Chapter 290 September 19th is auspicious for travel (Seeking monthly votes)
Although Liu Hong did not want the scheme of the mastermind behind the scenes—"Dragon Spear" Liu Wu—to succeed.
By keeping Assautai, he has the option to either move forward or retreat.
However, with Du Cang's arrival, he had to suppress any selfish thoughts he might have.
"Liu'an, bring Asutai here."
"yes."
Upon hearing this, Du Cang chuckled and manipulated the handsome guard to sit opposite him with an imposing air.
The waiting time.
Liu Hong slowly closed the unfinished memorial on the table, his head slightly lowered, his eyes filled with a sinister glint.
"I will not interfere with what General Du intends to do, but I have only one suggestion."
Du Cang sneered, "Lord Liu, are you worried that I will harm Xiao Yuan's life?"
Liu Hong nodded, and his eyes brightened instantly when he looked up.
"If Lord Xiao were still alive, he could still suppress the hot-blooded ones in the Dingyuan Army and make Xiao Jinghong more cautious."
"If he were to die unexpectedly, do you think Xiao Jinghong would lead his troops to the Tea Horse Road?"
"In addition, the Dingyuan Army suffered heavy losses from the previous invasion by the barbarians, but now it has recovered some strength and is in dire need of bloodshed."
"Your king's peacock banner is neither too close nor too far, and its strength is weaker than that of the Vajrasattva Kingdom and the barbarian army, which is just right."
That's enough.
Du Cang's smile faded slightly, and he nodded, saying, "Lord Liu is right."
"Although that old bastard Xiao Yuan has a great grudge against Vaishsa, and I will surely please the king by bringing his head back, it will also bring some disaster."
He paused, then looked at Liu Hong and asked, "Does Lord Liu have any suggestions?"
"Since I've come all the way to Shu Prefecture, I must bring back some spoils of war."
"Chen Yi".
"Chen Yi?"
"I've heard of that name before. Xiao Jinghong's husband, the renowned Mr. Qingzhou of the Great Wei Dynasty, is that right?"
"It's him."
Du Cang's crimson pupils narrowed slightly as he asked with a smile, "Why did you choose him?"
Liu Hong said calmly, "The reason is simple: Chen Qingzhou is the most suitable person."
"Although he became famous in the Great Wei for his perfect calligraphy and poetry, he was still a son-in-law in the Xiao family and was not valued by the Xiao family."
"But his identity is very special. He is Xiao Jinghong's husband and comes from the Chen family of Jiangnan Prefecture."
"Killing him would not only bring shame to the Xiao family, but also shake the heart of the Central Plains. What does General Du think?"
Du Cang raised an eyebrow, pondered for a moment, and nodded, saying, "Okay."
For him, apart from "Liu Wu", everyone else was just someone he dealt with incidentally.
Moreover, the Xiao family is no longer as prosperous as it once was, and is now supported only by Xiao Jinghong, a woman.
Isn't he just letting them take whatever they want?
Seeing that he had agreed, Liu Hong stopped talking and sat quietly in his chair waiting for Zhao Liuan to bring back Asutai.
To be honest.
He secretly hoped that Xiao Yuan would die at Du Cang's hands.
But he was also very clear that Xiao Yuan's death would do more harm than good.
Not only will it remove Xiao Jinghong's constraints, but it will also shake the court and the public, attracting the attention of the emperor and the nine ministers.
At that time, any slight movement in the entire Shu Prefecture will be magnified infinitely.
This is not conducive to Liu Hong's plans.
However, if he chooses Chen Yi, then he will no longer have these concerns.
On the contrary, Chen Yi's attack allowed him to glean some information about what was happening in the capital.
Especially the Chen family of Jiangnan Prefecture.
Chen Xuanji was not in Wei, but some of Chen Xuandu's responses revealed the Chen family's attitude towards Shu Province.
Killing two birds with one stone.
As Liu Hong pondered these thoughts, he sneered inwardly.
"If you can escape with your life even after all this, then I... will be even less likely to let you go!"
Not long after.
Zhao Liuan led Asutai to the door and said softly, "Master, the person has been brought here."
