Princess Taiping's words were not firm because she knew that the life and death of these people did not depend on her or Wu Youji. Wu Youji stammered: "Your Highness, this matter … … this general cannot make the decision."
Princess Taiping's jade face turned cold as she lightly nodded and said: "I know! Postpone the execution, I will go see the Empress! "
Wu Youji heaved a sigh of relief and said: "This general obeys!"
Li Gui jumped out and said coldly: "What right does Your Highness have to interfere with the imperial court's affairs? General Wu, you dare to disobey the Empress' decree? "
Princess Taiping looked at his attire and frowned slightly: "Who are you?"
Li Gui puffed out his chest and replied loudly: "Wu Youji, greets Princess Taiping!"
Princess Taiping's phoenix eyes flashed with killing intent and her lips curled into a cold smile. She nodded slightly and said: "Good! This Princess cannot interfere with the imperial court's affairs! This Princess also cannot interfere with the imperial court's affairs! But you, this lowly talent, can jump out and point fingers? "
Li Gui was slightly angry and retorted: "Your Highness, this lowly one is following Minister Wu's order … …"
He did not finish his words when Princess Taiping flicked her sleeve and said in a deep voice: "Take down this arrogant dog for me!"
Under Princess Taiping's command, the two maids immediately rushed forward in large strides. Li Gui still wanted to resist, but the two maids were sumo masters, how could they let him succeed? They separated to the left and right, raising their hands to catch him, like an eagle catching a chick, they held him in their hands. His arms in the hands of the two fat maids were like two reeds.
Princess Taiping said: "Tie him up and throw him into the river!"
Li Gui was not afraid when he was being held but when he heard Princess Taiping's words, he could not help but be shocked and said: "Princess Taiping! I am Minister Wu's man, you dare to kill me? "
Princess Taiping smiled coldly and said to Wu Youji: "This Princess is going to see the Empress, General Wu please wait for a moment!"
Wu Youji hurriedly said, "Wu Youji will wait for the princess' news."
Princess Taiping flicked her sleeve and left. The two maids next to her had already gagged Li Gui's mouth, and used the white silk as a rope to tie him up tightly. They were still worried that Li Gui would not sink into the water, so they stuffed a big stone into his bosom to tie him up. By the time Princess Taiping got off the boat and went ashore, the tightly tied up Li Gui had already been thrown into the river.
With a splash, Li Gui, who was hugging the big stone and tied up like a baby, quickly sank into the water. The water rippled, and not even a few bubbles appeared.
Wu Zetian had already returned to the temporary imperial residence. Her daughter's resistance had made her extremely angry, but once she had made a decision, no one could change it. Perhaps when she was still a talented person, a Zhaoyi, she would succumb to the will of others and do things that went against her will, but that was already a very long time ago.
In these decades, no one dared to go against her will. When she was still the Empress, Gao Zong and Shangguan Yi plotted to abolish the Empress. When she got the news, she rushed to the Emperor's palace and sternly asked Gao Zong why he abolished the Empress and if she had done anything wrong. At that time, no matter how tough her attitude was, there was still a trace of fear in her heart. If Gao Zong insisted on abolishing the Empress, no matter how tough she was, she would not be able to escape the ending of being banished to the Cold Palace.
But Gao Zong was far more cowardly than she had imagined. He panicked and denied it, and he blushed and pushed all the blame to Shangguan Yi. It was from that time that she began to realize how strong she was. It was from that time that she began to try to control her husband, the Emperor, in her hands.
Now, she no longer needed to look at anyone's face, nor did she need to change her mind because of anyone, even if it was her own daughter.
When Wu Zetian returned to the temporary imperial residence, she gradually calmed down. Seeing that the mother and daughter quarreled with each other, the Princess really regretted it. She accepted the benefits from Wu Chengsi and was blinded by greed. She tried to pull the strings, but she did not expect that Princess Taiping would react so strongly. She was worried that Empress Wu would give up this matter because of her daughter's reaction, and it would be hard to explain to Wu Chengsi. She was also worried that after Princess Taiping forced the marriage, she would resent her. The more she thought about it, the more upset she became.
After a while, Shanghai Wan'er sent a message saying that Princess Taiping had left in anger. The Princess was even more afraid. She clung to Wu Zetian and talked about all kinds of things. While comforting Wu Zetian, she was also thinking about how to turn this matter around and not offend anyone. Before she could come up with a comprehensive plan, Tuan'er suddenly rushed in and reported to Wu Zetian, "Empress, Princess Taiping wants to see you!"
Wu Zetian and the Princess were both stunned. Wu Zetian said curiously, "Since she returned to the city in anger, why did she come to see me? This is not that girl's character … "
The Princess hurriedly said, "I think Taiping has changed her mind. Maybe she has thought it through. Empress, please see her quickly and see what Taiping has to say."
Wu Zetian nodded and ordered, "Let her in!"
After a while, Princess Taiping walked into the room. Wu Zetian snorted coldly with a sullen face and said, "You have really grown up and your wings have hardened. How dare you complain to your mother! Since you have gone back to Luoyang, why did you come back? "
Princess Taiping said, "Mother, I came back because of Prince Xun."
