Crown Tang emperor

But Li Tong still resisted all opinions and added Zhang Ren's willingness to be the guardian of Anbei University. He just wanted to use his tough style to make the Mobei group of Hu awe-inspiring, and even if there was any aftermath, he could quickly settle it.As for life and death pensions, those are things for later.

At the end of the day's Ming Hall discussion, Li Tong was planning to return to the side hall to review the memorials of the various divisions, but just as he walked to the left of the hall, he saw the empress's palace officials standing anxiously waiting in the corridor.

Before he could inquire, the palace official hastily stepped forward and kowtowed: "Sage, the Empress Dowager had a banquet with all the people, and suddenly fainted during the banquet..."

Hearing this, Li Tong couldn't help being a little nervous, and he didn't care to stay in the palace to watch matters, so he rode his horse back to Shangyang Palace.When he came outside the Ganlu Hall where the Empress Dowager lived, he saw the Empress and others waiting here with worried expressions.

"Grandmother has been in high spirits recently after learning about the good news in Mobei. Today, we gathered for a feast and drank a few glasses of fruit wine..."

Before entering, the queen quickly told the story of the incident, and then said with a face full of self-blame: "It's my concubine's carelessness. The palace doctor has already told me not to be overwhelmed with sorrow or joy, and not to eat well..."

"I don't blame the queen, it's because I couldn't bear my mother's demands, so I wanted to serve wine to cheer up..."

Princess Taiping was also having a banquet in the hall today. The anxious tears were still wet, and she didn't care about etiquette. She pulled Li Tong before entering and led them into the hall: "The sage has a rich family, and all evils are hard to invade. Come in quickly!" Give up for your grandmother to get rid of the disease..."

Li Tong couldn't laugh or cry when he heard this, but now he didn't bother to elaborate, so he raised his leg and walked into the hall. When the sage entered the hall, he hurried in to greet him.

"How is the Empress Dowager?"

Li Tong waved his hand casually, pulled a medical officer over and asked.

The medical officer lowered his head and replied in a shy voice: "The empress dowager fainted this time, and all the staff came in to investigate and examine carefully. They checked the pulse and watched the breath, and there was nothing disturbing...The ministers may be shallow in art, and there is no problem in distinguishing the symptoms. Dare to be good at using medicine stones."

Hearing this, Li Tong frowned even deeper, and he was not in the mood to ask any more questions. He just lifted his legs and walked gently into the inner hall, and went in to visit. Listening carefully, although the breathing sound is intermittent, but it is not messy and heavy, it is only then that I understand the entanglement of the medical officers.

He didn't have any symptoms, but he was lethargic. Considering his grandma's age, it was probably the time when he was going to lose his vitality.After realizing this, Li Tong's mood became complicated and heavy.

He retreated slowly to the outer hall, and said to the medical officers in a deep voice: "Stay here for now, and make a detailed consultation after the Empress Dowager wakes up."

"Sanlang, your grandmother, she, she..."

Princess Taiping stepped forward again, took Li Tong's arm and asked, but when she saw his serious expression, she choked up and cried: "You were so healthy and energetic just now, why are you..."

Seeing the aunt's distress and fluster like a bewildered child, Li Tong couldn't bear it, raised his hand and patted Princess Taiping on the shoulder and whispered: "I don't have any illnesses, I just want to sleep. If, If it's true... but if you can be filial and considerate when you stay together, and say goodbye, you don't need to call it regret..."

When Princess Taiping heard this, her crying became more mournful, and Li Tong walked aside again, and said to the queen and others: "My lady, please leave for now, and leave this room quiet. I will stay here tonight. Relatives, please tell the story on my behalf."

After hearing the words, the queen and others nodded yes, and retreated out of the hall with contemptuous steps.

Li Tong looked back at Princess Taiping again. Princess Taiping sat in the seat with her knees hugged, shaking her head with tears in her eyes and crying: "I'm not going anywhere, I'm just here to wait for my mother..."

When Li Tong saw this, he didn't say anything more, and turned to sit on a bed in the hall, leaning over his desk and resting his chin, full of mixed thoughts.The palace people walking in the hall are also tiptoeing and keeping their voices quiet at this moment, and the time is passing by in such dullness.

