Li Chengqian of the Tang Dynasty: Please say long live His Majesty

Chapter 608: Spying on the Celestial Phenomenon, Spying on the Palace Ban, and Catching (Fourth Update)
In the Lizheng Hall, the palace lights were dim.

Li Chengqian lay on the bed, sleeping soundly.

Su Shu lay in his arms, also sleeping soundly.

The Crown Prince is getting married tonight. Although they are the Emperor and Empress, they drank quite a bit due to the toasts from the princes, princesses, and court officials.

Suddenly, a burst of hurried footsteps sounded outside the hall.

"Your Majesty, Your Majesty!" Zhang Ananda's heavy voice sounded outside the hall.

A moment later, Li Chengqian, who had fallen asleep on the bed, suddenly opened his eyes.

He turned sideways to look outside the hall. Zhang Ananda's voice was so loud that it almost woke him up from his dream.

This is against palace rules.

problem occurs.

Li Chengqian sat up from the bed and glanced at Su Shu who was sleeping. Li Chengqian took a deep breath and then carefully got off the bed.

Grabbing the Qianniu Sword hanging on the edge of the curtain, Li Chengqian walked straight towards the central hall.

The maid guarding the central hall immediately helped Li Chengqian put on his coat.

With a creaky sound, the palace door opened.

Li Chengqian was wearing a black silk dragon robe, standing inside the palace gate, holding a Qianniu sword in his hand, looking outside the palace.

Zhang Ananda stood on the steps of the Lizheng Hall.

Sun Wukai stood at the bottom of the steps with a team of guards, and everyone looked solemn.

Li Chengqian glanced at Zhang Ananda and asked calmly, "What happened?"

"Your Majesty, someone is spying on the palace." Zhang Ananda bowed and said, "General Sun led his men to inspect the palace today and discovered someone hiding in the shadows of the Liangyi Hall, spying on the Ganlu Gate. He shouted, but who would have thought that the person turned and ran away."

"There's a ghost!" Li Chengqian's eyes narrowed instantly.

Because of the Crown Prince's wedding tonight, there are many princes and nobles in the palace. The palace gates are closed late, and people leave at night.

Some people even got drunk in the palace.

But no matter what, you shouldn't run when you encounter patrolling guards. Even pretending to be drunk is better than running!

Li Chengqian looked up and asked, "Who is it?"

Zhang Ananda bowed and said seriously, "Your Majesty, it's Chen Xuanyun, the eunuch."

"Chen Xuanyun?" Li Chengqian frowned slightly, then nodded and said, "I remember this person, but he's the Eternal Palace Commander. He should have been the one cleaning up the banquet. Why was he so nervous? Why did he turn around and run?"

"Your Majesty," Zhang Ananda said, bowing, "I feel there are many problems here. I beg you to torture me."

"Just torture me if you want. Why tell me?" Li Chengqian was a little surprised.

A Ye Ting Ling was just an official position below the seventh rank, responsible for managing the names of palace ladies and supervising the affairs of palace maids, and was affiliated with the Ministry of Internal Affairs.

Zhang Ananda was the Eunuch Supervisor, a third-rank official in the court.

Moreover, he had followed the late emperor very early, starting from Xuanwu Gate, and is still the highest leader among the eunuchs in the palace.

"Your Majesty!" Zhang Ananda bowed and said, "Your Majesty may not know that Chen Xuanyun was brought into the palace by Concubine Chen in her early years. Although Concubine Chen died young, her daughter is Princess Gaoyang."

Li Chengqian's face darkened instantly.

Gao Yang's mother died of dystocia in her early years, so Princess Gao Yang was raised by Li Chengqian's mother since childhood.

Many concubines in the palace were like this.

Among them, Princess Yuzhang was even registered under the name of Li Chengqian's mother.

From the perspective of etiquette, Princess Yuzhang is also Li Chengqian's legitimate sister.

So Princess Gaoyang was very familiar with Li Chengqian, Li Zhi, and Li Tai.

However, Li Chengqian had long forgotten who Princess Gaoyang's mother was.

"I really didn't expect Gao Yang to have a backup plan in the palace." Li Chengqian looked at Zhang Ananda and asked, "What do you mean?"

"Your Majesty, if we find Princess Gaoyang, what about that matter?" Zhang Ananda looked at Li Chengqian seriously. Li Chengqian suddenly burst into laughter and said through gritted teeth, "She has already reached the point of peeping into the palace. Why should I keep her any longer? Go, send an order to have the Imperial Censor and the Attendant Shangguan Yi enter the palace. During your interrogation, have them observe and record it."

"Yes!" Zhang Ananda bowed seriously.

"If it is confirmed that Gao Yang really sent Chen Xuanyun to spy on the palace, then summon Duke Zhao into the palace." Li Chengqian raised his head slightly and said softly, "Perhaps now is really a good opportunity."

……

In Ganlu Hall, Changsun Wuji was flipping through the records in front of him by candlelight.

He raised his head and looked at Li Chengqian who was sitting on the imperial couch. He said seriously, "Your Majesty, Chen Xuanyun confessed that he was instructed by Princess Gaoyang to observe the celestial phenomena and spy on the palace. Considering his relationship with Princess Gaoyang, the matter can be confirmed."

