My father, Li Shimin, requests Your Majesty to become the Retired Emperor.

Chapter 46 Fang Yi'ai proposes marriage, Li Chengqian begs for mercy!

"May I ask if the princess is betrothed?" Fang Yi'ai asked.

Princess Gaoyang blushed: "Not yet."

"The princess is as beautiful as an angel, why hasn't she found a husband yet?"

Princess Gaoyang giggled: "I'm still young."

When Fang Yi'ai saw Princess Gaoyang's smile, which was as beautiful as a blooming peach blossom, he was so stunned that he stared at her in a daze.

It was midday.

When Li Tai returned from inspecting the warehouse, he heard that Fang Yi'ai had sent gifts worth tens of thousands of taels of silver, and his expression softened slightly.

So he set up a banquet to entertain Fang Yi'ai and Princess Gaoyang.

Gu Yin and Qin Yong sat beside him.

Princess Gaoyang was not in a position to argue with Li Tai because there were outsiders present.

Everyone toasted and drank.

Fang Yi'ai held a cup in his hand: "Your Majesty, it was you who brought Physician Qin to cure my illness. I am extremely grateful and would like to offer you three cups."

Li Tai also raised his wine cup: "No need to be so polite. You are the Grand Secretary's beloved son. Since you are ill, it is only natural for me to visit you. It's nothing. You've come all this way, so why bring so many gifts?"

"This is but a small gift, hardly enough to express my respect. Please, King of Yue, accept it."

"Since you are so kind, it would be rather pretentious for me not to accept them." With that, Li Tai waved his hand, instructing his servants to move all the gifts into the warehouse.

Fang Yi'ai raised his wine cup again and said to Princess Gaoyang, "Princess, you are exceptionally beautiful and intelligent. It is my great honor to meet you here today. I toast you!"

Princess Gaoyang looked at Fang Yi'ai with her big, watery eyes. She thought to herself that Fang Yi'ai and Bianji were two different types of people. Both of them were very handsome, but Fang Yi'ai seemed to be more robust. Moreover, Fang Yi'ai's father was Fang Xuanling, so he had a better background. In comparison, Fang Yi'ai's conditions were much better than Bianji's.

Of course, she also knew that her relationship with Bianji was something that couldn't be made public, and if her father found out, it would be disastrous.

Princess Gaoyang, thinking of this, said, "Young master, there's no need for such formalities."

She drank the wine too.

Fang Yi'ai then said to Qin Yong, "Sir, your miraculous healing skills surpass even Bian Que and Hua Tuo, and even the contemporary Sun Simiao cannot compare to you!"

"You flatter me, Lord Fang. How could I compare to them? It's just that you have a good constitution, so you recovered quickly," Qin Yong said with a smile.

There's a saying that everyone loves to hear praise. Although Fang Yi'ai's words were a bit excessive, Qin Yong still appreciated them and drank the wine.

Fang Yi'ai said to Li Tai, "Your Majesty, I did not expect you to return so soon. You did not even inform me beforehand. If I had known, I would have gone to Daxingshan Temple to welcome you."

Li Tai thought to himself, "Before I left for Chang'an, I clearly instructed you to keep an eye on the situation in the capital and write a report to me every day. But you, I don't know how you've managed to turn yourself into a living dead."

You're in such a state, even if I were to inform you, would you be able to get up?

However, Li Tai could not say it aloud what he thought:

"Yes, the compilation of the 'Kuodi Zhi' is a matter of great importance. I was a little worried, so I came back."

"I was planning to report the situation here to you, but something unexpected happened..." Fang Yi'ai wanted to continue, but Li Tai gestured to him with his eyes, signaling him to stop.

After all, Princess Gaoyang was present, so there were some things that couldn't be said.

The group continued drinking.

Later, emboldened by alcohol, Fang Yi'ai invited Li Tai to the outer corridor: "Your Majesty, I have a request, and I hope you can grant it."

"What's going on?" Li Tai had no idea what he was up to so mysteriously.

"I've heard that Princess Gaoyang is not yet betrothed. Would Your Majesty be so kind as to betroth your sister to me?" Fang Yi'ai asked shamelessly.

"This—," Li Tai's eyes darted around, thinking that if he could help this couple get married, it would be a wonderful thing. In that case, Fang Xuanling and his son Fang Yi'ai would be even more loyal to him. "What, you've taken a fancy to Gao Yang?"

