Li Xian had not expected the ministers to react so strongly. When Zhang Jianzhi's group of five had been stripped of their authority, the ministers had not reacted so strongly.
But he had never thought about how many years the Prince of Xiang and Taiping had been operating in the Imperial Court.
He had lived in Fang Province for sixteen years, and the Prince of Xiang and Taiping had always been in the Imperial Court. Although they had always been cautious under the pressure of Wu Zetian, not daring to make any major moves, they were still more popular than the Prince of Luling. Although Li Xian was currently emperor, he had only been restored to the throne for less than a year, so how much power and support could he have established?
As for the suddenly promoted Zhang Jianzhi's group of five, they had truly obtained supreme authority and fame, but they had also received far too much jealousy. This was especially the case when they became overly arrogant. The officials did not say anything on the surface, but how could they not feel a bit of resentment? Their foundations could not even compare to Li Xian's, let alone the Prince of Xiang and Taiping's.
Under the torrent of public sentiment, Li Xian immediately shrank back. Even though King Liang and Empress Wei were unwilling to give up on this chance and constantly pressured him, Li Xian still hesitated, not daring to rashly make a decision. It was in this stalemate that the Imperial Court finally reached the day of the Emperor and Empress's funeral.
After the funeral, Li Longji and his two brothers did not even return to the princely estate. Halfway through, they left the funeral procession and hurried back to their fief. When Wu Sansi learned of this news and carefully weighed it, he put away his ambition to capture the Prince of Xiang and Taiping in one fell swoop.
The current situation was as follows: all the officials were firmly against it; Li Longji, three Wangye, were leading the troops to govern the people; the Imperial Guards of the Southern Yamen had been somewhat restless lately; Wang Tongjiao's rebellion broke out too suddenly; the Wu Clan was completely unprepared, while the Wei Clan had just risen up.
In these circumstances, if the Prince of Xiang and Princess Taiping were pressed too hard, once they became desperate, it would be hard to say who would emerge victorious. In this situation, Wu Sansi, who already held the advantage, had no need to take such risks. Wu Sansi gave his opinion to Empress Wei, but Empress Wei was not willing. Her eyes darted around, and she turned her attention to Zhang Jianzhi's group of five.
Wu Sansi also felt that although Zhang Pianzhi and the other four were already tigers without teeth, if there was a chance to kick them again and completely destroy the possibility of them making a comeback, it might not be bad. Therefore, he immediately instructed a group of lackeys to create a new confession.
Li Xian clearly knew that Zhang Jianzhi's group of five were innocent, but he did not remember the kindness of Zhang Jianzhi's group of five in helping him ascend to the throne. Instead, he firmly remembered how arrogant Zhang Jianzhi's group of five had been after he became the Emperor. Li Xian tacitly acknowledged the authenticity of this confession and acted against Zhang Jianzhi's group of five.
Li Xian issued a decree: Because the five princes were dissatisfied with the Emperor, they incited Wang Tongjiao and the others to assassinate the King of Liang and the Empress, attempting to coerce the Son of Heaven into ordering the feudal vassals. Considering that they had performed meritorious service in assisting the dragon, plus they had the iron ticket to avoid death ten times, he did not punish them severely. The five of them were stripped of their Wangye title and were demoted to local prefectural governors.
Wang Tongjiao and the others were careless, just as Yang Fan had said, not only did they harm themselves, they also harmed others. It was now the third month of the spring of the second year of the Divine Dragon. It had been a year since the coup of the five princes had overthrown Empress Zetian and supported Li Xian's ascension to the throne.
On the seventh day of the third month, Li Xian had Wang Tongjiao, Zhang Zhongzhi, and Zu Yanqing executed at the capital's resting place for treason. Song Zhiwen and Song Zhixun, the two brothers, were immediately conferred the title of fifth-rank official for their meritorious service. Song Zhixun's son, Song Tan, was also conferred the title of Minister of Imperial Clothing.
In the blink of an eye, another half a month had passed. The bloodstains of the resting place had been washed clean by the spring rain.
In the Prince of Xiang's estate, Li Chiying sat in her boudoir, pensively reading a secret report in her hands.
The secret report had come from the palace.
Ever since Li Longji had left Chang 'an, the task of contacting the palace had been left to Li Chiying. Li Longji had chosen Li Chiying because she and he were twin sisters from the same mother, and the two of them were the closest to each other. Although his eldest brother and second brother had remained in Chang 'an, his eldest brother was the Prince of Xiang's heir, so he had many complicated affairs to attend to. His second brother's temperament was too irritable, so only his little sister was suitable for this task.
The secret report that Li Chiying was reading concerned Yang Fan. Recently, Gao Lishi had learned a lot about Yang Fan from Shanghai Wan'er. Of course, Gao Lishi had no idea that this information had been intentionally leaked to him by Yang Fan. He only felt that this information would be very helpful to Li Longji. Moreover, Gao Lishi was very happy to have the young prince whom he served appreciate his great benefactor. It would be best if he could get Yang Fan to work for Li Longji. As a result, he was even more eager to report any information related to Yang Fan.
This fellow really is quite formidable. His ten thousand elite cavalry are all within his grasp. Third Brother told me to help him keep an eye out for powerful generals of the court who can be roped in. This person not only has a powerful army, but he's also dissatisfied with King Liang and Empress Wei. He should be worth roping in.
Li Chiying's large and delicate eyes narrowed slightly as she thought about this.
