Tiantang Splendid

Chapter 5064: Double Pun

[I wish all book friends good luck, happiness and longevity]

Princess Baling was speechless. How should she respond?
It is not okay to say yes, and it is not appropriate to say no. Even the ethical matters between husband and wife should not be spoken of out loud, let alone such an immoral act?
But I recognized it in my heart. Maybe my aunt had a good eye for people because she was well-informed...

I could only remain silent with a red face and a wandering look in my eyes, feeling very embarrassed.

Princess Fang Ling curled her lips in disdain. Who was she pretending to be so gentle for? Even if she looked virtuous, wasn't she cheating on her husband?
Since you dare to do it, why dare not say it?

However, Princess Baling's expression showed that her guess was correct, and she felt even more sour in her heart. The difference between her and Baling was that she stole a lot, while the latter only stole one. But the latter only stole this one, which was the best thing she had coveted for a long time but had not been able to get.

I cursed Fang Jun in my heart, what a blind bastard! Baling must be so reserved and shy that he can't let go of himself. How can he be as good as me?
Holding back her anger, she changed the subject: "I heard that your family not only participated in the maritime trade, but also bought land and built shops in many places in Southeast Asia, specializing in glass, porcelain, bamboo paper and other goods?"

Princess Baling nodded and said, "They are just small businesses. Besides, many royal relatives have some businesses overseas to supplement their family income. Every family has a large population, but there is only so much land. If we don't go out to sea to earn some money, I'm afraid it won't be sustainable in a few years."

This is the reason why most empires declined from prosperity. The meritorious nobles at the time of the founding of the country, and the subsequent civil service groups and royal relatives, multiplied from generation to generation and the population flourished, but the family property handed down from their ancestors was limited. They either lived off their wealth and waited for death, gradually declining due to insufficient income to make ends meet, or they annexed land and exploited farmers, scraping off layer of the land and dragging the entire empire into the abyss of collapse.

Everyone understands the truth, but faced with the increasing burden and the embarrassing situation of not making ends meet, including the royal family, what else can they do but not target the people?

Now it is different. The huge profits brought by sea trade have far exceeded the output of land. Although the royal family and aristocratic families still buy land, their enthusiasm is not as great as their enthusiasm for sea trade. The pace of land annexation has slowed down, class contradictions have eased, and the domestic situation has become increasingly stable.

Princess Fang Ling said enviously, "You make it sound so easy. Opening a shop and running a business may seem simple, but the location of the shop and the source of the goods are important factors in making money. 'Dong Da Tang Commercial House' opened up a prosperous city at the mouth of the Edogawa River, which has become the most prosperous place in the entire Japanese country. Your family's shop there occupies half of the street, and the goods you sell are directly taken from the navy's warehouse at cost price... Not to mention Jincheng, Da Nang, Songping, Srivijaya and other places, your family has occupied the best places."

Princess Baling said softly, "I don't understand these business affairs. My husband is in charge of them."

In fact, this is not the case. All the shops in these places were opened after Fang Jun made a call, and the servants of the Chai family directly contacted the manager of the "Dong Datong Trading Company". Naturally, the locations were good and the supply of goods was sufficient, which made the Chai family's business increase by more than ten times.
But she has come to her senses and realized that Princess Fang Ling's closeness is obviously intended for this purpose.

As expected, Princess Fang Ling hugged Princess Baling's arm and said with a sad face, "You are having a good life now, but auntie is miserable. Those beasts of the Helan family have somehow offended Fang Jun. Now that they are mainly out at sea, Fang Jun's words are more effective than the imperial edict. The Helan family is naturally being clamped down and oppressed everywhere, and even my auntie's property is almost unsustainable... My dear niece, you have to help auntie!"

Princess Baling suddenly realized.

Everyone knows that Fang Jun dotes on Wu Meiniang. Even Fang Xuanling never regards her as his son's concubine. This makes Wu Meiniang's status in the Fang family only slightly lower than that of Princess Gaoyang. What's more, the entire "Dong Da Tang Trading Company" is now under the control of Wu Meiniang?

This is equivalent to taking control of all of Fang Jun’s overseas forces.

And because of Wu Shunniang, the Helan family was disliked by Fang Jun and had already been marginalized in the court. What's more, Fang Jun had great power overseas?

Fang Jun's other options were blocked, so he decided to start with her...

Without thinking too much, Princess Baling flatly refused: "My husband has always taken care of household affairs. If you need any help, just go find my husband. As long as he can help, my husband will naturally not refuse. But I can't do anything."

It's not that he was afraid of being treated badly when he went to ask for help like last time, but he didn't want to waste his favor with Fang Jun for Princess Fang Ling.

Princess Fang Ling suppressed her displeasure and said humbly, "You and I are aunt and nephew, and we are really close relatives. Why can't I help you?"

Princess Baling said in embarrassment: "Uncle, you can go find my husband yourself. I really can't do anything for you."

Princess Fang Ling was displeased and wanted to say something else, but she saw a maid coming quickly and said respectfully, "The banquet will begin soon. Your Highnesses, please take your seats."

Princess Fang Ling had to swallow the words that were on the tip of her tongue. She stood up with Princess Baling and went to Liangyi Palace.

……

Perhaps it was because people were in high spirits when they were happy. Li Chengqian was beaming with joy today. He was in high spirits and kept urging people to drink during the banquet. The ministers and royal ladies responded enthusiastically, saying nice things. The queen in the main seat smiled faintly, while Concubine Shen, who was sitting on the other side of Li Chengqian, smiled brightly...

