Repeatedly broken branches

You has been giggling to herself lately, and she can stare out the window for a long time without suddenly giggling. Xiao Mu thinks she misses her hometown too much, which is why she's become so absent-minded.

The next evening, Yu Yanjing was unable to come because he had won the battle and was holding a victory banquet, so he would not be able to come until very late.

Xiao Mu was worried that he wouldn't get enough rest, so she sent someone to tell him that he didn't need to come over tonight. They had been married for so many days, and no matter how tired or late it was, he had to come and keep her company. She didn't want that.

Wei Lan walked in carrying a wooden box.

"Your Majesty, this is a pen that His Majesty found for you. He asked you to try it out and see if it fits your hand."

Xiao Mu opened the wooden box, inside which lay a jade pen made of jadeite. The pen was extremely thin and looked very light and smooth. Several tuberose flowers were engraved on the pen. She picked it up and found it to be very comfortable to hold and very light. She casually wrote the character 'Yu' on the paper, and it was indeed much better written than before.

She smiled and said, "This pen is really good. Please thank the Emperor for me."

Wei Lan hesitated for a moment, then replied, "Alright, Your Majesty, I'll take my leave now."

Xiao Mu nodded, picked up the pen and wrote down the characters '宴' and '璟' respectively. She was extremely satisfied and couldn't wait to take out the Xuan paper to start copying Buddhist scriptures.

When I was a child, I would buy a new pen, and if it was a good pen, I would want to fill the entire workbook with it.

Xiao Mu didn't know how long she had been copying Buddhist scriptures; her hands were so sore that she stopped to rest for a while. She didn't know what time it was now, whether it was the middle of the night or the first half. Here, there was no concept of time; people just ate and slept when it was time to sleep.

I've only copied half a book after so long, it's too tiring. There are still about five books left, which will take about a month. That won't do, I have to work overtime, otherwise by the time she goes to reconcile, it will be too late.

The room was quiet, and she didn't know if anyone was outside the hall. You was probably guarding outside the door. She couldn't sleep yet, but her hands were so sore that she didn't want to copy anymore. She didn't know what to do. Usually, Yu Yanjing would be there at this time, and she could chat with him. But what was he doing now?

I suddenly miss him so much, and I want to know what he's doing now.

That's probably how newlyweds are: they miss each other terribly if they don't see each other for a day, but when they're together, they're always getting angry at each other.

"You, what are you doing there?"

Xiao Mu walked outside and saw You holding a letter and grinning foolishly.

You hurriedly put away the letter, stood up, and looked at Xiao Mu with unease, saying, "Your Majesty, why haven't you rested yet? It's already past midnight."

It was already so late; she had lost track of time while copying.

"Has the Emperor been here?"

You shook her head. "I've never been here before. What's wrong, Your Highness? Is there something you need?"

Xiao Mu said dejectedly, "No, what were you looking at just now? Was it a letter from home?" Her gaze fell on You, but she was actually looking at the tuberose in the flower bed in the yard.

You nodded and stammered, "Yes, Your Majesty, it's very late, you should go to sleep... In a few hours, the Emperor will be attending the morning court session!"

"Alright... It's late, I'm going to sleep. You should go to sleep too. Don't keep watch anymore. There are guards outside the door, nothing will happen."

Xiao Mu closed the door, sat down at the table, not sleepy at all. She thought she might as well copy more and then sleep when she got sleepy.

But for some reason, she became more and more energetic as she copied, and she even felt that she could finish copying the other five books in one night.

When Xiao Mu woke up the next day, the messy copy of scriptures on the table had been neatly arranged and stacked there. Xiao Mu vaguely remembered that she had probably finished copying the other three books yesterday, but upon checking today, she found that she had actually finished copying all five books.

Was her memory playing tricks on her? She hadn't expected herself to be so fast.

Anyway, she finished copying it, and it couldn't have been someone else who copied it for her, because the handwriting is exactly the same.

"Your Majesty, did you not sleep all night? You actually finished copying all five scriptures!" You asked her in astonishment.

Xiao Mu nodded. "Impressive, right? I didn't expect that either. In that case, let's go find Consort Jing. I'm so tired, I need to eat some stewed chicken to replenish myself!"

"Okay, we'll eat when we get back."

