Love Affairs in Chang'an - Chapter 188

Chapter 188 Be Your Woman
At night, Qin Mubai lit up the lamp and studied the military book. She felt a lot of admiration and admiration for Li Jing in her heart. In the early morning, she practiced martial arts with her father for an hour as usual and prepared to go out to the Jiang Xia Palace for a banquet.

Qin Shubao looked at his son dressed up and prepared to go out. Without asking, he knew that his son must have something important to do. He couldn’t help but laugh and say, “Sanlang, you’re really a success now. There’s a banquet and a banquet at the end of three days. Which house are you going to today?”

Qin Mubai replied with a smile, “Father, when we were at Prince Wu’s Mansion yesterday, Prince Jiang Xia casually invited us to his house for a small gathering, so he went to attend the meeting.”

“En, Dao Sect Li is really a good person. You can get along well with him. Go!” Qin Shubao waved his hand.

Qin Mubai thought for a moment and said, “Father, I feel that Li Daozong is also a scheming person. He has just arrived in Chang’an, why did he invite me to his mansion? Furthermore, he invited me but didn’t invite you. This seems to be a little unreasonable. It seems that it is not an ordinary banquet.”

Qin Shubao frowned and said, “I can’t think of a reason. Since he did this, there must be a reason for him! You can go, there’s no need to worry.”

“Yes, Father.” Qin Mubai left without worry. Originally, he was only worried about Qin Shubao, who was arrogant and arrogant, but when he saw his son being invited, he felt unhappy. Now, it seemed that he was overthinking it. After recovering from his body, Qin Shubao’s heroic spirit of the past had also returned. Even his heart had broadened, and he was even more confident and open-minded.

So Qin Mubai went to King Wu’s Mansion first and invited the Li siblings to the banquet. Li Ke got up early and studied in the hall. Princess Gaoyang was still asleep. Li Ke said that no one could provoke this little girl when she fell asleep. If someone woke her up, it would definitely be a thunderous activity and she would kill someone.

Qin Mubai laughed, “I don’t believe it. I have to give it a try.”

“You may be an exception.” Li Ke said seriously, “I’ll leave such an arduous task to you. Go, coax her out of bed. Your Highness’s banquet can’t be delayed, otherwise it would be too rude!”

“Yes-Your Highness!” Qin Mubai also pretended to prolong his voice and answered. He walked to Princess Gaoyang’s room.

There were two maids guarding the door. Seeing Qin Mubai arrive, the two girls gently pushed open the door and signaled for him to enter. They laughed and dodged.

Qin Mubai entered the room and closed the door. He walked past the curtains and saw Princess Gaoyang sleeping on a soft couch with a pink gown hanging on it.

“Eh … a dignified princess, her sleeping appearance is so ugly!” Qin Mubai couldn’t help but laugh.

Princess Gao Yang was sleeping on the bed with her hands spread out, her head tilted and her face pressed against the pillow. She slept soundly, saliva flowing out from the corner of her mouth, and a string of bubbles blew up.

“Haha, Goldfish!” Qin Mubai laughed heartily.

“Woo … who the hell is yelling!” Princess Gaoyang woke up. She opened her eyes hazily and saw that it was Qin Mubai. She immediately laughed, “Hehe, I must be dreaming!-Don’t wake up, don’t wake up! Keep sleeping!”

After saying that, Princess Gao Yang happily retracted into the quilt and hugged the pillow and fell asleep.

“Pig!” Qin Mubai laughed loudly and scolded, “Hurry up and get up. The sun is shining on your butt!”

“Hehe, I won’t get up. Are you going to bite me?” Princess Gaoyang stayed in bed and refused to get up. She hugged the pillow and did not open her eyes. She smiled beautifully and said, “Bandit Military Academy, stinking man, you are so obedient today. You came to accompany me early.”

“Looking at your bear-like appearance, you are truly out of line with the princess’ manners.” Qin Mubai walked to her bed and sat down. He slapped her on the quilt and said, “Get up. King Wu and I are waiting for you to come to the Jiang Xia Prince’s Mansion as guests!”

“No, no, I won’t!” Princess Gao Yang giggled and dodged. She began to act coquettish, “Please, please get up!”

