Love Affairs in Chang'an - Chapter 15

Chapter 15 Swing In The Wall
Duke Ying’s Mansion.

The mansion of a large clan, painted red, tiled green, and arched eaves, had a faint hint of Desolate Defeat. Even the large pillars in front of the door had some mottled paint.

Li Ke and Qin Mubai were like two lackeys, standing in front of the gate and smiling at each other.

“Your Highness, is it inappropriate for us to barge into Duke Ying’s mansion like this?” Qin Mubai asked. Actually, he wanted to ask who this Duke Ying was for fear of being exposed.

“What’s wrong? This prince is an honored guest that they can’t invite.” Li Ke smiled nonchalantly. He jumped down from his horse and threw the horse whip to the soldier beside him. He raised his hands to look at the gray plaque and said, “It’s really a change of events!” This king once remembered hearing that when the warrior Xu Xian married the daughter of the Yang Clan of the former Sui Imperial Clan, the main one was our Imperial Clan’s Eldest Princess. What kind of scenery was that? “I didn’t expect that within two years of the death of a warrior, the Wu Clan would be forced to such a state that even the paint on the gate would peel off.”

Qin Mubai did not answer. Instead, he thought to himself, “Duke Ying … Why does a warrior sound so familiar? He seems to have heard it on TV many times before?”

The gates of the Duke Ying Mansion were open, and there were no servants guarding the gates. The two lackeys strode into the courtyard. They saw that there were many places in the courtyard where Chen Cao was spreading everywhere. Many places along the corridor had accumulated thick dust. No matter how they looked at it, they did not look like a steaming and prosperous aristocratic family.

“Could it be that this Duke Ying’s Mansion hasn’t been inhabited for many years before they moved here recently?” Qin Mubai asked.

“Definitely.” Li Ke said, “A warrior died in his post as governor of Jingzhou.” This Duke Ying’s mansion in Chang’an had not been taken care of for many years. After the death of the warrior more than a year ago, the Imperial Court issued an order to allow the descendants of the Wu Clan to move back to Chang’an to live, presumably not long after. Otherwise, there wouldn’t be so few servants. “Mubai, let’s not talk about this-haven’t you heard that the wife of a samurai is a very capable person?”

“How can I do that?” Qin Mubai asked.

“Giving birth to a daughter is amazing!” “After she married a warrior, she gave birth to three daughters in a row. Each of them is more beautiful than the other, and each of them is as beautiful as jade. Especially the second daughter … Although the Wu family lives far away in Jingzhou, their beautiful name has spread throughout Chang’an City!” Li Ke smiled strangely and whispered.

“That’s indeed pretty to a certain extent.” Qin Mubai couldn’t help but laugh.

It had been a while since the two of them had brought five or six soldiers into the manor, but none of them had come out to gather information. Although it is an exaggeration to say that “we don’t leave anything behind and don’t close doors at night”, the law and order in Chang’an City has always been excellent. The families of wealthy families never close their doors during the day, as a sign of their “open mindedness”. However, it was rare to see such a deserted and careless mansion like the Wu Clan.

Li Ke stopped and looked around, waving his hand impatiently. The five or six soldiers next to him shouted loudly, “Is anyone there?”

Two twenty-year-old youths hurriedly rushed out with two old servants. Seeing this formation, they were obviously a little shocked and hurriedly came to welcome them.

“I’m Wu Yuanqing and Wu Yuanshuang-I’m sorry to meet you so far away. May I know what to call your distinguished guest?” The two youths looked alike. It seemed like they were a pair of brothers. They cupped their hands in fear and asked.

“How dare you! Is His Highness King Wu’s name something you can ask?!”

Yuan Qing and Yuan Shuang’s neat bodies trembled, and they hurriedly bowed down, “This lowly person is guilty. I hope His Highness will show mercy and release me from my blame!”

This Wu Yuanqing and Wu Yuanshuang were the two sons of a warrior.

Although the warrior was a rank one Duke of Ying Kingdom, and he had once enjoyed unlimited glory in the early Tang Dynasty, not only was he one of the eight prime ministers, but he also commanded the imperial guards to be extremely fond of him for a time. However, that was more than ten years ago. He was a pet minister of the High Ancestor Emperor. After the change of Li Shimin’s Black Warrior Sect, he was once excluded by the old officials of the Qin Palace. He was released as an official and never returned to the court. Although after his death, Li Shimin gave him some face and recognized him as a rank three minister, allowing his descendants to inherit the title and return to live in Chang’an, it was just a matter of facade. The current Duke Ying’s Mansion was not worth anything amongst the nobles of the royal family.

The decline of the Wu Clan was an unchangeable fact. Could it be that the two Young Masters of the Wu Clan had come to Chang’an City, where the Duke was everywhere, and could only be obedient and not even dare to vent their anger, needless to say, face the Royal Prince?

