The cooks that Li Daozong brought from Chang'an are really good. Even a girl like Princess Gaoyang can't be picky, which shows her superb cooking skills.

There was no one else at the table, and the three of them sat in two seats. Li Daozong is an easy-going person, and seeing that Princess Gaoyang has to squeeze in the same table with Qin Mubai to eat, it is not surprising that they are not surprised.

The three of them ate and chatted, from what they saw and heard along the way to the terroir of Xiangzhou, and they talked very happily.

Princess Gaoyang doesn't eat much and doesn't drink well, so she eats enough in a short time. But like a child with ADHD, he was wandering around the room, looking around curiously, and he didn't pay attention to what Qin Mubai and Li Daozong were talking about.

"Lord, I would like to ask, why did Your Majesty allow the princess to leave the deep palace and follow you to Xiangzhou?" Qin Mubai asked a question that he had been thinking about for a long time.

Previously, due to the turmoil of the marriage between the princess and the Fang family, Li Shimin was very unhappy to let Princess Gaoyang continue to show her face outside. In addition, Concubine Yin De lived in the Taoist temple, and Princess Gaoyang also felt ashamed, and took the initiative to stay in the palace to accompany her mother, and rarely left the palace from then on.

"Actually, Your Majesty has never forcibly restricted Gao Yang's freedom." Li Daozong smiled indifferently, but it revealed a little mystery.

Qin Mubai vaguely heard the meaning of his words, nodded, and said with a smile: "Your Majesty has indeed always been magnanimous, and he is also extremely fond of the princess. It's just that this time His Majesty allowed the princess to openly go south to Xiangzhou, does it mean ......?"

"You're smart." Li Daozong smiled slightly and said, "This king also asked His Majesty's intentions before, but he didn't say it directly. It's just that since the crown prince, King Wu and this king have all gone to Xiangzhou, it doesn't hurt to let Gao Yang go with him to play with him. He also said that Gao Yang has been very well-behaved since he was a child, and he has not been so well-behaved since he was a child. He was worried that Gao Yang would be bored in the palace all day, so he asked me to take her out to relax. ”

It is taboo for courtiers to speculate on the holy will in private, and when Li Daozong's words are concerned, Qin Mubai has already understood very well - this is actually Li Shimin taking such an opportunity to sacrifice in Xiangzhou to let Gao Yang openly come over to meet me, and at the same time, it is equivalent to announcing in disguise that he has acquiesced and recognized my "relationship" with Gao Yang.

"This also means that from now on, my relationship with Gao Yang has been completely 'publicized' and 'legitimized'." Qin Mubai thought secretly, "Maybe it's because I did a good job in Xiangzhou, and I have made great contributions to exterminating water ghosts and recovering jade seals one after another, although I am not in Chang'an, I must have made a lot of limelight in the court, which makes Li Shimin feel that I, the 'quasi-son-in-law', can still be regarded as giving him a long face......"

"Boy, you're a great deal." Li Daozong said with a smile, "It's only been half a year since you came to Xiangzhou, and you've done a really good job." I heard Li Ke talk about the twists and turns in detail, it was really a battle of wits and courage and thrilling, and even this king admired you a little. This is not enough, cracking the treasure map to find the tomb of Emperor Yang, and at the same time recovering the jade seal, it can be called wonderful. The jade seal doesn't mean much to ordinary people, but it is of great significance to the emperor. You have recovered the jade seal and returned it to His Majesty's Imperial Case, and this merit cannot be measured by anything exact. After a victory, how many enemies were killed and how many cities and lands were plundered, this can be seen at a glance; It can also be seen whether the governance of the country is clear and whether the performance is outstanding. But the credit for your contribution is in the heart of Your Majesty. You made him happy, very happy. Do you understand? ”

Qin Mubai smiled and said, "I'm just lucky." ”

"Oh, this is the second time you've said that today. It's not good to be too modest! Li Daozong said with a smile, "Your Majesty has been on the throne for more than ten years. A few years earlier, he used his self-engraved 'ordained treasure' as a jade seal. To put it bluntly, it is to talk about self-comfort, although the throne is sitting, but he has always felt that there is something short - that is, the jade seal. Don't underestimate the jade seal, the official who is an official must be a lawyer, and the woman who marries her husband needs a marriage letter, these are all essential, otherwise it is like a fake and not recognized. The emperor lacks the jade seal, although others dare not say anything, but he will have such a thought in his heart. Later, after leveling the Turkic jade seal, he came back, and His Majesty was really smiling at that time. But later, he soon knew that the jade seal was a fake. So, I was extremely discouraged and disappointed, but I couldn't talk about it to outsiders. ”

"What, Your Majesty knows that the previous jade seal is fake?" Qin Mubai said in surprise.

