Chapter 6 Gold Bars
The streets were completely silent. Gao Shaoshan touched his wet collar, pulled the reins, and said, "I obey your orders!"
Zhao Xuanxu released his fingers, and the window snapped shut. The feathered guards driving the carriage whipped the snow-capped horse, and before the men above could react, the carriage continued its rumbling journey.
Wen Yao pressed the dagger with his fingertips, pressing unconsciously, thinking: "The person who just stood in front of the King of Qin looks familiar."
Zhao Xuanxu: "Ayao knows him?"
Wen Yao shook his head: "No." He just felt that the face looked familiar, but he couldn't remember who it was. Maybe it was just an ordinary person.
Yan Cang's tomb was located beneath an old pine tree by a mountain stream, in a quiet and deserted area. The tombstone was new, with no words of praise, only four large, resolute characters.
"The Tomb of Yan Cang".
Wen Yao recognized it as Yan Cang's own handwriting at a glance.
She took out a letter from her bosom and unfolded it. She half-knelt in front of the tomb and shook it. She smiled and said, "Hey, you wrote me a letter, and I sent someone. I traveled a thousand miles to attack you. Isn't that nice of you?"
If this were to spread among the common people, it would definitely have a chapter of its own in a storybook.
Zhao Xuanxu crouched beside her, his robe lifted, and used a tinder to light the yellow paper in the copper incense burner. Wen Yao was very close to the tombstone, her face practically pressed against the stone, mumbling to herself for a long time before finally dropping the letter into the incense burner and watching the rising flames burn it to a crisp.
The old wine was poured into the dust, and the yellow paper burned into the underworld. Yan Cang was fifty-eight years old this year. His death was the result of years of hidden injuries and a sudden illness. For him, it was a happy death.
Zhao Xuanxu remained silent, squatting to the side. Once Wen Yao had finished speaking, the group headed back home. Wen Yao took the badge from Qianying and hung it around his waist alongside the one Zhao Xuanxu had given him earlier, officially taking up his position as the commander of the secret guards under Prince Yan.
Prince Yan took out three boxes and opened them in front of Wen Yao. Wen Yao sat at the table, looking at the three boxes of gold bars neatly stacked in front of him and narrowed his eyes slightly.
Hiss, I have to say, what a rich luster.
"This is Ayao's monthly salary." Zhao Xuanxu sat opposite Wen Yao, one hand on his knee, and every word he spoke was light.
This is the house he prepared for A Yao. A Yao sits in this house, and A Yao will be by his side from now on.
This realization made Zhao Xuanxu grit his teeth, barely suppressing the itch that was nagging at his heart and liver. The satisfaction and fulfillment in his heart were beyond words. After so many years, the person he had longed for had finally returned from the horizon and landed beside him.
He turned his face nervously, his hair swaying and sticking to the side of his face.
And to Wen Yao, Zhao Xuanxu's voice was now tinged with the clinking of gold: "Ayao, if you feel you're short of something, just take your badge to the warehouse and withdraw it."
"Enough, enough, enough." She felt the texture of the gold bars and murmured, "The boss is generous."
It's really generous. As the leader of the secret guards, she not only has a high salary and good food, but also a good place to live.
How good is it?
As soon as she opened the door, she saw Zhao Xuanxu's house across from her. The Prince of Yan's Mansion was so large, and she and Zhao Xuanxu lived in the best and most luxurious courtyard together. Zhao Xuanxu had given a good reason: living closer would make it easier for Wen Yao to protect him at any time.
Wen Yao was happy to accept this reason, but rejected the dozens of maids standing in the room.
Although she had been in the underworld for a long time, she was still of good origin and did not accept such tricks. Besides, she was just working to repay a favor, not a real master, so there was no need for her to be served.
The silent maids stood in several rows outside the door, like perfectly fired white jade figurines. Zhao Xuanxu waved his hand, and they knelt in a neat row, saluted, and then quietly withdrew.
