Damn it, I'm in the garbage book I wrote

Chapter 869 The Fragrance Comes Naturally
On the 22nd day of the twelfth lunar month, light snow began to fall in Chang'an.

In the study of the Eastern Palace, Li Zhi put down the memorial in his hand and looked at the three invitations piled on the desk: the plum blossom appreciation poetry gathering at the Pei residence, the snow scene banquet at the Cui residence, and the warm stove party at the Wei family.

Old Zhang came in, covered in snow and wind, and casually tossed his damp fox fur cloak to his servant.

"Nephew, which house are you going to today?" He glanced at the desk and sneered, "The Pei family is in a hurry. They just enjoyed the snow yesterday, and today they're holding a poetry gathering. Why don't they just wrap their daughter in a blanket and throw her into your bed tonight?"

Li Zhi raised his head and pondered for a moment: "It's not impossible..."

Old Zhang casually flipped through the documents and pulled out the one from the Cui family: "Go to this family. Cui Situ has been getting close to Changsun Wuji lately. Go and find out what's going on. Remember, especially don't agree to anything too easily. By the way, Xiao Wu shouldn't go today. Those little girls are like crickets, too combative."

"Hahaha... Uncle is right, what about the Pei family?"

"Let it wait." Old Zhang picked up his hot tea and took a sip. "The more eager they are to go, the more patient you need to be. Just you wait and see. If you don't go to the Pei family today, they'll definitely come up with another plan tomorrow. Let's see what other dirty tricks they have up their sleeves."

Li Zhi understood, instructed the eunuchs to prepare a carriage, and after making some arrangements, he set off.

The snow scene banquet at the Cui residence was held in a villa in the suburbs. Cui Lin was dressed exceptionally carefully today, wearing a light yellow brocade jacket and a snow-white fox fur collar. When she saw Li Zhi arrive, her eyes flashed with joy, and she quickly went to greet him.

"Your Highness!" Cui Lin excitedly approached Li Zhi, circling him twice with boundless energy. "How can Your Highness be so handsome... I haven't looked closely before, but there's no one in the entire Chang'an City who is more handsome than Your Highness."

A vibrant and beautiful young woman twirled around him, surrounded by a fragrant breeze. Although Li Zhi was innocent, a scoundrel is a scoundrel. This scoundrel could separate sex from love. Although he missed his senior sister, he didn't actually feel too much guilt when he met such a young girl.

"Sister Lin, stop swaying. Take me to the warm room; it's very cold here."

"Okay." Cui Lin chuckled, then took Li Zhi's hand. Li Zhi initially wanted to dodge, but after a moment's thought, he let her hold his hand and lead him to the banquet.

The banquet was held in a waterside pavilion, open on all sides, with thick brocade curtains hanging to block the wind. Besides members of the Cui family, several officials on good terms with the Cui family were also present. However, after a few rounds of drinks, the conversation gradually shifted from romance and poetry to other topics.

A disciple of the Cui family raised his cup and said, "Your Highness is young and wise, a true blessing to the nation. However, the Crown Prince's palace is empty, which is not a long-term solution. If a Crown Princess can be chosen soon to stabilize the people's hearts, the world will be fortunate."

Cui Lin lowered her head at the opportune moment, her face flushed.

Actually, in comparison, Pei Wan, who was all red yesterday, was more beautiful, but Cui Lin had a great figure. Despite her young age, she was curvaceous and attractive. In addition, the comparison between them was only between the two of them. Compared to others, both Pei Wan and Cui Lin were heavenly beauties, not the kind of beauties that ordinary people could covet.

Li Zhi toyed with his wine cup, recalling Old Zhang's instructions, and said calmly, "I am still young, and the Empress has not yet issued a decree, so there is no rush."

Another person chimed in: "His Majesty is far away in the Western Regions, and all important matters of the court are discussed by Chancellor Changsun and the other ministers. The selection of the Crown Princess is a matter of national importance, and we believe that it is appropriate to make a decision as soon as possible."

These words were quite blatant, implying that even without the Empress, the court officials in Chang'an could still decide on the Crown Prince's marriage.

