The Jeong Clan was a loving mother in front of their children, especially Erlang. Their words were gentle and considerate. But when it came to Du Ruhui, it was swift and decisive. However, Du Ruhui couldn't refute it because Madam Zheng's words made sense when he thought about it carefully.
Knock! Knock!
After a knock, the steward called out, "Master!"
Du Ruhui's expression turned serious, the awkwardness on his face vanishing. "What is it?"
The steward said, "Master, there's someone outside. He says he's here on Second Young Master's orders."
Du Ruhui said, "Invite him in."
The steward immediately went to inform him. The Jeong Clan didn't leave, sitting down beside Du Ruhui.
Before long, a middle-aged man entered.
He was slightly plump, about thirty years old. His name was Yang Cong. He was the person in charge of Shadow in Chang 'an. When Ma Zhou decided on the plan to bring Du Ruhui back, he had specifically contacted Jin Wuque. Thus, he arranged for someone to inform Yang Cong of the plan and have him keep a close eye on everything in Chang 'an. When Du Ruhui had an audience with the Emperor, he would come to see Du Ruhui.
Yang Cong said, "Prime Minister Du, Madam Du!"
Du Ruhui waved his hand. "No need to be so polite. You're here on Erlang's orders. What's the matter?"
Yang Cong said, "I have three matters."
Du Ruhui said, "Speak!"
Yang Cong said, "First, Prime Minister Du, you've entered the palace to have an audience with the Emperor. May I ask if the Emperor has permitted you to bring your family to the Western Regions?"
"Yes!"
Du Ruhui nodded.
He sighed inwardly.
Du Qi's people had received news of what had just happened in the court and immediately came to confirm it. This showed how powerful Du Qi was. Du Qi's network in Chang 'an was not simple. Although Du Ruhui had his own judgment, he didn't say it out loud. He continued to sit quietly.
Yang Cong continued, "Second, when does Prime Minister Du plan to depart?"
Du Ruhui thought for a moment, then answered, "I want to depart. At the very least, I have to wait for my eldest son Du Gou to return to Chang 'an. By rough estimation, it would take at least half a month. If it couldn't be arranged in half a month, it might take a little longer. However, it will take at most one and a half months for everything to be arranged. "
Yang Cong nodded. "Since Prime Minister Du and Madam Du are ready to depart, then the third matter. Prime Minister Du and Mrs. Du only needed to pack up everything and set off when they were ready. They didn't need to worry about their safety along the way. As for your safety, our people will be secretly escorting you along the way, so please don't worry. "
Du Ruhui nodded and said, "This old man understands."
Yang Cong said, "There's nothing else. If Prime Minister Du has anything to arrange, please don't hesitate. You only need to arrange for someone to knock on the door three times, and I will come to see Prime Minister Du. "
Du Ruhui said, "Thank you for your hard work."
Yang Cong shook his head. "This humble one is not tired. I'm just following the plan."
"Goodbye!"
Yang Cong got up and left.
After Yang Cong left, the Jeong Clan looked at Du Ruhui and said: "Husband, do you understand now? Do you think that the emperor will be so merciful to let you go? That's impossible. It's because of our Erlang's plan that everything happened today. If not for Erlang's plan, the emperor would not have let you go. Speaking of which, it's also thanks to Erlang's quick-wittedness that Zhangsun Chong was sent to the Western Regions. Zhangsun Wuji did not dare to stop him. Otherwise, it would be very difficult for us to go to the Western Regions. "
Du Ruhui smiled bitterly.
At this time, he naturally knew that his trip to the Western Regions was Du Qi's overall plan. If not for this, he really would not go to the Western Regions.
The Jeong Clan stood up and said, "Husband, arrange for someone to send a letter to Dalang and have him return home at once. Our Du family has moved to the Western Regions. There are still many things to pack in the Western Regions. I will go and pack. I have to make arrangements in advance. Otherwise, when things come to a head, I will definitely be flustered. "
Du Ruhui said, "Madam, go about your business. I know what to do."
The Jeong Clan nodded and got up to leave.
Du Ruhui did not care about the packing. He just waited in Chang 'an for Du Qi to come back. About a month later, Du Gou had returned with his wife and children and joined Du Ruhui and the others.
The family left Chang 'an on the twelfth of the second lunar month. Du Ruhui's departure was not on a large scale, nor did he inform anyone. He left quietly.
Even so, after the family left the Du family, the news quickly spread to the palace. Li Shimin knew that Du Ruhui had left. He looked at Fang Xuanling, who was reporting government affairs, and said, "Xuanling, Keming has left Chang 'an."
Fang Xuanling let out a sigh.
Immediately, Fang Xuanling said, "Your Majesty, Brother Keming has left. Don't you want to see him off?"
Li Shimin said, "Xuanling, it's better not to see him. I'm too lazy to go now."
Fang Xuanling said, "Your Majesty, I think you should go."
Li Shimin said, "I don't want to go."
In fact, Li Shimin did not want to see Du Ruhui again. The reason was very simple. He had personally arranged for Du Ruhui to go to the Western Regions, so Li Shimin did not want to go.
Fang Xuanling said, "Your Majesty, Du Ruhui has followed you for more than ten years. He is not only your minister, but also your brother. Du Ruhui is Du Qi's father. Your Majesty wants to see him off to the Western Regions to ease the relationship between the two sides. So I think Your Majesty should go and see him off. "
Li Shimin fell silent. After a while, he said, "Let's go. Xuanling, come with me."
"Yes!"
Fang Xuanling said.
Li Shimin took Fang Xuanling out of the city in a carriage. They hurried out of the city, especially taking shortcuts. So they went out of the city first and waited quietly on the way to the Longyou Road.
Fortunately, Li Shimin did not wait for long. He saw carriages coming. When the distance was less than a hundred steps, Li Shimin immediately sent someone to inform them.
After a while, Du Ruhui came to the roadside pavilion to wait in person. Du Ruhui stepped forward and said respectfully, "Du Ruhui greets Your Majesty." He had resigned and was no longer the Prime Minister. He was just an ordinary person.
Li Shimin said, "I'm here to see you off as an old friend, so there's no need for formalities. Keming, you're leaving Chang 'an now. From now on, I don't know when you'll be able to return to Chang' an. It's a long journey to the Western Regions, and the weather is bitter and cold. Take care on your way to the Western Regions. "
Du Ruhui said, "Thank you, Your Majesty!"
Li Shiming originally had a lot of things to say, but now that he saw Du Ruhui, he had nothing to say. Therefore, after a few simple words, Li Shiming said, "Keming, it's getting late. Let's hurry."
Fang Xuanling said, "Brother Keming, take care."
"Goodbye!"
Du Ruhui said and got up to leave.
The group set off, and Li Shimin also turned back to the palace.
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