Tang Dynasty, my wife Wu Zetian

Chapter 105: Drag Changsun Wuji into the water?
Mount Li, Hot Spring Palace.

Li Zhi was lying in the hot spring pool with a thick fox fur scarf draped over his shoulders.

Next to him, Wang Jishan was also naked, with a body full of strong bronze muscles, which made Li Zhi really envious.

While Li Zhi was chatting with him, Wang Fusheng suddenly came over, knelt by the pool, and said, "Your Majesty, something unexpected happened at Shi Hedan's house last night."

Li Zhi frowned and said, "Could it be that Shi He died of delay?"

Wang Fusheng hurriedly said, "Shi Hedan is not dead."

He recounted the events of last night in detail and added, "I suspect that the woman named Wu Niang is also a spy."

Li Zhi said, "Is he also a spy?"

Wang Fusheng said: "Yes, the person behind her seems to have the same goal as us, and he even replaced Shi Hedan in advance."

Li Zhi pondered and said, "So, someone else must be spying beside Changsun Quan. Who could that person be?"

Wang Fusheng said, "I'm wondering if it was the Princess's man. Changsun Quan did so many things behind her back, it's impossible for her to be unaware of it."

Li Zhi thought for a moment and said, "None of this is important. You can investigate later. What I want to know now is, what kind of organization is that?"

Wang Fusheng said, "It's called the Yanshan Society. I've already sent people to check, but there's no relevant record in the archives of the Ministry of Justice or the Dali Temple."

Wang Jishan, who was taking a hot spring bath nearby, was moved when he heard the three words "Yanshan Meeting".

Li Zhi ordered: "Then go and investigate thoroughly."

Wang Fusheng agreed and left.

After soaking in the hot spring, Li Zhi took a carriage back to Chang'an, passed through the Xuanwu Gate from the Forbidden Garden, and returned to the Ganlu Palace.

The eunuch guarding the palace reported that Liu Rengui had something to report and was waiting in the left side hall.

Li Zhi waved his hand and said, "Please ask Liu Qing to come over."

After a while, Liu Rengui arrived at the main hall. After the formalities, he bowed to Li Zhi and said, "Your Majesty, I have something to report."

Li Zhi said, "Mr. Liu, please speak."

Liu Rengui's face was solemn as he said, "Last night, a murder occurred in Chang'an City. The deceased was named Shi Hedan, and he was originally an interpreter for the Secretariat."

Li Zhi's heart moved and he asked, "Is there something wrong with this person?"

Liu Rengui said, "Your Majesty, I was investigating a case at the Ministry of Revenue. Just as I found Shi Hedan, he was murdered. I find this extremely strange."

Li Zhi said, "What's the case?"

Liu Rengui hesitated for a moment and said, "I don't know now."

Li Zhi said: "Don't know?"

Liu Rengui originally investigated only the corruption and bribery of officials in the Ministry of Revenue.

As a result, when his officials investigated a clerk named He, he found that the clerk had resigned and sent his family away.

The clerk surnamed He was involved in only a small case. Even if it was confirmed, he would only be demoted three levels. There was no need for such a big reaction.

Liu Rengui suspected that He Lingshi was involved in a bigger crime. When he was about to send someone to arrest him, He Lingshi died. His death was very strange and did not seem to be man-made.

Liu Rengui found it very strange, so he ordered Di Renjie to investigate, only to find out that he had been murdered.

Liu Rengui became even more certain that there was something wrong with He Lingshi, and following this clue, he soon found Shi Hedan.

As a result, Shi Hedan died again.

Liu Rengui felt that the matter was of great importance and could no longer be investigated secretly, so he reported to Li Zhi and requested a thorough investigation of the case.

After listening to his report, Li Zhi finally understood the whole story.

"Does Mr. Liu have any suspects?"

Liu Rengui said: "I think the Minister of Revenue, Chang Sunyang, is very suspicious. Although he is a minister, he has always been the highest official in the Ministry of Revenue. He cannot be separated from the major crimes in the Ministry of Revenue!"

Li Zhi pondered, "First it was Changsun Quan, and now it's Changsun Yang. It seems this case is related to the Changsun clan again."

Li Zhi took a deep breath and said, "Okay, I order you to investigate this case with full authority. The imperial edict will be issued immediately."

Liu Rengui said, "I accept your command and thank you!" After a pause, he said, "Your Majesty, may I ask for your help?"

Li Zhi laughed and said, "Is it Di Renjie?"

Liu Rengui said: "It was this man who solved the Sifangdi Inn case, which shows his ability to investigate cases. I would like to use his abilities."

Li Zhi waved his hand and said, "Approved!"

After Liu Rengui took his leave, Li Zhi went to the right side hall for a walk.

