pappabearbooks Chapter 5415 Xuanqing Temple
Chapter 5415 Xuanqing Temple
Chapter 5415 Xuanqing Temple
Leyou was originally the best place for Chang'an residents to escape the summer heat. Originally, Furong Garden was also included, but after Emperor Taizong bestowed it upon Prince Wei, Li Tai, to make it a private garden, it was rarely opened to the public. The area around Qujiang Pool was also filled with princes, nobles, and officials, and ordinary people were not allowed to enter.
As the carriage traveled along the road, the tall Chinese scholar trees on both sides provided ample shade, making even the sweltering summer breeze feel gentle and refreshing.
Horse-drawn carriages frequently traveled along the road, and dashing young men in fine clothes rode at breakneck speed, shouting and laughing.
Some carriages carried the melodious songs of Hu women, while others carried women wearing veils, traveling in twos and threes, occasionally lifting a corner of the veil to reveal youthful, jade-like faces, and even the breeze carried a sweet fragrance.
A light and subtle buzz.
Fang Jun was in a good mood.
In such peaceful times, he is willing to be the one who bears the burden and moves forward.
Individual achievements are insignificant compared to the grand vision of this prosperous era.
……
Inside Xuanqing Temple.
"Is my brother-in-law going out to sea?"
Princess Jinyang, who was pouring tea, exclaimed in surprise. Her long, dark hair was tied up in a bun, revealing her fair and slender neck. Her blue Taoist robe could not hide her delicate and exquisite figure, and her snow-white silk stockings accentuated her slender and graceful feet.
Fang Jun took a sip of tea and nodded.
Princess Jinyang's bright eyes sparkled. She put down the teapot, stood up, and sat down beside Fang Jun, leaving a fragrant breeze behind her. She reached out and put her arm around Fang Jun's arm, her voice sweet and cloying: "I've never been to sea before, brother-in-law, take me with you!"
The fragrance, as sweet as orchids and as sweet as musk, wafted over, even overpowering the aroma of tea. Fang Jun's heart fluttered, and he said helplessly, "If you don't want to see me bound hand and foot and dragged out of the Meridian Gate to be beheaded by His Majesty, then you'd better give up that idea as soon as possible."
It's one thing to tacitly approve of the two having an affair, but it's quite another to abduct a princess who is still unmarried and waiting to be married, take her out to sea, eat with her, live with her, and sleep on the same boat...
Even if Li Chengqian was a coward, he couldn't tolerate it!
Princess Jinyang understood this as well. She pursed her lips and gave a soft snort: "Then I won't go. It's not bad to cultivate quietly in this Taoist temple. Recently, I've put aside all my worries and have gained a lot of insights when reciting scriptures. Maybe one day I can become an immortal and ascend to heaven in broad daylight."
Fang Jun then smiled, looking at Princess Jinyang's beautiful and delicate face with doting affection.
This girl has always had a straightforward personality and rarely gets upset or unhappy because of things not going her way, thus affecting other people's moods.
Like a ray of morning sun or a gentle breeze, it brings warmth to the eye and a refreshing scent to the nose.
It was very comfortable spending time with them.
Princess Jinyang's heart skipped a beat under Fang Jun's gaze, and her cheeks flushed slightly. She quickly asked again, "When will you return?"
Fang Jun said, "If everything goes smoothly, it should be around next spring."
"How about we go and take a look at the newly established kingdom? I heard that Zhinu named the place where he settled 'Xinxiang' (New Village), but I wonder what it's like. Are there any savages there? Are there many poisonous snakes and wild beasts?"
"Your Highness need not worry about the Prince of Jin. Although the new Jin Kingdom is tens of thousands of miles away from the Tang Dynasty, the navy has already built ports and stationed troops nearby. Warships and merchant ships travel on the sea every month, so it is not isolated from the world. I have also long ago instructed the navy to provide as much support as possible for whatever the Prince of Jin may request. Last month, the navy sent a battle report to the capital, mentioning that the Prince of Jin is undertaking large-scale construction in Xinxiang, reclaiming wasteland and building docks, and is in high spirits, looking like a fish in water."
