The prince's car drove in front, and the guards escorted him from the side. Civil and military officials followed. Some of the Eastern Palace officials and household servants who came with the prince stayed on the two large ships behind.
The prince's southern tour is no small matter, it can be said to attract everyone's attention. The total number of officials from the Eastern Palace who accompanied him and the officials sent by the imperial court to participate in the ceremony reached a hundred. In addition to the musicians, sacrificial wine, cooks, handymen, and concubines, all of whom Li Chengqian was familiar with also came together. There were three to five hundred people on the next two ships, and they brought a lot of goods.
When Princess Gao Yang arrived at the dock, the warships were unloading cargo. Many of the soldiers left by Qin Mubai were dedicated to doing these things, and Pang Fei was in charge.
No one is allowed to enter the military wharf, not even the emperor's relatives and high-ranking officials. The guards are on the same alert as the military camp. But seeing that it was Princess Gaoyang, and the sergeants knew about his relationship with Qin Mubai, they dared not stop him, so they had to let him go.
Princess Gaoyang rushed into the dock excitedly, and when she took a look around, she was a little dumbfounded: There were so many people, and several big ships were unloading people, where could they find Wu Meiniang
Having a plan in mind, Princess Gaoyang smiled proudly, shook her head, summoned a dozen or so soldiers, and said to them: "Listen, I'm looking for someone, but I don't know where to look. You guys, please speak louder. , call me!”
The soldiers were stunned for a moment: "Your Highness, how do you call me?"
"Just shout loudly - Wu Meiniang from Chang'an, Her Royal Highness Princess Gaoyang is waiting for you here!"
"Uh... yes!"
The soldiers didn't dare to be nagging, so they had no choice but to start shouting shamelessly and loudly - "Wu Meiniang from Chang'an, Her Royal Highness Princess Gaoyang is waiting for you here!"
Fortunately, he was a soldier who had enough energy and a loud voice. These roars suppressed all the noise and were heard by everyone on the dock. Many people burst into laughter, but word of mouth also began to spread, saying that Princess Gaoyang was waiting for Wu Meiniang of Chang'an at the dock.
At this time, Wu Meiniang was leading a few capable female subordinates to direct the porters to unload many goods brought from Chang'an, such as fine wine, silk and satin, and many supplies needed to open a shop, all of which amounted to hundreds of stones. It was so heavy that it piled up like a mountain in the cabin.
Wu Meiniang was happy when she heard the news. She hurriedly got off the boat with a few followers and trotted towards Princess Gaoyang.
"Haha, Mei Niang, let me call you out!" Princess Gaoyang clapped her hands proudly and laughed, and said to the big-headed soldiers, "Okay, okay, no need to shout, you can go about your business! I will Let me tell you, General Qin, if you help me, you will definitely be rewarded, hehe!"
"Thank you, Princess!" The soldiers were all amused and walked away laughing.
"Wu Zhao meets the princess." Wu Meiniang stepped forward and saluted hurriedly.
"Hehe, I didn't expect that we would meet again in Chang'an!" Princess Gao Yang said happily, "It's been a hard journey, are you seasick?"
"It's okay." Wu Meiniang smiled, looked around and said, "Have the prince and others left already?"
"Yes, those grown men are really boring." Princess Gaoyang said, "They only care about their own dignity, they only know how to talk about national affairs, and they don't care about us. Look how nice I am, I came all the way to pick you up. ”
"Your Highness is so kind, how can you dare to let Wu Zhao do it? Such a formal occasion is indeed inconvenient for people like us to appear! You see, the prince's own concubines are also on the same boat as me!" Wu Meiniang said with a smile, " Your Highness has been in Xiangzhou for many days, are you still getting used to it?"
"I'm used to it, it's just..." Princess Gaoyang curled her lips and sighed, "It's a bit disappointing and quite sad. Do you know that my sister-in-law, the concubine of the third brother King Wu, was married some time ago? Passed away. Originally, I wanted to have some fun with Mu Bai and the others, but I have been crying with them recently. Look, my eyes are a little red and swollen!"
Wu Meiniang was startled for a moment, then nodded and said: "It's really pitiful. Come to think of it, the Crown Princess is about the same age as us. She went there so early. Oh, what a pity!"
