Tang Dynasty, my wife Wu Zetian

Chapter 308 Princess Wedding
In the twelfth year of Yonghui, at the court meeting on the fourth day of the first month, Li Zhi announced many new official transfers.

Changsun Quan was appointed as the Chief Secretary of Yongzhou, and the former Chief Secretary of Yongzhou, Xu Ang, was demoted to Sima.

Di Renjie's title was promoted to founding county prince, and he was granted the title of direct scholar of Chongwenguan. His wife Yang was also granted the title of county lady.

The official position of Liu Rengui, the governor of Yingzhou, remained unchanged. When he was dismissed from his position as prime minister, his rank was demoted and he was promoted back to his original position. At the same time, he served as the governor of the Bohai Governor's Office and was also granted the title of Duke of Yuyang County.

A group of military generals who participated in the Khitan War were also promoted and granted titles according to their merits.

Pei Xingjian succeeded Su Dingfang as the Protector General of Anxi and was granted the title of Duke of Xizhou County. Cui Zhibian was promoted to Deputy Protector General of Anxi.

The former Anxi Protector General Su Dingfang was appointed as the Kunzang Protector General, and his two sons were also granted titles and promoted to higher positions.

Xue Rengui was appointed as the general of Yulin Guard, responsible for organizing Yulin Guard in the Forbidden Garden, and his son Xue Na was also appointed as a county baron.

In addition, there were major changes in court officials.

Li Ji was promoted to Taiwei, Yu Zhining was promoted to Situ, and King Li Zhen of Yue was promoted to Sikong.

Xu Jingzong's official position finally changed, and he was given the title of Prince's Guest.

Chen Wang Li Zhong was appointed governor of Liangzhou and was about to leave Beijing to take up his post. Wu Wang Li Ji was promoted to prince and was in charge of the imperial chariot bureau.

Li Zhen's son Li Chong was canonized as Prince of Langya and appointed Chief Clerk of Xuzhou.

Everyone inside and outside the court understood that the emperor's big move this time was in preparation for leaving Beijing.

On the seventh day of the first lunar month, the Grand Historian Li Chunfeng suggested that the nineteenth day of the first lunar month was an auspicious day for marriage, so Li Zhi set this day as the wedding day for Princess Changshan.

In fact, the date of the wedding had been set several months ago, and Li Chunfeng just recalculated it and went through the formalities.

That night, Li Zhi returned to Ganlu Palace from Xunfeng Palace, thinking that Princess Changshan was about to leave the palace, and it would be difficult to see his sister in the future.

He has been too busy recently and has not had time to spend more time with his sister. Now that she is about to leave the palace, he came to the princess's residence, wanting to see her again.

Without informing anyone, he went straight to Princess Changshan's bedroom. When he reached the main door, he suddenly heard the voice of Princess Xincheng coming from inside.

"Sister, don't believe those rumors. You've been with him for so long, you should know what kind of person he is. Why be so suspicious?"

"Yes, aunt, don't think too much. Brother Xiaoji said that many things outside the palace are false and cannot be believed at all!" Princess Gao An's crisp voice rang out.

When Li Zhi entered the room, he saw Princess Changshan sitting on the bed with a sad face.

Princess Gao'an and Princess Xincheng stood on her left and right to comfort her.

When the three girls saw him come in, they all stood up hurriedly to greet him.

Li Zhi raised his hand and said, "Forget that. What were you talking about just now, Changshan? Your wedding day is coming up soon, why do you look so unhappy?"

Princess Changshan smiled and said, "Brother, I'm not unhappy at all."

It was obviously a forced smile, and Li Zhi looked at Princess Xincheng.

"Brother, it's really okay, we were just joking." Princess Xincheng covered.

Li Zhi finally looked at Princess Gao An.

This little cotton-padded jacket is indeed airtight. As soon as it opened its mouth, it spilled the truth like pouring beans.

"Father, Aunt Changshan has heard some rumors and is worried about it. I and Aunt Xincheng are trying to persuade her."

Li Zhi walked over to a chair and sat down, then asked, "What rumor?"

Princess Changshan lowered her head and remained silent, and Princess Xincheng also did not say a word.

Seeing that they didn't say anything, Princess Gao An took the initiative to continue to act as the commentator.

"It seems that a woman recently came to Beijing to look for Lu Zhaolin, and she even claimed that she had married him. Humph, it's too fake, I don't believe it at all!"

Li Zhi frowned slightly, looked at Princess Changshan, and said, "Changshan, is this true?"

Princess Changshan whispered, "I sent someone to inquire about it, and it's true."

Princess Xincheng asked anxiously, "What do you mean it's true? It's just that woman's own claim, and Lu Zhaolin hasn't admitted it. Sister, don't you have any trust in him at all?"

