Chapter 32 An Unusual Start to the New Year

The last few days of the 599th year of the Dawu calendar ended in this wave of turmoil.

Amid the rumbling of salutes, the first day of the 600th year of the Dawu calendar began.

On the night of the New Year's Eve, compared with the hustle and bustle outside, Han Xu's yard seemed a little deserted.

He, Lin Feng, and Nishang sat in the yard, accompanied by a pot of sake, a few dishes, and looked at the fireworks in the sky, each with different feelings.

Somewhat similar to the previous life, the Dawu Dynasty also has the New Year solar term. In the first three days of each year, the whole country will celebrate the arrival of the New Year.

This custom can make Han Xu feel a little familiar and dazed.

According to the time of this world, Han Xu will be eighteen years old after the midnight.

The light of the fireworks illuminated Han Xu's profile and his eyes.

But Nishang didn't understand why there were so many stories in the eyes of this young man. She forgot that she was just a girl in her prime.

"I don't know how my sister is doing in the palace." Han Xu sighed. Five or six days had passed since the wedding day, but there was still no news about Han Luoling in the palace, which made Han Xu a little worried.

"Don't worry, young master, the young lady will take care of herself." Lin Feng knew that Han Xu and Han Luoling had a deep relationship, and he didn't know how to comfort them at this time, so he had to say so.

Nishang silently poured a glass of wine for Han Xu. Compared with Lin Feng, she knew how to comfort a man better.

"Are you used to it these days?" Han Xu suddenly turned his head and asked Nishang.

Nishang didn't expect Han Xu to ask her suddenly, and subconsciously said: "Young master, Nishang feels pretty good."

After saying that, Nishang seemed to want to say something, so Han Xu said: "If you have anything to say, you can just say it directly. I don't have so many rules here."

Nishang thought for a while and said: "Nishang just has one thing I don't understand. Why did the young master choose me that day?"

"Of course it's because you are beautiful." Han Xu blurted out, and Nishang blushed slightly when she heard it.

She knew that Han Xu was not telling the truth. If he was just after her looks, why did he take her home and place her in a side courtyard, treating her with respect?

In fact, apart from three meals a day, Nishang didn't have much time to see Han Xu.

So, Nishang looked at Han Xu. Although she didn't ask any more questions, her stubborn eyes seemed to tell Han Xu that she wanted an answer, a less perfunctory answer.

Han Xu smiled softly and said, "Actually, it's because I know you are not happy in Xiaoxiang Pavilion."

Even though Nishang had thought of countless answers in her heart, she didn't expect Han Xu to give this reason.

In Han Xu's eyes, Nishang saw only sincerity, and this sincerity made her involuntarily believe that what Han Xu said was from the heart.

As a brothel girl, no one had ever really cared about her thoughts, and no one had ever asked her if she was happy.

Since she was a child, she was instilled with the idea of ​​doing her best to please others, as well as those bloody means hidden in the dark.

Even though she was already the most beautiful lady in Xiaoxiang Pavilion, one of the four most beautiful ladies in Wangcheng, she had never felt that someone really cared about her.

At this moment, Nichang only felt that this New Year was no longer as cold as usual.

"It would be great if it could be like this every year." Nichang couldn't help thinking, she looked at Han Xu and thought of the omnipotent Pavilion Master.

"I hope the Pavilion Master won't embarrass the young master." Nichang thought to herself, and unknowingly, her position also changed quietly.

Han Xu guessed everything when he saw her eyes. He wanted to come to Nichang, of course, not for her beauty.

It was not entirely like what he said just now, just to take into account Nichang's feelings. Han Xu was not a saint, let alone a good person.

He kept Nichang by his side, on the one hand, because they had been together for many years, and he also wanted to help her get rid of it, but the most important thing was because Han Xu was impressed by her ability.

Han Xu wanted to establish his own power, and it was unrealistic to fight alone. He must have some trustworthy and capable left and right arms.

In his opinion, besides Nishang, the other three courtesans in the royal city are also good. They have their own strengths and are not low. With training in the future, they can all become masters who can stand on their own.

Of course, getting people here is only the first step of Han Xu's plan. If you want to really play their role, there is a prerequisite that cannot be missed.

That is to get their loyalty.

This is the most difficult. They have been trained by their respective organizations since childhood and brainwashed thoroughly. Just a little affection for Han Xu is impossible to make them abandon their original identities and truly loyal.

Therefore, Han Xu still has a long way to go. Fortunately, he is not in a hurry to conquer these four courtesans.

