Love Affairs in Chang'an - Chapter 53

Chapter 53 King Wei’s Invitation
After hearing Qin Mubai’s words, Qin Tong and Qin Bin looked at each other in astonishment. Qin Shubao stroked his beard and smiled.

“Did both of you hear that? Sanlang has a lot of insight.” Qin Shubao nodded and praised, “Father has also considered these questions. There is also a reason why I have revealed my feelings to you today.” Admittedly, even if Father wanted to come back now, it wouldn’t be so easy. He thought that because of his father’s influence in the army and his past achievements, the Emperor would not be able to give me a small official position, at least a rank three general or a commander in chief of the impeachment party. However, this would inevitably conflict with the military power of Li Ji and the others, affecting the old military structure and balance. Therefore, unless there is a sudden rise in war, the Tang army will be organized temporarily. Only then will it be possible for the father to volunteer to join the army. ”

“Father is right.” ‘”However, whenever there is a war, the Tang army will gather and form up. There will be many marching army commanders (equivalent to Field Army frontline commanders). That is the best time for father to return.”

“Sanlang’s words coincide with my father’s.” Qin Shubao nodded and smiled. “You three brothers are all working in the palace, so you must be well informed. From today onwards, you all pay close attention to the military situation and report to me at any time.”

“Yes, father!” The three brothers hugged each other and agreed.

“Especially Sanlang.” Qin Shubao said, “When you work by the Emperor’s side every day, the news you hear is the fastest and most accurate. As long as you don’t divulge the secrets of the Imperial Court, you won’t be punished by the Emperor. However, if you have any news, you must inform me as soon as possible. Don’t disappoint your father!”

“Yes, father.” Qin Mubai cupped his hands and agreed, thinking to himself, “Father is undoubtedly the most trustworthy person I can trust right now.”

After the family banquet, Qin Shubao, who was in high spirits and in a good mood, even let Qin Mubai play the pipa to entertain his family. He said that he hadn’t expected Sanlang’s disciples to be famous all over the capital now-the name of the blind demonic woman, and he had even heard of her hiding at home as his father. She’s a nice girl. Also, why did that Wu Meiniang go into business? She is at least the daughter-in-law of my Qin Family, so why did she really go public and become a businessman?

Qin Mubai did not say anything else. After the two brothers left, he explained the situation to Qin Shubao.

After Qin Shubao heard this, he shook his head and said, “It’s all the Heavenly Duke playing tricks on people.”

Qin Mubai carefully chewed on the meaning behind his father’s words and felt that he was not that satisfied with Wu Meiniang, his daughter-in-law. Not surprisingly, in the eyes of the Tang people, merchants were always lowly and had no status. In modern society, for example, the children of an official family had to marry an uneducated native girl from a remote village. Although the slogan of freedom of love is loud, some people think highly of the door to door. Not to mention the importance of family background in the Great Tang Dynasty.

“In the future, things will change. It’s better for her to stop doing business. Although my Qin Family is not rich and noble, they are not short of money. They can support her.” Qin Shubao said.

“Yes, Mother Mei hasn’t arrived at the door yet. When that time comes, I will make a decision on this matter. Father, don’t worry.” Qin Mubai could only reply in this way and use a slow-moving tactic first. Over a thousand years of generation gap, many ideas were deeply rooted in Qin Shubao’s heart. Although he was a relatively open-minded father, it was unrealistic for him to suddenly change the ideas he had formed over the past few decades.

“Alright, let’s not talk anymore.” Qin Shubao smiled and patted Qin Mubai’s shoulder. “Sanlang, you’re busy now, so it’s rare for you to go home. Rest well at home and spend more time with your mother and little sister. They’ve been wanting to kill you for the past three months.”

“I know.” Qin Mubai smiled and said, “It’s been three months since I’ve exchanged martial arts and spear techniques with my father. I miss him very much. I heard from the two brothers that my father has been studying the Taiji Qin Spear all day. He must have made great progress. I was just about to ask for guidance from a thief!”

“Haha! Then what are you waiting for! Take advantage of the rise of wine, let’s go and have a few matches immediately!” Qin Shubao instantly regained his spirits, his eyes shining brightly as he said, “Don’t say it yet. The more you delve into this Taichi Fist, the more you feel that it is vast and profound. The boat has risen high and the Taichi Qin Spear has been constantly perfected by me. It is much more powerful than it was three months ago-Sanlang, hurry up and teach you right now!”

