Tang Dynasty Puppet Doctor

Chapter 92: Submitting Evidence, the Sacred Heart is Unpredictable

In the following days, the city of Luoyang was still filled with the sound of horse hooves, and countless Qianniu Guards and Jinwu Guards were traveling back and forth between the streets. The order to clean up the streets had made the officials and people of Luoyang City so frightened that they were like frightened birds, and they all hid in their homes and dared not come out again.

Rumors in Luoyang City about several court ministers plotting treason and Chief Censor Xiao Muchen fleeing for fear of punishment were already spreading like wildfire. Gradually, these rumors also reached the ears of Empress Wu Zetian.

Wu Chengsi has repeatedly requested that the property of dozens of ministers including Cen Changqian and Ge Fuyuan be confiscated and they be executed, but the empress's attitude remains ambiguous, leaving the ministers to speculate on their own.

In the Ziwei Palace, the empress, who had just rested, looked at the desk that was once again filled with memorials and could not help but stroke her forehead again.

"Wan'er, Zicheng still hasn't been found, right?"

"Yes! I heard that Sheyue Jun has searched the entire Luoyang City, even the Princess Taiping's residence, but he has not found Xiao Zhongcheng again."

"I haven't seen him these days, and I miss him a little. After all, he is the child I nurtured and raised. If he were gone, it would be a great pity." The empress sighed and asked the female official beside her, "Wan'er, what do you think of these court officials' rebellion?"

Shangguan Wan'er was slightly surprised and said, "The character of the ministers in the court is under the control of the Sage. Wan'er firmly believes that the Sage has made a clear judgment and dares not have any superficial opinions."

"You! I still say the same thing. Don't try to smooth things over with me. Tell the truth. I don't blame you!"

Wan'er bowed and said, "Wan'er heard that although those letters of treason came from various places and their contents were almost identical, it's not ruled out that someone deliberately gathered a group of people to report them together. Furthermore, the handwriting on the letter Lai Junchen found in Xiao Zhongcheng's mansion that day doesn't seem entirely like Xiao Zhongcheng's."

"Oh, show it again!"

"Here!" Shangguan Wan'er responded, taking the letter out of the puppet again and handing it to the empress. She then compared it with a memorial written by Xiao Muchen. "Although Xiao Zhongcheng's handwriting bears the style of the Two Wangs, it also has its own unique character. It's like a dragon slithering through the wind and rain, ink stained with clouds and mist swirling between fingers. While the handwriting on this secret letter bears the style of the Two Wangs, it resembles Xiao Zhongcheng's handwriting in form, but it lacks their style and charm."

"You mean someone deliberately imitated their handwriting to accuse them of treason?"

"Wan'er simply noticed something strange about the handwriting on this secret letter found in Xiao Zhongcheng's mansion, and that's why she had this humble opinion."

"Wan'er is well-versed in poetry and literature, and possesses considerable talent similar to her father. How could I not trust you? However, I heard that Prime Minister Cen's son has already confessed that his father has a powerful army and is conspiring with several ministers to rebel."

"Your Majesty, under severe punishment, there will inevitably be confusion..." Having said this, Shangguan Wan'er saw the empress's gaze and quickly shut up.

As the empress read Xiao Muchen's secret letter, she seemed to have noticed something. She remained silent for a long while. At this moment, someone outside announced, "Your Majesty, Princess Taiping requests an audience!"

"Taiping, why is she here?" The empress smiled, "Let her in!"

"Here!"

After a while, Taiping, wearing a peony-colored silk gown with a cross collar, walked in and bowed to the empress, saying, "Your son greets the Queen Mother. May the Queen be well."

The empress looked at her daughter, whom she had spoiled since childhood, and thought of the only conflict between mother and daughter was the death of Xue Shao. Although the relationship between mother and daughter was restored later, Taiping's attitude towards her as a mother had obviously become much more cautious. It was not until half a month ago that she brought a male favorite to her that the two seemed to have put aside their grudges and talked about many topics.

"Taiping, what good news do you have that you came to see me today?"

Taiping smiled and said, "I do have some good news. I recently obtained a calligraphy piece that depicts all aspects of life. I think it's comparable to the paintings of Gu Kaizhi, a famous artist from the Eastern Jin Dynasty. So I'd like to invite you to come and see it."

"Oh, then take it out and have a look!"

Taiping responded with a "yes," and then had two palace maids slowly unroll a long scroll painted by Murong Huan and present it to the empress. When the empress's eyes caught it and read it from beginning to end, her expression gradually turned from surprise to gloom.

Shangguan Wan'er's expression gradually darkened, and she looked at the empress with some worry.

The hall suddenly became extremely quiet, even to the point of being eerie, and even the hands of the two palace maids began to tremble.

Suddenly, the empress asked in a cold voice, "Taiping, Zicheng asked you to bring this painting to me, right? Zicheng is in your princess's residence right now, right?"

"Mother..." Taiping immediately knelt down. "To be honest, Zicheng was indeed at my residence a few days ago, but Wulingyue brought the inner guards to search my residence. Zicheng was afraid of implicating me, so he left."

"Where is he now?"

"I don't know, but the Qianniu Guards, Jinwu Guards, and Luoyang officials are everywhere in Luoyang City searching for them. I think they will be able to capture him soon, right? But..."

"Just what?"

“Zicheng once told his son that he was unable to prove his treason, but if he could do this one more thing for the saint before he died, he would die without regrets.

The Queen Mother once issued an edict to reduce taxes and levies and alleviate labor service, which was originally for the benefit of the people of the world. However, some people advocated the will of the saint while selling official positions and accepting bribes. This undoubtedly undermined the saint's benevolence and wisdom.

The White Horse Temple had been exploiting the people for a long time. During this period, the monks did not pay taxes, but instead seized other people's land and engaged in some shady businesses.

I beg you, Queen Mother, to give Zicheng this chance and let him get to the bottom of this matter."

After Taiping finished speaking, the empress looked stern and the palace was silent for a long time again. In this extremely tense atmosphere, the two palace maids were signaled by the empress to retreat.

In the entire hall, only the Empress, Taiping and Shangguan Wan'er were left.

"Taiping, do you know why I allowed Lai Junchen to arrest and imprison these dozens of court officials?"

Taiping was puzzled.

The empress said, "I have been on the throne for a year, but even now, more than half of the people in the court still support the Li family. I do not want to kill them, but I want to destroy their hearts. I want to make those who are ready to support the Li Tang Dynasty give up this idea from now on. Do you understand?"

Taiping suddenly realized that her mother was also very clear in her heart. She also believed that people like Di Renjie and Xiao Muchen would not rebel, but she wanted to use Lai Junchen's notoriety to create this terrifying atmosphere, so that those ministers who still had second thoughts about her would be loyal to Wu from then on.

"Yes, I understand!"

After Taiping finished speaking, the empress threw a token into her hand and said, "Give this to Zicheng, he will understand what I mean."

"Here!"

"I originally wanted to build a Dayun Temple in Chang'an and Luoyang, but was opposed by court officials like Cen Changqian. In that case, I will go to the White Horse Temple in three days and listen to the monks chanting!"

Taiping was overjoyed when he heard this: "Yes! I am willing to go with you!"

(End of this chapter)