It was difficult for Chen Xilie to be agile despite his old age. He rushed to Feng Changqing in three and five steps and asked in a deep voice: "Feng Changqing, what are you doing? Don't offend His Highness."
Feng Changqing had a strong character, and everyone's expressions changed when he opened his mouth, saying: "I suspect that King Yong is plotting to usurp the throne with evil intentions."
"What nonsense?!"
Chen Xilie said sternly: "The King of Chu sincerely agrees, the sage has given his decree. His Highness has made great achievements in the country and is the heir apparent. He is the best choice for the crown prince. Are you trying to resist the decree with your slanderous words?"
Feng Changqing decided to come to King Qin after hearing the news that the emperor was driven out of Chang'an by King Yong. At that time, the soldiers in Hebei were busy farming, and he was in a hurry to send troops and had no time to prepare food, grass and baggage, so he only took three thousand light cavalry to go ahead.
He asked the army to follow him. When he rushed to Guanzhong, he heard that the Yongwang rebellion was over, but at the same time there was also news that made him vigilant - that is, Yongwang had become the prince of the country.
It is conceivable that this matter must be inseparable from the way in which powerful ministers coerce the emperor.
Feng Changqing came to question him face to face. He definitely did not consider his own future, but he also believed that Xue Bai would still give him an explanation and would not kill him directly. Otherwise, he would not have left his troops outside the city, so he could consider the long term.
, plotting things secretly.
"King Yong, you and I have fought against each other side by side. I believe in your loyalty to the Tang Dynasty."
Feng Changqing ignored Chen Xilie, only looked at Xue Bai, and said word by word: "But if you act rebelliously, start troubles, and shake the clan, won't all our past efforts be in vain?"
Xue Bai did not agree with his foolish and loyal words. In his opinion, the emperor should be appointed by the strong. A mediocre and weak leader like the Li Cong brothers and his son would only lead the Tang Dynasty to decline step by step.
At the moment, there was no need for him to debate the scriptures in person. Before Feng Changqing finished speaking, a group of officials had already stood in front of Xue Bai and shouted.
"The position of Crown Prince was begged for by the King of Chu. His Highness declined several times, but the saint promised it. How can I allow you to make wild guesses? You still haven't apologized to Your Highness!"
This was due to the situation and the public's expectation. Even if Xue Bai didn't want to be the prince, he couldn't help it, let alone Feng Changqing's personal wishes.
But among the officials who shouted and scolded, one person stood out the most.
This man was in his thirties, wearing a green official robe. With his youth and strength, he calmly moved Chen Xilie behind him and stood at the front of the queue, face to face with Feng Changqing.
"His Highness's loyalty is obvious to all, but it is completely groundless for you to say that His Highness is rebellious. Now His Highness has put an end to the rebellion and made the sea, rivers and rivers clear. You are trying to shake up the clan based on your own assumptions. Once the chaos breaks out again, who will be the sinner of the clan?!"
As soon as this young official opened his mouth, his momentum was extraordinary. What was even more rare was that he was able to convince the crowd, and the officials behind him responded one after another.
As a veteran minister, Chen Xilie, who was ranked as Prime Minister and Assistant Minister, endured the disadvantage he suffered in front of a young official, obviously knowing that the other party was a tough opponent.
Xue Bai recognized this man, Cui Youfu.
Cui Youfu and Xue Bai were appointed officers at the same time. They were both in Ji County, Luoyang. One was Yanshi Wei and the other was Shou'an Wei. They had cooperated with each other. Over the years, Xue Bai gradually gained power, and Cui Youfu was not bad either. When he reached such an important position as a householder, his rank was not high, but he was a close minister of the emperor.
He came from an extraordinary family. When he was young, he was arrogant and had a tough style, and gradually gained a reputation for being upright. Cui Youfu had also made unkind remarks about Xue Baiduo before, but with Xue Bai's power at that time, he was not afraid at all.
And he not only scolded Xue Bai, but when Dou Wenyang thought he was Xue Bai's enemy and promoted him, it didn't take long for him to impeach the traitor.
This time, Cui Youfu's scolding not only blocked Feng Changqing's words temporarily, but his attitude towards Chen Xilie was also very thought-provoking.
From the perspective of an upright minister, Cui Youfu may just look down on Chen Xilie, who has always been submissive. But in fact, he is very smart and is by no means a reckless person.
