Chapter One, A Bow to Heaven and Earth (1)

For three days I have been in the kitchen, washing my hands to prepare soup. Unfamiliar with the tastes of my mother-in-law, I first send my younger sister-in-law to taste it

--- "Three Poems of the New Bride" by Wang Jian of the Tang Dynasty

Does his precious daughter-in-law, who hasn't even memorized the complete "Hundred Family Surnames" and "Thousand Character Classic," truly know what the "Biographies of Exemplary Women" is all about

Jing Yi closed his eyes again, rolling comfortably in the quilt, wrapping the bright red double comforter around himself, and then softly said, "Uncle Qi, I am hungry..."

Then ... ...

This is the activity of Uncle Qi, the second chief steward of the Jing family mansion, who has watched him grow up since childhood. The old master once said that after he gets married, Uncle Qi will come to serve as his steward.

Jing Yi immediately held out an apple in both hands towards Prince An, with a beaming smile that radiated warmth and harmony, enthusiastically saying, "Prince, have an apple, it’s from Laizhou, both crisp and sweet... please, don’t be polite!"

He really got married

"Seven times, while the lady was roasting the leg of lamb in the kitchen, she was still praising the master for his progress, saying that you should copy it once, but you insisted on copying it seven times, also mentioning something about the Seven Stars shining brightly... The wind was a bit strong, so she didn't quite catch everything clearly, but that's the general idea!"

It is sufficient to marry someone back home

Well, what can I say... a prince is indeed a prince! With just a casual purchase, he can bring the charm of Laizhou to the native fruits of the capital city...

Indeed... the lady posted an invitation early in the morning, did you not know?

Is the fire lit in the kitchen for cooking

Uncle Qi nodded repeatedly, "Indeed, we just had... the roasted leg of lamb that the lady personally cooked. She said that since everyone worked hard yesterday, and since the master promised to copy the 'Biographies of Exemplary Women' seven times, she would not make things difficult for everyone..."

Ye Mei, phoenix eyes, snow-white skin, red lips, with a strikingly rich makeup, exquisite curves, stunningly beautiful, tragically unparalleled, with cries that could make ghosts weep and wolves howl

Uncle Qi, with a mournful expression, forcefully stuffed a set of cheerful and clean clothes into Jing Yi's bed, saying, "Sir, the whole family is starving... The lady issued a strict order early this morning: until you wake up and finish copying the "Biographies of Exemplary Women," we cannot light the fire to cook. Anyone who dares to sneak a bite of cucumber will be kicked out with their bedding. If you don't get up to copy the book soon, someone might end up in serious trouble!"

Jing Yi repeated "I was wrong" three times, but Leng Yue still did not respond to him

... ...

Madam, I just promised Uncle Qi that I would ensure they have food within an hour. Breaking a promise would damage my credibility, wouldn't you agree

Perhaps she mentioned it last night

Jing Yi felt a sudden darkness before his eyes

Were there any individuals who were supposed to come yesterday but did not

Because I bought this while passing by the orchards in the suburbs of Beijing

Many guests have arrived, and even the prince himself came. He drank excessively and cannot remember who put him in the bridal chamber.

Jing Yi still shook his head in confusion, "I don't know..."

Jing Yi took a deep breath and said, "Hmm, I really want to eat roasted lamb..."

What exactly happened last night

Fortunately, he knows who the bride is

Five volumes are also acceptable, as for the five blessings arriving at the door...

Jing Yi rubbed his forehead and got up, "How could this happen... why didn't you wake me up?"

I said it. A beautiful person looks good in any outfit, while an unattractive person wastes any clothing they wear. Such a well-tailored and stylishly patterned garment, when draped over me, is simply wasted. Madam, you dance with this, and I shall return to my room to copy texts!

According to the customs in Beijing, the bride is supposed to return to her parental home the day after the wedding. However, General Leng has been stationed at the northern frontier for many years, and Madam Leng has not yet returned from her recent visit to Liangzhou. Leng Yue's two elder brothers are away leading troops in battle, and her two elder sisters are occupied—one has married a leader from Miaojiang, while the other serves as the chief guard in the Crown Prince's residence. With no one at home, it was decided that there was no need for her to return.

