Xue Yujin couldn't bear it any longer, and with a cry, she lay on the table and cried loudly.
Xue Ne stood up and said in a deep voice: "Xu Guogong has many connections in the court. I will go to him for help."
Xue Yujin burst into tears without responding.
Xue Ne scratched his head and said, "Your Highness, my sister will be left to you."
After leaving Li Garden, Xue Ne rode his horse as fast as he could to Duke Xu's mansion. Just as he was about to enter through the gate, the guard suddenly reached out and stopped him.
"Don't you recognize me? Why did you stop me?" Xue Ne frowned.
The guard said calmly: "Of course I recognize him, but you can't go in."
Xue Ne said angrily: "What do you mean by this?"
The guard said: "This is an order from above, Mr. Xue, please don't make things difficult for me."
Xue Ne said angrily: "Asshole, let me see who of you dares to stop me."
After saying that, he rushed through the door, and several guards immediately stepped forward to stop him, but were knocked down one by one by Xue Ne.
After entering the Duke's Mansion, Xue Na was immediately surrounded by a large group of guards. The leader of the family, the Gao Gaojia, said coldly: "Mr. Xue, you'd better go out on your own and don't force us to do anything to you."
Xue Ne had already vaguely noticed what was going on behind the scenes, but he still couldn't believe it.
While continuing to move forward, he shouted: "Qing'er, Qing'er, come out and see me!"
All the guards immediately rushed forward. Xue Ne was not bad at martial arts and could withstand it at first.
However, it didn't take long for him to receive a stick on his foot, followed by punches, kicks, and sticks.
After a long time, a cold voice sounded.
"stop."
The crowd dispersed, and Xue Ne lay on the ground like a dead dog.
He struggled to raise his head and immediately saw Miss Wei Er, but the expression on her face at this moment was something he had never seen before.
No, maybe I saw him eight years ago.
Miss Wei Er scolded with a cold face:
"Executives, you can just throw him out. Why do you need to beat him? Have you forgotten the relationship between his sister and Princess Zhou?"
Gao Ping lowered his head and said: "What you said is, come here, throw him out!"
Xue Ne roared: "Qing'er, was it really because of our Xue family's status that you approached me before?"
Miss Wei Er slowly walked up to him, knelt down, sighed, and said, "Xue Ne, it's not that I'm heartless. Who made your family get involved with King Pei's party? I can't help it."
"My father was wronged, and His Highness King Zhou will soon vindicate my father!" Xue Ne said loudly.
Miss Wei Er shook her head.
"Don't be naive, how could I treat you like this if I didn't get the exact information.
Our family has received the news that your father’s crime is irrefutable, otherwise His Majesty would not be able to directly seal up your family."
"No...it won't happen..." Xue Ne was horrified.
Miss Wei Er shook her head, stood up, and slowly walked away.
Xue Ne shouted at her back: "You, are you really so cruel?"
Miss Wei Er turned her head and said indifferently:
"Xue Ne, your title and official position are gone, and so is your family property. What do you want me to do? Even if I am willing to follow you, can you still support me?"
Xue Na hissed: "I, I can find a job."
Miss Wei Er snorted coldly: "Why, do you want me, a dignified county prince, to wear coarse clothes and follow you to live in a shabby courtyard where common people live?"
Xue Ne stared at Miss Wei Er, the expectation in his eyes gradually turned into anger and resentment.
Miss Wei Er said coldly: "If other civilians dare to look at me like this, I will definitely kill them. Seeing that you and I have known each other for a while, I will spare you this time."
There was a "pop" sound.
Xue Ne was thrown out of Wei Mansion.
He seemed to have lost all his strength and lay motionless on the ground. Pedestrians on the road saw that he was thrown out by the Wei family, and no one dared to look at him.
…
After not seeing each other for a few days, Wu Chengsi found that Li Zhi had become much weaker. He probably wouldn't be too surprised even if he heard the news of Li Zhi's death the next day.
Prince Li Hong also stayed in Jinluan Villa. Liu Rengui stood beside him. When Wu Chengsi looked at him, Liu Rengui did not look at him.
In addition to the prince, King Li Dan of Yin was also in the hall.
After Li Zhi became seriously ill, he was the most filial among the princes and went to the palace to greet him almost every day.
Li Zhi was accompanied by a beautiful woman. This woman's surname was Xue. She was the niece of Princess Chengyang's husband's family. She was the most favored by Li Zhi recently and was named Zhaoyi.
Wu Chengsi pondered, and just as he was thinking about how to speak, the prince smiled and said: "Cousin Chengsi, are you here because of Xue Rengui's affairs?"
