Tang Dynasty, my wife Wu Zetian

Chapter 300: The Prince's Tutor
The bright moon rises, the moonlight is clear, and the silvery-white light is sprinkled on the streets of Chang'an City.

While Xiao Siye was talking with Concubine Xiao Shufei, Li Ji also hurried to the palace and asked to see Emperor Li Zhi.

Di Shun, on Di Renjie's orders, told him what happened on Tuesday. In fact, he wanted to use him to tell the emperor that Di Renjie was helping the queen investigate the case.

Li Ji has always been cautious in his actions. Although he was informed by Di Shun, he still sent people to Chang'an City to inquire about the situation for an entire afternoon.

Only after confirmation did he enter the palace to meet the emperor.

Li Zhi originally stayed in Penglai Palace tonight. When he heard that Li Ji wanted to see him, he knew that it was an important matter, so he returned to Ganlu Palace and met him in the bedroom.

After the greetings, Li Ji told Li Zhi in detail what happened on Tuesday.

After listening to this, Li Zhi frowned and said, "Zhou Er said that Prince Zheng was behind this?"

Li Ji said, "Yes, but I think that although those slaves claim to be from the Zheng Wang Mansion, they may be someone else, acting in the name of the Zheng Wang."

Li Zhi glanced at him and smiled, "Not bad, it's rare that you can think of this at such a young age."

Li Ji's face flushed with praise, and he lowered his head and said, "Uncle Jiu, you are too kind."

Li Zhi pondered for a moment and asked, "After King Han entered the capital, did he go to see Zhong'er?"

Li Ji said: "Not yet."

Li Zhi thought for a moment and said, "Xiao Ji, how much do you know about King Zheng?"

Li Ji whispered, "My nephew doesn't understand him."

Li Zhi smiled slightly and said, "It's okay. Since Tuesday has exposed the matter, I believe Di Renjie will be able to investigate it thoroughly. We just have to wait and see."

Li Ji bowed and said, "Then I will take my leave."

Although Li Ji did not have much interaction with Crown Prince Li Hong when he was in the palace, he knew that the young crown prince was kind and treated people very well.

Moreover, he felt that as a member of the royal family, he should safeguard the stability of imperial power.

The authority of the crown prince comes from the king. Challenging the crown prince is no different from challenging the king.

He attached great importance to this matter. After leaving the palace, he went straight to the Prince of Yue's Mansion to find Li Zhen.

The uncle and nephew had a secret conversation in the study, and Li Ji told Li Zhen what happened on Tuesday.

Li Zhen was so shocked that she didn't speak for a long time.

"Uncle Eight, what's wrong?" Li Ji asked.

Li Zhen smiled bitterly and said, "I just suddenly realized that I am far inferior to Your Majesty in judging people."

Li Ji said: "Why do you suddenly think so?"

Li Zhen sighed and said, "I don't think highly of your eighth uncle, even those princes of the uncle generation. There are only two people who I look up to."

"Which two people?"

Li Zhen said, "One of them is the Prince of Zheng, Li Yuanli, whom you just mentioned. He is a man of great diligence and good governance, and he is quite famous. I have always believed that he is one of the most capable among the princes."

Li Ji said, "Uncle Eight, can you tell me more about King Zheng?"

Li Ji also met Li Yuanli at a royal family gathering.

At that time, I just thought that this uncle was not good-looking and didn't talk much, so I didn't pay much attention to him.

Li Zhi asked him a question just now, but he couldn't answer, which made him quite regretful that he had not paid more attention to this matter before.

Li Zhen pondered for a moment and said, "Among the surviving princes, Prince Zheng is the oldest. He is the tenth son of Emperor Gaozu. When the late Emperor was still alive, he praised him for his modesty, humility, and integrity."

Li Ji was secretly surprised and said, "From what you said, he shouldn't do such a thing!"

Li Zhen said slowly, "When Zhangsun Wuji seized power, His Majesty selected two members of the royal family to rival him and make them the Three Dukes alongside him. They were Prince of Jing, Li Yuanjing, and your father."

"Later, Zhangsun Wuji used the Fang Yiai case to take down the King of Jing and falsely accused your father. Your Majesty had no one else to rely on, so he replaced your father and his men with Li Ji and Li Yuanli. Therefore, Li Yuanli also performed meritorious services for Your Majesty."

Li Ji had heard of these things before, but he didn't have a deep impression at the time. He only knew that Zhangsun Wuji had harmed his family.

Listening to it again now, I had a different idea than before.

