The Bad Guys: Everyone, let’s revive the Tang Dynasty together!

Chapter 547 A Beautiful Woman by a Small Bridge and Flowing Water

In mid-July, the summer heat was at its peak.

As the wedding of Hanba approached, the surrendered minister took his elder sister and left the palace to head north. After Xiao Yan finalized the general plan for the twenty-two provinces in Hangzhou, he delegated all the tedious government affairs to Jing Xiang and Feng Dao. He himself, along with the Empress, Ji Ruxue, and Chi Meng, who was already bored in the palace, left Hangzhou and headed south to tour the Wu and Yue regions.

The flames of war were about to break out in Fujian, but the emperor had already leisurely passed through Kuaiji, Zhuji, and Yiwu, and after briefly viewing the landscape of central Zhejiang, he was now in Wuzhou.

As the heat of summer had arrived, the sun was intensely blazing. Fortunately, Wuzhou City was built along the water, and as one walked through the streets, the river breeze, carrying moist air, brushed against one's face, which helped to dispel some of the heat.

Xiao Yan was dressed in an indigo-blue casual robe, his hair tied up with a simple wooden hairpin. He looked like an ordinary scholar from a well-to-do family, traveling with his family. He was walking ahead with his hands behind his back, slowly observing the shops and passersby along the street.

The Empress followed slightly behind him, her face veiled by a light gauze hat, revealing only her elegant neck and pale wrists. Her moon-white dress swayed gently with her steps. Ji Ruxue and Chi Meng lagged further behind; one wore a light blue shirt, exuding a refined and ethereal beauty, while the other wore a colorful embroidered dress, her every glance full of liveliness and charm.

Therefore, this group of four is a sight to behold, inevitably attracting the attention of passersby, but that's all.

Wu and Yue submitted to the Tang Dynasty, and although the purges were far less bloody than those in the newly designated Jiangsu and Jiangxi, many powerful families still had their property confiscated. The wealthy young men, living in a state of anxiety, saw this man traveling with three beautiful women. He was tall and robust, with an extraordinary air about him; he didn't seem like someone to be trifled with. What if he was the son of some newly powerful official from the north? If they stared at him too long, they might inadvertently anger him and invite trouble.
“The glaze of this Wuzhou kiln porcelain is indeed unique.” Xiao Yan stopped in front of a shop set up by a kiln, picked up a celadon bowl, and carefully examined the thickness of the bowl wall and the luster of the glaze under the light. He said to the three women, “The body is solid and the glaze is clear. It is not much inferior to the official kiln.”

The Empress gently lifted a corner of the veil from her slender fingers, revealing her delicate chin, and nodded slightly: "I have heard that Wuzhou kiln has recently innovated its glaze formula and kiln, which has indeed improved the yield and quality. Now that the north-south waterway is convenient, if the sea route can be opened in the future, it may become a major trading center due to its low price and high quality."

Seeing the distinguished air of these customers, the old kiln worker in the shop hurriedly stepped forward with a smile: "Young man and lady, you have a good eye! The firing techniques of our Wuzhou kiln have been passed down through generations. I dare not say that we can rival the official kiln, but in terms of everyday use, this is definitely the best!" As he spoke, he gave a strong thumbs up.

Xiao Yan smiled, put down the porcelain bowl, and chatted with the old kiln worker for a few more minutes about the post-war business at the kiln and the current price of firewood and charcoal. Seeing that this young man was easygoing and asked questions about the industry, unlike those playboys who only knew about romance and pleasure, the old kiln worker also opened up and spoke eloquently.

The Empress and Ji Ruxue listened quietly, each with a faint smile on their face, while Chi Meng squatted to the side, watching curiously as the craftsman glazed the porcelain blank, eager to try it herself.

Xiao Yan noticed her expression and smiled at the old kiln worker, saying, "Sir, my young wife is very curious. I wonder if we could let her try the fun of glazing? We are willing to pay the full price and compensate for any damage."

Seeing their sincere attitude and smart attire, the old kiln worker hesitated for a moment before readily agreeing: "Of course, of course! If you gentlemen don't mind, this way please. We have some small unglazed pieces that this young lady can try her hand at making."

With the craftsman's simple guidance, not only did Chi Meng pick up the glaze brush with great interest, but Xiao Yan, the Empress, and Ji Ruxue also found it quite interesting. They each chose a small cup or saucer and carefully applied glaze to it.

