Love Affairs in Chang'an - Chapter 197

Chapter 197 The Tiger Is Not Mighty
The arrival of a coquettish guest on the east bed was naturally extremely precious. When Qin Mubai arrived at the Wu Clan, the entire room was overjoyed to welcome him.

In a few days, the Spring Festival was coming. Now, the number one wine in the world was being decorated, and the people from the Wu Clan had been busy for a year, so they had to take a break temporarily. It was quite pleasant to have a table filled with fire, good wine, and good dishes at home.

After a year of torment, the Wu brothers finally obediently accepted their fate after witnessing how powerful Qin Mubai and Wu Meiniang were. Right now, Wu Meiniang was already the head of the Wu Clan, and Qin Mubai, the son-in-law who had never crossed the line, was also the most important. Although his surname was Qin, he was already the head of the Wu Clan.

Since Qin Mubai took the initiative to visit, Wu Meiniang was naturally happy, and she was also happy to the detriment of her mother, Yang shi. Just as he sat down, Yang shi ran to personally cook and said that she would make him some specialty snacks to taste.

Right now, Qin Mubai felt that the Wu Clan was really rich. Even if it was an ordinary servant, the new clothes she wore during the New Year were of high-grade fabrics. There should not be a shortage of delicacies and delicacies for the New Year at home. After piling up half a room, they could fit a few trucks. Just the profits that he was going to give out during the New Year, he had thousands of yuan in cash, and he had packed a few large boxes, each wrapped in red cloth bags.

One could imagine that it was not easy for Wu Meiniang to become this family. This little girl was truly capable.

“Hehe, Mubai, why did you come to my house today?” Wu Meiniang smiled at him.

“It’s almost the New Year, I should at least come and take a look, right?” Qin Mubai smiled as well. “It’s only right to visit my future mother-in-law and uncle-in-law.”

“Heh, your mouth is sweet. I knew you would need my help.” Wu Meiniang said, “Hurry up and tell me, what is it?”

“Isn’t it Xue Rengui’s business?” Qin Mubai smiled and told her the truth.

After pondering for a moment, Wu Meiniang said, “A few days ago, after the closure of the number one wine in the world, Madam Liu had nothing to do for the time being, and the couple had no place to live.” I saw their pitiful couple and invited them to stay at my house, but they refused, and they refused to give money or things. I had no choice but to let them. I heard that they rented an old mansion in Quchi Square in the south of the city to temporarily settle down there. Madam Liu’s stomach is already very big. It’s estimated that he will be giving birth in a month or two. I wonder what the current situation is like. “Today is perfect. Let’s go take a look.”

“That’s good too.”

Shortly after, Qin Mubai enjoyed the snacks made by the Yang family. After chatting with the Wu family for a while, she and Wu Meiniang rode to the south of the city.

No matter how prosperous the place was, there were still corners of the shadows. In this world, there is always a distinction between the poor and the rich. Quchi Square in the south of the city was synonymous with the slums of Chang’an. Back then, Yao’er had brought a group of little girls to rent a place over there. Because renting there would be much cheaper.

This reminded Qin Mubai of the current Ant Race. Not everyone in Chang’an, an inch of land, was able to drift comfortably. Perhaps renting an inn here for half a month would be enough to live a comfortable life in an ordinary county or state for a year.

The carriage drove slowly through the snow toward the south of the city.

Wu Meiniang put her hand under Qin Mubai’s cloak to warm him up and said, “Why did Li Ke suddenly think of making such a commotion? Didn’t he always claim that he only wanted to live a peaceful life? It seems that he has ambitions after all!”

Qin Mubai smiled and said, “People have desires, and they think differently at different times.” Previously, Li Ke was denounced for impeaching himself, of course, he only wanted to be a prince of peace; Now that he had already turned over the salted fish, it was reasonable to expect that he would one day be able to soar to prominence. This trip to Jiangzhou made him feel the distress of lacking major generals. If it weren’t for me and Quan Wanji helping him move left and right, he would probably have capsized. The emperor would not say anything if he took the opportunity to recruit talents. Actually, his main purpose in doing so is to target Xue Rengui. ”

“Yes, I can tell.” Wu Meiniang nodded and said, “Li Ke is a virtuous servant who has no airs.” The more such a person was, the greater his ambition would definitely be. Otherwise, why would he be like this? Wouldn’t it be easier for him to live a leisurely life alone? I reckon that it was because he missed you earlier and didn’t want to make the same mistake again that he made such a big fuss. He must definitely get Xue Rengui. “Mubai, are you trying your best to help Li Ke … because you think highly of him?”

