Tang Dynasty, my wife Wu Zetian

Chapter 484 Lady Huayang
During the Tang Dynasty, the Winter Solstice was the most important of the twenty-four solar terms.

The sun reaches its southernmost point, the day is at its shortest, and the shadow is at its longest, hence the name Winter Solstice.

The winter solstice is a seven-day holiday, and there is a saying that the winter solstice is as important as the New Year.

Even intelligence agencies like the Sigongtai took a three-day holiday for the winter solstice.

However, on the first day of the holiday, just as Tang Ping was about to stroll around the West Market with Wu Niang, an imperial decree came down, and Wu Niang was summoned to the palace by Zhang Duohai.

Tang Ping had no choice but to wait at home. Before long, Wu Niang had returned. A palace eunuch arrived with Wang Fusheng's orders, summoning him to the palace for an audience.

Tang Ping wrote a note, placed it on the table, and hurriedly went to the palace.

Upon arriving at Ganlu Hall, there was a large room to the west of the hall, which was Wang Fusheng's residence. Several eunuchs were already waiting outside the door.

Not long after Tang Ping entered the house, Wang Fusheng returned.

After the formalities were completed, Wang Fusheng invited him to sit down and personally served him tea, saying, "Commander Tang, please don't be offended that I've called you here on the Winter Solstice, a major festival."

Tang Ping hurriedly cupped his hands and said, "Your Excellency is too kind. What has happened that has summoned me to the palace so urgently?"

Wang Fusheng said in a deep voice, "The Emperor has been extremely worried these past few days. Do you know why?"

Tang Ping asked, "Is it because of the war with Tokharistan?"

Wang Fusheng nodded: "Indeed, bad news recently came from Anxi, causing His Majesty unease. General Xue and General Pei have not sent back any news since they ventured deep into Tokharistan. His Majesty has been tossing and turning these past few days, unable to sleep."

Tang Ping asked, "I wonder what bad news has come from the front?"

Wang Fusheng said, "The King of Shi reported that a mysterious cavalry force came from the north and entered Shi territory. They are powerful and have defeated Shi's blocking forces several times, as if they were entering an empty field. Now they have left Shi and are heading straight for Kang."

Tang Ping's expression changed, and he said, "Could it be the Abbasid army?"

Wang Fusheng said, "It should be right. His Majesty has already asked General Wang Jishan. General Wang Jishan analyzed that the army was the cavalry legion of the Arabs."

"After defeating the Khazars Khanate, they did not return to the Abbasid Caliphate, but instead marched eastward, making a long raid, crossing the Great Swamp region, heading south into the Kingdom of Shi, and now they are heading towards the Kingdom of Kang!"

Tang Ping's expression turned grave. He asked, "What is the target of the Arab cavalry's long-distance raid?"

Wang Fusheng said, "According to Your Majesty and General Wang Jishan's analysis, the Arab cavalry's target is Mulu Valley in Kangguo. As long as they capture Mulu Valley, they will cut off our army's retreat, and our hundreds of thousands of troops will be wiped out in Tokharistan!"

Tang Ping took a deep breath, finally realizing the seriousness of the matter, and cupped his hands, saying, "Whatever the Grand Eunuch needs me to do, I will do as you command!"

Wang Fusheng sighed and said, "Given the current situation, even the Inner Palace Administration can't do anything about it, let alone the Palace Administration. We can only hope that Generals Xue and Pei have already made a plan."

"That's true, but I've noticed that His Majesty has been losing his appetite and appearing distracted these past few days, which is worrying. Therefore, I'd like you to go to the Western Regions to investigate the situation. Any news should be sent back via the 600-li express courier to put His Majesty's mind at ease."

Tang Ping said, "This subordinate will go home and prepare, and depart immediately!"

Wang Fusheng poured him a cup of tea and said slowly, "Tang Ping, Tang Ping, may the Great Tang be at peace. You have always been a lucky general in our palace. I hope that this time you can become a lucky general for our Great Tang and bring back good news to His Majesty."

Tang Ping downed his tea in one gulp and strode out. It concerned the safety of the nation, so he naturally had no choice but to step forward.

When he got home, he found Wu Niang packing her things.

When Wu Niang saw him, she said, "I just received an urgent mission and have to go on a long journey. I'm afraid I won't be able to spend the winter solstice holiday with you, my lord."

Tang Ping asked, "Are you going to the Western Regions?"

