Chapter 207 - 131: Su Fu VS Xiao Song_2
But the henpecked were not limited to just Fang Xuanling. In Chang’an City, there were so many fierce wives that if they were pulled out, they could probably fill the entire Zhuque Street. Half of the twenty-four meritorious officials of Lingyan Pavilion were afraid of their wives, and their ladies gave even the emperor a headache, although the matter with Fang Xuanling was more notorious.
One day, after the morning court was dismissed and everyone had left, only Fang Xuanling remained standing still. Emperor Taizong was curious and asked, "Old Fang, what’s the matter with you?" Fang Xuanling suddenly fell to his knees: "Your Majesty, you must vindicate your servant. My lady has beaten me, and she won’t allow me to return home. Please issue an imperial edict to let my lady allow me to come home, otherwise I can’t go on living. I’ll die right here in front of you."
Emperor Taizong really did issue a decree to send Fang Xuanling back home. Afterward, he must also have felt uncomfortable about it, thinking to himself, how can the Prime Minister of the Great Tang be afraid of his wife? Therefore, he handpicked several beautiful palace maids and bestowed them upon Fang Xuanling.
No sooner had the decree been issued than, within two hours, Lady Lu arrived at the palace with the palace maids in tow.
Emperor Taizong also became enraged, offering a bowl of "poison" and saying she could either die or obediently go back and take those palace maids as concubines. Lady Lu immediately picked up the "poison" and drained it.
Luckily, Emperor Taizong had the foresight to use vinegar as the poison, otherwise if she really died, what would he do when Fang Xuanling came to him? Even so, it gave him a cold sweat, and he couldn’t help but feel relieved, thankful that his own Guanyin maid (Empress Zhangsun) was gentle and virtuous!
This incident became a laughing stock among the people of Chang’an over their meals.
Xiao Song naturally knew that Liu Qingsong was teasing him, and with a dismissive glance, he said, "The old lady’s words never quite count. If you dared to tease me because she promised you something, then you’d better pray for your own fortune!"