Control your ancestors and create an immortal family starting from the Eastern Han Dynasty

Chapter 183 The Struggle for the Dethronement of the Empress Begins

—The princess suddenly died in the inner palace.

In any dynasty, such an event would inevitably cause a great stir, especially since the child has always been very healthy.

This sudden death could become the fuse that ignites a conflict in the imperial court.

The entire palace was sealed off by Li Zhi's men almost immediately.

He intended to summon his ministers immediately.

But Li Zhi calmed down again, and after settling everything, he immediately returned to the Taiji Hall before issuing the order:
"Summon the Grand Tutor immediately!"

Gu Jing received the news from the inner palace immediately.

Although he could not find out all the details, he knew the general course of events—the Empress had visited the Princess before His Majesty went to the Lizheng Hall.

This detail made Gu Jing vaguely realize something in an instant.

However, this result is somewhat unimaginable to ordinary people.

But Gu Jing was different.

As a man well-versed in political maneuvering, he was adept at understanding people's hearts, never assuming good intentions, but rather habitually seeking out the motives for evil through conflicts of interest.

That's how it is now.
Recalling Wu Zetian's actions at Ganye Temple and her rapid rise to power after entering the palace, everything seems to have been answered without us even realizing it.

He was too lazy to think about the details.

Empress Wang has always been harsh and ungrateful in the palace. Such a person cannot have any true confidants. How can one be fully guarded in the deep palace?
"Foolish." Gu Jing shook his head slightly, stating his judgment once again.

This answer is exactly the same as it was in previous years!
"Grand Tutor, His Majesty summons you." The servant's voice rang out from outside the door at just the right moment.

Upon hearing this, Gu Jing remained calm and composed. He stood up and walked out with a slight movement of his sleeves.

A solemn atmosphere pervaded the entire palace.

Li Zhi had suppressed all the news, but this series of moves had changed the atmosphere of the entire palace again and again.

Everyone felt the emperor's anger.

Whether they were palace servants or guards, everyone felt as if they were walking on thin ice at that moment.

Tai Chi Hall.

Before even entering the hall, Gu Jing could hear the deafening sound of someone slamming their fist on the dragon throne, demonstrating just how furious Li Zhi was.

"Greetings to Your Majesty."

Gu Jing entered the hall with a calm expression and paid his respects according to etiquette.

Almost simultaneously, Li Zhi's gaze fixed on him like a torch, discarding all pretense and piercing straight to the heart: "Grand Tutor, may I depose the Empress?"

The atmosphere inside the hall changed instantly—

Li Zhi was genuinely furious, but he wasn't a fool. He was well aware that the matter of deposing the empress was of great importance and could not be bypassed by the court officials.

Why was Gu Jing summoned alone?
That's because Gu Jing and the royal family were on the same side, and Empress Wang also had the Guanlong gentry standing behind her.

Although history has changed a lot.

However, it was impossible for Li Zhi to directly summon Changsun Wuji, Chu Suiliang, and others under such circumstances.

Seemingly afraid that Gu Jing would not agree, Li Zhi told him everything that had happened in the palace that day before Gu Jing could even speak.

His eyes were red-rimmed as he stared intently at Gu Jing: "That's my own flesh and blood!"

"Gone just like that!"

"I have never even heard her cry!"

"How vicious this woman's heart is!"

Li Zhi seemed to have been completely blinded by greed, his eyes bloodshot as he stared intently at Gu Jing, and asked again, "Grand Tutor, may I depose the Empress?"

As soon as he finished speaking, the entire hall fell silent.

Gu Jing remained calm and composed. After a moment's thought, he said slowly, "This is Your Majesty's family matter; there is no need to ask me."

in fact--

If Empress Wang had a son and was not so disliked by Emperor Gaozong, he might have offered her help.

After all, this move benefits the whole world!

Given Empress Wang's status, the powerful clans of Guanzhong will surely give their full support to the Crown Prince in the future.

Unfortunately, Empress Wang had no children, and Emperor Gaozong (Li Zhi) hated her to an uncontrollable degree.

You can tell just by looking at Li Zhi's current attitude.

He clearly wanted to use this opportunity to finalize the matter completely.

The fact that the emperor disliked her so much, especially since she was quite beautiful, already speaks volumes.

It was impossible for Gu Jing to help her under these circumstances.

The Tang Dynasty is currently at a critical juncture.

He needed to focus all his attention on the Censorate.

Upon hearing this, Li Zhi almost instinctively breathed a sigh of relief.

They were able to gain Gu Jing's support.

This gave him immense confidence, so even if he completely fell out with the entire Guanlong Group, he would not be afraid at all.

"I understand."

He suddenly calmed down, and his eyes became even more sharp.

Gu Jing did not say anything more.

Seeing this, Gu Jing said no more. After Li Zhi also remained silent, he bowed to the throne once more, then turned and walked out of the hall.

"Your subject takes his leave."
—A shocking change!
With Gu Jing's departure, the lockdown of the entire palace was immediately lifted, and the officials received the news at the first opportunity and were summoned to the palace by Li Zhi.

