On the Qinhuai River, among the painted boats, there is tenderness and sweetness, and the warm fragrance of nephrite.
Qining felt the softness of the hot and delicate body in his arms, stood up suddenly, and picked up Xian'er. He already knew where the soft couch in the room was, so he carried Xian'er and walked over to the soft couch. Xian'er seemed to Only then did he wake up in shock, his delicate body trembled, and he said urgently: "Master Hou, no... no!"
Qi Ning carried Xian'er to the soft couch, put Xian'er down, and said softly: "What's wrong?"
Xian'er's cheeks were hot and she said shyly: "Master Hou, it's not... It's not that Xian'er refuses to give it to you. Xian'er has long regarded herself as Mr. Hou's person, but... it's just inconvenient these two days...!"
"Inconvenient?" Qi Ning was startled. Seeing Xian'er blushing and nodding lightly, he suddenly understood. He sighed in his heart, thinking to himself that he was really unlucky for eight lifetimes. The last time he was about to accomplish a good thing, he was poisoned by the epidemic on the ship. The attack interrupted, and I finally found an opportunity today, who knows...!
Xian'er seemed to be worried that Qin Ning would be unhappy. She held Qin Ning's arm and said softly: "Master Hou, Xian'er is yours. As long as... just wait a few days. In a few days, Master Hou... Master Hou will come to see you again." Xian'er, Xian'er will completely give herself to you, okay?"
Qi Ning thought that there was nothing he could do even if he couldn't say it well at this time. Although he was a little disappointed, he still smiled gently and said: "Xian'er, don't get me wrong, actually... In fact, I was just testing myself just now to see what I can endure. How strong is the force? Actually... In fact, even if it's convenient for you, I guess I can withstand it."
Xian'er chuckled, sat up, leaned against Qi Ning, and said, "The Marquis is a good man, and I know that the Marquis will not bully Xian'er."
Qi Ning smiled, thought of something, and then said: "Xian'er, the next time I come over, I'm afraid it will take a while. In a few days, I have to leave Beijing on business, and it will take some time. I will send someone to send money over. You Don’t worry about your life, I’ll come see you when I come back.”
"Master Hou is leaving Beijing?" Xian'er was startled.
Qi Ning said: "The emperor has just ascended the throne, and there are many things to do. There are always some errands to be sent." After a pause, he finally asked: "Xian'er, is your surname Zhuo?"
Zhuo Xian'er shook his head and said, "Xian'er doesn't know what her surname is. I take Grandma Zhuo's surname."
"Aunt Zhuo?"
Xian'er said: "As long as Xian'er can remember, he lived among the people with my grandfather. My grandfather never mentioned his name to me. I only know that he took care of me when I was a child. He always called me Niuniu. I was four years old. When we were young, my grandpa fell ill and we had no money for diagnosis and treatment. He... He just left like that. It was Aunt Zhuo who adopted me." At this point, her eye circles were slightly red and she said softly: "Aunt Zhuo has been growing up since she was a child. Then she asked me to learn piano, chess, calligraphy and painting, and she treated me very well. I thought she really treated me well at that time, but when I was fifteen years old, she sent me to the capital, and I realized...!" At this point, she smiled sadly. .
Qi Ning felt pity in his heart and said: "What happened in the past is in the past, no need to think about it anymore."
Xian'er smiled softly and said softly: "When I arrived in the capital, I was renamed Xian'er. Until the Oiran Competition, I practiced my skills hard. The Marquis paid a large sum of money that time, which can be regarded as repaying what they have done to me over the years. After spending a lot of money, Xian'er will be free in three years." There was a trace of gratitude in his eyes: "If the Marquis hadn't spent a lot of money to get a good ranking, Xian'er wouldn't be like this now. You can be on your own in your own boat."
Qi Ning knew that there were several wealthy young men who came to support that day and indeed spent a lot of money on Xian'er. The money was enough to make the people behind Xian'er earn a lot of money. It's no wonder that Xian'er is freer and more respectable than ordinary geishas. Much.
He knew very well that the Oiran Competition actually determines the fate of many girls' lives. If no one comes to support them and they do not get a good ranking, they will naturally become ordinary geishas who are welcomed and sent away, and they can only gain as much as Xian'er. The life of a girl with a lot of money will be better.
"Xian'er, I'm about to leave the capital, and I won't be able to make it in time." Qi Ning thought for a while and then said: "After I return to the capital, I will settle you down properly. Just wait until I come back."
Xian'er lowered his head and said: "Master Hou, Xian'er... Xian'er doesn't want to cause you any trouble. Xian'er's existence today is already a gift from Master Hou. You don't have to do anything for Xian'er anymore."
"Silly girl, I actually didn't do anything." Qining hugged Xian'er and said softly: "Just wait for me to come back. With me here, you will never be wronged again."
Xian'er's body was inconvenient, which made Qi Ning quite regretful. Fortunately, Xian'er was considerate, smart and considerate. After talking about it for the rest of the night, Qi Ning couldn't stay here. When he left, he gave another instruction Then, under Xian'er's reluctant eyes, he left the Qinhuai River.
In the next few days, we will prepare to go to Dongqi as an envoy.
Hu Bowen came to report almost every day. As Qining expected, the Ministry of Rites' list of gifts was unacceptable to the Ministry of Rites. After repeated negotiations between the two parties, the Ministry of Household Affairs reluctantly agreed to most of the conditions, and at the insistence of the Ministry of Rites , set on the most suitable day for travel.
In fact, this mission was not a trivial matter. It was related to the emperor's life-long affairs, and it also involved the alliance between Da Chu and Dong Qi. Dou Kui did not dare to show any slights.
