Tang Dynasty, my wife Wu Zetian

Chapter 301: Visiting Prince Zheng's Mansion

Li Ji had just arrived outside the palace of Prince Chen when he saw the second gate was wide open and a carriage drove out.

Li Ji hurried over and called out, "Brother?"

A head popped out from the carriage window. It was Chen Wang Li Zhong.

"Brother Ji, do you have something to talk to me about?"

Li Ji hurriedly asked, "Where are you going, brother?"

Li Zhong said, "Li Mao asked me to go to Prince Zheng's Mansion. It seems there is something urgent."

Li Ji was shocked and said hurriedly: "Brother, you can't go to see him."

Li Zhong asked in surprise: "Why is that?"

Li Ji immediately ordered the driver to turn around and explained to Li Ji: "I will explain to you after we return home."

Back at Prince Chen's mansion, the two of them went to the study. Li Zhong frowned and said, "Brother Ji, I know you don't like to be close to Li Mao, but he is my classmate after all. You can't forbid me to interact with him, right?"

Li Ji said, "Brother, have you heard about the prince's affairs?"

Li Zhong was stunned for a moment and said, "I have heard that the Crown Prince's establishment of the Pawnshop was not going well and received a negative response from both the government and the public."

Li Ji said, "Yesterday, a man named Zhou Er came to Chang'an. He said that the pawnshop incident was an attempt to harm the crown prince!"

I told you in detail what happened on Tuesday.

After hearing this, Li Zhong was shocked and asked, "Who is so bold as to frame the prince?"

Li Ji stared at him and said, "I heard it's related to Prince Zheng's Mansion."

Li Zhong's face turned pale instantly, and he mumbled, "Could it be... Could it be..."

Li Ji said: "Based on the information I have now, it is very likely that it was done by Huainan King Li Mao. He asked you to come over, probably because he wanted your help."

Li Zhong took a few steps back and plopped down on a chair. He propped his elbows on his knees, covered his face with his hands, and said in a trembling voice, "Maybe... maybe he did this for me."

Li Ji shook his head and said, "Brother, you are wrong. Even if Li Hong is deposed, the crown prince position will be taken over by the Fifth Prince. He is just venting his personal anger!"

Li Zhong was stunned for a moment and said, "Brother Ji, what should I do now?"

Li Ji looked at him seriously and said, "You must not see him now, otherwise you might be implicated."

"Then I will stay in the mansion and not go anywhere!"

Li Ji thought for a moment and said, "That's not a good idea. If he comes to visit you at Prince Chen's mansion, it will still cause trouble. So, you should go to the palace immediately and pay your respects to Lady Chong'e."

Li Zhong nodded and said, "Okay, I'll listen to you."

The carriage soon left Prince Chen's Mansion again. This time, it did not head east, but went straight north towards the imperial palace.

Li Ji finally felt relieved and left the palace only after he had escorted Li Zhong to Changle Gate.

After going back and forth like this, it was already noon. Li Ji was hungry, so he bought two sesame cakes on the side street outside Zhuque Gate.

While he was eating sesame cakes, he suddenly saw several riders running down the street. The first rider saw Li Ji, turned his horse around, galloped up to him, and dismounted.

"Your Highness Prince Wu, what a coincidence." The person who came was Helan Minzhi.

Li Ji asked, "Brother Helan, are you going to enter the palace?"

Helan Minzhi smiled slightly, looked at the person behind him, and said, "I am following my aunt's order to bring this Taoist priest Guo into the palace."

Li Ji looked at the man and found him to be a tall Taoist priest, about thirty-seven or thirty-eight years old, with clear brows and a beard that reached past his neck. He had the temperament of an otherworldly sage.

Helan Minzhi introduced the Taoist priest to him.

It turned out that the Taoist priest was named Guo Daozhen, the abbot of the Yulong Temple in Luoyang. He was known to be able to know the past and the future and was quite famous in Chang'an, so Empress Wu summoned him into the palace for questioning.

