"Everyone, the noblewoman Xie Muwen awaits the decree outside the palace!"
"Summon her in!"
"As you command!"
Little Sea waved her horsetail whisk and turned to leave.
Wan'er stood at Wu Zetian's side, looking at her face from top to bottom. The wrinkles on her face were especially obvious.
Wan'er was very disappointed. She had accompanied the Heavenly Empress for ten years and had seen the Heavenly Empress step by step towards glory. Once upon a time, she had worshipped this powerful woman. It was not that she wanted to imitate Wu Zetian, but rather that she had been conquered by Wu Zetian's powerful charisma, her shrewdness, her ability, and her unyielding personality.
But now, Wan 'er gradually felt that the shrewdness and wisdom of the Empress had always been reflected in how she schemed against the people in the imperial harem, how she schemed against the ministers in the imperial court, how she slaughtered the members of the Li Tang Imperial Family, and how she eradicated the opposing forces step by step in an attempt to ascend the throne.
Now, she had fulfilled her wish. But as she ascended to the throne and replaced Li Tang, as the founding monarch of the Zhou Dynasty, her shortcomings were gradually revealed. Her ability and wisdom were not enough to control an empire. Or perhaps, she only had the ability to firmly grasp power in her own hands.
This was the skill she was most proficient in.
But was this all an emperor needed to do? For the country and the people, what had she done? Perhaps compared to many incompetent emperors in history, this empress had some achievements. But after Emperor Taizong and Emperor Gaozong laid the foundation, the empire should have entered its golden age, but now it was in a precarious situation. The emperors and ministers spent most of their energy on fighting for the throne, fighting for the capital of the country, and fighting for fame and fortune.
Perhaps it was because Wu Zetian had walked step by step to where she was today, constantly harming and being harmed. Living like this for more than forty years, it had already become a habit in her mind. She always thought that someone would harm her, and once discovered, she would resolutely eradicate them.
Perhaps it was because she had become the emperor as a woman, creating an unprecedented situation. The resistance of the officials was stronger than any previous emperor had ever encountered, so she had to use even harsher methods to deal with them.
Perhaps it was because of her old age that she lacked energy and brain power, causing her to frequently make stupid moves. In this aspect, many wise rulers of ancient times were similar to her in their later years. But no matter what reason she had, Wan'er still felt disappointed with the current Wu Zetian.
Xiaoman slowly walked in. She had been by Wu Zetian's side for many years. The majesty of the imperial palace and the aura of the emperor could not affect her. She walked in very calmly and bowed deeply to Wu Zetian. She said softly, "Madam Xie greets Your Majesty!"
Wu Zetian was just about to speak when she suddenly saw a civet cat in her arms. She couldn't help but be curious and asked, "Xiao Man, what are you holding in your arms?"
Xiao Man bowed and said, "Your Majesty is rich, your wife has nothing to repay. Today I came to the palace to thank the matchmaker, thinking that this kitten is very cute, I presented it to His Majesty. When His Majesty is bored, with a kitten by his side, he can be more happy. Make His Majesty happy and healthy! "
Wu Zetian smiled slightly and said, "You're quite considerate."
She waved her hand and Little Hai walked over and took the kitten from Xiaoman's hands. "Thousand Wen Qian" was lying in Xiaoman's arms and was very comfortable taking a nap. When it was suddenly taken away, it made a displeased meow sound. Wu Zetian smiled and said, "This kitten is very cute. Come, give it to me."
Little Hai quickly brought the civet cat in front of Wu Zetian. Wu Zetian received the cat with a smile and gently stroked its fur. She glanced at Xiaoman and said, "Xiaoman, did you come to see me today just to give this gift? Don't tell me … you don't have anything else to say?"
Xiaoman calmly said, "Your Majesty is wise, your wife doesn't dare to conceal anything. Naturally, there are other things I want to say. However, something unexpected happened at the last minute. Your wife's words can be put aside for now. Your wife still has something here that I want Your Majesty to look at. "
As Xiaoman spoke, she put her hand into her sleeve. She had already been searched before entering the palace, so the guards in the palace did not stop her. They saw Xiaoman take out a handkerchief from her sleeve and raise it high above her head.
