Inheriting a Taoist temple, the story begins with Wu Zetian offering incense.

Chapter 146 Meiniang's Photo Terrifies Li Longji! [Requesting Monthly Tickets]

Inside Hunyuan Palace, Granny Gongsun ate two bowls of rice and half a basin of pork ribs in one go, then slumped into a chair, too tired to move.
"It feels so good to be full and satisfied. No wonder Li Chengyi's belly is so big."

As Wu Zetian cleared the dishes, she said:
"Don't be greedy, what if you get sick from eating too much?"

Lady Gongsun had her own plan:

“I can go to the Medicine King Hall, the Longevity Hall, the Salvation Hall, and the Guanyin Hall one by one to ask for help. As long as I am sincere, the gods will surely have a way.”

Zhouyi: "..."

You are such a clever little fellow!
However, it must be said that there are no gods in China with a single divine function; they all have multiple functions, such as healing the sick and saving lives. Almost all gods have relevant authority.

While this might allow the gods to receive more offerings, it also inevitably leads to fierce competition, since—if you don't do it, there are plenty of other gods who will.

If Granny Gongsun can grasp this point, the immortals will really compete with each other under her influence... This gluttonous girl eats and drinks without any burden, she probably already had this idea in mind.

Just as Zhou Yi was pondering this, an unknown number suddenly called. As soon as Zhou Yi answered, the other party spoke:

"Is this Master Zhou? We are from the highway project department. When Consultant Han left, he said that we could consult you about any feng shui issues. Do you have time to come to the project department now? We have an urgent matter that needs your attention."

Zhou Yi never expected that after the blind man became an advisor, he would actually become a hands-off manager.

However, considering that he was currently engaged in a battle of wits and courage with those evil cultivators in the association, Zhou Yi agreed:
"Okay, I'll go down the mountain right away."

After saying that, he picked up his helmet, slung over the new cloth bag the tailor had sent him a couple of days earlier, and hurriedly rode his motorcycle down the mountain.

Wu Meiniang saw him out, tidied up the kitchen, and said to Gongsun Da Niang:

"Your phone and power bank are charging by my bedside. I've packed some snacks and a few books in traditional Chinese characters in your backpack. Remember to give them to Princess Taiping when you get back."

Aunt Gongsun clicked her tongue and said:

"As expected of a mother and daughter, you immediately sent books. Sister, are you remotely instructing Little Taiping to rebel?"

Wu Zetian took a fruit knife, cut a few slices of watermelon, and placed them in front of the girl:
“If I do that, the Immortal Master will strike me with divine lightning immediately… Charge your phone and go back. There’s a box of Qilin watermelons in the storage room. Take it back and share it with everyone.”

Grandma Gongsun took a bite of the watermelon:
"Sister is so beautiful and gentle, the Taoist priest can't bear to chop you up."

After saying that, the girl began to recount historical examples of coups d'état:

"Li Longji struck first, wiping out Princess Taiping's supporters in one fell swoop. Princess Taiping herself fled to a temple in Zhongnan Mountain. Three days later, she returned to Chang'an and was ordered to commit suicide at home, and her entire family was executed... Now, will he let his eldest grandson order her to commit suicide as well?"

Before Wu Meiniang could answer, Gongsun Da Niang shook her head, dismissing the possibility:

“It’s definitely not going to work. Putting aside your relationship, just the fact that her uncle is Huo Qubing means that her grandson cannot be forced to commit suicide. Otherwise, if her uncle gets angry, he could cause the deaths of millions.”

Wu Zetian sat down and said:

"Besides my own selfish reasons, the more important reason for keeping Taiping alive is to put pressure on Li Longji, so that he can't focus on pleasure and can't do those irrational things in his later years... He needs to know that the emperor is not irreplaceable, and Taiping will always be a sword hanging over his head, so as to urge him to become a good emperor."

When Gongsun Da Niang mentioned that Wang Maozhong had almost led his troops into Yiyuan Temple, Wu Meiniang decided to spare her own daughter's life to give Li Longji a warning.

