Princess Yuzhen was also present at the imperial banquet on the night of the Yuan Dynasty.
She didn't want to attract attention, so she sat in the side hall a little further away and planned to watch the singing and dancing. Unexpectedly, the most lively thing that night was not the singing and dancing, but someone speaking bluntly to the saint in the hall.
She has not seen such a situation for more than ten years since those stubborn and authoritarian prime ministers took office.
When Xue Bai was escorted out of the hall, she turned her head and glanced behind her, only to see the two disciples staring blankly in the direction of the hall door, as if their souls had been taken away.
After that, An Lushan started dancing the Hu Xuan Dance again.
Princess Yuzhen always hated this kind of ugly behavior, so she covered her eyes with her sleeves and said to her two disciples: "Since you can't stay any longer, please leave first when the banquet is over."
"Really?"
Li Jilan came to the Shangyuan Banquet for the first time and did not find it interesting. At least he had not heard any good poems and songs so far, so he said: "Disciple..."
"Disciple is a little tired." Li Tengkong was worried that she would say something inappropriate, so he responded calmly.
"Yes." Li Jilan put her hand on her mouth and pretended to yawn, "I'm a little tired."
When the drumming stopped and the saint was about to change his clothes after playing the drums, the royal banquet took a break and everyone whispered among themselves, talking about the things that Xue Bai and Li Bi had just remonstrated with.
No one cared that Anlu Mountain turned around fifty times.
Li Jilan exited the main hall and looked at the brightly lit Chang'an City. He couldn't help being shocked by the scene in front of him and said:
"Tangkongzi, where should we find Xue Lang?"
"Who said we were looking for him?" Li Tengkong answered, looking up at Chang'an with deep worry in his eyes.
She turned around and looked around, and saw a group of officials hugging Li Linfu to the veranda to rest, and then said: "Go to Jiaonu's and wait for me."
"Hey, where are you going?"
Li Tengkong had already run quickly towards her grandpa. She was stopped at the door and had to show her identity before she could enter.
In the veranda, Li Linfu was giving instructions to many officials.
"Beiya and Nanya have sent people to find Li Yanye, Feng Jiayi, you and others must investigate this matter first."
"According to my official opinion, Xue Bai must have something to do with this matter."
"Juro, take people to find Xue Bai..."
As Li Linfu spoke, he suddenly stopped talking, looked at Li Tengkong coming in, and said calmly: "Why are you here?"
In front of all the officials, Li Tengkong gave him face and only asked one question.
"Grandpa, can you ask your daughter to help my brother find someone?"
Both father and daughter understood each other's thoughts. Li Linfu thought for a while and sighed: "Go ahead and let him do what he wants."
"Here."
Li Xiu bowed, took his sister out of the veranda, and took the token to complete the matter of leaving Xingqing Palace.
After leaving Tongyang Gate, I saw Xue Hui assigning men to search the city.
"It's hard to live in peace." Li Xiu lamented, "Tell me, why can't he just calm down?"
"My father, brother, and he are all officials of the imperial court." Li Tengkong said with a slightly pitiful tone: "If the officials stop, maybe the common people will not stop?"
"Girls are bad at college, their elbows are always turned outward."
"Brother, I saw everything that happened in the palace with my own eyes, and I spoke out of emotion. However, if anything I say is not in line with your wishes, it is because I have no opinion and I always follow Xue Bai. Brother, grandpa, and even saints are already
Can you not tolerate any disobedient words?"
Li Xiu didn't answer immediately. After a while, he smiled bitterly and said, "Isn't this the beginning of disobedience?"
He had always obeyed Li Linfu, so he could most keenly feel an important change on the night of Shangyuan in Tianbao's ninth year - some people in the court had begun to no longer pay attention to the saint.
"Xue Dapai" and "Xue Singing" suddenly transformed into "Xue Zhijian" and "Xue Ganyan", and there were actually people who dared to cooperate with them.
The court is like a pack of wolves. As soon as they notice the saint, the prime minister is getting older, and the little wolves are ready to take action.
The lingering sound of Wang Weldeng's "fainting" sound has not dissipated yet.
"Juro, I found it."
"Where?"
"He went to Dongshi."
"Walk."
