Seeing the armor knife flying towards her face, but Wu Zetian was in a rage. If she dodged, it would definitely anger the Empress even more. Shanghai Wan'er did not dare to move. She could only kneel straight. Seeing the armor knife approaching her body, she subconsciously closed her eyes.
The knife was not big and was used to cut paper. However, when the sharp tip of the knife pierced Wan'er, she still felt pain between her eyebrows. The armor knife was right between her eyebrows. The armor knife fell to the ground, and blood flowed down her face.
"Whose child is it?"
Wu Zetian's cold voice followed. Wan'er tightly closed her eyes. She only felt the blood slowly flowing down to her mouth. She tightened her lips and did not say a word.
She would never say the name Yang Fan. If she did not say it, she still had a glimmer of hope. If she did, she would only lose Yang Fan's life, and it would be difficult for her and the child to escape. She had always regarded her reputation as more important than her life. For her man and her child, she could give up her life, and she could also give up her reputation.
Wu Zetian looked coldly at Fu Qingqing. This informant hurriedly lowered his head and said in a low voice, "I … I don't know either."
Wu Zetian slightly raised her chin and asked, "How many months has the child in her belly been?"
Fu Qingqing said, "As per the Sage's command, the Imperial Academy of Medicine assistant Yang Yi has already taken Shangguan Dai's pulse. He said … it is seven months."
"Seven months? Hahaha! I am really old, and my eyes are blurred. You were by my side, pregnant for seven months, and I did not notice at all … "
Wu Zetian laughed coldly for a while. She gently furrowed her brows and began to think. Fu Qingqing observed her expression and hurriedly reminded, "Probably … it was a month after the Sage returned to the capital from Sanyang Palace."
"Hmm …"
Wu Zetian's eyes suddenly sharpened. She said in a low voice, "Since then, how many times has Wan'er stayed outside the palace? Who did she often meet?"
In order to report someone to the Emperor, one could not make irresponsible remarks. One had to make sufficient preparations. Fu Qingqing was indeed well prepared. She looked at Shangguan Wan'er timidly, but still gathered her courage and took out a letter from her sleeves. She quietly handed it to Wu Zetian.
Wu Zetian fiercely opened the letter. at a glance, she was shocked, "Wu Sansi, Zhang Tongxiu, Zhang Changqi, Gao Jian, Zhang Shuo, Cui Shi, Cui Ye, Cui Di …"
During the days when Wan'er stayed outside the palace and did not return, she mostly drank with these people. Most of these people were scholars of the present age. Wan'er was in charge of the History Institute and the Hanlin Academy, so it was normal for her to interact with these scholars. Therefore, Wu Zetian did not have any suspicions. Now it seemed that her lover must be one of them.
Wu Zetian pondered for a while, waved her hand, and said to Fu Qingqing, "Leave!"
"Yes!"
Fu Qingqing acknowledged, bowed, and retreated. When she was about to leave the hall, she subconsciously glanced at Wan'er and then at Wu Zetian. Suddenly, she discovered that two murderous gazes were coldly staring at her.
Fu Qingqing was shocked. When she looked again, she saw two beautiful women standing on each side of the curtain. One was Lan Yiqing, and the other was Gao Ying. Both of them looked at her unkindly, with a faint murderous intent. Seeing that she was looking at them, the two women curled their lips at the same time, showing extreme disdain and disdain.
Fu Qingqing knew that these two women were also Wan'er's confidants. They could even be called good sisters. Fu Qingqing could not help but smile bitterly to herself, "Sister Wan'er, if you let me be the bad person, there will be many people in the palace who will not like me in the future."
Wu Zetian held the handwritten letter and slowly paced in the hall for a while. She went around to the imperial table and sat down. She saw Shanghai Wan'er still kneeling on the ground, her upper body straight. The bright red blood on her face contrasted with her snow-white skin. It was somewhat frightening, and her heart suddenly softened.
The Emperor was lonely. Wan'er had served her since she was 14 years old. She had accompanied her for a longer time than anyone else in the world. How could she not have some affection in her heart? Wu Zetian suppressed the anger in her heart and slowly asked, "Tell me, who is the father of this child?"
Wan'er gently lowered her head and whispered, "Holy Sage, Wan'er... Wan'er doesn't know!"
