Chapter 874 Hot Spring Palace
Just as Chu Ruoyan said, although it was only a few dozen miles from Chang'an, the area around Mount Li was already covered in snow.
The Tangquan Palace, surrounded by mountains, was sculpted into a crystal-clear and elegant landscape by a thin layer of snow. The surrounding peaks were also gradually covered with snow, and even the rugged peaks became gentle and soft. Everything was blurred like a dream.
However, on Xixiu Ridge, colorful flags fluttered and people moved about, outlining a winding path leading up the mountain.
It was then that the emperor led a troop of men up Xixiu Ridge, but stopped halfway up the mountain because of the strong and cold wind and the heavy snow. After much persuasion from Eunuch Yu, Yuwen Yuan stopped to rest in a pavilion halfway up the mountain. While panting, he laughed and said, "I'm getting old, I'm getting old."
"emperor,"
No sooner had he finished speaking than a voice, tinged with a hint of coquetry and resentment, rang out. It was Consort Zhang Yuping, who was accompanying the emperor. She leaned against a pillar of the pavilion, panting as she said, "Your Majesty is leaving so quickly, are you going to abandon me?"
Yuwen Yuan laughed and beckoned to her. Zhang Yuping immediately stepped forward, took his hand, and sat down beside him. She then said angrily, "It's only been a few steps, and Your Majesty has already left me far behind. And yet Your Majesty still says you're old? This isn't Your Majesty lying to yourself; it's Your Majesty coaxing me!"
Upon hearing this, Yuwen Yuan burst into laughter.
Seeing him smile, Zhang Yuping leaned into his arms. As if sensing that she was a little cold, Yuwen Yuan reached out and pulled his wide robe over her, and the two snuggled close together.
However, he didn't say anything more to Zhang Yuping. Instead, he turned his head and looked down at the mountain path he had come from. Then he looked along the path at the foot of the mountain, where the hot spring palace was crystal clear, adorned with the falling snow. He then looked up at the surrounding layered mountains, the green mist and clear sky. The magnificent scenery had a magical feeling, like a fairyland. He couldn't help but be mesmerized.
As soon as the emperor sat down, Eunuch Yu ordered a stove to be brought to him. This was a pavilion with drafts on all sides, and with the strong wind and heavy snow, there was nothing to shelter him from the wind except for his head. If there was nothing warm around him, the emperor would probably catch a cold.
After placing the stove on the stove, he stepped aside with his hands in his pockets and said with a forced smile, "Your Majesty, you should go back soon."
Yuwen Yuan said impatiently, "I just came out for a walk, and you've been nagging me the whole way."
"This servant wouldn't dare, but the snow is falling heavier and heavier, and there's no shelter here. The wind is strong and it's easy to catch a cold. What if the snow blocks the road again when we go down the mountain—"
"I'm not leaving. I just want to see how heavy the snow looks."
Yuwen Yuan was in such a good mood that he actually started to sulk with him. Zhang Yuping glanced back at him, and Eunuch Yu could only smile and bow repeatedly. Seeing this, Yuwen Yuan laughed again, looked around, and said, "The scenery here is so beautiful; you can't see it in the palace."
After thinking for a moment, Eunuch Yu immediately smiled and said, "The scenery here is naturally beautiful. Otherwise, how could His Majesty have been touring this place for six days and still not be tired of it?"
"Six days?"
Upon hearing this, Yuwen Yuan seemed slightly taken aback: "Has it been six days since I arrived at Tangquan Palace?"
Eunuch Yu laughed and said, "Isn't that right? They send a message from Chang'an every other day, and this is the third time today."
Zhang Yuping rolled her eyes and smiled, "Although three messages were sent, fortunately nothing serious happened. Yu Mingli, please don't disturb His Majesty's mood with such trivial matters."
Eunuch Yu glanced at her and said, "Yes."
Although it was a "minor matter," Yuwen Yuan's eyes gradually cleared amidst the falling snow. He glanced around again; the scenery was indeed beautiful and captivating, but for an emperor, half a day was enough. He released the hand that was holding Zhang Yuping, stood up with his hands on his knees, and said, "Let's go back to Tangquan Palace first, warm up a bit, and then we'll talk."
Eunuch Yu immediately breathed a sigh of relief and shouted, "Yes!"
After saying that, he immediately turned around and directed the people who were standing outside the pavilion. Some people had already rushed ahead to clear the snow that had fallen on the road. Yuwen Yuan then led Zhang Yuping down the mountain along the same path they had come from.
After walking for half a day, we returned to the Hot Spring Palace.
The palace was filled with braziers, and as soon as you entered the gate, you felt a warm breeze rushing towards you, as if you had returned to spring. Yuwen Yuan's mind, which had just become somewhat clear, was suddenly soaked by this warmth and became somewhat drowsy again.
As he walked forward with unsteady steps, he saw a crowd of people standing in front of him, bowing respectfully to him.
Upon closer inspection, at the forefront of the crowd was Crown Prince Yuwen Qian, flanked by two graceful figures: Crown Princess Yu Mingyue and Crown Prince's Consort Lou Chanyue.
Yuwen Yuan walked over and said, "Lou Liangdi is here too?"
Lou Chanyue remained bowing, seemingly not daring to say much. Yuwen Qian, however, raised his head and said, "It has started snowing these past few days, making the roads slippery. It is not convenient for Father to set off back to Chang'an. However, soaking in hot springs all the time is not good for your health. Therefore, I specially asked Chanyue to prepare some songs and dances to entertain Father."
