Tang Dynasty, my wife Wu Zetian

Chapter 448 The Most Pathetic Prince Consort

The carriage slowly traveled along the main street of Chang'an City.

The atmosphere inside the car was heavy. Zhou Daowu had a gloomy face and didn't say a word.

Princess Linchuan's expression was even more unpleasant than his.

The couple didn't look at each other, their gazes fixed on the street outside through the car windows on either side.

As they drew closer to the Wei residence, Zhou Daowu finally couldn't help but speak up.

"Princess, when you meet Prince Ji later, just mention the marriage. Don't bring up Boyu's matter again, okay?" The voice carried a hint of pleading.

Princess Linchuan turned to look at him and said, "Prince Xu didn't come to me to negotiate. Even if His Majesty agrees to the marriage, it won't save Dalang. Don't you understand?"

Zhou Daowu sighed, "I understand."

Princess Linchuan said, "So, the prince consort is prepared to abandon his son and watch him die?"

Zhou Daowu suppressed his anger and said, "The Dali Temple sentenced him to exile, not death. He has come to this point because you spoiled him too much!"

Princess Linchuan shrieked, "What did you say?"

Over the years, Zhou Daowu had harbored a deep resentment towards this unruly and domineering princess.

Now that the safety of the Zhou family is at stake, Princess Linchuan is still so disregarding the overall situation. He could no longer hold back and loudly berated her.

"Am I wrong? Dalang has followed you and learned a lot of sensual pleasures, cockfighting, and dog racing. Erlang and Sanlang have followed me, studying and practicing martial arts, working hard and striving for excellence. Whether they pass the imperial examinations or join the army, they will be able to distinguish themselves. Isn't this your responsibility?"

Princess Linchuan angrily said, "Zhou Daowu, you were the one who told me to place Dalang by Li Xiao's side, and now you're blaming me?"

Zhou Daowu's expression changed, and he said, "Keep your voice down!"

Princess Linchuan said angrily, "Look at your cowardly behavior, always afraid of this and that. I think you're not even as good as Xiao Siye!"

Seeing the veins throbbing on her face, her hands waving, and her agitated state, Zhou Daowu was afraid that she would get more and more excited and reveal all her secrets, so he could only suppress his anger and stop talking back.

Princess Linchuan pointed her finger at his nose and cursed, "You bunch of useless things! As soon as Xiao Siye died, you went from tigers and leopards to sick cats, each one more cowardly than the last. You call yourselves strong men!"

After Xiao Siye's death, Zhou Daowu, Wei Hongji, Yuwen Qiao, and others secretly discussed abandoning their plan to support the fourth prince and instead aligning themselves with the crown prince.

Princess Linchuan was furious when she learned of this.

The person she hated most was Wu Zetian, so how could she possibly support her son? Therefore, she ignored all advice and still let Zhou Boyu follow Li Xiao.

Zhou Daowu had no choice but to focus his energy on raising his other two sons.

Therefore, when he learned about Zhou Boyu's situation, his reaction was not significant.

He had always felt that his eldest son had been spoiled by his wife and would cause trouble sooner or later, and now it had indeed come true.

Princess Linchuan continued her tirade.

"Bo Yu and I approached Li Xiao as you instructed. Now that Xiao Siye is dead, Boyu has become a pawn. Will I also become a pawn in the future?"

Seeing her so erratic, Zhou Daowu feared she would cause a great disaster, so he had no choice but to back down, saying with a wry smile, "Alright, I was wrong, is that alright?"

Princess Linchuan demanded, "Then are you still going to save Boyu or not?"

Zhou Daowu sighed, “He is my son, of course I want to save him, but think about it, news came from the palace that His Majesty was furious about the matter of the eldest son and spent two hours hunting in the Forbidden Garden. Even the Prince of Yue couldn’t persuade him, I’m afraid the Prince of Ji won’t be able to do anything either!”

Princess Linchuan snorted, "Li Zhen didn't even plead for me. I knew he couldn't be trusted, which is why I invited my tenth brother to the capital."

Zhou Daowu said, "Princess, our greatest reliance now is Prince Ji. If he incurs the Emperor's wrath and loses his favor, our future will be very difficult."