“Watch him what?” Qin Mubai smiled and asked.

“You know what to ask!” Wu Meiniang said, “Now that the imperial court is in deep trouble, everyone in Chang’an is discussing about it, pointing the finger at the Crown Prince and King Wei. King Wu has faded out of sight for a long time and is almost forgotten. Could it be that he has been hiding his strength and waiting to reap the benefits?”

Qin Mubai paused for a moment and smiled, “Mother Mei, are you very clear about these things? It seems that you are also very interested in them?”

“Haha, there is no lack of eloquent people in places like wine shops. From national affairs to family affairs, you can know whatever you want to know.” Wu Meiniang said, “I was also influenced by it, so I unconsciously cared about it. No matter what, my Mubai is the person in the game. Can I not care about it a bit more?”

“Your Mubai?” Qin Mubai smiled.

“It’s not mine, who else can it be?” Wu Meiniang glared at him and gently pinched his elbow, “No matter how many women you have, if I say you’re mine, then that’s mine!”

“Haha!” Qin Mubai laughed loudly, “Alright, it’s yours. Speaking of which, Li Ke is definitely not a person who is content with being lonely. Right now, he is very tight-lipped. He can only say to me that he wants to strengthen some forces in order to protect himself. However, he only wants to build a barrier. I can clearly feel his ambition, or rather, his ambition.”

“I know that you and Li Ke have a very close personal relationship, but everyone knows that Li Ke is just a prince from the concubine, so it’s not his turn to fight for the throne!” Wu Meiniang said.

“Heh!” Qin Mubai laughed, “Aren’t we also concubines? What’s our status in the Qin and Wu Clans now?”

“That’s different!” Wu Meiniang said, “They are royals, and there is a powerful figure like the Emperor on them!”

Qin Mubai paused for a moment and said, “Let’s talk about it later.” I am not determined to help Li Ke fight for the first wife. Earlier, the Emperor had entrusted me with helping Li Ke to bring him up. It could be seen that in the Emperor’s heart, I was still standing by his side, but he had only sent me there. “No matter how the princes fight, I will try my best to maintain the emperor’s trust in me.”

“That’s right! No matter which prince you follow, it’s not better than following the emperor! As for what happens in the future, we’ll talk about it later!” Wu Meiniang said, “Now the Emperor trusts you. He treats you like half a son!”

“Are you jealous?” Qin Mubai smiled.

“No!” Wu Meiniang said angrily, “I’m learning from Princess Gaoyang. Everything is for your own good, that’s fine.” Actually, seeing you and Princess Gaoyang together, I really can’t cross this barrier in my heart. But on second thought, she is the Emperor’s favorite princess. If you can marry her, it will be of great benefit to you. Moreover, she is truly infatuated with you. “Ah … I have no choice but to wronge myself and slowly adapt and accept it!”

Qin Mubai smiled meaningfully and said, “Looks like Princess Gao Yang told you a lot that day! How could a smart person like you be moved by that silly girl of hers?”

“What? No!” Wu Meiniang glared at Qin Mubai angrily, “Don’t try to trick me! If I don’t tell you, I won’t tell you!”

“General, boss, we’re here.” The carriage stopped and the coachman outside said.

The two of them got out of the car and saw a small farmhouse in the thick snow.

“Xue Rengui and his wife live on that side.” The coachman pointed ahead.

“Alright, the two of us will go over.” Qin Mubai and Wu Meiniang walked forward hand in hand. Their temperament and luxurious attire seemed to be somewhat incompatible with the surroundings.

Most of the people who lived here were dealers pulling carts and hitting horses in Chang’an, or villagers who worked as tenants for wealthy households in Chang’an. They lived on a meagre income. In the low and dilapidated houses, ragged people could often be seen passing by. Black smoke from the old firewood came out from the roofs of the houses, and from time to time, people coughed violently.

The snow in Xue Rengui’s courtyard had not been cleaned. There was a row of footprints clearly printed on it, as if they were going out. The house was quiet and no fireworks came out.

The two of them pulled the fence and walked in. They stepped on the snow and creaked. Inside, they heard the woman’s voice, “Are you back, Rengui? I’m so hungry. Have you brought back anything to eat?”

“It’s sister-in-law Liu!” Wu Meiniang knitted her brows and quickly walked into the room. “It’s me.”

“Ah, master!” Madam Liu’s voice was filled with surprise.

Qin Mubai did not enter the room to avoid suspicion and waited outside.

