Henan Road, Xuzhou.
Su Xian and his party, after setting off from Nanchen Jiangning, hurriedly and slowly arrived at Xuzhou City in the evening of the next day.
The northwest of Xuzhou is adjacent to Henan Prefecture where Shendu is located, and is very close to Shendu City.
Su Xian planned to rest in Xuzhou for one night and should be able to reach his destination before noon tomorrow.
Without alerting the local state capital, they entered Xuzhou City in disguise and found an inn to rest.
"The dishes are here, gentlemen, please take your time."
In the guest room of Tianzi No., the inn waiter was smiling, holding a tray in his hand and a rag on his shoulder. He was talking and retreating until he exited the guest room.
Su Xian, Yang Zhilan, and Zhou Wei were sitting around the table, with cups and plates stacked on top of each other and full of dishes.
"My big elbow!" Zhou Wei looked excited and reached out to grab the big golden pig's elbow in the middle of the dining table. He imitated the action of chewing the big bone and swallowed his saliva.
Yang Zhilan also stretched out a hand, but she held something in her hand, which was shining brightly. Upon closer inspection, it turned out to be a silver needle, and the tip of the needle penetrated directly into the big elbow.
"Uh..." Zhou Wei was stunned for a moment, and the hand that reached out to the pig's knuckle paused in the air, and then slowly retracted it.
Su Xian glanced at him and said nothing.
After a while, Yang Zhilan tried all the dishes, and the silver needles did not change color, indicating that the dishes were not poisonous.
"Eat." Su Xian picked up the kuaizi.
Soon after the meal was finished, almost all the food on the large table was wiped out.
The three of them were drinking tea and chatting.
At this time, someone knocked on the door outside the house: "Master, I have something to report to you."
"Come in."
The door opened, and a strong man dressed as an ordinary person came in. He closed the door and bowed to Su Xian: "I would like to inform you, Duke, that there is news from the northern Liao Kingdom."
This strong man is the personal guard of the mansion. Su Xian had made an agreement with them that when outsiders are around, he can be called Young Master.
When only one of his own is present, he calls Su Xian by his official name—Guo Gong!
That's right, he had known about the Queen of Liang's canonization of Su Xian as Duke of Wei as early as the time of Nanchen.
The title of Duke Wei...how to say it? It's not bad, the Duke is just an improvement in status and has no real power. It is equivalent to an addition.
When it comes to real power, he must be a genuine and powerful Taiwei.
"News from the Liao Kingdom?"
As soon as Su Xian heard this, he subconsciously thought that there was something wrong with the cooperative development with Liao State, because this matter was of great importance and could easily lead to thunderstorms.
"The Duke is overly worried. It's not that there is a problem with the cooperative development, but that the Liao Emperor is seriously ill and may die soon," the guard reported.
"Emperor Liao is seriously ill..."
Su Xian frowned, put down the tea cup, stood up from the stool, looked at the guard and ordered: "I already know about this, please step aside first."
"yes."
After the guards retreated, Su Xian continued to frown and said to himself: "The death of Emperor Chen in Nanchen just caused a series of turbulence, and we spent a lot of effort to calm it down."
"I just took a breath, but it turns out that Emperor Liao is dying again... It seems that this year is really a troubled year. I hope that the situation in Liao will not be chaotic because of this."
Zhou Wei dropped the big bone that he had chewed tightly and smashed it on the table with a clang. He stood up and said with a smile: "Brother, why should you worry? This is obviously a good thing!"
"What do you say?" Su Xian looked over.
"Senior brother, doesn't he often say that the prince of Liao Kingdom, Nalan...Nalanyan, isn't he a good person? He has a close personal relationship with senior brother, he also admires the culture of the Central Plains, and he only wants to develop peacefully with Daliang?"
"That's right." Su Xian paused and corrected: "The prince of Liao is called Nalanjie, not Nalanyan. Nalanyan is a woman's name."
"Oh?" Zhou Wei smiled awkwardly, and then said:
"That's your problem, senior brother. Why do I only remember Nalan Yan and not Nalan Festival? It must be because, senior brother, you often say the word 'Nalan Yan'!"
"If you can't speak, don't speak." Su Xian glared.
Zhou Wei smiled and shut up decisively. He did not dare to provoke this senior brother too much, so he continued the topic:
"Brother, think about it, after the death of the old Emperor Liao, Nalan Jie, who is close to Liang, will ascend the throne and become the new emperor of Liao. Isn't this a good thing for Liang and Liao?"
Su Xian nodded slowly: "What junior brother said does make sense, but... I hope nothing will happen, otherwise the situation may get out of control."
