Consort Taizhen didn't know martial arts!
Wang Chong was absolutely sure of this!
And yet in a little more than half a year, not only had Consort Taizhen changed, so had Yang Zhao. The changes with Consort Taizhen, however, were far greater.
"Hahaha, Sister, this is my good brother, so he's also your good brother. Don't make trouble for him!"
A bright and clear voice came in from the side.
There were no outsiders here. Yang Zhao hastily stood up and spoke on his sworn brother's behalf.
'A parting of three days requires one to look at another with a completely new outlook.' The current Yang Zhao was completely different from the one Wang Chong had first met. He wore a white robe and a black hat, and his right hand was stroking his beard. He naturally exuded the vigorous aura of a scholar-official that would inspire admiration in others.
And within him, Stellar Energy flowed, and he possessed a vast energy that only those of Tier 5 or 6 of the True Martial realm could possess.
He had once wandered destitute about the streets of the capital, a bully who had lacked even the strength to truss a chicken. Yet a few months after entering the palace and officialdom, he had undergone such shocking changes that he seemed to have exchanged his body for a new one.
Wang Chong had been diligently cultivating for almost a year, but compared to the few months that Yang Zhao and Consort Taizhen had been practicing, he had still fallen behind.
A forbidden infusion art!
A thought flashed through Wang Chong's mind as he almost inadvertently thought of this class of forbidden art. Wang Chong was no stranger to this art. Back then, his master, the Demonic Emperor Old Man, had planned to bestow all his cultivation on Wang Chong through the use of an infusion art.
This method could create an expert in a short time, but the Demonic Emperor Old Man's death would have been assured. This price was too great, so Wang Chong had refused on the spot.
No matter what sort of infusion art it was, if one wanted to make an expert in a short time, the price would not be small. Thus, these methods had never been recklessly spread.
But the imperial household was clearly different.
I had already heard back then of the rumor that there was a secret group of special servitors. These people begin to cultivate from a young age, and the meaning of their existence is to accumulate energy for the sake of infusing it into the princes and princesses. I didn't care much about it then, but now it looks like the rumor was true.
Wang Chong's mind was in turmoil for a few moments, but he very quickly regained his composure.
Wang Chong immediately lowered his head and reverently said, "Your Majesty is correct. Wang Chong should have come long ago. But this lowly one was participating in the Kunwu Training Camp and could not withdraw. I beseech Your Majesty for forgiveness."
"Hmph, you're quite frank."
Consort Taizhen coldly laughed, but her expression still loosened somewhat. Although she was somewhat angry at the constant hindrances caused by this youngster, she could not disregard the friendship he had with her cousin.
Moreover, it was true that Wang Chong had joined the Kunwu Training Camp.
However, it was not so easy to dispel her anger.
"Speak—what is it that you're here for? It wasn't too long ago that you requested the mobilization of troops from the Bureau of Military Personnel. If there was nothing special, you wouldn't come here. Speak—what is going on?"
As she spoke, she spread her arms apart. Two mysterious and beautiful middle-aged women dressed in white, their energy even greater than that of the old nanny by Princess Nihuang's side, emerged out of the curtain.
These two beauties had hairpins stuck in their hair, grave looks on their faces, and excellent bearing. One to the right and one to the left, they took Consort Taizhen's hands and slowly seated her on the throne of Yuzhen Palace.
In the center of their brows was a striking fire totem in the shape of a teardrop.
A flabbergasted look flickered through Wang Chong's eyes, but he said nothing.
"It's a matter concerning the Fifth Prince!" Wang Chong finally said.
The moment the words left his mount, hum! The atmosphere in the Yuzhen Palace instantly changed, as did the look on Consort Taizhen's face. Even the expression on Yang Zhao's face sank.
Even though he was the one who had introduced Wang Chong, not even he had known what Wang Chong would speak about.
"Wang Chong, do you know what you are saying? You've gone crazy! Somebody, come and send our guest out!"
