I Can Control My Ancestors

Chapter 553 - 59: On the Rise, Upheaval in the Court

As long as enough interests can be generated from this, more will inevitably follow.

The monetary turbulence... including the large-scale outflow of gold and silver... will inevitably lead to the rapid collapse of the entire country.

Gu Jing must make thorough preparations.

While nothing seemed amiss on the surface of the Great Tang, beneath it, a storm was brewing.

Everything was quietly being prepared.

Just waiting for the moment when all cages are completely opened...

In the fourth year of Yonghui, December.

Under the persuasion of Gu Lei, Li Chengqian finally sent people to sail back to Kyushu with the monsoon.

They brought back some overseas news.

Li Chengqian had already started a new voyage, handing over the Tuo Hai to the Gu Clan descendants for another journey, while he and Gu Lei continued to enlighten Ryukyu.

This news was indeed a great thing for the current Great Tang.

Although no results had been achieved yet.

At least, this matter gave everyone hope.

Gu Lei sent back everything they had done in Ryukyu, including the situations encountered during the voyage and the situation within Ryukyu.

Even the bureaucrats had started to pay attention to this matter, constantly asking those who returned about Li Chengqian’s health.

Whether there were any ulterior motives in this, others dared not speculate too much.

Just from this day on—

The speed at which the entire Great Tang built ships was once again accelerated, not just large ships like the Tuo Hai, but also small ships suitable for commerce.

Everyone saw the interests involved.

Everyone was very willing.

The solid foundation laid during the Zhen Guan Golden Age burst forth with tremendous energy within a few short years, although it seemed that the Great Tang had not undergone any changes.

But everyone understood very well—

Once all of this was officially implemented, the changes in the entire Great Tang would be earth-shattering!

It was under such circumstances that the courtiers became even more diligent and dedicated.

Many of them had missed the Zhen Guan Golden Age, so how could they be willing to miss the current prosperous era?

Don’t forget, having one’s name go down in history has always been the highest pursuit of scholars.

.....

In the fifth year of Yonghui, the month of early spring.

Chang’an, Li Zheng Hall.

Inside the hall, the curtains were low, and sandalwood incense lingered. The sound of a baby’s cries echoed, and the palace maids and eunuchs standing outside the hall held their breaths and bowed their heads, unable to conceal their relief.

The next moment, the hall door was gently pushed open, and the midwife emerged with the swaddled baby, reporting to the chief palace official outside the hall: "The joy of a daughter, Her Highness the Princess is healthy."

Upon hearing this, the palace official nodded solemnly and then glanced at the person behind her.

Immediately, a palace person headed outside.

This joyous news from the imperial family was promptly relayed to the Yellow Gate Attendant on duty.

As the news spread,

The entire atmosphere within Li Zheng Hall completely eased.

The Emperor favored Lady Zhaoyi Wu, and had something gone wrong, they estimated they would all face death, so how could they not be nervous?

Yet despite this, no one dared to make the slightest sound.

No one directly came to visit.

Under the influence of the Gu Clan, the current medical standards in Kyushu far surpassed those of original history.

In original history, there were already many records of such matters.

Although the ancients could not clarify the principles involved,

There were also related regulations, prohibiting anyone but essential personnel from entering the birthing room leisurely, among other explanations.

Even Li Zhi would not rashly come to visit under such circumstances.

At this moment, inside the hall,

The lingering scent of herbs and the smell of blood had not yet dissipated, surrounded by an unusual silence, Wu Zetian slowly opened her eyes.

Without needing to ask, the midwife approached to whisper, saying it was "the joy of a daughter."

Her face remained calm, showing neither the joy of a first-time mother nor any disappointment over the gender.

She already had a son, so she didn’t care whether the next child was a boy or a girl.

If she couldn’t become Empress, then having more children, what good would it do?

Wouldn’t it just be making wedding clothes for someone else?

Wu Zetian was a very clear-headed person; she understood very well what she truly needed now.

The next moment, she had already put this matter behind her.

Instead, she thought about her current situation.

Li Zhi indeed favored her, but he had always hesitated over the matter of making her Empress.

She could feel that she was only one step away from the position she desired, yet she didn’t know how to take that step.

Wu Zetian had thought of seeking out Gu Jing.

In her judgment—

An Empress like Empress Wang, who had no offspring and was not favored by the Emperor, might not necessarily gain the support of the Gu Clan.

