Chapter 148: Infatuated Fool (Basic + Pinky 80)

  The unnamed wine house received an order for a high-end banquet early in the morning. If it were any other day, the owner would have thought this was a good omen, indicating that business would be booming all day. However, today he couldn't get excited, as the customer's demands were extremely high and their attitude was terrible. The dishes they ordered, such as fat sheep without oil, camel hump, raw fish, single-layer golden milk pastry, giant victory slave, jade dew cake, heavenly flower rice cake, and live duck flower soup pancake, were all manageable. But what was unbearable was the "Lan'e Lou" dish, which required washing the goose's intestines with grass ash water until they were clean, then putting it in an iron cage, starting a fire in the cage, and placing a copper bowl filled with five-flavor sauce next to it. The goose would walk around the bowl, drinking the sauce when thirsty, until it was slowly roasted to death. The donkey was treated the same way, but due to its large size, it took even longer.

  It stands to reason that these two dishes are the signature dishes of this unnamed restaurant, and they are always prepared in advance for any unexpected needs. But today, this customer specifically asked for them to be made fresh on the spot, with the freshest ingredients, and to be served within two hours, without any excuses. This really put the owner in a difficult position, the goose was manageable, but as for the donkey, it was absolutely impossible. The owner was used to doing business and knew who could be cheated and who couldn't, like this gentleman in front of him, he was someone who absolutely couldn't be cheated, so all he could do was try his best to please him and persuade him with words.

  As Peony, dressed in men's clothing, entered the unnamed wine house, she saw the shopkeeper fawning and smiling obsequiously at a slave of a wealthy family, who was sitting with his legs crossed, drinking tea and ignoring him.

  The peony secretly shed a sympathetic tear for the shopkeeper, and followed the hostess to the elegant room on the second floor. First, she asked the young servant to arrange a place for Ruyu and the newly bought little servant Guizi, and to prepare some small dishes to settle them in properly before pushing open the door and entering.

  Jiang Changyang was wearing a luxurious crimson round-necked and narrow-sleeved shirt, with the latest style of official hat on his head and a long-legged Luo Jin headscarf. He sat alone in front of the tea table by the window, concentrating on serving the tea soup. Hearing the sound, he raised his eyes to look at her and smiled slightly, gesturing for her to sit across from him: "It's cold outside, have a cup of hot tea to warm up."

  Peony picked up a cup of hot tea, curiously holding it and sizing him up from head to toe, then bent down to take a look at the buckle on his boots. As expected, there were still gold and silver decorations on the buckle. She looked at him sideways with a sly smile: "Wow, you're really dressed up today! Ah, red robe, red robe."

  Jiang Changyang smiled slightly and stretched out his foot for her to see: "A gift from the emperor." Without waiting for Peony to ask, he also took off the golden dagger at his waist and handed it over to her: "Also a gift from the emperor."

  The peony smiled and played with it for a while, saying: "You wouldn't have brought it here just to show me, would you? You're really poor."

  Jiang Changyang said seriously, "It's not that, I have another use for it." As he spoke, he put the golden dagger back in her right hand and didn't intend to take it back. His eyes stuck on Peony, making her feel embarrassed. She couldn't help but stretch out her hand to pinch his eyelid: "What are you looking at?"

  "It's the first time I've seen you in men's clothing." Jiang Changyang smiled lightly and leaned his face closer, but Peony just poked him gently and withdrew her hand. Her gentle fingers only brushed against his eyebrows and eyes, touching and then leaving, making him feel unsatisfied. He took the initiative to reach out and adjust Peony's collar: "This isn't done well, it's wrinkled." His fingertips lightly grazed Peony's neck, giving her an unusual feeling that made her face turn red instantly.

  Jiang Changyang's fingertips rested on Peony's carotid artery, feeling the vibrant life force beneath his fingers, and sniffing the fragrant scent on her body. His voice lowered, slightly husky: "Dan Niang, this golden dagger is a pair, I'll take it as a betrothal gift, what do you think?" Unable to resist, his fingertips began drawing circles on her neck.

  "What do you want to use as a betrothal gift, how can I control it?" Peony's face turned red like a cooked shrimp, she slightly tilted her neck and dodged his restless fingers, changing the subject: "What's going on outside?"

