In Chang'an in winter, there was no snow, but it rained.
The rain is not heavy, but it carries the chill of winter.
The huge city of Chang'an was shrouded in rain and fog. If it were not for the yellow leaves and withered flowers, it would seem like the Jiangnan region in April.
The city of Chang'an did not appear desolate because of the cold rain. The shops in the streets and alleys were still open, and people were still strolling or walking on the bluestone slabs of the streets and alleys with umbrellas.
Usually in the early morning like this, the area of Buyefang is the quietest.
The bustling night life had just faded away, and it was time for the young ladies in the 380 brothels to rest.
Rong Duo'er, the top performer in Liuyun Tower, had not slept yet. She took a bath and sat in her room, holding in her hand the poem "Song of the Wine" written by Fu Xiaoguan, the current Emperor of Daxia, which she had just received. She looked at it carefully, savoring the artistic conception and taste of this heroic poem. The fatigue of the night had long disappeared, and the slight blush on her face showed that she was extremely excited at the moment.
This is certainly a remarkable poem!
This is the first poem the emperor has written in so many years!
Whether it is the accomplishment of this poem or the author of this poem, it means that this poem will definitely become popular throughout Daxia!
As the top star, she knew very well that if she could sing this poem first, her fame would be even greater and she would definitely surpass the beautiful Tan Hongye.
Thinking of this, she stood up excitedly and told the maid behind her, "Prepare the carriage, let's go visit the Hu family."
Mrs. Hu is of course the former proprietress Hu Qin of Jinling Hongxiuzhao. Few people know that she now lives in seclusion in Chang'an City.
She lived in a very inconspicuous alley near Wudao Bridge. The alley was called Xiaoshiqiao. Because it was quite close to the Daxia Palace, many high-ranking officials of Daxia lived in this alley, including Ji Yungui of Tianji Pavilion.
As the head of Tianji Pavilion, Ji Yungui is very busy and rarely stays in Chang'an City.
Huqin has long been accustomed to being alone. She has stopped composing music and has not even played the piano for a long time.
She would get up before dawn every day and make herself a hearty breakfast - there were no servants or retainers in the Ji Mansion, so she had to do everything herself.
After breakfast, she would clean the yard. Normally, when she was in Guanyun City, she would sweep the snow at this time of year, but in Chang'an City, she could only sweep the fallen leaves.
At noon, I will make myself two dishes and a soup, take a nap after eating, and go out for a walk in the afternoon. I don’t have to walk far and there is no purpose, I just walk around casually.
Then I would come back and make a simple dinner. After eating, I would occasionally go to Lansan Hall, not far from Xiaoshiqiao, to watch a play. After coming back, I would take a bath and go to bed early.
Days like this repeated themselves over and over again, but she didn't feel bored. Instead, she felt it was very stable and good.
At least it's much more comfortable than when I was with Hongxiu Zhao.
No need to think about so many things, and no need to entertain those guests.
It rained today. After breakfast, she did not go to the yard to clean up the fallen leaves that covered the ground last night. She moved a chair and sat in front of the main courtyard door, looking at the withered yellow colors in the yard, her eyes slightly squinted, as if she was half asleep, her mind seemed to be thinking about something, but also seemed to be thinking about nothing.
A cold wind suddenly blew, and a few more yellow leaves fell from the sycamore tree in the yard.
At the moment when those yellow leaves fell, a person flew over the courtyard wall. Huqin's eyes narrowed even more, but there was no murderous intent in them.
The man, wearing a bamboo hat and a scarf covering his face, came over on the leaves and landed in front of Huqin. He tilted his head and looked at Huqin for three breaths, then smiled and said, "You live a leisurely life."
A smile appeared on Huqin's face. She opened her eyes, took her hand out of her sleeve pocket, and loosened her grip on the dagger.
She stood up and asked, "Should I bow to you?"
"I am the Empress Dowager of Great Xia, of course you should bow to me!"
"Oh... Your Majesty, please take a seat."
She is Xu Yunqing!
She took off her bamboo hat and face scarf, and sat down on the chair. She squinted her eyes, imitating the way Huqin had done just now, and suddenly said, "The winter in Chang'an is actually a bit harsher than in Jinling... It's already snowing in Jinling, the snow is gentle, and this rain..."
Xu Yunqing shook his head, "I don't like it very much."
"So you didn't plan to stay in Chang'an? So you didn't visit your son, daughter-in-law, and grandchildren, but came to my place instead?"
Xu Yunqing nodded. "After all, the relocation of the capital of Great Xia is a big deal. After much deliberation, I decided to come and take a look. I came to see Chang'an. My son is so grown up, my wife is so sensible, and my grandchildren are all doing well. I'm too lazy to visit them."
Huqin turned around and went into the house, brought out another chair and a table, lit a stove, and got some water to boil.
"I haven't made tea in ages."
"Me too."
"You're in the Taoist temple...are you used to it?"
"It was a habit originally. It was good for me, Susu, and my disciple Lu'er to be in the Taoist academy. This year, the Taoist academy recruited more than 300 disciples, all of them were men, so they were all placed in the outer courtyard."
Huqin raised her eyes and looked at Xu Yunqing. She had no interest in the Taoist temple recruiting disciples, but she was a little confused about what Xu Yunqing said, which was originally a habit.
"He's back?"
"Well, he's back!"
"...So what are your plans?"
Xu Yunqing took a deep breath and didn't answer. She sat up and poked the charcoal fire with her scabbard. After a moment, she said, "My son is the emperor. What plans can I have?"
"So you came to me to escape?"
"Hey, Mr. Hu, we lived together in Hongxiuzhao for several years back then, and many people thought there was something wrong with our sexuality! So what if I stayed with you for a while? Aren't you afraid of ghosts living alone in such a big yard?"
Huqin laughed loudly, just like when she was fifteen or sixteen years old.
She hadn't laughed so hard for a long time. Only when she was most relaxed, and only in front of her closest people, would she be so unrestrained.
"Okay, it's really too lonely for me to live alone, it's just right that you come to keep me company."
Xu Yunqing glared at Huqin and suddenly asked, "I heard there's a Never-Sleeping Quarter in Chang'an City, with 380 brothels there?"
Hu Qin was stunned. "What? Are you still thinking of trying to figure out the Red Sleeves Move? Forget it. I won't go crazy with you."
Xu Yunqing leaned over, looked at Huqin, and whispered, "I also heard that these 380 brothels are holding a top courtesan competition tomorrow, March 3rd. I don't mean another Red Sleeves Competition, I mean we should take charge again and create a top courtesan. How about that?"
Just then, there was a knock on the door.
Xu Yunqing glanced at Hu Qin and asked, "Ji Yungui is not here, and you still have a child?"
Huqin glared at Xu Yunqing. "You're already in your forties, but you're still the same as before."
She stood up, took a paper umbrella and opened the door. Outside the door was Rong Duoer, the top performer of Liuyun Tower who came from Nevernight.
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