When Princess Taiping got off the carriage, the invited guests had already gotten off before her. They were looking around, talking and laughing loudly. When they saw Princess Taiping coming out, they surrounded her. Gao Jian looked around and frowned, "Your Highness is here. Is there no one in the hot spring to welcome you?"
Princess Taiping smiled and said, "I didn't tell them that I came here. If a group of ordinary people were to talk about such a beautiful snow scene, what would be the point? Let's go, let's go up the mountain. Everyone must be tired from the journey, so let's first take a bath and wash off our fatigue. It won't be too late to have a banquet after that. "
Cui Di hurried forward and said, "Your Highness is not feeling well. The stone steps are slippery. You must be careful!"
Princess Taiping smiled at him and nodded to thank him, "Thank you!"
As soon as Taiping laughed, Cui Di's soul and spirit immediately disappeared, even his bones softened by thirty percent. In his heart he thought, "Good fortune, a rare and beautiful woman is indeed out of the ordinary. I remember when my sisters-in-law were pregnant, even if they were originally very delicate and beautiful, their complexion, skin quality, fat and thin appearance would inevitably have some changes. But this Princess Highness, other than her waist being a little bigger, is actually a radiant beauty. If she wasn't pregnant, how attractive would her fragrant jade body be? "
Another maid came and supported Princess Taiping. They were about to go up the mountain. Princess Taiping was disguised as a pregnant woman. The stone path was too slippery to walk fast. All the guests followed Princess Taiping to walk slowly. After walking for a short distance and turning onto the stone path in the mountain, a person suddenly appeared in front of them and made a fuss, "Oh, why is Your Highness here? Why didn't you inform us in advance that Your Highness would come to the Dragon Gate so that we could welcome you earlier!"
Princess Taiping looked at her Langjun who was pretending. She felt both angry and amused. She snorted and slightly raised her chin. She pretended to be arrogant and said, "You may rise. I was just having fun and invited my friends to visit the Dragon Gate. It was just a whim. There is no need to inform others!"
Cui Di walked up with a smile and looked Yang Fan up and down. He deliberately acted as if he didn't know him and asked, "Who are you? Looking at your clothes, are you the local soup supervisor?"
Back in Chang 'an, Cui Di and a group of people had been ridiculed by Yang Fan for showing off their poems. Although it was not directed at him, he was still displeased. Now that he had arrived in Luoyang, he had fallen in love with Princess Taiping at first sight. He was even more displeased with this Yang Fan, who had been rumored to be with Princess Taiping for a long time. At this time, he deliberately ridiculed Yang Fan, wanting to see Yang Fan's embarrassed look.
Yang Fan glanced at him and said indifferently, "Isn't this the Cui family's young master? At such a young age, your memory is not very good. When I was in Chang 'an, didn't I meet you once? "
"Ah! I thought you looked familiar. It turns out to be … Yang Langzhong! "
Cui Di pretended to be suddenly enlightened and said in surprise, "Oh, I remember that you were the Penal Officer of the Ministry of Justice and the Inspector-General of the Six Paths. You were such a prestigious figure. How come now … Hahaha, you can't blame me. Yang Langzhong suddenly changed into a green robe. My eyes were poor and I didn't recognize him. Forgive me, forgive me!"
Yang Fan smiled and said, "It turns out that Cui Di only cares about the clothes and not the person. That's why."
Cui Duo's face immediately turned red. She retorted sarcastically, "You were originally wearing a scarlet robe with a fish pouch at your waist. You were awe-inspiring and insufferably arrogant. You suddenly changed into a green robe and even lost your fish pouch. You stood alone on Dragon's Gate Mountain and became a mere sixth-rank official. With such a contrast, how could I recognize you?"
Yang Fan smiled and said, "Young Master Cui comes from a prestigious family. Even if you don't enter the officialdom, you are still of noble status. Of course, a sixth-rank official like me is nothing in your eyes. But since I am called an official, it is an errand and a duty to serve the emperor and the people. Whether it is a sixth-rank official or a first-rank official, they are equally precious to me. I only have reverence in my heart. I dare not belittle myself!"
As soon as he said this, the expressions on the faces of the people who came with the princess became somewhat unnatural. Because these brothers were not yet qualified to wear the silver fish pouch.
Gao Jian was now the Minister of Rites of the Ministry of Rites, a lower sixth-rank official. The three brothers, Zhang Tongxiu, Zhang Changyi and Zhang Changqi, were officials in the Ministry of Rites, the Ministry of Revenue and the Ministry of Appointments respectively. Although they had a lot of real power, in terms of rank, the highest was only the upper sixth-rank official. Zhang Shuo was a Jinshi and was ranked first. After many years of hard work, he was now the Zuo Buque, but he was only a upper seventh-rank official.
Xue Shao was a Jinshi and after entering the capital, he went through Princess Taiping's door and was recommended by the princess. He walked the path of a Recommendation Official and was also given the title of Zuo Buque. Like Zhang Shuo, he was also a upper seventh-rank official. Cui Di's thoughtless words caught all his friends in one fell swoop, including his elder brother. Only Hui Fan was left out because he was a monk.
