Chapter 2

It was as if she had thought of something, suddenly turning her palm and tightly gripping the bamboo skewer, her expression strange as she said: "Chief Steward Qiu, just speak your mind, what does Hu Tu want?"

Ordinary people admire the bamboo sticks for their beauty, with the edges inlaid with sparkling gemstones, believing this to be the greatest value of the bamboo slips. However, they are unaware that these slips are made from the precious Mei Lu bamboo, worth a thousand gold pieces per stalk.

Liu Ying glanced at the bamboo skewer in his hand, and it seemed as if a spark suddenly ignited in his eyes, shining brightly for a moment

Liu Ying enjoys preparing such dishes for dinner, which are light and refreshing, yet very appetizing

With a smile, one could only hear the voice of Steward Qiu rising gently, like the fine particles of smoke that permeate the surroundings, possessing a dense texture, calmly and unhurriedly entering the ear, "What does the second young master want? The young lady is so clever, how could she not guess?"

The key is "these" young ladies

Its economy and culture once reached the pinnacle of prosperity, yet with the fall of Xiqiu and the unification of the Eastern Xia over the four seas, the rulers brutally erased all cultural traces of Xiqiu, and Tianfeng no longer enjoyed its former renown

The well rope has been soaked in water for years, saturated with moisture, and feels icy cold and slippery to the touch, reflecting a brilliant sheen of water.

The two women were choked severely, leaving them momentarily speechless

From this point on, Mei Luzhu also gained the title of "Yijie Bamboo"

In Liu Ying's view, this slender green bamboo slip is simply more resplendent than the stars and moon in the sky. To speak frankly, the intrinsic value of the slip surpasses that of the treasured tears of the mermaid in the Eastern Xia Kingdom, if not equal to it.

The fragrance of tea wafts gently, and the smoke disperses.

She was filled with anger, but unable to vent it; striking Liu Ying felt like hitting cotton. It did not hurt Liu Ying, yet it left her with a belly full of frustration, and she could only stammer "You... you... you..." for a long time without managing to utter a single word

If Liu Ying is not interested in the Tianfeng site of Xiqiu and does not accompany the two young masters on their journey, there is naturally no need to concern himself with what conditions Hu Tu proposes

Such a simple matter, even without the reminder from Chief Steward Qiu, she would know it.

She does not inquire about Tianfeng, nor about Xiqiu, and even does not ask about this bamboo skewer; what she utters is Hu Tu.

The young scholar shook his head half in truth and half in falsehood, mumbling to himself

This statement finally drew the attention of the two women. Ye Zi warily stared at Liu Ying and stammered, "Of course it is for the Second Young Master! Do you really think the Second Young Master likes you? He only pities you! If you know what is good for you, keep your distance from the Second Young Master!"

If it were Hu Tu speaking personally, Liu Ying would certainly have a hundred reasons to refute. However, today it is precisely Chief Steward Qiu who has come.

Chief Steward Qiu spoke very decisively, leaving no room for a third compromise option to arise

Liu Ying merely smiled without speaking, cunningly pressing her lips together

Liu Ying sat cross-legged in the thatched cottage, washing the cup and filtering the tea, her ten fingers deftly at work

In the thatched cottage, two distinctly different scents strangely intertwined, causing Liu Ying's face to appear hazy in the smoke, while his thoughts fluctuated between clarity and confusion.

Startled by the commotion, Liu Ying twitched his lips, feeling both exasperated and amused. This Miss Ye is quite a character, and to his surprise, her maid is just as delightful.

The prevailing atmosphere in the Eastern Xia of prioritizing military strength over literary pursuits has influenced the values of the common people

Chief Steward Qiu settled down here, took out a water pipe from his sleeve, and after puffing for a while, suddenly said something nonsensical, "Miss, the second young master is not short of money"

It was not until Liu Ying personally welcomed him, with a pair of eyes that were not like the shimmering autumn waters, but rather bright and spirited, gazing at him with anticipation, that the old man finally reacted, feeling a sense of absurdity rise within him

It turns out that since Miss Ye arrived at the Yunhu Mansion, she has been treated like the center of attention by the household servants, not having to lift a finger, which has led her to develop a delicate and pampered disposition. This has also influenced her maid, who is even more spoiled than the daughters of ordinary families.

