Chapter 25: Entering Shu to Celebrate Longevity

  Wearing a moon-white silk undershirt, with an outer garment of light blue Shu brocade long shirt. A gold-edged belt was tied around his waist, and he wore black sheepskin boots on his feet. On his head, he had never worn a crown, but instead used a strip of purple-blue silk ribbon to tie up his hair. After washing his face clean and shaving off his whiskers, although he couldn't be considered as handsome as Pan An or Yu Shu in the wind, he still had an air of elegance and refinement about him.

  Yang Zhao finished washing and dressing, and under the lamp light, she looked left and right in front of the copper mirror. In a glance, she suddenly found that the little maid Xiao Shi, who was serving her because she was sent by her own young lady to serve this "lecher", was also staring at herself in the mirror with a foolish expression, her mouth pouting as if it could hang an oil bottle. The young master couldn't help but feel a bit pleased with himself. The mischievous idea was hard to suppress, and he turned his head, stretched out his hand, and pinched Xiao Shi's cheek, laughing and saying: "How is it? Good-looking? Haven't seen it before?"

  "Ah~" she opened the "magic claw" with a loud noise, her face red as she retreated several steps. Puffing out her chest, she said: "You damn pervert, I'm warning you not to mess around. Otherwise... otherwise..." Suddenly, she realized that she actually didn't have any way to deal with this "pervert". She was stuck for half a day, but in the end, she couldn't think of anything.

  Yang Zhao couldn't help but burst out laughing and teased: "You weren't really raped, what's the big deal? By the way, do you really know what a rapist does?"

  That little servant girl's face turned red like a boiled egg and took a few more steps back, her back against the wall of the room, secretly opening the wooden door by two inches, her white small tiger teeth biting her lower lip, making her look even more adorable.

  Yang Zhao originally just wanted to joke around, but suddenly seeing Xiao Yatou's appearance, his heart couldn't help but stir slightly. Actually, regardless of before or after crossing over, Yang Zhao was just a young man with a straightforward and impulsive personality. He had a fondness for beauty and admired youthful elegance, which were normal human emotions. However, in the past when he lived in the imperial palace, the objective environment required him to follow rules and conventions. Now that he finally had his own residence outside the palace, he hadn't even stepped over the threshold of his new home half a time before being "kidnapped" again. So, like now, joking around with Xiao Yatou and eating water tofu, this was actually his first time in life, and the experience felt especially profound.

  Unfortunately, the timing and location are not right, otherwise... Yang Zhao sighed to himself, but didn't tease the young girl again. He stood up and walked out of the room, heading towards the main hall downstairs. He hummed softly: "If I were to share a bed with your family's young lady, how could I bear for you to fold the blankets and make the bed?" Suddenly, he heard that Miss Mingyue whispering softly, seemingly very surprised. She asked gently: "Young Master Yang, is this a tune you're humming? The rhythm is novel, and Mingyue has never heard it before?"

  Yang Zhao hummed a tune from the Yue Opera "The West Chamber", which was not known to anyone in this era, as it only appeared during the Daoguang period of the Qing dynasty. Yang Zhao was just a mediocre person and could only hum a few sentences, so how could he take it out to show off? He quickly covered up, saying: "No, no, I'm just humming nonsense, please don't laugh at me, everyone." Then he bowed his hands and said: "This set of clothes is just the right size, thank you for the gift from everyone in Mingyue."

  Seeing her clothes fit on the young man, Mingyue's face turned slightly red, saying: "Anyway, these shirts are idle, Mr. Yang doesn't need to be polite." After a pause, she continued: "Mr. Yang please sit down."

  Yang Zhao's eyes stared straight at the dozen or so dishes on the table, full of color, fragrance and flavor. He subconsciously swallowed his saliva. He made a fist and bowed to Fang Qinghui, Li Shentong and others, and everyone sat down together. Yang Zhao was very hungry, regardless of three seven twenty one, he picked up his chopsticks and clamped a big piece of braised pork knuckle.

  Jiannan County was also quite prosperous, but after all, it was just a small place. Although the master chef had sold his strength, the dishes he made were still difficult to say that they could be put on the table in Li Shentong's eyes. Seeing Yang Zhao's wolf-like devouring appearance, Li Shentong couldn't help but look down on him again. At this time, he didn't make a sound, picked up the wine pot and refilled a cup for each of the guests at the table. The wine was as red as rouge, with an extremely enticing aroma.

