met free Page 479
Page 479
"Your Highness has arrived, what a rare guest."
Since Li Chang'an combed Fu Xiang's hair, Huai Qing has never visited again, while Lin'an has been visiting more and more frequently.
Hearing Li Chang'an mention the words "rare guest," Huaiqing felt a surge of joy.
"I've been busy lately and haven't had a chance to consult with Mr. Li for some time. I heard that you've been busy writing poetry and painting. I hope my sudden visit will not disturb your enjoyment."
Li Chang'an smiled and said, "Your Highness is such a refined person that he will only bring honor and glory to our humble abode."
Winning over Lin'an was actually not difficult at all. Just use some poems and folk tales to charm her, and Princess Lin'an would be unable to resist.
However, Li Chang'an was always unsure about Huaiqing. He had to let Huaiqing know about the matter of the fragrant bathing basket; he couldn't leave Huaiqing with the image of a devoted lover.
If that's the case, what if Huaiqing really wants to make him his son-in-law? Li Chang'an has always been a responsible person, and there are still many women who need Li Chang'an to save them.
However, since Huaiqing never visited again after the Fuxiang incident, Li Chang'an had a hunch.
If Li Chang'an was just an ordinary friend in Huaiqing's heart, then Huaiqing wouldn't care too much whether Li Chang'an went to the Jiaofangsi or not.
But the fact that Huaiqing cares so much now clearly shows that he has already developed feelings for Li Chang'an.
"I just went to the night watchman's office. Tomorrow is the Lantern Festival, so I thought I'd come and visit you, sir."
She clearly came here on purpose, and even created the illusion that she was just passing by. This woman really wants to fool herself.
"Thank you for your concern, Your Highness. I have been cultivating in seclusion recently, truly forgetting myself and the world, and focusing my mind on the Great Dao."
Behind Huaiqing's dignified smile, he couldn't help but grit his teeth. "You go to the brothel every few days. Li Chang'an, you're practicing the dual cultivation path, aren't you?"
Li Chang'an said nonchalantly, "Fortunately, heaven rewards those who persevere. In just a few days, my Daoist cultivation will also break through to the fourth rank."
Hearing this, Huaiqing was once again amazed by Li Chang'an's incredible skill. He cultivated three different disciplines simultaneously, and all of them were at the fourth rank. This was enough to make a lot of cultivators furious.
Many people spend their entire lives without ever breaking through to the fifth rank, and most cultivators remain at the lower third rank until their death.
"Sir, you are an extraordinary person. When you were in Jianzhou, you acted as a chivalrous knight and relieved the people from their suffering. After you came to the capital, you seem to have been lying low. If you want to do anything or have any difficulties, I can help you."
This was also a question that puzzled Huaiqing: Li Chang'an was a chivalrous knight in Jianzhou, so how did he become a wealthy idler after arriving in the capital?
Li Chang'an stood up and slowly said, "Your Highness, when I was in Jianzhou, I met an old man. This man had a life full of hardships, but he was of humble status and concerned about the country. He was insignificant but had the world in his heart."
"The bandits in Jianzhou were rampant, and the old man eventually died with resentment. Before he passed away, he left behind a poem. I wonder if Your Highness would like to see it."
Huaiqing was very curious about Li Chang'an's past, which was a secret that even the night watchman couldn't find out. Li Chang'an spoke of this old man so solemnly, so he must have had a deep influence on him.
Huaiqing wishes to hear the details.
Li Chang'an walked to the desk, opened a sheet of Jianzhou bamboo paper, and Huaiqing's heart stirred slightly. He immediately followed.
"In August, the autumn wind howls fiercely, tearing away the thatch from my roof... The village children of the south take advantage of my old age and weakness, daring to rob me to my face... Returning home, I lean on my cane and sigh to myself."
"The wind subsided in an instant, the clouds turned inky black, and autumn's gloom deepened into dusk. My cotton quilt, cold as iron after many years, was torn by my unruly child's trampling. The roof leaked above my bed, leaving no dry spot..."
As the timeless masterpieces of the poet Du Fu appeared one by one, Li Chang'an wrote to this point, and Huaiqing felt as if a thousand-pound stone was pressing on his chest, seeing an old man struggling to make a living, uttering a suffocating sigh for survival.
In today's Great Feng Dynasty, there are countless pitiful people like this.
"I am willing to grind ink for you, sir."
Huaiqing moved her red lips slightly, tucked her right sleeve with her left hand, and began to grind ink for Li Chang'an.
The saying "a beautiful woman adds fragrance to one's sleeves" perfectly describes this situation.
"The roof leaks above my bed, leaving no dry spot; the rain falls like a never-ending drizzle. Since the chaos of war, I've had little sleep; how can I endure this long, damp night!"
"If only I could have ten thousand mansions, to shelter all the poor and needy in the world and make them all smile with joy! They would stand firm as a mountain, unshaken by wind and rain."
Upon seeing this, Huaiqing was deeply moved. This old man, who had experienced the chaos of war, still cared for the world. He lived in a thatched hut, yet he was still thinking about the poor scholars of the world. What a magnanimous heart he had, and what a tragic fate he had suffered.
"Alas! When will I suddenly see this house before my eyes? Even if my own hut is broken and I freeze to death, I will be content!"
After reading the entire poem, Huaiqing's eyes welled up with tears, and his heart was filled with emotion.
"Unmoved by wind and rain, as stable as a mountain, can our Great Feng Dynasty remain unmoved by wind and rain, as stable as a mountain...?"
Huaiqing muttered to himself, and then thought of his father, the emperor, who was seeking immortality and enlightenment. His heart sank to the bottom.
