latelenovela Chapter 130 The Empress is a little confused
Chapter 130 The Empress is a little confused
Zi'an, in disguise as Zhinu, stood outside Ganye Temple, watching Mei Xiaosi's small figure disappear into the temple gate from afar.
A gentle breeze blew by, and he instinctively shrank his neck.
Little Si is a clever and mischievous girl. It's quite peaceful for her to stay in this quiet place to study and copy homework.
Zi'an started to miss Xiao Si as soon as she saw her enter Ganye Temple.
Then I thought, it's better that she's not by my side.
Otherwise, they'll start asking all sorts of questions again, which is incredibly annoying.
He chuckled self-deprecatingly, already foreseeing Xiao Si returning to his side in a few days, her innocent face pointing at a pile of history books, spouting off:
"Brother Zi'an, why do we have to fight the Western Regions, Tibet, and the Liaodong Peninsula? What's so special about these three places? Can't we all just live our own lives? Why do we always have to fight a war?"
He shook his head slightly, thinking, "This girl's head is full of questions. She asks too many tricky questions. Who can stand her?"
He glanced at the temple gate again from afar, then looked towards the palace. Suddenly, a eunuch reminded him that he had to rush back to the palace to handle some business, so he hurriedly left.
Back in the palace, Zi'an slid off the dragon throne, half-lying down, like a big cat that had basked in the sun, lazily stretching its limbs.
"Those old ministers in the court are probably up to some kind of plan 'without the emperor knowing' again."
He chuckled and patted his lower back.
Previously, the young slave would get furious every time he heard that the ministers were having secret meetings, thinking:
These old fellows always treat him like a mere ornament of the late emperor, keeping everything from me. The court has become the living room of these old ministers.
But he is different now. The infusion of Zian's soul has made him see things clearly. "Let's discuss it. Whatever happens, happens. As long as the country is peaceful and the people are safe, that's all that matters. Anyway, I'm busy living my own little life."
I will not stoop to the level of Changsun Wuji and Chu Suiliang!
The real business is to pester Chu Suiliang to practice calligraphy.
If I could change history, I would build a big villa for Chu Suiliang in Aizhou.
Zi'an muttered to herself, beckoning a palace maid to bring over a fruit platter. As she peeled oranges, she wondered where she would go to relax later.
Compared to the imperial court, the dramas in the harem don't require much brainpower—though they can only be amusing occasionally.
Empress Wang was as proper and disciplined as a living encyclopedia of etiquette.
Every time Zhinu went to her place, it was like a primary school student who had made a mistake standing in front of his parents, so well-behaved that he even counted his breaths.
"Your Majesty, one should sit properly and speak with proper manners."
Empress Wang's words were like a spring breeze caressing the willows, carrying a subtle and gentle coolness.
Zi'an rolled her eyes countless times in her heart, but obediently replied:
"The Empress is right, I have learned my lesson."
Zi An sat upright in front of Empress Wang, but her mind had already wandered off to Consort Xiao's "Flower Field Coffee Club".
That place was the most vibrant and authentic part of the palace that Zi'an discovered.
You can take a long bath with a beautiful woman, drink some tea, plant flowers and plants, and even listen to the most upscale opera in all of Chang'an!
Zi'an watched the palace cat lazily stretching in the warm sun and thought to herself, "Compared to the hardships of being a Tang Dynasty poet, this life is much more comfortable!"
Ultimately, isn't the standard for a poet "drinking wine alone under the moon," surrounded by fallen leaves and withered branches, with good wine hard to find, always full of passion yet unable to realize his ambitions, and with the years often leaving behind traces of sorrow and desolation in his heart?
Now, things are different with Consort Xiao!
She always wore a light fairy dress, with two cute buns in her hair, carrying a small pair of flower shears, and leading several playful palace maids, bustling about happily in the flower garden.
One of Zhinu's favorite things is watching her "plant grass and command the battle".
"Dig a little further to the left! Yes, right there! Ouch, you idiot, don't dig the well out of there!"
Consort Xiao stood by the flowerbed with her hands on her hips, shouting and directing with flower shears.
The palace maids nodded in agreement, but their movements were still clumsy and they bumped into each other from time to time, which made Zi'an laugh so hard he almost choked.
He leaned lazily to one side, holding the chubby tabby cat Fatty Bo in his arms, casually scratching behind the cat's ears with his fingers.
