Chapter 1150: Chapter 875: Years (3)
Zhao Changhe’s mouth dropped open: “Who are you talking about, upright and solemn?”
Do you know he was still visiting prostitutes two months ago?
“Marquis Wu, who in Jiangnan does not respect him.” Ling Ruoyu looked at Bao Qin: “It is said the esteed Chief Historian ca from the Pri Minister’s Mansion, ask her and she will know.”
Bao Qin was laughing so hard her stomach hurt: “You’re absolutely right.”
Everyone filed into the city, Ling Ruoyu noticed that the esteed elder had formal travel docunts for entering the city, glancing with so disdain at the esteed Chief Historian, who was using the back door…
It was her first ti in Gusu, and she was filled with admiration when she arrived at the Marquis Mansion of Marquis Wu.
Marquis Wu had dominated Jiangnan for thirty years, and in such a prosperous region, one would expect a grand and magnificent mansion, perhaps even exceeding common propriety. Yet upon seeing it firsthand, the mansion’s grounds were far smaller than imagined, and it was not at all grand, relatively speaking, it could even be called modest.
The entrance was heavily guarded, with extrely strict discipline. On the occasion of Marquis Wu’s birthday, visitors ca incessantly to offer their congratulations, and the security checks at the gate were very stringent.
Only then did Ling Ruoyu rember that her reason for coming was to deliver the Dragon Sparrow to Marquis Wu rather than to offer birthday congratulations. If it was handed over, why did she suddenly feel quite reluctant… Moreover, the Dragon Sparrow promised to take her to play in Star River, what would happen if she handed it over?
If she used the Demon Suppression Departnt’s Jade Token, she could enter, but once inside, would she not still have to hand over the sword?
As she was caught in this dilemma, just then the captain of the guards at the mansion’s gate shouted excitedly: “Miss Qin has returned ho?”
Bao Qin waved with a smile: “Hello, everyone.”
“Miss Qin, your hair…”
“Don’t ask what shouldn’t be asked, alright?”
“Yes, yes, yes, Miss Qin, hurry inside, the Marquis will certainly be very happy to see you.”
The guards, who had been checking very strictly, greeted Bao Qin like family, escorting her inside warmly, with Ling Ruoyu dazedly holding the sword and following behind directly, without anyone asking what she was here for. In fact, soone even asked: “Miss, is it heavy to carry such a large thing? May I help you?”
“No, there’s no need…” Ling Ruoyu felt as if she were in a dream, watching the way it was more like a family returning ho than a visit from the Pri Minister’s Chief Historian…
Though the Chief Historian of the Pri Minister’s Mansion is said to be a close subordinate to Pri Minister Tang, what could be the explanation for being so close with the guards at the old mansion in distant Gusu, especially since theoretically Pri Minister Tang and Marquis Wu should have already divided households…
“Bao Qin is back?” A bright voice ca from the hall: “Did Aunt have any ssage to deliver?”
Bao Qin laughed: “No, I ca especially to celebrate the Marquis’s birthday.”
“Good, good, good, your arrival is today’s biggest surprise.”
“Actually, there is an even bigger one…”
Ling Ruoyu, feeling puzzled, followed Bao Qin into the hall, looking through the throngs of guests, a middle-aged man in a brocade robe was seated at the head position, with strands of his half-black, half-white hair neatly combed, a few long whiskers flowing over his chest. Although his face already had traces of wrinkles and the wear of ti, one could still see the charm and grace from his younger days, with an extraordinary presence. Evidently, this was the influential Marquis Wu.
Beside him stood a few young attendants, not daring to breathe, highlighting the severity of Marquis Wu’s usual household discipline.
Bao Qin gracefully gave a bow, but it was not the official etiquette imagined by the people, rather, it was a family salutation: “Bao Qin greets the Young Master.”
“Why are you being so formal with …” Marquis Wu chuckled and raised a hand to waive off the courtesy, yet his smile suddenly froze on his face.
Standing quietly behind Bao Qin was Zhao Changhe, staring fixedly at Tang Buqi’s white hair and long beard, and the youths around him, saying nothing for a long ti.
Tang Buqi also looked back blankly at the youthful Zhao Changhe, and after a long pause managed to utter a few words: “It’s really unfair…”
“Whose nephew is this?” An annoyed guest remarked: “Coming to offer birthday congratulations at the sight of Marquis Wu, standing so stiffly is exceedingly rude, is that how you greet your elders?”
Tang Buqi’s expression twitched twice, he stood up, full of frustration, and perford a junior’s bow.
Who was the damn fool who spoke up.
Zhao Changhe flicked his fingers lightly, a gentle breeze wafted over, preventing Tang Buqi from completing the bow, suddenly hearing a voice in his mind: “Don’t reveal anything yet.”
Looking up again, Zhao Changhe’s expression remained dazed, seemingly greatly moved by the scene of this elderly Tang Buqi surrounded by children and grandchildren and the full hall offering birthday congratulations, so much so that he almost lost his thoughts.
“Pri Minister Tang has arrived~” Suddenly a herald’s voice sounded from behind.
Zhao Changhe turned sharply, Tang Wanju, draped in a heavy cloak, with flowing sleeves and a long skirt, approached slowly.
Still with shining black tresses and bright eyes, serene and gentle, as if stepping out from a Southern River drizzle painting into the human realm.
The autumn water in her eyes, just like back then.
The white-haired Tang Buqi finally properly perford the junior’s bow towards the beautiful woman outside the hall: “Aunt.”
Inside the hall and outside the hall, it was as if separated by ti.
One side was the flowing river, the other the still pond.
In the middle was Zhao Changhe.
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