Chapter 014: Traveling Together

To be honest, Wang Bo was not angry.

Because he felt that there was actually nothing to be angry about in this matter.

Hanyue wanted to find a reliable man to marry, to live a life free from worries about food and clothing, so naturally she would assess the character of some men.

In the modern world, this is all too normal.

For instance, before Wang Bo transmigrated, friends had introduced potential partners to him, and more than once.

Wang Bo would also chat with these women about everything under the sun, and if he felt they got along, he would continue the relationship; if not, he would simply say goodbye. It was as simple as that.

It's just that because Wang Bo was quite a homebody back then, most of the matches his friends introduced him to he only met once, and only a few he met several times.

But in the end, there was no good outcome.

This also led to Wang Bo remaining a bachelor after transmigrating.

Hanyue wanted to assess Wang Bo, which in Wang Bo's view was only natural, for people like them feared nothing more than entrusting themselves to the wrong person.

Once entrusted to the wrong person, a life of desolation is no mere jest.

Moreover, compared to those modern women who have had a few relationships, slept with a few men, and had a few abortions, Hanyue, though a woman from the pleasure quarters, is indeed one who sells her art but not her body.

She is still a virgin to this day.

On this point alone, she already outshines certain women by who knows how many streets.

Moreover, Wang Bo is not some male chauvinist who insists on a virgin; at the very least, he has to find her appealing.

While Hanyue was assessing Wang Bo, Wang Bo was likewise assessing Hanyue.

Wang Bo was not afraid that Hanyue had cunning; a cunning woman was not necessarily a bad one. But what he feared was that Hanyue was too cunning—like Wu Zetian, who strangled her own son to compete for the emperor's favor. Such a woman, Wang Bo would respectfully decline.

Even if she were beautiful, it wouldn't do.

Of course. Whether Wu Zetian actually strangled her own son, Wang Bo truly did not know; after all, history is something written by the victors.

History is something you can believe, but not entirely, for sometimes history is really no different from a fairy tale.

Of course. As for whether Wu Zetian actually strangled her own son, Wang Bo truly did not know. After all, history is something written by the victors. History is something you can believe, but not entirely, because sometimes history is really no different from a fairy tale.

The night passed quickly.

The next morning, after Wang Bo got up, he asked the Gourmet Tablecloth for a serving of Goubuli steamed buns, a serving of xiaolongbao (soup dumplings), a serving of whole-wheat bread, and also a bowl of soy milk, a tea egg, as well as a few bottles of beverages, a few servings of fruit, and a serving of melon seeds.

The items mentioned earlier were Wang Bo's breakfast, but the drinks, fruit, and melon seeds were what he intended to eat on the road.

After enjoying the delicious breakfast, Yu'er came to report that Miss Hanyue had arrived.

Wang Bo nodded, put the drinks, fruit, and melon seeds into his four-dimensional pocket, then got up and walked out.

At the main gate of the Wang residence, a horse-drawn carriage was parked.

Wang Bo boarded the carriage, lifted the curtain, and stepped inside. Though it looked small from the outside, the carriage was quite spacious within, and in the middle was set a Go board.

Hanyue, now dressed in a cross-collared ruqun, sat on one side of the carriage. Seeing Wang Bo enter, she gave a slight nod.

"Hanyue greets Young Master Wang."

Wang Bo nodded slightly. "Good morning, Miss Hanyue."

Hanyue said, “Young Master Wang, please have a seat.”

After Wang Bo plopped himself down, his ears twitched slightly. He lifted the carriage curtain and peered outside for a moment, then let the curtain fall back down.

Hanyue asked in surprise, "What is Young Master Wang looking at?"

Wang Bo shook his head and said with a beaming smile, "It's nothing. Let's go."

Hanyue couldn't make anything of it and didn't press further, saying aloud, "Let's set off."

The coachman answered, flicked the whip lightly on the horse's rump, and the carriage slowly started moving. Before long, it carried Wang Bo and Hanyue away.

After they left, a group of judicial officials from the Court of Judicial Review appeared at the main gate of the Wang residence.

One of the temple assistants said, "Sir, I just saw Wang Bo lift the curtain and look outside. Did he notice us?"

Another person sneered and said, “This Wang Bo is highly skilled in martial arts, so it's no surprise he discovered us. But judging by his manner—taking a beauty out for a pleasure trip, how carefree and leisurely—he clearly doesn't take our Court of Judicial Review seriously at all.”

The man in the lead watched the carriage disappear at the end of the street and said, "No more nonsense. As per Lord Yuchi's orders, you two stay here to provide support. The others and I will go up and take a look ourselves. We must not let Wang Bo escape. If he gets away, all of us will lose our heads."

The one who had spoken first said, "Lord Zhang, rest assured, we will do our utmost and absolutely no mishap will occur."

"Good!"

Magistrate Zhang nodded and, with a few men, stealthily pursued them.

……

Luoyang, the divine capital, served as the imperial capital of the Great Tang, a city of extraordinary grandeur. It was not only one of the birthplaces of Chinese civilization and the eastern terminus of the Silk Road, but also the hub of the Grand Canal of the Sui and Tang dynasties.

But the purpose of Wang Bo and Hanyue's trip this time was not the Grand Canal.

But the Luo River!

Anciently called the Luo River (Luoshui), it is an important tributary on the right bank of the Yellow River. Because the Yi River in Henan is a major tributary, it is also known as the Yiluo River, which was the Luo River of the Heluo region in high antiquity.

In ancient legends, Fuxi was active for a long time in the Heluo area; inspired by the 'River Map,' he drew the Eight Trigrams.

And Fuxi's daughter drowned in the Luo River and became the Goddess of the Luo.

Indeed, it is that very Goddess of the Luo River from the Rhapsody on the Luo Goddess.

This place is blessed with outstanding people and a rich land. Wang Bo had never been here before he traveled through time, and he never expected that before his time travel, he would arrive at the Luo River in the Tang Dynasty, with a gentle and lovely woman by his side.

Especially along the way, Hanyue quoted classics and cited authorities, telling many little stories about the Luo River, which Wang Bo listened to with great relish.

It is especially evident that this woman who sells her art but not her body is indeed a talented lady.

What was even more rare was that Hanyue lacked any of the arrogance expected of a talented woman. She centered everything on Wang Bo's opinions, flattering him subtly, satisfying his male chauvinist tendencies and making him extremely comfortable.

Of course, Wang Bo would occasionally flatter Hanyue a few times, making her both surprised and delighted.

When the two swam to a place of serene delight, Hanyue would also open her throat and sing a few lines of a ditty. Her voice was clear and moving, the melody now high, now low, with countless twists and turns, revealing astonishing vocal skill.

After all, in ancient times there were no sound-card warriors; every woman who could make a name for herself in the pleasure quarters possessed a full set of fine skills.

Either a dance that captivates a city, or a singing skill that astonishes.

And Hanyue clearly belonged to the latter.

At such moments, Wang Bo would close his eyes and listen. Although ancient times lacked popular music, the songs they sang were still quite melodious, and their unadulterated flavor gave Wang Bo a deeper understanding of ancient people's musical arts.

Wang Bo had to admit that the music of ancient times was actually quite pleasant to listen to; at least he himself had just been intoxicated by it.

Excellent!

When Hanyue finished her song, Wang Bo offered his applause without reserve. He praised her with genuine sincerity, thinking to himself that if he took Hanyue as a concubine, he would be able to hear such moving singing every day.