Proud Feather

Chapter 79 Origin
At night, Chu Ling changed her clothes and went to Xianle Tower with them.

Chu Xiaojiu was very surprised and said, "The princess looks really like a man in men's clothes. You can't tell at all."

Chu Ling raised a finger: "What should you call me? Little Ninth Nephew?"

Chu Xiaojiu understood and immediately changed his words: "Uncle, this is my uncle from the next room."

Chu Ling was satisfied: "Don't let it slip, or you will be the one to blame."

Yang Yu thought to herself, "They do look alike." The princess was still young, with a slender figure and a heroic expression. Even in men's clothing, she looked like a teenager. Most important was her posture; the way she walked, raised her hand, and saluted felt vaguely familiar.

If you think about it carefully, isn't this the appearance of the prince?
Chu Ling saw his confusion and said, "I lived with my eldest brother when I was young, and we didn't separate until he got married. It's not difficult to learn."

Yang Yu nodded silently. No wonder the princess was so obsessed with the prince's death. Her mother had passed away long ago, and her father was busy with state affairs. The prince was the person the princess relied on most.

"How many distinguished guests are there?" The servant came forward and greeted them with a smile.

"Three." Chu Xiaojiu answered and asked him, "Will Zhu Xingshou be on stage today?"

"Please come in, all three of you." The attendant replied as he led them to their seats, "Your arrival is opportune. Zhu Xingshou is the opening act today. He will be here shortly."

Chu Xiaojiu nodded, chose a good seat to sit down, and gave him some money as a tip.

Chu Ling took in the surroundings and said, "This place is much more luxurious than Wa Si, and it's also quiet."

"Young Master is right," Yang Yu agreed. "Most of the people who come and go in the teahouse are commoners, but the guests at Xianle Tower are either rich or noble."

Look at the guests sitting in the lobby, each one dressed in silk and brocade. The waiters are also well-dressed and speak softly, and there is even incense in the building.

Speaking of this, Chu Xiaojiu was a little afraid of running into acquaintances. Fortunately, he stretched his neck to look around and found that a few familiar faces had no contact with his family, so he felt relieved.

"Uncle, Xianle Tower is not like a teahouse, so threats are useless. However, this Zhu Xingshou loves talents. If Ayu is willing to write two poems and send them in, she will definitely meet with you."

Yang Yu glanced at him.

Chu Xiaojiu chuckled: "Young Master Yang is very talented, so he should be able to write it, right?"

Yang Yu replied, "I finally understand why you want to recruit me."

Chu Xiaojiu said slickly, "You're the most talented person I know, so of course I have to look for you! Besides, letting your uncle see your talent and give you a helping hand will be much more effective than you studying more. Right, uncle?"

Chu Ling was very supportive: "If Young Master Yang's poem is good, I will mention it to my father someday."

As he was speaking, Zhu Fan came out.

Perhaps because she was going on stage today, she was dressed more lavishly than she had been the other day. Her delicate features were shrouded in a hint of melancholy, her expression calm and cool. Though adorned with jewels and precious stones, she possessed an air of detachment and transcendence. This contradiction filled her with reverie; she was truly a woman of immense allure.

Chu Ling didn't remember her. She was a person who had never appeared in his previous life. Maybe he had invited her to a banquet, after all, Xianle Tower was very famous, but she didn't leave any impression on him.

With Zhu Fan's appearance, the building became lively.

Zhu Fan responded calmly, bowed his head slightly in greeting, then sat down on the stage and started playing the piano.

She was a skilled musician, and even more remarkable was her unwavering focus. In comparison, a musician like Xiao Lianxiang, who made a living in a teahouse, seemed vulgar.

As the guests were listening with fascination, the information Jiang Shijun had handed over flashed through Chu Ling's mind.

