Tiantang Splendid

Chapter 5037: Estrangement grows
Seeing Princess Jinyang's pretty face with a smile on her face and spring in her eyes, the Queen couldn't help but pat her hand gently and said in a low voice, "You should restrain yourself! Although the Duke of Yue is indeed excellent and few people in the court can match him, he is Gaoyang's consort after all, and he is involved with Changle and entangled with her. How can he tolerate you? His Majesty is very worried about this matter and has been furious several times. Don't think that you can challenge his bottom line unscrupulously just because he is your brother."

As a woman myself, I naturally understand what women are thinking.

Women are all "strong" and will always have a favorable impression of men who are capable in some aspect, and then develop admiration for them, let alone a young man like Fang Jun who has made great achievements and is a master of poetry?
So although she blamed Jinyang, she actually felt pity for the girl in her heart. It was just that she shouldn't have met such a stunning man when she was in her prime.

If she were in his shoes, she would probably find it hard to resist.

Even though she is now the queen, facing such a handsome and talented man, it is hard not to feel her heart beating like a young girl...

Princess Jinyang's eyebrows were gentle, and she smiled and said, "Forget about getting married. Every time I think about going to a strange place to live with a strange man for the rest of my life, and having to please his parents, using my status as a princess to make profits for his relatives, and even risking my life to bear children for him... I feel unfair in my heart. Why? It's not a bad idea to choose a place in Chang'an to build a Taoist temple, where I can read ancient books and cultivate my character."

Seeing Princess Jinyang mention becoming a nun again, the Queen couldn't help but feel a headache and blamed her, "How can you have such thoughts of escaping from the world at such a young age? Life is full of troubles, but it is also full of the smell of fireworks. You are thinking about leaving the world before you really enter it. What kind of body and character can you cultivate? When you grow old and are alone, that will be miserable."

What she actually wanted to say was, how can a woman live without a man?
For example, as a queen, she had a cold quilt and a pillow in the middle of the night, which was the most difficult to endure...

Princess Jinyang smiled but said nothing.

When the queen saw her expression, she knew that her words would be of no use. This girl looked delicate and weak, but in fact she was gentle on the outside and strong on the inside. She had her own ideas and would not be easily shaken.

She has some "girly masculine features". If she were born a boy, I think she would have achieved great success.

I can't help but think of the legendary Princess Pingyang Zhao of the Li Tang royal family, the only princess in history to be buried with military honors...

……

After the court meeting, Li Chengqian returned to his bedroom, bathed and changed his clothes. Just as he was about to have lunch, he saw the queen, who was dressed in crimson palace clothes, with fair skin and a slim figure, walk in. She walked with graceful lotus steps, her jewelry rings jingled, and her waist was slender.

However, Li Chengqian's heart did not ripple, and he smiled and said, "The Queen has come at the right time, please accompany me for dinner."

The queen nodded with a smile, sat down next to Li Chengqian, and asked with a smile: "In the Wude Hall, the ministers shouted 'Long live the emperor', and the news spread throughout the palace. I want to congratulate Your Majesty."

She naturally knew what her husband liked to hear, and as long as it did not involve issues of principle, she was willing to say some nice words to appease her husband.

Li Chengqian's eyebrows were relaxed, and his face was filled with spring breeze. "This powerful reform of the imperial examination not only protects the bottom line of the aristocratic families, but also grasps it just right. From now on, the power to appoint and dismiss officials in the world will be returned to the central government. There will no longer be a situation where aristocratic families occupy one place and the government orders cannot be issued outside the capital or the counties and towns. The foundation of the empire is as solid as a rock!"

It was rare to see her husband so high-spirited, so the queen wisely did not ask the real reason, but said a few words of admiration and respect. The gap between the couple seemed to melt away and return to normal...

After lunch, the emperor and the empress sat by the window drinking tea, and the empress mentioned the matter of Princess Jinyang.

Princess Jinyang's marriage almost became a taboo topic. No one dared to mention it, let alone propose marriage. A beautiful young girl with a golden branch and jade leaves turned pale at the mention of it, and no one was interested in her...

Li Chengqian was overwhelmed and said angrily, "If it weren't for the fact that my father doted on Sizi too much and spoiled him beyond recognition, why would he not even listen to me now?"

The Queen said softly, "What's the point of saying anything now? She is determined to build a Taoist temple and move out of the palace to cultivate herself. I can't persuade her."

"What do you mean by self-cultivation? In my opinion, you just want to have an affair with Fang Jun!"

Li Chengqian knew his sister very well and he knew Princess Jinyang's thoughts in one sentence.

The Queen frowned, "Your Majesty, be careful with your words. How can such words come from your Majesty's mouth? Not to mention that the Grand Commandant is a meritorious minister and a pillar of the empire, these words are inevitably harsh, but you must be careful that once they are leaked, they will have a bad impact on Jinyang's reputation."

Nowadays, almost no one is interested in Princess Jinyang. Fortunately, she still has the identity of a princess and the title of the emperor's favor. There are always some families who still have a glimmer of hope for her. But if your majesty's words of resentment are leaked and people mistakenly believe that the emperor no longer favors Jinyang, then who will be willing to marry her?
Have you really forgotten how difficult it is to marry your own sister?

