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

Chapter 1531 Empress Wu's Killing Knife
"Prince Huo, is he still in the court now?" Empress Wu raised her head and looked at Shangguan Wan'er.

"Yes!" Shangguan Wan'er bowed earnestly and said, "Today, we are paying homage to the late emperor. Prince Huo followed Prince Han, and then Prince Peng."

"Hmm!" Empress Wu's expression grew heavy, and she said, "Keep an eye on him, especially his contact with King Peng."

"Yes!" Qiu Huan bowed.

"As for that person." Empress Wu raised her eyes and said softly, "Since he is heading for Guangzhou, his target should be Zhenzhou... Murong Jiabin and Liu Nayan are both in Zhenzhou."

Shangguan Wan'er and Qiu Huan looked at each other and their expressions became solemn.

Murong Jiabin and Liu Nayan, one was the prince's household steward and the other was the prince's groom.

Both of them were exiled for participating in Li Xian's rebellion.

Even the two of them fought for Li Xian until the last moment.

However, what was even more shocking was that during the final investigation, it was discovered that these two people had no idea about the prince's rebellion before. They only learned the truth on the night of the incident.

Even the late emperor was shocked by their loyalty, but after all they were involved in treason, so they were finally sentenced to exile in Zhenzhou. However, the late emperor was tolerant and the two did not suffer any punishment along the way.

Empress Wu turned sideways and said, "Pass the order down. All the people involved along the way must be closely watched, regardless of whether they are in place or not."

"Yes!" Qiu Huan bowed immediately.

With just one word from Empress Wu, everyone from Prince of Ze Li Shangjin to Prince of Huo Li Xu, as well as Murong Jiabin and Liu Nayan, were all under surveillance.

Even in Jiangnan, there are others.

For example, Li Xian’s first wife, Zhao Qi’s mother, was Princess Changle, and her father, Zhao Huai, was the governor of Kuazhou.

……

"It's good to go to Zhenzhou. It's enough to seal off the two lakes." Empress Wu said softly, "At least there's enough time."

Shangguan Wan'er and Qiu Huan fell completely silent.

"What's the situation in Bazhou?" Empress Wu looked straight ahead.

Qiu Huan raised his head and looked at Shangguan Wan'er pleadingly. Shangguan Wan'er nodded slightly, then stepped forward and said, "The deposed crown prince is fine. Just pray for the late emperor and the empress. It's just that the diet over there is not good. There is a message back that the deposed crown prince is often ill, and it comes back again and again. It's very entangled."

Empress Wu nodded slightly and said nothing, not knowing what she was thinking.

At this moment, a burst of hurried footsteps suddenly sounded outside the hall.

Fan Yunxian appeared outside the hall with a look of joy on her face.

Qiu Huan frowned and walked up quickly.

Fan Yunxian whispered a few words into Qiu Huan's ear, and Qiu Huan immediately looked surprised.

Turning around, Qiu Huan led Fan Yunxian to Empress Wu.

"Greetings to the Queen." Fan Yunxian bowed solemnly.

Empress Wu nodded and asked, "What happened?"

Fan Yunxian could not suppress her joy immediately and said, "Reporting to the Queen Mother, just now, the Crown Prince's Consort Zheng suddenly felt unwell. The imperial physician examined her and found that she is pregnant and is about one month pregnant."

"Ah!" Empress Wu was shocked. Even she did not expect such a thing to happen.

"Order, get the emperor's daily records immediately." Empress Wu stood up, looked at the Zhenguan Hall in front of her, and said, "Let's go see the emperor. This good thing must be decided quickly."

"Yes!" Everyone bowed immediately and followed Empress Wu to meet the emperor.

Shangguan Wan'er followed behind Empress Wu with a solemn expression.

Because she knew that at this moment, there was a huge crisis lurking.

The Crown Prince's Consort Zheng is pregnant. Although Zheng entered the Eastern Palace before the death of the late emperor, it would be difficult for people to draw the connection between the two and the pregnancy.

The word "immoral" will be firmly pinned on Li Xian's head.

……

In the side hall of Zhenguan Palace, Empress Wu put her daily notes aside, nodded calmly, and finally said with a smile: "Congratulations, Sanlang, you are going to have a son again."