A look of surprise appeared on Yuwen Yuan's face.
This surprise wasn't because he had arranged the song and dance for him, but because his son, who was detached from worldly affairs and had even abandoned his home to travel and cultivate, still gave him the illusion that he might turn into a white cloud and drift away at any moment, even though he had returned to his side, even though he had helped him take Chang'an without bloodshed, even though he had reclaimed the land of his birth, even though he had been named Crown Prince, and even though he had married the Crown Princess.
It seems that only at this moment did he truly return to the mundane world.
A joyful smile appeared on Yuwen Yuan's face, and he said, "Good, good."
Yuwen Qian then said, "Your Majesty, I have had a high platform built next to the Lotus Pond, where people can perform dances. Your Majesty will not need to soak in the hot spring, yet you can still feel its warmth, which is beneficial to your health."
Yuwen Yuan nodded repeatedly: "Alright, as you wish."
So, Yuwen Qian and Lou Chanyue accompanied him as they turned and walked towards the West Palace where the Hibiscus Pond was located. Yu Mingyue's steps were a little slower, and a cold glint flashed in her eyes as she looked at Lou Chanyue, who was smiling beside Yuwen Qian.
Before long, the group entered the West Hall.
This is the hot spring he mentioned before, the newly discovered one near Tangquan Palace. It was originally an abandoned palace, and during the cleanup, crystal-clear spring water gushed out from the ground. So the Ministry of Works immediately ordered the reconstruction of a palace on the site. Although it is not very luxurious, it is clean and elegant. Moreover, the temperature of the spring water is higher than that of the other springs. Even if you don't soak in the hot spring, you can feel the warmth just by sitting in this palace. It is more comfortable than the dry heat of the palace with stoves everywhere.
Right now, Yuwen Qian had a high platform built behind the Lotus Pond, with three levels, decorated with blue, white and black silk brocade respectively, clearly an illusion of the Heavenly Palace, the human world and the underworld.
Yuwen Yuan had just sat down on the couch on the other side of the Hibiscus Pond when he heard a melodious flute sound coming from the side halls on both sides.
As the flute music began, a group of exquisitely dressed dancers ascended the high platform to the accompaniment of the music. Each one possessed cloud-like hair and beautiful features, their jade pendants jingling, their graceful figures breathtakingly beautiful. Below, in the Lotus Pond, the milky white steam rising from the hot spring created a hazy, ethereal atmosphere, making them appear like fairies descending to earth. Just as they fully ascended the platform, the bells and drums on both sides of the West Hall resounded, the booming music accompanying the dancers' graceful movements, instantly captivating Yuwen Yuan.
He opened his eyes wide and stared intently at the slender figure on the high platform, forgetting everything else for a moment.
Yuwen Qian glanced at Yuwen Yuan, silently stood up, and said with a smile as he passed by Eunuch Yu, "Eunuch, it's rare that Father Emperor is in such a good mood, so let's not let anyone disturb him."
Eunuch Yu glanced at him and said with a forced smile, "This servant understands."
Yuwen Qian nodded and quietly withdrew from the Hibiscus Pond. As soon as he stepped out of the West Palace, he saw snow falling in front of him. Although it was not yet evening, the sky was already somewhat gloomy due to the dark clouds overhead. However, the area in front of him was brightly lit, and several ministers, along with their families and guards, stood outside the palace, all craning their necks to look in this direction.
As soon as he walked over, everyone who had been whispering fell silent.
Yuwen Qian stepped forward with a smile. Before he could even raise his hand, everyone bowed and greeted him, saying, "Greetings, Your Highness the Crown Prince."
Yuwen Qian then raised his hand and said, "Gentlemen, there's no need for such formalities. Please rise."
The crowd slowly stood up, and at the very front of them was Shen Shiyan, the Minister of the Imperial Secretariat. His hair and beard were gray, and after standing outside the hall for half a day, the snow on his head and shoulders made him look even older. He respectfully said, "Your Highness, please forgive us. We have come to request an audience with His Majesty."
Yuwen Qian smiled and asked, "Does Lord Shen have any urgent business to discuss with the Emperor?"
Shen Shiyan said, "We have been fortunate enough to stay at Tangquan Palace for several days thanks to His Majesty's grace. Shouldn't we return to the capital now?"
Yuwen Qian said, "But Father Emperor is not yet prepared to return."
Shen Shiyan frowned, turned and exchanged a glance with Pei Xu standing beside him. Pei Xu immediately stepped forward and said, "Your Highness, a country cannot be without a ruler for a day. His Majesty—"
Before he could finish speaking, Yuwen Qian smiled and said, "It's rare for Father to be in such a leisurely mood. You gentlemen are all old friends who have followed him for many years, and you know that he has been working tirelessly day and night for many years. It's a rare opportunity for him to relax and rest here, so let's not disturb his leisure time. Is that alright?"
The last two words, spoken by the crown prince, already carried an invisible pressure.
The group exchanged glances, but ultimately dared not say anything more, and could only step back and say, "We understand."
Yuwen Qian smiled and said, "Now that you gentlemen have arrived at Tangquan Palace, why not take this opportunity to rest and recuperate? Perhaps when you return to Chang'an, there will be many things waiting for you to handle."
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