The Great Tang Dynasty: The Celestial Master Descends the Mountain, Starts by Being Deceived into Ma

Chapter 59 New House

Leaving the East Market, Lu Jinghe took Gao Yang's hand and slowly walked towards the Imperial Observatory.

"Do you think the Grand Astrologer will be so scared that he'll hide when he sees us?" Gao Yang tilted his head, a bright smile in his eyes.

Lu Jinghe thought for a moment and said seriously, "It's possible. After all, he took two of my lamps last time and broke one. I haven't had a chance to settle the score with him yet."

Gao Yang chuckled: "So, how are you planning to settle things today?"

"Today—" Lu Jinghe drawled, looking at her with a half-smile, "today is to thank the matchmaker. As for settling accounts, we'll talk about that another day when we're in a bad mood."

Gao Yang rolled her eyes at him, but gripped his hand even tighter.

The Imperial Observatory is located in the southeast corner of the Imperial City. It is an independent courtyard with blue bricks and gray tiles. Two stone beasts stand in front of the gate, looking quite majestic.

As soon as the two reached the door, they saw a minor official dozing off on the steps.

"Excuse me, is the Grand Astrologer here?" Lu Jinghe asked.

The minor official jolted awake, looked up and saw the two people. He was startled at first, then quickly stood up and bowed: "Greetings, Your Highness! Greetings, Princess! The Grand Historian is inside; I'll go inform him immediately!"

"No need." Lu Jinghe waved his hand, pulled Gao Yang and walked straight inside. "We can go in by ourselves."

After passing through the front yard and arriving at the main hall, we saw Li Chunfeng hunched over a table, studying a bunch of random things.

On the table lay a glass talisman lamp broken into several pieces, and a few talisman papers that were only half-drawn.

Li Chunfeng held a pen in his hand, gesturing at one of the lamps while muttering incantations.

"Grand Historian?" Lu Jinghe called out.

Li Chunfeng didn't even look up: "Shut up, we're working on it—"

"What are you researching?" Lu Jinghe leaned closer and peeked inside.

Li Chunfeng then realized what was happening, looked up abruptly, and saw Lu Jinghe's face so close to his own. He was so startled that he leaned back and almost fell off his chair.

"You—how did you get here!"

Lu Jinghe looked at him with a smile: "What? Not welcome?"

Li Chunfeng quickly sat up straight and coughed twice: "No way, welcome, welcome, a warm welcome."

He glanced at Gao Yang standing beside him, then at Lu Jinghe, and a smile spread across his face: "What brings you two to my humble abode today?"

"I wanted to catch up with you." Lu Jinghe plopped down on the chair next to him, crossed his legs, and said, "I also wanted to see how your research is going."

Li Chunfeng instinctively protected the lamp on the table, looking at him warily: "You're not here to collect a debt, are you? I can't afford to pay for that lamp!"

Gao Yang couldn't help but laugh out loud.

Lu Jinghe smiled and said, "Don't worry, I won't ask you for money today."

Li Chunfeng breathed a sigh of relief, but then looked at him suspiciously: "Then what are you doing here?"

Looking at his guarded expression, Lu Jinghe found it amusing and slowly said, "Zhao Ning and I are getting married next month, and I'm inviting you to our wedding banquet."

Li Chunfeng was stunned for a moment, then his face lit up with joy: "Really? That's wonderful!"

He stood up, cupped his hands in a respectful gesture to the two of them, and said, "Congratulations! I will definitely go, I will definitely go!"

Gao Yang laughed and said, "The Grand Historian is our matchmaker, so you definitely can't escape this celebratory drink."

Upon hearing this, Li Chunfeng stroked his beard smugly: "That's right. If it weren't for my little trick back then, how could you be where you are today? Speaking of which, you should thank me properly."

Lu Jinghe raised an eyebrow: "Thank you? Thank you for tricking me?"

Li Chunfeng's face stiffened, and he said awkwardly, "How can you call it a trap? This is called—this is called predestined marriage, and I was just going with the flow."

"Going with the flow?" Lu Jinghe laughed. "So, my house was also lost to me by going with the flow?"

