diymy Chapter 55 The couple sees through Chang Le's thoughts
Chapter 55 The couple sees through Chang Le's thoughts
Li Shimin secretly calculated in his heart that this matter could not go unpunished. These old brothers were all shrewd and loved to play tricks and take advantage of others. If they were tolerated this time, they might dare to openly sneak into the Taiji Hall to watch the show next time.
But we can't punish them too harshly. After all, it's out of genuine loyalty to their master, and it's also because of the friendship they shared that they went through thick and thin together. Taking it too seriously will only create distance.
You have to find the right balance; you need to give him a good talking-to so he'll remember, but also keep it lighthearted and friendly, without hurting your brotherly bond.
As Li Shimin was secretly plotting and scheming, Empress Zhangsun suddenly spoke softly, her tone full of sincere praise: "The aroma of this wine is truly different from ordinary tribute wine."
The half-jar that Erlang brought back from the Cheng residence last time, I could smell its aroma and it was several times more mellow than the wine brewed in the imperial winery.
These two jars now exude a wonderful aroma even through the jar walls, suggesting they are of even higher quality.
She reached out and picked up the jar of second-grade wine, gently shaking it. The wine inside made a warm, soothing sound, and its aroma became increasingly rich and lingering.
"The aroma is so soothing, which shows that the winemaker put a lot of thought into it."
Empress Zhangsun placed the wine jar back on the table, looked at Li Shimin, and said with admiration in her eyes, "That young man Wang is truly thoughtful. Knowing that Erlang loves strong liquor, he gave him the first batch of original brew."
Knowing that I cannot tolerate spicy food, he specially brewed a low-alcohol, warm wine and carefully instructed me on how to drink it. This thoughtfulness is far more valuable than the wine itself.
Li Shimin nodded slightly, his gaze shifting between the two jars of wine. His tone held a childlike, slightly sour jealousy, like that between old friends:
"No wonder that old bastard Cheng Zhijie guarded that jar of wine so tightly back then, like he was protecting his private treasure."
Looking back now, it wasn't about protecting the wine at all; it was clearly about hiding his own selfish motives, afraid that others would take away his fine brew, yet he pretended to be oblivious to my intentions.
Empress Zhangsun covered her mouth and chuckled softly, her eyebrows curving into crescents, making the candlelight in the entire hall seem even warmer.
Sizi, who was already so sleepy that her eyelids were drooping, still managed to stay awake and nestled in Empress Zhangsun's arms, mumbling "Ah Huang, Xiao Hei" indistinctly, full of longing for the farm animals.
Princess Chengyang sat beside her, her eyes shining. She reached out and tugged at Chang Le's sleeve, shaking it vigorously. "Eldest sister, you must take me next time! I want to see the kittens and puppies too, and I want to catch fish by the stream! Brother Zhinu, come along too!"
Li Zhi was sitting in the corner when he was suddenly called out. He looked up abruptly, a look of surprise flashing across his face. Then he nodded slightly, a hint of expectation rising in his clear eyes.
Chang Le sat beside her mother's bed, a faint smile on her lips. She spoke of her experiences at the farm that day in a calm tone, without any flowery praise, but every word was full of focus.
She recounted how Wang Zhihuan used bamboo cages to catch fish, how skillfully he processed the fresh fish, and how he fried them in front of the stove until the whole courtyard smelled delicious. Her narration was gentle, yet it concealed an undeniable tenderness.
Empress Zhangsun witnessed all of this.
Every time Chang Le returned from the farm, her eyes were exceptionally bright, and her tone was much lighter than usual.
Today was no exception. Having grown up in the palace, she was used to the sycophancy of the sons of the powerful and wealthy, but she had never cared about anyone so much. When she mentioned that person, the tenderness in her eyes was impossible to hide.
As parents, how could they not know that their child had already set her sights on someone? It was obvious at a glance that she had already made up her mind, but perhaps she herself had not yet fully realized it.
