Chapter 7 Chapter VII
After the prank-loving silly elder brother finished beating, he seemed not satisfied, and poured a bucket of ice water on Xiao Shi's lower body, and then turned back with his subordinate Tai Yi.Wu Zetian got the report from the silly brother, he sneered twice, and issued a second edict: "They are still calling the emperor, and they are still not reconciled, so let them die with drunken bones." The eunuchs came to the other courtyard again , showing a ferocious face, cut off the hands and feet of the two women who had been beaten to pieces, and put them in a big wine jar.Mrs. Wang has never had a child, she will not bring her with her when she is born, and she will not take her with her when she dies. She closed her eyes.The Xiao family had a son and two daughters: King Yong Sujie, Princess Yiyang, and Princess Xuancheng.
When she was about to die, she thought about the disaster that would befall her children again. Amidst the mournful wailing, she yelled with resentment: "Awu, you are so sinister and vicious! In the next life, I want to be a cat!" , Turn you into a mouse, I will bite your throat alive, vent, vent my hatred!" The idiomatic expression at that time, adding the word "A" to the surname, was firstly a nickname for juniors, and secondly expressed contempt.Xiao's intention is undoubtedly the latter.Queen Wang and Concubine Xiao Shu were "prisoners" who were executed. There was no funeral, no release, not even a coffin or a tomb.Wu Zetian still did not give up, and changed Wang's family to Mang's family, and Xiao's family to Xiao's family.Pythons and owls are the most hated animals.Since the inscriptions on oracle bone inscriptions, many people have worshiped characters like totems, worked hard on them, and made fuss about them.Wu Zetian, who is full of magic power, also believes in the magic power of words, and often uses it to juggle, creating a thrilling sense of mystery and mystery.In the feudal era, the method of cutting weeds and roots was practiced at every turn.Wu Zetian summoned Xu Jingzong and Li Yifu, and discussed that Li Yifu would ask Li Zhi to convict Mang and Xiao as treason.As a result, the families of the two were implicated, demoted to common people, and exiled to the undeveloped wilderness in the south.The father of the Wang family, Wang Renyou, Duke of Wei, died, and his eldest son inherited the title.After the father and son's titles and official titles were removed, Wang Renyou's tomb had to be dug up according to law, and the coffin was opened to kill the corpse.Li Zhi couldn't bear it, so he was exempted from the punishment of "killing the corpse".Wu Zetian started from killing one to warn others, opened the historical chapter of mass killing, and started her unprecedented and earth-shaking political career.Li Zhi inherited the throne of the Tang Empire and became the third generation monarch, but he only knew how to keep his career and didn't think about making progress. He was weak and incompetent, and his power was left behind.And Wu Zetian is just a restless woman who is passionate about power. She hopes that Li Zhi will become a generation of saints, and she will assist her. A prosperous and prosperous country.
She has a strong will, a heart like iron, shrewdness and cruelty, wildness and calmness, and she has extraordinary performances in this goddess.If anyone dares to block her way out, she will show no mercy and eradicate him like the original king and queen and concubine Xiao Shu.The fact is that Wang and Xiao are not worthy of her monk's hatred, just because they should not stand in front of her and hinder her hands and feet.If she wanted to realize her ideal, she had to take them first.While executing Wang and Xiao, Wu Zetian took a two-pronged approach and instructed Xu Jingzong to write a memorial book: "In the early years of Yonghui, the country had not yet been formed, and supporting the crown prince is like temporarily using a comet to rise to the position of the sun and the moon." Now, the Queen of the Palace is established, and the legitimate son should stand out to make the sun brighter, and the small fire should be extinguished. How can the relationship between the trunk and the branches be violated, and the comet, the sun and the moon change their positions in the sky for a long time? How can they wear clothes upside down, so that Loyal to the position of the eldest son? Also, it is difficult for others to say clearly about the matter between father and son. These words may offend Longyan and will be severely punished. Throw it into a pot and boil it, and the ministers will also remonstrate, and you will die without regret.”
Li Zhi summoned Xu Jingzong in Liangyi Hall and asked, "Xu Aiqing, do you have anything else to say?"
"The crown prince is the foundation of the country." Xu Jingzong looked pious, but his tone was very strong. "It is not righteous at all, and it cannot maintain the hearts of the world. Besides, the current crown prince is born of a lowly person. Knowing that the country already has a real eldest son, I must be uneasy. Stealing the position of the crown prince and being confused in my heart, I am afraid it is not the blessing of the ancestral temple, please think deeply about it, Your Majesty."
"Zhong himself is willing to give way."
"Okay!" Xu Jingzong bowed again, "If he can voluntarily abdicate like Wu Taibo in the Zhou Dynasty, please help him fulfill his wish as soon as possible."
These days, Wu Zetian has been restless and restless, as if there are countless worms wriggling in his abdomen.Xiao's curse of "cat and mouse" increased her mental pressure, so she issued an order to ban cats in the palace.When Empress Wu ordered the ban on cats, the harem immediately took action and handed over the cats to the eunuchs for execution.In the folk, cats have a saying of "half bowl".It is a friend of human beings, the most popular.Most eunuchs believed in superstition, thinking that killing cats was a sin.After strangling a few of them, they all had varying degrees of psychological reactions.Suspicious, fearful, and trembling, some are so nervous that they have no strength; Can't sleep well, can't eat; some are so frightened that they fall ill.No one dared to do anything, so they secretly sent out, and while sending out, they spread the news about the murder of Queen Wang and Concubine Xiao Shu.The people always regard the items of the palace as treasures, and even cats are also called "royal cats", and rich people began to buy them at high prices.Since Concubine Xiao Shu's curse spread in the society, the cat has gained the elegant title of "Emperor Concubine", and her value has become higher, which has made some eunuchs who gave the cat a lot of extra money.
When Ding Dianer came back from outside the palace, Brother Silly and his maids Hong Xing and Xiang He immediately surrounded him.Ding Dianer took the money they entrusted him to "send" (actually sold) the cat to them one by one, and then left with Hong Xing.They are a fake couple formed by the eunuch who "did food" and the official daughter to relieve each other's loneliness. Ding DianEr handed over all the money he earned from sending the "cat" to Hong Xing.This pair was facilitated by Wu Zetian when she was a maid beside the Queen.Therefore, the two are particularly grateful to Empress Wu for serving her wholeheartedly and spare no effort to work for her.In the lonely and boring inner palace, there are two common things: one is the popularity of keeping cats, dogs, birds, cockfights and crickets; .Since cats were banned, fewer and fewer animals were raised, and the maids did not dare to have casual contact with Li Zhi. Live a monogamous life properly.The harem suddenly became deserted and deserted, covered with a dense shadow.The flames of the night lights under the eaves and on the pillars are like blood-red tongues spit out by monsters, and the fluorescent lights of fireflies have become the green eyes of devils. The dark corners seem to be all big and small traps and eagle caves.The sound of wind, rain and all kinds of sounds of nature are purely howling ghosts and wolves.In the deep palace with a pool of stagnant water, foxes and mice ran rampant, becoming increasingly rampant.The mice multiplied in large numbers, scurrying around, looking for food, rustling and squeaking.The fox climbed up the window sill to peek into the room, and even lay down on the corridor to sleep soundly.The strange occurrence of foxes and ghosts spread rapidly, and soon turned into evil spirits.Several eunuchs on night duty kicked and broke their teeth, and one fell so badly that he was permanently crippled.When Xiang He and other court ladies went to the bathroom together, they saw two women rushing into Empress Wu's bedroom like shadows. They were frightened out of their wits, their bones were weak, and they were afraid of being punished for their negligence, so they had to wake Empress Wu up.Wu Zetian showed no signs of fear, and calmly said in a gentle tone: "People are frightening, and they are frightening. You must not make a fuss, and keep quiet."
