Xu Xiao only brought a few Beiliang retainers with him as he left the Demawei Inn. It was summer, and the Capital was hot and humid. The chirping of cicadas was irritating, and the air above the rooftops was filled with white steam. The road was scorching hot. Xu Xiao, who was dressed like a rich man, walked and stopped. When he rested, he asked for a bowl of tofu from a small stall. The small porcelain bowl was cool, and he felt comfortable holding it in his hand. The snacks in the Capital were similar to this bowl of almond tofu. They were particular about the taste, and there was a clear distinction between the two. If it was cold, it had to be cold, and if it was hot, it must not be eaten warm.
The slightly hunchbacked Xu Xiao sat in front of the stall, together with the commoners who relied on a few copper coins for a bowl of iced almond tofu to relieve the summer heat. Xu Xiao held a spoon and scraped a small piece of translucent tofu from the porcelain bowl. He put it in his mouth and tasted the authentic flavor. He smiled. This almond tofu did not look expensive. It did not taste better just because the rich poured more osmanthus sugar water into it. It also had to be able to taste a hint of bitterness. Only then would it be in line with the ancient saying, "Summer is bitter." Xu Xiao asked for two bowls and finished them all. He stood up and paid five copper coins.
Three copper coins for a bowl, and two bowls for five copper coins.
Xu Xiao continued walking. He walked for a full two hours until he could see the Directorate of Astronomy, which was under the jurisdiction of the Imperial Astronomer. In the past twenty years, the number of times he, the only king with a different surname in the dynasty, could be counted on one hand. However, he had never come to the Imperial Astronomer, where the Emperor observed the astronomical phenomena and announced the calendar.
The entrance was heavily guarded by imperial guards. Anyone who approached would be detained and interrogated, not to mention entering. Xu Xiao had three retainers behind him, including Spear Immortal Wang Xiu. When he approached the Imperial Astronomer, his aura suddenly increased. The imperial guards did not dare to step forward. It was only when Xu Xiao was less than ten steps away from the entrance that an imperial guard silently raised his spear. Xu Xiao did not need to speak. The world's top spear expert Liu Yanbing angrily shouted, "How dare you!"
Holding a spear in front of Liu Yanbing was really a joke. As for blocking the King of Beiliang, who could carry a sword into the palace, it was even more of a joke.
However, this was the duty of the Imperial Guards. Furthermore, the Imperial Astronomer was right in front of the Emperor. The Imperial Astronomer's Prison Guards were used to the respectful treatment of visitors. Even after being reprimanded, they did not move an inch. There were even some Imperial Guards who slowly drew their swords. The Imperial Astronomer was an important place in the dynasty. Even the important figures of the ministers and aristocratic families would not dare to trespass!
Just like Xu Xiao, a plain-looking young woman walked out of a group of visitors who came in light. She said gently, "Don't be rude to the King of Beiliang."
After the Imperial Guards saw the young woman's face clearly, they didn't dare to look at her anymore and immediately knelt down. Just as they were about to open their mouths and shout, the young woman softly said, "Forget it."
Xu Xiao turned his head to look and was slightly surprised. Probably because of his hunchback, it was hard to tell if he was bowing or not. He said indifferently, "Xu Xiao respectfully welcomes the Empress."
Not only that, Xu Xiao no longer looked at the Empress of the Phoenix, who could be said to be the most noble woman in the dynasty. He only glanced sideways at a young woman who had some cute freckles on the tip of her nose. He smiled and said, "Princess Sui Zhu, how did you suddenly become a young lady? I remember that the last time I saw you, you were still a little girl with braids. "
This princess seemed to be familiar with Xu Xiao. She made a playful face and took a few steps forward. She held Xu Xiao's hand and said softly, "Uncle Xu, do you still remember the last time you brought Xiao Ya to eat almond tofu? I asked the imperial kitchen to make it after returning to the palace, but it didn't have the same taste. I wanted to leave the palace to look for it, but unfortunately, without Uncle Xu leading the way, I couldn't find it. I cried miserably at that time!"
Xu Xiao laughed loudly and deliberately exhaled. "Smell, smell, I just tasted two bowls. Are they both almond tofu flavor?"
Princess Sui Zhu pinched her nose and snorted, "It doesn't smell good. Uncle Xu is lying!"
Xu Xiao's attitude toward the most famous woman in the dynasty could be said to be flat and abrupt, but it seemed that he was very intimate with the little princess in front of him, who was famous for being mischievous. With Xu Xiao's status, if he liked you, he liked you. If he didn't like you, scolding you would be considered light. You also had to have some qualifications to be scolded by this person. Why did he have to pretend? In his life, Xu Xiao had scolded the old Grand Secretary, the teacher of the current Grand Secretary Zhang Julu, General Gu Jiantang, the Duke of Huainan, and even the King of Jing An. As for the official who was beaten half to death by him outside the palace with the scabbard, although he was still lying in bed half to death, his reputation had skyrocketed in the dynasty. Everyone praised him as a loyal official who had the strength of the country. It should be known that this guy had previously been criticized by the people in the capital as well as the 30,000 students of the Imperial College for his improper conduct. Now, all of them were praising him in unison. It could be seen that if he could be beaten and scolded by Xu Xiao, the King of Beiliang and a pillar of the country, as long as he didn't die, not only could he break even, but he could also make a lot of money.
Xu Xiao let the Empress enter the Imperial Astronomer first and pulled Princess Sui Zhu behind him. He raised his head and glanced at the plaque that said "Beautiful Land Connecting Wei" and sneered, "Beautiful my ass!"
The Empress, who was walking in front, frowned faintly, but only smiled slightly.
Princess Sui Zhu, who was holding Xu Xiao's arm, nodded vigorously and echoed, "Beautiful my ass!"
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