The revitalization of the Tang Dynasty began with the Ganlu Incident.

As we left Xingqing Palace, snowflakes began to fall again.

Li Ang did not ride in a palanquin, but instead had his attendants follow at a distance, while he himself walked alone along the palace road with only two personal eunuchs.

Lately, he has felt that there seems to be an invisible net, both inside and outside the palace, manipulating many things.

But the other party's methods were too sophisticated, so much so that although he could sense something was wrong, he could never quite grasp the crucial thread...

"Qi Baozhen, do you think it's a coincidence that the Empress Dowager summoned me here today?"

Li Ang strolled forward casually without turning around, only asking a question softly.

"Does everyone suspect that someone has informed on us?" Qi Baozhen was a smart man, and having handled a lot of intelligence from the Eastern Depot these days, he naturally reacted quickly, though his tone was hesitant.

Li Ang glanced at Xingqing Palace, which he had just left, his brows furrowed. He asked, "Do you remember Xue Jiling's confession before he left?"

Qi Baozhen's eyes sharpened, as if she had thought of something, and her tone became somewhat cautious as she said, "Reporting to everyone, this servant remembers that he said that when the Empress Dowager summoned everyone, it was he who came to beg the Empress Dowager."

Li Ang nodded.

Before leaving the capital, Xue Jiling explained many things, including his relationship with Xingqing Palace.

According to him, Empress Dowager Guo had cultivated many eunuchs in the palace over the years. Although she did not interfere much in politics, she had many channels of information.

At that time, Xue Jiling was confident in overthrowing Li Xun's faction because he had the support of Empress Dowager Guo.

For this reason, Empress Dowager Guo even specially sent Liang Chengmin to help him contact officials from outside the court, such as Linghu Chu.

In addition, Xue Jiling also confirmed another of Li Ang's guesses.

That was the day he left the palace to inspect the Shence Army garrison, when he happened to be summoned back to the palace by Empress Dowager Guo. It was not a coincidence, but rather a deliberate act.

So what about this time?

Li Ang couldn't help but have another question mark in his mind.

He had just discovered that Guo Zhonggong was involved in the incident at the Waiting-for-Leaks Courtyard when he was taken to Xingqing Palace.

The whole truth seemed to be laid bare before Li Ang so naturally, but was this so-called truth really the real truth?

"Qi Baozhen, don't you think the Empress Dowager's attitude towards Du Cong today was a bit strange?"

As Li Ang carefully recalled everything that had just happened in Xingqing Palace, a strange sense of unease still lingered in his heart.

It should be noted that Du Cong, as Empress Dowager Guo's son-in-law, has always been highly regarded by her.

When Princess Qiyang returned to the capital, Empress Dowager Guo had vaguely hinted that she wanted to summon Du Cong to return to the capital as well.

At that time, although the other party did not say it explicitly, Li Ang could sense that Empress Dowager Guo wanted Du Cong to return to the capital to take up a more important position.

From this perspective, the relationship between the two should be quite good.

However, during this meeting, Du Cong's attitude towards Empress Dowager Guo subtly revealed a hint of hostility.

Yes, it's hostility!

Li Ang recalled Du Cong's "composure" demeanor at the beginning, but now he realized that the other party was clearly doing it on purpose.

But why?

"Since everyone says so, I've also remembered something..." Qi Baozhen hesitated before speaking, "Do you all remember that along with Guo Zhonggong's news, there was another piece of news that said Du Cong had a fight with Princess Qiyang after returning to the capital?"

"But upon closer examination, I find this statement somewhat contradictory..."

"Oh?"

Li Ang stopped and turned his questioning gaze to Qi Baozhen.

So the latter hesitated and explained, "As everyone knows, Princess Qiyang and Du Cong have always had a very good relationship and are very harmonious."

"According to the princess, she did not know what Du Cong was planning that day. She only knew that Du Cong wanted to contact the censor to do something. Later, she felt uneasy and asked him about it, but Du Cong refused to reveal it, which led to the argument."

"But I keep wondering, why would the princess argue with Du Cong over some court matter that she knows nothing about? Could it be...?"

At the end, Qi Baozhen hesitated, seemingly unsure of his own guess.

Seeing this, Li Ang frowned and said, "Speak freely, it doesn't matter if you say something wrong, I will make my own judgment."

Then Qi Baozhen said, "Yes, everyone, rather than saying that the argument was caused by Du Cong refusing to tell the truth when the princess asked, I think it's more likely that the princess already knew what Du Cong was going to do, and the two of them disagreed on this matter, which is why they started arguing."

"Disagreement?"

Li Ang repeated it to himself, as if a new idea had suddenly dawned on him.

"You're right. Judging from Du Cong's behavior today, he and Aunt Qiyang do have feelings for each other, so they wouldn't quarrel for no reason... In that case, his attitude today might make sense."

Fine snow fell on his shoulders, and the north wind howled past. The icy feeling, however, made Li Ang's thoughts even clearer.

"From Du Cong's perspective, he has no reason to oppose the reform of the Shence Army. On the contrary, when he returned to the capital this time, there were strong calls in the court for him to become prime minister. At this time, he should have kept a low profile."

"However, he just happened to cause such a mess. After this incident, he made many enemies in the court, and it will be extremely difficult for him to become prime minister again in a short period of time."

"so……"

Li Ang stopped in his tracks. The strange feeling that had been lingering in his heart finally dissipated completely, but what followed was an even greater worry.

"Qi Baozhen!"

"This servant is here..."

"Investigate, investigate Guo Zhonggong, investigate the censors he contacted this time. Start investigating from the time the news of the Shence reforms spread. Investigate who they met, what they did, and who they associated with too closely. Investigate everything."

Li Ang's voice was low and his tone was almost colder than the falling snow in front of him.

"Furthermore... investigate Liang Chengmin, and investigate everyone in Xingqing Palace. See if they have been in private contact with officials outside the palace during this period, especially with the Guo family!"

"yes!"

Qi Baozhen also realized the seriousness of the matter and dared not delay for a moment. He responded and quickly prepared to go down and arrange for someone to handle the matter.

But he had only gone halfway when Li Ang instructed him again: "You personally arrange for someone to handle this matter. No, you arrange for someone to investigate the Xingqing Palace matter. Don't let anyone know."

"As for investigating Guo Zhonggong, instruct Ximen Jixuan and the two commanders respectively, but do not let them know about each other. Give them three days to do their best."

"In addition, send another group of people to secretly keep an eye on them and see if any of them tip off others. Remember... do not leave any trace."

"Yes..." Qi Baozhen took a deep breath and hurriedly went to carry out the task.

Only then did Li Ang board the sedan chair again and slowly brush the fine snow off his shoulders.

However, watching Qi Baozhen's departing figure, he couldn't help but sigh again.

He originally thought that there was no longer any risk in the palace, but as it turns out, he had underestimated the complexity of the political situation and the hearts of the people.

I just hope things don't get worse...