Tang Dynasty Puppet Doctor

Chapter 148 Exploring the Empress's Dream

Consort Xiao and Empress Wang died from the torture of bone poisoning. Before her death, Consort Xiao cursed the current emperor: "After I die, I will become a cat and A-Wu will become a rat. I will strangle A-Wu in life and death, so that she will never have a chance to rise again."

Because of this curse, Empress Dowager Tian, ​​who was still in Chang'an at the time, often dreamed that Consort Xiao, with disheveled hair and covered in blood, came to find her. As a result, the emperor advised Emperor Gaozong to move the capital to Luoyang under the pretext of recuperating from illness. From then on, the political center was moved to Luoyang, and he never dared to return to Chang'an again.

Lai Junchen's deliberate mention of Consort Xiao was surely intended to make the Emperor feel disgusted with Xiao Muchen, who was also a member of the Lanling Xiao clan.

But the matter of the sage's nightmare must be a closely guarded secret. How could it be known to an outsider like Lai Junchen, apart from the palace attendants and female officials?
Just as Xiao Muchen was having some doubts, Shangguan Wan'er led a group of eunuchs toward the gate of the Xiao residence.

"Why is Imperial Censor Lai blocking the gate of Prime Minister Xiao's residence?" Shangguan Wan'er's eyes also showed a hint of disgust when she saw Lai Junchen.

Lai Junchen grinned and said, "This humble official greets Lord Shangguan. I also wish to share His Majesty's burdens, therefore..."

"It's none of your business to concern yourself with the private affairs of a sage. Get out!"

Lai Junchen's face stiffened, and he said, "Yes!" before waving his sleeve and leading his group away on horseback.

Shangguan Wan'er then walked over and said, "His Majesty has indeed been having nightmares lately, but it has nothing to do with the so-called demon cat. Lai Junchen is so arrogant only because he relies on His Majesty's favor. After all, His Majesty pardoned him from the death penalty for the secret accusation case five years ago, which made him even more arrogant and disregard everyone else."

Xiao Muchen nodded.

Shangguan Wan'er then took out a secret decree and handed it to Xiao Muchen, saying solemnly, "Prime Minister Xiao, Madam Xiao, His Majesty has indeed summoned you to the palace."

"What is it for?" Xiao Muchen asked.

Shangguan Wan'er glanced at Murong Huan: "It should be related to Madam Xiao. Prime Minister Xiao, do you know that the heroic deeds of Madam Xiao in beheading Li Jinzhong on the battlefield are now widely known in Wei and You provinces? Some people say that Madam Xiao is a reincarnation of a general. When the Emperor heard about this, his expression was ambiguous. He only said that Wan'er should invite you two to the palace."

As for whether it was a blessing or a curse, Wan'er dared not make a judgment or draw a conclusion.

Upon hearing this, Xiao Muchen's expression darkened. Others might not know, but he knew very well that it was not A Huan who beheaded Li Jinzhong in that battle, but Li Linghuan.

In order to prevent A-Huan's background from arousing the Emperor's suspicion again, Xiao Muchen did not report the battle situation to the Emperor. Instead, he attributed all the credit to Prime Minister Di and asked Prime Minister Di to keep it a secret for the two of them.

Three years have passed since that battle, so who is bringing it up again now?

"Thank you for informing me, Attendant-in-Ordinary!"

After Xiao Muchen said something, the three of them boarded the carriage.

During the journey, Murong Huan couldn't help but ask, "Does Attendant Shangguan know why the Prince of Xiang's wives and concubines, Consort Dou and Consort Liu, disappeared from the palace?"

Shangguan Wan'er pondered for a moment before replying, "It would be best if the two of you did not get involved in this matter. Just like five years ago, it is another witchcraft calamity. Someone privately accused Consort Dou and Consort Liu of burying bronze statues to curse the Emperor, so the Emperor killed them and ordered them to be buried secretly. Even Prince Xiang and Princess Taiping do not know where the two consorts were buried."

"Is the person filing the complaint Wei Tuan'er?"

Upon hearing Murong Huan's question, Shangguan Wan'er's expression changed drastically: "So you already knew?"

"It's just a guess. Thank you, Attendant-in-Ordinary, for telling me the truth."

Li Yi once said that even Taiping couldn't fully fathom Shangguan Wan'er's stance. No one could predict which side she would ultimately stand on, but at least for now, she seemed to be a friend rather than an enemy.

An hour later, the carriage stopped in front of Zetian Gate. Xiao Muchen and Murong Huan got off the carriage and walked with Shangguan Wan'er along the palace road patrolled by the Thousand Bull Guards to Qianyuan Hall, and then to Yingxian Hall.

At that time, Zhang Changzong and Zhang Yizhi were playing backgammon with the Empress.

Just as Xiao Muchen and Murong Huan were about to step into the Yingxian Palace, the sound of chess pieces hitting the ground suddenly came from inside, followed by the Empress's angry rebuke: "They dare!"

