Chapter 7 Lou Chengyi

The joy that was clearly revealed on Zhang Yun's face after taking advantage made Wen Yao feel that this Lord Zhang was quite interesting.

Judging from Zhang Yun's appearance, he must be a civil official. According to the Tianshui Dynasty's custom, civil officials were expected to maintain a clean reputation. One wonders what they were like behind the scenes, but on the surface, they were indifferent to material possessions, eager to cast away worldly wealth, fearing that it would tarnish their elegant and refined character.

"Zhang Yun comes from a humble background. While everyone else at court enjoys calligraphy, painting, and flowers, he alone enjoys acquiring real estate and fertile land." Zhao Xuanxu glanced at Wen Yao's expression of interest in Zhang Yun, his heart slightly strained. Without a trace, he added, "However, he entered officialdom as the top scholar in the autumn imperial examination, and since entering the court, he hasn't relied on the Feng and Wang factions for his advancement. He is a man of deep scheming and cunning, and certainly not one of sentimentality."

"Number one scholar? A truly talented person." Wen Yao didn't pay any attention to Zhao Xuanxu's thoughts. "He came to tip you off. Are you cooperating?"

"Even if he doesn't join the Feng and Wang factions, he'll still need someone to rely on." Zhao Xuanxu said softly, "I have nothing to do with the fight for the throne. By joining my army and becoming a loyal subject, you can protect yourself."

Wen Yao had spent the past two days intensively studying the affairs of the Tianshui court, gradually becoming more adept. Hearing this, she immediately grasped the subtlety: "Oh, when you returned from Nanzhao, you had troops at your disposal, but no scholarly families were close to you. His close relationship with you could be considered an opening for you among the scholars."

"Yes." Zhao Xuanxu's eyes were all smiling: "Ayao is very smart."

"Huh." Wen Yao was not used to Zhao Xuanxu's habit of praising others all the time.

This person is just too polite and nostalgic.

Wen Yao looked at Zhao Xuanxu and felt deeply moved.

What a good person! Just for the few months they spent together in Nanzhao, she was given a high salary and good treatment.

Originally, she came to Bianliang just to repay Yan Cang for saving her life, but now Zhao Xuanxu treated her sincerely, and in return for his kindness, she could not just repay Yan Cang's kindness.

And if you think about it carefully, Zhao Xuanxu is only just over 15 years old. She could have given birth to him in her two lifetimes combined. Rounding it off, she is Zhao Xuanxu's elder. Since she doesn't plan to get married and have children in this era, perhaps Zhao Xuanxu is the younger generation with whom she has the closest relationship.

Thinking of this, Wen Yao changed his plan of leaving immediately after three years, and his eyes became kind as he looked at Zhao Xuanxu.

Okay, okay, my dear nephew, don’t be afraid. Your aunt will do her best to ensure that you survive the succession of the throne and return to Nanzhao to live a wealthy and prosperous prince.

She knew nothing and stared at Zhao Xuanxu for a long time.

Zhao Xuanxu tried to hold it in for a while, but couldn't anymore. His hands on his knees curled up and trembled slightly.

The two people were only a few feet apart, with different thoughts and no idea of ​​each other's thoughts, so they lived in peace.

Another day passed, and the time given by Lou Chengyi arrived. Zhao Xuanxu returned from court, and Wen Yao greeted him and prepared to go to Qiongyu Tower.

Zhao Xuanxu didn't ask her where she was going or who she was going to meet. He only asked if she had enough money and whether she would stay the night outside. He made sure that Wen Yao came back to rest, and then he reminded Wen Yao to be careful.

"Don't worry, don't worry. There are really not many people in the world who can beat me." Wen Yao patted Zhao Xuanxu's shoulder. Seeing the slightly embarrassed look and unnatural stiff movements on his face, he considerately withdrew his hand, praised his nephew for being shy and considerate in his heart, and then hurried to Qiong Yu Tower.

