Love Affairs in Chang'an - Chapter 340

Chapter 340 White Wins Over Snow
After resting at home for two days, the fatigue of the journey was swept away. This morning, Qin Mubai had just finished practicing martial arts in the backyard and was covered in sweat. Eldest Brother Qin Tong and Second Brother Qin Bin had dragged her back to their hometown together. Said it was still the first month, to pay respects to mother.

The family gathered together happily. Qin Mubai didn’t dare to get drunk after lunch. After settling down his elder brother and sister-in-law’s nephews, he packed up a pile of gifts and prepared to go out. His mother curiously asked him where he was going. Qin Mubai said that she was going to pay her New Year greetings.

Madam Liu asked curiously, “It has been two or three days since you returned to the capital. Other than the imperial palace, there is no other place for you to go. The entire capital is filled with dignitaries of the imperial family, yet you only bring one gift to visit one family. Isn’t that preferential?”

Qin Mubai smiled and said, “Mother, you’re worrying too much. I’m not going to visit any of the royal nobles in the capital. This is an extraordinary time, so I believe they won’t take the initiative to visit me. However, I have to go to one of the families, and it won’t be a big problem for others to know about it.”

“Whose house?”

“Of course it’s my master, Apothecary Li, Duke Wei.” Qin Mubai explained this matter and bid farewell to her mother and her family. There was only an ordinary car left and they went out to look at Duke Wei’s mansion.

It was a coincidence that Duke Wei’s Mansion, which had always closed its doors tightly without asking any questions, was bustling with guests today. Ask around and say that Su Lie was accompanying the Duke of Wei on a special trip.

“Jiang Xia King Li Dao Sect?” Qin Mubai couldn’t help but feel a little curious, “Didn’t he stay in the Governor’s Mansion of You Prefecture? When did he return to the capital? I have never heard of him before?”

“This lowly person doesn’t know. Why don’t you go in and ask yourself?”

Qin Mubai strode into the inner courtyard. The servant picked out a gift and followed suit. Still far from the main hall, he heard the hearty laughter of the Jiang Xia King, Li Dao Sect, “Haha, you big beard! You still use such a rotten trick, it’s really poisonous!”

Li Jing also laughed loudly, “But this move is the most effective against His Highness. It has been tried and tested repeatedly. I don’t need to use this move.”

“Sigh! Little Wang’s chess skills are still a big loss to Duke Wei. He sighs that he is inferior!” Li Daozong chuckled. He turned around and saw a tall figure walking towards the pavilion. He narrowed his eyes and revealed a surprised expression. “Look, who is this?”

Li Jing’s gaze was not good anymore. He narrowed his eyes and glanced at Su Lie. Su Lie, who was standing beside him, quickly bent down and whispered in his ear, “Master, it’s Mubai.”

“Oh, Sanlang, hehe!” Li Jing stroked his beard and smiled, and a smile of delight appeared on his face.

Li Daozong glanced sideways at Li Jing and sneered, “Look at you, you’re quite proud of yourself. What’s so beautiful about you? If it weren’t for Little Wang recommending this kid to you, you would be as proud as you are today. How about it, Little Wang’s recommendation is absolutely correct, isn’t it? This kid, is a good material.”

Li Jing smiled but didn’t say anything. Su Lie cupped his hands and chuckled, “Your Highness has a good eye. Junior Brother is talented, but Su Lie is far inferior.”

As he spoke, Qin Mubai walked over. From afar, he cupped his hands and bowed. He greeted his master and the King of Jiangxia and greeted his senior brother, Su Lie. Li Daozong and Qin Mubai were the most close friends, so he pulled him to sit next to him in the guest seats. Li Jing also bought two cups of sake at home for the first time and chatted with each other.

Qin Mubai brought some local specialties from Xiangyang, especially some nourishing herbs and good tea from Jiangnan, and gave them to Li Jing. Dao Sect Li was dissatisfied with Qin Mubai’s favoritism, so he could only apologize and say that he would visit the King of Jiangxia later and offer his favorite Jiangnan tea. Only then did Dao Sect Li give up.

In the evening, Li Jing held a banquet for them, and the four of them drank a lot of wine. Dao Sect Li was magnanimous and straightforward. Every time he drank, there would be no more wine left, so he drank a little more and was a little drunk. Originally, Qin Mubai wanted to chat with his mentor and senior brother about military tactics, but because Li Daozong was here, he could only hold back and chat a little. Seeing that it was getting late, he left with Li Daozong.

After leaving the Wei Manor, Qin Mubai discovered that the Li Dao Sect had come on horseback and did not bring a single follower. He was a little worried. He was afraid that the Li Dao Sect would be drunk and fall off his horse, so he moved the Li Dao Sect into the carriage. However, Qin Mubai rode his horse to escort him all the way back to the Jiang Xia Prince’s Mansion.

