Southern Zhou Dynasty, Jian'an City, Sifangguan.

Sheng Duanming, the minister of etiquette, has been extremely busy recently, and the officials accompanying the mission are all busy. This is because the Southern Zhou Dynasty has changed its previous procrastination style and seems to want to finalize all the matters related to the princess's trip in the shortest possible time.

Of course, the marriage between the two countries is not as simple as the ordinary marriage between a man and a woman. The etiquette procedures are complicated and complex. Even the route of the mission's return north must be finalized in advance, and no changes are allowed midway.

Fortunately, Sheng Duanming was a great scholar of the time, and what he was best at in his life was finding chapters and excerpts from old papers. With constant communication between him and Xu Ziping, the Minister of Rites of the Southern Zhou Dynasty, it was very difficult to determine the final regulations.

On September 26, that is, at noon five days later, the Southern Zhou Dynasty will hold a grand banquet in the Daqing Hall of the Imperial City. At that time, all officials in the Daliang envoy must attend the banquet. In the Southern Zhou Dynasty, everyone from Chief Assistant Xu Huiyan to Jiu

All officials from Pinjing will be present.

On September 28, the Daliang delegation respectfully welcomed Princess Qinghe outside the imperial city. Queen Qu took a Kowloon sedan to take her to the outside of the palace, and then she was sent out of the city by Prince Chen Xu and members of the royal family of Zongzheng Mansion. After completing the trip

After the ceremony, the Princess Chariot will move northward under the escort of the Jinwu Guards of the Southern Zhou Dynasty, and Pei Yue's Beiwei Camp will also meet up on the way.

After arriving near Jiangling City, the Jinwu Guards returned the same way, and the delegation entered Daliang Dingzhou via the pontoon bridge in the north of the city.

At three o'clock in the morning, Sheng Duanming was processing some necessary documents in the side hall.

"Sir, I would like to see you, Minister Xu of the Southern Zhou Dynasty." The subordinate officer walked in with very light steps to report, with a slightly strange look on his face.

Sheng Duanming looked up and said meaningfully: "Is that woman here again?"

The subordinate officer nodded and said, "Yes, she said she wanted to visit Lord Pei."

Sheng Duanming has become accustomed to this situation. Whenever Xu Ziping comes to discuss etiquette details these days, Xu Huiyan's apple will inevitably follow. Although he firmly believes in Pei Yue's position, Xu Churong is young, beautiful and has outstanding temperament, and he has experienced it with Pei Yue.

Through life and death, the old man couldn't help but murmur as the two became increasingly familiar with each other recently.

If this is a beauty trap of Southern Zhou Dynasty, can Pei Yue resist it?

Thinking of Pei Yue's past deeds in this regard, especially the feat of directly marrying two women, Sheng Duanming couldn't rest assured. It's just that Pei Yue's performance during the Southern Zhou Dynasty was too perfect, and neither party was rude or out of the ordinary.

Xu Churong always brought his maid with him every time he came, and the two of them just chatted briefly. Sheng Duanming, who always paid attention to etiquette, had to hide his worries in his heart.

That's all, Hou Pei, you must stick to your bottom line.

The old scholar recited something silently in his heart, and then said to his subordinates: "Please meet Mr. Xu in the main hall. As for Miss Xu, ahem, you send someone to lead her to Marquis Pei's yard."

"Yes, sir."

After the subordinate officials retired, Sheng Duanming stood up, straightened his official uniform, and then walked to the main hall.

If he were allowed to know the contents of the conversations between Pei Yue and Xu Churong these days, I am afraid that this great scholar of the time would no longer be able to maintain such a calm state of mind.

For example, today——

"I heard that you were born as a bastard, and many people in the Northern Dynasty looked at you with disdain, right?"

"The emperor in the north has actually been using you. I think after you finish doing those things for him, he will definitely kill the donkey."

"The term "high achievements shakes the master" is not an alarmist statement. Looking through the history books, there are many similar tragedies. You have to find a way out for yourself."

"Pei Yue, are you listening to me?"

In the warm sunshine of autumn, Pei Yue was sitting on a lounge chair under the shade of a tree, holding a collection of lyrics by a certain literati from the Southern Zhou Dynasty in his hand. On the small table next to him were tea cups and fruit snacks carefully prepared by Peach Blossom.

