Tiantang Splendid

Chapter 5213 Taking advantage of the situation
Princess Baling's expression was cold, and her quiet gaze was filled with chill.

Whether it was the Yang family of the former Sui Dynasty or the imperial family of the Tang Dynasty, they were not cautious about the separation of men and women due to the influence of many non-Han customs, which drew criticism. However, she had been exposed to these customs and rarely heard of or saw people like Chai Lingwu who sold their wives for personal gain.

He himself, a woman, had lost her virtue and chastity, yet as a man, he not only showed no anger or passion, but also allowed his wife to repeatedly use her body to exchange for benefits...

In the past, although Princess Baling was forced to lose her chastity and submit to Fang Jun, she inevitably felt guilty towards Chai Lingwu, but now all her guilt has vanished with the wind.

Chai Lingwu felt uneasy and dared not meet Princess Baling's gaze.

She was furious inside. She had indeed asked him to enter Fang Jun's camp at night for the sake of the Chai family's title and business. She felt guilty for losing her chastity, but she never disliked him because of it.

But when did I ever allow you to have secret rendezvous with Fang Jun and be unfaithful to your wife time and time again?
Knowing that Fang Jun only made his move on you to get revenge for my sneak attack on him back then, is it right for you to enjoy it?
However, he would never dare to say such a thing.

Even now, the Chai family seems to have retained their title and family business, but in reality, all their wealth and glory depend on his status as the imperial son-in-law. His Majesty's leniency towards the Chai family out of consideration for family ties is all for the sake of Princess Baling. If he were to anger Princess Baling, a divorce agreement with the words "let's part ways amicably and wish each other well" would be thrown at him, and all his wealth and glory would shatter like bubbles.

Not to mention that His Majesty might pursue the Chai family for the heinous crime of treason, even the other nobles and powerful clans would rush forward with bloodshot eyes, tearing the Chai family to shreds and swallowing them whole, leaving not even a bone fragment.

“Your Highness, I am also a man, and I have ambitions to make a name for myself. If I achieve something, it will also make you look good…”

Before she could finish speaking, Princess Baling stood up, expressionless, and turned to leave.

Chai Lingwu: "..."

*****
Taiji Palace, Lizheng Hall.

This place was once the sleeping quarters of Emperor Taizong and Empress Wende. Prince Li Zhi of Jin and Princess Jinyang also lived here in their childhood. After Empress Wende passed away in the tenth year of the Zhenguan era, the heartbroken Emperor Taizong moved away from this place, and it has been left unused ever since.

It was not until Li Chengqian ascended the throne as emperor and made Su his empress that they moved back here.

However, Li Chengqian now resides in the Wude Hall, where he lives and works, while only the Empress is in the Lizheng Hall...

Empress Su knelt on the mat on the ground, dressed in a magnificent and luxurious Shu brocade palace dress with gold and phoenix patterns. Her hair was piled high in a cloud-like bun and adorned with pearls and jade. Her delicate and exquisite face had fair and smooth skin, and her dignified and majestic demeanor was tinged with a touch of elegant charm.

At this moment, Madam Su frowned slightly, looking helplessly at the weeping Princess Baling in front of her: "You have walked this path step by step by yourself. Now that you have come this far, who can you blame? Back then, you helped the Chai family through a calamity. Otherwise, how could His Majesty have forgiven you so easily? So if the consort despises you today, I will definitely help you get an explanation."

At this point, she became slightly annoyed: "But you have become obsessed with it ever since, and the rumors have spread throughout the city. This cannot be explained or excused in order to help the Chai family."

I just don't believe it. What's so great about that second wife that you've tasted her once and are now so addicted that you don't even care about being a proper wife anymore?
I couldn't help but recall my promise to Fang Jun, and my heart skipped a beat...

Princess Baling wiped away her tears and sobbed, "If I had willingly given myself to him, then it would naturally be my fault, and I would accept it even if the prince consort beat or scolded me. But now the prince consort is using me to exchange for his future career and fame, which is completely different."

"Heh," Madam Su sneered, extending her jade-like finger to tap Princess Baling's forehead: "Do you think that since you willingly gave yourself to him, it means you love each other and like him as a person? But there are other interests mixed in, and you're afraid that he might misunderstand that you're with him for ulterior motives, or that he might get tired of you because of it, or even leave you?"

Princess Baling only cried and remained silent.

"Sigh, what kind of tragic fate is this..."

Madam Su sighed and said, “The Chai family committed treason first and made a grave mistake. How could His Majesty appoint Chai Lingwu as an official in a fiefdom? Don’t go to His Majesty’s presence; he will surely reject it. However, if Fang Jun pleads for Chai Lingwu, even if His Majesty is extremely unwilling, he will not refuse to do so. Go and beg Fang Jun; this matter will likely be resolved.”

However, since Princess Baling came to her crying and complaining, she clearly did not intend to ask Fang Jun for help.

Sure enough, Princess Baling raised her head and looked at her with teary eyes.

Su was taken aback at first, then became displeased and said angrily, "You yourself are unwilling to beg him, but you want me to beg him? I'm not going!"

You have given up your chastity, therefore you have reason to ask Fang Jun for help.

If I were to ask for it, what would I have to give in return?
Just imagining how Fang Jun would look at her when she made this request made her feel hot all over and extremely embarrassed...

