Recently, a new thing had happened in Tianyang's capital.
The heir of the Marquis of Shuyang had achieved great merit in defeating Western Mang. The emperor granted him special permission to return to the capital to celebrate his father's birthday. There was also the Wei family's eldest young master, who had been missing for a long time. He was also escorted back to the capital by Heir Han.
To say that he was escorted was not an exaggeration.
Everyone in the capital had heard of the conflict between the marquis and the Wei Family. Back then, when the Wei Family's young master became the zhuangyuan personally appointed by the emperor at the age of eighteen, he was in high spirits. Many people admired him, and the young princess of Shuyang Marquessate Mansion was one of them. However, this young princess had always been spoiled rotten. Not to mention the one and only treasure of Shuyang Marquessate Mansion, even His Majesty the emperor doted on her dearly. As a result, he was a step ahead of the others and wanted to break off this high branch.
Who would have thought that the falling flower was willing but the flowing water was heartless? While the two families were discussing marriage, Wei Xuanming unexpectedly left. This departure lasted for five years.
Some people sighed at the young princess's infatuation and loyalty. She had waited for five years for no clear reason. Even though she had met her sweetheart now, in the end, the flowering period was delayed.
There were also some people who felt wronged for the young master of the Wei Family. If it wasn't for the fact that Shuyang Marquessate Mansion was overbearing and forced a marriage, Wei zhuangyuan wouldn't have gone into hiding for so many years. He only dared to return when that tigress at Shuyang Marquessate Mansion was betrothed.
Most of these people were women. Some of them had admired Wei zhuangyuan's elegance when he paraded through the streets, but there was no lack of jealous people in their boudoir. When Shuyang's young princess was engaged, many people in the capital brought up old matters again, stirring up another storm.
However, the new thing that was going to be told today had nothing to do with this young princess whose name had spread throughout the capital.
It was still that Wei zhuangyuan, it was still Shuyang Marquessate Mansion. However, the main character had changed from the arrogant and beautiful young princess to the heir Han Zhan with illustrious military achievements.
"Do you know why Wei zhuangyuan refused to marry back then and why he left his hometown? It wasn't that he looked down on the young princess's countenance, but this … "The storyteller tapped his fan against the palm of his hand, pretending to be mysterious. He then revealed an ambiguous smile that all men understood. "This Wei zhuangyuan's likes and dislikes ordinary people. he doesn't like peerless beauties, but likes of hard men. Such a shocking matter, even the closest relatives would find it difficult to speak of it. Running away from the marriage was naturally a last resort. "
"Wei Zhuangyuan has been hiding for five years. I don't know what he has experienced, but the Marquis' Mansion of Shuyang and the Wei Family have always been peaceful."
"I never thought that Heir Han would coincidentally discover the whereabouts of the Wei family's Langjun on his way back to the capital!" The storyteller chuckled. "Do you know where he is hiding? ............
The storyteller became even more excited when he heard this. His voice was filled with excitement as he asked, "What kind of person is that heir zhuangyuan?"
"Our Tianyang's illustrious god of war. Not to mention a weak scholar like Wei zhuangyuan, even Western Mang's army of sixty to seventy thousand could enter and exit as he pleased. His movements were like chopping melons and vegetables. Swoosh, swoosh, swoosh, swoosh, swoosh. This old man heard that there were more than a thousand people following behind the heir zhuangyuan on the battlefield. These people didn't do anything else but follow behind the heir zhuangyuan to pick up the heads of wild dogs! "
"Pfft."
When Gou Liang heard this, he couldn't help but laugh. He opened the jade folding fan in his hand. As he waved it, he looked at Han Zhan, who was still calmly sipping tea. He moved over and used the fan to cover their faces. He kissed the corner of Han Zhan's lips and said with a light laugh,
"Yesterday, when I passed by this place, I was fortunate enough to hear this storyteller tell a story about a malicious spirit in the mountains that ate people. He was talking about how that malicious spirit loved to dig out people's hearts. There were also thousands of little ghosts following behind him. They didn't do anything else but follow behind that malicious spirit to pick up corpses and store food. Turns out in the eyes of the common people, you are just as formidable as that malicious spirit. General, what do you think? "
Han Zhan poured him a cup of freshly brewed tea and said, "I only need to be your god. That's enough."
Gou Liang immediately smiled until his eyes turned into crescents.
