Zhuge Yu was silent for a long time, and then slowly said: "Since the founding of the country, the position of public minister has been established in Dajing according to the system of the previous dynasty of Chu. However, the nine ministers of our dynasty, although they are said to be public ministers, are actually in high positions. Those who hold power on one side are subject to the control of the emperor alone."
Fang Zilan knew what he said, but she still listened quietly to him as he continued, "The Xiahou family, one of the nine great princes, has a special status. Although they have power, they have never really used it. They are just to protect His Majesty today. .”
Zhuge Yu paused as he spoke, "But even if he does not exercise power in the court, the name Xiahou Yunzhao is intimidating, enough to stand up as the Nine Great Dukes to compete with the other eight. However, since Xiahou Mingxun succeeded Xiahou Yunzhao, the Xiahou family The deterrent effect is no longer that great. After His Majesty ascended the throne, Xiahou Mingxun once wrote a letter requesting that he be relieved of his status as a public minister and returned to the military power of the capital, but Your Majesty always rejected the Xiahou family on the grounds that there was no suitable candidate to take over."
Fang Zilan listened carefully, but she didn't expect that Zhuge Yu suddenly stopped talking. She thought for a moment and raised her eyebrows and asked, "Ayu, you just said that the Xiahou family wanted to return the military power to the capital, why did you add the word "big capital"?"
A hint of approval flashed in Zhuge Yu's eyes, "Sister Lan is indeed as careful as hair. In addition to the elite soldiers and generals in the east of the capital, the Xiahou family also controls the Xia family army who surrendered from Baiyue. These people will not truly serve the capital. They only listen to Xiahou Yunzhao's orders, and now they are mercenaries. If the Xiahou family returns their military power, they will only return the eastern part."
For a long time after he finished speaking, Fang Zilan didn't speak again. Just when he was about to say something again to break the silence, he suddenly heard her voice, "So Ayu, your guess is that His Majesty's conscience found out that he wanted to change the target of public criticism? Or is it because all members of the Xiahou family came to Beijing this time? , in order to no longer escort His Majesty?"
Conscience discovery? Zhuge Yu keenly caught these four words and found them a bit funny. In fact, they were just willing to fight and others willing to suffer.
"You can say that." Zhuge Yu nodded, and a smile with unknown meaning appeared on Fang Zilan's face. "The Empress Dowager will not sit idly by. If the target of public criticism is changed, her previous hard work will be in vain."
"If the target of public criticism is the Empress Dowager, she will not have any objections." Zhuge Yu's expression was very calm, and there was no expression on his face.
"Young Master Zhuge, do you mean that I might be the Empress Dowager's son?" Fang Zilan calmly changed her title, with a hint of caution in her expression.
Zhuge Yu said so much, it was impossible for her not to notice anything. From the day he received the imperial edict, what he said meant something, and what he said just now made it obvious. If Li Shengxuan really had this intention as he expected, then she would be one of the new candidates for public criticism.
"I know you are not." Zhuge Yu said firmly, and his tone became calmer, "But it is not difficult for me to see that you are not His Majesty's. Fang Zilan, who do you belong to?"
"Is it really that important who he is?" Fang Zilan still had a faint smile and said casually: "Master Zhuge, to be fair, have I done anything to harm the capital?"
"Fang Zilan, do you have to deceive yourself and others like this?" Zhuge Yu snorted coldly, "Just because you don't do it today doesn't mean you won't do it in the future. Once the people behind you stand on the opposite side of Dajing, can they still leave you alone?"
As soon as he finished speaking, Fang Zilan felt that something in her heart was broken and scattered all over the floor.
Zhuge Yu was right, she was deceiving herself.
She always thought that by fighting for her own place, she could live a peaceful life, but she knew very well that this was just an appearance.
Why did Ji Ningtian want her to be someone Li Shengxuan could rely on? It was so that one day her sword could turn against him and deal a fatal blow to Li Shengxuan.
The higher she climbs, the harder she will hurt Li Shengxuan and Dajing in the future.
However, if she gives up, she will be the one who dies. If she wants to survive, she can only selfishly foresee the outcome and climb up, doing whatever it takes, suffering and sober.
"No matter what Mr. Zhuge thinks, Fang Zilan just wants to be clear in his heart." Fang Zilan said every word seriously, but Zhuge Yu sneered, with a rare mocking look, "If you are harsh, others can't say anything. It's just that you are bullying. People can do it, but it’s okay to deceive yourself. Ever since Shangguan Jing’s incident, you have no word of innocence, let alone a clear conscience? "
The words he said hurt her heart, but she remained silent and didn't speak, feeling that no matter what he said, it was just an excuse.
"That's all, let's do whatever you want." Zhuge Yu stood up with a cold expression, "I want to see what your Fang Zilan's fate will be in the end."
"In any case, if I fall into Master Zhuge's hands, I will not complain at all." Fang Zilan stood up and looked directly into his eyes, "But if it's the other way around and Master Zhuge falls into my hands, I will Even if I risk my life, I will keep Master Zhuge safe."
After she finished speaking, she left. Zhuge Yu looked at her back with a complex expression, ranging from fierce vigilance to unexplainable pity, and he didn't know whether it was for her or for himself.
He couldn't help but laugh to himself. They were all people who couldn't help themselves. Who could be someone's savior?
There is always only one ending for people who are on opposite sides.
She is always so duplicitous and deceiving herself and others, how long can she continue to deceive?
On the other hand, Fang Zilan walked down the stairs of the post house. She was so worried that she felt as if someone had stuffed a mouthful of cotton into her. It was neither light nor heavy, but it made her panic.
If Zhuge Yu was right, Li Shengxuan really wanted her to take over the Xiahou family's position of power. Ji Ningtian would be very satisfied, but she was not happy. Li Shengxuan's treatment of her could not be said to be very good, but it was not bad at all.
She knew very well how difficult it was for a woman to be in power in this era. Even a famous general like Xiahou Yunzhao could not avoid gossip behind his back, let alone someone with an unknown background like her?
But Li Shengxuan just put her on a high position, whether it was a living target or a target of public criticism, in short, the result was that she stood on the top of the mountain and looked down at the thousands.
She thought that the road ahead would be full of difficulties and dangers, but she didn't expect that she would be able to walk in front of Li Shengxuan so steadily.
She knew Zhuge Yu's plan, and she didn't want to doubt it, let alone dare to doubt it. After entering Beijing, there may be traps all over the place, or it may be impossible to guard against open and hidden attacks.
But for the sake of Li Shengxuan's remaining trust in her, Ji Ningtian held her life in his hands, and for herself, even if it meant death, she would still try.
If you don't give it a try, who knows where your way out will be?
