At the same time, in the Princess's Mansion.
Chu Qingluan was looking through the roster of personnel for the autumn hunt when Zhixia pushed the door open with a not very good look on her face.
"Your Highness, I just received news that someone has insulted your reputation in Sifang Pavilion and is trying to step on you to get to the top."
Chu Qingluan didn't raise her eyelids, and her fingertips gently turned a page of the roster; "The mouth is on other people's bodies, how can I control what they say?"
Zhixia stepped forward anxiously, "But this time it's different. The man said his surname was Qin and he looked very unfamiliar. But he said in public at Sifang Pavilion that 'women's participation in politics is unworthy of the position' and even made a fuss about your divorce!"
"I have sent someone to investigate. This person speaks very well and his attendants are well-trained. I am afraid he came prepared."
Chu Qingluan then raised her eyes, a hint of interest flashing in her eyes.
"Oh? Last name Qin?"
Looking at the entire Great Chu, apart from the lineage of my mother, Duke Dingguo, there are very few officials with the surname Qin.
She closed the list and tapped her fingertips on the table: "What a coincidence. Calculating the time, the envoys from Daqin should be arriving in the next two days."
Zhixia's eyes lit up, "What does your highness mean?"
"Prepare the sedan." Chu Qingluan stood up and adjusted her sleeves. "I have nothing to do, so I want to see who this 'Young Master Qin' is."
Zhixia hurried to follow.
Then Chu Qingluan added, "Remember to bring that red riding suit. Since we are meeting guests, we must dress appropriately."
…
Inside the Sifang Pavilion, the debate continued. Qin Jialuo waved her folding fan lightly and spoke sharply, leaving the talented scholars who refuted her speechless.
She had a sneer on her lips and glanced at everyone with a bit of contempt.
"You all keep saying that Princess Zhaoyang is both virtuous and talented, but it is against the will of heaven for a woman to interfere in government affairs."
She suddenly raised her voice and said, "If governing a country is so easy, then wouldn't all the men in the world become mere decorations?"
Everyone in the museum was speechless for a moment. Some were indignant, while others could not think of how to refute her.
Just when the atmosphere was stagnant, there was a sudden commotion at the door.
"Your Highness!"
Soon, someone found Chu Qingluan and recognized her. The woman was sitting high on a snow-white horse, wearing a dazzling red dress. Her skin was whiter than snow, and a cinnabar mole on her forehead made her even more beautiful in the sun.
"Greetings to Her Royal Highness the Princess. May Her Royal Highness live a thousand years and a thousand thousand years!" Soon, a series of voices rang out in the Sifang Pavilion, greeting Chu Qingluan.
Chu Qingluan raised her hand slightly, motioning for everyone to stand up, and slowly looked around at everyone.
"No need to greet me, everyone."
"I heard that Sifang Pavilion is very lively today, so I came here to join in the fun."
She walked forward slowly, her eyes quickly locking onto Qin Jialuo.
"I wonder what this gentleman was discussing just now?"
Qin Jialuo's eyes flashed slightly, and he was secretly shocked.
She didn't expect that Chu Qingluan would come in person.
But she quickly calmed down and bowed her hands in a neither humble nor arrogant manner: "I was just chatting for a few minutes, I didn't mean to alarm the princess."
Chu Qingluan chuckled and glanced at everyone: "Really? But I heard that some people think that women participating in politics...are not worthy of the position?"
Her tone was not harsh, but every word was as sharp as a knife, instantly silencing the entire Sifang Hall.
Qin Jialuo was not to be outdone. She narrowed her eyes and suddenly smiled: "Since the princess is here in person, why not teach me something?"
…
At the same time, in the military camp.
Pei Yuan was counting the people who were accompanying him to the autumn hunt when a soldier suddenly ran over and reported to him:
"Oh no, General!"
The soldier knelt on one knee, panting. "I just received news that someone criticized Her Royal Highness the Princess in public at Sifang Pavilion. The words were extremely disrespectful!"
Pei Yuan snapped the list in his hand shut, his brows furrowed in anger: "Who is so bold?"
"He's a young man I don't know. He claims to be surnamed Qin." The soldier wiped the sweat off his forehead. "According to the spies, he is accompanied by several guards with extraordinary skills. It seems... he came prepared."
Pei Yuan's eyes suddenly darkened and his fists clenched until they made crackling sounds.
He knew very well what "surname Qin" meant at this critical juncture.
It seemed that they did not take his words to heart and were eager to cause trouble for the princess as soon as they entered the city.
In that case, don't blame him for disregarding blood ties!
"Prepare the horses."
Pei Yuan turned around abruptly, his black robe drawing a sharp arc in the air. He wanted to meet this "Master Qin" in person.
At this time, the deputy general hurriedly stopped him and said: "General, the Qin envoys are coming soon. If you leave now..."
"Precisely because the delegation has come to the capital, we must take a look at who is testing this general's bottom line on behalf of the Qin Dynasty!" His tone was sharp, as if filled with endless anger.
——
On the other side, Xie Yunqi also received the news quickly.
At that time, he was handling government affairs in his study. A gray carrier pigeon suddenly flapped its wings and landed on the windowsill, with a small bamboo tube tied to its feet.
Xie Yunqi took down the secret letter, unfolded it and took a look. His brows knitted instantly.
His slender fingertips gently rubbed the edge of the letter, and his eyes darkened.
At the side, Fu An pushed the door open and came in, also reporting the matter to him: "Master, someone is criticizing the princess in Sifang Pavilion, and it seems to be someone from the Great Qin envoys. Do you want to send someone to investigate now?"
Xie Yunqi's lips curled slightly, but there was no smile in his eyes: "No need to check."
He stood up and casually placed the secret letter into the brazier, and the flames instantly devoured the words.
"Prepare the sedan chair and go to Sifang Pavilion."
He straightened his cuffs and spoke calmly.
——
Soon, many children of powerful and wealthy families in the capital also received the news. Today, the Sifang Pavilion was destined to usher in a different debate.
Here, Pei Yuan rode his horse at full speed to the outside of Sifang Pavilion. When he was about to dismount, he caught a glimpse of a familiar sedan chair parked not far from the roadside.
The curtain of the sedan chair was lifted, and Xie Yunqi, wearing a dark blue brocade robe, was walking out calmly.
The two people's eyes quickly collided in mid-air, and they were both stunned.
"Thank you, Prime Minister!"
Pei Yuan spoke first, his tone subtle: "What a coincidence."
Xie Yunqi's eyes flickered slightly, with a perfect smile on his lips: "General Pei is not in the barracks training troops, but has the interest to come here to listen to books and discuss Taoism?"
Pei Yuan tightened his grip on the reins slightly, "Prime Minister Xie, don't you also put aside your busy government affairs and come to the Sifang Pavilion to listen to people's comments on state affairs?"
As soon as the two met, there was a lot of tension.
Just as Xie Yunqi was about to open his mouth to refute, noisy footsteps suddenly came from all around.
Soon after, many carriages, horses, or sedan chairs began to gather towards Sifang Pavilion.
Soon, someone discovered Pei Yuan and Xie Yunqi, and they all said in surprise:
"Look! It's Princess Zhaoyang's procession!"
"Oh my god, why are General Pei and Prime Minister Xie here too?"
The crowd surged in like a tide, surrounding the Sifang Pavilion tightly. The people stood on tiptoe to look around and talk about it. It was obvious that they were all attracted by this sudden confrontation...
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