Chapter 911 Queen's Death
During the ten years of Zhenguan, the Tang Dynasty, after the diligent efforts of Li Shimin and other emperors and ministers, could no longer be described as thriving, but was moving from one peak to another.
The world completely recovered from the shadow brought by Emperor Yang of Sui, especially those who had lived under the rule of two kings at the same time, who felt like they had ascended from hell to heaven.
After all, it is rare that Yang Guang, the greatest tyrant in history, and Li Shimin, a king who could compete for the title of the greatest sage in history, lived in such close times.
Crown Prince Li Chengqian followed Li Shimin step by step to learn how to handle government affairs. He no longer had any extra thoughts about Li Shimin's favoritism towards Wei Prince Li Tai. The important officials in the East Palace gave him enough sense of security, especially the presence of Luo Xuanye. Empress Changsun also told him to just do his job steadily.
Time passed slowly in this tranquility. Li Shimin received the governors of various states in the Taiji Hall and envoys from various countries in Qinzhou. When envoys from the Tang Dynasty came to the Tang Dynasty, Li Shimin asked the Lifanling to receive them.
Just as everything went smoothly in the ninth year of Zhenguan, the tenth year of Zhenguan also seemed to pass in this increasingly glorious atmosphere, but God never allows people to be happy forever.
Empress Changsun was ill, and her condition was very serious.
It's not wind-cold and wind-heat, these diseases can basically be cured by Luo, but it's qi disease.
In fact, Empress Changsun had always suffered from respiratory disease, a disease she had from the womb, just like the rheumatism of the Li royal family, which tormented Li Yuan in his later years.
…
The once prosperous and glorious Taiji Palace is now shrouded in an indelible silence and sadness.
The glittering splendor could not cover up the current dullness. Even the vermilion lacquer paintings on the carved beams and painted buildings seemed to have lost their former brightness due to Empress Changsun's illness.
The aroma from the exquisite incense burner in the hall was no longer as strong as usual, but drifted vaguely in the air, mixed with a hint of the bitter scent of medicine.
"Your Majesty, the Queen's pulse is almost dead, and no medicine can save her."
Luo Xuanjing, who was summoned from Hongwenguan by Li Shimin, made a somewhat difficult and ruthless judgment with a hint of sadness.
Hearing the words of this saint, the light in Li Shimin's eyes dimmed suddenly, and tears almost instantly filled his eyes, and he couldn't help but flow down.
There may be many ruthless emperors in this world, but he is definitely not one of them.
The gorgeous pearl curtain was half-drawn, reflecting the figure of Empress Changsun lying on her sickbed. She used to have bright eyes, white teeth, and a bright and energetic look, but now she looked haggard, and her former rosy complexion had been completely worn away by illness.
Li Shimin slowly stepped forward and embraced her in his arms, holding her tightly. Tears dripped down her pale cheeks. Empress Changsun smiled and stroked Li Shimin's cheek, "It seems that I will not have the chance to accompany Your Majesty any longer."
Luo Xuanjing left here quietly. Li Chengqian and Zhangsun Wuji were in the inner hall and outer hall respectively, listening to the final farewell of the emperor and empress.
Historically, most empresses were not buried with the emperor, but a new mausoleum was built next to the emperor's mausoleum. However, Empress Changsun did not want that. She said with great difficulty and a heavy sick voice, "Building the empress's tomb is too costly. Now that the Tang Dynasty has finally recovered, don't waste your efforts because of me. Your imperial mausoleum has been roughly built, so put me in it first, and bury me with you after a hundred years. Okay?"
The emperor and empress were buried in the same tomb!
This was Empress Changsun's wish. In the past, her bright eyes sparkled with the glory of a mother of the country. But now, Li Shimin seemed to see the girl who had acted coquettishly and smiled at him. He cried and said, "Okay, okay, we will sleep together in life and die together, and we will never be separated."
Empress Changsun was very happy. Her intense emotions made her breathe heavily and cough twice. She then said, "I am very lucky in my life to have met you. When I was about to die, I thought of what to say, and finally I thought of our child.
Our four daughters.
Changle married Juncheng, who is a good child. I am not worried about her. Hengshan is still young, but you married him to Junlie, the child of Duke Yong, so I feel relieved.
Jinyang and Xincheng are both still young. I know you want to give Jinyang to the second son of Prince Zhou. I think it's okay.
Only Xincheng has just been weaned, so I'll have to worry about you in the future. The three children don't know what life and death mean, so don't let them come to see me."
Mrs. Changsun chattered on and on about family matters as if she was just chatting about daily life.
“Of our three sons, Cheng Qian is a good kid, but after he became lame, he became a little self-conscious and self-willed.
I always remember that during the war, he was so young and I couldn't bear to see him sad.
I'm actually worried that you might ruin him. Look at him more. He's actually very good, very good."
Changsun was very worried. This extremely smart woman knew very well that Li Chengqian's position as crown prince was not due to Li Chengqian's own ability, but because of Changsun and Prince Zhou and Luo Xuanye. These two people had the greatest influence on Li Shimin. Together, they saved Li Chengqian's position as crown prince.
