When Li Rong heard this, she subconsciously stood up. Then, she remembered that she was grounded and couldn't go out. She took a deep breath and said to Jing Lan, "Send someone out to inquire about the situation and report back to me at all times. Have someone keep an eye on the main hall. Once there is news of the Qin Clan being pardoned, immediately have all the people from the Inspectorate clear the roads and send a messenger to the execution ground. "
Jing Lan acknowledged and left. Li Rong stood in place and paused for a moment. Then, she turned to look at Su Yongqing, who was looking down at the chessboard. She walked back to her original position and sat down. "Lord Su, the prince consort has returned."
"Mm."
Su Yongqing said softly, "This humble subject heard."
"What I said just now …"
"Your Highness, just pretend that this humble subject didn't say anything." Su Yongqing looked very calm. Li Rong nodded.
According to Su Yongqing's personality, the only reason he said those words was because Pei Wenxuan was dead.
Pei Wenxuan was dead, and he wanted to keep her …
But why did he want to keep her? Why did he want to keep a princess who had lost her power and had broken off relations with the Crown Prince?
Li Rong thought about it and found it hard to understand. She looked up at Su Yongqing and thought about Pei Wenxuan's return. Su Yongqing saw that she was absent-minded and said, "Since the Lord Pei has returned, he naturally won't return in vain. Your Highness, don't worry too much."
Su Yongqing put a chess piece on the chessboard and said slowly, "Your Highness, why don't you give me some face and finish this game?"
Li Rong didn't say anything. She looked at Su Yongqing quietly. Su Yongqing today was very different from usual. He was more like the Su Yongqing she remembered when he was drunk and indulged.
There were less rules and more abnormalities.
Li Rong hesitated for a moment and walked back to the chessboard. She raised her hand and said, "Please."
While Li Rong and Su Yongqing were playing chess in the tower, Pei Wenxuan rode his horse into the palace. Then, he jumped off his horse and ran toward the main hall. He shouted, "Your Highness, the Qin Clan has been wronged..
At this moment, the morning court session had just begun. Pei Wenxuan's loud shouts came from outside the main hall. Everyone turned to look and saw a young man in green clothes with mud stains on the corners. He held a roll of paper in his hand and walked quickly from outside the main hall.
...... Pei Wenxuan...
When Li Ming saw who it was, he exclaimed in shock. All the officials present had different expressions on their faces. Pei Wen Xuan gasped for breath and knelt down to pay his respects: "Greetings, Your Majesty. Long live Your Majesty.
"You …" Li Ming couldn't believe his ears. Before he could say 'Aren't you dead?', he remembered that Li Rong had asked Pei Wenxuan for sick leave. He restrained himself for a moment and then changed his words. "Aren't you still sick?"
"Reporting to Your Highness," Pei Wenxuan said respectfully, "Your Highness should have told Your Highness that this humble official pretended to be sick, but in reality, this humble official secretly left the capital to investigate the Qin Clan case. After this humble official left the capital, I noticed that someone was following me. In order to deceive others, I pretended to fall off a cliff. That was how I was able to smoothly travel to the northwest to investigate the Qin Clan case. Now, this humble official has obtained evidence that the Qin Clan was wrongly accused. Your Highness, please immediately send people to the execution ground and have the executioners keep them alive. "
When Li Ming heard this, he immediately reacted. He hurriedly said, "Quickly, go to the execution ground and keep the Qin Clan members here!"
The eunuch received the order and immediately rushed out. Several old officials frowned and gave the eunuch behind them a look. The eunuch standing behind the curtain quietly retreated.
The messenger eunuch received the order and left the palace. Not long after he left the palace, he saw a wave of assassins pouncing on him.
The eunuch was startled and quickly retreated on his horse. Seeing an arrow flying towards him, the eunuch widened his eyes in shock. At this time, a saber suddenly rushed out from the side and split the arrow in half. The guard grabbed the eunuch and threw him onto his horse. He hurriedly said, "Daren, this humble official is under the orders of the Inspection Department to protect daren. Daren, please come with me."
As he spoke, the imperial bodyguard led the eunuch through the crowd. The alley was densely packed with assassins. These people were entangled with the people from the Inspection Department. The alley was filled with assassins.
When the messenger eunuch was blocked on the road, another group of people quickly left the palace and went straight to the execution ground. When they arrived at the execution ground, they found a guard. They whispered a few words into the guard's ear. The guard immediately went forward and found the executioner. He whispered something in the guard's ear. The guard immediately went forward and found the executioner.
The executioner frowned and hesitated for a moment. In the end, he nodded.
"The time has come." The executioner suddenly reached out and took the token with the word "execution" on it. He raised his hand and threw it on the ground. "Execute …"
Before he finished speaking, he heard a hoarse shout from the crowd: "Daren, the time hasn't come yet."
