Tiantang Splendid

Chapter 5219 Old Friendships
Withered grass, bare branches, morning mist still lingering, and everything in sight covered in white frost.

Changsun Yan, accompanied by two servants, rode swiftly along the mountain path. After winding through several mountain valleys, a small and exquisite Taoist temple appeared not far away. The surrounding mountains and forests were desolate, embraced by mountains, with a babbling stream flowing gently, and the scenery was serene.

The presence of a guard standing solemnly outside the Taoist temple and the cavalry patrolling around it added a touch of desolation to the depths of Zhongnan Mountain.

As Changsun Yan rode closer, imperial guards stepped forward to block his path. He dismounted, threw the reins to his servant, took two steps forward, and bowed, saying, "Please inform Your Highness Chang Le that I am Changsun Yan and request an audience with you."

The imperial guards shook their heads: "His Highness is in seclusion within the temple and does not receive outside guests. Young Master Changsun, please return."

Changsun Yan bowed slightly, showing no arrogance whatsoever, and pleaded, "I do have important business to attend to. Please come in and inform Your Highness. If Your Highness truly does not wish to see me, I will return immediately."

The imperial guard hesitated for a moment, then reluctantly agreed: "Then you wait here while I go inside to inform them."

Although Princess Changle had long since divorced Changsun Chong and had given birth to a son for Fang Jun, she was still a daughter-in-law of the Changsun family. Changsun Wuji and his son Changsun Chong had been dead for a long time, so they might not necessarily be enemies. If the Changsun family had something to ask of Princess Changle, she might not necessarily refuse.

Conversely, acting on one's own initiative might lead to trouble...

"Thank you!"

Changsun Yan watched as the Imperial Guard turned and strode quickly to the entrance of the Taoist temple. After knocking on the door and exchanging a few words with the people inside, he waited by the door. He felt quite nervous.

Shortly after, the Imperial Guard returned and said coldly, "His Highness summoned you to the temple... However, I warn you beforehand that once inside, you must be careful with your words and actions, and especially not disrespectful to His Highness. Otherwise, even if you are a member of the Changsun family, I will not spare you!"

"Don't worry, General, I know proper etiquette and will not be impolite."

As he stepped up the stairs, the gate opened, and two familiar maids stood behind it, slightly curtsying and saying softly, "Please follow me, sir."

Changsun Yan recognized these as the maids who had served Princess Changle when she was in the Changsun family. Not daring to be negligent, he hurriedly returned the greeting and followed the two maids through the courtyard, around the main hall, and along the path shaded by plum trees to the front of several side rooms.

The door opened, and a maid bowed, saying, "Young Master Changsun, please."

Changsun Yan stepped inside.

The room was dimly lit and simple, just like a typical Taoist temple or hermitage. There were statues of the Three Pure Ones and an oil lamp. Several futons were placed in front of the south-facing window, and a fire was burning on a tea table. Water was boiling in a kettle, bubbling and steaming...

Beside the tea table, a slender figure knelt on a futon, her profile beautiful and her features delicate. Dressed in a Taoist robe, she was simple and unpretentious, as she lifted the kettle to pour boiling water into the teapot. The delicate and lingering aroma of tea rose with the white steam, refreshing and delightful.

Hearing footsteps, Princess Chang Le turned around and looked at him. A gentle smile appeared on her beautiful face, and her bright eyes showed a hint of joy: "Fourth Prince is here. Please take a seat and try the tea I just brewed."

In an instant, Changsun Yan felt as if something was blocking his chest, making it hard to breathe, yet his eyes burned. This scene was exactly the same as when he was in the Changsun family before, giving him the illusion that time had passed but the world had stood still.

He took a deep breath and bowed deeply, saying, "Changsun Yan greets Your Highness."

Princess Chang Le put down the water jug ​​and said with a slight reproach, "Why be so formal when we meet in private? You weren't always so well-behaved; you were quite mischievous! Come here."

“…Here you go.”

Changsun Yan wanted to say that things were different now, but under Princess Chang Le's beautiful glare, he swallowed his words and obediently knelt on the prayer mat opposite her, straightened his clothes, and sat upright.

Seeing Princess Chang Le place a cup of brewed tea in front of him, he quickly bowed slightly to express his gratitude: "Thank you, Your Highness."

Princess Chang Le smiled gently. She had some idea of ​​Changsun Yan's purpose in coming, but she still asked, "What brings you here today, Fourth Prince?"

Changsun Yan was slightly dazed.

Once upon a time, the eldest princess of the Tang Dynasty before him was not only his cousin, but also his sister-in-law. During that period, although his elder brother Changsun Chong's marriage to Princess Changle was not happy, and the couple treated each other with cold respect and deep estrangement, Princess Changle's performance as the eldest daughter-in-law of the Changsun family and the eldest sister-in-law of the Changsun family members was impeccable.

Even for someone like himself, born out of wedlock, he would teach him with care and love.

All the members of the Changsun family respected and loved their eldest sister-in-law. Even after their divorce from Changsun Chong, no one spoke ill of Princess Changle.

At that time, in the hearts of the boys, this gentle, beautiful, and kind sister-in-law represented almost all their aspirations for women.

Princess Chang Le noticed that he seemed a little distracted, so she didn't say anything, but only asked with her eyes.

