Tang Dynasty, my wife Wu Zetian

Chapter 136 The Princess' Invitation

Du Rong stood outside the blacksmith shop, listening to Gao Youdao and other blacksmiths laughing and talking inside, her eyebrows wrinkled into crescents.

She really couldn't understand why a top scholar like Gao Youdao would hang out with a bunch of stinky blacksmiths.

These days, she has been keeping an eye on Gao Youdao, trying to find something to hold against him so that he can be dismissed from his post and avenge the destruction of the Du family.

However, after following him for a long time, she found that Gao Youdao was really a strange person.

Many of the things he did made Du Rong very confused.

Just like now.

Gao Youdao walked out of the blacksmith shop, carrying a plow on his back, like a farmer.

Du Rong knew Gao Youdao very well. She knew that he was staying in Bodhi Temple, had only a small guest room, and had no land to farm.

This was not his first time to make tools in the blacksmith shop. Almost every time he went to the blacksmith shop, he would make an iron tool. He made three plows in total.

These ironwares were placed in Gao Youdao's home, and those that couldn't be placed were given to monks by him. He was very generous.

Seeing Gao Youdao walking away, she immediately hurried to catch up.

Gao Youdao carried the plow and returned to the Bodhi Temple to start cooking dinner.

Because there was no kitchen, Gao Youdao always cooked outside the house.

I saw him carrying a small stove, lighting a fire, cooking corn porridge in a clay pot, adding some cabbage, and holding a small fan, fanning the fire in front of the stove while cooking.

Gao Youdao eats very simply. He eats corn porridge almost every day, adding different vegetables each time and occasionally buying some mutton.

Du Rong knew that he came from a poor family and couldn't even afford a house, so it was normal for him to eat poorly.

But why did he waste money on iron tools?
The door was ajar. Gao Youdao had already cooked and was eating inside the house.

Du Rong was silent for a long time, but she couldn't bear her curiosity anymore and finally pushed the door open and went in.

Gao Youdao heard the noise, turned around and said with a smile, "It's Madam Du, what do you want to talk to me about?"

Du Rong snorted coldly: "Don't play dumb, you know I'm following you, right?"

Gao Youdao said, "I do know. I was just about to ask you, my lady, why are you following me?"

Du Rong didn't answer. Instead, she looked around and said, "Let me ask you, why do you make so many iron tools but don't use them? Are you sick?"

Gao Youdao was slightly stunned and said in a deep voice: "This has nothing to do with you."

After hearing this, Du Rong didn't know why, but she felt a surge of grievance in her heart, and her eyes were blurred with tears.

Gao Youdao's face paled slightly, and he asked, "Why are you crying?" He gave a wry smile and said, "Okay, don't cry. I'll tell you."

Du Rong wiped her tears and said, "I'm not crying because of you, I'm just thinking about..."

She thought of the letter she had written to her mother, Princess Chengyang, a while ago, hoping that her mother would help Du Men.

However, her mother's reply was very cold, saying that Du Men's affairs had nothing to do with her and asked her not to interfere.

Seeing that she stopped talking halfway, Gao Youdao thought she agreed and had to tell her the situation.

"The war in the northwest is about to end, and the blacksmith shop's business is not good. I bought some ironware just now to help my friend's business."

Du Rong was stunned for a moment, puzzled, "Why bother with all this trouble when you can just give them the money?"

Gao Youdao shook his head and said loudly, "They are all famous soldiers. If I give them money, it would be an insult to them."

Du Rong whispered, "What kind of excuse is that? I really don't understand you."

Gao Youdao didn't argue with her and smiled, "Are you hungry? Do you want to eat together?"

Du Rong felt extremely embarrassed and said, "Pah!", "Who wants to eat your food? Even my dog ​​won't eat what you eat!"

Gao Youdao shook his head, ignored her, and lowered his head to eat.

Du Rong suddenly felt a little regretful and felt that what she had just said was a bit too much.

At this moment, someone behind him said, "Excuse me, please let me pass."

Du Rong was startled and turned around to see a man dressed as a servant standing behind her. She quickly stepped aside.

The servant bowed to Gao Youdao and asked, "Excuse me, are you here in person?"

"I am Gao Youdao." Gao Youdao replied.

The servant handed over a golden invitation and said with a smile, "I am from the Xincheng Princess's Mansion. Her Highness is hosting a literary and wine party at the mansion tomorrow at noon, inviting the young talents of Chang'an. So she asked me to deliver the invitation."

Gao Youdao was slightly stunned, then took the note and said, "Please thank the princess for me."

The servant bowed and said goodbye.

Gao Youdao took the golden post and read it carefully.

The above simply states that Princess Xincheng will hold a banquet at the Princess's Mansion tomorrow, and Prince Chen Li Zhong will entertain the guests on behalf of the princess.

Princess Xincheng was a married princess after all, and it was not appropriate for her to show up in public, so it was reasonable for her to ask Li Zhong to meet the guests on her behalf.

Gao Youdao just didn't understand why Princess Xincheng suddenly held such a banquet.

