Chapter 126: Secret Discussion in the Court Room
The next morning, the clouds and rain stopped temporarily.

Zhang Jianzhi arrived at Shangyang Palace early in the morning with a pile of memorials in his hand, ready to meet the emperor.

"General Zhao, how is it? Will His Majesty summon you?" Zhang Jianzhi patted the memorial in his hand.

"My Lord, His Majesty was not feeling well last night and was restless all night. Princess Taiping just helped His Majesty to sleep not long ago. The princess said you should come again tomorrow." Zhao Ji said in a low voice.

Zhang Jianzhi was shocked and frowned, "Is it that serious? What did the imperial physician say?"

The two of them talked as they walked, and gradually came to an empty corner.

"Compared to the previous times, it's much better. Your Majesty is unwilling to call the imperial physician now, because the imperial physician can't do anything. He always says that there is no serious illness and that you just need to recuperate. Your Majesty is tired of hearing that." Zhao Ji said helplessly.

Zhang Jianzhi nodded: "I understand, Chengyuan, I rely on you here. If there is any disturbance, I hope you can let me know. I will come back tomorrow to take a look."

"I understand." Zhao Ji agreed.

Separated by a door, in the Xianju Palace, Princess Taiping stared at Wu Zetian, who was still restless in her sleep, with an unpleasant look on her face.

The previous dosage of the medicine was indeed too strong, and there is still some drug effect remaining in Wu Zetian's body. Even if she stops taking the medicine, she will still have nightmares.

In view of this situation, Princess Taiping was somewhat worried about the plan to present the thunder and lightning magic weapon. If the magic weapon still couldn't solve the nightmare, it would be a joke.

There is no other way but to wait for the residual effect of the medicine to wear off, and then take regular sleeping pills or tranquilizing soup.

However, Zhang Jianzhi came here ostensibly to report something, but in fact he was here to gather information.

Wu Sansi and the prince's party started to move, and things were developing as Princess Taiping had expected.

After Zhao saw Zhang Jianzhi off, he looked at the tightly closed palace door, not understanding what Princess Taiping was up to.

From Zhao Ji's perspective, Princess Taiping had often been alone with Wu Zetian recently, and all the eunuchs and palace maids had been sent outside.

No one knew what the mother and daughter were doing or saying in the hall.

If something happened to Wu Zetian during this period, Princess Taiping would be a big suspect.

In fact, Princess Taiping was also helpless. She usually pretended to be a filial daughter. How could she not take care of her mother when she was sick?
Wu Zetian herself wanted her to enter the palace to accompany her, so she had no choice but to do so.
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On the other side, Di Renjie had already returned to the capital from Yongchang, changed into a purple robe, and took a carriage to the palace to meet the emperor.

Di Renjie was frowning. The bloody case in Yongchang was full of doubts. Li Yuanfang and Zeng Tai were obviously frightened by the evil spirit and had lost their normal judgment. He felt a little overwhelmed.

Before they knew it, the carriage had arrived at the Tixiang Gate of Shangyang Palace.

Di Renjie got off the carriage, but saw someone blocking the road. It was Zhang Jianzhi who had just left the palace.

"Brother Huaiying." Zhang Jianzhi bowed with a smile.

Di Renjie smiled when he saw Zhang Jianzhi: "Jianzhi, you want to enter the palace too?"

Zhang Jianzhi nodded, then shook his head: "I just left the palace and wanted to report something. But your majesty was not feeling well last night and just went to bed. I have to report it at another time."

When Di Renjie heard that the emperor was unwell, he thought: "Oh? It seems that I came at a bad time."

"I wanted to go back home, but I happened to see your carriage coming towards Tixiang Gate, so I waited here." Zhang Jianzhi said with a smile.

As soon as Di Renjie heard this, he knew that Zhang Jianzhi had something important to say, and a meaningful smile appeared on his face.

The two of them understood each other tacitly. Zhang Jianzhi smiled and said, "Although we are both prime ministers, one is in charge of the Internal History and the other is in charge of the Luantai. We don't have many opportunities to meet. Today is a good opportunity for us to have a good chat."

Di Renjie held out his hand and said, "Since the emperor cannot attend court, the quietest place should be the court room. How about we go there and talk?"

Zhang Jianzhi smiled and nodded: "That's exactly what I want. Please come in." The huge court room was empty, and Di Renjie and Zhang Jianzhi walked in.

