pappabearbooks Chapter 5417 The Demon of Brother-Fulfillment
Chapter 5417 The Demon of Brother-Fulfillment
Chapter 5417 The Demon of Brother-Fulfillment
If Leyouyuan is refreshing and pleasant in summer, then Zhongnan Mountain is lush and shaded.
Fang Jun left the city through Mingde Gate, dressed in a casual robe with arrow-sleeved sleeves and a turban, riding southwards with dozens of personal guards. As the terrain rose higher and the mountain road became more winding, ancient cypress and pine trees on both sides blocked out the sun, and he plunged into the lush green shade.
The spring water beside the mountain road is clear and gurgling, birds flutter their wings on the branches of the dense forest, and sunlight dapples through the swaying leaves.
Although Chang'an was built on a plateau, its high walls and dense population made it unbearably hot in the summer. Anyone with a little wealth would leave the city to escape the heat, and the nearby Zhongnan Mountain was the best place to go. With its beautiful mountains and clear waters and crisscrossing ravines, it has always been regarded as one of the ancestral homes of Taoism. Countless Taoist temples are scattered in the mountains, which is even more attractive to Taoist believers today.
Fang Jun and his group rode leisurely along the mountain, encountering many travelers who were either going into the mountains to escape the summer heat or heading back to the city.
After walking to a mountain pass and turning down the mountain road, the horse's hooves crossed a stone bridge spanning a stream, and there came a Taoist temple hidden among the trees.
Upon reaching the mountain gate, he dismounted. His personal guards stood watch nearby, and palace maids dressed in Taoist robes led him into the temple...
……
Inside the study, the air was thick with heat.
Water splashed around the bathtub as Princess Chang Le nestled in her husband's broad, strong arms. Her starry eyes were slightly narrowed, her beautiful hair cascading over her jade-like shoulders. Her exquisitely beautiful face was flushed with a rosy blush, her lips slightly parted, revealing teeth like flat pearls. She exuded a languid and alluring charm, unable to lift even a finger...
It took her a while to catch her breath. She forced herself to straighten up despite the soreness in her body, and gave her husband a light elbow to the chest, scolding, "You come here to humiliate people in broad daylight, you're simply outrageous!"
"Yes, yes, it was my fault."
Fang Jun reached out and embraced her slender waist, holding it tightly in his hand: "But Your Highness not only did not resist, but instead seemed to be playing hard to get... Ouch."
But Princess Chang Le gave him a hard slap, and he quickly shut up.
Although this prince was already "very experienced" and "knew everything about her," he was naturally reserved and would not respond passionately even if she were to act as she pleased in bed. Moreover, he was extremely embarrassed by such intimate words between husband and wife...
The two returned to the hall, dressed neatly. A gentle breeze blew in through the open window, and outside, the flowers and trees swayed, and the forest was lush and green, making it cool and pleasant.
Fang Jun drank tea and ate pastries while telling them about his voyage.
Finally, he asked, "Would you like to come with me on a sea excursion?"
Lu'er was taken into Princess Gaoyang's residence, and Chang Le then cultivated Taoism alone in the Zhongnan Mountains. She was unwilling to go to the Fang Mansion or return to the palace, and she never went to her residence in Chang'an City. She seemed to be both idle and bored... It would be good to go overseas to relax.
Princess Chang Le shook her head: "What's so good about overseas? Although I have never been to sea, I know that the sea is dangerous and the waves are dangerous. You can not get off the ship for weeks or even months. Fresh water is scarce, and the cabin is hot and stuffy, and you will feel like you are going to rot... Now Lu'er is in the mansion with her brothers and sisters, learning and playing. I am very relieved. I am very comfortable here in the Taoist temple with my lamp and scriptures, living a quiet and peaceful life."
The glitz and glamour, the complexities of human relationships—these are not what she desires. This tranquil, peaceful, and carefree life is what she longs for.
With the identity of a Tang Dynasty princess and Fang Jun as her husband, she can cast aside all worldly affairs and live a carefree and comfortable life...
Fang Jun could tell that she really didn't like to move around, so he didn't say anything more: "I have no other intention than to make you feel happier and more relaxed. Since you feel that cultivating Taoism in these mountains can help you stay true to yourself, then so be it."
Princess Chang Le's eyes sparkled with tenderness as she softly said, "Thanks to you, otherwise even with the nobility of a princess of the Great Tang Dynasty, I would not be able to enjoy such a carefree and leisurely life."
Born into the most noble status in the world, enjoying the wealth, power and status that come with it, she naturally has to shoulder such responsibilities and make due contributions and sacrifices. Especially when it comes to marriage, how can she have any opinion?
The phrase "meeting the wrong person" is enough to ruin a life.
She too had stepped into that river of fate, tossed and turned in the rapids, suffering endless torment. She held both respect and love in her heart for Fang Jun, who had pulled her out of the river and given her respect and freedom. This was why she spoiled Fang Jun and let him do whatever he wanted.
With such a gentleman, what more could one ask for?
Although Fang Jun had long since reached the point of remaining calm even if Mount Tai collapsed before him, he still felt a flutter in his heart under the gentle, adoring gaze of the woman he loved.
A true man walks in the world with a clear conscience before heaven and earth, and his only pursuits are "wielding power over the world when awake and resting on the lap of a beautiful woman when drunk." Power and beauty are his eternal desires.
Winning the heart of the woman he loves is no less important than conquering the world.
Overwhelmed by emotion, Fang Jun reached out and embraced Chang Le's waist, his hand encircling her slender waist, feeling the firm and delicate skin beneath her Taoist robe. He said, "It's too hot, and I've noticed some sweat on my body again. Why don't we go take another shower..."