In addition to preparing gifts for marriage, there were also soldiers and horses specially designed to escort the mission. In order to show the Eastern Qi people that Chu State attached great importance to this matter, Longtai directly asked Chi Fengdian to mobilize two hundred soldiers and horses from the Royal Yulin Camp.
The Royal Yulin Battalion may not be the most effective team in the Chu Kingdom, but it is undeniable that its status is the highest. After all, it is the emperor's personal guard. Not only is the equipment the most well-equipped among all soldiers and horses, but the soldiers of the Yulin Battalion look... They are all tall and majestic, and their image is enough to show the power of Dachu.
The day of the mission was set for May 18th, and all the yamen involved in the matter were busy making preparations. At dusk on May 17th, Hu Bowen, the minister of official affairs, came again and reported that everything was ready and he could only wait to see the emperor early the next morning. After that, you can set off on your mission.
The Hou Mansion was naturally very well prepared that night. This time Qi Ning was sent as an envoy. Although the emperor had assigned two hundred soldiers from the Yulin Camp to accompany him as guards, Qi Ning had not had much contact with the Yulin Camp before, so he still brought him from the Hou Mansion. Qi Feng was accompanied by seven or eight guards. Qi Feng has been recuperating carefully in the Hou Mansion these days. His injuries have already recovered. Qi Ning was worried that walking a long distance would cause Qi Feng's old injuries to relapse. However, Qi Feng insisted again and again. Qi Ning saw that he had already recovered. , not to mention that with Qi Feng by his side, many things would be much more convenient, so he agreed. In addition, Li Tang and Zhou Shun also accompanied him.
Early the next morning, Gu Qinghan came over and called Qining in person. After he helped Qining wash himself, he said: "Eastern Qi is not as good as Xichuan. After all, Xichuan is within the territory of Chu. The people of Dongqi have always been cunning. This time I am sent as an envoy to Dong Qi, I must be careful in everything and don't show any force or force."
Qi Ning smiled and said: "Sanniang, don't worry. Although the people of Dong Qi are cunning, I represent Da Chu. With the strength of the people of Dong Qi, they don't dare to be enemies of Da Chu, let alone me, the envoy." How about it? Moreover, the purpose of my mission to Dong Qi this time is to seek marriage and alliance, so there won’t be any problems.”
"It's always better to be careful." Gu Qinghan did not ease his worries because of Qi Ning's relief, and said softly: "We Chu State is sending an envoy to Dong Qi, and the people of the Northern Han Dynasty may already know about it. If they know, they will not let you go smoothly. I'm afraid I'll still have to hinder it if I accomplish my mission."
Qi Ning thought that Gu Qinghan was smart after all and had already thought of this. In fact, he had been on guard for a long time. The Chu State sent an envoy to Dong Qi to propose marriage. Such an important matter could never be concealed. The Northern Han people knew the news. Of course, it is impossible to allow the Chu State to marry Dong Qi seriously, and it is inevitable to destroy it.
But he was afraid that Gu Qinghan would be worried, so he said softly: "Sanniang, the emperor and I have made arrangements, and the Shenhou Mansion has also made preparations, so don't worry."
He was comforting Gu Qinghan, but he said it very realistically. Gu Qinghan was hesitant to believe it, but thinking of such an important matter, it should be natural for the court to make arrangements. He nodded slightly and said: "That's good. If the errands are done, I will be there soon." Come back soon and don’t linger outside.”
Although Qi Ning is no longer the Jinyi Crown Prince who was protected under his wings in the past, Gu Qinghan has been taking care of the Jinyi Crown Prince for many years. Every time he goes out, he is still worried from the bottom of his heart.
Seeing that there was no one around, Qi Ning came closer, stared at Gu Qinghan, and said softly: "Of course I have to go back quickly. I'm afraid that I just left Beijing and wanted to come back to the capital."
"Ah?" Gu Qinghan was startled and asked, "Why?"
Qi Ning smiled softly and said, "Don't Sanniang understand?"
When Gu Qinghan saw his weird smile, she was smart and understood immediately. She rolled her eyes at him and said, "Don't talk nonsense."
"I haven't said it yet, why is it nonsense?" Qining smiled and said: "What's more, I'm not talking nonsense. After leaving the capital, within half a day, I will be thinking about Sanniang and always want to come back." Lift up. In his hand, there was an extra square silk handkerchief. It was the square brocade handkerchief given to him by Gu Qinghan. He took it to his nose and smelled it, and said intoxicatedly: "Fortunately, I have this brocade handkerchief in my hand. It smells like Sanniang. It can alleviate the pain of missing you.”
Gu Qinghan was extremely embarrassed, thinking that this kid was talking more and more inappropriately without any taboos. Fortunately, Qining used to say these crazy things from time to time, and she was used to it. She saw Qining carrying the brocade handkerchief she gave him close to her body. , I don’t know why, but I was actually a little happy deep in my heart, but my pretty face did sink slightly, I reached out to grab it, and whispered: "Give it back to me, I changed my mind and won’t give it to you...!"
Qi Ning dodged lightly and said with a smile: "What you send out is just water thrown out. It's hard to recover when it's overflowing. Do you still want to regret it?"
"I just regret it." Gu Qinghan said angrily, and reached out to grab it again, "You little bastard, give it back to me quickly, otherwise... otherwise I will be angry."
Qining's movement was so agile that Gu Qinghan couldn't catch him. In a flash, he was already behind Gu Qinghan. Seeing Gu Qinghan's beautiful body, his heart moved and he hugged Gu Qinghan's waist from behind. Gu Qinghan was startled and twisted. He moved his waist and struggled: "I'm going to die, quickly... let go, little bastard, you... you are really crazy...!"