One of the passers-by

Seeing the little buns from the Wei and Jin Dynasties coming to visit, Xue Yan hurriedly took out rock candies, yogurt candies and fruit candies that he made in his spare time during the Chinese New Year to entertain the little guests.

Most children like sweet food, and Wei Jin is no exception.Holding a small plate of candy and not letting go, Princess Pingyang looked at Wei Jin's little look of wanting to stuff her mouth full, and couldn't help persuading her: "Eat slowly, you can't eat too much, or you will have a toothache at night." gone."

Xue Yan also said with a smile: "I can only eat two yuan, and I want my brother to pack the rest for you to take back."

After finishing speaking, he picked out a piece of grape-flavored toffee from the small plate and handed it to Wei Ziqi, and said with a smile, "Try a piece, too. Eat a piece of candy during the Chinese New Year, and it will be sweet all year round."

Wei Ziqi hated sweets at first, but what Xue Yan said was very good, and there was a teacher and his wife smiling at him, Wei Ziqi thanked him softly, took the candy from Xue Yan's hand, peeled off the coating and put it in his mouth.

I just feel a mellow and sweet milky fragrance filling my mouth instantly, the candies made by Duke of Wei are indeed much more delicious than those sold in the market outside.

And look at the icing again, the auspicious and festive words are printed on a small and exquisite piece of square paper, which is also very unique.

The Wei Jin little bun finished eating the two pieces of candy in his mouth, and was pressed by Princess Pingyang to brush his teeth and rinse his mouth.While brushing his teeth, Xiao Baozi still reluctantly looked at the small plate with candies on the food table, making everyone laugh again.

Wei Ziqi also smiled.

After chatting for a while, seeing that it was getting late, Wei Ziqi took Wei Jin to get up and leave.

Seeing off the two brothers Wei Ziqi, Princess Pingyang looked at the empty candy plate, smiled at Xue Yan and said, "On the fifteenth day of the first lunar month, the palace also has a banquet. At that time, I will present this candy to the queen and the princes. I like them too."

Xue Yan suddenly remembered something, and said with a smile: "Back when I dedicated the method of making sugar to the army of Youzhou, Xu Sanlang also said that he would speak for me, and half of the proceeds would be shared with me. Now it used to be so It's been a long time, and I don't know what's going on in Youzhou."

Princess Pingyang and Xue Ji looked at each other with a smile, and said, "Don't worry, our family will not let Yan'er suffer."

After a pause, Princess Pingyang laughed again: "When Yan'er mentioned it, I remembered that after this white sugar was sold in Youzhou, all the states in the world flocked to it. Since this sugar-making recipe was invented by Yan'er , we can’t call Youzhou to be more beautiful than before. Anyway, Auntie still has a few dowry shops in the eastern and western cities, and tomorrow we’ll make some white sugar, and then make some yogurt and fruit candies to sell in the shops.”

Xue Yan just smiled and said nothing.Even late at night, everyone went back to their rooms to rest without mentioning it.

When you look around, you will arrive at the Shangyuan Festival.Because there was no curfew in these three days, and there was a festival of lanterns, Chang'an City, which was originally empty at night, was extremely lively.It's a pity that the three of Xue's family will go to the palace for a banquet, and when they return from receiving the banquet, they don't know how much excitement will be left.

But when they arrived at the Lizheng Hall, the crown prince, King Wei and King Han were very satisfied with the candies brought by Xue's family.Princess Pingyang brought up the matter of selling sugar to Empress Wei again, and said with a smile: "The good things in this world make their men biased, and I don't like it. Although the court has laws not to compete with the people for profit, the way to make sugar is still Yan'er brought it up first. Before Yan'er, Da Chu didn't have this thing. I also heard that Yan Junji promised to share profits with Yan'er, but Youzhou has been selling sugar for more than half a year, but Yan'er doesn't even have a penny See……"

It just so happened that Emperor Yong'an entered the Lizheng Palace and heard the words of Princess Pingyang, he couldn't help laughing and said: "So there is such a thing, I have never heard of it."

Seeing the three princes sitting on the table eating sweets, and waving their hands to signal that they don't have to stand up to salute, Fang smiled and said, "Yan'er has figured out delicious food again? The sage has a cloud and never tires of food, so he speaks easily." It's Yan'er."

Everyone in the hall got up to pay respects to Emperor Yong'an, Princess Pingyang smiled and said: "Yan'er knows how to eat and is willing to share with others. This is Yan'er's generous character. But as parents and elders, we can't let the younger generation suffer. Your Majesty is The master of the world is also Yan'er's uncle, so he must make the decision for Yan'er."