He probably guessed that although Xue Bai temporarily needs veterans like Chen Xilie to stabilize the situation, with Xue Bai's acting style, he will definitely not reuse such a mediocre person who can only get along with each other for a long time. After the situation stabilizes, he will inevitably Chen Xilie please come out of the ranks of prime ministers.
It is not difficult to see through this, but not everyone dares to avoid giving Chen Xilie face in public.
Cui Youfu's little move seemed to have the spirit of "get out of here, old man, let's see if the young ones dare to take charge of the younger generation."
At least Xue Bai's eyes lit up slightly after seeing him, and there seemed to be a flash of smile.
Cui Youfu's behavior today also represents, to some extent, the change in the attitude of the famous family towards Xue Bai.
Thinking back to the suppression of the aristocratic family when Xue Bai was the number one scholar in high school, and the wars he went through during that period, it was extremely difficult for him to finally recognize the authority of the prince who was overseeing the country.
Even the proudest aristocratic family recognized the crown prince, and after hearing the news, officials from Chang'an and the imperial army came to support him one after another.
When the imperial army's halberd stood in front of Feng Changqing, he finally threw his hand away bitterly and said: "King Yong broke his oath today, and he will be punished by heaven in the future. It's hard to persuade him with good words, so just ask for more blessings!"
In his opinion, this matter was that King Yong broke his oath and deceived him, but he had no choice but to do anything about the behavior of such a villain who did not keep his word. In one sentence, he left with hatred.
Xue Bai stood among the crowd, looking at Feng Changqing's back. He felt a little regretful that he could not get the support of the other party. However, the world is like this, and there will always be some people who cannot be easily changed.
"This man is so out of date." Du Wulang sighed behind him in a low voice, then glanced at the crowd gathered outside his house, and said: "There are so many knowledgeable people, and he is not the only one left."
Xue Bai originally wanted to stay at Du's house tonight, but due to his current status, everything he did was attracting attention, so he lost some of his original freedom.
~~
"It's okay, sister and I came here the same way."
At night, the moonlight shines through the window paper, and a light fragrance fills the house.
Du Wei lay on her side beside the couch a little tired. She was busy with a lot of things today. When she heard that Xue Bai was at Du's house, she rushed back and later rushed over to Xue's house in Xuanyangfang. She was inevitably tired at this time.
Du Jin was still in high spirits. She drank some wine and became slightly tipsy. She was swaying slightly, with a look of cunning and pride in her eyes.
"Do you know? I heard that the first thing you did after you imprisoned the country was to find me at home. I'm so happy."
"I will move into the Daming Palace in a few days, please follow me into the palace."
Xue Bai took away the wine glass from her hand and intertwined his fingers with hers.
They are enjoying the joy of succeeding in their conspiracy.
"no."
After a while, Du Jin let out a long breath, lay on Xue Bai's body, and said: "No, with our status, there is no reason to follow you into the palace."
Xue Bai said: "I plan to set up a Taoist temple in Shaoyang Yuan called the 'True Cultivation Temple'. You can go there to practice first."
This is a ready-made method, which can be said to be the practice of the Tang Dynasty. Wu Zetian entered Ganye Temple as a nun, and after she came out, she became Gaozong's Zhaoyi; Yang Yuhuan became a female Taoist priest, and then became a noble concubine.
Xue Bai knew that Du Jin cared about this kind of rank, and now was the time for him to repay her.
"I don't practice cultivation." She rejected his proposal.
"It only takes a year and a half. When the situation becomes more stable, I can canonize you..."
"Prince Liangdi?" Du Jin suddenly asked.
Since she is not the official wife, if Xue Bai does not ascend the throne by then, she will naturally be the crown prince Liangdi.
Then, without waiting for Xue Bai to answer, she smiled self-deprecatingly and said: "I fell from that position. After life and death, it seems good if I can get back to that position. I always thought that what I wanted is
These concubines, concubines, empresses, and queen mothers are not what everyone wants. Now I know that I can't do it. I have no heirs and my beauty and love will fade year by year. If I enter the deep palace, I will live a good life.
It’s getting worse.”
After having fun, she suddenly became sad.
Xue Bai was about to comfort her, but she pressed his mouth with her fingers.
