Zhao Qingshan's hand waving the folding fan paused, and he frowned.
Zhou Xu chewed tea leaves and said, "Although Cui Shizi is quite shady, he is indeed smarter than most people."
Zhao Qingshan's face turned red and white, feeling that his lord's words were really unfair.
Zhou Xu smiled and said, "But I don't blame you. A serious imperial examination student with a clean background is indeed more decent than Cui Shizi. Cui Shizi often said that having you by my side can help me cultivate some literati integrity."
Zhao Qingshan's face was expressionless, feeling that his lord's praise was more like sarcasm.
"I did hint that I would help Lu Cong in Luzhou, so did I help?" Zhou Xu watched Miss Xiao eagerly feeding and feeding Wu Yilang, but Wu Yilang ignored her, Xiao Xiao The lady was not discouraged and was still teasing, and said while watching: "Not only did I help, but I also let the people at Lu Cong see how I defeated the boss so that the ship's provisions could smoothly cross the Gaozhi territory. Lu Cong should You should thank me. You are worried that the food will be seized in Anyi, and the people at Lu Cong are even more worried."
"However, if something happens to those ships' rations in Anyi, I won't be at a loss. If my ships' rations are damaged, I can put pressure on Gao Zhi to give me Anyi. I will be resentful. After the incident is over, I will get a few more ships of food to support Luzhou, and Lu Cong will only be more grateful to me." Zhou Xu stopped and took another sip of tea.
How can the icing on the cake be better than providing help in times of crisis? What's more, Zhou Xu is very happy that he can intervene in Jianghuai's affairs. The more chaotic Jianghuai is, the better.
Zhao Qingshan suddenly folded his fan and gave a high-five: "My lord, you are doing this to show the people in Luzhou, and it can also divide the interior of Hexi."
This move really kills three birds with one stone!
Hexi is different from Youzhou. Their generals were very loyal and patriotic under the leadership of the previous Jiedushi. Gao Yuanheng was even more devoted to the Holy Emperor. Under his intention, Youzhou and Hexi had occasional frictions in recent years, and there was no way to fight. Immortals, coming and going, there must be hostility. Gaozhi secretly ceded the city and the court was far away in Chang'an. Maybe it's not clear, but those old subordinates must know that they are more or less dissatisfied in their hearts. If General Anyi The grain ship sent to Lu Cong was detained, and the conflict between Gao Zhi and his old subordinates was bound to intensify.
Secondly, the sect master's people have entered the three cities of Yingqiu. During the period of alternation between the old and new forces, it now depends on whether Gao Zhi can overwhelm his old subordinates. It would be better to kill him and make him lose his head. They can take advantage of this. Come in empty.
Thirdly, if Lu Cong learns that the food and grass are being withheld, he will put his resentment and anger on Gao Zhi and have nothing to do with them. After all, the lord spent a lot of effort to deliver food.
Zhao Qingshan looked at his lord's resolute and upright face and felt that a person really cannot be judged by his appearance. The lord said that Cui Shizi was shady. In his opinion, the lord and Cui Shizi were on par, both of them were yin.
"How are you and Mrs. Xiao?" Zhao Qingshan asked curiously.
Zhou Xu gave Zhao Qingshan a look at his sachet.
Zhao Qingshan twitched the corner of his mouth and said to himself: "My wife also made many sachets for me and put them at home, not only the sachets, but also clothes."
"Mrs. Xiao is a skilled craftsman. She will prick her hand with a needle even if she makes a sachet. How can I bear to let her make other things." Zhou Xu pretended to sigh.
Zhao Qingshan listened to his lord's words and finally took a rest.
After he left, Zhou Xu laughed.
Just then the maid brought lychees.
"Miss Xiao, come here to eat lychees." Zhou Xu greeted, and the goshawk on the weapons rack heard its master's voice and flew to his shoulder.
