Chapter 1063: Brother Lang’s iron-blooded tenderness made Wu Zetian envious

Inside the Taiji Hall, Li Zhi, wearing an ochre-yellow dragon robe, sat in the hall, with a gilded wine jar on the table. The morning light slanted in through the carved window lattices, casting mottled light and shadows on the golden brick floor, making the court robes of the civil and military officials in the hall look even more neat.

Almost all the important officials in the court were present.

Changsun Wuji stood at the head, holding an ivory tablet, his gray beard trembling slightly with his breathing.

Cheng Yaojin was still wearing his Ming Guang armor, and he had the courage of a veteran general on the battlefield.

Su Lie and Pei Xingjian stood side by side, their eyes filled with the prudence unique to military generals.

Lin Lang stood in the hall wearing a suit of golden armor bestowed by the emperor. The armor plates shone with a cold luster in the morning light. His posture was as straight as a pine tree, and he really looked like a lone hero.

"My dear brother, you have demonstrated astonishing courage by traveling single-handedly to Tingzhou to suppress the rebellion of the Western Turkic army. I offer you a toast." Li Zhi raised the wine jar, his clear voice piercing the solemn silence of the hall. "When you return with the head of the young Helu child, I will hold a celebration banquet in your honor."

Lin Lang took the jade cup handed to him by the eunuch, clinked it with Li Zhi's in the air, raised his head and drank it all, the wine entering his throat with a burning intensity: "I will definitely live up to my brother's trust."

As soon as he finished speaking, Changsun Wuji stepped forward, his old voice hesitant, "Your Majesty has such great ambitions, and I admire you. However... hundreds of thousands of Western Turkic cavalry have already captured Tingzhou. Your Majesty is going there alone, and I am a little worried!"

Before he finished speaking, he had already expressed the doubts that were pent up in the hearts of all the civil and military officials in the court.

Lin Lang replied, "It is better for me to go on a distant expedition to quell the rebellion than for my brother to lead the army himself."

Cheng Yaojin also said with a hint of concern, "Ashina Helu has several tough generals under his command. Your Majesty, do you really want to go alone? How about I bring 30,000 cavalry and 100,000 Black Armored Soldiers with you!"

Su Lie also bowed and said, "I am willing to be the vanguard and clear the obstacles ahead. Although the emperor has extraordinary skills, he is ultimately outnumbered..."

Lin Lang looked at the worried and suspicious expressions on everyone's faces, and raised the corners of his lips slightly: "Don't worry, everyone."

"I am not going here to show off my bravery. Although the Ghost Seal can command the ghost soldiers, it is a mysterious concept, but it can guarantee absolute safety. Within three days, I will present Helu's head at the steps."

Seeing that his ministers were still hesitant, Li Zhi raised his hand to stop the discussion: "No need to say more, everyone. I believe that my brother has a wonderful solution."

He took a jeweled sword from the table, walked down the steps and came to Lin Lang, "My dear brother, this is my sword. Take it with you. If you encounter any obstacles, just let me come in person."

Lin Lang took Li Zhi's sword, and the warm touch of the hilt came through his palm.

He looked around the hall and said loudly, "Thank you, my royal brother, for your trust. Thank you all for your concern. I will wait for good news within one day at the shortest, or three days at the longest."

After saying that, Lin Lang held his sword and bowed to Li Zhi.

Afterwards, Lin Lang turned around domineeringly, his silver armor drew a neat arc in the morning light, and he walked out of the Tai Chi Hall with a powerful aura.

The hall was silent for a moment. Cheng Yaojin smacked his lips and muttered softly, "Your Majesty, you are truly a man of great skill and courage. You single-handedly suppressed the rebellion of the Western Turkic army. Such a feat has never been heard of in history!"

Changsun Wuji stroked his beard, his brow furrowed. "I hope what he said is true, otherwise Tingzhou will be in danger."

Su Lie looked at Lin Lang's back and secretly worried for him.

