That night, when Pei Yan came to Yaoguang Hall, Tao Ti told him about Zhuyuan Villa.
Pei Yan raised his brows, and kept picking vegetables in his hands. After picking up a piece of cherry meat for Tao Ti, he said slowly, "If you want to go with Qinghe, then go. You can also go to play After playing, the scenery of Zhuyuan Villa is still very good."
Tao Ti's dark eyes looked at him, "Your Highness, are you going?"
Pei Yan's cold and white face was a bit perplexed, "The Rongdi Mission will come to Chang'an next month, and my father asked me to prepare for the reception with the Ministry of Rites. I have to keep an eye on the repairs of the Gu Mansion. I can't go with you."
"Oh, so..." Tao Ti was a little disappointed. It's been more than a month since they came back from Luoyang, and they didn't seem to have gone out to play. But seeing that he was so busy, she was more worried that he was too tired.
After silently adjusting her mentality, she smiled slightly at him, "It's okay, anyway, that kind of gathering, it shouldn't be very interesting, it's more about business."
Pei Yan didn't miss the disappointment that flashed in her eyes, the corners of her lips straightened, and she said softly, "Ah Ti, after this time is over, I will accompany you to visit Chang'an."
Tao Ti bent her eyes and responded, "Okay."
She scooped up a bowl of white fungus and lily soup, and pushed it in front of him, "This white fungus soup has been simmered all afternoon, it's sweet and thick, try it."
Pei Yan tasted it gracefully, and the warm sweetness spread on the tip of his tongue. He nodded slightly, "It's delicious."
Tao Ti stared at him drinking the soup, resting her chin on one hand, and asked curiously, "Your Highness, what are the missions of Rong and Di coming to Chang'an for?"
Pei Yan twitched the corner of his mouth, and said flatly, "In name, it is to promote the friendship between the two countries. In fact, I came to ask the princess to marry me, and eat and drink by the way."
Tao Ti blinked, "Ask to marry the princess?"
Pei Yan said in a low voice, "Fifteen years ago, Rong Di was defeated by Da Yuan, and a peace agreement was signed. The two countries sent a princess to each other for marriage and became friends. At the end of last year, Da Yuan married The princess died of illness, and the tribe of Rongdi was ready to move again, and frequently harassed our Dayuan border. However, the current King Yelu Khan of Rongdi is still a peacemaker, so this time a special mission was sent to Beijing, and he wanted to re-elect Appoint a princess for marriage."
In the history of China, it is not uncommon for a princess to be married, but in Tao Ti's impression, getting married with a princess seems to be pretty miserable.
Pei Lingbi is the precious daughter of Empress Zhou. Empress Zhou probably won't let her marry, so there are only four other princesses left in the harem...
Thinking of the bright or gentle faces of the four little princesses, Tao Ti frowned and asked, "If you really want to marry a princess, who will the father marry?"
Pei Yan glanced at her and said softly, "I won't marry a real princess, I should choose a woman from the clan to be a princess and marry."
Tao Ti nodded, "Oh, so..."
She asked again, "The princess who married before is also a daughter of the clan?"
Pei Yan responded in a low voice, "Well, I still remember the scene of her getting married that year."
Dressed in red, with tears in his eyes, he is sixteen years old.
Fifteen years later, she was only thirty-one, and she died on the land of another country, turning into a cold monument.
After dinner, the two went for a walk together.
The flowers, plants and trees planted in March are now growing luxuriantly in Yaoguang Palace. Judging by the growth, many fruit trees will bear fruit next year.
When you like someone, you subconsciously want to know more about him. Under the quiet moonlight, Tao Ti took Pei Yan's hand and chatted about the Gu family.
Speaking of the Gu family, Pei Yan spoke softly, "Shortly after I was born, my uncle's family was demoted to the Northwest by the emperor. As far as I can remember, I have only met my uncle a few times. However, my uncle every three months He will send a letter to my queen when my mother is still there; he will continue to send it when my mother is gone, and then I will be able to read and write back, telling him that everything is fine.”
Tao Ti felt the loneliness in his plain mood, and couldn't help but clenched his hand tightly.
"The last time I saw my uncle was three years ago. I used to think he was very tall, but the last time I saw him, I was as tall as him."
Pei Yan walked slowly and spoke slowly, talking about the few times he met Uncle Gu's.
