Tang Dynasty, my wife Wu Zetian

Chapter 89 I Want to Meet the Emperor
Duke Zhao's Mansion, study.

"Mr. Changsun, if you hesitate to make a decision, you will suffer the consequences. What are you still hesitating about?" Han Ai asked loudly.

Inside the study, Changsun Wuji sat behind the desk with his eyes closed, as if in a trance.

Lai Ji stood with his hands behind his back in front of a landscape painting, seemingly admiring it, but his eyes kept flickering, and he was obviously thinking about something.

Only Han Ai was pacing back and forth in the room, appearing extremely impatient.

Changsun Chong stood beside Changsun Wuji and said in a deep voice, "Prime Minister Han, please don't disturb my father's thoughts. Wasn't the lesson from last time enough?"

Han Ai stamped her feet and said, "Can this be the same as last time? If Lord Changsun doesn't make a decision, the Wei, Du, Xiao, and Yuwen families will take the lead. If we leave them alone, they will only make things out of control!"

Chang Sun Chong, who had become much more cautious in his actions due to his previous mistake, asked, "Is it true that the Saint hasn't woken up yet?"

Han Ai said, "It's absolutely true. News has come from the Shang Pharmacy that the Saint is seriously ill. The Wu family has somehow subjugated Wang Fusheng and blocked the news. I'm afraid they want to control the Saint."

Lai Ji suddenly said, "She probably doesn't dare to control the Saint, but she can issue a few decrees in the Saint's name."

Han Ai said, "That's right. Right now, we have no choice but to strike first. If she forges an imperial edict to mobilize the army and then appoints the fifth prince as the crown prince, it will be too late!"

Chang Sun Chong felt a little flustered by what he said and couldn't help but look down at his father.

Changsun Wuji still closed his eyes and said nothing.

Chang Sun Chong asked, "What are the plans of the Wei and Du families?"

Han Ai said, "Each clan has children in the Imperial Guards. The Yuwen clan is in the Flying Cavalry, and the Dugu clan is in the Xuanwu Gate Guards. They can all play a role."

"We only need to communicate secretly, assemble in the Forbidden Garden, trick the Xuanwu Gate into opening, surround the Ganlu Palace, kill the Wu family, rescue Your Majesty, and then ask Your Majesty to enthrone Prince Chen Li Zhong as the Crown Prince, and the matter will be settled!"

Chang Sun Chong glanced at Chang Sun Wuji and said, "Father, what do you think?"

Zhang Sun Wuji finally opened his eyes and said, "No hurry, wait."

Han Ai said anxiously, "What are you waiting for? If we let the Wu family take the initiative..."

Zhang Sun Wuji said coldly, "If Han Xiangruo doesn't trust me, then please do as you please."

Han Ai was slightly startled and said with a wry smile, "Mr. Changsun, you are too kind. I just...ah..."

Just then, a guard walked in from outside with a mask on his face. He was Changsun Wuji's personal guard, the Xuanwu Guard.

"How?" asked Changsun Wuji.

The Xuanwu Guard bowed and said, "Li Ji has already left the Duke of Ying's residence in a carriage and entered the palace overnight."

Han Ai and Lai Ji were both shocked when they heard this. They then realized that they had actually overlooked Li Ji.

Zhang Sun Wuji said slowly, "If His Majesty is truly seriously ill and unconscious, Wu will surely guess that we are taking action. Inviting Li Ji to the palace to take charge will be her only option."

Lord Changsun blurted out, "If Li Ji didn't enter the palace, it means the information from the Shang Pharmacy was wrong, and the incident in the palace might be a trap."

Zhang Sun Wuji's eyes flashed, and he said, "Indeed, only Li Ji's dispatch would indicate that something has indeed happened in the palace."

Han Ai's heart was pounding. He asked, "Lord Changsun, should we still take action?"

Changsun Wuji glanced at him and said with a smile, "You were threatening to fight just now, but now you're backing down?"

Han Ai smiled bitterly and said, "But Li Ji has already entered the palace. I'm afraid it will be difficult to succeed."

The civil officials were afraid of Li Ji, just as the military generals were afraid of Zhangsun Wuji.

Changsun Wuji waved his hand and said, "That's fine. I have my own way of dealing with Li Ji. Chong'er, take this list and go find the people on it. You don't need to say anything. Just tell them to act tonight at midnight. They'll know what to do."

