Tang Dynasty, my wife Wu Zetian

Chapter 520 The Art of Managing People
Chilled melons, cut into delicate crescent shapes, were placed on the table, their intoxicating fragrance wafting through the hall.

May is already early summer. Being able to sit in the main hall of Lizheng Hall, smell the pleasant aroma of tribute, and eat refreshing chilled melon is a very pleasant thing.

However, Li Yizhen found it difficult to enjoy these things. Holding a cold melon in her hands, she took a few bites but found it tasteless. Her beautiful eyes secretly observed Empress Wu, who sat on the throne.

This was the first time Li Yizhen had seen the Empress of the Tang Dynasty. He had always been proud of his appearance, but at this moment he couldn't help but be captivated by the Empress's beauty.

What she found even more unbelievable was that Empress Wu was already over forty years old, but she looked like she was only twenty-eight or twenty-nine years old, and her every move exuded feminine beauty.

"I never imagined there could be such a woman in the world. No wonder she became empress," Li Yizhen exclaimed inwardly.

Wu Zetian was dressed in her finest attire today, wearing a crown of twelve phoenix flowers, a dress with an open neckline and wide sleeves, and a peony and gold-plated flower headdress. She was elegant, noble, and stunningly beautiful.

Today, Empress Wu hosted another palace banquet at Ziyun Pavilion, inviting many noblewomen from outside the palace.

The ladies invited this time were different from usual; many were unfamiliar faces. For example, Li Yizhen was attending a palace banquet for the first time.

After the banquet, Empress Wu kept only two people behind: Li Yizhen and An, the newlywed wife of the former Goguryeo king Gao Baozang.

This Lady An was the younger sister of the former Queen An.

When the Tang Dynasty was at war with Goguryeo, Queen An protected Go Bojang with her own life in the Goguryeo palace.

When Wu Meiniang learned of this, she greatly praised Queen An, considering her a model for women. Later, upon hearing that Gao Baozang had remarried Queen An's sister, she sent someone to deliver a reward.

Wu Zetian often invited Lady An to the palace to inquire about the deeds of Queen An, and they had a good personal relationship.

After the banquet, it was perfectly normal for Wu Meiniang to keep Lady An behind for a chat.

Li Yizhen just didn't quite understand why Empress Wu had kept him here as well.

What made her even more uneasy was that both of them were left behind, but Empress Wu only spoke to Lady An and ignored her completely, which made her feel uneasy.

Fortunately, she had a peculiar experience and remained calm and composed in the face of adversity.

She naturally wouldn't know that this was a common tactic used by Wu Zetian to observe and manage people.

When Wu Zetian wanted to employ someone, she liked to observe the other person for a while first. If she observed directly, she might not see the person clearly. Therefore, she preferred to invite two people over, showing affection to one and neglecting the other.

While it seemed that her attention was focused on Madam An, her conversation with Madam An was actually a cover-up; most of her mind was secretly observing Li Yizhen.

Seeing that Li Yizhen could remain calm in this situation, she nodded inwardly and thought highly of him.

There is actually another advantage to doing this.

Those who meet Wu Zetian for the first time will feel uneasy and full of awe because they cannot guess her thoughts and intentions.

Then, when the two communicate directly, Wu Zetian will be able to firmly grasp the initiative.

There is a pattern to how people get along. Once the pattern is fixed, it is difficult to change it. The first meeting is an important time for the pattern to be established.

Wu Zetian's meticulous planning was all for the purpose of completely controlling Li Yizhen so that she could be used by her to complete the task assigned to her by Emperor Li Zhi.

Li Yizhen also performed exceptionally well; among the people she had met, her temperament was above average.

In this way, she wouldn't need to bother training them anymore, and they could be put to use immediately.

While talking to Lady An, Wu Meiniang's mind raced, and she thought the time was right. She then said to Lady An:
"By the way, recently there has been a woman in the Jiaofangsi who claims to be from the Goguryeo palace and has even served Queen An. I don't know if it's true or not."

Madam An hurriedly replied, "My elder sister does indeed have several loyal palace servants by her side. Perhaps it is one of them, who knows?"

Wu Zetian asked, "Do you know them all?"

"Yes, I know him!"

"That's good then." Wu Meiniang looked at Zhang Duohai and said, "Take Madam An to the Jiaofangsi. If she really is a palace maid from Queen An's side, let Madam An take her back."