Although the process was inevitably clumsy, and even Chi Meng's hands and cuffs were stained with some glaze, which made everyone laugh, it was also quite interesting.

After finishing the task, Xiao Yan said to the old kiln worker, "Old man, please put these blanks into the kiln and fire them together. After they come out of the kiln, I will send someone to collect them, and the money will be settled at the same time."

The old kiln worker readily agreed, secretly delighted. These guests were clearly extraordinary, and this deal was worthwhile.

Leaving the kiln, the group slowly turned into a more bustling street. They smelled the unique scent of silk and dye mixed in the air, and looked up to see several sizable silk workshops built along the river, from which came the regular clanging of looms.

Xiao Yan strolled towards one of the larger workshops. As soon as he arrived at the door, a quick-witted shop assistant greeted him with a beaming smile: "Gentlemen, are you here to select some fine silks? Our Jinxiufang fabrics are renowned throughout Wuzhou!"

Xiao Yan glanced at the dazzling array of silks and satins in the front hall and casually said, "Let me look at the fabrics first. Also, I've heard that your workshop has exquisite weaving skills. Would it be convenient for me to see how this brocade is woven?"

Upon hearing this, the waiter's smile widened, but he did not immediately agree. He said, "Please wait a moment, esteemed guest. The weaving workshop is just behind us, but it is not usually open to the public. I need to ask the manager for permission."

Having said that, the man quickly walked towards the inner hall.

Before long, a well-dressed middle-aged man came out with the waiter; he must be the manager.

He glanced at Xiao Yan and his companions, noticing their extraordinary bearing, especially the women. Although their faces were partially obscured, their overall demeanor suggested they were not from ordinary families. He then began to make his decision.

He then cupped his hands and smiled, saying, "Greetings, sir. It is certainly not inconvenient to watch the weaving process. However, there are many miscellaneous items in the workshop, so please watch your step and follow me."

Led by the shopkeeper, the group passed through the front hall and arrived at the weaving workshop in the back. There, dozens of looms were neatly arranged, the sound of shuttles clanging incessantly. In front of each loom sat a weaver, mostly women, their fingers flying and shuttles weaving, and inch by inch, the beautiful brocade flowed from their hands.

"It's so beautiful!" Chi Meng leaned closer to a loom that was weaving intricate lotus patterns, her eyes glued to it.

Ji Ruxue nodded slightly. She had grown up in the Huanyin Workshop and had seen many exquisite fabrics, but she still found it difficult to witness firsthand how this magnificent brocade was created from thread by thread.

Xiao Yan watched for a while, his gaze lingering for a moment on the weavers whose faces looked slightly tired but whose hands never stopped, before turning to the various finished silks hanging to the side.

The shopkeeper was very perceptive. Seeing that they were looking carefully, he led them to a resting area next to the workshop, which was slightly separated by a screen. There were tables and chairs there, which offered a clearer view of the workshop and was relatively quiet.

"Please have a seat here, distinguished guests. If you see any patterns you like, or wish to examine any particular material in detail, please let us know," the shopkeeper said, gesturing for a waiter to serve tea. He then discreetly retreated to the area connecting the front hall and the workshop, making it convenient to greet guests while leaving ample space.

Just then, a figure dressed in an inconspicuous gray cloth dress silently entered through the side door, and after a glance, walked towards the direction where Xiao Yan and the others were.

However, Shi Yao, dressed as an ordinary woman, walked up to Xiao Yan and slightly curtsied before him, who was reaching out to stroke a piece of royal blue silk, and said in a very low voice, "My lord."

Xiao Yan felt a smooth, slightly cool touch. Without turning his head, he simply hummed softly through his nose.

Shi Yao lowered her eyes: "The Mirror Heart Demon sent a message from Fuzhou that Wang Shenzhi has secretly sent his adopted son Wang Yanbing as an envoy to contact our people stationed in Jianzhou."

The Empress slightly raised her eyes, while Xiao Yan's hand paused on the silk for a moment, but he still did not turn around, only nodding to indicate that he was listening.

Shi Yao then continued, "Wang Shenzhi expressed his willingness to surrender the entire Fujian region and offer up Xu Wen and his cronies, only asking that you, my lord, spare the lives of the Wang clan. In addition, he begged you, my lord, to have mercy and allow his family to retain some of their land, houses, and several ships to maintain the clan's livelihood and prevent them from becoming homeless."