The lights in Chang'an City were brightly lit, as if it were daytime. You didn't even need to carry a lantern when walking on the road. The group walked southwest and entered the East Market. The front was getting more and more lively.
"Where is he?" Li Xiu had to raise his voice and asked in the ears of his subordinates.
"Crossroads."
In the distance, someone was dancing the firebird, earning a burst of cheers.
Li Tengkong suddenly felt something. He looked up and saw a man walking on stilts at the head of the crowd.
This scene seemed familiar. On the Lantern Festival of Tianbao's sixth year, she and Xue Bai also came to Dongshi, looking for a medicine shop.
"It's right in front. He should be going to Fenghui Bank, Mrs. Guo's property."
"lead the way."
Li Xiu looked up and saw a gold coin-shaped lantern hanging in front of a shop. She was about to go there when she heard a report that Xue Bai had moved forward.
After finally pushing through the crowd and leaving Dongshi, he was about to ask his men to speed up their pace.
"Shiro, I was invited away by Xue Hui."
"Damn it." Li Xiu ordered, "Keep an eye on Xue Hui's people and see what they find out."
~~
The deeper the night, the brighter Chang'an becomes.
The two female crowns led their entourage around the East Market, sometimes looking up at the fire watch tower not far away, and sometimes buying some cloth and jewelry.
Finally, they bought two lanterns at a stall, each asked for a pen, and wrote and drew on the lantern paper.
Li Jilan is good at writing poems, but this year he was too lazy to refine the words. Instead, he wrote lightly and sketched out the image of a young man.
Li Tengkong spent time with her, silently writing the Tao Te Ching.
"Is it true or not?" Li Jilan turned around and glanced, shook his head, and muttered: "On the Lantern Festival, you are carrying such a lantern?"
"Painting lanterns is also a form of spiritual practice."
"I'm so stupid that you always tell me lies like this."
Li Tengkong had no distracting thoughts and only focused on writing scriptures, which looked elegant and unique in the dimly lit night.
Suddenly, singing came from not far away.
"It's Xue Lang's words." Li Jilan stood up, listened carefully, then looked up at the Fire Watch Tower and murmured to himself: "He made a ambition three years ago to speak out for justice, stand in that brightly lit place regardless of his own safety.
"
Li Tengkong was stunned.
In my ears, the song has been sung for the second time, "The moths are like snow and the willows are golden, and the laughter is full of secret fragrance."
Everyone in the world was intoxicated by it, but she was the only one who knew that he wrote it to her.
Li Tengkong lowered his head, followed the "Tao Te Ching" she copied, and wrote a small poem at the end.
"I have a small heart, and no one can share it with me."
"Send the wind to blow away the clouds, and speak to the moon in the sky."
Looking up, at the top of the willow tree, there is a bright full moon, shining brightly all over the place.
suddenly,
"Xue Bai is down."
"With the Jinwu Guards following, it's difficult to capture them."
"Don't let Xue Hui's people see us."
Since Li Xiu knew Xue Hui's intentions, he had no choice but to give up for now.
"Sooner or later, when you can't protect him anymore, let's go."
Li Tengkong looked back and saw Xue Bai walking to the stall just now, buying a lantern, writing for a while, and walking away with the lantern.
~~
Early morning, Xuanyangfang, Xue Zhai.
Qing Lan had just put Xue Bai to sleep, but heard her maid report that there were two female crowns outside the door asking to see her.
"They are Lang Jun's friends. That is to say, Lang Jun has been away for a year, so you don't recognize them."
Qinglan was very happy and went to the inner hall to greet him personally.
"Teng Kongzi, Ji Lanzi, why are you here?"
"We have something we want to remind Xue Lang." Li Tengkong said.
She knew that Xue Bai was at the forefront of the storm again last night, so she went to see Li Linfu and followed Xue Bai with Li Xiu in order to protect him.
The Right Prime Minister's Office's attitude towards him is not yet certain. They may tolerate him or they may get rid of him. She needs to remind him a few words.
Qing Lan sensed the seriousness of the matter from her tone and said quickly: "Then I'll call Mr. Lang out."
"good."
Li Jilan saw Qinglan running away and asked, "Is there a mirror in Tengkongzi? I stayed up all night."
"You are beautiful."
"real?"