Li Zhi looked at Lin Lang's receding back, feeling both complete trust in his brother and an unspeakable uneasiness in his heart - this seemingly certain gamble ultimately depended on the safety of the vast western border of the Tang Dynasty.

Outside the Taiji Hall, the morning light covered the ground. Empress Wu stood in front of the steps in a "phoenix robe" with a calm expression.

Helan Minyue, who was standing on her left, was wearing a red dress with flower hairpins and the hem of her skirt was embroidered with fine twined branches. She held a handkerchief tightly in her hands, and her knuckles were slightly white.

Several concubines are lined up on the right.

Chu Yiren was wearing a phoenix robe, the pearls and jade on the phoenix crown trembled with her breathing, and her eyes were filled with calm concern.

Imperial Noble Consort Li Moli was dressed in a bright red palace dress, and her dignity could not hide her worry.

The imperial concubines Zhou Mengyao, Mu Xueman, and Pan Xiaoting all frowned, their eyes all fixed on Lin Lang, full of worry.

Lin Lang strode up to Empress Wu, holding his sword and bowing, "Empress's sister-in-law."

He glanced at the concubines, glanced at Helan Minyue for a moment, and finally returned to Empress Wu's face. "I'm not sure how long I'll be away, so I'll trouble you, my sister-in-law, to take good care of my family."

Empress Wu nodded slightly, her voice clear and powerful, "Don't worry, my dear brother. As long as I am here within these palace walls, there will be no trouble for you and your sisters. You can proceed with peace of mind, and don't worry about anything at home."

She paused, her tone becoming more serious. "It's just that the Western Turks are ambitious, and Helu is even more cunning and vicious. My dear brother, this journey is extremely dangerous. You must be extremely alert and take good care of yourself."

"If you are in trouble, send a message back immediately and the court will send troops to help."

"Thank you, Empress Dowager." Lin Lang clasped his fists in response.

Then, Lin Lang looked at Chu Yiren affectionately and reminded her, "Queen, you are pregnant. You must take good care of the baby. Don't worry."

Chu Yiren gently stroked her belly, her eyes full of affection, her voice gentle but firm: "Your Majesty, please be at ease. The northwest border is treacherous and the climate is unpredictable. Swords and spears are merciless. I hope Your Majesty will be careful and not worry me and the child in your belly."

Lin Lang walked up and kissed Chu Yiren on the face, which stunned Empress Wu who was standing beside her.

She looked at the natural and intimate behavior of Lin Lang and Chu Yiren, and a trace of heaviness rose in her throat.

You have to know that in the Tang Dynasty palace, even if the emperor and empress were in love, they would mostly hold hands and talk sweetly to each other. How could Empress Wu have ever seen such a scene of kissing in public?

The customs of this Shanghai country are truly shocking!

Not to mention the harem with its strict etiquette and laws, even in the streets, such behavior in broad daylight would be criticized as inappropriate.

But looking at Chu Yiren's shy smile and the undisguised attachment in Lin Lang's eyes, Empress Wu suddenly recalled the time when she was with the late Emperor Li Shimin, when she was hesitant to talk about it.

A soft spot in her heart was gently touched, and she couldn't tell for a moment whether it was a ridiculous act that was against etiquette or an enviable true love.

To put it bluntly, Wu Zetian was a little envious of Lin Lang, who was the emperor of Shanghai and kissed the Queen Chu Yiren in public, which felt incredible in the etiquette of the Tang Dynasty.

Then, Lin Lang looked at Li Moli, who looked worried. He raised his hand and pinched her cheek, saying gently, "I am on a long expedition to quell the rebellion and take the enemy general's head as easily as taking something out of a bag. Don't worry."

Li Moli threw herself into Lin Lang's arms and hugged him tightly. Although she didn't say anything, everything was implied.

Zhou Mengyao, Mu Xueman and Pan Xiaoting all had tears in their eyes. They walked forward and hugged Lin Lang with great concern. The scene of their reluctance to part was touching.