Jing Yi sighed

In the mid-autumn of August, the osmanthus flowers are in full bloom, filling the garden with their fragrant aroma. Amidst the branches of flowers, a tall woman in a red dress dances with her long sword, seemingly oblivious to her surroundings

This is what I just changed into when I got up..." - Picture - Shujing Yi lowered his head to glance at the incredibly bright red robe tightly bound around him, "However, this outfit is indeed a bit tight, a bit short, and rather gaudy and vulgar, making it quite unappealing... I have never worn anything like this before, and I have no idea where Uncle Qi dug it out from.

No wonder I kept sensing a faint aroma of barbecued meat while I was sitting here copying the book earlier

He is the fourth son of the Jing family, and Uncle Qi used to call him "Fourth Young Master," but now he has changed to calling him "Master." Therefore, the fragmented images in his mind are no longer the illusions of a hangover.

Seven times ah

It is still important enough for him to change into another set of clothes

Jing Yi woke up from a dream in which he saw a glistening roast duck, only to find himself starving. When he groggily opened his eyes, he realized that he was the only one left on the disheveled wedding bed, completely bare.

I know... right

Volume Seven

Hmm... that is my clothing, newly purchased

Jing Yi had not yet had the chance to think deeply when a loud, yet aged voice cried out from beside the bed, "Grandfather, you have finally woken up!"

I cannot remember, I cannot remember anymore

Four volumes? Four happiness pills... Four seasons of peace, peace is a blessing indeed

After Uncle Qi rushed out, wiping away his excited tears, Jing Yi, half asleep and half awake, got dressed, washed his face, and took a pot of tea to the backyard

No matter how fierce her dance may be, he still finds it pleasing to the eye.

Ah!

Anyway, this marriage has been settled for many years, and both of them have reached the age for marriage. The new house is already prepared, and hardly anyone in the entire capital is unaware of it. As soon as friends and relatives were notified, they all came. She wanted to pay her respects, and he readily joined her without a second thought.

But... what happened

Oh, this hasn't been mentioned, but the roasted leg of lamb has already been completely eaten... You might as well ask the lady yourself, she is right in front talking to Prince An.

From that group of red shadows, a remark finally emerged, neither warm nor cold, with a breath that was utterly undisturbed, as steady as if it were spoken while sitting in a chair, "Go back to the room and change your clothes, guests will be arriving later."

His favorite food is lamb

No, I drank too much, I have a headache, and I can't remember.

However, judging solely from the fact that he was punished to copy the "Biographies of Exemplary Women," something must have happened last night

Madam, the tea is Pu'er tea from the south, rich in aroma and pleasant to the senses, and it has notable effects on beauty and skin care

It is not acceptable; if I continue to go hungry, I will truly develop health issues.

What did he do

Prince Xiao Jinyu, the seventh brother born of the same mother as the current Emperor, is of the same age as Jing Yi, both being eighteen years old. He oversees the three judicial offices in the court. Although he and Leng Yue share some personal connections, ultimately, both of them are working under the orders of this person. Currently, it is the time for the autumn examinations, and Xiao Jinyu is overwhelmed with work, his temper flaring at the slightest provocation. Everyone serving in the three judicial offices avoids him. After finally managing to take a three-day leave from the Dali Temple due to his marriage, how could Leng Yue still invite him to her home?

Jing Yi finally discerned the crux of Uncle Qi's words, "Is Prince An here?"

She stood there motionless, yet he still found her pleasing to the eye

In recent years, the number of women in Beijing who love to dance with swords has suddenly increased, but there are very few like her who dance among the flowers with such a fierce and menacing aura.

Jing Yi was taken aback for a moment, then smiled, "How does the prince know that this is not produced in Laizhou?"

Madam, I have gone to copy the book

The sword dancer executed several intricate flourishes, moving so swiftly that they transformed into a blur of red, silent and unyielding

Jing Yi politely greeted Prince An, who was seated, and as soon as he took his seat, he eagerly grabbed a large, red apple from the fruit plate. Before he could bring it to his mouth, Leng Yue cast a cold and piercing glance in his direction.

It may also be related to what happened last night

Jing Yi yawned and patted Uncle Qi's shoulder, "You go ahead and get busy. The lady is always gentle and graceful, understanding and reasonable. I will have a word with her... I will definitely ensure that you have food within an hour."