After she finished speaking, she remained silent.

The shopkeeper caught a glimpse of the gray-clad woman approaching and whispering to Xiao Yan. Although he couldn't hear what she was saying, he noticed the man's composed demeanor and the woman's respectful posture as she reported. He knew they must be master and servant or have something important to discuss, so he was even less likely to disturb them. He even moved a few steps further away and looked away to avoid any suspicion.

The clanging sounds coming from the weaving area made this resting corner even quieter. The Empress's veil fluttered slightly as she turned towards Xiao Yan. Even Ji Ruxue, who was admiring a piece of scarlet brocade with Chi Meng nearby, noticed the subtle change in atmosphere and looked over.

Only Chi Meng remained, lost in thought, staring at a newly brought-out scarlet brocade with a lotus pattern.

Xiao Yan seemed completely unconcerned about Shi Yao's report. He put down the silk and turned to Chi Meng, who was tilting her head to look at the brocade beside him. He gently pinched her delicate cheeks with both hands and shook them from side to side.

Caught off guard, Chi Meng exclaimed "Ouch!" and came to her senses. She slapped him away in annoyance and muttered, "Little lad, what are you doing? You're making your face all messy!"

Xiao Yan chuckled softly, released his grip, and turned to look at Shi Yao, asking, "Wang Shenzhi has certainly made a good calculation. Using Xu Wen's remnants of his army and his already fragile foundation to exchange for the long-lasting wealth and prosperity of his entire clan? There's no such thing as a free lunch."

He paused, then added with a playful tone, "However, since he dares to have such thoughts, is Xu Wen, that shrewd man, just a wooden puppet in Fuzhou, waiting for Wang Shenzhi to sell him out? Doesn't Xu Wen have any precautions or his own plans?"

Shi Yao bowed slightly: "Reporting to my lord, according to the observations of the Mirror Heart Demon, Xu Wen has been living a secluded life since retreating to Fuzhou, claiming illness and refusing to leave his home. His elite troops have also dispersed and gone into hiding, their movements unknown. We also believe that although he appears to be lying low, given his character, it is impossible for him to entrust his life and fortune entirely to Wang Shenzhi's trust. There must be some arrangements in the dark, and our people are still investigating his specific plans. It is not clear at the moment."

Xiao Yan shook his head, turned his head, and spoke to the Empress beside him, his voice barely audible to those around him: "Xu Wen, to rise from a minor official to the powerful prime minister of Wu, is no easy opponent. He served as the so-called Southern Dynasty's Prime Minister for a year, and since he dared to infiltrate Wang Shenzhi's territory at this desperate juncture, he either has some weakness in Wang Shenzhi's hands, or he has already prepared methods to counterattack or even drag Wang Shenzhi down with him. If Wang Shenzhi thinks he can easily use him as a stepping stone to advancement, he is being far too naive." The Empress gave a soft "hmm" in agreement.

Just as she was about to speak, another person strode in from outside the workshop. When the person came closer, he first gave Xiao Yan a slight, imperceptible bow, and then took out a scroll from his pocket and handed it to Shi Yao.

Shi Yao took the paper, quickly examined the sealing wax, then unrolled it and scanned it rapidly, her expression shifting slightly. She then handed the paper to Xiao Yan, whispering, "My lord, it's an urgent report from Quanzhou..."

Xiao Yan raised an eyebrow, took the scroll, and began to read it.

The handwriting was fine, yet concise, detailing how Li Xingyun and the imposter Li, through gathering intelligence in Quanzhou with the help of local thugs, deduced that Xu Wen might send assassins to burn down Quanzhou port to extinguish Wang Shenzhi's will to surrender and force him to sail with them. Meanwhile, the imposter Li had already gone to persuade Wang Yanbin, the prefect of Quanzhou, explaining the advantages and disadvantages.

After reading it, Xiao Yan's lips curled into a faint smile. He casually handed the scroll to the Empress and chuckled, "These two are quite interesting. They went to Quanzhou, not for sightseeing. The timing of their actions was certainly opportune."

The Empress took the letter and read it with Ji Ruxue. A hint of surprise flashed in her eyes. She then handed the letter back and commented, "Insightful, bold and meticulous. Especially Li Yi, who was able to persuade Wang Yanbin."

