Chapter 82: The Royal Palace's Noble Guest

  In ancient times, people were much more simple-minded than later generations. For them, many things did not require much questioning, such as the class system, monarchical rule, and those privileged classes that stood above ordinary people. These people living at the bottom of society looked up to those in power with the most simple and pure hearts, obeying all sorts of reasonable or unreasonable commands, only rising up in resistance when forced to a point where they could no longer survive.

  Just as ordinary people can only wear coarse linen clothes, those exquisite and beautiful fabrics have always been exclusive to the nobility. Even carriages, which are not very comfortable by today's standards, were not something that everyone could ride in.

  So what does a lavishly decorated carriage and a shiny black horse mean?

  It means that people in cars are either rich or noble.

  Handan City, although the capital of Zhao State, has never been the same since the devastating defeat by Qin State nine years ago in the Battle of Changping, where 400,000 soldiers were buried alive. The state's vitality was severely damaged, and the city is no longer as prosperous as it was ten years ago. Many wealthy families have disappeared, with only one or two remaining out of ten. In some alleys that receive little sunlight, there are still children in tattered clothes begging for food.

  The common people walking on the street saw that black horse-drawn carriage passing by, and they all dodged and made way for it. Some even bowed their heads respectfully.

  The lean man leading the horse in front was Yuan Zong in disguise. He had stuck some false whiskers on his face, drawn many wrinkles and age spots, and slightly stooped his body, looking as if he had aged five years or more in an instant. From time to time, he made a vigilant appearance, looking around left and right, just like a qualified family servant.

  Yuan Zong was not as pleased as Xiang Shaolong, but he also felt a mix of emotions. This city gate, which had almost cost him his life earlier, could now be entered so easily once again.

  Is there a difference between Taoism and Mohism?

  Is there still a difference between people?

  Both have their own.

  No wonder all the various schools of thought highly esteem the Taoist school - if all Taoists were like this, how could they not be esteemed?

  Xiang Shaolong grasped the reins, seeing a convoy approaching in the distance. He immediately felt suspicious and turned his head to whisper to the people inside the carriage: "Qingxu Zhenren, there's a convoy coming up ahead."

  "Behind the bamboo screen, Yao Guang asked: 'How many horses are pulling the carriage? Is there a sign on the carriage? Are there people and horses following alongside, can you tell their identity?'"

  Xiang Shaolong was bombarded with these questions, and he hastily turned his head to look around before responding: "Four horses are pulling the carriage, those people on the side seem like both servants and soldiers, the carriage looks very luxurious, there's a crest or something... I don't understand either..."

  Yao Guang couldn't help but curve the corners of her mouth, revealing a "just as I thought" smile, and lightly chuckled: "Slow down, steer to the side to avoid them. If they follow and turn around, then stop. Shaolong, today I'll teach you some common sense again - the Son of Heaven drives six horses, the vassals and high officials drive four, the nobles drive three, the scholars drive two, and the common people drive one."

  Xiang Shaolong didn't hesitate and followed the instructions, loudly asking "Baiyun" to move aside to the side of the road. After that, he made a few "ahem" sounds and softly said: "Can Qingxu Zhenren explain the last sentence?"

  Yao Guang smiled and replied, "Under the heavens, only the Son of Heaven can use a carriage pulled by six horses, while vassals and officials can use four. In other words, a high carriage with four horses is definitely that of a vassal or official. If you see such a carriage, it's best to quickly get out of the way."

  "Are you a noble or a high-ranking official?" Xiang Shaolong yawned and said, "No wonder it's Handan, such big shots can be seen everywhere."

  He had just said that when he was shocked to find that the fleet in front of him also adjusted its direction, looking as if it were rushing towards his side!

  Xiang Shaolong's mouth immediately opened wide in shock, fearing that he had been discovered.

  "Ah, the True Man of Qingxu! He's arrived! What's going on with that team of horses and carriages?"

  Was it because he and Yuansong were discovered by someone?

  Xiang Shaolong thought of the heavy sword pressed under his seat and was ready to take action at any moment.

  Yao Guang lightly knocked on the carriage, and said helplessly: "Stop it. A great man does things, and should have the courage to remain unchanged even if Mount Tai collapses in front of him. You are just a minor lord of Zhao State, yet you're so flustered, it's really self-inflicted."

