Tang Dynasty, my wife Wu Zetian

Chapter 179 Mei Niang, you are also wrong!
Inside the Li Zheng Hall.

There was a loud bang as Wu Meiniang slammed her hand on the table and asked sternly, "Is this true?"

Li Hong was startled and looked up at his mother and Zhang Duohai. He didn't know what Zhang Duohai whispered to his mother that made his mother, who was having dinner, lose her composure like this.

Li Xian was even scared to tears.

Wu Meiniang hurriedly got up, hugged Li Xian and tried to comfort him. But after just a few words, Li Xian realized what was happening and started crying too.

Seeing his mother in a panic, Li Hong hurriedly hugged Li Xian and made a few faces at him, finally helping his mother to coax his two younger brothers.

Li Hong then turned to Wu Meiniang and asked, "Mother, what happened?"

Wu Meiniang forced a smile and said, "Nothing, just go to Chongwenguan."

Seeing that his mother was unwilling to tell him, Li Hong did not ask any more questions. After bowing to his mother, he left the hall.

Wu Meiniang ordered her guardian to take Li Xian and Li Xian to the side hall, and then took Zhang Duohai into the inner room. She asked in a stern tone, "Does he really have a mistress outside?"

Zhang Duohai whispered, "Your Highness, there are not only one, but three!"

Wu Meiniang closed her eyes tightly, her shoulders trembling slightly. After a long time, she calmed down and uttered two chilling words.

"Damn it!"

Zhang Dahai whispered, "Your Highness, there is more bad news."

Wu Meiniang said coldly: "Speak!"

Zhang Duohai said: "Imperial Physician Qin said that the young lady may not be able to have children."

Wu Meiniang's face changed color and she asked, "Can it be cured?"

Zhang Duohai whispered, "Imperial Physician Qin has discussed this with other imperial physicians, and I'm afraid there's no cure."

Wu Meiniang was stunned for a moment, her face turned pale as paper, and after a long while, she sighed softly.

"Do you think Guo Xiaoshen kept a mistress outside because he knew Ruyi was infertile?"

Zhang Duohai said: "That's possible."

Wu Meiniang suddenly glanced at Zhang Duohai and said, "I didn't ask you to investigate Guo Xiaoshen. How did you know his secret?"

Zhang Duohai hurriedly said, "Your Highness, I accidentally found Guo Xiaoshen while investigating the Gu family."

"Gu family?"

Zhang Duohai said, "A few days ago, Wang Fusheng asked me to investigate the Gu and Wang families, saying that their caravans were not well-behaved and might affect the Saint's plan to transport coal."

"Later, after investigating the Gu family, I discovered that the young master, Gu Wenjian, had actually been staying in Hedong and had a very good relationship with Guo Xiaoshen."

When Wu Meiniang heard this, her eyes flashed.

Wang Fusheng must have found out that Gu was related to Guo Xiaoshen, and knowing that he was involved in the matter, he handed it over to Zhang Duohai for investigation.

This was obviously his way of showing goodwill to herself.

Zhang Duohai continued, "Following this line of investigation, I discovered that Guo Xiaoshen often frequented brothels with Gu Wenzhang. One of Guo Xiaoshen's three mistresses was introduced by Gu Wenzhang."

In fact, Wu Meiniang had long known that Guo Xiaoshen was a playboy, and it was because of Wu Ruyi's beauty that she was willing to help him.

Later, when Wu Ruyi wanted to marry Guo Xiaoshen, she was against it.

It’s a pity that Wu Ruyi insisted on repaying her gratitude, and Madam Yang also agreed to this, so she was helpless.

"Duohai, convey my order and summon Guo Xiaoshen to the palace!"

Guo Xiaoshen stood in front of the Rihua Gate, looking at the majestic palace behind the gate, his elbows trembling slightly.

He had participated in the New Moon and Full Moon Courts, but this was his first time entering the palace alone. Moreover, the person he was about to meet made him very afraid.

"Guo Sicheng, please come this way. Don't keep Her Royal Highness the Queen waiting for too long." A Qianniu Guard said in a deep voice.

Guo Xiaoshen swallowed his saliva, finally passed through the Rihua Gate, and soon arrived outside the Lizheng Hall.

"Young Master Zhang, the person has been brought here." The Qianniu Guard said to a fat eunuch.

The fat eunuch looked at Guo Xiaoshen and said calmly, "Please wait a moment. I will go in and report."

After a while, the fat eunuch came out again and said to Guo Xiaoshen, "Guo Sicheng, Her Majesty the Queen summons you to an audience."

Guo Xiaoshen took a long breath and finally entered the hall.

Looking up, he saw Empress Wu sitting high on a phoenix couch.

She was wearing a red corset dress, the long hem of which spread flat on the couch, like a peacock spreading its tail.

She held her chin with one hand, a crescent-shaped flower ornament on her forehead, and leaned sideways on the couch, looking down at a booklet.

"There are such beauties in the world!"

