Chapter 275

Chapter 275: Chapter 275, Yue Zhan, envoy of Longxi

Qiao Jinniang left the palace gate of Hanliang Palace and asked Lu Chen excitedly, “Are we really going to the southwest?” She had wanted to go to the southwest for a long time, but she felt that there was no hope for her in this life. She had never thought that she would have the chance to go to the southwest. Lu Chen nodded and said with a faint smile, “Yes, prepare more clothes. The climate of Xiliang is changeable. Bring your summer and winter clothes with you. This trip to Xiliang will also let you experience the scenery along the way.” Before Qiao Jinniang left, she first went to Marquis an Yuan’s residence to bid farewell to Marquis an Yuan and Zheng Xiao. Marquis an Yuan wrote a few letters to Qiao Jinniang and asked her to bring them to the relatives of the Qiao family in Yunzhou. Second Madam Qiao also prepared a few large boxes of supplies and handed them to Qiao Jinniang. She asked Qiao Jinniang to send them to Qiao Ruofeng and Qiao ruowan. Although Xiliang’s territory was not large, it was bounded by a desert in the north and a northern desert in the north. In the south, it was bounded by a rainforest and the Miaojiang of Great Tang. In the northeast, it was also bounded by Yunzhou. They traveled from Yunzhou to Xiliang, and they had to pass Longxi on the way. Traveling was actually a tiring thing. However, when the crown prince traveled, he lived in the palace along the way. Even if there were no palaces, there were relay stations that had prepared food and dances for him. Even the carriage was pulled by four horses, so it was not tiring on the way. Qiao Jinniang looked at the beautiful scenery outside and felt that it was worth it even if it was tiring. Longxi was the original home of the Lu family. Back then, the Lu family of Longxi was also one of the top aristocratic families. The ancestral temples of the Lu family had been moved to Chang ‘an and Luoyang, but the Lu family’s house in Longxi was still very well preserved. This time, Lu Chen chose to stay in the Lu family for a short rest in Longxi. As soon as the carriage entered Longxi city, the Longxi Jiedushi and all the officials of Longxi City were already at the city gate to welcome them. Qiao Jinniang opened the curtain and got down from the carriage. When she looked over, she saw the Longxi Jiedushi dressed in silver-white armor. He was so handsome that he didn’t look like a military official, but more like a civil official. “I, Yue Zhan, pay my respects to the crown prince, the Crown Prince’s concubine, and the emperor’s great-grandson.” “No need for formalities.”Lu Chen raised his hand. After Yue Zhan stood up, he looked at Lin Mo, who was standing behind the crown prince. His eyes were filled with disdain. Lin Mo’s hands could not be lifted, and he looked like a weak scholar. Jing Hua was blind to protect the innocence of such a man, it was a waste of his sincerity. Lin Mo’s gaze towards Yue Zhan did not reveal his thoughts. However, in his heart, he looked down on Yue Zhan. He was just a vulgar general. If it wasn’t for him not being in Chang ‘an, he would have been too young. He definitely wouldn’t have let Jing Hua marry this boorish man. Qiao Jinniang smiled at Lu Chen and said, “Do you smell smoke?” Lu chen nodded and said, “I smell it.” When they arrived at the Lu family’s main residence, Qiao Jinniang finally understood why the Lu family’s heritage was so strong. The gardens in the Lu family’s residence in Longxi were no worse than the imperial gardens in the Luoyang Palace in Chang ‘an. There were even many thousand-year-old trees inside. It was the four seasons here, and it was autumn, and the fragrance of cinnabar trees wafted through the air. In the evening, Lu Chen and Qiao Jinniang both received invitations to receive them. Yue Zhan’s mother invited Qiao Jinniang to the Yue family’s banquet. No matter what, Qiao Jinniang had to give face to the family of loyal officials, so she dressed up and went to the Yue residence. Old Madam Yue led the family members of the Longxi officials out and knelt down to welcome Qiao Jin. Qiao Jin raised her hand and said, “Everyone, please don’t be so polite.” The woman under old madam Yue whispered, “Mother, the crown prince’s wife looks much gentler than the princess’sister-in-law. I