Free Web NovelChapter 558: Chapter 61: Iron-Fisted Tactics, Establishing Empress Wu Zhao
Even within the Gu Clan, there were some who felt that Consort Xiao could become Empress.
Such was the advantage that having offspring brought to Consort Xiao!
June;
A court minister impeached Wang Renyou, claiming that his eldest son was taking advantage of the family’s influence to cause trouble locally, thus marking the beginning of this battle.
Li Zhi was furious.
He also decreed a thorough investigation into the matter, deliberately bypassing the Imperial Censorate.
This was a clear stance!
Currently, the Imperial Censorate represented the Gu Clan and the absolute justice within the court, and Li Zhi was unwilling to drag the Gu Clan into this court struggle.
But this action would, ironically, provide a lot of room for maneuver.
For the counterattack of Consort Xiao’s faction, the Guanlong nobility united with unwavering determination.
After all, who would willingly relinquish power?
This was no longer merely about deposing the Empress, but a pure factional conflict.
If Empress Wang were to lose power,
the influence of the Guanlong nobles would rapidly plummet to freezing point.
Just a few days later, the Guanlong nobles launched a counterattack, targeting the officials of the opposing side, even attempting to drag down the Gu Clan.
This made the situation even more chaotic.
They were indeed in a weak position now; no matter what, Li Zhi was the Emperor, and they were essentially acting against the tide!
Only by bringing down the Gu Clan could they ensure that things might be slightly more just.
Under the Gu Clan’s oversight, the governance of the Great Tang was relatively uncorrupt.
But this clarity did not mean there were no problems at all.
This was impossible.
Even the Gu Clan could not completely control the privileges of officials and issues of corruption. All they could do was impose some restraint, keeping everything within a controllable range.
In this struggle, both sides could easily find targets.
Even if they didn’t target officials, they could target their families, causing influence.
The Gu Clan certainly could not get involved.
Not to mention Li Zhi would not agree.
Gu Jing was the same; the Gu Clan now represented the last threshold keeping everything within the Great Tang under control. If the Gu Clan got involved, the results would undoubtedly become even more uncontrollable.
To ensure the impartiality of the Imperial Censorate, strict measures were necessary.
And this involved too many entanglements!
The entire court was a scene of stormy, bloody turmoil.
Li Zhi had never chosen to face off, which indeed surprised many.
Only those truly standing at the top could feel that Li Zhi was wearing out the ministers’ patience, facilitating his final decision of a different choice.
If he were to confront them now, the ministers would definitely stand united on the same side.
This was Li Zhi’s political acumen!
But because of this, the matter remained deadlocked; the influence of the Guanlong nobles was indeed substantial, coupled with the presence of guardians like Zhangsun Wuji and Chu Suiliang.
For others to defeat them, it would not be so simple.
Both sides’ tactics became even more unscrupulous over time.
The fifth year of Yonghui, the end of July.
A shocking piece of news once again emerged from the harem.
——Prince Yong, Li Lian, was poisoned!
Although saved in time from fatality, he was left emaciated, mentally disoriented, and likely suffering from irreversible damage, uncertain when he could recover, shaking the court and the public.
Prince Yong, Li Lian, was the eldest son of Consort Xiao!
Usually intelligent, studious, and greatly favored by Li Zhi.
An accident at this time would undoubtedly be a significant blow to Consort Xiao!
Li Zhi was also bewildered!
He absolutely did not foresee this matter escalating to this point.
That someone would dare harm his son; this, in any dynasty, was an act an Emperor could not tolerate!
This time, he involved the Gu Clan!
——Investigate!
No matter who is involved, everything must be thoroughly investigated!
But on the same day, a palace maid from the Empress’s palace committed suicide by jumping into a well; it was initially a matter no one paid attention to, but ultimately, all evidence pointed to this maid.
It seemed all answers were found.
However, many doubts remained hidden in Gu Jing’s mind.
Did Empress Wang really have such audacity?
Moreover, Empress Wang was usually very strict with her subordinates. Now under house arrest, on the verge of losing power, would someone truly be willing to risk their life to help her do such things?
These doubts might have a preconceived bias.
Because Gu Jing knew that over the years, Wuzhe, the Empress, had gradually won over all the palace maids, with nearly everyone grateful for her kindness.
This seemed not too difficult a question to consider.
But with the perpetrator already dead, Gu Jing did not express his suspicions.
He merely stationed more personnel within the harem.
The incident caused significant uproar.
It also publicly signaled the demise of the Guanlong nobles, even causing internal discord among them due to this event.
They did not understand!
They couldn’t comprehend how foolish Empress Wang had to be to do such a thing at such a tense time.
But no matter what... at this point, everything seemed decidedly settled, unable to change.
Consort Xiao’s faction was already celebrating their victory prematurely.
Helplessly, perhaps due to some guilt over offspring, Li Zhi suddenly lavished favors upon Consort Xiao during these past days. freēwēbnovel.com
The situation seemed entirely clear at this moment.
Not only did others harbor such thoughts, even Li Zhi was somewhat wavering.