The executioner didn't expect that someone would dare to openly challenge him. He gritted his teeth and angrily said, "Execute immediately!"
The executioner seemed to know that the time wasn't right. He hesitated. Seeing that the executioner didn't move, the executioner slammed the table: "What are you waiting for? I'll let you execute him!"
The executioner was angered by his superior. He didn't dare to delay any longer. He raised his hand and took down the token on Qin Lin's back. He raised his broadsword. The moment the broadsword fell, a young man rushed out from the crowd and kicked him away. Then he raised his sword and cut open Qin Lin's ropes. At the same time, he threw a sword over.
"The prisoners are being rescued!"
The soldiers immediately reacted and rushed forward.
After Xun Chuan whispered, "Save them." He raised his foot and kicked away the soldiers who rushed forward. He raised his sword and stood in front of the Qin Family members. He angrily said: "The time hasn't come yet. You dare to execute people in advance? How dare you!"
"Arrest them!"
The executioner saw that the scene was chaotic and panicked. He shouted: "They have no respect for the law. This is a prisoner rescue! Stop them, stop them all! "
The executioner shouted. The soldiers rushed towards the high platform. Xun Chuan stopped them, and Qin Lin stumbled to save people. The two cooperated to protect the Qin Family members and made a mess on the execution platform.
At this moment, a eunuch, who was protected by the others, galloped over on a horse. He held an imperial edict in his hand and shouted: "Spare them! Spare them! "
Huajing was filled with the shadows of swords and sabers. On the Northern Yan Pagoda, there was an unexpected peace.
"Lord Su is in a good mood today." Li Rong put down a chess piece and listened to the sound of the copper bell outside. He slowly said: "He's actually willing to play chess with me."
"This humble subject is willing to play chess with Your Highness at any time." Su Yongqing looked at the chessboard and said naturally: "Moreover, this humble subject thinks that Your Highness must have a lot of questions to ask this humble subject. Therefore, this humble subject deliberately stayed."
"Lord Su is right." Li Rong laughed: "This Prince does have a lot of questions to ask Lord Su."
"Your Highness, please speak."
"Actually, I don't understand what Lord Su said just now." Li Rong and Su Yongqing put down their chess pieces one by one. "Why does Lord Su want to marry me? Even if Pei Wenxuan is dead, I'm still remarried. Moreover, I've already broken with the Crown Prince. It's meaningless for Lord Su to marry me. Why does he have to go through so much trouble to marry a woman who's already remarried? "
Su Rongqing didn't say anything. Li Rong thought for a while and said, "When Lord Su and I first met, he already wanted to rely on the Crown Prince. Now that he's trying so hard to protect me, is it because he wants to use me to maintain his relationship with the Crown Prince? But why does the Su Family value their relationship with the Crown Prince so much? The Crown Prince has a gentle personality, he doesn't need … "
"Your Highness," Su Yongqing interrupted her: "Do you have to link everything with power?"
Li Rong's hand stopped moving. Su Yongqing raised his eyes and quietly looked at Li Rong: "I don't want to be enemies with Your Highness. I want Your Highness to live a good life. Can't such a simple reason be enough?"
Li Rong stared blankly at Su Yongqing. Outside, birds flew all the way from the Northern Yan Pagoda to the Main Hall.
In the Main Hall, Pei Wenxuan had already handed over the accounts he checked along the way, as well as the testimonies of the people of Huangping County about the war.
"Your Majesty, this humble subject visited the county government along the way and copied down the specific records of the provisions of each county government. According to the Ministry of War's records, Huangping County had a total of three thousand soldiers. Before the war, they allocated ten thousand shi of provisions for a month. But in fact, when they arrived at Huangping County, the provisions were less than three thousand shi. When the provisions arrived at each county, they were reduced by one shi. In several large counties, there wasn't much left. In the records of these county towns, the amount of food that each county town received was less than the previous county town. After checking, the total amount of food that each county town reported was wrong. However, the actual amount of food that each county town received was consistent with the records of Huangping County. It can be seen that the data of three thousand shi of provisions in Huangping County is true. The Ministry of War's record of ten thousand shi is probably wrong. "
"In addition to the records of the provisions, this humble subject also interviewed the local soldiers and people and recorded their testimonies. In the war that year, more than half of the soldiers were hungry and sick before the war started. They were simply unable to fight. Under those circumstances, the Qin Family was still able to ensure that the people in the county retreated in advance without too many casualties. Not only should they not be punished, but they should also be rewarded so as to not disappoint the soldiers at the border. "
"This humble subject earnestly requests Your Highness," Pei Wenxuan knelt on the ground and said loudly, "to thoroughly investigate the embezzlement of provisions in Huangping County."