As long as she could secure the support of the Gu Clan, everything would no longer be a problem.

However, Wu Zetian was not as impulsive as Empress Wang or Consort Xiao.

She was an extraordinarily intelligent woman.

She clearly understood how difficult it was to gain the support of the Gu Clan.

Given her status, it would be good enough if the Gu Clan did not obstruct her, let alone support her.

Thinking of this, Wu Zetian couldn’t help but frown again, and unknowingly fell into a deep sleep once more.

Time flew by.

In the blink of an eye, a month had passed.

Li Zhi indeed favored Wu Zetian very much and had kept this matter in mind.

Earlier, he had sent an inner steward to deliver an edict, stating that he would visit today.

By then, Li Zheng Hall had been thoroughly cleaned and was ready. Wu Zetian was waiting early outside the hall door, wearing court attire that adhered to protocol, her demeanor composed and dignified.

Not until noon did the imperial carriage arrive.

"This concubine respectfully welcomes Your Majesty." Wu Zetian saw the dragon carriage come to a stop and immediately stepped forward, her voice soft and gentle.

As Li Zhi smiled and stepped down from the carriage, she slightly raised her head, revealing a perfectly radiant smile.

"Mei Niang, you need not be so formal, rise please."

Just one look, and Li Zhi could not help but reveal a cheerful smile, pulling Wu Zetian along as they made their way into the hall.

Li Zhi was evidently eager to see his daughter.

As soon as he stepped into the inner hall, his gaze anxiously fell upon the warm bed, immediately spotting the tiny figure swaddled in the cradle.

"My little princess..." His face once again broke into the tender smile of a loving father, the majesty of an Emperor vanishing in that moment.

Speaking as he hurriedly let go of Wu Zetian’s hand, he quickly walked to the bedside, leaning down.

He very gently extended his hand, reaching for the baby’s plump cheeks.

The infant seemed to be asleep, showing no reaction.

Yet the sensation brought about an indescribable strangeness in Li Zhi’s heart, and his smile deepened even more.

His hand gently stroked the baby’s cheek.

But in the next moment.

As his hand paused near the baby’s breath, his movement suddenly halted!

"Hmm?" A light sound, filled with deep confusion and disbelief, slipped from his throat, and the smile on Li Zhi’s face froze, his brow furrowing tightly.

In the next instant, heedless of anything else, he directly picked the baby up.

Seeing that the baby still showed no sign of reaction.

Li Zhi’s expression grew increasingly grim.

"Mei Niang..." he suddenly spoke, his voice carrying an unhidden tremor, as he brought his fingers, even his whole hand, tremblingly close to the child’s mouth and nose again.

Time seemed to freeze at this moment.

The entire inner hall was silent enough that one could hear a pin drop.

The palace maids and eunuchs held their breath in terror at the Emperor’s unusual behavior, Wu Zetian’s expression changed dramatically as well.

The infant in his arms remained completely silent, without any response.

In the next moment—

Li Zhi seemed to have confirmed the answer, his whole body shuddered violently.

"Ah——!!!"

A cry of shock erupted like thunder.

Li Zhi’s expression twisted in that moment, his face turning suddenly pale, and he spun around abruptly, bellowing: "Imperial Physician!!! Imperial Physician!!!"

Outside the hall, a flurry of frantic, hurried footsteps immediately sounded.

When the Imperial Physician’s trembling fingers finally slipped from the infant’s wrist, his face turned ashen and he deeply prostrated himself on the ground, unable to utter a single complete word—

The air in the entire Li Zheng Hall seemed to be sucked dry in an instant!

An overwhelming, bone-chilling cold spread rapidly from Li Zhi as its center.

Death-like silence!

Complete death-like silence!

All sound vanished at this moment, and the atmosphere in the entire Li Zheng Hall plummeted to an absolute freeze!!!

——————

"In the fifth year of Yonghui, Lady Zhaoyi gave birth to a daughter. Later, she fondled the child. Afterwards, when she left, Lady Zhaoyi secretly strangled her and covered her with a blanket.

When the Emperor arrived, Lady Zhaoyi feigned a joyful demeanor, but upon unveiling the blanket, the daughter was found dead, prompting a shocked weeping.

When asked, the attendants all claimed, ’The Empress recently came here.’

The Emperor was furious and exclaimed, ’The Empress killed my daughter!’"

——From the Comprehensive Mirror for Aid in Government, Tang Chronicle 15.