Tang Dynasty, my wife Wu Zetian

Chapter 420 Kudi

Chang'an, Wannian County.

Inside the official residence of the Revenue Department, the clerk of Wannian County stared blankly at the man and woman before him, his face full of doubt.

"Are you really going to register your marriage?"

"Yes," the man said, his face expressionless.

When other couples get married, the man is happy and the woman is shy, but these two are like two wooden figures, as if they are not the ones getting married.

This made the clerk of Wannian County even more suspicious. He took the two men's documents and certificates and looked at them again. Then he asked the two men, "What are your names?"

The man said, "Tang Ping."

The woman said, "Fifth Sister."

The clerk looked at Wu Niang and asked, "What's your surname?"

Fifth Sister said, "Kudi clan, Kudi Fifth Sister."

The clerk frowned and asked, "Are you from Tingzhou?"

Fifth Sister replied, "Yes."

"Of Tang or Hu descent?"

Fifth Sister fell silent.

Tang Ping raised an eyebrow and said, "Officer, the records show that my wife has been registered in Tang, and the official document also contains official documents from the Tingzhou government. The Yonghui Law stipulates that at the time of marriage, as long as there are official documents from the prefecture government and both parties' records are correct, it is sufficient. Why do you need to ask any more questions?"

The clerk snorted, "There are a lot of spies in the city lately. Your wife is from Tingzhou, so she might be a foreign spy stationed there. Of course I have to be careful."

A hint of anger flashed in Tang Ping's eyes as he reached for his waist pouch.

Wu Niang reached out and pressed down on the back of his hand, shaking her head at him.

Although Tang Ping held an official position, he was a clandestine spy for the Palace Secretariat, so the two of them usually kept a low profile.

After stopping her husband, Wu Niang said to the official, "I am of Tang descent, and my ancestors had Xianbei blood."

The Li family of the Tang Dynasty had Xianbei blood, and there were many descendants of Xianbei nobles in Chang'an. The Xianbei were considered a noble bloodline in Chang'an.

The clerk immediately became more polite, cupping his hands and saying, "I apologize for the inconvenience."

After registering their marriage, the two became a legally married couple.

Because both of them were former secret agents of the Imperial Palace, they didn't like to make a fuss about anything they did, and they didn't even prepare for a wedding.

What's even stranger is that, so far, Tang Ping only knows that Wu Niang's surname is Kudi, but he doesn't know about her family situation or whether her parents are still alive.

The two silently returned home, without saying a word the entire way.

The place where the two lived was also very quiet, located in a small courtyard in Dayefang.

In fact, the two of them have saved a lot of money over the years and could have bought a bigger house, but they both prefer this quiet little courtyard.

When Tang Ping arrived outside the courtyard, he frowned. He saw a veiled woman standing outside the door, her beautiful eyes fixed on him.

Wu Niang suddenly stopped in her tracks, as if she had been frozen in place by a spell, staring blankly at the woman.

The woman smiled slightly, lifted her veil, and revealed an exceptionally beautiful face.

"Sister, I've been looking for you everywhere!"

……

"Hoohoo!"

After boiling the tea, Tang Ping skillfully placed the tea cake into the water. Soon, the tea was brewed, and he carried the teacup to the main room, handing the tea to the woman.

Serving tea and entertaining guests is usually the job of the mistress of the house, but the mistress of the Tang family courtyard is sitting at the table with her head down and not saying a word.

The woman sat opposite her, her eyes scanning the room with curiosity.

"Thank you." The woman accepted the tea from Tang Ping and smiled slightly.

Tang Ping glanced at his wife, and seeing that she still didn't speak, he assumed that she was hesitant to speak while he was nearby, so he prepared to go out for a walk.

Wu Niang suddenly called out to him.

"My husband, please stay. I have something to say."

Tang Ping sighed. This small courtyard never had any visitors. There were only two chairs in the house, so Tang Ping sat down on the threshold.

Upon seeing this, the woman chuckled and said, "Sister, your husband is a bit silly."

Tang Ping laughed and cried without saying a word. He had taken many lives, and this was the first time he had been called a fool.

However, this woman gave him a very unusual feeling. She had a wild and unrestrained nature, her eyes were aggressive, and she looked at others without restraint. She was obviously not an ordinary woman.

Fifth Sister took a deep breath and said, "Ninth Sister, did Father send you to bring me back after finding out about my affair with my husband?"

Kudi Jiuniang smiled and said, "If I said yes, what would you do?"

Wu Niang said, "When I left the Kudi clan, I severed all ties with the clan. My body and hair are given to me by my parents. If he wants to force me, I have no choice but to give my life back to him."

Upon hearing this, Tang Ping felt a chill run down his spine and clenched his fists.

He could already tell that his wife came from a prominent family.

Kudi Jiuniang stared at Wuniang, then suddenly burst into laughter, laughing so hard she couldn't straighten her back.

Fifth Sister stared coldly at her and said, "What's so funny?"

Kudi Jiuniang laughed and said, "I just didn't expect that my fifth sister, who is always indifferent to people, would risk her life for such an ordinary man."

