Chapter One, The Sound of Autumn (Part Three)

Under the moonlight like water, he saw an expanse of ocean. "It's really nothing, Grandpa, just sleep! It's just Ziluo being foolish!" Unable to evade, Ziluo could not conceal the fear within her heart, so she simply stretched out her arms and tightly embraced Wang Xun's body, as if letting go would mean losing everything.

"Get lost, don't meddle in such matters!" Wang Xun shook his head in anger, smiling as he reprimanded.

Ah! The purple creature playfully extended its little tongue, then rolled down in a flurry, curling up into a small ball under Wang Xun's armpit

I am not tired. You should sleep first. I will blow out the candle right away! Zi Luo turned her head back, affectionately glancing at Wang Xun's sharply defined features, and replied softly.

What’s wrong? Having grown up together since childhood, even a cat would develop feelings. Wang Xun vaguely sensed that Ziluo's behavior today was somewhat unusual, and he opened his eyes a bit wider, asking with concern.

After more than three years, although the master and servant cannot be said to be as close as water and milk, they have become familiar enough to sense any subtle changes in each other. Today, Wang Xun originally had a surge of wicked fire in his belly, but the moment he picked up Ziluo, the enchanting figure of Lady Guo from the State of Guo involuntarily appeared before his eyes. She was slender and graceful, with her hair styled high, her dimples accentuating her charm, and her beauty was striking and extraordinary. However, Ziluo had been raised with orthodox teachings since childhood and could not produce that delicate and melting voice. Thus, feeling somewhat disheartened, he merely responded perfunctorily to the situation and turned to sleep.

"That kid from the Yuwen family?" Upon mentioning this person, Ziluo's face was filled with disdain. "That kid is really too wicked. How could he even deceive you, Young Master? Is he that difficult to deal with? Is that why he fears you won't help him?"

Ah! Zi Luo gasped softly as she was photographed, yet she refused to step back, her body continuing to press forward like a medicinal plaster. "How can I compare with you, my lord? You are a man, and even at seventy years old, you can draw a three-stone strong bow and consume a dou of rice in one meal. I, however, am like a peach blossom on a branch; even if I am splendid, I exist only for a fleeting moment."

"You stubborn girl!" Wang Xun chuckled, lying back with his face to the sky, holding Ziluo close to his chest, slowly warming her. "If there's anything you need to say, just go ahead. Have I ever made things difficult for you from childhood to now? Even if I can't fulfill what I promised you right away, there's still Aunt Yun at home. For my sake, she will find a way to help you with your matters.

"You girl, who has bullied you?" Wang Xun felt a pang in his heart as he opened his arms and embraced the other person's stiff body. After being in the night breeze for so long, Ziluo's body had grown as cold as jade. The moment they made contact, a chilling sensation slowly seeped into Wang Xun's heart through his skin

"You little brat, so this is where your petty nature lies!" Wang Xun finally realized, extending his palm and delivering two hard slaps to the other party. "These two hits are to teach you a lesson, so you won't bring suffering upon yourself in the future. You were born a member of the Wang family, and even in death, you will be a ghost of the Wang family. You will never escape from my grasp in this lifetime!"

"Where did you learn all this nonsense?" Wang Xun, infuriated, slapped the other party again, but his touch became increasingly gentle. "That's just some people whining after a full meal, how can it be taken seriously? With that time, you might as well take Xueyan for a walk on the street, see if there are any rare goods arriving from the South Seas, buy a few for yourself, and also get a few for Aunt Yun as a token of respect!"

"It's nothing? It's just that Ziluo has made a mistake. I shouldn't have disturbed the master’s rest." Ziluo gently shook her head, extinguished the candle with her fan, and then, using the moonlight that streamed in through the window, quietly climbed into bed, lying motionless beside Wang Xun

This is his usual tactic, which has proven effective time and again. After a moment of gentle stroking, Ziluo indeed calmed down like a little cat. However, she stubbornly refused to sleep, with half of her body still clinging to Wang Xun's chest, listening to the rhythm of his heartbeat.

"It really is nothing? It was just my own foolishness." Ziluo smiled awkwardly, curling her body even tighter. After a moment, however, she leaned forward again before Wang Xun was drawn back into slumber by fatigue, timidly asking, "Young Master, am I already old?"

"It really is nothing? The young master has already treated me well enough!" The more Wang Xun spoke gently to comfort her, the more tears fell from Zi Luo's eyes, "drip, drop." Unable to decipher the girl's thoughts, Wang Xun could only wrap one arm around her, freeing the other hand to gently stroke her back, as one would do with a kitten.

"The strangeness lies here? It is said that although Li Bai held an official position, in the eyes of the emperor, his status was probably similar to that of Jia Laoda." Wang Xun shook his head again, having already been exhausted by the ordeal, he simply recounted the details of the incident to Zi Luo, omitting the name of the owner of the carriage and his momentary display of astonishment.

