Lian Shiqing became more and more respectful, with a smile on his face: "When the general's wife comes, she is like a pearl in the night, and the humble house is instantly illuminated."
Xiao Luolan looked at the big house behind Lian Shiqing, could this be considered a humble house? Sheriff Lian is too humble.
"When your Excellency and Madam stand together, they look like a match made in heaven. They are really enviable to others." Lian Shiqing took a step back, his wide sleeves drooped, his eyes were like a fox's and he smiled like a fox, flattering him very naturally.
Zhou Xu fastened the golden black whip to his waist and glanced at Lian Shiqing. This Lian Shiqing was really interesting. As soon as he arrived, he took the initiative to lower his identity and become his wife's servant, giving him heavy gifts. He didn't wait to investigate Zhou Xing's affairs after hearing about it. Let’s take sides first, my wife. This time, I will praise his wife in front of him like a pearl in the night sky...
But the last few words are really good. He and his wife are a match made in heaven, a perfect match.
"General, the general's wife, please come first." Lian Shiqing said sideways.
Zhou Xu led the people in, followed by four soldiers.
Lian Shiqing led the way to the warm pavilion in the middle hall.
There was no snow in the courtyard that she passed, so the scenery was absolutely stunning. Xiao Luolan recalled the incense she smelled when she entered Gaoxinfang. It was said that in the afternoon, the servants sent by Lian County Guards swept the incense and cleared all the stones on the road. The importance attached to this banquet can be seen.
Inside the two-story building of Nuange, it is as warm as spring.
Zhou Xu sat in the first place, with his wife beside him. The two of them shared a long lacquered desk.
On the lower left is Lian Shiqing.
As soon as they sat down, maids filed in with dishes, and Lian Shiqing introduced them with a smile.
"General, Madam General, the evening delicacies are made by famous chefs from the south of the Yangtze River. Although they are simple things, they are fresh and refreshing, and taste with a unique flavor, such as Shanjia three crisps, hibiscus egg custard, silver knife wonton, jasper shrimps, and colorful pearls. Pills are all home-cooked dishes that people in Qinghe like, the general and his wife can try them." Lian Shiqing said with a smile.
"Chief Lian is interested." Zhou Xu glanced at the dishes and said.
"A certain layman has the greatest appetite for words in his life. He has many kitchens. Everywhere he goes, he will ask if there is anything delicious. He has worked hard for half his life, just for this belly, which makes the general laugh." Lian Shiqing sat down at the table. Go up and reply with a smile.
Xiao Luolan looked at the light dishes presented on the table, especially the jade shrimps.
Jasper shrimps are the green tea shrimps that Xiao Luolan used to eat. The fresh and tender shrimps are paired with green tea leaves. You can smell the fragrance of tea leaves and the sweet taste of shrimps.
She took a sip, and it tasted just like the green tea shrimp in her memory. Her sadness was fleeting, and she took a few more sips.
Zhou Xu saw that his wife liked to eat, so he placed his plate of jade shrimps not far from her, while he ate other meat dishes.
Lian Shiqing clapped his hands, and another maid served wine and left.
"This wine is a new rice wine. A poet once said that it is as white as jade and has thin cicada wings. You won't feel the spring breeze after drinking it." Lian Shiqing sat down at the bottom and knew the origins of the things in the cup. He seemed to be a true gourmand. The old glutton introduced: "This rice wine has not been cooked yet, it is raw wine. The water used to brew the rice wine comes from a spring in the mountain behind Dajue Temple in Jinling. It is as clear as snow. It is said that the wine made with that spring water has the aroma of spring breeze."
"That's why it's also called Drunk Spring Breeze."
Seeing Lian Shiqing's words, Xiao Luolan became a little curious and took a sip. The mellow rice fragrance came to her face, with a hint of sweetness. She didn't feel the smell of spring breeze, but the rich rice fragrance But she liked it very much.
"What do you think of the general's wife?" Lian Shiqing asked with an enthusiastic smile.
Xiao Luolan put down the wine glass, her lips red: "I am also a layman, and I have not tasted the aroma of spring breeze, but this wine has a rich rice aroma and is very delicious."
Lian Shiqing laughed and said: "What the general's wife said is absolutely true. The spring breeze is unintentional and the world disturbs it."
After hearing this, Xiao Luolan smiled unconsciously. Apart from the prejudice he had just met, Lian Shiqing was really relaxed in speaking and had a sense of elegance and fun.
When Zhou Xu saw the smile on his wife's lips, he felt happy.
There was no singing and dancing during the banquet, only light conversation and laughter.
Xiao Luolan exhaled and felt her cheeks were slightly warm, so she slowly stopped eating chopsticks and listened to the conversation between Sect Master Zhou and Lian Shiqing. Most of them were Lian Shiqing talking about some local delicacies, such as roast duck, braised goose, and Huali wine. There are also pear orchards advocating for horses and rare birds.
