Tang Dynasty, my wife Wu Zetian

Chapter 394 Li Xian's Birthday Banquet
Li Zhi did not come to Ganlu Palace today. At dinner, Wu Meiniang and her three sons and one daughter sat together to eat.

Princess Taiping and Li Dan were now also sitting at the table, eating the same food as them.

During the meal, the hall was quiet, with only the sounds of chopsticks colliding, chewing, and drinking soup.

Wu Meiniang never had a big appetite, so after putting down her bowl and chopsticks, she got up and left.

Li Xian quickly winked at Li Xian.

Li Xian nodded and whispered a few words into his ear. After listening, Li Xian looked surprised and whispered, "Really?"

Princess Taiping was extremely curious and asked hurriedly, "Sixth Brother, Seventh Brother, what are you talking about?"

Li Xian stole a glance at Wu Meiniang and saw that she had sat back down. He said hurriedly, "Nothing, nothing."

It would have been fine if he hadn't looked at it, but when he did, Wu Meiniang raised her eyebrows and scolded him, "How many times have I told you not to talk while eating? Don't you remember?"

Li Xian and Li Xian both lowered their heads and hurriedly ate their food.

Wu Meiniang glanced at Li Xian and asked, "Qi Lang, what did you say to your brother just now?"

Li Xian hurriedly said, "I, I just saw Wang Dajian go to Daji Hall."

After hearing this, Wu Meiniang looked thoughtful. Suddenly, she caught a glimpse of Li Xian looking at her quietly with a slightly panicked expression.

"Seriously." She raised her voice a few notches.

Li Xian nodded repeatedly.

Wu Meiniang asked, "What color official uniform is Wang Fusheng wearing today?"

"Blue." Li Xian replied. This was what Li Xian told him after he came back.

Wu Meiniang nodded and didn't ask any more questions. She just said, "Tomorrow is Xian'er's birthday. Xian'er and I are going out of the palace. Xian'er, you don't have to go to Chongwenguan tomorrow. You can take care of your younger brothers and sisters in the palace."

Seeing that he didn't have to study, Li Xian happily said, "Yes."

Early the next morning, Wu Meiniang took Li Xian and rode on the phoenix chariot towards the Wu Mansion.

Today's birthday banquet is not open to the public and only people from the Wu Mansion attend, but it is still very lively.

In the past few years, members of the Wu family have gradually moved to Chang'an City.

Although Empress Wu did not arrange official positions for them, as long as Wu Meiniang was still the empress, the surname Wu was very popular in the city of Chang'an.

No matter what the Wu clan members did, others did not dare to make things too difficult for them, and some even tried to curry favor with them.

Therefore, they did not need Empress Wu's care and were still doing well in Chang'an City.

Wu Meiniang's father had three brothers, and her grandfather had even more relatives. Early in the morning, these people came to the Wu Mansion to celebrate with gifts.

The person responsible for welcoming the guests outside the door was Helan Minzhi. He was wearing a bright red brocade robe today, which made him look even more handsome and tall.

Many members of the Wu clan had heard that he was going to inherit the title of Duke of Zhou, and they all congratulated him.

Of course, this is just a superficial phenomenon.

The title of Duke of Zhou was the hallmark of the Wu clan, but it was inherited by Helan Minzhi, a person from an outsider.

Many elders of the Wu family were very dissatisfied with this and felt that one of the Wu brothers should inherit the title.

They did not dare to protest to Empress Wu, so they could only express their dissatisfaction on Helan Minzhi.

After arriving at the Wu Mansion, this group of old guys showed their elder status and did not give Helan Minzhi a good look.

Helan Minzhi actually didn't have a broad mind, but he was really happy today, so he didn't bother with these old guys.

At the end of the Chen hour, a team of Jinwu Guards suddenly arrived on the street to clear the area and stood on both sides of the street.

Helan Minzhi knew that Empress Wu had arrived, so he quickly sent someone to deliver a message to the palace. Then he straightened his collar, took a few steps forward, stood upright, and looked towards the street.

Not long after, everyone in the Wu Mansion came out and stood outside the door waiting.

After a while, a man on horseback came galloping and brought the news that the queen's phoenix sedan chair was about to arrive.

After a while, Madam Yang came out with the support of Wu Shun and Wu Ruyi. She was wearing the imperial robes of a first-rank lady of Dai State and stood at the front of the crowd.

Today is a formal occasion, and everyone outside the Wu Mansion is present, so Madam Yang also has to come out to greet the Queen and the Prince.

There was the sound of horse hooves clattering and wheels turning, and four tall horses pulled a luxurious chariot from the end of the long street.

The carriage curtains were red, embroidered with phoenix patterns, and golden bells were hung on the four corners, the sound of which could be heard from afar.

The phoenix chariot soon arrived outside the door, and everyone paid their respects to the queen together. Only then did Wu Meiniang lead Li Xian down from the carriage.

Li Xian had received Wu Meiniang's instructions long ago. As soon as he got off the carriage, he ran over and hugged Madam Yang's hand, saying with a smile, "Grandmother, let me help you go in."

