Sheng Tang: What is Liu Jianjun going to do today?

Chapter 145 Empress Wu's "Great Wrath"

Li Xian found it strange.

The eunuch who delivered the imperial decree didn't even glance at Liu Jianjun, who was huddled on his bed, as if it were perfectly normal for Liu Jianjun to be lying on his bed so early in the morning, and he didn't even bother to wake him up.

Li Xian was certain that the eunuch had seen someone on his bed with such a big lump in their belly!

This meant that Li Xian couldn't use the words he had prepared in his mind for a while.

But what surprised Li Xian even more was that it was only the end of the Yin hour (3-5 AM), and Empress Wu was saying she wanted to come to the palace for an audience at this hour... Was she going to summon him to the morning court session?
Li Xian's heart tightened for a moment.

……

As the eunuch stepped out of the State Guest House, a guard of honor was already waiting. Li Xian boarded the guard and walked towards the Imperial City.

This place was located next to the imperial city, so we arrived at the outskirts of the imperial city in no time.

"Your Highness Prince Pei, the Empress Dowager summons you to the Zichen Palace," the accompanying eunuch reported, bowing slightly.

'The Zichen Palace is where the inner court holds meetings; it seems the Empress Dowager's power grab is progressing smoothly...'

Li Xian thought to himself for a moment, then followed the eunuch toward the Zichen Palace.

After passing Xuanzheng Hall and crossing Zichen Gate, they walked about twenty zhang (approximately 33 meters) until Zichen Hall came into view. The eunuch led Li Xian to a side hall and then took small, quick steps toward the main hall.

Taking advantage of this moment, Li Xian heard what sounded like Empress Wu's reprimanding voice coming from inside the main hall. He felt slightly nervous, but then he remembered what Liu Jianjun had said and felt relieved.

The autumn air was already quite chilly. There was no heater in the side hall. Li Xian tightened his clothes and suddenly thought of Liu Jianjun's cotton cloth. He thought that if he used that to keep warm, it should be quite effective.

A moment later, the eunuch came running back with small, quick steps, announcing loudly, "Her Majesty the Empress Dowager summons Prince Pei to an audience!"

Li Xian hurriedly walked from the side hall to the main hall. When he arrived, Empress Wu, who was sitting on the throne, no longer "behind the curtain," was sitting majestically and solemnly. Li Xian dared not look directly at her, so he bowed and hurried forward. When he was about ten steps in front of her, he bowed again and said, "Your subject Xian is summoned to pay his respects! Your Majesty the Empress Dowager is well!"

From the front came Empress Wu's indifferent "hmm": "Prince Pei, please take your place and listen to the government."

Li Xian was a little confused, but he didn't ask any more questions. He simply replied "Yes" and retreated to the next line.

Empress Wu seemed to have just been interrupted while reprimanding the emperor, and continued to scold: "For more than twenty years before the emperor, I worked tirelessly day and night, worrying about the country and the people. The glory and honor of you ministers and generals, who is not a gift from me? The peaceful and prosperous lives of the people, who is not a blessing from me? Now, those who hold weapons and plot rebellion are among you. What have I done to wrong you that has led to this!"

In plain language that Liu Jianjun could understand, this meant: "I have followed the late emperor for more than 20 years, working tirelessly and worrying about the country. Isn't your wealth and status all thanks to me? Isn't the people's ability to live in peace and prosperity all thanks to me?"

"But the very people who are now holding military power and rebelling are among you nobles. How could you be so disloyal to me?"

Li Xian thought to himself that Liu Jianjun was right again; his mother had indeed summoned him to the morning court just to brag.

Empress Wu's anger did not subside. Looking at the silent civil and military officials below, she continued to question them: "I ask you all, among you, who can claim to have been entrusted with the government and whose achievements surpass Pei Yan? Who dares to presume to be a descendant of a military family and whose power exceeds Jingye? Who can boast of being skilled in battle and knowledgeable in military affairs and whose prestige surpasses Wu Ting?"
"These three men were indeed outstanding among men, but they harbored treacherous intentions before me. They were all crushed in an instant, as insignificant as ants!"

