Chapter 53: Everyone wants to pounce on the cat and dog

  It is night, the dusk is deep, and the wind in the sleeves is cool.

  On the official road with wind but no moon, a black lacquer carriage with gold trim slowly drove in and circled into the city gate of Qinggang Inn, stopping only when it reached the outside of Yu Huang Pavilion. The driver wearing a black robe with round collar and double buttons was Chen Jing. And the one who lifted the curtain of the carriage, stepped on the stirrup, straightened his body to help Zhao Zhuo get off the horse was Zheng Er Bao.

  "Tonight, keep your eyes wide open and don't fall asleep."

  Chen Jingruo followed Zhao Zun into the Jade Emperor's Pavilion and turned back to instruct the soldiers on night duty.

  "Yes, Captain of the Guard."

  Zhao Zun's figure was tall and straight, wearing a black soft satin cloak from head to toe, without saying a word.

  A group of people quietly followed him into the study in the main courtyard.

  "Chen Jing stayed behind, while everyone else went down."

  Having received Zhao Zhu's order, from Zheng Er Bao to the night watch eunuchs, they all responded with a "yes" and left quickly. After everyone in the study had left, Zhao Zhu took the three imperial edicts that Zheng Er Bao had carefully wrapped and presented on the desk. He spread them out one by one on the table, savoring the content between the lines, and asked Chen Jing calmly.

  "What's your take on tonight's events?"

  Just before returning to Qinggang Inn on the official road, Zhao Zhu's men encountered an ambush again. The other side had about fifty people, all hiding in the forest by the roadside, each with high martial arts skills. Fortunately, Zhao Zhu was well-prepared and didn't fall into that trap, but not a single person was captured, as they all poisoned themselves to death.

  On Chen Jing's sleeve, there were still bloodstains, and his eyebrows furrowed slightly.

  "Your Excellency, I think it should be the same group of assassins from Qingling County last time. Fortunately, we were prepared this time. Unlike last time... Last time was all because of my negligence and carelessness, allowing them to find a weakness, which was a dereliction of duty on my part."

  Zhao You looked over calmly, "Lost what position? If I, this king, had not been injured, how could we have delayed until now?"

  Chen Jing was a straightforward person, slightly stunned, looking at Zhao Zun's usual face, as if he had understood something.

  "They want to take Grandfather's life and don't want him to return to the capital, so he just goes along with it...and stays behind?"

  Zhao Zun slightly raised his eyelids, without making a sound, but his gaze became even more piercing.

  The court is in a season of troubles, everyone is calculating, how could Chen Jing not know?

  After a moment's consideration, he said solemnly, "In my humble opinion, Your Excellency should return to the capital as soon as possible. Today, another secret letter arrived, saying that Prince Ning had submitted a memorial to the Emperor, framing you with some crimes and impeaching you. Moreover, this third imperial edict was personally drafted by the Crown Prince in the presence of civil and military officials at the Fengtian Hall."

  The third summons back to the capital.

  Moreover, the imperial edict also ordered Crown Prince Zhao Mianze to draft and issue it.

  What does this mean? It goes without saying.

  His Majesty had previously done his best to cultivate Crown Prince Zhao Yi, and now he is cultivating Grandson Zhao Mianze. This is something that everyone from the emperor to the officials and common people knows in their hearts, but it has never happened before.

  Especially from Chen Jing's point of view, he really thinks that "the moon can only be obtained by the building near the moon", although King Jin and the current emperor are father and son, but once the royal family's affection is far away, the relationship will also become distant.

  Over the years, Zhao Zun has been fighting in the north and south, leaving little time to stay in the capital. The current Emperor Hongtai has many sons, and at that time, he was very fond of his youngest son, giving him military power, which was also highly valued. However, the hearts of emperors have always been changeable, and when one is in a high position, their thoughts naturally differ from those of ordinary people. In recent years, as the prestige of the 19th Master has grown higher, encountering several sycophantic officials who stir up trouble, the consequences are unthinkable. If the 19th Master really wanted to compete for the throne, staying in Qinggang County for a long time would be, in Chen Jing's view, somewhat off the mark.

  "Your Majesty, I think that winning the hearts of all the people in the world is not as good as winning the heart of Your Majesty alone."

  Chen Jing was a man of few words, but after being ambushed three times and thinking about those key points, he couldn't help but say a little something.

  After he finished speaking, he saw Zhao Zun not making a sound, and immediately added with ulterior motives.

  "The Crown Prince has done a good job in this regard."

  "Chen Jing, you've become quite talkative today."

  Softly speaking, Zhao Zun's exquisite and delicate features, like a cameo, flashed with a hint of profound and unfathomable cold light under the candlelight.

  Chen Jingzheng wanted to reprimand him for speaking too much, but he heard him say again, "On the side of Fan Congliang, you let Er Gui keep a close eye on him, and don't be careless."

