Tiantang Splendid

Chapter 5285 Harmonious Union
At midnight, the wind howled and the snow fell heavily.

Inside the bedroom, the brocade quilt was tossed about, and the candlelight flickered red. A slender, fair figure struggled out from under the quilt, her bare white feet staggering as she tried to escape. She was immediately grabbed by the waist and dragged back. Then, she was surrounded by other figures, and for a moment, there was a scene of soft, warm fragrance and soft moans.

……

As dawn broke, the wind and snow had just stopped, and the bedroom was calm and peaceful.

Xiao Shuer finally broke free from the entanglement between the two, hastily put on her clothes and got out of bed. She felt weak all over and almost fell to the ground. Hearing the giggles behind her, she turned around, her eyebrows furrowed and her cherry lips bitten. She glared angrily at the absurd and shameless Wu Meiniang, and staggered out the door.

This woman went mad last night. Instead of protecting her from the predatory man, she joined in the bullying, making her realize for the first time that women could also take the initiative and launch a full-scale attack...

Fang Jun watched Xiao Shu'er flee as if her life depended on it, a smile on his face. He muttered a rebuke to the beauty beside him, saying, "That was too much!"

Last night, this beauty transformed into a witch; the phrase "aiding and abetting evil" is far more than enough to describe her.
Xiao Shuer is well-educated, dignified, and virtuous, but how can she endure this embarrassing situation of being able to turn a blind eye to a dangerous situation?

They'd be so ashamed they'd die...

However, these two, who should have been mortal enemies, are now sleeping in the same bed with their skin touching, a charade that makes one deeply appreciate the wonder of fate.

Life is made up of countless coincidences, and changing just one of those coincidences can affect the entire subsequent course of events.

But time cannot be turned back, and whether it was right or wrong, life offers no second chances...

"Ah!"

Wu Meiniang turned over, her snow-white body pressed tightly against her husband, letting her cloud-like hair cascade onto the bedding. She said disdainfully, "Too much? I wonder who got so excited that they even made shameless demands, and wouldn't allow her to refuse... They even made Shu'er cry. What a cruel heart."

"Cough cough!"

Fang Jun felt embarrassed. He had never been a licentious person, but the atmosphere last night was too good, and he couldn't control himself for a moment.

"I've never noticed before, but you seem to have a particular interest in women?"

Wu Meiniang didn't mind her husband's evasive words. She stretched out her snow-white arm to embrace his waist, rested her pretty face on his shoulder, calmed her pounding heart, and said languidly, "It's just the pleasure of our chambers. Don't you find it quite interesting, my husband?"

Fang Jun warned: "It's fine at home, but don't you dare keep a few maids in your room for your pleasure in Luoyang!"

Not only men can't do it, women can't either!

Alas, none of my wives and concubines are exactly the kind of people who are obedient and easy to deal with...

"hehe."

Wu Meiniang chuckled softly, leaned forward and whispered in her husband's ear, her breath sweet as orchids: "When I was in Luoyang, if I ever felt unbearably lonely, I always took care of it myself... Would you like to know how I did it?"

Her voice was soft and gentle, so alluring and captivating that it made Fang Jun's heart race, but he couldn't guess what it was for the moment.

Don't think that people in ancient times were conservative. These wealthy and powerful families had all sorts of tricks up their sleeves and used all sorts of bizarre methods...

"How about... you demonstrate it?"

"My lord wants to see? What a filthy thought!"

"My lady, you are mistaken. It is not that I am despicable, but I simply want to show you more care. You went to Luoyang alone for the sake of our family business, which has been very thoughtful and has kept you up at night. I feel truly guilty."

"Hmph, that sounds nice."

Wu Meiniang parted her pearly teeth, bit her husband's ear, and said in a sweet voice, "Take your hand away..."

……

During breakfast, Xiao Shu'er dressed up and regained her intellectual, gentle, dignified and virtuous appearance. However, whenever her eyes met those of her husband or Wu Meiniang, her fair cheeks would blush and she would turn her head away and ignore them.

I'm furious; those two ravaged me last night...

Fang Jun found it amusing to see her embarrassed.

Wu Meiniang then sat down next to her, took her hand, and winked meaningfully, startling Xiao Shuer so much that she quickly shook off her hand as if bitten by a snake.

This delicate, boneless hand, as soft as a spring onion, nearly drove her to the brink of collapse last night…

*****
The area in front of Pingkangfang was bustling with carriages and pedestrians, making it the most prosperous time of the year.

As New Year's Day approaches, officials from all prefectures and counties across the land are dispatched to the capital to handle official business at their respective government offices. Officials of the fifth rank and above arrive in the capital in advance to await an audience during the grand court assembly on New Year's Day. Princes and nobles serving in various places return home to pay respects to their ancestors, and merchants traveling between the east and west bring all kinds of goods to the capital...

Whether you're calling friends and family, entertaining relatives and friends, or trying to curry favor with your superiors, there's no place more suitable than Pingkangfang.

Entering from the north gate, the streets are lined with brothels and taverns frequented by women of Central Asian descent. Tourists come and go by car, horse, or on foot, making it a lively place.

Not long after entering, a tavern on the left-hand side of the street was densely packed with soldiers in full armor. These soldiers were all tall, strong, and muscular, with bows drawn and swords unsheathed, glaring menacingly and ready for battle. Anyone who accidentally approached would be reprimanded, making the wide street seem narrow. Everyone moved to the other side of the street, fearing that they would get into trouble.

