At Anzhai, at the banquet, Yan Jiming and Du Fu clinked glasses with each other.
"Brother Zimei and King Ruyang know each other?"
"About five years after Tianbao was born, I was once under the sect of King Ruyang." Du Fu said.
Yan Jiming said: "Brother Zimei wrote "Twenty-two Rhymes for the King of Ruyang" at that time. It is a good poem. My grandfather taught me poetry at that time and specially asked me to learn how to use rhyme. "If there is no basis for the dynasty to retreat," these three words "if there is no basis for retreat" can be regarded as the method of feudal kings through the ages."
Du Fu waved his hand and said: "It is a humble work that cannot be considered elegant."
In the past two years, he has served as a low-level official and has had more contact with the common people. His style of poetry has changed a lot, and he is no longer proud of his early poems.
What's more, he was counting on the recommendation of King Ruyang and looking forward to "Dan Ti Shu Ke Ling". Now that he thinks about it, he knows that it is impossible. As the King of Ruyang, he would never dare to interfere in political affairs, so how could he be Recommended to the court?
Du Fu then changed the subject and said, "Do you know Yan Twelve Lang and King Ruyang acquaintance?"
"We just met each other. The epitaph of his uncle and his wife, Luo Shi, was written by him and handwritten by my uncle."
"I remembered that this happened in the fifth year of Tianbao. It was the Luo family, the wife of Longmen Lingyuan Mansion, a descendant of the Northern Wei royal family. When King Ruyang wrote the article, he was still lamenting that the emperor's dominance was so fleeting."
Du Fu sighed, raised the wine bottle, and took several sips.
After he understood the situation of King Ruyang, he wrote "Song of the Eight Immortals in Drinking", which already contained some profound meaning.
"Ruyang has three buckets of wine before he goes to the sky." The king of Ruyang had to drink three buckets of wine before going to see the saint. When he got to the court, he was swaying and could not stand firmly. "He refused to move to the Jiuquan", which of course meant that the king of Ruyang liked it. Wine, isn't it saying that he wants to transfer his seal?
The reason why Du Fu could understand Li Jing's situation was that he gradually heard about some old things.
~~
In the attic, facing Li Jing's question, Xue Bai did not answer, but asked: "The King of Ruyang asked me how I did it. Does he want to interfere in state affairs?"
"Too lazy to interfere." Li Jing sat down by the railing, waved his hand coolly, and said, "I'm just concerned about the marriage of the younger generation."
However, Xue Bai could tell from his behavior that he looked defensive for a moment.
Before coming to see Li Jing, Xue Bai asked Du Jin to inquire about some old things.
After King Ning Li Xian gave up the position of crown prince to Li Longji, he actually did not miss the throne from then on. Later, Princess Taiping wanted to depose Li Longji and make Li Xian the crown prince.
The world has always praised the deep brotherhood between the two. After Li Xian's death, Li Longji posthumously named him "Emperor Rang" and posthumously conferred the title of "Queen Gong" on the princess. However, when the funeral was about to take place, the always generous Li Longji cut down the funeral schedule. The specifications... The emperor's thoughts are unpredictable, maybe he is afraid of Li Xian's family after all.
Li Jing indulged in drinking and partying all his life. Although he looked cool to outsiders, he may not have lived a life of walking on thin ice, always maintaining caution and fear.
"Forgive me, King Ruyang. I was drunk and made a joke that I shouldn't have made." It’s not good for you.”
"Why?"
Xue Bai's thoughts changed quickly and he said: "Then it depends on when King Qing adopted Princess Rongyi. What role did King Ruyang play in it?"
When Li Jing heard this, he raised his eyebrows slightly.
He first thought that Xue Bai was very smart, and through one of his questions, he could deduce some hidden secrets in the past. Moreover, he also took advantage of his cautious and fearful mentality to deliberately use an intimidating tone.
But on second thought, it’s not right.
No matter how smart Xue Bai is, he can't easily guess it, unless he himself knows some secrets.
"As a clan member, I just do what I should do." Li Jing said: "On the contrary, you are involved in these things. Aren't you afraid of death?"
"If you want to make progress, you have to make great achievements."
Seeing that he couldn't scare him, Li Jing could only say calmly: "It's okay to talk to you. Back then, King Qing wanted to adopt Li Ying's children. I helped him plead with the saint. It's that simple."