As she spoke, Princess Gaoyang extended her little foot out of the quilt and stabbed Qin Mubai in the face. She laughed mischievously and said, “I’ll scratch your pig nostrils, hehe!”

“Yi, it stinks!” Qin Mubai was amused and laughed as he grabbed her little feet and scratched them. Princess Gaoyang screamed and twisted herself into a ball on the bed, laughing like she was about to cramp, “Let go! Stinking man, let go! Ouch! Help! It tickles me to death!”

“Look, you’re not up yet!” Only then did Qin Mubai let go. Looking at Princess Gaoyang’s messy hair, loose clothes, and sleepy eyes, he couldn’t help but laugh and say, “It’s really like a little lazy cat.”

“Hehe!” Princess Gao Yang jumped up, crawled back and forth on the bed like a cat and rolled twice. She giggled and said, “Hello, cat! Sleeping all day long, there’s food to eat without doing anything, beautiful and cute! I want to be a lazy cat-be your lazy cat, okay, stinking man?”

“I don’t keep cats. I only raise pigs.” Qin Mubai said seriously.

Princess Gaoyang was so cold that she shivered. She hurriedly climbed into the quilt again, revealing only a small face. Her eyes were shining brightly as she looked at Qin Mubai with extreme playfulness. She did not say anything.

“Silly, why are you looking at me like this?” Qin Mubai also looked at herself up and down. “Nothing’s wrong!”

“Something’s wrong.” Princess Gaoyang smiled mysteriously and said, “You know what, stinking man? Once upon a time, this was my dream!”

“What dream?”

“That’s right … I woke up and opened my eyes. I can see you by my side!” Princess Gaoyang’s face was slightly red and a little embarrassed, but she smiled warmly and contentedly, “I want you to carry me up, dress me and help me dress up. Also, you promised to thrush for me for the rest of my life! Today, you thrust my eyebrows!”

“Alright, you’re still lying on the bed. How can I thrush your eyebrows? I’m just afraid that your eyebrows will be stained by your shit.” Qin Mubai laughed heartily. He suddenly grabbed Princess Gaoyang and pulled her out of the quilt like a kitten.

Princess Gao Yang cried out in fright, and then giggled loudly. His arms wrapped around Qin Mubai’s neck and his legs wrapped around his waist like a sloth.

The faces of the two of them were extremely close together, and their big eyes were almost like cross-eyed cockroaches.

“Idiot, why don’t you kiss me?” Princess Gaoyang said with a wicked smile.

“Originally, I wanted to kiss you, but you didn’t brush your teeth. I’m afraid my breath will stink.” Qin Mubai laughed even worse.

“Good!” Princess Gaoyang was annoyed and kissed Qin Mubai’s lips tyrannically. She even tried her best to drill her little tongue into his mouth. Qin Mubai purposely shut his teeth to prevent him from getting in, annoying Princess Gaoyang and releasing a hand to grab his ear.

Qin Mubai slapped her butt, “Alright, stop messing around. You’ll catch a cold later!”

“I’m going to stink you to death, hehe! You actually dare to dislike me!” Princess Gaoyang’s pink cheeks turned red. She was both embarrassed and excited. She was also a little worried that Qin Mubai would see her embarrassment. She avoided his gaze embarrassedly. In the end, she buried her head on his shoulder and hugged him tightly.

Princess Gao Yang closed her eyes and whispered happily, “En, your body is so warm. I really want to rely on you for the rest of my life …”

Qin Mubai scratched her feet again and said, “Hurry up and put on your clothes. Your feet are freezing cold.”

“I don’t! I have to take a bath every morning when I get up! Hurry up and carry me to take a bath!” Princess Gaoyang giggled and acted spoiled.

“Bullshit! Do you want me to hug you like this and show off in King Wu’s Mansion?” Qin Mubai didn’t know whether to laugh or cry.

“I want it!”

“If you keep playing with your temper, I’ll throw you away.”

“Alright, alright, alright. Quickly let me in the blanket. Go out and call Little Cui’er. She’ll come in and serve me to bathe and change my clothes!” Princess Gaoyang giggled, then let go of her hand and obediently retracted into the quilt.

“Hey, you’re too naughty!” Qin Mubai wiped the unnecessary cold sweat off his forehead, shook his head and smiled as he walked out of the room.

“Remember to come in and thrush me later!”

“You’re acting like a mother-in-law again!”

