In Shangyang Palace and Ganlu Palace, the morning bell is announced, and the figures wandering between the corridors of the palace garden have started a new day.

In the inner hall, the Empress Dowager Wu Zetian had just woken up, and there was a palace maid who presented a grooming utensils. Wu Zetian washed his face, and suddenly saw a few white pills placed in the white porcelain bowl on the side of the silver basin, picked out one and pinched it in his hand, approached the end of his nose and sniffed it gently, and couldn't help but wonder: "This motherwort pill has not been used for a long time, why did it come back today?" ”

In the dormitory, Yang Xi'er approached the front and said respectfully: "A few days ago, I picked up the old paper in the garden, and I got this old recipe for beauty. ”

This motherwort pill is the queen mother's old beauty use, if used for a long time, although the age of nearly 50 women can also maintain the skin of a young woman like a twenty-eight young woman. But after entering the Shangyang Palace, such objects gradually stopped being worshipped. One is that the queen mother herself is no longer as focused on daily maintenance as in previous years, and the other is that many palace people who are good at preparing materials have left the palace, and the techniques have also been lost.

Nowadays, there are few old palace servants in the Ganlu Palace, and those newly sent servants are nothing more than perfunctory errands, and they can't take care of them. In addition, the supply of materials in Shangyang Palace is not as rich as in previous years, and the inventory of things in and out is very strict, in order to avoid causing trouble, the palace people do not dare to spend too much materials.

The smell of fragrant fragrance lingered on the tip of her nose, the queen mother's expression was slightly confused, and her eyes flashed with a layer of warm praise when she looked at Yang Xi'er, pinching the pill and kneading it for a while, and then put it back in the porcelain bowl Zhongbing sighed: "Xi Niang has a heart, the old thing that is waiting to die in the idle court is useless to spend the young people carefully and the treasures of the world." These things are used, and you don't have to get them again in the future. ”

Hearing the Queen Mother's words, Yang Xi'er hurriedly knelt on the ground and said in a low voice: "Your Majesty the Queen Mother has a good spring and autumn year, and you are enjoying long blessings." In addition, His Royal Highness King Yong is about to return to the country, and if the holy face is damaged and not as glorious as in previous years, the concubines and other attendants will be guilty of great crimes......"

Wu Zetian was not without sadness, but after hearing this, there was a glimmer of brilliance in his eyes, and he couldn't help but laugh and said: "This is reasonable, you should be treated for a long time, and let that kid come to worship day and night." After many years, there is a time for finally reunited, and he should not be shown in a declining state. ”

Hearing the queen mother say this, Yang Xi'er walked forward on her knees, mashed the pill with a jade pestle and grinded it carefully, and carefully washed her hands and face for the queen mother.

The Empress Dowager had just finished freshening up, and a series of noises suddenly came from outside the hall, and soon after, a team of seven or eight eunuchs said in a deep voice in the outer corridor: "The saint enters the palace to meet Her Majesty the Empress Dowager, and invites the Empress Dowager to enter the palace to meet her." ”

When the queen mother heard this, she nodded, and entered the main hall with the support of the palace maids. When the group arrived at the hall, there were already many palace people standing inside and outside the hall, and the current saint was already standing in front of the door waiting, and behind them stood the children who had moved into Shangyang Palace many days ago.

On the side of the saint's family is Princess Taiping and her children. Previously, Princess Taiping was confined in the mansion, but as the situation in the Shendu became more and more unstable, in order to save the use of guard power, Princess Taiping's family returned to live in Shangyang Palace.

Princess Taiping had no shortage of resentment towards the saint in her heart, and before the arrival of the queen mother, the brother and sister stood quite close to each other, arguing in a low voice, and the atmosphere was quite embarrassing.

When she saw the Queen Mother coming, Princess Taiping glared at the saint again, and then hurriedly walked up to support her mother. The emperor also approached to meet him, and when he walked a few feet in front of the queen mother, he stopped, looked at his mother a few times, and squeezed out a few smiles on his face, and said: "Mother Guan looks healthy, and her son is much more at ease." Recently, it was shorter than greetings, and the stubborn things in the court were sent to disturb the trouble, and I asked my grandmother to forgive me. ”

"I know that you are working hard, although foreign affairs are complicated, you also need to take care of yourself."