Fatty hummed contentedly, rubbing his little head against his hand.
While petting the cat and watching the show, the young servant leisurely added:
"Dig slowly, or I won't grant your family any official positions if you actually find a well."
Consort Xiao turned around and glared at him: "Your Majesty, why don't you come down and lend a hand too?"
Zi'an raised his hand to rub his forehead, adopting a "concerned about the world" look:
"Alas, state affairs are too busy. I'll leave the physical labor to you capable ministers and concubines."
"Hmph, you can be lazy to death then." Consort Shu rolled her eyes and turned back to continue her work of planting grass and directing the great cause.
Zhi Nu nestled even more comfortably in her arms with the cat, thinking to herself with delight, "This club is truly worth it!"
No one else was allowed to touch Fatty, the tabby cat in the palace, except Zi'an. When Zi'an held it, it was like a soft, fluffy ball of fur, snuggling in his arms and purring incessantly.
Bored, he even had a palace maid tie a small bow around Fei Bo's neck with a red ribbon. He turned around and saw Consort Xiao suppressing a laugh.
Zi'an put down the big cat, watched his kittens running wildly in the yard, and simply scooped one up in one go:
"Little one, you've learned to steal snacks now? You little flower thief, tell me, which palace maid did you learn from?"
The child struggled and writhed, but Zi'an, who had unexpectedly become a father, was amused and pointed to several little children running away in the distance, saying:
"Go, bring those few back to me, and interrogate them thoroughly!"
Actually, Zi'an's mind has been in a mess lately.
Especially when he thinks about how wonderful it would be if this were his and Mei Xiaosi's child, with the two of them planting flowers together in the flower field, the scene is simply too beautiful to imagine.
Unfortunately, things don't always go so smoothly.
Before he could finish his dream, Mei Xiaosi suddenly disappeared.
For several days in a row, Zi'an could not find Xiao Si, and the pressure in his heart grew stronger and stronger. He worried about what would happen if Xiao Si did not exist in this time and space.
They sent people to investigate, and it turned out that it was Empress Wang's men who took her away!
Zi'an felt a surge of displeasure and immediately went to the Empress's palace, entering with a furious expression.
"Where did you put Mei Xiaosi?" Zi'an asked, almost panting, her voice rising eight octaves with barely suppressed anger.
"Didn't we agree to bring her back to the palace? I thought you were a good person, that you were reasonable, but you actually...!"
"What?! What?!" Upon seeing this, Empress Wang's expression changed instantly, and a flash of anger appeared in her eyes.
But she suppressed her voice and calmly asked in return:
"Your Majesty, have you never loved me? I am a beauty coveted by so many, and I come from a noble family, a person worthy of you. Why can't you love me properly? As for Consort Xiao, how could she be worthy of you? She even dreams of becoming Empress! Doesn't she feel ashamed?! Now you have gone to the temple and had an affair with the late Emperor's people. You make me feel superfluous."
Zi An suddenly felt that the Empress needed to be noticed. He was stunned for a moment, then realized that the plot hadn't changed much, which was a good thing.
He took a deep breath, maintaining a polite tone:
"Where did you put Mei Xiaosi? Isn't it better for us to treat each other with respect? There's no need to make such a fuss."
He remained calm, though he muttered to himself, "Sigh, why can't I just live a peaceful life with Xiao Si? Why do we have to put on this show?"
Seeing this, Empress Wang's eyes flickered, she felt somewhat guilty, but she was unwilling to back down easily.
She carefully said, "I was just showing her extra concern." The word "concern" in her words almost froze the air.
“After all, she is an outsider, and I am worried that she may not fit in well in the palace. It is not good for her to stay by your side all the time. You must understand the position of our royal family.”
Zi'an felt a headache coming on as soon as she heard her speak, and she kept rubbing her temples because of the pain.
It's probably because Zhi Nu has too many unpleasant memories of the Crown Princess's first wife.
He also disliked the Empress's excessive concern and criticism.
Zi An frowned, trying to suppress the anger from her dual personality, and softened her tone slightly:
"I know the Empress has good intentions, but there's no need to be so extreme. I have my own considerations. Surely the Zi family dynasty isn't so powerless as to not even have a say in matters within its own inner palace?!"
