Although Gongsun Yang has a more straightforward personality, he is not a reckless person. Nowadays, among the aristocratic children, who doesn’t have a concubine? But the rumors about that concubine in the Sui capital are really crazy and unimaginable.
If the rumors are true, based on the degree of infatuation of the Crown Prince of Sui towards that concubine, Gongsun Yang is very worried. The Crown Prince of Sui married his Highness not because he was pleased with him but just to win the land of Jiangnan without bloodshed.
The Crown Prince of Sui also caused such a disturbance on the first day of his wedding, so where can His Highness put his face?
“What’s all the rumors out there?”
Jiang Yun suddenly asked.
His Highness already knew about this matter, and in the spirit of loyalty towards his Highness, Gongsun Yang truthfully reported it.
“They said that the little concubine was a young gentleman from a humble background, but his abilities were not small. The Crown Prince of Sui was so charmed that he couldn’t tell from southeast or northwest anymore. The Crown Prince of Sui kept the person in the private courtyard and offered him as if he were an ancestor, never going east if he was told to go west. For the sake of that little concubine, he refused to marry a concubine or have children and even dared to confront Empress Yan. After that little concubine fell into the water, the Crown Prince of Sui searched the entire city moat and the entire Mount Li river to find the body of the little concubine. After finally finding it, he did not allow him to be buried and instead ordered the Dali Court to find a coffin of metaphysical ice and store the body in there, reminiscing about his longing day by day. Even when sleeping at night, he had to hold the little concubine’s tablet. Your Highness, do you think this is outrageous?”
Jiang Yun listened quietly. When he heard about the memorial tablet section, he showed a slightly unusual expression. He asked, “Where did all this come from?”
“It’s spreading everywhere, the subordinate went out to buy breakfast and heard several piles of people talking about this matter, there are merchants, diners, and even beggars on the side of the road.”
Jiang Yun was puzzled.
Not long after, Fan Zhou also came over.
Fan Zhou wore a black scholar’s robe, with a rare faint circle of dark blue around his eyes.
The Jiang Empire sent five generals, five advisors, and two teams of light cavalry to the Sui capital to see off the bride this time. Yun Huai had to guard the Muyun Pass, so he did not come. Fan Zhou was considered the team leader.
Last night at the wedding banquet, Fan Zhou was pulled by Xu Qiao and drank a lot of alcohol. When he returned to the inn, he was supported by people, so he woke up late. However, Fan Zhou’s current situation was not due to drinking but to the same reasons as Gongsun Yang.
As soon as he left the inn early in the morning, he heard the rumors on the street already.
At first, he didn’t take it seriously; after all, many rumors about his Highness in the community were also very outrageous. He was ashamed to meet people with his ugly appearance, and he sacrificed himself to take in his subordinate’s younger sisters in order to recruit subordinates. However, as he listened, it became more and more inappropriate, especially in the ice coffin section.
He has only read such a crazy plot in his storybook. But the rumors about Dali Court are not something that everyone dares to create. If people dare to speak so loudly, it is likely to be true.
Fan Zhou’s drunkenness dissipated in an instant, and his anger was uncontrollable.
When the Crown Prince of Sui proposed to his Highness in public, he showed such infatuation and determination but never mentioned that he had a white moonlight concubine! It was said that it was not until the last two months before the marriage that the Crown Prince of Sui finally disposed of the concubine’s ice coffin from the Dali Court. It can be seen that he was reluctant to let go. If it’s not because of his Highness’s identity, would he continue to keep it until after marriage, visiting him and visiting the memorial every now and then and giving his Highness a hard time?
A Crown Prince who is skilled in warfare and, at the age of his prime, has a concubine before marriage is not unforgivable. But to promote a little concubine to such a level to the point where everyone knows about it is a bit unreasonable.
The sun is melting, and it’s springtime. The lakes around the water pavilion are rippling and sparkling, stirring up the boundless spring atmosphere. When Fan Zhou arrived, Jiang Yun was dressed in a green robe, sitting upright behind the table reading a book, with his black hair still tied in a strand and hanging behind his shoulder.
The spring is bright, and the young prince is like jade.
From a distance, it is a beautiful scene.
But the more beautiful his Highness is, the more annoyed Fan Zhou becomes.
Upon learning that Gongsun Yang had already informed Jiang Yun of the news, Fan Zhou was so angry that he almost directly cursed.