Wu Chengsi said calmly:
"I heard that His Royal Highness the Crown Prince found another accomplice of King Pei, and that person was General Xue who was guarding the Fourth Town of Anxi, so I came to find out more about the situation."
When he heard that Wu Chengsi was indeed here for Xue Rengui, Li Zhi's face darkened and he said: "Prince, please explain Xue Rengui's situation to the King of Zhou."
Just as the prince was about to speak, two more people suddenly came in from the door, namely Li Ji and Su Dingfang.
Li Zhi said solemnly: "You are also here for Xue Rengui, right?"
Li Ji glanced around and saw Wu Chengsi with a sad face and the prince with a smile on his face. He felt a shiver in his heart and did not speak immediately.
Su Dingfang said loudly: "Your Majesty, I know Xue Rengui well. He has rarely been involved in politics. Is there some misunderstanding about this matter?"
"The evidence of Xue Rengui's crime is conclusive. His Royal Highness the Prince and I personally confirmed it. Su Situ just relied on his impression to excuse Xue Rengui without permission. Isn't it inappropriate?" Liu Rengui said solemnly.
Li Ji narrowed his eyes and said:
"Since Liu Gong said this, I guess he is right. I don't know how Xue Rengui colluded with King Pei. Let us understand the situation to avoid making any inappropriate remarks again."
Liu Rengui glanced at Li Ji and said slowly:
"According to Zongzheng Temple's investigation, King Pei held a banquet a few months ago. The attendees were all the core members of King Pei's party. Xue Rengui also attended the banquet."
Su Dingfang said: "How are you sure that Xue Rengui attended the meeting? Could it be that he admitted it?"
Liu Rengui said seriously: "This matter was investigated by Zongzheng Temple. His Royal Highness King Zhou also attended the Zongzheng Temple interrogation at that time, so he should know about it."
"I only know that there was such a banquet, and I didn't hear that Xue Rengui also participated." Wu Chengsi said lightly.
Liu Rengui: "We sent people to interrogate those members who attended the meeting, and they all confirmed that Xue Rengui attended the banquet."
"Maybe those people are telling lies!"
Just when Su Dingfang was about to refute this, Li Ji suddenly stopped him and said first, "Presumably Mr. Liu and His Highness the Crown Prince have repeatedly confirmed the testimonies of those people?"
Liu Rengui nodded and said: "Of course we have confirmed it. Not only the members attending the meeting, but also the guards of Prince Pei's Mansion and the servants of Xue Mansion have also confirmed this matter."
Su Dingfang was shocked. Fortunately, he didn't say those words just now, otherwise his situation would become unfavorable.
Seeing that Wu Chengsi remained silent, Li Zhi said, "The prince does things with consideration. King Zhou, if you still have questions, can you communicate with the prince more?"
Obviously, he did not want Wu Chengsi to have any quarrel with the prince because of this matter.
Wu Chengsi suddenly smiled and said: "Your Majesty, Your Highness the Crown Prince, gentlemen, I once saw a story. I wonder if you would like to hear it?"
Su Dingfang laughed and said: "His Royal Highness King Zhou's stories often inspire me, please tell me."
Although the others had different expressions, no one objected.
Wu Chengsi said: "There was once a prince in the Han Dynasty who wanted to rebel, and he hoped to get the support of a powerful official in the territory.
But the official was loyal to the country and was unwilling to agree with him, so he came up with a solution."
Li Jidao: "What can we do?"
"He found a reason to invite the official to his house as a guest, and then also invited his most trusted confidant.
After this incident, in the eyes of others, he had taken refuge with that prince and king, and even the emperor no longer believed in him."
Su Dingfang clapped his hands and praised: "This lord king is really smart. In this way, the official really can't argue."
Li Zhi frowned and said, "Why haven't I heard of this allusion?"
Wu Chengsi explained: "This is recorded in a book of unofficial history that I saw when I was in Lingnan."
Liu Rengui said coldly: "If I were that official, if I saw those people there, I would leave there without saying a word."
Wu Chengsi's heart trembled. This was what he couldn't figure out. Why didn't Xue Rengui leave Prince Pei's Mansion immediately?
Su Dingfang said: "Maybe Xue Rengui didn't see those people. King Pei hosted the two groups of people separately."
Liu Rengui: "We have carefully interrogated those people, and they attended the banquet with Xue Rengui."
Su Dingfang was also speechless.
The prince smiled and said: "Actually, that's not all. Xue Rengui also placed several members of King Pei's party into Zuoweiwei. Doesn't this explain the problem?"
Wu Chengsi and the other two fell silent and did not argue any more.