"Congratulations, mother. You are going to have another grandson." Li Xian stood aside with a bright smile on his face.

Empress Wu smiled, glanced at the slightly reluctant empress, looked at the crown prince, Prince Ping'en, Prince Yongping, Li Xuan, Wu Sansi, and Pei Yan who were there, nodded, and said, "This is a happy event, but it can't be a big deal. Maybe we can hold a birthday party around this time next year."

"Yes!" Li Xian bowed slightly. It was the mourning period for his father now, so it would not be a good idea to make a big fuss about any happy event.

"Just because it can't be done in the palace doesn't mean it can't be done outside the palace." Empress Wu rolled her eyes at Li Xian and said, "Decree that the Crown Prince's Concubine is pregnant, and the curfew in Luoyang City will be lifted for one day."

"Yes!" Pei Yan bowed without any hesitation.

Although the emperor was still in mourning and could not celebrate, all officials in the court and the country had already taken off their mourning clothes.

They can celebrate with the people.

Even if it's to make up for not being able to have a good New Year.

"Thank you, mother." Li Xian breathed a sigh of relief, and then continued, "Mother, since Zheng is pregnant, I want to bring her to the palace to take care of her nearby. I am a little worried if she continues to stay in the East Palace."

Although Li Xian ascended the throne, the late emperor had not been buried after all, and he had only conferred titles on the empress and the crown prince.

Even the second son has not been canonized, let alone the other prince's concubines and prince's concubines, who are still living in the Eastern Palace.

But Zheng's situation was different. After all, she was pregnant with the emperor's child.

"Okay!" Empress Wu nodded directly and said, "Let's go to Guanwen Hall. It's closer to Huiyou Hall, and I can go there occasionally."

"Thank you, mother!" Li Xian smiled happily.

Li Xuan stood aside, his eyes gently sweeping across Wei's ugly face. He knew that a storm was bound to come.

Guanwen Hall is located on the west side of Zhenguan Hall and is the closest hall to Zhenguan Hall.

In the Tang Dynasty, the left was respected.

Undoubtedly, the Empress is the most honorable besides Empress Wu, however, Zheng will be the most honorable besides Wei.

Once the late emperor is buried, Zheng will inevitably become the first of the four noble concubines.

The other two families, Gao and Yang, have no children, so they can only rank after Zheng.

Moreover, in terms of family background, even Yangpin, who was born in Hongnong Yang clan, might not be able to compare with Zheng's legitimate daughter. The future of Zheng clan might even bring a huge threat to Wei clan.

"Also, Zheng Xuankai, the Sima of Daizhou, has been transferred to the position of Shaoqing of Sinong Temple. He will be closer to the imperial palace, so we can visit him at any time." Empress Wu nodded with satisfaction.

"Thank you, mother." Li Xian smiled happily.

Pei Yan, who was standing aside, could only bow helplessly.

When the emperor and Empress Wu stood together, Pei Yan could only take a step back.

At this time, Li Xuan noticed that Empress Wei's face became increasingly gloomy.

"By the way, is there anyone in the palace who is free and suitable to take care of Zheng?" Empress Wu raised her head and looked at Qiu Huan.

Qiu Huan hesitated for a moment, and a name popped up in his mind. He then bowed to Empress Wu and said, "Empress, Xu Lu, the Junior Supervisor of the Eastern Palace, is still looking after the Eastern Palace. He is an old man from the time when he was filial to the emperor, and he has been serving in the Eastern Palace all this time."

Empress Wu immediately understood what Qiu Huan meant. Although Xu Lu had always been the junior eunuch of the Eastern Palace, he had never been valued in the Eastern Palace by Li Xian and Li Xian. It would be most appropriate for such a person to be with Zheng.

Empress Wu smiled, looked up at Li Xian, and asked, "Your Majesty, what do you think?"

Li Xian finally managed to think of Xu Lu's figure in his mind. When he heard Empress Wu say this, he nodded subconsciously and said, "Yes!"

Li Xuan was listening at the side, the corners of his mouth twitched involuntarily, but his expression calmed down in an instant.

"Okay, you guys handle the rest of the matters. I will not be involved in them anymore." Empress Wu stood up and walked out of the palace.

"Your son respectfully sees you off, mother." Li Xian hurriedly followed and saw Empress Wu off.