"You don't have to give me a guarantee. I don't believe in a man's oath. Today you like my looks and my intelligence. I have to keep my intelligence and my strength among the people so that you can never live without me."
If I am the only one, how can I abandon my martial arts and move to the deep palace compound?"
Although Du Jin has no identity, she has power. A large part of Xue Bai's power in the dark lies in her hands.
The pleasure brought by this kind of power is also one of the reasons why the two of them are closely dependent on each other. She will not give up easily.
Xue Bai understood her and took Du Mei in his arms.
"Where's the lady?"
"I don't ask for fame." Du Wei was also enthusiastic at times, but at this time she was very calm and said in a low voice: "The joy of dew is enough. I don't want to enter the palace and cause trouble to you. It will be difficult for me."
Previously, because Yang Shenjin deliberately spread rumors and caused trouble, she was very afraid of this. She knew that if she entered the palace, the infamy she would bear would be far greater than it was then, so she was really unwilling to do so.
"Just go out of the palace and see each other from time to time."
"All right."
Xue Bai had already made arrangements, but unexpectedly they reacted like this and sighed slightly.
He could only compensate them in other ways.
…
The next day, Du Jin had a long sleep and vaguely heard the sound of Xue Bai and Du Jin going out together. After a long time, she was awakened by the sound of birds singing outside the window.
She put on her makeup unhurriedly and went around to the back hall. She saw Yan Yan sitting in the hall reading a book, while Qing Lan was instructing the maids to pack the moving belongings.
Since they went to Yangzhou, today is the first time they see each other.
"Second mother is here." When she met Du Jin, Qinglan still used the past etiquette and said hello.
"She's becoming more and more delicate."
Du Jin praised Qing Lan and turned around, only to see that Yan Yan had put down the book in her hand and looked over with a smile.
"You, mistress, don't worry about anything."
"If I worry too much, I will be annoying." Yan Yan said, "Does Sister Du want me to take more care of things?"
"What a sharp-tongued person."
Du Jin looked around and found that Yan Yan looked much better, less sickly and weak than before, her hair was completely tied up, her eyebrows had a bit more charm, and she seemed to be plumper... She was finally
She took on the responsibility of Xue Bai's wife.
This made Du Jin inevitably feel a little jealous.
She always felt that Yan Yan could get everything she wanted easily, but she always tried her best and still had some shortcomings in the end.
Yan Yan did not confront her again, but stepped forward and took her hand, showing an innocent and cheerful smile.
"You're just joking with Sister Du, I brought you a gift from Yangzhou."
Du Jin looked stern, but was soft-hearted. He collected a water-centered mirror, a round fan, a rouge and other small items that were not expensive but quite exquisite. He also ate two snacks and no longer expressed any sourness or jealousy in his words.
The two of them also went around to the garden to see the cats and dogs that Yan Yan had adopted. They said that they couldn't bring them all into Shaoyang Yard, and some of them had to be entrusted to Du Jin.
"Don't you have any other friends?" Du Jin refused at first, "I'm very busy."
But somehow, she agreed in the end and asked Qushui to arrange special personnel to take care of her, which seemed quite capable.
"Do you remember what you promised me?" Du Jin suddenly asked when there was no one else around.
"Remember." Yan Yan responded simply, "It was agreed at that time that if you have an heir from your husband, he can be adopted into my name."
"Now I want to add another condition."
"What?"
Du Jin said, "If you give birth to a child, you can recognize me as your adopted mother."
Yan Yan turned her head and looked at her with doubts in her eyes.
Du Jin felt a little uncomfortable and snorted coldly, saying: "Xue Bai is on guard against me."
After that, she walked away.
Yan Yan was still puzzled and said to herself: "Can that kind of thing... be prevented?"
~~
Xue Bai had to move into Daming Palace Shaoyang Courtyard after all.
He was actually a little reluctant.
Deep in his heart, he has not yet recognized the name "Li Qian", nor has he thought about life in the palace.
Most of the time before, his behavior pattern was still like that of a prime minister or a powerful minister, focusing on how to deal with various affairs instead of putting himself in a high position to be worshiped and worshiped by others.
But to become an emperor, you have to do both.
One after another, the vermilion palace doors were slowly opened, and Xue Bai walked under the three characters "Shaoyang Courtyard". He could no longer ride his horse straight to the door of his own courtyard and take off his outer robe and become naked.
