Love Affairs in Chang'an - Chapter 515

Chapter 515 Undercurrent
A few days after Qin Mubai left, Chu Suiliang arrived in Lanzhou.

At that time, Guanxi Army commander Pang Fei, who was in charge of staying in Lanzhou, was training his troops outside the city. When he heard the news that Chu Suiliang had arrived, he was shocked. His mentor had expected such a thing. Just as he left, someone came from the Imperial Court. Chu Suiliang was an important official of the Imperial Court and a confidant of the Emperor. In a sense, he was even closer to the Emperor than Eldest Sun Wuji.

It was definitely not a small matter for him to be able to personally take action.

Secretary Xiao Liang and the others had already welcomed Chu Suiliang into the Governor’s Mansion, so they came to invite the King of Jiangxia and Pang Fei. Pang Fei had to leave the barracks to see Chu Suiliang.

When Pang Fei arrived at the Governor’s Mansion, Li Daozong, Xiao Liang and the others were already drinking tea with Chu Suiliang. Li Daozong was a royal family, and his seniority was higher than Chu Suiliang’s. Therefore, he bluntly asked, “Why did Husband Chu travel so far to Lanzhou?”

Chu Suiliang, Feng Qingyun, smiled lightly and casually said that he would come to Lanzhou to take a look at the emperor’s instructions.

“Take a look?” Li Daozong was stunned for a moment, then he smiled and said, “Is Lanzhou … beautiful?”

“It looks good.” Chu Suiliang got off the donkey and smiled, “The merchants listed neatly, herds of cattle and sheep gathered in the countryside. The city is majestic, and the people are rich in folk customs and beauty. Lanzhou has been a war zone in the frontier fortress for many years, and in just a few years, it has developed to such an extent. It is truly amazing!”

Dao Sect Li couldn’t help but laugh coldly when he heard this, “Chu Suiliang, you don’t need to talk to this king anymore. Since you came here on orders, then just say it!”

“Your Highness, forgive me. This lowly official indeed does not have an imperial edict.” Chu Suiliang cupped his hands and smiled bitterly, “Your Majesty’s words are the original-go to Lanzhou and take a look!”

Everyone was speechless, and Li Daozong was even more stunned.

At this moment, Pang Fei came in and bowed first.

Chu Suiliang looked him up and down and asked, “General Pang is so heroic. He is indeed worthy of being a disciple of Young Marshal Qin. A master teacher makes a master disciple.”

“Husband Chu praises me.”

“Mm … Where’s Young Marshal Qin?” Chu Suiliang asked. After entering the Governor’s Mansion for a long time, he actually didn’t see Qin Mubai.

Pang Fei stunned, “Didn’t anyone tell xianggong chu, Major Marshal has led the army to the west a few days ago?”

Although Chu Suiliang had been following the Emperor all year round and had already cultivated his calm ability of not being shocked by the collapse of the sky, he was stunned when he heard Pang Fei’s words.

Because no one told him. After sitting in the Governor’s Mansion for half a day, he did not ask about it on his own initiative, so no one took the initiative to reveal anything unnecessary to him.

Apparently, many of the people in the hall were already an unbreakable group. Even if he, Chu Suiliang, was an important official of the current Prime Minister and a confidant of the Emperor, no one would curry favor with Feng Chengcheng or get close to him.

Just such a tiny detail made Chu Suiliang realize that Lanzhou was definitely different from other counties. The generals and officials here were quite united, and their backbones were even clearer. Qin Mubai’s prestige and influence here were unmatched. According to a certain unorthodox saying, Lanzhou was already “only recognizing Qin Lang as not knowing the emperor”.

“Oh, this king is chatting with Husband Chu. I forgot for a moment.” What a cunning old man from the Li Dao Sect. He immediately came out and smiled, “Husband Chu, didn’t His Majesty the Emperor send you here to see Qin Mubai? Then you might have to make a trip for nothing!”-If you were faster, you would be able to stop him before he left.

“Blocking?” Chu Suiliang smiled and said, “Chu, why are you blocking Young Marshal Qin?”

“Oh, take a look. This prince has not read much, and some of his words are inappropriate. Husband Chu, please don’t take them to heart.” Dao Sect Li chuckled.

“How dare you, how dare you?” Chu Suiliang’s face showed no signs of displeasure or emotion. He continued to talk and laugh freely, “Actually, it wasn’t a very secret matter for His Majesty to send me here.” He just wanted me to visit the princess and her son-in-law. He said that after the princess left the capital for a long time, Imperial Concubine De believed him. Especially after the princess gave birth to Lin’er, His Majesty and Empress had never seen her before. So … ”

“Does His Majesty want Qin Mubai to bring the princess back to the capital with the little princess?”

