MLIAM Chapter 9

Chapter 9 Giving Gifts: Someone like me can’t be casually bought with a few hundred taels…

Chapter 9 Giving Gifts: Someone like me can’t be casually bought with a few hundred taels…

The response to the insect plague was relatively timely, and fortunately, it didn’t lead to a major disaster.

By the time Yu Shuli had some free time again, it was already winter.

This midday, after finishing his duties as usual, he went to the Prime Minister’s Residence to report. A young boy named Chu Kai at the entrance saw him coming and ran to greet him, “Little General!”

Although he was enthusiastic, he wasn’t as eager as usual, as if he couldn’t wait to pull him inside.

Yu Shuli gave an “Mm” sound, looked at Chu Kai, and asked, “Has Wei Yan returned?”

During this period, Wei Yan began to attend court normally. Yu Shuli had previously scrutinized his face in the court, and he certainly didn’t look like he had recovered from his illness.

However, the locust plague had caused too much damage, and the Ministry of Revenue couldn’t figure it out after a thorough calculation. The Emperor, in a state of anxiety and exhaustion, pulled Wei Yan from his sickbed and brought him back to the cabinet to help him deal with the aftermath.

The Crown Prince Party was eager to try and seize this opportunity to gain favor for the Crown Prince, hoping to take credit later, so they offered many suggestions and advice.

However, Wei Yan remained indifferent to those diligent attempts to please and probe. Not only did he not allow the Crown Prince to take sole credit, but he also included the Third Prince, who was idle all day, doing nothing.

The officials in the court couldn’t figure out Wei Yan’s intentions. The Emperor didn’t have much of an opinion, only saying that he would let the Crown Prince and the Third Prince follow Wei Yan and do a good job.

Yu Shuli had tested Wei Yan’s thoughts on the issue of factions, but Wei Yan only looked at Yu Shuli meaningfully at the time, and then changed the subject to ask him when the Second Prince would return from the Southern Frontier.

Yu Shuli immediately shut his mouth and didn’t speak anymore.

Wei Yan smiled and said nothing else.

The two of them had a tacit understanding and each had their own little secrets.

The Second Prince was providing disaster relief in the Southern Frontier. Yu Shuli wrote to tell him about his amnesia. At the same time, he learned that it would take him about three more months to return. Calculating the time, it would probably be early spring. Even if everything went smoothly, it would probably have to wait until the end of winter.

Knowing that the Second Prince wouldn’t be able to catch up with this “big pot of rice,” he felt a sense of relief in his heart.

“Why aren’t you kidnapping me today?” Yu Shuli saw Chu Kai’s timid appearance today and couldn’t help but find it a little funny. “At this time in the past, you would have pushed me through the door.”

Chu Kai smiled and repeatedly said, “I wouldn’t dare to be disrespectful to the Little General…” Then, he hesitated and braced himself to lead Yu Shuli inside.

“The Prime Minister has returned and is waiting for you to have dinner in the dining hall…” Chu Kai answered Yu Shuli’s previous question, but his face was a little strange. “But today… the Madam and the Old Madam have returned.”

Wei Yan’s father died early, and Madam Wu and the Old Madam raised him single-handedly.

Before the family separated, Wei Yan didn’t have a good life. Rumors stigmatized him and his mother as jinxes who brought death to their husbands and fathers. His uncles and aunts didn’t treat him kindly either. It was only after he passed the imperial examination at the top, winning in first place in the final stage of an imperial examination, and entered the officialdom that the positions of the two sides were reversed.

In the early days, the Old Madam’s youngest son, whom she loved the most, died early. In order to protect Wei Yan and his widowed mother, she resolutely moved out of the ancestral home and lived with them, which blocked the absurd rumors outside.

But after Wei Yan’s serious illness, she became a Buddhist and lived in Bright Moon Temple outside the city.

What day is it today? The Old Madam actually came back?

Moreover, when Yu Shuli came to visit Wei Yan before, whether it was intentional or unintentional, he had never met Madam Wu once. Every time he asked Wei Yan, he said that his mother was not at home. Why did he bring these two great Buddhas together today?

Yu Shuli scratched the ground with his toes and felt his scalp tingle for a while. He gave Chu Kai a stiff smile, “Haha… I suddenly remembered that I have something to do at home. Please tell Wei Yan for me that I’ll come again another day…”

He started to run away, and Chu Kai chased after him for a long time, but couldn’t catch up.

He could only chase and shout, “Little General! Don’t run! The Prime Minister is still waiting for you!”

Yu Shuli ran even faster.

*

In the room, Wei Yan had a stern face and was being coaxed by his mother to drink a bowl of stomach-warming soup.

“Xianqing, why didn’t Grandma see that Little General you’re always thinking about?” The Old Madam was energetic, with a teasing smile on her face.

“He promised me he would come today.” Wei Yan looked calmly as he held the soup bowl, but in reality, he was very anxious.

Yu Shuli never broke his promises.

