The Big Dipper is high, and Geshu carries a knife at night.
I haven't dared to pass by Lintao until now.
——"Geshu Song" Xiji [Tang Dynasty]
…
Just when everyone thought that the East Palace was sure to win, Prince Li Chu stood up and saluted Suzong: "Thank you for your kindness, but I will not be rewarded for my merits. I have no one under my command, so there is no need to compete in this competition."
, I admit defeat."
Before the prince finished speaking, everyone in the civil and military court was shocked, and the hall exploded again.
This time, even Suzong was astonished. He stared deeply at Prince Li Chu with deep eyes, and said slowly: "I am old and can't hear clearly. Chu'er, can you repeat it again?"
Prince Li Chu said loudly: "My father is above me, but I do not want to fight with my brothers. In this competition, I will admit defeat."
Suzong nodded and responded in a low voice: "Okay... okay... okay. Since you have made your choice, I will fulfill it for you."
After saying that, Suzong looked at the ministers in the palace and said: "I am deeply gratified that my son is kind, filial, gentle and respectful. I announce that this competition is cancelled."
"Long live Long live Long live!"
All the ministers stood up, bowed to the end, and saluted the Emperor of the Tang Dynasty.
This much-anticipated imperial competition ended so fruitlessly, which caught everyone by surprise.
…
Suzong was no longer interested, so he stood up and led his concubines back to the Daming Palace.
The rest of the Li Tang royal family, princes and nobles also stood up and left the table one after another, and left the hall one after another.
The whole banquet was full of twists and turns, which was dizzying.
The courtiers left the main hall, still unfinished, and gathered in small groups in the square, whispering to each other.
The content of the conversation had different emphases, but all the courtiers had a consensus: although there was no imperial competition between the East Palace and the Yue Palace tonight, the battle for the right to inherit the throne did not stop. On the contrary, the drama of the brothers' feud had just begun.
Bai Fu's appearance could have nipped the "Xuanwu Gate Revolution" in the bud, but what Prince Li Chu did ruined it all.
Prince Li Chu's refusal of Bai Fu's public allegiance was really unbelievable in the eyes of the courtiers. In the context of the aggressive struggle for the throne by King Li of Yue, Prince Li Chu's behavior was completely unreasonable, and it can even be said bluntly - extremely stupid.
The Crown Prince Li Xian was extremely disappointed with the Crown Prince. There was absolutely no need for Li Chu to humiliate Bai Fu and miss the best chance of reconciliation with the Tang War God.
Li Xian couldn't suppress the anger in his heart. After the banquet, he ignored the etiquette and walked away without even looking at the prince Li Chu.
Fuso Saint Fujiwara Rika observed this farce in the Tang court with great interest. As a woman, her perspective was unique.
In the scene just now, besides Princess Qingluan looking at Bai Fu with tears streaming down her face, there was another person who showed unusual concern for Bai Fu.
This person is none other than Dugu Xiaozhong, the beloved concubine of another client.
A smile appeared on the corner of Fujiwara Rika's mouth, cruel and gentle.
When no one was prepared, Fujiwara Rika used a small pair of tweezers to gently pick up the few hairs left on the mat by Bai Fu, and quietly put them into a silver tube in her sleeves.
Rika Fujiwara's movements are light and graceful, as if she were picking the most beautiful bouquet into a vase.
Fujiwara Rei smiled sweetly and said in the voice of a gnat: "After leaving the table at halftime, if you don't touch the food and wine, are you worried that I will poison you? You underestimate the methods of our Yinshi Shrine."
…
Outside the Linde Hall, Princess Qingluan regretted it so much that she burst into tears.
His own naivety not only caused Bai Fu to be publicly humiliated by the prince, but also allowed Bai Fu to publicly intervene in the prince's battle to seize the rightful son, offending the king of Yue and other princes.
His own willfulness put Bai Fu in danger and into trouble. Princess Qingluan would never forgive herself.
Bai Fu knew that this was Princess Qingluan's unintentional mistake. The matter had come to this, and there was no point in complaining. He had a sunny face, relaxed and calm, and made fun of Princess Qingluan, making Princess Qingluan burst into laughter.