Dao Sect Li was indeed almost drunk. When he entered the carriage, he was still punishing him for not being half drunk. After the carriage started moving for a while, he heard his thunderous snoring.

Qin Mubai shook his head and smiled, escorting him all the way to his mansion. When they knocked on the door of the palace, the gate officials received them in fear. They carried the King of Jiangxia into the palace and invited Qin Mubai to the main hall to have tea.

The King of Jiangxia was already drunk, so Qin Mubai didn’t want to disturb him. However, the housekeeper in the manor was too enthusiastic, so he could only sit down patiently and drink a cup of tea.

After pouring the tea, Steward Du said earnestly that most of His Highness’s precious family members were in You Zhou, so His Highness was drunk and there was no one at home to accompany him. He hoped General Qin would forgive him. In addition, apart from their group of servants, there was only His Highness’s beloved daughter in the manor. Because she could not afford to lose her hospitality, the little princess was “willing to pour tea for the general”.

Qin Mubai hurriedly said. In the absence of the Clan Master Li Daozong, how could this young princess, who hadn’t stepped out of the pavilion in the middle of the night, come out alone to accompany the male guests? Wasn’t it a disgrace to the reputation of the palace if the generals were to spread out?

The butler smiled apologetically. A servant couldn’t hold on much longer, so he cupped his hands and was about to leave. Just as he reached the entrance of the main hall, a snow-white figure appeared in front of him and whispered, “Uncle Du, is the general really not willing?”

Qin Mubai couldn’t help but look sideways as if there wasn’t a trace of impurities in the girl’s voice.

Housekeeper Du’s body blocked Qin Mubai’s view, making him unable to see clearly. Just as he was about to get up, the snow-clothed girl had already walked in. She smiled softly and casually like a spring breeze stroking a willow. She had an extremely round oval face. Her facial features were exquisite and delicate. She did not wear a hairpin, but she looked very graceful and elegant.

Although his face was plain, it could be said to be natural beauty.

Qin Mubai stood up, cupped his hands and bowed, “It’s actually unreasonable for me to disturb you all night long. Do you dare to trouble Princess Anton? Sin, sin.”

“General is too polite.” The snow-clothed young woman lightly opened her lips and revealed a sweet smile. Luo Luo bowed and said, “General, sit down peacefully. There is no need to be formal. The young woman is not a princess without being conferred a title. General, don’t ruin the young woman.”

“Since you are the prince’s beloved daughter, you should be respected.” Qin Mubai did not show any tenderness and sat down unreasonably. He looked at his nose and heart and held a cup of tea.

The snow-clothed girl smiled lightly and sat down beside Qin Mubai. She picked up the tea and personally rolled it for Qin Mubai. She then used silver chopsticks to add charcoal to the fire.

Although Qin Mubai did not have any evil intent to defend himself, the faint fragrance of a natural girl’s body from his nose almost made him feel apprehensive. She couldn’t help but look sideways at her making tea. She was elegant and refined without any hesitation. Besides being skilled and convenient, she also had an elegance and nobility that no one else could steal.

Although he had a close relationship with Li Dao Sect, Qin Mubai had never interacted with his family. Qin Mubai did not know more than a few words about the little girl in front of him. Moreover, Li Dao Sect’s children weren’t few, and Qin Mubai couldn’t think of or understand her at that moment.

Now that she was sitting alone, she was calm and generous. Qin Mubai did not want to talk to her too frivolously, so he could only drink tea silently.

After a while, the kitchen also sent over a few exquisite snacks. Not only did she not intend to send her guests off on time, she was sincerely staying and asking them to sit more. Based on the current situation, it was reasonable to provoke a few men to make tea late at night. Lone men and few women, however, did not know what it meant.

However, the snow-clothed girl remained calm and did not feel that it was inappropriate. After making a pot of Yu Xueqing Dragon Yan Tribute Tea for New Year’s Eve, she said, “General Qin, you are a heroic young hero. You should treat him as an unceremonial person. Furthermore, the general and my father are close friends. There is no need for you to detain Xue Yan like this.”

“Thank you, Imperial Daughter.” Qin Mubai cupped his hands in return, but was shocked in his heart.

Snow Goose? Li Xueyan?

Why is this name so familiar? …

“I’ve heard of the name of the general for a long time, but I haven’t been greeted. Although today is not a good time, it’s a great fortune to meet the general.” Li Xueyan smiled sweetly and said elegantly, “My father often said that if it was a young hero, then the Qin Family’s Sanlang would be the only one today. Hence, Xue Yan has always been curious and really wanted to see who the general really is. He actually caused my father to praise her endlessly.”

