Wei Yuanzhong, Yao Chong, Wei Anshi, Lu Yuanfang and the other Prime Ministers arrived. These officials were experienced and had a good grasp of time. They arrived at the Black Tortoise Gate almost at the same time. They got off the ox cart and walked toward the palace.
As they walked, they talked cheerfully and wittily. Just as they were about to reach Fragrance Courtyard, they suddenly heard someone shouting angrily at the bottom of the vine rockery in front of them, "Outrageous! Such an unruly thing, what will happen if it gets out? I want to remonstrate with the Emperor! "
The Prime Ministers were astonished. Wei Yuanzhong made a gesture and the Prime Ministers stopped in their tracks and listened attentively.
The servant leading the way saw the Prime Ministers stop and did not dare to make any noise. Someone from the vines said: "Today the Emperor and the Prime Ministers will attend the palace banquet. They are all nobles! Shang Jia is a lowly person, a low-ranked official, how can you sit together with nobles and nobles? "
At this time he heard another person say, "Doctor Shangguan, calm down, calm down. What you said is reasonable, but can you interfere in this matter? Those Shu merchants are Zhang Fengchen's honored guests. If you go to the Emperor to remonstrate, won't you be asking for trouble? "
The first person said passionately: "When justice is at hand, there is no need to fear life and death!"
Another person said with a bitter smile: "Life and death are not involved. But it is not easy for you to be an official. If you lose your position because of this, you will not be able to serve the court. Why bother? Not to mention you, Zhang Fengchen is favored by the Emperor. Even if the Prime Ministers come, I am afraid they will pretend to be deaf and dumb and pretend those people do not exist. The Prime Ministers are not willing to ask for trouble. Why do you have to meddle? "
"I am the guest of the Ministry of Rites …"
"Alright, alright! Calm down, quickly arrange your errand! In your position, you must plan your own affairs. This is true! But today the Prime Ministers are here. Even if there is something wrong, it is not up to a small guest of the Ministry of Rites to take action. Quickly go and do your work! "
Following the sound, the two of them went further and further away. Not long after, the two of them bypassed the rockery and wisteria and appeared at the moon gate. Wei Yuanzhong squinted his eyes to take a look and recognized one of them as the recently popular Commander of the Thousand Horsemen Guards, Yang Fan, and the other was the Minister of Rites, Shangguan Fei.
Yao Chong turned around and frowned, "Zhang Yizhi actually brought the merchants into the palace for the palace banquet today?"
Lu Yuanfang stroked his beard and said: "A few days ago I heard someone say that a magnate from Shu presented a treasure to Zhang Tongxiu. The pearl is the size of a bowl and the coral is about seven feet long. It is unbelievable. Now that you've said it, it seems that there really was a merchant who came to the Zhang residence to bribe the Second Zhang. "
Wei Anshi suddenly said, "Just like that, a bunch of lowly merchants can stand proudly in the imperial court?"
Lu Yuanfang smiled bitterly. "In the end, it was Zhang Fengchen who invited us. As long as Your Majesty is not displeased, we …"
Wei Anshi said, "As Prime Ministers, we assist the Son of Heaven and appease the officials. How can we sit by and watch as the court rules are overturned and the palace is in chaos without saying a word?" Finished speaking, he waved his sleeve and walked away. Wei Yuanzhong and Yao Chong looked at each other and slowly followed.
Wei Anshi had just entered the Political Affairs Hall, so it was most suitable for him to take charge of this matter. If he angered Tian Yan, then everyone would come forward to mediate for him.
Wei Anshi took the lead and entered the Fragrance Courtyard. Seeing the Prime Ministers arrive, Shangguan Fei quickly went forward to greet them. His face was still faintly angry. Wei Anshi looked at him appreciatively and said, "His Majesty is not here yet, we will take a look around first. You go and do your work!" Finished speaking, he slowly strolled with Wei Yuanzhong and the others along the flower-shaded corridor. When the merchants were seated, they did not sit down, ashamed to be associated with them.
