Chapter 372: Another New Year’s Eve

Chapter 372: Another New Year's Eve

When Miss Xin saw Dean Xie, she quickly bowed. "Dean Xie."

She deeply respected this esteemed official.

Dean Xie smiled and said, "Miss Xin, I’d like to go over some details about promoting the new policies. My brother-in-law is a rough man and might not adapt well, which could affect the storytellers’ performance."

Miss Xin followed Dean Xie back to the Hanlin Academy and carefully explained the key points of promoting the new policies. Finally, she said, "I have someone here who has done a great job carrying out my ideas regarding the effects the actors should achieve and how the storytellers should cooperate. If Count Yong'an needs him, he can accompany the storytellers and actors to the north."

This person was former bandit Xiaoba.

Xiaoba’s martial arts skills were average, and he wasn’t particularly brave, but he excelled in communication and execution. Coordinating the storytellers and actors for this performance was entrusted to him.

"That would be excellent. I’ll thank Count Yong'an for you."

"You’re too kind, Dean Xie."

When she returned to the Xin residence and told Xiaoba about this, he was stunned for a moment and asked in disbelief, "You want me to lead the storytellers to the north?"

Miss Xin: "Well, it’s not really leading."

"The north is cold. If you don’t want to go, then—"

Xiaoba quickly interrupted Miss Xin. "I’m willing! More than willing!"

As someone with a bandit background, leading a group of people to the north to work for the Emperor would make him a court official. This was an honor he could never have dreamed of!

"Miss, when are we leaving?"

"It’s pretty urgent. We will leave in two days," Miss Xin said with a smile.

Xiaoba’s agreement was within Miss Xin’s expectations. However, she also had a backup plan in case Xiaoba didn’t want to go north.

"Two days later?" Xiaoba was momentarily stunned, then slapped his head. "Miss, is there anything important at home today?"

"Why?"

"If there’s nothing important, I’d like to head over to Wuyun Village," Xiaoba said, his eyes flickering as he tried to appear nonchalant. "I should say goodbye to Sixth Brother and the others."

He couldn’t wait to brag to Sixth Brother!

"You should say your goodbyes. Go ahead."

Xiaoba grinned, skipped out, and hummed a tune.

"Xiaolian!"

Xiaolian, carrying a pot of sweet rice wine, was startled by Xiaoba’s loud call.

"Why are you yelling so loud?" Xiaolian rolled her eyes and entered the room, placing the sweet rice wine on the table. She wondered, "I don’t know what’s up with Xiaoba. He’s bouncing around like a monkey."

Mentioning the monkey, Xiaolian suddenly remembered. "Miss, remember that monkey from Thousand Sakura Mountain?"

"Of course, I remember."

Xiaolian sighed. "I wonder how that monkey’s doing."

She always felt like the monkey had a connection with them, but unfortunately, Miss didn’t keep it.

Xin You often traveled around and was much more open-minded about such chance meetings than Xiaolian. Upon hearing this, she smiled and said, "Returning to its natural habitat in the mountains and forests, it must be thriving."

While the mistress and maid were chatting about daily life, Xiaoba sped on his horse all the way to Wuyun Village.

By this time, it was getting dark. When the Sixth Brother heard that Xiaoba had arrived, he felt a pang of worry: Could something have happened?

Seeing Xiaoba's cheerful expression, the Sixth Brother finally relaxed.

"Xiaoba, why are you here at this time?"

"Just came to see you, Sixth Brother!" Xiaoba couldn’t stop smiling. "I’m heading out in two days, and who knows how long I’ll be away."

"Leaving?" The Sixth Brother patted Xiaoba on the shoulder. "It’s almost New Year, where are you going?"

"Have you heard about the new policies, Sixth Brother? They're making good headway in the south, and the storytellers Miss Xin You recruited have made great contributions. His Majesty has ordered these storytellers to go north to promote the new policies and serve the court."

The Sixth Brother narrowed his eyes: "You’re going too? Really?"

"Of course! Miss put me in charge of arranging those storytellers, so this time I'm leading them."

Xiaoba spoke with great enthusiasm, and the Sixth Brother smiled, realizing: This kid didn’t come to visit him—he came to brag!

The Sixth Brother felt a flash of anger, followed by a pang of jealousy.

"Xiaoba, you’ve really hit the big time!"

The Sixth Brother gave Xiaoba’s shoulder a hard slap, making him stumble.

As soon as he steadied himself, his shoulder was hit again: "You’ve made Wuyun Village proud!"

The next day, the Sixth Brother and Little Qi went into the city.

When they met Xin You and got a chance to speak alone, the Sixth Brother glanced at Xiaolian standing nearby.

Xiaolian pursed her lips.

This guy’s being sneaky, trying to get rid of her so he can talk to Miss privately?

Xin You nodded at Xiaolian.

Xiaolian gave the Sixth Brother a sidelong glance and turned to leave.

"Miss, you can’t play favorites!" The Sixth Brother cried out in grievance as soon as Xiaolian left.

He genuinely felt slighted.

Life in Wuyun Village was comfortable, but for a man, making something of himself was what really counted. Xiaoba was originally his subordinate. If Xiaoba ended up with an official position while he was still farming in the village, where would his pride be?

"It’s great that you’re ambitious, Sixth Brother. Opportunities will come your way."

"Really?" The Sixth Brother's eyes lit up, and he quickly thanked her, realizing that Xin You wasn’t one of his brothers. "Then I’ll be ready for your call, Miss. I won’t disappoint you."

The Sixth Brother’s visit to pledge his loyalty only strengthened Xin You’s resolve to send people overseas. But she knew the new policies were still in their early stages, and stirring up trouble now would be reckless.

Later, Xiaoba led a troupe of storytellers and performers, said goodbye to Xin You, and headed north with a government escort.

A few days later, New Year’s Eve arrived.

A carriage from Princess Zhaoyang’s estate came to pick up Xin You, taking her to the Eldest Princess’s Residence first before heading to the palace together for the banquet.

Princess Zhaoyang hadn't seen Xin You for a while. Today, she took a careful look at her and smiled, "Good, you haven't gotten thin from overwork."

Xin You also smiled, "Thanks to my aunt's support, I'm not overworked."

She had a reason for saying this.

Rolling out the new policy was already tough. If someone went to the Empress Dowager and said something, and then the Empress Dowager influenced her son, the emperor, it would be an additional trouble.

Princess Zhaoyang's task was to frequently enter the palace to accompany the Empress Dowager, cutting off chances for others to sway her.

"Ayou, when we start collecting taxes next year, will those areas where the new policy is being tested really collect more money?"

Xin You's tone was firm, "If the new policy is carried out properly, it will definitely work."

"That puts my mind at ease," Princess Zhaoyang was mainly worried that the poor effect of the new policy would affect her niece. Hearing Xin You's words, she relaxed, "If the north still doesn't work, let your cousin go and try, so he stops fooling around all the time."

While chatting, they made their way into the palace and encountered several palace concubines on their way to the Qianqing Palace.

The third prince saw Xin You and quickly walked over, first bowing to Princess Zhaoyang, "Hello, Auntie." Then his eyes stuck to Xin You's face, "Sister Xin!"

"Your Highness, the third prince."

The third prince was somewhat excited, "Sister Xin, I heard that 'Journey to the West' has been adapted into a play?"

The approaching Virtuous Consort shot her son a helpless look, exchanged pleasantries with Princess Zhaoyang and Xin You, and then they entered the Qianqing Palace together.