Chapter 63: The Choice Between Life and Death

  At this time, Tang Guan's back broke out in a cold sweat. He suddenly thought that Wu Zetian would not leave behind the old man Pei Yan. He could save him for the time being, but he couldn't save him forever.

  At this time, Pei Yan was at the top of all officials. If he really shouted loudly, the consequences would indeed be unthinkable. This woman had already reached the peak of her career; one step forward and she would have endless possibilities, but one step back and she would be utterly destroyed.

  At this time, Wu Zetian made Tang Guan face the same situation, "She wants me to choose!"

  Thinking of Tang Guan's eyes, I must have a certain look, but still can't bring myself to write.

  All the officials present didn't think much of it, as some tribute students in previous years also fell into deep thought for a while, and only started writing after several hours had passed. It seemed that Tian Hou had given Tang Guo a difficult problem to solve.

  Everyone thought it was just a formality, but looking at the situation now, it seems like a real test. However, there's no chance of him failing, as they still think that Tang Guan will definitely become the top scholar, after all, he's the only one who got to take the imperial exam.

  They didn't know that Tang Guan's heart was fluctuating at this time, and every time Wu Zetian threw out a topic, she made Tang Guan hover between life and death.

  "Not even letting me turn over and get comfortable!"

  Tang Guan stared quietly at the two names, he knew that as long as he wrote down the two characters "Wu Di", his future would be bright and prosperous.

  He wanted to write it down, but he couldn't bear to part with it.

  He also knew that even if he didn't write down these two characters, Wu Zetian would still deal with Pei Yan.

  He is a rare honest official, with his heart on the people, but he is the biggest stumbling block for this woman on her way to power. By kicking Pei Yan away, she thoroughly broke through that thin layer of window paper to the throne.

  Tang Guan, although he never claimed to be a decent person, still remembered that desolate old man. Now, with his current glory as the nine-year-old champion, it's not hard to imagine that if he pleased Wu Zetian, he would have a chance to turn things around and become another Pei Yan.

  The current situation of Ke Paiyan, however, makes Tang Guantou die and Hu Xiuzi sad. Life and death are not in one's own hands, and if things go wrong, one will follow the example of others. Even if one really dominates the court, what's the use? Besides, Wu Zetian won't allow anyone to dominate the court anyway.

  "Pei Yan has no military power!" Tang Guan only realized that this was the most important point, official position and prestige is a kind of soft power, can make people dread, but what really makes people afraid is hard power.

  In some ways, Pei Yan is even less than Xu Jingye who dared to climb high and shout, although Xu Jingye did not have the talent for success, he had the courage and opportunity.

  If it weren't for that article by Tang Guan, the two sides would have been doomed to fight to the death, and although Xu Jingye didn't have the strength to do so, he was destined to be defeated. However, according to normal battle tactics, a bloody battle would have been unavoidable.

  "Pei Yan... Wu Zetian... Pei Yan... Wu Zetian" The Tang crown slowly closed his eyes.

  This question can be said to be simple to the point of being "complicated", especially for Tang Guan. Emotionally, he just wanted to use Wu Zetian, but had a respectful feeling towards Pei Yan. Logically, he naturally should have chosen Wu Zetian, after all, no matter how he chose, he knew that Pei Yan would ultimately come to harm, and choosing him would also drag his own life into it.

  The officials on the court did not rush, silently looking at the Tang crown on the throne.

  Wu Zetian picked up the fragrant tea and lightly sipped it with her red lips.

  He actually opened his mouth and said: "This soup is not bad"

  The officials were stunned by her words. A literary person's writing is most taboo to disturb, but Wu Zetian spoke without regard for the occasion, seemingly indifferent. It was a far cry from her demeanor in previous years when she would sit upright and sternly during the imperial examination, exuding an air of majesty.

  It's no wonder that this ceremony was strange from the start. For a moment, everyone shook their heads secretly, thinking it was just "witnessing a miracle".

  On one side, the officials just watched as if it were a play, while on the other, Tang Guan's clothes were soaked through.

  This is the robe he just made, with extremely good material, and it's new clothes, rarely sweaty, you can see how tense Tang Guan is.

  "Whose water is being used?" Wu Zetian's voice fell, and she actually asked the inner attendant beside her again.

  "After reporting to Heaven, offerings were made at Yizhou Peach Blossom River"

  "Taohua River?" Wu Zetian smiled slightly and looked at Tang Guan again.

  "Little gentleman, after you finish writing, I'll give you a pot of beautiful woman's makeup"

  Tang Guan heard this and opened his eyes, saying: "Your subject thanks Your Majesty for the reward."

