Chapter 6: Princess Yu Zhen

  On April 1st, a large fleet of vehicles gathered outside the old residence of Duke Wei, heading towards the capital.

  Xiaoyu didn't know what punishment she had received, and her spirits were somewhat dampened. She followed Bai Qi in the large carriage at the center of the procession, not saying much. The spring chill had yet to dissipate, and the carriage windows were closed, lined with thick woolen cushions. Xiaoyu leaned against the soft cushion, gazing out the window through the curtains, lost in thought.

  There were four more maids in the carriage, and the maid beside Bai Qi also practiced martial arts. They all had a standard of around 5th or 6th rank, which was not much different from the elite soldiers of the Great Jin Dynasty. It was impossible for Duke Wei to really let Bai Qi indulge in wine and lust, these maids were equivalent to his son's personal bodyguards.

  Xiao Yu raised her hands and wrapped herself tightly in her cloak. The maids saw that Xiao Yu was not in a good mood, so none of them dared to speak.

  Among the team, the leader in white robe and silver armor was Bai Qi's distant uncle, named Bai Wang. He was also the first general of the White House and had been through life and death with General Huo on the battlefield. He was cautious in doing things, although the Great Jin Dynasty was peaceful, Bai Wang still brought a hundred close guards and dozens of strong men.

  This Bai Wang was also notorious in the border town, and everyone in the mansion, except for his wet nurse, had some fear of him. With such a person presiding, the caravan was as silent as a ghost town, with only the sound of horse hooves and carriage wheels repeating monotonously.

  Bai Wang's body was surrounded by a chilling aura, with his personal guards standing watchfully beside him, just a short distance from Bai Qi's large chariot. Passersby on the road couldn't help but dodge out of the way.

  Bai Qi still thought he would be intercepted by the Lianqi warriors and was very worried, but as they walked peacefully along this road, he felt a little disappointed. As the crowd grew denser and the city more prosperous, the White Robe River lay ahead, and Bai Qi couldn't help but want to ride his horse down to take a closer look at the scenery of Jinling.

  The wet nurse didn't stop him, and Bai Qi was still young at heart, temporarily forgetting the worries in his mind. He changed into a pure black war horse, Xiao Yu rode a chestnut-colored small horse, followed by Bai Qi's side, came to Bai Wang's side.

  Bai Wang nodded sideways on horseback. Here is already less than twenty miles away from the capital, nothing to worry about, can arrive in the afternoon.

  Bai Qi and Bai Wang marched shoulder to shoulder, without stopping for lunch, the troops hastened their pace, rushing towards the capital of the Great Jin Dynasty, Jinling. According to the rules of the Great Jin Dynasty, no matter how noble you are, in the imperial city, the number of personal guards cannot exceed 500. Wei Guo Gong Bai Jian was already in the imperial city, with more than 200 personal guards by his side all year round, and this time he brought only over a hundred personal guards and house servants, fearing that he would violate the rules.

  More than 100 guards in Jinling City are not considered eye-catching.

  Before long, they arrived at the North Gate. This Mausoleum of Qin Shi Huang was built on the north bank of the Wei River and was entirely constructed with black basalt. The cost was staggering. Although the output of basalt is not small, it is extremely hard. It's unknown how much manpower and material resources were spent to polish the stone used in building this mausoleum.

  Such a city wall, even if it is bombarded by stone cannons, can't be breached with just a few holes.

  The northern gate is majestic and grand, with a arched top on the city gate. The stone used is even more golden in color, as if sprinkled with gold sand, shining brightly.

  The grandeur of Jinling can be seen from this city gate. Someone once experimented by cutting the stone material of this city gate with a standard steel knife from the army, and the steel knife was chipped, but only a shallow mark was left on the stone wall.

  Unlike other cities in the Jin Dynasty, the city gates of Jinling did not have tax cards, but had iron-clad soldiers guarding the gate, with a shift change every hour.