During the period, some close relatives of the clan came to the palace to ask questions, but seeing the atmosphere like this, they didn't stay for long.Only brothers Li Guangshun and Li Shouli accompanied the Empress Dowager to wait in the other hall, and came to ask the Empress Dowager if she was awake from time to time.

At night, the palace people brought some simple meals.Li Tong also felt a little hungry, but he felt a little tasteless when he moved to the case.

After getting along for many years, he did not deny that he did have feelings for this grandmother, but if he would be so sad when he said a long farewell, it would be a bit exaggerated.Occasionally, I have thoughts, and I just feel that although it is inevitable to be sad, I can also treat it calmly.But when this day came unexpectedly, he felt lost for no reason and couldn't keep calm.

Waiting like this until late at night, Li Tong heard some commotion in the inner hall in a daze, stood up and rushed in, but on the way, he bumped into the shoulders of Princess Taiping who was also rushing forward. .

He raised his hand to support Princess Taiping, then quickly walked around the screen, and saw that under the dim light in the room, the Empress Dowager was half lying on the couch, groping from side to side, and the palace people next to her were timid and did not dare to go forward.

"Grandma, what are you looking for?"

Li Tong stepped forward slowly and asked softly.

"I'm looking for my wooden bucket, and I'm going to fetch water from the outer courtyard... The water is delivered only once in the morning, and the well in the temple is bitter and undrinkable..."

The Empress Dowager answered casually, her tone was light and ethereal, as if she was not fully awake, and what she said was even more confusing.

It was only after a while that her movements stopped abruptly and her body froze for a while, then she slowly turned her head to look at Li Tong, first puzzled "What did you call me", and after staring for a while, she suddenly smiled again: "Be careful Ah, who am I to tell you? You have shallow sleepiness, and you always have startled dreams from time to time. The palace people use this to disturb you? If you are not busy at court, you just sleep for a while, how can you use it for my sleep? "

"How do you feel, Mom? Where is the pain unbearable..."

Princess Taiping rushed to the side of the couch, and asked cautiously with her probe.

"Are you here too?"

The Empress Dowager smiled when she saw her daughter, raised her hand and said, "Help me to sit up, just now I was addicted to the story in my dream, and I was sweating all over..."

Li Tong was hesitating whether to call the medical officers in, but seeing the Empress Dowager waving to him, he hurried forward.

"People say that old and young have psychics, and dreams have answers. Just now there is another thing in the dream. It seems that the emperor came to the bed to tell me that the Daobei expedition has succeeded, and Mo Chuai has been captured...Be careful, you have to order the postmen in the east of the river to prepare for the battle carefully. Ma, don't miss the good news!"

The Empress Dowager held Li Tong's palm and patted it lightly, and instructed with a smile on the corner of her mouth.

"Mother, are you really okay? The victory of the Northern Expedition is not something we have known for a long time. We still get together during the day because of this. Aunt, you passed out at the banquet..."

Before Li Tong could answer, Princess Taiping said in surprise, and the tears she had just suppressed couldn't help gushing out again.

When the Empress Dowager heard this, the smile on her face froze immediately, and after a moment of thought, she frowned and laughed dryly again: "There is such a thing, there is such a thing... Sigh, I am fascinated by dreams, and my records are all confused Already!"

After sighing twice, she pushed Princess Taiping and said softly: "It's inevitable when you grow old. Once you are born as a daughter, how can you live in the inner garden every day? Go back, go home. Let me and my grandson , there must be quiet gossip."

From noon till late at night, Princess Taiping has been in a fluctuating mood. At this moment, she could not hold back when she heard her aunt's distant and cold driving away. She raised her hand to wipe the tears on her cheeks, and said in a tense and cold voice: "I have my own place to go, my own place to stay, and I can't help but be called by my mother at will!"

After saying this, she turned around and walked out without looking back, while the Empress Dowager followed her back with her gaze, and took a long time to take it back.

"Auntie is just worried, why do you need to..."

