Win her favor

It was already past 3:45 PM when Xie Zhuo came out of Xie Heshan's study. Before the formal banquet, Xie Zhuo went to pay his respects to his father and mother.

"You've lost so much weight." Zuo Murui felt extremely sorry for her.

Prince Duan, Xie Chi, said calmly, "How can one be a good general if one is not a good soldier? He is going to the army to gain experience, not to enjoy himself. As a son of the Xie family, he must undergo trials..."

Xie Zhuo initially trained as a soldier in the elite cavalry for three months. Because of his outstanding performance, he didn't get much experience as a soldier. So Xie Heshan used his connections to arrange for him to be a deputy general under General Luo Zhenhai.

Many people were not convinced by this semi-parachuted deputy general, so every few days someone would challenge Xie Zhuo to a duel. Naturally, Xie Zhuo always defeated them, and gradually, no one questioned him anymore.

Zuo Murui didn't want to listen to her husband's grand principles; all she cared about was her son.

Xie Chi continued to ask, "Did you learn anything in the Valiant Cavalry?"

Seeing Xie Chi's serious demeanor, Zuo Murui became displeased: "Huaiyan just got back and is exhausted. Can't we wait until tomorrow to talk about this?"

Xie Zhuo's courtesy name was Huaiyan, and only close relatives would call him that.

When Xie Zhuo returned to his courtyard, the servants immediately prepared hot water for him to bathe in and changed him into clean clothes.

The days of traveling and rushing around made him fall asleep quickly.

Xie Zhuo woke up at the crack of dawn. He practiced martial arts in the courtyard for half an hour, then took a bath and washed up before going out.

At 9:00 AM, Xie Zhuo arrived at Wanxianglou, where Sun Lixuan was already waiting for him in a private room.

Sun Lixuan is the eldest son of the Rongguo Duke's Mansion and a good friend of Xie Zhuo. He wore a dark blue robe, his hair was tied up high, his eyebrows and eyes were handsome, and his expression was relaxed and indifferent, revealing an indescribable roguishness.

Upon seeing Xie Zhuo, Sun Lixuan stood up, picked up a wine glass from the table, and said, "A toast to General Xie!"

Xie Zhuo ignored his teasing, lifted the curtain and entered, sitting opposite him.

Sun Lixuan was two years older than Xie Zhuo and was currently serving as the Commander of the Imperial Guard. The Imperial Guard had the best information network in the entire capital. He recalled what had happened in the capital in recent days and then told Xie Zhuo about it in detail.

The son of the Minister of Revenue caused trouble in the street after drinking, injuring a passerby. This was witnessed by many people. The fact that a nobleman injured a poor person was quite sensational, as the rich and poor represented different social classes, leading to endless discussions in the streets and eventually reaching the palace.

When the emperor found out, he was furious and reprimanded the Minister of Revenue for failing to manage his household properly. He ordered the minister to stay home and reflect on his actions, and also fined him two months' salary.

The son of the Minister of Revenue was usually arrogant and domineering, and he just happened to run into trouble. As a result, his father was implicated and was both confined to his quarters and had his salary reduced. In the past, the emperor would have at most given him a few words of reprimand, but there would never have been such a severe punishment.

Xie Zhuo only learned from talking with Xie Heshan that there was a reason why his grandfather wanted him to cultivate both literary and martial arts from a young age. It turned out that the emperor had long been dissatisfied with the aristocratic families.

Xie Zhuo picked up his teacup, took a sip, and then briefly told Sun Lixuan about the outcome of his conversation with his grandfather.

Wise people know when to stop speaking.

Sun Lixuan understood and immediately stopped discussing current events.

Xie Zhuo took out a pure gold longevity lock from his pocket, "A gift for the Second Young Master."

Sun Lixuan recently welcomed his second son, and he beamed with joy, saying, "Then I'll thank the young master on behalf of my son!"

After saying that, he proudly presented a jar of wine.

"Huaiyan, you're in luck today. I've just acquired a jar of fine wine. I've never seen such pure liquor before..."

Once the topic of alcohol came up, Sun Lixuan started talking non-stop: "This Taibai wine is from out of town and is very hard to buy. I had to pull some strings to get two jars. I specially saved one jar for you to drink together when you come back."

Xie Zhuo felt the name "Taibai Wine" sounded familiar, but upon seeing the words "Taibai Wine" on the wine jar, he immediately understood.

It turns out that her wine has already been sold in the capital.