  Such a large team entering the city must check the road guide. Bai Wang dismounted and personally brought the document, negotiating with the soldiers.

  Because of the seal of the State Duke's mansion, the soldiers guarding the gate didn't make things difficult and waved their hands to let them pass. Suddenly, there was a sound of horseshoes behind, and a team of knights quickly approached, led by a young nobleman, wearing a white brocade robe, who only reined in his horse at the city gate and laughed loudly: "The one in front, is it General Bai?"

  Bai Qi turned his head and thought to himself, "What a charming figure."

  But then he saw that the young man's white brocade robe had black silk embroidery of ink bamboo, and as the robe fluttered in the wind, it seemed like a swaying bamboo forest. The youth wore a silver crown with inlaid jade, and by his horse's side hung a long sword. As he galloped along, he was like a fierce gust of wind, and when he suddenly reined in his warhorse before the city gate, the horse let out a long whinny and came to a stop.

  But also a congenital strongman!

  This young man has a face as white as jade, with a tall and slender figure, but he doesn't look weak at all. His robust body can't even suppress the literary elegance between his eyebrows. It's the temperament revealed in his eyes.

  Bai Wang smiled and put away his whip, saying to Bai Qi: "Young master, this is the third son of the Wang family, Wang San. This is my young master, Bai Qi."

  The young man looked up and down at Bai Qi, then glanced at the small rain behind him with his spare vision, saying: "I am Wang Fang of a certain family. I've long heard of your great name. Heh heh, come to my mansion for a chat when you have time."

  Bai nodded in agreement, and Wang Fang cupped his hands together in respect. He glanced back at his attendants, who had arrived, and then mounted his horse to leave.

  This king is completely natural and unrestrained, with a carefree and elegant demeanor, his movements are also agile.

  Bai Qi was shocked and asked Bai Wang: "Where did he hear of my great name?"

  Bai Wang looked up at Bai Qi, who was already on horseback and had passed the city gate. Only then did he say, "Young Master, since Duke Guo entered the capital, the noble young men of the imperial court have also heard rumors that you..." Bai Wang glanced at the small rain behind Bai Qi's back. He was close to Duke Hui of Guo, and not distant from Bai Qi either, but as a senior, he couldn't bring himself to say those words.

  Bai burst out laughing, so that's what Wang Fang was talking about. Is he a hedonist? If so, then it's not so bad after all.

  "Gentlemen, Wang Situ and Guo Gongye are close relatives, but Situ is also in charge of the military and leads generals, so it's not convenient to come and go..."

  Bai Qi was taken aback for a moment, then smiled and said: "Don't worry, anyway I already have a reputation outside, if I don't mix with these people, it would be inexplicable."

  Bai Wang smiled, if the young master knew this, it would be easy to handle. This prince's only son is too outstanding and will also attract envy. The city gate is not allowed to gather idle people, two people talking, and don't worry about being overheard.

  A group of people slowly entered the city, Bai Wang reorganized the troops and rushed straight to the Wei Guo Gong Fu.

  On the central axis of Jinling is Zhuque Avenue. The residence of Duke of Yong is on Zhuque Avenue, but it's located south of the imperial palace in the city.

  The procession had walked for about a mile when a pair of chariots appeared in front. Ahead, there were bronze drums striking to open the road. Bai Wang heard the drumbeats and hastily ordered the procession to move closer to the right side.

  This bronze drum is a royal ceremonial instrument, I don't know which prince or princess is going out. As the Duke of Yuanguo, except for the crown prince, it's not necessary to be so grand, but now the Duke of Yuanguo is in a precarious situation, Bai Wang doesn't want to cause trouble for his master.

  However, Bai Wang and Bai Qi did not dismount their horses. The Jin Dynasty was founded on military merit, so the status of these warriors was not low.

  Originally, this avoidance was supposed to be over. Just as half of the carriages had passed by, two warriors suddenly turned around and rode their horses towards Bai Wang, asking: "Which family's general are you?"

