Chapter 212: Appeasing Yang Yuhuan and Intending to Stay in Helong

While Gao Lishi was dealing with the Yang Yuhuan incident, Li Xuan temporarily returned home.

When Yang Yuhuan was sent back to Yang Jian's residence, everyone in the Yang family was in a panic.

The Yang family became rich because of Yang Yuhuan, and her brothers and sisters were all rewarded generously.

During the two years when Yang Yuhuan was conferred the title of Imperial Concubine, the Yang family was the most glorious family in the entire Chang'an.

If Yang Yuhuan fell out of favor, the Yang family would lose all power and status.

After Yang Yuhuan returned home, the Yang family immediately fell into chaos. Whether it was the "Five Yangs" or other cousins ​​in Chang'an, even distant relatives like Yang Zhao all gathered in Yang Jian's mansion.

"Yuhuan, what happened?"

The eldest sister, Lady Korea, asked Yang Yuhuan, who was in tears.

During this period, the Yang family became domineering because of Yang Yuhuan and offended many people. They couldn't believe what the Yang family would be like without Yang Yuhuan.

"The Saint favors other palace ladies in Nanxun Palace... Even so, he still summoned me..."

Yang Yuhuan said while wiping her tears.

Originally, when Li Longji asked her to go to Nanxun Palace to accompany him, she wanted to rest for a while because she was not feeling well.

When I went there again an hour later, Li Longji had already started playing with the palace maids.

While Yang Yuhuan was angry, she also felt complicated. She thought that Li Longji's usual sweet words and vows of love were just talk.

So he couldn't help but blame Li Longji.

Li Longji was a romantic emperor and the ruler of the Tang Empire. Thousands of beauties in the harem belonged to him. He was supreme, so who would dare to blame him?
In addition, his fun was interrupted and he became furious and started arguing with Yang Yuhuan.

Finally, in a rage, Li Longji left in anger and asked Gao Lishi to send Yang Yuhuan back to Yang Jian's mansion.

"Yuhuan, it is common for the Saint to favor the palace maids. If you don't like it, just leave quietly. Why offend the Saint? Now that you are driven back, what should you do?"

Yang Jian clapped his hands, looking very helpless. If Yuhuan couldn't return to Xingqing Palace, could he still keep his position as Guangluqing?

"Yuhuan, you should go back and repent to the saint immediately. The saint will definitely forgive you."

Mrs. Qin felt that the saint would not give up the stunningly beautiful Yang Yuhuan, and that things would definitely turn around.

"Yes, Yuhuan, the Saint loves you so much, and what he said was just angry. If you admit your mistake, we can definitely get back together."

Yang Yuyao also persuaded her that she could be so successful in Chang'an now all thanks to Yang Yuhuan.

Otherwise, how could she become a guest of honor among princes and nobles, and how could local officials send her gifts to curry favor with her?

"Yuhuan, our Yang family depends on you. Without you, our family will be broken up! Can you bear to see the Yang family fall into decline?" Yang Qi also advised.

Other relatives also talked a lot, and without exception, they all advised Yang Yuhuan to return to the palace and apologize to the emperor.

Only Yang Zhao was squatting in the corner, not qualified to speak.

At this moment, he felt that there were some things that he had to work on his own to climb up. He was only a distant relative of the imperial concubine, so that wouldn't help him much.

Originally, Yang Zhao tried every means to please Li Linfu, and Li Linfu also promised to give him a position as Imperial Censor once his qualifications improved.

Now it seems fortunate that I did not become a Censor under Li Linfu.

The prime minister, who was unattainable in his eyes, was defeated by Li Xuan. He almost thought that Li Linfu was going to be dismissed from his position.

Yang Zhao believed that Li Xuan was more powerful and wiser in the entire court, but Li Xuan was also difficult to get close to.

So after much thought, he still felt that Li Linfu could help him. He only hoped that he could help Li Linfu before he lost power, and then let Yang Yuyao say a few good words for him.

"Stop talking..."

Yang Yuhuan was annoyed when she heard this. She covered her ears and felt very sad.

Her brothers and sisters only cared about the interests of the Yang family. She abandoned her chastity and her original husband, and was ridiculed by the world to be with Li Longji, who had clearly promised to only favor her.