Xue Bai said: "'Three fights in Ruyang began to rise to the sky'. The King of Ruyang indulges in lust and does not care about political affairs. How dare he get involved in such a major event?"
Li Jing frowned, feeling that the young man's words were powerful and he pressed forward step by step.
Xue Bai only needs to calculate the time to know that the three commoners case occurred in the 25th year of Kaiyuan. At that time, Li Xian was still alive and Li Jing was protected by his father, so he was not walking on thin ice like he is now.
Perhaps it was because of Li Jing's involvement in the case of three common people that Li Longji became wary? This possibility is very low, but Xue Bai plans to intimidate Li Jing in this way to get more words out of him.
"It's not a big deal. I'm usually good at wine, but I'm not afraid of anything." Li Jing said, "You haven't said yet, how can it be detrimental to me if I inquire about Princess Rongyi?"
"The reason why the saint granted the title of Princess Rongyi and granted marriage to the Anqing clan was to... make it easier to store."
"Impossible." Li Jing was finally surprised and confused.
"Why is it impossible?" Xue Bai asked.
Li Jing couldn't tell, so he said: "Then you say that the saint's intention is to store things easily, and then what?"
"Prince Qing is the eldest son of the emperor and should be the crown prince. It was only because he had no heirs when he was appointed crown prince that the saints established Li Heng. Now that Prince Qing's sons have grown up and can take charge of the country, Li Heng is unfilial and has repeatedly handed over the throne. After consulting the important ministers, the sage became interested."
"I don't believe you." Li Jing shook his head.
"If I don't have the ability, how can King Qing entrust me with big things? If King Ruyang doesn't believe me, why bother to ask me?" Xue Bai said: "Ask me how to do it, it's very simple. I told the sage that Li Heng was in the cross-construction An Lushan.”
Li Jing was doubtful. After thinking for a moment, he realized that the conversation had been dominated by Xue Bai, so he returned to his romantic attitude, raised his head, took a sip of wine, and said with a smile: "So, it's true that I shouldn't inquire..."
"It's late. King Ruyang deliberately met me alone today, and he has fallen into the eyes of someone who is interested."
"so what?"
"The saint is just afraid that you will suspect you of evil intentions."
"As expected." Li Jing laughed loudly, as if he had heard a funny joke, "Xue Lang is indeed deceiving me."
"The King of Ruyang wants to ask again, but he doesn't believe it after asking. It's useless to talk about it, so just don't talk about it."
"Really, Xue Lang is too smart." Li Jing finally restrained his smile and said: "You want to scare me with the saint's suspicion, but you don't know the relationship between me and the saint. My Jie drum was taught by the saint himself, and the saint every time If he hears bad music, he will call me to play in the palace to clean his ears..."
"In that case, as the eldest son, King Ruyang, why is he not King Sining?"
"That's what I voluntarily gave up to my brother."
"That's it." Xue Bai stood up, straightened his clothes, and said, "I'm sober, let's go."
"Don't be upset, don't be upset." Li Jing waved to him to sit down again and said, "I would like to hear how I plotted evil."
"The sage once adopted his 18th son Li Chan to Prince Ning. At that time, Concubine Wu Hui was favored and wanted to help her son become the heir apparent, but Prince Ning still adopted Li Chan."
"My grandfather can't refuse this matter."
"In other words, if Li Xuan becomes the prince, he will really have two royal fathers, one is the emperor, and the other is the emperor. Besides, if Li Xuan ascends the throne, King Ruyang will be more like Li Xuan's relative than other princes. Brother." Xue Bai said: "Since Prince Ning's palace supports Li Ying, and the case of three common people was also abolished and Li Ying was killed, at this time, what is the purpose of Prince Ruyang helping Li Cong adopt Li Ying's children?"
"What do I mean?"
"An Zhi didn't want to overturn the verdict a hundred years after the saint, so as to create a rebellion against Li Chen..."
"Stop talking nonsense!"
Li Jing suddenly scolded, his feminine demeanor faded away, and he faintly showed some heroic spirit.
Xue Bai was not suppressed by him. Instead, he stared at Li Jing and said, "You usually sing and dance, but sometimes you are too humble. The saint made you grandpa, and you refused. How can you be as drunk as before? You can't hide it if you are smart. living."
"What I did back then was purely out of good intentions and I couldn't bear it. No one could use this to frame me."