Zhou Xu sat at the front seat, drinking Shao Knife and occasionally answering a few words.
While he was drinking heavily, Lian Shiqing stood up and bowed his head and said: "I would like to congratulate the general for defeating the Huiyi rebels, beheading the Turkic prince, and ensuring the peace of the north. This is really a gratifying thing."
Zhou Xu took a sip of soju and said, "I remember that Sheriff Lian had congratulated him before. Could it be that I remembered it wrong?"
Lian Shiqing smiled and said: "The congratulations before were a matter of time ago, but now the congratulations are because good things are coming for the general and his wife."
"Tell me about it." Zhou Xu asked with great interest: "Congratulations on the same thing twice, why are you so happy this time?"
Xiao Luolan also looked at Lian Shiqing.
"General Huiyi won a great victory in the battle, and the battle report has already been sent to the Holy One." Lian Shiqing said softly: "Someone in the imperial court reported that the general has made great contributions to protecting the country and is unparalleled in loyalty. The general can be named the King of Zhenbei of Dachu, a first-class official. The general’s wife is a first-grade imperial concubine, and is titled Lady of the State of Yan.”
Zhou Xu's smile remained unchanged and he played with the wine glass in his hand: "So that's what happened."
Lian Shiqing saw the calm expression of Lord Jieduzhi and smiled: "It's just that this matter has not been finalized yet. The court is discussing it. If it is true, I can wait for the court to award him next year. I am sure In Taiyang County, I couldn’t arrive in time to congratulate the general and his wife.”
"I understand." Zhou Xudao.
Xiao Luolan drank some wine and was shocked by the news about Lian Shiqing at first. Then it took her a while to realize why her title was Mrs. Yan. Yan was the predecessor of Youzhou, and the meaning was still the same.
Is this...the imperial court giving in? Xiao Luolan thought in confusion.
"Thinking of this, I feel very ashamed of my humble position. I have offered a feather coat in advance for this purpose, hoping that the general's wife will accept it." Lian Shiqing clapped his hands, and the butler came with a box in his hands.
Xiao Luolan thought a lot. This feather coat now represents not only a piece of clothing, but the meaning behind it. When Lian Shiqing gave this feather coat, was he so sure that the court would make this decision?
If accepted, would it be good or bad for them.
After the housekeeper retired, Lian Shiqing did not let the treasure reveal its true colors like last time.
He sat back down, cupped his hands and said, "General, I have something to say, please listen to it."
Zhou Xu looked at him playfully: "It's okay for Sheriff Lian to speak directly if he has something to say."
"Lian loves pleasure in life, loves beautiful maids, loves food, loves monasteries, and has endless greed. Everyone in the world scolds me." Lian Shiqing stroked his beard: "It seems that everyone in the court wants to "Kill me, many honest people have written to the Holy Spirit asking to kill Lian."
"It seems that Lian is in danger." Lian Shiqing said: "In fact, in my opinion, the general's situation is a hundred times more dangerous than Lian."
Xiao Luolan frowned.
Zhou Xu's expression did not change.
"Lian is greedy for a lifetime of glory. Even if he fails, he may be able to save his life by spending all his wealth to work hard."
"But General, you are the one who has no choice but to retreat." Lian Shiqing picked up the wine glass and raised his hand from a distance: "Lian did not mean anything wrong with his words. I just hope that the general will think more about it. My heart is enough."
Zhou Xudao: "What a loyal man."
Xiao Luolan seemed to understand, but felt a little confused.
After Lian Shiqing excused herself from the table, she looked at Clan Master Zhou. Before she could speak, she saw Clan Master Zhou had already walked down the steps, took out the peacock feather coat, and then put it on her body.
Zhou Xu admired the peacock feathers. The feathers on the peacock feathers were thick green and dark green, and looked like green ripples in the bright light. He didn't know how they were made. The feathers were faintly glowing, and when draped on the lady's body, she really looked like a fairy.
Zhou Xu smoothed away the worries between Madam's brows, then looked at Madam and showed a smile.
"Only this green color is my favorite."
When Xiao Luolan heard Sect Master Zhou's praise, he sighed helplessly: "You still have the heart to think about this."
Zhou Xu stepped forward and kissed his wife: "Literati are always like this. They are secretive in their words. Lian Shiqing means..."
Zhou Xu looked at the plump and pretty lady with a reddish complexion, brushed her hair behind her ears and said with a smile.
"If I retreat, the people behind me will use knives to force me forward."
The entire Zhou family is scattered among the direct officials in the sixteen counties, his army generals, border officers, his vassal clans, in-law families...
Now add his wife.
How could he retreat? If he took a step back, he would be shattered into pieces.
