Love Affairs in Chang'an - Chapter 258

Chapter 258 Chang’an Is Everywhere
Qin Mubai brought the two women to the port city north of Xiangyang City and stopped in front of the gate of the Zhengchang Grain Ship.

Princess Gaoyang got out of the car and said sullenly, “What are you doing here? There are so many people and there’s a fishy smell. What I want is a quiet and elegant place to live.”

Wu Meiniang glanced left and right, but she smiled knowingly, “Your Highness, this place is not bad!”

“What’s so good about it?” Princess Gaoyang glanced around unhappily and said dully, “Not at all. This is in the market! Mubai, you are clearly playing a trick on us!”

“Don’t you know when you’re here?” Qin Mubai smiled mysteriously and walked to the gate of the Zhengchang Grain.

The huge wooden door was hung with an equally large bronze lock, and on top of it was the seal of the government.

Princess Gaoyang walked forward curiously and said, “What kind of place is this? Why is it sealed?”

Qin Mubai took out the key and deliberately provoked her to laugh, “This is the place I arranged for Mama Mei! Of course, it’s not for you.”

“What did you say? You bastard! I’m so angry!” As expected, Princess Gao Yang was furious. She raised her small pink fist and attacked Qin Mubai.

Qin Mubai laughed heartily. He opened the bronze lock and pushed open the door, saying, “Please, gentlemen! There is something else inside!”

“Humph!” Princess Gaoyang glared at him and walked in first.

Wu Meiniang walked forward and looked around the courtyard. She smiled happily and said, “That’s good. This is the busiest and most bustling place in the market. When I was a child, my mother and I came here. I remember that there was a big courtyard inside. There were large shops for coachmen to rest on. The people behind the courtyard can live in. The environment is quite quiet.”

“It’s still you who knows your stuff.” Qin Mubai gave her the key with a smile and said, “Alright, this place belongs to you.”

Wu Meiniang took the key and smiled warmly, “Have you figured it out?”

“Of course. I’m still one of the top officials in Xiangzhou, right? I’ve already paid the rent for five years, including the Yongye Salt Workshop. It’s all yours.” Qin Mubai pointed to the opposite side and said, “It’s a little smaller than this side, but the situation is better. If it’s rechosen, you can open a restaurant. See if you’re interested.”

“Did you manage the two shops?” Wu Meiniang couldn’t help but be a little surprised, “Such a large shop costs a lot of money, doesn’t it? You paid the rent for five years, where did the money come from?”

“Don’t worry, I won’t be reduced to corruption.” Qin Mubai chuckled and told her about the resale of food in the past two months.

As the two of them walked in, they heard Princess Gao Yang shouting loudly, “Hey, come quickly! Wow! This place is awesome!”

“This guy is still like a child.” Qin Mubai couldn’t help but laugh.

“A woman is always childish in front of her beloved man. Princess Gaoyang is not usually like that. She is dignified enough. Everyone says she is young and mature.” Wu Meiniang said.

Qin Mubai couldn’t help but be stunned, and nodded in agreement, “Zheng Jie!”

“You should be proud, humph!” Wu Meiniang rolled her eyes at him angrily and walked around to Princess Gaoyang’s side.

The originally restless Princess Gaoyang had already run to the backyard and saw the scattered pavilions, deep blue lotus ponds, exquisite carved beams, and various kinds of decorations made of Taihu Lake stones.

Although Zhengchang Grain was located in the market and the front house was also used for decorating the commercial port, the back house was different. On the northern outskirts of the city, a small stream runs through the back of the house and pours water into the pond. Along the wall, there is a willow forest and green grass. There are also a large number of flowers. The exquisite and elegant residence made Princess Gaoyang, who was accustomed to the tall and magnificent buildings in the capital, feel very beautiful and fresh.

“Haha, so the back is so beautiful! I’ve decided, I’ve decided to live here!” Princess Gaoyang shouted happily, “What a beautiful river and bamboo building! Mm, the house is also very beautiful! Jing Xiang’s residence is very interesting!”

“Please, this is a pond and a stream. What river?” Qin Mubai smiled.

“If I say it’s a big river, then it’s a big river. How about it?” Princess Gao Yang stuck out her tongue and made a face at Qin Mubai. She then pulled Wu Meiniang to run excitedly into the mansion and the bamboo building and excitedly looked around.

