The Emperor ordered Zhao Tang

Chapter 310 Sister-in-law

Uozao Palace is the central architectural complex of the Forbidden Garden. It is large and spacious, but both inside and outside, as well as on all sides, it is desolate.

Apart from a few dozen palace servants who also served as guards, appearing and disappearing behind the curtains, there was nothing else.

Chirp, chirp, chirp, someone is weaving at the door?
Amidst the seemingly distant yet near sound of looms, and perhaps it was just my imagination, I could faintly hear singing from some dimly lit place.

The singing was deep and ethereal, lofty and transcendent, mixed with the rhythms of traditional Chinese folk songs. It was a choir-like style of singing, very much like Bai Xueting's midnight singing at that haunted school.

"The son is king, the mother is a captive."

"Dawn and dusk... Alone I watch the dance... Humans and ghosts keep company..."

"Father is king, daughter is rat~~~~"

"The snake flicks its tongue all day long, while the lotus smiles at the cave entrance."

"The husband is a saint, the wife is a disciple~~~"

Li Miaowei's teeth chattered, and she suddenly quickened her pace, plunging into the darkness, following the ethereal and innocent singing: "Sister! Sister..."

In the corner, only a bluebird lamp flickered.

Li Miaowei slowly paused, and a ray of light directed her gaze toward behind the curtain.

Behind the red curtain, the Empress Dowager, dressed in white, had half her face illuminated by the three inches of orange firelight. The hazy chanting of hymns continued to flow from her mouth, which was covered by her hair: "Father is king, daughter is mouse..." Only at close range did it become clearer.

The loom in front of her kept moving, making a slow, crisp sound: "Tap, tap..."

It sounds like a chordal accompaniment.

After moving into the Fish and Algae Palace, Fei was left alone, as if the world had forgotten her on this haunted island. Only this old loom, barely a friend, kept her company and responded to her.

"Click, click, click..." The loom gradually shut its mouth.

The black hair hanging down her face moved slightly. The blue lantern flickered, and in the blink of an eye, Li Miaowei saw her head lift up, revealing a familiar, snow-white face emerging from the dark hair.

Li Miaowei rushed forward, crying, "Sister!"

He pulled the disheveled Zhu Xiewusi into his arms and asked, "What happened to you?"

She mumbled some unclear words, seemingly unaware that her sister had arrived. She simply let Li Miaowei pull her into her arms, tilting her head back in her embrace, adopting a silent tango posture.

The Holy Emperor gave her the same treatment as before. Although Consort Fei was not the kind of woman who loved to dress up and paid special attention to her appearance like Consort Shu or Consort Wei, she still had basic makeup. But now she was unkempt and looked like a puppet.

Li Miaowei sensed the other woman's unusual calm and gently swayed her body: "Sister, look at me! It's me, your second sister! I'm here, I'm here... Say something! You're not even acknowledging me anymore? You've fallen so low..."

"Get out of here!" Fei Shi squinted at Li Miaowei, struggling and shouting, "Get out!"

Li Miaowei was pushed away, but she rushed back and hugged her even tighter, trying to calm herself down. But Yu Linling still said, "Calm down, calm down... Who locked you in this darkness? And who gave you that loom?" Li Miaowei grabbed Fei Shi's shoulder, forcing her to focus on her face, and said sternly.

Fei Shi curled up in Li Miaowei's arms, only murmuring indistinctly.

"Is she insane or what?" Li Miaowei turned her gaze to a corner. In the shadows stood a glamorous female official, her body hidden in the light and shadow, her makeup obscure and indistinct, a mix of red and green.

"Who knows?" The female official shrugged.

"Who confined her here?"

"No one is confining her to her quarters; she just won't go out."

"Heh, a bunch of bitches." Li Miaowei glared at the female official, then glanced around at the numerous figures in the room. "If she doesn't leave, won't you take the initiative to comfort her?"

The female official tilted her head: "I'm not her chief consort, so why should I? My job is just to ensure her material needs remain the same and to ensure her life. What do I care about her mood?"

Who provided the loom?

The lady-in-waiting knelt down, holding a small mirror behind the curtain. Her hands were covered in blood-red powder, which she applied little by little to her lips: "On the day of the palace relocation, Consort Shu came to see her and sent it over in the afternoon. Perhaps she asked Consort Shu for it."

Li Miaowei gritted her teeth, and venomously uttered a few words: "He Yuqing, that poisonous woman!"

Absolute cowardice is inevitably accompanied by absolute boldness.

