What is it like to take a bath in the emperor’s private bathhouse?

Thanks for the invitation.

As soon as people went out, there were a lot of panic.

Go right out of the guest house, enter the inner palace gate and go straight to the lotus soup.

Gu Qing followed the eunuch and walked very slowly. The further inside, the tighter the security of the inner palace became, and there were densely packed Yulin Guards and Left Guard soldiers everywhere.

As the eunuch walked, he turned back to Gu Qing and explained with a smile that originally there were not so many soldiers guarding the Huaqing Palace, but after Lishan Mountain was set on fire last night, the Yulin Guards and Zuowei were extremely nervous. The general responsible for escorting the Emperor was outside the Emperor's Palace.

He knelt for most of the night to plead guilty. At the same time, Huaqing Palace added countless guards, surrounding the palace like an iron barrel.

Gu Qing couldn't help but feel his teeth itching with hatred when he mentioned man-made arson. This time he truly agreed that Ling Chi, the person who set the fire, should be chopped into pieces to relieve his hatred.

"When the mountain fire was extinguished, the palace sent people to search the mountain. The search lasted all night. In the morning, there was a report. They found traces of someone staying in the woods halfway up the mountain. There were about two or three assailants. People may have taken advantage of it.

As the fire ran down the mountain last night, both Chang'an Jingzhao Prefecture and Lantian County Government sent capable bad officers to investigate the case. Gu Changshi can rest assured that these thieves will not survive for a few more days."

Gu Qing nodded.

A fire almost burned him to death on this day, which can be regarded as a shocking case. Li Longji escaped last night, and now I am afraid that the entire Chang'an court has been shaken.

As for who set the fire, Gu Qing's suspicion at this time was still Li Heng, the prince of the East Palace.

There is no way, the prince's suspicion is too great, so big that it is almost obvious. After last night's incident spreads, both the courtiers and the people will have to doubt the prince. Li Heng is covered in teeth and can't explain clearly.

.

But Gu Qing is still a little strange. The battles in the court are always full of conspiracies. The prince's behavior is tantamount to openly betraying and recklessly treason. Normally, the prince's behavior should not be so simple and crude. If things fail, he will not even have a way out.

It was cut to pieces.

The eunuch led Gu Qing all the way to introduce the imperial soups in the inner palace. Only then did Gu Qing realize that there were many soup pools in the Huaqing Palace. In addition to the Xingchen soup dedicated to Li Shimin, the Lotus soup dedicated to Li Longji, and the Begonia soup dedicated to Concubine Yang, naturally,

There is also Taizi Soup for the prince, Shangshi Soup for officials and maids, Shaoyang Soup for guests and courtiers, etc.

Gu Qing silently followed the eunuch inside. He was obviously a man of two generations, but he behaved like a country bumpkin all the way. While broadening his knowledge, he inevitably felt a little ashamed in his heart.

Arriving in front of a luxurious and tall palace, the eunuch pointed to the palace and told Gu Qing that this was the lotus soup dedicated to the emperor. He also pointed to a slightly smaller palace next to the palace. The eunuch told Gu Qing that the palace next to the lotus soup was

Begonia soup.

A crooked smile appeared on Gu Qing's lips.

The name "Begonia" was well received, and later there was a poem that ridiculed old couples and young wives. One of the lines, "A pear tree crushes the Begonia", has a somewhat unorthodox essence, which is beautiful, but also damaging.

The eunuch smiled and invited Gu Qing to enter the palace. There was no hall in the palace. After entering, there was a huge pool in the middle. The pool was filled with steam and had already been filled with hot springs. There were two young eunuchs standing respectfully beside the pool.

They took off the clothes for Gu Qingkuan and asked Gu Qing if he wanted them to serve him in the bathing soup.

Gu Qing hastily rejected this inappropriate request.

He is not used to being close to women, nor is he used to being close to men, and he is even less used to being half-man and half-female.

Although he still disliked bathing in Li Longji's bathhouse, Gu Qing knew that it would be impossible if he didn't go in. The eunuch's eyes were fixed on him. If he showed disgust, then the life-saving grace he showed to Li Longji last night could be wiped out in an instant.

It has to be clean.