Princess Baling said weakly, "Then what should we do? If we can't make this happen, I'm afraid the prince consort will harbor even deeper resentment, and the only way out for the couple will be divorce. They won't be able to live together for even a day longer."

Madam Su retorted angrily, "Then what do you really think? Since you're having an affair with someone else, then just divorce the Prince Consort and go your separate ways. But if you don't want to divorce the Prince Consort, why do you keep doing such foolish things?"

Princess Baling lowered her head and said softly, "After this, I will live a good life and never associate with him again. All the past entanglements will be severed."

Empress Su had no choice. Since Princess Baling was unwilling to divorce Chai Lingwu, she naturally had to lend a hand. Maintaining harmony within the imperial clan was also her duty as empress.

Sending Baling to plead with Fang Jun deepened the entanglement between the two, making a clean break even more difficult.

“I would never ask Fang Jun for help, but who can I talk to? Gao Yang is definitely out of the question. If she doesn’t know about this, that’s fine, but if she does, it will only make things worse. Chang Le is also out of the question. Even if I go to her, she will probably just ignore it…”

Madam Su pondered the best candidates, eliminating one by one, before finally saying helplessly, "Perhaps, we can only ask Si Zi to intervene. Someone, go and invite Princess Jinyang over, and tell her that I wish to ask her for a favor."

"Here."

The female official outside the door bowed to receive the order and then withdrew.

Madam Su took out a silk handkerchief to wipe Princess Baling's tears, poured her some tea, and asked curiously, "Do you really intend to sever all ties?"

"Well, since we've already gone astray and there's no way to get anywhere with it, we might as well cut ties cleanly sooner rather than later."

Princess Baling spoke pitifully, but Lady Su held her in deep contempt.

It's because Princess Baling is already married, and Fang Jun would never give her a proper title.
If she were like Chang Le, who lost her husband, she would probably cling to Fang Jun to the bitter end, and would rather have a child with him than break up with him.

In other words, having tried and had fun, knowing there's no future, it's better to turn back now and stick with Chai Lingwu, that spineless coward, and live a good life together...

However, Chai Lingwu can't really be called pitiful.

Shortly after, Princess Jinyang entered the palace.

Today, the little princess wore a lake-green ruqun (a type of traditional Chinese dress) with a pink jacket over it. A silk sash with a jade pendant cinched her slender waist, making it appear as if it could be encircled by a single hand. Her face was as beautiful as a painting, and she was petite and delicate. She walked briskly to the two of them, gathered her skirts, and bowed. Then, she looked at Princess Baling with a smile and asked, "Sister, why are your eyes so red? Have you been bullied?"

Princess Baling looked slightly embarrassed and covered up, saying, "I accidentally got some sand in..."

"You'd better be careful."

Princess Jinyang smiled gently, her gaze sweeping over Princess Baling's face before she sat down next to Empress Su and asked with a smile, "Sister-in-law, did you send someone to call me over for something?"

After hesitating for a moment, Su glanced at Princess Baling and saw her lower her head to drink tea. She then explained the matter in detail, not only revealing the affair between Princess Baling and Fang Jun without reservation, but also clarifying all the concerns involved.

Finally, holding Princess Jinyang's hand, he sighed softly, "Now that things have come to this, only if you, Sizi, ask the Grand Commandant for help can this matter be resolved."

Princess Jinyang remained noncommittal, her eyes, as clear as autumn water, scrutinizing Princess Baling from head to toe.

Princess Baling blushed deeply, feeling utterly ashamed...

Princess Jinyang smiled and said calmly, "If you truly have severed all ties with your brother-in-law and have no further entanglement with him, then I can certainly help you with this."

Hmph, do you really think your brother-in-law is some kind of magic pill that everyone would want to take a bite out of?
I haven't even taken a bite yet!
Princess Baling hurriedly said, "Sister, you have done something wrong. Don't be afraid of being laughed at by your younger sister. I only hope that you can help your sister out of your predicament."

Su also said, "Baling wants to sever ties with the Grand Commandant, so it's not appropriate to ask him for help again. Only you can help us now."

Princess Jinyang's eyes darted around, revealing a pure and beautiful smile: "Helping with this favor isn't difficult, but I can't just help for nothing, can I?"

Princess Baling quickly replied, "Sister, just name your conditions. Whatever I have, you can have it."

Princess Jinyang smiled but remained silent.

Princess Baling was puzzled, but Lady Su realized what she meant and immediately slapped Princess Jinyang on the shoulder, saying irritably, "Trying to take advantage of someone's misfortune, huh! What are you dreaming about? Don't even think about it! His Majesty would never agree to that!"

Princess Jinyang picked up her teacup, took a sip of tea, lowered her eyes, and said softly, "It doesn't matter whether His Majesty agrees or not. All you need to do is agree. You don't need to do anything. Just don't object when the time comes."

Who is opposing her marrying her brother-in-law?

It may seem like a matter of etiquette and law, but in reality, no one in the world can play a decisive role in this matter. Who the brother-in-law wants to marry and who she wants to marry are none of the business of outsiders.

The biggest opposition force comes from one's closest relatives.

However, she was not afraid. She believed that as long as she divided and disintegrated these people one by one, she would eventually be able to achieve her long-cherished wish.

Princess Baling also looked up at Princess Jinyang, unsure of what to say.

However, she secretly admired and approved of Princess Jinyang. Although this younger sister was young, she had a keen eye for men. She could tell at a glance which man in the world was the best of the best.