Li Chengqian of the Tang Dynasty: Please say long live His Majesty

Chapter 248: Prince Jin must ask for permission to enter the palace again in the future (Part )
On the ninth day of August, the sky was clear.

In Tongming Palace, red silk is wrapped around the beams.

Li Chengqian, dressed in a black python robe, stood in the inner hall. Looking at Li Zhi, who was dressed in a red groom's suit, he said softly, "Zhi Nu, you are getting married... This way, I can finally give my mother my due."

As he spoke, for some reason, Li Chengqian choked up, his eyes became moist, and he tilted his head slightly.

"Royal brother!" Li Zhi quickly bowed and said, "Royal brother, there is no need to do this."

Xu Shuya, Li Yifu and others on the side quickly bowed.

Li Chengqian waved his hand and said, "I was thinking of Qingque. Now he has been sent back to Chang'an and can't witness your wedding in person. Otherwise, he would be happy for you."

Li Zhi nodded and said with deep emotion: "If it weren't for my royal brother, I'm afraid that my fourth brother would..."

"You and I are brothers, there's no need to talk about this." Li Chengqian looked up at the sky and said, "It's almost time to go see the emperor."

"Yes!" Li Zhi immediately bowed, Li Chengqian stepped aside, and Li Zhi strode out of the hall.

Xu Shuya and Li Yifu on the side bowed seriously to Li Chengqian again.

The news has now spread throughout the court that it was only after the Crown Prince pleaded several times that he was able to save the King of Wei and the King of Qi from Your Majesty.

Although the two have now been demoted to commoners, they are actually not in serious trouble.

It's much better than exile and beheading.

One thing in particular that outsiders did not notice was that neither Li Tai nor Li You's names had been removed from the family tree.

That is to say, in the future, both the emperor and the prince may re-confer titles on them.

There were many voices of opposition among the court officials, but the kings welcomed it.

Although they would not commit the crime of treason like the King of Wei and the King of Qi, if they made a mistake by accident and were attacked by others, their situation would be much better if there was a tolerant emperor on the throne.

Even some court officials had similar ideas.

The struggles in the court were always turbulent and never stopped, even when Li Shimin was in power.

Who knows what the future will be like. If the prince can be wise and tolerant, it will be a good thing for everyone.

Unknowingly, Li Chengqian has won the hearts of a large number of people through this incident.

……

In the palace road, Li Chengqian and Princess Jinyang walked side by side, a few steps behind Li Zhi in front.

"Royal brother, I heard that you married a young sister-in-law a while ago?" Princess Jinyang suddenly asked.

Li Chengqian was slightly stunned. He then noticed that Li Zhi in front of him had also slowed down his pace. He then remembered that Wang Youlan was going to be Li Zhi's Princess of Jin, but because he had said in advance that she was too young and not suitable for childbearing, Li Zhi made the decision at the critical moment and postponed the marriage.

But as soon as Li Zhi pushed her forward, Li Chengqian married her.

Anyone would have doubts about what's inside.

Li Chengqian flicked Princess Jinyang's forehead before saying unhappily, "What nonsense are you imagining? She's only one year older than you. I'm only marrying her and keeping her there temporarily... If it weren't for the Emperor's insistence, we'd have waited two years before getting married, as I said."

Hearing what Li Chengqian said, Li Zhi in front finally breathed a sigh of relief. As long as he was sure that the prince was not targeting him, everything would be fine.

Seeing Li Zhi quicken his pace, Li Chengqian finally looked at Princess Jinyang and said with a half-smile, "Sizi, my beloved concubine, you are one year older than me. You should be careful. It will be either next year or the year after next before your father will marry you off. Don't blame me for not speaking up for you then."

"Brother, Sizi knows she's wrong." Princess Jinyang quickly grabbed Li Chengqian's arm and said pitifully, "When the emperor mentions the marriage, my brother must help delay it for a few years. Sizi... Sizi doesn't want to leave him yet."

"I'm glad you know." Li Chengqian tapped Princess Jinyang's forehead, then nodded seriously and said, "Don't worry, I will definitely help you prolong your life for a few more years. However, your body is not in good condition. You need to eat more in the future, okay?"

