Two green oxen pulled an oil-walled carriage and slowly stopped in front of the Fragrant Forest Gate of the Forbidden Imperial Garden.
The eunuch of the Eastern Prison of the Forbidden Garden was standing guard at the gate. He stepped forward to verify the identity of the person in the carriage and waved his hand at the imperial guard at the gate. The gate opened soundlessly and the carriage pulled by the two green oxen slowly drove in.
Once inside the gate, it was another world. The garden was full of flowers and trees, the pavilions and terraces were hidden among the green trees, and the small bridges and flowing water were uneven on the grassy plains. It was like a paradise on earth.
The gates of the Forbidden Garden silently closed behind them. One of the imperial soldiers guarding the gates looked at the two deep marks on the ground and asked in bewilderment, "It's just a light carriage with oil walls. How can it be so heavy? What's inside?"
The other imperial guard looked at the ground and hugged his halberd. He said lazily, "It's probably because it rained last night and the grass is muddy."
"How can it be? The carriages just now didn't go in so deep."
The other imperial guard said, "Who knows? I saw just now that there was only one person sitting in the carriage. He seemed to be a loyal general of a thousand riders. There's nothing else. Could it be that the carriage is made of iron? You, do you have nothing better to do than worry about it? "
The two imperial guards returned to the gate and stood still again. In the distance, a few more carriages drove in their direction.
The Three Gardens of Chang 'an consisted of the Western Inner Garden, the Eastern Inner Garden, and the Forbidden Garden. The Daxing Garden was located in the Forbidden Garden. The Forbidden Garden was located outside the capital city. It was twenty-seven li from east to west and twenty-three li from north to south, covering an area of one hundred and twenty li. It was bordered by the Chan River to the east, Chang 'an to the west, the Imperial City to the south, and the Wei River to the north. It was the largest of the Three Great Gardens.
Since the garden was so large, the invited guests naturally couldn't get off the carriage outside the Forbidden Garden. There was still a long way to go. Yang Fan came from the Thousand Horsemen Camp, so he didn't have to walk a long distance. Before long, he saw more than twenty servants and family warriors protecting a light carriage wandering on the grassy plains. The banner on the front of the carriage had the three words "Fengchen Zhang" written on it.
Yang Fan smiled and ordered, "Speed up and catch up!"
After Zhang Changzong's carriage entered the Forbidden Garden, he enjoyed the scenery along the way and didn't move very fast. As soon as Yang Fan's carriage approached, Zhang Changzong saw his official banner and immediately ordered people to stop the carriage and wait for him. When the two of them saw each other, they laughed heartily. Zhang Changzong raised his hand to invite Yang Fan out of his carriage and into Zhang Changzong's.
Zhang Changzong's carriage had a single shaft and two yokes, with long wheels and a large oval-shaped oil paper cover. It looked like a carriage from the Warring States Period or the early Qin Period, and it looked quite ancient. Because there were no carriages blocking the view, it was suitable for walking around, and one could enjoy the beautiful scenery in all directions at any time.
Zhang Changzong asked with a smile, "General Yang was also invited to the banquet? Prince Gaoyang had invited a lot of people to this banquet. Relatives of the Emperor, officials with meritorious deeds, influential officials from the two capitals, officials and gentry, civil and military officials are all here. I heard that even the top ranked eunuchs in the palace have been invited. Haha, it really is all-inclusive. "
Yang Fan could hear the mockery in his words and replied with a smile, "This kind of thing can only be done by Prince Gaoyang and his wife. The two of them are the members of the Imperial Family, meritorious officials, relatives of the Imperial Family, and influential officials. If someone else were to do this, it would be unbefitting of their status and would easily attract gossip. Secondly, others might not necessarily buy it.
Zhang Changzong curled his lips, his expression full of disdain.
Yang Fan's eyes flashed, and he said, "As far as I know, Shangguan Daizhi was also invited by Princess Anle."
Zhang Changzong said with a smile, "I'm afraid Shangguan Daizhi won't be able to come."
Yang Fan said with a smile, "Exactly, he will definitely decline. Unfortunately, Princess Anle doesn't know the real reason, and I'm afraid she will blame Shangguan Daizhi."
