Chapter Fifty-Four: Faith and Doubt

  If the first morning walk was filled with excitement and anticipation for Tang Guan, then this second time walking on the same road only left fatigue and impatience.

  Yesterday, Wu Zetian said half of what she wanted to say. Originally, I was about to understand her true intentions, but was interrupted by Princess Taiping.

  It wasn't until another morning that Tang Guanzhi finally understood how difficult it was for ancient officials.

  Besides, he wasn't even an official, and it felt a bit like working for nothing. Tang Guan was dozing off in the carriage.

  Chen Yunshang seemed to have long been used to this, and in the car, he kept pulling his own cheongsam, new clothes are always bigger or smaller, not as fitting as before, it's inevitable.

  "Get well soon, later no matter what Tian Hou says, you just agree with him and that's it, got it?"

  "Oh..." Tang Guan was half asleep and half awake, his left ear hearing more than his right. For him, getting up at two or three o'clock every day was a great torture.

  The horse carriage didn't stop, and after a while, it slowed down.

  Chen Yunsheng knew they had arrived, so he patted Tang Guan hastily, but Tang Guan still looked listless. Chen Yunsheng had no choice but to half-drag and half-pull him out of the car.

  It's still the usual scene, but in fact, dawn audiences aren't held every day. However, since Tang Guan arrived, there have been a lot more, and according to the imperial edict, the schedule for these days has been slow, which is making some officials impatient.

  Since Taizong's death, it has been rare for court politics to be so tightly packed.

  Tang Guan half-closed his eyes and didn't even look, his body following Chen Yunsheng's pull, standing in the back row. Those officials saw that he had come again, first stunned, then thought of something, casting inexplicable glances at him.

  Tang Guan remained unmoved, still in a state of half-dream and half-wakefulness.

  "Go away, stop sleeping!" Chen Yunsheng hastily whispered, Tang Guan was either too energetic to be shocking in one word, or as numb as he is now.

  If by any chance that person asks questions later and Tang Guan is still in this state, I'm afraid another incident will arise.

  A cold wind blew by, and the gate opened wide. Wen Wu stepped forward once again, entering with Chen Yunshang also carrying Tang Guan in stride.

  Tang Guan was now only slightly interested in a few women in the palace, and had completely lost interest in the environment of the palace. Except for what he hadn't seen before, yesterday's sights could be summed up in one word: "grand".

  The two stopped in their tracks, Chen Yunsheng adjusted his official hat, he knew that they would definitely have to enter the palace soon.

  The officials walked into the hall, some of the weaker scholars at this time also had a somewhat listless feeling, but at least they were much stronger than Tang Guan and still clear-headed.

  They were all listed by class, and in fact, there was nothing to report. Today's focus is on Xu Jingye and his gang, and now the news is not convenient to spread. Yesterday, there was nothing to report, let alone just one day has passed, how can there be so many things?

  Logically, this should be the end of the court session, but I don't know what the person behind the curtain is thinking. And then there's Tang Guan still standing outside the palace, they still remember that shocking poem from yesterday, it's clear he has been summoned for a second time.

  What actually made Tang Crown secretly depressed was that famous historical figures either had no power to attend court, or were scattered all over the place, or had suddenly passed away.

  The main theme of Wu Zetian before she became emperor was nothing more than two words: "kill" and "take". The people who opposed her were killed, and the talented and virtuous ones were taken. Those cruel officials in Tang Dynasty's eyes were just people about to die, and they would not last for a few years. After that woman became emperor, almost all of them could hardly escape death.

  However, his appearance stopped the biggest plot of "killing", Pei Yan was jumping around and fighting in Yangzhou.

  It is strange that this suppression, which lasted only a few months in history, has already exceeded its time.

  Facing one unfamiliar official after another, Tang Guan felt bored. In fact, he didn't think deeply about it. The officials who could enter the Huanyuan Hall were not ordinary bureaucrats; the reason he didn't understand was that this period of time was a blank in historical records, except for a few people standing at the forefront, there was hardly any mention of him.

  However, Tang Guan also understood that now Wu Zetian's arrow is on the string and cannot be released. Now she has taken control of politics and can even be said to have controlled the court. If she does not ascend to the throne, she will bear the eternal curse of disorderly governance. If she ascends to the throne, then she will become a legend like those of later generations.

