Li Jiangyao nodded: "That's right. In addition to putting Shen Lie in prison, your report also had a deeper effect, which was to arouse the suspicion of the emperor and the court in this regard. Once the chain of suspicion is formed, It doesn’t matter whether you framed me or not.”
He paused and continued: "For the emperor, it is important to thoroughly investigate the case and completely rule out the suspicion of Shen Lie instigating King Huaiyang. Because logically, this matter makes sense and has sufficient possibility. Only by finding out the mastermind behind the whole conspiracy can Shen Lie's crisis be truly resolved. At the same time, the princess can also argue that she was deceived. Because she was eager to save her brother, she reported it to the emperor without verification. This one It can be regarded as an oversight, but it cannot be regarded as a frame-up."
Li Xi thought for a moment and suddenly asked: "Brother, you said last night that Jinghui was in your hands, were you deceiving me?"
Li Jiangyao smiled sheepishly: "When did you find out?"
"After you left yesterday, I noticed something was wrong." Li Xi couldn't help but laugh: "I think that if Jinghui is really caught, he will never be able to withstand your methods. In that case, my brother will You understand everything, why bother acting with me?"
"Then why are you still willing to come to me today?" Li Jiangyao was a little curious.
"Fortunately, I figured it out." Li Xi smiled sweetly: "Otherwise, being my brother's enemy would be worse than death. When I asked Jinghui about this person, I suddenly thought of a possibility. It might be helpful to find out the mastermind behind the scenes. help."
Li Jiangyao also secretly admired Li Xi's agility at this time, and couldn't help asking humbly: "Do you have any good ideas?"
Li Xi analyzed: "Jinghui was waiting for me at Xiangji Temple in advance. Going to Xiangji Temple to worship Buddha and offer incense was an impromptu suggestion when Concubine Hui came to visit me the day before. There was too much time in between. If it’s short, what does it mean?”
Li Jiangyao looked into Li Xi's eyes and said with a smile: "This means that either you or Murong Ling have eyeliners like Jinghui and others."
"Brother is really smart!" Li Xi praised: "I thought about it for a long time before I suspected this, but you actually figured it out as soon as I heard it."
Li Jiangyao waved his hand: "Princess, please don't praise me again. Let's continue talking about business. Since you have suspicions, you must have made discoveries, right?"
Li Xi nodded: "I feel that there seems to be something wrong with the personal maid Xiaoting. Unfortunately, there are not many ways to confirm it, so I can only observe silently in secret."
"As long as there is a target, it will be easy to handle." Li Jiangyao said with a smile: "Princess, give me two days, and I will be responsible for verifying Xiaoting's innocence."
Li Xi originally planned to ask Li Jiangyao how to verify Xiaoting's innocence, but then she thought about it and held back.
Soldiers always pay attention to decisiveness in killing. If Li Jiangyao's people want to be cruel to Xiaoting and torture her, it would be bad if she knew about it.
At this moment, the housekeeper of the Hu Mansion suddenly announced outside the door that a message had just come from the palace, asking most of the guards to come into the palace to have lunch with the emperor.
Li Jiangyao responded with a smile, and then asked Li Xi: "I have never had a meal with the emperor. Are there any rules that I need to pay attention to? For example, what kind of clothes should I wear? Can I take the initiative to make His Majesty drink?"
Li Xi chuckled when he heard this, rolled his eyes at Li Jiangyao and said, "Brother, sometimes you are so smart that people are scared, and sometimes you are so stupid that you are cute."
-
Li Jiangyao, dressed in court uniform and crown, walked into Changqing Palace under the guidance of the chamberlain.
There were only two tables placed in the huge palace. One is on the high platform and the other is under the high platform.
Li Jiangyao looked around, thinking that when Li Bing came, he would have to give tedious gifts, so he simply stopped sitting and stood there waiting quietly.
Sure enough, not long after, the chamberlain sang loudly, "The emperor has arrived——"
Li Bing, who was also formally dressed, walked into the palace accompanied by the imperial guards. He waited for Li Jiangyao to finish his salute and invited him to take a seat. At the same time, he sent out all the imperial troops, leaving only two young chamberlains to wait on him.
Li Jiangyao thought to himself: This emperor is also quite courageous. With my martial arts skills, even without the Xingluo Dao, I can definitely kill him within three moves. Having a banquet opposite me in such a grand manner, it seems that he has no intention of forcing me to death today.
He smiled faintly, followed the rules taught by Li Xi, raised his hands and said loudly: "I have humbled my position, and I have received great love from your majesty. I have given you a meal and a banquet. I am extremely grateful and thank you for your kindness."
Li Bing nodded slightly and said: "Li Qing has made great contributions to the country. He has been fighting in the field all year round and has experienced many hardships. He rarely returns to the imperial capital. This is what he should do."
As he said that, he picked up the wine glass: "Although I am not strong enough to drink, I still want to drink three glasses with you first!"
"This first cup is to thank Li Qing for rescuing Luoyi back then. Without you, I wouldn't be where I am today."
Hearing this, Li Jiangyao quickly picked up the cup on the table and drank the wine at the same time as Li Bing. He had taken the antidote provided by the Intelligence Department in advance, and he had strong internal strength, so he was not worried about being poisoned while drinking or eating.
