Qin Mubai came to the harem and went to Penglai Hall with ease to find Li Zhi and Li Mingda. The two little princes were naturally very happy to see Qin Mubai, and they were even more delighted and cheered when they heard that they would be taken out of the palace. Qin Mubai asked to arrange carriages and horses, and immediately prepared to set off and went to Jiangxia Prince's Mansion.
When the palace people were preparing their carriages and horses, Qin Mubai stood on the palace platform and watched casually, and inadvertently saw a group of people walking by not far away. There were several eunuchs at the front of the queue, followed by several palace ladies, and in the middle was a woman wearing a palace gauze brimmed hat.
The long milky white hat brim hung down, making it difficult to see her face clearly, but Qin Mubai felt that this person looked familiar. At the right time, a breeze blew, and the woman stretched out her hand to lift up the brim of Gongsha's hat intentionally or unintentionally. She turned her head slightly and glanced up at Qin Mubai.
At a glance, it seemed like we had seen each other before.
- Concubine Yin De!
Although they were far apart, Qin Mubai could clearly see that Concubine Yin De smiled sweetly at her, then quietly put down the palace gauze and continued to move forward.
That smile and eyes contained so many meanings that Qin Mubai couldn't understand them for a moment. I just feel... She is very relieved and calm, as if she has seen through everything regardless of the world, as graceful as a fallen sycamore leaf in late autumn, with relief in her sadness, no regrets and no worries.
This group of people quickly disappeared around the corner of the palace, probably heading north towards the Daming Palace. Qin Mubai casually called a palace maid to ask where the team was going just now.
The palace maid replied that she was probably Concubine Yin De, who was in a newly built Taoist temple called "Dajiao Temple" in Daming Palace.
"Taoist temple?" Qin Mubai chanted, "How many months after leaving the palace, when did such a Taoist temple be built?"
"Oh, that was built specifically for Concubine Yinde by His Majesty the Emperor." The palace maid replied, "Concubine Yinde believed in Taoism and entered Taoism. She studied scriptures and understood Taoism in the Taoist temple every day, and became a Taoist disciple."
"What?" Qin Mubai was secretly surprised and thought: Concubine Yin De... became a Taoist nun? Doesn’t that mean we are not far away from becoming a monk
The palace maid didn't know much, and Qin Mubai didn't ask any more questions. The car was ready, and Qin Mubai accompanied Li Zhi's brother and sister to the Jiangxia Palace. Along the way, Qin Mubai was recalling the look in Concubine Yin De's eyes just now, and he couldn't help but have mixed feelings in his heart.
"If you have time, you should take Princess Gaoyang to visit Concubine Yin De." Qin Mubai thought so.
When they arrived at Jiangxia Prince's Mansion, the banquet began. With the addition of two innocent and lively princes, the atmosphere became more lively and relaxed.
Regardless of who was present, Princess Gaoyang insisted on sharing a meal with Qin Mubai. Including Li Shimin, everyone was probably used to Princess Gaoyang's behavior, so they were used to turning a blind eye.
"Mu Bai, after you left just now, my father, third brother and the others discussed the matter of transferring you to Xiangzhou as the captain of Zhechong!" Princess Gaoyang said in a low and alert voice, as if she was making a snitch.
"What's the result?" Qin Mubai just asked.
"It turns out... originally, my father was planning to appoint you as the Governor of Jingzhou, but because of the meddlesome little old man, the emperor's uncle said it would be better for you to be the Commander-in-Chief of Zhechong. As soon as he opened his mouth, my father agreed!" Gao Yang The princess curled her lips, "But I don't agree! I said, if you want to leave, you have to take me with you!"
"Ha!" Qin Mubai smiled, "Aren't you causing trouble? How could His Majesty agree to such a thing?"
"Humph, you are all right, but you don't take care of my feelings!" Princess Gaoyang said angrily, "I know what you want to say, but you are bringing out a lot of big principles, which makes me speechless. Right? Just save it, I don’t want to hear it!”
"Then you...really plan to elope with me?"
"If my father can't think of a good compromise, I will really elope!"
Qin Mubai's face trembled slightly and he smiled bitterly and said, "It doesn't matter if you elope... but have you ever thought about what to do with your mother and concubine?"
"Mother concubine?" Princess Gao Yang's expression changed slightly, "She... what happened to her?"
Qin Mubai sighed softly, and briefly told Princess Gaoyang that Concubine Yin De had hanged herself and now entered the Taoist sect.
"What? Why didn't you tell me earlier?" Princess Gao Yang's eyes widened in surprise.