"We," Xianghe rubbed his upper and lower teeth, "we are mainly afraid that the ghost will harm the empress."
"Don't be afraid. People are only three percent afraid of ghosts, but ghosts are seven percent afraid of people. Even if there are unjust ghosts, it has nothing to do with you. Let her come to me."
"Ma'am, are you not afraid?"
"Aha, didn't you see a ghost entering my room, but I didn't feel it at all, and I slept peacefully."
"As long as the empress is safe and sound, we can rest assured."
"Thank you for your kindness, let's go down."
Wu Zetian's attitude and words invisibly prescribed a sedative to the palace people.Everyone admired Empress Wu's courage, and was moved by her initiative to take responsibility to comfort others.As expected, the number of hauntings in the palace has decreased a lot.However, after that, the ghosts of Queen Wang and Concubine Xiao Shu kept appearing in Wu Zetian's eyes.She began to have a dream, and the horrible and strange appearances of Queen Wang and Concubine Xiao Shu scared her hairs, her whole body convulsed, her heart seemed to be tied tightly by a rope, and she couldn't even breathe.They clung to her tightly, quarreled and scolded her, and even wrestled, biting each other, hitting each other's head with a hammer, and stabbing each other's fatal spot with a sharp knife.Li Zhi was often woken up by her, and then frightened, making him bewildered and his heart beating violently.In the short two hours in the middle of the night, I also suddenly woke up three or four times.His nerves were fragile, unable to bear the stimulation, and soon fell ill, trembling like a malaria, dizzy, unable to eat and drink, and aversion to cold.Wu Zetian guarded the stove to cook medicine and soup for him, and fed him the medicine spoonful by spoonful.Li Zhi swallowed two mouthfuls of the potion, looked up at Wu Zetian, held her hand, and said, "Zi Tong, how can I thank you for being so kind to me?"
"Stop talking," Wu Zetian said coquettishly, "Drink the medicine, and you will be cured."
"There are still some memorials that have not been reviewed." He pointed to the royal case with his finger.
"I've approved it for you, so you can rest easy and recuperate."
"Is there something important?"
"No."
Wu Zetian put down the medicine bowl and helped Li Zhi up.Li Zhi walked up to the imperial case and sat down, flipped through the flip book, put it down again, put his hand on the case, and asked: "Has the edict for Li Yifu's promotion to be a political advisor been issued?"
"The courtiers and concubines have carried out the will of the emperor."
"Yeah. But," Li Zhi hesitated, "this person doesn't have a good reputation, and people call him Cat Li behind his back."
Wu Zetian was slightly startled: "It's a cat again!" Then he smiled and explained: "That's a nickname, it doesn't mean anything."
"No. Even my uncle said that he was cunning and sinister, treacherous and evil, with a vile heart and low character. He looks gentle and humble, polite, nods and bows, and smiles when he speaks, but there is a knife hidden in his smile."
"Uncle's words can't be listened to."
"That's what you say."
"Then let them talk."
Wu Zetian's face sank, and he curled his lips.After a while, Li Zhi stood up supporting the imperial case, walked slowly, and couldn't help throwing out another sentence: "Zi Tong, why do you always protect him? I think he has risen too fast. It is inevitable that there will be no objection.”
"It's pretty much the same in this way. You have just recovered from your illness. You should move less and rest more. Tell me, the atmosphere in the imperial court is not right. You need to rectify it. You blindly emphasize your family background and ignore your talents, just like Wuji and the others." People like that have a high official position and rich salary, but they just don’t allow people from common clans to come up, for fear of sharing their vested interests. Whoever comes up, they will focus on whoever comes up, and they will surely make them suffer.”
"I feel the same way."
"In the future, the emperor will hire people based on their family background, hire them according to their merits, and reward them based on merit. If you don't treat them like this, who will make contributions? If they all sit back and eat their laurels, the country will be ruined."
"It makes sense."
"You can't just talk about it, but put it into action. Well, Your Majesty, have you considered changing the Crown Prince of the Eastern Palace?"
"I always feel that it's too fast. Can you speak slowly, so as not to arouse the comments of the courtiers. You know, a lot of words make money."
"What are you afraid of? This is a matter of course, and it should be urgent rather than slow."
"We'll talk about it when I recover from my illness, okay?" Wu Zetian turned her back and shouted towards the door, "Hold the lamp."
Ding Dian'er took the red apricot and Xianghe to light the candles and retreated.Wu Zetian sat in front of the imperial case, opened the manuscript of the outline of the inner track, and revised it while reading it.Li Zhi leaned on Wu Zetian's shoulder, and said jokingly: "Hey, the queen is really capable and hardworking. After busy day and night, she has to write a manuscript after approving memorials."
As he was talking, he sneezed with a "sneeze".Wu Zetian quickly put down his pen, stood up and took a lynx fur robe from the Zizhi wooden cabinet and put it on his shoulders: "Go to bed quickly. If you suffer from the wind and cold again, there will be no medicine for returning to illness."
"You sleep with me too."
Li Zhi pulled her and didn't let go.
"Think about that again...?"
"right."
He kissed her on the cheek.Wu Zetian raised his eyebrows, and said seriously: "We'll talk about it after your illness is cured."
Li Zhi softened: "I promise you, will it be fine?"
"Promise what?" Wu Zetian gave a wink.
"After the new year, Li Hong'er will be the crown prince."
"The concubine replaces Hong'er to thank the Lord Long En."
She kissed him on the forehead, "Is the inner rail strategy the emperor's eyes?"
"No need. Tell Eunuch Gao to take it to Prince Ximawei Jifang for publication."
"Isn't it different to send Ding Dianer?" Gao Yansi accompanied the emperor to the other court, but did not report in time, Wu Zetian was always angry with him.
"same."