I did not expect that Miss Ye, despite her hard work, actually managed to sneak into her tranquil garden

Through the window, I could see two people tumbling together, tears streaming down their faces, rolling and crawling while screaming and crying loudly

However, at that moment, he noticed that the female diners were very fond of the fans made of plum bamboo, to the extent that they seemed unable to part with them. Young Master Xuan was a clever man; an idea struck him, and he said, "The plum bamboo is now lush and verdant; may I invite the young lady to enjoy the bamboo together?"

Liu Ying, with a serious demeanor, held up a book and earnestly advised: "Arguing is an intellectual endeavor. The characters of Dongxia are profound and extensive, with every word and sentence being essence. After reading this set of dictionaries, Liu Ying can assure that the two of you will no longer worry about having nothing to say in arguments or lacking words to insult others. By standing on the wisdom of our predecessors, one will inevitably see all mountains as small."

By the time Liu Ying realizes it, the matter has already been settled and it is of no use

After a while, the female diner became the aide of Young Master Xuan

Such a boastful remark only elicited a nonchalant "Oh" from Liu Ying

The young scholar innocently drooped his eyebrows, clapped his palms, and expressed deep regret, "Had I known you were coming, I would have raised a few bamboo vipers. Alas, next time you come, please give me a heads-up!"

Prince Xuan was originally a prince of Nanzhao. Under normal circumstances, the crown prince would be someone else, and it would not fall to him.

Liu Ying found it amusing

Unfortunately, our female diners remain unmoved

The old man chuckled, "Miss, you should think it over carefully; the second young master will be leaving in three days." He patted his backside and turned to leave without looking back, not allowing Liu Ying to say anything further

The young scholar paused in his steps, the corners of his eyes and the tips of his brows adorned with a faint and delicate golden light. This accentuated her pale and frail figure, adding a touch of refined elegance.

Regarding Xiqiuwen

Young Master Xuan, in order to win her over, even hinted to her, "I am the king, and I will surely make you my consort." Not to mention Young Master Xuan's identity and status, he is indeed a strikingly handsome man, with the grace of a dragon and the elegance of a phoenix, his appearance is truly stunning. The number of women in the Nanzhao Kingdom who admire Young Master Xuan is as numerous as the fish crossing the river.

The five fingers gripping the teacup, due to the exertion, reveal a faint cold whiteness at the joints

The old man thought to himself, this quiet garden is eerily cold; apart from the second young master, who would be willing to come here

What a snake

The old man understood Liu Ying's thoughts too well; by the time she was lost in thought, he had already left

Chief Steward Qiu was momentarily taken aback, then clapped his hands, a look of appreciation appearing in his eyes, "Indeed, the young lady has a discerning eye!"

The young maid continued to shout: "The second young master would never like a vicious and despicable person like you! How dare you harm our young lady! Just wait, I will tell the second young master and see how he deals with you!"

Listening to the sound, this is a pair of young master and servant

The evening sunlight shone upon her, and the two caught a glimpse of the slithering object out of the corner of their eyes, instantly sending them into a state of panic, their hearts racing with fear, not daring to look again, only repeatedly crying out: "A snake... it’s a snake..."

Yunhu Mansion, referred to as the residence of the young ladies, is home only to the women brought back by Young Master Hu Er

You... you vile person, how malicious you are, actually wanting to harm us!

Another person replied: "Who knows, miss, please take it slow, don't trip!"

As she took a step forward, the two girls stumbled back three steps.

Suspended above the tea table, the small kettle "gūlūlū" is boiling fragrant tea, releasing a delicate aroma.

Miss, you should run quickly, I will hold them off for you

After finishing her meal, she read for a while. Just as she was deep in thought, a sudden rustling sound of footsteps came from outside the door, sneaking in like a thief through the grass, quietly complaining: "With so much grass, how can anyone live here?"

