Lian Shiqing immediately smiled and said: "It's a blessing to be favored by you for this thing."
Xiao Luolan nodded and said, "Then what do you want me to do?" This was for no reason. Even if it was to please her, the price would be too high. Xiao Luolan wanted to know Lian Shiqing's true intention.
Lian Shiqing slowly raised his head.
Xiao Luolan also looked at him. She heard that this man had a bad reputation outside.
Lian Shiqing looked at the general's wife who spoke soberly, took a deep breath, and said softly: "Of course I want to rely on the power of the wind to reach the top of the clouds."
People like him don't want to work honestly in one place for several years or more than ten years. Only then can they be appreciated and discovered by the people above, and then follow the steps step by step. promotion.
He just wants to take a shortcut, he just wants to reach the sky in one step!
Xiao Luolan saw ambition in this man's eyes.
But she felt he had the wrong person.
"I understand." Xiao Luolan said.
After the others left, Xiao Luolan looked at the blood coral tree and asked Dongxue to be careful. This gift was too expensive and could not be given to her daughter to play with or sent to the warehouse. The main reason was that Xiao Luolan couldn't bear it. Kan, it was different from the past. The gifts Lian Shiqing used to give were all in the name of Lord Jiedushi. Suddenly he gave one that was exclusive to her, and it was so precious...
"My son greets my mother." Zhou Shenzhi came quickly. Of course he knew that Lian Shiqing gave gifts to his mother, but he didn't care. Master Lian often gave gifts. He had the title of Wealth Distributor and was given to officials of all sizes. Pass.
However, he was still surprised for a moment when he saw the tall Blood Coral in the hall.
"Sit down quickly, please." Xiao Luolan smiled.
Zhou Shenzhi sat down and asked, "What does mother want to do with you?"
Xiao Luolan gradually got used to having an older son. She said: "The heavy snowfall in the cold winter is approaching. I am worried that the continuous snowfall will collapse some houses outside the city and cause disasters. I don't need this coral tree, so I don't need to put it in the warehouse." ”
"You sold it secretly, and the money gained can be used to prevent snow disasters. You can also allocate part of it to veterans and widowed family members, and take more care of the elderly and children."
Zhou Shenzhi was stunned for a moment: "Doesn't mother like this coral?"
Xiao Luolan took a look at the coral. It was indeed beautiful and had medicinal value. Grinding the coral into powder can improve eyesight, stop bleeding, and calm the mind.
"I thought Master Lian was a corrupt official, so I took it as a good deed for Youzhou." Xiao Luolan said with a somewhat ashamed face. She felt a bit despicable because she only told Lian Shiqing that she knew, and then said Accepting the coral tree made Lian Shiqing mistakenly believe that she had a deal with him and that the two were on the same side.
Actually no, if Lian Shiqing asked her to do anything in the future, if it was something harmful to others, she would definitely not do it. Although she accepted his coral, it seemed a bit rogue.
Zhou Shenzhi didn't expect this to be the reason. His mother's words were... strangely honest.
He couldn't help but laugh, and Xiao Luolan also laughed when he thought about his rogueness.
"I understand." Zhou Shenzhi decided to just take down the jewelry from the coral tree and sell it. For this coral tree, he wanted his father to come back and ask his opinion before making a decision.
"Don't worry, mother. In the past years, Youzhou has taken snow disasters very seriously. Mr. Qingshan issued an official document two months ago asking county governors, captains, school captains, and the cities and towns under their jurisdiction to make protective preparations in advance."
"If the snow disaster is too severe, we will ask wealthy gentry families from all over the country to donate money to build porridge shacks and huts, and ask officials from various governments to arrange for the victims to pay tribute and settle them as quickly as possible without any mistakes."
Zhou Shenzhi added: "My father once said that a person's power is limited after all, and it is impossible to save everyone, so he has to put a knife on some people's necks and let them do it for him."
After Zhou Shenzhi finished speaking, he saw that his mother seemed stunned, and quickly added: "But that was several years ago, and now those wealthy and wealthy families are very obedient and do not dare to disobey their father's orders."
Zhou Shenzhi thought of his mother's always benevolent character, and suddenly felt something was wrong, and said: "But what mother said makes sense. We should treat the old soldiers, the elderly and children with more care."
Xiao Luolan became silent after listening.
Zhou Shenzhi also noticed that he seemed to talk too much and fell silent. Thinking of his son not saying anything about his father's fault, he couldn't sit still. After a while, he said goodbye to his mother.
Xiao Luolan looked at Zhou Shenzhi who seemed to be running away, and couldn't help laughing again.
Does this count as revealing the old background of the Zhou sect master?
Chapter 110 (revision)
Xiao Qingxue is riding a big maroon horse waiting for someone at the door. Now she is very skilled in riding, and even her archery skills have made great progress. The graceful eighteen-year-old girl can draw quickly. , has grown taller, slim and graceful, bright and heroic.