After a while, Princess Taiping accompanied the Prince of Xiang, Li Dan, and the Prince of Luling, Li Xian, from a distance. Seeing this, the Prime Ministers came forward to greet them. They stood together and chatted for a while. Princess Taiping invited them to take a seat. Wei Anshi immediately restrained his smile and said, "Princess, please sit. We will wait for His Majesty to arrive and speak!"
The Prince of Xiang was about to take a seat when he heard that the tone was not right. He could not help but stop and exchange a glance with his brother Li Dan.
Princess Taiping followed Wei Anshi's disdainful gaze and immediately discovered the reason. She could not help but frown. She had invited the two Zhangs because she knew how much the two Zhangs were favored by the Emperor. Inviting them at this juncture would make the Empress even happier. Who knew that these two brothers were so rude?
Although Princess Taiping did not know the identity of those people, the significance of today's banquet was extraordinary. It was basically to replace the Crown Prince and blow the wind to the Prime Ministers. Through them, the foreign officials would be known to avoid unnecessary criticism in the process. However, the two Zhangs had called them friends, which was too outrageous.
Princess Taiping was about to go over and inquire about the origins of those people when the chamberlain suddenly announced that the Emperor had arrived. Everyone hurriedly went out to welcome him. Zhang Yizhi, Song Badi, and the others also stood up.
As Wu Zetian arrived at the Xifang Courtyard, two Princes, one Princess, the Prime Ministers, as well as the two Zhangs and the merchants, all came forward to welcome her. Wu Zetian did not know what the people standing behind the two Zhangs were for, but she did not ask. She only nodded to her children and the Prime Ministers in greeting.
Since the Princess had come to today's family banquet, she had to bring her son-in-law. Therefore, Wu Youji also attended. Wu Zetian looked around and found that there were only two sons, one daughter, and a son-in-law from the Wu family. She suddenly felt a little strange and ordered, "Today is the family banquet. Call Sansi over as well!"
Immediately, the chamberlains bowed and left. Wu Zetian originally wanted to call Wu Chengsi over, but thinking of his condition, she could only shake her head and give up.
"Everyone, sit, make yourselves at home!"
Wu Zetian smiled and walked forward. Just as she was about to sit, Wei Anshi suddenly took a step forward and bowed deeply to the ground. He said solemnly, "Your Majesty, please wait. I have a memorial!"
Wu Zetian was surprised and smiled again. "Today, we are holding a family banquet and have invited all my beloved officials to drink with us. What matter has made Official Wei so serious?"
Wei Anshi said, "The Emperor's family matters are also national affairs. Today, Your Majesty is holding a family banquet. Your Highness, the Princess, and the Emperor's son-in-law are all present. We are honored to be invited and are overwhelmed by the favor. But … "
Wei Anshi flicked his sleeve and pointed at Song Badi, Long Jiutao, and the others who were bowing behind Zhang Yizhi. He said, "These lowly merchants are disrespectful to the Emperor's banquet. I ask the Emperor to dismiss them! "
Song Badi and the others turned pale with fright. Wu Zetian frowned and looked at Zhang Yizhi. "They are merchants?"
Zhang Yizhi did not expect Wei Anshi to not give him face. He couldn't help but be shocked and angry. The Emperor had asked and he had to answer. He could only reluctantly say, "They … They are my friends, Su Mu Tianyan. I … I am just …"
Wei Anshi puffed out his chest and asked loudly, "May I ask Zhang Fengchen, are they merchants?"
Zhang Yizhi was furious and braced himself to say, "Yes!"
Wei Anshi turned to Wu Zetian and cupped his fists. He said loudly, "These lowly merchants should not attend this banquet. Your Majesty, please dismiss them!"
