However, none of these women had a higher status than one woman, Li Chengqian, Li Tai and Li Zhi's mother, Empress Zhangsun.
Empress Zhangsun could be considered Li Shiming's good wife. She was absolutely generous and proper. She managed the entire harem in an orderly manner. She did not let Li Shiming worry about these things and devoted all his attention to political affairs.
Li Shimin even asked Empress Zhangsun for her opinion on many things before making a decision.
This point was also passed down as a much-told story, making people envious.
"Mr. Zhao, you mean to ask Mother to help you snatch these missions from Li You?”Li Chengqian frowned and asked.
"That's right, is the Crown Prince not willing to beg the Empress?”Zhao Jie asked in confusion.
"That's not it." Li Chengqian frowned and said," It's just that my recent actions have made even Uncle look down on me. Mother has also had some complaints about me. I just feel that if I go to Mother for such a small matter, Mother will look down on me. Secondly, it's not worth it. There's no need for this."”
Was it a small matter to contact the five surnames and seven Wangs? Isn't it worth it for you to beg the Empress to fight for it for you?
As a thousand-year-old aristocratic family, the Five Surnames and Seven Wangs were deeply intertwined. Their influence in the imperial court was not weaker than that of the royal family. Even a tyrannical monarch like Li Shimin had discussed with them about the number of aristocratic families. This fully proved the strength of the Five Surnames and Seven Wangs.
This was a chess game that could reverse the entire situation. Li Chengqian, you actually want to give up?
"Your Highness, do you know what the five surnames and seven Wangs represent?”Zhao Jie was anxious. He couldn't care less about anything else and said loudly,"The forces of the Five Surnames and Seven Wangs are definitely enough to reverse the situation in the court. If Li You gets involved with them because of the matter of the refined salt, it will be a great hindrance to your future ascension. However, if the Crown Prince were to represent the Imperial Court in this matter, then the person who would be connected to the Five Surnames and Seven Wangs would be you, the Crown Prince. At that time, it would definitely be of help to you in ascending to the throne.“
"Crown Prince." Seeing that Li Chengqian was still hesitating, Zhao Jie hurriedly continued,""Don't hesitate. You are part of the royal family, so you should know the power of the aristocratic families. When His Majesty proposed to the Cui family of Qinghe, they did not even bother to marry the royal family. They even said that the daughters of the five surnames and seven Wangs would not enter the palace. The reason why you have the courage to say such words is because you have absolute power. Do you really want to miss such an opportunity?”
"Alright, I'll listen to Mr. Zhao!" Li Chengqian slammed the table and finally made up his mind.""I will go and ask mother for help once.”
That night, Li Shimin went to bed in the Wanshou Palace, serving Empress Zhangsun.
"Your Majesty, I've heard that you want King Qi to be in charge of the matters of the great clans. Is that true?”Empress Zhangsun asked seriously.
Empress Zhangsun was shocked. She did not expect Li Shimin to have such a high evaluation of Li You. This was not even the evaluation of his most beloved green sparrow. It seemed that His Majesty loved Li You very much.
He had shared a bed with Li Shiming for more than ten years, and had given birth to several children. Li Shiming was the least guarded against him, which proved that this was true.
It seemed like it was really as Gao Ming (Li Chengqian's handwriting) had said. This Li You had already threatened his and Li Tai's status. If he allowed this to continue, it would definitely have an impact on the Zhangsun Clan. He definitely could not let this go.
Empress Zhangsun knew that Li Shiming was angry, but she still had to say it. After all, her words were reasonable. National affairs could not be used as a gamble. If Li You made a mess, it would ruin the big deal.
Empress Zhangsun understood Li Shimin very well. It didn't matter if he was angry. He would be fine after a while.
As long as the reasoning was reasonable and could convince him, then everything would be easy to handle.
"ChenQie thinks that it is more appropriate to hand it over to Gao Ming.”Empress Zhangsun took a deep breath and said seriously,"" Gao Ming is the Crown Prince. He can completely replace the Imperial Court. He can also show the Five Families and Seven Wangs the importance and sincerity the Imperial Court places on this matter. And Gao Ming's future…"
" Your Majesty, I'm just…" Empress Zhangsun was shocked and wanted to explain, but she was interrupted by Li Shiming.
"Today, Gao Ming entered the palace to look for you. He was talking about this matter, right?”Li Shi Min sneered,"This Crown Prince is really good at scheming and scheming. Unfortunately, he used it on his own brothers." Previously, he had incited Green Sparrow to incite the Retired Emperor to deal with Li You. Now that Green Sparrow had been punished, he had turned his attention to his mother. What a good scheme. Was he trying to force Li You to death? A Crown Prince, was he so broad-minded that he couldn't even tolerate his own brother?”
"Guanyin maid." Li Shiming looked at the panic-stricken Empress Zhangsun and said slowly,""This one will give you some face. Tell Gao Ming to study well in the Crown Prince's residence. Send Zhao Jie away for this one. This one will send a decent person to teach him so that he won't be filled with these lowlifes every day!”
This book is provided by FunNovel Novel Book | Fan Fiction Novel [Beautiful Free Novel Book]