Chapter 101 Is This Sister Your Wife?

Spring has passed and it is now March.

In this season of lush grass and flying orioles, the sunrise is already very early. Before the beginning of the morning, dawn has already cut through the long night, reflecting a hint of paleness on the horizon.

The news of the bad guys entering Liang a month ago had long been drowned out in the market. At this moment, in the prosperous and splendid capital of Bianliang with hundreds of thousands of households, a new storm has been stirred up, which has not subsided yet and has intensified.

In the tavern beside the street, storytellers had already started clapping their hands in the hall, creating the first noise of the morning.

"Today, I will talk about this recent rumor that has been widely circulated in the martial arts world..."

"Rouge Review."

There were not many drinkers in the hall, but they were only those who had the money to pay for the feast.

Some porters took advantage of the fact that the market had not yet opened and the canal had not yet been opened. At this time, groups of porters sat around the railings facing the street, wrapped in thin or torn spring clothes, posing in their own comfortable postures, and began to clamor to judge who was the real rouge judging champion.

There were a lot of trivial things going on among them, and everyone was holding a bowl of the cheapest morning tea, but it was still very lively.

Some of the paying drinkers frowned in dissatisfaction, but because they didn't want to be distracted and miss the storyteller's comments, they had to endure it.

"The Rouge Review is a list compiled by Anle Pavilion in Luoyang, listing all the beauties in the world for the world to comment on." The storyteller took a sip of tea and continued with full energy: "It is rumored that the person who compiled the list was the bad guy Xiao Yan who has entered the court as an official. His former subordinate, the bad guy Tang, had traveled all over the Central Plains and outside the Great Wall and saw countless beauties, so there was this list for you to comment on."

"Now, there is only one person at the bottom of the list known to the world, and that is the Guanzhong singer, Yu Youshu, who was praised by the list composer as 'the voice that is the best in the world' and described as 'a branch of red flowers covered with dew and fragrance, but it's a pity that the spring breeze doesn't blow.'"

"A month ago, this woman was rewarded with tens of thousands of strings of cash for her song 'Water Melody', shocking the Western Capital overnight. Even the current Prince Jun was amazed by her as a fairy. However, as far as I know, the person who wrote the lyrics seems to be the bad guy Xiao Yan. I can't help but speculate, maybe there is some inside story behind it?"

"..."

The tavern was bustling with activity, and the spirits of the guests, both those who had just arrived and those who had come later, had already been raised to a very high level.

Seeing the rising sun, some people even gave up their first batch of goods and were reluctant to leave.

The second floor.

The faint morning light filtered through the window paper.

Xiao Yan held a cup of warm tea and let the sunlight shine on his face, revealing a warm countenance.

He was dressed in a blue shirt, a rhinoceros belt around his waist, and a black gauze hat on his head. He had no decorations on his body, but he looked elegant and graceful even when he sat there. It was probably because young ladies didn't often come to this tavern, otherwise there would have been some jokes about catching a son-in-law in the street.

Ji Ruxue was sitting on the opposite side, with her ears slightly curled up, but she listened to the storytelling downstairs without missing a word. But she no longer felt any sourness, but instead had some inexplicable emotions.

If I were to go into detail, it should be sweet...

Wasn’t the “Song of Water Melody”, which had become famous in Bianliang, written for her by the man opposite?

She turned her face to the side, not wanting to reveal her feelings, but from the side, one could see that her eyelashes were very long. Although her face was still cold, the girl's eyes were as gentle as water.

There were still two figures beside the table.

Yu Youshu put on her veil and whispered, "There are more than a hundred storytellers like this in the whole of Bianliang. They are everywhere, including wine shops and restaurants, and even brothels."

Duan Chengtian held a toothpick in his mouth and added, "According to your instructions, I didn't use Zhu Youzhen's method to slowly distance yourself from him."

"How's the effect?"