"How did you know?" Wu Niang asked in surprise.

Tang Ping sighed and said, "Eunuch Wang just summoned me to the palace and asked me to go to the Western Regions to gather information. It seems that we have the same mission."

Although Wu Niang was also a secret agent of the Sigongtai, she was Zhang Duohai's direct subordinate.

Emperor Gaozong was so concerned about the situation at the front that he lost his appetite. Empress Wu Zetian naturally noticed this and ordered Zhang Duohai to send someone to the Western Regions to gather information in order to relieve the emperor's worries.

Upon learning that they had the same mission, Wu Niang asked, "Would you like to come along?"

Tang Ping shook his head and said, "This mission is of great importance. It would be better if we split up and acted separately. Perhaps we can find out more information that way."

Fifth Sister nodded in agreement.

Both were former secret agents, and they acted swiftly without the awkwardness of an ordinary married couple. They quickly packed their luggage, led their horses together towards the west gate of the city, and then went their separate ways after leaving the city.

Just as they arrived at the city gate, they suddenly saw a carriage entering the city. A woman wearing a veil in the carriage opened the curtain of the window and admired the scene on the street.

When the woman saw Wu Niang, her face lit up with surprise and she waved to her.

"Sister!"

Wu Niang recognized the voice as familiar, turned her head and immediately recognized the woman as her younger sister, Kudi Jiu Niang.

She had an urgent mission and originally did not plan to go and reunite with her sister.

But then I thought, my sister has been by Pei Xingjian's side all this time, and she must have just returned from the Western Regions. Maybe I can find out something from her.

Fifth Sister tugged at Tang Ping, glanced at Ninth Sister, and said, "My sister."

Tang Ping glanced at it only once before saying, "Go and talk to her. The mission is urgent, so I won't go."

Fifth Sister rolled her eyes at him and said, "Have you forgotten who my sister is?"

Tang Ping was stunned for a moment, then finally realized what was happening and hurriedly said, "Then let's go over there quickly, maybe my sister knows something."

The two quickly arrived at the car, and Fifth Sister asked directly, "Ninth Sister, do you know anything about the military situation at the front?"

Jiu Niang blinked and smiled, "I just came back from Suyab City, do you think I know that?"

Wu Niang frowned and said, "Do you know that there is an Arab cavalry force heading towards Kangguo, intending to cut off our army's retreat?"

Jiu Niang smiled and said, "The civil and military officials of the Anxi Protectorate are practically arguing to the death, how could I not know?"

Fifth Sister stared at her and said, "Aren't you worried about Pei Xingjian?"

Ninth Sister rubbed her shoulders and said reproachfully, "Sister, I've been traveling for half a month to get back to Chang'an, and I haven't had a hot spring bath in days. I'm really hungry. You should at least let me have a hot spring bath to fill my stomach before we talk about anything else!" Fifth Sister said in a deep voice, "This matter concerns..."

Before she could finish speaking, Tang Ping tugged at her and winked at her, then said to Jiu Niang, "Sister, why don't you come home with us for a meal first?"

Jiu Niang smiled and said, "Brother-in-law knows how to take care of people."

Tang Ping and his wife then took Jiu Niang back home. Tang Ping diligently boiled water for Jiu Niang to bathe, while Wu Niang stood in the courtyard with her arms crossed, coldly watching him busy himself.

After the water was boiled, Jiu Niang soaked in the hot spring in the guest room, occasionally letting out comfortable moans.

Wu Niang and Tang Ping waited outside.

Wu Niang glanced at Tang Ping and said, "Why did you interrupt me just now? My sister always loves to be mischievous, why did you go along with her?"

Tang Ping laughed and said, "I think your sister is just as smart and sensible as you. Given her attitude, I don't think anything big will happen at the front."

Fifth Sister's expression softened considerably after receiving such flattery. She said in a low voice, "She is, after all, a woman. You'd better not have too high expectations."

“The women of your Kudi clan are different from ordinary women,” Tang Ping said with a smile.

Upon hearing this, Wu Niang said no more and went to the kitchen to cook.

Half an hour later, Kudi Jiuniang finished her bath and sat in the main room to eat. She ate very elegantly, showing the demeanor of a lady from a prominent family.

Seeing that she was eating slowly, Fifth Sister became impatient and said, "Ninth Sister, hurry up and tell me, what is the situation at the front? The Emperor and the Empress are both worried about this."