The 600th year of the Dawu calendar is destined to have a different start.

Ordinary people are busy celebrating the arrival of the New Year, while the bigwigs in the royal city are busy.

In the court, the always diligent Emperor Wu did not attend court for six consecutive days for the first time.

You know, even when he married the queen, Emperor Wu never missed the morning court, but since Emperor Wu married Han Luoling, he has not appeared in the court for six days.

If it weren't for the eunuch Zhou who served Emperor Wu and reported to the court every day, the court would be in chaos.

But even so, many words have been raised among the officials.

Some people said that His Majesty Emperor Wu was probably fascinated by Han Luoling's beauty.

No matter which dynasty, there are always stories of beauties causing chaos in the government. Every time a dynasty changes, nine out of ten times, it starts with the emperor's indulgence in beauty.

And Han Luoling's beauty is enough to confuse people.

Emperor Wu did not attend the court, so many government affairs were delayed.

Officials went to court symbolically every morning, and left numbly after Zhou Gonggong announced that Emperor Wu would not come.

There were only two exceptions. One was the queen's father, the prime minister Si Nan. He would stay a little longer every day and entrust Zhou Gonggong to submit a memorial, wanting to see the emperor, but every time he got the news that Emperor Wu was not available.

As for the other one, it was Qin Ling, the leader of the Tiance Army. This one of the top extraordinary masters in the royal city had been kneeling outside the palace for six days and six nights without armor.

During these six days and six nights, he did not eat or drink, and kept kneeling without getting up, and even did not move his position. Even though he was an extraordinary master, his face still looked pale and weak.

Everyone knew what he meant. The deputy commander of the Tiance Army violated the emperor's will, so he, the commander, was naturally to blame. Therefore, he had to kneel here and wait for the emperor's decision.

At the beginning of the new year, everything began.

However, local officials never received instructions from the court, which made many tasks difficult to continue.

Although it was only a few days, the impact on the entire Dawu Dynasty was immeasurable.

At this time when management was absent, the competition for the leader of the Golden Sword Sect became white-hot.

The four hall masters led their subordinates to fight for no less than dozens of battles, and each of them suffered a lot of casualties.

The always peaceful Wangcheng also had a hint of blood because of this incident.

Because they themselves were also worried about too many casualties, the four hall masters finally decided to rely on their personal strength to compete for the position of the leader.

Their decision attracted a lot of attention at once.

Although the Golden Sword Sect was a Jianghu force, it had thousands of disciples, and they had influence in many trades in the royal city.

Even many officials secretly communicated with the Golden Sword Sect and had close contacts.

So the position of the sect leader was very important.

The decisive battle was scheduled for the fifth day of the first lunar month, and the location was on the barren mountain in the western suburbs. Many masters had already arrived nearby in advance, and even the government sent out secret guards.

On this day, the sky was clear, and Han Xu slept until noon, and was awakened by the birds singing in the yard.

He stretched out of the house and enjoyed the warmth of the sun.

Nishang came over with a basin of hot water as soon as possible. After the first few days, she had become accustomed to the role of a maid.

Handing over a warm towel, Nishang asked, "Sir, what do you want to eat for lunch?"

Han Xu asked, "What day is it today?"

"The fifth day of the first lunar month."

"Oh, the weather is really good."

After washing his face, Han Xu stretched comfortably. The warm sunshine made him feel much more cheerful, and the gloom caused by his sister's marriage to the palace gradually dissipated.

"Young Master, what do you want to eat?" Seeing Han Xu's smile restored, Nichang also felt happy. The terrifying Pavilion Master had not come to bother her these days, and Nichang had also enjoyed a few days of quiet life like an ordinary person.

Han Xu reached out and brushed the black hair that fell on Nichang's forehead, and said with a smile: "Let's go, the young master will take you out for a good meal today."

"Young Master, wait a moment, Nichang will go change clothes." Nichang thought that this was the first time she went out with Han Xu after returning from Xiaoxiang Pavilion, so she had to pay attention to it.

"No need." After saying that, Han Xu pulled Nichang out, and didn't even change his pajamas.

"But, but don't we wait for Uncle Lin?" Nichang was held by Han Xu, a little flustered, but it was difficult to break free, and then she remembered that she had lost Lin Feng's figure early this morning.

"Uncle Lin is so old, don't worry, he should be out on business." Han Xu calculated the time and said, "Calculate the time, it's almost time to finish it."