It turned out that Consort Shu was afraid that things might get complicated if she waited too long, so she went along with the idea of ​​the deposed woman requesting a loom.

A pure-hearted woman like Zhu Xiewusi is highly susceptible to depression once she suffers a major blow and her passion fades. Weaving in a relatively isolated environment, she might commit suicide or die of depression within a year.

Consort Shu grasped the nature of the deposed concubine and thus conceived the idea of ​​facilitating her murder. The better; hastening the deposed concubine's death would leave no grounds for criticism, and would instead establish her image as a kind and virtuous woman who had helped her sister.

Even if some people suspected that she was handing over a knife, she was always good at playing the victim and showing weakness, always appearing pure and harmless.

She's confident she can fool them by putting on an act.

It doesn’t matter if it doesn’t work out.

The reason that drove her to develop a vicious heart is also simple.

Throughout history, how many eldest sons who failed to inherit the throne met a good end? The Holy Emperor had many sons, and he showed interest in a number of princes, including Li Zhengyang, Li Zhi, Li Qushuo, and Li Wushi. Recently, he even invited the Prince of Liang to sit with him in court, showing his intention to cultivate them.

Once a certain Wang gains a firm foothold, where will she and her son have a place to stand?

This constant pressure kept Consort Shu restless day and night, gradually leading her to consider killing as many people as possible. The Emperor had put pressure on Prince Wu and Consort Shu first, so it's no wonder she harbored malicious intentions later. This palace intrigue, this murderous atmosphere within the inner court, was the result of the Emperor's own selection of virtuous officials.

National righteousness, the depravity of the times, the notion that only a capable ruler can protect the nation—she was a woman, and couldn't concern herself with such things. She would do whatever allowed her to survive. Even if one day it meant imprisoning or killing the Holy Emperor, she could try without any qualms, provided the odds were extremely high.

However, Li Miaowei was only speculating about He Yuqing with the utmost malice and did not know his true thoughts.

"You all go out first," Li Miaowei said coldly to the female official.

The female official put down her dressing mirror: "You have no right to order me around. Hurry up and show your sisterly affection, because when the Holy Emperor arrives, you might have to leave. Cherish your time."

"Hmph." Li Miaowei said no more, patting Fei Shi's back and comforting him with gentle words.

…………

Uozao Palace, Meiko-in Temple.

The Holy Emperor sat on the sunlit grass: "Did Li Keyong send you?"

Guo Chongtao stood ten paces away, looking slightly uneasy: "Yes, please observe the proper etiquette for serving your sovereign. What I did before was due to being misled and deceived by treacherous villains. Your Majesty has already demoted or executed all those involved. Those who were not dealt with died in the battles of Guanpu and received their due punishment. Please show leniency."

The Holy Emperor, holding his teacup, stared blankly at Guo Chongtao: "After months of standoff, you only remember me now that something's happened, and you recognize me as the Emperor. What have I done to make Li Keyong betray me like this?"

"No, no!" Guo Chongtao hurriedly explained, "The Holy Lord has never failed in his duty; it is Your Majesty who, acting as regent, has become somewhat bound by convention and believes he has the authority to offer advice on state affairs—"

"Enough!" the Holy Emperor interrupted impatiently. "Stop with the pleasantries. Let me make this clear: as long as Li Keyong lives, nothing is up for discussion."

After saying that, he was about to leave.

"Your Majesty!" Guo Chongtao cried out anxiously, kneeling down, "Your Highness knows his mistake! He shouldn't have taken advantage of the situation to rebel and plot a subversion! For the sake of his contributions in the two Jingnan Wars, and for the sake of your relationship with Consort Xian, please forgive him this time!"

"We are no longer ruler and subject, so don't keep calling me Your Majesty." The Holy Emperor looked at Guo Chongtao, who was prostrate on the ground, and said calmly, "You are an envoy, and your mission has not been accomplished, so I will make things clear to you."

"Li Keyong's merits have already been repaid by my late father and me with the titles of Military Governor of Four Garrisons, King of Longxi, Uncle, False Three Masters, and True Three Dukes."

"The Tang Dynasty is currently in its most turbulent time, the nation is facing numerous difficulties, and the families of nobles often starve to death. My meals are only what ordinary people eat. Yet, whenever he asks for this or that, the court grits its teeth and scrapes together the funds. My Li family and the court have already done more than enough for him."

