Tang Dynasty, my wife Wu Zetian

Chapter 155: The Decree of the Empress
Duke Zhao's Mansion.

After Lai Ji read the forged edict by Changsun Wuji, his face showed half excitement and half worry.

He had long guessed that Changsun Wuji had a backup plan, but he never expected it to be such an edict.

However, he was cautious by nature, and even though he had the book in hand, he was still worried about its effectiveness.

Han Ai was different. He immediately said, "Lord Changsun, I will go to the palace tonight, take this book to the sage, and persuade him to depose the queen."

Changsun Wuji raised his hand and said, "Don't be impatient, listen to me for a few words."

After a pause, he continued, "After I give this letter to Your Majesty, I am only 40% sure that the Wu family can be deposed. If you two do not wish to get involved, it is not too late to leave now."

Han Ai said in a deep voice, "Lord Changsun, your words are too formal. We all prosper together and suffer together. I've had enough of these months of frustration!"

Changsun Wuji nodded and looked at Lai Ji again.

Lai Ji asked, "I wonder how Lord Changsun plans to deal with this matter?"

Changsun Wuji said, "The key to the success of this matter lies in speed. Prime Minister Han will take this 'imperial edict' to His Majesty. Prime Minister Lai, you will draft the decree to depose the Empress in advance and wait outside Ganlu Palace."

"As soon as Your Majesty agrees to depose the Empress, we must immediately bring the imperial edict to Your Majesty for his approval. There must be no delay. Otherwise, if Wu finds out and complains to Your Majesty, all our efforts will be wasted!"

The two looked at each other and said in unison: "I understand."

Han Ai asked, "If Your Majesty asks me where this decree comes from, how should I answer?"

Zhang Sun Wuji said, "Just say that I gave it to you. That's why I opposed Your Majesty enthroning Wu."

Han Ai was stunned and said, "If His Majesty asks why you didn't produce the imperial edict in the first place, how will you answer?"

Changsun Wuji said, "You can tell His Majesty frankly that under the circumstances at the time, if I were to reveal my will, I was worried that Your Majesty would not believe it, so I kept it secret until now."

Han Ai's expression changed and he asked, "Is it okay to say that?"

Zhang Sun Wuji waved his hand and said, "That's fine. Now that things have come to this, the more honest I am, the more trust I will gain from His Majesty."

Han Ai nodded.

Chang Sun Wuji reminded him again: "There is Li Yifu in the Secretariat and Li Jingxuan in the Ministry of Personnel. They must have confidants in the two ministries. Be careful not to be intercepted by them!"

Han Ai said, "Don't worry, this concerns the lives of our entire clan, and we two will not make any mistakes."

Lai Ji also nodded.

After the two men left with the imperial edict, Chang Sun Chong said, "Father, are you only going to make arrangements for these two? Why not make more arrangements?"

Changsun Wuji said in a deep voice, "At a time like this, the more normal you act, the less likely you are to arouse suspicion. If I suddenly send a large number of people and contact all parties, wouldn't that tell the Wu family that we are about to take action?"

Chang Sun Chong nodded and said, "That's not bad. What does the son do?"

Changsun Wuji said, "Take this letter and go see someone."

Chang Sun Chong's eyes lit up and he asked, "Are you going to meet the people on the list?"

Changsun Wuji nodded and said, "There's no need to find too many people. Just give this letter to Shangguan Yi."

Chang Sun Chong took the letter and said happily, "My son understands. He is an upright official and will not be suspected. If he fails in his mission as prime minister, he can still make amends."

Changsun Wuji waved his hand and said, "Don't say anything more, just get to work."

"Yes!"

……

It was December, and the wind was cold. Wu Meiniang had just given birth to a child and was weak. The bedroom was filled with stoves.

As soon as Zhang Duohai entered the bedroom, he felt a strong warmth.

"Your Highness, Zhangsun Wuji has made a move. Han Ai and Lai Ji both went to the Duke of Zhao's mansion. After coming out, they both entered the palace."

Wu Meiniang's eyes shone, and she said, "Now that you've entered the palace, you either have to face the emperor or draft an imperial edict. Are you ready for it?"

Zhang Duohai said hurriedly: "I have sent someone to inform Li Yifu and Li Jingxuan. They will enter the palace immediately and keep an eye on Han Ai and Lai Ji."

Wu Meiniang nodded, and stroked the hollow pattern on the hand warmer with her fingers, and suddenly she felt a palpitation.

"Shang Gong, where will His Majesty rest tonight?"

Concubine Jiang said, "Your Majesty did not go to any other palaces tonight and stayed in Ganlu Palace."

