Chapter Nine: The Battle of Wits and Courage with Duke Lai

The leading eunuch, with a flirtatious glance, suddenly weakened in the legs and knelt on the ground, somewhat clumsily saying: "Chief Steward, how is it that you are in the side chamber?"

They cannot discuss the officials of Dingxi without mentioning Mu Yanling

At the end of the chapter, looking at him with a beaming smile: "Lord of Chang'an County, you are so considerate! I don't know why, but I feel a sense of familiarity upon seeing you. To speak frankly, I regard you as one of my own, which has eased my heart a bit. People from the south, like myself, have been afraid of the cold since childhood, but we are unaware of whether others are comfortable or not. Whether you are cold or hot, please make sure to communicate it clearly to us, so that you do not end up feeling too warm."

Lai San, feeling dazed and confused, followed the palace guards in front of the reception hall as they walked inside. It was only upon entering that he was taken aback; the courtyard was complete with pavilions and small buildings. This was also Lai San's first time entering this place. Under the guidance of the palace guards, he passed through four small moon gates before arriving, somewhat disoriented, at a relatively large courtyard.

Mentioning Lord Taishi... Lai San became invigorated and wiped away a bead of sweat

Ah, Lao Zhang, you need not be so polite with me. You are the guest; how can I let you treat me to a meal? I am really not hungry! Let us continue our conversation; where did we leave off? Right, do you know that there are people like Yue Shaobao in our Dingxi as well? You know this person! Can you guess who it is?

Lai San suddenly realized that these two young men were exceptionally beautiful, and their appearance was androgynous. It turned out they were eunuchs, no wonder, no wonder. Instantly, his curiosity surged, his eyes sparkled, and with a friendly smile meant for greeting, he walked over.

His expression was so familiar to Lai San that there was no need to ask why; he simply shook his head and said, "No way, no way." At that moment, Zhao Haiming from the elite troop ran over with a stern face. Hearing this, he coldly said, "What a joke, how can you provoke someone who can bet with the Duke? What use is your stubbornness? Everyone among us brothers knows that the Duke bets with others; he is not doing it for himself, but for the soldiers, for all of us to rise above the rest. Hmph, just make sure not to cause trouble and focus on honing your skills, and that will be helping the Duke. Do you think you can stand up to him?"

Oh? At the end of the chapter, quickly concentrate and listen, "How could that be?"

He sent Lai San to the Office of Ceremonial Affairs, where Cheng Ruichang personally received him. Cheng Ruichang and Lai San are old acquaintances; it was he who personally wrote the marriage certificate that Lai San could not understand a single word of. This elder statesman is already over sixty this year and is essentially in a semi-retired state. Usually, the reception work at the Office of Ceremonial Affairs is handled by his subordinates, and it has become quite rare for him to personally intervene. Now, as he personally comes forward to receive the imperial envoy, it indicates that Dingxi places great importance on this conferment of titles.

At the entrance of the courtyard, there are two young attendants with delicate features sitting on stools, playing and laughing, with sunflower seed shells scattered all over the ground. They appear to be around fourteen or fifteen years old, still considered youths. It is evident that these two boys are not from Dingxi, as they are too petite and refined. Additionally, there is a man dressed as a guard standing nearby, bending over and seemingly conversing with the two boys. Lai San quietly asked the guide, "Are these individuals brought by that deputy envoy?"

"I know a secret remedy, eat the seeds of the croton plant!" Lai San said enthusiastically

"Are we on holiday?" Lai San shook his head and said, "I don't know, why don't you ask Bing Wei? He hasn't given me a holiday either. Do the troops also get time off?"

Lai San was very calm when facing Mu Yanling, but at this moment, he truly could not remain calm.

At the end of the chapter, he looked at him and, breathless, asked: "But what about the Duke?"

"Captain, the Grand Historian requests your return because the envoy from the Ministry of Rites who has conferred your title has arrived in Jingzhou. It is necessary for you to personally receive him. The Grand Historian has already arranged for the envoy to stay at the Office of Ceremonial Affairs. Please return immediately!"

The fragrant aroma of tea instantly permeated the entire room, reminiscent of a steaming bamboo basket. Before my eyes, a mist swirled, not only pleasant to the nose but also quite visually appealing

What are you doing?" Lai San became curious, "Aren't they just here to issue an imperial decree to me? Who else have I appointed as an official?"

The eunuch, who was fond of throwing flirtatious glances, smiled broadly and said: "Your Grace, please do not take offense; this is the rule. Even the prince cannot bypass our authority and must meet with the supervisor! Your Grace, I must remind you that when you meet with our manager, it is advisable to sit for a while, enjoy a cup of tea, and allow the manager to point out what you should pay attention to when meeting the supervisor. This is indeed valuable advice, as you well know. I am merely offering a friendly reminder, and you should prepare in advance for the tea. Although our manager has a warm heart and is willing to help others, rules are still rules, are they not?"

At the end of this chapter, he was at a loss for words, feeling as if he was about to faint.

A eunuch immediately chuckled lightly, as if unable to contain himself. After laughing out loud, he then apologized, saying: "Your Excellency, please do not take offense; you are simply unaware of the rules! How can one meet the supervisor without going through the proper channels? To speak a word that a lowly person should not, our supervisor is someone who serves the Emperor closely! The Emperor's countenance is something that can be seen frequently; there are countless important matters that need to be addressed daily. You tell me, does the supervisor come to see you, or is he busy attending to the Emperor's affairs?"

Cheng Ruichang shook his head: "There is no difficult problem, but they keep asking me how many officials in Dingxi are of sufficient rank. The implication is that I should notify them all, and it would be best if each official could pay a visit."

Lai San chuckled and took out four one-hundred tael silver notes, handing two notes to each of the two men, saying: "It's nothing, no one saw it, please inform the two gentlemen of the matter." As he spoke, he took out another one-hundred tael silver note and handed it to the guard, smiling without saying a word.

That is strange, as we used to start taking leave one after another as soon as the twelfth month arrived. There always had to be someone on duty in the barracks throughout the year. However, every time it came to the end of the year, the soldiers would take turns giving us leave, stating that at least half of the personnel needed to remain on duty, but in reality, only a few were left behind, just enough to ensure the barracks were not completely empty. These soldiers are quite headstrong; they have never been assigned to the undesirable task of staying behind during the New Year.

Lai San couldn't help but be astonished. It was already outrageous for a can of tea leaves to be transported from the capital a thousand miles away to Jingzhou, and yet each can could only be brewed once! According to Uncle Qi's perspective, one would have enjoyed too much fortune in this life and should be prepared to toil as a beast of burden in the next life! Zhang Mo had been observing him from the side, and upon hearing the method of brewing the tea leaves, he revealed a naive, unsophisticated expression, secretly taking note of it in his heart.

