"Xiaolian, which lady is this?" On the way home, Xu Houde was still recalling the graceful lady dressed in high-grade silk.
Zhuang Xun was not familiar with her, so he could only say perfunctorily: "She is a noble lady from Chengguo. She heard about me and asked me to talk for a while."
"Did she fall in love with you?" Xu Houde said enviously.
"No, it's just... forget it, it's hard to explain. Anyway, we have nothing to do with each other now." Zhuang Xun felt that it would be even more unclear to say that he was recommended by her.
How could someone help another person without any benefit?
Except myself.
"That's great. Xiaolian, you are young and have a bright future. These noble ladies are all very fond of you." I couldn't help but be envious.
Jewelry, guard and protection, after all, she is a lady of aristocratic family.
"What does that have to do with me? I have a wife." Zhuang Xun said, feeling speechless. His wife, Wang Zuo, was so talented that she was so young that she was ashamed of herself. How could anyone care about such a vulgar lady?
"Xiaolian, alas..." He wanted to persuade Zhuang Xun to give up his ugly wife, but seeing that Zhuang Xun looked angry, he didn't dare to persuade her.
"Uncle Xu, there is no need to persuade me, Xun Xun has made up his mind." Zhuang Xun is not a fool to let go of the gold mountain at home.
"I don't think the etiquette is very difficult. Why does it take so long?" Changing the subject, Zhuang Xun waited in the teahouse for a long time before Xu Houde came out.
"The literati chatted for a few more words and thought you Xiaolian had left first." Xu Houde said embarrassedly.
"It's okay. I didn't notify Uncle Xu. You don't know what's normal." Zhuang Xun didn't think there was anything wrong.
"What were we talking about writing? Poems and songs?" Zhuang Xun smiled.
"Nothing, just some strategies to answer the Holy Emperor's questions, but nothing came out of the conversation. After all, everyone has to wait for the Longevity Banquet to reveal their masterpieces." Xu Houde said with a smile.
"That's right, the Wanshou Banquet. The Wanshou Banquet is both anticipated and feared." Zhuang Xun didn't even memorize the endorsement. He hoped that the Wanshou Banquet would come late. However, he was as tired as a dog preparing for the Wanshou Banquet one day, so he also wanted to start the Wanshou Banquet early.
"For Xiaolian, it is indeed a key test. For us, it is just a make-up role and cannot make any waves." Xu Houde said with a wry smile.
"Why belittle yourself? Uncle Xu, you just haven't met the right person yet." Zhuang Xun said comfortingly.
He felt that Xu Houde's entrepreneurial spirit had great potential in corruption, but he also flaunted his cleanliness.
Qingliu's circle is not something you can get into if you want to. You still have to talk about your family background. Otherwise, why would you, an ordinary scholar, be a Qingliu?
"Noble?" Xu Houde murmured to himself.
"What?" Zhuang Xun looked at him and it seemed that today's result was not very satisfactory.
I was in high spirits when I came here, but now I look depressed.
"It's nothing, I just thought about Xiaolian meeting his noble person, and Houde didn't know when he would meet his noble person." Xu Houde said sourly.
"You will always meet." Zhuang Xun could only comfort him like this.
"Xiaolian, can you recommend Houde to the nobles in the court? Houde will never forget Xiaolian's kindness." Xu Houde suddenly asked solemnly.
"Uncle Xu, it's not that I don't want to, it's that I really don't have any noble people in the court, so I can't recommend him to you." Zhuang Xun told the truth.
He really didn’t have many connections, and the news was only received later. He was favored by others for promoting filial piety and integrity. The background of the new climber in the court cannot be said. As for introducing him to today’s Mrs. Jiang?
He didn't even want to have anything to do with Mrs. Jiang, let alone introduce her to Xu Houde.
"Hude understands, Xiaolian, you also have your difficulties." Xu Houde's eyes lost their light, and the atmosphere became silent.
"I really..." Zhuang Xun stopped talking no matter how many people said he would not believe it.
On the main road back, Zhuang Xun saw someone selling crabapple flowers. He spent a few coins to buy two bouquets.
I said goodbye to Xu Houde, took flowers with me, and thought about the elegance and gentleness of the crabapple flowers inserted between Si Qin Mi's waterfall-like green hair, and smiled happily.
When they arrived at the courtyard gate, there were three people standing outside.
"Brother He, Brother Xiao Huang, Brother Yue Cheng, are you back?" Zhuang Xun recognized a few of them.
"Escape from death. This business of transporting goods for people is not easy to do. Where did Mr. Zhuang go?" He Heng said looking at the silk clothes on Zhuang Xun's body.
"Participating in the rehearsal of the Longevity Banquet and entering the room to talk, these days are more exciting than months." Zhuang Xun said with emotion when he saw his old friend.
"Brother, I heard that the spirit barrier has been broken. Please pack your things quickly and let's flee to Chengguo." Luo Yuecheng was impatient and said impatiently.
"I won't go to Chengguo." Zhuang Xun shook his head.
"Why don't you go to Chengguo again?" Huang Xi was also stunned.