After finishing chewing the food in her mouth and taking a sip of tea, Jiu Niang smiled and said, "Sister, can you promise me something?"

Fifth Sister said, "Speak!"

Jiu Niang wiped her mouth with a silk handkerchief and said seriously, "Could you take me to see Her Majesty the Empress?"

Fifth Sister asked in surprise, "You want to see His Highness?"

Jiu Niang smiled and said, "Didn't you just say that Her Majesty the Empress is very worried about the situation at the front? Take me to see her, and I will have something to say to put her mind at ease."

Wu Niang stared at her for a while and said, "It's possible, but you have to explain the situation to us first before I decide whether to take you to see the Empress!"

Jiu Niang said seriously, "Elder sister, I can't tell you right now."

Fifth Sister asked in surprise, "Why?"

Jiu Niang glanced at Tang Ping and said, "If I tell you now, my brother-in-law will definitely tell His Majesty, and then I won't be able to see the Emperor."

Fifth Sister's expression changed, and she said, "You still want to see the Sage?"

Jiu Niang nodded, her expression becoming even more solemn, and said, "Yes, I must see the Sage."

Fifth Sister knew that her younger sister was audacious and reckless, and fearing that she might say something she shouldn't in front of the emperor, offending the emperor and getting herself into trouble, she resolutely waved her hand and said, "No."

Jiu Niang said calmly, "Since that's the case, I have nothing more to say about the military situation in Tokharistan."

Fifth Sister snorted and said, "Do you think you're the only one who knows? There must have been merchants returning from the Western Regions these past few days. Since you know, I believe they know too!"

Jiu Niang said proudly, "Only I know Pei Lang's plan, so I can guess the outcome. Others don't know. You will have to wait at least three to five days to find out about the situation at the front. Sister, please be patient and wait slowly."

Wu Niang could wait, but the Emperor and Empress could not. She was at a loss with her younger sister and could only turn to Tang Ping for help from her husband.

Tang Ping said, "Fifth Sister, since that's the case, let's do as Ninth Sister requests and take her to see Her Majesty the Empress. I believe she knows what she's doing."

"Brother-in-law is so sensible." Jiu Niang smiled sweetly.

Fifth Sister snorted and said, "Keep laughing. Don't blame me for not saving you when you cause a big disaster."

Jiu Niang smiled and said, "If I really get into trouble, I believe I will still save you, sister."

Wu Niang was too lazy to deal with this shameless person, and said to Tang Ping, "Then I will take Jiu Niang to see Zhang Shaojian. You can tell Wang Dajian about this."

Tang Ping nodded and said, "Okay."

After leaving the house, the couple went their separate ways.

Tang Ping entered the palace again, this time being taken directly to the outside of Ganlu Hall.

After the announcement was made, Wang Fusheng came out of the hall, and Tang Ping told him about Jiu Niang.

After listening, Wang Fusheng's eyes sharpened, and he said, "Does she really know the situation at the front?"

Tang Ping said, "My wife's younger sister is Protector Pei's concubine. She is clever and quick-witted. She said she knows Protector Pei's entire plan, so she can analyze the changes in the situation."

Wang Fusheng said in a deep voice, "You wait here." He stepped into the main hall.

A moment later, Wang Fusheng came out and said to him, "His Majesty summons you to an audience."

Tang Ping had seen the Sage before, but this was the first time he had been summoned to the palace alone. His heart pounded, and he followed Wang Fusheng into the hall.

After the formalities were completed, Li Zhi asked him a question.

Surprisingly, Li Zhi did not ask about the front lines, but rather about Tang Ping's wife, Kudi Wuniang, and his sister-in-law, Kudi Jiuniang.

Li Zhi asked in particular detail about the relationship between Kudi Jiuniang and Pei Xingjian.

Tang Ping did not understand that Kudi was quite famous in later history. As Pei Xingjian's second wife, she was conferred the title of Lady Huayang and was deeply loved by Empress Wu Zetian.

Therefore, Li Zhi was quite interested in this woman.

After confirming Kudi's identity, Li Zhi knew that this woman must know about the situation at the front, so he decided to go to the Lizheng Hall to see her, and also sent Tang Ping with him.

Before the group even reached the Lizheng Hall, they encountered a maid sent by Wu Meiniang, who said that the Empress wanted to speak with Li Zhi at the Lizheng Hall.

(End of this chapter)