Xue Bai said: "When the saint kidnapped Princess Shou, you gave Li Xuan an idea."
Li Jing was taken aback, and his eyes finally showed some fear.
Xue Bai keenly caught this change in expression and felt certain in his heart.
Da Xi Yingying used to be Li Long's friend, so she said something.
"After Yang Taizhen entered the Taoist sect, she was no longer the former Princess Shou, but became a different person. However, if the saint wants to make her a noble concubine, he must first find a new princess for Li Long. Only in terms of etiquette can it make sense... Maybe "Okay." Xue Bai said: "So, you asked Li Xuan to take the initiative to observe filial piety for your grandfather and not be able to marry for three years. This also made Yang Taizhen wait until the fourth year of Tianbao to get the title of noble concubine."
"How did you know?" Li Jing asked.
Xue Bai said: "The sage taught you Jiegu and treated you as his own son, but you helped Li Chen embarrass him? It can be seen that your usual posture is all fake."
Li Jing said: "The saint asked you to check me?"
"Not just checking you, but also some other hidden secrets."
Xue Bai finally asked here, lowered his head and took a sip of wine to hide the thoughtfulness in his eyes.
He knew there were many flaws in his words, but he could find out the information he wanted to know before Li Jing could react.
"Someone confessed in the Lishan assassination case. The person behind the scenes claimed to be Li Qian, the son of the deposed prince Li Ying. Could it be related to you?"
"What?"
Li Jing was surprised and a little absent-minded because he hadn't thought about that thing again for a long time.
Xue Bai looked at him with a careful look and said: "As far as the saint knows, Li Qian was accidentally beaten to death by the guards during the case of three commoners, but if he is still alive, was it secretly rescued by King Ruyang? "
"I don't understand what you are talking about." Li Jing said, "How could he... still be alive?"
"Because he showed up."
"Is someone else pretending to be someone else? It must be someone else being someone else."
Xue Bai said: "If someone else is pretending, who leaked the secret? Not many people in the world know about Li Qian."
"Why do you think I leaked the secret or secretly rescued you?"
"Because you are the strangest. You have made friends with Concubine Wu Hui's son, but you interceded for Li Ying's children. You saved Princess Boping, and you helped Li Cong raise the others." Xue Bai said: "When Li Qian died, Except for Princess Boping, the only one present is you."
"It's not just me." Li Ying said: "The child fell to the ground at that time. He was indeed dead. General Gao and General Chen personally confirmed it."
"Why didn't you plan to hide it?" Xue Bai said, "Under the circumstances at that time, you were the only one who was most likely to do it, right?"
When Princess Boping heard that Li Qian was still alive, her first reaction was to ask if King Ruyang had saved her. This was what Xue Bai wanted to confirm the most.
Li Jing did not deny that he was most likely to do it, but said: "I didn't."
Xue Bai nodded.
He knew that Li Jing was not there, and what he wanted was to determine whether Li Jing was a very important witness.
Now that it is confirmed, when the time comes in the future, we can try to get Li Jing to commit perjury to endorse his legitimacy.
"Is there such a possibility? At that time, Li Qian was injured by the guards. The situation was chaotic, and the King of Ruyang took the opportunity to rescue him and entrust him to his friends?"
Xue Bai spoke slowly, adding various details of this statement in his mind. For example, Li Jing's friend was He Zhizhang, who drank from the Eight Immortals.
"No." Li Jing flatly denied it and said, "I really didn't do it."
"Well, I ask King Ruyang not to tell others about what I said today." Xue Bai said: "There is no key evidence on this matter. I will also rectify King Ruyang's name in front of the saint."
Li Jing didn't expect that when he asked about Li Peiniang during a banquet, he would get such an answer.
But he still had to thank Xue Bai.
"Thank you Xue Lang."
"King Ruyang, please don't be polite." Xue Bai said: "I said some things today that I said too harshly, but I want to remind King Ruyang to be careful and not to dare to inquire about the saint's thoughts because he has a reputation for liking to drink."
Li Jing really wanted to find out the saint's mind and couldn't help but ask: "Is Yi Chu real?"
Xue Bai nodded casually.
He doesn't care whether Li Longji wants Yi Chu or not, sooner or later he will be Yi Chu.
~~
A conversation that yields a little fruit. Xue Bai went down to the attic and returned to the banquet room.
He is still not idle, this time his target is Anqingzong.