Zhou Xu kissed the stunned lady, and his voice remained steady: "Don't worry, I'll take care of everything."
Chapter 121
As night fell, a carriage left Gaoxinfang, followed by four brave and well-armed cavalry.
Carriages flowed unimpeded in Langge City, which was under curfew.
The moon is bright and clear, and the ground is covered with snow.
The two lanterns hanging in front of the carriage were blown left and right in the cold wind. The dim warm light illuminated the road ahead, and the rumble of the carriage gradually faded away.
Xiao Luolan took off his feather coat and put it aside. He opened the window and let the cold wind blow in. Now the carriage was filled with the smell of alcohol, which made him a little tipsy.
After finishing these things, Xiao Luolan leaned forward and asked, "Mr. Zhou, are you drunk?" She remembered that at the end of the dinner, Sect Leader Zhou drank a lot of wine. Now he was leaning against the carriage with his eyes closed, as if Fell asleep.
Could it be that he was drunk?
Zhou Xu opened his eyes, his eyes were clear, he grabbed his wife's hand and kissed her, smiling: "No, that little wine can't make me drunk."
"Madam, come and sit next to me." Zhou Xu moved his position, leaving most of the cushion space for Madam, and then watched Madam sit down next to him with a smile.
Xiao Luolan sat next to Sect Master Zhou, her hand was always being held by this man and she felt very warm.
"The day after tomorrow we will go to Beihao Mountain for a winter hunt and soak in the hot springs. We will come back after the winter solstice. What do you think, madam?" Zhou Xudao.
"Isn't this a bit long?" Xiao Luolan calculated carefully. There is still half a month until the winter solstice. Fifteen days is not too much, but it is definitely not enough.
"Soon, all the affairs in the mansion will be left to Shen Zhi and Uncle Sun. After soaking in the hot springs, my wife and I will go to Fenglin Garden for a few days. We will find a dozen good players to play Cuju together. My wife will watch from the side, and we can also play ice cream. Go boating, make tea and enjoy the plum blossoms, or call a few opera troupes to listen to music." Zhou Xu casually told a few interesting things, and then said: "After the winter solstice and January New Year, there are only two people in the house, Qingxue and Shenzhi. My children, I plan to ask the Gongsun family to make two gold, jade and copper coins to give to them as lucky money. One for each of the two children is just right."
"The younger members of the Zhou family will definitely come to visit Madam during the New Year. Then Madam will ask Uncle Sun to prepare New Year's gifts and distribute them to them. As well as the retainers, just follow the rules of previous years. Uncle Sun and Granny Cui both know what to do. How to do it."
Zhou Xu thought that this was the first Spring Festival that his wife had celebrated in Langge, and worried that she would not be able to find a clue, so he explained the customs of previous years.
After hearing this, Xiao Luolan said softly: "I understand." If she didn't understand something, she could just ask Granny Cui for more advice. It didn't sound too difficult.
There was a smile on Xiao Luolan's lips, feeling that Sect Master Zhou's nagging style of asking for advice on everything was different from usual.
"There are many people in the family, so we will definitely be more tired than usual. It will be fine after the New Year." Zhou Xu patted his wife's hand comfortingly.
Xiao Luolan laughed: "What's so tiring about this?" It's a big holiday for family reunions, and it's normal to visit relatives to pay New Year's greetings. In fact, Xiao Luolan quite likes the lively atmosphere of the New Year.
Zhou Xu felt happy when he saw his wife's smile, so he kissed her. He really loved her so much that he wished that everything would be settled and he would not see her suffer.
Xiao Luolan looked at the face of Sect Leader Zhou who was very close at hand, and felt the burning friction on her lips. She closed her eyes slightly, her cheeks were as if they were on fire, and they were so gorgeous.
After Zhou Xu finished the kiss, he kissed the lady's cheek unsatisfied.
"It's a bit itchy." Xiao Luolan ducked for a moment, her voice very soft.
Zhou Xu smiled and held his wife in his arms, and suddenly sighed: "It would be great if I could go tomorrow, but it's a pity that I still have business to do."
"Business matters." Xiao Luolan thought for a moment and then asked, "Are you all back?"
"Old General Shi is temporarily staying in Huiyi City to deal with the aftermath. I left him a thousand and fifty black armored cavalry, five hundred ghost slaughtering cavalry, and three bows/beds/crossbows. I feel relieved to have him in charge of Huiyi." Zhou Xu paused and then said: "When winter passes and the time is almost up, they will come back. I will send another person to continue to control Huiyi."
"On the way back, I have already divided some livestock and asked people to lead teams to the counties near the border. The county guards of each county will send people to pick them up in advance. Then the county guards will keep the good livestock for breeding, and the rest will be used for breeding. Distribute it to military towns under the rule."
