noveltune Chapter 5474 Jinyang Invitation
Chapter 5474 Jinyang Invitation
Chapter 5474 Jinyang Invitation
Letting others speak won't cause the sky to fall, nor will it cause your own downfall.
Conversely, when all dissenting voices are blocked out, and one is surrounded by sycophants who cannot detect oversights or errors, one becomes blinded by biased opinions, and that is when serious problems arise.
History is not a straight line, but a surging river that can burst its banks and change course. No "prophet" can apply future experiences to the past. Different times, places, and environments will produce different results.
"Prophets" can be used as a reference, but they cannot be applied blindly.
Moreover, the history we remember has been completely distorted by today. If we were to manage a vast empire based on the experiences we have in our memories, what difference would that be from trying to find a sword by marking the boat?
……
Back in the inner quarters, the children, who were very familiar with their father, rushed over with shouts and cries, climbing on his shoulders and hugging his legs. This affection made the "old father" very happy, and the smile on his face was as bright and radiant as spring flowers in bloom.
After playing with the children for a while, Princess Gaoyang saw that Fang Jun looked exhausted, so she sent the children away. Qiao'er had a maid boil water to help Fang Jun take a bath and change his clothes before he sat down with his wives and concubines in the flower hall to drink tea and chat.
Princess Gaoyang asked, "Is the Prince truly beyond saving?"
Fang Jun took a sip of tea, put down the teacup, and nodded, saying, "He's exhausted, medicine is ineffective, and he probably won't make it to the New Year.
Wu Meiniang sighed and said, "With the Prince gone, my husband has lost a shield within the imperial clan. This favor is truly profound."
At the beginning of Fang Jun's rise to power, especially when he established the Jiangnan Shipyard, Li Xiaogong provided tremendous support and assistance. Not only did he use his prestige and status in the Tang Dynasty's navy to attract skilled craftsmen, but he also shielded Fang Jun from countless covetous eyes. With Li Xiaogong standing behind Fang Jun, even though members of the imperial family and nobles of the Zhenguan era coveted the shipyard, none of them dared to touch it.
Although Li Xiaogong also had a share in the shipyard, seemingly protecting his own interests, his protection of Fang Jun went beyond just the shipyard; it would be an exaggeration to say that he was extremely attentive.
Even with Li Yuanjia, the Minister of the Imperial Clan Court, he was far inferior to Li Xiaogong in terms of power, status, and prestige...
Princess Chang Le, who had moved into the mansion after receiving Wu Meiniang's warning, said, "Now that my husband's prestige is no less than that of my uncle, there is no need to worry about those things."
Wu Meiniang shook her head and said, "Others would not dare to covet it, but if His Majesty insists on getting involved in the Jiangnan Shipyard, it will be difficult for my husband to refuse."
Regardless of Fang Jun's power and prestige, they were nothing compared to Li Xiaogong. Li Xiaogong's status as the "first meritorious official of the imperial clan" was enough to make Li Chengqian give way, and even though he coveted the shipyard, he couldn't even mention it.
But when facing Fang Jun, he showed none of that apprehension…
Fang Jun said, "I have already promised the Prince that the share of the shipyard will be given to the Prince's eldest son. How can I break my promise? Even if His Majesty is indeed instigated by some people to try to take over the shipyard, he will only get an empty shell."
The core of the shipyard is not the dock, nor the piles of timber, but the skilled craftsmen. If we simply "shed the cicada's shell" and transfer the craftsmen, the Jiangnan Shipyard can be rebuilt anywhere in the world.
Li Chengqian must have understood this principle: since coveting is useless, why bother coveting it?
Apart from Wu Zetian, the others were not impatient with these matters and changed the subject after a while.
Princess Gaoyang gave a cold laugh, a forced smile: "Our sir is now truly famous throughout the world, known to everyone, even those romantic and talented men have to admit their inferiority and admit defeat."
Fang Jun looked puzzled: "What do you mean?"
Xiao Shu'er smiled and said, "A few days ago, Princess Linchuan and Zhou Daowu returned to the capital. The scene of dozens of carts of money and silk entering the princess's residence was spectacular, and the whole of Chang'an was amazed. Everyone said that Zhou Daowu embezzled public funds, exploited the people, and mistreated the soldiers during his tenure as the governor of Yingzhou. Some people said that since it was the Grand Commandant who exposed Zhou Daowu's crimes while stationed in Liuzhou, why didn't he confiscate the embezzled funds? Afterwards, it was said that Princess Linchuan cried and begged the Grand Commandant, and the Grand Commandant softened and allowed her to take the money and silk with her when she left her post and returned to the capital."
Princess Gaoyang chuckled and said, "After all, our Grand Commandant has a great reputation; he's a 'good princess'!"
"Ha ha!"
The other wives and concubines all burst into laughter, creating a joyful atmosphere.
Princess Chang Le blushed and pinched Princess Gao Yang...
Fang Jun looked shocked and innocent, exclaiming in astonishment, "Who would slander my innocence like this? Am I that kind of person?!"
Jin Shengman then pointed at Princess Chang Le and said with a grin, "So what does this Princess Chang Le have to say?"
Fang Junyi declared sternly, "Chang Le and I are mutually in love and understand each other perfectly. Initially, I was attracted to her stunning beauty, but later, upon learning of her inner and outer beauty, gentleness, and virtue, I fell in love with her. That's why we disregarded societal norms and married, promising to spend the rest of our lives together. This has absolutely nothing to do with whether she is a princess or not. Even if she were just an ordinary woman, I would still shamelessly pursue her and fulfill my long-cherished wish. She is my destined love tribulation!"