Li Zhi's gaze darkened slightly, and he was about to speak when he suddenly heard a commotion outside the waterside pavilion.

The curtain was lifted, and Miss Wei Tong, dressed in riding attire, strode in. She carried a fresh deer leg and laughed loudly, "I heard Sister Cui is hosting a banquet, so I brought some game to add to the festivities. Your Highness is here too? Perfect, try this venison; I hunted it myself this morning."

She acted decisively, quite unlike Cui Lin's gentleness, which immediately dispelled the tense atmosphere.

Cui Lin's expression changed slightly, but she quickly put on a smile again: "You've come at the right time, sister. Please have a seat."

Without any ceremony, Wei Tong sat down below Li Zhi and poured herself a cup of wine: "Your Highness, please forgive my abruptness. Our Wei family has been a military family for generations and we don't understand those complicated matters. However, I have heard that recently there have been people trying to send people to the Eastern Palace. I think that if Your Highness is to choose a consort, you should choose one who is both literate and martial."

Her words were directed at Cui Lin, and the room immediately fell silent.

Cui Lin forced a smile and said, "What my sister says is true, but the Crown Princess must ultimately be dignified and virtuous..."

“Being virtuous doesn’t mean being boring.” Wei Tong raised an eyebrow: “My Wei family’s daughters can hunt on horseback and manage the household on foot. Are they inferior to those who can only embroider?”

I looked the girl up and down and vaguely remembered that I knew her when I was a child. It's been many years since I last saw her. The little girl from back then has now become a tall, athletic, dark-skinned physical education student.

Oh my, these three sisters are all so unique. Some are beautiful and gentle, some are lively and outgoing, and some are full of energy. They are so wonderful!

Li Zhi watched the two arguing back and forth, finding it secretly amusing. Wei Tong's appearance had disrupted the situation carefully crafted by the Cui family.

The others at the banquet naturally didn't want to argue with a young girl, so the focus of the entire event shifted from Li Zhi to the clash between the two young women.

The banquet ended in a less-than-harmonious atmosphere. After returning to the palace, Li Zhi closed his eyes and pondered. The Cui family's probing and Wei Tong's interference today made him see more clearly the cracks within the Guanlong Group.

Xiao Wu handed over a cup of hangover tea and said softly, "The appearance of Miss Wei is too much of a coincidence."

Li Zhi opened his eyes: "My uncle sent me to the Cui family, perhaps he had already anticipated that the Wei family would take action."

He suddenly realized that Old Zhang wanted him to see for himself that the various factions in Guanzhong were not a monolithic entity. As long as there were disagreements, there was an opportunity to exploit them.

"My master told me to go home to visit my family these few days," Xiao Wu suddenly said with a smile. "He said he wanted to get those girls to shift their attention from me to each other."

"Hmm? That's true... But you won't get bullied when you go home, will you?"

Xiao Wu leaned against Li Zhi and said, "Then let's see how Your Highness helps me avoid being bullied."

On the 24th day of the twelfth lunar month, Xiao Wu temporarily left the Eastern Palace and returned to Bingzhou under the pretext of visiting his hometown. Li Zhi saw him off with the ceremonial regalia of the Eastern Palace's eldest consort, in a procession of 27 carriages and escorted by 1,200 guards.

The news elicited varying reactions from different governments.

Upon hearing this in the mansion, Pei Wan gently plucked the strings of her zither, a slight smile playing on her lips: "She knows what's good for her."

Cui Lin, while dressing in front of the mirror, sneered, "A commoner like you dares to compete with us?"

Wei Tong, holding a longbow in the training ground, raised an eyebrow upon hearing this: "Gone? How boring."

The day after Xiao Wu left the palace, Pei Wan sent a letter inviting the Crown Prince to her residence, saying that she had acquired a famous painting from the previous dynasty and wished His Highness to appreciate it together. Li Zhi declined, citing his busy schedule with state affairs.

On the third day, Cui Lin personally prepared a nourishing soup and delivered it to the East Palace, but was stopped by the eunuchs outside the palace gate.

On the fourth day, Wei Tong rode directly to the Xuanwu Gate, saying he wanted to spar with the Crown Prince in archery and horsemanship.

