Tang Dynasty, my wife Wu Zetian

Chapter 266 The Prince Gets Married
Starting from May, news from the Kunzang Protectorate, Anxi Protectorate and Yingzhou Military Governorate continued to be sent back to the court.

This also made the Ministry of War very busy, and Xiao Siye would not return home until after the hour of Xu every night.

That evening, as soon as he returned to the Xiao Mansion, he heard that Wang Fuzhi, a doctor of Taichang, was here to visit and was waiting in the study.

When Xiao Siye came to the study, he saw Wang Fuzhi admiring landscape paintings in the study.

The landscape paintings in Xiao Siye's study all depicted scenery beyond the Great Wall, possessing a unique charm. He smiled at Wang Fuzhi and asked, "Brother Wang, have you ever been beyond the Great Wall?"

Wang Fuzhi sighed, "I've always wanted to go there, but unfortunately I've always been tied up in worldly affairs and haven't had the time."

Xiao Siye smiled, stopped talking about this topic, and ordered his servants to serve tea.

He was a warrior, and after drinking tea, he went straight to the point and asked the other party what he wanted.

Wang Fuzhi put down his teacup and said slowly, "I have a son who, by the grace of the saint, is studying at the Chongwen Academy."

Xiao Siye smiled and said, "You are talking about your third son, Wang Bo, right? His reputation as a prodigy has long been known throughout Chang'an. It is only natural for him to be a reader at the Chongwen Academy."

Wang Fuzhi smiled and said, "You are too kind. Sanlang and His Royal Highness Prince Qi can usually talk to each other."

Xiao Siye's eyes flashed: "Third Prince?"

Wang Fuzhi nodded and said in a low voice, "Minister Xiao also knows that the Third Prince's biological mother has been implicated in that incident and has been staying in Shanchi Courtyard."

"That incident back then" was the dethronement of Wang Liwu.

In this incident, Queen Wang and Concubine Xiao were both demoted to commoners, and the two families could be said to be in the same boat.

When Xiao Siye heard him talk about the past, he couldn't guess his intention for a moment and remained silent.

Wang Fuzhi sighed, "The Third Prince is getting older and more sensible. He misses his mother so much that his brow is etched with worry. It's truly sympathetic."

Xiao Siye slowly figured it out and said calmly, "Brother Wang, why are you beating around the bush? Just say what you want to say."

Wang Fuzhi said in a deep voice, "Because of Queen Wang, I, Wang Shi, have some connections with Yang Yu-nu and Zheng Yu-nu, so I, Wang Shi, want to help them leave Shanchiyuan."

Xiao Siye shook his head and said, "Forgive me for being blunt, but Empress Wu is newly pregnant. Under such circumstances, Your Majesty will surely show even greater favor. It's practically impossible for you to accomplish this."

These two people had followed Queen Wang to deal with Queen Wu. Queen Wu was always vindictive, so she would naturally oppose it.

Wang Fuzhi smiled and said, "Since I'm here to see Minister Xiao, I'm naturally well prepared."

Xiao Siye stared at him and said, "Oh, what can you do?"

Wang Fuzhi held up three fingers and said, "It's not a very good idea. If Brother Xiao is willing to help, there's probably about a 30% chance of success."

Xiao Siye was silent for a moment, then said, "Now that the aristocratic factions are falling apart, you and I are just ordinary friends. Give me a reason to help you."

Wang Fuzhi said calmly, "Whenever Your Majesty sees Yang Yunv and Zheng Yunv, he might think of Queen Wang. When Queen Wang returns to the palace in the future, Concubine Xiao Shufei will also have hope."

Xiao Siye raised his eyelids and said, "My brother, you're still dreaming about Queen Wang returning to the palace. Isn't that wishful thinking?"

Wang Fuzhi smiled and said, "The chance is indeed small, but it cannot be completely ruled out. Besides, my method will also benefit Concubine Xiao Shufei."

Xiao Siye said, "Oh?"

Wang Fuzhi said, "His Royal Highness Prince Xu is already twelve years old. He is old enough to leave the house and start his own household. We can submit a petition to allow Prince Xu to leave the house and start his own household."

The princes of the Tang Dynasty usually grew up in the imperial palace. When they reached a certain age, they would leave the palace and set up their own homes, which was also called getting married.

There are also age requirements for marriage, usually between the ages of twelve and sixteen. As for the specific time, it depends on the emperor's mood.

Li Zhong got married at the age of twelve and set up a residence in Chang'an City.

Generally speaking, after getting married, one would go to the fiefdom to take up his post.

However, during the reign of Emperor Taizong, Li Ke stayed in Chang'an until he was eighteen years old before taking up his post.

Li Tai stayed in Chang'an all the time and rarely had to go to his fiefdom to take up his post. This eventually led to his ambition growing and he competed with Li Chengqian for the position of crown prince.

Because of Li Tai, Taizong also realized that it might not be a good thing for the princes to stay in Chang'an for too long, so he made a rule that all princes must leave Chang'an before the age of sixteen.

In other words, the time the princes could stay in Chang'an independently was the few years between their marriage and their enfeoffment.

As the eldest son, Li Zhong was married off at the age of twelve. Using him as a model, if the emperor submitted a petition to allow Li Xiao to marry off, none of the ministers would object, and the emperor would probably agree as well.

