bayedsolid Chapter 382 Duke Zhenguo Helian Zhen
Chapter 382 Duke Zhenguo Helian Zhen
Gu Chenglin's lips curled up slightly, a gentle smile playing on his lips, and he gently pinched her nose.
He said indulgently, "Okay, next time I have time, I'll go in with you. No matter what's hidden there, I'll protect you."
He had already received word that the area under the artificial hill was a secret passage dug by people from the neighboring mansion to hide things.
My brother-in-law told me that the house next door used to be occupied by a son-in-law of the Zheng family, and that's why they hid the things in Minister Xue's mansion.
It was all to leave a way out for their family, but unfortunately, the son-in-law of the Zheng family was greedy.
"Hello, Sister Jin!" A voice suddenly came from the artificial hill.
Dongfang Jin looked up at the sound and saw a large rat suddenly appear on the artificial hill. She exclaimed in surprise, "Ta Xue!"
Gu Chenglin looked in the direction of the sound and saw the big rat that had jumped off the artificial hill and was running towards them. He smiled and said to Dongfang Jin, "Wife, this is Ta Xue."
“Jin-jie, you’re even more beautiful now,” Taxue said, climbing up Dongfang Jin’s skirt and onto her arm in a few quick movements. She stood firmly on her own, her little eyes darting around as she looked at her.
A sweet smile appeared on Dongfang Jin's face as she said, "Hmm, it's quite clean. Little Sparrow said you left me some gold, and I received it! Thank you!"
“It’s nothing,” Ta Xue waved her little paws and continued, “The other day, Fatty said they saw a lot of people gathering in the suburbs.”
They also said that those people were dressed strangely, and their voices were different from those of people in the city.
Upon hearing this, Dongfang Jin looked up at Gu Chenglin, her expression slightly grave: "It says that many people from other countries have come to the outskirts of Beijing."
Gu Chenglin frowned slightly, a hint of doubt flashing in his eyes: "What's going on? Could it be..."
Holding a corn kernel in one hand and gently tapping Ta Xue's triangular head with the other, Dongfang Jin said earnestly, "I'll send a letter to my cousin later."
While happily eating corn kernels, Ta Xue mumbled indistinctly, "I told you long ago, your cousin, the emperor, also has people secretly watching you."
Dongfang Jin nodded slightly, an approving look on her face: "Not bad, not bad, I'll send you more corn later."
Just as Gu Chenglin was still immersed in the conversation between his wife and Taxue, he remembered that he still had to go to the front hall for breakfast.
So Gu Chenglin took Dongfang Jin's hand and walked with Taxue to the front yard.
When they arrived at the restaurant, everyone was already there.
The table in the front hall was laden with a dazzling array of breakfast items.
The first thing that catches the eye is a basket of small, exquisite soup dumplings with translucent, paper-thin skin.
The savory broth and generous filling are subtly revealed inside, and the delicate pleats at the top make it look incredibly tempting.
Beside it, the silver thread rolls are fluffy and soft, with layers of dough strands resembling silver threads. A thin layer of cooked oil is brushed on the surface, giving them an enticing sheen. When you bring them close and take a sniff, you can smell the aroma of wheat and oil intertwined.
There are also golden-yellow sugar-coated pancakes, with a crispy outer layer that makes a "crunch" sound when you bite into them, and a soft and chewy interior. The sweet syrup is evenly distributed throughout, making every bite a sweet temptation.
On a delicate little plate are crystal-clear steamed dumplings, the pink meat filling clearly visible through the thin skin, garnished with emerald green scallions, exuding a fresh and delicious aroma.
There was white rice porridge and golden millet porridge on the side.
Several refreshing side dishes were also served: crisp and refreshing cucumber salad, sweet and sour radish that whets the appetite, and salty and savory pickled cucumber, adding a unique flavor to breakfast.
They had just finished breakfast when the steward came to report that the carriage from Prince Dun's residence had arrived.
Upon hearing this, Dongfang Jin asked helplessly, "Uncle Tang, is everything ready?"
"Your Highness, everything is ready."
Little did they know that when the Prince Dun's carriage stopped at their door...
Everyone living on Xuanwu Street knew that the new master of the house, "Minister Xue," had arrived.
