Early Tang Dynasty: forge ahead

Chapter 167
Chen Qingsi invited Cheng Chubi and his wife into the mansion and treated them warmly.

Cheng Chubi was born powerful and strong. Although he had never experienced the battlefield, he still had a bit of the bravery of the old Cheng family.

Cheng Chubi's wife is the daughter of the Wang family in Taiyuan.

During this period, nobles like the Cheng family liked to use women with the fifth surname to show off their identity.

The five surnames of Guandong also need to use this to maintain and consolidate their status. It can be said that both sides have their own needs.

Therefore, a delicate balance is formed between the five surnames.

Just like the development of history, the balance was broken. How could a general like Cheng Chubi marry a woman with the fifth surname?

Cheng Chubi said in a rough voice: "A certain person is a rough man and doesn't know how to speak politely. Mr. Chen and I don't know how to repay Mr. Chen's kindness in educating Quan Zi. We can only give small gifts to express our sincerity."

Small gifts?

Chen Qingsi thought about the dozens of big boxes blocking the long street, wondering whether the Cheng family had some misunderstanding about the word "little gift".

"Teaching and educating people is a matter of course. Your son is a junior student, and it is his duty to guide him up. General Cheng comes with such a generous gift, but it makes a simple matter complicated."

Cheng Chubi was impatient and said hurriedly: "My husband and I have no other intentions. We just want to express our gratitude."

Cheng Boxian was his eldest son, but he was almost half disabled due to what happened back then.

Although the Cheng family does not need how outstanding Cheng Boxian is, Cheng Zhijie can still become a master by virtue of Cheng Zhijie's ability to follow the dragon.But what parent doesn’t want their children to be better?
Chen Qingsi said: "I understand General Cheng's mood and also know General Cheng's thoughts. It's just that Mr. Imperial College is not mine alone, and I am not the only one to educate the Young Master. I am really worthy of being promoted to one person alone."

Cheng Chubi was still waiting to speak.

Mrs. Cheng Wang stopped Cheng Chubi, who did not need to be sophisticated in human affairs, and said, "Mr. Chen is right. It's because my husband and I are not careful enough. So we divided the gift into thirteen parts and distributed them to all the gentlemen."

She also understood why a young man with no foundation could thrive in Chang'an.

Chen Qingsi then smiled and accepted.

Cheng Chubi also reacted at this moment and said: "That's what Madam said."

If in later generations, one encounters such a situation and has the courage to accept a gift like this, ten lives will not be enough, but it is a common situation in this era.

Chen Qingsi enthusiastically sent Cheng Chubi and Cheng Wang out of the mansion and returned to the house, with a bit of joy in her eyes.

The trouble caused by Cheng Chubi and Cheng Wang will be of great benefit to the current situation.

The only one who can deal with Li Yifu is Li Zhi.

And Li Yifu is the knife in Li Zhi's hand.

It's not that Li Yifu must be used to kill people, it's just that Li Yifu is the most convenient and will make the person who wields the knife reluctant to throw it away.

If you want Li Zhi to throw away his handy knife and replace it with another knife, the only way is to stimulate Li Yifu to commit suicide and challenge Li Zhi's bottom line.

Chen Qingsi knew that there were not many people who could stimulate Li Yifu. In the whole of Chang'an, he was the only one who was most suitable to replace him in the future.

As long as his popularity continues to grow and his prestige continues to grow, Li Yifu will be in trouble.

Eager to wield a knife against the five surnames of Guandong is a fish that takes the bait. The more eager Li Yifu is to prove himself, the easier it is for him to make mistakes and become the target of public criticism.

As long as the knife pricks his hand, Li Zhi's character will not miss it in the slightest.

The entire incident developed in the direction he expected, going smoothly beyond imagination.

"God wants to take over Li Yifu."

Chen Qingsi pondered secretly.

Great Mercy Temple.

As the most famous and majestic Buddhist temple in Chang'an, at this time of year, the Hou Temple will be closed for the rest of the day to facilitate the eldest princess of Xincheng to worship the late emperor.

