Back to the prosperous Tang Dynasty to be the emperor

Chapter 645 Princess Taiping's Gift

It was about noon, the temperature rose slightly, but it was still very cold. Even in the airtight study room, the chill didn't decrease a little. On the contrary, it became a little bit colder, but it wasn't cold enough to set up a brazier , This made Empress Wu, who was wearing a thick cotton purple robe, extremely uncomfortable, and the speed of correcting the notebook dropped a lot because of this. He raised his eyebrows and paced back and forth in the empty study room, his eyes full of anxiety.

Empress Wu was very annoying, not ordinary annoying, just because the offensive at the East Palace was too fierce, one move followed by another, until it was so oppressive that Empress Wu was very difficult to deal with. To be honest, since she married Gao Since Zongzong, Empress Wu has never been in such a state of embarrassment as it is today. It is fine if the governor of Luoyang is lost. The problem is that with the gradual increase in the promotion of improved seeds, it has become more and more difficult for Empress Wu to manage politics. The embarrassment of going out of the court, not to mention, most of the states and counties below are now sending memorials to the East Palace instead of sending them to the imperial city as usual. It was impossible to accuse the lower officials of violating the system, probably because Li Xian was ordered to promote good seeds, and it was reasonable for the local officials to hand over the papers to Li Xian on this matter.

"I want to report to your empress, Doctor Ming is asking to see you outside the palace."

Just as Empress Wu was pacing back and forth irritably, she saw Cheng Denggao, the eunuch of Li, carefully turn out from behind the screen, rushed to Empress Wu, and hurriedly made a report.

"Xuan."

Empress Wu was upset, but when she heard that Ming Chongyan had come, she didn't say anything else, she didn't even ask the reason, and directly issued an order.

"promise!"

Since Empress Wu had given orders, Cheng Denggao didn't dare to delay a bit, so he hastily answered and left the room in a hurry. After a while, he accompanied Ming Chongyan and walked in from the outside.

"My minister kowtowed to see the Empress Dowager."

Although there was some ambiguity between him and Empress Wu, Ming Chongyan did not dare to behave favorably and coquettishly in front of Empress Wu, and paid homage respectfully.

"Let's go, Aiqing is so anxious to find me, but what's the matter?"

Seeing the cold weather, Ming Chongyan's head was covered with beads of sweat, Empress Wu couldn't help being a little suspicious, so she asked a question.

"I do have something to report to the empress."

Ming Chongyan only said that he had something to report, but he didn't make it clear what it was, instead he stopped talking.

"Well, you all stand down!"

Seeing Ming Chongyan's behavior, Empress Wu knew that she had a secret performance, so she waved her sleeves at Cheng Denggao and others who were waiting by her side, and gave the order with a calm expression.

"promise!"

The "secret talk" between Ming Chongyan and Empress Wu is nothing new, it usually happens once in ten days or so, and the eunuchs have long been accustomed to it, and no one thinks it is strange at all, so this is just a matter of course. They all bowed their promises, and all exited the study, waiting quietly in a place far away from the study. At this time, it was nearly half an hour, and they did not wait for Empress Wu's call. Instead, Princess Taiping carried the food box and led the Several little maids came excitedly.

"I have seen Her Royal Highness."

Seeing that Princess Taiping had arrived, Cheng Denggao couldn't help feeling his scalp tingle for a while, because he knew the inside story of the "secret talks" between Empress Wu and Ming Chongyan in the past, so he didn't dare to let Princess Taiping just break in. , although he was deeply jealous of Taiping, a pungent little girl, Cheng Denggao still bit the bullet and rushed forward, blocking Princess Taiping's way.

"No, is the queen mother here?"

Under the favor of Emperor Gaozong and Empress Wu, Princess Taiping was used to being wild in the palace, and she didn't have much respect for Cheng Denggao, a high-ranking eunuch head, she just waved her hand casually, and wanted to Go straight ahead.

"Your Highness, wait a moment. Your Majesty is discussing important matters with the courtiers. Please wait a moment, Your Highness."

How dare Cheng Denggao let Princess Taiping barge in like this, he hastily stretched out his hand, and stopped in front of Princess Taiping.

"Presumptuous! If you don't back down, ask for a fight!"

Princess Taiping has always been used to being unruly in the palace, so Cheng Denggao can't let Cheng Denggao talk nonsense, she stared at her, and scolded unceremoniously, twisted her small body, bypassed Cheng Denggao's straight arm, and carried The food box ran straight to the study room. Seeing this, Cheng Denggao chased after a few steps, but stopped abruptly, rolled his eyes, and sneaked a smirk while no one was paying attention. He quickly restrained himself, turned around and stopped the few little palace ladies who were about to follow.

Princess Taiping likes to cook desserts, pancakes and other snacks since she was a child, and she often brings them to share with Empress Wu, and it is the same this time. However, without thinking too much, carrying a food box that was not too big, he rushed straight to the study room excitedly, but just as he walked to the screen, he suddenly heard Ming Chongyan's voice from inside, speaking The word "Prince" was also mentioned in the book, and he became suspicious immediately. As soon as he stopped his steps, he stopped outside the screen. After listening to a few words carefully, his face changed drastically, and his breathing became a little rapid involuntarily. stand up.

