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

Chapter 691 The Secret Clash Between Wu Meiniang and Helan Minyue (Second Update)
The yellow-canopied carriage emerged from Yanxi Gate, escorted by imperial guards on both sides and accompanied by palace eunuchs in front and behind, as the group slowly made their way towards Changlefang.

Wu Meiniang leaned against the carriage, her gaze peering out through the swaying curtain.

There weren't many pedestrians on either side of the long street, and when they faced Wu Zetian and her entourage, they would simply step back slightly and then curtsy.

Wu Meiniang knew in her heart that these people were actually servants and slaves from various princely residences in the vicinity.

To the east of the palace is Yongchang Ward, which is entirely the territory of the royal family.

The Prince Yong's Mansion is located here.

Of the emperor's sons, only the crown prince and the Prince of Yong reached adulthood. The crown prince lived in the Eastern Palace, while the Prince of Yong lived in his mansion in Yongchangfang after his wedding.

As for the other emperors' brothers, although they were mostly stationed here in the early years, most of them moved to Fuxing and Anding Sifang on the west side of the palace after the emperor ascended the throne.

After all, this place will be the future residence of the emperor's sons.

Wu Meiniang couldn't help but sigh softly. Ever since the emperor returned to Chang'an, Wu Meiniang had never seen Xu Hui again.

They did not see the emperor either.

Of course, this was because the emperor had only been back in Chang'an for a few days, and with the change of officials in the court, he had no time to deal with matters in the inner palace.

However, the emperor treated her quite well.

The residence in Chang Le Fang was an outer residence bestowed upon Wu Zetian by the emperor after he ascended the throne.

However, Wu Meiniang mainly lived in the palace, and it was not easy to enter or leave the palace, so it was basically Wu Meiniang's sister Wu Shun and her family who lived there.

Later, Guo Xiaoshen of Taiyuan was exiled to his death, and Wu Meiniang's younger sister, Wu Yi, moved there.

With her daughters still alive in Chang'an, Yang moved here to spend more time with them and less time with the Yang family.

Especially after Helan Minyue entered the palace as a concubine.

Wu Meiniang turned to look at Helan Minyue, who was lingering over the street scene. Helan Minyue was wearing a white ruqun with pear blossoms and stamens, had a plump figure, and had a pure look in her eyes and a carefree smile on her face.

Wu Meiniang sighed inwardly. Although Minyue had entered the palace, she had not yet experienced the cruelty within.

……

In the main hall, Wu Meiniang and Helan Minyue simultaneously bowed to Yang Shi to wish her a happy birthday.

Although Wu Zetian was a concubine in the palace, she was a concubine of the late emperor, so she did not need to strictly abide by certain rules.

Although Helan Minyue entered the palace, she was merely a palace maid.

Lady Yang was the wife of the Duke of Yingshan, a first-rank official, far superior to Helan Minyue, a concubine who had not yet been favored by the emperor.

"I've long heard that His Majesty's palace is governed by strict rules, but I never imagined it would be this strict." Madam Yang held Helan Minyue's hand, her eyes filled with tenderness.

Wu Meiniang's gaze swept across the entire courtyard. Although it was Yang's 80th birthday today, there weren't many guests. There were only some of Yang's relatives who had been with the Yang family for many years, as well as Wu Meiniang's family.

Wu Yuanqing did not come. He was the Prefect of Chenzhou. The spring planting season was in full swing in the region, and His Majesty was conducting a thorough inspection, so Wu Yuanqing did not rush back.

However, when Wu Yuanshuang arrived, he wisely stood in a corner to the side, remaining quiet and silent.

Helan Minzhi also stood quietly beside his mother, Wu Shun. Although young, he already had a handsome and dashing appearance.

Wu Meiniang turned to look at Yang Shi and said in a low voice, "The Empress has always been in charge of the inner palace. If the Empress doesn't like a concubine, she will be immediately driven out of the palace, and His Majesty will not agree to it. As for Minyue, she is still young. It is not a bad thing for her to stay by the Empress's side for a while longer."

