"......It is said that in the second month of that year, during the Liao Kingdom's 'Spring Nabati' festival, all tribal leaders participated in the 'Head Fish Feast' hosted by Yelü Yanxi. At that time, Wanyan Aguda stood up and demanded that Yelü Yanxi return the land of Ashu, but Yelü Yanxi ignored him. After the banquet reached its climax, Yelü Yanxi ordered the tribal leaders to sing and dance to entertain, but Wanyan Aguda remained motionless, replying that he could not. Yelü Yanxi was furious and almost drew his sword to kill Wanyan Aguda on the spot. Now, Wanyan Aguda is in his prime, ambitious, and the war between the Jin and Liao kingdoms will inevitably be a life-and-death struggle. Our Great Wudang can profit from it by mediating between the two sides. In my opinion, once the war breaks out, our imperial army should first show weakness, and then take Yingzhou first..."

It was also noon on the Dragon Boat Festival. In a restaurant by the river, Gu Yanzhen was chatting with several companions. Below, there were still various festive scenes. People were coming and going in the restaurant. Several people were arranging bowls and chopsticks on the table, discussing for a long time.

"I didn't expect Yanzhen to have such attainments in military strategy. Admirable, admirable." Among the companions, one was a minor official in the army. He cupped his hands and smiled. Then, someone else among them clapped his hands: "More than military strategy, Yanzhen is not only exceptionally intelligent, but also brave and resourceful. It is said that he encountered bandits on his way to the capital this time, but Yanzhen cleverly escaped and then brought reinforcements to capture the bandits in one fell swoop. I have heard of it, and I really yearn for it."

"Is this true?" Someone widened his eyes.

"Haha, it was just a coincidence." Gu Yanzhen smiled. "However, I have always felt that literature and martial arts should be balanced. In today's world situation, both should be cultivated. This time I went to Leping, if I can achieve something in a few years, I even want to lay down my pen and join the army, emulating the ambition of Ban Chao..."

He was to take office in Leping in July, so he would probably leave Jiangning in June. A group of people talked and laughed, and there was another burst of flattery. After this small gathering dispersed, everyone had left. He sat by the window, looking at the scenery outside, thinking about some things. Soon, a follower named Xiao Si came up.

"Did you find out?"

"In response to the young master, from yesterday to today, I have found out a lot of information about that Ning Liheng. However, the main reason I came here is because there is news from the workshop."

"Hmm?"

"The matter of the preserved duck eggs is ready."

"This matter..." Gu Yanzhen frowned. "It doesn't have much meaning anymore... but never mind, let's go take a look. Tell me about that Ning Yi on the way."

"Yes, it is said that this Ning Yi has always been low-key, good at concealing his abilities. Yesterday, I investigated his original background. People around his original residence all said..."

Chatter chatter chatter, the two people passed through the market, turned through the alleys, and entered a dirty small workshop. After a while, Gu Yanzhen covered his nose and frowned as he came out: "Well, since it's ready, start putting it on the market tomorrow. She sells it for twenty copper coins, and here it sells for ten copper coins. I won't come here again, it's just a small matter, let Boss Hu take care of it himself."

"Yes, but... the young master will be leaving for Leping next month. Boss Hu is worried that even so, one month's time may not be enough to defeat the other party's business."

"Who said we must defeat her business? What's the use of defeating the other party's business? This matter doesn't need to be taken to heart. Do your job."

Frowning, Gu Yanzhen walked forward. His family was originally landlords, wealthy. It didn't cost much silver to make these preserved duck eggs. At that time, it was also because he wanted to know who was behind Nie Yunzhu, but he had no clue, so he sent people to do some things. If the person behind Nie Yunzhu was really a respected old man, this matter might still have some meaning, but by this time, it had become a bit redundant. But never mind, a little time is enough to make her understand how unbearable those unrealistic fantasies of independence are.

