My older brother is Gao Huan.

Chapter 81 This big cart, I, Gao Erlang, can also ride!

Anagui also seemed to have some understanding of the principle behind the 'Jade Throne Golden Buddha'.

The next day, they sent Gao Yu several cartloads of "small gifts," which were nothing more than precious jade, gold beads, silk and cloth.

Oh, and there are dozens of beautiful orchid girls too.

Gao Yu was completely baffled.

Why send him so many women?

He's not Wa's junior.

Empress Dowager Hu sent a batch, and Anagui sent another batch. The villa was almost overflowing, not to mention the batch that Section Chief Duan had sent from Huai Shuo.

Gao Yu thought for a moment, then found Liu Gui and asked him to help him find a market for the maids. He planned to sell them to raise money to support his army.

It's impossible to completely rely on the wealthy sister-in-law to support one's army.

Fortunately, Gao Yu received a lot of gifts during his trip to Luoyang. He even thought that after returning to Huai Shuo, he could see if he could use the Lou family and Liu Gui's channels to form a caravan and make money.

But he was afraid of taking food from someone else's mouth. His sister-in-law, Brother Liu, treated him very well, and he didn't know how to bring it up.

They are just so-called elites.

Those were all bought with money.

He was also in a dilemma.

Another ten days passed.

Gao Huan had basically recovered, and he called Gao Yu over to discuss returning home.

"It's time to go back."

Gao Yu nodded. This trip to Luoyang was very fruitful. "I have asked Brother Guizhen to exchange the rewards I received that were inconvenient to take with me for money and goods."

Gao Huan looked at him and couldn't help but smile, feeling quite emotional.

In the past, in Huai Shuo, he was the one who protected Gao Yu.

But right now.

In all of Luoyang, who doesn't know the Second Son of the Gao Family?
Gao Yu has grown to the point where he no longer needs to consult him on everything; on the contrary, he can handle things properly on his own.

How magnificent!

He felt both comforted and somewhat lost.

"Then we will make preparations and depart from Luoyang the day after tomorrow."

As if remembering something, Gao Huan reminded him again, "Before you leave, remember to visit the Prince of Guangping's residence to say goodbye. After all, we have stayed in this villa for a long time, and we should thank the King and the Queen when we leave."

The image of that pale-faced young man who had once admired Young Master Wei immediately came to Gao Yu's mind.

It is said that the Prince of Guangping was seriously injured, and it is unknown whether he has woken up yet.

In the past few days, he was busy with many banquets and trivial matters, and did not have time to visit them. On the contrary, the princess was grateful for his rescue and sent people to bring him food and wine many times. After the autumn turned cool, she even sent him a newly sewn thick coat.

What a pitiful person, to have fallen to such a state.

I don't know which damned jinx it was that brought it bad luck.

………………

Inside the Prince Guangping's Mansion.

Since being rescued, Yuan Ti has remained unconscious, living like a 'living dead'. He needs servants to feed him by inserting thin bamboo tubes into his throat, which is very pitiful.

But to have survived is already a blessing from heaven.

Zheng Dache took meticulous care of the patient every day, but there was no improvement.

Looking at Yuan Ti lying on the bed, Zheng Dache had a worried look on his face and felt very heavy-hearted.

The medical staff who came to see the doctor kept shaking their heads, repeating the same few words over and over again, but they were helpless.

After seeing the medical worker off, Zheng Dache couldn't help but sigh and murmur to himself.

"Your Majesty, what should I do?"

She was only 16 years old and newly married to Yuan Ti, yet she encountered such a tragedy.

It was incredibly difficult for a woman like her to manage such a vast palace.

Whenever Zheng Dache thinks about the difficulties he faces, the image of that young hero from Huai Shuo always comes to mind.

This further deepened her sense of immorality.

Her husband was in a coma, and she should have been taking care of him wholeheartedly, but she just couldn't control her desires. Her upbringing didn't allow her to do this, but she just couldn't control herself.

My thoughts have no beginning and no end.

She would even think about it when it was late at night.

"if……"

When faced with difficulties, women who are not strong enough often subconsciously seek out men they deem reliable to provide them with a safe haven.

The maid came in.

"My lady, the young master of the Gao family is outside requesting an audience."

Upon hearing the name, Zheng Dache suddenly looked up and unconsciously stood up.

Her pretty face flushed slightly, and her tone was urgent.

"Quickly! Quickly invite him in... No! Let Erlang wait a moment."