Wang Maozhong was Li Longji's servant. His audacity in challenging the Yiyuan concept was largely due to Li Longji's indulgence.

Since your people dare to disrespect Immortal Master Yiyuan, don't blame the gods for intervening in your throne.

Gongsun Da Niang asked:

"What should be done with Wang Maozhong?"

Wu Zetian said:
"Ignore him. This person doesn't know his place and is arrogant. He won't have a good future."

Wang Maozhong's role was essentially that of Yuchi Jingde during the Zhenguan era—just be a close attendant, bodyguard, and enforcer for the emperor. However, after the Xiantian Coup, Wang Maozhong, relying on his military achievements, dared to extend his reach to the Ministry of War, openly demanding the position of Minister of War. He also formed cliques and factions, embarking on a path of self-destruction from which there was no turning back.

He finally got what he wanted and was exiled to Yongzhou. Even after being exiled, Li Longji was still not satisfied and ordered him to be hanged on the spot.

To have angered Li Longji to this extent shows just how reckless this guy was.

After finishing her melon, Granny Gongsun prepared to return to Kaiyuan World to watch the play.
"Sister Meiniang, I'm leaving now. Next time I'll bring the Taoist priest a national treasure from the Tang Dynasty. I don't know what it is yet, but I've already hinted to my eldest grandson that it has to be a national treasure. Let him decide what to do."

Wu Zetian helped her straighten her Taoist robe:
"Be mindful of your words and don't cause trouble for the immortal. Weren't you just talking about big bones? Next time you come, I'll have the immortal stew a pot for you."

Gongsun Da Niang immediately beamed with joy:

"I knew my sister was the best to me!"

She stuffed her fully charged phone and power bank into her backpack, then grabbed a few small crispy cones and puddings from the freezer. Carrying a box of Qilin watermelons, she walked into Little Penglai and instantly returned to the One Yuan View of the Kaiyuan World.

As soon as she appeared, Granny Gongsun keenly sensed that something was amiss in the kitchen. Carrying a box of watermelons in one hand, she walked over and lifted the bamboo curtain to see Li Longji serving steamed dumplings to Princess Taiping… The girl rubbed her eyes, feeling like she hadn't woken up properly. "I didn't eat any mushrooms, am I hallucinating?"
At this critical juncture, the eldest grandson actually sat down to eat with the young Princess Taiping, which is completely different from the coup d'état described in the book!
Seeing that Granny Gongsun was carrying a large box, Li Chengyi got up to help:

"Pomegranate Fairy, what's inside?"

"The Qilin watermelon that we brought from the immortal is sweet and delicious."

After saying this, Granny Gongsun took out the small puddings and small crispy cones and distributed them to the group. Princess Taiping touched the packaging of the small puddings and asked:
"Is this the same special paper that covers Want Want Little Crisps?"

Li Longji grabbed the small crispy cone and took a bite:
"It seems that the steward at the post station has been passing on a lot of information to Auntie."

Princess Taiping tore open the packaging, pinched a small pudding, and tasted it:

"This isn't exactly important intelligence, is it? What do you think, Aunt Gongsun?"

Upon hearing this strange title, Li Longji nearly strained his back, and Li Chengyi almost bit his own finger. The two brothers never expected that Gongsun Da Niang was actually their elder.

If even aunts call their mothers "auntie," then wouldn't we brothers be considered grandchildren?
Aunt Gongsun chuckled:
"I wanted to interact with you as if I were a goddess, but all I got in return was false politeness and obsequious flattery. I'm not pretending anymore, I'm your auntie now!"

The girl took out her phone, opened her photo album, pointed to the latest recorded video, and said:

"Little Taiping, this is a reply from Sister Meiniang. It's also a good opportunity for you to see just how beautiful your mother was when she was twenty."

The video hadn't played yet, but the stunningly beautiful face on the cover instantly reminded Li Longji and Li Chengyi of the time when the brothers were under house arrest in the villa.

One of the brothers knelt down with a thud, while the other quickly stood up, straightening his body like a javelin, much like a primary school student suddenly encountering a stern elder.

