Chapter 98 Entering Beijing
A ray of morning light broke through the darkness, sprinkling on the towering green-tiled roof of Anle Pavilion, reflecting a touch of golden color.

Ji Ruxue was worried and couldn't sleep well most of the night. When dawn came, she quietly stepped out of the door and took a deep breath in the courtyard corridor to calm her mind. Fortunately, spring came early, and the sound of birds chirping in the morning light made her feel much calmer.

The banquet last night went on until very late, and almost half of the city was still awake. Just as Miao Chengtian told her later, even the Lantern Festival was probably not as lively as this.

She wanted to go to Xiao Yan's courtyard, but was inexplicably timid. After wandering around, she ended up at the front building.

There were still many servants in the lobby cleaning up the mess left behind at night. Clean water spread out and fell on the ground, splashing dense water stains, but also washing away the dirt on the floor.

Ji Ruxue couldn't help but stop in front of the stage.

Next to her, two maids holding basins of water lowered their heads and began to scrub, and their surprised and envious whispers reached her ears.

"Did you hear them say that last night, as soon as Madam Yu came on stage, she received over 100,000 strings of cash in reward money. 100,000 strings of cash, that's a lot of money that you can't spend in hundreds of years, right?"

"Why is it only 100,000 strings of cash? The Prince of Jun, Zhu Youzhen, alone gave 99,000 strings of cash. The other guests' tips combined probably amounted to tens of thousands of strings of cash. That's more than the rest of the people combined."

"The Oiran..." Someone raised his head in envy: "I'm afraid Madam Yu's name has spread all over Luoyang, right?"

"Of course, those other brothels and bars also said that we were trying to cheat. Look at the scene last night, and the song sung by Lady Yu, who can beat it?" Another maid said this, and sang a few lines casually, and then said: "I heard that someone wanted to spend a hundred coins to listen to Lady Yu sing again last night, but Lady Yu refused."

Below, Ji Ruxue, who had just been calm, became confused again.

She subconsciously wanted to grasp the sword, but then she remembered that Xiao Yan had not compensated her yet.

At this time, the two maids looked up and noticed Ji Ruxue, who had been standing aside for a long time and looked a little cold.

"This girl, who are you?"

There were too many servants, page boys, maids, various managers, dancers, etc. in Anle Pavilion. Although they were not familiar with most of them, they had met them a few times, but they were extremely unfamiliar with the girl in front of them.

Ji Ruxue came back to her senses, and then clasped her fists apologetically: "I was just wandering here, not intending to eavesdrop on your conversation."

"That's not a problem. The key point is that Anle Pavilion is not welcoming guests today. Did you go to the wrong place, young lady?"

Ji Ruxue was stunned, not knowing how to explain. She was just staying here for a while, so what identity should she assume?

She hesitated for a long time and whispered, "I..."

At this time, a gentle laugh came from the side: "This girl is my good friend. Let's get to know each other more in the future. Don't recognize the wrong person."

She was startled for a moment and turned her head, only to see Xiao Yan, who was wearing an off-white shirt and had walked to her side without her noticing.

Looking at his expression, he was full of energy and not at all tired.

It looked like he had slept peacefully all night.

Ji Ruxue turned sideways and pursed her lips.

Behind Xiao Yan, the madam waved her round fan with a smile and called out to the stewards, servants, and boys in the hall: "Everyone, look here. From now on, the owner of our Anle Pavilion is this young man. From now on, Anle Pavilion is named Xiao. If anyone recognizes the wrong person, I will not show mercy!"

Everyone bowed at the same time.

"Hello, my dear."

Xiao Yan just smiled faintly and raised his hand, then signaled the madam: "Fake mother, go up and make the announcement."

The madam responded happily, then climbed onto the platform with a piece of paper in her hand, fanning herself with a round fan and speaking with a smile on her face.

"Yesterday's 'Spring Banquet' was the work of my husband, and he was particularly satisfied with everyone's performance. Starting today, Anle Pavilion will..." She looked at the paper, paused, and said, "Starting today, Anle Pavilion will begin its transformation. Everything will remain basically the same, and we will add cooking and take-out services to supply the whole city."

Everyone was stunned for a moment, and then some people started buzzing.

Although they were surprised that Xiao Yan was too young, they were more curious about this "cooking" and takeout.

"Be quiet."

The madam pressed down her fan with her hand and frowned, and the hall really became quiet.