Chang Le was startled, her delicate body tensed, and she quickly broke free from that large hand, moving a little distance to the side. She scolded, "What did you eat to grow up like that? You're like a tiger or a wolf, will you ever stop!"
The previous passionate encounter had left her exhausted, and she certainly didn't have the energy for another round...
Fang Jun wasn't annoyed by the rejection. What could be a greater achievement than making his woman feel satisfied?
Seeing that Fang Jun didn't pester her, Chang Le leaned closer again, feeling a warm glow in her heart.
In this patriarchal society, how could a woman refuse a man's request? Fang Junning's willingness to endure rather than force her was an unparalleled act of respect.
More precious than anything else.
Fang Jun sipped his tea and asked, "His Highness Jinyang said he had some money and silk and instructed me to send it to Prince Jin. Do you have any too?"
Chang Le nodded, then looked up cautiously at Fang Jun's expression, hesitatingly saying, "Yes, there are some, but I haven't decided whether to send them or not..."
"Ah!"
Seeing her expression, Fang Jun couldn't help but laugh. He reached out and tucked a strand of hair behind her ear, then casually pinched her jade-like, translucent earlobe. "Do you really think I'm the kind of man who keeps his word? Even if I were, how could I possibly interfere with your decisions? Not only can you do whatever you want with your own things, but you can also tell me any requests you have, and I will definitely respect all your decisions."
"Erlang..."
Chang Le was deeply moved and took the initiative to reach out and hold her husband's hand.
The saying "the father is the guide for the son, and the husband is the guide for the wife," and the saying "obey the father at home and the husband after marriage," are traditional ethical principles passed down for thousands of years. Although she was not married to Fang Jun, they were husband and wife in fact, and she certainly had the right to dispose of her property, but to some extent, this was not the case.
Because she has a son, according to the law she only has the right to control the property, but the ownership belongs to her son.
Lu'er is still young and doesn't understand things. If she were to give her property to Li Zhi without permission, she would have to consult Fang Jun.
Fang Jun smiled and squeezed her slender hand back, teasingly saying, "Don't worry, if Lu'er asks about this in the future, I will explain it for you and let him know how kind and family-oriented his mother is, not a 'brother-obsessed demon'."
Chang Le, naturally unaware of the meaning of "Brother-Supporting Demon," asked in confusion amidst her感动 (feeling moved), "What is 'Brother-Supporting Demon'? Which sect's mythological figure is it?"
It sounds like evil spirits such as "Ox-Head," "Horse-Face," and "Yaksha," which is very terrifying.
Fang Jun then smiled and said, “‘伏’ means ‘to bow down and take care of.’ This means that after a woman marries, she still squanders her husband’s family’s wealth and helps her mother’s family and brothers without restraint, even to the point of harming her own family and her husband’s clan. Her behavior is foolish and stubborn, as if she is possessed by a demon, or as if she has fallen into a nightmare.”
Chang Le stared in disbelief, clenched her fist and punched Fang Jun's arm, angrily saying, "What kind of vicious person could come up with such words? In your eyes, am I such a reckless and spoiled person who doesn't know what's good for me?"
Fang Jun quickly grabbed her small fist and said with a smile, "It was just a joke, why take it seriously, my wife?"
"Hmph! Don't say I'm not so unreasonable. Even if I were willing to 'submit,' how could Zhinu be so spineless? 'Fan Zhong manages his family, and his land and property are all clearly organized. Xie An's family tradition is that his children are all diligent in their respective professions.' Every member of the Li family of Longxi has lofty aspirations and a magnanimous spirit!"
"Yes, yes, yes, it was your humble servant who misspoke. I hope Your Highness will forgive me."
Fang Jun humbled himself and quickly apologized.
The term "brother-obsessed demon" would still provoke discontent in later generations, let alone in an era where "the husband is the head of the household."
It is appropriate for a wife to take care of her younger brother, but if she oversteps her bounds, it can even be used as a reason for divorce, and she will suffer contempt and scorn from the whole society.
Princess Chang Le's anger subsided slightly, and she instructed, "Such words are fine to be said in private, but you must never mention them in front of thousands of people, otherwise not only will I be ashamed, but Zhi Nu will also lose face."
"Your Highness's teachings will be firmly remembered by this humble subject, and I will never again dare to speak recklessly and tarnish Your Highness's reputation..."
Fang Jun kept apologizing, which made Chang Le feel a little guilty.
“It’s not that I wanted to send things to my parents’ home, but the fate of Zhinu in the newly established kingdom is uncertain, and his life is in danger. I just want to do as much as I can, not only for him, but also to give an explanation to my father and mother in heaven… After all, the newly established kingdom is too far away and desolate.”
She was somewhat dissatisfied with Li Chengqian's decision to enfeoff Li Zhi on an island in the south.
It is true that Li Zhi committed the heinous crime of treason, and it is rare that he was pardoned. But since he has been pardoned, why not grant him a fiefdom nearby like the other princes, instead of sending him to an island in the far south?
If it weren't for Fang Jun's help, Li Zhi might have died silently without anyone in Chang'an knowing...
Fang Jun comforted him, saying, "You must also understand His Majesty's feelings about this matter. The reason why Prince Jin was able to gain Emperor Taizong's favor and insist on making him the crown prince was not only because of his loyalty and filial piety, but also because of his political strategy. His Majesty is well aware of this. He is benevolent and kind to others, and he cannot bear to kill his own brothers, but that does not mean he is willing to let the tiger return to the mountains and raise a tiger to cause trouble. He can only send Prince Jin to a place as far away as possible."