Women were like flowers. Women who had been watered by the rain and dew were like flower buds under the sunshine after the rain, tender and beautiful.
Of course, Princess Taiping would not really stay in Yang Fan's mansion. She only stayed for a couple of hours and only left in the evening, treading on the sky full of sunlight.
Under the sunset glow, Princess Taiping's face was tender and bright red, her eyes were watery, her posture and gait carried a bit of languid amorous feeling. Her body, which had been withered for a long time, really had a feeling of being unable to endure the violent rain and wind. But after the wind and rain, her body and mind were relaxed, unspeakably happy.
The green ox pulled the green oil cart and leisurely strolled on Zhu Que Street. The wheels rolled and rumbled. In the cart, Taiping was lying on the couch weakly. She seemed to be asleep and awake at the same time. She was soft and powerless until the ox cart, as if it was strolling, went through the side door and directly entered the Princess' mansion.
After Taiping returned to the mansion, she rested for a while and changed her clothes. Then she went to the study and called Mo Yuhan to see her.
Mister Mo's strategy was far-reaching, his temperament was calm, his thoughts were meticulous and meticulous. He handled all kinds of affairs in accordance with Taiping's wishes. Now, he had become Princess Taiping's most trusted confidant.
As soon as Mister Mo entered the study, he saw Taiping wearing a bright red peony robe. Her jade-like arms were leaning on the table, supporting her pink cheeks. There was a hint of a sweet smile at the corner of her mouth. She was like a peony with dew dripping from the railing, infinitely amorous.
As soon as Mister Mo came in, Taiping hurriedly sat up straight. That languid and enchanting amorous feeling quietly disappeared. But the amorous feelings that could not be hidden at the tip of her eyebrows and the corner of her eyes could not be faded in a short period of time. Mo Yuhan saw it and guessed a bit.
He knew that the Princess was going to see Yang Fan today. Taiping, as a Princess, took the initiative to visit a General. Between the two of them, it could be imagined who was superior and who was inferior. Not to mention that the love affair between Taiping and Yang Fan had already filled the streets. Mister Mo had also heard of it.
In Great Mister Mo's view, it was not unusual for a princess of the Tang dynasty to keep a gigolo, let alone a princess like Taiping who was doted on by thousands. But for such a noble and beautiful princess to be subdued by a man, it was not that she was keeping a gigolo, but that she, as a princess, had become someone else's mistress, it was very rare.
Although Great Mister Mo was old, he was a man after all, so he was very curious about Yang Fan. He wanted to see what kind of person this Yang Fan was to be able to subdue this arrogant princess of the Tang dynasty.
As soon as Princess Taiping saw him come in, she sat up straight and resumed her cold and inviolable noble appearance. Taiping summoned him here because he wanted to discuss with him the matter of joining forces with the Wu and Li, two surnamed princes to present a proposal to the Emperor, to plead on behalf of the two Zhangs, to request that the two Zhangs be conferred the nobility.
Of course, Taiping would not say that this was her decision after listening to Yang Fan's opinion. She only said that this was her idea and she was seeking Mr. Mo's opinion. Mo Yuhan listened to her carefully, clapped her hands and sighed, "Wonderful plan! Princess's move is to advance in order to retreat, it is indeed a wonderful plan! "
Taiping's bright eyes turned; she laughed and asked, "Oh, does Mister think this plan will work?"
Stroking his beard, Mr. Mo nodded his head gently and said, "Once the two Zhangs are conferred the title of Prince, their position will be extremely high; there will be no bestowment, no reward; how will His Majesty win over the two Zhangs? Moreover, to confer the title of Prince based on the merit of writing books, it will be very difficult to shut the mouths of the people; the Emperor will not agree. That being the case, why don't we do them a favor?
Princess, the two Zhangs wrote the letters for two purposes; one is to seize this opportunity to win over the scholars and famous people under their banner; the other is to use the merit of literature and education to seek a promotion. If we do not ask for the title of Prince for them, they will certainly ask His Majesty for a reward. If by any chance the Emperor conferred a real position on them, even if it will not be as illustrious as a Wanghou, it will only give them more power. Weighing the two sides, we will take the initiative to ask for the merit on behalf of the two Zhangs. From the beginning, we will restrict the reward to the title of nobility; it can be regarded as a clever move to advance in order to retreat. "
When Princess Taiping heard that Mr. Mo's analysis coincided with her beloved's, she was overjoyed. Sweetly nodding her head, she said, "This princess also has this intention. In that case, this princess should notify Prince Liang and my two elder brothers. As soon as the two Zhangs present their letters, I will appear to ask for their merit and reward! "
Mo Yuhan smiled. "In this old man's opinion, it is enough to say a word to Prince Liang. However, Princess should personally pay a visit to the Crown Prince and the Prince of Xiang and explain the pros and cons to them, dispelling their apprehensions. Only then can they advance and retreat together with Princess. "
Princess Taiping frowned. She did not like Mr. Mo's beating around the bush. She went straight to the point and asked, "Just what does Sir want to say?"