Xie Zhuo felt a little proud, but he didn't show it. Imagine a friend excitedly sharing something good with you, only for you to say you already drank it. Wouldn't that be a spoilsport?

"The wine is good, but you can't drink too much."

"Has Huaiyan also heard of Taibai Wine? This wine is not only mellow and strong in flavor, but also very potent."

Xie Zhuo smiled but didn't say anything.

After downing two glasses of wine, a warm sensation flowed from his throat to his stomach. Sun Lixuan's smile deepened, and he even joked with Xie Zhuo, "When does Huaiyan plan to get married?"

Upon hearing the word "marriage," he couldn't help but think of Fu Zhi Qiao. What if she became his wife...

Just thinking about it makes me happy.

Sun Lixuan was somewhat surprised that Xie Zhuo did not tell him to shut up as usual, but instead had a smile on his face.

Something's wrong!

Sun Lixuan raised an eyebrow and glanced at Xie Zhuo a few more times: "Huaiyan has someone he likes? Who is she?"

Xie Zhuo didn't answer. He coughed lightly and asked Sun Lixuan a question, "What kind of gift do you think would make a woman happy?"

Xie Zhuo had a reason for seeking advice from Sun Lixuan on this matter. As the eldest son of the Duke's mansion, Sun Lixuan was not only handsome and dashing, but also a well-known playboy in the capital! Before Xie Zhuo's marriage, he had many female confidantes throughout the capital, so asking him about matters of love and relationships was definitely the right thing to do!

"What...what did you just say?"

Sun Lixuan's eyes were filled with undisguised surprise. He stared blankly at Xie Zhuo as if he had been hit on the head with a stick. Surprise alone was not enough to express his shock; his eyes were practically bulging out of their sockets.

Did he hear that right? Xie Zhuo actually asked him how to win a woman's heart? Has the sun risen in the west?

"Tsk tsk, I never would have guessed that our young master would have this day."

"Stop joking." Xie Zhuo glanced at Sun Lixuan, who was trying not to laugh, and a hint of unease flashed across his face.

This was the first time Xie Zhuo had ever asked him how to win a girl's heart, and Sun Lixuan coughed while suppressing a laugh.

"Answer my question first, whose woman is she?" Sun Lixuan's mind immediately became active. "You've been fighting bandits for the past six months and haven't shown your face in the capital. Hmm, she shouldn't be a woman from the capital..."

Sun Lixuan was making his own guesses, acting as if he wouldn't be Sun if he didn't get Xie Zhuo to reveal his true thoughts.

Xie Zhuo said helplessly, "She is indeed not from the capital. Her family is from Qingzhou." As he spoke, he pointed to the wine jar, "The wine you are drinking is from her family."

What? Such delicious wine comes from Qingzhou, and it's even made by Xie Zhuo's sweetheart? But soon, Sun Lixuan realized: "She's from a merchant family?"

Xie Zhuo nodded.

"How did you get involved with a merchant's daughter?" Xie Zhuo actually came to ask him for advice because of a merchant's daughter. Sun Lixuan advised him, "Taking a merchant's daughter home as a concubine shouldn't be a problem, but if you have other ideas, you should give up as soon as possible!"

Xie Zhuo couldn't stand seeing Fu Zhi Qiao being belittled, and frowned: "Don't worry about it, just tell me the method."

"No, I can't tell you."

Sun Lixuan was in a dilemma. The relationship between the Duke's Mansion and the Prince Duan's Mansion had always been harmonious. If the Princess Duan found out that he had taught Xie Zhuo to win the favor of a merchant's daughter, he would not be able to have a moment of peace in the future.

"If you tell me, I can drink as much Taibaijiu as I want in the future."

Sun Lixuan: ...

How despicable! They actually tried to bribe him with alcohol.

"The Taibai wine you're drinking was brewed by her." Xie Zhuo gestured with his eyes. "Before I returned to the capital, she was still developing a new wine, which I heard was even better than Taibai wine."

Before Xie Zhuo could finish speaking, Sun Lixuan immediately said, "I didn't say I wouldn't teach you. Let's make it clear first, I want ten jars of wine as payment."

Xie Zhuo gave him a look that said, "You're too greedy."

"Five jars it is, it's settled then!"

Sun Lixuan pondered for a moment, then said in a serious tone, "When it comes to how to win a woman's heart, you've come to the right person. I'm afraid no one in the entire capital knows better than me. First, you have to be attentive and considerate to her; second, you have to be thick-skinned and know how to say sweet words."

