Jun Jiuling

This map was no stranger to Liu'er.

This map was given by Manager Gao. Later, the lady told her to return it to the Manager Gao, yet unexpectedly took it back.

But she didn't quite know what the map was for.

"This map shows all the places to eat, drink and play in the capital." Miss Jun said with a smile on her lips, "Although it's ugly and rough, it's clear which is better. For those of us who are coming to the capital for the first time, it's very useful."

Liu'er leaned on her shoulder and looked at the map.

"Look, Miss." She pointed at the picture, "There are toilets here."

After saying that, she giggled.

"That's great, we don't have to be afraid that we won't be able to find a latrine. This is the most important thing."

People's three urgencies were indeed the most important, which is why this picture was so popular.

Miss Jun smiled and nodded.

Zhu Zan.

She raised her head and looked forward.

Along the way, especially at inns near the capital, there were people selling this map everywhere.

Although the officials would check for this map, they clearly often turned a blind eye, because many of the maps were sold by people in the station.

Most of the guests at the inns were soldiers too, so it was obvious that Zhu Zan had exploited them perfectly.

Zhu Zan made a small fortune. Don't think that because they aren't worth much individually, their number together is not worth it.

Miss Jun pursed her lips and smiled.

Although they could already see the city of the capital, it was still a long way to walk.

Although the capital could be said to be her home, her home was only a small part of the palace, and the rest of the time she was out of town, so she was not too familiar with the capital.

She used to run around without a fixed place to go and didn't have time to go around the capital. Later, when she got married, she didn't have to run around anymore. Lu Yunqi said that he would take her to eat, drink and play in the capital, but she was not in the mood during their first year of marriage, and the second year she died.

Miss Jun looked down at the picture in her hand again.

But it was fine now. With this picture, she could have a good time shopping by herself.

"Liu'er, are you tired?" She looked back at the little girl and said.

Galloping this way, even some big men couldn't stand it. Not to mention a girl like a rich lady who was coddled by sitting, lying and walking.

At the beginning, Liu'er couldn't walk even after dismounting, but she persevered along the way.

Liu'er shook her head at her.

"You're not tired." She said loudly, already knowing what Miss was going to do, she reached out and hugged Miss Jun's waist, "Miss. Let's hurry up."

Miss Jun clapped her hand.

"Liu'er is amazing," she said. "Sit down."

The map was put away, the reins were tightened, and the horse galloped down the road, raising dust and smoke.

The scorching heat was diluted by the surrounding greenery in the capital before it reached the tea house.

Ning Yunzhao stood by the window and looked at the greenery on the street, the tea in his hand had been served a long time ago.

"Yunzhao Yunzhao, more tea."

The companions behind him shouted.

Ning Yunzhao turned his head and looked at the group of people holding teacups.

"You can't sit still anyway, why don't you get us some tea." They laughed.

Ning Yunzhao also laughed, and as expected, he walked aside and made tea himself.

"Yunzhao, are things really okay at home?" A companion came over and asked in a low voice, "I think you've been waiting for a letter from home."

Ning Yunzhao smiled.

"It's all right," he answered sincerely. Looking at his companion's concern, he thought for a while, "It's not my family's business, it's something else."

Such an answer was already very sincere, and the companion was also measured. Although he was curious, he also understood that if he asked again, he would lose his sense of propriety and embarrass everyone.

"It's fine," he said with a smile.

A voice fell outside the door, and there was a sound of footsteps, and then the door was opened, and a young student ran in sweating.

"Big news, big news." He lowered his voice and said excitedly.

Everyone in the room looked at him in surprise.

"Has the examiner for next March been decided?"

"Has it been leaked so early?"

"Has the exam been cancelled?"

The more questions they asked, the more outrageous they became. He didn't bother to sit down and take a sip of tea.

"It's big news for Thousand-Man Commander Lu." He said in a low voice.

Everyone in the room sat up straight.

"The meat loin knife1 was raided?"

"The meat waist knife was assassinated?"

Someone blurted out a question, and before anyone could answer, another companion had already laughed.

"Impossible," he said, "haven't you heard? Guo Laonu2, the minister of ceremonies, that is the eunuch who followed the emperor when he was in his secret residence. A few days ago, His Majesty smashed his head with an inkstone and he was dragged out on the spot and punished with a cane till half-dead. Then he was rushed to guard the mausoleum for the late emperor."

"I heard this was because Guo Laonu received a bribe and deliberately withheld a memorial for half a day, and His Majesty discovered it. His Majesty hates eunuchs the most. That's why they are so severely punished." Someone replied.

The ministers liked the emperor's practice very much, so the emperor's name name was clear.

"What? Could this be related to the meat waist knife?" Someone asked.

The talking companion looked at everyone with a mysterious look.

"Of course, if it wasn't for the meat waist knife, how could the eunuch Guo Laonu, who was deeply trusted by the emperor, be easily brought down." He said in a low voice.

"How did this Guo Laonu provoke the meat waist knife? Don't these people know how powerful the meat waist knife is?"

"That's not necessarily the case. The meat waist knife is like a mad dog who bites. Does he need a reason?"

There was a lot of talk in the room.

It completely stole the limelight from the person who came to tell big news. He had to knock on the table.

"Listen to me, listen to me," he said.

Everyone looked at him again.

"For the meat waist knife, a eunuch's secret is no big deal. But do you know what he has been doing recently?" the person said with a light cough.

"Stop selling."

"Just say it."

Everyone looked at him and urged.

"He bought a house in Wumi Alley," the person said.

As soon as this statement came out, the companions booed in unison.

"What's so strange about him buying a house?"

"No one knows how many industries he has out there, in the open and in the dark."

"It isn't surprising if he has a house."

He saw laughter in the room.

"Do you know what his house is for?" the man said with a snort.

"Where prisoners are lynched?"

"Hidden treasures?"

Everyone was guessing about all kinds of things.

The person who came just shook his head, and after no one had guessed, he leaned forward and lowered his voice.

"He is raising a woman in that house," he said slowly.

The companions were quiet for a while, and then there was an uproar, and their expressions were unbelievable.

"How can that be?"

"He will marry Princess Jiuli this month."

"Even if he wants to take a concubine to raise a child, he has to wait until after marriage."

The visitor was very satisfied with everyone's shocked reaction.

"Exactly," he said. "Do you know who that woman is?"

Who knows!

On the other hand, Lu Yunqi could know just how many women others had raised.

The companions were silent and looked at him.

"Do you still remember that he also came out to enjoy the flowers by the lake when the cherry blossoms were in April?" said the visitor.

Everyone nodded, Lu Yunqi rarely appeared on the street in Baisun, so everyone was deeply impressed.

"Didn't he enter a tea house at the time?" the visitor continued.

The crowd nodded again.

The visitor sat up straight with a meaningful smile.

"Lu Qianhu is raising the girl who makes tea in that tea house," he said.

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This chapter is thanks to Davicat! <3

Footnotes and Idioms

This chapter references things that happened in Chapter 256.

1– "meat loin knife"- describes a person who frames others; based on the story of Li Linfu, a prime minister in the Tang Dynasty

2– "laonu" – old servant

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