He can only remember that early yesterday morning, Lengyue returned from handling a case in Liangzhou. Upon arriving at the gate of the Dali Temple, without saying a word, she pulled him out from inside and insisted on marrying him immediately.

Jing Yi leisurely approached, standing upright and properly holding the teapot with both hands, repeatedly saying "Good morning, Madam" three times, while the sword dancer did not even glance at him.

"Wait a moment!" Jing Yi jolted, his hand trembled, nearly throwing the pen away, "Seven times, or seven volumes?"

bar

As the sun rises high in the sky, sunlight filters through the large red silk tied to the window frame, casting a warm and joyful glow throughout the room.

Jing Yi took a deep breath and silently swallowed.

Before Jing Yi could finish speaking, Xiao Jinyu casually placed the Beijing apple, imbued with the charm of Laizhou, onto the table with just the right amount of force, effortlessly interrupting his words. "There is a charred corpse under your marriage bed; do you know what is going on?"

The more I think about it, the more I crave it; it seems I can already smell a faint aroma of grilled meat.

He was practicing swordplay in the backyard, and he had been doing so for an entire morning... Uncle Qi pressed his lips together and leaned closer to Jing Yi's face, quietly asking, "Sir, did you just go to sleep last night without doing anything at all..."

Where is the lady now

Roasted leg of lamb

Madam, why not take a break after dancing for a while? Don't tire yourself out; it pains me to see you like this.

In any case, he has finally married the person he has been longing for over the past ten years, a wonderful event, truly deserving of a grand feast to celebrate this great occasion

Guest

Jing Yi sighed with a mix of bitterness and sweetness

Not right, not right...

How about... copying three volumes? It's the beginning of a prosperous year...

The bride is the third daughter of General Leng's family, located opposite the Jingfu mansion, and serves as a female captain in the Ministry of Justice under the Prince An's residence. She has been the cherished treasure of his heart since childhood, Leng Yue

It seems that he got married last night

What Uncle Qi said did not register with Jingyi at all; his attention had been drawn away the moment Uncle Qi entered the room, captivated by the distinctive and rich aroma of roasted lamb.

Xiao Jinyu looked at the apple in her hand with interest, "How did you know this is produced in Laizhou?"

Jing Yi racked his brain but could not recall whether Leng Yue had mentioned to him last night why she wanted to invite Prince An to their home on the day after their wedding. Upon entering the living room, he saw the fruit platter piled high on the tea table, and his empty stomach let out a heartfelt growl, making it even harder for him to remember.

May the Seven Stars shine brightly, may wealth come from all directions, may hearts unite as one, and may everything be perfect... Madam, I have placed the tea here

Such a rich aroma could never be a mere figment of his imagination

Jing Yi sighed, "Does the lady still say... that I must copy the entire seven volumes of 'Biographies of Exemplary Women' before I can eat?"

The cold moon is best at preparing meat, and the finest dish it makes is roasted leg of lamb

As Jing Yi was copying the beginning of the second volume in the study, Uncle Qi entered with a radiant complexion, carrying the rich aroma of roasted lamb leg, and energetically said, "Sir, Prince An has arrived and is sitting in the front parlor. The lady requests your presence."

"Biographies of Exemplary Women"

Jing Yi discovered that after he fainted for an entire night, there were indeed too many things he did not know

Madam, you may not be aware that the book "Biographies of Exemplary Women" consists of seven volumes... Once I finish copying it all, our residence will be filled with corpses. So, I will copy just two volumes for now, as good things come in pairs. What do you think?

Uncle Qi was on the verge of tears, having been a steward for half his life, yet this was the first time he encountered a situation where the entire family had no food to eat. "Madam said not to call you, insisting that you should sleep well and wake up naturally, so that when you copy the book, you won't have any reason to doze off."

... ...

As for which guests are coming, it is likely those who missed yesterday's banquet

utterly chaotic, tragically inhumane, the one that sounds like a wailing of ghosts and howling of wolves seems to be him

He also remembers the appearance of the bride from last night

Six volumes ... ... everything goes smoothly, every case must be resolved

Jing Yi rubbed his throbbing temples that were still aching.