Tiantang Splendid

Chapter 5212 Selling People for Glory
Duting Post Station.

Chai Zhewei was exiled to the Protectorate of Hanhai but returned under the pretext of illness. He has been living here ever since, feeling depressed and melancholy.

Aside from trying to avoid outsiders to prevent impeachment by censors and officials, the more important reason was that his younger brother, Chai Lingwu, who inherited the title and took over the family business, had never made any statement about bringing his brother and sister-in-law home...

But now he is living under someone else's roof, and he is entirely dependent on Chai Lingwu and Princess Baling to help him obtain an imperial edict to stay in Chang'an for "recuperation". Therefore, no matter how angry he is or how cold the world is, he has no choice but to "endure humiliation" and swallow his anger.

When you need something from someone, why bother about dignity?

……

Inside the Duting Post Station, Chai Lingwu was shocked to see his elder brother kneeling before him with a "thud." He quickly got up and glanced outside the door. Seeing that no one was around, he breathed a sigh of relief and then stepped forward to help him up, saying, "Brother, why must you do this? If there are any difficulties, we brothers can discuss them properly. You mustn't do this!"

If outsiders were to see his elder brother kneeling before him and spread the word, his reputation would be completely ruined!
He inherited his elder brother's title, seized the family business left by their parents, and now he has even forced his elder brother to kneel down... He must be using his status as the prince consort to intimidate his elder brother, seize the family business, and then try to kill him!
Chai Zhewei seized the opportunity to hug Chai Lingwu's leg, crying with snot and tears streaming down his face: "Second brother, you have to save me!"

Helpless, Chai Lingwu said, "Although His Majesty did not explicitly pardon my brother's crime, he has remained silent about my brother's return to the capital, which means that he will not expel my brother from the capital to the Han Sea. So how could his life be in danger?"

"Although I can still survive for now, my days are numbered!"

"Brother, why do you say that? Have you contracted some illness? I will go to the Imperial Hospital to ask a physician to come and treat you."

Chai Lingwu was somewhat panicked.

Today, he has completely taken control of the family business, and the old guard left by his elder brother has been purged. The threat his brother could pose to him is now almost zero, and it is impossible for him to turn around and take back the title and the family business.

Conversely, if his elder brother were to die unexpectedly, that would be a huge problem for him. People would mistakenly believe that he had killed everyone to prevent future troubles, and the Court of Imperial Clan Affairs and the Court of Judicial Review might get involved.

Chai Zhewei wiped away his tears and choked out, "There are no physical illnesses, but the mental illness has already reached a critical stage."

Chai Lingwu: "..."

Seeing his brother's shameless and childish behavior, he was truly speechless.

He was once the head of a powerful family and a well-known figure in Chang'an. How come he was never found to be so cowardly and incompetent?

"Brother, please tell me what you need. I will do my best to help, but if I am unable to do so, please don't force me."

Chai Zhewei then asked, "I've heard that His Majesty intends to enfeoff the princes throughout the land. Is this true?"

Chai Lingwu nodded. Although the matter was not yet settled and there were few rumors circulating among the public, it was no secret within the circles of the powerful and wealthy.

"It must be true, but I don't know what it has to do with my brother?"

With a bitter face, Chai Zhewei pleaded, "Brother, you see, although I can stay in Chang'an now, I'm locked up in this post station all day and dare not see anyone. I'm neither human nor ghost. Am I supposed to live like this for the rest of my life?"

Chai Lingwu was getting impatient: "What exactly do you want?"

"When princes establish fiefdoms and take up residence in their respective states, they will inevitably need people to fill their government offices. Why don't you help me with that, little brother? I'm not picky; any fiefdom will do!"

Chai Lingwu was so angry he almost laughed. He glared at his elder brother and said, "Do you even know what crime you committed? It was treason! Any emperor would have executed your entire family! His Majesty was magnanimous enough to allow the Duke of Qiao to inherit the title, spare the Chai family, and even spared your life, the culprit. But you can't think you're innocent, can you?"

He scolded his brother, but couldn't help but have his own ideas.

He is currently stuck in Chang'an, neither good enough for a high position nor good enough for a low one, and has to endure all kinds of ridicule and mockery. His Majesty is unwilling to entrust him with any important tasks, so he can only live a leisurely life.

Being idle is fine, it's rare to be carefree, but it also means that there is no real power in hand.

How can a man be without power for even a day?
If one could leave Chang'an and take up an official position in a certain fiefdom, one could naturally become the king's confidant by virtue of one's status as a prince consort. At that time, one would hold great power in the country and be intimidated by all officials. Wouldn't that be the perfect time?

Chai Zhewei, unaware that his brother had already made his move, pleaded, "Since His Majesty has not punished me and has turned a blind eye to me, it is tantamount to letting me go. If Fang Jun were to put in a good word for me with His Majesty, how could His Majesty refuse?"

Chai Lingwu immediately frowned, never expecting his elder brother to have such a plan!

“We are brothers, we share the same fate, one prospers and the other suffers. If I am disgraced and ridiculed, how can you share in my glory? For my brother’s sake, I have already endured immense humiliation and abandoned all my dignity as a man. Who would have thought that my brother would not only be ungrateful but also take it for granted? Does he really think I am someone who can be bullied by everyone?!”