"Someone is at the screen!"

Ming Chongyan's cultivation was already close to the level of a master. He had previously focused on exchanging strategies with Empress Wu, and hadn't noticed the arrival of Princess Taiping. But when Princess Taiping's breathing was a little louder, he was keenly aware of something wrong. Immediately He stopped his statement and reminded Empress Wu in a low voice.

"Ok?"

What we are talking about today is a secret among secrets. Empress Wu absolutely does not allow anyone to dare to eavesdrop outside. She frowned, her expression was extremely cold, and a wave of evil spirit rose up. When she was about to explode, she saw peace The princess turned around from behind the screen with a happy expression on her face, and her expression froze involuntarily.

"Mother, my boy just made the sweet cakes, you can try them while they are hot."

Princess Taiping ignored Ming Chongyan, jumped up and down in front of Empress Wu, raised the food box in her hand flatteringly, and said with a smile.

"Well, mother is not hungry yet, so let's put it aside for now, and mother will definitely taste it later."

Empress Wu was not sure whether Princess Taiping had heard the previous secret discussion, so she quickly glanced at Ming Chongyan, seeing that Ming Chongyan had no special reaction, her face immediately softened, but at this moment, she I don't have any intention to taste the sweet cakes, but I can't say it clearly, so I replied perfunctorily.

"No, mother, taste it quickly, it won't be fragrant when it's cold."

Princess Taiping didn't want to see Ming Chongyan alone with her mother, so she didn't want to be sent out like this, and what she heard earlier was too shocking, so she felt a little worried, so she pretended to act like a baby. To cover up.

"Taiping, good boy, mother has something serious to talk about, so you should step back first!"

Although Empress Wu loved Princess Taiping, she would never allow her to interfere with her business. Seeing that Princess Taiping was so sticky at this time, her face immediately became serious, and she unceremoniously issued an order to evict her.

"Yes, boy, leave!"

Seeing Empress Wu's complexion was already a bit ugly, Princess Taiping didn't dare to pester her anymore, she made a look of aggrieved, pouted her lips, and responded, some of them left the study uncomfortably, and went on their own Went back to the bedroom... The application time was about to end, the sun was about to set, but Li Xian hadn't rested yet, sitting in front of the copywriting, correcting the notes quickly, and talking with Zhang Jian from time to time. After exchanging opinions on something, I was very busy, but the expression on the face did not show the slightest impatience, on the contrary, it was quite radiant. This may be called "pain and happiness".

Li Xian did have a reason to be excited. Ever since he got the power to promote fine seeds, everything went smoothly. Not only did the states return to their hearts, but more importantly, with the transfer of the two important ministers Di Renjie and Luo Binwang, Li Xian was in the court. The withered situation has been greatly improved. Given time, the loyal ministers who were originally scattered in various states can be brought back to the court one by one. At that time, Li Xian will have enough strength to challenge Empress Wu head-on in the court. Yes, of course, although the situation is optimistic, Li Xian still does not dare to take it lightly. He always handles the government affairs at hand conscientiously, and does not leave the Queen Wu's party with the slightest chance of impeachment. Even if today is Xunjia, Li Xian Also, he can't take care of rest, he has been busy since the morning until now, and he is busy endlessly.

"His Royal Highness, Princess Taiping sent someone to send a secondary painting, saying that it is a study, please His Royal Highness the axe."

Just when Li Xian was busy, he saw Gao Miao hurried in from the outside holding the secondary scroll, bowed towards Li Xian, and hurriedly made a report.

"Oh? Pass it up!"

Ever since Li Xian entered the East Palace, Princess Taiping has often come to the East Palace, and occasionally brought some poems and essays to the East Palace to show off to Li Xian. As for sending paintings, it was the first time. Monk Zhang Er seemed to be puzzled, but the things had already been delivered, so he had to look at them first, so Li Xian didn't think much about it, he just waved his hand and gave a casual order: .

"promise."

Gao Miao hurriedly responded, took a few steps forward, and handed the scroll to Li Xian.

"Ok?"

Li Xian had been busy for a whole day and was already exhausted. He just wanted to take a rest, so he spread out the scroll casually, intending to appreciate Princess Taiping's masterpiece, but after just a few glances, his brows frowned involuntarily—— The painting is very simple, just a landscape painting. Although the fine brushwork is good, it is far from the master's handwriting. There is nothing outstanding about it. From Li Xian's point of view, the level of painting is just passing the mark. There is really nothing to commend it. What is strange is that there is a half-sunken ship on the river in the painting, and some sailors struggling on the water. This metaphor is already strange enough, and it is even more strange that under the waves on the water, There is actually a blood-stained horizontal knife marked on it. Li Xian was a little at a loss when such a sudden scene came out.

(End of this chapter)