After wearing the book, the Buddhist imperial concubine has spoiled again

Chapter 264 Rumors Abound, Guzheng Musician

"Your Majesty, please don't worry, the subordinates have already made arrangements, just wait for the Crown Prince to enter our territory!"

After hearing this, Yi Enyang laughed with a sullen look on his face.

Although everyone present felt that Yi Enyang's smile was sinister, they could only laugh with him.

**
That night, the prince and others arrived at the border of Chu and stopped at an inn.

At this moment, Jiang Shishi, the crown prince, Huang Dechang, and Yu Bing were sitting at one of the Eight Immortals tables in the hall to eat.

There are several tables of guests around them who are also having dinner like them.

Along the way, Jiang Shishi and the others didn't live in inns every day and had hot dishes and meals.

Most of them sat in the carriage and ate dry food or snacks.

After finally having a hot meal, Jiang Shishi concentrated on cooking, but heard a table of guests on the right discussing there.

"I think that the prince said that he went to the people to inspect the water conservancy, but in fact he came to our people to search for oil and water!"

"Isn't that right? The emperor asked him to go to the private sector to inspect water conservancy. What did he do?"

"It's more than just searching for oil and water, just like him, it can be called bone cramp!"

Originally, only the people at the next table were discussing there, but there were too many discussions, and the whole hall began to discuss this matter.

It's nothing more than how bad the prince is.

Jiang Shishi was puzzled. They came all the way to Chu, and the prince did not do anything harmful except to inspect the water conservancy. How did the people complain?

Just as puzzled as Jiang Shishi was Huang Dechang and the guards who were traveling with her.

Seeing that everyone was talking about the prince, Huang Dechang and Yu Bing took several guards to the table where the discussion started.

Yu Bing directly put the snake spear on the ground heavily, and then pointed the spear at the man who was talking about it at the beginning.

Seeing the sharp spearhead and looking at Yu Bing's murderous expression, the man stuttered in fright: "Who are you? What are you doing?"

"We are from out of town. I heard you talking about the prince here. I was curious and wanted to find out more." Huang Dechang sat down beside the man, "Didn't you discuss it vigorously just now? Keep talking!"

While speaking, he glanced at the guests around him.

Those guests also shut up one after another, not daring to talk about the prince anymore.

Some people even put silver and copper coins on the table, and left the inn with their burdens on their backs in fright, not daring to stay here any longer.

Seeing the snake spear pointed at his nose, the man slapped himself and begged for mercy repeatedly, "Dear fellows, if I offend you by saying something wrong, please forgive me."

"Don't tell me." Huang Dechang's face darkened, "If you tell me, just say it!"

"Okay, let me tell you what to say." The man was so nervous that his forehead was sweating, "it's just... what do you guys want to hear?"

Huang Dechang: "Just what you just said. What happened to the crown prince's cramp when he scraped his bones among the people?"

"." The man swallowed in fear, he dared not continue and had to say: "Recently, there are rumors in the Chu world that when the crown prince inspects the water conservancy in various places, every time he goes to a place, the people will be asked to pay an extra tax. Said to be used to build river dams."

"Even in our Chu world, I heard that some local yamen have begun to collect taxes from the common people, but the common people have paid taxes every year, and now the crown prince has to collect an extra tax, and we common people are naturally resentful."

"Nonsense!" Huang Dechang gritted his teeth after hearing this.

The man was so frightened that he pursed his dry lips, and suddenly he didn't dare to speak again.

Huang Dechang ordered him, "I will say mine, and you continue to say yours."

The man didn't know whether he should say or not. Under Huang Dechang's gaze, he continued to talk.

"That's why, it's spread all over the Chu world now. It's not that the court wants to collect taxes, but that the crown prince is taking advantage of the inspections to collect money everywhere. The money is used for the crown prince's food, drink and entertainment, and goes into the crown prince's pocket."

"It's unreasonable!" Huang Dechang slapped the table angrily, and asked the man angrily, "Is there anything else?"