  Xiang Shaolong's face turned slightly red, and he felt a bit embarrassed in his heart, but he couldn't help thinking: If you weren't the one being hunted down, you wouldn't be nervous. And "just a Zhao state noble", this "just" might just get you killed, okay?

  But things have come to this, he can only obey and act accordingly, so he had no choice but to pull the reins to stop the horse, then dismount and stand beside the carriage.

  The chariot with the four horses stopped in front, and someone came riding from behind. A strong warrior dismounted his horse, knelt down respectfully in front of the carriage, and said loudly: "I heard that the true man of the Taoist family has arrived in Handan, and the Marquis of Julu has come to welcome him on behalf of King Zhao. Please get off the carriage and change cars, King Zhao is waiting quietly for you in the palace."

  Xiang Shao Long suddenly felt extremely fortunate that he had used soot from the bottom of a pot and ink to make his face even darker.

  So no one could see what expression was under his dark face anymore.

  This is really...

  Goods compare goods will be thrown away, people compare people will die...

  No wonder it's just a "minor vassal"…

  Even Zhao Wang are "respectfully welcoming and waiting", a "feudal lord" is not "just" a hair...

  Xiang Shaolong was afraid that he would give an inappropriate response and reveal his true intentions, so he remained still and waited for "Qingxu Zhenren" to make the next move.

  After a while, a soft laugh was heard from inside the car.

  "In this way, I will not disappoint King Zhao's good intentions."

  The warrior kneeling on the ground let out a sigh of relief, but when he looked up, he couldn't help but stare blankly.

  He had followed the Marquis of Zuo Mu for a long time and had seen all kinds of beauties, but now this Taoist girl who walked out of the carriage made him swallow hard and feel a thrill in his heart, even feeling suffocated.

  That kind of beauty is no longer in the mortal world.

  It was not just Zhao Mu's personal attendants on the ground who were stunned, but also dozens of people around him who lost their minds. Even Zhao Mu, who had originally wanted to maintain a dignified appearance while sitting in the carriage, forgot to put his hand down after lifting the curtain.

  Her water-colored Taoist robe fluttered in the wind, with wide sleeves that seemed to capture the breeze. Paired with her effortless and carefree demeanor, it gave people a fleeting illusion of her being able to ride the wind and step on clouds. On her back hung an elegantly styled ancient sword, adding a hint of heroic spirit to her. This aura combined with the subtle coldness between her eyebrows, reflecting a unique blend of serenity, chilliness, and clarity reminiscent of a snowy peak under the moonlight. The radiant sunlight shone upon her, casting a thin layer of golden glow around her, and in its brilliance, it seemed to evoke an almost divine presence that inspired reverence.

  Needless to say, she was a stunning beauty, breathtaking on the spot, but this stunningness did not come from her magnificent attire or the aura of wealth and power, but rather like "clear water emerging from lotus flowers, naturally pure and unadorned" so natural and true that it was beyond compare. She seemed to be an immortal descending from the clouds, unknown why she had descended into the mortal world. Even in this bustling Handan city, her appearance transformed everything into a realm of empty mountains and spiritual rain, like reality and illusion, extraordinary, beautiful to the point of breathtaking.

  Just then, Yao Guang walked slowly to the front of Zhao Mu's carriage, bowed his hands and said: "My Taoist name is Qingxu, I also thank you, Duke, for welcoming me from afar."

  Zhao Mu suddenly woke up from that dream-like illusion, and before he could speak, he stared blankly at the other person who was already far away. After a few breaths, his eyes burst with sharp light, as if he couldn't help but swallow the figure of Pei Ting whole.

  Yao Guang didn't stop talking and walked to the back of a horse carriage, looking at the three white horses in front of it, she couldn't help but burst out laughing.

  It seemed like a long time ago, yet it didn't seem that long ago either, when an emperor welcomed her to the palace with a carriage, only then it was pulled by four horses.

  The eunuchs who were attending the carriage hastily lifted up the curtain and knelt down, using their bodies as a footstool.

  Her toes barely touched the ground, her body was light and agile, she sprang up and landed lightly on the carriage, while the palace attendants were still unaware.

