Crossing the Mountains

Chapter 61: Letter from an Old Friend
The sound of flapping wings was very clear. It was obvious that this wild goose was flying towards the yard. Tan Huaike was a little curious and couldn't help but walk a few more steps. When he turned the corner, he saw the familiar figure standing under the corridor.

The Shuoyan cried out and flew towards him.

Shentu Zhuo raised his arm high, and Shuoyan rested on his arm, folded its wings, tilted its head and rubbed against him affectionately.

There was a small bamboo tube tied to Shuoyan's foot. Shentu Zhuo took it off, touched its back feathers and said, "Why are you back so late? Did something delay you on the way?"

Shuoyan paced, moving from his arm to his shoulder.

Is this a message from Shuoyan?

It must be a secret letter, right? Tan Huaike was hesitating whether to leave when Shen Tuzhuo noticed her and asked calmly, "Why did you come out?"

Since the other party didn't mind, Tan Huaike went straight forward and said, "Excuse me, I came out to find some water and happened to see a Shuoyan flying over. It's so beautiful and obedient. Is it your pet?"

"Yes, it's called Qiaomao." Shentu Zhuo proudly introduced, "Look at the tuft of hair on the back of its head, it has been curling up since it was little."

"Who came up with this name? It's so vulgar." Tan Huaike said with disdain.

"Oh, you can't say that. The one who named it wouldn't like it. Be careful or he'll punish you."

Tan Huaike had originally intended to discredit him, but who would have guessed that someone else had named Shuoyan? He suddenly became even more curious: "Who gave it that name? It's so... unconventional?"

Shentu Zhuo took out a small piece of cloth from the small bamboo tube and said, "This is the person who delivered the message to me."

He quickly glanced at the words on the cloth, frowned, sighed, and said to Shuoyan in understanding, "No wonder you took so long to come back. It turns out he was delayed."

Tan Huaike asked: "Can you tell me who it is?"

Shentu Zhuo had no intention of hiding it, so he handed the cloth to her directly. Then he went to the kitchen not far away, took out a handful of millet to feed Qiao Mao who had traveled thousands of miles, and scooped a bowl of water for Tan Huaike.

The letter was quite long, and the words between the lines showed the deep friendship between the two.

It says: "I heard of Brother Heng's death in battle, and I am overcome with grief. Zhuo Jun's worries are shared by me. When Qiao Mao arrived, I had already departed Andu and would arrive in Zhangye soon. The border is no different from the imperial court, fraught with danger and infested with demons. Proceed with caution. Regarding the marriage, I still need your full support and help in devising a sound strategy."

The signature is a character "Cong".

Taking the bowl of water, Tan Huaike took a large sip, and his thirst was immediately quenched. He returned the cloth to him and asked, "Who is this Cong? Is he coming to Zhangye County to look for you?"

Millet was scattered along the corridor, and Qiaomao was happily pecking at it. Tan Huaike couldn't help but approach, wanting to reach out and touch its feathers. Qiaomao noticed the stranger approaching, looked at her warily, then looked at his owner, turned his head and continued eating. I don't know what was going on in his little head, but he acquiesced to her touch.

Shentu Zhuo replied calmly, "Zhou Wencong, the third prince of Daxuan."

“…” As soon as he touched the soft and fine feathers, Tan Huaike stopped, thinking he had heard it wrong.

"what happened?"

"Prince?" Tan Huaike calmed down. "Prince named your Shuoyan Qiaomao?"

“…Is this important?”

"Well, I just didn't expect you to be so familiar with the prince." "He and I were classmates at the Imperial College when we were young, and I raised Qiao Mao together with him, so of course we are familiar with each other."

"I see." Tan Huaike thought for a moment and said, "A prince like you is actually going to the border in person? This is no small matter, right?"

"So, after all, since the person we're going to receive is a legitimate prince, our county governor must have gotten the news, and that's why he hurriedly raised the standards for the year-end sacrifice."

"Was he sent here to handle the marriage?"

"He wasn't sent here; he had to come," Shentu Zhuo said. "Because he's the Prince of Daxuan who's going to marry Princess Mohe. How could he just stand by and watch something happen to his bride?"

"So he is the person who can make the decision you mentioned!" Tan Huaike suddenly realized.

"That's right." Shentu Zhuo sighed. "I guess the governor also asked us to put in the effort to rehearse the new Mohe song and dance because His Royal Highness the Third Prince is engaged to Princess Mohe. I just wonder what His Royal Highness will think when he listens to it."

"At least someone is here to take care of it."

"This is a truly difficult matter. He is the Crown Prince's half-brother, and this marriage is also connected to the power of the Eastern Palace. I think he has too many things on his plate and is hesitant to make a decision. He can only give me the news halfway through."

Tan Huaike stroked the tuft of hair on the back of Shuoyan's head. "I don't understand the rest, but I hope Princess Alan's last wish can be fulfilled. I hope Daxuan and Mohe won't miss this opportunity to form an alliance." She looked up at him, smiled, and said, "This will make my business easier, and I can make a lot of money in peace and security in the future."

Looking at her smile, Shentu Zhuo felt a faint worry in his heart: "If this marriage... well, let's see how His Royal Highness the Third Prince responds."

It’s useless to think too much. It’s better to prepare early and protect the people you want to protect.
-
The rehearsal of Yuefu was very tiring, and Tan Huaike would take time out every day to help Mihe perfect the Kup Sunilo dance specially prepared for His Royal Highness the Prince.

While watching the choreography, she also took the opportunity to learn some moves on her own, and would often dance a few rounds with the dancers. Under Mi He's strict guidance, she made considerable progress.

Today, Tan Huaike was also severely whipped by Mihe.

"Bend your stiff waist over here!"

"What's that sound of a stone falling to the ground? Everyone else makes a clattering sound, but you make a thud-thud-thud. A little more lightness on your toes!"

"Turn, turn, turn, don't stop. Why are you turning crooked? Stop, stop, stop! Don't hit anyone!"

Tan Huaike held his forehead and sat down at the edge of the stage. He felt his vision was all over the place and he gasped, "Mihe, please forgive me. I really can't turn around anymore. I feel very dizzy."

Mi He handed her a cup of bitter tea and said bluntly, "You asked for this, didn't you? Originally, you just needed to watch us choreograph, but you insisted on practicing along, and then you said it wasn't just a casual practice, but that you had to practice to be able to show it off. Naturally, I had to give you a good workout. Now you want me to spare you, so tell me, do you want to achieve something great with your practice, or just muddle through?"

Sipping the bitter tea, Tan Huaike gritted his teeth and said, "No, I can't just fool around. I have to practice well before I can teach others to attract customers to my own restaurant. I can't afford to hire a dancer like Yuefu to support me..."

Mi He didn't know whether to laugh or cry: "Look at how stingy you are. Master Zhuo knows a lot of musicians and dancers. If you, his sister-in-law, ask for it, he can invite the top performer in Lanying Pavilion."

"Why is he so prestigious?"

"The number one playboy in Zhangye County, this title is not earned out of thin air."

"Ahem!" Shen Tu Zhuo said with a dark face, "What about Lanying Pavilion's top performer, what about the most unruly dandy? Those are all lies you spread. I was just invited over to rehearse a few pieces!"
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　Next chapter: You are my little widow...Aren’t you afraid of people gossiping about you?
　　The next chapter will be in V, thanks for the support (-人-)
　　
　
(End of this chapter)