"I understand." Princess Jinyang nodded quickly.

"Let's go!" Li Chengqian stepped forward and said, "After meeting the emperor, I should set off. In the evening, we will be able to meet the Princess of Jin. I hope she is easy to get along with, otherwise, I will be in trouble."

"No way!" Princess Jinyang couldn't help but feel a little scared.

"What are you afraid of? You'll live in the palace." Li Chengqian raised his head, looking towards the Zhenguan Hall in front of him, and said calmly, "After the wedding, Zhinu will move into the Prince of Jin's mansion. In the future, if he wants to enter the palace again, he will have to ask for permission."

Princess Jinyang couldn't help but be slightly stunned.

……

The night is shrouded and the palace lanterns are hung high.

Long red silk was wrapped around the beams and pillars, and joyful drum music sounded in the Zhenguan Hall.

After three kowtows and nine bows, the newlyweds were sent to Prince Jin's Mansion.

Li Chengqian stayed in the palace.

The Prince of Jin was getting married in Chang'an and Luoyang. There were too many royal family members, relatives by marriage, and provincial governors of nearby states from all over the world. Some people were even deliberately called back by the emperor.

The emperor sat on the imperial couch. On the wine tables on both sides, Li Chengqian held a wine glass and toasted everyone one by one with a gentle expression.

The Prince of Jin was getting married, so as the elder brother he naturally had to accompany the guests.

Inadvertently, Li Chengqian realized that many people who should not have arrived in Luoyang at this time had all arrived.

For example, Duke Lu Cheng Zhijie, Duke E Yuchi Jingde, Duke Song Xiao Yu and many other old and important ministers are all in the Zhenguan Hall at this moment.

Given their status and qualifications, they were not required to rush back from their places even for Li Zhi's wedding. Moreover, without the emperor's edict, they could not move at all, let alone rush to Luoyang together.

Li Chengqian vaguely understood something in his heart.

At this moment, an official in a crimson robe with a stern expression stood up in front of him and bowed to Li Chengqian, saying, "Your Highness, your Highness is greeted by your Highness!"

"Uncle, you're sitting among the bride's relatives." Li Chengqian couldn't help but smile. Zhao Cihao's wife was the empress's cousin, making her Li Chengqian's cousin-in-law. But the relationship went beyond that. Zhao Cihao's brother, Zhao Cijing, married Li Chengqian's aunt, Princess Changguang, and their son was Zhao Jie.

All in all, the two sides are very close relatives.

"The Zhao family of the world originated from Tianshui. Since Qinghe has requested a favor, I can only sit here." After a brief pause, Zhao Cihao looked behind him. He saw the more burly of the two upright young men and said, "Your Highness, this is my son Zhiman."

Zhao Zhiman bowed to Li Chengqian and said, "Your Highness, I am Zhao Zhiman, the Lanzhou Judicial Officer. I am honored to meet His Royal Highness the Crown Prince."

"Cousin!" Li Chengqian raised his glass with a smile, and Zhao Zhiman immediately bowed.

"This is my nephew..."

"Wang Fangyi, Deputy Minister of the Ministry of War!" Li Chengqian smiled and nodded, saying, "Brother, why are you sitting here?"

"I and Zhiman haven't seen each other for many years, so come over and have a drink!" Wang Fangyi quickly raised his glass and bowed.

Wang Fangyi is Wang Youlan's cousin. In name, he is the grandson of Princess Tongan, but in reality he is not, because his father is the son of the concubine of Wang Yu, the consort of Princess Tongan. In his early years, after Wang Yu passed away, their family was even driven out of the consort's mansion.

Fortunately, Princess Tongan had only one daughter, who married Yang Guang as the imperial concubine. After she died of illness, Princess Tongan had to take Wang Fangyi back.

So whether it is from the Grand Princess of Tongan or from Wang Youlan, Wang Fangyi is Li Chengqian's brother.

Looking at Wang Fangyi, Li Chengqian remembered something.

In his previous life, after his uncle Changsun Wuji was exiled to death, Zhao Chiman was executed by Empress Wu and his body was exposed for three days. Finally, Wang Fangyi collected his body for him.

