Yulang thought that his senior sister was going to open a medical clinic. "Be it a teahouse or a teahouse, the capital is a mixed bag of good and bad people. If the medical skills are too high, it will easily be noticed by interested people and disturb people's peace."
Gradually approaching the capital.
The tall and mighty majestic city is awe-inspiring. The shadow of the huge city wall envelopes pedestrians, and it is like a ferocious beast that devours everyone who enters the capital, but it can never be filled.
The senior sisters and brothers took off their Taoist robes, put on regular clothes, and blended into the crowd.
The horses under their crotches attracted a lot of attention. After all, they were at the feet of the emperor, and there were no blind people looking for trouble.
After successfully entering the city, the two walked around the city, feeling the customs and customs at the feet of the emperor, and then went straight to Tao's house.
Living in the capital is not easy, but the Tao family is a wealthy and magnificent family.
Anyefang, where the Tao family is located, is known as one of the major upper city squares in the capital. Some of the residences of princes and nobles were also built here, which demonstrates the extraordinary achievements of the Tao family in business.
The two found the Tao family and introduced themselves.
The concierge had already received the explanation, and immediately informed the housekeeper, saying enthusiastically: "Are they Mr. Yulang and Miss Xiaowu? The eldest young master is not in the house, but there has been an explanation for the two of them to live in the eldest young master's courtyard."
Tao's house is very large, with a garden inside, and the scenery changes as you move around, isolating the hustle and bustle of the capital city, and providing tranquility amidst the hustle and bustle.
The housekeeper led them while enjoying the scenery.
"The eldest young master also gave special instructions that you two can come in and out of the Tao family's library at will and read any books. On weekdays, no one in the Tao family will disturb you," the housekeeper said.
Yulang secretly thought, Tao Qi really knows me.
The butler continued: "If you two need anything else, just give me your orders. The eldest master has your destiny, and the Tao Mansion will do its best to meet all your requests!"
Yu Lang glanced at Xiao Wu and said, "We want to buy a teahouse. Does the old man have any recommendations?"
"teahouse?"
The housekeeper was slightly stunned and pondered, "The Tao family's properties are mostly located in Guangwei, Anshan, Yankang and other areas. They can be converted into teahouses. I wonder what you two would like?"
From the eldest young master's attitude towards these two people, the housekeeper can guess that they are definitely ordinary people.
These two people definitely didn't open the teahouse to make money.
"The scale is not big, not small, there are not many but not many guests, no elegance is required, all three religions and nine streams can go there, but don't be too noisy, please invite two storytellers, live in peace..."
This was a request made by Xiaowu himself, and Yulang relayed it on his behalf.
"I understand, now I'm going to select a few of the most suitable properties, and then I'll ask you two to choose!"
The housekeeper acted vigorously and resolutely, and sent them to the Taoist Courtyard, where they settled down and immediately resigned. The next morning, he took a carriage out of the house and took them to check.
The housekeeper selected four properties, and Xiao Wu fell in love with the first one he saw.
It is extremely rare to see the lakes and mountains in the capital city.
There are several famous inner lakes in the city, one of which is called Yuyao Lake. As the name suggests, it looks like a beautiful woman’s jade waist, making people forget to leave.
The Tao family's property is a two-story wooden building on the bank of Yuyao Lake. Most of the foundation extends to the lake. There is a small courtyard next to it, with a great view.
On weekdays, there are many people visiting Yuyao Lake, so you don’t have to worry about the number of tourists.
The key is the location of Yuyao Lake. Xuanrenfang in the upper reaches is Shangchengfang where dignitaries live, and Chang'anfang in the lower reaches is where common people live. The wooden building is located in the middle and lower reaches of Yuyao Lake, which will not deter common people.
Yulang was also extremely satisfied, "This is not far from the Imperial College. It's a pity that I can't come here often to help my senior sister. In the future, when I become an official in the court, I might have to disguise myself to come here. The secret books that Brother Shi gave me are actually some disguises."
The technique is quite exquisite."
"This place is originally a chess hall. It can be renovated a little. I will order people to do it. It will be completed in three days."
The housekeeper knows the inside story. On the surface, this place is a chess hall, but in fact it is something else. It is a place used by the Tao Mansion to secretly entertain some distinguished guests.
However, since it was the eldest young master's order, the Tao family masters also acquiesced, no matter what was before, it must be changed.
"Wait a minute!"
Yulang stopped the housekeeper and took out a few ingots of gold, "Is this enough to buy this property?"
"This, I am acting according to the eldest master's order. I should have given it to you two..."
The housekeeper looked embarrassed.
"This is Tao Mansion's property," Yulang said.
The housekeeper immediately understood that the other party had a relationship with the eldest young master, but he was unwilling to owe the Tao family a favor.