Chai Lingwu was furious.

How could a biological brother, born of the same mother, repeatedly sell his wife to seek wealth, health, and glory? He has no humanity whatsoever.
This is intolerable!
Seeing Chai Lingwu's anger, Chai Zhewei cried out, "Can you really bear to see your brother live a life of poverty, like a rat that everyone hates? We are siblings, born of the same mother, how can you be so cold-hearted! If our father and mother ask about this in the afterlife, how will you answer?"

Chai Lingwu was furious and left without saying another word.

When Chai Zhewei saw that moral blackmail was ineffective, he jumped up and started cursing at Chai Lingwu's back.

……

He returned home in a rage, only to find Princess Baling sitting in the flower hall drinking tea. She was just over twenty years old, her innocence fading and her charm beginning to emerge. Her beautiful face was delicate and elegant, and her firm, fair skin shone brightly in the sunlight.

Dressed in a light-colored palace gown, with an exquisite hairstyle, she sat there with a serene, dignified, and elegant expression.

But who knows how alluring and seductive she would be when this elegant aura tumbles onto the bed with another man...

Chai Lingwu's heart skipped a beat. He rubbed his face, sat down on a chair to the side, poured himself a cup of tea, and took two sips.

Princess Baling raised her eyes and glanced at him, asking curiously, "Where did you suffer some mistreatment?"

Chai Lingwu put down his teacup, looking distressed, and sighed, "Now that my family has fallen to this state, which noble family in Chang'an would respect me? I am despised and harassed everywhere. I used to think that I would get used to it, but I never expected that every day would feel like a year."

Princess Baling pursed her lips but didn't reply.

Could it be that they're going to bring up the old issue again, making me go to Fang Jun to beg him to let the Chai family set up a separate trading company and use the naval route through the "Dongda Tang Trading Company" to trade overseas?
She couldn't bear to lose face.

It wasn't that she genuinely wanted anything to happen with Fang Jun; she just wanted their relationship to be as simple as possible. She could sense that Fang Jun wasn't just playing around with her; he had some feelings for her. But once too many interests were involved, Fang Jun would inevitably get tired of her and might discard her like trash one day.

If Fang Jun truly dislikes her and stops paying attention to her, that's her own problem, and she should just bear it.

But she couldn't accept that outcome if it was due to the Chai family's affairs.

Why should she give up the one she loves when she has already lost her innocence for the Chai family?
Chai Lingwu, observing the expression on the princess's face, felt slightly disappointed. He had thought that Princess Baling would continue to ask questions, allowing him to naturally bring up his desire to take up an official position in the fiefdom. Then, Princess Baling would offer to help him plan things out. Whether he asked His Majesty or Fang Jun, it would all come down to a single word from those two...

He carefully considered his words and said, "I am also a son of a meritorious official and a member of the imperial family. How could I not have the ambition to make a name for myself? It's just a pity that as the second son, I have always been suppressed by my elder brother. When I was young, I was pampered by my parents and was not allowed to join the army to fight for the country. As a result, I have wasted my time and accomplished nothing. Whenever I think of the military achievements my mother made for the empire, I feel ashamed."

Princess Baling frowned her beautiful eyebrows and asked calmly, "What exactly do you want to say? Either say it directly, or don't say it at all."

Chai Lingwu felt suffocated and filled with anger. The couple's relationship had deteriorated to such an extent that they could only sigh in vain.

"The court is currently working on sending the princes to their fiefdoms in various regions. I also want to take this opportunity to make a name for myself and would like to ask His Majesty for an official position in a fiefdom. However, I do not know if His Majesty will grant my request."

The matter has been discussed to this point, and the meaning is almost clear.

I can't force myself to say something like, "Go and beg His Majesty."

A man's dignity is heavier than Mount Tai!
Princess Baling did not continue to pretend not to understand, but her furrowed brows did not relax as she hesitated and said, "The Chai family participated in the mutiny before. Although His Majesty did not pursue the matter, it does not mean that the matter has been completely erased. It is fine to stay in Chang'an, but how can the censors and officials let you go to the fiefdom? His Majesty may not agree."

They are all people with a "criminal record," so they naturally have to be monitored and controlled.

If, after going to the fiefdom, one relapses into their old ways and commits treason again, who can bear such responsibility?
Although Your Majesty is the ruler of the country, you cannot act unilaterally when impeached and advised by censors and officials...

Chai Lingwu hesitated, wondering whether he should say certain things or not.

Princess Baling was incredibly intelligent and had already guessed what he intended to do.

Slightly surprised, her beautiful eyes widened, and she bluntly asked, "You wouldn't be asking me to beg Fang Jun, would you?"

Given Fang Jun's current position and the delicate relationship between him and His Majesty, His Majesty will surely agree to Fang Jun's request, no matter how unwilling His Majesty is or how great the obstacles are.

But in doing so, wouldn't that be tantamount to handing myself over to Fang Jun?

What right do I have to ask Fang Jun for help?

Isn't it still using this body?

Before, you asked me to use my body to ensure the safety of the Chai family. Now you're asking me to use my body to exchange for your official position and future?
It's one thing for her to secretly deliver it herself, but it's quite another for her husband to ask her to deliver it.

Is he selling his wife for personal gain?
Are you even a man?!