Love Affairs in Chang'an - Chapter 233

Chapter 233 King of Qi, Li You
Shortly after, the princess sent someone to invite her, and Chen Yan and Su Lianqing went to the back residence together to accompany the princess for dinner. Qin Mubai and Li Ke sat drinking tea and chatting leisurely, waiting for Li You to come back before hosting the banquet.

“Haha, this king is back!”

A few presumptuous shouts came from the courtyard. Qin Mubai and Li Ke looked around the courtyard and saw a crowd of flowers, warblers and swallows-Prince Qi, Li Estimate, and a group of women rushing towards them.

Li Ke immediately smiled bitterly, “I, the Living Treasure Royal Brother, am still so virtuous! In Chang’an, there is still room for restraint. Once I leave the capital, I will be unscrupulous!”

Qin Mubai smiled and remained silent. Li You has always been a “famous” playboy. The flying eagle, the horse, the cock, and the dog were all pediatrics to him. In a romantic place like Xiangzhou, if he didn’t hug him left and right, it wouldn’t be his style.

“Haha!” Li You stepped into the hall and laughed loudly, “Third Brother, Qin Mubai, look what I brought you!”

A group of women fished in. Fat Swallow was skinny and dazzling. There were typical Jiangnan beauties holding qin zheng, Hu women wearing half a belly veil, and blue-eyed blonde “foreign girls”.

Li Ke smiled bitterly and said, “Fifth brother, your royal sister-in-law just came back from her misfortune. She needs to recover from her illness … Why should she feel sullen when she sees these women and make her illness worse?”

‘”Uh” Li You was stunned for a moment, then laughed, “Little brother is so playful that he forgot about this floor-well, it’s scattered, scattered, scattered! I’ll find you guys again when the King of Japan comes!”

“Yes!” A group of women retreated sullenly. Li You winked at the two men behind him. The two of them followed the women out, telling them what to do and giving them a lot of rewards. Only then did the group of women disperse in joy.

Li Ke and Qin Mubai looked at each other and shook their heads.

“Ah, Xiangzhou is really a good place! It’s more than a hundred times better than Dengzhou. Not only does it have the biggest port in Jianghan, it doesn’t need to worry about taxes and money, but it’s also a famous place for romance.” Li You smiled and sat down. He took a few mouthfuls of tea and smiled, “Third Brother, this little brother is really jealous of you. If I knew there was such a good place like Xiangzhou, why should I go to that barren place in Dengzhou? Ah!”

Qin Mubai smiled and asked, “Your Highness Prince Qi, why are you transferred from Qi Province to Deng Province?”

Li You curled his lips and looked at Li Ke with a trace of displeasure. Li Ke understood and pushed the servants back.

“Humph!!” Li You’s face darkened. He slapped the table angrily and said hatefully, “Isn’t it Eldest Sun Wuji?”

“Keep your voice down!” Li Ke frowned and asked, “When did he offend you?”

Li You glanced at Qin Mubai and said loudly, “Anyway, Mubai is not an outsider, so I’ll be straight with you!” This fellow went into my father’s slander, saying, how unscrupulous I am in Qi Province, ignoring government affairs and disturbing the people’s rule of chaos. Father Emperor was so angry that he scolded me, and then moved me to this barren land of Dengzhou. Qi Prefecture is so good, that is the upper prefecture of Hebei Province. Salt iron horses and other official goods are produced, so the population should not lack taxes. “Dengzhou is such a poor and small place. I have to rely on the dock in Xiangzhou to transport a mouthful of salt. I don’t need to mention how depressed I am.”

Li Ke smiled and said, “Fifth brother, this is not bad. Didn’t you hear that your third brother was grounded in Chang’an for a year?”

“Uh … that’s true.” Li You nodded and snorted, “I don’t mind what Father wants to do to me.” I just wish that fellow, Eldest Sun Wuji! Third Brother, you also know that this fellow relied on being the elder brother of the late Empress and the inner brother of Father Emperor. He also wanted to interfere in everything, even our family affairs! Ever since he was young, he didn’t think of us as princes in his eyes. He, he only recognizes the sons of his sister. Wasn’t it all because of him that he had demoted his own family to the lower echelons? All of us, the princes of the common people, have to leave Chang’an! If we dare, then we are not the blood bones of our father, and if we do as we please, we will not have a mother! He was destined to be far away from his parents when he was born. How could this be a human relationship? Last year, when I went back to Beijing to visit my relatives, I discovered that my mother’s head had turned white overnight and she even stayed in a Taoist temple. What’s the difference between this and entering the cold palace? Speaking of which, wasn’t it Eldest Sun Wuji who was causing trouble? His sister, who was the empress, had passed away, so he could not tolerate other imperial concubines being too close to his father. He was jealous! So he went into slander and made Father Emperor desolate and estranged my mother! This person was malicious and ill-intentioned! I hate him! ”

Qin Mubai only smiled and did not reply.