"Okay, Mei Niang, don't talk about these unhappy things when we first met. Leave the dock affairs to your subordinates, hehe, take my car, and we will go to the prince brother's palace for the banquet together!" Gao Yang The princess smiled happily.
"Okay, okay, but...that kind of occasion is not suitable for a businesswoman like me, right?" Wu Meiniang said.
"Nonsense, there is nothing inappropriate!" Princess Gaoyang raised her face and said angrily, "Ignore those men and those rules. Now, you are my friend, even the Imperial City can rest assured. How dare you go, let alone where the prince’s brother is? Let’s go, stop talking, hurry up and chase them, hehe!”
"Okay!" Wu Meiniang smiled helplessly, handed over the matters at hand to her subordinates, then boarded the car with Princess Gaoyang and headed towards Xiangyang County.
The two girls were sitting in the car. Princess Gaoyang hugged Wu Meiniang's elbow happily and said with a smile: "Meiniang, it's great that you are here! You know, Mu Bai has disappointed me so much, hum! He's here like this He didn't have time to play with me for a long time. He was always busy with his military and official duties. I was so bored. I took people walking around in the streets and alleys every day, and my shoes were worn out. There were so many people in the city. Everyone needs to know me."
"Haha, then why don't you repair him properly?" Wu Meiniang said with a smile.
"How dare I, hehe, otherwise you would definitely not let me go!" Princess Gao Yang smiled mischievously.
"Oh, what are you talking about?" Wu Meiniang smiled, "You are a princess!"
"Hehe, don't we have a 'secret agreement'? Outside, I am the princess, and you have to respect me and listen to me; privately, you are the sister, and I have to listen to you." Princess Gaoyang said with a smile. "It's all because that guy is too carefree. It's so hateful. Neither of us can monopolize him. There's no way. So, if I want to, I can only possess half of him. The other half is yours, so I Don’t dare mess around!”
"Hehe!" Wu Meiniang also laughed, "You didn't tell that guy about this secret agreement, right?"
"I'm not that stupid!" Princess Gao Yang smiled triumphantly, "He must still be troubled and entangled now. The two of us came together, what should he do? Hum, when the time comes, let's unite and work together If you deal with him, you won’t be afraid of being bullied by him!”
"How dare... has he 'bullied' you?" Wu Meiniang said with a warm smile, deliberately putting the word 'bully' in a strong tone.
"Ah?... No, no!" Princess Gao Yang's face suddenly turned red.
"Hehe!" Wu Meiniang was amused.
"It's disgusting, don't laugh!" Princess Gaoyang yelled a few times shyly, and suddenly laughed mischievously, "Meiniang, you have known him for so long, and you have an engagement, so you must have already... That’s it, right?”
"Which one?" Wu Meiniang asked seriously.
"Oh, it's just...that, that!"
"That, which one is it?"
"Hmph, I won't tell you anymore! You are as cunning as him!"
…
At the prince's residence, Li Chengqian got out of his chariot and looked around, nodding with satisfaction: "Yes, it is a unique waterside residence. I like it very much."
"As long as the prince likes it. Before, some people were worried that you would be dissatisfied!" Li Daozong said.
Xiao Yu's face turned cold and he said nothing.
"How could it be!" Li Chengqian said with a smile, "No matter what kind of residence it is, as long as it is arranged by the third brother and General Qin, it is their wish, and I will be satisfied no matter what. Okay, everyone, please come in and rest. Well, the cook and the helper and the others are still behind, and they will prepare the banquet later!"
"Without bothering the prince, I called the cooks and servants I brought from Chang'an here early in the morning. They have been busy preparing the banquet all morning, and they should be almost ready by now." Li Daozong said.
"Well, thank you for your trouble, uncle. So, please invite me, everyone!" Li Chengqian took the lead and walked in, looking around, which was quite novel.
"This is Gu's first time coming to Jingxiang, and it feels really good. Although it's not as grand and luxurious as Chang'an, it still has a unique elegance." Li Chengqian said, "It's hard to leave Beijing for sightseeing. I want to stay longer this time. Come back later. Third brother, General Qin, you won’t mind, right?”