How can such a political situation remain steadfast and secure amidst storms, providing shelter for the poor and needy...?
"Sir, may I present this poem to Huaiqing?"
Huaiqing looked lost and melancholy. Li Chang'an said, "This poem was originally intended as a gift for Your Highness."
"Martial arts heroes can only save people temporarily. Only the imperial court and your Ji family can keep the people of the world at peace and unshaken by wind and rain."
"If you are the first to worry about the world's troubles and the last to enjoy its pleasures, what worries will the world have about being at peace?"
Upon hearing this, Huaiqing immediately raised his eyes and looked at Li Chang'an with great interest.
Who exactly is this person? He speaks eloquently and profoundly, every word hitting the mark right in her heart.
"What a wonderful saying: 'Be the first to worry about the world's troubles and the last to enjoy its pleasures!'"
If Huaiqing were to read *The Romance of the Western Chamber*, he would definitely scoff at it and throw it straight into the trash.
If Lin'an were to see that the thatched hut had been destroyed by the autumn wind, he would tilt his head and look puzzled. If the thatched hut is destroyed, why not live in a tiled house?
The dragon has nine sons, each different, but Huaiqing is destined to be the only one who can bring peace to the Great Feng Dynasty.
Huaiqing suddenly realized that her little grievances were actually quite petty.
The princess bowed respectfully and said, "Only today do I understand your aspirations, sir. I am overjoyed to have received your instruction."
Li Chang'an accepted the offer with a solemn expression.
For someone who has the world in their heart and cherishes happiness, this can be considered the ultimate form of PUA.
For the sake of your great Fengtian Kingdom, Huaiqing, you must accept it and not resist.
Chapter 288 That person is right where the lights are dim.
At this moment, in Huaiqing's eyes, Li Chang'an's figure was incredibly tall.
At first, Huaiqing admired Li Chang'an's insight and knowledge, but now, Huaiqing feels that Li Chang'an is her confidant.
It encompasses both the vastness of the heavens and the earth, and embraces the world with a heart full of love.
Huaiqing's gaze shifted from the poems to Li Chang'an's face, and his eyes became fervent.
Li Chang'an turned his face and met Huaiqing's eyes. Huaiqing immediately looked away, his heart fluttering.
"Your Highness, the throne of the Great Feng Dynasty will eventually fall on your shoulders."
Upon hearing Li Chang'an's words, Huaiqing suddenly trembled; those words were rather bold.
“Mr. Li, I am just a woman. A woman’s virtue lies in her lack of talent.”
Huaiqing's voice contained a hint of sighing, as well as a trace of resentment and dejection.
The source of her competitive spirit was actually a saying by the school tutor: "A woman's virtue lies in her lack of talent."
However, with factional strife raging in the court and signs of impending chaos looming over the Great Feng Dynasty, and the emperor obsessed with Taoist practices, what can a woman like her possibly do?
"Ah."
Li Chang'an suddenly chuckled softly.
The passion that had just risen in Huaiqing's heart instantly turned cold with that soft laugh; she could feel her hands and feet growing cold.
"Mr. Li is a great Confucian scholar, and like those other Confucian masters, he believes that a woman's virtue lies in her lack of talent..."
Hearing the coldness in Huaiqing's words, Li Chang'an remained calm. "No, I was just laughing at Your Highness's dishonesty."
"I wish to speak frankly with Your Highness, but Your Highness remains aloof. Your Highness is learned and has the world in your heart. Who in the world does not know that the Princess is the most talented woman in the capital and a heroine among women?"
Huaiqing's face suddenly flushed red, not from shyness, but from embarrassment.
When Li Chang'an said that, Huaiqing realized that his words had been a bit pretentious, revealing his lack of confidence.
"You have been reluctant to marry, and have been secretly cultivating your cronies in the court. Your methods and spirit are no less than those of men. After I came to the capital, you ordered Wei Yuan and Zhao Shou to try every means to win me over."
"Now that Your Highness has come this far, you claim to be just a woman. Are you also going to say that you have no ambition? Does anyone believe that?"
"It is clear that Your Highness is not sincere with me."
Huaiqing looked up and met Li Chang'an's intense gaze, then immediately turned his face away, not daring to look directly at him.
"Sir, you flatter me. If I did not wish to be frank with you, why would I have visited you so many times? Huaiqing's words were not meant to test me, but rather I truly felt something."
"Huaiqing is young and chivalrous, competitive and eager to emulate the sages and establish a school of thought, so as to make great achievements. However, my womanhood binds me tightly, making it difficult for me to accomplish anything significant."
"The reason I'm reluctant to get married is indeed what you said. In fact, I've thought about it for the past two years. If my spirit is worn down, then I'll get married and stop making futile struggles."
Unconsciously, Huaiqing revealed his deepest thoughts, thoughts he had never shared with anyone, not even Wei Yuan, who was like a second master to him.
After saying these words, Huaiqing suddenly felt much more relaxed, his hands and feet regained their warmth, his mind returned to peace, and he felt a sense of catharsis as if he had finally vented his feelings.
What Huaiqing didn't see was that Li Chang'an's lips curled up slightly.
To open the path to Huaiqing's heart, one must first become her comrade-in-arms and confidant before any further development is possible.
Huaiqing is not like Lin'an, where a little teasing and coaxing can easily win a girl's heart.
Li Chang'an has already succeeded. For Huaiqing to say these words, it is no exaggeration to say that he regards Li Chang'an as the closest person in his heart.
"Your Highness need not worry, I am here for you."