After Marrying a Vegetative Princess, I went crazy with joy! - Chapter 194

Chapter 194

After the morning court session, Zhangsun Wuji arrived at the imperial palace the following day. Lately, his younger sister, Empress Zhangsun, had caught a cold. As her elder brother, he often visited the palace to check on her.

As the most accomplished minister of the Imperial Smoky Pavilion, Zhangsun Wuji depended on more than just his achievements. His younger sister, now the empress, played a crucial role in maintaining the connection between the Zhangsun clan and the imperial family.

Whether there was a reason or not, he would frequently enter the palace under the pretext of visiting his sister, using this opportunity to connect with Li Er. This time was no different.

After meeting with Empress Zhangsun, Zhangsun Wuji headed to the Wuying Hall, where Li Er was present, intending to chat casually with him. Despite Li Er’s comments to Changle about the depleted state treasury, anyone would not think that the Great Tang’s treasury was so empty that mice could run around. In reality, though, the common people were quite prosperous.

In recent years, the Great Tang had enjoyed peace and prosperity, and the treasury was indeed strained, but it was due to expenditures rather than a lack of wealth. It was comparable to modern-day national budgets.

For a country, only the money spent held value. With spending increasing, the officers and rulers of the Great Tang gradually grasped this principle. So, Li Er wasn’t overly concerned about the treasury’s emptiness. To some extent, the current Great Tang could be seen as having “hidden wealth among the people.” When the need arose, the treasury could be swiftly replenished. What was there to worry about?

As a result, Zhangsun Wuji, holding the Minister of Central Affairs position, had been leading a quite comfortable life lately. The saying “a contented heart leads to everything being good” seemed to apply to him perfectly. His recent private conversations with Li Er had been enjoyable, and he believed this time would be no different.

Zhangsun Wuji entered the side hall with brisk steps.

“Have you come, Wuji?” Li Er raised his eyelids slightly and greeted him.

After that, Li Er lowered his head again and focused on his own matters. At this point, Zhangsun Wuji’s heart skipped a beat.

He stood there, contemplating what he might have done recently to displease Li Er.

However, after pondering for a while, he couldn’t find any clues.

When they had met a few days ago, Li Er had been cheerful and pleasant. Nothing significant had occurred recently, and there was no possibility that he had made a mistake. Well, it was best to stay calm and see how things unfold.

Zhangsun Wuji composed himself, concealing the anxiety caused by Li Er’s apparent indifference. After about half an hour, Li Er finally tossed the last memorial onto the desk and raised his head.

“I’ve heard that the Assistant Minister of Rites has been quite active lately?” Li Er asked with a half-smile, half-serious expression.

Oh no! Zhangsun Wuji was shocked. He was sure there couldn’t be any problem on his end, but he couldn’t be so sure about his son.

Especially since this time, Li Er directly mentioned Zhangsun Chong’s official position. It seemed like this was no minor issue…

“Your Majesty, I’m not sure what you’re referring to,” Zhangsun Wuji cautiously inquired.

Li Er let out a wry chuckle. “He’s been attending banquets frequently, speaking ill of Su Li to everyone. Wuji, I’ve thought about it for a long time, and I still can’t figure out what Su Li has done to offend him.”

Instantly, Zhangsun Wuji’s expression turned grim. He knew very well why his son would behave in such a manner.

Zhangsun Chong had a close relationship with the Crown Prince, Li Chengqian. Since Su Li returned from the Western Regions, Li Chengqian had developed a strong dislike for him.

To be honest, Zhangsun Wuji could empathize with Li Chengqian’s perspective. Li Chengqian was Li Er’s legitimate eldest son and Zhangsun Wuji’s nephew.

Zhangsun Wuji had practically watched Li Chengqian grow up. The young man was talented in many ways, but perhaps due to Li Er’s strict discipline, his personality had become somewhat extreme.

Despite Su Li’s significant contributions, he was not a friendly person. Li Chengqian said Su Li showed no respect for the Crown Prince and was rather arrogant about his achievements.

Zhangsun Chong was a staunch supporter of Li Chengqian, and their close relationship was something Zhangsun Wuji endorsed. After all, supporting Li Chengqian meant the Zhangsun clan could prosper for another fifty years.

Such an investment didn’t seem like a loss at all. Why wouldn’t they go for it?

Due to the matter with Changle, Zhangsun Chong already had conflicts with Su Li. Later, with the addition of Li Chengqian, could Zhangsun Chong say a single good thing about Su Li in public?

“Your Majesty… Your subject has failed to guide his son properly!” Zhangsun Wuji, who was experienced and intelligent, naturally understood that they couldn’t afford to offend Su Li, who was at the height of his power.

Li Er looked at the somewhat apprehensive Zhangsun Wuji and let out a long sigh. “Wuji… as a family, we should be able to communicate openly… think it over carefully.”

After a long pause, Li Er continued, “Does my son-in-law truly need to care about imperial authority? Should he be concerned with it?”

These words were quite rare, coming from Li Er’s mouth. Li Er could be so candid only because Zhangsun Wuji was his brother-in-law and childhood friend. Seated as emperor, Li Er naturally wished for everything to go his way and for Su Li to understand that the sovereign bestowed rewards and punishments.

He even hoped that Su Li would be a straightforward man or perhaps a fool who could be easily satisfied with money and power.

However, Li Er knew Su Li didn’t care about these things. And precisely because of this, Li Er had to care about Su Li’s feelings. It was frustrating yet helpless. He couldn’t flip tables, whereas Su Li did.

“Your Majesty… I… understand!” Zhangsun Wuji nodded emphatically.

“Regardless of whether Su Li cares, we still need to present an attitude. After all, circumstances are stronger than individuals…” Li Er said and forced a bitter smile.

“I have already restricted Chengqian for a month as a punishment. As for Chong, we’ll demote him by three ranks and withhold his stipend for a year.” Li Er spoke up.

Regardless of the details, the attitude needed to be made clear. Li Er didn’t want these trivial matters to become a sore point for Su Li or even a pretext for confrontation.

“I failed to guide him properly, causing trouble for Your Majesty. After I return, I will certainly educate Chong properly,” Zhangsun Wuji responded without any displeasure evident on his face.

In reality, the so-called demotion by three ranks and withholding the stipend for a year were merely symbolic actions. After all, the Zhangsun family had a vast legacy. A year without a stipend wouldn’t hurt much, and as for the title?

Even if Zhangsun Chong’s title was stripped away completely, he would still inherit his title in the future. The fact that Li Er could confide in Zhangsun Wuji with such words was a genuine sign of trust.

Li Er nodded and watched Zhangsun Wuji’s departing figure, a hint of melancholy on his face. In truth, when it came to Su Li, a factor of instability, Li Er wanted to impose restrictions on him. However, he couldn’t find any effective methods to do so.

Bai Yujing…

Su Li…

Li Er thought and shook his head with a sigh, his expression shifting between various emotions. Currently, the most he could do was maintain the right attitude—this was his greatest effort.

As for the rest, it all depended on Su Li.