When he saw grandma coming out, he immediately shouted: "Grandma, get on the carriage quickly."
Xiao Luolan walked out, followed by Chunhua and Xia He, each carrying a gift box in their hands. Yesterday afternoon, her daughter came to see her and said that she wanted to accompany her to Nanshan Manor today and take a look at her. To be honest, Xiao Luolan was quite happy because she could get in touch with her daughter's circle of friends.
Since arriving here, Miss Qi seems to be her daughter's first friend. For this reason, she asked the kitchen to make milk and water chestnut cakes, pine nuts and white cakes, date paste soft cakes and other pastries. She went out when she was ready.
It’s your first time visiting someone’s house and it never hurts to bring some gifts.
When he saw Lei Hu, Lei Bao and the others in front of the carriage, Xiao Luolan smiled and said hello: "Two Lei Langjun, long time no see."
Lei Hu smiled naively and said, "We haven't seen each other for a while. It's windy outside. Please get on the carriage quickly."
Lei Bao still looked calm: "Mother, please."
Xiao Luolan got on the carriage.
Xiao Qingxue rode close to the window and talked to her mother, with a proud look on her face: "Mom, you brought so many delicious food this time, Qi Jiujiu must be very happy, she likes eating delicious food the most."
"Last time she gave me a turquoise bracelet she made herself, and I also prepared a gift for her this time."
Xiao Luolan asked with a smile: "What is it?"
"She also likes Zhu Taigong's poems and paintings. I gave her a piece of Zhu Taigong's "Cicada" from the warehouse. She will definitely be happy." Xiao Qingxue curled her eyes happily.
"I'll keep the "Chongshan Picture" given by the Lu family until Mr. Cui comes back and copy it with him. Last time I studied his pen and ink painting for only a few days, and Mr. Cui left." Xiao Qingxue was a little regretful.
"He will probably be back soon." Xiao Luolan comforted her daughter: "But Mr. Cui is not in good health. When you study, be careful not to disturb him for a long time."
"I know. Look, Aniang, we are about to pass Xingpingfang, where is Tuoba's mansion." Xiao Qingxue pointed to a low-key mansion deep in Xingpingfang and said: "This area seems to be full of people. It belongs to the generals, Mr. Qingshan and Cui Langjun’s family also live there.”
"On the other side is the market. It's almost Chinese New Year now, and it's very lively outside." Xiao Qingxue kept talking. When they arrived at the market, everyone slowed down.
Langge is a big city with a somewhat strange house layout. Even the small streets and alleys have enough distance between alleys, making the terrain look very open. To Xiao Luolan, it looks more like a large and important military stronghold without the narrow streets. The geographical environment of the lanes and wide openings is very suitable for the rapid gathering of cavalry.
Perhaps many years ago, the soldiers here were on alert. When they heard the trumpet sound at the top of the city, they immediately mounted their horses and other soldiers poured out from various places, and then went out of the city to meet the enemy.
The very wide main street has enough distance for carriages to walk as long as the horses are not rushing. The streets are full of people and carriages.
Probably because the New Year is approaching, many vendors have put out things for the New Year in advance, such as various large and small door gods, small peach charms, statues of Zhong Kui, spring posters, couplets, red lanterns, brooms for sweeping dust, five-color paper money, Fruits, melon seeds and peanuts, as well as brightly colored velvet flowers, and children's playing drums are all decorated with new festive red clothes. The sounds of asking for prices, begging for advice and bargaining, and the sounds of children playing are all in my ears.
Many people were queuing up in front of the cloth shop, mostly buying cyan or red fabrics. Red is because wearing red clothes during the festival makes it look festive, and cyan is because after the New Year it is spring. In spring, everything grows and the sky and the earth are green, so they While pulling on the red fabric to make New Year’s clothes, don’t forget to pull on a piece of green fabric.
Wealthier families go to the silk and satin shop to buy. Yunxia brocade is the best seller in the silk and satin shop this year. It is named because its color is as bright as clouds. Many ladies and young ladies of wealthy families in Langge City are wearing it this year. When the clouds and clouds are on the brocade, it feels like a cloud of clouds and brocades.
Xiao Luolan listened to her daughter telling her about Langge's fashionable clothes, so she asked Xia He to buy three pieces of Yunxia brocade, wrap them up, and treat them as gifts for this visit.
On the street, there are people selling goods, people opening shops to welcome guests, wine shops, teahouses, hotels, and bookstores. People are coming and going, and it is very lively.
Xiao Luolan watched intently.
When Xiao Luolan arrived at her daughter's Nanshan Manor, after having lunch there, she and her daughter went to see her customers.
Before leaving, Xiao Qingxue specifically asked her mother not to take the spring flowers and summer hews with her, but to let Lei's retinue follow her from a distance. She also left Fang Yun in the manor.