"what!"
"shameless!"
"Is your mouth so sweet?"
The wives and concubines burst into laughter, chattering amongst themselves and scolding Fang Jun for being glib and shameless.
Princess Chang Le smiled silently, her lips pursed, but her beautiful eyes were filled with tenderness and affection as she looked at Fang Jun…
Seeing her like this, Princess Gaoyang said irritably, "Sister, can't you have some self-respect? You're so easily swayed by his sweet words. Be careful not to be deceived!"
Princess Chang Le said in a clear voice, "Priceless treasures are easy to find, but a loving man is hard to come by. Meeting him is the blessing of my life. Even if he betrays me one day, I will accept it willingly."
Princess Gaoyang retorted angrily, "How utterly spineless!"
Wu Zetian chimed in, "Oh dear, my heart has been stolen by this shameless little thief, what am I going to do?"
Xiao Shuer smiled gently and said with emotion, "It's not just Princess Chang Le's good fortune. To be able to meet my beloved in the vast sea of people, to become husband and wife, and to live a long and happy life together is exactly the wish I made before the Bodhisattva."
As the only direct descendant of the Lanling Xiao clan, being a woman meant to be used as a bargaining chip in family marriages, her fate determined solely by the resources she could obtain. Had she not married into the Fang family and gained the favor and love of her husband, who knows what a tragic life she would have faced.
Fang Jun stood up and grasped the hands of Chang Le and Xiao Shu'er, saying with emotion, "The world slanders and defames me, but only you two confidantes understand my heart. Without a doubt, I can only devote myself to you in bed and serve you like a dog!"
Chang Le and Xiao Shu'er were extremely embarrassed, their faces turning red.
Nowadays, couples can hardly bear to use the phrase "toiling like dogs and horses" between them...
But her eyes were full of tenderness as she looked at her lover, and she couldn't bear to refuse. She could only suppress her shyness and, amidst the cheers of the others, be pulled by Fang Jun to the bedroom.
It was a night of joy and tenderness, unlike anything in the mortal world.
……
The next morning, Fang Jun, feeling refreshed after his "morning exercise," got up, took a bath, had breakfast, changed into a blue round-necked cotton coat, put on a turban, and went out by carriage to visit the Prince of Hejian's residence. He stayed there all morning, and in the afternoon, he returned to the residence and took the children to Songhelou Restaurant, where they booked a private room. The father and son enjoyed a lively meal with a large table of dishes, and then took a carriage to tour various parts of the city until dusk before returning home.
After dinner, someone delivered a letter, which attracted the attention of the wives and concubines...
Princess Gaoyang said with disdain, "Tsk tsk, Jinyang is really generous, inviting our young master to go boating on the lake without any hesitation?"
Wu Meiniang smiled and said, "Princess Jinyang has always been close to my husband. Besides, it was just a boat trip on the lake. There was no intention of coveting anything. Why should we avoid suspicion?"
Xiao Shuer, Jin Shengman, and Qiao'er were also laughing on the side, but because of their status, it was not appropriate for them to interrupt.
Princess Chang Le looked worried: "This girl seems clever and quick-witted, but she's actually very stubborn. I don't know what will become of her in the future."
Compared to her other sisters, she naturally cared more for her younger sister, Jinyang, who shared the same mother. Now, even the youngest of the sisters, Princess Hengshan, had already married, while Jinyang remained unmarried, becoming the "most difficult case" among the princesses of the imperial family...
As for marrying Fang Jun, that's absolutely impossible.
Even she, a divorced and withered woman, could not marry Fang Jun and become a "remarried woman". She could only secretly give birth to children without a name or status. How could Jin Yang, who was not yet married, possibly marry Fang Jun?
At most, she's like that.
Princess Gaoyang was also very dissatisfied, glaring at Fang Jun and saying, "Do you have to focus on the Tang princess causing trouble?"
Fang Jun looked blank and innocent: "What does all this have to do with me? It's just that my talent is overflowing and can't be hidden, and my charm has nowhere to go... I'm also very confused and distressed."
"Pooh!"
"Beautiful!"
"Do you really have no shame at all?"
The wives and concubines all scolded him, but Qiao'er said weakly, "My lord didn't lie. Among the scions of noble families in this world, who can compare to my lord's mastery of both literature and martial arts, and his talent in poetry and prose? He's talented and handsome, so it's only natural that he attracts girls..."
Although it was the truth, it was still suppressed.
My husband has already attracted enough trouble; how can I give him more confidence?
Princess Chang Le sighed and said softly, "We can't keep dragging this on any longer. My husband is a man, and he should have the heart and courage of a man. He should take the initiative to make a choice."
Princess Gaoyang retorted angrily, "Letting him choose is no different from putting a chicken in front of a weasel and asking it if it wants to eat it."
Princess Chang Le said helplessly, "What else can we do? Rather than let Si Zi grow old alone in heartbreak and longing, it's better to grant her husband's wish. Whether His Majesty is furious or the imperial clan is in an uproar, nothing is better than Si Zi's happy and fulfilling future."
After discussing for a while, Fang Jun, who had been mostly silent, couldn't help but ask curiously, "Why are you all so sure I'm the kind of person who would make a move on my own sister-in-law?"
He finally endured the unanimous scorn of his wives and concubines.
Fang Jun sighed deeply, his face desolate: "Those who know me say I am worried, those who do not know me ask what I seek. Oh, vast heaven, who am I to deserve this?"
"Pooh!"
"You're getting the benefit but still acting innocent!"
"My lord, have some shame..."
Fang Jun: "..."