Li Xiuyuan assumed the position of prime minister in the first year of Tianqi of the Great Chu Dynasty. He is still sitting firmly in the position of prime minister for nearly twenty years, which shows his means and strength.
Half a year ago, the young man in front of him held a piece of white jade and talked about a marriage that was so long ago that Li Xiuyuan had forgotten about it.
Li Xiuyuan's forgetfulness was due to time and because those people back then had already passed away, including his son and daughter-in-law to whom he was engaged.
Only Li Xiuyuan and Yu Zhi were left in the lobby. It was the same scene half a year ago.
The difference is that the token of phoenix blood jade brought by Yu Zhi is now in Li Xiuyuan's hands.
As soon as he walked into the lobby, a wave of oppression from the superiors came towards Yu Zhi, like a mountain that was so towering that it was difficult to climb. This is the aura that Li Xiuyuan has developed over decades. Anyone in a high position must have such an aura hidden in him, as if he could see the magnificence of all the mountains at a glance.
Fortunately, Yu Zhi is already used to this.
Li Haomiao, Cang Biejie, and even Cang Shui gave Yu Zhi far more oppression than Li Xiuyuan.
"I didn't expect that the person Tong'er liked turned out to be you. It was a coincidence. It was a coincidence." Li Xiuyuan's face was expressionless, and there was no trace of any thoughts on his face.
Yu Zhi glanced at Li Xiuyuan with an indifferent expression. From the first moment he saw Li Xiuyuan, he knew what kind of person the old man in front of him was.
Li Xiuyuan continued: "Tong'er has suffered from leg disease since she was a child, which is something that worries me every day. Fortunately, she met you and cured her leg disease. I must thank you for this."
"After returning to Kyoto, Tong'er once told me what happened between you two. She cares about you and is willing to marry you. Although you are only a small clerk of the Metropolitan Procuratorate now, I will help you. It will not be difficult to take over Jiang Qing's position as censor of the Imperial Procuratorate at that time."
court?
Or disguise?
Yu Zhi remained indifferent to this. What he pursued was not official position. In other words, if he really wanted to become an official, the Qiu family's background would be enough to pave the way for him.
Even though the relationships in the Great Chu court were complicated, almost all civil servants followed Li Xiuyuan.
In Zhao Jie's case, Li Xiuyuan secretly instigated Qian Fangyuan and wanted Yu Zhi to be buried in prison. But the development of things was beyond everyone's expectation.
Prince Xiao Jingyao, who was far away in the north, and Xu Qing, the commander-in-chief of the Northern Territory Army, wrote in person. The letter contained the truth, but it was undoubtedly a message to the Chu court that Yu Zhi belonged to the prince!
Yu Zhi said: "Master Xiang, you promised me a bright future. But why did you do this?"
The implication of Yu Zhi's words is, I don't believe you are so kind.
Li Xiuyuan took a sip of tea and said: "In the case of Youquan Villa, the prince will help you. The Great Chu Court has regarded you as the prince's person. From now on, the third prince will regard you as a thorn in his side. From now on, if the third prince deals with you, It will definitely affect Tong'er, so some things are not whether you are willing or not, but you have to do it. You need to have enough power to protect Tong'er."
Now, Li Xiuyuan is completely a kind old man, thinking about Li Wantong's safety. But the black-clothed killer he sent a few months ago was just to kill Li Wantong.
If he didn't know that the man behind the black-clothed killer was Li Xiuyuan, Yu Zhi might still believe him.
But how could Yu Zhi believe him now?
Yu Zhi sneered: "Master Xiang is really worried about Tong'er's safety?"
Li Xiuyuan frowned and said with an unhappy expression, "What do you mean?"
Facing Yu Zhi's gaze, Li Xiuyuan had a bad feeling. Does this kid know something? But Tong'er clearly didn't know anything. Is he scamming me?
He has a guilty conscience, which is why he has many doubts.
Yu Zhi shook his head and said with a smile: "Let's just assume that the Prime Minister really cares about Tong'er. Today, I am here to get back what the Prime Minister took from me."
Li Xiuyuan knew what it was, but he pretended to be confused and said, "Have I ever taken anything away from you?"
Phoenix blood white jade, Li Xiuyuan didn't know the name of that piece of white jade, but after seeing many rare treasures, he could tell the value of that piece of white jade at a glance.
The blood-threaded outline of the phoenix soaring into the sky is made of warm white jade. It is a natural decoration and miraculous craftsmanship, which is really rare to see.
Shameless...Yu Zhi also anticipated today's result, so he said: "Today, I am here to get it. If the Prime Minister doesn't give it to me, I won't be the one who comes here in the future."
Who is behind Yu Zhi?
It's impossible for Li Xiuyuan not to know. He still remembered that night half a year ago, two people from the Prime Minister's Mansion sneaked into his bedroom one after another. The words the latter said were reminders and even more warnings.
Time can erase all things, and people's hearts can also leave traces of time.
Li Xiuyuan's eyes were so sharp that it froze the air, and he said in a deep voice. "Are you threatening the truth?"
The Prime Minister of Da Chu, one person is inferior to ten thousand people. The power in his hand can make half of the country of Da Chu tremble. He has seen countless storms, how can he accept the threat of a young man?
Yu Zhi took out a pamphlet and placed it on the table beside him. "Threatening you, so what? Li Xiuyuan, God knows what you did, and you know it...and I know it!"
The pamphlet was found in Beiliang City from the killer in black that night.
Yu Zhi has always been on his body, just for today.
