After seeing Li Longji off, Princess Taiping immediately ordered, "Prepare a carriage, I am going to the palace!"
The palace was currently guarded by the ten thousand cavalry and winged cavalry, but they were actually all under Li Longji's control. On Li Longji's list, only a few people could freely enter and leave the palace, and one of them was Princess Taiping.
Princess Taiping entered the palace and immediately went to see Young Emperor Li Zhongmao. Li Zhongmao still lived in the Eastern Palace. This was a very strange matter. In the past, Empress Wei had forcibly occupied the Hall of Sweet Dew. Now that the Hall of Sweet Dew was empty, he, the emperor, still lived in the Eastern Palace. It seemed that after Wu Zetian, Li Xian, Li Dan, and Li Zhongmao had all become addicted to living in the Eastern Palace.
Although Li Zhongmao was young, he was not ignorant of the ways of the world. He was truly tired of sitting on this fearless and emotionless throne. He also knew that he had been pushed onto the throne by Empress Wei in order to make it easier for her to wield power. But now, there was someone who did not want him to continue being a puppet.
Princess Taiping explained the purpose of her visit. There was no need for righteousness or threats, and the young emperor agreed as if relieved of a heavy burden.
In truth, Princess Taiping also knew that there would be no resistance from Li Zhongmao, but becoming emperor was a major event. She could not just send a random servant to the palace to inform the Young Emperor. This trip had to be taken.
Seeing that Li Zhongmao was very tactful, Princess Taiping slowly said, "Very good! The country of our ancestors needs a promising ruler. You can't shoulder this heavy responsibility, so it's fine if you become a Prince of Peace. Prepare well. Tomorrow morning court, abdicate the throne to the Prince of Xiang! "
Li Zhongmao hurriedly nodded his head in agreement. After Princess Taiping left the Eastern Palace, she wanted to go to the Prince of Xiang's estate. The Emperor only needed to say a few words. The real difficulty lay with the Prince of Xiang. Princess Taiping knew very well that her brother was not pretending. He really did not want to be emperor.
As Taiping walked, she thought about what she would say when she saw the Prince of Xiang. She suddenly gave a bitter laugh. "You don't want to be emperor, but everyone does everything they can to make you emperor. And I am also of the blood of the Emperor. Even if I can be a good emperor, it is only because I am a woman … the Heavenly Dao is so unfair! "
Taiping sighed inwardly, feeling disappointed and indignant.
Ever since she had the thought of an emperor in her heart, she felt the great temptation of the throne more and more intensely. Its temptation was omnipresent and irresistible. Regardless of whether one's original intention was to do evil or good, in the end, it could make people become its slaves without hesitation.
However, everyone who was willing to be enslaved by this power did so willingly and without any regard for their own safety, just like Princess Taiping at this moment. She had always believed that her purpose of seizing the imperial power was good. It was to better govern the country passed down by her ancestors. However, she did not realize that greed was also blinding her mind.
But no matter how much she desired to ascend to the throne, her rationality told her that it was impossible, at least for now. Even if she was a man, as long as her brother was still alive, she would not be able to ascend to the throne.
A dozen or so eunuchs were carrying a heavy coffin, walking along the imperial road. As soon as they saw Princess Taiping, they stopped respectfully and retreated to the roadside. Taiping asked in surprise, "Whose coffin is this? Why hasn't it been cleared out of the palace?"
A eunuch hurried to her and respectfully said, "Your Highness, this coffin contains Shangguan Zhao Rong."
"Oh?"
Princess Taiping's body shook. She looked at the coffin with a complicated expression and said, "The Zheng family still hasn't sent someone to collect the corpse?"
The eunuch replied, "Yes! Perhaps it is because there are too many things in the palace, the Zheng family doesn't dare to inquire about Shangguan Zhao Rong's whereabouts. Or perhaps it is because Shangguan Zhao Rong has been labeled as a rebel and the Zheng family is afraid … "
Princess Taiping had a bitter feeling in her heart. Even though she did not know Yang Fan's plan, she was very clear that Shanghai Wan 'er did not die. There was no need for any other reason. Just from Yang Fan's reaction, it could be seen.