The storyteller in the teahouse's hall was currently in high spirits. His saliva was spraying out as he said, "… Thus, the heir zhuangyuan, one man and one horse, one sword in hand, slaughtered the bandits' lair until not a single armor was left behind. He even brought back Wei zhuangyuan. Who would have thought that on this journey, trouble would actually arise. "
"As I said before, the Wei Family's zhuangyuan doesn't like women. He likes to get close to his close friends. Heir Zhuangyuan was born with an awe-inspiring aura and was extraordinarily handsome. This old man was fortunate enough to see Heir Zhuangyuan's true appearance. He was full of spirit and vigor, as if a jade tree was standing in the wind. Zhuangyuan Wei had been hiding in the mountains all these years. The people he met were all rough men with scars and beards. As soon as he saw Heir Zhuangyuan, he fell in love with him at first sight and started to have improper thoughts about Heir Zhuangyuan. "
"Heir Zhuangyuan naturally wouldn't let him have his way. With the old and new grudges added together, he naturally had to warn him with words and kicks. But Wei Langjun's infatuation didn't change. Originally, it would only take half a month to return from the border, but that Wei Family's young master used a trick and kidnapped Heir Zhuangyuan to an unknown place. He stayed there for a whole month and almost missed the Marquis Of Shui Yang's birthday celebration. I don't know what happened to the two of them during this one month. When they returned to the capital, that Wei zhuangyuan openly appeared at the Shuyang Marquessate Mansion. Heir Zhuangyuan didn't even turn him away at the door. Because of this, a lot of people started to speculate … "
The storyteller started to keep the audience in suspense again. "There's a mystery behind this. I can't tell you, I can't tell you."
The storyteller gulped down a cup of tea. The audience was intrigued and shouted, "Since the Wei Family's Langjun used a trick to kidnap General Han, then what exactly happened during this one month? Hurry up and tell us!"
"That's right!"
"Speaking of which, it's quite strange. Everyone in the Shuyang Marquessate Mansion has never spoken kindly to the Wei Family's young zhuangyuan. But I heard that whenever Wei Langjun went to Heir Zhuangyuan's house, no one stopped him. The two of them seemed to get along very well. Could it be that that one month … hehehe. "
"That can't be, right? A man and a man?"
"Why can't it be? It's not like Nanfeng is a rare occurrence. It's just that Heir Zhuangyuan is a gentleman and the Wei Family's Langjun is also incomparably elegant. How could it be? "
"Didn't you also hear that it was the Wei Family's Langjun who first had the idea and even used a trick to trick Heir Zhuangyuan into staying with them for a month? It's not surprising what they did during this period of time. Men are always soft-hearted after tasting something. "
"Then who do you think is superior between Heir Zhuangyuan and the Wei Family's Langjun?"
"Does it even need to be said? Heir Zhuangyuan is also a martial artist. How could he be suppressed so easily? Besides, Heir Zhuangyuan is much more skilled than Heir Zhuangyuan. That object must be even more impressive, hehe ~ "
"— — A bunch of nonsense!"
The teahouse was in an uproar as the audience expressed their opinions. Suddenly, someone slammed the table angrily and berated, "Heir Zhuangyuan of the Shuyang Marquessate Mansion is not someone you people can casually make up stories about! You, you people are simply ignorant! "
The person who spoke was petite and dressed as a man, but it was difficult to conceal her feminine charm. However, the heroic spirit between her eyebrows and the boldness of one against ten was not for show.
She angrily scolded, "General Han risked his life on the battlefield to protect his family and his people. If you people didn't have his protection, how could you have the guts to gossip about others? Hmph, each and every one of you are simply ungrateful villains. You speak ill of others as soon as you open your mouths. Aren't you afraid of having your tongues pulled out and being sent to hell for ruining someone's reputation?! "
When the storyteller heard her talk about General Han's achievements and sacrifices for his country, he also felt ashamed. However, he couldn't help but retort towards the end, "As the saying goes, there's no smoke without fire. We were just joking …"
"You still dare to quibble!"
A whip appeared in the woman's hand at some point. She swung it at the table, and the teacup immediately broke in half and flew out.
The others were dissatisfied with her rudeness, but the storyteller who had deliberately left some space to enjoy listening to the audience's imagination jumped in fright. He recognized that this was a woman, and there weren't many women in the capital who used a whip. He knew that there was the young royal princess of Shuyang Marquessate Mansion. At this moment, seeing her angry, he knew that this person's identity was most likely correct.
He was secretly annoyed at his bad luck. This person wasn't at home waiting to be married, but ran over to this teahouse to watch the show. This was bad. How terrible would it be if someone heard behind someone's back?