Tao Ti felt a little sad when she heard it, especially when she heard him say that when Queen Gu passed away, the uncle of the Gu family hugged him, and a man about 1.8 meters was crying loudly, crying, "Little sister, brother is late." , brother will take you home."—
Of course, the belt must not be taken away.
Emperor Zhaokang personally changed the dress for Queen Gu, watched the nailing of the coffin with his own eyes, and even sent her into the imperial mausoleum himself.
Tao Ti felt that adults were so sad, let alone Pei Yan who was only five years old at that time...
She stared at him with her face up, and smiled softly, "It's all right now, my uncle's family is back, let's walk around more in the future."
Pei Yan lowered her eyes, raised her hand and stroked her temples, "Okay."
—
Three days later, it was the day to go to Zhuyuan Villa.
This Zhuyuan villa is located at the foot of Lishan Mountain outside Chang'an City. It is a private villa owned by the prime minister. It is beautifully built according to the style of Suzhou gardens. Because the villa relies on a large bamboo sea, and the villa is also full of various varieties of bamboo, so it is called Zhuyuan Villa.
In this scorching July, holding an elegant fair in such a quiet and cool place is comfortable and elegant. So every year, when the Zhou family holds an elegant fair, many children from aristocratic families will participate, and gradually it becomes a grand event in Chang'an City.
It's just that after going back and forth, she will live in Zhuyuan Villa for three days. Before leaving, Tao Ti is still a little worried.
"Your Highness, I'm not here for a few days, you should eat well, don't be too tired, remember to drink a cup of hot milk before going to bed, and remember to practice Baduanjin in the morning..."
Tao Ti babbled on, she felt that she was a bit like an old lady, but she couldn't control it.
Fortunately, Pei Yan listened to her patiently every time, then rubbed her hair with a smile, and said softly, "Well, I will remember what Arti said."
On the morning of departure, Tao Ti woke up very early.
She hugged Pei Yan's waist, aggrieved and coquettish, "Your Highness, what should I do, I'll leave for three days, but I still can't bear to part with you."
Pei Yan likes her dependence. He hugged her soft body, kissed her hair with thin lips, and coaxed, "I'll wait for you here."
Tao Ti buried herself in his arms, and said lazily, "Let me hug you for a while, or I won't be able to hug you in three days."
Pei Yan let her hug her.
When she was about to let go, he leaned down and kissed her lips.
The kiss was very long, intimate and lingering.
The kiss didn't end until Linglong's reminder came from outside the door.
Tao Ti's legs became limp from being kissed again, and her fair skin was blushing. She leaned against him, embarrassed to look into his eyes, but her heart was filled with sweet warmth.
Pei Yan kissed her eyebrows again, his voice was a little hoarse, and his eyes were deep, "Okay, you have to go."
Otherwise, he was afraid that he would be too reluctant, so he wouldn't let her go.
Tao Ti nodded slightly and left his embrace.
Pei Yan led her out, Linglong saw the crown princess's blushing cheeks and slightly swollen lips, she hurriedly lowered her head, feeling secretly annoyed: If she had known that the crown prince and princess were warm inside, she should have called later.
After Pei Yan sent Tao Ti to the carriage, she called Linglong aside and gave her serious instructions.
Linglong solemnly wrote down, "Don't worry, Your Highness, this slave will definitely take good care of the Crown Princess."
Pei Yan still remembered what happened on the boat in Luoyang, his eyes were cold, "Be sure not to leave every step."
Linglong's heart trembled, if there were not so many people, she would almost kneel down and kowtow to show her ambition.
Tao Ti raised the curtain of the car and asked doubtfully, "Aren't you leaving?"
Only then did Pei Yan let Linglong follow.
The carriage was sparkling, and Pei Yanchang was standing tall, standing where he was, with gentle eyes, watching her leave.
Tao Ti poked her head out of the car window and waved at Pei Yan. She put down the car curtain until she couldn't see her anymore. She held her chin and thought sullenly:
It's over, she's really gone.
She obviously felt that she seemed to like him more than when she was in Luoyang.
—
This reluctance didn't last long. When Tao Ti saw Pei Lingbi's ashen face, Tao Ti was happy—
"Second princess, did you not sleep well last night? I see that your complexion is not very good."
The corner of Pei Lingbi's mouth twitched, and she said coldly, "Thank you for your concern, Princess, I'm fine."
Two days ago, she knew that Qing He invited Tao Ti to go to Zhuyuan Villa together. Although she was unhappy, she couldn't help it. Princess Jingyang ran to the queen mother and said, the mother naturally agreed.
