Tang Dynasty: Taking the Empress Dowager to a brothel, Father Emperor, what a coincidence!

After Li Gang's footsteps disappeared outside the hall.

The doors of the Lizheng Hall were carefully closed by two young eunuchs.

Empress Zhangsun immediately signaled all the palace maids and eunuchs in the hall to leave.

In the vast Lizheng Hall, only Qiuyue remained standing to the side.

Qiuyue lowered her head, not daring to say a word.

She had followed Empress Zhangsun for over a decade, and had never seen her master so angry.

In the past, when faced with matters concerning the safety of princes, the Empress would either immediately set off to cry to His Majesty or smash a few pieces of porcelain to vent her anger.

But today, Empress Zhangsun did nothing.

She didn't cry or make a scene.

She sat quietly on the soft couch.

The rubbing was still on the table.

Empress Zhangsun stared at the rubbing without moving.

After an unknown amount of time, Empress Zhangsun finally moved.

She slowly raised her hand, her fingertips gently tracing the words "two-legged sheep" and "pig and dog" on the rubbing.

Memories of Changsun Wuji began to surface in his mind.

How frequently has Changsun Wuji been visiting the Prince of Yue's residence these past two years?

Every now and then, they would send him various rare calligraphy and paintings, as well as exotic items from the Western Regions.

He even said things like, "The Crown Prince is often ill; you should encourage him," in front of Qingque.

What are you doing?

This is an attempt to incite his own son to launch another Xuanwu Gate Incident.

Let's look at what he did for Gao Ming.

At the poetry gathering at Qujiang Pool, Changsun Wuji hid behind and watched the spectacle.

With an army of 100,000, Changsun Wuji, in alliance with powerful families, sought to cut off Gaoming's supply lines.

Now his own son has borne the infamy of massacring the city for the sake of the dignity of the Tang Dynasty.

Changsun Wuji has actually joined forces with powerful families to force His Majesty to depose the heir apparent again?

Empress Zhangsun's hand, which was resting on the table, slowly tightened.

"Autumn Moon".

Qiuyue quickly stepped forward: "This servant is here."

Empress Zhangsun turned to look at the maid who had been her personal maid for over a decade.

"You've served me for so many years, tell me the truth."

Empress Zhangsun pointed to her face.

"Have I been too good-tempered these past few years? Have I been too easy to talk to?"

Qiuyue knelt down on the ground with a thud.

"Her Majesty is the mother of the nation, kind and benevolent, and everyone in the harem admires her virtues."

Empress Changsun looked at Qiuyue kneeling on the ground and suddenly laughed.

"Generous and kind?"

Empress Zhangsun shook her head.

"So lenient that any Tom, Dick, or Harry dares to jump on my son's head."

"So generous that even my own brother is using my son as a stepping stone to climb the social ladder."

Qiuyue lay on the ground, trembling with fear.

Empress Zhangsun then recalled how she had survived all these years.

For the glory of the Changsun family and for Changsun Wuji's career, how many smiles did she put on in front of Erlang?

Changsun Wuji offended someone in the court, and she went to plead for him.

Changsun Wuji wanted to promote his disciples, so she whispered in Erlang's ear.

He always cherished the bond between him and his sister, and the bitter days when their parents died young and the two siblings depended on each other for survival.

She thought that as long as she, as the younger sister, was accommodating enough and considered the bigger picture, Changsun Wuji would remember this kindness and sincerely assist her son.

But what is the result?

Her concession only emboldened Changsun Wuji to take advantage of her.

Her consideration for the greater good resulted in Changsun Wuji's unbridled behavior.

Changsun Wuji felt he had his sister under his thumb.

They felt that for the sake of the Tang Dynasty and the interests of the Changsun family, she would stand by and watch her own son be dethroned as crown prince.

"He miscalculated."

Empress Changsun closed her eyes and took a deep breath.

When she opened her eyes again, the last trace of warmth in them vanished.

She is first and foremost a mother.

Then came the empress of the Tang Dynasty.

Lastly, it was the daughter of the eldest grandson family.

Empress Changsun turned her head to look in the direction of the Ganlu Palace.

Erlang withheld the impeachment petitions from the Taiji Hall today not to protect Gaoming.

That's the art of imperial rule.

Erlang is playing with balance.

How could she not know what her own husband was thinking?

Erlang was mindful of Gao Ming's prestige.

Erlang still needs Changsun Wuji.

It is necessary for Changsun Wuji and those aristocratic officials to remain in the court to attack Gao Ming and to check and balance him.

Therefore, Erlang will not severely punish Changsun Wuji; at most, he will give him a few words of warning.

Did you expect him to step in and avenge you?

That's just wishful thinking.

Empress Changsun looked at Qiuyue.

She decided that this time she wouldn't hold back.

She wanted to show it to Changsun Wuji, the entire court, and even Li Shimin, who was sitting in the Ganlu Hall, in the most direct way.

Who really held the reins in the Tang Dynasty's imperial harem?

Whose wrath did these two legitimate princes of the Tang Dynasty provoke?

"Autumn Moon, get up."

After Qiuyue got up from the ground, she stood to one side with her head down.

"To convey my decree."

"Open the inner treasury and bring out my grand court robe."

Qiu Yue suddenly raised her head and looked at Changsun Wugou in shock.

The grand court robes were only worn by the empress during important national ceremonies such as offering sacrifices to heaven and ancestors, or when a new emperor ascended the throne and a crown prince was appointed.

Even on ordinary days, such as at grand palace banquets during festivals, the empress would at most wear a formal dress.

"What are you waiting for? Hurry up and go!"

Empress Changsun saw Qiuyue standing there in a daze and shouted angrily.

"This servant...this servant will go right away."

Empress Zhangsun walked to the huge bronze mirror in the Lizheng Hall.

Looking at my slightly tired face reflected in the mirror.

Changsun Wuji, you're even going so far as to cut off your own nephew's path to survival.

Then don't blame me, your younger sister, for completely cutting off your future path.