Qin Mubai was embarrassed. I said it casually, but you took it seriously! … Well, just when I got home, I had to get beaten up!

The father and son arrived at the backyard polo court and went into a shootout at Marby as usual. Qin Shubao wasn’t someone who liked to brag. It had been three months since he last saw him. His spear skills had obviously improved greatly, reaching the unfathomable state of being a god and ghost. Originally, Qin Mubai’s martial arts skills were already pretty good. After three months of training, he had also improved greatly. However, in a few rounds of battles with his father, he was easily defeated, and he was utterly defeated.

“A mountain is still a mountain high! I don’t know how many years of hard work it will take for me to reach my father’s realm!” Qin Mubai thought to himself with a bitter smile.

“Sanlang, this spear technique isn’t something you can learn just by practicing.” Qin Shubao said, “The most powerful spear technique in the world is the spear technique for killing people. Your spear technique is truly great only when you have gone through countless rounds of battles, experienced the bloodbath of life and death, and countless people died in battle and you still survived!”

“Uh … I know father.” Qin Mubai could only shake his head and sigh. He thought to himself, “It seems that the so-called’general ‘that I grew up in a peaceful era can’t catch up with my father who has been fighting on the battlefield for half a lifetime no matter how hard I practice martial arts!” What martial skill could be more powerful than the one he had honed in actual combat if he practiced his True Knowledge?

After practicing martial arts, Qin Mubai returned to his room. His mother and sister were already waiting for him here. As the three of them chatted until late at night, Qin Mubai finally had the safest night’s sleep in the past few months.

The next morning, Qin Mubai, who had been sleeping lazily, pushed open the window of the room. She saw her little sister Shuang’er sitting alone on a small stone stool in the courtyard, holding a pot of fiery red flowers in her hand. She was staring blankly.

“Shuang’er.”

“Third Brother, are you awake?” Shuang’er came back to her senses and smiled at Qin Mubai and knocked on the door. “Let me in!”

Qin Mubai opened the door and let her in. Immediately, she was attracted by the flower in her arms, “Shuang’er, why did you raise such a pot of flowers?”

“Do you recognize Third Brother?” Shuang’er made a silent gesture and hurriedly closed the door. She carried the flower into the room and put it down. She chuckled and said, “Dragon Claw Flower, beautiful!”

Qin Mubai looked at the dazzling red flower and nodded. “Not only do I recognize it, I also know many legends about this flower. I also know that this flower is an ominous symbol now.”

“That’s right. That’s why I secretly raised it. I was afraid that my parents would scold me if they found out. Hehe!” Shuang’er wiped her nose and smiled proudly, “But I know that Third Brother has always been the most tolerant and loving of me. He definitely won’t scold me, right?”

“Little girl, your bragging skills are pretty good.” Qin Mubai smiled and said, “I just want to remind you that the stem of this flower is poisonous. Be careful of the poison.”

“It doesn’t matter.” Shuang’er sat down and leisurely said, “It’s just that whenever I saw this flower, I would think of someone. At that time, we used to look for flowers that bloomed like sparks in the darkness of the mountains outside Chang’an City. Now, we can’t do it anymore.”

Obviously, Shuang’er was thinking about Li Ke again. Qin Mubai smiled and sat down beside him. “Shuang’er, let me tell you a story. Do you know what other name this flower has than the Dragon Claw Flower?”

“I know, there are many names.” Shuang’er said, “There are cockroach flowers, crow garlic, earth flower, Netherworld flower, mountain crow flower, flower of life and death … In short, they are all ominous names, hmph! I really can’t understand why such a beautiful flower is given such an ominous name? Could it be because he often blooms in places like cemeteries? People really treat it unfairly!”

Qin Mubai nodded and smiled, “It also has a name, Manzhu Shahua. Have you heard of it?”

“Eh, this name is so strange. I really haven’t heard of it before.”

“There’s a story.” Qin Mubai smiled and said, “Legend has it that it is a flower of magic that grows in the Three Rivers of Hell. Its peculiar fragrance can awaken people’s memories of their previous lives. It is blooming like blood.” Then they stepped on the guidance of the flower and headed to hell. Its color was like blood, so beautiful that it was suffocating and stunning. It was either because its bright red color reminded people of blood and death, or because its bulbs contained poison. The beauty of Manzhushahua was the ominous beauty of demons, calamity, death and separation. That’s why people gave him so many ominous names. ”

“Third Brother, I know you’re talking about a fairy tale, but … is beauty wrong?” Shuang’er frowned and asked angrily.