Li You’s mother was Imperial Concubine Yin De. Of course, the reason why Concubine Yin De was white-haired and why she lived in a Taoist temple was not what Li You said. He had no evidence at all. He was just speculating with loyalty. From this, it could be seen that he and Eldest Sun Wuji had always been at odds, and … this Li You, he didn’t have any shreds, his heart was a little reckless, and his mind seemed to be a little simple.

“Fifth brother, you can’t speak nonsense.” Li Ke said cautiously, “It’s true that Eldest Sun Wuji didn’t like princes like us when he was young. But you don’t have the slightest evidence that he was involved, do you? Unless you heard it yourself or Father told you personally. So, don’t think about these troublesome things. Since you’ve come, be at ease. Be your Dengzhou Governor!”

“Sigh, I also know that his eldest grandson Wuji is the uncle of the country, an important official of the current dynasty, and deeply trusted by my father. Even if I am a prince, I am nothing in front of him. I just curse here to vent my resentment. What can I do to him? This old thief …!” Li You cursed in a low voice. He rolled his eyes and his expression quickly changed. He smiled and said, “Third Brother, these past few days have been really enjoyable. I’ve finally witnessed a bloody battle with my own eyes! Qin Mubai, you’re a bit capable. You can even set up such a big sky net!”

“Haha!” Qin Mubai smiled and said, “It’s all thanks to His Highness Prince Qi’s help! Otherwise, the consequences would be unimaginable!”

“A family, what’s there to thank!” Li You laughed loudly, “It won’t be long before you and Ling’er get married, so I’m your uncle.” Haha! This stinking girl, from childhood until now, no one could control her. Even her father only spoiled her and listened to her wayward behavior. I didn’t expect that I would run into a fiend like you and eat her to death. Tsk tsk, you’re amazing, Qin Mubai. I really want to ask you for some advice on how to cure this unruly girl of mine. You don’t know that even though I’m her brother, with a change in her expression and a curl of her lips, I can only rely on her. Therefore, I have nothing to do with her. ”

“Then you are doting on her.” Qin Mubai smiled and said, “Long time no see. I wonder how Princess Gaoyang is now. I really miss her.”

“Isn’t this easy?” Li You patted his chest and said casually, “I’ll tidy up the Dengzhou Prefecture in a few days and bring my sister over to live for a few days.” She’s wild. Although he was born in Chang’an, it was good to be able to stay in Chang’an for three to five months every year. Most of the time, he would spend it with Uncle Bing Zhou. Over there, she is free, how can uncle care about her? Didn’t she just let her go to heaven? “Now that my uncle has come with me to Dengzhou as an official, Ling’er will definitely like this place.”

“Ah?” Qin Mubai was stunned for a moment and thought to himself, “I was just casually saying, are you really going to bring someone over?” Yearning is yearning, but this little aunt is too difficult to serve. Furthermore, the Emperor may not let her leave the capital. No matter what, we did not officially announce our engagement. The aftermath of the farce between her and the Fang family was still there.

Li Ke seemed to have seen through Qin Mubai’s thoughts and said, “Fifth Brother, there’s no hurry to take Gaoyang to Dengzhou. We’ve just broken the Water Ghost Party, but the rest of the sins haven’t been eliminated yet. Who can guarantee that they won’t kidnap the newcomer Gaoyang next time? These people are so cowardly that even my princess dares to make a move.”

“Eh? That’s right!” “Since there are still dangers, let’s talk about it later! Besides, it’s good to have Ling’er accompany mother in the palace. Ah! Mother, she’s too miserable! I feel sad when I think about it, but I can’t help it, so I can’t change anything.”

In Qin Mubai’s mind, Imperial Concubine Yin’s beautiful face and snow-white hair also appeared. She sighed slightly and remained silent.

Li You was only eighteen years old. He was hyperactive, energetic, and his buttocks seemed to be sharp. He couldn’t sit still at all. After chatting with Qin Mubai and Li Ke for a while, he jumped up from his seat and stretched, “Third Brother, when is the banquet going to be held? It’s easy for us to play after eating!”