Then I have no way to deal with you. Anyway, the key to my money box is in your hands, so you can decide what to buy yourself!" Wang Xun yawned again and said helplessly

I am not jealous. I truly believe I should not be too greedy!" Zi Luo struggled a few times, unable to break free from Wang Xun's large hand, and forced a smile to confess. "Rather than letting you be unsatisfied, it would be better to have someone else serve you. This way, I won't have to worry that one day I might really annoy you and be driven out of the residence, never wanting to deal with it again in this lifetime!"

Since you are already tired of yourself, everything else will be easy to resolve. With this thought, Ziluo tucked away her anxious feelings, poked half her head out from under the blanket, and earnestly devised a plan for Wang Xun. "Is it because of Sister Bai that you are feeling troubled? You shouldn't let her bother you. In my opinion, she is merely waiting for the right price. If you can bear to ignore her for a few days, I believe she will definitely send someone to plead for mercy!"

Li Bai gained fame throughout the world in his early twenties, yet due to his proud disposition, he was unable to receive assistance from influential figures until he was introduced to the court by Lord He Zhizhang at the age of forty-two. Although His Majesty the Emperor greatly admired his talent, in reality, he regarded him as a mere jester who could provide lyrics for the imperial court at any time, placing him on the same level as Jia Chang and others, and was unwilling to entrust him with significant responsibilities

No one was hurt!" Wang Xun sighed lightly, "I feel a bit frustrated because that brat Yu Wen deliberately deceived me. If he truly needs my help in a fight, he should just say so. Why resort to such despicable tactics?"

"Did Grandfather get hurt?" Zi Luo was startled and quickly turned over to light the candle

Note 1: Guangzhou had already opened its port during the Tang Dynasty. Historical records indicate that merchants gathered in the city, making it exceptionally prosperous in the Southeast. However, it was later destroyed due to the Huang Chao Rebellion

Jia Laoda, also known as Jia Chang, is a veteran in the fighting chicken community of Chang'an City. He began to take charge of the fighting chicken scene at the age of thirteen. This individual is capable of organizing three hundred fighting chickens, directing their movements like a military unit according to commands. As a result, he was summoned by the emperor to serve at the palace, specifically overseeing the training and competitions of the court's fighting chickens

The jewelry and jade sold over there all rely on weight, and the craftsmanship is quite rough! As for the precious items from the Western Regions, Ziluo finds them unappealing. In recent years, the Tang Dynasty has enjoyed peace and prosperity, allowing artisans ample time to innovate and create new items. The hairpins, rings, and pendants produced are exquisite and far superior to those transported by the Hu merchants. Nowadays, only certain nouveau riche would still purchase those ornaments made by the Hu people. In Chang'an, among the prominent families, anyone who dares to go out wearing a piece of gold or dirt from the Western Regions would feel embarrassed to encounter acquaintances.

The sea vessel from Guangzhou has departed. Surely, there will always be merchants from the Western Regions coming, right?" Wang Xun yawned and suggested with a smile

I see it now. The person who should be dealt with tonight is you!" Wang Xun, both angry and amused, reached out and grabbed a handful under Zi Luo's armpit. Only after the other party repeatedly begged for mercy did he put away his smile and said helplessly, "It has nothing to do with Miss Bai. Don't meddle in it. I got into a fight with someone today in a daze, and now I regret it very much!"

Grandfather! Although she knew he was already very tired, Ziluo still mustered the courage to lift her head and gazed dreamily into his eyes. "Xueyan is not small anymore; Grandfather, why not take her in as your concubine another day?"

"Old fart! You are only two years older than me, and you already consider yourself old. What does that make me?" Wang Xun finally figured out the reason for Ziluo's unusual behavior tonight. He reached out and gave her a playful slap on the backside, laughing as he scolded her

Upon hearing these words, Zi Luo felt a sudden warmth in her heart. Fate had placed her in a poor family, making her life akin to that of a floating weed. However, she did not wish to be discarded by others after being used, like autumn leaves rotting in the mud. Therefore, she was willing to sincerely dedicate herself to Wang Xun, while also doing her utmost to secure her own place.

It is indeed true that those involved are often confused, while bystanders see clearly. Wang Xun pondered throughout the journey but could not comprehend, until a few casual words from Zi Luo pierced through the layer of fog. Yu Wen Zhi took the initiative to provoke Li Bai, not because he was desperate after losing money, but because he wanted to take the opportunity to deal with Li Bai and make him stumble. However, he had hardly read any books; what grievances could he possibly have with such a great poet as Li Bai? Could it be that someone else is manipulating him from behind? But who is that person, and how much did they pay to make him disregard even his childhood friends?

