Yang Fan stayed at home these days. In the first few days, his friends came to visit him, but Yang Fan was an idler now. Others were not, especially those in the military. It was not easy for them to come out. After a few days, the Yang family quieted down. Yang Fan took the chance to cultivate and spend time with his wife and son.
Xiao Mang seemed to have no idea that her husband was impeached and his official position was about to be lost. She never asked Yang Fan about this. However, her baby son, who was always by her side, was now taken care of by a nanny.
And Xiao Mang spent most of her time with her husband. Every day, she would carefully arrange three meals a day. The dishes were different for three days in a row. It was not easy in such a late autumn season. In this era, there was no big restaurant. Except for the royal family, few people could eat out-of-season dishes. The reduction of the variety of vegetables made it difficult for the dishes to change, which showed Xiao Mang's care.
At other times, Xiao Mang would accompany Yang Fan to practice swordsmanship, play chess, and chat. Except when Yang Fan sat in the study and dealt with those things that were not official but obviously important, she would accompany her baby son.
Ah Nu did not ask Yang Fan about the closed-door hearing. This kind of thing could not be solved even if she asked. It would only annoy Yang Fan. She just behaved more gently than usual. Although it was not the wedding day, and she and Yang Fan had not reached the last step, if Langjun wanted to take advantage of her, A Nu would be as gentle as water and respond carefully.
However, he didn't know if it was because Xiao Man often accompanied Yang Fan, but A 'Nu was missing most of the time. Although Yang Fan was now at home, his plan had just begun. Whether it would succeed or not was the most critical moment. He was busy with these affairs all day long, so he didn't notice A' Nu's abnormality.
At this moment, Yang Fan was busy in the study.
There was a letter in his hand. The paper was as white as snow, with peach patterns faintly visible. There was a line of beautiful small characters on it. If one smelled it carefully, there was a faint fragrance of high quality. It recorded in detail the Empress' words and actions over the past few days, as well as her happiness, anger, sorrow, and joy. Wan 'er had found a way to send this out of the palace.
After Yang Fan was impeached, Wan'er was the one he was most worried about. Although Yang Fan had revealed some information to her, and she knew that the person who caused Yang Fan to be impeached was none other than himself, Wan'er was still worried. She had been by the Empress's side for far too long, and was well aware of the Empress's ruthlessness. In her eyes, Yang Fan's act of playing with fire was extremely dangerous.
Wan 'er tried her best to transmit the Empress's every move out of the palace. She hoped that her Langjun could accurately grasp the Emperor's thoughts and deal with him more easily.
Although Wan 'er's accounts were only bits and pieces of the Empress' daily life, they were actually very useful. In history, many powerful officials were in contact with the inner court. They had powerful eyes and ears in the inner court. They could clearly understand the Emperor's every move, joy, anger, sorrow, and joy. That was how they were able to seek fortune and avoid calamity. Gradually, they became the Emperor's indispensable trusted aides.
Yang Fan had his own sources of information. Of course, the information from these sources could not be as detailed as Wan 'er's, but the information he had was enough for him to determine the Empress's change in mentality. However, this letter was a token of Wan 'er's affection. He still read it very seriously, very seriously, word by word.
After reading the letter, Yang Fan took a deep breath. It was the fragrance on Wan 'er's body. When he smelled that fragrance, he thought of Wan' er's graceful and enchanting body. He thought of her love for him as deep as the sea, and the lingering ecstasy when they met in secret …
Recalling the fragrance, Yang Fan put the letter next to the candle and lit it. He watched it burn to ashes inch by inch.
The information Wan 'er sent was similar to the information he had obtained from other sources. It was in line with his judgment. He knew that because he had placed Wu Sansi in front of him from the beginning, he had found himself the best meat shield. The Emperor had no way to investigate this matter.
In reality, Wan 'er had been by the Empress's side since she was 14. She understood the Empress better than anyone else. She should have made this judgment a long time ago. However, this exceptionally intelligent little girl could not help but make the same mistake that normal people would make. She was confused because this matter concerned Yang Fan. Even if there was only one in ten thousand chance of danger, she did not dare to treat it lightly.
Sitting opposite Yang Fan was a member of Wan 'er's family. In terms of seniority, Wan' er had to call him cousin. His name was Shangguan Bolong.
Wan 'er had many ways to get the news out of the Palace. After Wei Tuan' er's death, Wan 'er had taken over Tuan' er's power. The entire inner palace was almost her world. However, this Internal Minister's all-pervasive eyes and ears were only limited to the inner court. Once the news got out of the inner court, if she wanted to send it out again, she would need someone to receive her.
Who could be more reliable than a member of one's own family?
In this day and age, the basic structure of society was made up of the family as a unit. The members of a family were bound together for good or ill. Even the law of the country did its best to protect this system. Other than rebellion, any other crime could not be reported by a family member. If one reported an elder of one's own family, the law of the country would punish them even more severely.
This could be seen from the case of a mother-in-law beating her daughter-in-law to death that Yang Fan had handled earlier. The old woman's son and grandson did not dare to report her at all.
