The revitalization of the Tang Dynasty began with the Ganlu Incident.

Chapter 97: Self-Exposure?

Shortly after Niu Sengru and others held their secret meeting, Li Ang also received a report from the Eastern Depot.

"Everyone, based on the information we have gathered so far, after Niu Sengru entered the capital, he did not have much contact with others. Apart from meeting with Minister Linghu Chu twice, he basically stayed at home and did not go out. We have also not found any connection between him and those troublemaking censors."

"What about Du Cong?"

Li Ang frowned slightly as he looked at the secret report in front of him.

Qi Baozhen replied, "The Imperial Son-in-Law Du did not have much interaction with these censors, but after he returned to the capital, Guo Zhonggong, the Vice Minister of the Court of Imperial Sacrifices, met with him."

"Guo Zhonggong?" Li Ang immediately looked over, his gaze sharpening. "Is that Fourth Sister's husband, Guo Zhonggong?"

Seeing this, Qi Baozhen bowed and said, "Yes, everyone."

"According to the investigation by the Eastern Depot, Guo Zhonggong had a very close relationship with the censor who blocked Governor Liu in the Waiting-for-Leaks Courtyard."

Li Ang's expression turned serious.

He didn't expect that the old man Niu Sengru was actually telling him the truth.

Judging from the current situation, the incident that occurred outside the waiting room was most likely not orchestrated by the Niu Party.

However, after excluding Niu Sengru, the results of the investigation became even more complicated.

This Guo Zhonggong was the grand-nephew of the Empress Dowager Guo.

At the same time, he was also the husband of Princess Jintang, Li Ang's sister.

Moreover, his maternal grandmother was Princess Changlin, the daughter of Emperor Daizong.

Although Guo Zhonggong's own official position was not high, his intricate family relationships alone were enough to make him roam freely throughout the capital.

The investigation led to Guo Zhonggong, and things became complicated.

It should be noted that although the Guo family has not produced any truly powerful ministers in recent years, with the illustrious ancestor Guo Ziyi and the living Empress Dowager Guo, the Guo family wielded considerable influence in the court.

In addition, given their various kinship ties with the royal family over the years, it would be extremely difficult to take action against the Guo family, both from a moral and practical standpoint.

Not to mention, such a major event might not have been something Guo Zhonggong dared to do on his own; if there was someone else behind him directing him...

"Did you find anything else?"

Li Ang's voice was somewhat low, and a hint of restlessness was also evident between his brows.

Seeing this, Qi Baozhen roughly guessed something and immediately replied, "Reporting to you, it seems that Guo Zhonggong has no dealings with the palace."

"On the contrary, Du Cong has been staying in the villa these days, saying that he was afraid of disturbing Princess Qiyang's recuperation. But the Eastern Depot sent someone in to infiltrate and find out that... that after Du Cong returned to the capital, he had a dispute with Princess Qiyang, and then he moved to the villa."

"Was there a dispute?"

Li Ang rubbed his forehead, feeling increasingly confused and overwhelmed by the current situation.

Just then, an imperial eunuch came from outside. Qi Baozhen went over to listen to a few words, and when he returned to the emperor, his expression was somewhat strange.

"Everyone, the Empress Dowager requests your presence."

What a coincidence?

Li Ang held the secret report in his hand, his mind racing with thoughts.

But soon he nodded and said, "Let's go take a look."

After boarding the palanquin, Li Ang arrived at Xingqing Palace in no time.

Liang Chengmin, the Inner Palace Attendant, waited outside. After bowing respectfully, he led Li Ang into the palace.

"Grandson greets His Majesty the Empress Dowager, and...Aunt?"

As Li Ang entered the hall and was about to pay his respects, he discovered that besides Empress Dowager Guo, Princess Qiyang was also sitting on the couch.

Moreover, his aunt not only looked unwell, but her eyes were also red and swollen, as if she had just been crying.