Wu Meiniang's narrow and long brows furrowed even tighter.

Since Li Zhi was in Ganlu Palace, it would be much easier for Han Ai and Lai Ji to see him if they really went to see him.

What methods did Changsun Wuji prepare to deal with himself?

Wu Meiniang felt a little uneasy.

"Palace Lady, bring Xian'er to me," she ordered.

When Li Xian's small body was held in her arms, Wu Meiniang's tense mood relaxed a little.

"Duohai, send more people to Ganlu Palace to keep an eye on things. Report any unusual movements immediately. Also, send someone to the Prince of Yue's Mansion to tell Li Zhen about Han Ai and Lai Ji's movements!"

Zhang Duohai said: "Yes!"

……

Ganlu Hall, the main hall.

Han Ai stood at the bottom of the steps, looking at Li Zhi who was reading the imperial edict with his head down, and he could not hide his uneasiness.

Li Zhi had been watching for a quarter of an hour without saying a word. Han Ai asked him to speak several times, but the emperor did not respond.

If the emperor believed this decree and deposed Empress Wu, that would be good. But if he discovered the flaw, both he and Zhangsun Wuji would be finished.

Although it was impossible for the emperor to see the flaw, his current attitude and reaction forced him to think in this direction.

Just as he was panicking, Li Zhi finally raised his head, stared at him, and said, "Prime Minister Han, is this edict really left by the late emperor?"

Han Ai said in a deep voice, "I guarantee this with my life. Your Majesty should recognize the late emperor's handwriting and seal. Besides, Your Majesty should have heard what the female ruler, King Wu, said back then, right?"

Li Zhi scoffed and said, "I don't believe a single word of this folk rumor." He sighed and said, "But since the late emperor believed it and left a will, what can I do?"

Han Ai had been feeling uneasy after hearing the first part, but when he heard the second part, he hurriedly said, "That's right. Your Majesty is the most virtuous and filial ruler in the world. You should obey the late emperor's will."

Li Zhi said: "Where did this decree come from?"

Han Ai said, "It was given to me by the Duke of Zhao. He originally opposed your choice of a queen because of this will."

Li Zhi said: "If that's the case, why didn't he take it out in the first place?" Han Ai immediately told Li Zhi what Changsun Wuji had told him. After listening to it, Li Zhi did not ask any more questions.

"In that case, how about we discuss deposing the queen at the court meeting tomorrow?" Li Zhi asked.

Han Ai was secretly delighted and said seriously, "Your Majesty, if the Queen knew about this, she would definitely come to you and cry. We must act now!"

Li Zhi said, "You mean now?"

Han Ai said, "That's right. The Prime Minister is outside the palace and has prepared the decree to depose the empress."

Li Zhi's eyes flickered as he glanced at Wang Fusheng and said, "Go and invite Lai Qing in as well."

Wang Fusheng agreed, went out for a walk, and then returned to the main hall and said, "Your Majesty, the Prime Minister is not outside the hall?"

Han Ai was shocked and thought to himself, "Did something happen to Lai Ji?"

……

Outside Ganlu Gate, Lai Ji stared coldly at Li Yifu and said, "Minister Li, you are no longer the Prime Minister, and you dare to stop me?"

Li Yifu smiled and said, "You are too kind, Prime Minister. I just heard that you secretly drafted an imperial edict. Although I am your adjutant, I also have the authority to review all imperial edicts in the Secretariat. Please let me see the imperial edict in your hand."

Lai Ji said, "According to the regulations, any imperial edict only needs to be reviewed by the Minister of the Central Secretariat and the Minister of the Central Secretariat. You are not the only Minister of the Central Secretariat, so there is no need to show you the original text."

Li Yifu asked, "So, you've already shown this imperial edict to Shangguan Yi?"

Lai Ji said: "If you want to know, just ask him yourself. There is no need to tell you the truth."

After saying this, he was about to walk past Li Yifu.

Li Yifu stepped aside and said with a smile, "Wait a minute."

Lai Ji said coldly: "Why, you still dare to stop me?"

Li Yifu smiled and said, "I dare not, but I have a draft edict that I just drafted here, please take a look at it and review it." He took out a scroll from his sleeve.

Lai Ji waved his hand and said, "Take it back and put it away. I will review it tomorrow."

Li Yifu said, "That won't do. This edict is extremely urgent. After you review it, I will also take it to the emperor for his review. Prime Minister, this is your duty as the Minister of the Central Secretariat. You won't refuse, will you?"

