Meanwhile, at the Yang Mansion.
Yang Yuzhi was nominally kneeling in the ancestral hall as a punishment, but in fact, he had long since climbed over the wall and sneaked out to meet someone.
The person he was going to meet was none other than Princess Yongjia, who had just sent invitations to Li Jingyun and the others.
In a luxurious compound, Yang Yuzhi rushed over in a hurry. The young servant leading the way laughed at his appearance. "Sir, slow down. The princess has been staying here for several days, waiting to meet you."
That's right. Princess Yongjia had specifically bought a mansion not far from the Yang Mansion and came over every now and then to meet Yang Yuzhi.
It only took about a quarter of an hour to get from the back door of the Yang Mansion to the princess's bedroom.
Normally, this mansion was empty, and no one knew who the real owner behind it was.
Yang Yuzhi rushed there in a great hurry. He was more familiar with this place than his own home. Crossing a small stream, he arrived at a small door.
As soon as he got there, a beautiful woman inside opened the door and welcomed him in.
Seeing this, the leading servant quickly retreated.
In the corner, the charcoal crackled and burned, emitting a faint light. The unique fragrance of charcoal filled the bedroom.
Princess Yongjia leaned in Yang Yuzhi's arms, smiling playfully as she played with his hair. "The emperor has canceled your engagement with that girl from the Shouchun family. Your mother finally doesn't keep such a close eye on you, does she?"
"Princess, my mother is so old - fashioned. She watches me like a hawk. If it weren't for your summon, how would I dare to sneak out to meet you?"
At this moment, Yang Yuzhi was good at acting coquettishly, pretending to be stupid, and looking innocent. With his elegant and handsome appearance, he had successfully captured Princess Yongjia's heart.
Their relationship had lasted for three or five years. They had taken a fancy to each other at a banquet.
Slowly, they got together.
This was a historical fact.
Princess Yongjia exuded an air of laziness and casualness. She stretched out her slender finger and tapped Yang Yuzhi on the forehead. "You've offended both Prince Wu and Princess Chengyang. You even got your father demoted. Why can't you be more careful? How can you fight against them and their siblings?"
"Who could have thought that they would take an interest in my small business? Now I've lowered the price of my charcoal to five wen per jin, but there are still not many customers. Princess, do you have any way to help me? Otherwise, I'll starve to death."
Yang Yuzhi put his arm around the princess's slender waist and kept flattering her.
He was more humble and submissive in front of the princess than in front of his own parents.
In his eyes, his father had once been the prime minister with many protégés and old subordinates in the court. But his father was unwilling to interfere in this matter, let alone help him. No matter how many good words he said, it was of no use.
That stubborn father had even thought of going to the emperor to apologize with a bundle of thorns on his back. But it had snowed heavily for several days. The roads were difficult to walk on, and the temperature was extremely low. So the plan of apologizing with thorns had come to nothing, and the prepared thorns had been burned for fire.
Princess Yongjia was a princess. Maybe a few words from her would work?
Princess Yongjia thought for a while. "What can I do for you? I don't have the skills of Princess Chengyang. But my birthday is coming up soon. That girl Chengyang loves a lively occasion the most. I've sent Ziwǎn to deliver the invitation. She will definitely come."
"Princess, you're the only one who cares about me. This time, I must teach that girl a lesson!"
Yang Yuzhi had already started to imagine how Li Jingyun would be defeated by him, crying out of breath, or even rolling on the ground in a tantrum.
Princess Yongjia could guess what this guy was thinking when she saw his smile. She slapped him. "This time, you must seize the opportunity! Don't do something that ends up backfiring!"
"Princess, don't worry. I'm absolutely up to it!"
No one knew where his confidence came from, but he sounded so sure in front of Princess Yongjia.
Yang Yuzhi led Princess Yongjia to the bronze mirror and took out a pair of emerald bracelets that were bright green and transparent from his bosom. "Princess, look. It took me a lot of effort to get these bracelets."
He carefully took the princess's hand and put the bracelets on.
In the candlelight, the white and slender wrist was adorned with a pair of crystal - clear bracelets. The color contrast was very obvious.
It was obvious that these were good things.
"They're beautiful. I like them. Can I wear them every day from now on?" Princess Yongjia was even more satisfied with Yang Yuzhi. He was good - looking, kind to her, and had no other ulterior motives.
"If the princess likes them, it's nothing for me to put in some effort."
An hour later.
A palace maid brought hot water and urged, "Princess, the princess consort can't find you in the mansion and is furious. You'd better go back quickly."
"This is my princess mansion. How dare he act so wildly? Ignore him."
Princess Yongjia was soaking in the water, drowsy. She waved her hand and said. Obviously, she didn't take the princess consort seriously.
The princess consort was no ordinary person either.
His name was Dou Fengjie, a nephew of Empress Dou, the wife of Li Yuan. He came from a noble family and held an important position. He was now the General of the Left Guard, in charge of military power.
"Princess, don't make things difficult for yourself for my sake. And don't fall out with the princess consort because of me. You'd better go back. Maybe the princess consort has something important to discuss with you?"
Yang Yuzhi massaged the princess's temples gently. Seeing the princess looking so intoxicated, he knew his massage skills were good.
He had specifically learned it for Princess Yongjia.
"You're quite sensible. The princess consort is looking for me every day. He wishes he could lock me up in the princess mansion and never let me go out. What important thing can he have? Can it be some military or political affairs for him to discuss with me?"
Although Princess Yongjia said so, she didn't waste any time. She changed into a new dress and hurried out.
Before getting into the carriage, she handed Yang Yuzhi an invitation. "Five days later, it's my birthday banquet. You must come on time."
"Don't worry, princess. I'll definitely be on time. I'll prepare a big gift for you then."
Yang Yuzhi put the invitation in his pocket and promised.
The princess got into the carriage and soon returned to the princess mansion. In the adjacent yard, the plum blossoms were in full bloom, looking extremely beautiful. A gorgeous plum branch stretched over the wall, and its fragrance drifted over.
"So you still remember to come back? I thought you had forgotten about this family!" Dou Fengjie slapped the table and complained.
Princess Yongjia smiled and unconsciously touched the bracelets on her wrist. "What do you mean, consort? I'm back, aren't I? Do you have anything to tell me?"
"These bracelets are nice. They're hard to find on the market. Newly acquired, right?不愧是公主，好東西就是多。"
Dou Fengjie snorted and continued, "I'm sure you just have to wave your hand, and someone will be eager to offer them to you."
"If you have nothing else to say, I'll go back and rest."
Princess Yongjia had no intention of arguing with Dou Fengjie about this. The more she said, the more mistakes she might make. It was better not to mention it at all.
If Dou Fengjie had the ability, he could go and investigate on his own. If he found out, it would prove his capability.
But even if he did find out, Dou Fengjie didn't dare to do anything out of line. He still wanted to keep his official position.
Princess Yongjia knew this well and became more and more unrestrained.