Xiao Mu carried a stack of copied scriptures to the entrance of the Buddhist hall where Consort Jing was. He cleared his throat and called out to the inside, "Your Majesty, I am Xia Shi. I have copied six Buddhist scriptures. I know that Your Majesty has been observing a vegetarian diet and worshipping Buddha, so I wanted to hand-copy a few scriptures for Your Majesty. I hope Your Majesty will not find them offensive. I have left them at the entrance."

After she finished speaking, she prepared to leave, because she knew that it was impossible to win over Consort Jing with just a few Buddhist scriptures; no one would be so easily fooled.

Inside the Buddhist hall, Consort Jing opened her eyes, stopped playing with her prayer beads, and asked calmly, "Rumeng, was the Xia woman outside just now that bastard's empress? Why was she so ingratiating towards me? Did that bastard send her?"

Ru Meng shook her head. "No, Your Majesty. The Emperor hasn't visited you for many years. Why would he send the Empress to curry favor with you? It's probably the Empress's own idea..."

A soft feeling swept through Consort Jing's heart, but she looked at Ru Meng and said, "That scripture... go and return it to her. I don't want her things."

Ru Meng spoke kindly, "Your Majesty, the Empress sent the handwritten scriptures because she wanted to ease the tension between you. Why are you so aloof?"

“Yes, Rumeng, why are you so heartless when I am a Buddhist? Go and bring in the scriptures, and then tell Xia that I appreciate her intentions, but please don’t do this again. I don’t want to get involved with outsiders.”

Ru Meng smiled and nodded, then quickly walked outside, picked up the scriptures that Xiao Mu had copied, glanced at them briefly, and exclaimed, "Your Majesty's handwriting is truly beautiful."

Consort Jing took the scriptures and her heart skipped a beat when she saw the first page. Although the handwriting was not Yu Yanjing's, she had raised him herself. He had a habit of writing with his pen held high, but when she turned to the last few pages, the pen strokes were no longer held high. This Buddhist scripture was copied by the two of them together...

She was overwhelmed with mixed feelings and heartache. She didn't understand why Yu Yanjing would do this. She had treated him so well, yet he still did this. She didn't want to accept it, but she couldn't bring herself to tear up the scriptures. Her heart was actually very soft.

Although Yu Yanjing's handwriting has changed, her writing habits remain the same. Others may not know, but she can recognize it at a glance.

"Keep it safe and don't take it out unless necessary."

Ru Meng looked at Consort Jing in surprise, "Why, Your Highness? This is the Empress's kind gesture. Please accept it. I think the Empress is a very good person..."

Consort Jing said expressionlessly, "I didn't say she was bad, it's just... I wanted to keep her safe so she wouldn't get wrinkled..." A hint of joy flashed in her eyes, but it disappeared in an instant.

Ru Meng smiled broadly, "Your Majesty is just being hypocritical! Alright~ I'll put it away. If you want to read it again, you can take it out and read it carefully!"

You followed behind Xiao Mu, utterly puzzled as to why the scriptures were left at the door, without even seeing Consort Jing. What was the point? She had painstakingly copied the scriptures all night, only to leave her feelings unexpressed at the door.

Unable to hold back any longer, You finally spoke up and asked, "Your Majesty, why don't you go in and personally deliver the handwritten scriptures to Consort Jing? How will she know why you did it that way?"

Xiao Mu's lips curled up slightly, her smile bright and beautiful, like a blooming flower, giving people a sense of wonderful anticipation. Her voice was melodious and gentle as she said, "It's too difficult to move someone whose heart is already free of worldly desires with such a trivial thing. I didn't expect to move Consort Jing with these things either. Time will tell. One day, she will have Yu Yanjing and me serve her tea!"

Xiao Mu was full of confidence and hoped that she wouldn't be disappointed.

It was still early, and she wanted to go out of the palace again. After all, she hadn't been able to take care of the business there for a long time, and it wasn't realistic to rely on Xiao Shao and the others to look after everything. After all, the blueprint in her heart could only be realized by herself.

Yu Yanjing would never allow her to leave the palace, but she had to go out.

But it's not easy for an empress to forge an imperial edict and go out, and no one would question it. Her relationship with Yu Yanjing has always been very close, and they have never argued in front of outsiders. In other people's eyes, her meaning is mostly the emperor's meaning.