He attracts the attention of thousands of people and must be polite in every move he makes.
Since he lived in the palace, Xue Bai also had to have eunuchs around him. The eunuch he chose to take charge of the East Palace was somewhat unexpected, and it was Li Zhuer.
Li Zhuer betrayed An Lushan in Luoyang and took refuge with Xue Bai. In fact, he had been working for Xue Bai. Now he got the opportunity and was reused by Xue Bai.
Xue Bai himself was from a poor background and did not need anyone to serve him. Therefore, Li Zhuer's real mission was to monitor the entire Daming Palace for Xue Bai.
As for those serving in Shaoyang Courtyard, they are basically all the maids that Yan Yan has always brought with her. In addition, some eunuchs and maids with clear backgrounds have been added. These people are not many in number, but they have lined up early.
Seeing Xue Bai and his family arriving, he bowed respectfully.
"Your Highness."
"Princess."
"Huangfu Liangdi."
Qinglan was about to pick up a baggage herself when she heard the voice "Huangfu Liangdi" and was startled.
She had been working in the Du family since she was a child, and she thought it would be great to be the maid of the head of the family. At that time, when she heard others call her "Du Liangdi", she always felt that she was completely different from her. How had she ever thought that one day she would have such an identity?
She then moved closer to Xue Bai, a little shy. After so many years, her youthful feeling had not changed.
Seeing Qing Lan's stupid look, Xue Bai felt a little amused, and his dislike for Shaoyang Yuan became less intense.
Looking back at Yan Yan, she was looking around the courtyard and pursed her lips slightly. It was obvious that she didn't like the life in the palace. But she was from a Confucian family and a noble lady. These expressions flashed past and she immediately restrained herself.
, he quickly put on a dignified demeanor and arranged everything in an orderly manner.
As for how to move and how to organize things, Xue Bai didn't worry too much about these chores.
In the evening, when Shaoyang Courtyard was very busy, Xue Bai was already sitting alone in the tidy study, thinking about various matters after prison.
If you want to do something, hire people first.
The team of prime ministers must be adjusted. This time, Xue Bai plans to appoint five people to the ranks of prime ministers to achieve the purpose of balancing the forces of all parties while having available talents. He must also give some meritorious ministers Tong Pingzhangshi.
False title.
In addition, he also planned to add some hard-working ministers to the prime minister's team to reform the long-standing shortcomings of the Tang Dynasty.
He has roughly drawn up the list, and some transfer orders have already been issued.
But there is definitely resistance and interference, and it is not small.
The first disturbance he faced was that the ministers came forward one after another to request that Feng Changqing be demoted.
This was definitely not what Xue Bai wanted.
He is not a narrow-minded person. On the contrary, although he does not appreciate Feng Changqing's foolish loyalty, he also believes that there is indeed a need for some such people in the court. Today he is persecuting Li Cong, and no one speaks for Li Cong. If someone persecutes him in the future,
He has no one to speak for him.
Even when dynasties change, the new dynasty can praise the loyal ministers of the previous dynasty, so what can't he do?
But on the other hand, Feng Changqing blatantly slandered and accused him of plotting to usurp. If he is not severely punished as a warning, everyone will follow suit in the future, and the situation will be chaotic. And the officials are so protective of Xue Bai, the new crown prince, if he fails
If you kill them, it will inevitably depress people's hearts.
Feng Changqing can be demoted, but where he will be demoted requires careful consideration.
Xue Bai thought about how the light reflected on the window paper gradually changed from bright to golden, and then gradually dimmed.
"Your Highness, Huangfu Liangdi wishes to see you."
A palace maid was bowing outside the door.
Xue Bai stood up and went over. He saw Qing Lan looking down the corridor, so he waved.
"Your Highness, it's time to eat."
"Let's go eat together. Why don't you just come over as usual?"
"When you enter the palace, you must follow the rules."
"Remember when I first arrived at Du's house, you wanted to set some rules for me, right?"
"No way." Qing Lan was embarrassed and quickly denied it.
In the past, they all ate together at home, but now the rules in Shaoyang Yuan are different. The dining room brings the food from far away for them to eat separately.
Xue Bai then drove the palace guests out of the house, and still ate with Yan Yan and Qing Lan while complaining that the dishes tasted unpalatable.