Similarly, if anyone dared to report a family member, it would violate the basic morality that everyone in the world adhered to. In order to prevent such a person from appearing in one's own family, in order to prevent the basic system that maintained the family from collapsing, once such a black sheep appeared, regardless of friend or foe, everyone would despise and exclude him. No matter how big the world was, there would no longer be a place for him to stand.
Because of this, the existence of the "Succession Hall" was so secretive. Because of this, when Wan 'er "visited relatives" last time, she learned that Yang Fan had won the trust and support of the Guan Long family as the husband of the head of the Shangguan family. She was so happy that she immediately handed over all the connections and power of the Shangguan family to him without hesitation.
Shangguan Bolong was a secret channel that Yang Fan and Wan 'er used to contact each other secretly.
When there was only a little bit of the letter left, Yang Fan let go of his hand and watched it float to the ground and burn out the last bit of fire. Then he looked at Shangguan Bolong and said with a smile, "How is Zhao Gan?"
According to seniority, Shangguan Bolong was Wan 'er's cousin. But in the Shangguan family, his branch was a side branch and did not have a high status. So in front of Yang Fan, he did not dare to be arrogant. Hearing the question, he quickly stood up and replied respectfully, "Zhao Gan is very famous now. Many people in the officialdom are talking about him. There are those who slander him, and there are those who praise him. In general, it is his good reputation that prevails."
"Sit, sit, sit. Brother Bolong, you are welcome!"
Yang Fan invited Shangguan Bolong to sit down. Then he smiled thoughtfully, "That's good. He has enough qualifications and status. The only thing he lacks is reputation. If we pave the way for him, then he will be popular! "
Yang Fan had already accurately judged Wu Zetian's state of mind based on Wan 'er and other sources of information. As such, he could boldly add another chip to the equation.
Yang Fan thought for a moment and said to Shangguan Bolong, "Tell them not to blindly impeach me. It's time to drag King Liang out and give him a beating. Otherwise, our Empress will not be able to make up her mind!"
…
The next day, the target and intensity of the official impeachment began to change. Although the impeachment memorials had not clearly pointed at Wu Sansi, the voices in the impeachment memorials strongly requested to investigate the background of the selected officials and to strike the behind-the-scenes manipulator were getting louder and louder.
Li Zhaode was already a street rat. People in Li Zhaode's faction were also being purged one after another. Needless to say, this wind was directed at Wu Sansi. In fact, similar memorials had already been written. How could Wu Chengsi let go of this good opportunity to strike his political enemy? He had already instructed people to impeach him.
However, Wu Chengsi only had some achievements in persuading the common people to petition, persuading the emperor to grant him a title, and so on. His practical ability was far less than Wu Sansi's. For so many years, he had not established much influence in the imperial court. His main contacts were concentrated in those people within the Wu family.
Therefore, there were not many officials who belonged to Wu Chengsi's faction. There were even fewer people who were qualified to speak on his behalf, so it was impossible to form a great momentum. Now, a new force suddenly joined in and echoed his voice. The voices demanding to clear up the manipulator behind the selection of officials became louder and louder.
Three days later, the Empress, who was still relaxing at the Dragon Gate, suddenly summoned the five ministers Wang Xiaojie, Gu Zili, Du Jingjian, Zhou Yunyuan, and Yang Zaisi to the mountain to accompany her. She gave them the Dragon Gate soup to show the emperor's grace.
Among these five people, except for Yang Zaisi, the other four had the status of Prime Minister. The emperor's meaning could not be more obvious: the battle for Prime Minister was now settled, and Yang Zaisi had won!
Coincidentally, on the day that the five ministers went to the Dragon Gate, the first snow of the winter came.
The snow was not heavy, and it did not even completely cover the ground. As soon as the people and horses left, they quickly stepped out of the original shape of the road. However, the temperature in the mountains was lower than on flat land, and there were no carriages or people trampling on it, so there was a thin layer of white snow covering the gray mountains with a layer of silver.
When the five ministers arrived in the mountains, they were first brought to their residence. There were hot springs everywhere. Although it was the first snow of winter, it was very warm here. Because the five ministers had just arrived and were anxious to see the Empress, they did not bathe for too long. They simply soaked in the hot springs, dressed neatly, and went to see the Empress together.
The Empress was taking a walk near the hot springs on the mountain, and she only brought Wan Er with her. Because there was an extremely hot hot spring here, this place was blessed by the heavens. In the winter snow season, the nearby vegetation was lush and green. When the hot spring gushed out and flowed downwards, there were wisps of white mist. It was like being in a fairyland.
The five ministers were led by the eunuchs, stepping on the snow and passing through the mist. Gradually, it was like entering the spring wilderness. Regarding this wonderful place, they were also amazed. Not long after, they turned around a clump of green and saw Wu Zetian standing under a flower tree, talking and laughing with Wan Er. The five ministers were relieved, "It seems that the Empress is in a good mood today!"
