In the past six months, Princess Taiping and Shangguan Wan'er have grown up, but Wu Mei shows no signs of aging, as if time has no effect on her.
She remained lying on her side, lying on the couch with her head supported by one elbow.
After seeing Wu Chengsi enter the house, his sharp eyes followed Wu Chengsi.
"My nephew meets my aunt!" Wu Chengsi bowed.
"Get up." Wu Mei's unique majestic voice came from the front.
Wu Chengsi then raised his head and met Wu Mei's eyes.
Wu Chengsi quickly looked away.
Just a few seconds of looking at each other made him feel a little uncomfortable. The way Wu Mei looked at him was a little more distant than before.
For many people, this alienation meant a loss of favor. If he could not regain the Queen's favor, it meant that his good days were over.
However, Wu Chengsi now has a firm foothold in the army and is not completely dependent on the Queen, but Wu Mei's attitude still makes him a little uneasy.
What was the reason for her sudden change of attitude?
Wu Chengsi and Wu Mei were semi-allies, so he did not talk in circles with her and asked directly: "Aunt, did my nephew do something to make you unhappy?"
Wu Mei waved her hand and dismissed the servants. After staring at Wu Chengsi for a while, Fang Ning said: "Chengsi, how long have you been in Yangzhou?"
"Nearly two months."
"I remember that you left Beijing in July, but now it's already November."
Wu Chengsi explained: "My nephew first went to Taizhou to deal with Li Ai, the king of Fanyang, and then went to Hangzhou to deal with the chief minister Qian Deguang, so it was delayed for some time."
Wu Meifeng stared at Wu Chengsi and said coldly:
"If you take over Li Ai, Qian Deguang and even Yang Sijian, I can support you. But you have been in Yangzhou for so long and you don't even know that the kings of the Li family are planning a conspiracy against me. This time you order me to
Gong is very disappointed!”
Wu Chengsi was stunned for a moment and said, "Aunt, are you talking about the stone tablet?"
This time it was Wu Mei's turn to be surprised. She sat up straight and said, "You know?"
Wu Chengsi nodded.
"Then why don't you report to me?" Wu Mei said sharply.
Most people would panic when Wu Zetian reprimanded him with such harsh words, but Wu Chengsi said calmly: "Because my nephew has planned a plan to use his own tactics, I can't send anyone to report to you."
Wu Mei kept saying: "How to use the trick?"
Wu Chengsi lowered his head and whispered a few words to her.
Wu Mei's eyes became brighter and brighter, and finally she smiled and said: "You, you really did not disappoint me. I just thought you shouldn't be so careless."
As if to make up for her attitude towards Wu Chengsi just now, she pulled Wu Chengsi to sit next to her and asked softly: "Is everything arranged properly?"
Wu Chengsi nodded and said, "Everything has been arranged."
"Is that Zhang Qiming reliable?"
"His son is in the hands of his nephew, so you can rest assured."
Wu Mei smiled and said: "Very good, we will let the kings of the Li family steal the chicken but lose the rice this time!"
Seeing Wu Mei's attitude restored, Wu Chengsi finally breathed a sigh of relief.
But having said that, Wu Mei was in Chang'an and actually knew about the Yue King's plan, which Wu Chengsi had to admire.
Even he only discovered this plan through some coincidences and a long period of investigation.
How did Wu Mei know?
Wu Mei smiled and said: "So, after you killed Yang Sijian, you didn't send He Lan Minzhi to Chang'an. Was it because of this delay?"
Wu Chengsi nodded and said: "At this juncture, in order to avoid disturbing the situation, my nephew has no choice but to minimize his contact with Chang'an City."
Wu Mei nodded, and after a while, she suddenly stared at Wu Chengsi with strange eyes.
"Aunt, what's wrong with you?"
Wu Mei hesitated for a moment and asked: "I heard that you went to Taiping immediately after you came to the palace. Didn't she say anything to you?"
Wu Chengsi's heart tightened, and he immediately remembered Princess Taiping's weird attitude before, shook his head and said: "No."
Wu Mei stared at him for a while, then waved her hand and said: "Forget it, please step aside first. I need to think about this matter carefully. Let's think about it carefully and make sure there is no mistake."