Liu Hong responded and stood up to look at Du Cang: "General, please. I will not see you off any further."
Du Cang glanced at him and said meaningfully, "Don't worry, Lord Liu, I will definitely convey my greetings to the King when I see him later."
"Hehe, General Du, you're too kind."
After Liu Hong finished speaking with a forced smile, he watched him walk out of the quiet room, his face darkening.
Lando King, Du Cang!
Du Cang, standing outside the door, didn't care what Liu Hong was thinking. He had leverage over Liu Hong and wasn't worried at all.
At this moment, he looked at Asutai, forced a smile, and cupped his hands, saying:
"Du Cang of the Peacock King's Banner greets Your Highness the Crown Prince."
Asutai looked down at him, his square face twitching slightly, his eyes revealing a hint of hatred.
Having come from a barbarian tribe to Shu Prefecture, he had naturally heard the name "Peacock King's Banner" many times.
According to the bandits of Vaishsa Kingdom, the "Peacock King Banner" was the most powerful bandit group on the Tea Horse Road.
But in his eyes, the Peacock King's Banner was the culprit who had abducted him and his people.
Even if this time it was another band of bandits who infiltrated the barbarian tribes.
Seeing that Asutai remained silent, Du Cang's eyes flashed with a hint of mockery. Without further ado, he waved his hand and released a cloud of black mist.
Asutai stared at him, then lay motionless on the ground.
Du Cang sneered, "Your Highness, you should take a nap first. Once you wake up, you can return to the barbarian tribe."
After saying that, he ignored Zhao Liuan beside him, picked up Asutai on his back, and left in a flash.
After he left.
Zhao Liuan swallowed hard, then turned and walked into the quiet room.
"grown ups……"
Liu Hong raised his hand to interrupt him, his face revealing a fierce look, and suddenly swept the clutter on the table onto the ground.
Thud, thud.
Zhao Liuan immediately knelt down, cold sweat pouring down his forehead.
He had been following Liu Hong for three years, and this was the first time he had ever seen Liu Hong lose his composure like this.
After a long time.
Once Liu Hong had caught his breath, he sat back down in the chair, his expression returning to calm.
"Have our men search for 'Liu Wu' and, if they find him, notify Du Cang as soon as possible."
"In addition, I will be staying at the yamen for a while. If anyone comes to visit, please tell them that I am busy with official business."
"Go tell Yao'er not to show his face either."
"yes……"
...
The next day.
The weather was overcast and rainy, and the light was dim.
The fourth quarter of the Yin hour.
Xiao Wuge got up early and washed and dressed with Xiao Die's help.
He wore a short, brocade robe, with a belt tightly tied around his waist.
With a simple updo, she looks exquisite yet capable.
After these days of martial arts training, Xiao Wuge gradually got used to this kind of life.
He would practice martial arts in the morning, read books in the afternoon, and spend the night fishing, playing chess, or staying in the study with his brother-in-law Chen Yi.
Regular and fulfilling.
Although he sometimes envied the children of his age playing and frolicking in the manor, he could not.
The time he spent with his brother-in-law taught him the meaning of "a gentleman is cautious even when alone" and "heaven entrusts a great responsibility to this person".
He had already suffered from "mental torment".
Just like Xiao Fengchun and Fu Wanqing dying in battle, just like the Xiao family being humiliated by the Liu family of Jingzhou, and so on.
He saw it all and kept it in his heart.
There's no real animosity between them.
He viewed these experiences more as opportunities to hone his skills, hoping that one day he could become like his grandfather Xiao Yuan and his father Xiao Fengchun.
Defend the border and protect the people of the region.
Therefore, Xiao Wuge willingly accepted his current life.
No matter how tired or how difficult it is, he will grit his teeth and persevere.
At five quarters past the hour of Yin, Xiao Die watched as Xiao Wuge left Chunhe Garden with Wang Lixing, who had come to pick him up, and then she began to busy herself.
They swept and washed the Chunhe Garden, cleaning it thoroughly inside and out.
After doing all this.
She went to the study and lit a strong plum blossom incense stick.