heard that the Crown Prince’s wife came from Lin ‘an. The women of Jiangnan’s water villages are indeed gentler.” Old Madam Yue berated, “What Princess’sister-in-law? She and your brother have long separated.” After Qiao Jinniang sat down at the banquet, the ladies on both sides introduced the local delicacies to her, especially the lamb from Longxi. Qiao Jinniang tasted the Lamb here and felt that it was delicious, “This lamb is indeed not smelly or fishy. It would be good if it could be used in my restaurant. I wonder if there is a pasture for raising sheep here?” When the ladies heard this, they had all sorts of thoughts in their minds. Some of them felt that the crown princess had not forgotten about the restaurant at this time. There were also those with foresight who felt that they could earn money. The Lady of the prefect came out and said, “Yes, there is. When we return to the Crown Princess, this lowly concubine’s family runs a pasture and specializes in raising high-quality mutton. If the Crown Princess wants to use it in a restaurant, that would be the best.” Lady Qiao Jin said, “Tomorrow afternoon, come to the Lu family to look for me and discuss the matter of buying a sheep.” When the other wives saw this, they were all envious of the prefect’s wife. Old madam Yue said, “The crown princess is really out of the ordinary. I have a presumptuous request and would like to ask for your help.” Lady Qiao Jin asked, “Old Madam, if there is anything you need, just say it. If I can help, I will definitely help.” Old madam Yue sighed, “Ever since my unfilial son split with eldest Princess Jing Hua, he has no intention of getting married. He doesn’t even have a woman by his side. He’s a general, and now he’s twenty-eight years old. He doesn’t even have a child now, and I won’t have the face to meet the Yue family’s ancestors in a hundred years. I would like to request the crown prince consort to bestow a marriage on my son, bestow it on anyone, as long as it’s a woman who can bear children!” Qiao Jinniang felt a little awkward when she heard this request. “Old Madam, I can help you with other matters, but I can’t do anything about this. Marriage is fated by the heavens, it must be because minister Yue’s marriage hasn’t arrived yet.” Old madam Yue sighed, “This son of mine is silly, he’s still foolishly waiting for Princess Jinhua, but Princess Jinhua left Longxi without even turning back... This silly son of mine is also unwilling to marry again for the rest of his life.” Qiao Jin comforted her, “Old Madam, you should relax. This marriage is fated by nature. Human power can not be forced. Although it is not easy for me to arrange a marriage, I will ask His Highness to persuade him.” Old Madam Yue thanked her, “Thank you, Your Highness.” After the banquet ended. Qiao Jin returned to the Lu residence, and Lu Chen returned not long after. He reeked of alcohol. Qiao Jinniang gave Lu Chen the hangover soup that the palace maids had prepared earlier. She then relayed what old madam Yue had asked for to Lu Chen. “From what I see, Old Madam Yue is not desperate. She seems to want to show the imperial family Yue Zhan’s attitude. Is there really no love between royal sister and Yue Zhan?” Lu Chen replied, “Royal Sister has always only had Lin Mo in her heart.” “But doesn’t Lin Mo have other matters to discuss? Moreover, Lin Mo can’t sacrifice his future for imperial sister.” Lu Chen said, “Similarly, Yue Zhan can’t do it either. Most of the Jiedushi are hereditary.” Lady Qiao Jin leaned on Lu Chen’s shoulder and said, “Lu Chen, can’t we help imperial sister and the others? Imperial sister has many faces. Actually, if you look carefully, you can still see that she’s not really happy in her heart. “For example, if a girl from a poor family could one day be filled with gold, silver, jewelry, and power, and have all kinds of beautiful men accompany her every day, it would truly be a fairyland on Earth. “However, imperial sister and the others have been rich and noble for a long time, so it’s not necessarily impossible for them to be in love with each other.” Lu Chen said with a hint of drunkenness, “What about you? If you had been the daughter of Marquis an Yuan’s estate from the beginning, and didn’t have to marry a stranger just to get married, would you be in love with each other?”