Seeing that Princess Qingluan's mood improved, Bai Fu handed Princess Qingluan to Princess Ningguo and gave her some instructions.
Princess Ning Guo nodded and said earnestly: "Master Bai, don't worry, I will stay in Qingluan's dormitory tonight and will definitely take good care of her.
Today, I am worried about you.
You love Luan'er and are really good to her. We sisters all see it and are happy for Luan'er. But you can't spoil her too much.
At the court banquet tonight, you have not reconciled with the prince, and you have offended the king of Yue for no reason. I am afraid there will be endless troubles in the future...
Listen to my words, stop worrying about Luan'er's filial piety for Concubine Wei, and marry Luan'er back to your home as soon as possible.
Luan'er is the most beloved princess of her father and the prince's sister, so her identity is too sensitive. She grew up in the palace, has a golden branch and beautiful leaves, is kind and simple, and does not know the dangers of the world.
There are too many people who miss Luan'er. Even if your relationship is stronger than Jin's, it's best not to give others the opportunity to take advantage of it.
Get married as soon as possible, and be careful of long nights and dreams..."
…
After sending Princess Qingluan and Princess Ningguo into the carriage, Bai Fucai led his personal entourage and headed towards the Duke of Wei's mansion.
On the way back home, Bai Fu carefully reviewed the scene just now.
The reason why he went to fight on behalf of the prince was partly because of Princess Qingluan, and partly because he understood the profound look in Suzong's eyes.
The essence of the power game lies in game, compromise and checks and balances.
A dynamic balance of forces among all parties is what the emperor wants to see most.
Although Suzong is dissatisfied with the recent performance of the prince's party, he has no intention of abolishing Chu for the time being.
After all, Li Chu was trained as a prince since he was the direct grandson of Xuanzong. In addition to not being very broad-minded, Li Chu was profound, decisive, and his speech and behavior were in line with royal etiquette. In particular, he was indistinguishable in his emotions and in government affairs.
It is remarkable and fully meets the requirements of a prince.
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On the contrary, the King of Yue, Li Xi, misjudged the Holy Will, and his intention to compete for the throne was too high-profile and obvious. He wanted to build his Yue Prince's Palace into the second Qin King's Tiance Palace, which violated Suzong's taboo.
Suzong hinted that Bai Fu would come on stage, asking Bai Fu to publicly express his support for the East Palace, in order to frighten Yue Wang Li Xi and other princes, and avoid the situation from evolving into the Xuanwu Gate Incident.
Unfortunately, Li Chu was too prejudiced against Bai Fu and was not generous enough. Resentment clouded Li Chu's eyes, and he openly rejected Bai Fu and made a stupid mistake.
From then on, the princes will definitely have the desire to seize the heir, and the tragic situation of brothers fighting against each other will happen again. I am afraid this will be the fate of the Li Tang clan.
Thinking of this, Bai Fu sighed secretly: "I don't agree with political affairs in any way."
Being in the whirlpool of power, one may seem to have unlimited glory, but in reality, the swords and swords are flashing, and one is frightened at every step. If one is not careful, one's wealth and life may be involved.
As soon as I embark on an official career, I feel depressed and exhausted, and it is difficult to be peaceful and happy inside.
Bai Fu secretly speculated that if the head of Qingxuan, Princess Zuo Taiping, had won the power struggle, according to his master's character, he would have chosen to retreat bravely and live in seclusion in Qingcheng.
…
Bai Fu sat upright on the horse, thinking intently.
Suddenly, an indescribable feeling surged into my heart, as if there was an invisible pressure that made me very uncomfortable.
Bai Fu's spirit was lifted up, and he suddenly reached the limit. The cauldron's true energy roared out, filling his meridians.
Bai Fu's eyes immediately brightened up, not because someone lit a lamp, but because of the movement of Xunkan's true energy, Bai Fu's vision suddenly doubled.
This is a level of mind that Bai Fu has never reached. Although his induction has been enhanced many times in the past, it was far less clear than this time.
The feeling of danger was fleeting.
Bai Fuhu roared: "Be careful, there is an assassin!"