From a son-in-law to a favorite of the empress

West Lake has been a tourist destination since ancient times. It has beautiful scenery and is famous for its willow trees, blue waves, embankments and temples.

The temple is of course the Lingyin Temple on the other side of the lake. There are many eminent monks, Buddhism is prosperous, and incense is constantly burning. It has continued to influence the Jiangnan region for thousands of years.

Many dignitaries who have arrived in Lin'an will go to Lingyin Temple to burn incense and worship Buddha, praying for a good future.

The cruise ship sailed all the way from the West Lake to the shore. Under the interweaving of sunshine and green shade, a luxurious mansion gradually appeared.

There are eight pine trees planted in the square, all of which are ten feet high. Two jade lions are perched on both sides of the gate. The big red copper door is heavy and majestic.

The stone slabs like white jade are laid on the ground, and the walls are carved with exquisite murals. Inside, you can see lush forests and bamboos, and rockery stands.

While everyone was amazed at this mansion, their eyes finally focused on the plaque.

Purple edging, red as the base, and four large gold foil characters, which are "Sky-supporting White Jade".

That's all self-evident. This is the Annan Marquis's Mansion!

The Jin Dynasty has been established for 400 years, and there are countless princes and nobles, but when it comes to the four words "Sky-supporting White Jade", it is undoubtedly the Annan Marquis.

In recent years, only the Annan Marquis has received such an honor.

To be precise, that was twelve years ago.

Liaodong fell and Tianjin Port was in danger. Annan Marquis Han Tuo led 4,000 cavalry and 100,000 infantry to fight hard in Liaodong for 14 months, repelling the Tartars and regaining Liaodong in one fell swoop.

The court was boiling, and the Jin Dynasty was happy. Han Tuo was named the first-class Zhenbei Marquis.

But later, when the empress came to power, she used various excuses to reduce the title, and finally the first-class Zhenbei Marquis became the second-class Annan Marquis today.

But looking at this thousand-acre manor, with carved beams and painted rafters and white jade paving the ground, I don't know how much silver it would take to pile it up.

Zhou Yuan thought to himself, "It's not cruel enough for the empress to strip him of his title!"

Everyone headed towards the Marquis' Mansion, and Luoxue led the way, explaining the shapes and meanings of the various scenes.

Zhou Yuan was shocked when he heard this, and looked at Qu Ling and whispered, "Are all you rich people like this?"

Qu Ling was not in the mood to joke, but frowned and said, "It's over the limit, both in terms of regulations and the money used, it's too much. To be honest, the palace of King Huai is not so grand."

King Huai is the brother of the previous emperor, a real first-class prince.

Zhou Yuan thought for a moment and then smiled, "Such a house is not very prestigious. Ordinary people are afraid of it, and people like us are even more afraid of it."

Qu Ling suddenly said, "But Annan Hou has a wide network of contacts in the south, and can often handle very difficult problems with just a few words. You may try to seek his help about the gambling house in the south of the city."

Zhou Yuan nodded and said, "Let's go in and eat fish first."

Luoxue Lay prepared the freshest sea bass today, and everyone happened to be a guest at Annan Hou's mansion to taste the sea bass.

As for the identity of Luoxue Lay, naturally no one was stupid enough to ask, but it was obviously someone in the palace.

The reason why people like Li Zhaolu and Xu Cunzhong were invited to participate in today's play was obviously also the credit of Luoxue Lay. The two bureaucrats naturally came for Annan Hou.

After entering the mansion, the atmosphere seemed to be much more depressing. The scholars who were talking and laughing before became restrained. Shen Qiaoshan still had a sour face, as if he was still thinking about the huge loss of face just now.

Some women in the boudoir were bolder, talking about the beautiful scenery in the mansion, and at the same time flirting with Zhou Yuan.

Now Zhou Yuan has proved his talent with facts and actions, and these women can be said to be very fond of him.

Of course, in the end, all thoughts were reduced to a sigh: "It's a pity that he is already married, and he is still a son-in-law."

"Bah! A bunch of shameless people, knowing that you are already married, why are you still making a fuss about yourself."

Qu Ling was very unhappy with such behavior, so she didn't leave Zhou Yuan at all. Whenever a woman came, she would say a few words to drive them away.

Zhou Yuan smiled bitterly and said, "Miss Qu Ling, you are forcibly cutting off my luck in love!"