Being with the Emperor was like being with a tiger. Even if they were the most powerful ministers, they did not dare to get along with the Empress who was in a rage. The five ministers did not dare to look too long. When they came to the Empress, they quickly bowed and said, "Minister Wang Xiaojie (Gu Zili, Du Jingjian, Zhou Yunyuan, Yang Zaisi), greets Your Majesty!"
"Hehe, my dear ministers, you are here. There is a hot spring in the mountains, so the surrounding is as warm as spring, and the vegetation is flourishing. In this cold winter season, it is indeed a beautiful and wonderful place. My dear ministers, you have worked hard for the country. Therefore, I have called you here to let you have a good rest in this paradise! "
"Your Majesty is so caring, this old minister is grateful!"
The ministers all bowed and thanked him. Wu Zetian smiled and turned around. She broke a branch from the flower tree and held it in her hand. Looking at the blooming pear blossom on the branch, she said, "This place is close to the hot spring, so the vegetation is evergreen. However, the season is not right, so there are not many flowers that can bloom. Only this pear tree, in this season, is actually full of pear blossoms, which is quite strange. My dear ministers, what do you think the blooming pear blossoms mean? "
Yang Zaisi did not even think and immediately said, "The heavy snow is flying, the north wind is like a knife, but the pear blossoms are still blooming here. This means that Your Majesty's holy virtue can even feel the unintentional flowers, so it can grow against the time! Although Zhou Wen, Wang De, and Xing Wei are all good! "
The four Prime Ministers glanced at each other and thought to themselves, This Brother Yang really knows how to flatter!
"Oh?"
Wu Zetian glanced at the other four and smiled, "My dear ministers, do you think so too?"
Du Jingjian's heart moved and he stepped forward, saying, "According to the 'Hong Fan's Biography of the Five Elements', 'Yin and Yang do not interfere with each other, blasphemy is a disaster.' Also, the 'Spring and Autumn' says, 'In winter there is no Yang, in summer there is no Yin, in spring there is no cold wind, in autumn there is no bitter rain.' In such a season, all things should be withering, life should be withering, but here the pear blossoms are blooming. Yin and Yang go against the time, this is a bad omen. I think, this... is a warning from Heaven! "
The others heard this and their faces changed, but Wu Zetian still smiled and only slightly raised her eyebrows, saying, "Oh? This is a warning from Heaven? Prime Minister Du, do you think that I have committed a crime? "
Du Jingjian's expression did not change, he said, "Your Majesty has entrusted the affairs of the state to the ministers, if there is anything wrong, then it is your fault. The Prime Minister is the head of all the officials, assisting the Son of Heaven, managing Yin and Yang, following the four seasons, following the well-being of all things, suppressing the four barbarian feudal lords, and supporting the people, so that the ministers and officials have their own positions. Today, if Heaven has given a warning, then it is your dereliction of duty! "
Wu Zetian threw the pear blossoms into the hot spring and watched as the flowers flowed away with the water, she lightly said, "The court is indeed in a mess now!"
The ministers were shocked, they all cupped their hands and said, "We have sinned!"
Wu Zetian continued, "Since it is in a mess, my dear ministers, as the Prime Minister, should seek treatment in time and share my worries!"
The ministers cupped their hands again, "We will obey Your Majesty's command!"
Wu Zetian turned slightly, waved her big sleeves and said, "All of you have worked hard for the country, your hair is white, how can I bear to add to your mistakes? Seeing all of you today, I can't help but think of Li Zhaode. Li Zhaode is the Prime Minister, although he has made mistakes, he has also made contributions. In such a heavy snow and cold winter, it must be even more difficult for him to travel all the way to Lingnan, I... I can't bear it. I want to summon him back to the capital to be the Imperial Censor, what do you all think? "
The five ministers said in unison, "Your Majesty is merciful, Li Zhaode will be deeply grateful!"
Shanghai Wan'er's bright eyes brightened, her eyebrows raised in joy, "Your Majesty wants to tell the civil and military officials and Wei Wang to know when to stop. Even Li Zhaode has been let off, how can he not let Wu Sansi go? Then Langjun will also... "
Thinking of this, Wan'er's originally slightly lonely face immediately lit up, just like the newly bloomed pear blossoms, pink and fragrant, beautiful like snow. Unexpectedly, Wu Zetian's face darkened, she said, "That Yang Fan's character is also good, but this time, he has slacked off in his duty, it is a crime, we must not let him go. Let him... "
Wan'er's heart suddenly hung in the air again.
Wu Zetian also seemed to be unable to think of how to deal with Yang Fan. If she did not punish him, she would not be able to explain to the court. If she punished him, he made a mistake again because he was working for the Wu family. Wu Zetian's eyes turned and suddenly saw the hot spring, she suddenly had an idea, "Yes! Let him come to Dragon Gate and be the hot spring steward! "
You've already exceeded your reading limit for today. If you want to read more, please log in.
Login
Select text and click 'Report' to let us know about any bad translation.