The longer Lai Sanyue waited, the hotter it became, and at the end of the chapter, Zhang kept talking to him, making him even more parched.

Thus, as soon as he opened his mouth, he was just like Lai San, diverting the conversation to other matters, merely stalling for time and unwilling to let him leave

When the lewd-eyed eunuch who was leading the way reached the entrance of the inner hall, his frivolous expression miraculously vanished without a trace. He appeared exceedingly proper, not daring to breathe a word, bending his waist and taking silent little steps as he approached the curtain door. He gestured to Lai San to remain silent, then lowered his head, observing his nose with his eyes, his mouth with his nose, and his heart with his mouth, and softly said, "Chief Steward, the Duke of Chang'an requests an audience..."

Seeing Lai San still sitting there motionless, Zhang Mo's eyes bulged slightly. He had no choice but to instruct the maid to pour another cup and said, "Duke, please have some tea"

He forced himself to say, "Isn't Lord Mu a civil official? Can he also wield martial arts?"

At the end of the chapter, he smiled and said: "Lord of Chang'an, today we are merely exchanging a few casual words. It is better to be informal, better to be informal! In the future, let us visit each other often, and do not mind if I become a bit talkative. Come, let us have some tea!"

Although he smiled pleasantly on the surface, Zhang Mo's expression became somewhat serious. He attempted several times to steer the conversation in another direction, but the duke did not engage. This left him feeling somewhat displeased

Is this the chief steward? Does that mean I finally get to meet the main authority? Is this the official deputy envoy Zhang Mo who has come to convey the imperial edict? What about the one in charge of the hall?

However ... ...

"Come here!" Zhang Mo immediately called out at the end of the chapter, saying, "Send fifty jars of the best tea leaves to the Duke!" He then explained to Lai San, "I came in a hurry and brought only a little. I also gave some to the Grand Historian yesterday, so there isn't much left." Lai San shook his head in refusal; he merely said a polite 'good' but could not discern whether the tea was good or bad. Fifty jars of these leaves, how long would it take to drink them all? From Zhang Mo's tone, it seemed that this tea must be worth quite a bit of money. He might accept some actual gold or silver, but what use is tea? It is not worth owing someone a favor. Moreover, since Zhang Mo cannot drink any other tea, it is better for him to keep it for himself. Thus, he said, "No need, no need, Lord Zhang. I can't drink much anyway. If you really want to be polite, just give me the remainder of today's opened jar."

At the end of the chapter, he appeared to be smiling so broadly that it seemed as if flowers were blooming on his face, and there was a hint of smugness about him. Lai San felt a bit impatient in his heart, thinking to himself what was wrong with this person. His ability to infuriate others could make Mu Yanling fall over in anger, and that was when he still had some reservations in his heart. Now, without any reservations and having made up his mind to provoke someone, how could this person remain unfazed? Could it be that he was fated to clash with the eunuch, rendering his own skills ineffective? Now, without any reservations and having made up his mind to provoke someone, how could this person remain unfazed? Could it be that he was fated to clash with the eunuch, rendering his own skills ineffective?

Suddenly, goosebumps erupted from Lai San's heart, uncontrollable. He forced himself to say, "Oh, thank you for the reminder, then let's hurry to see the manager."

Suddenly, Mu Yanling transformed in Lai San's mouth into the various heroes he had heard about in storytelling, leaping over rooftops and walls, sneaking into houses at midnight, and eliminating evil while upholding justice

Another young eunuch who had just stood up hesitated a bit and quietly asked his companion, "This is the Duke of Chang'an, isn't it? It would not be wise to offend him.

"What are you doing?" Lai Sanqi asked.

"Adult, you also do not know why?" Lai San exclaimed, initially thinking it was Mu Yanling's doing, but now seeing Mu Yanling's demeanor, it did not seem like a deception. It appears that this matter was also beyond his expectations. Lai San could not help but ponder.

At the end of the chapter, I stared wide-eyed at the Duke of Chang'an standing before me, bare-chested, shaking his head and swaying, passionately recounting the entire saga of the Yue Family Generals

Yes, Ba Dou! Lord Mu, you must take care of your health! The moment I see your appearance, I can tell you are feeling very uncomfortable. How long has it been since you last relieved yourself? It must have been several days, right?

Lai San was so startled that he almost bit his tongue; this was clearly not a plan to stay for a month, but rather to live here for a lifetime. "Your Excellency, we have arrived," Cheng Ruichang pointed to the most exquisite row of courtyards at the reception hall and said, "I have instructed the palace attendants to escort you inside, so I will not accompany you further." After saying this, he stuffed a purse into Lai San's hand.

Cheng Ruichang smiled wryly: "Not only that, but even the ground in the backyard has been dug up to transplant the flowers and plants from the greenhouse, and a small rockery has been piled up! However, I know that the Ministry of Rites in the court has regulations stating that the maximum retention time cannot exceed one month, so I will assume that this envoy will stay for the entire month."

At the end of the chapter, he smiled and waited for his evaluation. He chewed a few bites and swallowed the tea leaves, smiling and saying: "It is truly good, very fragrant"

The wheels rattled as Xu Jin drove the carriage further into the remote areas. Originally, the training ground and barracks were already on the outskirts of Jingzhou City, but now, as if guided by fate, he was instructed to head northwest, which would take him completely out of the city. His expression gradually turned to one of confusion. Although he continued to follow the directions from the carriage, anyone standing in front of him would see the veins in his hand, gripping the whip, bulging, and the muscles in his jaw tightening, indicating that he was secretly gritting his teeth. His expression gradually turned to one of confusion. Although he continued to follow the directions from the carriage, anyone standing in front of him would see the veins in his hand, gripping the whip, bulging, and the muscles in his jaw tightening, indicating that he was secretly gritting his teeth.

At the end of the chapter, he swallowed hard and finally said: "It is said that the Duke resides in the military camp, in the army..." His eyes involuntarily fixed on Lai San, clearly seeing the ribs and various scars from dog bites and fights on his body.

The guard tucked the purse into his sleeve and weighed it, seemingly satisfied. He immediately bent down and approached the two young men, smiling apologetically, and said: "Esteemed gentlemen! The Duke of Chang'an has come to pay his respects to you. If you are feeling a bit tired, please convey a message..."

Do you dare to provoke the Grand Historian?

Could it be that ... ... could it be that ... ...

"Since we are all on the same side, I won't stand on ceremony." Lai San chuckled, swiftly removing not only his outer garment but also his inner clothing, leaving his upper body completely bare, with only a pair of snug underpants remaining, revealing his thin and bony frame.

At the end of the chapter, feeling a bit dizzy, I had no choice but to instruct them to pour tea again

"Hello, hello." Lai San pulled him and said, "What do you mean? Am I not supposed to meet the imperial envoy? What east and west, who else wants to see me?"

