The revitalization of the Tang Dynasty began with the Ganlu Incident.

Chapter 99: Du Cong Pleads Guilty

Empress Dowager Guo's sudden outburst of anger not only startled everyone in the hall, but even Li Ang was somewhat surprised.

You should know that from the moment he met this imperial grandmother, the feeling she gave him was one of detachment from worldly affairs.

Even when he first learned that Qiu Shiliang had been executed, he summoned him to reprimand him, but his tone was more stern than angry.

But this reaction clearly shows that he has become really angry.

"Grandmother/Mother, please calm down..."

With these thoughts in mind, Li Ang and Princess Qiyang quickly stood up and bowed to Empress Dowager Guo, trying to appease the Empress Dowager.

In contrast, Du Cong, the instigator, remained standing in place, showing little reaction to Empress Dowager Guo's anger. He simply bowed slightly and said...

"I am guilty, please calm down, Empress Dowager."

That being said, neither his tone nor his expression showed any sign of remorse.

Seeing this, Empress Dowager Guo's expression grew even more unpleasant, and she said.

"As a member of the imperial family and born into a prominent clan, you were treated with utmost respect by Emperor Xianzong. For your sake, I even had Princess Qiyang, of noble birth, condescend to accompany you to your post, all so that you could serve the Tang Dynasty loyally. But look at you now! Where is the demeanor of a high-ranking official?"

Empress Dowager Guo's tone grew increasingly harsh, until finally she seemed ready to crush the beads in her hand as she continued her reprimand.

"I had thought that since Qiyang's health had been poor these past few years, it would be a relief for you and your husband to return to the capital together and settle down, so you wouldn't have to suffer any more hardships. But what have you done? As soon as you returned to the capital, you started secretly colluding with officials to obstruct the court's policies?"

"What use are you, so lacking in basic decency and utterly ungrateful for the Emperor's kindness?"

"Jiro!"

At the end of her speech, Empress Dowager Guo suddenly called out to Li Ang.

"My grandson is here..."

Li Ang was somewhat confused, but then he saw Empress Dowager Guo's face turn ashen and she said in a cold voice.

"I originally did not wish to interfere in court affairs, but Du Cong is my son-in-law. He has committed such a grave mistake and shows no remorse. If such a person continues to remain in the court, I will have no face to meet your imperial grandfather after I pass away."

"You may issue an edict now, stripping him of all his official positions, leaving him only with the title of Imperial Son-in-Law Commandant, and ordering him to return to his residence and live in seclusion. Without an imperial decree, he is not permitted to leave his residence at will!"

Upon hearing this, Princess Qiyang was the first to tear up, and she immediately knelt down at Empress Dowager Guo's feet, crying out.

"Mother……"

Before she could finish speaking, after uttering only two words, she couldn't help but cough, and specks of blood stained the handkerchief. Princess Qiyang's body went limp, and she fainted.

"Qiyang/Auntie..."

Seeing this, the people present became somewhat flustered.

Li Ang immediately ordered the eunuch beside him to carefully help Princess Qiyang into the inner room, and then immediately summoned the imperial physician to treat her.

It took almost half an incense stick's time for the imperial physician to finally emerge from the inner room and say...

"Your Majesty, Empress Dowager, Her Highness is not seriously ill. She was simply overwhelmed with anger and grief, which caused her to faint. I have already administered acupuncture to Her Highness, and she should wake up in about half an hour."

"However, Your Highness's health is already weak, and now that you are ill, you must not have any more intense emotional fluctuations, otherwise, it could easily worsen your condition."

Upon hearing this, Empress Dowager Guo, who was standing to the side, finally felt relieved and said...

"I understand. Go and write the prescription..."

So the imperial physician bowed and hurriedly withdrew.

Empress Dowager Guo then turned her gaze to Du Cong, who was also anxiously standing to the side, and coldly rebuked him.