Wu Zetian's face sank and said, "Prince Xun? What does Prince Xun's matter have to do with you? "
Princess Taiping knelt down on both knees and said in a sorrowful voice, "Mother, I met the ship escorting Prince Xun halfway. It was at the Longmen Inn. Prince Xun and his son were hanged on the bow of the ship. The scene was horrible. Mother, when I arrived, Prince Xun and his nine sons had all been hanged. Now there are only four young sons left. Mother, please show mercy and pardon them from death! "
Wu Zetian said in a deep voice, "Prince Xun's rebellion is unforgivable! As a girl, you shouldn't meddle in state affairs! "
Princess Taiping smiled sadly. She should have expected that this was the reaction her mother should have. When she begged her to pardon her innocent and harmless husband's life, her mother didn't allow it. How could she let Prince Xun's life go now? But she still held a trace of fantasy and wanted to beg her.
If her mother could be moved by the affection of children, she wouldn't be her.
Princess Taiping took a long breath and slowly raised her head, "Mother! Prince Xun and his nine sons have been hanged, leaving only four young sons, the oldest of whom is less than ten years old. Even if Prince Xun rebelled, how could a few urchins less than ten years old participate in it? I beg mother to pardon them from death. If mother agrees, I … am willing to marry the Wu family's daughter-in-law! "
Wu Zetian stared at Taiping for a long time. Her eyebrows were slightly raised and a smile appeared on her lips. She turned to Tuan 'er and said, "You go and pass on my decree. Prince Xun and his nine sons will be buried with the rites of commoners! All the concubines and daughters will pretend to be palace slaves, leaving the four young sons … "
Wu Zetian pondered for a moment and said, "They will all be sent to Leizhou in Lingnan and be strictly guarded by the local government!"
Tuan 'er agreed and retreated.
The Prince of Xun, Li Sujie, as well as Li Ying, Li Wan, Li Ji, Li Yi and the rest of the nine sons were all dead. They were casually buried as commoners. The remaining four sons, Li Lin, Li Guan, Li Zhi and Li Qingu, were pardoned from death by Princess Taiping's promise of marriage.
After Wu Zetian finished her instructions, she smiled at Princess Taiping and said, "Daughter, get up. I want you to marry into the Wu family for your own good. Besides, you are still young, do you really want to be a widow for a lifetime? Hehe, it just so happens that my daughter, the matchmaker, is also here. Let's discuss your marriage. "
When Princess Taiping heard Wu Zetian say the word 'daughter' with a pleasant expression, she felt an inexplicable chill in her heart and an indescribable sorrow. What kind of mother and daughter are they? Everything can be used for the exchange of interests, including her own marriage. How vulnerable is family affection in the face of power and interests?
Princess Taiping couldn't help but be overjoyed when she saw that things had developed to this point. She hurriedly said, "Our royal family has not held a happy event for a long time. Taiping getting married is a great happy event. Especially marrying Minister Wu, a talented man and a beautiful woman, well-matched in social status, we have to plan carefully …"
Princess Taiping already hated her to the core. She glanced at her coldly and said, "Who said I am going to marry Wu Chengsi?"
As soon as this sentence was said, both Wu Zetian and Princess Taiping were startled. Wu Zetian said angrily, "Lingyue, are you going back on your words?"
Princess Taiping said boldly, "Your daughter will always keep her words. How can I go back on my words? What's more, Mother has made up her mind. How can your daughter go back on her words? However, your daughter has agreed to marry Wu Chengsi, but not Wu Chengsi! "
Wu Zetian asked curiously, "If you don't marry Wu Chengsi, who do you want to marry?"
Princess Taiping's eyes flashed and said, "Wu Youji!"
Princess Taiping was dumbfounded. Wu Zetian thought for a while and said, "Youji? Oh … that child. I remember. If I remember correctly, Youji has a wife. "
Princess Taiping knew that Taiping hated her to the core. At this moment, she couldn't care less. She quickly said, "That's right Taiping. Wu Youji's wife is still alive and well. Moreover, their relationship is very harmonious. How can …"
Princess Taiping ignored her and only said to Wu Zetian, "Your daughter agrees to marry Wu Chengsi. However, if your daughter wants to marry, I will only marry Wu Youji! Mother can't even satisfy your daughter's small wish? "
Wu Zetian frowned slightly and said, "He already has a wife."
Princess Taiping smiled slightly, a desolate smile with a touch of provocation. "That is your problem, Mother. You can force your daughter to marry, but can't you force Wu Youji to marry?"
She looked coldly at the noble princess again, nodded slightly, and turned around to leave.
Princess Taiping looked at Wu Zetian in fear and stammered, "Empress …"
Wu Zetian was silent for a while. Suddenly, she laughed loudly, "Hahahaha! Good! Good! You are indeed my daughter. Hahaha … Lingyue's character is very similar to mine! "
Princess Taiping tentatively called out, "Empress?"
Wu Zetian stopped laughing and said, "Let's do it this way! I can't wrong her too much. Let her … marry Wu Youji. "
Princess Taiping was at a loss. "But … Wu Youji has a wife?"
Wu Zetian calmly glanced at her, and the noble princess immediately felt a chill run down her spine.
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