Fang Jun was not deceiving Jin Yang with these words. Li Zhi truly lived up to his reputation as the successor chosen by Emperor Taizong. Leaving the Tang Dynasty and arriving in the "New Jin Kingdom" was like a fish entering the sea or a bird taking flight, allowing him to fully display his abilities.
Princess Jinyang was indeed very pleased. Suddenly remembering something, she instructed, "I have recently saved some money. Brother-in-law, remember to have the navy send it to Zhinu."
Fang Jun was speechless: "Why go to such lengths? Your Highness also needs to spend money. How will you live if you give it all to Prince Jin? Besides, the people in Xin Jin are mostly native savages. Even if there is any trade, it's just bartering. Money and silk are of little use to them."
Ever since Emperor Gaozong went to sea, Princess Jinyang suddenly transformed into a "miser." Not only did she waive all her expenses in the palace, but she also went around begging for favors, constantly pestering the Emperor and Empress for rewards. In front of her elders and sisters, she would often complain about being poor, saying how austere and difficult her Taoist practice at Xuanqing Temple was...
Whether it was out of genuine affection or out of social obligation, Princess Jinyang had amassed quite a few fine things over the past six months, all for the purpose of sending to Li Zhi, fearing that he might be impoverished and penniless in the newly established Jin Kingdom.
Princess Jinyang shook her head: "Of course I know all this, but what else can I do to help him? At the very least, having this money and silk will ease some of the pressure in my heart."
She had never experienced hardship, but she knew the difference between having money and not spending it, and having no money to spend.
Fang Jun smiled as he looked at her and asked with a smile, "Your Highness, aren't you afraid that such favoritism will arouse jealousy and dissatisfaction among your other brothers who have gone to sea to take up their fiefdoms?"
Princess Jinyang raised her delicate hand to smooth a strand of hair at her temple, her expression somber: "What is there to be jealous of? Although they are born of concubines, they have their mother's protection. They have taken all the wealth they have accumulated over half a lifetime to their vassal states. We sisters are born of the principal wife, but we no longer have parents to care for us. We can only rely on ourselves for everything. Even I, a seemingly noble royal lady, how much freedom do I truly have? They only say that I am unwilling to marry, but they never examine what kind of spoiled brats and ugly men they want me to marry. If I'm not careful, I might end up like Sister Chang Le, marrying the wrong person and ruining my life. When I suffer humiliation in my husband's family and weep every night, who will care about me? Even if I die, it will only be a grand funeral, while the living continue their life of luxury and revelry."
Fang Jun: "..."
Although I knew the girl was putting on an act, I still felt sorry for her.
No matter how you look at it, it is indeed difficult for a girl without the protection of her parents in this era. If she encounters the wrong person, she will have nowhere to turn for help.
He sighed softly, "Your Highness need not to torment yourself like this. His Majesty treats you like a brother and a father, and cherishes you dearly. Prince Wei and Prince Jin also treasure you like a precious gem. Princes Chang Le, Cheng Yang, and Xin Cheng are also close to you. How could there be no one who cares about you?"
Princess Jinyang raised her head, her beautiful eyes brimming with tears, her exquisite face streaked with tears. She said softly, "Then what about my brother-in-law? With so many relatives around, does he not care for and love Sizi?"
Fang Jun was speechless: "Why does Your Highness ask a question you already know the answer to?"
Princess Jinyang insisted, "I don't know, that's why I asked. I must have my brother-in-law tell me himself."
Fang Jun said helplessly, "Of course I'll take care of you."
Princess Jinyang's eyes gleamed as she pressed on, "Will you take care of me for the rest of my life?"
Fang Jun naturally refused to be fooled. Some things cannot be said, for to say them is to make a promise.
He changed the subject: "Didn't Chang Le have anything to give to the Prince of Jin?"
"Humph!"