The relationship between the two is evident.

Now, the emperor asked the Qinghe Zhao family to find Li Zhi's wife's family. Behind the Qinghe Zhao family are the Tianshui Zhao family and the Hongnong Yang family. Li Zhi's potential strength is terrifyingly strong.

However, if they could infiltrate Li Zhi from Wang Fangyi and Zhao Zhiman, then Li Zhi would not only be unable to gain leverage, but would have to be wary of these two families.

Especially Zhao Chiman, he is a member of the Zhao family and the nephew of the Changsun family, and should be closer to Li Zhi. But if some of Li Zhi's affairs are known to Changsun Wuji through Zhao Chiman, it will be interesting if the two of them quarrel again.

A flash of inspiration flashed through Li Chengqian's mind. He smiled and raised his glass, saying, "Brothers, and uncle, let's drink together!"

"Thank you, Your Highness!" The three of them drank the wine in their glasses at the same time.

"When you have time in the future, my two cousins ​​and uncle should spend more time with the Eastern Palace." Li Chengqian said politely, then turned and walked towards the others.

The biggest guest today is Zhao Shujian, the Sima of Luozhou. He has worked in the Ministry of Revenue for many years and is now the Sima of Luozhou. He has quickly established his foothold.

But he drank a lot tonight.

Likewise, the emperor drank a lot.

After the banquet, Li Chengqian accompanied Zhang Ananda to escort Li Shimin out of the hall.

As the autumn wind blew, the emperor's expression became much more relaxed, and he walked slowly and calmly.

Suddenly, he turned his head and looked at Li Chengqian and said, "Chengqian, I will have fewer and fewer opportunities to see you brothers in the future."

"What are you talking about, father? If you want to see me and my son, you can summon us at any time." Li Chengqian looked confused.

Li Shimin waved his hand, then walked forward and said, "You go back."

"Yes!" Li Chengqian looked at Zhang Ananda in surprise. Zhang Ananda bowed slightly and then chased after the emperor.

……

East Palace, Mingli Hall.

With candles burning brightly, Li Chengqian sat behind the desk, drinking strong tea and pondering what the emperor had just said.

A slight voice was heard, and Li Chengqian looked up. It was the eunuch Xu An.

Li Chengqian asked, "How's the investigation into the Wang family going?"

"Your Highness, here is a list of all the Wang family officials currently serving in the court. I haven't found anything special." After a brief pause, Xu An said, "However, the Wang family controls the largest caravan in Taiyuan, and even in the entire Bingzhou, traveling north, south, east, and west..."

"Hmm?" Li Chengqian's pupils dilated slightly. He finally understood that they were involved with Zhang Liang. No wonder they were so anxious.

"Your Highness, do you want to continue investigating?"

"No need. The Wang family of Taiyuan is a powerful clan. Further investigation will surely trigger a reaction from them." After a brief pause, Li Chengqian said, "Gather our forces and deploy them to Luoyang City as planned. Especially those who have been hanging around the Wang family for the past few days. All of them should be rounded up."

"Yes!" Xu An bowed immediately.

Yes, it was Li Chengqian who had set up the Wang family some time ago and forced them to marry their daughter, the queen of Li Zhi in the previous life, into the Eastern Palace.

"The people under Qingque have been gradually transferred to Luoyang now, right?" Li Chengqian raised his head slightly.

"Here they are! Because they rebelled in time at Suzaku Gate, they were appointed as the chief clerks of the county lieutenants in Luoyang, Henan!"

"That's enough. Tell them to be careful when approaching King Jin's father-in-law, Zhao Shujian, the Sima of Luozhou." Li Chengqian narrowed his eyes slightly.

"Here!"

……

Under the cover of night, a swift horse quickly approached the Upper East Gate of Luoyang City. Before the rider even reached the gate, he shouted, "Express military news from Yingzhou, six hundred miles away, to be reported immediately to Your Majesty!"

"Open the city gate!" The gate guard immediately raised his hand.

The city gate opened and the knights on horseback rushed towards the Ziwei Palace frantically.

The hurried sound of horse hooves broke the silent night of Luoyang.

(End of this chapter)