Chapter 34 General Xiao, could you help me train my dog?
As Lu Zhaoruo clutched her skirt and ran out of the alley, she heard shouts coming from behind her.
Perhaps the drunkard fell into the ditch?
Back at the Shen residence.
As usual, Ah Bao was waiting at the door.
Still shaken, she carried Abao into the house.
Lying in bed, she pondered that she had already asked someone to go overseas to find evidence, and it was even the deputy commander who personally sent someone. So, it would only take a month and a half for them to return. Once she had the evidence, she could find a way to lure Shen Rongzhi back.
The next day, she heard that a drunkard in the alley had been murdered the night before, and the authorities were investigating the matter.
It turns out, that scream was...
Lu Zhaoruo was glad that she was lucky.
…………
For several days in a row, in addition to looking after the shop, she would personally cook some late-night meals and deliver them to the side room of the lookout tower at dusk.
Today, according to Banling's taste, I prepared steamed buns with mutton filling, fish fillets marinated in fermented rice milk, pickled cucumbers, and a sweet soup made with cinnamon and agarwood.
When she first delivered the meal, she remembered that Xiao Yeming was also there, so she prepared an extra portion each time.
For several days in a row, the man's food remained untouched...
Today, she needs to take the initiative to ask him what he likes.
Xiao Yeming is a fifth-rank official, and in the future he will be enfeoffed as a Marquis of the Seas for his military achievements, and will be the Grand Commander of the naval forces of the various seas.
She naturally wanted to curry favor with such an important person.
Side room of the lookout tower.
Dusk, carrying the salty sea breeze, swept into the room.
Ban Ling's stomach rumbled, and his chopsticks clattered against the rim of his bowl: "This Lady Lu's cooking is ten times better than the chefs at Anlelou Restaurant in the capital! But why is she a little late today?"
Xiao Yeming placed a black piece on the chessboard between his fingers: "There's no need to let her deliver it again tomorrow."
She had to take care of her parents-in-law and manage the shop; she was exhausted...
Banling asked, "What's wrong? Why?"
You can't exactly say you feel sorry for her, can you?
Xiao Yeming flicked his long fingers across the chessboard, making a mess of it. "Disgusting."
Banling: "That's not right, every time..."
Lu Zhaoruo stood by the door, a faint smile on her lips, her voice gentle: "If Commander Xiao has any preferred tastes, please tell me, and I will prepare them carefully next time."
In the candlelight, a hint of apology flashed across Xiao Yeming's handsome brows.
Ban Ling hurriedly got up and took the food box in two quick steps: "The food made by Madam Lu suits my taste. I have never met anyone whose cooking skills are better than yours."
While setting out the meal, he stole glances at Xiao Yeming and said, "Commander, why don't you tell me your taste?"
He remained silent for a moment before finally speaking: "No need."
His voice was low and hoarse, “The army’s food is sufficient.”
Lu Zhaoruo's eyes shifted slightly, and she said gently, "General Xiao comes from a military family in the capital, so he must be used to the cooking skills of the imperial chefs. Although I am dull-witted, I am willing to learn to cook some fine food."
Ban Ling hurriedly said, "He usually eats steamed buns, flatbreads, and anything else..."
Xiao Yeming interrupted coldly: "It's against the rules for Madam Lu to send meals every day. If word gets out, it will only tarnish her reputation."
Banling scratched his head and said, "That makes sense."
Although the food delivered these days was indeed expensive, considering that Banling had ordered dozens of sets of clothes from the tailor shop, paying a full hundred taels of silver, it was fair that they were even.
Mainly, she wanted to curry favor with such a person.
Lu Zhaoruo smiled slightly: "I am already a married woman, not a young lady in her boudoir, so it doesn't matter."
"If I say there's no need to send it, then there's no need to send it."
His attitude was cold and aloof.
Lu Zhaoruo looked up at him.
He immediately turned around, leaving behind a handsome silhouette.
That's truly indifferent...
Ban Ling was getting anxious. Would he no longer be able to enjoy the delicious food sent by Madam Lu?
Lu Zhaoruo didn't need to say anything more to avoid being disliked. She said gently, "Then I will do as the general wishes. If you want to eat in the future, you can have me send you meals again."
After she left.
Ban Ling approached with a mournful face: "Commander! You always eat with great relish."
Xiao Yeming sat down cross-legged and took a sip of sweet soup: "You eat enough for three people in one meal, won't you eat them out of house and home?"
Ban Ling said urgently, "Won't it be enough if I give you money?"
"Go to Shenji Tailor Shop tomorrow."
