Chapter 260: Visiting East City with Pei Lingxi, a token of love
"clank……"

Li Xuan knelt in front of the stage and plucked the strings of the guitar.

Once the zither is played, it sounds as delicate as autumn water. As it is played continuously, the sound becomes like drizzling rain falling from the eaves.

The sound quality is warm, vigorous, transparent and very pure, achieving the effect Li Xuan expected.

Li Xuan had heard of the name "Jiuxiao Huanpei" in later generations.

This guitar is not just a single one, but a "famous brand" of the Lei family. Among them, the one made by Lei Wei is a famous brand among famous brands.

It is much better than the guqin he played in Huangshui City before.

The skill of the luthier is fully demonstrated here.

After Li Xuan pressed the strings of the zither, he asked the zither shop manager, "How much is this zither worth?"

"I went to Shu seven times before I got this Nine Heavens Ring. King Tianshui is a great hero and a great talent, and the Nine Heavens Ring is just right for you. I will give it to King Tianshui at the original price of five hundred strings of cash."

The manager of Qinfang raised his finger, indicating that he was just a porter, and that he sold the piano to King Tianshui at the original price because he admired King Tianshui's reputation.

If other dignitaries came, he would never tell them that he had the Nine Heavens Ring Pendant made by Lei Wei.

"Sure! I'll take the Jiuxiao Huanpeiqin back first, and I'll have the servants bring the money over tomorrow."

Li Xuan nodded.

He was lucky enough to get Lei Wei's famous piano and didn't want to bargain.

If what the manager of the piano shop said was true, it would be inappropriate to bargain.

Although five hundred strings of cash was a lot, it was just a drop in the bucket compared to the gold and jade that Li Longji rewarded him with.

"of course can!"

The manager of the Qinfang shop quickly responded.

Even if someone stole a precious harp from a powerful person like Li Xuan, no one would stand up for him.

But many powerful people want to save face, and they dare not blatantly seize valuable things even if they cannot afford them, because if the news spreads to the market, it will cause criticism.

Of course, there are also shameless people, such as the Yang family.

They were humble and suddenly became rich, and they didn't care about fame at all.

Li Xuan has a good reputation and is as trustworthy as Ji Bu. The manager of Qinfang will not doubt Li Xuan's promise.

With Li Xuan's patronage, his business will be better in the future.

Unfortunately, the zithers in his shop were very expensive and many scholars could not afford them.

The manager of Qinfang sent Li Xuan to the door.

"Where's Pei Ying?"

Li Xuan looked around and found that his personal guard Pei Ying was gone.

Even the two little kids, Che Guangqian and Hun Yu, were there.

"Pei Da is there!"

Xue Cuo pointed somewhere not far away.

Behind the Jinwu Guards, Pei Ying was seen talking with a young girl.

The girl was slim and graceful, with eyes as clear as water. She wore a green skirt and a light gauze and painted silk covering her head. Her hair was combed in a bun and her face was bare of makeup.

She is Pei Ying's sister Pei Lingxi.

She is already eighteen years old this year, and more beautiful and charming than last year.

The pears in Pei Lingxi's pear orchard have been sold out.

She planned to come to the East Market to buy some things before leaving Chang'an.

I didn't expect to meet my brother here whom I haven't seen for a year.

That day, Li Xuan was walking on Zhuque Street, and he was not followed by Pei Ying and other personal guards, but by Yulin Lang.
Let Pei Lingxi think that his brother is still in the right frontier of Longyou.

After the war with Tubo ended, Li Xuan asked Pei Ying to send a letter home to report his safety.

Pei Fan and Pei Lingxi's parents felt relieved when they learned that Pei Ying was still alive after the battle.

At this time, when Pei Lingxi saw Pei Ying again, he found that his brother had lost his youthfulness and become strong.

Pei Ying experienced life and death, and after several battles, he killed dozens of enemies.

Although he was still somewhat reckless and impulsive, his temperament had long since changed.