  The topic was thus turned around. Chen Jing responded with a "yes", hesitated for a moment, and still didn't understand.

  "Grandfather, in my humble opinion, Fan Zhongliang should..."

  His eyes gleamed with a hint of murderous intent, and Chen Jing made a slashing motion with his hand.

  Apart from the "Thousand Year Stele" incident, the person in charge was Fan Cong Liang. Now that person is still being kept, it will only lead to endless troubles later on.

  His idea was exactly the same as Chu Qi's previous thought, thinking that at this time, they should kill people and destroy their mouths to avoid long nights and many dreams. Unfortunately, Zhao Zun is a person who has always done things in an unconventional way, even if Chen Jing is his closest twelve guards, he has never understood his true thoughts, and can only do things according to his intentions.

  Zhao Zhuang glanced at him.

  Under the dim and flickering light, his faint expression became even more majestic and intimidating.

  "Keep him, I will naturally have use for him. At present, the flood disaster in Shu is severe, and although Fan Congliang has not achieved much, he has also not been remiss in this relief effort, and can be said to have done a good job. You just need to keep a close eye on him. In a few days, I will also need to return to the capital to report for duty, at which time, I will definitely resolve this matter."

  Chen Jing observed his complexion, and could only nod in response.

  But in his heart, he was clear that "meritorious disaster relief" would absolutely not be the real reason why Zhao Zun wouldn't move against Fan Congliang.

  Without staying any longer, Zhao You gave some other errands and Chen Jing left the study with a big stride, pressing the long knife on his waist.

  He took a step forward, and Zheng Er Bao's footsteps came in with his hind legs lowered. He picked up the wick of the candles in the study, and when the light brightened a bit, he silently walked to Zhao Zun's side.

  "Grandfather, it's late, be careful not to hurt your eyes, go rest?"

  "You wait outside, I'll take another look."

  Zhao Zhuo propped one hand against his temple and silently continued reading "The Fire Dragon Scripture".

  Zheng Er Bao silently accompanied him, seeing his tightly furrowed eyebrows, and couldn't help but sigh inwardly.

  He followed Zhao Zilong's side since he was about ten years old, from being a prince to being enfeoffed as a king, from conquering the north to marching south. In an era where the legitimate and illegitimate were distinguished, Zheng Erbao can be said to have grown up with him and watched him grow from an ordinary prince to the powerful general he is today. Therefore, his feelings for Zhao Zilong are not simply those of a slave to his master.

  Quietly accompanying him by his side, Zheng Er Bao regarded himself as just a part of the backdrop.

  Night, quiet.

  The candle flame jumped with a crackle.

  Zhao Zun has been kneading his head all along, and Zheng Er Bao couldn't help but let out a sound.

  "Dad, but I have a headache again?"

  Zhao Zun lightly said "en" and didn't make another sound.

  Zheng Er Bao went out to wash his hands and then walked over, wanting to help him massage it a bit.

  Unexpectedly, his master frowned and turned his head away, "No need."

  Zheng Er Bao's hand froze in mid-air, and he was stunned once again.

  He had always had a headache, and he often replaced him to pinch his shoulders, push his back and rub his forehead. In these ten years or so, he hadn't done less of this kind of thing, and the master had never refused. But since Chu Qi served him for a while, the master seemed to be somewhat disdainful of his craftsmanship, and never took the initiative to let him push and take again.

  "Grandpa..."

  Anxious-looking at his uncomfortable and distressed appearance, Zheng Er Bao observed his words and expressions, and finally spoke up.

  "Chu Qi has been resting for these days, her body should be better now. If not, I'll go call her to come and serve you?"

  Zhao Zhu, who was originally reading a book peacefully, furrowed his brow even deeper upon hearing the two words "Chu Qi", and his eyes turned icy cold as he glared over, scaring Zheng Er Bao so much that he couldn't help but shudder, and laughed out loud while slapping his own mouth.

  "Look at this servant's stinky mouth, whichever pot is not opened will be mentioned."

  It's strange to say, since that day when Chu Qi spat a mouthful of dirty things on this master and left the "mark of a woman" on his bedding, every time he heard Chu Qi's name, he would frown.

  For this half month, although he spent less time at the station, every time he came back, even if he had time, he never summoned that little servant girl Chu Qi again like before.

  Now it seems like a cat teasing a mouse, isn't it getting annoying?

  Zheng Er Bao was muttering to himself, guessing at the same time, but saw Zhao Zhu suddenly put down his book, as if he had lost interest in reading.

  "Let's go and take a rest."

  "Alright, sir, watch your step."

  Carefully followed Zhao Zun back to the house, Zheng Er Bao first let the night-shift maid go to the bathroom to prepare warm water for him to bathe, and then he also tidied up the bed curtains and bedding, but saw his father staring at that bed, a cold face, with an extremely complex expression.