“Good question. Of course Mei is not wrong.” Qin Mubai gently stroked her sister’s head and said softly, “Just like the relationship between you and Li Ke, it’s very pure and simple. However, this relationship is not blessed. A lover can also be married. That’s why you feel that the fate of this flower is very similar to yours. That’s why you like this flower, right?”

“Third Brother … You’re so smart!” Shuang’er lowered her head and nodded slightly, “Why are there always so many unsatisfactory things in this world?”

“Third Brother, let me tell you another story. It’s also about this Man Zhu Shahua.” Qin Mubai said, “Legend has it that a long, long time ago, there was a place that was filled with large patches of Manzhu Shahua.” There were two demons guarding this place. One was the flower demon named Man Zhu, and the other was Ye Yao called Shahua. They had waited for the Manzhushahua for thousands of years, but they had never met before, because Manzhushahua had no leaves when it bloomed, and no flowers when it had leaves. Flowers and leaves had never appeared at the same time. They madly missed each other and were tortured by the pain. Finally, one day, they decided to meet secretly against God’s will. That time, Manzhu Shahua’s red flowers were set off by an eye-catching green color, and they blossomed exceptionally seductively beautiful.

“I wish we were those two brave Flower Demons and Ye Yao, even if it was just an instant …” Shuang’er’s eyes were already hazy as she choked gently.

“Later, God blamed him. Manzhu and Shahua were beaten into Samsara and cursed that they could never be together. They suffered in the mortal world for generations to come. From then on, Manzhu Shahua was also called the Paramita Flower, which meant the flower that bloomed in the Heavenly Kingdom. The shape of the flower was like a palm praying to the heavens. “This flower blooms on the Yellow Springs Road. Every time Manzhu and Shahua smell the fragrance of Manzhu Shahua on the Yellow Springs Road, they can think of themselves in their previous lives. Then, they swear that they will not part and fall into the reincarnation of the curse again and again without any regrets.”

“What a great and staunch fairy, such a tragic and tragic story … Why are fairies more persistent and brave than humans?” Shuang’er wiped her eyelids and murmured, “Also, why does God have to tear them apart and let them be together? What would hinder him?”

Qin Mubai gently patted her on the back and comforted her. “Shuang’er, the truth is often this cruel and helpless. God has God’s thoughts, and there are rules in this world. Whether it’s goblins or us, they are very small and helpless in front of God and the rules.”

Shuang’er bit her lips, letting her tears flow down, wet her face, and flowed down from her jaw.

“Although I am powerless to resist, I would rather learn from that demon spirit and fall into the reincarnation of the curse!” Shuang’er suddenly said, “It’s just a pity … even if I am Manzhu, he is not Shahua.”

After saying that, Shuang’er hugged the flower pot tightly and cried.

“Silly girl, don’t be so sad and pessimistic. You forget, you still have Third Brother! Third Brother will definitely find a way to help you.”

“Thank you Third Brother … Wuwu!” Shuang’er still couldn’t stop crying.

Just as Qin Mubai was trying his best to console her crying little sister, the door was knocked on and a gentle voice sounded, “Third Brother, why did you bully her so early in the morning that she cried? … Eh, Dragon Claw Flower, why is this ominous flower planted at home?”

Shuang’er was so shocked that she hurriedly jumped up and ran out with the flower pot in her arms. As she ran, she said, “Second brother, don’t betray me. Otherwise, I won’t pay you any attention in the future and won’t make you snacks!”

The person who came was second brother Qin Bin. Seeing Little Sister’s situation, Qin Bin shook his head and smiled, “This girl has also learned to threaten people … Oh, did Third Brother sleep well yesterday?”

“Very good.” Qin Mubai hurriedly welcomed his second brother into his room and sat down. He poured some tea and said, “Second brother came so early today. Don’t you need to work in Hongwen Library?”

“There are very few things in Hongwen Library. Foolish brother has always been very idle.” Qin Bin sat down and gently tasted the tea. He said slowly, “Third Brother, Fool Brother came to find you on purpose.”

“Does Second Brother have any advice?” Qin Mubai asked.

“No. I was asked to send you an invitation. Third Brother, please take a look.” After saying that, Qin Bin took out an exquisite invitation card with green grass and handed it over.

The invitations in this color were specially designed for calling friends for fun.

Qin Mubai unfolded his gaze and couldn’t help but frown slightly, “King Wei invited me to join you for a banquet at his mansion?”

“Exactly.” Qin Bin smiled meaningfully and nodded.