In the blink of an eye, more than a month passed, and suddenly it was September.
September is the autumn, and there is no warmth at all in Jichuncheng. Scattered snowflakes have begun to fall on Jiugao Mountain.
The turbulent waves at Zhuoyu Villa have gradually subsided, and the heat of the sword-making conference is getting colder every day as the weather cools down. There are always things happening in the world, and the center of the storm has long since moved. Only the idle people drinking tea and chatting in Hechun City would still savor the grand occasion of the gathering of distinguished guests more than a month ago, and then sigh with emotion: "What if the promised conference is successfully held and everyone benefits? Isn't this cool?"
For more than a month, although the city was not as lively as before, it was not that nothing happened.
For example, the auction that was pushed back and forth was held in Jichun City on the night of the Mid-Autumn Festival in August. At that time, the bright moon was in the sky, the lights in the city were brilliant, the whole street was decorated with fireworks, and the scene was very lively.
Bai Yushenghui's handiwork was great, there were many auction items, the lady who hosted the auction was very beautiful, the auction process was very standardized, and the final transaction price was also amazing. The distinguished guests who came down from Zhuoyu Villa and the new and old customers who came from afar after hearing the news were very satisfied. Everyone took away valuable gifts before leaving.
The security in Jichun City is very good. No matter how fierce the competition is at the auction, there is no sap, sacking, or murder after the meeting. Zhuoyu Villa specifically asked Bai Yushenghui to beware of this kind of thing, especially since Mr. Tang also specifically reminded Shopkeeper Liu to be careful during the retreat. He had heard this paragraph in many stories.
This was a grand, successful, safe and flawless auction.
Oh, and it's not entirely without flaws.
For example, as the founder of Baiyu Shenghui’s Big Boss, Tang Zhaotang was unable to attend this long-prepared event. Instead, he quietly retreated in the mountains and only sent a video blessing. Fortunately, Bai Yushenghui has enough manpower and preparations, and Shopkeeper Liu is experienced. He has also hired many people from the King of Hell store through Mrs. Huarong to act as security guards to ensure that guests feel at home. Xue Yeyu also came forward as a shareholder representative, which made up for the regret of the boss's absence.
In addition to this auction, which has a certain influence in Yunzhou, another legend spread throughout the streets and alleys of Jichun City is that about ten days after the sword-making meeting ended, a stone slab that seemed to seal the sewer was removed. Dozens of disgraced and exhausted people crawled out.
At first, everyone thought that such a dirty person must be a member of the Beggar Clan. Unexpectedly, someone later recognized that some of these people were famous heroes and wealthy businessmen, all decent people. Even a few and a half months ago, he was wearing gold and silver and acting domineering on the streets, but for some reason, he was locked up in the sewer.
These people come out devastated, like idiots. Later, I gradually woke up, and I couldn't help but curse and say things like "Lie on the grass, you're a demon", "Why have I forgotten everything?", "You bastard wearing a mask, I call you your eight-generation ancestor" and other commands. Words that people don’t understand. Seeing their heated mood, the people in Jichun City thought that a bloody street fight would break out. Unexpectedly, they got tired of scolding and left in a hurry. Most of them slipped out of Jichun City that day, as if they had never been there.
After that, there was no news in Jichun City. If there is, then the government office and the Procuratorate Department together went out to clean up Chuncheng, throwing out those Jianghu people who had come to participate in the sword-making conference and had not yet had time to evacuate, as well as some gangsters and Hui Dao who were unwilling to miss Shu. Then after the auction, they immediately maintained an order slightly looser than martial law in the city for more than half a month.
It is said that almost all cities in Yunzhou do this, and the atmosphere is extraordinary. At first, some people suspected that some great evil was about to sweep through Yunzhou, which made people panic for a while. Later, the government officials refuted the rumors and said that there was no such thing, saying that it was the "Haiyan River Freshening Yunzhou-Hundred Days of Public Security Cleaning Activity" personally presided over by Gao Yuanhou. All law-abiding people can carry out their activities as usual and will not be affected. The Marquis' words were quite trustworthy, and everyone was nervous for a while, but then they got used to it.
There are many things going on down the mountain, but things are calm up there.
The swamp is a piece of still water that has never made waves since it was formed in ancient times. Even if fish and turtles forcefully stir up wind and waves, time will eventually smooth out these wrinkles and make the swamp calm.
After the sword-making conference, the disciples of Zhuoyu Villa moved back to their original residences, living and studying as before. Although two swordsmiths were born in Zhuoyu Villa, which caused a stir in the world, and the evaluation of the entire sect also rose to a higher level, everyone on the mountain could not feel the change, and their mentality did not change. Perhaps only when a certain disciple comes down from the mountain after studying and is looked down upon when reporting his family status in the world, will he realize that the status of Zhuoyu Villa is different from before after all.
One day in September, it was sunny.
The door of the ninth sword house by the swamp was reopened after forty days.
A young man walked out, the sun shone on his head, and his body was covered with golden light, as if welcoming him.
The young man's handsome facial features melt into the light, like a natural painting. There is no more harmonious scene than this.
"A Zhao!"
Tang Zhao turned his head and saw Xue Yeyu coming towards him.
Xue Yeyu was dressed differently than usual, wearing a fluffy gray cloak, like an owl.
