Chapter 239: Photo 83: Quiet woman and her Shu in the depths of the courtyard

Chapter 239: Photo 83: Quiet woman and her Shu in the depths of the courtyard

Chapter 239, Picture 83, A Quiet Girl in the Deep Courtyard

Pei Xingjian looked at Qu Chongyu calmly, and nodded after a while, "Your Majesty, thank you very much."

Qu Chongyu was stunned for a moment and sighed helplessly, "Honor, you heard me, my father invited me. If it were someone else, I could follow you there shamelessly. Now even if I go with you, it's just a trouble for my father." What's the use of saying it?" He glanced at Pei Xingjian and said with a smile, "My father has always been very prudent in his work. You should just ask for your blessings!"

A meaningful smile appeared on Pei Xingjian's face, "Pei will never disappoint the prince's advice." Without waiting for Qu Chongyu's reply, he hugged his hands and walked out. Someone outside the door smiled attentively and said, "Chang Shi, this way please."

Qu Chongyu's heart moved, he thought for a moment, and walked out of the door. As expected, he saw Pei Xingjian following a man dressed as a servant out of the house. Bai San was walking slowly behind him, and the staff member named Acheng was walking behind him. Then hurriedly walked in another direction.

Qu Chongyu looked at it for a moment, then turned around and ordered the attendant who was following him, "Follow me from a distance and take a look. If you find the right place, report back immediately." He quickly walked back to his house and ordered another servant, " Go to Pei Changshi's house to say hello to Mrs. Kudi, and if there is anything unusual, report it to me immediately. "

The door curtain was raised, and Wang Junmeng walked out with a smile, "Is this good show already on stage? It's just that Yulang is busier than Pei Changshi?"

Qu Chongyu walked into the room without saying a word, and then said coldly, "How can I know how this play is performed without asking more? I'm not worried that Pei Shouyue won't be able to handle it, but I have to be on guard... He used me to top the tank!"

Wang Junmeng twitched the corners of his mouth, and nodded with a serious look on his face, "Exactly!"

Qu Chongyu glanced at Wang Junmeng and felt that the smile in his eyes was not an eyesore. He snorted coldly, "Don't be complacent. If one day Pei Shouyue really becomes the governor of Xizhou and I return to Chang'an, It may be impossible for the Qu family to return to Xizhou. Without our protection behind Jing Niang, do you think those people will let you go? Or do you just can't wait for this day?"

Wang Junmeng's face suddenly became really bitter, "What an injustice! Yulang still doesn't know about me? If I have this intention, what if the sky strikes me like lightning?"

Qu Chongyu ignored him, just walked to the desk and sat down, concentrating on reading the documents in front of him. However, Wang Junmeng gradually became restless and wanted to speak, but did not dare to disturb him. Finally, Zhang Sui came in panting and reported, and Pei Changshi was led directly to the yard next to a nunnery in the north by the guards. Qu Chongyu said "Oh", put down the document, frowned and said nothing. Wang Junmeng stood up excitedly, "Yulang, let me go...take a look!"

Qu Chongyu looked at him with a cold expression and said nothing. Wang Junmeng hurriedly smiled and said, "Let me go and find out what means they used to persuade the governor this time and how they will act. It will be better to be prepared in the future, right? It's just my seniority. The position is low, so I’m afraid I won’t be able to get in.”

Qu Chongyu nodded, "Forget it!" He threw the document in his hand in front of him, "If necessary, go and report to the governor, the imperial court will send troops to Baekje soon!"

Wang Junmeng breathed a sigh of relief, hurriedly asked the chief to lead the way, and walked out quickly. Qu Chongyu looked at his back and snorted slightly, but he couldn't help but raise the corners of his tight mouth slightly.

