[R18] Will drink wine – “About Wine” Chapter 46 [English]

Chapter 45 New Knife

red tide.

Shen Zechuan’s heart was still as calm as a river, but now he was shaken by these two words.Xiao Chiye’s square handkerchief lay in his sleeve pocket, like a fire. Somehow, he obeyed Xiao Chiye’s orders by mistake, and the fire burned his ears.He knew very well that the red reflection on the white snow was particularly dazzling. Even if he refuted it, it would not be convincing.

He seemed to be trapped in some kind of predicament by Xiao Chiye. There were clear and bright mirrors everywhere. Xiao Chiye’s eyes wanted to reveal his true colors and to throw off his armor.

Shen Zechuan licked his lips to get rid of the trouble of dryness.He curled up his fingers, not giving Xiao Chiye a chance to pry anymore, and ignoring such teasing.

“It’s time to sleep,” Shen Zechuan said, “Go call someone.”

Xiao Chiye felt that Shen Zechuan’s “ignore you” response was a meaningful scratch, which made him want to pursue victory.However, don’t be impatient when trying to win. If you are impatient, you will easily fall into a trap.So he let it go this time and said: “Masters have their own arrangements, don’t worry. If you want to sleep, the east wing is already vacant.”

Shen Zechuan stood up neatly.

Ji Gang and Zuo Qianqiu were so drunk that they didn’t wake up until the next day.Shen Zechuan put Ji Gang on the carriage and took him back.

Xiao Chiye watched the carriage go away and said to Chen Yang, “Keep an eye on the movements of the Eight Families in the past two days to see who is moving around.”

Chenyang nodded and obeyed the order.

* * *

Shen Zechuan closed his eyes and meditated as the carriage rocked. The carriage went around in a circle and changed into an inconspicuous car halfway before arriving at Zhaosu Temple.

Qiao Tianya carried Ji Gang on his back and followed Shen Zechuan into the courtyard.Ge Qingqing waited for a long time, came out to see them, and hurriedly stepped forward to greet them.

“It’s okay,” Shen Zechuan said with relief, “Master is just drunk.”

Taifu Qi stood under the eaves and said, “Qingqing helps Ji Gang in so that he can have a good sleep.”

Ge Qingqing took Ji Gang and carried him into the house.

Qiao Tianya took a few steps forward, knelt down in the snow, and said, “How are you doing, Master?”

“It would be nice to see you anywhere.” Taifu Qi raised his hands and said, “Now that your name has been changed to Qiao Tianya, the contract of betrayal is no longer useful, but you are willing to stay for that little friendship. I should thank you.”

“Things in the past are just a piece of cake for Taifu, but they are a life-saving grace for me.” Qiao Tianya’s face was completely free of laughter, and he said, “Yongyi Nian Guangcheng killed corrupt officials, and my father and brother were framed. If Taifu hadn’t seen clearly and came to the rescue, twenty members of the Qiao family would have died in vain in front of the Meridian Gate.”

Taifu Qi said: “Your father and brother are both honest and loyal ministers. They were just wronged for a moment. Without me, they would be fine.”

Qiao Tianya paused for a long time and said, “The Qiao family cannot bear to be treated so kindly by the master.”

In Yongyinian, Qiao Tianya’s father was still on duty at the Ministry of War. Emperor Guangcheng was cracking down on corruption. Qiao’s father was reported and the Metropolitan Procuratorate found that the origin of the land and property under his name was unknown. When he could not argue, Qi Huilian re-examined the case and picked up Qiao’s father and several people from the Ministry of War.Because of this incident, Qi Huilian promised his daughter to the eldest son of Qiao. However, this was not the end. A few years later, the East Palace was wronged, and Qi Huilian was demoted from Tai Tu to a commoner. When he and the prince retreated to Zhaosu Temple, Qiao’s father turned against the Queen Mother.

The East Palace collapsed, and Empress Dowager Hua used Pan Rugui’s authority to criticize Hong to thoroughly investigate the remnants of the East Palace in the name of Emperor Guangcheng.As a result, Qiao’s father was imprisoned again, this time without Taifu Qi as a guarantee. Qiao’s father and his eldest son were all killed, and the rest of the Qiao family was exiled to Suotian Pass.Qi Huilian’s daughter died, and she was Qiao Tianya’s eldest sister-in-law.

