Tang Dynasty, my wife Wu Zetian

Chapter 499 The Emperor and Empress Summon Each Other
A few days later, Li Hong and Li Xiao, escorted by a troop of elite soldiers, left Luoyang and headed west, soon passing through Tongguan Pass.

Without the decree of the Ministry of War and the Emperor, the Zhechongfu Army could not cross the border at will. Before leaving, Li Hong sent a subordinate to the East Palace of Chang'an to deliver the order.

Therefore, outside Tongguan, the Left Inner Commander of the Six Commanders of the Eastern Palace had already received orders and was waiting there in advance.

After the two groups handed over their duties, Li Hong and his men, under the protection of the Eastern Palace soldiers, continued westward along the pass.

After crossing the Chan River, we finally returned to Chang'an before the city gates closed.

After this trip, Li Hong's youthful face gained a more serious and reserved look.

The Jade Manor incident had a profound impact on him, and it made him realize for the first time that the suffering of ordinary people was not limited to what he had witnessed.

The responsibilities of the crown prince are far heavier than he imagined.

Unlike him, Li Xian, perhaps because he was too young, was not greatly affected by this matter.

He looked at the familiar Chang'an Avenue and laughed, "We're finally back. I thought the Yang family would try to take action against us on the way."

"Sixth Brother, right now only Yang Miao is the one with problems; we can't be sure that the entire Yang clan is involved in this matter," Li Hong corrected.

Li Xian snorted, "I think they're all cut from the same cloth. Otherwise, why do the people of Luoyang grit their teeth when they mention the Yang family?"

Li Hong shook his head and said, "In a large family, just one or two unworthy members are enough to ruin the reputation of the entire family. It doesn't mean that the entire family are bad people."

Li Xian curled his lip and said, "That's because they indulged them!"

Li Hongdao said, "If it were a child, perhaps it would be due to being spoiled and pampered, but Yang Miao is over twenty years old. I'm afraid even his parents wouldn't know what he's doing."

Li Hong thought this way because he still held a sliver of hope for humanity. He didn't believe that so many people in the Yang family knew about the Emerald Manor but would just sit idly by.

Li Xian turned to Xue Ne: "Ne, who do you think is right, me or my brother?"

"Well... well... both make sense, right?" Xue Ne scratched the back of his head and gave an embarrassed smile.

Li Xian laughed and said, "Alright, I won't make things difficult for you. According to the plan, I will go to the Wu Mansion immediately to tell my maternal grandmother about this. Brother, you should go back to the palace to find Mother."

Li Hong was silent for a while, then said, "Sixth Brother, I think you don't need to go to the Martial Academy. Come with me to the palace to see Mother."

Li Xian frowned and said, "Why has it changed again out of nowhere?"

Li Hong sighed and said, "My maternal grandmother is getting old. I'm afraid she'll fall ill if she hears about this, and that would be our fault as the younger generation."

Li Xian thought it was indeed possible. After all, his maternal grandfather was also a woman, so he would definitely sympathize more with those pitiful women.

"Alright then, let's go to the palace together to see Mother. Sigh, I wonder if Mother will be frightened."

Upon hearing this, Li Hong smiled and said, "Mother has always been strong, how could she be frightened by something like this?"

Li Xian knew his mother's temperament well; he was sure that even if hundreds of people died, his mother wouldn't even flinch. He said this on purpose to make Li Hong laugh, seeing that he was in a serious mood.

After escorting the two to Anle Gate, Xue Ne went home.

Li Hong and his companion returned to the palace from Anle Gate. They first went to the East Palace to change their clothes before heading towards Lizheng Hall.

Halfway there, they ran into Zhang Duohai, who came running up to them. He cupped his hands in greeting and said with a smile, "Your Highnesses have finally returned. His Majesty and the Empress are summoning you to the Lizheng Hall for an audience."

The two exchanged a glance, both wondering whether they should bring up the matter now that their father was present.
They naturally planned to report this matter to their father for a decision, but since it involved the Yang family of Hongnong, they wanted to mention it to their mother first to prevent her from interfering.

On their way to the Lizheng Hall with Zhang Duohai, the two discussed in hushed tones and decided not to mention the matter for the time being, but to tell their mother separately the next day.

However, when they arrived at the Risjeongden Hall, they found that they had to mention it.

"Father, are you going to Shanzhou with Mother?" Li Hong looked at his father and mother sitting side by side at the head of the table with a look of astonishment.

Li Zhi said, "Indeed, the soldiers at the front have traveled thousands of miles to win this battle. This victory was hard-won! They are all heroes of our Great Tang Dynasty, so I will go to Shanzhou to welcome them. I will depart tomorrow!"

“This…but…” Li Hong couldn’t help but look at Li Xian.