Emperor Yong'an curled his lips disapprovingly, and said with a smile: "Of course the court will not allow talented people to be wronged. Since Yan Junji promised Yan'er to share the benefits, I will just ask him when I have time. I have always dealt with Youzhou affairs. Busy, and now it's the end of the new year, he doesn't know if he's too busy to forget."

Princess Pingyang just reminded Emperor Yong'an, seeing that Emperor Yong'an had agreed, she stopped talking.He just took out a few pieces of jute paper with the method of making sugar from his sleeve, handed it to Emperor Yong'an and said, "This is the method of making sugar. Through this method, sucrose with poor color becomes white as snow and sweet. Mild honey, the value of a catty of folk white sugar is consistent, it can be said to be a huge profit. Now that the imperial court has closed disasters one after another, and the treasury is empty, Yaner is willing to hand over the method of making sugar to the imperial court. Anyway, this thing has never existed since ancient times, and it is like salt and iron. The monopoly of the imperial court is not a competition for profit with the people."

Emperor Yong'an smiled when he heard the words, took a look at the jute paper in Princess Pingyang's hand, smiled and said to Xue Yan: "Yan'er is so generous, how should uncle reward you?"

Xue Yan sat upright and replied with a smile: "Your Majesty has already rewarded it. From the sixth-rank Qianniu Guard, if you count it seriously, Yan'er took advantage."

Emperor Yong'an laughed loudly when he heard the words, nodded Xue Yan and said with a smile: "This is the first time I heard that credit can be counted in this way. But I don't want to be nagged by your mother, since Yan Junji I promise to share the profits with you, and my uncle can't treat you poorly..."

Emperor Yong'an groaned, Princess Pingyang looked at Xue Yan, and said casually: "Since the white sugar of the people is always worth a catty, then Yan'er will take one in a thousand. If the imperial court sells a catty of white sugar, just give Yan'er a penny." .What does His Majesty think?"

Princess Pingyang's suggestion is beyond the calculation of Emperor Yong'an.According to Emperor Yong'an's own thinking, he was not prepared to treat his family so lightly.Empress Wei also felt that this method was inappropriate.

Unexpectedly, Xue Yan himself was very satisfied, and said, "This idea is really good. Although this prescription was created by Yan'er, Yan'er doesn't care about the follow-up matters, and he can make money every day lying on the bed."

Princess Pingyang also laughed and said: "Your Majesty, don't think that this penny is very little, and the sand will form a tower, and armpits will become fur. I just hope that Your Majesty will not be distressed when the time comes."

Emperor Yong'an himself was frugal and simple, but he was willing to reward ministers who had meritorious service.Hearing what Princess Pingyang said, he didn't take it seriously.It's just that I still feel that it's too mean, and it's not too much to give Xue Yan [-]% of what should be given.However, Princess Pingyang and Xue Yan tried their best to persuade them, but in the end they decided to choose one in a thousand.

Since Emperor Yong'an had benefited from Xue Yan, he really mentioned the matter of sharing when Yan Junji resumed his post and returned to Youzhou.Yan Jun is the general manager of the Hebei Road Marching Army, so he naturally doesn't care about trivial matters.However, I heard that Xue Yan offered the imperial court a one-in-a-thousand price, but he wanted to share half of the profit when he got here, and he was very unhappy.Although Xue Yan was only given the three or four months' dividends in the first year of Yong'an as promised, he finally felt like he was being taken advantage of.

After Xue Yan got this part of the dividend, he didn't keep it for himself.Instead, it was donated to Anjifang managed by Empress Wei and Princess Pingyang.The censor Xu Yan brought food and grass to Guanzhong to help the victims, and he also wanted to redeem their sold children and prepare a place for them to live. Every penny more money and silk can do more things.

After the news came out, the ruling and opposition parties praised Xue Yan for his kindness and kindness.Some people even praised Yan Jun for making a promise.It's a pity that these words were extremely harsh to Yan Junji's ears.

But these are things for later, let's not mention them for now.

Besides, after the banquet given by the palace on the Shangyuan Festival, not only Xue Yan, but even Prince Wei Wang and others clamored to see the lanterns outside.

Before Emperor Yong'an ascended the throne, he was also a person who liked to go hunting and join in the fun.After ascension to the throne, due to the boredom of the palace rules and regulations Zu Ji was bored in the palace, it was rare to meet such a day of universal celebration, and he was happy to disguise himself and go outside to be lively.

