Coincidentally, he knew that Ma Zhou had told him everything in the main hall without leaving any loopholes, and did not give Li Shimin any chance to take advantage of him.
Li Xian walked up. Seeing that Ma Zhou was silent, Li Xian smiled awkwardly and said, "Son-in-law, the weather …"
"Wait!"
Ma Zhou stopped him.
He sternly said, "Doctor Li, oh, no, it's Assistant Minister Li. Please don't call me virtuous son-in-law. In the afternoon, the relationship between the two of us was extremely disharmonious. My heart can't take it anymore when you call me your honorable son-in-law. So if you have anything to say, just call me by my name. I'm used to it. "
Li Xian was even more embarrassed.
After all, he was Ma Zhou's father-in-law. Yet, he was being targeted by Ma Zhou.
His heart was filled with grievances.
However, Li Shimin had already given the order. Even if Ma Zhou dissed him, Li Xian could only invite him. "My good son-in-law, it's already late. Why don't you rest at my place for the night?"
"No need!"
Ma Zhou shook his head.
After a pause, Ma Zhou continued, "Assistant Minister Li, as long as you acknowledge me as your son-in-law in the slightest. Then, you should keep your distance from me. You're so close to me now because you don't see me as your son-in-law. So, why bother to be so pretentious? There's no need. There's really no need. "
His words tore apart all pretense of cordiality.
Ma Zhou didn't need to give Li Xian any face, especially since more and more officials were coming out of the main hall. As soon as these people heard the conversation between Li Xian and Ma Zhou, they all perked up their ears and looked like they were gossiping.
All of them were extremely curious.
However, there were also some busybodies who understood Li Xian's situation and explained the relationship between Ma Zhou and Li Xian.
Li Xian's cheeks burned as he listened to the discussions around him. Li Xian was a Confucian scholar who valued his reputation. Now that he was being discussed in such a manner, he felt very uncomfortable in his heart. However, there was nothing he could do about it.
The Emperor's order was on him!
Li Xian said seriously, "Son-in-law, what are you dissatisfied with? If you have any thoughts, feel free to speak. But how about we go back to the mansion and talk about it slowly? "
As long as he returned to the residence, everything would be fine.
After all, it was behind closed doors.
Right now, in front of everyone, Li Xian really couldn't handle it. He felt that this matter was too difficult.
Ma Zhou flicked his sleeves and said, "No need. Goodbye."
After that, Ma Zhou strode forward.
Li Xian immediately chased after Ma Zhou. He also threw away his pride and grabbed Ma Zhou's hand, saying, "Son-in-law, go to Father-in-law's residence for You 'er's sake."
Ma Zhou was extremely cold at this time. He said indifferently, "It's because I'm considering You 'er that I won't go. If you, Li Xian, had half a thought for You 'er and me, you wouldn't be so shameless as to say such words. If you do this, you will only harm You 'er. I am even more aware that everything I have is given to me by Emperor Xia. You, stop pestering me. Otherwise, don't blame me for berating you. "
"Goodbye!"
Ma Zhou strode away.
Li Xian stayed where he was, looking very disappointed.
At this moment, Li Xian was extremely depressed. Because of everything he did in the past, he suffered the consequences of his own actions today. Li Xian dragged his fatigued body out of the room and lowered his head. Although there were officials around him walking out, Li Xian was immersed in his own world.
How embarrassing!
He had lost all his dignity!
Ma Zhou walked forward. When he had walked a certain distance, he turned his head slightly to take a look, and then strode away. He was very clear that it was best to keep a distance between him and Li Xian. Although it was a little cruel to Li Xian, such cruelty was precisely to protect Li Xian. For a person like Li Xian, if he got involved in a fight, he would eventually be devoured until not even his bones were left.
Ma Zhou returned to the post house where he stayed and went to bed early.
The next day, early morning.
After Ma Zhou woke up in the morning, he washed up, had his breakfast and was ready to leave. However, just as he was about to leave, the Minister of Imperial Household, Tang Zhen, sent a box of gifts. The box was filled with treasures and jade artifacts. He said that it was a gift for Ma Zhou so that Ma Zhou could use it for his travel expenses. Ma Zhou accepted it immediately.
He did not reject it. After all, it was money.
Ma Zhou set off on his return journey. On the way back, he felt a lot more relaxed. This was because the trip to Chang 'an had not only solved the matter that Du Qi had arranged, but also resolved his worries. This was a worthwhile trip.
It was August. Ma Zhou returned to Gaochang City. He did not care about his travel-worn self and went straight to the palace. When he saw Du Qi in the palace, he bowed and greeted, "Your Majesty!"
"Sit!"
Du Qi smiled and nodded.
After Ma Zhou thanked him, he sat down and began talking about the diplomatic mission. After he finished talking about the official duties of the diplomatic mission and Li Shimin's recognition of Xia's position, Ma Zhou talked about Li Shimin's solicitation of him, his promotion of Li Xian, and the money that Li Shimin gave him. At the same time, Ma Zhou also got someone to send a box of treasures and jade artifacts to Du Qi.
This was Ma Zhou's magnanimity.
He explained everything clearly.
He also handed over the money.
This was to prevent Du Qi from having any thoughts.
Du Qi smiled and said, "Ma Zhou, I trust you because I want to use you. If I can't even do this, then why bother letting you enter the Cabinet? Besides, Li Shimin's intention is very simple. He wants to drive a wedge between us. It's enough that you can understand this. Just accept the money that Li Shimin gave you. Now that you have settled down in Gaochang and your child is about to be born, all of this will cost money. "
"Thank you, Your Majesty!"
After Ma Zhou thanked him, he didn't refuse.
After a pause, Ma Zhou said, "Your Majesty, there's one more thing that I don't know whether I should say or not."
Du Qi smiled and said, "If there's anything you shouldn't say, just say it."
Ma Zhou said, "It's about Prime Minister Du. Prime Minister Du still holds an important position in the imperial court of the Tang dynasty. I heard that Prime Minister Du once resigned, but the Emperor didn't allow it and still thinks highly of Prime Minister Du. "
"Because of Your Majesty, many people in the imperial court are against Prime Minister Du, and because of Your Majesty, Prime Minister Du's ruling is affected. Therefore, Prime Minister Du is still quite unhappy in the imperial court of the Tang dynasty. "
"In my opinion, we should find a way to let Prime Minister Du and his family come to the Western Region. In this way, on the one hand, Your Majesty's worries will be solved. On the other hand, Prime Minister Du's unhappy situation will be solved. "
Ma Zhou said, "After all, Prime Minister Du's ability is outstanding. If Prime Minister Du comes to the Western Region, it will also be helpful to us."
Du Qi shook his head and said, "How can I not know about this matter? What my father recognizes is that if the Emperor doesn't betray me, I won't betray the Emperor. Li Shimin trusts my father very much, and both sides have been in a relationship of monarch and minister for decades. It's not easy to let my father come to the Western Region. This matter is very difficult to handle. "
Ma Zhou said, "Your Majesty, no matter how difficult it is, it can still be done."
Du Qi said, "Ma Zhou, what's your plan?"
Ma Zhou said with a straight face, "Your Majesty, if you think too much, you'll be constrained everywhere. What I mean is to use force and directly arrange people to bring Prime Minister Du, Old Madam, and the others to the Western Region."
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