20demayo Chapter 42 Deceiving Zhao Yun's Mother
Chapter 42 Deceiving Zhao Yun's Mother
This question voiced the fear in everyone's heart.
Wu Yu felt a sense of bewilderment.
She thought her own life story was already miserable enough, but compared to these women, it was so much better.
However, I must complete the task assigned to me by the eldest son.
Wu Yu looked at the woman who asked the question, but instead of answering directly, she asked in return:
"Do you know what the most skilled prostitute in the world looks like?"
Everyone was bewildered.
Wu Yu said, enunciating each word clearly:
"It's about those princes, nobles, and high-ranking officials who would offer mountains of gold and silver to beg for a meeting with her, yet they couldn't even touch her hand. Instead, they would willingly tell her their most confidential secrets."
What we need to do is not be a prostitute offering her smiles at the door, but a master who controls the world of pleasure and holds the reins of intelligence.
Her words were a revelation to everyone present.
In the end, all the women took a firm step forward.
In chaotic times, this may be the only opportunity they can seize to change their fate.
Wu Yu sighed inwardly. It sounded nice, but if you walk by the roadside often, you're bound to get your shoes wet. Once you're in this line of work, if you want to remain a virgin, you can only deceive yourself.
Inside the courtyard, the sounds of string and wind instruments were being played for the first time, interspersed with the women's hesitant singing.
Wu Yu moved among them, correcting their posture and pronunciation from time to time.
A slightly bolder woman timidly looked up and asked:
"Sister Wuyu, you just mentioned that we need to learn string and wind instruments. I wonder... which instrument should we start with?"
Wu Yu paused, a hint of embarrassment flashing across her face.
She grew up in the Wuhuan tribe and learned riding, archery, swordsmanship, and bows. She was completely ignorant of the arts of the Han people, such as playing the zither, chess, calligraphy, painting, and string and wind instruments.
What she just said was merely a verbatim copy of Yuan Tan's instruction to "learn singing, dancing, and musical instruments," but she actually had no specific plan in mind.
"Musical instruments..."
Wu Yu steadied himself, pretending to ponder deeply, his mind racing, just about to casually pick an ancient zither to fill the void.
Just then, Yuan Tan, who had been observing from the corner, coughed softly.
Everyone's attention was drawn to it.
Yuan Tan was dressed in ordinary clothes and did not make a fuss, so the women regarded him as just an ordinary servant.
The "errand boy" looked up, a playful smile on his face, and slowly said:
"There are many types of string and wind instruments, and they are difficult to master quickly. If we are talking about something that is concealed, portable, easy to control, and can produce wonderful sounds with a hundred turns and thousands of turns in a small space, I think it would be better to learn to play the xiao first."
Upon hearing the words "play the flute," Wu Yu was taken aback at first, but then, seeing the wicked smile in Yuan Tan's eyes, he instantly understood the deeper meaning!
This isn't learning a musical instrument; it's clearly teaching those shameful bedroom secrets!
With a "whoosh," Wu Yu's face instantly turned bright red, as if it had been stained with the finest rouge.
She glared at Yuan Tan, both embarrassed and annoyed, only to see him lower his head and resume his idle, menial appearance.
She forced herself to remain calm, took a deep breath, and turned to the woman who had asked the question:
"Hmm, that makes sense. Let's start by learning to play the xiao (vertical bamboo flute). This instrument... truly tests the skill of the lips and tongue, and breath control is... fundamental."
She made a vague decision, but in her heart she had already cursed Yuan Tan countless times.
The women seemed to understand, but not quite, they felt that what the "errand boy" said made a lot of sense.
Sister Wuyu's reaction was also a bit strange.
But he didn't dare ask any more questions and could only agree.
Yuan Tan chuckled to himself.
……
Yuan Tan had just returned to his study in the governor's mansion and hadn't even sat down when his personal guard rushed in to report:
"My lord, General Peng An has returned! He is waiting for you outside the manor!"
"Peng An?!"
Yuan Tan suddenly stood up from behind the desk, his face instantly filled with excitement!
It's been months!
He sent Peng An to Changshan County to find Zhao Yun, but there was no news of him. Now he has finally returned!
"Please come in quickly! No, I'll go greet you myself!"
Yuan Tan was filled with excitement. Could it be... could it be that Peng An had lived up to his expectations and actually brought Zhao Yun himself?
If we could get Zhao Zilong of Changshan, we would have no worries about finding a great general!
He practically rushed to the front hall, where he saw Peng Anzheng standing respectfully waiting.
An elderly woman was also with him.
Ok?
Who is this old woman?
Why did Peng An bring an old woman back?
My governor's mansion is not a nursing home.
Yuan Tan's gaze swept urgently over Peng An's back, but he couldn't see a third person.
His burning heart instantly cooled, and suppressing his disappointment, he asked:
"Peng An, you've worked hard! General Zilong, what about him...?"
Peng An looked ashamed and knelt on one knee.
"This humble general is incompetent! I have failed the great trust placed in me by my lord! I have been waiting for General Zilong at his home in Zhending County, Changshan Commandery for more than three months, but I have not seen him return home. I heard that he had previously joined Gongsun Zan, and after Gongsun Zan's defeat, he disappeared without a trace."
"I fear I may jeopardize your important affairs, my lord. Therefore, I have no choice but to... I have no choice but to invite Madam Zhao to Qingzhou. I will leave a letter at her home, expressing my lord's deep longing for you, and stating that if General Zilong returns home, he will surely come to join me upon seeing this letter!"
Ouch!
Look at what you've done.
We are government officials, not kidnappers!
But then again, this was done exceptionally well.
With Zhao Yun's mother around, why would Zhao Yun not come to Qingzhou?
It is said that loyalty to the country and filial piety are difficult to reconcile since ancient times.
If you, Zhao Yun, surrender to me, wouldn't that be a win-win situation?
Yuan Tan immediately adopted a warm and respectful expression, quickly stepped forward, personally helped Peng An up, and then bowed deeply to the old woman:
"Grandma, you must be tired from your journey! Please take a seat! I was unaware of your arrival, Madam. Please forgive my lack of hospitality!"
Zhao's mother had never received such a grand gesture from a governor of a prefecture, and was immediately at a loss for words, repeatedly saying:
"No, no, no! You're making me feel terrible!"
Yuan Tan insisted on helping Zhao's mother to a seat in the guest area, his tone extremely sincere:
"Madam, please don't stand on ceremony! General Zilong is unparalleled in loyalty and bravery, and his name is known throughout the land. I, Tan, have long admired him! It's just a pity that we've never had the chance to meet. It is truly my great fortune that you, Madam, have come to Qingzhou today!"
Please make yourself at home here and settle in comfortably. Do not hesitate to ask for anything you need. When we find General Zilong one day, we can reunite you and your son and enjoy family life together!
His words were sincere and his manners impeccable; he made no mention of recruiting anyone.
It only expresses admiration and concern.
This warmed Zhao's mother's heart, and her fear and apprehension subsided considerably.
After settling Zhao's mother in, Yuan Tan returned to his study, where Peng An gave a detailed account of the search for Zhao Yun, which had indeed yielded no results.
"That's enough."
Yuan Tan waved his hand, his eyes filled with regret, but he remained expressionless.
"Zilong is no ordinary man; we cannot force him. It is already a blessing that you were able to bring his mother here today. You have had a long journey; go and rest well. You will be richly rewarded!"
After seeing Peng An off, Yuan Tan was just about to go down to rest and check on how Professor Wu Yu's flute playing was progressing when a guard came to report:
"My lord! The Zhen family members have already boarded a ship and are heading to Linzi Port."