Zhang Yizhi was presiding over the compilation of the 'Three Teachings Zhu Ying' in Fengchen Prison. These days, he did not go to Wu Zetian's place as often. However, today the Emperor had beaten the Imperial Grandson and a Junwang of the Wu family to death because of a few words of gossip. The matter was too sensational, so the news quickly spread to Fengchen Prison.
Zhang Yizhi, who was busying himself amidst the ink-scented manuscripts, turned pale with fright when he heard the news. He hurriedly rushed to the Lovely Spring Terrace. When he rushed into the courtyard of the Lovely Spring Terrace's palace, a few little eunuchs happened to be carrying Li Zhongrun and Wu Yanji's corpses out. When Zhang Yizhi saw this, he immediately complained incessantly in his heart.
He then entered the palace and saw Wu Zetian. They had only exchanged a few words when Crown Prince Li Xian barged in like a madman. Zhang Yizhi kindly persuaded Wu Zetian to appease her thunderous fury and promise to pardon Li Xianhui. Li Xian then madly ran away.
Although Wu Zetian was standing up for Zhang Changzong, she had killed a grandson and a grandnephew in one fell swoop, and the life and death of a pregnant granddaughter was still unknown. The atmosphere in the hall was inevitably strange. The two brothers felt very uncomfortable standing there, so Zhang Yizhi found an excuse to take Zhang Changzong away.
With a gloomy face, Zhang Yizhi led Zhang Changzong back to Fengchen Prison.
Zhang Yizhi said coldly, "Liu Lang, we've offended both the Wu and Li clans!"
Zhang Changzong resentfully said, "Wulang, if someone insults your mother, what will you do?"
Zhang Yizhi said sternly, "Whoever dares to humiliate my mother will be spilled with blood!"
Zhang Changzong said, "That's right! They slandered and humiliated me. Not only that, they even insulted our Zhang family and our deceased grandfather. If I didn't know about it, it would have been fine. But now that I know, how can I not retaliate? "
"You …"
Zhang Yizhi sighed heavily and said, "A small punishment is fine. There is no need to kill him. Now, you and I are the target of public criticism."
Zhang Changzong said indifferently, "So what? With the Saint doting on us, who can do anything to us? "
Zhang Yizhi lowered his voice and said, "The hatred is too deep, it can't be resolved. The Sage is already very old. If anything were to happen to him, you and I would die without a burial ground. "
Zhang Changzong could not help but be moved when he heard this. He thought about it carefully and became angry. He said, "The Luling family was able to return to Luoyang and become the crown prince. If we did not put in a good word for them in front of the saints, how could they have returned so easily? They actually look down on us. I really can't take this lying down."
Zhang Yizhi said coldly, "What's the point of saying all this now? Since the enmity had already been formed, he could only think of a way to face it. We must hasten the process of seizing power, of forming cliques, of building up support. The favor of a saint is not to be relied upon. We must have our own strength to protect ourselves. But for now, you have to escape first. "
Zhang Changzong's eyes widened. "Why?"
Zhang Yizhi said, "Because of some rumors, you instigated the Saint to kill a grandson of the emperor and a prince of the Wu clan. Is this a small matter? Even if Li Xian and Li Dan dare not say anything, it does not mean that Princess Taiping will turn a blind eye. Some ministers in the imperial court will inevitably impeach you, and the Wu clan will be more sympathetic. Although you have the protection of the Saint, it is good for you to temporarily avoid the limelight. "
Zhang Changzong heard this and said angrily, "Avoid? Where can I avoid? "
He lowered his head and thought for a while. Suddenly, he said, "Ah! I remember. Just now when I went to see the Saint, there was a memorial on the Saint's desk. It was dealing with the case of Yang Fan's assassination. How about … I ask the Saint for an edict and go to Chang 'an to supervise the case? "
Zhang Yizhi's expression changed. He quickly asked for the details. When he learned that Wu Yizong had been removed from his position and transferred back to the capital, his eyes brightened. He blurted out, "Good place! I will stay in the capital and continue to compile the 'Three Schools Pearl'. You go to Chang 'an to replace Wu Yizong and take the opportunity to control the military. At that time, our positions will be as stable as Mount Tai. "
Zhang Changzong was overjoyed and said, "That's good. I will go tell the Saint now."
