Love Affairs in Chang'an - Chapter 215

Chapter 215 Laws
After discussing all the details with Zheng Anshun, Qin Mubai and the others bid farewell to Li Ke and left the Secretariat Manor. Zheng Anshun brought the two elite soldiers from Mubai sent by Qin Baiji, changed their clothes and followed them as partners.

The two groups said goodbye at the entrance of the secretariat’s mansion and went their separate ways.

Qin Mubai looked at Zheng Anshun’s back a few times and joked to Chen Yan, “Sometimes, I really envy a young master like Zheng Anshun. He is full of talent and his family is rich. It seems that there is nothing worrying him since he was born. Typical people like dragons and phoenixes are leisurely and carefree!”

“What you said is really hypocritical.” Chen Yan teased him, “Perhaps Zheng Anshun is still secretly jealous of you!”

“Haha, it can’t be!” Qin Mubai smiled and said, “The Zheng Clan is the richest man in the Great Tang. The young master of the Zheng Clan is infatuated with countless women. How can I compare to him!”

“Is that all you men care about?” Chen Yan revealed a trace of disdain and shook her head. “I don’t like a man like Zheng Anshun.”

“Why?”

“No reason. If you don’t like it, you just don’t like it.” Chen Yan knitted her eyebrows and added, “Probably because the feeling he gave me was a little too illusory.” He was too perfect to be true. A man like that would only appear in the dreams of an ignorant girl. Once he entered reality, his dreams would be shattered. In contrast, I prefer men who are more realistic. There was no need for him to be outstanding, but he had to live a serious and responsible life. He can even have some minor flaws, which will make him more real and more like a living person. ”

“Heh, this is the first time I’ve heard you talk about the ideal man in your heart.” Qin Mubai curled her lips and laughed mockingly, “It sounds simple, but … it’s actually very demanding!”

“Haha, is that so?” Chen Yan walked slowly with her hands cut off from her back. She lowered her head and smiled, “In short, she is the kind of man that is common but precious.”

“Normally, it is visible and precious. Isn’t this a contradiction?” Qin Mubai was puzzled.

“No contradiction.” Chen Yan shook her head and said, “The so-called’ordinary visible ‘is a very ordinary man. He is not a man like Zheng Anshun who has the highest attention and is exceptionally coquettish. It is rare and precious, but there must be something about him that attracts me.”

“What trait?” Qin Mubai broke the casserole and asked to the end.

Chen Yan smiled sweetly, “Why did you ask so thoroughly?”

“Don’t you know that I’ve always been a bit of an idiot?” Qin Mubai laughed loudly and blurted out.

“Thirty-eight, what do you mean?” Chen Yan was puzzled.

“Uh … that’s right, like the third wife and sixth wife in the vegetable market, she likes to gossip, inquire about other people’s privacy, and cause trouble.” Qin Mubai smiled.

“Keke, what a vivid metaphor!” Chen Yan laughed loudly.

Qin Mubai stared at her and smiled. She could not help but shake her head.

“What’s the matter?” Chen Yan’s face turned embarrassed, and she blushed a little.

“Nothing.” Qin Mubai said, “You look really good when you laugh. Now that you’re like this, it’s hard to relate to your previous image.”

“Is that so?” Chen Yan gently raised the corner of her mouth. “Am I more vicious and cold in your eyes?”

“No.” Qin Mubai smiled.

“What’s that?”

“Why did you ask so thoroughly?” Qin Mubaiyuan replicated Chen Yan’s words and prevaricated, smiling, “Why don’t you tell me what kind of man you like?”

“It’s hard to say. It depends.” Chen Yan paused for a moment, and the corners of her mouth twitched a few times. She seemed to have something to say but was hesitating. She hesitating for a moment and said, “Perhaps her heart was moved only in a flash. That feeling … is indescribable.”

“Oh, what you want is feeling.” Qin Mubai chuckled, “It seems like such a rational person is so emotional.”

“Didn’t you know it long ago?” Chen Yan smiled calmly, seemingly with a hint of bitterness. She said leisurely, “Just like back then, I didn’t know how I fell in love with Zhu Chengwen. For him, I would spend my entire life waiting and would do anything. Unfortunately … I was willing to wait, but he didn’t want to stay.”

“The deceased is already dead. You should let go a little.” Qin Mubai advised softly.

“Don’t worry, I’m fine.” Chen Yan smiled and said, “That is all a thing of the past. Although it is worth remembering and often sad, I am not accustomed to living in memories. For the dead, the best consolation is for the living to live happily and not to be immersed in residual sorrow.”

“Wise, open-minded.” Qin Mubai nodded and praised, “A mature woman is so admirable and likeable.”

The corners of Chen Yan’s eyebrows inadvertently trembled as she smiled angrily, “You have to call me sister every year, but you still came to eat my tofu. You’re really begging for a beating!”

“Alright, since you’re injured, I won’t fight you while others are in danger.” Qin Mubai chuckled and said, “Now let’s go back to the inn and pack up and go to a new place!”