“Don’t mention the past,” Qi Taifu tugged at his pale hair and said, “It’s not easy for you to break away from your lowly status. Now you have to understand that once you follow Lan Zhou, you will be bound for life. You will no longer have the final say in life or death.”

Qiao Tianya’s hair was blown by the wind, heWith an uninhibited smile, he said: “Master, I am homeless. I have received favors from you and my eldest sister-in-law again and again in this life. I have no way to repay them. It is a karmic debt. Now that I am needed, I will dedicate my life to the master. Qiao Songyue followed my eldest sister-in-law and died of illness in Cangjun. Today, Qiao Tianya is a knife. There is no life or death with a knife, and there is no freedom. Since the sky is cloudy and the road is difficult to walk, then take out this knife of mine and use it as you like.”

Grand Tutor Qi walked out slowly, held on to the pillar, looked at Shen Zechuan, and said, “Lan Zhou, this year is about to pass, and I haven’t given you the crowning ceremony yet.”

Shen Zechuan’s sleeves were blown open, and he seemed to feel something.

Taifu Qi said: “Now you are able to take charge of your own business, but the road is still long. It is not easy to kill old enemies, evacuate eight gates, overturn old cases, and settle the case. Ji Gang wants to give you a knife, and I also want to give you a knife. You accept it.”

Fine snow fell in the courtyard. Shen Zechuan lowered his head and let Taifu Qi’s cold hands fall on the top of his hair.

Ji Gang woke up at dinner time, had some porridge, and called Shen Zechuan into the house.

“Do you remember the knife I told you about last time? It was delivered last night. I’ve been thinking about it.” Ji Gang moved the cabinet in the room to reveal the knife rack at the back.

When Shen Zechuan saw the knife for the first time, he was moved and could no longer look away.

“Ji Lei can’t use it,” Ji Gang took a clean handkerchief and slowly wiped it along the edge, “but the knife is very suitable for you. I asked someone to reforge the scabbard. The old name no longer applies. You have to give it a name yourself.”

Shen Zechuan was still immersed in the luster of the knife, looking at it with fascination.

Its nearly three-foot-seven straight blade shows that the sword must be drawn quickly enough, and the width of two fingers makes the thrust very smooth.The handle of the knife is also newly made, made of sandalwood, without any carvings, only the top is covered with gold, and a white pearl is inlaid in it.

This is a good sword that has been tempered by people for many times. After being shelved in a high cabinet for so long, it still looks dazzling when exposed to the light, as if sinking in the autumn water. It is not only spotless, but also arrogant and lonely.

“Master has been thinking about something recently, and I suddenly realized it when I saw Xiao Er last night. My teachings are too rigid, which makes you somewhat constrained.” Ji Gang put down the handkerchief and said, “With this knife, it is Xiao Er’s Wolf Sword.”It can’t keep up with the speed of your sword draw.The sandalwood handle is light enough, allowing you to be more flexible.The only martial arts in the world is fast. This is my father’s favorite sword. Although we all say that the Ji family’s kung fu is more powerful, my father originated it.”he” will definitely suit you, and you can find another way.”

Shen Zechuan held the handle of the knife and lifted it up.

“Choose a name.” Ji Gang took a few steps back.

Shen Zechuan couldn’t put it down and said, “Master gave me such a knife?”

Ji Gang laughed and said, “Master wants to box and doesn’t like to use a knife. If I don’t give you this knife, it will be a waste.”

Shen Zechuan thought for a moment and said, “Change it to ‘Yangshan Snow’.”

* * *

In the evening, Taifu Qi knelt down across from him and wrote down the surnames of the eight families on paper.

“The Hundred Officials’ Banquet will be held soon. The four generals in the world will gather again, and the local officials from various states will also come back.” Qi Taifu hung up the paper and said, “The new emperor will ascend the throne, and there will be a ‘ducha’ next year. This matter is very important, and it is related to the political stability of the Xianyang Year. Everyone takes advantage of the Hundred Officials’ Banquet and the annual break to re-examine the situation of the court. If the Queen Mother wants to make a comeback, she will not miss this opportunity.”