I'm afraid that the cheers of "Long live" have made His Majesty a little too proud...

Li Chengqian also realized that his words were a little inappropriate, but he felt embarrassed to be scolded by the queen. He was dissatisfied and said coldly, "They did it, but I can't say anything?"

The queen was helpless. She was the emperor and the ruler of the world, so how could she be so frivolous and so naive?
Knowing that his words were a little harsh, he spoke softly, "The Taiwei is your Majesty's right-hand man, and Jinyang is your Majesty's sister. It's fine for others to spread rumors, but how can your Majesty utter such resentful words?"

With Fang Jun's stubborn temper, once he knew that the emperor was complaining about him behind his back and that it involved Jinyang, even if he didn't make a fuss or get dissatisfied, he would definitely feel alienated.

Li Chengqian became increasingly dissatisfied and asked in surprise, "I am the emperor and he is the subject. I just said a few words, and they were all true and not slanderous. How can it be regarded as resentful words? He married Gaoyang and gave birth to a child with Changle. Now he is coveting Jinyang. As his brother, am I supposed to watch the royal princesses being abused and harmed by him one after another, and not be able to say anything? In your eyes, do I, the emperor of the Tang Dynasty, still have any dignity?"

He stood up and walked away.

The queen pressed her temples with her slender, jade-white fingers, closed her beautiful eyes, and sighed softly.

Husband and wife resent each other, estrangement gradually arises, and everything they say is wrong...

After a while, the Queen came out of the Imperial Study, stood at the door, and asked the eunuch standing by the side: "Where is your Majesty going?"

The eunuch hesitated, lowered his head, and whispered, "He went to Concubine Shen's place."

The queen nodded slightly and left slowly, surrounded by two palace maids.

The eunuch raised his head and saw a slender figure with neat hair, her sleeves fluttering in the breeze.

I was a little confused. The Queen should be angry, but why did she look so... brisk in her steps?
*****
The official office.

Li Xiaogong had just returned from Taiji Palace and entered the duty room to take a breath. Before he had finished his cup of tea, he saw the clerk ushering Liu Xiangdao in...

Liu Xiangdao bowed and said with a smile: "I apologize for disturbing the prince's leisure. However, your majesty has strictly ordered me to supervise and review the selection of officials by the Ministry of Personnel. I dare not slack off and can only come to assist the prince in his work. I have no choice but to do this. I hope the prince will sympathize with me."

Li Xiaogong held the teacup in his hand and looked at Liu Xiangdao. His flabby face with dark spots showed no emotion. He nodded slightly and waved his hand, saying, "Official business comes first. Why be polite? Sit down. Someone, serve tea to the Imperial Censor."

"Thank you, Prince!"

Liu Xiangdao didn't hesitate and sat down beside the desk.

When the clerk brought the tea, Liu Xiangdao took it and took a sip.

Li Xiaogong asked, "Does the Imperial Censor intend to stay in the Ministry of Personnel for the whole day?"

Liu Xiangdao sighed: "It is difficult to disobey the emperor's order. This is all I can do."

"In fact, there is no need for that. After I sign the appointment and dismissal documents of the new Jinshi, I will send someone to send it to the Censorate for review."

"How dare I trouble the prince? All the official duties at the moment are here. I will assist the prince with my shamelessness, so that you can have some relief."

Li Xiaogong glanced at him and said with a half-smile: "In that case, then stay."

He said to the clerk outside the door, "Let the officials above the level of chief minister come to the hall to discuss the selection of officials together. No one should be absent."

"Here."

The clerk turned and left.

Li Xiaogong held the teacup, stood up and said, "Let's go to the lobby and supervise nearby."

Liu Xiangdao stood up quickly and said, "I dare not."

Although he said he didn't dare, he actually followed closely. It was obvious that he wanted to follow Li Xiaogong closely and supervise the selection of officials by the Ministry of Personnel to the end and never neglect it...

Li Xiaogong shook his head. The two of them walked out of the duty room and headed for the lobby. When they walked around the corridor, he said helplessly, "In fact, even if you didn't come, I would have sent someone to invite you. Most of the successful candidates this time are from aristocratic families. You don't know how many letters have been sent to the palace in recent days. I dare not be partial, but I can't reject all of them, right? Many of them have been dealing with me for many years, and they have some personal connections. It's not good to ignore them all. Now the outside world thinks that the Minister of Personnel is in power and is very popular, but in fact, the pain is hard to describe. I believe that the Imperial Censor can understand."

Even though he is a prince, he is still in this world. Moreover, even if he has no ambition, he can't offend everyone, right?
He doesn't care, but his descendants still have to hang around in the officialdom. Others can't do anything to him, but they can take revenge on his descendants...

Liu Xiangdao followed behind him, also with a wry smile on his face: "My duty is to investigate lawlessness, impeach officials, and rectify discipline. I am not afraid of offending people. The good things can be taken by the prince, and the bad things can be left to me."

Li Xiaogong looked back at him, patted his shoulder, and said with emotion: "You are so conscientious and selfless, but I don't know if you can have a good ending in the future."

Liu Xiang said: "..."

(End of this chapter)