No matter how beautiful the scenery of Chengdu was, Guo Shao was still concerned about the people in Tokyo. He was anxious to return to the court. He set off in mid-May and stayed in the capital of Shu for only half a month. He did not care much about the military and political affairs of Shu. Most of the soldiers who accompanied him were warriors, and they could not take care of everything. He only needed to leave the garrison behind, and the court could handle everything.
The only ones who left first were the troops from the Palace Front Division, the left wing of the Huben Army, the crane archers and the cavalry.
The army, fully loaded with infantry and cavalry, arrived at Suizhou, and then boarded the navy ships and sailed downstream. It was difficult to come here, but easy to go back. The water route was all downstream, first entering the Yangtze River from the Fu River, and then sailing downstream. It was a bit difficult to go through the Three Gorges because there were many dangerous shoals and reefs, and several ships were wrecked; but once you passed the Three Gorges, you could hear the monkeys crying on both sides of the river, and the light boat had passed through thousands of mountains.
After passing the Three Gorges, the lighter sailing made almost everyone happy. Guo Shao sent a small boat to the warship behind to invite the Lord and his wife of Shu to attend the dinner on the main ship. He couldn't see Jing Niang for a while. Jing Niang was always with Lady Hua Rui. Of course, Meng Chang was also on that ship, but Guo Shao didn't think he could do anything to Jing Niang.
Until late in the evening, Jingniang was still on Lady Huarui's boat.
Jingniang was staring blankly at herself in the bronze mirror in the cabin. She had a round, white face, long eyebrows, black eyelashes that curled slightly upwards, and smooth, light red lips that shone with pearl powder. The silk ribbon of her cross-collared skirt had layered colors and a gorgeous but unobtrusive pattern.
This is a new dress. When I was still in the palace, I estimated my sister's figure and had it specially tailored. I haven't measured it, but it really fits her. Madam Huarui said with a smile beside her.
Jingniang's cheeks blushed slightly: It's too tight. She looked down at her figure. Summer materials are thin to begin with, and now the tight clothes make her figure look fuller and more prominent, which seems a little too coquettish.
Lady Huarui shook her head and said, "No, sister, you have to believe me, this is the only way to dress properly. Sister is tall and has a full figure, but her waist and legs are not fat at all. It is perfect if it is tight; otherwise, clothes that are too wide will make you look too strong. What are you afraid of? You are tightly wrapped up, nothing is exposed, and this style of clothes is also the most common dress, so there is no room for criticism."
Jingniang frowned and said: But it seems too much.
Madam Huarui gently counselled: Which woman wants to be ugly? If you want to look good, isn't it for others to see? Why do you deliberately cover up your figure
She leaned close to look at Jingniang's face very carefully: You run too much outside, and thin makeup can't cover these little blemishes. You have to take care of your skin.
Jingniang's expression was still very embarrassed, and she whispered: I only show it to Alang, there is no need to cover it up in private, and I don't want to show it to others outside.
The relationship between the two was very close, and Lady Huarui also whispered: Sister, you can't think like this. According to my observation, men are very simple and direct. If something arouses his interest, he can't wait to have it. Sister, think about it, if we are at home, hundreds or thousands of women are together, but they are all wearing clothes. We should pay attention to the beforehand, not the process and after.
There are not hundreds or thousands of them, only a few are good looking. The other maids, Jingniang, said, you have seen the dark and strong woman beside me, she is probably like that. There are also two younger ones, one of whom sleeps all day.
Madam Huarui couldn't believe what she heard.
Madam Huarui stood up from the stool, walked around Jingniang, opened her jewelry box, picked out a large dark jade ring, grabbed Jingniang's right hand, and put it on her middle finger. She also picked up a gold hollow bracelet with carved patterns and put it on her left hand.
I don't recognize myself anymore. Jingniang looks at her hands. Why don't I wear a pair of bracelets
Madam Huarui smiled and said: These jewels are not for showing off, nor are they necessary. We wear them to set off ourselves. Look, this deep emerald ring makes my hand look whiter when I wear it on my finger.
At this time, the fleet stopped at the shore and was said to have arrived in Guizhou. The light outside had become dim and the sun had set behind the mountains in the west.
An eunuch walked to the door and said: Madam, General Guo has arrived at the shore and invites the king's wife.
Madam Huarui hurriedly advised: Sister Jingniang, let’s just leave it at that, we have to go out.
Meng Chang also put on his brocade robe and came out of the cabin, and the group walked to the deck. Guo Shao was already standing outside, and they bowed to each other for a while. Lady Huarui saw that Guo Shao was different from other military generals. He had never humiliated Meng Chang, and sometimes he acted like a civil official, but his temperament was not like that.
Sure enough, Guo Shao's eyes stayed on Jingniang and couldn't be taken away.
