Du Wulang came here at Du Jin's order. He had just returned to Chang'an not long ago and didn't know what happened. He only heard that he was coming to protect Li Qiniang.
At first glance, he thought this was strange, so he asked Du Jin, "What is the relationship between the second sister and Li Qiniang?"
"No, Yan Yan asked me to do it."
"Hey, the second sister doesn't know Yan Yan very well, yet she still accepts her request to save others?"
"Just do it as you are told. How can there be all that nonsense?"
"But why should I do it?" Du Wulang asked at that time: "Don't Second Sister have a better way?"
"You are familiar with those jailers. It's enough to say hello and treat Li Shiqi kindly. Xue Bai will be back soon..."
Du Wulang did not expect that when he came to Dali Temple Prison that day, he would meet Xue Bai.
The guards around them thought that the two Chunwei sons came together, but they didn't know that they came separately and happened to meet each other.
He was extremely happy, but he still waited until Xue Bai and Li Daosui had talked before going forward to meet them.
Even though we haven't seen each other for years, even if we are good friends, the first two sentences are a little strange.
"I thought it would take two days for you to arrive in Chang'an."
"I got the news and went on a journey."
Xue Bai looked very restrained today and did not show too much concern for Li Tengkong, but the red bloodshot eyes and the scars on his palms caused by the reins revealed how fast and slow he had been along the way. .
Du Wulang was the person who knew him best. He understood it at a glance and shook his head: "You are really...since you like it, let's take this opportunity to give her a name and make a group of people run around for her."
In the time it took for these two sentences, the unfamiliarity between the two of them had disappeared, and they smiled at each other, and they understood each other very well.
Xue Bai asked: "Why are you in Chang'an? Are you not serving as a county captain in Jincheng County?"
"Oh, don't mention it, I was dismissed from office." Du Wulang said, "The officialdom is really difficult to treat."
"Um?"
"Last year during the Mid-Autumn Festival, I went back to Chang'an for the festival. It didn't matter at the time. But in January this year, I was suddenly impeached by the imperial censor, saying that as a local official, I left the country without permission. I really am."
Du Wulang felt that he was very unlucky and shook his head helplessly, but in his heart he actually had an indifferent attitude.
Xue Bai said: "Then do you understand why?"
"I didn't understand until later." Du Wulang said: "There are officials from Guanzhong who go back to Luoyang to celebrate the Mid-Autumn Festival. As long as no one impeaches them, the world will be peaceful. But I was involved in the phase dispute between Li Linfu and Yang Guozhong at the beginning of the year. , was taken down as Party Yang."
He seemed confused, but he figured out the matter. His official position was recommended by Yang Guozhong because of Xue Bai's favor. He had close contact with Yang Xuan... Mainly because Yang Xuan kept getting involved, and he was regarded as Yang Xuan anyway. Party is over.
But it doesn't matter, he didn't want to be an official. What's more important is that when Xue Bai returned to Chang'an, he made up his mind.
The two of them were talking wordlessly. Du Wulang remembered it, took out a waist card and handed it to Xue Bai.
"Take it back."
"Why are you there?" Xue Bai lowered his head and saw that it was Yang Yuyao's waist talisman for entering and exiting the palace.
"The second sister gave it to me," Du Wulang said, "Your wife not only asked the second sister, but also asked Mrs. Guo Guo to come forward, so she gave this badge to the second sister."
After explaining this verbosely, he added one sentence at the end.
"Your wife is really amazing, but what's even more rare is that she has such a kind heart and can get along well with so many ladies."
"Um."
Xue Bai was quite ashamed of Yan Yan. He had been away from home for a long time before returning to Chang'an, but he came to see Li Tengkong first and asked Yan Yan to worry about Li Tengkong.
But the more emotion in my heart is still missing.
After walking out of Dali Temple, he looked at the familiar imperial city and muttered: "I'm finally going home."
From the fifth year of Tianbao to the tenth year of Tianbao, Chang'an had his home before he knew it.
