Tang Dynasty, my wife Wu Zetian

Chapter 2 Empress Wu Meiniang

Pei Xingjian stood outside Ganlu Gate and could see a corner of Ganlu Hall from afar through the doorway.

"Pei County Magistrate, come this way." A general leading the left and right guards reminded in a deep voice.

Pei Xingjian sighed, followed silently behind the left and right guards, passed through the Rihua Gate, and headed towards the Lizheng Hall.

Lizheng Hall is the queen's bedroom. A month ago, Queen Wang was in charge of the palace, but now it has become Queen Wu.

When the emperor wanted to depose Wang and enthronize Wu, Pei Xingjian, the magistrate of Chang'an County, also submitted a memorial of opposition, saying to others: "Deposing the empress without reason will inevitably bring disaster to the country."

Now that Empress Wu has come to the throne, he guessed that he would be retaliated against, but he didn't expect it to come so soon.

After a while, he arrived outside the Lizheng Hall. After the eunuch reported, he followed the eunuch into the hall.

On the Phoenix Throne, Empress Wu was wearing a yellow silk bustier dress, a shawl draped over her shoulders, and her hair was tied up in a Leyou bun with gold hairpins and step-shake ornaments inserted in it. Her forehead was decorated with flowers. She was leaning on the seat with one hand supporting her chin, reading a book in her hand.

Pei Xingjian rarely saw Wu, so upon seeing her, he was deeply astonished and thought to himself, "She is truly enchanting. No wonder she has captivated the Saint so deeply."

He only glanced at her, then lowered his head and said, "I, Pei Xingjian, pay my respects to Her Majesty the Queen."

Pei Xingjian waited for a long time but could not hear Empress Wu's voice. He looked up and happened to meet her eyes. He was startled and was forced by her aura to lower his head again.

Empress Wu withdrew her gaze and praised as she flipped through the book.

"County Magistrate Pei, you've done a great job governing Chang'an County. In just three years, you've cleared the hundreds of backlog cases left by your predecessor."

Pei Xingjian was slightly stunned. He looked up and took another look, only to find that what Empress Wu was holding was the case file of Chang'an County.

"Your Highness, this was not accomplished solely by me. The Chang'an County Magistrate and the County Lieutenant all cooperated with me, allowing us to promptly clear the backlog of cases. Furthermore, this was my responsibility, so I dare not claim credit for it."

Empress Wu said calmly, "Your ability to handle your duties well demonstrates your talent, and your willingness to share credit with your colleagues demonstrates your virtue. Magistrate Pei, how should I reward a man of your talent and virtue?"

When Pei Xingjian heard this, he felt a tremendous pressure.

If Empress Wu had directly punished him by beating or scolding him, he would have remained calm and fearless. But now she was talking about rewards, which made people confused about her thoughts and uneasy.

"I am terrified." He whispered.

Empress Wu stared at him and said calmly, "Pei Xingjian, are you afraid of me?"

Pei Xingjian took a deep breath, knelt on the ground, and kowtowed, saying, "When Your Majesty proposed to depose Queen Wang, I did submit a petition in opposition. I know I am guilty, and I beg Your Majesty to punish me!"

Empress Wu hummed softly and continued to flip through the files in her hand. She said, "You are indeed guilty. I was originally planning to punish you, but after reading these files, I appreciate your talent and changed my mind."

When she said this, a smile appeared on her face.

"I heard that you once transferred all the prisoners from Chang'an Prison to reclaim wasteland south of the city, adding nearly a thousand acres of fertile farmland to Chang'an City. You did a great job."

When Pei Xingjian heard the praise, he felt mixed emotions.

This was one of the things he was most proud of since he took office as the magistrate of Chang'an County. However, whenever he mentioned it, his friends around him were quite contemptuous, saying that he was employing prisoners and violating regulations.

I didn't expect to receive praise from Empress Wu today.

The impermanence of the world is truly lamentable.

"Your Highness, I am too kind to praise you. This action of mine was not in accordance with the rules and regulations, and I was even impeached by the censors. I dare not take credit for it."

Empress Wu smiled and said, "Sometimes, to get things done, one cannot be bound by old rules. You have flexibly used your power to benefit the people. Your merits outweigh your faults. This is very good. As for the censors, they are doing their job and have done nothing wrong in submitting this memorial."

After just a few words, Pei Xingjian actually felt a little more like a close friend towards Empress Wu, whom he had previously regarded as a seductress.

"Your Highness, I believe that although the land around Chang'an is fertile, there is too little arable land. If a natural disaster were to occur, it would not be enough to supply Chang'an. This is a serious problem that requires immediate attention."

Empress Wu's smile widened: "County Magistrate Pei, you are thirty-six years old this year, right?"