  Li Shentong raised his cup and said, "This wine is brewed with the secret recipe of the Southern Chen imperial court, named 'Peach Beauty'. My brother brought back a few bottles when he visited Jiankang last year. Today, I met you, Fang Xianzi, on the left, and it's just right to take it out to entertain guests. Fang Xianzi, Mingyue Dajia, oh, and Yang brothers, please, please."

  Everyone raised their cups and drank, indeed feeling the fragrance lingering in their mouths, a rare good wine. Li Shentong saw the admiring glint in the eyes of Fan Qinghui and Mingyue, and couldn't help but feel a little self-satisfied. Putting down his cup, he asked: "Fan Xianzi, what brings you to Shu this time?"

  Fang Qinghui glanced at Yang Zhao through the veil, her eyes slightly dim, and said faintly: "But idle clouds and wild cranes, what can be a big deal? It's just about sending emotions to mountains and waters, chatting with oneself. Instead, Brother Li, this time you're going south with Mingyue and others, are you also going to play in the mountains and waters?"

  Mingyue sighed, "I'm just a humble performer. I spend my days traveling the world, entertaining people with music. How can I be as carefree as Fang sister?" Her tone was melancholic, but not without self-pity.

  Fang Qinghui held her hand under the table and comforted her in a soft voice: "Sister, you're joking. Your qin and xiao skills are unparalleled, and your techniques are so exquisite that they're praised as unmatched in this world. Whether it's the Guanlong aristocracy or the Shandong high-ranking families, which young master dares to regard you merely as a performer? Not to mention others, even the Duke of Tang treats you with great respect and courtesy, doesn't he?"

  When mentioning Li Yu, the beautiful face of Mingyue suddenly shone with a joyful light like a silver plate in the sky. But this light only lasted for an instant, and she shook her head and sighed: "Thank you, Sister Fan... but facts are facts, why should I deceive myself?" After a pause, she forced herself to cheer up and said: "This time, Mingyue entered Shu not for other reasons, but was summoned by the king's order, specifically going to Chengdu to celebrate the birthday of the King of Shu."

  "Shu King?" Suddenly hearing these two words, Yang Zhao couldn't help but put down his chopsticks and asked: "Is it Yang Xiu? Is he having a birthday? It's strange, now is only February, Shu King's birthday... shouldn't it be in August instead?"

  Li Shentong smiled and said, "Brother Yang knows it clearly. However, the person we are going to congratulate is not the King of Shu himself, but rather his son, Yang Xiao. The King of Shu has reached a ripe old age and only last year gave birth to an heir, whom he naturally loves more than precious jewels. Because he was afraid that the young child could not withstand the journey, even during the New Year's grand banquet, the King of Shu did not bring him back to Daxing. However, this time, the matter of celebrating the prince's birthday came quite suddenly. It was only before the King of Shu returned to Chengdu that he sent out invitations to all the nobles in the court, inviting them to attend on the second day of next month. This time, I am going to Shu not only to escort Miss Mingyue but also to fulfill my brother's entrustment and present a birthday gift to the King of Shu's son."

  Yang Zhao suddenly realized. Thinking back to the New Year's Eve banquet before, when the family gathered for a reunion, Yang Jian had five sons and daughters-in-law, plus dozens of grandchildren, but only his fourth uncle Yang Xiu was present with just himself and the Shu Wangfei. It seems that his younger brother, who is not yet a year old, has quite a big face.

  Yang Zhao was deep in thought, when he heard Ming Yue sigh and say: "Actually, Ming Yue has already hired the Wu An Escort Bureau to escort. It's really not necessary to trouble Li Gongzi again. Li Gongzi is willing to condescend, such a beautiful intention, Ming Yue really can't repay."

  Li Shentong shook his head and said, "It's just a matter of going with the flow, what's the big deal? Besides, it's not like we're talking about the Wu An Bureau... haha." He chuckled, his tone clearly disdainful, but he didn't say anything more. Turning back, he said, "This time, the Shu King's birthday banquet is supposed to be a grand affair, with many seniors from the Jianghu also receiving invitations. If Fang Xianzi has some free time, why don't you come along and join in on the fun?"

  "An elder in the Jianghu?" The quiet and reserved successor of the White Path's Wulin Sacred Land, upon hearing this, couldn't help but pause for a moment. He asked: "I don't know which great masters are present?"

