Chapter 047: The Throne of the Nine-Fifth

The men pursuing the jade book in Luoyang City came from all walks of life.

From high officials and nobles down to wandering knights of the martial world.

Many wished to win her favor, to live together with Yushu as a couple, and to bring about a beautiful romance. There were even a group of busybodies and dissolute youths who made bets on who would be the first to pluck Yushu's red pill.

But then, halfway along, a Wang Bo suddenly appeared.

This was something no one had expected at all, and for a time many people envied Wang Bo to the extreme.

After Wang Bo paid the money to redeem Yushu and Hanyue, he first settled the two women at the Tai'an Restaurant, planning to choose a day to welcome them into his household as brides.

Though they are concubines, there should still be a formal process.

This is what is called 'when in Rome, do as the Romans do.'

However, what Wang Bo did not expect was that after he had prepared everything that needed to be prepared, on the day before the wedding, a sensational event occurred within the city of Luoyang.

No, it should be said that in the whole realm, a sensational event occurred.

At noon that day, a piece of news came out from the imperial palace.

Emperor Gaozong of Tang, Li Zhi, has passed away!

After this news spread, the whole of Luoyang was filled with sighs of grief. Many commoners wept until the sky and earth turned dark, fainting several times. This left Wang Bo utterly at a loss whether to laugh or cry; he had never imagined that Li Zhi would die at this very moment.

Thus, the wedding could not go ahead.

Wang Bo had no choice but to have the red cloth and festive characters at the gate all taken down.

After all, the emperor has died, and you are still here taking a concubine, clearly showing no regard for the court. When the time comes, a wave of soldiers will surely storm your door, and it might even mean the execution of your entire family.

To avoid such unnecessary trouble, Wang Bo could only postpone the wedding for a few days.

Yet Wang Bo could not help but sigh at Li Zhi's death.

When many people mention Li Zhi, they always think of his father, Emperor Taizong of Tang, Li Shimin. Li Shimin was accomplished in both civil and military affairs and possessed the dignity befitting an emperor.

He was also a capable ruler, single-handedly ushering in the Zhenguan era.

It was arguably the most prosperous period of the Tang Dynasty.

Thus, Emperor Gaozong Li Zhi appears far more cowardly compared to his father, and his abilities are also quite mediocre.

And Emperor Gaozong Li Zhi's wife was Wu Zetian, the first and only female emperor in history, whose name has endured through the ages.

Before him was his father, Emperor Taizong of Tang, and after him, his wife, Wu Zetian. Both were exceptionally talented, and by comparison, Li Zhi, sandwiched in between, appeared much more mediocre.

But in reality, was Li Zhi really so mediocre?

Nonsense!

At the beginning of his reign, Emperor Gaozong of Tang continued to implement the political and economic systems established by Emperor Taizong, with Li Ji, Zhangsun Wuji, and Chu Suiliang jointly assisting in governance. Because he was diligent in state affairs, "the common people were prosperous and at peace," preserving the legacy of the Zhenguan era—a period historically known as the "Yonghui Restoration."

On the issue of deposing and appointing the empress, Gaozong also upheld his own stance, eliminating interference from the elder statesmen faction.

During his reign, Emperor Gaozong of Tang successively destroyed the Western Turks, Baekje, and Goguryeo, and was honored with the title 'Lord of Ten Thousand Nations.'

During the reign of Emperor Gaozong, the Tang dynasty's territory reached its greatest extent, stretching from the Korean Peninsula in the east to the Aral Sea in the west, encompassing Lake Baikal in the north, and reaching as far south as the Hoành Sơn range in Vietnam. This territorial extent was maintained for thirty-two years.

From this, it is clear that Emperor Gaozong of Tang was by no means the mediocre ruler portrayed in films and television dramas.

This son of Emperor Taizong and husband of Wu Zetian was also a man of skill, and his skill was not bad at all.

Moreover, in history, Li Zhi absolutely did not pass away at this time.

But unfortunately, over half a year ago, after the Shikon Jewel came to this world, it bewitched a group of people. This group planned to control the emperor and command the nobles, and when Li Zhi refused, they wounded him.

From then on, this unlucky emperor was bedridden with lingering illness, too gravely sick to rise.

Although Wang Bo did not know exactly how severe the emperor's illness was, the fact that he handed over all state affairs to Wu Zetian showed that his condition was not minor.

But Wang Bo never expected that Li Zhi would die at this very moment.

Whether it was because his injuries were too severe and beyond remedy, or someone couldn't wait and struck a fatal blow, Wang Bo wasn't too sure, nor could he be bothered to find out.

After all, matters within the imperial palace had nothing to do with Wang Bo.

As for how the unlucky Li Zhi actually died, Wang Bo couldn't be bothered to care.

What he needed to do now was to quietly wait for the new emperor to ascend the throne, then marry his two concubines, and from then on live a shamelessly happy life.

The affairs within the imperial palace had nothing to do with Wang Bo.

However, what Wang Bo did not expect was that that very night, just as he was about to sleep, Lian Nishang, clad all in white, once again broke into his residence. This time, however, she did not alert anyone in the household, appearing especially cautious.

She came carefully to the door of Wang Bo's room, split the door bolt with one sword stroke, pushed open the door, and walked in.

Wang Bo opened his eyes with displeasure and looked at Lian Nishang, who had walked in.

Behind Lian Nishang was a woman dressed in black robes. After entering, the woman lifted her hood, revealing a charming yet dignified face.

"Why is it you again?" Wang Bo looked at the woman with undisguised annoyance.

This woman was none other than Wu Zetian.

Her husband Li Zhi had just died at noon today, and that very evening this woman appeared in Wang Bo's room—nothing good could come of it.

Wu Zetian gave Lian Nishang a look; Lian Nishang nodded, withdrew from the room, closed the door, and stood guard at the entrance.

Wang Bo sat on the bed and said unhappily, "I remember when I handed the demon pearl to you, I should have said that we are even, and from then on we would keep to ourselves."

Wu Zetian nodded, her attitude extremely agreeable. "Yes, I once promised you that I would never disturb your life again. But now things have changed somewhat, and I need your help."

Wang Bo glared at Wu Zetian coldly. "I already helped you with the matter of the demon pearl. Don't push your luck."

Wu Zetian seemed not to have heard, and continued, "I want to become emperor."

"What does that have to do with me?" Wang Bo said irritably.

"Li Zhi died too suddenly. The forces at my disposal are insufficient to control the palace, so I hope for your help—to suppress all rebellions inside and outside the palace, and to assist me in ascending to the throne."

“I already said, this matter has nothing to do with me.” Wang Bocai had no desire to be drawn into a struggle for the throne.

"After it's done, whatever you desire, I can grant you. I swear by the ghosts and gods that I will never betray you." Wu Zetian vowed solemnly.

Wang Bo scratched his head and said, "Can you listen to what people say? I don't want to get involved in this matter. You've got the wrong person."

"Now, you are the only one who can help me," Wu Zetian said earnestly. "Only you can help me ascend to that supreme throne."

Wang Bo sneered and said, "You overestimate me. Without me, you can still ascend to the supreme throne."