The mountain has trees, and the trees have branches. One two nine face each other.

  Zhang Yan was stunned, lowering her head to look down because she had just run too hastily, the yellow silk long gown hadn't covered the opening of her clothes well, revealing the white undergarment inside, and a glimpse of snow-white delicate skin could be seen through the thin fabric.

  She gave a slight smile and turned back to adjust her long gown, asking, "Has Your Majesty waited for too long? Let them serve the meal."

  In autumn and winter, it is advisable to nourish the spleen and stomach. Finely chop the carefully selected lamb meat and cook it with Astragalus, glutinous rice, jujube, and ginger until it's done, making a lamb white soup. Also, red braised mandarin fish, stewed mountain yam, crispy stir-fried fragrant taro, all of these dishes are delicious and nutritious food that supplements the body.

  After finishing his meal, Emperor Liu Yong sighed and said, "No wonder I always love to come to the Pepper Chamber. The food here is much better than in other parts of the palace."

  Zhang Yan smiled and poured him a cup of clear tea, handing it over and saying, "Your Majesty can drink a cup of tea first, then praise me again."

  The winter tea soup is clear and bright, with a refreshing bitter taste. Liu Ying savored a mouthful, hugging the cup to warm her hands. The crisp autumn rain pattered against the roof of the palace, producing a tinkling sound. Inside the Pepper Chamber, however, it was warm and fragrant, like another world altogether. He listened intently for a while, then suddenly recalled past events and laughed, "When you were young, Ah Yan, you didn't like drinking tea congee, I thought you were peculiar. Now that I've accompanied you in drinking this pure tea for so long, I realize you had your reasons."

  Zhang Yan wrinkled her nose and smiled, "Tea is originally fragrant, but if it's covered up by the flavors of millet, ginger, and garlic, it's really a pity. In those days when I was in Xuanping, I had a friend who couldn't get used to drinking clear tea no matter what. After being taught by her, after entering the palace, I was afraid that Your Majesty wouldn't be accustomed to it either. From then on, both clear tea and tea congee were always prepared at the same time in the Zhengfang Hall."

  "When I first drank clear tea, I was indeed not satisfied." Liu Xiang smiled and said, "But now that I've drunk it for a long time, I find the tea porridge too greasy, not as pleasant as clear tea. From now on... hmm... there's no need to cook tea porridge in the Pepper Chamber anymore."

  Zhang Yan's eyes lit up, and she smiled and bowed, saying, "Your servant obeys."

  Everyone has some inherent things deeply rooted in their body, such as habits, tastes, and concepts. However, that's not unchangeable. She spent half a year to make Liu Ying like pure tea and give up congee with tea. So, how long will it take for him to gradually get used to her being his wife instead of his former niece?

  Indeed, the latter is much more difficult than the former.

  But as long as there is a start, there will always be hope, and one day we will see the dawn, won't we?

  She smiled and said, "Today I went to listen to Dr. Mao Hen's lecture on poetry. Dr. Mao is naturally very knowledgeable, but I always feel that the Book of Songs is just a collection of folk songs passed down from before Qin times, which indeed contains some veiled criticisms of current events. However, it's not necessary to force every poem into those grand theories."

  "Oh?" Liu Yingjiu asked with interest. "These days, you've been studying at the Imperial Academy, how does it feel?"

  "Every doctor is famous all over the world, and naturally has a broad knowledge." Zhang Yan smiled and said, "Many places where I didn't understand when I read books before, after listening to their lectures, suddenly became clear and interesting." Liu Ying looked at her spirited expression, as if thinking, "A Yan, it seems that you are very happy to go to Tai Xue to study."

  "Uh-huh." Zhang Yan nodded lightly, her eyes shining brightly. "These students are all very young, the doctor's knowledge is profound, and his academic style is rigorous but progressive. Everyone gathers together to study, and I feel that my mind has naturally become clear and transparent."

  She suddenly had an idea, "It would be great if Your Majesty could also attend Tai Xue."

  "If I have any doubts, it would be better to directly summon the scholars for inquiry." Liu Ying didn't think much of it and shook his head, "Why bother with the Imperial Academy?"

