In the night breeze, the Yan brothers were waiting side by side at the gate of the palace.
Because of this accident, the Chinese Valentine's Day banquet ended early, and families were lining up to leave the palace.
Prince Fu's Mansion went first, followed by Princess Jincheng and other relatives of the emperor. They were both foreign ministers and juniors, so they lined up behind.
Looking out from here, the light was dim, casting layers of shadows on the faces of the two people.
Yan Cheng was lost in thought for a while, then suddenly asked: "Do you hate big brother so much?"
Yan Ling looked at the cars outside and replied absently: "No! Brother, what are you talking about?"
"You know what I'm talking about." Yan Cheng said coldly, "It is the prince who is in trouble today, so he can escape intact. If it were me, I would not be able to get away with the crime of charging against a nobleman. By that time, I am afraid that I
I will stay in the capital for you."
Yan Ling laughed: "Brother, you are taking it too seriously. Li Fei's appearance was an accident. I just wanted to tease you, but I didn't expect things to turn out like this."
"There is no Concubine Li, and there is a princess." Yan Cheng's voice was without any warmth, "You and the prince are as good as one person. You can come and go in the palace at will, so it must not be difficult to bribe some people. I am not you, and I don't have strong martial arts.
, if we really go to Qiqiao Tower, who knows what is waiting there? I’m afraid I can’t even explain it with all my words.”
Faced with her brother's accusations, Yan Ling's behavior was somewhat nonchalant: "Brother, you are overthinking. Even if you are really caught, as long as you tell the whole story clearly, we and the prince will testify for you, and your majesty will naturally be lenient.
"
He also smiled: "Look, didn't I come out and plead guilty? The custody will not implicate you."
"Are you afraid of offending the prince?" Yan Cheng sneered, "The prince has been punished because of you, so he doesn't care about it now. Who knows whether old scores will be revealed in the future."
"Brother!" After explaining several times to no avail, Yan Ling became unhappy, "Can't you just have some trust in me? Ever since I was a child, you always come first for good things. I never say anything. I just want to tease you once.
, it’s worth being so angry.”
Yan Cheng smiled instead of getting angry: "Is this what you are thinking?"
"What?"
"Every good thing happens to me first, and bad things happen to you. Are you resentful that you can't go home?"
Yan Ling was silent for a while and said: "I'm not resentful, but brother, you know why I can't go home. I don't ask you to be grateful, but at least think about it for me. Why can't you help me fight for it?
For a moment? Maybe His Majesty agrees?"
"Is it because I don't help you fight for it? There is no chance!" Yan Cheng said in a cold tone, "Father was reprimanded just before. Because of this, he couldn't sleep well. He didn't dare to keep even a little bit of what he captured after defeating Xirong.
They all asked me to send them to the capital. Do you know how much we have sacrificed? We have been fighting for more than half a year without supplies. Guanzhong is now eating only grain. How dare we take the risk of angering His Majesty? Besides, this is also for you. Your Majesty accepts it.
Even if I accept the gift, I will treat you better, but you still don’t appreciate all the hard work!”
"You're talking nonsense!" Yan Ling said with anger on his face, "Father can't leave me here. No matter how hard life is, he will try to take me back! Otherwise, he wouldn't have reported a serious injury to His Majesty last time.
!”
"Yes, so my father tried it, what else do you have to complain about?" Yan Cheng said displeased, "Do you think I told a lie? My father's old injury relapsed, and he just saved his life when he was bedridden.
I'm still thinking about you! But you've also seen that not only did you fail to go home, but you also gave your father a scolding, turning merit into guilt. Aling, you have to be more sensible. This is not for me, but for our Yan.
Home!"
Yan Ling curled her lips: "Anyway, I'll accept my bad luck, right? Who made me the second child? Good things don't come my way. If you need to sacrifice, you have to step forward. I understand, you are the hope of the Yan family, as for me, I just bet
Take your own life!"
"You..." Yan Cheng was angry. After saying so much, he still had this attitude.
Yan Ling had already turned her head and said lightly: "Okay, it's almost our turn, let's talk about it when we get back."
Only then did Yan Cheng stop. The two brothers were clearly standing together, but neither one looked at the other.
Not long after, the guards came over to greet them. Yan Cheng's expression softened and he remained as gentle and elegant as usual. He thanked them and led his brother out of the palace.
After they left, a figure emerged from the shadow of the palace wall.
"General Liao!" the guard saluted hurriedly.
Liao Ying asked them to stay on duty as usual and strode to the Mingguang Hall.
The emperor was resting his mind with his eyes closed, and Concubine Li was waiting on him. After hearing the report, she immediately went to the side hall to watch tea.
"Your Majesty." Liao Ying came in.
"How about it?"
Liao Ying lowered her voice and repeated the conversation between the brothers that she just heard.
The emperor opened his eyes and laughed: "The person who doesn't want Yan Er to go back is indeed Yan Da! His words are quite logical, but after all, isn't it just to make Yan Er stay with peace of mind?"
Liao Ying hesitated for a moment and replied: "I heard what Prince Yan said makes sense. Duke Zhao made your majesty angry last time. Maybe I don't dare to mention it again this time."
The emperor waved his hand: "You don't know Yan Shu. He was also a hostage in Beijing when he was a child. I have known him since childhood. He has a somewhat noble temperament. If he is willing to go out of his way to please me, he must also hope to take Yan Er back. Maybe he confessed
If you can take your eldest son back, you can take him back. If you can't take him back, don't force him. But Yan Da doesn't want his younger brother to go back, so he obeys the rules and goes against the rules."
Liao Ying handed over his hand and said: "Your Majesty's analysis is reasonable. I can learn from it."
The emperor continued: "It's no wonder that Yan Er has resentment in his heart. The Yan family passed down the family through martial arts, but Yan's martial arts skills were not obvious, and all the talents for fighting were given to Yan Er. When Yan Shu passes away, who will be able to inherit his mantle and lead the army in battle?
It’s Yan Er. This kid is not afraid of anything. He dared to surprise Barsi with 3,000 men. How could he be willing to succumb to his brother who is inferior to him? It’s only natural to be angry!"
Liao Ying lowered his head and reported: "Just now, Prince Yan said that he did not have strong martial arts skills, and his tone was quite unwilling. It seems that he was also quite jealous of his younger brother."
The emperor nodded and said in an affirmative tone: "That's why he is afraid that when Yan Er goes back, he will take away his position as heir apparent!"
"yes."
After saying this, the emperor closed his eyes and meditated.
After something like this happened, Yan Er could no longer stay with the prince. So, he could only be imprisoned in the palace. The emperor was not sure before. If he really did this, would Duke Zhao be dissatisfied and leave his heart?
The case of Prince Duan's rebellion had just been dealt with before. General Yu Chong died not long ago, and he needed time to clean up the mess. Relaxing the relationship with Duke Zhao would be more beneficial to the situation.
Now after hearing Liao Ying's report, an idea that had been ruled out before emerged in the emperor's mind.
Let Yan Er go back! Duke Zhao's old injury has relapsed, and he will definitely transfer the power in his hands to his son bit by bit. By then, the two sons will be in the same house, and the capital will be able to sleep peacefully!
Furthermore, the prince did not hesitate to defend him, and Yan Er must be grateful. As the saying goes, the fragrance is far away and the smell is near. Now that he is leaving, this gratitude will be buried in his heart.
This was really a good idea that killed two birds with one stone. The emperor applauded himself in his heart, stood up and flicked his sleeves in high spirits.
"Serving the pen and ink, I will draft the decree myself!"