How can you be an ordinary person who can easily take out a few ingots of gold?
Sometimes, favors are not so easy to sell.
That night.
The chess hall was empty, all the maids had moved out, and on the third day it was renovated and a new signboard was put up.
"It's better to call it a teahouse, but it's too elegant. Qingyang Teahouse, so weird! Haha... Senior sister, will master be angry if he knows about it?"
Yulang looked at the sign and almost laughed out loud. He turned around and found that his senior sister had walked behind the counter and entered the role.
From now on, she will be a female shopkeeper.
Storytellers, waiters, handymen, and even tea, charcoal fires, and snacks are all taken care of by the Tao family without them having to worry about it.
"Huh? When did this place become a teahouse?"
"I remember it used to be a chess hall. It was so mysterious that most people weren't allowed in."
"Let's go! Go and see..."
…
The teahouse with a new signboard soon attracted a group of customers. Seeing that the prices were quite fair, the storyteller was very hardworking, and there was a rare female shopkeeper, they found a seat to sit down.
One after another, it was almost full.
Xiaowu was a little unfamiliar at first when handling affairs, but he soon became more comfortable with it.
The plot of the story the storyteller is telling is not very exciting. The tea guests are sipping tea, talking about things, and listening carefully to a paragraph from time to time, leisurely and contentedly.
Yulang helped for a while and sat behind the counter. The sounds of the diners talking fell into his ears.
After listening with interest for a while, Yulang said: "Senior sister, I know why you want to open a teahouse. How did you come up with the idea?"
Xiao Wu said softly: "Many years ago, on a high-rise boat on the river, the master treated people, and the medical fees were their stories. I was listening to the stories. At that time, there were many stories, and I couldn't understand them."
"It's interesting, but after all it's someone else's story..."
Yulang hesitated, "Sister, don't you want to have your own story?"
"My own story?"
Xiao Wu stared at the tea customers in the shop.
"You can try to leave a story of your own in the mortal world. For example, start by focusing on being the shopkeeper of a teahouse," Yulang said.
Worldly sentiments, worldly sentiments.
Experience the world and understand human feelings.
After the sudden frame-up and betrayal, the senior sister did not stay away from the world, but she secretly closed off her emotions.
Yulang himself is still too ignorant to enlighten his mentor directly from the 'emotional' level. He can only advise his mentor to start with small things and change will occur naturally.
This visit to Beijing is an opportunity.
Xiao Wu said: "When I came down from the mountain, my master told me that I could try to practice self-cultivation and become a real ordinary person."
Yulang said excitedly: "Master said so too? Master's eyes are like a torch, there must be deep meaning. Senior sister, are you prepared to do this?"
Xiao Wu was silent for a moment and then said, "There are many immortal cultivators in the capital, so be careful behind you."
"The capital city is prosperous, so it is natural that there are immortal cultivators who are greedy for wealth. With the city god and the ghosts and gods sitting around, we can't make any trouble. I am living in the secular world and will not conflict with them. Senior sister, don't worry! Besides, before entering the city, I have already left behind
Secret message, Brother Shi will come to us if he sees it," Yulang said confidently.
Xiao Wu nodded, stretched out his right hand, and tapped his index finger between his eyebrows.
Vaguely, Yulang seemed to see a vast expanse of darkness, with a gorgeous crown in the darkness that flashed and disappeared. The change was so rapid that he suspected that he had an illusion.
Rubbing her eyes, the senior sister had returned to normal and was playing with the counter.
The appearance remains the same, but Yulang always feels that the senior sister has undergone inexplicable changes. She only retains the disguised form, and there is no trace of cultivation in the body.
Just then, an unusual guest walked in outside the door.
Yulang's expression was slightly condensed and he quickly stood up.
Xiaowu is still lowering her head, calculating the accounts carefully. It's not that she is arrogant, but that she, like everyone else in the teahouse, cannot see this person.
"But Hichi Yugami-sama?"
Yulang frowned. He could see that the person facing him was a ghost, but he couldn't see through the other person's cultivation level. He could only judge based on his clothing.
"Exactly!"
Riyou Shen glanced at Xiao Wu, confirmed that he was a mortal, and stopped paying attention. "On the day you entered the city, there should have been some secret agents who came to inform the city of taboos. When they saw you entering the Tao Mansion, they did not break in without permission."
"My lord, I know for sure that Pindao will not do anything that breaks the rules. Taoist Taoist Taoist Tao invited Pindao to Beijing this time. Taoist Taoist fellow is outside to observe the people's sentiments. When he returns, we will join hands to pay homage to the Lord Capital City God."
Yulang replied, neither humble nor arrogant.
Riyu Shen hummed, "In that case, I won't restrict you too much and wait for the City God to make a decision. However, if you break the rules on the way, you will still be expelled from the city."