The Prime Minister was serious and his words were well-founded. Wu Zetian was also very helpless. Furthermore, she had always valued her status. Zhang Yizhi had brought a few merchants into the palace. She also felt that it was somewhat frivolous. She flicked her sleeves and said, "Throw them out of the palace!"
"Your Majesty, Your Majesty!"
Yang Fan, who was hiding somewhere, mysteriously appeared beside Wu Zetian. He acknowledged the order and walked in front of Song Badi and the others. He said in a deep voice, "Let's go!"
Song Badi and the others looked at Zhang Yizhi. Zhang Yizhi's face was ashen and his eyes were spitting fire. However, there was nothing he could do. Song Badi and the others could only awkwardly walk out.
Yang Fan escorted them all the way to the Black Tortoise Gate and threw them out of the palace. Watching them leave, he then smiled and beckoned Ren Wei over. He whispered a few words to Ren Wei. Ren Wei nodded and immediately left the palace.
Yang Fan looked at the back view of Song Badi and the others who left in shame. He shook his head and said, "Every profession has its own rules. The rules and regulations of the officialdom are much more complicated than other professions. If one doesn't understand the essentials and stubbornly walks into a dead end, the result would usually be bruised and bruised. Everyone has their strengths and weaknesses. The Hidden Sect has only risen for a short period of time. Shen Mu started from an insignificant background. He might be able to roam the pugilistic world with ease, but to mingle in the officialdom … he is truly inexperienced! "
…
Wu Sansi received the Emperor's verbal order and quickly rushed to the palace. When he arrived at the Xifang Courtyard, the banquet had already started.
After three rounds of wine, the Zhang brothers might still be furious, but at least they had regained their composure on the surface.
Four dancers were dancing in front of the hall. Wu Zetian held her chopsticks and looked at them. She suddenly recalled that day at Dragon's Gate's Yi Que, where her daughter danced with Shanghai Wan 'er by the riverside of Yi River.
She subconsciously looked at her daughter and then at Wan 'er who was by the side. The two of them were as beautiful as before. Time didn't seem to have left any traces on their bodies. Their tender and smooth skin was something that even a sixteen-year-old girl would be envious of. Wu Zetian subconsciously caressed her face and sighed softly.
She took care of herself very seriously. Until she was fifty years old, she still looked like a person in her thirties, bright and charming. However, time was ultimately a natural enemy that everyone couldn't defeat. Once she passed the age of sixty, the speed of her aging suddenly accelerated. Even the best elixirs couldn't stop her body from aging. Even the best makeup couldn't cover up her wrinkles.
She once again felt her old age. As a person who had been dominant her entire life, when she had to face a situation that she couldn't reverse, the feeling of helplessness was something that ordinary people couldn't understand.
Her old eyes flitted across the faces of her son, daughter, son-in-law, nephew, and her lover, one by one, as if she was dreaming. Everything in front of him seemed to be harmonious, but how long could this scene last? She knew very well that everything in front of her existed because of her existence.
Yang Fan came back from outside. Seeing everything in front of the court, he slowed down his steps and slowly walked down the corridor. Wu Zetian, who was reminiscing and sighing, saw him, and suddenly there was a trace of warmth in her eyes.
The person in front of her was not only the glue that she planned to use to continue to hold the Wu and Li families together after a hundred years. From another perspective, he could also be considered her son-in-law.
Wu Zetian subconsciously glanced at Taiping. She remembered that time at the riverside of Yi River, after Taiping had danced the Tuoji Dance, he had struggled with her. Her daughter finally gave in, but she wasn't happy. Wu Zetian knew that. Recalling the past and touching the scene, Wu Zetian suddenly felt that her heart was abnormally fragile today.
So, just as Yang Fan was about to flash down the corridor, Wu Zetian kindly called out to him, "Subject Yang, stop!"
Yang Fan stopped in surprise and bowed. Wu Zetian said, "Take a seat and drink with the princes, the prime minister, the princess, and the son-in-law!"
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