Recalling what Xiao Si had said just now, that Ning Yi usually liked to do some messy things, and was a bit unconventional in serious matters, reportedly doing some trivial things like chalk and blackboards. Hmph, no wonder he hangs out with people like Li Pin, probably a conceited person who thinks he has an unrestrained personality. The preserved duck eggs must have been made by him. Thinking back, the painting on Nie Yunzhu's carriage... was full of craftmanship, not worthy of high regard.

Later, to launch those preserved duck eggs, he didn't use any novel methods, just some inferior tricks like hiring shills. The art of war has both orthodox and unorthodox methods. In his view, these methods were really insignificant. He thought of several methods, which were much more clever than hiring shills... but thinking about this now is useless, he originally thought that Yunzhu was a woman with an ethereal mind, but he didn't expect that she would be so confused by these small tricks, it's really laughable...

Walking through the bustling streets, he thought about these things in his heart, thinking about those two people, Yunzhu, Ning Liheng... He originally thought that the other party had a noble mind, thought that the other party had found a good person, thought that there was really some reason or twists and turns beyond his imagination in it, but now that he thinks about it.

Disappointing...

A courtesan sitting in a well, thinking she is pure and clean, a merchant son-in-law playing some clumsy tricks and unconventional ways, thinking he is a talented and romantic figure, thinking about it, it is even more ridiculous and unbearable than the hookups between those vulgar servants...

It's a pity that he was even entangled in these things before.

Thinking like this, in the evening, he saw those two people again.

*******************

Just as Su Tan'er had predicted in the morning, after that assassination incident happened last night, the searches were strict both in and out of the city today, and it was impossible to allow large teams of people to enter and exit. The final night's performance of the Courtesan Competition was changed to a large training ground by the river in the east of the city. The scenery here is naturally not as beautiful as outside the city, but with temporary arrangements, it can accommodate 3,000 people to watch, although it is a bit crowded. The river next to it can also accommodate painted boats to moor. After all, this Courtesan Competition is also related to a huge income for Jiangning Prefecture, so it cannot be withdrawn casually.

The assassination of an official of the imperial court does not have much impact on ordinary people. There are probably more people who talk about it after dinner and clap their hands in approval. Therefore, even if this happened, it would not spoil everyone's interest in watching the performance, but instead made people even more excited.

In the afternoon, Su Tan'er and others drove around the city in a carriage, eating interesting snacks whenever they saw them, and hearing only about the female assassin. Chan'er and Juan'er were performing a battle of "eight-foot-tall pillar and eight-foot-wide square" with two boxes in the carriage.

Su Tan'er had already recovered her spirits at this time, occasionally lowering her head and smiling as she talked to Ning Yi about some things. In the past, when everyone had concerns, she would never mention business when playing the role of a model couple at home, but at this time, it was mostly related to business, such as talking about how much the closing of the city gates had delayed the store's business, and how much less income was expected. She sighed a little, but in reality, it was mostly a joke. Although she sighed, she did not take these small matters to heart.

Ning Yi occasionally said some unreliable ideas next to her, such as printing the words of the Four Books and Five Classics on cloth, and then making clothes from this kind of cloth. When you walk out, your whole body is covered with words, the style is novel, and you are full of domineering. Su Tan'er smiled and said that she would make one for her husband next time, but it would be a bit troublesome to embroider the words of the Four Books and Five Classics: "My husband must wear it out." Ning Yi naturally had no taboos and nodded in agreement.

When eating by the river, he took out pen and ink to draw several portraits for the people, which were actually simple line drawing manga Q version portraits. The four women in the rice paper had exaggerated expressions, but each had its own characteristics. After Su Tan'er and her servants laughed, they criticized Ning Yi. Naturally, they still couldn't stand this kind of painting these days. Ning Yi debated with Su Tan'er, and amidst the protests of Chan'er, Juan'er, and Xing'er, they decided to bet with Su Tan'er on setting up a stall by the road to find like-minded people. Su Tan'er originally said: "Okay, you set it up." But when Ning Yi really moved a stool and sat down by the road, preparing to write and draw, she and Xiao Chan and the others laughed and pulled him back.

