Traveling through time and space

"So that's how it is. You're here to show goodwill," Gu Yuanyuan walked back to her mother.

"Princess Anle," Gu Yuanyuan turned around and looked at her, and she looked somewhat familiar.

"Your humble servant greets Princess Anle," the people following her bowed and greeted Gu Yuanyuan.

"Yu Jing of the Wei family greets the Crown Princess."

"Hello, Princess Crown Princess, hello, Uncle King," As soon as the second brother mentioned Princess Crown Princess, Gu Yuanyuan realized who it was. Gu Yuanyuan was a socially anxious person, and the key point was that he wanted to talk too much. Moreover, from the look in the sixth brother's eyes when he spoke just now, Gu Yuanyuan also felt that there was something else behind his words.

"Princess Anle, I heard that you grew all that rice and other crops?"

"Yes, it was slowly researched. Is this the reason why so many envoys came here this time?" Gu Yuanyuan asked. Instead of guessing, it would be better to ask directly.

"Yes, it's not just me. Many envoys from other countries should have come for this purpose. Princess also knows that our Chenji is mountainous and has little rain."

"Princess, Crown Princess, we have arrived at the Lixiang Palace. I will lead you in."

"There are so many people today," Gu Yuanyuan sighed as she watched the people coming and going. She separated from the Crown Princess and settled down. The banquet proceeded in an orderly manner in a friendly and peaceful atmosphere. The Emperor, the Queen and others came up to the hall, and everyone stood up to welcome them. Gu Yuanyuan clearly felt that someone from the people sitting upstairs was looking at her. It was only the Emperor and the Queen, but when the Crown Princess came just now, they all glanced at Gu Yuanyuan one by one. Then the Emperor happily gave a speech, talking about Qingyang's great victory, and said a lot of things. Generally speaking, they were all nice words, praising his achievements.

"Mom, did something happen today? Yuan Yuan always feels like someone is watching him."

"Yeah, second brother feels the same way," the second brother, who was sitting next to him, murmured in agreement. Only after the wine and food were served did Gu Yuanyuan finally calm down her apprehension. She had a feeling something was going to happen today, and it was going to be something big. "What are you doing? Look, someone's playing the pipa." Seeing Gu Yuanyuan's daze, the second brother, who was sitting next to her, nudged her.

"Princess, can you please excuse me?" Xiao Maozi whispered, carefully moving behind Gu Yuanyuan. Gu Yuanyuan was about to ask what was wrong, but seeing Xiao Maozi's expression, it seemed that he wanted her to go out and talk. Xiao Maozi left first. Gu Yuanyuan hesitated for a moment, looked around, and seeing no one was paying attention to her, she also stood up and walked out. "Princess, the second young master Cai is here." Xiao Maozi approached and whispered softly. Gu Yuanyuan followed his hand and saw that her second brother was indeed at the edge of the hall.

"Second brother, what's the matter that brings you here?" Gu Yuanyuan knew that there must be something urgent, otherwise his second brother would not have come here.

"Princess, can you please excuse me for a moment and talk to you, Eunuch Mo? Please don't let anyone get close to you." The second brother spoke very seriously. Gu Yuanyuan looked up and saw Xiao Maozi looking at her. She nodded, and Xiao Maozi walked three meters away.

"What's the matter, second brother? Why did you find me here?"

"Something happened. My eldest brother and I received news yesterday that your mother is not dead. The guest who came to Fourth Uncle's house was sent by her."

"She's now Ling Yu's queen. It seems this is true."

"I heard news today that she is back. I'm afraid she will go to the palace to find the emperor. The point is..." The second brother kept his head down.

"Second brother, just say what you want to say."

"My fourth uncle has been staying in the mansion these past two days. When my fourth aunt came today, she was talking to my fourth uncle in private, and my eldest brother heard it. My fourth aunt said that my aunt has already arrived in the capital, and that you are not her child."

"I'm not her child?" These words were as devastating as a level 7 bomb, leaving Gu Yuanyuan completely stunned.

"My eldest brother is dealing with them in the mansion. My second brother has come quietly to deliver a message. I hope the princess can come up with a plan to deal with them as soon as possible."