After receiving it, Lai San poured a cup for Zhang Mo in the same manner, then bent down and withdrew.

My dear mother! Two hundred thousand taels of silver!" Lai San was still in shock, unable to recover.

The two young eunuchs took the silver note, and their attitude immediately changed. They both smiled and said: "Thank you, Duke of Chang'an. Please do not be upset, this door fee is customary. Even if the Duke or the Prince wishes to see our steward, the door fee must not be lessened at any level. You are a high official, and we are but lowly servants, relying on your generosity for our livelihood"

He had already prepared to wait for a meal, but just as the words of the flattering eunuch fell, the curtain was lifted from inside, and a person dressed in an apricot-colored embroidered eunuch's robe stepped out, clasping his hands in salute and smiling as he greeted Lai San: "Are you the Duke of Chang'an? Truly a young hero!"

He was impeccably dressed, with a sharp gaze. These few words were not loud, yet they resonated throughout the venue, clear to every ear. Lai San looked out from the smoke of the crowd, only to see Gu Ziqi, the captain of Mu Yanling's guards, beside him. He surveyed the surroundings, his eyes filled with disdain and contempt, especially upon seeing Jing Chi.

Xu Jin was unable to do so, and could only softly affirm it, while swinging the whip and walking steadily towards the northwest direction outside the city

Hmph, I say this here for the sake of the Duke, regardless of who it is, I dare to provoke them, do you believe it

The little eunuch, who was munching on sunflower seeds, arrogantly rolled his eyes as if they were about to reach the heavens, and said: "Is the Duke really that impressive? In the capital, if you throw a boot from the city tower ten times, nine times it will hit a Duke, and the other time it will hit a Prince!"

After the maid poured another cup of tea, her expression had become exceedingly strange

He was so polite that Lai San could only say: "No need, I am quite well myself"

At this moment, he appears to be a very proper and normal servant, a well-trained and extremely rule-abiding honest subordinate, where is there even a hint of resentment? Truly, his change of demeanor is faster than turning the pages of a book

Zhao Haiming let out a cold laugh: "How quickly the face changes!"

As soon as these words were spoken, the soldiers erupted in cheers. Indeed, the mentality of the scoundrels was the same; with such a promise, countless soldiers' eyes gleamed with a greedy light, and the sound of their applause echoed throughout the training ground. These individuals did not even consider how magnificent it would be for three thousand people to indulge in a night of revelry.

At this moment, the scene before him is filled with golden stars dancing. The strategy to deal with the Duke of Chang'an has long been devised; he intends to let his subordinates be negligent while maintaining a consistently good attitude himself. It is a combination of both soft and hard tactics, a strategy that has been implemented until now, which is truly unbearable.

At the end of the chapter, I couldn't help but chuckle and said: "Your Grace, you may not know this, but this sparrow's tongue has been unsealed; it can only be brewed once, and the rest must be discarded. Brewing it again will alter its flavor!" The Duke instructed his servants to take the tea wrapped in the middle of the cloth from the jar to brew. This little heart of tea, when nourished in a jar, is what produces this fragrance!

"Lord Taishi is just like the Prime Minister in the capital; I originally thought he would be upright and strict, difficult to get along with. However, to my surprise, he specially came yesterday to chat with me for a while, and he was very amiable." Zhang Mo said with a smile

"It is of no consequence, merely a messenger of the nobility, just a formality. You should go and attend to them. If there are any special matters, I will assist you in resolving them. It is getting late, so do not linger on this matter." Mu Yanling said with a furrowed brow. For the past few days, he had been feeling quite irritable and had little patience left for Lai San. That girl, Yue Tianyi, had completely disrupted all his plans, which was simply infuriating

Lai San was astonished and had already taken out the two silver notes of five hundred taels each, handing them over. Since entering through one door required spending a bit more than the other, giving one thousand taels to the only chief steward present should not be considered excessive.

The eunuch was taken aback to see Zhang Mo being so courteous to Lai San, his face turning pale beside him. He could not understand why his own steward had suddenly changed his temperament, which was truly baffling

Lai San has learned to be obedient this time, having long taken out two banknotes of five hundred taels each, and with a smile, handed them over.

And so, Lai Sanyan stared longingly as Yue Tianyi took his treasured sword and left, not even glancing back at him. His heart was filled with deep melancholy, and he remained gloomy even the next day at the training ground.

This is merely the money for the welcome banquet; there will be more for the farewell! Moreover, the envoy has arrived just before the New Year, and it seems he will stay past the Lantern Festival before returning. I ponder why unrelated officials are summoned to pay their respects; it must be for this money. A month's time truly represents a bountiful year

The ceremonial guard from the Office of Rites who brought him here was already seething with anger, truly outrageous! This is Dingxi, this is the Duke of Chang'an County of Dingxi, the representative of the Yue family bloodline of Dingxi. He embodies the dignity of the King of Dingxi, the dignity of all officials in Dingxi, and the dignity of every individual in Dingxi

Lai San smiled slyly as he followed him out, putting on an air of someone who was about to become a high official, but in reality, he was feeling quite anxious and unsettled. While changing clothes, he was so distracted that he even tied his belt incorrectly

"Sir, which side shall we go to first?" asked the palace guard to Cheng Ruichang

Indeed! Indeed! Lai Sandao, do not doubt it, he cannot even afford a chicken! I often hear him say, if one can have a chicken in life, then one can die without regrets!

Gu Ziqi took a step back and said with a dark expression, "I believe this should not be the case."

Lai San took out the pouch that Cheng Ruichang had given him, opened it, and saw four banknotes of five hundred taels each, with the rest being one hundred taels. After Cheng Ruichang had stuffed the pouch into his hand, he had probably prepared himself mentally, but he did not expect that the bleeding would begin right at the entrance of the big door

"Come! Duke of Chang'an, please have some tea!" Zhang raised his teacup to signal Lai San at the end of the chapter

At this moment, Zhang Mo was sizing up Lai San, unaware that Lai San was also observing him. In the past, such imperial decrees for conferring titles were typically manipulated by the issuers, who could delay the process to gain more benefits, while those awaiting their titles hoped to expedite the formalities. Zhang Mo could never have imagined that this Duke of Chang'an was harboring ill intentions. This person was being so courteous, yet how could he stir up some trouble without appearing too unreasonable? Both of them were secretly plotting, and their smiles grew increasingly radiant and colorful.

At the end of the chapter, he leisurely picked up a cup of hot tea and said, "Indeed, it is cold in Dingxi, the water freezes! Is it the Duke of Chang'an? I wonder how you can endure it. Whenever you have some leisure time, do come to the capital for a visit, and let us extend our hospitality as landlords." He then instructed Lai San, "This is what we brought all the way from the capital, sealed with wax in the jar, kept chilled outside, so it remains this fresh. I see the tea you prepared for the guests is merely flag tea, and it is all old; how can that be palatable?"

