Chapter 309: Discussion on Taking the Eastern Palace
Wu Zetian summoned them urgently, and Di Renjie and Zhao Ji did not dare to slack off in the slightest. They quickly dressed and entered the palace.

Di Renjie was worried along the way. After he and Zhao Ji agreed on what to say to Wu Zetian, he became silent and no one knew what he was thinking.

As for the Xiaomei Incident, it involved the royal family of Li Tang and they were about to meet Wu Zetian, so Di Renjie naturally could not create trouble, so he did not mention it to Zhao Ji.

Therefore, Zhao was still kept in the dark about Xiaomei's identity being exposed.

However, he was confident that what happened last night did not reveal any flaws. Even if Wu Zetian was furious, there was still Di Renjie to take the blame. Therefore, he was calm and composed, and was confident.

The truth is definitely impossible to explain. Having the ability to rebel is a crime. Being able to sneak into the palace and then escape is also a crime.

The two of them were silent along the way, and the atmosphere was a little solemn, until they entered the palace and met Shangguan Wan'er.

Shangguan Wan'er was wearing the same palace dress that she had hurriedly left last night, which showed that she had been serving Wu Zetian since she parted with Zhao Ji last night.

"Greetings, Lady Shangguan! I heard that an assassin broke into the palace last night. I wonder if Your Majesty is safe? Has the assassin been captured?" Zhao Ji stepped forward and greeted her first, while at the same time subtly inquiring about the progress of the situation with his eyes.

Shangguan Wan'er responded with a gentle smile: "Don't worry, General. Your Majesty is safe and sound, but the assassin's whereabouts are still unknown. This is why Your Majesty summoned Di Gong and General Zhao. The two of you follow me!"

As she spoke, she turned around and led Zhao Ji and Di Renjie into the hall to meet Wu Zetian.

When Zhao heard Shangguan Wan'er's answer, he naturally felt relieved and confirmed that his whereabouts had not been exposed.

With Di Renjie's observation skills, he naturally noticed that the two of them were winking at each other and that their words were conveying messages.

However, considering that Zhao Ji had been a guard in the palace for many years as a Qianniu Guard, it would be strange that he had no connection with Shangguan Wan'er, so he didn't think there was anything wrong with it.

But Di Renjie never expected that the connection between these two people was a little too close...

Led by Shangguan Wan'er, Zhao Ji and Di Renjie entered the palace, just in time to see Wu Zetian in a rage, while Huan Bin was kneeling in the palace, trembling.

Torn memorials, scraps of paper, broken porcelain pieces, and a puddle of water were scattered around Huan Bin, and the scene was a mess.

Seeing this, Zhao Ji couldn't help but sneer at the corner of his mouth, gloating in his heart: "Huan Bin, Huan Bin, you deserve it!"

Wu Zetian's angry rebuke was like a string of cannonballs, pointing directly at Huan Bin and cursing: "...The Qianniu Guards have become more and more outrageous recently, allowing assassins to come and go freely in the palace!"

"Ever since Chengyuan assisted Huaiying in investigating the matter of the snake spirit, there have been many disturbances in the palace! How did you manage to be a general? Hmm?"

Huan Bin had no choice but to bow his head to the ground and kowtow repeatedly to apologize: "I am guilty! I am guilty..." His voice was full of fear and despair.

Wu Zetian's face was as gloomy as iron, but when she saw Di Renjie and Zhao Ji coming, she let Huan Bin go for the time being and issued a stern order: "Catch the assassin within one day! If you can't catch the assassin, don't come to see me again!"

When Huan Bin heard that he was ordered to capture the assassin within one day, he was slightly stunned and wanted to beg for mercy and a few more days.

However, Wu Zetian didn't even want to give him a chance to speak: "Get out of here!"

"Yes... yes..." Huan Bin agreed tremblingly. After kowtowing repeatedly, he struggled to get up and staggered out of the hall.

When he walked past Zhao Ji, his eyes almost spit fire, but he had to suppress it forcibly. He just lowered his head and cursed in his heart.

Zhao Ji seemed to sense Huan Bin's dissatisfaction, so he glanced at him with contempt.

Huan Bin's heart tightened when he saw this. He quickened his pace and left the hall almost as if he was escaping.

