Zuiyue Tower is built on the water, with well-proportioned pavilions, pavilions, waterside pavilions and painted boats. The winding corridors are deep and winding. It can be said that every step of the way is a scene that is dizzying.
The entrance hall is magnificent, with carved beams and painted columns and high hanging brocade curtains. On the tables of the guests who were seated were all jade plates of delicacies and gold cups of fine wine, which gave the guests a dizzying sense of prosperity and enchantment.
Fang Zilan always looked deserted, quietly chose a corner seat to sit down, and casually ordered a few dishes and a pot of tea.
At this time, most of the guests in the hall had changed, and not many people noticed her, so she was happy and leisurely, until someone sat quietly opposite her.
Ming Xiang immediately became wary. She moved her sleeves slightly, but was held down by Fang Zilan calmly, "Sir, I never like sharing the same table with strangers. Please find another seat."
"Girl, don't you recognize me?" The man raised his eyebrows, but Fang Zilan didn't even raise his eyelids, "Did you recognize the wrong person?"
"Even if your appearance changes, girl, I still recognize your sword." The man's eyes fell on the sword Fang Zilan put aside, "That's the plum sword, Zi Xiu's plum sword."
Fang Zilan lowered her eyes and glanced at the plum sword. In order to hide it from others, she had wrapped the plum branch shape of the sword's hilt with cloth. It looked no different from an ordinary sword.
"The girl didn't say anything, but she acquiesced?" The man's expression became colder, but there was a look of determination in his eyes.
"I am half a Jianghu person, so I have naturally heard of Zixiu's name." Fang Zilan said quietly: "I heard that everyone who has seen her and the plum sword in her hand is dead."
The man's expression froze, and then Fang Zilan glanced at him, "I bought this sword casually on the way to Zuiyue Tower. I bought it based on my eyesight. As for its origin, I am too lazy to go into details. If you like it, you might as well Just make an offer."
"What did you say?" A look of surprise flashed across the man's face, and Fang Zilan took the time to say, "Why, do you have no money?"
"I..." The man was speechless for a moment, Fang Zilan frowned and said: "I hate dealing with poor people. If you don't have money, stay away from me as soon as possible, so as not to pass on the bad luck of poverty to me."
As she spoke, she flicked her sleeves with a look of disgust on her face, as if she was afraid of being stained by the man's poor aura.
"You're going too far!" The man shouted, "I am Geng Nan, the 27th generation descendant of Xiaojing Lake. You actually dare to say that I have no money..."
"It turns out he is a hero from Xiaojing Lake. It's a pleasure to meet him. But is there still a sect like Xiaojing Lake now?" Fang Zilan said sarcastically: "Qi Liu, the twenty-sixth generation leader of Xiaojing Lake, is your master, right? He is At the gambling table, we lost all the house and land in Xiaojing Lake to the Daomen Huo family. Is it time for Geng Daxia to change his tune now?"
"Since the names are clear, I will start with the land, population, taxes and labor in the southeast in recent years." Fang Zilan smiled faintly, "I wonder where these records are?"
"I'll go get it right away." After saying this, Pei Xiaoze turned and walked out of the main hall.
After he walked away, Zhuge Yu slowly said, "Speaking of which, why doesn't Sister Lan wear official uniform today?"
He looked at Fang Zilan, who was wearing casual riding clothes under a cloak, with a more probing look in his eyes.
Fang Zilan shrugged helplessly, "Master Pei came to apologize in person yesterday, saying that the official uniform was not ready yet."
Zhuge Yu frowned slightly, "Sister Lan met Master Pei yesterday?"
"Yes." Fang Zilan nodded, Zhuge Yushu's brows relaxed and his expression was clear, "Official uniforms are solemn. Sister Lan, do you believe Master Pei's words?"
"I believe it." Fang Zilan answered without hesitation, but Zhuge Yu's eyes clearly showed disapproval.
Seeing this, she asked curiously: "A Yu can't trust Master Pei?"
Zhuge Yu waved his hand and said softly: "It is not the behavior of a gentleman to talk behind your back, so I can't say much. It's just that there are many powerful people in the capital, and there are also many people who rely on their family background to please people with superficial intentions. Sister Lan should be more careful."
Hearing this, Fang Zilan suddenly smiled and said in a warm voice: "A Yu, have you ever heard that if you keep doing it, you will become a gentleman?"
Zhuge Yu was slightly startled, "I would like to hear the details."
"Everyone in the world knows that someone is different from what he looks like, and his behavior is for others to see. He is not a righteous gentleman. But I want to say, since everyone in the world will force themselves to do something, why should they criticize others harshly?" Fang Zilan The smile on his face deepened, "What's more, no matter whether this person is sincere or fake, if he can continue to do it, it will become a habit. How can he not be called a gentleman?"
"This is the first time I've heard what Sister Lan said, and it's quite new." Zhuge Yu thought for a moment and said, "Although it makes sense, why does Sister Lan have so much faith in Lord Pei when we first met him? But Lord Pei also said something else. What?"
"Master Pei did say that." Fang Zilan's expression suddenly became a little more sad, "Actually, Master Pei met me yesterday and asked me to come up with an idea."
"What's your idea?" Zhuge Yu asked, but he had a guess in his heart. Sure enough, he heard Fang Zilan say: "Official uniforms have been made for a long time, but they are all men's sizes according to the old practice. I'm afraid they don't fit my stature. Mr. Pei, please I decide if I want to remake the garment or make do.”
"Sister Lan must make clothes again." Zhuge Yu responded, but Fang Zilan smiled and shook his head: "Master Pei has already taken the idea for me."
She paused and continued: "Master Pei is very careful. He knows very well that if I don't have official uniform, I will lose face on the first day I take office. But he knows even better that as a woman, if I take office as a man wearing inappropriate clothes, I'm afraid that wearing official uniform will lead to ridicule and a lot of criticism. Since he saw me apologizing yesterday, he has already made plans for me. When you and I entered the door just now, everyone in the courtyard was respectful. I think it was his fault. A man in the world who can think carefully for a woman is worthy of being called a gentleman."
Zhuge Yu nodded slightly and said, "Sister Lan's words are right. I just follow her words."
"Personnel affairs in Beijing are complicated. There is nothing wrong with following others' opinions or thinking for yourself." Fang Zilan took some time to straighten his sleeves. When he heard the footsteps approaching from far outside the door, he stood up and said, "Master Pei is here."
Pei Xiaoze walked into the main hall, followed by two officials with a pile of documents in their arms. Fang Zilan said: "My lord, I have been waiting for a long time. All the southeastern affairs in the past five years have been here."
As he spoke, he took one of the books and explained it to Fang Zilan. She listened patiently and sighed in her heart that he was patient and meticulous in his work. He classified all the affairs in Southeast into categories and organized them in an orderly manner.
In less than half a day, Fang Zilan and Pei Xiaoze naturally became familiar with each other. He checked all the matters with her one by one before handing them over to her. Therefore, she was able to take over quickly, and she couldn't help but appreciate him more in her heart.