.In the corridor in the distance, Peach Blossom looked like she was crocheting a sweat towel in her hands, but from the corner of her eyes, she looked at the backs of the young man and woman from time to time. The vigilance and vigilance on their faces were not concealed.

Sitting next to her were two personal maids brought by Xu Churong. Even though they were of humble status, after getting involved with the four words "Xu Family of Qinghe", it seemed that the lowly maids in the eyes of the world had become noble. Naturally, they looked down on those who were not literate.

She was a peach blossom, but she didn't have the guts to belittle this maid with a smile like crescent moons in front of the two principals.

The breeze blew through the courtyard, and everything was peaceful, except for Xu Churong's slightly wordy tone.

Pei Yue had no choice but to close the book, turned to look at the serious-faced girl, and said helplessly: "Miss Xu, are you trying to persuade me to surrender?"

Xu Churong was startled, and then said calmly: "You will definitely live a more comfortable life in our Southern Zhou Dynasty than in the north. No one here will despise you because of your status as a concubine, let alone worry that one day you will achieve great success.

The Lord will be reckoned with.”

Pei Yue did not rush to refute, but asked curiously: "Why?"

Xu Churong replied confidently: "You are now a good general and commander who is famous all over the world. Your past experience will not be a reason for others to laugh at you, but will add a bit of legend. Because we have not seen you in difficult times before.

They won’t look like those powerful people in Beiliang

The nobles are generally envious and jealous. As for the master with great achievements, isn't the Marquis of Jubei the best example? He was framed by your Northern Liang Emperor. After coming to the Southern Zhou Dynasty, not only was he not despised, but he rose step by step in the army.

Now his authority and status are second only to the Duke of Zhenguo."

Pei Yue nodded thoughtfully and said, "It does make some sense."

Xu Churong was happy and asked quickly: "Did you agree?"

Pei Yue asked: "Promise what?"

Xu Churong said seriously: "Leave the complicated and dangerous environment in the north and come to our country to achieve great things. Of course, you don't have to worry, I won't tell anyone about this. You can go back and arrange everything first, and wait for those

After everyone you care about comes over, you can cross the river with the cavalry called the Tibetan Front Guards."

"It's quite thoughtful." Pei Yue smiled meaningfully and asked softly: "Is this the will of the emperor of your country?"

Xu Churong looked at his handsome smile and couldn't help but think of the day in the silk shop on Taiping Street when he stood in front of her and held down the Zen staff with his shoulder, and he couldn't help but feel a throbbing in his heart.

After hesitating for a moment, she said honestly: "No, this is my own idea, no one instigated it."

Pei Yue saw a strange and complicated emotion in her eyes, and he vaguely guessed something in his heart. He sighed secretly, turned back, and said calmly: "Miss Xu, you are trying to kill me."

Xu Churong said in shock: "Why do you say this?"

Pei Yue shrugged and said: "If the emperor of your country wants to recruit me, then I will consider it. After all, this is His Majesty's recognition of me, and it also means some guarantee. But you just have a whim.

Have you thought about the risks for me?"

Xu Churong quickly defended: "But how could I object to His Majesty? The reason why I didn't tell others was just because I didn't want His Majesty or my father to misunderstand. If they really want to do this but you refuse to agree, who knows then?

What will happen? If you are really willing to do this, I will definitely help you arrange everything."

Pei Yue was silent for a long time, then put the scroll on the small table next to him and said solemnly: "Miss Xu, you have been pestering me about this matter these days. I originally thought you were joking, but now it seems that I have to formally

Answer you."

Xu Churong quietly clenched his fists and said nervously: "Say."

Pei Yue said in a deep voice: "I am from Liang and you are from Zhou. This is a fact that no one can change, so don't mention it again. I know you have good intentions and I believe you are a pure and simple person, but

You can't cause trouble for me again and again, do you understand?"

Xu Churong looked at him blankly, how could she not understand this?

Pei Yue's answer was very firm, and at the same time it was a bit decisive. It was obvious that he had endured it to the extreme.

Xu Churong sniffed slightly, nodded and said, "I understand."

Pei Yue said concisely and concisely: "As long as you understand, please come back."

Xu Churong stood up slowly, her skirt fluttering, and took one last look at Pei Yue, only to see that he was still looking ahead unmoved, so he left without saying a word, and the two maids quickly followed.

From the next few days until the wedding banquet of Princess Qinghe, Xu Churong never came to Sifang Pavilion again.

(End of chapter)


Chapter completed!