Tang Dynasty, my wife Wu Zetian

Chapter 75 Princess Chengyang's Daughter
Li Zhi had two biological sisters. One was Princess Changle Li Lizhi, who married Changsun Chong and has passed away.

The other was Princess Chengyang, who married Du Ruhui's son Du He.

Du Rong is Du He's daughter.

Her identity was very embarrassing because Du He was involved in the rebellion of Crown Prince Li Chengqian, which led to her mother Princess Chengyang remarrying.

Originally, Princess Chengyang wanted to raise her by her side.

However, Princess Chengyang and her new husband Xue Guan had a harmonious relationship and gave birth to a son, Xue Shao.

Du Rong does not have a good relationship with her younger brother because her mother favors him.

It happened that Du Chong came to ask for Du Rong, so Princess Chengyang sent her daughter back to the Du family to be raised.

Du Rong grew up in the Du Mansion for the next ten years.

When Li Zhi learned of Du Rong's identity, his expression became unnatural.

Du sent her into the palace at this time. Her purpose was self-evident. She hoped that Li Zhi would show leniency to Du Chong for the sake of his niece.

Li Zhi said to Xu Jin, "Chongrong, why did you suddenly bring her into the palace?"

Xu Jin had noticed Li Zhi's change in attitude and whispered, "I used to be taken care of by my sister, so I thought of bringing this child into the palace and letting her play for a few days."

Because Empress Changsun and Princess Changle both died early, Emperor Gaozong of Tang had the best relationship with his second sister, Princess Chengyang.

When Emperor Gaozong of Tang was still the Prince of Jin, Princess Chengyang often came to visit him. It was also at that time that she met Xu Jin.

At that time, Xu Jin had just entered the Prince of Jin's Mansion. He was cautious and seemed very restrained.

Princess Chengyang has a carefree personality and considers herself the eldest sister, so she often talks to Xu Jin and enlightens her sister-in-law.

Although this was just a small matter for Princess Chengyang, Xu Jin remembered it clearly, so when Du Rong asked her for permission to enter the palace, she immediately agreed.

Li Zhi nodded, said nothing more, and took Xu Jin to the pavilion to rest.

Du Rong followed silently behind, secretly glancing at Li Zhi from time to time, looking pitiful.

Li Zhi saw her standing aside like a palace maid, and he sighed and said, "Sit down and talk. I know it was Madam Du who sent you here. If you have anything to say, just say it directly."

Xu Jin was slightly startled, and then he realized that he had inadvertently been involved in the affairs of the previous dynasty again.

Du Rong bit her lip and whispered, "I know Your Majesty is angry with the Du family. My uncle also knows he has done wrong and deeply regrets it."

Li Zhi had a blank expression on his face and said nothing.

Du Rong looked up at him, then lowered her head and said, "I came to the palace to tell Your Majesty that the Du family is by no means rude or unreasonable. There is a reason why my uncle acted this way."

Li Zhi said calmly, "I know that the number one on the list back then was someone from your Du family. Gao Youdao was ignorant of his own limitations and affected the authority of the list. He deserves it!"

Du Rong said in a trembling voice: "No, it's not like that."

Seeing her pitiful appearance, Li Zhi hated Du even more.

The man of the Du family dared to do it but was not willing to take responsibility for it. He even let a woman come to him to beg for mercy, making him seem like he was bullying a little girl.

Du Rong gritted his teeth and said, "Your Majesty, the Du family has been silent for too long. It has been twenty years since we produced an official above the fourth rank."

"Now that we finally have a cousin who has been intelligent since childhood and known as a child prodigy, the entire Du family places their hopes for revival on cousin Du Fu."

Li Zhi knew that Du Fu was the top scholar in the third year of Yonghui.

However, after experiencing this imperial examination, he no longer trusted the top scorers in previous imperial examinations.

He looked at Du Rong and said, "So you regard Du Fu as the hope of reviving the family, and don't allow anyone to interfere with his path to advancement?"

Du Rong's eyes were red, she lowered her head and sobbed softly.

Xu Jin whispered a reminder: "Everyone, how can Rong'er decide what to do with Du Chong?"

Li Zhi sighed and said, "Alright, stop crying. What official position does Du Fu hold now?"

Du Rong choked up and said, "Secretary Lang."

Li Zhi said, "You've been promoted quite quickly. I remember that the Secretary Lang was a sixth-rank official, right?"

Wang Fusheng said: "To reply everyone, it is the upper level of the sixth rank."

