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墨書 Inktalez
There are clouds that say, "To stretch without relaxing, neither civil nor military can achieve it; to relax without stretching, neither civil nor military can accomplish it; only by alternating between stretching and relaxing can one understand the way of civil and military affairs." The Xu Zhen understood this principle, which is why she subtly signaled Li Mingda to leverage the Sovereign's power to timely halt the Marriage Trial, thwarting Li Zhi's schemes. Otherwise, with a single push, Li Chengqian would have ruined this grand event, incurring the displeasure of the Sage.
After returning from the Brave Duke's Mansion, Li Chengqian still could not calm his mind. He went to Shuyi Courtyard late at night to see Li Mingda and inquire about the Sovereign's stance on the matter. Li Mingda expressed his disdain for Li Zhi's actions and conveyed Xu Zhenzhi's insights to Li Chengqian. King Wei was filled with fear and increasingly grateful towards the Xu Zhen.
At that time, Li Chengqian was favored greatly. He was conferred the title of Prince of Yidu at birth by Gaozu Li Yuan. In March of the following year, he was promoted to Wei Wang and appointed Grand Minister. As the legitimate second son of Qin Wang, Li Chengqian's rank would originally have been no higher than a first-rank Prince. However, Li Yuan granted him the title of Wei Wang of the first rank rather than a second-rank heir to Wei Wang, showing immense favor towards him compared to Li Shimin and his son.
When Li Shimin ascended to the throne, in the second year of Zhenguan, he reappointed the nine-year-old Li Chengqian as Yue Wang and made him Yangzhou Grand Commander and Yuezhou Governor, overseeing military affairs in sixteen provinces including Chang, Hai, Run, Chu, Nanhe, and others. He also governed six more provinces including Yue and Wu, accumulating a total of twenty-two provinces.
In contrast, another prince who received a title at the same time, Li Ke, was granted only eight provinces. In the fifth year of Zhenguan, while serving as Yangzhou Grand Commander, Li Chengqian also took on the role of Left Martial General without losing any official position. In the sixth year of Zhenguan, he was appointed Fuzhou Grand Commander while concurrently overseeing five governors including Xia and Sheng. His official positions remained unchanged. By the eighth year, while still serving as Left Martial General, he was also appointed Yongzhou Governor.
Yongzhou is located in the Capital of Jingzhao, under the jurisdiction of Great Tang Wangdu. From then on, Li Chengqian also held authority over Xiangjing Chang'an. By the tenth year of Zhenguan, he was reassigned as King Wei while remotely governing Xiangzhou and overseeing military affairs in seven provinces including Xiang and Wei. His other official roles remained unchanged. Not only did Li Shimin hesitate to send his beloved son away from court but he even issued an edict considering having Li Chengqian move into Martial Virtue Hall.
Martial Virtue Hall is near Eastern Palace; Wei Zheng once remarked that it is close to where heirs reside. Prince Qi Li Yuanji lived in Martial Virtue Hall and was able to communicate with Li Jiancheng. Given this context, Wei Zheng had to strongly advise against it, which led to its cancellation.
This shows that King Wei Li Tai's favor over other princes was not mere words; thus he became arrogant in his affections and felt entitled to compete for the position of Crown Prince.
Once Tubo Rebellion was quelled, as a legitimate second son, Li Chengqian could rightfully inherit the position of Crown Prince. This was in accordance with seniority; old ministers led by Central Secretariat Vice Minister Cen Wenben naturally supported Li Chengqian. With backing from many new court nobles like Chai Lingwu, Son of Duke Chai Shao and Fang Yi'ai, Li Chengqian felt confident that his position as Crown Prince was secure.
However, at this moment, Li Zhi began to stir restlessly and gained support from officials like Chancellor Changsun Wuji and Chancellor of Justice Zhu Suiliang in his bid for the Crown Prince position. Zhu Suiliang even advised the Sovereign that if Li Chengqian gained power, Prince Li Zhi would surely be harmed by him.
Li Shimin knew he had overly favored Li Chengqian and feared that he might act against Li Zhi; thus he hesitated for a long time before deciding on a Crown Prince candidate.
This time around, with direct competition against Li Chengqian from Li Zhi, it put Li Chengqian in a passive position which displeased the Sage. How could Li Chengqian simply let it go? He summoned Chai Lingwu and Fang Yi'ai for an overnight strategy meeting.