Mo Yuhan said, "If Princess does not explain it clearly to the Crown Prince and the Prince of Xiang, I fear that they will be overcautious and apprehensive. Among the Empress of Heaven's sons, only the virtuous and the magnanimous are worthy. The Crown Prince and the Prince of Xiang, whether it is in breadth of mind, bearing, courage, or wisdom, they are far inferior. Alas! It's a pity that Your Highness is a woman … "
Taiping was silent for a long time, then sternly said, "Sir, please do not say such words in the future."
Mo Yuhan hurriedly bowed and said, "Yes!"
Taiping sighed and said, "Sir, please withdraw. This princess still has some matters to take care of."
Mo Yuhan nodded, stood up, and walked out of the study. She gently closed the barrier door behind her and then slowly descended the stone steps. Not far ahead was a garden of chrysanthemums. The chrysanthemums were in full bloom, their fragrance assailing the nostrils. They were surrounded by a bamboo fence.
Sir Mo walked over and bent down to pluck a precious chrysanthemum whose stamens were in full bloom, blooming like threads of gold and silver. He brought it to his nose and took a whiff of its fragrance. Then he slowly raised his head and gazed at the azure sky.
The sky was clear and blue, and a wisp of white cloud as faint as smoke quietly hung on the horizon. Sir Mo's eyes began to sparkle. He muttered to himself, "Xiu 'er, if you were still alive, you would be about the same age as the princess. Father … would probably have a grandson long ago …"
Sir Mo faintly sighed and slowly walked out of the courtyard.
He left a chrysanthemum at the side of the garden, crushed into mud by his boots …
…
That morning, during the morning court session, Wu Zetian attended the court session. She had just finished dealing with the state affairs when suddenly a eunuch came to the palace hall to report that Zhang Yizhi and Zhang Changzong had finished compiling the 'Pearl of the Three Sects' and wanted to present it to the Emperor.
In fact, Wu Zetian already knew about this matter. Today, she deliberately arranged for her two beloved to present the book in public. As soon as she heard the news, she immediately issued an edict: summon Zhang Yizhi and Zhang Changzong to bring the 'Pearl of the Three Sects' to the palace hall.
Not long after, Zhang Changzong and Zhang Yizhi, dressed in official robes, walked into the main hall with a stack of books in their hands. They bowed to greet Wu Zetian.
Wu Zetian happily said, "I heard that the 'Pearl of the Three Sects' has been compiled. This is the first cultural and educational event since I moved the capital to Chang 'an. Today I order the two of you to present the book to the palace hall and share it with all the officials. Yizhi, Changzong, the book in your hands is the 'Pearl of the Three Sects'? "
Zhang Yizhi bowed and replied, "Reporting to Your Majesty, the book that subject and Changzong are presenting is the table of contents of the 'Pearl of the Three Sects', altogether thirteen volumes. As for the entire 'Pearl of the Three Sects' … "
Zhang Yizhi swept his gaze over all the officials in the hall. He raised his voice a bit and proudly said, "The entire 'Pearl of the Three Sects' has a total of one thousand three hundred volumes. Because the number is too large, I did not bring it to the palace hall."
Hearing this, all the civil and military officials in the imperial court could not help but burst into an uproar. Their private discussions turned into a wave of noise that lingered in the imperial court for a long time.
Many of the officials knew about the two Zhang brothers' compilation of the 'Pearl of the Three Sects', but they did not pay any attention to these two Emperor's gigolos. They only thought that they were just fooling around. Just now they saw the two of them were each carrying a thick stack of books to the palace hall. In their hearts they were already endlessly astonished. Unexpectedly there was such a thick stack of books; it seemed like they had really done something. Who would have thought that the two of them were only holding the table of contents of the 'Pearl of the Three Sects', the entire book was actually more than one thousand three hundred volumes.
Wu Zetian laughed out loud and said, "No harm done. Today's imperial court meeting will end a bit earlier. I will take a good look at the entire 'Pearl of the Three Sects' with all the officials. Come, send an order to the imperial supervisor to present the entire 'Pearl of the Three Sects' to the palace hall. "
Actually the entire 'Pearl of the Three Sects' had already been transported to the outside of the palace hall. Under Wu Zetian's order, a total of one hundred little servants, each holding thirteen volumes of the 'Pearl of the Three Sects', entered in a line. They placed the books on the golden brick floor that was covered with red silk before retreating. The entire offering process lasted for the time it took for three incense sticks to burn.