“Those who do not know are innocent. Get up.” Li Ke said casually, “This prince just walks around casually. You don’t have to be nervous-lead the way.” With that, he picked up the Caiju and weighed it in his hand.

Wu Yuanqing and Wu Yuanshuang hurriedly stood up and saw that Caiju in Li Ke’s hand. For a moment, the brothers’ expressions became strange. He didn’t know if it was shock or joy, worry or fear.

A prince suddenly descended from the descending Martial Clan. It was like a golden phoenix descending from a remote village–but what was this golden phoenix doing here? Blessing, or sin?

The Wu brothers carefully brought Li Ke, Qin Mubai, and the others to the polo court in their backyard.

“It’s none of your business. Let’s go.” Li Ke waved his hand and drove the Wu brothers away like he was ordering his servants. The armor soldiers that followed also waited far away and did not follow.

If no one repaired the large polo court for many years, the weeds would be piled up and withered. However, between this decline and desolation, there were a few women dressed in colorful clothes, who were like a group of fairies chasing and playing. The vigor of youth made this bleak scene look like it was filled with spring.

The two lackeys stood at a distance and enjoyed it for a moment before saying in unison, “It was a worthwhile trip.”

“You go over!” Li Ke threw the ball in his hand to Qin Mubai and laughed strangely, “Beauty has an appointment.”

“Since you’re here, why don’t we go play together?” Qin Mubai asked in confusion.

“I have other important matters to attend to.” Li Ke laughed even more strangely and waved his hand, “Go, a group of beauties are waiting for you!” After saying that, he actually turned around and left.

“Strange” Qin Mubai looked at Li Ke’s back and was puzzled. Suddenly, her heart lit up and she smiled.

This Li Ke was indeed meticulous. Just imagine, if he were to come with me now … a prince, a rank seven official, who would those girls look at and focus on? Needless to say, I must be a decoration and a light bulb. In other words, he intentionally let me have an affair today.

That’s loyal.

Just as Qin Mubai was pondering, the girls seemed to have noticed him and were chattering quietly around him.

“Eh, who is that person? When did he come?”

“Hehe, you’re quite handsome!”

“Look, isn’t he holding the Caiju we just kicked away?”

“Wow, could it be that Prince Wu sent someone to ask for punishment?”

…

Qin Mubai listened to these words, but she smiled in her heart and stiffened her face. She strode closer and said loudly, “Who kicked this ball?”

The group of women immediately went silent, squeezed into a ball and looked at him in panic, not daring to breathe out.

“I’m really here to ask for your sins …”

You’re welcome, okay. Qin Mubai smiled in his heart and weighed the ball in his hand. “No one kicked it. Could it be that he flew over?” He said.

Glancing at the group of women, seven or eight of them, three of them were mistresses, and the others were obviously maids and maids. As Li Ke said, each of the three sisters is more beautiful than the other.

Among them, there was a peach-faced girl who was the most eye-catching and outstanding. Her apricot-eyed, willow-browed, pink-faced, peach-cheeks, fat skin that was as graceful as snow, and her pearl-shaped, jade-smooth, and radiant skin. However, at a young age, her chest was as plump as a peak. A pair of agile eyes shone with curiosity. They looked at Qin Mubai flickering, but they did not have the slightest bit of timidity like the other women.

“This little girl definitely has the potential to overwhelm the country and the city. If it were in the 21st century, she would be the embryo of a future idol superstar.” Qin Mubai fixed his gaze on her and sized her up. He sighed in admiration.

It could be said to be stunning.

In the eyes of Qin Mubai, who pretended to be romantic and read countless women, there weren’t many women that could be described as “stunning” anymore.

“Did you kick him?” Qin Mubai pointed at her without hesitation.

The peach-faced woman cried out in surprise and blurted out, “Eh, how did you know?”

“Hehe” The woman next to him suddenly let out a burst of laughter. Obviously, Qin Mubai did not scare them. In fact, Qin Mubai did not pretend to be fierce, and did not make them feel hostile.

An older woman took half a step forward and bowed respectfully. She gently opened her lips and said, “Forgive me, it’s none of my sister’s business, but this Caiju was accidentally kicked over by this lowly concubine. I wonder how you address me, Madam Wu, and my husband Helan. What position do you hold in the Prince Wu Manor?”

“This woman should be the eldest sister of the three sisters. She is a simple and proper character. She calls herself a’cheap concubine ‘. So she has already married the Helan Clan as a wife.” After pondering for a moment, Qin Mubai smiled and said, “I’m Qin Mubai, a captain in King Wu’s Mansion.”

A captain in the tent was the prince’s close aide. When Qin Mubai said this, it was as if Li Ke had sent him to question him.

