raknovel Chapter 57 Even with Yang Guifei's magnanimity, a gentleman would not...
Chapter 57 Even with Yang Guifei's magnanimity, a gentleman would not...
The elderly man with gray hair moved in a manner that subtly conformed to etiquette.
Seeing that Li Xin agreed, he immediately turned around and reached out his hand to invite him.
He clapped his hands lightly twice.
A carved agarwood carriage with two horses was parked nearby and had already driven up to us.
A rather agile fourteen or fifteen-year-old girl stepped out of the carriage, opened the door, and helped Li Xin into the carriage.
Before I could even settle in, I was greeted by a refreshing and delightful fragrance.
Turning my head, I saw a small table in the carriage with some fresh fruit on it. In one corner, incense was burning, but I didn't know what kind it was.
"Please wait a moment, young master, we will be there soon."
The little girl said respectfully.
It was indeed very fast.
Li Xin felt that the white felt mat hadn't warmed up yet, and he had only drunk half a cup of tea when the carriage stopped.
When he got off the bus, he made a point of looking back and could still see the red walls and green tiles of the Fire God Temple.
Okay, it doesn't even take three minutes to walk there.
As for?
The luxurious carriage stopped at the stable next to the Ruyi Restaurant.
His gaze swept over the three carriages parked side by side, and he roughly guessed who the other party was.
The carriage I just rode in actually had the family crest painted on it, which was a pattern of three mountain peaks and a cloud.
I've heard Zhuang Hongxiu say that they should have come from the Zhang family of Qinglong.
The Zhang family's Qinglong Chamber of Commerce cannot be described as very prosperous; in fact, the word "prosperous" is insufficient to describe it.
His family had served as imperial merchants for three generations. Leaving aside their jewelry business, let's focus on their medicinal herbs.
The Zhang family basically runs the medicinal herb purchasing and sales business in the capital...
Most of the profits from these businesses went into the royal treasury, but even the difference made from reselling them was enough to make their family incredibly wealthy.
"I don't know if it's because the last indemnity damaged their strength, or because the power struggle between the Empress Dowager and the Emperor has finally affected these merchants."
The reason Li Xin thought this way was because he couldn't fathom what reason the Zhang family's young lady would have to secretly meet with martial arts figures.
Yes, in his own perception, he actually considers himself a martial arts practitioner.
It has nothing to do with these imperial merchants or officials.
There's no need to get involved.
Upon reaching the third floor, one would see the Peony Pavilion on the north side with its doors wide open. On both sides of the corridor at the entrance stood more than ten strong men, each carrying a knife and a sword, their eyes wary.
At the end of the road, a graceful girl in a dark red cloak looked on with a smile.
"Young Master Li, please forgive my presumptuous invitation."
Despite it being their first meeting, the woman greeted him as if he were her childhood sweetheart, her joy unforgettable.
It even made people overlook her beautiful, delicate face, which was more radiant than any flower.
Her voice was slightly soft and husky, like a whisper in one's ear, making it impossible to find a reason to refuse the invitation.
"Zhang Yourong, Miss Zhang, is she one of the legendary Eight Beauties, possessing the 'figure of Wang Zhaojun and the beauty of Yang Guifei'?"
At this moment, Li Xin was beginning to believe the so-called "Eight Beauties" compiled by busybodies in the capital.
Each one has its own unique characteristics.
You won't get confused at all.
Zhuang Hongxiu never mentioned whether she was one of the Eight Beauties of the Capital.
But through Li Xin's deliberate or unintentional words, she finally managed to extract the names of the other beauties.
Zhang Yourong was one of them.
Ranked third.
It is known as the "Full Moon Hibiscus".
It means that just looking at her face is enough.
Li Xin thought that this was indeed the case.
Generally speaking, it's really, really difficult to make a round face look stunning and be considered exceptionally beautiful.
Seeing such a face makes one feel that the country is truly peaceful and prosperous.
Hearing Li Xin's somewhat rude words.
Zhang Yourong's expression faltered slightly, then she smiled and said, "I wonder if this has fulfilled all of Young Master Li's expectations?"