Seeing Qinghe holding Tao Ti's hand, the two of them were as close as sisters, Pei Lingbi adjusted the expression on her face and asked, "Sister Qinghe, do you want to share a carriage with the princess?"
Qinghe nodded and said softly, "Well, I want to be with my cousin."
Pei Lingbi smiled, "Okay then."
The queen mother asked her to talk more with Qinghe on the way to get closer, but seeing Qinghe's elbows turned outward, Pei Lingbi didn't bother to talk anymore.
In this way, Pei Lingbi had a carriage, and Tao Ti and Qinghe had a carriage.
After the carriage drove out of the palace and stopped at the Xianliang Pavilion, Pei Changzhou and Mr. Xie also went to Zhuyuan Villa together.
Several carriages went out of the city one after another. Along the way, they also encountered many carriages with canopies and emerald curtains, all of them were descendants of aristocratic families and noble daughters going to the villa.
During the break, Tao Ti also met the carriage of the Dingbei Hou Mansion—
That exaggerated carriage with a strong aura of local tyrants looks like the painting style of the Dingbei Hou Mansion.
Sure enough, as soon as the carriage stopped, Xu Wenchan, who was wearing an apricot red dress, jumped out of the carriage.
Tao Ti smiled and bent her eyebrows, and called out to her, "Achan."
From Xu Wenchan's hearing, it seemed that when he saw Tao Ti, he still couldn't believe his eyes. When he realized it, he ran over happily, regardless of the image of the lady, "Ah Ti!"
Pei Lingbi on the side watched and hummed softly, "vulgar."
Xu Wenchan stood still in front of Tao Ti, laughing dimpled, "Ah Ti, why are you here? Could it be that you also went to the Bamboo Garden Collection?"
Tao Ti nodded with a smile, and introduced Qinghe and the others to her.
Everyone bowed to each other, and another young gentleman came down from Dingbeihou's carriage.
I saw him wearing a silk-colored brocade robe with twigs and grape patterns, with black hair in a high bunch, and his facial features were regular and handsome. The born man was tall and burly, but his whole body exuded a refined and bookish atmosphere.
At first glance, it is very consistent with Xie Xiaogong's aura.
Tao Ti looked at Xu Wenchan, and said with her eyes: "Okay, you Achan, a man hidden in a carriage?" How courageous!
Xu Wenchan understood Tao Ti's eyes all of a sudden, and quickly waved his hands, "Don't think wrong."
As he spoke, he pulled the gentleman over, "This is my seventh brother, Xu Guangji!"
Tao Ti was taken aback, wow!
When Xu Wenchan once heard Xu Wenchan talk about her seventh brother as a "little gentleman with a jade face", Tao Ti only thought she was wearing a "sister filter". After all, she had seen Dingbeihou and his wife—Ms. Not white tender. Not to mention Hou Ye, he looks like a typical military general, with dark skin, five big and three rough, and a voice like a bell.
Moreover, Xu Wenchan's skin is also relatively dark. Tao Ti thought that the whole family should be fair, but he didn't expect that Xu Wenchan, the seventh brother, was fair and tender when he saw him today.
Well, it really doesn't look like a military general at all, but looks like a scholar.
Xu Guangji saluted and greeted everyone politely. When his eyes fell on Qing He, he paused for a moment, and then quickly moved away.
After drinking a cup of tea, everyone boarded the carriage again and continued to drive to Zhuyuan Villa.
With the little sisters around, Xu Wenchan naturally didn't want to sit with his well-mannered seventh brother, and happily ran to Tao Ti's carriage.
While eating spicy beef jerky, she said, "At the beginning, when my mother pushed me and my seventh brother to come to this Yaji, I was not happy. I can't even memorize a few articles. Going to Yaji is not a big deal." A joke? Because of this, I have been cold with my mother for several days. Hey, if I had known Arti would come, I would not have quarreled with her!"
Tao Ti said, "Since you don't want to come, why does your mother insist on you coming?"
Xu Wenchan curled her lips, "The marriage between my seventh brother and I has not yet been settled, so she is in a hurry."
As she spoke, she coughed twice, imitating Madam Dingbeihou with her hips crossed, and said, "Look at the two of you, after the Chinese New Year, one will be twenty-one, and the other will be seventeen! At this age, in someone else's house, you are going to be a father and a mother, and you two are still angry with me and messing around with me all day long!"
