"Minister pays his respects to the Emperor and Empress!" Meton entered the Legislative Hall and saw Li Shimin and Empress Zhangsun. He immediately bowed respectfully.
Li Shimin didn't say anything, but stared at Meton with an unfriendly gaze. Meton felt a chill on his back.
Empress Zhangsun helplessly glanced at the two of them and hurriedly mediated, "You may rise!"
"Thank you, Empress!" Meton quickly took advantage of the situation.
Li Shimin snorted coldly. If it wasn't for Empress Zhangsun's words, he would have made Meton bow the entire time to show his power.
"Meton, do you know your crime!" Li Shimin didn't want to let Meton off so easily and shouted angrily.
"This kid is guilty!" Meton immediately said without hesitation.
Li Shimin saw that Meton was so straightforward. It was as if he had punched the air and was almost choked to death.
"Then tell me, what crime are you guilty of?" Li Shimin sneered.
Meton was suddenly in a difficult position. Wasn't this forcing others to do something? How could he convict himself of a crime?
"Minister caused the princess's reputation to be damaged. This is an unforgivable crime!" Meton honestly admitted his crime.
"Damaged reputation?" Li Shimin suddenly stood up and pointed at Meton's nose and scolded, "You also know that this matter concerns Changle's reputation. If something goes wrong, have you thought about Changle's situation?"
Li Shimin was afraid when he thought about it. If it was in the past, Changle and Mo Jiazi's private engagement would definitely damage her reputation and even affect the reputation of the Imperial Family. Fortunately, Meton saved the situation in time. Otherwise, Li Shimin wouldn't have let Meton stand in front of him with all four limbs intact.
Meton's face also showed a trace of luck. Although he and Princess Changle had just established their relationship when Wei Sian stirred up a storm in the city and didn't have time to react, it was still because of him. No matter how many excuses he had, he couldn't say it.
"This subject knows his crime!" Meton said sadly. "Minister's thoughtlessness made Emperor and Empress worry."
Li Shimin still couldn't vent his anger. He threw the paper in his hand in front of Meton and said hatefully, "Look at this again. What is this?"
Meton glanced at it out of the corner of his eye and immediately broke out in a cold sweat. He saw that the paper was densely filled with numbers. It was actually the secret message between him and Changle. He didn't think that Li Shimin would investigate to this extent.
"This …" Meton's face was instantly filled with embarrassment. Why did he feel like he was writing a love letter to a girl and her parents came looking for him?
"You brat, you're extremely daring. Putting aside Changle's reputation, you actually ignored the palace's restrictions. You've already caused a storm in the city, but you two still keep exchanging private messages. Do you think we're blind?" Li Shimin said through gritted teeth.
Meton's eyes flashed. He immediately understood that the reason Li Shimin was angry wasn't just because of his correspondence with Princess Changle. More importantly, he had clearly intercepted the secret message but couldn't decipher it.
"This is this subject's newest secret message. The first set of numbers represents a certain book, the second set of numbers represents a certain page, the third set of numbers represents a certain line, and the fourth set of numbers represents a certain word. In this way, the contents of the letter can be hidden. Even if someone intercepts the letter, they still won't be able to know the contents. "Meton explained honestly.
Li Shimin suddenly understood. No wonder he was confused when he saw these numbers. After Meton's explanation, he suddenly understood.
Meton said attentively, "This secret message is most suitable for military use. Even if the messenger is captured by the enemy and intercepts the military report, they still won't be able to obtain the information in the military report."
Li Shimin's eyes couldn't help but light up. He couldn't help but look at Meton. This brat had actually come up with something incredible to write a letter to Changle. With his insight, he naturally understood the benefits of this secret message.
"Oh! So you're using something to deal with the enemy to deal with us! "Li Shimin was satisfied, but he still didn't give up.
"Alright, alright. Although Meton is wrong, he's still trying to make up for it. He's being considerate!" Empress Zhangsun tried to smooth things over.
After Li Shimin obtained the theory behind the secret text, he resolved the doubts in his heart and added another powerful weapon to the military. Only then did his expression soften.
Meton hurriedly took the opportunity to say, "The Minister's feelings for the Princess are sincere and pure. Your Majesty, please give the Minister a chance to make up for it with his life."
Li Shimin snorted coldly and said, "Do you think Changle will only marry you? The Emperor's daughter doesn't have to worry about marriage. As long as I spread the news, the people who come to propose marriage will arrive outside Chang 'an City."
Meton hurriedly shook his head and said, "The Minister doesn't dare to have such an intention. The Minister only knows that when you meet someone you love, you have to fight for it with all your might. The love between the lovers is touching, but it's not what I want. All I want is to spend the rest of my life with Changle in an ordinary way."
Empress Zhangsun couldn't help but nod slightly. As a woman, the greatest happiness was to meet someone who loved her for the rest of her life.
Li Shimin and Empress Zhangsun looked at each other, and a trace of tenderness flashed in their eyes.
Li Shimin sat on the main seat and stared at Merton. "Changle is the Eldest Princess of the Tang dynasty. You are just a seventh-grade official. What right do you have to marry a princess of the Tang dynasty?"
Meton suddenly froze and couldn't help but look at Li Shimin in surprise. Could it be that the royal family's marriage also depended on one's background and official position?
Li Shimin coughed twice and said, "I heard that you are going to use your salary to marry Changle. Changle is a noble, and she is the Eldest Princess of the Tang dynasty. How can you be so shabby?"
The salary of a seventh-grade official was not enough to marry a princess even if he worked for 100 years. If Li Shimin didn't take the opportunity to make things difficult for him, he wouldn't be able to get rid of his anger.
Meton had personally handed this weakness to Li Shimin. How could he not have a countermeasure? He said confidently, "Your Majesty and Empress, please rest assured. Your Majesty, please give the Minister a year. After a year, the Minister will marry Changle with a thousand horses as the betrothal gift and ten thousand gold as the gift."
"A thousand horses as the betrothal gift and ten thousand gold as the gift." Li Shimin was stunned and asked, "You won't use the money of Village Mo?"
"Of course!" Meton said proudly, "Since the Minister said so, he must be confident."
Empress Zhangsun nodded. After a year, Meton and Changle would be at the age of marriage.
Li Shimin took a deep breath and said, "I'll give you a year. If you dare to cheat, embezzle, or take bribes, don't blame me for being rude."
"Thank you, Your Majesty!" Meton said happily.
"Get out! The engagement will only be arranged by the Empress and Madam Qin. "Li Shimin was now annoyed when he looked at Meton, so he waved his hand to drive him away.
"Son-in-law, please excuse me!" Meton immediately changed his words. Before Li Shimin could react, he disappeared from the gate of the Li Zheng Hall as fast as he could.
"This kid really knows how to take advantage of the situation!" Empress Zhangsun covered her mouth and laughed.
Li Shimin snorted heavily and couldn't help but feel jealous, "This kid is really lucky."
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