Consort Taizhen's face was like a sheet of frost. Shooting a glare at Yang Zhao, she immediately stood up and ordered for her guest to be taken away.
Though she had not been in the palace for long, she wasn't blind. The Fifth Prince incident had taken place in the afternoon, but there was no one in the palace who didn't know of it by now.
She was pampered and favored by the Sage Emperor and had entered the ranks of the concubines. There was basically no one in the palace who would dare to voluntarily provoke her.
But even Consort Taizhen knew that there were some things that she could not provoke in this place.
The War of the Princes just so happened to be one of these taboos.
"Wang Chong, you've really gone overboard this time. The War of the Princes is not something we can touch. Do you know what you're requesting of Her Majesty? The Fifth Prince is currently everyone's target, and who knows how many people want to kill him? Anyone who dares to help will become the enemy of all the princes, princesses, and even the concubines. Damn it; if I knew that this was what you came here for, I would never have let you in."
Yang Zhao had a very poor expression. There had been no need for any glares from Consort Taizhen. If he had known about this, he would have immediately blocked Wang Chong.
One could not step lightly into any conflict between the princes. This was common sense. There was no need for the accumulated knowledge of the great clans and their lessons and experiences. Even an ordinary person understood this principle.
The War of the Princes was far too dangerous!
Their position in the palace still wasn't stable. Even if they were favored, this was not a taboo that they could lightly involve themselves with.
It was impossible for them to accept Wang Chong's request!
This had already gone beyond the bounds of an ordinary request!
"Your Majesty!"
Although the temperature had rapidly dropped and the atmosphere was no longer suitable for discussion, Wang Chong did not leave. He had known in advance that this would be no easy task, but no matter what, he still had to try.
"Your Majesty, if an elephant enters a forest, what will happen?"
"What are you trying to say?"
Consort Taizhen coldly laughed. Had Wang Chong gone crazy? A forest, an elephant? She did not feel this question to have any meaning.
No matter what, she would not help the Fifth Prince and put herself in danger.
Yet Wang Chong remained calm, no change to be seen on his face.
"…But what if the forest became like this room, yet the creatures in the forest didn't change, and the elephant didn't change? Your Majesty, in the future, what will happen?" Wang Chong continued.
"Wang Chong, just what are you trying to say?"
Consort Taizhen's eyebrows finally began to rise. She stared at Wang Chong, a vague idea forming in her mind.
"Your Majesty, a forest becomes a room, but the animals and the elephant don't change. Does Your Majesty believe that those animals squeezed together will wait to be stomped to death by the elephant or work together to attack it?"
"Impudent! Are you saying that I'm an elephant?"
This time, Wang Chong was interrupted before he could finish. This comparison was far too rude.
"Your Majesty, forgive me! Wang Chong did not have this intention. But does Your Majesty not feel that your situation and the Fifth Prince's are
very similar?"
Wang Chong raised his head, his eyes fixed on the enthroned Consort Taizhen.
"Wang Chong, hold your tongue! Her Majesty's noble body has gained the Sage Emperor's favor. How could she be like the Fifth Prince? Do not speak rashly."
Seeing that Wang Chong's line of thought was about to approach absurdity, Yang Zhao quickly hurried to stop him.
"Hmph, Cousin, sit down. Let him speak! I'm quite interested in seeing just what he can manage to say. How am I similar to the Fifth Prince?" Consort Taizhen sneered.
Wang Chong's thoughts were no mystery to her, but if he thought that a few words could change her mind and make her enter the War of the Princes, then he was far too simple-minded.
Even if the one that came today were that Old Master of the Wang Clan, she still wouldn't change her mind.
"Your Majesty, the elephant is too big. Even if it does nothing, the other animals in the room will still feel threatened. Does Your Majesty not feel that this is similar to your situation? Even if you do nothing, you are still a threat to the other concubines, consorts, and even the princes. If Your Majesty does not enter the War of the Princes, will you truly be able to keep out of harm's way?"
As he spoke, the cold smile on Consort Taizhen's lips faded, and her expression finally began to change.
