Chapter 0005 Lake Burial Poem.

Xue Shao was not the least bit anxious or uneasy. In his many years of military service, he often remained motionless in harsh conditions for several days, just waiting for that moment when he could pull the trigger. Those who have survived such days naturally possess extraordinary composure and patience.

Who are you? How dare you come here?

Xue Shao slightly leaned aside to make way for her, gazing at her back and thinking to himself: "She seems to be afraid that I will see her sad expression. And in the end, she probably guessed my identity or thought of something, so she ran away in a panic without saying a word." Judging from her tone of voice, she seemed to be someone who was used to giving orders from a position of superiority. And from her attire, she should be a female official in the palace.

Li Xianyuan left, and Xue Shao began his aimless "encounter journey".

After Wu Zetian was crowned as empress and assumed power, she gradually promoted many female officials in the palace for her own use. Although these female officials did not attend court, they accompanied Wu Zetian, handling imperial edicts and providing advice. They were all trusted confidantes of Wu Zetian, and sometimes even had more influence on government affairs and court politics than the court officials.

Thank you, Brother Xue, for your generosity. Li Xianyuan bid farewell with a respectful gesture.

Li Xianyuan seemed to have sensed Xue Shao's helplessness and could only force a smile, saying, "Brother Xue, please don't be angry. It is the Emperor's intention that things must follow their natural course. It is only when Princess Taiping herself decides to come here for a visit that you can meet her. Only then will the princess not suspect anything."

If I don't meet the princess today, I will accompany Brother Xue to the palace again tomorrow. The nearby guards have been informed and will not trouble Brother Xue. Li Xianyuan also smiled helplessly and said, "With such arrangements from above, I am also powerless. Please don't blame Brother Xue."

Li Xianyuan brought Xue Shao here, and even though he had completed his mission, before leaving, he reminded him, "Xue, you can just enjoy yourself around here. Princess Taiping occasionally comes here to boat or go for a walk. If you're lucky, you might meet Princess Taiping."

No wonder today there was only one lonely ghost, Xue Shao, wandering in Longshou Pool.

Today is a beautiful day with sunshine and a refreshing breeze. The willows by the bank of Longshou Pond sway gracefully in the wind, as if dancing. Many flowers in the garden are also in full bloom, competing in beauty with their purple and red colors. Such a scene is perfect for a spring outing.

Surrounded by tranquility, Xue Shao's thoughts drifted away with the gentle breeze, as if he had returned to the old days when he and An Xiaorou were in love.

The woman has run far away, as if escaping.

The Moon Slave always stays at home, sitting in her room with her eyes closed, unless Xue Shao returns, she rarely shows up. Li Xianyuan is very curious. Why does this young and beautiful woman always seem like an old monk in her seventies or eighties, unmoved by the eight winds and as calm as water? Except for Xue Shao, she never speaks to anyone, let alone give a smile. She is truly an enigmatic beauty, not even giving a chance for someone to strike up a conversation! Except for Xue Shao, she never speaks to anyone, let alone give a smile. She is truly an enigmatic beauty, not even giving a chance for someone to strike up a conversation!

Princess, this horse is exceptionally fierce. It's better to be cautious! Other women are unwilling to give way despite earnest persuasion.

If this kind of thing is exposed face-to-face, it is inevitable to be embarrassed. Xue Shao paused and took a few glances before turning around to leave. The woman behind Shi Lian stood up in surprise and exclaimed, "Who?!"

Strangely, today the area around Longshou Pond appears unusually deserted. Apart from the occasional patrol of soldiers, hardly any civil or military officials can be seen wandering here. Xue Shao couldn't help but feel somewhat surprised. Upon closer thought, it seems like last night during the conversation, Li Xianyuan mentioned that the former Crown Prince Li Xian, due to the crime of "conspiracy," was detained and interrogated for over a year, and finally exiled from the capital yesterday. It is said that Li Xian and his entourage, including his wife and children, were all in tattered and miserable clothes, evoking a sense of inexplicable sorrow in everyone who saw them. Xue Shao couldn't help but feel somewhat surprised. Upon closer thought, it seems like last night during the conversation, Li Xianyuan mentioned that the former Crown Prince Li Xian, due to the crime of "conspiracy," was detained and interrogated for over a year, and finally exiled from the capital yesterday. It is said that Li Xian and his entourage, including his wife and children, were all in tattered and miserable clothes, evoking a sense of inexplicable sorrow in everyone who saw them.

Xue Shao, on the other hand, felt a sense of tranquility. Just like a few days ago, he went straight to the Wuyue Pavilion in the center of the Longshou Lake. There, a unique piece of art made of Taihu stones, depicting lotus flowers, leaves, and seed pods, was carved with exquisite craftsmanship. These carvings formed a floating path on the water, leading directly to the Wuyue Pavilion in the center of the lake. The large stone lotus leaves were big enough to accommodate three adults lying on them.

If it were to be described in one word, it would be - exquisite!

Okay, since I'm here, I'll just accept it. Xue Shao didn't want to say much either. Anyway, let's just consider it as completing a task. He didn't expect the royal family to treat him, a small insignificant subject, with any "humanity" anyway.

At the corner of her eye, the woman's eyebrows lifted slightly, revealing a fleeting look of surprise. She quickly turned away to wipe away the tears, then hastily picked up a stack of papers covered in dark writing from the ground. Without casting another glance at Xue Shao, she drifted past him, leaving behind a lingering fragrance.

A woman's face was full of panic, and Xue Shao suddenly felt a stunning sight before his eyes.

So, the current predicament is nothing to Xue Shao. He leisurely strolls around as if it's a free day tour of the palace.