When the one hundred little servants retreated, the entire 'Pearl of the Three Sects' was spread out on a huge piece of the golden palace hall. It was nearly two feet high, and the ground within a radius of several dozen steps was filled with books that were filled with the fragrance of ink. This action of the two Zhang brothers was really amazing.
Wu Zetian's royal countenance was delighted. She said in a loud and clear voice, "Writing a book and establishing a theory can be used to recount the past, to reflect on the future, to purify the morals, to educate the common people, to strengthen customs, to correct human relations, to expound on the teachings of the past sages and to pass it on to the future generations. It can be said to be a great merit. Today the completion of the 'Pearl of the Three Sects' is indeed a great fortune for our dynasty! "
Wu Sansi listened attentively and naturally understood that the main point of his aunt's words was the words' a great merit '. He couldn't help but think, "As Taiping expected, the two Zhang brothers really can't wait to take the initiative to ask for credit. Aunt also intends to reward them generously. I'd better be a step ahead and ask for a title for them. In this way, not only can we sell the two Zhang brothers a good deal, we can also prevent them from being given a real position. Even if we really give them the title of Prince, it's still better than letting them be the official seal of some yamen! "
Thinking of this, Wu Sansi immediately reported, "Your Majesty, I think that those who write a book and establish a theory must be outstanding talents of the time. Moreover, for such a magnificent work to be passed on to the future generations, it is indeed a great merit. The talents who participated in the writing of this book, Your Majesty should reward them generously in order to enlighten them. And the two Zhang brothers who made the greatest contribution can be conferred the title of Prince! "
Wu Sansi's words caused an uproar in the golden hall. The court would certainly reward those who wrote a book and established a theory. This was inevitable, but to be conferred the title of Prince just because they wrote a book, wasn't this conferment of Prince too excessive? However, there were a few people who were more knowledgeable. With a little thought, they understood Wu Sansi's true intentions.
Crown Prince Li Xian glanced at the Prince of Xiang Li Dan, and the two of them simultaneously reported, "This subject agrees!"
Crown Prince Li Xian and the Prince of Xiang Li Dan had already communicated with Princess Taiping. Just as Great Teacher Mo had expected, Li Xian and Li Dan truly had not expected that the two Zhang brothers would be rewarded generously. They also had not expected that if the two Zhang brothers were to obtain a real position, the consequences would be far more severe than if they were conferred the title of Prince.
Even though Princess Taiping had earnestly advised them of the pros and cons, the Crown Prince and Li Xian still had many misgivings. They were worried that their fawning in front of all the civil and military officials of the court would harm their reputation. After all, the two Zhang brothers were their mother's gigolo. This was a secret that everyone in the world knew. If they shamelessly fawned on him, wouldn't the entire world laugh at them?
Of course, how could those astute and astute ministers not be able to sense the true intentions behind this? As for the clamor of the common people, what use would it be? If their mockery and ridicule were of any use, the two Zhang brothers would have collapsed long ago. The ones who would truly be effective were the nobles and important ministers of the court, and they would only feel reverence for the Crown Prince and the Prince of Xiang.
Unfortunately, even though Princess Taiping had repeatedly encouraged them, the Crown Prince and the Prince of Xiang had still been overtaken by Prince Liang and Wu Sansi because of a moment of hesitation. The Crown Prince and the Prince of Xiang had only just stepped forward to echo the two Zhang brothers, but they had already lost all meaning in showing themselves to the officials. On the contrary, they gave off the feeling that the two princes were following Prince Liang's lead.
When the two Zhang brothers heard that Prince Liang was asking for them to be conferred the title of King, and that the Crown Prince and the Prince of Xiang were also chiming in, they couldn't help but be pleasantly surprised. They knew that they would definitely be heavily rewarded by the emperor, and perhaps they might even be given the position of assistant minister in the Ministry of Rites, or even be conferred the title of Marquis. However, they hadn't expected Wu Sansi, the Crown Prince, and the Prince of Xiang to actually propose conferring the title of King.
The two Zhang brothers stared at Wu Zetian in excitement, hoping to hear the word 'approved' from her lips. Confer the title of King! King! If the Zhang clan could have two Kings, just how glorious would the Zhang clan be?
Wu Zetian gave her nephew Wu Sansi and her sons Li Xian and Li Dan a meaningful look, causing them to lower their heads in guilt. Only then did she indifferently say, "Yi Zhi and Chang Zong have rendered great service to the country, but … conferring the title of King is no small matter. This is an important treasure of the country, so how can it be taken lightly? This matter … can be discussed later!"
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