Back then, the owner of the Zhengchang Grain Ship, Duan Rongji, and his family all lived here. There were rumors in Xiangyang County that the Duan Clan’s residence was like a heavenly paradise, and that even if a deity came, they would want to stay for a few more days. From the looks of it, it was true. Duan Rongji, a wealthy businessman, was quite capable of enjoying himself, making his home exquisite and elegant. This luxurious luxury should be simple, magnificent, exquisite and dignified. There was no shortage of gardens and landscapes. At home, they could go fishing and travel. There was even a rare place called Jing Xiang. It was popular in the pole court in the capital of the Central Guanzhou. The ground was neatly paved with grass. It was like a football field. It could be seen that there was no shortage of effort and money to take care of it.

The two women climbed up a bamboo building with the wind of Miao barbarians by the stream and smiled at Qin Mubai.

“Mubai, why is there such a unique bamboo building here?” They asked.

“Duan Rongji once hired a concubine from the Southern Marshes to take care of her homesickness and specially hired someone to build it.” Qin Mubai said, “How is it, isn’t it good?”

“Not only is it not bad, it is simply extremely exquisite!” Wu Meiniang said, “Everywhere here is polished as smooth as a mirror, strong and beautiful. There are many exquisite pictures of birds and beasts carved on the bamboo wall!”

“Alright, this place belongs to me, haha!” Princess Gaoyang announced first and laughed proudly, “I’m so big. I’ve lived in all kinds of beautiful houses, but I’ve never lived in a bamboo building. Mother Mei, what do you think?”

Wu Meiniang smiled and said, “Your Highness has already spoken. How can I have any objections? Alright, I’ll let you stay here. However, if you’re scared in the middle of the night, you’re not allowed to come to my room.”

Qin Mubai listened to the hot chat between the two of them and curled her lips. She secretly said, “You can have fun secretly. If the Li Dao Sect said that you are not allowed to stay out of the night, then you will definitely not be allowed to do so.” Although he was kind and generous, he always kept his mouth shut.

After a while, the two women came down from the bamboo building. Wu Meiniang said to Qin Mubai, “Mubai, send someone to the military harbor and call my sisters and followers over!” They’ve been busy shipping goods, so it should be about time now. We still need to hire more carriages and horses to haul those supplies here from the harbor. “I just saw that there are several large warehouses in the front house that fit right in.”

“Alright.” Qin Mubai nodded in agreement and asked, “What did you bring? Did you bring a lot?”

“Of course.” Wu Meiniang said, “It’s mostly the best Qin Xianjiu.” When the market was open for business, there were always a lot of joints to be packed. It was inappropriate to give money and things. Giving this kind of specialty wine could not be better. Moreover, if I were to run a wine shop, I would definitely not be able to brew it in time. These good wines are now stored in the kiln, so they will come in handy when they are taken out. Others are gifts for people like us. At least thirty or forty people have come. Each of them only counts as two boxes of things, and that’s quite a lot. ”

“Wow … Mother Mei, you’re really capable!” Princess Gao Yang stuck out her tongue in surprise and said, “Managing such a large family business and leading so many people. If it was me, I would definitely be bored to death!”

Qin Mubai smiled and said, “In my opinion, you should be able to do it.”

“Why?” Princess Gaoyang blinked her eyes and asked curiously.

“Regardless of whether it’s the Imperial Palace, the capital, Yang, or a small place like Xiangyang, where you go, everyone will definitely be in a state of panic. Who can you do?” Qin Mubai laughed loudly.

“Big bad guy, I’ll fight you!” Princess Gaoyang was furious. She gritted her teeth and widened her eyes, about to pounce on him.

Qin Mubai laughed loudly and ran away. Princess Gaoyang chased after him for a while. She panted and stopped. She stamped her feet in anger, “Too hateful!”

Wu Meiniang walked forward and smiled, “Princess, what are you mad at him for? He just opened his mouth.”

“Mother Mei, I’m quitting! We agreed to deal with him together, and now you’re helping him. He bullied me just now, so you don’t care!” Princess Gaoyang snorted resentfully.

“Isn’t he going to get down to business? According to the agreement, we can’t miss his business, can we?” Wu Meiniang smiled.