Taking root...
~~
Xingqing Palace.
After Li Linfu's death, there was a sudden increase in government affairs, and Li Longji had to move back to Xingqing Palace from Lishan.
Fortunately, Yang Guozhong has been able to share his worries recently. Gradually, he can again entrust all state affairs to Yang Guozhong.
Last night, Li Longji was in a good mood and played a secret room in the "Youxian Cave" arranged by Yang Guozhong. Although he failed to pass the level in the end, it didn't matter. The secret room can be played for many days, so it is "step by step".
There was also a test that asked him to beat the Jie drum in order to win the favor of the "fairy". He had not tried to please a woman like this for many years, and found it very interesting, even more interesting than physical pleasure.
The Jie drum was also busy with state affairs and had not been played for more than a month. Fortunately, Yang Guozhong made it possible for him to play smoothly again.
When Li Longji woke up today, the first thing he did was to feel his condition. He was still full of energy.
He had developed this habit ever since Li Linfu wanted to taint his vitality.
Although the theory of vitality is illusory, what he cares about most is longevity. If something touches his heart, he would rather be cheated than lose his vitality.
While he was meditating and replenishing his energy, Gao Lishi came over and said, "Sage, the right prime minister is here. He is also healthy today."
This is another habit that Li Longji has developed. Nowadays, he does not see his ministers who are sick, fearing that they may damage his vitality.
At this time, when he heard that Yang Guozhong was still healthy, he didn't open his eyes and said calmly: "Summon him."
Not long after, Yang Guozhong entered the hall. He first felt the vitality in the hall, then bowed to him, and then said: "The saint is more energetic today."
Li Longji stroked his beard and smiled, confident that he could live longer than Li Linfu.
"You did a good job in the secret room. I should have called you back from Yizhou earlier."
"Whether I am in Yizhou or returning to the court, as long as I can share the worries of the saint, I will be satisfied."
"If you didn't tell me, I almost forgot that the pacification of Nanzhao was also done very well." Li Longjilang smiled, pointed at Yang Guozhong and said: "I didn't notice it in the past, but you are still an all-rounder."
The monarch and his ministers spoke very casually, and Li Longji preferred this way of handling affairs, which was more relaxed.
Yang Guozhong responded: "In the past, all the credit was Li Linfu's."
"Has the trial come out?"
"Back to the saint, yes." Yang Guozhong handed the memorial to Gao Lishi with both hands and said: "The evidence given by An Lushan has been verified by me and is true. It was because he noticed that Li Linfu and Li Xianzhong were plotting to rebel that An Lushan killed his brother
untie……"
To be honest, Yang Guozhong still hates An Lushan. But there is no way, the world hates Li Linfu even more, so he can only deal with Li Linfu first, and then deal with An Lushan.
"As for the rebellion, Li Linfu's son-in-law Yang Qixuan also came forward to testify. Although Yang Qixuan did not participate, he noticed that Li Xianzhong avoided others every time he met Li Linfu. I interrogated the Li family members, and now they have all confessed. This
It’s a confession…”
Li Longji did not read the confession, but just listened with his eyes closed. The first thing that came to his mind was that Li Linfu wanted to taint his vitality.
Being able to come up with this idea shows that Li Linfu is not loyal!
After listening to it for a long time, the whole thing had a rough outline in his mind. Regardless of whether Li Linfu had rebelled or not, it was true that he colluded with Li Xianzhong and prepared to use force to prevent the crown prince from ascending the throne.
Li Linfu wants to live longer than himself, which is ridiculous.
"How do you think this case should be judged?"
"I thought that I should deprive Li Linfu of the posthumous gift first."
This is a big case, and it takes a long time to talk about many matters.
During the process, a young eunuch quickly walked into the palace and reported: "Your Majesty, Xianyu Zhongtong sent a messenger back to the court, saying that the team offering prisoners has arrived in Guanzhong."