  Peach Blossom River Tang Guan knew that the Son of Heaven had a reputation for drinking from all directions, but Peach Blossom River was actually just a tributary. It was an ancient place to select imperial consorts and later generations also called it "Beauty's Lair". Wu Zetian's words were double-edged, telling him that if he stood in the right position, fame, wealth, beautiful women, and power would be within his grasp.

  Wu Zetian was particular about her tea, with careful attention to the type of water used for brewing, and would have ice transported from afar to chill it, showing that at this time the luxurious tendencies of the Tang Dynasty were already rising, although not as famous as during the reign of Emperor Xuanzong.

  Tang Guan immediately closed his eyes again and remained silent.

  He didn't notice, however, a small palace maid had been secretly watching him from behind Wu Zetian.

  Starting from Wu Zetian's inscription, it is clear that this station is closest to Wu Zetian's palace maid.

  Only saw this woman with a plain face greeting people, her delicate eyebrows slightly furrowed, giving off an elegant and refined air, it was none other than Shangguan Wan'er.

  At this time, she looked at Tang Guan with some tension, who closed his eyes tightly. She had witnessed the words written by Wu Zetian with her own eyes and could imagine the anxiety on top of Tang Guan's head.

  Just as all officials were focusing on Tang Guan, Shangguan Wan'er stepped lightly and quietly bowed her head: "Your Majesty, the young gentleman..."

  "Hmm!?" Wu Zetian's cold voice sent Shangguan Wan'er's face pale, and she hastily retreated. She knew her place, although she was quite favored by Wu Zetian, but after all, she was just a female official of the Western Palace.

  Shangguan Wan'er stood back in her original position, gazing at Tang Guan, silently thinking to herself: "They say that beauties have short lives, but it seems that this young master's life isn't long either."

  She and Tang Guan are actually the same type of people, both young but with a mind full of schemes. Tang Guan benefited from being reborn as a human, while Shangguan Wan'er was born with it.

  She didn't have any other thoughts about Tang Guan, just the so-called "heroes cherish each other", and now they don't have conflicting interests either. Tang Guan being alive doesn't harm her, and him being dead doesn't harm her either. It's just that it's rare to see such a talented person, and she feels somewhat regretful in her heart.

  "What if Di Bao were here and didn't know how to write?" Shangguan Wan'er suddenly thought of someone, and her expression turned contemplative.

  Tang Guan's expression remained unchanged, with the paper tightly clutched in his hand, two pages blocking the view of the hundred officials.

  Wu Zetian surprisingly dared to bring up this topic in front of all the officials, so she must have been confident. This child who doesn't seem like a child probably knows how to choose as well.

  Her question has become so obvious that anyone with some common sense who has been in contact with the imperial court would know the correct answer, let alone Tang Guan, who was born into a scholarly family and had exceptional talent, and most importantly, both Pei Yan and herself had been in contact with Tang Guan.

  In her opinion, Tang Guan would not be so reckless as to write whatever came to mind, even if he still had a naive and immature side.

  As expected, Tang Guanru's current appearance is exactly what she had anticipated.

  "After all, a child is still a child, even if you have the heart of an adult." Wu Zetian gazed at Tang Guan with a hint of playful smile on her lips.

  This stalemate continued for several hours.

  As the sun was about to set, Chen Yunshang also became flustered among the group of officials.

  Staring at Tang Guan who seemed to be in a state of meditation, he shouted inwardly: "Write quickly!"

  A brutal fight that was supposed to end easily in the imperial court trial unexpectedly dragged on until sunset with Tang Guan straightly pulling it.

  Only Tang Guan himself and the two women above knew that this easy and ridiculous imperial examination in the eyes of the officials was a life-or-death choice for Tang Guan.

  The slanting sun shone into the hall, and Wu Zetian's expression, along with the stiffness of the Tang crown, gradually changed from relaxed to somewhat cold.

  Tang Guang was like a wooden stake at this time, and the ministers also secretly became anxious.

  "Bang!" A sudden dull sound, everyone was stunned at once.

  Tang Guan suddenly fell head-first onto the desk.

  "Fallen asleep!?"

  Only to see Tang Guan's head tilted on the case, everyone in their hearts shouted out in surprise, and Tang Guan actually fell asleep under the watchful eyes of the crowd.

  Looks like he's been asleep for a while, but his movements have remained stiff.

  Wu Zetian was also slightly stunned, and immediately rebuked: "Tang, you are ill!"

  Shangguan Wanyi covered her mouth and smiled behind him, originally thinking that Tang Guan had been frowning tightly all along, but unexpectedly he was actually asleep.

  Wu Chengsi hastily stepped out of line and shook awake Tang Guan.

