In Chang 'an City, the dawn had not yet completely dispelled the haze of the night, but the Ministry of Rites Office was already brightly lit.
This grand cultural event, as the first large-scale activity after the new Emperor Li Muyang advocated cultural innovation, shoulders the important responsibility of inheriting and promoting the culture of the Tang Dynasty. The officials of the Ministry of Rites all had solemn expressions and hurried steps, shuttling back and forth among the mountains of classics, calligraphy and paintings, and antiques.
They carefully sorted and organized the rare treasures they had collected from all over the place. Each exhibit seemed to carry the memory of history and could not be damaged in the slightest.
The poets were not willing to lag behind either. In every corner of Chang 'an City, whether it was the quiet courtyards or the bustling taverns, one could see their figures lost in thought and creating with their brushes. They are eager to showcase their talents in this cultural feast, depicting the prosperity of the Tang Dynasty with poetry and expressing their inner passion and lofty aspirations.
Emperor Li Muyang, the new emperor, was in the imperial study, intently reviewing the event schedule and the list of exhibits. The candlelight flickered, reflecting his sometimes furrowed brows and sometimes relaxed expression. Culture is the soul of a country. This event is not only a concentrated display of the culture of the Tang Dynasty, but also an excellent opportunity to showcase the prosperity and strength of the country to the world.
He carefully considered every aspect, and the joyous scenes of the common people participating in the event kept emerging in his mind. He hoped that through this activity, the love for culture among the entire population could be ignited, and that the culture of the Tang Dynasty would shine with even more brilliant luster through innovation. Emperor Li Yi was in his own palace, and memories came flooding back like a tide. He recalled all kinds of cultural activities held during his tenure, and those glorious moments seemed like they were just yesterday. Nowadays, seeing the young Li Muyang actively promoting cultural development, he is filled with satisfaction.
With his rich experience, he put forward many unique insights for this event, hoping to help this grand gathering become a monument in the history of cultural inheritance of the Tang Dynasty.
Empress Dowager Lin Yue was immersed in the meticulous selection of event costumes and decorations. Her palace was filled with all kinds of exquisite silks, jewels and ornaments. The palace maids were on standby beside her, ready to present her with what she liked at any time. Lin Yue's eyes sparkled with anticipation. She hoped to showcase the elegance and grandeur of the Tang Dynasty through every detail, allowing the common people to feel the charm of culture.
On the day of the event, the city of Chang 'an was filled with jubilation. The common people, dressed in colorful finery and with excited smiles on their faces, arrived at the event site very early. On both sides of the street, big red lanterns are hung high, colorful ribbons are dancing in the wind, and the air is filled with a festive atmosphere. Scholars and literati, holding books in their hands, gathered in groups of three or five to exchange poems, songs and odes, sometimes passionately and sometimes in admiration.
Every exhibit on the spot, whether it is an ancient and heavy bronze ware, a colorful Tang Sancai, or a delicate and smooth silk product, attracts people to stop and admire. They silently tell the long history and profound cultural heritage of the Tang Dynasty.
Li Muyang, Li Yi and Lin Yue entered the venue surrounded by a group of guards and ministers.
Li Muyang, with a confident smile on his face, waved to the people frequently. His eyes revealed his firm confidence in the future of the country.
Li Yi's expression was solemn. As he walked slowly, he carefully appreciated the cultural exhibits around him, his heart filled with countless emotions, and he was proud of the profoundness and vastness of the Tang Dynasty's culture.
Lin Yue was dressed in an extremely gorgeous outfit, like a fairy descending from the sky. Her warm and kind smile, like the warm spring sun, shone in everyone's heart, adding a touch of soft and charming color to the entire venue.
The event kicked off amid the cheerful and lively sounds of gongs and drums. The first to take the stage is the wonderful song and dance performance. The dancers, dressed in light and flowing costumes, danced gracefully to the melodious music. Their figures were agile and graceful, and every movement seemed to tell a touching story.
The musicians were fully devoted, and the notes they played flowed like a gentle stream in the air, taking people into a dreamlike and illusory world. The audience was immersed in it and burst into enthusiastic applause and cheers from time to time.
Subsequently, the poets came to the stage one by one to recite their works. Their voices were either passionate and vigorous or tender and gentle. Every line of poetry was filled with love for the Tang Dynasty and yearning for a better life. The common people below the stage were so absorbed in listening that they were deeply moved by the talent and emotions of the poets.
However, just when the event was reaching its climax, an unexpected incident occurred suddenly.
An assassin emerged from the crowd like a ghost, tightly grasping a gleaming dagger in his hand, and stabbed straight at Emperor Li Yi with a clear target. Li Yi was advanced in age and couldn't react in time. He watched as the dagger was about to Pierce his vital spot. At the critical moment, Empress Dowager Lin Yue charged forward without hesitation, using her frail body to block the assassin's fatal blow.
With a "puff", the dagger pierced Lin Yue's abdomen deeply, and blood instantly stained her splendid dress red.
"Mother!" The new emperor Li Muyang screamed in terror, his voice filled with despair and pain, as if he were about to tear apart the joyous atmosphere.
His eyes were instantly bloodshot, burning with furious flames, staring fixedly at the assassin, as if they could cut him to pieces a thousand times.
Emperor Li Yi was also stunned by this sudden change. His face was filled with shock and grief. His hands trembled as he hugged the injured Lin Yue, and his voice trembled as he shouted, "Hurry up, Doctor Xuan!" "Quickly proclaim the Imperial Physician!"
The scene immediately fell into chaos. The common people screamed in terror and fled in all directions. The guards quickly reacted and surrounded the assassins like a tide, subduing them all.
