At the banquet, all the ministers and clan members were frightened, and the atmosphere was never uplifting. It was not very interesting.
Gao Lishi noticed that the saint's interest was gradually declining, so he simply walked around behind Xue Bai and whispered a few words.
Zhang Ting has specially learned lip reading for many years. While drinking, he glanced sideways and peeked at Gao Lishi's mouth shape, guessing that what he was talking about was "playing dominoes after the banquet."
Hearing this, Xue Bai glanced at Yan Zhenqing, as if "the teacher won't let me play cards"; Yan Zhenqing's face was calm and he had no objection.
Zhang Ting rolled his eyes and started to care. He covered his mouth and smiled, with a sound like a silver bell.
"Xue Xiaolang has become famous in Chang'an recently. Among the popular things, playing dominoes, eating stir-fried vegetables, and listening to Xue's poems, now you have to add reading stories to the list?"
When Li Longji heard this, he caught the key point of his daughter-in-law's words and asked with a smile: "You can also play dominoes?"
"My niece...my daughter-in-law is not good at anything else." Zhang Ting paused for a moment, then opened her lips and said, "Only my domino skills are unparalleled in the world."
"Oh?" Li Longji raised his eyebrows, and he became interested as expected. He laughed and said, "Okay! Women in the prosperous Tang Dynasty should be so flamboyant and conceited."
"The saint doesn't believe in his daughter-in-law?" Zhang Ting said dissatisfied and slightly annoyed.
The eighteen-year-old woman had a bright smile. Although she spoke a little bolder, Li Longji could not be angry with her, but was very happy. The Zhang family was kind to him and Zhang Ting was his beloved niece.
"Haha, you can tell whether you believe it or not."
Zhang Ting was quite heroic. He put down his wine glass and said, "Whoever is afraid of you, then hit him!"
Under the table, she gently patted Li Heng with her palm to express comfort.
Li Heng couldn't help but let out a long sigh of relief, thinking that Zhang Liangdi saved the East Palace this time.
Compared with Li Linfu, who kept his head down all day long, Li Longji was very free and easy, and he directly asked the chamberlain to set up a card table in the main hall.
When Li Linfu saw it, he quickly smiled and said: "Sage, my old minister's card skills have improved..."
Li Longji was still rubbing his hands, but his smile dropped a bit when he heard this, and he said calmly: "The right prime minister is an important minister, so he should do his duty first."
Hearing this sentence, Li Linfu was frightened again, knowing that he had really lost most of the saint's trust this time.
The Sacred Heart is unpredictable, and it will be beaten like this from time to time, which makes people chatter. The atmosphere at the banquet is certainly not good.
But there is no shortage of people with a clear conscience to have fun with the saint.
Yang Wei lost no time in stepping forward and said with a smile: "I have nothing to do, and my domino skills are getting better and better."
"Hahaha, look at it, gentlemen, he is complaining about me." Li Longji rubbed his hands and laughed, "While you are free today, serve it!"
"According to the order." Yang Wei was overjoyed.
Everyone at the banquet once again speculated on the saint's unspoken intentions.
The current situation is like a poker game, it may change drastically.
There was still one last seat left at this time. Although Li Niang was worried, she also wanted to fight for a chance.
"daughter……"
"Xue is playing cards, don't hold back." Li Longji said with a smile: "I know you have devoted yourself to studying recently, but a small gamble will hurt your feelings, so come on."
~~
The song and dance comeback.
At the banquet, the ministers might throw pots, enjoy singing and dancing, or watch cards.
Zhang Ting sat opposite the sage, not timid at all, looking for cards and playing cards with full force; Yang Hao was far less powerful than Zhang Ting, and did not say anything when a card was stuck. He wanted to show off and feed cards to the sage, so he was a little flustered.
Li Longji was much more chic, pushing cards casually and criticizing Xue Bai casually.
"Your writing skills are terrible these days."
"Yes." Xue Bai played his cards directly and responded: "I usually ask my teachers for advice and ask my friends to polish it. If I don't understand something, I have to go to Taoist temples, temples and other places to inquire and observe everywhere."
"The writing is dry and hard, with no embellishment, and the whole article is written in plain language. If you say that you can't write good articles, but you often have amazing sentences, you must be just fooling me?"
