Li Jiancheng's body leaned forward slightly as he stared at Du Qi with a fervent look in his eyes. He opened his mouth again and said, "Erlang, although you are young, but in ancient times, Gan Luo was one of the twelve ministers. You are older than Gan Luo and can become an official.
After a pause, Li Jiancheng continued enticingly, "Moreover, becoming an official at such a young age means that you will be able to enter the officialdom earlier and gain experience in the ways of the world. This is an opportunity for you. Are you willing to become an official in the Eastern Palace? "
There was a smile on Li Jiancheng's face.
However, there was a stern look between his brows.
When Du Qi saw this, he recalled how he had used Du Ruhui to refuse Li Jiancheng's invitation last time. But now, Li Jiancheng was trying to recruit him again. Obviously, Li Jiancheng had seen what had happened with the bookstore and knew that he already had three businesses under his name and was making a lot of money every day. Therefore, he was prepared to intervene.
Otherwise, Li Jiancheng would not have intervened.
Although Du Qi was young, he was calm in front of Li Jiancheng. He said neither humbly nor overbearingly, "Your Highness, I am still too young and do not understand the ways of the world or the rules of the officialdom. Moreover, my father has been away and has not returned home. Therefore, I will not become an official for the time being. I appreciate Your Highness' good intentions. "
Li Jiancheng frowned.
A shadow appeared between his eyebrows.
He had tried to recruit him with good intentions, but Du Qi still did not know how to appreciate his kindness. He had already given Du Qi face, but Du Qi did not accept his good intentions. He was really refusing a toast only to be forced to drink a forfeit.
Du Qi did not care about Li Jiancheng's thoughts. He continued, "Speaking of which, when the restaurant opened that day, His Majesty came to eat at the restaurant. At that time, His Majesty praised me and then asked me if I was willing to become an official. He wanted to give me an official position. However, I was still young, so I refused His Majesty. "
After a pause, Du Qi continued, "Now, Your Highness has also recruited me. Both Your Highness and His Majesty think highly of me. It is my good fortune. Unfortunately, I am still too young and not suitable to be an official. Please forgive me, Your Highness. "
Li Jiancheng narrowed his eyes and scrutinized Du Qi.
There was even a hint of fear in his eyes.
He knew very well that Du Qi's words just now were deliberately bringing up Li Yuan to beat him up. If not for this, Du Qi would not have brought up Li Yuan and said that he refused Li Yuan's invitation.
Just think about it, Du Qi had even rejected the Emperor, how could he reject the Crown Prince?
This rejection made sense.
Li Jiancheng didn't personally scold Du Qi. He couldn't convince Du Qi, so he left it to Wei Zheng. Instead, he turned to look at Wei Zheng and signaled with his eyes.
Wei Zheng immediately understood and continued, "Erlang Du, His Highness the Crown Prince wants to recruit you because he thinks highly of you. This is a great opportunity for you. If you miss this opportunity, you will definitely regret it. "
"No, I do not regret it!"
Du Qi shook his head and said, "Wei Xima, I don't have any interest in the officialdom for the time being. I am still a child, not an adult, not at the age of scheming and scheming, I don't like the mutual deception of the officialdom. Therefore, I am willing to stay at home, read books, and stroll around. This is enough! "
Wei Zheng snorted, his tone gradually became stern, his expression cold and solemn. He berated, "Erlang Du, you have repeatedly refused, could it be that you want to drink the hard way instead of the easy way?"
Du Qi heard Wei Zheng's threat, but he didn't care at all. He continued, "Could it be that this Crown Prince Mansion still has the rule of forced buying and selling? I do not agree with Crown Prince's invitation. Could it be that Crown Prince wants to forcibly convict me of a crime? "
Hearing Du Qi's words, Wei Zheng stroked his beard, a smile appeared on his face.
His smile, however, contained a murderous intent.
He reached down and grabbed, conveniently grabbing the ceramic teacup on the table in front of him and directly smashing it to the ground. In the blink of an eye, a group of warriors rushed into the hall. This group of warriors were all dressed in armor, holding sharp blades in their hands. They stood with their heads held high, a cold murderous aura emanating from their solemn faces.
Those who were a little timid would immediately be scared stiff.
However, in the eyes of Du Qi, he was neither servile nor overbearing. When he received the news that Li Jiancheng had summoned him, he already had a premonition before coming to the Crown Prince Mansion. He knew that Li Jiancheng had ulterior motives.
Therefore, he wasn't surprised that Li Jiancheng wanted to kill him. On the contrary, it was within his expectations.
