So Li Er began to search for Wang Xizhi's authentic calligraphy works like crazy. As the superior has his own preferences, the subordinates naturally know how to cater to his tastes. Suddenly, all kinds of "authentic calligraphy works" by Wang Xizhi appeared in Chang'an City. Old officials such as Chu Suiliang and Ouyang Xun also began to identify Wang Xizhi's authentic calligraphy works day and night.

According to historical records, the ministers appraised more than 2,000 authentic works of Wang Xizhi and presented them to Emperor Li Er. However, among the numerous authentic works, only the "Lanting Preface", a treasure of Wang Xizhi's calligraphy, was missing. This made Emperor Li Er unable to let go, so he began to explore its whereabouts.

Finally, Li Er learned that the original copy of "Lanting Xu" was kept in the hands of Biancai, a disciple of Wang Xizhi's seventh-generation grandson Zhiyong. Li Er asked for it many times but was rejected by Biancai. In order to get it, Li Er sent the censor Xiao Yi to dress up as a scholar to approach Biancai, and finally found an opportunity to obtain "Lanting Xu".

Li Er regarded the hard-earned authentic copy of "Lanting Xu" as a treasure, so it is rumored that the authentic copy was buried with him when Li Er passed away.

But what's interesting is that Wen Tao, a famous tomb robber in the Five Dynasties period, did not find the "Lanting Xu" on his list of unearthed cultural relics after robbing Li Er's Zhaoling. Therefore, there are rumors that Li Er's son, Emperor Gaozong of Tang, Li Zhi, secretly exchanged the original "Lanting Xu" and buried it with him in the Zhengling of Qianling Mausoleum where Li Zhi and Wu Zetian were buried together.

But now the original copy of "Preface to the Lanting Poems" has appeared in the tomb that Wu Zetian built for herself. What does this prove?

ps: I would like to thank “book friend” for the reward of 100.