The cool and delicate fragrance of plum blossoms, blended with agarwood, sandalwood, and cloves, gradually filled the entire room.
Then she lifted the Imperial Astronomical Bureau calendar hanging to one side:
September 19th.
It is auspicious for travel, marriage, and seeking medical treatment.
Avoid transactions, hanging plaques, and moving into a new house.
Three lines of vermilion annotations.
Xiaodie wrote down the contents, tore off the previous page, and smiled.
"It's a good time to travel, that's great."
Besides being fond of inquiring about everything happening inside and outside the Marquis's mansion, the little maid also occasionally enjoyed reading stories about gods, ghosts, and the supernatural.
Over time, she began to pay special attention to the auspicious and inauspicious items on the imperial calendar.
She would only leave the Marquis's residence if the almanac indicated that it was an auspicious time to travel.
Most of them are her own private matters.
She would selectively forget the auspicious and inauspicious items in the imperial calendar when Chen Yi gave her instructions.
Just like the time a long time ago when Chen Yi asked her to pick up a painting and calligraphy at the mounting shop and she bumped into Mr. Yue Ming, that day was considered an inauspicious day for travel.
Sure enough, she was "made" to cry by Mr. Yue Ming that day.
Everything is in order.
Xiaodie glanced at the sky outside the window and listened carefully to the sounds upstairs, but there was no sound.
She wiped the sweat from her forehead and jogged to the kitchen.
Just as they left Chunhe Garden, they saw Shen Huatang walking towards them with Cui'er and Juan'er, carrying trays of various sizes.
Snacks, porridge, soup, and steamed buns, all piping hot.
Xiao Die smiled and bowed slightly, "Good morning, Sister Huatang, Sister Cui'er, Sister Juan'er."
Shen Huatang hummed in agreement, knowing she was going to the kitchen, and reminded her:
"The eldest young lady asked the kitchen to prepare chicken soup for the second son-in-law. Remember to take it with you."
Xiaodie blinked her eyes twice, smiled and said she had remembered, then ran towards the kitchen.
She knew that chicken soup was nourishing and should be drunk while it was hot, so she didn't dare delay.
Wait until she runs far away.
With one hand holding an umbrella and the other dragging a plate, Shen Huatang glanced at the plants and flowers on the wall of Chunhe Garden before heading back to Jiaxing Garden.
Xie Tingyun was waiting at the entrance.
Taking advantage of Shen Huatang's inattention, she grabbed two steamed buns and stuffed one into her mouth.
"Junior Sister Huatang, I need to visit Junior Brother Xue and Junior Sister Liu, so I'll be leaving now."
Just as she was about to use her agility to run away, she saw Shen Huatang step aside and block her way.
Xie Tingyun stopped and asked with an embarrassed smile, "Junior Sister, is there something you need?"
Shen Huatang looked at her coldly: "Have you spoken to the young lady yet?"
"Of course, I'm the most law-abiding."
When will you be back?
"Return before noon... no, before 3 PM."
Xie Tingyun rarely left the Marquis's residence, so she always wanted to spend more time with her junior brothers and sisters.
Shen Huatang, naturally aware of her senior sister's thoughts, continued to ask, "How are Junior Brother Xue and the others doing lately?"
"Very good, everything is as usual."
"Then please pass on a message for me, senior sister: I will go there first thing tomorrow morning to test their martial arts skills."
Xie Tingyun was taken aback, then forced a smile after realizing what he meant: "Okay, I'll talk to them later."
Oh no, oh no.
Junior brothers and sisters, it's not that I don't want to help you, it's just that I'm afraid you'll fall into the trap of your senior sister.
Good luck to you all.
After Xie Tingyun left.
Shen Huatang glanced at it a couple more times, then brought breakfast to the living room and arranged it neatly.
Xiao Wan'er approached gracefully.
Her attire today was somewhat different from usual; although she was still wearing a cloak, it was noticeably newer and brighter.
She wore a light blue thin dress underneath, and a jade pendant representing the Xiao family's status hung at her waist.
The difference was that she had dressed up specially, with her hair piled up in front of her forehead and a sparkling ruby hanging between her eyebrows.