The Empress Dowager bowed slightly to the emperor, and when she saw that her face was pale, her eyes were bloodshot, and her spirit was very poor, she spoke again.

The corners of the emperor's mouth trembled when he heard this, and he opened his mouth to speak but hesitated, and finally just silently followed the queen mother into the palace and sat down, and ordered his children to come forward one by one to greet him.

Such a picture of three generations in the same house, if it is in an ordinary family, should be full of humanity and harmony. But in this palace, there is no atmosphere of family happiness.

Although the emperor's children have moved into Shangyang Palace many days ago, they only live in the other garden, and it is the first time they have come to visit the queen mother.

When the emperor saw his children like this, he was a little displeased, and he opened his mouth to scold, but was stopped by the queen mother waving her hand: "Pure feelings, not good at concealment." There are antecedents for the warmth and coldness of human feelings, and there is no need to criticize the younger generations. ”

"After all, it is a child who is not good at upbringing, and one by one the bad states are exposed."

The emperor sighed to himself, waved his hand to rebuke a group of children, and then glanced at Princess Taiping who was sitting beside her mother, and only after a little silence did he speak: "Can Ah Mei allow me to be alone with my mother for a short time?" ”

After Princess Taiping heard this, her eyebrows were raised, and she said unhappily: "The saint is in the supreme, and his words and deeds are willful. How fortunate is a foolish woman, how dare she sit down and ask such a human question! Fortunately, there is no law and discipline for what I have committed, but I have served my mother diligently, if I don't allow it, what crime will the saint punish me? ”

"Taiping, you are ...... again I really, please understand my brother's difficulties, I really don't have the energy to quarrel with you anymore. ”

Hearing that Princess Taiping was so yin and yang, a trace of shame flashed in the emperor's eyes, but after a while, he just lowered his head and sighed, and his tone was quite depressed.

Princess Taiping has been suffering for several days, naturally it is not that the emperor can solve it with a few soft words when he lowers his body, but when he saw her mother bowing her head slightly, she snorted coldly, got up angrily and walked out of the palace.

When Princess Taiping left, some of the palace people who were standing also retreated behind the tent, and only the mother and son were left in the huge hall.

The emperor's expression was slightly hurried, he lowered his head to avoid his mother's scrutinizing eyes, and opened his mouth several times before he said astringently: "After the revolution, I often have the idea of being strong, but after all, I have to admit that the small instrument is narrow, and it is indeed inferior to my mother. The Western Army has entered the capital on the front road, entering the city from the Dingding Gate, running through the Horse Heaven Street, and going straight to the Shangyang Palace......"

When the Empress Dowager heard this, her eyes flashed, and she looked at the depressed emperor and said, "Do you still think that Shen Zhi is offending by doing this?" Do you think you don't have the power to shelter your mother? ”

When the emperor heard this, he smiled miserably and shook his head, but then nodded again: "It is indeed embarrassing to be so despised by a young person. But now the situation in Dugi is indeed not optimistic, and all kinds of disturbances are no longer bad. If I say it in my heart, King Yong's move will make me breathe a sigh of relief, and I don't have to harm my mother's life because I am melocent......"

Li Sixun and others also voted for King Yong, alas, they were originally carrying the high hopes of the people in the court and going out of the city to block King Yong's eastward journey...... But now, they have turned their backs on their previous orders and pressed the court with King Yong! Mother, you have raised a great grandson, King Yong, who has been in Kansai for a long time, but now he is reciting that I have not been prosperous since I held the national weapon......

I'm not complaining, but I think it's a bit of a strong argument for him to denounce it like this...... Alas, within the power, how can there be any human affection, compared with you, mother, and King Yong, I do owe power. Even the third brother and the third brother have been far away in the rivers and lakes for a long time, but now when it comes to the people in the government and the opposition, they are far better than me......"