Fifth Sister's eyes flashed with anger, but Kudi Ninth Sister's next move made all her anger dissipate.

"I congratulate you, elder sister, on the joy of finding a good husband." She stood up and gave a blessing bow to Wu Niang.

Fifth Sister frowned and said, "What are you doing...?"

Kudi Jiuniang smiled and said, "Sister, you're still so honest. Do you really think I'm here to arrest you on Father's orders? He's too busy to arrest you right now."

Fifth Sister asked, "What is he busy with?"

Kudi Jiuniang laughed and said, "Of course they're busy catching me."

Fifth Sister asked in surprise, "Arrest you?"

Kudi Jiuniang picked up her teacup, gently swirled it, and looked at her reflection in the water. She said, "In the twelfth year of Yonghui, like you, I refused to accept the marriage arranged by my father and fled the family."

Fifth Sister gazed at her for a long while, then nodded gently and said, "It seems like something you would do."

Kudi Jiuniang laughed and said, "Are you praising me or belittling me?"

Fifth Sister asked, "So how have you been living all these years?"

Kudi Jiuniang said softly, "I have also met a good man. It's just a pity that he is far superior to me in terms of status and official rank. I have to use special methods to get close to him. Now I am helping him with something."

Fifth Sister asked, "Who is he?"

Jiu Niang laughed and said, "I won't tell you now. I'll tell you after I get him. Then I'll introduce him to you and your brother."

Fifth Sister said, "If you don't tell me, I won't press you. Since you weren't sent by Father, then stay here for a few more days."

Jiu Niang shook her head and said, "I came to see my elder sister this time because he is returning to the capital. He will be returning to Anxi tomorrow, and I will go back with him."

Fifth Sister nodded and said, "If that's the case, I won't force you to stay. If you encounter any trouble in the future, you can come to me, elder sister."

Ninth Sister gazed at Fifth Sister and softly hummed in agreement. Then she looked at Tang Ping and smiled, "Brother, you must treat my elder sister well."

After saying this, he bid farewell and left the courtyard.

The couple stood at the courtyard gate. After her figure disappeared into the street, Tang Ping said, "Fifth Sister, the man she mentioned is very likely Pei Xingjian, the Protector-General of Anxi." Fifth Sister nodded her chin and said, "I know."

Although Kudi Jiuniang did not directly mention Pei Xingjian's name, she revealed a lot of important information, especially that he was a high-ranking official, returning to the capital to report on his duties, and would be returning to Anxi the next day.

The couple were both involved in intelligence work, so they could easily guess that this person was Pei Xingjian, who had returned to the capital.

Pei Xingjian had just won a great victory in Anxi, capturing the King of Kangguo alive and forming the Zhaowu Army. He should be returning to the capital to report the matter to the emperor in detail.

Wu Niang glanced at her husband and said, "Husband, don't you have anything to ask me?"

Tang Ping said, "If you are willing to tell me, you will naturally tell me, and I don't need to ask. If you are not willing to tell me, it is useless for me to ask."

Fifth Sister glared at him and said, "What a blockhead." Then she turned and went back into the house.

Tang Ping wasn't stupid; he knew his wife was going to tell him about his family background. He quickly closed the door, went back inside, and sat in the spot where Jiu Niang had just been sitting.

Wu Niang then told her about her family situation.

Kudi was a Xianbei nobleman. Kudi Wuniang's grandfather was a Yuan Dynasty general who fought alongside Li Yuan to conquer the country.

Later, during the Xuanwu Gate Incident, Li Yuan was forced to abdicate. Many former imperial guards were dissatisfied with Li Shimin and secretly plotted a coup to help Li Yuan regain power.

As a result, their plot was exposed, and they were supposed to be executed.

Later, it is unclear what kind of cooperation Li Yuan and Li Shimin reached, but Li Shimin let go of these Yuan imperial guards generals who attempted to rebel.

As a result, the Kudi clan was expelled from Chang'an and moved to Tingzhou. Because of this incident, the Kudi clan harbored resentment towards the imperial court.

By the time of Kudi Wu Niang's father, He Lu had rebelled and occupied Tingzhou. The Kudi clan became allied with He Lu, and Kudi's father wanted to marry Wu Niang to a Turkic nobleman.

Unlike her father, Kudi Wuniang identified herself as a Tang person, considered Helu a traitor, and was unwilling to marry a Turk.

This caused a conflict between father and daughter. In a fit of anger, Wu Niang left the family and wandered the world. Later, by chance, she entered Changqiu Terrace.

After hearing this, Tang Ping felt even more respect for his wife. He took her hand and said, "Fifth Sister, you've suffered so much these past years."

Fifth Sister looked up at him and said, "I should thank my father. If he hadn't forced me, I wouldn't have met you..."

This was the first time Tang Ping had heard her express her feelings. His heart softened, and he went over and hugged her.

Just then, a rhythmic knocking sound came from outside, breaking the warm atmosphere inside the house.

Upon hearing the knocking, Tang Ping knew that something had happened at the Palace Office. He frowned and said, "They can't even let people have a moment's peace when they ask for leave."

The two took the day off today in order to register their marriage at the government office.

