East Corner Street, moonlight like threads. A spirited young girl, leading a group of beggars, swept through the entrance of the wine shop like a cluster of swirling clouds. The sound of footsteps mixed with the clinking of various sized wine vessels in the shop.
The owner of the wine shop glanced indifferently, then lowered his head to attentively pour wine for the guest sitting by the pillar.
"Is this your first time in Chang'an City, sir? This is one of Chang'an's Eight Scenic Views, known as the Beggars' Race," he said, pointing towards the spear-wielding girl at the front, "The one leading is called the 'Caitou.'"
The guest in front chuckled, raised his finger, and pointed at the leading girl, "What about her?"
The front guest smiled lowly, raised his head, and drank from his bowl. Moonlight streamed in, illuminating the columns beside him. Leaning against one of the ancient pillars was a large sword, wide and thick, as silent as a mountain.
Suddenly turning a corner, Jiang Kui, carrying Zhu Zian, rushed into an empty alley. Moonlight slid down the eaves on both sides of the alley, bright and clear, as if wetting the strand of hair at her temple.
"Jiang Xiaoman, how do you plan to settle the score with me?" the person on her shoulder whispered.
"Haven't thought about it yet!" Jiang Kui replied as they ran, "But I certainly won't let you off so easily!"
"But you carrying me seems quite laborious," Mr. Puliu teased gently, "How about this: you put me down, run alone for now, and when you have time, come back to settle the score with me. I promise, when the time comes, whether it's killing or mutilating, it's up to you."
At this moment, a conversation behind them echoed like a roaring bell—
"Second leader, they have two people. Should we catch the one being carried?"
"Who cares who they are? Catch them all and bring them back for questioning!" The old man's roar was loud, "Mixing with a little female thief like her, they can't be anything good!"
—Jiang Kui clearly felt the person beside her subtly move his Adam's apple.
"Turn around," he sighed softly in her ear, "Follow my lead."
"Hmph," the girl carrying him suddenly applied the brakes, facing the group of beggars behind. Moonlight splashed on her, making her look majestic and full of spirit. With a single hand holding the spear, her powerful aura temporarily deterred the approaching crowd.
She slowly raised her hand, and the spear's tip suddenly pointed upward!
"Look!" she shouted.
With that shout, everyone's gaze couldn't help but follow the spear's upward direction.
"Trying a hundred times and never failing..." Jiang Kui laughed, using the gun barrel to sweep through the crowd, breaking through in the direction Zhu Zian pointed, "You all like looking at the moon so much?"
"Rooster five... Forget it, you won't understand. Turn slightly to the right in front," Zhu Zian interrupted her.
He pointed, pointing towards the brilliant sky, "See that star? Follow it all the way."
The crescent moon slipped through the layers of clouds, and the light of the stars became more magnificent. Under the twinkling starlight, the spear-wielding girl, with the ink-clad youth, hurriedly traversed many deserted streets and finally entered the carriage at the end of the long street, shrouded in a blue curtain, pulled by a white horse.
"Drive—"
The driver wore a bamboo hat, waving a soft whip, galloping on the long road paved with blue stones, leaving the beggars behind on the side of the road.
The sound of horse hooves gradually disappeared in the colorful starlight.
"Luo Eleven, you finally decided to come?" Zhu Zian sat in the carriage, coldly snorting, "I was carried like a pig ready for slaughter all the way!"
"Puchi," Jiang Kui laughed out loud, his analogy quite appropriate.
"Miss Jiang is here, the gentleman is sure not in danger." The driver replied, sounding like a young man but with an age-defying calmness.
"She! Jiang Xiaoman! She's the biggest danger!" Zhu Zian turned around, pointing directly at Jiang Kui.
She grabbed the finger, exerted force on the wrist, and raised her eyebrows, "Mr. Puliu, I haven't settled the account with you today."
The long, cool fingers trembled in her palm, and the person opposite her throat moved slightly.
