Traveling day and night, Han Shaomian and Xiahou Qin arrived in Jiangzhou in just two days!
Upon receiving the notification, Zhu Zhong immediately led his subordinates to the gate of Jiangzhou City. Looking at the rolling dust and the deafening sound of cavalry not far away, he knew that the prince of the Xiahou clan and the assistant minister of the Ministry of War must have arrived!
The sound of horse hooves instantly arrived before their eyes, and everyone saw that the two leading men were unexpectedly young!
The man wearing the clothes of the Xiahou clan, with handsome appearance and upright posture must be the Xiahou clan's prince Xiahou Qin. He was seen holding the reins tightly with one hand and looking solemn. Although he was riding a horse, his eyes, which contained a glimmer of wisdom, were looking around cautiously. He must have always been a cautious person!
The other person who came into everyone's sight at the same time as Xiahou Qin, wearing the court robes of a third-rank minister, must be Han Shaomian, who had just become the top martial arts champion last year and was appointed by Emperor Yu Gan as the Minister of War!
His eyes were serious and his face was solemn, and his posture on horseback was comparable to that of Xiahou Qin. It was obvious that he must be a man of real talent and knowledge, otherwise how could he have won the favor of Emperor Yugan?
Seeing these two outstanding men reining in their horses and stopping in front of him, Zhu Zhong immediately bowed and said with a smile, "Jiangzhou Governor Zhu Zhong greets Prince Xiahou! Lord Han, I have long heard of your great name!"
Xiahou Qin and Han Shaomian simultaneously bowed to Zhu Zhong and said, "Thank you, Governor Zhu, for leading us to see the prince!"
"Of course!" Zhu Zhong took the horse from his subordinate, quickly got on the horse, and led the two of them towards the post station!
"How are the prince and princess?" Xiahou Qin looked at the bustling streets of Jiangzhou, and his impression of Zhu Zhong changed a little. Although Zhu Zhong made Chu Feiyang in danger in Jiangzhou, he managed Jiangzhou well. At least it can be seen that the people have enough food and clothing!
"The prince and the princess are both well. I have sent someone to report to the prince. I believe the prince already knows that the prince and Lord Han have arrived in Jiangzhou! I just didn't expect that the prince and Lord Han would arrive in Jiangzhou a day earlier!" Zhu Zhong was walking in front. When he heard Xiahou Qin's question, he slightly turned sideways and answered humbly!
"Of course I'm worried that the prince has other things that need instructions. After discussing with the prince, I decided not to rest in the middle of the journey, so as to avoid being in a hurry when time is tight! After all, an accident has already happened, and the emperor is very worried about the safety of the prince and the princess. Naturally, we dare not lose anything again!" Han Shaomian tightened the horse's belly slightly, letting the horse follow closely behind Zhu Zhong, and at the same time expressed his and Xiahou Qin's concerns!
"Of course!" Seeing that the assistant minister of the Ministry of War was so thoughtful at such a young age, Zhu Zhong couldn't help but look at Han Shaomian with a different eye. After all, there were very few people in the same dynasty who could become the top scholar at such a young age and be valued by the emperor. And after listening to Han Shaomian's comprehensive analysis, Zhu Zhong understood that Han Shaomian really had some ability to be treated so well!
"Prince Xiahou, Lord Han, please come this way!" After passing through the market, Zhu Zhong turned his horse around and led the two of them to the east. Compared with the bustling market in the south, the east was much quieter and was heavily guarded. It seemed that since the attack on King Chu, Zhu Zhong attached great importance to defense. There was a guard post every three steps and a sentry every five steps. It seemed that Chu Feiyang's safety had become the most important thing in Jiangzhou at this time!
The horses had only traveled a hundred feet when they saw Chu Feiyang's personal bodyguard Xi Lin already standing at the door of the inn waiting for everyone!
Seeing Xiahou Qin and Han Shaomian arrive, Xi Lin immediately knelt on one knee and saluted. "Your humble servant greets the prince and Minister Han! The prince is waiting for the prince and Minister Han in the lobby!"