  At one glance, Zheng Er Bao was taken aback.

  Look at him, doesn't seem like he's joking around anymore? Or is he still waiting for Chu Qi to serve him?

  Having followed Zhao Ziluo for so many years, he thought that he understood his family's affairs more than others.

  After some careful consideration, he suddenly realized and became infatuated with his own conjecture.

  Could it be that because Chu Qi's little maid had embarrassed his family's master on that night, he couldn't save face and also couldn't put down the airs of a master, so he didn't look for her?

  Hey, just want a girl to serve me, why so serious?

  He thought again, that Chu Qi was indeed something else. If it were another girl, she would have come to beg for mercy and apologize long ago. But she was different, she scolded him, cursed him, hugged him, and even kicked him. As a result, she lifted her small foot and went to the West Wing, and more than half a month had passed. He didn't look for her, and she wasn't in a hurry either. It seemed that she was living an even more comfortable life.

  Don't mention letting her come and beg for forgiveness, not even a normal greeting was given.

  Zheng Er Bao also heard that Chu Qi spent all day in the West Wing studying her messy medicines, with bottles and jars piled up everywhere. Whenever she had nothing to do, she would smear them on her face. The other day, he just heard a joke about how Chu Qi had applied a white paste all over her face one night and ran out to use the toilet, scaring a young maid who was keeping watch at night so badly that she fainted on the spot, thinking she had seen a ghost.

  The next day, everyone finally heard her say what that thing was called - a "facemask"?

  It's still not enough for her, that "mask" of hers has now been sold out among those young girls.

  That Chu Qi was really not someone who could be at ease with.

  Zheng Er Bao thought to himself, in order to make his master have a slightly better mood, he smiled knowingly and spoke mysteriously.

  "Master, I heard that Chu Qi's servant girl has earned a lot of silver again."

  This second treasure grandfather is also a loss, knowing that the matter is his family's fun, which takes care of Chu Qi's mood, and rushes up.

  Upon hearing this, Zhao Zhuo didn't show any interest and only hummed a faint response before turning around to head towards the bathroom.

  Zheng Er Bao scratched his head, and became even more bewildered.

  Even Lian Yuzi doesn't love to deceive anymore? Alas, what's going on here?

  He hurriedly caught up with a few steps, and then followed closely behind, grinning from ear to ear, "Master, that Chu Qi is indeed an interesting person. Don't mention it, I also feel that being with her can bring quite some joy."

  "What else can you have fun with?"

  Coldly, amidst the ripples of the water, Zhao Zhu's voice floated out.

  Listening to his voice didn't feel right, Zheng Er Bao felt another wave of suffocation.

  Can't eunuchs have children?

  Not to mention, when he looked at Zhao Zun, that hint of resentment in his eyes was really a bit like the look of someone who had lost favor.

  After bathing in the clean room, Zhao Zhuo put on his night clothes and lazily leaned against the head of the bed. He sent Zheng Erbao to fetch a book, but didn't let him extinguish the candle flame. Judging from his appearance, he still had to read for a while before going to sleep.

  As the candlelight flickered, Zheng Er Bao gazed at his solitary figure, and suddenly felt a pang of sadness.

  Apart from his own master, those princes who are as noble as jade, which one of them is not surrounded by beautiful women, with children running all over the place?

  He cleared his throat and stopped in his tracks just as he was about to leave the house, and his foot unwillingly came back.

  "Father, I have one more thing... I don't know if I should say it or not."

  Zhao Zun raised his head and looked at him coolly, indicating for him to speak.

  Zheng Er Bao's face became even more flustered, "You must first pardon this humble servant of his crimes before he dares to speak."

  Zhao Zun hummed and said lightly, "Now you're also quite bold."

  Zheng Er Bao cleared his throat, occasionally glancing at him, but his throat felt like it had crawled with insects, itching, and he thought about what he wanted to say, feeling a bit embarrassed.

  Although he is also a man, he has been an orphan since childhood and has never done anything like a man. Saying these words still makes him feel a bit embarrassed, his neck turns red with embarrassment, before he finally opens his mouth to speak.

  "Master, so many beautiful young ladies are vying for your attention, but you don't even bother to acknowledge them. I may not agree with it in my heart, but I can understand that it's because of your noble character. But while you can ignore other girls, Yuer is the one personally chosen by Empress Dowager as your concubine, and she has such a background... Alas, if you don't take her in, she'll be resentful and humiliated, and she won't be able to marry again either. In my opinion, among all the women in our estate, Yuer is exceptional in both character and appearance, and even compared to the Crown Princess when she was younger, she's not inferior in any way."

  Zhao's gaze grew colder and colder, staring at Zheng Er Bao until he felt a chill run down his spine.

  But his words have reached the tip of his tongue, and it's unreasonable not to say them.