Lin Lang kissed each of them on the face and comforted them all. This scene of iron-blooded tenderness made Empress Wu very envious.

Due to the etiquette of the Tang Dynasty harem, Helan Minyue stood there with tears in her eyes, too embarrassed to step forward to compete for favor and hug Lin Lang.

She took half a step forward, her red skirt trailing on the ground, then shyly retreated, her eyes full of reluctance to leave.

Lin Lang walked up to Helan Minyue, raised his hand and stroked her pretty face, and gently admonished her: "My beloved concubine, don't cry. I will be fine. You must listen to the Queen, get along well with your sisters, and wait for my triumphant return."

Helan Minyue raised her hand to straighten Lin Lang's clothes, and with tears in her eyes, she reminded him, "Your Majesty, no matter how tired you are from marching every day, you must eat on time."

"When Your Majesty returns triumphantly, I and my sisters will celebrate your success."

"Okay." Lin Lang kissed Helan Minyue on the cheek. When he turned around to leave, he was stopped by a crying voice.

"Your Majesty..." Helan Minyue couldn't stop crying, "You...you must come back safely."

Her voice trembled, and a corner of her handkerchief had already been soaked with tears. Her usually lively eyes were now filled with fear, and she was very worried about Lin Lang's safety on this trip.

Lin Lang turned around and saw that Helan Minyue's makeup had been smudged by her tears. Tears slid down her cheeks and hit the bluestone slab, leaving a small wet mark.

Lin Lang's heart softened, and he raised his hand to wipe her tears with his fingertips: "Don't worry, I promise you that I will come back safe and sound."

After saying this, he no longer hesitated, turned around, and strode towards the palace gate with a sharp spirit. His golden armor flashed with determination in the morning light.

Behind him, the concubines all followed Lin Lang's tall and handsome back with slightly worried eyes.

It wasn't until Lin Lang disappeared at the end of the palace road that Helan Minyue could no longer hold back. She looked at Chu Yiren and said weakly, "Empress, Your Majesty truly possesses unmatched courage. He will surely return safely, right?"

Chu Yiren raised her hand and tucked the messy hair on Helan Minyue's temples behind her ears. Her fingertips stroked her cold earlobes, and her voice was filled with warmth.

"Of course. Your Majesty is blessed by your ancestors and possesses the power to frighten an entire army. This time, you will surely use your ingenious methods to crush the enemy camp and achieve victory."

After hearing this, Helan Minyue burst into laughter, with crystal tears still hanging on her eyelashes, like a crabapple covered with morning dew.

She gently wiped the red corners of her eyes with a handkerchief and said with a nasal voice, "Hearing what the Queen said, I feel much more relieved."

Zhou Mengyao and Mu Xuelan exchanged glances, neither of them seeming to have expected that Helan Minyue would have such deep feelings for Lin Lang right after she got married, and that she had some understanding of the expressions and devotion of ancient women.

Empress Wu watched the scene quietly from the side, her wide sleeves embroidered with peonies in gold thread hanging down like floating clouds.

She suddenly remembered the time when the late Emperor Li Shimin personally led an expedition against Goguryeo and she was sewing knee pads for him in the palace. The stitches were crooked and Xu Hui made fun of her.

At that time, she was also looking forward to it, hoping that the figure on horseback would return safely.

Empress Wu felt a slight bitterness in her throat. She narrowed her eyes and thought: My dear brother, as the emperor of Shanghai, your ostentatious affection is even more burning than the red walls and yellow tiles of the Tang Dynasty.

(Note: The Xu Hui mentioned in Empress Wu's recollection was a concubine of Emperor Taizong of Tang, Li Shimin, and a renowned talent during the Tang Dynasty. She shared the same harem with Wu Zetian. After Li Shimin's death, Xu Hui fell ill from longing for him and died the following year. She was posthumously named Xianfei and buried with him in Zhaoling Mausoleum.)