Wu Zetian revealed a puzzled expression and gave Little Hai a look. Little Hai quickly walked over, took the handkerchief, and walked in front of Wu Zetian with small steps. Wu Zetian reached out to take the handkerchief, and the civet cat in her arms took the opportunity to jump onto the ground. It arched its back and took elegant steps, casually walking around the palace.
What Emperor, what authority, in its eyes, it couldn't feel anything.
Wu Zetian opened the letter in blood. With just one glance, her expression changed.
She silently finished reading the letter in blood, slowly raised her head, and said to Xiaoman, "How did this thing fall into your hands?"
Xiaoman recounted how Di Renjie had sent the letter in blood, how Di Renjie's family had been blocked at the palace gate, and how she had agreed to complain in front of the Emperor on his behalf. Then she knelt on both knees and said in a sobbing voice, "Your Majesty, your wife entered the palace today to first thank the matchmaker, and second to complain.
Your wife's complaint was originally only for my husband. All the secrets in this world can be hidden from others, but how can they be hidden from the person next to him? Your wife knows very well that my husband would never rebel, so I want Your Majesty to investigate clearly and clear my husband's name. Now that I have received Prime Minister Di's letter in blood in front of the palace, from your wife's point of view, my husband is not the only one who has been wrongly imprisoned. Your Majesty governs the world, and the Prime Ministers are the pillars that help Your Majesty govern the world. Your wife pleads with Your Majesty to handle this case carefully. For the country, don't break the pillars. For your wife, don't break the backbone of the family. Your Majesty is wise! "
Xiaoman knelt on the ground and began to cry. Wu Zetian looked at the letter in blood and didn't say anything for a long time. The hall was quiet, and only Xiaoman's soft sobbing could be heard.
The handwriting on the letter was very sloppy, and it was clearly written in a hurry. In addition to a big word "wronged" on it, it also wrote, "Your subject Di Renjie is loyal to the country, loyal to the Emperor, and has neither the intention nor the act of rebellion. Your subject is wronged! Your Majesty, please investigate clearly! " Wu Zetian was very puzzled. Di Renjie had personally confessed to the crime, and now he wanted to cry out that he was wronged. What was his intention?
Xiaoman knelt on the ground and kept crying. Wu Zetian slowly raised her head, glanced at her, and said, "Wan 'er, take Xiaoman to rest first."
Xiaoman refused to get up and cried, "Your Majesty!"
Wu Zetian gently said, "I will handle this case fairly. You can leave now!"
Shangguan Wan 'er gave Xiaoman a look, and Xiaoman got up, bowed to Wu Zetian, and then left with Shanghai Wan' er.
Wu Zetian held the letter in blood, and her heart was in turmoil, "What is going on? Is there something else? "
After pondering for a long time, Wu Zetian slowly ordered, "Xiaohai!"
"Yes, Your Majesty!"
"Quickly go to the Imperial Censorate and pass on my oral order. Come and see me immediately!"
"Yes, Your Majesty!"
…
Xiaoman followed Shanghai Wan 'er to the side hall. Shanghai Wan' er had just found an excuse to send the palace maids away when Xiaoman caught up and hurriedly said, "Sister Wan 'er …"
Before she could say a word, her tears fell again. Shanghai Wan 'er suppressed the pain in her heart and comforted her, "Xiaoman, I know you are worried, I also … Now I have entrusted some people, and I have taken advantage of the continuous rain to order people to spread the news that heaven is weeping and someone is being wronged. I believe it will soon reach the Emperor's ears. The Emperor has always believed in these things. Alas! I only hate that I haven't done enough. Usually, I have many opportunities to make friends with the court officials and cultivate my power, but I let them go. Now I want to save people in a hurry, but I have no one to entrust them to. "
Xiaoman's heart sank, and she said, "Even Sister Wan 'er has no way?"
