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

Half an hour later.

Inside the Lizheng Hall, six palace maids stood holding trays.

Qiuyue held the large court robe in both hands, her wrists trembling.

This outfit has never seen the light of day since His Majesty wore it once on the day he ascended the throne.

The Suzhou embroidery of the Nine Heavens Flying Phoenix gleamed with golden light under the candlelight, and the heavy Nine Dragons and Four Phoenix Crown made one's neck ache.

Empress Zhangsun spread her arms, allowing the palace maids to put on her elaborate court robes layer by layer.

Finally, Qiuyue tiptoed and placed the nine-dragon, four-phoenix crown firmly on her head.

The empress, who was usually gentle and kind, was nowhere to be seen in the bronze mirror.

Instead, she became the majestic and dignified Empress of the Tang Dynasty.

"Your Majesty..."

Wang De had just walked in from outside the hall when he looked up and saw this scene. He was so frightened that he immediately knelt on the ground.

"Your Majesty, are you leaving the palace? This grand court dress cannot be worn except during festivals and grand ceremonies."

"If you really wish to leave the palace, I will prepare a small sedan chair with a blue roof, and you may dress casually..."

"Casual clothes?"

Empress Zhangsun turned around and looked coldly at Wang De.

"I am not visiting relatives today, but going to demand an explanation."

"By my imperial decree, deploy the full ceremonial guard, with three thousand imperial guards clearing the way, and all the yellow parasols raised for me."

Cold sweat instantly broke out on Wang De's forehead.

A full retinue? That's a ceremonial procession reserved for emperors.

"Your Majesty, this...this is against ancestral rules."

Wang De lay on the ground, pleading desperately.

Empress Zhangsun didn't even glance at him, and walked out while lifting her skirt.

"Ancestral rules? My sons risk their lives in the front lines, and someone stabs them in the back. Today, I'll let them know who really made these rules of the Tang Dynasty."

Wang De dared not persuade him any further and could only run out to relay the order.

After an incense stick has burned.

The main gate of the palace, the Vermilion Bird Gate, was suddenly opened.

Three thousand Imperial Guards filed out from inside.

Immediately afterwards, eighteen yellow parasols covered the sky, and a huge phoenix carriage carried by thirty-two people slowly drove out of the palace gate.

The people of Zhuque Street hadn't seen such a scene in many years, and they all retreated to the street corner.

Officials in the restaurants along the way heard the commotion, peeked out of their windows, and were so frightened that their eyes nearly popped out of their sockets.

"Is that the Empress's full entourage? It's not a big day today, is it?"

"Judging by this direction, could it be heading towards the Duke of Qi's residence?"

"Hiss... This morning at court, Lord Changsun just impeached the Crown Prince, and now Her Majesty the Empress is already taking up arms? This is going to be good."

Spies from all sides were desperately trying to gather information.

Qiuyue carefully lifted a corner of the curtain and asked:

"Your Highness, the road ahead, past Zhuque Avenue, leads to the Duke of Qi's residence. Shall I instruct them to turn?"

Empress Zhangsun sat on the phoenix throne, her eyes still closed.

"Why go to the Duke of Qi's mansion?"

Qiu Yue was taken aback: "Then what is this, Your Highness...?"

"Pass down the order: exit through Mingde Gate."

Empress Zhangsun said calmly,

"Outside the city walls lies the territory of the Changsun clan."

Qiuyue gasped.

What does Changsun Wuji care about most?

It is the century-old foundation of the Changsun family, and the support of those stubborn old men in the clan.

The Empress is not here to demand an explanation; she is here to desecrate Changsun Wuji's ancestral graves.

"Here you go!"

Qiuyue quickly poked her head out to relay the order.

The grand royal procession did not turn at the fork in the road, but instead headed out of the city.

Ganlu Temple.

Li Shimin was looking at the folded paper on the table with a troubled expression.

Li Junxian suddenly walked in.

"Your Majesty, something terrible has happened. Her Majesty the Empress has donned her grand court robes, mobilized her full entourage, and led three thousand Imperial Guards out of the palace."