Li Jilan had already discovered a Yangzhou water-centered mirror placed in the inner hall, so he walked over.
Li Tengkong blinked and his eyes fell on the extinguished lantern on the ground, and saw that there was a poem inscribed on it.
That was what Xue Bai had just written casually when he was buying lamps in Dongshi. Although they were far away at that time, she could feel that he was a little melancholy when he wrote the poem.
Are you unhappy because you lost your official position?
She couldn't help it, walked forward, picked up the lantern and took a look.
It was a five-character poem, and his handwriting was as handsome and meaningful as his person.
"Last year on Lantern Festival, the lights in the flower market were as bright as day."
"On the top of the willow branches in the moonlight, people meet after dusk."
"On Yuan Ye this year, the moon and the lights will still be the same."
"I can't see the people from last year, and the sleeves of my spring shirt are wet with tears."
~~
A tear ran across the delicate cheek and fell on the sleeve.
Li Tengkong tried hard to hold back tears, but when she turned around, she saw Xue Bai standing behind her at some point.
She was startled and quickly put down the lantern, feeling at a loss.
She was just thinking about something. She didn't know how much time had passed, but Xue Bai seemed to have been calling her there for a long time. But she didn't want him to see her lose her composure, so she quickly walked out of the inner hall and walked into the path in the courtyard, sniffing.
"Vacation?"
"Um... Ji Lanzi has something to tell you."
Li Tengkong made an excuse and waited for a while. Li Jilan didn't know how to come to the rescue, and there was no sound behind him.
She glanced back and saw Xue Bai not far away, so she quickly turned her back.
"Take space."
"I saw that poem..."
"Um."
"I shouldn't have seen it." Li Tengkong wiped away his tears and looked a little stubborn, "I cultivate my way, and I am free... but when I see your intentions, it is easy to feel regretful and wronged..."
"I shouldn't have written that poem."
"You messed up my mood." Li Tengkong couldn't hold it back and complained to Xue Bai in a tearful voice.
This kind of unreasonable complaint is something a little girl would use to those closest to her.
After she finished speaking, she realized that she was getting more and more panicked. She forced herself to calm down and said, "I want to practice Taoism well, and you are going to get married. You can't write such poems anymore."
"Okay, last night, I... was really thinking of you."
"No."
"Okay." Xue Bai felt her emotions and said slowly: "Don't worry, I'm just expressing my feelings, and it's the attitude towards a good friend."
"Well, I just see you as a friend."
"As a person, what I care about most is myself, and I always focus on myself." Xue Bai said, gradually becoming more honest, "So although I have you in my heart, I will not change my stance for you and seek refuge in the Right Prime Minister's Office. First of all, I am
I only miss you occasionally...sometimes."
"Yes." Li Tengkong also calmed down and said: "Me too, first of all, I am me. I was born in the prime minister's house, cultivated Taoism, accumulated virtue, and atone for my sins. This is what I want in my life, and I will not change for you."
"good."
After the conversation, the two seemed to become more distant.
Li Tengkong heard footsteps behind him. It seemed that Xue Bai felt that she was strong enough and was leaving.
She couldn't help but turn around and asked: "Do you sometimes...also...miss me?"
~~
"Vacation?"
Li Jilan waited for a while, then left the inner hall and walked to the path in the courtyard. He called out quietly on the way.
She actually didn't know much about what happened. She only knew that Li Tengkong was in a daze just now, and ran away after being called several times by Xue Bai. Maybe he was too sleepy and fell asleep standing there, and was frightened by the nightmare?
Turning around the path, two figures came into view. Li Jilan's eyes widened and she was shocked.
"ah."
"Ji Lanzi."
"You...I..." Li Jilan put her hand over her mouth, pretended to yawn, and said, "I'm so sleepy."
"yes."
The three of them then walked towards the inner hall.
Xue Bai said: "By the way, come here to see me. Do you have something to say?"
"Yes, you have offended my grandpa and offended the saint. It is easy to dodge an open shot but hard to guard against a hidden one. Do you want to avoid it first?"
"Where to avoid?"
"We thought of a place to go." Li Jilan looked at Li Tengkong to make eye contact, but Li Tengkong lowered his head, so she could only ask: "How about Wangwushan?"
"Wangwushan?"
