Liu Tan invited Xue Rui and Jing Chen to the Heng Wu Building to listen to the opera. The two did not decline and arranged a date. That evening, Liu Tan and Jing Chen arrived first and entered the Cypress and Pines building. Because there were only three of them, they did not bring anyone else, so they did not go up to the top floor. Instead, they asked for a private room on the second floor, which could accommodate a small opera troupe.
After listening to the short report, Xue Rui arrived late. He was ushered into the door by the imperial guard who was waiting downstairs. When he rolled up the curtain, he saw a female character in colorful clothes and a pink face standing on the short stage. She was swinging her sleeves lightly as she turned her head back to say something. Her entire body was elegant and beautiful, and her body was delicate and gentle. She was one of the most pitiful characters here, Du Qinge.
Xue Rui only glanced at her before withdrawing his gaze. On the other side, Liu Tan saw him walk in and put down his teacup. He smiled and said, "Cousin, where did you come from?"
Xue Rui sighed and said truthfully, "I was originally resting in the afternoon, but before I left, I was called by the Ministry of Justice to go to the Supreme Court to interrogate two important criminals. That is why I am late. Your Highness, please do not blame me."
Although Liu Tan called him cousin, there was a difference between a ruler and a subject. Even though they were close, it was not to the point where there was no distinction between them. Therefore, Xue Rui had always treated Liu Tan in a manner that was neither servile nor overbearing, neither distant nor close.
Liu Tan waved his hand and did not blame him.
"Brother Xue." Jing Chen cupped his hands in greeting. Xue Rui nodded in return and sat down on the empty seat on the left of Liu Tan.
On the stage was Du Qinge's signature opera, "Du Shiniang". This was a famous song. It told the story of a famous prostitute in Jianghuai during the reign of Emperor Xizong. She met an unlucky man and committed suicide by drowning herself in the river.
This story had been told for a long time. Because Du Qinge had the same surname as the pitiful and respectable woman in the story, Shiniang, and because she was both talented and beautiful, she became the number one performer of Heng Wu Hall.
If it was not the children of the nobility who entered the Chaste and Cypress Building, it would be very difficult for outsiders to listen to her song.
Ever since Xue Rui entered the room, Du Qing 'e's eyes would occasionally glance over. When she reached the end of her song, it was the most melancholic. "If you don't know how to flirt, don't talk nonsense. Just the word' love 'is a waste of effort. If you can understand the word' love ', you wouldn't be ashamed to call yourself a flirt …"
Liu Tan cast a glance at Xue Rui as if he had sensed something. When he saw that the latter's expression was the same as ever as he fanned himself and closed his eyes as if he was simply listening to the play, Liu Tan smiled to himself.
He knew a thing or two about his cousin's scandals. As the saying goes, it's a waste of one's youth if one is not romantic. Just by relying on his good looks, he had attracted the tears of countless beauties.
It was a pity that the falling flowers yearn for love, but the heartless water flows. Now it seemed that Xue Rui had restrained his temper, but he didn't know if it was for the late Tenth Princess or if there was another reason.
After "Du Shiniang" was sung, it was time for the next play. The people on stage prepared while the audience chatted.
"Recently, there has been a lot of noise in the morning court about attacking Wei Country. Father is hesitating. Grandfather's intention is to transfer troops from Liangjiang. Cousin, what do you think?" Liu Tan turned his body and asked.
After the Land and Water Conference, Emperor Zhao Qing wanted to send troops to Dong Ying. Because of the question of whether to fight or not, all the parties and sects argued in the court for half a month. Finally, they decided to fight, but they were in a dilemma about who to send and who to lead the troops.
Since Emperor Zhao Qing succeeded the throne, he hadn't taken the initiative to mobilize troops for more than ten years. This was the first time. So from the emperor down to the civil and military officials, they all treated it with caution.
First of all, in the eyes of most people, with Da An's vast national power, subduing a small island country was a piece of cake. This military achievement of opening up new territories was practically free.
So there were many boorish people who wanted to lead the troops on an expedition.
On the other hand, some people suggested that it would be better to let Lord Dongjing, who was guarding the north, send troops nearby. Firstly, it was close and could reduce losses. Secondly, Lord Dongjing had a well-trained navy under him, which could be put to good use.
It was fine to let Lord Dongjing send troops, but this suggestion of letting Lord Dongjing send troops was immediately fiercely opposed by some people in the court.
There were various reasons. Some people thought that the Jiang family was already a noble. If they let Lord Dongjing make the merit of opening up new territories, it would be too much of a disadvantage. Some people were worried about the Mongols in the north, who were eager to make trouble in recent years. They were afraid that the northeast army would split up to attack Wei Country. At that time, the Mongols would attack on a large scale, and the garrison in the north would be defeated.
Both of these concerns were reasonable. The court was noisy all day, and Emperor Zhao Qing was annoyed. Every day, when he met with close officials in the Upper Study Room, he would complain.
The princes were all old enough to discuss politics. Prince Ning had been released from house arrest a while ago and had a seat in the Upper Study Room again, so he had some say. However, Liu Tan was young and weak, so he did not dare to make a rash proposal.
Liu Tan was not convinced, but he could not find out the truth from Xue Lingnan's words. So he settled for the next best thing, which was to dig out political opinions from Xue Rui.
Xue Rui looked at Liu Tan's inquisitive expression and confirmed that he did not know about his relationship with Jiang Huaiying. Then he slowly fanned the Mujiang Fan in his hand and said,
"Hundreds of years ago, when the Tang Empire was ruling, there were Baekje, Silla, and Goguryeo on the other side of the East Sea. Baekje once invaded Silla, and the Tang Empire sent troops to help, but Baekje was defeated. According to historical records, after Baekje was defeated, they turned to Nihon for help. So, Nihon and Baekje joined forces and gathered troops to go to the mouth of the Bai River to fight the Tang army. In the end, Nihon and Baekje were defeated, and Baekje was destroyed. "
"This is the only time in history that the Central Plains fought with Nihon. Although the Han won, it was Baekje who destroyed the country. Now, Silla no longer exists. Only Nihon still exists in the world after several generations, and it has developed great ambitions."