"Oh, right, I need a break every once in a while." Wen Yao touched the gold bar, then suddenly remembered that there was a banquet at the Qiongyu Tower in two days. She had already stood up Lou Chengyi once, so this time she had to go. Otherwise, with that man's vindictive nature, she would have no peace in Bianliang. "I have to go out to meet a friend in a couple of days, so I'm asking for your leave first."
"Ask for leave?" Zhao Xuanxu repeated with a hint of doubt, and then quickly understood what Wen Yao meant: "Ayao is free to come and go. As long as she stays by my side, she can go wherever she wants."
It's all about being able to do the job when needed. High salary, good benefits, and flexible working hours—great, great, surprise boss.
Wen Yao was content, feeling that the favor she had owed over the past three years wouldn't be too difficult to repay. By this measure, she'd have enough money to travel west to Daluo after three years, and could easily join a caravan and continue her leisurely life.
"Master." At this time, Gao Shaoshan knocked on the door outside: "Just now, Concubine Li from the palace sent something, it's from Dali--"
Zhao Xuan's preface was concise: "Throw it away."
Gao Shaoshan: "And——"
"Throw it away."
"Master." Gao Shaoshan scratched his head, a little embarrassed: "No, it's Master Zhang who is here too. He's waiting for you in the study."
"Tell him to leave." Zhao Xuanxu turned a deaf ear to him. His face was still flushed with warmth, as if from alcohol. He extended his hand towards Wen Yao and said softly, "Come, Ah Yao, I'll show you around this yard."
"What are you looking at? I know the way." Wen Yao had a very good memory. She had scouted the entire palace the night before and had a clear memory of the general layout of the courtyards. She waved her hand and said, "If someone wants to see you, go get busy."
Zhao Xuanxu was not willing to leave easily now. Almost as soon as Wen Yao finished speaking, he quickly said, "Ayao, come with me."
She was waiting in the study, probably to discuss serious matters with Zhao Xuanxu. However, since she would be staying there for three years, she was bound to hear and see confidential matters, so there was no need to be shy about it.
Wen Yao had no objection. He picked up the mask beside him and put it on again, then went to the study with Zhao Xuanxu.
Zhao Xuanxu lived next to the bathing courtyard, while his study was a little further away, near the garden. Wen Yao walked down a corridor and saw the study door wide open. Inside stood a man dressed in cyan, with a Pisces jade pendant at his waist. His fox-like eyes were filled with admiration, and he gently stroked an ivory comb in his hand.
"Excellent!" Zhang Yun exclaimed in praise: "This carving, this material, is a masterpiece!"
Seeing Zhao Xuanxu and a group of people striding over, Zhang Yun's eyes were still smiling, and he leisurely bowed and prepared to salute. When his eyes met Wen Yao who followed Zhao Xuanxu in, Zhang Yun was stunned for a moment and paused: "This...?"
Zhao Xuanxu had no intention of introducing his A Yao to others. He pointed to the main seat above and said, "A Yao, sit there."
Wen Yao shook his head and wanted to stand aside, but after noticing the strange and eager gaze of Lord Zhang next to him, he simply took a deep breath and stood up, landing lightly on the roof beam.
The secret guard who was squatting on the beam was caught off guard and was pushed by her. He swayed and turned his head to stare at Wen Yao in confusion.
A Yao was unwilling to sit in his seat. Zhao Xuanxu was a little unwilling, but he had no choice.
He pursed his lips and glanced critically at the dim area above him, ready to immediately order someone to widen and cushion the beams in the mansion. It was a cold and windy winter day, and if Yao wanted to stay up there, it would be more comfortable to sit on.
Zhang Yun, standing nearby, looked as if he had seen a ghost. His gaze lingered between the beam above and Zhao Xuanxu, his curiosity barely contained, and he blurted out a question.
