Becoming the Queen by Serving as Prime Minister | Chapter 16 | Peach Blossoms Like a Painting | Novela.app

Two days later, in Wannian County. Only two days remained before the deadline General Qu had set in his military pledge. He had initially believed that Wannian County was a mere speck of a place; surely, two hundred thousand taels of official silver—no small sum—could not possibly vanish without a trace. Yet, despite sealing the city gates and scouring every inch of the county, he had not seen so much as a shadow of the silver. He had captured a few of the thieves, but they only claimed the silver had already been transported away. As for its destination, they could not provide a coherent answer even under the threat of death. Qu Tianji did not believe anyone could move several large crates of silver right under his nose. But if they hadn't been moved, where could they be? On the fourth day, as the Head of the Yin Family was in the accounting room auditing the ledgers with Manager Hao, a servant came to report: "Eldest Master, there is a gentleman named Qu at the door requesting an audience." Yin Zhuli’s lips curled into a smirk. "Show him in." In the guest hall, Yin Zhuli met Qu Tianji’s personal attendant, Qu Fu. He was about forty years old, with a dark complexion and a lean, sturdy build from years of following Qu Tianji through southern and northern campaigns. Today, he wore only a grey cloth robe, which explained why the servant had mistaken him for a scholar. Upon seeing Yin Zhuli, he was respectful and restrained. "Eldest Master Yin." A maid served tea, and Yin Zhuli took the seat of honor, her voice polite and courteous. "So it is Uncle Fu. Please, have some tea." Qu Fu gave her a meaningful look and smiled after a long pause. "Eldest Master is too kind; this humble one does not deserve such a title." He did not beat around the bush, stating directly, "To be honest, I have come because the General ordered me to offer his congratulations. He said that for a joyous occasion such as your marriage to the Ninth Prince, it is only right that he comes to ask for a cup of wedding wine." Yin Zhuli, a woman as perceptive as clear crystal, naturally needed no further explanation. She replied with a smile, "If General Qu is willing to grace us with his presence, I am naturally honored. Please tell the General that the thousand-acre Fugui Workshop in the western suburbs of the City of Wealth is quite pleasant. If the General enters the city through the West Gate in two days, he might as well stop by for a rest." Qu Fu bowed. "Certainly, certainly." As they finished, Hao Jian saw the guest out. He also needed to make a trip to the silversmith shops. Although all the local smiths had been gathered, re-casting two hundred thousand taels of silver with the official seal of the Great Xing Treasury was no small task. As he reached the door, Qu Fu turned back and happened to catch Yin Zhuli’s half-smiling gaze. He quickly lowered his head and hurried out of the Yin residence. At the start of the hour of the Sheep, Yin Zhuli had her bandages changed by Ke Tingfeng before heading to Guilai Residence to dine with Tang Yin. Tang Yin preferred light flavors, but because she was there, he still ordered the dishes she liked. Yin Zhuli ate heartily at the table while Tang Yin occasionally placed food in her bowl, his voice gentle. "Why didn't you go to pay your respects to your mother this morning?" Yin Zhuli struggled to swallow a piece of roasted cod. "If I go, she’ll just be unhappy again." Tang Yin poured tea and took a sip. "You are about to marry into the Shen family, and lately, you’ve been close to the Qu family. It’s inevitable that she... is losing her composure. Zhuli, have you ever thought about returning to your roots and acknowledging your ancestry?" Yin Zhuli took the teacup from before him, ignoring the fact that he had already sipped from it, and drained the dregs. "Master, Zhuli’s ancestors are right through there," she turned and pointed toward the gate of Guilai Residence. "To the right, thirty paces away, then right again through the corridor." Tang Yin shook his head with a smile. "Zhuli, he is your biological father after all. As the saying goes, a child should not speak of a father’s faults. The grievances of the previous generation should not burden you. There is nothing wrong with wanting to be closer to him." He held the pot and refilled the clear tea in the cup. "But you cannot blame your mother either. She has been harsh with you over the years, but Zhuli, in all things, look at the gains and losses; do not dwell on the cause and effect." Yin Zhuli gulped down another mouthful of tea and said after a moment, "Zhuli will follow Master’s teachings." Thinking for a moment, her face broke into a grin. "Speaking of