Li Zhiyan obeyed, Wu Zetian cheered up, hugged him, walked to the imperial couch, and fell obediently.The two became intimate, and then helped Li Zhi take off his robe and belt, followed by him, and got into the dragon and phoenix brocade quilt together.On the sixth day of the first lunar month of the seventh year of Yonghui, Li Zhi issued an imperial edict to abolish Prince Zhong, and appointed Wang Hong, who was four years old, as the crown prince.Hong is the eldest son born to Empress Wu, which is of great benefit to consolidating Wu Zetian's position and improving prestige.The grand ceremony for the establishment of the crown prince was held for three days and three nights, and the general criminals in Chang'an were amnesty, and the Yuan was changed to the first year of Xianqing.From Emperor Wenwen, Emperor Yang, Emperor Gaozu of Tang Dynasty and Emperor Taizong of Tang Dynasty, the emperors of two dynasties and four generations used only one year name for each emperor.In the era of Emperor Gaozong of the Tang Dynasty, because Wu Zetian was dissatisfied with the word "Yonghui" set by Wuji and others, he took this opportunity to change the year name.Since then, Gao Zong Dynasty has continued to change Yuan.This is one of the manifestations of Wu Zetian's belief in the magic of words, and it can also be seen in her inner world of trying to gain power.At the age of 14, Zhonggai became the king of Liang and served as governor of Liangzhou (Nanzheng County, Shaanxi Province). He had to leave the palace immediately to take up the post in Liangzhou.Not only is there no backbone in the officialdom, but there is also no sense of loyalty.The officials in the East Palace fled or hid one after another for fear of causing trouble and being charged with crimes.Only Li Anren, the concubine of the right, paid a visit alone, crying and weeping, and kowtowed farewell.
Zhong stayed in Liangzhou for a year, and then was relegated to the more remote Fangzhou to serve as governor.After the crown prince was abolished, the personnel affairs of the East Palace were adjusted.The ministers Han Yuan and Zhongshu Ling Laiji, who repeatedly asked to resign and stayed on, as well as the minister's right servant She Yu Zhining and the imperial servant Xu Jingzong, served as guests of the prince.Both the emperor and the empress loved Xu Jingzong very much, forming a situation where Wu and Yue were in the same boat.Shen Zhizheng Li Yifu also served as the prince and the right concubine.In the second month, the chasing samurai Chi became Situ and was given the title of Zhou Guogong.Although Wuji did not change his original position, the real power he held was gradually lost invisibly, and he became a loose official who didn't care much about the government.He immersed himself in the history books, using this to expel the sorrow and anger in his heart. It seemed that Li Yifu hadn't changed much, and the smile was still on his face, but it was changed from the previous smile to a fake one.Relying on Empress Wu's protection, all kinds of desires in his heart that have been suppressed for a long time raised their heads one after another. Under the cover of a smiling face, he secretly repelled dissidents, snatched strength, stole money, and swelled viciously.Chunyu, a beautiful woman in Luozhou (Luoyang City), was imprisoned in the prison of Dali Temple for murdering her husband. Li Yifu wanted to take her as a concubine, and secretly ordered Bi Zhengyi, the prime minister of Dali Temple, to release her illegally.Dali Qing Duan Baoxuan suspected that there was a ghost in it. After the memorial, Li Zhi ordered Liu Rengui and others to investigate and deal with the matter, and Bi Zhengyi was imprisoned for this.Li Yifu was afraid of revealing the truth, so he forced him to hang himself to death.The censor Wang Yifang was indignant and was about to propose impeachment. He told his mother first: "I am the censor. If I see treacherous ministers doing evil, it is disloyal if I don't report it. If you report it, you will be in danger. It is unfilial to let your relatives worry about being implicated. Between the two Not sure what to do?"
"Loyalty and filial piety have been difficult since ancient times. My son, you must not neglect your duties when you are in charge of government. Since you are a censor, you should uphold justice and impeach treacherous ministers."
"However, this matter is no small matter. He is the emperor's favorite minister, and he is also protected by Empress Wu."
"A loyal minister is not afraid of death, but if you are afraid of death, you cannot be a loyal minister."
"Mother, I'm not afraid of death, but I'm worried that your old man will have no one to take care of you."
"In the past, Wangling's mother sacrificed herself to honor her son's reputation. If you serve the monarch faithfully, even if I die, I will have no complaints."
Wang Yi kowtowed three times to his mother, and went to the hall to confront Li Yifu in front of Li Zhi.Wang Yifang's words were righteous and strict, while Li Yifu's words were forceful and unreasonable.The two couldn't stand each other.Wang Yifang couldn't hold back the anger in his heart, his beard was raised, and he played at the top of his voice: "As a dignified prime minister, Li Yifu dared to murder the prime minister of Dali Temple under the eyes of the emperor. Even if Bi Zhengyi committed suicide, it was because of fear. The power of Li Yifu is afraid that Li Yifu will kill him to silence him. Li Yifu holds the power of life and death, and His Majesty cannot decide. This situation cannot be indulged and allowed to develop. I beg you to investigate further!"
"Nonsense!" Li Yifu defended himself, "You are chasing rumors, maliciously slandering, and alienating the relationship between the monarch and his ministers."
The two quarreled with each other.Wang Yifang wanted to read out his impeachment memorial, order the guard of honor and other officials to retreat, and call on Li Yifu to retreat.Li Yifu noticed Li Zhi's color and refused to leave.Wang Yifang drank three times in a row, Li Zhi remained silent, and Li Yifu left the hall.After Wang Yifang finished reading the bullets, Li Zhi could not agree on what to do and could not make a decision, so he withdrew from the court.Wu Zetian took Hong'er and Xian'er to enjoy the fire in the Nuan Pavilion, when she heard Gao Yansi yelling "Pick up", she got up and went out of the hall to greet her.Li Zhi walked into the Nuan Pavilion and saw his two sons, with a smile on his face: "No wonder it's so warm today, it turns out that the emperor is here."
"The emperor pays his respects to the emperor."
Li Hong and Li Xian both knelt down on the ground and kowtowed repeatedly.Li Zhi raised his hand: "Get up, get up, from now on you can kowtow and salute without seeing each other."
"It's not too much courtesy."
Wu Zetian took a look at Li Zhi: "Why is the emperor's face so pale?"
"Cough, cat Li is annoying!" Li Zhi said emotionally, "Cats, cats! Cats inside the palace, cats outside the palace, these cats are really annoying."
"alright."
Wu Zetian frowned and said, "Pass the meal!" The maids lined up with tableware and utensils.The food table is full of delicacies and delicacies, steaming hot.The court music was played, melodious.Hong'er ate half of the cake and some soup and vegetables, and walked away.Li Zhi picked up a piece of venison, glanced sideways, and shouted, "Hong'er, eat more."
"My son can't eat anymore."
Hong'er drooped her head, leaning against the copper stove to warm up.Wu Zetian shook his head, and said to Li Zhi: "This kid has a bad appetite and weak bones. When I was pregnant with him in Ganye Temple, I only drank a bowl of gruel for a meal."
"Mother," Hong'er opened her small eyes, "Where is Ganye Temple?" Wu Zetian's eyes were red, she put down the bowl and chopsticks, walked over, held Hong'er in her arms, and shed tears.Li Zhi sat for a while, and then went to Liangyi Hall in a chariot.Ding Dianer entered the door and reported: "Madam, Mrs. Li is asking to see you."
