Chapter 96 The Eighth Prince Enters the Capital, Tomorrow at : . [Two in One] Kyoto! This best place in the world is already bustling with activity at dawn. A bustling crowd of people took to the streets. The streets were already filled with the sounds of a busy morning market. Vendors were busy preparing for the day's business, and pedestrians passing by were in a hurry. A "nobleman" from Kyoto was walking leisurely towards them, carrying a bird cage and playing with the bird. The hawking continues! Lift the steamed buns away and shake them back and forth in your hands until they’re hot. There are also fragrant and crispy scones, brushed with meat sauce, which taste endless when you bite them in your mouth! The street specialty fried liver is fragrant and mouth-watering. Sugar-coated pancakes paired with tofu pudding are also a great dish.
As for the soy milk that is difficult for outsiders to accept, it is an indispensable delicacy on the breakfast table of Kyoto people. A waiter at the stall was holding a steamer and greeting customers enthusiastically: "Please come in, gentlemen." "The old three!" "Okay, come right away!" The bustling atmosphere of a stock market is overwhelming, it’s so lively! at this time! Walking into the street of the morning market, into a rather winding alley. Behind a middle-aged man in Confucian robes were a servant and an old Taoist in gray. Three people in a group. Walk to a market stall in the back. Chen Ji dressed up as a servant and quickly lifted the curtain. See! Four or five simple tables were simply arranged in the stall, forming a temporary dining area. The restaurant was already full of diners, with only one empty table left. The middle-aged man walked in slowly. Chen Ji followed behind him cautiously, always keeping an eye on the movements around him. Mentally tense! Chen Ji's eyes were alert, not daring to be negligent in the slightest. He always felt that everyone present was an assassin in disguise, and was about to draw their swords and transform into an assassin with cold and fierce eyes.
This is how Chen Ji behaves! There is no other reason! Because the middle-aged man behind him was none other than Prince Jing of Hebei, the eighth prince of Daqing at that time. Now he is the "brother" whom the Emperor of Daqing wants to get rid of as soon as possible. In this dangerous capital, Chen Ji must always "protect his master." A Taoist priest in gray followed Chen Ji. The Taoist priest was dressed in gray, of medium height, with a rosacea on his face, and a strong smell of alcohol. His eyes were cloudy, like a jar of aged rice wine. He looked unsteady on his feet, as if drunk, and kept his head down and punching the ball all the way. Whenever the Taoist in gray opened his mouth, revealing a mouthful of black and yellow teeth, the strong smell of alcohol and stale flavor blended together was more "overbearing" than old pickled cabbage, making it unbearable. Chen Ji had long been accustomed to this. Whenever the Taoist in gray opened his mouth to speak, he would immediately hold his breath and walk a few steps before daring to breathe. It was really too suffocating! The old Taoist in gray not only has bad breath, but also has foul breath. This time, when the master came to Kyoto, the Taoist in gray was even more confident and patted his chest and promised: "With the old Taoist here, we can go to Kyoto!" The master believed it! However, Chen Ji secretly shook his head, as he felt uneasy about this Taoist who was drunk every day. He was afraid that in this capital, the Taoist's negligence would cause trouble and harm his master. Chen Ji volunteered to come and ask for the mission. if! The current dog emperor knows that his master has come to Kyoto, and he will probably dig three feet underground to find his master. When Chen Ji was distracted. "Uh---!" The Taoist lazily burped loudly. A foul smell wafted over! The old Taoist felt extremely satisfied after the fight. "Um……" Chen Ji was too anxious to react, so he held his breath and almost fainted from the suffocation. Prince Jing Zhou Cheng looked at the corner of the empty stall leisurely and sat down directly, as if he was really a regular here. His face was as calm as water, without any tension and anxiety about the crisis lurking in Kyoto. He spoke familiarly:
"Give me three baskets of steamed buns, and one serving of the three traditional dishes." The Taoist priest sat down at the table without hesitation. When he heard that the meal was about to start, his eyes immediately lit up and he tapped the tabletop lightly with his fingers. He couldn't wait any longer. Chen Ji stood obediently behind Zhou Cheng. Seeing this, Zhou Cheng smiled slightly and said to the Taoist priest: "Master Mo, you can try the delicacies of Kyoto. They are not available in Jiangbei. Especially this soy milk. I have been craving for it for a long time." The grey-robed Taoist priest known as Master Mo smiled and said, "It's just right for drinking." Chen Ji was surprised when he saw Master Mo take out a black jade wine gourd from his waist, open the lid and drink the wine in big gulps. Since they arrived in Beijing the day before, the Taoist drank a lot of wine almost every day, but the