Li Longji was overjoyed and immediately stood up and said: "Okay! I will send a minister to pick him up. Yuan Siyi, you can handle this matter and be sure to give the soldiers who fought in the Southern Expedition the honor they deserve."
"The old slave accepts the order."
"Where is Xianyu Zhongtong's messenger? He has been summoned to the palace. I want to question him personally."
"Your Majesty, the messenger is Xue Bai from Zhongshushe. He heard about the case of the right minister and went to Dali Temple."
Hearing these words, Yang Guozhong turned his head and glanced at the young eunuch who was speaking, feeling a little confused.
In his opinion, the relationship between Xue Bai and Li Linfu is ordinary, and they should not be so concerned about it. At most, Xue Bai has an affair with Li Qiniang, but he has also ordered people not to pursue Li Qiniang.
.
Li Longji was also puzzled by this and asked: "Xue Bai? Why is he nosy?"
"Your Majesty, the servant also asked him to wait at the palace gate first. But he said that the sacrifice of prisoners is a big matter, and Ge Nu's serious crime needs to be investigated, but it should not be at this time. If everyone in the world cares about whether Ge Nu is treasonous, who will?
Can you notice that the sage pacified Nanzhao with his troops? As the saying goes, things have priorities."
Hearing this, Li Longji nodded unconsciously.
Of course he had to make the sacrifice of prisoners extremely grand, so that he could demonstrate his majesty as emperor. If Ge Luofeng dared to betray the Tang Dynasty and betray him, the emperor of all ages, he would definitely show the world what would happen.
In comparison, the questioning of the dead man Li Linfu is indeed not that important.
But Li Longji still scolded: "Shu Zi, you are so self-righteous."
After cursing these words, he was too lazy to deal with Li Linfu's crime for the time being, and said: "Yang Qing, put your case on hold for a while and deal with it after the prisoner is sacrificed. Also, don't make a big fanfare."
"I accept the decree."
For Yang Guozhong, his interests were not substantially harmed in this way. Anyway, the credit for Nanzhao was also his.
But he was still a little unhappy, feeling that Xue Bai had arbitrarily influenced the situation and damaged his authority as prime minister.
~~
When Xue Bai returned home, the first thing he did was take a shower.
After changing the water in the barrel twice, he washed the dust off his body, soaked in the water, and gradually fell asleep.
However, the habit of being alert and alert that he developed in the army made his sleep very shallow. When he vaguely heard the sound of light footsteps, he woke up quickly and looked at the screen with sharp eyes.
Yan Yan was walking over with a handkerchief in her arms, looking at him with bright eyes as she walked.
Xue Bai's eyes quickly softened, and a smile appeared at the corner of his mouth.
"Um?"
"Don't let you catch a cold." Yan Yan said, "Come out and wipe it clean."
Xue Bai stood up and was about to take the square towel, but before he stretched out his hand, Yan Yan had already picked up her feet and wiped his hair and back.
When he turned around, the two looked at each other.
Yan Yan was not shy and looked at Xue Bai's body with curiosity in her eyes.
After all, he is her own husband-in-law, and getting along with him is natural and not a bit awkward at all.
"Does it look good?"
Xue Bai was quite satisfied with the physique he had developed in the army, which was well-defined. He couldn't help but ask this question. It was not to seduce this little girl, but just to share this feeling of self-appreciation with her.
Unfortunately, Yan Yan was not interested in any of this. She flattened her lips and said, "I have suffered so many injuries."
"Actually, they are all inexplicable injuries, and few of them are military medals."
"snort."
Yan Yan gently scratched Xue Bai's back with her fingers and asked, "Does it hurt?"
"It's good. It's because my foot slipped and fell from the stone wall. It's abraded some skin. It's really embarrassing. It's incomparable with those fierce generals. That Yada magic skill is much braver than mine.
.”
Xue Bai got along well with Yan Yan and was willing to talk to her. She also liked to listen to his stories. But today, she had no intention of listening to the stories and retorted at him.
"Still laughing, such a dangerous thing."