That's why he committed the crime of disobeying his superior and arguing with Li Longji after seeing that scene in Nanxun Palace.

Seeing that Yang Yuhuan had lost her composure, Yang Jian and Yang Qi did not dare to say anything more.

It's too easy to get something, so they are more afraid of losing it.

They don't want this wealth and glory to be as short-lived as a dream.

Yang Yuyao could only ask the others to leave quickly, and let their sisters accompany Yang Yuhuan, and they advised Yang Yuhuan to consider her family.

They lost their father and mother and are taken care of by their uncle. It is so difficult.

Yang Yuhuan also knew all this, but she did not enter the palace. She planned to stay quiet for a day or two before entering the palace to apologize.

Little did they know that at this time, Li Longji in Xingqing Palace had no appetite or tea.

He felt a little regretful for sending Yang Yuhuan out of the palace.

At the instigation of Lin Zhaoyin, the palace maid whom he had previously favored wanted to come to the palace to spend a night with Li Longji and become the next Yang Yuhuan.

Who would have thought that Li Longji would not recognize her after he pulled up his trousers, and whipped the beautiful palace maid with a whip, and then drove her out of the palace.

Gao Lishi paced outside the hall, not daring to come forward.

The next day, all civil and military officials got up early and arrived outside Xingqing Palace to prepare for the court ceremony.

"The Saint is ill and will not attend court today... The Prime Minister will go to the Secretariat to handle government affairs, and the ministers will each perform their duties."

Gao Lishi informed the ministers in front of the gate of Xingqing Palace.

The news that Yang Guifei was sent back to Yang Jian’s mansion yesterday shocked Chang’an.

They felt that the saint's cancellation of the morning court was related to this!

Will Yang Guifei fall out of favor because of this? The ministers were all thinking about this question last night.

The Five Yangs were rampant in Chang'an, and they were insolent. In just two years, the Five Yangs were superior to the princes and princesses.

Their words were like imperial decrees. As long as enough gold and jewelry were given, nothing was impossible.

The Chang'an nobles were naturally full of resentment.

The Yang family is the Hongnong Yang family.

But the gentry was never a united whole. Small families formed small clans, and small clans formed large clans.

A big clan is just a name, small clans help each other. How can people with the same surname after the fifth degree of mourning feel close to each other? Who cares about whose life and death?

The Yang family is only wealthy and powerful. A distant relative like Yang Zhao would hardly be granted an official position if he was not related to Yang Yuyao.

Countless powerful people in Chang'an were gloating, thinking that the Yang family was about to lose power.

Because in the Tang Dynasty, sending a wife back to her parents' home meant divorce.

When Yang loses power, everything he has eaten will be vomited out with interest.

"Qi Lang, please stay..."

When Li Xuan was about to leave, Gao Lishi stopped him.

He took Li Xuan's arm and pulled him over the city wall of Xingqing Palace.

"What do you want, Mr. Gao?"

Li Xuan asked Gao Lishi.

"Since the lady left the palace yesterday, the Saint has neither eaten nor drunk, and has not been able to sleep at night."

Gao Lishi was very anxious, fearing that the saint would suffer from health problems because of this.

Yesterday, he thought his wife would cry and beg Li Longji for mercy. He could see that Li Longji was giving Yang Yuhuan a face.

But Yang Yuhuan resolutely returned to her parents' home.

Originally, Li Longji just wanted to take advantage of Yang Yuhuan's absence to have a sneaky taste of her flesh.

But after Yang Yuhuan left, a sense of emptiness and loneliness arose.

When I looked at the palace ladies again, I couldn't muster any interest at all. All the beauties in the palace were as dark as earth.

"The Saint has deep feelings for Madam Yuhuan, but he is embarrassed to speak out because of his face."

Li Xuan replied to Gao Lishi.

Generally, couples often quarrel and fight. Since Li Longji doted on Yang Yuhuan, it was normal for them to have some verbal disputes.

Li Xuan knew that Li Longji was an emperor who was very concerned about his reputation, so he was naturally angry because Yang Yuhuan did not give him face.

This is only Yang Yuhuan. If it were anyone else, he would have been dragged out and beaten to death by Li Longji long ago.

Historically, the first time Yang Yuhuan returned to her parents' home, it was Li Longji who took the initiative to surrender.