"Save it for poor people!"
Yulang called the waiter over and ordered, "Send the best tea and cakes to the private room on the second floor..."
"No need!"
Riyushen turned and left.
…
Time flies and it is already three months later.
Tao Qi said in the letter that it was too late to come back in the spring and make friends with new scholars.
After returning to the capital, Tao Zhi didn't even go back to Tao Mansion, but went straight to the teahouse to see Yulang.
"Have you really decided to take the imperial examination?"
Tao Qi couldn't believe it. He didn't expect Yulang to enter the mortal world so completely.
"Yes, after three years, I hope to be on the list," Yulang said with a smile, but there was strong confidence in his smile.
"With my brother's talent and learning, let alone Jinshi, he is also the number one scholar! That's great!" Tao Qi walked around excitedly, "Brother is trying for merit, I might as well find a job in the imperial army, you and I can work together.
Assist the prince!"
"I haven't met the prince yet," Yulang shook his head.
"That's right, it's time for you to meet me and see if I've made a mistake. But before that, we have to go to the City God's Temple. Without further ado, let's leave now!"
Tao Qi was still impatient and took Yu Lang away.
When the two came to the City God's Temple, a Yin messenger immediately blocked their way. After being notified, they were led across the boundary between Yin and Yang to meet the City God.
In the main hall, the City God was high up, looking down at the two of them.
The powerful majesty makes people subconsciously surrender.
Tao Qi didn't dare to make any mistakes, and Yu Lang also felt the pressure, but he didn't lose his composure.
The master did not have such a strong majesty, but he always felt that this master of ghosts and gods in the Yan Kingdom lacked something compared to his master.
Tao Qi was very respectful, explained the reason, and begged the capital city god to allow Yulang to serve as an official.
After he finished speaking, the hall fell into dead silence.
Tao Qi felt uneasy. If the capital city god did not agree, everything would be in vain.
Finally, the City God spoke.
"Can!"
The rich voice echoed in the hall, rolling like thunder.
‘Whoosh!’
A ray of white light flew towards Yulang, "With this jade pendant, do not use your spiritual power rashly, otherwise the jade pendant will be taken back and expelled from the mortal world! Anyone who hurts others with magic will be punished according to the law! Do you know?"
"Junior knows!"
Yulang solemnly took the jade pendant.
Now, like his senior sister, he has become a mortal.
"Get down!"
The City God waved his sleeves, and the two of them were pushed out of the hall by a gentle force, following the Yin difference back to the Yang world.
Returning to the noisy market, Tao Qi noticed that Yulang stood still, staring at the City God Temple.
"What are you thinking about?" Tao Qi bumped Yulang with his shoulder.
"This time, it went very smoothly."
Yulang played with the jade pendant in his hand, which was exactly the same as Tao Qi's. It could conceal the aura of the immortal cultivator and was also a kind of surveillance.
"Is everything going well? It's getting late. Go back home quickly!" Tao Qian couldn't understand.
Yulang kept frowning, walked some distance away, and whispered: "The City God only met me once, and did not test my character or talents. He just let a cultivator into the secular world casually."
"You really think it's just casual," Tao Qi rolled his eyes, "If it weren't for Master's great reputation, do you think any immortal cultivator would be able to become an official in the court?"
"I don't know why, I always feel a little weird. Maybe I'm overthinking it."
Yulang glanced back, shook his head slightly, and then thought of something, "When will I visit your respected master?"
"Master doesn't want to be disturbed when he is in retreat. Let's talk about it later when we have the opportunity."
…
Cold comes and summer comes.
Unknowingly, the senior sisters and brothers spent three years in the capital.
On this day, Qingyang Tea House closed its doors to thank guests.
Because of the absence of the shopkeeper, he and countless people from the capital gathered in front of the Xuande Gate of the imperial palace, waiting for the results of the palace examination to be released.
"The number one scholar is out! The number one scholar is out!"
"It's Qin Yulang from Nanshu Prefecture!"
"It's Huiyuan! Sanyuan is the winner!"
…
'Bang bang bang!'
The salute resounded through the sky, and the ritual music played in unison.
After a short period of silence, a huge sound erupted. The military guards in helmets and armors cleared the way, and the new champion, dressed in red and colorful, riding a tall horse, slowly appeared in people's sight.
As the saying goes, the spring breeze brings joy to the horse's hoofs.
Parading on horseback is a custom after every palace examination.
Behind the champion, the other scholars were either on horseback or on foot, all beaming with joy. Only the champion looked calm. He, who was supposed to be the protagonist, seemed to be wandering and not knowing what he was thinking.
Suddenly, he saw a familiar figure in the crowd, and a bright smile finally appeared on his face.
"good!"
The crowd immediately responded with the fullest enthusiasm.