The cook has prepared dinner. Please come in, Madam Shu. Guo Shao said. He approached Jingniang and whispered something. Jingniang blushed and gave him a displeased look.
After the formalities, Guo Shao ignored Meng Chang and took Jing Niang off the boat. A wooden bridge, he said with concern: Slow down. Then he reached out to support Jing Niang. Jing Niang seemed a little hesitant, and then put her hand with the jade ring in Guo Shao's palm.
The guards on and off the ship also looked at her sideways. It's not that they haven't seen beautiful women before, but they are very surprised by Jingniang today.
Lady Huarui had no one to help her. The only attendants around her helped Meng Chang from front to back. Meng Chang was fat and it was difficult for him to get off the swaying wooden board. Lady Huarui had no choice but to follow him down the boat silently.
The four of them sat down in a cabin like old friends. Lady Huarui was immediately attracted by the atmosphere. The cabin was not big, but it had a very elegant and luxurious feeling. Lady Huarui looked closely and found that the curtains were all made of bamboo strips. There was nothing valuable here, but it turned out to be the lights.
The person who lit the lantern must have had great insight. The light on all sides of the cabin was very soft and dim, except for the orange lantern hanging on the wall above the table. The warm orange-yellow light made the small area next to the table look elegant and soft. In this way, the rough cabin furnishings next to it could not be seen clearly. As long as the table was covered with purple silk with a good texture, the feeling would be improved immediately, but it didn't need anything too luxurious.
In addition, Lady Huarui knew Guo Shao's status and position, so she felt very elegant. She understood at once that luxury was just a mood, not how much money one spent.
The governor of Guizhou offered ice cubes and Tremella fuciformis. Guo Shao said, "This is good for the hot summer. It's the first time I've eaten Tremella fuciformis in a few years."
Madam Huarui said: This thing was originally a tribute, and it is more valuable than gold.
Oh, Guo Shao's face suddenly showed a surprised expression.
Madam Huarui gently touched Meng Chang and said: The general of the Great Zhou treated us with courtesy. We should be grateful to Marshal Guo for his generosity and kindness.
Meng Chang said: It’s just a tonic. I eat it often in the palace.
As soon as this was said, everyone fell silent. Lady Huarui became nervous and observed Guo Shao's expression. Guo Shao smiled and said: It's not really a tonic, it's not a very good thing, maybe it's just because it's rare.
Madam Huarui was relieved. Guo Shao was wearing a futou and a purple round-necked thin robe made of fine silk and silk with round patterns. It was old, but he kept it very neat and it looked very decent on him. He looked like a wealthy, frugal and modest noble who used good things but cherished them. He was much more pleasing to the eye than the extravagant and wasteful dandy.
This feeling made Lady Huarui feel very comfortable. She felt that Guo Shao was very special, probably because he was born in a humble family but rose to a high position. After all, it was rare for someone to climb from the bottom to such a high position at such a young age, so she felt that he was different.
Madam Huarui recalled her previous imagination that the commander of the Zhou army was an ugly and rough man like a savage. Looking back now, it was really a prejudice.
Come and try it, it will cool you down and whet your appetite before dinner. Guo Shao greeted calmly.
Jingniang refused to eat. Guo Shao turned around and asked gently. Jingniang whispered: "My stomach is not feeling well. I cannot eat cold food. This is more expensive than gold. It is a waste. I like to eat sweet things. I will eat the fruit picked from the tree in two days." She looked at the freshly picked loquats in the basket on the table.
Guo Shao calmly took a loquat and held it in his hand. Soon the attendants came up with dishes and drinks. While they were busy setting them up, Guo Shao peeled off the loquat and said to Jing Niang: It's warm. My palms are always hot, especially in this season, hehe.
Madam Huarui was drinking the Tremella fuciformis sweet soup with a spoon, but she took in all the words from the other party, and her heart softened for a moment.
Guo Shao warmed another fruit, peeled it and handed it over. Jingniang's jade hand with the jade ring gently took it. In Madam Huarui's heart, Jingniang, such a carefree woman, became quite noble at this time. In the past, she wanted to build a Taoist temple and pretend to be a ghost. She was a person of all walks of life, so how could she have any status
There were no luxurious palaces or the noise of stringed instruments and orchestras. Outside, the sound of the river water splashing against the side of the boat was heard. In the warm light, the atmosphere was very quiet and peaceful. It was as if a few good friends were sitting here reminiscing about the past. Jingniang didn't know what Guo Shao next to her said in her ear. Her face turned red and she smiled, and for a moment she looked a little more charming.
After the wine and food were served, Guo Shao raised his glass and said to Meng Chang: Let us drink together to establish our friendship. I hope that in the future we can both be ministers of the Great Zhou and there will be no need to have disputes or become enemies with each other.