Shanghai Wan 'er said sadly, "I have been thinking of a way, but I hate that my power can't go out of the palace! Especially Lai Junchen's Imperial Censorate, I can't interfere at all. I've already thought of some ideas, but this is a major case of rebellion … I've already heard about Xue Huaiyi and Liang Wangwu Sansi visiting the Imperial Messenger Station. If even the two of them can't save Yang Fan, then there's only one way. "
Xiaoman hurriedly asked, "What way?"
Shanghai Wan 'er said, "Since we can't erase his suspicion of rebellion, then we can only interrogate him, interrogate him to prove his innocence, then we can let him out. But, I am very worried that with Lai Junchen's character, even if he is innocent, he will be found guilty. This person would rather kill three thousand wrongly than let one go. But … "
Wan 'er grabbed Xiaoman's hand and softly said, "Speaking of which, you have a way. Not only can you enter the palace to complain, but you also brought Prime Minister Di's blood letter. The Emperor has always seen Prime Minister Di in a different light. The Emperor has been depressed these days, and the main reason is that Prime Minister Di, whom she most appreciates and trusts, also wants to rebel against her. Maybe this is a rare opportunity! "
Xiaoman said, "Xiaoman can only do this. Whether or not we can use this matter to change the Emperor's mind, we still have to rely on Sister Wan 'er!"
Shanghai Wan 'er said, "I will act according to the situation. Right now is a critical moment, we should strike while the iron is hot. I can't talk more with you, I will go back to the Emperor first and see what happens! "
Xiaoman quickly wiped her tears and said, "Okay! Sister Wan 'er, go ahead, Xiaoman will wait for your news here! "
Shanghai Wan 'er returned to the hall, and Wu Zetian was deep in thought with her chin in her hand, waiting for Lai Junchen's arrival. Wan 'er didn't say much, just quietly stood next to her. When to speak, when to say what, Shanghai Wan 'er, who had served Wu Zetian for many years, knew better than anyone else.
Now was not the time for her to speak.
The civet cat named "Qian Wen Qian" ran around the hall by itself, but it felt that this place was empty and fresh, and very interesting. As it ran, it suddenly saw a birdcage hanging on a row of antique shelves, and in the birdcage was a parrot with brightly colored feathers. The cat couldn't help but squat down and look at the parrot with its bright eyes.
The parrot didn't notice the greedy eyes of "Qian Wen Qian". It looked around in the cage, leisurely pecked its feathers, and suddenly said, "Your Majesty, long live!"
This was Lichun Tai, where Empress Wu came to relax, not Wucheng Hall, where she worked daily, so there were all kinds of things inside and outside the palace for her to relieve her boredom. This parrot was a pet that Empress Wu doted on very much, and the words it learned were all taught by Wei Tuan 'er.
"Qian Wen Qian" looked at the silly bird in the cage, very envious. Although its food had always been good, this kind of blood food that could be caught personally must be more delicious to eat.
"Qian Wen Qian" squatted on the ground and raised its head to look at the bird in the cage. It suddenly stood up, took a few steps back, and suddenly accelerated forward. When it approached the Bogu Shelf, it suddenly leaped up and leaped onto the shelf. Then, it leaped into the air and grabbed the parrot.
Note: Legend has it that when Wu Zetian killed Empress Wang and Concubine Xiao Shu, Concubine Xiao Shu cursed her: In the next life, Empress Wu would be a mouse, and she would be a cat, and she would be enemies with Empress Wu forever. So Empress Wu was afraid of cats, and the palace never allowed cats to be kept. Even when she decided to set the capital in Luoyang, it was because she killed Empress Wang and Concubine Xiao Shu in Chang 'an, and she was afraid that there would be ghosts haunting her.
This kind of bizarre nonsense made up by later generations, I won't specifically explain it when I write about Xiao Mang offering the cat. Many of the mysterious things made up by later generations have self-contradictory big loopholes. A small matter about Wu Zetian recorded in Zizhi Tongjian directly refutes this legend. I won't say what it is, but do you know what it is?
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