Tiantang Splendid

Chapter 5244: Delicate body and soft body
"With snow falling heavily and a lone man and woman out of the house, what's the point of going to Xuanqing Temple? Is that for enjoying snow and tea? Why does this brat have to learn from Baling of all people?"

Princess Gaoyang raised her eyebrows and spoke angrily.

Fang Jun chuckled and said, "What are you thinking? Even if His Highness Jinyang had that intention, I would absolutely not comply!"

"Ah!"

Princess Gaoyang sneered, glancing sideways at someone: "You still refuse? With such a beautiful and flawless sister-in-law being offered to you, can you resist? You'd probably swallow her whole!"

Fang Jun was speechless: "Then I won't go, okay?"

He turned to his daughter in his arms and complained, "Your father is upright and honest, yet I am burdened by rumors and gossip. It is truly an injustice to the world!"

Fang Jing didn't understand what her father was saying, but seeing his aggrieved look on his face, she buried her head in her father's chest and rubbed against him.

Such understanding melted Fang Jun's heart. He hugged his daughter, looked up, and laughed heartily, his smug expression suggesting he wouldn't trade the whole world for her.

Princess Gaoyang also adored this daughter, but for some reason, she had never acted this way in front of her before. Suddenly, she felt a pang of jealousy and said irritably, "Sizi specially sent someone to invite you, so I don't think she'll do anything shameful. How can you not go? Go and come back quickly, don't stay there overnight! Give me my daughter!"

*****
The sky was dark and gloomy, and snow was swirling around the capital.

Fang Jun changed his clothes, rode in a four-wheeled carriage out of Chongrenfang, and headed south to Shengpingfang.

Leyouyuan was originally located north of Qujiang Pool. Emperor Xuan of Han built Leyouyuan Garden here in the third year of Shenjue. The garden was named after it. The entire loess plateau extends from east to west to outside the city. Both the parts inside and outside the city are the highest points in Chang'an and are a scenic spot for sightseeing.

South of Shengpingfang and north of Furongyuan, the loess plateau is covered with lush vegetation and gurgling springs. All the noble villas were built here, and one of the lush forests through which the spring flows is Xuanqing Temple, one of the many Taoist temples bestowed by Princess Jinyang in and around Chang'an.

The carriage slowly ascended the snow-covered loess plateau. Upon arriving at Xuanqing Temple, royal guards who had been waiting there greeted the carriage and quickly went inside to announce its arrival.

All of them were Princess Jinyang's personal guards, and they were well aware of the close relationship between their princess and Fang Jun. Therefore, even though they met in private, they were not surprised at all...

A moment later, two maids hurried over and escorted Fang Jun into the Taoist temple, while the carriage was led by the imperial guards to the stables to drink water and feed the horses.

Xuanqing Temple was built in the previous dynasty. It is not large in scale, with only three courtyards, but it is extremely exquisite and beautiful. Entering from the main gate, there is a tall "Laojun Hall". Going around through the covered corridor on one side to enter the rear, you will see more than ten exquisitely built houses arranged in a row. The main house has a porch and the side rooms have covered corridors.

As the maidservant removed his cloak and changed his shoes at the side hall, Fang Jun stepped inside.

The main room had a gleaming floor, and the underfloor heating was burning brightly. Two bronze incense burners shaped like flying cranes in the corner emitted wisps of smoke, filling the air with a faint sandalwood fragrance. The room was simply decorated; a floor mat was laid out in the center, with a tea table placed there. Against one wall stood a bookcase filled with a dazzling array of ancient books…

Princess Jinyang had changed into a blue Taoist robe, her beautiful hair tied up with a jade hairpin, revealing a section of her slender, snow-white neck. Her body was delicate and her face was like a painting, truly embodying the beauty of "a lotus emerging from clear water, naturally beautiful without adornment," exuding a kind of innocent and simple beauty.

Princess Chang Le's name suits her very well—she is naturally beautiful.

Princess Jinyang was taking a small silver kettle off the stove and pouring boiling water into it when she waved to Fang Jun, saying, "Brother-in-law, come quickly, the tea is just right!"

Not seeing a single maidservant in the room, Fang Jun skipped the formalities. Dressed in a round-necked Hu-style robe, he stepped forward and knelt opposite Princess Jinyang. Looking at her smiling face, he glanced around and praised, "Your Highness's Taoist temple is quite nice. The location is excellent, simple yet luxurious. It is neither as noisy as the city nor as desolate as the wilderness. Spending a few days here in my spare time, enjoying the snow and rain, watching the sunrise and sunset, can truly cleanse the mind and cultivate one's character."

Princess Jinyang smiled and poured tea into a cup, pushing it in front of Fang Jun: "If brother-in-law likes it, then come and stay here for a few days from time to time, and I will do my best to be a good host."

Fang Jun clicked his tongue, unable to reply, and could only lower his head and drink his tea.

Princess Jinyang took out the nuts and pastries from under the tea table and arranged them. Her eyes were bright and her gaze was lively. "I just went to Brother Zhinu's residence. I originally intended to give him some money and silk, but I was asked about the marriage. He seemed so impatient. I really hate him."

Fang Jun changed the subject, saying, "Your Highness has given all your family property to Prince Jin, which certainly shows your kindness. But how will you live in the future? You need to cover your daily meals, food and drink expenses in the palace, as well as the rewards for the eunuchs and maids. The output of your manors may not be enough."