Zhao Ji raised a disdainful smile and ignored him, then quickly turned his attention back to Wu Zetian. Wu Zetian's anger seemed to have gradually subsided as she reprimanded Huan Bin. When facing Di Renjie and Zhao Ji, she had no intention of making things difficult for them, and just slowly sat back on the throne.

Her expression returned to its former solemnity and coldness, neither happy nor angry. Instead, she seemed a little frighteningly calm, as if a new storm was brewing.

"Huaiying," Wu Zetian finally spoke, her tone directed at Di Renjie, "Did you hear about the assassin in the palace last night?"

Di Renjie bowed slightly and replied, "Your Majesty, I have heard about this matter, but I only know the general idea. I heard that the assassin has not yet been brought to justice?"

Wu Zetian snorted lightly, her voice revealing an unquestionable chill: "Yes, the Snake Spirit rebels are now able to come and go freely beside my bed!"

Di Renjie was moved when he heard this, and asked in surprise: "Your Majesty, do you think this was done by the Snake Spirit Rebellion?"

Wu Zetian sneered even more, her eyes like knives: "At this critical moment, who else but the Snake Spirit rebels can be so presumptuous under my nose?"

"Huaiying, Chengyuan, you two are fully responsible for the Snake Spirit case. I have the right to act at your discretion in the Divine Capital. Don't you realize that?"

Zhao Ji, who was nearby, felt his heart tighten when he heard this. He thought to himself that there seemed to be some anger in these words and he should be careful in responding.

Di Renjie really became serious. "Your Majesty, I also think that this was done by the snake spirit. Recently, I secretly visited the East Palace and found that the prince had been replaced by the thieves. Thousands of rebels have sneaked into the East Palace and are ready to rebel at any time!"

"What?!" Wu Zetian was shocked when she heard this and immediately stood up from the throne.

Zhao Ji added: "The assassin who sneaked into the palace last night was most likely from the East Palace. After the act, he sneaked back to the East Palace. That's why the Qianniu Guards couldn't catch the assassin."

Wu Zetian was still in extreme shock at this time and still had some doubts, but when she heard what Zhao Ji said, she immediately believed it 80%.

"How is Li Xian?" She suddenly looked up at Di Renjie.

Di Renjie looked distressed, as if he was worried. "I sent Li Yuanfang to sneak into the East Palace and found out that the Snake Spirit rebels wanted to kidnap the prince, but the prince refused to obey. Now his life is at stake!"

Upon hearing this, Wu Zetian angrily slammed the imperial desk and said, "These traitors are truly unforgivable!"

Zhao Ji slightly turned sideways and glanced at Di Renjie. Although his words were a bit exaggerated, they could also be said to be well-intentioned.

Di Renjie bowed again and said, "The Snake Spirit rebels are so bold that they dared to occupy the East Palace. Although it is hateful, it also revealed a flaw."

"For now, if we can mobilize the imperial army to attack the East Palace, we can not only rescue the crown prince, but also catch all the rebels scattered around in one fell swoop, and achieve complete success!"

Wu Zetian was stunned when she heard this, but she quickly came to her senses and nodded: "Yes, I will immediately dispatch Wang Xiaojie's Right Guard to defend the East Palace and wipe out the traitors!"

Upon hearing this, Di Renjie hurriedly advised: "Your Majesty, the Crown Prince is still in their hands after all. We can't act too hastily. We need to make some preparations!"

Wu Zetian frowned, and seemed a little hesitant as she still wanted to get rid of the snake spirit, which was a big threat to her, as soon as possible.

Seeing this, Di Renjie could only advise again: "Your Majesty, the reason why I ask Your Majesty to postpone it is because there is another discovery that is related to the magic of Luo River and even more related to Yuan Tiangang. Because of this, we need to make more preparations!"

When Wu Zetian heard the words Luo He Shen Yi and Yuan Tian Gang, she was immediately shocked. After a long while, she sighed and said, "Well, since I have entrusted you with full responsibility for the snake spirit, I can't go back on my word. I'll do as you say!"

Di Renjie was overjoyed and immediately fell to the ground: "Thank you, Your Majesty!"

(End of this chapter)