Chai Lingwu is the son of Duke Chai Shao and Princess Pingyang; he is married to Princess Balin and holds the title Duke of the Right Guard while serving as Taipu Shaoqing. He frequently visits the Inner Palace and shares a close friendship with Li Chengqian, making him a trusted confidant.
The second son of Duke of Liang, Fang Yi'ai, who oversees the Treasury and works within the Inner Palace, has formed a close friendship through networking.
Just as they settled down, the Silver Blue Grand Minister, Chamberlain and Wei Wangfu Affairs Wei Ting, along with Chief Historian of the Wei Wang Mansion Du Chuke, arrived together to discuss matters of the day.
Wei Ting had a close friendship with the Hidden Prince Li Jiancheng during his childhood. He was exiled alongside Wang Gui and Du Yan during the Wude Era, but after the current Sovereign ascended the throne, he was given significant responsibilities. The Sage even arranged for his daughter to marry Prince Qi Li You. However, after the Rebellion incident involving Li You, although he was not implicated, he still harbored resentment.
As for Du Chuke, his son was killed by Caesar, who remained unscathed due to Xu Zhenzhi's influence. This fueled his anger, and he conspired with Wei Ting and others to promote King Wei for greater achievements.
Although Fang Yi'ai is the son of the Duke of Fang, he lacks his father's cunning. He is uneducated but possesses martial prowess and is rumored to be on the verge of being promoted to Right Guard General. Regarding today's matters, Fang Yi'ai shamelessly boasted about recruiting Death Warriors for their schemes, leaving everyone both amused and exasperated.
Fortunately, Du Chuke and Wei Ting are seasoned and prudent; they know how to address issues effectively. To resolve the current crisis and turn the situation around, there are only two options: either propose a new topic or obtain the remaining topics from Li Zhi.
Currently, the Sovereign is disappointed in Li Chengqian and wants to report this to him; proposing a new topic seems unlikely. As for obtaining the remaining topics from Li Zhi, that is also quite challenging. The group deliberated extensively but ultimately reached no conclusion.
Just as they were feeling despondent, Chai Lingwu suddenly recalled something and quickly asked Fang Yi'ai: "Have you ever heard your wife mention anything about Martial Talent?"
Upon hearing this, Fang Yi'ai's eyes lit up!
His wife, Princess Gaoyang, is favored by the Sovereign and shares a close friendship with Chai Lingwu's wife, Princess Balin. They often enter the palace together to pay respects, enjoy banquets, and engage in leisure activities.
Within this palace, rumors abound. Princess Gaoyang has a curious nature and loves to gather information. She has heard whispers that Prince Li Zhi has an inappropriate relationship with Wu Mei, a fifth-rank talent in the palace—rumors that are quite compelling.
Martial Talent is the second daughter of the late Duke Ying Warrior Wu. The Sage summoned her into the palace after hearing of her beauty and grace, granting her a fifth-rank title and bestowing her with the name Wu Mei.
The Sovereign is busy with state affairs and maintains a cautious demeanor towards women. Since the passing of Empress Sheng, he has distanced himself from court affairs; many concubines have long been neglected by him, let alone talents like Wu Mei. The Sage's decision to summon her into the palace likely reflects his regard for her father’s legacy; thus she has not received any favor and has rarely seen the Sovereign despite being in the palace for some time. Wu Mei is at a youthful age and finds it difficult to endure loneliness; it remains uncertain whether she might have become involved with Li Zhi.
Li Chengqian, though resentful of Li Zhi's actions, felt displeased upon hearing Fang Yi'ai and Chai Lingwu discussing such rumors. This matter was crucial to the royal family's reputation; had it not been for his close ties with these two, Li Chengqian would have sent someone to confront them long ago.
Fang Yi'ai and Chai Lingwu were not foolish; they understood that the situation involved the Sovereign and would never dare to provoke King Wei. However, although Princess Gaoyang had fallen out of favor and was willful, she rarely lied. Given this context, it seemed that the Martial Talent indeed had some entanglement with Li Zhi.
Hearing Fang and Chai speak so confidently, Li Chengqian furrowed his brow. If he reported this matter to the Sage and the Sovereign became enraged, Li Zhi's position would surely be in jeopardy. Yet, since this was merely hearsay without solid evidence, and considering the Sage's disappointment in him today, it was not appropriate to bring it up at such a critical moment.
Wei Ting, however, was a cunning old man. Upon hearing Li Chengqian's concerns, he shook his head and said, "Your Highness is mistaken. The two Consorts do not intend to expose anything. As long as they are allowed to meet, Prince Jin will surely speak up!"
