Tiantang Splendid

Chapter 4906: Is this flower irrigated?

Zhangsun Wuji and Prince of Jin launched mutinies twice in succession and at one point reached the gate of Wude Hall, one step away from the throne. Although they ultimately failed, if Li Anyan really remembered the hatred and endured humiliation to avenge Li Jiancheng, why didn't he mobilize his imperial guards to participate?

He didn't participate in those two times, so why was he lured by Li Shenfu?
It doesn't make sense.

Fang Jun poured tea for Li Junxian and asked, "In your opinion, are good people born good and bad people born bad?"

"Of course not. Although a person's goodness or badness is related to his nature, it is more shaped by the surrounding environment."

"Does it mean that if a person has never stolen anything in the past, he will never steal in the future?"

Li Junxian understood: "Duke Yue meant that the reason why Li Anyan failed to participate in the previous two mutinies was just because of some unknown reasons that prevented him from getting involved, or because he was not moved by Zhangsun Wuji and Prince Jin. But it does not mean that he will not be attached to Li Shenfu this time."

Fang Jun nodded: "Besides, Li Anyan might not have been involved in the previous two mutinies. It is also possible that the rebels were defeated while he was still waiting and watching, so he just stopped and lay dormant."

After he said this, Li Junxian's face was solemn: "This makes sense. Li Anyan was the General of the Central Army and the Qianniu Guard of the Eastern Palace. Although he never attached himself to the traitor, he was silent and had a very low sense of presence in the two mutinies. He might have other intentions."

He also remembered something. It was okay when Zhangsun Wuji rebelled, but when Prince Jin was defeated, the rebels had already entered Taiji Palace and approached Wude Hall. However, Jin Jinmin led three thousand "Hwarang Army" to hide in the East Palace beforehand. Li Anyeon must know the details, so he believed that Prince Jin would definitely be defeated.

In this way, it makes sense why Li Anyan did not participate in the mutiny...

Fang Jun said: "Don't be fooled by appearances. Anyone with a motive is suspicious. Keep an eye on Li Anyan, especially Li Siliang!"

As a Tongshi Sheren, Li Siliang was always by the emperor's side and knew the deployment of the imperial guards inside and outside the Taiji Palace very well. If he rebelled, he would pose a great threat.

There is also Li Anyan who is supporting us from the East Palace just across the wall. Once the attack is launched... the consequences will be disastrous.

Li Junxian nodded seriously.

As the commander-in-chief of the "Hundred Cavalry Division", he was involved in too many royal secrets. Once Li Chengqian failed, no matter who took over, he would have a hard time ending up well...

"Does His Majesty know about your investigation into Li Anyan?"

"Li Anyan is the Eastern Palace's Qianniu Bei, and the Lieutenant General of the Imperial Guards. If we want to investigate his background, it will inevitably involve the affairs of the imperial palace. How dare we hide this from Your Majesty?"

"What did your Majesty say?"

"I don't comment or agree."

Speaking of His Majesty's attitude, Li Junxian shook his head.

Fang Jun also sighed: "Your Majesty has been under too much pressure from the court and the public. Even though Your Majesty has been on the throne for a long time, all kinds of disapproval have been heard and spread widely, causing Your Majesty to be eager to prove to the world that he is not a bad emperor... However, I would like to say something presumptuous. Emperor Taizong was a shining example before us. How many emperors in history can be compared with him? It only adds to your troubles."

Pressure can cause a huge change in a person's temperament, or it can bring out a person's deeply hidden true nature...

No one knows whether Li Chengqian's character has always been like this, whether all his previous "generosity and kindness" were a disguise, or whether he gradually "turned darker" under tremendous pressure. In short, Li Chengqian is now stubborn, conceited, eager for quick success, and will not listen to any advice.

Li Junxian was silent. There were some things Fang Jun could say, but he, the "emperor's lackey", could not say them...

He just sighed, "The situation is urgent, the wind is high and the waves are turbulent. I am really afraid that if I am not careful, I will fall into an irretrievable situation. I am not afraid of death, but I can no longer realize my life's ambitions. It is a pity that my flesh and blood cannot be buried on the battlefield."

The Tang Dynasty was growing stronger day by day, but wars were never-ending. Whether in the snowy Western Regions and Mobei, or the turbulent South and West Oceans, millions of soldiers were on duty guarding the borders, expanding territory, fighting bravely, and fearlessly trying to lay down a vast territory for future generations.

This is the best era for a soldier, but someone as ambitious as him is confined to the tiny city of Chang'an, doing all sorts of shady, private, and petty things all day long. Whenever he thinks about it, he sighs with regret.

In this regard, Fang Jun said he was powerless.

"With duties like yours, it's hard to find someone to replace you. And His Majesty won't let you go. You can only endure it and wait for the right time."

To put it bluntly, these "emperor's lackeys" and "spy chiefs" must either continue doing their job or die. It is extremely difficult to escape calmly.

Li Junxian was quite carefree: "I don't know how I got to where I am today... But a real man stands tall between heaven and earth, how can everything go smoothly all the time? I am just serving the king loyally, and I will die on the battlefield."

It is not his character to complain about everything; fulfilling his duties faithfully is his duty.

Fang Jun patted his shoulder and said comfortingly: "Maintaining the imperial power and protecting His Majesty is a great achievement. I think His Majesty will also be grateful for your contribution and will fulfill your wish sooner or later."

