Love Affairs in Chang'an - Chapter 271

Chapter 271 Thousand Miles Gift Saber
Today, a special “guest”-the Emperor, Li Shimin-came from the Great Horn Temple of the Great Ming Palace’s harem.

This was the first time the Emperor had come to visit since Yin De Fei had lived here. The Taoist nuns were flattered, but before they could come forward to welcome them, they were reprimanded.

Li Shimin’s expression was somewhat ugly. The Taoist nuns knew that something was wrong and were unwilling to step forward to touch the mold, so they all hid in the room.

Li Shimin walked to the quiet room where Imperial Concubine Yin De lived, looked at the dust-free window edges and the lintel, and muttered to himself, “I’m still obsessed with cleanliness.”

Imperial Concubine Yin De pushed open the door and entered. She was sitting on a bunch of bushes, burning a furnace of incense to read a scripture. Her eyes were lightly closed, and she placed a few beards on Chen Xuesi’s arm and gently danced.

Imperial Concubine Yin De said as if she was speaking to herself, “When the wind blows, the whisk moves. Still, her Dao Heart is not firm …”

Li Shimin didn’t mind that she didn’t get up to welcome him. Twenty-year-old couples seemed to have faded away from these vulgar rituals in private and were used to coming straight to the point.

“You can sit still.” Li Shimin slowly paced behind her with his hands cut off from his back and said.

In the extremely quiet Zen room, embroidery needles could be heard when they fell to the ground. Li Shimin didn’t say anything loud, but it was extremely abrupt. The silence in the room made his words even more dignified.

“Then what can I do?” Imperial Concubine Yin De still did not turn around to look at Li Shimin. She raised her head slightly and stared at the statue of Lao Tzu riding on the green bull above her head.

Li Shimin also raised his eyes to look at the statue of Lao Tzu. He took two steps forward and bowed. He did not look at Imperial Concubine Yin De, as if he had said in the air, “Judging from the situation, have you heard everything?”

“Of course not as much as His Majesty knows.” Concubine Yin De replied calmly.

“What do you think?” Li Shimin asked calmly.

Imperial Concubine Yin De’s face trembled slightly, as if she was suffering from severe pain and trauma, but she still tried her best to endure it. She pursed her lips and said, “People outside the square, don’t ask about common things.”

“In front of me, there is no need to act pretentious.” Li Shimin snorted coldly and said, “What kind of family are you from? Your heart is still full of so-called mundane things. Tell me, what do you think about Li You’s rebellion?”

Imperial Concubine Yin De’s expression of pain seemed to have deepened a few more times, but she still tried her best to endure it and calmly said, “Qin Mubai will not participate in the rebellion.”

“What are you talking about?” Li Shimin was greatly surprised.

“Qin Mubai will not participate in the rebellion.” Imperial Concubine Yin De repeated it with the same speed and tone.

“Strange.” Li Shimin sneered again, “According to your temperament, you must be so anxious that you jump up and down at this time. You want to see me the most.” The purpose of wanting to see me is to plead for your unworthy son. And this time, even Gaoyang is with him, so you have more reason to do so. But now, I have come to see you on my own initiative, yet you seem to ignore me. Talking to you, not only did you not plead for Li You’s excuse for Gaoyang, you even said such an irrelevant thing. “Zhen, I really can’t understand you any more.”

“Perhaps you’ve never understood me.” Imperial Concubine Yin De gently closed her eyes and slowly took a long breath, trying her best to control her emotions.

“What do you mean?” Li Shimin’s face revealed a trace of sullen expression, but he was more puzzled-what a joke, would a couple of twenty years not understand?

“Nothing else.” Imperial Concubine Yin De said, “Perhaps, I have never known His Majesty.”

“We’ve been husband and wife for 20 years, yet you actually said such words?” Li Shimin was both annoyed and puzzled, “Could it be that in your heart, I have always been your enemy who killed your father?”

Imperial Concubine Yin De’s face trembled slightly, as if her heart had been wiped away by a sharp dagger. At first, he did not feel any pain, but only after a moment did he realize that a deep wound had been cut by the dagger blade, and blood was flowing endlessly.

Li Shimin’s words were like knives!

“Love him dearly! Force yourself to use twenty years of unreserved love to resolve hatred!-He actually brought it up again twenty years later!”

For a moment, Concubine Yin De felt that her twenty years of life had been wasted … Especially now that her brother and son and daughter were still standing on the opposite side of the emperor. His twenty years of hard work, sacrifices, and sacrifices had all instantly turned into nothingness!

She did not say anything. She closed her eyes, her lips trembling, and tears flowed out of her eyes in disappointment.