He hurriedly pretended to smooth things over and said, "Everyone, don't say too much. Coming to a teahouse to listen is for entertainment. Don't take it seriously. This old man will stop speaking here today. Everyone, disperse. Disperse. "
After he finished speaking, he wiped his sweat and was about to leave. The sound of a whip suddenly exploded at his feet, causing him to tremble in fright.
When he turned around to look, he saw the young royal princess of Shuyang Marquessate Mansion rolling up her whip and saying, "Next time you dare to talk nonsense about Shuyang Marquessate Mansion, I'll smash your teahouse!"
The storyteller submissively agreed. When he raised his head again, the young royal princess had already left the teahouse under the escort of her servants.
Gou Liang smelled the fragrance of the tea and said with a smile, "This younger sister of yours is really fierce. Say, if she catches us in bed later … she'll tear the bed and me apart, right?"
Han Zhan smiled and said, "It's fine as long as you're having fun."
Gou Liang drank the tea and pulled him up, saying, "Then let's go meet this young royal princess. That year, Wei Xuanming heard about her fierceness, so he didn't try to reason with her and directly ran away. I also want to experience it for myself. "
They stayed on the Sacred Mountain for a month and lived a happy life with delicious food and beautiful women by their side. It was only when the Marquis Of Shui Yang's birthday was approaching that they set out to return to the capital.
They still had to stay here until they died of old age and couldn't stay on the Sacred Mountain for the rest of their lives. Therefore, when in Rome, do as the Romans do and respect the plot set by a certain creator.
The customs of Tianyang Country were open and the people spoke freely. As long as they didn't gossip about the old emperor and didn't talk about official business, the affairs of the influential officials were not allowed to be talked about.
Old Prime Minister Wei hadn't successfully retired and returned to his hometown, but because of his "illness," he no longer attended court.
Gou Liang followed the old man's wishes and went to the Shuyang Marquessate Mansion to apologize and give the two families who had been at loggerheads these years a way out. If it wasn't for the old Prime Minister's invitation, Gou Liang would have been locked up and let out the dogs before he even set foot in the Shuyang Marquessate Mansion. However, when these words spread, it was a completely different matter.
It had only been three days since they returned to the capital, but there were already many versions of their story. The one they heard today was the most refined one.
That day, Gou Liang didn't see that young princess at the marquis's mansion. He heard that her aunt was sick and had left the mansion to visit. Seeing her today, her temperament indeed didn't have the slightest bit of the gentleness and elegance that women nowadays pursued.
After Princess Shuyang returned to the mansion, the first thing she asked was, "Is my eldest brother back? Where is he now? "
On the way back, she had already calmed down her anger. There was only longing and joy for her brother whom she hadn't seen in five years. As for the nonsense that was said in the teahouse, other than the part where Han Zhan beat up Gou Liang, she didn't take a single word to heart.
The steward said, "In reply to Princess, the heir was invited out. He said that he won't be coming to the mansion for dinner today."
"Invited? Who invited him? "
The princess pondered in her heart. Was it the Chi family's second young master or the Ouyang family's eldest son who was on good terms with her older brother?
Unexpectedly, the steward said an unexpected name that she didn't want to hear the most, "Princess, it's … the eldest young master of the Wei Family."
As the steward spoke, he carefully glanced at her, as if he was afraid of angering her.
However, Princess Shuyang was only stunned. After a long time, she found her voice, "Wei Xuanming? How could it be him? Eldest brother doesn't have much of a relationship with him, right? "
She repeatedly asked questions. The shock in her heart could be imagined.
The steward braced himself and said, "In reply to Princess, this old servant isn't sure."
Princess Shuyang's mind was in a mess. She continued to walk towards Han Zhan's courtyard. She didn't plan on leaving until he came back and asked clearly.
While Princess Shuyang sat in Han Zhan's courtyard and recalled the nonsense that she heard in the teahouse, Gou Liang and Han Zhan were drinking and chatting with others.
After they left the teahouse, they "coincidentally" met each other's old friends in the capital — Han Zhan's fifth brother Han Yi, Chi Tao, the Ouyang family's eldest son Ouyang Zhuo, and the sixteenth prince Xuanyuan Xu, who had a special identity.
"A while ago, I heard that you were beaten up by Brother Han so badly that you couldn't even get out of bed. I was worried for a while. Now that I see you sitting with us and Brother Han and drinking, it really confirms what you said before. There are no absolutes in this world. "
Xuanyuan Xu said with a laugh.
