When Guo Suo rushed out of the hall, everyone around him shouted. Seeing that the guards could not stop him, someone inevitably pulled out a sword.
However, Xue Bai did not give any order to protect Guo Suo and always watched with cold eyes.
He became increasingly convinced that there was someone behind this incident.
What can be gradually determined is that for the time being, the Li Tang royal family wants to confirm his identity as the prince. At least at this stage, it will be more beneficial.
Since there is no way to prevent him from becoming the prince of the prison country, then as long as he is really Li Qian, everything will go smoothly.
As long as everyone thinks he is Li Qian, and even he himself thinks he is Li Qian, he will naturally protect the face, inheritance, and lives and future of the Li Tang royal family.
Xue Bai speculated that the purpose of making these arrangements was to gradually turn him into Li Qian.
He needed to find the man behind the scenes, and the prerequisite was to find Guo Suo's flaw. He was sure that the Li Tang royal family would never let Guo Suo die.
really.
"Don't hurt him!"
It was Li Longji who couldn't wait to give the order.
Although the Supreme Emperor had lost the power to control the government, his identity was here, and everyone still listened to what he said on this matter. The guards put away their knives one after another and knocked Guo Suo down with their bare hands.
This situation made Li Yiniang become nervous. She quickly ran to Xue Bai and asked, "They won't hurt my old subordinates, right?"
"rest assured."
Over there, Li Longji actually walked up to Guo Suo, leaned down, and asked, "Why are you running?"
Guo Suo pursed his lips tightly and did not answer, but there was a look of horror in his eyes.
Seeing his expression, Li Longji's eyes became complicated.
Xue Bai looked at the two faces facing each other from the side. Although he didn't hear a word, he could feel the many secrets between them.
He felt some pride in Li Longji, the arrogance that he thought he had everything under control. The subtle twitching in the corners of his eyes seemed to say, "I knew that Li Ying was indeed not innocent."
Pride also contained anger, as if he was angry at Li Ying's unfilial piety, allowing Xue Xiu to raise private soldiers, and even attempted to resist after being deposed.
In addition, Li Longji's slightly twitched mouth seemed to want to open his mouth to clarify these old things and prove to the world that he was not wrong. However, he quickly closed his mouth again, clenched his hands slightly, and restrained this
impulse.
The case of the three common people has been vindicated, and now Li Longji has no power to overturn the case again.
Xue Bai squinted his eyes, taking in all the emotions, and turned to Guo Suo.
"Bang!"
Guo Suo suddenly slammed into the stone steps aside.
"Hold him!" Li Longji shouted.
The guards and eunuchs hurriedly tried to stop him, but it was too late. Guo Suo had already been hit hard and his head was bleeding.
Li Yiniang had just asked Xue Bai if he would hurt Guo Suo, but when she saw this scene in the blink of an eye, she was so scared that she covered her mouth.
"Quickly, treat him..."
In the chaos, Xue Bai strode forward, reached out and found that Guo Suo was still breathing. While arranging for treatment, he quickly glanced at everyone.
After a while, Li Longji sighed and opened his mouth.
"There are no foreign ministers here, so I might as well tell you the truth. I knew a long time ago that this was my grandson Li Qian. At that time, the reason why I reluctantly sent my three sons to death was because I heard that Li Ying was deposed. After that, he secretly sent someone to contact the old department, and I mistakenly thought he was going to rebel, but later I found out that he was going to take away his wife and children."
As Xue Bai thought, Li Longji also used this incident as a reason to confirm his identity. As he spoke, he even reached out and patted Xue Bai on the shoulder.
"Nowadays, people often question whether this is my grandson. They wonder why a child who lives in the East Palace appears in the palace of Prince Consort Xue Xiu. They wonder why there are reports that his whereabouts are unknown or even died. But if he is not my grandson, should I Is it still unclear?"
Speaking of what happened later, Li Longji was heartbroken and had tears in his eyes.
Seeing this, Gao Lishi stepped forward and said to Xue Bai: "The Supreme Emperor has been investigating the events of the past these years. It is precisely because he is ashamed of His Highness and feels pity for His Highness that he protects His Highness in every possible way. He is also pleased that His Highness can become the pillar of the Tang Dynasty. .”
