Living leisurely in Tang Dynasty

was generally quiet and peaceful.

Unlike entertainers on government payroll, common entertainers were not officially educated in arts by professionals.
Given that it’s a competitive trade and they rely on the same skill sets to make a living, no one would be willing to share their collection of music scores.
Most would slowly collect their knowledge and insights by figuring them out on their own.
But it’s different now! Music scores that they couldn’t even get after spending tons of money were now generously made available to all in the library.
No one would stop her or her maidservants and no one spoke ill of each other.

Back then, Qi Niang thought that His Royal Highness the Prince of Teng was no ordinary person.
Seeing him with her own eyes, she felt that Li Yuanying was different from others.
He was born into royalty but had a pure heart.
Even when he’s in a place like Beili, he never had any evil intentions.
The boy instead was reminiscing about the past and his loved ones.

Qi Niang picked up her Pipa and gave it to Yuanying with both hands: “Qi Niang wants to dedicate this Pipa to His Highness to repay your generosity in making music scores available.”

When Yuanying heard this, he signaled Dong Xiaoyi to take the Pipa and send it to the mausoleum as a dedication to his late father in hopes that he can play it in the afterlife.

After they had finished chatting and were about to leave with the restless princesses, they heard hurried footsteps downstairs.
Two columns of imperial guards were rushing into the mansion.
The leader was Li Dejian, son of General Li Jing who was on friendly terms with Chengqian.
Today Chengqian was sitting with His Majesty observing government affairs when suddenly reports came that Yuanying took the princesses towards Beili.

Chengqian knew it was going to be bad as soon as he heard it.
Seeing that the Emperor ordered his men out of the palace to detain them with a serious expression.
Chengqian quickly proposed to let Li Dejian handle it so as not to have anyone accidentally damage the reputation of the Princesses by not knowing their place or the seriousness of the matter.
As for Li Yuanying, it’s precisely because he has done too much nonsense that it no longer causes anyone to raise an eyebrow whatever his next ridiculous antic is.

Seeing the situation, Yuanying felt that it was a good thing that someone is here to pick them up.
He signals the children to go downstairs together.
Seeing Yuanying with no signs of guilt and was instead cheerfully greeting him, Li Dejian didn’t know what to say or do.

The little ones need to return to the palace but Wei Shu should go home instead.
Yuanying originally wanted to send Wei Shu home personally but Li Dejian firmly insisted that they all return to the palace now, not one person less.
And so Yuanying orders Dong Xiaoyi to send Wei Shu home on his behalf.

When Wei Shu ignorantly stumbled into such an establishment she panicked.
But due to her calm temperament she got into the carriage and gave Yuanying a worried look.
Seeing Yuanying calmly waited for her to get on her carriage without worry, she felt slightly relieved.
They can’t be entirely faulted for this,  after all none of them knew what or where Beili was.

Her grandfather once said that His Majesty is a reasonable person and she chooses to believe in her grandfather!

Yuanying was also optimistic, he led the four little lolis onto the carriage to return to the palace.
Li Dejian stayed for a while longer and warned Su Er Niang and those present not to reveal to anyone what has transpired today.
Er Niang has managed to run the mansion safely and steadily for so many years and is naturally not stupid.
She immediately responded with sincerity and fear.

After Li Dejian escorted the children away, Er Niang turned to look at Qi Niang who was still looking at the end of the street.
She patted the back of her hand and said, “Don’t just stand here, go in.”

Qi Niang returned to her senses and told Er Niang what the prince has told her.

“If he really wants tea, then it’s fine to just let him know when the time comes.” She paused and then reminded Qi Niang, “This Prince of Teng has honorable status.
Today was most likely a chance encounter, it’s uncertain whether he’ll return here again in the future.
Don’t birth any unreasonable thoughts.” (Er Niang)

“I know.” (Qi Niang)

People were all born different; some are precious since birth like stars in the sky; while others destined for hardships and poverty.
She’s been living her life in this unkind place and have seen her fair shares of betrayal and abandonment.
She knows better than anyone what’s reality and what’s fantasy.

Just seeing such bright and happy people made her happy.

That’s all.

….……

To keep the incident of the children visiting Beili top secret, their carriage rode continuously until they reached the palace, not stopping for even a single inspection.
When they’ve arrived, Yuanying jumped off first and helped the rest out of the carriage one by one.

The boy asked Li Dejian strangely: “How did brother find out that we were there and asked you to pick us up so quickly?”

Dejian is not a talkative person, he replied succinctly: “Someone reported to His Majesty.”

Yuanying wonders if it’s someone within the accompanying guards that had gave this tipped off.
Since there’s no way to stop them, the only other option was to inform their guardian.

Gao Yang said angrily, “It must be that guy Fang Jun who rat us out!”

Dejian was a little surprised.

He didn’t get the news that Fang Jun was also too.

The future prince consort met the princess in Beili.
What on earth is happeningr? If His Majesty finds out about this, it’ll add fuel to the fire!

Yuanying didn’t think that he committed a huge mistake.
After all they just visited the place and didn’t do anything indecent! He took the girls’ hands and followed Li Dejian to meet Li Er.
On the way, he refuted Gao Yang’s guess: “Fang Jun left shortly before us, how can he get to the palace so quickly to file a complaint? I think you’ve wronged him!”

Gao Yang hummed: “Just look at his face, he looks like someone that will make complaints!”