Hand over a list.

Chang Sun Chong took the list, took a look at it, and a look of astonishment appeared on his face, which then turned into joy.

"It turns out that my father has so many tricks up his sleeve!" He was secretly surprised.

Just as he was about to leave the study with the list in hand, Changsun Wuji suddenly thought of something and shouted, "Wait a minute!"

Chang Sun Chong had just opened the door, but upon hearing this, he closed it again and turned around to ask, "Father, what's wrong?"

Han Ai and Lai Ji were also surprised.

Zhang Sun Wuji stared at the Xuanwu Guards and asked, "You just said that Li Ji entered the palace in a carriage?"

Xuanwu Wei said: "Yes."

Han Ai frowned and asked, "Is there any problem with this?"

Changsun Wuji took a deep breath and said, "Li Ji had a fine horse named Bao Sanzong. When he was defeated by Liu Heita, he fled all the way, but fortunately this horse saved his life."

"From then on, he regarded that horse as a lucky horse. Whenever he wanted to do something big, he would ride it."

Lai Ji asked, "Li Ji's defeat by Liu Heita happened over thirty years ago. Could it be that the horse died, which is why he didn't ride it?"

Changsun Wuji shook his head and said, "No, the horse is still alive. Li Ji treats it very well. He rarely rides it, but it eats better than humans. It has three horse slaves to serve it. Although the horse is old, it is still strong enough to ride a person."

The three of them knew that Changsun Wuji had been staring at Li Ji, and since he said this, it must be correct.

Han Ai's face changed color and he asked, "So, this is a trick?"

Changsun Wuji said slowly, "This must be a conspiracy of the Wu family. Think about it, the Saint has been getting stronger and stronger recently, so how could he suddenly become seriously ill?"

Lai Ji smiled bitterly and said, "Yes, we were too impatient and almost got taken advantage of by her!"

Zhang Sun Wuji was silent for a long time, then ordered:
"Chong'er, immediately send a message to the Weidu family and tell them not to take any action!"

Chang Sun Chong took a deep breath and said, "Yes!"

……

The bright moon is like a plate, and the stars are like pearls.

The starlight shines on the water pavilion in the backyard of the Wei Mansion, making the daffodils around the pavilion look even whiter and more elegant.

Wei Hongji stood in front of the horizontal railing of the water pavilion, looking up at the night sky, and said slowly: "Thank you for telling me, Prince Consort. I will tell the other families the news as soon as possible."

Chang Sun Chong didn't waste any more words, bowed and said, "Goodbye." Then he turned and left.

Half an hour later, Xiao Rui walked along the corridor to the Water Pavilion and said in a deep voice, "Why did you ask me to come here again? Isn't the plan already decided?"

Wei Hongji gave a bitter laugh and said, "Brother Xiao, do you feel a chill on your neck?"

Xiao Rui's expression changed slightly: "Something unexpected happened?"

Wei Hongji extended his hand to invite him to sit down and told him everything that Chang Sun Chong had just told him. Xiao Rui stared at him closely and asked, "Do you believe what Chang Sun Chong said?"

Wei Hongji asked in return, "Brother Xiao, who do you think has better eyesight, you or Changsun Wuji?"

Xiao Rui clenched his fists, then loosened them after a moment, sighing, "Of course it's him. So, it's really a trap. I wonder if it was planned by the Wu family or the sage."

Wei Hongji asked in return: "Is there any difference?"

Xiao Rui gave a bitter laugh and said, "A hurricane is coming, and a bloody storm is about to begin."

Wei Hongji said, "It's not that far yet. Since the Saint is testing us, it means he is hesitant and may not necessarily kill us."

Xiao Rui glanced at him and said, "Are you still harboring hope?"

Wei Hongji said sternly, "It's not that I'm being optimistic, but there's no need to be too aggressive. Isn't it because Zhangsun Wuji was able to see through the trap that he relied on stability?"

Xiao Rui said, "Well, this incident finally made Zhangsun Wuji stand with us again. If we all unite, the saint may not be able to do anything to us."

Wei Hongji said, "Brother Xiao will have to inform the other clans."

Xiao Rui rolled his eyes and said with a smile, "Brother Wei, you can notify the others, but you don't need to notify the Du and Su families."

Wei Hongji asked in surprise: "Why?"

Xiao Rui approached him and whispered a few words. After a long silence, Wei Hongji finally nodded.