To put it this way, it only gives a general outline of what happened that year, and the various details and what happened at each time point are not completed.
It's okay to lie to others, but Xue Bai doesn't believe it.
In Xue Bai's opinion, perhaps Li Longji did know more than others. He knew that Xue Xiu was raising private soldiers and that Li Ying had sent people back to Chang'an to contact him. Therefore, when he saw Guo Suo, he thought that there were still people who had not been killed. Li Ying's subordinates must have been away from Lantian Station at the time. But in order to pick up his wife and children and send them to Xue Xiu's house, this must have been made up.
The funny thing is that all this was designed by himself in the beginning, and now it's his wish, and everyone is cooperating with his performance.
This reminded him of the time when Yang Shenjin and Xue Ling recognized their relatives in front of the emperor. In those two times, anyone with a discerning eye knew that Xue Bai was not their son, and they themselves knew it, so why were they still willing to recognize a fake son? It was so profitable. That's all.
Now is the third time, and the principle is the same.
Li Longji and Li Cong are no more noble than the likes of Yang Shenjin and Xue Ling. As long as they seek profit and avoid harm, the royal family can have the same virtues as a promiscuous gambler.
Perhaps, when there is a greater interest, Li Longji can try his best to prove that Xue Bai is really his biological father.
No matter what, Xue Bai was recognized by the clan.
When he has enough power, someone will naturally prove to him that he is worthy.
Zongzheng Qing Li Zhi raised his wine glass tremblingly and said with great relief: "God bless the Tang Dynasty, the throne has returned to the hands of the descendants of the Li family who are most qualified to succeed. Isn't it a secret arrangement?"
"God bless the Tang Dynasty!"
Everyone raised their glasses and drank together.
With this glass of wine, Xue Bai could feel that the hostility of Li Tang's clan toward him was quickly diminishing. They really began to regard him as their nephew, brother, and Li Qian.
"Your Highness, I'm here to toast you too."
Princess Li Niang of Xianyi came over with a wine glass and put one hand on her plump chest, as if she was worried that Xue Bai's condescending gaze would destroy the family relationship between aunt and nephew.
He had already poured out the wine in Xue Bai's glass. He raised the empty glass and touched it with her, pretending to drink without even touching her mouth.
This poor performance made Li Niang feel honored, and the smile on her face became brighter.
"What happened in the past was my fault. In fact, when I looked at you, I felt amiable. Can you please stop blaming me?"
Xue Bai just nodded. Li Niang was not sure what his attitude was, so she said a few more useless words, chuckled twice and retreated.
Afterwards, the clan members came forward one by one to pay respects to Xue Bai, and while he refused to drink, they drank the wine in their glasses one by one.
They got themselves drunk, and then identified Xue Bai as Li Qian. The feeling of unwillingness and humiliation that their ancestral country had been usurped was also anesthetized and dispelled with each glass of wine.
Those who want to conspire to usurp Li Tang's kingdom must be unwilling to accept it. Look, Li Tang's kingdom is now firmly in the hands of Li Tang's descendants.
Of course, occasionally one or two clan members would be dissatisfied and murmur privately.
"Even if he is really Li Qian, what qualifications does his grandfather have to be the crown prince if he conspires against you?"
The speaker was Li Yan, the son of Li Longji's twentieth son, King Yan Li Bin. He was whispering to his brothers when suddenly someone came over and hugged his shoulders. It was King Siqi Li Zhen.
Li Zhen was probably a little drunk, or was deliberately sarcastic because of her drunkenness.
"You don't understand this. At the beginning of the founding of the Tang Dynasty, Emperor Gaozu, in order to justify his name, traced Lao Tzu as his ancestor and named him Emperor Xuanyuan. But are we really the descendants of Emperor Xuanyuan? Are you?
Am I? Hahaha, does it matter?"
"Uncle King Qi, you are drunk."
"Are we the descendants of Emperor Xuanyuan? We have been for dozens of generations. It is not important at all. What is important is that the world thinks we are, and that is enough. But let me tell you..."
Li Zhen did not say any more, but pointed to her face, and then pointed in the direction of Li Longji. She seemed to realize that this gesture was disrespectful, and quickly withdrew her finger and laughed a few times.
He was obviously dissatisfied, but he didn't know how to vent it, so he simply found a flute and started playing it.