"Get up!" Xiahou Qin dismounted first, handed the reins in his hand to the guard who came to lead the horse, and then strode towards the inn, while Han Shaomian and Zhu Zhong immediately followed!
At this time, Chu Feiyang was sitting in the hall looking at the map. When he heard footsteps, he looked up and looked at the people walking into the hall!
"Xiahou Qin greets the King of Chu!" "Han Shaomian pays his respects to His Majesty!"
Looking at Chu Feiyang sitting in the hall in a crimson purple court robe, Xiahou Qin and Han Shaomian immediately saluted!
"Thank you, Prince Xiahou and Minister Han!" Seeing the two of them looking exhausted, Chu Feiyang smiled faintly and asked everyone who followed them into the lobby to sit down and discuss the route they would take after setting off the day after tomorrow, as well as the things they should pay attention to on the way!
Meanwhile, in the garden of the Zhu Mansion, Miss Zhu was sitting by the lotus pond, twirling the silk handkerchief in her hand out of boredom, and from time to time she would use her fingers to pick up the fish food on the plate and sprinkle it into the lotus pond!
"Miss...Miss..." Huan'er ran all the way to Miss Zhu. Before she could stand still, she spoke breathlessly, "I have found out everything...Chu...Chu..."
"What do you think of the King of Chu?" Miss Zhu immediately dropped the fish food in her hand and stared at the personal maid in front of her with eyes full of expectation, waiting for her next words!
But Huan'er suddenly gasped for breath and couldn't utter a word for a long time. Miss Zhu was so anxious that she picked up the fish food at hand and threw it at her, shouting angrily, "What's wrong with you? You made me wait for you for half a day!"
Huan'er felt wronged, but she dared not complain. She could only raise her fist and pound on her chest a few times. After her breathing stabilized, she immediately said, "Miss, I heard something! The King of Chu will be leaving Jiangzhou the next day!"
"What? He's leaving the day after tomorrow? Is this news reliable?" Miss Zhu stood up in panic. Thinking that such a banished immortal-like man was about to leave, she felt reluctant to let him go. She could not forgive the Princess of Chu who had forcibly occupied the King of Chu!
"I secretly gave some wine to the master's advisor, and that's how I found out! Miss, what should we do next? If the King of Chu leaves, I'm afraid he will never come to our Jiangzhou again in this life! You can't leave Jiangzhou, and from now on..." Seeing her young lady's anxious look, Huan'er couldn't help but feel anxious too!
After all, if her daughter could become the concubine of the King of Chu, her value would also increase. At that time, the daughter would be arranged to marry the guard and steward of the King of Chu's mansion. Wouldn't she become half a master?
But who knew that the King of Chu would leave the next day? How could she not be anxious?
Meanwhile, Miss Zhu was already like an ant on the hot pan. The fact that Chu Feiyang was about to leave made her extremely upset, but the posthouse was heavily guarded by her father. As a weak young lady, she could not do anything to so many guards with swords!
For a moment, Miss Zhu sat back on the bench in the corridor in frustration, her eyes full of disappointment!
"Miss!" At this time, Huan'er spoke softly!
"Miss, the King of Chu will have to leave the inn, otherwise how can he leave Jiangzhou? Why don't we go and stop the King of Chu's convoy..." Looking at her young lady's anxious expression, Huan'er gave random ideas!
"This..." After listening to the opinion of her personal maid, Miss Zhu hesitated!
After all, she was a young lady born in an official family. She had been taught by her parents since she was a child about things that the maids did not understand. Even if she loved the King of Chu so much, it would be courting death for her to stop the King of Chu's convoy with her status. She was afraid that even her father would be in trouble with her!
Although Miss Zhu couldn't bear to see the Princess of Chu monopolizing the King of Chu, she wanted to take the position of concubine, but Zhu Zhong loved her father after all. How could she push her father into a dilemma just for her own wish?
The disappointment in her eyes faded, and a sharp gaze instantly shot towards Huan'er, who was standing beside her and busy trying to please her. Miss Zhu said sternly, "If you don't understand, don't talk nonsense! If we stop the King of Chu's convoy, I'm afraid we will be beheaded on the spot, and my father will be dismissed and investigated! If it happens again, you will get out of the Zhu Mansion and never set foot in the Zhu Mansion again!"
