Tang Dynasty, my wife Wu Zetian

Chapter 355 Princess Gao An is becoming more and more reliable
"No, I'm not going to help you!"

"Why? I, your brother, am serving the country. You must support me!"

"I don't care. Laizhou is so far away. If you go there, no one will be able to see you."

"Hey, Xiaorou, we're not children anymore, so stop talking like children. Be good and go to the palace to tell your aunt about this for me. When I come back from Laizhou, I'll definitely bring you a gift!"

Helan Minrou blinked and said, "You say I'm not a child anymore, but you treat me like one! Brother, I'm not that easy to coax now."

Helan Minzhi frowned and said, "Then what do you want in order to help me?"

Helan Minrou stared at him and said, "I just want you to stay with me in Chang'an."

Helan Minzhi rubbed the back of his head irritably and said, "Why are you becoming more and more like your mother, nagging me all the time? Da Jianer has great ambitions, don't you understand?"

Helan Minrou pouted and said, "I'm angry, you should go find someone else for help." She pushed the door and left the room.

"Hey, Xiaorou? Xiaorou! You can choose not to help, but you can't tell mother!"

……

In Mojiaxuan, Helan Minzhi drank tea and said, "That's how it is. That girl has grown up and become independent. Hey, she doesn't listen to me anymore!"

Li Ji looked at him without saying a word, with a strange look on his face.

Helan Minzhi put down the teacup and said, "Why? I have tried my best to beg her. You can't blame me!"

Li Ji stroked his forehead and said helplessly, "Brother Helan, do you call that begging?"

Helan Minzhi frowned and said, "Whatever I asked her to do before, it was always like that."

Li Ji smiled bitterly and said, "I'm a little envious of you for having such a nice girl."

Helan Minzhi snorted, "What's so good about it? She used to be so obedient, doing whatever I told her to do. Now that she's just grown up a little, she doesn't listen to me anymore."

Li Ji was silent for a while, then said in a deep voice: "Brother Helan, I am serious about going to Laizhou!"

Helan Minzhi glared and said, "I'm serious too!"

Li Ji stared at him and said, "If you are serious, then you should try every possible way to achieve your goal."

Helan Minzhi scratched his head and said, "Then should I go and beg her again?"

"How are you going to ask for it?"

"Be humble and say a few soft words to her. I think she'll agree."

Li Ji shook his head and said, "I guess I can't count on you for advice."

"Hey, what do you mean by that?" Helan Minzhi protested.

Li Ji ignored the protest, pondered for a moment, and said, "Does your sister have any hobbies?"

Helan Minzhi frowned and thought hard.

Li Ji said expressionlessly, "You don't even know this, do you?"

Helan Minzhi argued: "Who said I didn't know? I remember now, she likes water, and yes, she also likes to row a boat herself."

Li Ji said: "What else?"

Helan Minzhi stood up and paced back and forth in the room. Li Ji did not disturb him this time.

After a long time, Helan Minzhi's eyes flashed and he clapped his hands with his fist.

"I remembered that she was learning the qin a while ago, and her playing was quite interesting. Later, when I asked her about it, I found out that the piece she played was called Fei He Yu Xiao, a piece composed by a man named Sima Chengzhen. I chatted with her for a while, and found that she admired this person very much and seemed to want to hear him play it himself."

Li Ji showed surprise in his eyes and said, "It's Feihe Yuxiao?"

Helan Minzhi asked in surprise, "Brother Li, do you know this song too?"

Li Ji smiled and said, "I've heard people mention it and I've heard people play it."

He heard Princess Gao An mention this matter.

Princess Gao An told about her bet with Li Zhi. When she talked about Sima Chengzhen becoming a Taoist priest, she was so angry that she gritted her teeth. It was all this man's fault because she couldn't go out and play during the Shangsi Festival.

Helan Minzhi smiled and said, "That's perfect. Let's go find Sima Chengzhen and play a song for my younger sister to fulfill her wish. I bet she won't refuse us again."

"I'm afraid not. I heard that Sima Chengzhen became a Taoist priest." Li Ji shook his head.

