Fire at the Lingtai, One Star Missing from the Three

The abbot had no choice but to say, "There is an extraordinary man in the monastery named Li Dihuo. He knows five hundred years into the past and five hundred years into the future. This old monk feared he might go out and speak recklessly, bringing disaster upon himself, so I locked him within the monastery."

Wu Zetian said curiously, "Oh? Such a person exists? I would like to see him."

Li Wanyi said, "Such an extraordinary man may simply be living on an undeserved reputation. I am quite curious as well!"

The abbot said with a troubled expression, "This... Your Majesty, Princess, if this man offends either of you, this old monk would deserve death ten thousand times over."

Wu Zetian gave a cold laugh. "Openly defying an imperial decree is likewise a crime deserving death ten thousand times over."

The abbot lowered his head. "Since Your Majesty has said so, this old monk can only obey. But I dare offer one piece of advice: please enter alone, Your Majesty."

With a wave of her hand, Wu Zetian said confidently, "Very well. I shall enter alone.

Tai'an, you and the ministers wait outside!"

"Yes!"

The abbot gestured ahead. "This way, Your Majesty."

The abbot led Wu Zetian to the entrance of Guanyin Pavilion, took out a key and opened the door. He pushed it open for her, invited Wu Zetian inside first, then closed the door behind her.

After entering, Wu Zetian pushed open the door to Guanyin Pavilion in the courtyard and saw a man standing with his back to her.

Hearing the door open, the man slowly turned around, then immediately knelt and bowed. "This guilty subject, Di Renjie, pays his respects to Your Majesty. May Your Majesty live ten thousand years! Ten thousand, ten thousand years!"