Huan'er never imagined that the situation would be so serious. After listening to Miss Zhu's analysis, her face turned pale as paper. She immediately knelt on her knees, trembling all over and said, "I know I was wrong. I won't dare to do it again. Please don't kick me out of the house! I have no relatives at home. If you kick me out again, I will have nowhere to go!"
Huan'er was seen clutching Miss Zhu's skirt tightly with both hands and crying, with tears as big as beans sliding down her eyes, just like her humble status that did not get anyone's sympathy!
"Alright, get up!" Miss Zhu tugged at the hem of her skirt in annoyance and glared at Huan'er with a hint of annoyance, but her thoughts were still immersed in Chu Feiyang's peerlessly handsome face...
Little did they know that the scene that just happened had been seen by everyone else...
"Princess, I heard that Prince Xiahou and Minister Han have arrived at the inn, and are discussing matters with the prince in the front hall!" The lively Yingxia is always restless. While Muchun and Yuandong are wholeheartedly serving Yun Qianmeng, she has already run out to the backyard to find out the news!
Yun Qianmeng nodded. As early as when Xiahou Qin and Han Shaomian entered Jiangzhou, she had already received information from the intelligence network of the Yu family pawnshop. Chu Feiyang was probably discussing with them about setting off the day after tomorrow!
"Mu Chun, tell the kitchen to prepare a family dinner!" The fact that the Xiahou clan sent a prince to protect Chu Feiyang shows how much the Xiahou clan values Chu Feiyang, so they must not neglect them in terms of etiquette!
"Yes! Princess, do you need to change into court clothes later?" Mu Chun looked at Yun Qianmeng's half-old home clothes and spoke with some embarrassment!
"No need! Go get the long skirt I just made for New Year's Day this year, and you can change into it later!" Yun Qianmeng looked at the sky outside. It was still about an hour before noon. Remembering the other news she had just received, Yun Qianmeng put down the scroll in her hand, stood up, and said, "Mu Chun, go inform Xi Lin later and ask him to tell Magistrate Zhu that the prince and I will be hosting a banquet at the post station tomorrow night. We will invite officials of the third rank and above in Jiangzhou and their wives to thank them for their care over the past few days!"
"Princess, what are you doing?" Mu Chun and the others had long known that Miss Zhu was coveting the Prince of Chu's concubine, but why would the princess do this when she was about to leave? What if Miss Zhu did something against the rules? Wouldn't that embarrass the prince and princess?
"Just do it if I tell you to! I know what to do!" Yun Qianmeng called Yingxia to change into a new dress for her, and then led Yingxia and Yuandong to the kitchen!
After discussing with everyone what would happen the next day and what needed to be paid attention to, Xi Lin happened to have returned to the front hall from the backyard. He whispered a few words in Chu Feiyang's ear, and then Chu Feiyang stood up and led Xiahou Qin and Han Shaomian back to the backyard. Xi Lin came to Zhu Zhong and respectfully conveyed the princess's intention to Zhu Zhong!
"Guard Xi, why does the princess suddenly want to hold a banquet?" Zhu Zhong still couldn't figure it out, and he couldn't see through Yun Qianmeng's thoughts!
A few days ago, the Princess of Chu just refused the banquet he had planned for the King of Chu. Why did she change her mind now?
Xi Lin had an expressionless face. Seeing Zhu Zhong's embarrassment, he said calmly, "Zhu Zhizhou, did you miss it? I just explained that this is a dinner specially hosted by the Prince and Princess to thank the Jiangzhou officials for their careful care over the past few days! I ask Zhu Zhizhou to convey this to you. Please don't let the Prince and Princess wait for you!"
After he finished speaking, Xi Lin turned and walked out of the front hall, following Chu Feiyang and the others!
As Chu Feiyang and the others walked into the east wing, Yun Qianmeng washed the oil stains on her hands and led the maids into the side room carrying the brewed hot tea!
