Yamafu Military Affairs

Chapter 224 Lingbo Banquet

Chang'an City consists of the outer city, the palace city, and the imperial city.

The palace is located in the north, where the emperor lives; the imperial city is located in the south of the palace, where ancestral temples, government offices, military offices, warehouses, and other administrative areas are located.

The buildings in the imperial city are magnificent, and present a completely different scene compared to the outer city.

As dusk fell at the You hour, Emperor Xuanzong Li Longji was rehearsing songs and dances himself in the Pear Garden on the east side of the Daming Palace.

He had a dream not long ago, in which he saw a dragon girl in Lingbo Pond in Luoyang asking him to give him a song. So he composed "Lingbo Qu", which he was rehearsing recently and is now almost finished. And today happened to be a great victory in the Western Regions, so he wanted to use this dance to add some interest to the banquet tonight.

Beautiful music was heard in Chunhui Hall: Li Longji played the 羯鼓, Yang Yuhuan played the pipa, Ma Xianqi played the jade flute, Li Guinian played the 筚篠, Zhang Yehu played the 孔后, and He Huaizhi clapped the clappers.

In the center of the hall, a graceful girl named Xie Aman was dancing.

She was not draped with a silk scarf, her skirt was wrapped above her chest, revealing her beautiful shoulders, her arms were wrapped in colorful gauze, and on her feet she wore Lingbo socks, which were "just as red as the jade tips of her feet" and "as if the colorful silk was lightly curled up and down."

Qin Huan, the general of the Right Jinwu Guard, sat at the table, tasting the Guzhu purple bamboo shoots. His eyes followed Xie Aman all the time, and an idea came to his mind.

He liked this little dancer very much. She had a slim figure, a sweet and obedient personality, and he thought she would be someone who would be easy for him to take care of.

The age is suitable, but the difference in status is a bit too big, so I’m afraid it will be difficult to satisfy Erlang.

After the song and dance, Li Longji put down the 羯鼓 and said with a smile: "What do you think, Qin Qing?"

"The saint is extremely intelligent, and is especially good at music. This piece of music is truly heavenly music. I have no regrets in dying if I can hear it today."

Qin Huan and Li Longji had known each other since childhood and knew the emperor's temperament, so he immediately complimented him with a few words.

"You, you just know how to put me off."

Li Longji pretended to be angry, but he was joking: "Jingbo returned triumphantly from the Western Regions this time. Didn't he bring you a few concubines from the Hu area?"

"Erlang has been fighting in battles for a long time. It is difficult for him to meet a good family. Is there any purpose for the saint's question?"

"If I really want to arrange a marriage for you, I won't ask you."

Li Longji waved his hand and started beating the 羯鼓 again.

Just as the sound of stringed instruments began again, two very heroic men came outside Chunhui Hall.

"General, Lieutenant General."

The Shenwu Tianqi on duty bowed slightly to Qin Huai and Ge Shujing, and without doing any superficial work such as searching their bodies, he escorted them into Chunhui Hall very naturally.

Qin Huai had just taken two steps into the room when a very friendly smiling face appeared in front of him.

Gao Lishi.

This eunuch, who was most favored by the emperor, was dressed in a purple robe, nearly two meters tall, with broad shoulders and a big body. He had an extraordinary dignity and his bearing was three times stronger than many military officers.

"General Qin, the Saint has ordered this old servant to come and greet you two."

"Thank you, Lord Gao."

Qin Huai greeted him with a cupped hand and bowed slightly.

Gao Lishi smiled cordially and said, "The two generals have made great contributions to the Tianqi's successive victories and the prestige of our prosperous Tang Dynasty. If there are any scoundrels causing trouble tonight, please don't take it to heart."

Hearing the eunuch's seemingly meaningful reminder, Qin Huai smiled slightly and said nothing more.

After walking a few dozen steps, Qin Huai and the other man entered the hall and bowed to the throne: "Your Majesty, I wish you a happy spring."

"My Zilong and Yunchang are finally back. Stand up and take a seat."

"We thank your Majesty for his generous gift."

Qin Huai stood up and looked upward.

There were not many concubines on both sides of the throne, but without exception, they were all extremely beautiful. Even though Qin Huai was a pilgrim and had seen countless beauties, he was still amazed.

It may be because Li Longji had no queen and took in concubines based on his personal preferences, the concubines in Chunhui Hall had different makeup and dressing styles, with double braids in the Wangxian bun, the fallen horse bun, the half-turned bun, the high bun, and the double hanging bun. Moreover, they were wearing colorful clothes, and when they sat there, they were like a hundred flowers in full bloom, competing for beauty.

At first glance, the spring orchid, summer bamboo, autumn chrysanthemum and winter plum are all different, except for the whiteness and fullness of their necks.

Qin Huai took a quick look and focused his gaze on the noble lady holding the pipa.

Yang Yuhuan is just over thirty years old this year, about the same age as Qin Huai, but she looks like she is eighteen. Tonight, she has her hair done up in a cloud-like bun and a golden hairpin in her hair. Under her black hair is an oval face that is flawless, and her lips are lightly rouge-edged, which makes people feel from a distance that her lips are very moist.

