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墨書 Inktalez
This is the second time Princess Jinyang has been privately summoned by Li Zhi in the palace. At only twenty-four years old, Li Zhi appears exhausted, showing no signs of the vigor expected from a new ruler, indicating just how much pressure he is under from Changsun Wuji.
This uncle may not have any ill intentions, but he is a strict elder with an unassailable authority. In his eyes, Li Zhi will always be that weak little nephew. With Li Shimin gone, he naturally feels responsible for guarding this territory for Li Zhi.
This is a conflict between two generations, akin to a seven or eight-year-old child trying to lift a vase taller than himself. The parent fears the child might break the vase, yet fails to realize that the child believes he can indeed hold it up.
Changsun Wuji's meticulous interference has already begun to annoy Li Zhi. At this age, one is often filled with youthful exuberance. Although Li Zhi is gentle and weak, he possesses ambitions that are stirring within him as he holds this territory. However, Changsun Wuji is conservative and unwilling to see Li Zhi act too rashly, frequently admonishing him. After all, he is an emperor; how can he endure such resentment?
The last time Li Zhi saw Princess Jinyang, he was relieved to have sent her off to Tuguhun. Now, upon seeing her again, he can't help but smile bitterly as he recalls that moment.
Princess Jinyang is now thirty-five years old and exudes a calmness reminiscent of an older brother. This makes Li Zhi think of King Wu Li Ke, whom he has barely met a few times, and he sees the imprint of his father on Princess Jinyang, which makes him uncomfortable.
He feels a twinge of jealousy and must admit that compared to himself, Princess Jinyang resembles the predecessor emperor's son more closely. Perhaps it is this quality in her that earned her the predecessor emperor's respect and made him regard her as a pillar of support.
"Your servant Princess Jinyang pays respects to Your Majesty!" Princess Jinyang bowed deeply, not daring to be careless. However, Li Zhi walked over directly and gently held her wrist, shaking his head with a broad smile.
" Mr. Xu, why are you being so formal? It has been two years since we last met, and you have become even more composed and mature. Our bond as ruler and minister has long been established; there’s no need to act like ordinary officials," he chuckled.
Even though Princess Jinyang is steady and composed, hearing Li Zhi's words made her heart tighten. She dared not respond immediately; Li Zhi's cunning nature was already deepened by Changsun Wuji's influence, making him even harder to read now.
In the Imperial Study, seats were arranged. After ensuring Li Zhi was seated, Princess Jinyang sat cross-legged behind the round table, nodding in anticipation of his words.
" Mr. Xu," Li Zhi said after taking a sip of sweet rice wine with a smile, "do you know why I summoned you here today?"
This sweet rice wine is a type of fermented sweet wine known for its fragrant and rich flavor without much alcohol content. It invigorates the blood and is favored by noblewomen in Chang'an as a nourishing drink for women’s health. As a man and the current emperor, it seems lacking in assertiveness for him to drink such a soft beverage.
However, since he dotes on Wu Mei and this sweet rice wine is her favorite—she drinks it several times daily—Li Zhi has come to enjoy this drink as well.
Princess Jinyang did not dare to be presumptuous and quickly replied, "I do not know."
Li Zhi chuckled lightly and got straight to the point: "I summoned you today regarding my sister Sister Si's marriage. Are you prepared to become a consort? Hahaha..."
Although Princess Jinyang had long anticipated that Li Zhi would use this method to activate his buffer, hearing Li Zhi say it still made her feel a surge of emotions.
His bond with Li Mingda was inseparable. Initially, he felt only a brotherly affection for the girl, but he couldn't resist Li Mingda's ardent admiration and adoration, which eventually blossomed into genuine feelings for her.
He witnessed Li Mingda's growth step by step, and this emotion, straddling the line between sibling and lover, ultimately brought them together.
If Princess Jinyang were to express her true feelings, the first person she would want to marry would undoubtedly be Caesar, with whom she shared a life-and-death bond. However, after so many years of navigating the Tang court, she had never had the opportunity to formally unite with Caesar as a couple. In this regard, she felt guilty towards Caesar; although Caesar never voiced it, she knew that he cared deeply about it—after all, no woman would be indifferent.
Yet they both understood that Li Mingda held an extraordinary position. If Princess Jinyang were to marry, it would certainly be Li Mingda first. This was also a form of protection for Li Mingda. As her elder sisters, Caesar and Li Wushuang, as well as Zhang Suling, were all aware of this and maintained a consistent understanding.
Since Li Zhi had already spoken up and with the current Sovereign making the decision, how could Princess Jinyang refuse?
"I am unworthy of receiving the princess's favor; this is Xu Zhenzhi's blessing, but I will follow the Sovereign's lead," Princess Jinyang said as she left to express her gratitude. Li Zhi was naturally delighted because Princess Jinyang's declaration reassured him that she had not disappointed the Predecessor Emperor's expectations. Despite all the reckless things he had done to her, Princess Jinyang remained the loyal Princess Jinyang!
"Good! Good! Hahaha!" Li Zhi exclaimed twice and chatted with Princess Jinyang before allowing her to leave.
When a Tang princess marries, a formal naming ceremony must be held, presided over by Your Majesty. The princess is given an official title, awarded a jade tablet and golden seal, granted substantial land and wealth, and a Princess Residence is established along with corresponding officials. Naturally, the groom would be titled Duke of the Right Guard.
These matters were handled by the Ministry of Rites and other officials. Princess Jinyang was completely unaware of this and could only go along with whatever arrangements were made.