Helan Minzhi lost his voice and said, "What?"

"But I've thought of another way that should also satisfy your sister's wish. By the way, is your sister going to enter the palace soon?"

Helan Minzhi said: "In a few days, it will be the Dragon Boat Festival, my aunt will definitely hold a banquet, and she should go to the palace with my mother to attend."

……

According to the Chinese zodiac, the fifth month of each year is Wu.

"Duan" means the beginning, so the fifth day of May is called Duanwu, and the Dragon Boat Festival got its name from this.

Before the Sui and Tang Dynasties, the customs of the Dragon Boat Festival mainly focused on offering sacrifices to heaven and earth and driving away evil and disasters.

By the Tang Dynasty, the Dragon Boat Festival had evolved into an entertainment festival.

On this day, the whole country has a day off. The emperor will hold a banquet in Chengqing Hall to entertain his ministers, and everyone will eat rice dumplings together.

The rice dumplings of this period are also called "Jiaoshu".

It’s not easy to eat zongzi.

According to tradition, during banquets, the Shangshi Bureau would make a large number of rice dumplings, store them in golden plates, and use small horns to make bows, which were much smaller than ordinary bows and were slender, delicate and cute.

Each minister held a small bow and stood ten steps apart, shooting arrows at the rice dumplings on the plate. The one who hit the arrow got to eat.

Because the dough-filled rice dumplings were slippery and difficult to shoot, it was very difficult for civil officials to eat one, and they were usually eaten by military generals.

Fortunately, there is more than one activity. There are also activities such as writing poems, guessing words, dancing, etc. Those who perform well can eat rice dumplings.

There were many festivals in the Tang Dynasty. When Li Zhi first celebrated a festival, he would just show up and then leave.

Now I have gradually become accustomed to celebrating festivals with my ministers, because such daily interactions can not only relieve the pressure of daily work, but also enhance the relationship between the monarch and his ministers.

Every time Li Zhi held a grand banquet, Wu Meiniang would also hold a small banquet in the harem and invite the ladies of Chang'an to celebrate the festival together.

The location of Wu Meiniang's banquets often changed, and this time the banquet was held in Guanyun Hall.

This palace has an open-air tower, which is perfect for banquets when the weather is good.

The ladies could chat and drink tea while appreciating the beautiful sky, as if they were on top of a mountain, and their mood would be particularly cheerful.

Helan Minrou attended the banquet with Wu Shun and Wu Ruyi. She would not reach marriage age until the end of the year, so she sat at the children's table.

It is called a table, but in fact it is made up of many tables put together to form a small square circle, and everyone sits facing each other.

The girls sitting at the same table were all under the age of fifteen. Helan Minrou was the oldest, so she tried her best to take care of the younger girls.

In the past, at such banquets, there were also young girls who cried because they saw too many strangers.

Whenever Helan Minrou saw a little girl looking timid and frightened, she would ask her questions in a gentle voice.

These children all came from prominent families. Although they were young, they were well-educated and would respond to her in a polite manner.

With her comfort, just a few words would make the little girls relax and begin to show their lively side.

Princess Yi Yang, who was sitting in the north, was doing something similar.

Princess Gao An on the side was different, because she was holding a little girl in her arms and her attention was all on the girl.

The girl was delicate and pretty, only about one year old, but she was not afraid of people at all. Her big round eyes looked around at everyone else.

Helan Minrou often went to Lizheng Hall, so she naturally knew that the girl was Princess Taiping.

The other girls didn't know this, but because she looked so cute, they all looked at her curiously.

After a while, when the banquet was half over, Empress Wu went downstairs to rest. She had always been very careful about her diet, so she would leave early after every banquet.

As soon as she left, Concubine Zheng and Concubine Xu also left, and many other ladies went downstairs to rest.

The adults began to leave, and the table of children followed suit.

Princess Gaoan saw that Helan Minrou seemed to be about to stand up, so she handed Princess Taiping back to the tutor and invited Helan Minrou, "Cousin Helan, do you want to go boating on the Jinshui River?"

Helan Minrou loved rowing the most, and immediately said happily, "Okay, but I have to go tell my mother."

