Chapter 69: Visiting the Harem to Inquire About Illness

  After calming down, Qin Mubai carefully considered whether to take the initiative to clarify this farce with Princess Gao Yang to Li Shimin.

  Never mind.

  The princess jumped into the river to play and framed the minister... This matter is absurd enough. As for what happened in the harem, Li Shimin must have known the news at the first time. If he went to find him actively, it would be no different from counting his family's shame in front of the emperor.

  Let's just pretend nothing happened and make a big deal out of something small, and turn something small into nothing.

  After getting through this layer, Qin Mubai went to Danfengmen again and found the team of soldiers from earlier. He solemnly warned them not to spread the word about today's events, or else it could be a matter of losing their heads. These soldiers were all serving in the imperial palace and were prudent and understanding individuals who naturally knew the gravity of such matters, so they all carefully agreed to keep quiet.

  Actually, paper can't wrap fire, and such things often spread quickly to every corner. Qin Mu Bai did this just to put on a show, so that if the Emperor gets angry and asks about the crime later, he'll have an excuse to push it off.

  This way it's absolutely foolproof.

  The next morning, Qin Mubai went to the Daming Palace as usual to attend Li Shimin's early court session. Li Shimin was as calm and composed as ever, without mentioning a word about yesterday's incident with Princess Gaoyang. Qin Mubai secretly rejoiced in his heart: It seems my decision was correct; such matters should never be brought up proactively, lest it embarrass the Emperor.

  Everything remained the same, Qin Mubai came to Penglai Temple, serving as a nanny taking care of two young princes Li Zhi and Li Mingda, telling stories and teaching pipa, half a day passed quickly.

  At noon, Qin Mubai went to the Liangting in the Imperial Flower Garden as usual for a nap. A palace maid walked over.

  Qin Mubai recognized the palace maid, who was one of the four people he had captured and locked up in the great prison for a few days, Gao Yang Princess's personal servant.

  "General Qin." The palace maid walked up to Qin Mu Bai, bowed respectfully and had a somewhat timid demeanor, not daring to look him straight in the eye.

  "What can I do for you, Palace Maid E?" This was a relatively polite way to address a palace maid. Qin Mu Bai smiled and asked.

  "Nothing... just happened to be passing by and wanted to pay respects to Qin Mu Bai." The palace maid replied softly, her face red.

  "Oh?" Qin Mubai smiled to herself, looking at the little thing, not even a decent lie. Who would pass by the Imperial Garden at this time of day when it's scorching hot? It must be Princess Gaoyang who sent her.

  "Is Your Highness all right?" Qin Mu Bai asked with a hint of concern.

  "Hmm... It's fine. Just..." The palace maid muttered to herself.

  "What's going on?" Qin Mu Bai asked.

  "It's just that I got a shock yesterday and fell into the water, catching a chill. Now I'm bedridden." The palace maid looked worried and anxious, gazing at Qin Mu Bai with a pleading expression.

  "What's the point of looking at me, I don't understand medicine." Qin Mu Bai muttered to himself, thinking for a moment, it seemed that Princess Gao Yang wanted him to go see her now... Alright, going once is also necessary. Otherwise, this little girl's heart would not be comfortable either way. After all, she was the emperor's beloved daughter, and her current illness had something to do with him, more or less. He couldn't really let her hate him, so visiting her while she was ill and smoothing out their relationship wasn't a bad idea.

  "Where is Her Highness now? Is it convenient for me to go and visit her?" Qin Mu Bai said.

  The palace maid's face lit up with joy: "It's right in the Xianju Hall, where Empress De is residing! If the general wants to go, I can lead the way."

  "Then let's go!" Qin Mu Bai immediately got up and walked forward with the palace maid.

  De Fei Niangniang, also known as Yin De Fei, one of Li Shimin's four consorts and the mother of Gao Yang Gongzhu - was a woman with a great background.

  The Yin family is actually the archenemy of the Li Shimin family!

  Yin De's father, Yin Shi, was a left wing guard general under Emperor Yang of Sui. When Li Yuan rebelled against the Sui, Yin Shi killed Li Shimin's younger brother, Li Zhiyun, and dug up the ancestral tomb of the Li family, destroying their ancestral temple. Later, when Li Shimin captured Chang'an, Yin Shi was beheaded and exposed to public view, while his daughter, Yin, entered the Qin Wang Fu as a slave girl.

  It is not known whether Li Shimin was deeply attracted to this stunning beauty, Yin De Fei, or intentionally took in the daughter of his enemy to humiliate and vent his "class hatred". In any case, Yin De Fei later became one of Li Shimin's favorite women. During the Zhenguan era, she was even appointed as one of the four consorts, De Fei. Yin De Fei also bore Li Shimin a son, Li Yu, and his most beloved daughter, Princess Gao Yang.

  The relationship between these family members is truly complicated, and their emotions are also quite tortuous.

  The Xianju Hall is located near the Taiye Pool by the lake, with gentle river breeze and willow catkins floating gently, making it a comfortable and pleasant scenery.

  Qin Mubai wore that set of Qilin battle robes, and he could go anywhere in the harem unimpeded. But this was also his first time coming here, and he couldn't help but feel a little amused - did this count as using his power for personal gain and recklessly entering the flower garden?

  Entering the Xianju Hall, there was only palace maidens and eunuchs in sight, not a single man. After walking through the winding corridors for a while, the palace maiden stopped outside the bedroom with Qin Mubai: "General, Empress De and Princess are both inside."

  "Go in and report."

  The palace maid nodded and pushed open the door to enter first. After a while, she came out and asked Qin Mubai to go in.

  Qin Mubai tidied up his clothes and walked in, looking straight ahead with a serious expression, and bowed to the imperial bedchamber: "Your humble servant Qin Mubai pays respects to Her Majesty the Empress Dowager and wishes her longevity, and also pays respects to Your Highness the Princess and wishes her longevity."