Mrs. Yang immediately smiled.

A group of people quickly escorted Empress Wu and Madam Yang into the mansion. Helan Minzhi walked at the end. After everyone went in, he ordered the servants to close the door.

It was still early, so everyone went to the backyard garden to watch a variety show with Empress Wu and Madam Yang.

Helan Minzhi was not so idle. He and his uncle Guo Xiaoshen were planning the preparations for the banquet.

Fortunately, the Wu brothers also came to help, and finally everything was ready before noon.

The banquet was divided into three seats, one of which was in the back hall, and only direct descendants of the Wu family were eligible to attend.

The other two seats were in the side hall, and the people sitting there were all descendants from the collateral branch.

Although Li Xian is the birthday boy today, he doesn't like this kind of complicated banquet. The only thing he looks forward to is the gift-giving session.

Before the banquet begins, everyone will congratulate him with a few words and give him a gift.

The order of gift giving is based on seniority. At the beginning, it is all the older generation, and the gifts they give are very boring, either the four treasures of the study or calligraphy and painting.

Next, it was finally the turn of the younger generation. The variety of gifts was richer, especially the golden ball pendant given by Wu Sansi, which he liked the most.

After a while, it was finally Helan Minzhi's turn. Li Xian asked expectantly, "Cousin Helan, what are you giving me?"

Helan Minzhi smiled slightly, took a box from the hand of his attendant, and said with a smile: "Open it and take a look for yourself, I guarantee you will like it."

Madam Yang smiled and said, "Xian'er, open it and take a look. If you are not satisfied with the gift your cousin gave you, your grandmother will help you beat him."

Li Xian hurriedly took the box, opened it and was immediately stunned. A bloody smell hit his nose, making his mind go blank.

Someone exclaimed.

Zhang Dahai moved extremely quickly, reaching out his hand like lightning, snatching the box away and covering it up.

There is actually a bird's head in this box!
In an instant, the hall became chaotic, and several elders of the Wu clan angrily scolded Helan Minzhi, blaming him for giving such a gift!
Helan Minzhi was also stunned and forgot to defend himself.

"Shut up, everyone!"

Wu Meiniang gave a gentle rebuke, and everyone immediately quieted down.

Wu Meiniang reached out and pulled Li Xian into her arms, hugging him. She looked up at her mother and saw that Madam Yang was pale and obviously frightened. She said, "Third sister, eldest sister, quickly take mother downstairs to rest."

Wu Ruyi agreed and helped Madam Yang out through the side door.

Wu Shun stared at his son blankly, seemingly frightened. Helan Minzhi suddenly shouted, "No, this is not a gift from me!"

Wu Meiniang glanced at him and said in a deep voice, "Come with me." She handed Li Xian to Yuping's care and left through another side door with Helan Minzhi.

Wu Shun also hurriedly chased after him.

Because of this bird head, the entire birthday banquet was ruined. The Wu family members looked at each other in confusion and whispered to each other.

Li Xian suddenly broke free from Yuping's hand and walked out the door.

Yuping was startled and asked hurriedly, "Your Highness, where are you going?" and chased after him with his bodyguards.

Li Xian walked all the way and soon came to a small curved stone bridge. He lay on the eaves of the bridge, looking at the water in silence.

Yu Ping came to his side and said cautiously, "Your Highness, don't be afraid. This must be someone's doing. Helan Langjun would not give you such a gift."

Li Xian muttered, "I know, someone wants to harm cousin Helan."

Yu Ping asked tentatively, "Do you really know?"

Li Xian snorted, "Cousin Helan isn't stupid. Why would he give me something like this in front of Mother?"

Yuping smiled slightly and said, "You are really smart."

Li Xian puffed his lips and said, "Humph, they're so annoying! If they want to fight, there are many ways to do it. Why did they ruin my birthday party and prevent me from receiving a gift from my cousin Helan?"

Yu Ping was surprised and amused, and asked, "Your Highness, when you said they were going to fight, what did you mean?"

"Of course it's to compete for the title of Duke of Zhou." Li Xian said as if it was a matter of course.

Yu Ping was surprised and asked, "Do you think someone murdered Helan Langjun for the Duke of Zhou's title?"

Li Xian muttered, "That's right."

Yu Ping knew that this young prince had inherited Empress Wu's intelligence and wit, and that his ideas must not be underestimated, so she asked, "How did you figure that out?"

Li Xian said casually, "The bird just now had a small head and a thin neck. It was obviously a turtledove."

Yuping asked, "What happened to the turtledove?"

Li Xian propped his chin on his hand and said, "Isn't there a line like this in the Book of Songs? The magpie has a nest, and the dove lives in it."

Yuping was shocked and immediately understood.

Helan Minzhi was not of the Wu surname, but he wanted to inherit the title of Duke of Zhou. This was because someone deliberately used the story of the turtledove to ridicule him and make him ashamed to inherit the title of Duke of Zhou.

The other party deliberately took advantage of the prince's birthday in order to make a big deal out of this matter.