"Of course." Li Daozong nodded and said with a smile, "The one who helped him distinguish the authenticity was Xiao Yu." Because in the previous dynasty, Xiao Yu once helped Yang Guang keep the jade seal. At that time, His Majesty did not accept it, but he did not want to make this matter public, so as not to cause more trouble. But he knew too well in his heart that Xiao Yu was a person with an upright temperament, and he would not lie, nor would he not tell the truth for fear of upsetting the emperor. Since he said that the jade seal is fake, it must be fake. So over the years, His Majesty has actually secretly sent people to search for the whereabouts of the jade seal, but there has been no result, which once made him very distressed. Coincidentally, your kid found the jade seal in an incredible way in a place like Xiangzhou. You say, isn't this a relief for Your Majesty? Therefore, His Majesty has praised you many times in public, saying that you are a member of the 'lucky general of the Tang Dynasty', haha! ”

"It turns out that there are such secrets and reasons, no wonder." Qin Mubai shook his head and smiled, "If it were me, I had been searching for something for many years but couldn't find it, and suddenly someone gave it to me one day, then I would definitely be very happy." ”

"That's what it means." Li Daozong smiled, turned his eyes to Princess Gaoyang, who was admiring the pictures on the wall, and whispered, "So, Your Majesty let the princess come with me." You, got it? ”

Qin Mubai smiled and nodded.

"When a person is equipped with luck and ability at the same time, and is modest and cautious, then he is really not far from making achievements." Li Daozong nodded and smiled meaningfully, and said, "Mu Bai, you have a bright future!" ”

"The prince loves to make fun of me."

Before Qin Mubai's laughter fell, a disciple came outside the door, who was Li Daozong's personal attendant. He reported that there was a general from the Wu Wangfu outside the palace who had an urgent need to see General Qin, claiming to be Xue Li.

"Oh, it's him, there must be something important coming to me, lord, wait for me to go out and see him." Qin Mubai hurriedly got up and said.

"It's okay, just invite him in." Li Daozong commanded.

The attendant bowed back and invited Xue Rengui.

Li Daozong said: "I have heard Li Ke say many times that Xue Rengui is a talent with outstanding moral integrity and ability, and it is said that his martial arts are extremely excellent. You introduced him to him, right? ”

"Sort of!" Qin Mubai said with a smile.

Li Daozong nodded and smiled, and said with feeling: "Li Ke is really blessed to meet you. ”

As he was talking, Xue Rengui came in.

After Li Ke left Xiangzhou, Xue Rengui did not stay in the military mansion, and stayed in the Assassin's Mansion, mainly responsible for leading the royal palace and taking into account security and guards.

Seeing Xue Rengui, who was dressed in military uniform, walk in, Li Daozong's eyes couldn't help but light up, and blurted out: "Heroic!" ”

"The lowly Xue Li saw the prince and met General Qin." Xue Rengui clasped his fists and saluted.

"No need to be polite." Li Daozong glanced at Xue Rengui up and down, and said with a smile, "Since you have something to find Mu Bai, then you two can feel free!" However, this king has heard many times that your martial arts are very good, and he always wants to see it. ”

Xue Rengui was slightly surprised, and hurriedly hugged his fists and said: "Xue is a poor and lowly martial artist, and he has taught himself some rough fists, feet, knives and guns, which cannot be called martial arts, but I am afraid that I will not be able to enter the eyes of the prince." ”

"You and Qin Mubai both have the same problem, you are too humble!" Li Daozong laughed, "Okay, if you have something serious, you can talk about it first, and this king will not delay you." Anyway, there will be time later. ”

"Thank you, Lord Wang." Xue Rengui gave a salute, and then said to Qin Mubai, "General, the servants in the palace hurriedly came to report and said...... The princess is ill and very critical! ”

"What?" Qin Mubai was stunned, "I went to see her in the morning, it seems to be quite stable, why did she suddenly ......?"

