Tang Dynasty, my wife Wu Zetian

Chapter 104: Empress Wu's Changes
Lizheng Hall.

Empress Wu was sitting on the phoenix chair practicing the sketching that Li Zhi taught her.

A eunuch quietly came into the hall, whispered to Zhang Duohai for a while, and then left.

Wu Meiniang knew that the eunuch was from Changqiutai. She glanced at Zhang Duohai and asked, "What happened?"

Zhang Duohai approached Empress Wu and whispered, "Your Highness, do you still remember the hidden chess piece we planted next to Zhang Sunquan?"

Wu Meiniang said calmly, "Of course I remember. She was a Jianghu person recruited by Changqiutai. I have seen her before. Her name seems to be Wu Niang. She is a very clever woman."

Zhang Duohai said: "Yes, Zhang Sunquan has a group of gangsters under his command. I followed your instructions and asked Wu Niang to get close to Zhang Sunquan. She just spread the news that Zhang Sunquan wanted to send her to kill someone."

Wu Meiniang asked, "Oh, who does Zhang Sunquan want to kill?"

Zhang Duohai said: "Shi Hedan!"

Wu Meiniang pondered for a moment and said, "Is it the interpreter whose house was robbed by Chu Suiliang?"

Zhang Duohai said: "Your Highness remembers correctly, this is the person!"

Wu Meiniang asked, "Why did Zhangsun Quan want to kill him?"

Zhang Duohai said, "It's not clear at the moment, but according to the news from Wu Niang, it's said that Chang Sunquan may have joined an organization that opposes the imperial court. It's possible that someone in the organization asked him to do it."

Wu Meiniang slowly raised her head and said coldly: "Maybe?"

Zhang Duohai knew that Empress Wu hated to hear unverified statements, so he quickly said, "Wu Niang also said that as long as Shi Hedan is killed, we can infiltrate the organization and then investigate thoroughly!"

Wu Meiniang was silent for a while, then said, "Find a death row prisoner to pretend to be Shi Hedan and help her get in."

Zhang Duohai added, "There's another problem. Chang Sunquan sent two assassins, and the other one might be able to see through the flaw."

Wu Meiniang said calmly, "Just kill him. How can you prevent Changsun Quan from getting suspicious? Do I need to teach you again?"

Zhang Dahai smiled and said, "I understand. I will arrange it right away!"

……

The wind and waves at the river head are not that bad, but it is difficult to walk on the human world.

The Tang Dynasty had a strong martial spirit, but not everyone was willing to join the army and be bound by military regulations.

The sea is wide enough for fish to leap, and the sky is wide enough for birds to fly.

There is always a group of people in the world who like to live an unrestrained life and do not want to be bound by anything.

The people of the Tang Dynasty called these martial artists who liked to travel around the world "jianghuzi", and those who were famous among them were respectfully called "youxia".

Tang Ping is a gangster.

In this house, there are many gangsters like him, who are willing to be guests here because of the reputation of Changsun Quan.

Tang Ping is different from them. He is a spy from the Palace Office, lurking here to monitor Changsun Quan.

Tang Ping was walking in the backyard, carrying a broadsword.

Suddenly, there was a sound of breaking through the air, and a crossbow arrow shot five steps in front of Tang Ping.

Tang Ping looked up and saw a woman in a red hunting suit and a conical hat blocking his way.

Tang Ping said, "Wu Niang, what do you mean?"

The woman said, "Tang Ping, give up this mission and leave Chang'an City."

Tang Ping was stunned for a moment and asked, "Why?"

Wu Niang turned around and said coldly, "I'm only warning you once." Then she walked away.

Tang Ping frowned, continued walking forward, and soon arrived near the courtyard wall.

He looked around and saw that there was no one around. He went behind a tree and broke open a loose brick on the wall. There was a piece of paper under the brick.

Tang Ping picked up the note and took a look. After reading it, he sighed and said, "Wu Niang, you are the one who should leave Chang'an City."

……

Xuanyangfang, outside a luxurious mansion.

Sha Ji looked up at the mansion with surprise and said, "My dear, didn't you say your family was already in decline? How come this mansion is so big?"

Shi Sanlang was also a little surprised.

He clearly remembered that when he left Chang'an, Shi Hedan moved to a small courtyard with two entrances.

