Tiantang Splendid

Chapter 4928 Mei Niang: You can use my husband, but you can’t steal him!

On the 28th day of the twelfth lunar month, the heavy snow stopped.

The mountains that stretch across the north of Guanzhong block the howling cold winds from the far north. Even if there is heavy snow in Guanzhong, there is no biting cold wind and the climate is relatively warm.

Yamen runners and patrolmen from Jingzhao Prefecture and Wannian and Chang'an counties all went out to cooperate with the personnel gathered in various neighborhoods, and cleared all the snow on the streets in just one day. With cool air and clean cityscape, the whole city was ready to welcome the New Year.

In Chongrenfang and in front of the Duke of Liang's Mansion, there was an endless stream of vehicles coming from various families to deliver New Year gifts. However, at this time, most of them were the stewards of each family who came on behalf of the head of the family, and at most they were just a concubine's son. So although it was lively, there was no need for Fang Jun to come out in person to entertain them, and it was quite quiet.

In addition, it was still the mourning period for Emperor Taizong, so most of the complicated New Year ceremonies of each household were reduced. Even the royal family only had the rituals of offering sacrifices to heaven and ancestors, so the whole city did not look as lively as in previous years, and the New Year atmosphere was slightly reduced...

Even Fang Xuanling and his wife, Fang Yizhi who was still recuperating from his injuries, and Xiao Shuer and others were informed by Fang Jun in a letter that the situation in the capital was unstable, so they stayed in Huating Town for several years and did not return to Beijing.

At the beginning of the morning hour, the side door of the Duke of Liang's mansion opened. Fang Jun, wearing a brocade robe and a mink hat, rode out of the side door with dozens of his personal soldiers. When they reached the street, they sped up their horses, went out of the Fang Gate to the east, and then went out of the city through the Chunming Gate. They crossed the Ba Bridge and followed the official road south to Lantian, where they picked up Wu Meiniang, who was returning to Chang'an from Luoyang to celebrate the New Year...

When they arrived at Lantian Posthouse, Wu Meiniang's convoy had not arrived yet, but the postmaster, who had received the news, had already led the postmen to line up and wait on the roadside. When they saw Fang Jun and his party arrive, they hurried forward to greet them with smiles.

"It's cold today. I have prepared some hot tea and cakes. You may as well go into the post station and rest for a while."

Fang Jun reined in his horse, dismounted, and said with a smile, "If that's the case, then I'm sorry to trouble you all."

He never put on airs and was very approachable when facing his subordinates. Moreover, he always had awe for the profession of "postmen". He always felt that these people were like fierce tigers in the plains and dragons in the shallows. Once their luck arrived, they would rise straight up and become powerful and influential...

Lantian Posthouse is one of the most important posthouses on the Shangyu Road. It guards the key point in and out of Guanzhong and is a hub for the transmission of information and materials, so it is extremely large in scale.

After entering the post station, there was a house right next to the gate. There was a charcoal basin burning inside and it was warm as spring. Tea and pastries had been prepared. Fang Jun took a sip and found it quite delicious.

But it is not surprising. Most of those who can serve as post chiefs in Guanzhong are descendants of aristocratic families, meritorious military generals and other branches. Although these people do not have much say in the family, they are of extraordinary birth and live a wealthy life.

After drinking a few cups of tea and eating two pieces of cake, a personal soldier came to report that he had seen his own convoy.

Fang Jun put on his mink hat, put on his cloak, and walked out of the house. He saw a convoy winding along the valley on the official road in the distance...

Fang Jun and his personal guards mounted their horses and marched forward to meet them.

The two sides met in the middle of the road. Fang Junce immediately walked up to the luxuriously decorated four-wheeled carriage in the middle, and saw the curtain was lifted, revealing a pretty face with rosy cheeks and a charming look.

Her eyes were full of concern: "It's so cold, why did you come here?"

Fang Jun laughed and said, "My lady, you have gone to Luoyang to manage the business. You have made great contributions. I will come to greet you in person to show my respect."

"Pooh!"

Wu Meiniang spat and said with a smile: "Slippery tongue, hurry up and get in the car, let's go back together."

Fang Jun did not dismount, but looked back and said, "I am traveling with the Lord of Da'an County. Let's talk about it when we get home."

Wu Meiniang's eyes moved and she said softly, "Yes."

So he lowered the curtain.

Fang Jun rode his horse to the rear, bowed from a distance on horseback, and said loudly: "Greetings, Sikong, how are you?"

One of them rode forward and returned the greeting with a wry smile: "I was fine before, and I hope I will be fine after this."

This man was about fifty years old. His well-maintained face was weathered and frosted, and his brows showed sadness. He was Yan Lide, the Duke of Da'an County, who was in charge of the construction of the Eastern Capital.

Yan Lide was first in charge of the construction of Xianling Mausoleum, then Zhaoling Mausoleum, and then he was ordered by the emperor to build the Eastern Capital, while the task of building Zhaoling Mausoleum was handed over to his younger brother, Yan Liben, the Minister of Works. When the Zhaoling Mausoleum case broke out, the Yan brothers were inevitably involved, and Yan Lide had to temporarily stop his affairs in Luoyang and return to Chang'an for investigation.

It happened to be traveling with Wu Mei Niang's convoy returning to Chang'an...

As a person who was once in charge of the construction of Zhaoling Mausoleum, he naturally knew how serious the Zhaoling case was. Even if he was incorruptible, he could not escape the responsibility, so he said "I hope everything will be fine in the future", but how difficult is it to be "fine"?