Xiao Qingxue held a small whip. She had been learning to practice whipping with Zongzhu Zhou in the Mansion for several days, and she felt narcissistically that she was more powerful than before.
"Thank you, Sect Leader Zhou." Xiao Qingxue thanked me obediently.
"You're welcome." Zhou Xu pushed the lychee plate to her. Seeing that Mrs. Xiao only ate two or three, Zhou Xu asked, "Why don't you eat more."
Xiao Qingxue said sheepishly: "I want to keep them and bring them to grandma later to eat with her."
Zhou Xu immediately laughed: "No, Mrs. Xiao has it. Eat it."
Xiao Qingxue then continued to eat.
"I've been practicing all morning. Let's take a rest later to avoid hurting my hands." Zhou Xu put Wu Yilang on the table.
Xiao Qingxue felt that Sect Leader Zhou was so kind-hearted, she patted the flint bag hanging on her belt: "I understand, my mother also told me not to practice for too long, and she also gave me ointment for me to use. "
Zhou Xu looked at the white porcelain bottle exposed in Miss Xiao's flint bag, and said with an unchanging smile: "Mrs. Xiao thought very carefully. I asked Reg to get some small bows and arrows for women, and arrow kettles. Miss Xiao, this afternoon You can throw pots for fun, and you can practice your eyesight without any effort.”
Xiao Qingxue looked at Sect Master Zhou, who was approachable and had no bad habits. She thought of many things and couldn't help but ask: "Sect Master Zhou, why are you so nice to me."
Zhou Xu thought of Mrs. Xiao's concern for her daughter and said with a smile: "Mrs. Xiao and I hit it off immediately and became good friends. Since you are Mrs. Xiao's daughter, there is nothing wrong with me taking care of you a little."
Seeing what Sect Leader Zhou said so frankly, Xiao Qingxue felt depressed for no reason. Could it be that her suspicion was wrong.
But a few days ago, her mother sent sour plum soup to Sect Master Zhou. When Sect Master Zhou heard that she wanted to learn whip, he came to teach her as soon as he had some free time. He taught her for several days.
Xiao Qingxue originally wanted to ask more obviously, but if Clan Leader Zhou was really just eager to help others, wouldn't she embarrass her mother, not to mention the identity they gave Clan Master Zhou... Sigh... Xiao Qingxue was very distressed.
If Sect Leader Zhou hadn't been so kind to her, she wouldn't be so distressed.
After Clan Master Zhou left, Xiao Qingxue looked at his back and frowned. If Clan Master Zhou wanted to pursue her mother, but he had a wife, concubines and children, she would definitely not agree, no matter how much Clan Master Zhou treated her. good.
When Zhou Yanzhi took Tuoba Mu to the martial arts training ground, he saw Mrs. Xiao frowning and not knowing what she was thinking. The injury he had sustained for nearly ten days was finally healed and he could move his muscles and bones.
Xiao Qingxue noticed the annoying Zhou Liulang and wanted to leave, but then she stopped, picked up Wu Yilang on the table and left. Zhou Liulang had such a bad temper this time, she was worried about him. Bird abuse.
Zhou Yanzhi looked at the man in black clothes in the little lady's hand in disbelief.
My uncle was so partial to Mrs. Xiao, mother and daughter. He asked his uncle countless times for the man in black clothes when he wanted to go hunting, but his uncle never allowed him. As a result, Mrs. Xiao got it so easily. He was so angry.
Tuoba Mu looked at Madam Xiao's back, feeling a little absent-minded. She looked so beautiful today.
At night, inside the East Pavilion.
Xiao Luolan was looking at the bill sent by Luo Jinhu. She calculated that, excluding the 20% given to Sect Leader Zhou, they had only one hundred taels left in their hands. Xiao Luolan felt much more at ease in an instant, and The silver coins were placed on the bottom layer of the dowry.