  Jiang Changyang reluctantly withdrew his fingers, forcing himself to calm down and clear his throat: "Young Master Jiang wants to join the army, so his family is going to hold a farewell feast for him. He's been clamoring to eat the signature dish here, so someone has been trying every means possible to fulfill this small wish of his."

  Peony confirmed that Jiang Er was forced to go to the army because of his clumsiness during the hunting trip, and sighed: "I think the boss is very pitiful, what can be done if this cannot be achieved? If you want to eat, why not come and book in advance?"

  Jiang Changyang clapped his hands, signaling the waiter to bring up the dishes. He turned around and looked at Peony: "They only care about eating, who cares if someone can do it or not? There are many people in this world like that, but based on one's own preferences, who cares about others' lives?" He fell silent for a moment, raised an eyebrow: "The person sent over must have messed up last night, didn't come ahead of time to set things straight, and is also someone who doesn't understand the situation, doesn't know the specifics of this wine cellar's procedures, thinks that as soon as they open their mouth, it'll be ready. You just wait and see, something will go wrong soon. This unnamed wine tower has a background."

  Sure, here is the translation:

  As expected, they had just finished serving the dishes and hadn't even had a chance to taste them when a commotion broke out outside, accompanied by shouts and curses, as well as the sound of bowls and plates shattering. Jiang Changyang stood up, brushing off his clothes: "It's here, do you want to watch the excitement?" As he spoke, he opened the window facing the main hall, gesturing for Mudan to come over.

  The window wasn't small, but the gap between them was too narrow. Jiang Changyang stood tightly against Peony, their body heat transmitting to each other through the autumn clothes, making them feel hot and scared。 Peony tried to calm down, not avoiding him, Jiang Changyang glanced at her, raised his lips with joy, secretly put his hand on her shoulder, and took the opportunity to touch her white jade-like earlobe twice。 Peony didn't speak, fiercely pinching his waist once。

  The hall was in a mess, the servant from Zhu Guo Gong's mansion was smashing things and cursing loudly, while the owner of the unnamed wine shop kept lamenting: "It can't be done, this small business is not worth doing, I won't do it anymore."

  In the midst of the commotion, a luxurious room on the second floor was suddenly opened, and three or four men in brocade clothes rushed down the stairs. Without warning, they threw several punches at the servant from the Zhu Guo Gong Fu, instantly turning him into a national treasure panda. In an instant, they kicked him to the ground, and one of the men, wearing a blue satin robe with a round collar and a missing hem, stepped on his back and cursed: "You blind dog thing, you dare to cause trouble here in broad daylight, disturbing the noble's peace and quiet, are you tired of living?"

  The shopkeeper pitifully came forward to plead, but the words he spoke had a different meaning: "Gentlemen, spare him. He is from the Zhu Guogong Mansion, we are just small business owners, and can't afford to offend them."

  Jiang Changyang's smile, which had appeared for a moment due to the warmth he received, immediately disappeared. He furrowed his brow and looked at the shopkeeper, but the shopkeeper was only showing fear and pleading, without any other particular expression.

  The sturdy man in blue brocade robes raised an eyebrow and said in a loud, rough voice: "Under the emperor's feet, there are such evil-doers, it's really outrageous! No matter whose family they belong to, they should be sent to the Jingzhao government office for punishment!" As he spoke, his foot pressed down even harder.

  The servant in Zhu's mansion suddenly let out a loud and pitiful cry, like a slaughtered pig. The shopkeeper was covered in sweat, constantly bowing and apologizing for him.

  Suddenly, a gentle and mellow voice rose: "What's going on? Why all the commotion?" Next, a man of medium build, wearing a purple robe, with a purple gold crown on his head, a white face with a slight mustache, about thirty years old, exuding an air of nobility, calmly walked down the stairs from the second floor, every gesture and movement radiating an aura of elegance.

  Those several men in brocade clothes who were just swaggering about immediately let go of the Zhu Guogong Fu's servant, stepped forward and saluted respectfully. The nobleman casually waved his hand, indicating that everyone should rise, then walked up to the Zhu Guogong Fu's servant, stretched out his foot and lightly kicked him, using the tip of his boot to lift the man's chin, and smiled: "Are you a servant of the Zhu Guogong Fu?"

  He only smelled a strong scent of high-quality dragon's saliva filling his entire nasal cavity, and just by looking at the purple robe, he knew that the visitor was not an ordinary rich and noble person. He didn't even dare to lift his head, and responded with a humming sound like a mosquito.