  Li Shentong folded his fingers and said, "As the King of Shu is the Supreme Pillar General and concurrently the Governor of the Western Expedition, overseeing the military affairs of all 24 states in Ba-Shu. Therefore, the masters of the Tang Gate in Shu as well as the masters of the Du Zun Fortress will naturally attend. The master of the Song Gate in Lingnan has always been on good terms with the master of the Du Zun Fortress, and there are close business ties between Lingnan and Ba-Shu. Although the master of the Song Gate may not come personally, he will definitely send his disciples to attend. In addition, there are also the chieftains of various tribes in Ba. The masters of famous sects such as Qingcheng and Diancang will also be present."

  Fang Qing's eyes slightly nodded, saying: "The heroes and heroes of the southwest and northwest are gathered together. It is indeed a grand event that has not been seen for many years." After a pause, his gaze swept towards Yang Zhao again, and he said lightly: "I don't know if Zhengyi Sect is also among the invited?"

  Li Shentong said, "Mount Emei is just a stone's throw away from Chengdu, so it's only natural to invite Zhengyi Tao. However, in recent years, the Heavenly Master of Chaoyang has been in seclusion on Jinding Peak and hasn't come out. If he doesn't come, then more than half of the time it will be Ruzhe Zhenren from Zhengyi Palace who replaces his master."

  "Only because I've never had the chance, Qinghui and Ruoshi Shixiong haven't seen each other for many years either. If we can take advantage of King Shu's gathering to meet again, it would be a good opportunity." He slightly turned his body, smiled and said: "If sister doesn't mind, Qinghui will shamelessly hitch a ride, is that okay?"

  The bright moon happily picked up Fang Qinghui and said, "Nothing could be better. Bright Moon couldn't ask for more. It's just that Yang Gongzi..." She hesitated at this point, unsure of what to say next. What was the relationship between Yang Shao and Fang Qinghui? And as a woman, it wasn't convenient for her to invite a strange man along. So for a moment, she didn't know how to speak. Fang Qinghui smiled and said, "Yang Gongzi he..."

  "Haha, since Chengdu is so lively, I naturally have to go and experience it for myself." Yang Zhao chimed in with a smile: "Although my martial arts skills are not impressive, compared to the three from the Wu An Pavilion, I'm still passable. Along the way, I can also help Miss Mingyue with some miscellaneous tasks. Ah, let's just consider it as repayment for Miss Mingyue's gift of clothes."

  Yang Zhao's words were half true and half false. On the one hand, he indeed had a thought of repaying kindness, on the other hand, he was taking advantage of the situation to get free food. It was rare to meet a noble person on the road, if he didn't take this opportunity, with his current penniless state, wouldn't he have to join the beggar gang and go south to find the Yin Yang Command? Moreover, Fan Qinghui, that woman, had been haunting him like a ghost, unable to shake her off. It was better to follow Li Shentong and those people, under the bright daylight, with everyone watching, she shouldn't dare to make another move to kill him either.

  Li Shentong furrowed his brow, a hint of disgust flashing in the depths of his eyes, and said lightly: "As a descendant of a noble family, even if things are not going well for the time being, how can you stoop to such a lowly position? The Duke of Yueguo and my brother have been colleagues under the same emperor, and we have always gotten along. Considering this friendship, if Yang Gongzi is temporarily short on funds, just speak up."

  Li Shentong's words were polite, but in fact he was scolding him: "You're also a member of the Yang family, how can you be so shameless? If you want money, I can give it to you. Just leave quickly and don't stick around." Yang Zhao understood what he meant, but pretended not to know, which was one of his old tricks from arguing with people on forums. He took another bite of braised duck and muttered vaguely: "Oh, thank you very much... But if someone helps me in my time of need, how can I not repay them? So as long as everyone doesn't drive me away next month, Yang will never leave even if he's beaten to death."

  The bright moonlight flashed again, and it seemed that Yang Zhao's death-defying face had some interest. He smiled immediately: "But it's just a set of clothes, Mr. Yang, don't say anything about repaying kindness, Mingyue can't bear it. Hmm, since everyone is going to Chengdu, it's good to travel together. Mr. Li, what do you think?"

  Li Shentong said with a sigh, "Since you've all expressed your views, what more can I say? Feeling helpless at the moment, he could only smile wryly and reply, "What everyone says is right."

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  Patting the angry banana, and Lan Auntie... although Auntie's story is quite far-fetched -_-;

  Asking for votes and collections as usual