Imperial Treasure

Chapter 1185 - 694: Lady Diplomacy (Part 2)

Until she saw Wui Zheng and Li Yuanji begin to subtly draw people in...

Li Yuanji was more direct, whereas Wui Zheng was more skilled in his approach. Sui Yi could almost see the shift in their stance from the change in expression in people’s eyes...

Actually, Wui Zheng’s method was simple: first, Li Jiancheng was the rightful heir, being the eldest legitimate son.

Second, Li Shimin’s fate was currently uncertain, and his future bleak.

Third, Li Jiancheng had Li Yuanji’s support, and Li Yuan also favored the inheritance of his eldest son as the rightful successor.

As long as these three points were made clear, plus Li Jiancheng had curbed the deep-rooted flaws in his nature thanks to Wui Zheng and other strategists over the years and showed quite competent performance, though not exceptional like Li Shimin, he was still suitable for the position.

Since that was the case... why couldn’t such merit in supporting a wise ruler be theirs?

This Wui Zheng was indeed a renowned minister of his time.

However, Fang Xuanling was not inferior, responding tactfully to those easily swayed. His demeanor was quite composed, and he was accompanied by his close friends discussing poetry and the arts, revealing he was genuinely there for the birthday banquet, unlike Li Yuanji and the others...

Sui Yi frowned, feeling no fondness for Li Jiancheng or Li Yuanji, knowing Li Shimin would be the eventual victor, yet Li Shimin was now suddenly attacked and near death; was this normal plot progression?

Something felt off.

"Lord Fang, your lady has returned..."

Someone said this, causing the entire gathering to ferment.

Maneuver scheming, rivalry, courtship...

It all unraveled with this statement, your lady has returned...

Everyone looked in one direction in unison.

Indeed, a flock of graceful women arrived...

Among them were the wives or daughters of many present, led by a woman in sumptuous attire, moderate in appearance but exuding a considerable dignity. The woman conversed and laughed with other elegant women, speaking with fluent and assertive leadership, to which the others attentively listened and warmly echoed, forming a harmonious group along the way...

As she approached, people could hear her laughing spiritedly: "Lady Zhang, your thinking is misguided. Men shouldn’t be spoiled; if you allow him to take a concubine, he’ll bring home a mistress. There’s a saying in the officialdom,... it’s fine with two or three, but seven or eight forming cliques might lead to rebellion. Even if there’s no rebellion, it’s troublesome, isn’t it? Shouldn’t they have children? Needn’t they eat and drink? Won’t they want your husband to buy this and that? From the household finances perspective, this mistress shouldn’t be indulged... My husband, don’t you agree?"

Seeking husband’s endorsement to extinguish mistress theory, this woman smiled towards him; the renowned Lord Fang immediately displayed loyal puppy-like devotion: "The lady speaks the truth, it absolutely shouldn’t be indulged... The household is too poor to support people..."

Alright, this couple refreshed the renowned figures’ understanding of husbandly duties, also reconfirming the severe asthma of the bureaucrat of the Tiance Mansion, but in minutes, they thought of another matter....

——A truly clear politics absolutely cannot tolerate any covert factions. Seven or eight forming cliques would lead to rebellion, even if there’s no rebellion, it’s troublesome, isn’t it? Shouldn’t they have children? Needn’t they eat and drink?

If they affiliated with Li Jiancheng, they would become factions. What’s more, Li Yuan just ascended the throne, they cliqued up with his son already, what does that mean?

Do they wish the father to die early?

Even if there’s no rebellion, more people equals more issues, their alliance means boarding the same ship, intertwining financial and human networks, the ensuing troubles are like a child needing nourishment, diaper changes, and health concerns...

Too troublesome!

Better to sit steadily in a neutral position, to avoid making mistakes.

How many have truly had good outcomes from major support in history?

How many have been executed by the monarch after ascending?

Those whose thoughts were originally swayed now broke out in cold sweat swiftly cascading like Flying Stream from three thousand feet. They almost fell into the illusion that Li Jiancheng was about to ascend immediately....

Li Yuan is still around.

Did he really choose Li Jiancheng? Who orchestrated the attack on Li Shimin? Didn’t he have a clue?

Would a father delight in his sons’ mutual slaughter and factionalism?

No, no emperor would tolerate it, especially one who just established himself as prince from a subject.

Perhaps, for now, there is only observation....

Awakened, those present instantly drifted their gaze, each pretending to laugh it off, much to Li Yuanji’s chagrin, while Wui Zheng furrowed his brow.

Fang Xuanling... lives up to his reputation.

Actually used his wife’s diplomacy, utterly shameless!

Sui Yi also watched with a smile, indeed this couple was both formidable and amusing...

"Eh? Who might this be?"

Alright, the ladies’ eyes instantly locked onto the already completely negligible Sui Yi.

"What a handsome young master"

"Like an immortal"

"Such a beauty exists in the world as this young master"

"Such elegant grace"

Thus, these ladies promptly ignored their own husbands, quickening their elegant pace to reach someone.

How young? Birthdate and zodiac? Where does the family reside? Where do you work? Elderly mother at home? Available for marriage?

Tell me, tell me!

Sui Yi: "...."

Well then, after a series of dense indirect inquiries, though few in words, the stunning Young Master Cangwu quickly topped all the ladies’ matchmaking list.(To be continued. If you enjoy this work, please visit Qidian (qidian.com) to vote for recommendations, monthly tickets, your support is my greatest motivation. Mobile users, please read on m.qidian.com.)