  Between a legend and a traitor, never mind Wu Zetian, even an ordinary person would know how to choose.

  The small iron plug was inconspicuous, but inadvertently blocked the dam that was about to burst.

  At this time, Tang Guanli was standing beside Chen Yunsheng. Chen Yunsheng also occasionally glanced secretly at the Hanyuan Hall. After a long while, a voice "Tang Guanli is summoned to enter the hall" came over. When Chen Yunsheng heard the sound and just wanted to take Tang Guanli forward, he suddenly stopped.

  "Not so, why wasn't I announced?" For months, Chen Yunshang had also gotten used to his "nanny" role, but at this moment he didn't hear his own name being called, and only Tang Guan was announced entering the palace.

  "Get well soon, wake up, you have been summoned to the palace." Chen Yunsheng patted Tang's crown with his hand, and the officials beside him couldn't help but smile secretly, immediately stopping themselves.

  Tang Guan rubbed his eyes and looked at Chen Yunsheng: "Then let's go in"

  "I can't go in, I've only announced you"

  Hearing this, Tang Guan suddenly came back to his senses.

  "Don't talk nonsense!" Chen Yunsheng whispered again, Tang Guan nodded and tidied up his robes, walking towards the main hall.

  The eunuch saw Tang Guan dragging along and felt slightly displeased. Tang Guan also ignored him and directly entered the palace.

  "I..."

  Tang Guan made a gesture of courtesy and was about to speak when a voice came from behind the curtain: "Spare him"

  "Thanks for the saint's great kindness!"

  Tang Guan bowed his head and retreated to one side, the atmosphere in the hall making him sober up a bit more.

  "My dear officials, I have heard that an 18-year-old child has taken someone's life. Do you believe it?"

  Tang Guan's heart skipped a beat upon hearing the words, and the officials exchanged glances with each other. Some showed disdainful expressions, while others shook their heads in puzzlement, wondering where the Empress had heard such a fairy tale. The eight-year-old prodigy Tang Guan, whom they had seen with their own eyes, indeed had talent, and was right before them now.

  But there have been astonishing and unconventional geniuses since ancient times. Although Tang Guan was unusual, they only admired him. However, an eight-year-old child committing murder is somewhat absurd.

  Someone immediately stepped forward and said: "Rumors and slanders, confusing the sacred ears, at the age of eight, the blood and energy are weak, except for this little friend in the cabinet who has a good writing style, it is absolutely impossible to believe that he killed someone"

  Tang Guan heard someone flattering him and secretly felt pleased. He looked up to see an old man wearing a purple official robe.

  "Three grades, not low, you have a good eye for people." Tang Guan saw his attire and immediately judged that this person was at least a third-grade official. He had a golden fish-shaped belt around his waist, probably from one of the major departments.

  "Is it impossible according to what Master Yi said?"

  "This old minister humbly submits, the Empress is wise and sacred"

  "This easy topic, the officials still can't wait to try, immediately someone stood up and said: 'Mr. Liu's words are not unreasonable, this kind of thing is absolutely impossible'"

  Upon hearing this title, Tang Guan looked at the official who had spoken earlier, "Liu Xianggong? Is he Liu Jingxian? Pei Yan's good friend?"

  Both were dressed as civil officials and did not care about the murder of an eight-year-old child.

  The warriors on the other side, however, were each lost in thought. Those with more robust physiques exchanged a glance, and one clad in heavy armor stepped forward to ask, "May I inquire of Your Majesty, is this matter true?"

  Tang Guan looked at the group of martial artists again, and his heart skipped a beat. He knew that true martial arts existed, whether it was Chang Ying's formidable hands or Ma Lie, who had saved him, were among the best. These martial artists who could enter the hall were probably not far off either.

  He immediately lowered his head, afraid of being seen through.

  A cold hum came from within the curtain: "I am asking you whether you believe or not?"

  The general hesitated for a moment, then looked at his comrades and saw that several of them were nodding secretly, so he said: "I do have some faith"

  "Oh?" The curtains finally moved slightly, "Then tell me, why do you believe that?"