Li Shimin was very careful, and he had already noticed the change in her mood. For a moment, he was somewhat regretful. He knew that he had indeed said the wrong thing when he was angry.

But it was impossible for him to admit his mistake.

“You are not a minister. I am not here to ask your judgment on the rebellion case. Rather, I want to know what you think of your son who conspired against you at this moment.” Li Shimin said softly, “Do you think I’m here to mock you? I haven’t been idle yet. But he’s our son after all. Of course, you have the right to say something.”

“In the past, I always had the luxury of talking to His Majesty. Now His Majesty is generous enough to let me speak at such a time. But I feel that I don’t want to say anything else.” Imperial Concubine Yin De was still sitting there, not wiping her tears down like broken beads. She forcefully suppressed her sobs and said, “Your Majesty has his own opinions. There is no need for others to say anything else, is there?”

“Are you still angry with me at this time?” Li Shimin couldn’t help but feel a little annoyed. Instead, he hoped that Concubine Yin De would show some excitement, sadness, or fear. It was better than mocking him with half-dead mockery.

“Not angry.” Imperial Concubine Yin De was still as calm as water and said, “There is no greater grief than death in my heart.” To a person who had died in his heart, nothing was important anymore. There are many things in this world that can’t be changed just by what people want. For example, Youer’s rebellion was already a fact. His Majesty has already made up his mind. Who can change this outcome? Rather than being useless, it would be better not to be disturbed by mediocre people. ”

“So that’s what you think.” Li Shimin gently nodded, “That’s right, I have already sent Li Ji to lead the troops to fight the rebellion. We will know the result in a few days.”

‘”A mere rebellion by a scoundrel actually caused such a big ruckus. Did His Majesty see that the invincible and cautious Great General Li Ji was too idle, so he sent him a task to stretch his muscles and bones so that he could rise to power and make a fortune in the future?” Imperial Concubine Yin De revealed a cold smile.

“Have you said enough?” Li Shimin was enraged and shouted, “Now, it seems that the one who is wrong is me!”

“Of course you’re wrong.” Imperial Concubine Yin De was neither anxious nor angry. She calmly said, “If I don’t teach my adopted son, who would be the one to blame? Could it be that the world blames me, a half-dead woman?”

“Isn’t it your good brother Yin Hongzhi who has been instigating him! If I had known earlier, I wouldn’t have listened to your plea and spared his life!” Li Shimin shouted angrily.

“Since His Majesty knows, why not get rid of my’good brother ‘as soon as possible?” Imperial Concubine Yin De continued to sneer and said, “On the contrary, she will come to me to complain afterwards. Could it be that as a sister, sacrificing her life to save her brother is also wrong?”

“Yes, yes, yes. Your entire body is covered with mouths. I have never been able to defeat you!” Li Shimin really couldn’t do anything to this Yin De Concubine who refused to eat needles hidden in cotton. For so many years, the two of them rarely quarreled angrily and always respected each other. However, amongst so many concubines in the harem, including the late Empress Changsun, no one dared to argue with Li Shimin like this to provoke his anger. Unfortunately, this Yin De Fei, who had always been gentle like water and seemed to have no desire or desire, was really energetic, but even Li Shimin had no way to deal with her.

“Then why did His Majesty come here to find it boring?” Imperial Concubine Yin De said indifferently.

“I will definitely kill Yin Hongzhi!” Li Shimin suddenly said.

“Kill him! He has wasted twenty years of his lifespan. It’s time for him to be satisfied.” Imperial Concubine Yin De was ruthless and said word by word.

“I have always hated disrespect and discord between flesh and blood relatives the most!” Li Shimin said.

A faint smile flashed across Concubine Yin’s lips as she said faintly, “Just like His Majesty the Martial Ancestor Emperor back then?”

“You!” A single sentence pierced deeply into Li Shimin’s heart like a needle, causing scenes of the Black Warrior Sect to appear in his mind. He suddenly raised his hand, wanting to slap Imperial Concubine Yin De in the face.

However, at this moment, Concubine Yin De did not have the slightest bit of fear or fear. Instead, she turned around with a smile on her face. On her beautiful face, which was as cold as ice, her pair of beautiful eyes, which were filled with tears, looked at him unblinkingly.

Li Shimin snorted, put down his hand, and angrily turned around.

“Only you dare to speak to me like this!”