It was the way Tang Zhao dressed up when he first met Xue Yeyu. It was exactly what she usually wore when going out.
Yes, Xue Yeyu was going out, and this was an appointment with Tang Zhao. Although Tang Zhao was in seclusion, he had not completely cut off contact with the outside world. All the teachers knew his progress.
He chose to go out today just to go down the mountain with Xue Yeyu.
They are going to Zhongtian Mansion.
Tang Zhao was going to pay a visit to Marquis Gao Yuan, settle his job title by the way, and then... take a short leave, travel with his sword for a while, and rush to Black Spider Villa in Heyang County for an appointment at the end of the year. These may be his last leisurely days. When he returns to the Hou Mansion, he will have a job.
He also had a hunch that once he went to report, someone would immediately come to him to fulfill his duties as a swordsman.
Xue Yeyu, on the other hand, went with Tang Zhao to get her sword.
It must be said that Xue Yeyu was not very enthusiastic about being a swordsman before. She was just like other girls who came from a good family and had no worries about food and clothing. She was quite satisfied with life, had no ambitions, and lived leisurely. But once this opportunity to reach the sky came to her, Xue Yeyu couldn't hold it back. This month has been spent full of expectations and even worrying about gains and losses.
The day finally came today. She changed her clothes early and waited for Tang Zhao at the door.
Tang Zhao was very considerate of her mood and said with a smile: "Sister, since you are ready, let's say goodbye to Master and go down the mountain?"
This time it was just the two of them out there. Jiang Shenyi was obsessed with studying the soul and refused to go down the mountain.
Xue Yeyu said: "Okay. Dad is at the second senior brother's place, let's go find him."
Tang Zhao asked in surprise: "Second Senior Brother hasn't left yet?"
It has been more than a month since he went up the mountain. It is rare for Senior Brother Xu to stay for such a long time.
Xue Yeyu smiled and said: "He's still here, but he hasn't been here for a long time. In the past two days, dad has already disliked him."
Tang Zhao was amused. The two of them walked together along the wooden plank road on the shore to the Taoist temple-like Jianlu, which was the residence of the second senior brother.
As soon as I arrived in front of the door, I heard someone yelling: "Get out of here!"
As soon as the door opened, Xu Zhongnan, wearing a Taoist robe, ran out, pointed at the door and shouted loudly: "Just leave, do you think I want to be here? Old man, don't beg me to come back when I leave!" After that! Just roll your sleeves and leave.
Tang Zhao and Xue Yeyu were secretly amused when they saw this scene, but they still saluted and said hello.
Xu Zhongnan felt a little embarrassed when he saw his junior brother and sister looking at him, but in an instant he seemed to be fine and said with a smile: "Junior sister, Junior Brother Tang, are you going down the mountain today?"
Xue Ye said: "Yes, say goodbye to dad and leave."
Xu Zhongnan said: "In that case, how about we go down the mountain together? We can also be companions."
Tang Zhao and Xue Yeyu looked at each other, and Xue Yeyu said, "Are you going back to the capital? Let's go to Zhongtian Mansion. We're not on our way."
Xu Zhongnan waved his hand and said: "By the way, it's the same as going south. I can also go to Zhongtian Mansion first and then transfer back to Beijing. It just so happens that I haven't been there for a long time. Zhongtian Mansion also has a lot of delicious and fun things. Then I'll take the official road back. I heard that my junior brother is going to travel? Why don't you follow me to the capital to have a look? You want to increase your knowledge, how can you not go to the capital?"
Tang Zhao was about to speak when he heard Xue Xianyun roar in Jianlu: "Don't bring Azhao to that dirty place! You are the only one who likes to wallow in the mire. Get out of here!"
Xu Zhongnan made a face and signaled Tang Zhao and the others to come out to find him, but he was alone.
Tang Zhao thought to himself: Is Senior Brother Xu a very leisurely official? You can stay out there as long as you want without having to go back to perform your duties?
The two entered Jianlu and met Xue Xianyun. Although Xue Xianyun was a little angry, he was not really angry and even gave a few instructions. Xue Yeyu didn't need to be too persistent and just let it go. As long as it matched the sword, he didn't need to worry too much if he didn't. His family was a sword-making sect, so why worry about not having any use for the sword in the future?
Then, he told Tang Zhao: "Marquis Gao Yuan is still a serious prince. To follow her, you need to be diligent and honest, but you don't need to be too ambitious and lose your sense of proportion. Your future lies in knowledge and swords, don't talk to Xu Zhong Nan is like a boy who has lost his mind. And..."
Xue Xianyun lowered his voice and said: "I'm not telling you to avoid the important and be selfish. In order to resist the devil and protect the people, you must do your best, but when you encounter the open and covert struggle in the court, don't rush too much. Up front. We are academics, so don’t get too involved in those dirty things. Although you are smart and inexperienced, don’t be sold for money. If it doesn’t work, come back, Zhuoyu Villa will protect you."
Tang Zhao solemnly agreed. After a few months, I said goodbye to my master again and went out with Xue Yeyu. As expected, Xu Zhongnan was waiting outside and had just come out from the third senior sister Zhu Ying's place. After the three of them met, they went down the mountain to Zhongtian Mansion.
(End of chapter)