Xiao Siye's eyes flickered, and he understood Wang Fuzhi's intention. He said, "Are you planning to use the news of Prince Xu's marriage to promote Zheng Yunu?"

Wang Fuzhi said, "Not bad."

When Li Zhong got married, he promoted his biological mother to the rank of Nine Concubines.

Although this was partly because the emperor wanted to compensate Li Zhong for being deposed as the crown prince, if it could become a regular practice, there would be room for maneuver when Li Lian got married in the future.

This is the benefit that Wang Fuzhi mentioned.

Xiao Siye stared in thought for a moment, then slowly said, "The key lies in the attitude of the saint."

Wang Fuzhi sighed, "I know that, but how can I know the attitude of a saint?"

Xiao Siye thought for a moment and said, "It would be best if both Yang Yunv and Zheng Yunv could meet the Saint. That way, we can be more confident when we submit our memorial."

Wang Fuzhi looked hesitant.

If they planned to let the two women meet the emperor, they would be stuck in a situation where they could only advance and there would be no retreat. If they were not careful, not only would the two women not be promoted, but they would be banished to the Yunting Palace.

Xiao Siye said calmly: "If Brother Wang can do this, I can help him." The power of the Taiyuan Wang family in the court is very weak now, and Wang Fuzhi, the Taichang Doctor, is only a seventh-rank official.

Without the help of Xiao Siye, a third-rank official, none of the ministers would be able to pass that hurdle.

He took a deep breath and said, "Okay, I will do my best to plan this."

……

As June approaches, spring gradually fades away and the air becomes hotter day by day.

On the corridor outside Changle Gate, a young eunuch was walking quickly.

He did not go through Changle Gate, but headed east and soon arrived at the easternmost gate of Taiji Palace.

This gate is called Yongchun Gate. Further east is the East Palace, which is the gate most frequently used by the eunuchs and palace servants.

There is a sundial near each major palace gate in Taiji Palace.

When the young eunuch saw the scale on the sundial, he found that it was already the afternoon and the students in Chongwenguan had already left school. He quickened his pace and almost ran.

"It's over. The Third Prince will definitely be very anxious if he doesn't see me after school!" thought the little eunuch.

This person was Xiao Shunzi, Li Yong's personal eunuch.

Xiao Shunzi ran all the way, entered the East Palace from Tongxun Gate, and soon arrived at Chongwenguan.

Looking towards the corridor outside the Wentang, he saw that the students had already left school. He looked around and soon found Li Yong under a corridor.

He was talking to Wang Bo.

Xiao Shunzi breathed a sigh of relief and walked over quietly.

Li Yong and Wang Bo were talking in low voices. As soon as Xiao Shunzi approached, Wang Bo glanced at him and whispered, "Your Highness, everything depends on you."

Li Yong nodded solemnly and said, "I know."

Wang Bo said no more and turned to leave.

Xiao Shunzi felt strange when he saw the two of them acting so mysteriously.

"Where have you been, kid? You made me wait for so long." Li Yong suddenly complained to him.

Xiao Shunzi smiled and said, "Just now, Wang Dajian called me to the Eunuch Department. I had no choice. Your Highness, please don't be angry."

Li Yong was stunned. "Wang Fusheng? Why did he call you over?"

Xiao Shunzi said, "He asked me some strange questions."

"what is the problem?"

Xiao Shunzi hesitated for a moment and said, "He asked about my experiences before entering the palace, as well as my original name and age."

Li Yong's face changed and he said, "Why is he asking these questions? Is he going to transfer you?"

Xiao Shunzi glanced at him, lowered his head and said, "Then I don't know."

"Do you want to leave?"

Xiao Shunzi hurriedly said, "Of course not. I will follow Your Highness forever!"

Li Yong smiled slightly and said, "Well, if he wants to transfer you, I'll go and plead with my father!"

Xiao Shunzi said happily, "Thank you, Your Highness."

Li Yong patted Xiao Shunzi on the shoulder and said, "Let's go to Shanchiyuan!" He turned around and walked quickly.

Xiao Shunzi followed in small steps, surprised, "Your Highness, didn't we just go there two days ago? Why are we going again?"

Li Yong lowered his voice and said, "Wang Bo just told me that we need to let A Niang and Zheng Yu Nu see our father, so that Wang Shi can be sure to rescue A Niang."

Xiao Shunzi was slightly startled and said, "Your Highness, this might be dangerous."

Li Yong said: "I'm not afraid!"

Xiao Shunzi knew his master's temper very well, and it was useless to persuade him, so he had to follow him silently.

The two of them soon arrived at Shanchiyuan. As soon as they passed through the Moon Gate, a eunuch came to lead the way.

This time, he took the two of them directly to the house where Yang was.

Yang's status was different. Although she was demoted to the mountain pond courtyard, she also had a separate small courtyard to live in. There was another small courtyard next to it, where Zheng lived.

Xiao Shunzi went forward and knocked on the door. A palace maid opened the door. When she saw Li Yong, she was very happy and led him to the bedroom to meet Yang.

As soon as I reached the door, I heard bursts of lingering and mournful singing coming from the house, accompanied by the sound of a pipa.

After listening to this, Li Yong felt his nose inexplicably sore and he even felt like crying.

After the palace maid went in to report, the singing in the room quickly disappeared, and Yang's voice came from the room.

"Yong'er, come in."

(End of this chapter)