Tang Dynasty, my wife Wu Zetian

Chapter 373 Please punish me, Your Majesty!
In the Lizheng Hall, Li Zhi was practicing calligraphy while Wu Meiniang was studying beside him.

Wang Fusheng suddenly came to report that Yu Zhining had come to the palace to ask for an audience.

Li Zhi was surprised and said to Wu Meiniang, "Queen, Yu Zhining came to the palace so late. He must have something important to tell you. I will go there and come back later."

Wu Meiniang responded and sent him out of the hall.

Li Zhi came to Ganlu Palace and asked Zhining to meet him.

After the greetings, Yu Zhining bowed and said, "Your Majesty, I, an old minister, am here to see you late at night. I hope you will forgive me for disturbing your rest."

Li Zhi waved his hand and said, "No problem. Yu Qing entered the palace late at night. I believe you have something important to report, right?"

Yu Zhining said in a deep voice: "Your Majesty, the situation is like this..."

He told everyone about the situation of Yibaohui, the report on Baima Trading Company, and the relationship between Jingzhao Wei family and this matter.

After listening to this, Li Zhi frowned and asked, "You said Li Ji and Gao An also participated?"

Yu Zhining said hurriedly: "Yes, His Royal Highness the King of Wu and Her Royal Highness the Princess must have just met by chance."

Li Zhi nodded.

When Princess Gao An went to the restaurant to play, he was only worried but not angry.

As for the fact that this group of people used Yibaohui as a cover to commit corruption and bribery, he was even less surprised.

Later generations have evolved all kinds of bizarre bribery methods. There is nothing you can't do, and you can even legalize it.

What concerned him most was the name of Baima Trading Company.

"White Horse Trading Company, is it the trading company that runs the Mobei Horse Farm?"

Yu Zhining said, "Your Majesty, that is exactly what happened. The headmaster of the White Horse Trading Company is named Du Long, a descendant of the Huanshui Du family."

Li Zhi remained silent.

He was the one who promoted Du Zhenglun, who had been in charge of the restoration of the Qinling Mountains, opening up the Mobei trade route, and enabling the people of Chang'an to use coal, making great contributions.

But he never thought that he would be involved in corruption.

"Yu Qing, I already know the matter, you can leave now." Li Zhi waved his hand.

Yu Zhining bowed and took his leave.

Li Zhi sat quietly in Ganlu Palace for a long time before leaving. However, he did not go to Ganlu Palace, but went to the Princess's Courtyard first.

When he stepped into the hall, he saw Princess Yiyang and Princess Gaoan playing the game of tossing pots.

The two of them saluted him, and Princess Gao An pulled his sleeve and asked him to throw a few balls as well.

Li Zhi patted her hand and said, "Gao An, I came to see you because I have something to ask you."

Princess Gao An smiled and said, "Ye Ye, what do you want to ask?"

Li Zhi asked, "Did you really go to Da Ci'en Temple last night?"

Princess Gao An blushed slightly, turned her eyes away, and muttered softly, "Why did Ye Ye suddenly ask this?"

Li Zhi said: "Answer."

Seeing his scowl, Princess Gao An quickly shook his arm and said with a smile, "I went to a more interesting place."

Li Zhi asked, "Molanxuan?"

Princess Gao An was surprised and asked, "Yeah, you know?"

Li Zhi tapped her forehead lightly and said, "I also know that you participated in a Yibao meeting."

Princess Gao An covered her forehead and muttered, "I was wrong."

Li Zhi said, "First, repeat to me the entire process of the Yibao meeting."

Princess Gao An nodded and told the whole situation.

After listening to this, Li Zhi thought for a while and then asked, "Why did you and Jill go there?"

Princess Gao An whispered, "It's because of a eunuch named Xiaoxiang."

Li Zhi said, "Xiaoxiang?"

Princess Yiyang suddenly stepped forward and said, "Father, I accidentally heard about Xiaoxiang's story and told Brother Li Ji, so he decided to attend the Yibao Conference."

Li Zhi frowned and said, "Wait a minute, what's going on with Xiaoxiang?"

Princess Yi Yang then told him about Xiao Xiang's situation.

Li Zhi suddenly realized, "That's how it is."

