Tang Dynasty Little Godfather

Chapter 129 Bundling
It wasn't until the third watch of the night that Li Longji finally agreed to let Wang Xi go back.

But after Wang Xi left, he still felt unsatisfied and was already looking forward to inviting Wang Xi to the palace again. Suddenly, he glanced at Consort Wu and asked, "My dear consort, what do you think of my nephew?"

Hearing the pride in his tone, Consort Wu knew she couldn't do anything malicious, so she said, "Que'er's talent goes without saying, especially her choreography of dance and music, which even His Majesty can't match."

Li Longji shook his head and said, "It's incomparable, it's incomparable."

Consort Wu glanced at Li Longji and said, "Actually, I also like Que'er very much, but he seems to be somewhat hostile towards me."

Li Longji's expression changed slightly, and he advised, "Que'er is still just a child and doesn't understand much. Please bear with him, my dear consort. But just now, I saw that he seemed to be impressed by your talent in opera and dance. After you meet him a few more times and get to know each other, he will not be hostile to you. After all, we are family."

Upon hearing this, Consort Wu was extremely frustrated. If she wanted to become empress, she would inevitably have to drive out Empress Wang, and the Wang family would certainly be doomed. However, Li Longji's current intention was for her to develop a relationship with Wang Xi, implying that he did not intend to touch Empress Wang.

However, since Wu Jieyu grew up in the palace, if she were to act childishly and slander Wang Xi at this time, it would only incur Li Longji's displeasure.

Actually, she had wanted Wang Xi to provoke a conflict and play the bad guy, but she never expected that when Wang Xi started dancing with her, the two of them almost became friends after their fight. Instead, Li Longji got his fill of fun and was left speechless with regret!

Consort Wu could only go along with Li Longji's thoughts and say, "Next time I see Que'er, I will not lose to him again."

Li Longji laughed and said, "That's not necessarily true. Sparrow is clever and mischievous. Even when locked up, it can create a new dance. Who knows how many other skills it has hidden?"

Wu Jieyu pouted, "We'll see."

Wang Xi, escorted by Gao Lishi, arrived at the Empress's palace.

"Sparrow, how are you?"

Empress Wang asked with great concern, "Did I upset His Majesty?"

If it were just being with Li Longji, she wouldn't be worried. The key is that there's also Wu Jieyu. In fact, she regrets agreeing to Li Longji's proposal.

Wang Xi hurriedly said, "Your Majesty, please rest assured. I have not upset His Majesty. I was just afraid that Your Majesty would worry, so I came to tell you."

Empress Wang was deeply moved upon hearing this, and nodded with a smile, saying, "Did you all have fun?"

Wang Xi pursed his lips and said, "Naturally, it wasn't as fun as it was with the Empress."

Empress Wang said quietly, "Don't say such nice things. That Consort Wu can sing and dance, unlike your aunt, who is like a wooden doll. Of course, she is not likable."

Wang Xi chuckled and said, "I've seen plenty of women who can sing and dance, but in my heart, none of them can compare to my aunt, the Empress."

Empress Wang was overjoyed. She gently stroked Wang Xi's head and asked with a smile, "How many women has Que'er seen?"

Wang Xi chuckled and said, "Aunt Empress, it's getting late, your nephew must go back now."

Empress Wang was slightly taken aback. "It's so late, didn't His Majesty allow you to stay overnight in the palace?"

Wang Xi immediately replied, "I refuse. It's so cold, I don't want to get up so early."

Empress Wang blinked, then suddenly realized what she meant, and a wry smile appeared on her lips. "Auntie always does things that are not pleasing to the eye."

Wang Xi hurriedly said, "That's because the Empress knows what is right and wrong, and what is beneficial to the country and His Majesty. As the teacher said, this is true wisdom. Even a fool can do things that please others."

Empress Wang was deeply moved upon hearing this. Many people could not understand her and often advised her to wear some beautiful clothes or perhaps learn music to please Li Longji.

But she insisted on living a simple life. However, everyone has a heart, and she had doubts about herself. For example, last time, she asked Wang Shouyi to make some beautiful clothes for the other concubines. So she really needed to get affirmation from others. Although Wang Xi was just a boy, his words made her feel full of strength. She smiled and nodded: "Thank you for your comfort, Que'er. Since you don't plan to stay in the palace overnight, go back quickly and don't let your parents worry."

"Ah! I'll take my leave now."

As for Wang Xi, since he wanted to be a favored minister, there was no need for Empress Wang to compete for his favor. She just needed to do her job well, and he would handle the rest.

When Wang Xi returned home, it was already past four in the morning. Wang Shouyi and Princess Xue had already gone to bed to rest, but thinking that Wang Xi was in the palace, even though it wasn't the first time, they still felt uneasy. However, neither of them spoke.