  "Master, you're not only a man but also a prince. Sleeping with a maiden is nothing, why be so hard on yourself? At your age, it's not too late. The Empress Dowager is anxious and furious about this matter in the palace, several times she has come down to reprimand, causing discord between mother and son, really not worth it. I think that Moon Jade maiden is indeed a good-natured person, extremely beautiful, gentle and obedient, especially towards you, Master..."

  Zheng Er Bao's nagging finally made Zhao Zhuo sit up from his slouch, and he looked at him coldly.

  "What's next?"

  Zheng Er Bao saw that his face was calm and couldn't tell what he was thinking, and his heart also felt a little empty.

  However, he has been singing solo for half a day, reading about the big and small things that Yuè Yù has taken care of in the mansion over the years. He treated Zhēng èr Bǎo with great kindness, making cotton clothes for him on cold winter days and sending tea soup on hot summer days. He plucked up his courage and added another sentence.

  "Why don't... I'll go and let Yueru come in to attend to you?"

  "Is that all?" Zhao Zun raised an eyebrow and asked coldly.

  Zheng Er Bao couldn't guess what was on his mind, so he stole a glance at him and smiled awkwardly.

  "It's done. Master, how do you feel?"

  He slowly lay down again, Zhao Zun coldly swept his eyes over and said with a faint expression.

  "Since you like it so much, I'll give it to you."

  "Hmm——"

  Zheng Er Bao hadn't had time to speak when something outside the door fell to the ground.

  He smiled awkwardly and hastily retreated to the inner room, opening the door to take a look. All he saw was a corner of clothing disappearing at the doorway, while on the ground only a Qinghua porcelain bowl that had been scalding hot remained, with shards scattered all over the floor, still emitting wisps of steam.

  "Where did this dead wild cat come from, making a racket all night."

  Xin Zhi is Moon Yu's, definitely heartbroken to death. Zheng Er Bao sympathetically sighed and raised his sharp voice again to scold.

  "Who's on night shift? Hurry up and put back this bottle that the cat knocked over! You're disturbing my sleep, watch your heads..."

  ……

  ……

  It wasn't until the seventh day of summer that I finally understood what it means by "the emperor is not in a hurry, but the eunuchs are worried to death."

  These days, she has been living a carefree and happy life. She hasn't even put the words of Dongfang Qingxuan to heart. She has thought it through, once her body is fully recovered, she will take back the mirror from Zhao Zun, find an opportunity to leave with Ah Er, and never see those people again. No matter how big a deal it is, it has nothing to do with Xia Chuqi.

  But Gu Niang didn't think so.

  She's anxious! She saw Tian'er worrying about Xia Chuqi.

  Especially after learning that the master had not found her for more than half a month, the rumors about Chu Qi's "loss of favor" in the post station increased again. Mei Zi would start nagging every time she saw her, telling her that she couldn't continue like this, and that she should take the initiative with Master, not being afraid to lose face. In the end, she simply handed over a new discovery to Xia Chuqi.

  "Chu Qi, you're not interested in Dongfang's Commander-in-Chief, are you?"

  Summer began on the seventh day, and he suddenly hung his head, ready to surrender to her, "What do you say?"

  Plum's round little face was full of regret. "Chu Qi, didn't you feel it? It seems that our family's grandfather is still better-looking."

  "Is that so?" He raised an eyebrow and glanced at her, Xia Chuqi let out a dry laugh, "How did you find out? Did you serve him in the bath? Take a look at his good physique?"

  "Not at all. Father never allowed the young lady to serve him bathing." Mei's face turned red, whispering and glancing at her again, "That Eastern Grand Commander, he looks good, but really can't be tolerated. Think about it, he not only is the head of the Brocade Guard, killing people like flies, but also has a relationship with Prince Ning, oh my, just thinking about it is scary. Our father is a good person after all."

  Good person?

  Is Zhao Zhuang a good person?

  "You've been infected by fools and caught foolishness disease."

  The big white eyes rolled up on the seventh day of summer have not been withdrawn.

  Meizi obviously got impatient again, so she simply shut her mouth. In front of Zhao Zhu's brainless fans, saying anything is superfluous.

  The two of them chatted for a few more sentences, and Xia Chuqi leaned against the headboard, suddenly changing the subject.

  "Mei Zi, what do you think of that person, Ying Ge?"

  Plum blossom rolled her eyes and said sarcastically, "Nothing much."

  After that, seeing Xia Chuyi not speaking, she continued to spit out, "Chu Qi, let me say one more thing, you should also pay attention to our father. Learn from Ying Ge like this, and hurry up, our father will definitely not neglect you."

  Her awkward little appearance made Xia Chuqi laugh, "What's the hurry? Why am I hurrying? Am I chasing after him like a chicken or duck?"