Li Tong sat on the side of the couch before entering, and said with a sigh.

"The family affairs are presided over by your husband and wife, and she no longer needs me to talk about her future and coerce her with affection."

The empress dowager waved her hands, unwilling to continue this topic, and then stared at Li Tong, seeing that there were bloodshot wet marks in the corners of his eyes, she suddenly laughed: "My boy who only loves me, will inevitably move to your grandmother after all." A little sincere! I was countered by you in the past, but you can’t avoid the injury revenge I imposed on you this time, right? But you don’t want to cheat the slightest return of love from me again!”

Li Tong's eye sockets suddenly became moist when he heard these competitive words, he turned his back and raised his hands to cover his face from between his brows.

When the Empress Dowager saw this scene, her smile became brighter, and she burst into tears with a smile: "Although I don't want to give up, I will eventually give up... Although I have said it a thousand times, there is one regret that cannot be overcome , if I had been able to bravely put my grandson as the heir back then, I wouldn’t have needed to shed a lot of blood... The old woman was self-willed for half her life, but fortunately she had this beautiful grandson to clean up the mess and let me go there with a smile! Be careful, your grandmother loves you I love you, don't cry for me, let me go freely..."

The empress dowager chattered for a long time, but Li Tong just listened silently, taking advantage of her suffocation, she hurriedly called in all the medical officers to visit the couch.But in the end, he couldn't diagnose any serious disease, so he could only offer some warming and tonic liquid food.

Nearly dawn, the Empress Dowager fell asleep again.

When Li Tong exited the inner hall, he realized that his aunt had not left either, she was lying on the desk with her pillow on her arms, her closed eyelids and eyelashes were still stained with tears.

Sensing the sound of footsteps approaching in the mist, Princess Taiping sat up startled, her flustered eyes wandered for a while before gradually gaining focus, and seeing that the saint was bending over her, she snorted coldly, "Does the old woman still have some morning light to wait for?" ? I knew she wouldn't die in such a hasty way! Don't look at me like this, it's embarrassing..."

Li Tong looked away after hearing the words, but he still couldn't help looking sideways. It was rare to see his aunt showing such a weak and helpless posture. In the past, she might have shown weakness and pleaded, but it was always artificial, but this is the time of life and death. , the dependence on the mother in his bones was fully revealed.

"Drink some liquid food and fall asleep again, but it's not optimistic. Human power is no longer available, and I just wait for the destiny to come at any time."

After sitting down, Li Tong sighed, and said to Princess Taiping: "Aunt, you don't have to be angry. Grandma has been strong for half her life, and she is always ashamed to let her close relatives see her old and weak. The side hall will be cleaned up. Aunt will not leave it in the near future." I'm out of the palace, and I will stay with you until the end, without leaving any regrets about love."

"I don't blame her, so why don't I understand that she is still telling me not to be blinded by emotions and make mistakes! Oh, we people are not saints. Although we are close relatives to her, we are just doing it in our spare time. It's just something for entertainment. If there is any offense in the matter, you can't avoid turning your face and being ruthless..."

After hearing the words, Princess Taiping laughed at herself, then shook her head and said: "It's rare that I still remember it, and I can't let her pride and leisure, so I won't stay overnight in the prison. Is the sage going to send Wang Xigui to attend the funeral? Let me And together with the king, I bought some utensils for her to accompany her. In this life, I have been under such grace and power, and I always know her likes and dislikes better than others..."

After hearing the words, Li Tong didn't say anything more, just nodded silently.

He could hear Princess Taiping's faint accusations and cursing, but he didn't feel the need to defend himself.People like them, to put it nicely, are born in the country and have no family, but to put it badly, they are naturally warm-hearted, lenient outside and taboo inside.

"But I really didn't expect that Sanlang, you really have true feelings for your grandmother..."

Princess Taiping stared at Li Tong again, perhaps because she was heartbroken and hurt, she couldn't help but express her thoughts that she didn't dare to express normally, but she couldn't help but feel a little embarrassed and regretful after she finished speaking.

