Li Chengqian of the Tang Dynasty: Please say long live His Majesty

Chapter 531 Wu Mei Niang Did Not Go to Ganye Temple (Part )
In the Lizheng Hall, Li Chengqian was half-sitting on the bed, his body leaning in Su Shu's arms.

His eyes looked towards the central hall, where Wu Meiniang, dressed in a pink skirt, was playing with Princess Ankang.

Occasionally he glanced towards the inner hall, with an unfamiliar caution in his eyes.

Li Chengqian withdrew his gaze and looked at Su Shu behind him, muttering softly, "In my eyes, a prosperous era is naturally one where all nations come to pay tribute, with banners covering the sky, camel bells ringing, and merchant ships fully loaded. But it also requires that every household has enough food for the three autumns and no worries all year round... Only when the smoke from the stove warms the thatched cottage can we see the stars under the imperial crown."

"Your Majesty is so benevolent and virtuous that I'm afraid there are not many saintly kings throughout history who can compare to you." Su Shu pressed her hands on both sides of Li Chengqian's temples and responded softly.

"There are still some." Li Chengqian smiled and said, "Just from my count, I can count three people: Emperor Wen of Han, Emperor Ming of Han, and my father."

There was no Emperor Wu of Han and no Emperor Wen of Sui.

"Emperor Wen of Han was benevolent and loved his people. He governed the country with great care. It's no exaggeration to call him the people's parent." After a brief pause, Li Chengqian looked up and said, "As for Emperor Ming of Han, although he was harsh in his administration, he often targeted relatives and powerful families. He also provided relief to poor farmers and built water conservancy projects. His administration was clean and honest, the people were stable, and the country was strong. The so-called glorious Han Dynasty was feared by all nations."

"Your Majesty actually hopes to emulate Emperor Ming of Han the most?" Su Shu understood the meaning of Li Chengqian's words.

"It's difficult. It would be enough if I could emulate Emperor Ming of Han even a little bit." Li Chengqian sighed softly, then shook his head and said, "I know myself best.

I long for peace and prosperity in the world, and for clean governance, so I don't mind resorting to tactics that others might see as cold and heartless, or even sinister and vicious. Sometimes my words aren't always so pleasant to the ears, and I often embarrass those who do."

"Your Majesty is still young, so naturally he's not that mature yet." Su Shu gently hugged Li Chengqian and said, "Perhaps in two years, he'll be much better."

"Haha!" Li Chengqian smiled and said, "Most of the court officials left behind by my father are virtuous and capable. What I really can't stand are those middle and lower-level officials who collude with local aristocratic families and oppress the people. Some of them do things so crudely and disgustingly that when they are caught, they still have the nerve to plead for mercy."

"People like this, and those who plead for them, are not good people." Su Shu looked up and nodded in agreement.

"The Queen is right." Li Chengqian smiled with satisfaction and said, "Let's talk about the harem. How is the harem being arranged and cleaned up now?"

"Your Majesty's Ganlu Palace has been cleared out. The other two, Yanjia Palace, are the residences of the Imperial Concubine, and Shujing Palace is the residence of the Imperial Concubine. However, Your Majesty is used to the Imperial Concubine living in Wanchun Palace and the Imperial Concubine living in Daji Palace, so they will live here. However, Yanjia Palace and Shujing Palace must also be reserved for them."

"The Queen is so generous!" Li Chengqian raised his head and looked at Su Shu with satisfaction, then shook his head and said, "Although I am used to living in Wanchun Palace and Daji Palace, I actually want the Crown Prince and his brothers to have a better relationship, so I let them live closer."

"I think so too." Su Shu nodded in agreement. It would be good for the world if brothers could live in harmony and have fewer disputes.

"But, after careful consideration, I still feel that this is somewhat inappropriate." Li Chengqian sighed and said, "In the future, there will actually be only one person who can truly compete with Xiang'er."

"Jue'er!" Su Shu's face turned pale.

Li Xiang and Li Jue were slightly older than the other scholars, and they would build up their power much earlier than others.

Therefore, the only person who could truly compete with Li Xiang was Li Jue.