She put clothes on Xue Bai, and her body was half hanging on him due to this movement. The two hugged naturally.
Especially after returning home after a long journey, her clean, soft and slightly fragrant hug made Xue Bai's heart tremble.
He couldn't tell what he felt, because the person in his arms was too petite and weak, and he felt a little distressed, so he didn't dare to take any further action.
"You've been gone for so long." Yan Yan hesitated and said intermittently: "I realized that I couldn't do it without you. It was because I thought you would come back that I waited for so long."
There was a bit of complaint in her tone, more of dependence, but there didn't seem to be any lust.
Probably because of her young age, she was slow to realize this, so now she is more close to Xue Bai.
In short, after the little emotions caused by parting were soothed by this hug, Yan Yan left Xue Bai's arms and said: "Look, I am much healthier, right? Teng Kongzi has been taking care of me."
"I know."
"Can you save her?" Yan Yan was also sincerely close to Li Tengkong and asked with expectation.
"good."
Yan Yan originally wanted to say that after Li Tengkong's adjustment, she might be able to have a child with Xue Bai in the future, but she held back her words because she promised Du Jin that she would adopt a child from Du Jin, and she still took her promise very seriously. , and sometimes it even seemed like she didn't care about Xue Bai that much.
This matter seems ridiculous to ordinary people, but this is how she thinks at this age, and she believes that loyalty is the most important thing.
Maybe when she grows up and has more experience, she can learn to weigh the pros and cons and stop talking about this silly loyalty, but anyway, she was more loyal when she was young.
The couple were talking when Qing Lan came in holding Xue Bai's robe. She only looked into Xue Bai's eyes and seemed to have a lot of communication.
Xue Bai then spread his hands and hugged her.
"Langjun." Qinglan called out, expressing her longing for you with just two words. After a pause, she said, "Ji Lanzi wants to see you."
Xue Bai also had a headache when he had to see so many young ladies just after returning home. In fact, he had already received the thoughtful poem written by Li Jilan.
But today, he was anxious to see each other, and he did not hesitate to disturb his long-awaited reunion with his wife. Li Jilan not only wanted to express his lovesickness, but also had something serious to say.
"..."
"Yang Qixuan told you this? The only way to save Teng Kongzi is to redeem her?"
"Yes, Xue Lang, isn't this right? Jiao Nu said he had bad intentions."
Although Jiaonu is not considered smart, he has seen the dangers of human nature. Together with the unexperienced Li Jilan and the ignorant and confused Mian'er, he actually became a wise man.
Xue Bai nodded, knowing what he was thinking, and said: "Don't worry, there is no need to let Teng Kongzi become an official slave, she will be safe and sound."
"Yeah!" Li Jilan nodded vigorously, "I knew Xue Lang could do anything."
After being separated for so long, she had many things to ask, but she knew that she was not qualified, so she glanced at Xue Bai with her affectionate eyes.
Although he was talking about business, Xue Bai couldn't bear it anymore and pretended to yawn.
"Go to sleep and we'll talk tomorrow."
~~
The saint was understanding and waited until the next day to send someone to summon Xue Bai into the palace to ask about the details of the battle in Nanzhao.
Xue Bai then read Gao Shi's poem first, and then, speaking truthfully, he occasionally mentioned Wang Zhongsi's loyalty several times in his words.
He believed that Li Longji cared more about the loyalty of his subordinates than merit.
"We bypassed Cangshan Mountain and saw Geluofeng building Longwei Pass. Our morale suddenly dropped. Wang Zhongsi insisted on attacking the city, saying that he would offer Geluofeng to the saint to appease the saint's anger, so he ordered the three armies..."
Words are useful, but Li Longji has listened to too many slanders from Wang Zhongsi in recent years, and he still doesn't believe that Wang Zhongsi is the one who talks about him all day long.
In his heart, as long as Wang Zhongsi gets closer to Li Heng, it is original sin.
Finally, he raised his hand and said, "I have read all your excerpts. Let me tell you another thing, why did you protect Li Linfu?"