Chapter 421: Lobbying (I)
Chapter 421: Lobbying (I)
Translated by: Hypersheep325
Edited by: Michyrr
Wang Chong was the first person who had ever dared to say such things.
In truth, Consort Taizhen's situation was very poor!
Both the Consort Taizhen incident and the Sage Emperor's favor displayed a Consort Taizhen that shone with boundless radiance, but in reality, whether she was in court or in the palace, Consort Taizhen was under a very heavy pressure.
In the Imperial Court, no small number of ministers still objected to her. Many people did not outwardly protest, but they still grumbled in private. Thus, Consort Taizhen had always endeavored to remove herself from court politics so as to avoid the dissatisfaction of those ministers.
And in the palace, Consort Taizhen had been suddenly promoted and now almost completely monopolized the Sage Emperor's favor. The Sage Emperor had even been willing to oppose all his ministers for her.
The concubines and consorts had already reached their breaking point.
If not for their fear of the Sage Emperor, the Three Palaces and Six Courts1, the numerous consorts and concubines would have joined hands to assault her long ago.
Consort Taizhen knew this, so in the vast confines of the Imperial Palace, she spent her time in only the Yezhen Palace, the imperial gardens, and a few other places she sometimes frequented. Otherwise, she did her utmost to keep her distance from all the other consorts and concubines.
There was no association, and certainly no relationship.
The rejection and hostility in the palace were invisible, but Consort Taizhen could clearly feel the enmity rising from the palaces and courts. This topic was one of her taboos.
No one had ever dared to say such things in front of her, not even Yang Zhao. But now, Wang Chong had exposed this matter in all its grisly glory.
"Wang Chong, you've gone too far!"
Wang Chong's pricking of this pain point had caused Consort Taizhen's expression to freeze into a sheet of ice. Even Yang Zhao's expression had morphed, and he was desperately giving Wang Chong looks.
This bastard scoundrel, did he go crazy today?
Not even he dared to bring up this topic, because Consort Taizhen was not only his younger cousin, but also a consort of the palace.
Wang Chong's boldness was a little too much.
"Hahah, it seems like I'm thinking too much. Although I came for the sake of the Fifth Prince, it was also out of consideration for Your Majesty. Since Your Majesty believes that this lowly subject is speaking nonsense, Wang Chong will say no more. I've troubled Your Majesty. Wang Chong bids farewell!"
Surprisingly, Wang Chong smiled at Consort Taizhen's rage. His expression normal, he clasped his hands and began to retreat out of the hall.
Just when Wang Chong was prepared to leave, a voice came from the upper reaches of the hall, ordering Wang Chong to stop.
"Wait a moment! Halt for this consort!"
In the upper reaches of the palace, Consort Taizhen's eyes were shifting. Although her expression was still icy, her attitude was now completely different.
"Wang Chong, since you said that you were also considering this consort in your thoughts, I will give you one chance. Speak—just how are you thinking about me? If you can't give your reasons, don't blame this consort for being rude."
These words were utterly unexpected. Yang Zhao twisted his head around to glance up at Consort Taizhen, unable to conceal the astonishment in his eyes.
But Wang Chong, who had his back to Consort Taizhen, gave a faint smile, his eyes seeming completely unsurprised. Consort Taizhen now had a most esteemed status, and as a consort, she wielded massive authority.
But in the end, she was still a woman.
Perhaps she had no interest in the Fifth Prince's affairs, but she was certainly interested in her own.
"Haha, Your Majesty!"
Wang Chong turned around, the emotions in his eyes quickly concealed as he faced Consort Taizhen.
"Your Majesty, do you not think that your current situation is very similar to the Fifth Prince's? Fifth Prince suddenly recovered the ability to cultivate and Your Majesty was promoted to consort. Both of you suddenly rose from negligible positions, both of you made others feel threatened, and both of you were rejected by others…"
Wang Chong gazed at the supreme beauty of the Great Tang, a leisurely expression on his face.