  That nobleman smiled and said, "Duke Zhu has always been strict with the law, where would he have such an unscrupulous and evil servant? It's clear that someone is harboring ill intentions, deliberately using Duke Zhu's name to do bad things. Come on, tie him up for me and send him to Duke Zhu's mansion, let Duke Zhu decide his fate." He glanced at the broken cups and plates on the ground, and calmly said to the shopkeeper, "These losses will be counted as mine, just put them on my account."

  The shopkeeper was overjoyed as if he had seen a living Bodhisattva, and knelt down to pay his respects, saying: "Thank you, Your Excellency, for your kindness."

  Min Wang? Peony was startled, and it turned out that this was the Min Wang. At this time, Min Wang raised his head and intentionally or unintentionally swept a glance in the direction where the two were standing. Peony wanted to step back, but Jiang Changyang steadily held her waist and said in a low voice, "Don't move. He can't see us."

  The Marquis of Zhen indeed withdrew his gaze, and waited for a white-faced, beardless young man with a good-looking face to carefully wipe the toe of his boot with a snow-white silk handkerchief. Only then did he lead those few brocade-clad strongmen, dragging the Zhu Guo Gong Fu slaves who were tied up like rice dumplings, and swaggered away.

  Jiang Changyang gently closed the window and let Peony sit down as if nothing had happened: "Eat, it won't taste good when it's cold."

  "Hasn't it been quite unsettled lately?"

  Jiang Changyang's chopsticks paused, and he smiled: "Why would you think that?"

  "The last time Second Master Jiang made a fool of himself, it seemed reasonable on the surface but was actually suspicious. I heard some people's implications, and they seem to be suspecting you. Today's matter is even more coincidental. Since we are sending Second Master away on a distant journey, satisfying his small wish, shouldn't we send someone suitable to handle it? How could we let such an idiot come? Duke Zhu has always been low-key, how could his subordinates be so reckless? And just happened to meet King Min, it's really too coincidental." Peony anxiously touched the kerchief on her head: "Exactly, you're also here at this time, I'm worried that someone is plotting against you behind your back."

  Jiang Changyang's eyes deepened, and he smiled: "Nothing happened, it was just a coincidence, you're overthinking."

  The peony raised her eyes to look at him, his smile seemed very relaxed, and his eyes were filled with tenderness. She also smiled: "Anyway, you just be more careful." Since he didn't want to say anything, she let it go.

  Jiang Changyang nodded: "I got a message, it is said that next year the emperor intends to hold a peony meeting, the winner will be rewarded with 10,000 gold and will also be granted a title. You..."

  "Really? You're not kidding me?"

  As soon as I hear something related to peonies, it's always like this. It's really excessive. Jiang Changyang let out a slightly dissatisfied sigh: "Of course it's true. But these things can change in an instant, and who knows when he'll suddenly change his mind."

  "Peony smiled and said: 'I know, I'll make good preparations first. If it doesn't work out later, I'll just have to be open-minded about it. Right?'"

  Jiang Changyang smiled and picked up a pair of chopsticks, placing a camel's hump on the small silver plate in front of her: "That's the reason."

  The peony also returned him a fish with a bamboo skewer: "Eat more."

  Jiang Changyang swallowed the fish whole, laughing with a curved brow. Peony suddenly turned serious and said: "Xiao Xuexi asked me to greet you. She said that you were outstanding from a young age, she really admires you so much. With a husband like you, what more could a wife ask for?"

  Jiang Changyang was taken aback, almost choked with emotion, but when he saw Peony's eyes flicker and her lips curve up uncontrollably, he suddenly understood. He couldn't help but reach out and pinch Peony's nose: "You're too embarrassed to say what's on your own mind, so you're using someone else's mouth to speak?"

  "Looks like you're still a narcissist after all."

  There were a few faint sounds outside the door, and Wu San called out in a low voice: "Young Master."

  Jiang Changyang swiftly withdrew his hand and composed himself: "Come in."

  Wu San walked in, sizing up the two with a sly gaze. Seeing that they were sitting upright and solemnly facing each other across the table, their expressions serious, he couldn't help but curl his lip in disdain, thinking to himself "what's with the act". However, his tone was serious as he said: "Young master, it's almost time. Zhu Guogong didn't wait for the food to be sent over and just now set off with his men, taking a different route from Minister Min. They probably won't run into each other."

