Chapter 226

The next day, Fan Xiaoxiao got up very early.

Last night, Ji Yushu's letter made it clear that he could help him sell wine.

Moreover, he seemed to need a business deal as a cover, and Fan Xiaoxiao's letter solved his immediate problem.

Master Lu also went out early in the morning; he was going to the winery in Ginkgo Village to teach everyone how to make bottles. According to Ji Yushu's letter, their current demand had doubled. Therefore, the demand for bottles had also increased significantly.

The wheat used for brewing wine was just soaked a few days ago, and it will take a few more days for it to sprout.

Fan Xiaoxiao got up very early, but not to go to the winery. Instead, she went to Tianshan Town with Aunt Wang and Uncle Wang.

After several days of running their stall, business was booming. Mr. and Mrs. Wang were so busy that they had to hire two more people to help out: Hu San's wife and the village chief's wife.

Fan Xiaoxiao had personally inspected these two people and knew they were honest and upright individuals.

They usually walked from the village to the edge of the woods to wait for Uncle Wang and Aunt Wang's carriage to go to town together. Today, when they got on the carriage, they saw Fan Xiaoxiao inside, and the two of them showed a bit of curiosity on their faces.

"Oh? Miss Xiao? What brings you to town today?"

Tiger Three's wife was kind and warm-hearted, and she greeted Fan Xiaoxiao with a big smile.

"I have some business to attend to in town."

Fan Xiaoxiao gave her a faint smile and nodded as a greeting.

The carriage wasn't going very fast, but Dongshan wasn't far from Tianshan Town, and in a short while, the entrance to Tianshan Town came into view.

"Godmother, Godfather, you two keep busy here, I'm going to take care of some things!"

Fan Xiaoxiao jumped off the carriage with the things in her arms, waved to Uncle Wang and the others, and then hurriedly walked towards the mountain gate.

When they passed by Renle's camp, several soldiers recognized her. Because they often ate at her house, the soldiers were quite friendly when they saw her. Some even took the initiative to greet her.

"Isn't this Lady Xiao? Where are you headed?"

"I'm going to the Tianshan Mountain gate to exchange some things!"

Upon hearing that they were going to Tianshan, the soldiers immediately fell silent.

The tall man who guarded the town gate that day was also inside. Upon hearing Fan Xiaoxiao's words, his eyes darted around, and he stepped back.

Fan Xiaoxiao watched him leave out of the corner of her eye, then composed herself and hurried toward the Tianshan Mountain Gate.

Since the day the Celestial Venerable led his men down the mountain, Renle has relaxed his guard over this place considerably.

It was naturally not difficult for Fan Xiaoxiao to come and go from here.

Moreover, she used a legitimate reason.

However, sometimes, unexpected troubles will inevitably appear and hinder people's progress.

For example, a petty person.

"My lord! It's this girl! She just said she was going to Tianshan on business!"

The tall man stood behind Ren Le's guard, winking and telling the guard about Fan Xiaoxiao's intentions. It was as if what Fan Xiaoxiao was about to do was something utterly wrong.

"Oh? Is that so, Lady Xiao?"

The guard narrowed his eyes, drawing out the last syllable as he looked at Fan Xiaoxiao, as if trying to see through her inner thoughts.

"Greetings, Your Excellency."

Fan Xiaoxiao didn't rush to explain anything; holding the things in her arms, she gave the guard a proper salute.

The guard raised an eyebrow, said nothing, but instead crossed his arms and slightly raised his chin as if to accept the greeting.

The tall man looked at Fan Xiaoxiao with a hint of resentment in his eyes.

If this girl had obediently prepared what they wanted for them that day, he wouldn't have had to punish Renle.

It should be noted that his family background was already insignificant in the military, and now he has become a laughing stock in the military.

Although he admitted that he was no match for Gu Chongtai in martial arts, she was, after all, just a young girl. Furthermore, given his recent efforts to curry favor with the guards, he refused to believe he couldn't teach her a lesson today.