As expected, with Wei Lan absent, no one would interfere or inquire about these matters, and the journey out of the palace went smoothly, with the carriage arriving steadily at the shop's entrance.

She went into the jewelry shop first, because it was an industry she was quite interested in. As soon as she entered, Xie Huai sat down at the table with a worried expression, thinking about something.

Xiao Mu called him several times but he didn't answer.

Finally, he suddenly came to his senses, stared blankly at Xiao Mu, and lazily said something.

"You're here? Why aren't you saying anything?"

Xiao Mu's face darkened. "I called you several times, but you didn't hear me. How dare you say I don't talk? What's wrong? Something on your mind?"

Xie Huai nodded and said in a low voice, "I received an order for a necklace for Master Li's daughter's coming-of-age ceremony. He said his daughter wanted a unique necklace, so ordinary gold-inlaid jade is definitely not suitable. I want to make a gold-inlaid red jade necklace, the kind of transparent red jade, but such jade cannot be bought in Chaoyang Kingdom. If I go back to the Western Regions to buy it, it will definitely be too late... What do you suggest we do?"

This is indeed a difficult problem. If Xie Huai goes to the Western Regions to buy it, it will take a long time. But if someone else goes to buy it, he will have to wait for the jade to be delivered, and he cannot rush the work during this time.

But what if he makes the other parts first and asks someone else to buy the jade for him? However, no one else can choose the type of jade he mentions; it has to be him or someone knowledgeable about jade.

Besides him, Xiao Mu is the only one who knows a bit about jade, but it's even more unrealistic for Xiao Mu to go to the Western Regions, and it's also unrealistic to have Xiao Mu make those other parts, since Master Li came for Xie Huai's craftsmanship.

"Can't we just find someone to buy it for us?"

Xie Huai frowned slightly and said calmly, "I can't find anyone. Although I do know someone in Chaoyang who understands jade, I'd have to curry favor with him first. I'm afraid I can't manage alone, because I... am not very good at talking..."

He was in a dilemma. He could work quietly and diligently, but it was impossible for him to use his sharp tongue, which was only good at insulting people, to please others.

Xiao Mu readily agreed, "Then I'll go with you. Isn't that easy?"

"But you are the Empress, many people have seen you. You cannot show your face in public, how can you help me?"

Xiao Mu smiled mischievously and said smugly, "Anyway, I have a way. Go and make an appointment with that person now, the sooner the better. I don't have time; I have to get back before dinner."

"Okay," Xie Huai said, though he still had some concerns, he still went out to meet the person.

After a while, Xie Huai returned and hurriedly told Xiao Mu that the person had made an appointment and was waiting at a restaurant not far away.

Xiao Mu put on a veil and walked lightly ahead of Xie Huai, ordering him, who was standing still behind her, "Keep up, Xie Huai."

Xie Huai stood there stunned for a long time before awkwardly following Xiao Mu's steps. He twitched his lips. She said there was a way, but it was to hide his face and show it to others? He suddenly began to wonder if there was something wrong with his brain. Why did he believe what that silly girl said?

The person Xie Huai was referring to was Ding Xun, the largest jewelry and raw stone merchant in Chaoyang Kingdom. He was a lecherous man with a fat head and big ears, and he had a particular fondness for fair-skinned, beautiful girls with sweet voices. This pig-headed man had ruined countless good girls.

But now was the time to use him, so Xiao Mu endured her disgust and sat down at the same table with him to eat.

"Xie Huai, is this the little spoon girl you mentioned?"

Ding Xun leered at Xiao Mu, his thieving eyes fixed on her fair neck, as if he were about to pounce on her at any moment.

Ding Xun had never seen a beauty with Xiao Mu's temperament. Even with half her face covered, just her eyes alone were enough to inspire endless fantasies. The key was that her skin was as white as snow, and she exuded a faint fragrance, making him even more eager to possess her.

"Ah."

Xie Huai didn't want to talk to him anymore. He glanced at Xiao Mu, feeling a little worried. He had never witnessed Ding Xun's disgusting nature firsthand, but just hearing about it made him want to vomit. If he saw it with his own eyes, he might not be able to resist beating him to death.

