Upon hearing this, Xiao Rui's expression immediately collapsed.
With a face full of embarrassment and grievance, she begged in a tone of voice: "Aunt, you are my biological aunt. Even if the current emperor is my father-in-law, I am closer to you. Why do I ask for the jade seal? It's not for you. It’s safe. As for the fate of the Tang Dynasty or not, haha, I don’t think a piece of broken stone is useful.”
"The problem is, if we don't take out that stone now, they won't let you and Yang Zhengdao go. Let alone a mere marquis like me, even my father, the prime minister, the founding duke, would be crushed to death in minutes. Unless, you keep that stone to help the Sui Dynasty recover? I cannot agree to this. If this is the case, then please forgive my nephew for being unfilial. "
"You cannot harm the entire Xiao family because of your own selfish interests."
Empress Xiao and Xiao Rui have been getting along for several months since they started in the grassland. They know the temperament of this nephew of her mother's family very well. He can talk about anything else, except rebellion. This is his bottom line.
Alas...what a loyal minister and filial son! What a pity, why did he return to the Li family of Tang Dynasty? If he had been born twenty years earlier, there might have been hope for the Sui Dynasty.
Xiao Rui continued: "Aunt, judging from your tone, it seems that you are still resenting that troubled time."
"Why bother? The Great Sui Dynasty is gone. My uncle, Emperor Daye, was killed by the old thief Yu Wenhuaji, not the Li family. If we say that he is a rebellious minister and traitor, he is not really one. At that time, it was like the Great Qin Dynasty hundreds of years ago. Qin lost its Deer, the whole world will chase it away. After the death of Emperor Daye, the Li Tang clan raised the flag to rebel. In terms of their status, they are still relatives of their uncle. Rather than letting Guo Zuo fall into the hands of Yu Wenhua and others, it is better to give it to Da Ye. Where’s Tang?”
Empress Xiao snorted coldly: "You are very loyal to Mr. Li."
Xiao Rui waved his hand and said: "My nephew is not interceding for anyone. After saying so much, he is just saying one thing - you don't hate Datang."
Empress Xiao sneered, "He, Li Yuanshi, was favored by the emperor, and your majesty entrusted him with the important task of taking charge of Taiyuan and Shanxi. What happened in the end? Something happened to your majesty in Yangzhou. He didn't want to help the country and avenge you, but he set up his own business and usurped the throne and Chang'an. You Say he shouldn't hate me? Boy, you really are half a son-in-law, speaking for others like this."
Xiao Rui smiled bitterly and said: "Don't mention him as the general manager of Taiyuan, the governor of Shanxi, and the Duke of Tang Dynasty. Even if he is the nine elders of the Sui Dynasty, what about the backing king of the Sui Dynasty? Can't he stop the troubled times? How can the Sui Dynasty be destroyed? I’m afraid you, my aunt, know the reason best. It’s like a patient who is riddled with wounds and dying, and there is no way to save him. Can one person and one place help him?”
"To tell you something you don't like to hear, where did Yu Wenhuaji's ability to rebel come from? How many of the Yang family's children did he kill? Didn't it all depend on my uncle's favor and promotion?"
"The Supreme Emperor was still Tang Guogong at the beginning. It's okay for you to ask him to assist Emperor Daye. After all, he is a cousin. But Emperor Daye is gone and all the Yang family's children were slaughtered. With this kind of kinship, do you think Tang Guogong can still do it? Will you help me with my life?"
"What do you mean by usurping the throne and establishing oneself? Haha, dynasties have changed throughout the ages. How about Xiang Yu, the overlord of Western Chu? How about Liu Bang, the great Han Dynasty? Which of the Sima family in the Jin Dynasty, including the Yang family in the former Sui Dynasty, is not independent? The winner is the king and the loser is the bandit. In the former Sui Dynasty, We hold the world in our hands, we have strong soldiers and horses, and there are many talents, but we are dead in the second generation. We should reflect on the reasons ourselves, instead of complaining about this and hating that, what's the use?"
As he talked, Xiao Rui became more and more critical, and his tone became more and more critical. He completely forgot that the woman in front of him was his biological aunt, and she was already over sixty years old. What if she couldn't bear such a severe situation?
After finishing speaking, Xiao Rui regretted it and apologized quickly: "Ahem, don't blame me, aunt. My nephew was emotionally excited for a moment and said some nonsense. He didn't mean to be disrespectful to my uncle, nor did he mean to offend you. I just want to persuade you to let go of the past and don't For a useless piece of stone, your future freedom and stability have been sacrificed. You have suffered enough in the past ten years."
