Chang An's main road was long and narrow, the Seven Fragrant Carriages of Green Cows and White Horses.
The jade carriage passed through the main road, the golden whip headed for the Hou family.
In the early morning of late autumn, the first ray of light passed through the tall Illustrious Virtue Gate outside Chang An and shone on the wide and square tiles of Vermillion Bird Avenue, reflecting a layer of white frost.
The horse's hooves slowly passed through the thin fog, gradually coming closer, reflecting the tall figure of the man on the horse.
He was about twenty years old, his skin was slightly dark, his features sharp and his eyes were sharp and bright.
Nowadays, there were very few Han men with such a straight nose, and his lips were always slightly pursed. Although his side profile was handsome, there was a sense of coldness and sternness that repelled people a thousand miles away.
The early morning of late autumn in the north was cold. He was only wearing a rough monk's robe, as if he didn't feel the chill at all.
Under the thin black robe, his shoulders, arms, and back were strong. As the horse jolted, the lines of his muscles slightly bulged.
A long sword was tightly wrapped in a grayish-white cloth and tied diagonally to his back.
Even though the cloth had already cracked and faded due to the long journey, making it look shabby and inconspicuous, anyone with a discerning eye could see the faint sword aura around the long sword. It was like a fluorescent light in the dark night, emitting a cold aura.
The horse's hooves suddenly stopped, and the man raised his head.
The vermillion door, glazed eaves, and the large golden words on the plaque could be clearly seen through the fog.
Xie Manor.
The man flipped off the horse and stood at the bottom of the stairs for a moment, his back was like a black rock, strong and silent.
Only when Wu Yun Ta Xue couldn't help but snort and nudge his shoulder with his mouth did the man let out a long sigh and step forward to knock on the door.
After a while, the side door creaked and the gatekeeper poked his head out, respectfully clasping his hands, "This gentleman is …"
"This one requests to see the owner of this place, please report."
The gatekeeper looked the man up and down and saw that he looked tough despite his shabby appearance. He didn't say anything and only asked with a smile, "May I ask for your name, and do you have an invitation?"
The man hesitated for a moment.
Then he slowly took off the long sword on his back and handed it to the gatekeeper, saying in a low voice, "This is my invitation …"
After a pause, he said again, "This one's surname is Shan, Shan Chao."
The gatekeeper was full of doubts, but he didn't show it. He bowed and turned away.
A moment later, the side door opened again. This time, it was a maid in her twenties wearing a crimson dress.
Shan Chao was slightly surprised. The maid calmly said, "Langjun, please follow me."
This was the second time Shan Chao stepped into the Xie residence.
Ironically, in Chang An, this was one of the most popular places in the city of Chang An. Every day there were countless visitors, carriages and horses gathered. Even those with slightly lower official rank wanted to peek at the Xie Mansion but were not allowed to enter. Shan Chao, a commoner, had entered twice through the vermillion main entrance.
At this time, it was still too early, the air in the garden was cold and fresh, the moss on the path was wet and slippery, the bamboo on both sides of the corridor was green, and the green jade basin under the corridor was full of all kinds of chrysanthemums.
The maid's figure was extremely beautiful, but she just silently led the way in front. After passing through a curtain of hanging flowers and a moon gate, the sound of warm water finally came from the distance amidst the pitter-patter of birds.
Shan Chao looked around and found that they were unexpectedly in the inner courtyard of the Xie residence.
The maidservant suddenly stopped in her tracks and bowed.
"Commander, Shan Lang has been brought."
Shan Chao was stunned.
He saw that in the garden in front of him, there was a hot spring made of white jade. At this moment, steam was rising in spirals, and Xie Yun was sitting in it with her back facing him.
"En," Xie Yun said casually, her voice was lazy and hoarse. "Bring the tea."
The maid left without a word. Shan Chao stood stiffly in place.
From his angle, he could only see Xie Yun leaning against the edge of the hot spring. Her long hair was casually tied up and hanging outside. Above the water, only a thin and strong shoulder was exposed.
The morning light was dim. Shan Chao could not see whether the skin on the back of her shoulder or the white jade of the hot spring was clearer. He hurriedly looked away.
"What are you doing here?" Xie Yun asked lazily.
"… …" Shan Chao's Adam's apple moved up and down. After a while, he said in a hoarse voice.
"I thought that since the world is so big and I can go wherever I want, then I can also come to the Xie residence in Chang An, so … …"
Xie Yun interrupted him. "You can also go back to the Mo Bei."
Shan Chao's mind was a little confused. He did not know what to do, and even the root of his tongue felt slightly numb.