"I absolutely wouldn't dare."
"Don't you dare? In the past, I wrote to my little lady with all my heart, but when I was imprisoned, I felt resentful..."
"The saint calmed down his anger. After I fell into coma, I forgot about the past, and sometimes those articles and poems came to my mind. It was like a dream, and I really read Mr. Han Yu's articles in my dream."
Li Longji casually said: "What's so strange? I met a goddess in a dream, and when I woke up, I opened my mouth and sang "Good Times"."
Xue Bai remained calm and asked: "My literary talent is as good as that of a saint?"
"Hahahaha, I never treat geniuses unfairly." Li Longji laughed, "You are too young, so please calm down."
After hearing this, Xue Bai knew that he was a Jinshi with a stable background.
Others throw bank notes to officials and powerful people, but he throws stories to the emperor. Who dares to stop him?
He was about to say thanks...
At this time, Zhang Ting pushed the card, opened her red lips, and sang the sage's "Good Times".
"The bun is more suitable for palace style. The lotus face is tender and the body is red and fragrant. The eyebrows do not need to be opened and painted, and the temples are long according to the teachings of heaven."
"Don't rely on the beauty of the country, marry someone who is your lover. When we were young, don't let the good times pass you by."
Xue Bai was ruined. He glanced sideways and saw that Zhang Ting was also looking at him, with a pair of red and phoenix eyes that seemed a bit demonstrative.
She can be considered a good singer, but depending on who she compares with, her voice is far inferior to that of Yang Yuhuan, and her singing style is far less harmonious.
In the hall, the singing and dancing stopped, and the musicians plucked the strings again and began to play the saint's music. It was a romantic scene.
Yang Wei frowned as he looked at the bad hand of cards. He didn't dare to play the cards too slowly and hastily pushed a card.
Li Longji raised his eyebrows and was about to raise his hand.
"What a fool." Zhang Ting smiled as brightly as a flower. She grabbed the cards from the table first and said proudly: "There are no kings and ministers in the poker field. My wife is rude."
"Hahaha, I really underestimated you." Li Longji was not annoyed, but became more and more interested.
For him, today's banquet was now the most interesting time.
Gao Lishi was very good at serving others, and he leaned over to help with the cards.
Yang Ting was angered and took this opportunity to think about it. He would never allow Zhang Ting to step on him to help Dong Gong win back the saint's favor. He rolled his eyes and complained: "The old minister's hand was jammed by Zhang Liangdi... just like the old minister's. When I discussed the Salt Law, I was blocked by His Highness and Your Excellency for a long time."
Pei Kuan suddenly raised his head and was in awe of Yang Hao's retort.
Who would have thought that when the banquet was coming to an end, the real killer move would be inadvertently launched by Yang Hao.
The picture shows up!
It should be noted that the saint also summoned the prince and right minister to beat him today. It can be seen that although he is determined to support the third faction, he will not disturb their foundation and will only let them be more honest.
Because they haven't really offended the saint yet, and there is still only one reason to offend the saint - cross-construction.
In short, everything else doesn't matter. What if the prince and you intersect and form a relationship?
die!
It seems that at this time, Yang Hao only meant one thing in his words: "Donggong and the Right Prime Minister have joined forces to suppress me!"
Li Linfu was so excited that he couldn't help but flew into a rage. He cursed Yang Hao in his heart for going too far. He had to kill them all after winning 10%.
The one who was most frightened was Li Heng. With a shake of his hand, most of the wine in his glass spilled onto the table.
He was extremely aggrieved because he did not join forces with Li Linfu at all.
In inviting Xue Bai and the three Jinshi to his wedding banquet, he showed that although Donggong had been suppressed so far, he was still standing up for the young righteous people and intended to vindicate Wei Jian's case. In other words, the East Palace is still the flag to resist the traitor!
However, Yang Hao slandered and framed him.
But what would the saint think? The saint would think that he supports him on the surface but actually abandons and renounces him. Isn't this suppression?
Hunjun has always been biased!
Li Heng was speechless and had thousands of words stuck in his throat, but he knew that no saint would believe what he said.
It's over.
Li Cong also trembled.