Xue Shao remembers this period of history very clearly. It all started with the elimination of her own son, Li Xian, and the removal of her biggest political rival in the early stages. Empress Wu then began to exert greater control over the government and expand her influence, taking the first steps towards becoming an empress herself.

Life and death are both vast and obscure, I do not see your face, you do not recognize my tears... The woman wept quietly while pondering, every word and sentence pierced her heart. Behind the stone lotus, a snow-white hand reached out and picked up a small stone. She wrapped the stone in a piece of paper covered with words, held it in her hands, and sank it along with the paper to the bottom of the lake.

Xue Shao remained calm like the autumn lake, and said indifferently, "Passerby."

"Brother Li, there's no need to say more, please go back!" Xue Shao said with a smile, "Xue is not the kind of person who is petty and unreasonable."

Xue Shao turned around and met a pair of teary eyes.

The Longshou Pond is very large, with countless tree-lined paths and pavilions. Even if it's a chance encounter, or if it's planned to meet here, it must be specified which specific pavilion location, otherwise it's easy to miss each other.

When the gods have spirits, please let the fish carry the plain silk, so that you can receive these poems I wrote for you... The woman choked up even more, and her voice became intermittent.

From entering the Imperial City through the Vermilion Bird Gate to Xiamachiao, it took about an hour to walk. Xue Shao was secretly amazed in his heart that the Imperial City was too big. No wonder those civil and military officials either rode horses or took carriages all the way into the palace, and he hardly saw anyone walking.

Xue Shao chooses to wait for opportunities here every day. Due to his professional habits developed over many years, he believes that this area of stone scenery is not only secluded but also the best ambush and sniping location in the entire Longshou Pool area. By hiding here, almost the entire Longshou Pool is within his observation range. Compared to aimlessly wandering around and creating chance encounters, it is much wiser to see the target here and then take the initiative to approach.

"If you don't move away, I'll cut off your tongues!" The woman immediately shouted, and the other women retreated in panic and silence.

Xue Shao was speechless after hearing this. He had thought that the Princess Taiping's visit today had been arranged by the higher-ups, and all that was left was to meet her. He never expected such an "unreliable" and unlikely encounter.

Not knowing how long had passed, a burst of laughter came from the nearby river bank. Xue Shao turned his head and saw a group of women and a tall, black horse. He immediately rode with a woman in yellow, while the other women gathered around the horse, appearing joyful yet somewhat nervous, as if afraid it might run too fast.

Xue Shao stood up and said, "Princess?"

Quite artistic, with poems buried in the heart of the lake and stories of fish measuring cloth. Xue Shao smiled disapprovingly and sat down at the Misty Moon Pavilion.

The next morning, Xue Shao and Li Xianyuan took a carriage to the Zhuque Gate of the imperial city and entered the palace with the golden seal token given by the palace. Xue Shao didn't have much leisure to appreciate this beautiful and majestic palace. Like many court officials who entered the palace for morning court duty, they rode in the carriage all the way to the Daming Palace until they got off the carriage at the Xiaoma Bridge.

Get out of the way, get out of the way! My riding skills are superb, I don't need your protection! The woman on the horse immediately waved her hand and scolded in a delicate voice, "Walking so slowly is like an old lady, where is the joy of going out for a walk!"

Even Li Xianyuan felt embarrassed and worried for Xue Shao, but Xue Shao remained very calm, without a single complaint, still going to Longshou Pond early and returning late like going to work, waiting for a windfall.

The word to describe the woman in front of me is - ethereal!

The emergence of a large number of female officials flooding into the political arena can be considered a "wonder" of this era.

Occurred such a major event as the former crown prince being exiled, naturally causing a great disturbance in the court. Even if one is not affected or implicated, who among the court officials would dare to gather at the Dragon Head Pond for leisure at such a critical moment? Isn't that clearly an illegal gathering to discuss state affairs, or gloating over the misfortune of the former crown prince, Li Xian?

For three consecutive days, Xue Shao did not even catch a glimpse of Princess Taiping at Longshou Pond. Normally, this place is where civil and military officials rest and sightsee. Ordinary people are not allowed to enter the palace, and the palace ladies and servants dare not easily leave the harem. Therefore, let alone Princess Taiping, Xue Shao did not see a single woman in the past three days.

This is a beautiful scenery in the palace, with abundant water, pavilions, and famous flowers and plants. Often, after their hard work, courtiers come here to relax and enjoy the view. The emperor also sometimes hosts dragon boat banquets here to entertain his ministers.

The woman before my eyes stands in the wind wearing a blue half-sleeved jacket and skirt. Her hair is adorned with a flower hairpin, and her bare fragrant shoulders and creamy chest are covered with a snow-white shawl. Her jade face, adorned with a red flame flower hairpin, is stunningly beautiful. Although she appears somewhat melancholic, it is by no means the pitiful and delicate appearance of Daiyu burying flowers. Instead, she exudes a sense of intelligence and sharpness.

Xue Shao walked leisurely along the stone path towards the Misty Moon Pavilion in the center of the lake. Halfway there, he suddenly became alert and heard a faint sobbing sound coming from behind a large stone lotus flower not far ahead. As he approached, he noticed a piece of white dress scattered on the ground.

After passing Xiamachiao, you will reach the political center of the Tang Dynasty, the Hanyuan Hall, where the two saints hold court and the officials pay their respects. From here on, only walking is allowed, and even the officials wearing swords must remove them, otherwise it would be a crime to intrude the palace, punishable by death. Li Xianyuan led Xue Shao to bypass the Hanyuan Hall and head east, passing through the Dongneiyuan to reach the Longshou Pond.