The leading internal official saluted and said with concern: "The saint just heard the news that the prince has awakened, so he asked the servant to come and visit. I wonder how the prince feels now? Is there any other discomfort?"
"Sage Lao is so worried about me, Lu is really scared." Li Lu's voice was weak, but he tried to sit up straighter to show his attention, and replied: "Everything is fine now, Saint, please rest assured."
When the official heard this, he sighed: "My lord, you are always so unwilling to report worries, always saying that everything is fine... Little did you know that the more you are like this, the more worried the saint is."
So the internal official sent for the medical officer from Prince Rong's palace to come and answer the question.
This medical officer had been living in Prince Rong's palace for a long time by divine order in his early years, and was responsible for treating and caring for the sick and frail Crown Prince Rong.
"...The prince's old illness was triggered this time, and he fell into coma due to high fever. Because his body was depleted and weak for a long time, it was difficult to wake up."
The medical officer answered in detail: "Although the crisis is over now, we still need to rest and recuperate. In addition to taking medicine on time and paying attention to diet and daily life, we need to avoid being overjoyed, sad, or shocked."
The internal officer nodded: "I'll be happy to serve you as a medical officer."
The medical officer raised his hand and saluted: "This is a matter of duty."
"Since the Crown Prince needs to rest, I won't bother you if I can. It's just that the sage has a few more words that I need to specifically warn the Crown Prince..." As the official spoke, he looked to the left and right: "You guys can wait outside for the time being."
The chamberlain and the medical officer who came with him all retreated.
As the door was closed, it seemed that only the leading internal official and Prince Rong were left in the room.
"I wonder if the saint has anything to explain to Yu Lu?"
Seeing that the young man on the hospital bed was sitting more upright, the official smiled and said: "Your Majesty, there is no need to be nervous. The saint always thinks of your Majesty, but he just wants to remind him a few words."
He quickly got to the point: "The prince has been awake for a while. He must have heard about the trial process of the husband of the Chang family in Dali Temple. He should also know that the husband of the Chang family said that you can testify for him——"
"Yes." Li Lu said quickly: "I did stay with Mr. Chang family and talked that day... I will go to Dali Temple to explain this matter tomorrow!"
Seeing that he was extremely weak but still eager to prove his innocence for others, Chang Sui Ning, who was standing behind him, felt that this man was really good at acting and that he should have a place among the famous actors in the capital.
"We should go, but we are not in a hurry for tomorrow. The prince is so weak now, how can he treat his body like this?" The official looked concerned: "The matter of testifying is not urgent. The prince should take care of himself for a few days first."
Li Lu: "But the husband of the Chang family is now behind bars..."
"But the physical evidence is there..." The official sighed softly: "Your Majesty has a pure heart, but you must know that people's hearts are unpredictable."
Li Lu looked stunned: "My father-in-law means..."
"It doesn't matter what you mean by slave. What's important is that the truth is clear." The official reminded with kindness in his eyes: "Although the prince met the husband of the Chang family that day, he did not go and return together. How could he know that after separation, Chang
Where did Mr. Jia Lang go and what did he do?"
Li Lu's expression changed slightly and he opened his mouth to speak, but paused cautiously.
"I came here this time to remind you, Your Majesty, that you can't trust people fully and don't be too full of words..."
The internal official finally said: "It is a well-known fact that the prince likes the wife of the Chang family, but it is not advisable to act emotionally. If someone takes advantage of you, has the intention of protecting others, rashly guarantees others, and accidentally gives false testimony... I am afraid it will bring trouble to yourself."
Disaster."
Li Lu was silent for a moment, and finally said: "Yes, Lu has always been dull, thanks to my father-in-law for reminding me. The saint has worked hard, Lu will remember it."
The internal officer then showed a look of relief, bowed and left.
When the internal official came to this trip, the key point of the reminder was "don't speak too fully", and the internal official's words were not too comprehensive, and everything was just to the point. In the final analysis, the emperor's behavior does not need to be explained too clearly to others, only
Just tell them the "correct way".
"It seems... the saint has made his choice." Li Lu sighed.
Chang Suining put away the dagger and said in a particularly calm voice: "There seems to be nothing worth sighing about."
It is expected that Minghou will choose Bao Mingjin.
The person the other party wanted to protect was not Ming Jin, but the truth about the matter.
Between the Empress of the Ming Dynasty and the Ming Dynasty, family affection was the most important fetter. What truly connected the two was the naturally bound power, interest, and reputation.
The actions of the Ming family are related to the reputation of the saint, not to mention that the person who died this time was the legitimate daughter of the Changsun family. Once the Ming family is "suffered" from this crime, this account will definitely be recorded by the Changsun family and other noble families and the people of the world.