He stood there in silence, which was normal, but when he smiled and spoke, Lai San understood what was awkward. This man in his thirties often threw flirtatious glances while speaking! The previous remarks were tinged with acidity and arrogance, fundamentally looking down on others, yet the tone was very tactful, and his gaze drifted over in waves! It seemed unintentional, merely a habitual mannerism of his.

Cheng Ruichang pondered for a moment and said, "Let's go with the west after all"

Lai San was taken aback and asked, "Isn't it to see Supervisor Zhang?"

Although Lai San was taken by surprise, he did not pause. Seeing the two banknotes in his hand and feeling they were insufficient, he simply took out the remaining ten or so one-hundred-tael banknotes from his purse and handed them over, smiling as he said: "Your Excellency, the Eunuch, I did not expect to see you here. I have not prepared well, but this is a small token of my appreciation. Welcome to your arrival"

Surrounded by countless people who looked at him with disdain, a collective cold snort echoed, which was indeed a spectacular sight. "I thank you, brothers, everyone has worked hard, this year is probably not going to be a good one," Lai San felt a warm sensation in his heart, "If I win the bet, let's all have a good drink!" After a moment of thought, he added, "The ladies from the pleasure boat will treat you!"

The little eunuch, who remained seated and motionless, casually spat out the sunflower seed shell and scolded, "Go to hell, did I ask you to bring it? Is there any need to suffer for nothing?"

Lai San shook his head listlessly and said, "It's nothing."

Lai San was greatly astonished and exclaimed, "Your Excellency the Eunuch has come from afar; I have long wished to meet you." At the end of the chapter, he said, "Your Grace, our official title is not to be addressed as Eunuch! Please, Your Grace, do not stand on ceremony.

Yes, my lord

Lai San was taken aback for a moment before he understood; he merely wanted these two gatekeeping eunuchs to relay a message. Their position at the door clearly indicated their status as servants, and it was their duty to announce when guests arrived. However, from what he gathered, even relaying a message seemed to require a fee.

He was so slick in his demeanor, and a few words from him made the atmosphere even more harmonious. The two young eunuchs smiled as they escorted him through the second gate before returning to their posts. Meanwhile, the palace guards outside the door were left with pale faces, fuming as they waited.

At the end of the chapter, Zhang was beaming with joy, forcefully stuffing the purse back into his hands, and complained, "Lord of Chang'an, are you still playing these games with me? I heard this is for the noble title of the Prince of Daxing, and I, old Zhang, specifically rushed here just to see you. Let’s speak frankly in front of good people; we are well aware of what the young ones are up to. Today, I came here to wait for you, to avoid entering too many doors and to let you give fewer door gifts. We cannot abandon the rules, but we certainly cannot accept this ourselves!" After saying this, he cast a sidelong glance at the flattering eunuch lying on the ground, nudged him with his toe, and ordered, "Make sure to remember this: from now on, whenever someone comes and mentions the name of the Lord of Chang'an, you are not to ask them for door gifts along the way. They should be seen immediately upon arrival. As for the necessary rules, I will personally cover the expenses for you!" He nudged him with his toe again and reiterated, "Make sure to remember this: from now on, whenever someone comes and mentions the name of the Lord of Chang'an, you are not to ask them for door gifts along the way. They should be seen immediately upon arrival. As for the necessary rules, I will personally cover the expenses for you!"

Upon hearing this, the soldier's eyes lit up, and he rolled up his sleeves, shouting: "The Duke has made a bet, so of course we cannot let you lose! What does it matter? We brothers cannot admit defeat! Returning is out of the question; no one can bully you! Duke, do not mention money again; who has bullied you? We are all in this together, united against him! Right, brothers?" Duke, do not mention money again; who has bullied you? We are all in this together, united against him! Right, brothers?

He commanded, "The Duke's mouth is dry, bring tea!"

Lord Chang'an!" Zhang Mo said affectionately, "The heroes and brave men are whom we admire the most! In the past, the Prince of Dingxi was known for his exceptional bravery while hunting on horseback, but unfortunately, I never had the chance to witness it. The Duke is a close relative of the prince and has inherited the title of Zhi Guo Du Wei, so he must certainly be a remarkable hero! Upon hearing the Duke's name, I wanted to meet him yesterday, but I heard that you reside in the military camp! Truly a man of valor! Among the leaders who live in military camps, I have only heard of General Yue Shaobao; yet here you are, a Duke, also residing in the military camp, which truly makes me admire you immensely!

Indeed! As soon as that deputy took the banknote, his expression immediately brightened, and he began to speak highly of Lord Taishi! Before that, he was so arrogant... let's not even mention it.

"Come in, serve tea!" he commanded, which was actually a code, instructing those outside to keep the fire burning. Upon entering, he saw Lai San drenched in sweat, continuing to heat up; let us see how long he can endure this!

Did we not agree that there are still three days left? Is he unable to wait any longer? That is quite impatient! I need to talk to him about this when I return. As a prominent official, how can he, representing the government of Dingxi, not keep his word?

This, this, this ...? ... Where is there a wealthy person who looks like this? At the end of the chapter, Zhang recalled that before he entered the palace in his childhood, the thugs he had encountered on the streets looked just like this.

Not only can he do it, but he is also a master among masters! Lai San said mysteriously, "Do you know that one day, when it was hot, just like now, he felt uncomfortable from the heat and started to sweat, and he sweated so much that his entire shirt was soaked!"

It is getting late, the envoy is currently staying at the Reception Hall of the Protocol Department. You should hurry and change into another set of clothes. I will have Gu Ziqi take you there to chat with them before returning. The date for the conferral of titles will be discussed between the Protocol Department and the envoy, so you need not worry about it. Mu Yanling instructed a few things and signaled Gu Ziqi to take him away

They were certainly envious of the five hundred taels of silver notes, but looking into their pockets, they found only four notes of five hundred taels, just enough to pass through the two gates inside. If the Duke of Chang'an were to spend lavishly here, they would be left with no money inside, and the minor steward within would hold them accountable, a burden they could not bear. Fortunately, the Duke of Chang'an was quite generous, and the one hundred taels for the entrance fee had already exceeded their expectations, so they accepted it.

Lai San approached him enthusiastically upon seeing him, and Cheng Ruichang did not invite him to rest for a moment, directly insisting on heading to the reception hall to receive him. Gu Ziqi still could not help but offer a few words of advice before bowing and taking his leave, avoiding the two gentlemen.

At the end of the chapter, one could see Lai Sanguang bare-chested, gesturing at him with that damp piece of clothing.

