"Qin Aiqing! What's the deal with this meat floss?" Li Shimin asked after personally tasting the meat floss.
Qin Mu's meat floss was, of course, simply made. He wasn't afraid of it getting out, so he introduced it. He wasn't afraid of it getting out because there were few people raising livestock in the Central Plains, and there wasn't enough fresh meat, so where would he get the extra meat to make? And the grasslands didn't have enough salt or labor, so they couldn't make much either.
Li Shimin seemed to have so much free time that he was very interested in Shuofang and wanted to explore everywhere, but he only visited the old city and the settlements outside the city. The emperor liked to wander around in plain clothes, so Qin Mu had no choice but to accompany him the whole time.
On the fifth day after Li Shimin arrived in Shuofang, a pack of wolves arrived. The patch of silver-white fur on their foreheads identified them as a silver wolf clan. The appearance of the new city district clearly surprised these creatures.
"Humans are truly a terrifying race. In just two or three years, Shuofang has become a formidable city." The leader was Yinan of Xueyantuo, but he was dressed like the other wolf clansmen.
As Yi Nan was sighing, he saw the people coming from ahead and his pupils shrank. Although he had not seen the huge mount with his own eyes, there were many rumors about it. It had killed 40 to 50,000 of his men and left a psychological scar on his son, so much so that even Shuofang did not dare to come.
"Are you all guests of Xueyantuo?" Qin Mu asked, sitting on the rhinoceros.
"Chief of the Xueyantuo tribe, Yinan, may I ask your name?" Yinan narrowed his eyes slightly, urging a wolf rider as fierce as a tiger to step forward and ask.
"Qin Mu, Prefect of Shuofang, greets the Chief of the Xueyantuo Clan. His Majesty requests your presence; please follow me," Qin Mu said expressionlessly. He had no desire to greet the wolf clan, but Li Shimin had said that his status was sufficient, and he was a local strongman, so it was a suitable occasion.
"Thank you!" Yi Nan returned the greeting and followed Qin Mu and the others into Shuofang.
Yinan had been to Shuofang before, but this time, he was like a country bumpkin in the city, finding everything strange and interesting. He looked around and tried to ask questions several times, but seeing that Qin Mu didn't seem inclined to speak, he could only follow along.
Qin Mu had no interest in the conversation between Yi Nan and Li Shimin. On the third day, when the wolf clan left, he did not go to see them off, but he did receive news that he was setting off for Shengzhou.
Although Li Shimin wouldn't stay in Shengzhou, he still made a trip there to reward the troops and make it appear as a northern tour. However, the supplies for the troops, except for wine, were all provided by Shuofang. The wine labeled with the imperial seal made the soldiers very happy.
In the tenth month of the fifth year of the Zhenguan era, Qin Mu finally returned to Chang'an, which he had long missed. In fact, the time he spent in Chang'an after coming into this world was not as long as the time he spent in Shuofang.
Chang'an City remained bustling with people and carriages, and people carrying swords and knives chatted loudly within the city. Everything was so familiar. Compared to the hustle and bustle of Shuofang, the people of Chang'an were much more leisurely, mainly because there were many wealthy people, sons of officials, and scions of noble families. Autumn had already arrived, yet many people still carried folding fans on the streets; it seemed that folding fans had become all the rage in Chang'an.
When news of the fall of the Tuyuhun and the flight of the Qingniu tribe reached Guanzhong, Chang'an was once again filled with celebration. After Li Shimin returned, he again declared a three-day grand celebration. Qin Mu rested well for three days before finally setting out. The previous days had been too noisy, and he also had to visit several people. His future father-in-law, Li Shentong, his teacher, Li Gang, the Yuchi family, the Cheng family, and the Luo Cheng family were all people he had to visit.
Qin Yuxin has grown into a graceful young woman, no longer the thin and frail girl she once was. Becoming a Confucian scholar has imbued her with a refined air, making her far more elegant than the average young lady from a prominent family. Over the years, Qin Mu has entrusted Li Gang with her tutoring, and it is said that Li Gang is very fond of her. Meanwhile, Qin Qiong and his wife are also looking for a husband for her.
Qin Yuling had grown quite a bit taller. When Qin Mu first returned, the girl hugged him and cried her heart out, as if she had suffered some great injustice at home. Qin Mu felt so sorry for her, so once things calmed down in the city, he took them out for a trip.
As for Qin Huaiyu, Luo Tong, and the others, although Qin Mu sent them back pills, Qin Mu felt their progress was too slow, so he sternly ordered them to train relentlessly at home.
"Brother, aren't you going to inspect Rugui Tower and the commercial street?" Qin Yuxin asked, lifting the carriage curtain.
