Early Tang Dynasty: forge ahead

Chapter 491 The Second Wife
Chen Qingsi smiled sincerely and said, "Our Chinese culture is extensive and profound. Madam Zhuo should study hard in Hongwen Hall."

Pei Yan's biggest problem is that he underestimates women.

This has been the case in history, and it is also the case in this era.

It would be extremely stupid to directly let Chimalo contact the Molu clan in Tubo.

Pei Yan might think that as long as he controls the correspondence between the two parties, he can grasp the movements of both parties. This would be an underestimation of Chimalo.

Some things just don't need to be written down on paper...

If Chen Qingsi was Chimalo, he would directly deliver the letter to a person who was loyal to King Mangsong Mangtsen.

In this way, the intentions of the Tang army will be completely controlled by the other side. Mangsong Mangzan can cooperate with the Tang court to eliminate the powerful officials according to the actions of the Tang court. At the same time, because he understands the actions of the Tang court, he can make corresponding responses. He can eliminate the powerful officials and avoid being manipulated by the Tang court.

Of course, Mangsong Mangzan took a different path and took a more brilliant path.

Chimalo gave him a trick in return.

No matter what, she would not obey orders from a pawn like Chimalo.

Chen Qingsi chose to ignore Chimalo here and did not intend to use her until the time was right. Instead, he used her to put the Tubo's Molu clan on the fire.

Let the Molu clan shake Chimalo's loyalty to Tubo.

In history, Chimalo naturally chose Tubo. She was the Queen Mother of Tubo, and her son was the Zamp of Tubo. As for her son and family, as a mother, she would naturally side with her son.

What about this life?

Chen Qingsi wanted to see whether Chimalo, who had no chance of becoming the queen of Tubo in this life, cared about the Meilu clan or Tubo.

Chi Malu looked at Chen Qingsi's friendly smile and resigned himself to his fate without saying anything. The man in front of him was not only a poet of extraordinary talent, but also a think tank of the Tang Dynasty. He was by no means comparable to the self-righteous fool Pei Yan.
-
The Chen family residence.

Zhang Jianzhi, Wei Yuanzhong, Wu Minzhi and Cheng Boxian gathered together.

Zhang Jianzhi closed his eyes to rest, while Wei Yuanzhong looked at Cheng Boxian with disdain.

Wu Minzhi glared at Cheng Boxian with an expression of disgust and anger.

Cheng Boxian widened his eyes, looked at Wei Yuanzhong, and then glared at Wu Minzhi. He was fighting one against two and was not at a disadvantage.

Wei Yuanzhong was once a prominent figure in the Imperial College and a good student in the eyes of his parents and elders, while Cheng Boxian was a representative of poor students.

Two extremes, looking down on each other.

As for the grudge between Wu Minzhi and Cheng Boxian, needless to say, one was a founding hero and a third-generation official, and the other was something like a top nouveau riche.

Neither side is willing to give in to the other...

Zhang Jianzhi had already gotten used to it. The three of them seldom interacted with each other in normal times, but because of Chen Qingsi, they would run into each other from time to time, and childish eye battles were inevitable.

At first, Zhang Jianzhi was worried that they would fight each other, but whenever they got together, it was mostly because of Chen Qingsi.

With Chen Qingsi around, the three of them were very restrained.

"coming!"

Chen Qingsi walked out from the side door.

"gentlemen!"

The four of them saluted in unison.

"Everyone sit down!"

Chen Qingsi invited the four people to take a seat.

Chen Qingsi first asked Zhang Jianzhi: "Do you know when Huaiying will come to Beijing?"

Zhang Jianzhi, Wei Yuanzhong and Di Renjie were all Jinshi in the same year, but because of their personalities, Zhang Jianzhi and Di Renjie had the best relationship, had the most contact with each other, and often exchanged letters.

Zhang Jianzhi said: "It should be within three to five days. I encountered a small incident on the way, which will delay me for a few days."

Wouldn’t Chen Qingsi’s first reaction be that his plague god attributes had recurred and he had encountered a case?

Putting aside this thought, he smiled and said, "It's just right that I can catch up with a wedding banquet."

Facing his students, Chen Qingsi was not polite and said, "I asked you to come here to ask you to do me a small favor."

Zhang Jianzhi and Wei Yuanzhong said in unison: "We are willing to listen to your instructions, sir."

Wu Minzhi said, "Just follow my instructions, sir!"

Cheng Boxian asked directly: "What's the matter?"

Chen Qingsi said: "Send the invitation for Master. Master will marry the lady from the Li family in a month. There is a shortage of manpower at home, and it is not easy to deal with it perfunctorily. You can send it for Master..."

When these words were spoken, the four of them were dumbfounded.

Wei Yuanzhong asked, "Sir, are you talking about taking a concubine?"

"No!" Chen Qingsi corrected, "Marry her! Marry her with three letters and six engagements!"

Wei Yuanzhong didn't know how to answer for a moment.

Cheng Boxian said, "This is against the laws of the court! Sir, this is not appropriate. Even if you have the intention, you should just set the rules in your own house. It would be a waste of time and effort to mobilize a large number of people, which would give others a handle to use against you."