"Today is auspicious and festive, and I would like to help the Supreme Emperor."
…
Li Longji's words today have re-established his prestige among the clan.
At least he had an idea. Since he could no longer get rid of Xue Bai, he would take the initiative to accept it. This was also a strategy. As the Supreme Emperor, he was obviously more courageous and decisive than Li Cong, and could become the backbone of the clan.
And Xue Bai gained recognition and support. No matter what he thought in his heart, he had to show filial piety to Li Longji in order to gain wider support from officials. In this way, Li Longji's power status was somewhat improved.
After being lonely and working hard for so long, he finally had something to gain. Li Longji was happy and was continuing to perform the deep love between ancestors and grandchildren with Xue Bai when he suddenly heard the sound of a flute.
The sound of the flute is very beautiful, and it is Li Zhen who plays the flute. He is so skilled that he can play the flute for three days.
However, what he played was "Neon Shang Yu Yi Song".
Xue Bai could clearly see that the happy smile on Li Longji's face froze, and for a moment he seemed to have murderous intent.
That was ridicule. Li Zhen felt very disappointed for some reason. She was actually mocking Li Longji for not being able to keep his favorite woman, and for having to deal with Xue Baixu like this.
This is also a mockery of Xue Bai, mocking him for either losing all morals and disregarding human ethics, or pretending to be the emperor's grandson, and being cunning and insidious.
In short, both Li Longji and Xue Bai are extremely hypocritical and confuse right and wrong for the sake of power.
Li Zhen was fed up with their lies.
Xue Bai glanced at Li Zhen lightly, and when he looked at Li Longji again, he found that the murderous intent in Li Longji's eyes had disappeared. As if he had not heard the song "Neon Clothes and Feathers", he continued to speak with a kind expression.
Finished speaking.
"I am living a happy life now. I play dominoes and watch operas. I don't have to worry about state affairs. I leave the country to you. I feel relieved."
Li Longji said these words very sincerely, but the music in his ears was still playing, making his words sound slightly threatening.
In order to eliminate this sense of threat, he smiled more sincerely and added.
"I'm very relieved."
~~
Xue Bai left Tai Chi Palace and first went to see Guo Suo.
In addition to the doctor who diagnosed and treated him, Xue Bai also specially asked Li Yazhou to take a look.
Guo Suo hadn't woken up yet, lying there with shocking scars on his head.
Li Xiazhou leaned over and looked at it for a while, then said: "There is no fear of life. With this kind of trauma, His Highness calling the poor Taoist here is like killing a chicken with a knife."
He was quite proficient in medical skills and even more proficient in elixir training, so he had been developing gunpowder for Xue Bai. With this relationship, Xue Bai also trusted him very much and waved him to come outside to talk.
"You have also seen the injuries. Does he really want to die or is he just acting?"
"To be able to crash like this shows that he was extremely strong. His survival was a fluke, not a calculated decision." Li Xiazhou concluded, "He must really want to die."
This answer was the same as what the doctor just said. Xue Bai asked again: "Then do you think he is really crazy or fake?"
Li Xiazhou twisted his beard and thought for a long time before shaking his head.
"I can't tell yet."
"Then you spend some time with him in the name of treating his illness and observe how his hysteria is going."
"That's fine."
"Don't give him those messy pills of yours."
Li Xiazhou agreed, but he stroked his long beard and asked: "Your Highness thinks he is pretending to be crazy. Could it be that he suspects that he has ulterior motives?"
"You like to play tricks, what do you think?"
"I think this man is simple. Maybe what he says is true."
Just now Xue Bai asked, Li Yazhou said he couldn't tell, and what he said now was just speculation.
Xue Bai ignored him and went to the political hall to see Yan Zhenqing while it was still early. He wanted to pay New Year's greetings to his father-in-law, but also worried about what might happen in the court during the New Year.
When I arrived at the government office, I saw Yan Zhenqing and Yan Chunqing coming out side by side, discussing the issue of the imperial court's insufficient state supplies this year.
After meeting each other and chatting for a few words, we can only leave this problem to be solved next year.
Although Yan Chunqing's ability is inferior to that of his brothers, he is the person who will succeed Xue Bai in Yanshi County. Compared with Yan Zhenqing's uprightness and etiquette, he is more of Xue Bai's confidant. Xue Bai is currently considering letting him serve as
Minister of Rites.
