Tang Dynasty, my wife Wu Zetian

Chapter 20 Empress Wu's Warning
While things were changing outside the palace, there was also a new situation inside the palace.

First, Xu Jin and Liu were officially canonized as the Nine Concubines.

The specific canonization is not a matter of will.

The matters involved were quite complicated, and the Ministry of Rites was required to prepare the imperial edict and the imperial seal, and appoint an envoy to confer the title. The envoy would be dressed in official uniform, prepared with a procession and drums, and would wait outside the palace gate one day in advance, facing north. The next day, he would go to the palace with a special authority to read the imperial edict and the imperial seal.

After being enthroned, both became the masters of a palace and had many influences outside the palace.

For example, when Xu Jin was canonized as Chongrong, Li Yifu submitted a memorial and summoned Xu Jin's father, Xu Xiaode, to the court to serve as the Minister of Personnel.

Li Zhi approved it.

Liu was canonized as a concubine, and according to court regulations, her family would also receive favors.

Liu was born into a family of palace maids. Her parents came from poor families, not even from humble backgrounds. She had two younger brothers, one of whom worked as a helper in a government office, and the other was a scoundrel who was addicted to gambling.

According to the old system, the Ministry of Rites submitted a memorial to grant the Liu family a mansion, 500,000 coins, 100 pieces of cloth, and various living expenses.

Li Zhi also agreed.

Li Zhong was demoted to King of Chen and opened a government office in Chang'an. He personally submitted a petition, hoping to bring his two uncles to the government office to serve as chief clerks.

This time, Li Zhi did not agree. He ordered that Liu's younger brother, who worked as a helper, could study at the Imperial College, and that his younger brother, who gambled, could be sent to the army for training.

The news soon reached Chengxiang Hall in the harem. When Liu heard the news, she said nothing. She faced the direction of Ganlu Hall and kowtowed to express her gratitude.

She felt like she was dreaming these past few days.

I used to think that my life was bleak and all my hopes could only be placed on my son. Perhaps when my son ascended the throne in the future, there would be a day when I could see the light at the end of the tunnel.

Unexpectedly, Li Zhong was demoted to a barbarian king, while she was canonized as a concubine. Life is so unpredictable.

She privately thought that the saint must have listened to the voices of mother and son that day and felt pity for her, so he awarded her the position of concubine.

She originally didn't have high demands, but now that she has become the mistress of a palace, her heart is so full that it is about to overflow. She is kind and caring to everyone.

That night, Liu was sitting in the warm room helping Li Zhong make clothes when a palace maid ran in quickly and said, "Madam, the Queen has sent someone to deliver a letter."

The maid's name was Yuzhu. She was originally Liu's maid. Among the palace maids in the harem, she was the lowest-ranking maid.

In order to prevent Liu from meeting Li Zhong, Queen Wang sent Yuzhu to the Western Inner Courtyard to do odd jobs.

After Liu was promoted to concubine, the first thing she did was to find her and appoint her as a female official in Chengxiang Palace.

Liu was slightly surprised and asked, "What did you write?"

Yuzhu said, "You'd better take a look at it yourself." and handed over a piece of paper.

Liu took it and saw two names written on it.

The first name is Xin Changzong, followed by a series of small characters that introduce this person.

It turned out that this man was one of the most talented scholars in Chang'an City, and his poetry and songs were excellent. Many people said that he would be the top scorer in the imperial examination next year.

There was also a strange sentence recorded at the end, saying that eight years ago, this person met Changsun Chong in Luoyang.

The second one is called Zhang Maofu, who also has an introduction. He is the most famous Confucian scholar in Shu and just arrived in Chang'an last month.

This man's reputation was even higher than Xin Changzong's. All the powerful families in Chang'an City vied with each other to invite him to their mansions to teach their children, but he refused them all.

There is also a strange sentence at the end. Four years ago, he met Chu Suiliang who was exiled to Tongzhou.

After reading it twice, Liu was stunned and speechless.

She had no idea why Empress Wu wrote such a letter to her.

"Yuzhu, please help me take a look at what the Queen's intention is in this letter?" she asked anxiously.

Yuzhu took it and read it, frowning and saying, "How strange! This letter has no beginning or end. How can anyone understand it?"

Mrs. Liu said worriedly, "She must have a deep meaning behind this. If I don't figure it out, I'm afraid there will be disaster."

Yuzhu comforted him, "Don't think too much. Maybe it was sent to the wrong person."

At this moment, another palace maid entered the hall and said with a smile, "Madam, His Royal Highness Prince Chen has come to the palace to see you."