Princess Gao An looked at Li Zhi's expression and said, "Yeah, yeah, are you angry?"

Li Zhi patted her hands and said, "If you want to go to a place like this again, just tell me directly. There's no need to be sneaky and avoid danger."

Princess Gao An said happily, "I'll remember it."

Li Zhi stood up and said, "It's getting late. I'm leaving." He left the Princess Courtyard and returned to the Lizheng Hall.

Wu Meiniang was waiting for him in the bedroom. When she saw him enter, her brows furrowed. She handed him a hand warmer and asked, "Your Majesty, what did Yu Zhining say to you?"

Li Zhi took the hand warmer, walked to the couch and sat down, and told Wu Meiniang about the Yibao Society.

After listening to this, Wu Meiniang pondered for a moment and said, "This method of bribery is quite clever. I wonder if the current Yonghui Law can punish it?"

Li Zhi shook his head and said, "I'm afraid not. The development of national commerce will lead to the emergence of various forms of bribery. That is why I asked Yu Zhining to recommend new candidates and improve the new law."

Wu Meiniang said, "Your Majesty still lets him take charge, perhaps because he wants to borrow Zhangsun Wuji's abilities."

Li Zhi said, "You don't mind, do you?"

Wu Meiniang smiled slightly and said, "My affair with Zhangsun Wuji is a long time ago. Even if Your Majesty appoints him to an official position, I dare not raise any objection."

Li Zhi said, "That's good."

Wu Meiniang bent her fingers slightly, placed them on her chin, and frowned, "But the behavior of the White Horse Trading Company is a bit strange."

"Oh?"

"The second day of the Lunar New Year is a national celebration. Even if they are very brave, they shouldn't choose this time to act. Aren't they afraid of being discovered?"

Li Zhi said slowly: "Do you know who they bribed?"

Wu Meiniang blinked and asked, "Who?"

Li Zhi said: "Jingzhao Wei, Wei Daijia."

Wu Meiniang's eyebrows flickered. After thinking for a moment, she thought, "Among the two people recommended by Yu Zhining for the revision of the new law, it seems that one of them is from the Wei family."

Li Zhi nodded and said in a deep voice, "Chief Censor, Wei Siqian."

Wu Meiniang smiled and said, "It seems they are worried that after the new law is enacted, they can use it to punish their crimes, so they made arrangements in advance."

Li Zhi nodded and fell silent again.

Just based on the words of a mere descendant of the Du family, even if Wei Daijia wanted to bribe him, Wei Daijia might not accept it.

It is difficult to erase Du Zhenglun’s figure behind this.

Wu Meiniang saw his dilemma and said no more. She ordered someone to bring hot water and help him bathe his feet.

After a while, both of them got on the couch, the gauze curtain was drawn, Li Zhi hugged Wu Meiniang, and soon fell asleep.

The third day of the first lunar month was the day for hunting in the Forbidden Garden. Early in the morning, Li Zhi went to observe the selection of generals within the Tang Dynasty.

After Wu Meiniang had dressed up, she ordered someone to summon Helan Minzhi to the palace for an audience.

More than half an hour later, Helan Minzhi arrived at the Lizheng Hall, wearing a dark red Wuhou narrow-sleeved leather armor, looking very heroic.

After the greetings, Wu Meiniang looked at him and said, "Minzhi, do you know about the Yibao Club in Pingkangfang?"

Helan Minzhi blinked and said, "My nephew knows, and I am investigating them."

Wu Meiniang's eyebrows flickered as she asked, "Has the King of Wu told you about this?"

Helan Minzhi said: "Yes, aunt, why are you..."

Wu Meiniang waved her hand and said, "Don't ask too many questions. Tell me about your current investigation."

Helan Minzhi reported immediately, but unfortunately, Wu Meiniang already knew what they had investigated.

"Do you know why King Wu suddenly wants to attend the Yibao Conference?"

Helan Minzhi said, "It seems to be related to a eunuch friend of his in the palace back then." "Who?"

"Xiao Xiang."

Wu Meiniang nodded and said, "Alright, you can leave now."

After Helan Minzhi left, Wu Meiniang called Zhang Duohai over and asked him to investigate Xiaoxiang's matter.