Du Rong studied his expression, curled her lips, and said, "Are you overjoyed?"

Gao Youdao was stunned and asked, "Happy?" Du Rong snorted, "Don't play dumb. Don't you know the purpose of this invitation?"

Gao Youdao bowed to her and said, "I really don't know. Madam Du, please enlighten me."

Du Rong asked, "Did you know that there's a princess living in the Princess Courtyard?"

"It's Princess Changshan, right? I've heard someone mention her."

Du Rong said, "Princess Changshan is over 20 years old this year. She should have been married long ago, but because of her illness, it has been delayed."

Gao Youdao's eyes flashed.

Du Rong said, "You've guessed it, right? A while ago, the genius doctor Zisun came to the palace to cure Princess Changshan's illness. Princess Xincheng held this reception to choose a prince consort for Princess Changshan!"

Gao Youdao smiled and said, "I see."

Du Rong glanced at him and said, "You must work hard tomorrow. Maybe you can win the heart of Princess Changshan." Then she turned and left.

……

Li Zhi passed through Yuehua Gate and just arrived outside the princess's courtyard, he heard the voice of Princess Changshan coming from inside.

"You...how could you do such a thing? Wouldn't I be laughed at by everyone in Chang'an?"

Princess Xincheng's voice followed.

"Don't be afraid, sister. No one will laugh at you. Once you've chosen a suitable husband, I'll talk to my brother for you!"

Li Zhi stepped into the room and saw Princess Changshan sitting in front of the couch with a flushed face.

"What are you talking about?" he said with a smile.

Princess Changshan's face turned even redder. She stood up and bowed, then lowered her head and said, "Brother, Xincheng is making trouble again. You have to control her."

Princess Xincheng took Li Zhi's arm and said with a smile, "Brother, I was just about to come find you. I want to hold a literary and wine party tomorrow and invite all the young men in Chang'an to come and choose a good husband for me. What do you say?"

Li Zhi smiled and said, "That sounds good."

Princess Changshan said angrily, "Brother, do you really want me to get married?"

Li Zhi smiled and said, "Changshan, no one is forcing you. If you like, just choose one and I will make the decision for you. If you can't choose, it doesn't matter. You can continue to accompany me in the palace."

Princess Changshan finally felt relieved and smiled, "Since Brother said so, I will go and take a look tomorrow. Can you accompany me?"

Li Zhi asked Princess Xincheng, "When will you hold the reception?"

Princess Xincheng said, "Noon."

Li Zhi nodded and said, "I should be able to spare some time. I'll ask the Queen to come along. She has good taste. Together we can help Changshan choose a good husband."

Princess Changshan blushed slightly and whispered, "I'm just taking a look."

At this time, Wang Fusheng walked in and whispered, "Everyone, Silla Prince Jin Renwen wants to see you."

Li Zhi's heart moved. He had recently learned some information about Silla from the memorials sent from Yingzhou.

Not only Baekje was attacking Silla, but also Goguryeo and Wa.

Silla seemed to be facing destruction.

Jin Renwen suddenly asked for a meeting. Could it be that Silla has been wiped off the map?
Princess Changshan said, "Brother, since you have official business to attend to, go and get busy."

Li Zhi said, "Okay, I will come to see you tomorrow and go to the mansion in Xincheng with you." He turned and left the princess's courtyard.

After arriving at Ganlu Palace, Li Zhi sent someone to summon Jin Renwen for an audience.

Dai Zhide, the Junior Minister of Honglu Temple, accompanied Jin Renwen again. Jin Renwen looked positive, suggesting that Silla had not been destroyed.

After the two of them exchanged greetings, Li Zhi raised his hand and said, "No need to be so polite, Jin Qing, you came to see me, but what new situation has occurred in Silla?"

Jin Renwen bowed and said, "I have come to congratulate Your Majesty on suppressing the rebellion of the Western Turks, and to express my gratitude to Your Majesty."

Li Zhi asked curiously, "What are you thanking me for?"

Jin Ren asked, "I thank Your Majesty for sending troops to Liaodong to save Silla from danger."

Li Zhi frowned and asked, "When did I ever say I would send troops to Liaodong?"

Jin Renwen smiled and said, "Although Your Majesty has not directly sent troops, the Tang Dynasty has now annihilated the Western Turks and can send troops to Liaodong at any time. Goguryeo and Baekje were frightened, so they withdrew their troops."

Li Zhi: “…”

This is called subduing the enemy without fighting.

I can only say that the Tang Dynasty’s reputation is too fierce now, and it has scared people into withdrawing their troops to protect themselves before they even send troops.

In fact, Li Zhi also vaguely realized that since Helu was captured, not only the northwest and Liaodong, but all the countries around the Tang Dynasty have become extremely peaceful.

This also confirms the historical trend.

As long as the Central Plains of China remains stable and strong, it will be able to deter the surrounding areas and prevent any country from acting rashly.

Those weak countries came to pay tribute to the Tang Dynasty because they were grateful for the stability it brought them and sincerely hoped that the Tang Dynasty would continue to remain strong.

(End of this chapter)