Everyone had their own thoughts, and the atmosphere at the banquet seemed harmonious, but it was actually quite strange, especially when several eyes fell on the well-behaved and serious Crown Prince Li Xiang. It was inevitable that their minds were wandering, either inexplicably excited or worried and anxious.

Even after the banquet was over, I still hadn’t had enough fun…

Fang Jun and Li Xiaogong walked out of Liangyi Hall together. Fang Jun respectfully saw Li Xiaogong off first, while he stood in the shade of a tree in front of the hall waiting for Princess Gaoyang. Soon, he saw Princess Changle's female attendant coming quickly. After bowing, she said, "Your Highness asked me to come and tell the commander that Your Highness Gaoyang will stay in Shujing Hall with Your Highness Jinyang tonight. Please go back home first."

Fang Jun nodded, turned and left the palace.

Heading south from Liangyi Palace, before reaching Liangyi Gate, I saw Crown Prince Li Xiang jogging over, followed by two eunuchs...

Li Xiang ran to Fang Jun, grabbed his sleeve intimately, panted a few times, and said, "Master, the Queen Mother wants you to come over and talk."

"This..." Fang Jun hesitated.

It was already the end of the You hour, and the palace gates had not yet been closed due to a banquet. The sky was completely dark, and it was extremely taboo to meet with the Queen privately in the palace.

Li Xiang's face was tense, and he pulled Fang Jun hard: "It's very important!"

Fang Jun had no choice but to follow him eastward for a distance, enter the Xianchun Gate, and come to a side hall on the south side of the Wanchun Palace.

Queen Su was sitting in a side hall, not yet removing the embellishments she had just worn to the banquet. Her hair was piled high and covered with pearls and jade, and her golden hairpins sparkled in the candlelight. She looked graceful in her gorgeous attire, her whole body embroidered with brilliant colors and an elegant demeanor.

Fang Jun stepped forward and bowed.

The queen nodded slightly, then raised her pointed, snow-white chin, motioned to the door, and said to the maid beside her, "Everyone, go out and wait. I have something important to discuss with the Grand Commandant."

"Here."

The maids had obviously received instructions before, and did not hesitate at this moment, and even led Li Xiang out...

The night wind is cool, and the candlelight flickers red.

Fang Jun hesitated for a moment, then asked in a low voice, "What instructions does the Queen have?"

Queen Su pursed her red lips subconsciously and said softly: "You are the Grand Commandant, and the Prince's teacher. You should continue to support the Prince."

Fang Jun suddenly realized.

Concubine Shen is usually a low-key woman, with neither a prominent family background nor a stunning appearance. Perhaps it is precisely this ordinariness that makes Li Chengqian dote on her, because he does not have any high expectations from Concubine Shen, and it is a joy to see His Majesty every day, which makes Li Chengqian feel relaxed and comfortable.

However, being pregnant with a prince suddenly elevated Concubine Shen's status. Even the queen who dominated the six palaces felt the suffocating oppression.

Because she clearly felt His Majesty's estrangement from the Crown Prince, and even an indescribable malice towards him.

The strong sense of crisis made her lose her usual composure, and she had to take advantage of today's opportunity to meet Fang Jun.

After all, as the queen and the master of the six palaces, it is very difficult for her to meet with ministers privately without His Majesty. The opportunity is hard to come by, and she can't wait.

Fang Jun smiled and said slowly, "The succession of the clan cannot be changed by anyone. The Crown Prince was canonized by the Golden Canon in the Imperial Ancestral Temple. He is recognized by Emperor Gaozu and Emperor Taizong, and is supported by the people of the Heavenly Palace. He cannot be deposed unless he makes a major mistake. The 600,000-man army and 100,000-man navy of the Tang Dynasty are steadfast users of His Royal Highness the Crown Prince."

Why did you support Li Chengqian so unwaveringly at the beginning?

Is it because Li Chengqian is handsome and has the potential to be a great leader?

Or is it that Li Chengqian’s wife is too beautiful?
Just because Li Chengqian occupied the nominal and righteous position, the "primogeniture system" was able to eliminate all turmoil caused by the alternation of imperial power, prevent the empire's vitality from being consumed in internal strife, and concentrate its strength for expansion.

As for whether the emperor is virtuous or stupid... then just be a good mascot and all matters will be handled by the ministers who are selected from all levels.

When it came to Crown Prince Li Xiang, he still had to maintain the tradition of clan succession and would never allow others to destroy it.

Even Li Chengqian can't do it.

"Hu~~"

In the silent side hall, one could even hear the queen exhaling as she cleansed herself, and her back, which had been tense from tension, relaxed.

As long as the army supports the prince, no imperial edict can depose him from his position as crown prince.

The man in front of him represented at least half of the Tang Dynasty's army. When the Left and Right Jinwu Guards were loyal to the prince, the prince's position as crown prince would naturally be as stable as a rock.

The queen's tense mind relaxed and she subconsciously showed her weak side, her eyes full of light and her eyebrows like a painting.

"Inside and outside the palace, the only person that this palace and the prince can rely on is Erlang. I hope Erlang will remember what I said today and live up to this palace... and the prince. This palace will remember this kindness and this virtue in her heart, and will never let you down in this life!"

Under the candlelight, the queen's beautiful face was flushed.

Fang Jun: "..."

These words were meant to express his true feelings, assuring him that he would be rewarded handsomely when he ascended the throne as Crown Prince. But why did it sound a little weird?

Did I misunderstand, or was the Queen making a double entendre or hinting at something?