“After Hua Siqian’s death, the Queen Mother was restrained in the palace and never showed up. All the children of the Hua family denounced her and were exiled. Now that she wants to move, she can only rely on foreign aid.” Shen Zechuan frowned, “But with Xi Gu’an’s past experience, who would be willing to conspire with the Queen Mother so easily?”

“It is difficult for timid people to achieve great things. All the conspiracy in the world is driven by interests. As long as the Queen Mother still has bargaining chips, why worry about finding a new ship?” Taifu Qi made a few strokes under the Hua family and said, “Besides, the son of the family is useless. You have forgotten that the Queen Mother has been teaching her daughter’s family.”

“Miss Hua San,” Shen Zechuan said, “Mr. Hua Xiangyi.”

“According to Emperor Xiande’s favor when he was still alive, Hua San wanted to be crowned Princess of Zhou Dynasty.” Taifu Qi said, “But she did not become Princess of Zhou Dynasty in the end. It was not because Emperor Xiande was stingy, but because the Queen Mother was not allowed.”

Shen Zechuan took a sip of tea, thought for a moment, swallowed it and said, “I understand.”

“Then tell me what the reason is.”

Shen Zechuan propped up his knees and said, “If Hua Xiangyi becomes the princess of the Zhou Dynasty, her marriage will no longer be decided by the Queen Mother. Princess marriage is a state matter, and it is the discretion of the emperor and the courtiers. But if she is just Miss Hua San, who she will marry in the future will only be decided by the Queen Mother. So, sir, the Queen Mother is going to marry her?”

“If the mountain doesn’t come, I will go to the mountain.” Qi Taifu dipped his ink, “The Queen Mother abandoned her chariot to protect the commander, lost Xi Gu’an, and lost control of the military power in the capital. But as long as Hua Xiangyi marries Xiao Chiye, this matter will be solved.”

Shen Zechuan knocked the tea cup lightly, he held the cup, lowered his eyes and said: “This is more difficult than climbing to the sky. Xiao Er will never give up his power to others.”

“I heard that Hua Xiangyi is beautiful in the country. I can’t tell if Xiao Er is attracted by the beauty.” Taifu Qi seemed to be pointing out something.

Shen Zechuan sipped his tea and said nothing.

Taifu Qi said: “But this is really difficult to handle. Even if Xiao Er is moved, Xiao Jiming will never sit idly by and ignore it. They are incompatible with the Hua family, and there is absolutely no reason to turn hostility into friendship with each other when they have the upper hand.”

Shen Zechuan thought for a while and said: “After losing military power, it is also a good choice to hold important positions in the central government. But now there are very few rising stars, and the cabinet is still dominated by Hai Liangyi. The Queen Mother cannot force Hua Xiangyi to be a concubine. In this way, there is no suitable candidate even after searching all over the country.”

“There is nothing left, you can look outside.” Taifu Qi wrote the word Qidong and said, “If you can’t leave the north, there is still a chance in Qidong.”

“Both Marshal Qi and Lu Guangbai are not married,” Shen Zechuan said, “Then it can only be Lu Guangbai. But the Lu family and the Xiao family are family friends, and the relationship cannot be provoked overnight.”

“Why didn’t you guess the Qi family?” Taifu Qi said dissatisfiedly, “The Qi family has many people except Qi Zhuyin.”

“No way…” Shen Zechuan looked surprised.

A few days later, Xiao Chiye accompanied Li Jianheng out of the city to meet the Qidong generals.Lu Guangbai came back with he, took off his helmet on the way, and said, “I heard some news along the way, do you know?”

Xiao Chiye rode forward and said, “What?”

Before Lu Guangbai could say anything, Qi Zhuyin, who was riding a horse from behind, slapped him on the back.

“Commander!” Lu Guangbai shouted in pain.

Qi Zhuyin showed a rare expression of displeasure. She leaned forward with her knife in hand and asked Xiao Chiye: “When did the rumors spread in Qudu?”

Xiao Chiye was even more puzzled.

Qi Zhuyin gritted his teeth and said, “Someone wants to be my little mother.”

Xiao Chiye was stunned and said, “Shuai Qi wants a new concubine?”

“Concubine,” Qi Zhuyin said mockingly, “it is said that he is going to marry his stepmother! Hua San is going to be my little girl. Is she as big as me?”