Li Zhi did indeed have some tricks up his sleeve.

He did not reveal his purpose, but simply told the court officials everything that had happened in the harem.

He even cried in front of his ministers and wanted to posthumously honor the deceased princess.

Until the end——

He then brought up the core issue that everyone was most concerned about.

What should be done with Empress Wang?

Li Zhi did not mention deposing the empress, but once Empress Wang became the culprit, the outcome seemed to be predetermined.

But even so.

The Guanlong Group still stepped forward at this time, and even though Changsun Wuji, Chu Suiliang and others did not say much, ministers still offered their advice.

In short, they did not believe that the Queen was responsible and that the matter should be thoroughly investigated.

Empress Wang's maternal clan was the core of the Guanlong Group.

The entire Guanlong Group is deeply entrenched, and any move it makes can have far-reaching consequences. Its interests are intertwined with those of many, so they will naturally intervene.

In the imperial court, as long as someone brings up this matter first, Changsun Wuji and Chu Suiliang, as regents, have enough influence to stop them and instead demand a thorough investigation.

As for the other ministers' stance on this matter, it was largely the same.

Most of these people are newly promoted officials, and most of them are still inexperienced and unable to grasp the implications at the moment.

To be fair, they felt this matter should be handled with caution.

This power struggle, which involved the entire court, was temporarily put on hold.

Even Li Zhi was unable to reveal his most crucial idea.

It only revealed a slight attitude.

This led to a united counterattack from the entire Guanlong Group.

History has indeed changed. The emergence of the Gu family did not allow the Guanlong Group to become the dominant force it had in history, but this does not mean that the Guanlong Group had no influence.

That's how it is now.

In the original history, Li Zhi's situation would have been even more difficult than it is now.

That's how the matter was stopped.

However, the impact of Princess Zhen's actions within the court was still considerable, and the entire Guanlong Group was in a state of panic, with everyone seemingly aware of what might happen next.

An invisible storm was rapidly gathering in the shadows.

The night was deep, and the moonlight was like a ribbon.

Inside the Duke of Zhao's mansion, candlelight blazed brightly.

Changsun Wuji sat upright in the main seat, waiting for the arrival of the ministers.

As time went by, one figure after another arrived from outside. These were all core figures of the Guanlong aristocratic families, whose roots were intertwined and who were often related by marriage.

Their expressions were all very serious, including that of Empress Wang's father, Wang Renyou.

Changsun Wuji and Chu Suiliang had been watching the crowd the whole time.

Beside the two.

There was also one empty seat, seemingly waiting for some key figure.

Finally, a servant stepped forward to report:
"Grand Commandant, the Duke of Yingguo claims to be ill and unable to come." As soon as the words fell, Changsun Wuji and Chu Suiliang seemed to have expected it, their expressions remaining unchanged, but the gazes of the others turned cold, and a chill permeated the air.

Wang Renyou was particularly notorious for this.

Unable to contain himself, he immediately and angrily rebuked, "Li Ji! He's nothing but a former subordinate of Wagang, yet he dares to betray the trust placed in him by the late emperor!"

—That's right, they were waiting for Li Ji, not Gu Jing.

It's impossible for the Gu family to be involved in such a matter.

Everyone understands this.

If they wanted to prevent Emperor Gaozong from deposing Empress Wang, they had to make all the necessary preparations.

And Li Ji was the key figure in this.

But clearly, Li Ji was also unwilling to get involved in this matter.

As soon as he finished speaking, a chorus of curses erupted.

These Guanzhong nobles already looked down on Shandong heroes like Li Ji, and now they would show no mercy whatsoever.

Changsun Wuji suddenly raised his hand and shouted sharply, "Shut up!"

"Aren't you all already in enough chaos?!"

The hall fell silent instantly.

He is now the undisputed leader of the Guanzhong aristocracy.

Even Wang Renyou, the Empress's father, dared not ignore Changsun Wuji.

"His Majesty's intention to depose the Empress is clear. To continue with empty words now will only cause trouble!"

"If this gets out—"

Changsun Wuji's expression grew even more stern: "Wouldn't this be handing someone a handle against us?"

You could hear a pin drop in the hall.

Chu Suiliang, who was standing to the side, nodded at the opportune moment and said in a deep voice, "What the Grand Commandant said is absolutely right."

"The most urgent task is for us brothers to set aside our distractions, work together, and discuss solutions."

Upon hearing this, everyone immediately realized what was happening, their expressions turned serious again, and they began to cautiously discuss solutions.

Actually, if you just want to come up with a solution, it's not too difficult.

After all, Empress Wang was a marriage bestowed upon her by Emperor Taizong of Tang (Li Shimin).

She was also the Crown Princess chosen by Li Shimin.

But these reasons could not stop the emperor who had already made up his mind.

This is the most crucial thing right now!

"Perhaps we could seek out the Grand Tutor?"

Suddenly, someone exclaimed softly, as if it were an instinct.

This seemed to open up a new way of thinking, and Wang Renyou's eyes lit up instantly as he looked at Changsun Wuji: "That's right, if we could get the Grand Tutor's help..."

