Peach Blossoms in Chang'an

Wu Tao suddenly woke up from her dream, with beads of sweat on her forehead. The scene in the dream was so real, Hu Bugui's sad eyes, the fatigue under his dragon robe, all made her heart tighten.

"Chun Tao, what time is it?" Wu Tao lifted the thin quilt, with a hint of panic in his voice.

"Madam, it's already morning." Chun Tao came into the room with a basin of water. Seeing Wu Tao's panic, she asked with concern, "Madam, did you have a nightmare? I'll go make you a bowl of soothing soup right away."

Wu Tao shook her head. The uneasiness in her dream could not be shaken off. She always felt that something was going to happen. "No need. Is the prince awake?"

"The prince got up early to practice sword. Before leaving, he told me to wait until the lady woke up before setting off." Chun Tao said as she helped Wu Tao wash up.

Departure? Where to? Wu Tao's heart was full of questions, but seeing Chun Tao's expression of being used to it, she swallowed her questions back. Maybe he should go to a nearby farm to relax, Wu Tao comforted herself. After all, Chang'an City was not peaceful during this period, and Hu Bugui had been frowning all the time, so it would be good to go out for a walk.

After breakfast, Wu Tao finally saw Hu Bugui. He was still dressed in dark clothes, but the fatigue between his brows was even more intense.

"Taotao, we will set off for the fiefdom today." Hu Bugui walked up to Wu Tao and gently held her hand. His tone was gentle but with a hint of unquestionableness.

Fiefdom? Wu Tao was stunned. She had never thought that Hu Bugui would suddenly decide to go to the fiefdom. Everything there was unknown to her.

"Why did you suddenly decide to go to the fiefdom?" Wu Tao looked up at Hu Bugui, trying to find the answer in his eyes.

Hu Bugui was silent for a moment before he slowly spoke: "The court is in turmoil now. If I stay in Chang'an, it will only put you in danger. Although the fiefdom is not as prosperous as Chang'an, it is more stable. You and I can live a peaceful life there."

There was a hint of helplessness and bitterness in his tone, and Wu Tao heard the deep meaning behind his words. Yes, the current Chang'an City is like a huge whirlpool, full of unknown dangers. And she is just an ordinary woman who just wants to live in peace with her beloved.

"Okay, I'll listen to you." Wu Tao held Hu Bugui's hand with her backhand, her eyes firm and gentle. No matter where she goes, as long as he is by her side, it will be the best destination.

After a simple packing, Wu Tao and Hu Bugui took Chuntao on the journey to the fiefdom. Along the way, Wu Tao was both excited and nervous, full of anticipation for the upcoming new life, but also a little uneasy. The carriage drove out of Chang'an City and headed south. The scenery on both sides gradually changed from bustling streets to rolling green mountains and clear waters.

Looking at the ever-changing scenery outside the window, Wu Tao couldn't help but feel a little emotional. She didn't know what was waiting for her, but she had a premonition that this journey would be another turning point in her and Hu Bugui's lives.

Wu Tao lifted the curtain and looked ahead expectantly. After several days of bumpy ride, the carriage finally arrived at its destination. However, the scene before her shocked her.

Unlike the bustling and bustling Chang'an City, everything here seems peaceful and simple. Low houses are scattered in an orderly manner at the foot of the mountain. A clear stream meanders through it, and by the stream are patches of golden rice fields, shining with the light of harvest in the sun. In the distance, the green mountains are rolling, like a natural barrier, isolating this land from the outside world.

"Is this our fiefdom?" Wu Tao muttered to himself, his eyes full of curiosity and amazement. There were no towering city walls, no bustling crowds, no luxurious mansions, but there was an indescribable tranquility and peace, like a paradise on earth.

"What's wrong? Is it different from what you imagined?" Hu Bugui walked to Wu Tao and asked with a smile.

"Well, this place is much better than I thought." Wu Tao nodded, with joy in her eyes. "Although it's not as prosperous as Chang'an, it's quiet and peaceful. I like it very much."

"As long as you like it." Hu Bugui looked at Wu Tao tenderly, his eyes full of doting. "The people here are simple and honest, and they all live a life of working from sunrise to sunset. Although it is not as prosperous as Chang'an, it can be regarded as a place where people can live and work in peace and contentment."

"Then what are your plans here, Your Majesty?" Wu Tao asked. She knew that with Hu Bugui's talent and ambition, he would never be willing to spend the rest of his life in his fiefdom.

Hu Bugui was silent for a moment before he slowly spoke: "I plan to first rectify the governance of the fiefdom, build water conservancy projects, develop agriculture and sericulture, so that the people can live a better life."

His tone was firm and powerful. Wu Tao knew that this was the real Hu Bugui, a prince who cared about the people and had the world in his heart.

"I believe you can do it." Wu Tao held Hu Bugui's hand, his eyes full of trust and encouragement.

Hu Bugui held Wu Tao's hand with his backhand, interlocking their fingers, with a complex emotion flashing in his eyes. He knew that governing the fiefdom was not an easy task. It was remote, resource-poor, and had been neglected for many years, so it was already in need of reconstruction.

"Taotao, the days ahead may be very difficult. Are you afraid?" Hu Bugui looked at Wu Tao with a hint of worry in his eyes.

"Don't be afraid. As long as I can be with you, I'm willing to endure any hardship or fatigue." Wu Tao shook his head, his eyes firm and gentle.

As the sun sets, the golden light fills the entire valley, making their figures look particularly slender. Looking at this land full of hope, Wu Tao and Hu Bugui are full of expectations. They know that the road ahead is still long, but they will go hand in hand and create a happy life for themselves. However, is it really as they see it under this peaceful surface?

