Chen Jingke did not hide his purpose, and there was no way to hide this kind of thing.
He usually had little contact with Princess Tong'an, so suddenly going to pay homage to her husband on her death anniversary was too unexpected.
Moreover, Wang Fangyi, mother and son are still being accused of being unfilial, and it was Li Shimin who personally issued the order to expel them from the capital, so it is even more unexpected that he left them behind.
It can't be explained without a proper reason.
So he directly told Changsun Wugou his purpose, just for Wang Fangyi.
Of course, there was some processing in it: he accidentally heard about Wang Fangyi's experience in the countryside, thought he was a talent, and wanted to bring him over to train him.
For Changsun Wugu, this was not a problem at all. Although he criticized him for being troublesome, he agreed without hesitation.
Li Shimin didn't know what to say. He had long forgotten about Wang Fangyi. Since Chen Jingke wanted him by name, let's get him. Wouldn't it be better if he was a talented person?
As for Princess Tong'an's opinion, I believe she will understand the royal family's thirst for talents.
To be on the safe side, Changsun Wugou also asked Xiao Sizi to go with him as a representative of the royal family. This would not only support Chen Jingke, but also show that the emperor valued his aunt.
Xiao Sizi started preparing early in the morning. As long as she could be with her brother, she would be happy to do anything.
Taking the gifts prepared by eldest grandson Wugao, the two of them left the palace and went to Princess Tong'an's mansion together.
On the way, the little Sizi looked left and right, curious about everything. Chen Jingke knew that she had few chances to leave the palace, and it was normal to be curious about the outside world, so he slowed down to let her watch for a while.
Princess Tong'an's mansion is located in Xiuxiangfang, which is only one Fuxingfang away from the palace. The distance is not very far and it didn't take long to arrive.
When the steward who greeted the guests learned that it was Princess Jinyang who had arrived, the shouts became even louder. Princess Tong'an even led the guests to the entrance of the lobby to greet them.
Although on the surface it was to welcome the angel, everyone knew that he was just trying to curry favor with Princess Jinyang.
It sounds ridiculous for an aunt to fawn over her grandniece, but in fact it is normal. Anyone who is not stupid knows which is more important, the emperor's aunt or the emperor's direct daughter.
With a formulaic smile on her face, Xiao Sizi greeted Princess Tongan very cordially and politely, and at the same time, she did not forget to exempt others from the gift.
Chen Jingke was dumbfounded. He had seen little Sizi look naughty and shy, but he had never seen such a serious little adult.
She is indeed my little Sizi, her performance is perfect, he thought excitedly.
People around her also looked at her in amazement. This princess was so dignified and intelligent, and she didn't look like a five or six-year-old child at all.
Naturally, everyone would not ignore Chen Jingke, and Princess Tong'an spoke first: "Mr. Chen is one of the gods. Your coming here will really make my house shine."
Chen Jingke said politely: "You are too polite, old man. The saint and the empress are so busy with their affairs that they really can't leave. Please let me accompany the princess to visit you and pay homage to the prince."
The eldest princess of Tong'an felt her face light up, and she was so happy that she couldn't see her teeth. She said: "Oh, the saint and the empress are too polite. I am an old woman and can just send someone here. Why bother to work for the third empress."
As he spoke, he couldn't help but touch Xiao Sizi's bun, and said: "This little man is really painful. The real man and the third lady are a match made in heaven."
Others around them also praised the two as golden boys and girls. Anyway, there is no harm in saying more auspicious words.
Xiao Sizi was very happy, but she still shyly covered half of her face with a round fan in front of everyone.
Chen Jingke was thick-skinned and said, "Thank you for your blessings."
However, there are always discordant voices. At this time, someone in the crowd sarcastically said: "I am ashamed to be associated with a group of sycophants."
Everyone looked at the speaker angrily and found that it was Wang Xiuqi, and then nothing happened.
Today he came on behalf of the Taiyuan Wang family, and few people present dared to offend him, even though the gentry was being jointly targeted by many parties at this time.
Although Princess Tong'an was also very unhappy, today was her husband's death anniversary and the other party was from her husband's family, so she couldn't help but pretend not to hear.
Chen Jingke didn't recognize him at first. After all, it had been so long ago and he had already forgotten it.
It was only when I heard his name from someone else that I remembered such a person.
He was not surprised that the Taiyuan Wang family sent people to pay homage.
Wang Yu, the husband of Princess Dachang of Tong'an, was a branch of the Wang family in Taiyuan. During his lifetime, he was an official in Kaifu Yi and Tongsansi and had a high status in the family. It is normal for the Wang family to send a representative to pay homage.