"Little lady..."

Li Xuan walked up to Pei Lingxi and called her. He was thinking of inviting Pei Lingxi to be his guest at home.

Meeting again in East Market was also fate.

"Greetings...King Tianshui..."

When Pei Lingxi saw Li Xuan, her face turned slightly red and she bowed to Li Xuan.

Ever since she met Li Xuan at Zongsheng Temple, she knew that Li Xuan was a great hero in her mind. Even though she is now a beautiful young lady approaching her prime, she is still a little nervous when seeing Li Xuan.

In fact, she is not like that.

Anyone facing Li Xuan would feel a lot of pressure.

Since the Kaiyuan period, in the past few decades, Li Xuan was the only one who immediately ascended the throne.

That brilliant military achievement intimidated hundreds of nations.

That day on Zhuque Street in Chang'an, she had already fully seen Li Xuan's charm.

"No need to be polite."

Li Xuan asked Pei Lingxi to stand up and asked her, "How are the pears at home this year?"

"Not as good as last year..."

Pei Lingxi turned his head and thought for a moment, then answered Li Xuan truthfully.

"What a shame! I also have a pear garden."

Due to the influence of climate and rainfall, the pears will be different from last year.

Li Xuan's orchard is similar to Pei Lingxi's orchard.

If Pei Lingxi's pears didn't grow well, then his orchard would definitely sell for less money.

Li Xuan let Li Shizhi take care of the orchard as he didn't care about such things.

"King Tianshui is leaving. I won't bother you anymore."

Pei Lingxi saw that Li Xuan had come out and didn't want to waste Li Xuan's time.

She had already agreed with Pei Ying that if Pei Ying got permission from King Tianshui, she would return to Yishou County to visit her father.

She didn't know the details, but thought Pei Ying would return to the frontier after joining the army.

"Are you leaving Chang'an, young lady?"

Li Xuan asked Pei Lingxi.

Such a reserved personality would not do; he needed to have an in-depth exchange with Pei Lingxi.

"Yes! The driver is still waiting outside the East Market. We will stay at my great uncle's house today and leave Chang'an for Yishou County tomorrow."

Pei Lingxi replied to Li Xuan in a soft voice.

"Then there's no need to worry, let's go shopping in the East Market together."

Li Xuan invited Pei Lingxi with a smile.

Pei Lingxi looked up in surprise, her lively eyes filled with astonishment.

I thought I heard it wrong.

Li Xuan was the well-known Tianshui King in Chang'an, but she was just the daughter of a county magistrate.

And I was visiting the East Market.

"Young lady, don't you want to tour the East Market with me?"

Seeing that Pei Lingxi was indifferent, Li Xuan asked again.

"I am so lucky."

Pei Lingxi was sure that she had not heard wrong, and lowered her head and spoke. As she spoke, her slender fingers grasped the painting silk, her heart was pounding, and her bright face was as delicate and beautiful as a flower.

The horse was led by her personal guards, and she took Pei Lingxi to the most prosperous shop in the East Market, which was also the favorite shop of noble ladies and scholars.

Rouge and powder are sold there, as well as various jade pendants.

The personal guards who often accompanied Li Xuan felt that their general was obviously interested in Pei Lingxi.

Pei Ying wondered if Pei Lingxi would be bullied because Changli Jingyan was not always by Li Xuan's side.

Although he admired and was loyal to Li Shuai, Pei Lingxi was his biological sister!
However, when Pei Ying saw the strange looks from Luo Xing, Xue Cuo and others around him, he immediately straightened his back and walked with a heroic and proud manner.

As soon as Li Sheng left Li Shuai, he became the bravest man among Li Shuai's personal guards. He had to keep an eye on the surroundings to prevent any villains from ruining Li Shuai's fun.

The prosperous areas of East City are crowded with people in this autumn season.

Because the Xingqing Palace is located in the northeast of the East Market, Shengyefang is to the north, Pingkangfang and Xuanyangfang are to the west, and Daozhenfang and Changlefang are to the east.