"Oh, Your Majesty, from the moment I first saw your sister, I felt that she was the one I had been searching for all my life. I am deeply in love with her and beg Your Majesty to grant my wish." Fang Yi'ai said, and then knelt down before Li Tai with a thud.

Li Tai looked down at him, feeling both annoyed and amused.

Li Tai helped him up with both hands: "Why do you have to perform such a grand gesture?"

"If Your Majesty can help me achieve this, I will gladly go through fire and water for you."

Li Tai nodded slightly: "How about this, you go take a stroll outside first, and let Gao Yang and I discuss this matter."

"promise!"

Upon hearing this, Fang Yi'ai felt there was a chance and was overjoyed.

So he temporarily avoided it.

Li Tai called Princess Gaoyang aside and asked with a smile, "Gaoyang, Fang Yi'ai saw him too. What's your impression of him?"

Upon hearing this, Princess Gaoyang felt that Li Tai's question was rather strange: "Qingque, what do you mean by asking that?"

She never called Li Tai "brother," but only addressed him by his childhood nickname.

"Don't ask so many questions, just tell the truth."

Princess Gaoyang, with her hands behind her back and blinking, said, "I think it's alright. He's good-looking, and his family background is also alright."

Li Tai smiled: "If I were to betroth you to him, would you be willing?"

"Are you talking nonsense, or are you telling the truth?"

"Do I look like I'm drunk? Since it concerns your life's most important matter, it's definitely true."

"So, what did Fang Yi'ai say?"

He said he fell in love with you the moment he saw you.

Princess Gaoyang chuckled, "I didn't expect him to be so witty. As for my sister's affairs, I leave it to my brother to decide."

"Since that's the case, then I, as your elder brother, will arrange for you to be betrothed to him."

"Wait a minute, I've heard that he has an older brother named Fang Yizhi."

"Yeah, what does it matter?"

"How can this be unrelated? Fang Xuanling is already old. So, when he dies, to whom will his title be passed?"

"Naturally, it was passed on to Fang Yizhi."

Upon hearing this, Princess Gaoyang's face darkened: "That won't do. Fang Xuanling must pass on his title to Fang Yi'ai before I can agree to this."

Upon hearing this, Li Tai was in a dilemma. Although he was not entirely satisfied with Fang Yizhi, because he felt that Fang Yizhi was not of one mind with him, and he also hoped that Fang Xuanling would pass the title to Fang Yi'ai, this would not be in accordance with the rules of etiquette.

"Gao Yang, how about this, let me think of a solution."

"Qingque, I have one more question for you. Did you set up a trap at Daxingshan Temple to kill the Crown Prince?" Princess Gaoyang stared directly at Li Tai.

"This—," Li Tai paused, "is completely untrue, a complete fabrication."

Don't listen to what outsiders say. My relationship with my elder brother is perfectly fine.

"I already know, but you still won't admit it!"

Let me tell you, if I hadn't pleaded for you, it's hard to say whether you would have come back alive.

You and the Crown Prince are both my elder brothers. I hope you two can get along harmoniously and not put me in a difficult position.

Li Tai looked embarrassed: "You're pleading for my foolish brother?"

"Yes."

"Then, what kind of power does Li Chengqian have? Tell me about it."

Li Tai asked her the question.

"They—," Princess Gaoyang was about to say that Li Chengqian's men were hiding in a cave in Zhongnan Mountain, but then she thought about it again and felt that the matter was too important to say. "I don't know either. In short, you should all get along well."

"Gao Yang, could you do me a favor?"

"What is it?"

"Could you go and talk to the Crown Prince and ask him to release Xiao Deyan, Su Gong, and the others?"

"Are you sure those people were all captured by Li Chengqian?" Princess Gaoyang asked, somewhat surprised.

"Sure."

"Alright then, I'll go talk to him about it later."

After Princess Gaoyang finished speaking, she left the Yue Prince's residence.

Seeing that Princess Gaoyang had left, Gu Yin came out and asked, "Your Majesty, what happened?"

You talk to Fang Yi'ai alone for a while, and then you call Princess Gaoyang out by herself.

Are you suggesting that I and Qin Yong are outsiders?

"That's not the case. Here's what happened." Li Tai then recounted the whole story.

"Your Majesty, I believe this is absolutely unacceptable."

Why?

"You forgot, Fang Yi'ai is impotent. If you marry Princess Gaoyang to him, aren't you just pushing her into a fire pit?"