 Peach Blossoms Shining in Chang'an Chapter 95: First Entering the Land

"Don't be afraid. As long as I can be with you, I am willing to endure any hardship or fatigue." Wu Tao shook her head, her eyes firm and gentle. "Besides, I also want to do something for you. We can work together to make this place better."

Hu Bugui felt warm in his heart and embraced Wu Tao in his arms. He knew that he was not fighting alone, he still had Wu Tao and their future.

"Miss, do you really want to learn the local dialect?" Chuntao asked curiously while helping Wu Tao organize the books and clothes she brought.

"Yes," Wu Tao said with a smile, "Language is a bridge of communication. Only by learning the local dialect can we better understand the people here and help them better."

Chun Tao nodded, her eyes full of admiration: "Young lady is really kind-hearted, I will definitely follow you and work hard together."

Wu Tao looked at Chun Tao, and a warm feeling welled up in her heart. Coming to this strange environment, Chun Tao was her only support and the person she trusted the most.

"Chun Tao, thank you," Wu Tao held Chun Tao's hand and said sincerely, "You have worked hard during this period."

Chun Tao shook her head, her eyes slightly reddened: "Miss, what are you talking about? It is a blessing for me to serve you."

As night fell, the sky over the fiefdom was exceptionally clear, with stars twinkling like diamonds. Wu Tao stood in front of the window, looking at the mountains in the distance, her heart full of anticipation and anxiety. A new life was about to begin, what would be waiting for her and Hu Bugui? Wu Tao kept her word and got up early the next day. Accompanied by Chun Tao, she walked out of the mansion and began to integrate into the local life.

The people of the fiefdom were simple and honest, and they worked from sunrise to sunset. Wu Tao put on a simple cloth dress, tied up her hair, walked in the fields, and felt the pulse of the land. In order to master the local dialect as soon as possible, Wu Tao specially asked a kind old peasant woman for advice. She learned humbly and imitated seriously. Although she made a lot of jokes, she was gradually able to communicate with the locals in a simple way.

In addition to learning the language, Wu Tao also actively learned about the local customs and practices. She found that although the people here lived in poverty, they were very kind and enthusiastic. Whenever she encountered difficulties, there would always be someone who took the initiative to lend a helping hand, which made her feel warm. Wu Tao also helped the people around her to the best of her ability, and she shared the knowledge and experience she learned from modern society with everyone without reservation.

Hu Bugui watched Wu Tao busying around in the fiefdom, with a smile on her face, and was filled with satisfaction. He knew that Wu Tao was no longer the girl who had just arrived and felt unfamiliar and afraid of everything. She was adapting to life here in her own way, and passing on her enthusiasm and kindness to everyone in this land.

At night, the moonlight was as bright as silver, shining in the courtyard. Wu Tao snuggled up to Hu Bugui and told him about the interesting things that happened during the day, her words full of laughter.

"Taotao, you really surprised me," Hu Bugui stroked Wu Tao's long hair, his eyes full of tenderness, "I was worried that you would not adapt to life here, but I didn't expect you to integrate so quickly."

"That's because the people here are very kind, and..." Wu Tao raised his head, a cunning light flashing in his eyes, "and you are with me."

Hu Bugui's heart warmed up, he embraced Wu Tao in his arms, and kissed her forehead. He knew that the relationship between him and Wu Tao had taken root in this land, and became deeper with the passage of time.

However, life is not always smooth sailing. As Wu Tao came into contact with the local people more and more, she gradually discovered that the situation in the fiefdom was more complicated than she had imagined. Some deep-rooted bad habits and some entangled interests were like invisible undercurrents, surging under this seemingly peaceful land. This made her realize that the road ahead might not be as smooth as she imagined.

As the days passed, although Wu Tao tried hard to adapt to the life in the fiefdom, she found that many things were not as simple as she had imagined.

On this day, Wu Tao heard that a village outside the city had suffered a locust plague, with no crops and people living in poverty. She felt pity for them and decided to use her savings to buy food and go to the disaster relief.

"Princess, you don't know," Chun Tao said worriedly while dressing Wu Tao, "The situation in our fiefdom is not optimistic. There is not much grain in the warehouse. If we use it all for disaster relief, I'm afraid..."

Wu Tao understood Chun Tao's concerns, but she was unwilling to sit idly by and watch the suffering people. She held Chun Tao's hand and said firmly: "I know, but we can't just stand by and watch them die. Don't worry, Chun Tao, I will find a way."

Wu Tao first went to the warehouse to check the stored grain and found that the quantity was indeed small, and most of it was old rice. She frowned and was extremely anxious. If she followed her idea to provide disaster relief, it would probably only solve the immediate problem but not fundamentally solve the problem.

At this time, Hu Bugui came to the warehouse and saw Wu Tao looking worried, so he asked with concern: "What's wrong? Did you encounter any difficulties?"

Wu Tao told Hu Bugui his thoughts and concerns, with a helpless tone: "I thought I could help, but I didn't expect..."

After hearing this, Hu Bugui gently patted Wu Tao's shoulder and comforted her: "Taotao, it's enough that you have this intention. Disaster relief is not a trivial matter. Don't rush it. I will find a way."

Wu Tao raised his head, a glimmer of hope rekindled in his eyes: "My Lord, do you have any good ideas?"

Hu Bugui pondered for a moment and said, "I have sent people to the neighboring fiefdoms to allocate food, and it should be delivered soon. In addition, I will write to the court to request funds for disaster relief."

"Really? That's great!" A happy smile appeared on Wu Tao's face.

However, Hu Bugui's brows were still furrowed, and he felt uneasy. He knew that the situation in the neighboring fiefdoms was not optimistic either, and it was not easy to allocate enough food. Moreover, the court's funding would not be completed overnight. During this period, how would the people affected by the disaster survive?