But now it was past dinner time, and he still hadn’t appeared.

Today was Wei Yan’s birthday, and the longevity noodles prepared on the table had already become soggy and couldn’t be eaten.

Madam Wu waved her hand, signaling the servants to bring up the food.

Wei Yan didn’t say anything, but reflected: Had he been pushing him too hard recently? Or had he recovered his memory?

Not wanting to keep his mother and grandmother waiting for too long, he coughed a few times in a muffled voice and finally said, “Let’s not wait anymore, let’s eat.”

Seeing her son’s unhappy expression, Madam Wu wanted to say a few words of persuasion, but the Old Madam blinked her eyes a few times and stopped her.

“Prime Minister… Prime Minister…” Chu Kai ran over, holding a small red box, panting.

Wei Yan suddenly put down his chopsticks, turned his head, his eyes were bright: “Could it be that Little General Yu has come?”

Chu Kai shook his head with some shame: “Little General came before… It was me…” He slapped himself in the face: “It was my fault. I told Little General that the Madam and the Old Madam were here, and Little General turned around and ran away.”

Madam Wu “puffed” and laughed, “Xianqing, how did you introduce me and your grandmother to the Little General? How could you scare him like that?”

Wei Yan hesitated: “I didn’t have time to introduce…”

The Old Madam shook her head, frustrated, “Just like your useless father. If it weren’t for me back then, he wouldn’t have been able to marry your mother.”

Madam Wu’s face was a little flushed: “Mom… don’t talk about these things.”

The Old Madam’s sharp eyes looked at Chu Kai’s hand: “What are you holding?”

Chu Kai then “oh” and reacted, “Ah… that’s right, this was sent by the Little General just now, saying it’s to apologize for breaking his promise.”

“Quickly open it and see what it is…” Madam Wu quickly took it over and pushed it to Wei Yan with a smile.

“I won’t.” Wei Yan held the small red box, turned his face away, and no longer had the stiff look on his face. Instead, he revealed a shy smile. “This is for me, I won’t let you see it.”

“Who wants to see it? You treasure it.” The Old Madam picked up the rice bowl, “Alright, the person didn’t come, but the gift arrived. This granddaughter-in-law, this old woman is very satisfied. I’ve acknowledged her here, let’s eat.”

Madam Wu curved her eyes and nodded as well.

Wei Yan ate in silence, his ears secretly turning red.

Madam Wu glanced at him, then met eyes with the Old Madam, her eyes red.

How long had it been since she had seen such a lively expression on this child’s face?

Fortunately… fortunately, Little General Yu had amnesia by mistake, and the two of them were reconciled.

Yu Shuli ran home in silence, just in time to catch his father and mother in their own world.

Yu Huaxin waved his hand to push away his son who wanted to freeload a meal, and said with a stern face, “Didn’t you say you were going to Wei Yan’s house to eat? I didn’t save any food for you at home, go away, go away…”

“Don’t be like that, Dad…” Yu Shuli pounced over, “Just eat one bite, just give me one bite…”

Zheng Shiyi smiled and ordered the servants to prepare bowls and chopsticks, “Is there anything you lack at home? Why are you making such a fuss?”

Yu Huaxin snorted and snatched the chopsticks, “Didn’t you say the food at home is not delicious? What are you doing here to interfere with your parents?”

Yu Shuli blinked his eyes, “Dad, when did I say the food at home is not delicious?”

“Son, he has amnesia.” Zheng Shiyi poked Yu Huaxin, reminding him.

Yu Huaxin suffered a silent loss, “Humph.”

The family ate lunch in a noisy manner. Yu Huaxin went to the study, and Zheng Shiyi then looked at Yu Shuli, who was slumped in a chair, flipping his belly, “Why did you suddenly come back from the Prime Minister’s Residence today?”

Yu Shuli hesitated, “Wei Yan’s family is also at home, it’s not convenient for me to go over…”

Zheng Shiyi understood, “You’re shy, so you deserted before the battle?”

Yu Shuli paused, stiffening his neck, “Who said I was shy?!”

“Then why don’t you dare to see Madam Wu?”

“I… I suddenly remembered that there were still things in the camp, so I came back.”

Zheng Shiyi saw through it but didn’t say it, pushing Yu Shuli, who was nestled in the recliner, “Alright, alright, I don’t know your little plans? Go do whatever you should be doing, don’t wander around in front of me.”

Yu Shuli turned his head to the side and grabbed his mother’s hand, “Don’t, Mom…”

Zheng Shiyi chuckled, “Do you want to shrink in here with Mom and be a quail?”

“Can’t I…” Yu Shuli pouted, finally telling the truth, “I don’t know what identity I should use to meet his mother… It’s too awkward.”

“Jian, even if you don’t have a marriage contract, you were very good friends before. Do you need a reason to visit a friend’s house?” Zheng Shiyi said slowly, “He specifically asked you to go today, and his mother and Old Madam are also present, there must be something special… It’s impolite for you to openly bail like this.”

