Da Tang: Father, can I resign?

Chapter 375 Storm in the Teapot
Li Chengqian looked in the direction of the voice.

I saw Yin Fei getting off the carriage, and with the help of a palace maid, she put one hand on her waist, looking at the open gate of the house with a look of disgust, and loudly scolding.

"A nouveau riche is a nouveau riche. So what if they have some dirty money?
"The streets were in a mess, the city had no rules, and there was not even a wall. The barbarians on the road were even more vulgar. They didn't even know how to give way to the nobles who were traveling, and they moved through the caravan like loaches in a ditch.

"Vulgar, vulgar!

“No matter how many houses we build or how big they are, we can’t hide the fact that this place is a barren land!”

Yin Fei muttered loudly, obviously for everyone to hear.

She is full of complaints now.

From a noble concubine, she became a captive of the Ming Dynasty. She was very scared at first.

She was afraid that the Ming Emperor would be unhappy, or even that the ferocious Ming army would be overwhelmed by lust and do something to her.

After all, the grass on the child's grave was already three feet high, and the middle-aged woman still thought she was quite pretty.

As she moved along so cautiously, Concubine Yin suddenly discovered that Daming did not do anything to her, but treated her with great respect instead.

Even the carriage she rode in (as well as the carriages of everyone else in the team) was changed from a simple ordinary carriage to an exquisite and magnificent royal carriage.

Being polite is a blessing, and the Ming Dynasty's hospitality made Concubine Yin feel good about herself.

She seemed to have regained the feeling of being a royal concubine.

So, her previous cautiousness turned into current audacity, and her bad temper surged up twice as much.

"This is a barbarian land! You don't know etiquette! You are all barbarians!"

Concubine Yin stood at the door and continued to talk loudly to herself.

Li Mingda couldn't bear to listen any longer and couldn't help but refute:
"Don't talk about others as worthless. Were we defeated by the barbarians?"

This truth hurt the hearts of everyone present.

Yin Fei's eyebrows immediately raised, her face flushed red, and she looked like a shrew ready to curse in the street.

Li Mingda subconsciously hid behind his brother Li Zhi.

"Aunt Yin, as a concubine in the harem, it doesn't seem to be a proper thing for you to get off the carriage and talk on your own, right?"

In the golden car, Li Chengqian said coldly.

Your Majesty is still protective of my little sister. He still protects her even though she said such excessive words... everyone whispered.

"..." Yin Fei finally shut her mouth and shrugged her nose in dissatisfaction.

Li Mingda is obviously also a female member of the palace. As a princess, how could she not take a carriage but sit on her brother's horse so openly?

You are already a virgin, but you still don't allow men and women to have physical contact with each other. Aren't you ashamed?

Your Majesty Li Chengqian, this is a blatant double standard!

however.

The emperor is hypocritical. What do you think we should do?

Can a concubine point out the emperor’s mistakes?
"I... understand." Concubine Yin said sullenly.

Although everyone is theoretically a prisoner, His Majesty Li Chengqian can no longer speak the truth as he did in the past.

But even though the true dragon has died, its power still remains.

No matter how unwilling Concubine Yin was, she could only bow respectfully and return to her carriage in a panic.

Li Mingda breathed a sigh of relief visibly.

Although she was the most popular person in the palace, no one disliked her.

But if we have to say who made her uncomfortable around, Concubine Yin would definitely be on the list.

Concubine Yin was a sycophantic and mean person, especially after the unclear death of her son, Prince of Qi Li You, she became even more unscrupulous and aggressive with her words, which was so sharp that it gave people a headache.

Li Zhi secretly breathed a sigh of relief and bowed slightly to Jingenche.

Li Chengqian nodded slightly to his brothers and was about to lower the curtain.

As soon as I put my hand on the window sill, I heard another cold female voice:

"Your Majesty is right. How can women in the palace show their faces in public?
"You are really uncivilized, worse than a savage."

The whispering stopped abruptly.

Everyone present cast a furtive glance at the speaker.