  "You just don't get it." She sighed, couldn't help but straighten up, leaned over the table between them, and made a gesture of pulling his cheeks. "Your Majesty, I've known you since childhood, and you've always been so serious and stubborn. The fun of studying isn't about the knowledge itself, but about the process of seeking it together. Coming and going, competing with each other, that's what makes it interesting."

  "Hu nao." He pushed her hand away and asked, "A Yan seems to have a good impression of those Tai students. Can't these days be considered not bad?"

  She was taken aback and asked, "Uncle, why are you asking this?"

  "Is there?"

  She shook her head, "Is Uncle trying to find out which students are exceptionally good and can be used?" Thinking she had found an explanation, she replied, "Unfortunately, I come and go in a hurry each time, without having the time to get acquainted with them. Even if I had the time, it's not good to talk too much with strange men."

  Because she lowered her head, she didn't see Liu's quiet and strange gaze at her.

  He smiled and said, "I just hope you're a little happier. Since the affairs of this palace are all taken care of, there's no need for you as empress to be busy with anything. You can spend more time outside the palace if you want, it doesn't matter. There's just one thing." He reminded her, "Make sure to bring more guards to protect yourself."

  "Mm." She responded with a smile, her eyebrows curved.

  The sky was getting darker, and the rain outside was getting heavier. Zhang Yan got up and asked, "It's raining so heavily, it won't be convenient for Your Majesty to go anywhere else, why not stay in the Pepper Chamber tonight?"

  Liu Ying hesitated for a moment.

  For half a year, he didn't dare to treat her too well, nor did he dare to treat her badly. He could only deliberately keep his distance, and since Ah Yan was growing up gradually, he had even more concerns.

  In his mind, he thought it was time for him to leave. But in reality, he couldn't bear to part with the time spent with A Yan in their secret chamber.

  In the Weiyang Palace, there were not many concubines, but neither were they few. Some were gentle, some beautiful, some elegant and refined, some deeply emotional. As they came and went, each had their own charm. However, during the early Han dynasty, martial arts were valued over literature, and the laws of Qin had only recently been abolished. Few men could read books, let alone women. Those who couldn't read were limited in their outlook, and their conversations were merely a means to gain favor. Few could understand others' thoughts and intentions, or engage in discussions about the world while sipping tea under the lamp. There was only one Ah Yan.

  He looked up and saw Zhang Yan's diligent waiting eyes, and nodded involuntarily.

  Zhang Yan smiled.

  That smile was as clear and bright as the autumn night's moonlight, beautiful and heart-calming. Liu Ying initially had some regrets, but upon seeing such a smile, he felt that it was worth it after all.

  The way of literature and martial arts lies in relaxation and tension. Pursuing emotions and love is also the same. Since being severely stimulated by Liu Ying half a year ago, Zhang Yan has been cautious with every step, careful with her words and actions. She didn't let Liu Ying detect her ulterior motives. Leaving Liu Ying to struggle alone for a while. Observing her demeanor, she once again confirmed that the incident that night was just an accident, and gradually put her mind at ease.

  The palace maid waited on the emperor and empress to wash and dress, then separately attended to their beds inside and outside the screen. Then she added a stick of incense and blew out the candles in the inner hall.

  The pepper house was a piece of floating night color. Although he didn't see the person, nor did he hear his voice, but because he knew that he was very close to himself. Zhang Yan felt sweet and at ease, the air had a sweet taste, and slept extremely soundly.

  On the second day, Zhang Yan took out the "Four Peoples' Monthly Orders" that Xu Xiang had handed over to her the previous day. After reading it carefully, she couldn't help but laugh, "Xu Xiang is indeed a scholar at heart."

  "It's a farming book, so it should be as easy to understand as possible, but he still insists on using four-character and six-character phrases - who does he think can understand that?"

  Then he called for ink and brush, took up the pen and dipped it in, and made some notes on the paper.

  Looking at her with concern, he couldn't help but speak up, "Your Majesty, it's not proper for the Emperor and Empress to privately confer with each other. Even if Xu Jizong is your trusted aide, this is not right. This can only happen once. If there's anything else in the future, please ask Xu Jizong to go through Zhang Jian."

  "It's just a coincidence that we met on the street, nothing more." Zhang Yan smiled carelessly, suddenly feeling playful. Suddenly, she poked Xie You's forehead with her finger and laughed, "Xie You, don't take it so seriously either."