"Hey, your mental state was so bad at the time. If I told you to stimulate you, wouldn't it be a bad thing?" Qin Mubai shook his head and sighed, "Actually, your mother and concubine are far more pitiful than you. If you continue to ignore Wouldn't eloping with me make things worse for her? People can be persistent, but they can't be selfish. If you pursue your own happiness and don't care about your parents' life and death, then you will be in vain. "
Princess Gaoyang bit her lips and nodded with shame: "I was too careless. I really never considered the feelings and situation of my mother and concubine... Mubai, please accompany me into the palace to visit my mother and concubine. How about going?"
"of course?"
…
Halfway through the banquet, Qin Mubai followed Li Daozong and Li Ke and went to toast Li Shimin as a courtesy. Li Shimin drank it with a smile, waved his hand and said, "Come, change clothes with me."
Qin Mubai put down his wine glass and followed Li Shimin out of the banquet hall, knowing in his heart that he must have many things to talk to him privately.
The monarch and his ministers went to the toilet for convenience first, and then walked back slowly. Li Shimin scratched his back and said leisurely: "Mu Bai, how do you feel about my treatment of you?"
"Entong is recreated." Qin Mubai said briefly.
Li Shimin nodded lightly and said: "Your father and I have been together for more than ten years, and we are as close as brothers. I once treated you like my own son and nephew. In fact, I am not confused. Why don't I know you?" A hundred times better than Fang Yiai? But the secrets and difficulties behind it make me very helpless."
"Wei Chen can understand His Majesty's painstaking efforts and difficulties." Qin Mubai said.
"I also believe that you are a sensible person, so there is no need to talk nonsense." After Li Shimin finished speaking, he sighed softly and said, "Gao Yang is my beloved daughter. I have cherished her like a treasure since she was a child. What I used to think was, Letting her marry a good family can give her a safe and precious life. But I was wrong. Her character is very similar to mine. She would rather be broken than ruined. As long as she has her own thoughts and ideas, she will be like a nine-headed cow. I can’t pull him back. This year, my heart has been broken, and Gao Yang has been bruised and bruised. It’s easy for me to manage a big country, but it’s hard to treat a woman!”
Qin Mubai probably guessed what Li Shimin wanted to say, so he took the initiative and said: "Your Majesty, Wei Chen is speaking from his heart today. From the beginning, Wei Chen did not have any wrong thoughts towards Princess Gaoyang. If you say this, It was like a thunderbolt! But later... Weichen was really moved by her persistence and sincerity. What more can I ask for if a woman is like this?"
Li Shimin stopped and his expression was slightly stagnant. He turned to look at Qin Mubai and murmured: "With a wife like this, what can I ask for... Is this your truth?"
"It's absolutely true." Qin Mubai said firmly.
"Okay. In this way, Gao Yang can be considered innocent..." Li Shimin raised his head and sighed, and said leisurely, "Actually, what I want to do most is to keep Gao Yang by my side forever, like many fathers in the world. Don't leave at all. But I can't be so selfish, it's too unfair to Gao Yang. She is destined to have her own husband and family, and she will have her own independent life, so... I plan to take Gao Yang. Officially entrusted to you."
"Thank you, Your Majesty!" Qin Mubai solemnly responded with clasped fists.
"Wait a minute." Li Shimin suddenly interrupted him and said, "Do you know why I didn't announce it in public?"
"This..." Qin Mubai thought for a moment and nodded, "Wei Chen understands that now is indeed not the time. At least, Mr. Fang..."
"Yes, even if I don't want royal dignity, I should at least take care of the face of Fang Xuanling, the prime minister of the dynasty, right?" Li Shimin said, "Therefore, you and Ling'er, I allow you to be together, but not in the short term. Maybe we will get married. You must also promise me that Ling'er will not cause any trouble in the future."
"Yes, I promise!" Qin Mubai nodded in agreement.
"Alas..." Li Shimin sighed helplessly, and then smiled, "Haha, I'm afraid you are the only one in the world who can take advantage of her. Even I, the emperor and father, can't take any advantage of her. There is no way.”
"Your Majesty was joking. In fact, Her Royal Highness the Princess still respects and loves Your Majesty very much in her heart. It's just that when her temper breaks out as a child, she doesn't care about anything. Your Majesty, please don't take it to heart." Qin Mubai said with a smile.