Around noon, Zhang Duohai found out the truth.

"Your Highness, I have already investigated. Xiaoxiang did know the King of Wu. He was beaten and severely injured for breaking curfew and is currently recovering at the Xiguan Bureau."

"He has a younger brother who works as a waiter at Mo Jia Xuan. He suddenly disappeared half a year ago. Xiao Xiang broke the curfew just to find his brother."

Wu Meiniang asked, "Is there anything suspicious?"

Zhang Duohai smiled and said, "Your Highness is wise. I did find something suspicious. It is said that someone visited Xiaoxiang when he was injured."

Wu Meiniang asked, "Who?"

Zhang Duohai said, "County Lady Du Rong."

Wu Meiniang asked, "Oh, why would she go to visit a little eunuch?"

Zhang Duohai said, "I heard from the people at the Xiguan Bureau that Lady Du, acting on the orders of her mother, Princess Chengyang, gave Xiaoxiang some gifts, saying that Xiaoxiang had served Princess Chengyang before."

"However, I have already checked. When Xiaoxiang entered the palace, Princess Chengyang had already left. It is impossible for the two to have had a relationship."

Wu Meiniang said calmly: "In other words, Du Rong is lying."

Zhang Duohai said: "Exactly."

Wu Meiniang pondered for a moment and ordered, "Pass the order down. A banquet will be held in the palace tonight. All women of the fifth rank and above in Chang'an must attend."

……

"Little sister, where are you going?"

In the courtyard of the princess's residence, Princess Yi Yang saw Princess Gao An hurriedly coming out with her men and called out to her.

Princess Gao An said, "I'm going to go see Xiao Xiang. Brother Xiao Ji asked me to look after him. I can't let him die."

Princess Yiyang said, "We'll just send someone to check it out. An order just came from Lizheng Palace saying that Mother is hosting a banquet at Ziyun Pavilion and asked us to go as well."

There were many banquets on the day, and Princess Gao'an was already used to it, so she had no choice but to agree, asked a maid to visit Xiaoxiang, changed her clothes, and accompanied Princess Yiyang to Ziyun Pavilion.

They arrived early and the other ladies had not arrived yet, so the two of them rested in a warm room on the second floor.

As they were chatting, they suddenly heard a "da da da" sound and a little girl ran in from outside.

"Your Highness, please slow down." Several bodyguards followed behind.

The girl was Princess Taiping. She was growing up, could talk and run, and her personality became more lively.

"Sister, hug me!" He opened his arms and rushed towards Princess Gao An.

Princess Gao'an is simple-minded, unlike Princess Yiyang who is thoughtful and cautious, and can easily play with children.

She picked up Princess Taiping and said with a smile, "Hehe, the little hand stove has grown fat again."

"Little hand warmer" was originally the name Li Zhi gave to Princess Taiping, because she was like a hand warmer, her whole body was hot, and it was very warm to hold her in your hands in winter.

Princess Gao An found it interesting to hear her father call her that, so she followed suit.

Princess Taiping also liked this name very much. Every time she heard someone call her a little hand warmer, she would giggle and hug the person tightly.

"Sister, did you go out of the palace to play yesterday?" Princess Taiping asked while sitting in Princess Gao'an's arms, looking up at her little face.

Princess Gao An said, "Yes."

Princess Taiping asked, "Is it fun outside the palace?"

Princess Gao An smiled and said, "It's so much fun. When you grow up a few years, I'll take you out to play, okay?"

Princess Taiping was overjoyed and kissed Princess Gao'an on the face.

At this time, a woman walked in from outside, holding a girl of seven or eight years old. They were Du Rong and Du Yuhe.

Wu Meiniang attached great importance to her future daughters-in-law, and often summoned Du Rong and Du Yuhe into the palace, so the three little princesses were quite familiar with them.

After the two sides exchanged greetings, they sat down and started chatting. After a few words, He Shanggong came over and said that the Queen had summoned Du Rong for an audience.

Du Rong left Du Yuhe in the house and followed He Shanggong to another spacious hall on the second floor.

Wu Meiniang was the only one in the hall. She was sitting on the couch reading a book. Seeing Du Rong come in, she waved at her and said with a smile, "Rong'er is here. Come here quickly. I have something to show you."