“Exactly.” Chu Suiliang nodded, but immediately added, “But His Majesty does not intend to force it at all. It is entirely up to Major Marshal to decide. His Majesty also specifically said that if Major Marshal’s military affairs are busy or there are still other matters to attend to, there is no need to be in a hurry. It is necessary for Major Marshal to have full leisure and go to Chang’an for a visit.”

“Oh, so it’s His Majesty’s family matter! Then we’ll know too much.” Li Daozong chuckled, “Pang Fei, why don’t you invite Husband Chu to pay his respects to His Highness the Princess?”

“Yes! Husband Chu, please!” Pang Fei stepped forward and extended his invitation.

“Then I’ll go pay my respects to Her Highness the Princess first. Everyone, I’ll take my leave first!” Chu Suiliang saluted and retreated, and everyone sent him off.

Li Daozong held a cup of tea and drank it slowly, his eyebrows knitting together. Secretary Xiao Liang walked over and whispered, “Your Highness, do you want to inform Young Marshal Qin about Chu Suiliang’s visit to Lanzhou?”

Li Daozong paused for a moment while holding the cup of tea in his hand. After meditating, he said, “No need.”

Xiao Liang was slightly shocked. “Is there really no need for that?” At least, this kind of thing made Major Marshal have an idea, right? ”

“Since Qin Mu’s white-collar soldiers have gone out to fight, let him be at ease. Originally, there was nothing wrong, let’s not put on an appearance of guilty conscience and make others suspicious.” Li Daozong placed the cup of tea on the table and said, “Qin Mubai is already better than a fox!” He has thought of things that neither you nor I have thought of eight hundred times-would he have gone so quickly if he hadn’t known in his heart? The soldiers will block the water and cover the earth, so we don’t have to worry about it! Didn’t you hear what Chu Suiliang said just now? The emperor only tactfully invited the princess and her son-in-law back to the capital to stay for a few days. It was not an imperial edict. There was plenty of room for manoeuvre here. Moreover, this is a royal family matter, we outsiders cannot interfere with it. Remember, everything Chu Suiliang said in the hall just now must be kept a secret and must not be leaked! ”

“Yes, Xiaoguan, remember.”

Li Daozong stroked his beard and suddenly smiled strangely, “If Qin Mubai were in Lanzhou, he might really be taken back to the capital by Chu Suiliang because of his face. Fortunately, he took a step forward and Chu Suiliang threw himself into the air-Princess Gaoyang, who is helpless even if he is a heavenly prince. I’ll see how Chu Suiliang handles it!”

Pang Fei led Chu Suiliang to the rear residence of the Governor-General’s Mansion to pay his respects to the princess. Pang Jingling first invited Chu Suiliang to the hall to serve tea, and then said that he was going to invite Princess Gaoyang. However, he explained some of the twists and turns to Princess Gaoyang first.

When Princess Gaoyang heard this, she was instantly annoyed and said hatefully, “It’s these officials who only know how to divide the relationship between our father and daughter! Didn’t they say that inviting us back to the capital for a small stay is to think that Mubai’s merits have shaken the lord and want to take him back to cut off his military power?”

“Princess, please calm down.” Pang Fei eagerly whispered, “Whether this is an outsider’s idea or His Majesty’s own is still unknown.” After all, Chu Suiliang only said that he would invite the princess and her son-in-law to return to the capital to stay with their relatives. Furthermore, it was not mandatory. This was the common sense of human relations that was impeccable. “It can be seen from this that even if the idea was his own, His Majesty is very cautious, just worried that it would cause unnecessary misunderstandings.”

Princess Gaoyang’s eyes lit up and she lightly nodded. “That’s also true … Since that’s the case, I can’t be angry or speak clearly. On the contrary, it seems like we have a ghost in our hearts.” However, the more careful my father is, the more nervous I am. According to his old man’s usual style, he acted swiftly and fiercely. But now he is so cautious towards Mubai … Pang Fei, tell me, is your master really Gao Zhen? ”

Pang Fei was stunned for a moment, then he said, “How much … maybe a little! After all … after taking down an entire plateau country, Tibet is much stronger than the Turkic Khaganate back then!”

“Look at your useless appearance!” Princess Gaoyang glared at him angrily, “Lead the way! I’m going to see Chu Suiliang!”

When Chu Suiliang saw Princess Gaoyang, he greeted her head-on, “This lowly official greets Her Highness Princess Qian Shui!”

“Xianggong Chu is exempt.” Princess Gaoyang regained her previous arrogance and dignity in the palace. She sat down leisurely and smiled with Yong Rong. “Husband Chu traveled thousands of miles to Lanzhou, but the son-in-law was unable to leave Guo Yuan to welcome him. Please forgive me.”

