Extra: Jianghu
The day we entered the city was an extremely sunny day. The sky was clear blue without even a cloud. The towering palace sits in the golden sunlight, shining brightly, like a giant golden beast entrenched among ten miles of flowers. It is majestic, yet has a bit of a feminine air. Today, the city of Tangjing is also prosperous.
Yun Sheng rode on his horse, galloping all the way. The peach blossoms of April had all flown away, leaving the ground covered with fallen petals, which floated in the air and swirled between the horse's hooves.
"Whoa--" She shouted softly, stopped the horse steadily, turned over and jumped off the horse's back. The inn's sharp-eyed waiter saw the girl coming on horseback from a distance. Although she was not very old, she exuded an air of nobility that made people dare not look down on her. The waiter hurried forward to hold Yun Sheng's horse, and said with a smile: "Miss, do you want to stay overnight or stay in our hotel? We have quiet rooms and excellent food and wine."
Yun Sheng said nothing, turned around and walked inside. The waiter was disappointed and led the horse to the stable alone. Yun Sheng threw a silver ingot on the innkeeper's table and said in a deep voice, "I want a quiet room."
Seeing that she looked unhappy, the boss didn't say much and just walked in front to lead the way. Of course, the room cannot be compared with the one at home, but fortunately it is clean. As soon as the boss left, Yun Sheng's cold little face fell and he lay on the bed with his arms and legs spread out, feeling so aggrieved that he almost cried.
A heartless father, a heartless mother, and a heartless brother Rong!
She has been gone for such a long time, but no one has come to chase her. Do they really want her to fend for herself out there? Woo, my waist is so sore, my legs are so painful, my thighs are about to be rubbed raw from riding horses. She rubbed her eyes, sniffed hard, and held back the tears that were about to fall.
She just couldn't believe that she was so useless. Could it be that she couldn't make it in the world on her own? She just wanted those people to see that she could still live well without them!
In the evening, the business of Yunhai Inn suddenly picked up. All the guest rooms upstairs and downstairs were booked. Moreover, these guests were all wealthy and gave a lot of tips. The shopkeeper couldn't stop smiling and quickly lit a few incense sticks to the God of Wealth. The curling incense smoke made the inn even more quiet.
Yun Sheng came out of the room and stood on the stairs to the second floor, feeling a little dazed for a moment. This was her first time going out by herself. Before that, she only thought about coming to Tangjing, but when she really got here, she didn’t know what to do. The waiter saw her and hurried over to her, smiling and saying, "Miss, would you like to eat?"
Yun Sheng shook his head and asked, "Is there anything fun here?"
The waiter was smart, and his eyes turned when he heard this, "Is the girl from outside the city?"
Yun Sheng nodded, and the waiter smiled and immediately began to introduce the beautiful scenery of Tangjing to her. Yun Sheng listened quietly for a while, his eyes lit up, and he asked, "Then are we setting off fireworks tonight?"
The waiter said, "Of course, Luhua Lane is the busiest place. It would be a pity if you haven't been there."
Before he could finish his words, Yun Sheng ran downstairs and left. The shopkeeper looked at the direction she left, then turned back and asked the waiter, "Where did that girl go?"
"Luhua Lane."
"You told people there were fireworks going off there tonight?"
The waiter nodded and said, "Yes, isn't there a temple fair today?"
The shopkeeper raised his eyebrows when he heard this and cursed, "You pig-brained bastard, the abbot Zhiming of Minghua Temple has passed away, and the government has said that fireworks are not allowed for a month."
The waiter then reacted, threw the towel off his shoulder, and went out to chase after him, but there was no sign of Yun Sheng. The shopkeeper stood at the counter and sighed. It seemed that the girl had a bad temper. She hoped she wouldn't be angry with me when she comes back later.