"Given His Majesty's high regard for the Grand Tutor, there is nothing to worry about!"

As he spoke, a pleading look appeared in his eyes.

He has already contacted Gu Jing.

But Gu Jing ignored him completely.

Wang Renyou was also helpless about this, but he felt that Changsun Wuji would be different from him, and Gu Jing would give him some face no matter what.

But both Changsun Wuji and Chu Suiliang ignored what he said.

Should we ask the Gu family for help?
Why?
Those who can have such thoughts simply do not understand the Gu family's code of conduct.

The fact that the Gu family is not interfering in these matters is already a great blessing for them.

If it were the Former Han Dynasty...

Once the emperor had this idea, the Gu family would immediately and openly provide their support.

That would make you feel desperate!

Seeing that Changsun Wuji remained silent, Wang Renyou became increasingly anxious and impatient.

He suppressed his emotions and gritted his teeth, mentioning several more times, "If we could get the Gu family's help," but seeing that Changsun Wuji and Chu Suiliang still didn't respond, he finally couldn't hold back any longer and shouted, "Grand Commandant! What do you mean by this?!"

Wang Renyou felt an uncontrollable surge of anger rising within him.

As the Empress's father, he should have held a very high position.

Unfortunately, Empress Wang's favor with the emperor waned.

Now that the situation has escalated to the point of deposing the empress, how could he not be anxious?
"Please calm down, Father-in-law." Chu Suiliang quickly raised his hand to stop him upon seeing this.

Wang Renyou's anger burned even more fiercely, and he gritted his teeth, saying, "Since the late emperor passed away, our Guanzhong lineage has been retreating step by step!"

"now--"

"Could it be that the Grand Commandant is wary of that brat from the Gu family?"

"They don't even dare to ask for his help anymore?!"

He voiced all his grievances.

According to his understanding, as long as Changsun Wuji went to find Gu Jing, Gu Jing would definitely come to help them.

After all, in their eyes, Gu Jing was indeed a generation younger than them.

The atmosphere inside the hall grew increasingly solemn.

Upon hearing this, Changsun Wuji finally looked up at Wang Renyou and let out a soft sigh: "The Grand Tutor holds the late Emperor's edict in his hands."

Facing the astonished and suspicious gazes of the entire hall, his face remained as firm as iron: "This edict—"

"It can surpass the emperor and command the troops of the whole country."

"Whenever the Grand Tutor predicted that the state was on the verge of collapse..."

"The military tally is ready to be activated at any moment."

After those few words, the hall fell into a deathly silence, with only a collective gasp of cold air.

Almost everyone stared wide-eyed.

It's hard to believe all of this.

What is this?
An emperor personally handed over the country's army to a minister.
Although it was supposed to be used to quell a rebellion, the emperor is dead, so wouldn't it be used to start a rebellion at any time?

This was completely beyond their imagination.

Many people were already trembling secretly, their emotions surging.

"The Grand Tutor oversees the country in secret and has never been involved in other matters. This is actually the Grand Tutor making his stance clear," Changsun Wuji said in a voice as cold as a spring, looking at everyone. "Our Guanzhong region is deeply rooted and flourishing. If we do not know how to restrain ourselves, we will surely be struck down by lightning one day."

His gaze pierced Wang Renyou, and he gave a dry laugh: "At this moment—"

"You actually dare to presume that the Grand Tutor will protect the Empress?"

“If the Empress had a legitimate heir, perhaps we could try our luck.” He slowly shook his head. “However, given the current situation, the Grand Tutor should abandon this idea.”

—Dead silence!
Absolute silence.

At this moment, everyone fell silent.

Even Wang Renyou, who had completely calmed down, immediately showed a sorrowful expression on his face: "Grand Commandant, what should we do!"

"Is it possible——"

He couldn't continue speaking, but his meaning was already very clear.

Changsun Wuji closed his eyes for a long time, then sighed, "Do your best and leave the rest to fate."

He swept his gaze across the crowd, his eyes as still as a deep well: "Given His Majesty's preference, if the Empress is deposed, Consort Wu will surely be appointed."

"At that time, we might be able to give it a try."

After saying that, he waved his hand, signaling everyone to leave.

The ministers looked at each other in silence, some silent, some frowning, and finally bowed and took their leave one after another.

The entire hall fell silent once more, and Changsun Wuji sat in his chair, unable to hide his exhaustion.

It is completely different from the original history.

Changsun Wuji has always been like this: as long as someone can completely control his wealth, poverty, life, and death, he will always remain calm.

In the original history, from the moment Li Shimin died, his desire for power had gradually exceeded its limits.

The same is true today.

But under Gu Jing's threat, he quickly calmed down from that state and now he no longer thinks about seizing power.

This series of trivial matters caused him considerable distress.

But there was nothing he could do—he couldn't avoid this kind of thing.

As the leader of the Guanlong nobles, he had to express his attitude and intervene in many matters, even if he did not want to get involved.

That's exactly what's happening now!
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(End of this chapter)