Helan Minzhi glanced at Guo Daozhen and said with a smile, "Master Guo, I have seen your ability to judge people. I wonder if you can judge the King of Wu before us?"

Guo Daozhen twirled his long beard lightly and looked at Li Ji with a smile. When he was about to speak, he was interrupted by Li Ji.

He said to Helan Minzhi: "Brother Helan, I have something important to attend to. I'm afraid I don't have time to talk to you more. Please spend less time with me."

Just as he turned around to leave, Helan Minzhi stopped him.

"Don't worry, this Taoist priest Guo is truly powerful. Half a year ago, when he visited Wu Mansion, he figured out what happened to the Crown Prince. It's a pity we didn't believe him then, otherwise, what happened today wouldn't have happened."

Li Ji was shocked and looked at Guo Daozhen in surprise, saying, "Is this true?"

Helan Minzhi said: "How could it be false?"

Pulling Li Ji aside, he whispered, "Half a year ago, he suddenly showed up outside the Wu Mansion, saying the Crown Prince was about to face a disaster and his reputation would be damaged. We all thought he was a liar and sent him away."

Li Ji glanced sideways at Guo Daozhen and said, "Could it be a coincidence?"

Helan Minzhi said, "How could there be so many coincidences? Just a month ago, he saw Lady Yan at Xuandu Temple and told her that she would suffer a bloody disaster within half a month and that seclusion in the mansion for half a month would avert the disaster."

"But Lady Yan didn't listen. At the end of last month, while admiring the flowers at the newly built manor of the Lu Mansion, she was startled by a cat and hit the back of her head against the protruding wall of the rockery. She was bleeding profusely and it scared everyone at the time."

Lady Lu Congbi of Yan State was also Li Zhi's wet nurse. She was from the Lu family of Fanyang. She now lived alone in Xingningfang and often interacted with members of the Lu family.

After hearing this, Li Ji nodded and said, "If it's true, then he does have some skills."

Helan Minzhi said, "Mrs. Yan said it herself, and my mother heard it with her own ears. How could it be false? My mother remembered what happened that year, so she invited him into the mansion and asked him about the prince again."

Li Jiqi asked, "What did he say?"

"He said he could use the Taoist magic of the Xiantian Bagua to figure out who was plotting to murder the crown prince. After hearing this, my aunt allowed him into the palace to perform the divination in public. If he was truly a fake, he would have run away long ago!"

Li Ji glanced at Guo Daozhen again, only to see that his eyes were slightly closed and a mysterious aura enveloped his body.

At this moment, Li Ji suddenly felt that this Taoist priest did not seem to be an ordinary person.

Helan Minzhi smiled and said, "If you don't believe me, you can follow me into the palace and see how he calculates."

Li Ji really wanted to go and take a look, but he was afraid of Empress Wu, so he shook his head and said, "No, if he really figures out who murdered the crown prince, please send someone to tell me."

Helan Minzhi smiled and said, "Well, I think Taoist Guo must be a true master. Just wait for my good news."

The two parted outside Suzaku Gate.

However, Helan Minzhi brought Guo Daozhen into the palace from Changle Gate. When they arrived near Lizheng Hall, they were stopped by Zhang Duohai.

Zhang Duohai said to Helan Minzhi, "Young Master, His Majesty is teasing the little princess in the palace. It's better to wait a while before going in."

Helan Minzhi nodded and explained to Guo Daozhen: "Since your majesty's head disease, you no longer believe in gods and Buddhas."

Guo Daozhen smiled slightly and said, "Your Majesty, although he used to worship Buddhism and Taoism, still suffered from headaches, so he had doubts. This is unavoidable."

Zhang Duohai glanced at him and said, "Master Guo, then tell me, Your Majesty is the Son of Heaven, and there are gods and Buddhas in the sky, so why don't they protect Your Majesty?"

Guo Daozhen asked in reply, "Since the Qin and Han dynasties, dynasties have changed, and countless emperors have died young. This shows that just because one is not an emperor, one can be blessed by gods and Buddhas."