The anger that Wu Zetian had just suppressed burst out again. She slammed the imperial table heavily and stood up angrily, shouting, "Bastard! At this point, you still dare to lie to me. You don't know? You... "
Wu Zetian pointed at Shanghai Wan'er. Suddenly seeing her ashamed look, she could not help but stop her scolding. She was stunned for a long time, and then tentatively said, "You... You can't confirm whose child it is?"
Wan'er was speechless. She kowtowed with tears and said, "Holy Sage is wise. Holy Sage, please don't ask anymore. Wan'er knows her mistake!"
Wu Zetian's legs softened. She suddenly sat back on the chair. She finally understood. No wonder Wan'er found it difficult to speak. Wan'er, who looked as pure as ice and as clean as jade, was actually so promiscuous in private.
For some reason, Wu Zetian suddenly remembered that when the Crane Control Bureau had just been established, Zhang Yizhi had selected seven fair-skinned and beautiful young men from the capital to enter the palace. She had taken advantage of the novelty of the wine and summoned four people to serve her in bed that night.
Wu Zetian's old face heated up. She could no longer curse Shanghai Wan'er. At the same time, she felt inexplicably relaxed. For many years, Wan'er had served in the central government and was involved in confidential matters. She was her indispensable right-hand woman. Now, she was known as the Minister of Internal Affairs. If she and someone secretly promised to marry, Wu Zetian could not guarantee that Wan'er would not become a thorn in her side.
The purpose of this nail was not necessarily to harm her. Perhaps it was to understand her every move in order to cater to her superior's wishes and flatter her superior. But no one liked to have their every move understood like the back of their hand.
If Wan'er was just mature in body and mind and needed something, then having a one-night stand with those distinguished men and becoming husband and wife, the problem would not be so serious.
But, was Wan'er really messed up in private, or was it to cover up the truth?
The older Wu Zetian got, the more suspicious she became. Because of Wan'er's embarrassed state, she thought of this possibility. But she would not believe everything Wan'er said because of this.
But what should she do? Like a mother whose daughter was stolen and raped, should she angrily question those people one by one? If this matter spread, the dignity of the royal family would be completely gone. It would be strange if the people did not spread the word that the palace was unbearably obscene.
Wu Zetian was very clear about the power of those gossipy women in the village. Back then, she was only 13 years old. Just because she was pretty, wore brightly colored clothes, and liked to go out, she was talked about by many people behind her back. There were many unbearable rumors about her. Once this kind of romantic affair was leaked, who knew how ugly it would be when it was spread by others.
How to deal with Wan'er was secondary. The most important thing was to find out if Wan'er was seduced by someone and became a spy buried by her side. How could he get to the bottom of this without making a fuss? This was the key. After all, Wu Zetian had been in power for many years. Reason quickly took the upper hand. Once she knew what was important, she would not be swayed by emotions.
Wu Zetian was silent for a long time. Her tone gradually softened. "This … is also my fault. You have been by my side since you were 14. For many years, I have treated you as my confidant, even as my own daughter. But I have neglected that you have already grown into a woman and need a man. "
Wu Zetian sighed. "I do not want to look into this absurd matter. But I have to think of a way to deal with the aftermath. You should know that if this matter were to be made public, not only will your reputation be destroyed, the dignity of the court will also be lost! "
Shanghai Wan'er hurriedly wiped away the blood on her face and looked at Wu Zetian with surprise. She knew that all the preparations she had made could not arouse the Emperor's suspicion and killing intent. But she did not expect that Wu Zetian would forgive her so easily.
Shanghai Wan'er was ecstatic. She repeatedly kowtowed and said, "Many thanks to the Saint's mercy. Wan'er will listen to the Saint's arrangements!"
Wu Zetian smiled faintly and said, "Seven months is indeed not a good time to abort the child. But there are many national doctors in the Imperial Hospital. They should not harm your body. Abort the child. You can use illness as an excuse to recuperate for ten days to half a month. Then you can return to my side. No one will know about this matter. "
Shanghai Wan'er's face changed. She hurriedly shook her head and said, "No! Wan'er cannot do it. I beg the Saint to have mercy. Wan'er wants to give birth to the child. "
Wu Zetian's face changed. She said in a deep voice, "You cannot even determine who the father of the child is. What do you want this child for?"