  The general hesitated again upon hearing this, and after a long while, he said: "We martial officers are fortunate to have been heard by the Emperor, and can serve the imperial court. Each of us has practiced since childhood, and only after passing ten years can we lift a hundred jin. Only in our prime can we wield heavy armor. At eight years old, it's not too big or too small, just the right time when basic skills are first formed. If it's to deal with an adult who is as weak as a sickly scholar, it would be easy and effortless."

  Upon hearing this, Tang Guan's scalp began to tingle. Wu Zetian was clearly referring to himself. Was it related to that Liu Xun?

  As expected, the person behind the curtain fell silent after hearing this, seemingly not expecting such a situation to occur. After a long while, he finally spoke up and said: "If I were to say that the child is right here in this temple, would you believe me or not?"

  "Ah!" The military general exclaimed in surprise, and all the officials instantly turned their eyes to the only young man on the throne, Tang Guan.

  Tang's crown also chicken skin goosebumps suddenly rose, "What is this supposed to be doing?"

  "Come and bring the things up!" As soon as he said this, the eunuch beside him seemed to have been prepared, bowed slightly towards the person behind the curtain, and then shouted.

  All the officials looked out of the palace and saw two armored soldiers carrying a large millstone into the palace.

  "Bang!" A dull thud, and this giant mill was suddenly thrown right in front of Tang Guan.

  Tang Guan was shocked at the sight, "The imperial physician Tang Qubing is summoned to receive orders"

  At this time, Tang Guan also couldn't care about anything else, and hastily bowed his head. The eunuch read out: "Tang Qubu, a talented scholar from Hangzhou, has made contributions with his writings, but he is implicated in a case of murder, and the beginning and end are unclear. Those involved are the sons of officials, now it is decreed that you will thoroughly investigate this case, and on the palace grounds, move the stone mill to prove your loyalty."

  The officials heard the words and were shocked, looking at Tang Guan one after another. Tang Guan raised his head, but in his heart he let out a sigh of relief. It was clear that Tian Hou behind the curtain was going to shield himself.

  "My dear, according to what you just said, an eight-year-old child can also commit murder. This young talent is the person you mentioned. Do you think he can kill?"

  That martial general heard the words and broke out in a cold sweat, looking at Tang Guan shaking his head. Tang Guan took one look and saw that he was just a weak scholar with no obvious characteristics of a martial artist, his small face and pair of hands were exceptionally pale.

  "I don't believe it"

  "A few of you generals have made great contributions to the Great Tang, and I've also heard about your bravery. Today, I'm giving you a task to test this Tang Zhen's medical skills. Is there anyone who wants to come forward and see if he has the power to save lives?"

  As soon as this was said, the martial arts generals retreated one after another. This didn't even need to be verified; they had practiced martial arts for many years and could tell at a glance whether someone was a fellow practitioner or not.

  The general who spoke saw that things had come to this, and could only force himself to say: "I am willing to verify one or two, in order to prove the sacred hearing."

  "Alright, Tang Qubing, roll up your sleeves and show these uncles whether you are fake or not."

  Tang Guan was secretly relieved that his fake "Power of the Universe" was actually quite useful, and even if the stone mill in front of him were a few sizes smaller, he still wouldn't be able to move it.

  That general stepped forward, staring at Tang Guan. Tang Guan rolled up his sleeves, revealing a tender wrist. The general looked at the wrist and was taken aback for a moment before shaking his head, thinking to himself: "Some innate talent, unfortunately hasn't been trained"

  Tang Guan immediately squatted down and stretched out her hands to pick up the stone mill, "Ah!" Her small face suddenly turned red, but the stone mill didn't budge.

  "Haha!" The crowd of generals burst into loud laughter at this sight, and a gentle laugh also came from behind the curtain.

  That general in front of him stared closely at Tang Guan, seeing his arm bulging, he must have used all his strength. This stone mill weighed at least 100-200 kilograms. He shook his head and said, "This little talent has no martial arts skills."

  "Stop, let's stop." A noise came from behind the curtain. Tang Guansong opened his hands, which felt a bit numb.

  "Do you believe it now?"

  "We don't believe it!"

  "We don't believe it!"

  All the officials present shouted in unison, Tang Guan was overjoyed, but he still had a faint sense of unease. Wu Zetian couldn't have just covered up for him because Pei Yan valued himself so much, there must be another motive.