Lady An was overjoyed and gratefully said, "Thank you, Your Highness." She then left with Zhang Duohai.

After sending Lady An away, Wu Meiniang finally turned her attention to Li Yizhen.

When Li Yizhen's eyes met Empress Wu's, she felt that her eyes were deep and penetrating, as if they could see right into her heart. Her heart skipped a beat, and she involuntarily lowered her head.

Wu Meiniang smiled and said, "I know a little about Madam Li's experiences. It is truly not easy for you and General Zhao to finally become husband and wife."

Seeing Empress Wu bless him, Li Yizhen's anxiety lessened, and he sincerely said, "Thank you, Your Highness."

Wu Zetian slowly said, "Madam Li, do you know why I kept you behind alone?"

Li Yi was startled and whispered, "I didn't know."

"Because you have earned my utmost admiration. For a woman of your background to have reached this point today is no easy feat. What is most remarkable is that you have adapted to the change in status so quickly, without being arrogant or haughty, without being pitiful or servile. Such a character is rarely seen in the world."

"I have seen too many people, some who soar from the bottom to the sky, and some who fall from the heights to the bottom."

"When these people experience tremendous changes in their lives, they become mentally unstable and lose control, making them prone to extremes and ruining themselves."

“But you are different. You are a woman of Qiang ethnicity, yet you have become the principal wife of a high-ranking official of the third rank in our Great Tang Dynasty. You have been able to maintain your composure and remain steadfast. I truly admire you.”

Hearing the Empress's high praise for him, Li Yizhen was half delighted and half puzzled. He said softly, "Your Highness is too kind."

Seeing that she remained calm and composed, Wu Meiniang raised an eyebrow and suddenly changed the subject.

"While you have many strengths, you also have a major flaw, are you aware of it?"

When Li Yizhen heard Empress Wu's voice become lower, he felt a little apprehensive and hurriedly said, "This concubine is unaware, please correct me, Your Highness."

Wu Meiniang said slowly, "People of your humble origins are prone to making a mistake: in order to better integrate into a new life, they choose to sever ties with their past experiences, keeping their relatives and friends far away and never seeing them again."

Li Yizhen's expression changed, and she said, "Your Highness, I...did not do that." Wu Meiniang said sternly, "Is that so? Then let me ask you, do you know this Wang Xiaoxian?"

Li Yi's heart pounded: "I know him."

"What is your relationship?"

Li Yizhen hesitated and said, "Back then... when I was still a dancer, I met her. She was eloquent and well-educated, so we became friends."

Wu Meiniang said, "As far as I know, last November, when you and Zhao Chiman returned to the capital together, Wang Xiaoxian sent someone to invite you to her residence for a chat, but you refused. Why was that?"

Li Yizhen's expression changed slightly. How could Empress Wu even know such a trivial matter?

Is she investigating me? But why would she do that?

“When I ask people questions, I don’t like to wait too long,” Wu Meiniang said, raising her voice slightly.

Li Yizhen's heart skipped a beat, and he hurriedly said, "At that time, I had just returned to Chang'an and was not sure whether the Zhao family would agree to my promotion to the position of principal wife, so... I did not go to see her."

Wu Meiniang said calmly, "Are you afraid that after you meet her, people will associate you with your identity as a dancer, which will affect your becoming the mistress of the Zhao family?"

Li Yizhen's face was deathly pale. He knelt on the ground, his whole body trembling slightly.

"I...I..." Her face turned from white to red, and she looked extremely ashamed.

Wu Meiniang said gently, "Get up. It's only natural for you to do this. I don't mean to blame you."

This is called "hitting someone with a stick and then giving them a treat," a tactic Wu Zetian often used to win people over.

As expected, Li Yizhen's eyes reddened upon hearing this, and he sobbed, "Thank you for your understanding, Your Highness." He then kowtowed deeply.

Wu Meiniang said softly, "I am also a woman, and I have experienced hardships. I know how difficult it is for women. However, everything must have its limits. I can understand your desire to become the mistress of the Zhao family, but to cut off all contact with your old friends for this reason would seem heartless."

"Yes, yes, Your Highness is right, I know I was wrong." Li Yizhen kowtowed repeatedly.

Wu Meiniang walked down the steps, helped her up, and smiled, "You must be wondering why I know so much about your affairs?"