Zhang Changzong said in a carefree manner, "What does Anle count as? Ninety-nine percent of the guests who came today are here to give face to Liang Wangwu Sansi. Do you really think that so many people care about her? If I wasn't so bored that I wanted to come to the Forbidden Garden to relax, I wouldn't even bother to go to her appointment today. "
Yang Fan smiled and said, "Oh yes, recently there are some strange rumors in the streets. Has Liulang heard of them?"
Zhang Changzong said, "What's there to inquire about rumors in the streets? Huh? From Erlang's tone, could it be that this rumor has something to do with me? "
Yang Fan said, "Correct, this rumor has something to do with Liulang. There is a rumor in the streets that Shangguan Daizhi is pregnant. In order to prevent this matter from being exposed, she found an opportunity to hide in Chang 'an. "
Zhang Changzong was shocked, and cried out involuntarily, "How is that possible! Shangguan Daizhi has always been living on the island in the middle of the lake, and basically doesn't have any contact with outsiders. How can others know that she is pregnant? "
Yang Fan shook his head and said, "I am also puzzled by this. However, what is even more strange is that the rumors in the streets say that the man who made Shangguan Daizhi pregnant is you, Liulang. "
Zhang Changzong was so scared that he almost jumped up. His face and neck were red as he said, "Nonsense. Who is this person who dares to slander me like this? If I catch that bastard who is gossiping, I will cut him into a thousand pieces, file his bones and scatter his ashes to appease the hatred in my heart."
With a strange expression, Yang Fan said, "Liulang, why do you have to be so angry? That man … can't really be you?"
Zhang Changzong was anxious and angry, and his face turned purple, "Of course it's not me. You know why I am involved in this matter, Erlang. Why are you saying such things?"
Yang Fan laughed dryly and said, "I didn't believe it at first. But speaking of Shangguan Daizhi's character and talent, only a young talent like you, Liulang, would be able to catch her eye. So after hearing the rumors in the streets, I won't hide it from you, even I am a little confused. "
Zhang Changzong anxiously said, "You can't say such things! Erlang, this matter really has nothing to do with me! I have always been doted on by the Sage, how would I dare to cross the line in matters between men and women? Think about it, if I really had an affair with Shangguan Daizhi, would the Sage let her go? Would she let me go? Would she let me settle Shangguan Daizhi? "
Yang Fan nodded and said, "Liulang's words are reasonable. It's just that the common people don't have such brains, and only know how to echo what others say. That's why they spread such rumors. Liulang, don't take it to heart. The rumors in the streets won't reach the Sage's ears. Moreover, the Sage has always doted on Liulang. Although there's a saying in ancient times that three people will make a tiger, and the public's mouth will shine gold, I don't think it will happen to Liulang. "
It was fine if Yang Fan didn't comfort him, but once he did, Zhang Changzong felt even more scared. His pale face no longer had any color, "His Majesty may not believe other things, but this kind of thing is simply worse. Once His Majesty hears about it … it's really strange, how did the news of Shangguan Daizhi's pregnancy get leaked? Why is it said that it's me … "
Zhang Changzong's body shook and he suddenly said, "No! Someone must be trying to harm me. "
Yang Fan disapprovingly said, "It can't be. Liulang has always been kind to people, who would want to harm you?"
Zhang Changzong said, "There are many people who want to harm me. The Wu family, the Li family, and those who pretend to be loyal officials, think that I, Zhang, have brought chaos to the court and deceived the Emperor. They want to get rid of me quickly."
Yang Fan shook his head and said, "Who doesn't know that Liulang is the Sage's most favored official? Would they dare to do something like an ant trying to shake a tree?"
Zhang Changzong said, "If they want to harm me, it's naturally not that easy. That's why they made such a big fuss about it. The Sage dotes on me so if they want to harm me, they can only make the Sage hate me first!"