"Your Highness smells of elixirs." Yan Chunqing sniffed and suddenly asked, "But have you just met Li Yazhou?"
Xue Bai couldn't help but be surprised that Yan Chunqing had such a sharp nose and such judgment.
Of course, Yan Chunqing had been very familiar with Li Yazhou in Yanshi for a long time, which was also a reason.
"Uncle, how can he know things like a god?"
"It's not that I know what's going on, but I know that Li Xiazhou is thinking of giving advice to His Highness recently. It seems that he can't help but ask to see His Highness?"
Only then did Xue Bai realize that Yan Chunqing could guess the reason why he met Li Yazhou just by smell, but it was a coincidence. In fact, Li Yazhou hadn't said anything yet.
He was curious, so he deliberately asked: "What does uncle think of his idea?"
"Although it can enable the imperial court to suddenly acquire a large amount of land and population, and reduce the current burden on the national treasury, it is highly criticized and may not be appropriate..."
When Yan Chunqing said this, Yan Zhenqing, who was standing aside, had already noticed that Xue Bai didn't know what Li Yazhou had come up with, so he interrupted.
"Li Xiazhou is cynical and talks nonsense. It's just a joke. He hasn't mentioned it to His Highness yet, but my brother has taken it seriously."
"turn out to be."
Only then did Yan Chunqing react and realized that Xue Bai was trying to trick him. He quickly smiled bitterly and said: "It's really not a good idea. Your Highness doesn't listen. It's the Chinese New Year soon. Why don't we talk about it later?"
Xue Bai had already guessed something in his mind, so he said goodbye to them without asking further questions and turned back to Shaoyang Courtyard.
Outside the gate of Daming Palace, you can see the fireworks in Chang'an Street in the distance.
The brothers of the Yan family walked side by side and chatted along the way, feeling as if they were returning home from work to celebrate the New Year.
Xue Bai returned to the palace city, but felt that the further he walked, the more deserted it became, and the smoke of fireworks became farther and farther away. Until he entered Shaoyang Courtyard, opened the door, and faced a red round lantern.
"The bookshelf and desk are placed by the window. I like to lean on the stove, sip tea and read when I'm free."
"Hang the lantern higher... Your Highness."
Under the corridor, Qinglan was instructing Gong'e to do things. Mian'er also had a lantern in her hand and was trying to reach it under the eaves, but she was too short and was far away.
Xue Bai then walked over, took the lantern, and hooked it under the eaves.
"Hey, Mr. Lang."
Only then did Mian'er see Xue Bai. He called out confusedly at first, then remembered that he was in the palace, and solemnly said: "Your Highness."
"Where is your seventeenth mother?"
"In the main compartment with the Crown Princess."
Mian'er said and sniffed, because the smell of New Year's Eve dinner wafted from the kitchen.
It is actually not easy to open a small stove in Shaoyang Yuan.
Xue Bai walked back and saw Jiaonu standing in front of a mahogany box packing things. He picked up a bronze mirror and looked at it in a daze, as if he had just realized that she was a pretty good-looking woman.
"What are you looking at?"
Jiaonu was startled, quickly hid the bronze mirror behind his back, and took two steps back.
She used to have a very bad attitude towards Xue Bai, but now that he has become the prince, she seems a little uneasy and tries to show her loyalty.
"Your Highness, this servant is thinking...to protect the safety of the East Palace to the death!"
She still looks like a dog-legged person.
"knew."
Xue Bai walked into the main room and saw Yan Yan telling a story to Li Tengkong from a distance. She was funny while telling her, saying that Xue Bai composed a poem in Huangzhou called "Niannujiao", so he must have fallen in love with Niannu.
, it’s a pity that they have lustful hearts but not lustful courage, otherwise I would have asked Nian Nu to sing to them tonight.
Li Tengkong listened and smiled slightly. Then he heard the sound of footsteps and turned his head, just in time to look at Xue Bai.
Thinking back to many years ago, they have experienced so much turmoil in these years. I can't say how happy they are now, but after a lot of effort, they are finally able to be together peacefully...
~~
In the second year of the Yuan Dynasty, the first day of the first lunar month.