Gongsun Yang, with a fearless and upright heart, whispered, “I also know that His Highness might be sad to hear this, but it’s better to suffer in the short term than in the long term. His Highness has a noble status, so there’s no need to be subject to this. If His Highness can’t go on living like this, let’s go back to the Jiang Empire.”
“You said it lightly. The alliance between the two countries is a big deal. If His Highness returns to the Jiang Empire on the first day of his wedding, what do you want the people of the world to think?”
Although Fan Zhou was full of frustration, his rationality was still present.
At this moment, Jiang Yun closed the book in his hand and slapped it onto the stone table.
The two of them quickly stopped talking and went to see Jiang Yun.
Fan Zhou regretted it.
He was really stupid like this Gongsun Yang, he couldn’t control his temper for a moment and talked about this matter in front of His Highness.
Jiang Yun didn’t comment on the content of their discussion. He looked up and gently raised the corner of his mouth, saying, “The weather is nice today, so there’s nothing to worry about. You two can accompany Gu to the streets. Gu heard that there are many delicious snacks on the streets of the Sui capital.”
Fan Zhou and Gongsun Yang were both stunned at the same time.
After confirming that Jiang Yun was not joking and that he really got up and walked outside the water pavilion, they could only follow up later.
Gongsun Yang asked Fan Zhou anxiously, “Master Fan, is His Highness… alright?”
In theory, even a person with a good temper should have some reaction after hearing such a thing, but His Highness appeared so calm and even in the mood to go shopping. Gongsun Yang had to worry that his Highness was too stimulated and couldn’t accept the news for a while, which is why his behavior was abnormal.
Fan Zhou couldn’t always guess Jiang Yun’s thoughts, he said, “Perhaps His Highness really wants to relax. Let’s follow up first.”
Fan Zhou usually considers things comprehensively, and when faced with this matter, he also needs to think more.
His Highness has a quiet personality and likes to keep everything in his mind. He prioritizes the overall situation. Even if he knows about this, he probably won’t confront the Crown Prince of Sui in person or argue with him, which is why he wants to go out and relax.
The most important thing between newlyweds is communication. Rumors on the streets will not disappear because His Highness ignores them. If this continues, there will inevitably be a rift between his Highness and the Crown Prince of Sui.
After a long time of estrangement, the relationship between husband and wife is inevitably unfamiliar, and they will not be different from the resentful spouse.
The alliance between the North and the South had just been concluded, and a dead concubine appeared out of nowhere to make a problem out of it.
The more Fan Zhou thought about it, the bigger his head became.
He thinks, When he goes out on the street, he must persuade his Highness that this matter must not end like this. He needs to ask the Crown Prince of Sui in person and have him explain clearly.
Ji An and Gao Gong heard that Jiang Yun was going shopping, so they immediately ordered the palace attendants to prepare a carriage.
Although Jiang Yun was accompanied by the Jiang Empire’s advisors, Gongsun Yang and Fan Zhou, as well as some of the Jiang Empire guards, after all, he is still in the Sui capital. Ji An hurriedly said, “The old servant sent two proper palace men to drive and guide Your Highness’s carriage.”
If his Highness finds out that they let the young gentleman go shopping alone, he will definitely blame them when he’s back.
Gongsun Yang took the whip from his hand and said there’s no need.
Gongsun Yang is tall and powerful, with a sword at his waist, he has excellent martial arts skills. It is said that he is also a knight errant. Ji An and Gao Gong instinctively fear him and quickly avoid him.
The two of them were a little puzzled. This Gongsun Yang, who had always been polite with them before, seems to have changed today.
Jiang Yun heard the commotion outside and said through the carriage door, “It’s alright, Gu was just wandering around and won’t go far. If you’re really worried, just call a few guards to follow Gu.”
So naturally, it couldn’t be any better.
Even if his Highness comes back and finds out that the young gentleman is out, he will not blame them again.
Ji An smiled and agreed, busy arranging.
Today is a sunny day, and the weather is starting to warm up. There are many pedestrians on the streets. When it comes to the bustling city, it is difficult to drive the carriage. Jiang Yun abandoned the carriage and put on a veiled hat, strolling along the street with Fan Zhou and Gongsun Yang.
Jiang Yun went out in a low-key manner, and the people did not know that the person sitting in the carriage was the Crown Prince of Jiang, who had just married their Crown Prince. However, when they saw the young gentleman walking out of the carriage, dressed in a green robe and elegant in style, they couldn’t help but stop and take a second look.