"What, you still don't agree?" Wu Meiniang glanced at him.

Li Hong hurriedly replied, "Your son wouldn't dare, but what will happen to the affairs of state after Father leaves Shanzhou?"

Li Zhi smiled and said, "I called you all here for this matter. As before, Hong'er will oversee the country, and Xian'er will assist his elder brother."

Li Xian said anxiously, "Father, could you please wait a few more days before leaving?"

Li Zhi frowned and asked, "Why is that?"

Li Xian was at a loss for words, so he turned to Li Hong and said, "Brother, let's be honest with Father!"

"Confess what?" Li Zhi asked knowingly.

Li Hong cupped his hands and said, "Father, Mother, Liu Lang and I have something to report."

"Oh, what important matter has occurred? Why didn't you report it beforehand?" Wu Meiniang asked.

Li Hong took a deep breath and said, "Because this matter is related to the Yang family of Hongnong..."

They recounted the illegal and disorderly conduct of the Yang family members in Luoyang, and said that they had gone to Luoyang several times to investigate. They discovered that Yang Miao, a member of the Yang family, had built the Jade Manor to bribe officials and housed dozens of women in the manor.

Ultimately, this led to the deaths of all these women.

After hearing this, Li Zhi slammed his fist on the table and exclaimed angrily, "How could this be!"

Li Hong sighed, "I didn't believe it at first either, but now that there's solid evidence, I have no choice but to believe it."

Wu Meiniang said coldly, "These two should be cut into a thousand pieces and fed to the dogs."

Li Zhi said in a deep voice, "Those officials must not be let off the hook either; this matter must be severely punished!"

Wu Meiniang said, "Your Majesty is right."

Seeing that his mother had not defended Yang, Li Hong secretly breathed a sigh of relief and bowed to Li Zhi, saying, "Father, why don't you finish dealing with this matter first before going to Shanzhou?"

Li Zhi shook his head and said, "No, although this matter is important, the soldiers at the front should not be neglected."

Li Hong asked in surprise, "So you're going to wait until you get back to deal with it?"

Li Zhi waved his hand and said, "This matter is so shocking, how can we wait any longer? Here's what I'll do: I'll entrust this matter entirely to you. When the time comes, just send someone to inform me."

Li Hong exclaimed in astonishment, "Such a major matter is something I have never handled before. I'm afraid I might make a mistake!"

Li Zhi said solemnly, "There is always a first time for everything. As the Crown Prince of the Tang Dynasty, there will be many more important matters in the future that you must decide. How can you shrink back because of this?"

Wu Meiniang smiled and said, "Hong'er, you have grown up. His Majesty and I both believe that you can handle this matter well."

Hearing his mother's encouragement, Li Hong felt a bit more energized, but after all, it was his first time handling such a major case, and he was still a little unsure of himself.

Seeing his expression, Li Zhi said, "You don't need to feel too much pressure. There are so many ministers in the court that you can consult, and you also have Xian'er to give you advice."

Li Hong looked at Li Xian, who grinned at him and said, "Brother, when Father and Mother went on their hunting expeditions, you were also in charge of the country for more than half a year. What's there to be afraid of?" Upon hearing this, Li Hong thought of the deaths in the Eastern Palace and his face turned pale.

Wu Zetian, deeply concerned for her son, said gently, "Don't be afraid. If you encounter any problems, you can write to us."

Upon hearing this, Li Hong finally nodded and said, "I understand."

Li Zhi waved his hand and said, "You've had a long journey, so there's no need to keep us company any longer. Go and rest."

After leaving the Lizheng Hall, the two returned to the East Palace.

Li Hong felt a heavy weight in his heart as he thought about how this was the first time he had to handle such a major matter. He was worried that something might go wrong again, and he clenched his fists involuntarily.

Strangely, Li Xian didn't speak either, but frowned and stared at the ground, as if he had something difficult to decide.

Li Hong noticed his younger brother's unusual expression and asked, "Sixth Brother, what are you thinking about?"

Li Xian muttered, "Brother, don't you think something's a little strange?"

"What's weird?"

Li Xian said, "We just reported this to Father, and now Father is about to leave Chang'an. Isn't that too much of a coincidence?"

Li Hongdao said, "Didn't Father say that it was to welcome the soldiers who are on a long expedition to the front lines? Those soldiers are supposed to be back soon anyway, so isn't it normal for Father to go at this time?"

Li Xian frowned and muttered, "Anyway, I always felt that Father and Mother acted a little strange just now."

Li Hong smiled and said, "You are young and tired from your journey, so you are prone to overthinking. Why don't you stay at the East Palace tonight and rest?"

That night, he slept side by side with Li Hong.

The next day, a palace attendant from the Lizheng Palace reported that the emperor and empress's carriage would depart at noon, and asked them to go and see them off half an hour earlier.

