Chapter 14: Accidental Discovery

Wu Zetian had four sons and two daughters, four sons were Li Hong, Li Xian, Li Xian, and Li Dan. The two daughters were Princess Anding and Princess Taiping. Among the four sons, Li Xian was the most talented, and the famous "Crown Prince Zhanghuai" was also called "Book of the Later Han Dynasty" and was called it for a while. Unfortunately, Wu Zetian was determined to be the emperor, so Li Xian became her blockade and was eventually killed by Wu Zetian.

The eldest son Li Hong was sick and weak. Some people said he was a violent death, and some people said he was killed by Wu Zetian. Anyway, he died. Zhongzong Li Xian died at the hands of An Lezi and Empress Wei. Now only the youngest Li Dan, who is Ruizong, is the one who died. Princess Anding died early, and some people said that Wu Zetian strangled him to death.

Taibang Princess was Wu Zetian's youngest daughter. She was talented, resourceful, and good at decisiveness. She had many ideas for Wu Zetian to ascend to the throne. When Li Longji quelled the rebellion between Princess Anle and Empress Wei, Princess Taiping made great efforts, and with six brothers and sisters, she and Ruizong were left. However, Ruizong was "humble and filial" and loved her very much. She seized the opportunity to stabilize her power, and she was powerful all over the world, and most of the court officials joined her party.

Chen Wanrong can tell the story of Princess Taiping. Her name is well-known, but she doesn't know her name. When she saw the three-character "Li Lingyue", she thought she had made a mistake and couldn't help but make a few jokes. It was not until Wu Daozi and the others looked at the monster's eyes that they realized something was wrong. When they pointed out that Li Lingyue was Princess Taiping, their heads buzzed and suddenly became messy.

Princess Taiping was sovereign and was one of the "three giants" at that time. She had an influence only after Ruizong and had greater power than the prince. She actually sent invitations to Chen Wanrong and asked Chen Wanrong to attend the banquet. Chen Wanrong could not imagine that, and she would not be able to be confused.

Not only Chen Wanrong was confused, but even Wu Daozi, Wang Han, Zheng Qing and Qing E could not have imagined that. After being stunned, he asked in unison: "How could she invite you to the banquet?"

Chen Wanrong spread his hands and said helplessly: "How can I know?"

Everyone, look at me, look at you, no one can find the answer. Wang Han frowned and asked, "Brother Chen, then are you going?"

Wu Daozi pondered for a moment and said, "Yan Wuhaoyan, it's better not to go. If you go, you will leave a word and attack others. It's better to stay away from it."

This is a good suggestion for Mingzhe to protect himself. However, Zheng Qing opposed it: "You still have to go. Although what Brother Wu said is reasonable, I thought that if you don't go, you will leave her a complaint and cause trouble."

Chen Wanrong agreed with Zheng Qing's opinion: "Yes, if I don't go, Princess Taiping will definitely be unhappy and will make things more embarrassing to me. Besides, I, a seventh-rank official like me, will not make things difficult for me. If she wants to make things difficult for me, it doesn't take such a lot of effort, and an official is enough."

"It's just a word." Wang Han pondered for a while and said, "Brother Chen has made the decision on this matter. But don't give anyone a word." Although Princess Taiping is powerful, the prince is Li Longji, the legitimate crown prince. Her actions are not the same as scholars. This reminder is indeed pertinent.

Chen Wanrong smiled and said, "Brother Xie Wang reminds me. Let's go for dinner first."

This matter was agreed upon, and everyone talked and laughed, found a restaurant, and had enough food and drink before they left.

It was already very late to return to Zheng Mansion. Zheng Zhou did not sleep, but was waiting for them. He smiled and brought the tea: "Wanrong, you sit down. Mother-in-law has a few words to ask you."

Chen Wanrong sat down with a cup of tea, Zheng Qing sat next to him, and asked curiously: "Mom, what do you have to say?"

Zheng Zhou's face was solemn and asked very seriously: "Wanrong, what do you do with this matter? Or not?"

Unexpectedly, she was also very concerned about this matter, so Zheng Qing replied on his behalf: "Mom, of course I've gone."

"Don't go!" Zheng Zhou rejected it in one word with two words.

