Man Tang Huacai

Chapter 220 Giving a Bath

In the Huaqing Palace, there are elixirs flowing in the flying pavilions, and the elixirs and couplets are carved in regular script.

Melodic and melodious singing sounded from the back hall, but it was an opera.

"Zhan, Zhan, Zhan has great magic power and is a meddlesome old bald ass. He is jealous of my husband and wife's affection..."

Yang Yuhuan was swinging his long sleeves. When he turned around, he saw the saint coming. He stopped singing and stood there looking at him.

Li Longji was feeling faintly displeased, but when he looked into her eyes, he found that those beautiful eyes clearly contained a hint of laughter and anger.

She still looked agile and distinct, which surprised him.

"What are you singing, Tai Zhen? Are you in a good mood?"

"Of course it was the "White Snake" that was not finished that night. The old bald donkey suddenly turned into a real assassin. I haven't heard Sanlang's comments yet." Yang Yuhuan snorted: "I'm in a bad mood."

"Haha."

Li Longji stroked his beard and smiled as before. He liked her title, which made him feel that he was still the heroic Saburo.

Yang Yuhuan's feelings for him remained unchanged.

She is extremely beautiful, and she likes to use musk to keep her skin as beautiful as jade. Coupled with her innocent and lively personality, she looks like a bright girl standing there. She is bold and aggressive, proud of her beauty, and flirts and flirts as if she is not afraid of his royal dignity.

Of course he has to be a king first, but he also has to experience the youthful feeling of admiration.

"Sanlang doesn't want to come see me. Is he really busy, or is he seduced by other vixens?" Yang Yuhuan did not coax him like the concubine next to him, but instead said angrily: "It's better not to come at all."

"Look what Taizhen said." Li Longji said with a smile: "If such a big thing happens, can I not be busy? Your brother is working for me. You will know as soon as you ask him."

"I'm too lazy to care about this. Sanlang, please comment. You are the best in the world. Tell me how I sing on Chinese Valentine's Day?"

"Good good."

Li Longji sat down very gracefully, but for a moment he did not immediately think of the opera that night.

The first thing that came to mind was the oncoming crossbow arrow, and then the prince's face emerged when he ascended the throne, discussed the late emperor with officials, and even chased the beauties in the forbidden garden, asking them, "How do I compare to the late emperor?"

"I hope that the Bodhisattva will enlighten me and help me escape from the mortal world..."

The singing brought Li Longji back from these emotions. He shook his hand and commented a few words. It seemed that the two of them were back before the assassination.

The reason why the whole case was raised high and put down gently was that nothing should change.

But some things still need to be mentioned. Li Longji asked: "Your sworn brother invited you to take up a post in Luoyang. I sent someone to tell you. What do you say?"

"What can I say?" Yang Yuhuan said: "My Yang family has only a small number of men. I have recognized such a foster brother because I think he will have a good future. I hope that he can take care of my nephew in the future when I get old and lose my temper." two."

Li Longji ignored the little hook in her words and continued the topic, not knowing what he wanted to explore.

"I think he did a great job guarding the driver that night and deserves a heavy reward, but it's not appropriate to make a big deal about it."

"Does Sanlang think I'm scared?" Yang Yuhuan suddenly smiled and said, "It's really like the scene where the water flooded the golden mountain and the shrimps, soldiers and crabs chased me."

Li Longji also laughed.

"Then I will let Xue Bai go to Dongdu to get his qualifications first? Then I can reuse him later."

"It's just Sanlang's arrangement. I know you won't treat the Yang family badly."

~~

Outside the palace, Xie Aman saw the saint's chariot leaving from a distance, and quickly entered the palace to ask for Concubine Yang.

Zhang Yunrong was peeling lychees. He looked back warily and saw that it was Xie Aman who was coming, so he continued talking.

"I should have passed the test today, and the knot in my heart will gradually pass."

"If the feelings were different, there would be no way to save her. How could Jiang Caiping's appearance and talent be any worse?"

Xie Aman didn't know what they were talking about, so he waited respectfully aside.