  Knowing she was a foul-mouthed one, Mei Zi didn't get angry, but instead scolded her repeatedly.

  "I don't know what Grandfather was thinking, but he actually brought that fox spirit, Ying Ge, back. Tell me, Grandfather sent her to serve you, but while you've been bedridden these days, has she taken care of you? Humph! Our household has never had a girl like that before, dressing up in finery every day, batting her eyelashes at everyone, just waiting for the masters to return. But it's also true, a girl from that kind of place, how could she possibly serve you? I think she's probably thinking about serving the masters instead. Yesterday, she was even asking Yue Yu sister when Grandfather would be back, with an impatient look on her face, it made me lose my appetite."

  "Really? This morning at breakfast, I clearly saw you drink two big bowls of porridge and eat two big steamed buns."

  A sharp-tongued woman met a garrulous old lady, and the two of them chattered endlessly.

  After Xia Chuyi said that, Mei Zi pinched her own round face and plump waist, feeling a bit relieved.

  "Alas, it's true... how did I get fatter and fatter? Look at my waist, it's almost as big as the water bucket in the kitchen. Chu Qi, if only I could give some of this flesh to you, that would be great."

  On the seventh day of summer, he glared at her with a bad temper, "You're still not satisfied with your good prospects? Tomorrow, I'll introduce you to a marriage, and you can go have a big fat son."

  "Absolutely not! I'm used to eating the finest delicacies, how could I settle for plain porridge and small stir-fries? And after being accustomed to seeing that divine face of yours, you expect me to turn around and look at a coarse-faced man with yellow teeth and mud-stained fingernails? I'd rather die than do that!"

  Pfft!

  At the beginning of summer, she was amused by her description, "Little girl, a set of principles."

  "Alright, who's the little girl? I'm actually a year older than you. Anyway, I've made up my mind, if I don't meet a good husband, I'd rather not get married. Let me just get fat and die in the mansion, at least I can still take care of Grandpa and comfort his eyes. Look at Moon Yu sister, isn't she..."

  Meizi, who usually spoke quickly, paused for a moment and her expression changed slightly.

  "Chu Qi, I'm going to say something unpleasant, don't take it to heart."

  At the beginning of summer, I realized that plum blossoms are lovely to death, "I'm just one heart, it can't be more."

  This guy's words are always off-key. If it were someone else, Mei Zi would have gotten angry a long time ago.

  This time, however, she pulled on her hand and let out a rare sigh.

  "Hey, haven't you noticed that Sister Yuemei has lost weight lately? Chu Qi, Sister Yuemei is a good person, if you really gain grandfather's favor in the future, can you please not squeeze her out? She has been serving by grandfather's side for over ten years, dedicating her heart to him, we all know. Originally, she was chosen by Concubine Gong to serve grandfather, and should have been promoted to consort long ago. I also heard that Concubine Gong was so anxious about grandfather's matters that she made a promise to Sister Yuemei, if she served as consort, she would be granted the title of secondary consort. But now it has dragged on until now, and she is already over twenty years old, an old maid..."

  At the beginning of summer, she raised an eyebrow and looked at Mei Zi.

  Her face was full of injustice for Yuè Yù, very sincere.

  It seems that Yuè Yù is a great person, otherwise why would everyone like her?

  On the seventh day of summer, I dug into my ears and was thinking, when outside came the sound of oriole singing.

  "Chu Qi, I've brought your Dragon Boat Festival lunch."

  These days, Xia Chuqi's identity and status are quite embarrassing after falling ill, but his life is not awkward at all. Anyway, Ying Ge wants to show off in front of Zhao Zun, and Xia Chuqi is a big lazy person, so he doesn't care about anything, big or small, and just lets Ying Ge handle everything.

  "Come in."

  The posture of the oriole walking on the road is very pleasing to the eye, and it can be seen at a glance that it has been trained.

  She carried a bright red tray, slightly bowed her head, and arranged the dishes on the small table one by one. With a smile, she said, "Eat quickly while it's hot! I'll go call that fool over."

  Xia nodded at 7 o'clock in the summer, holding chopsticks and looking at the dishes on the table, her eyes narrowed.

  A faint smile appeared at the corner of her lips.

  "Warbler's song, what kind of meat is this? It looks different from ordinary ones?"

  The voice of the oriole was still so soft, with a slight raise at the corner of her eyes, "I heard from the kitchen that this is venison."

  "What about this one?" Xia Zhong Qi pointed at another bowl with a yellowish thing inside.

  "It's a pumpkin."

  Venison and pumpkin cannot be eaten together. Looking at these two things, Xia Zhi suddenly thought of something. She remembered that when she was in the Red Thorn Special Warfare Team, she had accidentally seen a post online. At the time, someone was very anxious on the forum asking, "I accidentally ate venison and pumpkin today, and later heard that these two things cannot be eaten together. Eating them together will kill you, what should I do? Who can help me?"