“Where?”

“Didn’t I promise you yesterday that I would find a quiet place for you to recover from your injuries? I’ve already done it.” Qin Mubai said, “There is a good small courtyard in the Five Miles District in the south of the city. The place is not big and the environment is very good. Furthermore, the residential buildings in Xiangzhou are similar to those in Huyang District. You must like that house.”

Chen Yan shook her head and smiled, “Mubai, why are you so meticulous than a woman? Do you still remember that I am from Tanzhou and like Huyang style residence? I’m sure you will take good care of and love women very much.”

“That’s necessary.” Qin Mubai grinned and laughed, “Why don’t you wait for a bachelor?”

“Haha!” Chen Yan shook her head and smiled. She said thoughtfully, “Your romance is indeed different from Li Ke’s.”

“Eh? Why are you suddenly talking about Li Ke?” Qin Mubai’s mind lit up and he laughed mockingly, “Could it be that he still has bad intentions towards you?”

“Don’t worry, he has that heart and doesn’t have the courage.” Chen Yan gently curled the corner of her mouth, revealing a trace of disdain and coldness. She whispered, “I’m not the kind of stupid woman around him that he can toy with. If anyone dares to nuisance me like a wild phoenix or butterfly, he’ll be castrated by a single sword!”

Qin Mubai’s expression stiffened. A few reflexes felt his lower body go cold. He laughed dryly and said, “No, no. Although Li Ke is romantic, he still has some principles. He didn’t do anything to everyone. Don’t worry.”

“You seem very nervous?” Chen Yan smiled, her pair of beautiful eyes curved like a crescent moon, as if she had some rare playfulness and teasing.

“No, what am I nervous about, hahaha!” Qin Mubai laughed loudly and walked forward with his head held high.

Chen Yan couldn’t help but chuckle as she shook her head and followed.

Shortly after, the two returned to the inn. Chen Yan took the salute, medicine stickers, and other items. Under the lead of the Baiji soldier in charge of renting the house, she rode a horse carriage to the Five Miles District in the south of the city.

Chen Yan’s eyes couldn’t help but shine when she arrived at the dwelling. She was overflowing with joy.

A small bridge, flowing water, and an exquisite and simple wooden building was erected above the water. The front of the building was filled with all kinds of flowers, and downstairs was the flowing water that flowed by.

Chao Wenhua Yu and Mu Tingyu were really a secluded and elegant place, like a paradise.

“That’s good. I like it very much. It’s like I’ve returned to my hometown.” Chen Yan walked to the flower bed and took a deep breath. She smiled happily and said, “Thank you so much, Mubai. I didn’t expect that there would be such a quiet place in the bustling port city of Xiangzhou.”

Qin Mubai smiled and said, “The brothers who went out yesterday to find the rent came back and told me a few places. I liked this place as soon as I heard it. They bought it for me.”

“You still bought it?” Chen Yan knitted her eyebrows. “How much did it cost? I’ll return it to you as well.”

“Talking about money among friends is too vulgar.” Qin Mubai smiled and said, “You can stay in Xiangzhou as long as you want. I’ll rent it to you for free. Anyway, my food and accommodation are all in the barracks, and the expenses are all covered by the army. But if I stay there for a long time, people will go crazy easily. Perhaps I will come here to stay for a change of mood.”

“What? Do you still want to hide your beauty in the Golden Room?” Chen Yan smiled. “Unfortunately, I’m not delicate at all. I’m also very vicious.”

“Haha, you really know how to joke!” Qin Mubai used her laughter to cover up her embarrassment, but in her heart, she said, “If you don’t remind me, I still forget that the Golden Room Hidden Beauty is actually not bad …”

The two of them walked into the wooden building. In the middle of the first floor was a large hall. Several tables and couches were neatly arranged. The wooden planks were covered with soft and exquisite contempt carpets. It was a typical southern style. The walls were brushed bright with tung oil, giving off the impression that the windows were clean and spotless. Even the small kitchen beside the room did not have any oil stars. It was clean and tight.

In the other side room, the gardener used to arrange all kinds of flower utensils, such as potted earth shovels and kettles. Although they were odds and ends, they were neatly tidied up.

Chen Yan smiled with satisfaction, “It seems like I will really stay here for a while. After wandering around for so many years, I really want to live in peace for a while. This place is quite nice. The environment is good, quiet and suited for me. If I have time, I will play with flowers and sell flowers in the port occasionally. It can be considered as a living. I will no longer kill people and cross the border to lick blood.”

Qin Mubai smiled and said, “Sometimes I’m curious. Tell me, what do you chivalrous men do for a living? You have to eat, dress, and stay in an inn to break into Jianghu. Where does the money come from?”

“Didn’t I tell you just now? Killing people and stealing goods and licking blood!” Chen Yan giggled and said, “I didn’t expect that I was a real bandit! What kind of chivalrous person is that?”

