect your husband at all. You even dared to cause trouble in the ancestral hall today. I've wanted to divorce you for a long time!"

Sun Sanniang looked at Fu Xingui with increasing disbelief, her eyes just glancing at his sleeve out of the corner of her eye. "Who sewed up that tear on your sleeve?"

“I’ve been busy at Pan’er’s teahouse. I was planning to wait a few days until I had some free time to mend these old clothes for you.”

"Looks like someone's already taking care of things for you before I even have a chance to do anything!"

Fu Xingui's eyes flashed, and he quickly hid his hands behind his back. Tao Shi couldn't help but look guilty.

Sun San Niang looked at them and sneered.

"Well, it seems you two have been in cahoots all along, and today you're determined to take my son away!"

"It doesn't matter who sews the clothes, don't make false accusations!" Fu Xingui, in a fit of anger, grabbed Fu Zifang and asked, "Tell me yourself, are you willing to acknowledge your Aunt Tao as your mother?"

Sun Sanniang wholeheartedly hoped that Fu Zifang would study hard, become an official in the court in the future, bring glory to his ancestors, and ask for an imperial decree for her, along with a phoenix coronet and embroidered robe.

Therefore, he was disciplined particularly strictly. When Fu Zifang was eight or nine years old, he was at the age where he was playful, but Tao Shi treated him with great affection and would often give him money.

Today, in front of the ancestral hall, Fu Xingui gave him another good brainwashing session.

After hesitating for a moment, Fu Zifang said, "I'm willing to acknowledge Aunt Tao as my mother. All you know how to do is beat and scold me. She treats me much better than you do!"

Sun San Niang's face turned ashen, and she staggered, nearly falling to the ground.

Zhao Pan'er couldn't stand it any longer and stepped forward, saying, "Your mother had a difficult two-day labor to give birth to you. What kindness did she do for you that you would say such a thing?"

"I don't care, I don't want her to be my mother!"

Tao's eyes darted around, and she began to cry and complain that Sun Sanniang had framed her for her innocence.

It was just a small favor for her to mend Fu Xingui's clothes, and it was all done in front of Fu Zifang; the two of them were completely innocent.

Furthermore, all the clan elders present today have been bribed by Fu Xingui, directly confirming that Sun Sanniang is jealous, domineering, slanderous towards her sisters-in-law, and disrespectful to her husband.

"Even the children despise you so much. Today, the clan elders and the clerk happen to be here. I want to divorce you based on the seven grounds for divorce!"

Zhao Pan'er helped Sun San Niang straighten her back and said, "San Niang worked as a butcher for two years and saved up a string of cash. She gave it to you to start a business, and that's how your Fu family got to where it is today."

"There are three reasons why a wife cannot be divorced: first, she was poor and lowly before she became rich and noble; second, she has a husband but no one to return to. The third wife's family is already empty. According to the law, a man who forcibly divorces his wife shall be punished with one hundred strokes of the cane and forced to return her to her husband's family."

"You... how dare you interfere in the affairs of my Fu family!" Fu Xingui and Tao Shi exchanged a glance, unable to contain their anxiety.

Sun Sanniang wiped away her tears and looked at them coldly, "You want to divorce me? No way. Let's get a divorce."

"Fine, let's get a divorce!" Fu Xingui blurted out. He was willing to do anything to get rid of Sun Sanniang.

Eight or nine days later, inside the Zhao family teahouse.

Zhao Pan'er had already received the letter that Song Yinzhang had sent by fast horse.

With Zhao Han's word on her behalf, Zhao Pan'er immediately began counting the silver in her hands, intending to take Sun San Niang with her to the capital.

(End of this chapter)