On the emperor's head.
It is certainly advisable to destroy one's relatives for the sake of justice, but the matter has been delayed until now, and the best opportunity for the elimination of one's relatives for the sake of justice has been missed.
What's more, compared to annihilating relatives and abandoning the son of a military commander, the price of the latter is obviously much smaller.
"Since ancient times, it is pitiable that the king does not know the loyalty of his ministers." Li Lu still sighed: "But what is even more sad is that the king knows that his ministers are loyal, but after weighing the pros and cons, he has to abandon his loyal ministers... How can this be possible?
Isn’t it surprising?”
"General Chang spent half his life in the army, but he still takes the initiative to fight against the rebels with his wounded body, and protects the people of the country with his own body..." Li Lu said: "I can protect the people of the country, but I can't protect the flesh and blood of my only close relative..."
"If the news of Mr. Chang Lang's conviction reaches General Chang's ears, will General Chang not fight? If he fights, he will have to swallow the pain of losing his son, and he will be suspicious of the emperor in the future. If he doesn't fight, I'm afraid
You will be punished on the spot for delaying a military flight..."
As Li Lu spoke, he looked at the girl who came out from behind the screen: "There is no right or wrong in the art of the emperor, but the record is not worth it for General Chang."
"Your Majesty, every word is provocative." Chang Sui Ning did not sit down again this time. Instead, she stood facing the closed window with her back to Li Lu. After a moment, she said, "But every word is true."
Compared with the reputation of the emperor at a time when the imperial power was in turmoil, a mere military commander without real power was insignificant, and the son of that military commander was even less important.
Should such a person be abandoned without hesitation when he can be abandoned...?
Lao Chang had made countless contributions to Da Sheng and suffered numerous bloodshed and scars. However, in the end, he had to sacrifice his whole life for a playboy who killed innocent people indiscriminately. He wanted his only son to bear all the blame and stigma, and even took the blame for that person.
The dandy paid the price with his life——
Why?
Just because that dude’s surname is Ming?
Chang Suining's knuckles holding the dagger's scabbard were slightly white from exertion. She said, "Let's talk about the deal between me and the Crown Prince. How can the Crown Prince be willing to come forward and tell the truth?"
"I'm sorry." Li Lu shook his head regretfully: "Ms. Chang also heard what the official said just now. The sage has made it clear. I really dare not and cannot violate it, otherwise I will have no place in the capital."
Chang Sui Ning didn't see any sign of being irritated, so she turned around, looked at him, and asked: "How would the saint choose? Prince Rong didn't know about it until now. The current way of doing things cannot be violated. How about the prince's desire to be with me?"
Where is the sincerity of the transaction?"
Li Lu: "To be honest, what I want to do with Mrs. Chang is another deal."
Chang Suining looked at him and signaled him to speak clearly.
"With all due respect, if you want me to die, I have no choice but to die. The Holy Will has been decided, and there is no possibility for your brother to escape guilt."
Li Lu said: "Whether it is Mrs. Chang or I, if you try to fight against the Holy Will with your own body, it will be like a mantis using its arms as a chariot and hitting a rock with an egg. It is destined to have no chance of victory."
Chang Sui Ning: "Your Majesty, do you want this crime to be inflicted on my brother?"
"The situation has been decided." Li Lu looked at her with admonishment in his eyes: "Although Mrs. Chang is smart and courageous, her desire to fight for right and wrong is too strong, but she does not know the magnitude of the matter. Sometimes the overall situation is facing the situation, and she insists on it.
It's more important to fight over meaningless 'right and wrong' on the surface, and to survive."
This girl has a heart that pursues justice too much. He could see this on the court that day at the Imperial Academy.
But this time she was not standing on the court, but the opposite of the emperor.
He was conveying all this clearly to the girl at this moment, so that she could understand that if she insisted on forcing this justice "inopportunely", then she would only have her head broken and her body broken into pieces.
She didn't know if he had heard it, but she just asked him: "In the opinion of Prince Yirong, what is the best strategy at the moment?"
"There are some useful people recorded in the capital who may be able to help Mr. Chang Lang escape secretly."
Chang Suining: "Substitute one thing for another? The golden cicada escapes from its shell?"
"Exactly." Li Lu said: "This is to risk death and survive."
"What happens after that?" Chang Suining asked: "Not to mention whether anyone will notice him afterwards, but what will my brother do if he is accused of being a murderer? Should he remain anonymous all his life and live in hiding?"
Li Lu: "I can help Chang Langjun go to Yizhou."
Yizhou?
That is the territory under the jurisdiction of King Rong.
