Poet Sage Liǔ Guōchán. If Liǔ Guōchán had written this line of poetry, then everything would make sense. "Have you met Liǔ Guōchán?"
Third Prince's Grandson Qin Gong was somewhat skeptical of Li Jiu's words. Li Jiu nodded: "This commoner dares not deceive in the slightest. Liǔ Guōchán and this commoner are from the same hometown.
He and my master were even close friends. When I began my apprenticeship back then, I lived with Liǔ Guōchán for a period." "You only remembered this one line."
Bái Qīngchuān immediately retorted: "Your master, a mere bodyguard's master, how could he possibly know Liǔ Guōchán? You're speaking nonsense without limits. What does your master do?"
Li Jiu said: "My master is an axe wielder. Liǔ Guōchán and my master are friends in the martial arts." Only then did everyone recall that Liǔ Guōchán was not only the Poet Sage but also the swordsman ranked Second Under the Heavens!
"Your master is that formidable?" Qin Hong asked doubtfully. Qin Gong, however, gritted his teeth: "Elder brother, perhaps he is telling the truth.
I can vouch for it. Li Jiu's axe skills are truly formidable." Li Jiu had once cleaved his favorite leopard with a single axe stroke.
Qin Yaoyang also knew about this incident. "Fine, alas, it's Liǔ Guōchán. It seems my Great Zhou is not destined for this fortune.
If any of you could write such a poetic line, then why worry about the Great Zhou Celebration." "Disperse!" Qin Yaoyang was clearly displeased with the outcome and abruptly announced the end of the banquet.
As he left, he glanced at Li Ning again and said: "Within seven days, finalize the personnel." "Yes, your subordinate obeys." Li Ning breathed a sigh of relief.
Bái Shānyuè stood up and looked at Li Changsheng: "Brother Li, what a fine play, but alas, it's a farce." Li Changsheng chuckled: "Your grandson cooperated well." ...
On the way back. Li Ning and Li Changsheng shared a carriage, driven by Li Jiu. "Ning'er, don't you have anything to say?"
"What does Grandfather want to hear?" "About that line of poetry, don't tell me you also know Liǔ Guōchán." Li Changsheng looked at Li Ning, his eyes full of anticipation.
Li Ning did not answer directly but instead asked: "Ning'er wants to know how Grandfather managed to relay the message to Li Jiu?" Li Changsheng cursed with a laugh: "Stinky brat, I haven't figured out your background yet, and you're trying to probe mine!" "Your grandmother mentioned before that you were somewhat different.
I didn't believe it then, but now it seems your grandmother's intuition was correct." Li Ning chuckled: "Grandfather still hasn't answered my question." Li Changsheng said calmly: "That little eunuch who delivered the message was my man."
"What?" Li Ning was shocked. Li Changsheng had placed his own people in the Imperial Palace!
"There's nothing to be surprised about. It's normal for a family to have trusted confidants to endure. Do you think only I have planted people by His Majesty's side?"
"Or do you think His Majesty hasn't planted people by my side?" Li Ning nodded. Old ginger is indeed spicier.
"How can Grandfather be so sure this poem wasn't written by Li Jiu?" Li Changsheng burst out laughing: "Him? How much knowledge does Li Jiu have in his belly?
You can't know him better than I do!" Li Jiu, hearing this outside the carriage, chucked. "Then how did you think of Liǔ Guōchán?"
Li Changsheng stated with certainty: "It must be an excuse your grandmother came up with." Li Ning nodded. "Now it's your turn to answer my question.
Did you write that line of poetry?" Li Ning smiled: "Grandfather, although I know you hope it was me, it really wasn't." Li Changsheng sighed deeply, a hint of disappointment in his voice.
"Doesn't Grandfather want to know who wrote this line of poetry?" "If you didn't write it, who wrote it has nothing to do with me." Li Changsheng's tone was very calm, yet Li Ning felt a warmth surge within him.
Li Changsheng truly doted on his grandson. He was very fortunate to have such a relative in this life. Perhaps this was the meaning of being transmigrated by heaven.
After a moment of silence, Li Ning suddenly asked: "Grandfather, are we going to war?" Li Changsheng did not hide anything. "Yes, the Han are not to be trifled with this time.
The army has already assembled on the banks of the Hunshui River. I must go this time to avenge your father and my other uncles!" Li Ning knew he couldn't stop him.
"Behave discreetly these days. After I leave, others will be less hesitant. If you stir up trouble, I won't be able to help you handle it in time."
Li Ning could only nod. Li Changsheng added: "Also, you should thank His Majesty." Li Ning was taken aback.
He still couldn't fathom the Emperor's attitude towards him. Logically, after Li Ning had committed so many absurd acts, how could he be entrusted with important responsibilities? "Ning'er, His Majesty knew that the Fan Estate did not accept our proposal.
He was afraid that I would be distracted by worrying about you while on the battlefield, so he specifically gave you a way out." "You are to serve as this Celebration Officer, so do your job well. Later, I will help you secure an official post, and you will have the means to protect yourself."
Li Ning understood that the position of Celebration Officer, while seemingly casual, was of great importance. It was personally appointed by His Majesty and related to the Great Zhou Celebration. Therefore, those who secretly wished Li Ning dead would not dare to act rashly.
