The clinic was packed with patients today, and Jiang Shuyue was busy all morning.
At noon, Qiuju took Yinqiao to the restaurant next door to pick up the food.
"Miss, Jiang Zhengming has been demoted again."
Qiuju put down the food box in her hand and eagerly repeated the news she had heard at the restaurant word for word.
"Miss, do you think the Emperor also finds him an eyesore and wants to help you get rid of him?"
Seeing that Jiang Shuyue remained silent, Qiuju spoke excitedly.
Jiang Shuyue shook her head: "I keep to myself and he don't interfere with each other. So what if we're both in the capital? He doesn't affect my life at all."
In Jiang Shuyue's heart, Jiang Zhengming was a stranger.
Seeing Qiuju's relieved expression, she picked up her chopsticks and said, "Don't talk about other people's affairs. Sit down and eat with us. There will be more patients coming in the afternoon."
Jiang Shuyue actually felt from the bottom of her heart that Xiao Jingzhao's decision was exactly what she wanted.
Out of sight, out of mind. Who knows what got into him that made him suddenly remember to come to the Jiang residence and cause trouble again.
...
Inside the Honglu Temple.
Nangong Zeyue idly flipped through a book about the etiquette and customs of the Liang Kingdom.
Finding the reading tedious, he would occasionally open the window to glance outside, only to see light snow falling, before pulling the window shut again and continuing to read.
Seeing that everyone was busy with their own things and it was still early, Nangong Zeyue didn't want to leave too early.
I poured myself a cup of hot tea, drank it, and then went to the bathroom.
Before I had even turned a third of the page, I heard footsteps approaching.
"Deputy Commander, what brings you here?"
Nangong Zeyue looked up and saw Xiang Yang walking straight towards him.
Xiang Yang sat down opposite Nangong Zeyue and said with a smile, "Since I have nothing to do today, I thought I'd like to visit the Court of State Ceremonial. Young Master Nangong, are you getting used to being the Director of the Court of State Ceremonial?"
Nangong Zeyue pushed the book in her hand over, looking disgusted, and said, "You'll know what it's like once you flip through a few pages."
Xiangyang took the book and carefully flipped through a few pages. Then he closed it and shook his head. "It's too wordy. It gives me a headache. I'd rather go practice swordsmanship in the snow."
"The one who knows me best is the Deputy Commander. To be honest, I almost fell asleep while reading all that. Those rules and etiquette are so obvious. What's the use of local customs? Why not let the ministers who are going on missions learn them? Why make things difficult for a mere errand boy like me?"
Nangong Zeyue had met Xiang Yang many times. They were both martial artists and got along quite well when they talked.
Once he starts talking, he can go on and on.
Xiangyang put down his book and gestured towards the next room with his chin, "They invited you to Juxian Pavilion for barbecue yesterday? How was it? Was it as delicious as they say?"
Nangong Zeyue: "..."
If he started praising Juxian Pavilion, he really wouldn't be sleepy anymore.
He went on and on, praising the restaurant's food and drinks at length.
Xiang Yang nodded repeatedly, "I've long heard of the delicious honey-roasted goose from Juxian Pavilion, but I've never tasted it before."
Seeing Xiang Yang looking at her meaningfully, Nangong Zeyue felt alarm bells ringing in her mind.
“Deputy Commander, don’t look at me. I have no money. I haven’t even received my first salary yet. I have servants and maids to support in my household. I’m also heavily in debt. I’m very poor.”
Xiang Yang suppressed a laugh and said, "I don't even know where to spend my salary. I finally have some free time today. Young Master Nangong, could you do me the honor of accompanying me to Juxian Pavilion to try something new?"
"Well, I... I wanted to go home as soon as possible."
I haven't seen her for two days, and I want to go home early today to have a drink with her.
Nangong Zeyue dared not say these words aloud, for Xiangyang was the emperor's confidant.