　　…………

This courtyard is sandwiched between a nunnery and a square wall. The dark gatehouse looks very ordinary. After passing through the inconspicuous front yard and corridor, there is a different world in front of you: in the rather narrow courtyard, on both sides are There is an exquisite herringbone-roofed verandah, and there is a path paved with bluestones in the courtyard. There are actually several flowers, trees, and rocks on both sides of the stone path, concealing a pavilion with four-cornered eaves. In Chang'an, such scenery would be nothing, but in the Governor's Mansion, there was only a piece of Xizhou with white walls and loess. When he saw this elegant scenery, Pei Xingjian paused slightly before continuing to move forward.

The servant who led the way retreated silently, but a figure in the pavilion slowly stood up. It was Qu Zhizhan, who had not appeared in the Dudu Mansion for many days. In the past few years, his beard and hair have turned gray, and his body has obviously gained weight. The kind smile on his face is still the same as before, but his complexion is far worse than before. Even getting up so slowly seems to have taken some effort. , took several breaths to even out his breathing.

Pei Xingjian hurriedly walked over, bowed and saluted, "I have seen the governor before."

Qu Zhizhan smiled and waved his hand, "Why should you be so outspoken when keeping a promise? Sit down and talk."

Pei Xingjian did not refuse, just smiled and thanked him. Seeing Qu Zhizhan slowly sit down with his hands on the table, he also sat uprightly under Qu Zhizhan, and asked calmly, "I don't know what the governor announced today." Why are you here?"

Qu Zhizhan glanced at him with a smile, "It's nothing serious. I've heard for a long time that keeping a promise is better than tea ceremony. I got some good tea recently, so I wanted to invite you to come over and taste it. What do you think of this place?" "

Pei Xingjian smiled and said, "Thank you very much, Commander-in-Chief. I have been in Xizhou for seven years, but I didn't know there was such a pavilion in the city. It is indeed an excellent place to draw springs and cook tea. The Commander-in-Chief has good vision."

Qu Zhizhan smiled and twirled his beard, "This is the residence of an old friend, and I'm just taking advantage of it. I'm an amateur at making tea, so I have to take the trouble to give you a lot of guidance." After saying that, he raised his palms and hit them. Two times.

The wooden door of the west wing opened with a creak, and a quiet fragrance floated in the quiet courtyard. Four young women wearing begonia-colored gauze blouses walked out of the wing quietly, each holding a tea cauldron and a silver stove. , small cases, salt platforms and other objects are filed in. The appearance may be elegant or delicate, and the style is different, but they are all rare and stunning. The four of them skillfully laid out the mat and set up the table, lit the fire, and then quietly retreated to the foot of the pavilion, their eyes lowered in a dignified manner. A slender figure appeared at the end of the corridor. He walked over with his head lowered and his crotch folded. He was wearing an elegant green shirt and skirt, and only had a Ruyi white jade hairpin on his head. He could not see his face clearly, but the skin on his forehead seemed to be thicker than White jade is more moist and flawless. Her steps were slightly slow, and there was no gracefulness in her movements, only elegance and calmness.

It seemed that after a while, the woman in green walked into the pavilion, bowed silently, turned around and knelt down on the seat in front of the silver stove, adjusted the damper, and poured the water from the pot into the tea cauldron. , and then remained motionless, looking at the teapot intently. Looking from the side, we can see that her nose bridge is extremely straight, her forehead is full and her chin is light and pretty. Her long eyelashes are like fans. The occasional slight tremble brings a touch of heart-warming charm to this almost perfect profile. .

Qu Zhizhan turned his head and glanced at Pei Xingjian, and saw that his eyes had indeed fallen on the face of the woman in green. Her expression was very focused. He couldn't help but breathed a sigh of relief and laughed in a low voice, "This is the name of Qu's old friend." She is a woman who never sees people easily. Although everyone in Xizhou knows her, few people have actually seen her. Tea today is very rare. After thinking about it, in Xizhou City, when it comes to sencha, it is about the same. Only she wouldn't let it go to waste, so I invited her over."

Pei Xingjian slightly chinned his head and said, "The governor is so kind and friendly, and I feel ashamed to accept it as a subordinate."