“Sister-in-law, what’s wrong with you? Your complexion is so bad? Where’s Big Brother Xue?” Wu Meiniang asked anxiously.

“I… I’m fine.” Madam Liu lowered his head in shame and murmured.

“I just heard you say you’re hungry?” Wu Meiniang looked around. There were two empty bowls on the table in the room. Only a few pieces of unfinished vegetable soup were frozen into ice. She couldn’t help but be a little angry. “Where’s Brother Xue? Why isn’t he taking care of you at home? Really!”

“No … Don’t blame him, boss.” Madam Liu lowered his head and started crying.

“Sister-in-law, what’s going on? Quickly tell me!” Wu Meiniang sat beside her and asked patiently.

Mrs. Liu let out a few low tears and finally spoke slowly–

“A few days ago we moved out of the world’s number one wine, rented here. Although he was a little poor, he was originally safe and could live on. But three days ago, I was tempted by the fetal qi, so I had to go to the doctor for treatment. At least, I was able to protect the child in the fetus. But … the only bit of money was spent, not even enough to pay for the room, and the family could no longer afford to open a pot. Rengui originally planned to go to Zhongnan Mountain to hunt for a while, but a heavy snow blocked the mountain path, where could she find her prey? Today, the family was completely out of food, so … ”

“So what?” Wu Meiniang asked anxiously.

“So … Rengui took his Fang Tian Painting Halberd and went out to pawn it.” After Mrs. Liu finished speaking, she wiped away her tears with sadness. “This Fang Tian Painting Halberd is like a benevolent lifeblood. No matter how poor and bitter he is, he is unwilling to give it up. I didn’t expect that now …”

“Ah!” Wu Meiniang anxiously and angrily sighed again, “If you have any difficulties, you should tell me!” Big Brother Xue is really going to die for face and suffer! Didn’t I invite you to stay in my mansion not long ago? He refused for fear of disturbing me, and he refused to give me some money. It’s good now … Forget it, let’s not talk about it anymore! Let’s do this first, sister-in-law Liu. You come back with me now. I have asked my maid to take care of you. You are about to give birth. Even if you don’t think about yourself, you have to think about your child! As for Big Brother Xue, it was not up to him this time! He will suffer and let himself go. He deserves to starve to death! ”

“Wuwu” Mrs. Liu cried and was about to get out of bed to kowtow to Wu Meiniang with her belly in her arms. “Boss, you are truly our great benefactor!”

Qin Mubai was annoyed when he heard this outside. He walked into the room and said, “Sister-in-law, please don’t do this. Come back with Mama Mei! You can’t suffer any more. As for Brother Xue, if he dares to be stubborn again, I will send a hundred or eighty soldiers to tie him up and see what he has to say!”

Mrs. Liu laughed and said, “General Qin has also come … I’m really sorry to make the general laugh. Rengui has such a temper. Just as the owner said, if you want to die, you have to suffer. I also advise him not to come. If the general wants to tie him up, then tie him up. With his bad temper, there’s no need to be polite to him.”

“Alright, stop talking. Sister-in-law, pack up and come with me.” Wu Meiniang said.

“En!” Madam Liu said, “Rengui put a label on the western city to sell halberds. It should be easy for the general to find it.”

Soon, Wu Meiniang carefully helped Madam Liu out of the car and headed to the Wu Clan. Qin Mubai walked towards West City alone and rented a carriage halfway. The more he thought about it, the angrier he became.

“Xue Rengui, this pedantic fellow who wants to die and suffer! You can’t be too polite to him!” Thinking of this, Qin Mubai said to the coachman outside, “Go to the Black Tortoise Gate of the Imperial Palace!”

“Lang Jun, is the palace a place where a lowly person like you can go?”

“If I let you go, then you go. Cut the crap!”

Not long after, a dilapidated civilian carriage swaggered open the gate of the Imperial City’s Black Tortoise Gate and drove straight into Camp Baiji.

It was the annual leave of the Imperial Court, and most of the government offices were on holiday, leaving only a few officials on duty. Qin Mubai, Baiji, who had yet to step down, immediately called Pang Fei into the government office and asked him to order twenty soldiers from Baiji to go out on business with him.

Pang Fei was shocked. He thought that Qin Mubai was going to fight in groups, but he didn’t dare to ask any more questions. So he immediately called over twenty of his most powerful and trusted confidants, all armed with Dutch armor and sabers, and mounted their horses to await his orders.