"Haha, we haven't even gotten married yet, and you already know that protecting her shortcomings helped her get away with it?" Li Shimin smiled, patted his shoulder affectionately, stared at him with some affection and said, "Sister-in-law is the son-in-law, Mu Bai, From now on, you and I, the king and my ministers, can be considered a family. You are my close confidant, so I have no choice but to talk to you if I don’t want to talk to outsiders.”
"Your Majesty, if you have anything, please tell me!" Qin Mubai said.
Li Shimin nodded and said with a smile: "Let me talk to you honestly! Li Ke wrote a letter asking me to sell you and accompany him to Xiangzhou as an official. I was not willing at first, but later I carefully After thinking about it, Li Ke’s move is quite appropriate, what do you think?”
Qin Mubai nodded silently: "Actually... Even if His Highness King Wu doesn't propose it, Wei Chen will take the initiative to ask for His Majesty's orders. Wei Chen, I don't want to embarrass His Majesty!"
"Well, I know that you have always been smart. But I have no intention of driving you away from Baiqi." Li Shimin said, "As we all know, the affairs between you and Princess Gaoyang have been causing trouble again and again, and the city is full of rumors. I Even if you are the master of the world, you have to be afraid of what others say!"
"Wei Chen can understand His Majesty's mood." Qin Mubai nodded and said, "Everyone is talking about gold, so we have to be careful. Since Wei Chen's continued stay in Baiqi will make it so difficult for His Majesty, why doesn't Wei Chen change the environment? This is both Let your majesty relax, and this minister can be considered... relieved! "
"Haha, I'm very happy that you think so. Originally, I was a little worried that you would be unhappy and resentful of me!" Li Shimin said with a smile.
"Your Majesty, don't worry. Although I have little intelligence, I am by no means an ungrateful person who doesn't know right from wrong!" Qin Mubai said.
"In this way, I have been relieved of a heartache, which is very good." Li Shimin said, "After thinking about it again and again, I just asked the King of Jiangxia and Li Ke for their opinions, and decided to appoint you to the post of Lieutenant Zhechong of Xiangzhou Prefecture. . The official position is not big, and of course it is not as prestigious and prestigious as Baiqishi, but it is a practical official position. It is not easy to manage more than 2,000 people. Mu Bai, are you confident in fulfilling this position? good?"
"Your Majesty, don't worry. I have long been looking forward to going to the army to practice and train myself. I will definitely cherish this opportunity and manage the Xiangzhou Military Mansion well!" Qin Mubai said.
"Well, I believe in your ability." Li Shimin patted Qin Mubai on the shoulder and said with a smile, "In addition, the reason why I agreed to your transfer to the official position with Ke'er has another meaning. Knowing a son is better than a father. Er Yingguo is like me, but he has the bad habits of being frivolous, impetuous, extravagant and carefree. In addition, he is also a bit ambitious and has a weak hand and does not do his job properly. I have previously sent the censor Quan Wanji, who is known for his strictness, to control him, but it has been effective. , but you can't eradicate these bad habits of his. This time you and Ke'er went to Jiangzhou for business, and I found that he had changed a lot, which made my eyes light up. After all, you must have had a good influence on him. When I went to Xiangzhou this time, you and Keer helped each other in civil and military affairs and jointly managed the place. At the same time, you two are also good friends. I hope that you can be more admonishing by his side and guide him to be good, diligent and caring for the people. Discipline myself and examine myself, so that I can have peace of mind!"
"This... His Highness King Wu is extremely smart and knowledgeable. Compared with him, the ministers are still immature. We can only learn from him and encourage each other." Qin Mubai said.
"Haha, there is no need to be modest." Li Shimin said with a smile, "In the past, the ancient emperor Dayu used dredging instead of blocking to control floods. I have used power for thousands of years to strictly restrain Li Ke, and I used blocking; I use you to control it. To guide Li Ke is to use care. Now that I have sent you two to him, it is to use care and restraint. I only hope that he can change his bad habits and do good things, and not disappoint people."
"Your Majesty has really good intentions." Qin Mubai said.
"Haha! The smarter the child, the more worried his parents are. Look at Gao Yang and Li Ke, which one is not like this? I have so many concubines and children, it really breaks my heart!" Li Shimin said with a somewhat self-deprecating smile, "But One thing is interesting. Several of my children, such as Li Ke, Li Ke, Gao Yang and Si Zi, are closely related to you. Even if I don't accept you as my son-in-law, it's hard for me not to regard you as my family. where!"
"Haha, Your Majesty is really joking! Maybe... this is also fate!"
"Well said, it's fate!"
The monarch and his ministers chatted happily all the way. Li Shimin walked into the banquet hall with Qin Mubai's shoulder, making everyone's eyes brighten.