A chicken can die without regrets? Zhang Mo was taken aback for a moment, suddenly realizing that Mu Yanling was saying, "In life, having a true friend means one can die without regrets." A chicken? A true friend? He was caught off guard and burst into laughter, finally understanding that Lai San was joking with him.

To unload the mill and kill the donkey

Cheng Ruichang shook his head: "Your Excellency, please do not take offense. This subordinate is also unaware of the situation. When the envoy arrives, we can only receive them. As for how long the envoy intends to stay, we cannot inquire too deeply. I only noticed that they have arranged the reception hall with utmost care, and all the utensils we provided have been replaced; even the tea bowls and spittoons were brought by them. This kind of fuss does not seem like that of someone who would only stay for two or three days before leaving"

This person was truly unbearable for Lai San, who merely nodded at that moment and said nothing more. Under the guidance of this flirtatious eunuch, they walked only a few steps before reaching the inner courtyard

Lai San licked his lips, feeling that he was no longer thirsty; however, having another drink wouldn't hurt. He picked up the cup and politely said a few words before downing it in one go

Duke of Chang'an, you truly are!

The arrival of an official from the Ministry of Rites signifies to the general public that he has received a formal title and has truly become a duke. This is undoubtedly a great event, but he knows that before Mu Yanling officially conferred upon him the title of duke, he was safe; afterwards... then he would no longer be of such great use.

After exchanging a few polite words, Zhang Mo smiled and lifted the curtain for him, extending his hand in a gesture of invitation, appearing very humble and courteous. Lai San was the type of person who could be coaxed but not bullied; he had already been plotting how to create a scene and had prepared well. However, with Zhang Mo being so polite now, he felt it was inappropriate to act out. He could only continue to be polite with Zhang Mo, and the two of them entered the room one after the other

Little did the guard know that before he could respond, a young man suddenly stood up, puffing out his chest and protruding his belly, looking quite arrogant, and shouted in a sharp voice: "Who is it? Hurry up and stand still!"

Lai San chuckled and, with a twinkle in his eye, said: "I see, then that makes it easier to discuss"

Suddenly, Lai San felt a tingling sensation on his scalp, a chilling and eerie feeling that made him momentarily stop breathing. When he spoke, Mu Yanling's eyes suddenly revealed a sharp killing intent; although he quickly suppressed it, that one glance left Lai San feeling cold all over.

He exerted his last ounce of energy to maintain his composure and avoid being overly rude, forcing himself to appear relaxed as he turned his head, picked up the teapot from the red clay stove, and poured a little into the purple clay cup in front of him

Duke, you ... ...

He thought for a moment and did not hide anything from these people, but sincerely said: "I apologize, this matter is my fault. Someone pressured me with a major issue, and I had no choice but to make a big bet with this person, claiming that we would be ready in half a month. My brothers might not be able to return home for the New Year this year. How about this: I still have quite a bit of money, so this year, I will distribute it among my brothers, sending it home through someone, so that their families can have a good New Year. Consider it my apology for delaying everyone’s New Year celebrations."

If he takes off his pants, my lord the eunuch, what do you think that would be called

At the end of the chapter, you are concerned about bad omens, but does Lord Mu not fear them?

At the end of the chapter, feeling somewhat powerless, he shook his head and asked, "Who?"

Mu Yanling furrowed his brow: "This matter is indeed suspicious. If we calculate the time, it coincides with the moment our memorial was submitted, and the court dispatched envoys immediately. According to past practices, it should take at least a month for review. Yet this time, the Ministry of Rites did not delay at all, and the envoys set out before the end of the year, even spending the New Year in Jingzhou, which is rather unusual"

To refer to someone as a eunuch at the end of a title is, in fact, a considerable flattery, akin to addressing a minor general as a great commander. If one did not possess a certain level of shamelessness, such sycophantic praise would hardly be uttered.

"Prepare, prepare, there are several banknotes inside, use them if needed," Cheng Ruichang said, shaking his head and sighing

As for the Grand Historian, of course... uh... well, I think it is well known that the Grand Historian and the Duke have such a good relationship, it is common knowledge, common knowledge, and there is no need for me to elaborate.

"Thank you for your concern, Duke. I am doing well." Mu Yanling's attitude was relatively normal

This man wears a cap, adorned with a yellow jade the size of a walnut, which is quite luxurious. He has a medium build, a slightly dark complexion, and a square-shaped face with a straight nose and a well-defined mouth. If it were not for the absence of a beard, he would appear no different from an official, indeed possessing a rather dignified appearance.

He entered with a beaming smile, concealing a belly full of malice, following two young eunuchs into the interior

"Come here! How can you be so incompetent! Can't you see that the eunuch is already turning pale from the cold? Hurry up and light a fire! Yes, you there! Bring over a few more braziers and surround Lord Zhang with them!" Lai San shouted, pulling at his collar, and then smiled apologetically at Lord Zhang, saying, "Lord Zhang, please make yourself comfortable. To be honest, I feel a bit warm now, so I will lean against the door. Please do not catch a cold!"

"Not at all, not at all." Lai San smiled and waved his hand, "I get along very well with the two gentlemen. When the Deputy Envoy returns later, I would like to invite both of you to go out and have some fun. In our Jingzhou, there are many interesting places. There is a place called Xiao Beihe, which is a top-notch destination..."

As soon as he spoke, the little maid who had been waiting outside immediately entered, bending down cautiously as she approached. First, she moistened the cup with the water from the teacup and then promptly discarded it. After that, she poured out more than half a cup of fragrant tea and presented it to Lai San with both hands

Upon hearing this, the soldier became displeased and immediately attempted to confront him. Lai San quickly grabbed him, and as he struggled, several others surrounded him, creating a scene of chaos. Seeing this, Jing Chi angrily approached and shouted loudly. It was at this moment that a horse galloped in from outside the camp gate, stopping only at the edge of the training ground. The person on the horse, with a calm demeanor, said: "Lord Taishi Mu requests that Captain Zhiguo come to meet him!"

The sound startled Lai San; a boy of his age should not have reached the stage of voice change yet, and his voice should still carry a hint of childhood, which would be quite pleasant. However, this boy's voice was like that of a chicken being strangled, producing a sharp and piercing sound. It wouldn't be accurate to say it was particularly unpleasant, but it was indeed sharp and jarring, making it difficult to distinguish between male and female.

Lai San wiped his sweat and said, "Lord Zhang, have you heard of Duke Yue?" He became excited and gestured, "Grandfather Yue wielded a long spear, traversing through thousands of troops and horses, that was..."

You are unwilling to take a guess, my lord the eunuch. How many people could you possibly know since you just arrived in Dingxi! Moreover, Deputy General Yue is both cultured and martial, loyal and unwavering, truly a great pillar of support. Haven't you figured it out yet?