Guo Xiaoshen's throat made a rolling sound and he was completely stunned.

At this moment, Empress Wu raised her eyes, and her phoenix eyes stared at her as if they were real.

Guo Xiaoshen shuddered all over and quickly knelt on the ground, kowtowed and said, "Your humble servant Guo Xiaoshen pays homage to Her Majesty the Queen!" His voice trembled slightly.

Wu Meiniang looked down at him for a moment and said calmly, "Since you are my ideal husband, there is no need to be polite. Get up."

Guo Xiaoshen thanked him and stood up tremblingly, but his legs went weak and he knelt down again with a plop.

Wu Meiniang said coldly: "Are you afraid of me?"

Guo Xiaoshen's heart skipped a beat. He was indeed very afraid of the queen and worried that she would know his secret.

Seeing him kneeling on the ground without saying a word, Wu Meiniang tilted her head and said, "Duohai, bring him a chair."

Zhang Duohai agreed, brought a chair, and helped Guo Xiaoshen sit down.

Wu Meiniang looked at Guo Xiaoshen, who lowered his head, and said calmly, "I asked you to come into the palace to tell you something. This matter is related to Ruyi. You and I are her closest relatives, so I want to discuss it with you."

Guo Xiaoshen said, "Your Highness, please give your orders."

Wu Meiniang suddenly sighed and said quietly, "This may be a little unfair to you, but I only have this one sister. I hope you can understand my feelings."

When Guo Xiaoshen heard the sigh, he couldn't help but look up at Empress Wu again. She was still looking at him, but her eyes were no longer so aggressive.

Wu Meiniang said slowly, "You knew about the experiences of our Wu sisters. To be honest, it was thanks to your help, Guo, that I am where I am today."

Guo Xiaoshen hurriedly said, "Your Highness, you are too kind. My father has always been very grateful for your care for Guo over the years."

Wu Meiniang said, "Back then, my mother was driven out of the mansion by Wu Yuanqing and his brothers, and she fell seriously ill. In order to take care of her, Ruyi endured her physical discomfort, getting up early and working late to boil medicine, which eventually led to her illness."

Guo Xiaoshen was stunned and asked, "The root of the disease?"

Wu Meiniang stared at him and said, "The imperial physician has diagnosed Ruyi and she will never have children in her lifetime."

Guo Xiaoshen was secretly delighted and said, "It seems she knows about it too. In this case, maybe she will agree to my taking a concubine!"

Thinking of this, the corners of his mouth unconsciously rose a little.

Wu Meiniang looked at him and said, "Looking at your expression, it seems like you already know?"

Guo Xiaoshen hurriedly said, "I don't know."

After a pause, he said cautiously: "Your Highness, then, can I take a concubine now?" After Guo Xiaoshen married Wu Ruyi, Wu Meiniang sent someone to find him and told him not to take a concubine and to treat her sister wholeheartedly.

Wu Meiniang said coldly: "When you heard that Ruyi was infertile, your first reaction was not to care about her, but to think about taking a concubine?" Her voice was as cold as iron.

Guo Xiaoshen was startled and quickly knelt on the ground, saying, "As a descendant of the Guo family, I also bear the responsibility of continuing the family line, so..."

Wu Meiniang said: "I can satisfy your wish of continuing the family line."

Guo Xiaoshen was pleasantly surprised and said, "Thank you, Your Highness!"

Wu Meiniang raised her hand and said, "Don't thank me yet. I agree with your wish to continue the family line, but I have not agreed to let you take a concubine!"

Guo Xiaoshen was stunned and wanted to ask, "How can we continue the family line without taking a concubine?" The words were on the tip of his tongue, but he didn't dare to say them out loud.

Wu Meiniang said, "I will send three palace maids to your side to help you give birth to a son as soon as possible. After the child is born, he will recognize Ruyi as his mother, and then you will have an heir."

Guo Xiaoshen was shocked and angry, his whole body trembling slightly, and he didn't say a word.

Wu Meiniang asked, "Do you have anything else to say?"

Guo Xiaoshen lowered his head and said, "I have nothing to say. I will obey your Highness's orders."

Wu Meiniang stared at him and said, "If you have committed any mistakes, tell me now and I can forgive you. Let me ask you again, do you have anything to say?"

Guo Xiaoshen's face changed drastically. He looked up at Empress Wu, only to see that her eyes were like lightning, staring at him coldly, as if she could see through his secret.

"I, your humble servant, have nothing to say." He said hurriedly, lowering his head.

After waiting for a long time, Wu Meiniang did not respond.

When Guo Xiaoshen looked up, he found that the couch was empty and the queen had left.

Zhang Duohai said sinisterly, "Guo Sicheng, please come in."

……

After Zhang Da Hai sent Guo Xiaoshen away and returned to the bedroom, she saw Wu Meiniang closing her eyes in deep thought.

Zhang Dahai walked over and whispered, "Your Highness, Guo Xiaoshen refused to confess until the end. It is obvious that he has no intention of repenting. It is better to find another good man for the young lady."