Zheng Wanru also came in: "Brother-in-law, this matter cannot be taken. Think about it, Princess Taiping is so unpopular. If you go, someone will poke your backbone and say that you flatter the powerful and the nobles, and your reputation will be tainted is a big deal."

Zheng Zhou agreed with his opinion very much: "Yes, Wanrong, it seems to be right."

Chen Wanrong had already made up his mind about this matter. Unexpectedly, the mother and daughter of Zheng Zhou were so opposed. They were thinking about saying something, but they heard Zheng Zhou continue to analyze the pros and cons: "Wanrong, think about it. Zairong is in the East Palace, what would the prince think if you go to Princess Taiping's banquet? How should Zairong deal with it?"

"Mother-in-law, the prince is smart, and he won't think so." Chen Wanrong disagreed with her opinion.

Zheng Wanru took over the conversation: "The prince is smart, but once someone says you have a close relationship with Princess Taiping and says you are the Princess Taiping, what will the prince think at that time? The career of officialdom is often nothing but profit or disadvantage. If everyone talks about it and the pressure is too great, the prince will have to give an explanation even though he knows that it is not the case."

This sentence was so memorable that Chen Wanrong was shocked and stood up: "Liuru brother, thank you for reminding me that I won't go."

"That's right." Zheng Zhou was relieved and said with a smile: "Wanrong, you must have thought that Princess Taiping would not be detrimental to you. This is actually true. With such great power, if you want to make things difficult for you, you just need to say that there is no need to send invitations, right?"

She was really right, and Chen Wanrong had to admit: "What my mother-in-law said is, I thought so. I just didn't think about the interests, but it was as if my brother was right."

Zheng Zhou said earnestly: "Wanrong, you are an official now. Although it is a good thing, it is quite troublesome. How much you have to be careful in the future and make a decision after thinking through everything."

"I remember thanking my mother-in-law for teachings!" Chen Wanrong was taught. The matter was decided and they went to bed.

The next day, Chen Wanrong took Zheng Qing to help deal with the gallery. Zheng Qing was a natural organizer, Chen Wanrong, Wu Daozi, Wang Han, and a few friends. Although they were big men, they obeyed her commands, so they did this job very quickly. After noon, they were finished.

Wang Han laughed and said, "I really didn't expect that Miss Zheng is so good at commanding. If it weren't for her, we would have to do it for another day."

Chen Wanrong knew that Zheng Qing was capable, not only had outstanding mathematical talent, but also was a good player in other aspects. He joked: "Brother Wang, it will be worthwhile to marry such a wife."

Zheng Qing blushed and gently slapped Chen Wanrong's face with her right hand, and said angrily: "What nonsense is that."

Wu Daozi suggested: "Brother Chen, let's go and see your mansion."

Wang Han immediately agreed: "When it's still early, let's go quickly."

Anyway, it was good to go and have a look. Chen Wanrong naturally had no objection, so the group went to Changlefang. Fuguangfang was on Zhuque Street, while Changlefang was close to the east wall. The two places were half a distance from Chang'an, several miles away. Fortunately, Wang Han had a carriage, and Chen Wanrong and Zheng Qing also came to catch the carriage. They got on the carriage and rushed straight to Changlefang.

Zheng Qing sat next to Chen Wanrong, imagining the uniqueness of the Qiandian: "You think, how big is this Qiandian?"

Chen Wanrong also wanted to know this question, but he had no way to answer: "At least it is bigger than your family. After all, this is the emperor's residence."

"That's natural. The question is how big it is? Double the size is also big, twice the size is big." Zheng Qing blinked her eyes and thought.

Chen Wanrong pondered for a moment, clapped his hands and said, "At least ten of your family are."

Zheng Qing was very surprised and asked, "How can I see it?"

"The reason is obvious." Chen Wanrong was very confident: "The situation at that time was very dangerous. He could not participate in the government affairs, nor could he discuss politics, and could only stay in the mansion. You think about it, then the Empress Tian just didn't want the Emperor to be a stumbling block on her road to becoming an emperor, and it was not to make things difficult for the Emperor. The Emperor was respectful and filial, and lived in a simplified manner. This was exactly what Empress Tian wanted. How could she not be good to the Emperor? At least this house would be very large and beautiful."

Zheng Qing thought for a while and said, "This makes sense. But it doesn't have to be ten times larger, maybe nine times eight times larger."