Princess Xue was naturally annoyed that the empress was so insensible for not sending someone to inform her, but Wang Shouyi thought that this was not the first time, so why did she have to send someone to inform her again?

It's so late at night, it's not convenient for people to come and go in the palace!

Once you open your mouth, you're bound to start arguing.

Princess Xue was not one to argue, and although she was worried, she didn't bother to say anything.

Upon hearing that Wang Xi had returned, the couple immediately disregarded the cold, hurriedly got out of bed, dressed, and ordered someone to bring Wang Xi here.

"Dad, Mom, you're still awake!"

After playing for most of the night and rushing back from the palace, Wang Xi was extremely tired and could barely keep his eyes open.

Princess Xue was already angry, and said with a little agitation, "How can I sleep when you're in the palace?"

Seeing the unfriendly expression on Princess Xue's face, Wang Xi felt somewhat intimidated.

Princess Xue had always given him the impression of being calm and composed, so even the slightest fluctuation in her tone could easily make one tense up.

Wang Shouyi said, "You brat, why are you back in the middle of the night? Did you upset His Majesty, which is why he didn't let you stay in the palace overnight?"

"certainly not."

Wang Xi said, "His Majesty wanted me to stay in the palace overnight, but I was afraid that my aunt, the Empress, would wake me up early in the morning, so I insisted on coming back."

Princess Xue then asked, "Did His Majesty send you to sing with him again today?"

"Hmm." Wang Xi nodded. "However..."

Princess Xue hurriedly asked, "But what?"

Wang Xi scratched his head and said, "But it's not with the Empress."

Where is that?

"It's over in His Majesty's bedroom."

"That's normal."

"and!"

"Can't you just finish what you were saying all at once?"

Wang Xi's hesitant and stammering words drove Wang Shouyi to his wits' end.

This time, Princess Xue surprisingly approved of Wang Shouyi.

Wang Xi said, "Actually, the Empress is not here. It is Consort Wu who is accompanying His Majesty."

"what?"

Upon hearing this, the couple cried out in alarm, especially the princess of Xue, who turned pale with fright.

"Que'er, what exactly happened? Tell your mother quickly." Princess Xue grabbed Wang Xi's arm.

Wang Xi felt as if Princess Xue was about to break his arm, and hurriedly said, "Mother, you're hurting me."

Princess Xue quickly released her, then asked urgently, "Tell me quickly, why is Consort Wu here?"

Having come from the palace herself, she knew the dangers all too well, especially the women of the Wu family. She always believed that Empress Wang could not possibly be a match for Consort Wu, and Wang Xi was just a hothead. Sending himself to her was like a lamb entering a tiger's den.

Wang Xi's drowsiness was also frightened away by Princess Xue, and he told her everything that had happened that day.

Princess Xue breathed a slight sigh of relief upon hearing this, but then complained, "That little sister of mine is really something. She didn't even tell us before sending Que'er to see Consort Wu. If Que'er says something wrong and Consort Wu tries to sow discord, our family will be finished."

Wang Shouyi couldn't stand hearing others speak ill of his younger sister, so he retorted, "Do you think my younger sister wanted this? If it weren't for His Majesty's request, why would my younger sister do this? Do you think she would feel good about it?"

Princess Xue said, "I didn't say that my younger sister felt good. I just thought that as elders, they should discuss this matter with us."

It's good that they argue. If this couple never argues, they're bound to get divorced. Wang Xi said carelessly, "Father, Mother, you can continue arguing. I won't disturb you anymore. I'll go back to my room to rest."

"You brat." Wang Shouyi grabbed him and turned him around. "If it weren't for you, would we be arguing?"

Princess Xue rolled her eyes at him. "Who's arguing with you?"

"Yeah!"

Wang Shouyi said, "We didn't argue."

Princess Xue sat down, her delicate, boneless hand gently taking Wang Xi's hand in hers. "Que'er, tell your mother everything that happened to you in the palace again in detail."

"what?"

Wang Xi almost fainted.

"Mother is doing this for your own good."

"Oh."

Wang Xi explained it carefully, becoming more and more animated as he spoke.

Wang Shouyi was puzzled. "Are you bragging?"

Wang Xi said, "It's true. Consort Wu wanted to compete with me, but unexpectedly, I did not lose and even defeated her."

Princess Xue asked, "And what is His Majesty's attitude?"

Wang Xi said irritably, "Don't say that. His Majesty is just stirring up trouble, adding fuel to the fire, and sowing discord."

"???"

"Really?"

"Yup!"

Wang Xi nodded and said, "If it weren't for Your Majesty stirring things up, I wouldn't have paid any attention to Consort Wu."