Qin Mubai didn’t waste any words. He told Pang Fei to go to the west city to find a person named Xue Rengui who was selling halberds. Stop talking nonsense with him and directly tie him up for some crime. He would throw him to Wu Mei’s house, and then it would be none of their business. By the way, if he sold the halberd, he would have to redeem it for ten times the price. In addition, you must not reveal your identity as a Hundred Cavalry.

Pang Fei didn’t know why, but since it was Qin Mubai’s order, he left without saying a word with a group of tough Baiji cavalry.

Qin Mubai was still sitting in that broken carriage. He staggered towards Wu Mei’s house without hurrying. He thought to himself, “Xue Rengui, your martial arts are amazing, but do you, a grass-roots citizen, dare to openly attack the Guan army in Chang’an?” The more courteous you are, the more mischievous you will become. Tiger doesn’t show off, you think I’m HelloKey!

Half an hour later, a group of ferocious soldiers broke into the Martial House, scaring the entire Wu Clan to the point that their faces turned ashen. The Wu brothers hurriedly rushed out to greet him and panicked, “What’s the matter, General? What’s the matter, General?”

Pang Fei strode in and glanced at the Wu brothers with great might. With a wave of his hand, the soldiers behind him pushed a tied-up man in and then turned around to leave.

“Eh, General … What do you mean?” Wu Yuanshuang asked in surprise. He sized Xue Rengui up and down, but he didn’t recognize her.

“If you ask this general, who will I ask?” Pang Fei scolded unsightly, “This general has been ordered to do the work, and has already done the rest. Anyway, you should take good care of this person. If you get lost, you should take responsibility for it!”

“Ah” The Wu brothers and the servant maids were dumbfounded-this was too baffling!

At this time, Wu Meiniang walked out and said from afar, “Pang Fei, you are so mighty!”

“Ah? Mother …” Pang Fei thought to himself in surprise. His tense face instantly changed into a smile as he cupped his hands and bowed, “Greetings, Wu Dongjia!”

Wu Meiniang glanced at Xue Rengui. Xue Rengui hurriedly lowered her head and turned around, her face flushed with embarrassment.

Having already understood, Wu Meiniang suppressed her laughter and said, “Since the matter has been settled, then you can go back!”

“Yes.” Pang Fei smiled, looked around, and whispered, “Mother, can I ask you something?”

“Don’t yell nonsense, who is your master’s mother!” Wu Meiniang scolded softly, “What’s the matter, tell me?”

“I heard that Master Teacher is going to be transferred from the capital to work in Yuanren Prefecture and County. Many of us old brothers who have followed him all the way are reluctant to part with him and want to go with him!” Pang Fei said pitifully, “Especially me. I will follow him. If he is no longer in Baiji, why would I be hanging out here? Please say something nice for me and let Master take me away.”

Wu Meiniang couldn’t help but chuckle, “You are not an unweaned child, you still have to follow me?”

Pang Fei’s embarrassed face turned red and he laughed foolishly, “Mother, that’s what you want to say. Anyway, I just want to follow Master along the way. I’ll go wherever he goes.”

“Alright, I’ll give it a try.” Wu Meiniang nodded and smiled, “But he probably can’t decide this kind of thing. Don’t give me too much hope. You can go back first. Leave this person to me.”

“Thank you, Martial Niang. Then I’ll go!”

Pang Fei left with a group of ferocious and valiant cavalry.

The Wu brothers secretly wiped away a handful of cold sweat and let out a long sigh. In their hearts, they were puzzled and secretly asked, “Where did this come from?”

Seeing Wu Meiniang, Xue Rengui also understood what was going on. She could only shamefully turn her head away, embarrassed to look at Wu Meiniang.

Wu Meiniang shouted and dispersed the crowd. She walked over to him and said, “Big Brother Xue, don’t blame us. You are too unkind. Do you know too much?”

Xue Rengui didn’t say anything and only let out a long sigh.

Wu Meiniang looked at the rope tied to his body, then looked at the Fang Tian Painting Halberd that was thrown to the side in the snow, and said, “I have heard from Mubai that a man should cultivate his body to rule the country peacefully. With his talent in civil and military affairs, he must first be able to become a good member of the family.” And he said, ‘Not a house, but Esau the world?’ Although you are talented in martial arts, you can’t even take good care of your wife and children, and you still want to die to face the pain of rejecting a friend’s kindness. It’s no wonder Mubai was so angry that he attacked you! Such a comparison would mean that Mubai was truly a bloody, courageous, and good-natured man. You … are just pretending to suffer for yourself! Eldest Sister Liu has been following you for eight lifetimes! “