This made Li Shimin anxious, and he wanted to trade one for one with me.

Fang Xuanling laughed and said, "They didn't make things difficult for you."

Cheng Yaojin said irritably, "That's because they were stunned and didn't react. If they had reacted, they wouldn't have been able to make things difficult for Cheng Jun, but they could have made things difficult for me, right?"

Cheng Jun was somewhat speechless and said, "Dad, didn't you say you weren't afraid of them?"

You said if they dared to cause trouble, you'd give them a couple of punches...

Cheng Yaojin smirked and said, "Two fists can't beat four hands, do you understand?"

"Besides, they have more than four hands combined, they have forty hands, and I'm just one person!"

Cheng Jun corrected, "Wrong, there's also Uncle Fang and Uncle Du."

Cheng Yaojin angrily said, "Then where are you? They say that brothers fight tigers together, and fathers and sons go to war together. I'm the one who's holding the line, where the hell have you been?"

Cheng Jun said seriously, "I'll beat him up from the side."

Fang Xuanling pondered the word, but finding it incomprehensible, asked curiously, "Who are you going to beat up?"

Cheng Jun explained, "It's about observing how everyone else behaves first, and then considering taking action."

Fang Xuanling was taken aback and said, "Isn't that just watching a play?"

Cheng Jun patiently said, "I'm not watching a show."

Fang Xuanling asked, puzzled, "What else could it be but watching a play?"

Cheng Jun said seriously, "It's about watching from the sidelines."

"..."

Fang Xuanling fell silent instantly.

Cheng Yaojin raised an eyebrow and said, "Isn't this the same thing?"

"of course not."

Cheng Jun turned to look at him and said, "Watching a play is vulgar; remaining a bystander is elegant."

Cheng Yaojin grinned, then rolled up his sleeves and said angrily:

"I can't hold it in any longer! You're going to die here today!"

When Cheng Jun saw him approaching, he decisively turned and ran.

"Come back to me!"

Cheng Yaojin cursed and swore, but showed no intention of chasing after him.

Fang Xuanling realized that he was just looking for a way to save face, so he secretly shook his head, stroked his beard, and said:

"Zhijie, Chuxia really knows how to talk!"

Cheng Yaojin waved his hand and said, "You like it? It's yours!"

Fang Xuanling laughed and scolded, "What kind of talk is that! Who gives away their son as a gift!"

Cheng Yaojin said, "These are my heartfelt words!"

Is this how you use words...? Fang Xuanling rolled his eyes. He knew Cheng Yaojin's personality very well; he would only say a few angry words when he was in a fit of rage.

At this moment, the Taiji Hall was empty, with only the two of them remaining.

As Fang Xuanling and he walked towards the outside of the hall, he slowly said:

"Although Chu Xia's words were a bit infuriating, to be honest, his advice in court just now was quite insightful."

Seeing Cheng Yaojin listening intently, Fang Xuanling continued:

"His Majesty has always been dissatisfied with the status and reputation of the aristocratic families in the eyes of the people, feeling that the imperial family is inferior to the aristocratic families. Therefore, he has always wanted to weaken the aristocratic families and elevate the status of the imperial family, but he has not been able to find a good way."

"Chuxia's report is exactly what His Majesty wanted."

"Moreover, his document prohibiting those who marry women from five different surnames from recommending talented individuals is like striking a snake at its vital point."

Fang Xuanling exclaimed in amazement: "The reason why the gentry are respected by the people is because they are wealthy and have a rich cultural heritage. Most importantly, it is because being close to the gentry is beneficial to one's career."

"Now Chuxia proposes to separate the aristocracy from the official career, which means that if you become an aristocrat, you will not have an official career, and if you want an official career, you cannot become an aristocrat. It is self-evident what the scholars of the world will choose."

"Just to point out one phenomenon, women from the five surnames who used to be in high demand and had no trouble finding husbands may find it difficult to get married in the future."

Cheng Yaojin, however, looked worried and said, "But wouldn't this offend all five surnames and seven noble families?"