"I don't know if I am lowly." Xue Rengui furrowed his brows and said, "The doctor is already in first aid." Su Lianqing said that the situation did not seem to be too optimistic, in case it was difficult to save, and King Wu was not there at this moment, so he had to ask the general to come over. ”

The meaning of Xue Rengui's words can be regarded as clear, in case the princess dies at this time, if she leaves any last words, she can ask Qin Mubai to convey them on her behalf. After all, when Li Ke left, he entrusted the princess and the county lord to him.

Qin Mubai immediately got up, and before he could speak, Li Daozong also stood up and shouted to Princess Gaoyang, who was still playing in the other room-

"Gao Yang, let's go, go to your third brother's mansion!"

"Why are you screaming so urgently?" Princess Gao Yang ran over, still smiling on her face.

"Your imperial sister-in-law is critically ill!"

"Ahh - "Princess Gao Yang was taken aback.

"Let's go!"

The group only rode horses, and quickly left the line and rushed to the Thorn Mansion.

Princess Gaoyang rode with Qin Mubai and was held in his arms. She asked anxiously, "Mu Bai, why is the imperial sister-in-law suddenly seriously ill?" ”

"Not suddenly. It's been a long time since I've been seriously ill. Qin Mubai said with a frown.

"Then what are you waiting for, hurry up and send a letter to urge the third brother to come back!"

“…… Now I can't help but write! ”

Everyone rushed to the Assassin's Mansion, and the backyard was silent, and everyone didn't dare to speak loudly. Several maidservants and physicians nervously went in and out of the princess's bedroom, often taking out bags of clothes with a fishy smell.

Qin Mubai, Li Daozong, and Princess Gaoyang were about to go in, but a doctor hurriedly stopped them, explaining the differentiation and origin, but he still didn't let them go, and insisted: "The prince and the general, please stay, it doesn't hurt for Her Royal Highness the princess to go in and take a look, but don't stay too long!" ”

"Oh, then I'll go in and see the imperial sister-in-law......" Princess Gaoyang nodded suspiciously and a little frightened, and went into the room.

As soon as the doctor said this, Qin Mubai and Li Daozong probably knew what the princess's condition was.

In fact, Qin Mubai knew about the princess's illness for a long time. To put it simply, it's probably "uterine cancer" or something like that!

Listening to Li Ke, the princess's body was already weak and she often had abdominal pain. Qin Mubai guessed that she probably had a tumor very early. However, it is clear that the medical sciences of this era have not yet reached such a level, especially the "woman's" illness is quite private, and it is inconvenient to openly speak out or ask someone to treat it. Later, the princess became pregnant and gave birth to a child and suffered from dystocia, which further aggravated her condition. After a year, it has deteriorated to such an extent!

Qin Mubai knew very well in his heart that the princess's time was indeed short. If she hadn't gritted her teeth and waited for Li Ke to come back and see her again, she would have already ......

The two stood in the courtyard waiting, neither of them saying much. After a while, Li Daozong sighed leisurely and shook his head: "Shameless life!" ”

"Princess Wu is a good person. An admirable good woman. Qin Mubai let out a sigh.

"Father and son are really alike." Li Daozong said suddenly, "Even the women I met are so similar. These two women are still the same thin life! ”

Of course, Qin Mubai knew that he was referring to Empress Changsun and Princess Wu Yang.

"I will write a letter immediately, and send it to Chang'an urgently for six hundred miles, urging His Highness to come back." Qin Mubai said.

Li Daozong pondered for a moment and nodded: "The matter is urgent, write it!" So that he doesn't have to wait to come with the prince! ”

"Good!"

Immediately, Qin Mubai went to the study to write a letter, stamped it with an urgent order from the Assassin's Mansion, and sent it to the post house to Chang'an immediately.

At this time, Princess Gaoyang had come out of the princess's room, with a sad and sad face, and there were tears on her eyelids. "The imperial sister-in-law is so pitiful, she is so thin that she only has skin and bones, and she is not beautiful anymore. She was so painful that she came to life, her face was yellow and white, and there was only a trace of breath left. I'm so worried about whether she'll ......," Princess Gao Yang muttered sadly.

"Don't worry." Qin Mubai took her hand and patted it gently, comforting.

Li Daozong stepped forward and called one of the doctors and said to him: "The matter has come to this point, no matter what, I must die to save her breath and hold on until King Wu returns!" ”

"The lowly ones must do their best!" The doctors also knew that the princess's life would definitely not be saved, it was only a matter of time. Now, it is a moment to live a little longer, do your best, and obey the destiny of God!