Gao Youdao and others were concentrating on helping him handle official business. Li Zhi casually picked up a few double-checked memorials and carefully examined them for a while. After finding no problems, he left Ganlu Hall.

Li Zhi walked around the Liangyi Palace and headed west through the Yuehua Gate. Two palaces appeared in front of him.

Li Zhi didn't recognize any of them. After asking around, he found out that one of them was called Princess Courtyard and the other was called Qianqiu Palace.

The Princess Courtyard was built by Emperor Taizong of Tang. Because he had so many daughters, more than twenty in total, he built such a palace to house all the unmarried princesses who had reached adulthood.

Now, in the huge princess courtyard, there is only one princess waiting to be married, and her title is Princess Changshan.

The reason why the princess did not marry was very simple. She had fallen seriously ill more than ten years ago, and her health had been deteriorating since then.

After Li Zhi dug out these memories from the depths of his mind, he couldn't help but feel a little sympathy for Princess Changshan.

Just as he was about to go in and see his sister, a soft voice suddenly came from behind him.

"Everyone."

Li Zhi turned around and saw Wu Meiniang walking towards him surrounded by a group of palace maids.

Li Zhi smiled and greeted her, saying, "Is there anything the Queen wants to see me about?"

This is the front palace. Wu Meiniang would not be wandering around here unless she had something to find me.

Wu Meiniang said seriously, "I have something to report to everyone."

Li Zhi took a look at the Princess's Courtyard and decided to come back another day. He took Wu Meiniang's hand and walked towards the Lizheng Palace.

After arriving at the Lizheng Hall, Li Zhi asked Wu Meiniang what was going on.

Wu Mei Niang said, "Everyone, my subordinates, the Changqiutai, recently reported a strange incident. The son-in-law, Changsun Quan, actually sent someone to kill a translator from the Secretariat."

After listening to this, Li Zhi stared at Wu Meiniang.

Wu Meiniang was slightly surprised and asked, "Everyone, what's wrong?"

Li Zhi said, "Mei Niang, that Jianghu guy who assassinated Shi Hedan couldn't be one of your men, right?"

Wu Meiniang was stunned at first, then she covered her mouth and smiled, "I understand now. That other gangster is a spy under the command of Wang Dajian."

Li Zhi said calmly, "Mei Niang, how did you get involved in this matter?"

Wu Meiniang observed his expression and said softly, "I just sent someone to keep an eye on Changsun Quan. I hope you won't blame me."

Li Zhi sighed, "Do you still want to deal with Zhangsun Wuji?"

Wu Meiniang lowered her head slightly and said, "If he behaved well, I wouldn't provoke him."

What she meant was that if Changsun Wuji made a mistake, she would never show mercy.

Li Zhi didn't speak for a while.

When King Wu was deposed and King Wu was enthroned, Zhangsun Wuji did humiliate Wu Meiniang too harshly.

As long as Wu Meiniang didn't go too far, there would be nothing wrong with letting her keep an eye on Changsun Wuji.

Thinking of this, Li Zhi stopped talking about this topic and asked, "Is Shi Hedan in your hands?"

Wu Meiniang smiled and said, "I sent Zhang Duohai to protect him. I think this man must have some secrets."

Li Zhi said, "I have ordered Liu Rengui and Di Renjie to investigate this case. Queen, please hand the suspect over to them."

Wu Meiniang said, "I obey your order."

After Li Zhi left the palace, Wu Meiniang immediately ordered someone to call Zhang Duohai over.

"You must immediately order the Changqiutai to bring Di Renjie to where Shi Hedan is imprisoned and hand him over to him. Cooperate with him fully and do not slack off in the slightest."

Zhang Duohai agreed, "Yes."

Wu Meiniang thought for a moment and then instructed, "Think of another way to tell Changsun Wuji about Changsun Quan's affairs."

Zhang Duohai smiled slightly and said, "I heard that the clan member that Changsun Wuji values ​​most is Changsun Quan. Do you want to drag him down with you?"

Wu Meiniang said, "Go and do your work."

When Zhang Duohai reached the door, he subconsciously stopped. Sure enough, Empress Wu shouted again: "Come back!"

Zhang Da Hai ran back happily and asked with a smile, "Your Highness, do you have any other instructions?"

Wu Meiniang said, "We can't tell Changsun Wuji directly about Changsun Quan's affairs. We need to find a way to let Changsun Chong know."

Zhang Duohai was stunned for a moment, then suddenly said, "I understand. Zhangsun Wuji is a very cunning old fox. Telling him directly might alert him. Telling his son would be better."

Wu Meiniang didn't say much, just waved her hand and signaled him to leave.

(End of this chapter)