The tragedy of their family actually originated from the struggle in the court.

Li Ji was silent for a long time, then whispered, "Uncle Eight, I have something to ask you."

"go ahead."

Li Ji asked, "Your Majesty, why did you release Zhangsun Wuji? He is such a hateful man, why would Your Majesty forgive him?"

Li Zhen sighed, "I've thought about this question for a long time. The most important reason might be that Zhangsun Wuji has the ability to rebel, but he never really had the intention to do so."

Li Ji grumbled, "Your Majesty is too lenient with him."

Li Zhen patted his head and said slowly, "You are young, so you don't quite understand. When the Crown Prince was plotting rebellion, it was Prince of Wei Li Tai who had the highest support. If it weren't for Zhangsun Wuji, Your Majesty wouldn't be where you are today."

Li Ji was stunned for a while, then said, "So that's how it is."

Li Zhen said, "It's actually a good thing for us that Your Majesty is mindful of our old friendship. If he only values ​​power and is suspicious, life won't be easy for you and me."

Li Ji hummed softly and said, "Uncle Eighth is right. If it weren't for your Majesty's kindness, I would still be a slave in the palace."

Li Zhen said in a deep voice, "No matter what, the Crown Prince's case must be thoroughly investigated. Tomorrow I will visit Prince Zheng. Ji'er, you go to the Dali Temple and assist Di Renjie in solving the case!"

Li Ji responded, said goodbye and left the Prince of Yue's Palace, returning to the Prince of Wu's Palace.

After Li Zhen ordered his men to send Li Ji away, he sat alone in the room thinking, when he suddenly heard a knock on the door.

"Father, can I come in?" It was the voice of his son Li Chong.

Li Zhen said, "Come in."

With a creaky sound, Li Chong pushed the door open and walked in. He bowed to Li Zhen and said, "My son greets his father."

Li Zhen hummed, "You're still up so late. You usually study at the Chongwen Academy, so you're not often late, are you?"

Li Chong hurriedly said, "I'm always the first one to arrive, never late!"

Li Zhen asked, "What do you want to talk to me about?"

Li Chong took a few steps closer and said with a smile, "Father, I want to discuss the Crown Prince's affairs with you."

Li Zhen frowned and said, "Is this something you should be concerned about?"

Li Chong said anxiously, "Is it related to the Crown Prince? The Crown Prince has been paying close attention to this matter these days. I also want to find the person behind this as soon as possible and help the Crown Prince relieve his worries!"

Li Zhen slammed the table and angrily asked, "Did you tell the Crown Prince about Tuesday's incident?"

Li Chong panicked, "It wasn't me who said that, it was Xue Na!" Li Zhen said solemnly, "When you meet the Crown Prince tomorrow, comfort him. Your Majesty and I will investigate these matters. Just focus on your studies."

Li Chong said cautiously, "Father, we actually have a suspect as well. You can go investigate."

Li Zhen asked, "Who?"

Li Chong said, "Li Mao, the King of Huainan!"

After hearing this, Li Zhen was stunned for a moment.

Li Mao was the eldest son of Li Yuanli, the Prince of Zheng. He was granted the title of Prince of Huainan. He was originally a reader at Chongwenguan. When he turned sixteen, he was granted the title of Prince and sent to a remote place.

Li Zhen asked, "Why do you doubt him?"

Li Chong said, "When he was at Chongwen Hall, he didn't play well with the Crown Prince. When he left Chongwen Hall, the Crown Prince and I played a trick on him. He must be holding a grudge..."

Li Zhen glared at him and interrupted, "Is this the reason you gave?"

Li Chong blinked: "Yeah."

Li Zhen held up his forehead with his hand, waved it wearily, and said, "Go out, I'm tired, let me be quiet for a while."

Li Chong pursed his lips, took his leave and left, closing the door gently.

The next morning, Li Zhen rode a horse to visit Prince Zheng's mansion.

On the other side, Li Ji also got up early and prepared to go to the Dali Temple. As soon as he walked out of the mansion, he saw a carriage parked outside the door.

The curtain of the carriage swayed, revealing a small head. It was Xue Rengui's son Xue Na.

"Your Highness the Prince of Wu, the Crown Prince invites you to the East Palace." Xue Na shouted.

When Li Ji heard that it was the prince's order, he had to put down what he was doing, got on the carriage, and headed towards the imperial city.

Arriving outside Anshang Gate, the two entered the palace together, passed through Yeonxi Gate, and entered the East Palace.

