“Great. I never imagined I could own such a big tavern, cook such delicious food, and earn so much money. Sometimes I feel like it’s all a dream,” Xiao Si said after a moment’s hesitation.
"Really? That's good. If you have any other thoughts, you can tell me."
Lu Xuan's words sounded somewhat strange. But the old man sensed something else in them. He had also noticed that Xiao Si had become less talkative since arriving in Chang'an. Although he was still as clever as ever, he had become rather quiet.
"You little brat, the boss only speaks to you like that because he considers you family. Just say what you have to say, don't keep it bottled up inside and make everyone uncomfortable."
"I...I..." Xiao Si stammered for a long time, but still couldn't get the words out. At this moment, Lu Xuan spoke up.
"Are you saying that you can eat your fill now, eat well, don't have to kill people anymore, and even have money, but you still feel like something is missing?"
Xiao Si suddenly looked up and nodded firmly.
"You little brat, I'll beat you to death! You're still not satisfied with such a good life? Have you forgotten how we had to sleep with one eye open every night back in Daying? What more do you want?"
"No need to make it sound so serious, old man. When people are full, they always start thinking about other things. That's called spiritual needs. Little Si has gotten everything he wanted in his dream, so naturally he wants something more sophisticated. Tell me, Little Si, what do you want?"
“I want to follow you, Master. Back in the Great Horse Camp, I could always follow you. No matter what we did, it was the same. But now that we’re in Chang’an, I can’t follow you anymore. I know you’re doing other things, and I want to be with you.” Xiao Si blurted out, and the old man beside him let out a long sigh.
He had genuinely cared for Xiao Si; it was even his suggestion to become the tavern owner. He truly didn't want the boy to get involved in any more dangerous things. He always felt that the boy had used up all his luck by surviving his childhood in Da Ma Ying. He hoped that once he arrived in Chang'an, he could live a peaceful and stable life. He had already arranged a marriage for Xiao Si, wanting the boy to settle down and start a family. But now it seemed that everything he had done was in vain.
"Little Si, do you still remember what we went through to leave Damaying and live a better life in Chang'an?"
“I remember. I remember every enemy on that road.”
"Then let me tell you, what I'm about to do is a hundred times more dangerous than anything we've been through before. Do you still want to come with me?"
“Of course I will. My life belongs to my master. If my master is in danger, he must step over me first. I don’t know what my master wants to do. But I will always stand in front of my master.”
Lu Xuan listened to Xiao Si's words in silence for a long time. He realized he was changing. As a modern person, he shouldn't theoretically be able to adapt to what Xiao Si had just said. But now he found himself able to listen to Xiao Si calmly. Some of his standards were beginning to succumb to the times.
After a long while, Lu Xuan spoke again.
"Cui Qi's appointment has been approved. After the New Year, he will command an army under the Crown Prince's Guard called the Lüben Camp. At that time, you will join his army. Also, since you are going to join the army, you can no longer be called Xiao Si. If you are willing, you can take my surname, and I will give you a name, Lu Peng. Since you want to fly, then fly high!"
"Thank you, Master..." Xiao Si knelt down solemnly and kowtowed deeply.
The New Year's Eve dinner was over. Xiao Si and the old man cleared the table. Only Lu Xuan was left alone, and he went to the courtyard. Lu Xuan looked up at the sky; it was past 11 PM. It seemed he wouldn't be able to wait for that return gift tonight.
Romantic encounters under the moon and flowers lose their meaning if forced. Lu Xuan didn't feel particularly disappointed; he simply turned to leave. Just then, he heard two soft footsteps at the door. A smile appeared on his lips, and Lu Xuan spoke softly to the doorway.
"The door is open, please come in."
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Chapter Fifty-Five Pingkang Ward
In her room, Xu Hezi tossed and turned, unable to sleep. The scene from that night kept replaying in her mind: her solo dance under the starry sky, and the poem Lu Xuan had casually recited.
"Clouds yearn for her clothes, flowers yearn for her face..." she murmured the poem softly, but then felt a pang of regret.
"Ahhhhh... I can't remember the rest..." She threw a tantrum in embarrassment and annoyance, then quickly regained her aloof and dignified demeanor because Wu'er had entered.
"You brat, you didn't even knock."
"Ah...no, miss. I just heard..."
"Shut up, you didn't hear anything." Xu Hezi's face turned red, wishing she could cover the brat's mouth.
"...Hmm, I didn't hear anything." Wu'er smiled mischievously and turned to run out.
"Stop." At this moment, Xu Hezi called out to her again.
"You need to do me a favor..."
Following Lunar New Year's Eve is the Lantern Festival, also known as the Yuanxiao Festival. If Lunar New Year's Eve is a time for family reunions, then the Lantern Festival is a true nationwide celebration.
At that time, there will be a large parade of floats in Chang'an. The most popular floats, chosen by the people, will have the opportunity to perform in the imperial city and may even be received by the emperor.
Xu Hezi had been really looking forward to this year's parade, but after New Year's Eve, her mind was involuntarily occupied by some 'random' things.
Starlight, smiles, poetry, and those warm hands...
In Lu Xuan's study, he was smiling as he looked at Wu'er.
"So, your young lady wants that poem from New Year's Eve?"
"Yes. Anyway, you were reciting it for Miss anyway. So give it to Wu'er." Wu'er, for some reason, was quite close to Lu Xuan. Her voice even had a coquettish tone.
"Alright, alright, I'll give it to you right now." Lu Xuan said, taking out a piece of paper and a pen.
"You can write, right?" The question was naturally posed because Lu Xuan's calligraphy was atrocious. How could he, a modern young man in his previous life, possibly know how to write calligraphy...?
"Yes, Wu'er can write. Miss taught me to read and write." Wu'er nodded emphatically.
"Okay, I'll tell you what to write."
"Clouds resemble her clothes, flowers resemble her face; the spring breeze caresses the balustrade, and the dew is heavy."
"If we don't meet atop Mount Qunyu, we'll meet beneath the moon on the Jade Terrace."
Wu'er happily ran off with Shi. Lu Xuan was left alone, chuckling softly for a moment. Then his face hardened with an unusually serious expression.
"A short while later, Zhang Xiaojing arrived." As a subordinate, his visit to Lu Xuan's house today was perfectly legitimate.
"How's the matter going?"
"Your Excellency, Prince Yong has been very careful. He has almost never been involved in any shady business dealings with the Qunfang Courtyard. On the surface, there is no trace of any connection between Prince Yong and the Qunfang Courtyard. However, most of the Qunfang Courtyard's money ends up in Prince Yong's mansion."