Wu Zetian hesitated for a moment, then ordered: "Tell him to wait in the outer hall. You take Hong'er Xian'er to Hongxing and Xianghe. Also, call the wet nurse over. The child is weaned. Don't let them idle all the time." on."
Li Yifu paced back and forth anxiously in the outer hall, sometimes stroked the thin yellow beard hanging from his chin, sometimes counted his own steps, and sometimes looked outside the gate at the clouds flying in the sky.He hated Wang Yifang to death, and actually exposed his old background and his scars in front of the emperor.The kid is so mad, who is he relying on?Li Yifu said, he didn't care what happened to him, anyway, he had to push Wuji.Only in this way can Empress Wu's understanding be obtained.Otherwise, I, Li, will be doomed.Like a ship running into a reef, with the hope of being rescued, he opened his eyes wide and looked at the misty sky, looking for the white sail.
"Bai Fan" is none other than Empress Wu who manipulates the emperor.She is so handsome, lovely, fascinating and confusing, she is the incarnation of a goddess, who can eliminate disasters and put people to death.He prostrated himself under her skirt, and since then he has flourished.The most despicable thing about human beings is their lack of greed. They want to be gods even after becoming emperors.As far as Li Yifu is concerned, rather than saying that he served Wu Zetian, it is better to say that he is in exchange for a more brilliant prospect, winning high officials, rich salary and happiness in life.
In his mind, it seemed as if a sail had been hung—a sail of hope on a ship sailing to the future!One by one, Empress Wu wearing a mysterious veil stands on top of "Hope", with a charming smile on her rosy and sensual lips, but her eyelids are solemnly and pretending to be lowered.Her smile is not a frivolous smile, but a charming and angry smile, which makes people fascinated and fascinated. She is willing to go up the mountain of knives, down the sea of fire, open mountains and cut rocks, fill up the sea, and fill up her. desires, but also to satisfy their own desires.He needs her and she needs him.They understood each other and reached a contract.She is like the sunlight piercing through the clouds, like the savior for him from the misfortune, like a kindling lit in the ice and snow, she is as hot as fire, and as cold as ice, so passionate, yet so ruthless.At this moment, his thoughts were disturbed, his reveries were colorful, his mind was wandering, and he could not calm down.Just when Li Yifu was dreaming, Wu Zetian rushed into the palace with a burst of fragrance.He shrunk his Yizi happily, and knelt down on both knees: "The minister Li Yifu kowtowed to the empress."
There was no movement for a long time.Wu Zetian squinted his eyes as if he was shaking or angry.Silence dominates the space, becoming a suffocating threat and restlessness.Li Yifu tried his best to get rid of this embarrassing situation, wanted to speak but dared not speak, the more anxious he felt, the more speechless he was, he was so embarrassed that he was sweating.After a while, Wu Zeyao opened her big and bright phoenix eyes, and said coldly with a bitter tone: "Li Mao, why do you always make trouble?"
"Your Majesty doesn't know something," Li Yifu didn't dare to look up, "It's all malicious slander from Changsun Wuji's people."
"Why don't they hurt Xu Jingzong?"
"Xu Jingzong is an elder, and it's not easy for them to take advantage of him."
"I think it's mainly because of being cautious. They can't do anything about him."
"That's true."
"It's good to know, get up, you are a smart person, I have high hopes for you, you have to behave better in the future, don't ruin your future because of it."
"The minister is only obedient to the queen's order."
Li Yifu kowtowed again and stood up, "Wuji is very powerful in the court, and there are many former students and old officials. If you don't get rid of him, there will be endless troubles."
Wu Zetian glanced at him: "What method?"
"According to what the queen said, break them all."
"What kind of attack?"
"The minister drafted a roster of strikes in batches, and presented it to the queen for review."
Li Yifu took out the roster from his boot and handed it up with both hands.
"Put it on the case," Wu Zetian rested his chin in one hand, "I'll see it later."
Li Yifu smiled embarrassingly: "Just looking at it, I can see that my mother is overworked, her waist is sore and her legs are hurting, and she is still a little dizzy. Isn't that right? This minister can relieve your mother's difficulties, eliminate fatigue, and boost her spirit. Can you give me a try?"
"Try it, why don't you go to the doctor in a hurry."
"Major, please sit up straight and close your eyes. Well, that's all right, all right, please relax."
Li Yifu's two thumbs pointed at Wu Zetian's two shields, massaged a few times to the temples with dark force, and then punched them with empty fists.Turn to the back, rub her shoulders, then pinch and rub her arms, and punch her back from top to bottom.Turning to the front again, he squatted down and beat her legs.His hands are light and flexible, alternately shifting from heavy to heavy, sometimes hollow fists, sometimes solid fists, sometimes empty and solid, sometimes vertical fists, sometimes palms, and sometimes clasps. The sounds he makes are both rhythmic and eerie. pleasing to the ear.Wu Zetian felt as refreshing and comfortable as seeing the blue sky through the fog at home, and a smile crossed his lips: "Hey, I didn't expect Li Mao to have such a pair of dexterous hands."
"My lady, don't mock me, it's not over yet."
Li Yifu straightened her right thumb, flexed it, and yanked it violently. There was a "crack bang" sound, and then he pulled the index finger, middle finger, ring finger and little finger one by one.Then raise her arm and shake it a few times, put it down, then pull her left hand up and move it again.Finally, I twisted the acupuncture point under her armpit with my thumb and index finger, pinched the numb tendon and flicked it violently.Wu Zetian felt numb and hot all over, and suddenly felt refreshed and exhilarated: "Not bad, very comfortable, and I feel refreshed."
"My minister is willing to honor your mother at any time, and will come whenever you announce."
"It's not good if you come too much, let Ding Dianer or the silly brother learn from you."
"It's not easy to learn this manual work, Niang Niang, I still have two movements, I will do it after you give birth."
"Hey, you're pretty careful."
Li Yifu grinned: "The belly is so big, this year the emperor will like to add a little prince again."
"Accordingly, I won't be pregnant until the end of the year, and I will give birth in November."
"The empress is really a model of diligence and love for the people. She is about to give birth at the end of the month, and she is still working on state affairs."
"There is no need to flatter," Wu Zetian's long eyelashes like a butterfly fluttered, "as long as you are obedient."
"Follow Yi's orders."
Li Yifu said with a smile on his face.
"Follow your mother's bullshit, look at your perverted appearance, behave yourself in front of others, and stop causing trouble."
"All the ministers who were scolded by the empress listened to it."
"Curse is to love you, for your own good."
"Thank you Lord Ron."
"Stop talking about this nonsense, do more practical things, and report any news in a timely manner."
Li Yifu tapped his high forehead, and rolled his eyes: "A few days ago I ran into brothers Yuan Qing and Yuan Shuang in the restaurant, and they seemed to be a little resentful. They said they didn't have any kindness from the queen."