  Someone immediately replied, "It's fine after eating."

  The landlord asked again, "How did you know nothing was wrong?"

  Another god replied from downstairs, "Because you're still alive, Lou Zhu, and can still post."

  That became a joke, but the saying that venison with pumpkin can kill people comes from some ancient medical books. Whether it will necessarily be fatal is of course impossible, at most it will make your stomach uncomfortable and feel unwell for a while, and you have to eat an extremely large amount to have this possibility. However, Xia Zhi thought that perhaps the people of this era believed in these things. Or, judging from her small-mindedness, someone must have heard about this and deliberately gave it to her to eat?

  Is it her own wild imagination?

  Alas, it's all because of that despicable Zhao, with his sly and cunning appearance, making everyone want to take him down.

  She pinched a piece of soft pumpkin and put it in her mouth, chewing it slowly.

  "Delicious! Skylark, where did you get it?"

  "Ying Ge pursed her lips and smiled lightly, 'In the kitchen, you've been ill for days. Yuet sister specifically instructed the cook to prepare a small stove for you, saying that once you recover, you can attend to Master again.'"

  Xia Chuiqi lightly said "oh" and picked up another piece of venison.

  She slowly raised it, raised it, lifted her chin, opened her mouth... but just as the venison was about to reach her lips, she suddenly seemed to remember something and put down the chopsticks with the venison, her eyes scanning towards Ying Ge.

  "Hey, I heard that the girls trained in your brothel are all good at singing and dancing. What can you do?"

  Ying Ge looked at her, couldn't help but feel a little smug, and her voice was even more coquettish, "Of course, I also know some."

  Xia nodded at 7 o'clock in the summer, "Can you play the Xiao?"

  A pair of beautiful eyes, as if unintentionally, glanced at her while taking chopsticks to pick up venison.

  "I'm telling you, I love playing the sheng the most."

  As soon as she heard her soft words, Xia Chuyi couldn't help but burst out laughing. Until she laughed so hard that she almost couldn't catch her breath, she suddenly stopped smiling and stared at Ying Ge's eyes without blinking.

  "Hey, you know that eating venison and pumpkin together can be fatal?"

  Ying Ge's face suddenly changed color, she was stunned for a moment, and then knelt down with a thud.

  "I don't know, I didn't cook these things, I'm just in charge of bringing you food, the dishes were taken from the kitchen... how would I know there are so many taboos? Chu Qi, don't suspect me... what kind of evil heart do I have... it's unjust to me..."

  Xia Chuqi stared at her for a while, then suddenly burst out laughing again.

  She picked up her chopsticks and took another bite of venison, chewing with a smile as she gazed at Ying Ge.

  "Just kidding, what's wrong with you? Get up quickly."

  The oriole let out a long sigh and stood up, her legs felt weak.

  "Chu Qi, don't play jokes like this with me again in the future. Yan Ge can't afford to take responsibility for it. You are the one in the prince's heart, while Yan Ge is just a little maid. If someone with ill intentions hears this, they will definitely think I have ulterior motives towards you. If the master gets angry and chases me away, wouldn't I..."

  "Isn't it a case of losing both men and money?"

  On the seventh day of summer, Xiang's face was smiling brightly, her pretty face turned pale and then turned blue...

  Ordinary people and Xia Zhichu arguing is not an interesting thing. She looks at the laughter and scolding every day, but her eyes are actually sharp and can see through everything... The key is that others may see through things but cover them up, but she sees through things and normally has a poisonous tongue, never giving anyone face.

  ……

  ……

  After resting for so many days, Xiaozhi's body had almost recovered by the seventh day of summer.

  The next day after eating deer meat with pumpkin, she indeed did not die.

  So she took a moment to collect herself and stepped out of the station alone, ready to take a stroll.

  She walked out of the hospital, and along the way, she encountered people A, B, C, and D, who gave her inquiring, suspicious, jealous, or admiring glances. This made her feel under a lot of pressure, and suddenly she understood the feeling that only celebrities have when they are the center of attention - every pore on her body felt blocked.

  In the Huichuntang in Qinggang County Town, she chatted with Gu Ajiao for a while.

  Listening to Gu A'jiao's complaints about the young man named Zhou Shun in the pharmacy, how he is so wooden, how he rarely speaks, how he doesn't understand romance, and how his face turns red whenever he sees a girl, and won't be liked by others.

  In the early summer, she let out a sigh in her heart, but didn't try to persuade her. After all, everyone has the right to choose, at least that's what she thought. However, after many years had passed and times had changed, when looking back on today, she always wondered if Gu Ajiao ever missed those days of complaining and scolding in Hui Chun Tang, and that man named Zhou Shun, who was indeed a bit dull but treated her extremely well. And whether Ajiao ever thought that maybe such a man would be the best haven for a woman like her.