strange thing was that this wine gourd seemed to never be finished. Could it be that this Taoist priest actually didn't drink any alcohol? Just for show! "Here we are, gentlemen." The shopkeeper quickly responded and greeted us warmly. The stall is run by two people, a man and a woman. Judging from their age and dress, it's a husband-and-wife shop. The lady boss still had some charm. She came over with three baskets of steaming buns in her hands, shaking her hips. "Gentlemen, please enjoy your meal." The proprietress' voice was soft and charming. She looked curiously at the unusual combination at the table - a middle-aged man in Confucian clothes, a servant and a slovenly Taoist priest. A hint of doubt flashed across her eyes, but she quickly concealed it. "Soybean juice will be here soon!" Although the shop was filled with the smell of smoke and fire, the proprietress still carefully applied a layer of rouge on her face, adding a bit of charm to her. The boss was a short middle-aged man who was kneading dough. He silently watched his wife busying around, occasionally looking up at the seated diners, his eyes full of warmth and satisfaction. The Taoist priest in gray couldn't wait any longer. He picked up the bun and started eating it in big mouthfuls without even wiping his hands. The white bun was stained with several black marks from his fingers. When the proprietress saw this scene, her brows slightly frowned, especially when she smelled the scent of the old Taoist priest, but she quickly returned to normal. Her many years of experience in running a shop have made her knowledgeable, and dealing with all kinds of people from the underworld has enabled her to develop the ability to remain calm. She took a closer look at Zhou Cheng. This guest had slightly gray hair on his temples, an elegant temperament, and was wearing clothes made of fine silk. It was obvious that he came from an extraordinary family. Zhou Cheng responded to the boss lady's gaze with a smile. The wrinkles at the corners of his eyes added a bit of mature and intoxicating charm, which made the boss lady's heart tremble. Chen Ji stood obediently behind Zhou Cheng, feeling somewhat dissatisfied as he watched the old Taoist priest rudely reach out to pick up the buns. In his opinion, such behavior was too rude, especially when the master had not yet started eating. But he knew that the old Taoist was treated with courtesy by his master, and as a servant he could not interrupt, so he just felt resentful.
Throughout the stall, diners were eating or chatting, and the atmosphere was lively and harmonious. Zhou Cheng slowly peeled off the skin of the bun, gently sucked the rich soup inside, and then put it into his mouth. The flavor of soup dumplings in Kyoto is indeed different from that in Jiangbei. The land and water nurture the people! Even if it is the same chef, the things made in the two places will be different. He actually missed it very much. Ten years have passed since the emperor of Zhongnan Mountain passed away. I was imprisoned in Kyoto by my second brother! He pretended to be stupid, lived in a pig cage in the clan house, ate manure, and looked like a madman. however! Fate favors him after all. He found an opportunity to escape, and after many hardships, he finally returned to Jiangbei, where his mother's family lived. There, relying on the support of his family and his status as a descendant of the royal family, he gradually gathered a force that could not be ignored, calling himself Prince Jing, and being independent of the court. It is said! When he fled Kyoto that year, the current Majesty Zhou Zhen, the monarch known for his amiable manner, slammed the table in the South Study and flew into a rage. One year in the clan house! His appearance changed drastically, which was why he dared to show up in Kyoto like this. Not to mention the people of Kyoto, even if the "Emperor Father" were still alive, he probably wouldn't be able to recognize him. He couldn't help but laugh to himself. Fighting in the same room, boiling beans and burning beans! Zhou Cheng will definitely avenge himself for the humiliation he suffered back then. Zhou Cheng sighed! Second brother, I’m afraid you can no longer hold your position as emperor! at this time. When the soy milk was served, Taoist Mo in gray clothes tried it impatiently, but his brows knitted tightly in an instant, and he waved his hands and called out: "Quickly bring me some clean water! This feeling is really hard to bear." Seeing this, Zhou Cheng raised a gentle smile and advised gently: "Master Mo, everything becomes second nature after practice, and bean juice is no exception." Upon hearing this, Master Mo's mouth twitched slightly, and he shook his head and smiled bitterly: "As an old Taoist, I'm afraid I'll never be able to taste this flavor in my lifetime." Chen Ji, who was standing by, witnessed this scene and laughed secretly in his heart when he saw the old Taoist being humiliated. "Look at how proud you were in the past." Inside the store, the proprietress would secretly glance at Zhou Cheng from time to time while she was busy. This middle-aged man with mature and steady manners did have an irresistible charm for a woman like her.