Chu Suiliang hurriedly said, “Your Highness, what are you talking about? How dare this lowly official let the prince’s son-in-law go out to welcome you?”

“Are you the Angel Emperor’s messenger? Mubai should go out to welcome you.” Princess Gaoyang continued to smile. “Unfortunately, Mubai had already led troops to the Western Regions a few days ago. There’s a war going on there. It’s going on like crazy. This palace has heard that Su Dingfang won a few matches first, but the battle situation later became somewhat stalemate. He was so angry that Mubai went back to the manor all day and kept on talking for fear of losing the job given to him by His Majesty. “No, he’s worried. He’s leading the troops.”

“The son-in-law is working for you and the country. He is truly a minister of the country.” Chu Suiliang shot at Ying Manor. He knew that the princess in front of him was the number one thorn in the sky, and even the emperor could not take advantage of her. It’s good to provoke anyone, don’t provoke her, or leave anything in her hands.

“Oh, this palace hasn’t asked, why is Husband Chu here?” Princess Gaoyang asked with a smile.

Chu Suiliang took a deep breath and said, “I am under His Majesty’s orders to invite the princess and her son-in-law to stay in the capital for a few days. His Majesty said that the princess has been away from the capital for a long time. Imperial Concubine De missed the princess so much that she would like to see the little princess she has never met before …”

Speaking of Imperial Concubine Yin De, Princess Gaoyang’s heart faintly stirred. Why didn’t she miss her mother who was far away in Chang’an?

“Father Emperor and Mother Imperial Concubine, are you alright?” She asked softly.

“Alright. Your Majesty and Concubine De are both well.” Chu Suiliang replied carefully.

‘”I miss them too” Princess Gaoyang stood up with a long sigh and slowly paced. “But Little Di’er is still too young. I’m worried that she won’t be able to withstand the tiredness of the journey. Plus, she’s in bad health recently. I’m worried that she’s on her way …”

Chu Suiliang’s heart skipped a beat-he didn’t want to return to the capital after hearing the princess’s words!

At this moment, Chu Suiliang’s heart started to ponder quickly. Unfortunately, Qin Mubai had already left first. He didn’t know if he was doing it intentionally or coincidentally. No matter what, I definitely won’t be able to invite Qin Mubai back. Since Qin Mubai can’t return to the capital, I can’t ask Princess Gaoyang and the Little Princess to go back alone-if Qin Mubai finds out, don’t you think I’m pledging them back to the capital as humans? If he becomes angry with the Emperor and the Imperial Court because of this matter, then wouldn’t I, Chu Suiliang, be a great sinner? … Furthermore, the emperor’s order was ambiguous. He did not force Qin Mubai and Princess Gaoyang to return-the emperor is unwilling to offend these two people. Why should I, Chu Suiliang, do something stupid in the middle? If there is a conflict between the emperor and his son-in-law at that time, I, Chu Suiliang, will not be a person on both sides!

This royal family’s affairs were difficult to reconcile!

Thinking of this, Chu Suiliang already had an idea. He worriedly said to Princess Gaoyang, “Your Highness’s worries are reasonable! I think Your Highness Princess is only one year old. She has traveled thousands of miles from Lanzhou to Chang’an. Even adults will find this journey hard to endure, let alone the fact that the young princess is still ill.”

“Yes! Ah …!” Princess Gaoyang shook her head and sighed, “After leaving the capital for a long time, I missed Chang’an very much. I missed my father, Emperor, and mother. I hope that I can have fun with Little Di’er in front of my parents’ knees.” Originally, this palace urged his son-in-law more than once to accompany us back to Chang’an after the Battle of Tibet. Originally, he also agreed. Who knew that something would happen in the Western Regions again? Xianggong Chu, you don’t know that the emperor’s son-in-law has always put national affairs first. He would never miss a big event because of his children’s love for each other. Therefore, this palace is helpless. “We can only wait for the return of the prince-in-law’s expedition, and then bring Xiao Di’er back to the capital with him to plead guilty to Father Emperor and Mother Imperial Concubine!”

“For the time being, I have no choice but to do so.” Chu Suiliang sighed softly and said, “Loyalty and filial piety are difficult to accomplish. Emperor Qin’s son-in-law is indeed not easy!”-Ask Your Highness the princess, and I will return the original words the princess said to Your Majesty. Can you? ”

“Sure.” Princess Gaoyang smiled and nodded. “By the way, I’ll have to trouble you to bring me the portraits of me and Little Di’er when you go back. Tell me, Little Di’er is very obedient, much more obedient than I was when I was a child.”

“Yes, I will definitely bring it.”

Thus, Chu Suiliang did not say anything further. This trip was in vain.