What's more, there is Xue Yan who is afraid of chaos in the world to follow along. "Your Majesty has a noble status. He sits in the temple and listens to the affairs of the world, all of which come from other people's mouths. From the books, the words of the family are always biased. After all, it is better to experience the people's sufferings through private visits. Your Majesty's painstaking efforts for the sake of the common people in the world really amaze me."

When Emperor Yong'an heard the words, he stroked the beautifully trimmed mustache on his face with his hands, and felt that the word "private visit in micro-service" was really well used, which made him feel deeply.In the future, if there is another counselor admonishing him not to leave the palace at will, he can use these words to prevaricate.

As the son of heaven, if he only sits high in the temple and is in a secluded palace, but he doesn't even understand how the people under his rule live, what is the meaning of wood carving and clay sculpture?How can you be arbitrary and make the right decision?

Xue Yan also realized for the first time that he still had the talent to be a jester.

After this incident, one monarch and one minister knew themselves better.

But what Xue Yan didn't expect was that Emperor Yong'an wanted to go out of the palace in a low-clothes, and he brought not only the queen and prince, but also concubine Yang.Looking at Emperor Yong'an, who embraced the blessings of Qi people, and Aye, who has no other maid except A Niang since he got married, Xue Yan felt that he understood something.

A group of people put on their clothes and left the palace in a carriage.Except for a few palace eunuchs who were personal attendants, there were still many guards disguised and mixed in the crowd.It was the first time for Xue Yan to see the Shangyuan Lantern Festival in the Dachu Dynasty, but seeing thousands of lanterns converging in the Milky Way, fragrant BMWs and carved cars all over the road, crowds of pedestrians, tourists like weaving, the sound of phoenix flutes, and the chatter of people talking, the grand occasion was indeed unbelievable. Describe what happens with pen and ink.

It was said that it was a lantern viewing, but Princess Pingyang and Xue Ji basically focused their attention on Xue Yan.Two pairs of four eyes followed Xue Yan's movements and walked and stopped, staring intently.Xue Yan's heart was moved, and he simply took the hands of his parents from left to right, and said with a smile: "Yan'er has grown up, and he will not get lost again. Even if he gets lost, he can find a home by himself. Ah Don't worry, Yea Niang."

Before he finished speaking, he felt a sudden bump in front of him, so strong that Xue Yan couldn't help but take two steps back, subconsciously let go of his hands and hugged the person in front of him.

The child in front of him was about five or six years old, with a delicate and lovely appearance, but his brows were full of arrogance.Before Xue Yan could speak, the child in front of him yelled "Let me go" angrily.I heard someone shouting loudly in front of me: "Twelve Lords, Twelve Lords..."

When the visitors squeezed past the shoulder-to-shoulder tourists, Xue Yan saw clearly that the two were wearing green clothes and hats, obviously they were the servants of everyone.The servant must have recognized Princess Pingyang and Xue Ji, so he hurriedly bowed and said, "The young one is a servant of the Zuo servant She Peiji's family. He has met Duke Wei and Princess Princess Xue, and he has seen Prince Xue. This is the tenth son of my family." Erlang-jun, my lord has been loved by my master since he was a child, if there is any offense, please take it into account that my lord is still young, and don't blame him."

Princess Pingyang smiled, and said: "I don't care about such a small child. But he bumped into my Yan'er and beat and kicked him. The child is young and not polite. I will meet with you some other day." The Prime Minister of the family said that's all."

The servant's face froze when he heard the words.Wei Guogong Xue Ji waved his hands and said, "Forget it, just a spoiled child. But you two took the little master out to watch the lanterns, but let him run around in the street, it's not good."

Xue Yan was lost at the Lantern Festival during the Lantern Festival back then, and Xue Yan still had lingering fears about it.Therefore, seeing the servants of the Pei family taking care of the little master so carelessly, one can't help feeling the same.

The two servants were said to have repeatedly bowed their bodies to make amends, and one of them wanted to step forward and hug the Twelfth Prince of the Pei family.In the end, he was beaten up by the twelve princes of the Pei family, and ran away while taking advantage of the chaos.

Seeing this, the two servants wanted to cry more and more without tears.He hurriedly bowed his body to bid farewell to Pingyang and the two, and hurriedly chased after them.

Seeing this, Princess Pingyang frowned, turned her head and touched Xue Yan's body cautiously, and asked, "Does it hurt?"

"It's okay, how old is he, how could he break me." Xue Yan comforted Princess Pingyang, who seemed to be in more pain than him, and said with a smile: "I have never seen such a lively lantern festival before. There are also lantern riddles, shall we go and have a look?"