Xue Na brought Li Ji to a small temple near Chongwen Temple.

After entering the room, he found that there was not a single eunuch or palace servant inside, only a few teenagers in their teens gathered around Li Hong.

Li Ji stepped forward to greet him, and Li Hong smiled and said, "No need to be so polite."

Li Chong stood to the left of Li Hong and complained to Xue Na, "Xue Na, why are you so slow? The school drum is almost ringing."

At this time, there was only a quarter of an hour left before the Chongwenguan school started.

Xue Na muttered, "My mother was worried about me going to school alone. I persuaded her for a long time before she agreed. That's why it was delayed."

Li Hong waved his hand and said, "It's okay, there's still some time, cousin Ji, we came to you because we have something to tell you."

Li Ji said, "Prince, please give your instructions."

Li Hong looked at him and said, "I heard that you have a good relationship with my eldest brother. Is that true?"

Li Ji hesitated for a moment and said, "Yes."

Li Hong continued to stare at him and said, "They have already told me about what happened on Tuesday. I hope you can tell me the truth. Is this matter related to my brother?"

Li Ji's face changed drastically, and he asked anxiously, "Why would the Crown Prince suspect Prince Chen? He has nothing to do with this matter!"

Li Hongdao: "Really nothing to do with it?"

Li Ji nodded solemnly and said, "I can guarantee that this matter has nothing to do with King Chen!"

Li Hong smiled in relief and said, "That's good. I was really worried that it had something to do with my elder brother. I didn't know what to do."

Li Ji said in a deep voice, "Your Highness, may I ask who told you that this matter was related to Prince Chen?"

Li Hong looked at Li Chong standing beside him.

The latter hurriedly said, "Your Highness, please go to Chongwen Hall with everyone else. I will explain the rest to King Wu."

Li Hong nodded and said, "Okay then." He led a group of young people out of the house and headed towards Chongwenguan.

Li Chong stood on the corridor, watching Li Hong and others walk away, then turned to look at Li Ji.

"King Wu, do you know Li Mao, King of Huainan?"

Li Ji's heart trembled, and he nodded, "I know."

Li Ji didn't know many people among the royal family, but King Huainan Li Mao was one of them.

It was because Li Mao had a good relationship with Chen Wang Li Zhong, so every December when the King of Huainan came to Chang'an, he would look for Li Zhong.

It was through Li Zhong's introduction that he met Li Mao.

However, Li Ji heard that Li Mao had a bad reputation and liked to bully women, so he did not make close friends with him.

Li Chong said, "That's easy to explain. When Li Zhong was still the Crown Prince, Li Mao was his tutor. He often took advantage of Li Zhong's power to bully the Crown Prince and us."

"After the crown prince was crowned heir, we began to take revenge on him. In the eighth year of Yonghui, he was granted the title of King of Huainan and was ordered to leave the capital to take up his new post. On his last day at Chongwenguan, we doused him in urine. He must have held a grudge!"

Before Wang Liwu was deposed, Li Zhong, as the crown prince, had a group of followers around him.

At that time, Li Hong had just arrived at Chongwenguan. Because Queen Wang and Wu Meiniang were at loggerheads, Li Zhong and Li Hong did not have a good relationship. Naturally, Li Mao and other followers often bullied Li Hong and others.

Later, Wu Meiniang became the queen, Li Zhong was deposed, and Li Hong became the crown prince, and the situation reversed.

Although Li Hong did not care about it, Li Chong and others remembered the old grudge and took revenge on all those who bullied them.

Li Mao was the first to bear the brunt.

Li Ji also understood at this time. The prince and others suspected that this was done by Li Mao, but they didn't know whether Li Zhong was behind it, so they came to ask him.

Li Ji said in a deep voice: "Cousin, please tell the Crown Prince that no matter whether this matter is related to Li Mao or not, it has absolutely nothing to do with the First Prince!"

Li Chong patted him on the shoulder and said with a smile, "Everyone trusts you. Now that you say so, I feel relieved."

Turned around and headed towards Chongwenguan.

Li Ji's expression remained solemn.

King Huainan Li Mao is the son of King Zheng. If this matter is really related to the Prince Zheng's Mansion, then he is the biggest suspect.

Li Zhong is a very soft-hearted person and can be easily instigated. If it was really Li Mao who instigated him to do it, the consequences would be unimaginable.

He was extremely confused for a moment and quickly left the palace and headed towards Prince Chen's Mansion.

(End of this chapter)