Chapter 54 Even a dog was reborn
Eight-wheeled propeller ship - deck.
The sound of a death knell pierced through the sea fog, and Xiao Yeming's wine glass shattered on the deck with a "crack".
He turned and placed his cloak horizontally on the port side, his black cloak spread out on the deck, and he slammed one knee heavily on the deck. The sound of the oars striking the water stopped abruptly, and the entire warship sank slightly with the commander's movement.
"Your subject is Xiao Yeming, Commander of the Linhai Navy..."
His voice boomed over the waves, and the scales of his armor clanged as he knelt in worship, “I vow to eradicate the Japanese pirates in the southeast! Wherever the pirates roam, their masts and oars will be destroyed; wherever merchant ships pass, their safety will be ensured!”
As he rose, he shouted sternly, "Lower sails to half-mast! Extinguish lights! All ships, anchor immediately!"
He gazed at the dark sea, a low vow escaping his throat: "The Commander of the Qianlin Division bears in mind the late Emperor's secret decree: Three years ago, the salt smugglers were eliminated; now, we must investigate the network of pirates colluding with court officials, and surely help Your Highness securely ascend the throne..."
"Wow, the late emperor..."
Suddenly, Ban Ling's wailing rang in my ears.
The bearded adjutant collapsed in front of the crossbow window, pounding his fist on the deck with a loud thud: "Late Emperor! You said just three months ago that you would come to inspect the navy, how could this happen... Waaah... I haven't even had a chance to demonstrate the newly trained Bear Formation yet!"
…………
The late emperor has passed away, and the whole country mourns. All the people under the jurisdiction must kneel and worship facing the direction of the capital every morning and evening. Weddings and banquets are prohibited for 100 days. Entertainment venues and theaters will cease performances. People will stop sacrificial activities. Each household must set up an incense table for offerings, which will continue for 27 days...
When Xiao Wuyun left, it was the same as in his previous life...
He crouched down and gently pushed the sugar peas wrapped in oil paper in front of Abao's paw, his fingertips lingering on the downy fur behind its ears.
Tears welled in Abao's jade-like eyes, and her back arched slightly, trembling.
"wait for me……"
Before Xiao Wuyun could finish speaking, Abao suddenly let out a "meow" and wrapped its tail tightly around his wrist.
Lu Zhaoruo felt a tightness in her throat as she watched this scene.
Because Ah Bao feared that this parting would only bring news of his passing.
Xiao Wuyun suddenly took half a step back, clasped his hands together, and gave Lu Zhaoruo a very standard bow. The seven-year-old child's frame was still small, but the bow was performed with the precision of a ruler.
"These days... I've been bothering Lady Zhaoruo."
His voice was extremely tense, and the polite words that should have continued suddenly got stuck in his throat. He quickly pursed his lips, but a rapid gasp escaped his lips.
He forced himself to continue, "Thank you... for letting Abao accompany me..."
Before he could finish speaking, he trembled, abruptly turned his face away, and tears streamed down his face.
After a moment of silence, he finally blurted out a heartfelt sentence, trembling: "These days have been the happiest days of my life."
Lu Zhaoruo knew nothing about his background, how much hardship his young and frail body had endured, or what kind of deadly predicament he would face after his return, or when it would all come to an abrupt end.
She suddenly squatted down to look Xiao Wuyun in the eye.
He took a copper coin from his sleeve, and with a sharp crack of his knuckles, the coin snapped in two.
"Take it."
She placed half a copper coin into Xiao Wuyun's palm, saying, "At this time next year, under the third baluster of the Zhuque Bridge in the capital, I will hold this half of the copper coin and wait for you to come and make a pact."
She continued, "Remember, before this, if one day you encounter eternal night or daylight... you must remember that we still have a promise."
She stood up and smiled faintly: "You can't break your promise."
Xiao Wuyun lowered his eyes to examine the broken coin in his palm, a hint of confusion showing on his youthful face. He looked up and saw Lu Zhaoruo smiling, her eyes as gentle as spring water.