"I promoted Xiaolian in the State of Yu, and I will probably be an official in the State of Yu, so I won't be able to go to the State of Cheng." Zhuang Xun said flatly.
"Excuse Xiaolian, sir, where did you get so much silver?" He Heng said unexpectedly.
"Recommended by a kind person, come in and talk. Madam, I brought my friend back!" He opened the door and led the three of them into the house.
"Mr. Zhuang is married?" Huang Xi said unexpectedly.
"I just got married a few days ago. Come and get acquainted with me." Zhuang Xun thought about it and felt like he was in a trance. What happened in the past few days was more exciting than a year in time.
"Lang Jun, who are these three people?" Si Qin Mi walked out of the room slowly and looked at Zhuang Xun with some surprise.
"My friends, let me meet you. Brother He, Brother Huang, Brother Yue Cheng, and this is my wife Wei Lanzhi." Zhuang Xun introduced each other.
"Brother Xun, is this your wife?" Luo Yuecheng's face was full of doubts. Si Qin Mi's face was flawless, and he really couldn't figure out what Zhuang Xun fell in love with her.
"Yes, sit down and drink some tea, and I will tell you the story of what happened to me these days." Zhuang Xun invited a few people to sit down and talk.
Zhuang Xun briefly talked about what happened to him, including delivering wine at the execution site, collecting corpses for others, marrying an ugly wife favorably, and investigating filial piety and integrity.
When they heard the reason for marrying an ugly wife, several people had different expressions. .
When they heard that Xiaolian was promoted, several people looked happy. They really thought it would be good for Zhuang Xun to have an official position.
"Then why do you want to be a businessman or a bodyguard? Why don't we come and help Brother Xun guard the hospital? Wait a minute. I remember Brother Xun said that this great disaster should not be a few years old. At this time, we are not here to be attacked by all kinds of people. Will this kind of riot spread?" Luo Yuecheng's excited face turned hesitant, as if he could already imagine the chaos.
"So I have already thought about it. After the Wanshou Banquet, I will apply to become a local official. Once the situation changes, I will form an army to protect myself." Zhuang Xun said in a cryptic way. Although he is a good friend of Shi En, he is much better than He Jung. They are close, but they cannot tell them about their intention to fight for supremacy in the world, at least not now.
"Sir, are you still short of manpower?" Huang Xi asked. Being able to work under Zhuang Xun, isn't it much better than being angry with some idle manager?
"It's true. After all, I come from a humble background and have no one available. It's best if you guys, Xiao Huang, are willing to help me. But the officialdom is treacherous and it's not as simple as other things. You should think more about it." He is not repaying the favor. He knows how difficult his future will be, and he doesn't want to harm these friends.
"There is nothing to consider. There are fewer risks in caravan escorts? Quite a few. Since there are risks, why not choose Mr.? We can trust his character." He Heng's words caused the two of them to nod frequently.
"That's right, then we have to bring my mother back." Luo Yuecheng nodded and said.
"Let's put this issue aside for the time being. After all, we haven't been appointed yet. Once the officers arrive and are stable, we can then consider settling down our families. The work in the caravan is really hard, and you have all lost weight." Zhuang Xun didn't dare to do it now. Promise nothing.
"Damn it, I've been hungry for several days. The jade I transported this time was robbed and killed by the Youguo people. Fortunately, I was rescued by the army, otherwise it would have turned into rotten meat in two days." Luo Yuecheng had lingering fears.
"It was indeed quite difficult." He Heng also smiled bitterly when he recalled it.
"It's so risky to escort items for the first time. I don't dare to think that in the future, I might as well follow Mr. Zhuang and become a caretaker." Huang Xi also had lingering fears.
"So what happened? What were you transporting and were robbed and killed by the Youguo people?" Zhuang Xun said curiously.
"A piece of Shoushan jade as big as a couch, but the steward of the caravan was afraid that people would know about it and attract others to covet it, so he hired few people. He wanted to disguise it, but unexpectedly it was found out, and he was robbed and killed. Fortunately, he retreated in danger. "Although the opponent had a large number of people and good geographical advantages, they persisted for six or seven days until they received assistance from the army." He Heng roughly described the development of this matter.
"The strangest thing about this matter is that these people are all from Youguo, and they not only seek wealth but also kill themselves." He Heng said the strange thing he noticed.
"How do you say, how do you know that the other party is from Youguo?" Zhuang Xun was confused. Logically speaking, this must be disguised.
"The prisoners were captured and forced to confess. Unfortunately, the prisoners didn't know why they came across a county to rob and kill us, leaving no one alive." He Heng said quietly.
"I don't want to think about this anymore. As long as everyone is safe." Zhuang Xun also felt that there was some conspiracy, but he had no clue.
"Yes, it's good that I'm safe. I've earned a few taels of silver for the rest of my life." He Heng said with a relaxed expression.
"Some people say that the person in charge is a bit harsh, but the reward is quite generous. He can give such a large reward." Luo Yuecheng smiled happily.
"If you don't give me the reward, I won't tear him apart. At first, I hid it from everyone and said that the transport was ordinary jade. After everyone discussed the discarded items and escaped, they said it was valuable goods." Huang Xi complained very much about this white manager.
