Chapter 838 It Won't Be Discovered
"Isn't this nonsense? Lord Xie hasn't even arrived in the capital yet. Don't you think this statement is completely unreasonable?"
"Perhaps it was spread by someone from Lord Zhao's residence. It's said that Xie Zheng is about to enter the capital. Could it be that he's not being summoned by the Emperor, but returning for a new lover?"
"I've heard that too. It's said that the Emperor sent someone to personally fetch Lord Xie back. But then I thought, how could Xie Zheng have such power? It might just be a trick by that woman. After all, the capital is much warmer in winter than that godforsaken place."
"Tsk, Lord Xie's love life is truly enviable. Even at his age, he is still so romantic. If it were me, I would also like to stay away from the court, enjoy the beauties of the martial world, and live a carefree and happy life."
"I wonder what that woman looks like, or whose family she is, that she is so infatuated."
"It is said that she has a powerful background and is a mysterious martial arts organization. She is not just a beautiful young lady. In her early twenties, she is very insightful and did not just marry anyone."
"Now that we've met Lord Xie, shouldn't we just pester him relentlessly and insist on marrying him no matter what?"
"Narrow-minded, why don't you just say you insist on finding a son-in-law?"
"Lord Xie is getting on in years. Even if he's not pot-bellied, he's not what he used to be. There are plenty of talented young men in our dynasty, and I'm not bad-looking either. Why haven't I had such a romantic encounter?"
"Hey, look at your lecherous eyes. You're not only ignorant, but you're also incredibly arrogant. What worldly woman would be interested in you unless she's blind?"
"Hey, how can you talk like that? If you can't speak properly, should I cut your tongue out?"
As they talked, their faces turned red, and they started pointing fingers and cursing at each other.
"You think you're so great? Don't think you can talk like that just because your father works in the Ministry of Justice. Believe me, I can make him lose his job tomorrow!"
"Oh dear, this is terrible! You're already confused before you've even had a drink. We're all in the same boat, we won't be around for many more years. Just drink your wine obediently and stop pretending to be a big shot, or you'll fall into a ditch."
"Bang!" The man overturned the table. "Say that again?"
In the adjacent large room, the carefree young men started fighting, and the scene became increasingly lively, frightening the girls nearby who got up and ran out of the room.
Zhang Chengxuan stood in the corridor, his expression unchanged.
The woman beside him raised her handkerchief to wipe away the tears from the corners of her eyes, looking at him with immense gratitude.
"Young master, I have no way to repay your great kindness. Even if I offered myself to you, you would not accept it. I will definitely repay you the ransom in the future. I wonder how I should find you then?"
Zhang Chengxuan came to his senses and said, "You don't need to pay me back. The person who paid the money is someone else. Her name is Song Chunxue."
As he spoke, he quickly walked down the stairs, saying, "Pack your things and leave as soon as possible, find a beautiful place with clear waters and green mountains, and live a peaceful life."
"Thank you so much, my benefactor. Thank you so much, my benefactor."
...
As the city lights begin to twinkle and night falls, darkness descends.
Zhao Mansion, Plum Garden.
"Knock knock knock".
Master Han had just covered himself with a brocade quilt and lay down on the narrow kang (heated brick bed) in the warm room, preparing to rest.
There was a gentle knock on the window.
He opened his eyes. "Come in. There's no one else here."
Soon, Zhang Chengxuan quietly entered the room.
"Wow, it's been restored very well. Even the damage from your seclusion has been repaired. It seems that spring water is really extraordinary. You're lucky."
Master Han slightly raised his chin, "Have a sip of tea before you leave. Pour it yourself."
Zhang Chengxuan took off his shoes and sat opposite him, lifting the wide sleeves of his Taoist robe. "Lord Zhao won't be coming over, will he?"
"No, we just had drinks and went back to our rooms to rest. I'm not gay, what would it look like if we were together all the time?"
Zhang Chengxuan smiled and picked up the teapot on the stove to pour himself a cup.
"Just because someone is gay doesn't mean they can't be together all the time. Some people are just too clingy. Besides, you're a snake, always afraid of the cold. If you don't hibernate and don't find someone with a fiery temper to cling to, how can you sleep at night?"
Master Han raised an eyebrow. "Is it any of your business? My Taoist magic is profound; I'm not afraid of the cold."
“You’re the most senior, so you have the final say.” Zhang Chengxuan took a sip of tea and put down the teacup, his expression turning serious. “Were those rumors your doing?”
Just as he was about to curse, Master Han looked at him meaningfully and said, "Perhaps it is true."
Zhang Chengxuan asked no further questions.
"Send a message if anything happens, I have to go."
Seeing his travel-worn appearance, Master Han was curious.
"I heard you were leaving a couple of days ago, so what are you staying for?"
Zhang Chengxuan turned to the side, his lips moving expressionlessly, "Paying off debts, repaying favors, redeeming people."
Paying off debts?
Master Han's lips twitched slightly. "Whose money did you borrow this time?"
“I’ve already paid it back, and I won’t borrow again.” Zhang Chengxuan said in a relaxed tone, “For the next few years, I will stay on the mountain as a lazy Taoist priest, mind my own business and cultivate my character.”
Just then, footsteps came from outside the door.
"I'm leaving now, goodbye."
"etc……"
Before he could finish speaking, he heard the door being pushed open and someone walking straight in.
"Can't sleep? Tell me some unofficial history."
"You son of a bitch..."
...
In Song Chunxue's eyes, the Zhao family mansion was simply a paradise on earth.
Although it was winter, there were evergreen trees in the garden and underfloor heating in every house, so even in the coldest days of winter, there was no need to worry about being woken up by the cold at night.
The room was luxuriously furnished, from the small footstool by the bed to the large tables and desks, all of which were very valuable. Even without burning incense, the room had a faint fragrance.
The bathtub is huge, the bed is so soft, and the blanket is so light.
If she had known that her senior brother's family was so well-off, she would have gone to the Taoist temple to suffer the cold treatment.
More importantly, the eldest brother's training ground also had a stove, like a stage, so you didn't have to worry about the wind and rain when you stood inside, and there were also pretty maids serving you.
She would be doing herself a disservice if she didn't seize the opportunity to practice her swordsmanship in such a wonderful place.
And so she settled down at the Zhao residence, her days meticulously planned out, with her senior brother and Daoist Han taking turns teaching her all sorts of useful things.
These comfortable and fulfilling days almost made her forget why she came here.
Then, Master Han handed her a piece of soft leather as thin as a cicada's wing.
"Put it on. Xie Zheng arrived in the capital yesterday. Go see him." Master Han instructed in an irrefutable tone. "The attendants and maids have been arranged. Your clothes and carriage are all ready. It's up to you whether you want to see him openly and honestly."
Song Chunxue was struck dumb, staring straight at Master Han's face, trying to find a trace of a joke on his face.
"What are you looking at? Take it! This face is guaranteed to satisfy you. Don't you want to see Lord Xie's reaction?"
Song Chunxue slowly took it, looking at the senior brother who had just entered the door for help.
"Senior Brother, I thought it was just a joke... What if someone finds out?"
Lord Zhao smiled faintly and coughed lightly. "Don't worry, as long as you act with sincerity, you won't be found out."
Song Chunxue looked at the object in her hand in surprise. If she really did as the Taoist priest said, wouldn't it be very troublesome?
Although she found it amusing, one lie requires countless more to cover it up.
In front of outsiders, she needs to always be aware of who she is playing.
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