Just as Pei Wenxuan opened his mouth, the Assistant Minister of the Ministry of War jumped out and loudly said, "Slander! This is a blatant slander! "
"Whether or not it's a slander," Pei Wenxuan raised his head and said passionately, "We'll know once we investigate!"
"Your Majesty," Pei Wenxuan kowtowed on the ground and loudly said, "please thoroughly investigate the Ministry of Justice, the Ministry of War, the Ministry of Revenue, and the Ministry of Censorate. Clear the name of the Qin Family and give justice to the soldiers at the border!"
Li Ming didn't say anything, and everyone else also remained silent.
Pei Wenxuan brought back too much evidence, and it was too solid. At this moment, no one wanted to speak up.
However, with so much evidence, there were also many people involved. After a long period of silence, the people who had participated in the conspiracy finally couldn't help but rush out. The Censorate Wen Ping was the first to bear the brunt. He angrily said, "Pei Wenxuan, what do you mean? The Ministry of Justice, the Ministry of War, the Ministry of Revenue, and the Ministry of Revenue? Are you saying that the entire imperial court worked together to deceive and frame the Qin Family? Where did the Qin Family get so much face from? And you, as an Imperial Censorate, you didn't do your job and went out of the capital to deceive the Emperor. You fabricated a pile of evidence to deceive the Emperor. Do you think the Emperor will be deceived by you? "
"Yes," Wen Ping raised his head. The other officials hurriedly stepped out and said in a panic, "You're investigating the accounts? You're just an Imperial Censorate, where did you get the authority to investigate the accounts of so many counties? Why did they give you the accounts? Where did you get these accounts? Hurry up and tell us the truth! "
"Your Majesty," Wen Ping turned to look at Li Ming and knelt down. "Pei Wenxuan neglected his duties and deceived the Emperor. His father, Pei Lizhi, and the Qin Family have been friends for generations. Now, in order to show favoritism, he didn't hesitate to fabricate evidence. Your Majesty, please investigate and punish him!"
As he said this, many people followed Wen Ping and knelt down. They anxiously said, "Your Majesty, please investigate!"
Li Ming didn't speak. Pei Wenxuan knelt on the ground and remained silent.
In reality, everyone present knew that in the face of such evidence, whether Li Ming wanted to investigate or not wasn't a matter of evidence. It was a matter of whether Li Ming could investigate or not.
The aristocratic families were a sword hanging over Li Ming's head. If he pushed too hard, the sword might fall.
The aristocratic families gambled on Li Ming's fear, and Li Ming was indeed afraid.
Right now, he only wanted to balance the aristocratic families, but only balance, not completely shake them.
Right now, he didn't dare and couldn't.
And the report that Pei Wenxuan gave him was enough to cut the rope of this sword and make it fall.
Pei Wenxuan knelt on the ground and waited for Li Ming's decision. Li Ming didn't speak for a long time. Then, Pei Wenxuan said, "Your Majesty."
"The border soldiers don't only guard the border, but also Da Xia's mountains and rivers."
This was a hint to remind Li Ming that if he didn't handle the border matters well, the foundation of Da Xia would be shaken.
Li Ming held Pei Wenxuan's report. After a long time, he finally said, "Dear Official Pei, you've worked hard. This case is very important. I'll think about it again. You're also tired. Go and rest. "
"Yes."
Pei Wenxuan bowed respectfully. After getting up, he was about to leave when he heard Li Ming say, "Ping L E is now grounded in Northern Yan Tower. Go and pick her up. Let's go back together."
Pei Wenxuan was slightly stunned. Then, he lowered his eyes and said respectfully, "Yes."
When Pei Wenxuan rushed to Northern Yan Tower, Su Yongqing and Li Rong were still playing chess.
After Su Yongqing said "Can't I?", he quietly looked at Li Rong and didn't say anything else.
Normally, after saying this, people would look at the other party and wait for a response. But when he looked at Li Rong, he really just looked at him.
Li Rong couldn't feel any desire from his eyes.
That gaze contained a lot of complicated emotions. But no matter what it contained, it didn't contain any expectation for her response.
It seemed that he was just saying it for her to hear. Whether she responded or not, it didn't matter.
It was to the extent that her answer seemed unnecessary.
"Lord Su …" Li Rong deliberated and wanted to say something. But before she could say anything to ease the atmosphere, Su Yongqing interrupted her.