"Sit." Empress Dowager Guo held a white jade Buddhist rosary in her hand, and her expression was not very good. When she saw Li Ang coming, she forced a smile and waved to him.

Li Ang sat down beside her, hesitated for a moment, and then asked, "Auntie, what's wrong? Did you suffer some injustice?"

Princess Qiyang is now a woman nearing forty. Although she is well-maintained and her face does not show any signs of aging, there is always a sense of melancholy between her brows.

Upon hearing this, she subconsciously clenched her handkerchief and unconsciously glanced at Empress Dowager Guo beside her.

Feeling the gaze from her daughter, Empress Dowager Guo's expression, which had improved slightly, darkened again, and she said.

"Why are you looking at me? You've all acted recklessly yourselves, do you expect me to explain things to you?"

Li Ang was somewhat surprised; to his recollection, this was the first time he had ever seen Empress Dowager Guo treat Princess Qiyang so sternly.

At the same time, Princess Qiyang's eyes reddened again upon hearing this. She clenched the handkerchief in her hand again, slowly stood up, walked to Li Ang, and said.

"Your Majesty, on behalf of my husband, Qiyang begs for forgiveness."

As she spoke, she actually bowed slightly, intending to perform a greeting.

Seeing this, Li Ang quickly stood up, took her arm, and said.

"Aunt, what are you doing? We're family, we can talk things out. Why make such a big gesture out of the blue?"

As he spoke, he helped Princess Qiyang to sit down, but Princess Qiyang shook her head and insisted on bowing, saying...

"Family matters are family matters, and court matters are court matters. Qi Yang has come here this time to apologize on behalf of her husband, Du Cong. We cannot disregard the proper etiquette."

When Du Cong was mentioned again, Li Ang couldn't help but frown.

Nevertheless, he first helped Princess Qiyang up again and said.

"Whether it's family matters or court affairs, Auntie needs to make things clear first. You're not well, please sit down and talk slowly..."

Princess Qiyang hesitated for a moment, then subconsciously looked at Empress Dowager Guo, who was sitting down. Seeing the latter nod slightly, she hesitated before sitting down beside her and saying.

"Thank you, Your Majesty. Actually, this matter is not complicated. It was just a conflict between my husband and the two commanders, Liu Hongyi and Yang Qinyi, outside the Waiting Courtyard a few days ago."

Although he already had some guesses in his heart, when he actually heard Princess Qiyang say this, Li Ang still subconsciously sat up straight and said.

"Auntie, how did you find out about this?"

Upon hearing this, Princess Qiyang seemed somewhat agitated. She coughed violently twice before saying, "To tell this story, we must go back to when my husband had just returned to the capital. At that time, he came to the princess's residence to visit me and said that he needed help with some matters in the court and wanted to meet the consort of the Golden Hall, my cousin Zhonggong."

"I didn't think much of it at the time, so I called Zhonggong over. The two of them talked for a long time in the mansion. Later, when I saw Zhonggong off, I overheard him saying that he wanted to find some censors to do something together."

"When I was in the palace, my mother often taught me that as a relative of the emperor, I should be careful with my words and actions. So, I felt that it was inappropriate. After I saw Zhonggong off, I asked Du Cong a few questions. But I didn't expect that he would be so angry that he had a fight with me and then moved to another courtyard."

As she spoke, Princess Qiyang's eyes reddened again. She picked up a handkerchief and wiped them before continuing.

"Later, I heard that there had been trouble in the court these past few days, and several censors had been demoted. So I remembered this incident and called Zhonggong over to ask him. Sure enough, it was he and Du Cong who did it together."

"Is that so?" Li Ang frowned and looked rather unwell after hearing this.

At this moment, Empress Dowager Guo snorted and said, "I have also sent someone to summon that good-for-nothing junior, Guo Zhonggong. He is waiting for my decree outside the palace now."

"Liang Chengmin, go and bring him here so that His Majesty can question him in person."

"Yes……"