After obtaining Wu Shun's permission, Helan Minrou and Princess Gao'an left Guanyun Palace together, walked west for a while, bypassed Ningyun Pavilion and Donghai Pool, and soon arrived at Jinshui River.

There were several small boats parked on the riverbank, and the two women immediately boarded one. Princess Gao'an's followers were about to follow, but were blocked by her.

"My cousin is a very good rower and is also very good at swimming. With her following me, you don't have to follow me."

The two women rowed a black-sailed boat and soon reached the center of the river.

Princess Gao'an's followers followed from a distance in two small boats.

Princess Gao An rowed twice at the beginning, then hid under the awning, not allowing Helan Minrou to enter.

Just when Helan Minrou was wondering, she heard a beautiful piece of music coming from the boat, which was her favorite Feihe Yuxiao.

Helan Minrou was rowing the boat while listening to music. The bright sunshine fell from the sky and shone on the water, making it look golden and making people feel like they were in a dream.

After a long while, the song ended and Princess Gao An's voice came from the black tent.

"Cousin, you can come in."

Helan Minrou put down the oars and bent down to enter the cabin. There was a small table in the cabin with a guqin on it. Princess Gao'an was sitting behind the table.

"Cousin, how do I play?"

Helan Minrou exclaimed, "It's unbelievable that the princess, at such a young age, has such superb zither skills."

Princess Gao An said proudly, "It's all thanks to Concubine Zheng's good teaching."

Helan Minrou sat down opposite her and asked, "Your Highness the Princess invited me to row a boat and listen to music today. I guess there's something going on?"

Princess Gao An looked at her and said seriously, "Yes, I want to ask you a favor."

Helan Minrou asked, "What's the matter?"

Princess Gao'an then told the queen about Li Ji and Helan Minzhi's request, hoping that she would plead for them in front of the queen and allow them to go to Laizhou.

After listening to this, Helan Minrou smiled softly and said, "I guessed it was my brother's idea."

"Then you agree?" Princess Gao An asked hurriedly.

Helan Minrou looked at him and said, "Princess, I heard that you and His Royal Highness the King of Wu have always had a close relationship. If he leaves Chang'an, won't you feel lonely?"

Princess Gao An was silent for a moment, then said softly, "This is the first time he's asked me for help, so of course I have to help him. He'll come back eventually, won't he?"

Helan Minrou was stunned for a while, then whispered, "That's true."

"Then you agree?"

"Ah."

As the sun set, the banquet in Chengqing Palace ended and the ministers returned home to celebrate the festival with their families.

Li Ji stayed until the end because he was waiting for news.

He came to the small pond behind the temple, sat in the grass, and listened to the croaking of frogs in the pond.

Not long after, he heard footsteps behind him. He turned around and saw that it was Princess Gao An.

"Anmei, did it succeed?" he asked hurriedly.

Princess Gao An held down her skirt with her hands, sat down beside him, and said with a smile, "With this princess taking action, what are you worried about, brother? Cousin Helan has already agreed to plead for you, Cousin Helan."

Li Jixi said: "Thank you very much."

Princess Gao An suddenly said seriously, "Cousin, are you really going to Laizhou?"

Li Ji lay down on the grass, looked up at the white clouds, and said, "Yes, when I was in the palace, I always wanted to leave. Later, after leaving the palace, I always wanted to leave Chang'an and go out and see the world."

Princess Gao An grumbled, "My three brothers are unwilling to leave Chang'an for the frontier, so why do you want to leave? Don't you like staying in Chang'an?"

Li Ji smiled and said, "How could I hate Chang'an? It's just that I have an urge in my heart that wants me to leave Chang'an and go out and explore the world."

Princess Gao An sighed and said, "If you insist on going, I can't help you. Then after you go out and see, you must come back early."

Li Ji turned his head to look at her and smiled, "Of course, I'll be back after the Liaodong battle is over!"

Three days later, Mo Jiaxuan, tea room.

"Brother Helan, did it succeed?" Li Ji asked happily.

