fifth form

Chapter 3015 Visiting Lady Dou

Zhang Xuezhou's residence and Princess Dou's residence were like the backyard and the front gate.

Zhang Xuezhou accepted the new emperor's request to investigate Princess Dou, and was also invited by Princess Dou. However, more than a year after moving to the mansion, Zhang Xuezhou had not yet visited Princess Dou.

In terms of normal interpersonal relationships, this is already too late.

But Zhang Xuezhou had no choice. After all, visiting Master Dou was not a simple neighborly visit; it required real work, and the matter could not be completed in a day.

"It seems the people of the Celestial Court have also set their sights on Princess Dou!"

After arranging his family affairs, Zhang Xuezhou saw off Huo Qubing, the unexpected little guest.

As the sun set, Zhang Xuezhou finally left home carrying a small bag.

The reason why Zhang Xuezhou chose to visit Princess Dou at sunset was quite simple: Princess Dou was not in her residence at other times, and Zhang Xuezhou could not find her at all when he came to visit.

"My lord, the Grand Princess is in Fuxiang Palace. Please come this way!"

Dou Shisan, who was in charge of guarding the mansion, delivered the visiting card and was responsible for leading the way. Zhang Xuezhou did not encounter any difficulties when entering Princess Guantao's mansion.

Zhang Xuezhou's residence only had one main hall for receiving guests, while Princess Guantao's residence occupied a vast area, no smaller than or equal to that of the Marquis of Pingyang's residence.

Sandwiched between the Pingyang Marquis's residence and the Guantao Princess's residence, Zhang Xuezhou's mansion was more like a dividing area, thus avoiding potential conflicts arising from the clash between the two powerful residences.

In fact, there are quite a few mansions like his in Chang'an. They may look like the core buildings of Chang'an, but they are actually just used for partitions.

Zhang Xuezhou rode in a sheep-drawn carriage, a vehicle reserved for the upper-class nobility, while Dou Shisan sped along the road.

Upon seeing a palace carved with phoenixes, Dou Shisan bowed and invited Zhang Xuezhou to get off the sheep-drawn cart.

Princess Dou in the palace was not waiting specifically for Zhang Xuezhou, but was enjoying the dance and music.

Compared to the dancers moving about in the Pingyang Marquis's mansion, the dances in the Guantao Princess's mansion were performed by a group of strong men with pale complexions.

Zhang Xuezhou was used to women striking poses while dancing, but seeing a group of muscular men doing the same thing suddenly made him feel somewhat physically uncomfortable.

For Zhang Xuezhou, this sensory experience wasn't very pleasant, but for Princess Dou, the former eldest princess seemed to really enjoy this type of dance.

"Greetings, Princess Dou!"

After the announcement, Zhang Xuezhou stepped into the hall and bowed to Princess Dou.

Princess Dou merely nodded slightly to signal Zhang Xuezhou to take a seat, without saying a word, and continued to enjoy the dance.

Zhang Xuezhou could only wait patiently.

"There is a beautiful woman, whom I cannot forget once I have seen her; if I do not see her for a day, I am driven mad with longing. Like a phoenix soaring high, I seek her across the four seas..."

As the dance ended, Princess Dou slowly began to recite, her expression still showing a hint of intoxication.

She recited it once, and many male dancers began to recite it along with her, much like a male bird pleading with a female bird.

"Dongfang Shuo, won't you recite such a fine poem?"

After the male dancers finished reciting, Princess Dou spoke softly to Zhang Xuezhou.

“I heard that this poem was written by Sima Xiangru to propose marriage,” Zhang Xuezhou said.

“Indeed, Sima Xiangru was a talented man, and I like this poem he wrote very much,” said Princess Dou.

“This is a wonderful phrase; I plan to recite it tomorrow,” Zhang Xuezhou said.

"Oh? Why do you want to read it tomorrow?" Dou Taizhu asked with some interest.

"Because I am also proposing tomorrow," Zhang Xuezhou said, bowing. "I wonder if Your Highness would have the time to grace us with your presence at your home for a small wedding banquet!"

"If you were inviting me for something else, I would have no interest, but I am interested in reciting the poem 'Phoenix Seeking Its Mate' during your wedding!"

Princess Dou raised her head.

