xymnovel Chapter 84 Slandering someone's innocence, isn't that fair?
Chapter 84 Slandering someone's innocence, isn't that fair?
Chapter 84 Slandering someone's innocence, isn't that fair?
The inner palace.
Foguang Temple is located northeast of Ganlu Hall.
Empress Zhangsun was devoutly offering incense while reciting the "Great Mantra of the Perfection of Wisdom".
"Therefore, in emptiness there is no form, no sensation, no perception, no volition, no consciousness —"
Her nickname was Guanyinbi. Because she was frail and sickly from a young age, her mother gave her this name to be betrothed to Guanyin Bodhisattva as a maid, hoping that the Bodhisattva would bless her to grow up safely.
Therefore, Empress Zhangsun was a devout Buddhist.
Influenced by her, Li Shimin also leaned slightly towards Buddhism, which greatly displeased the Taoists who had contributed the most to the founding of the country.
Outside the temple gate, King Li Tai of Yue, with a smile on his face, was holding a wooden box and was separated from the temple by six armed eunuchs.
The eunuchs were the only guards around the Empress, serving as her personal protectors.
"Why did Qingque decide to come to the palace to see Mother today?"
After finishing her Buddhist prayers, Empress Zhangsun walked out of the temple gate with a smile.
Her smile was happy and genuine, just the kind of reaction a mother should have when she sees her beloved child.
"Mother, I have obtained a diamond. I think it would be more suitable for you to worship Buddha. Please send it to the palace immediately."
Li Tai smiled broadly.
"You're about to marry the princess, why don't you keep her as an ornament?"
Empress Zhangsun opened the box and was captivated by the beauty of the synthetic diamond; her smile never stopped.
Li Tai chuckled and said, "I have both a princess and a lady, but the most important one must be given to my mother."
Empress Zhangsun felt relieved upon hearing this.
Mothers sometimes have complicated feelings. They worry that their children won't be able to marry a suitable wife, but they also worry that their children will forget their mothers once they have a wife.
Li Shimin strolled over, examined the diamond repeatedly, and after a long while, finally managed to utter, "So, this is why you took the Buddha statue from Wulou Temple without permission?"
Empress Zhangsun burst into laughter, her smile blooming like a flower, captivating Li Shimin to the point of fascination.
Li Tai blushed and argued, "How can Father slander someone's innocence out of thin air? I was just cleaning up unused items for the abandoned Wulou Temple."
"Besides, this is a loan, not a debt. At worst, I can convert my residence into a temple in the future to repay the debt to Buddha."
Empress Zhangsun's expression changed slightly, and she glared at Li Shimin.
"All land under heaven belongs to the king. If you've taken it, you've taken it. Don't spout nonsense about paying back debts."
The Empress straightened Li Tai's clothes.
It is considered unlucky to abandon one's residence for a temple, especially for a prince, as this is something princes often do when they are demoted and leave the capital.
Li Tai nodded with a smile, offering no rebuttal.
Li Shimin sighed inwardly.
The kids are all grown up now, and they each have their own thoughts and ideas; they're not so easy to fool anymore!
Even Li Tai, this whetstone, has his own ideas now.
Since Wang Fangzhen withdrew from Longzhengfang, Taiyuan Yuancong has become increasingly ineffective.
The tricolor glazed pottery sent to the Duke of Zanguo's mansion was never heard from again, and no one ever saw it again.
The small size of the glazed pottery could be used as an excuse, but how did those half-length and full-length Buddha statues disappear from the Duke of Zanguo's mansion? Taiyuan Yuancong didn't find a single thing about it.
What's infuriating is that even Zhao Wan, whom they had painstakingly arranged to be placed in the Duke of Zan's mansion, knew nothing about the matter.
What use are you to me?
Li Shimin suspected that these diamonds were made by Dou Fengjie, but he had no evidence.
It's not very convenient to delve into the details, after all, Dou Fengjie's interactions with Madelan did bring real benefits to the Tang Dynasty, such as Sharma, cabbage, and onions.
Those tall and powerful Shire horses were a pity because their backs were too broad, making it impossible to sit on them and use them as warhorses.
Otherwise, how many people would be frightened by the visual impact of a group of huge Sharmas appearing on the battlefield?
Li Tai's filial piety attracted the attention of many mid- to low-ranking officials, and Du Chuke, the Minister of Works, seized the opportunity to petition for permission to open a literary academy in the Yue Prince's residence.