It added an extra touch of nobility to her already stunning face.
Xiao Wan'er sat down at the dining table, gesturing for Shen Huatang and the others to sit down and eat as she smiled and asked:
"Have you told Xiaodie?"
"I just ran into Xiaodie on my way back and I already told her about the chicken soup."
Shen Huatang said reluctantly, "I even told her that you were the one who ordered it to be prepared."
Xiao Wan'er paused, a slight blush rising to her cheeks, which made her even more beautiful against the backdrop of the ruby on her forehead.
“My brother-in-law has been studying hard these days, so he should definitely get some extra help.”
You're absolutely right.
Shen Huatang ate her food silently with her head down, her thoughts naturally unreadable.
Xiao Wan'er perhaps felt that explaining would be superfluous, so she instead explained:
"I'm going to Tingyuxuan later. My sister Qingwu invited me to discuss matters concerning the Medical Academy. We'll set off after dinner."
"I estimate you won't be back for a while, so take the gifts you prepared earlier with you."
Shen Huatang responded with a "yes".
"On the way back, Huatang, don't forget to remind me to buy some cloth."
"With the weather getting colder, it's time to prepare some warmer clothes for Grandpa and the others."
"besides……"
Seeing that she had said so much, which was unusual for her, Shen Huatang knew that she must have been upset by her words, so she could only say:
"Miss, why don't we ask the young master if he's going to Tingyu Pavilion?"
“I remember that Councilor Chen said he wanted to invite him to dinner.”
Upon hearing this, Xiao Wan'er looked towards Chunhe Garden, hesitated for a moment, and shook her head, saying, "Not this time."
"There are less than half a month left until the annual examination, so let my brother-in-law stay at home and study more."
After saying that, her previous panic subsided considerably, and she stopped talking.
After finishing her meal, she left with her entourage.
At this moment, in the Chunhe Garden, which is separated by only a wall.
Chen Yi had just sat down at the dining table when he heard the sound of train tracks not far away.
Knowing that Xiao Wan'er was going to see Cui Qingwu today, he didn't think much of it and ate his breakfast on his own.
Xiaodie, who was standing next to him, glanced at him and then focused her gaze on the bowl of chicken soup.
"Young master, the young lady has prepared chicken soup for you today."
"Oh, not bad."
"Son-in-law, drink it while it's hot."
Chen Yi glanced at her and noticed that she was craving something, so he smiled and scooped out some chicken soup from his bowl and placed it in front of her.
"You should also take some supplements."
Xiao Die hesitated and said, "Young Master, this was prepared for you by the eldest young lady. Xiao Die, Xiao Die can't drink it."
"Can't, or unwilling?"
"All, all..."
"Don't bother calculating, I don't have enough."
"No, no, no..."
Seeing Xiaodie hurriedly pick up the bowl and finish the chicken soup, Chen Yi chuckled and scolded:
"Just tell me what you want to eat or drink from now on, I won't stop you."
After finishing her drink, Xiaodie wiped her mouth and chuckled, "My son-in-law is good to me, but I can't forget my roots."
"If people from other courtyards find out, they'll gossip."
"You silly girl... trying to be clever..."
After finishing breakfast amidst laughter and conversation, Xiaodie asked as she tidied up, "Is the young master going out today?"
"Probably not."
"Can I go out for a bit?"
"Winter is coming soon, and Xiaodie wants to prepare some clothes in advance."
"However, Xiaodie's skills are not good enough. She still needs to learn more from the older sisters in the manor. Xiaodie can practice on her own clothes..."
After listening to her rambling on, Chen Yi smiled and nodded: "Go ahead, and remember to have the guards from the manor accompany you."
"Yes, no problem, young master..."
Not long after.
In Chunhe Garden, only Chen Yi remained.
Even the Jiaxingyuan Garden next door was empty.
Chen Yi read for a while, but he couldn't concentrate on it; the content seemed rather bland and uninteresting.
Look at the sky.
So he got up, held up his oil-paper umbrella, and left Chunhe Garden.
"It's good to go out for a walk, to see what that guy is doing, selling himself into servitude to bury his father..."
(End of this chapter)
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