Difficult for a son-in-law

Princess Wei sat on the couch, smiling and listening to Ruan's gentle and gentle words.

Ruan's voice is neither high nor low, with crooked eyes and a pear dimple on her cheek, she is beautiful and lovely, "I used to only hear from my brother that Yunnan is like spring all the year round, and it is pleasant to live in. I didn't believe it at first, but I thought it would be warm in winter and cool in summer. How can there be such a good place in the world. Only when you come here will you know it’s true. There are many flowers and trees here, and the house is fragrant without incense.”

Princess Wei nodded with a smile, "It's fine if you like it. Some habits of the imperial capital and Yunnan are different, especially when it comes to eating. I think you're getting thinner. If you're not used to Yunnan food, you don't have to force it. The cook in your yard has One is brought from the imperial capital, let them cook whatever they want to eat." Ruan touched her cheek and said with a smile, "I have had a bit of a bitter summer since I came here, and I get thinner every summer, mother, don't worry about me. Worry about the food, I think it’s also very good, like small snacks such as tamarind cakes and rose cakes are delicious, I like them very much.” “Ming Zhan also likes it.” Princess Wei patted Ruan’s hand, it seemed Ruan also put some thought into it.

Ruan Shi was a little shy, and said embarrassedly, "I also learned how to make dim sum once. I wanted to honor my mother, but my son tried it and told me to practice more."

Princess Wei laughed loudly, Ruan Shi said, "I'm still too stupid."

"It's enough if you have the heart." Princess Wei smiled, and turned to ask Nanny Tang, "Where did the prince eat his lunch?"

"Back to the princess, at noon the prince announced the lunch for the prince." "Go and ask, if the prince has no arrangements for the evening, I have prepared dishes he likes here."

Mrs. Ruan unconsciously tightened the handkerchief in her hand, Princess Wei smiled faintly, "Today I packed up the jewelry box and picked out some good things, and I gave a share to your fourth younger sister. Your third younger sister is in the imperial capital, and your second My sister never liked these things. There is another one for you. "

Ruan quickly got up to thank her, and Princess Wei smiled, "You can use whatever you like. I saw you liked pearls, jade and silk before, and you dressed up beautifully every time. After you got married, you became even more sober." "I, I feel that the prince doesn't like people with jewels all over their heads."

"Don't think too much, being full of jewels and being able to dress up are two different things," Princess Wei smiled, "If you want to talk about being clean, there is nothing more clean than the sisters-in-law in the nunnery, but which man do you see would like sister-in-law? You are young , don't lose yourself."

Ruan's face turned red, Princess Wei said softly, "It's getting late, you should go back and clean up, come and have dinner with me later."

Ruan saluted and retired, and left with the maids.

Ming Zhan heard that his mother was invited, so he naturally wanted to go.

He Yu whispered like a thief, "Master, I heard that Concubine Ruan went to the princess for a long time to be filial to the princess, and she was rewarded by the princess."

"Oh." Ming Zhan had the bottom line in his heart, and asked Fang Qing, "What do you think?"

"Master, you are still at Concubine Ruan's place five days ago, Concubine Ruan missed you." Fang Qing smiled.

He Yu interjected, "Perhaps Concubine Ruan suspects that you have another lover." Ming Zhan twitched the back of his head lightly, "A lover? What kind of lover? Do you think I am you? Those of you Put away the crap about hooking up with the little girl."

"How dare a servant compare with you, my son." He Yu said with a grin.

Ming Zhan accompanied his mother and little wife to eat. He was always considerate. He felt that Ruan Chensi came to Yunnan with him all the way. He was not familiar with the place of life. A little girl with dark eyes who was supposed to be a wife was not the main wife. It is quite difficult.

Ming Zhan took extra care of Ruan Chensi, ordered dishes for her several times, and said with concern, "I'm a bit busy these days, so if you come to talk to my mother when you have nothing to do, you're doing my filial piety for me."

