The Moon Over Tang Dynasty

Chapter 38: Everything in the world is like chess, who is the winner?

"Liu Li, thank you to the old lady and madam for saving your life." In the upper room of Mrs. Yang's courtyard in the Wu Mansion, Liuli bowed respectfully and deeply.

Mrs. Wu smiled and said, "You are so polite again!"

Mrs. Yang looked at Liuli's reddish eyes and smiled with satisfaction, "What are you talking about? It's what we should do. You were originally helping Shun Niang, so you can't be forced to become a slave because of this. Sit down quickly. say."

Liuli nodded and said "yes" before sitting down upright. Mrs. Yang smiled again and said, "Auntie is a guest here, so don't be too polite."

Liuli lowered her eyes and said, "Old Madam, just call Liuli by her name from now on. If Madam hadn't arrived in time today, Liuli would have been a slave for the rest of his life and humiliated his ancestors. Now I can only plead with Old Madam to let Liuli stay in the house. I am here to serve the old lady and my wife. If there is anything Liuli can do, please give me your instructions. Liuli is grateful."

 Speaking of which, the reason why she fell into this situation was that the shrewd old woman in front of her was the real planner. However, this may also be her only chance. In this era, since no matter how much she retreats, she can't get any closer to freedom, she can only strive to climb higher and find a path she wants to take. Now, she has put forward her conditions. She is willing to serve and not be a slave, but she doesn't know what Mrs. Yang will do.

Mrs. Yang looked at her and smiled, "Liu Li? That's a good name! But you are too polite. Just think of this house as your home. But how long do you want to stay this time?"

Liuli was even more alert in her heart. She raised her head and said sincerely, "I don't dare to deceive the old lady. Liuli has already annoyed Madam Wei. After today, she will definitely not let me go. With her in Chang'an City, Only the old lady can protect Liuli. Liuli is willing to serve the two of you until the clouds clear up and the moon rises. "She is willing to serve until their common enemy, Mrs. Wei, falls." It sounds sincere, right?

Mrs. Yang's eyes finally showed a smile, but she shook her head and said, "What's wrong with serving and not serving? It's just that I think you and Shun Niang are in love. She is rough. If she could be half as meticulous and thoughtful as you, I’m relieved!”

Liuli breathed a sigh of relief, and a sincere smile appeared on her face, "Madam has a kind-hearted nature, which is rare. Liuli is willing to stay with Madam."

Mrs. Wu clapped her hands and said with a smile, "This is a good idea, mother."

Mrs. Yang also laughed and said, "That's good. From now on, in this mansion, you will be the granddaughter of my deceased friend. You are here to keep Shun Niang company. There is only one thing. Shun Niang will go to the palace in a few days. Are you willing to go with her sister? I'm afraid the stay will be longer."

Liuli was startled, with a trace of fear and hesitation on his face, "In the palace? Liuli was originally from a small household and didn't understand the rules in the palace. He was only afraid of embarrassing his wife..."

Mrs. Yang looked at Liuli, and the smile on her face deepened, "What's this? Who is born with it?"

Mrs. Wu also hurriedly said, "I'm here to teach you. In fact, there aren't many rules in the palace. It's just a bit boring. You follow me, so you don't have to worry about so many things. You are so clever and handy, what can't you learn? Yes? Meiniang will definitely be happy to have one more person to relieve her boredom."

Liuli hesitated for a moment, but nodded solemnly, "Liuli obeys! I just need to ask Madam to spend more time teaching Liuli."

Mrs. Yang smiled and said, "Okay, it's very hot. Cui Mo, please take my aunt to change clothes first." After Liuli left, she sighed to Mrs. Wu, "As expected, she is a person who knows how to advance and retreat. It's a pity that She would rather pretend to be sick than become a palace maid, otherwise, whether Liuli stays with the queen or gets Mei Niang, it will be a great move, but now, she can only change her approach! "

Outside the courtyard, walking on the path to Mrs. Wu's courtyard, Liuli was thinking about what Mrs. Yang had just said, while silently observing the layout and path directions of the mansion. Cui Mo, who was leading the way, was the maid who went to pick up Liuli last time. After walking a few steps, she turned back and said with a smile, "It's great that Madam can go to the palace with us. My wife loves to play and go shopping. , but when she was in the palace, Empress Zhaoyi did not allow her to leave the Xianchi Palace. The ladies in the Xianchi Palace did not dare to joke with her, and she complained that she was too bored every day. "

Liuli came back to her senses, smiled and stepped forward to hold her hand, "Good sister, just call me Liuli. Liuli doesn't know anything about the palace. Please tell me what is there in the palace." What are the rules and taboos? How is Empress Zhaoyi’s temperament?”

On the lake in the distance, white lotuses still stood gracefully among the green leaves. The gentle breeze blew by, and the small words and low laughter of the two young women instantly dissipated in the faint fragrance of the lotus.

　　…………

　　Xiaotan has lost count of how many times she has walked this road from Anjia to Xishi. Perhaps because of his sharp tongue, he was hired as a maid in the An family. If Alang, the wife of the family, wanted to inform the shopkeepers of the West City about anything, she would always ask Xiaotan to tell her. But walking on this familiar road at this moment, she felt an indescribable awkwardness: the person who often joked with her while walking would probably never come back. I remember that she always had a smile on her face, but sometimes she would sigh softly for no reason. After she left, Xiaotan found that she also contracted this problem. At this moment, looking at the gate of West Market, she sighed and walked in.

