Tang Dynasty, my wife Wu Zetian

Chapter 497 The Heir to the British Duke's Mansion
Chang'an, the Duke of England's residence.

In a pavilion by the lake in the back garden, Princess Taiping was playing chess with a girl who was about the same age as her.

The girl's name was Li Zhiying, the granddaughter of Li Ji. She had received strict family education from a young age and was proficient in music, chess, calligraphy, and painting.

After the war ended, Li Zhi had been relatively free and often visited the residences of his ministers.

Occasionally, he would bring along Princess Taiping, Li Dan, Li Ren, and Li Xian, among other younger members of the family, so that they could go out of the palace to play and make more friends.

Today he came to visit the Duke of Ying's mansion, and he happened to bring Princess Taiping with him, so Li Ji asked his granddaughter to accompany the princess.

Princess Taiping loved playing chess and would ask everyone she met, "Do you know how to play chess?"

I have to play the next game as soon as someone says they know how.

Because most people let her win, the little girl felt that her chess skills had reached a very high level, and she was very proud.

However, on the other hand, interest is the best teacher, and among those of the same age, no one can rival Princess Taiping.

Li Zhiying was extremely intelligent and had a high level of chess skills, yet she was still utterly defeated by Princess Taiping.

The little girl was gentle by nature. Seeing that she was unlikely to win, she conceded defeat and said with a smile, "Princess, I can't beat you. Shall we play something else?"

Princess Taiping, quite pleased with herself, raised her little head and asked, "What do you want to play?"

Li Zhiying asked, "Have you ever played with a bamboo dragonfly?"

Princess Taiping said, "No."

Li Zhiying smiled slightly, ordered someone to bring a bamboo dragonfly, and with a rub of her hand, the bamboo dragonfly made of bamboo strips flew into the air.

Princess Taiping clapped her hands and cheered. After the bamboo dragonfly landed, she picked it up first and, imitating Li Zhiying, rubbed it. Sure enough, it flew up again.

The two children had been playing for a short while when Li Zhi and Li Ji came over together.

Princess Taiping ran up to Li Zhi with a bamboo dragonfly in her hand, and said happily, "Yay, look, it can fly!" With a rub of her hand, the bamboo dragonfly took flight.

Li Zhi smiled and asked, "Do you like it?"

Princess Taiping nodded vigorously.

Li Ji winked at his granddaughter, and Li Zhiqing said, "Princess, if you like, I will give you the bamboo dragonfly."

Princess Taiping shook her head and said, "No need, I'll go back to the palace and have Jiang Baofu make one for me."

Li Zhi patted her head and said, "Yue'er, since Zhiying wants to give it to you, just accept it, thank her properly, and choose a gift to return it to her another day."

Princess Taiping said "Oh," took the bamboo dragonfly, thanked Li Zhiqing, and said, "Next time I come, I'll give you my white jade pony."

Li Zhiqing smiled and said, "Then thank you very much, Your Highness."

Seeing his granddaughter getting along well with the little princess, Li Ji was greatly pleased and said to Li Zhi, "Your Majesty, it's almost noon. Why don't you stay at my residence for lunch? My cook is an expert at cooking fish, and he can make a fish soup with the fish you just caught."

Li Zhi said, "Let's do it another day. I have some matters to attend to in the palace, and I need to return."

Li Ji then stopped trying to keep them and, together with his granddaughter, saw Li Zhi and his companion off from the residence.

When they arrived at the outer courtyard, a young man suddenly strode in from outside. He paused for a moment when he saw Li Zhi, but did not immediately greet him.

Li Ji's temple throbbed, and he angrily said, "Why don't you pay your respects to His Majesty?"

The man was Li Jingye, the eldest grandson of Li Ji. He quickly bowed and paid his respects to Li Zhi.

Li Zhi didn't pay much attention, casually raised his hand, and continued towards the gate of the mansion.

As Li Ji passed by Li Jingye, he glared at him and gestured for him to follow behind.

Before long, Li Zhi arrived outside the second gate. His carriage was already parked behind the gate, with two squads of Imperial Guards guarding it.

Li Zhi bid farewell to Li Ji, then took Princess Taiping and boarded a carriage, leaving the Duke of Ying's residence through the second gate.

Li Ji and his family followed the emperor's carriage all the way to the gate of the mansion, respectfully seeing it off as it departed.

As the carriage gradually disappeared down the street, Li Zhiying suddenly noticed that her brother's gaze towards the carriage was terrifying.

Li Ji, being at the front, did not notice.

After the emperor and princess had gone far away, Li Ji took his eldest grandson and granddaughter back to the mansion. He then ordered the fish they had just caught to be cooked and said to those around him with a smile, "You are in for a treat today. One of the fish was caught by His Majesty himself."

Li Jingye muttered, "They're just fish from our lake."

Li Ji glared and said, "What did you say?"

Li Jingye muttered, "Nothing?"

Li Ji stared at him and asked, "Where did you go today?"

Li Jingye lowered his head and whispered, "I met a friend, and we strolled around the streets together."

Li Ji sneered, "It's your bunch of cronies again, isn't it? They failed the imperial examination again this year. They're almost thirty years old, don't they know any shame!"