Chen Wanrong stared at Zheng Qing and suddenly started to play tricks, with a stern face: "Or, let's bet."

"What are you betting on?" Zheng Qing became curious and looked at Chen Wanrong with her neck tilted.

Chen Wanrong thought for a while and said, "If I win..." muttered a few words in Zheng Qing's ear, Zheng Qing blushed and spat, "I'm not serious. What if you lose?"

"What do you want to do if you say?" Chen Wanrongfei didn't think about it.

Zheng Qing stretched out her jade finger like a spring bamboo shoot: "Don't cheat."

"Luck!" Chen Wanrong stretched out his index finger and pulled Zheng Qing, and took the opportunity to hold Zheng Qing in his arms. Zheng Qing leaned on Chen Wanrong's shoulder, aimed at Chen Wanrong, and said nothing.

Time passed by silently, and the carriage suddenly stopped. Chen Wanrong came out, jumped out of the car, and helped Zheng Qing get out of the car. Wu Daozi's voice raised Lao Gao: "God, there's half a yard!"

When Chen Wanrong saw that there was a large mansion in front of him, with tall courtyard walls, thick dust in the gate, and many spider silks. No one has moved it for a long time.

"That's it?" Zheng Qing was a little unbelievable.

Wang Han was very sure: "It's here, yes. Changlefang only has this residence that looks like a prince and noble family."

Chen Wanrong laughed and asked in Zheng Qing's ear: "Is Banyifang ten times bigger than your family?"

Zheng Qing knew that she had lost the bet, and her face turned red and she said angrily: "Who knows, I haven't seen it yet."

Chen Wanrong raised his throat and asked, "Brother Wu, Brother Wang, is this house as big as ten ordinary wealthy households?" Zheng Qing hurriedly reached out to cover Chen Wanrong's mouth, but unfortunately it was too late.

"Ten? More than twenty. Brother Chen, your vision is wrong." Wang Han was confused and made fun of Chen Wanrong.

Chen Wanrong flashed his eyes at Zheng Qing and said softly, "Wait." He went over proudly, took out the key and opened the lock, and pushed the door hard, but it didn't push it open. Wu Daozi and Wang Han came to help, and they tried hard together, and the door opened with a creaking sound.

He stepped in and looked at the door. The original vermilion color had dim, and the two doors were almost growing together. No wonder they couldn't be pushed open. Chen Wanrong was a little surprised and hurriedly looked at the lock and the key. Then he realized that the lock had no head lock. It was probably because Ruizong asked someone to replace the lock. Otherwise, no one had used it for so many years and would definitely not be able to open it.

Although the gate had not been opened, the ground was still clean, there were no dead branches and leaves, and there was no dust on the bluestone road. Someone should have cleaned it. Wang Han felt something: "Brother Chen, this house can be used as long as the gate is repaired, painted, and placed inside. Although the emperor has never lived in it, he still has a servant to clean it up."

Chen Wanrong had already thought of this floor and smiled and said, "What Brother Wang said is so good. Go in and take a look." Walking along the bluestone road, as soon as you enter, there were more than a dozen houses. The door was locked and there was no plaque. If you wanted to enter, you had to go around from the side.

The garden-style buildings in the Tang Dynasty were popular in the Tang Dynasty. The first one was to enter the house. Strangely, there was no garden. The ground was covered with bluestone and flowers, plants and trees. Chen Wanrong couldn't help but feel very strange. As a Qiandian, such a layout was surprising. Wu Daozi sighed: "I heard for a long time that the emperor was honest and frugal, and even Qiandian was so frugal."

Ruizong did not advocate luxury. The first time he became an emperor was a puppet. Wu Zetian used it to cover up people's ears and ears and could not make any suggestions. After ascending to the throne for the second time, he adopted Li Longji's suggestion, advocated frugality, suppressed luxury, and became well-known.

Wang Han praised: "The emperor is honest and precious, but..." He suddenly realized that he was about to let go and stopped talking. Even if he didn't say it, Chen Wanrong and the others understood that it was accusing Ruizong of being decisive and uneasy in the court.

If Chen Wanrong had thought so before, now he has some understanding of Ruizong and no longer holds this view. Ruizong is frugal and humble, and has no opinion on the surface and is at the mercy of others. In fact, he has his own opinions and means, but he just doesn't show it easily.

