Da Tang: Father, can I resign?

Chapter 204 Yang: I am not being modest. I do not want to be crowned as the queen. I just hope the sea is peaceful.

"Oh, you're here too?"

When Li Shimin saw Concubine Wei in person, his brows raised slightly.

"Yes... yes, I came to see my sister." Concubine Wei said respectfully, acting like a good sister to Yang.

Your Majesty is busy with state affairs and hates the intrigues in the harem the most, so no matter what the concubines think in their hearts, they all appear harmonious and friendly to others in public.

"Well, very good. You should move around more often." Li Shimin temporarily approved of Concubine Wei's behavior.

This was not his first time coming to Lide Hall, so he naturally knew that this place had been deserted in the past.

He didn't want to bother with the little tricks of the women in the harem, so he walked in.

Concubine Wei felt that she was not being dismissed, so she naturally followed behind.

"His Majesty."

Yang bowed respectfully.

Li Ming also nodded to Lao Li as usual, which was considered as a greeting.

After being stepped on by his mother, he crossed his arms and saluted:
"Hello, Father."

"Oh? Are you still eating? It smells so good, do you mind adding another pair of chopsticks?"

Li Shimin sat down at the dinner table and talked to himself.

"How could that be?" Yang smiled gently and quickly prepared the dishes and chopsticks.

It seems that the dangerous topic of "regicide" has not been discussed at all just now.

Li Ming also picked up his bowl again and, like a little bee, kept nagging in Grandpa's ear:

"Have you eaten yet? Don't overeat all at once. Eating more vegetables and less greasy food is good for your health."

Anyway, he would never do anything like "killing the king and seizing power".

Before you can rule others, you must first be a human being yourself.

"..."

Concubine Wei was left aside, not knowing whether to walk or sit down, feeling extremely embarrassed.

After all, I am the head of the imperial concubines. How can I be treated as an unknown person with no status?
Of course, she would never dare to displease His Majesty.

So, she naturally took her anger out on Yang and her son.

The damned wife of a traitor! If it weren’t for her and her child who bewitched Your Majesty, how could Your Majesty not have the daughter of Jingzhao Wei in his eyes!
"Since Your Majesty has something to discuss with Concubine Yang De, it would be a bit inappropriate for me to be standing here.

"Your Majesty, please allow me to leave."

Concubine Wei said angrily that the forty-year-old old woman acted like a fourteen-year-old tsundere.

However, the scumbag Li Shimin just waved his hand:
"okay."

Full of perfunctory attitude.

"……snort!"

Concubine Wei puffed up her breath, turned around and left.

As I walked outside the Lide Hall, I vaguely heard a voice behind me:
"I want to make you my queen..."

what? !

Concubine Wei felt that she had heard something very extraordinary. She felt as if struck by lightning and turned back subconsciously.

boom!
The door of Lide Hall closed heavily in front of her.

Not a single ray of light could get through, not a single sound could be heard.

Concubine Wei stood at the door in a daze, like a sculpture.

Blood oozed from the corner of her mouth.

It was bitten out by her own teeth.

…………

"The harem has been without a master for a long time, which is not a decent thing, and many ministers in the court have made suggestions on this matter.

"The emperor has no family affairs, and I also feel that I should set an example for all families, so I want to make someone my queen."

Li Shimin muttered a series of words arrogantly, the general meaning of which was, I had to remarry for the sake of the whole world.

"So, with you as the Queen of Tang Dynasty, then...what do you think?"

An expression that said, "Let's discuss it. If it doesn't work, I'll ask the next person."

Hiss...Li Ming took a deep breath.

Even he was so nervous and excited that he couldn't think and couldn't help licking his lips.

Don't think that Li Er's words seem casual.

The decision to establish a queen is definitely a very important one.

As we all know, marriage is not just a matter between two people, but a matter between two families.

But the emperor's home is a little special.

If the wife's family does not have a certain amount of power, they cannot justify the title of "Queen".

The Hongnong Yang family, to which the Yang family belongs, is also a well-known aristocratic family.

Although compared with the Jingzhao Wei family, the Hongnong Yang family was farther away from the power center of the Li Tang Dynasty.

But it’s good enough.

Therefore, Yang’s background has never been a problem.

Over the years, the reason why Li Shimin did not establish a new empress and caused the harem to be ownerless for a long time was because of a hot woman——

Empress Wende, surnamed Zhangsun.

The destructive power of first love was so great that Li Shimin, a passionate and playboy, could not make up his mind to "remarry" and take a queen.

This is why the throne of the master of the harem has remained vacant.

Mom is really good. She can actually defeat Li Er’s White Moonlight... Li Ming thought happily.

Then he realized something was wrong.

Empress Changsun was absolutely irreplaceable to Li Shimin, so how could she let Yang...

Li Ming finally got over the initial shock and calmed down.

The brain starts working again and the IQ regains its high ground.

Li Ming realized the purpose of Li Shimin's move.

