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

Outside the Lizheng Hall.

A night breeze blew by.

Changsun Chong knelt in front of the gate, shivering from the cold.

The palace doors slowly opened.

It wasn't Li Chengqian who came out, but Empress Zhangsun.

She looked calmly at Changsun Chong kneeling on the ground and asked:

"Chong'er, what are you doing here in the middle of the night instead of staying in the military camp outside the city?"

Changsun Chong crawled forward on his knees and kowtowed, saying:

"Aunt! Please have mercy and save my father. The Ministry of Revenue and the Court of Judicial Review are searching our house. My father is old and can't take this anymore."

Changsun Chong looked at Changsun Wugou with tears streaming down his face.

"Aunt, what exactly did my father do wrong? Even if he did, please, for the sake of the Changsun family's generations of loyalty, plead with His Majesty for him..."

Empress Zhangsun picked up a handkerchief and gently wiped away the tears on Zhangsun Chong's face.

"Chong'er, you are a good child. You suffered a lot on this trip to Liaodong, and you also helped Gaoming a great deal. Your aunt knows all of that."

Upon hearing these words, a glimmer of hope rose in Changsun Chong's heart.

Empress Zhangsun put away her handkerchief and said sternly:

"But you can't and shouldn't interfere in your father's affairs."

Changsun Chong hurriedly asked:

"Why? He's my own father! Aunt, how can you bear to watch him...?"

"You think your aunt is trying to harm him?"

Empress Zhangsun interrupted him.

"Do you know whose order Tang Jian used to raid the house?"

Changsun Chong was stunned:

"Is...is it you?"

Empress Zhangsun nodded:

"That's right, it was an imperial decree issued by me. Your father gave Gao Ming a sum of money that didn't belong to him in front of the entire court today outside the city."

"Where do you think a former Minister of Revenue got so much money?"

Changsun Chong opened his mouth, but could not utter a word.

He only knew that his father did accept gifts, but he didn't know how much.

Empress Zhangsun looked at Fang Yi'ai and Cheng Chumo kneeling behind her.

"You all get up, come and listen."

Cheng Chumo and Fang Yi'ai quickly got up and stood aside tremblingly.

"Chong'er, your father is willing to kill even his own nephew to maintain his power and ensure the Changsun family's continued wealth. Do you think he was just after a little money?"

Changsun Chong shook his head desperately, saying:

"Impossible! How could my father...?"

Empress Zhangsun sneered:

"Impossible? Then I'll tell you everything, one by one. When Gao Ming went to Liaodong, he mixed sand and rotten grain husks into the military rations. Why did the Cui family dare to do that? It's because your father was backing them up."

Changsun Chong was struck dumb, frozen in place.

Fang Yi'ai and Cheng Chumo were both shocked and gasped.

They beat Cui Hao half to death back then.

So the real mastermind behind all this is Changsun Wuji?

Didn't they hit the wrong person?

Empress Zhangsun continued:

"Zhao Deyan, the governor of Pingzhou, embezzled disaster relief grain, causing the deaths of thousands of people. Your father took the lion's share of the bribes he sent back to Chang'an."

"Gao Ming killed Zhao Deyan in Pingzhou. Your father, fearing exposure, colluded with powerful families to pressure His Majesty in court to depose Gao Ming from his position as crown prince."

Changsun Chong's legs went weak, and he knelt down on the ground.

His mind is completely blank right now.

"besides."

Empress Zhangsun stared at Empress Zhangsun Chong.

"During the Battle of Baekje, news spread that Qin Qiong had made an appearance. Your father thought he had caught him red-handed and clamored in the court to sentence Gao Ming for treason and to exterminate the entire Qin family."

"If His Majesty hadn't stopped him, Gao Ming would already be in the imperial prison."

Fang Yi'ai and Cheng Chumo were sweating profusely as they listened.

They now finally understood why the Crown Prince had fought so hard in Liaodong.

Why must we firmly grasp military power in our own hands?

It turns out that the imperial court is rife with intrigue and violence.

Changsun Chong collapsed to the ground, unable to believe that his respected father was such a ruthless person who would stop at nothing for power.

He even tries to kill his own nephew. Is he even human?

Empress Zhangsun sighed and walked up to Empress Zhangsun Chong.

"Chong'er, your father's heart has turned black. He has become obsessed with the power of the Changsun family."

"I confiscated his property today not to take his life, but to extinguish his hopes and leave him a way out."

Changsun Chong raised his head and looked at Changsun Wugou blankly.

"aunt......"

"The Changsun family will not decline because of him alone."

Empress Changsun reached out and touched the top of Changsun Chong's head.

"You've grown up now, you've made great contributions in Liaodong, and you're a real man now."

From now on, the honor of the Changsun family will depend on you.

Changsun Chong bit his lip hard, trying not to cry out.

He knew he couldn't save his father.

By saying these words, my aunt had essentially sentenced my father to a political death sentence.

Empress Zhangsun waved her hand:

"Go back. Stay in the military camp and wait for the court's reward. I will handle your father's matter; at the very least, I will save his life."

Changsun Chong kowtowed three times deeply:

"Nephew...thanks to Aunt for sparing my life."

He stood up, looking completely lost, and staggered out.

Fang Yi'ai and Cheng Chumo quickly went up to support her, and carried her away from Lizheng Hall, one on each side.

Watching the three figures disappear into the distance, Empress Zhangsun let out a long sigh.

Just then, the door to the side hall opened.

Li Chengqian looked at his mother and asked:

"Mother, why are you telling him all this? Why not just send him back?"

Empress Zhangsun glared at him, annoyed.

"You heartless brat. Chong'er is your cousin after all. He risked his life for you in Liaodong. Aren't you afraid he'll become disloyal?"

Li Chengqian smiled and walked to Empress Zhangsun's side.

"Mother, I am helping him. There can be no new beginning without destruction. If he still relies on Changsun Wuji, his life is ruined."

Empress Zhangsun looked at her son and asked:

"Do you really think he can hold the Changsun family together?"

Li Chengqian nodded solemnly:

"Don't worry, Mother. Changsun Chong has seen bloodshed in Liaodong and understands what friendship is. He is no longer the good-for-nothing who only knew how to visit brothels."

"Your son assures you, as long as Changsun Chong behaves himself, the Changsun family is safe."

Empress Zhangsun nodded with satisfaction.

"With your words, Mother can rest assured."