A thousand-year-old family begins with one fighting against ten thousand.

Under Wu Zetian's arrangement, the capital city was soon filled with praise for Xue Rengui.

His achievements were unparalleled, and he suppressed all the prefectures!

Without Xue Rengui, the Tang Dynasty would have perished long ago!

This excessive praise of Xue Rengui was quickly noticed by those with ulterior motives.

Praise to death!

Without a doubt, this plan couldn't be simpler.

Xue Rengui had many supporters in the army, so naturally someone told him about this.

Furthermore, some people tried to find out where the rumors originated, but to no avail.

Although Xue Rengui was not politically astute, he was not so oblivious as to what was going on.

There was no one else besides the Empress Dowager who could do this and knew how to do it.

How could his power in the capital possibly rival that of Wu Zetian?

Even though he tried his best to stop it, he couldn't stop his reputation from growing higher and higher.

Eventually, this news reached the ears of Emperor Li Xian.

Under Wu Zetian's deliberate propagation, what reached Li Xian's ears was even more jarring.

If it weren't for Xue Rengui's support, how could Li Xian have become emperor?

Li Xian must have recognized Xue Rengui as his teacher to gain Xue Rengui's support, with the aim of ascending the throne.

The Tang Dynasty was able to stand firm despite being surrounded by enemies, all thanks to Xue Rengui. Even if the emperor were just a dog sitting there, he could sit securely.

The soldiers only knew of Commander Xue, but not of the Emperor.

Xue Rengui...

emperor……

These harsh words aroused jealousy, fear, and unease in the already timid Li Xian.

Lies never hurt anyone; the truth is the sharpest knife.

What broke Li Xian's defenses the most was that what he said was all true.

He was given the throne by chance. His two older brothers offended Empress Wu one after another, and were deposed as crown princes, which allowed him to take the throne.

Moreover, his father felt that he could not secure the throne, so he specially made him become Xue Rengui's apprentice in order to win over Xue Rengui and make him protect his position.

But no matter what, he was still the emperor. The fact that he needed to rely on a subject to become his teacher in order to maintain his position was a huge blow to the emperor's self-esteem.

This is especially true for emperors who are inherently weak and incompetent; they are even more sensitive to such matters.

Faced with the powerful Empress Wu, he was subservient and obsequious.

Faced with the loyal Xue Rengui, he struck hard.

Because he knew Xue Rengui was loyal and brave, he was willing to do things that were too much for Xue Rengui.

Xue Rengui would never betray him.

However, Li Zhi's dying wish suppressed Li Xian's jealousy. He knew that Xue Rengui was a loyal and brave man, and he shouldn't act this way.

However, before he could even put it down, Wu Zetian had already made her second move.

Rumors circulated that Xue Rengui had found the deposed crown prince Li Xian, the second son of Emperor Gaozong and Empress Wu, and the elder brother of Li Xian, who shared the same father and mother.

He was also the biggest challenger to his throne in terms of law.

Since Emperor Gaozong and Empress Wu's eldest son had died, their second son was theoretically the heir to the throne.

However, because of his intention to rebel, Li Xian was deposed as crown prince, which gave him the opportunity to take the throne.

Rumors circulated that Xue Rengui felt the deposed Crown Prince Li Xian was virtuous and kind, possessing the qualities of Emperor Taizong, and being the eldest son of the legitimate wife, he found the past rebellion highly suspicious and wanted to exonerate the deposed Crown Prince.

What terrified Li Xian the most was that he suddenly discovered that Xue Rengui actually had quite a few of his brother's advisors under his command.

These people had united under Xue Rengui to fight against Wu Zetian, but when combined with the rumors circulating in the streets, the already frightened Li Xian felt that this was evidence that Xue Rengui intended to exonerate Li Xian.

Otherwise, why would Xue Rengui associate with his brother's advisors?

Xue Rengui was a crucial factor in securing his throne. If Xue Rengui had chosen to support his brother, what would have become of him?

Li Xian was somewhat afraid; he had to test what Xue Rengui was really thinking.

The eunuch beside him saw through Li Xian's thoughts, so he stepped forward and said insincerely, "Your Majesty, the Grand Tutor's loyalty and bravery are known throughout the land. This servant believes that he would never have any disrespectful thoughts."

"If Your Majesty still has doubts, you may summon the Grand Tutor to the palace and ask for his opinion on the pretext that there are many rumors circulating that people are standing up for the deposed Crown Prince."

Li Xian's eyes lit up, and he nodded repeatedly, thinking it was a good idea.

So he immediately ordered Xue Rengui to enter the palace and received him in the imperial study.

After discussing political affairs with Xue Rengui for a while, Li Xian pretended to be somewhat tired, put down the memorial, looked at Xue Rengui casually, and suddenly asked a question.

"Master Xue, there have been many rumors circulating lately, discussing the former deposed crown prince's alleged rebellion. Everyone says that the deposed crown prince was humble and filial, and there must be some injustice involved."

"What does Master Xue think?"

Xue Rengui wasn't very politically astute, and he didn't grasp the deeper meaning behind the emperor's words.

"When I was serving in the frontier for a long time, I often heard that when the former Crown Prince was regent, the government was enlightened, he was considerate of his officials, and he rewarded the soldiers on the frontier. He was indeed a humble, kind and filial person."

"Regarding the rebellion that year, I was not in the capital and dare not speak rashly; however, judging from the cause and effect, the internal entanglement was extremely deep, and there may indeed be hidden secrets."

"However, these are all things of the past. If Your Majesty wishes to exonerate the deposed crown prince for treason, it may provoke strong opposition from the Empress Dowager, which would be detrimental to the state and the court."

"If the court remains stable in the future, Your Majesty may consider showing leniency towards their families to reassure the hearts of the imperial clan."

Xue Rengui's words were honest and pertinent, taking into account all aspects, and he was wholeheartedly considering Li Xian's side.

Xue Rengui's words softened Li Xian's expression slightly. It seemed that the rumors were true, and Xue Rengui indeed had no intention of betraying him.

Li Xian exchanged a few words with him and then politely saw Xue Rengui off.

"As expected, rumors circulating in the streets are not to be trusted."

Li Xian smiled and said to the eunuch beside him.

But the eunuch beside him seemed hesitant, as if he had something to say.

"What's wrong? What do you want to say?"

Li Xian asked.

"Please forgive this servant for her guilt, Your Majesty."

The eunuch knelt down and said.

Li Xian frowned. "I forgive you for your crime. Speak."

"Your Majesty, I just observed the Grand Tutor's expression. When he mentioned the deposed crown prince's rebellion, his eyes were filled with nostalgia and regret."

"Moreover, the Grand Tutor mentioned that the deposed crown prince used to reward the soldiers on the border, and it seems that the Grand Tutor himself came from the border army in the northern frontier."

"And before His Majesty has even said anything, Xue Rengui has already mentioned His Majesty's exoneration of the deposed Crown Prince. Is he making a decision for His Majesty?"

"His Majesty has not shown even the slightest intention to exonerate him."

"Furthermore, the Grand Tutor also considered the family of the deposed crown prince, and his concern for the deposed crown prince seems a bit too strong."

"Moreover, judging from the Grand Tutor's words, if it weren't for the Empress Dowager's sake, he probably would already be considering exonerating the deposed Crown Prince, wouldn't he?!"

"If the charge of the deposed crown prince's treason is overturned, where will Your Majesty be placed?"

"This is shaking the very foundations of His Majesty's rule!"

After saying this, the eunuch knelt on the ground, not daring to get up.