Tang Dynasty Xie Lu Lang

Chapter 158 Li Wu’s old grudge

Upon hearing Consort Wu Hui's question, Zhang Dai couldn't help but picture a delicate and frail face in his mind. It was the young girl Consort Wu Hui had mentioned, the daughter of the Duke of Kuai, whom he should call his aunt.

He had paid considerable attention to this aunt before, not simply out of admiration for her beauty. The main reason was that the Duke of Kuai was none other than Wu Chonggui, the Prince of Gaoping during the Wu Zhou period. The Gaoping Prince Cave on the eastern side of the Longmen Grottoes, which he was to take over and continue building, was funded by Wu Chonggui.

Because of this relationship, he paid some attention to this aunt, as did her brother, Wu Zhonggui's son, Wu Chengqing.

Although these Buddhist caves in Longmen do not have a clear inheritance relationship like secular property, the Wu Chonggui family still spent a lot of manpower and resources to build them.

Now that Zhang Dai wants to continue building on his father's merits, he naturally needs to communicate with his descendants. So he chatted with Wu Chengqing for a while and made an appointment to visit him another day.

But Zhang Dai was still stumped by Consort Wu Hui's question. Was this a question he was in a position to discuss? Even disregarding his status as a junior, it was inappropriate for him to interrupt when the emperor's concubines were taking in concubines.

Consort Wu Hui now clearly regarded Zhang Dai as her strategist and did not feel that it was inappropriate to ask Zhang Dai this question. Instead, she continued to say to herself, "Nowadays, most of the officials who have served the emperor for many years have children and are busy raising their children. It is difficult for them to concentrate on serving the emperor."

"The newcomers in recent years are mostly frivolous and dissolute, only knowing how to curry favor with their looks and talents, lacking any moral character to move people; they are merely playthings for a moment. What talent or ability can one expect from them to benefit the imperial family? I do intend to establish rules for advancement and retreat, but I have not yet fully considered the situation and need you, Sixth Brother, to further advise me."

Upon hearing this, Zhang Dai understood what Consort Wu Hui meant.

Wang Maozhong's attempt to offer his daughter to the inner palace undoubtedly aroused great vigilance in Consort Wu Hui's heart. Even if she stopped it, it was inevitable that other similar things would happen.

As Consort Wu Hui grew older, she could no longer be as beautiful and charming as she had been in her youth. In addition, raising children would distract her, and her physical condition also prevented her from having children frequently to secure the emperor's favor.

Therefore, if she wanted to establish her position in the inner palace, she had to find another way. Striving for the position of empress was certainly the most direct means, but this matter still faced great resistance in the outer court and could not be accomplished in the short term. However, new challenges and hidden dangers had already emerged.

Therefore, Consort Wu Hui thought of bringing her young cousin into the palace. On the one hand, she wanted to bind them together to secure the emperor's favor, and on the other hand, she wanted to set a rule for the newly arrived ladies-in-waiting in the inner palace: only by gaining her approval and support could they gain a foothold in the harem and win the emperor's favor.

However, at the same time, this cousin, who was brought in as an assistant, was also her competitor, and Consort Wu Hui wanted to ensure that she could have absolute control over her.

Recalling Consort Wu Hui's earlier inquiry about his opinion of these relatives, Zhang Dai understood that his aunt hoped he could help restrain and control his aunt's brothers outside the palace, so that they wouldn't have too many ulterior motives.

Having understood this, Zhang Dai naturally knew how to answer.

"Although my aunt has been living in the inner palace for a long time and does not often communicate with the outside world, her relatives are all deeply grateful and hold her in high esteem. For example, today, with just one glance from my aunt, relatives scattered in various places gather here, and the number of people is the largest I have ever seen in my life."

He continued, following Consort Wu Hui's lead, "I don't know how others feel, but for myself, I will never forget my aunt's kindness!"
"In the past, I was disliked in my household, and even my closest relatives could not provide me with adequate care. When I encountered illness, hardship, and desperation, only my aunt did not distance herself from me because of her son, but instead guided me on the right path! If there has been any oversight, I will do my utmost to make amends for my aunt!"

“Good child, good child! You are grateful and righteous, and you are thoughtful and deep. You never forget the kindness you have received. But do those who have shown you kindness really expect only your repayment?”

It's simply because I admire your exceptional talent and outstanding abilities, and I can't bear to see such a rare gem like you suffer so much hardship for so long. Your aunt's favor may not be extravagant, but she won't give it away indiscriminately; only you, her child, are worthy of it, so she's willing to support you!

Upon hearing this reply, Consort Wu Hui smiled with satisfaction and waved her hand, saying, "These touching words reflect the deep affection and understanding between my aunt and nephew."

I know that Liu Lang will not fail to repay any kindness he has received, so your aunt is happy to support your youthful ambitions! Go and wait outside for a while; enjoy the feast to your heart's content, don't be shy!

Upon hearing this, Zhang Dai rose to take his leave and went to the outer room to sit among his relatives and friends. Thinking back to his conversation with his aunt, he couldn't help but look towards his other aunt at the other table.

That Lady Wu wasn't very old, looking only two or three years older than Zhang Dai. Considering the age of Wu Chonggui's death, she was probably his posthumous child. If the Wu Zhou regime hadn't been overthrown, she would likely have been adopted into the inner palace like Consort Wu Hui.

