Golden Branch

"No rush! Today is your big day, let's not talk about this for now!"

The prince pondered for a moment but did not agree immediately.

The sage's eastern expedition is about to begin, and this war god general, who is famous for his military achievements, has always wanted to lead the army in person.

If the sage really leaves with the army, the prince will have to regent.

Not only did he have to handle state affairs, but he also had to provide logistical supplies for the saint's army.

Food, military equipment, war horses, and government soldiers... these not only require money, but also require a lot of effort to raise.

The prince had a similar experience when he was still the crown prince of Qi.

However, sitting in the palace is different from sitting in the court.

The latter is more difficult, more complicated, and more labor-intensive.

With so many trivial and complicated matters, he needs a reliable helper.

For this reason, the prince has prepared to transfer Xiao Wuji back to the capital.

This is to prepare for military supplies, reinforcements, etc. Xiao Wuji is a military general, and matters related to the Ministry of War can be handed over to him.

There is also Lou Yu. The prince also really needs him to share his worries in the court.

Lou Yu was a man of great ability, both civil and military, and well versed in government affairs.

The most amazing thing is his mouth... ahem, at every court meeting, the prince really needs a powerful spray bottle to eliminate all discordant voices for him!

Therefore, the prince had long wanted to summon Lou Yu back to the capital.

In the prince's plan, Lou Yu's return to Beijing to hold the coming-of-age ceremony is an excellent opportunity.

He could have stayed in the capital, and whether he took over the Dali Temple or joined the Six Ministries, he could have become a powerful assistant to the prince.

Xiao Wuji returned to the court, Lou Yu was transferred back to the capital, and the prince's right-hand man returned to his position. He could do his job more easily when he was the regent.

Now, Lou Yu said that he wanted to continue staying in Lingnan and go to the more remote Nanzhou.

The prince reigned for several years, sharing the government affairs with the sage.

The prince naturally knew the location of Nanzhou and was also familiar with the relationship between Nanzhou and Nanbang.

The prince even personally reviewed memorials from Nanzhou.

In the prince's subconscious mind, this is a barren and useless place.

Far away from the Central Plains and with a harsh environment, it has always been a holy place for exile.

Even if there are some hidden dangers in such a place, there is nothing to be afraid of.

There is no need to let your confidants waste time and energy on it.

Previously, the prince asked Lou Yu to go to Yongzhou more to save the princess and eliminate the threat of the poison.

Now, the Crown Princess has passed away, and the genius doctor Li Mingtang has been exploring and learning in the mountains of Lingnan. The secret report sent back by Lou Yu mentioned that Li Mingtang has made some progress in the art of treating poisons.

The prince had seen Li Mingtang's medical skills and knew that with her ability, it was only a matter of time to break the poison.

Since there was no urgent need anymore, the prince did not want to waste Lou Yu's talent.

Therefore, in response to Lou Yu's initiative to offer, the prince did not agree immediately, but instead adopted the strategy of "delaying".

……

"My dear! Chang'an is prosperous, and the East and West Markets gather treasures from all over the world. I have long yearned for it."

"Now that the Saint and His Highness are busy with government affairs and have no time to summon me, I want to go out for a walk!"

Still dressed in red, still with seductive eyes, Ashlin acted coquettishly towards the Shaoqing of the Honglu Temple in the most charming way.

She called him "My dear" all the time and called herself a "slave", humiliating the princess to the dust.

The huge contrast between his originally noble status and his servile attitude made the gentle and elegant Shaoqing feel a little relieved and accomplished.

Although she is not a very elegant barbarian girl, she is still the princess of a tribe after all.

I heard that she is the heir, and seems to be more noble than the princess of Dayu.

Even a noble person of such status was willing to commit herself to him, and was gentle and considerate in every way possible, trying to please him.

The heart of the Shaoqing of the Honglu Temple has been lifted up to the clouds, floating around, and he has completely forgotten his identity and responsibilities.

"...Since the princess longs for the prosperity of Chang'an, I cannot go against her wishes!"

"How about this, I'll go with you, okay?"

At the critical moment, Shaoqing still retained a trace of rationality.

He chose a compromise: Ashlin could go out, but she had to be accompanied by him.

"My dear, if you are willing to accompany me, I am willing to do so. But I cannot harm you!"

"Although I am a woman from Nanbang, I also know some of the laws of Dayu—"

Ashlin has an extremely charming beauty, but speaks sensible words.

According to the laws of Dayu, officials were not allowed to enter the East and West Markets during official hours.

Of course, this kind of thing basically won't be brought to justice by anyone below.

As long as it is not too high-profile and as long as he is not impeached, there will be no trouble even if he is.

The fear is being discovered and then impeached.

The position of Shaoqing of the Honglu Temple may seem to be not very powerful, but it is actually very popular.

It's not easy to get to this position, so you should be careful with what you say and do.

If you have to make mistakes for the sake of profit, it is understandable.

But if it's just for a barbarian girl, it really doesn't seem worth it.

In addition, Ashlin was very good at seducing people, and her words of advice were charming and lingering, which made a certain young official who was already deeply involved in it fall in love with her.

"The princess is so thoughtful!"

Since I can't go with you and the beauty is eager to go out, I have no choice but to let her go.

At most, they would send more officials to provide both protection and surveillance.

After listening to Shaoqing's arrangement, Ashlin's charming eyes flickered.

Oh, even a dignified young official who had read the books of sages and adhered to the ethics of a gentleman was bewitched by her, let alone those lowly and vulgar servants?

Ashlin didn't even need to call herself a "slave". Just a glance was enough to make those soldiers forget themselves and obey her orders obediently.

Relying on her charm, Ashlin first left the supervision of the Honglu Temple.

Then, she began to appear frequently in the East and West Markets, and had close contacts with the Hu merchants and Hu girls there.

Then, Ashlin's charming figure began to flash in other yamen.

The Ministry of War, the Ministry of Works, and the Ministry of Revenue.

She also had an "accidental encounter" with some young captains of the Imperial Guards, such as the Jinwu Guard and the Qianniu Guard.

"Your Highness, it's been less than a month since Nanbang Princess Ashlin arrived in the capital, and she has already captivated dozens of men."

Lou Yu has spies all over the capital.

Not to mention, he had been focusing on Ashlin.

Lou Yu could see through her every move and every word.

It is no exaggeration to say that if Ashlin takes action one moment, her specific whereabouts will be reported to Lou Yu's desk the next moment.

Lou Yu organized and summarized the information, and then went to the Eastern Palace to report.

"The people she deceived included officials from aristocratic families, military commanders from respectable families, and children from humble backgrounds... Aren't all of these people inexperienced?"

"Ashilin is indeed beautiful, but she is not the best in the world, nor is she unique."

"There are dozens of people, some of whom are obsessed with sex, but not all of them are."

"Unless Ashlin used some tricks. I asked Ani, and although she's not very good at it, she's heard of a kind of charm."

"This kind of poisonous insect can give the person who holds the mother insect a charming fragrance, and it can also have the effect of confusing people's minds..."

"Your Highness, one Ashlin can drag so many people into this and make them willingly become her puppets. But there may not be only one Ashlin in Nanbang!"

Therefore, the hidden dangers in Nanbang must be eliminated.

Lou Yu used facts to try his best to convince the prince...