Li Jingye's face flushed red as he looked up and argued, "It's not necessarily true that one has to study to succeed. Xue Rengui didn't study!"

Li Ji said, "Xue Rengui was poor and didn't have the opportunity to study, but now that he's a general, he still studies hard all night long!"

Li Jingye puffed out his chest and said, "It's not too late to study after I become a general!"

Li Ji snorted and said, "All you do is have fun all day long. You've never even been on the battlefield. Aren't you ashamed to spout such big talk?"

Li Jingye gritted his teeth and said, "That's because His Majesty is unwilling to give me a chance, otherwise I could be like Zhao Chiman."

Li Ji shook his head: "Rotten wood cannot be carved!"

Li Jingye left in a huff, not even eating lunch.

After lunch, Li Ji prepared to take a nap by the lake in the backyard. Just as he lay down, he saw his granddaughter Li Zhiying walk over, her two little hands clenched tightly, looking as if she wanted to say something but couldn't.

Li Ji sat up straight and smiled, "Ying'er, why do you look like this? Is something bothering you?" He picked her up and let her sit on his lap.

Li Zhiying lowered her head and whispered, "Grandpa, I just saw...saw..."

"What did you see?"

Li Zhiying touched her two index fingers together and murmured, "Ying'er saw that brother's eyes were wide open as he watched His Majesty and the princess leave in their carriage... He looked so scary..."

Li Ji's expression changed drastically: "Is that so?"

Li Zhiying was slightly flustered: "I...I...maybe I saw it wrong..."

Seeing that he had frightened his granddaughter, Li Ji quickly softened his expression, comforted her for a few moments, and after carefully inquiring about her condition, he ordered his servants to take her away.

Li Ji gazed at the lake in silence.

He knew very well that his grandson was mediocre in ability and extremely biased. Instead of looking for the reasons in himself, he believed that the emperor valued the imperial examinations because he failed to pass them.

According to the old system, these sons of high-ranking officials could directly enter officialdom through family connections, without having to go through such hardship.

Although the practice of hereditary privilege in officialdom has not been abolished, since the emperor values ​​the imperial examination system, officials naturally also value it and send their clan members to take the exams.

The Duke of Ying's mansion was like this; Li Ji once declared that no member of the clan would be allowed to enter officialdom if they failed the imperial examinations!

"Could it be that I pressured him too much, causing him to become dissatisfied with His Majesty?" Li Ji wondered to himself.

Just then, a servant hurried over and said to Li Ji, "My lord, someone has brought you a letter."

"Who sent it?"

"Luo Binwang, a court attendant at the Eastern Terrace."

Li Ji frowned, took the letter, unfolded it, and after reading it, his expression changed drastically. He said sternly, "Summon Li Jingye to see me!"

The servant was taken aback, agreed, and quickly turned and left.

When Li Jingye arrived, Li Ji was holding a rattan cane.

"Kneel down!" Li Ji shouted. Li Jingye was slightly startled and knelt on the ground.

Li Ji said coldly, "Speak! Who did you see this morning?"

Li Jingye's face turned pale, and he said anxiously, "Grandpa, I..."

"Speak!!" Li Ji struck him on the back with a vine.

Seeing Li Ji's ashen face, even with a hint of murderous intent, Li Jingye's face showed panic, and he whispered, "Wei Shen..."

Li Ji asked, "A member of the Wei family of Jingzhao?"

"Yes, he is from the Eastern Palace."

Li Ji said coldly, "Aren't the Eastern Concubines all in Luoyang?"

Li Jingye said, "He just arrived in the capital from Luoyang."

Li Ji asked, "What did he say to you?"

Li Jingye was covered in sweat and stammered, "This...this..."

Li Ji squatted down in front of him, stared at him, and said, "Look into my eyes!"

Li Jingye slowly raised his head, and the moment he saw Li Ji's eyes, he was as if he were drawn in.

"Tell me, what does he want with you?"

"He...he mentioned the Sage's tax reform to me, and talked about many other things, and seemed...he seemed to have quite a bit of dissatisfaction with the Sage and the court..."

Li Ji suddenly stood up, feeling a chill run through his body.

"He's plotting a rebellion?" After a long while, Li Ji asked in a hoarse voice.

Li Jingye hesitated for a moment, then said in a low voice, "I'm not sure either, but it's possible."

Li Ji's face seemed to drain of all color in an instant: "Why didn't you tell me?" His voice trembled.

Li Jingye said, "I didn't agree to his request, so I didn't tell you, lest you get angry."

Li Ji felt dizzy and looked at the person in front of him, thinking to himself, "Is this the heir of my Li clan?"

After an unknown amount of time, when Li Jingye looked up, he found Li Ji already sitting in a chair, looking at him with a strange expression.

Li Jingye was slightly startled and said, "Grandpa, I really didn't agree to him."

Li Ji said expressionlessly, "You may leave."

“Grandpa…”

"roll!"

Li Jingye blushed, got up and strode away.

Li Ji summoned his steward and instructed him to investigate Wei Shen. He then stood by the lake for a long time, waiting until 3:45 PM, when a servant came to report that Li Zhen had returned.