Li Zhi waved his hand and said: "This matter is settled. When Xue Rengui comes back, the three departments of Dali Temple, the Ministry of Punishment and the Yushitai will interrogate Xue Rengui. The prince and the king of Zhou will listen. I am a little tired, so you can all leave. "
King Li Dan of Yin did not speak from beginning to end. After leaving the hall, he followed the prince and Liu Rengui.
Wu Chengsi and the others fell a little behind and followed behind.
After leaving the Jinluan Villa, Su Dingfang sighed and said: "Xue Rengui is finished. He is a good fighter, but it's a pity that he doesn't know how to protect himself wisely."
Wu Chengsi was silent for a long time and said: "Xue Rengui has not offended the prince, why would the prince suddenly deal with him?"
Li Ji twisted his beard and said:
"I heard a story. I heard that there was a counselor around the crown prince's concubine. He knew that Miss Xue family had offended the crown prince's concubine. In order to please her, he secretly investigated the Xue family. Only then did he discover the relationship between Xue Rengui and King Pei."
"Huang Miao, how could the dignified East Palace deal with the Xue family because of this matter?" Su Dingfang shook his head.
Li Ji smiled and seemed to think it was unlikely.
Wu Chengsi's expression was a little gloomy, because he knew that the news was probably true.
At the Wei Mansion's birthday banquet, the crown prince's concubine asserted that something would happen to the Xue family, and she happened to have a counselor by her side.
The counselor Li Ji mentioned was probably the mustache beside her.
Wu Chengsi took a deep breath and decided to keep this matter in his heart forever.
Otherwise, if Xue Yujin knew that the trouble in Xue Mansion was caused by her, she would probably have a mental breakdown.
However, the counselor really needed to pay more attention. Wu Chengsi asked: "What is that counselor's name?"
Li Ji glanced at him and said, "I only know that that person was originally Wu Sansi's adviser. Because Wu Sansi disappeared, he took refuge in the East Palace."
When passing the Zichen Palace, Wu Chengsi broke up with the two of them and planned to go see Wu Mei. Regarding Xue Rengui, he wanted to know her attitude.
Wu Chengsi came all the way to the main hall and saw that besides Wu Mei, there was a monk in the main hall. Wu Mei was talking to the monk.
The monk looked familiar, and in a flash of thought, he finally remembered that this monk was Master Xuanzang, the abbot of the Great Ci'en Temple.
When Xuanzang saw him coming in, he cupped his hands and said, "Greetings to His Royal Highness, King Zhou."
"Master, there is no need to be polite." Wu Chengsi returned the gesture.
Wu Mei said: "Master Xuanzang, please step aside first, and we will step up the work on the Buddha statue."
Xuanzang resigned.
Wu Meifeng's eyes turned to Wu Chengsi and said: "You came here to see me, right, about Xue Rengui?"
Wu Chengsi came closer and said: "Aunt, Xue Rengui is a rare general. My nephew thinks he has been deceived by King Pei."
"Do you want me to go to His Majesty to intercede for Xue Rengui?"
Wu Chengsi was silent for a moment and nodded.
Wu Mei stared at him quietly for a while and said slowly:
"Chengsi, you should have seen His Majesty's condition just now. I don't want to quarrel with him over Xue Rengui."
Wu Chengsi remained silent.
Wu Mei added: "You don't have to worry too much. I have discussed this matter with His Majesty. Even if Xue Rengui is convicted, he will only be reduced to a commoner considering his past achievements."
Wu Chengsi sighed secretly and said, "My nephew understands."
After leaving Daming Palace, Wu Chengsi returned to Liyuan, and his steps up the stairs were particularly heavy.
Entering the private room, Xue Yujin and Li Zhiying immediately looked over.
Seeing Wu Chengsi's solemn expression, Xue Yujin gritted his teeth and said, "Brother Wu, has something really happened to my father?"
Wu Chengsi nodded and told Xue Rengui about attending the banquet.
Xue Yujin said angrily: "Just because dad attended a banquet of King Pei, do we have to convict him?"
Li Zhiying said solemnly: "Yu Jin, the court situation is so dangerous, especially the party struggle. For the prince's party, this incident is enough to prove that General Xue is a party of King Pei."
Wu Chengsi then talked about Xue Rengui's promotion to a member of King Pei's party. Xue Yujin was trembling all over and his lips were bitten.
Wu Chengsi said: "Yu Jin, did your father say anything special when he came back from that banquet?"
Xue Yujin was silent for a long time, lowered his head and said, "He didn't seem to say anything...but a few days after he came back, someone gave a horse to his family."
Wu Chengsi's expression changed slightly: "Did he accept it?"
Xue Yujin's face also changed and he said hurriedly:
"Dad never accepts anything from others, but he is crazy about horses, and the "Zhaoye White Dragon" is very understanding of human nature, so he accepted it. Brother Wu, could that horse be..."
