Love Affairs in Chang'an - Chapter 9
Chapter 9 Come Personally by the Imperial Carriage
“Why are you still stunned? Go!” Li Ke gave a dry cough and pretended to be serious as if he said awkwardly.
‘”Alright” Qin Mubai answered and entered the western courtyard before knocking on the door of the little sister’s room. Qin Shuang’er was indeed at home. She opened the door and said, “Is there anything wrong, Third Brother?”
“Come in and talk.”
“Why are you so mysterious?” Qin Shuang’er sat beside Qin Mubai in confusion and asked.
Qin Mubai rolled his eyes and smiled with a strange and ambiguous expression, “King Wu is here.”
“What? He’s here?” Qin Shuang’er opened her beautiful eyes in surprise, and her face turned slightly red. She smiled timidly and muttered to herself, “Didn’t he go to Anzhou to be the governor? When did he come back?”
“You should ask him such a question in person. I’m not interested in being your microphone.” Qin Mubai smiled.
Qin Shuang’er’s face turned even redder. She tugged at Qin Mubai’s sleeve and said timidly, “What kind of sound transmitter is that? Really …” Third brother, did father know that he came to our mansion? ”
“Of course I know. King Wu came to visit his father and gave him two boxes of gifts from Anzhou.”
“How about this” Qin Shuang’er blinked her big eyes and shook her head hesitantly. “Then tell King Wu that I’m not at home.”
“Huh?” Qin Mubai frowned suspiciously. He knew a little about the minds of such a young man and woman between them.
If the estimate is correct, Li Ke and his fourth sister have some friendship, but his father Qin Shubao doesn’t approve of it.
“Hurry up and go!” Qin Shuang’er pulled Qin Mubai out and said coquettishly with a happy and shy expression, “Tell him … if it’s convenient, we’ll meet again in two days.”
“Indeed.” Qin Mubai shook her head and smiled. She patted her little sister on the head and said, “I see, silly girl.”
After leaving the room and arriving outside the courtyard, Li Ke asked anxiously, “Where is Sister Shuang’er?”
“She said that she is not at home.” Qin Mubai said with a smile.
“Uh” Li Ke was stunned, and then smiled bitterly, “Alright, alright, I know. Then let’s go and compare notes on archery!”
“I’m happy to accompany you.”
With a bow and arrow on their backs, the two of them arrived at the backyard shooting range. Before he could draw the bow, Li Ke suddenly let out a long sigh, and a gloomy expression appeared on his face.
“What’s wrong, Your Highness?” Qin Mubai asked.
“Nothing.” The corner of Li Ke’s mouth curled slightly and he shook his head with a worried expression.
“Just because of Fourth Sister?” Qin Mubai asked with a smile.
“Of course not. Is that all I can do?” Li Ke glared at Qin Mubai angrily. He sighed and laughed self-deprecatingly, “Tell me, what else in the world can make me, Li Ke, so worried?”
Qin Mubai’s heart lit up. Li Ke, a prince with a noble bloodline, what else could make him so depressed apart from the matters of the royal family? However, it was a matter of the royal family, so it was better for him not to participate in it so easily.
“Your Highness, you don’t have to think too much. You should concentrate on competing with the arrows!” Qin Mubai deliberately changed the topic.
“Hey, this isn’t like you from before!” Li Ke turned his handsome face suspiciously. He looked sideways at Qin Mubai and said, “I’ve been in the door for so long, why haven’t you asked me a single question-why did I come back from An Zhou?”
“Haha, isn’t it too late to ask?” Qin Mubai smiled casually. In the Zhenguan Dynasty, every adult prince had to go to another city to be an official, and could not return to the capital unless under special circumstances or summoned by the Imperial Court–so, why did Li Ke suddenly return to the capital now?
“I was impeached by the imperial concubine and banished back.” Li Ke heaved a long sigh of relief, and his thick eyebrows furrowed as he said gloomily, “I just got scolded by Father Emperor and went back to the manor. I was depressed, and I just thought of coming to your manor to chat and relax. Chang’an is so big, maybe only the Qin Manor is a peaceful place and won’t provoke any dust.”
Qin Mubai nodded. She thought to herself that her father had been ill in bed for the past few years. Although he still held the position of Left Martial Guard Great General, he had basically ignored any government and military affairs and escaped from the conflict between the government and the public.
Li Ke said helplessly, “A quiet place doesn’t provoke dust.”
“Then why was His Highness demoted?” Qin Mubai asked.
With a “shua” sound, Li Ke pulled the bow and shot out an arrow. A “dou” sound shook the red heart. The arrow pierced through the target, and the end of the arrow continued to tremble and buzz.
