After resting all night, Zhao Chen woke up faintly.
My body still feels very tired.
Yesterday's acupuncture treatment to treat Empress Changsun really left Zhao Chen exhausted.
"Zhao Chen, you're awake." Li Ruoshuang was sitting on the edge of the bed, thinking about something.
Seeing Zhao Chen open his eyes, a smile immediately appeared on his face.
"Miss Ruoshuang, why are you here?" Zhao Chen sat up, his head still a little groggy.
"This is my room. I didn't have time to clean the guest room yesterday and you were very sleepy, so I asked you to rest here." Li Ruoshuang explained, her face slightly red.
Even if she didn't care, she still felt a little shy about letting a man sleep in her boudoir.
"This...is your boudoir?" Zhao Chen was stunned for a moment.
Looking around, he saw several sets of women's clothes hanging nearby.
Although there are no other items, only the bow and arrow, the spear and the sword are left at the side.
But it is definitely Li Ruoshuang's boudoir.
"Your mother..."
"It's okay, my mother was here yesterday and protected you all night." Li Ruoshuang comforted her.
Zhao Chen's mouth twitched.
Hong Fu Nu is not protecting him, she is clearly monitoring him!
"Thank you." Zhao Chen looked at Li Ruoshuang and said seriously, then lifted off the quilt, stood up and put on his shoes, "Uncle Fu must be worried after staying out all night. I have to go back now."
"Uncle Fu, I asked Doctor Wei to go talk to him yesterday. It's okay. Now the Crown Prince and King Wei's people are looking for you. You can stay here for a few more days." Li Ruoshuang and Zhao Chen said.
This morning, the servants said that Duke Wei's mansion was being watched from a distance.
Although they didn't dare to get close, those people didn't leave either.
He was obviously waiting for Zhao Chen to appear from the house.
"Zhao Chen, why didn't you show up outside the Li Zheng Palace with your true face yesterday? The Crown Prince and the King of Wei showed their goodwill at the same time. This is something that has never happened before." Li Ruoshuang asked curiously.
What happened outside the Li Zheng Palace yesterday has been spread.
Many people felt that it was inappropriate to refuse the prince and King Wei's kindness.
The two of them were extremely powerful in the Tang Dynasty.
If you can win the favor of these two people at the same time, you will definitely prosper in the future.
"It's not that easy. No matter who I choose, the Crown Prince or the King of Wei, the other one will definitely hate me to the core."
"Why should I, an ordinary citizen, get involved in the struggle for imperial power?"
"Running my tavern well is enough. I really have no interest in anything else." Zhao Chen explained a few words casually, but already walked out the door.
Fang opened the door and saw Hongfu Nu, her eyes wide open, staring at him.
Zhao Chen was also frightened and his expression changed, and he took two steps back.
"Mrs. Li." After calming down, Zhao Chen awkwardly cupped his fists at Hong Fu Nu.
"Mother, why are you here?" Li Ruoshuang quickly stepped forward and stood in front of Zhao Chen.
"Why, I can't come over?"
"That's not what my daughter meant." Li Ruoshuang quickly explained, fearing that Hongfu Nu would quarrel with Zhao Chen again.
At that time, she didn't know who to help.
"Breakfast is already ready. You two, come with me to have breakfast." Hongfu Nu glanced at Zhao Chen and Li Ruoshuang, left these words, turned around and left.
"Mrs. Li, this is..."
"I don't know. Let's go. You didn't eat anything yesterday. You were already hungry if you thought about it. Let's go eat first." Li Ruoshuang shook her head and took Zhao Chen's arm to walk to the front hall.
…
"I will pay my respects to Your Majesty."
In the Tai Chi Hall, the ministers shouted loudly, and Li Shimin sat on the dragon couch, his expression much calmer than yesterday.
"All the ministers are of equal status." Li Shimin nodded and said calmly.
"Thank you, Your Majesty!" Everyone shouted again, but their expressions were slightly relaxed.
From the emperor's tone just now, they did not feel any strong anger.