Princess Linchuan gritted her teeth and said, "His Majesty has always valued family ties. If Prince Ji pleads for his nephew, would His Majesty punish him for it?"

Zhou Daowu whispered a reminder: "Don't forget, Changsun Wuji is His Majesty's maternal uncle, yet he was still dealt with by His Majesty."

Princess Linchuan retorted angrily, "After all this talk, you're still afraid!"

Zhou Daowu said with a wry smile, "Princess, if Prince Ji loses the Emperor's favor, Her Majesty the Empress will no longer have any scruples when she wants to deal with you and me!"

Princess Linchuan's expression changed slightly, but she still stubbornly said, "Hmph, do you think I'm afraid of her?"

Zhou Daowu leaned against the carriage wall, sighed deeply, and stopped trying to persuade him.

Before long, the carriage finally arrived at the Wei residence. A young man was standing outside the gate to greet them; he was Wei Yue, another follower of Li Xiao.

Today, Prince Ji arrives in the capital, and Consort Wei was invited back from her suburban manor by Wei Hongji. A banquet was specially held at the Wei residence to welcome Li Shen back.

After entering the mansion, the two made their way to the back hall.

Consort Wei, Li Shen, Wei Hongji, Yuwen Qiao, and others had already arrived and were sitting in the back hall chatting, creating a harmonious and joyful scene.

The atmosphere changed immediately upon Princess Linchuan's arrival.

Princess Linchuan threw herself into Consort Wei's arms and cried uncontrollably. Li Shen hurriedly asked her what was wrong, and Princess Linchuan told him about Zhou Boyu.

She only said that the incident started because of a fighting cock, and that the arrest of Feiyu Ban was just a coincidence and had nothing to do with Zhou Boyu. However, Xu Wang made a mountain out of a molehill and insisted on framing Zhou Boyu.

Those around them looked at each other, none of them interrupting.

After listening, Li Shen frowned and said, "I remember that Boyu and Prince Xu had a good relationship, so why is it like this?"

Princess Linchuan snorted, "Prince Xu was bewitched by a wild girl from the Flying Feather Clan. That girl insists that Boyu harmed them."

Li Shen remained silent.

He knew his sister and nephew's temperaments very well. How could ordinary people dare to offend them? The framing of the Flying Feather Class was most likely Zhou Boyu's doing.

"Tenth Brother, why are you silent? Are you also going to stand by and watch Boyu die?" Princess Linchuan asked anxiously.

Li Shen glanced at Consort Wei, only to see her looking at him with a pleading expression.

Despite her daughter's earnest pleas, Consort Wei actually wanted to help her grandson, but she was too old to do so and could only rely on her son.

Seeing his mother's expression, Li Shen sighed inwardly and could only nod, saying, "Alright, I will go to the palace to plead with His Majesty. As for whether it will be successful, I have no idea!" Princess Linchuan was overjoyed: "As long as you speak up, His Majesty will definitely give you some face."

Zhou Daowu suddenly said, "There's no rush to go to the palace. Today is for welcoming Prince Ji, so let's have a banquet first."

Wei Hongji laughed and said, "That's right. The banquet is ready. It's a rare occasion for everyone to gather together today, so we must have a good drink!"

Yuwen Qiao laughed loudly, "I came here on an empty stomach today."

All three had the same idea: to divert attention from the matter for now, and then find an opportunity to persuade Prince Ji not to go to the palace to plead for mercy after the banquet, so as not to incur the emperor's wrath.

Princess Linchuan refused, saying, "Di Renjie has already judged the case, and Boyu will be exiled to Junzhou in a few days. We need to hurry to the palace!"

“Very well, then I will go to the palace immediately.” Li Shen stood up abruptly.

Consort Wei hurriedly said, "Shen'er, you must be careful with your words when giving advice, lest you anger His Majesty."

Li Shen smiled and said, "Mother, rest assured, I know what I'm doing." He bowed to his mother, then cupped his hands to the crowd, and was about to leave.

Just then, a voice came from outside the door.

“Your Highness Prince Ji, I will accompany you to the palace.”