Lai Ji looked at him for a moment, said nothing, and took the scroll.

When he unfolded the scroll, he saw that it was more than ten feet long. It was obvious that Li Yifu was deliberately delaying time.

Lai Ji glanced at it and said, "I've checked it out. There's no problem. You can move aside." Then he was about to bypass Li Yifu.

Li Yifu stopped him again and asked, "So, you agree?"

Lai Ji said: "Not bad."

Li Yifu sighed and said, "Since you agree, you should not go to see the Saint. Instead, you should go to the Censorate and cooperate with the Censor's interrogation."

Lai Ji's face changed color and he asked, "What did you say?"

Li Yifu smiled and said, "This imperial edict is the impeachment memorial from Yuan Gongyu, the Chief Censor. Since you agree, it means you admit your guilt. Naturally, you must go to the Censorate and confess your crimes."

Lai Ji took a deep breath and looked at Li Yifu. Neither of them gave in.

After a long while, Lai Ji suddenly had a sneer on his face.

"Li Yifu, do you think that by dragging me here, the imperial edict will not reach the saint?"

Li Yifu smiled and said, "I know that the Prime Minister is always cautious, so I have already ordered Liu Yingdao to take another draft edict and go around from Yuehua Gate to Ganlu Palace."

Liu Yingdao was another Zhongshu Sheren and Lai Ji's confidant.

Lai Ji's expression finally changed. He pointed at him and said, "You..."

Li Yifu smiled and said, "Don't worry, Brother Jingxuan is already waiting for Liu Sheren at Yuehua Gate."

Lai Ji's face turned pale and red, and he wanted to force his way through, but unfortunately, although his father Lai Huer was a fierce general, he had not learned martial arts.

If he were to fight with Li Yifu at that time, not only would he fail to achieve his goal, but he would also cause a commotion.

Zhang Duohai hurried back to Lizheng Hall and reported the good news to Wu Meiniang: "Your Highness, they have been stopped. Lai Ji and Liu Yingdao have both been stopped!"

Wu Meiniang leaned back on the couch and said coldly, "Is that really the draft decree to depose the empress?"

Zhang Duohai said bitterly, "That's right. These idiots are just daydreaming. Even if we let them go, I believe the saints wouldn't agree!"

Wu Meiniang shook her head and said, "Since Zhangsun Wuji has taken action, he will definitely not do it without a purpose. Is there any news from Han Ai?"

Zhang Duohai said: "After entering the hall, he has not come out."

At this moment, Concubine Jiang rushed in and said anxiously, "Your Highness, something bad has happened. A palace maid just reported that Shangguan Yi passed through the Rihua Gate and then the Shenlong Gate and headed towards the Ganlu Palace."

Wu Meiniang's face changed drastically, and she shouted, "Why did you open the palace gate and let him pass?"

Jiang Shang Gong said, "He is the Minister of the Central Secretariat, and he said he had an urgent matter to attend to with the Saint. How could the eunuchs dare to stop him?"

Zhang Duohai hurriedly consoled him, "Your Highness, Shangguan Yi is a man of integrity. He has no contact with Zhangsun Wuji. He must be going to see the emperor for something else."

Wu Meiniang glanced at him coldly and said, "I don't want to listen to this nonsense now. Help me change my clothes immediately. I want to see the Saint!"

Zhang Duohai said anxiously, "Your Highness, you are not well yet. How about I go and check on the situation?"

Wu Meiniang said sternly: "I said, help me change clothes!" and struggled to sit up.

Suddenly, a palace servant walked in and said, "Your Highness, Wang Fusheng is outside asking to see you."

Wu Meiniang shuddered, her face turning pale as paper. Wang Fusheng coming over at this time must have been sent by Li Zhi.

Has the matter come to an end?

She took a deep breath, controlled her emotions, and said calmly, "Let him in."

Soon, Wang Fusheng walked in lightly and said in a low voice: "Your servant Wang Fusheng greets Her Majesty the Queen."

Wu Meiniang stared at him and asked, "What do you want from me?"

Wang Fusheng said, "Everyone sent me here to tell His Highness that he is fully aware of the affairs in the palace and will not listen to one side of the story. Shangguan Yi is reporting on the affairs in Longyou. You don't have to worry. Rest assured and recuperate in the palace. He will come to see you later."

Wu Meiniang finally let go of her worries, and all the fear and worry in her heart turned into tenderness and gratitude.

"Thank His Majesty for me and tell His Majesty that I'm waiting for him in the palace." She said softly.

Wang Fusheng bowed and said, "I will definitely convey it."

(End of this chapter)