Qin Mubai smiled and said, “Your Highness mistook me for Qin. I’m flattered. In fact, I’m just a commoner. I’m afraid the imperial daughter will laugh at me if I’m not as outstanding as Your Highness said.”

“Otherwise.” Li Xueyan smiled, but it was very natural. It felt like two friends she had known for many years were chatting with each other. She said, “Although it was the first time she had masked her face, Xue Yan felt that the general’s bearing was extraordinary.” Moreover, my father’s vision was always good, and he definitely wouldn’t be mistaken. Moreover, my good sister never praises anyone. She only remembers the general and is one of the few good men in her heart. “It can be seen that the general is indeed outstanding.”

Qin Mubai was slightly stunned, “Good sister? But I don’t remember when I met His Highness’s beloved daughter other than the imperial daughter’s love?”

“Have you forgotten?” Li Xueyan smiled meaningfully, “Outside Xiangyang City, facing south?”

‘”Eh?!” Qin Mubai suddenly understood, and her face almost flushed red. “Sin, sin! I really forgot for a moment … She, has already taken His Highness as her foster daughter!”

Chen Yan!

Speaking of her, Qin Mubai couldn’t help but feel slightly excited. He hurriedly asked, “May I ask imperial daughter, did she come to Chang’an with you?”

Li Xueyan smiled slightly, but she did not rush to answer. The orchid finger twisted the bamboo cup and drank a mouthful of tea. “General, you are indeed a sentimental person.”

Qin Mubai said awkwardly. Everyone knew that he was going to marry Princess Gaoyang, but now he was thinking of Chen Yan. Although Li Xueyan had no intention of mocking or mocking him, Qin Mubai could no longer ask any further and could only stop. It seemed that Li Xueyan didn’t come to drink tea with him for no reason. Instead, she came prepared.

Li Xueyan slightly raised her eyelids and looked at Qin Mubai. She secretly smiled and said, “Looking at the general’s situation, it seems like she has a thousand words to say. Why can’t she open the box when she wants to ask?”

“This is not enough to mention in front of the imperial daughter. I’m ashamed.” Qin Mubai smiled.

“Then how about chatting with the general about the current political army?” Li Xueyan’s words surprised Qin Mubai.

He couldn’t help but smile and said, “Alright, I’m happy to accompany you.”

Li Xueyan smiled and nodded, not being polite. She took the lead and asked, “General, how do you view the relationship between the Great Tang and Tibet?”

“Oh?” Qin Mubai blinked her eyes in confusion. This question was really strange.

Hence, if it wasn’t for the Emperor’s initiative, Qin Mubai wouldn’t have known about the recent incident between the Great Tang and Tibet. In other words, this was a “state secret” discussed at the imperial meeting. Not to mention that Li Xueyan was only a noble woman, how could even the current Great General casually discuss it in private?

Qin Mubai paused for a moment. Li Xueyan smiled and said, “General, there is no need to worry. Xue Yan accompanied father to discuss this matter with His Majesty the Emperor, but she did not divulge the secrets of the country privately. The general is also someone who knows about it, so there is no harm in having a casual chat.”

This time, Qin Mubai was even more surprised!

One of the daughters of the Li Dao Sect had not shown her horns before, so how could she discuss such matters with the Jiang Xia King?

He remembered hearing Li Shimin say that he was planning to choose a royal daughter as a princess among his royal relatives and marry Songtsan Gambo of Tibet. As a result, the Tibetan messenger was displeased and left with a flick of his sleeve.

Could it be that Li Xueyan was the betrothal partner of Tibet?

Qin Mubai’s eyes lit up as she raised her eyebrows to look at Li Xueyan. She was putting Qin Mubai’s subtle expression in her eyes. She smiled and said, “In that case, the general must have thought of it.”

Qin Mubai withdrew his gaze, took a sip of tea, and nodded.

“Does the general think that Xue Yan should go to Tibet and marry that abandoned sect to get praises (the name of Song Zan Ganbu in the Tang Dynasty)?” Li Xueyan asked.

This question could be said to be a sensitive one, and he had a diamond in his mouth. This is not just a question of what should and should not be, but a question of political stance.

Fairy tale.

Qin Mubai couldn’t help but smile and said, “This question is complicated.”

“What if Xue Yan wants to answer in the simplest way possible?” Li Xueyan smiled with a trace of cunning in her gentleness. She was smart and naughty.

Qin Mubai felt a little dumbfounded. He paused for a moment and said, “It should be, but it shouldn’t be.”

“The general is so cunning. This answer is equivalent to not answering. Xue Yan is not satisfied.” Li Xueyan looked at Qin Mubai with a smile. She poured him a cup of tea and asked, “If the general doesn’t want to explain it clearly, why don’t you just give him a straightforward answer with one or two words?”

“I shouldn’t.”