“So it’s Captain Qin. Sorry.” The woman’s expression changed slightly and she bowed again, “I have offended King Wu rudely. Please take care of him in front of King Wu …”

“That’s easy to say.” Qin Mubai smiled. Just as she was about to continue speaking, the peach-faced girl suddenly jumped out and snorted, “Wait, Captain Qin. It’s none of my business. This Caiju was indeed kicked by me. If you want to take someone, take me!”

“Second sister, don’t be rude!” Big Sister Wu hurriedly pulled her back and apologized to Qin Mubai, “Little sister, don’t blame me for being rude.”

“Sister, what are you doing? This ball was clearly kicked by my sister!” The peach-faced girl struggled free from her eldest sister’s hand and took a step forward without any timidity. She extended her hand to Qin Mu’s white face, revealing her slender and red hand and half of her pink and tender wrist. Her apricot lips pouted, “Come, lock me up!”

The corners of Qin Mubai’s mouth curled up slightly. Looking at this beautiful little hand that was so monstrous, he had a strange appetite for a moment.

It’s delicious.

“Tell me, what’s your name?”

“Wu Zhao!” The peach-faced girl said word by word without hesitation.

“What’s your name?!” Qin Mubai frowned and was surprised.

“Wu Zhao!” The peach-faced girl suddenly giggled. Her pair of beautiful eyes, which were like black gemstones, instantly curved into a smile like a moon. She looked at Qin Mubai and smiled, “You’re young. Could it be that you’re still deaf?”

“Aiya, Second Sister, don’t be rude. How did you say that?”

…

Wu Zhao! The two daughters of the Wu Clan!

Warriors! Duke Ying!

The eldest daughter married the Helan Clan! …

Wasn’t this peach-faced little girl in front of him the later Empress Wu Zetian in history? ! Still so young, not drafted into the palace!

Although he did not understand the history of the Great Tang very well, there were as many TV dramas about Wu Zetian as a cow’s hair. It would be difficult for Qin Mubai not to know this.

At first glance, Qin Mubai felt familiar when he heard the warriors waiting for him. But who didn’t hear the word “martial light” like thunder? Later, before and after Wu Zetian ascended to the throne, he created the word “Zhao” which sounded the same as Zhao Zhao, and Wu Zhao’s name shone from then on.

The cold wind swept across the withered grass, causing Qin Mubai to feel a chill for some reason. However, there was a hint of excitement in his heart.

“I’m actually … flirting with the only empress in history. Furthermore, I even fantasized about having an affair with her. What a sin!” Qin Mubai inadvertently shook her head, a strange smile appearing on her face. “But, if she really has something to do with the only empress in history, it would be exciting! Well, not to mention the empress, she hasn’t even entered the imperial palace yet …”

“Hehe, big sister, look! This handsome brother is stunned!” Wu Zhao patted his red hands and giggled. “This person is interesting. He doesn’t seem to be here to ask for guilt. He looks like a lackeys who is fascinated by his sister’s beauty.”

“Second sister, this mouth of yours is really … Captain Qin, please forgive me!” The Wu Clan’s eldest sister hurriedly bowed and apologized.

“It doesn’t matter.” Qin Mubai smiled and looked at the photo up and down again. “Actually, His Highness King Wu is alive to return the ball. However, there is one condition.”

“Captain, please speak.”

“If you can beat me in football, you will be rewarded with a silk ball.” Qin Mubai casually said, using the silk he had just won as a bargaining chip. He weighed the colorful ball and said, “If you lose, your Wu sisters, why don’t you join us for a cup of thin wine?”

Qin Mubai said’we ‘ambiguously, seemingly revealing a corner of Li Ke’s arrival at the Duke of Ying’s Mansion, allowing them to guess. Thinking about it, even if they wanted to refuse, it would still be difficult.

“In that case, it’s better to obey respectfully.” The Wu Clan’s eldest sister smiled sweetly. Now, she understood that Qin Mubai was not here to ask for guilt. He was only here for fun.

Adding on Qin Mubai’s easy-going demeanor, which attracted women easily, the atmosphere became relaxed for a moment.

Wu Zhao chuckled, “Brother Jun, come on, throw the ball over. I’ll kick first! Let’s see if you can kick higher than me, not even big sister can kick me, hehe!”

“It’s too boring to play like this, and there’s no technical content.” Qin Mubai smiled and pointed at the two small trees beside the polo field. “Pull the net between the two trees. Whoever kicks the ball 20 steps away will win.”

“Hehe, this game is quite new. Good!” Although Wu Zhao was a little too mature, he was actually only thirteen or fourteen years old, but he was more lively and lively than any other woman, and he didn’t have the slightest bit of timidity. She jumped over and snatched the ball from Qin Mubai’s hand, then bravely ordered her maid to pull the hoop.

“Mm, it should be interesting to try out the ball against the future Queen.” Qin Mubai couldn’t help but laugh.