Consort Wu Hui, confined to the inner palace, was largely spared the entanglements of court officials, but other members of the Wu clan were not so fortunate. Following the Shenlong Coup, Wu Youyi, Wu Chonggui, and other members of the Wu clan died young, and their children were all implicated. Wu Chonggui's son, Wu Chengqing, nearing forty, was still serving in the selection office, holding a sixth-rank official position. The transition from fifth to sixth rank was a significant hurdle; failing to cross it meant losing the right to benefit one's children and grandchildren, and if their descendants were not ambitious enough, they would soon be reduced to commoners.

As for Zhang Dai's aunt, she probably didn't receive any good family upbringing from a young age. She just sat there with her head down, only responding softly when others asked her questions. Otherwise, she remained silent, appearing somewhat socially anxious and withdrawn.

When Zhang Dai frequently glanced at them, it was inevitable that their eyes would meet.

Even when faced with the scrutiny of her nephew, who was even younger than herself, the woman's pretty face visibly flushed. She lowered her head for a while before raising it slightly again, her eyes quickly glancing at Zhang Dai. Seeing that his gaze had already shifted elsewhere, she secretly breathed a sigh of relief.

When Consort Wu Hui emerged again, she was dressed in magnificent attire and radiant with beauty. Her every glance exuded charm, making the men and women of the Wu clan in the hall feel somewhat ashamed of themselves, though their eyes also gleamed with hope.

Before long, the emperor arrived at the inner palace and went to the outside of the Divine Abode to invite Consort Wu Hui to accompany him to the Divine Abode.

Upon seeing this, the Wu family members kneeling and bowing in the courtyard to welcome the emperor felt a sense of honor. Unfortunately, they could not follow closely behind and had to wait outside for the eunuch's summons.

Following behind the Emperor were Prince Ning, Prince Xue, the princes, members of the imperial clan, and their families. As these members of the Li clan passed the Divine Abode, many cast disapproving glances at the Wu family's relatives and friends.

During Empress Wu's reign, many members of the Li Tang imperial family died at the hands of the Wu clan. Although time has passed, not everyone is as magnanimous and forgiving as the saint. Therefore, many members of the Li Tang imperial family harbored resentment towards the Wu clan, which caused Zhang Dai to suffer a lot of disdain when he stood among them.

Even Li Xia, who had been chatting and joking with Zhang Dai not long ago and offering him many reminders, now gave him a cold look. This shows that the hatred between the two camps has made personal relationships complicated.

If this were in later generations, it would be enough to make one or two movies. If Li Xia were a girl, it would need to be adapted into a sixty-episode TV series.

Zhang Dai was not upset by the cold treatment he received. He was always clear-headed about people and things. Since he had accepted the convenience brought by this identity, he naturally had to bear the corresponding personnel disputes.

There's no such thing as enjoying yourself without taking responsibility. You can glare at me a few times, but I won't lose any flesh. If you dare to take any real action, I'm not one to be trifled with.

However, to be fair, the Li Tang imperial family was quite prolific; after so many were killed during the Wu Zhou period, they still had quite a few offspring.

During Wu Zetian's reign, many of the descendants of Emperor Gaozu and Emperor Taizong were slaughtered. Gaozong's other descendants who were not born to Wu Zetian suffered even more. As a result, the loyal ministers of the Li Tang dynasty could only choose a successor from among Wu Zetian's children and grandchildren in the end.

Among the Li Tang imperial family members, the emperor naturally had many children, most of whom were not yet adults, but the number was quite considerable. Prince Ning and Prince Xue also had many children, each with more than a dozen. Prince Shen and Prince Qi had passed away, and their families were still in mourning, so no relatives came to visit.

A slightly more distant member of the imperial clan was Prince Bin, Li Shouli. He was the son of Crown Prince Zhanghuai, Li Xian, and the only surviving grandson of Empress Wu Zetian besides the son of Emperor Ruizong. The other emperors, Emperor Xiaojing, Li Hong, and Emperor Zhongzong, Li Xian, had all died out.

But this Prince Bin single-handedly resolved the issues of several other extinct branches of the family line, leaving behind dozens of men and women, all his children. If someone hadn't introduced them, Zhang Dai would have thought they were primary or secondary school students visiting the palace for an educational trip.

All of Emperor Gaozong's other descendants had been killed. The imperial clan members who were a little further back were the descendants of Emperor Taizong, mainly the descendants of Prince Wu, Li Ke, Prince Xin'an, Li Yi, and his brothers.

This is the number of members of the royal family present today. As for the princesses who have already married or entered the Taoist path, they did not come. There are two or three hundred people, including men, women, and children.

This also shows that although the medical level of the ancients was not as good as that of later generations, as long as they had enough to eat and drink, their ability to reproduce was also very strong.

If it weren't for this wave of events during the Wu Zhou Dynasty, the number of descendants of Emperor Taizong would have exceeded a thousand, and who knows how many heroes would have emerged from among them dreaming of being named at Xuanwu Gate.

As dusk fell, all the imperial relatives and nobles gathered in the Anfu Hall. Accompanied by the chanting of the eunuchs in the hall, everyone entered to pay their respects and then took their seats according to their rank, and the banquet officially began.

(End of this chapter)