Chapter 4235 Entering the palace to plead for mercy
Back house.
The wind and rain outside the window were dark, and the windows were half-closed. A cool breeze mixed with moisture blew in, and the shadows of the candles swayed red.
Chai Lingwu and Princess Baling sat opposite each other on the mat in front of the window. The former sighed and had a sad look on his face, while the latter's cherry lips were slightly pursed and her pretty face was tense.
When the news of Zuo Tunwei's defeat came back, the entire mansion fell into an atmosphere of panic. Previously, he and King Jing Li Yuanjing joined forces to attack Xuanwu Gate, which had touched Li Chengqian's bottom line. However, they were defeated in the end and King Jing After his death, Li Chengqian had a kindhearted personality and exposed the matter. This time the King of Jin raised his army, Li Chengqian not only failed to investigate the previous culprits, but instead entrusted Chai Zhewei with important tasks. As a result, Chai Zhewei was defeated again, which caused Chang'an to be shaken and the situation was very bad...
No matter how kind your Majesty is today, it can never happen again. There is no guarantee that Chai Zhewei will not settle both the old and new accounts.
Maybe the imperial army will come to surround the Duke of Qiao at the next moment and give Chai Zhewei a glass of poisonous wine...
Even if he is not sentenced to death, he will probably be deprived of the title of "Duke Qiao" in the future. Without this title, the Chai family's reputation and status will plummet. The second young master, Chai Lingwu, is Princess Shang. The Chai family’s residence now may become a princess’s residence in the future...
Chai Lingwu was naturally at a loss. Without the foundation of the Chai family, he would be completely reduced to the princess's vassal. Before, he was still confident in front of Princess Baling. How could he cheer up his husband and become the head of the family in the future?
It should be noted that from the Sui Dynasty to this dynasty, most of the princesses acted wantonly and had a wanton temperament. It would be fine if the husband's family was strong, but if the husband's family fell, they could not control the princess. Those wealthy people took it easy to raise male pets, and might as well just give up. The book is making peace with each other...
Thinking about the shameful life he might encounter, Chai Lingwu was extremely panicked.
Princess Baling was also worried. As the so-called "obedience to the husband upon marriage" meant, if the Chai family was deprived of the dukedom, even Chai Zhewei's life would not be saved. She, the princess, would naturally lose her face. With Li Chengqian ascending the throne, he would reward all his sisters lavishly, and himself If your status plummets at this moment, how will you meet your sisters in the future?
Especially Princess Gaoyang, who was originally a daughter born to a concubine, but now has a husband-in-law, and everyone in the government and the public admires and compliments her. She, a princess with a distinguished family background, has long been left behind by her, and has been reduced to the failure of her husband's family. Wouldn’t he have to look up to and flatter him in the future?
With a cold face, she glanced at her husband, who was scratching his head and scratching his head in panic. He looked down upon the late emperor more and more, and he also had a slight complaint against the late emperor in his heart - Fang Xuanling was the pillar of the country and the chief minister, and he married the princess to win him over. To show your favor, why didn’t you choose a princess with a good background like yourself, but choose the princess from Gaoyang whose mother died young?
The maid came in and said respectfully: "Your Highness, Prince Consort, the Duke has sent someone here to say that we have something important to discuss. Please move to the main hall."
Chai Lingwu perked up: "Brother is back?"
The maid nodded and said: "I just returned home and haven't taken off my armor yet. She seems very anxious."
The couple looked at each other and stood up together to leave the house. The maid held up an umbrella and protected them towards the main hall.
It was already dark at night, but the lights were brightly lit inside the house, and the waiters and slaves were coming in and out. There was an atmosphere of panic inside and outside.
Everyone knows that the family leader's defeat of Xinfeng and the loss of his troops will cause shock in Chang'an. The guilt is too heavy. I wonder what kind of verdict His Majesty will impose...
In the main hall, candles are brightly lit.
When the couple entered, Chai Lingwu came to Chai Zhewei in three steps and two steps at a time. He first stepped forward to salute: "I have met my brother!"
