Chapter 131: Don’t Be Too Strict with Gender Requirements
Wei Wanlan tilted his head, his gesture even more exaggerated.
When he made that small-animal-like movement again, Tang Tuan ate a preserved cherry to occupy the hand he wanted to use to pet the dragon’s head.
“Little Young Master, look over there.”
Guided by Tang Tuan, Wei Wanlan looked toward the most secluded corner of the lobby seats. There, he saw a rough-looking, burly man dressed in the clothes of a Great Wei commoner, drinking tea while listening to the story.
The man had very brown skin and flushed cheeks. He drank absentmindedly, his gaze fixed intently on the stage like a torch, his ears pricked up.
Wei Wanlan mouthed the words: “Turkic envoy?”
Tang Tuan nodded.
An Ruyi immediately showed a look of panic, wanting to shield the Little Emperor.
Fortunately, General Tang quickly explained with gestures, extending one thick-jointed finger: “Just one.”
Wei Wanlan: “One?”
“Yes.” While that Turk was engrossed in the old storyteller’s tale about the “Heaven and Earth Dragnet Extermination Array,” Tang Tuan briefly explained to Wei Wanlan. He dipped his finger in tea and wrote on the table, though his handwriting looked like a turtle crawling…
“Eighteen Turkic envoys are scattered in various places.”
“Taking the opportunity to inquire about Great Wei’s national and military situation.”
“The Boss had them monitored early on. This storytelling session is something the Boss intentionally arranged for this envoy to hear through the storyteller’s mouth.”
On stage, the storyteller’s narration became even more intense:
“Ladies and Gentlemen, do you know why the ‘Heaven and Earth Dragnet Extermination Array’ is so formidable?”
The storyteller continued, “In this array, every four soldiers form a unit. Among the four, one is solely responsible for driving the horses, while three dismount to fight on foot, wielding half-zhang-long horse-chopping sabers, fiercely slashing at enemy soldiers and horses alike!”
“Then, when the enemy falls, the three each mount a warhorse, and the four soldiers continue to attack the next target.”
“Their tacit cooperation and the design of the horse-chopping sabers all represent the pinnacle of my Great Wei’s military wisdom!”
“When the time comes, wherever this array goes, our army will surely sweep through like splitting bamboo. Eliminating the border threat is just around the corner…”
The old storyteller spoke ceaselessly, spittle flying.
The audience below listened with radiant faces and high spirits.
That Turkic envoy seemed to take a deep breath. His thick, hairy eyebrows almost joined into a single line, twisted completely together.
Wei Wanlan also wrote on the table:
“Is this real?”
“Half true, half false. The Boss is tricking him.”
Tang Tuan continued to write: “If the Turks know Chang’an possesses such a killing array, they will definitely stay longer to investigate the details of this formation further…”
—This way, although the Regent didn’t say it explicitly, he achieved the goal of keeping Ashina Shali and his mission here.
—He is buying time for Antang.
Admiration for the Regent surfaced in Wei Wanlan’s heart.
The Regent is indeed the Regent; so amazing. Actually, what Zhen thought of at the time was to actively invite Ashina Shali and the others to participate in some flashy palace activities.
“But will these people definitely believe it?” Wei Wanlan was still somewhat worried. He wrote, “Even if those small fries are deceived, will Ashina Shali be deceived?”
During his first encounter with the Turkic Khan in Linde Hall, he had felt extremely uncomfortable with that man.
He couldn’t pinpoint the exact reason.
But he inexplicably felt that this person wasn’t as heroic as he appeared on the outside. In essence, he seemed to be an ambitious, sinister, and unbridled character.
He seems completely opposite to the Regent…
Although the Regent looks fierce, the Regent is very good, whether to Zhen, his subordinates, or the common people.
Thinking of this, his mind wandered a bit.
Tang Tuan wrote: “The Boss has arrangements for each of these envoys. A rumor has been spread throughout the city that Great Wei’s latest equipment will be unveiled successively during the Summer Martial Exams.”