She then bowed awkwardly to Xiao Yan, then cleared her throat and said loudly: "At the same time, Anle Pavilion will also open a branch in Bianliang, also providing cooking and take-out services. Next, I will arrange for staff to go there, so you don't have to worry."

This is undoubtedly another unexpected piece of news, but after careful consideration, it seems reasonable.

Although Luoyang has been stable for many years, it has suffered many wars after all. How can it compare with Bianzhou, the capital of Daliang? It seems that this overly young boss has great ambitions.

"Finally, it was Young Master's idea. He took into consideration that Anle Pavilion has been around for a long time, and many people are old people. They have sold most of their lives to Anle Pavilion. From now on, those who have worked for Anle Pavilion for more than 20 years will be returned to their original owners. If anyone wants to leave, Young Master will not only not stop them, but will also give them some resettlement expenses. For those who stay, their salaries will increase by 100%! For those who have not worked for 20 years, regardless of their status, their salaries will increase by 50%!"

"From now on, anyone who has reached the age limit can have their slave contract revoked!"

If everyone had previously been indifferent to the matter, until this moment, everyone was stunned for a moment.

Even those managers who didn't know the news beforehand were a little stunned, and then they looked at each other.

Under the high platform, Xiao Yan turned around and came over.

He put one hand behind his back and put the other hand on his chest, smiling faintly, "I, Xiao, will keep my word once it is spoken. The promise I made to you today will stand for as long as Anle Pavilion still exists, no matter how many years pass."

He was not standing on a high platform, but his voice was sonorous and powerful, and more convincing than if he were standing on the platform.

At the very back, someone stood on tiptoe, wanting to see what the new owner looked like.

But everyone cheered.

"From now on, I will only serve you, my lord!"

"May you live a long life, my dear. I will work for Anle Pavilion for another hundred years!"

……

On the wooden tablet in the middle of the lobby, several names have been engraved in gilded regular script.

The one who ranked first on the list was the financial sponsor Zhu Youzhen.

He was very supportive yesterday, spending more than 100,000 strings of cash in total, worthy of the title of "gold master".

No matter what his intentions are, since he wants to be the emperor, just give it to him.

……

Outside the door of Anle Pavilion, a long convoy has begun loading boxes.

All kinds of jewels and boxes of copper coins were being lifted up continuously, shocking passers-by.

At the door, Ji Ruxue frowned and tilted her head to ask, "Why do you want to take these to Bianliang?"

"Horse shops, grain shops..." Xiao Yan stroked his chin and looked at her, "Have you heard of money shops?"

"?"

Ji Ruxue shook her head.

Xiao Yan smiled calmly, not in a hurry to explain, but said: "This is still a small amount of money, and more needs to be shipped to Bianliang in several batches."

After saying that, he suddenly smiled, leaned over slightly and whispered: "Now, you won't have to worry about having no money anymore."

His breath fanned on the strands of hair beside her ear. Ji Ruxue tilted her cheek to the side, and she remembered the time when they had no money in Huizhou half a year ago.

"You have done so much in Luoyang, why do you have to go to Bianliang?"

"If I don't go there, how can I be an official?" Xiao Yan smiled and said, "If I don't be an official, how can I be your umbrella of protection?"

Ji Ruxue wanted to lower her head, but when she heard this, she couldn't help but smile inexplicably.

Then, she looked around and bravely moved closer to them.

"Just now, why did you say that we were friends?"

“Isn’t it?” The girl was anxious, gritted her teeth, and whispered: “Then you said yesterday that you would give me that poem!?”

Xiao Yan was stunned: "What word?"

"It's the song 'May we live long and share the beauty of the moon even though we are thousands miles apart'..." Ji Ruxue blurted it out without even thinking.

But immediately, she saw a bright smile on Xiao Yan's face.

"you!"

Ji Ruxue couldn't help but feel angry and ashamed, her cheeks puffed up. She wanted to step hard on Xiao Yan's instep, but she couldn't bear to do so. She could only stand beside him like a piece of wood, unwilling to be outdone.

She would not be like other little girls who would stomp their feet and run away timidly.

There is no reason for her to give up on something she has made up her mind!
Just as she was cursing Xiao Yan a hundred times in her heart, Ji Ruxue suddenly froze.

Beside her, Xiao Yan's hand suddenly reached out and gently rested on her shoulders.

The girl bit her lips lightly, not daring to move.

The young man just looked ahead, not knowing what to say for a moment.

Both of them stood there in silence for a long time.