Li Tai pondered for a moment: "Is Fang Yi'ai's illness incurable?"

At this moment, Qin Yong also came forward and bowed: "Your Majesty, I can do my best to treat Fang Yi'ai's illness."

"Really? That's great. Are you confident you can cure his illness?"

"I'm about 80% sure, but I require him to intensify his training, abstain from alcohol, and avoid contact with any women for a month."

"A month?"

"Yes, problems like these are often caused by the depletion of Qi and blood. Once his Qi and blood are restored, his illness will be cured."

"A month isn't a long time, it should be fine."

Gu Yin said, "If we can cure Fang Yi'ai's illness and make this marriage happen, it will be beneficial to consolidating the relationship between the King and Fang Xuanling and his son Fang Yi'ai."

"But Gao Yang made another request."

"What are your requirements?"

"She asked Fang Xuanling to pass on the title to Fang Yi'ai in the future."

Gu Yin frowned: "How is this possible? According to the rules, an official's title is inherited by the eldest son. Fang Yi'ai is the second son, which is against the rules of propriety."

"That's what I said too, but Gao Yang doesn't care about any of that."

"This is not a good situation."

As they were talking, Fang Yi'ai strolled back.

He thought the matter was almost settled, and that if they exchanged tokens today, the deal would be done. But he never expected that Princess Gaoyang had already left.

He approached Li Tai and bowed again: "Your Majesty, may I ask what Princess Gaoyang said?"

Li Tai then told him about Princess Gaoyang's request.

Upon hearing this, Fang Yi'ai thought to himself that this was impossible and that it was tantamount to a polite refusal.

"Is Princess Gaoyang unhappy about this?"

Li Tai comforted him, saying, "That's not it, don't overthink it. Let Qin Yong cure your illness first, and we can discuss the rest later."

Fang Yi's heart has reached a point where this is all he can do now.

night.

The Eastern Palace.

Li Chengqian was sitting in his desk reviewing memorials.

For some reason, there have been an unusually large number of memorials submitted these past two days, and he has been reviewing them all day without finishing.

He put down his pen, picked up his teacup, and took a sip.

He gazed at the palace rooftop, thinking that it would be extremely difficult to build an army that would obey his orders. Recruiting soldiers, purchasing horses, armor, weapons, provisions, and supplies all required money, and a lot of money at that. It seemed that the 170,000 taels of silver he had on hand would not last long.

Forewarned is forearmed, without prejudging the waste.

He needs to plan ahead and make thorough preparations. Cutting off money is like cutting off a lifeline, which would be a very dangerous thing.

Wherever his thoughts led him, the simulator screen displayed:

[Host, after reassessment, your credit rating is now 1. Currently, this system can provide you with a loan of 170,000 taels of silver.]

"How much?" Li Chengqian thought he had misheard.

170,000 taels.

Li Chengqian immediately flew into a rage upon hearing this: "When I was short of money last time, I asked you to lend me ten thousand taels of silver, but you refused. Why is that?"

[Host, please calm down. Last time, it was because our system was reassessing your credit. Since the assessment results weren't available yet, we couldn't provide you with loan services.]

"No way, you know I have 170,000 taels of silver in my hands right now, that's why you're saying this, right?" Li Chengqian became angrier as he spoke. The original owner of this body was like this; he was destitute and went to the bank to borrow money, but the bank wouldn't lend him any.

Meanwhile, wealthy people are constantly being called by banks and third-party institutions, who want to lend them money.

The system's assessment is scientific and reasonable, and it is also dynamic. Your credit will be reassessed periodically, and it has little to do with how much wealth you currently possess.

"You don't need to explain anymore. I don't need it now. You just disappear immediately!"

[Received! Host, you may withdraw money at any time if needed.]

At this moment, Su Wan arrived. Seeing that Li Chengqian looked unwell, she asked softly, "Who upset you? Why do you look so pale?"

"Oh, it's nothing. I'm probably just a little tired from reviewing memorials all day."

"Really? You don't have a fever, do you?" Su Wan walked up to him and touched his forehead with her hand.

"No. There's something I need to discuss with you."

"What is it?"

"Gao Yang came to discuss with me the matter, asking me to release Xiao Deyan and Su Gong."

"Princess Gaoyang?" Su Wan asked, puzzled.

"yes."

"How did she know all this?"

