You have truly caused me great suffering!

Chapter 59 Flattery
Outside Yanzhou City, near Tong Guan's central military camp, stands an ancient temple.

Tong Guan's confidant, Tan Zhen, always liked to burn incense and worship Buddha, so he lived here.

Xie Ning was still slightly drunk, her face flushed, and the place she walked in carried the scent of wine and perfume.

He knew the way well, bypassed the magnificent Mahavira Hall, and came to a quiet courtyard. Before he even got close, he heard the sound of a zither coming from the courtyard.

He instructed the attendant carrying the zither to wait outside, while he himself tiptoed quietly to the door.

Xie Ning stood at the door for a while, and only went in when the music suddenly stopped.

"Xie Ning, now that you're here, what are you doing standing at the door?"

"As a mere mortal listening in, I did not intend to disturb Master Tan's refined enjoyment. What is my crime?" Xie Ning turned around the courtyard wall, bowed deeply, and said.

Although Tan Zhen was also a eunuch and a confidant of Tong Guan, he was different from Tong Guan.

Tong Guan was fond of martial arts, while Tan Zhen was fond of literature; these two were of similar caliber.

Tong Guan appeared to be a great general, but he faltered in tough battles; Tan Zhen was somewhat knowledgeable in music, chess, calligraphy, and painting, but he was a joke when he encountered experts.

Xie Ning looked closely at the courtyard. Under the green cypress, two people sat facing each other, each with a zither in front of them. One was dressed as a scholar in a blue robe, which was Tan Zhen. The other was wearing a kasaya, was fat, had a white face and no beard, and was a monk.

"The music was unrefined and made a fool of myself. I apologize for the rudeness, Director Xie," the monk said, rising to return the greeting.

Xie Ning thought to himself, "I just finished listening to Miss Qingqing play the zither. You two are really just so-so. You're still here playing the zither in front of each other, indulging in your own pleasures."
Although he was disdainful in his heart, he immediately waved his hand and said, "Master, please don't be modest. I just heard the two of you playing together. The music was so gentle, like a beautiful woman sighing by the railing, or like morning dew moistening the petals, or the morning breeze gently brushing the willow branches. It was like a clear spring flowing slowly over my body and into my limbs, making most of the fatigue of my day disappear."

Tan Zhen didn't say anything, but he couldn't hide the joy on his face, clearly enjoying being patted.

"How about I have you meet with Chen Shao to test his loyalty?"

Xie Ning quickly said, "Shao Chen Shao is absolutely on our side!"

The words "Brother Shao" almost slipped out of Xie Ning's mouth. He secretly warned himself that if he addressed him too intimately, he would inevitably arouse suspicion.

Tan Zhen glanced at it and said, "Why are you saying such nice things? Did he promise you some benefit?"

Xie Ning remained calm and smiled, "Lord Tan is joking with me again. Although I am greedy, I dare not delay the important matters of Commander Xuan and Lord Tan."

"You are indeed quite meticulous in your work." Tan Zhen recalled the flattery from earlier and was very satisfied with him.

Such subordinates cannot be transferred away. Keeping them by your side every day keeps you refreshed and can extend your life by decades.

"Oh, by the way, Chen Shao asked me to deliver a zither to Master Tan."

Xie Ning clapped his hands, and his attendant came in and put down the zither on his back.

"Is Master Tan satisfied with this?"

Tan Zhen stepped forward and saw that it was a Zhongni Guqin, with small snake-belly cracks and ice patterns all over its body, full of ancient charm. He plucked the strings and the sound of the guqin was exquisite and clear, with the sound of metal and stone.

"Excellent! What a wonderful instrument!"

Xie Ning looked at him and sneered inwardly. This good-for-nothing was just sitting here pretending to be a master because he had his eggs removed and was serving the officials.

He got an official position by flattering and currying favor, and then thought he was a high-ranking official?

When you were a child, if you could have eaten a full meal, would you have cut off the roots?
Pooh!
"Based on your observations, what flaws do you see in Chen Shao?"

Xie Ning quickly said, "Chen Shao's gaze was indifferent when facing the courtesan Du Lianqing. He is only twenty years old, and his composure shows that he is not lustful. Moreover, he is generous, so he is probably not very greedy."

“Only when he talks about military affairs does he become completely absorbed and speak fluently. I think he is similar to Commander Xuan, eager to make achievements and achieve merit.” Tan Zhen nodded in satisfaction, “Good, it’s good that he wants to make achievements. He is one of us. When Commander Xuan opens up the border and attacks Liaodong, there will be plenty of opportunities for him to show his abilities.”
-
With slender, jade-like fingers, she gently stroked the zither, carefully pressing the notes of the five notes, and a soft, soothing melody arose.

Chen Family Manor, Chen Shao's room is now very different from before. It has been furnished with a dressing table, cabinets and other furniture, and you can also see exquisite bronze mirrors, boxes of rouge and powder, as well as women's clothing and accessories.

With his eyes closed, a faint fragrance lingered around his nose. Listening to the zither music, he felt a breeze under his arms, as if he were floating in a fairyland, on a cloud, with an indescribable comfort and soothing sensation throughout his body...

Xie Ning made it up to flatter Chen Shao, but Chen Shao's feelings were genuine.

He yawned, looking somewhat tired, and then the music stopped.

His head sank into a warm, soft embrace, and cool fingers gently massaged his temples.

“My lord is busy with important matters and need not come back often.” Li Shishi’s voice was indeed beautiful, gentle and melodious.

Chen Shao felt a slight touch of emotion and gently stroked the back of her hand. He thought Li Shishi was a very gentle woman, and being with her always gave him a feeling of tenderness and comfort.

Am I tired?

very tired.

However, Chen Shao did not have the sense of defeat that often appeared in his previous life. Even if he felt tired, it was only physical.

He was in high spirits and full of fighting spirit.

As a Han Chinese from a respectable family, I feel a sense of responsibility, inspired by national sentiment, that I have come to this place on the eve of the Jingkang Incident.

A man can be carefree and irresponsible at times, but when it's time to shoulder responsibilities, he can no longer laugh and joke around.

Thinking about this, Chen Shao felt like a god of responsibility.

Opening his eyes, he saw the beautiful and charming Li Shishi and immediately felt that he deserved it all.

He who shoulders the heaviest responsibilities and fights the toughest battles deserves to enjoy such a beautiful woman.

Sensing the growing aggression in Chen Shao's eyes, Li Shishi smiled gently, gathered her beautiful hair together, and knelt down slowly in front of Chen Shao.

"My lord, you must be tired. Just sit here and enjoy yourself."

Li Shishi had drawn her eyebrows and applied rouge tonight, but it was a little smudged, so she was gently wiping it in front of the bronze mirror.

Her features were very charming, and her oval face was brightly colored. Even just looking at her neatly dressed appearance was pleasing to the eye, and the contours of her oval face were very rounded.

Just like her bodice and the curves of her back, they have a very symmetrical and rounded feel, natural and beautiful.

After washing her face, Li Shishi rinsed her mouth and drank several cups of tea before sitting down by the bed.

Seeing that Chen Shao was still a bit restless, Li Shishi pressed his hand down, pursed her lips and shook her head, saying, "My lord is a man destined for great things. In matters like this, you must know when to stop."

Chen Shao thought about it and felt it made a lot of sense, but he still pinched her on purpose.

Li Shishi hugged him, whispered sweet nothings to him, and coaxed him to sleep.

Her eyes were alluring, and her voice was so beautiful that she could easily charm a man if she wanted to.

Before long, Chen Shao fell asleep peacefully.

(End of this chapter)