Chapter 26: Stirring Up a Hornet's Nest

  In the teahouse opposite Wangji Iron Shop, Wei Zhang sat by the window sipping tea leisurely. Across from him were Deputy General He Xi and Tang Xiao Yi, with Ge Hai and Zhao Da Feng sitting at either end of the table.

  Among the four deputy generals, He Xi was calm and composed, Tang Xiao was elegant and refined, Ge Hai had a ferocious face, and Zhao Dafeng had a rogue-like face. The four faces gathered together were truly magnificent, becoming a scenic view in the tea house.

  "General, the mansion will be completed in a couple of months. At that time, brothers will congratulate you on your new home." Tang Xiao Yi was a refined and elegant scholar, and his speech was also elegant and refined.

  "What nonsense! That was originally General Shao's home, it was given to...". Ge Hai angrily hummed.

  "Shut up." He Xi glared at Ge Hai, "That man is also the younger general's uncle after all."

  "What a fart of an uncle! Is there such an uncle?" Zhao Dafeng cursed, slamming the teacup in his hand onto the table.

  He Xi spoke, and among the brothers, no one dared to refute him, but Zhao Dafeng was an exception. He was originally a reckless and cunning person who was not afraid of anything. He had good martial arts skills, a shameless face, and a sinister heart. Usually, only Wei Zhang could restrain him.

  "Xiao Yi." Wei Zhang's fingers tapped on the table, interrupting the conversation of the four brothers.

  "General." Tang Xiao Yi immediately responded with a single word.

  Wei Zhang fell into thought for a moment, smiled slightly, but didn't say anything.

  Tang Xiao Yi and others waited for half a day without seeing Wei Zhang say anything, looking at the brothers next to him with a puzzled expression, and couldn't help but ask: "General, you have something to say, don't you?"

  "Just say it, whatever you want to say. Do you need to be so evasive with us brothers?" Ge Hai chimed in.

  "General, you don't look like a man at all!" Zhao Dafeng still had an insolent expression.

  Wei Zhang hummed and said: "Ding Hou Fu."

  "Ding Hou Fu?" Zhao Dafeng looked at Wei Zhang with a puzzled expression, then glanced at Tang Xiao Yi.

  Tang Xiao Yi smiled and said, "I knew it was this matter. However, General, you'll have to wait a few more days. It's said that the young lady has gone to Ci Xin An and won't be back until after half a month."

  Wei Zhang smiled slightly, his smile extremely faint, but with a hint of warmth in his eyes.

  He Xi looked at Tang Xiao Yi and then asked Wei Zhang in confusion: "General, what did the Crown Prince mean by his words that time? He wanted you to marry the third daughter of the Su family. Although she is a concubine's daughter, she grew up under the care of the eldest princess and has a good appearance and upbringing. Why didn't you..."

  Zhao Dafeng chuckled and asked, "Old He, isn't the third daughter of the Su family you mentioned the same girl who scolded us for being rude at the blacksmith's shop that day?"

  He Xi asked in surprise: "Have you seen it?"

  "I've seen it! That girl has quite an attitude!" Zhao Dafeng immediately imitated Su Yuxuan's scolding tone, raising his voice: "Who are you, daring to be so rude?!"

  Several people burst out laughing, and He Xi was about to say something when Wei Zhang waved his hand, indicating that he shouldn't continue.

  He Xi's face showed a hint of helplessness, and he shook his head, swallowing back the words that were on the tip of his tongue.

  ……

  Outside the city, behind Ci Xin An, in the mountain forest, maple leaves are red and scattered, the mountain wind is gentle and lingering.

  Yao Yan wore a light gray linen garment, walking leisurely in the mountain forest, breathing in the fresh air, holding a handful of green plants, searching as she walked, picking down familiar herbs with joy and contentment.

  Cui Wei followed behind her, carrying a bundle in his hand, and anxiously reminded her along the way: "Miss, slow down! Watch your step! Don't trip!"

  "Ah, it's nothing!" Yao Yan waved her hand in disdain: "Do you think I'm made of paper? Hurry up! Keep up!"

  Cui Wei hastily followed, holding up her skirt.