This time out of the palace, not to mention that His Highness didn't ask people to collect taxes indiscriminately, as far as staying in the hotel is concerned, His Highness keeps everything simple and spends all his own money.

As a result, folks spread rumors that His Highness was looting money everywhere, and he was really pissed!
"." The man shrank his neck and replied, "It's gone."

When the situation was almost understood, Huang Dechang and others went back and sat down beside the prince.

Being so close, His Highness must have listened to what the man said.

Huang Dechang glanced at the prince cautiously, only to see that the prince was still eating gracefully, as if those people were not talking about him.

Pei Xuanling didn't show emotion on his face, but he was thinking in his heart that the collection of taxes was in the hands of the local magistrate, so it seemed that he had to get acquainted with the local magistrate.

**
In the early morning of the next day, the prince and others went to the gate of the main city of Chu after breakfast.

When the carriage arrived at the gate of the city, Yu Bing handed the document issued by the court to the gatekeeper.

As for Jiang Shishi and the prince, because there were too many people at the gate of the city, they sat in the carriage.

The gate of the city is crowded with people, and there is an endless stream of pedestrians of all colors.

Not to mention that the prince's end is a carriage and a tall horse.

Moreover, a group of chariots and horses were parked there at the other end, causing the already crowded city gate to become even more congested.

The guard guarding the gate looked at the prince's document, and immediately knelt down.

At the same time, many people at the gate of the city knelt down to the prince, "Welcome the prince to come to inspect Chu!"

Pei Xuanling just wanted to keep a low profile, so he didn't bring many people with him when he entered the city.

As a result, local officials gathered a large number of people at the gate of the city to meet him.

At this time, when they heard that the prince had arrived in Chu, the common people also knelt down to salute, but there were many voices talking about the prince in the crowd.

"A while ago, I heard that the prince went to the people to inspect the water conservancy in various places. It is said that he will come to our place. I didn't expect that he would actually come to our Chu land."

"Could it be true that the rumors that the crown prince scooped up people's fat and people's ointment are also true?"

"It must be true. It is said that some local government offices here have already started collecting taxes from the people."

"Hey, we ordinary people are going to have a hard time."

so and so
Most of the common people were whispering to those around them, and the prince sitting in the carriage couldn't hear them.

However, Pei Xuanling learned something about it at the inn yesterday, and probably guessed what the common people were talking about.

Pei Xuanling clearly knew that some people wanted to ruin his reputation, and the common people were only deluded by the rumors, so they didn't care about them.

Sitting in the carriage, Pei Xuanling said in a deep voice: "Get up, the city gate is the passageway in and out of the city, don't gather here, let them all disperse!"

"Thank you, Your Royal Highness!"

After the common people got up, they were sent away by the gate guards who maintained order.

As for the group of officials, the carriage surrounded by the prince entered the city gate.

The city gate that was originally congested suddenly became unobstructed.

While leading the horses for the prince's carriage, the magistrate of Chu District cordially invited the prince through the curtain of the carriage, "Your Highness, I have ordered a table of good wine and food at the best restaurant in the area, and I hope your Highness will appreciate you."

"I'm here for business, not for fun, so there's no need to waste extravagance, just find a restaurant to rest for a while." Pei Xuanling said lightly.

After Liu Zhifu heard this, he hurriedly said: "Your Highness has worked hard all the way. You are so noble, how can you just find a restaurant to live in?"

Huang Dechang: "His Royal Highness keeps everything simple when he leaves the palace. He even stayed in country inns, so he doesn't pay attention to those!"

Nowadays, it is rumored everywhere that His Highness is searching for people's fat and people's anointing, and these officials are still welcoming His Highness at the gate of the city, are they afraid that the common people will not know that His Highness has come to Chudi?
Moreover, they invited His Highness to the best restaurant for dinner in public, wouldn't that confirm the rumors that His Highness was eating, drinking and having fun among the people?
Fortunately, he reacted quickly, and took this opportunity to clarify some facts for His Highness!
Sure enough, some common people were surprised when they heard this. Why is this prince different from what they heard?