Empress Zhangsun did not point it out, but gently brushed the stray hairs from Sizi's forehead behind her ear, looked down at her sleeping little daughter in her arms, her eyes full of a mother's understanding and tenderness.
As night deepened, Si Zi was carefully carried back to the bedroom by her wet nurse, and Cheng Yang and Li Zhi also got up to take their leave.
Chang Le walked to the palace gate, then suddenly stopped, glanced back at the two jars of wine on the table, a faint glint of light flashing in her eyes, before lowering her gaze and slowly walking out of the palace gate.
The hall returned to silence, with only the candlelight flickering gently, casting dappled shadows.
Empress Zhangsun gently patted the sleeping Princess Xincheng in her arms, then slowly raised her eyes to look at Li Shimin.
The couple had been together for twenty years, and a single glance was enough for them to understand each other's hearts. She knew that Li Shimin had something to say to her.
"Guanyinbi." Li Shimin leaned back on the couch, gazing at the flickering candlelight, his tone tinged with complex emotions, and a slight sigh that his young lady's thoughts had been seen through. "You've figured out what Chang Le is thinking?"
"Of course I could tell," Empress Zhangsun replied softly, her fingertips gently stroking the soft hair of Princess Xincheng. "Every time she returns from the farm, the child's eyes light up, and she talks more. This expression is impossible to hide."
Li Shimin remained silent for a moment before slowly speaking: "No wonder. I have personally seen Wang Zhihuan. His character, talent, and appearance are all top-notch."
Chang Le grew up in the deep palace, surrounded by the sons of powerful and wealthy families, where flattery and sycophancy were commonplace. She had never encountered a young person so humble yet assertive, neither fawning nor ingratiating, who established himself through genuine ability. It was understandable that she was tempted.
He paused, his tone becoming heavier, carrying a hint of parental distress and difficulty: "However, this matter is quite difficult for me."
Empress Zhangsun looked up at him and asked softly, "Is Erlang worried about Wuji?"
Li Shimin nodded slightly.
Changsun Wuji was his brother-in-law and also Empress Changsun's elder brother.
Even when Chang Le was young, Changsun Wuji had repeatedly expressed his desire to strengthen their kinship by marrying his son Changsun Chong.
At the time, neither he nor Empress Zhangsun agreed, nor did they outright refuse.
After all, the Changsun clan was the imperial family, and it was common practice in the court to strengthen kinship ties. Moreover, Changsun Chong was a steady and decent person.
The two thought that Chang Le was still young, so there was no need to rush into marriage. They would wait until she grew up and then decide based on fate.
But now, the course of fate has long since deviated from the intended direction.
"I will give you an explanation regarding the auxiliary equipment sooner or later."
Li Shimin rubbed his temples, his tone helpless, "He has served me faithfully for many years. If I were to refuse him outright, it would likely chill the heart of this old minister. But if I were to force Chang Le to marry Changsun Chong—"
He paused, the rest of his meaning left unsaid. Empress Zhangsun understood; forcing her would only hurt her daughter's feelings.
Empress Zhangsun remained silent for a long time, her tone gentle yet each word firm: "Second Prince, I am a daughter of the Zhangsun family, but I am also the birth mother of Chang Le."
"I understand Changsun Wuji's thoughts and appreciate his good intentions. But marriages for children ultimately depend on fate; forced unions are never sweet."
She looked up at Li Shimin with earnest and firm eyes: "Your Majesty, I do not wish to make decisions for Chang Le. That child has always been sensible. If she truly desires someone, she must have done so after careful consideration."
As her parents, we shouldn't force her to marry someone she doesn't like, even if that person is our own nephew.
These words, spoken softly, carried immense weight. As the Empress, openly rejecting her own brother's wishes would inevitably draw criticism if word got out, but she did not hesitate for a moment.
The candlelight flickered, casting shifting light and shadow throughout the hall.