Zhao Xuanxu finally withdrew his gaze, walked to the head of the table, and sat down. He lowered his eyes, spoke in a weak voice, and leaned his elbow to support his head: "What's wrong?"
"Ah, yes, I have something to say." Zhang Yun finally calmed his expression and bowed to Zhao Xuanxu. The frivolous look between his brows suddenly subsided, and his entire demeanor was completely transformed. Youthful and vigorous, like the green bamboo outside the window, attracting great attention.
"The dispute between His Highness and the King of Qin on West Street today has reached the palace. His Majesty has asked someone to discuss the matter. The Imperial Concubine is waiting outside with sweet soup."
He and a group of important officials were detained by the emperor and forced to listen to the emperor's words.
Zhao Xuanxu remained indifferent. He put his fingers into the teacup and slowly stirred the warm tea inside.
"After all, it was the Prince of Qin who struck first, and Your Majesty ignored the Concubine's cries." Zhang Yun spoke without a trace of seriousness, his tone tinged with gloating, instantly destroying his dignity. "But Your Highness, are you seriously going to order the Twelve Guards to search the Prince of Qin's mansion tonight? The Prince of Qin is still the Prince of Qin, the son of the Concubine, and the grandson of Prime Minister Feng. His followers are powerful enough to challenge the Eastern Palace. As far as I can remember, the Twelve Guards have never searched a prince, unless the person they are dealing with is a traitor."
Zhao Xuanxu stepped on the footrest, the silky fabric of his robe draped over his long legs. His eyes were filled with black, white, and white, and he didn't care. "Zhang Yun, has compiling history books made you stupid?"
Zhang Yun frowned, his mind turning, and suddenly he realized: "Oh, could it be that Prime Minister Feng has been overreaching lately, and Your Majesty is planning to give him a lesson?"
The current Prime Minister, Feng Ji, was a distinguished general in his youth and later, as Prime Minister, a leading figure in southern China. He and his wife were deeply devoted and raised a son and a daughter. His son became a minister, and his daughter, who had been in the palace for many years and enjoyed uninterrupted favor, gave birth to the fourth prince, the Prince of Qin, and also enjoyed the Emperor's favor, securing her position as Imperial Consort.
"Pingjiang's salt transport is the largest in the world. Even if Your Majesty favors the South, he will not allow anyone to reach into his purse to take money." Zhang Yun's tone became more and more determined. "What news has the Supervisory Office received?"
Wen Yao was listening overhead, and couldn't help but reach into her pocket, pulling out a few peeled peanuts, putting them in her mouth and starting to chew. The gazes around Wen Yao instantly became flustered, constantly scanning her and the peanuts in her hand.
Wen Yao turned his head and met the eyes of the secret guard beside him. After thinking for a moment, he took out a large bag of peanuts from his pocket and handed it over.
The guard standing nearby was also wearing a mask, making his expression unclear. Under Wen Yao's encouraging gaze, he silently took a few peanuts and passed the bag to his colleague. And so, after several quick, silent passes, the mouths of the ten guards perched on the four beams of the study were filled with crispy peanuts.
"People will die in Pingjiang Prefecture." Zhao Xuanxu's words completely confirmed Zhang Yun's thoughts. He reached out, pulled out a petition from the pile of documents on the table, and tossed it to Zhang Yun: "If you have someone to recommend you, you can start preparing... Is there anything else?"
This means they are going to kick people out.
Zhang Yun shut up and shook his head.
"Then take these things and go."
Zhang Yun looked at the box of treasures that Concubine Li had handed him at his feet, and his mouth once again stretched into a smile of joy. The world-renowned talent, with a smile full of the smell of money, said sincerely, "Okay! All right! I'll be leaving now!"
The scholar was frail, and he rolled up his sleeves and struggled to lift the box. When he raised his head, his gaze vaguely glanced at the beam overhead, but he couldn't see anything clearly, so he walked away happily under Zhao Xuanxu's cold gaze.
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