Li Shimin suddenly raised his head, and the vermilion pen in his hand fell onto the table.

"Guanyin's maidservant leaving the palace in full court attire?"

Li Shimin was stunned for a moment, then realized what was going on, and his mouth began to twitch wildly.

"Where did she go? To the Duke of Qi's residence?"

Li Junxian hurriedly replied:

"Your Majesty, the Empress did not go to the Duke of Qi's residence. Her entourage left through Mingde Gate and headed straight for the Changsun clan's territory outside the city."

Li Shimin leaned back on the dragon throne and shook his head with a wry smile.

This time, Changsun Wuji's move in the court has thoroughly angered Guanyinbi.

Do you really think that Guanyinbi changed her ways after becoming empress and wouldn't do the things she did back then?

"Your Majesty, should I send someone to bring the Empress back? This ostentatious display is too conspicuous; who knows what the Censorate will do to impeach her tomorrow?"

Li Junxian asked tentatively.

"What are you chasing? Go ahead and try, believe me, Guanyinbi will deal with you too!"

Li Shimin glared at him.

"By imperial decree, two thousand cavalrymen are to be secretly deployed to follow Her Majesty. Whatever Her Majesty wishes to smash, they will be responsible for handing her the hammer. Anyone who dares to obstruct Her Majesty's journey will be beheaded on sight."

"Here you go!"

Li Junxian accepted the order and withdrew.

Outside the city, in the territory of the Changsun clan.

This sprawling estate is the foundation of the Changsun family for generations.

At this moment, in the flower hall in the backyard, several white-haired elders were sitting together, listening to the actors singing on the stage.

"Wuji's risky move in court today was brilliant."

Elder Sun An stroked his beard, a smug look on his face, and said...

"The Crown Prince has committed too many atrocities in Liaodong; now is the perfect time for us to launch an attack."

"As long as we can bring down the Crown Prince, and our Changsun family can support the King of Yue to the throne, our wealth and status can be guaranteed for another two hundred years."

"Yes, yes, Wuji is always reliable in handling matters."

Another elder chimed in.

Before he could finish speaking, the gatekeeper rushed in.

"Elder... Elder, something terrible has happened."

The Empress's carriage is coming towards our village.

The teacup in Changsun An's hand fell to the ground with a "clatter".

"What did you say? The Empress is here? Why wasn't anyone notified beforehand?"

"There was no announcement. Three thousand imperial guards are leading the way, fully armed, even with yellow silk parasols. They're almost at the manor gate now."

The clan elders were terrified.

Full ceremonial guard?

This is clearly a case of coming to demand an explanation.

"Quickly! Send someone to bring Changsun Wuji back to me. Tell him the sky has fallen."

Changsun An hurriedly made arrangements,

"The rest of you, quickly change into your auspicious clothes and kneel down at the main gate to welcome them."

The entire Changsun clan territory was instantly thrown into chaos.

The men, young and old, all ran towards the main gate.

When they arrived at the gate, they saw three thousand guards standing outside.

Swords and spears stood like a forest, exuding a murderous aura.

The enormous phoenix carriage slowly came to a stop.

Changsun An led his entire clan, young and old, kneeling on the ground in a dense, dark mass.

"Wishing Your Majesty the Empress a long and prosperous life!"

Hundreds of voices rang out simultaneously.

The curtain of the phoenix carriage was lifted by Qiu Yue.

Empress Changsun, holding Qiuyue's hand, slowly stepped down from the phoenix carriage.

She walked up to the crowd, looking down at the elders who usually acted arrogantly in the family.

Changsun An knelt at the front, but after waiting for a long time, he still didn't hear the words "Rise".

He mustered his courage and slightly raised his head, only to meet Empress Changsun's icy gaze.

Changsun An was so frightened that he quickly lowered his head.

Empress Zhangsun stood there without saying a word.

The time it takes for an incense stick to burn has passed.

Most of the clan elders kneeling on the ground were elderly, and some of them had already begun to sway.

The oppressive aura of the Tang Dynasty empress was fully manifested at this moment.