At Gao Lishi's suggestion, Li Longji dispatched more than a hundred large carts filled with Yang Yuhuan's daily clothes and supplies, as well as many imperial delicacies that Li Longji rewarded to the Yangs.

Even at night, Gao Lishi held Li Longji's imperial edict to open the gate and deliver the things to Yang Jian's mansion.

Li Longji used this tactful and face-saving method to take Yang Yuhuan back.

"Qi Lang also knows the temper of the Saint. Why don't you go with me to Yang Jian's mansion to persuade my wife to admit her mistakes to the Saint. As long as I bring my wife's apology back to Xingqing Palace, the Saint will immediately let my wife come back."

Gao Lishi said to Li Xuan.

Li Xuan was good at debate and had beautiful words, and was also appreciated by his wife, who was more eloquent than him.

Gao Lishi believed that he and Li Xuan had a chance to persuade Lady Yuhuan to admit her mistake.

In this way, the saint's reputation was saved, and Lady Yuhuan was able to return to the palace, and everyone was happy.

He spent the night with the Saint yesterday. Although he did not sleep all night, Gao Lishi was even more worried about the Saint.
Through this incident, Gao Lishi discovered that the saint could not do without Madam Yuhuan.

"I dare not act on my own without the order of the Saint."

Li Xuan said this verbally, but he didn't think so in his heart.

It's different from history.

Historically, it was Gao Lishi who was thinking from beginning to end about how to bring Yang Yuhuan back without losing face as a saint.

Now I want to go to Yang Jian’s mansion with him and give it a try.

It seems like he is acting on his own initiative, but once it is completed, Li Longji will not only not blame him, but will trust him even more.

Because you don't have to lose face, which is very important in the eyes of the world.

As an emperor, you cannot submit to your concubines.

"Qi Lang, don't worry. Even if it doesn't work, I'll take care of it."

Gao Lishi said to Li Xuan.

"Then I will go with Mr. Gao."

Li Xuan nodded.

I was thinking about what reason I could use to persuade Yang Yuhuan to return to the palace.

No matter what, Yang Yuhuan's return to the palace was inevitable. Because Yang Yuhuan had to bear the pressure from her parents' home, it was possible that a few words could make Yang Yuhuan change her mind. He hoped that by getting close to Yang Yuhuan, he could say a few good words for him at the critical moment.

In Li Xuan's opinion, Yang Yuhuan was very easy to fool.

Li Xuan is now the governor of four towns. He wants to retain the governorship of two towns when he enters Chang'an.

It is somewhat unrealistic to serve as prime minister in the court and then be a military governor.

However, during the Kaiyuan period, when Li Linfu was prime minister, he also served as the military governor of Hexi and Longyou.

Li Xuan didn't even want actual military power.

He only held a nominal position and let the deputy ambassador be in charge of military affairs.

With the prestige he had established in Longyou and Hexi, he could seize military power at a critical moment.

The soldiers knew that Li Xuan had always been the Jiedushi ambassador, and they felt reassured.

If the deputy ambassador who was in charge of the Jiedushi affairs did not listen, Li Xuan was confident that he could summon his old subordinates and take down the deputy ambassador.

Helong is his hard work, and he wants to hold Helong in his hands.

Li Xuan thought that since An Lushan had been the Jiedushi of Fanyang and Pinglu for more than ten years, there was no reason why he couldn't be too.

As long as he was by Li Longji's side, his words would definitely sound better than An Lushan's.

Li Xuan could not bring it up on his own initiative, and only Yang Yuhuan could hint to Li Longji about this matter.

Li Xuan has already thought of the reason.

While Li Xuan was thinking, Gao Lishi had already called the carriage to Xingqing Gate.

Li Xuan and Gao Lishi rode in the same car, and a team of Jinwu Guards escorted them towards Yongxingfang, northwest of Xingqing Palace.

Yongxingfang is close to Xingqing Palace and is the nearest market town to Xingqing Gate. It is most convenient for morning court sessions, so there are many princes and ministers there.

Yang Jian’s mansion is located in Yongxingfang.

Historically, Yang Jian was the current Honglu Qing. Because Li Xuan concurrently served as Honglu Qing some time ago, he became Guanglu Qing.