However, Li Xiang was a legitimate son, and Li Jue was also a legitimate son, both sons of Li Chengqian and Su Shu.

The palms and backs of my hands are full of flesh!

If the two of them were to fight, even Su Shu would be in trouble.

"They are used to hanging out with the other princes. Not only will they become estranged from their own brothers, but they will also form cliques because of this. Therefore, I think it is better to let Shuang'er and Wei'er go to Yanjia Palace and Shujing Palace respectively. In the future, Jiu'er and Shan'er will leave the palace and keep a normal distance from the prince."

"Yes!" Su Shu nodded quickly and said, "Your Majesty is right."

Li Chengqian smiled, shook Su Shu's hand, and said, "Wanchun Hall was originally where the Queen received guests. Because my father was here, Shuang'er was allowed to live in Wanchun Hall. Now that Wanchun Hall is vacant, let's restore it to its original purpose."

"Your Majesty, if you feel tired sometimes, should you just go back to Ganlu Palace?" Su Shu pondered for a moment, then shook her head and said, "In my opinion, someone still needs to live in Wanchun Palace, so let Yiniang stay there."

Li Chengqian looked up in surprise.

Su Shu said, "The only outsiders I can receive are some of my family members, as well as the princesses and consorts of various families. Yiniang is not only my cousin, but also the daughter of my aunt Nanchang and the daughter of a princess. She can get along well with both the princesses and consorts of various families."

"What about the ladies of other meritorious officials' families?"

"Isn't there still Daji Hall?" Su Shu smiled and said, "Let's leave Daji Hall empty. It's just right for people who come to the palace in the future and they can stay in Daji Hall."

"Yeah!" Li Chengqian relaxed again.

Su Shu continued, "Jingde Hall, Qinxian Hall, and Linhu Hall will all be left empty for now, waiting for someone to come."

In Li Chengqian's harem, the positions of Concubine De, Concubine Xian, and Zhaoyi, the head of the nine concubines, were all empty.

"Concubine Zhang is Zhaorong and lives in Xianchi Palace, Yi'er is Zhaoyuan and lives in Wanchun Palace, Lan'er is Xiuyi and lives in Guanyun Palace, and Luan'er is Xiurong and lives in Ningyun Palace." Su Shu looked down at Li Chengqian and said, "Your Majesty has not yet favored the women of the six families of Wei, Pei, Xue, Liu, Yang, and Du. They all live in Shanchi Courtyard, Jiashou Palace, Heyu Palace, Xiangsi Courtyard, Ningyin Palace, and Jingfu Palace. There are still a few large palaces left, and they will be decided when Your Majesty has new wives in the future."

The emperor's harem consisted of more than twenty large palaces and courtyards. For example, the last emperor had four concubines, nine imperial concubines, imperial concubines, beauties, and talented women, but that was the total. The remaining concubines, imperial maids, and court ladies all lived in smaller pavilions.

Li Chengqian nodded and said, "The Queen has made arrangements, and I am very relieved."

"Oh, there's also a Princess Tianzhu." Su Shu suddenly looked up and said, "I originally thought that Princess Tianzhu was taken into the harem by my father, but I didn't expect that my father hasn't even met her, or even given her any title. She has been kept in the Shenlong Palace ever since. Your Majesty, what do you think of her?"

"Tianzhu?" Li Chengqian suddenly walked up and said seriously, "I almost forgot about Tianzhu."

Ever since Wang Xuance caused a big disturbance in Tianzhu, it has been actively seeking support from the Tang Dynasty, but there have been a lot of things happening in the court during this year.

First, Li Shimin abdicated, then Li Chengqian ascended the throne, and then he was busy with the Fengshan ceremony in Songshan. Later, Li Shimin took elixir, then he lost his memory, and finally he died of illness and had his funeral. It was busy back and forth for a long time.

Li Chengqian really didn't have time to deal with the affairs of Tianzhu.

"Is it troublesome?" Su Shu looked at Li Chengqian worriedly.

Li Chengqian shook his head, then lay down again and said, "It's okay. Wang Xuance has been transferred to the Anxi Protectorate as Sima. He will take care of the affairs of Tianzhu. I am wondering what role Tianzhu can play in the battle to destroy Tubo."