  Tang Guan slowly opened his eyes and rubbed them.

  Wu Zetian's face turned iron-green as she saw the officials crying and laughing, shaking her head slightly, with fatigue and tension all gone.

  "Your Majesty, please forgive me. Your humble subject observed the wolf smoke from a thousand miles away yesterday and fell asleep in the dead of night. At the third watch, I got up to attend to my illness, but being young and weak, I couldn't bear such torment. Please, Your Majesty, forgive me!"

  Wu Zetian's expression softened upon hearing this, but her eyes became even sharper. She knew that Tang Guan was unlikely to have really fallen asleep.

  Tang Guan Cha said, "On the way to escape from danger, I fortunately met Old Master who rescued me. Now seeing him defeat the bandits, my heart is filled with joy. I only thought that Old Master's aged body could still achieve such a remarkable feat, and I couldn't help but feel inferior. I didn't expect to be able to witness Old Master's heroic demeanor, and as I was thinking about it, I fell asleep."

  "Hmph!" Someone was the first to laugh out loud, and the officials couldn't help but smile. Liu Jing and Guo Shi looked at each other with a smile.

  Pei Yan, with the dignity of a chief executive, threw an olive branch at Tang Guan, and as two colleagues who knew each other well, they were delighted to see Tang Guan so grateful and virtuous, but they did not know that Tang Guan was facing this layer of difficulty.

  Wu Zetian's heart sank at the words, and just as she was about to speak, a bell rang out from outside the palace, "Dong~"

  Upon hearing the bell toll, Chen Yunsheng's face changed greatly, "It's bad! The time has arrived!"

  At this moment, Tang Guan picked up his pen and quickly wrote down a few words.

  "Talented Crowned Tang, exchange writings!"

  The officials present were stunned again, and although Tang Guan moved his brush, it was clear that he had only written a few words.

  Tang Guan picked up the article and walked closer with his body bowed, Wu Zetian seemed to be somewhat impatient, and surprisingly did not let the eunuch receive the document, but instead stood up to take it herself.

  He immediately looked up and saw that the dragon's face had changed greatly!

  Shangguan Wan'er also tiptoed and took a look, covering her small mouth in surprise.

  All the officials present looked at Tang Guan, only to see him smiling all over his face, bowing slightly to one side, as if he had a plan in mind. However, Wu Zetian's expression changed several times, although it was fleeting, but everyone present was a seasoned veteran of the imperial court and they accurately captured this change.

  The atmosphere suddenly became somewhat eerie, and Chen Yunsheng held his breath, secretly sizing up Wu Zetian.

  After a long while, Wu Zetian finally gently folded up the article and put it into a brocade pouch on her desk.

  Shangguan Wan'er seemed still in shock, and it wasn't until then that Tang Guan noticed her, giving her a faint smile.

  Wu Zetian slowly sat down and looked at the Tang crown again and again.

  Until the last bell outside sounded, there was a moment of silence in the hall.

  She finally spoke out: "By imperial decree, proclaim to the world, list on the golden board, and name Tang Guan!"

  "Ah!" Upper Official Wen Er softly exclaimed, the Empress Dowager unexpectedly did not kill Tang Guan. Relying solely on those two irrelevant words on the paper was enough to take his life, this greatly exceeded her expectations.

  "Your Majesty's subjects offer their congratulations on obtaining a good talent!"

  The officials seemed to have expected this, after all, the imperial examination was originally held for Tang Guan alone, and it was directly announced in public without issuing a golden list, they didn't think much of it.

  Chen Yunsheng's face showed joy, every time Tang Guan entered the palace, he was nervous and worried, fortunately each time it was a narrow escape.

  Ke Tang's face flashed with joy for a moment, then he bowed his head in gratitude.

  Wu Zetian gazed at him with a somewhat complex expression, and after a long while, she instructed: "The Ministry of Personnel's flower name, appointed as a compiler in the Hanlin Academy, report for duty immediately!"

  At last, Tang Guan's face showed a joyful expression, and Wu Zetian waved her large sleeve, saying: "Dismiss the court!"

  The officials were about to retreat when Tang Guan stepped forward and said, "Your Majesty, where is my tea?"

  Wu Zetian heard this and suddenly glared at Tang Guan, flinging her sleeve and saying: "Have tea served!"

  Inside the palace, upon hearing this, he hastily poured a cup and handed it to Tang Guan. Tang Guan took it with a smile and said: "Your humble subject thanks Your Majesty for your great kindness!"

  Shangguan Wan'er was also startled by his boldness and her heart skipped a beat.

  Wu Zetian then departed, and the officials dispersed in an uproar.