Whether they were officials in the imperial court or merchants, everyone sent people out to inquire about who this person was.
Zhenguogongfu.
As dawn broke, the Duke of Zhenguo's mansion was quiet and peaceful.
Helian Zhen was dressed in a tight-fitting outfit. Although he was over sixty years old, his posture was still straight, without the slightest sign of hunching.
Fine beads of sweat on his forehead were still damp, glistening in the morning light as they slid down his face, which bore the marks of time.
His face had a strong, angular shape, as if carved by a knife and axe. His brow bones were high, and beneath his thick eyebrows were deep and sharp eyes, as if they held a keen insight into the ways of the world, exuding an imposing aura without anger.
Although his hair was gray, it was neatly styled, and each silver strand revealed the resilience that comes with the passage of time.
The wrinkles on his face are like ravines, unique marks left by the years. Each line seems to hide a thrilling past.
His beard was neatly trimmed, with a silvery sheen, and trembled gently with his soft breathing.
His hands were broad and rough, covered with calluses, and the veins were slightly protruding under his skin, clearly indicating that he had practiced martial arts for many years and was a veteran of many battles.
Although he is over sixty years old, Helian Zhen still exudes the same heroic spirit and majesty as he did in his youth.
I just finished my morning exercise and was about to sit down and enjoy my breakfast.
Just as he reached for his chopsticks, a guard rushed in, knelt on one knee, and respectfully reported, "Your Excellency, the person staying at Minister Xue's house has arrived!"
Helian Zhen paused, slowly put down his chopsticks, and a hint of surprise flashed in his eyes.
Then, a slight smile appeared on his lips, revealing a hint of interest: "Oh? Is that girl who's come to the capital?"
He knew that the mansion that Minister Xue owned was originally bestowed upon Dongfang Jin by His Majesty.
Back when His Majesty was struggling to decide what to give her, it was he and the Imperial Tutor who suggested giving her that house.
The First Lady of the Duke of Zhenguo is sixty-five years old. Time has been exceptionally kind to her, leaving few traces on her face.
Her hair was styled in a high bun, with a few strands of silver hair among her black hair, but this did not detract from her dignified elegance.
Although her skin is no longer as firm and smooth as it was in her youth, it is delicate and moist, with a radiance that comes from years of experience.
The faint crow's feet at the corners of her eyes, which relaxed slightly when she smiled, resembled flower petals blooming in spring, adding to her approachable charm.
Her eyes were bright and expressive, revealing intelligence and kindness, and filled with gentleness.
Her nose was straight with soft lines, perfectly positioned in the center of her face.
Her lips were slightly upturned, carrying a serene smile bestowed by the years, and the curve of her lips seemed to hold countless warm stories.
She remained slender and graceful, and every gesture exuded the air of a matriarch of a prominent family. One could still vaguely see glimpses of her stunning beauty in her youth.
She sat to the side, looking puzzled, and couldn't help but ask, "Who is it? Look at your expression, so mysterious."
She leaned slightly forward, her gaze shifting back and forth between Helian Zhen and the guards.
Could it be someone the old man knows?
She rarely saw the master show such an expression.
Zhenguo Gong Helian Zhen leisurely picked up his teacup, gently blew on it to cool it down, took a small sip, and looked relaxed.
He spoke slowly and deliberately, his voice steady: "It's the one who always brings us fresh food."
As he spoke, a faint smile appeared on his face, as gentle as the warm spring sun, as if those mouthwatering delicacies were right in front of him.
The smile reached his eyes, and a hint of nostalgia unconsciously crept into his gaze.
That girl is so thoughtful; every time she brings food to His Majesty, she never forgets to bring a portion for him and the Imperial Tutor as well.
Among them, the honey was the most unforgettable for him, with its sweet and mellow taste and excellent flavor.
During this period, he drank water infused with honey, and to his surprise, the effect was remarkable; his chronic ailment of many years improved significantly.
Take my legs for example. In the past, whenever it was cloudy or rainy, my legs would ache and feel sore, as if they were being pricked by thousands of tiny needles at the same time, making it difficult to move.
And when the wind blows, the leg joints itch unbearably, making it difficult to sit or stand.
But now, these symptoms have gradually disappeared, all thanks to the honey that girl brought.