"Princess, I'll escort the Second Young Master out of the palace." The little Maozi stepped forward. Gu Yuanyuan nodded, then froze in her place for a few seconds. No, I can't be confused now. What's going on? She mechanically returned to her seat.

"Yuanyuan, the Queen is calling you." Gu Yuanyuan, who had been absent-minded, asked her second brother to poke her again.

Gu Yuanyuan calmed herself down, stood up and saluted, "Your Majesty the Queen."

"Princess Anle, today is a celebration banquet. The young ladies from various families have performed to celebrate the victory of the army. You should come and join in the fun."

"Your Majesty, today's protagonists are the brave and skilled soldiers. These things about the Yuan Yuan Society are not worth mentioning, so let's not talk about them..."

"Crown Prince, I've long heard Your Highness speak of the princess's talent, but I've never actually seen it in person. Today is indeed a good opportunity. First, to congratulate the soldiers, and second, to broaden my horizons." Unexpectedly, the Crown Princess, Shan Yitian, spoke up. "Or is it possible that the princess doesn't care about what the Empress said?"

"The Crown Princess's hat is too big. Since Her Majesty wants to hear it, Yuanyuan would like to perform. May I ask who was using that hat just now? Can you lend it to me?" Gu Yuanyuan seemed to have just heard and seen the erhu, the buzzer, which seemed to be used by a man.

"Zhang Cheng greets the princess." A man in his forties stood up and presented the buzzer with both hands, "I got this by chance a few years ago." The man kept talking about something, but Gu Yuanyuan didn't want to listen to him nagging.

"Thank you." Gu Yuanyuan took the erhu handed over by Dongmei and signaled Dongmei to move a chair to the middle of the hall. "Father, Queen, Yuanyuan is sorry for the incompetence. Please give this to the generals of Qingyang." Gu Yuanyuan found a comfortable sitting position, closed his eyes, and quickly and carefully recalled the steps when he saw his niece playing the erhu. Soon he had an idea in his mind. After playing a horse racing song, the hall was silent.

"Can you play it again?" Gu Yuanyuan didn't know whose voice it was, but she heard it. In fact, she was still not satisfied, so she played it again. This time she played it more skillfully and fluently than the first time. She also breathed a sigh of relief and relaxed a little.

"It's magnificent, like a thousand horses galloping. I admire you."

"Passionate and inspiring."

"It was absolutely wonderful. I enjoyed it so much. Princess, is there a chance to hear it again?"

Gu Yuanyuan didn't want to listen to what they were saying. She just wanted to confirm what she had just said. She looked up and saw the two people above her talking. "Princess, I've heard that you're also a master poet. I'm honored to have broadened my horizons here," the Queen whispered softly.

Gu Yuanyuan bowed and smiled bitterly. She really didn't feel like showing off here, but she had to deal with it. She paced a few steps and picked up the wine glass from her table. "The beautiful wine in the luminescent cup is made of grapes. The pipa music urges me to drink. Don't laugh at me sleeping drunk on the battlefield. How many men have ever returned from the battles in history?" Looking at the astonished crowd in the hall, Gu Yuanyuan explained, "This beautiful wine glass is filled with freshly brewed wine. I was about to drink it, but I heard the pipa music urging me to drink..." Gu Yuanyuan explained affectionately.

"Okay, okay, okay. Even though I'm an outsider, I can imagine the scene and the mood."

"Yes, Your Majesty, at a feast on the frontier, our soldiers drank heartily and enjoyed themselves to the fullest."

"Master Shan, you are the one who can explain it clearly." Someone boasted. Gu Yuanyuan looked at the person who expressed his emotion first. It turned out that he was Master Shan.

"I've always heard others talk about Princess Anle. Today, after seeing her, I find that she is indeed as famous as her reputation. Your humble servant Shan Bianjun greets the princess." The man bowed to Gu Yuanyuan.

"Master Shan, you're welcome." Gu Yuanyuan returned a half-bow, watching Eunuch Shen come in and say something behind the emperor. The two men walked in together and looked up at Gu Yuanyuan. Gu Yuanyuan felt all that light. When she looked up to respond, the emperor was talking to her, and Eunuch Shen kept nodding. Soon, the emperor stood up and walked out, followed by the queen. Seeing the two big bosses leave, others also stood up and left.

