Tang Dynasty, my wife Wu Zetian

Chapter 72 Empress Wu's Response
Li Ji, Li Yifu and others also surrounded Liu Rengui and took up the test papers of the two to read them.

Liu Rengui was looking at Du Yijian's paper and said aloud, "Your Majesty, this candidate named Du Yijian is extremely talented and should be able to make the list."

Li Yifu exclaimed in surprise, "This candidate named Gao Youdao is even more remarkable. He has a profound mind and a refined writing style. He is definitely a talent!"

Li Ji twirled his beard and smiled, "Indeed, judging from the policy essay alone, Gao Youdao's insights are far superior to those of the other candidates. He must be the top scorer."

Changsun Wuji frowned, and finally walked over and looked at Gao Youdao's test paper.

After reading it, he was stunned for a while and thought to himself, "Why doesn't such a talented person come from a noble family?" He sighed in his heart.

Li Zhi said calmly, "Uncle Yuan, do you still think it's unnecessary to cover up the name?"

Zhang Sun Wuji was silent for a moment, then he saluted and said, "Your Majesty is wise, and I, this old minister, have no objection."

Li Zhi suddenly said, "Doctor Cui, you should be very familiar with this candidate named Gao Youdao."

Cui Wenhan felt a chill on his back, and he finally understood that the emperor asked him to be the chief examiner because of Gao Youdao!
"I have nothing to say... I just want to die quickly!" He closed his eyes.

Li Zhi said coldly, "Shaoqing Di, I will hand this man over to you. You must thoroughly investigate this case, as well as the case of Gao Youdao in the third year of Yonghui."

General Xin Mao was slightly stunned.

It turned out that when the emperor said he would hand the case over to the Dali Temple, he meant to hand it over to Di Renjie.

Di Renjie bowed and said, "I obey your command."

After the court session, Han Ai, Lai Jidu and Changsun Wuji rode in a carriage together and headed towards the Duke of Zhao's mansion.

The three of them were silent on the way. When they arrived at the study, Han Ai finally couldn't help but said, "General, are we just going to let this go?"

Changsun Wuji remained silent.

Lai Ji said, "The situation in the court just now was completely dominated by His Majesty. I suspect his original intention was not to target Cui Wenhan, but to reform these two imperial examinations!"

Han Ai said, "Adding the palace examination is fine, but if the system of blindly selecting candidates is truly implemented, the general list will no longer be useful. How will we, the children of aristocratic families, have any advantage when we take the imperial examinations in the future?"

Lai Ji said, "Isn't this exactly what Your Majesty wants?"

Han Ai stamped his feet and said, "General, please say something!"

Changsun Wuji said calmly, "At this point, what else is there to say? The reason we failed this time was because we made a mistake."

Lai Ji asked, "What?"

Zhang Sun Wuji sighed and said, "Haven't you noticed that the Wu family has been quite quiet lately?"

Han Ai was stunned for a moment and said, "Yes, the imperial examination is what she cares about most, but she didn't interfere at all. It's not like her style."

Changsun Wuji said: "Not only the imperial examination, she even rarely interacts with Xu Jingzong and others anymore."

Han Ai frowned and said, "This woman was so ambitious, yet she suddenly became more restrained. It's really strange."

Changsun Wuji took a sip of tea and said slowly, "Our new queen is smarter than you and me."

Han Ai snorted and said unconvincedly, "Not necessarily."

Changsun Wuji said, "She, like me, has noticed the changes in His Majesty. She chose to step aside and wait and see what happens. This alone makes her much wiser than you and me."

In fact, Changsun Wuji saw this point and had originally planned to do so.

It’s a pity that he has too many concerns.

When it came to the imperial examination, he was unable to keep his composure and once again stood against the emperor.

Although the emperor could do nothing about him for the time being, as time went by and the imperial power grew, he became older and older, and it was likely that he would not have a good end in the future.

Lai Ji said in a deep voice, "Your Majesty's style of doing things seems to be different from before. He actually made plans in advance and included us all."

Han Ai snorted coldly, "Your Majesty's tricks didn't escape the Grand Marshal's notice. I only regret that Cui Wenhan was so foolish and acted on his own, which led to the collapse of the situation."

Lai Ji said, "Didn't you see Cui Wenhan's expression when His Majesty mentioned Gao Youdao just now? Even if Cui Wenhan hadn't made any mistakes, His Majesty could still deal with him."

Han Ai frowned and asked, "What is the relationship between Gao Youdao and Cui Wenhan?"

Changsun Wuji suddenly clapped his hands, and a guard walked in from outside.

"Go check Gao Youdao." Changsun Wuji ordered.

The guard took the order and left.

……

In the evening, Zhang Duohai hurried to the bedroom and said with a smile: "Your Highness, I have found out everything. Gao Youdao participated in the imperial examination in the third year of Yonghui!"

Wu Meiniang lazily lay on the phoenix couch, flipping through the book in her hand, and said lightly: "Di Renjie seems to be a Jinshi in the third year of Yonghui."

Zhang Dahai smiled and said, "You are absolutely right."

Wu Meiniang nodded and said, "Tell me, why didn't Gao Youdao make the list back then?"

Zhang Duohai smiled and said, "Because the person who was responsible for marking Gao Youdao's exam papers was Cui Wenhan."

Wu Meiniang's eyes flickered: "No wonder His Majesty appointed Cui Wenhan as the chief examiner."

Zhang Duohai continued, "Gao Youdao is a stubborn ass. He relied on his literary talent and refused to seek favors from the powerful. As a result, he didn't make the list." Wu Meiniang glanced at him and said, "What's the list? It's just a tool in the hands of the aristocratic families."

