Tiantang Splendid

Chapter 5000 The Emperor Forces Marriage
Since Emperor Taizong of the Tang Dynasty inherited the imperial examination system of the Sui Dynasty and reformed it, there has not been any complete and smooth operation of the examination to date. Therefore, the imperial examination in the third year of Renhe has attracted worldwide attention.

Confucianism in particular attached great importance to this, and everyone agreed that this was the best opportunity to completely defeat Buddhism, Taoism, and all other schools of thought. As long as they grasped this imperial examination well, more talents would emerge and successfully enter officialdom, which would consolidate the foundation of Confucianism, and no other school in the world would pose a threat to Confucianism.

Therefore, the entire Confucian school mobilized all resources to ensure that the candidates could take the exam smoothly.

But what worries Confucianists is that their decline in the north and the rise of academies may lead to their being suppressed by students in academies...

Young talents from Guanzhong, Shandong, Hebei and other places all joined Zhenguan Academy, which led to a rapid increase in the strength of the academy. Its mathematics, physics, medicine and other subjects were unrivaled in the world because of Fang Jun. The only advantage for the children of Jiangnan was the Jinshi degree. In comparison, it was almost certain that the Northern List would be occupied by the academy.

If nothing unexpected happens, the final result of this exam will be "all Confucian scholars on the southern list and all academies on the northern list."

In this way, the world suddenly realized that academies had become behemoths, and could even compete with Confucianism to some extent. Of course, the absolute power of Confucianism was still enough to crush the other side, but the rise of academies was unstoppable. Who could guarantee that they would not be on par with or even surpass Confucianism in the future?

The Confucians are treating this matter very seriously and dare not be careless in the slightest.

There were two paths before Confucianism: either treat academies as enemies and fight to the death with them, or be inclusive and integrate the two into one, allowing mathematics, law, physics, medicine, astronomy and other disciplines to be integrated with Confucianism.

Contemporary great scholars such as Kong Yingda and Yan Shigu chose the latter.

However, as Confucianism was criticized and dissatisfied by many Confucian disciples and mixed with other strange and bizarre knowledge, it inevitably lost its purity.

Confucius, Yan and many other great Confucian scholars sneered at this. Confucianism has always been about learning from others' strengths and overcoming its own weaknesses, being quick to learn and absorbing the essence of schools such as Legalism, Taoism, and the School of Diplomacy. This is why it has the vitality to continuously explore and make progress. When has it ever been pure?

……

Inside the Wude Hall.

As spring approaches, the weather warms up. Although the heating is still on, the slightly gloomy palace is no longer as cold as it was in the severe winter, and ordinary clothes are enough to keep out the cold.

Inside the bedroom, Li Chengqian sat in the middle, holding Princess Changle's son Lu'er in his arms. Empress Su, Princess Changle and Princess Jinyang sat on both sides. After a family dinner, the eunuchs served tea, and the brothers and sisters, aunts and sisters-in-law sat together and chatted.

Such a warm atmosphere has been rare since Li Chengqian ascended the throne. It's not that Li Chengqian is lonely and arrogant, but there are too many barriers between them. He is disobedient to the Queen, Changle, Jinyang...

But after all, they are family, connected by blood, and even if there are barriers, they must be eliminated, so they are working hard for each other.

Li Chengqian held Lu'er in his arms. He felt that although this kid was less than one year old, he was strong. He sucked his lips and straightened his waist and jumped up and down in his arms. He felt that he couldn't control him. He couldn't help but sighed: "This kid has inherited his father's talent. We don't know how talented he is in writing, but he will definitely have extraordinary strength in the future."

Upon hearing Li Chengqian mention Fang Jun, Princess Changle's cold and beautiful face broke into a smile, which had almost never happened before. The word "Fang Jun" had almost become a taboo between the brother and sister. Once it was touched, the outcome would be an unpleasant parting.

"It doesn't matter how talented he is in writing or how skilled he is in martial arts. As long as he is loyal to Your Majesty like his father, I will ask for nothing else."

It’s not that Princess Changle doesn’t know how to say flattering words, she just disdains it. However, in order to ease the relationship between the siblings, she will still say some nice words.

Li Chengqian held Lu'er in his arms, took a grape from the plate, peeled it, and squeezed some juice into Lu'er's mouth, causing the child to pout and suck hard, making a smacking sound. He couldn't help but snort, "I don't expect him to be very loyal, as long as he doesn't make me angry like his bastard father."

The atmosphere became a little awkward...

Empress Su glanced at Li Chengqian, blaming him for ruining the atmosphere, and then changed the subject. Looking at the quiet, gentle, and beautiful Princess Jinyang, she smiled and said, "Yesterday, someone came to the palace to meet your majesty and ask for your hand in marriage."

Princess Jinyang, who was sitting upright and sipping tea quietly, was startled when she heard the words. Her beautiful face remained expressionless, her eyelids drooped slightly, as if she didn't hear anything.

Princess Changle glanced at her sister, knowing what she was thinking, and asked, "Whose talent is the Queen talking about?"

Today, the young girl who used to play on her father's lap has passed the age of coming of age. She is at the age when she is waiting to be married and has a beautiful face. However, due to the reasons in the past, no one is interested in her. If she continues to waste time, she will probably really ruin her life.

Deep down, I am angry at someone...