Wu Chengsi sighed: "It must have been given to him by King Pei."
Xue Yujin was completely stunned. She originally did not believe that her father would defect to King Pei's party, but the facts seemed to give her a hard punch.
Li Zhiying squeezed her hand and said softly: "Don't think too much, maybe things are not as bad as you think."
Wu Chengsi said: "Your Majesty has decreed that when General Xue returns to Beijing, the three divisions will hold a trial. I will also attend the trial at that time. Don't worry, I will never let anyone wrongly accuse him."
Xue Yujin raised his head, bit his lip and said, "Brother Wu, I will never forget your kindness."
Wu Chengsi smiled and said: "You are a good friend of me and Zhiying, don't be so outspoken. Let's go to the Duke's Mansion first and move all your things out. You can live in our house for the time being."
Xue Yujin nodded vigorously and forced a smile with tears in his eyes.
After leaving Liyuan and arriving at Duke Ping's Mansion, I saw a group of officials guarding the gate of Xue's Mansion.
As soon as Xue Yujin stepped forward, a leading official said: "His Royal Highness the Crown Prince has issued an order that no one is allowed to enter the Pingguo Palace."
At this moment, the yamen servant saw Wu Chengsi coming over. He felt anxious and immediately changed his mind and asked Xue Yujin: "Are you from the Xue Mansion?"
Xue Yujin nodded with a cold face.
"You are here to pack your luggage, so that's no problem. I'll take you in." The officer said with a smile on his face.
She first bowed to Wu Chengsi, then took Xue Yujin into the house, and ordered her subordinates to help her pack her luggage.
This mansion was originally a gift from the emperor, and most of the furniture was brought by the mansion itself.
Xue Yujin only moved out the furniture belonging to the Xue family. Wu Chengsi had already called several carriages and asked his guards to help stuff the furniture.
After all the furniture was moved, everyone planned to return to the palace.
Wu Chengsi originally wanted to send Xue Yujin back to the palace, but Xue Yujin refused.
"Brother Wu, please go to the military camp and do your business. If I cause you trouble, I won't dare stay in your house anymore." She lowered her head and said.
Wu Chengsi had no choice but to give up and say goodbye to them outside the palace.
The wheels were rolling, and the carriage of Prince Zhou's Mansion carried Li Zhiying and Xue Yujin back to the Prince's Mansion.
When the convoy passed through a lane, suddenly, a cavalry team wearing armor came from behind and blocked the front of the convoy.
"Where is Xue Yujin?" the leading guard shouted loudly.
Xue Yujin got off the carriage and gritted his teeth and said: "I am Xue Yujin, who are you?"
The guard drove his horse up to her and said coldly: "I am the guard of the East Palace. Under the order of the Crown Princess, I will take you to the East Palace for questioning. Please cooperate."
As soon as he finished speaking, Li Zhiying followed him out of the carriage and said with a face as cold as frost: "Can you say what you just said again?"
The guard leader's face changed drastically, and he said tremblingly: "Zhou, Her Royal Highness Princess Zhou, your humble, humble position is just to take orders..."
Li Zhiying said in a cold tone: "Go and tell the crown prince's concubine that if she dares to harm Miss Xue family, our Zhou Palace will never break up with her. Do you understand?"
"Listen, I understand."
"Go away yet!"
The guard commander, as if he had been granted amnesty, flew away with his men.
Xue Yujin lowered his head and said, "Zhiying, I'm sorry, I've caused you trouble again."
Li Zhiying took her hand and said sternly: "If you say such disrespectful words in the future, I will be really angry!"
Xue Yujin raised his head, wiped the corners of his eyes, and showed a bitter smile.
Li Zhiying knew that she had suddenly undergone a big change and it would not be easy to recover. She took her hand and said, "Okay, you don't have to think about anything now. Let's go back home and take a hot bath together and eat something!"
He pulled her hand, but found that Xue Yujin couldn't hold it. He looked up and found that Xue Yujin's face was extremely pale. He was surprised and said: "Yu Jin, what's wrong with you?"
Xue Yujin gritted his teeth and said: "Zhiying, I, my brother went to Xu Guogong's mansion and hasn't come back for so long. I'm afraid something happened."
Li Zhiying was shocked: "The Wei family will not help at best, how can they hurt him?"
Xue Yujin said bitterly: "What can't their family do? And my brother has always been stubborn. If the Wei family turns against him, he will definitely not give up easily."
He raised his head and begged: "Zhiying, can we go to Wei Mansion first?"
Li Zhiying nodded in agreement, and the carriage immediately turned around and drove towards Wei Mansion.