The land of Yan was greatly shaken. The entire country was in a state of panic.
Three days later, the anger of the Earth Dragon finally subsided, but at the same time, rumors began to spread.
No one dared to ignore the warning from the heavens. Why was the god so angry?
Knowledgeable people did not dare to talk about it, but the common people were different. They were ignorant but also more direct. Compared to the emperor, who was far away, they were more afraid of the illusory god. They all guessed how the emperor had angered the heavens. Was it because the emperor was heartless, or was it because a traitor was trying to frame a loyal person? Would the god's anger not be quelled, and the next thing to fall on their heads?
The emperor could not block the mouths of the people, but he was not willing to block his own ears. Moreover, he knew that preventing the people from talking was more important than preventing the river from flowing. Even if he was unwilling, after the earthquake ended, he still led the civil and military officials to Huguo Temple to offer sacrifices to the heavens, and to submit a confession.
He specially arranged for people to read this bulletin in the streets every day so that the common people could hear it, and thus change the hearts of the people.
"… I often hate that I am not diligent enough. During the three days of the disaster, I bathed and burned incense in the palace, praying day and night for the mercy of the heavens, praying for the blessing of the people. I did not dare to eat a grain of rice or drink a drop of water. I hated that I could not live with the people of Yan and take their place. Fortunately, there was the warning of the Imperial Astronomer, so I sent the Third Prince to lead the army to prevent the disaster and evacuate the people in time. This is the virtue of the heavens, and it specially warned me to save the people from the fire and water. The heavens are virtuous, and the millions of lives of the people of Yan are protected. However, I did my best, but there were still thousands of casualties. I am deeply regretful. Today, I offer sacrifices to the heavens, hoping for the mercy of the heavens … "
At this point, Gou Liang lost the desire to continue reading.
"The old emperor is quite sensible. Tsk tsk, not eating or drinking for three days and three nights to pray for the people. Beating the gongs and drums like this is enough to fool people."
Gou Liang put the report to the side with a sneer on the corner of his mouth.
However, no matter how much the emperor tried to shirk responsibility, he still needed a scapegoat to appease the wrath of the heavens and calm the people. This person's status would not be low, but he did not know who he would choose.
Gou Liang immediately thought of the former Crown Prince who was under house arrest. Many thoughts flashed through his mind, and then he thought of Li Yan.
Although the disaster in Yan was very big, because the officials in the counties that were most affected by the disaster were either threatened or persuaded by the Gou Liang people, although they did not receive the imperial order, they still moved the people in advance. Therefore, the casualties were reduced to a minimum.
It was just that the loss of property was incalculable, and the common people had been uprooted from their homes. Now that it was difficult for them to return to their homeland, it was inevitable that their mood would be low. Often, the sound of wailing could be heard from the refugee shelters.
Fortunately, the imperial court was willing to spend a lot of money this time. The money and food for disaster relief were sent over by cart, and they also sent troops to help rebuild the homeland. The Martial Emperor also made it clear in his edict that after the disaster, they would be given land according to the land they had registered with the government. Only then did the hopeless refugees rekindle their hope.
King An took the opportunity to make his presence felt in front of the refugees. He personally visited the refugees to express his condolences, shared porridge with them, and wantonly spoke to encourage them to face the new life bravely. He acted out his love for the people as if they were his own children.
This reputation spread all the way back to Shangjing. Li Yan was so angry that he smashed the inkstone and said to Zhong Yue, "You must not let Li Mu return to the capital alive! Otherwise, there will be no place for me in the imperial court in the capital. "
Now, the assassins he sent were already on their way to Yan.
Thinking of this, Gou Liang ordered, "Zhong Quan, send people to be careful. Don't let King An die."
"Yes, master."
"However, his life is still useful, but the rest is fine …" He revealed a malicious smile. "Come closer."
Zhong Quan squatted down, and Gou Liang whispered in his ear. Zhong Quan received the order and left.
After he finished the arrangement of Gou Liang, he was about to return to the study to report, but he was stopped by Wang Li.
Wang Li dressed up carefully today. Her makeup was delicate, and her clothes were gorgeous. She tied the belt tightly to show her slender waist. The lotus-colored chest wrap embroidered with red peonies was very eye-catching. Looking at Wang Li walking to the blind spot with a smile, Gou Liang snorted coldly, "Is she afraid that others can't see that she is coquettish? Let's see how Zhong Quan will deal with it!"