Ning Yi laughed loudly: "Does that count as me winning?" Su Tan'er's face was flushed with laughter: "My husband is so old, I can't afford to lose this person." Chan'er whispered next to her: "Chan'er can't afford to lose either..." Juan'er nodded vigorously, and then these two dismantlers were tapped by Ning Yi. Everyone knew that Ning Yi had a easygoing personality and didn't mind joking occasionally.

From the time the assassination case happened last night, the people in the government office had already realized that the Courtesan Competition could not be held outside the city. Therefore, the changes to the venue had already begun this morning, and by the evening, Ning Yi and Su Tan'er and others took a carriage over. The setting sun was setting, and the streets and buildings around the entire venue were decorated with lanterns and streamers. On the road opposite the training ground, painted boats were lined up one after another. Although the lights had not yet been lit, the people on them were coming and going, and it was already very lively.

In the painted boat room belonging to Jin Feng House, Yuan Jin'er was preparing for tonight's performance. Tonight, four leading courtesans will compete for the title of Courtesan Queen, each performing three times. The time from evening to the performance is usually given to them to rest quietly, and not many people come to disturb them. Of course, the performers also have the right to arrange their own affairs. If there is a lover, they may be brought into the room to stay for a while. There was another person in Yuan Jin'er's painted boat room at this time, not her maid, but Nie Yunzhu dressed as a man. The two were standing by the window, watching the scene of people entering the venue over there and chatting.

"Tonight is very important, right?" Yuan Jin'er asked Nie Yunzhu.

Nie Yunzhu nodded, seeming more nervous than Yuan Jin'er: "Yes, if there are no problems tonight, there will be many things to do starting tomorrow."

"I'm not nervous." Yuan Jin'er secretly took a piece of mung bean cake and took a bite, then was glared at by Nie Yunzhu, and the remaining half was snatched by the other party. Nie Yunzhu threw the mung bean cake into her mouth, chewed it hard, swallowed it, and then took a sip of water angrily: "I told you not to eat these things all the time!"

"But I'm not nervous, I don't want to get the Courtesan Queen title. Feng Xiaojing wants it, Qi Lan wants it, Luo Miaomiao wants it, they can have it. Sister Yunzhu, you are really strange. If you were to participate in this Courtesan Competition, I'm afraid you wouldn't feel anything at all, but now you are nervous for that little thing..."

"It's the first time I've done it to this extent, so of course I'm nervous. If there are no accidents today, the reputation of the preserved duck eggs may really be opened up. As for the previous performances, like you, Jin'er, you didn't take it to heart, so naturally you weren't nervous."

"Don't worry, Jin'er will help you, Brother Yunzhu." Yuan Jin'er smiled, then suddenly thought of something, instantly changed her face, and squinted her eyes fiercely, "By the way, Sister Yunzhu, a few days ago, I heard that there were fake preserved duck eggs, and someone was also selling them, trying to steal your business, what should we do about this..."

"Ah?" Nie Yunzhu was slightly puzzled, and then frowned, "There's already some?"

"No way, Jin'er is so worried, and has been asking around. You, as the big boss, don't know about it? Then what am I doing every night cursing the guy who stole your business... I'm so angry!"

"No, he expected this would happen." Nie Yunzhu said, smiling slightly, "He said that if this happened, he would arrange it and tell me not to worry about it, so I haven't investigated it these days, I've been worried about tonight's affairs..."

"So powerful?" Yuan Jin'er glanced at her unhappily, "Hmph, I want to see what he can do..."

After saying this, she turned her head and looked outside, scanned the crowd a few times, and suddenly perked up, blinking her eyes: "Oh, speak of the devil, Yunzhu-jie, look, look, your lover... ah... ooh, Brother Yunzhu, I was wrong..."