This feeling was really strange.
He unobtrusively bit the tip of his tongue. As the smell of rust filled the air, the sharp pain finally woke him up.
"I went all the way north from Jiangnan. I did not need any documents to enter and exit the city. Along the way, there were always people waiting for me. When I stayed at night, there were even people feeding the horses.
In the wilderness, sometimes I would go the wrong way. I could even see the horse hooves and road signs left by the Imperial Guards. The red rope was tied to a tree and pointed to the official road. If I followed it, I would be able to reach the city of Waiguo in Chang An … … "
Shan Chao paused and said in a low voice, "So I think, there must be someone who wants me to come to the capital."
Xie Yun finally laughed. She turned her head and looked at Shan Chao mockingly. In the steam, his skin was almost transparent. However, because of the small drops of water hanging on his eyelashes, they looked especially dark.
"You think too much.
Even if you go to the Yangtze River to drown yourself or go to the Mo Bei to hang yourself, no one will stop you. "
The maid in the crimson dress just now led a few maids over with tea, snacks, a golden plate, a towel, and other things.
It was impossible to recognize the name of the snacks. They were placed on a plate of three in a white porcelain bowl. They were as delicate as flower petals. At first glance, one would not be able to tell that they were food.
The tea was emerald green, refreshing, and sweet. Dan Chao felt his mouth and tongue dry, and only after drinking two or three bowls did he stop. When he looked up, he saw that Xie Yun had already come out of the bath, and was putting on a large and soft white robe, and casually throwing a bath towel to the maid.
"What did you think of the journey?" Xie Yun asked.
Shan Chao looked away from Xie Yun's back and stared at the fresh green leaves under the tea bowl. "… … I thought of a lot, but I only thought of one thing."
"Oh?"
"That day at the Ci 'en Temple … …"
The head maid on the side waved her hand and dismissed the maids.
"… … The ancestral snow lotus in Liu Ge's residence was not a lie. It really did exist, but it was stolen.
The next day, three people drank the poisonous sour fruit soup. You and the Crown Prince were poisoned. I was the only one who was fine. It was not because I drank the least. "
Shan Chao slowly said, "… … It was because I ate the snow lotus in Liu Ge's residence."
There was a bed in the pavilion beside the hot spring. The maid laid a white fox fur as a cushion. Xie Yun did not even look at Shan Chao. "Oh, where did you eat it?"
"Last night at Zhong Zheng Street, you gave me a bowl of hot tea. The snow lotus must have been dissolved in the water.
As for the top courtesan of Golden Swallow House, it was you … … "
"People who think too much will not live long." Xie Yun interrupted him. "If you have time to think about the top courtesan, why don't you think about something more useful?"
She was simply twisting words and forcing logic. She did not want to hear Shan Chao's next question.
Shan Chao's mouth twitched slightly and said, "Yes, I was not thinking about the top courtesan. I was thinking about you."
"… … What about me?"
This time, it was Xie Yun's turn to be surprised.
Shan Chao narrowed his eyes and raised the jade cup in his hand.
"I was thinking, master, you have enjoyed a peaceful life. You must have suffered a lot when you stayed in the North of the Gobi Desert for several years, right?"
Xie Yun laughed and then pointed at Shan Chao.
That action was very playful, as if it was a little unwilling and helpless, and also a little reprimanding. Dan Chao suddenly felt a subtle sense of exaltation.
However, before he could finish his sentence, Xie Yun suddenly took off her belt and waved it.
The soft ribbon whistled through the air like a spirit snake. Dan Chao didn't have time to react before it wrapped around his throat with lightning speed and fiercely pulled him back!
— — Bang!
The hot spring water splashed everywhere. Shan Chao did not even have time to make a sound before he fell head first into the water.
"Gurgle gurgle …" Shan Chao struggled out of the water and spat out a mouthful of saliva. He glared angrily at Xie Yun.
Xie Yun crossed her arms and stood by the white jade pool. She looked down at him with a mocking gaze. "No need to thank me, disciple.
This water was drawn directly from the Huaqing Pool in the palace through a pipe. It is said that it can prolong life and cure all kinds of diseases. You should soak in it for a while. "
"… …" Shan Chao said angrily, "I am not sick … …"
"But you are dirty," Xie Yun said.
Shan Chao, who had rushed all the way from Jiangnan to the capital and had never asked for a room or a bath in an inn, was suddenly speechless.
Xie Yun turned and left.
"Wait!" Shan Chao suddenly said, "What did you just say?
You called me disciple. "
Xie Yun said, "If you kneel down and call me grandfather, I can still call you grandson. Do you want to try?"