Therefore, high-ranking officials and nobles often go in and out of the East Market.

But not everyone knows the dignitaries, and since they are accompanied by servants, passers-by will think they are wealthy people.

But Li Xuan was different. Countless people in Chang'an witnessed Li Xuan's heroic figure. As long as he was in Chang'an, Li Xuan was the focus of people's attention.

Li Xuan is now walking in the East Market with a young girl, and they will definitely be a hot topic in Chang'an tomorrow.

Many young ladies from noble families must have been heartbroken and unable to sleep at night because of this.

This was the first real conversation between Li Xuan and Pei Lingxi.

Being stared at by people around her, she was under a lot of pressure, but she quickly calmed down and answered Li Xuan clearly.

She can also tell the story of her grandfather Pei Yaoqing.

Pei Yaoqing once wrote a memorial to Li Longji to benefit the people's livelihood.

At that time, Li Longji carried Pei Yaoqing's memorials with him and read them when he had nothing to do, reminding himself to care for the people.

This is something that Pei Yaoqing's descendants are proud of.

Li Xuan still doesn't know who Pei Lingxi's great-uncle is.

After asking, I found out that it was the Secretary-General Pei Yu.

His rank was okay, but his power was too small. Li Xuan was not sure whether Pei Yu was his opponent.

"There is a jewelry store here, let's go in and take a look!"

Li Xuan looked up and saw a shop selling gold and jade jewelry, and went in on her own initiative.

Pei Lingxi put his hands together and had no choice but to follow in.

"Oh my god! Tianshui Wang!"

The store manager exclaimed.

How could he have imagined that the King of Tianshui would come to a place that sold women's jewelry.

Different from that famous piano shop.

Famous musical instruments are very valuable and many people cannot afford them. Jewelry and the like are sought after by noble ladies and scholars.

As long as Li Xuan could buy a piece of jewelry in the store, he would become rich.

"Tianshui...King...please come in!"

Unlike the manager of Qinfang, the manager had seen the world and was very nervous when facing Li Xuan.

After all, Li Xuan is a big shot who was crowned king.

Compared with Li Xuan, the kings of Chang'an are like marbles compared with pearls.

"Doctor, don't be so reserved. I just came to your store to take a look..."

Li Xuan patted the store manager on the shoulder. His approachable attitude made people feel calm.

Just like the legend, the King of Tianshui was as elegant as an ancient nobleman. "Please..."

The store manager breathed a sigh of relief, bowed and extended his hand.

Li Xuan nodded and looked around the store.

This is a small shop with not many precious jewellery items.

There are some silver ornaments, and the jade is not top quality.

Jade bracelets, silver hairpins, jade pendants, silver hairpins, earrings, etc.

"My dear, what do you like? I'll give you one."

Li Xuan said to Pei Lingxi.

Of course he didn't need these, he came here just to give Pei Lingxi a gift.

"I have money, so I don't need to spend money, Lord Tianshui."

Pei Lingxi didn't dare to accept it.

She had only been walking around with Li Xuan for half an hour when Li Xuan directly wanted to give her a gift, which made her at a loss as to what to do.

"How about this silver hairpin? It will look beautiful on your head."

After seeing Pei Lingxi's appearance, Li Xuan personally chose a silver hairpin for her at the counter.

To be precise, this was called "Buyao" in the Tang Dynasty.

In addition to the silver body of this hairpin, there are two jade dragonflies hanging on it, one large and one small.

The big ones are white jade, and the small ones are green jade.

"clang……"

When Li Xuan picked up the silver hairpin, the two little dragonflies collided with each other, making a crisp clanging sound.

There was a gleam in Pei Lingxi's eyes. Everyone loves beauty, and this silver hairpin was indeed very beautiful.

It is precisely because it is not matched with gold and pearls that it looks so pure and beautiful.

"Haha... I don't know how to wear it either, otherwise I'll wear it for you..."