"That's good," Wu Zetian raised his eyebrows, "I'll repay my grievances with virtue."
Li Yifu said flatteringly: "My minister will make a memorial immediately."
"What's the rush? Your own business is not over yet. Put their business aside and wait until the New Year is over."
"It's easy to say that everything about Weichen is in the hands of the empress, it all depends on your words."
"Tell you, it's not an example. If you do it again, Aijia won't save you."
"Thank you ma'am."
"You're welcome. Hurry up and do what you told me to do well, and you must keep an eye on Wuji and the others."
"They are active secretly. It is said that Han Ai recently published a book, requesting that Chu Suiliang be transferred back to the capital."
Outside the palace, it was reported that Madam Yingguo had arrived.Li Yifu resigned.When Yang met Wu Zetian, she told her daughter about Yuanqing, Yuanshuang, Huaiyun and Weiliang celebrating her birthday.At that time, Mrs. Yang recalled their disrespect towards their mother and daughter in the past, brought up the old matter again, and said to them in a preaching tone: "The queen does not remember the old evil, and the official positions given to you, you must not forget the queen's grace, and be diligent." For the emperor's affairs, be loyal to the emperor and empress."
"This kind of talk is not good enough," Yuan Shuang retorted angrily, "It seems petty. We are both the nephews of the founding hero of the country, the warrior Fulcano. Before my sister became the queen, we had already served as the queen. Isn't that the queen's grace? In fact , we and the empress are all in the light of daddy, he is the founder of our Wu family business."
"You guys don't know good from bad."
"Aunt doesn't need to get angry," Huai Yun explained, "It's not that we don't know good and bad, but we can only keep it in our hearts."
"Yes, yes," Yuan Qing took over the words, "in order to prevent the world from misunderstood, thinking that we are officials because my sister became a queen, and it seems that it has nothing to do with my father."
Wei Liang, who had both talent and arrogance, cast a disdainful glance at Yang Shi, twitched his nose and said, "I'd rather rely on my skills to earn my living, and I never thought of wanting to be honored by the Queen and receive unreasonable courtesy."
"If that's the case," Yang said angrily, "You can go and eat according to your ability!" Because the Wu brothers have a huge family business left by a warrior fulmar, which is enough for them to spend, they don't value official salary very much. I don't even want to bow my head in front of my stepmother or aunt.Only Huai Yun's attitude was better, he was an easy-going person, he didn't compete with others, spoke peacefully, and didn't stab Yang.After Wu Zetian heard what his mother said, he was so angry that he couldn't get over it. He gritted his teeth and cursed: "The villain gets his ambition, and he forgets his form when he is proud."
"Huaiyun is different from the three of them," Yang said truthfully, "he didn't show any disrespect.
"Okay, I'll treat it differently."
When Li Zhi came to the Hall of Sun, Wu Zetian greeted him into the Nuan Pavilion and asked, "Han Yuan wrote a note, did you bring it?"
"Here," Li Zhi pointed to the door, "Just now Gao Yansi put all the memorials received today on the imperial case. I have been dizzy for the past few days, so you can review them for me."
Wu Zetian took the Shuzuo, turned out Han Yuan's notes, and read while reading: "Chu Suiliang forgot his home for the country and dedicated his life to His Majesty. A wise assistant. He was expelled from the court without hearing that he committed a crime, which made the subjects of the world marvel and feel at a loss. I beg your Majesty to look at his innocence, forgive his mistakes a little, and sympathize with his loyalty, so as to conform to the hearts of the people."
She was so angry that she threw away the notebook, snorted and said, "Chu Suiliang committed a crime violently and fought with blood. Han Yuan is still talking nonsense that he has never heard of his crime."
"What's Zitong thinking?"
"The concubine met him when he was serving the late emperor. He had a good temper, liked to commit crimes, and never repented. Why don't you relegate him farther away and let him learn more lessons."
"Let me think again."
Li Zhi's attitude is ambiguous-this is his old habit, old problem, procrastination and hesitation when things happen.
"Why is the emperor hesitating? The concubine is thinking about the country's plans."
Wu Zetian's eyeballs rolled like black glass balls, "Let's do this. Also, demote Wu Yuanqing to Longzhou."
Li Zhi's eyes were fixed, and he couldn't figure it out for a while: "What did the queen's elder brother do against etiquette?"
"Foreign relatives are in power and disturb the government. This has always been the case. However, every empress wants her brothers to be brave and powerful in the court. Let your concubines take the lead and transfer my brothers to a place far away from the capital. go."
What Wu Zetian said was high-sounding, logical, impeccable, and beyond doubt.Li Zhi was moved by her behavior of putting righteousness first and not showing personal feelings, and he clicked his tongue again and again, applauding: "Oh, Zi Tong is so knowledgeable, all the subjects in the world will praise your virtue."
"Virtue can't be talked about," Wu Zetian looked modest and honest, "The concubine hopes to assist the emperor to become a generation of wise emperor who only virtuous and avoids relatives."
"Good wife, good wife!"
"Your Majesty, how to deal with the dispute between Li Yifu and Wang Yifang?"
"This cat Li," Li Zhi fluttered his nostrils, "he doesn't live up to his expectations, he keeps causing me trouble, and there are too many memorials to impeach him. In the afternoon, my uncle personally came to the Hall of Liangyi and insisted on deporting him from the capital."
"First Li Mao also came to my place. He said it was purely framed. I also know that Wuji and the others hate him so much that they will never let it go."
"This matter is embarrassing for me, I don't know how to deal with it?"
"The concubine said long ago that Wuji and the others don't listen to what they say, and they sing the opposite. Wang Yiyou dared to insult the minister in front of the emperor, and his words were disrespectful. He must be punished."
"What you said seems to make sense."
"The concubine is here to draw up the decree, your majesty, please rest first."
Wu Zetian flashed her sweet winking eyes, making Li Zhi feel relieved, just a few cups of warm wine in the cold winter months at home made him drowsy, warm and warm all over his body.After being tender and intimate with him for a while, she sat down in front of the imperial case, raised her chin and concentrated on it, and the pen started to dance on the paper.The second Luoyangxing imperial court quickly issued an imperial edict: Wang Yifang slandered and insulted ministers, spoke bad words, and was relegated to Laizhou [Laizhou City, Shandong Province] as a household secretary.People were puzzled, why Li Yifu was not touched, but Wang Yifang was dealt with unilaterally, and all the responsibilities were placed on him alone.Changsun Wuji and others were very unconvinced, and they planned to jointly play a concert, complaining for Wang Yifang's grievances and fighting for injustice.After the memorial was submitted, the imperial court issued a second imperial edict to move Taichang Qing and his son-in-law Du Weigao to Yizhou (Chengdu, Sichuan) to serve as the chief historian.Gao Xingshi was the son of Gao Shilian, the uncle of Changsun Wuji, and he was the first person to sign the memorial.Wu Zetian killed two birds with one stone, not only suppressing the turmoil caused by dealing with Wang Yifang's injustice, but also hitting the core strength of the Wuji Group.The dissatisfaction of the subjects rose like a tide, and they pointed the finger at Wu Zetian, focusing on complaining and expressing grievances against her.Call her treacherous and insidious, deceive the monarch, practice favoritism, and do evil.Some people worry that there will be a second Empress Lu like the Han Dynasty, stealing imperial power, taking over the government, reusing her natal family, and sharing power.However, this is not the case, and people's worries are unnecessary.The third edict came down, which was beyond everyone's expectations.