Wu Chengsi excused himself and left the dormitory.
Although Wu Mei's attitude improved significantly after he explained the matter about the King of Yue, Wu Chengsi still found that there was a gap between him and Wu Mei.
This barrier was probably related to what Princess Taiping wanted to say, so as soon as Wu Chengsi left Kunfeng Hall, he went straight to Jinrong Hall to find Princess Taiping.
"Taiping, what exactly are you trying to tell me?" Wu Chengsi asked impatiently as soon as he entered the dormitory.
Princess Taiping came over and said, "Didn't the Queen Mother tell you?"
"No!" Wu Chengsi said angrily.
Princess Taiping showed that hesitant expression again. After a long while, she whispered: "Second cousin, do you know that Wu Sansi was captured by the Japanese?"
Wu Chengsi frowned and said, "I heard Zhiying mention it."
"Then do you know how angry the queen mother was when she heard the news?"
"Auntie is angry?"
Princess Taiping nodded solemnly and said: "Because of this matter, several generals of Jinwu Guard were dismissed from their posts. Even General Zhang Qianxu was beaten twenty times by the Queen Mother!"
Wu Chengsi asked in confusion: "Why is my aunt so angry? Also, what does this have to do with what you are going to tell me?"
Princess Taiping lowered her head and said softly: "Second cousin, Wu Sansi has recently regained the queen's favor, and the favor is even greater than before. Do you know the reason?"
Wu Chengsi's heart shivered and he said, "I don't know."
Princess Taiping lowered her head and stopped talking.
Wu Chengsi was not a stupid person, and he vaguely guessed that Princess Taiping knew some secret that caused her to have such an abnormal reaction.
He approached Princess Taiping, patted her shoulder gently, and said softly: "Taiping, you can tell me anything you have to say. With my second cousin here, everything will be fine."
Princess Taiping grabbed Wu Chengsi's hand and said, "Second cousin, please don't be impulsive after hearing this." She seemed to be afraid that he would run away after hearing the news.
"Okay, I will never be impulsive." Wu Chengsi answered patiently and couldn't help but hold his breath.
He had a hunch that what Princess Taiping was going to say was definitely something big.
Princess Taiping carefully observed his expression for a while, then buried her head very low. After a long time, she hesitated and said: "Queen Mother... seems to want to do... do..."
"do what?"
Princess Taiping bit her lip and said every word: "Be the emperor!"
Wu Chengsi was stunned, not too surprised, but too disappointed.
Wu Zetian wants to proclaim himself emperor? Isn’t that natural?
But having said that, Wu Chengsi knew because he came from the future and knew history, but how could Princess Taiping know about this?
Could it be that Wu Mei told her daughter about her ambition?
"Taiping, how did you know this?"
Princess Taiping hesitated for a moment and said: "I bribed a palace maid next to my mother. She heard it from the conversation between her mother and Wu Sansi."
"Wait a minute, wait a minute, are you saying that Wu Sansi also knows about this?" Wu Chengsi was shocked.
Princess Taiping nodded and said, "It's because Wu Sansi supported his mother to become emperor that he was favored by her mother."
Wu Chengsi was so shocked that he didn't know what to say for a moment.
Unexpectedly, Wu Sansi took the lead, and I don't know how he noticed Wu Mei's ambition to become emperor.
At this moment, he found that Princess Taiping held his hand tighter.
Looking down, he saw Princess Taiping looking at him nervously and saying, "Second cousin, you must not be impulsive."
"Impulsive? Why am I impulsive?" Wu Chengsi asked strangely.
Princess Taiping was stunned and said: "Aren't you angry? If my mother has such an idea, she is committing a heinous crime!"
Wu Chengsi was silent for a while and asked: "Taiping, why do you think I will be angry when I hear this news?"
Princess Taiping said blankly: "My staff said so."
"You have a staff under you?" Wu Chengsi couldn't help complaining.
Princess Taiping blushed and pouted, "What do you mean by that!"
Wu Chengsi hurriedly reassured you: "I think you are so smart that your head is as strong as ten others, so you don't need any aides at all."