Fang Jun said softly, "This case is serious, but your majesty does not want to implicate many people."

As long as Yan Lide can stand his ground and did not participate in false accounting or sharing of spoils, at most he will be held responsible for poor supervision, which is not a big deal...

Yan Lide felt relieved and said gratefully, "Thank you, General."

Involving such a big case, Fang Jun was able to reveal the news in front of his supervisor, which was a great favor.

"It's cold in winter, and the Shangyu Road is even more difficult to travel. Why didn't the county lord take a carriage but rode a horse instead? If you catch a cold, it will be no joke."

"It's so stuffy in the car, my back and waist aches from long car rides, and the road is bumpy and hard to travel. It would be better to ride a horse, but it's too cold."

"Then let's go together. It's a good opportunity to have a chat with the county magistrate."

"The Grand Commandant is an excellent poet and scholar, and I would like to ask for your advice."

……

The convoy returned to Chang'an and parted ways after entering Chunming Gate. Fang Jun and Wu Meiniang went back to Chongrenfang, while Yan Lide went straight to Wannian County Government Office to be interrogated without having time to go home.

Back house.

Princess Gaoyang, Wu Meiniang, and Jin Shengman sat on a mat in front of the window, holding hands and looking very happy.

Jin Shengman's pretty face was full of longing: "Sister Mei Niang, is Luoyang very prosperous? When I was in Silla, I heard that Tangtu had 'Eastern and Western Capitals, rich and magnificent'. If you have time, take me to see it!"

But then he felt a little annoyed: "But it definitely won't work next year."

Wu Meiniang looked at her still flat belly and asked in surprise: "Is this...pregnancy?"

"Ah."

Jin Shengman was a little shy, but more joyful, with a glow on her pretty face: "I didn't pay attention to it before, but I found that I was not feeling well. After the doctor took my pulse, I found out that I was already three months pregnant, and the due date is probably between June and July."

"This is such a great joy!"

Wu Meiniang was sincerely happy for this Silla princess, a princess of a fallen country, who had to leave her hometown and go to Chang'an. Not only did she bid farewell to her hometown, but she even became a concubine of the powerful. Although the Fang family had never treated her unfairly or given her any grievances, how could she tell others about the bitterness, depression and loneliness in her heart?

Being pregnant now and giving birth to a child in the future will mean that she has truly put down roots in Chang'an and in the Fang family, and only then will she feel comforted and secure.

Immediately, Wu Meiniang looked at Princess Gaoyang and asked in a low voice: "When I was in Luoyang, I heard some rumors about Langjun and Princess Baling, but I don't know if it's true or not?"

Princess Gaoyang was a carefree person, and she didn't care about these things at all: "What does it matter whether it's true or not? It's just a greedy cat stealing food outside to try something new. Since Baling can't possibly enter Fang Jun's house, what does it matter?"

Since the pre-Sui Dynasty, the social atmosphere has been extremely open, and matters between men and women have long been commonplace and nothing surprising.

Jin Shengman also said: "Duke Qiao doesn't care, so why should we be so surprised?"

Wu Meiniang sighed helplessly: "You two are really careless. I don't mind my husband flirting with other girls outside, but the problem is that Princess Baling is not an ordinary person. She is a princess of the Tang Dynasty! Don't you know what my husband likes?"

"Good Princess", everyone in the Tang Dynasty knows...

Seeing that the two were in deep thought, Wu Meiniang whispered, "What if Chai Lingwu feels humiliated and can't stand it anymore, and one day he goes to ask His Majesty to allow him to divorce, then Princess Baling will be the same as His Majesty Changle back then? My husband has always been a man of loyalty and friendship, so he might marry Princess Baling back home."

When she said this, Princess Gaoyang and Jin Shengman suddenly became nervous.

It’s okay for a man to fool around outside, but it’s a completely different matter if he marries his mistress!

Besides, Baling and Changle are different. Changle has no children, and her first child is Langjun's. But Baling has already given birth to a child with Chai Lingwu. If Baling marries, it will be impossible for her to completely sever ties with the child. Wouldn't that be troublesome?

It might even involve issues of future family inheritance. Changle's child is Langjun's, and no one has any objection to how much he gets. But if Baling brings the child over, he will also have the right of inheritance according to Tang Dynasty law... Why?
Jin Shengman said: "Princess Baling would rather bear the reputation of 'unfaithfulness' than be entangled with her husband. It can be seen that she may not just covet her husband's power. After all, her husband is so outstanding in every aspect, it is possible that she is addicted to him and cannot extricate herself from him, and it is possible that she is deeply in love with him!"

Princess Gaoyang quickly held Wu Meiniang's hand and asked, "What do you think we should do?"

In the Fang family's rear house, Princess Gaoyang has the highest status, but Wu Meiniang is the "military advisor" who has to make the decisions no matter what happens. After all, even the head of the family, Fang Xuanling, attaches great importance to her opinion.

Wu Meiniang narrowed her eyes slightly, a murderous aura emanated from her. She snorted coldly and said, "I'll find a chance to talk to her. If it's just a fleeting romance, it's fine. It's not a problem for her to lend me my lover to relax her body and mind from time to time. It won't damage him... But if she is greedy and covets him, don't blame me for being ruthless and heartless!"

As for the weak Princess Baling, she had a hundred ways to make her lose her reputation and be doomed.

It's fine if you want to use your own man, but if you want to force him, you're dreaming!

(End of this chapter)