"Forget it, I'm tired today." She let go of his hand, lazily lay down in the carriage, hands behind her head, and closed her eyes, "We'll settle the score another day."
"Give me a ride to the General's Mansion when you shout for me." The carriage was spacious enough for her to lie comfortably, the soft silk brushing against her face. Mr. Puliu was indeed attentive, she thought slowly, and then fell asleep.
She was really tired this day. In the morning, she was startled by the dowry sent by eighteen carriages. Then she was pushed into the water in the imperial palace garden, and in the evening, she had to come out for a night run carrying someone on her back. She fell asleep as soon as she closed her eyes, and the dream was sweet and black, with only a faint scent of plum blossoms lingering on her nose.
As if she had just closed her eyes, someone gently tapped her cheek to wake her up. The hands patting her face were cold, but surprisingly comfortable.
"The wheels creaked to a stop, and the blue-curtained carriage stopped by the side of the road.
"Your Highness."
The driver called out softly.
"Are we there?" The person in the carriage raised his eyelids wearily.
He paused for a moment, gradually realizing that the atmosphere around him had subtly changed.
Suddenly, a gust of night wind blew, and the white jade ornaments in front of the carriage made a crisp sound. He lifted the curtain in front of him and saw a person standing quietly in front of the tall city gate.
It was a middle-aged man, tall in stature, with firm brows and eyes, carrying a broad and thick heavy sword on his back. The wind lifted his cyan-colored battle robe, rustling like eagle feathers.
The person driving the carriage got off in a hurry and opened the curtain for the person inside. The person in the carriage got up and adjusted his robe before slowly getting off the carriage.
He raised his head, bowed deeply, and said, "Teacher."
After a while, he whispered, "I know my mistake."
"Does the Crown Prince know where he went wrong?" The middle-aged man walked briskly, his voice deep and powerful.
This person was the Crown Prince's tutor, Ling Can, also known as Boyang. Three years ago, he left the capital to take up the post of Huaizhou governor. Today, he returned to Chang'an and came to find his student, Xie Wuyang... only to run into the Crown Prince fooling around in the Jianghu.
Xie Wuyang bowed his head silently. "Student... is ignorant, wandering around the rivers and lakes, roaming the market,
not returning home at night..."
He began a self-critique before the other could reprimand him, a tactic that often worked well.
"Long time no see, your eloquence has improved a lot," Ling Can glanced at him, "Get back in the carriage."
The teacher's tone unexpectedly mild, Xie Wuyang blinked.
He bowed deeply again to Ling Can, then leaned on the carriage pole and stepped into the carriage. Suddenly, his body trembled imperceptibly, like a thread breaking, and he fell straight down!
"Your Highness!" The driver, Luo Eleven, hurried to catch him.
Ling Can had already stepped forward, supporting Xie Wuyang's shoulder. The two of them, one on the left and one on the right, carried Xie Wuyang back into the carriage. He closed his eyes lightly, and moonlight filtered through his long eyelashes, creating a pale and cold light.
"Teacher, I'm fine," his voice was light, as if whispering, "I just need a moment to recover."
Ling Can ignored him, sat cross-legged behind, circulated his internal energy, and slowly pushed it out, clapping it on Xie Wuyang's back. He practiced the purest and most Yang swordsmanship, with vigorous and profound internal energy. This gentle palm countered the extreme cold energy inside Xie Wuyang's body.
After a stick of incense, Xie Wuyang opened his eyes, "Teacher, why did you come back?"
"I came back to discipline my unruly student!" Ling Can snorted coldly, "You have a cold illness. After the beginning of autumn, with heavy fog late at night, you should not go out at night. These are medical instructions, did you forget?"
Xie Wuyang continued to bow his head, "Student knows the mistake."
"Have you read the books?" Ling Can glanced at him again.