The sixteen year old girl had already reached the age of youth. She rested her chin on her hand as her imagination involuntarily began to run wild. As she thought about it, she thought back to that scene that had made her blush so many times. She, dressed in a red dress like an umbrella, had descended from the sky and landed on Yang Fan's shoulder. She thought about how she was completely empty inside, and how her butt was sitting on his body …
Li Chiying squirmed uncomfortably, as if there were ants crawling there. She spat at herself lightly. She seemed to have thought of something, and her cheeks began to blush. The corners of her eyes began to ripple with a charming and gentle expression.
"Shiniang, Shiniang!"
Huo Guo rushed in from outside. Although she was a few years younger than Li Chiying, Huo Guo could still be considered a young lady in this era. Even though her figure and face still carried a bit of baby fat, her features were already extremely adorable.
"Why are you all so noisy?"
Li Chiying's thoughts were suddenly interrupted. She unhappily put away the secret letter and glared at her younger sister.
Huo Guo panted and said, "Something has happened, something big has happened. I just heard it from the steward. Do you want to hear it?"
Li Chiying yawned and lazily said, "What is it? If you want to say it, then say it. If not, then forget it. I'm feeling sleepy right now."
Huo Guo was an impatient person. Li Chiying knew that Huo Guo would not be able to hide her thoughts. As expected, Huo Guo took the initiative to speak. She mysteriously said, "Shiniang, did you know? There are many posters posted on Vermilion Bird Avenue. The posters say … that King Liang and Her Majesty the Empress are having an affair and that they are promiscuous in the palace. "
"What?"
Li Chiying's beautiful face paled in fright. She jumped up and cried out involuntarily, "Something like this actually happened?"
…
"Sage! Sage! Her Majesty has committed suicide! "
"What?"
Li Xian jumped up in fright, knocking over the stack of memorials.
He asked in shock, "The Empress committed suicide? What happened? How is the Empress? "
The palace maid hurriedly shook her head. "This servant does not know why Her Majesty committed suicide. Fortunately, we discovered it in time and Her Majesty was rescued. She is currently being treated."
When Li Xian heard this, he hurriedly left the table. "I'm going to see her."
Li Xian hurriedly walked to the entrance of the hall. At this time, a eunuch hurried over and said, "Sage, King Liang requests an audience."
Li Xian swung his sleeve and said, "Let him wait."
Li Xian hurriedly rushed to the Empress' palace. Empress Wei was just slowly waking up. When she saw Li Xian, she immediately burst into tears. "My Wei clan was born into a great family. Ever since we followed you, Li Xian, we have never enjoyed any good fortune. Instead, we followed you in Fangzhou for sixteen bitter years. It was not easy for us to get through all the bitterness and enjoy the sweetness, but because of you, we were slandered. I am now the esteemed Empress of the Empire, but I am being mocked by the common people. What face do I have to continue living in this world? "
Li Xian said in shock, "Wife, just what happened? We … we were reading through memorials and did not know anything. "
Empress Wei jumped up and pointed at Li Xian's nose. "You don't know? Isn't it all because of you? Was it your idea to invite that Wu Sansi into the palace? Was it your idea to rope in Wu Sansi to work for you? Now, someone is spreading rumors and putting up posters on Vermillion Bird Avenue, saying that I am having an affair with Wu Sansi and that I am promiscuous in the palace!
That Wu Sansi is an old man over sixty years of age, with wrinkled skin and white hair. Even if I don't follow the ways of a woman, do you think I would fancy that damned old man? My clean reputation has been ruined by your hands. Are you happy now? Wuwuwu, I don't want to live anymore! "Empress Wei suddenly jumped up and slammed into a pillar.
Li Xian was greatly alarmed and hurriedly shouted, "Quick, stop the Empress!"
Several palace maids and eunuchs rushed forward to stop her. For a moment, the palace was thrown into chaos. After a while, the confused Li Xian finally understood what had happened. He was so angry that his hair stood on end. He angrily roared, "Who is so shameless? We definitely won't let him off, definitely not! "
Wu Sansi respectfully knelt in front of the palace without his hat and hat.
He had also heard that posters had been put up on Vermillion Bird Avenue, saying that he was having an affair with the Empress, so he had hurriedly come to beg for forgiveness.
As the head of the Wu clan, Wu Sansi could ally with others for the sake of profit, but he wouldn't work for others for the sake of pleasure in bed. Moreover, he was a noble prince. He could obtain any beauty, so why would he be interested in a middle-aged woman? At his age, he didn't like women in their prime, but rather beautiful young girls.
Moreover, he had been exiled by his aunt, Wu Zetian, and married very late. So, although he was related to Li Xian and his wife by marriage and their children were of similar ages, he was twenty or thirty years older than Li Xian and his wife. How could an old man like him be favored by the Empress?
It was hateful that someone had shamelessly created this rumor and put it up in the market. Wu Sansi felt somewhat apprehensive. Although he knew that Li Xian wouldn't believe this and that Li Xian relied on him in many ways and wouldn't harm him, he was still worried that the Emperor would distance himself from him. After all, he was a man. Even if it wasn't true, he would still feel a knot in his heart.
He knelt in front of the palace gates for a long time, but Li Xian still didn't summon him. His heart couldn't help but feel uneasy.
Jing Hui hurriedly rushed to the Royal Prince of Fuyang, Huan Yanfan's residence. Without waiting for the gatekeeper to announce his arrival, he barged in. There were dozens of carriages parked in the Huan residence, some already filled with things. The five princes had all been demoted to provincial governors, but with their large families and large businesses, they hadn't been able to leave in time.
Huan Yanfan had just come out to welcome him when he saw Jing Hui angrily walk in. With a shake of his sleeve, he ordered his servants to leave. With an ashen face, he said to Huan Yanfan, "Was the poster on the street your doing?"
You've already exceeded your reading limit for today. If you want to read more, please log in.
Login
Select text and click 'Report' to let us know about any bad translation.