In fact, a sixth-rank or seventh-rank official was definitely not a small official. Zhang Jianzhi was a legitimate Jinshi and had a very high starting point. But until the age of sixty, he was still a ninth-rank county magistrate. Cui Di's intention was not to ridicule Yang Fan's official rank. What he wanted to ridicule was Yang Fan's position.
Official rank was not important, what was important was the official position. Although they were both officials, a ninth-rank county magistrate's power and position in a county was second only to the county magistrate and the county magistrate. He was in charge of a county and was like a local tyrant. But even if you were a sixth-rank official, if you were in charge of the Sinong Temple, tending to the mountain spring, growing wild vegetables for the Emperor, managing a few dozen people and two or three mountains, what would that be?
This was what Cui Di wanted to say, but he had said it along the lines of Yang Fan's sentence, 'only the clothes, not the person'. He had accidentally fallen into his trap and was deliberately pointed out by Yang Fan. When other people heard it, it did not sound like it was the case.
For a moment, other than the Hu monk Hui Fan, who was happy and content and still had the demeanor of an eminent monk, the others were all unhappy. The three Zhang brothers did not have enough self-cultivation and directly showed their unsightly expressions on their faces.
Cui Di stuttered and explained, "No! That's not what I meant! I mean … you … although you are a sixth-rank official, but you … can you compare to my eldest brother who is a sixth-rank official? I mean … "
"Enough!"
Cui Di's face was ashen and he sternly stopped his brothers. He bowed to Yang Fan and the others and said apologetically, "My younger brother is young and inexperienced, arrogant and conceited. He spoke rudely and offended all of you. I hope that Supervisor Yang and all of my friends will forgive him!"
Cui Di spoke politely and the others did not want to appear stingy. They quickly put on a smile and said that it was alright. Princess Taiping glanced at the still angry Cui Di and secretly furrowed her beautiful eyebrows. She thought to herself, "This person's age is similar to Erlang's when he first became an official. But his breadth of mind, temperament, knowledge and experience are really far behind. This person cannot be used!"
In the Tang Dynasty, there were three main types of officials: imperial examinations, favoritism and recommendation. Princess Taiping had the right to recommend officials. She had originally promised to help Cui Di recommend an official position. But now that she saw his performance, she involuntarily felt disgusted.
Cui Di was looking forward to gaining Taiping's favor, climbing onto the Princess's bed and tasting the taste of the Son of Heaven's daughter. He did not think that because of a moment of rashness, not only did he offend a large group of people, but he also ridiculed the Princess's beloved Langjun. Cui Di was judged to be out of the game and he did not know it.
Seeing that the atmosphere was a little awkward, Hui Fan chanted the name of Buddha. He twirled his prayer beads and walked forward to smooth things over. "Hehe, Fourth Young Master Cui was only joking with Supervisor Yang. Please do not take it to heart. The Princess's body is delicate and cannot stand the cold. Let's ask Supervisor Yang to lead the way and go up the mountain. "
As he said this, Hui Fan looked at Yang Fan with deep meaning. He thought to himself, "The rumors in the streets say that Yang Fan has already lost the Princess's favor. Now that the Princess has brought me up the mountain, she and Yang Fan are like strangers. Could it be true?"
Yang Fan cupped his hands and returned the greeting. He said, "Master, Her Highness did not inform you in advance that we are coming. Therefore … this mountain … I wonder if Her Highness and all the honored guests are going up the mountain to bathe or are you planning to stay here for a few days?"
Zhang Tongxiu's expression was unfriendly. He said, "What? Does Her Highness and I need to report to you if we want to stay at the Dragon Gate? "
The reason why the Zhang brothers were friendly with Princess Taiping was mainly because the Zhang family was able to rise again thanks to the two brothers, Zhang Changzong and Zhang Yi Zhi, who were favored by the Empress. Zhang Changzong became the Emperor's new lover because of Princess Taiping's recommendation. Therefore, Princess Taiping became a noble in the eyes of the Zhang family. Therefore, when Princess Taiping spoke this time, the Zhang brothers readily agreed.
The Zhang brothers were now like Xue Huai Yi in the past. Relying on the Emperor's favor, they were very arrogant and domineering. There were not many people who could be taken seriously by them. Moreover, Zhang Tongxiu was now a little interested in the beautiful Princess Taiping. A beautiful woman with a bad reputation now took the initiative to invite him out for a trip. How could he not have some thoughts? Therefore, Zhang Tongxiu also had some enmity towards Yang Fan.
Yang Fan said, "This, naturally, there is no need to inform this Yang in advance. But … to be honest, today Lai Shaoqing has just brought some friends up the mountain. They also said that they want to stay on the mountain. If you all want to go up the mountain, I'm afraid … the palace in the mountain is not enough. "
Zhang Tongxiu frowned and asked, "Lai Shaoqing? Are you talking about Junchen? "
Yang Fan said, "Exactly!"
