Seven miles east of Luoyang, Golden Grain Garden.
In the Western Jin Dynasty, the rich man Shi Chong once built a villa here. The garden was built according to the terrain. A clear stream flowed in the garden, and the sound of water gurgled. According to the shape of the mountain and the water, the garden was built, and the lake was dug. Within dozens of miles, there were pavilions and pavilions, high and low, and it was extremely magnificent.
Now Shi Chong was long gone. His beautiful concubine Green Bead committed suicide for him, and the small building where she died had already become a speck of dust in history. The only thing that had not changed was the beautiful scenery here.
In the third month of spring, the peach blossoms were dazzling, the willows were curling up, the pavilions and trees were setting off each other, the butterflies were dancing among the flowers, and the birds were chirping on the branches. It was like a paradise on earth.
There were still many villas built by the rich and powerful here, as a place to enjoy the spring scenery and relax. The rich princess also built a garden here, which was quiet and elegant, different from the common world. Usually, there were only a few servants guarding here, but now there were many maids walking around. It seemed that the rich princess had come to the garden for a spring outing.
However, the owner of this garden was not the rich princess, nor was it the children of the rich princess, but the gentleman in white that Tin Aino served.
The rich princess liked luxury, and often used expensive gifts to please Empress Wu, and made friends with Shangguan Wan'er, Princess Taiping, and other Empress Wu's trusted aides, and the nobles in the court. She spent a lot of money on socializing. The salary of a princess was limited, and a princess who lived in an environment where Li Tang's royal family could be destroyed at any time could not have many ways to make money.
The rich princess often presented expensive gifts to Empress Wu, often invited the nobles in the court, and often put on extravagant displays. Where did the money come from? This gentleman in white was her sugar daddy. No wonder the gentleman in white could be half of her home, and even turned from guest to host, and became the owner of this villa.
Inside the small building, the zither players and musicians behind the folding screens had already left. The dancers dancing on the red carpet in front of the hall had already left. There were only two tables in front of the hall, and the people behind the tables were still there.
Sitting behind the main seat was a Young Master dressed in a snow-white robe. Not far away from him was a green-clothed, delicate and lovely Tin Aino. Shen Mu sat behind a few tables at the side. He was still wearing a turban and a green robe with a round collar.
Yang Xuerao, on the other hand, had changed her attire today. She was wearing a dark green light gauze gown and a pleated skirt embroidered with watery mist and green grass patterns. Her waist was tied with a light blue silk ribbon into an elegant butterfly knot. Her hair was casually tied into a loose bun with a light purple sandalwood hairpin inserted diagonally.
This kind of attire was naturally much more gorgeous than the thistle hairpin and cloth skirt at the Tianjin Bridge, but it did not seem to be as charming and charming as that day when she stood at the bow of the ship. This kind of feeling was very wondrous, like a wild flower full of vitality. If you insist on moving it into a pot or onto a dressing table in an elegant room, it would not be as stunning as letting it grow in the wilderness.
Shen Mu was actually a fake name. Just like the gentleman in white, who was called Young Master Jiang by Shen Mu, his surname was naturally also fake.
"So be it!"
Young Master Jiang said indifferently. "Wu Mei's ascension to the throne is already unstoppable. Rather than a mantis trying to stop a chariot, it is better to lend her a helping hand and help her ascend the throne earlier. This will instead leave behind some firewood for Li Tang."
Shen Mu said, "Once Empress Wu ascends the throne …"
Young Master Jiang cut him off. "So what if Wu Mei has not ascended the throne yet? The more we obstruct her, the more she will use the descendants of the commoners to suppress us aristocratic families. It is better to do the opposite. She is already an old woman, and none of the Wu family's descendants are capable. Right now, we only need to wait and see. When the time comes, we will lend a little help and easily change the world. "
Young Master Jiang said proudly, "The world will always change, but the Heavenly Dao will not. We, the aristocratic families, use the scriptures as our foundation, which is equivalent to grasping the foundation of the country. Even if the country is destroyed and the emperors and generals are replaced, they will still need to use us. What is there to be afraid of? "
Listening to his words, the two's discussion was nearing its end. The dishes on the table in front of Young Master Jiang were barely touched. On the other hand, Shen Mu's table to the side was a mess of cups and plates. Chicken bones, fish bones, alpacas, and camel hooves were scattered everywhere.
Shen Mu picked up a piece of gelatinous and delicious bear paw and stuffed it into his mouth, chewing it deliciously. Seeing this, Young Master Jiang lowered his head and covered his mouth with a handkerchief. He coughed softly to hide the disgust on his face.
Yang Xuerao glared at Shen Mu reproachfully. She took a clean white handkerchief and gently wiped the soup that spilled from the corner of his mouth.
Shen Mu smiled. "When Shen Mu first heard of Young Master's plan, I was worried that I would play with fire and burn myself. Today, I rushed to Luojing and personally listened to Young Master's overall plan. My heart is finally at ease. Young Master is talented and resourceful. Shen Mu sincerely admires you. With Young Master guarding Luojing, nothing will go wrong. "
Young Master Jiang said arrogantly, "With my plan, nothing will go wrong! However, there are many things that it is not convenient for my 'Obvious Sect' to do. I specially called you here because there are some places where your 'Hidden Sect' can show off your skills. Wu Mei's ascension to the throne is imminent. Your people must cooperate with my actions at all times. "
Young Master Jiang glanced at him and said, "This courtyard is the Princess's Courtyard. It is quiet and safe. You can stay here."