"Is Tianzhu useful?"

"Yes!" Li Chengqian nodded and said, "India can distract Tubo's attention, so that when I march east, they will focus on India and dare not do anything to the Tang Dynasty. As for the future, India is nothing more than a few elephants that the Tibetans will transport to Tubo as a weapon to defend against Tang Dynasty attacks."

Li Chengqian lowered his head and said, "It's okay, though. Elephants have inherent weaknesses, and Wang Xuance has a way to restrain them... It's good, at least it gives Tubo some false hope."

Su Shu didn't understand what Li Chengqian was saying. She just said suddenly, "In that case, Your Majesty must take Princess Tianzhu into the harem, or I will issue an order."

"No need." Li Chengqian held Su Shu's hand and said, "We can discuss this matter next year. Besides, this matter is a major matter in the court. If I tell my uncle and the others, they won't object. I won't have to let the queen take the blame for me."

"This is not the first or second time that I have taken the blame for Your Majesty." Su Shu gave Li Chengqian a light look.

Li Chengqian smiled and said, "Let's let the Tianzhu Princess learn more etiquette in the palace. The Tianzhu people's custom of wearing jade ornaments on their faces is okay for a while, but if she sees it too much, I really don't like it."

"Yes!" Su Shu nodded with a smile. The customs of other ethnic groups are just for fun.

Li Chengqian's expression turned serious. He glanced at Wu Meiniang in the middle hall and said, "Be more careful of her on weekdays."

"Three generations later, there is a prophecy that Wu will replace Tang. Could it really be her?" The smile on Su Shu's face has disappeared.

Li Chengqian sighed softly and said, "Perhaps, but no matter what, this Concubine Wu is not an easy person to deal with. I don't really want her to stay in Lizheng Palace. If she hurts the Queen, Xiang'er and the others, it will be troublesome."

"Your Majesty, rest assured." Su Shu lowered her head and said, "I always have someone by my side. Xiang'er and the others have to go to Zhaode Hall to study every day. When they come back, I will let Wu Jieyu go back. At most, she will stay with Fuchang'er for a while. In the future, if Fuchang'er has a headache or fever, I will let her not come to Lizheng Hall for half a month. As for more than that, I don't believe she wants to die."

Li Chengqian raised his head, looked at Su Shu's stern expression, and nodded slightly.

Since her father passed away, Su Shu has gradually begun to act more and more like a queen.

The queen commands the harem.

She could easily deal with a concubine of the previous emperor.

She was using Wu Meiniang to gain experience.

"Be careful. Have servants taste your food more often. Also be careful with the sachets and silverware you use." After a brief pause, Li Chengqian said, "Go ask Zhang Ananda about the tactics used in the harem when your father was alive. Be on guard against them."

"I understand, but I think she won't dare to do anything for a long time. After all, she is the late emperor's concubine. If she wants to stay in the palace safely, she needs a backer, and I am that backer." Su Shu looked at Li Chengqian and said, "Your Majesty's concubines are all docile. If they can't make trouble, then she can't make trouble either."

Li Chengqian smiled lightly, but sighed in his heart.

If he had not made arrangements in advance to make Wu Meiniang a concubine of the late emperor and kept her in the palace, confirming her status as the late emperor's concubine, otherwise, once she entered the palace and became a nun in Ganye Temple, according to Buddhism, all her past would be cut off, and then she might really have entered the harem as his concubine in the future.

The Wu Meiniang at that time was the terrifying Wu Meiniang who killed people everywhere.

"If I wasn't worried about releasing her and letting a tiger back into the mountains, and if I wasn't worried about killing her and the prophecy being transferred to others, I would probably do it even if it would be unfair to my father." Li Chengqian sighed lightly.

"If you kill her, Your Majesty, who do you think the prophecy will be transferred to?" Su Shu asked curiously.

"It should be the King of Wu, but it could be someone else." Li Chengqian shook his head slightly and said in confusion, "As for the others, I don't know."

Although fate is said to be nothing to be feared, it is still something to be wary of.

(End of this chapter)