With a serious demeanor, it terrified the two women who came to "seek justice".

In her view, this Miss Ye before her was merely a spoiled and confused young lady, who, without understanding the situation of jealousy and rivalry, had come to confront her with the demeanor of a common street brawler.

She remained silent, waiting for the next words. The old man lowered his head, appearing as if he were asleep. After a long while, a hoarse and dry old voice slowly spoke again: "Of course, the second young master is not lacking in women"

That sound was simply ... a calamity from the heavens, a demonic sound piercing the ears

Liu Ying keenly caught the two characters, a hint of a smile, subtle and elusive, appeared at the corner of her mouth

The sunlight shone on the beautiful faces of the two young women, revealing two pale complexions, resembling gold paper

The smoke billowed, with circles of grayish-white mist slowly dispersing

Liu Ying smiled awkwardly, feeling somewhat helpless

If Liu Ying wishes to accompany the Second Young Master on the journey to Tianfeng, he must inevitably agree to the conditions set by the Second Young Master

As long as you come here, I will fulfill any kind of treatment and any kind of servant you desire

Young Master Xuan is a person of cunning and, moreover, a person of ambition. With such talent, regardless of whether they are male or female, the first step is to win them over.

Liu Ying pondered for a moment, then raised his head and said earnestly: "Then I shall await the good news from both of you..."

His words were spoken with decisiveness

If there is a place in this world that can restore the Xiqiu culture, it is undoubtedly Tianfeng

She let out a bitter smile and drank the clear tea that she held tightly in her palm in one gulp

"Where are the snakes?" She walked over, smiling as she picked up a slender, slippery object from the bushes

As much as he thought about it, he still offered his compliments without reservation, saying, "The young lady is well-versed in Western Qiu literature, and the old man has some questions that can only be addressed to the young lady."

The thick and fragrant millet porridge, paired with a small dish of pickled cucumbers

Miss Ye waved her hand weakly, thinking that after coming here to admonish Liu Ying, even if Liu Ying was not angry, they would at least have a big argument. To her surprise, Liu Ying appeared completely unfazed.

The old man settled himself and took a bamboo stick from his sleeve, handing it to her, and said with a smile: "Young lady, have you heard of Tianfeng?"

Liu Ying did not need to think; he knew the identity of the visitor was undoubtedly Miss Ye, who had been missing for a night

Speaking of which, the eight "Miss Ye" brought by Hu Tu all fell in love with the aloof young master Wen Xiu without exception. They came to Jingyuan to seek justice, their momentum far surpassing that of the current Miss Ye by many times. When it comes to rivalry and jealousy, the current "Miss Ye" will certainly not be the first, nor could she possibly be the last

Ye Zi was taken aback, and the young maid was also stunned

On the dark, muddy ground, there lay a slippery, elongated object. The bright, white sunlight illuminated it clearly, revealing a bare head and tail, which turned out to be a discarded well rope.

The two individuals received the book and were continuously sent out of the Quiet Garden by Liu Ying, without realizing that they had been played with.

Alright, alright, what exactly is going on with you all? If you keep calling out, it will be dark soon.

He became angry and harbored murderous intent. If he cannot obtain it, he would rather destroy it, as it is still better than ultimately becoming my enemy

This old man really speaks without any courtesy

She originally did not get angry, so why can't she get angry now

She did not even lift her eyelids, as the cups were mistakenly passed around, one cup after another, the clear tea flowing gently, the sound mingling with the fragrance of tea, faintly emanating. "Chief Steward Qiu used to dislike coming to the Quiet Garden, but now he comes so frequently."

Tianfeng was the ancient capital of the previous dynasty, and when the Western Hill was still thriving, Tianfeng even held the title of imperial capital

Liu Ying knew that Hu Tu was always meticulous and would not suffer even the slightest loss

Liu Ying chuckled softly

Hu Tu, you have learned the way of employing people quite well

After three years of not seeing you, I truly have to regard you with newfound respect

In Yunhu Mansion, who does not know about Jingyuan, who has a solitary temperament

The expressions of the two women could no longer be maintained

Liu Ying shook his head repeatedly

Ye Ziqi was furious, enraged, and beside herself. "Don't you have anything else to say? Aren't you angry? Don't you have any rebuttals?"

