Do You Know?: I, the Little Cabinet Elder, Regent of the World

Madam Qin murmured, glancing at the swimming carp out of the corner of her eye, and said coldly, "These fish are scrambling for the bait, unlike the fish in the river who always worry about making a living. Everyone says they are living a glamorous life. Little do they know that this bait is just a little scrap of food peeking out from under my fingernails."

Whether there will be another meal or not ultimately depends on the person who spread the bait.

As she spoke, Madam Qin's face darkened. She looked at her personal maid and sighed, "If my eldest and second sons become marquises in the future, I'm afraid I'll have to be like this fish, dependent on others."

Startled, Xiang's mother quickly reassured her, "Your reputation as a loving mother is known throughout Bianjing. Even if the eldest and second young masters do inherit the title, your life will certainly not be bad."

Madam Qin shook her head and scattered the bait: "The eldest and second sons are not my children!"

"Why must we be at the mercy of others?" Madam Qin glanced at the carp. "The eldest son is in poor health. Even if he inherits the title, he may not live for more than a few years. Besides, he doesn't have a son yet."

"Since the eldest son can't hold on for long, then it's the second son's and Tingwei's turn. Neither of them are the eldest sons of the legitimate wife. If the second son can fight for the marquisate, why can't my Tingwei?"

After saying this, Madam Qin scattered all the bait in her hand and slowly said, "In recent years, the Marquis may not be able to have sex even once every two or three months. His body has long been ruined by the food."

This refers to medicinal cuisine!

Marquis Ningyuan, Gu Yankai, had three wives in his lifetime. His first wife, Lady Da Qin, was in poor health and had difficulty giving birth. She was also a thief, which damaged the reputation of her younger sister, Lady Xiao Qin.

However, this wife was Gu Yan's ideal woman.

His second wife, Lady Bai, was someone he married simply to repay a debt owed to the imperial court by the Ningyuan Marquis's family.

Over time, feelings developed between them.

However, after having two wives, Gu Yankai's heart gradually closed off, leaving no room for any other woman.

At that time, due to her elder sister's influence, no noble sons dared to marry Lady Qin. Coincidentally, her father passed away, and her eldest brother inherited the title.

Unfortunately, the eldest brother was not a proper son and refused to contribute any dowry to his sister. Instead, he made Xiao Qinshi Gu Yankai's second wife.

The two sisters, who successively served the same husband, caused quite a bit of controversy.

A woman's marriage can be a new beginning.

As a result, after marrying into the family, Xiao Qinshi discovered that her husband's heart was already filled with someone else, and no matter how virtuous she was, she could not get her husband's attention.

How could one not hate such a person?

I hate my older sister!

Hate the Bai family!

I hate the Marquis!

Medicinal cuisine originated from this.

Medicinal cuisine, also known as food therapy.

If the combination is good, it can naturally complement people.

Conversely, deliberately combining the opposite ingredients can harm one's health.

Compared to poisoning, medicinal cuisine is quite discreet.

It nourishes the body silently, under the guise of "nourishing the body," but who would pay attention?

“Since the year before last, the Marquis has often gotten up at night, breaking out in a cold sweat. Occasionally, he also suffers from loss of appetite and lower limb edema.”

Madam Qin raised her eyelids slightly: "Coughing, shortness of breath, palpitations, abdominal pain, and bloating are all very common occurrences."

"Kidneys, liver, spleen, heart, and lungs."

Madam Qin's face hardened, and a hint of hatred flashed in her eyes: "You've been 'nourishing' the Marquis for nearly ten years. It started to flare up two years ago, and he's probably getting seriously ill by now."

Generally speaking, if a person's body weakens significantly, the patient will definitely experience some kind of reaction.

Unfortunately, Gu Yankai was a military general who fought on the battlefield for many years and had many hidden injuries.

Among military generals and nobles, there were many who died from recurring hidden injuries.

As for Gu Yankai, his body was weak, and it was naturally due to the flare-up of his "hidden injuries," which he could do nothing about.

"Miss," Mama Xiang called softly, "I will do whatever you say."

"Finding a suitable marriage partner for the second child is an opportunity."

"If we could kill three birds with one stone, we could make the second son impeached by the censors and lose his official position; make the second son fight to the death with the eldest son and cause the brothers to quarrel; and make the Marquis anxious and fall ill."

Madam Qin smiled slightly: "That would be the best!"

"What does the girl mean?" Xiang's mother asked, somewhat puzzled.

How is Yu Yanhong?

The setting sun cast its rays, and the shadow of the wooden beam obscured half of Xiao Qinshi's face.

"The Marquis will surely be satisfied with the eldest granddaughter of Grand Tutor Yu."

Madam Qin lowered her eyes slightly: "But if this excellent marriage doesn't happen, and it's possible that the eldest son did something to it, the Marquis will definitely be furious, and the eldest and second sons will definitely fight to the death."

“My Tingwei will naturally reap the benefits.”

"What about the second young master's official position?" Madam Xiang asked, puzzled.

“In the past, the second son’s reputation as a spoiled brat was widespread, and the fourth and fifth wives did their fair share of slander against him.” Madam Qin’s face turned cold: “They won’t escape!”

The implication was that the fourth and fifth branches of the family should influence Gu Tingye's official position.

He nodded to his mother and asked no more questions.

As the sun set, Xiao Qinshi grabbed another handful of boiled broad beans.

She wants to be the one who shares the broad beans, not a fish that depends on others for its life!

Jiang Mansion.

gazebo.