"Now you're in a hurry? When you did such a thing, why didn't you consider Qiyang's health? Do you know how many times Qiyang has apologized for you in my palace today because of your reckless actions?"

"Du Cong, Emperor Xianzong and I were truly blind back then to have chosen such a heartless person as your son-in-law. My son has suffered greatly..."

As she finished speaking, a hint of tears welled up in Empress Dowager Guo's eyes.

If Du Cong remained unmoved by such questioning, it would be truly unreasonable.

In fact, ever since Princess Qiyang fainted, Du Cong had been wearing a clear look of guilt on his face.

It was only at this moment that Li Ang finally began to see some of the true meaning behind this so-called deep affection between husband and wife.

"Your Majesty is right to reprimand me. Your Highness's current condition is entirely due to my duty as your husband. I beg Your Majesty to punish me."

For the first time since entering the palace, Du Cong lifted the hem of his robe and knelt before Empress Dowager Guo, his tone sincere with a hint of remorse.

Seeing his appearance, Empress Dowager Guo finally calmed down a bit and said.

"Very well, now that things have been clarified, you should go back first. Qiyang will stay in my palace for the next few days. Once she is feeling better, we'll let her return to the princess's residence, so you won't upset her again."

"Yes……"

Upon hearing this, Du Cong seemed to have something else to say, but in the end, he simply bowed respectfully, glanced worriedly at Princess Qiyang in the inner room, and then got up to take his leave.

After Du Cong left, Empress Dowager Guo turned her gaze back to Li Ang, who was standing to the side, and said.

"Help me over there..."

Li Ang then helped Empress Dowager Guo back to her seat in the main hall and then spoke.

"Grandmother, please don't be too angry. The imperial physician also said that Aunt Qiyang is just emotionally agitated. With careful rest, she will definitely get better gradually."

Empress Dowager Guo shook her head and said.

"I'm not angry about Qiyang, but about Du Cong's lack of consideration. As an important official and a relative of the emperor, he caused such a big commotion as soon as he returned to the capital, adding so much trouble for you, Erlang."

"I summoned him here today hoping to give him another chance, but who would have thought he would be so stubborn? Alas, in the end, I misjudged him, which led to today's events."

It was clear that although Du Cong's previous attitude had greatly angered Empress Dowager Guo, to the point that she was still scolding him, he was still her son-in-law after all. Before she spoke, Empress Dowager Guo still subtly implied that she was speaking on his behalf.

Li Ang was certainly not an ungrateful person. Even if he originally still had some intention to punish Du Cong, things had turned out this way, so he couldn't do it even if he wanted to.

After all, Princess Qiyang is still lying inside. Even if Li Ang disregards Du Cong's status as a relative of the imperial family, he still has to consider the health of his own aunt.

"Grandmother, please calm down. It is common for political opinions to differ in the court. Although Du Cong's actions may be suspected of being due to collusion, they were not motivated by personal gain. Those censors have already been exiled from the capital. If we punish him further, it would only escalate the situation too much."

"In my opinion, why not let him reflect on his actions in the manor for three days, and then punish him by making him personally prepare medicinal meals every day and deliver them to Aunt Qiyang as an apology? What do you think?"

The punishment of confining his residence for three days to reflect on his actions was practically negligible compared to what Du Cong had done.

But Li Ang's words clearly struck a chord with Empress Dowager Guo, who nodded with satisfaction and sighed.

"You are a filial child, and I knew I hadn't misjudged you. However, Du Cong has done such a thing, and this punishment is too lenient. But Qi Yang's health is not good for him to travel around anymore, so you still need to consider Du Cong's arrangements."

"It would be best to give him a job in the capital that is neither too high nor too low. On the one hand, it would be a lesson for him, and on the other hand, it would put your aunt at ease."

Upon hearing this, Li Ang hesitated for a moment before nodding and saying, "Grandmother, rest assured, your grandson will make proper arrangements..."