  Jiang Changyang fell silent for a moment, looking at Peony and saying softly: "Have you eaten yet?"

  Peony put down her chopsticks and stood up, smiling: "I've finished eating."

  Jiang Changyang saw that her lip corner had a bit of sauce on it, and subconsciously wanted to reach out to wipe it off for her. His hand was halfway there when he suddenly remembered that Wu San was watching from the side. He turned his head back, but saw that Wu San was indeed leaning forward with an arched waist, his eyes gleaming with mischief as he stared at Jiang's finger. Jiang couldn't help but turn his hand around in mid-air, pointing it at Wu San instead: "You escort Madame He back home, go prepare the horses."

  Wu Sanguli smiled strangely and went out. Jiang Changyang's face turned red uncontrollably, and Peony hurriedly said: "No need to trouble Director Wu, I have a servant with me. You're not saying that Guizi is quite capable, are you? It would be better for him to follow you."

  No sooner had the words left her lips than someone's fingertips quickly wiped across them, "You this..." Peony glared fiercely at Jiang Changyang who was licking his fingertips, her heart uncontrollably racing. She stomped her feet and turned to leave, but then came back, pinched Jiang Changyang's cheeks with both hands, and roughly rubbed them before gritting her teeth and saying: "It's too cold outside, I'll help you get some exercise so you don't freeze."

  Jiang Changyang didn't cry out in pain, instead his eyes shone brightly as he stared at her intently. Peony suddenly felt a sense of unease and tried to let go, but he caught her face in his hands and whispered, "I'll help you loosen up too." Peony subconsciously closed her eyes. Warm and gentle, with a hint of wine fragrance, his lips lightly touched her forehead, lingering there.

  Peony quietly sighed and wondered if he had ever kissed anyone else before. He seemed like he hadn't.

  Jiang Changyang couldn't help but steal glances at Peony's thick eyelashes, her slightly upturned nose, and those inviting red lips that he had been craving for a long time. He was so tempted to take a bite out of them. In the past, the timing wasn't right, but today seemed like the perfect opportunity. The question was, where should he start?

  As she hesitated, Peony's eyes were already open. She tiptoed and quickly planted a kiss on his cheek, then gave him a sudden push and ran downstairs quickly. Jiang Changyang took two quick steps, but only saw her back. He couldn't help but touch the side of his face and smile, next time, next time

  Wu San stared at Jiang Changyang with a silly expression, Jiang Changyang sat on his horse, a dreamy smile on his face, occasionally touching his cheek with his hand and then putting that hand to his lips. Wu San rolled his eyes, people who don't usually get stupid when they do get stupid, the symptoms are more severe than anyone else's.

  Zhu Guogong was determined to send Jiang Ergongzi to the military camp. When the servant who was sent to order wine did not deliver it on time, Zhu Guogong, who had a strong sense of punctuality, took Jiang Ergongzi away without hesitation. This made life difficult for Jiang Ergongzi, who was used to being pampered and spoiled. He refused to eat the food that had been delivered to him earlier at the mansion, so not only did he not get to enjoy any delicacies, but he also couldn't even fill his stomach with ordinary food from the Guogong Mansion. With an empty stomach, he tearfully followed Zhu Guogong onto the horse.

  Jiang Changyang and Wu San waited for a while near the Golden Light Gate, then saw Zhu Guogong with a dark face leading over ten people, surrounding Jiang Er Gongzi in the middle. Jiang Er Gongzi was wearing an ordinary green round-necked robe with a missing hem, riding on horseback timidly, his eyes red and reluctant to part with the prosperous capital. Jiang San Gongzi, who wore a white round-necked narrow-sleeved shirt, rode a jujube-red horse, following behind the crowd at a distance, occasionally looking at Jiang Er Gongzi with sympathy on his face.

  As soon as they left the Jin Guang Gate, Zhu Guogong stopped his horse and called Jiang San Gongzi to come forward: "Yi'er, I will send your second brother on this trip. It will take about a month and a half to return. When I am not at home, you must study hard, and the archery and martial arts that have fallen behind cannot be neglected. Don't make friends with bad people, and be filial to your grandmother and mother, do you understand?"

  Jiang San Gongzi replied in a very proper and polite manner.

  Zhu Guogong said, "Today I have already instructed your mother. For these days, close the door and do not go out, restrain family members, be careful with things, and do not cause trouble. If something happens that cannot be solved, you can go to Qujiangchi Furan Garden to find your elder brother for help."

