r18novel Page 478
Page 478
She hadn't visited Li Chang'an in a long time because she felt depressed, especially after hearing the poem he wrote for Lin'an, which stirred up a mix of emotions within her.
Phrases like "A single glance from her among the crowd makes all other beauties pale in comparison" and "Every detail is beautiful upon closer inspection"—they really know how to flatter!
That little girl from Lin'an is hardly worthy of being compared to anyone in this world. She's as dull and unpleasant as dust, and she's always acting strangely. How could she possibly be beautiful in every way?
"Really? I heard he's recently become obsessed with calligraphy, painting, and poetry, and has written several famous pieces. I've heard they're quite good."
At this point in Huaiqing's speech, Wei Yuan's expression suddenly turned serious.
“Your Highness, Li Chang’an’s talent is truly astonishing, but he is unwilling to serve as an official in the court. As a night watchman, he only handles major cases and obeys orders but not summons.”
Huaiqing frowned and asked, "Does Lord Wei mean that you have other plans for Li Chang'an?"
Wei Yuan replied, "The world is in turmoil. Yunzhou, Qianlong City, and the Witch God Sect are all restless. I only want Li Chang'an to stand firmly on the side of the court in the future."
Huaiqing tapped her long, slender fingers on the chessboard a few times, then casually picked up a black piece. In her eyes, Li Chang'an was like a chess piece she couldn't hold onto.
Although she felt she could talk about anything with Li Chang'an and even considered him a confidant, she couldn't fully control him; he was even more unfathomable than Wei Yuan.
What are your plans, Lord Wei?
Wei Yuan continued, "He doesn't want to be an official and dislikes mundane affairs, so let's give him a noble status and completely bind him to the imperial court and the royal family."
With a noble status, completely bound to the royal family, and free from worldly affairs, and having to cater to Li Chang'an's arrogance, Huaiqing seemed to have guessed the answer.
"Your Highness, I believe that Li Chang'an is a suitable match for the princess!"
Upon hearing this, Huaiqing tightened his grip on the black dot between his two long, slender fingers.
In order to completely control this extraordinary man, should I risk my own life?
However, if that's the case, then Li Chang'an can indeed be completely controlled.
Only a genius like Li Chang'an could make Huaiqing feel that marrying him was worthwhile.
The thought of recruiting Li Chang'an as a son-in-law made Huaiqing feel flustered, just like when he saw Li Chang'an's poems these days.
"Lord Wei, this matter is of great importance. Without military merit and fame, it will be difficult to become a prince consort."
Although Huaiqing's heart was in turmoil, his expression remained calm and his answer was very objective.
"Your Highness, if you and I both speak to His Majesty on this matter, there should be hope."
Huaiqing's gaze sharpened. Wasn't it a bit too shameless of him to submit a memorial to find a husband for himself?
"Lord Wei, perhaps we should first ask Li Chang'an for his opinion."
Wei Yuan chuckled, "No need. Can't you tell from the poems he wrote for Prince Lin'an that he's willing?"
Bang!
Huaiqing placed a black piece on the chessboard with his fingertip, then quickly concealed his astonishment, not letting Wei Yuan notice a ripple of emotion.
Well, Wei Yuan, the princess you're talking about is from Lin'an!
"Lin'an is still small, there's no rush."
Chapter 287 The Ultimate PUA Against Huaiqing
Huaiqing was somewhat annoyed because his action of placing the chess piece on the board was too inappropriate and might reveal his true thoughts.
As a strong princess skilled in managing her subordinates, this situation would never have occurred.
Upon hearing Huaiqing's words, Wei Yuan fell into deep thought, or rather, he made a gesture as if he were deep in thought.
"Hmm... this..."
If Princess Lin'an also has feelings for Li Chang'an, marrying her to Li Chang'an would indeed be a way to firmly bind Li Chang'an to the royal family.
However, Huaiqing and Lin'an did not get along well, and the Empress and Consort Chen were even more openly and secretly fighting each other, so the royal family was not a monolithic entity.
“Lord Wei, please speak frankly,” Huaiqing said calmly.