When Princess Pingyang heard the words, she hurriedly responded with a smile: "Of course. I haven't seen lantern riddles for many years."

As a result, a family of three stood in front of the lantern stand. Neither Princess Pingyang, who was usually witty and quick-witted, nor Xue Yan, who had read the booklet of lantern riddles, could guess a single lantern riddle.On the contrary, Xue Ji, who used to be taciturn, guessed right, and within a stick of incense, he had already won the treasures of the lantern stall for both mother and son—a thousand-petal white lotus lantern and a lifelike lantern. The horse who wants to give birth steps on the flying swallow lantern.

Then he threw down the money for the lamp before the stall owner cried and begged for mercy, and left with his wife and daughter.

Xue Yan looked at his own Aye with a look of admiration, and said, "Aye is so talented, Yan'er can't even guess it?"

Princess Pingyang also smiled and said, "My husband is so good. He is worthy of being a Confucian general with both civil and military skills."

Xue Ji still looked indifferent to fame and wealth, only the tips of his ears were slightly red.

Because there was not much to eat at the night banquet in the palace, Xue Yan felt a little hungry after wandering around the lanterns for a while.A family of three went to the food stall at the end of the long street and ordered three bowls of glutinous rice balls.After eating warmly, I am satisfied and go home.

The second day was the sixteenth day of the first lunar month, because everyone enjoyed themselves last night, they woke up a little later this morning.As a result, not long after waking up, I learned from the servant who went out to buy that the twelve princes of Zuo Pu and Pei Ji's family had gone missing at the Shangyuan Lantern Festival last night.The two servants did not flee in fear of the crime, and went back to the mansion to receive the punishment after they could not find Lord Twelve Lang. They were shot and beaten to death by the left servant in a rage.

Afterwards, all the male servants of the Pei family were mobilized, and Pei Ji also entered the palace overnight to ask His Majesty to close the city gate to help search. He almost searched the entire Chang'an city, but still did not find any news of Twelve Lords.

Everyone in the Xue family was shocked when they heard the words, Xue Yan hurriedly said: "But that brat I met last night?"

Although Princess Pingyang didn't know what Xiongzi meant, she understood Xue Yan's words, nodded and said, "That's right. It's him."

Xue Yan's face sank when he heard the words.Everyone in the Xue family thought of the bitter life of Xue Ji and his wife after Xue Yan disappeared, and they all sighed.

After dinner in silence.Xue Yan ordered his maidservant to fetch carbon sticks from the kitchen, then shut himself in the study and tinkered for half a day, then came out with a stack of jute paper with portraits on it and said, "Look, Ma'am, do I look like you?" ?”

Princess Pingyang looked at the lifelike portrait in her hand in amazement, and said, "It looks like it was printed in a mold. Where is the painting method? How can it be so similar?"

How many prop masters can't draw?

Xue Yan responded with a smile: "I learned from the master, and I forgot the specific painting method. As long as it is like, it is fine. It is a pity that this carbon strip is easy to be wiped off, but it is better than nothing."

Xue Ji nodded, and said: "Send some of these portraits to Pei's residence, and take some of them to the street to spread them out so that they will know. Since Zuo Pushe entered the palace and asked His Majesty to close the city gate, the Twelve Lords must be Still in the city. Regardless of being abducted or taken in by kind people, seeing the portraits on the paintings, you must know that the imperial court will not let it go."

Everyone in the Xue family applauded when they heard the words.Only Princess Pingyang scolded these black-hearted traffickers bitterly.So he sent the servants at home to help find someone.Although Wei Guogong and Pingyang Princess couldn't understand Pei Ji's relying on his contacts to stir up troubles in the court, but the child was innocent, and the parents were innocent. Xue Ji and his wife had felt such heart-wrenching pain, and they couldn't bear to see others doing the same .

Before Pei Ji entered the palace last night, he ordered his nephew to bring his name card to the mansion of the princes and marquises he had made friends with for help, asking them to help find someone.But he has always been at odds with the Duke of Wei and the old ministers of Prince Qing's mansion, he did not expect that the Duke of Wei would take the initiative to help, let alone Xue Yan had such a skillful painter, he was very moved.

He hurriedly asked his servants to attach the portrait of Twelve Lords to the notice and take it out for posting.In front of the city gate, in front of the square gate, in the east and west cities with a lot of people... I also saw the servants of the Duke of Wei's mansion holding portraits to share with the crowd, and they were busy imitating the actions of the Duke of Wei's mansion. Tell the people in Chang'an that anyone who provides clues will be rewarded.

Under the large-scale publicity and heavy rewards, within three or two hours, the news really came.