Man Tang Huacai

Chapter 473 Delicate
A white jade bowl was crystal clear, but there was only a bowl of buckwheat rice inside.

When Yang Yuhuan saw it, he immediately flattened his mouth and said, "I won't eat this. It tastes astringent and hard to swallow. My chest hurts after eating it."

In the past, her staple food has always been "Qingfeng rice", which is prepared with crystal rice, longqing powder, borneol powder, and cow buttermilk. It has a glutinous texture and a good taste. Naturally, she is not used to eating these, let alone eating them every day. It's all the same buckwheat, not even a little different.

"My dear concubine, please forgive me, there is really nothing else in the dining room." Zhang Yunrong was very embarrassed, "Even the saint only eats this."

"Is Chang'an City really out of food? I don't believe it."

"Yes, please ask the Saint and the Imperial Concubine to set an example for the world. I'm sure food is really tight." Zhang Yunrong rolled his eyes and advised: "I haven't seen the Imperial Concubine, even Lady Guoguo has lost weight and has a thin waist."

"Don't compare the third sister to me. She is a sweetheart and supports her lover." Yang Yuhuan stirred the buckwheat in the bowl with chopsticks, and finally ate it reluctantly, "Why should I?"

"Ping Guifei is the master of the harem, we can overcome the difficulties together, and we are guarding the world of saints."

Hearing this, Yang Yuhuan fell silent and chewed buckwheat in silence.

But although she didn't refute it, she obviously didn't agree with this reason in her heart, and she became even more depressed.

Unfortunately, continuing forward, there are three more palace gates, which are heavily guarded.

The Liangyi door was bolted from the inside and not locked. Yang Yuhuan was a little surprised by this. He stepped forward and pulled the door bolt, and looked around. In front of him was the Tai Chi Hall. The majestic palace is located in the empty square, looking extremely lonely.

Yang Yuhuan was a little disappointed, and after stopping for a while, she was about to go back, but she saw a group of people rushing towards the tower of Chengtianmen with torches in the night. She could recognize the figure of the leader as Gao Lishi, so she followed them.

If Yang Yuhuan had told Gao Lishi directly that she was not used to buckwheat rice, it is very likely that Gao Lishi would have found some delicacies for her.

Taiji Palace was the first palace built after the founding of the Tang Dynasty. The terrain is low-lying and humid. During the Gaozong and Wuzhou dynasties, emperors liked to live in the Daming Palace. Li Longji preferred the Xingqing Palace that was renovated from his own palace, so Taiji Palace inevitably felt desolate.

Afterwards, he bowed to Yang Yuhuan and said, "Please return to the palace and rest."

Yang Yuhuan didn't ask any questions and took the opportunity to follow him to the top of the city. To the south of Chengtian Gate was the Imperial City, which was completely different from the deserted Taiji Palace. The lights were bright and officials were coming and going, even at night.

Gao Lishi looked back warily, with a worried look on his face, and murmured: "If this is the case, the people in the city will be in turmoil, and I'm afraid it will be even more difficult to hold on."

"Are all the news true?"

After eating whole grains for a month, she was still not used to it. She felt hungry and her chest seemed to be blocked. She tossed and turned on the bed until late at night, still unable to fall asleep.

But seeing Gao Lishi walking towards the person with a little haste, he went to the side to talk with him in detail. Yang Yuhuan was curious and followed him, and could hear their soft answers.

Further away, there was a looming fire, which must be the direction of the commotion. The turmoil felt both close to her and far away.

Gao Lishi sighed: "Recently, there has been some bad news outside the city."

Gao Lishi then personally verified the talismans and ordered the palace gate to be opened to let them in.

Gao Lishi was busy arranging manpower. When he heard the noise, he turned around and saw Yang Yuhuan, so he asked, "Why is the imperial concubine back?"

"I want to see Xue Bai."

"who?!"

Faintly, shouts could be heard from far away, symbolizing unrest and killing. In troubled times, Miyagi seems like a birdcage that has forgotten to lock the door. And she was a rare bird locked in a cage, and she wanted to take a look outside the cage out of curiosity.

"The Prince of Peiping is still investigating the source of the news. Li Heng probably proclaimed himself emperor in Lingwu."

"No, it's February 20th."

"Has it only been more than a month since I returned to Chang'an?" Yang Yuhuan murmured, "I feel like a year has passed."