"Welcome." Li Ke said with a smile, "Brother Huang can spend more time in Xiangzhou, that is the blessing of Xiangzhou. I am just worried that I will not be able to fulfill my friendship as a landlord. If the hospitality is not good, I hope Brother Huang Haihan.”
"How can one family speak the language of two families?" Li Chengqian said with a smile, "Brothers are like siblings. The left hand will not be polite to the right hand, so there is no need to be too polite with the right hand!"
"What the prince said is true." Li Daozong took over the words and said, "Brothers working together can cut through metal. My family business, Li Tangruo, needs the prince and many brothers to work together to prosper."
The group of people chatted happily and entered the main hall and sat down. The prince was at the head, with Li Ke and Li Daozong on the left and right respectively. The other civil and military officials such as Qin Mubai and Xiao Yu also gave seats to each other. Tea was served, elegant music was played, and everyone who had traveled more than 20 miles rested for a while, preparing to have a banquet later.
Qin Mubai sat on the seat and read the inscription slowly, thinking to himself: Li Chengqian's words are decent and generous, but he is not as dandy as the outside world rumored. Moreover, the brotherly relationship between him and Li Ke seems to be pretty good. It's just that King Qi Li You didn't fart a single thing along the way. When several members of the royal family were chatting, he didn't interrupt. It seemed that he didn't get along well with the prince.
Everyone sat down, chatted and memorized. At this moment, there was the sound of carriages and horses in the courtyard, and a woman shouted loudly: "Brother Prince, we are here!"
Who dares to break into the prince's residence and shout loudly
Everyone looked out curiously and were immediately happy. It turned out to be Princess Gaoyang. She was getting out of the car, waiting for the other woman in the car to land.
Li Chengqian smiled and said, "General Qin, why don't you go and greet him quickly?"
"Uh, me?" Qin Mubai was stunned, dumbfounded.
"Of course it's you. Do you want me to go on your behalf?" Li Daozong also teased.
"Okay!" Qin Mubai stood up with an embarrassed smile, saluted the prince and walked out.
Princess Gaoyang was dragging Wu Meiniang in with great airs. Qin Mubai came up to meet her. He clasped his fists and bowed in a serious manner: "General Qin Mubai, on the orders of His Highness the Crown Prince, is here to greet His Highness the Princess!"
"Hehe!" Princess Gaoyang suddenly became happy. She coughed twice, raised her little hands behind her back and said sternly, "Excuse me, General Qin! This is Wu Meiniang of Chang'an, a close friend of this palace. You Don't neglect me, let alone bully me! Otherwise, I... I'll spank you!"
"Haha!" The whole room burst into laughter.
Wu Meiniang was also amused and said with a smile: "Your Highness, you are so majestic. Look at General Qin, his face is turned green by you."
Qin Mubai shook his head helplessly and smiled bitterly: "I will always remember the princess's admonition. You two, please come in quickly!"
"Hee hee! It's so enjoyable!" Princess Gaoyang snickered twice as she succeeded in her scheme, and pulled Wu Meiniang forward in a swaggering manner.
Li Chengqian sat in the upper seat and laughed cheerfully for a while, and said to everyone: "Masters, I would like to introduce to you. Her Royal Highness Princess Gaoyang, I believe you all know her; the other one is the famous Wu Meiniang of Chang'an, my eldest daughter. The daughter of Xun, the founding official of the Tang Dynasty.
Having said this, Li Chengqian paused and said emphatically: "Well, she is not only a close friend of Princess Gaoyang, but also a close friend of the Crown Princess."
"Disrespect, disrespect!"
The Xiangzhou civil and military officials present were suddenly shocked and moved. Originally, Chang'an Wu Meiniang's name was not unfamiliar to them. Qinxianjiu became famous all over the world, and the name of Chang'an's best wine in the world (Qinxiange) was also famous at home. In addition, she also served as an official in Xiangzhou with her father. She has lived there and is Qin Mubai's fiancée and a famous beauty, so her name can be described as "like thunder".
It's just that they didn't expect that Wu Meiniang would have such a good relationship with Princess Gaoyang and that she would also be the Crown Princess's best friend. From this point of view, Qin Mubai's "relationship" in Chang'an is extremely deep!
On the other side, Qin Mubai and Li Ke exchanged glances, but they were thinking something else—Prince, this is undoubtedly a blatant closeness to Qin Mubai!