Since he used the reason "a saint needs to be easy to store", he planned to use this to win over more people.
However, Anqingzong was not even as motivated as Li Jing, a laid-back man who entertained and entertained, and did not take the initiative to talk to Xue Bai about Princess Rongyi.
"Xue Lang is the one who brings good news. I'd like to toast Xue Lang."
When An Qingzong toasted to Xue Bai, he said very considerately: "You are a light drinker, so drink less. I will do it."
As soon as he finished speaking, the bottom of the cup was displayed in front of Xue Bai. As expected, there was not a drop of wine left in it.
The way An Qingzong acted was indeed very honest.
If An Lushan hadn't been the best at disguising like this, Xue Bai would have almost believed him.
"Brother Renxing has found out, what is the purpose of the saint's move?"
"No." Anqing Zong said: "Thunder, rain, and dew are all your kindness. I am not good at literature and martial arts, and I cannot perform meritorious service for a saint. It is a blessing to marry the princess."
Seeing that he was speaking grandly, Xue Bai asked tentatively: "Today I am the princess, maybe in the future I will be granted the title of princess?"
An Qingzong was stunned, pulled Xue Bai aside, and whispered: "I understand what Xue Lang means, but trouble comes from the mouth, so it's better to be cautious."
After that, he was afraid that Xue Bai would be unhappy, so he said a long paragraph very sincerely.
"I know that Xue Lang is well-informed and would like to give me a few tips. But my grandfather has the trust of the saint and has been appointed as the governor of two towns. He has received countless rewards. I have nothing more to ask for. Even if I try to figure out the holy will, I become a great minister. Official, can there be more glory and wealth?"
Xue Bai said: "What I said is true. It is true that I went too far..."
"No." An Qingzong said: "Xue Lang is a capable person. Unlike me, he stayed in Chang'an in the name of his eldest son. In fact, he was just a hostage left by the general in Chang'an. I am incompetent, so I don't bother to care about this. I just want to make more friends and then I can establish myself in Chang'an."
"Brother Renxing is transparent."
Seeing that Xue Bai couldn't figure out his intentions, he had to give up for the time being.
When the banquet was over, Anqingzong gave each guest a generous gift and sent carriages and horses to see them off.
On the way back, Xue Bai rode a horse, followed by the servants of Anqingzong escorting the gifts.
Turning into Xuanyangfang, I happened to meet the prince-in-law Dugu Ming, and the two couldn't help but exchange a few words.
"Are those people from An Lushan's house?" Dugu Ming pointed out who he was talking about with his eyes, "Only An Lushan can afford such a generous gift."
"Anqing Zong." Xue Bai said: "The prospective husband-in-law of Princess Rongyi."
"I have also heard about this marriage." Dugu Ming sighed, "Another princess's life has been ruined."
Xue Bai pondered and said: "I think An Qingzong seems to be a good person. Does the consort know him?"
"No matter what his character is." Dugu said: "An Lushan has a cruel temperament, but he can pretend to be stupid in front of a saint. He is far more sinister than Li Huaixiu and Li Yanchong. How can Princess Rongyi marry the son of such a person? A good ending?"
After that, he sighed and finally said: "I have experience in this kind of thing, so I won't be wrong."
After hearing this, Xue Bai was silent for a moment, thinking of An Qingzong's usual behavior, but it was difficult to associate him with the word sinister.
~~
"Have you checked Anqingzong?"
When Xue Bai saw Du Jin again, he quickly asked about this matter.
"I checked, but his travel is very simple, and he has no other plans in Chang'an. After all, he is actually a proton, and there are many people watching him."
"So, he is better at hiding than Li Jing?"
Du Jin's eyes were burning and he asked, "Have you met Li Jing? How was it?"
"He can become a key witness in the future, with high status and reputation, and he can be convincing."
"Can we control him from testifying?"
"Not yet." Xue Bai said: "Continue to inquire and use him to find out."
"Okay, I'll leave this matter to Da Xi Yingying."
Du Jin was too lazy to say anything more, so she pulled Xue Bai over, pinched his chin, and said, "Is it really possible for you to become the grandson of the emperor and compete for this position?"
"Others can fight for it, why can't I fight for it?" Xue Bai asked with a smile: "Princes, princes and generals, would you rather have the seed?"
