Gu Zhuting followed Yang Fan back to the city. Her head was lowered and her face was red. She did not say a word and did not even raise her head.
She was so embarrassed not because she had said those bold words of love to Yang Fan, but because Yang Fan had switched horses with her on the way back to the city, giving her the Arabian steed. Gu Zhuting excitedly asked, "Ah Lang, does this horse have a name?"
Yang Fan answered casually, "It's called Beauty!" The expressions on the faces of Ren Wei and the others immediately turned strange. Gu Zhuting thought that Yang Fan was teasing her in public, which was why she couldn't suppress her embarrassment. She didn't know that the name of this precious Arabian steed was really 'Beauty'. Abdullah's bad taste was truly harmful.
When they were about to enter the city gate, the road became crowded and chaotic. The moat was being repaired and the purplish black silt that was cleaned up had not been transported away. After entering the city, there were also construction works everywhere. Some places were so narrow that they had to dismount and walk on foot.
While leading the horse, Yang Fan leaned close to Gu Zhuting's shoulder and whispered to her, "When we get back, I will bring you to see someone."
Gu Zhuting's heart skipped a beat and she became nervous. Of course, she knew who Yang Fan was bringing her to see. For a moment, Gu Zhuting was even more nervous than an ugly daughter-in-law meeting her parents-in-law. Seeing her pale face, Yang Fan could not help but chuckle, "What are you afraid of? She is not a man-eating tiger."
Gu Zhuting quietly swallowed and whispered, "I … I don't need to see her, right?"
Yang Fan said, "She can't leave the palace often. This is a rare opportunity. Xiao Man and Ah Nu have known her for a long time and they get along well. What are you afraid of? She is gentle and easy to talk to. Even if you avoid her this time, you will still have to meet her in the future. Besides, she also wants to see you. "
Gu Zhuting stammered, "But your servant … your servant only knows martial arts, I don't know anything about poetry. In front of … in front of her, I'm afraid I have nothing to say."
Yang Fan couldn't help but laugh. This pitiful appearance was really lovable. Yang Fan comforted him, "Don't worry, she's not a sour and rotten Mr. Winter Roast. She doesn't recite poems when she's with me. Don't you know Cuju? She's a Cuju expert. You can talk to her about Cuju. "
"En!" Gu Zhuting agreed and followed him to a footboard in the tunnel. She could not help but ask, "Ah Lang, this is the first time I've seen her. Should I … should I prepare a gift for her?"
Yang Fan couldn't help but want to laugh. Gu Zhuting's way of thinking was really a little petty. Not to mention Taiping and Wan'er, even Xiao Mang and Ah Nu, who had followed the Emperor since childhood and was the Imperial Guard Captain, and who was the personal maid of a young master of an aristocratic family, had vast knowledge and experience.
At first, Gu Zhuting gave him the impression that she was a ruthless female killer who came and went like a ghost. She was a forthright woman with a Jianghu flavor. But deep down, she was a little girl from a humble family. Only he knew her true colors.
Yang Fan wanted to comfort her, but on second thought, there was no need to make her obey him. She was already a little uneasy and he should give her some confidence. Thinking of this, Yang Fan changed his mind. He smiled and said, "You're really thoughtful. Let's go to the east market and buy a nice gift."
…
Among the two cities of Chang 'an, the west market was far from the three major inner cities (Taiji Palace in the west, Daming Palace in the east, and Xingqing Palace in the south). Most of the businesses in the west market were daily necessities such as clothes, candles, biscuits, and medicine. It was bustling and more prosperous than the east market, but most of the goods were ordinary.
The east market was close to the three major inner cities. Most of the people living around it were royalty and dignitaries. Therefore, most of the shops in the city sold expensive goods. Although there were not many customers, they sold expensive and luxurious goods. Tens of thousands of treasures could be found everywhere. As the saying goes, "If you don't open for three years, you'll eat for three years after opening."
In the eastern market, there were two hundred and twenty lines of goods. The goods were arranged in different lines, and the rare and precious goods from all over the world were all gathered here. The ancient capital of Chang 'an had a profound history. Princess Anle wandered around in high spirits and felt that this trip was worthwhile.
Chang 'an was bounded by Vermillion Bird Avenue. The east of the city was Wannian County, the west of the city was Chang' an County, and the east market was under the jurisdiction of Wannian County. The new county magistrate, Huang Jianyu, was dressed in casual clothes. He led a few calm and experienced plain-clothed constables into the crowd, secretly protecting Princess Anle and her party.
Today, the five sons of the Prince of Xiang had arrived in Chang 'an. The officials of Chang' an once again came out to welcome them. Because Wu Chongxun had arrived a day earlier, he also went to welcome them. The relationship between the Wu and Li families was good. Because Li Xian and his wife had done their best to cater to the Wu family after their marriage, and the rise of the second Zhang, the Wu and Li families had developed a strong sense of crisis, their relationship became even closer.
This was especially true after Zhang Changzong's slander had killed Wu Yanji, Li Zhongrun, and Li Xianhui. Because Wu Yanji was a member of the Wu family, Li Zhongrun was a member of the Li family, and Li Xianhui was the daughter of the Li family and the daughter-in-law of the Wu family, the Wu and Li families shared a common enemy and became even closer.
