Li Zhi was sitting in the main hall of the palace, holding a tea cup in his hand, sipping tea from time to time, listening to the news constantly coming back from Chongrenfang, looking a little uncertain and very irritable.
It stands to reason that he must be present at the happy event of the house, and it would be impossible not to go.
He has always been praised for his "generousness, kindness" and "harmony among brothers". Now if Fang Jun holds a wedding event at his home but does not go to congratulate him in person, wouldn't it make the outside world think that all his "good qualities" are just for show, and once his own interests are involved, he will
Ignore it and have a cold heart?
In fact, he really didn't want to go. His "harmony among brothers" was true, but if the future of his life was at stake, how could he maintain "harmony" with an open heart? Everyone is selfish. Li Zhi thought that he was not a sage, but a sage.
One's own likes and dislikes, and the choice of interests, are normal.
Of course, it would be even more impossible not to go...
Princess Jin came out of the back hall and saw Li Zhi frowning and sighing. She hurried forward and asked in surprise: "Your Highness, is he not feeling well?"
Li Zhi raised his head and glanced at the princess, shook his head and said, "No, I'm just upset."
Princess Jin looked at the scene outside, estimated the time, and then came forward and sat next to Li Zhi, held his hand, and asked softly: "But is there any bad news?"
She naturally knew that Li Zhi did not want to go to the Fang family to congratulate him, because today was a happy event for the Fang family, and all the officials from the East Palace faction would be present. His Highness, the King of Jin, who had made it clear that he wanted to compete with the prince for the heir apparent, would be the center of attention.
The reason is, if there is such a bad-tempered person, you can even say a few words to him on the spot.
To put it bluntly, Li Zhi himself was at fault in the fight for the reserve. He had to swallow his anger when others criticized him. Otherwise, if he fought back, he would be judged as being narrow-minded and unyielding. No matter what, he would always suffer the loss...
…
Li Zhi sighed lightly and said with a sad face: "The prince's brother just went to Fang's house, and he and Fang Xuanling staged a show of kindness and loyalty to Youlong outside the house. Then, the prince of Jiangxia County, Jing Zhaoyin
These two are even more plain-dressed, and they acted as welcome guests in front of the gate of the house... The East Palace is declaring war head-on!"
Under such circumstances, if he came to visit in person, it would be suspected of being a blatant provocation, which would be seriously inconsistent with his usual reputation of being "kind and generous".
But if he didn't go, his father, who valued the harmony and friendship between his children the most, would be angry.
Considering how much my father valued Fang Junzhi, if he didn't come to celebrate, he would definitely think that the so-called brothers and sisters he used to be were just pretending. If he didn't go to Fang's family today to congratulate him, he would be able to severely suppress Fang Jun after he ascended the throne tomorrow.
, even mean and unkind.
This is something my father will never allow.
His father was willing to hand over the throne to him because he believed that he could treat his brothers and sisters well after he ascended the throne. Otherwise, even if he was suitable to be emperor, his father would never support him in his bid for the throne.
The tragedy of the Xuanwu Sect's fratricide has been with my father all his life. The criticism he received from the outside world and his inner guilt tortured his father all the time. The more this happened, the more his father wanted to prevent his children from repeating the same mistakes.
.
Princess Jin felt Li Zhi's struggle, held his hand, and said comfortingly: "The civil and military officials of the entire dynasty must be looking at Your Highness. If you don't go today, maybe someone will submit the memorial to my father's desk tomorrow.
, to impeach Your Highness for your narrow-mindedness, meanness and unkindness, my father will definitely be dissatisfied."
Li Zhi said helplessly: "Why don't I know this? But as long as I think about the fact that all the people in the house are members of the East Palace, I don't know what kind of ridicule and provocation I will face once I go there, and I will feel extremely conflicted."
He is now just a fledgling, ignorant young man who has not yet fully evolved. His talent has not yet been realized, his face has not been cultivated, and he has not yet reached the state of being able to do things in his face and not have everything in his heart.
Princess Jin felt Li Zhi's struggle and encouraged: "What can we do except ridicule and provocation? Your Highness is a nobleman of Tianhuang, His Majesty loves you. Even if they are dissatisfied, they dare not even say an insult.
Let alone move a finger with you, you are just here to show it to the outside world, why should you care about their words and faces?"
Of course Li Zhi knew that this was indeed the case, but he was not afraid of others, but he was afraid of hearing the accusations from the prince's brother when he faced him face to face.
He must be deliberately trying to compete for the throne that belongs to the crown prince's brother. He is wrong first and it is difficult to face it...