What is the ultimate psychological pressure? This is it.

Princess Taiping looked at her mother, who was much younger than her, and a smile crept onto her lips. But as she smiled, tears streamed down her face.

"Mother, your daughter misses you so much!"

Gongsun Da Niang said to Princess Taiping:
"Tap the screen to play it. Go to the main hall to watch it. After watching, you can decide whether to show it to His Majesty."

Princess Taiping wiped away her tears, took her phone with both hands, and went to the main hall of Yiyuan Temple. Gongsun Da Niang opened the cardboard box and took out a round, plump watermelon with a unicorn shape. Li Bai took the plastic cutting board and fruit knife used for cutting fruit and cut the watermelon open.

Gongsun Da Niang handed the watermelon to Li Longji and his brother Li Chengyi:

"Since there are no outsiders, I'll be frank. Sister Meiniang doesn't want Princess Taiping to die. As for the specific arrangements, Your Majesty, you can decide... Just a friendly reminder, Princess Taiping's maternal uncle is none other than your idol, Huo Qubing. This top-tier playboy has quite a temper, so be careful."

Li Longji has bitten off more than he can chew... He's starting to regret coming to eat these steamed dumplings.

Fortunately, we arrived, which allowed us to access these secrets. Otherwise, if the order to execute them had been given, the skies over Chang'an would probably be filled with thunder and lightning, resembling the end of the world.

He calmed himself down and looked at Li Bai, asking:

"My uncle is General Huo, and the Azure Lotus Celestial Venerable is no ordinary person either, is he?"

Li Bai cleared his throat and began to introduce himself with a touch of shyness:

"Just call me Qinglian Zhenren. I have been seeking an official position for many years, but I have never achieved my wish. My family situation is also a mess. I have married into another family twice. I have only written a few thousand poems. I am revered as the Poet Immortal by later generations, but I am also hated to the bone by many primary and secondary school students."

Li Chengyi asked curiously:

Why do I hate you?

"Because all the poems I write must be memorized in their entirety."

Grandma Gongsun, swaying her head, began reciting Yu Guangzhong's modern poem "Searching for Li Bai":
"Wine enters the heroic gut, seven parts transform into moonlight, the remaining three parts roar into sword energy, a single utterance from his embroidered mouth is half of the glorious Tang Dynasty... Brother Li Bai is on the list of all human history, truly the number one celebrity of the Tang Dynasty!"

Upon hearing this, Li Chengyi quickly came over and attentively massaged Li Bai's shoulders and back.

"According to seniority, I call you Uncle, right? Uncle, when you write a poem, don't forget to include my name. I was the one who gave up the throne for Sanlang. This doesn't need to be overemphasized, but it would be best to emphasize it in the poem."

People have racked their brains countless times in order to make a name for themselves in history. Since there is an "elder" by their side who has the buff of eternal fame, they will definitely try their best to curry favor with him.

Li Longji was also tempted, and after a dry cough, he said:
“We’re all close relatives. It’s really Sanlang’s fault for taking so long to reveal your identities, Uncle and Aunt. ...Aunt wants the Imperial Seal of the State, right? Should I bring it to you later?”

Gongsun Da Niang pouted:
"You two are so shameless, it's almost like royalty. Forget the imperial seal, we can send other things. Aren't your calligraphy excellent? Write the tribute letter to Hunyuan Palace carefully, don't be perfunctory. Huo Qubing sent the Xiongnu's golden statue for sacrificial rites, Chen Tang sent the Xiongnu's golden knife, and His Majesty Taizong sent several authentic works by Wang Xizhi and the seal of Gaochang. Now it's our turn to shine in Kaiyuan World."

While this girl was busy shoveling national treasures into the Hunyuan Palace, in the highway project office, Zhou Yi was listening to the project manager recount the strange events that had just occurred that day:

"Over at the earthwork construction site, they unearthed a coffin. It looks quite old, but there's fresh blood seeping out of it. Nobody dares touch it. They're asking for your help..."

(End of this chapter)