"Benefactor, I'm here to see you."
Wang Li bowed like a willow in the wind, showing the most beautiful smile. When she raised her head, Zhong Quan had stepped past her and left.
Wang Li's smile suddenly froze on her face. She blushed and burst into tears, but she still controlled her temper. She chased after him and shouted, "Benefactor, please wait!"
Zhong Quan stopped. Wang Li was happy, but she heard him say coldly, "Miss Wang's benefactor is not here. Don't call the wrong person."
Wang Li hurriedly said, "Benefactor, you don't have to belittle yourself. I remember your kindness. But if you didn't stand in front of me that day, I'm afraid that I would have been beheaded. You are so kind to me — "
Zhong Quan said, "It's not worth mentioning. On that day, no matter to save your life or to kill you, as long as it is the master's order, I will do it for him. Miss Wang, it is windy on the sea. You'd better not walk casually. If you fall into the water, no one on the ship will save you without the master's order. "
"Benefactor, wait! I don't mean anything else. I just want to know your name, so that I can pray for you in front of the Buddha in the future to repay your kindness … "
Before she could finish speaking, Zhong Quan had already disappeared. She bit her lip and stomped her feet. "Silly goose, do you know that I …" As she spoke, she didn't know why her face turned red. She lifted her skirt and ran back into the house.
Gou Liang, who witnessed everything, thought, "… What the hell is wrong with this girl?"
Zhong Quan did not take this episode to heart. After reporting as usual, Gou Liang once again asked him to whisper some secret instructions. Unexpectedly, before he could speak, Zhong Quan frowned and said, "Take three steps back and stay away from me."
Zhong Quan didn't know why. Seeing a trace of disgust in his eyes, he stepped back in fear and asked uneasily, "Master, why?"
Gou Liang sneered, "You really have a lot of luck with women. Where did the smell of cosmetics come from? That's right, there's only one female on this ship. I can see that she really favors you, her savior. I'm the one who has delayed your good marriage …"
Zhong Quan didn't care about offending him. He interrupted him hurriedly and said, "Master, you misunderstood me! I met Miss Wang today and just said a few words. Nothing else. "
"Oh," Gou Liang didn't believe him at all, "Then tell me what you said to her word for word."
Zhong Yan paused for a moment and then told Wang Li what he had said to her.
Gou Liang's face became more and more unsightly.
"Haha, what a good benefactor! I'm afraid she didn't have anything to repay you for saving her life, so she gave herself to you! "
"I definitely didn't mean that!"
"Definitely didn't mean that? If you didn't do anything unnecessary, how could she, a girl from a noble family, dare to express her love to you? If you didn't get too close, how could you be stained with her fragrance in just a few words? "
"I didn't …"
"Enough! You still dare to quibble! "
Gou Liang was so angry that he almost couldn't control himself and smashed the teacup at his feet.
The porcelain shattered on the ground and some sharp shards scratched Zhong Quan's face. Gou Liang's anger stopped and he woke up in a moment. He was angry and regretful. He clenched his fists and suppressed his anger, "Forget it. I'm tired. You can leave."
"Master …"
"I told you to get lost. Didn't you hear me?"
Seeing his red eyes and uncontrollable anger, how could Zhong Quan be willing to leave? He stood up and walked towards Gou Liang. He knelt in front of him again, "Master, don't be angry. I really have nothing to do with her and have never had any contact with her."
Gou Liang turned his head and didn't listen. Zhong Quan anxiously held his face and said, "Believe me, Zhong Quan has never been disloyal to you!"
Gou Liang couldn't avoid Zhong Quan's big hand covering his face. He clenched his teeth and suddenly grabbed Zhong Quan's throat. He said coldly, "Tell me honestly. Did you and Wang Li already have an affair? Did she climb into your bed long ago?! "
"No! Master, today is the first time I met her on this ship. I only said a few words to her and then hurriedly replied. It's probably because her body's cosmetics are too strong that I got a little bit of it. "
He didn't smell it, but Gou Liang had been following the old man to smell and identify medicine. His nose was very sensitive, so Zhong Quan didn't suspect him.
He only hated that shameless woman. He didn't know how much incense she had used to make him suffer such an undeserved disaster and make his master angry for no reason.
Thinking of this, his eyes flashed with a murderous aura.