Before setting off, Li Zhi held a court assembly and informed the ministers of his decision to go to Shanzhou to welcome the soldiers and for the Crown Prince to oversee the state.

Although the ministers were taken aback, Shanzhou was not far from Chang'an, so no one objected. However, many officials requested to accompany the emperor.

Li Zhi, however, said that he did not need to bring ministers, only the Empress, and that the officials should wholeheartedly assist the Crown Prince.

After the court assembly, Li Zhi and Wu Meiniang went to Xuanwu Gate together.

The imperial carriage, ceremonial guards, and bodyguards were all ready, and the concubines, the crown prince, the princes, and the concubines were all waiting beside the carriage.

Having already explained everything that needed to be explained, Li Zhi didn't say anything more. He and Wu Meiniang rode in the imperial carriage and left Xuanwu Gate.

After seeing the two off, Li Hong and Li Xian returned to the East Palace and began to discuss how to deal with Lady Yang.

Li Xian's idea was to arrest the entire Yang family, and also arrest Wei Shen's family, and send them to the Dali Temple for interrogation.

Once the facts are clear, all the officials involved in the case in Luoyang will be dealt with.

When Li Hong heard that the Yang family was to be arrested, he had a vague feeling that something was wrong and remained silent.

Just then, a palace attendant came to report that someone from the Palace Administration Bureau was requesting an audience.

Li Hongdao said, "Please invite him in."

A short while later, a secret agent from the Sigongtai entered the East Palace's sleeping quarters; it was Tang Ping.

"This humble servant, Tang Ping, greets Your Highness the Crown Prince and Your Highness the Prince of Yong."

Li Hong raised his hand and said, "No need for formalities. Commander Tang, is there something you need from me?"

Tang Ping said, "Your Highness, before leaving, Eunuch Wang instructed me to report to you on any matters. The Palace Affairs Bureau has just discovered something of great importance, and I have taken the liberty of reporting it to you."

Li Hong asked, "What is it?"

Tang Ping said, "The Inner Guard just received news that a young man from Luoyang named Wei Shen has come to Chang'an and is making moves everywhere, seemingly intending to do something wicked!"

Li Hong exclaimed in surprise, "You mean that person's name is Wei Shen?"

"Yes."

"That Wei Shen from the eastern branch of the Wei family in Jingzhao?"

"Exactly this person."

Li Hongqi asked, "Why has he come to Chang'an? Is he plotting something?" He couldn't help but look at Li Xian.

Li Xian chuckled and said, "Brother, it's very simple. Wei Shen and Yang Miao knew we were investigating them, so they were scared and came to Chang'an to ask their backers for help!"

Li Hong was taken aback and asked, "You mean, the person behind them is in Chang'an?"

Li Xian laughed and asked, "Why is it Wei Shen who came instead of Yang Miao?"

Li Hong murmured, "Could it be that the Wei family of Jingzhao is behind the Jade Manor incident?"

Li Xian said, "Definitely!"

Li Hong remained silent for a moment, then shook his head and said, "There is no evidence at the moment, so we cannot speculate." He then asked Tang Ping, "Whom did Wei Shen meet?"

“One is Wei Yue of the Jingzhao Wei clan, one is Xiao Zhiyan of the Lanling Xiao clan, one is Li Jingye of the Duke of Yingguo’s mansion, and one is Yuwen Kang of the Yuwen clan.”

Li Hong's expression changed slightly: "He actually met so many people?"

Li Xian snorted, “Brother, do you see? They’re all powerful families that Father has suppressed over the years. I think they’re planning to join forces and rebel!”

Li Hong shook his head and said, "No, Li Jingye is the grandson of Grand Tutor Li, how could he rebel?"

Li Xian thought it made sense. Li Ji had an excellent reputation in the court and was deeply trusted by Emperor Gaozong. It was indeed hard to believe that he wanted to rebel.

"Commander Tang, what do you think?" Li Hong asked Tang Ping.

Tang Ping said, "In my humble opinion, we should arrest Wei Shen first and interrogate him."

Li Hong thought for a moment and said, "Okay, arrest Wei Shen immediately, and Yang Miao from Luoyang can also be arrested at the same time!"

Tang Ping accepted the order and left.

When Wei Shen suddenly came to Chang'an, Li Hong and Li Xian felt that the matter seemed to be getting more and more complicated, so they discussed the details of the matter again.

Before they could discuss it further, a palace attendant came to report that Tang Ping had returned.

Li Hong knew that something must have changed, so he quickly ordered someone to summon Tang Ping to an audience.

Tang Ping quickly returned to the main hall, bringing news that shocked the two of them.

Wei Shen is dead.

(End of this chapter)