"Lady Xiao, you haven't answered the guard's question yet!"

Fan Xiaoxiao smiled slightly, completely unconcerned by the tall man's sarcastic remarks. She stood up, her gaze falling on the two men's shoes.

He smiled calmly and replied, "My lord, I do indeed have some business to attend to in Tianshan!"

"My lord! See, see! I told you so!"

Upon hearing that Fan Xiaoxiao was going to Tianshan, the tall man's face revealed an almost manic excitement.

The guard frowned in disgust, shrank back slightly to avoid the tall man's flying spittle.

"I have ears! Can't I hear?"

The tall man blushed as he was scolded by the guard, then sheepishly responded before shrinking back.

But no matter how tall he was, he was still a member of the military. The guard cleared his throat and looked at Fan Xiaoxiao again: "The princess has ordered that commoners are not allowed to go to Tianshan. You must know that, Miss Xiao."

Fan Xiaoxiao was indeed unaware of this matter.

She raised her eyebrows slightly, revealing a surprised expression.

"I truly know nothing of this matter!"

After saying this, she showed a troubled expression: "However, I do have important business to attend to at Tianshan Gate."

After saying that, she took out two bottles of light beer.

"To be honest, one of the ingredients requires a plant from the Tianshan Mountains. We've already used up the ones we collected last time, so this time I was thinking of buying some more from the Tianshan Mountains. Otherwise, alas, the wine I promised the princess might be..."

"My lord! This must be that little wench's excuse!"

Before Fan Xiaoxiao could finish speaking, the tall man raised his eyebrows and glared at her fiercely, as if he wanted to devour her.

The guard glanced at the wine in Fan Xiaoxiao's arms. He had been present when Ren Le agreed to this matter that day, so he knew that Fan Xiaoxiao was not lying. He remained silent for a moment.

Just as the tall man thought the guard would definitely not let Fan Xiaoxiao pass, the guard took a step back. He stared at the guard's action in astonishment, and was about to speak when the guard glared at him fiercely. Then, the guard put on an arrogant and nonchalant expression and looked at Fan Xiaoxiao.

"So it was for brewing wine. Well then, madam, you should go ahead. But things aren't peaceful right now. Go back as soon as possible."

Fan Xiaoxiao thanked the other party repeatedly, and without even glancing at the tall man, walked towards the direction of Tianshan Gate.

Since the lockdown was lifted, disciples have once again taken up their posts here.

As luck would have it, the person guarding this place today is none other than that disciple named Fang Weng.

He knew about the Ghost Doctor and Gu Zhongtai's "kidnapping" of Xiahou some time ago, and his expression stiffened when he saw Fan Xiaoxiao arrive.

What are you doing here?

Fan Xiaoxiao ignored his unfriendly tone and smiled slightly at him.

"Young hero, I've come to deliver the wine I promised the Celestial Venerable not long ago, and I also need to exchange some yeast flowers."

She revealed the wine bottle in her arms. Fang Weng had naturally heard that Fan Xiaoxiao was brewing wine for the Heavenly Venerable. His expression softened slightly, and after thinking for a moment, he nodded to Fan Xiaoxiao, "In that case, you wait here while I inform him."

After saying that, he turned around and headed for the messenger pigeon.

But before he could write anything, he heard a series of rapid clanging sounds coming from the Tianshan Mountains.

Fang Weng's expression changed drastically, and he could barely hold the pen in his hand.

Fan Xiaoxiao stepped forward, somewhat puzzled: "What's wrong? What happened?"

Fang Weng, his eyes red, glanced at the bewildered Fan Xiaoxiao, while the surrounding disciples also looked flustered. He opened his mouth, his voice choked with emotion: "Heavenly Venerable..."

Fan Xiaoxiao was startled and reacted almost instantly.

Renle, you've made your move.

(End of this chapter)