Zongzheng Shaoqing Wu Yuanqing was demoted to be governor of Longzhou [Pingwu County, Sichuan]; .惟运原职未动，依旧当淄州刺史。龙州地处剑北嘉陵江支流岸边，虽历经秦、汉和三国，直至唐代照样偏僻荒凉。始州同样要跨越蜀找道，路途艰险。濠州远离京都二千一百余里，处于黄河下游，灾害频繁，十年九不收。元庆等人突然升官，又突然遭贬，尤其皇后的长兄元庆，到任不久便病死了。人们不甚迷茫，感到不好理解。武则天从亲信口中得到这个消息，又由他们以种种形式通过各个渠道大肆宣传：“皇后以国家大计为重，为了防范外戚擅权，造成祸乱，以身作则，谏阻皇上提拔重用自己的兄弟，这才改派他们去偏远的地方任职。”
舆论像波浪一样传开、扩散，往武后脸上贴金，掩盖了事实的真相。武艳得知元庆等兄长遭受贬谪，暗暗吃惊，不知到底是什么原因，或者出了什么事。她授封为韩国夫人后，鶄了住宅，搬到宫外已经两年了，闲着没事，也闲得无聊，心中又想起了皇上，还想陪同帝、后游幸洛阳。借这个口实，带着儿女去了母亲杨氏的宅邸，和母亲拉起了家常。
“几个哥哥刚刚沐恩升迁，怎么突然又被贬下去了？”武艳问道。杨氏怒气未消：“他们过去做得太过分了，现在又不识好歹。活该！”
“妹妹也太无情了，”武艳借题发挥，“六亲不认，连我也不许进宫。”
“她也是为你好，让你恪守妇道，抚养儿女成人，不要错怪了她。”
武艳哔着嘴巴：“母亲也是富贵眼睛，妹妹做了皇后，总是向着她说话。”
“我们都是托她的福，不要像元庆他们那样以怨报德。人心要知足，知足者长乐。”
杨氏的话音未落，元庆和元爽气哼哼地闯了进来。兄弟俩醉得像红脸关公一样，走路趔趔趄趄，说话口舌打结。元爽脾气粗鲁，趁着酒兴，指着杨氏的鼻子忿忿地说：“不管怎么说，你也算是我们的娘亲，我们做晚辈的即使犯了法，你也不应该去告发我们。我们给你做寿，多喝了几碗酒，说了些过头的话，你老人家就新账旧账一起算，去皇后那里挑事生非，看来也未免太没气量了。”
“二哥别误会，”武艳解释说，“朝廷的事，不要往皇后身上扯，那得由皇上做主。”
“谁个不知，哪个不晓，皇上是个没主见的人，什么事都得听她的，连奏折都由她批阅。”
“传闻不等于事实，皇上不会那么慊弱。”
贺兰蓉和贺兰敏姐弟俩一边一个扯着武艳问：“皇上是个什么样子？妈妈带我们进宫去看看，好吗？”
“不要打插，我和你们二舅在说话哩。”
“二舅今天这么凶，面红脖子粗，我们怕。”
元庆也插进来说：“二舅一不暗中陷害人，二不吃人，有什么可怕的。”
“大哥不要话中带剌，”武艳把脸侧向元庆，“我们也很久没有进宫了。你和二哥进门时，我和母亲还在说，不知道皇后近来怎么样，听说她很快要坐月了。”
“那就请你代我们奏明皇上、皇后，我们要去那不毛之地上任，一个月两个月赶不回京，他们喜添龙子，我们做舅父的无法给小外甥贺三朝，喝喜酒。请皇上、皇后恕我们无礼！”说罢，兄弟俩一转背，踉踉跄跄出了门。杨氏瞧着他们远去的背影，啐了口痰：“两个畜牲，又狡又诈又凶恶，我恨死了他们。”
“母亲也要劝劝妹妹，咱们毕竞是一家人，留点余地好。万事留一线，今后好相见。”
贺兰蓉睁大圆圆的眼晴追问：“妈妈，姨娘怎么不让你进宫哪？”武艳耳根一阵发烧，脸腾地红了。她怕女儿看出她的窘态，装做口渴的样子，站起身来去筛茶喝。杨氏知道女儿难为情，忙替她遮掩：“后宫规矩紧，怕你们适应不了。”
“我们听她的话，不行吗？”
“外婆进宫，再跟你姨娘说说看。”
武艳放下茶碗：“娘，你要妹妹带我们去洛阳走走，见见世面。
“我就去。皇后快要生产了，我正要去看她。”
杨氏走进内室，换上了朝服，留下长女和外孙替她看家，坐轿去了内宫。显庆元年。十一月，春风得意的武则天生下了第三个儿子，即李治的第七子显。杨氏搬进宫里一直住到她满月才回家。杨氏离开不久，内宫又开始闹鬼。当武则天疲惫不堪或昏昏然欲睡的时候，往往有两个肉团似的东西在眼前晃动，血淋淋的，呲牙咧嘴，怪模怪样，醒梦般吓得她心口乱跳，冷汗涔涔。躺在身旁的李治不安地问道：“你怎么老是睡不安席，又做了什么噩梦？”
“似梦非梦，好像是那两个厉鬼作怪，”武则天蹙着眉尖，“撹得人无法安眠，好烦躁的。”
“少想点心事，多歇一歇。”
“哎，我想的事其实不多，主要是替你着想，如何执掌朝纲，不使大权旁落。臣妾时时都在敲自己的警钟，不要像蟒氏那样，反而与外臣勾结起来，挟持皇上。”
“你的辅佐功不可没，至少把失落的皇权大都挽回来了。”
“臣妾做得还很不够，没有恪尽职守。”
武则天边说边亲吻着李治，脸上订出她那特有的令人着迷的笑容。然而她的内心却异常焦虑和恐惧：无忌和他的党羽对她恨之入骨，正在积蓄力量准备与她展开殊死的较量。李治对此却置若罔闻，或者更确切地说，始终保持着中立态度，既不想打倒无忌等元老重臣，也不愿意再行废立之事。他求稳怕乱，安于现状，凡属攻击人、告发人之类的奏章，他不但不重视，而且反感，往旁边一丢了事。摸透了李治的脾气和心思的武则天，觉得现在不是向无忌势力展开芷面进攻的时候，必须以退为进，迂回进行。眼下最好利用的是李治的健康，改变环境，积蓄力量。这位年轻的皇帝本来先天不足，又加上后天失调，以及遗传因素，和他父亲李世民一样患有风疾，常常处于眩晕与痛病之中。他脸色发绀，两眼昏花，神经痛，偏头痛，骨节痛，把他折磨得够呛。身体羸瘦，两肩高耸，背上的两个肩胛骨从衣袍里面鼓出来，加上细长的脖颈，更显得弱不禁衣，痼疾缠身。常言道，痛病难当。中医理论：通则不痛，痛则不通。武则天以李治的病痛为借口，提议道：“这里地势低洼，阴暗衬湿，建筑年深月久，经常闹鬼，于皇上的龙体不利，臣妾也深恐不安，宜改变一下环境。”