“Hu …” Perhaps he vented some resentment, Li Ke heaved a sigh of relief and said, “The Imperial Imperial Historian’s impeachment is that Tian Lie excessively rode on horses and trampled on fields, and he enjoys gambling profusely.”
“Because of this?” Qin Mubai couldn’t help but be dumbfounded.
‘”Then what else do you think you can do? Kill and set fire to rebel against the country? Just this alone, you have already left my position as the commander-in-chief and cut down three hundred households in the food city. That’s enough. Father Emperor has called me back to the palace and scolded me. It’s simply too uncomfortable to be drenched in dog blood.” Li Ke’s expression became even uglier.
“Such a heavy punishment?” Qin Mubai couldn’t help but shake his head.
It seemed that the laws of the Great Tang were really strict, and Li Shimin’s requirements for his children were also very strict-the prince had broken the law and was guilty of the same crime as the commoners.
Li Ke, the dignified prince and son of the emperor, probably had a problem with being too luxurious and overly fond of gambling. After that, he went out hunting and trampled on the farmland, and was punished so severely. What would happen if he killed a few people in a 70 yard drive?
Also, why didn’t the officials of the Zhenguan Dynasty know how to “behave”?
According to “logic”, it was over for the prince to commit such a trivial matter and help conceal it. Who would take the risk of offending the prince to report it, let alone someone who would take the initiative to report and expose it or even impeach him?
“Looks like the official atmosphere in the Great Tang Dynasty is indeed somewhat different” Qin Mubai thought.
Imperial family affairs were often the core of the political torrent. Qin Mubai did not want to ask too much, so he changed the topic and persuaded Li Ke for a while. At least, he let go of these unpleasant things temporarily and fired an arrow.
“Very strong, Mubai.” Li Ke exclaimed in admiration, “You really should be looking at each other differently for three days. I didn’t expect your archery skills to improve to such an extent. Tsk tsk, did the Yi Kingdom give you a lot of public and private advice?”
“Of course.” Qin Mubai, who had casually fired a few arrows, smiled and said, “With my dull aptitude, how could I have cultivated to such an extent if my father hadn’t forced me to practice every day with a whip? However, it seems that His Highness’s archery skills are still superior on both sides.”
“Haha, you’ve really changed. Didn’t you fight for the limelight in the past? Now you’ve learned to be low-key, cautious, and flatter.” Li Ke laughed loudly, “But, this flattery is good, I like it.”
“Haha!” Qin Mubai also laughed loudly.
This Li Ke didn’t have the arrogance and arrogance of a royal family disciple. Instead, he was a little approachable like a brother from a neighboring family. After getting along with him, he gave off a pretty good feeling.
“Hey, do you have time to bring Shuang’er to my mansion some other time?” Li Ke laughed softly, “Although I was banished back to the capital, I didn’t forget to bring back some good specialty tea. Shuang’er has always liked tea and snacks, so she will definitely be happy.”
“Why don’t you ask me what I like best? It’s useless. I don’t do anything.” Qin Mubai smiled.
“You” Li Ke smiled mockingly. “Arrange for two beautiful girls to take a shower for you, and pull a thin gauze in the middle. Enjoy the spring in the hazy place. Life is a great enjoyment! How about it?”
Qin Mubai smiled bitterly and shook his head speechlessly. It seemed that the glorious deeds that he couldn’t remember clearly had already entered the hearts of the people.
The two of them were chatting happily when a servant hurriedly ran over and bowed, “Your Highness, please forgive this lowly person for being rude … Third Young Master, I told you to quickly go to the former manor and get dressed to welcome him.”
“Welcome?” Qin Mubai and Li Ke both cried out in surprise.
“Yes!” The servant quickly said, “His Majesty the Emperor has personally arrived at the manor and wants to see the Third Young Master by name!”
“What? Is the Emperor really here?” Qin Mubai and Li Ke were shocked and looked at each other.
“Your Highness, would you like to leave?” Qin Mubai said.
“Why should I hide and be ashamed to see others when I come to visit my master openly?” Li Ke frowned slightly and waved his hand, “Let’s go, I’ll go with you to welcome you.”
The two of them put down their bows and arrows, tidied up their clothes, and came to the front hall.
At the entrance of the front yard, there were already two rows of imperial guards standing in an open stance, their might shocking. In the main hall of the front hall, there were actually two people sitting opposite each other. One of them was naturally Qin Shubao.
Another person, Qin Mubai, did not recognize him very well. His facial features were somewhat similar to Li Ke’s. He wore a golden-white brocade robe with black veil and jade belt, boots, and cloud embroidered robes. Although he was a common official, his movements revealed a sense of honor and infinite dignity.