"Wan 'er is with him right now …"
Princess Taiping first felt a wave of sadness, followed by jealousy and hatred. For a moment, her heart was filled with mixed feelings and she could not tell what it is.
Taiping was in a daze and the eunuch did not dare to move. He stood obediently in front of her. After some time, Taiping regained her senses and plainly said, "Carry the coffin out of the palace. It is not a good idea to stay here forever. I will be responsible for burying Shangguan Zhao Rong. "
The eunuch hesitated, "This … About Prince Lin Zi …"
Princess Taiping's phoenix eyes flashed with anger and a murderous aura appeared, "Did you not hear what I said?"
The eunuch shuddered and quickly bowed, "Yes! Your servant obeys! "
Princess Taiping took another look at the coffin and walked forward. The eunuch quickly waved his hand and instructed the eunuchs to turn around and carry the coffin, following behind Princess Taiping from afar.
When the majestic and magnificent Gate of Heaven is in sight, the bitterness in Princess Taiping's heart has been blown away by the wind, turning cold and hard.
… …
Princess Taiping pondered and repeatedly assessed her Imperial Brother's character. Even though he has always been obedient to her, he will not easily agree to this matter that crosses his bottom line. Therefore, when they arrived at the Prince of Xiang's residence, she did not directly state her purpose of visit like she did with the Young Emperor.
Princess Taiping only expressed to Li Dan that she was worried about Young Emperor Zhong Mao's ability to govern the country. Li Dan did not care about this. He was dressed in coarse clothes and looked like a gardener. He excitedly played with the flowers and plants that he had ordered people to find.
After listening to Princess Taiping's explanation, Li Dan laughed, "You need not worry about this. Our Tang dynasty has been through many trials and tribulations. Ever since Imperial Father passed away, we have been through a lot. The Young Emperor may be of mediocre talent but our Tang dynasty has been through a lot and needs time to recuperate. It is not a bad thing for the Son of Heaven to rule. "
When Princess Taiping heard what he said, she couldn't help but secretly rejoice that she didn't directly tell him the idea of supporting him as the Emperor. She followed his meaning and said, "What brother said is also reasonable. Maybe I was too impatient.
It is just that Young Emperor Zhong Mao is in doubt. Coupled with the fact that the Wei Faction has just been executed, the court is still in turmoil. As the Prince of Xiang who assists the government and has been entrusted by Emperor Xian's posthumous edict, Elder Brother must assist the Young Emperor in this period of time so that the people of the country can be reassured. "
Li Dan finished arranging a pot of flowers and patted the dirt off his hands. He smiled. "Good! Elder Brother will have to work a little harder these days. Every day, I will stand in court and support the Young Emperor. In truth, you are ten times more talented than me and a woman surpasses a man. With you at court helping the Young Emperor manage the situation, there is no need for me to work so hard. "
Taiping smiled and said meaningfully, "Elder Brother has to go even if you don't want to. After all, Elder Brother is not a woman …"
The next morning, Li Xian woke up early and went to court. Since he was helping his nephew consolidate his power, Li Xian put in a lot of effort. He did not expect that his younger sister, son, nephew, and all the civil and military officials of the court had already decided to change the ruler of the country.
Because it had only been twenty-one days since the death of Emperor Zhongzong of Tang, Li Xian had not yet been buried. Thus, the Young Emperor had to sit in the eastern corner of Taiji Palace, facing Li Xian's Zi Palace. The Prince of Xiang, Li Xian, stood at the Young Emperor's side.
Today was the day of the court conference. Princess Taiping, as the only princess in the Tang dynasty who had the authority to open a government office, appoint subordinates, and listen to politics, also attended in splendid attire. She stood at the right side of the Young Emperor Li Zhongmao.
Many of the officials had long since received the news that the Emperor would be replaced. They could not conceal the excitement on their faces.