Du Qi flicked his sleeves and said indifferently, "Your Highness wants to kill me on a groundless charge. Or rather, Your Highness wants to frame me with the crime of offending my superiors, saying that I, Du Qi, hmm, a twelve or thirteen year old child, attempted to assassinate Your Highness the Crown Prince, and kill me on the spot? "
Li Jiancheng frowned for a moment.
Even though he was used to great storms, he still couldn't refute Du Qi's aggressive words. After all, he was the Crown Prince of the Tang dynasty. How could he use the soldiers to intimidate a twelve or thirteen year old child, and even threaten to kill a twelve or thirteen year old child?
This was truly embarrassing.
Even Li Jiancheng felt embarrassed.
Wei Zheng, on the other hand, didn't think much of it.
Du Qi was young, but the talent and ability that Du Qi had displayed were not to be underestimated. Especially since Du Qi was Du Ruhui's son, he was naturally on the opposite side of the Crown Prince.
If Du Qi was unwilling to serve Li Jiancheng, then he was an enemy and couldn't be allowed to live.
Wei Zheng said indifferently, "Du Qi, Your Highness the Crown Prince has repeatedly summoned you and invited you to serve as an official. It can be said that he has given you enough face. However, you don't want it. Don't blame the Crown Prince for punishing you ruthlessly. Moreover, the East Palace only needs to announce to the public that you have offended your superiors. Even if you are executed on the spot, who would dare to say anything? "
Du Qi said mockingly, "The suggestion to kill me should be made by Wei Xima. Wei Xima, you're really a competent Crown Prince! "
Wei Zheng said indifferently, "It's my duty!"
Du Qi continued, "Wei Zheng, aren't you afraid that His Majesty the Emperor will be angry if you kill me?"
"Hahaha …"
Wei Zheng couldn't help but laugh when he heard that.
There was disdain in his laughter.
There was also disdain in his laughter.
It was ridiculous that His Majesty the Emperor would be angry if he killed a twelve or thirteen year old child.
Du Qi looked at Wei Zheng and laughed as if he was looking at a fool. Wei Zheng was originally laughing because he was waiting for Du Qi to ask him why he was laughing.
However, Du Qi didn't say a word and just stared at him, making him feel awkward.
Therefore, he could only stop laughing.
Wei Zheng's sharp eyebrows furrowed as he stared at Du Qi. He continued, "Du Qi, you think too highly of yourself. You're just a twelve or thirteen year old child. Even if your restaurant produces some delicacies and temporarily wins His Majesty's favor, so what? "
After a pause, Wei Zheng continued, "You want His Majesty to make a decision for you? That's impossible. Even if His Majesty finds it a pity to kill you when he hears the news, he will at most mention it a little. There won't be more than that. "
Li Jiancheng stroked the mustache under his chin, very satisfied with Wei Zheng's words. He echoed, "Du Qi, don't forget. There are still Zhang Jieyu and Consort Yin De in the palace. They are both my people and are biased towards me. With their influence, His Majesty has long forgotten about you. You want to use His Majesty to intimidate me? That's impossible. "
"Hahaha …"
Du Qi also laughed when he heard that.
However, it was a little strange for a twelve or thirteen year old child to laugh like that.
Li Jiancheng asked, "What are you laughing at?"
Du Qi replied, "I'm laughing because Your Highness thinks too highly of yourself and underestimates my influence. You also underestimate my, Du Qi's, influence. Apart from that, the intelligent, resourceful, decisive, ruthless, black-bellied and shameless Wei Xima is nothing more than this. "
Li Jiancheng snorted, very unhappy.
Du Qi was already at death's door, but he was still so stubborn.
Wei Zheng's face twitched at Du Qi's mockery, but he continued, "Du Qi, you're so stubborn. I don't take your words to heart. No matter what, if you don't submit to His Highness and serve His Highness, you will die without a doubt. "
Du Qi continued, "That's why I say that you're nothing more than this. Let's not talk about whether or not you dare to kill me. If you kill me, the Eastern Palace won't be able to bear the consequences. "
"Ridiculous!"
Wei Zheng roared.
Du Qi's expression was calm as he explained, "What's so ridiculous about that? Everything I said is true. If Your Highness and Wei Xima don't believe me, then listen to me. "
Li Jiancheng said, "Speak!"
Wei Zheng also looked at Du Qi.
To Li Jiancheng and Wei Zheng, Du Qi was a fish on the chopping block, waiting to be slaughtered. At this time, they wanted to hear what Du Qi had to say.
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