Li Ji ordered someone to summon Li Zhen.

Li Zhen arrived at the lakeside and saw his father facing the lake with his back to him, which seemed different from usual. He asked, "Father, do you need to see your son?"

"Eldest son, you have given birth to a fine son." Li Ji stood with his hands behind his back.

Li Zhen could tell from Li Ji's tone that it wasn't praise. His eyebrows furrowed, and he said angrily, "Has Jingye gotten into trouble again? I'll have him come over right now and give him a beating to appease Father!"

Li Ji said calmly, "No need. Things have come to this point, and discipline is useless now."

Li Zhen felt a chill run down his spine and said, "Father, you mean to..."

Li Ji said, "Expel him from the family. This child can no longer remain in the household."

Li Zhen's face changed drastically, and he knelt down, pleading, "Father, even if Da Lang has committed a grave mistake, you can't..."

"Do you know what he did?" Li Ji slowly turned around and stared at his son.

Li Zhen shook his head.

Li Ji then recounted how Wei Shen had plotted a rebellion with Li Jingye.

After hearing this, Li Zhen found it hard to believe. How could a mere member of a branch of the Wei family have the audacity to plot rebellion and even approach Li Jingye?
"Father, has this matter... been confirmed?" Li Zhen asked blankly.

Li Ji said, "Your son said it himself, how could it be false?"

"But... but... where did Wei Shen get the audacity to do such a thing? And why would he do it? This is just too absurd!"

Li Ji said coldly, "This kind of brat is the most audacious. I'm about to go out, so keep an eye on your son. Before we open the mourning hall and expel him from the family register, don't let him cause any more trouble!"

“Father, since Jingye has rejected Wei Shen, why can’t we give him a chance?” Li Zhen still wanted to plead.

Li Ji said coldly, "First, he didn't tell me about this. Second, he harbors resentment towards the Emperor. It's better for both of us and him to kick such a fool out of the house, do you understand?!"

Li Zhen closed his eyes, understanding Li Ji's meaning: as long as Li Jingye was no longer the heir to the Duke of Ying's mansion, no one would ask him to do such a thing again.

"My son knows," he sighed softly.

Li Ji said no more, and left the mansion in a carriage. After passing through several neighborhoods, he soon arrived at the outside of another mansion.

This house is Xu Jingzong's residence, and the letter he just wrote was also written to him by Xu Jingzong.

Xu Jingzong seemed to have guessed that Li Ji would come to visit. As soon as Li Ji knocked on the door, a servant of the Xu family led him to the study.

Li Ji and Xu Jingzong were not familiar with each other. After meeting, Li Ji observed Xu Jingzong's expression while exchanging polite greetings.

Xu Jingzong ordered tea to be served. After the tea was finished, Li Ji said, "Thank you for writing the letter to remind me, otherwise the consequences would have been unimaginable."

The content of Xu Jingzong's letter was actually very simple: he reminded him to discipline his eldest grandson, Li Jingye, to prevent him from causing trouble.

Xu Jingzong smiled and said, "You're too kind, Lord Li."

Li Ji said in a deep voice, "May I ask how you knew about Li Jingye's meeting with Wei Shen?"

Xu Jingzong sighed, “It’s quite a coincidence. I’ve been keeping an eye on one of the Xiao family’s sons recently. It just so happens that the man met with Wei Shen and said some treasonous things. Naturally, I had someone keep an eye on Wei Shen and discovered that he had met with your grandson. That’s why I wrote this letter to remind Lord Li.”

Li Ji exclaimed, "So that's how it is."

Everyone in Chang'an knew about Xu Jingzong's feud with the Xiao family, so it was not surprising that he sent people to keep an eye on the Xiao family's children.

"Does Lord Xu know why Wei Shen suddenly plotted this treason?" Li Ji asked.

Xu Jingzong said, "After thinking it over and over, I can only come up with one idea."

"what?"

"Wei Shen was from Luoyang."

Li Ji was startled and thought to himself, "The Crown Prince and the Prince of Yong seem to be frequently visiting Luoyang lately. Could it be related to this matter?"

Seeing his expression, Xu Jingzong knew that he had already thought of it. He smiled slightly, picked up his teacup, took a sip, and said no more.

Wei Shen was a member of the Wei family, so it's hard to say whether the Wei family wasn't involved.

Li Ji was well aware of the Wei family's strength. If they didn't act rashly, that would be fine, but if they really intended to do something drastic, the methods of such a century-old aristocratic family should not be underestimated.

Moreover, since they dared to rebel, there's nothing they wouldn't dare to do. The Crown Prince and Prince Yong are also in danger, so we must immediately report to the Emperor to prevent any unforeseen circumstances.

Thinking of this, Li Ji got up and took his leave of Xu Jingzong.

Xu Jingzong knew he was going to the palace and did not try to stop him.

After leaving the Xu residence, Li Ji headed straight for the palace.

Halfway there, he suddenly remembered something: the emperor said there was something going on in the palace and he needed to return urgently. Could it be related to this?

(End of this chapter)