People in the early Tang Dynasty: I compete with Wu Zhao for the throne

Chapter 1527: The Battle between the Queen Mother and the Empress

Huiyou Hall, one of the three main halls of Ziwei Palace, was the sleeping palace of Empress Wu.

Shangguan Wan'er, dressed in white linen mourning clothes, looked very different from the other palace maids. She walked in from outside with slow and fast steps and a solemn expression.

In the spacious and grand palace, white silk was everywhere.

Entering the East Bedroom, Shangguan Wan'er immediately saw Empress Wu sitting there, sipping tea.

Seeing Shangguan Wan'er coming back, Empress Wu asked indifferently, "What's the situation?"

"Your Majesty, the Empress has moved into the Zhuangjing Hall, the Crown Prince has moved into the Dayi Hall, and Your Majesty is handling state affairs in the East Upper Pavilion of the Zhenguan Hall." Shangguan Wan'er bowed slightly and reported the situation in the Central Hall to Empress Wu in detail.

Apart from the various departments and prisons in the imperial city, the rest of the Ziwei Palace is the palace city.

Enter Chengtian Gate and you can directly reach Qianyang Palace.

To the east of Qianyang Hall is Wensi Hall, and to the west is Xuanzheng Hall where the emperor's body was placed.

On both sides of the palace road between Qianyang Hall and Chengtian Gate are the Menxia Province on the east side and the Zhongshu Province on the west side.

The Secretariat was not located in the palace.

There are three main halls in Ziwei Palace: Qianyang Hall, Zhenguan Hall and Huiyou Hall.

According to the rules, Qianyang Hall is the main hall. Grand courts, regular courts and the emperor's meetings with foreign ministers should all be held in Qianyang Hall according to etiquette.

Huiyou Hall is the bedroom of the emperor and the empress, or more accurately, the empress's bedroom.

If the emperor had countless concubines, they would naturally be scattered throughout the countless palaces of all sizes in the Ziwei Palace.

In this way, when the emperor wanted to visit other concubines, he would go to other palaces. If he didn't want to see concubines or even the empress, he would live alone in the Zhenguan Hall.

However, a few years ago, when the late emperor was alive, he often stayed in the Zhenguan Hall due to a rheumatism and often summoned foreign officials there.

Because the Zhenguan Hall was transformed into the most suitable place for the late emperor to recuperate.

But there is no such thing in Huiyou Palace.

Because behind Huiyou Hall is Tao Guang Garden, and behind Tao Guang Garden is Xuanwu Gate.

So on weekdays, when the palace gates were locked, after Empress Wu finished handling state affairs, she would first go to the Zhenguan Hall to see the late emperor, and then return to the Huiyou Hall.

Normally, this is no problem.

But now, Empress Wu became the empress dowager.

From the beginning of the construction of the entire Ziwei Palace, it was not considered that there would be a residence for the empress dowager here.

Because the Queen Mother's residence was in the Taiji Palace in Chang'an.

However, what is funny is that since the founding of the Tang Dynasty, Wu Zetian was the first living empress dowager.

So it's embarrassing.

When the emperor ascended the throne and received the canonization, and the empress was conferred a title, it was natural that the emperor and empress had to move into the palace at the same time. It was impossible for them to live in the East Palace as before.

Empress Wu was used to living in Huiyou Palace. If Li Xian now asked her to move to another place, not to mention that it would be difficult to find a place, even if he did find one, he would drive her to another place just a few days after the death of the late emperor. People in the court and the public would say that the emperor was unfilial.

And to be honest, Li Xian is not that kind of person.

So without even discussing it with Empress Wu, Li Xian directly let the empress live in Zhuangjing Hall.

The Zhuangjing Hall and the Zhenguan Hall are in the same row. It can be said to be the easternmost palace. To the east of the Zhuangjing Hall is the Lugong Courtyard, which is considered the imperial garden, and to the east of it is the Eastern Palace.

The Dayi Hall is located in the center of the Zhuangjing Hall and the Zhenguan Hall. Later, Li Xuan and others gave lessons to the crown prince in the Dayi Hall.

Of course, the prince was young and there was only the queen's palace on the east side, so there were not many problems with etiquette.

……

"The Queen still has some little thoughts." Empress Wu smiled gently. In the Tang Dynasty, the left was respected. The Queen lived in the Zhuangjing Palace. Even if Empress Wu lived in the Huiyou Palace, which was a head shorter, it would not be much lower. She just had to be one level lower than the other concubines of the Crown Prince.

Shangguan Wan'er stood aside and dared not speak.

Empress Wu sighed and continued, "When the emperor's other concubines enter the palace, it will be lively here."

As she spoke, a hint of sarcasm appeared on Empress Wu's face. This was something she had seen the most often back then.

After the death of the previous emperor, Li Xian's concubines all rushed to Luoyang.

After all, she is the daughter-in-law of the late emperor, so they have to do this kind of thing.

