Chapter 81

"Empress, people all say that the Great Tang is prosperous and wealthy, a celestial empire of the Central Plains. I wonder what you think of this Yunzhou City?"

Qin Mu's voice rang out once more, repeating the exact same words as before.

Yet anyone could hear it.

His words were filled with heavy irony.

Empress Zhangsun's face turned crimson; it was as if a thorn were stuck in her throat, and she could not utter a single word.

She had no way to defend herself!

How shameful!

People are just like this.

If one's own shortcomings are seen by one's own people, one doesn't really feel much.

But once seen by an outsider, one feels so ashamed that one wishes to find a crack in the ground to crawl into.

Especially when it was Qin Mu who saw it.

Didn't this just confirm that his defection from the Great Tang was not wrong at all?

In a Great Tang where the noble clans hold power, who would be willing to serve it?

"Perhaps, perhaps only Yunzhou is like this?"

Princess Changle said with some stubbornness.

She, too, had received a tremendous shock and impact.

Yet she was still unwilling to destroy the prosperous and flourishing age in her mind.

"Of the Great Tang's total of ten circuits and prefectures, and over three hundred counties, is there a single official who does not come from a noble clan? Is there one who does not place their family's interests above those of the common people?"

"Your mother is a virtuous empress of her generation, with outstanding ability; just ask her and you will know."

Qin Mu replied calmly.

"Mother..."

Princess Changle widened her eyes, looking at Empress Zhangsun with anticipation.

Empress Zhangsun lowered her head in silence, still unable to answer this question.

Qin Mu was right!

Almost all of the Great Tang's three hundred-plus prefectures and counties were held by scions of noble clans.