“Are you hungry? Then let’s have a feast!” Li Ke smiled and instructed his servants to hold a banquet, specially entertaining Li You, the governor of the secretariat, Shi Quanwanji, and other officials to accompany him at the banquet.

Li You insisted on pulling Qin Mubai to sit at the same table as him and whispered, “Mubai, we’re family now. We don’t talk to each other.” I know that you and Changsun Huan are in a bad situation, and he was kicked out of Baiji to be a gatekeeper in Chang’an. That fellow Changsun Wuji definitely hates you. This fellow has always been the most fearful of us concubine princes, wishing we were all dead, leaving only a few of his nephews, especially his third brother Li Ke. Now that you’re so close to him … you have to be careful! ”

“Your Highness is overthinking it.” Qin Mubai smiled and said, “It’s not like I want to compete with his eldest grandson Wuji for anything. He won’t do anything to me. For example, there will only be one tiger competing for the top of the mountain with another tiger. I’ve never heard of a horse competing with a tiger, right?”

“Qi! I kindly remind you that you won’t listen to me!” Li You raised his eyebrows and curled his lips. “Since we’re family, we have to unite. Otherwise, we’ll be kicked down by someone and never turn over.”

“It’s not that serious, is it? Could it be that His Highness and Eldest Sun Wuji really have a big feud?” Qin Mubai asked in a low voice.

“Why not?” Li You’s expression darkened as he looked around alertly and whispered, “In the early years, he was the one who entered the Slander Yin Clan. Fortunately, Father Emperor was kind enough to leave behind my mother and imperial concubine. Otherwise, how could there be a bloodline like ours, and how could there be a marriage between you and Ling’er? Ever since then, Changsun Wuji had been extremely fearful of the people from the Yin Clan. After Empress Chang Sun died, Father Emperor once thought of reestablishing the Empress, so he chose the fourth imperial concubine. Logically speaking, this matter was a royal family matter, so it wasn’t his eldest grandson Wuji’s turn to talk too much, right? However, he had to interrupt and remind his father that he must not forget the blood of the Yin Family. The implication was that he must not make Imperial Concubine Yin De the second wife! I hate it! I really hate it! Originally, my mother was not the queen, so it doesn’t matter. I just hate Eldest Sun Wuji’s face. Say, we haven’t offended him in all these years, right? He has to make things difficult for us everywhere, humph! ”

“You must have heard all of this, right?” Qin Mubai said, “I’ve been in the palace for so long, how come I’ve never heard of this before?”

Li You was stunned for a moment, then he turned his eyes and said, “Naturally, it’s impossible for him to hear it with his own ears.” However, even if it was a rumor, it wouldn’t be an empty rumor. It must be 80% true, right? Anyway, that old thief Changsun Wuji was not a good thing. Actually, I don’t know what grandfather looks like. The feud between the Yin Clan and the Li Clan should be settled by our generation. Furthermore, isn’t Ling’er and I surnamed Li? However, Eldest Sun Wuji has to treat us differently, as if we are all members of the Yin Clan. Sooner or later, we will be thinking about this feud, and sooner or later, we will settle our scores with Eldest Sun Wuji! Ever since the death of Empress Chang Sun, Imperial Father has also started to neglect my mother’s imperial concubine. Wasn’t this the work of Eldest Sun Wuji? “He is afraid that my mother will be made empress after receiving the pet. Hmph!”

Qin Mubai shook her head and smiled, “Your Highness, you think too much.” I have been in the imperial palace for so long. As a confidant of His Majesty, I have been accompanying him in the harem all day. I know a little about the secrets of the palace. As far as I know, Eldest Sun Wuji has never interfered in such matters. As for interfering in matters like this, it was not something that his eldest grandson, Wuji, could do. Because he is smart enough not to do such a foolish thing. ”

“Are you trying to excuse him? Qin Mubai, how can you turn your elbow out and help outsiders?” Li You was a little annoyed.

“No.” Qin Mubai said calmly, “I’m helping you.”

“What do you mean?” Li You was puzzled.

“In fact, you and Gaoyang, including King Wu, temporarily pose no threat to his eldest grandson, Wuji. Why would he be so cautious about targeting you? No matter what, you are still the Emperor’s own sons. Even if he is the uncle of the country and a confidant of the Emperor, he is still unable to kiss the father and son. Why would he separate you from the emperor? Therefore, I feel that His Highness has been instigated to stand against Eldest Sun Wuji wishfully. “Qin Mubai looked at Li You seriously and said word by word,” This is not beneficial to you at all. ”

Li You was stunned. He blinked and looked back at Qin Mubai. He didn’t say anything for a long time.

