Grand Princess's Mansion
"Little Canton Princess, it's time to get up."
A serving maid knocked on the door. Hearing the knocking, the Canton Princess woke up lazily. She straightened her back and said, "Come in."
The serving maid entered and helped her dress and wash her face. After some time, she brought in a bowl of bird's nest soup for the Canton Princess as a snack. She followed the doctor's instructions and took a nap before eating.
The lazy Canton Princess picked up a spoon and drank. The sky was dark and gloomy. Occasionally, a ray of sunlight shone through the clouds. The serving maid looked at her and said, "Canton Princess, you've been feeling much better recently."
"Mm." The Canton Princess sat there in a daze as she looked out of the window.
"Canton Princess, what are you looking at?" The serving maid asked when she saw the Canton Princess staring at the door.
"I wonder where brother Pei is now?" The Canton Princess mumbled to herself. When the serving maid heard this, she covered her mouth and laughed, "Canton Princess, True Sovereign Pei's martial arts are extraordinary. Why are you worried about him? As long as you take good care of yourself and wait for him to return, everything will be fine. "
"Mm." The Canton Princess heard this and replied softly. All of a sudden, the sound of a flute could be heard. The melody was mellow and melancholic, as though it was filled with love and sorrow. Just by listening to it, the Canton Princess closed her eyes. When she opened them again, she revealed a look of joy, "It's brother Pei. He's back."
The Canton Princess stood up and walked to the table. She stretched out her hands and placed them on the zither. She then started playing, as though she was playing the flute.
The zither and the flute were playing together as the serving maid listened in a daze. When the song was finished, the Canton Princess stood up and ran out of the room.
The winding corridor led to a quiet and secluded place. In front of them was a bluestone passageway with lush pines and cypress trees. If it was summer, they would be able to blot out the sun. The small passageway in front of them turned into a cobblestone passageway and entered the parlor.
There were sounds of people talking inside the reception hall. It was Pei Zi Yun, "I don't want to keep a mistress in a golden house. It's a little ominous, but I can keep her in a garden."
He then heard the Grand Princess laugh, "Such a huge garden, how many mistresses do you want to keep? For example, recently a famous scholar in the capital, Lin Xuyu. She is naturally intelligent, loves to read, and can comment on poems. She has always admired you. You might be able to meet her. "
The Canton Princess slowed down her steps and listened attentively. She then heard Pei Zi Yun say, "It's the nature of a man. When he sees a beautiful woman, he would feel a sense of loss and reluctance to part with her."
"But I'm just one person. How can I share my feelings?"
"I already have Ye Su 'er and Qi Qianye. Now that I think about it, I feel that the beauty's kindness is too great to be repaid. If I continue to split up, how am I different from strangers?"
"Although there is a pearl, it is too late to meet it. It's better not to see him. "
Hearing this, the Grand Princess paused for a moment and said, "You created Xiao Le just now, and it seemed to have this in mind. What name did you give it?"
The Canton Princess walked over and saw that the Grand Princess's forehead was dotted with cinnabar. Her phoenix eyes seemed to be deep in thought. She then heard Pei Zi Yun reply, "This song is called 'Love Doesn't Get Tired', or 'It's Hard to Let Go'."
When the Canton Princess heard this, she stumbled forward. Unknowingly, her eyes had turned red. This alerted the people inside who were looking at the painting. The two of them looked over and the Canton Princess hurriedly bowed, "Greetings mother."
She then wiped the tears from her eyes and looked at the painting, "This painting is really good. Who drew it? It doesn't even look like this …. "
At first, the Canton Princess was just trying to cover up her feelings. When she looked at the painting, she was taken aback. The painting depicted a garden. The elegance and elegance of it caused one's heart to flutter. It was like the Peach Blossom Garden from the legends. It was like a dream.
"This garden is divided into the East Garden and the West Garden."