  Xiang Shaolong and Yuan Zong had already walked over, putting on a "I'm a good house servant" face as they got into the carriage. Sitting in the driver's position, he said in a hoarse voice: "Get up, my master is already in the carriage."

  The person on the ground had just stood up, and was shocked to see that the car curtain had already been lowered. In a flash of surprise, he only saw a slender shadow disappear behind the curtain.

  The eunuch did not dare say more and loudly sang another sentence. The group of people and horses began to turn around and drive back to the palace.

  This time, it was not the carriage of Zhao Mu, the Marquis of Julu, that led the way, but rather the one that welcomed the "True Man of Taoism".

  Xiao Long held the reins with a look of boredom, when suddenly he heard a voice as if it was by his ear, "Xiao Long, don't open your mouth, act normally, I'll transmit my voice to you secretly and remind you of a few things. No matter who you had a feud with before or were being pursued by, even if you meet them, you must not have the intention to kill. The palace has many experts, if your identity is exposed, I may not be able to save you. After entering the palace, for anything you don't know, just remain silent and let me handle everything, don't act rashly."

  Xiang Shaolong relaxed his body as soon as he heard the second sentence, and then became more and more stunned, only nodding silently.

  Is the news confidential?

  Is such an advanced skill really possible?

  Jin Lao is mighty and valiant.

  After this, everything went smoothly.

  Who else would dare offend Zhao Mu?

  Yao Guang led the two into the palace, where King Zhao was overjoyed. He pushed Yao Guang to take a seat and inquired about the matters of longevity and spiritual transformation. Yao Guang answered one by one, with clever words like pearls, citing classics and canons. King Zhao listened as if he were drunk, until dusk arrived. He ordered a grand feast to be set up in the palace, inviting all the high officials, princes, and nobles, and introduced his newly recognized "True Man of Tao" to them, ordering everyone to respect the True Man as they would himself.

  Xiang Shaolong remembered Yao Guang's warning, and Yuan Zong knew what not to do without Yao Guang reminding him. The two of them continued to serve as Dao servants by their side. Until the banquet ended, King Zhao intentionally asked Yao Guang to stay in the palace. Yao Guang declined a few words and agreed to stay in the palace, but did not live with the concubines, instead choosing a side hall in the princess's palace.

  Princess Zhao Qian of the Zhao State was delighted to hear this and hastily ordered her maids to clean up the main hall, move there herself, and bring along the palace maids and other attendants to wait at the gate, where they would bow down as soon as they saw someone approaching.

  "Zhao Qian pays respects to Zhenren, humbly inviting Zhenren to reside in the main hall. Zhao Qian only wishes to attend by his side, holding candles and grinding ink."

  Yao Guang looked at the weak and beautiful princess on the ground, seemingly lost in thought. After a moment, he bent down to help the princess up, saying: "Your Highness's precious body, I am just a humble Daoist, I dare not overstep my bounds. If Your Highness has some interest in the Dao, I will be waiting for your arrival at any time."

  Zhao Qian's heart suddenly turned cold, then she was overjoyed, nodding repeatedly, her eyes almost brimming with tears, and it took a while before she could speak without sobbing.

  "Please follow Qian."

  Zhao Qian actually took the lead of the maid, and walked ahead on her own, with a deep and affectionate gaze, which made people feel even more pity for her.

  Yao Guang smiled silently and quietly followed.

  One red and one blue figure slowly faded into the distance, with a flowing beauty in their movements, complementing each other.

  Xiang Shaolong was shocked by this development, his eyes wide with wonder, unsure whether he should stand outside the door or inside...

  Author has something to say: Xiang Shao Long: I thought after crossing over, with a flick of my tail, all the younger brothers would come and the beauties would automatically climb into bed, and they wouldn't even fight for favor?

  Lotus seed: What you said is not within the service area.

  Xiang Shaolong: ……

  。

  Thank you, Tyrant Ticket:

  Yaya threw a rocket launcher!!! Yaya is too generous. Hug you muah muah!

  The giant snake threw an earthworm!

  This chapter is Chapter 82 of the Palace Guest Address. If you think this chapter is not bad, please don't forget to recommend it to your friends on QQ group and Weibo!