  Jie You jumped in fright. She took a step back, wiped away the ink stains on her face, and tried to smile but held it back. Sighing, she said: "Your Majesty, you are a talented and virtuous woman, a true gem among ladies. As your elegance grows with each passing year, do you know that countless young men's gazes will follow you? That Xu Xiang, she too had seen her several times, and every time she looked at Empress Zhang's gaze, it was clearly a hidden admiration.

  But she looked at the clever but naive queen who was surprisingly gullible in this matter, and swallowed her words. Sometimes, not knowing might be better.

  Half a month later, the former Suo Duiwei Xu Xiang compiled and published "Four People's Monthly Order", which was quietly released in Chang'an.

  In the midst of studying, several students from Taixue held "Simin Yue Ling" to review it. One student named Yan Zhuo said, "Xu Jiu's agricultural book has a poetic style similar to the 'Feng' section of the 'Seven Months' in the Book of Songs, and reading it is quite enjoyable."

  "It's fine, but it's just a farming book." Ge Meng said disdainfully, "Confucius despised farmers, and yet Xun Si allowed his student to spend effort writing a farming book, which is really degrading."

  "This is not right." Yan Zhuo shook his head and said, "Two years ago, Your Majesty issued an order that farmers are the foundation of the world. He Yang Hou, as Your Majesty's uncle, personally tilled the land himself. This 'Four Peoples' Monthly Order' determines the farming time for the world, in harmony with the 'Lv Shi Spring and Autumn' 'Ren Di', 'Bian Shi' and other chapters, greatly benefiting the world. We cannot take it lightly."

  "Zhang Meng." He keenly spotted the young man in a dark robe who had just entered the Imperial Academy, and hastily called out, "In two days' time is the Chongyang Festival. The Imperial Academy will be closed for one day, we plan to go on an outing by the Wei River, would you like to come along?"

  Zhang Yan hesitated for a moment.

  Although she was really unfamiliar with these people, as a classmate, being too proud and isolated wasn't a good thing. Moreover, some days ago, her uncle had urged her to interact more with others.

  He nodded and said, "In that case, obedience is better than respect."

  On Chongyang Festival, Liu Ying went to Changle Palace with Empress Lü for a noon meal to celebrate the festival. Zhang Yan changed into men's clothing and went out.

  Upon arriving at the Wei River, everyone had already been playing for a while. Zhang Yan apologized, "Sorry, there was an elder in my family who came to celebrate the festival, which delayed me."

  Yan Zhuo smiled and said, "It doesn't matter. We are all outsiders in the capital, without any relatives here, but we can't compare to Brother Zhang's good fortune."

  Zhang Yan pursed her lips and smiled, thinking that this person was quite gentle and amiable.

  Many people in the Taixue had long been curious about Zhang Yan, who was young and noble, but she came and went alone every day and didn't dare to ask her. Today, there was a good opportunity, and someone immediately asked, "Zhang Mengxiong, may I ask how old you are this year?"

  She hesitated for a moment before answering, "After this month, I'll be fourteen."

  "He's only fourteen." The crowd was shocked. Every province had talented individuals who were recommended to the Imperial Academy, but no matter what, fourteen was still too young.

  "Cough." Yan Zhuo coughed and said, "We've been walking for so long, we're also tired. Why not find a restaurant to take a break?"

  In recent years, many new restaurants and wine houses have been opened along the Wei River. Sitting upstairs, one can enjoy the beautiful scenery of the Wei River. Business is booming. The students of Taixue didn't have much money in their pockets, so they chose a mid-range restaurant, went inside and upstairs, and raised their glasses to discuss literature together.

  Suddenly, a bright female voice came from downstairs, "Shopkeeper, find me a position upstairs by the window, bring some wine and dishes, we're waiting for someone." Then several footsteps sounded together as they stepped up to the floor. The eyes of the crowd in the restaurant looked at each other, all with some surprise. Zhang Yan was facing away from the stairs, couldn't help but curiously turn her head back, and exchanged a glance with the newcomer.

  Today is Mother's Day. Wish all mothers who read this a happy Mother's Day.

  Also reminding all of you book-loving children, don't forget to give a phone call or say it in person, "Happy Mother's Day."

  The gang continues to rob Pink.