Liu was both surprised and happy. She quickly got up and went out to see her son.

Yuzhu pushed her onto the couch and said angrily, "My dear, you are just a concubine now. How can you go out to see your son? You will be laughed at by others."

Liu clasped her hands together and said with a red face, "Yes, yes, then bring him in quickly so that he can help me look at the letter." After a while, Yuzhu led Li Zhong into the hall.

Li Zhongfei threw himself into Liu's arms and said happily, "Mother!"

When Liu saw her son, she kept asking about his well-being and whether he was used to living alone after setting up his own house. She had forgotten about the letter.

Li Zhong smiled and said, "Father has shown me mercy and allowed all the old people from the East Palace to move into the palace with me. Although the place is small, it makes me feel more comfortable. I also have two more teachers to teach me."

Liu asked, "Is this the teacher the saint sent to you?"

Li Zhong smiled and said, "My father hasn't chosen a teacher for me yet. The two teachers came on their own."

Liu frowned and asked, "Did they come to me on their own? Who are they?"

Li Zhong smiled and said, "Are you still worried that I've been cheated? Don't worry, I've asked someone to find out. Both of your teachers are famous scholars in Chang'an. No one else can invite them!"

Liu's expression suddenly changed. "What are the names of those two people?"

Li Zhong saw his mother's expression and felt a little uneasy. He said, "One teacher's surname is Xin, and the other's surname is Zhang."

Liu jumped up from the couch as if she had seen a ghost, and shouted, "Are they Xin Changzong and Zhang Maofu?"

Li Zhong was stunned and said, "So mother already knew."

Liu felt a chill on her back and screamed, "Drive them away! Drive them away quickly!"

Li Zhong was surprised and said, "Mother, both teachers are very knowledgeable. Why are you chasing them away?"

Liu was so anxious that tears came to her eyes.

"Just listen to me. If anyone comes into the mansion from now on, you must tell me right away. Remember?"

Li Zhong nodded repeatedly: "I'll remember it, son."

Liu held his head and cried, "My poor child, why wouldn't those people let us go?"

Li Zhong cried, "Mother, who wants to harm us?"

Liu just cried and shook her head without saying anything.

Yuzhu suddenly said, "My lady, now is not the time to grieve. You should go and pay your respects to Her Majesty the Queen, and then have the young prince return home quickly and drive those two away."

Liu wiped away her tears and said repeatedly, "That's right, thank goodness you reminded me."

Holding Li Zhong in his arms, he said, "My son, hurry back. Listen to Mother and drive those two away. From now on, if anyone mentions the position of Crown Prince to you, it will be a threat to you. Remember that?"

Li Zhong nodded his little head and said goodbye to his mother.

Liu took Yuzhu all the way to Lizheng Palace. Halfway through, she asked, "Yuzhu, what should I say later?"

Yuzhu said, "Just say that the young prince has just entered the palace and that two gentlemen have come to the mansion, one named Xin and the other named Zhang. You don't like them and have asked the young prince to drive them away."

Liu said happily, "Yes, that's a very good point."

On the other side, Li Zhong walked out of the palace quickly. After all, he was just a child and could not understand the whole story. He just thought that the two gentlemen were bad people who wanted to harm him and his mother.

After returning to the palace, he did not see the two men. He only ordered the guards to hang them up and whip them, then drive them out of the palace and forbid them to enter the palace again.

Xin and Zhang fled the house in a panic, feeling angry and annoyed. Knowing that the plan had failed, they went to Changsun's house together and told Changsun Chong about the situation.

Changsun Chong came to the study and told Changsun Wuji.

Changsun Wuji put down the book in his hand and said in a deep voice: "This witch's methods are powerful. Xin Changzong didn't mention it. She even found out the details of Zhang Maofu."

Chang Sun Chong said, "Father, that Liu is no match for Queen Wang. She is timid and cowardly. Expecting her to fight against that witch is like hitting a rock with an egg."

Zhang Sun Wuji was silent for a while, then said, "In that case, let's go find Zheng."

Chang Sun Chong said, "Zheng has long been adapting to the situation and flirting with Xu Jingzong and others. Besides, Concubine Zheng has no children."

Zhang Sun Wuji said calmly, "As for the Zheng family, we will slowly put in the effort. The reason why Concubine Zheng has no children is because she was suppressed by the Xiao family, not because she can't bear a prince."

Chang Sun Chong asked, "What if the Saint is unwilling to visit her?"

Zhangsun Wuji sighed deeply and said, "That means Heaven is not blessing our Tang Dynasty. After a hundred years, I will have no choice but to go and apologize to the late emperor."

(End of this chapter)