In the carriage, Fan Yuru and Li Zian sat across from each other. Through the bead curtains of the carriage window, they could clearly see the situation outside.
Prince Wang's full guard of honor is not displayed whenever Li Zian travels.
But I only use it occasionally when encountering important events and holidays.
Most of the time, even if a guard of honor is needed, it will only be simple and use half a guard of ceremony.
You know, the full-scale honor guard is not as simple as a few people or a dozen people.
Just like now, Prince Wang's ceremonial guard was spread out, not only occupying the open space at the city gate, but the people at the end of the line were even staying on the official road.
The people who were originally preparing to enter and leave the city were now frightened and had to take detours to other city gates.
That is to say, Prince Rui was unconscious, and the concubine and the princess were doting on Li Zian. Otherwise, he would have been taken back to the palace for training if he had gone through so much trouble today.
Fan Yuru pressed her painful forehead and said helplessly: "Is the prince anxious to have people rush over from Wuchang Mansion just to put on a show in Yongzhou Mansion and scare the people?"
"Of course not." A hint of guilt flashed in Li Zian's eyes, but he quickly said confidently, "I just want to show Li Ziting that those little sneaky tricks behind his back can't do anything to me!"
Although he was a little worried about being cheated by ginseng, this was the first time Fan Yuru had seen such a willful Li Zian since Prince Rui fell into coma.
So he finally swallowed all the "good words" he wanted to advise and said with a smile, "Okay, as long as I am happy!"
The two talked for a long time before finally waiting for Shen Zhonglei to lead Yongzhou Prefecture officials to welcome them out of the city.
"Your Majesty, Shen Zhonglei, I don't know that Prince Wang is coming to Yongzhou Mansion. It is really rude to fail to greet him from afar."
The others followed Shen Zhonglei in saluting.
"My lords, please get up quickly." Li Zian said, "I didn't inform you in advance, so how can I blame everyone."
Except for Shen Zhonglei, all the officials in Yongzhou Prefecture were still confused at this time.
Not to mention that they couldn't figure out why Li Zian came to Yongzhou Mansion, but because of his grand appearance, no one noticed him all the way from Wuchang Mansion to Yongzhou Mansion?
The information on my side is too ill-informed.
Shen Zhonglei, the only one who knew that Li Zian had been recuperating in Yongzhou Mansion recently, was actually a little confused as to what the monk Zhang Er was doing.
What he was wondering was, where did Prince Wang's full-scale ceremonial guard come from?
Besides, even if you recover from your injuries and are ready to go back, there’s no need to make such a grand spectacle, right?
Although there were a lot of questions in his heart, Shen Zhonglei still respectfully invited Li Zian to enter the city. He followed half a step behind and briefly introduced the situation of Yongzhou Mansion to him as he walked.
"I have heard a long time ago that Mr. Shen is a capable minister and general. In a few years, he has managed Yongzhou Mansion in an orderly manner. The people are prosperous and live in peace and contentment. However, the palace is busy with affairs and has not been able to come and see it in person. When I saw it today, it turned out to be true. It’s well-deserved!”
Li Zian's words made all the officials in Yongzhou Prefecture feel guilty.
If it had been in the past, everyone might have accepted these compliments with their heads held high.
But just a few days ago, Shen Tianshu, the daughter of the prefect, was injured by a gangster in broad daylight on the street.
Although the government office solved the case and arrested the person in a timely manner, they only found a pile of corpses and no one was left alive.
In the end, the body could only be pulled out and buried, and the case was hastily closed.
There were also some minor officials who did not understand the situation. Seeing that Li Zian was not only extremely handsome, but also spoke with a gentle manner, they naively thought that the prince, who had suddenly become famous in the past two years, was really such a kind person.
Before Shen Zhonglei went out, he had already sent his servants to book one of the most luxurious restaurants in the city, and all the guests had been persuaded to leave by refunding their money.
At this time, the restaurant was tidied up, the kitchen was on standby, and the guards surrounded the restaurant airtightly.
It can be seen that Shen Zhonglei is really afraid that Li Zian will do something wrong in Yongzhou Mansion.
"Your Majesty, let's have a casual meal here first, and then we'll have a banquet for you and Mr. Fan tomorrow. I don't know..."
Li Zian was particularly talkative today. He nodded with a smile and said, "Then there is Lord Lao Shen."
Hearing this, there was an uncontrollable commotion in the crowd behind him.
Shen Zhonglei turned around and glared at everyone before reluctantly suppressing it.
Although the entire restaurant was booked, not everyone was qualified to dine at the same table as Li Zian.
Officials of high rank, such as Zhi, Tongpan, and Tuiguan, all followed Shen Zhonglei's instructions and followed him upstairs ecstatically.
As for the junior officials of the eighth or ninth grade, such as the experience, governor, and jailer, as well as other subordinate officials and scribes who were not yet in the mainstream and did not even have a grade, they could only stay on the first floor and look at them with envy.
But the big shots were gone, and they finally no longer had to hold it back, and soon they gathered together in small groups and whispered.
"I really didn't expect that the Crown Prince of Prince Rui's Mansion would be so easy-going."
"I heard rumors from outside before and thought that the prince was a ruthless person. It's better to see once than to hear a hundred times!"
"Stop talking nonsense. What do you mean by what the prince said just now? Did you agree to attend the banquet?"
"That's natural. I even agreed to come to the restaurant for a casual meal. Why don't you go to the banquet?"
The scribe Guo Zhifan pulled Liu Ding aside, with whom he had always had a good relationship, and whispered: "Brother Liu, this is a rare and good opportunity! It's a pity that I don't have such good conditions as you. do not miss it."
"What chance? Why can't I understand what you are saying?"
"Brother Liu, why are you pretending to be confused! There is a banquet held at Prince Rui's Mansion during the Lantern Festival, and people of our status can't even touch it.
"Now that the Crown Prince has come to Yongzhou Mansion, Mr. Shen will support us like this, so we will not be left behind at the banquet. Brother Liu's family happens to have a virgin of the right age. Isn't it just the right place and the right people?"
Liu Ding was moved by what he said, but after thinking about it for a moment, she immediately shook her head in frustration and said: "Brother Guo, please stop talking nonsense. My stupid daughter is not qualified to be a maid for the prince!"
Guo Zhifan pushed him to the corner again, leaned forward and whispered: "Brother Liu, our brotherhood is here, that's why I say these heartfelt words to you.
"I have seen your concubine. Although she is not as beautiful as a fish or a wild goose, she can still be said to be naturally beautiful, graceful and dignified. Who knows if the prince will like this!"
"But..." Liu Ding still looked confused.
"You are not asking your daughter to compete for the position of the heir apparent. You have fought for the opportunity yourself. There is no harm in trying!"
"Stop talking nonsense. If someone hears it, they will think that I am delusional!"
Liu Ding said this, but in fact he had already thought about it.
Of course, let alone the crown prince, he would never dare to think of a side concubine.
But with my daughter’s appearance and character, she would still be rich and abundant as a concubine, right?