Madam Yang nodded slightly, then asked, "Last year, there was a rumor that His Majesty was going to bestow titles of Virtuous Consort and De Consort, but why has there been no further news?"

"That's because the Empress suddenly became pregnant and then wanted to perform the Fengshan ceremony at Mount Tai, so His Majesty put it aside. However, I think His Majesty will restart it soon." Wu Meiniang nodded thoughtfully.

"Then, Meiniang, do you think Minyue has a chance?" Madam Yang gently grasped Wu Meiniang's wrist, her expression earnest and concerned.

With that one sentence, everyone in the hall fell silent.

Consort Xian and Consort De, Helan Minyue?
Wu Meiniang looked at her mother, Lady Yang, and said, “Mother, if it were the two Consorts Yang, there might still be some chance, but Minyue… Mother, His Majesty has just conferred the titles of Consort Xian and Consort De, and family background is a very important consideration. The Helan family is probably not enough. Of course, it’s not that there is no chance at all. During the reign of the late Emperor, Consort Zheng rose step by step from a lowly concubine to a Consort Xian.”

The emperor's harem was not so stable; some died of illness, while others were demoted for various reasons.

Just like Li You's mother, Consort Yin, and Xu Hui.

Wu Meiniang's eyes turned slightly cold, but soon she raised her head slightly and looked at Helan Minyue to the side, whose face was full of disappointment.

"In matters like this, the Empress's word should carry weight," said Lady Yang, glancing at Helan Minyue as well. "Minyue is currently by the Empress's side; if the Empress insists on making Minyue one of the four consorts..."

“Mother,” Wu Meiniang sighed softly, “The affairs of the inner palace have always been related to the previous dynasty. If the Helan family can provide assistance to the previous dynasty, His Majesty may relent.”

Lady Yang understood; in such matters, the emperor was ultimately the one who made the final decision.

The Empress did not have much of a decisive role in the matter of the four concubines.

“However, if the Empress dotes on Minyue, perhaps Minyue can start from a higher level, skipping the rank of Cairen and starting directly as Meiren.” Wu Meiniang looked at Helan Minyue, her expression softening.

"Yes!" Helan Minyue bowed her head and curtsied, her face full of expectation, but a trace of resentment flashed in her eyes.

Wu Meiniang leaned closer to Madam Yang and whispered, "Mother and Minyue are having a chat. Meiniang has something to discuss with Second Brother." "Alright!" Madam Yang nodded, but looked at Wu Yuanshuang with a surprised expression.

……

In the west wing, Wu Meiniang sat on a short couch, looking at the somewhat reserved Wu Yuanshuang before her, and asked indifferently, "I heard that my second brother is running the trade route from Chang'an to Tibet?"

Wu Yuanshuang carefully cupped his hands and said, "Our family's trade routes in the northern desert are blocked. We can only rely on the Su family and take a little trade with Tibet."

The trade route from the Tang Dynasty to Tibet was long and treacherous, and ordinary people dared not travel it.

Only families with powerful and influential backgrounds can leverage the military's influence to advance along this path.
After all, Princess Wencheng was the Grand Consort of Tibet, and she still held some prestige in Lhasa.

The Wu family was able to attach itself to the Su family thanks to Wu Yuanqing's effective efforts in clearing out hidden households and land in Chenzhou, which enabled them to establish a connection with the Su family.

Wu Meiniang nodded and asked, "I wonder how much Second Brother knows about the Xu family of Huzhou, and which places their trade routes pass through?"

"Huzhou, the Xu family?" Wu Yuanshuang glanced at Wu Meiniang cautiously, then said in a low voice, "The trade routes of the Jiangnan aristocratic families mostly pass through Pingrang, and they have no connection with Tibet."

“No, that’s in the past.” Wu Meiniang shook her head and said, “Starting this year, that road won’t be able to accommodate too many people, and Xu Shi will be squeezed out.”