Hearing this news, Ashina Shali would definitely try every means to delay and stay in Great Wei as long as possible, right?
Wei Wanlan rested his chin in his hand, just about to ask softly: But Zhen didn’t hear of this rumor before coming to Drunken Immortal Tower…
He didn’t ask this question aloud. He thought, Since it’s a rumor, it surely can’t be known by the whole city. It has to be inside information obtained with a little effort to be more convincing.
This must also be the Regent’s strategy.
Wei Wanlan’s gaze inadvertently glanced at that Turkic envoy again, seeing him listening to the storyteller even more earnestly, looking as if he wished he could pull out a pen to take notes.
Wei Wanlan was secretly amused. Hehe, do you know you are working hard to obtain fake intelligence?
“Then, where is the Regent?” Wei Wanlan asked in a very small voice.
Originally, he had left the palace to check on Su Jingzhi’s situation.
As for the plan against the Turkic envoys, that could be secondary. He had the confidence that Su Jingzhi could implement all plans well without him following up.
Just as Tang Tuan was about to report.
Outside Drunken Immortal Tower, the orderly footsteps of the Jinwu Guard suddenly rang out, accompanied by the crashing sound of heavy armor on the march… As soon as these sounds arose.
Wei Wanlan raised an eyebrow, thinking something had happened in the West Market. Otherwise, why mobilize the Jinwu Guard for no reason?
Wei Wanlan’s table was by the window, so he didn’t need to move. An Ruyi opened the window—
He saw the noisy West Market instantly fall into silence.
There were still as many pedestrians, but they all shut their mouths in unison. On both sides of the road outside Drunken Immortal Tower, pedestrians bowed silently, no one daring to look directly at the center of the road.
Because what was coming was the Regent’s full ceremonial procession.
“The Prince’s carriage travels; pedestrians clear the way.”
“The Regent invites the Turkic Khan to tour Chang’an; commoners avoid the path—”
Outside Drunken Immortal Tower, a carriage so spacious it occupied half the street drove slowly past.
The carriage curtains were drawn open.
The people inside could be seen clearly at a glance.
It was the Regent and the Turkic Khan!
Regent Su Jingzhi wore luxurious attire, the python-patterned embroidery leaping vividly on his black robes. The formal dress reflected a layer of brilliant halo under the setting sun, dazzling Wei Wanlan who watched from Drunken Immortal Tower, causing his heart to flutter…
He suddenly discovered that Su Jingzhi could look this good.
It wasn’t just the clothes that were beautiful, but the person wearing them complementing the attire, presenting a kind of noble, ascetic beauty.
The embroidery on his cross-collared long robe extended to his neck, his expression majestic and composed.
His side profile was like a statue of a god, with a high nose bridge and lips lightly pursed.
His hands were folded in front of him, his skin warm and lustrous, his knuckles distinct and strong, every vein exuding power.
Wei Wanlan sat in a daze inside Drunken Immortal Tower.
While he was lost in thought, the faint discussions of the guests in the tower drifted into his ears:
“That is the Regent, right? Is that Ashina Shali beside him?”
“This Turkic Khan coming to Chang’an definitely has bad intentions. That’s why the Regent invited him out, taking him everywhere he goes. Haha, surrounded by so many Jinwu Guards under the public eye, the Khan can only be an exhibit; he can’t stir up any trouble!”
Saying this, several commoners behind them who were also looking out the window all chuckled in low voices.
Wei Wanlan spared a stingy glance for Ashina Shali and sure enough, saw that although the Khan was riding in a carriage, it looked as if he were in prison.
Wei Wanlan could tell he didn’t dare make any rash moves. Imagining himself as Ashina Shali feeling the intense pressure from Su Jingzhi, Wei Wanlan only found it funny.
Tang Tuan whispered, “The Boss said he knew Ashina Shali wouldn’t be able to swallow his pride to refuse the invitation. The evil wolf is hard to fool, but if you separate the evil wolf from the wolf cubs, those cubs are easy to trick.”
Indeed, while everyone was looking out the window, that Turkic envoy was still inside the tower recalling the “Heaven and Earth Dragnet Extermination Array.”