"No need, you're doing just fine managing it. When you get married, the properties of Chang'an Rugui Tower and the commercial street will all be your dowry," Qin Mu said with a smile.
"Thank you, big brother," Qin Yuxin said, her pretty face flushing slightly.
"Hehe, since I'm the eldest brother, why are you being so polite? By the way, do you have someone you like? Should I tell Father and the others?" Qin Mu asked with a smile.
"No, I'll listen to Father and Mother in everything," Qin Yuxin said, her head bowed.
"Don't worry, I'll help you screen them. I won't accept anyone with bad character," Qin Mu reassured him.
"Thank you, brother." Qin Yuxin said gratefully. To be honest, although she was a very traditional woman, she was still very nervous about marriage. With Qin Mu's words, she felt much more at ease.
"Brother Qin!"
"Brother Qin!"
Several voices shouted from afar, and then five or six young people ran over with great interest.
People on the street heard the noise and looked over. Then someone shouted, "Iron Face is back!"
Upon hearing the shout, several people quickly ran down the street.
Qin Mu stared in astonishment at all of this. When did he become someone hated by gods and ghosts? Was this "Iron-Faced and Ruthless" person referring to him? Fortunately, only a few people ran away, and the others didn't react much. Qin Mu also vaguely heard someone asking who "Iron-Faced and Ruthless" was.
"Brother Qin." Before Qin Mu could listen carefully, Cheng Huailiang, Yuchi Baoqing, and others arrived in front of him.
"What are you doing?" Qin Mu asked.
"We were just saying we'd come find you later," Cheng Huailiang said with a smile.
"What do you want?" Qin Mu asked, somewhat puzzled.
"Hehe, Brother Qin, are you going to Lingnan?" Cheng Huailiang asked in a low voice.
“That’s right, we’ll set off before the New Year,” Qin Mu nodded.
"Can you take me there?" Cheng Huailiang asked expectantly.
“We are us!” Yuchi Baoqing hurriedly added.
“That won’t do,” Qin Mu said, shaking his head.
"Why?" Cheng Huailiang asked, surprised that he was rejected so quickly.
"You two, I heard you've already been chosen by His Majesty to become his sons-in-law?" Qin Mu asked, raising an eyebrow.
"Sigh! Don't even mention it. What can we do? We're the second son." Cheng Huaimo said dejectedly. Being a prince consort has no advantages; it means you can't take concubines, a topic Cheng Huaimo had excitedly discussed long ago.
"Hehe, do you know why people choose an auspicious day for their wedding?" Qin Mu asked with a smile.
"Why?" Yuchi Baoqing asked, bewildered.
"Because after marriage, there will be no good days," Qin Mu said irritably.
"Brother Qin, are you back this time to get married?" Cheng Huaimo asked with a smile.
"I'm different. Ruoxi and I are truly in love." Qin Mu's face darkened, and he said irritably. He did have a bit of pre-wedding jitters, but only a little; he was mostly looking forward to it.
Suddenly, Qin Mu sensed something and turned around to see Princess Changning standing not far away, looking at him with deep affection.
This was mainly because there were many people coming and going on the street, which is why he didn't notice that Princess Changning had already arrived not far from him.
"If you can convince your families, I'll take you there," Qin Mu said, waving his hand. Then he stepped forward, took Princess Changning's hand, and asked gently, "Why did you come? I should have come to pick you up."
The wedding is now in its final countdown. According to tradition, they cannot meet before the ceremony, a rule both families have emphasized to them. Of course, this rule is mainly to prevent the young couple from getting carried away and making a fool of themselves if others find out.
Princess Changning pursed her lips slightly, a blush rising to her cheeks, and said gently, "I was just strolling around the streets when I happened to run into you."
Of course, it wasn't such a coincidence. Both of them knew the truth. Qin Mu felt very sweet inside and blinked, saying, "My little sister is in the carriage. Why don't you go and chat with them?"
“Okay!” Princess Changning nodded and then got into the carriage.
Instead of wandering around the city, the group took the younger sister out of town, found a quiet place, played for a while, and then went home separately.
Qin Mu also learned of the nickname "Iron-Faced and Ruthless." This nickname originated three years ago when they arrested 20,000 people and brought them into the Six Doors (a government agency), more than half of whom were sentenced to labor camps. They contributed to the reconstruction of Chang'an, and that's how this reputation spread.
Qin Mu's brief respite was short-lived; he was soon swamped with work, mainly dealing with various rules and etiquette. Even though he followed them flawlessly, he was still being trained under the guidance of his instructors.
