Yang Zaisi had died of illness!
Yes, he had died of illness. This was of the utmost importance to the Emperor.
If during the Shangyuan Festival, the eighty-year-old Yang Zaisi had no choice but to participate in the tug-of-war competition because the Empress and Princess An Le wanted to watch some fun and ended up losing his life, it would be a heavy blow to the Emperor's reputation.
Although Prime Minister Yang, who had always flattered and fawned over others as his principle, had steadily held the position of Prime Minister for more than ten years, and had always stood firm in this era of extreme political turmoil, had indeed lost his life because of flattery.
Although he had fallen in the tug-of-war, after he was sent back to his residence, the Yang Fu had sought out the best national doctors and managed to prolong his life for more than four months. This time, the Emperor could separate this matter from the tug-of-war incident.
Otherwise, if this matter became known, the Emperor would lose his reputation as an absurdity. In reality, in order to mediate the dispute between Zong Chuke and Cui Wan, he had fantasized about having them become sworn brothers of different surnames. This was already absurd.
It was just that the Emperor himself clearly did not think that there was anything absurd about this matter, but the Prime Minister Yang Zaisi's death made him realize the severity of the consequences. Now, it was not just Yang Zaisi, but Doulu Qinwang had also been bedridden ever since that day in the tug-of-war, and it seemed that he would not last much longer.
If the two eighty-year-old Prime Ministers lost their lives because the Emperor wanted them to tug-of-war, Li Xian would not be able to escape the reputation of an absurd Emperor. So when he heard that Yang Zaisi had died, Li Xian was very nervous. He could not care about the matchmaking of Zong Chuke and Cui Wan to his brother. He immediately announced the end of court and personally went to the Yang Fu to pay his respects.
Empress Wei also felt the matter was troublesome when she heard from behind the bead curtain. The one who had suggested having the officials tug-of-war was An Le, and she had strongly agreed. After the court meeting ended, Empress Wei took in Zong Chuke and discussed the matter with him.
Zong Chuke heard Empress Wei's worry and comforted her: "Niangniang, do not worry. Yang Zaisi was an old man in his eighties. It is completely reasonable to say that he died of illness. That day, the tug-of-war at the Black Tortoise Gate had not spread among the people because nothing major had happened. The only people who knew were the civil and military officials. If there was anyone who would connect these two matters, it would be them. This subject will immediately use the name of the Political Affairs Hall to inform all the departments and halls to strictly prohibit the officials from criticizing. "
Empress Wei nodded her head in agreement and had Zong Chuke quickly take care of it. After Zong Chuke left, Empress Wei suddenly remembered the Ju Lang and the historian and quickly ordered someone to invite Shangguan Zhaorong over.
He also had to give an account to the librarian and the historian. She absolutely could not allow this to be recorded in the history books and daily notes. Once they attributed Yang Zaisi's death to the tug-of-war of the Upper Yuan, then she and the Emperor would be cursed for all eternity.
The Historian and Qi Julang were currently under the jurisdiction of the Shangguan Wan 'er. Ever since Li Shi Min interfered in the writing of history, the Historian could no longer maintain the transcendent position they had in ancient times. As long as Wan' er exerted pressure on them, the Historian could be urged to be careful with his pen.
Putting aside how Empress Wei was racking her brains to control the situation, on Yang Fan's side, as soon as the court meeting ended, Guo Hong hurried over to him and thanked him profusely. Then he was summoned by a taijian to the Political Affairs Hall to receive his decree.
Yang Fan left the Palace and rode his horse back. As he passed by Tong Yi Lane, Yang Fan suddenly reined in his horse and turned his head to look into the lane, his expression dark. His rendezvous with Taiping was in this lane. Once he entered the lane, it was the first alley of the second bend.
Today was the day of their monthly rendezvous, but he hadn't come to Tong Yi Lane for a long time. For some reason, Yang Fan pulled the reins and spurred the horse toward the center of the square. Ren Wei and the others silently chased after him.
In this Tong Yi Lane, which was adjacent to the Palace and where every inch of land was worth its weight in gold, it was even more expensive than the more secluded residences in the lane. Princess Taiping leisurely walked over from an elegant path between the wisteria rockery and tall bamboo. Behind her was the internal steward Zhoumin and the strategist Great Teacher Mo.
Princess Taiping said to Zhoumin: "All right, ben gong has said all that needs to be said. I'll leave the rest to you. There's only two months. Take good care of things. Don't be late."
Zhoumin respectfully acknowledged and stopped walking. She watched as Taiping and Great Teacher Mo left.
Taiping said to Great Teacher Mo: "What interesting matter did you say happened in court today?"
Great Teacher Mo smiled and told Princess Taiping about the important matters of today's court meeting. When Princess Taiping heard that Yang Fan was standing up for Guo Yuanzhen, a strange light appeared in her eyes. When she heard that Li Xian was trying to matchmake Zong Chuke and Cui Wan as brothers of different surnames, Princess Taiping suddenly stopped.
"What? This is preposterous! How could Imperial Brother … … this is preposterous beyond compare! "
Princess Taiping was so angry that her face turned red. Her delicate body couldn't help but tremble. An indescribable sorrow filled her chest. At this moment, she even felt that if her mother came back to life and the world was surnamed Wu again, it would be better than the current situation.
Right now, it was Empress Wei who controlled the court and was part of the Wei clan. The position of Li Tang's imperial family was even worse than when Wu Zetian was alive. Even though Wei Dang had not brandished the butcher's knife against Li Tang's imperial family, they had already sharpened their knives.