Fifth Sister said, "Let's go and see, maybe something has happened."

Tang Ping had no choice but to go to the door. When he opened it, he saw that it was indeed one of his secret agents knocking on the door.

"What is it?" he asked with a stern face.

The spy said angrily, "Boss, those inner guards are getting more and more outrageous. The person we've been watching for half a month has been robbed by them again!"

Tang Ping's face immediately showed a hint of anger.

Both the Sigongtai and the Neilingfu were intelligence agencies close to the emperor.

Originally, according to the rules, the Inner Territory did indeed have greater authority, and could send spies to various countries to assist the army in achieving victory on the battlefield.

The original scope of authority of the Sigongtai has been reduced to Chang'an City by the Inner Guard, and it is only responsible for intelligence work and spy investigation in Chang'an City.

However, since last year, the Inner Palace has been extending its reach further and further. As long as they have their eyes on someone, even if the Palace Administration has already set its sights on them, they will still compete for them.

The two sides frequently clash.

Tang Ping had reported this matter to Wang Fusheng.

But Wang Fusheng had no choice. In recent years, the Inner Palace had accomplished many great things and was gaining more and more of the emperor's trust.

The people of the Inner Palace became even more arrogant and domineering, completely disregarding the people of the Palace Administration.

Many of the Palace Guard's capable spies were even poached by the Inner Guard. Wang Fusheng repeatedly compromised on this, and Tang Ping had no choice but to accept it.

If things continue like this, the authority of the Palace Attendant will eventually be taken over by the Inner Guards, and then there will only be one fate awaiting the Palace Attendant.

Fiscal!

Tang Ping returned to the house and told his wife what had happened.

Wu Niang was silent for a while, then said, "Husband, no matter how angry we are about this, there is nothing we can do. We can only tell Eunuch Wang about the situation and let him deal with it."

Tang Ping frowned and said, "I'm just worried that once Eunuch Wang finds out, he'll back down again."

Fifth Sister said solemnly, "If he chooses to back down, it means that even he is helpless. Your official rank is low, how can you stand against the Inner Commander's Office?"

Tang Ping nodded and said, "I understand. I will go to the palace immediately."

Ganlu Hall, in a room in the northeast corner.

Wang Fusheng sat in the chair, looked at Tang Ping in front of him, and said, "What's the matter that you're in such a hurry to see me?"

Tang Ping said, "Grand Eunuch, the Inner Palace Administration has been going too far lately, arbitrarily seizing the people that our Palace Administration is monitoring. If this continues, I'm worried..."

Wang Fusheng interrupted, "Are you afraid that His Majesty will abolish the Sigongtai because of this?"

Tang Ping remained silent, which was taken as tacit agreement.

Wang Fusheng picked up his teacup and said slowly, "Sit down and let's talk."

Tang Ping thanked him and sat down next to him.

Wang Fusheng took a sip of tea and slowly said, "Tang Ping, do you know why people have two ears?"

Tang Ping was taken aback, then shook his head.

Wang Fusheng then asked, "Why does that person have two eyes?"

Tang Ping shook his head again.

Wang Fusheng said slowly, "Because if you only have one ear, you can only hear one sound; if you only have one eye, you can only see one side of things."

"You mean..."

"The Palace Administration and the Inner Court are like the sage's two eyes and two ears. Do you think the sage, with his wisdom, would destroy one of his eyes and one of his ears?"

Tang Ping said in a deep voice, "But the duties of our Sigongtai have been taken away by the Inner Court. If this continues, even if the Emperor does not abolish Sigongtai, we will be blind and deaf."

Wang Fusheng glanced at him and said, "I know you feel resentful because you think the Emperor values ​​the Inner Palace Office more than the Palace Attendant."

"But you must remember that the way of heaven is ever-changing, and everything is constantly changing. There are troughs and peaks. If you give up on yourself when you are in a trough, or become complacent when you are at the peak, you will not last long!"

Tang Ping pondered Wang Fusheng's words silently for a moment, took a deep breath, and cupped his hands, saying, "This subordinate will remember."

Wang Fusheng said, "There's no need to compete with the Inner Palace for those foreign spies. Just remember our duty. As long as you can find out the information the Emperor wants, the Palace Secretariat will not be abolished!"

Tang Ping solemnly replied, "This subordinate understands."

Wang Fusheng suddenly asked, "By the way, is there any news about Prince Chen recently?"

Tang Ping said, "Prince Chen governs Laizhou skillfully, especially in settling the people of Tamna and Baekje, who are of Dongyi descent. He made proper arrangements for them, showing them warmth and care, which helped them quickly integrate into their new lives. Now, both the people of Tang and the Dongyi people of Laizhou praise him as a wise king!"

Upon hearing this, Wang Fusheng's expression darkened.

In other dynasties, being called a wise king by the people was a good thing. However, in the Tang Dynasty, the title of wise king was more harmful than helpful.

Not long ago, a wise king attempted a rebellion!
"Send a few men to Laizhou and find a way to suppress the title 'Wise King.' I don't want to hear anyone refer to Prince Chen as 'Wise King' again," he instructed.

Tang Ping said, "Yes."

(End of this chapter)