"I did not want to protect Li Linfu. I have always had a grudge against him. But I did not want the achievements of the soldiers to conquer Nanzhao to be covered up because of this incident."
"No selfish motives?" Li Longji drank a glass of wine and asked casually.
Xue Bai hesitated for a moment and responded slowly: "Yes, I and Li Linfu's daughter are close friends..."
"I remember that we only talked about this at the Longchi Banquet."
"I am ashamed. I and Li Qiniang are indeed innocent."
Xue Bai didn't need to look at it to know that Li Longji definitely didn't believe it. He thought for a while, lowered his head and explained again.
"It may not be appropriate to say they are close friends. In fact, I admire Li Qiniang in my heart, but I just don't want to get involved with Li Linfu, so I can't marry her, and I don't dare to go beyond etiquette."
Xue Bai was telling the truth. He now knew Li Longji very well and knew that this emperor was very smart and loved to guess the minds of his ministers. Therefore, he would never hide anything from him unless necessary.
But it was precisely in this situation that he spoke what was truly in his heart. He spoke the most heartfelt words in front of the most powerful and ruthless person in the world.
Li Longji smiled knowingly and said, "I know you have selfish motives."
Xue Bai looked ashamed and did not dare to quibble. He was in a daze, not knowing what he was thinking.
Seeing him like this, Li Longji thought that although he was rebellious, he had always been a straight minister, and said, "Are you trying to get involved in this matter again?"
"The saint is wise and can see through the mind of the minister at a glance." Xue Bai said frankly, "I thought that Yang Guozhong also had selfish motives and wanted to establish his own prestige by dealing with Li Linfu. Li Linfu brought the blame on himself, but I did not want Yang Guozhong to deceive the saint.
.”
"Oh."
Li Longji chuckled, showing slight disdain.
But it is true that Xue Bai has a grudge against Li Linfu, and it is indeed possible to give him a more honest answer on this matter. This answer may not affect the final result, but Li Longji wants to know.
"I allow you to investigate this matter...General Gao, give this son a decree."
Unexpectedly, Xue Bai said again: "I have the courage to make one more request."
"I think you are extremely brave."
"I want to take out Li Qiniang." Xue Bai said: "Li Linfu is also a member of the clan. Even if he is guilty, it is not appropriate to involve innocent family members. If Li Qiniang is fine, I will not have this concern, and I will be able to investigate the matter impartially.
.”
"That's nonsense." Li Longji said, "Tell yourself, do these words make sense?"
"I have made little success in conquering Nanzhao. This is my only wish, and I sincerely ask the saint to reward me."
"You are arrogant because of your merits. Besides, haven't I rewarded you? I forgot that I was just promoted to Zhongshusheren. This official doesn't want to take it easy!"
The "just" mentioned here actually means dismissal from office.
Xue Bai is the most obsessed with officials, and this incident obviously directly touched his sore spot.
However, what he didn't expect was that after hesitating for a while, he actually bowed his head and responded: "I am willing to exchange the official position of Zhongshusheren in exchange for Li Qiniang's freedom."
"presumptuous."
Li Longji scolded him again, but it was impossible to dismiss Xue Bai's official position at this time. If he conquered Nanzhao, he would be rewarded. This was what he had promised, and everyone in the world was watching.
Therefore, after scolding him, he waved his hand.
"Pleading for mercy for a woman, you are a coward, just take the decree and get out of here."
In this way, he actually agreed.
Xue Bai pretended to be surprised, praised Li Longji's generosity, and followed the order to exit the hall.
During this interview, he did not see Yang Yuhuan until the end. It seemed that the relationship between them as brother and sister had faded over time.
After all, we haven’t seen each other for a year.
But the adopted sister is just an adopted sister, and now he has to rescue his confidante first.
~~
No one in the Dali Temple Prison was dragged out for interrogation anymore. Prison meals and wound medicine began to be distributed. Clothes, bedding and other items were also allowed to be brought in. The jailers also cleaned up the dirt in the cells.