Upon mentioning Xiqiu Wen, Liu Ying's eyes suddenly brightened, and immediately her brows and eyes radiated with brilliance. She pulled open the seat beside her, as if she had transformed into a different person, and gently said: "Director Qiu, please take a seat here."

The crown prince does not value you, fine, come here, I will value you again

To the ordinary person, bamboo skewers are quite common

Indeed, Hu Tu is the financial backer

Regarding the Mei Lu Bamboo, there was a small story in ancient times

Liu Ying murmured to herself, raising her hand, and that slender object was thrown far away

I am truly infuriated

Such a warm greeting left the old man momentarily unable to adjust

He used the literacy card thrown by Steward Qiu to place a bait in front of himself, which must have some ulterior motive. Liu Ying is currently uncertain whether it is merely Hu Tu—what exactly is he plotting

Regardless of whether this story is true or false, it indirectly illustrates the value of Mei Luzhu, which is more precious than gold and beauty

Through her meticulous planning and scheming, a grand vision was realized, and soon, the throne of the Nanzhao Kingdom changed hands, with Prince Xuan becoming the ruler of Nanzhao

The maid trembled as she quivered her lips, resolutely spreading her arms to block the way. Unfortunately, her shaking legs betrayed her. Liu Ying could not understand, was she really that frightening in appearance?

After a moment of hesitation, the female diner agreed

Liu Ying found it amusing and, before she could continue her thoughts, Miss Ye suddenly stepped on something and let out a horrified scream, "Ah... there’s a snake... it’s... it’s... it’s a snake!" Startled by this, another person was immediately taken aback, frantically stepping on the grass and screaming as they stumbled backward, "A snake? Where? Where?"

Ye Zi's face turned pale, and with a sharp cough, she retorted: "Liu Ying, are you deliberately trying to scare us with the well rope?"

Unfortunately, the Tianfeng is like a legend, having completely vanished from this land with the demise of Xiqiu

This?" Liu Ying looked at the slippery object in her hand with confusion and handed it towards the two women. They were so frightened that they covered their heads and fled, waving their delicate hands and shouting, "Go away! Don't come near!"

She only replied with two sentences: "Serving the ruler's interests, I worry for the ruler. How could I easily betray the crown prince for a golden beauty?" The meaning is quite simple; I am working for the crown prince, how could I betray him for a golden beauty.

Liu Ying felt a sudden constriction in her heart; from the words of Chief Steward Qiu, she discerned the true intentions behind Hu Tu's schemes

At that time, the Crown Prince had a remarkably intelligent female guest. The Crown Prince had always looked down upon women, and this female guest had naturally never been given significant responsibilities. However, her political talents were discovered by Master Xuan during an unexpected opportunity

Young Master Xuan was unable to coerce or entice.

The crown prince looks down upon you, leaving you without fish to eat and without a carriage to ride? Well, come here, and I shall provide you with fine clothes and sumptuous food, with servants in abundance

She remained silent

Hmm. Liu Ying nodded, revealing no signs of joy or anger

The little maid who was originally blocking Ye Zi's way had very sharp ears. Upon hearing her words, she was terrified. Immediately, she darted behind Ye Zi, hugging her arms and repeatedly screaming at the top of her lungs.

From her research on the Xiqiu culture, just a glance was enough to recognize that this was a literacy token passed down among the nobility of the previous dynasty. Xiqiu has fallen, the bamboo token has turned to ashes, and this token could only have been brought back by Hutu from the heavenly seal.

Having waited for this pair of lively master and servant to disappear from sight, suddenly, from somewhere, came an old and hoarse sigh, "It turns out that the young lady never used to take offense with these young ladies, but how is it now..."

Such slender arms would indeed make for good snake food