Then, without waiting for Chai Zhewei's reply, he asked impatiently: "Brother, what is the situation now? Is it important or not?"
Princess Baling looked dignified and followed every step. She was a princess with a noble status, and national rites were greater than family rites, so Chai Zhewei had to salute her first.
Chai Zhewei did not answer Chai Lingwu's inquiry. He first waved his hand to repel the maids in the hall, then stood up, bowed to Princess Baling to the ground, and said in a deep voice: "Your Highness must have known about this defeat. Although I am incompetent, after all, I have nothing to do with Your Highness. I am a family member, and I hope His Highness will come to my rescue, otherwise not only will my title be in danger, but my life will be in danger.”
Princess Baling was startled and wanted to step forward to help her, but she quickly stopped. Otherwise, how would it be possible for her sister-in-law to get entangled with her uncle? But Chai Zhewei is not only the Duke of the country, but also the head of the Chai family. It would be outrageous to let him bow to you. He was immediately at a loss. He blushed and said anxiously: "Brother, why are you doing this? Please get up quickly!"
However, Chai Zhewei refused to stand up and lowered his hands and said: "Now not only have I lost my subordinates and lost generals, but the situation in Guanzhong has also changed drastically. His Majesty will definitely be furious. I also ask for your help. The ancestors of the Chai family can't thank you enough!"
Princess Baling hurriedly said: "If you have something to say, talk it over. We are all a family, why should we do this?"
Seeing that Chai Zhewei still couldn't get up, he had no choice but to look at the stunned Chai Lingwu, whose almond-shaped eyes were wide and his pretty face was full of embarrassment. He winked repeatedly and asked him to help Chai Zhewei up.
This man used to be smart and transparent, but for some reason, the more he looked at him over the years, the more he looked like a dull man. He didn't even have a wink, let alone the tacit understanding between the husband and wife. It was simply unbearable...
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Chai Lingwu suddenly realized and hurriedly stepped forward to help his brother up.
In his impression, since the death of his mother, his father Chai Shao has been ridiculed and scorned by people all over the world, causing him to feel depressed. It was his brother Chai Zhewei who handled the situation, which also made Chai Lingwu fear his brother far more than his father.
When his father died in depression, Chai Zhewei inherited the title and became the head of the family. He was even more rigorous, dignified, honest and solemn, which made him more and more afraid.
Have you ever seen your brother so humble?
It seems that things are more serious than I thought...
Chai Zhewei finally got up, and the three of them sat down one after another. Chai Lingwu couldn't help but ask: "What do you want your highness to do, brother?"
Princess Baling pursed her lips, her heart pounding, wondering if she was being asked to go to Fang Jun again to beg for mercy?
Although it was very embarrassing to ask for help, for some reason, she didn’t seem to have much resistance in her heart...
Chai Zhewei nodded and exclaimed: "Who knew that this battle would be such a tragic and complete defeat? More than half of the Zuotun Guards were lost, and their morale was at a loss. Without two or three years of supplementary reorganization, it will be difficult to regain combat effectiveness. That's all, slowly. The strategy is to defeat the enemy through this battle. The defeat has caused the whole Guanzhong to be shaken now, and many people with ulterior motives are ready to take action, which is very likely to cause the entire situation to collapse... No matter how kind your majesty is, I am afraid that he will use thunderous means to shock people at this time, and I will inevitably bear the brunt. "
As he said that, Chai Zhewei looked at Princess Baling with a pretty face, and sighed: "I'm afraid I have to trouble Your Highness to go into the palace to explain to Your Majesty and beg for mercy for my brother. No matter whether we win or lose, our Chai family will be here from now on." Then I will swear allegiance to His Majesty. But if this happens, some villain will slander me, and I am afraid that His Highness will be wronged.”
He knew in his heart that such words would not impress Li Chengqian at all, but Li Chengqian was indecisive and cared about family ties. As long as Princess Baling came forward, he would definitely be lenient and not severely punish himself.
As for what reason to use to intercede, it comes second...
