Chapter 96 (First published on Jinjiang Literature City) 096 At the Qionglin Banquet, a selection will be made for the Eldest Princess…
"Waiter, I need a room!"
After navigating the bustling streets, Chaolu finally chose a rather simple-looking inn, mainly because it was quiet, but not remote.
Because of the need to quiet the mind, the price was a bit expensive, but Chao Lu paid without hesitation. The waiter, who was dozing off in front of the counter, almost fell off his stool when he suddenly saw the three burly men in front of him.
"From the grasslands?"
Has frowned: "What's wrong?!"
"N-nothing? May I go to a private room?"
The waiter was terrified when Has frowned and glared at him. Although the new emperor's rule had brought closer ties between the Central Plains and the grasslands, he had never seen such a terrifying aura before. He truly felt like he was being robbed.
Chaolu dismissed Has, saying, "Alright, three upper-class rooms. Also, please take care of our horses and bring over hot water and food."
The waiter stared at Chao Lu for several moments before vaguely replying, "Okay, okay."
Chao Lu was also a little puzzled; why were people living under the emperor's nose so timid?
After getting the keys, the three of them went back to their room.
Haas: "Fourth Master, I can't take it anymore. I need to get some sleep first. We can talk about it tomorrow!"
He was exhausted; how could anyone travel like that?
Even if it's to find a wife, he should wait until after the White Festival and come to Chang'an in a grand procession as Khan. Going into the palace now like this doesn't give him enough confidence.
Anyway, he didn't know the Khan's plans, but Yang Chong could guess the general idea. And since he was always reliable, he wasn't in a hurry to rest. Instead, he asked, "Fourth Master, should we stay in Chang'an for a while longer? Wouldn't it be better to buy a house?"
That's exactly what Chao Lu was thinking: "Go and make the arrangements, get closer to her."
Yang Chong: "Yes, I understand. I'll go settle our men first. Fourth Master, get some rest."
Chao Lu nodded.
He was actually tired. After returning to his room, the waiter quickly brought him hot water, and he then began to take a bath.
Walking up to the mirror, Chao Lu took a close look.
Is that beard really that ugly?
He didn't do it on purpose. After Yu Yu left, he was busy as a dog every day, trying to take care of everything on the grassland. He didn't even have time to take care of himself.
Then came the snowstorm and the rush to get somewhere.
Now, stroking his large beard, he finally picked up a razor.
He stood in front of the mirror for about 15 minutes before finally revealing a clean face.
In fact, Chaolu has become even thinner recently, and his eyebrows and eyes have become more sharp than usual.
"Knock knock knock." The knocking came from the door again.
Chao Lu had just finished washing his face, wiped it casually a couple of times, and walked over.
"Sir, your meal is ready—"
The waiter subconsciously looked up, his eyes lighting up. Chao Lu didn't notice his gaze and simply grunted, "Put it on the table inside."
"Okay, okay."
The waiter went in with a smile, but couldn't help glancing at him again, which Chao Lu noticed.
Why are you looking at me like that?
Caught red-handed, the waiter laughed: "Sorry, sir, you are completely different from before, which is why I became curious."
A completely different person?
Is it that obvious?
"It's quite obvious, hehe, you look quite handsome now, no less so than some of the young masters in Chang'an."
Chao Lu smirked. "Those pretty boys in Chang'an?"
but……
"Do you all like that kind of guy? Fair-skinned and clean-cut, but you can knock him out with one punch."
The waiter paused for a moment, his face turning red: "I don't have one, but I think most women in Chang'an like the kind who are refined and cultured? Besides, this year's imperial examination will be held on the ninth day of the second month. It's held every three years, and many women are eagerly anticipating it."
Chao Lu knew what the Spring Examination was; it was the one that determined the top scholar.
He suddenly thought of something and started chatting with the waiter: "Sit down, I have some questions for you."
The waiter was taken aback. Chao Lu said, "I won't ask for nothing, you'll have a couple of drinks with me!"
The waiter quickly waved his hand: "I can't drink alcohol, please ask me, sir."
"How close is your place to the Princess's residence? How long does it take to get there?"
The waiter paused, then said, "The Princess's residence? That's right next to the capital! And it's not even finished yet. Why...why are you asking about that?"
"Is it still not fixed?"
“Hmm.” The waiter also became interested when the mysterious eldest princess was mentioned: “After the prince brought the eldest princess back, she has been staying at the Chen Prince’s Mansion. It may not be completed until next month. Moreover, I heard that after the imperial examination, the princess will be chosen for a husband at the Qionglin Banquet. She will move there after the wedding.”
"What?!"
Chao Lu nearly jumped up, almost smashing his wine glass!
"The prince consort?!"
"Why are you so agitated?" The waiter was startled. Although the man's face wasn't as frightening as before, his physique was so large that he could probably be crushed with just a few fingers. He took a step back in fright.
Chao Lu realized he had lost his composure, and after a moment's thought, he immediately took out a small piece of silver and gave it to the waiter: "Come, come, tell me in detail, and I'll answer whatever you ask..."
...
After settling everyone in, Yang Chong went to Chao Lu's room. Just then, the waiter came out, beaming with joy.
Yang Chong went inside, "Fourth Master, I..."
Before he could even speak, his eyes widened. Chao Lu was changing his clothes and had cleaned his face, and he looked a little strange.
"What are you looking at? You and Haas should tidy yourselves up in a bit! I'm going to take a stroll around Chang'an."
"Fourth Master, it's late now, where are you going?"