She learned it so vividly that it made Tao Ti and Qing He laugh.
Xu Wenchan sighed quietly, "Aren't I happy counting money every day? Why do I have to get married?"
To this, Qinghe also echoed a little, "Yes, why do you have to get married..."
Xu Wenchan was surprised, "Master, you are so good-looking and have a high status. With such conditions, you can choose any man in Chang'an."
Maybe it's Xu Wenchan's delicate appearance, which gives people a sense of kindness and trust; or maybe it's because Xu Wenchan is Tao Ti's good friend who loves houses and crows, and Qinghe didn't guard against Xu Wenchan, telling her about her frailty and sickness.
After hearing this, Xu Wenchan showed pity in her eyes and comforted her.
Both of them were "urged to marry", found common ground, and quickly became acquainted.
As the only married lady in the carriage who had a sweet relationship, Tao Ti obediently did not speak, and only silently picked up tons of milk tea.
…
Xu Wenchan has always been good at chatting, Qinghe talks less, and the two complement each other, but they chatted happily all the way.
The carriage traveled for another half an hour, and finally arrived at Zhuyuan Villa before lunch.
At this time, many people have come to the villa one after another, but Tao Ti and the others belong to the princess and princess, they are extremely dignified and cannot be neglected in the slightest.
The prime minister's wife, Mrs. Liu, led a group of people to greet her at the gate of the villa.
At one moment, Tao Ti and the others were laughing together in the carriage, and at the next moment, all three of them got out of the carriage one by one with the appearance of an elegant lady.
Mrs. Liu did not expect that there were several people sitting in the carriage of the Crown Princess, she was stunned for a moment, and hurried forward to meet her.
After exchanging pleasantries, Mrs. Liu asked the steward of the villa to lead them to their respective residences.
The residences of Tao Ti and Xu Wenchan are closer, and farther away from Qinghe, but the residences of Pei Lingbi and Qinghe are very close.
When Qing He saw that he lived so far away from Tao Ti, he was a little depressed, and his two thin eyebrows drooped.
Tao Ti comforted, "It's okay, the difference is not too far away, you can come and play with me anytime."
On the way to the Green Bamboo Courtyard, Tao Ti looked at this gorgeous and elegant villa, and saw corridors, aisles, pavilions, verdant green trees, and shadowy shadows. The vegetation is staggered, mixed with shades and shades, and it has a special feeling. It is indeed a good summer resort.
Not long after being placed in the Green Bamboo Courtyard, a servant brought lunch, which was rich in delicacies from mountains and seas.
After sitting in the carriage all morning, the weather was hot and stuffy, so Tao Ti ate some hastily, washed and changed, and took a nap.
Inside the Xiangzhu Pavilion on the other side.
After lunch, Pei Lingbi wiped the corners of her mouth slowly, glanced shyly at Young Master Xie, then quickly looked away, and said to Qinghe with a smile, "Sister Qinghe, let's visit the garden together in the afternoon, my uncle's house This garden has taken a lot of thought and care, and it is not inferior to those famous gardens in the south of the Yangtze River."
After Qinghe learned about Queen Zhou's plan from Princess Jingyang, she was somewhat resistant to Pei Lingbi's overtures.
She doesn't like this kind of flattery with purpose and utilitarianism very much, which makes her feel disgusted.
She doesn't want to marry the Zhou family, and likewise, she doesn't want Pei Lingbi to be her sister-in-law.
After a moment of silence, Qinghe lowered her eyelashes and said softly, "Sister Lingbi, I'm a little tired..."
This is a polite refusal.
Pei Lingbi's smile froze. Seeing that Mr. Xie was still there, she thoughtfully said, "In this case, you should take a good rest. Anyway, you will be staying here for two days. After the Gathering tomorrow, it's not too late to go shopping again." .”
Qinghe gave a low "hmm".
Pei Lingbi quietly winked at Pei Changzhou, Pei Changzhou immediately understood, and turned to Mr. Xie, "Yunshi, there will be a polo match in the backyard later, let's go and watch it together?"
In the past few days, Pei Changzhou has been quite polite and warm to Mr. Xie, and Mr. Xie didn't want to refute his face, so he said, "Okay."
Pei Changzhou smiled, and said to Pei Lingbi, "Lingbi, you can come too."
Pei Lingbi was overjoyed, but kept a reserved face and smiled shyly, "Okay."