Threats require the ability to threaten. The words are very pale, like scolding a shrew, and they can't hurt anyone.
"What is this?"
"In Beiliang Mansion, there were a few killers in black who wanted to kill Tong'er. I killed them all and got this booklet from them. I think the Prime Minister will like it."
Li Xiuyuan turned over the pages, snorted coldly and said, "What do you mean?"
Yu Zhi asked back: "Don't the Prime Minister know?"
There was a depressing atmosphere in the silence, and Li Xiuyuan felt more and more difficult to deal with the young man in front of him.
In just half a year, Yu Zhi was no longer the reviled and shameful person, and he even had the confidence to threaten Li Xiuyuan.
"Do you think you can frame the Prime Minister with this?"
"Of course not. But if the Procuratorate and Dali Temple investigate, they might be able to find out something."
"What a sinister boy."
"The prime minister's reputation as a traitorous prime minister is well-deserved."
...
Yu Zhi's trip was for no other reason than to express a meaning to Li Xiuyuan - I know all the things you did. If you want to harm Li Wantong in the future, you have to think carefully.
Just a few steps out of the Prime Minister's Mansion, the housekeeper of the Prime Minister's Mansion chased him from behind.
"Master Yu, this is what the prime minister asked me to give you."
Yu Zhi took the sandalwood box, opened it, took a look, and smiled.
What's inside is Yu Zhi's piece of phoenix blood white jade.
"Tell your Prime Minister, next time I come to visit you, nothing happened today."
The butler cupped his hands and said, "I will convey it to the Prime Minister."
Soon, the housekeeper returned to the Prime Minister's Mansion and told Li Xiuyuan what Yu Zhi said.
Li Xiuyuan was thoughtful and snorted coldly: "This son has a deep mind. He must know the truth. But what is important now is the maid beside the prince. Letting Chen'er marry into the East Palace is the real thing. The prince took the initiative to invite Ying to go to the north. , and still has his love for the palace maid. The assassination failed last time, so we still have to rely on the queen."
It was no secret that Li Chuchen fell in love with the prince in the palace. And the marriage between the two is not a rumor. After all, the queen had always liked Li Chuchen and was promoting this marriage.
If the prince hadn't gone to the north, the prince and Li Chuchen would have already been married according to the decree.
"Later, I will edit a letter and you can send it to the Queen's Palace." Li Xiuyuan said.
The housekeeper responded and saw Li Chuchen walking in.
Li Chuchen said: "Grandpa, let me send this letter to the Queen."
"Chen'er." Li Xiuyuan loved this granddaughter very much because she would bring honor to the entire Li family in the future.
Li Chuchen also knew the maid in the palace. But Li Chuchen was just Li Chuchen and had no control over the prince's actions. Moreover, the maids of the East Palace have always been carefully selected and prepared to serve the prince.
Now, seeing the growing love between the prince and the palace maid, Li Chuchen became anxious.
Not only Li Chuchen, but the Queen and Li Xiuyuan were also anxious.
The third prince, Xiao Jingyu, returned. He had the support of King Xiang Ji of Chu, and he had many friends among the ministers. He was eyeing the position of crown prince.
Xiao Jingyao urgently needs Li Xiuyuan's help. With Li Xiuyuan, the great civil servants of Chu will stand behind Xiao Jingyao.
Marriage to Li Chuchen is the condition for gaining Li Xiuyuan's support.
This is a political marriage. Of course, Li Chuchen fell in love with Xiao Jingyao, but it was only Li Chuchen's one-sided love.
Li Chuchen said firmly: "Grandpa, this is my marriage, and I am the one who becomes the crown princess."
Li Xiuyuan's eyes were complicated and he said: "Chen'er, just let grandpa do these dirty things. Grandpa will ensure that you become the crown princess."
Li Chuchen shook his head. "Grandpa, you once said that there is no right or wrong in this world, there are only winners and losers. As long as I become the crown prince and the future queen, who will know about these things today?"
Li Chuchen's eyes were extremely firm, and she knew what she should do now.
...
...
After leaving the Prime Minister's Mansion, Yu Zhi held the sandalwood box in his hand and went to Baiweiju.
Go back and bring some Baiwei pastries for Li Wantong and some preserved fruits for Yu Lan. As for Ruoruo, she is not that picky.
Retrieving the Phoenix Blood White Jade from Li Xiuyuan put Yu Zhi in a good mood.
Finally avenged that day... Yu Zhi thought to himself. He is very vindictive, not to mention that if the other party did something wrong, the fault still falls on him.
Yu Zhi couldn't bear it anymore and didn't want to let it go.
While Yu Zhi was waiting for the pastries to be packaged, Yu Zhi met the person who made him feel familiar and friendly again - Jiang Xiyue.
Jiang Xiyue never expected to see Yu Zhi in Baiweiju.
"Madam." Yu Zhi stood up and said hello.
Jiang Xiyue flashed a hint of joy and walked towards Yu Zhi.
The first floor is the lobby, and there are many diners coming and going. People like Jiang Xiyue and others are in a separate room on the third floor of Baiweiju.
Seeing such a graceful and beautiful woman like Jiang Xiyue sitting in the lobby, it naturally attracted the attention of many people.
Jiang Xiyue walked up to Yu Zhi and said, "You left before I could ask you your name yesterday. I didn't expect to see you here again today."
Yu Zhi smiled slightly. He had no dislike for Jiang Xiyue, nor did he feel that the woman in front of him was as sinister and vicious as Qiu Ruoruo said.
"Xia Yuzhi."
