Zhenguan: I, Dou Fengjie, will not be the first cuckold.

On the other side of the blank paper, the scene of Princess Yongjia leading people to smash up the Duke of Zan's mansion is vividly depicted, and the moment when Yang Fei, the county magistrate, kicks down the pole hanging the white banner is perfectly timed.

Chang'an Weishan Julu didn't know what kind of painting technique this was. Although it felt a bit crafty, he knew that Princess Yongjia would have a hard time with this painting.

After much deliberation, Shan Julu brought the painting into the second hall and explained everything to Yang Zuan, the magistrate of Chang'an.

Yang Zuan, with his bee-like eyes and prominent nose, carefully examined the painting and chuckled softly: "There's nothing wrong with what the Prefect has done. Just sit back and watch the show at the Court of Imperial Clan Affairs."

Anyway, Li Shenfu, the Minister of the Imperial Clan Court and Prince of Xiangyi, is of a high generation and is the cousin of the retired Emperor Li Yuan, so he is suitable to handle this matter.

Of course, most of the time it's just a matter of trying to smooth things over.

Shan Julu chuckled, "Your Excellency is absolutely right. I just feel that the actions of Yang Fei, the Assistant Magistrate of the Princess's residence, are somewhat..."

Yang Zuan's eyes widened slightly: "Adding fuel to the fire? You don't understand. Yang Fei's elder brother, Yang Yu, was one of the first generals to follow Dou Gui in responding to the Emperor Emeritus, and they fought bloody battles to capture Yongfeng Granary."

"Huang Qinshan retreated in the battle, and fourteen of his subordinates were beheaded by Dou Gui, including Yang Yu."

"Dou Gui's strict discipline in commanding his troops earned him an undefeated reputation, but it also left a great hidden danger for his children and grandchildren."

Princess Yongjia was only lusting after Dou Fengjie's good looks; she did not intend to cause Dou Gui to die without an heir.

Great generals throughout history are like beautiful women; they are not allowed to grow old in this world.

While that may be a bit of an overstatement, a great general must be strict in managing his troops, and that will inevitably lead to enemies.

The giant deer opened its mouth, unsure of what to say.

-----------------

Wannian County, Pingkangfang.

Entering through the North Gate, the three bends to the east lead to the most romantic and elegant place in Chang'an.

The former was a place where prostitutes lived; in plain terms, it was a place purely for the sale of flesh.

The courtesans in the Chinese and Southern courtesans were mostly renowned, eloquent, skilled in singing and dancing, and proficient in music, chess, calligraphy, and painting.

The courtesan Miao'er was seated in the middle section, wearing a simple ruqun (a type of traditional Chinese dress). The arm ornaments on her arms were somewhat worn, her figure was not particularly graceful, and her face was far from stunning.

But her composed demeanor and elegant speech attracted a group of literati and poets, who pretended to be stupid just to win a smile.

"What's flying in the sky, piled up here and there? Could it be the Jade Emperor building his golden palace, sifting lime, sifting lime?"

Poetry of this caliber is the true mainstream.

Even masterpieces require countless mediocre works as their foundation.

It's not that all poets are ignorant, but Miao'er only sees two kinds of poems: the best and the worst.

The King of Wu loved swordsmen, and the people suffered many wounds.

Writing a masterpiece is not easy; writing something terrible is easy, isn't it?

After smiling, Miao'er picked up the pipa, plucked the curved neck with her left hand, and plucked the small strings with her tortoiseshell fingernail with her right hand.

The sound began like dewdrops falling on a stone slab, then gradually like spring rain soaking the earth, inexplicably making people feel relaxed, and the discussions in the pavilion subsided at some point.

"In a certain dynasty, a prince was arrogant and domineering, disregarding the law, and in broad daylight, he kicked up the Duke's mansion..."

Some of the literati, who were immersed in Miao'er's beautiful voice, inevitably realized what was happening and their expressions immediately changed.

Scholars are all too familiar with the trick of using veiled criticism to criticize others; how could they not know the sharp edge Miao'er was aiming at?

These lyrics and stories spread rapidly among Chinese and Southern opera singers, gradually permeating the city of Chang'an.

Everyone knows that the instigator was none other than the lonely and destitute Dou Fengjie.

The problem is, where did the Duke of Zan's mansion, which had fallen from grace, get such great power?