"There is turmoil in the city." Gao Lishi did not shy away and said, "Someone wants to leave the city at night and seek refuge with Shuofang."

"Some rumors."

But it seems that's not what she wants. She probably thinks that the troublesome child will be fed by milk, so her attitude this time is very tough.

Seeing this scene, Yang Yuhuan's eyes gradually brightened. Because she noticed that Miyagi's curfew was now relaxed.

"it's me."

She didn't know what she thought of, so she simply stood up. I saw Gong'e who was keeping watch at night, sitting on a stool with her head hanging down and falling asleep. She simply put on a light men's robe, left the Qianqiu Palace where she was staying temporarily, and started walking around the Tai Chi Palace.

"Is there General Gao in the city?! Prince Beiping has put down the turmoil, and his fate will be dealt with by the saint."

In the past, the curfew in Chang'an was extremely strict, especially in the palace city. Even if you had an imperial edict at night, you had to have several government offices verify it together before asking for the key to the palace. Nowadays, it is "take the easy way".

"My concubine, please lie down. Your next meal will have to wait until tomorrow. You will get hungry quickly if you move too much."

The moonlight in the middle of the month was bright, but the palace was deserted, and the eunuchs who used to watch the night were missing. When we went south to Liangyi Gate, we didn't see any imperial guards there. This is the passage between the back bedroom and the front area. In the past, even she couldn't enter and exit freely.

Gao Lishi did not elaborate on the content of the rumor and boarded the Chengtian Gate.

"Why do you want to go to Shuofang?"

When he saw Yang Yuhuan coming, he moved a few steps further and whispered a few words to the visitor, asking him to go see Xue Bai again.

After eating, she could still feel hungry. She looked at the bronze mirror, turned sideways, and looked at her thin back, feeling a little strange.

Yang Yuhuan asked curiously: "What news?"

"If you have anything to do, your concubine can just tell the old slave."

"Hear the noise and come over to see what happened?"

Since the Chencang Incident, his attitude towards Yang Yuhuan seems to be less respectful than before, but he has a little more trust among himself.

"Is it March yet?"

Gradually, the fire slowly extinguished, and there were the sounds of neat footsteps coming towards the imperial city. After that, a group of forbidden troops rushed to the city gate.

"What can we do about discussing with General Gao? In the end, he was the one who made the decision. I just heard that Li Heng proclaimed himself emperor. That would be denying our saint. If I didn't come for such a big event, you would still hide it from me. You and I were originally..."

"Concubine, be silent."

Gao Lishi nodded helplessly and said, "It's my arrangement."

~~
This is a strictly controlled Chang'an City, without the prosperity of the past.

Bonfires were lit at every intersection along the straight streets. Every doorway was sealed with wooden strips to prevent any hidden objects from hiding in the night. The guards at the street entrance could see directly to the other end of the long street with just one glance.

Soldiers galloped through the streets on horseback from time to time, but rarely saw pedestrians. In each workshop, which is as neat as a vegetable patch, most of the people are housed together, rations are distributed in rations, and injuries and illnesses are dealt with centrally.

Although the curfew is relaxed, it reflects another kind of strictness.

Yang Yuhuan followed a group of soldiers to the West City Camp with a fighting ticket and his face wrapped. When I arrived at the camp gate, I looked up and saw rows of bloody heads hanging above.

She was startled and wanted to ask, but didn't dare. Walking further inside, I saw many people being detained in the camp, as if they were checking or interrogating something.

Even if she doesn't care about political affairs, she still knows that at this critical moment of guarding Chang'an, such internal purges are definitely not a good thing.

Soon, she arrived in front of the Xishi City Office, which was requisitioned as a handsome office. The soldier who brought her came forward and reported: "I came to see the Prince of Beiping County on the order of General Gao Lishi of the Hussars!"

Since Xue Bai was canonized as the grandson of the emperor, his power and reputation were obviously different. Yang Yuhuan was not allowed to enter after waiting for a long time.

She actually saw more than a hundred soldiers sitting on the ground beside the campfire eating. Although the pots they used were all old earthenware pots, they were filled with fragrant rice and barbecued meat.

"Didn't you say that there is no food in the city? They have a lot to eat." She couldn't help but ask, thinking that she was hungry every day and didn't dare to run around on the couch.

"The rules in the army are that if you kill the enemy and perform meritorious service, you will be rewarded. The rice in their bowls is exchanged for the heads of enemy generals."

