Chapter 111: Empress Wu Takes Charge of the Court (Part One)

On the twenty-second day of the fifth month in the first year of the Qianfeng era, a clear imperial edict was issued from the Penglai Palace, stating that the case involving Xu Jingzong’s impeachment of Liu Xiangdao was of great significance and could not be judged fairly without court deliberation. Since the emperor Gaozong was unwell, the Empress would act in his stead to oversee court affairs. A grand assembly of officials was scheduled for the twenty-fourth day of the fifth month at the Taiji Hall to collectively discuss state matters. The moment this edict was announced, the capital was shaken to its core. The faction loyal to Empress Wu rejoiced, while the other ministers were filled with both fear and worry. Privately, many expressed doubts about the propriety of the matter, but none dared openly oppose it. Especially after the Crown Prince was denied an audience with Gaozong at Penglai Palace, the ministers fell into silence. The atmosphere throughout the capital grew strange and inscrutable, with dark currents surging beneath the surface. An unavoidable storm was brewing in the court.

On the twenty-fourth day of the fifth month, at the third quarter of the Mao hour, the sky was overcast, heavy with dense clouds pressed low, intermittently flickering with lightning. Distant thunder rumbled as a downpour neared. The oppressive low pressure made breathing difficult. Though Li Xian had raised the carriage curtains halfway, he still felt stifled. His folding fan fluttered rapidly in his hand, the breeze it created was no small thing, yet it failed to quell the feverish heat within his chest; if anything, it only intensified it.

There were simply too many uncontrollable factors. Despite Li Xian’s thorough preparation, he still felt uncertain about the court’s trajectory. Even if everything unfolded according to his best-laid plans, the outcome would not improve much. The precedent of Empress Wu’s direct governance had been established, and its consequences would be inescapable. At least Li Xian could see no one capable of halting her blatant political ambitions: the timid Gaozong could not, the resentful Crown Prince could not, the inexperienced Li Xian himself could not, nor could the ministers. Li Xian felt himself powerless despite his determination. The thought weighed heavily upon him.

Ultimately, strength was the root of all. Li Xian understood clearly that to achieve something, one could only rely on strength. Unfortunately, strength could not be gained overnight, especially during his current period of lying low. To command great power was almost a fairy tale. For one, once the rumor spread that he had abandoned scholarship for martial pursuits, it became difficult even to openly attract talent, let alone influential ministers. This was evident from the attitudes of the capable officials like Wei Xiji of the Ministry of Revenue and Luo Binwang. Those who aspired to hold court positions clearly wished to avoid entanglement with Li Xian, who had openly no ambition for high office. Li Xian was prepared for this but helpless, for he knew well the cruelty of Empress Wu—she killed her own sons as swiftly as one would cull chickens, especially those most intent on power. Thus, Li Xian had to feign disinterest in the throne to preserve his life. Even when he acted in court, the label of “unwilling to ascend” offered some shield, perhaps preventing immediate danger. Yet this was merely a temporary measure, insufficient for his grand designs. If he wished to act decisively, the time for some plans to take effect had arrived.

“Your Highness, Your Highness.”

Just as Li Xian was caught in a turbulent swirl of thoughts, a cautious voice by his ear abruptly roused him. He turned his head sharply and peered through the partially raised carriage curtain, noticing that the carriage had stopped unknowingly beside the small square before the Chengtian Gate.

“Mm.” Li Xian made no fuss, merely letting out a soft sound and gesturing with his hand. His attendants hastened to roll up the carriage curtains completely. Bowing slightly, Li Xian descended the carriage with Gao Miao’s assistance. The square was already filled with assembled officials, but the usual light-hearted chatter before court had vanished, replaced by a thick, eerie oppression lingering in the air.

“Your Highness, good morning.”

“Your Highness, you’ve arrived.”

From afar, Li Xian spotted Li Xian’s elder brother, Li Xian, who was earnestly exchanging views with senior chancellors such as Dai Zhude. He smirked inwardly but did not hesitate long, walking steadily toward him. As he passed, ministers greeted him with bows, and Li Xian returned their salutations with a smile.

“Seventh Brother, good morning.”

Hearing the commotion, Li Xian turned his head. Seeing Li Xian approaching, he smiled and gestured for him to stand beside him.

“Sixth Brother, honored ministers, the humble one is late; please forgive me,” Li Xian said with a genial smile, bowing deeply to Li Xian and the senior chancellors. He then stood quietly by Li Xian’s side, smiling as he listened to the discussion on the imperial examination. Of course, to Li Xian, these so-called opinions were mere trivialities—mostly Li Xian showing off. He was too lazy to listen closely, instead scanning the surroundings until his gaze met that of Yan Liben approaching.