Ever since the Prince of Xiang, Li Dan, accompanied the Young Emperor, Li Zhongmao, to ascend the throne to appease the officials, the court had temporarily stabilized. However, the officials who had contributed to the coup had not yet been rewarded, and the vacant positions of the Wei clan had not yet been conferred.
Originally, the officials thought that the court was busy cleaning up the mess and did not have the time to care about these things. Now, they naturally understood that these were deliberately left behind for the new Emperor to express his gratitude to the officials. Now that the new Emperor had been crowned, these rewards should be put on the agenda.
When the officials entered the hall, before they could bow to the Emperor, the dignified and graceful Princess Taiping, who was dressed in a splendid palace gown embroidered with golden peonies and a crown of flowers and pearls, suddenly stepped forward and said in a clear voice, "The country is restless. The Emperor is still young and cannot govern the country. For the sake of the stability of the country, the Emperor wishes to abdicate the throne to the Prince of Xiang, Li Dan. What do the ministers think? "
Li Dan paled when he heard this. Before he could react, the civil and military officials who had already received the news immediately stepped forward and shouted, "This is in accordance with the will of the heavens and the will of the people. We all agree!"
"This … this …"
Li Dan looked at Princess Taiping in shock. Only now did he realize that his sister had already planned this.
Those who were slow to react also cheered loudly in support. Those who did not know about this beforehand, were all low-ranking officials. Now that they understood what was going on, they also stepped forward. In a short time, hundreds of officials bowed their heads, unexpectedly not a single person objected.
Young Emperor Li Zhongmao was still a child and did not understand that he should stand up and abdicate the throne. He continued to sit on the couch in a daze, waiting for Aunt Taiping's signal.
Princess Taiping turned her head and saw that he was still sitting on the couch in a daze. She found it funny and walked to his side, saying, "Your Majesty, the hearts of the people have already belonged to the Prince of Xiang. It is time for Your Majesty to abdicate the throne!" With that, she pulled him up, pulled his brother Li Dan over, and pressed him down on the couch.
Li Dan suddenly came to his senses and stood up in shock, saying, "Absolutely not!"
Princess Taiping had already retreated three steps and bowed. "Prince of Xiang, the country is in dire straits and needs a wise ruler. The Emperor is benevolent and filial, following in the footsteps of Yao and Shun. I am willing to abdicate the throne to protect the Tang dynasty. The Prince of Xiang has a long way to go and must not decline! "
Li Dan was furious and turned to leave. Liu Youqiu had already rushed up the stairs with the pre-written abdication edict. He knelt in front of Li Dan and blocked his way. He raised the edict high and said, "The will of heaven and the will of the people cannot be disobeyed! Although the Prince of Xiang wishes to sit high and do good alone, what about the foundation of the ancestors? Today, the hearts of the people and the responses of all the officials, the Prince of Xiang must no longer decline! "
Ge Fushun, who was now in charge of the winged cavalry, also strode up the stairs and knelt on the other side of the couch. He said loudly, "Today, only the Prince of Xiang's ascension to the throne can convince the people. For the sake of the country, I respectfully request the Prince of Xiang to abdicate the throne!"
"Prince of Xiang to abdicate the throne!" The hundreds of officials in the golden hall knelt together and announced loudly. Their voices spread throughout the hall. From the Taiji Palace to the Gate of Heaven, countless guards also knelt down and said in unison, "Prince of Xiang to abdicate the throne!"
Seeing this scene, Li Dan could not help but be at a loss. At this time, Yang Sixun had already led four young eunuchs to rush up the stairs with the dragon robe and imperial crown. They hurriedly helped Li Dan put on the robe and forcefully helped him onto the throne. The hundreds of officials knelt down three times and kowtowed nine times, shouting 'long live the Prince of Xiang'.
Princess Taiping and the abdicated Young Emperor, Zhong Mao, stood beside the throne, listening to the roaring of the mountains and seas. She couldn't help but feel excited. Dethroning an Emperor, establishing an Emperor, changing the world with just a simple gesture. This feeling of floating in the air made her feel intoxicated!
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