Chapter 8 Going to Huayin
"If you have something to report, report it! If not, dismiss the court!" In the Taiji Hall, Wang Yuan's sharp voice rang out in the hall.
Everyone hurriedly stood up and saluted, saying, "Your Majesty, I respectfully bid you farewell!"
Li Er stood up and left. With Wang Quan's announcement of dismissal, today's court meeting ended. Everyone left the Taiji Hall in groups of three or five and went to their respective offices to work.
Li Chengqian had just walked out of the Taiji Hall and put on his shoes when Zhao Jie came towards him.
In the past few days, in addition to going to test medicine for Li Er every day to show his filial piety, Li Chengqian had resumed attending court and studying at Chongxian Hall.
Fortunately, Li Er's illness healed quickly, so Li Chengqian did not have to continue testing medicine.
"Prince!"
"You're back. How are things going? Have you invited Wang Fangyi?" Li Chengqian asked.
Seeing that Zhao Jie's face was not very good, he had already guessed the result in his heart.
"Prince, Wang Fangyi refused your invitation and was unwilling to come to Chang'an. He simply didn't know what was good for him." Zhao Jie said angrily.
"Is it because you neglected him that he refused to come to my East Palace?" Li Chengqian said.
"It's unfair! Prince! I invited him with nice words, but he just didn't come, and I had no choice." Zhao Jie looked aggrieved. In order to complete the task assigned by the prince, he used all his skills, and he almost knelt down and called Wang Fangyi "Grandpa".
"Zhao Jie, who wronged you, tell me." Du He walked towards them.
Du He was the husband of Tang Taizong's sixteenth daughter, Princess Yangcheng. He
was a duwei of the imperial consort, and was promoted to the rank of Shangcheng Fengyu. He was granted the title of Duke of Xiangyang. He was Li Chengqian's brother-in-law, and together with Fang Xuanling, they were known as the second sons of Fangmou, Duduan , and Du Ruhui.
According to historical records, when Li Chengqian was executed after his conspiracy to rebel was exposed, Du He remained unruly and fearless! Although he was a civil official, he was a courageous man.
"Your Highness!" Du He saluted Li Chengqian.
"Tell me what happened at that time," Li Chengqian said.
"The thing is, at that time, I followed your instructions and went to Fengquan Villa to meet Wang Fangyi, and explained my purpose to him..."
Zhao Jie told Li Chengqian in detail what happened after he met Wang Fangyi. He dared not be careless about what the prince told him to do.
No matter how humbly he begged, Wang Fangyi remained unmoved, and Zhao Jie had to return empty-handed.
Du He also listened at the side, very curious in his heart, who exactly was this Wang Fangyi, and how could the prince value him so much.
At the same time, he was angry that Wang Fangyi was so ignorant that he dared to refuse the prince's call. Who did he think Wang Fangyi was?
"…This is what happened, Your Highness! I, Zhao Jie, was not lazy at all."
Zhao Jie was afraid that Li Chengqian would not believe him, and he almost cursed and swore.
"It's not your fault. You have tried your best. I don't blame you." Li Chengqian stopped talking and asked Du He.
"Du He, why did you come to the palace?"
"Today I accompanied the princess to the palace to meet His Majesty!" Du He said.
"Then why did you run out instead of accompanying the princess?" Zhao Jie said.
"The princess wanted to have a private conversation with His Majesty, so you chased me out." Du He said helplessly.
"I have to go to Fengquan Villa in person. Du He, I'll leave my father's side to you." Li Chengqian said.
"Your Highness! Wang Fangyi is so bold and presumptuous! He dared not come even when Your Highness summoned him, and you still have to trouble Your Highness to come in person. In my opinion, it is better to tie him up and bring him here." Du He said.
"Yes! Your Highness! A gentleman does not stand under a dangerous wall! Du He and I will do the work, so why does Your Highness need to go there in person?" Zhao Jie also felt that it was inappropriate for Li Chengqian to meet Wang Fangyi as the prince.
Although Wang Fangyi came from a prominent family, there was no need to trouble the prince
to go there in person. "Stop talking nonsense! If you don't want to go with me, just stay in Chang'an. I can go by myself." Li Chengqian said.
"No! Your Highness! I also want to see who this Wang Fangyi is! How could Your Highness value him so much that he would condescend to come there in person." Du He said.
"What should I do if His Majesty asks about it when you go there?" Zhao Jie asked.
As the crown prince, he cannot leave the palace at will, let alone leave the capital Chang'an. Once the crown prince Li Chengqian leaves Chang'an privately, someone will immediately report it to Li Er. He
might even be reported to the censors, and be criticized, and the King of Wei's gang might take the opportunity to make trouble. If
he is not careful, he might be pulled down from the position of crown prince.
Therefore, Li Chengqian must report to Li Er and get his permission, so that he can leave Chang'an without any scruples.
"Don't worry, Your Highness! I have my own way. Please wait for me for a moment, I will go and ask for leave from Your Majesty!" Du He said.
Li Chengqian nodded and said, "Okay! Go quickly and come back quickly!"
Du He is Li Chengqian's little think tank. Taking Du He with him can help him come up with some ideas, which will increase his chances of winning over Wang Fangyi.
"Your Highness! Where are we going?" Du He asked Li Chengqian. He didn't know where to go after leaving Chang'an.
Li Chengqian's old face suddenly turned red. He only knew that after Wang Fangyi and his mother were driven out of the house by the Grand Princess of Tong'an, they moved to Fengquan Villa. He really didn't know the exact location.
"I really don't know this. You have to ask Zhao Jie. He has been there and he knows it well!" Li Chengqian said.
In this way, Du He became more interested in this Wang Fangyi. What a handsome man, the prince didn't even know where he lived, but he was obsessed with him. He really should go and take a good look.
Du He looked at Zhao Jie, and three words popped out of Zhao Jie's mouth: "Huayin County."
"Huayin County? It's 260 miles away from Chang'an, and you can get there in half a day by galloping. As far as I know, it seems that the former Prince Consort Wang had an old villa there. At that time, the illegitimate grandson of Princess Tong'an and her son were expelled from the palace by the Princess, so they returned to live in this villa. Could it be that the person the prince is looking for this time is the grandson of Prince Consort Wang Yu?" Du He said.
"Yes! It's him." Zhao Jie said.
After getting a positive answer, Du He didn't say much, saluted to Li Chengqian and left.
Du He came back after about an hour.
When Zhao Jie saw Du He coming back, he asked, "How is it? Does Your Majesty agree to let the prince leave Chang'an City?"
"Of course, we can go now! But the time cannot be too long, we need to be back within five days." Du He said.
"Okay! There is no time to waste! Let's set off now, and ride faster!" Li Chengqian said.
When Du He went to report to Li Er, Li Chengqian asked Wang Quan to prepare a few fast horses for them to ride.
Du He and Zhao Jie followed Li Chengqian out of the palace, rode the fast horses that Wang Quan had already prepared, and rushed out of Chang'an City.
After leaving Chang'an City, they headed towards Huayin County.
Not long after Li Chengqian and others left, someone reported to Wei Wang Li Tai that the prince had gone to Huayin County.