Not long after, Yang Yuhuan looked back at her and smiled: "I thought there was a thief standing behind me."

"Concubine, I..."

Xie Aman pinched his sleeves, but he couldn't find a good excuse at the moment, so he simply asked: "Xue Bai was really demoted? Why?"

"Whoever demoted him will go on his own." Yang Yuhuan said: "It's better to stay away from the limelight for a year or two, and then we will promote him."

"But can an official fan like him really ask for release?"

"Otherwise? Could the saint lie to you?"

"How about...disciple go ask him?"

"So he was waiting here." Yang Yuhuan teased: "Don't think about it, he is engaged."

"The disciple knew it, but didn't think much about it. He just... felt that if he begged a noble concubine and was demoted because of it, he would have a complaint in his heart and the previous kindness would have been in vain."

"It's not the cat you raised. He wouldn't feel that way."

Even so, Yang Yuhuan was not sure, but she knew that it was not the time to send people to interact with Xue Bai, so she told him: "Remain calm, I have my own arrangements."

~~

In late July, it really rained in Lishan Mountain because the saint went to Chaoyuan Pavilion to offer sacrifices and pray for rain.

After the rain has passed and the sky has cleared up, the haze caused by a stabbing case seems to have passed. The case was small and was settled by Zhaoying County Magistrate without causing too many waves.

Xie Aman stopped staring at Xue Bai and quietly went to Guo Guozhuang.

Finally, he changed his mind and wanted to take up a post in Dongdu. The most important thing for Xue Bai is to comfort Yang Yuyao. After all, she is his most important supporter now.

But it's hard to say anything. If she complains in her heart, the previous friendship will be in vain.

Xue Bai thinks that the matter has not been determined yet, and Yang Yuyao should not know yet. Unexpectedly, I didn't see her when I got to the hall. I'm afraid I got the news from somewhere and got angry.

This is very troublesome.

"Where's Yuyao?"

Mingzhu Wanfu said: "Xue Lang came with the slave family."

"Is she angry?"

"Did Xue Lang cause trouble again?"

"That's not it."

Seeing Mingzhu leading him to the bath, Xue Bai felt relieved and thought about his words.

After entering the bath, Mingzhu said through the screen: "Mother Yao, Xue Lang is here."

Suddenly there was a pipa sound on the other side of the screen, followed by a sound like an oriole emerging from the valley.

"Bai Suzhen at the foot of Qingcheng Mountain has cultivated her body in the cave for thousands of years. Ah, she has practiced hard to achieve the Tao..."

This is Nian Nu's voice. She is really good at singing.

Amidst the melodious singing, Xue Bai turned around the screen and his eyes immediately lit up.

Yang Yuyao is dressed in white and wears a flower on her head. She is exactly what Bai Suzhen looks like. She is also beautiful, but more coquettish. Her slightly curly hair on the temples makes her eyes even more charming, and her slender calves are swaying gently in the hot spring.

Qing Lan was wearing a green dress with a pretty face. She glanced at Xue Bai secretly and quickly turned back. She was also soaking in the hot spring with her bare feet, and was very embarrassed because Yang Yuyao always used his feet to seduce her.

Two pairs of jade feet were flapping in the pool, exactly like the scene of two snakes playing in the water that Xue Bai had said.

Only then did Yang Yuyao look back at Xue Bai. She pursed her lips and smiled. Her eyes were charming, but she ignored him. She whispered into Qing Lan's ear. Qing Lan wanted to struggle but was hugged by her again. The two of them made a sound like silver bells. laughter.

She insisted on keeping Qing Lan by her side, and finally convinced her to accompany her to tease Xue Bai.

Niannu was dressed in red, sitting by the screen, holding a pipa in his arms and singing, looking very serious.

The vibrato is gentle.

"I hope that the Bodhisattva will enlighten me and help me escape from the mortal world, ah..."

~~

"what……"

On the night of the seventh day of the lunar month, Yang Yuyao failed to watch a complete play of "The Legend of White Snake", so Xue Bai had to explain it to her and Qing Lan.