Upon hearing this, Li Chengqian felt relieved and ordered Fang Yi'ai to oversee the matter. She gladly accepted the task and went to discuss it with Princess Gaoyang. The princess was one who did not shy away from trouble and immediately entered the palace to pressure the Martial Talent.
Wu Mei was only twenty years old and possessed a beauty as pure as a lotus flower emerging from water. However, her eyes held a glimmer that could captivate even Princess Gaoyang, making her truly an enchanting beauty with both inner charm and outer grace.
Princess Gaoyang, who was usually proud, felt jealousy upon seeing Wu Mei's extraordinary beauty and did not hide her feelings. She directly threatened Wu Mei, forcing her to extract all remaining information about Li Zhi.
Wu Mei and Li Zhi were indeed mutually attracted to each other. Wu Mei was clever enough to realize that King Wei intended harm towards Li Zhi; thus, she could only deny everything and refused to comply.
Princess Gaoyang was not someone easy to deal with either. With a sinister tone of intimidation, she said, "You ignorant servant! If I tell the Sage about this, regardless of whether it's true or false, he will certainly harbor doubts. Not to mention what will happen to Prince Jin; as for you, you will only end up imprisoned in the cold palace for the rest of your days!"
Although Wu Mei had grown accustomed to the deceit within the Palace, she ultimately felt powerless against Princess Gaoyang's threats. She could only endure humiliation and tears before reluctantly agreeing.
When Li Chengqian learned that Wu Mei indeed had illicit communications with Li Zhi, he became furious and hated Li Zhi even more. He sought out Li Mingda under the pretense of wanting her to mediate a reconciliation between him and Li Zhi at Shuyi Courtyard. Li Mingda suspected nothing amiss and happily agreed.
Li Chengqian then informed Fang Yi'ai to use Princess Gaoyang as an excuse for offering incense in prayer and brought Wu Mei out disguised as a servant girl to follow him closely.
Upon seeing Wu Mei's true appearance, which was indeed pitifully charming and heart-stirring, he took her to Shuyi Courtyard while making an excuse to leave. He awaited Li Zhi's arrival with great anticipation; he would be overjoyed when he came, allowing Wu Mei to execute her plan!
Li Zhi had secretly instructed someone to impeach Xu Zhen, intending to ruin not only her reputation but also that of Li Mingda. Feeling guilty towards this good sister, he was at a loss for how to win her favor. Hearing that Li Mingda had sent someone to invite him, hoping to bring him together with Li Chengqian, he mistakenly believed that Li Chengqian had softened and thought it would be a win-win situation. Overjoyed, he hurried to Shuyi Courtyard with many gifts.
Li Mingda, on the other hand, felt helpless. She had long been disappointed in Li Zhi but still harbored goodwill and ultimately did not want to see her two brothers fighting to the death. Thus, she agreed to Li Chengqian's proposal.
Due to Li Zhi's actions towards her family, Li Mingda had been heartbroken for several days with no outlet for her feelings and unable to see Xu Zhen. Her mind was already in turmoil. Since she had invited both brothers today, why not take this opportunity to invite Brother Xu as well to alleviate her loneliness? After all, her two brothers would have their own topics of conversation, and she could talk with Xu Zhen —wasn't that a perfect solution?
With this thought in mind, she shook off her gloom and urged the Female Knight to invite Xu Zhen.
Xu Zhen was troubled over a problem when she heard that Li Mingda was inviting her. She speculated that this girl might be able to obtain some secret information from Li Zhi, so she hurriedly made her way to Shuyi Courtyard.
Upon learning that Xu Zhen was coming, Li Mingda's face turned rosy as she hid in her room to prepare herself. Xu Zhen was not shy; being familiar with Shuyi Courtyard, she wandered around a bit. When she reached a certain courtyard, she faintly heard whispers inside and then the sounds of passionate breaths between a man and a woman, which left her astonished.
This Shuyi Courtyard was Li Mingda's exclusive space; it was broad daylight under Azure Sky—what kind of scandalous activity could be happening here?
In surprise and suspicion, Xu Zhen opened the gauze window for a peek and saw a man and a woman in an intimate embrace. One of them was the flirtatious Li Zhi, while the other wore male servant attire but had long hair cascading like a waterfall. With charming eyes and rosy cheeks that seemed ready to bloom with emotion, it was clearly a beautiful woman!
"What is this Li Zhi doing here acting recklessly?"
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