Traveling through Du He, Li Chengqian's rebellion begins

On the main seat.

Li Shimin looked at the maid on the round platform in front of him with a puzzled expression. He kept reciting the poem she had written in his mind, and a look of doubt gradually appeared on his face.

"Why does this poem have the same style as Wu Zetian's?"

"What a strange thing!"

Although he didn't favor Wu Meiniang much, she was a talented woman who could write beautiful Feibai calligraphy, so he often summoned her to discuss academic matters.

After years of getting along, Li Shimin was very familiar with Wu Zetian's poetic style.

Li Shimin squinted at Li Zhi, then said to Li Chengqian, "Chengqian, I haven't seen Wu Meiniang for several years. This time you grant a general amnesty, and she is included in the scope of the amnesty."

"Send someone to bring her to Yuhua Palace. I wish to see her."

Boom~

Li Shimin's words struck Li Zhi's mind like a thunderbolt.

How to do?

Father Emperor actually wants to see Meiniang!

If his father found out that he had gotten Meiniang pregnant, would his father be so angry that he would chop him up with a knife?

"Hey!"

"Mei Niang shouldn't have joined in this fun!"

Li Zhi felt quite helpless. He hadn't expected Wu Meiniang to be so bold as to compose a poem on such an important occasion.

If I had known this would happen, I shouldn't have brought her to Chang'an.

What to do now?

Not only was Li Zhi shaken, but even Li Chengqian and Du He were stunned.

Wu Meiniang is hiding in Bingzhou. They can't possibly bring her back to Chang'an, can they?

This is going to be difficult!

The two exchanged a glance.

Li Chengqian cupped his hands and said, "Father, rest assured, I will send someone to invite Wu Meiniang back tomorrow."

He could only agree nonchalantly for now. As for what to do next, he would have to ask that rascal Li Zhi. Hopefully, Wu Meiniang wasn't pregnant!

The banquet continued for another half hour before ending at Li Chengqian's command.

On the way back to the princess's residence.

Li Yi suddenly spoke up: "Husband, it seems that Consort Wu is not in Bingzhou?"

Well...

Du He's expression was slightly stunned.

He asked in surprise, "Yi'er, why would you ask that?"

Li Yi rolled his eyes at Du He and said, "When Zhi Nu heard Father mention Consort Wu, his face changed, and he was absent-minded during the subsequent chat."

Good guy!

I never expected Li Yi to be so thoughtful!

Du He glanced at Du Ping'an, Du Junshan, and Du Mingyuan, then whispered in Li Yi's ear, "Let's talk about this when we get back."

"Ah."

Li Yi nodded slightly.

During this time, Du Ping'an and Du Junshan often stayed by their father's side. If they accidentally let something slip, it would be troublesome.

Du Ping'an glanced at his parents with a smile, then shook his head slightly.

Clearly, he had already guessed the general outline of the matter.

He was somewhat surprised, not expecting his uncle to be so bold as to be involved with his grandfather's deposed concubine.

Sure enough, none of his uncles were cowards.

royal palace.

Inside a side hall.

Li Zhi glanced at Wu Meiniang's belly, then said anxiously, "Meiniang, Father has already ordered my elder brother to take you to Yuhua Palace!"

"You...you shouldn't have written that poem!"

"If Father Emperor were to see you like this, we'd probably be doomed to be a pair of star-crossed lovers!"

When Wu Meiniang heard Li Zhi's words, her face was filled with astonishment.

She was just joining in the fun, so why did His Majesty suddenly think of her and order her to be summoned to Yuhua Palace?

After a long time.

Wu Meiniang bit her lower lip and said, "Your Highness, the only thing you can do now is to plead with the Prince of Han and ask him to say a good word for you in front of His Majesty."

"Just say that I died of illness outside, and that my body has already been buried."

"From now on, I will no longer use the name Meiniang, but will change my name to Wu Zetian!"

Wu Zhao?

The name lacks a touch of femininity but possesses a more domineering air.

Not bad!

Li Zhi mentally assessed the situation, then nodded and said, "Meiniang, I will go to Prince Han tomorrow and ask him for help."

"You shouldn't stay in the palace either. Go back to Bingzhou in a few days."

The imperial guards in the palace have been under martial law for the past two days, and with the emperor also staying in the palace, it is safest for Meiniang to stay in her bedroom.

The best time for Meiniang to leave Chang'an will be after her father returns to Yuhua Palace.