Qu Ling curled her lips and said, "I am doing this for your own good. How many of those women are easy to get along with? If you offend them, it will not be so easy to get away."

Zhou Yuan leaned over and said in a low voice, "Then how can I thank Miss Qu?"

The breath so close to her made Qu Ling blush slightly. She said with a stiff face, "We are just friends, it doesn't matter. Just don't go astray."

Just when the two were chatting casually, there was a commotion in front.

Looking up, I saw a middle-aged man in brocade clothes, with a jade pendant on his waist and a purple crown on his head, walking slowly.

Everyone greeted enthusiastically, and the atmosphere instantly became lively.

Zhou Yuan frowned and said, "Is Annan Hou so young?"

Qu Ling said, "He is forty-four this year, at least not old."

Zhou Yuan did notHe didn't want to speak, because after the greetings, everyone was already looking at him.

"The rolling Yangtze River flows eastward, the waves wash away all heroes, and success and failure are in vain."

"The green mountains remain, and the sunset is red again."

Han Tuo stroked his goatee, walked towards Zhou Yuan with a big laugh, and recited "Linjiangxian" heroically. After reciting one word, he shouted affectionately: "Today I am fortunate to meet Master Yuan Yi, I am lucky in three lives!"

Everyone around looked at each other. After all this time, Han Tuo was still a fan of "Romance of the Three Kingdoms", but that was also true, after all, he was not well educated.

Of course, no one dared to say this.

"My Lord, you are too kind."

Zhou Yuan bowed and said, "I am Zhou Yuan from Yunzhou. I meet you, my Lord."

"Hey! Why are you polite?"

Han Tuo laughed and said, "Perhaps everyone present has read "Romance of the Three Kingdoms". You should know that the plot is grand and profound. I can't bear to put it down. I have read it many times and I like it more and more."

Everyone laughed along, but some people secretly despised it in their hearts. Only you are uneducated and like this kind of thing.

But who would have thought that Han Tuo changed the subject, turned his head and looked at Zhou Yuan, and said with a smile, "Master Yuan Yi, there is a story in the book about Xuande and Mengde talking about heroes over wine. I wonder if I am a hero in your opinion!"

This old thing is really shameless. Isn't this forcing me to praise him in different ways?

Zhou Yuan cursed secretly, then laughed and said: "Your Majesty led the soldiers to serve the country in the bitter cold land of Liaodong, turned the tide and supported the building when it was about to collapse. How can you not be considered a hero."

Everyone despised him in their hearts. Zhou Yuan said that he was so noble, but now he is flattering.

Han Tuo was really happy and laughed: "Then tell me, which character in the book do I look like? If you are right, there will be a big reward!"

Zhou Yuan was stunned on the spot. What are you talking about? There are thunders everywhere in "Three Kingdoms". How dare I say it!

Saying that you are Dong Zhuo is a satire on you being a powerful minister, holding the emperor hostage, and being killed by various princes.

Saying that you are Cao Cao is equivalent to saying that you want to rebel.

Saying that you are Yuan Shao... It is not appropriate to serialize Yuan Shao's defeat at Guandu now.

Saying that you are Liu Bei is even worse. Liu Bei is the one who restored the Han Dynasty, and now the empress is in power. If you say that he is Liu Bei, it is harming people!

Sun Jian? No way! Occupying Jiangdong, isn't this deliberately saying that they are separatist?

Zhou Yuan thought about it and finally said: "Dong Zhuo is not very strategic, Cao Cao is not very loyal, Yuan Shao is indecisive, Liu Bei is not successful, the Marquis is both loyal and righteous, brave and brave, famous all over the world, and should be compared with Yunchang!"

Anyway, it hasn't been serialized to the Battle of Maicheng yet, and Guan Yunchang happens to be the Marquis of Han Shou Ting, which is reasonable and appropriate.

Hearing this, Han Tuo was also stunned for a moment, and then laughed and said: "Master Yuan Yi is very popular with me, and there will be a big reward! Come on!"

As he shouted, two servants in the inner courtyard came in with a small box.

As the box opened, a golden light suddenly shone, and it was actually filled with gold ingots.

"A mere thousand taels of gold! I hope Master Yuan Yi will accept it!"

Zhou Yuan was really stunned now.

Brother, this is the first time we meet, right?

How can you take out such a thing directly!

Moreover, in front of so many people.

If I refuse, it will hurt your face, but if I don't refuse, I will be regarded as greedy for money.

It's really difficult!