"Is that so? You're quite capable. You can make a precious person disregard her reserved demeanor." Gou Liang squeezed his throat harder, "You better answer me honestly. That day, what did you do to her to make her look at you differently? Was it a hero saving a beauty, or did you touch her? "
He stared at Zhong Quan. His eyes told Zhong Quan, 'Your left hand touched her and I'll chop off your left hand. If it was your right hand, I'll break your right hand!'
It was obvious that he wanted to kill him, but Zhong Quan's heart throbbed. Looking at his red face, he felt a bit of joy in his heart.
"I didn't!"
Zhong Quan didn't seem to feel the pain in his throat as he said, "That day, this subordinate was following orders and only saved Li Xi. Perhaps she was too close to Li Xi, so there was a misunderstanding. "
"Is that so."
Gou Liang loosened his grip and looked down at him. The murderous aura in his eyes didn't fade, but became more obvious. He said in a serious voice, "It's true that she has a crush on you. Tell me, are you moved?"
"Absolutely not!" Zhong Quan couldn't help hugging him tightly. His lips were close to his ear as he said in a hoarse voice, "Master is wise. This subordinate only wants to be by master's side in this life. If she makes you unhappy, this subordinate will go and kill her! "
The scarlet color in Gou Liang's eyes finally dissipated. He loosened his grip on Zhong Quan's neck, but he didn't push him away. He just calmly said, "Since they are guests that I invited onto the ship, how can I kill them just like that? It's just that I am very unhappy. "
"Master … …"
Zhong Quan turned his head to look at him. As long as Gou Liang wanted something, he would do it for him.
But Gou Liang did not say anything else. After pausing for a while, he knitted his brows and said with a sigh, "It's fine. It's good that you know your own status. Zhong Quan, remember the oath you made. If you dare … … have an affair with someone else, I will cut your corpse into ten thousand pieces! "
His voice was extremely cold. No one would suspect that he was just trying to scare him.
Zhong Quan only felt his heart beat like thunder. At such a close distance, he couldn't hide the passion in his eyes. Looking at Gou Liang's red lips, he suddenly had the thought of offending his superior.
He tried his best to hold it in as he replied, "This subordinate will remember."
Gou Liang continued to ask him, "You can't even think about someone else in your heart. Not even for a moment! If you dare to think about it, then hide it well. If I find out, then from now on, you will never appear in front of me again. "
Zhong Quan's heart beat even faster. The coldness and killing intent in Gou Liang's eyes was like honey, intoxicating him.
【Ding, the target's favorability has been updated. Current favorability: 95.】
He couldn't help but press his face against Gou Liang. He raised his hand to stroke his neck and said softly, "Master, I have never thought about anyone else. You are the only one in my heart. I am always worried about you. "
"Cough, cough. What are the two of you doing?"
The old man's voice suddenly sounded. Gou Liang was startled. His face suddenly turned red as if he had been scalded. Only then did he realize that his posture with Zhong Quan was too intimate. He suddenly pushed him away and scolded in a low voice, "Impudent!"
He quickly straightened his clothes and no longer looked at Zhong Quan who was kneeling in front of him. He tried to maintain his composure and looked at the old man, "Grandfather, why are you here?"
The old man chuckled, "It's my fault for disturbing your conversation. But, it's time to take your pulse today."
Gou Liang's face turned even redder. He couldn't help but glare fiercely at Zhong Quan. The latter let go of his hand and stood up. His eyes held an unprecedented smile as he stood behind Gou Liang. He silently looked at the redness in Gou Liang's ears.
The old man took his pulse. After a moment, he said with a serious face, "Calm your heart. Don't think too much."
Gou Liang was surprised. He coughed and tried to calm his fast heartbeat.
After a while, the old man took back his hand and said with satisfaction, "You've recovered well. You can walk a bit more in the future. If you persist, your legs may recover faster than I expected."
Gou Liang couldn't hide his joy, "Thank you grandfather!"
The old man waved his hand. He looked at Gou Liang and then looked at Zhong Quan. He gave an evil laugh and said, "Then you can continue." Only then did he leave.
Gou Liang's face, which had returned to normal, turned red again. He glared at Zhong Quan and said unhappily, "If there's nothing else, you can leave. There's no need to serve me today!"
Zhong Quan looked at him quietly for a while. He squatted down and helped him adjust the blanket on his knees before saying, "As you wish."