Li Zhi refused to see any of them, only sending a eunuch to convey the message: "The end of the year is approaching, and I am too busy with state affairs to attend to anything else."

This unyielding attitude finally made some people restless.

On the twenty-eighth day of the twelfth lunar month, Pei Wan actually came to the Eastern Palace in person to request an audience, saying she wanted to ask the Crown Prince for a secret palace medicine for her ailing grandmother. Li Zhi met her in a side hall. Pei Wan was dressed simply and lightly made up, completely imitating Xiao Wu's mannerisms. A hint of sorrow lingered in her eyes, making her even more charming and captivating, a truly striking sight…

"My grandmother's old illness has relapsed, and I've heard that the Imperial Hospital has snow frog and lingzhi, which is the most effective remedy. I humbly request Your Highness's permission to grant her a dose of this medicine." As she spoke, her eyes reddened, and she was about to shed tears.

Li Zhi watched her superb acting and sneered inwardly. It was true that the old lady of the Pei family was ill, but to come to the Eastern Palace in person to ask for medicine for this was making a mountain out of a molehill. The things in his Pei family were no less valuable than those in the Eastern Palace.

He was about to speak when a young eunuch rushed in and whispered a few words in his ear. Li Zhi remained expressionless and said to Pei Wan:

“Miss Pei’s filial piety is commendable. I will send someone to fetch the medicine immediately. However, I have other matters to attend to, so I will not stay any longer.”

Pei Wan accepted the medicine, gave a forced bow, and took her leave. Before leaving, she gave Li Zhi a deep look, her gaze complex.

After she left, Li Zhi asked the young eunuch, "What message did Prime Minister Zhang ask you to convey?"

The young eunuch whispered, "Prime Minister Zhang said that the Pei family is desperate and has resorted to such measures. He warned Your Highness to be careful, as they may have more tricks up their sleeves."

Li Zhi frowned in deep thought. Sure enough, news came that very evening: Changsun Wuji had hosted a banquet at his residence, inviting several senior members of the imperial clan to discuss requesting the retired emperor to issue an edict to select a consort for the crown prince during the New Year holidays.

"Are they trying to bypass Mother?" Li Zhi suddenly stood up.

Old Zhang appeared at the study doorway at some point, a half-smile on his face:
“Nephew, it seems some people can’t wait any longer. The Emperor Emeritus has long lived in the deep palace and has never been involved in politics, but if this decree is issued, it will force you to express your opinion.”

"Uncle, what do you think we should do?"

"Wait," Old Zhang said leisurely. "What's the rush? You don't need to worry about anything these next few days. Just enjoy yourself with your sisters. I think... you should find some time to go sightseeing at Zhongnan Mountain with Cui Lin."

"and then?"

"And then? And then do I have to teach you? A lone man and woman in the deep mountains and forests, in the biting cold, of course they'd rub against each other to generate heat, what else? Read the Spring and Autumn Annals?"

"This isn't right, Uncle..."

"Get out of here and stop acting all slutty." Old Zhang said with a disdainful look, "Why are you pretending with me?"

On the 29th day of the twelfth lunar month, the festive atmosphere in Chang'an was growing stronger. All the prefectures were preparing for the Kitchen God Festival, but the Eastern Palace received an uninvited guest.

Princess Consort of Hejian arrived in haste, her expression grave: "Your Highness, I have just received news that Changsun Wuji has contacted the Imperial Clan Court and intends to request permission from the Emperor Emeritus after the Kitchen God Festival."

Li Zhi was reviewing memorials when he heard this and paused in his writing: "So fast?"

"They're trying to catch His Highness off guard," Princess Consort of Hejian said in a low voice. "The Kitchen God Festival, with all the members of the imperial family gathered, is the perfect opportunity."

Old Zhang emerged from behind the screen, stroking his beard and laughing, "Well done, Changsun Wuji, you certainly know how to pick your timing. Nephew, this is a perfect opportunity for you to establish your authority."

Li Zhi pondered for a moment, a resolute glint in his eyes: "Since they want to force me, I cannot sit idly by and wait to die."