"Don't worry about it,"
Yang Chong said helplessly, "Alright, all our people are settled. I've also sent word to the Imperial Envoy; they might come to see you tomorrow."
"Hmm, there's also the matter of buying a house, we need to hurry up with that."
"Don't worry."
Today is the Lantern Festival, and there is no curfew, so Chao Lu can still come and go freely. However, there are hardly any people on the streets. But as a grown man, he doesn't need to worry about anything. He can walk through the market without others having to be wary of him.
Following the waiter's directions, Chaolu quickly found the Prince Chen's residence.
But the Chen Prince's Mansion was already large before, and now that its master has returned, it will only be more prosperous than before. He glanced silently at the high courtyard walls, his heart filled with excitement.
But before Chaolu could get close, he was stopped by several guards outside the street.
"Don't come any closer! This is the territory of Prince Chen's residence!"
Chao Lu pursed his lips, realizing that the scale of the operation was indeed impressive.
It's impossible to walk straight through.
But... that doesn't mean Chaolu has no other options.
Yu Yu is inside. Although these few small fry can't stop him, it's not advisable to act rashly before understanding the situation.
Chao Lu glanced at him again, then turned and left.
He didn't return to the inn that night.
The soldiers of Prince Chen's mansion were also human, and they had to change shifts, so they were already quite tired around 5 a.m.
A soldier guarding the street corner was dozing off when something suddenly flashed before his eyes. When he opened his eyes again, he could see nothing at all.
It's just an illusion.
...
Ruan Ziyan gets up at dawn every day to start practicing martial arts.
He now practices martial arts and studies, and works very hard every day.
His mother didn't have high expectations of him, but he wanted to prove himself, otherwise he would be letting down his older sister and himself for living in the Prince Chen's mansion!
In fact, Ruan Ziyan prefers martial arts. He has no interest in reading, but he can keep practicing martial arts without stopping.
Fourteen or fifteen-year-old boys are at the most impetuous age, so Master Wu wouldn't really fight him. Instead, he had some of his servants spar with him. But those skinny, weak servants didn't dare to really fight the young master, and they couldn't beat him anyway.
Ruan Ziyan found it extremely boring.
He also wanted to ride horses, but he had no playmates.
After training today, he went out somewhat dejectedly, intending to go to the academy.
Not long after they left, they suddenly realized that someone was following them.
But when Ruan Ziyan turned around, she saw nothing.
As he turned the corner, he suddenly heard someone shouting "Stop thief!"
"!"
The boy rushed over and saw a thief robbing a woman who was out buying groceries. He couldn't stand it and was about to rush over to deal with the thief when suddenly, a dark figure appeared in front of him. The figure was burly but agile and quickly lifted the thief up.
Like an eagle catching a chick, it completely stunned Ruan Ziyan.
It goes without saying who the other party is.
The little thief had almost no chance to resist. In Chao Lu's hands, he was like a quail, trembling and about to wet himself in fear.
They had no time to worry about their wallets.
Chao Lu returned the items to the woman, who thanked him as she backed away, running faster than anyone else. Before the thief could even beg for mercy, Chao Lu threw him into a corner.
He let out a muffled groan; at least one bone was broken.
Chao Lu completely ignored him.
"Wow……"
Ruan Ziyan was stunned, and chased after Chao Lu as he was about to turn and leave.
"Brave warrior! Tall man!"
Chao Lu turned around and raised an eyebrow at him.
"You, are you from the grasslands?"
Chao Lu glanced down at his attire: "Is it that obvious?"
"Obviously! You...you're so skilled, how did you train?"
Chao Lu laughed: "You haven't practiced."
Ruan Ziyan: "I... I'm willing to pay fifty taels a month to have you as my sparring partner, are you willing? What kind of work do you do? You won't find such an easy job in Chang'an! Instead of doing manual labor, why don't you come and practice martial arts with me!"
The surrounding servants all widened their eyes: "Young master... you don't even know who this person is, be careful..."
Ruan Ziyan: "Shut up, how can someone who helps catch thieves be a bad guy? Why don't you come and fight with me?"
The servant immediately shut up.
Chao Lu narrowed his eyes: "Why should I agree to your request? With your physique... you should wait until you're a bit older."
Ruan Ziyan panicked: "I... I'm already very tall, I just want to exercise. Do you think the money is too little? How about one hundred taels?"
"One hundred taels? A month?" Chao Lu finally showed a hint of interest.
"right!"
"You're so rich? Which family's young master are you?"
Ruan Ziyan: "Don't worry about that."
Chao Lu laughed: "Okay, where do we train? Is this your home?"
He raised his chin and pointed to the Prince Chen's residence.
Ruan Ziyan said warily, "No, this is the martial arts school! This isn't my home!"
Behind him stood this mansion, and Chaolu smiled even more broadly.
"Okay, I agree."
Ruan Ziyan was overjoyed: "Go directly here this afternoon. I have to go to school now. See you this afternoon!" After saying that, he gave Chao Lu twenty taels of silver as a deposit.
"Once you've taken my money, you're not allowed to go back on your word. If you run away, I have plenty of ways to bring you back!"
Chao Lu laughed: "Okay, don't worry, I won't run away."
"May I have your name."
Chao Lu: "Wei Jun."
"A name from the Central Plains? Fine, my name is Ruan Ziyan!"
Chao Lu's smile deepened: "Understood."
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Author's Note: Romance scenes are a bit of a stretch, so I can't guarantee extra chapters lately. If I do, it will be irregular, so please don't wait for me.
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