What she was curious about were mostly things that had nothing to do with the story.

"When White Snake transforms into a human form, will it also entangle people like a snake?"

"What kind?"

"Is this so?" "It can only be strangled to death if it's too tight..."

After telling the story, Yang Yuyao and Qing Lan also wanted to learn how to sing this play, especially the last vibrato in the Nuan song.

Unfortunately, I didn't learn it after studying all night.

"Qing'er, save sister..."

"Um……"

~~

For several days, Xue Bai tried his best to persuade Yang Yuyao to agree to him going to Yanshi to serve as county captain.

After almost half his life, he finally moved her.

"I decided to go to Dongdu. A real man can't hide under his skirt and be protected all day long. He should face the wind and rain by himself. In this way, when the storm comes, I can protect you in turn."

"You are ambitious, aren't you? When can I ask you to protect me?"

"Think about it...what if the weather changes?"

Yang Yuyao then realized that he was talking about what to do if the saint died.

Thinking of the saint's age, she understood why Xue Bai was so anxious to be promoted.

Her tone softened and she complained: "I can't let you go."

"Luoyang is close, and we will be back in a year or two."

"What if you are not in front of the emperor, ask for cockfighting to say bad things about you, and send people to kill you later?"

"He won't. I'm going to run an errand for the saint."

Yang Yuyao hummed: "You don't want my sister to take care of you in front of the emperor."

Xue Bai pondered and lowered his voice: "I'm afraid the imperial concubine's situation is not very good. You can't speak too much for me for the time being."

"Why?"

"At the time of the assassination, the imperial concubine failed to enter Wangjing Gate after all."

Yang Yuyao said dissatisfied: "That's why the saint should compensate her well. Now is the time to respond to her requests."

"Yu Yao is saying that the saint is wrong?"

"I……"

"No matter what you think, don't say it out loud." Xue Bai confessed: "Just pretend that nothing happened and wait until the impact of this matter has completely passed."

"I have to go into the palace to remind Yuhuan."

"The noble concubine should know." Xue Bai said: "I must be returning to Chang'an to take over official duties soon. After I leave, you are not in a hurry to see the noble concubine again."

If he is confirmed to be appointed Yanshi Lieutenant, he does not plan to say goodbye to Yang Yuhuan, and will just head east when the time comes.

……

Of course Xue Bai was very reluctant to leave Yang Yuyao, but he still had to come out of Wenrou Township to see the Tang Dynasty outside Guanzhong.

That day, when he was saying goodbye to Yang Yuyao, Mingzhu came in a hurry.

"Xue Lang, please go back to your official residence quickly. There is a message coming."

~~

Xue Bai originally thought it would be a holy decree granting him an official position, but what he didn't expect was a rather strange decree.

"Give me a bath?"

"good."

Yang Guozhong also came with the imperial edict. He looked very proud and explained to Xue Bai why the saint gave Baiguan Hot Spring in Huaqing Palace.

"This custom was passed down from Emperor Taizong. In the 18th year of Zhenguan, Emperor Taizong built Tangquan Palace. It took four years to complete. Emperor Taizong invited all civil and military officials to take a bath in Tangquan Palace together. The saint rebuilt Huaqing Palace, but not Emperor Taizong. It is tradition to invite the accompanying important officials to the bath every time.”

"That's it." Xue Bai suddenly realized, "But I'm just a small official."

Yang Guozhong patted his back affectionately and said with a smile: "You have done a good job in escorting me. Naturally, you are invited by the saint. This is a profound kindness from the king."

"Yes, your kindness is profound."

……

Xue Bai hasn't entered Huaqing Palace for a long time.

That day, palace doors slowly opened in front of him. Feng Shenwei walked in front, leading him and the officials beside him into the palace garden.

Pass through Jinyang Gate first, tidy up your appearance in Feishuang Hall, and then enter Xiyuan.

The palaces of Huaqing Palace are not neatly built because they are all built according to the location of the hot spring exit. All hot spring pools are also located in the palace and look very solemn.