Pei Xingjian was stunned and said, "Yes."

Empress Wu said, "Given your talents, it's not impossible for you to serve as the Governor of Yongzhou. However, we need to take things slow. I would suggest to the Saint that we first promote you to the position of Vice Minister of the Ministry of Revenue, so that you can familiarize yourself with agricultural affairs. Later, you can serve as the Governor of Yongzhou to completely solve Chang'an's food shortage problem. Are you willing?"

Pei Xingjian never thought that Empress Wu would not only not punish him, but also promote him. Half surprised and half delighted, he stood up and said, "Thank you, Your Highness!"

Empress Wu smiled and said, "Don't thank me yet. I have a small matter that I need your help with."

Pei Xingjian's heart trembled, and he suddenly came to his senses. He thought to himself, "She's trying so hard to win over people, I'm afraid it's just for this matter." He took a breath and said, "Your Highness, please speak." Empress Wu raised her hand and said, "This file mentions that the Chu family committed crimes in Chang'an County, but was protected by Chu Suiliang. Do you still remember this?"

Pei Xingjian said, "Yes."

Empress Wu said sternly, "I want you to prepare a memorial to the emperor on the first and fifteenth days of the lunar month to impeach Chu Suiliang for shielding his clansmen. Are you willing?"

Pei Xingjian's mind buzzed, and he blurted out, "Your Highness, Chu Suiliang has been demoted to Tanzhou, why are you chasing him away..."

"Hmm?" Empress Wu raised her voice a little, staring at him with her narrow eyes.

Pei Xingjian sighed inwardly, "She is indeed a woman who emerged from the harem struggles. This is her true face."

He knelt on the ground again and said, "I am guilty, Your Majesty, please punish me."

Empress Wu raised her eyebrows and said coldly, "Are you going to reject me?"

Pei Xingjian's heart tightened.

He knew that his next choice would very likely bring disaster to his family. However, if he took advantage of the situation and framed Chu Suiliang, he would be cursed for eternity in history.

There is no need to weigh the pros and cons of what is more important.

He took a deep breath and said, "I have failed Your Highness's expectations. Please forgive me!"

After a long while, Pei Xingjian didn't hear any sound. He looked up and found that the Phoenix Throne was empty.

He sighed and staggered out of the hall.

……

In the rear hall, Empress Wu was writing "Instructions to the Relatives of the Empress Dowager".

At the beginning of next year, she will be present at the ancestral temple, and Li Zhi has promised her that he will posthumously confer the title of Si Tu on her father Wu Shigui and allow him to be offered sacrifices in the ancestral temple of Emperor Gaozu of Tang.

His mother, Yang, will also be given the title of Lady of Dai.

She knew that it would cause controversy both in the court and the public, so she prepared this "Waiting for Relatives" in advance to silence the gossips.

Just then, the eunuch Zhang Duohai came over.

He was very fat, and walked like a rolling ball. He whispered, "Your Highness, at 2:02 AM today, Wang Fusheng went to the cold palace and met with Commoner Wang and Commoner Xiao."

Empress Wu paused with the jade brush in her hand, and a drop of ink fell on the paper, soaking most of the word "外".

"What is he going to do?" Empress Wu asked coldly.

Zhang Duohai said, "He probably wants to help Wang Shuren pass on a message to the Saint. Humph, Wang Fusheng relies on his position as the Eunuch Supervisor to ignore you. He's quite the overbearing one!"

After listening to this, Empress Wu's eyes flickered but she said nothing.

Just then, another eunuch came to report that the saint had also gone to the cold palace.

Empress Wu suddenly stood up, slammed her pen on the table, and said coldly: "How dare Wang Fusheng instigate us!"

Zhang Duohai showed a sinister expression and said, "Your Highness, everyone is soft-hearted. We must get rid of Wang Shuren and Xiao Shuren immediately. Don't give them a chance!"

Empress Wu glanced at him, and Zhang Duohai was shocked and dared not speak.

Empress Wu said calmly, "Send someone to keep an eye on Leng Ning Palace. Report any news immediately."

About a quarter of an hour later, the eunuch came to report that the saint had left Leng Ning Hall.

Empress Wu stood up and paced back and forth in the room.

After a long moment, she said grimly, "Zhang Duohai, go to Leng Ning Palace yourself and have those two bitches caned a hundred times, cut off their hands and feet, and throw them into a wine vat. I want them to experience the feeling of being intoxicated. Then, pass on my order and have Wang Fusheng come to see me!"

Zhang Da Hai grew up in the palace and considered herself to be cruel. When she heard about such cruel punishment, she couldn't help but feel a chill down her spine.

"Your Majesty, I obey your command." He agreed and turned away.

(End of this chapter)