The next day, Yu Shu went to the Princess Residence to retrieve the ancient sword. Jing Chen had made a scabbard out of some unknown leather, but it still looked old and shabby when she pulled it out. After getting the sword, she can't wait to find Xin Liu. Old Master Xin has retired for a long time and usually doesn't see outsiders. He occasionally appears in Xin Riguang Dayi Exchange House. Yu Shu can't go there every day, so she has to find another way.
As soon as Xin Liu sees her, he notices the leather hat on her head: "It's so warm. Why are you wearing a hat?"
"I accidentally fell down and hit my head. I'm wearing it to cover my face." Yu Shu lifts a corner of the hat to show him the bruise on her forehead. Xin Liu is shocked and quickly asks her how she hit it. But Yu Shu makes up a story to fool her.
Xin Liu is relieved and says: "I thought you are sad because of Academician Jing's escape. That's good." On the day of Yu Shu's marriage, Xin Liu is in the wedding procession. He witnesses the scene of the sedan chair going out and coming back. Although Yu Shu doesn't cry after that, everyone thinks she is pretending to be strong.
Yu Shu thinks that she wears a hat because she is afraid of being misunderstood. Now anyone who sees the bruise on her forehead will think that she wants to die. It's really unlucky — "Let me tell you something. I have something to ask Academician Xin. Do you have any way to let me see him?"
Hearing that she wants to see her great grandfather, Xin Liu agrees at once. He pats his chest and promises: "You have found the right person this time. My great grandfather loves me very much. Usually, it depends on my grandfather's mood if he wants to see me. I am different. No matter when I go to Donglai Pavilion to play, my great grandfather never refuses to see me. Next time I go to visit him, I will take you with me. "
Yu Shu asks worriedly: "If you take me with you, will Academician Xin be unhappy and blame you later?"
Xin Liu carelessly says: "No, my great grandfather has a good temper. Last time I dropped his precious bodhi bead into the brazier and burned it, but he didn't get angry at me. I am just taking a friend to see him. Why would he be unhappy?"
Sometimes, Yu Shu really felt that it was good to be like Xin Liu who was so carefree. At least, he wouldn't worry about things for no reason and would do everything confidently.
"Are you free tomorrow?" She asks.
"Tomorrow? Not tomorrow. "Xin Liu waves his hand and says shyly:" I didn't have time to tell you that I have been chosen to be the bearer of this ancestral worship ceremony this year. I will leave for Huazhen Garden tomorrow morning. "
The ninth day of the fifth month is the Holy Ancestor Worship Day. Every year, on that day, the ancestral worship ceremony is held at the Imperial Mausoleum. This is the biggest event of the year and is presided over by the Celestial Commissioner. There is a segment that requires six young boys and girls to be the bearers to worship the Six Vessels of the Founding Nation. These six people have always been followers. This is a special honor. In last year's ancestral worship ceremony, Yu Shu was the leading bearer. What's more, last year was the year when the new students entered the Imperial Mausoleum after the triennial examination. She became the one that attracted the most attention.
Yu Shu can't help but feel happy for her: "This is a good thing. Then I will wait for you to return from Huazhen Garden."
Xin Liu pouts: "What is good about it? You don't even know what kind of people are chosen this year. Even I was chosen because of my family background. There is no one who can do anything. Like that Wen Shao 'an, didn't he follow you into the Celestial Commissioner? He was also last year's top three. He was also chosen because three academicians recommended him. Who knew that in the end, he was inexplicably removed. He didn't even have an explanation and was replaced by an ignorant and incompetent young man. Many people in the library are gossiping behind our backs and laughing at us. I'd rather not be chosen than make a fool of myself. "
Yu Shu slightly frowns. She thought that the Taishi Library was becoming more and more unreasonable. Wen Shao 'an didn't mention this to her. He was probably afraid of causing trouble for her.
