The Empire will continue to win

The 15th year of Xianning (the reign title of the late emperor).

The Times published a report describing Beijing as the world's largest metropolis, a title it truly deserves.

What Shen Moqing sees now is~

Lanterns illuminate the night, moonlight shines on the snowy nights, flowers bloom amidst the snow, people pray for skill in needlework, climb mountains, and stroll in the gardens and ponds.

Everywhere you look, you see brothels and painted pavilions, embroidered doors and beaded curtains.

Carved carriages lined the main street, while fine horses raced along the imperial road, their golden and jade ornaments gleaming, their silks and brocades exuding fragrance.

New voices and charming laughter fill the willow-lined streets and flower-filled lanes, while music and strings are played in teahouses and taverns.

All corners of the world gather, and all nations communicate.

Treasures from all corners of the world are gathered and traded in the market; exotic flavors from all over the globe are found in the kitchen. Flowers bloom along the roads, countless people enjoy spring outings; flutes and drums resound through the air, several families hold banquets at night.

He certainly remembered that the second half of "The Eastern Capital: A Dream of Splendor" was: "The old country is unbearable to recall under the bright moon."

He was lost in thought.

bang~

I accidentally bumped into a pedestrian from the opposite direction, and she was so warm and lovely~

It was obvious that the other person was a woman.

「すみません~」

The other person uttered a sentence in their native language, then switched to Chinese: "Excuse me, sir, as compensation, would you do me the honor of coming inside for a cup of sake?"

Shen Moqing looked closely and saw that the woman was not wearing a kimono, but a dark blue glutinous skirt with a white gauze shawl over it.

Her hair was styled in a slicked-back, glossy bun.

Although he was smiling, his eyes were cold.

"My name is Yuanzi, and I am a female steward at Hefeng Tower. I was very sorry for accidentally bumping into you, young master." As she spoke, she made a gesture of bowing.

I offended an Imperial Navy warrant officer, and I should make amends properly; no amount of compensation would be too much.

But Shen Moqing waved his hand and left directly.

To be honest, the scale was extremely limited, and even bowing at a 90-degree angle couldn't move me; such generosity in poverty is meaningless.

.........

"Yuanzi, what are you looking at?"

"Ah~ it's nothing, it seems I ran into an old friend."

"Lord Wang from the Ministry of Revenue has arrived. He specifically requested the Yu tea you brewed."

"Okay, let's go back."

When going up the stairs.

Suddenly, a lightbulb went off in Yuanzi's head. Ah, she finally remembered!

Two weeks ago, near Zhengyang Gate, in a small alley, we brushed past each other. Two filthy, defeated soldiers—that was him!

Could it be a coincidence?

.........

Needle and Thread Alley.

Shen House.

When the gatekeeper Jiao Da saw that "the only hope of the whole family" had returned, he quickly stepped forward to pay his respects.

"May you be blessed, Second Young Master."

"Um."

The mansion was filled with the melodious sounds of silk and bamboo instruments, and the chirping of swallows and orioles.

The stage, which had been abandoned for more than a decade, has now been repainted and is now filled with famous opera stars from all walks of life, singing beautiful songs and dancing in gorgeous costumes.

Shen Moqing glanced up and exclaimed, "Wow! What kind of tight-fitting cloth armor is the 'Mu Guiying' on the stage wearing? It doesn't cover up anything that should be covered, and it doesn't cover up anything that shouldn't be covered."

Holding a three-foot-long red-tasseled spear, he fought fiercely with the enemy general.

Peking Opera is actually not often performed in a serious manner.

Definitely the lowest of the low.

But we can't blame the actors; the main problem is that the audience's moral standards are too low.

.........

Looking down at the audience, one could see a group of scoundrels sitting there.

My uncle Shen She and Aunt Zhou, my own father and Aunt Zhao, and several servants and maids from the mansion.

Zhang Zongcang, a Shandong man with thick eyebrows and big eyes, was also among them, grinning foolishly, his big eyes almost popping into Mu Guiying's armor.

The world is going to the dogs.

People's hearts have changed.

Shen Moqing coughed lightly twice.

Old Man Shen Zheng sprang up from his chair: "Oh, it's our Qing'er back from his errand! Quick, serve him fresh tea, water pipes, midnight snacks, good wine, and water for washing his feet!"

