The carved window lattices shone with the light of the morning sun, and the grand and majestic palace music seemed to be praising the supreme and lofty artistic conception. Under the gaze of countless people, the former monarch Meng Chang knelt on the wide carpet in the hall, prostrated himself on the ground, and kowtowed again and again. He was guilty of a thousand deaths, but he knelt in front of the palace and begged for forgiveness from the Queen Mother.
The Queen Mother showed her favor and granted Meng Chang the title of Duke of Qin. A eunuch's voice sounded long and drawn out.
After a long time, in a clean palace, Fu Jinzhan was walking slowly between the desks and palaces, reading a stack of letters in her hand, not caring about her long skirt dragging on the floor. She would cover her mouth and chuckle from time to time, with a coquettish look on her face.
At this time, Guo Shao, who was wearing military uniform, came in, clasped his fists and bowed, saying: I pay my respects to the Queen Mother.
Fu Jinzhan's white jade-like face, a pair of curved eyes suddenly showed a smile, turned around and said: Qin Guogong Meng Chang is not very respectful
The Queen Mother has a way of governing people. Guo Shao straightened up and smiled.
Fu Jinzhan sat down slowly on the cushioned chair, gently brushed away her long sleeves, and said: If he was still in Shu, he would not be so respectful in pleading guilty. He must be caught and brought to Tokyo first. His father Meng Zhixiang established the foundation and was a hero in troubled times. He himself was not a foolish monarch, otherwise he would not have been able to take over the throne.
The Queen Mother is right. After all, Meng Chang has been the king for many years. Guo Shaodao, such a high-ranking person, I was indescribably happy to see him kneeling at the Queen Mother's feet.
Oh Fu Jinzhan smiled and looked at Guo Shao's face with interest.
Guo Shao whispered: I just want to see Jinzhan happy, like to see you smile. His voice gradually became deeper, as if he was confessing, I also wondered what a woman like Jinzhan wanted, a noble status and a good environment, to feel safe and not to be frightened, and to have someone who pampered you from the bottom of his heart. The greatest pleasure I get from everything I do is to see Jinzhan smile so charmingly.
Fu Jinzhan listened attentively. Although she remained dignified, her face became increasingly red, her eyes flickered, and her chest rose and fell slightly. She wore a loose dress, but in the midsummer season, clothes were very thin. The soft material hung down from her high chest, trembling slightly with her breathing. The too-soft skirt also stuck to her legs, and her tightly pressed legs could not hide the outline of her legs. When she sat, it was as if she was wearing pants.
General Guo, come here. I have something to tell you. Fu Jinzhan spoke in a gentle voice and very naturally, as if she was trying hard to maintain her current proper demeanor.
Guo Shao took a few steps forward and leaned over to listen.
Fu Jinzhan bowed slightly and said in a suppressed voice: I want you now, right now.
Just after noon, Guo Shao walked out of the imperial city and got on a carriage. He felt very tired. Last night's unbridled indulgence at home was not as good as the short hour this morning.
Brother, it’s only noon, where are we going? Luo Mengzi said.
Guo Shao didn't want to think about what to do. He was addicted to the current relaxation. He had just returned to Tokyo, so he didn't need to worry about the business. Even the ordinary soldiers were resting. However, Luo Mengzi's voice reminded Guo Shao that it was Luo Mengzi who led the troops to escort Lu Xiaoniang from Kuizhou to Tokyo.
Maybe at some point, such as when he was sick and was taken care of by Lu Xiaoniang, Guo Shao had been moved, and he liked this young lady very much; but now when he thought of her, Guo Shao was indeed only thinking about the fact that she had traveled thousands of miles to treat Wang Pu, because Guo Shao's senses were now close to those of a saint, and it was estimated that it would be difficult for any woman to arouse his interest at this time, he was too full.
Third brother, please get on the carriage. I have something to ask you. Guo Shao said.
The carriage stopped at the side of the street. When Luo Mengzi got on the carriage, he was so fat and strong that he broke a piece of the carved wood of the door. Guo Shao didn't care and said, "Go find Lu Xiaoniang. You tell the coachman the way. Where is she now?"
Luo Mengzi said: Stay in the inn.
Guo Shao frowned and said: She cured the Great Zhou Privy Councilor, Wang Pu's life is very important. Why is she so ill-treated
Wang Pu, the old man, wanted to let Lu Xiaoniang live in his house, but she didn't want to. Luo Mengzi said, I invited her to live with Tofu Xishi in my house, but she said she was afraid it would be unclear if she lived in my house. Damn, would I, Luo, touch my eldest brother's woman
She is not my woman. Guo Shaodao reached out and touched his body, and asked, "Do you have any money, Third Brother?"
Luo Mengzi took out a dozen copper coins. Guo Shao was unhappy and said: "That's all. I gave you a lot of money."
Luo Mengzi said helplessly: Tofu Xishi took all the money. She said she was afraid that I would go to a brothel to visit prostitutes.
I surrender to you. Guo Shao shook his head.
The carriage traveled for a long time and stopped at an inn. Guo Shao followed Luo Mengzi in and recognized at a glance that the two men wandering in the corridor were his personal soldiers. He could not help but praise: "Third brother, you are becoming more and more reliable. By the way, when you want to spend money, come to me."