Zhou Wei chuckled: "Senior brother, why are you thinking so far ahead? You should think about how to solve the problem in front of you, right?"
"What's the immediate problem?"
"Tomorrow, we will return to the divine capital. I wonder how senior brother... will face the sisters-in-law? Senior brother, don't glare. I'm just reminding you."
As expected, Su Xian stopped glaring, put on a "sinful" smile, and looked at Zhou Wei: "Junior brother, how about we make a bet?"
"No, no, no!" Zhou Wei took a step back in fright, with a look of horror on his face. He would not make a bet with his senior brother. The lesson he learned last time was unforgettable.
Su Xian smiled and said: "Junior brother, don't be afraid. If you win, you can go to Pinyu Pavilion and pick up any girl. You can even live there for ten and a half days, no problem!"
After hearing this, Zhou Wei said, to be honest, it was a lie that he wasn't moved. Living in Pinyu Pavilion for ten and a half days, wouldn't that make him feel extremely unhappy? The temptation for him was too strong.
However, he finally shook his head firmly: "No! Senior brother, don't try to trick me. I won't be fooled again this time."
"What? Junior brother is no longer interested in women?"
"Yeah." Zhou Wei nodded vigorously, but quickly realized and shook his head vigorously.
"In that case, then make a bet with me. You have a high chance of winning this time, at least 90% of the time. Don't miss this opportunity." Su Xian said seductively.
"Hmm..." You shook your head vigorously.
Seeing that he would not take the bait no matter what, Su Xian knew that this trick had failed. He rolled his eyes and quickly thought of another idea: "Junior brother, it's okay if you don't make a bet with me."
"Senior brother, I have something to ask you. If you can help me do it, no matter what the final result is, I will let you go to Pinyu Pavilion to have a carnival, and I will promise that no one will catch you again. How about that?"
"Senior brother, don't try to lie to me again. There must be some fraud here." Zhou Wei said with an expression that said, "I have already seen through you."
Su Xian ignored this and said to himself:
"I don't have high demands on you. You just need to cover for me, and don't worry about anything else. When things are done, I won't be short of what I just promised."
"It's just as simple as covering?" Zhou Wei was stunned. This was beyond his imagination.
"Yes, it's that simple."
"That's no problem. As a senior brother, you should cover up. As for those promises... let's just skip it."
Su Xian was a little surprised. Zhou Wei had really gained wisdom this time?
Zhou Wei didn't think Su Xian could handle the matter well. This time it was much more serious than the last time, so he had a faint smile on his lips, and a look of good fun flashed deep in his eyes, and asked with a smile:
"I wonder how senior brother plans to deal with it?"
Su Xian saw his expression in his eyes and did not respond directly. Instead, he smiled and said, "I have my own way. Junior brother, you just need to cover for me."
The sky gradually darkened, and night enveloped the earth.
Su Xian and others chatted for a while, then went back to their rooms to rest.
The next day.
morning.
Thirty miles south of Shendu City, on the side of the official road, hundreds of people are gathering here.
These people were not bandits who blocked the road, but were personal guards of the Duke of Wei. They were dressed in armor, with sabers hanging on their waists, and holding long guns. They lined up neatly beside the official road.
As the mistress of the Duke's Mansion, Tang Shuwan led Liu Huixiang, Luo Xiuniang, and some concubines, a total of more than ten women, to wait by the roadside.
They have perfect figures, bright clothes, beautiful faces, and beautiful faces. Standing by the roadside, they add a lot of color to the ordinary officialdom.
Next to Tang Shuwan, there were two people, one was Su Xian's father-in-law Tang Ju, and the other was Su Xian's mother-in-law Mrs. Chen.
Whether it is the personal guards of the Duke's Mansion, or Tang Shuwan, Tang Ju and others, they are here for only one purpose, and that is to welcome Su Xian back to Beijing.
In the distance, behind the personal guards, there were dozens of carriages parked. Behind the carriages were the officials sent by the Queen to welcome Su Xian on his triumphant return to the court...
Su Xian's mission to Nanchen was long-lasting and long-lasting. Tang Shuwan and others should be happy to finally return safely.
However, everyone is indeed happy on the surface, but if you look closely, you will find that the atmosphere at the scene is a bit stagnant, especially Tang Ju, Tang Shuwan, Liu Huixiang and others, whose expressions are not natural.
This is because there is one thing that no one can avoid.
This matter is that Su Xian became the husband of the empress in Nanchen.
Tang Shuwan, Liu Huixiang and other women are Su Xian's women, they are the wives and concubines who have worshiped heaven and earth and are being brought home by the matchmakers. It is impossible for them to not care about this.