"Guess, husband, how much is the price of this small plate of cabbage purchased by the palace?"
"How many?"
"Fifty dollars."
"What actually reaches the hands of the vegetable vendors is probably not a penny." Xue Bai said, "Although the palace market has stopped, the palace's expenditure still needs to be comprehensively rectified."
Yan Yan said: "Qing Lan is very good at managing money. In the past, she was in charge of your personal money."
The royal money is placed in the Zuozang Treasury, which is the emperor's private money, and is managed by his own expenses. Xue Bai is now supervising the country, so he must rectify it.
Yan Yan knew this, but it was just a joke.
Qing Lan was frightened again, and quickly shook her head and said: "I can only take care of some small money... When I get to the palace, do I have to hand it over?"
"She teased you."
The three of them had an expensive but extremely unpalatable meal. Qinglan actually did some calculations with an abacus and felt quite distressed. She secretly wondered how the people living in the Daming Palace were so ignorant and could commit such a crime.
stupid.
The first night he moved to Shaoyangyuan didn't change many of Xue Bai's habits.
Night falls.
In the study, Qing Lan was still busy packing various objects, always leaving only her back to Xue Bai.
Occasionally, she would brush up some stray hair, and her eyes would be filled with thoughts, wondering where a certain object should be placed.
When Xue Bai saw her, he couldn't help but step forward and hug her.
"Huangfu Liangdi, what are you still busy with?"
"Mr. Lang."
At this time, Qing Lan knew how to call him by his usual name, but she lowered her head and shyly rejected Xue Bai.
"My wife said she was afraid of moving to a new house, so she asked us to go there early."
It was night, and Xue Bai, Yan Yan, and Qing Lan slept together again. This was Yan Yan's childish habit. In the past, she didn't seem to find this inconvenience.
This matter was actually very simple at first.
They talked for a while, talking about the various places in Shaoyang Courtyard that were not as good as the houses outside their palace.
As she spoke, Qinglan lost her voice. She had been busy all day and soon curled up and fell asleep.
"Go to sleep."
"Yes." Yan Yan agreed honestly, and said a little worriedly: "Will there be many palace changes in the palace?"
She always has a lot of weird ideas.
But in fact, it is normal for a person like Xue Bai who conspired to usurp the throne to be cut down.
Xue Bai then let her lean into his arms and said, "Don't worry, living in a palace is uncomfortable, but it is safer than an ordinary house."
"That too."
The house became quiet.
Xue Bai closed his eyes and seemed to have slept for a long time, but he vaguely felt that the new environment was unsafe and he could not sleep well.
In the deepest part of the night, he felt something gently brushing his face.
Opening his eyes, in the hazy moonlight, he found that Yan Yan was still asleep. He blinked and her eyelashes touched his cheek.
"Go to sleep."
"Can't sleep."
Xue Baisui patted her back gently.
Although their relationship has reached a breakthrough, sometimes he still takes care of her like a child.
"Let me ask you a question." Yan Yan whispered, "Are you preventing a woman from getting pregnant with your child?"
"Um?"
Xue Bai was surprised that she could ask such a strange question.
He looked at her for a while and vaguely felt that there was still a hint of eagerness in her curious eyes. This girl had gradually become more enlightened recently.
"Are you also guarding against me?" she asked again.
The two of them didn't speak anymore.
Qinglan, on the other hand, had a dream that night.
She dreamed that the earth dragon under the Daming Palace turned over and staggered. She dreamed that Yan Yan and Xue Bai fell down during the earthquake and let out a dull scream of pain.
She wanted to wake up and save them, but she was too tired during the day and her eyelids were so heavy that she couldn't wake up...
After a long time, Yan Yan finally fell asleep with Xue Bai in her arms.
In fact, she is not quite used to the life in Shaoyang Yuan, but she feels that her relationship with Xue Bai is getting closer, which makes her feel at ease and gives her the courage to adapt to the new life.
~~
The sun rises in the east.
The morning sun rises slowly from the palace wall on the east side of Shaoyang Courtyard, and then shines on the stone slabs along the central axis of Daming Palace.
"Your Highness."
"Your Highness."
After calling one after another, the first ray of sunlight was reflected on the cornices above the Xuanzheng Hall, and the young man in a robe had already walked up the stone steps.
He looked back and saw hundreds of officials coming to court...