Even though it was already August, the midday sun was still a bit bright, so Xiao Tan walked forward along the shadow under the eaves of the store as usual. Just as he walked to the door of a wine shop, a man suddenly stood up from a table near the street and shouted, "Please stay!" Xiao Tan was startled, and when he looked closely, he saw that it was the elusive Pei Jiu. Pei Xingjian couldn't help blurting out, "Why are you here?"

Pei Xingjian breathed a sigh of relief and smiled, "As expected, it's you. Can you take a moment to speak? Pei has something to ask."

Xiao Tan thought for a while and said, "Ruyi Jia Val has just reopened today. My wife has something to tell Alang. Xiao Tan will go and bring the message first. Can you come back later?"

Pei Xingjian nodded, "I'm tired. When you come back, just go to the private room."

Xiao Tan nodded in agreement, guessing a little bit about what he wanted to ask, and hurriedly walked to Ruyi Jia Vale. The store has been tidied up and looked brand new. Jing Jingzhi is personally directing the clerks to bring out the latest patterns from the warehouse and hang them on the wall. Several storekeepers who are friends with Anjia have also sent their clerks to help, and some customers are watching the fun outside.

Xiao Tan squeezed in and bowed to An Jing Zhi. Jingjing Zhiqi asked: "What are you doing here? Is there something going on at home?" Xiaotan said hurriedly, "Madam sent her maid to tell Alang." Jingjingzhi hurriedly took her to the backyard, and Xiaotan said, "Madam I'm worried that someone will ask about the closure of the store today, so please be more careful with your words. Also, Shopkeeper Shi's injury is not healed yet, should she go to the Shi family to borrow someone to take care of her?"

Jing Jingzhi waved his hand impatiently, "I know it well. Go back and tell the lady not to worry about it!"

Xiao Tan quickly agreed, seeing that Jing Jingzhi had no other instructions, he resigned. When she walked into the wine shop again, the waiter seemed to have received the order and led her into the private room upstairs. The elegant room was also close to the window, with a sparse reed mat as a curtain. Pei Xingjian was already sitting in it. There was a pot of wine and a wine glass on the table in front of him, and a glass of buttermilk on the table on the other side of the seat. Seeing Xiaotan come in, he smiled and said, "I've delayed your work. Please sit down and drink buttermilk to quench your thirst."

Xiaotan once heard Liuli mention that Pei Xingjian was now quite an official. Although she knew that he had a modest temperament, when she heard these words, she couldn't help but froze for a moment before stammering, "I don't dare, I don't dare to take it. "After another blessing, I knelt down awkwardly.

Pei Xingjian waited for her to drink two mouthfuls of buttermilk before he said, "Pei has been on duty in the palace for the past two days. I only received the letter from my aunt last night. I originally wanted to go to Jiaval Store to inquire about it today, but it seemed very strange there." It was lively, but there was no sign of the shopkeeper. Fortunately, I met the girl, but I don’t know where the lady is now. Is she okay? "

Xiao Tan sighed, "My maid is not very sure. I only know that she is in Mrs. Wu's house now." She looked up and saw Pei Xingjian looking at her quietly, her eyes gentle and expectant, and she couldn't help but tell everything she knew. The story was told from beginning to end, and he finally said, "She went back to her home after leaving An's house that day. I heard that Mrs. Wei sent someone to Kudi's house the next day to force her to write a document. I don't know why. , then Mrs. Wu also went, saying that the two families had a relationship before, and gave many gifts to the Kudi family. The aunt left with her that day and did not say when she would come back. "

Pei Xingjian lowered his eyes and took a sip of wine silently. After a while, he raised his head and smiled, "Thank you very much."

Xiaotan looked at his smile and blurted out without thinking, "Don't worry, a kind-hearted person like Auntie will definitely be blessed!"

Pei Xingjian was startled, then smiled and nodded, "That's how it should be." He took out a silk bag with some copper coins and pushed it to Xiaotan, "If you can see my aunt, please tell her what she said. Pei must obey his orders."

After Xiao Tan said that sentence just now, he regretted that he was too abrupt. When he saw the reward again, he couldn't help but jump up and wave his hands, "I don't dare to accept the reward. If I can see my aunt, Xiao Tan will definitely bring the message to me! Farewell!" Saying that, without even saluting, he turned around and ran out in a hurry.

Pei Xingjian looked at Xiao Tan's back with some astonishment. He couldn't help but shake his head and smile. He had to pick up the silk bag and put it back in his arms, when his fingertips suddenly touched something. He slowly took it out and looked at the four regular characters that read "Pei Jun personally" on the envelope. Thinking of the request in the letter, he couldn't help but stare out the window in trance for a while and sighed in a low voice, "You underestimate Pei too much." You, you underestimate yourself!"

After finishing the pot of wine, Pei Xingjian paid the bill and walked out of the wine shop. The sun had lost its previous heat at some point, and a gust of wind blew up from the ground, making people unable to open their eyes. In the sky, thick black clouds accumulated rapidly.

 The first autumn rain in Chang'an will fall soon. (End of Volume 1)

  p.s. The first volume of the market chapter has finally been finished and will be on the shelves tomorrow. The second volume will start with the palace chapter. The unlucky classmate Kudi Liuli will finally join in the most famous palace fight drama in history. The emotional drama between her and Pei Xingjian will also begin. The background of the story will shift from Xishi and Huaiyuanfang to Taiji Palace, Huaqing Palace and Wannian Palace. palace. Students who are interested in the Tang Dynasty court are welcome to visit us for guidance. Ah Lan will continue to write in the spirit of combining rigorous research with **** YY... Thank you for everyone's rewards and encouragement over the past month, and I urge everyone to continue to support Ah Lan.

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