After a while, Yang Yuhuan was able to enter, but saw Xue Bai wearing blood-stained armor and reading files.

Seeing that she was coming, Xue Bai remained calm, stepped back, and then asked: "What's wrong?"

"I can't stand it anymore." Yang Yuhuan said: "I am trapped in a deep palace like I am in prison. I eat unpalatable food every day and stare at a person who is burned beyond recognition. You promised me that you would let me I'm leaving..."

As she spoke, she suddenly stopped because she saw Xue Bai rubbing his forehead and no longer hiding his emotions. He was obviously in a bad mood, and his aura was like a heavy dark cloud before a rainstorm.

"Wait until the rebels are defeated." He said calmly.

This time, Yang Yuhuan showed her stubborn side that she had never shown in front of Xue Bai, saying: "I left the palace today and didn't want to go back."

In the past, the relationship between the two had always been quite good and mutually beneficial. At this time, Xue Bai couldn't help but feel a little surprised. He looked her over and felt a hint of hostility on her part.

"Now is not the time." Xue Bai said: "If you wait a little longer, you are a noble concubine and have enjoyed all the glory and splendor over the years. Now it is time to repay Chang'an City, okay?"

"You have already made use of me. You have become the grandson of the emperor and made the Prince of Beiping. Why don't you let me go?"

Xue Bai did not answer, but glanced at Yang Yuhuan, observing the pain in her eyes, and thinking about why the originally bright and bright woman showed signs of withering?
He thought about her story about the peony's withering, and realized that she was withering little by little.

Yang Yuhuan said again: "If the world believes that what you brought back is a saint, it will be enough if Gao Lishi is there; but if the world doesn't believe it, what will it prove if there is one more me? Li Heng has already ascended the throne and proclaimed himself emperor, and you and I are like this What's the use of lying to yourself? Maybe I should call the emperor's grandson Li Qian. If you want to achieve your ambition, it's better to ask King Qing to ascend the throne and proclaim himself emperor. The Yang family has no use for it anymore..."

"Do you blame me for keeping this secret from you?"

"Who am I to blame you?" Yang Yuhuan's vague hostility towards Xue Bai began to grow stronger. "The prince of Peiping County has a great reputation, but I am a disaster to the country and the people."

This inexplicable mess made the atmosphere even more unharmonious.

Xue Bai stood up, took a few steps closer, and said, "Where can you go if you leave the palace? In the chaos of war, you can't even leave Chang'an, and anywhere you go will only be worse. I'm afraid you are just idle. Do you know what kind of fate ordinary people face in this chaotic world?"

Yang Yuhuan seemed to have never thought that he would answer like this. His eyes became dimmer and he said nothing.

She obviously didn't know where she could go.

Xue Bai said: "How many people in Chang'an today have food supplies without doing anything? How many people are injured or sick, and they can't even apply medicine. Now you can still be pampered in the deep palace, and how many people are injured and sick? What’s the shortcoming?”

Yang Yuhuan looked around and saw Xue Bai's face reflected in the firelight, still brave and resolute. But it seems to be very different from before. He is now the emperor's grandson Li Qian, not her sworn brother Xue Bai.

Nominally, she was the concubine of his imperial grandfather. The hint of laughter and curses that had existed between the two had disappeared, leaving only seriousness, making them very uncomfortable to get along with.

Yang Yuhuan shook her head and turned around as if she was planning to return to the palace. She caught a glimpse of the saber hanging on the weapon rack. By some mistake, she reached out and took it off.

Then, she drew the knife out of its sheath and wiped it on her neck without hesitation.

She thought of the time when she was a girl looking at peonies in the courtyard of her home. Suddenly, a gust of wind blew, and the originally delicate peonies fell instantly, leaving gorgeous petals all over the ground. As a girl, she only felt regretful and confused. Now she understands that living withered is the most painful thing. She would rather die at the most beautiful time.

"Boom!"

The knife cut through the snow-white skin and the moment blood spilled out, Xue Bai swooped forward and knocked it to the ground.

"what are you doing?"

He hugged Yang Yuhuan, pressed her wound, and shouted to the soldiers who were running in outside: "It's okay, there's no need to come in!"

After that, he carefully opened his palm, observed the wound on her neck, and breathed a sigh of relief.

At this time, his brows were frowning, because he was still very busy and didn't want to waste too much time for Yang Yuhuan.

