by N/A
"Miss has finally settled this matter at last." Xia Yuan looked to Du Xiao Li and said.
"Yeah, having the matter on this side taken care of, I can finally relax a breath. After all, the Grand Empress Dowager's matter needed to be taken care of extra carefully. Moreover, the competition between the countries has my father and big brother Yi tending to it, I even have time to 'go buy soy sauce'." Du Xiao Li said. After sending off the Grand Empress Dowager, she instantly relaxed quite a bit.
"Go buy soy sauce? What is miss buying soy sauce for?" Qiao Zhu asked.
Ying Ge laughed and said, "What miss means with 'going to buy soy sauce' is just 'going through the motions'."
"Then why is it called going to buy soy sauce?" Qiao Zhu continued asking.
"This we don't know either." Ying Ge shook her head.
Qiao Zhu casted her gaze onto Du Xiao Li again, with a 'desire for knowledge' look on her face. Du Xiao Li pushed her face aside and said, "You won't understand even if I tell you."
Sometimes, she would still recall some things from her past life. Although there weren't anyone she missed from her past life, she would still unconsciously recall the past.
Qiao Zhu sat back down and bitterly said, "But if miss doesn't say, how would miss know we won't understand?"
"Since I said you won't understand, then you just won't understand. When has this miss ever tricked you all?" Du Xiao Li looked to Qiao Zhu's pitiful look and said with a laugh, "However, although there's my father and the others, Sui Yuan is still our territory after all, so we can't completely ignore either. That's why, in the period after, we need to work up our spirits and have this matter taken care of nicely. Understand?"
"Understood, miss." The three of them replied in unison.
T/N: My disqus acc is being flagged by the disqus spam bot so all my comments are being tagged as spam, I have no idea how long it's going to take to resolve this issue. If you have questions you can contact me through the rebirth online discord, link on the sidebar.
Ch. 081.3 – She's here to buy soy sauce? (3)
She's here to buy soy sauce? (3)
T/N: Chapter sponsored by Nilk! Thank you for sponsoring!
The horse carriage brought the four to Sui Yuan. When they arrived, Du Yun Han also just happened to be there too. Seeing Du Xiao Li and them entering, he waved at Du Xiao Li, and once they got close, he asked, "Have the matters on that side been taken care of?"
"Already taken care of. The Grand Empress Dowager has already returned to the palace, and grandma Meng and the others also returned. Shifu and senior brother also left for the Medicine King Valley this morning." Du Xiao Li replied.
"Everything lately must have tired you out." Du Yun Han looked to the weariness under Du Xiao Li's eyes and said in concern.
"It's alright." Du Xiao Li shook her head, then thinking of the competition, asked, "Father, is there anything that still needs to be changed here?"
"The layout here is designed very well. Overall, there isn't any need for changes. Moreover, it has just opened for business, so still very new, and only need to be slightly altered. And the items used in those rooms also just need to be arranged according to the various countries' customs." Du Yun Han already had Sui Yuan's situation understood in its entirety, and for this, made the most fitting arrangements.
"Then you don't need me to do anything?" Du Xiao Li asked.
"En, you can just supervise from the side." Du Yun Han said, "Everything else, just leave it to your father to arrange."
"Alright." Du Xiao Li nodded, replying with a smile, "However, I'll still help father from the side. After all, this place was designed by me, I'm still rather knowledgable of the place."
"Alright!" Du Yun Han cheerfully agreed. He originally was worried that Du Xiao Li would be too tired, thus thought of doing everything himself, but if his daughter is willing to do it together with him, then he very much looked forward to it.
At noon, while eating lunch, Du Yun Han had the competition's overall situation explained to Du Xiao Li.
The countries participating this time are mainly, from the north, Northern Yuan and Northern Qi, from the east, Eastern Li, and also the host country Feng Ming.
Although there were also some small countries in the south, they won't participate in this kind of competition. And Northern Lan is prevalent in the grassland culture, and not adept in these talents and poetry, thus won't be participating either.