Changsun Yan came to his senses, lowered his head, and hesitated somewhat awkwardly. After a long while, he said in a low voice, "His Majesty has established a new dynasty and a new country, which requires many officials. I thought I would like to ask Your Highness to put in a good word for me before His Majesty so that a member of the Changsun family can have an opportunity to serve as an official."

After a short while, not hearing Princess Chang Le speak, Changsun Yan felt a tightness in his heart and quickly raised his head to say, "Since the passing of my father and elder brother, the Changsun family has lost its former glory. The brothers all know that it is our father and elder brother's fault for failing to live up to the imperial favor. Therefore, we are all hiding in our mansions, studying literature and martial arts, waiting for the right time."

His eyes were filled with eagerness.

Princess Chang Le picked up the teacup with her delicate hand, took a sip of tea, sighed softly, and said with some difficulty, "It's not that I'm unwilling to help, it's just that this matter... is too difficult to handle."

Although His Majesty usually did not complain or scold Changsun Wuji much, Princess Changle knew that His Majesty hated Changsun Wuji to the extreme.

Who could bear it if their own blood uncle instigated their own brothers to rebel and storm the palace to usurp the throne?
Not pursuing the Changsun family's serious crime of treason, and even completely pardoning Zhinu, this was already the ultimate measure.

How can we allow a powerful clan like the Changsun family to rise again?
The current uproar surrounding Chai Zhewei's fate provides a glimpse into this situation.

If she hadn't divorced Changsun Chong back then and was still a daughter-in-law of the Changsun family, perhaps His Majesty would have shown leniency out of consideration for her. But things have come to this point, and there is only hatred between His Majesty and the Changsun family, let alone any kinship.
The hope in Changsun Yan's eyes faded, and he forced a smile: "If Your Highness finds it difficult, then let's just drop this matter and pretend I was never here."

After a pause, he poured out his grievances to his still-friendly "sister-in-law".

"My talents are far inferior to my elder brother's. From childhood, I have only followed behind my father and brothers, indulging in a life of luxury and play, never thinking that one day I could inherit the family business... Now, sitting in the position of the head of the family, I am filled with trepidation and walking on thin ice. The family's situation is deteriorating, and I have been unable to sleep at night, yet I am at a loss. I should not have come to trouble Your Highness this time, after all, there are many things involved, and if it causes people to misunderstand Your Highness, I will be even more ashamed..."

"But looking at my younger brothers' hopeful and dreamy eyes, I couldn't care less about anything else. I don't have the ambition of my father and brothers, nor do I ever think about restoring the glory of the Changsun family or becoming a high-ranking official. I only want to find a way out for my younger brothers so that they can each support their own family business and not die old in the old house... That's enough for me."

When Changsun Wuji was alive, he held a very high position in the court. As the leader of the Guanlong aristocratic families and the emperor's most trusted minister, he had amassed countless favors. However, after Changsun Wuji's death, although the emperor did not pursue the Changsun family, the entire court and the public avoided them like the plague.

The only way out for the Changsun family lies with His Majesty.

He knew, of course, that even if he begged Princess Changle to intervene, it would be difficult to sway His Majesty, since that would mean His Majesty would let go of his hatred for Changsun Wuji and forgive the Changsun family's treason.

But as the head of the Changsun family, he had no other choice.

Princess Chang Le's expression changed, her heart filled with conflict.

Although her marriage to Changsun Chong was a complete failure, and the two even became enemies, in all fairness, during the years she married into the Changsun family, apart from Changsun Chong, she got along very well with everyone in the family, and everyone in the family respected and loved her.

The younger children, like Changsun Yan, Changsun Zhan, and Changsun Run, would tug at her skirt and sweetly call her "sister-in-law"...

He then sighed softly and said, "Tomorrow I will return to Chang'an to see His Majesty and tell him about this matter, but I can only do my best and dare not guarantee anything."

In fact, if Fang Jun were to step forward, His Majesty would most likely agree. He could also follow the Empress's advice to Princess Baling and go to Jinyang... But how could she ask Fang Jun about the grudges and entanglements between her, Changsun Chong, and Fang Jun?
Even the Changsun family might not be willing to swallow their pride and accept Fang Jun's "charity"...

Changsun Yan hurriedly said, "Your Highness, there is no need for this. I was being a bit unrealistic before. I only thought that my family was in a difficult situation and that if one of my sons could enter officialdom, it would be a way out. I did not think about the difficulties Your Highness would face. My family is indeed in trouble, but I did not want Your Highness to be in such a difficult position."

After saying this, he got up to take his leave.

The Changsun family is indeed struggling and declining, but as the former leading clan of the Tang Dynasty, they still retain their pride.

"You're still as stubborn as you were when you were little!"

Princess Chang Le gave a reproachful look, beckoned for her to sit down, and said softly, "Although I have long since severed all ties with Changsun Chong, I only have fond memories of the Changsun family and hold no resentment whatsoever. Now that I see the Changsun family in such dire straits, how can I not lend a hand? Whether it is difficult or not is secondary. If it can truly help you, I will certainly not stand idly by."

After all, aside from marriage, she and the other members of the Changsun family were still cousins.

Thinking about how much Changsun Wuji had doted on her, his niece and eldest daughter-in-law, since she was a child, her eyes welled up with tears.

If I can do my part, it is my duty.

Changsun Yan was deeply moved and bowed his head, saying, "My family has committed grave mistakes in the past, which we deeply regret. From now on, we will be loyal to Your Majesty and the Tang Dynasty no matter what. If we break this oath, may we be struck by lightning and our entire family be exterminated!"