The more Zhang Changzong analyzed, the more he felt that his speculation was correct. Yang Fan secretly laughed in his heart, "The Emperor ordered you to take care of Wan 'er. If you fail in your duty, it's just a small matter. Now that this matter has implicated you, I'm afraid that you won't do your best. "His face suddenly changed color and he said," It's not impossible! I originally thought it was an absurd rumor, but I didn't expect that there's a hidden killing intent behind the rumor. "
Zhang Changzong gritted his teeth and said, "Who wants to harm me? Who wants to harm me?"
Yang Fan murmured in confusion, "Yes, once Shangguan Waizhi arrived in Chang 'an, she was sent to the island in the middle of the lake and had no contact with outsiders. I definitely didn't leak any information, and I can guarantee for my people. But this information … I remember, we've traveled to Fan Chuan and Xingjiao Temple. Could it be that someone recognized Shangguan Waizhi? "
Zhang Changzong said resolutely, "Impossible! Shangguan Waizhi has lived in the palace since she was young. Even in Luoyang, there aren't many people who can recognize her, not to mention this is Chang 'an. I understand now. It must be someone in Luoyang who heard this secret and wants to use this matter to harm me! "
Yang Fan said, "Those who are innocent are innocent. Liulang, don't make wild guesses and mess up your position. Leave this matter to me. I'll definitely help you find out the truth! "
Zhang Changzong couldn't stand being provoked. At this moment, he was so angry that he couldn't wait to go back and investigate this matter. Yang Fan's repeated persuasion finally calmed him down.
The vegetation in front of them gradually thinned and a flat lake gradually appeared. The lake rippled like the sea, and there was a towering palace by the water. The palace group blended perfectly with the mountains, vegetation, and river. The Fengshui and Qi meridians were all intertwined as if they were made by nature.
This was the forbidden garden of the royal family, just like the Dragon Gate Hot Spring in Luoyang. Although the royal family had moved to Luoyang a long time ago, this place was not renovated year after year like when the emperor lived in Chang 'an. It still looked luxurious and magnificent. Many carriages had already stopped in front of the palace. The guests who arrived earlier were either wandering around the willows by the pond in twos or threes or chatting in the hall.
As soon as Zhang Changzong's carriage arrived, someone reported his arrival. As the host, Wu Chongxun and his wife had to go forward to welcome him. Those guests who were wary of the two Zhang Clan's forces also had to come forward to flatter and curry favor.
As Princess Anle walked slowly, she whispered to Du Wentian who was half a step behind her, "Shangguan Wan 'er won't be coming. Everything will go according to plan!"
Du Wentian whispered, "I understand!"
Although today's banquet was hosted by Wu Chongxun and his wife, the chefs and servants, the musicians and dancers, the food and wine, and the utensils were all provided by the Du family. Therefore, this Du Wentian was able to follow Princess An Le's every step and become the chief steward of the Princess Fu.
This banquet in the Forbidden Garden was actually a large-scale outdoor gathering that included picnics, hiking, hunting, horseback riding, cuju, mountaineering, and all kinds of recreational activities. That was why Princess Anle wasn't wearing a palace dress but a narrow-sleeved shirt with a small lapel. The shirt was knee-length and she wore striped pants with a leather belt around her waist. It was similar to a Hu costume, extremely enchanting and adding a bit of heroic spirit, making her look especially charming.
Yang Fan sat in the carriage and saw Du Wentian following closely behind Princess Anle. A meaningful smile suddenly flashed across the corner of his lips. He whispered to Zhang Changzong, "Liulang, look at the man behind Princess Anle. Doesn't he look familiar?"
Although Zhang Changzong was arrogant, he wouldn't sit in the carriage and wait for everyone to come over. He was about to get off the carriage when he heard Yang Fan's words. He quickly looked over and saw Du Wentian. He couldn't help but feel slightly puzzled, "That's right. He does look familiar. Who is he? "
Yang Fan said uncertainly, "Why does he look like that lecher we taught a lesson at Xingjiao Temple?"
"Really?"
Zhang Changzong stared at it for a while more, then slapped the armrest and said, "Yes! That's him! "
After Zhang Changzong said this, he suddenly thought of something. He jumped up and gritted his teeth, saying, "I understand. So it's him!"
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