“Your Highness is a smart person. He should be able to tell the truth by himself.” Qin Mubai said, “I have said so much, so it is not convenient to say so much. Your Highness, please distinguish for yourself.”

Li You nodded thoughtfully. His eyes changed and he didn’t say anything for a long time.

“You two great contributors, what are you secretly discussing? Why are you so speculative?” Li Ke said loudly, “Come, let’s drink together!”

“Alright, drink!” Qin Mubai and Li You raised their glasses together, greeted the officials and drank wine.

At night, the banquet hadn’t dissipated yet. After destroying the Water Ghost Party, everyone was a bit greedy.

Chen Yan accompanied the princess to dinner in the back hall and waited for Qin Mubai for a long time. Seeing that the party had yet to disperse, he prepared to take his leave. Imperial Concubine Wu was frightened again after giving birth. She was very sick, so she went back to her room to rest early after dinner. Su Lianqing was taken in and happily became a maid. Hearing that Chen Yan was going to bid her farewell, he personally escorted her out of the manor.

“Sister, you are truly one of the best people in the world. You are also one of the luckiest.” Su Lianqing held onto Chen Yan’s hand and smiled.

Chen Yan waved her wrist and struggled free from her. She said, “In the future, when you work in the palace, you need to change your appearance. Some of your past habits have to be changed. Especially, you can’t be as coquettish as before. When you see a man, you have to seduce him. The palace has the rules of the palace, so you have to abide by them.”

“I know, I know.” Su Lianqing smiled and said, “Can I be so ignorant?”

“I don’t know if you know what’s good for you. Anyway, if you act rashly, you will anger King Wu and provoke Qin Mubai.” Chen Yan’s expression darkened as she said coldly, “No matter what you do, don’t provoke Mubai. If you hurt him in the slightest, I will definitely not spare you.”

“Uh! … I know, I know.” Su Lianqing met Chen Yan’s cold gaze and felt a chill in her heart. She smiled and said, “Little sister, you’re really kind to him. Don’t worry, I know that if it wasn’t for his kindness, I would have been like many water ghosts, with my head and jail. How could I not be grateful and be a new person?”

“As long as it is.” Chen Yan heaved a sigh of relief. “This place in the palace is really not suitable for me. I have to go. You can tell Mubai later.”

At this moment, the two heard a loud laugh coming from the hall. It was as if a few drunkards had walked out with their shoulders crossed and their mouths spitting out wine.

“Qin Mubai, you must accompany me tonight! Ha-ha!” A man’s voice burped as he spoke. “Third Brother is under the control of the princess. You’re all alone, aren’t you going to accompany me?” He said vaguely. Ben, is it easy for this king to come to Xiangzhou? You saw all the girls I brought in just at noon, didn’t you? Hey, hey hey! There are a total of ten, five for you and five for me. How about letting you choose first? ”

She heard Qin Mubai’s voice, “Your Highness, you are harming me! What if Ling’er finds out that I am so romantic and chaotic?”

“If you don’t tell me, how would she know? Hehe!” Li You tugged at Qin Mubai but refused to let go. He was drunk and smiled foolishly, “Besides, I know. So what? Men, if you’re not romantic, then you call me a man? Cut the crap. Come with me and I’ll settle down!”

The more Chen Yan listened, the angrier she became. She gritted her teeth and was about to step forward. Su Lianqing hurriedly pulled her back.

“Are you crazy? That’s King Qi!”

“I don’t care about him, Ghost King Qi. I just can’t drag Qin Mubai to fool around!” When she finished speaking, Chen Yan was already like a phantom bullying her.

Li You could only feel the gloomy wind sweeping by Yihua’s side. Something struck his arm heavily, and he immediately lost his strength and let go. In the blink of an eye, the Qin Mubai in front of him had already disappeared.

“Ghost, there’s a ghost!” He cried out loudly.

“Someone, hurry up! Someone has caught Qin Mubai!!”

Immediately, the sound of a gong rang out, and countless soldiers rushed out together, causing the entire palace to be in an uproar.

Qin Mubai rode on his horse and turned around to look at the palace. He immediately smiled bitterly. Chen Yan, who was sitting in the same saddle as him, snorted coldly and said, “This time, I’ll let him off. Next time I meet him, I’ll teach you a lesson. I’ll castrate him!”