He waved his hand and sighed inwardly, "Do you think our harem can live together peacefully like a normal family?"
Empress Wang was taken aback, then retorted defiantly: "But if this continues, who will consider the interests of the Taiyuan Wang family? When has this Zi family dynasty ever truly thought of me as your wife, your first wife?"
Zi An narrowed his eyes, a knowing smile appearing on his lips:
"Our Zi family dynasty can take care of your Taiyuan Wang family, take care of the Hedong Liu family, and do you think we can take care of this little thing between you and me?"
He paused, looking at her seriously: "It's not difficult, but can we be a little clearer? Where exactly did Mei Xiaosi go?"
Empress Wang seemed a little stunned. Seeing her silence, Zi'an secretly breathed a sigh of relief, thinking to himself:
"This matter should be showing some progress."
Although the situation remained tense, Zi'an suddenly had a premonition of victory.
He knew that no matter how many concerns or schemes Empress Wang might have, he could always resolve these trivial matters with a little patience and humor.
Ultimately, matters concerning the harem must return to his own hands.
Zi'an then launched into a barrage of questions:
"Empress, where did you put Mei Xiaosi?"
Wouldn't it be better if we treated each other with the respect due to guests?
Could you replace your motherly nagging with understanding and persuasion?
Could you change your harsh accusations and complaints into tactful and practical suggestions?
Could you change your excessive concern to moderate care?
Can you transform your resentment and anger into positive communication?
……
You, you, the solutions you provide are always for the benefit of your Taiyuan Wang clan and Hedong Liu clan!
When have you ever thought about our Purple Family Dynasty?!
Empress Wang was somewhat bewildered by the Emperor's words.
She was originally a person with an "overwhelming background," a veritable historical socialite!
Let's first take a look at the impressive lineup of her family:
Emperor Gaozu Wang Sizheng was a high-ranking official in the Western Wei Dynasty, serving as the Left Minister of the Ministry of Personnel. Just from his name, you can tell he was someone who could do whatever he wanted.
Back then, the title of "Left Vice Minister of the Ministry of Personnel" was no joke; it represented a "superstar" in the political arena, even more powerful than any minister today.
Looking further back, her great-grandfather, Wang Kang, the Duke of Taiyuan in the Northern Zhou Dynasty, was also a powerful figure.
You're saying that the rank of "Duke" back then was definitely not simple. Just think about how much power the Duke of Taiyuan in the Northern Zhou Dynasty must have had!
Then there was my great-uncle Wang Yu, who was originally a Qianniu Beishen (a military officer), and later rose to the position of Governor of Suizhou, which elevated the entire family's status.
Moreover, this man married Princess Tong'an of the Tang Dynasty royal family, which was like a "ticket to a wealthy family" in the world of political marriage, allowing him to rise to the top in one step!
Then there was her father, Wang Renyou, who held high-ranking positions such as Minister of Works and Duke of Wei, and even served as governor.
To become the Duke of Wei, one must wield enough power to overthrow the entire kingdom.
Moreover, his mother was from the Liu family of Hedong, a prominent family at the time, which provided Empress Wang with the blessing of the "Liu family of Hedong".
Her mother was granted the title of Lady of Wei, and her children all rose to prominence on the stage of history.
His uncle, Liu Shi, also served as the Grand Secretary, controlling confidential documents, a fact known to the whole world!
Then, her great-aunt, Princess Tongan, was the younger sister of Emperor Gaozu of Tang, Li Yuan, and could be considered a representative of the "powerful and noble families" of the Tang Dynasty!
If a family has these kinds of resources, you can tell how high their social standing is.
Both his parents' families were related to the Tang Dynasty imperial family by marriage and belonged to the Guanzhong aristocratic military group.
Of course, Empress Wang's husband was none other than Emperor Gaozong of Tang, Li Zhi!
In other words, the role that Zi'an played in the time travel provided her with a natural opportunity to become the "Empress".
In addition, her adopted son, Prince Yan Li Zhong, is a potential future star. The family's genes and sense of history are simply overwhelming.
In short, Empress Wang was the typical aristocratic figure who was so powerful that "if she wanted, the entire Tang Dynasty would have to lay out a red carpet for her!"
Even the smallest thing she does should cause a huge storm.
However, they were dealt a great hand, but they played it terribly.
Therefore, we still need to return to the people!
This is the hard truth.