Zhang Changzong said with a very aggrieved tone, "Your Majesty, they all say that you are old and the world will eventually return to the hands of the Li Tang dynasty. They say that you should hold the Crown Prince hostage and become a friend with whom you can maintain a long-term friendship, so that the glory of their family can be passed down forever."

"Who exactly is gossiping behind my back?"

"Your Majesty, I dare not make baseless accusations, but since the Crown Prince returned to Luoyang not long ago, Zhang Yue, the Palace Attendant, and Wei Yuanzhong, the Imperial Censor, have frequently visited the Eastern Palace, and also..."

"Anything else?"

"I have also heard that Prince Shao and Princess Yongtai privately cursed us as bewitching creatures who bewitched Your Majesty..."

The Empress seemed to have reached her limit and shouted, "Guards!" Immediately, Imperial Guards entered in response: "Your Majesty!"

"Issue my decree to bring Prince Shao, Li Chongrun, into the palace. I want to ask him personally what grievances he has against me."

"Here!"

Just as the Imperial Guards were about to leave, the Empress said, "Enough. There's no need to summon him to the palace. Convey my words to the Crown Prince, and tell him to discipline his son properly."

"Yes, Your Majesty, I take my leave!"

A short while later, Xiao Muchen saw General Li Duozuo walking out of the Yingxian Hall, his face looking rather uneasy.

After bowing to Xiao Muchen, Li Duozuo hurriedly left.

A bad feeling suddenly rose in Murong Huan's heart.

At this moment, Shangguan Wan'er led them into the Yingxian Palace.

Zhang Changzong and Zhang Yizhi were still massaging the Empress's shoulders and back as she reclined on the soft couch. The Empress, who had already closed her eyes to sleep, slowly opened them upon hearing footsteps. Seeing that it was Xiao Muchen and Murong Huan who had arrived, she got up and gestured for the two Zhang brothers to leave.

"Your subject Xiao Muchen, accompanied by his wife, pays respects to Your Majesty!"

Xiao Muchen and Murong Huan bowed to each other, and out of the corner of their eyes they noticed that there seemed to be another man standing in the hall, watching everything.

"Rise, no need for formalities. Zicheng, this is your first time as prime minister, are you adapting well?"

"Your Majesty, I am deeply grateful for your guidance and support!"

The Empress nodded, glanced at Murong Huan, and suddenly said, "Zicheng, you and Wan'er go out first. I want to speak with your wife alone."

Xiao Muchen's expression changed slightly, and he immediately became nervous. But then he heard the Empress say, "You don't need to worry. I just want her to take a look at my illness."

"Here!"

After Xiao Muchen and Shangguan Wan'er walked out of Yingxian Hall, the Empress turned her probing gaze to Murong Huan and suddenly sighed, "Ever since the first time I saw you, I have always felt a sense of familiarity. A few days ago, I often had a dream about my first daughter, Princess Anding."

The mention of Princess Anding stirred up many emotions in Murong Huan's heart.

The Empress's gaze was intense, as if she were scrutinizing her, and she continued, "I dreamt that she was not dead, but had grown up and become a female general who could conquer all directions. I am very gratified and proud to have such a daughter. She is very much like me, even more so than Taiping!"

After the Empress finished speaking, the hall fell silent. She seemed to be waiting for Murong Huan to say something, but Murong Huan did not utter a single word in response.

"Murong Huan, I've heard that you can cure strange illnesses, and your dream-entering technique is particularly powerful. Why don't you enter my dream now and interpret its meaning for me?"

"I dare not!"

Entering the Emperor's Dream is tantamount to prying into the Empress's privacy; knowing too much will only make her more wary.

Murong Huan didn't want to get into that kind of trouble.

The Empress replied, "I forgive you for your crime!"

Murong Huan had no choice but to reply, "Yes!" He then lit the hypnotic incense and began to play a flute tune.

The sound of the flute echoed throughout the Yingxian Hall. As the Empress looked at Murong Huan, an image of a woman holding a long halberd and with a red cloak billowing high behind her seemed to appear in her mind.

Each time the woman returned victorious, she would bring unexpected battle reports, and her kingdom would become even more prosperous because of her, with no foreign enemies daring to invade.

But one day, the woman suddenly pointed a halberd at her and questioned her, "Why?" She then forced her to abdicate under the pretext of eliminating the Zhang brothers to cleanse the court of corrupt officials.

For a fleeting moment, she had the impulse to pass the throne to her. None of her sons possessed her decisiveness, courage, or imperial abilities. She even hoped that her daughter would resolutely kill her and immediately ascend the throne, just as she had done before, sweeping away all opposition forces that stood in her way.

But she also knew how difficult it would be to produce another female emperor. The court officials would not agree. These men would rather support a weak Prince Li Xian of Luling than support a woman as emperor. Otherwise, she would not have resorted to cruel officials to suppress the emperor.

As expected, the daughter was killed right before her eyes, just as she was about to abdicate.