Although he didn't quite understand the deeper meaning of the agreement, Madam Lu treated him sincerely and was even going to the capital to find him... Thinking of this, he tightly gripped the copper coin in his hand and politely replied, "I am deeply grateful for Madam Lu's kindness. I will certainly keep my promise and wait for the day when the money and contract are agreed upon."
After Xiao Wuyun left.
In the blink of an eye, the day arrived when officials from the Ministry of Rites, holding the imperial edict in yellow silk, stepped into Jizhou City.
Lu Zhaoruo got up early and took Abao to the Gu residence to find Gu Xian and ask for his help.
Gu Xian had indeed just returned from the capital.
After all, saving him was just a small favor, and I felt somewhat embarrassed to have to ask him for help every time.
Gu Xian was extremely wealthy and lacked nothing.
After much thought, Lu Zhaoruo could only express her gratitude by making some snacks herself.
As soon as Lu Zhaoruo stepped into the tea room, her embroidered shoes sank into a puddle of spilled tea...
Looking up, all I saw was a mess.
Tables and chairs overturned, porcelain shattered, documents scattered, calligraphy and paintings broken into pieces...
The brocade cushion on the bamboo couch was torn, and reed fluff was scattered everywhere...
Gu Xian collapsed onto the messy floor, with shards of porcelain and account books scattered around him.
He always paid attention to his appearance; at this moment, the carefree scarf on his head was hanging crookedly by his ear, and a large, unsightly tea stain had spread across the front of his expensive purple Yue silk robe.
He was still clutching the ledger that the dog had chewed through, with several clear dog tooth marks still visible on the edges.
"Master Gu, what's this?"
Just as Lu Zhaoruo opened her mouth to ask a question, a dark figure suddenly rushed out from behind the screen.
It was a vicious dog, baring its sharp teeth as it lunged at her face!
Lu Zhaoruo turned pale with fright and retreated repeatedly.
Seeing this, Gu Xian hurriedly shouted, "A-Cong! If you dare to hurt Madam Lu, I'll stew you and eat you!"
"Whoosh..."
Abao suddenly sprang up from Lu Zhaoruo's arms, tracing a snow-white arc in the air before landing steadily at her feet.
Its back was arched high, its fur bristled like silver needles, and its emerald green eyes shrank into two cold, thin lines.
"hiss……"
Claws suddenly sprang out from the paw pads, scraping several glaring white marks on the blue bricks.
He exuded a murderous aura!
The vicious dog abruptly stopped its attack. The moment it saw Ah Bao, it let out a howl, its body went limp like mud, its belly pressed against the ground with a 'thud,' its tail tucked tightly between its hind legs, trembling, its eyes filled with fear.
Abao's emerald green cat eyes narrowed slightly, a sense of surprise and doubt creeping into his heart. Why was this stupid dog so fearful? Could it have been reborn as well?
Thinking of this, Abao suddenly wagged his tail and tentatively said, "Silly Abao, bark three times."
"Awooo! Awooo! Awooo!"
The vicious dog responded immediately, each bark accompanied by a distinct tremor.
Ah Bao was certain: this vicious dog had indeed been reborn, just like him.
So it remembers how it was disciplined and made obedient in its past life...
In his past life, it was this vicious dog that cornered him in an alley, but fortunately, Xiao Wuyun rescued him in time.
When Abao encountered the vicious dog again at the Gu residence, a hint of human-like disdain flashed in the cat's eyes.
It thought to itself: I am a human being, how can I show weakness in front of this beast?
A white shadow flashed, and she darted out like an arrow. Before the vicious dog could react, several burning scratches appeared on its face.
"Woof woof!"
The vicious dog lunges and bites furiously, but always misses just as it is about to succeed.
Abao nimbly moved between the tables and chairs, sometimes deliberately pausing at the edge of the vase to provoke the stupid dog into knocking over Gu Xian's favorite Jun kiln porcelain; sometimes suddenly changing direction, causing the vicious dog that was chasing too fast to slide far away on the blue brick floor.
After several rounds, the vicious dog was panting heavily with its tongue lolling out, while Abao sat elegantly on the display shelf, slowly licking its paws.
From then on, the vicious dog treated Ah Bao like an ancestor.
Abao even gave it a name, 'Silly A'.
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