Du Rong responded and walked to Wu Meiniang's side, only to see that Wu Meiniang was holding a collection of poems, which contained many poems.

"Your Majesty, what is this?" Du Rong asked in confusion.

Wu Meiniang said, "This is a collection of poems compiled by the Hanlin Garden last year. It includes the best poems from the previous year. Look, two poems from the university book have also been included."

Du Rong looked in the direction she pointed and was surprised to see that there were indeed two poems written by Gao Youdao.

Wu Meiniang asked her to sit next to her and appreciate the collection of poems together.

Just when Du Rong was most relaxed, Wu Meiniang suddenly asked, "Rong'er, it was you who directed Xiaoxiang to seek help from King Wu, right?"

At this moment, Du Rong had no time to react at all. She was dumbfounded and her face turned pale.

Wu Meiniang did not summon her into the palace directly, but used a banquet as a pretext to let her relax her guard, interrogate her unexpectedly, and observe her reaction.

"Du Rong, do you admit your guilt?" Wu Meiniang's face turned cold.

Du Rong trembled all over, slowly walked to the steps and knelt down, lowering her head and saying, "I admit my guilt."

Wu Meiniang asked, "Why did you do this?"

Du Rong gritted her teeth and said, "Your Majesty, I do want to use Your Majesty the Prince of Wu to investigate the Baima Trading Company! But there are indeed problems with the Baima Trading Company, and the Yibao Club is just a cover for them to bribe officials. I ask Your Majesty to understand!" She knelt on the ground.

Wu Meiniang said, "Raise your head."

Du Rong slowly raised her head, her eyes already red and filled with tears.

Wu Meiniang asked softly, "Are you seeking revenge?"

Du Rong nodded vigorously and said in a hoarse voice, "When your majesty punished me, my family, it was deserved, and I have no complaints. But Du Zhenglun is truly despicable. He's using public power to take personal revenge, digging up Du Gu, and ruining the fortunes of our Du family. My daughter and I have been keeping an eye on him, waiting for this day."

Wu Meiniang asked, "Do you have any other arrangements?"

Du Rong hesitated for a moment and said, "My brother secretly wrote a letter of complaint to Yongzhou Prefecture, and Prince Consort Changsun is also secretly investigating the matter."

Wu Meiniang asked, "What else?"

Du Rong lowered her head and said, "No more."

Wu Meiniang said coldly, "Do you think I'm easy to bully? Your brother will definitely impeach Du Zhenglun at the court meeting tomorrow. Am I right?"

Du Rong trembled slightly and whispered, "Yes, yes."

Wu Meiniang said, "Your brother's plan is not only to deal with Du Zhenglun, but also to use the merit of impeaching Du Zhenglun to get promoted!"

Du Rong gritted her teeth, looked up at Wu Meiniang, and said, "Your Highness, my brother's greatest wish is to restore the glory of the Jingzhao Du family. Is that wrong?"

Wu Meiniang stared at her and said, "I didn't say you were wrong, I just don't like being deceived."

Du Rong and Wu Meiniang looked at each other for a moment, and then as if all their courage in life had been exhausted, they lowered their heads again.

"Du Rong is at your disposal, Your Highness."

Wu Meiniang raised her hand and said, "Stand up. I will tell His Majesty the truth. I will also speak for you when it comes to His Majesty."

Du Rong breathed a sigh of relief and said gratefully, "Thank you, Your Highness."

Wu Meiniang said calmly, "If you really appreciate me, then pay more attention to Yuhe. I like her very much, don't let me down."

Du Rong responded and left.

The banquet at Ziyun Pavilion ended early, the dusk grew darker, and it suddenly started to drizzle.

Wu Meiniang leaned over the railing, watching the rain, and then looked towards the Forbidden Garden. She said slowly, "The Forbidden Garden is hunting today. Li Yifu should have gone there too."

She seemed to be talking to herself, but Jiang Shanggong behind her knew that the Queen was talking to her. She took a step forward and responded in a low voice.

"Yes."

Wu Meiniang said no more, turned around and ordered: "Go back to Lizheng Palace."

(End of this chapter)