"People are not plants, how can they be ruthless? What I have today is not my destiny. I have experienced sorrows and joys along the way, and all kinds of feelings are also engraved in my heart. Those who know me say that I am worried; those who don't know me say what I am I beg. The word love is the most profound, but who can tell if there is any contamination? The situation is inevitable, even if it is narrow, it can accommodate two or three long-term stays. If it is really ambiguous and unfeeling, how can the country prosper? Why are you happy?"

When Princess Taiping heard this, she opened her mouth to speak, but she quickly closed her mouth. After a while, she said again: "Unfortunately, I am just a woman who has no ambitions and is occasionally cunning..."

Chapter 1044 There is nothing to rely on in life, but to be cautious

In the bright and beautiful spring city of Chang'an, the market is also bustling with joy because of the news of the great victory of the Northern Expedition.

Aside from the pride that comes from the heart due to the prosperity of the country, there is also a more realistic factor, that is, after the news of the victory of the Northern Expedition came back, the market prices of cattle and horses repeatedly hit new lows in the market.

Especially as the first batch of trophies were transported back to Guanzhong from Heshuo, the prices of all kinds of livestock went down even more.Many cattle and horses were even scattered in the market, to be picked and dragged away.

After all, as long as it stays in the stable for one day, it will take a lot of labor and materials to raise it.And now it's spring, and the government also has related bans on the slaughter of livestock.After the calculation, it is even more cost-effective than giving it away directly.

At the same time, there are all kinds of barbarian servants who are falling in the market price.Although it is unethical to imitate humans as animals, there are indeed a large number of Hu people's servants and servants in the market. This time the Northern Expedition will surely bring a large number of Mobei Hu people into Guanzhong, which will naturally squeeze the original people. The living space of those underdogs.

Of course, not all the prices of seasonal materials are falling. Most of the children of Guanzhong have joined the army. When they are about to return in triumph, these military families have poured into the market to buy many luxury items that they would not be willing to spend on ordinary days to celebrate their children. strong line.

In the past few years, the commercial and trade atmosphere in Guanzhong has been strong, and the exchanges between regions have been strengthened day by day. Not long after the end of a war in Mobei, it has already brought various influences on the mainland of Guanzhong.

In such a lively atmosphere, Tong Wang's return to Beijing did not attract too much attention.However, when the members of the stay-at-home mansion were welcoming Tong Wang and his party, they learned that the Empress Dowager was about to pass away. Putting aside all kinds of feelings in their hearts, they hurriedly gathered people to send to Xianyang Qianling together with Tong Wang, in order to mourn and grandize.

Princess Taiping returned to Beijing with King Tong, but she did not go to Qianling together. She stayed in Chang'an City and gathered a group of officials in charge of government-made artifacts to make various secret artifacts for burial.

Although Yousi always kept these kinds of utensils in stock, Princess Taiping was not satisfied with all of them after reviewing them.Rather than striving for excellence, it is more due to a kind of self-paralysis that does not want to face the death of a loved one directly, and wants to avoid it by worrying about other things.

Because the Northern Expedition Army still needs to stay in Mobei for a period of time, during this period of time, military supplies will continue to be transported to Mobei. The saint will not be able to return to Chang'an until early summer when the water transportation resumes at the earliest and the movement of materials from all directions becomes smoother.Therefore, I also ordered the remaining members of Chang'an to try their best to meet the demands of Princess Taiping on the premise of not violating the defense.

Princess Taiping would have been very happy if she had obtained such cheap personnel authority in previous years, but now she is not in the mood of joy. You have to ask about the materials one by one, and only when you are satisfied will you order to implement it.

This kind of focus and busyness can indeed greatly offset the sadness in my heart.It's just that when I'm free occasionally, I still can't help but cry secretly.Looking back on the past, although there were quarrels and unresolved resentments between mother and daughter, but when it came time to part from life and death, it was still difficult to face.

The craftsmen in the official workshop are highly skilled, and despite Princess Taiping's nitpicking and pickiness, they can meet the standards she needs in time.But such hard work made Princess Taiping even more dissatisfied. She only felt that after the secret weapon was finished, it was time for her mother to really be buried in the mausoleum.