Imperial Concubine Yin De did not mind and her expression returned to calm as she said, “Your Majesty has come to vent his anger on me.” Or see me beg for mercy in horror, right? I apologize for disappointing His Majesty. We all know that You’er will be today, so it’s not surprising. Ever since you were a child, as a father, as well as those meritorious officials beside you, who truly regarded him as a prince? Who didn’t think that his mother was the daughter of the Yin Family the first time they looked at him? If it was an adult, he would not be able to receive such discrimination and prejudice, let alone a child. Amongst the many children, His Majesty has always disliked You’er the most. Isn’t this true? Otherwise, why was he the first to be sealed off as an official? After leaving her parents and lacking control, Youer had indeed changed from day to day. Becoming a mother, there’s nothing I can do. Now that things have come to this point, what else can I say? ”

Li Shimin was speechless for a long time. He knew that Imperial Concubine Yin De had always been gentle and never said a word, but her heart was always like a mirror and she had never been foolish. What she said today was ugly enough, but it was all true.

And at this moment, they were talking in the name of their parents, not emperors and concubines. Otherwise, it would be extremely difficult for him to hear such a big truth.

After a long time, Li Shimin seemed to be helpless and said somewhat sullenly, “Zhen, aren’t you really a good father? The Crown Prince was unethical, Gaoyang refused to marry, and King Qi rebelled. Who else will come next?”

“You are a good emperor, but you are not a good father.” Imperial Concubine Yin De said concisely.

“Why?” Li Shimin asked loudly.

“Because …” Imperial Concubine Yin De chuckled and said, “You are too outstanding, great, and powerful. Your children, from birth, live under your powerful shadows and pressures. Moreover, you always have the hope of the Crown Prince for your children, and you are quite strict with them. I hope they all become as outstanding as you are. Is this possible? After all, children are children. Let nature take its course is the best way to let them grow up. ”

“Want to see your son become a dragon? Is that a mistake?” Li Shimin was puzzled and helpless.

“You’re right. What’s wrong is that you’re an emperor.” Imperial Concubine Yin De said.

“Bastard logic!” Li Shimin was a little angry and embarrassed as he smashed his fist into his thigh.

Imperial Concubine Yin shook her head with a smile. “Even I am unable to communicate with His Majesty, not to mention your children who are terrified when they see you. Once, three times, they are farther and farther away. The greater the hope you give, the greater the pressure. The more they want to break free from these shackles, the more rebellious they will be. As a result, everything can be imagined.”

“In other words, if Li You comes out today, there will be a second and a third one in the future?” Li Shimin glared at Imperial Concubine Yin angrily and said.

“His Majesty is going to make an example of him. Naturally, no one else would dare to do this.” Imperial Concubine Yin De said coldly, “However, I’m afraid that His Majesty’s long cherished wish to see his son become a dragon will not be fulfilled.”

“I don’t believe it!”

“Monks, don’t bet.”

“…” Li Shimin choked and gasped. “I want to capture Li You to the capital. In front of you, I want to ask him what he is thinking and what he is obsessed with!”

“There’s no chance.” Imperial Concubine Yin De said indifferently, “Your Majesty, at most you can only see Youer’s … corpse.”

“Nonsense!” Li Shimin berated, “I gave Li Ji a secret order to capture him alive!”

Imperial Concubine Yin De’s extremely graceful lips curled up slightly, outlining a cruel and bitter smile, “So, you don’t know your son at all.”

“Hmph, then let’s wait and see!” Li Shimin snorted in dissatisfaction and suddenly turned to look at Imperial Concubine Yin De. “Tell me, why did you suddenly say that Qin Mubai would not participate in the rebellion? Could it be that you know this trusted subordinate of mine better than me?”

“No. I only know more about Gao Yang than you do. I also know about Gao Yang’s love.” Imperial Concubine Yin De said indifferently, “The man that Gao Yang falls in love with will definitely not betray or do anything stupid.”

“Because of this?”

“Isn’t that enough?”

Li Shimin nodded thoughtfully, “You mean to say that Ling’er was kidnapped by Li You and Yin Hongzhi, not actively subordinated to them. And Li You and Yin Hongzhi used this identity of Ling’er to incite trouble and deliberately create chaos, right?”

“So I say, His Majesty has already made up his mind. Why waste so much time to condescend to this cold Taoist temple and ask for trouble?” Concubine Yin De sneered.

“Humph!” Li Shimin stood up angrily, “I really want to kill you!”

“Just do as you please. It’s always the royal rule for a mother to die with her son, isn’t it?” Imperial Concubine Yin De’s reaction was calm enough.

Li Shimin’s heart was filled with worry, and he was so angry that he almost hit someone.

“Zhen, I don’t have any common sense with you!” Li Shimin snorted as he prepared to leave. Before he left, he said, “Live well until that unfilial son of Li You kneels here and says it clearly in front of me!”