Princess Jinyang smiled and pressed on, "If we really can't live like this, then we can move to my brother-in-law's house. Surely he won't abandon me?"

Fang Jun was in a bind, regretting accepting the invitation. The little princess was extremely aggressive today, catching him off guard and leaving him defenseless.

After a moment's thought, I realized that some things really couldn't be delayed any longer and needed to be put to a stop...

He took a sip of tea, looked directly at Princess Jinyang, and said slowly, "Your Highness is a woman of exceptional talent and noble birth, the finest in the world. The illness that plagued you in your youth must have been a misfortune even the heavens envied. Now that your ailments have vanished and you are healthy and strong, it is the perfect time to enjoy your prime years. How could you possibly stray from the right path?"

Princess Jinyang sat opposite her, her beautiful face serene and lovely, her voice soft and gentle: "If my brother-in-law hadn't sought out Master Sun to treat me back then, I might have already been tormented by illness and left this world. My brother-in-law heard that Master Sun said that seafood was extremely beneficial to my condition, so he risked being condemned by the entire court and transported seafood from the East China Sea year after year. I have always kept that in mind."

"You call me brother-in-law, and that's what I should do. Besides, Emperor Taizong has been very fond of me, so I should reciprocate by treating Your Highness even better."

Princess Jinyang pursed her pink lips, her gaze intense: "Is that really all there is to it? What about Qiu Shenji's opinion?"

Fang Jun had a headache: "Qiu Shenji's death was an accident."

"Brother-in-law, just tell the truth, is it really true that Qiu Shenji was not killed by you?"

"..."

Fang Jun sighed and said helplessly, "I did kill Qiu Shenji, but it wasn't for Your Highness's sake."

The death of Qiu Shenji has long been an unsolved mystery, but the court, the public and the common people all agree that the murderer was Fang Jun, and the motive for the murder was that Qiu Xinggong proposed to Emperor Taizong that his son Qiu Shenji marry Princess Jinyang.

Everyone believed that Fang Jun killed Qiu Shenji in order to "possess" Princess Jinyang and prevent others from touching her, both to eliminate future troubles and to serve as a warning to others...

Since then, as expected, most of the nobles and powerful families in Chang'an gave up their desire to marry Princess Jinyang, fearing retaliation from Fang Jun.

Princess Jinyang, as expected, did not believe it. She raised an eyebrow and pressed, "Brother-in-law, please tell me the truth. Is it really true that your killing of Qiu Shenji has nothing to do with me?"

Fang Jun didn't want to lie, so he remained silent.

His reasons for assassinating Qiu Shenji, besides eliminating this cruel official as soon as possible, were also due to his fear that Emperor Taizong might make a mistake and marry Princess Jinyang off. After all, Qiu Xinggong had saved Emperor Taizong's life, and Emperor Taizong had always been happy to use his daughters to win over meritorious officials.

To this day, it remains unclear even with explanation.

Princess Jinyang's pretty face lit up with a smug smile. She suddenly stood up, her curvaceous figure revealed beneath her loose Taoist robe. She knelt down beside Fang Jun, her fragrant scent filling the air.

Fang Jun felt a small, delicate hand grasp his broad palm. Turning his head, he saw Princess Jinyang looking up at him with her beautiful features and fragrant breath: "My feelings are clear to my brother-in-law."

Fang Jun sighed helplessly, "Ethics and patriarchal laws are not tolerated at all. What can we do?"

Princess Jinyang's beautiful eyes darted around, her former gentle and innocent demeanor replaced by a resolute and assertive one, leaving no room for evasion: "It's not like I have to marry my brother-in-law. What do ethics and patriarchal laws have to do with me?"

"Ok?"

Fang Jun was surprised.

After spending so much time pouring out your heart here, are you just kidding me?

Princess Jinyang smiled radiantly, her tone gentle yet resolute: "I don't want any title, I just want to be by my brother-in-law's side. If two people are truly in love, why care about a marriage contract? I can be my brother-in-law's woman even if I don't enter the Fang family."

Fang Jun's throat went dry, and he truly didn't know what to say.

One can only marvel at Emperor Taizong, a truly extraordinary man throughout history. His sons and daughters were all exceptional individuals, outstanding in every way!

Let alone in the Tang Dynasty, even a thousand years later, how many women like her are there?
Fang Jun had nothing to say and could only drink tea.

Seeing that Fang Jun did not refuse outright, Princess Jinyang, with her bright eyes and sweet smile, poured tea for Fang Jun and casually said, "Brother Zhinu's journey to the southern island will be arduous, not to mention that even if he successfully reaches the island, he will face the threat of the local natives. Brother-in-law and Brother Zhinu are brothers-in-law, surely you won't just stand by and watch?"

Fang Junqi asked, "Your Highness, would you not be pretending to be in love with someone or even willing to offer yourself to him so that I can provide some assistance to Prince Jin?"

"Giggle!"

Princess Jinyang laughed happily, her pretty face flushed, both shy and proactive. She leaned close to Fang Jun's ear and gently blew a breath, her voice soft and gentle like a cat's: "What if I offer myself to you, brother-in-law, but you don't want me?"

Fang Jun sighed. The beautiful woman was so close, her breath as sweet as orchids, her body soft and warm, as if she were within easy reach. Who could resist such a test?

But he was no ordinary man. With unwavering determination, he rose, said "This humble subject takes his leave," and fled amidst Princess Jinyang's triumphant laughter.