It’s not because of their deep love for each other.

But it was for their son, Li Ming.

It is to fill the last piece, or half of the shortcoming, of Li Ming's succession.

Although Li Ming was adopted by Empress Zhangsun, as mentioned earlier, the distinction between legitimate and illegitimate children in etiquette and law cannot be crossed by burning incense or kowtowing.

In order to plug all loopholes and stop people from gossiping.

Li Shimin simply promoted Li Ming's biological mother and made Yang the queen as well.

Both my biological mother and stepmother are queens, so there is nothing anyone in the world can say!
"Is all this just for me to become the crown prince..."

If it were in the past, Li Ming would probably be so excited that he would faint.

But now, realizing that becoming the crown prince might bring about a series of troubles, he has begun to back off.

Li Ming was not so excited.

Once his mood calmed down, his brain started to work better and he automatically calculated the future situation in the court.

As it stands, the wives' clan of the Hongnong Yang clan, headed by Yang Shidao, will surely rise up and usher in a wave of development.

Before Li Ming ascends to the throne, this force will become one of his main supporting forces.

His voice and influence in the court were not much smaller than those of the "Liaodong faction" such as Fang Xuanling and Hou Junji.

But these "Yangs" are all newcomers, and not many of them are convinced or attracted by Li Ming's "personal charm".

Except for Yang Shidao and other relatives who were closely related to him, other members of the Yang family seemed to be dependent on him for the sake of benefits.

Once he really ascends the throne, these maternal relatives may become a hindrance to the imperial power.

For example, the Dou family of the Han Dynasty.

Therefore, when using the Yang clan members, we must pay attention to adding more restrictions and check and balance with other forces...

While Li Ming was calculating calmly, the person involved, Yang, was even calmer.

"I have no ambition to seek a high position, but when I first entered the palace, I was determined to serve Your Majesty wholeheartedly.

"If managing all the affairs of the harem for Your Majesty is the way to serve Your Majesty, then no matter what my own intentions are, even if there are mountains of swords and seas of fire ahead, I will not refuse.

"I recited a poem on the spot: I don't want to be crowned as queen, I just hope the sea is peaceful..."

Yang babble on and on about her victory speech.

Li Shimin was even made to feel guilty.

Conferring Yang the title of empress was for the sake of her son. Isn't this a bit unfair to her...

As Li Shimin thought about it, he couldn't help but feel puzzled.

I clearly promoted her, why is she still feeling embarrassed...

…………"I want to make Yang the queen. Who is in favor and who is against?"

The very next day, at a grand court meeting convened temporarily, Li Shimin asked questions to all officials in the capital.

Establishing a queen is a big event. On a larger scale, it will affect the future direction of the country.

Therefore, it is not possible to simply burn incense and recite scriptures in the ancestral temple as we did before to promote Yang to the rank of Defei.

It is necessary to seek the opinions of important officials.

As an emperor known in history for his willingness to accept advice, His Majesty Li Shimin brought the matter directly to the grand court meeting.

I encourage everyone to speak freely, and I am happy to hear your criticisms.

I object...the ministers are ready to make a move.

Such a major event as changing the queen will directly affect the current political situation and bring prosperity to a group of people from the Hongnong Yang family.

The cake is so small. If Yang gets a little more, others will get a little less, so it would be strange if no one objects.

What's more, the identity of the pre-selected new queen Yang is also a bit special -

She was the original wife of Li Yuanji, the Prince of Chaola, who was Li Shimin's younger brother and political enemy.

My brother's wife is my wife, which is a bit abstract.

In the future, in the history books, it is inevitable that there will be more gossips about Your Majesty such as "killing your brother and taking your wife".

Especially Zhangsun Wuji and his followers, they were trembling with fear.

If the Yang family becomes an in-law, then what about their Changsun family?
Mrs. Cow?
Your Majesty, you cannot abandon your lover. Empress Wende is still crying in Zhaoling Mausoleum... The ministers could no longer hold back their verbal gymnastics.

However, when the advice came to his lips, it was blocked again.

Because there was another person sitting right next to Your Majesty.

Li Ming.

Although he was no longer the "Tongpingzhangshi" and had not officially assumed the responsibility of "Regent", according to regulations and etiquette, he should not appear at the grand court meeting.

But Li Ming just showed up and sat on the prince's left side as a matter of course.

Li Ming has another identity, which is a bit special.

Well, he is the biological son of the future Queen Yang, and also her only son.

At this time, Li Ming was sitting high on the dragon couch, looking down at the ministers with a amiable smile on his face:

"Who is in favor and who is against?"

Gulp... Everyone heard the sound of themselves swallowing saliva.

You can't object. If you do, you will be targeted by this little devil.

His Highness Li Ming is the most vengeful one, and he is also the prince most likely to inherit the throne and is almost designated as the crown prince.

To go against him would mean going against your own nine clans.