"You absolutely mustn't feel embarrassed." Sun Lixuan stood up, walked to Xie Zhuo's side, and patted him on the shoulder. "If you want to make a woman happy, all you have to do is buy her some nice clothes and jewelry, and say a few sweet words. It's that simple!"

"real?"

Xie Zhuo was somewhat skeptical. Could it really be that simple?

"Of course! I have a wife and children by my side, and my family is perfect. Don't you believe me?"

Of course I believe you, otherwise I wouldn't have asked you.

On the way back to the Prince's mansion, Xie Zhuo walked alone, leading his horse. His mind was filled with Sun Lixuan's words: to be considerate and attentive, to know how to say sweet words, and to buy her jewelry to make her happy...

I happened to pass by a jewelry shop, and the three large characters "Cuijin Pavilion" on the signboard shone brightly in the sunlight, attracting a lot of attention.

Cuijing Pavilion is a favorite haunt of noblewomen in the capital.

Don't ask Xie Zhuo how she knows; most of her mother's and sister's jewelry came from here.

Inside the Cuijin Pavilion, Xie Zhuo flipped through the catalogue of patterns and jewelry designs presented by the maid.

The maid asked, "Young master, is there anyone you fancy?"

Xie Zhuo frowned and asked, "Is that all?"

The booklet contained only ordinary bracelets and hairpins, which Xie Zhuo found too tacky and unworthy of Fu Zhi Qiao's temperament. He was used to seeing nice things, and these items were not worthy of his attention.

The maid was somewhat embarrassed. All the jewelry in Cuijin Pavilion was exquisite. With such a thick book, could it be that this young master hadn't found a single piece he liked?

"What would you like to buy, young master?" The shopkeeper noticed Xie Zhuo. His imposing manner suggested he was a noble young master from some wealthy family. He then stole a glance at the jade pendant at Xie Zhuo's waist. The jade was delicate and translucent, unlike any ordinary piece.

"What other good stuff do you have here? Show it to me."

The shopkeeper immediately had an idea and whispered something to the maid.

Soon, the maid brought up a brocade box.

"Young master, please look, this is our prized possession of the Cuijin Pavilion, a jade and gemstone lotus hairpin, a masterpiece by Master Cheng Rufeng." The shopkeeper's tone was quite proud.

Xie Zhuo took the hairpin out of the brocade box, and the shopkeeper next to him quickly reminded him, "Please, please be careful!"

The shopkeeper stared intently at the lotus hairpin in Xie Zhuo's hand. The hairpin was covered in jade and gemstones. What if he dropped it?

Xie Zhuo carefully examined the hairpin in his hand.

The hairpin is made of pure gold, with a blooming lotus flower at the head. Each petal is carved from jade, forming six layers of petals that are stacked and arranged in a staggered pattern. Below the petals, many tiny gold beads are fixed with gold thread, making it look just like a blooming lotus flower. A thumb-sized pink gemstone is set in the lotus seedpod, sparkling with dazzling light, giving the entire hairpin a three-dimensional beauty.

Using jade petals as a base, gold beads and gemstones are inlaid on it, making it exquisite, eye-catching, and ingenious. It is truly a masterpiece, perfectly showcasing the spatial sense of lotus petals.

It truly deserves the title of the store's prized possession.

"How much?"

"Three thousand taels."

Xie Zhuo remained silent.

Most of the jewelry in Cuijinge is priced at tens or hundreds of taels, and hairpins priced at over a thousand taels are rare.

The shopkeeper looked at Xie Zhuo with a nervous expression, "This hairpin was personally crafted by Master Cheng Rufeng. It's the only one of its kind in the world, and it's worth the price. Look at the gemstones on it..."

"wrap up."

"Huh?" The shopkeeper was clearly taken aback for a moment, then bowed with a fawning smile: "Okay, okay!"

This young master was indeed a big customer, the shopkeeper thought to himself with a smug grin. He had brought out the hairpin precisely because of the young master's extraordinary presence, and his judgment had never been wrong.

Seeing that Xie Zhuo spent money so readily, the shopkeeper enthusiastically recommended, "Young master, would you like to buy anything else? The quality of our products is absolutely top-notch..."

Xie Zhuo found him annoying and gave him a dismissive glance.

The shopkeeper immediately fell silent: "Young master, please wait!"