Xiao Miaochen devoutly knelt down on the futon, kowtowed and prayed: "My parents-in-law are on top, and my daughter-in-law Miaochen salutes you. My husband is far away in Chang'an now and is unable to offer sacrifices at the grave. I hope you will forgive me. Everything is well with my husband. Please rest assured." My husband has great ambitions, and as the wife of the Chen family, my daughter-in-law will do her best to help her husband shine..." She rambled on for a long time, all she talked about was Chen Qingsi, but in the end...

The pretty young woman looked a little shy and whispered softly: "It would be best if the two elders can bless my daughter-in-law to flourish the Chen family."

She bowed her head respectfully and walked out of the temple.

Xiao Miaochen glanced around and walked lightly to Mrs. Du's residence in the wing on the right.

It has been two days since I followed the Princess of Xincheng to Daci'en Temple to offer sacrifices.

Xiao Miaochen remembered Chen Qingsi's instructions and kept paying attention to the people around the eldest princess of the new city. She did not find the Li Zhi protector mentioned by Chen Qingsi. She just noticed carefully that every evening at dusk, the eldest princess of the new city would go to the right wing of the Daci'en Temple for a period of time. It can be half an hour, or one or two hours at most.

Xiao Miaochen did not inquire rashly, nor was she eager to understand the situation. Instead, she established a relationship with Mrs. Du.

Mrs. Du's husband is called Xu Qitan, a relative and minister. His sister is Xu Xianfei, and his sister is Xu Jieyu. The former is the concubine of Emperor Taizong, and the latter is the concubine of Li Zhi.

Xu Qitan himself is also very talented. He was born in Hongwensheng and is now the minister of the crown prince.

Because of their status as relatives of the two dynasties, Mrs. Du had a very close relationship with the eldest princess of Xincheng.

Madam Chacha Du was also a lover of poetry, and she initially fell in love with Xu Qitan because of his poetic talent.

Xiao Miaochen got to know Chen Qingsi a lot, and he also learned about the development prospects of some poems.

The two hit it off in this regard, made friends through poetry, and had a harmonious relationship.

"Mrs. Du!"

Xiao Miaochen knocked lightly on the door.

Mrs. Du laughed first, and then said: "Mrs. Xiao, come in quickly. My sister found that the tea in this temple is good, and she was thinking of inviting her to taste it."

Mrs. Du was born in the Du family in Jingzhao, and her family background was not inferior to that of Xiao Miaochen.

When the two of them got together, they talked about poetry, songs, compositions, music, chess, calligraphy, painting, and tea. They rarely talked about their parents' personal affairs.

Xiao Miaochen was about to make some insinuation when she suddenly heard someone calling her outside the house. She answered, but it was the maid of the eldest princess of the new city: "The eldest princess has invited Mrs. Xiao."

Xiao Miaochen had no choice but to say goodbye to Mrs. Du and follow the maid to see the new city eldest princess.

The princess of the new city is dressed in plain clothes and has a beautiful appearance, but there is a faint sadness between her eyebrows.

Xiao Miaochen expressed his blessing and said hello.

The princess of the new city said softly: "Mrs. Xiao, can you get used to living here?"

Xiao Miaochen said: "Worldly affairs are complicated. It is a lot of fun to calm down and recite sutras and worship Buddha. I thank the eldest princess for the invitation."

The princess of the new city nodded and said: "It is indeed very different. I will go with you to meet someone and give you a chance."

She said walking to the right.

Xiao Miaochen followed behind with a bit of surprise.

The words of the new city eldest princess came from the front: "The person I am taking you to see is the royal brother's protector. She is one of the people he respects most besides his father, queen and mother. The emperor even issued an order to She controls the harem, so when you meet her later, you must not lose your etiquette."

Xiao Miaochen hid the disbelief in her eyes and said softly: "I don't dare."

She already knew who she wanted to see.

Lu Congbi, the wife of Yan State.

After the emperor came to the throne, the first imperial edict for the harem was not to canonize the queen, but to decree that Lu Congbi would be responsible for all harem affairs and act as the queen.

(End of this chapter)