Detective Di Renjie: The Mysterious Dynasty

Chapter 346: Planning the Way Forward
With a dull "creaky" sound, the door of the hall was pushed open.

Wu Sansi and Zhao Ji walked out of the hall one after another, their footsteps revealing completely different moods.

After being severely scolded, Wu Sansi avoided Zhao Ji as much as possible and did not dare to say even a harsh word to him, and left in a hurry.

As a representative of the Wu clan and the most powerful tool introduced by Wu Zetian to balance the political situation, almost no one could completely overthrow Wu Sansi unless he crossed the red line of treason.

This time when he was caught, although he was severely reprimanded, he was only sent home to reflect on his mistakes and wait for punishment.

The punishment is at most just a show, lifting someone up high and then putting them down gently.

Fortunately, after this incident, Wu Sansi had to restrain his edge and would not pose a threat to Zhao Ji's plan in the short term, so he achieved his goal.

Zhao Ji stood outside the Zhenguan Hall with his hands behind his back, following Wu Sansi's almost fleeing back and shaking his head slightly.

The only thing that made him regretful was that Wu Zetian did not agree to reinstate Di Renjie immediately.

But judging by the time, there should be news from Wen Kai, and by then Di Renjie and Li Yuanfang will eventually be reinstated.

However, the plot in his memory made Zhao Ji worried. After dealing with the fake Xue Qinglin, Di Renjie and Li Yuanfang seemed to have a grudge against Wu Zetian and resigned without returning to the court immediately.

It would be after the Black Society incident that Di Renjie would come out again and return to the court.

Zhao had an inexplicable sense of urgency and he didn't want to wait that long.

Therefore, he did not hesitate to mobilize all the forces he could mobilize and make careful arrangements to push the court situation in the direction he expected.

At this moment, Shangguan Wan'er walked out of the hall quietly, holding a stack of memorials reviewed by Wu Zetian.

Seeing Zhao Ji standing there in a trance, she couldn't help but ask, "Why, His Majesty didn't immediately agree to reinstate Di Gong. Are you disappointed?"

Zhao Ji turned around upon hearing the voice, with a complicated smile on his face: "Wan'er still understands my feelings, but there is no need to rush at this moment. I think there will be a turning point in a few days."

Shangguan Wan'er was surprised when she heard this: "Is there any news from Wen Kai?"

Zhao didn't answer directly, but just nodded and took a step forward.

Shangguan Wan'er frowned and thought for a moment, then suddenly hurried over.

"Chengyuan, how did you infiltrate the Internal Security?" Her tone was extremely solemn, with a hint of worry in her eyes.

Zhao Ji suddenly stopped, turned around and looked at Shangguan Wan'er, wondering, "Why do you ask that?"

Shangguan Wan'er sighed softly, her eyes fixed on Zhao Ji: "You are Wen Kai's sponsor, so it makes sense for him to help you. But how did the inner guard find out about Prince Ying, and how dare they involve Prince Liang's Mansion?"

Zhao Ji looked at Shangguan Wan'er deeply, and said helplessly in a low voice: "It's not convenient to talk about it here."

Shangguan Wan'er understood immediately, and the two of them parted as if nothing had happened. She first delivered the memorial to Luantai, and then returned to her own residence.

Zhao Ji first pretended to leave the palace, but actually rushed back using Qinggong, and was already waiting in the boudoir.

When Zhao Ji saw Shangguan Wan'er coming back, his face was serious and he asked first: "How do you know that the inner guards found out that it was me who tampered with Prince Ying's mansion?"

Shangguan Wan'er knew what he was worried about, and explained, "Don't worry, I also know your other actions and guesses, Your Majesty will not doubt it."

Hearing this answer, Zhao Ji felt slightly relieved.

However, Zhao Ji's doubts were dispelled, but Shangguan Wan'er got angry: "How dare you interfere with the inner guards? Who else is it besides Wen Kai? It can't be that Fenghuang? It's only been a few days, you can't have hooked up with that Fenghuang, right?"

"Ah?" Zhao Ji almost suspected that he had heard it wrongly after hearing this series of moves.

"No, am I really that bad? My wife at home is pregnant, and I'm going out to hook up with other women?"

Shangguan Wan'er saw that Zhao Ji's face did not seem to be pretending, but she still had doubts in her heart, especially when she thought that Xiaomei was pregnant with her lover's child, she felt even worse.

"Aren't you like that now?" When one is jealous, he doesn't distinguish between friend and foe.

When Zhao Ji heard this, he was choked and speechless for a moment.

After being silent for most of the day, he could only say with a bitter face: "Wan'er, you are different!"

Shangguan Wan'er's expression became a little better after hearing this: "I know you're not a lecher. But how we started back then, I'm afraid it's the same for her, right?"

This was another move of silence, which almost made Zhao Ji unable to refute.

He was really helpless and could only reveal the truth: "After the incident with Xiao Qingfang, His Majesty carefully selected such a ruthless character who always has a cold face when meeting everyone. I really have nothing to do with him."

"I have another spy in the Inner Guard. You know, I was the one who personally checked the snake spirits in the Inner Guard, so I left behind a few seeds." These seeds were naturally the confidants of Xiaomei and her sisters in the Five Halls. Like Wu Xiang, they are now in Zhao Ji's hands.

After layers of investigation, the Snake Spirit has been destroyed, and these people have been completely cleared of all charges, and almost no one will doubt them anymore.

When Shangguan Wan'er heard this shocking news, she was struck by lightning and was speechless for a long time.