At the end of the countryside near Nanshan Manor, there is a dilapidated Taoist temple built on a desolate hillside.
After Xiao Qingxue picked up the old Taoist priest, she placed the people there, and asked Jiang Da to lead people to decorate the Taoist temple so that it could barely be habitable.
Xiao Luolan and her daughter were walking on the steps. The vegetation on both sides of the steps was withered, and there was a little snow. The steps made of stones were full of cracks, but they were cleaned very well.
Before he had even taken two steps, a little Taoist boy ran down from the Taoist temple above. When he saw the little master without a bow and the woman beside her who couldn't hide her beauty, he immediately shouted: " Master, the noble man is here!"
The little Taoist boy hurriedly ran to his master. Just when he was about to kneel down, Xiao Qingxue held him up by his collar and stood up.
"Okay, no need to kneel, where is your master." Xiao Qingxue has become immune to the ancient people who kowtow and kneel at every turn.
"Master, he will come out to greet you right away." The little Taoist boy replied immediately, a little nervous at the same time. He didn't expect that two noble men with such noble status would come up without any servants.
Xiao Qingxue and A Niang went up together.
Xiao Luolan looked at the small Taoist temple in front of him and saw three large characters written in clear strokes on a wooden plaque.
Shangqing view.
The copper ring on the door had become rusty, and the weeds at the base of the wall were stubbornly showing a bit of withered yellow in the snow. The door was opened, and an old Taoist priest walked out quickly, and made a Taoist sect prayer to Xiao Luolan.
The old Taoist priest wears a yellow ring-necked robe with extremely wide and long sleeves. He wears a golden lotus crown on his head. He has pale hair and a beard hanging down his belly. If nothing else, the appearance of this old god is quite good.
"I am a poor and free man, pay my respects to the master, and pay my respects to the general's wife."
The little Taoist boy behind him also followed suit and made a nondescript Taoist gesture.
"Hello, master." Xiao Luolan smiled at the master.
"Aniang, let's go in first." Xiao Qingxue took Aniang into the temple, followed by Xiaoyaozi and Xiao Taoist. After they entered, Lei Hu, Lei Bao and some of Lei's followers were guarding the small Taoist temple.
Xiaoyaozi asked the Taoist boy to make tea by himself while he accompanied the distinguished guest.
The Taoist temple is not big. There is a huge incense burner in the square in the front yard, and there are bronze statues of the Three Pure Ones in the main hall at the back.
Xiao Qingxue took her mother directly to the alchemy room in the backyard. Xiaoyaozi always accompanied the two nobles with a smile. In the alchemy room, the alchemy furnace was placed on a three-story altar, and a brass alchemy cauldron was placed in the furnace. , the fire was not lit, and there was a special pungent smell in the alchemy room.
"Xiaoyaozi, please go out first." Xiao Qingxue waved to the old Taoist priest.
Xiaoyaozi said: "Master, if you have any instructions, please call me and I will meditate in the front hall."
Wait until people leave.
Xiao Qingxue looked at the stunned grandma and slowed down her steps.
Xiao Luolan looked at the sulfur powder, charcoal powder, and white frost with an earthy smell that were separated in the alchemy room, and a vague thought flashed in his mind.
Xiao Qingxue covered her nose and covered the box containing fire salt: "Mom, do you know what that hoarfrost is?"
"What?" Xiao Luolan looked at her daughter.
"Taoist priests in ancient times liked to make elixirs. Those alchemists often thought that they could make an elixir of immortality." Xiao Qingxue shook her head: "But, there is definitely no elixir."
"The Fire Dragon Pill in the medical book is made from a little bit of white dried in the sun and ground into powder and added with realgar to cure diarrhea. That little thing is very useful."
Xiao Qingxue approached her mother and told her her little secret: "These things can be combined to make fire/powder."
Xiao Luolan looked at those little things and felt dangerous for a moment. She took her daughter and took a step back, her eyes widened: "Did you do it yourself?"
"Of course not. It's not done yet. We haven't even prepared the materials." Xiao Qingxue frightened her mother and quickly explained: "It's not like you can do this thing. In ancient times, one pound was ten Six taels, I still need to calculate their proportions first, I’m just thinking about it now, I haven’t done any experiments yet.”
"That's too dangerous." Xiao Luolan grabbed her daughter's hand and was really shocked by her this time. If something that can explode is handled improperly, she will definitely be injured.
"I will pay attention to it, so don't worry." Xiao Qingxue actually hasn't done it yet. She is thinking of doing it again after the New Year. It just so happens that the Taoist Temple is quite remote and there is a mountain behind it. It is ready. , just in time to try the effect.
"How could I not be worried?" Xiao Luolan frowned and sighed.
"Isn't this done yet?" Xiao Qingxue hugged A Niang's arm: "And I will be very careful when doing experiments. Xiaoyaozi is an expert in alchemy. When the time comes, I will ask him to help."
