royal palace.
Emperor Shenwu, who had just vented his anger, had no intention of discussing Buddhism with Su Ming. He just managed to say a few words, and a look of exhaustion appeared on his brows.
Seeing this scene, Su Ming didn't say much, and then resigned knowingly.
However, as soon as he returned to the Imperial Preceptor's Mansion, Monk Wangchen presented an invitation. After reading it, Su Ming was a little surprised. Ever since he became the Imperial Preceptor, he had been living in seclusion and rarely interacted with other people. The second reason for learning is that I have not found a good entry point and it is not easy to act rashly.
But what he didn't expect was that he would be the first one to come to the door.
Seeing the large gilded characters on the invitation, a smile appeared on Su Ming's lips. Now, isn't this coming?
······
Prince's Mansion.
Famous gardens with green water, green pavilions and green pavilions, meandering pools and clear springs are joyful and poetic.
As people walk along, flower energy arises in their clothes.
Prince Li Xian sat in front of the court, looking at the red peach and red apricot not far away. When they bloomed, the red and white colors were reflected on the water. He frowned and felt confused for a moment.
Not long after, a middle-aged gentleman came around the flower wall, wearing a feather fan and a turban, calmly and slowly.
"Sir is here."
Li Xian turned around. Under the setting sun, his facial features were sharp and angular, and the purple between his eyebrows was full of wealth and glory. The frosty white on his temples added a bit of maturity to him.
"Your Highness." The middle-aged gentleman shook his feather fan and said calmly, "But are you worried about the assassination at the Qianqiu Banquet?"
Li Xian nodded solemnly, "As for the assassination at the Qianqiu Banquet, all the assassins died suddenly on the spot, and no one survived. Even if it is known that it was the method of the Southern Xinjiang Witch Clan, there is no way to investigate."
"Of course, Gu believes that this matter was definitely not done by my second brother. He is not that stupid. But this matter has been spread to everyone, and the situation in the court is also a bit unstable."
"Moreover, there are rumors in the palace that there seems to be something wrong with my father's health." At this point, a hint of gloom appeared between Li Xian's brows.
If the father really couldn't stand it anymore, then he had to make preparations in advance. But if it was just a minor illness, then his actions would be tantamount to violating a taboo, and he would easily be suppressed again.
And he doesn't have much capital anymore. If he loses again, he can't afford to lose.
"Your Highness, why do you have to think so wildly? The rumors from people in the palace cannot be trusted, but there is one person who can give us more accurate information." The middle-aged scribe smiled slightly and said confidently.
Ranwen
"National Master, Pudu Cihang."
"Him? Even if he is the Imperial Master, so what? Is it easier for him to know his father's physical condition than the imperial doctor?" Li Xian frowned, his eyes full of confusion.
The middle-aged scribe shook his feather fan lightly and said, "Your Highness, please don't forget that since twenty years ago, Your Majesty has selected many national teachers, but none of them has survived more than half a year, and this Pudu Cihang has already served as He has been a national preceptor for almost a year, and he often comes to the palace to discuss Buddhism with His Majesty. He is also a great monk in the world of immortality, so how could he not know about His Majesty's physical condition?"
"However, the Imperial Master has the destiny of the court. Although he has no rights, he should not be underestimated. If we contact him rashly, will we offend our father?" This is a sensitive time, and Li Xian does not want to cause trouble.
The middle-aged scribe put down his feather fan, and a glimmer of light flashed in his eyes, "During the Qianqiu Banquet, the Imperial Master rescued His Highness. This is an indisputable fact. It is also reasonable for His Highness to host another banquet. As for whether it will happen?" To offend His Majesty, I think His Majesty is overly concerned. In other words, even if we win over the Imperial Master, what will happen? Your Majesty has been in power for sixty years, and what storms and waves has he not seen? To Your Majesty, what does this mean? "
"Now is not the time for hesitation. We must be prepared. If we continue to act steadily, something unexpected may happen."
Li Xian was not an indecisive person. He pondered for a moment and then nodded, "Okay, I'll do as you say!"
······
At night, Su Ming quietly went out. Those who secretly monitored the Imperial Preceptor's Mansion were completely unaware. They could only feel that the entire Imperial Preceptor's Mansion was still shrouded in fog and could not be seen clearly. From time to time, cold sword energy would leak out, which was terrifying. .
Prince's Mansion.
Su Ming came slowly and looked at the secluded mansion in front of him, with its winding sills and pavilions. In the smoke and clouds, there was an indescribable aura of wealth and nobility, which faded into purple and green. In his eyes, there was a four-clawed figure. The dragon is sleeping in the sky above the Prince's Mansion, noble and domineering, awe-inspiring and inviolable.
In the Great Zhou Dynasty, apart from Emperor Shenwu, the one with the most luck was the Crown Prince Li Xian. The position of Crown Prince was related to the inheritance of the country, and the etiquette and law should not be underestimated.
In the hall, Prince Li Xian had already set up a plain banquet and was waiting for Su Ming's arrival. Even though he handed over the invitation, he was still a little worried that Su Ming would not buy it. After all, he was the Imperial Master of the Great Zhou Dynasty, he was arrogant, and he was only the crown prince. , if he doesn't come, even if he is the prince, there is nothing he can do.
Fortunately, Su Ming is here.
"I see you, Your Highness, poor monk." A voice suddenly sounded in the hall.
On the couch, Prince Li Xian was startled at first, and a joy suddenly appeared in his heart. He quickly stood up and saw Su Ming standing in the hall.
Seeing Su Ming, he smiled softly and made an invitation, "Master, please get up. I'm so arrogant. Come on, sit down!"
"Thank you, Your Highness." Su Ming bowed slightly, saluted, and then sat on the cloud couch.
Seeing him sit down, the smile in Li Xian's eyes deepened, "Master Guo, this is a plain banquet prepared by Lonely. No need to be formal, please come. This banquet is mainly to thank the Master for attending the Qianqiu Banquet. For your life-saving grace, I would like to propose a toast to you." After saying that, he drank the wine in the cup.
Su Ming smiled softly and said calmly, "Your Highness, there is no need to be polite. As a monk of the Great Zhou Dynasty, this is his duty. Your Majesty should not thank you so much." Then he drank all the wine in the cup.
After a glass of wine, Li Xian became familiar with him. From time to time, he would pick up food and pour wine for Su Ming, and then talk about Buddhism. Soon, with Su Ming's intentional approach, the atmosphere in the hall became more harmonious.
Soon, the wine passed three rounds and the dishes passed five flavors.
After drinking a lot of wine, Li Xian's eyes were a bit confused. He drank another glass of wine and asked with a hint of drunkenness, "Master, I heard that my father has had several seizures in the palace recently. He has a bad temper and is cruel to the eighteenth sister, what on earth is going on?"
Hearing Li Xian's intentional inquiry, Su Ming understood clearly and was too lazy to start a confrontation with him. He put down the chopsticks in his hands, looked at Li Xian, and spoke word by word. "Since His Highness wants to ask, the poor monk will just tell you that there is something wrong with His Majesty's health."
"boom!"
A short sentence, but it was like a thunderous explosion, setting off a storm in Li Xian's heart. In the end, it turned into only one thought. It turned out that the rumors in the palace were true, and his father's body was really failing!