“We don’t owe you anything, and don’t bring up any more of our past contributions.” “You just said that we should put aside our past grievances and work together for Zhu Dalang, which is fine. But I also said that Li Keyong was the one who smashed the bowl and overturned the table, not wanting me to be well, so I have no reason to benefit him in return. Repaying evil with kindness is not gentlemanly. Only by killing him can there be a possibility of reconciliation.”

"Guo Chongtao, are you right?"

"I only want his head, is that considered the ultimate level of leniency?"

“I know he can’t see through life and death. I can’t do anything about him now, but once he dies, I really don’t know how long I can tolerate his children, clan, cronies and confidants. If you ask me, it would be better if he committed suicide. Otherwise, if I go to Beijing and he is overthrown by his subordinates, that would be a disaster that I will regret.”

Guo Chongtao looked bewildered and hurriedly cried out, "Your Majesty..."

The Holy Emperor raised his hand to stop him: "You talk about the affection between Consort Xian and Li Keyong. Li Keyong doesn't care about the fate of his daughter. Why should Consort Xian talk to me about affection for him? Why should I care?"

"I cannot bear to see the marital affection between the virtuous consort and her husband."

"Furthermore, don't think that a few million strings of cash or a few prefectures and counties can settle this matter. All I want is Li Keyong's head. I don't want submission through ceding territory and paying reparations at the negotiating table; I want his head to be chopped off and him to submit, understand?"

After saying that, he waved his hand.

Seeing the Emperor's words were so harsh, Guo Chongtao broke out in a cold sweat and begged for mercy in every way, but the Emperor remained unmoved.

When the soft approach failed, Guo Chongtao felt a surge of courage to push things to the brink: "If Your Majesty insists on going your own way and cuts off everyone's path to survival, the only outcome will be mutual destruction, harming both sides. Shouldn't we learn from Emperor Zhuang's lesson?"

"You didn't defeat Emperor Zhuang; it was his stupidity that destroyed him." The Holy Emperor shook his head. "I am not the emperor you recognized and supported. I fought my way to the throne and secured my position myself. In other words, whoever you recognize as the emperor will neither increase my benefits nor decrease my harms. I don't care. There will come a day when you kneel down and shout 'Long live the Emperor!'"

Guo Chongtao said coldly, "Then I sincerely wish Your Majesty and Zhao Wei continued good fortune."

“These power plays and tricks that threaten me into submission are all minor ones.” The Holy Emperor stood up: “The development of Hedong over the past ten years has proven that Li Keyong and you do not understand how to govern the vassal states. In the past two years, you have also proven that you do not understand people’s hearts and geopolitics.”

“You say I’m lucky, that’s true. You don’t know how much luck I had to stumble upon to become a saint, you don’t know how lucky I am to have lived to this day.” Saint Emperor Eagle turned his head and looked at Guo Chongtao: “Li Keyong and you are also very lucky. Your luck has run out.”

"Zhao and Wei are my henchmen. You can try to touch them." The Holy Emperor strode away: "Zhu Dalang? Go ahead and collude with him. Sooner or later, I will send Li Keyong and Zhu Dalang to the sacrificial ceremony to Heaven, and put them in the Imperial Ancestral Temple, on the same platform as Zhu Wen and Song Wentong as tribute."

The Holy Emperor has departed.

Guo Chongtao stared wide-eyed, racking his brains for a while, trying to pull something, but ultimately fell silent. He stood there with his head down, like a dog that had been disciplined by its owner, tail between its legs, curled up in a corner without making a sound.

Anyang Jun Song Ya stood at the courtyard gate and gestured for people to leave: "How much longer do you plan to stay?"

Guo Chongtao took a few deep breaths, managed his facial expression and emotions, and staggered out.

With a loud "bang!", Song Ya slammed the courtyard gate shut.

She jogged to catch up with the Holy Emperor and said softly, "Holy Emperor, let's go."

Looking at the Holy Emperor's profile, Song Yajiao felt his authority growing ever stronger. He was usually all smiles, yet now he inspired even greater fear and apprehension, making it hard to breathe.

The Holy Emperor didn't even turn his head: "How has Wu Si been lately?"

Song Ya honestly replied, "It's not quite normal. Sometimes she talks to thin air, sometimes she sings in the middle of the night, but most of the time she's silent..."

“Since I’ve entrusted her to you, it’s best not to wait for me to ask her every time. I have limited energy.”

Song Ya nodded: "Your Majesty, I will remember this. From now on, I will report to you every day what she says and does."