“你看去哪里好？”
“臣妾以为最理想的地方莫过于洛阳。”
太极宫是李唐王朝取代隋朝的历史见证，又是李氏皇族走向兴盛的标志。它同时也是武则天曾经备受欺凌的地方，在这里地吃够了苦，怄伤了气。如今她要实施报复，清扫对立面，搬掉绊脚石，排除前进道路上的阻力，进而实现“女皇梦”，长安本身便是一种阻力。皇族、皇亲国戚和元老重臣大都集中于此，荣辱与共，休戚相关，关系织成咮网一般，盘根错节。聪明的武则天巧借皇宫闹鬼，又以关心皇上的健康为理由，提出行幸洛阳，换—换环境，轻松轻松，缓解一下紧张氛围，以便轻装上阵，实施新的计谋，发起新的一轮攻击。李治却以为她纯粹一片好心，表示同意。显庆二年闰正月十三日，李治偕武则天前往陪都洛阳，二月三日抵达修饰一新的洛阳宫。朝廷及后宫都搬到了洛阳，长安设留守，留下部分官吏和禁卫军守护。武则天没有让武艳来洛阳，她来了反而会增加她的精神负担。洛阳，素称“九朝古都”，地处华北平原与渭水盆地的交通要冲线上，西距长安约八百五十里。它和长安都是中华民族文化的摇篮。我国习惯上称山南水北为阳，其城区在黄河支流洛水北岸，故名洛阳。东周的平王由长安迁都于此。此后，东汉，三国时代的魏，西晋，南北朝的北魏，均以此为都城。北魏灭亡后，洛阳曾一度荒废冷落，隋炀帝于大业二年重修洛阳城，命名为东京。住进洛阳宫，李治的头风病和风湿病逐渐好转，武则天也很畅快，夫妻双双都觉得特别安逸。洛阳宫的地势颇高，殿宇开阔，比起阴森森的太极宫来说宽敞明亮多了。城南伊阙，风景秀丽，其龙门石窟是我国古代三大艺术宝窟之一。建于东郊的白马寺，是我国最早的着名佛寺。洛阳牡丹是历代名花，品种繁多，有“洛阳牡丹甲天下”之美誉。阳光煦和的春天，御花园靑草如绿波，树上鸟雀成群飞舞，争鸣不已。阵阵清风，送来了百花的馥馥芬芳。桃花开，李花谢，红杏疏雨，兰草幽香。芍药争妍斗艳，一球一球挂在架旁。山茶火红如荼，玫瑰灿若云霞，白玉兰像白珊瑚一样白嫩光滑，洁白的紫藤花重重迭迭盖在棚架上。千枝万朵的蔷薇花在风中招展，格外鲜丽娇媚。这其中最为引人注目的当数誉满天下的名花―洛阳牡丹：红的、紫的、黄的、绿的、白的，五彩缤纷，国色天香，典雅风韵。那雍容华贵的绝世美姿，令人叹为观止。
武则天早在做太宗的侍女时，就随驾来过洛阳。不过，今非昔比。现在是以国母的身份，与国君驾临陪都，心情和那时自然不同。When spring returns, the earth is warm and Vientiane is renewed.南风吹皱了温柔的河水，漫天飞着软绵绵的柳絮空气中酮散着湿润、清新、甜滋滋的味儿。蝶舞蜂喧，莺飞草长。旖旎的风光，带来了勃勃生机，平添了生活的温馨与乐趣。武则天借大自然的恩皤养好了精神，又开始施行她那信赏必罚的新的谋划。三月，仅四个月的显授封为周王。而雍王素节则改封为郇王。爱好文学的李治，很欣赏素节的天赋与勤奋好学，怜而爱之。避开武后，暗中给予关怀和呵护。武则天觉察出这是一个凶兆，对于年仅六岁的太子弘来说，这位年龄大一倍的庶兄，无疑构成了一种威胁，并且她又是杀他母亲的仇人。因此，武则天同样派出了心腹太监盯住素节，寻他的岔子，好清除这个隐患。接着，左迁潭州都督褚遂良到更远的桂州〔广西桂林市〕任都蝥，这就是她对待韩瑗请求调回褚遂良的答复。工部尚书长孙祥，是长孙无忌的堂弟，外放荆州〔湖北江陵市〕大都督府当长史。武则天是不会放过长孙无忌的任何亲友和门生故吏的。她真有眼，耳目遍布京城内外，情况掌握得清清楚楚，升降任免好像不经意似的，然而每一下都打在要害上，并且都带有更深层次的含义。
在此同时，她又以李治的名义下达了一道圣皆，播升中书侍郎、同中书门下三品李义府兼中书令。中书令是最重要的宰相之一。从这个安排上，可以推断出武则天的特殊用意。仲夏来临，洛阳天气炎热起来，李治和武则天迁人禁苑中的明德宫避暑，早朝也改为三日举行一次。禁苑位于显仁宫的西边，故名西苑，又名芳华园，为隋炀帝命虞世基等建造的。周长一百多里，谷水在园中与洛水合流后，洛水再流入洛阳市。北边筑了五个人工湖，每湖方圆十里，湖堤互相连接，堤旁桃柳夹岸，百步一亭，五十步一榭。东边开挖的“北海”周围四十里，有渠与五湖相通。
“海”中用长峰怪石堆造起三座假山，叠得嗟哦崚嶒，借海上神山蓬莱、方丈、瀛洲命名。山上楼台殿阁，花木掩映。长渠名龙鳞渠，相沿设置十六院，以便御驾停留歇息。苑内栽种奇花异草，又养珍禽瑞兽。苑墙以琉璃作瓦，紫脂泥壁。亭榭华丽，殿宇峥嵘，佳木葱郁，风光淡爽，恰似世外仙境，极乐瑶池。每天的早晚，李治和武则天乘车或骑马沿龙鳞渠兜兜风。午后坐上龙舟漫游北海或五湖。龙舟侧边有音乐船随行，交替演奏着欢快或节奏舒缓的曲调。皇帝和皇后在乐声中或亲切交谈，或品尝美味佳肴，或把酒临风，观赏湖光山色。几轻纱似的白云缓缓釈流，乳黄色的薄雾笼罩着山水楼台。随着微风，荷花的清香扑面而来。李治爱闻荷香，也爱吃新鲜的莲藕，更爱看从江南选来的越女的撑船姿式。