This entangled mood cannot be told to outsiders. Princess Taiping simply ordered the craftsmen to postpone the construction period, and she also hid in the mansion. Every person's voice before the court was conveyed, but she didn't dare to listen.

In the afternoon of this day, the door servant came to inform Princess Linzi to come to visit. Princess Taiping didn't want to meet her, but after thinking about it, she ordered her to be led into the inner hall.

"His Royal Highness Princess Zhichang returned to the capital, and my concubine wanted to visit her several times a few days ago, but it was just not possible..."

After entering the hall, Princess Linzi bowed her body to pay homage, regardless of her kinship, she also relied on Princess Taiping's care to be worthy of King Linzi, so she always paid respect to Princess Taiping.

Princess Taiping nodded a little listlessly, pointed to the side seat and said: "Sit down, I'm back in Beijing and I don't want to entertain guests, it's troublesome because of mixed feelings."

After Princess Linzi took her seat, she asked the servants to present several brocade boxes, and immediately said in a low voice: "I know that the family's affairs are changing, and I dare not pry into them rashly, but it is rare for me to see the Eldest Princess in a smooth life. The secret medicine introduced by Ji Fan has the function of calming the mind and sleeping, and I hope it can help His Highness."

"Have a heart."

The thoughtfulness and respect of Princess Linzi made Princess Taiping feel a little relieved. After thinking about it, she called the staff to fetch some Buddhist scriptures and handed them to the princess, and said: "The Empress Dowager is the benefactor of your family. After returning to the mansion, take the scrolls. Long recitation, with this kind of courtesy and deep love, I hope that I can relieve some pain for my relatives."

After hearing the words, the princess hurriedly responded respectfully, and leaned over to hold it with both hands.But then the atmosphere became a little silent, Princess Taiping didn't want to talk, and Princess Linzi was a bit hesitant to speak.

Since Princess Taiping didn't care about the slight change in Wangfei's expression, she sat in the banquet for a while and then said: "If there is nothing else, Wangfei will go home, and I will go to Xi Nei tomorrow morning."

After the princess heard this, she got up subconsciously, and after a while, her expression became a little embarrassed, but she just refused to move.After standing still for a few breaths, she moved and knelt down in front of the princess, and said in a shy voice: "At this time, there should be no troubles. But in the current clan, apart from His Royal Highness the eldest princess, the concubine really doesn't know Who should I ask...Since last year until now, the king has been carrying melancholy all day long, drinking to drown his sorrows, describing him as devastated, decadent..."

Before the concubine finished speaking, Princess Taiping became impatient, waved her hands and reprimanded: "Now I don't want to bother you about any miscellaneous matters! He is not the closest relative of his mother, and he is already a strong man who has established a family. If he doesn't have the ability to resolve Who can help the willpower of suffering? No worries about food and clothing, a good wife and children, no disease and injury, and a strong man in his prime. If you can't live comfortably like this, then you will only feel bitterness, and no one will be able to solve it! "

Hearing what Princess Taiping said, the princess's face became even more embarrassed. She was not used to being a flatterer. It soaked a large area of ​​the carpet.

Seeing this woman's behavior, Princess Taiping also felt a little troubled, she couldn't really order her servants to fork her out, she just said angrily: "I shouldn't have allowed you to meet in the hall! What a debt of favor! He sent you here, what pleadings do you have?"

"It's not the king, it's not... It's just that the concubine is making her own decisions. I really can't bear to see the king's life in disgrace. The concubine is just a foolish woman in the court, and I don't know how to help my husband... I beg, I beg the eldest princess to teach me, I don't want to be prominent in the family affairs, but I can let the king have something to worry about, so I don't have to worry about it anymore..."

The princess wept bitterly and said, kowtowing to Princess Taiping again and again.

"Shut up your mourning! I myself am sad and obstinate, and I really hate hearing such mourning!"