Outside the door, a group of bad guys turned their heads together and awkwardly arranged their mounts, but they were secretly glancing at each other and occasionally smiling in a way that everyone understood.

But immediately, someone suddenly pulled them apart in the middle.

Xiao Yan's eyes twitched and he turned his head to look.

But I saw a man with smoky makeup approaching.

It was Shangguan Yunque.

He seemed a little hesitant, as if he had something to hide.

Behind him, Ji Ruxue clenched her fists tightly and gritted her teeth secretly. But before she could knock out the opponent, Shangguan Yunque pushed her away a little, "Go away, I have to discuss important matters with my Xiao Lang, you little girl, stay away from me."

Then, he finally rubbed the corner of his clothes and lowered his voice shyly.

"Xiao Lang, now that I have failed the task assigned to me by the Marshal, I dare not go back like this. I thought about it all night last night and decided to follow you. Maybe I won't be punished by the Marshal when I go back. I just like to stay with young people like you. It's so energetic, isn't it?"

He deliberately guarded against Ji Ruxue behind him, and used his inner strength to block out the sound: "These women in Huanyinfang have never been good people. It's better to take me with you than to take them. Look at me, my taste..."

On the opposite side, Xiao Yan smiled faintly and grabbed his arm.

Shangguan Yunque was a little shy, and wanted to touch his chest with her orchid fingers: "Hate it, there are so many people here, and you still touch me for no reason... well..."

Before he could finish his words, Xiao Yan exerted force with one hand and threw him over his shoulder in an instant.

A dull sound of something hitting the ground was heard. Xiao Yan patted the non-existent dust on his palms, then straightened his clothes, waved to the group of bad guys in the convoy, and spoke with an indifferent expression.

"Let's go to Beijing."

Everyone looked relieved and got on their horses one after another.

"Let's go, let's go to Beijing!"

At the back, Miao Chengtian and Xuan Jingtian, who had wanted to come out a long time ago but were hiding behind and watching Ji Ruxue and the other two getting close, cheered secretly and chuckled as they took Ji Ruxue's hand.

"Sister Xue'er, let's go."

The latter smiled, looked at the figure in front of him who had already climbed onto the horse, and followed.

The convoy moved slowly.

Behind him, Shangguan Yunque rubbed his aching butt, not even bothering to brush off the dust on his body, and chased after him.

"Hey, wait for me..."

…………

At the tofu stall, Duan Chengtian sold the last piece of tofu and then closed the stall.

The vendor nearby asked with a laugh.

"Shopkeeper Duan, I haven't seen you for a while. How come you have time to set up your stall today?"

Duan Chengtian scratched the back of his head and chuckled, "Let's have some fun."

The vendor laughed so hard that he fell backwards and laughed, "Can people like us still make a living by selling tofu?"

"Of course it's enjoyable." Duan Chengtian smiled, and then suddenly said: "Before, you always wanted to cheat me of this secret recipe, today I will tell you."

The vendor was stunned for a moment, "Why are you telling me?"

"I'm afraid I won't be back for a long time."

"what?"

Duan Chengtian ignored the vendor's surprise and took out a piece of paper from his pocket and handed it over: "Follow the instructions above, and your tofu will definitely be good."

“This, this, this…” The vendor was so shocked that he didn’t dare to take it. But after a moment of panic, he wiped his hands on his clothes and took it excitedly.

He saw with his own eyes how Duan Chengtian, with his skill in making tofu, went from being a poor man to buying a small house and raising an apprentice...

Duan Chengtian sighed with relief and turned back.

"Old Duan, are you really quitting?"

"I'm quitting. I'm going back to my old job."

However, he paused, scratched his head and said, "If there is a way, keep this stall for me... Well, it doesn't matter if I don't keep it."

After saying that, he no longer had any scruples and turned and left.

He had a sturdy figure, but disappeared around the corner in the blink of an eye.

The peddler scratched his face, inexplicably feeling that Old Duan, who seemed to be bullied by anyone on a daily basis, seemed to have some past that should not be underestimated.

……

In the small house, Luo Xiaobei, who was no more than ten years old, struggled to carry a wooden box and put it in his backpack.

"Master, why don't we stay in Luoyang?"

“To do something new.”

"Where?"

"Bianliang."

“Are you still selling tofu?”

"No." Duan Chengtian sheathed the shiny Tang sword, his fat face looking a little serious: "This time, Master will teach you something else."

Luo Xiaobei was stunned at first, and then surprised.

"What is it?"

"Killing skills."

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(End of this chapter)