When Du Xiao Li heard Northern Yuan, she recalled previously hearing Han Ming Yi mention that this time, he was able to return in advance due to Northern Yuan's internal conflict. Don't know if this kind of state of affairs will affect their competition or not.
This kind of competition is usually held once every three years and will avoid one's own county's imperial examination, and moreover, the countries will take turns hosting. Last time, it was at Eastern Li, and this time, it was originally suppose to be held in Norther Yuan, but because of Northern Yuan's internal conflict, and Northern Qi suffering the war loss, it was temporarily changed to Feng Ming.
The competition will be held on the first of the eleventh month. The students will arrive three to five days in advance, so Du Xiao Li and the others only have ten some days' time to prepare right now.
Each country's students will soon enter Feng Ming's borders, but Du Xiao Li and them had just received news and began preparations. The twist and turns within, even Du Xiao Li, who didn't care about politics much, all understood!
The contents of the competition is mainly split into the male and female competitions. The male side focuses on contest between song verse and poetry essay, of course there was also a talent portion, but the former was the highlight. And on the female side, it was mainly a talent contest, and the song verse and poetry portion are much simplier.
The process of the competition is very simple, preliminaries, second round, semi-finals, and finals. The first two are done according to the assigned topic, but in the last two rounds, the students can freely show off. Moreover, this position can also be transferred. In other words, if you enter the finals, you can have this place given to someone else during the competition, letting someone else take your place in the competition.
When Du Xiao Li heard this news, she cried out in surprise, "There's actually even such a rule?"
"Yes, this rule has already existed previously." Du Yun Han said.
"Then wouldn't it be very easy to cheat?" Du Xiao Li finished eating and used the handkerchief to the side to wipe the grease from her mouth, "If I were to use second-rate talented people to participate in the competition, then in the finals, let the most outstanding person go compete, since everyone doesn't know this person, wouldn't his probability of winning be much higher?"
"In the past, there were similar circumstances like this, but doing something like this now is already meaningless."
"Why?" Du Xiao Li puzzlingly asked.
Du Yun Han also finished eating and left the dining hall together with Du Xiao Li. As they walked, he explained, "Because people with outstanding talent, their reputation, would've long been known to outsiders. This way, everyone all have some sort of understanding towards the other countries' candidates. Furthermore, those that are truly talented wouldn't need to use someone else's ranking, unless in the previous rounds, something happened and couldn't continue. For example, having gotten sick or something, and when they recovered, came back using someone else's place to continue competing."
"True, if this kind of situation was encountered, the countries would definitely let the outstanding person go for a higher chance at winning. In any case, winning is for the country's glory, so it doesn't matter who wins." Du Xiao Li said in realization.
"We don't have much time right now, but two days ago, I've already ordered someone to go prepare the new furnitures and daily necessities. I reckon the day after tomorrow, we'll be able to have everything here all changed. Once the competition is over, you don't need to return them either. Just treat is as f
reebies for lending the site." Du Yun Han said, not thinking this is defrauding the country's property in the slightest. These will just be treated as fees for the hard work!
Towards Du Yun Han's brazen actions, Du Xiao Li helplessly laughed. She knew Du Yun Han was trying to help her vent!
"However, fortunately, a lot of the things here at your place are all a complete set, saving us quite a bit of trouble. Else, even your father, I, wouldn't be able to have everything prepared in such a short amount of time." Du Yun Han said, looking to Du Xiao Li with eyes filled with pride and satisfaction. But suddenly seeing the directly approaching Han Ming Yi, his two eyes slightly narrowed. He had such a good daughter, yet such a good white cabbage was about to be eaten by a pig!
Du Xiao Li once said, when knowing one's own daughter is about to get married, parents will all think the white cabbage they planted for so long is about to be eaten by a pig. And parents that learn that their son have someone they like will think, the pig they raised for this many years finally knows how to eat white cabbage!
(T/N: This is the weirdest marriage analogy I've ever heard--------)
And seeing Han Ming Yi right now, Du Yun Han had this kind of feeling!
"Big brother Yi, what are you doing here?" Du Xiao Li asked, when she saw Han Ming Yi walking over.