Princess Changshan shook her head and said nothing.

It was not that she distrusted Lu Zhaolin, but she distrusted herself. She always felt that she was too old, had been ill for many years, and was not as beautiful as her younger sister, Princess Xincheng.

When she first admired Lu Zhaolin's talent, she was timid and dared not admit it.

Later, after Li Zhi made the decision and helped the two get engaged, she always felt that Lu Zhaolin was forced to marry her, a princess.

Now that this has happened, I have even less confidence.

Li Zhi could actually understand her mentality.

After all, Princess Changshan has been staying in the palace for more than ten years. She has been lacking social interaction for a long time and has no confidence in herself. This is normal.

"Changshan, don't worry. I will help you find out about this matter." Li Zhi raised his hand and said.

Princess Changshan said quietly, "Brother, don't force him. If he doesn't want to marry me, just cancel the marriage."

Princess Xincheng said anxiously, "Sister, why are you always so pessimistic? You are a princess. Those noble families would be delighted to marry you. Why wouldn't they be reluctant?"

Princess Changshan just shook her head.

Li Zhi smiled and said, "Okay, brother won't force him. I will ask him what he thinks. You don't have to worry."

After comforting her for a while, he stood up and left the princess's residence.

After taking a few steps, he heard footsteps behind him. Turning around, he saw Princess Gao An chasing after him.

"Gao An, do you have anything else to say?"

Princess Gao An raised her head and said, "Father, after Aunt Changshan's wedding, I want to move to the Princess Courtyard. Is that okay?"

Li Zhi frowned and asked, "Why don't you want to stay in Xunfeng Palace? Is it because the Imperial Concubine treats you badly?"

Princess Gao An waved her hands hastily and said, "No, no, I'm just old now and I want to have my own palace to live in."

Li Zhi looked at her carefully and noticed that Princess Gao An's face had become much less childish and she had grown a lot taller without him noticing.

It is normal for a girl to want her own palace after she grows up.

Besides, after Concubine Zheng had a son, her concern for her would definitely not be as great as before. She immediately nodded and said, "Okay, if you want to move, then move over. You can come back to Xunfeng Palace often in the future."

Princess Gao An was overjoyed. She ran over and hugged Li Zhi's waist, saying affectionately, "Thank you, father." Then she turned around and walked back briskly.

Li Zhi watched her figure go away until she disappeared behind the door, then he turned around and headed back to Ganlu Hall. The next morning, after breakfast, Li Zhi came to the main hall and ordered, "Fu Sheng, let Lu Zhaolin come to see the emperor. No, let Gao Youdao come."

Wang Fusheng received the order and brought Gao Youdao over soon.

After the ceremony, Li Zhi looked at Gao Youdao and said, "Mr. Gao, Princess Changshan's wedding is coming soon, but I heard that a woman claiming to be Lu Zhaolin's wife has come to Chang'an. Do you know anything about this?"

Gao Youdao hurriedly said, "Your Majesty, this is indeed a rumor. Brother Lu doesn't know that woman at all. Someone must be trying to frame Brother Lu!"

Li Zhi said slowly, "Mr. Gao, the reason I came to you to ask about this is because I know you wouldn't lie to me. Please think this through before you speak."

Gao Youdao said solemnly, "Your Majesty, I guarantee with my life that Brother Lu does not know that woman. When that woman came to me, I was right beside her and saw it clearly!"

Li Zhi frowned and asked, "What is her purpose?"

Gao Youdao said, "Brother Lu also tried to give the woman some money to ask her to stop pestering him, but she refused to give in. I suspect someone is trying to harm Brother Lu!"

Li Zhi pondered and said, "You mean to say that someone wants to stop Lu Qing and the princess's marriage?"

Gao Youdao said, "That's right. Your Majesty may not be aware that since Brother Lu got engaged to the princess, countless people have been envious. Some have even mocked him and said bad things about him behind his back."

Li Zhi nodded and said, "I just want to ask one thing, is Lu Qing sincere to the princess?"

Gao Youdao bowed and said, "Your Majesty, based on my observation, Brother Lu truly admires the princess."

Li Zhi said happily, "That's good. As long as both of you are sincere, I won't let anyone interfere with this marriage. You may leave."

When Gao Youdao returned to the side hall, his back was soaked with sweat, for he was afraid that a wrong answer would ruin his friend's lifelong happiness.

As soon as he sat down, Lu Zhaolin came over and asked, "Brother Gao, why did His Majesty summon you?"

Usually Du Yijian is more proactive, but today Gao Youdao seems so anxious, obviously worried that the emperor will hear the rumors.