Men and women should not touch each other, and it is impossible for Li Xuan to let Pei Lingxi wear it at this time.

He looked at Pei Lingxi with his star-like eyes, handed her the silver hairpin, and motioned Pei Lingxi to take it.

"Thank you, King Tianshui!"

Pei Lingxi took the silver hairpin, her eyes sparkling with tears.

Touching and exciting intertwined.

It's like a dream.

Although there are poems to embellish Li Xuan's wars, Li Xuan also reveals a unique tenderness.

This tenderness was like a knife, which made her unable to resist and unwilling to resist.

"Manager, how much is this silver hairpin?"

Li Xuan asked the store manager.

"How can I take your money if the King of Tianshui comes to our shop? Our business will be prosperous because of this. Please choose some more jewelry for this young lady."

The store manager certainly didn't want to talk about money with Li Xuan. The moment Li Xuan walked out of the store, he would make a fortune.

"A token of your appreciation is enough! Our business dealings are one and the same. You cannot refuse!"

Li Xuan said seriously.

He is about to become prime minister and will not break the rules for a tiny amount of money.

"This...King Tianshui just needs to leave 500 coins."

Seeing Li Xuan's stern attitude, the store manager dared not refuse anymore and could only quote the price with tears in his eyes.

"I have money!"

After Pei Lingxi reacted, he fumbled around in his pocket and took out a small purse.

When he was about to hand over the money, Li Xuan stopped him: "Young lady, don't you like the silver hairpin?"

"like…"

Pei Lingxi said hesitantly.

She always felt that it would be rude to let Li Xuan, the King of Tianshui, spend money.

"Then take it! The young lady gave me pears a year ago. I still remember the taste."

Li Xuan said to Pei Lingxi.

At this time, Luo Xing had already thrown out half a string of coins and paid the bill first.

Then Pei Lingxi would have nothing to do.

Pei Lingxi could only put the money away and hold in her hand the little dragonfly hairpin that Li Xuan gave her.

"Ding ding..."

When leaving the jewelry store, the little dragonfly swayed in Pei Lingxi's hand with every step, making a crisp and pleasant sound.

It was already after sunset, and many vendors began to pack up their stalls and prepare to leave the East Market.

After Li Xuan asked Pei Lingxi about the location of the carriage, he took her to the location of the carriage.

"If you are not in a hurry to go back, come to Duke Song's Mansion tomorrow. In a few days, you and your brother will go back to Yishou together. I will allow Pei Ying to take a vacation."

When returning, Pei Lingxi was obviously worried. When talking to Li Xuan, it was usually Li Xuan who asked the questions and she answered.

After leaving the East Market Gate, Li Xuan hoped that Pei Lingxi would stay for a few days before returning to Yishou.

"it is good!"

Pei Lingxi responded softly, bowed again, and got on her carriage.

The main reason was that Li Xuan allowed his brother to take a vacation and return to Yishou, and his father missed his brother very much.

Only after the carriage drove away did Li Xuan mount his horse and return to Pingkangfang.

At dusk, Li Xuan came back with the Jiuxiao Ring and Pendant.

As for the five hundred strings of cash, Li Xuan instructed his steward Zhao Zong to deliver every penny tomorrow morning.

"Qilang, it's been done..."

Li Qi came back and told Li Xuan what happened in Jingzhao Prefecture.

He admired Li Xuan so much that he could easily control Han Chaozong.

Otherwise it would be difficult to deal with Han Chaozong, this guy is wearing a cloak of integrity.

In the era when Li Linfu was in power, anyone who did not submit to him was praised as a clean official.

How many of them are just seeking fame and reputation?
Yang Shenjin also sent a message about Ji Wen's incident, refusing to plead guilty.

Fifth-rank officials are difficult to deal with.

If he is beaten and confesses, it will be considered as a confession under torture.

There is no trick, you can bite back!
Because the chief prime minister was standing behind Ji Wen, he could tell Li Longji about Ji Wen's situation.

