He had Shangguan draft an edict, but as Shangguan was doing so, Empress Wu received news of what was happening, and she went to him to plead her case, as he was holding the edict that Shangguan had drafted.
He had Shangguan draft an edict. Empress Wu received news of what was happening. Shangguan was doing so. She went to him. This was to plead her case. Shangguan had drafted. This was what he was holding the edict.