The servants and maids immediately busied themselves.

Some were boiling water, some were brewing tea, some were lighting cigarettes, and some were stir-frying vegetables.

Uncle Shen She reacted quickly, pointing to the stage and shouting, "That's enough for today! Come on, let's see the rewards!"

The actors, having received a substantial reward, shouted noisily, "Thank you, sir!" Then they quickly packed up their props and gongs and slipped backstage to remove their makeup.

As she turned to go backstage, Mu Guiying didn't forget to glance back at the handsome young master Qing with a smile, exuding charm and allure. You have to admire a skilled opera singer; their eyes are full of captivating allure.

This scene was witnessed by Shen She.

"Good nephew, he's the most popular performer in the Jade Spring Troupe in the capital. He's skilled in both literature and martial arts, and he's also a great singer and drummer, but he's definitely not a novice. Do you like him? If you do, just say so, and I'll make the arrangements."

Is it a man?

Shen Moqing suppressed the urge to beat up her uncle and said, "Uncle, I just came back from Nanyuan. I have to go to the palace tomorrow."

"Never mind, the imperial mission is more important," Shen She said with a forced smile.

As the group was talking, suddenly, the old lady's personal maid, Pearl, arrived. Her face was radiant, her waist swayed gracefully, her hair was disheveled, and her voice was like that of a nightingale.

Shen Zheng's eyes widened immediately.

"Greetings, Second Young Master. The Old Madam requests your presence." Pearl's voice was soft and sweet, quite pleasant to hear.

"Okay, let's go."

Shen Moqing remained calm, ignoring the others and heading straight into the garden. This rotten feudal family—he couldn't stand it any longer!

Revolution!

Revolution!!

Revolution!!!

.........

The gate of the mansion was dark and winding.

Pearl, the first-class maid, walked in front.

A gold hairpin was tucked into her temple, she wore a blouse with a hundred flowers on top and a pleated skirt on the bottom, she walked like a willow swaying in the wind, and spoke like a nightingale singing, and there was a fragrance that was refreshing and pleasant.

Shen Moqing followed closely behind, enjoying the spring scenery along the way.

Unexpectedly, the road ahead suddenly stopped, and I happened to be distracted, so I bumped into it.

The second collision today.

"Oops~"

The rear-end collision caused the person in front to stumble, and the lantern they were carrying fell to the ground and went out.

"I'm sorry, I was distracted. Second Young Master, are you alright?"

Under the covered walkway, beside the artificial hill.

Seven parts darkness, three parts light.

Frogs croak, and autumn insects chirp.

Master and servant exchanged glances.

The little girl had beautiful features and breathed sweet fragrance. Her legs went weak, and she involuntarily pressed herself against him.

One is 27, the other is 28.

Youth is in its prime.

Shen Moqing wasn't sure what to do, but thinking that no one would see it in the dark, he simply let her be and made it again using the same recipe as last time.

This caused a slight delay.

In fact, feudal large families weren't that bad.

.........

The central axis of the Shen residence.

Deepest inside, the main room.

Stepping inside, one finds the room brightly lit.

There was a table of food and drinks in the center, not many in number, but very exquisite.

"My grandson must be tired from his work. Has he not eaten yet? Perfect timing. Sit down and have some food and wine with me," said Old Madam Shen with a kind and gentle expression.

"Grandma Xie, your grandson is actually quite hungry."

Shen Moqing took off his peaked cap, unbuttoned his top button, sat down gracefully, and began to eat heartily and drink from a small cup.

Pearl stood to one side, serving food and wine.

"How is the imperial envoy going?"

"Well, I'm going to the palace tomorrow. I reckon the two empress dowagers will arrange a proper job for me."

"Civil official or military official?" the old lady asked excitedly.

"Neither scholarly nor martial, he's most likely going to Yanshan Heavy Industry," Shen Moqing said with a smile.

Upon hearing this, Old Madam Shen hesitated, as if she wanted to say something but then stopped.

"What's wrong?"

"Grandson, Yanshan Heavy Industry is not a good place to go."

"What is that?"

"That place is Lion Camel Ridge."

Shen Moqing's chopsticks froze in his hand. Lion Camel Ridge? The Lion Camel Ridge at the foot of Mount Ling in Journey to the West, a place of mountains of corpses and seas of blood?