"Lingdu Temple is Master's temple, and no one can harm you there."
Xue Bai smiled and waved his hand and said: "I dare not bother Princess Yuzhen. I have no official position and no position, and I am not in trouble with others. I should not be in danger of my life."
"Has Xue Lang really resigned from office? What's next?" Li Jilan asked: "Writing a play?"
"I have some ideas, it should be... refining alchemy."
"Huh?" Li Tengkong asked, "You also practice Taoism?"
"It should only be about refining elixirs and not practicing Taoism."
Li Tengkong practiced Taoism, practiced medicine, and knew something about alchemy. He didn't like elixirs other than medicinal materials. At this time, he was quite puzzled as to why Xue Bai was interested in alchemy.
However, Li Jilan was very happy and said quickly: "Then let's help too, right? The man who takes up space is known as the master of the alchemy furnace."
"I don't have it."
"Okay." Xue Bai had actually captured a Taoist priest who was very powerful in this field, but he did not refuse their kindness. "I have some free time recently, so I have to ask the two Taoist priests for advice."
The sky cleared after the snow, and Li Tengkong, who had just cried, suddenly felt better.
~~
"Grandpa, there is one more thing... Seventeenth Mother went to Xue Bai's house."
Returning to Youxiang's Mansion from Huacalyx Tower, Li Linfu looked very tired, but he still had to listen to Li Xiu's report on many things that happened after Yuan Ye.
"Let them go. Don't worry about Seventeenth Mother. We are in love. Can you stop her?"
"Yes." Li Xiu was about to retreat when he remembered that the matter of Nanzhao's proton had not yet been clearly answered, so he stopped and asked: "The death of Feng Jiayi?"
"In the first month of the lunar month, there are several memorials." Li Linfu said: "The ministers have requested the title of Xiyue, and the saint has approved it."
Li Xiu was stunned.
"The Huayue Temple has been built, and the Huashan Road is being excavated in full swing. The enshrinement is in October. Do you think Nanzhao has rebelled?"
"That……"
"Even if you rebel, the saint will suppress you."
"Here!"
Li Xiu finally received a clear reply, and quickly withdrew, rushed to the meeting hall, and told the officials what Li Linfu wanted.
It is divided into two aspects. On the one hand, Zhongshu's government order was sent to the southwest, and officials such as Zhongtong and Zhang Qiantuo must keep an eye on Ge Luofeng and never allow rebellion in Nanzhao; on the other hand, he strictly ordered Nanya and Jingzhao to
The government and other capital officials blocked the news to prevent Feng Jiayi's defection from causing a big fuss...
~~
Li Linfu rarely slept deeply, but he woke up at noon.
When he woke up, he thought that Xue Bai had lost his official position, Chen Xilie and Yang Guozhong had all submitted, and the phase shake caused by Wang Fei's death had finally passed, which made him feel relieved.
As for Nanzhao's rebellion or not, it doesn't matter, because the imperial court has long been on guard. If Ge Luofeng has different intentions, the imperial court's arrangements in the southwest are enough to easily capture him.
In the eighth year of Tianbao's reign, he also ordered Zuo Wuwei General He Luguang to lead his army into Nanzhao and seize Anning City and salt wells. Controlling Nanzhao's salt would also control its lifeline.
In other words, there is unlikely to be a major turmoil in the southwest, and there is no need to make a fuss about whether Ge Luofeng is treasonous, lest it affect the major event of Fengchan Xiyue.
This is the reason why he must win. Unfortunately, Xue Bai and others do not understand these inside stories.
The question now is just who should be implicated... Zhang Bian? Li Heng?
There is obviously something fishy about Li Yanye's death. We can investigate further and start a major case against the East Palace.
In addition, Li Linfu was also considering whether King Yong was suitable for the throne.
"Master, are you awake?" Li Xiu's voice came from outside the hospital.
"What's the matter?"
Li Linfu had a keen premonition that something had happened again.
Sure enough, when Li Xiu hurried in, he held a newspaper in his hand.
~~
In the evening, Xue Bai woke up and saw someone sitting on the stool beside the couch, looking at him. It was Mingzhu.
"Why is that? It's scary."
"Mother Yao is worried about your safety and has sent someone to protect you."
"That doesn't have to be the case."