Grandma Cui untied Mrs. Xiao's hair, took off the pearl hairpin, and then slowly combed Mrs. Xiao's cloudy hair with a comb, one stroke at a time, with just the right amount of force. She used the comb to massage the acupoints on her scalp to make Mrs. Xiao feel more comfortable. .
On the sandalwood dressing table, the warm yellow candlelight is vaguely reflected in the bronze mirror, which also makes the woman who has just bathed in the mirror show a lazy and gorgeous look. The mother-of-pearl pearls shine in the makeup package, and the gilded lotus Light smoke curls from the incense burner, and the air is filled with the fragrance of lilies, a pleasant fragrance.
Xiao Luolan was a little sleepy and dozed off. In the afternoon, she heard Sect Leader Zhou telling her that they would take a boat to Langge in two days. She took Granny Cui out to buy some things, exchanged some silver horns, and returned I went to Luofu to discuss how to contact him in the future, and it was decided that the bill and sharing would be sent out once every three months.
After finishing the meal and washing and bathing, it was already getting late before I knew it.
"Grandma Cui, please go down and rest." Xiao Luolan became more and more sleepy as she smelled the incense in the furnace, and was ready to go to bed when Grandma Cui left.
The action of combing her hair suddenly slowed down, and a vague shadow suddenly appeared in the mirror. Xiao Luolan accidentally saw it, and she was unsteady and screamed. As soon as she opened her mouth, it was covered by a big palm.
"Shh, Madam, it's me." Zhou Xu put the comb on the dressing table. Seeing that Madam Xiao was very frightened, he quickly held her in his arms and coaxed her: "I saw Madam that you were sleepy, so I couldn't bear to disturb you, so I didn't go out. Madam, please don’t be surprised.”
Xiao Luolan's sleepiness was scared away. This person stayed up all night and came to comb her hair?
"Don't be afraid, don't be afraid." Zhou Xu gently patted Mrs. Xiao's back.
Xiao Luolan was held in his arms. Because Sect Master Zhou was too tall and strong, her figure was completely surrounded. She pursed her lips and said, "Is there something wrong with Sect Master Zhou coming here so late?"
"I've brought you Jiuxue ointment." Zhou Xu turned his head and kissed the tip of Mrs. Xiao's ear, and saw that the white tip of her ear was slowly stained with a layer of crimson.
He took out three or four bottles of snow ointment and put them on the dressing table, and said, "You can tell me if you don't have any anymore."
Xiao Luolan looked at Jiuxuejiang with fear in her heart. She usually didn't have any injuries, but the only two injuries were caused by Sect Master Zhou. Thinking of this, her legs crossed.
Zhou Xu noticed this and lowered his eyes: "Is Madam's injury healed?"
Xiao Luolan was breathing rapidly and didn't know how to answer.
Zhou Xu's throat moved, his throat was dry and painful, his breath was filled with uncontrollable heat, and even his arms were tense to the extreme.
"Can I give Madam some medicine?" Zhou Xu asked hoarsely.
The candle flickered.
Xiao Luolan sat beside the bed, wrinkling the embroidered quilt with her fingers.
"Madam." Sect Master Zhou's voice was unclear: "One of the Anyi generals died..."
The sound of water was sticky. Xiao Luolan trembled all over and raised her head, unable to hear what Sect Master Zhou said.
"Old King Huiyi..."
Zhou Xu held the back of Mrs. Xiao's neck with his big hands, lowered his eyes and looked at Mrs. Xiao whose cheeks were flushed, and kissed her lovingly.
Xiao Luolan panted, vaguely feeling that she heard the word "kill". She stared at Sect Master Zhou, wondering if she had heard it wrong. Zhou Xu kissed the tears from the corners of her eyes, and his voice was full of satisfied joy: "Madam, why don't you Follow me?"
Xiao Luolan shook his head.
Zhou Xu held her in his arms and rubbed Mrs. Xiao's legs. Seeing Mrs. Xiao's refusal, he couldn't get rid of his evil desire: "Why? Is it because of your husband?"