Wu Meiniang shook her head and said, "If she is gentle on the outside but strong on the inside, I will never remarry."

Zhang Dahai was stunned and said, "Even if Guo Xiaoshen has a mistress, can she tolerate it?"

Wu Meiniang said in a deep voice: "She must not know about this."

Zhang Duohai asked, "What should we do then? Will Guo Xiaoshen get the upper hand?"

Wu Meiniang waved her hand and said, "Please step back. I need to think about this carefully."

Zhang Duohai agreed and left the bedroom.

Wu Meiniang closed her eyes and thought. After a while, footsteps were heard in the room again.

The voice was very heavy, and there was no restraint when it landed. Wu Meiniang opened her eyes and saw a person standing in front of her. It was Li Zhi.

"Your Majesty, you are back?" Wu Meiniang hurriedly stood up to greet him.

Today was the day Li Zhi went to the Hot Spring Palace. Normally he would return in the afternoon, but now it was just past noon and he was back much earlier than usual.

Li Zhi sat down on the couch, fanning himself with a folding fan, and said with a smile, "The weather is so hot, I really can't soak in the water for too long, so I came back early."

Seeing that Li Zhi was indeed sweating profusely, Wu Meiniang picked up the round fan that she rarely used and fanned him.

Li Zhi said, "Mei Niang, I saw you frowning when I came in just now. Did something happen?"

When Wu Meiniang heard this, she put down her fan, bowed to Li Zhi, and said, "I was just about to apologize to Your Majesty."

Li Zhi was stunned and said, "What crime are you asking for for no reason?"

Wu Meiniang asked quietly, "Your Majesty, do you still remember that at the beginning of the year, I asked you to summon Guo Xiaoshen back to the capital?"

Li Zhi said: "Of course I remember. What happened? Did something happen to him?"

Wu Meiniang then told her about the relationship between Guo Xiaoshen and Gu, and also mentioned that he had a mistress outside.

Li Zhi was slightly surprised and asked, "He actually has three children outside?"

Wu Mei Niang sighed, "It's my fault for being so careless that I didn't realize it until today."

Li Zhi was silent for a while, then said, "Mei Niang, what are you going to do?"

Wu Meiniang frowned and whispered, "Ruyi is such a hot-tempered child. If she knew, I don't know what she would do. I don't know what to do now."

Li Zhi asked, "Are Ruyi and Guo Xiaoshen deeply in love?"

Wu Meiniang said, "That child is so stubborn, she will never marry anyone else in her lifetime."

Li Zhi thought for a moment and said, "Mei Niang, don't blame me for scolding you. You are actually also at fault in this matter."

Wu Meiniang was stunned and asked, "Where did I go wrong?"

Li Zhi said slowly, "I know you love and care for your sister, but sometimes overprotecting her isn't necessarily good for her."

Wu Meiniang lowered her head and said nothing.

Li Zhi said, "I am also a man. If I marry a girl from a certain family and her sister uses her power to prevent me from taking a concubine, I would probably feel resistance."

Wu Meiniang tilted her head slightly and said dissatisfiedly, "Your Majesty is still speaking for Guo Xiaoshen?"

Li Zhi smiled and said, "I'm not speaking for him, I just want to tell you that sometimes being too assertive can have a negative effect."

Wu Meiniang glanced at him and said, "Now that things have happened, how can we make amends? Your Majesty, do you want me to apologize to Guo Xiaoshen?"

Li Zhi smiled and said, "That's not what I meant. The problem in this matter doesn't lie with Guo Xiaoshen, but with your sister."

Wu Meiniang asked, "As you wish?"

Li Zhi said, "Yes, from what you just said, I can tell that you have always treated her like a child and made all the decisions for her. Why don't you go and talk to her?"

Wu Meiniang hesitated and said, "Your Majesty, do you want me to tell her everything? But I'm worried..."

Li Zhi raised his hand and said, "Don't worry too much. If she's sad, do your best to comfort her and let her make her own decision. She's a strong woman, I believe she will get through this."

Wu Meiniang lowered her head and thought for a while, then said, "Since Your Majesty says so, I will give it a try."

Li Zhi said: "Mei Niang, you must learn a lesson from this incident."

Wu Meiniang looked up and asked, "What?"

Li Zhi patiently advised, "In the future, when dealing with your loved ones, you must not be too strong, otherwise problems will easily arise. Especially Hong'er, Xian'er, and Xian'er, you should communicate with them more."

Wu Meiniang chuckled and said, "Your Majesty, Xian'er and Xian'er can't speak yet."

Li Zhi said seriously, "Although I can't speak, this is the time when my character is formed."

Seeing that Li Zhi cared about his son, Wu Meiniang was very happy and said with a smile: "I will remember it!"

Li Zhi stood up and said, "Then you think about it for a while, I won't disturb you anymore." Then he turned and left.

(End of this chapter)