"Wait!"
Zhang Yizhi pulled him back and smiled meaningfully. "We cannot let the Saint understand our intentions. We have to go in the name of avoiding disaster. Let's wait a little longer. When the memorial to impeach us reaches the Emperor, it will not be too late to bring it up to the Saint! "
…
In the Eastern Palace, Li Xian and his wife did not sleep a wink.
The imperial physicians came in and out, and the Eastern Palace was brightly lit. In the middle of the night, Li Xianhui, who was only seventeen, gave birth to a stillborn child that was not yet fully formed. When it was almost dawn, the oil lamp was completely extinguished. This young and beautiful princess used up the last of her life force and left this world with her husband and child who had just died.
Li Xian sat in the palace with a haggard appearance. It was as if he had aged ten years overnight. His hair was much whiter. Concubine Wei's own son and daughter had died in one day and one night. She cried until her eyes were red and swollen like peaches. When the sky brightened, the majestic and loud bell above the Gate of Heaven began to ring. The sound of the bell drowned out the faint cries of the Eastern Palace …
In the Wei Palace, in Wu Chengsi's bedroom, Wu Yanyi, Wu Yanan, and Wu Yanshou knelt in front of the bed. Wu Chengsi lay on the bed, his face as pale as gold paper. Wu Chengsi had six sons. The fifth son had died young. The eldest, Wu Yanji, had been beaten to death yesterday. The youngest, Wu Yanxiu, had gone on a diplomatic mission to the Turks. In the end, he had been detained on the plains and had not been released. He only had three sons by his side.
The three sons looked at their father with tears in their eyes. When Wu Chengsi had been exiled to Zhenzhou (Hainan's Sanya) by Wu Zetian, he had suffered from an illness because of the harsh environment and poverty. In the past few years, his illness had flared up and his health had worsened. Now that he had been aggravated by the death of his son, he was on the verge of death.
Wu Chengsi, who had long been as thin as a stick, lay on the bed like a dried corpse. His unfocused eyes gazed at the ceiling of the tent as he muttered to himself, "My father … died in her hands! My son, died in her hands! This evil woman, this evil woman more poisonous than a snake, cough cough cough cough … "
Wu Yanyi said uneasily, "Father!"
He waved his hand and chased the servants out. With tears in his eyes, he said, "Father, the dead cannot come back to life. Eldest Brother has passed. Father, please take care of yourself."
Wu Chengsi was already on the verge of death. He did not seem to hear his son's words and only stared at the ceiling of the tent. His face swelled red for a while before he suddenly shouted, "She is the bane of all existence! She is the bane of all existence! This evil woman, punishing her husband and punishing her children, punishing her relatives and friends, she is the bane of all existence! "
"Father!"
Wu Chengsi shook off Wu Yanyi's hand and cursed at the top of his voice, "This evil woman, she is destined to have no relationship with her six relatives and live alone for the rest of her life. She is destined to be miserable in her later years and be deserted by all! She is not fit to be the daughter of the Wu family, not the daughter-in-law of the Li family. Even if she goes to the netherworld, she will not have the face to see her relatives. Even if she becomes a ghost, she will still be a lonely ghost! "
"Father, please don't say anymore! Father! Father? "
Wu Yanyi stared blankly at Wu Chengsi. Wu Chengsi's eyes were bulging with anger as he stared at the empty ceiling of the tent. He had actually died!
…
When the eight hundredth bell in the morning rang for the last time, a luxurious carriage drove onto Ding Ding Street.
The tassel curtain swayed gently. Princess Taiping, who was sitting upright in the carriage, had a gloomy expression.