…

Qin Mubai came to Li Ke’s study. Li Ke looked at Qin Mubai from head to toe and couldn’t help but laugh, “How is it? Have you eaten a turtle? That little girl is the hardest to serve when she gets up every day.”

“The bed is up, but I guess I’ll have to bathe for two hours to change my clothes and dress up.” Qin Mubai smiled bitterly.

“Forget it, leave it to her!” Li Ke smiled and put down his book. “There’s still time. I have something to talk to you about.”

“Yes, Your Highness.” Qin Mubai sat down opposite him.

“It’s like this. After the Jiangzhou case, although I was reinstated because of my merits, I actually took advantage of it.” Li Ke said.

“What’s the convenience?” Qin Mubai asked.

“I don’t know why, but Father Emperor suddenly had a fantasy to issue the hereditary secretariat system.” Li Ke said, “All the princes, the founding fathers, the prime ministers, and the others will be crowned as hereditary secretaries. I, too, will take this as an example.”

Qin Mubai couldn’t help but ask in surprise, “Hereditary inheritance? Could it be that the Emperor wants to imitate the instance of the imperial court to decapitate the Fan King?”

“You have the same idea? No wonder there are many important officials in the Imperial Court who oppose it.” Li Ke sighed softly and said, “They said that the separation of Tibetan kings is naturally the way for the country to cause chaos. Actually, I personally do not agree with the separation of hereditary secretaries by my father, but I am the first person who has benefited from it. Could it be that I have the guts to jump out and express my opposition? Isn’t that clearly showing that my father is being torn apart and slapped in the face? Therefore, I am in a dilemma.”

Qin Mubai thought for a moment and said, “According to what you said, the majority of the voices in the Imperial Court are against it now?”

“Of course.” Li Ke said, “This system hasn’t been promulgated yet. Father Emperor has only discussed it with a few important officials. They all hold an opposing attitude. Especially Eldest Sun Wuji, Fang Xuanling, and Wei Zheng. They all oppose Father Emperor’s actions at the same time. Therefore, Father Emperor is also in a difficult situation.”

Qin Mubai knitted his brows and said, “Strange, why did the Emperor suddenly want to do this? There are many lessons from past dynasties. Separating the title of Tibetan King has always done more harm than good. He is a Ming Jun, so why would he make such an obvious mistake?”

Li Ke also shook his head in confusion, “I don’t know for a moment … I just faintly feel that I might not be able to accomplish this newly-appointed governor of Xiangzhou.”

“Oh? If that’s the case, wouldn’t I also be unable to leave?” Qin Mubai couldn’t help but feel a little disappointed.

“It’s hard to say yet.” Li Ke curled his lips and shook his head, “Father Emperor’s attitude this time is quite firm. Perhaps he feels that the Tang court’s control over the place is not enough, so he dispatched his closest prince and most powerful minister to be the local hereditary governor.” However, in less than a few decades, a few of these hereditary secretaries would respond to the Imperial Court’s call. At that time, there would be a few families that would not be able to get rid of their separatist regimes and become kings. “Ah … To be honest, I also want to speak out against Father Emperor’s actions, but it is really inconvenient for me to come forward.”

Qin Mubai pondered for a moment before he realized something and said, “Your Highness, in my opinion, it is impossible for such a wise person as the Emperor not to think of such things that even we can easily understand. This should be … just an expedient measure, right?”

“An expedient plan?” Li Ke’s eyes lit up and he asked, “What’s the explanation?”

“Think about it, what is the biggest focus of disputes in the Imperial Court right now?” Qin Mubai asked.

“Of course, it’s the competition for the position of the first wife! The Manchu officials are divided into several major factions, and the conflict between them is becoming more and more intense. This is practically known to everyone!” Li Ke said.

“That’s right.” Qin Mubai smiled and said, “Almost all of the most important generals and officials in the world of the Great Tang are gathered in the Chang’an Imperial Court. If this situation continued, all the important officials of the Great Tang would be attacked, and even the emperor would lose control. In this situation, what the Emperor wanted to do the most was to divide and weaken the power of the Crown Prince and King Wei’s camp. However, if any of the people in these camps weren’t the founding fathers or the important officials of the current dynasty, their removal would definitely be inevitable, so they could only think of a way to transfer them away! This transfer also required an excuse that was straightforward and obedient, right? If he didn’t drive them away just like that, it would definitely be difficult to convince the crowd. As a result, the Emperor had no choice but to use a seemingly mediocre move, using the hereditary secretariat seal, to temporarily keep some of them away from the center of the vortex of the Imperial Court. “If there are fewer people in these two camps and their strength is weakened, the Emperor will be able to control them more easily!”