Princess Taiping gave up her anger and said with a smile: "You still have the intention to joke? It seems that you are really not angry anymore."
His face suddenly turned cold and he said: "Those staff are really useless. They have caused me to worry about them for so long in vain."
Wu Chengsi hurriedly said: "Wait a minute, Taiping, why do your staff think I will be angry?"
Princess Taiping glanced at him and said: "They said that although your surname is Wu, you are devoted to the country and the people, upright and honest, and loyal to the country. You will not support your mother's behavior."
"..."
After a moment of silence, Wu Chengsi said shamelessly: "Taiping, those of your staff were actually right, but they said one thing less."
"Which one?"
"Repay your kindness!" Wu Chengsi said slowly but firmly: "If it weren't for my aunt, I don't know where I am now, and she is one of the closest people to me in this world. Of course I would not be with her.
Be against."
Princess Taiping suddenly said: "Among the people you are closest to in this world, am I among them?"
"Of course."
Princess Taiping smiled slightly and said: "So, second cousin, you also support the queen mother?"
Wu Chengsi was shocked again and said, "Taiping, I hear what you mean, do you also support my aunt's behavior?"
Princess Taiping lowered her head and said: "Second cousin, do you know that the maid I sent to stay with my mother is dead."
"died?"
"It was the queen who killed me. She already knew that I knew about her becoming emperor."
Wu Chengsi's throat tightened and he said, "Then she's looking for you?"
Princess Taiping nodded and said: "She and I had a deep talk, and I have promised to support her."
Wu Chengsi said nothing.
Princess Taiping glanced at him and pouted: "There's nothing I can do about it. You also know the Queen Mother's methods. If I don't agree, she won't let me off lightly."
Wu Chengsi said softly: "I know, don't worry, I don't blame you."
Princess Taiping seemed a little aggrieved and added: "Several royal brothers have become more and more indifferent to me recently. They will definitely not treat me well after my father's death."
Wu Chengsi sighed: "It was me who harmed you and caused a rift between you and them."
Princess Taiping hummed: "It's good that you know, so you must be twice as kind to me in the future!"
Wu Chengsi smiled and sat down on the couch next to Princess Taiping.
Princess Taiping suddenly smiled and said: "Second cousin, do you know? My mother has promised me that when she ascends the throne and becomes emperor, she will make you the prince."
Wu Chengsi's expression changed instantly.
Princess Taiping was surprised and said: "Second cousin, don't you want to be the prince?"
Wu Chengsi was silent for a long time and asked: "Taiping, how did you mention this matter to your aunt at that time?"
Princess Taiping said uneasily: "I said that as long as she lets you be the crown prince, I will support her."
Wu Chengsi sighed and said, "Taiping, think carefully about my aunt's temperament. Is she the kind of person who is willing to be threatened?"
"I'm not threatening, I'm just negotiating terms with her." Princess Taiping said anxiously.
Wu Chengsi shook his head and said: "Taiping, my aunt is a person who likes to control everything, and she is also a person with a strong sense of crisis."
Princess Taiping was stunned for a while, bit her lip and said, "I understand. What I said at that time will definitely make her fear you. Second cousin, I'm sorry."
Wu Chengsi smiled and said: "Silly girl, you are doing it for my own good, so there is no need to say sorry. Under the current circumstances, my aunt will just keep these things in her heart, and nothing will happen."
At this moment, he finally understood why Wu Mei was alienated from him. There was no doubt that Princess Taiping's behavior made Wu Mei fearful of him.
From now on, it may be difficult for him to gain Wu Mei's absolute trust.
Near the end of the day, Wu Chengsi returned to his small palace and went to Li Ji's mansion with Li Zhiying. After a family dinner, the couple returned to their residence.
…
The fifth day of November, night.
The sky was covered with dark clouds, and there was not a trace of moonlight. The autumn wind seemed particularly wild that night, and there was a whistling sound in the air.
The lanterns on the gates of various palaces in the palace were blown back and forth, and the candles in the lanterns flickered on and off.
The residence of King Han was similar to that of Wu Chengsi. It was also an unknown small hall. In the study, the lights were bright and soft voices could be heard from time to time.