He walked out of Gou Liang's line of sight. The sound of his footsteps faded away … Gou Liang watched as the blind spot silently turned back and landed outside his room to stand guard. He couldn't help but smirk, 'Who said a loyal dog doesn't know how to flirt? My heart is about to be broken by him (〃 w 〃)! '
*
On the thirteenth day of the ninth month, Prince An was assassinated in Xingtang and almost lost his life.
The assassin was captured alive. After being interrogated, he was forced to reveal the mastermind behind the scenes. The spearhead was pointed at the Crown Prince!
Previously, when the Crown Prince was injured and returned to the capital, he arranged for people to spread rumors that he had been assassinated on Prince An. However, due to the severity of the earthquake, such rumors seemed to pale in comparison. After all, Prince An was now taking the Crown Prince's place in a dangerous place. This was a great act of benevolence.
Now, Prince An had made a great contribution to the disaster relief, but he was assassinated. Even if the Emperor wanted to suppress this matter, it still caused the Crown Prince's reputation to plummet.
The rumors among the people rose again, saying that the Crown Prince was not assassinated that day. It was only because he heard about the astronomical phenomena that the Imperial Astronomer had measured. He was afraid and did not dare to take the risk. Thus, he pretended to be injured and escaped.
The Emperor was skeptical. He brought in the imperial physician who diagnosed the Crown Prince for questioning. Under the pressure of the heavens, the imperial physician faked the illness for Li Yan.
The Emperor was furious, but in these troubled times, he could only help the Crown Prince cover it up. He suppressed the matter and sent his trusted aide to take Li Yan's pulse again.
Li Yan immediately knew that the matter was over. However, Imperial Physician Wang was escorted by the Imperial Guards. Even if he wanted to coerce him, he could not do it.
As expected, not long after Imperial Physician Wang left the Eastern Palace, the Imperial Chief came to pass on the Emperor's order. He said, "The Crown Prince is seriously injured and cannot get out of bed. I pity him and allow the Imperial Physician to stay in the Eastern Palace to treat the Crown Prince. The Crown Prince needs to recuperate in peace. Before he recovers, he does not need to worry about the affairs of the court. "
The Emperor knew that his injury was fake, but he still gave such an order. Wasn't it a disguised form of confinement and expulsion?
Li Yan was shocked and asked, "Then if I recover from my injury …"
The Imperial Chief said again, "Your Highness, rest in peace. There is no need to ask about other things. His Majesty also said, I will cover up the incident that day for the sake of the Imperial Family. If you do not repent and do something unfriendly to Prince An, do not blame me for being impartial! "
After the Imperial Chief left for a long time, Li Yan was still sitting in the same place. His face was as white as paper.
"Yan Lang …"
Zhong Yue saw this and was shocked and anxious.
Only then did Li Yan come back to his senses. He forced himself to stand up and asked coldly, "What are you doing here?"
"… His Majesty ordered me to accompany you when you are recuperating in the Eastern Palace."
Zhong Yue still did not know what the Emperor had said to Li Yan, but his expression was equally serious. The Emperor had always been afraid that he would be too close to Li Yan. Now that he had given him such an edict for no reason, his intentions were indeed suspicious.
Li Yan took a deep breath and said, "Father already knows that my injury is fake, but he ordered me to recuperate in the Eastern Palace. I am not allowed to ask about the affairs of the court. Do you know what father means by this? "
Without waiting for Zhong Yue to answer, Li Yan continued, "He wants to depose me. Who knows, one day I will die in the Eastern Palace because of my injuries under father's orders!"
"This is what you meant by 'foolproof'?"
"If it were not for your superfluous actions that day, the one who won the hearts of the people in the Yan Lands would not be Li Mu, but me! The one who is loved by the people would not be Li Mu, but me! Now, Li Mu is not dead. When he returns to the capital, I might have to give up my position as the Crown Prince! Is this what you meant by a disaster of life and death? It did not happen in the Yan Lands, but in the capital! "
"Could it be that you still don't understand why Imperial Father sent you here? You are a direct descendant of the Zhong Family of Tianji Mountain, but you can't even compare to that old bastard from the Imperial Astronomer, a descendant of someone who was expelled by the Zhong Family! "
"He sent you, a good-for-nothing, to accompany me! So that we can fend for ourselves in the Eastern Palace! "
Zhong Yue slapped his face and asked coldly, "Who did you say was a good-for-nothing?"
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