Even though Wei Wanlan wasn’t well-versed in political tactics, he seemed to understand. This is the Regent limiting Ashina Shali’s sources of information.
The Turkic Khan can only get intelligence from his envoys, but this way, he definitely won’t be able to make accurate judgments.
Wei Wanlan somehow felt a sense of satisfaction:
When the Regent teases me, he is very bad QAQ.
But seeing him play the enemy in circles is very fun.
In short, the Regent is so amazing, hehehe!
“Such a handsome man, with power second only to one person. The Regent is nearing thirty and hasn’t married yet. I wonder which family’s girl can catch the Prince’s eye…”
Can we not be so strict with the gender requirements???
“Haha, actually marrying the Regent might not be a good thing. Those hands should only hold swords. Usually, if he isn’t at court, he’s out on campaigns. Where would he have time to care for someone at home?”
“Being his Princess Consort would be hard work.”
No.
He just boiled bathwater for Zhen this morning…
That pair of hands you say hold swords also held a brand new pair of trousers. He can also carry a tub, carrying such a huge bathtub walking back and forth in Zichen Hall.
So shameful, so shameful QAQ.
Should Zhen feel like I won a lottery? What if I want to snicker? My face is so hot.
Dragon paws covering face!
After Su Jingzhi’s procession passed, the wall of people inside and outside Drunken Immortal Tower that had automatically separated into two lines naturally closed up again. Pedestrians bustled once more, and only then did the sounds of conversation involuntarily grow from mosquito-like whispers to loud chatter.
The West Market resumed the noisy bustle of mortal life.
Inside the tower, the storyteller was replaced by a middle-aged man telling a romantic storybook tale that had nothing to do with the nation or the world.
Drunken Immortal Tower didn’t always talk about major court affairs. After all, as an entertainment venue, it had to cater to popular tastes.
Such romantic tales inevitably carried a bit of color.
The storyteller gestured while speaking, using props. Although the storyteller didn’t have good looks, the affection in his eyes and expressions lost nothing to a sixteen-year-old maiden.
The folding fan opened and closed; the handkerchief mimicked wiping sweat.
The audience loved it, each laughing knowingly, rocking back and forth.
“…”
Wei Wanlan was no longer the child who understood nothing back then.
But just understanding half of it was enough to make his face burn extremely hot, sitting there restless and at a loss.
Wei Wanlan’s thoughts were pulled back to that spring dream in the lake.
His deer eyes blinked.
Seeing this situation, An Ruyi immediately planned to advise Wei Wanlan to leave.
Tang Tuan couldn’t listen anymore either. If the Boss found out that he took the Little Emperor to listen to yellow books in the Boss’s absence, the Boss would beat him—and a beating would be getting off light.
“Little Young Master, shall we go?” Tang Tuan suggested.
Naturally, Wei Wanlan hurriedly took this way out.
But just as Wei Wanlan stood up to leave, a waiter walked toward their table, carrying a tray with two plates of dried fruits.
Tang Tuan moved to block him. “We didn’t order dried fruits here.”
The waiter hurriedly apologized with a smile, explaining to Tang Tuan, “Oh, sorry, truly sorry, sent to the wrong table, sent wrong. Too many customers, so mistakes happen. This small one apologizes to you…”
While Tang Tuan was talking to the waiter.
Wei Wanlan stood up. He noticed a person, and then he froze fiercely as if nailed to the floor.
!!!
G-g-g-g-ghost QAQ!
How could it be him???
And that person, holding a sword in his arms, was also looking at Wei Wanlan, seeming to have deliberately arranged this misunderstanding just to make eye contact with him.
That person was none other than the assassin who had been pierced to death by Su Jingzhi’s random arrows when he first transmigrated!
It was the martial arts expert the original Little Emperor had secretly colluded with to kill the Regent.
Pikong Jian (Split-Air Sword).
He actually came back to life…
Im. Poss. I. Ble. Right?
Pikong Jian mouthed an order: “Sit down. Send away those two dogs beside you.”
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