Cheng Boxian had a lot of experience in this. As the eldest grandson of the Cheng family, he could not avoid marrying a wife arranged by his parents and matchmaker. It would be best if they liked each other and lived in harmony, but most of them just made do. If he had his own little sweetheart, he would not dare to favor his concubine over his wife, but he would often support his concubine and give her a certain status to prevent her from being bullied.

Monogamy and polygamy are the laws of etiquette, but outside of the laws of etiquette, there are some normal unwritten rules.

In Chen Qingsi's situation, the best way to deal with it is to welcome him in low-key, and then ordinary people will not ask about the affairs of the inner courtyard.

Chen Qingsi said: "But I don't want to wrong the Li family lady."

That night, Chen Qingsi wanted to let Li Hongqing vent her feelings, and then reveal her true feelings and devote herself to her.

I didn't want Li Hongqing to get there first...

In order to break up her love relationship, the heroine hid in Haidong, but she never expected that fate would play a trick on her. Chen Qingsi came to Haidong and the two of them resumed their love relationship.

I can't cut it off, I can't avoid it, and I can't defeat it, so I just don't care.

Li Hongqing can do this, but Chen Qingsi cannot.

He was unwilling to let down the girl who was in his heart and who was willing to give up everything for him.

He must give her a wedding, even if it goes against secular etiquette.

Wu Minzhi's eyes sparkled at this moment, and he said, "I wonder who the master's wife is to be treated like this by the master."

Wu Minzhi has a somewhat rebellious character and doesn't like to be bound by etiquette and rules, but he has no other worries.

Your mouth is on someone else's mouth. If you like to curse and talk behind their back, will you lose a piece of meat?
As long as he didn't violate taboos and anger Emperor Li Zhi and Empress Wu, Wu Minzhi had nothing to fear.

Will Chen Qingsi's actions anger Li Zhi and Empress Wu?
Obviously not!

Wu Minzhi did not forget that her aunt, Empress Wu, was the talented woman of the late emperor and his concubine. It was inappropriate for Li Zhi to marry the late emperor's concubine, but he even made her the empress.

Isn't this worse than marrying two wives?
Since Li Zhi and Empress Wu were too embarrassed to intervene, Wu Minzhi dared to protect her husband.

As for Zhang Jianzhi, he had spent the longest time with Chen Qingsi and understood this gentleman's temper. Since he had said it, it meant that he had made up his mind and no more persuasion would be of any use.

Chen Qingsi briefly introduced Li Hongqing's identity.

Upon learning that she was the granddaughter of Li Jing and the daughter of Li Dejian, except Cheng Boxian, Zhang Jianzhi, Wei Yuanzhong and Wu Minzhi did not care so much.

Unlike Cheng Yaojin, Li Jing's descendants are still active in the government. Although his second son, Li Dejiang, inherited the title of Duke of Weiguo, he was also insignificant and had no outstanding qualities, and had little influence.

But Cheng Boxian was a soldier, and there was no soldier in the Tang Dynasty who did not admire Li Jing. When he heard about Li Jing's granddaughter, he was more or less surprised.

Seeing that Chen Qingsi had made up his mind, the four of them had nothing more to say and all accepted their tasks.

Some people often rise with the wind, are at the forefront of the storm, and become influential figures in the capital.

Just like Wu Minzhi, just like Ming Chongyan, the new idol of Chang'an. But there are very few people who live in the limelight, and their every move can overshadow the limelight of most people.

Chen Qingsi is like this...

Not to mention his poems, even the clothes he wore when traveling and the small objects he played with in his hands would be imitated if others saw them.

Now it was suddenly revealed that he was going to get married and he even sent out invitations, and the whole Chang'an was in an uproar.

Get a wife!

Not a concubine.

Remarrying while already having a wife is definitely against the laws of the court.

For a time, discussions about this matter dominated the conversations of young and old in Chang'an City.

Chen Qingsi’s die-hard fans naturally praise him for his true nature and his courage to love and hate.

Just watch the show from a neutral perspective. Even though this matter violates the law, among the people living in Chang'an, who is not well-informed?

Which of the trivial matters in the inner houses of the major wealthy families is missing?

It is common for the second and third generations to be jealous of each other and to fight with each other.

Chen Qingsi has a good reputation as an official. He has been in office for many years, and this is the only thing that can be considered a stain on him.

Such a stain is no longer a stain.

Of course, Chen Qingsi's opponents, such as the Guandong family and the current members of Zhang's party, are like the New Year.

There were memorials impeaching Chen Qingsi one after another, every day.

On this day, we hope to have a morning meeting.

Li Zhi took the initiative to talk about this matter, looking at Chen Qingsi whose face remained calm.

The emperor, who was high above everyone else, laughed secretly in his heart.

Just as Wu Minzhi thought, as an emperor with a very low moral concept, Li Zhi did not take Chen Qingsi's second wife seriously at all. His father had married a concubine and even made her his wife, so what was the big deal about Chen Qingsi marrying a second wife from a good family?
Of course, the most important thing is that Li Zhi needs Chen Qingsi to deal with the Arab Empire. Even if there are a hundred mistakes of this level, Li Zhi will not take it seriously.