Imperial Concubine Yin De smiled faintly. She raised her head to look at the statue of Qing Niu and closed her eyes again without saying a word.

Li Shimin brushed his sleeves away and walked out of the door. He heaved a long sigh of relief. Now, even he himself was surprised, how could he be so easily enraged and lose his composure today?

“Fortunately, she’s not an outsider. Now, I can only talk to her about these things. Ah …” Li Shimin turned around and glared at the wooden door of the room with embarrassment and anger.

In the room, Concubine Yin De lit up a few oil lamps. Her hand trembled slightly as she stroked a yellowed ancient scripture and said to herself, “Ling’er, Mubai, I’ve done my best. I hope you all take care of yourself! … You’er, don’t be born in the Emperor’s house in the next life!”

…

Hanjiang River, Xiangyang Military Port in front of the Divine Fish spaceship.

Qin Mubai was sitting on the deck of the ship, wearing a military uniform and a golden saber. She narrowed her eyes and stared at the floating Autumn River with a grim expression. The saber that had been bestowed upon him when he had been awarded the title of Hundred Cavalry Envoy had yet to be unsheathed. At this moment, it had been unsheathed by Qin Mubai. The tip of the scabbard paused on the deck. Qin Mubai placed his right hand on the hilt of the saber, his left hand on his right hand, and his hands on the saber. Occasionally, sharp rays of light flashed in his eyes.

Pang Fei and some generals from the military manor stood behind him. No one knew what he was thinking, and no one dared to step forward to ask.

Just yesterday, a “lobbyist” from Dengzhou came with Li You’s letter and openly crossed the river to persuade King Wu and Qin Mubai to “participate in the grand ceremony and accomplish great things together”. Forget it. The lobbyist also specifically said that Princess Gaoyang missed General Qin very much. She looked across the river and leaned against the door. She missed the tea and dinner day and night. She only hoped that Qin Mubai would cross the river and reunite with him as soon as possible.

This was a blatant “threat”!

The lobbyist naturally didn’t have a good ending. Although Li Ke and Qin Mubai didn’t personally tear him to pieces, they allowed Yuwen Hongtai, who had a hot temper, to flatten his sea and return to Jiangbei with his broken teeth on the ground.

Ever since then, Qin Mubai’s face had not looked good. Pang Fei and the others didn’t dare to provoke him.

For two days in a row, Qin Mubai spent time on the boat. Every day, he sat on the saber like this. He didn’t know what he was waiting for or what he was looking forward to. Everyone didn’t dare to ask, so they could only accompany him and wait.

At this moment, a swift and agile shuttle boat slid down from the surface of the river like an ice skate. It rowed to the bottom of the warship and reported, “Report–! The water sentry discovered two large boats heading towards the Eight Ghosts Crossing!”

“Have you found out who came?” Pang Fei stepped forward and asked.

“Both boats were robbed and questioned by our navy. One of the boats was sent by the Imperial Court’s Imperial Clerk, while the other was sent by the Jiang Xia King, Li Daozong!”

“Coming!” Qin Mubai’s eyes, which had been slightly closed, suddenly opened, and a bright light shone from the corner of his eyes.

“Got it! Go back and give the order to the brothers of the navy to escort them to the Eight Ghosts Crossing!” Pang Fei, the commander of the navy, ordered.

“Yes!” The shuttle rowed away again. After months of rigorous training, the White Wave Navy was now well-trained, as if they were worthy of the title of “Sly Dragon in the Wave”.

“General, why did the Jiang Xia King return?” Pang Fei walked back to Qin Mubai and asked in a low voice.

Qin Mubai blinked his eyes. “He came for a reason. Invite him to my ship. Also, bring the Imperial Court Official directly to the Secretariat Manor. There’s no need to bring him here.”

“Yes.” Pang Fei didn’t dare to ask any further and hurriedly went to do it himself.

Qin Mubai clenched the hilt of the saber tightly, took a deep breath, and let out a long breath. “It’s time!” Ling’er, wait for me! “She said to herself.

…

Shortly after, the two ships arrived at Xiangyang dock one after another. A ship docked at the Eight Ghosts Crossing, up and down a bunch of court officials, non-stop to xiang zhou secretariat mansion; The other ship traveled a few miles and directly turned into the military port of the Xiangzhou Military Manor.

Li Daozong stood on the bow with his hands cut off from his back. Looking at the warships and military appearances in the harbor, a smile appeared on his face, clearly marked with determination and seriousness, “Qin Mubai, you are truly a genius!”

When Qin Mubai saw the incoming ship, he stood up and walked to the side of the ship to greet it with clasped fists, “Your Highness, I will welcome you here at the end of the day!”