Upon hearing that Li Zhi wanted her to return to Bingzhou, Wu Meiniang, though unwilling, still bit her lower lip and nodded in agreement.

...

The next day.

The first formal court assembly of the Hongmeng Dynasty.

As Du He entered the Taiji Hall, the master of ceremonies hurriedly came forward and said, "Your Highness, your rank is not below the main hall, but in the deputy head position on the imperial platform."

What?

Should he be placed in the deputy head position?

This position has always been held by Li Chengqian; isn't it the position of the crown prince?

Du He was taken aback for a moment, then asked in a low voice, "This position is the Crown Prince's seat. As a subject, it is not appropriate for me to sit there, is it?"

The official in charge of ceremonies said respectfully, "King Han, this is His Majesty's personal order."

As expected, it was Li Chengqian's order.

Du He, accompanied by the bowing officials, followed the master of ceremonies to the deputy head position.

Feeling the hundreds of eyes below the main hall, even Du He, with his thick skin, felt extremely uncomfortable.

Not long after, amidst the welcoming cheers of civil and military officials, Li Chengqian, dressed in imperial robes, walked in with a beaming smile.

He glanced at Du He with a smile, then walked up to the platform and sat down.

"My beloved ministers, today's court assembly will continue with the announcement of investitures. After the assembly, you will all accompany me to the Imperial Ancestral Temple to offer sacrifices!"

"Come to Ji, read out the imperial edict."

The most important thing for a new emperor upon ascending the throne is the investiture ceremony. Only after the investiture ceremonies are completed can the court return to normal.

Lai Ji, dressed in a dark scarlet official robe, walked to the side of the imperial platform with the imperial edict and gave the order.

"The Emperor of the Great Tang decrees that Heaven and Earth are in harmony, and sages follow this principle; the Emperor and Empress are in accord with Heaven, and the foundation of the state is secure. Only the Empress, inheriting the throne within the realm, is the source of the royal teachings; the rise and fall of the three dynasties all depend on her… I, having inherited this great undertaking and succeeded to the ancestral line, now find the central throne vacant…"

"Your Lady Su, the Crown Princess personally selected by Empress Wende, comes from a distinguished family with a long and distinguished lineage... She seeks virtuous and talented women to assist her, and is aware of the diligence of her subjects. Her achievements are well-deserved, and she is a great help to them."

"I believe that the selection of an Empress should be in accordance with the virtues of a woman. According to the old regulations, it is appropriate to follow your choice. I hereby dispatch the Grand Minister of State, the Commander of the Heavenly Pivot, the Grand Tutor of the Crown Prince, and the Prince of Han, with the Imperial Edicts of Appointment, and Li Ji, the Minister of Works, the Left Vice Minister of the Ministry of Personnel, and the Duke of Yingguo, as his deputy, to bestow upon you the title of Empress."

"The beginning of the royal teachings is the inner precepts... to uphold the sacrifices of the ancestral temple, to serve as a model for all people under heaven, to assist in harmony and prosperity, and to ensure lasting peace and well-being."

"He respectfully accepts this imperial decree; should he not be cautious?"

Accompanied by eunuchs and ladies-in-waiting, Su Wan, dressed in a phoenix coronet and embroidered robe, slowly entered the main hall. Du He and Li Ji received the imperial staff from the master of ceremonies and then, under the master's guidance, completed a series of complex ceremonies.

After the investiture was completed.

All the civil and military officials and relatives knelt down and paid their respects.

"See the Queen!"

Su Wan waved her hand and said gently, "Please rise, everyone."

After everyone bowed and stood up, Su Wan, led by the master of ceremonies, walked to the imperial platform and sat down next to Li Chengqian.

Lai Ji then opened the second imperial edict and read it aloud.

"By imperial decree, Li Jue is hereby appointed as Crown Prince, and will be granted a residence upon reaching adulthood."

"By imperial decree, Li Xiang is conferred the title of Prince of Yan and appointed Grand General of Liaodong Circuit, overseeing all military and political affairs of Liaodong Circuit, Sishui Circuit, and Jincheng Circuit."

As Lai Ji finished speaking, the officials were stunned.

Is the imperial edict appointing the crown prince really that simple?

There aren't even any words of praise?

In particular, Xu Jingzong, the Minister of Rites, put in a lot of effort and wrote over a thousand characters.

Why did Your Majesty change it to just one sentence?