Zhang Jianzhi closed the door, stretched out his hand to the innermost room, and said with a smile: "It's the same old rule. Let's discuss matters in the attic. Please come in, Lord."

Di Renjie also smiled and said, "Please come in, Lord."

Zhang Jianzhi said: "The elder cabinet member is senior and holds a high position. He is in charge of the Secretariat and should go first."

Di Renjie turned his head and laughed: "The Lord is highly respected by the people, and his disciples are in great demand. You should go first."

The two men laughed. Di Renjie grabbed Zhang Jianzhi's hand and said, "Why do we brothers have to go through all this red tape? Please, please, please!"

Zhang Jianzhi laughed loudly, and the two of them walked into the attic hand in hand.

"Jianzhi, there is no one here, just say whatever you want to say." Di Renjie's expression became serious.

Zhang Jianzhi did not speak directly, but asked: "Brother Huaiying, do you know what happened in the palace recently?"

"Apart from the fact that Your Majesty is occasionally feeling unwell, could something else have happened?" Di Renjie asked.

Zhang Jianzhi said bluntly: "Minor illness? Now the emperor is sick almost every day and can't sleep at night. He says that he is haunted by evil spirits. He is desperate and has tried all kinds of treatments. Last night he even urgently summoned the imperial teacher Wang Zhiyuan to the palace to exorcise the evil spirits. Is this still a minor illness?"

"Wang Zhiyuan? Exorcist?" Hearing the word "ghost" again, Di Renjie couldn't help but pay attention.

Zhang Jianzhi said disdainfully: "This person is just playing tricks to gain trust, it's not worth mentioning. The key point is that this reflects that the emperor's health is not good. She is already confused and unconscious. This is a sign that a person is about to die."

Di Renjie frowned and said, "No way. I checked the emperor's pulse a few days ago, and her pulse was very strong."

Zhang Jianzhi obviously didn't understand Di Renjie's medical skills: "That's just an illusion. Brother Huaiying, please think about it, how can a healthy person see evil spirits coming to take his life? This is clearly the emperor's end is approaching, and when his energy is running out, he will have illusions again and again!"

"You said that what the emperor saw was an illusion?" Di Renjie said thoughtfully.

Zhang Jianzhi's eyes gleamed with a gleam of light: "Of course, from this point of view, the emperor's time is running out. I think you and I brothers should also be prepared."

"You want to take this opportunity to help the crown prince take the throne and return the sacred artifact to the Li Tang Dynasty." Although Di Renjie was asking, he had actually already confirmed Zhang Jianzhi's thoughts.

Zhang Jianzhi said excitedly, "This is a rare opportunity. After the emperor dies, we will immediately invite the crown prince to the palace, pass through Xuanwu Gate, take over the Northern Court Guards, and announce it to the world. Then we will issue a decree to send the Southern Court Guards to wipe out the Wu clan."

There is Xuanwu Gate in Chang'an and there is Xuanwu Gate in Luoyang. They are both the northern gates of the palace and are on the fastest path into the palace. If you want to make a military remonstration, plot treason, or a coup, you can't go wrong by going through Xuanwu Gate!
Zhang Jianzhi continued, "I have already contacted the Imperial Guards and the Gate Guards. But Zhao Ji, the Thousand Bull Guards beside your Majesty, said that as long as you say a word, we can also plan for great things together."

"The Qianniu Guards are the guards around the emperor. Once the emperor rides the dragon to heaven, they will be needed to pass on the message. They are the key link to ensure that I will not fall behind. How about asking Brother Huaiying to talk to him?"

Zhang Jianzhi eagerly held Di Renjie's hands and said, "Only with your prestige can we convince everyone of this important matter. I hope you will not refuse."

Di Renjie's face changed drastically. He didn't expect Zhang Jianzhi to do this.

He said in a firm tone: "Jianzhi, I understand your thoughts, but now is definitely not the time to act."

Zhang Jian was stunned and let go of Di Renjie's hand: "Oh? Why?"

Di Renjie took a deep breath and said, "In my opinion, there must be something fishy about this matter. And everything you said is based on the premise that His Majesty has passed away."

"I have already said that your Majesty's pulse is strong, and she is intelligent, sharp-tongued, and clear-minded. This is definitely not the state of a dying person."

　I forgot to set up yesterday's scheduled release...

　　
　
(End of this chapter)