The banquet continued. Li Shimin, the emperor, usually had no arrogance and was approachable and carefree. Even Li Daozong's youngest son could climb on his lap and pluck his beard. It was a feast, but it was also enjoyable. Qin Mubai, a "never-experienced" son-in-law, didn't feel like an outsider. Most of the people present had a close relationship with him.
Princess Gao Yang secretly glanced at Li Shimin, who was teasing several children. She tugged on Qin Mu's white robe and whispered, "You were away from your father for such a long time, and you were all laughing when you came back. What were you talking about?" Are you so excited?"
"It's nothing. I'll tell you later. After the family banquet is over, I will accompany you to the harem to visit your mother and concubine."
"Oh alright!"
After a long time, the banquet dispersed. Li Shimin was already half-drunk with wine, and he put on his carriage and prepared to return to the palace. Everyone paid their respects to the door of the Prince of Jiangxia's palace. Li Shimin got on the carriage, looked back at Princess Gaoyang who was holding Qin Mubai's elbow, and said with a smile: "It's true that a great woman cannot be left behind!"
"What?" Princess Gao Yang blushed, stuck out her tongue and made a face, just holding Qin Mubai's elbow.
"If this were the past, you would have jumped on my lap long ago and sat on my lap to act naughty, right?" Li Shimin laughed and said, "Ling'er, if you have time, you might as well go back to the palace to visit your mother and concubine - okay, let's go Bar!"
"Get up and drive back to the palace!"
"Congratulations to Your Majesty—"
Princess Gaoyang stared blankly at the disappearing Emperor Luan Jia in the distance for a long time before murmuring: "Mubai, am I... really going too far?"
"You mean, how to treat your father?"
"Yes! I suddenly... felt a little sad! I feel that my father is also aggrieved." Princess Gao Yang wiped her nose and her face fell, as if she was about to cry.
"It seems you are about to become sensible." Qin Mubai chuckled.
"What, you mean I wasn't sensible before?" Princess Gao Yang instantly regained her little devil form and said angrily with her teeth and claws bared.
Li Daozong and Li Ke both laughed.
"Why are you laughing? It's true! I always like a group of people to make fun of me, making me look like a living treasure..." Princess Gao Yang licked her lips and muttered in a low voice.
"Li Ke, let's go! This little girl is not something ordinary people can afford to offend!" Li Daozong laughed loudly, pulling Li Ke into the house first.
Qin Mubai smiled and said: "It's rare for your conscience to realize that everyone is actually admiring you!"
"Bah, you really can't speak. Did I have no conscience before?" Princess Gao Yang cursed angrily.
"Yes, yes, it's just that I haven't 'discovered' it!" Qin Mubai said with a smile, "Okay, don't show your teeth at the gate. Didn't you just say that you want me to accompany you to visit your mother and concubine in the harem? Can you leave? ?”
"Let's go! But I want to go back to Prince Wu's Mansion to pack my bags before leaving." Princess Gao Yang said.
"Why are you packing?"
"Because I want to go back to the palace to stay for a while and spend time with my father and concubine!"
Qin Mubai nodded happily: "Well, it seems that you have indeed matured, grown up, and become sensible!"
"Fuck you, stinky man!"
The two of them didn't call Li Ke, and went to Prince Wu's Mansion first. They called Princess Gaoyang's maids to pack their bags, set up their cars and drove to the palace. Qin Mubai was still riding his horse, accompanying Princess Gaoyang's carriage.
Princess Gaoyang stretched her head to the car window, stared at the familiar imperial city for a long time, and said with deep emotion: "When I left here, I thought more than once that I would never come back again. I never expected that. A few days later, I came back willingly.”
"That's because blood is thicker than water after all. You were born and raised here, so how can you just let go of me?" Qin Mubai said.
"Well..." Princess Gao Yang bit her lip, nodded, and added, "But I still feel reluctant to return to the palace..."
Qin Mubai looked at her and laughed: "Silly. I can't fly anymore."
"But it won't be long before you leave Chang'an..." Princess Gaoyang curled her lips and murmured in a sad voice, "I really can't bear to see you leave, and I really want to accompany you wherever you go. But... I don't want to go anywhere with you now." Got it, I can’t be so selfish. What should I do? I’m so conflicted!”
"Don't I want to leave after the Chinese New Year? There is still time. I believe I can help you untie this knot." Qin Mubai said affirmatively with a smile on his face.
The corners of Princess Gao Yang's lips slightly raised and she smiled sweetly: "I believe you!"