When Yun Sheng arrived at Luhua Lane, it was already dark. The street along the river was deserted. How could it be the lively scene that the waiter had described? The night wind was a little cold, blowing on her body and making her feel chilly. She squatted by the river and felt more and more aggrieved. I don’t know what Brother Rong is doing, whether he is thinking about her? Or is he extremely happy because he was finally able to get rid of this little tail of hers?
The more she thought about it, the sadder she felt. She held her face with her hands, pouted, tears welling up in her eyes, and suddenly she regretted it.
At this moment, there was a bang, and the entire western sky lit up. A golden firework exploded in the sky, like a grand golden chrysanthemum. Soon after, several more fireworks shot up into the sky, huge and like colorful embroidered silk threads. The brilliant arc of light cut through the dark sky, decorating the night sky with colorful colors.
When the people living along the river heard the sound, they rushed out of their homes. The children clapped their hands, laughed, and pointed at the sky. The river bank, which was quiet and desolate just now, suddenly became as lively as if it was New Year's Day.
Yun Sheng was still a little girl after all, and she was stunned for a moment. The depression she had just felt disappeared instantly. She covered her ears with a smile, and looked up at the gorgeous flowers blooming in the high sky with incomparable splendor.
The fireworks lasted for more than half an hour. After they stopped, the people were still reluctant to leave and gathered by the river to discuss the matter lively.
Yun Sheng was in a good mood, and his appetite improved as well. He found a restaurant and had a bowl of noodles. After eating and drinking, they went back to the inn with a clatter.
The next morning, the people of Tangjing were discussing the beautiful scene of last night. After all, even in ordinary temple fairs, only ordinary fireworks were set off, which were far less magnificent than last night's. It was said that a wealthy businessman set off the fireworks and donated a large sum of money to Minghua Temple.
Yun Sheng went to bed too late last night, and he didn’t sleep well during the past few days on the road, so he slept until the afternoon. When he went out, the sun was about to set. There were a few tables of people sitting scattered around in the inn, and it wasn't noisy. A singing couple stopped in a corner of the inn, the man was sitting there playing the erhu, and the woman was singing a ditty on the side. Both of them were very young, about seventeen or eighteen years old.
Yun Sheng found it interesting, so he ordered a pot of tea and some snacks, found a table and sat down to listen carefully. He heard the girl singing:
Count twenty-one from the east and ninety-nine from the west. My brother’s house is at the east end of the village, and there is a dog tied in front of the door.
Looking ahead, the dog is barking; looking behind, the dog is still growling. I pick up a handful of stones and throw them out of the window, then go out for a walk.
Although the lyrics were crude, they had a unique flavor, especially for the girl. After each line she turned around and smiled at the man playing the erhu. The man also squinted his eyes and looked at her. The two of them had a tacit understanding, and their smiles were as warm as the sunshine on a winter afternoon.
Yun Sheng was listening with great interest when he suddenly heard a commotion outside the door. Then a few burly men came in, kicked over the man's stool, walked up to the girl and said, "That's the girl. How is she? She's pretty, isn't she?"
The man quickly got up and rushed forward, shouting, "Who are you? Let her go!"
The big man kicked him away and laughed, "Look at your behavior. It's her good fortune that I like her. Otherwise, if I follow you, I will be starving for the rest of my life."
The girl was terrified. She screamed the man's name and burst into tears. She looked so pitiful. The people in the inn were angry but dared not speak out, and no one wanted to report to the police.
Yun Sheng was sitting on the sidelines, extremely angry. She had never expected such a thing to happen under the emperor's feet. She said coldly, "Who are you? You are robbing a woman in broad daylight. Do you think there is any law?"
Upon hearing this, the big man turned around and said with a chuckle, "Whose family is this lady from? I didn't expect there is such a beauty in Tangjing City. How come I have never seen her before?"
Yun Sheng said, "I'm not from Tangjing. Hey, let her go, or I won't let you go."
The big man laughed and said, "What if I don't let it go?"