“Wonderful!” Li Ke clapped his hands and laughed loudly, “Father, what a wonderful move!” Looks like I don’t have to hesitate anymore. No matter how many important officials opposed it, Father Emperor would definitely carry out this’hereditary secretariat ‘system this time. His old man’s heart was like a mirror, he just wanted to confirm the successor of the Monarch for himself and fight for a period of time. However, the battle for the position of Chu Jun was getting fiercer and fiercer, almost engulfing some of the most important officials of the Tang Empire. The more people involved, the harder it would be for Father Emperor to make a decisive move. Because no matter who he chose in the end, blood would flow from the other camp. “This is a huge loss to the Great Tang!”

“Your Highness is absolutely right.” Qin Mubai frowned and said seriously, “In that case, His Majesty the Emperor is already making the final arrangements for the matter of the Eastern Palace!”

“Yes!” Li Ke also raised his eyebrows and said with a serious expression, “It’s quite dangerous at this time. It’s better for us to stay away from the core of this vortex as early as possible! No wonder, when I asked Father Emperor to let him give you to me, he agreed without thinking … It seems that he has the intention to protect you!”

‘”Perhaps” Qin Mubai nodded thoughtfully. He thought, “The Emperor’s intentions are deep. First, he doesn’t want me to stay in the harem. Second, I will most likely be Princess Gaoyang’s man in the future. If I lose my life in the duel for the first wife, wouldn’t Gaoyang be widowed? … Looks like he still loves Gaoyang!

“Mubai, you’re getting smarter and smarter, and you’re getting more and more mature.” Li Ke looked at Qin Mubai and chuckled, “No wonder the King of Jiangxia calls you ‘Boundless Future’!”

“It’s just a joke, Your Highness doesn’t need to take it seriously!” Qin Mubai chuckled and said, “Does His Highness know who has been conferred the title of hereditary governor?”

“Too much.” Li Ke said, “The kings, princes, founders, and others are most likely sealed. Right, your father Qin Shubao is also an example!”

“Is that so?” Qin Mubai raised an eyebrow in surprise, “Which secretariat did you seal?”

“It seems to be … the governor of Lanzhou. Yes, it’s Lanzhou!” Li Ke said.

“Lanzhou? The Guanlong area is located at the border!” Qin Mubai said.

“Yes.” Li Ke said, “In recent years, there have been frequent wars in the west of the Guanlong River. Father Emperor intentionally sealed several founding generals in that area as secretaries. For example, Cheng Zhijie, Yuchi Jingde, Duan Zhixuan, Li Daliang, and so on.”

“Looks like the western frontier is not as calm as it seems. Sooner or later, there will be war!” Qin Mubai said.

“That’s possible! After all, Tuyu Hun has decided that the Tibetans have not given up. Many barbarian states in the Western Regions are also tempted by the Western Turks and Tibetans.” Li Ke said, “However, we can’t interfere with these matters for the time being. The most urgent thing is to leave Chang’an as soon as possible and stay away from the whirlpool.”

“Yes, Your Highness is right.” Qin Mubai nodded in agreement and said, “The matter at the border is nothing more than a scabies disease for the Great Tang.” The biggest crisis and contradiction today is in our Great Tang’s own imperial court. “How this matter is not handled properly will inevitably affect the peace of the entire world and the plans of a hundred years. No wonder His Majesty the Emperor has to use the hereditary secretariat system to alleviate the chronic illness of the conflict over the Savage Monarch.”

Li Ke nodded slightly and said meaningfully, “Look, it’s good that we wait and see. The Jiangxia King has resigned and many important ministers and elders are also facing leaving the court. Only when the Crown Prince and the Wei King’s camps are weakened will Father Emperor have absolute control over the situation.”