The coming-of-age ceremony and the wedding, two major events, were only half a month apart. Qin Mu was no longer the eldest son of the Qin family, merely holding the title of Duke to his father. He was now the youngest prefect in the Tang Dynasty with a real power, and the commander-in-chief who had achieved the feat of sealing the wolf's lair. Those with connections knew even more! Therefore, for both events, people came in droves to offer their congratulations; without status, one couldn't even enter the gate. It wasn't that the Qin family wouldn't let them in; there were simply too many people! Once inside, there was nowhere to stand.
Social interactions are unavoidable. The Qin family set up a hundred banquet tables inside and outside the courtyard, where people ate for three days before the festivities finally ended.
Qin Mu's new home was right next to his old one, no less impressive than the Qin family's Duke's mansion, a gift from Li Shimin. Changning, after all, was a princess, and although different from a princess, she still had to display royal grandeur.
Fortunately, the two houses were next to each other, so Qin Mu had two doors opened on the side, so it was still essentially one house, only much larger.
The plump beauty in his arms shyly lowered her head, not daring to look at Qin Mu. Both of them were full of energy, having engaged in a passionate lovemaking session all night until the rooster crowed before finally falling into a deep sleep. Qin Mu contentedly stroked Princess Changning's smooth back, refraining from further teasing her.
They didn't ask for maids to serve them, but only sent two young maids to take care of Princess Changning. It had been three days since their wedding, and apart from serving tea to Consort Zheng on the second day, the two of them had hardly left the house.
Today is Princess Changning's homecoming day, so the two of them have to go out. Of course! Even if it weren't the homecoming day, Qin Mu would still go out.
His steps were a little unsteady; he hadn't felt his legs go weak in a long time. Qin Mu finally understood the difference between a cow and a field. He mentally reminded himself to exercise restraint!
Compared to the somewhat listless Qin Mu, Princess Changning was radiant. Her once clear eyes were now like a pool of clear water. Her hair, which had been loose, was tied up, and she was dressed in a magnificent outfit. She had shed her former heroic spirit; surrounded by pearls and jade, she exuded an air of elegance and nobility.
She gave Qin Mu a charmingly disdainful look, and the two boarded the carriage, carrying gifts, and headed to the Li family.
The Prince's residence, of course, knew that Qin Mu and his wife were returning home today, and had already opened the main gate wide, decorated with lanterns and streamers. As soon as Qin Mu and his wife stepped off the carriage, the servants cheered.
The somewhat shy Princess Changning ran back to the backyard after paying her respects to Li Shentong and her brothers.
Qin Mu was in a bit of a predicament; there was nothing he could do—he had too many brothers-in-law! It wasn't just Li Shentong's family; Li Shentong's younger brother, Li Shenfu, also had seven sons, all of them adults. Toasting was a must, and just one round had left him slightly tipsy. It was all because he'd married the only girl from both families, and these brothers-in-law were bringing out his own homemade high-proof liquor.
In a spirit of reciprocity, he toasted everyone, and they had to return the favor. Before long, the jar of wine dwindled at a visible rate. Even a cultivator with a strong physique couldn't withstand the capacity of that bronze wine vessel. Qin Mu simply collapsed into a drunken stupor! The banquet wasn't even over when he slumped back in his chair.
Seven parts drunk, three parts feigned, and exhausted from three days of work, Qin Mu simply fell asleep.
"Your Highness, you're awake!" Upon waking up again, he had just sat up when he heard the maid's voice.
"Hmm! Give me a glass of water." Qin Mu pressed his forehead and said. When a young lady returns to her parents' home, she cannot sleep in the same room as her husband, so it was not surprising that Princess Changning was not in the room.
"The hangover soup has been kept warm. I'll bring it to you, Your Highness."
"Okay." Having been in this world for four years, Qin Mu had gotten used to being served.
"You're awake. Your father wants you to have dinner." Princess Changning came to the room right after she had drunk a bowl of hangover soup.
Looking at the sky, it was already dark. He hadn't expected to sleep for so long. Qin Mu said with a wry smile, "Time to eat again!"
"Hehe! It's just a meal. My brothers have all gone home." Princess Changning understood his feelings and covered her mouth with a laugh.
Upon hearing this, Qin Mu breathed a sigh of relief, got up to wash up, and then followed Princess Changning to have dinner.
Dinner was light, which was probably Li Shentong's consideration for him, and he didn't drink any more alcohol.
After the meal, Li Shentong led the couple to his study. After tea was served and the maid left, Li Shentong looked at the two of them, nodded and smiled, and asked, "When will you set off for Lingnan?"
"I'll be leaving sooner or later. I plan to leave in two days, just in time to celebrate the New Year in Lingnan," Qin Mu replied.
"Well, I don't object to Ruoxi going with you, after all, you two are newlyweds. But you must take good care of her and not let her suffer or be wronged," Li Shentong said sternly.
"Father-in-law, rest assured, I will definitely take good care of Ruoxi," Qin Mu assured him.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com