Behind the Emperor's golden carriage was a phoenix chariot, with lifelike phoenix patterns and the utmost luxury.

The window of the Phoenix Chariot was half-raised, revealing half of a pale and solemn face.

It’s Concubine Wei.

Concubine Wei's car was just behind the Emperor's, which shows her status.

She saw clearly what happened from behind.

Her speech also carries a lot of weight.

"The ladies in the palace" naturally included Princess Jinyang.

She was making an indirect criticism. On the surface, she was criticizing Yin Fei for getting off the car without permission and being tactless, but in reality she was scolding Li Mingda, who was riding a horse, for being an uncivilized savage.

At the same time, she also criticized His Majesty Li Chengqian's double standards.

Want to protect your child? Don't even think about it in front of me!
"..." Li Chengqian didn't say much, but just closed the curtains silently.

Of course he knew that Concubine Wei was challenging his authority.

But what could he do? Order the guards to chop off the imperial concubine who had offended the emperor and the princess?
Times have changed, Your Majesty! Li Chengqian is no longer the emperor who has the final say!

All he can use now is the remaining power of the monarchy.

The residual power is like the afterglow of sunset. Without the guarantee of violent organs, it is something that exists if you believe in it and does not exist if you do not believe in it.

Concubine Wei was using this minor incident to try to challenge Li Chengqian's imperial authority and establish her prestige in the small circle of the "Li Tang royal family."

What can Li Chengqian do? He can only give in and compromise.

He cannot easily use his real skills, otherwise others will find out that he is really incompetent.

Concubine Wei's face was hidden in the shadow cast by the half-open window, with a barely perceptible curve at the corner of her mouth.

Having practiced in the palace for most of her life, she can be considered half a political animal.

Being able to force the emperor to make concessions made her feel very happy, and she even forgot for a moment that she was a prisoner.

Anyway, when she was in Taiji Palace, she usually had contact with only these few people. After leaving the palace, she would probably still be in charge of these few people, and her actual power would not be reduced.

"Princess Jinyang, are you right?"

She quickly smoothed the curve of her mouth corners and reminded him politely but coldly.

"Well……"

Li Mingda pouted in grievance, just like a hamster.

But she couldn't refute anything.

Because what Concubine Wei quoted was exactly the argument of His Majesty's brother, she just expanded it to her own head. If you really get down to it, she is still in the wrong.

"Sister is right!"

Although Concubine Yin was also affected by Concubine Wei's aoe, she felt that the Concubine was trying to show her support.

It was very wise of me to hold on tightly to Empress Wei's thighs.

"Princess Yin, do you think what I said is right or wrong?" Concubine Wei added coldly.

The corner of Yin Fei's mouth twitched, and she forced a smile:

"Sister is right!"

Having said that, he quickened his pace and quietly returned to his carriage.

Not just Concubine Yin.

Outside the "main battlefield", the concubines and princesses, who had been sitting in the carriages for a long time and wanted to relax, also consciously returned to their respective carriages.

Now, Li Mingda was the only palace lady still hanging around outside.

"Woo..." Li Mingda suddenly found himself in a dilemma.

The other female members of the family were all sitting properly, and she was the only one out in public. Wouldn't that make her feel all alone?
Moreover, there is nothing wrong with Concubine Wei "citing" His Majesty's words.

It does not seem proper for a grown-up girl, especially a daughter of a royal family, to flaunt herself in public so carelessly.

but!

If I just go back to the car obediently, wouldn't it mean that I have succumbed to the tyranny of Concubine Wei?

Who does she think she is?
Even her brother the Emperor allowed her to act freely, so what right did Concubine Wei have to boss her around?
Although Li Mingda did not fully understand the complex logic of politics, she subconsciously believed it.

If he had not listened to his elder brother's advice, but obeyed Concubine Wei's instructions.

Then, it might have a negative impact on the authority of the emperor's brother.

This is what she doesn't want to see.

What's more, for her personally, riding on the same horse with Brother Li Zhi might be one of the few moments of freedom she will have in her life.

