Early Tang Dynasty: forge ahead

Chapter 297 Pro-military and anti-military

Chen Qingsi was thinking about whether she would have a chance to see Empress Wu's true appearance in Lushan, but she heard a beautiful palace lady of high rank bow her head and say: "I have seen Chen Yude, Empress Wu invites you!"

Chen Qingsi didn't expect that Queen Wu actually came for him. After feeling a little surprised, she quickly returned the greeting and said: "This is inappropriate! How can a foreign minister meet with the Queen in private?"

Chen Qingsi has set a goal for himself. He is both pro-military and anti-military.

The one who stands up is Empress Wu, the one who stands against is Wu Zetian.

The queen has no right and no reason to summon foreign ministers privately.

Chen Qingsi has the right to refuse to see the queen.

Xiuli Gong'e obviously knew the rules and said: "His Royal Highness the Crown Prince is also present. Today Queen Wu came to see the Crown Prince to test the Crown Prince's homework. When the Crown Prince talked about Chen Yude, he was full of praise and felt grateful. She specially invited Chen Yude to thank him in person."

This was an irresistible reason. Chen Qingsi bowed again: "I'll let the internal officials lead the way."

Although Chen Qingsi was not as handsome as He Lanminzhi, he was of average-to-average appearance, and with his reputation in the city, he was polite and elegant. When the officials saw him, they couldn't help but murmur in their hearts: "Chen Yude is indeed the most beautiful person." The young scholar is so polite."

She was fond of Dasheng and led the way with gentle steps, until she reached the main hall of the Prince's Mansion.

The beautiful palace lady went in first to report, and after a while, Chen Qingsi was invited into the palace.

Chen Qingsi walked into the palace and saw Empress Wu sitting at the top, the Prince beside her, and He Lan Minzhi.

At this moment, this man who has been both criticized and praised in history is wearing a phoenix crown and a luxurious back robe, sitting high on the throne.

"I've met the Queen, Prince!"

Chen Qingsi glanced at Empress Wu's face, then turned away her eyes and lowered her head slightly.

The status between the emperor and his ministers in the Tang Dynasty was not as obvious as in later generations. The ministers did not need to kneel when they saw the emperor, they could also raise their heads to look at the emperor and speak directly to him.

But Queen Wu's situation was slightly different. It was always not good to look directly at a woman.

He had seen Empress Wu from a distance before during the New Year's court gathering, where hundreds of officials were worshiping the Ancestral Temple. His official position was not high and he was ranked behind the queen, so he couldn't see clearly at all.

Today I got to see the appearance of Empress Wu clearly...

Empress Wu is very beautiful. After all, she entered the palace based on her looks.

Li Shimin, a pervert, just heard that the warrior girl Yu was fourteen years old and beautiful, so he recruited her into the palace.

But how to say it?

Different from the expected impression, Empress Wu was not as dignified and noble as imagined, nor did she have the cold aura of the future empress. Instead, she had a bit of a foxy vibe.

Especially those eyes, the corners of the eyes are slightly raised, like red phoenixes, the skin is peach pink, and they are born with a bit of alluring charm.

No wonder Li Shimin gave her the word "美" as a reward when they met.

You must know that Wu Zetian was only fourteen years old when she entered the palace. What kind of name was not good for Li Shimin to reward? Why did he insist on marrying someone with a half-praising and half-derogatory character? So much so that in order to forcefully beautify her, later generations specially added a mother to her, called Mei Niang.

It can be seen that Wu Zetian has a peach blossom face and is naturally charming...

It was like this when I was a child. Now that I have grown up and matured, I am even more charming...

Of course, Chen Qingsi did not dare to underestimate this sixty-year-old man who could turn clouds and rain and control the government for more than ten years just because of his appearance.

Empress Wu looked at the young man in front of her with some surprise. She had long heard that this man who caused quite a stir as soon as he entered Chang'an was extremely young. It wasn't until she saw it with her own eyes that she realized that he was even younger than the rumors said, "He is really young." promising."

Empress Wu praised her, feeling a little regretful and resentful at the same time. What kind of bad luck did the Xiao family have to get such a good son-in-law? It would be great if he was not married yet.

Empress Wu's thoughts turned to her. Her sister Wu Shun had recently mentioned to her that she, the empress, would find a good marriage for her daughter, preferably to a young and promising man.

Empress Wu agreed, but did not start immediately.

The Wu family cannot be relied on, so they can only rely on their mother's family.

Helan Minzhi is one, and so is Helan Minyue.

Helan Minyue's husband must not be from an ordinary noble family. At the very least, he must be beneficial to the prince and become his assistant to stabilize the prince's status.

So far, no suitable candidate has emerged.

It would be better to lack than to waste, so Empress Wu delayed her. Now looking at Chen Qingsi in front of her, a sense of regret came to her heart. It would be great if this son could become the son-in-law of the Wu family.

No one is more suitable for his niece than him.

Empress Wu came here specially for Chen Qingsi today, and welcoming Su Dingfang was the first time Li Hong had fulfilled his obligations as the crown prince of the Tang Dynasty.

With the help of Chen Qingsi, Li Hong handed over an almost perfect answer sheet, for which Li Zhi was full of praise.

Deep down in her heart, Empress Wu was very concerned about Chen Qingsi, the "enemy" sister-in-law, but nothing was as important as the status of Prince Li Hong.

Even though she felt resentful in her heart, she still had to come forward to win over him and express her gratitude.

Facing Queen Wu's praise, Chen Qingsi accepted it naturally and said, "Thank you Queen for the compliment."

"Chen Yude..." Empress Wu said kindly: "I am a queen, but I am also a mother. Yude has not been in the East Palace for a long time, but the prince has changed significantly. He is much more cheerful and knowledgeable. Yes. This change is indispensable to Yu De. As a mother, I can’t express my gratitude. I came here today to test the prince’s knowledge. I was surprised by his performance. I want to see him anyway and express my gratitude to him. In the future, the prince and Toshijiu will please Sir..."

She waved her hand, and both Li Hou and He Lanmin took a step forward, saluted and called: "Sir."

Chen Qingsi quickly returned the gift.

"Okay!" Empress Wu said: "I am satisfied that I can see Yude today and say thank you. It's time to return to the palace to avoid any gossip."

Chen Qingsi stepped aside to make room for Queen Wu.

When Empress Wu passed by him, she suddenly stopped and turned around and said, "If Chen Yude encounters something that he cannot handle and needs help from me, he can go to Anxingfang and ask Mrs. Rong Guo or Mrs. Zheng Guo to come to the palace to inform him. Meet me."

After she finished speaking, she immediately left the East Palace.

She is now trying her best to be a queen that satisfies Li Zhi. Although she has been thinking of ways to consolidate the crown prince's position for her son, she has never done anything out of the ordinary.

Just like today, when I saw Chen Qingsi, I just thanked him and showed him kindness without saying a word.

Chen Qingsi watched Queen Wu leave.

The contact time between the two parties was only a short cup of tea...

Chen Qingsi further strengthened her determination to support martial arts. Except for her charming face, which did not look like the empress of the world, she was an impeccable empress in every move she made.

"Sir!" He Lan Minzhi suddenly came up and saluted respectfully.

"What?" Chen Qingsi knew that something was wrong with him.

He Lanmin said: "I want to ask for a set of calligraphy from my husband. It will be my sister-in-law's birthday soon. If I give it to you with my calligraphy, she will definitely be happy."

(End of this chapter)