Empress Su said, "The one who entered the palace is Dou Dexuan, the junior eunuch of the palace and a man from Julu County, who is seeking marriage for his second son Dou Huairang."

Princess Changle thought for a moment and said, "I have some impression that he has just reached the age of twenty. I wonder what position he holds now?"

Empress Su said: "He previously served in the army of Prince Xu's palace and was given the title of Taizhong Daifu. He can be considered a rising star among the noble relatives."

Dou Dexuan's grandfather was Dou Zhao, and Dou Zhao's sister was the Empress Dowager Dou, the wife of Emperor Gaozu. Compared with other branches of the Dou family who were active and reckless, Dou Dexuan's branch was conscientious and modest, so it was not well-known.

Princess Jinyang put down her teacup, her beautiful face showing no signs of change, and she said calmly, "Grand Doctor? He is indeed a rising star."

Taizhong Daifu was the eighth rank of civil officials, from the fourth grade lower. Considering his twenty years old, he was indeed a rising star.

But the contempt in his words was not concealed at all.

So what if he was a fourth-rank official? He was only given the title of "Taizhong Dafu" but not only did he not receive a salary increase, he was not even allowed to attend court meetings. What kind of rising star was he? He was just a parasite supported by the court.

In comparison, another young man has already made great achievements and held power, which is really incomparable...

Li Chengqian could naturally hear the unspoken meaning in Princess Jinyang's words. The two siblings had argued about this many times, and they always parted unhappily. He was numb now, but he still couldn't help but advise: "Spouses in the world have their own destiny, high and low, and fate is predetermined. How can you be too ambitious and have your heart floating on the sky? There are thousands of heroes in the world, and not everyone is the best for you. You were born in an imperial family, with bells ringing and tripods, and golden branches and jade leaves. Why do you have to be so arrogant? A simple life is a blessing."

In his opinion, as a princess of the Tang Dynasty, she is already extremely wealthy and powerful. She just needs to live an honest life. Why should she always worry about which one is more outstanding or more excellent?

Don’t learn from Changle!
Princess Changle knew that Li Chengqian was not targeting her and was also doing good for Jinyang, so she kept silent.

Princess Jinyang's expression remained unchanged. She took out a handkerchief to wipe the corners of her mouth, stood up, tucked her skirt in and bowed, and said calmly, "I'm full. I'm going to go back and take a bath."

She nodded slightly to the Queen and Changle, took light steps, and left.

The Queen and Changle looked at each other, saw the helplessness in each other's eyes, and smiled bitterly.

Li Chengqian was furious and said angrily: "What kind of attitude is this? I am the emperor, and I am also her brother. How can I be so disloyal and unfraternal? It is unreasonable... Oh!"

But the deer in his arms suddenly stretched out his hand, grabbed his beard, and pulled hard...

"Let go of this kid!"

Li Chengqian felt pain and tried to pry Lu'er's hands open, but the child was surprisingly strong. He was afraid of hurting the child and did not dare to use force, so he failed to pry them open.

The deer opened its little mouth with just grown milk teeth, babbling as if it was angry, and jumped up and down with all its might.

The Queen was close by, so she quickly stepped forward to take Lu'er and coaxed the child to let go. Seeing Li Chengqian's angry expression but unable to vent and could only stare at the child, she couldn't help but chuckle and teased, "Look, the child knows how to feel sorry for his aunt. If Your Majesty gets angry with Sizi again, the child will pull out your beard!"

Li Chengqian was embarrassed and annoyed, staring at the still cheerful Lu'er: "It's all your bastard father's fault!"

Then he spread his hands helplessly and complained to the Queen and Changle: "It's not that I, as a brother, am harsh, but can I just leave it alone? You two are my sister-in-law and my sister, you should also persuade her. This girl is stubborn and stubborn. If she ruins her life like this, how can we explain to our father and mother in the afterlife?"

Princess Jinyang's marriage has long been a "difficult problem" for the royal family. Not to mention "the emperor's daughter has no worries about marriage", the "five surnames and seven clans" have fallen into such a state, but they still refuse to marry with the royal family. If Princess Jinyang delays her age, she may not be able to find a good husband of equal status in the future.

The queen was helpless: "I have advised Jinyang many times, but he won't listen. What can I do?"

But in his heart, he could understand Princess Jinyang very well. She had been close to Fang Jun since childhood and had witnessed the growth of a peerless hero and a peerless man. How could she be willing to marry those pampered and ordinary people?
……

After returning to the bedroom, Princess Jinyang took a bath and changed her clothes with the help of her maid. With her long wet hair draped over her, she walked barefoot to the window, knelt beside the table, boiled water and drank tea. Her beautiful and peaceful face showed no trace of worldly air, and she was calm and self-possessed.

After a while, he asked the maid to bring pen, ink, paper and inkstone. After careful consideration, he picked up the pen and wrote a letter. After blowing the ink dry, he folded it and put it in an envelope. He called his personal maid and instructed her, "Send this letter to Prince Jiang's mansion and hand it to Prince Jiang personally. No mistakes can be made."

"Here."

The maid took the envelope and turned away.

……

An hour later, Wang Liyun opened the envelope in the study, read the letter at a glance, and suddenly his eyes widened and he took a breath.

Then he burned the letter with excitement, and squinted his eyes to ponder...