After stripping off, Gu Qing closed his eyes and jumped into the imperial bath. The water temperature of more than 40 degrees was just right for the skin to accept. Gu Qing felt that the capillaries all over his body were opened. His whole body was soaked in the warm water. Gu Qing let out a satisfied sigh.

.

…………

I don’t dare to soak in the lotus soup for too long. The gifts given by the emperor to the ministers and the gifts received by the ministers from the emperor are actually symbolic meanings. A brief taste is enough. If you kick your nose and face, you are waiting for trouble.

After soaking in incense for two hours, Gu Qingguang came out of the pool, dried himself off and quickly put on his inner clothes.

The little eunuch waiting outside seemed to have heard the commotion and hurried in. He diligently served Gu Qing to dress, and gave him a brand new crimson official uniform, as well as a luxurious jade belt inlaid with various precious stones, which was shining brightly.

The shaking attracts the attention of thieves.

The young eunuch explained with a smile as he changed his clothes that the official uniform and jade belt were both given by the imperial concubine. Please change your clothes and go to Yichun Pavilion to see your majesty. The emperor has been waiting for a long time.

Dressed freshly and with the newly given goldfish bag hanging on his waist, Gu Qing walked out of the lotus soup and hurried to Yichun Pavilion with the eunuch.

Entering the palace according to the ceremony, Gu Qing heard a burst of hearty laughter as soon as he entered the palace door. The laughter was mixed with a bit of hoarseness and unpleasant taste. It was obvious that Li Longji's voice had not fully recovered.

"Gu Qing is here, haha, hurry up, no need to be polite, come forward." Li Longji stood in the hall and waved to him with a smile. Concubine Yang Guifei sat next to him, also looking at him with a smile.

Gu Qing lowered his head and walked forward quickly, standing ten feet away from Li Longji.

Li Longji said displeased: "I asked you to come forward. Why are you so far away from me? Are you afraid that I will beat you?"

After saying that, he burst out laughing, as if he had told a very funny joke.

Gu Qing twitched the corner of his mouth, but Concubine Yang giggled in a dignified manner.

Concubine Yang's compliments made Li Longji even more excited. At this moment, he may feel that he is a humorous and approachable emperor, and his personality is a bit fuller.

Turning his head, Li Longji smiled at Concubine Yang and said, "I really should give this kid a good beating. Madam, did you know that last night when there was a mountain fire, Gu Qing actually ordered the Yulin Guards to dig a hole and bury me alive in it. No one in the past dynasties would dare to

So rude to the emperor."

Gu Qing hurriedly apologized in fear: "I have offended the Holy Master without any reason. I deserve to die. Please punish me."

Concubine Yang rolled her eyes at Li Longji and said, "Sanlang, please don't scare the children. If Gu Qing hadn't dug a hole and covered it with dirt in a hurry, we would have been in such a miserable situation last night."

Li Longji laughed and said: "Don't take the joke seriously. I am a ignorant person. Gu Qing, I almost died in the fire last night. Thanks to you for saving me, I really owe you a big thank you."

Gu Qing lowered his head and said respectfully: "Your Majesty said something serious. It is my duty to share your worries and solve your problems for you, and I dare not take any credit."

Li Longji said approvingly: "There are many civil and military officials in the entire dynasty who know their duty. Gu Qing has this intention. I have seen that you are loyal."

He turned around and smiled at Concubine Yang and said, "I would also like to thank Madam. If Madam hadn't introduced you, a young fellow countryman, to me, the entire Tang Dynasty would have been in mourning today."

Concubine Yang said anxiously: "Sanlang, please don't talk nonsense. You are destined to have good fortune in the country. You are an extremely noble person and you must have God's help. Even if Gu Qing is not present, Sanlang will be fine."

Li Longji sighed: "I am also very lucky. Fortunately, I had Gu Qing accompany me last night. When the mountain fire broke out, I and everyone around me were confused. Only Gu Qing was the calmest, and the methods he came up with were incredible..."

Looking at Gu Qing with a smile, Li Longji said with a smile: "Gu Qing, tell me, last night you ordered trench digging and used fire to fight fire. What was the reason?"