Li Muyang was extremely anxious. He knelt down beside Lin Yue without hesitation, holding her hand tightly, and tears streamed down his face uncontrollably.
"Mother, you must hold on. The imperial physician will be here soon." His voice was in a crying tone, filled with helplessness and worry, as if praying to fate.
Lin Yue's face was as pale as paper, and her breath was so faint that it was almost imperceptible. But she still forced a slight smile and gently stroked Li Muyang's face with her last bit of strength.
"Muyang, don't worry. Mother is fine..." We must govern the Tang Dynasty well... Her voice grew fainter and fainter. Every word seemed to be squeezed out from the depth of her soul, carrying endless concern and hope.
After receiving the summons, the imperial physicians rushed over in a hurry. They quickly carried Lin Yue into the makeshift medical tent.
Li Muyang and Li Yi paced anxiously outside the tent. Their eyes were filled with anxiety and worry, as if time had stood still at this moment, and every second seemed extremely long.
Inside the tent, the imperial physicians were busy and tense. They carefully examined Lin Yue's wound, each movement gentle and cautious, but the expressions on their faces were very solemn. The wound is deep and long, with excessive blood loss. The situation is extremely critical.
They took prompt measures, stopping the bleeding, applying medicine and suturing the wound. Each step was precise and swift, but they were not fully confident in their hearts. They could only silently pray in their hearts that the Empress Dowager would survive this disaster.
Li Muyang kept praying outside the tent, his heart filled with remorse and self-reproach. He replayed the scene just now in his mind over and over again. Had it not been for his own carelessness and failure to take adequate security measures, this tragedy would not have happened.
He secretly vowed that if Lin Yue could be safe and sound, he would spare no effort and be even more cautious in protecting everyone around him.
Li Yi was also praying silently by the side, his eyes filled with pain and helplessness. His thoughts involuntarily drifted back to the bits and pieces of his acquaintance and understanding with Lin Yue. Those wonderful memories kept flashing through his mind like a movie. He couldn't imagine what his life would be like if he lost Lin Yue. His heart was filled with fear and reluctance.
After a long while, the imperial physicians finally walked out of the medical tent slowly. Their faces were extremely gloomy. They lowered their heads and dared not look directly into Li Muyang and Li Yi's eyes.
"Your Majesty, the Supreme Emperor, the Empress Dowager..." The injury is too serious. We have done our best... The imperial physician's voice trembled, filled with helplessness and guilt. Every word was like a heavy hammer, hitting Li Muyang and Li Yi's hearts hard.
When Li Muyang and Li Yi heard this sentence, it was as if they were struck by a bolt from the blue, and their bodies instantly lost their strength.
Li Muyang's legs gave way and he almost collapsed to the ground. His eyes were filled with despair and grief, and tears welled up in his eyes again, surging down like a flood that had burst its banks.
"No, this isn't true. Mother won't leave me..." His voice was heart-wrenching, filled with endless pain and resentment, leaving people heartbroken upon hearing it.
Li Yi was also heartbroken. His body trembled slightly and his eyes were filled with sorrow. He slowly walked into the medical tent and looked at Lin Yue lying on the couch. Tears blurred his eyes.
The once gentle, beautiful and energetic Lin Yue now lies there quietly, her face as pale as paper. "Yue 'er, how could you leave me behind..."
He gently stroked Lin Yue's face, his voice choking, as if the whole world had collapsed at this moment.
The entire city of Chang 'an was immersed in a state of grief. When the common people learned of the assassination of the Empress Dowager, they spontaneously came to the outside of the imperial palace. They held incense and candles, their faces filled with sadness and worry, and silently prayed for the Empress Dowager in their hearts. They hoped that the Empress Dowager could defeat death and return safely.
Li Muyang, suppressing his grief, ordered a thorough investigation into the matter. His eyes were filled with determination and resolve, as if a fierce fire was burning. He wants to find out the mastermind behind the scenes, avenge the Empress Dowager and make those with ulterior motives pay a heavy price.
In the following days, Li Muyang worked day and night and personally participated in the investigation. He interrogated the assassin, consulted various clues and did not miss any detail. His face was filled with exhaustion, but his eyes remained as firm as iron. He scrutinized every clue over and over again and questioned every witness personally. He vowed that he would definitely get to the bottom of the truth.
After a painstaking investigation, the truth finally came to light. It turned out that this was a conspiracy meticulously planned by hostile forces. They attempted to cause internal strife within the imperial court by assassinating the Empress Dowager and the Empress Dowager, thereby achieving their ulterior motives.
When Li Muyang learned the truth, he was furious. His eyes revealed a sharp and fierce murderous intent. He ordered that all the masterminds behind the scenes be caught in one net and severely punished without leniency.
He wants those with ill intentions to know that the dignity of the Tang Dynasty is inviolable, and anyone who attempts to undermine the peace and stability of the country will be severely punished.
After dealing with these matters, Li Muyang went to Lin Yue's bedroom. He sat quietly by Lin Yue's bedside, looking at her pale face, his heart filled with longing and pain. He gently held Lin Yue's hand, as if by doing so he could feel the warmth she once had.
Mother, rest assured. I will surely carry on your last wish and govern the Tang Dynasty well. I will make the Tang Dynasty more prosperous and flourishing, and enable the people to live a happy life. Li Muyang's voice was deep and firm, and his eyes revealed an unprecedented determination, a sense of responsibility and commitment to the country and the people.
Since then, Li Muyang has governed the country even more diligently. He implemented a series of reform measures, encouraged cultural innovation, vigorously developed the economy and strengthened military forces. With his efforts, the Tang Dynasty gradually moved towards an even more glorious era.