  The two of them searched for a while, and as the sun rose to its peak at noon, Cui Wei took out her handkerchief and wiped away a few drops of sweat. She then quickened her pace and caught up with Yao Yanyu, handing her a handkerchief to wipe away her own sweat.

  Yao Yan's two hands were clutching herbs, letting Cui Wei wipe the sweat for herself, and asked: "Is there water? I'm dying of thirst."

  "Nothing..." Cuimiao suddenly felt worried, she thought her own daughter would just go out for a walk and come back, but didn't expect her to not return even after half a day. "I was in too much of a hurry when I came out, I forgot... look at the time, it's almost lunchtime, let's head back."

  "Go back?" Yao Yan raised her head to look at the sky, gazing at the dappled sunlight filtering through the dense foliage, and smiled: "Not going back."

  Cui Wei found a clean stone to sit on, wiping the sweat with her sleeve: "Not going back? Aren't you hungry? We've been wandering in this mountain forest for half a day!"

  "It's hard to get out once you go back." Yao Yan said with a soft laugh.

  Cui Wei rolled her eyes: "Miss, you're the mistress, if you want to go out just go out, is it necessary to make such a fuss?"

  Yao Yan smiled and said: "Going out is easy, but I'm annoyed that so many people are following me. Can you have such freedom with people in front of and behind you?"

  "We can't just go without eating or drinking either." Cui Wei sighed helplessly.

  Yao Yan pointed in the direction they came from and said, "Didn't we just pass by a small stream? If we head towards the stream, won't we have water to drink?"

  "Oh, then let's go back?" Cui Wei grinned, her smile uglier than crying. The little girl's feet were almost blistered from walking.

  "It's just a short walk, we'll be there soon." Yao Yan's words were also tired, but she was more excited, this kind of unrestrained feeling was too good, making her forget the soreness in her legs.

  Cui Wei put the herbs picked by Yao Yan into her backpack and walked back. However, the mountain forest had crisscrossing small paths, or perhaps no path at all. The master and servant walked for a while before losing their way.

  The small stream on the way here can't be found, but I heard the sound of several children laughing and playing.

  Yao Yan was delighted: "Cui Wei, we have a home now. We'll not only have water to drink but also lunch."

  Cui Wei also let out a sigh, she really didn't know what to do anymore. Although she was a maid, she had been bought by the Yao family since childhood and grew up in a large mansion, so she was already very unfamiliar with this mountain life.

  The master and servant followed the sound of children's laughter and found two teenagers riding on a tree stump, holding bamboo sticks and poking at something. One said: "Brother, over there, a bit higher."

  Another impatient one said: "Why are you talking so much! Shut up."

  "Oh no, bro! Just missed it by a hair!"

  "Shut up! Or are you coming?"

  ……

  Yao Yan and Cui Wei walked over slowly before they could see clearly that the two children were poking at a large beehive.

  "Girl! Run quickly!" Cui Wei was so scared that her face turned white, and she pulled Yao Yanyu to run away immediately. This beehive is as big as a cow's head, if it falls down, the bees will sting people to death!

  Yao Yan's eyes were fixed on the beehive, shining with excitement: "Ah! A beehive!"

  Cui Wei looked at Yao Yanyu's expression and was on the verge of tears: "Miss! Beehive! Do you know that it's not gold or silver, what are you trying to do?"

  "Hornet's nest is a rare and precious medicinal material." Yao Yan murmured to herself: "It has a very complex nutritional composition, almost containing all the nutrients of honey, bee pollen, beeswax, propolis, and royal jelly. Pharmacological studies have shown that hornet's nest extract has good therapeutic and adjuvant effects on diseases caused by bacteria and fungi. It can also significantly lower cholesterol levels in plasma, reduce blood pressure, and increase platelet function..."

  "What did you say?! Let's go!" Cui Wei's eyes were fixed on the child in the tree, whose bamboo stick had just poked into the beehive. Instantly, they scattered and ran, dragging Yao Yanyu along.

  "Ah..." Yao Yan's words were cut off as she was dragged away by Cui Wei, still unwilling to look back. Such a large beehive, and it was purely natural and original... what a pity...