“Nice to meet you!” Li Daozong vigorously stepped on the boards between the two boats and strode onto the boat. He stared at Qin Mubai and nodded with a smile, “Looks like you’re well prepared.”

Qin Mubai smiled faintly. “What is the purpose of His Highness returning?”

“Naturally, I’m not worried about your rebellion.” Dao Sect Li said in a teasing voice.

Qin Mubai waved his hand and reprimanded the soldiers, saying, “Then when His Highness comes, he must have some advice?”

“No.” Li Daozong replied straightforwardly, “This king likes young people, but that doesn’t mean that I like to point fingers at good teachers. Make your own decisions and deal with your own troubles. I’m here to give you something purely in my personal name.”

“Your Highness has traveled thousands of miles to present gifts. This friendship alone is priceless.” Qin Mubai said, “Mo Jiang, how are you going to suffer?”

“It should be yours, it is yours. However, this king feels that it is more appropriate to give it to you at this time.” Dao Sect Li removed the saber from his waist and placed it in front of Qin Mubai with both hands, “Take it!”

“This is” Qin Mubai couldn’t help but be a little surprised.

Li Daozong stared at the saber with a gaze that was like examining a good friend he had known for many years, or a brother who shared weal and woe. He smiled faintly and said, “You forgot, Saber of Return Righteousness.”

‘”Oh?” Qin Mubai was slightly shocked. She remembered the scene when she was still in the Jiang Xia Prince’s Mansion in Jin Zhou, competing with the Li Dao Sect. At that time, he, Chen Yan, and Li Daozong were competing. Chen Yan fought him to a draw, but Li Daozong said that she had some reservations and lamented that her skills were inferior to others, so he gave her the “Heartless Sword”. Back then, he was unable to defeat the Li Dao Sect. Although he intentionally gifted the Returning Righteousness Saber, he did not want it. He also said that if he could defeat him one day, he would come back with a justified “saber retrieval”.

“Your Highness, do you want to spar with the general?” Qin Mubai couldn’t help but laugh.

“This king doesn’t want to fight with you right now.” Li Daozong also smiled, but his smile was full of meaning. He said, “Giving a saber is giving a saber. There is no other meaning.”

“Alright, then I’ll thank His Highness for the gift!” Qin Mubai gritted her teeth and nodded seriously. She took the knife with both hands.

Very heavy. There were still chopping marks on the scabbard. It was neither gorgeous nor high-grade, but it carried a faint sense of desolation and simplicity. The blade was still hidden in the wooden sheath, but it was vigorous and scattered in all directions!

“Good saber!” Before Qin Mubai could pull out his saber, he couldn’t help but praise, “This is a good saber that has killed people who have seen blood before and has a Spirit Qi Astral Sharp!”

“Very good, you really know your stuff.” Li Daozong smiled with satisfaction. “The saber on your waist is gorgeous, beautiful, and presumably of extraordinary value. However, good looks may not necessarily be useful. This King’s Righteous Saber is specifically used to kill and behead people. The saber is the saber, why is it so fancy? Right now, what you need is a saber, not a beautiful decoration!”

In Qin Mubai’s heart, there seemed to be a flash of consonance as he woke up!

Need a killing knife, isn’t it a beautiful decoration? Dao Sect Li clearly had something to say. He was not the kind of old man who was bored with idleness. He would really go back and forth for no reason at such an extraordinary time. He only went back a thousand miles to give him a knife.

“What he meant was that I should be ruthless when I should be ruthless, and kill whoever deserves to be killed! … Is the saber name ‘Return to Righteousness’ also meant to tell me that if it is difficult to achieve both righteousness and affection, righteousness is the most important thing?-He is asking me to destroy my family righteously?”

Seeing that Qin Mubai was lost in thought, the Li Dao Sect only nodded and smiled, saying, “I don’t want to stay in a troubled place for long. Don’t take a cold arrow. Goodbye, take care of yourself!”

Then, he walked towards his boat without turning his head. As soon as he got on the deck, he waved his hand forcefully, “There’s no need to send him off-set sail!”

“Thank you-Your Highness has given me a saber!” Qin Mubai stood at the side of the ship, clasping his sabers and clasping his fists.

The ship set off immediately. Li Daozong stood on the side of the ship with his hands cut off. He looked at Qin Mubai meaningfully, nodded and smiled, and said, “This king will come to Xiangyang again in the spring of next year. I hope that you and Ling’er can accompany me fishing at that time.”

Qin Mubai nodded seriously, “It’s a deal. I promise that I will live up to my promise!”