"As for those who harmed you, His Majesty will help investigate." Li Ning contemplated for a moment, then finally made up his mind to ask: "Grandfather, His Majesty... can he be trusted?"
The atmosphere in the carriage suddenly became tense. Li Changsheng stared at Li Ning, and after a long while, he finally spoke: "Li Ning, remember this, never utter these words again. His Majesty and I have been acquaintances since youth.
My Li family has been loyal through generations, and the Great Zhou imperial family has treated my Li family well." "As a subject, be a good subject. If you harbor disloyal intentions, don't blame Grandfather...
for beating you." Li Ning chuckled. He spoke a lot of harsh words, but in the end, it would only be a beating.
Li Ning, having just arrived in this world, truly didn't understand why a subject would be so loyal to the Emperor. Especially when this subject held the military power of the country. Li Changsheng spoke again: "The fact that you could ask this question proves that your grandmother's earlier judgment was correct.
Ning'er, if you have truly been enduring all this time, it must have been hard on you." At this point, Li Changsheng's eyes even became slightly moist. "It wasn't hard," Li Ning said from the heart.
Is it hard to visit brothels every day? To have inexhaustible money without going to work? To have a crowd of subordinates bowing obsequiously?
Where is the hardship? "I didn't really endure much before either? I had a pretty good time."
Li Changsheng's tears, which were about to fall, were held back. "I'll give you time. I hope that after I return from the battlefield, you will make me see you in a new light."
"Grandfather, you think too much. I feel that being a third generation ancestor is quite good." Li Ning did not want to truly expose himself yet, and honestly, he wasn't prepared.
Suddenly, Li Ning exclaimed: "Grandfather, you're not going to cut off my allowance, are you?" "You..." Li Changsheng cursed angrily: "What do you need so much money for, you stinky brat?"
"I'm planning to do some business." This was what Li Ning truly thought. Li Changsheng frowned: "What business?"
Li Ning immediately straightened up: "My Cloud Rain Tower, you know it couldn't continue operating, right? I'm planning to give Cloud Rain Tower an upgrade and renovation." "As a temporary examination venue for the talented scholar exams."
"Don't do anything reckless!" Li Changsheng felt he had overestimated Li Ning just now. "How is that reckless?
It's mutually consensual!" Li Changsheng asked: "What do you plan to do?" Li Ning chuckled: "I'm planning to..."
After hearing Li Ning's plan, Li Changsheng's face turned grim: "Aren't you afraid His Majesty will be enraged and punish you?" Li Ning said indifferently: "I haven't committed any crime. Besides, doesn't our Li family have a Golden Book and Iron Certificate?"
Li Changsheng: "You... get out!" ...
It was already late at night when they returned to the Li Family. As soon as Li Ning returned to his room, Guī Yàn knocked on the door from outside: "Has the Proprietor returned?" "Come in."
The door opened, and Guī Yàn entered with a basin of hot water. "Proprietor, Guī Yàn will serve you to wash up." Saying this, Guī Yàn skillfully placed the basin down and proceeded to help Li Ning undress.
"Uh... I can do it myself too." After all, Li Ning had never been served before.
Although Guī Yàn had been here for several days, Li Ning was still a little unaccustomed to it. "The Proprietor jokes. In the past, when the Proprietor had no maid, of course, you did everything yourself.
Now the Proprietor has a maid, and since the Proprietor doesn't disdain Guī Yàn's background, Guī Yàn will naturally serve the Proprietor with all her heart." Looking at Guī Yàn's face, Li Ning suddenly felt a dryness in his throat. It was late at night, the candlelight was dim, and being so close to a beautiful woman, it was inevitable to have wandering thoughts.
Moreover, although Guī Yàn was the manager of Cloud Rain Tower, she was not yet thirty years old, which in Li Ning's past life was a prime age. "Proprietor..." Guī Yàn's voice suddenly sounded a little strange.
Li Ning, however, continued to gaze at Guī Yàn. "Proprietor, shall we wash up first?" Wash up first?
Li Ning suddenly jolted awake, only to see that his hand, unaware of when it had moved, was already on Guī Yàn's lower back, and was about to slide down. "Oh dear, well... let's wash up first!"
Li Ning then quickly took the water and splashed it on his face. Guī Yàn looked at Li Ning's somewhat flustered appearance and couldn't help but chuckle. Afterwards, Guī Yàn started washing Li Ning's feet.
She lowered her head and said in a soft voice: "Guī Yàn understands the Proprietor's feelings, but the Proprietor is still young, and Guī Yàn is already a withered flower. I dare not harbor any extravagant hopes." "There are many young ladies from noble families in Haojing City who wish to marry the Proprietor.
Speaking of which, the Proprietor should also be of marriageable age." "Which lady with eyes would take a liking to me?" Li Ning had been kicked out by Old Master Fàn just two days ago.
"You'll meet someone eventually." Li Ning gave a bitter smile. Suddenly, Li Ning thought of something important: "Guī Yàn, can you play the zither?"
Guī Yàn looked up, a look of confusion on her face. At this moment, she was half-crouching on the ground, looking up at Li Ning. Li Ning found that he couldn't quite meet Guī Yàn's gaze again.
This Guī Yàn was indeed extraordinary. "I can't play the zither, but I can play the xiao." Li Ning: "..."