"If you don't leave the city, you can enjoy the scenery of the mountains and rivers." Pei Zi Yun laughed.
The Canton Princess was a noble lady, and was naturally influenced by her upbringing. When she looked closely, she could see the fake mountains, trees, pavilions, ponds and bridges. All of these formed a natural world, harmoniously blending together. The mountains, the water, the grass and the trees in the garden all seemed to have a deep and profound meaning to it.
Seeing that the Canton Princess was looking at the painting, the Grand Princess did not disturb her. Instead, she asked, "Count Zhong Qin is dead, what do you think?"
Pei Zi Yun replied plainly, "To me, it's good that he's dead."
"This attitude of yours has caused many people to think that you're a suspect. They've even submitted a petition to investigate this matter. I'm afraid this isn't good for you."
"However, the Crown Prince still defended you." The Grand Princess stared at Pei Zi Yun as she spoke. Pei Zi Yun's heart skipped a beat as he nodded his head, "I'm a Daoist, and have no interest in the imperial court. So what if there's slander? However, the Crown Prince has always protected me, and I'm grateful for that. "
At this point, the Canton Princess looked over, "Mother, look. There's even a poem written on it."
"Your words are good, and his poems are good. The two of you are a match made in heaven. Is that enough?" The Grand Princess pointed a finger at the Canton Princess's forehead. The Canton Princess raised her head and replied, "Of course."
At this point, someone announced, "The Crown Prince has arrived!"
The Crown Prince saw that Pei Zi Yun was about to kneel down and pay his respects. He then hurriedly held him up and said, "True Sovereign, please rise!"
He then looked at Pei Zi Yun and said, "I've heard that King Lu led an army of ten thousand men to besiege you. I've been worried about you. You look well now, just that you've lost some weight!"
As he spoke, he pulled Pei Zi Yun into the room, "What poem were you talking about?"
"Brother Crown Prince, we were talking about my garden!" The Canton Princess hurriedly replied as she led the Crown Prince to take a look. The Crown Prince's eyebrows were thick, and his eyes were slightly dark. It was obvious that he was tired, but he looked even more energetic than before. Pei Zi Yun looked at him silently and thought to himself, "The green energy is complete, and the purple energy is present. The Crown Prince's authority has increased by several folds."
The Crown Prince looked at the scroll and recited,
"New autumn arrives, the bridge of magpies rides again, twice in the mortal world. The railings are slanted, and the jade ropes are low. How many heavenly secrets do you seek?
Female companions, banquets, all praying. Deities are nothing, and even if they exist, they should be old. "
As he finished reciting, the Crown Prince laughed out loud and pointed at Pei Zi Yun, "This poem is wonderful. But you're a Daoist, and yet you dare to say that deities are nothing. You deserve a beating."
As he finished laughing, he looked at the scroll again and frowned. After some time, he looked at Pei Zi Yun with a strange expression, "From what I can see, these two gardens are the likes of which I've never seen before. They're exquisite, and yet they have their own differences. As for what the differences are, I can't tell you. Can you tell me a thing or two?"
"The art of gardens is just a small part of the Dao. But since the Crown Prince has asked, I shall explain a thing or two."
"The core of a garden is the beauty of the landscape. When one is immersed in it, one will be able to enjoy the ambiance of the landscape, and cultivate one's temperament. According to one's needs, the garden is different."
"Crown Prince, you should know that there are many beautiful sceneries under the heavens. However, it's not easy to see them all." Pei Zi Yun bowed and spoke plainly, "Hence, gardens are made by gathering the Yin and Yang of nature, and combining them into a furnace."
"The entire garden is like a small world."
"The most important thing is that the layout is not cumbersome, and not a single inch is unnecessary."
"It's scenery is beautiful, dangerous, and strange. It's also integrated with the layout of the building. With every step one takes, the scenery changes. Furthermore, there's no awkwardness or awkwardness in the transition. This allows one to not leave the garden, and enjoy the Qi of nature."