Shan Chao was immediately speechless. Xie Yun did not even look back as she floated away.
The maid had already laid out a soft bed in the small pavilion. She lit incense and personally laid out a few plates of desserts.
Xie Yun lay comfortably on his stomach on the white fox fur. The maid began to massage and massage the back of his neck and shoulders. Her technique was exceptionally skilled as she followed the meridians all the way down. It was obvious that she had been specially trained.
Shan Chao soaked in the hot spring water and watched quietly. He heard the maid say softly, "Commander's meridians are congealed and have many blockages. It seems to be very damaged. It would be best if he did not use force in the near future."
Xie Yun made an "oh" sound. After a moment, he said, "Focus."
The maid increased the strength of her hands. After about half a cup of tea's time, he heard Xie Yun mutter, "Focus more."
The early morning breeze blew through the pavilion. The veil in the pavilion fluttered, and a warm fragrance wafted through the air.
The maid noticed that Xie Yun's breathing was gradually stabilizing. She stood up and quietly left.
"… …"
Shan Chao soaked in the hot spring. He looked at the luxurious and lush garden in front of him, the exquisite and elegant pavilion, and Xie Yun sleeping peacefully on the soft bed made of fox fur not far away. He suddenly felt that everything was absurd and unreal.
He had imagined that there would be several possibilities when he came to the Xie Estate. The worst was that he would be directly locked up. The best was that he would just force his way in, ask a few questions, and then be chased out by Xie Yun to sleep on the streets.
No matter what, it would not be like this. He would stay in the hot spring in the inner courtyard of the Xie Estate and watch as the Commander of the Imperial Army casually fell asleep just a few steps away.
Shan Chao stood up and walked to the side of the pool. He did his best to not make any sound as he stepped over the jade wall. He casually threw his monk's robe on the ground.
The golden tray that the young maid had brought over earlier still had a bath towel, robe, and other things on. They seemed to be clean. Shan Chao hastily wiped himself a few times and put on his clothes. He suddenly felt that all the meridians and acupuncture points in his body had relaxed. There was an indescribable feeling of comfort.
He walked to the pavilion. Xie Yun did not move. She was breathing deeply on the bed.
Shan Chao did not doubt that if an assassin suddenly jumped out of the garden to take Xie Yun's life, before the guards could arrive, the assassin's head would be twisted off by Xie Yun and thrown to the ground.
However, at least at this moment, the Commander of the Imperial Army's sleeping appearance was very peaceful. There was even a slight hint of fatigue that was difficult to detect.
Shan Chao did not know what he was thinking. He did not even realize what he was doing.
By the time he reacted, he had already walked forward and stood beside the bed. He reached out and pressed the meridians on the back of Xie Yun's shoulder and began to massage them.
Shan Chao had never learned how to massage. However, martial arts practitioners had great strength in their hands. His internal energy seeped into the meridians under the skin through the palm of his hand. It produced a slightly warm feeling. The congealed and damaged meridians also slowly relaxed as the internal energy poured into them.
Xie Yun let out a low murmur.
The Commander of the Imperial Army's physique was not strong. Or rather, it was only now that Shan Chao suddenly realized that he was thinner than the average person. The lines of his muscles were not bulging at all. They were thin and clung to his bones. Because he was thin, there was a slender and elegant feeling to it.
Shan Chao slowly pressed down along the spine to the side of the waist. He stopped at the deepest part of the waistline.
"Oh …" Xie Yun stretched lazily and said hoarsely, "You served me well."
He got off the bed. Shan Chao also retreated to the side. He did not know why he was in such a hurry that he almost knocked over the white porcelain flower sachet in the corner of the pavilion.
"What's wrong?"
"… It's nothing." Shan Chao took a deep breath and said coldly, "A disciple should serve his master. It's his duty."
Xie Yun sneered at him, "Even if one day you ascend the throne and become an emperor, it's your duty to serve me."
Shan Chao did not know what to say. Fortunately, Xie Yun did not continue on such a rebellious topic.
He straightened his clothes and walked out of the pavilion without looking back. He waved his hand and called for a maid. He ordered, "Call for a carriage and prepare something for the monk."
The maid obeyed and left. Shan Chao was stunned, "What … are you going to do?"
"Come with me to the palace to present the medicine." Xie Yun replied bluntly. She cast a mocking gaze from outside the pavilion.
"The Crown Prince has been waiting for Xuelian for so long that his oil has run out like a lamp that has run out of oil. As for you, I don't know whether you've been visiting a brothel on the way or giving birth to a child. You've only come to Chang 'an today.