The waiter refilled their glasses with wine, and Li Bing said: "The second cup is to reward Li Qing for his efforts in crossing the border and guarding thousands of miles of territory for Shengtang!"
Li Jiangyao said a few humble words, and then drank together with Li Bing.
"The third cup is for the late emperor," Li Bing said solemnly: "Li Qing regained the imperial capital, eliminated the Turks, and avenged the late emperor. I thank you from the bottom of my heart, please!"
"Your Majesty, please." Li Jiangyao raised his glass again and drank with Li Bing.
After drinking for three times, Li Bing smiled meaningfully and continued: "Li Qing, those three glasses of wine just now are my gratitude to you and my respect to you. However, in addition to the three respects, I am also very grateful to you." You still have three grievances, the grievances of resentment, do you know?"
Li Jiangyao was slightly curious, looked at Li Bing calmly, and replied: "I forgive you for being stupid, but please give me some advice."
Li Bingze shook his head gently and waved his hand: "I won't tell you, you can go back and think about it yourself. Come, try the food first, they are all good things."
Li Jiangyao didn't hesitate. He picked up the jade chopsticks obediently and tasted each of the delicacies on the table. Sure enough, as Li Bing said, they are all rare delicacies.
Seeing him eating calmly and happily, Li Bing also secretly marveled: Li Jiangyao is indeed a hero. He knew clearly that I was dissatisfied with him and even expressed my three grudges, but he remained calm and composed, without any fear of being assassinated. Just this calm and calm look makes him look like a general.
Li Jiangyao ate with concentration, but Li Bing barely moved his chopsticks. He waited for Li Jiangyao to swallow a crystal shrimp ball, and then asked leisurely: "Is Shen Lie okay? How is your recovery from the injury?"
Hearing this, Li Jiangyao couldn't help but be stunned, but the expression on his face and the movements of his hands did not change at all.
Just listen to Li Bing continue: "Li Qing doesn't need to deny or admit, I have no intention of pursuing it. Alas, I also know that Tian Mu and the others are very heavy-handed. If they hadn't wanted to ask more questions from Shen Lie, The secret may have killed him long ago.”
When Li Jiangyao heard what the other party said, he gently put down the jade chopsticks and said coldly: "Why are you doing this, Your Majesty?"
Li Bing knew what he meant: leave loyal ministers like Shen Lie unused, instead use Tian Mu's gang of treacherous ministers, and let them harm loyal ministers. Why bother?
After a moment of silence, Li Bing smiled bitterly and said: "Li Jiangyao, what do you think is a loyal minister? What is a sycophantic minister?"
"Those who care about their country and their country and risk their lives to protect it are loyal." Li Jiangyao replied loudly: "Those who are jealous of the wise and capable and use power for personal gain are sycophants."
Li Bing nodded, then shook his head: "That's right and wrong. Didn't you notice? The standard you just mentioned is missing the most critical link?"
"What's missing?" Li Jiangyao was a little confused.
"The emperor is missing." Li Bing's tone was a little solemn: "Those who use power for personal gain may not only seek their own selfish interests, but sometimes also seek the selfish interests of the emperor; those who care about their family and country may not necessarily care about the emperor of the Holy Tang Dynasty, but perhaps more of the common people in the world. Shen Lie , and you, Li Jiangyao, you are all the mainstays of this country, but you are not my loyal ministers."
The loyal ministers of the country and the loyal ministers of the emperor are obviously different.
Li Jiangyao understood the young monarch's focus and understood that this was not a simple matter of right and wrong. If the ruler of a dynasty cannot firmly grasp all the power, then what is the meaning of this dynasty to it.
In fact, his survival and safety will always be in great uncertainty.
Li Bing does not hate Shen Lie, but is afraid of Shen Lie; it is not that he is afraid of Shen Lie, but he is afraid of Shen Lie's unpredictable thoughts and the power in his hands.
In comparison, what are the ugly deeds of corruption, bribery, and bullying of men and women done by Wei Zixuan and others?
A good minister is a minister who can be easily taken down by the emperor at any time. In other words, a slave with bad habits is a good slave.
It's a pity that Shen Lie is not a slave, and Li Jiangyao is neither.
That's why Li Bing was deeply wary of them.
After thinking about this, Li Jiangyao smiled lightly and said: "Your Majesty, you just asked me what is loyalty and what is sycophancy. I also want to ask your Majesty a question, what is a wise king?"
Li Bing's face suddenly showed a look of displeasure, but he still answered patiently: "To create a great cause for eternity and to restore peace to the world is to be a wise king."
"I feel that it is both right and wrong." Li Jiangyao said seriously: "Your Majesty, being one with the country and putting the country first is actually a wise king. As you just said to me, if you truly cooperate with Shengtang, But as one, then aren’t the loyal ministers of the country the loyal ministers of the emperor?”
Li Bing was slightly stunned when he heard this, and couldn't help but think about the meaning of Li Jiangyao's words.
Be one with the country and put the country first?
Become one with the Holy Tang Dynasty, no distinction between loyal ministers of the country and loyal ministers of the emperor?
Is this... really possible?
After a moment of silence, Li Bing shook off all the thoughts in his mind and looked at Li Jiangyao: "Today, you and I, the monarch and our ministers, have finally opened their mouths. I am asking you, and I hope you can answer honestly. On the princess's wedding day Does the assassination have anything to do with you and the Zhenjiang Army?"