  All of this is after the fact, let's not mention it for now.

  She just made a false shot in Hui Chun Tang and then went to Shen Ji Ying with ease.

  She came to find Yuan Xiaogong today.

  After all, I had promised to give the oriole maiden to someone else earlier, and now that so many days have passed, although Yuan Xiao Gongzi has not come to demand her back, Xia Chuqi, a young man who considers himself very creditworthy, would not stoop to such disloyal and unrighteous behavior.

  She has been to Shenjiying.

  The guard outside the main tent saw it was her and went in to announce her arrival.

  Unexpectedly, Yuan You came out in person to greet him, still with that awkward expression.

  "Cousin sister, long time no see. But I miss your brother again?"

  At the beginning of summer, Qi gave him a white eye, "Can't you change a line?"

  She pursed her thin lips, symbolizing a lack of passion, and Yuanyu Danfeng's eyes swept over her from head to toe.

  "It seems like my cousin has grown more beautiful, and it makes me feel a little jealous."

  "Put it another way, is that okay? Always revealing one's true nature is really bad for picking up girls."

  "What's 'pick up girls'?" Yuan Xiaogongzi was stumped by this phrase.

  "It's just flirting." She kindly explained.

  "Pick up girls?" He was obviously stumped again.

  Helplessly, Xia Qiqi could only sigh and say, "It's just about finding a woman."

  This is easy to understand, but Yuan Xiao Gongzi let out a disdainful snort.

  "Do I still need to find a woman? It's always been women who come looking for me, like you right now?"

  It's really hard to have a harmonious and effective conversation with a spoiled rich grandson about finding a girlfriend. Xia Zhi thought for a moment, then stopped chatting with him and followed him into the armory of the divine machine, where she made a show of discussing things with him in front of those cold, iron-plated machines, before finally getting to the main purpose of her visit today.

  "Little Master, about that nightingale's song..."

  Yuanyou let out a cry of "Ah!", stretched out his hand and made a blocking gesture, "Young master doesn't want it, absolutely does not want you to stuff it over here."

  Huh, that's strange. Have you gone vegetarian?

  She was worried about how to reject him, and he suddenly threw a bargain at her?

  She had thought about it before, and Ying Ge was still a young unmarried girl. Although Xia Chuqi wasn't very kind-hearted, she couldn't do something so unscrupulous. Now that Yuan You had refused outright, she could put her mind at ease.

  "Alright, I was thinking of sending it to you in these two days anyway. Since you don't want it, forget it then. Don't blame me for not being loyal, and don't come back later regretting it and asking me for it again."

  Yuanyou pulled up a slight smile at the corner of his mouth, leaned against an iron cannon, and said calmly.

  "Alright, a girl like that, I really don't want her anyway."

  "Oh my, you've changed your ways?" Xia Chuyi raised an eyebrow, clearly disbelieving.

  "Hum! Do you think I'm someone who lacks girls?! Besides, finding a girl is like a man going to war and conquering a city - if the city was already yours to begin with, what's the fun in that? That guy named Ying Ge, I've seen him before, one look and you can tell he's the type who'll spread his legs open for any man. I'm really not interested, I'd rather catch one myself... The wilder the better, train them well, that's where the fun is!"

  This Yu Xiao Gong Ye seems to have never taken her as a woman from the very beginning.

  He calmly and collectedly introduced his "Imperial Heart Sutra".

  On the seventh day of summer, my ears were slightly hot, and it was simply breathtaking.

  "Brother is talented, talented! However, my family's little swallow girl isn't the kind who will obediently follow your lead... What she has in mind is your family's 19th uncle? Thinking about it this way, won't you be a bit more interested?"

  "That little guy, I'm even less interested now." Yuan You smiled and lowered his head to guess her, "Guess why?"

  "Why?" Xia Chuyi asked in response.

  "Haha, let her stay to accompany my nineteenth uncle... how great?" With a sly smile, Yuan Xiao Gongzi patted her shoulder heavily and said with emphasis, "Of course, also use her to accompany you."

  "Get out!" Xia Chuqi rushed towards him and made a slashing motion with his hand, "Scram!"

  As a result, Yuan Xiaoyuzi did not leave, but instead returned on his own on the seventh day of summer.

  Because that's the Shenji Camp, it's Yuan Xiaojie's territory. This trip out took up more than two hours, but as soon as she returned, she saw Ying Ge looking for her everywhere, saying she was worried about her safety.

  "My dear Chu Xiao Ye, where have you run off to? I heard that you were once tied up by thieves, it scared me so much, my heart was racing and jumping wildly, fortunately nothing bad happened."

  At the beginning of summer, I guessed that this warbler must have known she was a girl.

  After all, we've been together for so long, no one is stupid.

  But she was born different from others. Even if she knew, she wouldn't expose it.