Li Chunfeng's expression stiffened even more.

Gao Yang laughed heartily to the side.

"Alright, alright," Li Chunfeng waved his hand, looking helpless. "Let bygones be bygones. Let's look to the future, look to the future."

Lu Jinghe nodded: "Speaking of the future, I'm going to hold an auction in Chang'an in a few days to sell glass products. Would you be interested in coming?"

"Glass?" Li Chunfeng's eyes lit up. "The kind used to make lamps?"

"Yes," Lu Jinghe said, "All kinds of styles, cups, ornaments, utensils, you name it. If you come, I'll save one for you."

Li Chunfeng nodded repeatedly, "Okay, okay, I'll definitely go, I'll definitely go!"

He paused, then leaned closer and asked in a low voice, "Um—could you give me a sneak peek at what good stuff we have?"

Seeing his expectant look, Lu Jinghe deliberately kept him in suspense: "You'll find out when the time comes."

Li Chunfeng:

The three chatted for a while longer before Lu Jinghe and Gao Yang got up to say goodbye.

Li Chunfeng smiled as he watched the two figures disappear into the alleyway.

After leaving the Imperial Observatory, the two headed straight for the Imperial Palace.

Along the way, Gao Yang held Lu Jinghe's arm, her steps light and quick.

"Jinghe, what kind of house do you think Father will get for us?"

Lu Jinghe thought for a moment: "It shouldn't be too small, after all, it's a princess getting married."

Gao Yang nodded, then suddenly asked, "So, what kind of place would you like to stay?"

Lu Jinghe laughed and said, "Ideally, it would have a large yard where I can plant some flowers and plants, dig a small pond, and raise a few fish. The house should be spacious and bright, with all the windows replaced with glass, marble floors, and beds that are just the right firmness—"

As Gao Yang listened, he couldn't help but laugh: "Are you planning to move the Celestial Master's Mansion there?"

"Of course," Lu Jinghe said matter-of-factly, "the most important thing is to stay comfortably."

The two chatted and laughed, and soon arrived at the Lizheng Hall.

The palace doors were open, and the baby's childish voice could be heard from inside.

"Mother! When is Brother coming to collect the persimmons?"

"They'll be here soon, your brother-in-law and sister will be here in a bit."

"But Persimmon misses her boyfriend, doesn't she? —"

Lu Jing and Gao Yang exchanged a glance, smiled, and went inside.

"Sizi!"

Xiao Sizi turned around, saw Lu Jinghe, and her eyes lit up instantly.

"Brother!"

She came running over with her short legs, hugged Lu Jinghe's leg, looked up at him, and her little face was full of joy.

"Brother, you're here! I've missed you so much!"

Lu Jinghe bent down and picked her up, laughing, "Brother misses Sizi too."

Xiao Sizi wrapped her arms around his neck, kissed him on the cheek, then turned to look at Gao Yang and kissed her again.

"My sister kisses me too!"

Gao Yang chuckled and pinched her cheek: "You little ingrate, now you know you're your older sister?"

Little Sizi declared confidently, "Persimmon has always liked my older sister!"

Inside the palace, Li Shimin and Empress Zhangsun sat by the couch, watching this scene with smiles on their faces.

"You're back?" Li Shimin asked.

Lu Jinghe carried the little girl over and bowed, saying, "Greetings to my father-in-law and mother-in-law."

Gao Yang also bowed in response.

Li Shimin waved his hand: "Alright, no need for formalities, sit down and let's talk."

The two sat down, and Xiao Sizi clung to Lu Jinghe's arms, refusing to get down. She held onto his clothes with her little hands, as if afraid he would run away.

Empress Zhangsun watched this scene and laughed, "This girl woke up last night and found you weren't there, so she cried for quite a while."

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Upon hearing this, Xiao Sizi buried her face in Lu Jinghe's arms, feeling somewhat embarrassed.

Lu Jinghe smiled and gently patted her head.

Li Shimin then spoke up: "Jinghe, I have summoned you here today because there is something I need to discuss."

Lu Jinghe looked at him: "Father-in-law, please speak."