"I've observed the Dao of gardens under the heavens. Those who have reached the pinnacle of perfection are all from this realm."
"That's a very clear statement. What about the West Garden?" The Crown Prince paused before saying, "There seems to be a difference."
"As I've said earlier, both gardens are the same realm. It's just that the East Garden emphasizes on the creation of nature. Although it was created by humans, it was like the creation of the heavens."
"As for the West Garden, it's the essence of humanity. Although it uses mountains and rivers to plant trees, its main focus is not on nature, but on the beauty of humans."
"Humans have joy and sorrow, transcendence, contemplation, and profound emotions. Gardens are the main theme, and the moment one enters, one will be affected, and understand the state of one's heart."
"Of course, the two are not completely separated. Instead, they are like water and milk (I'm not mistaken). Both are present, but each has its own emphasis."
"What you've said is that one garden, one sky, one earth, one water, one heart." The Crown Prince's expression was complicated, as though he had lost something, "I didn't expect you to be so talented in poetry, literature, and painting. Your garden design is even better. How many more talents do you have?"
"The Daoist regards the Xiao Yao Mountain Forest as the most important place, and this garden has many similarities. This is just a small insight, to relieve the Crown Prince's tiredness. Crown Prince, please!"
The Crown Prince took a sip and looked at Pei Zi Yun before saying, "You've been out and about, and you've received many good reports. It's been hard on you these days."
Hearing these words, Pei Zi Yun bowed and replied, "Your Highness, this is what I should do."
"Good." The Crown Prince complimented him before his face turned gloomy, "If everyone was like you, how good would that be. But there are so many people who aren't willing to do anything for the country. How hateful."
As he spoke, he stretched out his hand and slapped it on the table. When Pei Zi Yun saw this, he sighed in his heart. When one reached such a high position, one's personality would change. This was a natural phenomenon. Even Pei Zi Yun, who had become an Earth Immortal or a True Sovereign, was different when he was an Elementary Scholar.
The Crown Prince then changed the topic and said, "It's been hard on you, but you're busy with the affairs of the country. I have something I would like you to do!"
"Your Highness, please speak." Pei Zi Yun nodded his head as the Crown Prince laughed, as though he was thirsty. He then picked up his teacup and took a sip. After thinking for some time, he asked, "King Lu has invaded Chen Prefecture, and the situation is urgent. His Majesty wishes for you to take over as the commander. What do you think?"
If it were any ordinary official, he would only need to issue the decree. However, Pei Zi Yun was a Daoist, and an Earth Immortal. He had to ask for permission first. If he refused, the situation would be awkward.
Hearing the Crown Prince's words, Pei Zi Yun fell silent. Should he agree or not?
As he thought about this, he thought of his own mission. More and more demons were hiding within the army, and his mission was getting more and more onerous. It was hard for him to do it alone, and he could only rely on the authority of the Imperial Court. If he rejected the Crown Prince's request now, it would be akin to falling out with them.
Furthermore, he had control over the army, and was the center of attention. His reputation could be improved as well. It was just that once this expedition was over, it would be time for him to reveal his cards to the Imperial Court. However, when that time comes, things would be different. As these thoughts flashed through his mind, he nodded his head and said, "His Majesty and the Crown Prince have given their orders.
The Crown Prince's eyes were fixated on Pei Zi Yun. Although the Emperor was afraid of Pei Zi Yun, the Crown Prince had only managed to attain his current position because of Pei Zi Yun's schemes. He trusted Pei Zi Yun even more. Furthermore, the Imperial Court had placed a mark on Pei Zi Yun. With Pei Zi Yun leading the army, his position would be much more secure.
When he heard this, he let out a long sigh and laughed, "I knew you wouldn't reject me. Come with me to the Imperial Palace to see the Emperor, and we shall make a decision soon. This way, King Lu, that traitor, won't bring disaster to the people."
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