The various hidden circumstances behind this, a concubine girl of the Wang family named Ziluo certainly would not understand. Even if she could see through it, she would not care. She only cares about how her master feels and whether he might get into some difficult trouble. After thinking for a moment, she surprisingly deduced a vague answer: "Li Bai holds an official position, so he probably wouldn’t take the initiative to cause trouble at Chang Le Fang. Although that kid Yu Wenzhi enjoys stirring up trouble, his gambling skills have always been good. It shouldn’t be because he lost money and got anxious, leading him to cheat others. I suspect he has some past grievances with Li Bai, or he is standing up for someone else!"

Although her bottom was burning from the spanking, Zi Luo felt an indescribable sense of satisfaction rising within her. She curled up and rubbed against Wang Xun's armpit a couple more times, then lifted her head and asked in a voice as soft as a mosquito's: "Then, how will you... tonight..."

Wang Xun lost his mother at a young age. Although his stepmother, Aunt Yun, took great care of him, there was still a layer of distance between them, preventing her from being as attentive as a biological mother. Therefore, he held deep and mixed feelings for Ziluo, who had grown up alongside him. After staring at her for a while in frustration, he reached out and pinched her nose, smiling as he said, "Have you heard enough? If you have, come down. If you don't come down soon, you might just crush me!"

Although Wang Xun lost his biological mother at a young age, he was not mistreated by Aunt Yun in his daily life. He received no less than what any legitimate son of a wealthy family should enjoy. This included the maid Ziluo, who had been attending to his daily needs since he was eight years old. When he turned fourteen, he was taken by the teaching matron for private lessons. Although he returned home blushing with embarrassment, he boldly explored all the necessary knowledge that a man should possess, hand in hand with Wang Xun.

"Look at you!" Wang Xun scolded with a smile, then turned to the side and lightly sniffed the other person's hair. "Can we talk now? If you don't say anything soon, I might really fall asleep!"

"Who dares to bully me in this courtyard now?" Ziluo's nostrils were somewhat blocked as she sniffled and responded in a low voice

Just lie there honestly! You haven't even hurt a single hair! Wang Xun pressed him down with one hand, quietly stopping him. You have seen my skills before!

The merchant from Guangzhou said that the sea vessel takes a year to make a round trip. Upon mentioning shopping, Ziluo's eyes immediately brightened for a moment, but soon returned to their dull state

"What is wrong with you?" Wang Xun reached out to touch the other person's forehead, but his fingers came into contact with something damp. Turning over the book, he looked at the other person's face in the moonlight.

Zi Luo slowly got up, put on her clothes, and called for the maid Xue Yan, who was waiting outside, to bring warm water. She carefully wiped a certain part of Wang Xun's body, then handed the water to Xue Yan to take away, while she sat in front of the dressing table, staring blankly at the bronze mirror

After finally dealing with Aunt Yun, Wang Xun also felt somewhat fatigued. He called over the maid who had been waiting at the door, instructing her to clear away the leftover food, and then he himself strolled back to his bedroom to rest.

Halfway through the question, she was already so embarrassed that her face turned red to the roots of her neck, quickly pulling her head into the quilt and refusing to come out again

The more he thought, the less at ease Wang Xun felt. He propped up his head, wanting to discuss a few more points with Zi Luo, but he discovered that the beautiful person beside him had fallen asleep at some point, with even breaths emanating from her nostrils.

There is another way. If the master wishes to achieve his goal more quickly, he might as well let her have her way, agreeing to any request she makes. After all, once the sedan chair enters the Wang family’s gate, how to deal with her is still at the master’s discretion. Seeing that her plan was not accepted, Ziluo's eyes darted around, and soon she presented another clever scheme.

I see that you really are asking for a beating!" Wang Xun reached out and pushed her back down, face to face, and scolded, "How dare you get jealous over Xue Yan! She has only been with me for a few years? She doesn't even know what snacks I like to eat in the morning, yet she thinks she can climb over you?!

"Did that old man injure someone?" Under the moonlight, Ziluo's bright eyes scanned Wang Xun up and down. Only after confirming that the other party was indeed unharmed did she let out a sigh of relief and softly comfort him, saying, "Even if someone is injured, it’s not a big deal. At worst, we can just compensate a little more! I don’t think the magistrate of Chang'an would come knocking on our door for such a trivial matter!"

"You little rascal!" Wang Xun was momentarily taken aback, then he couldn't help but smile wryly. In front of such a sensitive little person, he naturally could not admit that he had been thinking of another woman during their intimate moments. He shook his head and softly added, "I encountered some troublesome matters today, which is why I seem a bit distracted. It is certainly not that I have grown weary of you. Even when you grow old in the future, I will not drive you away. Just like my grandfather treated Aunt Yun, this home will always have a place for you." It is certainly not that I have grown weary of you. Even when you grow old in the future, I will not drive you away. Just like my grandfather treated Aunt Yun, this home will always have a place for you.

Aren't you tired?" Wang Xun, feeling drowsy, turned over and noticed that the bed was much emptier than usual. He opened one eye and glanced towards the light, murmuring his inquiry.