"Nonsense!"

"To use such seditious words to slander the Tang Dynasty's imperial family is utterly despicable!"

A handsome young man wearing a turban and a round-necked robe glared angrily and slammed his fist on the table.

"Physician Feng, are you in such a hurry to assume the position of Imperial Son-in-Law?"

A man in his thirties, dressed in simple clothes and exuding composure, stroked his beard and smiled.

Feng Yandao, the Vice Minister of the Ministry of Justice, glared angrily, but dared not retaliate.

There was nothing that could be done. His own father, Feng Deyi, had passed away in the first year of the Zhenguan era, while his father, Li Jing, was still alive, along with Li Dejian, the Crown Prince's Attendant.

Although Li Jing resigned from his post as Right Vice Minister of the Ministry of Personnel due to a leg ailment and returned to Pingkangfang to retire, his victory in the war against the Turks had such a significant impact that no one dared to underestimate him.

Most importantly, even though the various factions in Beili are intertwined, Li Dejian is undoubtedly the local tyrant.

Miao'er's actions may not have been without his instruction.

Li Dejian intervened out of a sense of justice because Dou Fengjie reminded him before he began his mourning period that "his merits were too great and threatened the emperor's position," and Li Jing took the opportunity to step down from his position as Right Vice Minister of the Ministry of Personnel.

The humble gentleman Li Dejian was freed from his shackles, daring to fight, grab, and argue, and his sharp rebukes were also heart-wrenching.

Miss Miao'er put away her pipa, her lips slightly parted, a strange smile in her eyes: "It is truly an honor to have the future Imperial Son-in-Law grace this place of dust and grime with his presence."

Li Dejian laughed heartily: "Miao'er doesn't know yet, does she? Once she becomes the Imperial Son-in-Law Commandant, she won't be allowed to take concubines or go out to seek pleasure. How pitiful!"

Feng Yandao clenched his fists so tightly they cracked, wishing he could punch Li Dejian twice.

Lies don't hurt people, but the truth does.

The good deeds of his father, Feng Deyi, will be exposed sooner or later. Without Princess Shang's protection, Feng Yandao will be held accountable sooner or later.

Before becoming the Imperial Son-in-Law Commandant, Feng Yandao wanted to have one last good time, but unexpectedly, Li Dejian exposed his true colors.

The saying "Marrying a princess is like buying an official position from scratch" may not have become widely known, but it has already made many descendants of the powerful and wealthy hesitate.

Fortunately, Princess Li Chengxia of Huainan, who was favored by the emperor, was a virtuous woman.

Li Dejian stated definitively: "Miao'er did not say it was from my Great Tang Dynasty, and there is a difference between a prince and a princess."

"President Feng, as an official of the Ministry of Justice, you must provide evidence for your words. The Tang Dynasty does not tolerate baseless accusations or fabricated charges based on mere words!"

These words sent chills down the spines of the scholars and poets in the pavilion.

Although many people don't like to complain, whose words can withstand close scrutiny?

Although Li Dejian's rank was lower than Feng Yandao's, he was an official of the Eastern Palace and the eldest son of Li Jing, which made Feng Yandao blush with embarrassment.

His slight transgression made Emperor Taizong of Tang, Li Shimin, feel even more at ease.

If Li Dejian were to whisper slanderous words in the Crown Prince's ear again, the position of Imperial Son-in-Law Commandant might very well fall into the hands of someone else.

This is Fengyandao's biggest weakness.

"Excellent! Let's jointly submit a petition to resist unfounded accusations!"

A scholar who had passed the imperial examinations spoke in a low voice.

Regardless of whether Li Dejian intentionally pushed for it, the scholars were unwilling to be trapped in a high-pressure environment.

In this way, no one will question Miao'er's lyrics, no matter how veiled they may be.

Feng Yandao slunk out of Pingkang Lane, his eyes filled with hatred, but he dared not retaliate.

If things really get out of hand, I won't be able to explain it to Li Chengxia.

That damned Aye Feng Deyi left behind so many messes that they're beyond words.

The Jiangdu tyrant, who skillfully navigated between the brothers Li Jiancheng and Li Shimin, would always have people seeking out Feng Yandao to bring up old grievances.

Otherwise, with his talent, how could he have been relegated to the position of a fifth-rank official in the Imperial Secretariat?