Qinghe looked a little displeased, but he couldn't find a reason not to let his brother go for a while, so he let them go.
On this side, as soon as Pei Changzhou brothers and sisters and Xie Xiaogong left, Xu Wenchan came to the door, "Master, let's go and play with Arti!"
Qinghe changed her tired look at the beginning, and happily agreed.
…
In the sunny afternoon, Zhuangzi was surrounded by mountains and rivers, and the scenery was pleasant.
After Tao Ti woke up from a nap, she wandered outside with Xu Wenchan and Qing He. The three talked and laughed, very comfortable.
The only regret is that there were no cameras in ancient times, otherwise we must take some photos and keep them as souvenirs.
As they walked, they could only hear a burst of cheers coming from the front, and the three of them also followed the sound and walked over. It turned out that they hit the polo field by mistake.
I saw the banners on the field, and the sons and daughters in brocade clothes and ladies were galloping on horses, chasing each other, it was very lively.
Qinghe thought that Pei Lingbi and the others were also here, and subconsciously wanted to avoid it.
Xu Wenchan said, "What's the matter? If she really asks, you can just say that you have rested and want to go out for a walk again."
Before she finished speaking, she suddenly called out, "My God, are those the second princess and your brother? Why is the second princess in your brother's arms!"
Both Tao Ti and Qing He were startled, and looked quickly. Not far away, Pei Lingbi was leaning against Young Master Xie, who seemed a little embarrassed.
Qinghe became anxious all of a sudden, and stomped her feet like a little rabbit, "This is a public place, she, she, she..."
She blushed and couldn't swear swear words, so she could only rush over there with her skirt lifted.
Tao Ti and Xu Wenchan looked at each other and followed.
…
"elder brother!"
Pei Lingbi and Mr. Xie were startled by the crisp shout.
Seeing Qinghe and Tao Ti coming together, Pei Lingbi's eyes flashed with disgust, she was so annoyed, why are they everywhere!
Grandpa Xie hurriedly explained, "Sister Lingbi accidentally sprained her foot."
Qing He frowned, stepped forward and said, "Then I'll help you."
Pei Lingbi was dissatisfied, but she maintained a smile on her face, "How dare you trouble Sister Qinghe."
"Linglong, go and help the princess to sit aside." Tao Ti said at the right time, and asked Pei Lingbi indifferently, "Second princess, where is the maid beside you?"
Pei Lingbi said awkwardly, "I asked them to fetch things for me."
Tao Ti rolled her eyes to the sky in her heart, and gave a faint "Oh".
Pei Lingbi was 110,000 times unhappy, but in this situation, she could only be helped by Linglong to sit by the viewing platform.
With a sullen face, she scolded Tao Ti countless times in her heart, and after scolding Tao Ti, she went to scold Qinghe again.
Heart said: Qinghe, Qinghe, I was a little guilty and uneasy when I attacked you. But now that you don't know how to flatter yourself, and you're still with that bitch Tao Ti, don't blame me for being rude to you.
Let's say that after Linglong helped Pei Lingbi to sit down, Qing He pulled Young Master Xie's sleeve, with a small face, and lowered her voice to teach him.
Tao Ti was amused by this aggressive appearance.
Not long after, the halftime game ended, Pei Changzhou got off his horse, saw Tao Ti and the others, his eyes darkened, he simply said hello, and went to Pei Lingbi's side.
Xu Guangji was also on the racecourse, dressed in a maroon riding outfit, sweating all over his head, he looked like a son of a general at the moment.
Seeing Xu Wenchan was there, he came over too.
Xu Wenchan took out a handkerchief and handed it to him, with distaste on his lips, but caring, "Hey, wipe it off, you're sweating, it stinks to death."
Tao Ti didn't have much interest in polo games, and the sun was shining brightly, and her scalp was hot from the sun, so she wanted to go back to the salted fish paralysis.
In order to prevent Pei Lingbi from leaning on her elder brother again, Qinghe decided to stay by his brother's side.
Tao Ti and Xu Wenchan took a step ahead.
But before he took two steps, he suddenly heard Qinghe's exclamation from behind—
"what!"
Tao Ti and Xu Wenchan hurriedly turned their heads.
Under the clear sunlight, Xu Guangji bent over, his tall body tightly protecting Qinghe in his arms. He frowned, lying on the ground was a polo that had been hit somehow, rolled twice and stopped.