Zhang Duohai smiled and said, "You're right. Gao Youdao was a man of great character, disdaining to be on the list. Later, he clashed with a son of an official named Bai Xiaojie, causing Bai Xiaojie's reputation to be ruined."

"A few days later, Gao Youdao was injured in an accident when a horse trampled his right finger. He had to use his left hand to take the imperial examination, but he failed."

Wu Meiniang hummed, and said, "Such an injustice, no wonder it has upset His Majesty."

Zhang Duohai laughed and said, "Changsun Wuji finally couldn't hold it in and started arguing with His Majesty in the court. This old man's good days are numbered."

Wu Meiniang also smiled.

"He has controlled the government for too long, and with his vast wealth and fortune, he finds it difficult to let go, and is burdened by those around him. Unlike me, who carries the burden lightly."

Zhang Duohai snorted, "It's already been seven years since Yonghui, and the Sage is no longer the same Sage he was when he first ascended the throne. He's courting his own destruction!"

Wu Meiniang said calmly: "A centipede is still alive even after death. It's too early to be happy now."

Zhang Dahai hurriedly said, "Yes."

Wu Meiniang ordered, "Go and keep an eye on Cui Wenhan's case. Report back immediately if you have any news."

Zhang Duohai asked in surprise, "Your Highness, Cui Wenhan is definitely going to die. Why are you still staring at him?"

Wu Meiniang glanced at him and said, "You're still not making any progress. Cui Wenhan is the key figure. As long as he opens his mouth, Zhangsun Wuji will not be able to escape."

Zhang Duohai's heart moved and he said, "Are you saying that Cui Wenhan is still related to Zhangsun Wuji?"

Wu Meiniang said calmly, "The results of the imperial examination a while ago are completely different from the results of this time. What does this mean?"

Zhang Duohai thought for a moment and suddenly realized, "The general list was edited by Zhangsun Wuji."

Wu Meiniang nodded and said, "That list reflects Zhangsun Wuji's style. Unfortunately, Cui Wenhan was disobedient and leaked the exam questions, which is why this imperial examination is so chaotic."

Zhang Duohai smiled and said, "I understand. As long as Cui Wenhan points out this matter, Zhangsun Wuji will not be able to escape the blame."

The original intention of Changsun Wuji to modify the general list was to prevent the aristocratic families from becoming public enemies.

However, the act of modifying the notice at one's own will violates the law. Cui Wenhan is guilty and he cannot escape.

Any crime of interfering with the imperial examinations is no small matter.

This is why Wu Meiniang said that Changsun Wuji was dragged down by the people around him.

Zhang Duohai suddenly said, "Your Highness, Zhangsun Wuji is not a pushover. He might kill Cui Wenhan to silence him."

Wu Meiniang sneered and said, "That would be the best. I'm just afraid that he will make a bold move and stop caring about this matter."

Zhang Duohai warned: "Your Highness, should we take action? If Cui Wenhan is really killed, it will be impossible to convict Zhangsun Wuji."

Wu Meiniang glanced at him and said calmly, "There are as many charges as you want. What matters is whether the Saint wants to convict him."

Zhang Duohai was stunned and said, "Doesn't the Saint want to deal with him?"

Wu Meiniang said sternly, "If you touch Zhangsun Wuji, it will involve too much. Your Majesty has more important things to do now. As long as Zhangsun Wuji does not act out of line, Your Majesty will not touch him."

Zhang Duohai smiled slightly and said, "I understand. As long as Zhangsun Wuji kills Cui Wenhan, it will exceed your Majesty's bottom line."

Wu Meiniang glanced at him and said, "You should know what to do now, right?"

Zhang Duohai smiled and said, "We just need to keep an eye on Changsun Wuji and Cui Wenhan. If Changsun Wuji wants to take action, we will not interfere. We will just collect good evidence."

Wu Meiniang said "hmm".

Zhang Duohai suddenly had an idea and said, "Your Highness, if Zhangsun Wuji doesn't take action, should we send someone to kill Cui Wenhan and put the blame on him?"

Wu Meiniang glanced at him coldly.

Zhang Duohai shuddered and said hurriedly, "I'm sorry, we can just stand on the shore and watch the boat capsize. There's no need to risk going into the water."

Wu Meiniang didn't comment, but waved her hand and said, "Go ahead."

……

With a creaky sound, Chang Sun Chong pushed the door open and walked out of the study, coming to a side hall.

Han Ai and Lai Ji were waiting in the side hall. They asked in unison, "Prince Consort, has the Grand Marshal agreed?"

Chang Sun Chong shook his head and said, "Father only said one thing: Cui Wenhan cannot be killed."

Lai Ji sighed, "Cui Wenhan is now determined to die. We only need to give him the tools to eliminate the hidden danger. Why doesn't the general agree?"

Han Ai shook his head and said, "The Grand Marshal is old after all. He no longer has the same ambition as when he planned the Xuanwu Gate Incident."

Chang Sun Chong said solemnly, "Father is old and frail, and his energy is gone. So we should do it ourselves."

Han Ai was overjoyed and said, "We've been waiting for the Prince Consort to say this."

Chang Sun Chong said, "No matter what, the Saint and the entire court are watching this matter closely. We must ensure that nothing goes wrong!"

Lai Ji smiled and said, "Don't worry, Prince Consort. We have thought of a foolproof plan. Even if we fail, someone will take the blame for us."

(End of this chapter)