The atmosphere in the store is still lively, with many customers coming and going, and it is still busy. Sweat was rolling down the boss lady's forehead. This time! The curtain of the stall was lifted and a middle-aged man walked into the store. He was dressed in simple clothes, with a light stubble on his chin and a few strands of white hair on his temples, but his overall temperament did not show that he was old. His hair was combed neatly, and his face was serious but energetic. It didn't attract anyone's attention! Chen Ji had been paying attention to the movements in the store. When he saw the middle-aged man, he was suddenly shocked and his pupils dilated. This... isn't this Xie Chunan? How come he is here? He had always followed Zhou Cheng before, so naturally he had met Xie Chunan, a senior official in the court. It is said that he is now being given an important position and has become the Minister of Rites. He was secretly anxious, his heart in his throat. He was afraid that Xie Chunan would recognize Zhou Cheng's true identity, which would cause a huge disturbance. What's more, judging from the direction Xie Chunan was walking, he was clearly coming towards this side. Chen Ji's heart beat faster and faster, and he hurried to remind Zhou Cheng. Then I heard the master calling. "Shopkeeper, another bowl of bean juice." Zhou Cheng slowly stood up and greeted Xie Chunan with a smile. Chen Ji's eyes widened. What's happening here! The Taoist priest in gray seemed to be unconcerned. He was busy tasting the stir-fried liver on the table and occasionally taking a sip of wine, as if he was indifferent to everything around him. "Thank you, sir. Long time no see!" Zhou Cheng looked at the soy milk served on the table and said, "I still remember Mr. Xie's taste. I wonder if it has changed." Xie Chunan picked it up, took a sip, and a satisfied smile appeared on his face. "Mr. Eight is really thoughtful. I do have a special liking for this bean juice." Xie Chunan gently put down the bowl in his hand. "Especially since I just came out of the palace today and walked all the way, I feel that age is not forgiving and my legs and feet are not as nimble as before, so I am a little late." "I didn't eat a single bite in the morning because I was in a hurry. After drinking this sip of soy milk, I really satisfied my craving and warmed my body." Xie Chunan's tone was relaxed, and the two of them were just old friends meeting again after a long separation.
Chen Ji became more and more confused! Isn't Xie Chunan the dog emperor's man? Why is he here again? It seems that I have already made an agreement with my master. The Taoist in gray looked at Xie Chun'an in surprise. He saw that he drank half a bowl of soy milk in one breath. It was obvious that he was good at it. The Taoist was amazed, but he couldn't eat it. A smile appeared on Zhou Cheng's face. "It seems that my second brother was indeed a little anxious this morning." He then changed the subject and said: "I remember that you loved this bean juice, mainly because you came from the north, where the taste is very different from the south. It is rare to find food that suits your taste in this southern land, so it left a deep impression on me." Xie Chunan heard this and said with emotion: "When in Rome, you should follow the Romans. It is wrong to always think about the old tastes. Whether it is bean juice or steamed buns, if you eat them enough, they will become the same." Zhou Cheng smiled and nodded. "That's right. Life is like the dishes on the table. It has all kinds of flavors, including sour, sweet, bitter, spicy and salty. If you don't taste it yourself, how can you know the taste?" Chen Ji listened attentively, but it was like a mystery and he didn't understand a word. Zhou Cheng was not in a hurry either. Xie Chunan put the last bite of the steaming bun into his mouth and wiped the corners of his mouth. The two began to chat. The proprietress was tactful and cleaned up the empty plates and leftovers quickly. Zhou Cheng smiled at him. The proprietress' heart trembled and she was panicked! The small dish that was gently held in his hand suddenly lost its balance and fell to the ground with a clatter, shattering the entire silence in the room. All of a sudden! Everyone in the store was attracted by the sudden sound, and their eyes were focused here, with curiosity and surprise mixed together. The shop owner came quickly upon hearing the noise. He showed some concern at first, and after confirming that his wife was fine, he turned to Zhou Cheng and the others and bowed to apologize with deep apology. Chen Ji was caught in this sudden attention and was so nervous that he was afraid that his identity would be discovered. He could even hear his own heartbeat. Zhou Cheng and Xie Chunan looked indifferent. The owner had run the shop for many years and knew that the guests were very generous, so he quickly replaced the basket of steaming buns as an apology. Xie Chunan smiled and said, "It's okay. It's a good omen if everything goes well." "Shopkeeper, another bowl of bean juice please." Let’s get back to business.
"Eighth Master, are you well prepared for your trip to Kyoto?" Zhou Cheng did not respond directly after hearing this. Instead, he smiled and asked back: "Since you trust me so much, aren't you afraid of making a mistake?" "I have fought with my second brother for so many years, but I have never won. I can only barely stand on my feet." Xie Chunan said slowly: "To be honest, it's not that I'm attracted to the Eighth Young Master, but Tianxi just wants to change his master." Xie Chun'an, also known by his courtesy name Tianxi. "The Second Young Master is still not ruthless enough and can't lower his head." "And the Eighth Young Master has a real heart, is humble and has a head, and is ruthless enough." Xie Chunan has stood up. "Tomorrow, at 1:05 ., when the three judges meet for trial, the Suzaku Gate will open, and the Second Young Master's border guards will arrive." After hearing this, Zhou Cheng stood up and saluted. Xie Chunan left. Zhou Cheng looked at his back for a long time without turning around. Chen Ji asked curiously: "Eighth Master, what is this?" Zhou Cheng didn't answer either, thinking in his heart. Throughout history, only the emperor has tested his subjects. It is rare that there are still ministers testing the emperor today! If the second brother could reassure Xie Tianxi today. Is this Lord Xie going to take my head to the South Study? It's a bit late, the two chapters are combined into one (End of this chapter)