When Lu Lan opened the door, she saw a group of armored warriors standing at the door, but she was not afraid because she could see Guo Shao through the crack in the door. However, Lu Lan was petite, so she had to raise her head to see Guo Shao's face when standing in front of him, which made her feel a little stressed.
Come in and talk, don't close the door, she said.
In fact, she went to the roadside to see Guo Shao when the imperial guards returned to Beijing yesterday, and thought he would come to see her that day, but she didn't want to say anything. She saw that he looked very tired, and he was probably very busy after returning to Beijing.
Guo Shao clasped his fists and said: I have to thank Madam Lu for her help. Even the imperial physician couldn't cure Envoy Wang's illness. I admire you.
This was a not very high-end inn. The paint on the chairs had faded, and there was dirt in the wood cracks. However, Lu Lan had never stayed in any expensive places, and the inns in Tokyo were relatively quiet, so she thought they were not bad.
General Guo, please take a seat. Lu Lan poured him some tea. There was a crack on the teacup, but it didn't affect the filling. She thought this was polite enough, and she usually treated people like this.
But when Guo Shao came, Lu Lan felt more at ease. She had been living alone in a foreign country where she was unfamiliar with the place and felt uneasy. She didn't want to stay here anymore.
She also sat down on the chair next to the coffee table. General Guo, you don’t have to thank me. Did Third Aunt find that person
Guo Shao hurriedly said: "I found him. His name is Li Liangyou. He is now Wang Zhaoyuan's son-in-law. Li Liangyou and your third aunt reunited and made Wang Zhaoyuan's daughter a concubine. Now the family is reunited in Chengdu Prefecture."
Hearing this, Lu Lan said softly: I don't think that Li Liangyou is reliable, but Third Aunt is determined to find him, so it's good that she can finally untie her knot.
But for a moment, Lu Lan immediately thought: Where should I go? My father has passed away, and I am closest to my third aunt in the Bai family. I can't go to live with my third aunt at Li Liangyou's house. I have to go back to Wushan. After all, the Bai family is my uncle's relatives.
She glanced at Guo Shao, feeling inexplicably angry, and said: I have done my business. I have no relatives or friends in Tokyo, so please send someone to send me back.
Guo Shao pondered for a moment, picked up the teacup and took a sip. This silence gradually became a little awkward.
After a while, Guo Shao spoke carefully: "When I was in Zhuozhou, the Lu family entertained me, and I am also an old acquaintance of Dr. Lu. Madam Lu has no place to stay in Tokyo now, and it is reasonable for me to entertain you. Why don't you stay at my house for a while first, as a courtesy."
Lu Lan said softly: "What kind of talk is that? My third aunt went to Chengdu Prefecture before. She had no place to stay and stayed in someone else's house for a few days. People accused her of cheating on her. Rumors are scary."
My house is not small, there are many rooms and many people living in it. Guo Shaodao, there is a place for guests to stay. You and Jingniang are together, both women, what is there to gossip about
Lu Lan said: "You and I have no relationship in the slightest." She said stubbornly, "I don't want to be someone else's concubine. General Guo should be clear about gratitude and grudges and cannot force me."
Guo Shaodao: I want to force you, but I have to go through so much trouble
Lu Lan was speechless when he heard this.
Guo Shao leaned forward and whispered: Madam Lu has no relatives or friends in Tokyo, and no one knows you. Are you afraid of gossip
Lu Lan was immediately interested, lowered her head and whispered: "Then it would be okay to stay at General Guo's house for a few days."
Guo Shao then stood up and said: Let’s go.
Lu Lan said: Please wait for me, I will pack my things.
Guo Shao went out and waited. After a long time, Lu Lan packed a big bag and took it out. Inside it were books, clothes, daily necessities, etc. Guo Shao grabbed it without hesitation and carried it away. He said something to the warrior next to him, and the warrior turned around and left first.
After they went out, he invited Lu Lan to get on the carriage. Lu Lan hesitated for a moment, then bent down and got on. Suddenly, time seemed to have flowed back to Zhuozhou. The man on the roadside had also invited him to get on the carriage. Everything seemed familiar.
Guo Shao sat opposite, Lu Lan lowered her head and said nothing, looking a little reserved. Her mind was blank, not knowing what to do in the future.
The two of them were silent along the way. Guo Shao made some idle remarks from time to time, but Lu Lan ignored them. The noise outside gradually became noisier. She gently lifted the curtain and took a look. She saw that the streets were full of people and cars. They had already arrived at the most prosperous downtown.
The carriage stopped, and Guo Shao got off first. He didn't touch Lu Lan at all, very politely. This made Lu Lan feel relieved, so she got off as well. Looking around, she saw a shop in front of her, with a plaque on it that read: Shen Chen Li Weaving Factory.
General Guo brought me here, Lu Lan asked puzzledly.
Guo Shao took a look at the linen dress and wooden hairpin she was wearing and said: I didn't bring any money today, so I asked a sister to change your clothes for you as a payment for your medical visit.
Lu Lan said: The Wang family gave the money.
Asking you to walk more than a thousand miles is not enough. Guo Shao walked in first without giving any explanation.
Lu Lan didn't know the way here, so she had to follow him.