"I promise Mrs. Chang that when we get to Yizhou, no one can touch Mr. Chang Lang again." Li Lu said: "I will prepare a new identity for Mr. Chang Lang so that he can fulfill his ambitions in the army in Yizhou.
"
Chang Suining generally understood.
"So the prince wants to hold my brother hostage in Yizhou to drive my father away, right?" she asked bluntly.
It turned out that I was waiting here.
"How can it be said that it was driven?" Li Lu was not embarrassed, but explained seriously: "As early as when I was a child, I often heard my father talk about the reputation of General Chang. General Chang was brave and unparalleled. He followed the late prince.
His Highness has been born and died for many years. He is a good general with the most affection, character and loyalty, which is difficult to find in the world..."
"Both my father and I have a love for talents. General Chang has not been able to be reused over the years, which is a waste of natural resources. Now Mr. Chang is in trouble again, so I will do my best to serve General Chang and Mr. Chang in the future."
The general is just looking for a shelter."
"It turns out that the prince has taken a fancy to my father and brother's generals." Chang Sui Ning finally realized at this moment: "This is the real reason why the prince proposed to marry me in the first place."
I want to use her to win over Lao Chang.
It turns out that King Rong of Yizhou secretly wanted to win over the generals.
"Yes, not entirely." The young man said with a serious expression: "I really love Mrs. Chang. Mrs. Chang is outstanding in every way. She has a heart that is not willing to be trapped in a woman's body, just as I am not willing to be trapped in this disease.
Body——"
Perhaps it was because of this similarity that he was attracted to that girl.
He said: "If Mrs. Chang is doubtful about the sincerity of my brother-in-law's rescue, Lu's original proposal for marriage is still true. I am willing to take Mrs. Chang as my wife. When you and I become a family, we should trust you wholeheartedly and help each other in times of trouble.
Divide each other."
Chang Sui Ning only found these decent words funny: "The prince has good vision and a good abacus."
"It's just -" she couldn't help but ask: "If I want to secretly rescue my brother, I may not be able to do it. Why must I cooperate with the crown prince to get my brother out of prison for nothing, but have to be trapped in Yizhou as a hostage?
"
"Of course it's because..." Li Lu laughed helplessly: "The best way to let others keep their secrets is win-win cooperation."
Chang Sui Ning also laughed: "In other words, if I don't cooperate with the Crown Prince, the Crown Prince will tell the truth and secretly prevent me from rescuing my brother?"
If they fail to cooperate, will they destroy what he said is her brother's only way of survival?
Prince Rong sighed: "It is clearly a deal that benefits both parties, why does Mrs. Chang always think about pushing me away?"
"Because this is not a transaction." Chang Suining looked at him: "This is coercion."
From the beginning, he had the intention of using this matter to set up a game, hoping to move her, her father and brother to his chessboard and become his chess pieces.
Li Lu's eyes were still gentle: "Ms. Chang, you really shouldn't think like this."
Chang Suining looked at him: "The prince is so thirsty for talents that he will resort to any means. Can I understand that the prince and Prince Rong have disobedient intentions?"
Li Lu shook his head.
"My father and I are both surnamed Li, and my father is the direct brother of the late emperor. This prosperous country belongs to our Li family, so there is no need to talk about being disloyal." He said: "Protecting the generals is only to ensure the stability of the Li family.
And think about it.”
Li Lu coughed twice, calmed down his breathing, and then continued to speak slowly: "The overall situation is about to be chaotic, and today's saints are old and unable to do what they want... General Chang and I have the same ambition, and we are on the same road, so why don't we live together
Dashengheshan?"
He looked at the girl who was in desperate situation but still showed no signs of bending, and finally reminded: "What's more, your house has no other choice at the moment."
Chang Suining looked at the young man who spoke of cooperation and companionship, but in reality was nothing but intimidation and contempt.
Use the most pleasant and gentle words and carry out the strongest coercion.
After a while, Chang Sui Ning said: "I was not expecting the prince's proposal. I need to consider it for two days."
"That's fine." Li Lu nodded: "After Mrs. Chang has thought about it carefully, we will discuss a strategy to save people."
He thought, it would only last for two days at most——
Now that the holy will has been decided, the next actions will no longer be as gentle and gentle as before.
She is smart but not experienced enough. Once she faces the real storm, she will put away her luck and understand that some costs are unavoidable.
He will wait for her to come again.
Prince Rong watched the figure disappear behind the bead curtain, slightly curved the corners of his mouth, and there was a bit of anticipation in his eyes.
…
The sky was getting dark, and lights were lit in each palace one after another.
In the Ganlu Hall, several officials and ministers who came to discuss matters were sent away. After Mingluo returned to the inner hall, he knelt down to the Holy Emperor with a solemn face, kowtowed his head, and made a sign of apology.