Once the news spread, it indeed caused a great stir. Li Mingda's identity as a princess had long been revealed; however, she had not been officially conferred as one until now. This occasion returned her status as a princess and fulfilled Emperor Taizong's wishes.
Li Zhi initially intended merely to bring Princess Jinyang back into court politics through this move, but he genuinely felt happy for Li Mingda. He had promised Li Shimin in the past that he would rectify this regret in his heart.
While Princess Jinyang was discussing matters with Li Zhi in the palace, Li Mingda encountered an esteemed guest at Shuyi Hall: the current Empress Wang!
Li Mingda was understandably anxious; if Empress Wang wished to see her, it should have been her duty to pay respects first. Yet Empress Wang personally visited Shuyi Hall. Despite being clever, Li Mingda could not immediately discern the purpose of this visit.
Not to mention that Li Mingda was Emperor Taizong's most beloved daughter; even Li Zhi cherished her greatly. It should also be noted that Empress Wang was already aware that Li Zhi intended to confer Princess Jinyang as Duke of the Right Guard. She sought to gain Princess Jinyang's support through Li Mingda; otherwise, it was possible that even the position of empress might be taken away by Wu Mei.
Because of this, she personally came to meet Li Mingda, under the pretext of welcoming her back from Tuguhun, but in reality, she hoped to establish a good relationship with her. Once Li Mingda was married to Xu Zhen, things would become much easier.
She hailed from the Taiyuan Wang Clan and, while gaining the support of the aristocracy, continuously sought benefits for them. After Wang Wukui reported Xu Zhen's situation back to the clan, the elders of the Wang family began to reassess Xu Zhen's value, which alerted Empress Wang.
Li Mingda was no longer the naive girl she once was; however, this sister-in-law, the Empress, was particularly close to her. She secretly informed Li Mingda about the Sovereign's marriage decree and, as someone who had been through it all, entrusted her with many matters while promising to personally handle the wedding arrangements for Li Mingda.
Upon hearing this from Empress Wang, Li Mingda couldn't help but feel delighted and shy. This truly brought them closer together. After chatting for a long time, Empress Wang finally returned to the palace.
Li Mingda was overjoyed and was about to leave the palace to find Xu Zhen when the Female Knight came to report that Consort Xiao had come to visit. Li Mingda couldn't help but pout.
Consort Xiao had a very different demeanor compared to Empress Wang. Although both came from prestigious families, Empress Wang was dignified and elegant, while Consort Xiao did not hide her enchanting femininity at all. Even in front of other women, she exuded charm that left Li Mingda in awe.
However, when it came to conversation and behavior, Consort Xiao indeed lacked some of Empress Wang's seriousness but had more of a carefree attitude towards societal norms. She treated Li Mingda like a younger sister.
Li Mingda was preoccupied with thoughts of Xu Zhen and could hardly focus on their conversation. She only smiled politely in response, but Consort Xiao seemed oblivious and continued to linger in Shuyi Hall without any intention of leaving.
While Li Mingda patiently engaged with her, Xu Zhen had already returned to Xu Manor. She first visited Li Wushuang's courtyard to check on mother and child before going to Zhang Suling's place, reminding her to take good care of herself before finally returning to her own courtyard.
Whether on diplomatic missions or residing in Chang'an for an extended period, Xu Zhen had always shared a room with Caesar. This arrangement had not changed at all; in the hearts of Li Mingda and others, Caesar was still regarded as an older sister, which they considered perfectly natural.
When Caesar saw Xu Zhen return, she simply helped her change into loose and comfortable Nest attire and then thoughtfully gave her a massage. Although there were not many words exchanged between them, they shared a deep understanding.
"Um... today the Sovereign summoned me..."
"Mm."
"Do you know what it's about?"
"Mm."
"Thank you..."
Such a simple and tacit conversation had become second nature to them. Xu Zhen had always relied on Caesar; she was more mature than Li Wushuang and others, able to understand Xu Zhen's feelings and more tolerant of her. For Xu Zhen, Caesar was a harbor when she was weary, a guiding light when she was confused. It felt as if she could be completely unguarded and unmasked in front of Caesar. Being with Caesar was the most relaxed and enjoyable time for her.
Xu Zhen turned around, wrapping her arms around Caesar's slender waist, burying her face into the deep and gentle snow peaks of her bosom, and then murmured, "We will soon escape all of this..."
Caesar gently stroked Xu Zhen's long hair, a happy smile slowly appearing on her face. She enjoyed the feeling of Xu Zhen in her embrace, feeling her warm breath, which made her body gradually heat up. With a wicked smile, she slowly guided Xu Zhen's head down inch by inch...
"I must give my lord a child!" Caesar thought to herself...
An hour later, Xu Zhen floated out with light steps. They say that thirty is like a wolf and forty like a tiger; the proverb does not deceive.
The Female Knight from Shuyi Hall had come in advance to notify that Li Mingda was about to arrive at the residence. Xu Zhen planned to eat something to replenish her energy, lest Li Mingda become affectionate and unable to control herself again.
Just then, the doorman came to report, presenting an invitation. Upon seeing it, Xu Zhen was somewhat taken aback. After trying hard to recall, she couldn't help but smile wryly and sighed, "What is meant to come will eventually come..."
In front of the side gate of Xu Manor, a black carriage slowly opened its curtains. A scholar in a round-collared robe got out of the carriage and looked around before walking into Xu Manor with his personal attendant.
This person was Fang Xuanling's second son, Duke of the Right Guard Fang Yi'ai.
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