What surprised him was that the person sent by the other party turned out to be Wang Xiuqi. It was really a coincidence.
He subconsciously looked between the other person's legs, wondering if he had any sequelae.
Wang Xiuqi naturally noticed what he was looking at, and thought he was deliberately mocking him. He was furious in his heart and said coldly:
"Master Chen, you are well."
Chen Jingke was not polite and directly mocked: "Today is the death anniversary of the prince, but as a guest, he openly makes trouble. Is this the etiquette of the nobles?"
Wang Xiuqi became even more angry and said: "You..."
Chen Jingke interrupted him and said: "If you still know some manners, you should shut up. The eldest princess can't say anything because of the prince's face. I don't have so many worries. If you dare to cause trouble again, don't blame me for kicking you out.
"
Wang Xiuqi couldn't keep his face, and he couldn't explain Chen Jingke, so he directly asked the eldest princess of Tong'an: "Does the eldest princess think so too?"
Princess Tong'an was so angry that her whole body trembled and she was speechless for a long time.
"Presumptuous." A clear voice sounded from behind the crowd, scolding: "Who are you? How dare you talk to my grandmother in such a tone?"
The crowd roared and made way for a passage, only to see an imposing young man of sixteen or seventeen years old walking over, glaring at Wang Xiuqi and saying:
"In terms of status, my grandmother is the eldest princess of the current dynasty. In terms of seniority, you should also call me great-uncle. Not only do you disrespect her, but you also uttered arrogant words. It is really unfaithful and unfilial."
"The Taiyuan Wang family has passed down poems and books to the family from generation to generation. How could they teach someone like you who doesn't know etiquette, justice and integrity like you?"
Wang Xiuqi blushed after being scolded and stammered: "You...who are you? Don't meddle in other people's business."
The young man first saluted the eldest princess of Tong'an and said, "Grandma, my grandson is late."
Princess Tong'an's mood was extremely complicated. She took a deep breath and said: "It's not too late, it's not too late. It's just the right time. Get up."
"Thank you grandma." The young man stood up, then turned around and said proudly: "I am Wang Fangyi, grandma's only grandson. Remember this name and don't seek revenge on the wrong person in the future."
"Wang Fangyi?" Wang Xiuqi seemed to have just remembered such a person and sneered: "It turns out he is a bitch of the Wang family who was kicked out of the capital for being unfilial. I still think..."
"Shut up." But the eldest princess of Tong'an finally broke out and shouted: "Fang Yi is the only male in my family. Anyone who dares to insult him is insulting my family."
"Junior, do you really think I'm easy to bully? If you dare to say anything arrogant again, don't blame me for being ruthless and kicking you out."
Wang Xiuqi finally did not dare to speak. Wang Yu still had some status in the Wang family. The key was that he was senior and was familiar with the elders of the family head clan.
He could explain that he was causing trouble because he saw Chen Jingke lose his temper. If he was driven away and delayed the sacrifice, there would be no way to explain it when he returned.
He was almost given up because of a conflict with Chen Jingke before, but he got another chance by fawning over Wang Zhuo. If he messes up this time, it will be really over.
Seeing that he had calmed down, the eldest princess of Tong'an snorted and let him go, and then said to Wang Fangyi: "Come, let me introduce to you the history of our family, so as not to be rude if we don't know each other when we meet in the future."
Wang Fangyi was pleasantly surprised. Although Princess Tong'an's expression was stiff and her attitude was somewhat reluctant, her willingness to let him know her family members showed that she recognized his identity.
This is really important to him.
Naturally, Princess Jinyang and Chen Jingke were introduced first, and Wang Fangyi quickly came over to salute.
Knowing that this person was the target of his brother's trip, Xiao Sizi couldn't help but look at him more, and his attitude became much kinder.
Chen Jingke was very happy to find out that he was Wang Fangyi. He was just worried about how to find someone, but now he showed up.
Moreover, his performance just now was so eye-catching, he was indeed Wang Fangyi.
Therefore, his attitude was very cordial and he said: "He is actually the grandson of the eldest princess. According to our seniority, we are also the same generation. Brother Wang, please be well."
Wang Fangyi said politely: "You are so polite, you just defended my grandmother, Fang Yi would like to thank you."
Chen Jingke said with a smile: "We are all one family, don't say such unreasonable things. Just now, Brother Wang defended my grandmother with great righteousness, which will definitely become a good talk in the future."
Wang Fangyi blamed himself: "I came too late, which made my grandmother so angry. I really shouldn't have."