As long as this matter spreads in Chang'an City, it will definitely cause criticism. If Empress Wu insists on letting Helan Minzhi inherit the title, she will definitely be ridiculed!

The person who planned this incident was obviously a member of the Wu clan.

Not long after, a eunuch came to call them and said that the queen asked them to go back to the back hall.

Wu Meiniang, Wu Shun and Helan Minzhi have returned to the back hall.

Helan Minzhi was pale, and Wu Shun beside him had a dark face, obviously extremely angry.

Wu Meiniang's expression was very calm.

However, Li Xian, who was familiar with his mother's temper, knew that his mother's behavior at this moment meant that someone was about to be in trouble.

Wu Meiniang glanced at him first and said, "Xian'er, go back to the palace first. Mother will give you an explanation for what happened today."

Li Xian shook his head, came to stand beside Wu Meiniang, and said: "Mother, I don't care about the birthday party, I just want to be with you."

Wu Meiniang glanced at him and saw that his expression was serious. She thought to herself, "This child is naughty on weekdays, but he is filial at the critical moment."

She stopped trying to persuade him, and swept her eyes over the Wu clan members in the hall. She said calmly, "You are very kind. On a day like this, you gave my son such a gift."

An elder from the Wu clan smiled and said, "Your Highness, wasn't this done by Min Zhi?"

Wu Shun said sternly, "Third brother, do you think Minzhi would give this kind of gift to Prince Lu? This is clearly a frame-up!"

The elder of the Wu family is Wu Meiniang's cousin, Wu Yuanzhong. Although he is of the same generation as the Wu sisters, he is more than 30 years older than them and is currently the patriarch of the Wu family.

Wu Yuanzhong narrowed his eyes and asked, "Who did this?"

Wu Meiniang said: "No matter who did it, it doesn't matter anymore."

Wu Yuanzhong was slightly startled and said, "Your Highness, are you not going to pursue this?"

Wu Meiniang glanced at him and said, "If this matter becomes a big deal, won't it make people think that the women of our Wu family are usurping our position?"

Wu Yuanzhong's face changed and he asked, "Your Highness, why do you say that?"

Wu Meiniang asked, "Do you think I can't see? You gave me this gift, ostensibly to reprimand Minzhi for usurping his position, but in reality you're accusing my three sisters of driving Wu Yuanqing and Wu Yuanshuang out of Chang'an, and driving Wu Sansi and Wu Chengsi out of the Wu Mansion, and then usurping this Wu Mansion and occupying it?"

Wu Yuanzhong's heart skipped a beat. He exchanged glances with several other elders of the Wu family and stopped talking.

This incident was indeed a joint effort of the Wu family.

They were dissatisfied with Empress Wu's suppression of her brothers of the same clan. She did not care about the children of the Wu family at all, but instead took care of Helan Minzhi, a person from an outsider.

Even such an important title as Duke of Zhou was granted to Helan Minzhi without consulting them.

He simply doesn't treat the elders of the Wu clan as human beings.

After all, Wu Meiniang was the queen, and they didn't have the courage to go against her, so they had to use Helan Minzhi as a scapegoat to fight for some say within the Wu family.

Wu Yuanzhong whispered, "Your Highness, you are too kind. We are all from the same clan. How could you do such a thing?"

He deliberately emphasized the word "same surname", obviously meaning that Helan Minzhi, who has a different surname, is not included!
Wu Meiniang said calmly, "This mansion belongs to the Wu family, and the title of Duke of Zhou also belongs to the Wu family. I really shouldn't make the decision alone."

Wu Yuanzhong was secretly happy, thinking that his pressure was successful.

Unexpectedly, Wu Meiniang changed the subject and said, "From now on, I will change my surname to Yang, and I will no longer interfere in your Wu family's affairs. Are you satisfied with this?"

Wu Yuanzhong's face changed drastically.

If Wu Meiniang changed her surname, the Wu surname would no longer be noble, and the good days of the Wu family would be over.

Wu Meiniang stood up and said, "Xian'er, let's go back to the palace. Sister, you can live in the manor outside the city first. I will arrange other matters later."

Seeing that Empress Wu did not seem to be joking, all the members of the Wu family began to panic.

Without the Queen's care, how could they have a good life?
A young Wu clan member knelt on the ground and shouted, "Your Highness, this was arranged by the clan leader and has nothing to do with us!"

Wu Yuanzhong didn't expect to be backstabbed so soon. He shouted angrily, "Wu Xixuan, you bastard, what nonsense are you talking about?"

Another Wu clan member followed up, saying, "The clan leader said that the title of Duke of Zhou belongs to the Wu clan and cannot be decided by you alone, so he asked us to plan this together."

"Wu Junya, stop slandering me!" Wu Yuanzhong said anxiously.

Another person said, "Aunt, you are the backbone of our Wu family. Wu Yuanzhong only wants to inherit the Duke of Zhou, so he deceived us. Please forgive us!"

"Wu Sansi, even you..."

(End of this chapter)