Ding Xun ushered Xie Huai to sit opposite Xiao Mu, while he himself sat next to Xiao Mu. He poured Xiao Mu a glass of wine and asked considerately, "Little Spoon, what would you like to eat? Order whatever you like, Xie Huai will pay anyway."

Xie Huai glanced at him. He was trying to please others, so why should he pay the bill? Just as everyone said, he was a real tightwad. Even when trying to please a woman, he was unwilling to spend a single extra penny. He would avoid spending money if possible.

Xiao Mu suppressed her nausea and said sweetly, "Young Master Ding, you should order. Whatever you eat, I'll eat."

Ding Xun laughed and said, "Okay, I'll order." He called over the waiter and ordered all the most expensive dishes in the restaurant, pretending to be generous. The waiter said, "Order these for now, I'll call you again if it's not enough!"

Xie Huai sneered, "Anyway, I'm paying, so just order whatever you like."

He was very unhappy. He wanted to beat the pig-headed man up and chop him up to feed the dogs.

Ding Xun sized up Xiao Mu with his lewd eyes, and even tried to lift her veil, but he held back, which frightened Xiao Mu so much that she broke out in a cold sweat.

"Little Spoon Girl, aren't you hot? Why don't you take off your veil? We're all family here. Xie and I are good brothers."

Xiao Mu shook her head and said in a soft voice, "We've only just met, so it's better to keep it a secret. That way, I can give you a surprise when we meet again, don't you think?"

The sound of that voice made Ding Xun's bones melt, and all he could do was keep saying "Yes, yes, yes".

What does Little Spoon Girl usually like to do?

"I don't know much about painting, calligraphy, or playing the zither. I've heard that Young Master Ding enjoys composing poetry. I wonder if I could have the pleasure of seeing you compose a poem on the spot today?"

"Okay!"

Ding Xun stood up, the wooden floorboards creaking and rattling. He rolled up his sleeves, holding a chopstick in one hand, and pretended to get up to defecate. He cleared his throat, puffed out his round, bulging belly, rolled his eyes, and spoke in a loud voice:

"Currently available beauty-named small spoon"

Sit quietly to my left

My heart couldn't help but feel lightheaded.

"Just to dance a few times for a beauty!"

Xie Huai suppressed a laugh. Was this composing poetry?

Xiao Mu suppressed a laugh, glanced at him briefly, and smiled slightly. "Young master, your writing is truly admirable. I am deeply impressed."

Ding Xun humbly replied, "This was just an impromptu creation; please excuse my poor performance, young lady."

"Young master, what are you being modest about? My and Xie Huai's literary talent is nothing compared to yours."

Ding Xun smiled without any attempt to hide it, pointing to the steaming dishes that had just been served and saying, "Please eat, young lady, the food here is all delicious."

Xiao Mu only symbolically picked up a piece of food and took a small bite. She stared in disbelief at Ding Xun, who was shoveling food into his bowl like he was cleaning up a battlefield and wolfing it down as if afraid someone would take it from him. It was unbelievable how he ate.

Seeing this made her lose her appetite, and she silently drank the tea in her cup.

After Ding Xun finished his meal, he asked Xiao Mu, "Miss Xiao Shao, would you like to come and sit at my house? It's not far ahead."

"What have you thought about our relationship?" Xie Huai suddenly asked, interrupting their conversation.

Ding Xun smiled and said, "Isn't it just about going to the Western Regions to buy rubies for you? Do you really need to go? To be honest, I have a ruby ​​of the same grade as the one you mentioned at home. Why don't you come with us? I'll show it to you after we're done—no, after we're done with our work."

"Are you sure?" Xie Huai asked doubtfully.

Ding Xun patted his chest and assured him, "Why would I lie to you? I never lie."

Xiao Mu hesitated, unsure whether to go with him. Of course, she knew Ding Xun's purpose in asking her to go to his house. He planned to have Xie Huai pay her and he would deliver the goods, and then the two of them would run away. However... she hadn't discussed it with Xie Huai yet and didn't know how he would cooperate with her.

Ding Xun pushed Xiao Mu with one hand and Xie Huai with the other, saying impatiently, "Let's go, you two, what are you hesitating for? You'll see when you get to my house."