Princess Taiping was still not in a good mood, and after a moment of contemplation, she said angrily: "I am not a powerful person either. I was powerless before, and now I have no intention to lead you. Tell your master, if he really has the heart to repent, it's not that he didn't The point of hard work. The empress dowager is dying, and all the lovers in the family are sad, and the saint is also unavoidable. I can tell you that the door is slightly opened, so that he can invite literary talents from the field, and talk about his love. I can get rid of my sorrow with a wonderful work of love, and the sage will return to Beijing to read it in the future, or I can get sympathy and forgiveness, and let him go. Besides, I have no convenience here to lend him!"

"Thank you, Your Highness, Princess Dachang, thank you, Your Highness..."

After hearing the words, the princess thanked her again and again, seeing Princess Taiping's expression became more impatient, so she didn't dare to stay here to disturb her anymore.

Seeing this lady walk away, Princess Taiping sighed again, turned her head to look east, and murmured: "Mother, mother, you are very lucky! There are thousands of parents in the world, and there is no such brutal and hurtful person as you." People, within the blood relationship, who is not hurt by you? Your grandson will protect the big things, but I still hope that all relatives who have been hurt by you can cry, no matter whether they are true or false... I still have time for the rest of my life Years can hold grudges and pursue grievances, but you have run out of time..."

The Empress Dowager is about to pass away, and Princess Taiping is not only saddened by love, but also has a sense of desolation and vigilance that can no longer be trusted in the world.Although the sage stated several times that she would always stay in love, but she knew that apart from her parents, no one in the world would love and tolerate her blindly.

What she is facing now is not only a farewell to her dearest relatives, but also a farewell to the calm and confident one in the past.In the future, although she will not live in fear and prudence, she must also be cautious in her words and deeds.

As for the nephew of King Linzi, she really didn't want to ask any further questions.If there were any self-righteous thoughts and practices before, but with the loss of reliance and the vigilance in her heart, she also realized that it would be difficult for Saburo to do things she ordered at will, so it is better to keep a distance.

The reason for agreeing to Princess Linzi's plea was because she couldn't bear the princess's crying, but also wanted to make a break.

She may not have any big plans, but the Linzi King's secret hatred for his grandmother can also be seen in the daily relationship before.

This kid couldn't bear the loneliness of being imprisoned, so I gave him a chance to show some human affection in exchange for the superficial harmony of human affection before and after his mother's funeral.As for the evolution of his fate in the future, that is something the saint needs to consider. She doesn't want to interfere any more, and she has no way of interfering at all.

I only hope that this kid can understand this painstaking effort. Although the saints are powerful and difficult to get close to, the current situation of the family and the country is booming. They, close members of the clan, may have no hope of gaining power, but as long as they can keep their own place, they will be rich and honored for a lifetime. Tranquility is what it should be.

Chapter 1045 The fence is built and the hall is cleaned

When Princess Linzi returned to the palace, she saw her husband sitting alone in the hall with a gloomy face, she felt panicked in her heart, walked into the hall with her head down, and asked as if nothing had happened: "Your Majesty Didn't go to bed?"

"Where have you been?"

Li Longji glanced at the princess, and asked in a low tone.

Although the princess didn't want to hide her whereabouts, she also knew that the king was trapped in the mansion, and his mood was becoming more and more extreme. He had a lot of resentment towards the relatives of the clan. He wanted to wait until a suitable time and atmosphere to inform, but he did not expect to be interrogated after returning to the mansion.

So she could only lower her head and say in a low voice: "Princess Dachang has been back to Beijing for a few days, and my concubine's residence is free, so I will pay a visit in the afternoon..."

"Living in a leisurely residence? There are no chores for you to worry about in the house, so you are so lazy that there is nothing to disturb, and you go to meet some boring people!"

Sure enough, after hearing this answer, Li Longji's face immediately became more gloomy: "Even if my family is not a powerful and prosperous family, it is not a humble and common people's family. Since I enjoy the status of a housewife, what confidence do I have to say that I have nothing to do? The family is full of food and clothing. You have already taken care of the expenses, have you taken care of everything?”

When the princess heard the reprimand, her eyes were slightly reddened, but she couldn't say how ashamed and sad.In fact, in the past few months, I have experienced too many similar scenes, or I have been reprimanded by anger or making a fuss.