As the night deepened, a dark cloud floated over, obscuring the stars and the moon.

In the Forbidden Garden, a Jinwu Guard wearing a red turban was standing next to a small mound, looking around.

Not far behind him, there were a dozen other soldiers, each with a red scarf tied on his arm.

In the Tang army, one brigade had two large battalions, each captained by a captain who commanded fifty men.

This team is none other than the descendants of the Du family, Du Fu's cousin, who was ordered to participate in tonight's events.

"Hey, that's strange. It's already midnight, why am I the only one here? Where are the others?" The team was secretly wondering.

At this moment, several soldiers came running over from a distance, and the leader was also wearing a red scarf.

The man came to the captain and asked, "I am from the Shiping Su family. Who are you?"

The team leader said: "Jingzhao Du family."

Su asked, "Why are you alone?"

The captain was about to answer when he saw flames shooting up into the sky, the sound of horse hooves and fighting, and countless cavalrymen came running from all directions, surging like a wave and surrounding them.

The captain hurriedly drew his sword and slashed at his neck, but he was a step too slow and his sword was deflected by someone, and he was quickly pinned to the ground.

"The one I raised was sold!" the team leader cursed in his heart.

……

In the inner wall of the side hall of Lizheng Hall, there is a shrine with a small Buddha statue inside.

Empress Wu knelt in front of the small Buddha, holding a string of Buddhist beads in her hand, closing her eyes and praying in a low voice.

Just then, footsteps were heard behind me.

Empress Wu paused, fiddling with her Buddhist beads, opened her eyes, and asked, "How is it?"

"Your Highness, we caught a few, but they were just small fish and shrimps. Zhangsun Wuji didn't move at all." Zhang Duohai's panting voice came from behind.

Wu Meiniang sighed deeply and said, "This old fox is really hard to deceive."

After a pause, he asked, "Who have you caught?"

Zhang Duohai said: "One is the Jingzhao Du family, and the other is the Shiping Su family."

Wu Meiniang frowned slightly, looking thoughtful.

Zhang Duohai continued, "According to reports from below, Chang Sun Chong went to look for the Jingzhao Wei Clan. I'm afraid he was trying to warn them, so none of the noble families took any action."

Wu Meiniang asked, "Since Zhangsun Wuji sent someone to warn them, why did Du and Su still fall into the trap?"

Zhang Duohai was stunned and said, "Could it be that there was a misunderstanding in their communication?"

Wu Meiniang shook her head and said, "No, this must be something they did on purpose."

Zhang Duohai was stunned and said, "Are you saying that other clans betrayed the Du and Su families?"

Wu Meiniang said: "This is the only possibility."

"But why is this?"

Wu Meiniang slowly stood up, smoothed out the wrinkles on her clothes, and walked to a soft chair and sat down.

"Don't forget, Mrs. Du once betrayed Zhangsun Wuji."

Zhang Duohai suddenly realized, "Yes, the Du family offended the aristocratic faction because of this matter, so it's understandable that they betrayed them. But what about the Su family?"

Wu Meiniang didn't say anything.

Zhang Duohai held his breath and concentrated, not daring to disturb her thoughts.

After a long while, Wu Meiniang said calmly: "If I remember correctly, Yuchi Gong's wife is the Su family of Shiping."

Zhang Duohai was shocked and asked, "Are they betraying the Su family in order to implicate Yuchi Gong?"

Wu Meiniang's voice turned cold. "Your Majesty has already issued an order to recall Cheng Zhijie. He will probably be convicted. They want to use the Su family incident to sow discord between Yuchi Gong and you. What do you think they want to do?"

Zhang Duohai lost his voice and said, "They want to instigate Cheng Zhijie and Yuchi Gong and use their influence in the army to cause a mutiny!"

Wu Meiniang said, "They don't have the ability to mutiny yet. At best, they can unite and put pressure on Your Majesty to not punish Cheng Zhijie and reinstate Zhangsun Wuji."

Zhang Duohai said: "Your Highness, what should we do next?"

Wu Meiniang stood up and said slowly, "Go ahead, I want to see the emperor."

Zhang Duohai said, "It's past three o'clock. It's not nice to disturb the saint."

Wu Meiniang shook her head and sighed, "I can't care less. The situation has come to this point. If I don't report it, Jiulang will blame me again."

(End of this chapter)