Zhang Duohai snorted, "According to what you said, those gods and Buddhas are useless, aren't they?"

Guo Daozhen smiled but said nothing.

Helan Minzhi hurriedly asked, "Master Guo, please explain to us how we can obtain the protection of the gods and Buddhas?"

Guo Daozhen said slowly: "With the Tao in your heart, you will be free and at ease."

Helan Minzhi asked, "How can one have the Tao in one's heart?" Guo Daozhen said leisurely, "If you believe, then it exists; if you don't believe, then it doesn't exist."

Helan Minzhi said: "But even if I believe it, I still don't feel free and happy?"

Guo Daozhen glanced at him and said calmly, "Do you really believe it, my dear?"

Helan Minzhi was about to answer when Guo Daozhen raised his hand and said, "You don't have to tell me, just tell yourself."

Helan Minzhi was startled and looked thoughtful.

Like Empress Wu, Zhang Da Hai believes in Buddhism and is also full of awe for Taoist gods.

Seeing that the Taoist priest was mysterious and different from ordinary people, he became more polite to him and asked him more about Taoism.

Guo Daozhen's thoughts jump around so fast that others can't keep up. He's on one topic one moment and jumps to another the next.

Seeing this, Helan Minzhi and Zhang Duohai respected him even more.

Suddenly, Zhang Duohai glanced into the distance and said, "Look, His Majesty is coming out. Let's hide quickly so that His Majesty won't see us."

Helan Minzhi and he immediately hid behind the corridor, but Guo Daozhen remained motionless, staring at Li Zhi in the distance.

Li Zhi walked quickly and did not notice Guo Daozhen.

Wang Fusheng was a man who kept an eye on all directions. He spotted Guo Daozhen at a glance and told Li Zhi about it.

Li Zhi turned his head to look over, then strode over.

When Zhang Duohai and Helan Minzhi saw the emperor coming, they were secretly shocked and hurried out from behind the corridor to bow to him.

Guo Daozhen waved his whisk, performed a Taoist bow, and said in a humble manner, "I am Guo Daozhen, the poor Taoist, and I pay my respects to Your Majesty."

Li Zhi glanced at him and turned his gaze to Zhang Duohai.

Zhang Duohai hurriedly said, "Your Majesty, this Taoist priest Guo is well versed in the art of the Xiantian Bagua and can know the past and the future. Therefore, Her Majesty the Queen ordered me to summon him to the palace."

Li Zhi asked, "Why did the Queen let him into the palace?"

Zhang Duohai said, "Your Highness is also concerned about the safety of the Crown Prince, so he would like to ask Master Guo to calculate who is plotting against the Crown Prince."

Li Zhi turned to look at Guo Daozhen and said, "Can you really figure out who is targeting the crown prince?"

Guo Daozhen said leisurely: "I am not completely sure, but I will give it a try."

Li Zhi smiled and said, "Well, I also want to see your ability. If you predict correctly, there will be a reward. If not..."

His face darkened: "That is just spreading rumors to confuse the people. I will not let you off lightly!"

Guo Daozhen showed no fear and said slowly, "Your Majesty said that I was spreading rumors and misleading the people. I dare not refute you. Please allow me to tell you a fortune. Your Majesty will know for yourself."

Li Zhi said: "I am waiting for your test."

He immediately took Guo Daozhen, Helan Minzhi and others back to Lizheng Hall.

Empress Wu had just seen off the emperor and was changing her clothes, preparing to meet Guo Daozhen, but she didn't expect Li Zhi to come back and bring Guo Daozhen with him.

She quickly changed her clothes and welcomed Li Zhi into the main hall. She also glanced at Zhang Duohai and blamed him for not doing his job well.

"Why is Your Majesty back again?" she asked with a smile.

Li Zhi walked over to the couch and sat down, saying with a smile: "Mei Niang, you invited Taoist Master Guo into the palace without telling me. Naturally, I want to see Taoist Master Guo's fortune-telling."

