In my dream of returning to the Tang Dynasty, I snatched Wu Zetian from my lap.

"At that time, I knew there was a traitor among us."

"On the day I left the Imperial Clan Court, I had already ordered Guo Chao and Wang Hongzhi to investigate this matter secretly."

Upon hearing this, Cao Ma cried out and kowtowed frantically.

"Your Highness, I'm sorry!"

"I'm no good, I've harmed you and the Princess, I'm so sorry!"

"But I had no choice. It was Wei Ting, Wei Ting was the mastermind, he forced me to do it!"

"Your Highness, please spare my life!"

"I know I was wrong, I know I was wrong!"

He kowtowed frantically.

Li Yuanchang bent down and slowly picked up the letters. He already knew that Wei Ting had instructed him to spy on him and betray information.

The letters contained everything, and Cao Cao even kept a lot of evidence of their correspondence in order to get more benefits from Wei Ting.

This is something that even Wei Ting, the Vice Minister of the Imperial Secretariat, might not have known.

In the end, Li Yuanchang caught them all with a quick grab.

Li Yuanchang shook his head slightly, his eyes unwavering: "You don't know you're wrong, you just know you're about to die."

Cao Ma trembled, his pupils suddenly contracted, and he sensed a strong killing intent.

He panicked and tried to run away!

Li Yuanchang waved his hand.

Guo Chao swiftly brought his knife down, instantly severing the throat!

puff! !

Blood stained the lanterns red. This was the first person Li Yuanchang killed in the Tang Dynasty—a traitor!

Cao Ma clutched his neck tightly, his eyes wide open, blood gushing from his throat, and collapsed with a thud, dying in convulsions and terror.

There was not a trace of pity in the eyes of anyone present.

Traitors who betray their own people must be eliminated in any era!

"Drag his body to a mass grave and feed it to the dogs!"

"yes!"

After speaking, Li Yuanchang looked to the flank: "Hongzhi."

"Your Highness."

Wang Hongzhi bowed respectfully, his face upright and extremely loyal. These days, with Li Yuanchang imprisoned, it was he who took charge of the affairs of the Prince's Mansion, which is why the mansion did not fall apart.

"I remember you have an old friend who works in the Eastern Palace government, is that right?"

Wang Hong nodded directly: "Your Highness, yes, but it's just a sinecure in the Left Spring Palace."

If Li Yuanchang can overcome this difficulty in the future, he will certainly live up to their expectations.

It was midday.

Wang Hongzhi then brought back news of his old classmates and friends. Strictly speaking, it wasn't news of his old friends, but a reply from the Crown Prince.

Once the message was delivered, Li Yuanchang's generous gift remained an irresistible temptation.

Moreover, the Crown Prince, who is facing increasing difficulties and growing anxiety, does not want to give up this opportunity to win over Li Yuanchang.

Even though Li Yuanchang seems to be extremely unlucky now, having been demoted from Chang'an, lost power, and with a bleak future.

Even a starved camel is still bigger than a horse!

After nightfall.

Li Yuanchang left the palace with ease, or rather, with an air of nonchalance.

The guards left at the Prince's residence are the Imperial Guards, which are under the control of Hou Junji. He has already been exchanging pleasantries with the Crown Prince, so changing their positions and getting this done shouldn't be too difficult.

Perhaps people like Hou Junji wouldn't have helped with this in the past, but now that there's an incentive, they'll naturally do it; this is the inevitability of politics.

Li Yuanchang arrived at the Yong'an Canal inside Chang'an as promised.

Inside the canal, the water was calm and shimmering, and there wasn't a soul in sight, not even a ghost, on either bank.

Several ships with their lights on were quietly moored on the side.

As Li Yuanchang approached, someone immediately appeared and recognized Li Yuanchang's identity at a glance.

"Your Highness's personal presence fills me with immense trepidation."

"I have been specially ordered to be here to greet you. Your Highness may come aboard for a chat; this place is absolutely safe." He extended a hand.

Thank you.

Li Yuanchang cupped his hands and glanced around. The boats must belong to people from the Eastern Palace, so Li Chengqian must have come in person.

Then he took a deep breath and strode onto the boat on the plank.

The creaking of the wooden planks seemed to have alerted the people inside.

Several disguised guards opened the cabin door for Li Yuanchang in a very formal manner.

The cabin was a hidden gem; although the space was not large, it was extremely clean and the furnishings were exquisite, clearly arranged in advance. It was incomparable to any cargo ship, merchant ship, or pleasure boat on the canal.

Li Yuanchang took a light sniff and could still smell a woman's rouge scent.

Why did Li Chengqian bring women with him when he met him?