Zhang Changqi said proudly, "Lai Junchen? What qualifications does he have to stay in the hot spring and call his friends? "
Yang Fan said with a smile that was not a smile, "If we are talking about qualifications, naturally he doesn't. But what kind of person is Lai Shaoqing? In my opinion, Her Highness can go up the mountain to stay. As for the other honored guests, if you all are interested, this Yang can go to the front mountain to help you contact the guests. They can stay in the temple! "
In everyone's eyes, Yang Fan's smile was not very friendly. It seemed that because they were accompanying the princess, Yang Fan felt threatened. His expression was hostile, jealous, and a little …
Yang Fan also did not know if his expression was rich enough for them to see through. He was now trying hard to imitate Xue Huaiyi's expression when he mentioned Zhang Changzong and Zhang Yizhi.
Zhang Changyi was so angry that she laughed. "Ha!" she said, "What a joke! We were invited by Her Highness. Now, just because Lai Junchen is on the mountain, we have to obediently stay in the front mountain? This is ridiculous! Who does Lai Junchen think he is? "
Yang Fan said coldly, "This Yang doesn't know who this young master is, but you better listen to this Yang's good advice. Lai Shaoqing is not someone that just anyone can offend."
Cui Di could not help but say, "In the past, when Director Yang was in charge of the Ministry of Justice, he was tit for tat with Lai Junchen, not yielding an inch. Now that he has been demoted, why is his arrogance gone? Why is he so afraid of him? "
Yang Fan said coldly, "Why is this Yang afraid of him? Such good advice is not to please Lai Junchen. To be honest, because Lai Junchen's residence in Dragon Gate is against the rules, I acted impartially and resolutely stopped him, so I have been suspended by Lai Junchen. This kind advice is for your own good. If you don't mind, you can go up the mountain. What does it have to do with me? "
Yang Fan flicked his sleeves and stood by the roadside. He said provocatively, "Please!"
Cui Di choked and felt a little timid. Princess Taiping said angrily, "This is ridiculous! My honored guest has come to Dragon Gate, but he wants to stay in the temple and make way for Lai Junchen? When I go up the mountain, I will drive Lai Junchen away! "
Zhang Changyi said loudly, "If Princess comes forward for this, how can we have any face left? Princess, please wait for a moment. I will go up the mountain now. Let's see if this Dragon Gate Spring Palace belongs to Lai Junchen or us! "
Zhang Tongxiu and Zhang Changqi immediately responded, "Go! Let's go up the mountain! "
Zhang Tongxiu stepped on a few stone steps and turned around to salute Princess Taiping, "Princess, it is inconvenient for you to go up the mountain slowly. I promise you that by the time Princess reaches the top of Dragon Gate, Lai Junchen will have packed up and left!"
He waved his hand and shouted to his two brothers, "Let's go!"
Cui Di saw that someone was taking the lead and became courageous again. He did not want to show his timidity in front of the woman he wanted to pursue. He also shouted majestically, "Let's go! I will go up the mountain with a few brothers! "
Cui Shi did not manage to hold him back and Cui Di chased after Zhang Tongxiu and his two brothers. Cui Shi stamped his feet, afraid that this brother would cause trouble again and quickly chased after him.
Gao Jian laughed heartily and said to Zhang, "Very interesting! Daoji, let's go up the mountain and clear the path for Her Highness! "
Men were always eager to stand up for beautiful women, just like proud peacocks competing to show their tail in front of the female, or two male horses trying to fight for the female. Humans were also animals and had animal instincts. Humans were also superior to other creatures, so the starting point of this fight was more complicated than that of male animals.
They did not care whether Yang Fan wanted to use them to deal with Lai Junchen, his political enemy, or to use Lai Junchen to attack their potential rivals in love. Whether it was to win Princess Taiping's favor, or to satisfy their own vanity, or just because they did not want to show weakness in front of a beautiful woman, these men, who were at most in their early thirties, were arrogant enough. Like male gorillas, they used their fists to hit their broad chest muscles, bared their teeth and roared as they ran towards another group of male gorillas on the mountain.
"Young masters, please wait! Everyone … "
Princess Taiping did not stop them and could only anxiously say to Monk Hui Fan, "Master, it is inconvenient for me to walk, please chase after them and look after them. They are all officials in the imperial court, if they fight over such a small matter, it will be a disgrace to the imperial court."
Monk Hui Fan put his palms together and said with a smile, "This poor monk will go now. Princess, don't worry, these young masters have always been courteous, nothing will happen." As Hui Fan said this, he flicked his sleeves and floated up to chase after them. Looking at his skills, it seemed that he had some foundation in martial arts.
Princess Taiping looked at them rushing up the mountain, her anxious expression gradually disappeared and turned into a charming expression with a faint smile. She looked at Yang Fan with a pair of watery eyes and said with a sweet smile, "I am standing up for you, how are you going to thank me?"
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