Helan Minzhi and Guo Daozhen took two steps forward and saluted Wu Meiniang.

Wu Meiniang only glanced at Guo Daozhen, raised her hand and said, "Master, there is no need to be so polite."

She walked over to sit next to Li Zhi and said softly, "I didn't tell you because I was afraid that Your Majesty would dislike Taoist priests. I hope Your Majesty will forgive me."

Li Zhi said, "I understand that you care about Hong'er, but haven't you already asked Di Renjie to investigate?"

Wu Meiniang said, "I think it will take several days for Di Renjie to find out the truth. If Taoist Guo really has the ability to predict the future, knowing it sooner can help avoid any accidents."

Li Zhi patted her hand and said, "Okay, I'll go with you and take a look."

He turned his head to look at Guo Daozhen, "Master Guo, you can calculate now."

Guo Daozhen took out a hexagram plate and a few tortoise shells with various hexagram characters painted on them from his waist bag. He said slowly, "I need a quiet room where no one can disturb me."

Wu Meiniang immediately ordered: "Arrange it for Taoist Priest Guo."

Jiang Shanggong smiled at Guo Daozhen and said, "Master, please follow me." She led Guo Daozhen to a room in the northwest corner of the hall.

About a quarter of an hour later, Concubine Jiang brought Guo Daozhen back to the palace.

Li Zhi said, "Master, have you finished the calculation?"

Guo Daozhen said: "The results have been tested."

Wu Meiniang asked, "Who is it?"

Guo Daozhen said slowly: "I calculated three hexagrams in total. The first hexagram is Liao, the second hexagram is Chu, and the third hexagram is Cai."

Wu Meiniang frowned and asked, "Why?"

Guo Daozhen said slowly, "During the Western Zhou Dynasty, there was a state called Liao in the south. It was destroyed by the Chu State. Later, the Chu State destroyed the Cai State and established its capital at Yingcheng in the former territory of Liao and Cai. Today, this place is called Huainan."

Wu Meiniang was quick-witted and immediately thought of Li Mao, King of Huainan, and glanced sideways at Li Zhi.

Li Zhi's eyes flashed, and he also thought of the King of Huainan.

Prince Huainan is the son of Prince Zheng. The Zheng Palace is obviously involved in this incident, and Prince Huainan is indeed very suspicious.

This Taoist priest pretended to be mysterious and probably knew something in advance, and wanted to use this to gain Wu Meiniang's trust.

Li Zhi thought of this, looked up at Guo Daozhen, and asked, "Master Guo, is the person you calculated to be Li Mao, the King of Huainan?"

Guo Daozhen shook his head and said, "I can only infer the word Huainan. I cannot confirm whether it is the King of Huainan."

Li Zhi waved his hand and said, "No problem. Let's go to Prince Zheng's mansion and meet the Prince of Huainan to see if he is the one who will answer the divination."

If it really was Li Mao, the Prince of Huainan, he would definitely reveal his flaws when Li Zhi suddenly visited the Prince of Zheng's Mansion.

This is better than summoning him to the palace, so as not to give him time to prepare.

Wu Meiniang asked, "Your Majesty, can I go with you?"

Li Zhi thought about it and nodded, "Alright, since this matter is related to Hong'er, and you invited Taoist Master Guo, let's go and take a look together."

Wang Fusheng suggested, "Your Majesty, would you like to summon Di Renjie to accompany you?"

Li Zhi said: "Yes, send an order to the Dali Temple to let Di Renjie accompany him."

Li Zhi did not intend to travel incognito this time, so the Imperial Household Department prepared the imperial carriage.

Half an hour later, the ceremonial guards were ready and the security arrangements were complete.

However, the eunuch sent to the Dali Temple reported that Di Renjie was not in the Dali Temple and no one knew where he had gone.

Li Zhi no longer waited for him. He sat on the dragon chariot with Wu Meiniang and, under the protection of the Thousand Oxen Guards, headed towards Prince Zheng's Palace in a mighty procession.

(End of this chapter)