Through the curtain of the car, Pei Xuanling glanced at the group of officials, "If Gu remembers correctly, today is not the day for Xiu Mu, but you adults are not working in the Yamen, but ran to the city gate to meet Gu. This is working in the yamen?"

As soon as the voice fell, the officials all knelt down.

Liu Zhifu didn't bother to lead the horse anymore, he quickly knelt down and explained: "It's not that I heard that you are coming to Chudi, and I want to welcome His Highness, so we made an appointment to meet His Highness at the city gate together."

"There are people around Gu who are waiting for you, so you don't need to greet him. It's more important for you adults to go back to the yamen to do errands." Pei Xuanling's voice was cold.

After hearing this, the local officials sweated on their foreheads and responded "yes" one after another.

Liu Zhifu got up and wiped the sweat from his forehead, and then he heard the crown prince say: "Liu Zhifu, Gu is going to inspect the East Lake River in Chu tomorrow, so I will accompany you!"

"." Prefect Liu replied "Yes" in surprise and joy.

Pei Xuanling didn't have the time to deal with these officials, so he directly asked the guards to drive the carriage to an ordinary restaurant opened by the Seventh Prince in Chudi.

After staying in the restaurant, Pei Xuanling asked the guards to inquire about several important local officials.

As for himself, he sat in the study and stared at the map of Chudi, thinking about the route when he inspected the river.

The prince was at work, and Jiang Shishi didn't want to disturb her, so she went downstairs and ordered a table of delicious food to enjoy.

**
The next day, the prince and Liu Zhifu made an appointment to inspect the Donghu River.

On this day, the prince took dozens of guards to the East Lake.

Jiang Shishi, like Yu Liangdi, was dressed as a female guard and followed the prince.

When the prince got off the carriage at the East Lake Wharf, Liu Zhifu brought people forward to greet him, "Your Highness, I have arrived at the wharf early in the morning, and I have already prepared the cruise ship. I would like your Highness to accompany you to board the boat and have a look."

Liu Zhifu led the way, Pei Xuanling walked with Liu Zhifu with his hands behind his back, Jiang Shishi and others followed behind the prince.

After everyone boarded the cruise ship, the cruise ship drove slowly on the lake.

During the day, the prince and Liu Zhifu inspected several river channels and water conservancy in the East Lake, and there were no problems.

In the evening, the cruise ship returns.

At this moment, the prince stood on the deck with his hands behind his back, looking at the sparkling lake.

Jiang Shishi and a group of guards stood not far away.

Liu Zhifu stood beside the prince and chatted awkwardly with the prince, "I have long heard that your highness is dedicated to his duties and is rigorous and truth-seeking. This time you have just arrived in Chudi, and you have been busy inspecting rivers and water conservancy. It seems that the rumors are true. No wonder the emperor will send you Go to various places to inspect water conservancy."

"That's wrong." Pei Xuanling turned his head and looked at Liu Zhifu, "Master Liu, are you sure that the rumors you've heard say that you are solitary and conscientious, rigorous and truth-seeking?"

Liu Zhifu nodded, "Yes."

"But Gu has heard people say that I collect taxes and money indiscriminately, and use the guise of inspecting water conservancy to search for people's fat and people's anointing everywhere!" Pei Xuanling sneered slightly, "I just want to ask Liu Zhifu, why Gu heard that, and you Did you hear something different?"

"This..." Liu Zhifu lowered his head and lowered his eyes, not daring to look directly into the prince's eyes, "Dare to ask Your Highness, who told you about this?"

"When I first arrived in Chu, I heard the people complaining, do I need someone to tell me?!" Pei Xuanling's eyes tightened, "I have never asked the government to collect a penny from the people during this inspection of water conservancy. Didn’t your local government want to take the opportunity to search for people’s fat?”

"." Prefect Liu was so frightened that he immediately knelt down, "Your Highness, I have heard these rumors recently, but I have never asked anyone to collect tax money during your inspection!"