  "Congratulations, Zhuangyuan!"

  "Tan Gongyuan, congratulations, congratulations"

  Not yet out of the door, officials surrounded him, Wu Chengsi moved the fastest, standing beside Tang Guan in an instant.

  "Tang Dianyuan, congratulations! Nine-year-old champion scholar, tomorrow's golden list will surely make your name known throughout the world!"

  Tang Guan burst out laughing and waved at Chen Yunsheng in the crowd.

  At this time, Chen Yunsheng was also smiling all over his face. He knew that his old friend's son would have a bright future ahead of him.

  Tang Guan continued to respond perfunctorily, until he walked out of the palace. Chen Yunsheng then stepped forward, beaming with joy as he sized up Tang Guan.

  "After you recover, from then on, your uncle and you will be colleagues."

  "Haha" Tang Guan felt a sense of pride and vigor at this moment, but it was immediately hidden again, with a few more shades of sorrow added to his eyebrows.

  "What topic are you writing about?"

  Tang Guan heard the words and slightly shook his head, but didn't speak. He looked up at the sky and sighed in his heart: "Old Master, I can only help you this far. Whether you live or die, I'm also helpless."

  For a while, the two of them got on the horse carriage in silence. They kept asking questions along the way, but Tang Guan just shook his head in response one by one.

  The Palace of the Great Ming

  Shangguan Wan'er stood beside Wu Zetian, but didn't dare to raise her head. Wu Zetian's hand was still clutching a brocade pouch, and she knew that only three people knew the contents of this pouch - and Shangguan Wan'er happened to be one of them.

  Wu Zetian stood before the dragon bed, silent for a long time, then sat down and said: "Yu Nu"

  "In"

  "What did he write that you can see?"

  Shanggu Yan'er heard this and hastily knelt down on the ground, shaking her head and saying: "Yan'er didn't see anything"

  Wu Zetian finally smiled when she heard the words, stretched out her hand to lift up Shangguan Wan'er's chin and said: "I like your cleverness, remember, he can write these two characters, but you cannot."

  Shangguan Wan'er remained silent for a long time before wanting to speak, but was interrupted by a palace maid, "Reporting to Your Majesty, Princess Taiping requests an audience."

  Wu Zetian nodded upon hearing this, and Shangguan Wan'er also stood up and retreated to the side.

  As expected, Princess Taiping is still the same, her reputation preceding her arrival.

  "Empress Dowager! You really let that Tang Guo become the top scholar?"

  As soon as the words fell, a person came in from behind the bead curtain.

  Wu Zetian heard the sound and shook her head with a smile, looking at the lovely Taiping Princess, and said: "What? Did Guo Xingyi offend you?"

  Taiping Princess pouted, and in her heart, she had an inexplicable aversion to Tang Crown. This was normal, as she was the most favored by Wu Zetian, and at present, she had not yet matured into a female strongman of historical records.

  At this time, she can't help but have some implications of competing with the wind and eating vinegar, which is not quite consistent with historical records. She later had numerous "ministers under her skirt" just like her mother, but for now, Wu Zetian was undoubtedly the most important person in her eyes.

  Princess Taiping lowered her head and thought for a long time but couldn't figure out what Tang Guan had done to offend her.

  Wu Zetian also smiled and shook her head. She was very familiar with her daughter's personality, and that little thought couldn't deceive her either.

  She said at once: "From now on, he will be a high-ranking official with great achievements, don't play petty tricks to make things difficult for him"

  "Mother..." Taiping Princess pouted and walked forward.

  "Empress Dowager, what kind of question did you ask him? I, your son, would like to take a look?"

  Shangguan Wan'er, who was standing beside her, heard this and lowered her head a few more inches. She didn't dare to recall those two words anymore, but she knew that Tang Guan had guessed what the Empress wanted to do most, yet hadn't done for a long time.

  Wu Zetian heard this and smiled lightly, saying: "Wait until you get married, then the empress will let you see"

  The originally curious Princess Taiping heard this and instantly fell silent, with a mind to refute it, but had nothing to say.

  The brocade pouch was quietly lying in Wu Zetian's arms, and what Tang Guan wrote that day also became the object of much speculation by later generations. Some people said he was a hero who ultimately wrote the two characters "Wu Emperor", while others said that this year Wu Zetian needed him, and although he wrote "Pei Yan", he still let him off.

  Some even say that Tang Guan didn't write anything at all, implying that he wouldn't help either side and would stand with whoever had the upper hand.

  Only three people in the world knew, but everyone in the world knew that on this day a nine-year-old boy became a champion scholar!

  What did Tang Crown write after all? I'll dig a hole first and tell you later.