Helan Minzhi laughed out loud and said, "Don't worry, my sister went to the palace today and mentioned this matter to my aunt. As expected, my aunt agreed immediately. It was your matter that took some effort."

Li Ji's heart tightened, and he asked, "The Queen is unwilling to help me?"

Helan Minzhi said, "I already said it all. It just took some effort, and I didn't say it failed. At first, my aunt was worried that this matter would cause discord with the King of Yue. Later, my younger sister persuaded her, saying that if it weren't for your encouragement, she wouldn't have made this decision. Only then did she finally agree to help you."

Li Ji breathed a sigh of relief and said, "This time it's really all thanks to your sister."

Helan Minzhi smiled and said, "It's all thanks to your princess sister."

The two smiled at each other again.

However, the next day, Helan Minzhi could no longer laugh.

Empress Wu did plead for him with Li Zhi and persuaded Li Zhi, but in the end only Li Ji was granted an official position and was appointed Sima of Laizhou.

Helan Minzhi thought he had made a mistake, so he asked Helan Minrou to go to the palace to find out the news.

After Helan Minrou came back, she told him that Empress Wu did agree to let him go to Laizhou, but because he had no achievements, she did not want him to enter the officialdom through family connections, so she hoped that he would go to Laizhou with Li Ji as a staff member.

After making contributions, he will be granted an official position.

In this way, Helan Minzhi followed Li Ji to Laizhou to take up his post as a private soldier.

The seat of Laizhou is located in Yecheng, which was formed by the merger of four county towns. It is an extremely prosperous city with thriving commerce.

Helan Minzhi and Li Ji traveled eastward and experienced many strange things along the way. Finally, they arrived in Laizhou half a month later.

When the two men arrived outside the gate of Yecheng, they found that the eldest prince Li Zhong, along with all the officials of the state and the governor's office, were waiting outside the city to greet them.

Helan Minzhi rode on his horse and said with a smile, "Brother Li, His Royal Highness Prince Chen has nothing to say about you. He has arranged such a grand welcome that even generals from various Zhechoufu have come."

Li Ji felt something was wrong.

Before leaving, he exchanged letters with Li Zhong, who only said that he would hold a welcoming banquet but did not mention that he would meet him outside the city.

And he noticed that Li Zhong's expression was not right.

"Hurry over there."

The two men rode their horses to the foot of the city, dismounted, and saluted Li Zhong.

After the greetings, Li Zhong's first words shocked the two of them.

"Brother Ji, Brother Helan, are you here under orders to investigate the robbery of weapons?"

"What weapons were robbed?" Li Ji was shocked.

Li Zhong was also stunned: "You don't know?"

Li Ji shook his head in confusion.

Li Zhong and Laizhou Governor Sun Renshi next to him looked at each other, both of them were very surprised.

Helan Minzhi asked anxiously: "Hey, what's going on? Can you explain it to us?"

Sun Renshi said in a deep voice, "Your Highness the King of Wu, Lord Helan, are you aware that the imperial court once provided Baekje with a batch of military equipment?"

"I know." Both of them nodded.

Sun Renshi said, "The brigade escorting the weapons has been on the move for nearly a month and has yet to return. A dozen days ago, envoys from Baekje came to inquire about the armor. Only then did we learn that they hadn't received the weapons."

Li Ji was surprised and said, "I didn't receive it. Could it be that someone robbed it?"

Li Zhong sighed, "Yes, two hundred soldiers, no one is found alive, and no one is found dead. They must have died in the sea."

Li Ji suddenly realized, "So that's why you thought we were ordered to investigate this matter?"

Li Zhong said, "Yes. I have already sent someone to report this to Chang'an. When I saw you coming, I thought Yingzhou had passed the news back to Chang'an first, so my father sent you to investigate."

When Helan Minzhi heard this, a light flashed in his eyes.

Li Zhong said, "Alright, please follow me into the city. The welcoming banquet is ready. I'll explain this matter to you in detail later."

Under the leadership of Li Zhong, Li Ji and Helan Minzhi entered Yecheng.

At the same time, the messenger sent by Li Zhong to Chang'an to report the news finally arrived in Chang'an City.

(End of this chapter)