Pei Xuanling looked down at Prefect Liu condescendingly, "As the local prefect, isn't it your duty to collect taxes?"

"It is indeed the duty of the lower officials to collect taxes, but the lower officials have never let anyone collect tax money under the guise of your inspection." Liu Zhifu kowtowed to the ground, "If your highness doesn't believe it, I welcome your highness to the yamen to review this year's tax books .”

"." Although Liu Zhifu looked as if he had been greatly wronged, Pei Xuanling said indifferently: "Of course we have to look at the account book."

"When we get off the boat tomorrow, I will go back to the yamen with Your Highness to look at the account books." Liu Zhifu respectfully responded to the prince's question, then got up, and said with a shy smile: "Your Highness, it's time for dinner. We prepared good wine and good food on board, and invited His Highness to go to the hall to have a meal."

After speaking, Liu Zhifu clapped his hands slightly.

Jiang Shishi saw someone carrying dishes from the back kitchen into the hall, and then heard the sound of guzheng playing from inside the boat.

Pei Xuanling entered the hall with his hands behind his back, Jiang Shishi and others followed the prince in, and saw a woman wearing a light purple skirt, sitting there playing the zither gracefully.

The woman's figure is graceful and graceful, her face is beautiful, her slender hands are plucking on the strings, the melody is like a flowing stream, the lingering sound is vivid and the aftertaste is lingering.

Seeing the prince coming, the woman got up and saluted the prince Yingying, "Minnv Xinyue has seen His Highness."

Liu Zhifu: "Your Highness, this is Guo Xinyue, the most famous musician in our area. Miss Guo plays the guzheng very well, and she has the title of "King of Silk Strings"."

"Knowing that His Highness is going to inspect the river today, I specially invited her to accompany you, but I dare not delay your official duties. I dare not let her come out to accompany you until you finish inspecting the river."

Jiang Shishi: "."

The prince's reputation in Chudi is not good, and the prefect Liu invited famous musicians to accompany the prince when he was inspecting the river. Wouldn't the prince's reputation be even worse?

What Jiang Shishi can think of, the prince must be able to think of.

Unexpectedly, the prince actually looked at Guo Xinyue with a smile, "It's quite boring to inspect the river, it's good to have Miss Guo's music to accompany you."

After Jiang Shishi heard this, she looked at the prince in surprise, and her eyes turned slightly.

However, she focused more on the delicious food on that table.

After hearing this, Yu Bing curled his lips coldly.

Just as Jiang Shishi was staring at the table of food eagerly, Liu Zhifu actually started to chase people away.

"Your Highness, please take it easy, the lower officials will step down first." Liu Zhifu didn't mind going out by himself, and even winked at Jiang Shishi and others, meaning to let Jiang Shishi and others go out too.

Jiang Shishi and Yu Bing didn't listen to Liu Zhifu, but looked at the prince.

Unexpectedly, the crown prince also said: "You guys just step back."

Now that the crown prince had spoken, Jiang Shishi and the others retreated to wait outside the hall door.

And in that hall, only the crown prince and Guo Xinyue were left.

Outside the hall, the kitchen was distributing food boxes to the guards.

As a female guard, Jiang Shishi was also assigned a wooden food box.

When I opened the food box, I saw that there were tamales, fried fish, and vegetables inside.

Those guards squatted to eat on the spot, Jiang Shishi was already hungry, so she didn't care so much, she followed their example and squatted on the spot to cook.

Yu Bing leaned against the door frame and ate standing up.

She squinted at Jiang Shishi who was squatting aside, and raised her eyebrows slightly.

The prince is already in the same room with other women, Jiang Liangdi's appetite is still so good?
Jiang Shishi had no time to appreciate the melodious guzheng sound coming from inside the boat, nor did she care that the crown prince and Guo Xinyue were alone in the same room, and they were only focused on cooking.

After a while, she got the CD.

Jiang Shishi covered the food box, and the sound of the zither in the boat stopped abruptly.

That's all, not long after, a woman's delicate voice came from inside.
(End of this chapter)