Heh, Old Yan seems to be struggling! The moment Li Xian caught Yan Liben’s look, he immediately understood the subtle plea hidden within. He chuckled inwardly but maintained a neutral expression, nodding slightly to indicate he understood. Yan Liben visibly relaxed, returned a faint smile and nod, then discreetly averted his gaze.

“Court is starting, court is starting…”

Li Xian had arrived late, and just after exchanging glances with Yan Liben, the eunuchs’ calls to court rang out at the palace gates. The ministers promptly lined up according to rank, with the two brothers Li Xian and Li Xian leading them in brisk steps through the slowly opening Chengtian Gate, proceeding straight along the palace avenue toward the Taiji Hall. Soon, they entered the main hall, where, to their astonishment, beside the emperor’s dragon bed was placed a slightly smaller carved phoenix couch. The ministers were stunned and stirred in unrest—the edict had led them to expect that Empress Wu’s supervision of court affairs would be behind the curtain, but they had never imagined she would openly sit in court. More shockingly, her seat was placed side by side with the emperor’s. This was not merely a breach of protocol—it was outright treason.

“Hmph, Seventh Brother, look at this…”

Li Xian, equally surprised by Empress Wu’s audacity, felt anger flare up instantly. He snorted coldly, ready to explode in the hall.

There was nothing strange about it—the treacherous woman was ambitious to the core and dared anything. Li Xian, having endured hardships in his previous life, was no longer easily shocked. Although the ministers seemed furious now, when Empress Wu appeared, they would all become timid, bowing as required without uttering a single word of dissent. How could one refuse to bow? Clearly impossible. Empress Wu held Gaozong’s authority tightly; anyone who dared to stand out would meet a dire end.

“Sixth Brother, don’t worry. Just wait; the Crown Prince is arriving soon.”

Not wanting Li Xian to lose his temper here, Li Xian hastily interrupted with a smile, implying that if the Crown Prince was not anxious, there was no need for him to be.

“Hmph!”

Though Li Xian had a strong character, he was no fool and understood the implication behind Li Xian’s words. Still, he was unwilling to accept it and scowled silently.

“The Empress Dowager has arrived!”

Amid the ministers’ murmurs and disorderly discussion, the sharp, commanding voice of the eunuch Gao Hesheng suddenly rang out from the rear hall. Soon after, Empress Wu, dressed in full ceremonial court robes and surrounded by eunuchs and palace maids, strode proudly from the rear hall. The Crown Prince, gloomy and downcast, followed behind her. The ministers, who had been chatting restlessly, immediately fell silent, some stunned, as they watched Empress Wu ascend the front steps and gracefully settle onto the couch beside the dragon bed.

“We, your humble servants, pay respects to Her Majesty the Empress Dowager!”

Before the ministers could recover, the faction led by Xu Jingzong knelt deeply in homage. Seeing this, the others hastened to follow suit, though the sounds of their obeisance were chaotic and disorderly. Those at the front had completed their bows while those behind were only beginning to chant, the noise resembling a bustling market rather than the solemnity expected of a morning court session.

Silence, or more silence—the ministers had all finished their bows but still heard no voice from the Empress Dowager. Unease crept into their hearts. No one dared to meet her gaze, heads bowed low in submission. Not a single movement was made. The atmosphere in the hall froze, suffocatingly oppressive.

Impressive—a psychological battle well played. With such a show of force, surely none would dare question her authority again. Ha! The morning court session was surely doomed! Li Xian understood the cunning behind Empress Wu’s tactics but could do nothing to counter them in this situation. He knelt silently, his mind racing to devise a strategy for the upcoming court discussions.

Empress Wu sat quietly, her expression solemn and unreadable. Her sharp phoenix eyes scanned the ministers below like blades. A tremendous aura radiated from her, pressing down on everyone’s hearts, causing their pulses to quicken.

“Rise!”

Time passed unknowingly; the ministers’ legs and feet grew numb from kneeling, but finally, the Empress Dowager’s cold, emotionless voice rang out.

“We, your humble servants, thank Her Majesty the Empress Dowager for her great kindness.”

Hearing the summons to rise, the ministers felt a wave of relief and expressed their gratitude in unison. Their voices were far more orderly than before, clearly their morale had been crushed in this silent power struggle. The initiative in the court session had subtly but firmly shifted into Empress Wu’s hands…