This year is the Year of the Rooster, and the rebellion has passed. However, after the war, the treasury was empty, the people were impoverished, and the prosperity of the past was gone. The world can only be said to be peaceful.
The snow has stopped falling and the weather is fine.
While all the officials in the court were still taking a rest, Xue Bai started busy with various sacrifices before dawn.
As Prince Li Qian, he accompanied Li Cong and offered sacrifices to the ancestors of Li and Tang dynasties.
Sometimes he looked at the enshrined tablets, such as Emperor Xuanyuan and Emperor Taizong, and he did not feel ashamed or guilty for impersonating Li Qian.
He had no father or mother in this world. More importantly, he came from a later generation. Thirteen hundred years were enough for him to have a special respect for the people of this world. Regardless of whether they were blood related or not, they were all his ancestors.
Later generations are proud of Lao Tzu and Tang Taizong, not because their blood is flowing in their bodies, but because they created the civilization that belongs to this land. Culturally, he is indeed their descendant.
Unknowingly, he seemed to be gradually turning into Li Qian...
When she returned to Shaoyangyuan, Yan Yan had already fallen asleep. She had been a little sleepy recently and had many things to do during the New Year.
Xue Bai didn't see Li Tengkong, so he walked to the Taoist temple behind the main compartment. When he entered, he saw that she had changed into a Taoist robe and was meditating.
"By the way, I didn't have time to tell you last night." Li Tengkong said, "Congratulations, I took Yan Yan's pulse."
Xue Bai's first reaction was to look at the palace wall in the distance, feeling that Shaoyang Courtyard was not 100% safe.
After thinking for a while, he said: "There is no need to let others know about this matter. I am worried that someone will do something bad to us."
"I see."
Li Tengkong was initially a little envious and a little lonely, but Xue Bai's words brought him back to reality.
This is the royal palace, where intrigues and intrigues exist, life and death are fought, and the struggle for power has never stopped.
"When I was a child, I always thought that I would not be able to find someone like my grandpa in the future. Although he held great power, his life was precarious and he was always worried that someone would harm him."
After the two sat quietly for a while, Li Tengkong began to speak softly.
"The first time I saw you was behind the husband-selection window. My brother said that if I had to choose a husband, I thought at that time that you would be the one who would accompany me to love the mountains and rivers and live in peace with the world.
"
"So in your eyes, I am a person who has nothing to do with the world?" Xue Bai said with a smile, "Then you have misjudged me?"
"But your eyes are very calm and calm." Li Tengkong thought for a while and said, "Even now, I think you are different from my grandfather. Although the son does not speak out about the father's faults, he has serious selfish desires.
, but you are doing justice to the world, and people in the world will be on your side in the future."
"Daozhang Li, you really comforted me."
"You are uneasy because..." Li Tengkong said, moved closer to Xue Bai, and asked in a low voice: "Are you afraid that although they recognize you now, they will not let you pass the throne to your children again?"
"Um."
"I recently heard from Master that you are indeed the son of Prince Ying."
The master Li Tengkong was referring to was naturally Princess Yuzhen. She had a transcendent status. Being able to say so represented the general attitude of the clan to a large extent.
Xue Bai then asked: "How did Princess Yuzhen know?"
"Master went to ask Princess Tang Chang. Princess Tang Chang said that the consort seemed to have said that he would send Concubine Xue and her son away."
Xue Bai shook his head first, and then asked: "When did Princess Yuzhen say that?"
"It's been some time."
"Is it before the Yongwang Rebellion or after?"
"Before."
Xue Bai's eyes narrowed, and he had another suspicion in his mind about who arranged for Guo Suo.
Li Tengkong hesitated, thought for a moment, and then asked another question.
"Did you lie to me?"
"What?"
"Actually... we may be from the same clan and have the same surname, and we have not been out of the ninth server." Li Tengkong's voice was low, with a hint of fear, "Are you saying that you are a fake just to comfort me?"
By now, even Li Tengkong had doubts.
But Xue Bai is still very sure that all this must be arranged by someone behind the scenes, proving for him that he is Li Qian.
Because in this world, birth is the most important thing. In this era where birth determines wealth, too many people don't want to see a humble slave in power. They must arrange a noble life for him.