"I think you just felt uncomfortable after being scolded by him." Luo Yuecheng revealed Huang Xi's background.
"If he's not mean to you, it's because you're stupid. You'll do whatever he asks you to do. If he asks you to lick his ass, why don't you go too?"
"Yellow Mouse, you..."
"Aluo, you really can't listen to everything Guanshi Bai says." He Heng was clearly on Huang Xi's side this time.
"He is not a good person. Don't listen to him when necessary." Can a good person make such a large piece of Shoushan jade without telling everyone?
"I understand." Luo Yuecheng agreed dully.
"Okay, you have worked hard. Don't talk about unhappy things. There is no need to dwell on these things. I will cook and make you some delicious food." Zhuang Xun reconciled and stood up.
"Mr. Lang, let me go. I don't need to touch the water with my left hand. You can chat with a few friends." Si Qinmi, who was sitting next to Zhuang Xun and smiled silently, said proactively.
"Be careful." Zhuang Xun originally wanted to refuse, but looking at these friends, he wanted to defend Si Qinmi's reputation.
If there is a mistress and the man cooks, doesn't it mean that the mistress is not good at running the house?
After Si Qinmi left, Luo Yuecheng asked in a low voice: "Brother Xun, are you under any kind of coercion?"
"Or maybe she helped you raise Xiaolian?" Huang Xi also agreed.
"Sir, Heng doesn't understand very well." He Heng stroked the table. If he hadn't known that Zhuang Xun's aesthetics was normal through his sister-in-law's previous words about her beauty, he would have doubted whether Zhuang Xun had a problem with his thinking.
"Lanzhi and I were made for each other. You don't have to ask. How could there be any threat? The wives of wealthy families recommended me one after another, because of my righteous deed of burying the daughter of the Siqin family." Zhuang Xun said to these people. It is considered trustworthy, but unnecessary information will not be disclosed.
"Madam, she is very talented. I like her very much. I think you should not look like this when marrying a virtuous wife." Zhuang Xun said this with a clear conscience. After all, he agreed to be a couple when Si Qin Mi disguised her appearance. of.
"Tan Mei'er is not bad, right? She also reads poetry and books, and is a female worker. Most importantly, she is good-looking." Luo Yuecheng's tone was a bit harsh. Maybe in his mind, Zhuang Xun had already booked to be with He Tan.
"Aluo, shut up." He Heng glared at Luo Yuecheng, who was stunned.
"Tan Mei'er and I really have nothing to do. I understand Brother He's thoughts, but it also depends on the two people's thoughts. The first is that Tan Mei'er is really too young, only fourteen; the second is that Tan Mei'er is really too young. I said that my future husband-in-law hopes to be as upright as Brother He. Thirdly, I don’t like to repay favors. Brother He has some thoughts of repaying a favor, and Brother He knows it well." Zhuang Xun looked at his body and then Looking at He Heng's figure, it is typical and does not meet He Tan's intentions.
"Sir, you don't have to be like this. I understand what you mean. My daughter's identity is not worthy of my husband. It's already her blessing that she can come and be a maid in his family." He Heng smiled bitterly. He had been looking forward to this marriage for a long time, but unfortunately Now it ends like this.
"Brother He, please don't say such things, or I will get angry. Tan Mei'er is well-educated, gentle and virtuous. She will definitely find a good husband."
Zhuang Xun felt that it would be too sinful to marry He Tan back home because women in this world are slow to develop. He Tan was only a junior high school student, and he was still in the first year of junior high school. He didn't have childish aesthetics.
"What does she know? Forget it, let's not talk about it. Let's talk about what we learned in Chengguo. There are really many temples and Taoist temples in Chengguo, and they especially like discussing Taoism. When they don't like it, the two of them will argue in the street, and pedestrians will stop. Listen to them cite scriptures..."
He Heng let this matter go, and the atmosphere became harmonious afterwards. The customs and customs of different countries are very interesting. At the dinner table, they talked about the refugee situation caused by the failure of the Lingguan in Yu State.
After they finished eating, they said goodbye and went back to the caravan to deal with things.
Only Si Qinmi and Zhuang Xun were left clearing the plates.
"I'll do it." Zhuang Xun stopped Si Qinmi and said, the scab has not yet grown new skin.
"Mr. Lang, my appearance is embarrassing to you." Si Qinmi stopped. She knew Zhuang Xun was stubborn.
At least until this small wound is completely healed, Zhuang Xun will be so generous.
"No, I think it's great. No one else can see how beautiful my wife is. Only I know, haha." Zhuang Xun laughed.
"You." Si Qin Mi was driven away from the guilt by Zhuang Xun's liveliness.
"When I have the ability to keep your identity secret, I will let everyone in the world know that my wife is beautiful and make them jealous to death." Zhuang Xun promised.
"Okay, you're going to make me die of shame." Si Qinmi picked up the dishes and went to the kitchen.
"They say I washed it."
"I know, just taking the bowl back to the kitchen."
"Madam, wait a minute." Zhuang Xun folded off the begonia flower he just bought from the courtyard and gently put it on Si Qinmi's thick black hair.
"Live up to the spring alliance, red morning and green evening."