Li Yizhen said in a low voice, "I... am indeed acting strangely."

Wu Meiniang pulled her to sit down on the couch and said with a smile, "Actually, I've been paying attention to you and Wang Xiaoxian for a long time, but you just didn't know it."

Li Yizhen asked in surprise, "We are just ordinary dancers, why would you pay attention to us?"

Wu Meiniang looked nostalgic and said, "Three years ago, on the Lantern Festival, His Majesty took me on an incognito tour to celebrate with the people."

"When His Majesty and I were strolling through the streets in a carriage, we heard people mention that there were people dancing in Qujiang Pool. Among them was Tianshui Xian Ge and Wang Xiao Xian."

Upon hearing this, Li Yizhen's face lit up with a look of sudden enlightenment.

Three years ago, she followed Zhao Chiman to Chang'an. Because she was a Hu woman and had no relatives or friends to help her, she had no choice but to continue working as a dancer and entered the brothel in Pingkangfang to make a living.

She is the most skilled dancer among the Qiang people. In Tianshui, she combined Hu dance, Qiang dance and Tang dance to form her own unique style, which was extremely popular. She quickly became the top dancer and participated in the Qujiang Pool Dance Competition.

"Did you and Your Majesty also watch me dance?" Li Yizhen's voice was full of joy.

Wu Meiniang smiled and said, "Indeed, His Majesty was very pleased to see that you were able to outshine the Hu dancers. This is also the first time I have seen so many wonderful dances. Inspired by you, I have also started to learn to dance since then."

Upon hearing this, Li Yizhen was overjoyed and couldn't help but say, "Your Highness wishes to learn to dance, I can teach you."

As soon as the words left his mouth, he realized he had spoken out of turn, quickly shut his mouth, and looked at Wu Meiniang uneasily.

Wu Meiniang, however, did not take it to heart and smiled, saying, "Let's talk about this later. Now you should know why I'm paying attention to you and Wang Xiaoxian."

Li Yizhen said happily, "I am overjoyed to have Your Highness's attention."

Wu Meiniang said, "Your marriage to Zhao Chiman is a good match, so I'm not worried. But Wang Xiaoxian married Fuyu Fuxin, which is a real headache."

Li Yizhen was taken aback and said, "Your Highness, Fuyu Fuxin has changed his name to Wang Fuxin and dotes on Xiaoxian. Why are you having a headache?"

Although she did not go to see Wang Xiaoxian, out of a sense of shame, she kept an eye on Wang Xiaoxian and even secretly helped her in some ways.

Wu Meiniang said in a deep voice, "Do you think he becomes a Tang person just because he changed his surname? The problem lies with Fuyu Fuxin."

"Your Highness, what happened to Buyeo Boksin?" Lee Ikjin asked anxiously.

Wu Meiniang said, "He has been bribed by the Silla people and has become their spy."

"What?!" Li Yizhen exclaimed, "Your Highness, you must save Xiaoxian!"

Wu Meiniang slowly said, "I am telling you all this today in order to save Xiaoxian, but I need your help with this matter."

"Your Highness, please give your orders, and I will do my utmost!" Li Yizhen said with a firm gaze.

Wu Meiniang stared at her and said, "To save Xiaoxian, she must atone for her sins through meritorious service."

"You mean, tell him to report Fuyu Fuxin?" Li Yizhen was startled.

Wu Meiniang shook her head slightly and said, "I have already mentioned this matter to His Majesty. His Majesty said that as long as I am willing to do one thing, after dealing with Fuyu Fuxin, he will announce to the outside world that I am an inner guard spy and that I married Fuyu Fuxin to complete a mission. In this way, she will not be held responsible and will even be rewarded."

"Once this matter is settled, I will personally choose a husband for her so that she can live out the rest of her life in peace!"

With tears welling up in Li Yizhen's eyes, he said, "Your Highness has gone to such lengths for Xiaoxian. If she knew, she would be so grateful to Your Highness."

Wu Meiniang said, "The Silla spies in the city have been keeping an eye on Buyeo Bok-shin and also on Xiao Xian, so it is inconvenient for me to summon her. Therefore, I need you to convey some words to Xiao Xian and then have him tell Buyeo Bok-shin."

Li Yizhen wiped her eyes and said solemnly, "Your Highness, please rest assured, I will definitely handle this matter well."

(End of this chapter)