If that were all, she would just be a top beauty.

Compared to Miss Hongying, whose facial features are equally impressive, the difference between Yang Yuhuan is that she is beautiful without realizing it. Perhaps she no longer cares, as if “every frown and smile of mine is beautiful, so it doesn’t matter.”

Sitting down, other concubines looked lazy and indifferent, but they still showed their most proud strengths, which was inferior. Yang Yuhuan was so beautiful just sitting there casually, but she didn't care at all.

Because she dances.

Only the most extraordinary dancers can have such temperament.

At this moment, she was looking at Qin Huai with the attitude of meeting an old friend after a long separation, leaning forward, leaning her head, holding the pipa with both hands, her legs together and slanted to one side, and the pink dance shoes under her skirt were like lotus flowers just showing their pointed corners.

Her figure and posture are like that of a girl next door, but she has a unique charm.

Qin Huai knew that this imperial concubine had been through a lot, so he couldn't help but be surprised that she could still retain the truth in her eyes.

People living in the world will inevitably wither and decay, and the more withered the heart is, the more boring it is. But time seems to favor Yang Yuhuan, allowing her to remain so bright.

Time never defeats beauty
The innocent and childish appearance is combined with her beautiful face and charming figure, which is also not affected at all, forming her unique charm.

Their eyes met for a moment, and a faint red light appeared around the beauty's body, causing some ripples in Qin Huai's heart.

This Yang Taizhen is no simple person.

After Qin Huai sat beside Qin Huan and whispered "Aye", the father of the original body stroked his beard and took the initiative to speak: "Erlang, can you find some precious and rare items for the saint in the Western Regions this time?"

"I dare not forget the Saint and the Queen."

Qin Huai took out two jade boxes from his arms and handed them to Gao Lishi who was serving beside him.

"Jingbo is indeed filial and considerate of his king and father, but what is this?"

Li Longji laughed, put down the 羯鼓 in his hand, and looked at the things in the box.

There were two bright red apricots quietly placed in the bluish-white jade box.

【Rui Xing】: A rare treasure from heaven. Taking it will increase the user’s life span by one year and also replenish the user’s vitality.

Note: The exotic fruit of [Samojian’s Golden Peach] can increase a person’s lifespan.

"It is a rare treasure of heaven and earth. Eating it can increase one's lifespan. I asked Amoghavajra, and he said that a person can only eat one of these in his lifetime."

Qin Huai spoke nonsense without blushing or getting nervous.

Li Longji was delighted when he heard this, and waved his hand, signaling Gao Lishi to present one of the coins to Yang Yuhuan. "My lady, Jingbo is very filial, you must not let him down."

Yang Yuhuan picked up the red [Rui Xing], looked at Qin Huai and blinked twice, then opened her mouth and bit it gently. Her movements were gentle and slow, and her neatly arranged white teeth and juicy tongue could be seen.

After eating, she closed her eyes gently, as if savoring the flavor of the exotic fruit.

Seeing that Yang Yuhuan was safe and sound, Li Longji picked up the remaining fruit and took a bite. The peel broke open and his mouth was filled with a rich and exotic fragrance.

When he took a bite of the fruit flesh, Li Longji, who had tasted all kinds of delicacies, couldn't help but raise his eyebrows and make a humming sound in his throat.

"Among all the civil and military officials in the court, Jingbo is the one who suits my heart best. He first made countless military achievements and then presented me with the longevity fruit. Madam, what do you think I should reward him with?"

After swallowing the [Rui Xing], Li Longji felt relaxed and warm all over. He stroked the back of Yang Yuhuan's delicate hands and looked at Qin Huai with approval in his eyes.

"Gold, silver, jewelry, concubines, and beautiful maids, I think the Qin family has no shortage of these mundane things; if Sanlang is interested, why not ask Jingbo what he wants?"

Yang Yuhuan smiled and turned the question to Qin Huai who was eating a dried fruit snack.

"Saint, it's getting late. We should go to Hua'e Tower for the banquet."

Just as Qin Huai was about to ask for the position of military commander, Gao Lishi spoke at the right time to remind everyone that it was getting late.

"I just ate some exotic fruit and I'm sweating all over. I should go take a shower and change clothes. You guys can go first."

Li Longji waved his hand, let go of Yang Yuhuan, who had also taken the [Rui Xing] but showed no signs of abnormality, and left Chunhui Hall with several eunuchs.

The black limousine glided silently and stopped in front of Chunhui Hall. Yang Yuhuan held her third sister, Lady Guoguo Yang Yuyao, and poked Qin Huai's lower back with her white jade fingers.

Qin Huai was a little surprised, but didn't say much. He walked to the driver's seat and pulled the driver out.

"I am here to see the Queen and the Madam off, you can leave now."

"Here!"

The driver took his leave, and Geshu Jing escorted the Yang sisters into the carriage with familiarity, then sat in the passenger seat and turned on the diversion switch of the small steam engine.

The steam ceremonial carriage moved slowly forward. Qin Huai smelled the rich fragrance inside the car, and thousands of thoughts flashed through his mind.