The personal maids were all brought from her maiden home. Zheng Dache didn't care about her own loss of composure. She sat down in front of the bronze mirror and saw that her face, which was without makeup, was full of fatigue and sorrow. She quickly called two maids to help her wash and dress up. She then took out a newly woven pomegranate-colored long dress to change into. She subconsciously wanted to present her best self to Gao Yu.

How could I let him see how haggard I looked?

Gao Yu followed behind the maid and waited in the hall for a while before finally meeting the Princess Consort of Guangping.

Wearing a long crimson dress, she swayed gracefully as she walked, looking incredibly beautiful and captivating.

He took the initiative to bow and said, "Greetings, Your Highness."

"No need for formalities. I should thank you for saving my life that day."

Zheng Dache also bowed to Gao Yu, stood up and said with a smile, "It's been a long time since I last saw you. I never imagined that Gao Lang would become so famous in Luoyang."

Although she rarely left her house, she was very well-informed and heard about some things concerning Gao Yu.

"Did any women try to stop you on your way to the Prince's residence?"

Gao Yu looked slightly embarrassed and replied, "No."

"I wonder how Your Majesty is? I should have come to visit you much sooner."

Mentioning Yuan Ti, Zheng Dache's pretty face couldn't help but show a hint of worry again, "The Empress Dowager sent the best doctors in the palace to treat him, but despite trying every method, his condition still didn't improve."

"What a good person Your Majesty is."

Seeing Zheng Dache's expression, Gao Yu couldn't help but comfort him, "Your Majesty is such a hero, he is naturally protected by Buddha, so please rest assured, Your Highness."

Zheng Dache nodded. "I hope so."

Gao Yu did not dwell on the topic any further. He explained his purpose for coming today: "I have come specifically to visit you today, firstly to see how Your Majesty is doing, and secondly to bid farewell to Your Majesty and Queen."

"Farewell?"

Zheng Dache was shocked and quickly asked, "Where are you going?"

Such a big reaction?
Gao Yu was slightly taken aback, but still replied, "My brother has recovered from his injuries and has completed his official business in Luoyang. Naturally, he will return to Huai Shuo."

"Why...why did you leave in such a hurry?"

Zheng Dache was clearly getting anxious, and she tried to persuade her to stay a few more days.

"Thank you for your kindness, Your Highness."

Gao Yu shook his head. "We have already been bothering the Prince's villa for too long... We must return to Huai Shuo before the end of the year to hand over our duties, otherwise we will be severely punished. We really cannot delay any longer."

Just as Zheng Dache was about to speak, the maid came to report again, "Your Highness, the princess has arrived."

Princess?

Zheng Dache quickly got up.

"Please wait here, Lord Gao. I will go out to greet the princess." Gao Yu dared not remain seated any longer.

He quickly got up and waited to the side.

Soon after, Zheng Da Che brought a girl dressed in fine clothes, about ten years old, inside. Upon seeing Gao Yu...

Zheng Dache took the initiative to introduce her, "This is Gao Lang, the princess should have heard of her name."

The visitor was Princess Jiande.

His birth mother was Empress Gao Ying, a former mortal enemy of Empress Dowager Hu.

Empress Dowager Hu launched a coup and completely wiped out the Gao family. She then took Gao Ying's daughter and raised her herself. She was the half-sister of the current emperor, Yuan Xu, and they were the same age.

Yuan Miao moved closer and took the initiative to look Gao Yu up and down, and couldn't help but laugh.

"Of course I've heard of you. You're the legendary Gao Lang, who's said to be so handsome that women would stop him on the streets of Luoyang and hold his hand?"

Gao Yu quickly bowed and said, "Greetings, Princess. Those are just rumors."

Yuan Miao blinked and nodded in agreement, "Having met you today, you are not as handsome as the rumors say, just ordinary."

Ok?
Gao Yu suddenly looked up, slightly taken aback.

This was the first time he had ever heard someone say that their appearance was average.

very good!

Woman, you've caught my attention!

However, Gao Yu did not refute it.

"Ha ha!"

Upon seeing this, Yuan Miao clapped his hands and laughed, saying, "What I just said was just a joke. Actually, your appearance is not bad. Even Prince Qinghe can't compare to you."

Prince Qinghe was a famous handsome man in Luoyang.

Clearly, she had been deliberately teasing Gao Yu, which made Gao Yu very unhappy and furious.

When I conquer Luoyang, let's see if you still dare to tease me.

When Zheng Dache saw that Gao Yu was in a slightly disheveled state after being tricked, he immediately took Yuan Miao's hand and led her to the backyard to see Yuan Ti, not forgetting to remind her, "Gao Lang, please wait a moment."