Yun Sheng thought to himself, after all, he had learned a few moves from his mother, but he didn't know if they would work. Although he usually claims to be "invincible" at home, when it really comes to this, he feels unsure. But before she could make a move, the big man came forward and grabbed her shoulder with a big hairy hand. Yun Sheng forgot what to do in her panic and just reached out and slapped him.
Unexpectedly, as soon as he touched him, the man suddenly screamed, fell to the ground holding his arm, and shouted: "What a strong skill! My arm is broken!"
Upon hearing this, the other thugs rushed forward together. Yun Sheng was also startled by his shout, but his self-confidence suddenly swelled. He recalled all the Kung Fu he had practiced in the past and fought quite well. With three punches and two kicks, he knocked down a group of people. The big men screamed in pain and knelt on the ground begging for mercy. Yun Sheng scolded them coldly, saying something like "not to harm the village again", and then let them go. The singing couple thanked her profusely, calling her "heroine" all the time, which made Yun Sheng feel very comfortable. The other guests were also secretly amazed. They didn't expect that this weak-looking girl actually had such good kung fu skills. She knocked down all those big men in just a few moves. When they looked at Yun Sheng, they naturally saw awe in his eyes.
After being out for so long, Yun Sheng finally enjoyed the treatment of a female knight. She was in such a good mood that she even ate an extra bowl of dinner.
The next morning, the news that a beautiful female knight had come to Yunhai Inn to uphold justice spread quickly throughout Tangjing City. The Tangjing City, which has always had excellent public security, has not been this lively for a long time. Some people even want to move in just to get a glimpse of the heroine.
Yun Sheng settled down in Tangjing like this. He was very happy at the beginning. He fought against evil and protected the good, and was generous and righteous, like a real hero. But after a month, she started to miss home a little, and when she went out to help the weak, she no longer had the same excitement she had at the beginning.
That afternoon, when Yun Sheng went out, he suddenly saw someone selling crabs on the street. He couldn't help but think of his mother who was the best at cooking crabs, and his brother Rong also liked to eat them. It's warmer here in Bian Tang than in Qinghai. I wonder if there are crabs to eat at home now?
I was lost in thought when I suddenly heard a child crying nearby. A woman with red eyes pulled a child of eight or nine years old, beating and scolding him, "Where have you been to play? I've been looking for you everywhere. Do you want to piss me off to death?" She scolded him fiercely, but the strength in her hand became weaker and weaker. Finally, she threw the board away and started to cry.
Yun Sheng stared blankly, feeling a tightness in his chest and very uncomfortable.
Mother must be very worried too, right? And there is daddy, who, although usually cold and indifferent, actually loves her the most. And Brother Rong, will he look for her everywhere? How anxious would he be if she ran out so capriciously?
"Little girl? Little girl?"
Yun Sheng came back to his senses and heard the crab vendor ask, "Do you want to buy crabs?"
Yun Sheng frowned, "How long can you live like a crab?"
The stall owner said, "If you take it out, it will die in a short time. If you keep it in salt water, it can live for a few days."
Yun Sheng smiled when he heard this and said, "Then give me two jars and fill them with water. I want to keep them."
The stall owner was stunned. He had heard of people raising flowers and birds, but had never heard of people raising crabs. He agreed and quickly packed it up and handed it to her.
Yun Sheng happily returned to the inn carrying two cans of crabs.
Room No. 3 in Yunhai Inn is only separated from Yunsheng's room by a corridor. The house is next to the water, and there is a clear blue lake below. There are green trees and colorful flowers on both sides. Now that the window was open, one could see Li Qingrong wearing a colorful soft robe with long fluttering sleeves, her black hair tied up, and she was sitting lazily on a rattan chair with her eyes slightly closed. There was a fishing rod in front of him, with a very long fishing line hanging down into the lake below the second floor. He didn't know if he could catch any fish this way.
Mingxi walked up to him and whispered, "The princess just bought a few crabs in a jar and has returned to her room."