Xiao Yan casually folded the letter and stuffed it into his sleeve: "One has the heart of a child and is very perceptive; the other has been through darkness for a long time and is familiar with the tricks of the devil. These two together have really become my timely help."

After saying that, he suddenly turned around and walked towards the several bolts of high-quality silk. In addition to the scarlet brocade with lotus patterns that Chi Meng had chosen, he selected about ten more bolts and asked the shopkeeper to wrap them up.

Besides the Empress and Ji Ruxue, he also picked out a horse for the surrendered officials, Shuliduo, and other women, saying that even according to the Empress's own opinion, the patterns and colors were quite suitable for these women.

Seeing that Chi Meng was immediately coaxed into a smile, holding the scarlet brocade with great affection, praising Xiao Yan, the Empress and Ji Ruxue exchanged a glance and couldn't help but smile.

Their husbands always had a knack for dealing with women.

At this moment, Xiao Yan seemed to remember Shi Yao again, so he glanced at her sideways. Shi Yao was also startled, and then quickly stepped forward, took out her money bag, and paid the full amount of money.

The shopkeeper, calculating this sizable deal, was also beaming with joy. He was about to call his assistant to help wrap the fabric when Xiao Yan simply waved his hand. Immediately, several capable attendants entered, swiftly took the silk, and quickly left.

While they were doing this, Xiao Yan led the women outside, saying to Shi Yao:

“Go tell Wang Shenzhi that Xu Wen wants to burn down his Quanzhou port, cutting off his last escape route. Let him weigh the pros and cons. If he is sensible enough to quickly hand over Xu Wen's head, I might consider letting him live the life of a wealthy man. If he continues to waver and try to bargain with me, delaying the opportunity, even the slightest loss to Quanzhou will mean the end of the Wang family line.”

Shi Yao's heart skipped a beat, and she immediately bowed: "Yes, I understand, I will do it immediately."

“Furthermore,” Xiao Yan added, “send a message to Chi Li and Wang Yanzhang, instructing them to continue pressuring Zhangzhou and Jianzhou according to the original plan, without waiting any longer. It’s also time to let Wang Shenzhi hear the war drums from the north.”

"Yes." Shi Yao bowed again, then turned around and quickly disappeared into the bustling crowd.

Xiao Yan looked in the direction she left, and after a moment, his expression relaxed again. He smiled at the three women and said, "Let's go and see the scenery of Wuzhou again. Although Li Xingyun and Li Yi's actions were somewhat unexpected, they were able to detect Xu Wen's conspiracy and try to stop it. They did a good job of solving a potential crisis for the people of Quanzhou and saved me a lot of trouble."

The four continued walking slowly along the street.

Although Wuzhou City was not as prosperous as Hangzhou, it was still well-organized with its streets lined with shops and the constant hawking of vendors. When they passed a stall selling hats and jewelry, Chi Meng was immediately attracted by the exquisitely woven hats and various velvet flowers. She pulled Ji Ruxue over and began to select items with great interest.

Taking this opportunity, the Empress leaned slightly closer to Xiao Yan, speaking in a very soft voice, just loud enough for him to hear: "Ninth Brother, it is not that I am being presumptuous, but Li Xingyun and Li Yi acted on their own initiative and ventured into dangerous territory. Although they have made merit, is there also a hidden agenda behind their actions... to show off their abilities and attract attention? After all, they have special identities."

Xiao Yan stopped and waited for the two women. Hearing this, he looked at the mottled white walls and black tiles on the street, but put his hands behind his back and said in a calm tone: "Yun Ji, do you know what kind of people in this world are most likely to arouse people's jealousy and are most likely to be used by others?"

Before the Empress could answer, he replied, “They are all talented individuals with their own desires. Li Xingyun seeks peace of mind and transcendence; Li Yi seeks recognition and a sense of worth. What they did today, regardless of their initial intentions, ultimately benefits the country. Whether they were intentionally trying to prove themselves or unintentionally going with the flow, if they were truly mediocre and incompetent, even with a thousand thoughts, how could they deliver such a timely message? Yunji, this world is too vast, and there are too many capable people. If they were unknown and insignificant, what virtue or ability would they have to deserve my call of ‘brother’?”