Yu Shuli lowered his head and gave a slightly embarrassed “Mm” sound. “I also felt bad later, so I made up for it by sending a gift.”

Zheng Shiyi nodded, “That’s still somewhat presentable, but after all, Wei Yan will be sad, right?”

Yu Shuli looked up, a little puzzled, “Huh?”

“Compared to a gift, he definitely wants you to be there more.”

Sure enough, as soon as Zheng Shiyi finished speaking, the servant came to report that the Prime Minister’s Residence had sent a return gift, but it was difficult to carry, so the Little General had to go to the door to pick it up himself.

Zheng Shiyi smiled, “See, that child is still generous.” She pushed Yu Shuli, “Hurry up and go see what he sent you in return.”

Yu Shuli was forced to get up and went to the door.

When he arrived at the door, he didn’t see any gifts.

Yu Shuli was suspicious. When he looked outside again, he found Wei Yan wearing a heavy long cloak, looking at him with a smile.

Yu Shuli’s heart skipped a beat and beat rapidly. Then, he quickly turned around and slammed the door shut with a “bang.”

The smile on Wei Yan’s face finally stiffened.

He asked outside the door, “You don’t want to see me?”

Yu Shuli tried to calm his inexplicable heartbeat, pursed his lips, and leaned against the door to explain seriously, “It’s not that, I’m just too busy.”

The servant who opened the door in the first place was waiting aside, showing a strange smile.

After being glared at by Yu Shuli, he honestly turned his back and covered his ears, pretending not to hear.

Wei Yan’s voice became colder, “Since you don’t want to see me, then I’ll leave.”

The sound of footsteps gradually faded away, accompanied by a series of coughs.

Yu Shuli felt a little worried, so he had to deflate and slowly open the door again, wanting to secretly take a look to see if he was alright.

Only then did he realize that Wei Yan was standing properly at the door and clearly hadn’t left.

“You tricked me?!” Discovering that everything was Wei Yan’s disguise, the Little General suddenly became a little angry.

Wei Yan stepped forward, lowered his voice, his eyebrows and eyes gentle, “I’m already here, you can’t bear to let me stand outside in the cold wind, right?”

Yu Shuli had no choice but to invite him in.

After entering the door, Yu Shuli took him to his bedroom.

Both of them were men, so there were not so many things to avoid. Yu Shuli poured Wei Yan hot tea, then asked, “Why did you suddenly think of coming to find me?”

“Isn’t it because someone made an appointment with someone, but someone broke the appointment?”

Knowing that he was in the wrong, Yu Shuli could only give a dry laugh. “Your elders are at home, I’m a little embarrassed.”

“What’s there to be embarrassed about?” Wei Yan twisted the teacup with his finger, took a small sip, and looked over meaningfully. “They will be your elders in the future too.”

Yu Shuli was also drinking tea and spat out a mouthful when he heard this. “What nonsense are you talking about?”

He tried to clarify the relationship, “Your elders are your elders, how did they become mine?!”

Seeing him explode, Wei Yan couldn’t help but remind him in a low voice, “Marriage contract?”

Yu Shuli opened his eyes and denied it, “Marriage what contract?”

Wei Yan was amused and didn’t mention it anymore, “Alright.” He handed over a small box, “Return gift, take a look.”

Yu Shuli opened it and saw that it was a box of silver bills.

He pushed it away violently, “What is this? You’re bribing me? I’ll say it first, I’m not someone who can be casually bought with a few hundred taels.”

Wei Yan raised his eyebrows, “Look carefully.”

Yu Shuli then seriously looked at the amount on it.

It was actually… ten thousand taels.

He “hissed” and slammed the box shut, changing to a smiling face, “But ten thousand taels can buy me.”

Wei Yan glanced at him, “Weren’t you treating money like dirt before?”

The country bumpkin Yu Shuli, who hadn’t seen much of the world, laughed dryly, “It’s all my fault for having such a mouth that likes to talk nonsense. It’s all a misunderstanding, a misunderstanding…”

Wei Yan smiled, sighed, “If you can be bought so easily, you’ll be deceived sooner or later.”

Yu Shuli “hmph”ed, “That also requires the financial resources.” He tapped his finger on the box, “Why are you suddenly giving me this?”

“It’s not exactly giving it to you.” Wei Yan withdrew his gaze from Yu Shuli’s finger, “Do you remember what His Majesty said in the early court?”

Yu Shuli nodded, of course he remembered, he was openly and secretly asking for donations for disaster relief.

“Those corrupt old men didn’t stand up, why should I join in the fun?” Yu Shuli said in a strange tone, “My family isn’t some nouveau riche, we don’t have that much money.”

“So this is to donate in your place.” Wei Yan said, “Donations.”

Yu Shuli widened his eyes, “So it’s not for me…”

Wei Yan chuckled, “At least it’s yours now, you can hold it in your pocket for a while.”