"Your Majesty, the Wannian County Magistrate has been executed, and the Governor of Chang'an has also been dismissed from his post and investigated. The auspicious place has been surrounded by the Beiya Imperial Army, and even a fly can hardly enter." Fang Xuanling stepped forward.
One step, report to Li Shimin.
Wannian County dispatched 20,000 Beiya forbidden troops to garrison there, and everyone in the surrounding areas was controlled.
It's absolutely foolproof.
"The surrounding villagers, please don't embarrass them. No one from the Bei Ya Forbidden Army can oppress the people. If the news is spread, I will not be lenient." Li Shimin said.
The folks in the village have grown three thousand kilograms of rice per acre, which is already a great achievement.
It would be unjustifiable if they were allowed to be harassed by soldiers again.
"I obey the decree." Fang Xuanling responded.
"Your Majesty, a spy came to Chang'an City recently to report that there are many foreigners in the Western City. They seem to be planning something and have been in Chang'an City to inquire about information." Yuchi Gong stood up again and said to Li Shimin.
"There are a lot of foreign spies in Chang'an City. Most likely they heard about the auspiciousness and wanted to steal the auspiciousness of the Tang Dynasty. This matter will not be tolerated and will be investigated strictly." Li Shimin ordered.
"Yes." Yuchi Gong stepped back.
"Your Majesty, in half a month, the imperial examination will be held. This deputy examiner still wants to make a final decision. After discussing with the ministers, I have drawn up some lists and asked your Majesty to choose." Changsun Wuji took out a memorial and handed it to the person beside him.
eunuch.
The eunuch immediately handed over the list.
However, Li Shimin did not read it immediately, but said slowly: "The imperial examination is a matter of concern to the country. I will give careful consideration to the candidates for the chief and deputy examiners."
"In addition, regarding the reform of the imperial examination, it was implemented two months ago, but the results are not obvious. After the year, I will go out to Beijing to inspect this matter,"
"I strictly order all states and counties to disregard the Holy Will, and I will never condone it."
After hearing the emperor's words, everyone's hearts sank.
But he also understood that the emperor was going to use tough measures to implement the reform of the imperial examination system.
The emperor's personal inspection was a big deal.
If any state or county is found to be disobeying the Holy Order, there will probably be no good fruit to eat.
The faces of the prince, King Wei, and some officials all darkened.
By doing this, the emperor was clearly targeting the five surnames and Qi Wang.
And behind them, several people were already standing.
If the reform of the imperial examination system is really forcibly implemented, then...
"The queen has just recovered from a long illness. I am deeply grateful for God's grace and have issued a decree to grant amnesty to the world." Li Shimin said again.
"Your Majesty is wise!" all the ministers shouted in unison.
If the emperor wants to grant a general amnesty to the world, he will naturally not hold them accountable for their previous crimes of disobeying the imperial order in Wannian County.
How can a group of people dare to say no?
"The court meeting will be here today. Doctor Wei and I are here to set up the political palace. I have something to ask you." Li Shimin said to Wei Zheng.
"I obey the decree." Wei Zheng responded.
…
"How are you? Are you feeling better?"
In the front hall of Duke Wei's mansion, Hong Fu Nu looked at Zhao Chen and asked in a calm tone.
"Thank you, Mrs. Li, for your concern. I'm feeling much better now." Zhao Chen thanked her with a cupped hand.
This time I really meant it.
"What are you going to do next?" Hong Fu asked again.
"Mother..." Li Ruoshuang looked anxious.
"I will leave later and I will never cause any trouble to Mrs. Li." Zhao Chen said with a smile.
"Aren't you afraid that the Crown Prince and the King of Wei will block you? Du He and Chai Lingwuke are both hanging around outside." Hongfu Nu said in surprise.
Li Chengqian and Li Tai clearly refused to give up.
Otherwise, Du He and Chai Lingwu would not be sent here.
"Then I can't stay here forever. There are people like Uncle Fu and Du He at home, so I can't be careless." Zhao Chen said.
"You are a kind and kind person, Zhao Chen. Let me ask you one last time, are you willing to join Duke Wei?" Hongfu Nu looked at Zhao Chen and said slowly.?