From Chang'an to Pingzhou, although the journey was tiring, it was a novel experience for the princess. Apart from accompanying her father to Jiucheng Palace to escape the summer heat, this was almost her first time to travel far away.

Normally, she was like a prisoner, trapped in a luxurious prison called "Tai Chi Palace", and was not allowed to leave without permission.

After arriving in the Ming Dynasty, as a prisoner, it is hard to say whether the situation will get worse.

Therefore, Li Mingda especially cherishes this perhaps his last free time.

"Auntie Wei." Li Zhi, who had been acting as a horse riding tool, spoke.

"Are you feeling better? When you were captured by the Ming army in Puzhou, you had a high fever for several days. Today you can finally speak. This is truly the blessing of our Tang ancestors."

He used a polite tone and said the strongest words:
Is this where you speak?
Perhaps sensing his younger sister's hesitation, Li Zhi decided to just go back.

Unexpectedly, when confronted by the Crown Prince of the Tang Dynasty, Concubine Wei showed no intention of backing down and said:
"Thanks to His Majesty the Retired Emperor, I am still in good health. I am just worried about the war on the front line and whether the Ming thieves will harm His Majesty the Retired Emperor, so I have lost my appetite."

She directly brought out the "Ming thieves" and put pressure on the emperor and the crown prince.

It really put them out of their misery.

Yes, if captured by Li Ming, the women could definitely survive.

But for Li Chengqian, the emperor of the previous dynasty, and Li Zhi, the remnant of the previous dynasty, that is not necessarily the case!

At least Concubine Wei felt that the two Lis would probably not escape death in the end.

Since the two of them are already dead in the futures market, is there any need to be servile to them?
Concubine Wei is very realistic, even more realistic than Concubine Yin.

"…I am being willful. Brother Zhinu, can you let me get off the horse?"

Li Mingda finally backed off, lowered his head, and tugged at Li Zhi's clothes from behind.

Li Zhi opened his mouth, but in the end he couldn't say anything. He could only silently carry his sister off the saddle.

This round of competition ended with Concubine Wei's great victory.

Wei Gui didn't say anything else, but quietly closed the half of the window.

When the window closed, a smile appeared on her lips.

It was at this time that a woman walked out of the wide-open gate of the mansion, surrounded by several old men.

Li Mingda had just dismounted from his horse dejectedly, and when he saw the woman's appearance, he stood still in surprise.

She knew this woman and was very familiar with her. They had eaten together several times!

Not only her, but everyone in the convoy was stunned. They stood there like wooden figures and forgot what to do for a moment.

The Ming Dynasty personnel accompanying them were much more relaxed and attentive. They bowed to the visitor and said:

"Greetings to Her Majesty the Queen Mother."

The woman who walked out of the gate was none other than Empress Dowager Yang, the Empress Dowager of both the Ming and Tang dynasties!
Now it was not only Li Mingda, Li Zhi also rolled off the horse, knelt on one knee and bowed:

"My son, please pay homage to your mother!"

After all, he is a young scholar who has perfect moral principles. He has not forgotten the position of Empress Yang.

As long as the retired emperor who is far away in Shanxi does not divorce his wife.

Yang was the mother of all the princes and princesses.

"Empress Dowager? Mother?!"

Concubine Wei had just been sitting quietly in the car when she suddenly heard these words that irritated her nerves.

This immediately made her instinctively tremble all over like Pavlov's dog, not knowing whether it was because of jealousy, anger, or fear.

That woman, the woman who had taken away all her glory and grace, was right outside this sedan...

In just a short moment, countless thoughts flashed through Concubine Wei's mind, making her expression changeable.

In the end, her expression was locked in a flattering smile. She did not even bother to ask the palace maid to help her. She rushed out of the sedan chair first, lowered her eyebrows and eyes, bowed her head, and bowed in the direction of Yang:
"Greetings to Your Highness!"

This attitude of being arrogant at first but respectful later made everyone look at him sideways.

Concubine Wei doesn't care about other people's attitudes.