Because of this, Wu Chongxun naturally had to go to the Ten Li Pavilion to welcome them, but Princess Anle did not go with him. Originally, as the daughter-in-law of the Wu family, she did not have to welcome other members of the royal family. It would have been enough for her husband to show up. However, she was also a daughter of the Li family. This time, it was her cousin who had come. It would be inappropriate for her not to go.
Some people speculated that Li Guo 'er's actions were to avoid arousing suspicion. She did not want outsiders to think that the Wu and Li families had joined forces, especially since Zhang Changzong was in Chang' an. In order to avoid arousing the second Zhang's fear, she chose not to show up because of her sensitive identity.
In reality, Li Guo 'er was not that scheming. There was only one reason why she did not go to welcome them. She did not care about these cousins at all. Even if it was her own brothers and sisters, she was very indifferent to them. Would a person who had thrown her son to the nanny the moment he was born and followed her husband to Chang 'an to relax care about her relatives?
Most of the people who accompanied Princess Anle were rich and noble ladies. There was also a man, and that was Du Wentian.
Du Wentian's "righteous act of stopping a frightened horse" yesterday could be considered a blessing in disguise. First, he was favored by Wu Chongxun and his wife. Then, something else happened that brought Du Wentian and his wife closer to each other.
Because when the Wu family rose, Wu Zetian had already lived in Luoyang for a long time. Therefore, the Wu family had no foundation in Chang 'an, let alone a mansion. Therefore, Liu Xietian prepared a temporary residence for the couple. After the banquet, Liu Xuntian and the others escorted the couple to their residence.
When Princess An Le arrived there, she was very unhappy. The courtyard was exquisite and beautiful, but the standard was a little small. It was fine to use a courtyard with three entrances as a temporary residence, but An Le was vain and advocated luxury. She thought that as a princess, her status was the most honorable in Chang 'an. If she was given such a courtyard as a temporary residence, it would be unfair to her.
Princess Anle's expression immediately darkened, making the Liu residence very awkward. Du Wentian came to the rescue in time and invited the couple to stay in the Du family's mansion in Chang 'an. Because of his act of stopping the horse, Wu Chongxun had a good impression of him and actually agreed. Du Wentian was overjoyed and hurriedly welcomed his goddess back to his own mansion.
That night, because they were staying in the same mansion, Du Wentian tossed and turned for half the night without sleeping. It seemed that because of this, he had developed a special relationship with the beauty. However, he could only let his imagination run wild. Although he was lustful, he did not dare to have any ideas about the princess.
This morning, Wu Chongxun and the others went to welcome the Prince of Xiang's fifth son. Because Du Wentian had been injured yesterday, Wu Chongxun advised him to stay and rest. Du Wentian took advantage of the situation and stayed. In his view, Princess Anle was the Crown Prince's daughter. As long as he could curry favor with Princess Anle, he would be able to establish a relationship with the Li family.
Princess Anle was also the daughter-in-law of the Wu family. If the Li family lost its power and the Wu family ruled the world, then he would be currying favor with the future Crown Prince and Crown Princess. This was much less risky than being too close to the Prince of Xiang's fifth son.
He did not realize that he actually wanted to have more opportunities to get close to this stunning beauty. Even if he knew that there was no chance of getting intimate with her, as long as he could get closer and see her beautiful smile, he would be very happy. Just like this, he also followed An Le on her outing.
An Le entered and exited shops that sold precious jewels and precious clothing. As long as she played with them for a little while or lingered for a moment, the observant Du Wentian would immediately obediently pay the bill for her. At present, the servants following behind were already carrying bags of all sizes, all of them the princess' purchases.
Yesterday, Du Wentian's heroic act of stopping a startled horse had already won Princess Anle's favor. Adding on the fact that he had lent her the luxurious residence, Princess Anle's favorable impression of him was even greater. Today, he was tactful and generous, so Princess Anle was even more pleased. Although the plaster on his nose made him look rather ridiculous, he was tall, elegant, and very handsome, and she began to like him a little.
Princess Anle became more and more affectionate towards him. Every word and smile of hers was extremely flirtatious, causing Du Wentian to fall head over heels for her. Along the way, he felt light as a feather, as if his bones had no weight at all. Just a bright glance from a beauty, a bright smile, and he made him forget everything else.
An Le was probably afraid of living the first half of her life in poverty. Now that she had become a princess, what she liked the most were luxurious residences, delicious food, jewels and gorgeous clothes. It was as if she wanted to use these to make up for all the hardships she had suffered in the first half of her life. Seeing a rather large clothing and hat shop in front of her, An Le immediately walked over.
At this time, Yang Fan was leading the horse and walking shoulder to shoulder with Gu Zhuting. Yang Fan knew that Gu Zhuting was nervous about seeing Wan 'er, so along the way he tried to tease her with some light topics. Gu Zhuting's nervous mood gradually relaxed, and a faint smile appeared on her face.
Li Guo 'er raised her head and saw the two of them talking and laughing in low voices. The man was handsome and the woman was pretty, a perfect match. Li Guo 'er's heart was filled with jealousy and hatred. She puffed out her chest and strode towards them.
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