Moreover, Li Xian will take in more concubines in the future, so there will need to be more people in the palace.

Thinking of this, Empress Wu's face darkened.

When the previous emperor was alive, the palace was relatively quiet, but as soon as Li Xian ascended the throne, troubles occurred one after another, and Empress Wu had to compromise with all of them.

She simply couldn't accept this sudden change of identity.

It was still okay for now, as the late emperor's coffin was still there and Li Xian didn't dare to cause too much trouble. Except for the Crown Princess, none of the other concubines from the Eastern Palace entered the palace.

As for the later period, Luoyang is not bad, not many people go there anyway.

But after returning to Chang'an, Wu Zetian would have to give up her position, Daming Palace or Taiji Palace?

Many times, she doesn't have the final say.

"Your Majesty, now that you are gone, they have all started to bully me." Empress Wu gently placed one hand on the seal next to her.

Shangguan Wan'er, who was standing by, didn't dare to look up, but just glanced at it from the corner of her eye and knew that it was the Empress Dowager's seal.

It is not the seal of the Queen, nor the seal of the Queen of Heaven, but the seal of the Empress Dowager.

Since she was crowned as the Empress Dowager, all her previous seals were invalidated.

……

Empress Wu finally raised her head and looked at Shangguan Wan'er and said, "Wan'er, what do you think of what happened today?"

Under Empress Wu's gaze, Shangguan Wan'er spoke carefully, "Empress, Your Majesty still has some outstanding talents. With the assistance of the prime ministers, ministers, and other ministers, I'm afraid you will be able to secure the throne of the Tang Dynasty in the future."

Empress Wu lowered her eyebrows slightly, placed her hand on the Empress Dowager's seal, and said calmly, "You continue."

"Yes!" Shangguan Wan'er breathed a sigh of relief, and then continued: "But among all the ministers, the ones that His Majesty trusts the most are undoubtedly those people in the East Palace, the Left Prime Minister, Xue Prime Minister, Yao Zhanshi, King Peng and Su Sima. However, they are not surrounding His Majesty, but they are a line going down and deeply infiltrating into the court."

"Yes!" Empress Wu's eyes turned slightly cold, and she couldn't help but think of what happened today.

She knew about the rewards for the ministers and secretly intervened. Many of the Northern Gate scholars were promoted to higher positions.

However, Li Xian appointed the empress and the crown prince, and Empress Wu, as the empress dowager and the emperor's mother, was completely unaware of this. Moreover, Su Liangsi actually revealed this matter in front of all the ministers.

Finally, it comes to the matter of the imperial examination.

Li Xuan's mention of the imperial examination was completely beyond Empress Wu's expectations.

The emperor took advantage of the situation and increased the number of Jinshi candidates to 49, which was usually only 20 to 30.

The Great Derivations are fifty, and one is removed, leaving forty-nine in use.

The world is in his hands.

What a good meaning!

Empress Wu's expression became stern, and she said softly, "I don't care much about the rest, but there is one thing that I can't take seriously. Xian'er, he actually summoned all the prime ministers, ministers, and provincial governors from the third day of the first lunar month... Wan'er, do you know who has done this before?"

Shangguan Wan'er bowed slightly: "Wan'er doesn't know."

"It was the late emperor." Empress Wu sighed heavily and said, "When the late emperor first ascended the throne, he did the same thing. He took advantage of the fact that the provincial governors all over the country were mourning Emperor Taizong and met with more than ten provincial governors every day, asking them to talk about the shortcomings and deficiencies of the government. In a very short period of time, the late emperor had won the hearts of the people."

Emperor Gaozong was an extraordinary man. After ascending the throne, he quickly began to expand his power.

"It's the same with Xian'er now. It's just that I don't know whether he was taught by others or he thought of it himself. What does he want to do or is he simply imitating the late emperor?" Empress Wu couldn't help but see the figure of Li Xian in her mind.

Honest, kind, filial, simple and straightforward.

This is her impression of her son. Li Xian has always been like this since he was a child.

But now, Empress Wu found that she didn't recognize her son anymore.

Shangguan Wan'er hesitated slightly, but still took a half step forward and said softly: "Empress, His Majesty should still be the same His Majesty as before, but he just ascended the throne and always wants to do something."

"Oh!" Empress Wu's eyes lit up, she looked up at Shangguan Wan'er, nodded and said, "You are right. Although the late emperor seemed cowardly before he ascended the throne, he actually had a lot of strategies. But Sanlang is much worse."

After figuring out Li Xian's background, Empress Wu stood up and glanced down at the Empress Dowager's seal on the low table. She sneered with disdain and said, "Sanlang is still the same Sanlang, but the people around him are all outstanding enough."

Shangguan Wan'er lowered her head solemnly.