He was the youngest son of the old Emperor. He was only twenty years old this year, three to five years younger than the crown grandson. Although he didn't interfere in court politics, he had always been doted on by the Emperor. Therefore, he dared to casually joke around in front of the two parties involved if others kept secrets.
Gou Liang put his arm around Han Zhan's shoulder and clinked his wine cup with his. He raised his head and drank a mouthful of wine. He exhaled refreshingly and said with a smile, "You believe this kind of nonsense? Handsome people have immunity, not to mention a handsome guy like me who can't find a second handsome guy in the whole world. Who would be so cruel to beat me? Don't you think so, Han Zhan? "
Han Zhan drank the wine he just clinked his cup with and put it down, "Sit down."
He didn't talk much during the banquet, but at this time, he took the initiative to explain to Xuanyuan Xu, "Those words are all misinformation. Your Highness, please don't believe them so easily."
Han Zhan had been at the border for a long time, so he had a natural aura. At this time, his gentle and smiling expression looked no different from the noble young masters in the capital, but in fact, there was a kind of coldness that kept people thousands of miles away, so people didn't dare to act rashly.
At least, Xuanyuan Xu couldn't casually touch him in front of him like Gou Liang. When he heard Han Zhan talking to him, he subconsciously sat up straight and said, "I think so too. Even if Xuan Ming is asking for a beating, Brother Han is magnanimous and won't argue with him. "
Han Zhan smiled at him. Seeing Gou Liang pick up a piece of shredded chicken with his chopsticks, his eyes glancing at the golden fish in front of Han Yi, Han Zhan picked up one for him, dipped it in sauce, and put it in his bowl.
Gou Liang ate happily, his eyes curved into crescents as he smiled, looking like he didn't care at all.
Han Yi stopped talking with Chi Tao and Ouyang Zhuo. He was so angry that his teeth itched.
Although Marquis Of Shui Yang and his brother became enemies, he had a very good relationship with his seventh son and daughter. Moreover, he, Han Zhan, and the princess were born of the first wife, so naturally, he was closer than the others. Because of this, he especially hated Gou Liang. After meeting him, he didn't give him a good look, but he still cared about etiquette and didn't talk to him.
But now, seeing his big brother take care of his enemy, he couldn't hold it in anymore.
Han Yi sneered and said, "Scholar Wei, you are so arrogant. You actually want the heir of Shui Yang Marquessate Mansion to serve you food."
The banquet immediately quieted down, as if they were waiting for a good show to happen, especially Xuanyuan Xu. He had personally experienced Gou Liang's poisonous tongue. Gou Liang could really infuriate people to death without using any dirty words.
Gou Liang raised his eyes and glanced at Han Yi. He suddenly stopped eating and sat up straight.
Everyone held their breath and waited. Who would have thought that he would elegantly and accurately pick up a fried crispy fish and put it in Han Yi's bowl. He smiled sincerely and said, "Fifth brother, eat too. Don't be shy."
Han Yi, "…" Who is your fifth brother?!
Xuanyuan Xu, "I haven't seen you for a few years, but Master Wei's level of scolding people seems to have improved."
Chi Tao and Ouyang Zhuo thought at the same time, "Sure enough, he is as two-faced as Master Han. No wonder they are birds of a feather."
Han Zhan saw that Han Yi was so aggrieved that he was about to explode, so he considerately changed the topic. "Changlin, just now I heard you say that you will be transferred to the Ministry of War after the New Year?"
Changlin was Chi Tao's courtesy name. He hurriedly replied, "Yes, but it's just a fifth-rank official. It can't be compared to a second-rank general like you."
Han Zhan toasted him with a glass of wine. "That's good. This year, the Ministry of War can't spare anyone to look at the merit list of the Shuyang Army. You will be in charge of the verification of the merit list. Thank you, Changlin. This foolish brother thanks you in advance. "
Chi Tao, "… You really don't come to the Three Treasures Temple for no reason. Humph, how can you trick me into doing something for you with just a glass of wine? Fill it up again. Let's drink together. If we don't get the general drunk, no one can leave today. "
The atmosphere at the banquet table became lively all of a sudden. They didn't leave until nightfall.
Princess Shuyang was a daughter who was about to get married. It wasn't good for her to wander around her brother's courtyard at night, so she came early the next morning. However, she didn't expect to see anyone.
She asked Han Zhan's attendant, "Where is Big Brother? Is he doing morning exercises?"
Wasn't General Han doing morning exercises?!