Princess Xue said sternly, "If someone asks you, you will say the same thing."

Wang Xi said sheepishly, "Mother, I'm not that stupid."

Princess Xue said, "I know your temperament best. If someone provokes you or praises you, you'll be ready to open your heart and soul. But remember, you mustn't tell anyone about this, understand?"

Wang Xi nodded: "I understand."

Princess Xue said, "Alright, you should go back and rest first."

"Mother is wise."

Wang Xi was as if he had been granted a general amnesty.

Princess Xue smiled and shook her head.

But after Wang Xi left, her expression became serious again.

Wang Shouyi asked, "Madam, what do you think?"

Princess Xue said, "This time, Consort Wu probably just wanted to see Que'er and didn't have any bad intentions."

Wang Shouyi asked in bewilderment, "What's so special about a sparrow?"

Princess Xue said, "Don't you understand why His Majesty suddenly likes Que'er so much? It's because of that opera. If I were to use Que'er to keep His Majesty by my side, wouldn't Consort Wu be worried?"

Therefore, Consort Wu must want to learn this kind of opera so that she can please His Majesty.

Wang Shouyi said, "That's simple, just tell Que'er to ignore her."

Princess Xue pondered for a long time, then shook her head slightly and said, "No. Que'er is still young and naive, without any guile. But it is precisely because of this that he is favored by His Majesty. If we teach him too much, he will have too many concerns and may do something foolish, which would be a loss."

Wang Shouyi asked, "What should we do then?"

Princess Xue frowned, for she had not yet come up with a solution.

The next day, Wang Xi slept until noon, ate a little something, and then rushed to the academy.

He wasn't doing it because he was studious, but because he knew that Huangfu Sengnian and the others were still waiting for news from him.

"Wu Jieyu?"

Huangfu Sengnian was startled. "Was it Consort Wu who wanted to see you yesterday?"

Wang Xi nodded with lingering fear. Although Li Longji had a great time yesterday, in Wang Xi's opinion, it was indeed quite dangerous.

Li Jieman asked anxiously, "Brother Que, is Consort Wu pretty?"

Huangfu Sengnian frowned and said, "Xiaoman, if you want to die, you can end it yourself. Don't drag us into this."

Realizing he had misspoke, Li Jieman hurriedly said, "I was just asking casually, I won't ask anymore, I won't ask anymore."

Huangfu Sengnian pondered and said, "It seems that Consort Wu saw that His Majesty loves this opera so much that she also wants to learn it and, by the way, see what you are like."

Wang Xi nodded and said, "Judging from yesterday's situation, that should be the case."

Li Jie said, "Then you've been tricked. She probably provoked you on purpose to make you reveal all your skills. Be careful, she might use you and then discard you."

Wang Xi smiled and said, "Therefore, I will play along and tie myself to them."

"Bound?"

Li Jie asked curiously, "What do you mean?"

Wang Xi sighed and said, "After seeing Consort Wu yesterday, I believe it is almost impossible to help my aunt, the Empress, regain control of His Majesty."

And I cannot replace Consort Wu. The best solution right now is to tie myself to Consort Wu. In other words, if His Majesty wants to perform in the future, neither of us will be able to do it.

In this way, my aunt, the Empress, can be kept safe for the time being.

After yesterday's open and covert struggles, Wang Xi concluded that Li Longji and Consort Wu's feelings for each other were genuine and that it would be very difficult to break them up.

Therefore, yesterday he intentionally cooperated with Consort Wu, his purpose being to create an iron triangle combination for Li Longji, simply put, to bind himself to Consort Wu.

Without any one of them, this play cannot be performed.

Huangfu Sengnian said, "But Consort Wu certainly doesn't think that way."

Wang Xi said, "If she wants to discard someone after she has served her purpose, she'll have to have the ability. Although she can sing and dance, when it comes to opera, she can't create a story as moving as Dream of the Red Chamber. Besides, I still have many tricks up my sleeve."

After saying that, he suddenly asked Wang Shuang, "Brother Shuang, how's the job search for that workshop going?"

He is currently mainly in charge of the winery, but he also needs to make cosmetics such as rouge, which he has entrusted to Wang Shuang.

Despite his seemingly impulsive and headstrong personality, Wang Shuang inherited his father Wang Maozhong's talent in business. He was the one who initially arranged the craftsmen for brewing wine.

Of the four, only Wang Shuang had his own retinue.

Wang Shuang said, "Don't worry, it will definitely be open next year."

Huangfu Sengnian suddenly remembered something, "That's right! There's a rumor today that the Imperial Academy is planning to cancel the singing competition."

"what?"

Wang Xi's expression froze.

(End of this chapter)