Qin Mubai shrugged his shoulders indifferently. “Thieves have their own ways. Anyway, you guys have your own ways to survive. I’m afraid it’s hard for me to understand for a while. However, I always feel that life like that will be very empty and boring. Especially in this peaceful and prosperous environment, when everyone lives and works in peace and contentment, how boring is it for you to drift alone?”

“Yes … it’s really like you said.” Chen Yan rarely sighed lightly. A trace of disappointment appeared on her jade face. She said leisurely, “When I was young, I was ignorant. I only wanted to be straightforward. I only wanted to see how impressive and happy the righteousness of a martial artist in Jianghu was.” If he didn’t agree, he would pull out his saber and spill five steps of blood. Sometimes, it would be very pleasant. But afterwards … he would often regret it. Because of this, I really lost a lot of things, and I was a little tired of this kind of life. It felt like I had been living in a dream that I had woven for myself for more than ten years, and it was not real at all. No pursuit, no ideals, no tomorrow. It was only when Zhu Chengwen died that I realized that there was something more meaningful in this world than drawing a sword and fighting ruthlessly. From that moment onwards, the dream I used to numb myself was completely shattered. It was his death that taught me that the past ten years have been meaningless. ”

“Is it that serious?” Qin Mubai couldn’t help but frown.

“You can’t understand.” Chen Yan gently curled the corner of her mouth and said with disappointment, “Ten years, what does it mean for a woman?” Perhaps I should have married and had children long ago and lived an ordinary life as a husband and godson. However, I have always stubbornly insisted on something meaningless, wandering around in Jianghu, it’s really boring. This world was no longer the chaotic world it had been decades ago. The Great Tang did not need chivalrous men. The reason for that was because the bandits of the Great Tang had Qin Mubai to deal with, so they didn’t need Chen Yan to take action. “Isn’t that so?”

“Uh … Haha!” Qin Mubai was stunned for a moment before laughing loudly, “You think too highly of me!”

“Don’t laugh, I’m serious.” Chen Yan said very seriously, “If I hadn’t met you, it would have been very difficult for me to change my original intentions.” To tell you the truth, I have killed quite a few people over the years. Among them, there are quite a few bandits, criminals bullying the city, and evil gentry and officials who have done evil deeds to the villagers. So until then, I did not trust the government, nor did I trust the law. I have always believed that the government is the government of the rich, and the law is set up to protect the rich. Look at the so-called laws. The Patriarch kills his maidservant and only needs to pay for the copper (fine) to be exonerated. However, if the maidservant beat and scolded the Patriarch, she could be sentenced to death or exile. Is that fair? That’s why I’ve always been unfair to people. No one begged me. I volunteered. ”

Qin Mubai shook his head helplessly and smiled, “There’s no way I can change this situation. No matter what kind of world it is, there are his established laws. When we can’t change it, we can only adapt. Or … let ourselves become people whose laws are beneficial to you.”

“Let yourself become someone who … Laws are beneficial to you?” Chen Yan carefully chewed on this sentence and thought for a long time. She nodded and smiled, “You’re very smart. This sentence really hit the nail on the head.” In comparison, you are much broader and more profound than me. You’re right. When you become a human being, you can use the Laws to do many things you want to do. For example, Chen Yan is a subordinate. She can only use her own sword to cut down the injustice in the world and kill the unworthy. However, this method of using simple and crude violence to suppress violence has obviously had little effect. This time, I’ve already lost in Xiang Prefecture. In the end, a small warden can decide my life and death; But you, Qin Mubai, can use the Laws to possess even greater strength. Although you don’t have a sword in your hand, you can kill people with your sword. Killing many people requires only your brain and mouth to be invisible. This was power! –Truth be told, when you rescued me from prison, I felt, for the first time, the beauty of power! ”

“Haha! Your intelligence is beyond my imagination. You are too perceptive! If you are an official, your future will be boundless.” Qin Mubai sighed.

“Forget it, I can’t be an official with such a personality. No matter what I do or say, I’ll go straight to the point. The cold weapons and hidden arrows in the officialdom may be easier to kill than the swords and swords in Jianghu.” Chen Yan smiled and said, “However, I don’t mind having some official friends now. Of course, it has to be you.”

“Is that so?” Qin Mubai raised his eyebrows and said, “That’s really my honor.”

After saying that, Qin Mubai thought in her heart, “Why have I always neglected that Chen Yan is the ‘Emperor Wen Jia’ who instigated the uprising in history?” Her perception and thoughts surpassed most of the women of this era, including most of the men. Perhaps in the eyes of others, Chen Yan is deviant, unruly, and even somewhat unreasonable, but I have a feeling of deja vu towards her. Because in her body, I almost feel a little 21st century women’s thinking characteristics. Sharp, courageous, confident, self-reliant and open-minded, it was very much like a female white-collar worker who was adventuring in the city.

No wonder we got along so well.

It was not easy to meet such a woman in the Great Tang!