Fan Zhou and Gongaun Yang were originally worried that Jiang Yun might not be in a good mood, but Jiang Yun had a great time strolling around. Not only did he buy food for the two to taste, but he also bought some small toys for Xiao Jiang Nuo too.
Fan Zhou was somewhat surprised. His Highness seemed to be very familiar with the Sui capital, and he knows all kind of snacks, like the back of his hands, he manages to help them accurately find the place.
When Jiang Yun arrived at a small stall selling sugar figurines, he stopped again and asked about the price.
At first glance, he could tell that it was for Xiao Huangsun. Fan Zhou pointed to a monkey-king-shaped one and smiled, “This is novel and interesting. Xiao Huangsun will definitely like it.”
Jiang Yun inquired about the price and took silver money from his sleeve. He bought three sugar figurines of different shapes and asked the vendor to wrap them in specially made oil paper, which he entrusted to Gongsun Yang for safekeeping. Seeing the sun rising and it was almost noon, Jiang Yun looked at a half-old but not-so-new tea house on the street and said, “Let’s go in and have some tea and pastries.”
His Highness is rarely in a good mood, and both Gongsun Yang and Fan Zhou are too, with no exception.
There are many tea houses running on this street. This tea house is not particularly outstanding, but because the owner specially paid for a storyteller to talk at a fixed number of times every day, the business in the tea house has always been good.
Jiang Yun left half of the guards outside, only bringing in Gongsun Yang, Fan Zhou, and a few trusted guards.
The boss saw several people with impressive looks and extraordinary attire, especially the young gentleman who was the leader. Although he was wearing a veiled hat, he couldn’t conceal his beauty. He warmly welcomed them and asked, “Noble guests want to make a stop or stay? There are good private rooms, and clean guest rooms upstairs, and there’s also a place to feed the horses in the backyard.”
Fan Zhou said, “We’re just passing by and having some tea.”
“Then noble guests are really in the right place. Our store’s Biluochun and Plum Blossom Cake are both the best in the Sui capital, especially Plum Blossom Cake, not inferior to Taibai shop’s at all. Could this humble invite the noble guests to the second floor?”
On the second floor, there is a private room with a window, and most nobles would go up there. It’s where they can both eat and enjoy the scenery.
Unexpectedly, Jiang Yun said, “There’s no need for such inconvenience, we’ll eat in the lobby.”
“Alright.”
The boss quickly called the waiter to tidy up a clean table by the window and asked the few people to come and take their seats.
Fan Zhou and Gongsun Yang were both surprised. His Highness has never liked noise, and usually he would definitely go to the private room upstairs. Unexpectedly, he wanted to eat in the lobby today.
Noon happens to be the hour of storytelling, and it’s meal time. There were many more guests in the teahouse than at other times. After Jiang Yun sat down, Fan Zhou looked at the surrounding environment and confirmed that there were no abnormalities before sitting across from him. Gongsun Yang had originally planned to guard Jiang Yun with a sword to prevent others from colliding with his Highness, but he was called to sit down by Jiang Yun.
“It’s rare to be able to come out for a stroll today, there’s no need to be formal.”
“Yes.”
Gongsun Yang quickly sat down, took his sword off, and placed it on the table.
The boss personally led the waiter to bring a pot of Biluochun, two plates of plum blossom cake, and a few small dishes. The light turquoise color of the tea broth is rich and pleasant, and the temperature is just right, so it is perfect to drink in the spring.
Plum blossom cake is also soft and delicious, making it very unique.
The three of them were eating and drinking, and in the lobby there was a loud alarm. The old man, dressed in a gray long robe and sitting behind a long table, also began today’s storytelling.
“Nowadays, the world is full of ups and downs, and the most commendable one is the prosperous wedding ceremony of the two Crown Princes in the south and north of the Yangtze River…”
The old gentleman sang, sighed, and opened his mouth.
This has been the most lively topic recently, and not everyone has had the opportunity to go out and watch last night’s grand wedding. Those people who were drinking tea immediately pricked up their ears and focused on listening.
Unexpectedly, the old man changed his tone and stroked his beard, saying, “But today, this worthless old man won’t talk about the wedding ceremony of the two Crown Princes, but rather about a secret and bizarre old story.”
The tea guests were in an uproar and couldn’t help but become more curious. In today’s world, what old news can be more attractive and persuasive than the grand wedding ceremony of the two Crown Princes?
Fan Zhou and Gongsun Yang also put down their tea cups and turned to listen.