Even though she is stunningly beautiful, she has attracted countless people to fall in love with her. But in front of him, the world was in danger and the country was in decline. He had no intention of caring for such a delicate woman.

"I'm useless."

Tears flowed from Yang Yuhuan's eyes. She leaned on Xue Bai's arms and looked at him, crying: "There are Gao Lishi and Chen Xuanli in the palace. You don't need me. In the past, when Sanlang doted on me the most, I didn't even like him. Doing politics... I only like singing and dancing, but no one wants to sing and dance now. They all say that it was singing and dancing that harmed the Tang Dynasty..."

"No, what is wrong is not singing and dancing. It is the arrogance and selfishness of those in power, the rigidity of the class, and the corruption of the system. It has nothing to do with singing and dancing."

"Everyone in the world scolds me. The only things I have, music, dancing, and beauty, have become sins. In fact, even you think that I am spoiled and subvert your Li family's society, don't you?"

"No." Xue Bai said: "I just..."

He wanted to say that he hoped that Yang Yuhuan would be stronger and more independent. In this critical autumn, he would be less squeamish and do more for the country.

In the past, he always felt that this request was natural. In Chang'an City, when countless people were struggling with poverty, danger, and pain, she enjoyed fine clothing and food, so she should have been more tolerant when suffering came. It was only then that he suddenly realized that she didn't know how to do it. She didn't have this ability.

She has always been coveted, fought for, and supported because of her beauty, and she has never chosen her own life. From Princess Shou to Yang Taizhen, and then to Concubine Yang, she has always been just a trophy, and her fate is decided by those in power. When it all fell apart and her beauty was no longer precious, he wanted her to have a strong character right away.

For a while, she couldn't get used to it.

"I definitely won't survive." Yang Yuhuan held Xue Bai's arm tightly and said in a pleading tone: "It's useless for you to save me again and again. It's useless for me, like a flower that changes to a different flowerpot. A flower that cannot live. I am only suitable for living in prosperous times. There is no need for singing and dancing in troubled times... Just let me die. I don't want to live until I am old and despised. "

"Do you know what my ambition is?"

"I know, you want to be the emperor."

Yang Yuhuan said this calmly. In her eyes, the emperor was nothing special.

Xue Bai shook his head and said, "No."

"I do not believe."

"Really, or not only." Xue Bai said: "The emperor is just a way for me to realize my ambition. I want to revive the Tang Dynasty and continue its prosperity. I want it to be stronger than before and continue to be strong."

Yang Yuhuan looked up at him, as if she could see his longing in those bright eyes, and she couldn't help but be stunned.

"The prosperous times will come again. You will be able to sing and dance soon, and you will still be the most dazzling person." Xue Bai added, "No one will call you a disaster anymore. We insist on putting down the war in order to live a good life."

As he spoke, he brought medicine and a wrap to treat Yang Yuhuan's wounds.

"too long."

"No, I can't let the rebellion continue."

"You are still young, so you said that." Yang Yuhuan said: "I am old and don't want to spend these years being disgusted by others..."

"Not old."

Xue Bai lowered his head, wiped the blood next to the wound, observed the wound, held her shoulders, wrapped the wrap around her neck twice, and said casually: "You are so young, she looks younger than me. ”

"nonsense."

Yang Yuhuan didn't believe what he said, but those inexplicable emotions disappeared because of Xue Bai's words.

She had been cared for and cared for all her life, and today she had a sudden attack. Perhaps it was because she had not felt this kind of emotional care for such a long time, just like a delicate peony without sunshine and rain.

As soon as her resentment dissipated, she spoke again and regained her previous closeness, saying: "I'm just useless. The title of noble concubine is useless to you. You can't kill the enemy in exchange for food when you're hungry."

"You can also sing and dance."

"Dancing for you?" Yang Yuhuan snorted coldly, "The emperor's grandson is quite courageous."

She actually had some doubts about the identity of Xue Bai, the emperor's grandson, so she didn't bother to say anything just now. Now she wanted to test it out, so she was ready to suppress him in this name.

"No, singing and dancing can also boost morale. For example, there are formation-breaking music and sword dances in the army."

"Do you think I just dance casually for others to see?"

"You can also teach. Liyuan disciples and teachings cannot be dispersed like this. When you are free, you can arrange some solemn and exciting dances. Oh, it would be best to prove that the saint is in Chang'an..."

