Love Affairs in Chang'an - Chapter 56

Chapter 56 Li Tai’s Heart
The party is over. The officials and scholars left one after another. Many of them took the initiative to greet Qin Mubai, or cupped their hands to greet him or greeted him politely.

Qin Bin smiled and said, “Third Brother, you must be famous in Chang’an.”

“As for it?” Qin Mubai asked.

“Of course.” Qin Bin said, “Chang’an is originally a romantic place for poems and essays. There are the most outstanding scholars and writers in the world gathered here.” On the other hand, the Wei Palace was the essence of a large number of literati and ink practitioners. Obtaining their recognition and approval was equivalent to obtaining the approval of the entire Chang’an, and even the entire Tang Dynasty. I’m sure your song “Will Go to Wine” will go viral. From today onwards, you can be considered a genius. ”

“Haha!” Qin Mubai laughed loudly. He really wanted to tell his second brother that he had plagiarized this poem. After thinking for a moment, he decided to forget about it. If someone broke the casserole and asked, how could he justify himself? There was only one person like Li Bai in history. A wonderful psalm like “Will Drink” was not something that any cat or dog could make up.

The two brothers chatted and left, and they had already left the Wei Palace. Just as they were about to board the car, an official-looking man hurriedly walked over and stopped the car. He cupped his hands and said, “May I ask who is Young Master Qin Mubai?”

“I am. What do you call me?” Qin Mubai got out of the car and returned the greeting.

The man cupped his hands and bowed, “Young Master Qin, please forgive me. This is Jiang Yaqing who joined the Wei Palace Registry. I was the one who recorded the poems when the winding water flowed.”

“Oh, what do you think of Jiang Shengjun?”

“I don’t dare.” Jiang Yaqing said, “I admire Young Master Qin’s poems. I am also ordered by King Wei to inscribe Young Master Qin’s poem ‘Wine’ into a tablet. Therefore, I have some small matters to ask you for advice. Please rest for a moment.”

“Oh … Alright then.” Qin Mubai agreed and let Qin Bin take the car back to the manor first. He followed Jiang Yaqing into the manor.

The two of them returned to the Wei Palace. The officials and scholars in the palace had already left, making it seem quiet. Qin Mubai thought to himself, “Why did you keep me here for the meeting with a small registry? I guess it’s most likely King Wei, Li Tai, who wants me to come back and talk to him.” There are so many people out there, that’s why you came up with an excuse.

Walking to a quiet pavilion in the backyard, Jiang Yaqing stopped and bowed, “Young Master Qin, please go upstairs.”

“Alright.” Qin Mubai smiled comprehensively, “That’s right.” It must be Li Tai looking for me.

“Brother Mubai, you’re here. You’re rude. Little Wang is afraid that people will make things difficult for Brother Mubai, so he decided to ask Jiang Yaqing to invite you over.” Li Tai’s iconic laugh echoed out as he walked up to the exquisite little building and pushed open the door upstairs.

“Your Highness has a good reason to think.” Qin Mubai returned the greeting with a smile and walked into the room. Li Tai thought about all sorts of thoughts, thought carefully, thought everything through, and treated everyone with a friendly smile. But why does it make me feel that he is … a little sinister? In contrast, I think Li Ke is more honest and open-minded, and his temperament is more similar to mine.

“Brother Mubai, please sit down.” After Li Tai invited him to sit down, he personally poured tea for him and said with a smile, “Brother Mubai’s song ‘Wine Will Come’ will definitely sweep the Great Tang for generations. Xiao Wang admires your talent to the ground.”

“And dare, and dare.” Qin Mubai smiled and said, “It’s just a casual flattery. Your Highness, don’t make fun of me.”

“Haha, flattery can reach such a realm. I believe Mubai’s talent is already comparable to others.” Li Tai seemed to understand the principle of “wearing all kinds of clothes without worn flattery” and praised Qin Mubai with his fluent mouth.

Qin Mubai, on the other hand, was rarely happy. Firstly, this poem was originally snatched, and the more he praised it, the more guilty he felt. Secondly, if he had nothing else to offer, he would either rape or steal. His friendship with Li Tai was originally very ordinary. Wasn’t it because he was a “Baiji” that she took the initiative to get close to him?

“Brother Mubai is so talented. It would be a great pity if he didn’t write more poems and essays! Our generation boasts unparalleled talent in writing, and together, it’s not as talented as Brother Mubai’s sudden burst of talent.” Li Tai said, “Therefore, Little Wang has a reluctant request. What does Brother Mubai think?”

“Your Highness, why don’t you tell me?” Qin Mubai said.

“Little Wang wants … to ask Brother Mubai to kneel down and enter Little Wang’s’ Literature Museum ‘to worship him. How about it?” After Li Tai finished speaking, he looked at Qin Mubai with a naive smile and anticipation.

“This … I’m afraid it’s inappropriate, right?” Qin Mubai said, “Your Highness also knows that I am now a Baiji … How could I suddenly change the courtyard? Your Majesty the Emperor will definitely be unhappy.”

“No, no, no. Brother Mubai is mistaken.” Li Tai hurriedly said, “Xiao Wang’s Literature Museum is not a yamen organization. There are no official posts or salaries. It is just a group of officials and scholars gathering spontaneously to compile books, cultivate biographies, and write poems and essays. Normally, everyone has their own duties. When they have free time, they will only gather for a small exchange of poems and essays like today.”