A man in black, who almost blended into the night, quietly came to the window. His movements were more sensitive than a rabbit and gentler than a cat.
Licking his fingers, he opened a hole in the window. Through the hole, he could see the King of Han and the King of Yue talking in a low voice in the study.
Although the man in black couldn't hear the sound, he stared closely at the two people's mouths. After staring at them for a long time, his exposed eyes became bigger and bigger.
Obviously, he seemed to know something terrible.
Because he was too shocked, his breathing became heavier. At this moment, Yang Xuan, who was standing behind King Han, turned his head and looked directly at the man in black.
The man in black didn't hesitate for a moment, turned around and ran away.
Yang Xuan was like a cannonball, smashing through the window and chasing the man in black.
On the wall of the small hall, Yang Xuan blocked the way of the man in black, and the two stood on the wall and fought fiercely.
The man in black was extremely skilled in martial arts. The five fingers of his hands were gathered together to form a snake head shape, and he used the rare five-shaped fist.
Unfortunately, he met Yang Xuan. After a dozen moves, the man in black was punched in the side and fell to the wall.
Yang Xuan was about to go down to pursue him. Suddenly, there was the sound of horse hoofbeats, and he saw a group of cavalry running from a distance.
What came was a group of Thousand Oxen Guards.
"Who is this!" the leading Qian Niuwei shouted.
The moment Yang Xuan saw the cavalry, he lowered his body subconsciously.
At this moment, the man in black on the ground took the opportunity to run away, and the Qianniu Guards chased him. At the same time, a group of guards ran out from King Han's palace and also chased after the man in black.
Two hours later, the study room in King Han's palace.
Not only were the King of Han and the King of Yue sitting in the study, but the King of Pei and Zheng Yuanning were also here.
The faces of all four people were heavy.
Zheng Yuanning couldn't help but blame: "Your Highness, King Han, no matter how careful we are in what we plan, how could you be so careless and let people hear our plan?"
King Han was already in a bad mood and immediately said angrily: "This is not my palace. There are so many people coming and going. How can I be prepared?"
King Pei suddenly said: "This is a palace after all. Although there are many people coming and going, the guard is not loose."
"What do you mean by this?" King Han asked.
The King of Yue said: "His Royal Highness King Pei means that it is not easy for the man in black to sneak into this palace, and the person instigating him behind the scenes is definitely not an ordinary person."
"Then don't think too much, it must be someone sent by the Wu family." King Han snorted.
"Not necessarily, it may be the prince's person." King Yue said.
King Pei said solemnly, "You two probably didn't mention our plan just now."
The King of Yue hesitated for a moment and said with a wry smile: "We didn't discuss Feng Chan's plan, but if our words were really heard by the man in black, I'm afraid the situation would be a little bad."
King Pei raised his eyebrows and said, "What were you two talking about just now?"
King Han scratched his cheek and said with a wry smile: "We are discussing a plan to deal with the prince."
King Pei said angrily: "I clearly told you two that the immediate plan should be the priority, why didn't you listen? We finally managed to silence Yang Sijian. If the news leaks out, all the previous plans will be in vain."
.”
The King of Yue sighed and said: "We were a little careless. Let's find a way to make up for it now."
King Han snorted and said, "You don't have to worry, that man was injured and shouldn't be able to escape."
As soon as he finished speaking, the eldest son of King Han entered the study, cupped his hands and said: "Father, the people sent out reported that the man in black escaped from the palace!"
"Trash!" King Han was furious and threw a tea cup to the ground.
King Yingchuan said hurriedly: "Our people have already chased him out. The man is seriously injured and should not be able to escape."
King Han shouted: "Hurry up and chase!"
Just as King Yingchuan was about to take the order and go out, King Pei suddenly shouted: "Come back."
Prince Yingchuan turned his head.
King Pei said in a deep voice: "Be careful when investigating and don't make too much noise."
King Han frowned and said, "Is this necessary?"
Zheng Yuanning agreed: "His Royal Highness King Pei is right. We still don't know who sent that person. There are various forces in the palace, so it's better to investigate quietly to avoid attracting the attention of interested people."
Prince Yingchuan glanced at his father and saw that he didn't speak any more, so he responded, turned around and went out.