Shangguan Wan 'er sobbed and said, "Saint, no matter who his father is, he is my own flesh and blood!"
Wu Zetian said unhappily, "Silly! If I let you give birth to the child safely, how can it be hidden from the eyes and ears of the world? I have already intended to pardon your crimes. Don't push your luck. "
Shanghai Wan'er said, "I would rather blame myself. Even if I am demoted to a servant by the Saint, I only ask that the Saint allow me to give birth to the child."
Wu Zetian waved her sleeves and said, "Summon the imperial doctor!"
"No! Saint, I beg you! "
Shanghai Wan'er hurriedly walked a few steps and knelt in front of the imperial table. She said in a hoarse voice, "Saint! Wan'er has received the guidance of the Saint and the care of the Saint. In Wan'er's heart, the Saint is a ruler and a mother. I do not dare to disobey the Saint's words. But this child is my flesh and blood. He is my flesh and blood. If the Saint wants to kill this child, I will hate you for the rest of my life! "
It was likely that no one in the world had ever said such words to Wu Zetian. At least in her memory, no one had ever said such words to her. She looked at Wan'er with a strange gaze and said in a deep voice, "By my side, you are below one person and above millions of people. You are willing to give up everything that I have given you just to protect this child?"
Shanghai Wan'er raised her head and said resolutely, "I have come to the world this time. I also want to be a woman, to be a mother! I beg the Saint to grant my wish! "
Shanghai Wan'er kowtowed to the ground and did not get up again. Wu Zetian narrowed her old eyes and looked at her quietly. Her face was like an ancient well without any ripples, like a cold lake that would not melt for a thousand years. After a while, Wu Zetian said, "If you want to protect this child, your glory, wealth, power, status, and everything else must be given up. For the dignity of the royal family, including your freedom! I can allow you to give birth to the child, but you will be imprisoned and cut off from the world. Are you willing? "
Shanghai Wan'er heard that there was still room for negotiation. As long as she could protect her child, she did not have to worry about anything else. She kowtowed again and again and said, "The Saint is merciful. Wan'er is willing to accept it!"
Wu Zetian stared at Shanghai Wan'er, and her eyes gradually softened. She had never taken family as a big deal, so she could not understand this kind of person who could give up everything for their children. She said, "That is just a lump of meat that has not been born. It is not even a living person!"
In her view, if someone took the risk to pursue Shanghai Wan'er, their goal must be the power in her hands. Otherwise, there were so many beautiful women. Who would take such a big risk to have an affair with someone close to the Emperor? And Wan'er was the same. If she harbored disloyalty and coveted the power that she gave her, how could she give up this opportunity that she gave her?
Therefore, although Wu Zetian seemed to be tolerant, there was already a hidden killing intent. If Wan'er conveniently accepted her suggestion, then she must kill Wan'er, even if she killed the wrong person. Now that Wan'er was willing to give up everything in order to give birth to the child, Wu Zetian believed that she was harmless to her.
Somehow, Wu Zetian suddenly thought of her eldest daughter. It was in the fifth year of Yong Hui. She was a pink and cute baby. In the blink of an eye, almost fifty years had passed. She thought that she had long forgotten the daughter who would never grow up. But now the image of her daughter clearly appeared in her mind, and her anger was completely gone.
After a long silence, Wu Zetian's peaceful but somewhat hollow voice sounded in the hall leisurely, "Wan'er, draft the decree! Officially announce to the world that I will move the capital to Chang'an this year! Wait for Shanghai Wan'er to go to Chang'an first and prepare for the relocation of the capital with Minister Fengchen Zhang Changzong! "
Shanghai Wan'er looked up in surprise. Wu Zetian continued, "Gao Ying, Lan Yiqing!"
The two internal guards who had been standing by the curtain bowed and said, "Yes, Your Majesty!"
"You two escort Wan'er to Chang'an. Ask Zhang Changzong to arrange a secret, safe, and inaccessible place for her."
Shanghai Wan'er understood and kowtowed with joy, "Wan'er thanks the Sage for your kindness!"
Wu Zetian grabbed the dragon head crutch and left the imperial desk. When she walked to Shanghai Wan'er, she put the dragon head crutch on the ground and left without saying a word.
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