"I have," Xie Wuyang sat up straight, "The book list assigned by the teacher, I review and recite daily. In addition, I practice swordsmanship three times every morning and palm techniques five times every day. I dare not forget the teacher's teachings."
Ling Can nodded, "I'll test you tomorrow." Then he asked, "Is there anything new in the situation in Huai Xi? His Majesty appointed me as the Minister of War, and I'll be in Chang'an for the next few years. I returned to Chang'an today, is there anything new?"
"Not much news. Father promoted an official from the Ministry of Rites, with a background in judging the imperial examinations, as the Transport Commissioner. This person is highly capable in shipping matters. There's an interesting businessperson in Chang'an who deals in locust tree trade, and business has been excellent this summer. The new Taixue doctor at the National University is a female scholar, and she often goes to the Chongwen Pavilion to teach the Emperor's eldest sister. Also, I'm getting married."
Ling Can smoothed his beard, "Good, it seems you still pay some attention to court affairs."
He added, suddenly realizing something, "Wait a minute... What do you want?"
Xie Wuyang replied, "I'm getting married."
The teacher and student fell silent for a moment.
Ling Can stroked his beard, as if digesting this fact, "You haven't come of age yet, it's a bit early for marriage. But it seems to be the right time. Which family's young lady is it?"
"The youngest daughter of the Jiang family in Bailing, Miss of the General's Mansion."
"How is her character?"
Xie Wuyang remained calm, "Virtuous, kind, and gentle, with good moral conduct."
The person driving the carriage outside trembled.
Ling Can suddenly thought of something, his face changed, and he coldly snorted, "Is it the colorful character in the streets of Chang'an today?"
Xie Wuyang was stunned for a moment, then chuckled lightly, "Teacher, did someone call her that?"
Ling Can sighed heavily, "I'm getting old and don't understand the affairs of you young people. I'll ask you one question, is this princess your own choice?"
Xie Wuyang nodded.
"Well, I chose her myself." He curled up a smile, "I really like her."
East Corner Street, moonlight like threads. A spirited young girl, leading a group of beggars, swept through the entrance of the wine shop like a cluster of swirling clouds. The sound of footsteps mixed with the clinking of various sized wine vessels in the shop.
The owner of the wine shop glanced indifferently, then lowered his head to attentively pour wine for the guest sitting by the pillar.
"Is this your first time in Chang'an City, sir? This is one of Chang'an's Eight Scenic Views, known as the Beggars' Race," he said, pointing towards the spear-wielding girl at the front, "The one leading is called the 'Caitou.'"
The guest in front chuckled, raised his finger, and pointed at the leading girl, "What about her?"
The front guest smiled lowly, raised his head, and drank from his bowl. Moonlight streamed in, illuminating the columns beside him. Leaning against one of the ancient pillars was a large sword, wide and thick, as silent as a mountain.
Suddenly turning a corner, Jiang Kui, carrying Zhu Zian, rushed into an empty alley. Moonlight slid down the eaves on both sides of the alley, bright and clear, as if wetting the strand of hair at her temple.
"Jiang Xiaoman, how do you plan to settle the score with me?" the person on her shoulder whispered.
"Haven't thought about it yet!" Jiang Kui replied as they ran, "But I certainly won't let you off so easily!"
"But you carrying me seems quite laborious," Mr. Puliu teased gently, "How about this: you put me down, run alone for now, and when you have time, come back to settle the score with me. I promise, when the time comes, whether it's killing or mutilating, it's up to you."
At this moment, a conversation behind them echoed like a roaring bell—
"Second leader, they have two people. Should we catch the one being carried?"
"Who cares who they are? Catch them all and bring them back for questioning!" The old man's roar was loud, "Mixing with a little female thief like her, they can't be anything good!"
—Jiang Kui clearly felt the person beside her subtly move his Adam's apple.
"Turn around," he sighed softly in her ear, "Follow my lead."