  Jiang San Gongzi raised his eyes and said calmly: "Father, rest assured, I understand."

  Zhu Guogong looked at him for a while, then suddenly stretched out his hand and patted his shoulder: "You're not young either, it's time to take responsibility. From now on, everything will depend on you."

  Jiang Changyi spoke cautiously: "Son is ashamed, growing up has never done anything for the family." Then he rode his horse to Jiang Er Gongzi's side, leaned against Jiang Er Gongzi and whispered a few words, with his back to Zhu Guogong, quickly stuffed an oily paper package into Jiang Er Gongzi's sleeve, then said: "Second brother take care"

  When Zhu Guogong led a group of people away from the dust, he brought his personal attendant to turn the horse's head and walk back.

  Jiang Changyang watched the movements of the father and son from a distance, then turned to look at Wu San and said: "Third Master is really considerate of Second Master. Now, except for Zhu Guogong, I'm afraid everyone knows that he secretly brought food for Second Master. Such a thoughtful younger brother is truly rare."

  Wu San hummed and said, "Does the Duke need to personally send the Second Young Master out? Can't he just let a capable house guard send him off? Anyway, the Second Young Master wouldn't dare escape halfway."

  Jiang Changyang snorted: "How do you know he didn't go out on purpose to avoid him? If he doesn't leave, he'll be blocked at home by King Min." As Jiang Changyi was about to disappear from view, he hastily said: "Let's go, follow him and see where Third Master Jiang is going. We'll first go take a look at what Third Master is doing, then head to the Duke of Guo's residence. The timing is just right, I reckon King Min will have left by then."

  Jiang Changyi did not intend to return to the national government immediately. He entered from the Golden Light Gate, passed through the Group of Virtuous Officials Lane, and went straight into the Western Market. After strolling around east and west, he stayed in a bookstore for about an hour before finally carrying two books out and riding towards the National Duke's Mansion.

  Jiang Changyang and his men had always been following Jiang Changyi, and this kind of thing was really too simple for them. From the desert, the grassland, the desolate Gobi Desert, they could still do it, let alone on this bustling street?

  Soon, Jiang Changyang was certain that Jiang Changyi was heading back to the Gongfu, so he lightly patted his horse's belly, signaling Wu San to follow. After a short gallop, he caught up with the refined young man. He didn't take the initiative to greet Jiang Changyi, but instead passed by him with a stern face. However, the crimson robe on his body, the golden dagger at his waist, and the tall sorrel horse under him, with golden decorations on its hooves, were too eye-catching for Jiang Changyi to ignore.

  It was almost in an instant that Jiang Changyi excitedly shouted out: "Big Brother"

  Jiang Changyang pulled the reins, looked at him with a serious face, then looked at Wu San in confusion. Wu San understood and hastily smiled: "Young Master, this is the Third Young Master of the National Duke's Manor. You haven't met before."

  Jiang Changyi seemed to have not seen the coldness and impatience on Jiang Changyang's face, and excitedly said: "Yes, big brother, you haven't seen me, but I've seen you. Big brother, where are you going? It's really a pity, I just parted with father and second brother. Father also entrusted me to find you when I have time."

  Jiang Changyang nodded slightly and said, "I'm going to the government office anyway, let's go together."

  Jiang Changyi's face changed slightly, he lowered his eyes, silent for only a breath of time, and then raised his eyes again, smiling warmly and purely at Jiang Changyang: "Good, I couldn't ask for more." He ordered the little servant beside him: "Hurry back to the mansion to report the news, if Old Madam finds out, who knows how happy she'll be?"

  Jiang Changyang gazed at him with a faint smile: "Although I haven't seen you before, I've heard a lot about you. I hear that you're very talented, read books well, and have many friends who are also talented? Next year, will you be taking the imperial examination?"

  Jiang Changyi's face turned slightly red: "I'm not good at reading, going to the exam is just a waste of time."

  Jiang Changyang let out an "oh" and stopped speaking. Jiang Changyi was somewhat disappointed.

  In a moment, they arrived at the entrance of the Duke's mansion. Several servants rushed up, some holding horses and others leading the way. From time to time, they would glance at Jiang Changyang's bright and elegant attire. When they reached the second gate, Madame Du came out smiling and welcomed them.