The queen hesitated for a moment, and was a step behind when she caught up.

"Congratulations, Queen." Li Xuan's voice came from behind.

As soon as Empress Wei walked out of the Zhenguan Hall, she stopped, squinted her eyes, and turned to look at Li Xuan.

Li Xuan bowed slightly and said softly: "The late emperor had many sons and was blessed, Your Majesty has many sons and is blessed, and the Crown Prince will surely have many sons and be blessed in the future."

Empress Wei's eyes suddenly jumped, and then she looked at Wu Sansi who was standing not far behind Li Xuan. She immediately understood Li Xuan's intention.

"Thank you, Uncle Wang." Empress Wei nodded.

"The Queen needs to take care of herself. The Queen's health is before Concubine Zheng's." Li Xuan bowed solemnly.

Empress Wei smiled and nodded, then quickly followed forward, and finally sent Empress Wu back to Huiyou Palace.

Feeling relaxed.

……

"Your Highness is truly thoughtful." Wu Sansi sighed as he walked up from the back.

"Your Excellency is too kind. In fact, you and I are the same now. Our positions are now tied." Li Xuan glanced at Wu Sansi and shook his head calmly.

Wu Sansi nodded solemnly.

Li Xuan is now the Prince's Guardian, and Wu Sansi is the Prince's Household Manager. They are both the people closest to the Prince.

Li Xuan was fine, as he had a special status. He was half the prince's teacher and the prince's great-uncle. He had been guarding the local area for many years. However, Wu Sansi was the prince's cousin, and the position of Secretary-General was the position closest to the emperor.

His relationship as a secretary to the crown prince is inseparable.

Wu Sansi's face was slightly ugly. Li Xuan smiled and cupped his hands, then said, "I will be leaving Luoyang soon. I'll have to trouble the housekeeper to take care of the prince's affairs."

"Your Highness." Wu Sansi could only bow helplessly.

Li Xuan walked down the Zhenguan Hall with a smile.

At this time, Li Xian had returned from Huiyou Palace. He looked at Li Xuan and Wu Sansi and said, "Uncle Wang, cousin, please go and bring Concubine Zheng to the palace."

"Yes!" Li Xuan and Wu Sansi bowed and accepted the order at the same time.

……

Standing in front of the Mingli Hall of the Eastern Palace, Li Xuan and Wu Sansi watched Xu Lu direct the palace servants to move Zheng, her close palace servants, and all their personal belongings out of the Eastern Palace.

Li Xuan's expression became solemn.

Empress Wu arranged for Zheng to enter the palace, obviously intending to sow discord between Zheng and Wei.

He had a feeling that this matter was not over yet.

Li Xuan looked towards the depths of the harem. Gao was okay, always quiet, but Yang might not be so quiet.

If it were Li Xuan, he would stir up conflicts between Zheng and the Queen, then really target Yang, and then completely detonate Li Xian's harem.

Once Li Xian's attention was completely drawn back to the harem and he neglected the court, it would not be long before Li Xian was deposed.

Watching Zheng and a group of palace maids walking away, the palace maid who landed not far from Zheng was Ye Wanwan.

Ye Wanwan and Xu Lu have both officially entered the palace.

Li Xuan could not interfere in Li Xian's harem disputes, and he couldn't even intervene too much.

The only thing he could do was to find a way to calm Zheng down and avoid Empress Wei.

Turning around and looking at Wu Sansi, Li Xuan smiled and said, "Mr. Jun, let's go together."

"Okay!" Wu Sansi nodded calmly and said, "Okay."

……

Walking out of the East Palace, Li Xuan looked up at the gate tower of the East Palace, where dozens of soldiers were guarding solemnly.

Seeing Li Xuan looking at them, all the generals bowed their heads solemnly at the same time.

The Prince's Guardian is responsible for protecting the safety of the Prince.

These people happened to be Li Xuan's subordinates.

It’s a pity that Li Xuan has only done this once since Li Xian ascended the throne.

Walking on the palace road, Li Xuan looked at Wu Sansi and said with a smile: "County Lord, do you have any idea of ​​marrying His Majesty? I heard that your son is only two years old."

Wu Sansi was slightly stunned, not knowing what Li Xuan meant.

(End of this chapter)