  "Without ceremony." A gentle yet dignified voice came from within the curtains, saying slowly, "Are you Qin Mu Bai, General Qin? Indeed, a hero emerges in his youth, with an extraordinary demeanor. I, the Empress, have heard your great name many times, and today I finally get to see your true face."

  "The Empress Dowager has spoken wrongly." Qin Mu Bai cupped his hands in response, truly wanting to lift his head and get a clear look at the virtuous Empress Dowager behind the curtains, what kind of dignified appearance she had that could make Li Shimin forget their past feud and take her as his consort.

  "Mother, has that guy arrived? Quickly call someone to pin him down and give him fifty heavy slaps, scoundrel!" The voice of Princess Gao Yang came from inside, although somewhat weak, but still fierce and overbearing.

  "Ling'er must not be rude." Yin De Fei gently yet firmly reprimanded, then turned to Qin Mu Bai and said, "General Qin, Gao Yang has been spoiled since she was young and sometimes likes to throw tantrums. If she has offended you in any way, I will apologize on her behalf."

  "Mother!... No way! I won't do it!" Princess Gao Yang pouted and threw a tantrum.

  Qin Mubai suppressed a smile: "Is the Empress Dowager not trying to torment me? Is it that I, your humble servant, have spoken and acted improperly, offending Your Highness at every turn, and today I have come specifically to apologize?"

  "Ling'er, did you hear that? General Qin is so broad-minded and humble. You, as a princess of noble birth, how can your heart be so narrow? Quickly, apologize to the general." said Yin De Fei in a soft voice.

  "No need, Imperial Consort De," Qin Mu Bai said, "I heard that the princess is ill, so I came to apologize and visit her. It's not necessary for you to blame the princess either, lest she becomes depressed, which would be detrimental to her recovery."

  "What a good man who knows how to cherish others......" Yin De Fei let out an unintentional soft sigh, her tone filled with a hint of melancholy and admiration.

  "Girl, you're still praising this scoundrel!" Princess Gao Yang was fed up and pulled Yin De Fei's arm, humming.

  "You're just being stubborn. Earlier when he wasn't here, weren't you repeatedly saying that you only wanted to learn the pipa from him and play for your father and mother? Now that he's arrived, you're making a fuss and wanting to punish him. Is this the way to treat a guest or a teacher?" Yin De Fei smiled and said, "General Qin, High Sun has always been stubborn on the outside but soft on the inside, don't mind it. Since you've come, please sit down for a bit. If you're willing, could you play a piece for me so I can broaden my horizons?"

  "De Fei has an order, I should follow it." Qin Mu Bai sat down on the cushion moved by the palace maid, picked up the pipa and said, "The princess is ill, she should listen to some gentle and soft music. I'll play a piece of 'High Mountain Flowing Water'!"

  "Excellent. This piece was also played by the court musicians in the palace, I don't know what it means when Master Qin Mu Bai plays it. I will listen carefully."

  Qin Mu Bai began to play. "High Mountain and Flowing Water" is an ancient melody, people in the Tang Dynasty were also quite familiar with it. Although there have been many versions passed down through history, the style and atmosphere are not much different, it's a relatively light and soothing piece.

  After the music ended, Yin De Fei didn't rush to speak, but instead walked out from behind the curtains, smiled softly at Qin Mu Bai and said in a low voice: "Gao Yang fell asleep listening to your music. This child hasn't slept since he came back last night, it's really worrying me."

  Qin Mubai inadvertently glanced at Yin De Fei, and suddenly took a deep breath uncontrollably.

  If there really is a "nation-toppling, city-overturning" woman in this world, Yin De Fei would absolutely be the representative!

  Regardless of her facial features, figure, attire or temperament, this woman in her thirties is absolutely a rare and extraordinary beauty.

  It can be imagined that when Li Shimin found this woman in the house of his enemy at that time, what a complicated mood he was in - not killing her would not work! The two families had a deep blood feud and could not live under the same sky; to kill her... any man facing such a woman would find it difficult to raise the butcher's knife!

  Since ancient times, heroes have found it difficult to resist the charms of beautiful women. Faced with a stunning beauty like Yin De Fei, Li Shimin's desires overcame his rationality, and not only did he spare her life, but he also took her as his concubine and eventually made her one of his four consorts. Perhaps Gao Yang Princess's appearance was similar to that of Yin De Fei, which may have been one of the reasons why Li Shimin favored her so much!

  This woman is breathtakingly beautiful, every move she makes is elegant and refined, intoxicating.

  There is no doubt that Yin De Fei was the most stunning mature woman Qin Mu Bai had seen since arriving in the Tang Dynasty. Wu Mei Niang was a natural beauty, but she was still young and lacked the mature charm of Yin De Fei; Gao Yang Gong Zhu was also a typical beauty, but her personality was too spoiled and arrogant, with an air of superiority that was not Qin Mu Bai's type at all.

  "If I had crossed over twenty years earlier, I would have definitely taken Yin De Fei for myself first!..." Qin Mu Bai could only mutter to himself.

  "General Qin, why are you silent?" Yin De Fei smiled lightly and asked in a charming and alluring tone.

  "I see that Your Highness is already asleep, so I dare not make a sound to disturb you." Qin Mu Bai put down the pipa and stood up to bid farewell, "Since Your Highness has fallen asleep, I will take my leave."

  "It's a pleasant journey, no need to see me off." Yin De Fei smiled lightly and nodded slightly.

  "As a princess consort, she is so humble and low-key. Why didn't Princess Gaoyang learn even one percent of her mother's virtues?" Qin Mubai sighed to herself and left the Xianju Hall.

  .??，！