Xin Liu was still complaining, "Two more academicians are retiring this year, and the new academicians are putting on airs. What they teach is all old stuff, and all they teach is old stuff. They are not willing to show any of their true abilities. There are gangs everywhere in the library. Not many people are dedicated to learning. Last month, there was a female student who was ostracized. She couldn't bear the humiliation and took the initiative to quit school. Academician Sima was so angry that he severely punished those troublemakers, but in the end, nothing was done. Ai, I don't want to go to school every day. It is better to get married earlier. "
Yu Shu heard the first half of her words and sighed. When she heard the last sentence, she couldn't help but laugh. She poked her forehead and said: "This is what you really mean."
Xin Liu was surprised that she said what was on her mind. She shyly held her face: "Aiya, I didn't say anything." Her and Gu Qi's marriage had been decided. With Xiang Wang Fei as a guarantor, the elders of the two families exchanged their children's birthdays. The next step was to go to Kun Ling Bureau to apply for an official marriage certificate. With Yu Shu around, this was a small matter.
Yu Shu met with Xin Liu in the morning and went to Wang Ji Lou to take a look. She found Xin Lishan and discussed the opening date with him. Last month, when her leg injury recovered, she invited Xin Lishan to come out of retirement and persuaded him to come to her Da Yi Lou. Of course, Xin Laowu, as a profiteer, would never be at a disadvantage. He opened his mouth and asked for half of her shares. In the end, Yu Shu cut him down to thirty percent of the dividends. In addition, she promised him that the money he received for fortune-telling would belong to him. The two of them discussed the terms and conditions before she coaxed him to sign the contract. The next day, Xin Lishan shamelessly moved into Wang Ji Lou and lived a good life without having to worry about food and drink again.
However, this thirty percent of the dividends was not undeserved. Xin Lishan was good at doing business and the strange gadgets he invented could all be used for profit. Most importantly, he was born in the aristocratic families of the twelve prefectures. He was once the famous Great Yi Master of two rankings and was recognized as the next head of the Xin family. Although he and Xin Ya had a falling out and were expelled from the family, his many years of connections were still there. As long as he was willing to come out of retirement and recruit a few talented Yi Masters to come to Wang Ji Lou, there was no need to worry that their Da Yi Lou would not prosper.
Yu Shu had a vague idea in her heart. She did not want to build Wang Ji Lou into a money-making tool for the aristocratic families. Instead, she wanted to build a place that could really solve the problems of those who needed to ask for fortune-telling. The so-called Yi Masters could not only help people seek fortune and avoid calamity. It should bring people hope, not fear of the unknown.
.....
When Yu Shu walked out of Wang Ji Lou, the sun had just set. The bodyguard behind her was carrying a few kinds of cakes that the cook had specially steamed for her. They were all the signature tea snacks of Wang Ji Lou, which could not be sold outside. When she walked to the entrance of the alley, she was stopped by a man who looked familiar — —
"Official Yu, Da Tiandao invites you to come this way."
She immediately recognized that he was the guard of Taixi Lou, one of the people around Da Tiandao. As soon as she went out, she was blocked. It was obvious that there had been spies around her. Da Tiandao knew her every move like the back of his hand. She did not make a fuss. She nodded and let the man lead the way. It did not take long for her to come to the teahouse on the same street as Wang Ji Lou.
Yu Shu had been here several times. The storytellers on the first floor were all dignified and knowledgeable scholars. Even when they occasionally told romantic stories, they were not conventional. Therefore, the business of this teahouse had always been very good. During the day, there were no empty seats. On the second floor, there were a few private rooms with open windows that could see downstairs. They could also order people to tell stories alone. However, the price of tea and snacks had increased tenfold. Ordinary people might not even go there once in half a year.
Yu Shu followed the guide to the second floor and entered the best private room. She saw Da Tiandao sitting by the window and listening to the story. The guard left, and Lu Hong and Xu Qing were waiting outside.
Zhu Muzhao did not look at her. He pointed to the chair opposite and said, "Sit down."