Hearing this, Li Qingrong raised his eyebrows slightly and a smile appeared at the corner of his mouth.
"Little girl, you've finally had enough of your madness." He yawned, stretched and stood up, "Go, go, pack up and get ready to go back."
Mingxi nodded and asked, "Master, aren't you going to see the emperor? If the emperor knew that you came back but didn't go to see him, I'm afraid he would be unhappy."
"Stupid, then don't let him know."
"Yes." Mingxi agreed and turned to leave.
Li Qingrong stopped him and said, "By the way, remember to buy more crabs and put them in the carriage to keep them alive. Find a chance to replace the ones in her jar on the way. Don't wait until she gets home with a few dead crabs and then goes back to cry."
Mingxi chuckled and said, "Master is really thoughtful."
Li Qingrong knew that the boy was making fun of him, but he didn't get angry. He waved his hand and said, "Go, go out and keep an eye on them."
Mingxi walked out of the door with a smile and came to the backyard, only to see the big man who was beaten by Yun Sheng a few days ago standing in the yard, followed by a group of thugs. The big man was overjoyed to see Mingxi coming out, and hurried over to greet him, smiling: "Hello, boss, these guys are also my brothers, absolutely new faces. We have come up with a new trick this time, and we promise to make your lady..."
Mingxi interrupted him and said, "Our young lady is leaving soon. We don't need you to act anymore. This money is a reward from our master. Go home now."
The big man was stunned, and his face fell immediately, "Ah? Your young lady doesn't want to play anymore?"
Mingxi went up and kicked him, scolding him with a smile: "Get lost! Keep your mouth shut, no one should come out tonight, wait until my young lady leaves tomorrow, then you can go out and set up a stall on the street."
The big man agreed and left with a few brothers.
Another guard came forward and said to Mingxi, "Boss, the merchant surnamed Liu came to ask if you still want those fireworks?"
Mingxi said, "Yes, let him go tonight and pay the money."
That night, the city of Tangjing was bustling with lights and flowers. In the distant Cuiwei Pass, there were two people who couldn't sleep at night.
Chu Qiao took the letter that the messenger had just delivered and read it over and over again. She pulled Zhuge Yue aside and asked angrily, “Hey! Are you helping Xiao Rong’er bully Zhenzhu like this?”
Zhuge Yue raised his eyebrows, glanced at Chu Qiao, and said calmly: "What should we do? You are worried that she will have a hard time learning Kung Fu, and she dreams of making her way in the martial arts world. Are you really going to let her go out and do it on her own?"
Chu Qiao snorted, lay back on the bed, and said indignantly: "My daughter is so stupid."
Zhuge Yue lifted a strand of her hair and twisted it around his fingertips. The night breeze blew in, and it seemed to carry the fragrance of flowers and trees. Zhuge Yue put his arm around Chu Qiao's waist, his breath spraying on her neck, and said in a low voice: "Why does our daughter need to be so smart?"
The next day, Yun Sheng got up early. The waiter asked reluctantly, "Miss, are you leaving?"
Yun Sheng nodded with a smile and said, "Yes, I want to go home!"
Watching Zhuge Yunsheng's figure going away, the innkeeper said sadly: "When she came, the inn was full, and when she left, there was no one left. This girl must have a financial connection with me."
The sun was warm. Yun Sheng, wearing a light yellow skirt and riding a little red horse, walked out of the city gate in a proud and heroic manner. Soon, more than a hundred high-quality war horses followed in a luxurious carriage. Li Qingrong opened the window, called Mingxi to him, and instructed, "Ask a few smart people to rush to the front and arrange a teahouse for her to rest and an inn for her to stay. Also, find a few more locals to wait for her on the roadside. She has a poor sense of direction, so don't let her get lost without anyone to ask for directions."
Mingxi smiled and said, "Don't worry, Master."
The horse flicked its tail and snorted happily, the birds in the sky chirped, it was another beautiful day with no clouds in the sky.
(End of this volume)
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