Everyone looked up and saw a burly young man striding in—it was none other than Wei Daijia!
Wei Hongji was both surprised and delighted. He quickly walked over, grabbed Wei Daijia's shoulder, and said, "Daijia, why are you back so early? I heard that Li Ji and Xue Rengui won't be back for another two days."

Wei Daijia smiled slightly and said, "I was injured in the Battle of Shicheng and have been recuperating in Yingzhou. After the war ended, Chief Steward Li asked me to return to the capital first."

"Because I was waiting for General Cheng, I stayed in Yingzhou for another month. Only after General Cheng's injuries had almost healed did I accompany him back to Chang'an, which is why I was ahead of him."

Wei Hongji nodded repeatedly and said with a smile, "You just got back, and your injuries probably haven't fully healed yet. You should rest."

Wei Daijia insisted, "Since Boyu is in trouble, I cannot sit idly by. I have also made some contributions this time, so I should be able to help."

He did not command the battle of Shicheng Valley, so the responsibility was taken by Zheng Rentai.

Later, when he broke through the encirclement, he fought bravely and actually made a contribution.

Wei Hongji had already inquired at the Ministry of Personnel. Wei Daijia was to be granted the title of a founding county magistrate this time, so he absolutely did not want him to get involved in Zhou Boyu's affairs.

"Wait for the price. Come here, I have something to say to you."

Just as Wei Hongji was about to pull him away, Princess Linchuan suddenly stood up and bowed deeply to Wei Daijia.

"Sanlang, thank you on behalf of Boyu."

Wei Daijia quickly bowed in return, saying, "Princess, there's no need for that. We're all relatives, so it's only right that we help each other out."

Wei Hongji was extremely anxious and kept giving Wei Daijia meaningful glances.

Wei Daijia stared at him and said, "Second Uncle, don't worry, I know what I'm doing."

Seeing that Li Shen's expression was strange and that he seemed to have another purpose, Wei Hongji was about to ask him again when Li Shen strode out.

"Wait for the price, let's go."

Wei Daijia agreed and left the back room with Li Shen.

Wei Hongji was in a great hurry and quickly gave Zhou Daowu a meaningful look.

Zhou Daowu pretended not to see it; if he objected now, his wife would definitely go crazy!

Li Shen and Wei Daijia rode together in a carriage, leaving the Wei residence and heading towards the imperial palace.

Along the way, Li Shen asked him about the details of the Goguryeo war, clapping his hands in admiration as he listened.

Although Li Shen did not directly participate in the battle against Goguryeo, he paid close attention to it and sent many of his men to Liaodong to gather information.

This victory also gave him a strange feeling.

In his heart, his father Li Shimin had always been a god-like figure. Even his father failed to conquer Goguryeo, but Li Zhi did.

This also made Li Shen feel more genuine respect for his elder brother.

Just as he was lost in thought, Wei Daijia suddenly asked, "Your Highness Prince Ji, how much do you know about Zhou Boyu's affairs?"

Li Shen was taken aback: "Wait for the price, what do you mean by that?"

Wei Daijia said slowly, "I was afraid that you might say the wrong thing in front of His Majesty without knowing the inside story."

"Do you know what's going on?" Li Shen's eyes flashed.

Wei Daijia said, "Yes, I know, and what I know is not quite the same as what Your Highness just said."

Li Shen stared at him: "Didn't you just arrive in the capital today? How come you know more than I do?"

Wei Daijia said, "I just met someone at the Cheng residence, and he told me the whole story."

"Who?"

“Cheng Wuting,” Wei Daijia said, “He went to Jizhou to escort the Feiyu Class to the capital, so he knows more about this matter than anyone else.”

Li Shen was silent for a moment, then slowly said, "So you didn't intend to come with me to plead for leniency."

Wei Daijia said frankly, "That's right. What Zhou Boyu did is not worth your pleading for him at all. Besides, even if you plead for him, His Majesty will not make an exception."

Li Shen said in a deep voice, "Even so, he is still my own nephew. Should I just sit idly by and do nothing?"

Wei Daijia shook his head and said, "Your Highness, you are an intelligent person and should understand a principle."

"What's the point?"

“To shield and cover up wrongdoing is sometimes no different from committing evil!” Wei Daijia said, word by word.

(End of this chapter)