The sound of footsteps was faint as a young maid entered, carrying a tray that held a small red clay tea stove and two purple clay tea cups, pouring tea for the two. The tea leaves were a light tender green, tinged with a hint of yellow, the buds not yet unfurled, curled into small droplet shapes, representing the finest quality of tea, known as the "sparrow's tongue" tea tips

Lai San exclaimed in surprise: "You brought a tea bowl and a spittoon from such a long distance?"

Upon hearing this, the guard bent at the waist and retreated two steps while smiling apologetically. He then turned to the officials, Dian Zhi and Lai San, and changed his expression: "You are the Duke of Chang'an, a person of considerable standing, yet you are unaware of the rules regarding this door? Are you making these two young eunuchs serve you in vain?"

The young eunuch let out a cold laugh: "Rules are rules; surely the esteemed Duke here cannot break them just because of his status?" After saying this, he shot a glance at the guard, "Are you still standing there? Are you intentionally trying to irritate me?"

Zhang Mo had been observing him with a sidelong glance, and at this moment, he could not help but smile disdainfully in his heart. This time, he came to convey an imperial edict with a special mission, but this task was known only to him, even the official envoy was unaware. However, this matter was not urgent; he needed to carefully assess whether this Duke of Chang'an was capable. If he proved to be so, he would return to report, and the remaining tasks would naturally be handled by the person who assigned him the mission. Given this underlying purpose, it was essential to cultivate a good relationship with the Duke of Chang'an, which is why Zhang Mo had deigned to personally come to the side room to open the door for him. However, this matter was not urgent; he needed to carefully assess whether this Duke of Chang'an was capable. If he proved to be so, he would return to report, and the remaining tasks would naturally be handled by the person who assigned him the mission. Given this underlying purpose, it was essential to cultivate a good relationship with the Duke of Chang'an, which is why Zhang Mo had deigned to personally come to the side room to open the door for him.

As long as a different person is involved, everyone can understand what this means; this is referred to as serving tea and seeing off guests

After all this talk, time has indeed stretched on. Lai San spoke with such fervor that saliva flew everywhere. At first, Zhang Mo listened with a smile, but as time passed, he began to find it unbearable. He thought to himself, how can this person talk so much? All this nonsense could fill two large boxes! The heated kang was getting hotter and hotter, and the room was almost warm enough to steam buns; he was nearing his limit. Wasn't he hot? Lai San was not just hot; he was practically on the verge of fainting from the heat! He was naturally more tolerant of cold than most, managing to get by in the dead of winter with just a tattered cotton coat that was nearly worn out. To be honest, he could hardly stand it. However, he was quite resilient. Zhang Mo was stalling for time, and he could sense it. Since that was the case, Mu Yanling would have to pay a price if he wanted to bully him; this damned eunuch, let’s see who can outlast whom!

Your Excellency! Your Excellency! At the end of the chapter, I am feeling a bit dizzy, sensing the signs of heatstroke. I see Lai San drenched in sweat, yet he continues to speak incessantly. I can hardly hold on any longer. Finally, I manage to interject into a brief pause in the conversation, interrupting with gritted teeth, "Your Excellency, as one ages, one becomes more sensitive to the cold! As the sun begins to set, my bones start to ache. I would like to ask the servants to heat the kang a bit more. I wonder if it would be convenient for Your Excellency?"

"The salary of Lord Taishi is too low! Life is... tsk tsk... but it's really tight." "Ah? That's unlikely, right? Our family has heard that Lord Taishi comes from a wealthy background." Zhang Mo blurted out, "Is Mu Yanling really that poor? Then how did he come up with those two hundred thousand taels of silver yesterday?"

Lai Sanyi shook his head and said: "Of course not. Not to mention that Lord Yue Shaobao was ultimately summoned back by the emperor with twelve imperial edicts to be executed, which is quite inauspicious. Just speaking of his extraordinary martial arts skills, I certainly do not possess that! I am referring to our Lord Taishi Mu from Dingxi!"

Moreover, there are always flies and mosquitoes buzzing incessantly, which is quite bothersome to him

Our Mu Taishi from Dingxi is quite good at everything, but is just a bit pitiful

He stretched comfortably with his upper body bare and turned to Zhang Mo with a smile, saying: "Now this feels good! Where did we leave off?"

"Eating castor beans?" Mu Yanling frowned. Although he had become somewhat accustomed to his nonsensical talk, he still did not understand what he was saying.

At the end of the chapter, a void appeared before him, and as his body swayed, he fell onto the couch. The attendant standing straight outside could no longer hold back and shouted loudly, "See off the guests"

"What happened?" Lai San asked with a smile, "What difficult problem did the envoy present to you?"

Gu Ziqi clasped his hands and bowed, saying: "Your Excellency, please!" He smiled and added, "Nowadays, it can officially be referred to as Your Excellency in official documents."

Convenient! Lai San chuckled and said, "No problem, Your Excellency the Eunuch, please feel free!"

Lai Sanyi walked along cheerfully, observing the two individuals. Judging by their appearance, it seemed that collecting entrance fees had become a matter of course, and they even had clear price tags. Furthermore, from what the two said, it appeared that during the Daxing Dynasty, many officials with higher ranks than him faced the same situation.

Guess what? A tiny fly was swatted down by him! My lord, do you know what this is called? This is called binding moisture into a stick! It is top-notch skill!

There is no one else, only the Duke! The old man opened his mouth as if he wanted to say something, but after hesitating and glancing at the grinning Lai San, who appeared harmless, he ultimately could not hold back and whispered, "Duke, you may not know, but the envoy just arrived yesterday, and Lord Taishi sent twenty thousand taels of silver notes in the name of the Wang family!"

"It is the envoy," Cheng Ruichang sighed, "The envoy resides in the east, while the deputy envoy resides in the west"

What does your elder ask me to do? Lai San lifted his shirt to wipe the sweat, and the smell of sweat made Gu Ziqi want to frown but he held it back

No need! Just let it burn like this. I feel a bit warm, but it will be fine after a while

The two eunuchs guarding the second gate were somewhat older, appearing to be in their thirties. Lai Sanhao glanced at the two of them for a moment. The two young boys guarding the first gate, perhaps due to their youth, did not seem much different from normal boys. However, these two adults were quite conspicuous. Aside from the absence of facial hair, there was an indescribable sense of awkwardness about them, making it easy to distinguish them from ordinary men.

Ah? Lai San was taken aback, "Didn’t they say it would be another month? Didn’t they say it wouldn’t be until the first month that they would come?" Gu Ziqi shook his head and said, "I do not know, my lord. The Grand Historian instructed me to come and inform you." Lai San's expression changed several times, and suddenly he leaned in, grinning and nudging him with his elbow, saying, "Brother, don’t you think the Grand Historian misses me too much, and is deliberately saying that a messenger has arrived to trick me into going back to see him?"