"Hmph," the girl carrying him suddenly applied the brakes, facing the group of beggars behind. Moonlight splashed on her, making her look majestic and full of spirit. With a single hand holding the spear, her powerful aura temporarily deterred the approaching crowd.
She slowly raised her hand, and the spear's tip suddenly pointed upward!
"Look!" she shouted.
With that shout, everyone's gaze couldn't help but follow the spear's upward direction.
"Trying a hundred times and never failing..." Jiang Kui laughed, using the gun barrel to sweep through the crowd, breaking through in the direction Zhu Zian pointed, "You all like looking at the moon so much?"
"Rooster five... Forget it, you won't understand. Turn slightly to the right in front," Zhu Zian interrupted her.
He pointed, pointing towards the brilliant sky, "See that star? Follow it all the way."
The crescent moon slipped through the layers of clouds, and the light of the stars became more magnificent. Under the twinkling starlight, the spear-wielding girl, with the ink-clad youth, hurriedly traversed many deserted streets and finally entered the carriage at the end of the long street, shrouded in a blue curtain, pulled by a white horse.
"Drive—"
The driver wore a bamboo hat, waving a soft whip, galloping on the long road paved with blue stones, leaving the beggars behind on the side of the road.
The sound of horse hooves gradually disappeared in the colorful starlight.
"Luo Eleven, you finally decided to come?" Zhu Zian sat in the carriage, coldly snorting, "I was carried like a pig ready for slaughter all the way!"
"Puchi," Jiang Kui laughed out loud, his analogy quite appropriate.
"Miss Jiang is here, the gentleman is sure not in danger." The driver replied, sounding like a young man but with an age-defying calmness.
"She! Jiang Xiaoman! She's the biggest danger!" Zhu Zian turned around, pointing directly at Jiang Kui.
She grabbed the finger, exerted force on the wrist, and raised her eyebrows, "Mr. Puliu, I haven't settled the account with you today."
The long, cool fingers trembled in her palm, and the person opposite her throat moved slightly.
"Forget it, I'm tired today." She let go of his hand, lazily lay down in the carriage, hands behind her head, and closed her eyes, "We'll settle the score another day."
"Give me a ride to the General's Mansion when you shout for me." The carriage was spacious enough for her to lie comfortably, the soft silk brushing against her face. Mr. Puliu was indeed attentive, she thought slowly, and then fell asleep.
She was really tired this day. In the morning, she was startled by the dowry sent by eighteen carriages. Then she was pushed into the water in the imperial palace garden, and in the evening, she had to come out for a night run carrying someone on her back. She fell asleep as soon as she closed her eyes, and the dream was sweet and black, with only a faint scent of plum blossoms lingering on her nose.
As if she had just closed her eyes, someone gently tapped her cheek to wake her up. The hands patting her face were cold, but surprisingly comfortable.
"The wheels creaked to a stop, and the blue-curtained carriage stopped by the side of the road.
"Your Highness."
The driver called out softly.
"Are we there?" The person in the carriage raised his eyelids wearily.
He paused for a moment, gradually realizing that the atmosphere around him had subtly changed.
Suddenly, a gust of night wind blew, and the white jade ornaments in front of the carriage made a crisp sound. He lifted the curtain in front of him and saw a person standing quietly in front of the tall city gate.
It was a middle-aged man, tall in stature, with firm brows and eyes, carrying a broad and thick heavy sword on his back. The wind lifted his cyan-colored battle robe, rustling like eagle feathers.
The person driving the carriage got off in a hurry and opened the curtain for the person inside. The person in the carriage got up and adjusted his robe before slowly getting off the carriage.
He raised his head, bowed deeply, and said, "Teacher."
After a while, he whispered, "I know my mistake."
"Does the Crown Prince know where he went wrong?" The middle-aged man walked briskly, his voice deep and powerful.
