Tang Dynasty: To win Yang Guifei, they asked Emperor Xuanzong to die.

Li Mao stood on the pavilion, gazing intently at the bustling scene at the racetrack, while pondering how to deal with Gao Chen's relentless pressure.

"Your Highness, Gao Chen is making constant moves. We can't just sit here and wait to die," the servant said worriedly from the side.

Li Mao narrowed his eyes slightly and said, "How could I allow Gao Chen to act recklessly? He wants to drive me into a corner, but it won't be that easy."

The servant frowned and said, "But Your Highness, the relationship between Gao Chen and those ministers..."

Li Mao sneered and said, "They're just a bunch of rabble. I have my own ways of dealing with them."

Just then, a guard rushed over, knelt down and bowed, saying, "Your Highness, the Consort requests an audience."

Li Mao gave a soft "hmm".

Before long, Lady Wang, dressed in a magnificent long gown, gracefully approached. A hint of worry crossed her face as she said, "Your Highness, I've heard that Gao Chen is spreading more and more rumors in court. What should we do?"

Li Mao grasped Wang's hand and said, "My dear consort, there is no need to worry. Rumors are just rumors, and no one in the court dares to act rashly."

Lady Wang frowned and said, "But Your Highness, His Majesty's suspicion of you is growing stronger, we cannot let our guard down."

Li Mao smiled slightly and said, "My beloved consort, rest assured, I already have a plan."

Lady Wang asked curiously, "What good plan does Your Highness have?"

Li Mao smiled mysteriously and said, "We can use these rumors to turn the tables on Gao Chen."

Wang asked in confusion, "How can we turn the tables on them?"

Li Mao lowered his voice and said, "We can send people to secretly investigate Gao Chen's actions and find incriminating evidence against him. Then, we can combine this evidence with the rumors to make His Majesty believe that Gao Chen is deliberately framing me."

Wang's eyes lit up, and she said, "Your Highness's plan is brilliant. But how do we find incriminating evidence against Gao Chen?"

Li Mao pondered for a moment and said, "Gao Chen has been in the palace for many years, and he must have many shady dealings. We can start with the people around him; perhaps we can find some clues."

Lady Wang smiled gently and said, "So Your Highness had already planned everything. Now I can rest assured."

at the same time.

In his residence, Gao Chen discussed the next steps of the plan with several ministers.

“Eunuch Gao, the rumors we spread don’t seem to have any effect. What should we do next?” a minister asked.

Gao Chen said with a gloomy face, "The investigation into Prince Shou's factionalism must be accelerated."

One of the ministers said, "Don't worry, Eunuch Gao, we have already sent people to investigate. We believe we will have results soon."

Gao Chen couldn't help but shout angrily, "How long has it been? How much have they found out? Now rumors are flying everywhere. If His Majesty asks, how am I supposed to explain this?"

Several ministers lowered their heads in shame, not daring to speak.

Although they also gambled on horses at the racecourse, they had no way of speaking to those princes.

Even the sons of the military governors completely ignored them.

There was nothing they could do; those people were gambling with gold, while they were using copper coins—they were on completely different levels, and they were unaware of many inside stories.

At this moment, Xiao Xizi hurriedly ran over and reported, "Reporting to Eunuch Gao, His Majesty summons you."

Gao Chen sighed helplessly.

I am really afraid of what will happen.

Before leaving, Gao Chen warned the ministers in front of him, "I will keep His Majesty calm, but you gentlemen must speed up."

Several ministers bowed and clasped their hands in greeting to Gao Chen, saying, "Rest assured, Eunuch Gao, we will do our utmost."

Gao Chen then rushed to the Imperial Study.

Li Longji sat upright at the low table, looking at Gao Chen with a gloomy expression.

There were also books of secret reports laid out in front of him.

"You did it?"

Li Longji spoke in a calm tone, but his words revealed boundless killing intent.

In an instant, Gao Chen felt a cold sweat pour down his back, and his brain was racing, trying to figure out how to answer.

"Your Majesty, I merely received some news and, during a casual conversation..."

"presumptuous!"

Li Longji roared and slammed his fist on the table.

His tiger-like eyes were fixed on Gao Chen.

"You have openly slandered the prince; do you know your crime?"

Gao Chen hurriedly knelt on the ground and kowtowed, saying, "It is this servant's fault for not managing his subordinates properly. I beg Your Majesty's forgiveness."

Quiet.

The air in the entire room seemed to have frozen.

Li Longji asked in a low voice, "Have you found any evidence?"

Gao Chen raised his head slightly, then quickly kowtowed and said, "We only found some clues."

"But the princes have been losing for ten days in a row at Prince Shou's horse racing track, yet they still seem to enjoy it. There must be something fishy going on. I hope Your Majesty will investigate this matter thoroughly."

Li Longji also felt that something was wrong.

As a member of the royal family, to act like a shameless gambler without any regard for consequences would be a disgrace to the royal family.

But then I thought, without the prince's support, how could the racecourse be so crowded?

If the racecourse is deserted, how can the Eighteen Princes profit from it, and how can my national treasury be filled?

Nowadays, regional military governors hold considerable power, border wars are frequent, famines occur year after year, the imperial palace is old and dilapidated, and money is needed everywhere.

If Shibalang were to hand over all the money he had acquired to the national treasury at this time, it would certainly alleviate a lot of pressure.

After weighing the pros and cons.

Li Longji still felt he should turn a blind eye.

Immediately, Li Longji snorted coldly and said, "I already know about this matter, do not investigate it any further."

Gao Chen looked up in surprise, staring at Li Longji in disbelief.

He couldn't help but wonder, "Why is this?"

"Does His Majesty intend to stand by and watch Prince Shou form cliques, become too powerful, and ultimately threaten the Crown Prince's position as heir apparent?"

"If we continue to indulge Prince Shou, wouldn't that be like raising a tiger to cause trouble?"

But now, Li Longji has already issued the order.

No matter how dissatisfied Gao Chen was, he dared not disobey the emperor's will.

He could only kneel on the ground and kowtow, saying, "This servant obeys the decree."

Li Longji glanced at Gao Chen thoughtfully and said, "Step down."

"As ordered."

Gao Chen slowly got up and then walked away quickly.

Watching Gao Chen walk away, Li Longji said softly, "Come out."

A man dressed as a eunuch walked in from outside the door.

"See Your Majesty."

"How's the matter I asked you to investigate going?"

"Your Majesty, it is true that Prince Shou sent clothes to Yang Yuhuan, but it was at the behest of Prince Shou's concubine, Lady Wang. Nowadays, Lady Wang and Prince Shou are inseparable and deeply in love."

Li Longji felt somewhat relieved upon hearing this, but he still harbored some doubts.

If Li Mao truly favored his concubine, why did he only bring her back from her maiden home in recent days?

"Well, back off."

"Yes, sir."

After the eunuch left, he immediately reported the situation to Li Mao in secret.