"What, you actually think you can offend people and still expect them to remember your kindness?"

Fang Xuanling was somewhat amused and exasperated. He gently patted Cheng Yaojin's shoulder and comforted him:

"The worst outcome is just a head injury with a scar the size of a bowl. You'll be a hero again in eighteen years. There's nothing to be afraid of."

Cheng Yaojin was not comforted at all; instead, his face turned even paler. He grabbed Fang Xuanling's arm and said urgently:

"Old Fang, you have to help me."

Fang Xuanling countered, "What do you want my help with? Helping you without offending the Five Clans and Seven Noble Families?"

Cheng Yaojin nodded emphatically and said, "Yes."

Fang Xuanling said sternly, "Your son wants to deal with the Five Clans and Seven Noble Families, but you don't want to offend them. Aren't you just hindering your son?"

Cheng Yaojin was stunned for a moment upon hearing this, and his hand involuntarily loosened its grip.

Fang Xuanling continued, "You yourself just said that a father and son should fight side by side. Now that your son is charging into battle, if you desert your post, wouldn't you be ridiculed by outsiders?"

"In my opinion, you should stand with your son and not try to solve any problems for him."

Fang Xuanling spoke earnestly.

Cheng Yaojin's mind was in complete turmoil. "What should I be thinking about?"

Fang Xuanling said, "Didn't your son already give you the answer?"

Cheng Yaojin was taken aback. "What answer?"

Fang Xuanling held up four fingers and said, "Four words: remain on the sidelines and observe."

Seeing Cheng Yaojin deep in thought, Fang Xuanling offered a further answer:

“This is a matter between your son and the Five Clans and Seven Families. You just need to clarify that it has nothing to do with you or your Cheng family. Leave the rest to Chuxia.”

Cheng Yaojin suddenly understood, and said with a delighted expression, "I've learned a lot! I know what to do now. Old Fang, I'll treat you to drinks another day! Goodbye!"

Fang Xuanling watched his retreating figure, feeling a pang of envy.

Both of them have the single character "Jun" in their names, so why is the "Jun" in my Fang family not as good as the "Jun" in the Cheng family...?

…………

In Chongrenfang, a white horse suddenly entered, silencing the commotion within.

The rapid sound of horses' hooves drew the attention and curiosity of passersby.

The white horse eventually stopped in front of the Cui family's house.

An elderly man in a red official robe stepped into the stirrups and landed steadily on the ground from his horse.

Holding a riding whip, he knocked on the Cui family's gate with a gloomy expression. After being respectfully greeted by the gatekeeper, he entered the Cui family and went to the main hall.

At this moment, inside the main room.

Cui Wenwu, a young man known as a "talented scholar," sat upright behind his desk, his head bowed as he wrote on paper.

Upon seeing the elderly man in the red robe enter, Cui Wenwu looked surprised, quickly put down his rabbit-hair brush, stood up, and bowed, saying:

"Nephew Cui Wenwu greets Uncle."

The visitor was none other than Cui Mingan, the Vice Minister of the Imperial Secretariat.

Cui Mingan asked, "Where is your father?"

"He went out and hasn't come back yet."

After Cui Wenwu finished speaking, he noticed the anxiety on Cui Mingan's face. He immediately walked to the door of the main room, waved to the steward, and shouted, "Send someone to call my father back immediately."

"promise."

The butler quickly responded and left.

Cui Wenwu turned around and came to Cui Mingan's side, pointing to the soft cushion next to him, and said, "Uncle, please sit down."

After Cui Mingan sat down, Cui Wenwu brought him a cup of tea, placed it in front of him, and asked curiously:

"My father said that His Majesty is suspending court today, so why is my uncle still wearing this official robe?"

Cui Mingan slowly said, "His Majesty just summoned all the officials for a court meeting again."

Cui Wenwu asked in surprise, "Why is that? His Majesty is the Son of Heaven, the supreme ruler, whose word is law. How could he go back on his word?"

"Because of an imperial censor."

Cui Mingan said in a deep voice, "This censor is named Cheng Jun."