Wei Yuan's expression relaxed. "Your Highness, actually... although Li Chang'an went to the Jiaofangsi, he didn't linger there. That courtesan won't be entertaining other guests in the future."
"After all, they are young and unmarried. This kind of thing is very common. It wouldn't hurt to redeem that courtesan and make her a concubine in the future."
Huaiqing frowned. She was saying that Lin'an was still young, so she disagreed with Wei Yuan.
She disagrees with the marriage between Lin'an and Li Chang'an, but it's not that she minds Li Chang'an finding a courtesan. What does Wei Yuan mean by saying these things on behalf of Li Chang'an?
“Lord Wei, I was saying that Lin’an is still young and there is no rush to get married. I did not say that Li Chang’an’s words or actions were inappropriate.”
Wei Yuan changed the subject, saying, "Princess Lin'an is a minor figure. But Princess Chang is a woman of exceptional talent and ability, and there are not many people who can take her seriously. In this world, men who are worthy of Her Highness are even rarer."
Princess Huaiqing couldn't help but gasp. This old fox had thrown a boomerang! Mentioning Lin'an just now was merely a test.
Her chess piece fell to the ground, and she lost her composure. How could Wei Yuan not see through it? It would be safer to reveal his true intentions now.
You, Wei Yuan, might as well just say it directly: Lin'an is still young, but Huaiqing is not. After all these years of being picky, now that you've met someone good enough, hurry up and seize the opportunity.
"Li Chang'an is truly an exceptional talent among rare individuals."
Huaiqing couldn't help but snort softly. Just as he was about to speak, Wei Yuan immediately said, "His Highness also said that Li Chang'an's words and actions were not inappropriate. Since his words and actions were not inappropriate and he is a great talent of the Great Feng Dynasty, if His Highness could recruit him as a consort, it would definitely be a great help."
Seeing how earnest Wei Yuan was in arranging her marriage in such a roundabout way, she couldn't help but feel grateful to this half-teacher.
"Lord Wei, although Huaiqing is competitive, he is by no means a stubborn and narrow-minded person, nor is he unwilling to listen to advice."
Putting everything else aside, I hope that in future games between me and Duke Wei, you will not deliberately try to let me win.
Huaiqing knew very well that with her chess skills, defeating Wei Yuan would be as difficult as climbing to heaven.
Wei Yuan smiled slightly, "As you command. However, what I said about Your Highness's decision to make Li Chang'an your consort is not a joke."
“Lord Wei, you are also a man of deep affection, and you should understand Huaiqing. Although Li Chang’an is outstanding, what Huaiqing seeks is a lifelong, monogamous relationship.”
Huaiqing knew that Li Chang'an had more than just one poem, one verse, and one wisp of incense; he also had a beautiful woman named Li Miaozhen, and was not a devoted lover.
Wei Yuan couldn't help but pinch his brow and advised again, "That's precisely why we should make plans early, and strive for a lifelong, monogamous relationship as early as possible. In the six hundred years of the Great Feng Dynasty, only one Li Chang'an has emerged."
Wei Yuan's meaning was clear. After all, Fu Xiang was just a courtesan. If Li Chang'an became the consort of the powerful Princess Huaiqing, he probably wouldn't be able to take concubines, thus ensuring a lifelong monogamous relationship.
If they don't act soon, Li Chang'an might end up with even more romantic entanglements.
Huaiqing smiled calmly, "Lord Wei, what is destined to be yours will be yours, and what is not, you cannot force. Romantic feelings are of no benefit to the affairs of the state, and Huaiqing has no plans for them at the moment."
Wei Yuan smiled bitterly and remained silent.
Huaiqing has always been very opinionated. He is over 20 years old and still unmarried because his standards are too high. He wants someone who is devoted to him and who is outstanding. It's tough!
Huaiqing and Lin'an were destined to be different. Lin'an had little ambition or cunning, but Huaiqing was overthinking and always put others first.
In Huaiqing's heart, Li Chang'an had not shown any interest in her, so how could she possibly admit to having feelings for him?
"My heart belongs only to the Great Feng. If I am not destined to marry, then I will live out my days alone."
Time flies, and three months have passed again.
The year-end had just passed, in Huaiqing Palace.