"Your Highness, do you think that sending troops across the sea to attack Dong Ying is really an easy task?"
Liu Tan was deep in thought. He seemed to have gained some inspiration from Xue Rui's words. Before he could understand, he heard Xue Rui say something meaningful,
"The peace of a country will lead to laziness after a long time. War is a must, but it is not the right time."
Liu Tan almost blurted out, "If it is not the right time now, then when will it be?"
"Hehe," Xue Rui suddenly put away his serious expression. He twirled his fan and said to himself, "It is my shallow opinion. Your Highness, you can just listen to it. There is no need to take it seriously."
Liu Tan was puzzled in his heart, but he didn't want to reveal himself in front of Xue Rui, so he smiled and changed the topic, "Cousin Brother's fan has distinct muscles and bones. I can tell with a single glance that it's not an ordinary object. May I know where you got it from?"
Xue Rui curled up the corner of his mouth and said, "It was a gift from someone. It is my beloved object."
Jing Chen had been listening quietly. He glanced at the amethyst fan pendant hanging at the end of the fan handle in Xue Rui's hand and suddenly said, "Is it a gift from Xiaoyu?"
Xue Rui looked back at him, and the smile on his face disappeared. He nodded and said, "It is a birthday gift from her. She said it can drive away evil spirits."
Jing Chen saw that Xue Rui loved the fan so much that he could not put it down. His five senses were very sensitive, so he could naturally sense that the Yang Wood Qi on the fan was very thick. It was a treasure.
Jing Chen's feelings towards Xue Rui were a little complicated. On one hand, he was Yu Shu's trusted big brother. Jing Chen was grateful to him for taking care of Yu Shu. On the other hand, Jing Chen could not help but be afraid of him. This person knew everything about them, and he had also seen Yun Hua. He was not sure if he could keep this secret.
If he leaked something or had bad intentions, the first person to suffer would be Yu Shu.
"She cares a lot about you, her big brother." Jing Chen said in his heart, 'So you must not let her down.'
Xue Rui raised his eyebrows. He wanted to say something, but because of Liu Tan's presence, he held back. He thought, 'She also cares a lot about you, but you let her down.'
In the end, he only replied, "I know."
'How can I not understand her kindness?'
Liu Tan could not understand the two of them talking in riddles. Since he mentioned Yu Shu, he brought the topic to her and said, "Speaking of which, Miss Lotus Room has been in Kunling Bureau for three months. When she passes the assessment, she can go to the court to discuss politics. At that time, we must congratulate her properly."
"Soon." As Yu Shu's direct superior, Jing Chen had a lot of say. "Today, the Grand Commissioner asked me about Yu Shu's tenure. Her assessment should be arranged in the next few days."
The assessment of Kunling Bureau was divided into two parts. The Grand Commissioner personally presided over the chief officers of the three departments and two bureaus. Tai Cheng Si supervised from the side. The rest was the responsibility of the chief officers of each department. Tai Cheng Si retained the right to report to avoid favoritism.
Yu Shu had officially taken up her post the day before the Aquatic Conference. It had been almost three months, and she was about to undergo her first evaluation as an official, as well as the most important one. This was related to whether or not she could continue to stay in her current position, as well as obtain the right to discuss politics in the royal court.
Going to the court to meet the emperor and participating in state affairs was the threshold of an official's career. Many officials worked hard for their entire lives, but stopped at the Meridian Gate and never got a chance.
Only by taking this step would there be greater opportunities, and only then would they be able to fight for greater power.
"There shouldn't be any problems," Liu Tan said. "Youngest Martial Aunt is serving as a Shaoqing in Tai Cheng Si. We are all on the same side. If there are no accidents, she will pass the assessment."
On the same side, hahaha.
Only Liu Tan, who didn't know the truth, could say this. Jing Chen and Xue Rui looked at each other, each worried. Jing Chen suspected that Shui Yun was deliberately targeting Yu Shu. Xue Rui knew how much Yu Shu disliked Jing Chen's junior sister.
As they spoke, the stage was set up. The next play was a martial arts play called "Wanderer". Liu Tan liked it. The martial artist came up and performed a set of sword techniques. Liu Tan raised his hand and rewarded him with an ingot of gold.
Xue Rui watched for a while and found an excuse to leave. Jing Chen was even less interested in these "showy but impractical moves" and also went outside to get some fresh air.
The two of them went to the bridge between Pines and Cypresses House and Fragrant Grass House. The bright moon was in the sky. A sudden burst of cheers came from the opposite building, causing the two of them to look sideways. It sounded like someone was telling a story in the hall.
Xue Rui and Jing Chen originally had nothing to say, but Jing Chen had good hearing. He tilted his head and listened for a moment. He smiled and turned back, saying, "He's telling a story about the Aquatic and Land Conference. It's about Little Yu cleverly breaking the Dong Ying envoy's trick and summoning the wind and rain outside Fengqing Palace."
As soon as he finished, his expression changed and he frowned. Without waiting for Xue Rui to speak, he turned around and strode toward the opposite building.
Xue Rui was bewildered by this sudden action of his, and he hesitated for a moment before choosing to follow up.
After passing through layers of soundproof curtains, the lights in front of them were brightly lit. The two of them walked to the corridor on the second floor. Before they stood still, they heard an ear-piercing voice shouting impudently in the midst of the noise downstairs.
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