Humans in All Heavens: Starting with Detective Dee

Zhou Yi's eyes darted around as he pondered Wu Zetian's purpose in meeting him.

He was just surprised, not afraid.

Of course, it's impossible to say that I'm not afraid at all.

After all, in this world, Wu Zetian was the person with the highest power, who could decide his life and death.

However, he was not yet able to use his own strength to contend with the imperial power.

We still lack the strength.

Soon they followed Di Renjie into the Chang'an Imperial Palace.

Outside the Imperial Garden, Zhou Yi stood waiting.

Meanwhile, in the Imperial Garden, Di Renjie and Wu Zetian walked slowly ahead.

They would occasionally stand facing each other, talking to each other, or a faint smile would appear on their faces.

A moment later, the two stood facing each other.

Wu Zetian stared intently at Di Renjie, but Di Renjie showed no sign of guilt.

He faced Wu Zetian's gaze with composure.

After a long while, Wu Zetian smiled.

It was a knowing smile.

This shows that I know about your situation, but I won't get angry about it.

"Hahaha."

Laughter echoed in the air above the Imperial Garden.

Upon seeing this, Di Renjie also revealed a knowing smile.

They also laughed, in order to curry favor with Wu Zetian.

He had long understood Wu Zetian's thoughts; if anyone could see through Wu Zetian's character, Di Renjie was definitely one of them.

He knew that this kind of thing couldn't be hidden from the Empress at all. The Thousand Bull Guards were the Emperor's personal guards, and who knew if there were any Imperial Guards among them?

Di Renjie did not intend to completely hide the matter from the Empress. As long as the matter was not exposed openly, Wu Zetian would not punish him for it.

As for the others who understood the Empress, Xu Shide should be considered one of them.

"Alright, Huaiying, you can go now."

After laughing, Wu Zetian's expression returned to normal, and she nodded her chin at Di Renjie.

"Your humble servant takes his leave."

As he spoke, Di Renjie bowed and slowly retreated.

"Go and fetch Di Chun for me."

Wu Zetian turned and gave instructions to the female official not far away.

"Yes, Your Majesty."

The female official immediately walked towards Zhou Yi.

"Lord Di, the Emperor requests your presence."

The female official came before Zhou Yi.

Zhou Yi carefully examined her. The female official had skin as smooth as snow and a delicate appearance. As she walked towards him, a fragrant aroma wafted towards him.

Fortunately, he knew where he was, and his lustful eyes didn't wander around aimlessly.

It was just a normal observation.

"May I ask how to address you, madam?" Zhou Yi asked, looking at the female official before him.

(Niangzi was a term used to refer to female officials in the palace during the reign of Empress Wu Zetian; it did not mean "wife.")

"Oh, my name is Chunxiang," the female official said calmly.

Perhaps knowing that Zhou Yi was a close associate of Di Renjie, and that Di Renjie was a trusted advisor of the emperor, he spoke to Zhou Yi with great politeness.

"Chunxiang?"

Zhou Yi thought to himself, this name seems to be the same as the name of the maidservant beside the spirit Jin Mulan.

I don't know if Director Qian forgot to change his name while writing, or if he was just too lazy to think of one.

"Lord Di, please come with me," Chunxiang said again. Zhou Yi snapped out of his daze and quickly replied, "Oh, please lead the way, madam."

Chunxiang walked in front, and Zhouyi followed behind.

Led by the leader, they arrived in front of Wu Zetian in the Imperial Garden.

(During the Tang Dynasty, it was not necessary to kneel when meeting the emperor; a bow was sufficient. This is based on what is depicted in the TV series.)

Minor officials below the ninth rank were required to kowtow, but Zhou Yi, now a seventh-rank official, was not required to do so.

A slightly aged face, covered with wrinkles, but the empress's youthful charm was still faintly visible.

"Your humble servant Di Chun greets Your Majesty."

Kneel down on both knees and kowtow with your head on the ground.

With his forehead touching the ground, Zhou Yi curled up, wondering what Wu Zetian wanted to see him about.

After a long while, he still didn't hear any response to get up.

It was a long time before the order was finally heard from Wu Zetian.

Get up.

"Thank you, Your Majesty."

He stood up and patted the dust off his knees.

Zhou Yi kept his head slightly bowed, his gaze not daring to meet Wu Zetian's face.

Before coming here, I thought Wu Zetian was just a woman.

But once they arrived, the situation was completely different.

This is the majesty that comes with power; a single word can decide life and death.

When your life and death are controlled by others, your inner strength is of little use.

"Di Chun..."

Suddenly, Wu Zetian spoke again.

"His Majesty……"

Huaiying said you are intelligent, quick-witted, and have outstanding reasoning abilities.

He made great contributions by helping him to see through the fog of the mission case on several occasions.

Even I have become curious about you.

Therefore, I want to see you.

Zhou Yi remained the same, humbly replying, "Your Majesty, it's all thanks to Lord Di's excellent teaching."

Your humble servant dares not claim credit for what Heaven has done.

"Haha, you, you don't look like a young man in his early twenties at all."

He looks like a seasoned veteran of the officialdom.

As expected of someone close to Di Renjie, he himself is a cunning old fox, and you, little fox, are no less so.

Enough of this, let's not talk about it anymore.

Wu Zetian laughed and waved her hand: "I ask you, how did Hu Jinghui and Li Qingxia die?"

Upon hearing this, although he didn't look up, Zhou Yi still felt as if two sharp gazes were about to pierce his body.

After a pause, Zhou Yi said, "Your Majesty, the two are exactly as Lord Di described."

One fought to the death, the other died steadfastly.

"Raise your head."

A slightly authoritative voice reached Zhou Yi's ears.

Zhou Yi raised his head and met Wu Zetian's gaze.

His gaze seemed to want to rip open his chest and see into his heart.

Faced with such gazes, Zhou Yi remained composed, showing no sign of guilt in his eyes.

After a long while, he saw that the person in front of him did not change at all under his gaze.

Wu Zetian had no choice but to give up.

"Good, good, as expected of someone who works for Di Huaiying."

Di Chun, you are very good.

The Book of Changes remained silent.

No response.

Wu Zetian continued: "The conclusion of this mission case has maintained peace between the two countries."

It can be said to be a great achievement.

A mere seventh-rank official is not enough to reward you.

However, since you were previously just Huaiying's butler, you can't be promoted too quickly.

Tell me, what other rewards do you desire? I will try my best to grant them to you.

There's no need for platitudes, like "no need" or anything like that...

Seeing this, Zhou Yi pondered for a moment, "What reward?"

He couldn't think of anything for a moment, but then it seemed like he suddenly remembered something.

"Your Majesty, I wonder if it would be possible to request the Imperial Household Department to forge a weapon for both me and General Li?"

"Weapons?" Wu Zetian asked in confusion.

"It is indeed a weapon. Your humble servant is currently learning martial arts from General Li Yuanfang."

Therefore, I would like to request the Imperial Household Department to use the best materials to forge a weapon for me based on General Li's chain sword.

This is the reward I desire.

"I see. It's just two weapons. I'll give the orders later." Wu Zetian waved her hand, not expecting Zhou Yi's request to be so simple.