"I told Miss Huangfu that I was here to see you, and she moved a stool for me to sit on."
Qing Lan lowered her head in embarrassment and said in embarrassment: "I thought I just sat here and watched..."
Xue Bai said: "Did Yuyao see Di's newspaper?"
"Yes, Yao Niang said that Mr. Lang has gone too far."
"show me."
Mingzhu then took out a newspaper from her pocket and handed it over.
Xue Bai had actually known the content for a long time, but he still read it again. There were two most important pieces of news. One was that Nanzhao's protégé Feng Jiayi had defected, and it was an indisputable fact that Nanzhao colluded with Tubo and betrayed the Tang Dynasty;
It is said that Li Linfu deceived Shengting and whitewashed the peace. Hanlin Li Bi, Yushi Xue Bai and other direct officials came to remonstrate at the night of the Yuan Dynasty and were dismissed from office.
All are facts.
As Xue Bai and Du Jin said, once this matter is reported to the world, no matter how secretly it is done, everyone will know that he did it.
This is also the reason why Yang Yuyao sent people to protect Xue Bai.
"Mr. Lang, it's better to stay at Mrs. Guo's house for a while first," Mingzhu advised.
Qinglan said: "I have packed all my luggage."
"This time, Yuyao can't protect me, but don't worry, I'll probably be fine."
Xue Bai finished speaking calmly and calmly, but over there, officials had already brought documents from the Ministry of Personnel.
"The nine-year Tianbao system has granted Xue Bai, the magistrate of Haiyang County, to sue him!"
Mingzhu followed Xue Bai out and was startled when she heard the shout. She lowered her head and thought to herself, not knowing how angry Yao Niang must be.
"Xue Bai, the supervisory censor, and Junyan, the chief planner, have talents that can be distinguished and can encourage the customs. Therefore, I have been given the best rank. I am now awarded the bronze seal to serve as the governor of Haiyang."
Xue Bai seemed to be afraid to accept the offer and declined: "But I have already resigned."
"I have never heard of Xue Lang's resignation, but congratulations to Magistrate Xue for his promotion. Haiyang County is the seat of Chaoyang County, and the magistrate is a seventh-rank official."
~~
At night.
There are three nights during the Lantern Festival in Chang'an City where there will be no curfew, and this is the second night.
The lantern market was still prosperous and was not affected by the disputes in the court. Instead, there was more talk among the people in the market.
On nights like this, even the kings in the ten kings' houses can go out and hang out... This is why the major case of Tianbao in the past five years started.
Qing Wang Li Cong has changed his clothes and is going to take his children and grandchildren to see the lantern market.
But he is still waiting for news.
"Dalang."
"how?"
"Something happened. He was demoted to Chaoyang. He was sued in the evening. After that, he complained of cold and pretended to be ill."
Li Cong asked: "Demoted to Chaoyang? Can he still hide?"
"I wonder if it would be better for Da Lang not to see him. In this current situation..."
No matter how you look at the current situation, Li Linfu has won. Several officials who directly remonstrated were demoted and voted for.
But Li Cong couldn't help but always think of the scene when Li Heng came to the palace before him to argue. At that moment, he felt that he was inferior to Li Heng.
"No, if I don't come forward, he can avoid being demoted by taking refuge with Li Linfu. Let's go."
He knew that Xue Bai had other choices. There were many princes, and the East Palace and the Right Prime Minister's Office were trying to win over Xue Bai. It could be seen from Xue Bai's attitude at the imperial banquet that although he was disappointed with him, he was very calm.
If he doesn't go, it will be him who loses.
Li Cong then went out and went to Dongshi to see the lanterns.
He was dressed in an ordinary robe and was not conspicuous from a distance when walking among the crowd, but the scars on his face were quite shocking when viewed up close.
So, when he passed by a stall selling masks, he bought a mask and chose a monkey, even though he disliked monkeys the most in his life... His face was scratched by monkeys.
Someone was dancing with lanterns in front of them. Li Cong took his family into a restaurant and asked for a private room.
And behind him, someone was following him not far or near, looking for evidence to start a major case.
~~
After only one stick of incense, Li Cong, already dressed as a servant, walked through the secret passage from the backyard of the restaurant and walked into a quiet courtyard amidst the bustle.