Her trusted eunuchs were reporting on the movements of various factions in the court. With Huaiqing's skill, she still had quite a few informants in the palace, the court, and the capital.
What has Li Chang'an been doing lately?
The eunuch replied, "Lord Li doesn't go out much, but he has sold quite a few poems, calligraphy and paintings. Some people in the city estimate that Lord Li probably has hundreds of thousands of taels of silver in his mansion."
"The civil officials of the Imperial Academy regarded Li Chang'an as an enemy, but many military officers and nobles were interested in marrying their daughters to Li Chang'an, but Li Chang'an politely declined them all."
“Even His Highness Prince Yu intended to marry Princess Pingyang to Lord Li, but Princess Pingyang said that a teacher for a day is a father for life, and she respected Lord Li and regarded him as an elder. Because His Highness Prince Yu had said in advance that he would never force the princess to marry again, the matter was dropped.”
Huaiqing's delicate face showed slight fatigue, but she smiled gently at this moment, "Li Chang'an's teaching of Princess Pingyang has been quite effective. Pingyang is much more composed now."
The eunuch continued, "Last month, the young master Jiang from the family of the Vice Minister of Rites caused trouble at the Jiaofangsi (Imperial Music Bureau), forcing the courtesan Fuxiang to accompany him, which caused quite a stir."
The Jiaofangsi was under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Rites. The son of the Vice Minister of Rites could freely patronize the Jiaofangsi. Of course, he would be unhappy if Fuxiang refused to serve him.
Actually, he wasn't the only one who was unhappy, but he was the only one who dared to jump out and cause trouble.
"In the past two days, Young Master Jiang has been convicted of colluding with bandits to abduct women, and the murders he has been involved in have come to light. He is being held in the night watchman's office awaiting his death. Vice Minister Jiang has also been implicated, and it is estimated that he will lose his official position."
Huaiqing sneered, "Li Jinluo has quite the airs of an official. Now that's settled, no one in the capital will dare to force that courtesan to entertain guests."
The eunuch dared not comment on Li Chang'an, but instead spoke of Fu Xiang, "That courtesan claimed that she belonged to Young Master Li and would only recognize him in this life. If anyone forced her to serve customers, she would kill herself."
"The people of the capital are saying that the Jiaofangsi (Imperial Music Bureau) has produced a chaste and virtuous woman. The courtesan is a kind and righteous person. She was originally the wife of a convicted official, and she is a pitiful person."
After hearing about Fu Xiang's story, Huai Qing couldn't help but admire her intelligence. Since Li Chang'an had already helped her become famous for her poetry, why did she need to continue engaging in prostitution? Occasionally writing a few poems and selling them would earn her more than other courtesans entertaining customers.
If Li Chang'an didn't redeem her, she would still live a life of comfort and comfort, and future generations would only sympathize with and praise her. If Li Chang'an did redeem her, she would become a concubine of a high-ranking official, which was the best possible outcome for a courtesan.
"Your Highness, Prince Lin'an frequently visits Lord Li's residence, which has already drawn criticism from Consort Chen on several occasions. Prince Lin'an is very stubborn and even proposed to marry Li Chang'an, but Consort Chen sternly refused."
A smile played on Huaiqing's lips. She wasn't surprised at all. Consort Chen was going to compete with the Empress for the Emperor's favor. There were quite a few powerful figures in the court. Those civil officials and Li Chang'an were irreconcilable enemies. If Lin'an accepted Li Chang'an as the emperor's son-in-law, Consort Chen would be breaking ties with all the civil officials in the court.
Huaiqing already knew that Lin'an was interested in Li Chang'an, but there was absolutely no possibility of them getting married now, and Huaiqing was very confident about that.
Huaiqing smiled, because she loved this feeling of having everything under control.
Huaiqing felt upset every time she thought of Li Chang'an, but now that she heard this news, she suddenly felt much better.
After the eunuch left, Huaiqing carefully dressed himself in front of the mirror.
After leaving the palace, Huaiqing visited Yunlu Academy and the Night Watchman's Office, and then made his way to Li Chang'an's residence.
Seeing Huaiqing's elegant and refined appearance, and her aloof and graceful demeanor, Li Chang'an seemed quite surprised.