Initially, she was somewhat enthusiastic about having a neighbor like Zhang Xuezhou, after all, he was a high-ranking official close to the new emperor, and she was willing to befriend him for the sake of the empress. However, Zhang Xuezhou was extremely impolite; he never visited her after moving next to Princess Guantao's residence, let alone offered any words of concern or care.

As time goes by, everything fades away.

Princess Dou had no interest in Zhang Xuezhou and treated the owner of this secluded mansion as if he were dead.

She only became slightly more interested when Zhang Xuezhou came to visit and mentioned the Phoenix Seeking Its Mate.

"I heard from Dou Shisan that you've only been back at the manor for a day or two, and your old flame is all alone in her room. And you've already found a new love?" Dou Taizhu asked.

"I miss him madly if I don't see him for a day, and my new love is a reflection of the phoenix seeking its mate in reality," Zhang Xuezhou said with a smile.

"Oh, I've suddenly become somewhat interested in the beauty you've been longing for," said Princess Dou.

Looking at Zhang Xuezhou, Dou Taizhu's nonchalant expression turned slightly surprised, realizing that Zhang Xuezhou was indeed in a hurry to get married.

In just one or two days, the other party needed to return to the palace to pay respects to the new emperor and sort out family matters, and then suddenly they got married. The time frame of this marriage was so short that even Princess Dou found it absurd.

"Has that beauty agreed to marry you in just a day or two?" Princess Dou asked curiously.

“As long as the feelings are genuine, how could they not get married?” Zhang Xuezhou said with a smile.

“A proper marriage requires proper etiquette, and I feel you’re moving a little too fast,” said Princess Dou.

“With the Emperor as witness, this is already the highest level of ceremony in our Great Han Dynasty,” Zhang Xuezhou said. “How many women in the world can receive such an honor!”

"You have such a sweet tongue; with just a few words, you've made me forget your past lack of manners," said Princess Dou.

"Upon hearing that someone could cure my illness, I hastily bid farewell to His Majesty without having time to inform the Crown Prince. I am truly sorry for my rudeness," Zhang Xuezhou said. "I acquired a treasure on this trip, which I have brought here as a gift to make amends for my mistake!"

"Oh? What treasure?"

"Your Majesty, please look!"

Zhang Xuezhou removed the thick cloth covering the bowl, revealing the golden bowl he had obtained from the Celestial Court.

This gold bowl is exquisitely crafted and is a rare work of gold jewelry even by modern standards.

Art has no market value, so it's perfect for gifting. After all, the most Zhang Xuezhou could use the golden bowl for was simply to eat.

He presented the gold bowl generously and had it delivered to Dou Taizhu's table.

"Though we are far apart, my heart is with you; how can we become a pair of mandarin ducks?" Princess Dou exclaimed repeatedly, "This bowl contains water birds and mandarin ducks, their feathers so finely detailed that you can see them. It is truly a rare and exquisite object!"

“This bowl has another clever feature,” Zhang Xuezhou said with a smile. “If you pour water into the bowl, two fish will float to the surface, making it look like mandarin ducks catching fish!”

"Wonderful! Truly a marvelous object!"

Princess Dou called for water to be brought in, and after staring at it for a few seconds, she saw patterns in the water that resembled fish, looking like mandarin ducks diving into the water to catch fish. This amazed her, and her evaluation of the water was elevated to a whole new level.

Princess Dou was of extremely high social standing; not to mention possessing, she had seen countless rare and precious treasures in her lifetime.

But the golden bowl in front of her really caught her eye, and she even found herself quite fond of it.

If it weren't for the fact that the bowl was inconvenient to carry, it would be normal for her to hold and play with it for several days.

"I am very pleased with this item," said Princess Dou with satisfaction. "I will certainly return the favor with a gift tomorrow!"

Zhang Xuezhou sent a gift first, and Princess Dou was willing to reciprocate, so the two exchanged favors.

Zhang Xuezhou acted with discretion and made sure the invitation was appropriate.

His relationship with Princess Dou thawed very quickly; although they weren't exactly inseparable, they at least maintained communication.

Zhang Xuezhou would stay in Chang'an for a long time, and he was not in a hurry to ask Princess Dou for help with the Demon-Revealing Mirror, or to find out the Twelve Yuanchen lurking in Princess Guantao's mansion, nor did he test Princess Dou's bottom line.

They were so close to each other that he believed there was plenty of time.