Upon hearing this, the Empress let out a very soft laugh from beneath her veil, seemingly relieved, yet also smiling: "I had misunderstood. Ninth Prince's magnanimity is beyond the comprehension of ordinary people."

Just then, Xiao Yan turned his head and his gaze fell on the Empress. A gentle breeze blew by, slightly lifting the veil of her hat. In a fleeting glance, he saw the corners of her lips slightly raised, and the smile in her eyes was more captivating than the landscape of Jiangnan.

So, in a moment of inspiration, he reached out and gently lifted the veil of his hat, hanging it on the brim.

The street corner was brightly lit, and the empress's radiant face was suddenly revealed. Her eyebrows and eyes were exquisite, and her skin was as white as snow. The occasional passersby who caught a glimpse of her were all instantly stunned, their eyes fixed on her, as if they were captivated by her stunning beauty and forgot to even breathe.

The Empress was taken aback at first, but then showed no shyness or panic. Instead, she raised her phoenix eyes, smiled at Xiao Yan, and asked in a soft voice, "What are you doing, my husband?"

Xiao Yan looked at her without any hesitation and said frankly, "It's nothing, I just suddenly felt that Yun Ji looks incredibly beautiful today."

A slight blush rose to the Empress's cheeks, but her eyes shone even brighter. Meeting Xiao Yan's gaze, her smile deepened, and she spoke with a touch of coquettishness:
"Oh? Just today? Then why do I feel that my husband... not just today, but always has been the most handsome man in the world, and there is no other man like him?"

Although the Empress did not deliberately raise her voice, her appearance caused the already bustling street corner to freeze in shock, and every passerby nearby was forced to witness this display of affection.

Everyone was initially stunned by the Empress's sudden display of stunning beauty, but upon hearing her unabashed praise, their gazes involuntarily turned to the man in front of her.

The man was handsome, with striking eyebrows and bright eyes. He stood tall and elegant with his hands behind his back, exuding an extraordinary aura. He calmly accepted the affectionate gaze and praise from the beautiful woman beside him. His composure and confidence seemed to be something he was born to be.

Several younger men initially couldn't help but feel a pang of jealousy and disbelief. How could this man win the heart of such a beauty and receive such lavish praise in public? However, once they saw Xiao Yan's appearance and demeanor, their inexplicable sourness quickly dissipated. They sighed and could only think to themselves that this young man was truly remarkable, no wonder his wife was so smitten. They then dispersed dejectedly, no longer willing to compete with him.

Xiao Yan took in all the reactions around him, but paid them no mind. The Empress's straightforward praise had clearly pleased the young emperor, so he couldn't help but laugh out loud. His laughter was hearty and unrestrained, echoing through the bright streets.

"Shame on you! Little rascal, how shameless! Staring at Sister Yunji in broad daylight, you're just lusting after her beauty!"

Chi Meng's exaggerated shout came from the side. She and Ji Ruxue had returned from the stall. Chi Meng had a newly bought pink begonia in her hair and was holding a light purple orchid flower in her hand. She pulled Ji Ruxue over and ran over, pointing at Xiao Yan and yelling.

Ji Ruxue also had a crabapple blossom tucked into her hair, which made her beautiful face even more radiant. At this moment, she was smiling slightly as she looked at them.

Xiao Yan's laughter hadn't stopped when he looked at the three beauties in front of him: the so-called empress with her veil half-lifted and a smile as beautiful as a flower, Ji Ruxue with a flower in her hair and a gentle smile, and Chi Meng with her hands on her hips and a feigned sullen look. All his worries vanished in an instant.

He stepped forward, opened his arms, and without saying a word, embraced all three women, then walked towards the other end of the market.

"Alright, let's not let those trivial matters spoil our mood." He said with a smile as he walked. "What about King Xu Wen of Min, what about important military and national affairs? Let's put them all behind us for now. Right now, the most important thing is the idyllic scene of a small bridge over a flowing stream and the beautiful woman in front of us."

The empress in his arms smiled without saying a word, Ji Ruxue blushed slightly but did not pull away, while Chi Meng chattered and held up the velvet flower, trying to put it on his head. The four of them walked away hand in hand, their figures blending into the crowd, leaving behind only the hustle and bustle of the street and countless gazes that were either amazed, envious, or astonished.

In the distance, the river flows silently eastward.

The sky and clouds share the same color.

(End of this chapter)