His tone was completely different from Chen Sheng's. He knew that in the feudal dynasty for thousands of years, princes, ministers and generals were inherited by blood, but it didn't matter. He wanted to play with these rules.
Du Jin likes his ambitious look the most...
~~
The next day, a piece of news was delivered to Da Xi Yingying, which surprised her.
"Li Jing went to see Li Chen?"
"Yes, he pretended to be drunk in Beiqu, and then secretly went to the Ten Kings' House."
Da Xi Yingying was surprised and remembered some things from the past.
She remembered that Li Jing and Li Jing were very close friends back then. After all, they grew up together in Prince Ning's Mansion.
Unfortunately, she was not interested in the content of the conversation between the two brothers and did not know what secrets they had between them.
"Go and invite Manager Shi."
"Here."
Shi Zhong has a lot of things to take care of now, and he often travels between Chang'an and Shouyang Mountain, busy with major tasks ordered by Xue Bai.
Today I heard Da Xi Yingying ask about a trivial matter.
"Does Manager Shi have a way to bribe the people around Li Heng? I need a hidden stake."
"This matter is not difficult." Shi Zhong said: "It's just that the kings of the Ten Kings' Residence usually have a leisurely life, but now it is worth such a big trouble."
After all, he quickly made arrangements.
After all, Shi Zhong and Da Xi Yingying were both close to King Shou back then, so the matter was easily accomplished. A few days later, they bribed a maid named Chi Shu who was close to Li Xuan's wife.
King Shou's place is different from other places in the Ten Kings' Residence. The saint has stricter requirements for other princes, but he can't help Li Xuan when it comes to women.
Li Changguang already has twenty daughters, but they have not brought any improvement to his life. Instead, they have made his life more and more decadent.
Especially after being humiliated and humiliated, he felt depressed and frequently beat and scolded those around him.
Chi Shu couldn't stand this situation and wanted to leave for a long time. After receiving the promise and money, she learned that her grandfather had been arranged, so she began to carefully explore the secrets of Prince Shou's house.
She originally thought there were no secrets in this mansion, but after paying more attention, she gradually discovered something was wrong...
"Grandma Yu, on April 28th, King Ruyang came to the house? The housekeeper of the Tenth Prince's House came to check again."
"No."
"The housekeeper Guan Fei said he had some," Chi Shu said.
"He wanted to find another reason to ask for money from King Shou. That day it was obviously a famous prostitute from Beiqu who came with two maids and a piano player. King Shou listened to the piano for half a day."
"Musician, are you a woman?"
"Yes, it's too beautiful to be true."
After Chi Shu found out this information, she began to clean the flower hall where King Shou listened to the piano at noon every day.
After a few days of this, finally another famous prostitute came with a piano player, and she hid in a cabinet in the flower hall in advance.
After staying for a long time, voices came.
"Let's talk after we go in."
"Okay, I checked that matter with the old people who were around Grandma back then, and they all said that Li Ying's son must have died and would never be able to live again."
"How did Queen Zhenshun pass away?"
"Speaking of this matter, Li Linfu originally told me that the death of my mother was not simple. But he just wanted to take advantage of us, and the details have never been told to me."
Chi Shu could tell that it was the voice of King Shou, who was always weak when he spoke.
The voice of the other person was very pleasant, and he was obviously King Ruyang.
"It was Xue Bai who deceived me. It was because of Li Qian's death that Li Yiniang was brought to the imperial court and cursed the saint and Queen Zhenshun before being imprisoned in Yeting. I thought the death of Queen Zhenshun was also related to this. . Now that Xue Bai’s old story is being brought up again, I guess... is there someone deliberately using this to uncover the old story and overturn the verdict of the three common people? "
"Brother, why should I be taboo? If there is, it must be Li Cong."
"It's still wrong." Li Jing thought as he spoke, and murmured: "But by overturning the case for three common people to make things happen, doesn't it mean that the saint was wrong? I can't figure it out."
"My mother-in-law did all those things for me. Are they trying to harm me? What should I do?"
"Have you found the relics that Queen Zhenshun was holding when she passed away?"
"Brother didn't tell me what it was, how could I find it?"
The hall was quiet for a while.
Chi Shu leaned into the small gap and looked out, only to see Li Jing's eyes were deep in thought, and he hesitated until he finally spoke.
"If I remember correctly, it was the weapon that killed Li Qian, so Queen Zhenshun said it was Xue who asked for her life..."
(End of chapter)