What does it mean when Yang Yuhuan calls herself out?
Reminisce? Give some advice? Or...
Could it be that the original body has some unclear relationship with this Yang Guifei?
"General, thank you for the exotic fruit this time."

Yang Yuhuan in the back row opened her rosy lips slightly, raised her head and waited for Qin Huai to reply.

"It is the duty of a minister to share the worries of the Saint and the Empress. Jingbo dare not thank you."

Qin Huai spoke carefully, believing that he had done nothing wrong, but Yang Yuhuan's next words seemed to carry a hint of resentment.

"Since the Saint is not here, Erlang, please call me Yuhuan."

When Yang Yuhuan opened her mouth, her voice was like the sound of a yellow oriole singing out of a valley, but the amount of information she contained was like a huge wave shocking the sky.

Qin Huai didn't have time to think about it. At this moment, he was frantically searching through his original body's memories in his mind.

As the commander of the imperial guards, and with the relationship with Qin Huan, she was almost one of Li Longji's most trusted and closest people. However, there is a difference between the monarch and his subjects. Even if the emperor's favor is great, Yang Yuhuan should not be addressed in such a familiar way.

Qin Huai kept thinking in his heart, what does this mean, could it be that this Yang Yuhuan and the original body are senior brothers and sisters? That's right, after all, Yang Yuhuan's Taoist name is Taizhen, and she may have some relationship with Taoism, so it's understandable to call her more intimately.
Qin Huai grabbed the steering wheel and spoke carefully, "I heard that Taizhen left the palace and stayed at the Yang family for a few days ten days ago. Did she have some unpleasantness with the Saint?"

Yang Yuhuan did not speak, but her third sister Yang Yuyao took over the conversation: "Erlang, my sister left the palace without you to look after her this time, and she cried all day. If it weren't for Ji Wen's tricks to change the emperor's mind, I might have to wait for you to return to the court before my sister could return to the palace."

She leaned forward and blew her hot air on the back of Qin Huai's neck, which made it feel numb and itchy.

"A Jing, tell me, what's so good about fighting outside? Can it compare to enjoying the pleasures of the palace with the saints?"

Ge Shujing, who had been daydreaming and oblivious to what was happening outside, saw Yang Yuyao bringing the conversation to him, so he laughed, stroked his beard, and defended Qin Huai.

"All is well, all is well, but this trip to the west is the will of the Heavenly Palace. The saint has given an order, and we brothers dare not disobey."

Qin Huai's ears twitched and he found that things seemed to be different from what he thought.
-
Gudong Gudong~
The steam boiler started to boil, and with the rumbling sound of the motor, the steel elevator that had just risen to the top of the Calyx Building quickly sank downwards.

Yang Guozhong, wearing a light-colored scarlet robe and a silver fish bag on his waist, looked up and saw faint wrinkles on his forehead.

"Ha, with the elevator provided by Tianruisi, we can finally climb up to the Huaye Xianghui Tower, which is high up and overlooks the world. We don't have to spend a lot of energy and be careful not to fall. It's really convenient."

Li Linfu, who was next to Yang Guozhong, opened his eyes and spoke in a neutral voice.

"It's getting late, let's go up."

The two walked onto the platform, and suddenly a tall, fat and bloated figure appeared in front of them.

The side corridor of Hua'e Building was wide enough for three people, but as soon as he showed up, he seemed to take up all the space. Every time he stepped down, the solid nanmu floor creaked.

Li Linfu frowned slightly and said nothing.

"An Jieshuai."

Yang Guozhong smiled wryly: "What a coincidence."

"It is indeed a coincidence that I can meet the Right Prime Minister and the King's uncle."

There was no emotion in An Lushan's words.

He had a huge belly weighing dozens of pounds, but his complexion was no different from that of an ordinary person, as if the fat on his body was not a burden at all.

As soon as they met, An Lushan had already stepped onto the steel platform, making the elevator make a teeth-grinding sound.

The huge figure pressed the two men to the corner. The light above was bright, and the dark shadow almost obscured Yang Guozhong and Li Linfu.

"Lushan is very generous and takes up more space. Please don't blame me."

Yang Guozhong, with his fat belly, created some space for the thin Li Linfu.

"You know it's getting in the way, why don't you hurry up?"

Before Li Linfu finished speaking, An Lushan suddenly stretched out his big hand, pressed the brass button, and the platform began to rise slowly.

"An Lushan, you are very familiar with these Tianrui machines."

Li Linfu's eyes were as sharp as lightning, piercing into An Lushan's eye sockets, whose specific shape he could not see clearly.

Two streams of white air blew out of An Lushan's nostrils, and his rumbling voice echoed in the elevator.

"A lot of Tianrui machinery is needed to open up the northern wilderness. As the commander of two towns, I have learned a lot from what I have seen and heard, so I naturally know a little bit."

Suddenly, there was a soft sound.

boom!
The dark staircase door slowly opened, revealing a room full of splendor.

Although Yuhuan was beautiful, unfortunately she was already someone else’s wife.

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(End of this chapter)