Unless there is physical evidence.

There must be other witnesses besides Yang Zhao, otherwise it is just one-sided testimony.

Ji Wen was known as one of the "Luo Qian Ji Network" and was a cruel official himself.

In order to deal with Zhou Xing, Lai Junchen had to fall into a trap.

At present, Li Xuan has not figured out how to deal with Ji Wen.

At night, Li Xuan looked at the gradually waxing moon and played the zither with the Jiuxiao Huanpei for an hour.

Repeat the song "Shui Tiao Ge Tou".

The sound of the Jiuxiao Huanpei Qin, coupled with its cool, soft, and melodious tune, made the people in the Songguo Mansion think deeply and listen attentively.

Li Shizhi and Li Yuying personally came to the backyard to praise Li Xuan's good music.

When Li Shizhi asked Li Xuan the name of the tune, Li Xuan simply replied "Song of Water Melody".

But Li Shizhi understood music, and this Water Melody Song was obviously different from the popular Water Melody Song.

Li Xuan replied that he had modified it himself and was going to play it for the saint at the Mid-Autumn Festival banquet.

Li Shizhi thought that Li Xuan's skills would astonish everyone, but he didn't know that his lyrics were even more amazing than his music.

"Qilang, I know you are going to make a big move. I heard from Sanlang about Han Chaozong's affairs. It's not just Han Chaozong. Once you infringe on their interests, they will also turn away like Han Chaozong..."

After Li Shizhi sent Li Yuying out to sleep, he sat with Li Xuan beside the zither in the back garden.

"My child has already prepared himself! I use the kingly way, I care about the world, I have no regrets for the world, those who abandon me are not worth keeping."

Li Xuan said to Li Shizhi.

In this era, there are too many shortcomings, which are like time bombs that can explode at any time.

God gave him a new life, which is his mission.

"Fortunately, Qilang has grasped Han Chaozong's weakness, otherwise it might have affected Qilang's appointment as prime minister."

Li Shizhi was very grateful for Li Xuan's strategic planning.

He promoted many people, even old ministers like Wu Jing were transferred back to Chang'an by him. He hoped that some officials would be grateful for his promotion and help Qilang implement his policies.

"Father, you are overthinking. Yang Shenjin will not affect my becoming a prime minister. I only help Yang Shenjin because he controls the Imperial Censorate and the Imperial Household, which will be of great use to me in the future. Otherwise, given his behavior, I will definitely not forgive him."

Li Xuan held Li Shizhi's hand.

The promise he painted for Li Longji was big enough that no one could stop him from becoming prime minister.

Coming back from Hedong might be the time when he would be relieved of his duties as Jiedushi and be promoted to the position of prime minister.

"Come... play a song for your father too."

Li Shizhi smiled slightly, stood up and changed seats with Li Xuan.

"Nine Heavens Ring Pei, what a great zither!"

Looking at the seal-style characters on the body of the zither, Li Shizhi praised it.

……

The next day, Xingqing Palace.

After the Chiaki Festival holiday, the ministers lingered on.

Before the court meeting, Xiao Yinzhi, the assistant minister of the Ministry of Justice, asked Han Chaozong behind him: "What's going on?"

"Shi Jingzhong has confessed."

Han Chaozong replied with an unnatural look.

"Yes or no……"

Xiao Yinzhi paused deliberately.

"Yes!"

Han Chaozong replied.

He knew that Xiao Yinzhi wanted to say the word "Tuchen".

At this time, Li Linfu looked at Xiao Yinzhi, and Xiao Yinzhi nodded to Li Linfu.

Li Linfu felt at peace!
After three years, he finally gets to hold his head high.

Let’s not talk about Ji Wen’s matter for now. He has informants in the Censorate and he knows that Ji Wen is fine.

Liu Ji was already dead, and there was no evidence, so he believed Ji Wen could hold on.

This time, Li Linfu wanted to see Li Xuan's face turn the color of liver.

(End of this chapter)