"Let's go, take a look everywhere." Chen Wanrong suggested. Wang Han almost let it go, and he didn't want to say more. He responded happily: "Yes, take a look at the emperor's character." He walked in his head with great strides.

Houses are close to each other, with a total of five close to each other, each with a dozen or twenty, with about a hundred or more houses. In terms of houses alone, the number is similar to that of the old houses of Zheng Mansion. However, these houses are exquisitely made of materials and very finely constructed, and must be made by skilled craftsmen, far from comparable to those of Zheng Mansion’s old houses.

There are no flowers, plants and trees in front of the house. There are only trees paved with bluestone. There are trees near the walls, with lush branches and leaves, and the trees are as green as bacteria and full of vitality.

The last time I entered, there was a courtyard wall about meter high, with a door in the middle, which was not locked and was hidden. Zheng Qing was curious and blinked and asked, "What will be behind?"

Everyone wants to know this question, but no one can answer it. A breeze blows, and the fragrance of flowers is fresh and comfortable. Chen Wanrong can't help but twitch his nose and praises: "It smells so good."

Zheng Qing knew a lot about flowers, so her family planted a lot of flowers and immediately identified them: "There are peaches, peony, peony, rose, twenty-four kinds!"

Wang Han is a famous scholar and has also had great attainments in flowers and plants. He praised: "Ms. Zheng, you have great skills! I have only smelled thirteen kinds. Where did this come from?"

Chen Wanrong pointed at the courtyard wall about 100 feet high and analyzed: "The wind comes from here, and the flowers must be in this direction."

Wu Daozi slapped his hands and agreed very much: "Brother Chen said very well. If what I expected was not bad, there must be a flower garden behind the wall, which should be correct."

Zheng Qing had a special liking for flowers. She flew up her jade feet and trotted forward, opened the door, and got past it first. Chen Wanrong followed in and looked around, and immediately exclaimed: "There are so many flowers!"

In such a huge flower garden, you can’t see it at first sight. Flowers are blooming, and the fragrance is everywhere, making people feel that they are born in the country of fragrance. Wang Han’s eyes wandered around and pointed out: “Peony, peony, and rose, everything is available.”

"Look, there are people cleaning up there." Wu Daozi pointed at a few black shadows in the distance, and his tone was raised high.

Chen Wanrong had seen Zheng Qing's flowerbed. In terms of scale and variety, it could not be compared with this flowerbed. He had been surprised for a long time. He took a big step and walked straight up. Zheng Qing and the others hurriedly followed.

When we came closer, it turned out that four gardeners were repairing what they should be repaired and what they should be cut, so busy that they had sweat beads hanging on their foreheads. After a closer look, the four of them were not young anymore, and they were in their fifties. Look at their skillful movements, they should be very experienced gardeners.

"May I ask, is this the flowerbed of the Qiandi?" Chen Wanrong coughed lightly.

The four gardeners then noticed that someone had come in, so they stood up and looked at Chen Wanrong, feeling a little surprised: "Yes. May I ask, do you have a surname Chen?"

"I am Chen Wanrong." Chen Wanrong reported to his house.

The four of them bowed their heads and bowed: "I've met the master."

It should be that Ruizong sent someone to inform them, otherwise it would be impossible to have such a tribute. Chen Wanrong hurriedly helped him up: "Old man, don't deny this ritual. Did the emperor say how to deal with this flowerbed?"

The four gardeners were very surprised and stunned for a while. The gardener with white beards with white beards smiled and said, "Master, you are asking this question very strange. The flower garden is from the residence, so of course it is up to you to deal with it."

Chen Wanrong wanted Hua Fu so much, but Ruizong didn't say what to do, so he had to ask clearly. He hurriedly said, "I don't know what the emperor means, so I ask."

"We have been waiting here for more than twenty years and finally waited for the new owner." The four gardeners were quite happy.

Chen Wanrong was very excited: "You all go to rest, don't practice first."

A gardener hurriedly argued: "Master, no, you have to hurry up, or you will miss your work."

"I'm not saying that I don't repair it, I'm saying that I'm going to postpone it and trim it. I'm very useful for flowers, leaves, stems, and poles. It's not cost-effective to repair it now." Chen Wanrong explained seriously.

Wang Han was very surprised and asked, "Brother Chen, what's the use?"
Chapter completed!