The noble princess said slowly, "This … If one's family background is also suitable, I do have another candidate. It's just that … this person was originally ranked the last of the five by me. Compared to the others in other aspects, he seems to be slightly inferior."
Wu Zetian said disapprovingly, "Since this person is from an aristocratic family, how can he be inferior to those from poor families? Who are you talking about? "
The noble princess smiled and said, "This person is your nephew, Empress Wu, Wu Chengsi, Minister Wu."
Wu Zetian was stunned and said in surprise, "Cheng Si?"
The noble princess said, "Yes, in terms of status, those people naturally can't be compared to Wu. Or in terms of family background, talent and ability, they can't even be compared. However, Wu Xiang's age was slightly older. Taiping is only twenty-four, while Minister Wu is already in his early forties … "
"Cheng Si …"
Wu Zetian didn't listen to what she said and started thinking. Li Lingyue was her most beloved daughter. Her daughter lost her husband, of course, as a mother, she would be concerned. Moreover, her daughter's husband was killed on her order, so she felt even more apologetic towards her daughter, so she wanted to make it up to her.
However, because Xue Shao had died not long ago, she also knew that her daughter and Xue Shao were deeply in love. Xue Shao's death must have hurt her deeply, so she didn't intend to find another husband for her so soon, and didn't think about who was more suitable. Now that the noble princess mentioned Wu Chengsi, it evoked another layer of her thoughts.
Wu Zetian thought to herself, "I'm about to ascend the throne and become the Emperor. Once I become the Emperor, the Li family's empire will belong to the Wu family. This child Lingyue has always been proud and arrogant, how can she stand being left out? If she marries a nephew of the Wu family, then she will be the daughter-in-law of the Wu family. A daughter married out is like water spilled out. Speaking of which, she will be considered a member of the Wu family. Moreover, if Lingyue marries the son of the Wu family, Wu and Li will become one, then … "
Wu Zetian looked at her daughter with satisfaction. If it wasn't for her daughter's idea, she wouldn't have thought of this point. This way, she could solve her daughter's lifelong problem. After changing the world, she wouldn't have to worry about her daughter being suppressed and persecuted by the Wu Clan. Moreover, it would greatly benefit her in obtaining the support of the world's people. It was truly killing three birds with one stone!
The more Wu Zetian thought about it, the happier she became. Regarding the inheritance of the throne, although others had all kinds of speculations, she had never thought of passing it on to her daughter. Just like how Wu Zetian valued the children of the concubines, in her heart, she still valued the great family. Although she wanted to become the Emperor as a woman, she had never thought about having a female Crown Prince.
Wu Zetian was not a feminist. She only wanted to become an empress because of her personal power and status. She had no intention of changing the status of women in the world. In her mind, letting her daughter become the daughter-in-law of the Wu family was undoubtedly the best way for her daughter.
Wu Zetian nodded as a joyful smile appeared on her face. "Mm! Good! Very good, Chengsi is a good child. His status is also suitable for your daughter. "
The princess said, "Yes, yes, I also think so. It's just that the age gap is a little big."
Wu Zetian rolled her eyes at her and said, "A man is ten years older than a woman, so they are of the same age. Chengsi is only forty-one this year, and your daughter is twenty-four this year. Yes! Almost the same, a good match, a very good match. "
Wu Zetian did what she thought. She happily turned her head and called out, "Tuan 'er, go! Summon Taiping to see me! "
"Yes, Your Majesty!"
The princess's face quietly flashed a touch of pride.
…
"I won't marry!"
"I said marry, so you must marry!"
"I would rather die!"
"Even if you die, you must be buried in the Wu family's ancestral grave and become the daughter-in-law of the Wu family!"
Princess Taiping was summoned in front of Wu Zetian. When she heard that she was going to marry Wu Chengsi, she was immediately angry. Wu Zetian's character was very strong. Seeing that her daughter was so stubborn, she could not help but be furious. After a few words, the mother and daughter were at a stalemate.
The princess saw that the mother and daughter were at a stalemate and hurriedly comforted, "Empress, please calm down. Taiping, the Empress is doing this for your own good. Besides, Minister Wu's status is also suitable for you. His character and appearance are also not bad … "
Princess Taiping looked at her coldly. Taiping was not angry, but when she was angry, there was a sense of majesty. Her demeanor was very similar to her mother's. The princess felt a chill in her heart and could not say anything.
Princess Taiping looked at Wu Zetian and said sadly, "Mother, children's lives are decided by their parents! Her daughter's lifelong partner was chosen by her mother, but her daughter's lifelong husband was also personally ordered to be killed by her mother. Now, Mother wants me to marry someone, but do I like this person? "
Princess Taiping looked straight at Wu Zetian and looked gloomy, "It is said that Mother loves me the most. But I want to ask Mother, when you ordered my husband to be killed, did you care about me? Now, Mother wants to choose Wu Chengsi as my husband, how much of it is for me? "
Wu Zetian was unable to restrain her anger. She slapped the table and said, "If it is not for you, then who is it for? How do you know about my painstaking efforts? "
Princess Taiping shook her head lightly and said bitterly, "I do not know about Mother's painstaking efforts, and I do not want to know! I only know that if it was not for Mother's painstaking efforts, I would not have lost my husband, and my children would not have lost their father! Mother's painstaking efforts, I … I really do not want to accept it anymore! "
"You … you disobedient child!"
Wu Zetian was so angry that she trembled.