The spirited and righteous scholars were enraged by this sight. Embodying justice, they directly rebuked Fang Qiu: "Chang'an, the capital city, is the seat of the emperor, yet such powerful officials reside in their private quarters and abuse their power. We scholars are the emperor's students and pillars of the nation; how can we turn a blind eye to this chaos? Follow me to the tower, seize this incompetent official, and send him to the Censorate to uphold the law!"

Before he finished speaking, a loud "whoosh" was heard in his ear, and the once bustling and crowded street fell silent instantly. Everyone moved away to a distance of more than ten feet from him, and countless eyes were fixed on him.

The scholar looked around, somewhat bewildered. When he saw several tall, menacing soldiers striding towards him, he realized something was amiss. He felt a little panicked but tried his best to maintain his previous righteous image.

Pointing at the approaching soldiers, he angrily shouted, "You are nothing but dogs kept in the gates of the powerful and wealthy. Do you dare to disregard the law and beat me in broad daylight?"

Upon hearing this, the pedestrians around took three steps back.

The scholar scoffed, pointing at those around him: "Everyone says Chang'an is the capital, the most virtuous city in the land, but little do they know that it's full of cowards who fear the powerful and wealthy. They're all timid and cowardly when they see injustice! What can they do if they stand next to me? Do they dare to arrest me and take me to the Wannian County government office?"

A spoiled young man dressed in a luxurious fur coat shook his head: "It's not that we're afraid to go to the county government office. The reason we're keeping our distance from you is simply because we're afraid of getting splattered with blood."

Scholar: "..."

His eyes widened in disbelief. Did the powerful and wealthy of Chang'an really dare to kill someone in the street?!

He certainly wouldn't kill anyone; the spoiled brat was just trying to scare him. But when several heavily armored, menacing soldiers came up to him and grabbed his arms with their large, fan-like hands, the scholar trembled with fear.

Just as he thought the fist, as hard as a sand bowl, might land a couple of blows on his face, he suddenly heard a voice above him: "Ignore him, just let him leave on his own. Everyone's almost gone, what kind of behavior is this, blocking the road and making a ruckus? So noisy!"

The scholar looked up and saw two people sticking their heads out of the second-floor window, one of whom, a dark-faced young man, was shouting at someone.

Without a doubt, the soldiers downstairs in front of the door must be the personal guards of these two men.

It's one thing to let troops block the streets and alleys, but to know you're wrong and still be so arrogant?

He straightened his neck, ready to step forward and argue with these two lawless nobles, but as soon as he took a step, he saw almost everyone on the street bow and then shout in unison: "Greetings, Grand Commandant! Greetings, Duke Ying!"

The scholar was instantly petrified, speechless with astonishment.

It was Fang Jun and Li Ji?!

Mother!

At this moment, he really wanted to cover his mouth and swallow back what he had just said, but words spoken are like the wind, and spilled water cannot be taken back. How could he take them back?

Seeing that several soldiers stood still upon hearing the order, but several pairs of eyes were fixed on him, he felt uneasy and quickly forced a smile: "So it is the Grand Commandant and Duke Ying who are taking a rest here. I was blind to your greatness. Please forgive my rudeness."

He bowed respectfully, then ran off in a flash, ignoring the laughter behind him...

……

upstairs.

The two turned around and sat down. Li Ji watched Fang Jun pour tea for him and shook his head, saying, "Now, who in Chang'an would dare to harm you? With your current status, such a grand gesture would only invite criticism and ruin your reputation, and would bring you no benefit whatsoever."

Regardless of your level or position, you must take appropriate actions.

In the past, everyone knew that Fang Er was a "spoiled brat," and no matter how arrogant and domineering he was, no one cared and they would be very tolerant of him—that's how spoiled brats should be.

Now that he has assumed the position of Grand Commandant, the nominal head of the military, and whose rank is above that of this meritorious official of the Zhenguan era and Duke of Ying, it is unacceptable for him to continue to act so recklessly, as it would be a disgrace to the nation.

Fang Jun put down the teapot, unimpressed: "What would I need such a good reputation for? To be benevolent and sincere, to seek fame and fortune... to learn from Wang Mang?"

Li Ji was speechless.

Fang Jun, enjoying his tea, smiled and said, "On the other hand, does Lord Ying's emphasis on reputation mean he harbors ambitions to serve the world?"

"Shut up!"

Li Ji glared at him and said irritably, "The ethics between ruler and subject, the principles of heaven and earth—are these the kind of things someone of your status can just casually utter? Fortunately, His Majesty is benevolent and magnanimous; any other emperor would have brought you death for saying such a thing."

"There are only the two of us here. What I say will be heard by you. If even a single word is passed out, it will surely be the work of Lord Ying. If I am in danger of being killed, I will definitely drag Lord Ying down with me and perish together forever."

Li Ji shook his head, not wanting to argue with him, and asked directly, "When will Su Dingfang's side launch its attack?"

Fang Jun said, "The first day of the second month of the sixth year of Renhe."

Li Ji looked at him without saying a word.

By personally inviting Fang Jun today, he is essentially handing over the initiative. He can't possibly ask for it himself, can he?