"This must be the princess that made you rush back to Kyoto to marry her despite all the hard work!" Xiahou Qin patted Chu Feiyang on the back twice with brotherly love, but his eyes were already looking at Yun Qianmeng who was slowly approaching!
Today, Yun Qianmeng was wearing a long dress made of palace satin with rouge red dots and red gold thread. Her black hair was tied into a bun with a gilded flat hairpin inserted in her hair and a orange velvet flower, the most fashionable in Kyoto at that time, pinned on the side of her hair. Her face was made up with light makeup, and because of the faint smile on her face, she gave people a sense of elegance, nobility and peace!
Even Xiahou Qin, who was used to seeing beauties like Xiahou An'er, couldn't help but show a hint of admiration in his eyes when he saw Yun Qianmeng for the first time!
"Yun Qianmeng greets cousin!" At this time, Yun Qianmeng, supported by the maid, walked slowly to the side of Chu Feiyang, leaving aside her identity as a princess, and bowed to Xiahou Qin as a sister-in-law. Her voice was clear and transparent, with a sense of quiet coolness and a hint of respect!
"Hahaha! Feiyang, you have such a good eye!" Looking at Yun Qianmeng, who was neither arrogant nor impatient and did not act pretentiously because of her status as a princess, Xiahou Qin's initial admiration instantly turned into respect, and he smiled in admiration of Chu Feiyang's unique vision!
"Of course!" Chu Feiyang was not polite at all and directly accepted Xiahou Qin's praise!
"Your humble servant Han Shaomian greets the princess!" Compared to Xiahou Qin's relaxation, Han Shaomian seemed a little more reserved. When he saw Yun Qianmeng coming in, he quickly stepped forward and saluted Yun Qianmeng!
"Lord Han, thank you for your hard work along the way! Rest here today and tomorrow. We will set off for Youzhou the day after tomorrow. I will trouble you with the matters on the road!" Yun Qianmeng looked at Han Shaomian, who had traveled all the way but did not look tired, and a hint of admiration appeared in his eyes!
As a son of a wealthy family, he possesses not only superb martial arts, but also unwavering perseverance, which is quite valuable for someone of Han Shaomian's background! It is also the most important reason why everyone looks at him with new eyes!
"Your Highness, lunch is ready, please take your seat!" Yun Qianmeng smiled and walked to Chu Feiyang's side. Together with him, she invited the two of them to the table as hosts!
"These are just some home-cooked side dishes. I hope my cousin and Lord Han don't dislike them!" After saying that, Yun Qianmeng nodded slightly to the maids behind her. They immediately stepped forward and carefully lifted the covers on the delicacies. A warm aroma of food immediately drifted into everyone's noses!
"Hmm, it smells so good!" Xiahou Qin couldn't help but half-close his eyes, enjoying the aroma of the food in the air, and then praised it generously. His natural action made Mu Chun and other little girls laugh!
"Is it so funny?" Compared to the coldness he showed when facing the Jiangzhou officials just now, Xiahou Qin at this time was as lively as Xiahou An'er, and the expression in his eyes was much more friendly. Even though he was laughed at by these little girls, he did not get angry!
"Muchun!" But Yun Qianmeng frowned slightly to remind the girl behind her, then smiled faintly and apologized to Xiahou Qin, "It's my sister-in-law's fault for not disciplining me properly. I hope my cousin won't take offense!"
Xiahou Qin, however, waved his hand, then picked up the chopsticks in front of him, picked up a piece of food nearby and put it into his mouth. His face suddenly became very happy. After swallowing the delicious food in his mouth, he immediately looked at Yun Qianmeng and asked impatiently, "I wonder who is the chef in charge of this? This dish is really delicious!"
Seeing Xia Houqin's satisfied expression, Chu Feiyang followed him and took a bite of the dish. A warm smile appeared in his eyes and he replied on behalf of Yun Qianmeng, "This was made by Meng'er herself. I didn't expect it to satisfy my cousin!"
After hearing this, the two looked at Yun Qianmeng with a smile on her face in disbelief!
Compared to Xia Houqin who lives in Los Angeles, Han Shaomian understands the habits of Kyoto girls better!