Although Chen Xuanyun was the Ye Ting Ling, as the Eunuch Supervisor, Zhang Ananda had countless ways to make Chen Xuanyun confess.

Moreover, his psychological quality was not very good, otherwise he would not have realized something was wrong when observing the celestial phenomena, and then turned around and ran away in fright after observing that the Ganlu Sect was discovered.

Li Chengqian nodded gently and said, "Spying into the palace is a serious crime, but I didn't expect that he also had the ability to observe the celestial phenomena. Gao Yang actually dared to order him to do so."

"Your Majesty, the palace is where the North Star resides. Predicting celestial phenomena from the palace is the best place to observe Ziwei's movements." Changsun Wuji swallowed subconsciously and whispered, "Chen Xuanyun is observing the stars in the palace. He's actually trying to predict your Majesty's fortune. He might even resort to witchcraft and curses."

"So, my uncle agrees that I should take action." Li Chengqian lowered his head and looked deeply at Changsun Wuji.

"I have never opposed Your Majesty." Zhangsun Wuji bowed and said, "But Your Majesty, if this matter is involved in the witchcraft issue, many people will die."

Li Chengqian took a deep breath and said, "Uncle is right. I am actually considering the same thing."

Changsun Wuji nodded seriously.

"But now we have reached the point where we have no choice but to act." Li Chengqian gritted his teeth and said, "Look at what's written there. Chen Xuanyun has observed the celestial phenomena several times before and passed on the prophecies to Gao Yang. Uncle, don't tell me that Gao Yang knows anything about astrological prophecies. She's looking for someone else."

Yes, ordinary people cannot understand astrology.

Zhang Sun Wuji suddenly raised his head, looked at Li Chengqian and said, "Your Majesty, those monks?"

Li Chengqian was stunned and looked at Zhangsun Wuji and asked, "Uncle, are you talking about Bian Ji?"

"Master Xuanzang is a master of astrology." Changsun Wuji nodded and said, "I have spoken with him several times and confirmed that there is no problem. Although Bian Ji only followed Master Xuanzang for a few years, many monks in our dynasty dabble in the five sciences: geomancy, craftsmanship, medicine, logic, and inner wisdom. Astrology belongs to the category of craftsmanship. Bian Ji is a famous monk, so he should understand it."

Li Chengqian raised his head, looked at Zhang Ananda who was standing to the side, and said, "Send someone to investigate."

"Yes!" Zhang Ananda bowed, then turned and left.

"In other words, the monks Gao Yang has been collaborating with over the years were recruited by her to predict the astrology?" Li Chengqian frowned, then looked at Zhangsun Wuji and said, "Uncle, if that's the case, when did Gao Yang start planning a rebellion?"

"Not necessarily." Changsun Wuji shook his head and said, "Your Majesty, it's possible that it was because Bian Ji was well versed in astrology that the princess was able to understand a little bit of it. As for when she became interested, it was probably after Bian Ji's death."

"So, she is still blaming me and my father for killing Bian Ji." Li Chengqian couldn't help but gritted his teeth.

Chang Sun Wuji did not respond, but instead said, "Your Majesty is going on this eastern tour, and he is taking half of the palace guards with him. That's why the palace is empty and open to prying eyes.

Once His Majesty leaves, the princess will definitely contact Chen Xuanyun... Your Majesty is right, we have no choice but to take action now."

Li Chengqian took a deep breath and said, "Uncle, we originally wanted to handle the rebellion of Yang Siyi, Yang Sixun, and Yang Sina with caution. The reason for this is that the Yang family is so powerful that taking action against them would arouse suspicion among the noble families of the world. This is the first reason. The second reason is that the Yang family is so cautious that it is difficult for us to obtain evidence of their crimes. But now, Gaoyang has a problem."

"What does Your Majesty mean?" Changsun Wuji couldn't help but look up.

"First, capture Gao Yang and force him to confess. Then, follow the clues and arrest the Yang family!" Li Chengqian clenched his fists and said, "Uncle, if I do this, do you think the noble families will think I'm going too far, or will they think the Yang family is stupid for joining forces with Gao Yang?"

Zhangsun Wuji was stunned for a moment, then he slowly nodded and said, "If the noble families of the world think that the Yang family is too stupid, they will only find it funny and will not think that Your Majesty is being excessive. In this way, they will still behave themselves during the Eastern Expedition."

"That's right." Li Chengqian looked at Zhangsun Wuji deeply and said, "At the same time, we must strictly control the people involved in the case. We must not let this case escalate too much. If people's hearts are shaken and it affects the army, it will be troublesome."

"I understand." Changsun Wuji nodded in agreement.

Li Chengqian raised his head slightly and said, "First, arrest Princess Gaoyang and interrogate her strictly. At the same time, issue an order to summon Zhang Xiang, the Duke of Wei, Tang Jian, Ma Zhou, Yu Xiang, Lai Ji, as well as the Minister of Justice, the Minister of Justice, and the Imperial Censor to discuss how to deal with Princess Gaoyang's rebellion.

Only investigate Princess Gaoyang's conspiracy. As for the others, whoever is implicated will be arrested after evidence is obtained. If there is no evidence, no one will be arrested."

"I understand." Changsun Wuji nodded seriously.

"Seven days. After seven days, I will embark on an eastern tour. This case will be handled within seven days."

"I accept the decree."

(End of this chapter)