He originally thought that he had no hope of becoming a reserve in this life, but at this moment, it was as if the wind was blowing ashes in his heart.
In the ashes, there are still sparks!
It should be noted that Concubine Yang has no son. He can be her son, even if he is twice her age.
As long as you please Yang Sui, you will have a chance.
For a time, both the East Palace and the Right Prime Minister were pushed into danger.
No one could react.
…
"Eh? Why did uncle Guo say that?"
The first person to react was still Zhang Liangdi.
Her phoenix eyes turned to the right again and asked, "Is it because the Youxiang Mansion is married to the Jingzhao Du family?"
Yang Wei was stunned. He had never heard of this matter at all, so he couldn't answer.
Zhang Ting said: "Before I came today, I was talking to His Highness about this matter. Your Highness has always been at odds with the Du family, but some people always accuse him of having an affair with the Du family. Your right minister said this, and my uncle also said this, As for discussing the Salt Law, what does it have to do with His Highness?"
Yang Zheng and Pei Kuan were about to take advantage of the victory to pursue, but when they were interrupted, they couldn't understand.
"That's it."
Suddenly, Gao Lishi laughed.
His smile was like the spring breeze blowing, sweeping away the panic in the palace.
"I'm afraid you don't know, right?" Gao Lishi said: "Recently, there is a good story in Chang'an City. The eldest son of Jingzhao Du and the fourteenth mother of Youxiangfu are in love. However, the family does not agree with their marriage. This young couple I had no choice but to elope to Luoyang, and finally forced Duke Du to propose marriage to Youxiang Mansion a few days ago."
"Children love each other, and in the eyes of a caring person, it is a cross-fertilization." Zhang Ting asked Yang Wei, "Do you think so, uncle Guo?"
"I didn't mean..."
"What a good story." Li Longji had already waved his hand.
The reason Zhang Ting mentioned this was to express his dissatisfaction with Li Linfu's win over the Jingzhao Du family, and at the same time reminded the sage that it is common for the prince and the right minister to occasionally have a common political opinion. If they really join forces, they will not cause a marriage at this time. Come.
As long as the siege is solved, Li Longji will naturally know that Yang Hao is also trying to support the fire.
Gao Lishi joked: "This pair of people are following the royal decree of the saint."
"Oh? What do you mean by this?"
"Don't you hear the sage's words in his poem, 'When we were young, let's not miss the good times'? This is truly a prosperous time."
Li Longji laughed heartily, pointed at Gao Lishi, and said: "My General Gao, I have General Gao... Everyone has to thank General Gao today."
"I don't dare, old slave."
At this time, the cards have been established, and Gao Lishi retires with success.
Xue Bai smiled, very calmly.
He had never thought about killing the prince and right minister today.
Let's put it this way, even if it is done, what good will it do to him?
There are hundreds of harms and no benefit.
Firstly, he cannot worship the prime minister, and secondly, he cannot be the prince. He will only become the target of public criticism and become the target of all officials to get rid of him.
He didn't even have the qualifications to become an official, and he didn't even have a supporting prince, let alone the real strength such as foundation, faction, and military power. He never thought about freeing up the phase and reserve positions now.
Yang Zheng's words were a happy one. Can he and Pei Kuan be sure that he will finally dismiss the prime minister and abolish the crown prince?
Step by step, I used the salt method to recruit talents and build strength. I didn't even take the first step. I was already thinking about reaching the sky in one step, and I didn't know how I died.
It doesn't matter if Yang Yang dies alone. When the country is in turmoil and the government and the public are uneasy, how many innocent people will be affected? !
Many times, Xue Bai and Gao Lishi have the same position.
Gao Lishi was never from the Donggong family. Every time he took action to protect Donggong, it was all for the sake of stability.
Therefore, Xue Bai wrote in prison "When Wang Mang was respectful and modest, he did not usurp it" and Gao Lishi did not care.
It is even exaggerated to say that even if Xue Bai had an affair with Zhang Liangdi, Gao Lishi could pretend that he didn't see it. What does the East Palace have to do with him, a eunuch who only serves the saint?
In a word, it doesn't matter how much you want to beat and scold the prince, but it won't do to abolish the throne and shake the country.