"It should be good." Duan Chengtian scratched the back of his head habitually and said, "My fake mother specially hired a painter. As soon as the portrait of Xiaoyu was spread, crude imitations were already circulated in Quxiang. Word of mouth spread very widely. After all, it is a new thing, and everyone wants to try something new."

"In that case, we can start preparing for the opening of Anle Pavilion."

Xiao Yan smiled and said, "I have asked my fake mother to buy a house near the Daxiangguo Temple. The location there is excellent. It faces the Bian River to the south and the palace to the north. There are crowds of people everywhere, so there is no need to worry about lack of business. Young lady, it won't be long before you show up again."

"I will only obey the captain's orders." Yu Youshu's face was hidden behind the veil, but a smile could still be seen on her face.

"Don't call me Captain anymore from now on," Xiao Yan waved his hand and said, "I am now the seventh-rank officer of the Left Thousand Bull Guards. I should get used to addressing you by your official title from now on."

On the side, Ji Ruxue snorted softly.

She was still a little uncomfortable with being called "young girl", but now she has gotten used to it.

There are endless beautiful girls around Xiao Yan, as if he has some charm that others don't have, which can attract these women to subconsciously come to him.

Although she didn't want to admit it, in fact, she was also like this...

"What are my plans?" Duan Chengtian interrupted, "I've been in Bianliang for half a month and I have nothing to do. Why don't you let me open a tofu stall here?"

Xiao Yan narrowed his eyes and smiled, saying, "Old Duan, don't worry. I have a lot of use for you and your little apprentice."

"Xiaobei, at this age, do you have plans?"

Duan Chengtian seemed a little surprised.

"Just wait." Xiao Yan comforted him, and then he said thoughtfully: "It won't be long before I have to go to Hebei. By then, the operation here will be handed over to you."

This had already been planned in advance. Duan Chengtian had no objection, but he was a little worried. Luo Xiaobei was only seven or eight years old. Wasn't it too early for him to go out into the world?

Thinking of this, he became a little worried.

It seems that it is time to intensify Luo Xiaobei's training.

Xiao Yan didn't know what he was thinking, so he smiled and asked, "Do you have any questions?"

"Have."

Yu Youshu said softly, "Anle Pavilion is about to open, but the stir-fried dishes that Changshi mentioned have not yet been made. Shouldn't we prepare in advance? Otherwise, if the store is not well-known by then, why would Changshi launch the 'take-out' service?"

"Don't worry, I'm ready." Xiao Yan rubbed his palms and said with a smile: "Someone will promote it for me later."

------

Xiao Yan lived in a small courtyard near Nanxun Gate, which he rented.

In this world, there are wars everywhere. In other places there may be no crowing of roosters for thousands of miles, but in Bianliang, which has been peaceful for more than ten years, the people have gathered in hundreds of thousands.

Bianliang was not as big a capital as Luoyang or Chang'an, and its streets and alleys were much narrower. Even for high-ranking officials, it was difficult to find a place to build a large mansion.

However, if Xiao Yan really wanted to live in such a wealthy mansion, not to mention buying it himself, he could just go through Zhu Youzhen and Zhu Hanbin's connections and find him a manor with endless fields and clouds outside the city.

But now he is a lone minister.

A former bad guy of the Tang Dynasty who luckily survived the stranglehold of the Xuanming Sect. Although he was introduced into the Liang court by Zhu Youzhen, he must deliberately draw a line between himself and Zhu Youzhen.

Only because he had no support or backing in the court and was appointed as an official only on the basis of his merit of offering advice, he would not be suspected by Zhu Wen and would be gradually reused.

Compared with those old ministers who had made many military achievements and had a lot of prestige in the court and the country, he was a lone minister who had not made any achievements but seemed to have some ability, and was appreciated and trusted by Zhu Wen.

……

After entering the courtyard, they saw a carrier pigeon that had landed on the stone table in the courtyard at some point, and was looking at the two of them with its head tilted.

Ji Ruxue stepped forward and took off the letter box from the pigeon's foot.