"The left prime minister will leave Luoyang and return to Chang'an in early February. Don't worry. Prime Minister Xue is ill..." Empress Wu narrowed her eyes slightly, looked at Qiu Huan in the shadows on the side, and said, "Send someone to find out the exact condition of Prime Minister Xue."

Qiu Huan immediately bowed and said, "Yes!"

Empress Wu nodded and continued, "Yao Lingzhang's appearance is not worth mentioning. As for Prince Peng..."

Empress Wu's mind flashed with Li Xuan's image, and she whispered, "This time, most of the things were done by Prince Peng behind the scenes."

The Queen and the Imperial Examination, these two major events were all planned by Li Xuan behind the scenes for Li Xian.

Even when it came to rewards and summoning the governor, Empress Wu suspected that Li Xuan was involved.

A fierce murderous intent flashed across her eyes for a moment, but then it slowly dissipated.

Because in an instant, the figures of Liu Rengui, Xue Yuanchao, Lu Yuanfang, Ouyang Tong, Pei Xingjian and others appeared in Empress Wu's mind at the same time. Finally, even the image of Li Xian flashed in the depths of her eyes.

Not that easy.

It is too difficult to kill Li Xuan using Chao Zheng's method.

Moreover, once Li Xuan realized that Empress Wu intended to kill him, he would definitely fight back to save his life.

Empress Wu naturally knew Li Xuan very well, but if Li Xuan really fought back, she didn't know where he would start.

Not to mention family, Empress Wu believed that a general who could ruthlessly order the killing of tens of thousands of people on the battlefield was not the kind of person who would care about his wife and children.

Not to mention, he already had two concubines and two sons in Fanzhou.

Empress Wu's face darkened.

"Prince Peng has grown up." Empress Wu shook her head and said, "If we really kill him, I'm afraid His Majesty will be dissatisfied..."

"Empress." A hurried sound of footsteps sounded outside the palace, and then a eunuch handed a memorial to Qiu Huan. Qiu Huan took a look at it and handed it to Shangguan Wan'er. Shangguan Wan'er opened it casually, her mouth twitching slightly, but she still bowed and said, "Empress, King Peng sent someone to deliver a congratulatory memorial."

“A letter of congratulation?” Empress Wu was startled, then took it and saw that it clearly read: “Your Highness, Prince Peng Xuan, congratulates the Empress Dowager on her enthronement as the Empress Dowager.

Your humble servant Xuanyan says: On the first day of January, the Emperor appointed the Empress Dowager.

The grand ceremony was over, and the virtue spread far and wide.

When one person celebrates, all nations rejoice.

I humbly wish that the Empress Dowager will be blessed with a spiritual gift, give birth to a holy and auspicious woman, and be honored as the most respected person in the world and the most benevolent mother of the world.

Your Majesty is the ruler of the country, and you must not violate the filial piety.

In Changle Palace, the longevity of Nanshan is forever presented; on top of Zhulong Gate, the spirit of the prosperous Tang Dynasty is promoted again.

All the officials in the country were overjoyed.

The actions of a wise king serve as a model for the whole world. Once the king's words are spoken, they are as clear as a decree, and the whole world follows their lead with great awe.

I, a minister, am guarding a remote place in a desolate land, and it is rare for me to be able to celebrate with the imperial court. I would be eager to see you in the imperial camp. If you were to summon me, I would ask for your advice, praise my long-standing merits, and entrust you with the affairs of the frontier.

We, the ministers, dare not remain silent and offer our outrageous remarks; we fear that they may not be appropriate and await the punishment.

However, since Your Majesty succeeded to the throne, all the orders and instructions you issued have been based on filial piety. Your heart is reflected in the imperial edicts, which have moved the human relations.

It is more about being respectful, cautious and dignified, and maintaining holy virtues.

I wish Her Majesty the Empress Dowager a long and happy life. May you have a happy and joyful time in the imperial palace and a feast in the inner court, and the whole country will celebrate."

……

"I am far away in a border state, and I have ordered you to make plans."

Empress Wu couldn't help but sneer and said, "This King Peng is really good at making excuses for himself."

Shangguan Wan'er lowered her head. Although she had only taken a quick look just now, she could clearly see everything that Li Xuan had written.

Li Xuan is showing weakness.

"Pass the decree." Empress Wu raised her head and said sternly, "Transfer Xing Wenwei, the Sima of Fanzhou, back to the court, and appoint Wang Yinke, the Chief Clerk of Prince Peng, as the Inspector Sima of Fanzhou."

"Yes!" Qiu Huan bowed heavily, and a trace of worry flashed in Shangguan Wan'er's eyes.

　When Emperor Gaozong first ascended the throne, he summoned the envoys to the court and said to them: "I have just ascended the throne. If there are any matters that are inconvenient for the people, you should state them in detail. If not, please report them again." From that day on, he summoned ten provincial governors into the cabinet and asked them about the sufferings of the people and the politics.

　　
　
(End of this chapter)