Fruits, pastries, and tea were laid out one by one, and Jiang Zhao, Sheng Changbai, and Gu Tingye sat facing each other.

"So, Changbai intends to marry the eldest daughter of the Hai family?" Gu Tingye asked, somewhat surprised.

“Exactly.” Sheng Changbai, with his upright posture, nodded.

The strict rules of the Hai family are well known throughout the land.

Similarly, the virtuousness of the Hai family women is known throughout the world!

Jiang Zhao took a sip of tea and looked at Gu Tingye: "Where is Zhonghuai?"

To be honest, he was a little curious about who Gu Tingye would marry.

After all, in the original storyline, Gu Tingye was supposed to marry Sheng Minglan.

Moreover, it was Gu Tingye, who had rendered meritorious service in supporting the emperor.

“My mother specially selected a woman for me; she might be the legitimate daughter of Grand Tutor Yu.”

Gu Tingye pondered for a moment and said, "Perhaps we'll have a chance to meet at the Jinmingchi Polo Club in a while."

"That's it!"

Jiang Zhao understood.

It's either Yu Yanran or Yu Yanhong.

However, Lady Qin arranged a marriage for Gu Tingye?

Is it reliable?

Jiangning.

Hai Chengyan walked slowly to the head of the table.

Hai Chengyan, at the age of sixty-six, had already retired from officialdom.

Currently, the highest-ranking official in the Hai clan is Hai Wenren, the current head of the Hai clan.

This man, Hai Xirui's brother and Hai Chaoyun's biological father, was a renowned Confucian scholar and an official, serving as the fourth-rank Chancellor of the Imperial Academy.

He wielded little real power, but his reputation for being refined and elegant was his advantage.

Below the main seat, there was only one young girl in her prime, with delicate features, dignified bearing, and the air of a well-bred lady.

In terms of looks, this woman may not be considered top-notch, but when it comes to temperament and figure, she is absolutely first-rate.

The girl held the letter in her hand, her eyes flickering slightly.

"How is it?" Hai Chengyan asked.

"It's entirely up to Grandfather to decide," Hai Chaoyun replied softly.

In the letter, Zhao'er said that Sheng Changbai, like Gu Tingye, had drifted away from the small circle of the Seven Masters of Jiayou.

Hai Chengyan chuckled: "Given Zhao'er's character, if her brother-in-law weren't truly outstanding in appearance, character, and talent, she would never have introduced Sheng Changbai to the Seven Sons of Jiayou."

"This child is not bad."

Hai Chaoyun lowered her head slightly and remained silent.

When it comes to marriage, it's best for the daughter to keep quiet.

"Therefore, let Sheng Changbai come to Jiangning to discuss marriage."

Whether it's suitable or not, you'll know at first sight.

Hai Chengyan clapped his hands and laughed.

I'm a bit short on time, only two pictures today. I'll try to post more tomorrow. Also, regarding the previous ones...

Chapter 129 The Polo Match is About to Be Held, A Glimpse into the Lives of People!

Early May.

With lush greenery and fading blossoms, and a cool breeze blowing, it is the perfect time for a gathering.

The Jinmingchi Polo Club was thus established.

The Kim Myung Chi Polo Club is usually held in June or July.

However, the second year of the Zhiping era was somewhat special, as it involved the "Diji" sacrifice.

The so-called "Di Cha" sacrifice, also known as the joint sacrifice, originated in the Western Zhou Dynasty.

Its main purpose was to jointly worship ancestors of all dynasties, thereby demonstrating the legitimacy of the imperial throne.

Among them, the ancestors worshipped together may even have committed some unspeakable and sordid acts.

Just like during the Zhou Dynasty, Emperor Taizu and Emperor Taizong were worshipped together under the "candlelight and axe shadow" ritual.

The act of holding a joint ancestral worship ceremony is tantamount to the descendants forcing their ancestors to "make peace," which is beneficial for uniting and appeasing the clan.

Throughout history, some dynasties continued the "Di Cha" sacrifice, while others did not perform the sacrifice.

During the Zhou Dynasty, the "Di Cha" sacrifice began in the first year of the Qingli era.

Emperor Zhao Zhen conducted the "Di Cha" sacrifice in the first year of the Qingli era. He first offered sacrifices to Emperor Taizu, and then to Emperors Taizong and Zhenzong in turn, in order to highlight Emperor Taizu's "sole supremacy" status and demonstrate "the continuation of Emperor Taizu's legacy".

The "Di Cha" sacrifice, held every five years, with Emperor Taizu as its central figure, gradually became a regular practice.

Now, it is the sixth Diqi sacrifice.

Compared to regular sacrificial rites, the "Di Cha" sacrifice is much more solemn and lasts until October.

The Jinmingchi Polo Club naturally had to make way for the "Dijia" sacrificial ceremony.

However, by October, the grass on the pasture has long since withered.

Therefore, the only option is to hold the event one or two months earlier.

Jiying Lane, Sheng Mansion.

Wei Ruixuan.

Sheng Rulan held a golden flower petal in her hand, gazing intently at it.

"Sister-in-law Hai is so kind; she even had someone specially send over these lifelike flowers," Sheng Rulan exclaimed in surprise.

So-called artificial flowers, also known as lifelike flowers, have a history dating back to the Han Dynasty.

Compared to fresh flowers that wither easily, exquisite lifelike flowers can be so realistic that they won't wither.

The specific cost depends on the materials used to create the lifelike flowers.

If it is paper or silk, the cost is lower and the production difficulty is not high.