At the end of the chapter, he instructed, "Add some fire! Make the room a bit warmer!" Then he smiled at Lai San and said, "Lord Chang'an, we are like old friends at first sight, treating you as one of our own. Feel free to be comfortable, I won't stand on ceremony with you. If there is anything amiss, please do not hesitate to let me know!" He secretly scoffed, thinking, you are wearing a padded coat while I am in a single garment; let’s see who can outlast whom! "What you said makes sense; why be polite among friends?" Lai San's eyes darted around as he laughed, "You are right, Lord Zhang, it truly feels like we are old friends! I find you quite amiable, so I won’t hold back. I am young and impulsive, not as composed as you, Lord Zhang. This room is indeed a bit warm; if you don’t mind, I would like to take off my coat." "Of course, of course," Zhang said, while secretly observing Lai San, thinking to himself that he had already removed his outer coat; what more could he take off? Could he possibly remove his padded coat and speak to himself in his undergarments?

Oh... alright. Lai San had no intention of neglecting the deputy envoy; on the contrary, he was quite curious, as there were no eunuchs in Dingxi at all. Lai San had heard of eunuchs in many theatrical lines; he understood what a eunuch meant, but there was no custom of using eunuchs in the Wang residence. It was quite normal to have guards, servants, and maidservants; since the Wang residence did not employ eunuchs, it was even less likely for the Taishi residence to have any. He had never seen a single eunuch. Even with the mindset of gaining knowledge, he would not neglect this deputy envoy.

"Indeed, my time is very precious. You must testify that this half of the afternoon has been wasted by him. If I fail in my military training later, he must compensate me for it!" Lai San mumbled as he walked out.

After he finished speaking, he glanced sideways at Zhang Mo's reaction. To his surprise, Zhang Mo showed no signs of displeasure, his face was so wrinkled from laughter that the lines seemed to connect, and he repeatedly said, "I dare not, I dare not, the Duke of Chang'an is being too polite!"

"Lord County, today is already the 21st day of the twelfth month, and in the blink of an eye, it will be the New Year. Why hasn't the military guard mentioned when we will have a holiday?" A soldier approached and quietly asked Lai San.

The room was filled with the intense heat of the underground stove, fueled by the finest lotus charcoal. Lai San, accustomed to the cold, found it quite uncomfortable upon entering, and soon was drenched in sweat

The palace guards nearby have already experienced the demeanor of the servants around the Vice Envoy. Seeing their own Duke greeting others, they smiled and were about to step forward, but quickly took a step ahead and said to that guard: "Our Duke has come to pay a visit to Lord Zhang," while extending a small pouch containing gold ingots...

Are they still living separately

Seeing Lai San sweating from the heat, he chuckled and said: "After all, they are young people, full of vigor. I, however, am getting old; this Dingxi is truly too cold. If we don't burn enough fire, we won't be able to endure it for even a moment. I almost forgot about the Duke of Chang'an; I really should be reprimanded! Someone!" He called out, "Remove half of the fire from the ground dragon!" Then he handed over an ice plate, "Duke, have some cool fruits to lower your heat."

He could not help but vent his frustrations: "The messenger only arrived yesterday at the Hai hour. I arranged for the messenger to stay in the best guesthouse, but who would have thought that the chief envoy and the deputy envoy would need to reside separately? Fortunately, the best courtyard of the guesthouse has two sections; otherwise, it would have been quite troublesome. Before the Duke arrived today, I specifically greeted both the chief envoy and the deputy envoy, hoping they could stay together, but it seems now that both sides will need to pay their respects separately.

Lai San just had one cup that was not enough, and he downed it in one gulp again

Indeed, upon receiving the silver notes, the two officials immediately changed their demeanor, smiling as they said: "Your Excellency, the Duke, please come in. Had we known you were coming, the chief steward would have been waiting for quite some time."

Gu Ziqi, seeing him like this, hurriedly said: "After all, they are envoys sent by the court, bearing the imperial decree. The Duke should not offend them!"

Moreover, on the evening of the second day, Yue Tianyi did not come. On the third day, she still did not arrive, which made Lai San even more depressed. Even the astonished gaze of Jing Chi, who could hit the bullseye, could not bring him any joy

"Duke of Chang'an! I invite you for tea!" he said through clenched teeth.

Lai San casually glanced out the window and noticed that the sky had darkened, yet it was not yet evening, and said: "It's nothing, I'm not hungry"

Although the Reception Hall is also a three-entry independent courtyard, it pales in comparison to the Taishi Mansion. The distance between the first and second gates is merely a few steps, just a lift of the leg to reach. It is nothing like the grandeur and vastness of the Taishi Mansion, which inspires awe at first glance. Here, everything is small, exquisite, and luxurious. If it were the old Lai San, he would surely be dazzled and sing praises, but now he suddenly feels that even a military camp or parade ground with no decorations looks more impressive than this place

Lai San took out two silver notes of five hundred taels each and compared them. The arrogant little eunuch, who was sitting and munching on sunflower seeds, swallowed hard and, suppressing his head shake, said: "No need, one hundred taels will suffice, there are still some inside, we brothers cannot accept a large share"

Lai Sangguang, bare-chested and spitting as he spoke, was relentless in his chatter. Unless Zhang Mo were to remove his trousers as well, how could he possibly endure it? Moreover, at nearly fifty years of age, Zhang Mo could not compare to the vitality of the younger generation, and he felt waves of dizziness wash over him, his complexion turning pale

Oh... Duke! We understand now. Zhang Mo could hardly believe that he would take off his pants right in front of him, yet he himself had also thought about taking off his clothes. It is better not to take such risks.

In fact, the term "eunuch" is an abbreviation for the Director of the Grand Palace. Within the entire imperial palace, only two individuals can be referred to as eunuchs. Zhang Mo holds a relatively high position; he is the Junior Supervisor of the Hanyuan Hall, one of the eight Junior Supervisors. Between the eunuchs and the Junior Supervisors, there are also four Senior Supervisors and two Deputy Supervisors. Apart from these sixteen individuals, the remaining eunuchs each hold their own positions, such as Middle Eunuch, Eunuch, Inner Attendant, and Middle Attendant, creating a rigid hierarchy.

Lai San smiled in a very intimate manner and said, "Where, where? If you are not a eunuch, then who is? There are no outsiders here, so don't be so polite. In my heart, you are indeed a eunuch!"