“Mm” Qin Mubai nodded and didn’t say anything else. She thought to herself, “Listening to Li Ke’s words, there’s a hint of contention between kiwi and bamboo for a fisherman to sit and watch. In the end, his mind and shrewdness were higher than those of the Crown Prince and King Wei. Right now, King Wei was singing and advancing, pointing straight at the Eastern Palace, with a proud posture that he was determined to obtain. As for the Crown Prince, he was terrified and treading on thin ice, but he still did not fight Yun … Neither of these two would have a good ending in the future. According to the trend of history, it was Li Zhi who, with the strong support of Eldest Sun Wuji, picked up a great advantage and sat on the dragon chair. But now … history has quietly changed. Will it still be the same as before?

Qin Mubai remembered that Li Zhi, who had been shouting about playing the game of Happy Goat and Hui Tai Lang all day in Penglai Hall, and couldn’t help but laugh in his heart. If such a stubborn and unambitious little brat were to become the emperor, it was no wonder that he would be dominated by Eldest Sun Wuji. In history, Li Zhi also had Wu Meiniang to help him. The two of them worked together and obtained Li Ji’s strong support. In the end, they eliminated the Changsun Wuji Group that controlled the government and regained control. But now? Wu Meiniang was busy doing business and earning a lot of money!

The wheel of history has already deflected a little. What will happen in the future?

…

While the two of them were chatting, a maidservant walked in and bowed in panic, saying, “General Qin, Your Highness Princess, please go over.”

“Didn’t you see that I was busy?” Qin Mubai said.

“But, but …” The maid pleaded in embarrassment, “Your Highness said that if the general doesn’t go, she will stay in her room today and starve to death …”

“This guy” Li Ke and Qin Mubai smiled bitterly and shook their heads. Li Ke said, “Alright, you go quickly! Capture that girl and tidy her up. We have to go to the Jiang Xia Palace.”

“Alright!” Qin Mubai could only get up and go to Princess Gaoyang’s room.

The hot steam in the room was suffused with the fragrance of flowers. Princess Gaoyang, who had just finished bathing, was wearing a snow-white inner robe. She sat in front of the bronze mirror with a flushed face. She giggled and waved at Qin Mubai in the mirror, “Come on, give me a thrush!”

“You’re really going to be spoiled.” Qin Mubai smiled helplessly and walked to the mirror. Princess Gaoyang giggled and hid in Qin Mubai’s arms. She waved her eyebrows and said, “Hurry up!”

With that, she closed her eyes with a satisfied smile on her face.

Qin Mubai’s nose was filled with the alluring fragrance of a young girl’s body, and his arms were filled with warm fragrance. He couldn’t help but feel a little apprehensive. Taking the pen, he took advantage of the situation to grab her small hand, bent down and kissed Princess Gaoyang’s lips.

Princess Gao Yang’s body tightened slightly. She immediately stretched out her arms and wrapped them around Qin Mubai’s neck, kissing him back. Xiao Xiang’s tongue also slipped into Qin Mubai’s teeth and searched awkwardly.

Qin Mubai couldn’t help but want to laugh. This little girl, who had just begun to fall in love, definitely hadn’t kissed before. It was unknown who had said that he was going to kiss his tongue, so he was dumbfounded to imitate it.

“Alright, the door hasn’t closed yet. Quickly draw and put on your clothes. Don’t freeze.” Qin Mubai loosened her grip and prepared to seriously thrust her eyebrows. However, Princess Gaoyang in her arms was so red that her face was burning. She opened her big watery eyes and looked up at Qin Mubai infatuatedly.

Qin Mubai couldn’t help but laugh, “True Flower Idiot …”

“Mubai … I really want to be your woman, right now.” Princess Gaoyang bit her lips and said shyly but firmly.

Qin Mubai smiled and said, “First draw your eyebrows, then slowly study them, okay?”

Princess Gaoyang suddenly turned around and hugged Qin Mubai tightly. She placed her face on his chest and muttered, “Don’t leave me alone. Otherwise, I will really die for you to see!”

“Idiot, say all those stupid words!”

…

After a long time, the three of them finally tidied up and ate some snacks before they prepared their carriages and horses to head to the Jiang Xia King’s mansion.

Princess Gao Yang ignored the difference between her superiority and inferiority and wanted to ride with Qin Mubai. Qin Mubai and Li Ke were helpless and could only obey her. After a long time, he finally got out of the car.