  Having seen through her hypocrisy, Xia Zhicheng was too lazy to pretend with her, so he just chuckled and entered the Western Courtyard.

  In the yard, under the sour jujube tree, Mei was teasing a fool, saying that there were dates on the jujube tree.

  "Look, there, over there!" Mei shouted.

  "No, I haven't seen it." The fool tilted his neck and honestly circled around the sour jujube tree.

  "It's true, I've seen it with my own eyes, are you blind or something?"

  "Can't find it, still can't find it."

  On the seventh day of summer, Xia couldn't help but laugh and cry at the same time, "Meizi, you're bullying my silly brother again?"

  Meizi turned around, pursed her lips and smiled, "Chu Qi, where have you gone? You've been gone for half a day without a word."

  "Oh, I went to Hui Chun Tang to buy some medicinal herbs." Xia Chu Qi smiled and handed over the food she had bought for the fool, saying "Mei Zi, Ying Ge, you two come help me out, will you? I'm going to make some scattered lies medicine."

  "Poison?"

  What medicine is that?

  Apart from the fool who was gnawing on a chicken drumstick, both Mei Zi and Ying Ge stared at her blankly.

  Xia Chuqi smiled and glanced at the two people's faces, seeing that they were stunned, before curling up her lip.

  "This lie-detecting medicine is my exclusive skill. The reason it's called that is very simple: anyone who takes this medicine can't tell lies anymore. Whatever others ask, they have to answer truthfully. If someone takes the medicine and still tells a lie, their body will break out in boils and maggots, their meridians will be severed, and they'll die with blood flowing from all seven orifices. Moreover, after death, they won't be able to reincarnate and will be..."

  She felt she had said too much and stopped, smiling awkwardly.

  "It's a good thing anyway. With this thing, life is more fun."

  Meizi was confused by what she said, and followed her over to see the bottles and jars on the table, couldn't help but curiously ask, "Chu Qi, is there really such a magical medicine?"

  "Of course." Knowing this girl's mouth, the spread of news is comparable to a plague. Xia Chuyi said very seriously, "What? You don't believe me?"

  "Can't it? Once the medicine is in the belly, can't you tell what's on a person's mind?"

  Of course not, if there really was such a medicine, the world would be at peace.

  Xia Zhiqi's heart was secretly amused, but her face was extremely tense, raising an eyebrow to ask, "My skills, didn't you see? Touch your little face, that wine poison that even Dr. Sun said couldn't be cured, how did it get cured? And the injuries on Master's body, guess who healed them? And the antidote that the Grand Marshal couldn't solve, who was it that solved it?"

  Plum thought for a moment and it seemed true indeed.

  "Chu Qi, you're really formidable, but I still don't dare believe it."

  "It doesn't matter whether you believe it or not, just wait until I've made it and then try it for yourself."

  "No way." Mei Zi shook her head and waved her hand hastily, "I don't want to try it at all."

  Haha, Xia Qiujin teased her, "Are you often lying?"

  Plum's round face reddened slightly, "It's not that, it's just some things, they're not all true..."

  On the seventh day of summer, I couldn't help but laugh and didn't explain anymore.

  She wanted nothing but to tease Mei Zi with her big mouth, and the magic of her "lying medicine" lay in its similarity to "The Emperor's New Clothes", which cured not people's mouths, but their hearts. As she rummaged through those things, stirring the medicine with a clang, her mouth didn't stop, chatting with Mei Zi here and there, occasionally glancing at Ying Ge's expression, secretly laughing to herself.

  Actually, she wasn't sure either if there would be a good show as expected.

  Might as well have some fun since I'm idle anyway!

  Several people were talking about their own things, and the fool finished eating two chicken legs.

  It wasn't until dusk that Xia Qiuzi finally packed up her medicine stall. After dinner, she was just about to find some clean clothes to change into and wash up when Zheng Erbao rushed in, not saying a word, and dragged her away.

  "Quickly go and take a look at our master, something's happened, it's bad."

  Digression

  The monthly ticket is going to explode Xiao Jujube, sisters, where are your monthly tickets? (The eighth day of continuous 10,000-word updates for Er Jin, seeking encouragement!)

  Cough, and another thing, I know the girls all deeply love me, already powerless to turn back... Oh no, powerless to extricate themselves, Er Jin has always been very moved.

  These two days, no one replied to my comments, and I was indeed affected by the atmosphere. But I've read them all. Normally, I really enjoy teasing girls in the comment section. People who know me understand that I don't like to complain because everyone's hardships can only be understood by themselves. I hope you see a strong and powerful Er Jin who can defeat all the little monsters. As for those who don't like this book or don't like me, well... they can just turn right at the door, with an "x" on their head, and I'll disappear. Unfortunately, I'm really not made of money.

  Good luck to those who read books——

  Trust me, this is going to be a fantastic story.