Li Zhi regretted it as soon as he left Ganlu Palace. He regretted that he should have refused his father’s suggestion to oversee the country and insisted on going to the imperial mausoleum with his father.
But looking at the tightly closed palace gates, he felt a little timid and dared not knock on the door again.
Who should I consult with?
We can't go to my maternal uncle's house again. Last time it already caused my uncle's dissatisfaction, and if we go again, it will definitely make my uncle angry.
Looking for a rhinoceros?
Sizi was Li Zhi's closest person besides his father. He would confide in Sizi about anything he dared not say to his father.
As expected, Si Zi would always subtly mention it to his father and then speak up for him.
Thinking of this, Li Zhi immediately walked towards the Lizheng Hall.
In fact, he also lived in Rikjeongjeon before he moved out of the palace two years ago.
It was only because he was getting old that his father made him move out.
However, just as he reached the entrance of the Lizheng Hall, he saw Consort Wu walking towards him.
Perhaps because it was too hot in the summer, Consort Wu was dressed very little, revealing a large expanse of her white chest, which made Li Zhi blush and his heart race.
"Greetings, Your Highness!"
"I wonder if Your Highness has just come from His Majesty's palace?"
"yes!"
"May I ask, Your Highness, how is His Majesty's mood today? Would he like it if I wore this outfit?"
Li Zhi was only four years younger than Consort Wu. Consort Wu entered the palace at the age of twelve, while Li Zhi was only eight years old at the time.
Therefore, the two often played together when they were young and were very familiar with each other.
"Hard to say..."
Upon hearing this, Consort Wu immediately took out a small bronze mirror and began to dress up in front of Emperor Li Zhi.
"What's wrong? Is my makeup not good?"
Li Zhi smiled upon hearing this.
"Sister Wu is naturally extremely beautiful, but Father Emperor may not be in a good mood and may find it difficult to appreciate her beauty."
Upon hearing this, Wu Meiniang glared at Li Zhi and scolded him with a smile.
"Slippery!"
"If His Majesty is angry, it's because of you, the Crown Prince!"
"Tell your sister why His Majesty is angry?"
Li Zhi thought for a moment after hearing this and said...
"It's hard to say. I'm not sure if Father is angry. He just mentioned that he's going to Jiuzong Mountain to inspect the construction of the imperial mausoleum and told me to stay in the capital to oversee the country..."
"How did you reply?"
"I didn't say anything yet, I just hesitated for a moment, and then my father let me out..."
"How foolish!"
Wu Zetian scolded him, her voice filled with disappointment and frustration.
"Are you stupid? His Majesty's inspection of the imperial tombs is such a major event, and instead of immediately offering to accompany him, you actually dare to hesitate!"
"You need to know that you are just the crown prince, and only the crown prince."
"Your Majesty has already deposed a crown prince, why can't you be deposed as well?"
Upon hearing this, Li Zhi panicked and hurriedly stepped forward to grab Wu Meiniang's hand, but Wu Meiniang shook him off and took two steps back to distance herself from him.
"Your Highness, you've grown up now. Please don't play around like you did when you were little..."
"If someone sees this, it will not only be bad for Your Highness, but also for me!"
"Sister Wu, I just want to know how to remedy this. You're always so resourceful, please help me think of a solution!"
Upon hearing this, Wu Meiniang frowned and thought for a moment before replying.
"As for a solution..."
"On the day His Majesty leaves the palace, kneel directly beside his imperial carriage and beg him to take you on a tour of the imperial mausoleum. If His Majesty refuses, kneel there and force him to agree!"
Upon hearing this, Li Zhi immediately smiled.
"Luckily I met Sister Wu, otherwise I would have gotten into big trouble this time, hehehe!"
Upon hearing this, Wu Meiniang chuckled softly. Seeing that no one was around, she stepped forward and whispered a reminder.
"Your Highness, there is no kinship in the imperial family. If you want to keep your position as crown prince, you should work on your filial piety. Only by pleasing His Majesty can you inherit the throne and rule the world in the future!"
"Uh-huh!"
"I will definitely keep Sister Wu's words in mind!"
"This humble servant will take her leave now!"
As Li Zhi watched Wu Meiniang's departing figure, a strange feeling welled up in his heart. How wonderful it would be if he could have her by his side all the time, constantly reminding him of his feelings.
After leaving Li Zhi, Wu Meiniang went straight back to her residence in the Yeting Palace.
Since His Majesty is in a bad mood, it would be counterproductive for her to go there now.
Therefore, rather than risk offending His Majesty, I should return and finish embroidering the birthday gift I have prepared for His Majesty.
Wu Zetian prepared a black cloak with a five-clawed golden dragon embroidered on a gold background. However, after embroidering the large part of the dragon's body, she did not touch the eyes at all.
The reason is simple: her embroidery skills are mediocre. She can manage to embroider dragon scales and claws, but if she were to embroider dragon eyes, she would definitely embarrass herself.
Left with no other choice, she had to ask Xu Hui, who was most skilled in embroidery, for help.
However, when she excitedly took the embroidery to find Xu Hui, she saw Xu Hui packing her things.
"Sister Xu, where are you going again?"
Xu Hui smiled slightly upon hearing this.
"His Majesty will be inspecting the imperial mausoleum soon, and he just sent someone to deliver an imperial decree instructing me to accompany him."
"ah?"
Upon hearing this, Wu Meiniang felt as if a jar of vinegar had been overturned, and tears welled up in her eyes.
She and Xu Hui entered the palace at almost the same time, but Xu Hui had already been promoted from Cai Ren to Chong Rong, while she herself remained a Cai Ren of moderate rank, which hurt her deeply.
Seeing His Majesty inspecting the imperial tombs, only taking Xu Hui with him and not her, one can imagine the bitterness in her heart.
"Sister Xu, could you please beg His Majesty to allow me to come along as well?"
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