Gao Youdao whispered, "It's for you."

Lu Zhaolin's face turned pale and he asked anxiously, "Your Majesty knows about this too? Your Majesty won't believe those rumors, will you?"

Gao Youdao smiled and said, "Don't worry, Your Majesty is just asking."

Lu Zhaolin breathed a sigh of relief, then a nameless anger rose in his heart. He said, "If I find out which bastard is behind this, I will never let him off!"

Du Yijian said, "It must be someone who wants to marry Princess Shang. He is jealous of you and is doing this secretly."

As he said this, his eyes glanced at Yuan Wanqing intentionally or unintentionally.

Ever since Lu Zhaolin and the princess got together, Yuan Wanqing has been speaking sourly and coldly, and his jealous face is clearly exposed.

Yuan Wanqing snorted and said nothing.

Gao Youdao whispered, "Alright, it's time to go to the government office now, so get on with your work."

Because the New Year had just passed, there was a backlog of memorials, and it was not until 2:15 PM that they finally finished.

It was a bit late to go home for dinner, so Gao Youdao and the other two came to Xingdaofang and had dinner at the largest restaurant, Baxianlou.

The first floor was full, so the three of them climbed the stairs and prepared to go to the private room on the second floor. Lu Zhaolin always treated them, so they didn't have to worry about spending money.

As I was going up the stairs, I heard two people talking beside the stairs.

"Have you heard of Lu Zhaolin of the Fanyang Lu family? He's a real hidden bastard! He pretends to be a righteous gentleman and wins the princess' heart, but who knows he's actually a filthy bastard!"

"Oh, what do you mean?"

"A woman from Shu came to him and claimed to be his wife. Others said that when he was in Shu, he often frequented brothels and had at least eight, if not ten, women on his side!"

"A piece of shit like this is actually favored by the princess. It's so unfair!"

Du Yijian glared at the two of them and cursed, "Those are just rumors. You haven't even met Lu Zhaolin, so stop talking nonsense behind his back!"

One of them laughed and said, "You are defending him so much, could it be that he is his son?"

Du Yijian said angrily: "I am your father-in-law!"

He was about to rush down to teach the man a lesson, but was stopped by Lu Zhaolin.

"Let's go up." Lu Zhaolin said expressionlessly.

The three of them arrived at the private room, but Lu Zhaolin remained silent, just drinking one glass after another.

Gao Youdao and Du Yijian were both looking at him, their eyes full of worry.

After a long while, Lu Zhaolin finally put down his wine glass, forced a smile, and said, "Don't worry, after the wedding, I believe these rumors will disappear."

Gao Youdao said in a deep voice: "Brother Lu, judging from what those two people said just now, it seems that the rumors have increased again. I have a bad feeling."

Du Yijian scolded, "Don't be such a pessimist. As long as Your Majesty doesn't believe these rumors, what else can we do about the despicable people who spread them behind the scenes?"

Gao Youdao suddenly said, "Brother Lu, if something like this happens, the Fanyang Lu family won't just sit back and watch."

Lu Zhaolin said, "When the rumor first came out last month, my uncle secretly sent people to investigate, but they never found the source."

Gao Youdao's expression became even more serious, and he said, "Even with the power of your Fanyang Lu family, you can't find it. This means that the person behind this is definitely not an ordinary person!"

Du Yijian said, "Hey, hey, the more you talk, the more serious it becomes."

Gao Youdao thought for a moment and said, "How about this, let's go ask Brother Di for help. I believe he can figure it out!"

Du Yijian said, "He is now the Minister of Justice. It would be a bad idea for us to trouble him with such a matter, right?"

Gao Youdao said seriously, "Brother Di has always been a good friend. Besides, I still feel that this matter is strange. I can only feel at ease if I let him investigate."

Du Yijian looked at Lu Zhaolin: "Brother Lu, what do you think?"

Lu Zhaolin drank the wine in his cup in one gulp and said, "To be honest, I have been a little uneasy these past few days, so I had no choice but to trouble Brother Di."

Gao Youdao suddenly stood up and said, "There's no time to lose, let's go now!"

Lu Zhaolin immediately took out a handful of copper coins and placed them on the table. Without even asking the waiter for change, he hurried downstairs.

The three of them came to the Dali Temple together and were led into the side hall of the Dali Temple. While walking in the corridor, Gao Youdao suddenly heard two clerks discussing something in the corridor.

I heard one person say, "What? Another one died in Luoyang? Is that true? Even if General Li goes there, it won't help?"

Another person said, "I heard it clearly. The fifth person has died. Just like the previous four, the scene was unbearable to watch. It was such a tragic death..."

As they walked further away, their voices gradually became inaudible.

(End of this chapter)