There are two towers in Bianliang that are famous throughout the world, one is Fan Tower and the other is Qiongyu Tower.

The former is known as the best restaurant in the world, offering delicacies from land and sea, dragon liver and phoenix marrow, and anything can be served as long as you can afford it. The latter is more elegant, with thousands of lights lit up, red sleeves waving in the air, music and music playing, and cups of wine worth a thousand gold.

For Wen Yao, the former is a restaurant opened by Chu Yutang; the latter is a bad place, owned by Lou Chengyi.

She left the palace, took off her mask, and walked to the Wufang Bridge on the Bian River. A row of black-sailed boats were parked at the dock. As soon as Wen Yaopu appeared, a clear and moving cry came from an inconspicuous boat on the shore: "Girl, come this way!"

Wen Yao looked over and saw the veiled girl who had brought her the wine that day, dressed in a nightgown, standing at the bow of the boat, waving at her with a smile. Someone nearby noticed the commotion and looked over, but Wen Yao, not wanting to draw attention to herself, wasted no time getting on board.

The two men entered the cabin and sat down. The boatman pushed the long pole and the boat began to sway along the Bian River towards the Qiong Yu Tower built across the river.

The girl took off her veil, her eyes were charming and full of smiles, and the plum blossom mark on her wrist was blazing and moving: "The girl is finally here."

Wen Yao: "Sorry to have kept you waiting for so long."

"I didn't wait long, but my master was anxious to see the young lady and kept sending people to urge her." She poured tea for Wen Yao and said softly, "Just call me Ning'er."

Wen Yao took the tea, called Ning'er to express his gratitude, and then turned to look at the swaying river view outside the window.

Their boat gradually separated from the merchant ships nearby, joining a fleet of even more opulent and luxurious pleasure boats. Slowly, countless exquisite river lanterns, their painted designs vibrant and vibrant, floated amidst the vibrant lights of the flower-filled streets on both sides.

Wen Yao looked at it for a while, then suddenly leaned out the window, picked up a river lantern and examined it carefully. She was surprised to find that the painting on the river lantern was mixed with gold powder, no wonder the color was so dazzling.

"Today is the banquet at the Qiongyu Tower, so naturally it's grand and lively." Ning'er's gorgeous face complemented the bustling and extravagant night scene. Seeing Wen Yao holding a river lantern, she assumed he appreciated these small items, so she leaned out of the boat, untied the long white whip tied around her waist, and with a twist of her wrist, she circled a large group of river lanterns around her.

The water waves surged, the lights intertwined and the golden light gathered beside me, just like the stars in the sky falling into the earth.

Like coaxing a child.

Wen Yao was dazzled by the wealth and felt helpless. He was about to tell Ning'er not to bother him when he suddenly heard a surprised cry in his ears.

"Miss Ning'er!" On the huge ship that was slowly approaching this side, a young man with a pile of servants behind him accidentally glanced across the river and unexpectedly met Ning'er.

He was stunned at first, then shouted in disbelief.

This cry, so loud and clear, instantly attracted a great deal of attention. The richly dressed dignitaries, all on their way to the Qiongyu Tower for the Cloud Banquet, couldn't help but look over at the noise, and a commotion began to rise on the various pleasure boats.

Ning'er smiled, blocking Wen Yao's way without leaving any trace, and whispered, "Miss, you like the river lanterns. Let's come back and see them. These people are so troublesome. It's not good to be pestered by them. Let's go first."

"Okay, okay." Wen Yao hadn't been interested in the lantern to begin with, so she was fine with it. She raised her palm and slapped the bottom of the boat, which didn't damage the hull at all, but only stirred up the water beneath it, pushing the small boat away for a long distance.

On the previous cruise ship, the man in tight clothes who had been sitting at the top with no change in expression suddenly threw down his wine glass, stood up, walked to the side of the boat with his hands behind his back, and stared straight at the small boat that was quickly leaving this section of the river.

After a while, Zhongli He turned around and asked the people around him, "Who is on that boat?"

