Long live Emperor Wu!

He was the emperor now, and his status was different from others. Even the vigil was in a solitary position. There was no one beside him except the chamberlain who was following him and kneeling behind him.

Li Tai was at least five people away from him.

When Li Tai saw his younger brother, he just knelt there and looked at his father's memorial tablet in a daze, without even saying a word of comfort to him.

He wiped his tears and complained softly but carefully:
"Xiaojiu...you...I am your brother, why have you become so cold?"

Li Shan then turned his head and glanced at him, as if he had just recovered from his composure, and asked confusedly:

"Why does fourth brother say I'm cold?"

When Li Tai saw this, his face twitched slightly, and then he said pitifully:
"I thought you didn't want to talk to me..."

After saying that, he laughed awkwardly and bitterly, looking very disappointed.

Li Shan exhaled slightly and said warmly:
"You are my biological brother. Now I am the only biological brother like you. Why don't I want to pay attention to you? It's just that I'm too busy recently..."

He was indeed so busy that he rarely even had time to feel sad. He was always meeting the governors, governors, and many civil servants and generals who came from all over for funerals...

During the interview, they seemed to be chatting, and from time to time they would talk about the past when their father was still alive. In fact, they were trying to connect with each other and win their support.

In addition, there were envoys from various foreign countries who came to have a chat to understand what kind of emperor he would be, and to inquire about Datang's future foreign policy.

These days, he has almost no time to rest.

Especially when I saw the elderly heroes of the Tang Dynasty and listened to them telling stories about their father's youth, they sometimes cried and sometimes laughed. Their moods fluctuated greatly, which was extremely sad.

Li Tai withdrew his gaze and chuckled, seemingly a little disdainful, but said in an easy-going tone:

"Too busy... Yes, as an emperor, you have to deal with many things every day, so you really don't have time for leisure. But Xiaojiu, you made King Wu Li Ke Sikong and let him participate in the government affairs. I am your brother and a compatriot from the same mother. You didn't even give me half of the position... Do you want to take care of me? Your fourth brother, I am not a fool either."

When Li Shan heard this, he tilted his head and looked at his father's coffin. He didn't speak for a long time.

Seeing him being so indifferent again, Li Tai finally couldn't help it anymore and shouted excitedly:

"You are talking!"

The chamberlain who was following Li Shan nervously raised his eyes at Li Shan, then glanced at Pu Wang Li Tai, shrunk his neck and retreated back.

The other three concubines and maids who were watching the night were so frightened that they did not even dare to express themselves. They wished they could shrink into the white linen mourning clothes and turn into unconscious dumplings.

Only Wu Rou raised her head leisurely, with single eyes in front and double eyes in back, as if born with hatred, she looked at Li Tai and said:
"His Royal Highness King Pu, Mr. Wu would kindly remind you that you and His Majesty are kings and ministers first, and then brothers. If you speak with such an attitude, aren't you afraid of being accused of deceiving the king?"

Li Tai and Li Shan turned to look at Wu Rou at the same time. Li Tai immediately pointed at her and said angrily:

"You are a little talented person, how dare you talk to me like that!"

Li Shan looked at Wu Rou, his eyes as gentle as water.

He turned his head, glanced at Li Tai with his peripheral vision, and said quietly and gently:
"Fourth brother, she is right. I think if she hadn't reminded you, you might not have any sense of proportion.

Today in front of my father’s mourning hall…”

He lowered his eyes slightly, paused to relieve the pain in his heart, and then said:
"My father loved you dearly when he was alive, and there are no outsiders here. I am willing to treat you as brothers, and I don't want to argue with you if I am rude.

However, I hope that even though you have never called me "Your Majesty" in your mouth, you still have an understanding in your heart.You can avoid being known by others if you come out of this door..."

He raised his eyes leisurely and looked directly into Li Tai's eyes: "When the time comes... I won't be able to protect you." This self-proclaimed "I" has already been used by him in the past two months when he met civil and military ministers and envoys from foreign countries. From resisting to accepting, you can at least remain casual and natural when speaking out.

However, as soon as this self-proclaimed name is spoken, for him, the heavy burden of the Tang Dynasty falls on him, which is not easy.

At least, in front of his father's mourning hall, he wanted to be a son, lazy and indulgent for a moment, and didn't want to talk about it.

But because Li Tai pressed forward step by step, he deliberately spelled out the words clearly and stared at Li Tai with imperial authority and intimidation.

Li Tai looked at his calm, too clean and transparent eyes, and seemed to be shocked by the word "I".

His little eyes narrowed slightly, and he felt jealous and unwilling to hate him. He looked at him without saying anything.

Li Shan withdrew his gaze, straightened his chest, and said calmly:

"Fourth brother, to be honest, the reason why I don't reuse you is because I haven't forgotten about my eldest brother..."

He stopped as he spoke, and his calm face seemed to be in a resentful mood, but it was not obvious.

He glanced at Li Tai with the end of his eyes and continued:
"The courtiers have not forgotten that you are a guilty person and are not suitable for important positions. However, you cannot have a position, but you can have financial benefits. In the future, you can still ride in a sedan chair when you come in and out. When you leave Chang'an, I will reward you with clothing, wealth, and silk. Let fourth brother take it back."

When Li Tai heard this, he sneered mockingly, but this time, he did not do anything to offend Tianyan and remained silent.

After a while, he suddenly sighed and said:
"God is really teasing people. My eldest brother and I fought to the death, but you got the advantage..."

Li Shan ignored him. He knelt silently in front of the coffin and looked at the coffin and tablet in the mourning hall. Opposite him, Wu Rou was accompanying him.

The smoke from the burning incense candle was lingering, and he suddenly felt peaceful and contented for a moment.

……

……

After the emperor's coffin is buried, the concubines of Emperor Taizong in the palace will be sent away.

Those who had heirs, such as Concubine Wei Guifei and Concubine Yan De, were given the title of concubine and went to their sons' fiefdom to live out their lives.

Those who have no heirs must be assigned to keep vigil, or go to a temple to become a monk, to offer sacrifices and pray for Taizong...

The only exception is Xu Chongrong, because for three months she went on a hunger strike to keep vigil and fell ill...

Because she was determined to be buried with Taizong and refused to receive treatment or eat.Li Shan was grateful for her loyalty and made her the virtuous concubine of Taizong. After her death, she was buried in Zhaoling as a virtuous concubine as she wished...

Wu Rou was assigned to go to Ganye Temple to offer sacrifices and pray for Emperor Taizong. Before leaving, she went to say goodbye to Xu Chongrong.

At that time, Xu Chongrong was already haggard. She was already thin and fair. At this time, her black hair was messy and stuck on the pillow, and she looked very pitiful.

But her eyes were firm and clear.

Wu Rou sat next to her, feeling distressed, but she laughed and said with tears in her eyes:

"Xianfei...I'm leaving. We will never see each other again."

Xu Hui reluctantly sat up half of her body, panting slightly, smiling wider than usual, and said:
"It's true... I can't see you anymore."