Li Dan spoke intermittently, his tone was full of loss and melancholy, and he had no clue at all, and there was a great sense of depression and not vomiting unhappiness.

Some of the things mentioned by the emperor have already been known, and some have just known, such as the fact that King Luling fled and returned to the country. After all, the main channel for her to understand the outside world is Princess Taiping, and recently, Princess Taiping's own actions have also been restricted, both mother and daughter are almost isolated from the world, and even such a major event as King Yong's return to the country was only known after the emperor's children were sent to Shangyang Palace.

Therefore, after hearing the emperor's chatter, the queen mother also learned that the situation in Shendu had actually been chaotic to this point, and her mood became complicated, and her eyes turned cold when she looked at the emperor.

"The imbalance between inside and outside is so serious...... The hearts of the people of the Manchu Dynasty were fluctuating, the affairs of the dynasty were abandoned, and King Yong handed a word into the capital, and in an instant, hundreds of books were gathered under the door and discussed moving west...... These people themselves have no righteousness, and it is ridiculous that they are still ......"

The emperor's eyes were blank, his thoughts were extremely confused, and he casually said what he thought.

"Enough!"

The Empress Dowager finally couldn't help it, snorted coldly, and waited until the emperor collected her prestige, she looked at the emperor and sighed: "Shiro, governing the country has never been easy. Why don't you talk about everything you have experienced since you entered the court, and now you are so worried inside and outside, but you are still talking in this idle garden, what good is it? Your mother is an old woman who has lost power, how much more can she help you in addition to a little patience?

If there are not even two or three people talking about the prime minister and the common power at the moment, then I have only one suggestion for you, and retreat with the trend. If the authority has been lost, only by following the good and hiding in the public can we seek a glimmer of life. You have never been a man of power, this is not to underestimate you, but just a little bit of your mother's desire to lose her son in vain. Retreat, the chaos of the family and country is pushed to the ...... of Shen"

"Mother, do I have a way out? I ......"

"Yes, you never lose a way out, even at this moment. Be cautious to intimidate the public and propose to move westward, which is to help you unite the feelings of the court, resolve disputes, and let the courtiers not get lost in the evil feelings. Within the righteousness, even if your third brother returns to the country, it will not be a big disaster, visit Yu Ye, welcome him into the court, and wait for the young and strong of the clan to return to the court......"

Wu Zetian looked at his dejected son, and said bitterly: "If things continue to deteriorate and indulge in the wild, then it will be truly out of control." Although he is aggressive, he still abides by it. Your third brother has been living in the rivers and lakes for a long time, and it is difficult for the family and country to return, and the grievances accumulate, so he will be coerced by evil feelings. But if all things can be controlled in vain, then the evil feelings cannot be hidden, and the prudence is stronger than the way home, and the conspirators will not dare to act without permission, and your brother still has a period of life and return to the ancestral temple. ”

"But if you really do this, Mother, I am thinking of entrusting my life and the blessings and misfortunes of my family to others...... I will no longer be able to protect myself! Mother, I know that you prefer the third brother, are you afraid of him...... So trick me? I'm not blaming you, Mother, I'm not likable by nature, and I've learned a lot in love and things, at home and in the country...... In the old years, the second brother was in the distant countryside of Bazhong, and my mother couldn't tolerate him, but now that I have enjoyed the throne for a long time, King Yong, will he really let my family go? ”

The emperor was silent for a long time, and suddenly wept and said sadly.

When Wu Zetian heard this, he was silent for a while, and after a long while, he sighed: "Back then, it was indeed a last resort, but now the situation is not the same as back then, and there is no need to wrap up your feet because of the old ruts." You are not the master of benevolence and virtue, and you don't need to be cautious because you are burdened with sins and kill karma, you can take the great position according to the trend, so why ......"

"I, I know that I have a negative family and country, but mother, mother, since I was born and knows, have you ever issued an order in your mouth to claim it? If I really have a deep sin, let the heavens punish me, and let me, the scum of the world, die! Mother, why do you bother, why do you want to teach me to be ugly and flattering to my children! The world is not fair, mother, you are hot and ruthless, corrupting the family and country, King Yong, he is by no means a humane and good type, but he can be pandered to by the people! What kind of world is this? It's a ......."

