The Emperor ordered Zhao Tang

Chapter 28 Lady Chen

This day.

The saint pondered how to break the impasse.

At least he should try his best to find some of his own people among the attendants such as the Palace Attendants, the Imperial Household Officials, and the Imperial Secretaries. However, the people currently holding these noble positions were all recommended by the Northern Department. If he acted rashly and transferred or dismissed them under pretexts, it would arouse the vigilance of the eunuchs. If he took action against these people without clear charges, it would also cause the court officials to distrust the emperor.

The current situation cannot withstand another storm, and he is unwilling and unable to plan it directly or indirectly.

What if Du Rang could do it?

He was the prime minister, who controlled the princes and barbarians outside and the people inside, so that the ministers and officials could do their jobs in peace. It was his duty to demote and transfer officials. If he caught someone and brought him down, the eunuchs would have nothing to say.

But here comes the problem again.

Li Ye knew too few officials and had no idea who he could develop. Even if the general understood Li Ye's suggestion, how could he ensure that the person he replaced would be kind, righteous, polite, wise and trustworthy, worthy of the emperor's attention and would not bring any political danger to the emperor?

Thinking of this, Li Ye recalled an incident last year - after Yang Fugong lost power, there was a major reshuffle in the court, and Du Rangneng immediately selected a group of sons and daughters from aristocratic families to serve in the inner court, either as female officials or as military officers of the imperial guards. He said to him: I hope you will love them dearly.

"So this is the intention..." Li Ye realized it belatedly.

It seems that at that time Du Rangneng had already considered training a team for the emperor, and for this purpose he sent a group of people to his side for screening. Unfortunately, he was intimidated by the eunuchs and was afraid of being suspected, beaten and scolded by Ximen Chongsui, so he did not dare to act rashly and contact these eunuchs...

Lesson learned.

These children of noble families were chosen by General Du to serve the emperor, so they had undoubtedly been strictly screened. Du Rangneng, who had been in power for more than ten years, must have no problem in judging people. At least, he was far inferior to him for the time being. In other words, were these children of noble families people that we could try to approach?

In addition, in order to ease the relationship, Ximen Chongsui promised Li Ye that he could train his troops.

Li Ye suspected that Ximen Chongsui was testing him deliberately, so he didn't really train any soldiers.

Calming his mind, Li Ye made a tentative plan. Perhaps he could first contact the group of children from noble families sent by Du Rangneng. If he could select some talented people who were loyal, capable, and courageous, he could then proceed slowly.

"It's hard to travel, it's hard to travel, there are so many forks in the road." Looking at the Taiye Lake under the gloomy sky, Li Ye reached out to catch a piece of falling snow, murmured silently.

It's like walking on thin ice every day, can we reach the other side...

Suddenly, a beautiful female voice full of surprise interrupted Li Ye's contemplation: "When did the emperor come here?"

Only then did Li Ye realize that he had unknowingly walked to the Qingsi Palace.

Following the sound, I saw a woman standing under the eaves, seemingly admiring the view of the snowy lake. Even the thick red cape could not hide the curves under the blue blouse, and her expression was full of tranquility and gentleness. Soon, she walked down the steps and ran towards Li Ye.

As she approached, she lifted her skirt and bowed: "Your Highness, I pay my respects to you and wish you a long life and endless happiness."

Li Ye stared at her face for a while before he remembered who it was from his vague memory.

One of the four beauties in the inner palace, Chen Chen - Lady Chen. She entered the palace when Li Ye ascended the throne in the Wende Year, but her predecessor didn't seem to like her very much and didn't say much. For three years, Chen Chen has been guarding the palace coldly, and her personality has become more and more introverted and depressed. But at this moment, Lady Chen seems to be in a very good mood, smiling, agile as smoke, and dancing to celebrate, which must be due to the chance encounter today.

Thinking of his predecessor's indifference, Li Ye nodded: "What a coincidence."

"We just met briefly on New Year's Eve. It's been a long time since we last met." Perhaps because she had been ignored by her predecessors many times, Concubine Chen's cheeks flushed and she spoke nervously, talking about the New Year's Eve banquet. As a third-rank beauty, she sat in the second row that day. Unfortunately, Li Ye was busy discussing how to deal with Han Jian and didn't take care of the feelings of his wives, concubines and children. Concubine Chen rarely saw the emperor, but she didn't talk to him, so she probably felt disappointed.

Li Ye tried to make his tone as gentle as possible: "It has been a long time since we last met. How have you been lately?"

"As long as your Majesty is good, I am good too." Chen Chen said subconsciously.

She was a little surprised. The Saint had a very unstable temper in the past. She had seen him with a dark face every time. Once he got angry, he would get drunk and pass out. He was rarely so kind, and he had never walked alone in the snow in silence.

The saint seemed to have become a little different.

"I have been unable to enjoy the company of the harem due to internal and external troubles. This is my fault." Li Ye was also quite embarrassed and said hurriedly, "If you are short of food, clothing, or daily necessities, please tell me and I will ask someone to send them to you when I return. It is very cold these days, so please put on more clothes and try not to go out."

Chen Chen was stunned again.

Is the saint, who has always been indifferent and has not slept with her for more than three years since entering the palace, caring about her?
Chen Chen's heartbeat suddenly accelerated. He lowered his head and said in a shy voice: "There is nothing missing in the palace, except..."

"What?" Li Ye asked.

If she really has material needs, he will try his best to satisfy them. After all, she is his woman in name only.

Chen Chen raised her head and looked at Li Ye with burning eyes. Her originally sad eyes suddenly became more blazing than ever before. But when the words came to her lips, her throat suddenly choked. She quickly raised her sleeves and covered her face to avoid losing her composure in front of the king. Then she sobbed intermittently: "The exquisite dice are filled with red beans, and I miss you deeply... Do you know? Enter my love door, and you will know how painful my love is."