After a long while, she asked in a trembling voice with disbelief: "Are you crazy? You are actually involved with the people of Snake Spirit? What if His Majesty knows about this..."

Zhao Ji lowered his head, his face uncertain, and even an elusive sneer appeared at the corner of his mouth: "I was born a snake spirit, and so are Xiaomei and the others. How easy is it to completely cut off this past?"

"As for His Majesty, if our relationship is revealed, wouldn't it be equally dangerous? What's the big deal about this one more thing?"

Now it was Shangguan Wan'er's turn to be speechless: "...you...ah!"

She fell into a long silence.

After a long while, her eyes almost turned red, and her voice was choked with sobs: "His Majesty has clearly arranged everything for you. You have been transferred to the three ministries and six departments in the court several times to accumulate experience."

"Your Majesty, a hundred years from now, it is a foregone conclusion that you will enter the government hall and become a prime minister. When the crown prince ascends the throne, given his weak character, I'm afraid you will have great power in the court. She has paved the way for you, why do you insist on..."

Zhao Ji gently took Shangguan Wan'er's hand, pulled her into his arms, and said softly: "Your Majesty's arrangement is very good, but that is not the path I want to take. If I don't fight, what will you do?"

When Shangguan Wan'er heard what Zhao Ji said, she was speechless for a moment.

She slowly snuggled into Zhao Ji's arms, feeling the warmth from him. The worries and confusion in her heart seemed to be somewhat comforted at this moment.

She sighed softly, with a hint of helplessness and compromise in her voice: "I know you have your ambitions and considerations. But this road is too dangerous, I'm afraid..."

Zhao Ji gently stroked Shangguan Wan'er's hair and whispered, "Live as a hero, die as a ghost hero. After the Snake Spirit Rebellion last year, His Majesty asked me about my ambitions."

"I replied that a real man should be determined to leave his name in history, and follow the example of Wei Qing and Huo Qubing, defending the country and eliminating the enemy. But how could the relatives and families of these two people have a good ending?"

"Born in the royal family, sometimes I have no choice. Even if I don't think about myself, I think about Xiaomei and the others, about you, and about my unborn child."

Shangguan Wan'er felt Zhao Ji's body temperature, smiled, and sighed softly: "If you say so, then so! Wan'er's life is decided by you. And it's true, Princess Taiping and Prince Xiang are still alive after plotting rebellion, no wonder you have the guts to do so."

When Zhao heard this, he couldn't help laughing.

Once she changed her mind, Shangguan Wan'er's mind started to race: "You have been getting close to Mr. Zhang and the others recently. You have replaced the previous positions of Prince Xiang and Mr. Di and become the leader of the Li Tang Dynasty."

"How many old ministers of the Li Tang Dynasty have joined you, many court officials praise you for your style like Prince Zhang Huai, and many people call you a wise king."

However, when the word "virtuous king" was mentioned, Zhao Ji frowned slightly, looking unhappy: "Bah, bad luck! Virtuous king is not a good word!"

Shangguan Wan'er looked at Zhao Ji with some surprise, and continued, "I also think you are too ostentatious. If this continues, Wu Sansi and others will definitely regard you as a thorn in their eyes."

"Your Majesty may even become wary... In my opinion, you should keep a low profile, avoid the limelight for the time being, and take your time."

Zhao Ji smiled calmly and said, "If I don't become a banner, how can I quickly attract people's attention? After all, I am a generation younger than the prince. If I want to become a chess player, this is the only way. If I am not very popular, I might as well not fight!"

"As for your majesty, you still don't understand. Your majesty is only concerned about three things now: first, the stability of his current position; second, his reputation after his death; and third, his concern about whether the Wu family can be preserved when the Li Tang dynasty is revived after her death."

"If these three aspects can be properly handled, even if there are occasional small actions, she will turn a blind eye and even help."

Shangguan Wan'er's eyes flashed with enlightenment: "I see, that's why you deliberately pushed the situation and attacked Xue Qinglin and Ying Wang Yuanqi!"

Zhao Ji proudly stated his plan: "That's right. These two people have notorious bad deeds, and they are implicated in your majesty's past affairs. Your majesty has long wanted to get rid of them, and I am just following the trend."

"These two people have committed many evil deeds and offered us evidence. Especially Yuan Qi, who even extended his hand to the imperial court's taxes and official salt. How can Your Majesty tolerate him?"

"It's just that his action happened at a time when the northwest was in a tight spot and the treasury was empty. It created an opportunity for me to involve Wu Sansi and make him behave for a while."

"I can take this opportunity to seek an external post by investigating cases and reforming the grain transport system, escape from the prison of the capital, and gain the support of the people of Yangzhou. If nothing unexpected happens, Lord Di can also take this opportunity to be reinstated and return to the court."

"After we overthrow these corrupt officials, the national treasury will be enriched for a while. Tsk tsk tsk, in this case, I should really thank Yuan Qi, this corrupt official. Without him, I really don't know what I would do!"

Shangguan Wan'er laughed when she heard Zhao Ji's sarcastic remarks.

However, she still reminded him: "Yuan Qi has considerable influence in the Yangzhou area. Don't get carried away or you will capsize like the Han Canal!"

Zhao Ji nodded, with a hint of longing in his eyes: "I know Yuan Qi's background very well. The snake spirit has been eliminated, and he can't cause any trouble!"

"The key now is that Wen Kai's letter must be sent quickly, preferably before the court meeting in a few days. Only then will His Majesty be willing to give in, and my plans will be effective!"

(End of this chapter)