This person was the Crown Prince's tutor, Ling Can, also known as Boyang. Three years ago, he left the capital to take up the post of Huaizhou governor. Today, he returned to Chang'an and came to find his student, Xie Wuyang... only to run into the Crown Prince fooling around in the Jianghu.
Xie Wuyang bowed his head silently. "Student... is ignorant, wandering around the rivers and lakes, roaming the market,
not returning home at night..."
He began a self-critique before the other could reprimand him, a tactic that often worked well.
"Long time no see, your eloquence has improved a lot," Ling Can glanced at him, "Get back in the carriage."
The teacher's tone unexpectedly mild, Xie Wuyang blinked.
He bowed deeply again to Ling Can, then leaned on the carriage pole and stepped into the carriage. Suddenly, his body trembled imperceptibly, like a thread breaking, and he fell straight down!
"Your Highness!" The driver, Luo Eleven, hurried to catch him.
Ling Can had already stepped forward, supporting Xie Wuyang's shoulder. The two of them, one on the left and one on the right, carried Xie Wuyang back into the carriage. He closed his eyes lightly, and moonlight filtered through his long eyelashes, creating a pale and cold light.
"Teacher, I'm fine," his voice was light, as if whispering, "I just need a moment to recover."
Ling Can ignored him, sat cross-legged behind, circulated his internal energy, and slowly pushed it out, clapping it on Xie Wuyang's back. He practiced the purest and most Yang swordsmanship, with vigorous and profound internal energy. This gentle palm countered the extreme cold energy inside Xie Wuyang's body.
After a stick of incense, Xie Wuyang opened his eyes, "Teacher, why did you come back?"
"I came back to discipline my unruly student!" Ling Can snorted coldly, "You have a cold illness. After the beginning of autumn, with heavy fog late at night, you should not go out at night. These are medical instructions, did you forget?"
Xie Wuyang continued to bow his head, "Student knows the mistake."
"Have you read the books?" Ling Can glanced at him again.
"I have," Xie Wuyang sat up straight, "The book list assigned by the teacher, I review and recite daily. In addition, I practice swordsmanship three times every morning and palm techniques five times every day. I dare not forget the teacher's teachings."
Ling Can nodded, "I'll test you tomorrow." Then he asked, "Is there anything new in the situation in Huai Xi? His Majesty appointed me as the Minister of War, and I'll be in Chang'an for the next few years. I returned to Chang'an today, is there anything new?"
"Not much news. Father promoted an official from the Ministry of Rites, with a background in judging the imperial examinations, as the Transport Commissioner. This person is highly capable in shipping matters. There's an interesting businessperson in Chang'an who deals in locust tree trade, and business has been excellent this summer. The new Taixue doctor at the National University is a female scholar, and she often goes to the Chongwen Pavilion to teach the Emperor's eldest sister. Also, I'm getting married."
Ling Can smoothed his beard, "Good, it seems you still pay some attention to court affairs."
He added, suddenly realizing something, "Wait a minute... What do you want?"
Xie Wuyang replied, "I'm getting married."
The teacher and student fell silent for a moment.
Ling Can stroked his beard, as if digesting this fact, "You haven't come of age yet, it's a bit early for marriage. But it seems to be the right time. Which family's young lady is it?"
"The youngest daughter of the Jiang family in Bailing, Miss of the General's Mansion."
"How is her character?"
Xie Wuyang remained calm, "Virtuous, kind, and gentle, with good moral conduct."
The person driving the carriage outside trembled.
Ling Can suddenly thought of something, his face changed, and he coldly snorted, "Is it the colorful character in the streets of Chang'an today?"
Xie Wuyang was stunned for a moment, then chuckled lightly, "Teacher, did someone call her that?"
Ling Can sighed heavily, "I'm getting old and don't understand the affairs of you young people. I'll ask you one question, is this princess your own choice?"
Xie Wuyang nodded.
"Well, I chose her myself." He curled up a smile, "I really like her."