As for Wei Zheng, Li Jing, and the family members of the Eastern Palace, they were there for outsiders and Li Chengqian to see, in order to suppress the thoughts of others and to correct people's hearts.
If Li Chengqian's East Palace is called a building, then Empress Changsun and Luo Xuanye are his foundation, and everyone else is just decorative objects on the outside.
Li Chengqian knelt in the inner hall, sobbing softly. During his most anxious years, the comfort from his mother always reminded him of the warmth he felt when he was hiding in her arms.
In fact, he was smarter than Empress Changsun thought. How could he not know that his mother played no less of a role than his uncle, Prince Zhou, in his journey to becoming the crown prince?
"Bluebird and Childish Slave..."
Changsun said nothing more, and instead said: "Our Changsun family was promoted to a high position because of me.
My brother does not have the outstanding talents and noble character of Luo, but he became the prime minister. This is inconsistent with my original intention and is the root of the disaster.
If possible, just give them food and clothing, don't give them high positions or noble titles. I am very worried."
Empress Changsun always believed that obtaining high positions and titles without ability would ultimately bring disaster to the family.
Therefore, she always opposed Changsun Wuji becoming the prime minister. Li Shimin and Changsun Wuji could not persuade her, so Changsun Wuji did not sit in the position of prime minister for long. He only held the honorary title of Kaifu Yitong Sansi.
Empress Chang Sun knew Li Shimin very well. She knew that if she didn't say anything, Li Shimin would definitely make the Chang Sun family prominent again because of her.
But she didn't want to, and at the end of her life, she said it for the last time.
The voice of Empress Changsun in the palace became increasingly low.
Every cough of hers seemed to shake the entire palace, making this already quiet space even more desolate.
In this solemn and depressing atmosphere, only the occasional sounds of wind and falling leaves outside the window seemed to be playing the last elegy for the queen who was about to go on a long journey.
Only when people are alive can they do things according to their own wishes.
Once you die, you can only watch others do it.
What will the future be like?
Empress Changsun didn't know that her life span was not very long, especially compared to those empress dowagers in history who were able to serve as regents after the death of the emperor. Her life span could be said to be quite short.
But she has no regrets.
The man in front of her was one of the strongest men of this era, and even of all the past eras.
And she received the love and greatest favor from this man.
That's enough.
As Empress Changsun thought about this, she felt her vision becoming increasingly blurry. Her voice became lower and lower as she hummed softly, "The spirit of the Su King is in heaven, granting the king great light."
Her arms dropped down, and there was no sign of her dying. Li Shimin's arms, which were still holding Empress Changsun, froze, and he could no longer hold back his tears.
Changsun Wuji was crying outside the palace for his sister, with whom he had depended since childhood.
Li Chengqian dragged his legs and looked behind the door, tears streaming down his face. His mother had really passed away.
Teams of palace servants hurried into the hall. Luo Xuanjing, who had left the hall earlier, walked back in. Luo Xuanling, who was on duty at the palace, also walked into the hall.
"The dead cannot be resurrected. Your Majesty, please accept my condolences."
The palace was solemn, and Luo Xuanjing said in a deep voice: "Please let the palace maids bury the late queen so that her soul can be reborn in paradise as soon as possible and enjoy boundless blessings."
There was a rhythm in Luo Xuanjing's voice, which was the effect of her years of learning to praise the emperor. Li Shimin woke up as if from a dream, and reluctantly let go of Empress Changsun, "Please pray for the queen, my dear Xuanjing."
Luo Xuanjing said solemnly: "The queen is virtuous. This is what I should do. Please rest assured, Your Majesty."
In the Taiji Palace, a breeze blew through the palaces.
Princess Jinyang, who was only six years old, was sleeping soundly with a naive expression on her pretty face. Prince of Jin Li Zhi and Luo Junzhuo were reading quietly beside her. They didn't know that Empress Changsun had passed away.
The wind chimes hanging under the Taiji Hall rang as the wind blew.
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The emperor loved the empress and her husband alone. When the empress died, the emperor wore plain clothes to attend court and could not control himself for a long time. The ministers were shocked. Some officials advised him against it. The emperor said sadly, "I know the truth, but I cannot help myself."
The Prince of Jin and Princess Jinyang were orphans when they were young, and the emperor felt very sorry for them, so he raised them personally. These children were honored and favored because of their mother.
Since ancient times, the sage rulers who founded a business, although wise and bright, also had help from within their families. The rulers who established the kingdoms during the Three Dynasties all had wise helpers within their families to help them achieve the best governance.
Empress Wende, the eldest grandson of the family, was a well-known figure in the inner circle. She was kind, filial, respectful, and frugal. She loved reading since she was young. She supported domestic affairs and made great contributions. She taught her sons to be modest and frugal, and always followed the emperor's will when giving advice. Therefore, she was able to make Emperor Taizong change his mind and return to the right path. Her virtue was praised by people inside and outside the family. The virtue of Empress Wende can be a model for future generations. - "Book of Tang: Biographies of Empresses"
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