Princess Tong'an looked much better and said, "As long as you come, it's never too late."
After saying that, he took him to meet other people, who were naturally very polite and praised him for his filial piety and the good fortune of Princess Tong'an.
As for the previous conflicts between them, everyone pretended not to know anything.
Chen Jingke was filled with emotion when he saw this. He naturally knew why Princess Tong'an went against the norm and recognized Wang Fangyi, her unrelated grandson.
In this era, no matter what one's status is, if there is no male in the family, one will be looked down upon, not to mention that she doesn't even have a daughter.
To be precise, she had a daughter, but it was a pity that she entered the palace and became Yang Guang's concubine. Yang Guang hated Li Yuan and often took out his anger on Miss Wang.
This poor Miss Wang passed away quietly without anyone knowing when, leaving not even a single child behind.
The eldest princess of Tong'an became a real loner. Wang Xiuqi only dared to cause trouble in public because he deceived her into having no descendants.
But after Wang Fangyi came forward, the situation changed.
Although Wang Fangyi has no relationship with her in terms of blood, legally speaking, he is her grandson and the only male heir to the Wang family.
With her grandson, her confidence was different. Wang Xiuqi didn't even dare to retaliate when she scolded her.
It was the experience just now that finally made this old lady realize something: even though she was the eldest princess of the Tang Dynasty, the emperor still wanted to call her aunt.
But in legal terms, she is always a member of the Wang family and represents the Wang family. No matter how noble the royal family is, no one in her lineage will dare to bully her.
And Wang Fangyi is the only root of her lineage and the future of their family. Only with him around can others respect her.
It was precisely because of this that she changed her attitude. No matter what her true thoughts were, she would at least support Wang Fangyi on the surface.
Thinking of this, Chen Jingke couldn't help but feel funny.
From this aspect, Wang Xiuqi can be regarded as a villain in reverse, allowing a pair of estranged grandparents and grandchildren to complete the reconciliation.
After this minor incident, the various procedures for the death anniversary continued.
According to the rules, the widow cannot participate in the funeral of the deceased. In the past, the housekeeper would lead the guests to pay homage, but today, Wang Fangyi will lead the ceremony.
After the memorial service, it was already half noon, and the banquet began.
Princess Tong'an and Xiao Sizi went next door to receive the female guests, while Wang Fangyi and Chen Jingke received the male guests.
Naturally, many people proposed toasts to Chen Jingke during the banquet, but he refused because he would not drink. Wang Fangyi could not escape, and was toasted many times.
He probably didn't drink much, but within a few drinks his face turned red and his body began to shake. Chen Jingke had to step forward to dissuade him.
After all, they are all people with status, and the ones who came today are all old friends. Seeing that he was really drunk, I didn't try to persuade him.
All in all, everything went well and the guests and hosts had a great time.
Chen Jingke and Xiao Sizi stayed until the end, and stood up to leave after all the guests had dispersed.
When he was leaving, Chen Jingke took out his name card and handed it to him and said, "Brother Wang, we hit it off as soon as we met. We should move around more in the future."
"When you are free, go to Zixiaoguan and see me. I will introduce you to some of your peers. Don't worry, they are all good men. You will definitely like them."
Wang Fangyi was very envious of this famous post, but did not reach out to take it. Instead, he turned his attention to Princess Tong'an and asked for her opinion.
Princess An was very satisfied with his attitude and said: "Take it, Mr. Chen is not an outsider. You can ask him for advice if you have anything in the future."
This was a disguised agreement for him to stay in Beijing. Wang Fangyi was very excited. He took the name card with both hands and said: "Thank you Master Chen. I will definitely come to the door in person to say thank you someday."
Chen Jingke said a few polite words and was about to leave when he suddenly thought of something and turned around and asked: "Princess, I heard that you have a grandniece who is dignified and beautiful, with a gentle and kind temperament?"
Princess Tong'an was very puzzled as to why he asked about this matter, but she still said: "It is indeed true. I am preparing to be a matchmaker and promise her to the King of Jin."
Chen Jingke thought it was okay, so he said meaningfully: "The eldest princess is confused. How can Brother Wang's cousin marry another prince as a concubine?"
After saying that, without waiting for them to ask any more questions, he took Xiao Sizi and left.
Looking at their backs, Wang Fangyi asked in confusion: "Grandma, what does Master Chen mean? Why can't my cousin marry the prince as his concubine?"
The eldest princess of Tong'an was puzzled at first, then suddenly realized, saying: "Confused, I am indeed confused. Of course your cousin cannot marry another prince as a concubine, she can only go to the East Palace to be the prince's concubine."