The young ladies of prominent families were only taught by their families to be proficient in music, chess, calligraphy, and painting, as well as to be good at scheming. As for these things, which they considered to be menial jobs, those young ladies would disdain to do them!
However, he never expected that today he would be able to see the distinguished Princess Chu cooking in person, and her delicious cooking made the prince of the Xiahou clan praise her endlessly!
No wonder such a unique woman is regarded as such a treasure by the King of Chu!
Chu Feiyang was able to discover the good in Yun Qianmeng that others could not see, which showed how accurate his vision was, and few could match him!
For a moment, Han Shaomian's respect for Chu Feiyang deepened even more!
Xiahou Qin tasted all the dishes on the table, his eyes filled with unprecedented satisfaction. He drank a sip of the cooled soup and then spoke again, "Excuse me for asking, does your sister-in-law have any unmarried sisters?"
Hearing this, Yun Qianmeng paused slightly as she picked up the food, a hint of surprise flashing in her eyes. Yun Yan's shy and delicate face came to mind. Looking at Xiahou Qin's face, which was similar to Xiahou An'er's, she suddenly felt that the brother and sister had similar personalities. She smiled and said, "There is still a younger sister who is not married yet!"
"My cousin doesn't care about my injury, but he cares about the young lady of Yun Xiangfu. He is really a man who forgets his loyalty for the sake of beauty!" Chu Feiyang laughed heartily and changed the subject in an instant!
Hearing that Chu Feiyang was injured, Xiahou Qin's gaze immediately turned to him, frowning slightly and speaking with concern, "How is your injury? The person who can hurt you must also be a master!"
"It's okay! I will be well in a few days! At tomorrow's dinner, I need my cousin to drink more for me, otherwise I will have to drink more of that bitter medicine!" These words made the atmosphere at the table suddenly relaxed a lot, and even the usually serious Han Shaomian smiled slightly!
After lunch, Chu Feiyang continued to discuss matters with Xiahou Qin and Han Shaomian, while Yun Qianmeng returned to the inner room to personally prepare the dishes for tomorrow night's banquet!
"Muchun, take out the court dress, iron it flat, and burn it with incense. I want to wear it at tomorrow's dinner!" Yun Qianmeng picked up the rice paper with the menu written on it and blew it dry. She handed it to Yingxia and asked her to take it to the kitchen to prepare it. She picked up the half-read book on the table and continued reading!
"Yes, Princess!" After receiving Yun Qianmeng's order, Mu Chun smiled happily, and immediately took out the lavender palace dress happily, carefully opened it and hung it on the hanger, and then gently ironed it with an iron that was lighted with incense and let it dry, just waiting for Yun Qianmeng to wear it to the banquet tomorrow!
"Princess, the hairpin on your head is too plain! Do you want to wear the eight-winged phoenix hairpin tomorrow?" After finishing the clothes, Mu Chun began to worry about Yun Qianmeng's headwear. She came to the dressing table, picked up the rosewood box full of jewelry, walked in front of Yun Qianmeng, picked out a golden eight-winged hairpin, placed it in front of Yun Qianmeng, and asked!
After all, tomorrow her young lady will host a banquet to entertain Jiangzhou officials as a princess. Naturally, this is to show the princess's demeanor and momentum. How can she let those country girls who want to become phoenixes get the upper hand?
Yun Qianmeng's eyes slightly shifted from the page, and seeing Mu Chun's slightly dissatisfied expression, she smiled and nodded. "Since you want to wear the gold hairpin, then take out the jade earrings left by your mother!"
Yun Qianmeng usually dresses in a simple and elegant manner, but that doesn't mean she can remain calm when someone shows strong possessiveness towards her husband!
When necessary, she would attack her opponents better than anyone else. Since Miss Zhu paid so much attention to her appearance and clothing, she would naturally cater to her preferences and hit her hard in the area where Miss Zhu was most proud!
Little did they know that Miss Zhu was the only one who had the same idea. All the officials' families in Jiangzhou who received the invitation were trying their best to dress up their unmarried daughters!
So much so that before the dinner started on the second day, the garden of the inn was already filled with beautiful women, and the beautiful scenery captivated everyone's eyes!
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