Because she knew in her heart that the disputes within Taiji Palace were just a storm in a teapot.

The Yang family is the real master here, holding the power of life and death over these "captives"!

However, Yang was not in a hurry to greet the guests from the Tang Dynasty, and was still explaining something to the people around her.

"Since His Majesty the Emperor has made his decision, we cannot have any second thoughts.

"It will only work if the whole nation is mobilized, the whole army devotes their lives, and all obeys with all their strength."

The two old men beside Yang nodded immediately:

"Your Majesty is right. We will follow your instructions in the letter, recruit civilians, and set off immediately."

Hey, the voices of these two old men... why do they sound familiar?

Concubine Wei felt something was strange and looked up subconsciously.

Queen Yang was still the same Queen Yang, plain and unpretentious, with a reserved and radiant personality, not much different from the Yang in Lide Palace.

But the two old men standing on her left and right were somewhat famous—

One was the Left Prime Minister Fang Xuanling, and the other was the Right Prime Minister Changsun Wuji.

Two powerful officials were by Empress Yang's side, which meant...

Not only did that woman seize her (self-proclaimed) position as Queen Mother, but she also gained the opportunity to interfere in government affairs?
This……

How could she not be envious and jealous...

Wei Gui's face turned pale and his body began to tremble uncontrollably again.

You have to hold back and not show any disrespect.

The power of that woman was far beyond her imagination. If she dared to offend him, she would really die...

"Why don't you scold Queen Mother Yang for being disrespectful and showing her face in public?"... Li Mingda was secretly happy in his heart.

"Eh? Isn't that Ah Sizi? He has grown so big!"

Queen Yang seemed to have finally noticed the visitors and was the first to greet Li Mingda.

"Mother!" Li Mingda responded sweetly and jumped towards her.

Queen Yang was not shy either and shook Li Mingda's hands warmly, as if they were really mother and daughter who had not seen each other for several years.

"Then I will take my leave."

Fang Xuanling and Zhangsun Wuji bowed to the empress dowager at the right time, then hurriedly bowed to several familiar guests from Taiji Palace, and left in a hurry.

This hurried coming and going can be said to be very characteristic of the Ming Dynasty.

"Mother, why are you here..." After the greetings, Li Mingda asked the doubts in his mind.

"I'm here..." Queen Yang was startled by the question, then she realized something and smiled, covering her mouth:
"Because this is where I live."

"Is this the Ming Dynasty Palace?!" Li Mingda blurted out.

Although the other listeners did not ask the question, they were no less confused than Li Mingda.

Although this house is also very luxurious, it seems very small compared to the Taiji Palace.

Pingzhou is wealthy, and there are many residential houses that are almost as luxurious as this... "imperial palace".

Isn't this an act of usurpation?

Well, a country follows its master. Li Ming does not have the word "usurpation" in his dictionary, and it seems that the Ming Dynasty does not have it either...

"If you don't mind, you can rest here. If you want to live somewhere else, that's fine."

Queen Yang said.

Li Mingda opened his eyes wide in surprise:
"From now on, can I leave the palace at will without being locked up in one place?"

Queen Yang smiled gently and said:

"Exactly. You can go wherever you want."

"That's great! Thank you, mother!" Li Mingda was very excited.

The other concubines and princesses also felt dazed and could not believe that this was true.

After being captured, he actually gained greater freedom.

It was like a ridiculous and absurd dream...

"You must be tired from the journey, please go inside and rest first. Your Majesty the Emperor of Tang, Your Highness the Crown Prince, I will bother you again in the future."

Li Chengqian and Li Zhi nodded at the same time:
"I will follow the arrangements of the Queen Mother."

After the guests were settled, Queen Yang couldn't help but sigh in her heart.

It's really a storm in a teapot.

The people in the harem are still the same as before, just keeping their heads down and fighting over their own little pieces of land.

Little did they know that, looking down from a height that was beyond their reach.

The Ming Dynasty is like a huge war machine, running at high speed.

(End of this chapter)