"Hmph, are these your so-called 'considerations' for this consort? Your words are too far-fetched. This consort sees no reason to put myself at such risk and help the Fifth Prince," Consort Taizhen said sharply.
Her stance toward the War of the Princes was unchanged. She would avoid it if she could and keep as far away from it as she could. Wang Chong's arguments were not enough for her to invest so much in the Fifth Prince.
And it wasn't like she had some friendship with the Fifth Prince.
"Heheh, of course it's not worth it now. But a hundred years later, when the new Emperor takes the throne, where will Your Majesty go?"
Boom!
Like a bolt of lightning cleaving down from the heavens, Wang Chong's simple question caused Consort Taizhen and Yang Zhao to pale at the same time.
These had been the most impactful words Wang Chong had spoken in this meeting.
"Wang Chong, you're too bold!"
Consort Taizhen and Yang Zhao voiced their rebukes at the same time. Even those two cold-faced beauties standing at Consort Taizhen's right and left couldn't help but shed their indifference and look at this youngster.
His Majesty and one hundred years2! In normal circumstances, one could not even think about such words, much less speak them. Wang Chong's question was tantamount to treason.
"Bastard! Are you cursing His Majesty?"
Consort Taizhen's eyes shone with a cold light as a powerful and dreadful energy exploded from her body.
"Wang Chong does not have this intention. But there is no sovereign in the world that reigns for one hundred years, much less an Emperor that reigns for one thousand. There has been no exception since ancient times. Taizu and Taizong were also no exception. No matter what, a new Emperor is bound to ascend to the throne in the future. Does Your Majesty believe that when the time comes, you can still maintain your current status? With the Sage Emperor here, none of the Three Palaces or Six Courts dare to act rashly, but when the new Emperor ascends, what does Your Majesty believe the consorts and concubines of the Three Palaces and Six Courts will do?
"Wang Chong meant no disrespect. I ask for Your Majesty to please reconsider,"Wang Chong sincerely said.
These words left both Consort Ta
izhen and Yang Zhao very concerned. No matter how treasonous Wang Chong's words were, there was one thing that he was right about.
His Majesty was no longer young, and the oldest First Prince was thirty-some years old. The question of succession was imminent, already a scheduled matter.
And it was a question they would also be forced to confront.
While the Sage Emperor was there, others would not dare to act wantonly, but when the new Emperor took the throne, everything would be different. Yang Zhao was not guaranteed to be able to preserve his current wealth and status.
It was just like how the Sage Emperor was not guaranteed to be able to protect her.
Consort Taizhen had another serious concern. Since ancient times, it had always been the custom for the oldest to succeed, not the youngest, and it was tradition for the kingdom to be passed on to the son of the first wife. Even if she became pregnant with the seed of the dragon, the ministers would never allow her son to be made crown prince.
This had always been Consort Taizhen's fear, one that she did not even dare to think about.
The two had to admit that Wang Chong's words had struck their weakest and most painful point.
"Wang Chong, did you know that if I wanted to, I could have you put in the imperial prison right now?"
Consort Taizhen slowly raised her head and looked at Wang Chong.
This was her first time seeing Wang Chong, but in just this one meeting, Wang Chong had already angered her multiple times. And all the things he spoke of were her greatest taboos. In normal circumstances, she would never permit anyone to mention them in front of her.
"Haha, Your Majesty, with some things, if Wang Chong doesn't say them, will they no longer happen?" Wang Chong asked.
Consort Taizhen looked dazed. Wang Chong's words seemed irrefutable. She wanted to be angry, but she couldn't work up any rage.
This was because Consort Taizhen knew that though Wang Chong's words were 'treasonous', they were all true, and were things that she worried could happen.
Consort Taizhen even felt that she was borrowing Wang Chong's mouth to voice her innermost worries.
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1. During the time of Tang Xuanzong, the Emperor had one Empress, three consorts, and six concubines, hence the Three Palaces and Six Courts.↩
The Human Emperor c1-2382 Page 298