But having said that, how easy is it?
If it were the Li Chengqian of the past, perhaps he would one day let Li Junxian return to the army, but now Li Chengqian is stubborn, conceited, and narrow-minded, so it is basically impossible...

*****
The Mansion of Duke Qiao.

Chai Lingwu was wearing a brocade robe, a short moustache and a bun. He had a good-looking appearance and looked more mature and steady than before. He was currently burying his head in documents and checking some accounts in the mansion. He also had to prepare a gift list and send it to the Hanhai Protectorate. His brother Chai Zhewei and his family had been exiled there. It was the coldest time of the year and water would freeze into ice. He didn't know how the family was doing and whether any of them had frozen to death...

After writing for a while, he put down his brush, rubbed his neck, stretched himself, took a sip of the tea that the maid had just brewed, and looked out the window at the flying snowflakes, lost in thought.

The maid came in from the outer room and said, "My dear, Princess Chengyang is here to give us a New Year gift."

Chai Lingwu was stunned for a moment. Normally, such visits would be notified a few days in advance to avoid the situation where the host is not at home. Princess Chengyang is the daughter of Emperor Taizong and Empress Wende, and her status is noble, so she should observe etiquette.

However, Chai Lingwu had a close personal relationship with Princess Chengyang's husband Du He, and Princess Baling and Princess Chengyang also got along well with each other, so it could not be considered rude to visit them rashly.

Suddenly remembering something, Chai Lingwu asked, "It seems the princess is not in the mansion?"

The maid lowered her head and whispered, "Yes."

Chai Lingwu frowned and thought for a moment: "When the princess left, I was checking the accounts and didn't pay attention to what she said. Did she say where she was going?"

The maid lowered her head, almost shrinking into a corner, and spoke cautiously, her voice as soft as a mosquito: "She said that she had an appointment with Princess Chengyang to go to Mount Li to take a bath in the hot springs..."

However, now the princess went to Mount Li to warm the hot springs, and Princess Chengyang, who had already made an appointment, came to give gifts... So who did Princess Baling go to Mount Li with?
Are you alone?
still is……

Chai Lingwu felt as if he had grown weeds in his heart. He turned his face gloomy and ignored the maid, then quickly walked out of the study and headed for the main hall.

The maid breathed a sigh of relief. If the husband got angry, she would be beaten and kicked out of the house...

In the main hall, Princess Chengyang, who was dressed in splendid palace clothes and had a sweet face, was sitting on a chair drinking tea. Chai Lingwu entered, bowed and took a seat, then asked with a smile, "Why didn't the prince consort come?"

Normally, the head of the family should be in charge of such an exchange of New Year gifts, but Princess Chengyang has always been strong and suppressed Du He like a cat...

Princess Chengyang pursed her pink lips, snorted, and said dissatisfiedly: "How could you good brothers not know him? He is lazy again, staying at home all day, teasing the maids and spending time drinking and partying, not caring about the affairs of the mansion, and not even showing up for things like sending New Year gifts, as if he is ashamed to be seen."

Chai Lingwu: “…”

If you say it's shameful, it seems like I'm the one who's shameful... Could it be that His Highness is making a veiled accusation?
"Eh? Where's Sister Baling?"

Princess Chengyang said a few words before she realized that Princess Baling had not shown up yet. What was going on with her sitting here talking with Princess Baling's husband?
Chai Lingwu's eyes were deep: "It is said that he went to Mount Li to take a bath in the warm spring."

Princess Chengyang's eyes lit up, and she clapped her hands and said, "Snow all over the sky, hot spring water is slippery, sister really knows how to enjoy it! You should invite me to such an elegant event!"

Chai Lingwu: “…”

There was no point in chatting today. Every word pierced my heart like a knife.

So do you know something and come here to hint at me?

Princess Chengyang seemed to have noticed that Chai Lingwu was a little cold, and she also felt that the atmosphere was a little awkward, so she stood up and said goodbye: "Then I will go back first. The prince consort and sister Baling will come to the mansion for a drink another day. I will have someone prepare a banquet and entertain them well."

Seeing that Chai Lingwu had no intention of keeping any food for him, he had no choice but to leave.

Besides, Princess Baling is not at home, so she can't eat even if she leaves food for her...

"I will see your Highness off."

Chai Lingwu was so confused that he didn't even bother to say a few polite words and just stood up to see him off.

"..."

Princess Chengyang looked at Chai Lingwu with a little doubt. She always felt that this man was weird. Without saying much, she nodded and left.

After seeing Princess Chengyang off, Chai Lingwu sat in the hall with a gloomy face, drinking tea, feeling extremely depressed and aggrieved.

Soon, voices were heard outside the door, followed by the sound of footsteps and the jingling of jewelry, and Princess Baling walked into the hall with two maids.

Chai Lingwu looked at her intently. The crimson palace dress outlined her slender waist and graceful figure. He didn't know if it was a psychological problem or a preconceived notion, but he felt that Princess Baling's already beautiful face was even more radiant today. Her skin was white and rosy, and her skin was translucent. Her skirt fluttered as she walked, and her steps were brisk. It was obvious that she was in a very good mood.

I felt a little blocked in my heart.

Is the warm soup from Mount Li so nourishing?
It looks like the flowers have just been watered...