Chang'an.

The residence of Changsun Wuji.

Changsun Wuji was holding a fat chicken in one hand and a lamb leg in the other, gnawing on it with all his might. He didn't look sick at all.

However, when His Majesty the Emperor says he is sick, he becomes sick, even if he is not sick!

In fact, ever since he learned that Shuozhou had fallen and Li Zhi had been captured by the Xueyantuo, Changsun Wuji had been indulging in debauchery day and night.

Because he knew that his era was over!

If Li Zhi ascended the throne, he would still have some hope of prolonging his political life.

But if Li Jue becomes emperor, he, as the eldest grandson's maternal uncle, will be nothing more than a figurehead!

They might not even be able to serve as decorations, and Li Jue might just find some excuse to kill them.

After all, his grudges with Li Jue's family ran deep, and he was largely responsible for Li Chengqian's death.

However, just as Changsun Wuji was angrily gnawing on a lamb leg, his steward came running over and gave him a note.

"My lord, news has come from the palace..."

"In the palace?"

"Master, this is not our way. I have no idea which lady sent it!"

"Your Majesty?"

How did you know she was a concubine in the imperial harem?

The butler chuckled upon hearing this.

"My lord, look at this snow-white paper. It's not something an ordinary palace servant could get her hands on..."

Changsun Wuji nodded in satisfaction upon hearing this, then took the plain paper with his large, oil-stained hands. However, after reading its contents, his expression immediately turned serious.

"Get the car ready!"

"promise!"

Before long, Changsun Wuji arrived at a house west of the Yeting Palace. He had just lit a candle inside when he heard a soft knock on the door.

Changsun Wuji hurriedly ran out and opened the door, where he saw a woman completely shrouded in a black robe.

"Lord Changsun, shall we go inside to talk, or..."

Upon hearing this, Changsun Wuji quickly made way for the woman and ushered her inside.

Before long, the two re-entered the room and sat facing each other, one on the left and one on the right.

"Lord Changsun, you are in grave danger!"

Changsun Wuji smiled indifferently upon hearing this.

"I know!"

Upon hearing this, Wu Meiniang immediately asked.

"I wonder how Lord Changsun plans to extricate us from this predicament?"

Changsun Wuji smiled bitterly upon hearing this.

Do you think I can still extricate myself from this predicament?

Wu Meiniang replied confidently upon hearing this.

"certainly!"

"As long as Lord Changsun submits a memorial supporting His Majesty's decision to establish his eldest grandson as the crown prince, Lord Changsun's predicament will surely be resolved!"

"oh?"

The reason Changsun Wuji came to this place was because he saw this sentence on the note. He was very curious to see who the person who could come up with such a method was.

He was just disappointed; the person sitting opposite him was just a minor talent.

"May I ask, Your Highness, are you the one who has been giving Li Zhi advice behind the scenes these past few years?"

Upon hearing this, Wu Meiniang did not hide her feelings and immediately nodded honestly.

Seeing this, Changsun Wuji asked again.

"May I ask, Lady Wu, what is your purpose in doing this?"

Changsun Wuji must find out the truth about this issue. If Li Zhi really has something to do with this woman, then she must be eliminated.

Upon hearing this, Wu Meiniang smiled and said.

"Lord Changsun, you are overthinking it. I have no other wish but to bear Your Majesty a son or daughter, and then, after Your Majesty passes away, to live peacefully under the rule of the new emperor!"

Changsun Wuji was very satisfied with this answer. As long as Consort Wu and Li Zhi did not have any illicit affair, he would try his best to satisfy whatever Consort Wu wanted.

"Don't worry about that. Zhi Nu is a kind and righteous child and would never mistreat you!"

Upon hearing this, Wu Meiniang bowed slightly.

"Lord Changsun is absolutely right!"

"In fact, the reason why I value His Highness the Crown Prince is because he is kind and benevolent, unlike the eldest grandson who is sharp and harsh."

"Therefore, His Highness the Crown Prince's ascension to the throne is a fortunate event for the Tang Dynasty, for you, and for us poor women in the harem!"

Changsun Wuji nodded in agreement upon hearing this.

"What you say is true. If Li Zhi becomes emperor, the whole country will benefit!"

"I just wonder if Consort Wu has any way to save Zhi Nu?"

After a moment's thought, Wu Meiniang replied.

"My lord, now we have no choice but to fight to the death!"

What do you mean by that?

"My lord, saving His Highness the Crown Prince requires two steps. First, rescue him from the Xueyantuo. Second, wash away the shame upon him!"

Changsun Wuji nodded again upon hearing this, for he had indeed thought the same thing. However, this matter was far too difficult; even with his intelligence, he couldn't come up with a good solution.

"May I ask, Lady Wu, what method is there to rescue Zhi Nu?"

"My lord, I have already told you the solution."

"The only hope of saving His Highness the Crown Prince is to petition His Majesty to appoint his eldest grandson as the heir apparent!"

"this……"

Changsun Wuji looked puzzled upon hearing this.

"Consort Wu, if this happens, won't His Highness the Crown Prince be doomed?"

Upon hearing this, Wu Meiniang smiled and said.

"You're overthinking it, sir!"

"Please consider this, my lord: what did the Xueyantuo seek by abducting the crown prince?"

What do you want?

"Naturally, it means forcing the Tang Dynasty to sign a humiliating treaty?"

Upon hearing this, Wu Meiniang smiled confidently.

"But what if the crown prince is no longer the crown prince?"

"this……"

Changsun Wuji was taken aback upon hearing this, but he quickly realized what was going on.

"You mean that since His Highness the Crown Prince is no longer the Crown Prince, there is no need for Xueyantuo to keep him around. They can only try to send him back and exchange him for some benefits from the Tang Dynasty!"

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