Shen Mu smiled. "Thank you, Young Master. I have already arranged my own accommodation in Luojing. I can settle down tomorrow. This courtyard is the Princess's courtyard after all. It is more eye-catching. I will only stay here for a night. "
Young Master Jiang said indifferently, "Up to you."
He stood up and walked behind the screen. He did not look at Shen Mu again, nor did he look at the troublemaker beside him. Shen Mu was just a disciple of a side branch. That woman was originally a wine hostess in Chang 'an City. She had a lowly status and was not worthy of his attention.
Shen Mu did not stand up. He only smiled and said, "Young Master, take care!"
Tin Aino stood up, smiled and nodded at them. He then followed behind Young Master Jiang and left.
Yang Xuerao wrinkled her nose and said to Shen Mu, "This guy with a coffin-like face is the Young Master Jiang you were talking about? What a condescending look! "
Shen Mu smiled. "Why? Don't you feel that he is elegant like a dragon among men? "
Yang Xuerao held her stomach and made a nauseating gesture. She curled her lips and said, "Such an arrogant and repulsive guy can be called a dragon among men?"
She glanced at the almost untouched food on Young Master Jiang's table and said, "Look at his half-dead appearance. He eats like a chicken. What a waste of a table of delicacies."
Shen Mu said, "You don't know this. This Young Master Jiang has a serious obsession with cleanliness since he was young. If he sees someone spitting, he will vomit for a long time. Therefore, when he goes out, he rarely rolls up the curtains because he is afraid of meeting unclean passersby. Just now, I must have eaten too much and affected his appetite. "
Yang Xuerao suddenly said, "I was wondering why you look like a reincarnated hungry ghost today. You did it on purpose, didn't you?"
Shen Mu winked at her and said with a smile, "I was also curious and wanted to see how clean he is. I heard … "
Shen Mu looked around and said in a low voice, "I heard that this person's obsession with cleanliness has reached an unimaginable level. Even when a man and a woman are having sex, he feels disgusted when touching a woman's body. After he married his wife, he still slept alone and never slept with her. Later on, in order to continue the family line, he had no choice but to have sex with his wife a few times. After sex, he would wash for four to six hours and change water seven to eight times. To him, it's like he's being tortured! "
Yang Xuerao said in disbelief, "There is actually such a strange person in the world!"
Shen Mu pinched her plump buttocks and said with a low laugh, "So, you should be glad that your husband does not have such a strange hobby. Otherwise, you will be a widow. Let's go. I am a little tired from the journey. Let's go back to the room and rest! "
Yang Xuerao winked at him and said in a sweet voice, "Just rest?"
Shen Mu pretended to be surprised and said, "What else can we do other than rest? We came all the way from Chang 'an to here. My wife, don't you feel tired?"
Yang Xuerao said angrily, "Let's go. Let's go back and rest! If you dare to have any ideas on me later, I will bite off your penis! "
…
The court meeting was held on the third day after Wu Zetian entered the Dragon Gate.
The court meeting was held in the stone building of Xiangshan Temple. In order to avoid unnecessary travel between Luoyang and the Dragon Gate Mountain, the Empress decreed that officials who did not have any important affairs did not have to go to Xiangshan Temple to attend the court meeting. Therefore, there were not many people attending the court meeting today.
Yang Fan patrolled below the stone building with his saber. The architecture here was different from the palace. In addition, there were no idle people in the temple or even the entire Dragon Gate Mountain other than monks. There were Jin Wu Guards stationed outside, so the security was not very heavy. He also did not need to hold his halberd and stand on the narrow stone steps to go up the building.
Wu Zetian slowly walked over. Today, she had also changed into men's clothes. Behind her, there were no palace maids fanning her and many guards of honor. It seemed that in this mountain, everything was simple for her and she was much more relaxed.
Wu Zetian, who had changed into men's clothes, still had a fair and delicate complexion. However, it was not as good as when women wore makeup to hide their age. Shanghai Wan 'er, who was wearing a round collar robe and a soft-legged headgear, helped her up the stone steps step by step. After more than a dozen stone steps, when she reached the platform where Yang Fan was standing, Wu Zetian was already a little out of breath.
Shanghai Wan 'er considerately helped her to stop and let her catch her breath. The civil and military officials patiently followed behind. From the platform down, from the stone steps to the stone path under the shade of the trees, they formed a long line.
When Shanghai Wan 'er helped Wu Zetian up the stairs, her eyes were carefully looking at the ground, afraid that if she was not careful, she would trip the Empress. Only when she stood still on the platform did she raise her head.
As soon as she raised her head, she saw Yang Fan. Yang Fan was standing on the side of the platform with his saber in hand. A pair of bright eyes was staring at her. Shanghai Wan 'er was shocked. She quickly turned her head and looked away in a panic.
Yang Fan looked at the side of her face that was as pink as egg white. He watched a crimson tide climb from her ears to her cheeks, until the jade-like face turned into a bright red agate.
The love in Yang Fan's heart was like a tide, overflowing layer by layer, "This woman is really very cute!"
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