At this time, a chamberlain quickly ran into the hall and reported: "Your Majesty, His Majesty the King of Wei personally went outside the gate of the mansion and asked the servant to send a message, asking His Majesty to come out of the mansion and go to the house with you to congratulate you."
Li Zhi was stunned for a moment, then let out a long breath and said overjoyed: "Brother Qingque still knows me!"
Li Tai, the king of Wei, originally stayed away from the struggle for the throne. He always kept a distance from the prince and the king of Jin. He did not interfere in the affairs between the two and ignored them. Today, he came to the palace specially to invite him to accompany him to the Fang family.
, it can be seen that he must have also experienced Li Zhi's embarrassment and difficulties. With him by his side, he was in the middle, and even if everyone in the East Palace was dissatisfied with him, it would not be too much.
He immediately ordered people to load the prepared congratulations into the car. As he walked out of the house, he saw Li Tai's four-wheeled carriage parked under the steps of the gate. Li Tai was sitting in the car with the curtains raised.
, when he saw Li Zhi, he waved and then lowered the car curtain.
The driver jumped down from the carriage and opened the door.
Li Zhi got into the carriage, and the carriage started slowly, and together with the congratulatory convoys from the King of Wei and the King of Jin, they headed towards Chongrenfang.
In the carriage, Wei Wang Li Tai sat casually cross-legged on the thick felt, looked at Li Zhi with a smile and said: "How about it, brother, do you know how to feel cold and hot, and be considerate?"
Li Zhi was also very relaxed in front of Li Tai. When he heard this, he looked relieved and said with emotion: "Brother Qingque doesn't know that I have been in the house for a long time and I have never betrayed the house. I am more than a kind brother."
Human intention? He is simply the Bodhisattva who saves his younger brother from water and fire!"
Li Tai raised the corner of his mouth and looked at this young but already ambitious brother. He took out a small wine bottle, two cups and a small bag of dried meat and preserved fruits from the hidden compartment of the carriage on the side.
, placed it on an exquisite and small coffee table between the two of them, and said casually: "The wedding will only take place in the evening, and the banquet will be later. Let's eat something first to cushion our stomachs."
Li Zhi quickly grabbed the wine bottle and poured wine for Li Tai.
The carriage was driving smoothly, and the two brothers sat opposite each other in the carriage, taking a sip of wine, eating a piece of dried fruit, and chatting.
Li Zhi was chewing dried meat in his mouth and asked: "Brother Qingque has gone to the south of the Yangtze River to raise countless amounts of money and food. The 'Zhenxing Association' under your rule can further develop its ambitions and build societies in every state and county in the world.
All the students will benefit from this, and these achievements will definitely shine through the history. I am really envious of him. I only lament that he is not able to provide enough support to his brother, and I often feel deeply regretful. If I have this ability in the future, I will definitely not count the rewards.
I fully support my brother."
"hehe……"
Li Tai laughed out loud and looked at the brother who was pretending to be serious in front of him jokingly. Did all these tricks to win over people's hearts come to my head?
He felt that Li Zhi's personality had changed too much now, and he was no longer the ignorant but innocent and kind-hearted young man before, so he said: "Originally, there were not so many, but some changes were unexpected, and the result was surprising.
I guess, speaking of it, I have to thank you, Zhinu."
The expression on Li Zhi's face suddenly froze, and he felt regretful.
Although the Taiyuan Wang family did not come under his instructions, they went south to prevent the Jiangnan nobles from being obedient to Fang Jun. He must bear the blame. It was the Taiyuan Wang family who secretly engaged in collusion that gave Fang Jun the opportunity to severely punish Fang Jun.
The Jiangnan nobles were robbed, and only then were Wei King Li Tai richly rewarded...
He quickly picked up the jug and poured wine for Li Tai, and said with an embarrassed smile: "Actually, I didn't know anything about this matter from the beginning to the end, and Wang Jingxia Jiangnan made his own decision, but because of this, I have to worry about my brother. It is indeed my brother
No, I'm borrowing flowers to offer to Buddha, and I'm here to apologize to you!"
As he spoke, he raised his glass with a sincere look on his face.
With a smile on his face, Li Tai raised his glass and clinked it with him, and they drank it all in one gulp.
Picking up a piece of preserved fruit and putting it in his mouth, while chewing it, Li Tai looked at Li Zhi and said softly: "So, no one can control the overall situation. There will always be omissions in some inadvertent places, which will lead to accidents."
, leading to results that are contrary to the original intention.”