"We captured Su Gong on the banks of the Wei River. She witnessed it herself. As for Xiao Deyan, she probably heard about it from Li Tai and others."

Su Wan rested her chin on her hand: "So, tell me, does Princess Gaoyang support you or Li Tai?"

Li Chengqian sighed, "The conflict between me and Qingque has put these brothers and sisters in an awkward position."

"That's because Li Tai is pressing you relentlessly, how can you blame yourself?"

Xiao Deyan was having affairs outside, so it's fine to let him go;

Su Gong tried to take advantage of me, and besides, he's a murderer. How can I let him go?

"So, what's your opinion?"

"Sending Su Gong to the Dali Temple means he can be convicted of whatever crime he deserves, and he will get what he deserves."

"His surname is Su, so he's from the same clan as you, right?"

"There are many people with the surname Su, but someone like him doesn't deserve to be surnamed Su at all. No matter what his surname is, everyone is equal before the law."

"When Changsun Wuji and Fang Xuanling compiled the Zhenguan Code, you could suggest revisions to any unreasonable clauses."

Li Chengqian thought she made sense, so he nodded in agreement.

Afterwards, Su Wan recounted how she and Su Gui had gone to celebrate Bai Mudan's birthday together.

After hearing this, Li Chengqian gave a thumbs up: "Brilliant!"

Su Wan's face lit up with smugness: "That's what you call the roundabout route, the madam's route!"

"You're right. In this respect, I have much to learn from you."

"Everyone has weaknesses, and Chang He's weakness was that he was afraid of his concubine."

People care about their reputation, and Chang He, as the commander of the Imperial Guards, was no exception.

In other words, the higher a person's status, the more they care about saving face.

Bai Mudan was celebrating her birthday, but no one came to congratulate her. Where would she put her pride?

Su Gui was originally unwilling to go. He said that Bai Mudan was only Chang He's concubine, not his wife, and that Chang He had not told him about this beforehand. However, this matter could not be entirely blamed on Chang He; it was just that Su Gui's position in the Imperial Guard was too low.

Now, Su Gui is a junior officer, a ninth-rank official, and Chang He has assigned two hundred Imperial Guards to his command.

Li Chengqian picked up his teacup and gently blew on the tea leaves floating on top: "Not bad, Su Gui has made rapid progress. He hasn't been in the Imperial Guard for very long."

"His kung fu is passable, but he's a bit too cunning."

If he knew how to flatter and ingratiate himself, he would probably get promoted much faster.

Li Chengqian smiled and said, "He's already very outstanding, so don't ask for too much."

"The main problem is that my father is too upright. He never tries to curry favor with the ministers in the court, and he doesn't allow us to bring him out in public."

Su Gui was stubborn, but she relied solely on her own abilities to work hard.

Upon hearing this, Li Chengqian sincerely praised, "Your father is a respectable man."

Su Wan looked at Li Chengqian with her beautiful eyes: "People with personalities like theirs are not suited to stay in officialdom."

The officialdom is like a battlefield, and it is extremely complex.

A person who is too rigid will not amount to anything; one must be tactful and adaptable.

If I hadn't asked Su Gui to go and wish Bai Mudan a happy birthday, he would never have gone.

He felt that Bai Mudan was merely Chang He's concubine, and that it would be beneath him to go and wish her a happy birthday.

Actually, he was wrong. Whether Bai Mudan was Chang He's legal wife or a concubine, as long as she was favored, that was enough.

"That makes sense."

"Moreover, this time, Bai Mudan also taught me a lot of tricks to deal with you men."

Ok?

Li Chengqian thought to himself, "It seems Bai Mudan is no ordinary woman; she's very skilled." He then asked, "What tricks did she teach you?"

Su Wan smiled and said, "I can't tell you right now, but you'd better behave yourself in the future, or I'll not only know the Thirty-Six Stratagems, but also the Seventy-Two Transformations."

Don't worry, it'll definitely be enough to keep you busy.

Li Chengqian was completely convinced of this, because he knew that Su Wan was quick to come up with an idea, and Li Tai, being so shrewd, had already fallen for her tricks twice.

Li Chengqian surrendered to her, then said, "I have already sent Du Zhenglun to find Ashina She'er."

"Du Zhenglun?"

"Yes, what's wrong?"

Su Wan shook her head vigorously, like a rattle-drum: "That guy is always so unreliable, how could he possibly get anything done?"