which, she raised me for so long and only gave me a few beatings; she really got the better end of the deal. Master, I’m going to Tingtao Pavilion to take a look." Tang Yin nodded, watching her leave Guilai Residence. Out of Guilai Residence to the right, thirty paces away, then right again through the corridor: the Yin Family Ancestral Hall. The Head of the Yin Family was once again punished to kneel for the night. The Yin family gave no reason to outsiders, but Manager Hao knew the truth in his heart—it was undoubtedly about those two hundred thousand taels of silver again. The gold-brick floor was hard and dense. An ordinary person would find it difficult to endure a night of kneeling, but she had been kneeling here since she was a child and did not find it particularly grueling. By the second watch, Tang Yin, unable to rest easy, arrived carrying a food basket. Yin Zhuli was overjoyed. "Master!" "Mm," Tang Yin hummed in response, sitting on the ground nearby. Seeing no one around, Yin Zhuli quickly moved closer to rummage through the food basket. Tang Yin did not stop her, and she was not polite, serving herself rice and devouring the dishes ravenously. Tang Yin poured soup from a jar for her. "Is the wound better?" Yin Zhuli nodded. "Ke Tingfeng said it didn't hit the bone or sinew. Just a flesh wound." Tang Yin asked no more, sitting on a prayer mat and quietly watching her eat. Yin Zhuli ate very quickly, finishing two bowls in no time. As she prepared to put the dishes back into the basket, Tang Yin also reached out to help. Their hands brushed unexpectedly, and he felt a jolt in his heart, instinctively withdrawing his hand. The ancestral hall was too quiet, and the atmosphere turned slightly strange. He gave a light cough and packed the utensils into the basket with a composed expression. "Continue kneeling." In the cold, somber ancestral hall, Yin Zhuli knelt below while Tang Yin sat on the roof ridge playing a short flute. When she was little, she was always afraid, not daring to kneel alone in this place filled with the spirit tablets of the Yin ancestors. Yet she was mischievous and a frequent guest of this hall. Every time she was punished, he would stay on the roof, playing the flute, practicing his arts, and occasionally making some noise. In truth, she had long since ceased to be afraid, but knowing someone was there made the hall feel less empty. No matter how long the night, her heart did not falter. She knelt upright, quietly gazing at the black tablets on the altar. Yin Biwu—she had heard many things about her, but she had never seen her. The sky gradually brightened, and the first ray of dawn filtered through the window lattice, spilling onto the black floor and making the auspicious cloud patterns upon it seem to flow. The flute music on the roof stopped abruptly; there was no further sound. Zhuli did not wait for anyone to call her. She stood up on her own. After kneeling like that for a night, her knees were stiff. Taking advantage of the lack of witnesses, she quietly leaned against the offering table to stretch her limbs before leaving the hall. At Danfeng Pavilion, the maids habitually prepared hot towels to soothe her knees. She did not dally; after washing up, she went early to pay her respects to Madam Yin. Madam Yin was even colder than usual, but she didn't mind. Leaving Tingtao Pavilion, she went to Guilai Residence to spar with Tang Yin and have breakfast. Beside the Stream Pavilion, two peach trees were in full, vibrant bloom. Tang Yin sat leaning against a tree trunk, one knee half-bent. He took the short flute from his waist and played "Fisherman and Woodcutter's Dialogue." Originally a piece for the qin and flute, it had a different charm when played on the short flute alone—like a dream of retreating to the mountains and forests suddenly coming true. Yin Zhuli sat down beside him, leaning against the same tree. Falling petals fluttered down, blanketing her shoulders or dropping into the green water, drawing a flurry of fish to compete for them. Yin Zhuli closed her eyes, intending to take a short nap, but having stayed awake all night, she actually fell asleep. Tang Yin felt a weight on his shoulder. Turning his head, he felt the strands of her hair. They were so close that the scent of her hair was particularly distinct. He turned his face away, gazing at the azure sky and blue water. When the melody ended, he also closed his eyes to rest. For a moment, the Stream Pavilion was silent and peaceful. The morning sun rose, and the peach blossoms were like a painting. The March spring breeze brushed through their hair and sleeves with warmth, stirring a ripple of fresh green on the water. Manager Hao hurried over to find them, but seeing this scene, he could only stop his steps from afar.