Princess Jinyang gave a coquettish snort, somewhat displeased with Fang Jun's refusal to yield: "Not only is there some, but there's a lot! Brother-in-law, you wouldn't blame Sister Chang Le for giving away Lu'er's family property, would you?"
Fang Jun took a sip of tea, unconcerned: "Children and grandchildren have their own blessings. If his mother wants to give away the family property, let her. I'll just give it to him in the future."
He had so much wealth that he couldn't spend it all, and even if his sons were not successful, they could still divide it equally, ensuring a lifetime of wealth and honor.
Princess Jinyang was not satisfied: "So what if you're rich?"
He then said, "Brother-in-law, have you not eaten yet? I've been learning to make some new vegetarian dishes these past few days, so I'll show you my skills in the kitchen!"
Fang Jun was terrified: "How dare Your Highness cook for me? If people outside find out that you, a noble lady who has never lifted a finger, are actually cooking for me, those princes and young talents who are infatuated with Your Highness will probably shout 'Heaven will punish the traitor!'"
Princess Jinyang smiled and said, "Let them call me whatever they want, I'm willing!"
He smiled, got up, and went out. In the kitchen behind, he quickly prepared several vegetarian dishes and brought out a small jar of Shaoxing wine, chilled it with ice, and enjoyed lunch together.
After a hearty meal, Fang Jun asked Princess Jinyang to send money and silk to the Fang residence before taking his leave.
The carriage entered the Imperial City through Yanxi Gate, proceeded directly to the Yongchun Gate of the East Palace, disembarked, and entered the East Palace.
It was past noon, the sun was setting, and the palace was shaded by dense trees. Although there was no wind, the heat was somewhat relieved. Walking along the palace corridors, the sound of cicadas chirping filled the air, making it quite pleasant.
Led by an attendant, they bypassed the Chongjiao Hall and headed north from the Chongren Hall on the east side. The Lizheng Hall was in sight in the distance. When they reached the north side of the Chongren Hall, a patrol of soldiers came towards them. When Cao Huaishun, the Left Guard General, saw Fang Jun from afar, he waved to stop the soldiers behind him and took the lead in making way to the side of the road as a sign of respect.
When Fang Jun approached, Cao Huaishun knelt on one knee and saluted: "This humble general greets the Grand Commandant!"
Fang Jun stopped, stood in the middle of the road with his hands behind his back, and asked with a smile, "It's been a while since I've been to the Ministry of War, so I don't know much about its affairs. But I wonder when you were reinstated, General?"
Previously, Fang Jun returned from supervising the army in Huating Town and swiftly imprisoned Cao Huaishun, Ashina Funian, and Su Haizheng in the Ministry of War's prison. He then ignored them and even forgot about them. After all, he was just showing His Majesty and the outside world his firm support for the Crown Prince, and he didn't intend to do anything to these three.
Cao Huaishun was extremely embarrassed and said with a wry smile, "The Ministry of War has verified that although I have violated regulations, I have not broken the law, so I am only fined to atone for my sins."
I had always heard that Fang Jun was "arrogant and domineering" and a "fool" who should not be messed with. I always thought it was an exaggeration. Since there are always rules and regulations in the officialdom, the higher the position, the more concerns one has. How could he be arrogant and domineering?
Only after a trip to the Ministry of War's prison did I realize the rumors were true. There was probably only one person in the whole world who dared to go against His Majesty and then leave him speechless.
Especially since he could come and go as he pleased in the Eastern Palace and enter the Empress's chambers whenever he wanted...
Fang Jun nodded and casually said, "When guarding the Eastern Palace, the Crown Prince should be the top priority. Be wary of petty people, strictly investigate the inner circle, and do not make any mistakes."
"Here!"
"Alright, I have something to discuss with the Empress. You may go on patrol."
"Here!"
Cao Huaishun stood up, watched Fang Jun's figure walk towards Lizheng Hall, shook his head, and led his soldiers to continue their patrol.
A sense of curiosity inevitably arose in my heart; I wondered what might happen in the Lizheng Palace later...