“That’s right” Princess Gaoyang blinked her eyes and suddenly frowned. “He’s gone to help you run errands! Alright, Mama Mei, you have selfishness!”

“Helping me with my work is also a serious matter!” Wu Meiniang couldn’t help but laugh.

“Then, I’ll ask him to help me with a serious matter later. Then we’ll be even!” Princess Gaoyang pouted.

“Alright, alright, alright, then you can just give me your orders!” Wu Meiniang shook her head and smiled.

Qin Mubai went to the Grain Number Gate and found a few soldiers who were waiting for him. He instructed them about the matter. Tell them to hire more mule carriages and porter carriages in the market. Take his warrant and go to the military port to find people. Bring over all the people and goods accompanying Wu Meiniang. The sergeants immediately split up and went their separate ways.

Returning to the courtyard and looking around, Qin Mubai couldn’t help but smile, “This place has already made me smell a trace of home. It would be even better if mother and Shuang’er could also come.” It turns out that what I miss is not a city like Chang’an constructed of green bricks and grey tiles, but these people who are far away in Chang’an.

Before the house could be cleaned, Wu Meiniang and Princess Gaoyang sat in a pavilion and chatted leisurely. Qin Mubai walked forward and asked Wu Meiniang, “Meiniang, did you see Shuang’er before you came?”

“Not only have we seen each other, we spend almost every day together for a period of time.” Wu Meiniang said.

“And me, and me!” Princess Gaoyang also rushed to say, “When I was in Chang’an, if I had time, I would leave the palace and go to your mansion with Meiniang to play with Shuang’er and Yao’er. Yao’er practiced the Gangqin every day, and now she plays it beautifully! Let’s learn the pipa and piano from her, it’s fun!”

Qin Mubai nodded and smiled, “Then did you invite Shuang’er to Xiang Zhou with you when you left?”

Wu Meiniang smiled and nodded. “I received your letter, so we agreed to come to Xiang Prefecture very early. Your mother also planned to come with us. However, there were some unforeseen circumstances, so the two of them decided not to come.”

“What’s the situation?” Qin Mubai frowned.

“That’s … Princess Wu!” Wu Meiniang said meaningfully.

“Oh, this is … a pity.” Qin Mubai shook his head regretfully. If Shuang’er came to Xiangyang, she would look at me and Li Ke. But now that Princess Wu was in a new funeral, her identity would become sensitive and awkward, so she didn’t come.

“We’ll talk about it later. Anyway, we’ll be staying in Xiangyang for a long time. Maybe it’ll be three years and five years.” Wu Meiniang said, “If Shuang’er and Auntie come, you can stay here no matter what. I saw that you haven’t been an official for many days in Xiangzhou, so you can be considered to have a place to stay in the future!”

“Yes!” Qin Mubai smiled happily. “That’s why I thought that my mother and sister would be able to stay here for a while. That would make me feel even more at home.”

“Talk about it, but don’t talk about me.” Princess Gao Yang held her cheeks and complained, “It seems like I’m just an unnecessary person. I’m really boring.”

Qin Mubai couldn’t help but laugh, “If Ling’er could be here every day, of course it would be even better.”

Princess Gaoyang was slightly stunned. Although she didn’t say anything, a hint of joy rushed up to her eyebrows.

This was because this was the first time Qin Mubai had called her “Ling’er” in front of Wu Meiniang!

Ling’er’s voice warmed Princess Gaoyang’s heart and gave her a sense of accomplishment, as if she was closer to him than Wu Meiniang.

Wu Meiniang only smiled secretly and pretended not to know.

Qin Mubai coughed dryly and said with a smile, “The day after tomorrow is the Great Ceremony of Emperor Yang’s mausoleum. After this big event, I will be able to relax for a while. At that time, I will take you all to various parts of Xiangzhou to have a good tour.”

“Alright!” The two women were overjoyed and replied in unison.

“Haha!” Qin Mubai laughed proudly.

“What are you so proud of? Don’t laugh!”

The two women blushed and rushed over to “gang fight” him. For a moment, Qin Mubai’s heart was filled with delight as his pink fist flew up and reprimanded him.

He felt that Xiang Zhou now seemed to have some sort of Chang’an romance.