"The two saints have already gone to various places to build business roads as you wished." She crumpled up the letter and said, "Hundreds of fine horses have also been sent to Caozhou and received by your subordinate called 'Fu An'."

"I already know about this." Xiao Yan stepped into the courtyard, combing the down on the pigeon's head with his hands, and reminded: "Remember to send a message to Miao Chengtian. She still needs to manage Anle Pavilion for me for a while. After all, Yu Youshu is not experienced enough to take charge."

"Is it urgent?"

Ji Ruxue asked this, but she had already walked back to the house to get out the pen and ink.

"It's not a bad thing to prepare early."

Xiao Yan sat at the table, watching the girl concentrating on writing carefully on the letter paper, and couldn't help but chuckle.

"Thank you for your hard work. I have to keep you here as a messenger."

Ji Ruxue gently brushed the hair away from her ears, pursed her lips but said nothing.

But she rolled her eyes at him before she stood up, then went to feed the pigeons.

Xiao Yan couldn't help but smile faintly.

The weather in March is full of spring.

There is a locust tree planted in the yard. Although there are no flowers among the treetops, it seems to be filled with the fragrance of flowers.

But the quiet moment did not last long, and there was a knock on the door. Ji Ruxue squatted beside the birdcage, turned her head, and was about to get up.

Xiao Yan waved his hand to her, then walked over and opened the gate.

Outside the door, a very refined half-grown child, wearing cloth shoes and with his sleeves rolled up, was waiting with a serious face.

As soon as he saw the person coming, his master's words rang in his mind.

"Tian Anxing is over seven feet tall, handsome, and no more than twenty years old. He looks a little thin. You can recognize him at a glance. Remember, don't call him the captain, but the chief clerk..."

Thinking of this, he saluted with his fists clasped in a very serious manner.

"Chief historian."

"Are you Luo Xiaobei?"

Luo Xiaobei looked up in surprise, unable to believe that Xiao Yan knew his name.

But it was only for a moment, and he pretended to be serious again, and said meticulously like an adult: "It is Xiaobei, the iron pot that the chief clerk wants, and the master has already cast it!"

Xiao Yan couldn't help but smile and invited him in.

"Wait a moment, I'll pack some things and you can go get the pot."

Luo Xiaobei had long begged Duan Chengtian to tell him the story of the Bad Guys. In his eyes, his master was already a very serious and powerful person, and the Tian Anxing in front of him was an even more extraordinary figure, as even his master had to listen to his arrangements.

Xiao Yan invited him into his house, and he was already extremely excited, but he had to be even more serious, following behind him, acting like an expert.

"Xue'er, where did you put the official robe that you helped me wash two days ago?"

"I'll get it for you."

Ji Ruxue stood up from the birdcage, her ponytail swaying gently as she moved. Her slender yet not weak figure showed her youthfulness in the sunlight.

However, her face was cold as she walked into the room, and she didn't even seem to notice Luo Xiaobei in the yard.

The latter was already stunned.

He could no longer maintain his serious expression and stammered, "Master, is this sister your wife?..."

At the table, Xiao Yan choked on his tea and coughed a few times.

Ji Ruxue, who had just come out of the room, froze in her tracks, then walked out calmly and handed the wrapped light green official robe to Xiao Yan.

"Don't spill your ointment on it. It's hard to wash off."

…………

Palace, bedroom.

Zhu Wen panted and got off the couch tiredly.

A palace maid came forward as usual and wiped the sweat off his face.

"Go away."

The fat on Zhu Wen's face shook, and he glared with his tiger eyes and said, "I'm not tired yet!"

A lazy voice came from the back, "Your Majesty, do you want to play again?"

"Wait a minute, I still have some state affairs to deal with." Zhu Wen put on his clothes with a stern face and called the eunuch outside: "Is Yang Shihou waiting?"

"Your Majesty, Yang Taibao entered the palace half an hour ago."

Zhu Wen nodded in satisfaction, but his stomach suddenly started to rumble. "Forget it, let Yang Shihou have lunch with me first."