In this way, the feeling of being in jail will be very different.
Li Tengkong gave Li Shiniang some decoction and took her pulse again the next day, feeling a little relieved.
She was also very tired, but it was the first time she had experienced such a big change. Lying on the thatch, she could not fall asleep, thinking about the future of her family.
Inevitably, I still think of Xue Bai.
Seeing that he came back from Nanzhao safely, a big stone in her heart was relieved. And she knew him well and knew that even if he came to help, he would probably only save her and only put some effort into the Li family.
Then...should I beg him?
She thought about this question over and over but couldn't make up her mind. In the end, she sighed. Even if she wanted to beg him, she had to see him.
"I don't want to see him."
She muttered this in her mind.
Waiting until dusk, a jailer finally came over, walked straight to the cell and opened the door.
"Li Tengkong, someone wants to see you."
After hearing this, Li Shiniang stood up faster, pulled Li Tengkong over, and whispered: "It must be Xue Bai, can you do it? Do you need me to teach you how to speak together?"
"I can just go see him."
"Well, seduce him." Li Shiniang echoed and warned: "You must seduce him."
Li Tengkong looked around, fearing that others would hear him. He straightened his hair and walked out quickly.
She actually wanted to find a bronze mirror and tidy it up a little. People who practice Taoism can renounce love and sex, but they cannot help but love beauty.
When she walked outside the interrogation room outside the prison, she was stunned for a moment, thinking that she had misunderstood. It was not Xue Bai but the interrogation official. However, when she walked in, she still saw that familiar face.
"Why are you here?"
"I have received a sacred mandate to inquire about your grandpa's case." Xue Bai raised the edict on the table with a business-like attitude.
Then his attitude changed, he smiled gently and said, "You can go with me and stay at Princess Hezheng's house temporarily, where Ji Lanzi is now arranged."
Li Tengkong looked at his smile and was a little dazed, but he said: "If it was just me, I would have left with Princess Yuzhen."
"I know."
Xue Bai knew her well and was already prepared for this, saying: "Li Si Si Niang is sick, you can take her with you. You can also bring three or five more people from the Li family."
Li Shiniang is Du Wei's wife, and Du Wei has also been working on this recently. Xue Bai has received the imperial edict and has contacted Du Hope. If he takes a few more people away, he should be able to handle it.
Li Tengkong still wanted to try to save his family again. She thought about it and thought that in order to ask Xue Bai to take full action, the friendship between the two was not enough. She had to give him more reasons.
"Do you know how Yang Guozhong obtained the evidence to convict my grandpa?"
Xue Bai shook his head and said: "I just returned to Chang'an and I don't know much about everything yet. I only have some guesses."
Li Tengkong then told all the information he had learned from Chen Xilie, saying: "The reason why Li Xianzhong rebelled was because An Lushan killed his general Ge Jie..."
Xue Bai has always been hostile to An Lushan. If it was to deal with An Lushan, he might be able to expose Yang Guozhong's cooperation with An Lushan to frame her grandfather.
"What evidence is there?"
"Chen Xilie didn't say anything, but I heard something from Eleven Niang. My grandfather prepared a plan to prevent Li Heng from ascending the throne. He instructed An Lushan to raise his own troops and gave him some maps and files on the deployment of soldiers in various towns in the Tang Dynasty.
In recent years, this matter has gradually become known to some officials in the DPRK, so everyone said that An Lushan was disloyal. Presumably in order to silence this voice, An Lushan handed over all the evidence and passed it all on to me.
I and Li Xianzhong were used as evidence of conspiracy to rebel."
After hearing this, Xue Bai moved his eyes, noticed an important detail, and asked: "Li Shiyiniang knows so many things, so Yang Qixuan also knows?"
"yes."
"No wonder Yang Guozhong asked Yang Qixuan to testify."
Xue Bai pondered, thinking that Yang Qixuan could be a witness against Li Linfu, and in fact, he could also be a witness against An Lushan.