Qin Mubai stepped forward and said to Li Daozong: "Lord Wang, it will take two days to arrive in Chang'an at the earliest. There's always a little more delay in between. Counting His Highness's footsteps, it will take six or seven days for His Highness to come back at the earliest. ”

"yes, I know." Li Daozong's thick eyebrows tightened, shook his head and sighed: "Hard-working child, I really hope that she can bear this unbearable pain for ordinary people, and endure these few days......"

"Poor royal sister-in-law...... Whining! "Princess Gao Yang has already started crying.

"Go, don't cry here, don't let the princess hear." Qin Mubai took her away from here, and Li Daozong also left. The three of them temporarily left the palace where the princess lived and came to the hall where Qin Mubai usually took care of official business.

After a long time, the doctor came back and forth with a sigh of relief, saying that the princess had survived. Next, I used all kinds of means and needlestone potions, but I'm afraid it won't be able to survive three days!

"It's only been three days!" Li Daozong was disappointed with Qin Mubai.

"Woo woo, that third brother will definitely not be in time to see the imperial sister-in-law for the last time!" Princess Gao Yang cried very sadly, "What should I do, Mu Bai, you should think of a way!" ”

At this moment, Qin Mubai was also completely helpless, so he had to shake his head regretfully and said, "If I have a way...... I won't sit idly by here. ”

"Providence is like this, what can people do?" Li Daozong let out a long sigh, closed his eyes and shook his head.

For the next three days, no one could have fun, let alone have fun. In the evening of the day, the princess was left with her last breath as far as the doctor said. She suddenly woke up after being in a coma for a long time, as if she was back in the light. If there is a last word, it must be heard.

At this time, everyone can't care about any taboos. Princess Gaoyang hugged the young little princess and entered her hospital room with Qin Mubai and Li Daozong.

The princess was covered with a brand-new brocade quilt, revealing only one face, and her hair was neatly combed. As Princess Gaoyang said, she was so thin that she was only skinny and bones, her face was yellow, her eyes were deep, her lips were gray and blistered, and her whole person was gray, and she no longer had half of her appearance.

She saw Qin Mubai and the others coming in with half-open eyes, and with the help of the maid, she turned her head with difficulty, and said angrily: "Uncle Huang, Sister Huang, General Qin, I am seriously ill and can't get up to greet me, please forgive my ......" "No need to be polite, it's all a family." Li Daozong stared at her with a smile on his face and said, "You gave birth to a good daughter for Ke'er, so beautiful, like you." ”

The princess reluctantly squeezed out a smile of shame and gratitude, closed her eyelids twice as a return salute, and said, "Is he unable to come back?" ”

"Hmm." Li Daozong nodded, still smiling on his face, and said as if chatting: "I will help you scold him." ”

"Thank you, Uncle Huang." The princess actually smiled, but two lines of tears were already flowing from the corners of her eyes.

Seeing this scene, Princess Gaoyang cried bitterly, but covered her lips with her hands, not daring to let herself cry. Qin Mubai had no choice but to stretch out a hand and gently pat her back to show comfort. She snuggled up to Qin Mubai's body, her body trembling with sobbing.

"If you have anything to say, you can explain. We can all relay it for you. Li Daozong hugged the little county lord and said.

At this time, the little lord who was less than a year old suddenly burst out crying and stretched out her immature little hand to the princess.

The princess's eyes were a little distracted, staring blankly at her precious daughter, tears raining down, her lips moving, unable to speak. He stretched out a hand with difficulty, but he kept shaking. Li Daozong bent down and let her hand hold the little county lord's small hand.

"Let's, let him ...... Take good care of ...... Female ......," the princess said with a hard breath. At this moment, her eyes were already widening, and the light in her pupils was dissipating.

"Okay, I'll tell him." Li Daozong frowned, nodded solemnly and said. At this moment, his eyes were also a little moist.

"Uh......h Her Royal Highness the Princess! The two maidservants who were waiting next to him couldn't help but cry bitterly.

Seeing that one of the princess's arms was about to fall, she swallowed her last breath!

Suddenly, a figure rushed in from the door, and quickly ran to the princess's sickbed and squatted down!

Li Ke!

With a "snap", Li Ke held her hand heavily and put it on his face.

"I'm back!"

"Ke...... Respectful! ”

The princess said the last two words, and a smile of relief finally appeared on her face, and she froze forever......