"Son, your mother is guilty, but I teach you this time, I just hope that you can live...... My son is by no means a sinful person, you have grown up in human affection, but you are unfortunately born at such a door. It's not your fault that you don't change things without permission, but don't go against the trend...... If you believe in your mother, your mother can protect you, your father and son......"

Seeing the emperor's face full of tears, the queen mother also felt sobbing for a while, and stood up tremblingly in the banquet, wanting to hold the emperor.

However, the emperor also left the table, took a few steps back and bowed to the ground and said sadly: "Mother, my son is going to disappoint you after all...... In the past, I lost my mother, and I still didn't lose the excuse, but now I am pushing my children, even if I can live, how can the world look at me? In history, has there ever been such a man who has blasphemed public weapons? If you don't fight for your life, even if you have life, you will have no shame to live! Today, I know that my mother has me, and I have no regrets when my son dies......

A few days ago, it was hidden but not released, just because there were still worries, and now King Yong made A into the capital, and the old mother, wife and children did not lose their protection. I don't hate my mother, and I don't hate Shenzhi, but since my son was born for a lifetime and pretended to be powerful, he was made like a plaything by a wolf-hearted thief, and this hatred must not be tolerated! is the son of the Tang family, even if he is not talented, he is not treacherous and evil! The thief eats my lord, but he harms me, and he will kill the thief today! Mother, you, you cherish ......"

After saying this, the emperor bowed again, and then ignored the queen mother's cry and shed tears and left the palace.

After Princess Taiping retreated from the palace, she wandered on the side of the palace, and saw the emperor walking out of the palace with an angry face, and heard the sad voice in the palace, her face suddenly panicked, and hurriedly stepped forward, pointing at the emperor and saying loudly: "What happened to your mother?" Brother, ...... you?"

"Sister, Brother made a trick to trap you before, and he really can't stand you! But, but you are born within power, and the sinister human heart has too little insight after all, and I detain you in the hope of shielding you. This time, if there is still a period of life, the rest of the years are still long, and the elder brother must make up for the previous mistakes. If, if yes...... We will see each other for no time, please take care of the children in the court on my behalf! ”

The emperor stood in the distance, waved his hand to Princess Taiping, and after saying this, he strode again, and soon walked out of the Manna Palace.

At this time, outside the Ganlu Palace, Yang Fang and other elite soldiers of the Western Army sent by King Yong had already been brought over. The emperor waved his hand and beckoned Yang Fang to the front, and said in a deep voice: "Although you don't eat me, since you are called the Tang family's loyalty and bravery, you must be loyal to the guard here!" If there is a slight disturbance outside the queen mother, you will be killed! ”

"As long as the ministers are still alive, they will never allow Her Majesty the Queen Mother to be disturbed!"

After Yang Fang heard this, his face was also solemn, and he said in a condensed voice.

"Ten thousand armored soldiers, return to the palace with me, drink and drink, and help me kill the thief!"

After Yang Fang and others took over the guards of the Ganlu Palace, the emperor led nearly 10 million cavalry warriors who had originally stayed here to return to Ouchi. At this time, there were already quite a lot of armored soldiers gathered in front of the Tianmen, and the prime minister Wei Juyuan, who was waiting here, saw that the emperor was coming violently, and hurriedly approached to meet him, and said: "The armies of Nanya in the palace have been assembled and ready for use by the order of the sage!" ”

After hearing this, the emperor nodded, and then went straight to the West Dynasty Hall on the south side of Zetianmen, and directly announced the edict in the court, dispatched the guards to strictly guard the gates of the Shendu, and even held a pen and said angrily: "Zhu Zhongyong Jian'er searched for the secretary and supervisor Wei Chengqing for me to enter the fang, and Wei thieves took power, sold famous weapons, robbed the flesh and blood of the Zong, and hid evil in the capital!" If you insist on entering the court, you will be killed by capital punishment, and the Tang family will be majestic! ”