"This Zhu Xingshou didn't hide her name. I've researched it and found out her father, Zhu Jingde, was originally the Chief Justice of the Water Conservancy Bureau. Earlier this year, he and the previous judge were imprisoned together. Due to massive embezzlement, they were sentenced to exile and their family property was confiscated. She stayed at the Jiaofangsi for a few months, and the owner of the Xianle Tower admired her zither skills and found a way to get her out..."

"Supervisory Secretary?" Chu Ling interrupted him. "So, he was a colleague of Zhang Chuanze?" "Yes," Jiang Shijun replied. "It's clearly written in Mr. Gao's file that Zhu Jingde was one of the first water officials to be accused."

"Where is Zhu Jingde? Where was he exiled to?"

"He died. He didn't make it on the road."

"..." Chu Ling seemed to be lost in thought. "One or two of them are dead. It makes people suspicious!"

Jiang Shijun said: "Zhu and Zhang have been in the Dushuijian for many years, and their families have been engaged in this business for generations. It can be said that they are the ones who truly understand river repair."

The position of the Du Shui Jian judge was not low, and was sometimes held concurrently by high-ranking officials. Most of the specific affairs were handled by the Jian Cheng.

"So, Zhu Fan's father was imprisoned by my eldest brother. Why did she come to my eldest brother?"

Jiang Shijun speculated: "Perhaps, it's not she who's looking for the prince, but the prince who's looking for her?"

"Ok?"

Jiang Shijun said, "Zhu Fan is Zhu Jingde's only daughter. She is said to have been very intelligent since childhood and was brought up like a boy. She might know some things."

Chu Ling understood. He immediately sent a message to his father and headed straight for Xianle Tower from the palace.

……

Zhu Fan on the stage played a few songs and thanked the guests.

The guests applauded enthusiastically, and flowers and gifts flowed in like a stream. Gold and silver were considered tacky, but there were also jewelry, ornaments, and someone even gave a piece of music sheet to please the guests.

There were even more people sending poems, and almost all the guests who could write asked for pens and ink. For a while, everyone in the building picked up a pen and started writing. If you didn't know, you would think it was some academy.

Yang Yu sneered: "Even in front of the teacher, he is not so active."

"Okay, Young Master Yang, stop making sarcastic remarks and write a poem!" Chu Xiaojiu raised his hand and shouted, "Dude, put on the pen and ink!"

He shouted loudly, and many people around him looked at him.

Chu Xiaojiu didn't take it as an offense, but was very proud of it. He pointed at Yang Yu and said, "We want to write poetry!"

Yang Yu wanted to hide her face, but she could only force a smile. After everyone looked away, she glared at him and said, "You want to embarrass yourself, but you have to drag me into this!"

"How is this embarrassing? It's clearly a show of strength!" Chu Xiaojiu said confidently, "If I could write poetry, why would I look for you? I would have done it myself long ago! Think about it, with so many people admiring me, but Zhu Xingshou ignored everyone and called my name in the spotlight, going to meet the beauty under everyone's envious gaze..."

At this point, Chu Xiaojiu was already drooling: "Such a wonderful taste, others can't even ask for it!"

Yang Yu was defeated by him: "Alright, alright, I'll write it, don't mess around!"

It was difficult to come up with a poem in such a short time. Good poems require careful consideration. Yang Yu thought for a moment, found a suitable poem from his past, carefully considered and revised it, then copied it down and handed it to his attendant.

Chu Xiaojiu repeated it several times and clapped his hands: "Good! Good! You will definitely take first place today. Brother Yang, wait for the meeting with Zhu Xingshou!"

He was very proud, which attracted the attention of others.

Yang Yu lost his temper again and could only lower his voice: "Don't forget why we are here today. You are delaying the princess's business!"

Chu Xiaojiu, however, chuckled and came over, saying, "You don't understand this, do you? I'm deliberately putting on an act now. If I don't win, I can naturally make a big fuss and demand that Zhu Xingshou comment on your poem in person, otherwise I won't accept it. Hehe, this way, whether I win or not, we can see the person!"