"Brother Zhongli." The person being questioned was flattered. "Oh, that person on the boat is the manager of Qiongyu Tower, Miss Ning'er."

Zhongli He frowned: "A prostitute?"

"No, no," the man shook his head quickly. "Miss Ning'er is the maid of the owner of Qiongyu Tower. She usually takes care of the building when the owner is not around...Miss Ning'er's sword dance is world-renowned, and her beauty is breathtaking. Everyone who has been to Qiongyu Tower knows her. But it's strange. Today is the Cloud Banquet, and the building is bustling with activity. What is Miss Ning'er doing here on such a simple boat instead of hosting the event?"

Zhongli He was originally dragged to Laozi Qiongyu Tower by his good friend, and he was not in high spirits, but now he finally cheered up a bit.

That small boat just now... If he saw it correctly, someone must have slapped the water surface from across the boat and let it pass through with the air.

This guy must be very skilled in martial arts to be able to shoot a bull from across the mountain.

Could it be this Miss Ning'er?

If that's the case, this girl is quite talented. Making a living in a brothel is too depressing.

Zhongli He was born into a family of military commanders. He was a martial arts fanatic and a person who valued talent. As his thoughts raced, he made up his mind and said to the attendant behind him, "Go, make the boat go faster."

Wen Yao quickly forgot about this little river lantern episode.

The Qiong Yu Building was enormous. Two seven-story buildings, fluttering with red silk, stood on opposite sides of the Bian River, connected by a constant stream of pleasure boats. After the boat docked, Wen Yao followed Ning'er, avoiding the crowds, winding through winding paths, and finally entering the Qiong Yu Building, which resembled a fairyland palace, through a secluded gate.

After walking up a long flight of stairs and passing several hanging jeweled jade curtains, Lou Chengyi's drawn-out voice reached Wen Yao's ears.

"If you don't come soon, I'll finish the wine."

Wen Yao rolled her eyes and said angrily: "You invited me to drink, but you started drinking before I showed up?"

Ning'er smiled, walked forward and lifted the last curtain, and after Wen Yao came in, she led her men away.

Lou Chengyi lazily lay in a rocking chair, rocking slowly back and forth. In the vast, empty room, the lavender fragrance from the central incense burner slowly curled up and dissolved into the air, like a dream orchid.

He raised his eyelids, stared at Wen Yao who was walking towards him, and said directly: "Are you coming to Bianliang to help the King of Yan?"

Ouch.

Wen Yao was surprised: "How did you know?"

Lou Chengyi sneered, finally sitting up, picking up a jar of wine from the seven or eight jars piled beside his legs and throwing it to Wen Yao: "Do you think you are making little noise?"

"I don't think it's a big deal." Wen Yao was puzzled, then he became alert and pointed at Lou Chengyi: "Don't tell me you have someone planted with Zhao Xuanxu. I'm telling you, if you do, quickly remove them, okay?"

"You're protecting him." Lou Chengyi stood up and walked around Wen Yao, looking him up and down with a puzzled look: "Why?"

Hey, you still have the nerve to say that you know everything, but you only know half of the feelings.

Wen Yao was annoyed: "Returning a favor."

"What do you owe him that you're willing to come back from the frontier?" Lou Chengyi approached Wen Yao. He always lit wisteria incense, and as the distance closed, the faint cold fragrance enveloped Wen Yao. Lou Chengyi had one emerald green eye and deep, handsome eyebrows. Unlike the gentle features of the Central Plains people, his features were particularly sharp. "Well, no matter what the favor is, I'll pay it back for you. Get out of his place quickly."

"I want you to pay me back?" Wen Yao sniffed, feeling that he hadn't changed his ways. "All you do all day is light this crap incense of yours. It's killing me. Go away, go away!"

Lou Chengyi's brows furrowed even more tightly.

He looked at Wen Yao and took a step back, feeling that Wen Yao was unreasonable: "My spices are worth a fortune, and you actually said smoked?"