In a cold bed in the boudoir, with only a lonely shadow as my companion.

Saint, do you know?
hiss……

Li Ye held his forehead tactically.

He had been pure-hearted and abstaining from sex for a long time. He just wanted to be a man who walked on ice and crossed the river. He really didn't want to be trapped by love. Moreover, the enemy always starts with the one you love the most to force you to submit. The first sword of Zhongxing is to kill the one you love first. But seeing Chen Meiren crying and expressing her true feelings, Li Ye's heart softened and he gently brushed the snow off Chen Meiren's hair.

"I already know the beauty's heart."

"The saint truly loves everyone in the world, but not me." "Beauty is like a flower, time is like flowing water, which man can not love." Li Ye said softly, holding Chen Chen in his arms, wiping away her tears, and letting her lean on his chest. Feeling Chen Chen's hot and trembling body and heartbeat, Li Ye was speechless.

No wonder most emperors are short-lived.

"Don't cry." Li Ye stroked Chen Chen's smooth face and changed the subject: "Let's go to Qingsi Hall and sit down. I'm going to practice sword and lance for a while."

Qingsi Palace.

It was considered the favorite palace of the late Tang emperor.

In order to build this entertainment venue, Jingzong used 3,000 bronze mirrors and 100,000 pieces of yellow and white gold. It was equipped with various venues and facilities for fencing, lance fighting, Buddha worship, wrestling, animal fighting, falconry and even polo. Its scale is so huge that you can imagine it. During the Xichao Rebellion, all the rare animals in the palace were lost, and the venue was severely damaged. After years of repair, it can only practice martial arts now.

The palace was also deserted, with only a dozen palace maids and young eunuchs on duty.

"The Saint is here!" The eunuchs jumped for joy when they saw the emperor coming in. They quickly surrounded him and asked, "What does the Saint want to play with? I have trained a few eagles. Do you want to play with them?"

Am I a person who follows a flying eagle or a running dog?

Li Ye didn't say anything. He looked around and saw a rectangular area on the east side of the palace with several rows of shelves on both sides. Various weapons were displayed on them, so he asked, "Can we practice fencing?"

"Yes." A palace maid explained, "but without a warrior present to practice with you, we dare not let the saint touch the dangerous creature."

"Otherwise, if something goes wrong, the Privy Councilor will not forgive us." Several eunuchs echoed.

"What's so difficult about this?" After venting her anger just now, Lady Chen calmed down. She unconsciously took Li Ye's hand and interlocked their fingers. However, her eyes were still red. She said thoughtfully, "I also know a little about swordsmanship. I can fight with the saint."

"This..." The palace maids and eunuchs present were still worried.

"Put on a face guard and a helmet." Li Ye thought for a moment and said, "As for weapons, just use a wooden stick. Go ahead and dip some lime on the top of the stick. Whoever hits the opponent with more points within an incense stick of time will win."

The young eunuchs had nothing to say.

stop.

Since the Saint wants to play and safety is no problem, let's get ready.

"I didn't expect you to know swordsmanship." Feeling the warmth between their interlocked fingers, Li Ye felt helpless. This beauty is in heat.

Chen Chen smiled and explained, "My father was a military commander in the Hezhong Army for generations, and he was promoted to the rank of military commander in the Ya Nei. My two elder brothers were also Ya Nei officers, so I learned a little from them. The Lord said that it was not safe in the vassal state, so he sent me to the palace through the relationship of the military supervisor."

The daughter of a warrior, no wonder...

After a while, the two of them were already standing in armor. The armor was very heavy, and after Chen Chen took off his outer garment, only the key parts were covered. Of course, Li Ye would not use heavy hands on Chen Meiren. But let's not say, a woman wearing military armor and white underwear really has a different taste, which makes people unconsciously have a desire to ravage and conquer her.

Up.

Li Ye took a deep breath and stood solemnly holding the stick.

"Watch out!" Chen Chen thrust his stick forward at a very fast speed.

"Bang!" Li Ye swung his stick to block.

Fencing at this time is different from fencing in later generations. The former is the essence of a warrior's killing technique, while the latter is a performance-oriented sport that emphasizes artistic aesthetics.

Chen Meiren has a graceful figure, and her swordplay is more like an elegant dance. She is light, flexible and agile. Her movements are fast and decisive, swift and precise. Every attack and defense is like a moving poem, and every movement is full of power and rhythm, as well as the hazy temptation unique to women, which makes people fantasize. Li Ye parried for a while, and was hit several times before he was distracted.

But his stick also hit Lady Chen's chest.

"Ah~" Lady Chen moaned tenderly, rubbing her chest and taking several steps back. Li Ye stepped forward and caught her. When their eyes met, Chen Chen was ashamed and turned his head away, angrily saying, "It hurts! The saint doesn't know how to cherish the beauty, but is so cruel to destroy the flower..."

Li Ye wiped the sweat off Lady Chen's forehead and pointed at the lime on his chest: "You hit my heart too."

Concubine Chen could hardly believe her ears. Her face turned red with shame. Her delicate body felt wet and hot. She punched Li Ye weakly with her hand and said, "I am tired..."

After saying that, she pushed Li Ye away softly, rolled up her sleeves to cover her face, and walked out slowly and gracefully, leaving Li Ye stunned.

In August, persimmons are yellow and astringent.

The colorful and beautiful women in the harem are truly a poison that can make men sink into depravity and lose their will.

After walking back and forth in the hall several times, Li Ye calmed down and decided to hurry back to Penglai Hall.

As soon as I walked out of the door, I saw Zhao hurrying towards me with her head down in the light snow.

"Everyone?"

"What's the matter?"

(End of this chapter)