He knew perfectly well that he had been sent to the Court of State Ceremonial for no reason, and that the Emperor must have taken advantage of Yue Niang's favor to extend that favor to her.
He racked his brains to find a reason to shirk responsibility, but before he could figure it out, Xiangyang whirlwinded around to his side.
She grabbed his arm and started to walk out, saying, "Don't dawdle, you big man. You have no wife, children, or parents waiting for you at home. It's all so deserted. What's the point of going back? We two brothers must drink until we drop tonight."
Nangong Zeyue: "..." When did I become so intimate with him?
Before she could even react, Xiangyang had already dragged her out the door.
"Wait, my clothes are wrinkled. What about my dashing image?"
Nangong Zeyue shook off Xiangyang's hand and straightened her robe.
Nangong Zeyue thought to herself, "It's still early. If I can't refuse, I should go early and come back early. It would be good to go home, have a cup of tea with Yueniang, and chat for a while."
Xiang Yang acted as if he was afraid that Nangong Zeyue would run away when he wasn't paying attention.
Ignoring Nangong Zeyue's disgust, he reached out and hooked his arm around Nangong Zeyue's shoulder as they left the Honglu Temple.
The two arrived at the restaurant.
Hu Qing was overjoyed and personally led the two to a private room on the second floor.
"Brother Nangong, it's been so long since I last saw you. I've missed you dearly. I'll definitely have a couple of drinks with you later."
Before they even sat down, Nangong Zeyue introduced Xiang Yang to Hu Qing, saying, "This is the renowned Deputy Commander Xiang, who serves the Emperor."
Hu Qing clasped his hands in a fist and smiled warmly, "I've heard so much about you. Your Majesty's trusted confidant comes from Yannan. I've heard of you before."
Before Nangong Zeyue could introduce Hu Qing, Xiang Yang clasped his hands in return, saying, "Manager Hu, you're too kind. It's fate that we met. We must have a couple of drinks later."
Seeing how familiar the two were, Nangong Zeyue had a strange feeling that they were like old friends, not at all reserved.
With such a great reputation for Juxian Pavilion, many people had heard of Manager Hu Qing's name. Thinking about this, Nangong Zeyue's doubts dissipated.
Xiangyang ordered half a honey-roasted goose and a newly launched dish—roasted meat—and finally ordered two jars of peach blossom wine.
When Xiangyang was ordering food, Hu Qing patted Nangong Zeyue on the shoulder and said, "The food will be here soon. Brother, you and the deputy commander eat first. I'll be right back."
"It's alright, Brother Hu, please go ahead with your work."
Nangong Zeyue naturally knew how busy Hu Qing was.
After Hu Qing left, the meat and vegetables were quickly served.
The waiter used an iron hook to lift the bright red charcoal brazier and placed it in the middle of the table, instantly warming the room considerably.
The waiter skillfully placed large chunks of mutton and streaky pork on the wire mesh grill.
A waiter then brought over a specially prepared roast goose. Xiang Yang said to Nangong Zeyue, "Please, it's just the two of us, so don't be shy."
Without any hesitation, he began to eat heartily, looking like he was there to earn a living.
The waiter who brought the wine was handsome. He put down the wine jar, opened it, and filled the wine cups in front of the two men.
Then, with a big smile, he said, "Manager Hu has gone to attend to other guests. Please enjoy your meal, esteemed guests and young master. The manager said he will come up again in a little while to offer you both a toast."
The waiter here is very familiar with Young Master Nangong, and his smile is as warm as if he were seeing family.
Nangong Zeyue raised her wine cup to Xiangyang across from her, "Deputy Commander, don't just focus on eating roast goose. Try this peach blossom wine and you'll know that even Daughter's Red wine is nothing special."
Xiang Yang picked up a handkerchief from the table and wiped his mouth. He then raised his wine cup to Nangong Zeyue and drank half of it in one gulp.
"Young Master Nangong, please don't keep calling me Deputy Commander. It sounds too formal. From now on, we can just call each other by our first names."
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