Forget it, forget it, I can’t afford to offend you…

"Oh? No one objects?"

Li Shimin himself was a little surprised.

He had originally thought that there would be a lot of "Reports to Your Majesty" and was ready to engage in a debate with the scholars.

As a result, this is it?
Is Yang so popular?
"Then, I will crown Yang as the queen. The ceremony will be held before I go to war."

Li Shimin settled the matter so easily and happily.

"Huh..." Li Ming breathed a sigh of relief.

Fortunately, this matter was settled before the expedition, and the emperor did not set any heavyweight flag like "I must go home and remarry after the war is over."

"Your Highness will obey your command."

Led by Fang Xuanling, all officials in the capital expressed their opinions.

We are not stupid. We all know that His Majesty’s decision to establish a queen this time was not because he was bewitched by a concubine and wanted to make her son the crown prince.

For example, Liu Bang, the first emperor of the Han Dynasty.

On the contrary, Your Majesty was bewitched by a certain prince and insisted on making his mother the queen.

In this case, the opposition of the ministers was useless.

Having said that, Your Majesty made Concubine Yang De the empress simply to further enhance the legitimacy of His Majesty Li Ming's succession to the throne.

In fact, there is no need to do this, as Li Ming's position as crown prince is already stable.

He has ability, political achievements, the support of the people, capable ministers, and even territory and soldiers.

Who can compete with it?

But His Majesty Li Shimin still felt that this was not stable enough.

He would rather give up his deep affection for Empress Zhangsun and make Li Ming's biological mother the empress, just to provide Li Ming with another layer of insurance and escort him on his path to becoming the crown prince.

How much does Your Majesty value His Highness Li Ming!

"That's good." Li Ming curled his lips and looked down at the ministers.

None of the ministers dared to look him in the eye.

After making up for the last half of his shortcoming, his Highness Li Ming is now almost invincible.

He was adopted by the Changsun family, and his stepmother according to the legal system was the empress.

And his biological mother, Yang, has now become the queen.

Two queens serve him alone. Isn't this a small blessing?

His legitimacy now even exceeds that of a legitimate son.

Even surpassing the current crown prince Li Chengqian!
Because both of Li Ming’s mothers were queens, and he was the eldest son of the new queens!

Li Chengqian doesn’t have two queen mothers!

"How will the history books judge you in the future..." Cen Wenben was heartbroken and despised the emperor's act of killing his brother and taking his wife.

But he only dared to feel the pain in his heart but didn't dare to express it in person.

Changsun Wuji's face turned pale and his eyelids were twitching.

His greatest support, his identity as the Queen's brother, was not completely taken away, but it had been greatly diluted.

The family's decline is inevitable.

Even before His Majesty passed away and the new emperor ascended the throne, the Changsun family had rapidly fallen into decline!
"Well... many people are dissatisfied and will definitely try to trip me up in the future. It's not going to be easy to deal with."

Li Ming sat on the stage, and could clearly see the micro-expressions of the ministers below.

He and his mother had already touched many people's cakes, so it was expected that they would suffer backlash.

"The first step in the long journey is to take good care of this family and this country..."

…………

Yang's enthronement ceremony was scheduled for an auspicious day a few days later, and the princes from other places were not summoned back to the capital.

Firstly, the day of departure is approaching and there is no time; secondly, they have been summoned too many times this year, so let them take a break and just send a letter to inform them.

The ancestral temple worship and sacrifices to heaven and earth follow the usual process.

Apart from Li Ming, the only princes in Beijing were Li Chengqian and Li Zhi, so naturally they had to attend the ceremony as well.

Their father, Li Er, took advantage of this ceremony to silently tell them the bad news:

Li Ming has already been chosen as the winner. As long as you don't do stupid things, you two will have almost no chance.

At the same time, I told them a good (or worse) news:

I have found a stepmother for you two.

Murder, but also torture?

Li Zhi's eyes were red, and Li Chengqian's eyes were dim and his expression was dazed.

But they still remembered the old actor's calmness and composure, and knelt down calmly to Yang.

Even if I acknowledge her as my mother.

"They are my mother's sons by law, and I am their mother's son by law...

"What do you mean by exchanging homes?"

Li Ming was already dazzled by Li Er's operation of changing houses.

No matter how much dissatisfaction it aroused among forces, no matter how many women in the harem were awakened in the middle of the night, no matter how much the foreign princes screamed and scratched.

With the support of the fierce father and son pair of Li Shimin and Li Ming, the matter of establishing the queen was settled calmly.

Yang officially became the mother of the country and was in charge of the harem.

And the time came after the autumn harvest.

The day for the Tang Dynasty to launch a northern expedition against the Xueyantuo has arrived.

…………

evening.

Fang Xuanling walked skillfully through the corridors of the Lizheng Hall in the orange sunset and stood outside the familiar door of the imperial study.

On the eve of His Majesty's personal expedition, a secret decree summoned him here.

(End of this chapter)