"Also, don't let the concubines meet with her alone," the Holy Emperor said. "The system has changed now, you don't need to worry about their feelings; if you offend them, so be it. Also, take some time to pass on a message to them. I don't have time to deal with her emotions..."

"Of course, don't say it was me who said it."

Song Ya pursed her red lips and said seriously, "I understand. Consorts should know their place."

The relationship between men and women differs greatly between the upper and lower classes. Generally, only ordinary men think about pleasing and satisfying women because their choices are limited and their ability to withstand risks is poor. But for men in the upper class, their energy is devoted to their careers; how can they possibly spend it constantly appeasing the whims of one woman or the sensitivities of another? A wise ruler doesn't seek out women, wives, or concubines, to drain his energy.

These things should be said, lest women become ignorant and arrogant because they are spoiled.

As Song Ya thought this through, she mentally prepared her words for the conversation.

Soon, the group arrived deep within the Fish and Algae Palace.

The Holy Emperor looked up at the high palace.

It was dark and silent there. Zhu Xiewu thought, and he stayed there. What would become of this simple, warm-hearted woman, barely the age of a recent college graduate, because of his appearance?

The Holy Emperor had a feeling of the setting sun, grass, trees, and ordinary alleyways.

"Li Miaowei and the deposed Empress are inside the palace." The glamorous female official, the administrator of the Fish and Algae Palace, led the way with a smile on her face: "The windows are all sealed up to prevent her from doing anything rash. Now she spends all her time weaving and singing, and she never leaves the palace."

After saying that, he and Song Ya stopped at the door.

The Holy Emperor walked slowly to the vicinity of his ex-wife.

The deceased, dressed in white, was a figure of changed circumstances.

A few wisps of gauze drifted down, like snowflakes landing on her hair.

Hearing footsteps, Zhu Xiewu instinctively searched for them and saw the Holy Emperor standing not far away. Suddenly, he smiled, and the dark room seemed to come alive with color: "You've come. I've been waiting for you for a long time."

She got up and walked over.

The Holy Emperor took two steps back.

"Don't you want me anymore?" Zhu Xiewu paused, his eyes glazed over, and asked hesitantly.

The Holy Emperor ignored her and only looked at Li Miaowei: "Guo Chongtao has been sent away; the talks didn't go well. You can leave now too. Or you can come down with Ya Zi."

"Li Keyong's treacherous intentions haven't died down, and the situation in Beijing will only become more unpredictable. If you two go back, you'll risk your lives if something goes wrong. It's better to stay in Chang'an as guests. Once the turmoil is over, you can leave anytime. Also, spend some time with your sister; if things continue like this, she'll go crazy sooner or later."

Li Miaowei quietly returned the greeting and smiled, "I never expected to meet again in this way. Brother-in-law, it's been several years, you've lost weight."

"My sister and I have long since severed our marriage; I am unworthy of the title 'brother-in-law.'" The Holy Emperor remained composed, neither humble nor arrogant. "If you do not wish to stay, then leave. Forget your identity, do not concern yourself with the one-eyed dragon's affairs, and simply live well..."

Li Miaowei laughed: "...Why didn't Auntie stay?"

She placed her hands on her shoulders, grasped her clothes, and slowly pulled them down as she gracefully walked towards the Holy Emperor: "We don't need to love each other, and I don't need to be your only one."

"Tonight, I only want to be one of the many women by your side."

"You know how to bring out the best in me."

"I don't have the ability to become famous. I'll use my entire life as a bargaining chip to exchange for something."

"Let me fall into the abyss and suppress my true nature."

"You grabbed my neck with both hands and slowly tightened your grip, and I screamed in terror."

“Give me that harsh and brutal love, push me step by step, make me breathless, until I pass out.”

The Holy Emperor raised his hand to stop him: "Put on your clothes and get out..."

The Holy Emperor turned his back: "I might as well say this to you once more. Everything I do is for the sake of the Holy Tang Dynasty. It is absolutely not because someone submits to me and offers themselves as a dowry that I can act in a certain way."

Each word fell upon the scene, seemingly capable of scattering ice shards, leaving Li Miaowei, who was suppressing all her shyness, bewildered and forlorn behind her.

"By legal standards, we are now enemies. Your sacrifice is an underestimation of me and an overestimation of yourself. Whether you stay or leave is your decision! I will not kill you, but if the war reaches Beijing or there is a military uprising in the future, I will not show any mercy or feel sorry for you."

(End of this chapter)