The carriage.
Shangguan Wan'er lifted the curtain and handed a letter to a soldier in red armor, saying, "Deliver this letter to Chang'an as fast as you can, directly into Her Majesty's hands."
"Yes!"
The soldier took the letter and galloped away.
Shangguan Wan'er lowered the curtain, just in time to see Gao Yang placing the box given by Du Jiang beside him.
With a heroic demeanor, Shangguan Wan'er chuckled, "Young Master Gao, tea from Linjiang City is only a hundred coins per liang, it's not something valuable. Why are you acting so tense?"
"Lord Shangguan, you don't understand. It's the thought that counts above all else."
Gao Yang smiled as he spoke.
The Duke Dingguo Manor, with its century-old military heritage, had many large estates and was never short of money, but it had many rules, and the allowances were very limited.
Chang'an, being the capital of Great Qian, required money everywhere, especially since he had been either getting beaten or rushing around ever since he transmigrated.
Now that he's back in Chang'an, he might as well enjoy himself, right?
After all, having transmigrated, how could he not visit a high-class brothel?
It would be laughable among transmigrators if he didn't.
He had given Du Jiang a great merit and endured seven days of infamy, so getting some silver was only natural.
However, the weight of it showed that Du Jiang was a sincere person!
He remembered this gesture.
Shangguan Wan'er looked away, somewhat amused.
But in the next second, her expression changed, and she suddenly looked at the heavy tea box beside Gao Yang.
"No... something's not right!"
"What exactly is in this tea box?"
Shangguan Wan'er leaned closer, her sharp eyes scanning Gao Yang's face, "Let me see."
Gao Yang avoided Shangguan Wan'er and said, "Lord Shangguan, the mountain roads are unstable, the carriage bumpy, and men and women should maintain propriety. Please be mindful."
"If you get too close to me, in the struggle or the bumps, if I accidentally kiss or touch somewhere, I will shout!"
Shangguan Wan'er widened her eyes, "You would shout?"
But she backed away, gritting her teeth, "I understand now. You deliberately provoked County Magistrate Du's guilt. Clearly, you could have left with just a few clothes, but you delayed for half an hour, giving Lord Du time to fetch silver."
"There's probably no tea in there at all!"
Shangguan Wan'er gritted her teeth, "Gao Yang, you're deceiving yourself, this is public bribery!"
Gao Yang was indifferent, speaking a classic line from the future with a green tea attitude, "Lord Shangguan, if that's what you think, there's nothing I can do. If you believe it, then so be it." Read the latest chapters at g.com.
Shangguan Wan'er felt like spitting blood.
"You..."
That sentence inexplicably left a blockage in her heart.
Gao Yang was completely unconcerned.
Would Wu Zhao care about such a thing?
Impossible!
...
Two days passed in a flash.
Under the night sky.
At the gates of Chang'an City.
Song Qingqing stood with a group of maidservants at the city gate, attracting the attention of many townsfolk.
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She wore a green long dress, her face was stunningly beautiful, and she exuded an aura of nobility.
"The eldest Miss of the Song Clan is too beautiful. I heard the Song Clan had a marriage contract with Young Master Gao Yang of the Duke Dingguo Manor. He's really lucky."
"Where did you hear that? The Song Clan went to the Duke Dingguo Manor to break off the engagement long ago. This news has spread throughout Chang'an, don't you know?"
"Hiss! I haven't been in Chang'an recently, how would I know such big news? Who is the eldest Miss of the Song Clan waiting for?"
Amidst the crowd, some townsfolk discussed.
Outside the city, next to a carriage, more than ten guards walked towards Chang'an City, and Song Qingqing stepped forward to greet them.
A smile bloomed on her face, and then she bowed beside the carriage, "Qingqing is here on Father's orders to welcome you!"
The carriage curtain lifted, revealing a handsome face.
Instantly, the onlookers began to chatter.
"It's Young Master Cui!"
"I heard that Top Scholar Cui went to Clearwater City and suppressed the grain prices with thunderous means, dropping the price from a hundred coins per dou to eighty-two coins per dou in just a few days!"
"Miss Song is here to welcome him, it seems the Song Clan intends to form an alliance with the Cui family!"
"They're completely disregarding the Duke Dingguo Manor."
Cui Xinghe stepped down from the carriage, and upon seeing Song Qingqing, a smile appeared on his face, "Miss Song, it's a great honor for Cui to be welcomed by you."
Song Qingqing smiled and said, "Father has arranged a welcoming banquet for Young Master Cui, and Uncle Cui is also at the manor to welcome you."
At the city gate, the two entered Chang'an City together.
Soon, the news of Cui Xinghe's return to Chang'an spread throughout the city, catching the attention of various interested parties.
General's Manor.
Wang Zhong laughed heartily, "Top Scholar Cui has returned to Chang'an. At tomorrow's morning court, even you, Gao Tianlong, cannot stop the tide of the court!"
"I will definitely submit a memorial against you!"
For a time, dark currents surged in Chang'an.
Over the years, there were too many people who wanted to see the Duke Dingguo Manor fall.
...
Duke Dingguo Manor.
Candlelight illuminated the room.
"The Song Clan doesn't even regard our Duke Dingguo Manor, allowing Song Qingqing to publicly welcome Cui Xinghe!"
"Outrageous!"
Gao Feng's face was full of anger, and he slammed his fist on the table.
Gao Tianlong, with graying hair and an aged but dignified face, studied the chessboard calmly, "The Song Clan is opportunistic. Cui Xinghe has done well, he's a young talent, and the Empress lacks confidants. The Song Clan betting on Cui Xinghe is understandable."
"Such a woman not marrying into our Duke Dingguo Manor is a blessing."
Gao Feng sighed, "But Cui Xinghe's early return to Chang'an means the situation in Clearwater City is settled, at least at eighty-two coins per dou. Tomorrow's Jinluan Hall will not be peaceful."
"That unfilial son! Before leaving, I told him it's better to do nothing than to do wrong. How could he cause such a disaster?"
Thinking of Gao Yang, Gao Feng couldn't help but gnash his teeth.
Gao Tianlong wiped the chessboard in front of him and said calmly, "I am rather comforted."
"Comforted?" Gao Feng was full of confusion.
"No matter how foolish a wastrel, even an idiot wouldn't do something so absurd. This means Yang'er is thinking of a clever move. The entire court knows this, but no one believes it."
"I don't quite believe it either, but I appreciate this spirit. How else could he defeat the well-read Top Scholar of the Cui family?"
"Our Duke Dingguo Manor would rather die standing than live kneeling!"
Gao Feng was stunned, frozen in place.
Only Gao Tianlong's calm voice echoed in the room, "Rather than perish in mediocrity, it's better to fight bravely, like an eagle soaring in the sky."
"As long as I live, I can protect the Gao family. If we don't make a move now, how many more years can I live? Besides, my decades of intuition tell me, Yang'er is not mediocre. The game is not yet over, how can we speak of victory or defeat?"