The eunuch outside responded and left.

A figure swayed on the couch behind, and a seductive woman stood up, "Your Majesty, do you want to take me to dinner?"

"I have a military discussion with Yang Shihou. What are you, a woman, doing here?"

Zhu Wen had a cold face and was about to leave.

The woman behind him frowned in dissatisfaction, but she hid it very well.

However, at this moment, another eunuch outside reported respectfully: "Your Majesty, Xiao Yan, the chief of the Left Thousand Bull Guards, requests to enter the palace for an audience."

Zhu Wen frowned and opened the palace door, only to see that the eunuch was a eunuch who always served by his side. However, it seemed that he had only been by his side for the past two years. He could not quite remember his name, only that his surname seemed to be Ding?

But he was too lazy to think about it, and just scolded him casually: "He is just a small official. Does he really think that he can see me anytime just because he has made some contributions? Why is the matter in Hebei so urgent? Let him go back and wait!"

Ding Zhaopu laughed dryly upon hearing this, and whispered, "This time, Xiao Changshi is not concerned about the affairs of Hebei. He claims that he wants to present a delicacy to Your Majesty..."

"Delicacy? What delicacy have I not eaten?"

"Xiao Changshi said that it is called 'cooking'."

Zhu Wen sneered when he heard this, "It's not like I haven't eaten such crude food in the military camp. Is there anything delicious about it?"

"Xiao Changshi said that he is willing to guarantee his future. Your Majesty will definitely like this dish."

Zhu Wen narrowed his eyes slightly and finally showed some interest.

"Allow him to enter the palace."

Behind them, the seductive woman came over in a thin shirt and said coquettishly, "Zhen Niang also wants to taste this delicacy..."

At this point, Zhu Wen had lost interest in discussing military matters, so he agreed and said, "Call Yang Shihou to the palace to taste this dish together."

Ding Zhaopu breathed a sigh of relief when he heard this and bowed down.

……

A moment later, Zhu Wen saw Xiao Yan and an iron pot held by a eunuch in a side hall.

The former showed a slightly curious look, but mostly disdain.

Iron pots are actually quite common in the army. They are durable and easy to preserve during marches, and are often used for cooking.

At the side, the tall Yang Shihou, dressed in purple official robes, said nothing.

Zhang Zhenniang sat beside Zhu Wen in a very seductive manner. In fact, she was not interested in the iron pot or cooking. Although she was presented to Zhu Wen by the Hades, she was also the Hades' strongest spy in the palace. This time, seeing that Zhu Wen was going to discuss matters with Yang Shihou, she wanted to find a chance to follow.

She was still feeling a little lazy, but when she saw Xiao Yan, who was wearing a light green official robe and a fu hat, bowing and walking in, her eyes lit up slightly.

The young man in front of me had a handsome face and clear facial features. He was a first-class handsome man. Just a casual glance at him made my heart tremble.

"Your Majesty, this young man can also cook?" Zhang Zhenniang didn't dare to look at him any longer and just giggled.

"Wait for him to go to the kitchen." Zhu Wen said with a serious face.

Even so, when Xiao Yan left, the palace maids had already handed over plates of various steamed, boiled, and baked dishes for the three people in the hall to taste.

Not long after, Ding Zhaopu bent down and entered the hall, saying softly, "Your Highness, the dishes are ready."

Zhu Wen responded indifferently.

After a while, two plates of greasy dishes were brought in.

The three people in the hall sniffed subconsciously.

Zhu Wen's face changed slightly.

A palace maid came forward to taste the food for him and was also extremely shocked.

"Bring it here quickly for Your Majesty to taste." Zhang Zhenniang called out with a sweet smile.

Zhu Wen glanced at Xiao Yan, who was waiting at the door with a respectful look on his face, picked up the chopsticks, put the food into his mouth, and his beard moved as he chewed it carefully twice.

The next moment, there was a sound of someone slamming the table.

"Heavy reward!"

(End of this chapter)