  Bai Wang did not like it and looked away coldly, these two palace guards were very unfamiliar.

  "The imperial court of the Yuanguo, is in a state of white hope." White Hope couldn't help but release a thread of killing intent, those two feathered guards were stimulated by the killing intent and their war horses neighed loudly, retreating backwards. White Hope smiled, those two feathered guards became enraged.

  "Thief! You actually dare to crash into the princess's carriage!"

  Bai Wang Sen suddenly shouted: "You two dare to slander Guo Gong? Are you not afraid of death?"

  "You two withdraw." A clear and melodious voice sounded from the central bronze chariot. The two Yu Lin's faces were filled with shame, and they retreated backwards.

  "General Bai, it's not worth pursuing this matter further as the servant doesn't understand what he did. Who is the person beside you?"

  Bai Wang listened to the other's tone and knew it was the princess. He didn't dare to be slow, as the current emperor had more than a dozen sons, but only two princesses, who were extremely pampered.

  "It's Young Master." Bai Wang, although fearful of the princess, refused to show weakness.

  "Oh? Let him come see me." The princess didn't have any fancy titles either, she just called herself "I".

  Bai Wang furrowed his brow and looked at the fully armed soldier beside the carriage, saying somewhat rudely: "Excuse me, which princess is this?"

  "Li Yuzhen." The princess in the car became somewhat impatient, her voice turning cold.

  Bai Qi's eyes jumped, he had heard of the name Li Yu Zhen. However, it was from his wet nurse that he knew this princess loved to practice Taoism, and since childhood had taken a monk from Mount Longhu as her master, she was a serious cultivator of internal energy.

  This Longhu Mountain is the only one among the major sects that has a connection with the royal family, and there is also a Taoist temple outside the city, with a very large influence.

  Bai Qi thought of this, looked at the big carriage not far away, and the wet nurse was quiet, presumably nothing. He rode his horse to the front of the princess's carriage, dismounted twelve feet away, bowed his head and saluted: "Bai Qi has seen Princess Yuzhen."

  The carriage fell silent for a moment, then there was a soft laugh. Princess Yuzhen said: "Bai Qi, get on the carriage."

  Bai Qi was taken aback, but saw the two sides of the imperial guards parting to make way, apparently used to this kind of thing. If it weren't for Princess Yu Zhen's reputation being spotless, Bai Qi would have thought he was being treated like a pretty boy. Even if the princess had taken a liking to him, there was no need to call out to him on the street.

  Bai Qi thought for a moment, what was he afraid of? This was the imperial capital, even if people from Dragon and Tiger Mountain came, they wouldn't dare to easily make a move on him. His father was a first-class martial artist before birth, according to his wet nurse's words, those who hadn't cultivated their golden elixir weren't even worthy opponents.

  Bai Qi jumped off his war horse, saw the side door of the carriage open, lifted up the curtain, and couldn't see the situation inside. He casually took off his sword and threw it to the nearby Yu Lin, then stepped onto the footboard of the carriage with a proud expression.

  The copper car was huge. As I walked into the carriage, I found that there were not only princesses in the carriage, but also four palace maids and an old man with a gloomy face.

  "Your Majesty, I, Bai Qi..."

  "Alright, sit down and come with me to see someone. General Bai, you can go back to your residence." Princess Yuzhen said, letting the curtains of the carriage be lowered, the copper carriage slowly started moving, leaving Bai Qi bewildered.

  Bai Qi sat down as he was told, got on the carriage, and found that the decorations inside were surprisingly simple, not like the royal standard. Bai Qi wasn't afraid of anything, looked up to see Yu Zhen Princess's appearance, their eyes met, and Bai Qi felt a stinging pain in his eyes, as if they had been burned by fire.

  He hastily lowered his head, but heard Princess Yuzhen laugh and say: "The prince of the State of Yu, indeed has a big nerve."