The last words were spoken sincerely, and Queen Xiao's heart softened. Although her face was flushed with anger, she could see that her nephew really cared and could not bear to be harshly criticized.
After a long sigh, Queen Xiao said angrily: "You are a good eloquent, kid. How can you, a child, explain the changes in dynasties? You are so young, yet you dare to speak so eloquently and point out the country."
"Your uncle made a few wrong steps back then. Everyone in the world called him a tyrant, and even arranged for his posthumous title to be Emperor Yang of Sui Dynasty. He was so shameless! In fact, what kind of tyrant? It's not like they want to rebel and start shouting. ? Why bother to accuse someone?"
"When I was in the grassland, I saw that you were a good boy, and there was no disrespect in your words. Otherwise, even if you are my nephew, I will not come back with you."
Xiao Rui bowed and saluted, "Now that aunt has figured it out, let's tell my nephew the whereabouts of the jade seal."
Empress Xiao spread her hands and said, "No, I really don't know. If I had known, I might not have been able to leave Yangzhou City."
you……
Xiao Rui was so angry that he stamped his feet, "Aunt, there is no one like you. Did we just chat for a long time in vain? You can give me a hint. In this world, if you don't even know where the jade seal is, I'm afraid it's true. lost."
"Oh? You weren't trying to persuade me just now, were you just trying to coax me?" Queen Xiao rolled her eyes.
Xiao Rui waved his hand: "Yes, yes, then you should rest early and my nephew will go find it by himself."
After saying that, he turned to leave and muttered in a low voice: "I don't believe it. The historical records record that the imperial seal of the Song Dynasty is still there. How can the Tang Dynasty not find it?"
Empress Xiao didn't hear this, but smiled and sent her nephew out, while jokingly encouraging: "Then I wish you all the best and find the baby soon."
This tone... really makes people hate it! Are you waiting to see my joke? It seems that I am sure that I can't find it?
Xiao Rui felt furious in his heart, I will still fight like this today, even if it means unlocking the warehouse and reading all the history books in the future... Bah! The warehouse is a doomsday rescue warehouse. Is there a history book? It’s the end of the world, what’s the use of collecting history books?
Wait, there's a problem! Xiao Rui stopped.
My aunt has a problem. How can she be so sure that I can't find her? Is it hidden enough secrets? Or was it destroyed? No, no, the jade seal passed down to the country was an important weapon of the country. She was looking forward to the restoration of the former Sui Dynasty, so she would definitely be reluctant to destroy it, so she hid it.
So, where is the safest place to hide, and are you sure I can’t find it?
Unless...unless it's carried with you! Yes, it is the safest thing to carry around with you. How could she be willing to leave such a precious thing out of her sight?
But, but the Imperial Seal is a stone seal and it’s not small. How can she carry it with her? Not to mention that I didn’t see the escorts along the way, even Wang Shichong, Dou Jiande and others she had experienced. Where will it be hidden?
Xiao Rui turned around and quickly returned to Queen Xiao's house.
Queen Xiao panicked, "What? Aren't you going to find the treasure? You still don't believe it. If I don't tell you, you won't be able to leave, right?"
"You, you...wait, what are you looking for? This is your home!"
Xiao Rui smiled, "Aunt, this is my house. But now it's your room. If you have nothing wrong with you, why are you so nervous? Unless...unless...unless the imperial seal is in your house and you are afraid that your nephew will find it." "
"You, you search, you search... you search whatever you want. I am my own nephew, and my aunt will not guard against her own people. Just take whatever you like, and my aunt will give it to you." Empress Xiao simply let go and let the search be done generously.
Xiao Rui keenly noticed that the other party's eyes were evasive, and he glanced at the bed intentionally or unintentionally.
Moving his gaze to the bed, Xiao Rui narrowed his eyes and found it - the ruby pillow! That's right, this thing is the soft stuff that my aunt has to carry with her when she escapes. Is it just because of a piece of ruby? I do not believe! Empress of the Sui Dynasty, what haven’t you seen? Do you care about a mere stone? Unless, this is no ordinary stone.
Seeing Xiao Rui reaching for the ruby pillow, Queen Xiao panicked, "Put it down! This one won't work. This ruby pillow is a gift from your uncle. It is your aunt's only thought. Rui'er, please change it." Choose a gift.”