Moreover, when the Empress was alive, even though Li Tang's imperial family had been brutally slaughtered, in the eyes of the people, Li Tang was still the holy and inviolable orthodox emperor. And now? An Emperor who was played by the Empress like a puppet. An Emperor who was so muddle-headed and preposterous, Li Tang had become the laughingstock of the world.
Great Teacher Mo watched as Princess Taiping's face turned from red to green. Even though her trembling body gradually calmed down, her hands were still tightly clenched. He couldn't help but sigh in sympathy.
He clenched his fists and coughed twice. Seizing the opportunity when he lowered his head, a mocking and pleased smile flashed across his eyes …
… …
Yang Fan originally didn't expect to see Taiping here. Ever since he was shut at the Princess Residence three times in a row, Yang Fan was somewhat disheartened.
He never went to Princess Taiping's residence again. Coming to Tong Yi Lane today, rather than saying that he hoped to meet Princess Taiping here, it would be better to say that it was a kind of remembrance of the deceased.
But when he saw the residence's door wide open, Yang Fan was first slightly startled and then filled with joy. "She's here! She's actually here. Lingyue must be reluctant to break the fate of a lifetime! "
Suppressing his excitement, Yang Fan hurriedly got off the horse and threw the reins to Ren Wei. He lifted his robe and quickly walked up the stone steps.
Two doormen were standing under the lintel of the door. Yang Fan recognized that the two of them were the servants of the Princess Residence who were guarding the residence here. He asked, "Is the Princess in the residence?"
These two doormen had been guarding here all along. They still didn't know the grievances between Yang Fan and the Princess. They only knew that the Princess and General Yang hadn't had a rendezvous here for a long time. Now that they saw Yang Fan, they only knew that he came because of the Princess's invitation. The two of them were very attentive.
One of them nodded and bowed. "Yes, yes. General, please go to the guest hall to rest first."
The other person rushed to say, "I'll go and report to the Princess."
The two doormen rushed over and closed the courtyard door with a "bang". One led Yang Fan to the living room while the other went straight to the back of the residence.
"Yang Fan is here?"
Princess Taiping came out of the moon door angrily. Hearing the doorman's report, her heartstrings couldn't help but tremble. Her eyes were like the lake water that was blown by a breeze.
"Cough! Your Highness! "
First Mister Mo took a step forward and said in a low voice, "Your Highness, don't harm others and yourself!"
Princess Taiping was startled. Her eyes suddenly became clear. She gently nodded and slowly turned around. She said to Mo Yuhan in a low voice, "Mister, please rest assured. Lingyue knows what to do."
First Mister Mo didn't say anything. He just looked deeply at Princess Taiping and slowly retreated two steps. Princess Taiping took a deep breath and walked towards the living room. Her steps slowly became steady.
"Lingyue!"
As soon as Yang Fan saw Taiping, his face immediately revealed a happy expression. However, just as his happiness bloomed, it froze on his face. Taiping's expression was very cold, and there was something in his eyes that made him feel unfamiliar.
"General, please sit down!"
Princess Taiping said indifferently. She walked past Yang Fan in a dignified manner. She spread out her sleeves and gracefully sat down on the main seat. Her red phoenix eyes glanced at Yang Fan as if she was showing off.
Yang Fan slowly sat down on the guest seat. He forced a smile and said, "Hehe, today, I came here unexpectedly. I didn't expect to meet you. I didn't expect … maybe this is God's will."
"God's will?"
The corners of Princess Taiping's mouth curled up with a touch of cynicism. She coldly said, "God's will can only be used to deceive those ignorant little girls. I don't believe in those things for a long time."
Yang Fan frowned and said, "Lingyue, Shiniang and I are actually …"
Princess Taiping's face suddenly darkened. She sternly shouted, "Shut up! I don't want to listen to your explanation. If you came here for this, then please leave immediately! "
Yang Fan choked. He suddenly clasped his hands on his knees and angrily said, "Lingyue, you'd rather believe some rumors than my words? Sometimes, you can't believe what you see with your own eyes. Moreover, we don't have any personal relationship. I can tell you the real reason. Actually … "
Princess Taiping interrupted him coldly, "You don't have to say anymore. Whether you are playing along, or acting for real, to me, it doesn't make any difference. Because … I am actually tired."
Yang Fan was startled. His eyes gradually became cold. He sadly laughed and said, "Tired? Hehe, tired of me? "
Princess Taiping didn't answer his question. Instead, she glanced at him and suddenly changed the topic, "Today, you brought Guo Hong to the Golden Hall?"
Yang Fan was startled. He was quite surprised and said, "I just came out of the Palace. You already know?"
Princess Taiping smiled. There was an indescribable pride in her smile, "Guarding the country, Taiping, is not as weak as some people think."
Yang Fan gently shook his head and said, "This' some people 'doesn't include me. I've never looked down on you."
Princess Taiping ridiculed, "To be praised by such a scheming and intelligent person like you, Taiping is really flattered."
Yang Fan frowned and said, "What do you mean by this?"
Princess Taiping smiled indifferently and said, "Nothing much. Guo Hong exposed Zong Chuke's bribery in front of everyone in the Golden Hall, forcing Suo Ge to rebel and framing Guo Yuanzhen, it should also be your idea right?"
Yang Fan's heart skipped a beat. His pupils suddenly contracted. Princess Taiping had long been paying attention to his expression. The fleeting change in expression of Yang Fan didn't escape her eyes. Princess Taiping smiled and said, "Good move! I didn't expect that you could also use such a thing. The technique of creating momentum, borrowing momentum, and directing momentum are superb and have reached the peak of perfection! "
Princess Taiping gently sighed and said, "You told me before that when martial arts is practiced to the highest level, you can even pick leaves and fly flowers to hurt people. Your official career should have been practiced to this level, right?"
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