"Master, Yue Jin must already know my and the Su family's identities. I also deliberately had the waiter secretly reveal the royal token I have. I reckon he'll be coming looking for me in a few days." Ming Shu returned to the teahouse and recounted his meeting with the Su family.
After hearing his account of what happened at Lin Family Village that day, Su Jingxuan's family was extremely grateful to him and already regarded him as Lin Jinyu's fiancé.
Upon learning that he was also planning to go to Hangzhou, we made a date to meet again in Hangzhou.
“The main thing is that we need to get back to Hangzhou as soon as possible, otherwise I’ll have to arrange for them to travel together on your behalf,” Ming Shu added.
After saying this, he suddenly saw Xiao Yuan looking at him from across the room. Although there was no expression on his face, his gaze was somewhat chilling.
"Let's deal with Yue Jin's matter first!" Xiao Yuan got up and walked outside.
Ming Shu scratched his head. Had he said something wrong?
Before the next day even arrived, Yue Jin personally came to the Jinxiu Inn to look for the person that evening.
Xiao Yuan did not appear in person, but sent Ming Shu out to meet him.
Half an hour later, Ming Shu returned: "I told him everything as you wished, Master. He was told to return to Daming Prefecture to protect the safety of the old princess and the princess. After I return to Hangzhou and report to you, Master, I will immediately ask you to send someone to assist them."
Xiao Yuan sneered, "The old prince's illustrious reputation was ultimately ruined by his inability to recognize people."
It's truly pathetic that they didn't see through Xiao Song's wolfish ambitions back then, and even those around them didn't know his true nature.
“Then what do you mean, Master…” Ming Shu asked.
Xiao Yuandao said, "You should immediately write a letter to Ge Sanlang and ask him to arrange for someone to secretly sneak into Daming Prefecture to rescue the people."
"Yes!" Ming Shu breathed a sigh of relief.
Yue Jin is no good person, but the old princess and the princess are innocent.
"Now that Yue Jin has returned to the North, shouldn't we set off?"
After making the arrangements, Akira asked again.
Xiao Yuan glanced at him: "What's your rush? I still need to make Ling Qingxue give up!"
It would be best to completely extinguish his idea of settling down in Jiangnan. He could only return to Tongguan and would no longer follow the Su family around.
Akira was very puzzled.
This scholar Ling was also a candidate for the imperial examination back then, but unfortunately he lost the chance to become the top scholar due to the war. He is also the descendant of a famous minister of the previous dynasty. The master needs such a talent by his side, so why not keep him?
But he vaguely guessed his master's thoughts and dared not speak rashly again.
Xiao Yuan was surprised that Ling Qingxue would arrive at the Jinxiu Inn three days later.
In the main room where Xiao Yuan was staying, a large tea table was set with a complete set of "twelve gentlemen" for preparing tea: Wei Honglu, Mu Daizhi, Jin Facao, Shi Yunzhuan...
Looking at the exquisite tea set on the table, Ling Qingxue calmly sat down in front of it.
Xiao Yuan sat opposite him, observing him closely.
All that could be seen was a faint bluish tinge under Ling Qingxue's eyes, and some bloodshot veins in her eye sockets, as if she hadn't slept all night.
He sneered inwardly.
He knew only two people in the entire Great Zhou Dynasty who could brew tea into magical soup.
One of them was Granny Jiang, who used to serve the late Empress in the palace, and the other was the late Mr. Wu Liuzi.
Granny Jiang held a high position in the palace. Even after the fall of the previous dynasty, she remained in the palace to serve the former Dowager Consort and never left.
How did Ling Qingxue learn to make tea in just three days?
Xiao Yuan frowned.
Ling Qingxue calmed herself down slightly and began to crush, grind, and sift the tea leaves...
Although not quite fluid and seamless, the movements were methodical, and in the end, a painting that could barely be called "Pine Tree in Snow" was successfully created.
Ling Qingxue completed the final step and respectfully presented the cup of Snow Pine Tree to Xiao Yuan with both hands: "Your Highness, please have some tea."
Xiao Yuan looked at the painting in the cup, couldn't help but cough a few times, but still took the teacup and took a sip: "Not bad..."
He looked rather uncomfortable.
Ming Shu chuckled inwardly to himself.
This is the first time I've seen my master get the short end of the stick.
Serves him right, who told him to be jealous of virtuous people?
Xiao Yuan suddenly laughed: "Alright, you've managed to learn the Illusionary Tea Technique in three days, that's quite an achievement. Stay!"
Now that things have come to this, he absolutely cannot be a faithless scoundrel.
Ling Qingxue immediately knelt down before Xiao Yuan: "Thank you, Your Highness!"
"I'm just a little curious, when did you learn this Illusionary Tea Technique so quickly?"
Ling Qingxue smiled faintly: "To be honest, Your Highness, this Illusionary Tea Technique was taught to me by Madam Su, who accompanied me."
Upon hearing this, Xiao Yuan's smile froze slightly, but he immediately recovered: "It seems you have quite a close relationship with the Su family."
Ling Qingxue, thinking that she would work under him in the future, recounted how she had been rescued by the Su family on the passenger ship.
Xiao Yuan took a deep breath, lowered his eyes, and seemed lost in thought.
After a long pause, he looked at Ling Qingxue again: "Mr. Ling, now that I have taken you in, I happen to have something for you to do."
Ling Qingxue immediately clasped her hands in a fist and said, "Your Highness, please give your orders!"
Half an hour later, Ling Qingxue returned to the Su family's temporary residence and bid farewell to Su Jingxuan.
"So suddenly?" Su Jingxuan was puzzled. "You're actually going north?"
Ling Qingxue smiled and said, "To be honest, sir, I recently met an old friend who has an important matter to ask of me. I have agreed to go north to find his relatives, and I will return to Hangzhou in the future."
Su Jingxuan did not suspect him and immediately instructed Zhou to prepare his luggage and travel expenses.
Ling Qingxue declined, saying, "My old friends have already prepared everything for me. How could I dare to accept any more money from you, sir?"
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