 Qu Zhizhan laughed loudly, "You have kept your promise too modestly. In terms of family status and talents, who in Xizhou City can compare with you? Today's sencha is just the right thing for Qu."

Pei Xingjian didn't seem to understand the meaning of Qu Zhizhan's words. He just smiled and said, "The governor's words make this official feel ashamed. Not to mention others, in terms of character, the prince is a hundred times better than the official."

Qu Zhizhan shook his head, "Let's not mention that wild horse! If he had kept his promise and was steady, why would he be so ridiculous today?"

Pei Xingjian smiled and said, "The prince is very thoughtful, how could he ever be so ridiculous?"

Qu Zhizhan laughed and said, "I'll be rewarded for keeping the promise," and then changed the topic, "I heard that the water for making tea is very particular. Qu usually just drinks it casually. I don't know if this water from Xizhou is suitable for making tea." ”

Pei Xingjian also followed Qu Zhizhan's words and answered, "The water of Jiaohe River comes from the snow ridge. It is clean and clear without any smoke and dust. It is perfect for making tea."

Qu Zhizhan nodded and smiled, "It's better to keep the promise!"

 While chatting and joking, the tea made a "plop" sound and began to roll. The woman in Tsing Yi took salt into the water, waited for a moment, took out the tea powder, and sprinkled it into the water. Her movements were elegant and slow, with a natural rhythm. After raising the water to stop boiling three times, the tea cauldron was removed from the stove and divided into two rich green tea cups. A maid came forward, held it up on a green bamboo plate, and brought it to Qu Zhizhan and Pei Xingjian. .

The woman in green clothes raised her head, revealing a beautiful and picturesque face, and said slowly, "Today I am cooking Baishou Xiubi soup. I wish the governor a long life and a long history of good reputation." Her voice was slightly louder. With a little rustle, she looks extremely soft. There is a mist in her eyes, but there is a natural coldness between her eyebrows. Apart from being surprised, people just want to look at her a few more times and listen to her say a few words. . But she just said this, then bowed her knees and retreated slowly.

The dark green tea cup dyed the fine white tea foam with a light green color, and the rich tea aroma rose with the heat. Qu Zhizhan squinted his eyes and took two sips, waiting for the woman in green. Miaoman's back disappeared at the end of the verandah, and then she looked at Pei Xingjian with a smile, "What do you think about keeping the promise?"

Pei Xingjian nodded calmly, "It is indeed a rare and good tea."

Qu Zhizhan let out a long breath, "Good tea, good water, and good time are all indispensable. It takes a wonderful person who keeps promises to appreciate the benefits."

Pei Xingjian smiled and bowed, "I dare not take it seriously." He lowered his eyes and drank the tea with concentration.

Qu Zhizhan put down the tea cup and sighed, "To be honest, the young lady making tea today is Min Niang of the Zhang family in Dunhuang. She looks like she is in her prime, but she is actually twenty years old. She said It sounds like it’s a piece of Qu’s heart.”

Pei Xingjian raised his head and looked at Qu Zhizhan quietly. Qu Zhizhan gave a bitter smile and said, "Min Niang's father Zhang Ying was Zhang's eldest son and Qu's best friend. Unfortunately, he died on the 14th day of Zhenguan Period. After the war in Gaochang that year, the war spread to her family. Her relatives either withered away in the war or went to Chang'an. Min Niang was the posthumous son and the only surviving member of her father's family. Her mother later married. Home is my sister-in-law who is like a lady. Needless to say, she is a girl, and she has an extremely smart temperament. However, her destiny is too tough. Fortune tellers say that only people with extremely noble destiny can match her, so she unexpectedly It’s been a long time delayed until now.”

He raised his head and looked at Pei Xingjian sincerely, "I heard that Chang Shi has the ability to tell people. I wonder what Chang Shi thinks this woman looks like?"

In the fourteenth year of Zhenguan, the Tang Dynasty destroyed Gaochang, which happened twenty-two years ago. Well, it seems like there will be an update if there are ten more votes.

　　

　　

 (End of this chapter)