"You should examine yourselves. If you feel that your talents and strategies are enough to contend with these people, then you might as well try to contend with Heaven. If you know that your wisdom and courage are inferior to theirs, then you should cleanse your minds and serve the imperial court. If you are still stubborn and do not understand, you will eventually repeat the same mistakes and become a laughing stock for all time!"

This time, Li Xian subconsciously shrank his neck.

Empress Wu's words this time were extremely serious, even carrying a threatening tone:
"Who among you is also a regent, with a higher status than Pei Yan? Or who among you comes from a noble military family, and is more valiant than Xu Jingye? And who among you is particularly skilled in warfare, and better at military strategy than Cheng Wuting? "These three are truly exceptional individuals. If they become hostile to me, I can crush them as easily as crushing an ant!"
"So ask yourselves honestly, if you think you're better than them, fine, keep fighting me. But if you weigh your options and think you're not as good as them, then repent and serve me properly, or you'll end up being ridiculed by the world!"

This is hardly the kind of talk an empress dowager should have; it sounds like the verbal threats of a commoner, the cursing of a shrew from the back alley.

but……

It's more like an emperor, giving his ministers a scathing reprimand in a fit of rage.

Li Xian felt a sense of trepidation, but what made him even more desperate was that the entire court of civil and military officials knelt down, shouting, "We are here by the Empress Dowager!"

Li Xian prostrated himself on the ground along with the assembled officials, praising them, but his heart was cold. He heard his voice sound so insignificant amidst the clamor of a hundred people.

Empress Wu, seated on her throne, seemed satisfied with the effect. She softened her tone slightly, but still maintained an unquestionable air of authority: "In that case, I hope you all will remember what I said today. My eyes and ears are everywhere in the world, and my rewards and punishments are swifter than thunder. I hope you will all behave yourselves well!"

"Your Majesty's teachings will be obeyed!"

After the officials in the court once again expressed their submission, Empress Wu changed the subject and said, "Indeed, a strong wind reveals the strength of the grass, and turbulent times reveal the loyalty of the minister."

"A sudden disturbance arose in Yangzhou. The traitor Jingye falsely used the name of Prince Pei Xian to incite public sentiment. Amidst the upheaval in the court and the public, it was also evident that there were those who remained steadfast in their loyalty and filial piety."

Her gaze slowly swept over the prostrate officials, finally settling on Li Xian.

Although Li Xian didn't look up, he could already feel that gaze.

"Prince Pei is virtuous."

Li Xian's heart tightened suddenly, and he bowed again: "Your subject is here!"

"You came from Chang'an by imperial decree and have been living in Luoyang for some time now. I have observed your words and actions. You are cautious and discreet, and you have always adhered to the proper etiquette of a subject. Regarding the rebellion in Yangzhou, you have not uttered or asked a single word that involved the court, nor have you shown any involvement whatsoever."

"When I summoned you to the capital, it was also out of a desire to protect you, to prevent villains from using this opportunity to falsely accuse the imperial family and tarnish the bloodline of the late emperor. Now that the rebellion has been quelled and the truth has come to light, I am very pleased with your respect and self-discipline."

This time, Li Xian breathed a sigh of relief.

Be cautious and discreet even when alone, and strictly adhere to the duties of a subject.
Do these adjectives have anything to do with my performance in Luoyang these past few days?

He followed Taiping to break the curfew, and then went to the polo field of a foreign merchant to play polo. In the end, he was even praised for being cautious and discreet, and for adhering to the proper etiquette of a subject.

really.

Empress Wu didn't care at all how absurd her days in Luoyang were. In fact, she wished she could spend her days wandering around, both to let the world know that she was in Luoyang and to prove to the court officials that she was indeed just a useless prince who loved pleasure.

Li Xian bowed again, and with emotions only he could understand, he cried out, "This is all my duty, and I dare not accept such high praise from Your Majesty!"

……

(End of this chapter)