Princess Taiping bowed to Wu Zetian slowly and said in a very light and cold voice, "If Mother wants me to marry, I would rather become a nun again!"
Princess Taiping slowly straightened her back and waved her sleeves to leave.
Princess Taiping looked at Princess Taiping who left decisively, and then looked at Wu Zetian who was so angry that she did not know what to say.
…
"Princess Taiping is going to pack up and return to Luoyang!"
A little palace maid hurriedly ran into Shanghai Wan 'er's meditation room and reported to her.
Shanghai Wan 'er put down the memorial and said in surprise, "Didn't Princess say that she would stay in Dragon Gate for a few days? Why did she leave? Is there anything urgent in the city? "
The little palace maid said, "I don't know. Her Highness was summoned in the morning. Her Highness came back angrily and immediately ordered people to pack up and leave Dragon Gate."
"Oh?"
Shanghai Wan 'er frowned and thought for a while. She put down the brush and stood up, saying, "Let's go! Let's go see the Princess! "
On the bank of Yi River, Princess Taiping angrily boarded a gaily-painted boat with a large group of servants and ordered, "Weigh the anchor, I want to leave immediately!"
The boatman did not know why Princess Taiping wanted to leave in a hurry. Seeing her unhappy face, he did not dare to say anything. He hurriedly obeyed the order and set sail to leave Dragon Gate. Shanghai Wan 'er rushed back to Princess Taiping's residence, but there was nothing. When she rushed to the bank of Yi River, she saw a big ship with its huge sail open and two arrows away.
Along the Yi River, a large ship was sailing towards them. When it reached the checkpoint on the water, it anchored and stopped. The Right Guard Commander Wu Youji watched the large ship stop. Holding his sword, he boarded the ship with a heavy expression. Beside him, a thin man in green with long eyebrows bent his back slightly. He did not move an inch away from him and whispered, "General, this is the order of Minister Wu and Minister Wu, you …"
Wu Youji raised his hand and the man did not speak. He just coldly winked at the guards behind Wu Youji.
At the bow of the ship, a general had already come to greet them. As soon as he saw Wu Youji, he immediately bowed, "Subordinate Hu Biao, greets General Wu!"
Wu Youji nodded with a sullen face and asked, "Has Prince of Xun been brought back?"
The green-clothed, thin-faced man at the side emphasized coldly, "General, Li Sujie is now a criminal! Not Prince of Xun! "
Wu Youji glanced at him and did not speak.
The armored general cupped his fists and said, "Li Sujie and all his family have been brought back!"
The corner of Wu Youji's eyes twitched and he said in a deep voice, "Take them to the deck!"
The green-clothed, thin-faced man laughed coldly. His surname was Li Gui and he was Wu Sansi's personal attendant. Therefore, although he was domineering, the cowardly Wu Youji did not dare to offend him easily.
The Prince of Xun that Wu Youji asked about was called Li Sujie, the fourth son of Emperor Gaozong. His biological mother was Consort Xiao Shu. At the age of six, he was conferred the title of Prince of Yong and Governor of Yong Province. At the age of twelve, he was conferred the title of Prince of Xun and transferred to Qizhou Provincial Governor. After his mother, Consort Xiao Shu, was killed by Wu Zetian, he was demoted to Shenzhou Provincial Governor. After that, he was transferred many times and was Shuzhou Provincial Governor before he was arrested.
Zhou Xing secretly reported that Prince of Xun, Li Sujie, and Prince of Ze, Li Shangjin had rebelled and Wu Zetian issued an edict to make fun of them. Prince of Xun, Li Sujie and his family were escorted to the capital and they happened to pass through Longmen. Because Wu Zetian was now enjoying spring at Longmen, the criminals were escorted directly here.
After a while, there was a clatter of iron shackles and a group of people were escorted out of the cabin. These people were men and women, old and young, dressed in different clothes. Some were in official clothes, some were in casual clothes, and some were in casual clothes. It was obvious that they were in different environments when they were arrested. Some were arrested outside, and some were arrested in the bedroom of the inner residence. They didn't even have time to change their clothes.
As soon as they stepped on the deck, the sunlight was a little dazzling. As soon as they came out, they all narrowed their eyes. One of them was a middle-aged talent with a clear face, three strands of beard under his chin, and a delicate and pretty appearance. He looked to be in his forties and was Prince of Xun, Li Sujie.
Prince of Xun narrowed his eyes slightly and waited until he slowly adapted to the sunlight before casting his gaze on Wu Youji. He didn't know Wu Youji. When he was still a teenager, he went to the local government to be an official. Later, Wu Zetian became the Empress. Because she hated his mother, Consort Xiao Shu, she ordered him not to return to the two capitals. From then on, this was the first time he had returned to Luoyang in more than twenty years.
The Prince of Xun thought that when they arrived at the dock, they would take him ashore and put him in prison. But when he looked around, it was just a sentry post in the middle of the river and there were many murderous soldiers surrounding them, he couldn't help but be a little stunned. His wife, concubines, and children saw the unkind expressions of the soldiers and couldn't help but gather around him in fear.
Wu Youji looked at the old and young family, his expression full of struggle and didn't say a word for a long time.
Li Gui took a step forward and said gloomily, "General Wu!"
He deliberately emphasized the word 'Wu'. Wu Youji's body trembled when he heard this. He suddenly clenched the hilt of his sword and said in a deep voice, "By imperial edict: Li Sujie conspires against the law, immediately … all the men in the family are to be sentenced to death! The women are to be palace slaves! "
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