Lai San was indeed thirsty, to the point of nearly dehydrating from sweating. He took the teacup and downed a whole bowl in one go, feeling somewhat better afterward. He then chewed on the tea leaves that had rolled into his mouth. The term "flag gun" refers to the tea leaves that have just unfurled; the opened leaves resemble a flag, while the upright heart of the leaf resembles a gun barrel, hence the name "flag gun." This knowledge was learned at the Taishi Mansion, where Mu Yanling drank the same tea, which was also flag gun. There was no neglect towards the imperial envoy, as they specifically sought out aged tea for them to drink. As a result, it became undrinkable. This knowledge was learned at the Taishi Mansion, where Mu Yanling drank the same tea, which was also flag gun. There was no neglect towards the imperial envoy, as they specifically sought out aged tea for them to drink. As a result, it became undrinkable.

"Mr. Mu, it has been so many days since we last met, how is your health?" Lai San glanced at him a few times and suddenly asked with great concern

It is said that the godfather has given instructions; this is Dingxi, and he is the only one with a duke title, so he must be regarded with higher esteem than those in the capital city

The guard glanced at the bright red seals at the top and bottom of the banknote, and immediately broke into a broad smile: "Duke of Chang'an, you truly understand matters! I thank you for your generosity." Standing here for just a moment, he was able to receive one hundred taels of silver; how could he not be happy?

He used to drink cold water directly without boiling it, so how could he distinguish between the nuances of Que She and Qi Qiang teas?

He did just that, taking off his shirt, rolling and twisting it, and with a snap... Lai San said as he rolled up the shirt soaked in sweat that he had just taken off, pretending to give it a tug.

"Duke, who did you make a bet with? Why not tell us their name first? We guarantee you will win!" The soldier laughed mischievously.

Mu Yanling observed that the expression and gaze of the person made him feel as if this individual was ready to dispose of the donkey after it had outlived its usefulness

Then let's call it nunchaku! Saying this, he actually went to measure his pants.

"Continue walking, faster." The voice of Yue Tianyi was soft yet very certain

Lai San took the cup that was set aside; he no longer wished to drink, yet he said: "Don't be polite, I'm not thirsty, let's continue our conversation. Lord Tai Shi Mu is indeed a rare talent in my Dingxi, his skills..."

By the way, Duke, the chief envoy this time is an official from the Ministry of Rites, and the deputy envoy is a eunuch from the palace. It seems that this deputy envoy has a bit more of an air about him, as he actually brought along dozens of attendants! The chief envoy speaks to him with great respect, and he appears to be quite vain. Duke, you should pay your respects to him first. Please remember, when you meet him, do not neglect him just because he is the deputy envoy; eunuchs can be rather petty!

Gu Ziqi noticed that he was already so nervous that he didn't know what to do, and couldn't help but comfort him: "Your Excellency need not worry, the court's conferral of titles is merely a formality. The officials who are coming are of little importance. I have heard that the envoy this time is only a fourth-rank official. You need not feel anxious just because they are sent by the court. Just think, in our Dingxi, even a fourth-rank official would not easily have the opportunity to meet Your Excellency!"

Lai San had no idea that Zhang Mo was indeed not angry; on the contrary, he felt quite dignified. It turned out that Lai San had only heard of eunuchs in storytelling and theatrical dialogues. In those narratives, any castrated man would be referred to as an eunuch, and the eunuchs depicted were generally not good people, leading Lai San to believe that the term 'eunuch' carried a strong negative connotation. He had always only muttered it to himself, and even when encountering the young eunuch at the door, he would address him as 'Gonggong' rather than 'eunuch,' implying that one should not speak of height in front of a short person. This time, he indeed blurted out 'eunuch,' and upon seeing that Zhang Mo was completely unperturbed, his curiosity was piqued, prompting him to repeatedly call him 'eunuch' to observe his expression.

"Princess, if you continue walking, you will leave the city." Finally, he could not help but speak softly.

Lai San thought for a moment; the time he had agreed upon with Mu Yanling was half a month, which coincidentally fell on the first day after the New Year, the first day of the first lunar month. It was estimated that this new army would probably not have any leave this year

But Lai San did not understand! He was just feeling thirsty, and upon seeing the tea arrive, he picked it up and drank it all in one go, making a gulping sound. He wiped his mouth and said thank you.

This was Lai San's first impression upon meeting Mu Yanling

Gu Ziqi thought to himself, do not mention giving you half an afternoon, even if I were to give you half a year, I doubt you would be able to train this army! Lai San walked on, appearing calm on the surface, but his heart was already in turmoil like a raging sea.

"Thank you for your concern, County Lord, I do not have constipation." A flash of killing intent flickered in Mu Yanling's eyes before returning to his original demeanor. "The envoy from the court to confer titles has already arrived, and there will be an official banquet to welcome them tomorrow. According to custom, you need to pay a visit today. You do not understand the necessary formalities, so I have already taken care of them for you. You should go now; the timing is just right." "But wasn't it agreed that the court's envoy would only come after the Lunar New Year?" Lai San could not help but ask.

Lai San followed Cheng Ruichang onto the car and headed towards the reception hall specially prepared for distinguished guests. The elder sighed and said, "It is no wonder that Captain Gu is so uneasy; the envoys sent by the court are indeed becoming increasingly difficult to host year after year"

"Stay for a month?" Lai San was so astonished that he opened his mouth and found no opportunity to close it. "Come over and read the imperial edict, and it actually requires a stay of one month?"

He suppressed his anger and looked at Lai San, only to find that Lai San's smile showed no sign of diminishing. He sighed inwardly, after all, he was a duke, and this level of composure was truly remarkable

Not at all! Lai San completely disregards the sensory aspects at the end of the chapter, shaking his head vigorously, "I haven't even mentioned my time living in the military camp, which is quite amusing. We'll talk about that later. Aren't we discussing Lord Yue? Do you know that under Grandfather Yue, there is a general with immense strength who can lift a cart! This cart, you see..."

"Duke, what is the matter with you?" In the afternoon, while running, Liao Tianming suddenly pulled Lai San, who was so focused on charging ahead that he didn't notice. Without this pull, the Duke would have crashed into the flagpole, adding another large bump to his head

The palace guard whispered to Lai San: "Your Grace, these two young eunuchs were brought by Vice Envoy Lord Zhang. This one has come from the Chief Envoy's side and is responsible for liaising with us. It should be that Lord Si Li Cheng informed them that Your Grace was coming, which is why the Chief Envoy had this person wait for us"

Your Excellency, it is getting late today, and I wonder if Your Excellency could..." At the end of the chapter, Zhang finally conceded defeat; he no longer had any intention of extracting information from this Duke of Chang'an. At this moment, he was dizzy and only wanted to send away this plague god, with no other thoughts in mind. Just a moment ago, he was still pleased with the rain of sweat from Lai San, but now he found himself sweating even more than him.

2, 2 ... ... 100,000