He coughed and said, "Well, this house is much smaller than the previous one, so I'll just have to make do with it."

Sha Ji looked at Shi Sanlang with admiration, with countless little stars flashing in her eyes.

Shi Sanlang went over and knocked on the door. After a while, a doorman opened it.

The man opened his eyes wide and shouted in surprise: "My dear, my dear is back!" He turned around and ran away, shouting as he ran.

Shi Sanlang had already seen that the man was none other than his own servant, and he was secretly delighted. He said, "Sure enough, he is from my family. How did Weng Weng buy such a big house? He is really capable."

Shi Sanlang pulled Sha Ji into the house and looked around. He felt that although this house was not as grand as the one in Pingkangfang, it was also very nice.

Shaji was even more delighted.

This house was even more luxurious than her mansion in Kangguo, and the regret she had about eloping disappeared among the dazzling pavilions and towers.

Shi Sanlang brought Sha Ji to the back hall, only to see a tall, thin, bald old man walking out from the corner door.

The two of them stared at each other for a long time and then shouted in unison.

"Wengweng!"

"Saburo!"

The old man and his daughter hugged each other tightly.

Shi Sanlang lost both his parents when he was young and was raised by his father-in-law. Seeing his father-in-law's gray hair and the fact that he seemed to have aged a few years, he couldn't help but tear up.

Shi Hedan was also in tears. He had put in a lot of effort and finally earned back the family fortune just to leave it to his grandson.

"Sanlang, it's good that you're back, it's good that you're back!"

Shi Sanlang introduced Sha Ji to Shi Hedan and said with a smile: "Old man, this is the woman I brought back from Kangguo. Her name is Sha Ji. Please, old man, make the decision for us."

Shi Hedan said with a smile: "Good, good, he's handsome and has a big butt, he's a good candidate to carry on the family line."

Shaji blushed slightly and bowed to him.

Shi Hedan ordered his servant to call Sha Ji and take Shi Sanlang to the study, where he asked him about his situation in the Western Regions in recent years.

Shi Sanlang explained in detail and then asked about the situation in Chang'an.

Shi Hedan laughed and said, "Chang'an has changed a lot now. Chu Suiliang has been exiled by the emperor. Zhangsun Wuji has also retired, and Wei Siqian has been recalled. You don't have to worry, just stay in Chang'an." Shi Sanlang was delighted and asked, "Wang Weng, how did you buy this house? Are you dealing in Kunlun slaves again?"

Shi Hedan shook his head and said, "It's been more than 20 years, and the business is no longer going to pick up. Don't worry, there will be no trouble. This house was specially left for you by Weng Weng."

Shi Sanlang frowned and said, "You haven't done anything illegal, have you?"

Shi Hedan's expression was a little unnatural, and he forced a smile and said, "How could that be? Don't think too much."

Just then, a muffled groan was heard from outside, followed by the sound of someone falling to the ground.

Shi Hedan asked anxiously, "What happened?"

There was no movement outside.

With a creaky sound, the study door was pushed open and four masked men walked in.

Shi Sanlang hurriedly stood in front of Shi Hedan and shouted, "Who are you and what do you want to do?"

A man in black said in a hoarse voice, "Don't be nervous. Someone is trying to kill your father-in-law, and we are here to save him."

Shi Sanlang asked loudly, "Then why are you wearing masks?"

The man in black said calmly, "Seeing us like this will do you no good. Attack!"

Two men in black came over and subdued Shi Hedan and took off his clothes.

Shi Sanlang wanted to stop him, but was restrained by another man in black.

At this time, another old man walked in. He looked to be in his fifties, with a haggard look, sunken cheeks and dull eyes.

The man put on Shi Hedan's clothes, sat on a chair, and said nothing.

The other men in black took Shi Hedan away.

Shi Sanlang chased him to the door and asked anxiously, "Where are you taking my father-in-law?"

The man in black, who was walking at the end, said, "If you want your father-in-law to live, go back to the house and stay well."

After hesitating for a moment, Shi Sanlang returned to the study and asked the man who had changed into Shi Hedan's clothes, "Who are you?"

The man glanced at him and said expressionlessly, "I don't know who they are either."

Shi Sanlang said angrily: "Then you should know who you are, right?"