如果武后不来点暗示性的动作，或者说上一句：“够了吧！”他是不会收回目光的。黄昏时分，则至甘泉池沐浴。入夜，或吟诗作对，或观赏敢舞，兴尽即散。盛夏之夜，暑气还没有消尽。初出的星星闪闪烁烁，恍若荷塘里漾起的小火花，溅出细小的光点。繁星拱卫的银河，从北海那边的山林上横过，宛然一座宽阔的白拱桥贯穿深邃的天宇，一直伸延到南天的尽处，与那些模模糊糊如山峰般的云影相接。天桥下，燃起了一堆堆熊熊篝火。莲湖沿岸，挂满了盏盏宫灯。武则天别出心裁，在湖畔举办消蜃晚会，与民同乐。禁宛内外的臣民成群结队涌流而来，红红的火光映照得衣裙斑斑驳驳，格外鲜艳夺目。空气中弥漫着荷花的清香与干柴燃烧的烟味，刺激得人的鼻孔痒痒的，张开的笑脸在灯火下晃动着。对于武则天来说，眼前的一切真是美妙极了，仿佛获得了新生。天光与灯火相映成辉，驱散着如同妖魔狐鬼一般的黑暗。依烨的光焰之浪一阵阵擦过她的灵魂，心情赛如海浪似的汹涌激荡。她企求摆脱阴沉和烦恼，奔向那群星密集的天河，成为其中―颗璀璨洁亮的星星。她幻想脚踏风轮，腾云驾雾，超越尘世的羁绊，身心得到解脱，好比一只被捕获的苍鹰，只想重新飞上蓝天，向猎物发起致命的一击。世事就有如此复杂，有可能捕杀猎物，也有可能成为猎物，而被别人捕杀。人生在世随时都奄向命运抗争，即使逆来顺受，也得砸碎精神枷锁，放开手脚拼搏，使出浑身的解数，在求生存中求得发展，在发展中保护自己，同时也保护同伴的安宁。
鼓乐声响了起来，数百名舞伎蜂拥而上。领舞的“方相”头戴假面具，面具上四只眼睛金光闪闪，显得异常骠悍威猛。他身穿玄色上衣，下系赤红围裙，手掌上蒙着熊皮，一手执长戈，一手扬起龙头盾牌，率领十二“神将”手舞足蹈走在前头。十二“神将”也戴假面具，它们是由十二神兽转变的：“甲作”吃凶鬼，“腆胃”吃老虎，“雄伯”吃妖怪，以及“腾筒”、“伯奇”等等。凡是危害人类的邪鬼病魔，均能驱逐，扫荡干净。另外，还有一百二十名十至十二岁的小孩一局子一跟随呐喊，唱着驱魔赶鬼的歌辞，壮大声威。
“方相”领着“神将”表演十二兽舞，用盾牌护胸，挥动长戈四面冲击，动作夸张，雄浑矫健。其余参演者手举火炬，载歌载舞，呐喊助威，追随“方相”和十二“神将”，直到把病魔鬼怪驱出御苑外。大傩舞把人们的情绪调动起来了，推向了高潮，欢声雷动，一片喧腾。李治喜静不喜动，啕啕的喧哗闹得他头昏脑胀，产生了困意。
“你们尽兴好啦，”他对坐在一旁的武则天说，“我先去歇息。”
“还有歌舞，还有百戏杂耍，皇上，再观赏一会儿呗。”
武则天挽留不住，李治独自乘辇回寝殿去了。弦管器乐奏响，一位穿戴妇人服饰的男子迈着徐缓的步子登场，且行且歌，摇摇摆摆。每歌一叠，旁人齐声合唱：“踏谣和来，踏谣娘苦，和来！”因他边唱边走，所以叫“踏谣”。因其称冤，所以言苦。接着扮演其丈夫的伎人上场，跟妻子做殴斗表演，做些滑稽动作，博笑取乐。踏谣娘舞说的是北齐时，有一个姓苏的汉子自称“郎中”却并未做官。他长着酒糟鼻子，不事生产，嗜酒如命。醉了便殴打其妻，妻子含怨向四邻诉苦。采用欺侮一个弱女子的痛苦来作笑料，武则天非常反感。一股压抑不住的怒火冲了上来，她忿忿不平地怒斥道：“酒徒该杀，不能让他凌辱妇女。”
“这是演戏，不是现实。”
李义府搭腔说。
“用这样的戏来调笑，未免太缺德，要把它取消。”
“娘娘何必如此认真，娱乐娱乐，无非消磨时间而已。”
“走，我不看啦。”
武则天气冲冲地退离了现场。李义府犹豫了一下，随后紧紧地跟了上来。
“娘娘，娘娘，好好儿的，怎么生起气来了？”
“我恨死了男人，压榨妇女。”
“压而不榨，自觉自愿，愿打愿挨嘛。”
李义府轻佻地淫笑着。
“你也是个下流坯，拿女人的痛苦来逗乐。”
“哪里，哪里。我一直拜倒在娘娘的裙下，打我骂我，我都髙兴。”李义府油腔滑调地说着，一手揽住武则天的腰肢，使她跟从他的脚步走着。武则天没有什么反应，似乎还沉浸在义愤中。新升起的下弦月的清辉洒播下来，照射着她的脸庞。她宛如月亮一样皎洁、明丽而又冷冰冰的，好似枪锋一样耀眼。她俨然拎着一柄会剌伤他的长枪，暗中对准了他。但即使刺死他，他也不会松手。清淡的月光犹如一张银色的网披落下来，薄薄的水雾从湖中袅袅升腾，树影摇摇曳曳，斑斑驳驳。满地的银霜，轻烟柳雾，北海欲隐还现的假山，以及荷塘里的溶溶月色，更显得朦胧、神秘，光怪陆离。他们在白桦林下站住了。他的身体贴紧她，好比一袋面粉压在她的身上，仿佛要把她压下去。然而他的双手箍住了她又使她感到愉快，身上热流涌动，看着他那在树影下晃荡的身体，她的心弦一阵颤抖，蓦地腾起一种欲念，只想狠狠地咬他一口，或者把他撕成碎片。她好像得到了一种离奇的气力，灵动俏媚的眼神秋波盈盈，勾人心魂。
他战战兢兢而又贪婪地想包围她，压倒她，占有她，手在她身上纵情地抚摸。她一动也不动，既不拒绝，也不迎合，似乎他是她的奴仆，应该如此效劳，让她享受。他施展各种手段，以温情脉脉的方式唤醒她，激发她的情感。她渐渐地苏醒过来，却变了一个样子：秀媚含情的丹凤眼像鲜花一样绽蕾吐艳，放射出瑰丽的光芒，翘起的鼻尖，带点挑衅调皮的味道，雍容华贵而不骄气，举止闲雅，但是又是那样的扑朔迷离，露出