But Li Zhi was still very happy to see the wily and smooth-talking Chen Qingsi being attacked in this way, so much so that he specifically brought it up at the court meeting.

"Chen Aiqing!"

Li Zhi couldn't suppress the smile on his face.

Chen Qingsi had already prepared himself mentally, as if he were going to the execution ground: "I am here!"

Li Zhi waved his hand, and the eunuch came to the front of the hall holding a stack of memorials.

Pointing to the memorials held in the eunuch's hand, Li Zhi said, "What do you have to say? These are all memorials impeaching you."

Chen Qingsi said: "I have nothing to say and am willing to be punished."

Seeing Chen Qingsi confess his guilt so quickly, Li Zhi was slightly surprised and asked, "Don't you have anything to clarify?"

Chen Qingsi said: "If this is all about impeaching me for planning to marry the lady from the Li family, then I have nothing to distinguish. This is the fact, and I know I was wrong."

As soon as he finished speaking, Li Jingxuan, who had been sharpening his spear for a long time, stood up and said, "Your Majesty, please severely punish Minister Chen. Minister Chen is an official appointed by the court, and is deeply trusted and respected by Your Majesty. However, he broke the law knowingly, and his crime is aggravated, so he should be severely punished."

Li Zhi did not look at Li Jingxuan and continued to ask: "Chen Qing knew he was wrong, why did he continue to do it?"

Chen Qingsi sighed and bowed, saying, "I don't know where my love comes from, but it's deep and lasting. Lady Li and I met when we were humble, and we've been through hardships together. She also saved my life. We are so close to each other that I don't want her to suffer any injustice. How can I have the best of both worlds, not to disappoint the emperor and not to disappoint you? I am willing to accept the punishment now, please grant my wish, Your Majesty."

Li Zhi seemed a little dazed when listening to this, and the officials around him were also stunned for a moment.

Feeling unacceptable, going deeper.

How can I have the best of both worlds, without disappointing the emperor and without disappointing my lover?

It is so affectionate that it is touching.

Li Zhi didn't think this was a big deal at all. He could tolerate Li Yifu forcing a court official to death, so how could he not tolerate Chen Qingsi taking a second wife?
I brought this up in court just to make fun of Chen Qingsi.

After all, this kind of thing is too rare...

But after hearing his two sentences, Li Zhi couldn't help but sigh that it is really good to have culture, as it can make everything wrong become right.

"What a love that comes from nowhere, and grows ever deeper. What a way to have both, not to let down the emperor and not to let down you... I will fulfill your love, but there is no order without rules. If you have done something wrong, you should be punished, and I will fine you three years' salary and demote you by one rank. Are you satisfied?"

Chen Qingsi was moved and said, "Thank you, Your Majesty, for your help!"

As the two love words spread.

The streets and alleys of Chang'an were bustling again.

Feeling unacceptable, going deeper.

How can I have the best of both worlds, without disappointing the emperor and without disappointing my lover?

Those two touching confession sentences elevated Chen Qingsi's breaking of the law knowingly to another level.

Who doesn’t want to have a husband who is deeply devoted to her? Who doesn’t want to have a husband who is willing to live up to the emperor and his lover for her?

The Chen family residence.

Qianyan looked unhappy and stormed into the backyard. Looking at her young lady's silly smile, tears of grievance rolled down her cheeks.

Xiao Miaochen looked at the maid who grew up with him in astonishment, and hurried forward to wipe her tears, "What's wrong? Who bullied you?"

Qian Yan choked up and said, "I feel sorry for the Madam. How can the Master do this? You are obviously the first wife... I don't have any problem with Madam Li. She is also a very good person. But, but the Master's love for me is so deep and deep. How can you have the best of both worlds, not disappointing the Emperor and not disappointing your lover? Where does this put the Madam? The whole Chang'an is talking about their affairs. Should the Madam be wronged?"

Xiao Miaochen smiled bitterly and said, "Alas, girl, you really don't understand my husband. He is indeed wrong in this matter, but why didn't he take any action?"

As she spoke, she walked into the house, carefully took out a rosewood box, took out a neatly pressed piece of rice paper from it, and said, "Wipe your tears!" After watching Qianyan wipe her tears, she handed it to Qianyan.

Qianyan took it and looked at it, and it turned out to be a love poem.

The stars last night and the wind last night, the east side of Guitang on the west side of the painting building.

The body has no colorful phoenix wings and wings, and the heart is a little bit better.

The second seat is sent to the hook and the spring wine is warm, and the lamp is red with wax-covered wax.

Sui Yu listened to the drum to respond to the official, and went to Malantai to turn around.

Qianyan looked at the poem and completely lost the ability to speak.

She has followed Xiao Miaochen since she was a child, and learned to read and write with her. Although her literary talent is somewhat inferior to hers, she still has a certain ability to appreciate.

How can the power of this love poem be inferior to those two lines?
After a while, Qian Yan said, "Master, are you using your poetic talent here?"

Xiao Miaochen put the poem back into the box lovingly, obviously conquered by this love poem.

(End of this chapter)