The grand ceremony to worship the Kitchen God was held at the Taiji Palace. Civil and military officials, members of the imperial family, and nobles gathered together in a solemn atmosphere. Emperor Gaozong (Li Zhi), dressed in his crown prince's court robes, stood calmly below the imperial steps.

Halfway through the ceremony, it was customary for the Crown Prince to read the eulogy. Li Zhi stepped forward slowly, took the eulogy from the eunuch, but did not read it immediately.

He looked around at everyone present and said in a clear voice, "Today we offer sacrifices to the Kitchen God, praying for favorable weather and peace in the coming year. However, I have recently heard some people in the court discussing the matter of the Crown Prince, which makes me think that the foundation of the country is not secure."

Upon hearing this, the entire room fell silent. Changsun Wuji frowned slightly, as if about to speak.

Li Zhi didn't give him a chance and continued, "I am not yet twenty years old, and my mother is still in her prime. It is too early to discuss the selection of the Crown Princess at this time. Moreover, marriage is a major event that should be decided by one's parents. How can a subject presume to make such a suggestion?"

His gaze swept over Changsun Wuji, and his tone turned cold: "Does anyone think that His Majesty, being far away in the Western Regions, can overstep his bounds?"

These words were extremely harsh, and several members of the royal family who were originally prepared to second them immediately fell silent.

Changsun Wuji stepped forward and bowed, saying, "Your Highness has misunderstood. We old ministers are only acting out of loyalty and for the sake of the country."

"What a fine example of thinking of the nation's well-being." Li Zhi smiled slightly: "In that case, I would like to ask, with floods still raging in many places and famine in Shanxi awaiting relief, why do you all seem so concerned about these important matters concerning people's livelihoods?"

He turned to the Minister of Revenue: "Minister Wang, have the disaster relief funds, porridge, and grains for this year's floods been distributed to the victims?"

He then looked at the Minister of Works: "Minister Li, how is the repair of the Yellow River dikes progressing?"

A barrage of questions left the ministers sweating profusely. They hadn't expected that this crown prince, who usually seemed indifferent to politics, would be so knowledgeable about court affairs.

Old Zhang stood at the back of the crowd, his eyes full of approval. This tactic of attacking Wei to rescue Zhao was used perfectly.

The Kitchen God Festival ended in a delicate atmosphere. Li Zhi's actions demonstrated both his attitude and his abilities, earning the admiration of many court officials who had previously been observing.

On the way back to the palace, Lao Zhang rode in the same carriage as Li Zhi.

"You did a good job today." Old Zhang praised seriously, but Changsun Wuji will not give up so easily. Next, they will probably start from other places.

Li Zhi looked out the car window at the falling snowflakes and said softly, "They are trying to force the Pei family's daughter to come to the East Palace. No wonder my uncle asked me to make an appointment with Cui Lin."

“I didn’t mean that. I just think Cui Lin is easier to get. Pei Wan seems like a cunning person. If you ask her out, it won’t be easy to get her.”

"Oh? Is that so?"

"Yeah, what else?" Old Zhang shrugged. "As for that dark-skinned girl, let me put it this way... I think you'll suffer a great loss if you ask her out."

"Why? I don't understand..."

“What’s so difficult about it? Have you ever seen a young girl carry a deer weighing over a hundred pounds? With your skinny arms and legs, she could easily break them. Besides…” Old Zhang whispered in his ear, “You’re still too young. You can’t withstand that tight, dark skin for more than a few breaths. People will laugh at you then. A man has to have some pride, don’t you think?”

"Ah?" Li Zhi's heart tightened: "Uncle... I am not that bad."

"You don't know anything. She comes from a military family, and because of your mother, every family is guiding their daughters onto the right path. She trains every day, so she's in excellent physical condition and incredibly strong. If she just squeezes you like that, you'll probably break. Don't argue. Your uncle has been through this before. It's Cui Lin. We're not considering anyone else because none of them are as pretty as Cui Lin. We're out having fun, so let's not put on so much pressure. You understand what I mean?"

Li Zhi remained silent, but his eyes held a hint of eagerness...

(End of this chapter)