Xiao Yeming didn't even look up. "Order seventeen more sets of autumn clothes."
Ban Ling's eyes widened: "Winter isn't even over yet, and we're already ordering autumn clothes? Besides, we're wearing armor every day..."
"Go order it."
Xiao Yeming picked up a steamed bun filled with mutton. "The letter home has been sent back to the capital. My mother will give some money to a friend to bring over."
He picked up another piece of sashimi and put it in his mouth.
—It was truly delicious.
Although the monthly salary of 110 guan was not small, most of it was spent on supporting the orphans of fallen soldiers.
Last time, when the son of the headman in the capital got tuberculosis, he directly paid for the entire year's worth of ice and charcoal...
He finished eating quickly and left.
Banling muttered to himself, "These past few days, they've disappeared after dinner."
When she encountered Gu Xian on the way, she grabbed him and bowed solemnly, her peach blossom eyes smiling brightly: "I am Gu Xian, the number one satin king of Jizhou. I have something to ask Commander Xiao for help."
Xiao Yeming glanced at him coldly, his lips tightening, and uttered a single word: "Speak."
Gu Xian unfolded his folding fan, waved it with a dashing air, and said with a smile, "You agree first."
Xiao Yeming frowned slightly, his tone cold and hard: "You speak first."
Gu Xian pressed his fan to his lips, feigning hesitation, and said, "I agree."
Xiao Yeming's eyes darkened, and his voice grew even colder: "Speak!"
Gu Xian: "...Okay, I'll go first."
He leaned closer to him, his face full of heartache: "When I returned to the capital this time, I saw the stray dog that my mother used to feed me five years ago. I took it home because I felt sorry for it. Who knew that this wretched creature... first it stole the 'Jade Complexion Nourishing Pill' that I bought at great expense, and now my complexion has become quite dull these past few days!"
"Yesterday was even worse! They actually tore up Su Yuanying's own painting, 'Ladies in Makeup'! I spent eight hundred taels of silver to buy that!"
Xiao Yeming remained expressionless: "So?"
Gu Xian snapped his folding fan shut, his eyes lighting up: "I've got a brilliant idea! Aren't you a general? Help me train this beast and make it look like a military dog."
Seeing Xiao Yeming frown, Gu Xian quickly added, "It doesn't need to be too powerful, just teach it three skills: First, it's not allowed to bite things randomly; second, it needs to know how to read people's expressions; third..."
He lowered his voice, "Learn to help me carry the ledgers..."
Xiao Yeming turned and left: "Farewell!"
Gu Xian lunged forward and grabbed his sleeve: "Don't go! Last time you were short of silver to suppress the bandits, who lent you five hundred taels without a word? The time before that..." Seeing Xiao Yeming's steps falter, he suddenly drew out his words: "It seems I'll have to go and have a chat with Lady Lu. A certain general actually..."
Xiao Yeming stopped in his tracks: "Help."
Gu Xian immediately knew when to stop, covering his mouth with his folding fan and smiling slyly: "That's right! It doesn't need to be too complicated, just teach it three words..."
Xiao Yeming waited coldly for him to continue.
Gu Xian solemnly declared: "Don't bite, Gui!"
Xiao Yeming: "..."
Gu Xian added, "It would be even better if we could teach it to distinguish between calligraphy and paintings and toilet paper!"
Xiao Yeming took a few steps, then turned back: "Where's the money?"
She blinked her peach blossom eyes: "What money?"
Xiao Yeming's eyes darkened suddenly: "Didn't my mother tell you to bring money?"
"oops!"
Gu Xian snapped his fan shut, feigning sudden realization, "My aunt originally gave me three hundred taels of silver ingots..."
He exaggeratedly gestured as if holding a silver coin, then his face fell. "But as soon as I received it, my aunt asked me, 'Xian-ge, did Ming'er meet someone he liked in Jizhou?'"
"Of course I swore I didn't! But my aunt sneered, 'If you don't have any, why spend money?' and snatched the silver ingot back!"
He suddenly became serious and said, "My aunt also asked me to pass on a message, saying that Lady Yunxiu has been waiting for you to return. Last month, the Princess personally came to visit, bringing imperial wine bestowed by the Emperor, saying that she wanted to discuss the wedding date with your mother. Fortunately, my aunt helped you decline."
Xiao Yeming frowned.
Then he held out his hand: "Lend me fifty taels."
Gu Xian immediately clutched the purse at his waist: "What do you need money for again?"
Xiao Yeming: "I'll train your dog, and you won't pay me?"
Gu Xian reluctantly took off her purse and handed it to him: "It's exactly fifty taels, so save your money."
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