Although Xu had a concubine named Xu Yi in the palace, the Xu family was just a small and insignificant family in the entire Jiangnan region.

The Xiao family, the Zhang family, the Lu family, the Gu family—which one isn't stronger than the Xu family?

Not to mention the powerful clans of Guanzhong and the aristocratic families of Hedong, who also devoted their efforts to maritime trade with Pingrang.

Now that the court's schemes in the three kingdoms of the Eastern Islands have taken shape, and the three kingdoms are about to turn into a chaotic mess, it would be strange if the Xu family were not squeezed out.

"Yes!" Wu Yuanshuang nodded, but looked even more bewildered.

“The road to Andong won’t be quiet for years, so the Xu family has to find another route, either the Silk Road or the route to Tibet.” Wu Meiniang shook her head and said, “The Silk Road is restricted by the Guanzhong aristocracy and will not allow the Xu family to interfere. Therefore, the only route he can take is the trade route to Tibet.”

Wu Yuanshuang lowered his head and asked, "Consort, what do you need me to do?"

"Don't do anything in Chang'an. Too many people are watching. In Luoxie, have your people, without using your own name, introduce all your connections in Luoxie to the Xu family and have them intensify their operations there." Wu Meiniang gave Wu Yuanshuang a deep look.

Wu Yuanshuang was completely confused at this moment. He didn't know what Wu Meiniang was trying to do.
At this moment, Wu Meiniang suddenly stood up and calmly walked past Wu Yuanshuang.

Wu Yuanshuang stopped breathing.

At this moment, Wu Meiniang calmly said, "In the next three years, Second Brother, you should start gradually taking over the Tibetan merchants. By then, Pyongyang should be completely quiet."

Wu Yuanshuang was stunned and stood there lost in thought, not even noticing when Wu Meiniang had completely left.

Suddenly, Wu Yuanshuang shivered.

Tibet is about to go to war.

……

Wu Meiniang walked out of the side room and immediately saw Helan Minyue laughing and talking with Wu Shun and Wu Yi.

She walked over with a smile and asked, "What are you talking about?"

Helan Minyue bowed subconsciously and said, "It's some interesting stuff from the palace."

Wu Meiniang nodded and said, "These things are best left to the family to discuss. Elder sister and third sister, don't spread them around, or Minyue will be in trouble."

"Yes!" Wu Yi's expression changed slightly, and then she curtsied gently.

Wu Shun rolled her eyes at Wu Meiniang, then looked at Wu Yi and said seriously, "Third Sister, several families have recently come to propose marriage for you. What do you think?"

Wu Yi is the youngest of the three sisters and also the most beautiful, but she is also the most timid.

Her face paled slightly, and she said in a low voice, "Elder sister, I don't want to get married so soon."

Wu Yi has no children and is now basically supported by her maternal family.

Wu Zetian was at a loss for words.

“If you want to stay at home, then stay,” Helan Minyue suddenly said with a smile. “Why should you wrong yourself in this life? Besides, you are still young and as beautiful as a flower.”

Wu Meiniang suddenly looked up, somewhat surprised, at Helan Minyue.

He Lanminyue smiled sweetly.

Wu Meiniang's fingers involuntarily began to twitch.

Turning around, Wu Meiniang looked at Helan Minzhi to the side and calmly asked, "Minzhi, it's time for you to enter officialdom, right? Have you decided how you're going to leave?"

Helan Minzhi was taken aback. He didn't know how the conversation had turned to him, so he quickly said in a low voice, "My nephew is preparing to take the imperial examination. It will start next year. Perhaps in three years, His Majesty will have the opportunity during the palace examination."

“Very well, entering officialdom through the imperial examination is certainly easier.” After saying that, Wu Meiniang looked at Helan Minyue and said calmly, “Minyue, we should return to the palace.”

He Lanminyue lowered her head: "Yes!"

(End of this chapter)