"Cousin, how are you these days?" Gu Yuanyuan didn't pay attention when she heard someone talking to her.

"Yes, the princess is fine."

"It's really good that the cuckoo has taken over the magpie's nest."

"What is the Sixth Concubine talking about?" Eunuch Shen's voice sounded beside him. It turned out that he had come too.

"Hello, Eunuch Shen, but what does the emperor want to ask for?"

"Princess, the emperor asked me to tell you that you should go to Fengtai Palace to talk." After saying this, Eunuch Shen nodded and turned away.

"What's going on?" The eldest princess asked Yuanyuan while pulling her aside. She had also heard what the sixth prince's concubine had said about the cuckoo taking over the magpie's nest.

"They said my biological mother wasn't dead and had returned, and they also said I wasn't their daughter." Gu Yuanyuan briefly explained the truth. The mother and son, clearly having heard nothing, looked shocked. Gu Yuanyuan stood up and bowed. If this was true, she would no longer be a princess, and naturally, no longer her daughter. A wave of panic crept into her heart. Was that woman really still alive? If she wasn't their daughter, then who was she? Where did she come from? Who was the original owner?

"Princess, please." Several unfamiliar palace maids came forward at the door, and Dongmei and Shang Ma were gone.

"Lead the way." Gu Yuanyuan straightened her clothes and was very calm. She knew that if an enemy came, she would fight him; if a flood came, she would block it with earth. She would do whatever she had to do. At this time, the sky was slowly getting dark, and Gu Yuanyuan could not see the expressions of the palace maids.

"Eunuch Zhang, the princess has arrived," a palace maid came forward and spoke to the gatekeeper. After waiting for a moment, Eunuch Shen appeared at the gate.

"Princess, please follow me," Eunuch Shen stepped forward and bowed. Gu Yuanyuan nodded. "Princess, they're here." These few simple words revealed a lot of useful information. The woman had arrived, and not just alone. Eunuch Shen's use of "they" suggested several people. "Your Majesty, the princess is here." Eunuch Shen stood by the door and did not follow in.

"Yuanyuan greets father." Gu Yuanyuan pushed the door open and saluted directly to his father.

"No need to be polite." Following her father's words, Gu Yuanyuan raised her head and looked at the woman sitting next to her, and the two young people, a man and a woman. The young woman was the one who had accompanied her fourth uncle to the Cai family that day. Upon closer inspection, she was surprised to find that she bore a resemblance to the woman sitting next to her. "Father, I heard that Yuanyuan is not your daughter?"

"Yes, my Ziyuan is the real princess."

"Who are you? Are you my grandmother's daughter, Cai Mengyun?"

"How dare you! My mother saved you, how can you be so arrogant? My mother is Ling Yu's queen mother."

"Empress Dowager? You saved me?" Gu Yuanyuan pointed at herself, "Who asked you to save me?" Gu Yuanyuan didn't want to play along with her, so she said it directly.

"How dare you! My mother saved you, so she's your savior. Is this the attitude you should have towards your savior?"

Gu Yuanyuan looked at the man and asked, "Excuse me, which bird are you?"

"I am Mother's son, and one of the twins Mother gave birth to. You are the wild child Mother picked up from the river."

"Wild child? Are all your words based on your one-sided opinions? If you say Yuanyuan is a peasant girl, then she is a peasant girl. If you say she is a princess, then she is a princess. If you say she is a wild girl, then she is a wild girl. Who are you? God? How can you be so self-righteous that the earth and the sun have to revolve around you? Father, do you believe what they say?" Gu Yuanyuan walked to his father's side and asked.

"Yes, since you gave birth to my twins, why did you leave and never come back? And you even adopted Yuanyuan?" The emperor said this with gritted teeth, "And how did you become Ling Yu's queen?"

"Your Majesty, how could I not know about my own children? As for why I didn't bring them back, there was a reason. Your queen killed us mother and son several times. After I gave birth to the twins, how could I dare to bring them back? As for how I became the empress dowager, it was because I took the Buddha statue that my mother had kept, found my cousin, became his concubine, and later became the empress dowager."