Xue Bai thought of it and said it casually, and soon made arrangements to tell Li Shiniang to see Yang Yuhuan tomorrow. Perhaps, in this way, Gongsun's sword dance and opera skills would not have declined due to the war.

For Xue Bai, the matter is not too urgent, he only arranges one sentence. For Yang Yuhuan, she felt very novel and couldn't wait to leave the palace city and welcome a new life.

"Concubine, please return to the palace."

"Don't call me 'Sister' anymore?" Yang Yuhuan asked.

"You can also call it, everyone talks about his own opinions. This is the trend of the Tang Dynasty."

"Let me ask you, is your identity as the grandson of the emperor true or false?"

"It's true."

Seeing that he couldn't test it for a while, Yang Yuhuan turned around to go out. Suddenly he thought that he could deceive him, and said: "But you can't give birth to an heir, so what's the use of seeking the throne?"

Xue Bai seemed to be choked, thought for a while, and said: "I just said it, for the purpose of reviving the Tang Dynasty and continuing the prosperous age."

"You are not afraid that I will tell Dong Palace about your ambition..."

At this time, there were footsteps outside, and the guard said: "Prince of Beiping County, Prime Minister Yan, and General Wang are here."

Yan Zhenqing and Wang Ran had never been able to come here, so they walked straight in.

Xue Bai glanced at Yang Yuhuan, thinking that given her status, it would be inconvenient after all, and pointed inside to let her in.

"What are you afraid of?" Yang Yuhuan mocked him silently, holding a bamboo hat and turning into the inner room, which was where Xue Bai rested.

Soon, she heard Yan Zhenqing speak, with deep worry in his tone.

"Everything has been reviewed. The news is true. Prince Zhong has indeed proclaimed himself emperor in Lingwu. He changed his title to 'Zhi De' and summoned the world to accuse His Highness of committing regicide with you."

"The words of the conspirators cannot be trusted." Xue Bai said in a relaxed tone: "The saint is in Chang'an, and his behavior is no different from blatant rebellion. The northwest frontier army will not listen to him easily."

Wang Nan said: "What I'm worried about is the reaction of the rebels and King Qin's troops."

"Yes." Yan Zhenqing said, "Once the news spreads, the rebels will know that Shuofang's army will not come to help, and the hearts of Chang'an City will be shaken."

"What if the rebels think that this is false news from us and deliberately make them relax their vigilance?"

"what for?"

"It's still the original plan, but this time, the rebels already thought that we would not have reinforcements. So they attacked Chang'an with all their strength. At this time, Li Heng's troops suddenly appeared in Qinling. What would Cui Qianyou think? He would definitely think that he had been tricked. If you don’t, you will pay more attention to it.”

Yang Yuhuan listened in the room, but he didn't understand it.

Instead, she was surprised to find that Xue Bai's voice was very calm and unhurried, with no anxiety at all when he was talking to her just now. It can be seen that he is good at hiding his uneasiness in front of others.

"But we have no more troops in the Qinling Mountains."

"Yes." Xue Bai said: "Don't forget, I once conquered Nanzhao with Wang Zhongsi. Shu County is not only Yang Guozhong's territory, but also my subordinates..."

Time passed little by little.

In the back room, Yang Yuhuan had fallen asleep beside the small table.

Xue Bai, Yan Zhenqing, and Wang Nannan were still pointing in front of the map.

"The rebellion has been going on for so long, they must have come to Qinwang from Shu County. What we have to do now is to send people to break out and deliver the news, so that when Shu County soldiers and horses arrive, they will pretend to be a large group of northwest frontier troops and lure the main force of the rebels. Go west."

"Cui Qianyou may not be easy to deceive."

"Try, we must continue to contact Li Heng."

"There is another problem. Even if the main force of the rebels moves westward, the battle line is still not long. With the marching ability of their cavalry, the troops we arranged in the south are still not enough to take Tongguan."

"At this time, it is time to cut off the connection between Luoyang and Tongguan. Guess what to do?"

Wang Nan said: "Are you still guessing? We can only send troops from Hedong, and the cooperation of this army is indispensable. But it can be said that Guo Ziyi and Li Guangbi have not returned to the army yet. Could it be that they were called to Shuofang?"

Yan Zhenqing breathed a sigh of relief, pointed at Xue Bai and said: "General Wang, don't forget where he came back from. There is no news from Hedong, but it is the best news."

(End of this chapter)