"Don't look around." Yang Guozhong walked with his head lowered and reminded Xue Bai in a low voice.

There were only eight officials in the team. Yang Hao was walking in front wearing a purple robe, followed by officials in red robes. Only one man in a green robe stood out among them.

The palace maids only stared at the green robe, their eyes shining brightly.

Xue Bai then lowered his head slightly and found that the layout of the inner garden was not unfamiliar to him. If he remembered it well, this should be the location of the ring garden.

really.

"We've arrived at the Royal Book Pavilion." Feng Shenwei stopped and said with a smile, "I'll take you to see Emperor Taizong's handwriting first, please."

This is an annual process, and the purple robes are all familiar with it, so they should step forward first.

The original name of Yushu Pavilion was "Bian Palace". When Emperor Taizong of the Tang Dynasty led hundreds of officials to Tangquan Palace, he met with them here to discuss state affairs, so it was called "Bian Palace". When Li Longji first rebuilt the Huaqing Palace, it was converted into the Imperial Book Pavilion to honor and display the "Hot Spring Inscription" tablet by Emperor Taizong of the Tang Dynasty to show its inheritance.

This stele was probably destroyed later, and the original rubbings were lost. What was handed down to later generations was the re-rubbing from the Mogao Grottoes, which was collected in the Paris Library.

Stepping onto the lotus-patterned square tiles, Xue Bai discovered that the architectural style here was still simple, and there wasn't even a pattern on the tiles.

He was at the end of the line of officials and looked at the stone tablet.

As soon as you see it, what you feel is the momentum of calligraphy...the momentum of an emperor looking down on the world.

This is the original stele. The strokes and strokes of Taizong of the Tang Dynasty all have the style of Wang Xizhi. They are sharp and sharp, but the strokes are more free and uninhibited. Every word is carved with a knife. The bones are strong, the appearance is ups and downs, and it reveals grace and splendor. , a sense of boldness and confidence.

This is an imperial script, and Xue Bai only knows regular script now.

The calligraphy is unrestrained and unrestrained, but the content written is very humble.

"I have worked hard and worked hard, and I have suffered from frequent wind and disease. Every time I suffer from the source, I will always suffer losses..."

Emperor Taizong was explaining that he had become ill due to overwork and had rheumatism for many years, and he needed to use Lishan Warm Soup to relieve it.

The reason why he wanted to explain was that he knew that "water can carry a boat or capsize it." When the country was first established, he did not want his ministers and people to think that he only cared about enjoyment, so he was frightened and in awe.

Xue Bai raised his hand and wanted to touch the stone tablet, but suddenly realized that he couldn't touch it, so he stopped.

"Everyone, please continue to follow the old slave. Over there is the 'Star Soup', which is where Emperor Taizong specially bathed. Now the hot spring is led to another hot spring to express the meaning of 'the emperor's grace is so great that the rain and dew are all touched'..."

"boom!"

Suddenly there was a thunder, and large dark clouds came in, covering the sun.

The sky quickly darkened.

Xue Bai turned his head and looked at the stone tablet with the "Hot Spring Inscription".

In his mind, he seemed to see this thunder that would shatter everything, including this stone tablet, and then fire would burn every corner of the land.

In the light of the fire, people struggled and sank. They became stupid for a time, had their spines broken, and bowed their proud heads.

As a result, the rubbings of the inscriptions were transported to other places along with the cultural relics of the Mogao Grottoes. The tomb of Emperor Taizong of the Tang Dynasty was destroyed. The stone tablets of the Six Horses of Zhaoling were cut into pieces, moved to sea ships, and transported to foreign countries...

"Boom!"

There was another thunder, as if Emperor Taizong of the Tang Dynasty was shouting angrily from the sky.

"Evil beast! I raised a voluntary army at the age of eighteen, leveled the world twenty-four times, rectified the four seas, flattened the districts, benefited the people, and opened up the great Tang Dynasty. However, a hundred years later, why did my handwriting fall into the hands of a foreign country and a ghost weapon? Played in the hands of Fanyi?! All descendants are useless!"

(End of this chapter)