We will do our best to protect those who can protect us, and we will do our best to stabilize the situation that can be stabilized. Therefore, Li Longji said, "Everyone has to thank General Gao today."
At this moment, Gao Lishi looked at Xue Bai again, with a hint of appreciation flashing in his eyes.
The most difficult thing is not to harm others. Today in the palace, everyone is stronger than the last in terms of their ability to harm others.
What's really important?
Know how to measure.
The Right Prime Minister and the East Palace did not know the rules and overstepped the bounds; Yang Zheng just got the upper hand and got carried away.
Only Xue Bai, even when the saint invited him to play dominoes, he still had to take a look at Yan Zhenqing first.
Kindness must be repaid, debts must be repaid, teachers must be respected, and always remember who you are...these are the qualities most needed by the pillars of society.
~~
"What a fool!"
Li Longji suddenly laughed.
After Zhang Ting played tricks three times in a row, Xue Bai quietly played a card and finally let him play a big trick.
"Hahaha, the little girl is always impatient, but she doesn't know that she wins in the end."
"If you don't accept it, others will play cards for the saint." Zhang Ting said with a smile, "But I am different. I have nothing to ask of the saint, I will definitely win!"
She is really suitable for playing such a card.
No matter how well he lays the cards, he is only second to Xue in playing cards, and a prince Liangdi who has no desires and desires, and really dares to beat the saint, can make the card game more interesting.
Sure enough, Li Longji was more interested.
"Come again, come again!"
"..."
Yan Zhenqing sat in the banquet, sighing in her heart.
He saw the saint's unrestrained and unrestrained arrogance, and he also saw the people fleeing and being unable to afford their households, but he could not connect these scenes together.
Today, it would be fine if he were a mediocre person, but he was extremely smart. The court was manipulated by him, and no one could control him, or even persuade him.
Yan Zhenqing, a Chang'an county lieutenant, could not persuade him, so he could only resign before the evening drum sounded.
Li Longji was so excited about playing cards that he actually left Xue Bai, Yang Wei, and Zhang Ting to play cards in the palace all night. Li Heng wanted to accompany them, but was driven out by the saint's cold eyes.
By keeping his wife in the palace, Li Heng did not have to worry about making the same mistake as Li Xuan.
Zhang Ting is considered a great beauty, but she is far inferior to a peerless beauty like Yang Yuhuan. Although the saint does not even care about the laws of nature and human relations, his taste is indeed extremely high.
If Li Chen missed out on the crown prince position because of his wife, Li Heng married a good wife who could stabilize the East Palace this time.
~~
In Jinwu Quiet Street, Li Linfu's guard of honor returned to Pingkangfang in the dusk.
Thinking back to this day, he was so lost that he stayed in Yanyue Hall for a long time.
At night, Li Xiu came and asked in a low voice: "Master, is it done?"
"I haven't suffered such a heavy blow in ten years. The power of the prime minister almost fell." Li Linfu murmured: "It's rare for me to make a mistake..."
Li Xiu also broke into a cold sweat after hearing this. After thinking about it, he couldn't help but sigh: "It would have been better if I had won over Xue Bai."
For a moment, Li Linfu was in a daze.
He still spoke harshly and snorted coldly: "It is impossible to win over the son of an enemy."
Li Xiu's face became more and more worried. She had something small to say at home, but she didn't dare to say it.
Li Linfu was deep in thought and suddenly murmured.
"The daughter of the Zhang family is quite fierce..."
The East Palace received a powerful helping hand from Zhang Liangdi. The saint must have regretted it, and it was even more necessary for the prime minister to suppress the East Palace.
For the time being, it is not advisable to target Yang Zhen, Pei Kuan, and Xue Bai too much, but to let the saint see that he is still attacking the East Palace, without slackness or selfishness.
Li Linfu then took out the small scroll again.
Behind Li Shi who had been crossed out with an ink pen, Pei Kuan had not yet been crossed out. Looking further back, he temporarily ignored many important ministers who threatened the phase, because now was not the time to deal with personal grievances.
A name caught my eye.
"Wang Zhongsi."
Li Linfu murmured, picked up his pen, and rewrote the list, moving Wang Zhongsi's name to the first one.
How can I not try my best despite being frightened by the beating of a saint today?
(End of chapter)