Ruan Chensi is so happy that she is about to float away. In this era, women are inferior and pay attention to husbands and wives. Ming Zhan thinks about her like this, and Ruan Chensi's eyes are hot. It is Princess Wei who sees her son frequently taking care of his wife. , and felt a little uncomfortable.

After dinner, Princess Wei pushed the boat along, "I'm tired, you guys go to rest too." Ming Zhan hesitated for a moment, squeezed Ruan Chensi's hand, and said softly, "Chensi, you go back first, I have something to do with my mother. Say." He bowed his head and whispered something in Ruan Chensi's ear, Ruan Chensi blushed, saluted, and walked away shyly.

Princess Wei signaled, and Mother Tang quietly retreated with the maids.

"What's wrong?" Princess Wei thought for a while, "Did your father tell you something at noon?"

"Father wanted my eldest brother and third brother to help me, but I didn't agree." Ming Zhan said, "I want to go to Tibet."

"Isn't Zhu Zizheng gone?"

Princess Wei doesn't know much about political affairs, Feng Jingnan usually never tells her these things.Ming Zhan didn't have Feng Jingnan's worries at all, this was his own mother, and it was impossible for anyone who harmed Princess Wei to harm him.

What's more, Ming Zhan thinks his mother is quite wise, and often tells his mother about outside things.

Princess Wei is an extremely sensible woman, and sometimes she would give Ming Zhan some advice.

"I want to see it for myself."

"Ming Zhan, if I were you and wanted to go out for a walk, I shouldn't refuse Mingli and Minglian's affairs today," Princess Wei said a little funny, "If you don't save face for your father, how could he agree? Are you going to Tibet?"

"It's two different things." Ming Zhan said stiffly.

"Your father doesn't think so. Besides, there is no need to rush this matter." Princess Wei smiled, "Just as you imagined, just drag it on for a long time. The most important thing for you now is not the Yanzheng, the imperial capital and the government. Zhennan Wangfu is imminent. You have more important things to do."

Regarding this point, the mother and son are tacit, and Ming Zhan is still a little embarrassed that his mother sees through his little thoughts.Although he came from another era, after more than ten years of getting along, he did have a deep feeling for Princess Wei.Just like all children don’t want their parents to know their bad side, Ming Zhan smiled awkwardly and touched his head, “Mom, you are really well informed.”

"It's not very clever. You publicized the reform of the salt government and trade with the Tibetan border early on. In fact, this is a good idea. The salt merchants have money, and if they lose their livelihoods, they will cause trouble. Let them focus their energy and money. You have a good idea of ​​investing the money in the Tibet-border trade. It’s just that there is something leaked, do you know where it is?” Speaking of these things, Princess Wei’s usually indifferent face became a little more lively, With a smile in his eyes.

"Well," Ming Zhan pondered, "it's about taxes."

"That's right." Princess Wei handed a bird's nest to her son, and said warmly, "I remember hearing your grandfather talk about things outside when I was young. Yes. Because everyone looks down on merchants, the imperial court pays very little tax on them. For example, small merchants and hawkers outside do not need to collect taxes. Even those big merchants, the tax will not exceed half. You just open your mouth and ask for it. Collecting a tax of [-]% is unheard of in ancient and modern times, and the merchants will definitely panic."

"I didn't see any objection when I mentioned it to my father and the others?"

"Your status and status, as a subject, naturally won't make fun of you in front of you." Princess Wei said, "As for your father, what you want to collect is just a tax for Tibet-border trade. First of all, the scope is limited. , even if some businessmen are dissatisfied, they can’t cause a big storm; secondly, the Wangfu gave up the tea horse profit, and the loss is not small, so it is best to make up for it with tax money.”

There was a faint light in Princess Wei's eyes, and she said softly, "Furthermore, looking at the history books, no matter whether the reform is successful or not, this is an errand that offends others. It is naturally good for you to do it. Mingzhan, you and the imperial capital Being close is not a bad thing, but you have always had a mediocre relationship with your father, and it is normal for him to be afraid of you."

"Let me tell you, taking this opportunity, you need to repair your relationship with your father, which is more important than anything else."