She had been staying in Zi Ze Yuan for the past few days. Although someone had informed her of what happened in the palace yesterday, she did not have the time to return to the city that day. Therefore, she rushed back early this morning. As soon as Princess Taiping entered the city, she ordered the carriage driver to go straight to the palace.
The carriage was spacious. An old man in a black robe was sitting on the side. His hair and beard were half white and his face was delicate. His expression and temperament were elegant but steady and resolute.
The old man stroked his long beard and said in a deep voice, "The Emperor is going to attend the court early in the morning. If the Princess enters the palace at this time, it will be too aggressive. In my opinion, the Princess should not be so impatient. Do not panic when you encounter something, otherwise you will be in a mess!"
Ever since she received the tacit consent of Wu Zetian, Princess Taiping could build a government office and accept people under her. After she formed her own power, her power expanded rapidly. Every day, there were more and more things that she had to deal with. Even though Taiping was smart and capable, she could not bear it.
The steward of her mansion, Li Yi, could only listen to orders and run errands. They could not do this kind of thing. The ministers under Taiping had their own official duties and could not often go to the mansion to discuss business. Therefore, Taiping urgently needed a capable advisor. This old man was the advisor that Princess Taiping currently relied on the most.
The old man's surname was Mo, Mo Yuhan. He was from Fuzhou. He was originally the advisor of Li Qianli, the son of King Wu Li. When Li Qianli was transferred back to the capital, he brought him with him. Li Qianli was originally a provincial governor. He was in charge of military and political affairs. Although he ignored all government affairs to avoid arousing Wu Zetian's suspicion, there were still some things that needed his approval and seal. These things were all handled by Master Mo.
Now that Li Qianli had returned to the capital and become a general of the Imperial Army, he no longer needed this advisor at his side. Once, when he attended a banquet at Princess Taiping's house, he heard that Princess Taiping was in need of someone, so he recommended this old man to Taiping. Master Mo was extremely knowledgeable, wise, and farsighted. He was highly regarded by Taiping and was now Taiping's number one advisor.
Upon hearing Master Mo's words, Princess Taiping shot him a somewhat displeased glance. "Does Master Mo mean that this princess should not be involved in this matter?"
Mo Yuhan harshly replied, "You shouldn't! At the very least, you shouldn't be the vanguard! If there is a need to appear, the Crown Prince and the Prince of Xiang should appear before the Princess. If the Princess barges into the palace early in the morning to see the Emperor, isn't there suspicion of relying on favor and arrogance? The Son of Heaven is going to attend court early in the morning. If the Princess is so impatient, isn't this too overbearing?
Princess, please do not forget that this is the Princess's mother, the current Son of Heaven! Moreover, because of a few offensive words, the Emperor has caned a crown grandson and a prince to death, treating the lives of his sons and grandsons like grass. This matter is certain to shake all levels of society. In today's court assembly, all the officials are certain to take action. If the Princess goes to see the Emperor early in the morning, what will the Emperor think? Will he think that these officials have all received the Princess's orders? Princess, be careful not to overreach yourself! "
Princess Taiping was startled. As the carriage rumbled, the ornament on Taiping's head trembled. Suddenly, Princess Taiping called out, "Turn around and return to the estate!" Master Mo saw that Princess Taiping readily accepted his advice, so he smiled and stroked his beard, nodding his head.
The carriage had already reached the bridgehead of Tianjin and came to a stop, turning toward Shangshan Lane. The carriage entered Shangshan Lane. Not long after, Master Mo, who had been resting with his eyes closed, suddenly opened them and loudly declared, "Stop the carriage!"
Princess Taiping looked at Mo Yuhan in surprise. Master Mo said, "The Liang Estate is just ahead. Does Your Highness not wish to pay a visit?"
Princess Taiping's eyes slowly sharpened as she said, "Teacher is saying …"
Master Mo enunciated each word clearly, "The harm caused by the Second Zhang is gradually getting out of hand! The Li and Wu families, at least on this matter, can walk together! "
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.