He looked very calm, but deep down he felt a little uneasy.
Ahead, a door was pushed open. Li Cong straightened his clothes and the mask on his face, took a long breath, and walked in.
Xue Bai was actually in the house. He was supposed to be pretending to be sick at home, and was being stared at by countless people. It was extremely dangerous to go out for a meeting, and there was a woman with a cold temperament standing next to him.
Li Cong didn't recognize the woman at first sight, but when he looked again, he couldn't help but be surprised and realized that she was the original Crown Prince Liangdi Du Jin.
When Xue Bai saw someone coming, he reached out and patted Du Jin's waist in a comforting gesture.
"King Qing."
What answered Xue Bai was an expressionless monkey mask.
Li Cong didn't speak. He looked very majestic under the mask.
But a chill ran down his spine.
There were many tough men in the room, all standing there, looking at Xue Bai and Du Liangdi quarreling with each other, and hearing him calling "Prince Qing", which made him feel very dangerous.
"You want to know what you can get in exchange for working hard. Tonight I will tell you that it is the merit of following the dragon! This is the eldest son of the current saint, His Highness Prince Qing."
Xue Bai said, walked up to Li Cong and held the ceremony, saying: "Why don't you pay tribute to King Qing?"
"I've met Prince Qing!"
Li Cong wanted everyone to keep their voices down, but at this moment, Tian Huang's blood began to flow in his body.
He actually said in a rich and gentle voice: "Since you heroes are willing to live and die with me, why do you need to be more polite?"
"The saint was old. He was deceived by treacherous ministers. He appointed corrupt officials to levy and extort money. He also listened to slander and killed three sons in one day. It was King Qing who adopted the orphan of the prince. He worked hard to turn the tide before it fell. He supported the building when it was about to collapse and protected the Tang Dynasty.
The foundation of a prosperous age. However, the orthodoxy of the country is only in the line of King Qing, who dares to have any objections?!"
After Xue Bai's words, everyone in the room became energetic, knowing that he was assisting the Tang Dynasty Orthodoxy.
Even Li Cong was excited and felt that he was one step closer to the reserve position.
He looked at Xue Bai's burning eyes, nodded, and slowly took off the mask on his face.
No more proof is needed, his scarred face is the best proof of his identity.
"I would like to ask you, do you want a prince with a bright face but a weak and cowardly face, or a prince with a wounded appearance but a heart for the common people?"
"We swear to serve Prince Qing to the death!"
Hearing such a somewhat unorganized shouting, Li Cong was moved and solemnly said: "I will never let you down the heroes!"
"I'm introducing you to King Qing." Xue Bai first pointed to a man with a weathered face and said, "Fan Lao once served as a bad catcher in Huaizhou. This time he found out about Feng Jiayi's defection. Let us
Being able to grasp the news in advance..."
Among the crowd, Ren Mulan couldn't help but smile.
She knew that Fan Lao had not found out about Feng Jiayi's defection, but in fact it was Fan Lao who had taken Feng Jiayi to defect.
The reason why she knows this is because she disguised herself as a slave and sneaked into Li Yanye's house, sneaked into Li Yanye's house and killed him with a knife, and stole the token and important evidence.
When she went to Chang'an this time, she found that although Chang'an was nice, the people in Chang'an were not as life-threatening as she was.
As for the Prince Qing in front of him, he obviously didn't take this little girl seriously. He didn't even look at her, and he only encouraged the strong men with his eyes.
…
After seeing these dead soldiers, Li Cong talked with Xue Bai and Du Jin alone.
"I heard that Genu demoted you to Chaoyang County, did you respond?"
"It's not that I need to deal with it," Xue Bai said, "but when Ge Nu can't control the situation, how should we take over the state affairs. Right now it's just the darkness before dawn."
"real?"
Li Cong raised his eyebrows, surprised that the result was much better than he expected.
"Can Xue Lang be sure?"
"I got the missing memorial of Zhang Qiantuo, would you like to see it?"
"good."
Li Cong was very pleased that Xue Bai finally got close to him again.
After that, several transcribed documents were handed to him.
"The situation in the southwest is probably much worse than the officials of the Manchu Dynasty expected. At this time, only Abo can turn the tide and shoulder the important responsibility of the emperor's eldest son..."