Gao Yu waited here for a long time.

Zheng Dache rushed over.

She looked at Gao Yu, hesitated for a long time, and then said, "Gao Lang saved me twice, and I have not thanked him. Today... Gao Lang, please stay at the palace. I will prepare a gift to repay your life-saving grace."

Gao Yu quickly stood up, "Your Highness, there's no need to be so polite. It's already a great favor that you've allowed us to stay in the villa for so long."

"Does your aloofness mean I should become the kind of heartless person who doesn't know how to express gratitude?"

Zheng Dache looked resentful, and his words even carried a hint of pleading, "Just for one night, please allow me to stay for the night as a token of my gratitude."

This is truly an invitation that is hard to refuse.

Gao Yu also had concerns. As the saying goes, "Don't be suspicious in a melon patch or under suspicious circumstances." The Prince of Guangping was still unconscious, yet Zheng Dache insisted on keeping him, a man, at the Prince's residence overnight. Wouldn't that sound bad if word got out?

But he didn't want to miss out.

After much thought, he finally nodded and said, "Then I will respectfully comply and thank Your Highness."

Zheng Dache's expression finally brightened, and she smiled. She immediately summoned a maid and ordered her to prepare a room for Gao Yu.

Watching Gao Yu's departing figure.

Zheng Dache bit her lower lip lightly, looking shy, as if she had made up her mind!
She then summoned two personal maids she had brought from the Zheng family and whispered instructions in their ears.

Gao Yu waited for a long time before a maid brought him delicacies and fine wine.

Not long after he had finished his meal, three more maids came and said they would help him wash up.

After taking a bath, night had fallen, and a waning moon hung in the sky.

Gao Yu returned to his room, lay on the bed, tossed and turned, unable to sleep, and kept thinking.

That's it?

Is this all you're going to do for me one night?
I've already given up my reputation, and this is all I get?

at this time.

He suddenly heard a noise under the bed and was about to get out of bed to check it out.

Then a maidservant emerged from under the bed.

This really startled him.

"Shhh."

The maid suddenly stepped forward and covered his mouth with her delicate hand.

Gao Yu was completely dumbfounded. This is not how you play by the rules!

Isn't this maid Zheng Dache?

When did she hide under the bed?
"Your Highness, this is..."

In the dim candlelight, Zheng Dache's face was flushed, and his eyes were filled with shyness.

"Gao Lang saved me twice, and I think about it day and night. I really don't know how to repay his life-saving grace..."

Could it be that?
Zheng Dache seemed to muster immense courage and flew into Gao Yu's arms like a returning bird.

Gao Yu felt a warm, soft body and instinctively put his arm around her.

She continued, "I haven't told Gao Lang Nu Nu's maiden name yet. Nu Nu is from the Zheng family of Xingyang, and her maiden name is Da Che."

what?
Gao Yu looked down at Zheng Dache, who was blushing, in his arms, with a look of astonishment on his face.

"You...you are Zheng Dache?"

Gao Yu's strong reaction left Zheng Dache somewhat bewildered. She bit her lower lip and nodded slightly, "Could it be... that Gao Lang has heard of your maiden name, Nu Nu?"

Of course I have!

You are one of the few women from the Northern and Southern Dynasties period who can be remembered in history.

His life experiences were truly extraordinary.

After singing the song of the Yinshan Tiele, the old Gao and the young Gao pushed the big cart.

Seeing Gao Yu staring straight at her, Zheng Dache shyly buried her head in his chest, feeling the comforting warmth of his strong chest.

Feeling the body in my arms rapidly warming up.

Gao Yu doesn't care about this or that.
He simply picked her up around the waist!

Half an hour later.

Gao Yu wiped the sweat from his forehead and couldn't help but ask curiously.

"May I ask why it's called such a strange name as 'Big Cart'?"

Zheng Da Che paused for a moment, then turned back to look at him in surprise, "Erlang, you've never studied?"

Gao Yu frowned. What kind of talk is this? I've been reading Zuo Zhuan late into the night, never putting the book down.

"how do I say this?"

“My maiden name is Da Che, taken from the poem ‘Da Che’ in the Book of Songs, Wang Feng section…”

Okay.

No wonder they come from a prestigious family; even their name is so carefully chosen.

Zheng Dache slowly recited the poem: "...we will live in different rooms, but in death we will share the same grave. If you do not believe me, let the bright sun shine upon us."

Gao Yu asked blankly, "What does this poem mean?"

"nothing."

PS: I also got the additional items for the Luoyang settlement, so I'm really back in Huai Shuo now.

(End of this chapter)