It's a pity that Li Longji won't believe it.
What if Yang Qixuan is used to prove An Lushan's ambition to more knowledgeable people and develop his own power?
Li Tengkong waited for a while and saw that Xue Bai had been thinking about it, and he gradually felt hope in his heart.
She asked tentatively: "Based on this line of thinking, is it possible to reverse the case?"
Xue Bai did not answer, but said: "Chen Xilie must have told you this on purpose. He knew everything, but he didn't dare to do it himself. He kept an extra hand, thinking that if things changed, you would have a way to deal with Yang Guozhong.
"
"Looking back now, it's like this, Chen Xilie is like this, no matter how things develop, he really deserves it... He is really shrewd and cowardly."
The two of them smiled, as if they were going to work together again.
However, Xue Bai added: "But Chen Xilie still sides with Yang Guozhong. Do you know why?"
"Why?"
"Even if your grandfather did not conspire with Li Xianzhong to rebel, he still conspired with An Lushan to conspire against him."
Only then did Li Tengkong realize that if Xue Bai wanted to deal with An Lushan, he could first convict Li Linfu, and the more severe the punishment, the better. Even if the entire Li family was executed, nothing would be done by then, and he could find opportunities to implicate him later.
An Lushan is more certain of success.
Perhaps this is exactly Yang Guozhong's thinking.
She was suddenly disappointed and felt powerless.
Xue Bai sighed: "Your grandfather is indeed disobedient, and it is the same in the eyes of the saints. It is impossible to get away with it."
"Um."
Li Tengkong said: "I understand. In fact, your position should be the same as Yang Guozhong."
"Not necessarily. I will still try my best to save the lives of your family, but to what extent I can do it is hard to say." Xue Bai said: "I can only promise that I will go all out."
Li Tengkong said in surprise: "Why?"
"There is no conflict. Even if your grandfather cannot solve the case, the innocent family members can be saved. Of course, the Li family is full of good and evil. There are some bad people among them, and I can't help them."
"I mean...why do you want to help?"
Xue Bai sighed: "You think too much, you don't need to think of a reason for me."
"But you are an official."
"I am an official, but first of all I am me. If there must be a reason, it is... because they are your family." Xue Bai looked at Li Tengkong and asked: "For you, is this reason enough?
"
This was almost a confession, and she couldn't help but be stunned.
She always thought that he needed a profitable reason to work in the officialdom, because she had no confidence in the friendship between the two. After all, he was unwilling to marry her.
Only then did she realize that the friendship between the two was also very important to him.
Her mind couldn't help but recall the several times they had hugged each other. She unconsciously took a step forward and raised her hand.
Without moving away from each other's eyes, the two had a long-lost hug.
"Actually, I didn't think I could change anything. I just wanted to try my best to have peace of mind."
"Yes." Xue Bai said, "You have done your best, leave the rest to me."
"May I?"
"I'm here."
With these words, Li Tengkong suddenly felt that the burden on her shoulders was relieved. She buried her head in Xue Bai's arms and finally cried hard.
It was like the tears that had been held back for many years were about to drain away today; it was like the hardest shell in my heart was suddenly broken, leaving the softest part to him.
She put aside all her thoughts of cultivating the Taoism and her mundane attitude, and she spoke her innermost thoughts to Xue Bai without restraint.
"I knew a long time ago that grandpa's behavior would lead to this result...but no matter how hard I tried to persuade them, they wouldn't listen..."
After talking about family matters, she even complained about him.
"And you, you have been gone for so long and there is no news... You finally came back yesterday and you didn't say a word to me..."
Xue Bai didn't expect that a noble person like her could act like a little girl.
He patted her back gently and said: "I endured it, but actually I really wanted to go over and hug you. If I asked who dared to bully you like that, I would give them a slap in the face, but I endured it and did not dare to talk to you.
.I am too cowardly.”
"I am more cowardly." Li Tengkong hugged him tightly, "I am also enduring it. I have been enduring it for a long time. In fact, I..."