Yu Shu sat down without saying a word. She was somewhat angry in her heart. She was hit on the head by him yesterday. How could she sit down and drink tea with him calmly? At this time, the voice of the storyteller came from downstairs.
"That Female Ambassador Miao Ling happily covered her head with a veil and was helped onto the bridal sedan chair by the matron of honor. Then, she was carried out of the mansion. Behind her, there was a long street of dowry boxes, waiting to be sent to the Princess Mansion. Normally, a bride would cry when she got married, because she was reluctant to part with her parents and brothers and sisters. However, she didn't. She was so happy that she had married a Mr. Right. She was so happy that her face was like a blooming flower. However, she didn't know that the groom had already disappeared."
As the protagonist of the story, Yu Shu was speechless. She secretly scolded the storyteller for making up stories. She obviously got onto the bridal sedan with a gloomy face. How could she smile like a flower? Where did this rumor come from?
On the other side, Zhu Muzhao laughed. He lifted his teacup and blew on it lightly. Glancing at her, he said, "Don't be unhappy. Now that Jingchen has left, your reputation as a lady will be ruined. In the future, don't even think about marrying again."
Yu Shu lowered her head and did not speak.
Zhu Muzhao said again, "I know who you are thinking about in your heart. But I really don't know if you are smart or stupid. Let me ask you, when did you know that the Book of Fantasy Fairy's Six Rens I got was fake?"
Yu Shu still did not speak.
"Even if you don't say it, I know that you only found out about this after Jing Chen left. Hehe, then why don't you take a guess? When did Yun Hua tell this to his precious son?"
Yu Shu suddenly raised her head and said coldly, "Just say what you want to say."
Zhu Muzhao's eyes flickered as he said, "Yun Hua set up a trap that day for the sake of taking Xue Rui away. There must be another reason why he values this son of his so much. Even though I can't figure out the reason, there's one thing I can be sure of, and that's that he wants to rebel. They even deceived you in order to make me relax my vigilance. I thought that after I obtained the Book of Mystic Fairy's Six Rens and firmly grasped you and Jing Chen in the palm of my hand, I would be able to rest easy. That was why I persuaded His Majesty to disregard the Xue family's evil intentions and choose Liu Tan as the crown prince. "
If he had known that the Book of Fantasy Fairy's Six Rens was fake, he would not have let Liu Tan take the throne. Yun Hua, and perhaps Xue Rui would be included as well. This father and son pair should have expected this a long time ago, which was why they excluded Yu Shu, who was one of them, and included them in their calculations.
He explained the reason so clearly that it was impossible for Yu Shu not to understand. Her expression changed again and again. She clenched her fists under the table, but she could not refute his words.
Zhu Muzhao looked at her forbearing expression with satisfaction and changed the topic, "Women, since ancient times, have always been victims of the desire for power. A man's promise is just a whim, and in the blink of an eye, it becomes smoke. You are a rare intelligent woman in this world. Don't lose your mind because of love and you will waste the opportunity given to you by God."
He turned his head and pointed to the crowd downstairs, saying, "This teahouse is a property under my name. There are many places like this in Anling City. It's the same in the world. I can make you the respected Messenger Miaoling or make you a laughing stock with just a thought. If one day you have such an ability, who would be able to make use of you? "
Yu Shu's breathing stopped for a moment and then became heavy.
Zhu Muzhao turned around and gave her a smile. He said like an elder who cared about her, "Ming Luo, come with me to Huazhen Garden to meet His Majesty and explain everything clearly. I will exonerate you. You must work hard. Whether it's a blessing or a curse, it depends on how you choose."
After that, he asked someone to send Yu Shu out.
Yu Shu walked out of the teahouse with a gloomy expression and sat on the palanquin. The moment she pulled down the curtains, she slowly spat out a mouthful of foul air, and then she curled her lips and sneered. How could the relationship between her and Xue Rui be instigated by others?
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