Ming Zhan was discouraged first, and drank half a cup of bird's nest before saying, "I don't know why, but I just can't talk to him, and we can quarrel in just three and a half sentences."

Princess Wei smiled, "It's up to you to figure it out yourself, and I have nothing good to do."

"Mother, you can see that I want to procrastinate from the fact that I have to pay heavy taxes?" Ming Zhan became interested, "Tell me specifically, where I have exposed flaws, so I can correct it in the future."

"There is a saying that 'soldiers never tire of cheating'. You are not rigid. If you do this with sincerity, the tax issue can be raised later. When the salt merchants hand over the salt mines, they will enjoy the sweetness and want to keep going. When you finish eating, you can bring up the matter of taxation again." Princess Wei's face was lively, and seeing Ming Zhan showing shame, she even felt a kind of joy, "They are eating too much, and the tax of [-]% is a bit high, they have already If you have tasted the sweetness, if you ask for it, why would they not hand it in?"

Ming Zhan rubbed his chin, feeling a little worried, "If you can see it, then others must also see it."

"That's not necessarily true. I know you well, and you don't hide your secrets in front of me. I can guess one or two. Others, the authorities are obsessed." Princess Wei said calmly, "At your current age, this is the first time you are on a job. , some mistakes are not an exaggeration. Only when you are in trouble together can you understand the abilities of the people around you more clearly."

Ming Zhan almost admired this woman. Princess Wei seldom went out, and the information he revealed could restore the whole incident, and also touched Ming Zhan's narrow-mindedness. Ming Zhan praised, "Mother, You are really Zhuge reincarnated."

Princess Wei annoyed, "Stop being so talkative."

Ming Zhan put down the bowl and threw himself into his mother's arms, and said gruffly, "Then it seems that I won't be able to go to Tibet in a short time, and I really want to go and have a look."

Princess Wei stroked Ming Zhan's hair, and said in a gentle voice, "You have to understand your position, Ming Zhan. To be a superior, you don't need to do everything yourself. What is the use of so many subordinates? You just need to stay awake. Just learn how to use people. You have more important things."

"What's more important?"

"Yes. One thing that the kings of Zhennan have been doing all the time, to keep your status and power." Princess Wei said in a clear voice, "You can be distracted in the silver and salt class, but you have to keep your eyes on Zhennan at all times. On the palace, the Zhennan Palace is independent and powerful, so that we can have our current status. Other than that, there is no other major issue."

Ming Zhan seemed to understand something, but she didn't understand it very well. Princess Wei smiled, "Okay, I have nothing to tell you. Just take care of your errands slowly. Although you are busy, don't be too cold. , Is it a newlywed?"

"Oh, I'll go see her in a while." Ming Zhan admired again, and said to his mother, "Mom, I don't need to consult with Xiaofan and the others for anything in the future, they are not as clear as you."

"What a slacker," Princess Wei liked her son discussing things with her without any grievances, her eyes became softer, and she patted Ming Zhan's shoulder, "You should think about it yourself, I just lived decades longer than you , I have experienced a lot. When you were your age, you didn’t have the knowledge you have.”

"What's the matter, I'm out every day, and I've come into contact with a lot of things. Now it's hard for a woman to go out, mother, you are so thorough. If you are a man, you must be more capable than my father and king." Ming Zhan regretted endlessly Princess Wei laughed, "It's useless to say these things."

Ming Zhan clings to his mother and talks for a long time. He understands the loneliness of women in this era, and Princess Wei has such talent. She has a mediocre relationship with Feng Jingnan. Most of her life's emotions are pinned on Ming Zhan and Ming Qi. Ming Zhan has always been Caring, I will have breakfast with my mother every day, and if time permits, I will also accompany my mother for lunch and dinner.

Even Feng Jingnan has to admit that among the few good things about Ming Zhan, filial piety is one of them.

Although the object of Ming Zhan's filial piety has nothing to do with him, and Feng Jingnan often feels sour in his heart: This kid is deliberately going against me.