Tang Ju, Mrs. Chen, as well as the personal guards, maids, servants, etc. present, and even the court officials behind, secretly whispered in their hearts, hoping that it would not cause any unpleasantness...
Tang Ju and Mrs. Chen looked at each other secretly, then looked at their eldest daughter Tang Shuwan, then turned back and looked at each other again.
In fact, they have advised Tang Shuwan many times that for the sake of harmony between husband and wife, it is better not to pursue it too much. Besides, Su Xian must have been forced, and the other party is the empress. Who can resist under power?
Tang Shuwan once nodded slowly, giving people an attitude that she would not hold on to him any longer.
But Tang Ju was still worried. He came closer and lowered his voice and warned: "Wan'er, the Duke will be back soon. Put away your unhappy expression quickly and remember what my father warned you."
"Father, my daughter is not unhappy." Tang Shuwan turned her head with a smile on her face.
"Daughter, you are the flesh that fell from my mother's body. Doesn't my mother still understand you?" Mrs. Chen also came closer and advised: "Everything is done in moderation."
Tang Shuwan looked at her parents with a wry smile: "Dad, please don't worry, my daughter can save it. Men have had three wives and four concubines since ancient times, and my daughter understands this."
"Besides, if your husband is such an outstanding person, it must be a lie to walk outside without attracting attention. Then Empress Nanchen did not force her husband to stay in Nanchen and let her husband go home. Her daughter is already satisfied."
When Liu Huixiang, Luo Xiuniang and other women saw this, they all thought that Tang Shuwan would deliberately downplay the matter and no longer hold Su Xian accountable.
Tang Shuwan is respected in the house, and Tang Shuwan's decision is their decision.
But then again, Liu Huixiang had no objection to this at all. She knew her identity and couldn't control Su Xian. She was very open-minded, otherwise she wouldn't have taken the initiative to bring Su Xian and Tang Shuwan together in the first place.
As for Luo Xiu Niang and her concubines, there would be no objections...
Mrs. Chen felt a little distressed for a moment. This was her daughter after all, but there was nothing she could do about it. Who said her son-in-law was too good? If Su Xian was just a mediocre person, she would definitely support her daughter.
Tang Ju nodded with satisfaction, stroking his beard with one hand, feeling happy that he had raised such a "reasonable" and "flexible" good daughter!
This daughter is the masterpiece and pride of his life. Comparatively speaking, the second daughter Tang Shujing... huh? Tang Ju paused while stroking his beard. Only then did he realize that Tang Shujing hadn't come?
But it wasn't a big problem and he didn't think much about it.
Just when everyone thought that Tang Shuwan really didn't care, they heard her change the topic and said:
"Although this is true, I, Sister Liu, and Xiu Niang still need to express our attitudes and let my husband know."
"Wan'er, what did you say?" Tang Ju's hand stroking his beard tugged down hard, almost tearing off his beard.
He had just lamented that he had given birth to an excellent and well-behaved daughter. However, in the blink of an eye, the well-behaved daughter became bad and even wanted to cause trouble.
Tang Shuwan said slowly: "We don't want to pursue the past matters, and we can't pursue them. Anyway, the matter is over, and the other party is the empress of a country."
"Our attitude is that we hope that your husband will not flirt with women at will in the future. This is for our own good, but also for the good of your husband, and for the sake of the entire Duke's Mansion, and even the entire Daliang!"
"Daughter, you..." Mrs. Chen looked stunned, but she soon felt relieved. She looked at Tang Shuwan's calm face, as if she had seen herself before.
Liu Huixiang glanced at Luo Xiu Niang and the concubines, then took a step forward and walked to Tang Shuwan: "How will Sister Tang persuade her husband?"
Uh-huh!
In an instant, everyone's eyes were focused on Tang Shuwan.
She was unhurried, neither hasty nor slow, and there was no trace of anger or anger on her face. She looked at Liu Huixiang and said, "Gentle, we don't complain or accuse. On the contrary, we serve our husband more gently than before." .”
"Gentle?" Liu Huixiang, Luo Xiuniang, the concubine, etc. were all stunned and did not react for a moment. After a few breaths, they smiled and praised: "Sister Tang is still smarter!"
"Daughter, I support you on this point." Mrs. Chen looked happy and said with a smile:
"This method is good. It doesn't stalk or make trouble unreasonably. It can also make the son-in-law restrain himself! My daughter, you are much better than my mother!"
Tang Ju's face darkened and he covered his face with his hands. He instantly understood Tang Shuwan's thoughts. Gentleness, gentleness is also an extremely sharp knife!
】
He couldn't help but ask himself, how did he raise such a "black-minded" daughter? In the past, when Tang Shuwan was in the boudoir, wasn't she doing well?