How could one not be jealous of a nameless man with ordinary talents, who suddenly wore purple clothes and was promoted to the third rank, just because he was Yang Yuhuan's cousin?

The streets in front of Yang Jian's mansion are usually crowded.

Early in the morning, dignitaries and local officials would come out of the Jinzouyuan and line up in front of Yang Jian's mansion.

Now it is empty.

Not only Yang Jian, the residence of Lady Guo, the most popular of the Five Yangs, also seemed very deserted.

Good news doesn't travel far, but bad news travels far and wide. Overnight, everyone in Chang'an knew that Yang Yuhuan had been sent back to her parents' home.

The Yang family servants, who usually looked down on everyone, also lowered their heads in front of the door.

When the Jinwu Guards arrived at Yang Jian's mansion, Gao Lishi and Li Xuan got off the car one after another.

The servants did not know Li Xuan, but when they saw Gao Lishi, they immediately reported to their master.

The five Yangs, Yang Jian, Yang Qi, Lady Hanguo, Lady Guoguo, and Lady Qinguo, were all in Yang Jian's mansion. They brought other members of the Yang clan out to welcome Gao Lishi.

Gao Lishi came early in the morning. Wu Yang was very worried, not knowing whether it would bring a turning point or bad news.

After they went out, they not only saw Gao Lishi, but also Li Xuan, the most popular and favored minister of the time!

"Greetings, Mr. Gao!"

"Meet the doctor!"

All the Yangs paid their respects to Li Xuan one after another, and they performed them with great courtesy, just like a subordinate paying respects to his superior.

This made Gao Lishi frown.

Because of their status, they don't need to perform such etiquette.

Let’s not talk about Yang Yuyao and other ladies of the country, just take Yang Jian, a third-rank official, for example. Why would he need to perform such a ceremony?

Li Xuan knew that if one person gained power, everyone around him would benefit. The power of Yang Jian and others changed the color of their clothes depending on whether Yang Yuhuan was favored or not.

When Yang Yuhuan "lost power", Yang Jian and others no longer considered themselves to be dignified third-rank officials. It was as if they were back to the old days and would have to bow down and scrape before a small-time Luoyang magistrate.

"How was your wife last night?"

Gao Lishi walked straight forward and asked.

"Yuhuan was worried and didn't sleep all night."

Yang Yuyao was the most active, and she answered. As soon as she heard Gao Lishi's first question, she knew that things were not as bad as she had expected.

Not long ago in the palace, Yang Yuyao clearly saw how deeply in love Li Longji was with Yuhuan, and it was impossible for him to change after just a few nights.

"That's good……"

Gao Lishi said it himself once, so that he would have an excuse when he returned.

"Take me to see my wife?"

Gao Lishi looked up again and said.

"Mr. Gao, Doctor Li, please!"

Mrs. Han Guo quickly took Gao Lishi and Li Xuan to the main hall.

"Qilang, how about the saint? Are you still angry with Yuhuan?"

Yang Yuyao asked Li Xuan behind her. At this time, she didn't dare to show her charm in front of Li Xuan. She frowned and wanted to know whether the saint had forgiven Yuhuan.

"The Saint is still angry, otherwise it would be morning court time now!"

Li Xuan said calmly: "You should know why the Yang family is rich. When wealth comes too quickly, it will be paid from other places. Be careful in the future!"

If you start this way, you must end this way.

These eight words fully describe the short-lived prosperity of the Yang family.

"Qilang said so, could it be that Mr. Gao is here to take Yuhuan back?" Yang Yuyao is very smart. She can tell from Li Xuan's words that Yang Yuhuan should be able to return to the palace, and she can't help but be surprised.

As for the rest, she seemed not to hear it.

"Lets see……"

Li Xuan did not give a positive answer.

Along the way, Li Xuan saw the luxury of Yang Jian's mansion.

Rockery, small lake, pavilion, and green bamboo.

The Mansion of Duke Song is much worse than that of Yang Jian.

When Li Shizhi was dismissed from his post as prime minister, Li Longji gave him a mansion in Shengyefang that was more than twice the size of the Duke of Song's Mansion, but Li Shizhi found it troublesome and did not move in.