The man said calmly, "I was originally a death row inmate. But now, I am your father-in-law, Shi Hedan."

When the moon is dark and the wind is strong, it is the time to kill.

Zhang Duohai stood outside Changle Gate, looking up at the bright moon, frowning in his heart: "Why is there no news yet? Could the plan have failed?"

Just then, a eunuch came running over and whispered something to Zhang Dahai.

Zhang Dahai's expression was a bit complicated, and he snorted coldly: "You can't even handle a small matter. If something goes wrong next time, watch out for your skin!"

He turned around and went back to the palace, all the way to Lizheng Hall. After entering the hall, he saw Wu Meiniang talking to Madam Yang, so he did not disturb them.

After waiting for a long time, Mrs. Yang finally left.

Zhang Duohai stepped forward and dismissed the servants before saying, "Your Highness, something went wrong, but fortunately Wu Niang did not arouse suspicion."

Wu Meiniang was eating bird's nest. She took a small bite and said calmly, "What went wrong?"

Zhang Duohai said: "The gangster who was with Wu Niang also wanted to kill her, so Wu Niang failed."

Wu Meiniang put down the spoon and looked at him sideways.

Zhang Duohai hurriedly said: "Don't worry, Your Highness. Although Wu Niang failed to kill him, the plan was successful. Zhang Sunquan has agreed to let Wu Niang join the organization."

Wu Meiniang frowned and asked, "Why is this?"

Zhang Duohai said, "I have sent someone to replace Shi Hedan with a death row prisoner and have him under safe protection. However, the strange thing is that it wasn't the death row prisoner who died, but someone else."

Wu Meiniang's brows furrowed. "So, someone replaced the death row prisoner?"

Zhang Duohai said, "That should be the case. When Wu Niang killed that man, the Jianghu man knew it wasn't Shi Hedan, but when he reported it to Chang Sunquan, he didn't say anything."

Wu Meiniang said coldly: "Go check on that Jianghu guy, maybe he is also a spy."

Zhang Dahai smiled and said, "I have already sent people to investigate."

Wu Meiniang nodded and asked, "What kind of organization is that?"

Zhang Duohai said, "It's called the Yanshan Society."

Wu Meiniang murmured, "Yanshan Meeting, how come I have never heard of it?"

Zhang Duohai laughed and said, "I haven't heard of it either. It might be some bandits or horse bandits in some corner."

Wu Meiniang said coldly: "Do you think someone like Zhang Sunquan would join the bandits?"

Zhang Duohai hurriedly said, "I made a mistake. I will go investigate this Yanshan Society right away!"

"Wait a minute, come back." Wu Meiniang waved at him and asked, "Are you all going to the Hot Spring Palace today?"

Zhang Dahai smiled and said, "Yes, they should have already set off. Your Highness, it's not that we don't take you with us, but your health..."

Wu Meiniang said angrily, "Don't I know this myself? Do I need you to remind me? Let me ask you, did His Majesty bring any other concubines with him?"

Zhang Dahai laughed and said, "I didn't bring any."

Wu Meiniang's expression became noticeably better, and she waved her hand, saying, "Retreat."

When Zhang Da Hai reached the door, she waved again, "Come back."

Zhang Da Hai walked over happily and said with a smile, "Your Highness, do you have any instructions?"

Wu Mei Niang said, "When Your Majesty returns, please inform me immediately. It is better to tell Your Majesty about this matter."

Zhang Dahai was stunned and said, "Why bother His Majesty with such a small matter?"

Wu Meiniang glanced at him and said, "Your Majesty doesn't like others to hide things from him. No matter whether it's a big thing or a small thing, it will never be wrong to tell Your Majesty!"

Zhang Da Hai secretly laughed and thought to herself, "No matter how stubborn Her Majesty is, she will have to change her temper after being scolded by everyone."

Wu Meiniang stared at him: "What are you thinking about?"

Zhang Dahai looked into her majestic phoenix eyes and felt as if his thoughts were being seen. He said hurriedly, "I was thinking, Your Highness is very thoughtful!"

Wu Meiniang withdrew her gaze and continued to paint with her head down.

Zhang Duohai wiped the cold sweat from his forehead and left when he saw that Empress Wu had no more instructions.

(End of this chapter)