Zhou Xu saw that Mrs. Xiao's eyelashes were trembling. After these days of rubbing, her delicate body became more mature and plump. In Zhou Xu's eyes, she was just a piece of delicious meat that she wanted to eat more and more. She was thirsty and couldn't bear it.
He coaxed in a low voice: "Madam, just tell me your husband's name, and I guarantee that he will never appear in front of you again."
Xiao Luolan was startled by the meaning of Sect Leader Zhou's words. She looked up at him and found that he was still smiling.
He was telling the truth. Xiao Luolan pursed his lips. In his eyes, human life seemed to be worth less than grass.
Zhou Xu held Madam Xiao's mutton-fat jade hand and continued: "You will have no husband and I will have no wife. Wouldn't it be just right for Madam to take Qingxue and remarry me?"
When Xiao Luolan heard the word "no wife", the guilt that had been suppressed in her heart for a long time was instantly eliminated, and even her breathing seemed to become easier.
Zhou Xu touched Mrs. Xiao's cheek and whispered, "We are made for each other."
He spoke with great certainty, as if he was saying things that were perfectly justified.
Xiao Luolan looked at Sect Leader Zhou. It was true that he wanted to kill someone, but it seemed true that he liked her...
He could kill for her. Xiao Luolan moved her legs slightly, and a dark shadow fell on her eyelashes.
She finally had the power to protect her and Qingxue.
A weapon that belongs to her.
Chapter 43
The tassels on the curtains beside the bed were lowered, the hinges on the gilt silver balls were wrapped around the hooks, precious spices leaked through the holes of the hollow incense balls, and Suhe white sandalwood filled the room.
Through the bed screen, you can vaguely see several boxes of makeup boxes placed on the dressing table in the inner room.
Doing makeup, Mingyue Pavilion, Jiaoer whispers.
Zhou Xu suddenly thought of this little boudoir poem. He sat on the footrest of the bed and looked at Mrs. Xiao with flushed cheeks. He didn't take her rejection to heart at all. Mrs. Xiao refused and he still refused. He wanted to kiss her and hers, just like he said, they were made for each other and deserved to be together.
She was wearing plain clothes, and her body seemed to be covered with a layer of moonlight, which seemed to be glowing in the slightly dim bed curtains. Zhou Xu also got on the bed.
Xiao Luolan was really shocked this time. She was not mentally prepared to do this.
She saw Clan Master Zhou getting on the bed and moved to the end of the bed near the wall, looking at Clan Master Zhou warily and panicked.
Zhou Xu took the box he carried in his robe to the bed, sat on the bed, opened the box, and the dim light suddenly brightened.
"I brought you the Night Pearl to play with." Zhou Xu said, "Don't be afraid, I won't do anything."
He picked up a luminous pearl and handed it to Mrs. Xiao: "This is a shark pearl from the South China Sea. It was originally a tribute from the previous dynasty and I got it. This shark pearl is not only warm in winter and cool in summer, it is said that you can sleep with it all year round." extend your life."
Xiao Luolan looked at the luminous pearl that was almost in front of her eyes, so she had to take it and put it in the palm of her hand. Sure enough, it was warm and cool, with a comfortable coolness, and it felt like a strange nephrite, but she had no idea about Zhou Luolan. She expressed doubts about the sect master's last words.
"But don't believe the last sentence." Zhou Xu said with a smile: "Just a bead, how can it have any longevity effect."
Xiao Luolan was a little surprised to see Sect Leader Zhou being so open-minded. She remembered that the ancients were obsessed with immortality and so on. They seemed to make elixirs to eat, and ate all kinds of strange things. The last prescription she gave to Sect Master Zhou contained It says that cooked food is best, and so does fish. What is safest to eat when cooked, and the same goes for drinking water. Medical treatment in ancient times was so underdeveloped that eating raw food can easily lead to illness and death, so it is better to eat cooked food.