In contrast, Qin Shubao, the normally calm and mighty head of the clan, was restraining his breathing and behaving in a somewhat restrained manner. Even his sitting posture was no longer the same as the horse golden saber he used to be.
“Looking at this posture, this stranger must be Emperor Li Shimin of the Great Tang of Zhenguan, right? I’ve heard that Li Shimin treats his subjects like family and is different from the emperors of past dynasties. Now that he is sitting on equal footing with my father, it seems that he is indeed a man of virtue and courtesy.” As Qin Mubai thought to himself, Li Ke walked over and shook his robe, “I pay respects to Father Emperor. Long live my son! Long live my son!”
Qin Mubai also went over to greet Li Ke when he was done.
Li Shimin gave the two of them no courtesy. He looked at Li Ke expressionlessly but with some dignity, and said, “Ke’er, why did you come to the Qin Manor to disturb you when you weren’t in the manor to reflect on yourself?”
Li Ke cupped his hands to the side and looked at his nose and heart. He bowed respectfully and replied, “Father, please report to me. I know that my sins are deep and that I am always sorrowful. I came to visit Duke Yi today to receive some advice from my master and disciple. Duke Yi and I, although they don’t have the name of master and disciple, have a true master and disciple. I taught you archery in the early years, so …”
“Oh, respecting your teacher is not your fault. There are indeed many places for you to learn from the noble public morality of the Winged Kingdom.” Li Shimin waved his hand and said, “Since you’re here, let’s be guests together. This wine from the Qin Manor is not that easy to drink.”
“Haha, His Majesty is the ruler of the world. How can he say that he is a guest? Could it be that he is making fun of this lowly official for being stingy and stingy?” Qin Shubao chuckled and said, “Your Majesty has come at a bad time. Recently, this lowly official has obtained a jar of medicinal wine that can cure the wind and cold legs. It has an unprecedented fragrance. Today, if you dare, you can offer it to Your Majesty for a drink.”
“Haha, with Uncle Treasure’s experience, a good wine that can be praised like this is definitely not bad. Then we, father and son, will have a good time today.” Li Shimin said with a relaxed smile, “After decades of war, no one has been able to survive without a bit of cold and dampness. Today, I’m going to take a big advantage of it.”
‘”Your Majesty, what are you talking about? This lowly official must bring the ugliness to the forefront. Your Majesty is used to drinking the rosy wine of the Royal Court. Do not let the bitter wine in this lowly official’s mansion spoil your appetite.” Qin Shubao smiled and said, “Liang’er, why don’t you go get some wine?”
“Yes.” Qin Mubai cupped his hands and went out to get some wine. He couldn’t help but laugh in his heart, “Father is really interesting. He wants to show off the medicinal wine I brewed in front of the Emperor.”
After Qin Mubai left, Li Shimin stroked the black beard beneath his chin and laughed, “Tiger father has no rabies. Uncle Bao, this saburo of yours is a rare talent!”
“What did His Majesty say?” Qin Shubao couldn’t help but be a little surprised, “Rabbit Liang’er, since childhood, her temperament has been naughty and uncivilized. Only lazy playboys are criticized. This lowly official has always been ashamed and hates steel.”
“Haha, this is your fault as a father. You actually don’t know your son so well.” Li Shimin smiled heartily and said, “To tell you the truth, I came to your mansion today with two intentions. First, of course, I came to visit your illness to catch up. Second, I came specifically for your Sanlang!”
“What?” Qin Shubao couldn’t help but be slightly moved. He said seriously, “Your Majesty, what mistake did this unfilial son commit outside? If you don’t trouble Your Majesty to speak, this lowly official will instantly put him to death under your palm!”
“Uncle Bao, what are you doing?” Li Shimin’s expression did not change as he continued to laugh. He even reached out and patted Qin Shubao’s shoulder, “Relax, my Second Brother Qin.” We have lived and died together in our blood for decades. The upper hall is a monarch and the lower hall is a brother. Is your son not my nephew? Don’t worry, I am definitely not here to offend you. There is no need for you to destroy your family righteously. On the contrary, I have come to learn from your Sanlang. ”
“What?!” Qin Shubao was instantly stunned. His phoenix eyes were wide open as he looked at Li Shimin in confusion. His entire body seemed to be dumbfounded.
Li Ke, who was standing in the lower seat, was also stunned, his head full of mist.
“Haha, just let me sell it. You’ll know later!–Ke’er, take a seat and sit down as well. I’ll let you broaden your horizons today!” Li Shimin smiled happily.
“Thank you, Royal Father.” Li Ke walked to the lower seat and knelt on the couch. He thought in his heart, “Strange, Father wants to learn from Qin Mubai.” Learn what? Could it be how I climbed up the wall to peep at other people’s big girls bathing … How could I think that?