"I brought some people over from the military barracks, letting them take care of the security during this period. Bringing them over now to assign their patrol routes, and also let them help with the decorations." Seeing Du Xiao Li, Han Ming Yi's mood was rather good.
Du Xiao Li looked to the hundred some people behind him, all wearing civilian clothes, "Just these people, is it enough?"
"These people were all personally brought up by me. Their abilities are all without problems." Han Ming Yi said, "Moreover, this is just the first batch. Later, I'll bring some more people over."
"En, with this many more mouths to feed, you all better pay me living expenses. Seeing that you all are serving the country, I'll exempt the lodging fee for you all." Du Xiao Li said with a sly smile.
"You ah! Don't worry, I won't let you suffer a loss! I've already sent in a request to his majesty to draw fifty thousand taels of silver from the national treasury for you. It'll be able to come down in the afternoon." Han Ming Yi looked to Du Xiao Li amused.
"Ha, not bad, not bad! That's right, have you eaten yet? If you haven't eaten, I can let the kitchen make you a bit of something." Hearing that there was going to be money, Du Xiao Li's eyes smiled into crescents.
Ch. 081.4 – She's here to buy soy sauce? (4)
She's here to buy soy sauce? (4)
"Haven't eaten yet. I'll take them to divide up the areas to be in charge of first." Han Ming Yi said.
"Alright." Du Xiao Li nodded, letting Qiao Zhu go tell the kitchen to prepare food. Fortunately, Han Ming Yi and Du Yun Han had already brought some chefs over, and the ingredients have also been long prepared. That's why although there were a hundred more people, the meals still weren't a problem.
Ever since Han Ming Yi showed up, Du Yun Han had been staring at him very unpleasantly, and seeing him and Du Xiao Li chatting happily, his head was filled with thoughts of his white cabbage getting eaten by a pig.
Three foreign countries, male and female separated, so a total of six courtyards. Han Ming Yi had the people he brought divided into these six courtyards. As for the other courtyards, and the security measures for the competition, Han Ming Yi said he would bring over bit by bit later.
After dealing with these things, Du Xiao Li then returned to the Du Manor with her servant girls, leaving behind Du Yun Han and Han Ming Yi, with one glaring at the other. Although Han Ming Yi didn't know what was wrong with this future father-in-law of his either.
Returning to her Jade Bamboo Courtyard, Du Xiao Li plopped down on her own large bed, letting out a long sigh.
"Miss, drink some tea." Xia Yuan said, as she carried a cup of tea over.
Du Xiao Li sat up, accepting the tea and taking a sip, before lying down again.
"Miss must be tired." Ying Ge was currently tidying their things away. Seeing Du Xiao Li's appearance, she said with a laugh.
"Indeed, almost out of breath from everything lately! Before, I felt this place wasn't good, but after living outside for this long, I suddenly feel I miss this place a little." Du Xiao Li said with a smile.
"That's probably because miss has accepted the prime minister, and thus feel this place is home." Xia Yuan said.
Du Xiao Li blinked hearing Xia Yuan's words. Is that so?
Perhaps so!
Suddenly, Qiao Zhu entered the room and said, "Miss, the old madam sent someone over to invite you over."
Du Xiao Li sat up, "Grandmother wants me to go over? Did they say what it's for?"
"This servant doesn't know." Qiao Zhu shook her head.
"From how I see it, the old madam probably learned of miss's good points and wants to get close with you!" Ying Ge said with a pout, "This old madam sure is greedy!"
"Ying Ge, don't talk nonsense!" Xia Yuan berated.
"I....." Ying Ge wanted to retort, but seeing the look Xia Yuan was giving her, she had her following words swallowed back down and instead said, "Miss, Ying Ge is wrong."
Du Xiao Li got up from the bed and said, "These words, you can say in front of your miss, but no matter how terrible she is, she's still my grandmother. In the future, you better not say these words in front of others, understand?"
"This servant understands." Ying Ge replied with a curtsy.
"Then let's over right away."
"Miss, your hair's a mess, this servant will re-brush it for you." Xia Yuan said when she saw Du Xiao Li's messy bed hair.