Qin Mubai was embarrassed. Those scholars are gathered in your literature hall. There is no statutory salary or official position, but in fact, they are all your guests. Most of them have no formal occupation and you are the one who pays for them. If I agree to it, won’t I be one of your subordinates in the future? What a good Li Tai, are you trying to pull me into this mess by pretending to be an’established fact ‘?

“Your Highness, please forgive me. I have very unavoidable difficulties. I’m afraid I can’t agree to your Highness for the time being.” Qin Mubai cupped his hands and apologized.

“Actually, Brother Mubai doesn’t have to worry too much. There are many officials gathered in Little Wang’s literature hall! For example, Minister Shi, Minister Youcheng Liu Ji, Minister Wei Ting, Minister of Industry Du Chuke, and so on.” Li Tai didn’t give up and hurriedly said, “I wonder if Brother Mubai has any other concerns. Why don’t you tell me?”

Qin Mubai smiled bitterly and hesitated, “Your Highness doesn’t know anything. My father …”

“Oh, what does Your Excellency the Duke of Winged Kingdom have to admonish you?” Li Tai asked.

Qin Mubai shook his head with a very embarrassed expression. “My father was born in the military. He was the one who disliked my dancing, poetry, music, and other elegant things the most. He said that I was a disciple of the General Sect, but I didn’t do my job properly. He kept scolding me.” Actually, I don’t want to be a general. I just want three to five poets to gather in the mountain springs and forest streams and chant the wind and the moon freely. Helplessly, under the pressure of his father, he had no choice but to run for Baiji. Cough … Now, not only do I not dare to dance, but I also do not dare to play the pipa, nor do I dare to read poetry books. “I can only hold onto my military strategy every day and dance with the sweaty military academy martial artists.”

“Oh? Haha, I see.” Li Tai nodded thoughtfully. “Understand, understand.” It was only natural for your father, Qin Gong, to wish for his son to inherit his father’s business. Little Wang has also heard for a long time that although your second brother Qin Bin is a civil servant, he has also practiced a good martial skill. It is not difficult for him to be a general if he wants to go on the battlefield. “From this, the Qin Clan is indeed a strict clan in the Martial Age!”

Qin Mubai smiled bitterly, “Thank you, Your Highness, for your understanding.” It has been many years since I was thrown into the army by my father. Second brother is the direct son, I am the concubine son … I have no status in the family. My father said one, and I dare to say two? Moreover, my father’s health is not good, so I really don’t dare to disobey him and make him angry. Therefore, I can only temporarily accept King Wei’s kind intentions. If my father found out that I had joined His Highness’ Literature Museum and spent all day with poetry, he would definitely be so furious that he would vomit blood. So … ”

“Alright, gentlemen don’t force others into trouble.” Li Tai chuckled and said, “Since Brother Mubai has such a hidden intention, Little Wang won’t force it. However, if Brother Mubai has time, he will invite you to sit down at the Little Prince’s Mansion and drink wine with him. This is a wonderful thing in life!”

“Your Highness is gracious, but this one is disrespectful.” Qin Mubai cupped his hands and said, “It’s just that I work in the palace every day and have little leisure. If there is any neglect, please forgive me, Your Highness.”

“Haha, Brother Mubai is in the palace. Xiao Wang is also in the palace every day. It will be easy to meet and chat in the future.” Li Tai smiled and said, “Besides, Brother Mubai often stays in the palace and rarely goes out. If you have anything to take care of outside the palace but you don’t have time to avatar, you can tell Little Wang. Although Little Wang isn’t talented, there are many friends in Chang’an. I believe there is something that can help Brother Mubai.”

“Your Highness, your kindness, I can only be extremely grateful.” Qin Mubai thanked him and thought, Li Tai is hinting at Wu Meiniang, right? According to his analysis-he can take care of me “meticulously”, love my house and love my crow so much that no one in the world is able to surge with wealth, and he can also destroy the number one wine in the world in an instant … In other words, if I, someone Qin, want to be safe and precious, I will have to obediently listen to you in the future?

This damn fatty can’t be roped in with the excuse of the Literature Museum, and now he wants to use Wu Meiniang to threaten and control me! Sure enough, it was sinister!

This move might work against other people. I, someone from the Qin Empire … have always hated such a method the most!

After chatting for a while, Li Tai didn’t stay any longer. Qin Mubai said goodbye and went home.

Back in the courtyard, he saw Qin Shubao sitting in the main hall from afar, so he went forward to pay his respects.

“Why did Li Tai keep you?” Qin Shubao said straightforwardly.

Qin Mubai did not conceal anything and told the truth.

“That’s good.” Qin Shubao stroked his grey beard and did not say anything else. He narrowed his eyes and said, “Li Tai, you seem to be loyal, but in fact, you are sinister. As the current Crown Prince, his royal younger brother does not keep his official status and coveted the Eastern Palace. Everyone knows that he is scheming everywhere-if he does this, there will be a disaster sooner or later.”

“This is what I think too.” Qin Mubai heaved a sigh of relief and said, “King Wei must be a troublemaker. In the future, regardless of whether he succeeds or fails, it will be difficult to get out of trouble with him. It is better to keep a distance from him.”

“Sanlang remembers these words: Don’t offend, don’t curry favor.” In a word, Qin Shubao said, “That’s all.”