Gu Qing smiled and said: "The purpose of digging trenches is to prevent the fire from spreading on the ground and to draw a boundary for the fire. The reason for fighting the fire with fire is because I tested the wind direction and lit another fire upwind, which can use the wind to stop the fire above.

Come down and give us more room to survive. In short, Your Majesty and the ministers are trapped in the fire. I can only try every means to delay the spread of the fire and do my best to isolate the fire and people, all in order to survive."

Li Longji nodded slowly: "The purpose of digging trenches is to cut off the spread of fire on the ground, and to fight fire with fire is to prevent the spread of fire above the woods. I finally understand. When you gave the order last night, everyone was confused and thought it was a random act.

, I later learned that your two methods were indeed effective. If it weren’t for the methods you came up with, I would have been burned into coke before the fire was extinguished. The rescue effort last night should be led by Gu Qing."

"I'm just doing my duty, I don't dare to take any credit."

Li Longji was silent for a long time, and then said slowly: "Gu Qing is still the Chief of the Left Guard, right?"

"yes."

Li Longji said oh, but didn't mention it again.

Concubine Yang smiled and said: "Sanlang, it was not only Gu Qing who made a great contribution to the rescue last night, but also Princess Wanchun."

Li Longji raised his eyebrows and said with a smile: "Ji'er... Haha, she is indeed my sweet girl. I heard that when the fire broke out, Huaqing Palace was in a hurry, but it was my Ji'er who took over the guards and directed the fire extinguishing in an orderly manner. Fortunately,

With her, we can put out the mountain fire very quickly. If it were a moment later, even if Gu Qing's method works, I'm afraid it won't last long. I really should thank her."

Concubine Yang covered her mouth and giggled: "Gu Qing and Wan Chun, one rescued the driver inside the fire scene and the other rescued the driver outside the fire scene. They cooperated very well. No matter who was missing, the consequences would be disastrous."

Li Longji was startled, glanced at Gu Qing quickly, and smiled thoughtfully, but he did not answer Yang Guifei's words, but ordered a banquet.

Gu Qing was the only guest. It was obvious that today's banquet was specially organized by Li Longji to thank Gu Qing for his life-saving grace. Hot wine and food were brought into the hall, and beautiful kabuki dances were performed by the musicians.

The banquet was very reserved, and Gu Qing, who had made great achievements, did not dare to be unrestrained, for fear of giving Li Longji an impression of being arrogant, so he could only follow Li Longji's rhythm. When Li Longji chatted, he would agree, and when Li Longji served him a drink, he would

He took the initiative to make a toast. After the banquet, Li Longji was eighty percent drunk.

After the guests and hosts enjoyed themselves, Gu Qing resigned to Li Longji.

Concubine Yang yawned and retreated to the harem to rest.

In the main hall, Gao Lishi stepped out from behind the screen, and Li Longji suddenly sat upright. He looked so drunk just now but now he was extremely sober.

Li Longji closed his eyes and leaned on the soft cushion, and said slowly: "General Gao, are you feeling better?"

Gao Lishi also suffered last night. His throat was sore from the smoke, and his back was covered in blisters from the wildfire. At this moment, Qiangzi endured the discomfort and stood beside Li Longji, still respectful as usual.

"Thank you for your concern, Your Majesty. I have applied medicine and my health is much better."

Li Longji glanced at him and said with a smile: "Actually, the only person I trust most is you, General Gao. You should take good care of yourself."

Gao Lishi burst into tears with gratitude and said: "Your Majesty is so kind to me. I have no way to repay you. I can only die with my body to repay Your Majesty for your kindness."

Li Longji waved his hand and said: "We have just passed through the gate of hell. Don't say anything about 'life' or 'death'. We are very unlucky."

Then Li Longji lowered his face and said: "Did the person who set the fire last night get it?"

Gao Lishi lowered his head and said: "Jingzhao Prefecture and Lantian County have sent out all the bad guys to investigate with all their strength. The culprit has not been caught yet."

Li Longji snorted, and said with a frosty face: "It's been a day, and I still haven't gotten the person. Are Jingzhao Mansion and Lantian County like wine and rice bags? According to my decree, give them three days, and within three days

We must catch the thieves, otherwise they will go back to their fields by themselves."

"yes."

"After my accident, what happened in Chang'an?"
To be continued...