Yang Yuhuan was in her boudoir, so it was definitely not convenient for Gao Lishi and Li Xuan to enter, so they asked the maid to inform Yang Yuhuan.

They were waiting in the main hall of Yang Jian's mansion.

When Yang Yuhuan learned that Gao Lishi and Li Xuan had arrived, she did not come out to meet them immediately. Instead, thinking about her bad appearance, she dressed up in front of the bronze mirror that showed every detail.

Nearly half an hour later, Yang Yuhuan came to the main hall to meet Li Xuan and Gao Lishi.

"Hello, my lady!"

Gao Lishi and Li Xuan stood up and bowed to the graceful Yang Yuhuan.

During this period, other members of the Yang family were not allowed to enter the main hall.

"Mr. Gao and General Li, there is no need to be so polite. I am no longer in the palace!"

Yang Yuhuan said to Li Xuan and Gao Lishi.

After she glanced at Gao Lishi, her eyes fell on Li Xuan, wondering why Li Xuan had come here.

Li Xuan also looked at Yang Yuhuan. Maybe she was in a bad mood. Yang Yuhuan had a cold temperament at this time. She had changed out of her palace dress and was wearing a skirt. Her hair was as white as brocade and satin, her neck was white, and her eyes were charming and moving.

Although she looked a little haggard, her whole body was as delicate and graceful as a lotus flower emerging from water.

"Shichiro..."

Gao Lishi pulled Li Xuan and asked him to persuade Lady Yuhuan. With Li Xuan doing the work, he didn't intend to say a word.

"Madam, Mr. Gao and I came here to ask Madam Yuhuan to take the initiative to admit her mistakes to the Saint, and then the Saint will issue an order to take you back."

Li Xuan spoke straight to the point to Yang Yuhuan.

"I am not wrong!"

Seeing Li Xuan say this, Yang Yuhuan felt very uncomfortable and denied it was her fault in a huff.

"The Saint regrets his actions yesterday and is willing to admit his mistakes to the Lady, but he cannot come."

Li Xuan changed his tone again.

"Why not?"

Yang Yuhuan had a complicated mind, and sometimes she had all kinds of emotions at once. She thought that more people in the world scolded her rather than Li Longji.

She didn't even know whether she liked Li Longji. She only knew that Li Longji was the emperor and was gentle and considerate to her, and she had to be understanding and cater to him.

"A saint is the supreme ruler of a country. He should know his mistakes and correct them, but he cannot admit them in public. This will damage the saint's prestige and also damage my image."

Li Xuan persuaded patiently.

"Besides the Xingqing Palace, what other image do I have?"

Yang Yuhuan made a self-deprecating remark.

After listening to Li Xuan, she could understand that it was inappropriate to want Li Longji to surrender.

But she was only glamorous in Xingqing Palace. How could she not know what people were saying about her in private?

"My lady is a noble concubine, equivalent to the head of the harem, the mother of a country, and a role model for the world. Your every move will be known to the world and recorded by historians. Even though I am far away at the border, the people all know that my lady is a beauty from heaven, kind-hearted, and virtuous."

"Last year, the saint pointed to the lotus in Taiye Lake and said to my wife, 'Who can understand the language of flowers better than me?' This has spread throughout Chang'an. From Li Bai's "Three Poems of Qingpingle" to my "Appreciating Peonies" and "Peony", they all reflect my wife's charm. These are the places that deserve praise."

"The Saint has lost his appetite and cannot sleep at night. He even stopped the morning court session, which delayed state affairs. Madam, you should ask for forgiveness from the Saint and let this matter go. Otherwise, more and more rumors will spread against you, and it is inevitable that you will be labeled as a jealous person like Jia Nanfeng and Guo Huai."

"A saint is different from an ordinary person, and his deeds cannot be guessed. We are all subjects, and we can only obey... I am sincerely considering my lady, please think twice."

Li Xuan said sincerely.

Yang Yuhuan had no choice but to return to the palace.

Li Xuan did not use the Yang family to threaten Yang Yuhuan, but the Yang family members must have used the family to persuade him.

He knew that Yang Yuhuan must be feeling bad. The Yang family had just started enjoying wealth and they were only thinking about keeping it, and they would not consider Yang Yuhuan's feelings.

Li Xuan took both into account!
(End of this chapter)