These words caused an uproar in the hall.
When the emperor was still a prince, he also opened a literary academy in the Prince of Qin's residence!
Du Chuke's words were clearly pointed.
To compare the King of Yue to the King of Qin, a separate literary academy was set up within his palace.
Crown Prince Li Chengqian's face turned ashen; he wished he could draw his jade sword on the spot and stab Du Chuke right through.
Wei Ting, the Right Vice Minister of the Ministry of Personnel, stepped forward and raised his tablet, saying, "Our dynasty governs the world with filial piety. The filial conduct of the King of Yue is worthy of being praised throughout the world to educate the common people."
Wei Ting, who was originally from the faction of the Prince of Xiyin, always wanted to say something that would offend Li Shimin.
Li Tai was filial enough, but what about you, Li Shimin?
Oh, after the grand hunt and the presentation of the wild geese, did the emperor visit the retired emperor at the remote Da'an Palace?
Li Chengqian's expression darkened further. Du Chuke and Wei Ting's individual strengths could be ignored, but the families behind them were something that could not be ignored.
Wei Du of the capital city is only a foot and a half from the sky.
Li Chengqian spoke coldly: "His Majesty once reprimanded me for showing filial piety to the Empress, which is not the behavior of a Crown Prince."
"I also pass on these words to the King of Yue; this is not something a prince would do."
Haha, if you have any complaints, go find the emperor. He really said that.
The emperor instructs the crown prince, who in turn instructs the princes—a hierarchical system that is both reasonable and legal.
Family ties?
In imperial families, the word "affection" should be avoided; it has no practical meaning other than inviting ridicule.
Li Shimin, feeling guilty, angrily retorted, "Nonsense! You are the crown prince; can your demands be the same as those of a prince?"
Looking back on his actions, Li Shimin realized he had gone too far and acted rather inhumanely towards Li Chengqian.
Subconsciously, he regarded Li Chengqian as a thief who had seized his power, rather than his own flesh and blood.
"The Grand Tutor has passed away, and the Eastern Palace is filled with accusations that I am a second Qin emperor." Li Chengqian glanced at the guilty Zhang Xuansu. "The Junior Chamberlain even said that I have been abandoned by both gods and men, isn't that right?"
"Since I am unsuitable to be the crown prince, why can't His Majesty's favored son, Li Tai, be the one?" Li Chengqian said with a mocking look. "Why bother with all this secrecy and setting up a literary academy? Just let him take over the Eastern Palace, won't you?"
"Even if my remonstrance was wrong, Your Highness has already punished me. Why press me further?" The whip marks on Zhang Xuansu's back, where the envoy had struck him, still throbbed with pain. "My remonstrance was inappropriate. I beg Your Majesty to grant me permission to resign from my position as Junior Chamberlain."
Li Chengqian's words, which caused the entire court to fall silent, made all the officials and civil servants present.
Everyone knows that there are five types of remonstrance: satirical remonstrance, compliant remonstrance, admonitory remonstrance, direct remonstrance, and straightforward remonstrance.
Strong and direct remonstrance is always used only as a last resort.
The officials of the Eastern Palace actually launched a fierce and direct attack on the thirteen-year-old Crown Prince. Were they trying to drive the Crown Prince mad?
Who hasn't been young? Who can abide by abnormal and repressive etiquette all the time? Who can endure harsh words forever?
What a pitiful prince!
Therefore, in order to appease Li Chengqian, the "Imperial Edict Ordering Crown Prince Chengqian to Hear the Lawsuit" was issued.
"Crown Prince Chengqian should be ordered to hear the cases and provide relief to the vulnerable. From now on, if a plaintiff has a dispute with the Ministry of Justice, he may submit a petition to the Eastern Palace for Chengqian to make a judgment. If there are any stubborn opinions that the case is not fully resolved, then the case should be reported to the emperor."
Is Li Chengqian lacking the right to hear complaints, or is he simply offering a sweet treat after a slap?
"Zhang Xuansu is impetuous in his words and deeds, but he is devoted to the Crown Prince. He can be relieved of his position as Junior Chamberlain and appointed as Right Vice Minister."
The fourth-rank official, Junior Chamberlain, was demoted to the fourth-rank official, Right Vice Minister, and given three cups of wine as a penalty. Isn't that fair?