"It's alright, but the cloak is a bit too thick."
Li Xin continued.
"Is Xin-ge really twelve years old?"
Zhang Yourong really couldn't hold back anymore.
That's not how it's supposed to be.
He was a young man, yet he possessed a spirit that soared to the heavens. How could his words be so powerful and unstoppable?
"What's wrong?"
"You're such a pervert."
Zhang Yourong covered her mouth and chuckled softly, her whole body shaking with laughter.
You couldn't tell at all that she had anything bothering her.
The two exchanged a few words and then went into the private room...
Inside the room, near a table by the window, sat a woman.
The woman also looked to be about seventeen or eighteen years old.
In stark contrast to the cheerful and talkative Zhang Yourong...
He sat there, his back ramrod straight, like a sharp sword.
Her sharp gaze almost made one forget her gender.
"Come, let me introduce you. This is Ji Xinlan, the daughter of the Left Vice Censor-in-Chief, Ji. She is a good friend of mine. She heard that Young Master Li was coming today and would like to meet him."
Li Xin asked in confusion, "A master swordsman?"
"My master, Song Mingyi, passed down the Divine Gate Sword Technique. I am of dull talent and have only mastered eleven of it, so I dare not call myself a master."
Ji Xinlan spoke very modestly.
The inherent arrogance could not be concealed.
For some reason, Li Xin sensed a hint of disdain in a woman.
They certainly have every right to be proud.
Li Xin's gaze swept over her slender fingers and long legs, and he secretly admired her.
She is also one of the Eight Beauties of Beijing.
Her title is "The Unparalleled Gentleman".
【不二】 refers to her sword.
He is known for never using the same sword twice, and for his speed, precision, and accuracy.
Junzi is her name. Orchids, after all, are cold and upright in nature, intolerant of any imperfections.
"So you're a top disciple of Wudang swordsmanship, my apologies for not recognizing you sooner."
Li Xin cupped his hands in greeting and offered a flattering remark with a smile, but he was somewhat unsure of Zhang Yourong's intentions in inviting him.
The female version of the Gentleman Swordsman was also present. Could it be that she had heard of his reputation and wanted to have a friendly spar?
Thinking of this, he frowned slightly.
He was genuinely unwilling to engage in unnecessary martial arts competitions.
Besides, in this day and age, fighting with a woman is a very troublesome thing. What if you win and she begs you to marry her?
"Young Master Li can't stand the smell of coal smoke. Someone, remove it."
As soon as Li Xin's expression changed slightly, Zhang Yourong immediately ordered someone to move the blazing stove out of the room.
She smiled apologetically, "I've always been frail and easily catch a cold. The wind is a bit strong today, so I can't stay away from the stove..."
As he spoke, he casually wrapped the fur cloak he was wearing around his neck.
Li Xin noticed that Ji Xinlan, who sat upright like a sword beside him, revealed a hint of regret in her eyes at the right moment.
A thought suddenly crossed my mind.
"It's just a slight smell, it's really nothing to worry about. I'm a man of the martial world, I'm not that delicate."
After everyone was seated, Li Xin didn't waste any time. He didn't even pick up his wine glass or glance at the steaming dishes that were being served. He said softly, "Miss Zhang, please speak frankly if you have something to say. I am all alone and my abilities are truly limited. If you have any troubles and come to me, you've come to the wrong person."
"Actually, this isn't just a matter for my Zhang family; it also involves Young Master Li. Our two families are united against a common enemy, so even if Young Master Li doesn't want to help me, he has to."
Zhang Yourong giggled and said, "You don't even act like you're asking for a favor."
However, it was precisely this attitude that made Li Xin think highly of her.
He believed that the woman was not exaggerating or deliberately trying to fool him.
"I would like to hear the details."
Li Xin picked up his wine cup with great interest and took a sip.
The liquor swirled slightly under the tongue, and without any adverse effects on the mind, it was swallowed.
His spiritual power activated the [psychic] characteristic.
That's quite strange.
Not only can it discern a person's good or bad intentions towards it, but it can also make a mental assessment of dangerous objects that could threaten it.
……