Once Xia Yuan finished combing Du Xiao Li's hair, they descended the stairs. Du Xiao Li saw that the one that came to call her was the second rank servant girl by Du Old Madam's side, the one called Tao Hua.
(T/N: Tao Hua - peach blossom)
"Third miss." Tao Hua bowed to Du Xiao Li.
"Just now, I was asleep, so had to spend some time tidying up, sorry to have made you wait." Du Xiao Li politely said.
"Miss Qiao Zhu had already told me earlier." Tao Hua said with a smile, "Third miss, can we go now?"
"Let's go."
Du Xiao Li brought along Xia Yuan and followed Tao Hua to the old madam's room. Before she even entered, she heard a voice in a strange tone come from the room.
"This third miss is getting more and more arrogant. Old madam sent someone to go invite her, yet she still hasn't showed up yet!"
Du Xiao Li looked to Tao Hua and asked, "Fourth yiniang is also present?"
"Replying to third miss, fourth yiniang came just now to deliver over some incense sticks for old madam, and most likely didn't leave." Tao Hua replied, "Let's head inside."
Tao Hua entered the room first, while Du Xiao Li and Xia Yuan followed in after her, and sure enough, they saw fourth yiniang.
"Old madam, third miss has come."
Du Xiao Li curtsied and said, "This granddaughter greets grandmother."
"Xiao Li has come? Quick, come over." Du Old Madam looked to Du Xiao Li, smiling as she waved at her.
Du Xiao Li got up. She walked over to the stool next to Du Old Madam that was just added and sat down.
"Third miss, this arrogance of yours is sure big, to actually let old madam wait this long." Fourth Yiniang said.
"Grandmother, I just came back from Sui Yuan Club today, and because was a little tired, ended up napping a while. And thinking that I can't come see grandmother unkempt, I thus spent some time tidying up." Du Xiao Li was too lazy to look at fourth yiniang, and just explained to Du Old Madam.
"I also heard about Sui Yuan Club being in charge of holding the competition between the countries this time. These few days must have tired you out?" Du Old Madam said.
"It's alright." Du Xiao Li said with a smile, "For the most part, it's father and Ding Wang taking care of everything. I'm just coordinating with th
em."
Du Old Madam looked to Du Xiao Li in satisfaction and said, "I'd heard Ke Xin and them mention Sui Yuan Club before a few times, said that place frequently holds verse and poetry competitions, and is a considerably elegant place. I never thought that, that was your place."
Seeing the smile on Du Old Madam's face, Du Xiao Li didn't know how to describe her currently mood. After learning about her parent's past, to say she didn't resent Du Old Madam was false. Although she didn't scheme against Su Su Xin, but if not for her supporting Zhong Mei Qing in attitude, when Su Su Xin was at home, she wouldn't have suffered that much either.
But disdaining the poor and loving the wealthy is a flaw that a big majority of people would all have, let alone in this society.
When she'd just returned, her grandmother was very indifferent towards her. But now, knowing that she wasn't someone with nothing, her attitude towards her improved again. Although she taught Ying Ge not to speak carelessly earlier, she was still in favor of her words inside. This Du Old Madam was just a greedy person!
But, no matter what, she was still her body's grandmother. A portion of the blood flowing in this body was the same as hers. As long as she didn't go overboard, she still was able to accept her. The whole family being peaceful and harmonious was always better than fighting to no end.
"Grandmother overpraises." Du Xiao Li replied, "Don't know for what reason did grandmother call this granddaughter over for?"
"Oh, it's like this, just now your fourth yiniang sent some incense sticks over, said it was from the south. There's quite a bit, and feeling that they smelled rather nice, I planned on giving you and your siblings each a share. Since they have all gone to school, I plan on giving it to them at night. Earlier, I heard that you'd returned, thus wanted to let you come over and pick out yourself, and also, let you help me see which ones are suitable for this old woman." Du Old Madam replied.
Du Xiao Li had saved Lu Jun Qi, and moreover an exception was made, and she got granted the title of imperial physician. This matter has probably spread throughout the entire Feng Ming. Since Du Old Madam was in the capital, she naturally also heard about it.