Princess Baling was slightly relieved after hearing this, but she felt a little disappointed...
He quickly collected his emotions, nodded and said: "Although I am the daughter of the Tian family, I followed my husband when I married. Now that I have married into the Chai family, I am naturally also a Chai family. When the family is in trouble, how can I stay out of it just because I am afraid of mere rumors? Brother, don't worry, I am. The palace will be entered later.”
Chai Zhewei was defeated and the consequences were serious. At this time, there would inevitably be divergent discussions and endless criticisms. If she stepped forward to plead with His Majesty at this time, she would definitely suffer a disaster. She did not know how many harsh words fell on her, making her lose face and feel ashamed.
But what can I do?
Since you are married to Chai Lingwu, you are a member of the Chai family. The success or failure of the Chai family is related to your own personal interests, and it is impossible to stay out of it...
Chai Zhewei was previously afraid that Princess Baling would not be able to lose face and ask Li Chengqian for help. Now that he agreed so happily, he felt relieved.
……
Tai Chi Palace, Wude Palace.
Li Chengqian was discussing matters with Cen Wenwen, Li Ji, Fang Jun and others. Liu Jie had already gone to the garrison places in Guanzhong to appease and win over the generals of the Sixteenth Guards. However, Chang'an should also be prepared for the worst, in case someone To raise troops to respond to King Jin, we must have countermeasures.
Wang De, the chief chamberlain, came in, came behind Li Chengqian, and whispered: "Your Majesty, Duke Qiao has entered the capital. He did not enter the palace but returned to the mansion first. Then His Royal Highness Baling came into the palace and asked to see Your Majesty."
Li Chengqian frowned, very dissatisfied, and said bitterly: "What a bastard! Commanding a guard of soldiers, not only failed to achieve the strategic goal, but also led to a huge defeat, extremely incompetent! Now that he has returned defeated, not only does he not enter the palace, he is guilty of a misdemeanor , but playing such tricks is embarrassing!”
His voice was not quiet, and the people in front of him could hear it clearly. Although they didn't know what Wang De was reporting, they could guess the cause and effect after a little thought.
Cen Wenwen immediately said: "Chai Zhewei cannot escape the blame for this defeat. If he is not severely punished, how can he serve as a warning to others? Rewards and punishments are clear. As a king, your majesty must not care about family ties and be open to one side."
He understood Li Chengqian's character. If Chai Zhewei entered the palace on his own, he might be able to punish her. But now that Princess Baling has entered the palace to plead for mercy, he is afraid that it will be difficult for Li Chengqian to continue pursuing the case and he must give face to his sister.
When Li Chengqian heard this, he looked a little hesitant.
He had scolded Chai Zhewei harshly just now, and he was extremely angry with Chai Zhewei in his heart, but if he did not show mercy to Princess Baling and insisted on severely punishing Chai Zhewei, how would Princess Baling deal with herself in the Chai family in the future? The tense relationship with Chai Zhewei naturally affected Chai Lingwu. In the end, the relationship between the couple was not harmonious. How could his brother want to see it?
Now that he has ascended the throne as emperor and supreme emperor, he naturally cares about his brothers and sisters. Naturally, he has a lot of worries about his brothers. After all, they are all qualified to inherit the throne. If they are not careful, they may cause unnecessary trouble. However, the sisters cannot touch the foundation of imperial power, so he is very willing to take more care of them and give them more rewards.
In short, it's just glory and wealth. You have plenty, so why should you be stingy?
So what Cen Wenwen said made him feel quite embarrassed, so he glanced at Fang Jun who was standing aside. Fang Jun happened to be looking at him, and when their eyes met, Fang Jun immediately understood what Li Chengqian was thinking...
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"Ahem!"
Fang Jun coughed dryly and said with a smile: "Young Master Cen's words are wrong..."
Before he finished speaking, Cen Wenwen frowned. Fang Jun was the best at observing words and emotions. Most of the time, he followed His Majesty's wishes. He was simply a sycophant... (End of Chapter)