Li Zhi said: "What a pity."

Du Rong suddenly raised his head. The three words "Emperor" announced the end of Du Fu's official career.

"Your Majesty, even if my uncle is guilty, this matter has nothing to do with Brother Du Fu!" Li Zhi glanced at her and said, "Whether there is any connection or not, we'll know after investigation. Go back and tell Du Chong that I've sent someone to investigate Gao Youdao's case. Tell him to cooperate, or don't blame me for being ruthless."

Di Renjie's plan was to put pressure on the Du family and force Du Chong to submit.

Li Zhi was so cold towards Du Rong at this moment just to cooperate with Di Renjie's plan.

Du Rong was filled with grief and anger. After bowing to Li Zhi, she quickly left the harem.

The Du family lived in the south of the city. Their settlement was formed by several interconnected alleys and was named Dugu. It was said that this place had a prosperous and flourishing aura, so the family had been wealthy for generations and had lasted for a long time.

When Du Rong returned to Du Gu, he found that the mansion was full of yamen runners in official uniforms.

When she asked the doorman, she found out that these people were yamen runners from the Dali Temple. She was shocked and hurried into the inner house.

Near the Chuihua Gate, there stood a tall and thin man with narrow eyes, who seemed to be waiting for her.

Du Rong walked over quickly and said, "Brother, why are there so many Dali Temple officials outside the mansion? Are they going to arrest my uncle?"

The man was Du Fu. He asked in a deep voice, "How was your visit to the palace? Did you see the Saint?"

Du Rong lowered her head and said, "I did see him, but the Saint..."

Du Fu guessed the result when he saw her expression. He turned his head to look towards the lobby and said, "Could it be that my Du Gu's vigorous energy has really been cut off?"

In the lobby of the Du Mansion, Du Chong looked at Di Renjie with his eyes wide open and a fierce look on his face.

Although his official rank was only fifth, lower than Di Renjie, he inherited the title of third-rank founding county earl and was not afraid of Di Renjie.

However, Di Renjie had the power granted by the emperor to act at his own discretion, so no matter how angry he was, he did not dare to show it at this moment.

"Master Di, I've made it very clear! Yes, it was me who asked the jailer to pass the message to Cui Wenhan, and it was also me who threatened Bai Xiaojie to admit to Gao Youdao's crime, but that needle had nothing to do with me!"

The needle is now on the table.

Di Renjie said, "That's ridiculous! Since you bribed the jailer, could he have hidden the needle on Cui Wenhan under someone else's orders?"

Du Chong angrily asked, "How should I know?"

Di Renjie said calmly, "Do you know how I would deal with a suspect who usually said this to me?"

Du Chong said sternly, "You dare?"

Di Renjie stared at him coldly and said, "The Saint has granted me the power to do this. Do you think I dare?"

Du Chong stared at him for a long time, his expression finally softening as he sighed, "Di Shaoqing, it really wasn't me who ordered this. I was just being used."

Di Renjie sneered, "Who dares to take advantage of you, Lord Du?"

Du Chong gritted his teeth and said, "You should have guessed it."

Di Renjie said, "When I handle cases, I never rely on speculation, but rather on evidence. Why don't you come with me to the Dali Temple?"

Du Chong said anxiously, "It must be Zhangsun Wuji who did it. He was the only one who was most anxious to kill Cui Wenhan and silence him!"

Di Renjie snorted and said, "This is just your guess. It can't be accurate."

Du Chong said, "As for that jailer, you can interrogate him again. He must be a double agent!"

Di Renjie said, "He is already dead."

Du Chong was stunned for a moment and angrily asked, "Why didn't you protect such an important witness?"

Di Renjie was silent for a moment, then said, "His death was very strange, and the means were very clever. I have no way to deal with it."

Du Chong said loudly: "Doesn't this explain the problem? Besides Zhangsun Wuji, who else can do this?"

Di Renjie shook his head and said, "I've already said that in front of me, guesswork is worthless."

Du Chong stood up and paced back and forth in the hall, appearing very anxious.

Di Renjie said impatiently, "I have lost my patience. Come with me and surrender."

Du Chong suddenly stopped in his tracks, gritted his teeth, and said, "If... I mean if, I can get Cui Wenhan to speak up and identify Zhangsun Wuji, can you let me go?"

Di Renjie said, "I can't make the decision, but I can help you report it to the Saint."

Du Chong took a deep breath and said, "Okay, I'll go with you to the Dali Temple. I want to see Cui Wenhan!"

(End of this chapter)