"Your Highness," he put his hand in the chess box. He seemed to be a little tired. He changed the topic and said, "I was talking nonsense just now. Your Highness, don't take it to heart. Your Highness and the aristocratic families cooperate to assist the Crown Prince to ascend the throne. This is your best path. When you establish the Inspection Department, there must be a limit. The struggle for power is full of swords and blades. You must be careful. "
Li Rong didn't say anything. Su Yongqing stood up and said calmly, "This small official lost this game of chess. I won't disturb Your Highness and will leave now."
Li Rong lowered her eyes and looked at the chess board that didn't have a clear winner.
Su Yongqing turned and walked out. Before he reached the door, Li Rong suddenly called out to him, "Su Yongqing."
Su Yongqing stopped. Li Rong looked at the black and white chess pieces on the chessboard. She wanted to say something.
She wanted to ask him if he liked her.
She wanted to ask him what he meant when he said that he wanted her to live well and didn't want to be her enemy.
But when the words came to her mouth, she felt that there were countless questions behind.
If he really had a heart, why didn't he ask for her hand in marriage?
With the power of the Su Family, if he really risked his life to marry her, wouldn't it be possible?
If he really liked her, if he really had this intention …
Yet, he still watched her marry Pei Wenxuan, which showed his feelings for her.
A friendship that he didn't even dare to mention in front of his family. What was the point of asking or not answering?
With so many questions coming at her, Li Rong suddenly lost her courage.
She was suddenly discouraged and waved her hand, "You can go."
Su Yongqing didn't say anything. He stood there for a while and finally left.
When Pei Wenxuan heard that Li Rong was at Northern Yan Pagoda, he didn't change his clothes and hurried to Northern Yan Pagoda. As soon as he entered Northern Yan Pagoda's courtyard, he saw Su Yongqing walking out.
Pei Wenxuan was slightly stunned, then reacted. Su Yongqing should be here to see Li Rong.
Pei Wenxuan frowned. When Su Yongqing saw Pei Wenxuan, he also stopped.
The two looked at each other. After a while, Pei Wenxuan smiled and bowed, "Assistant Minister Su."
"Imperial Censor Pei."
"Assistant Minister Su didn't attend morning court today?"
Pei Wenxuan exchanged greetings and inadvertently glanced at Northern Yan Pagoda, "Coming to Northern Yan Pagoda for a stroll is very elegant."
"I have something to discuss with His Highness."
Su Yongqing said flatly. Pei Wenxuan smiled, "It must be something urgent."
Su Yongqing didn't say anything. The wind gently brushed the withered grass around them. Su Yongqing stared at Pei Wenxuan's eyes. After a long time, he suddenly said, "What are you afraid of?"
"I'm afraid of you?" Pei Wenxuan raised his eyebrows, "What nonsense are you talking about in broad daylight?"
"You're afraid that I'll see His Highness."
Su Yongqing said directly. Pei Wenxuan's expression suddenly turned cold, "Assistant Minister Su, be careful with your words."
"Am I not?"
Su Yongqing put his hands in his sleeves and said flatly, "If it wasn't for His Majesty's fear of his relatives, you wouldn't even be able to touch the corner of His Highness's clothes in your lifetime. Do you think that it would be your turn to be the person by His Highness's side?"
"Imperial Censor Pei, are you very curious about what I said to His Highness?" Su Yongqing said and leaned in Pei Wenxuan's direction. He whispered in Pei Wenxuan's ear, "I told His Highness," Su Yongqing lowered his voice, "that I am willing to marry him."
Pei Wenxuan listened and suddenly widened his eyes.
"It's a pity that you came back."
Su Yongqing's voice carried a bit of coldness, "But if you still want to drag His Highness into going against the aristocratic families and put His Highness in such a dangerous situation, Pei Wenxuan, you won't always have such good luck."
Su Yongqing raised his hand and lightly patted Pei Wenxuan's shoulder, "Take care of yourself."
After Su Yongqing finished speaking, he calmly left.
Pei Wenxuan quietly stood in place. He felt that the October weather was indeed a bit cold.
He suddenly wanted to see Li Rong. He was so eager and expectant to see her.
But when he thought of seeing her, he felt a bit of fear and panic.
He was afraid that she would tell him that Su Yongqing wanted to propose to her, that she would tell him that she wanted to accept Su Yongqing.
He was afraid that when they met, she would let him know that in this relationship, he had been abandoned long ago.
It was like this in his previous life, and it was the same this time.
This kind of fear made him stand in place, not daring to move for a long time.
Li Rong sat at the top of the tower and drank tea for a while. Then she heard Jing Lan happily say, "Your Highness, the prince consort is below the tower."
When Li Rong heard this, she instantly laughed. She hurriedly stood up and walked to the window. Sure enough, she saw Pei Wenxuan standing below the tower in a daze.
"This idiot."
Li Rong pursed her lips and cursed. Then she lifted her skirt and ran down the stairs.
When she ran to the first floor, she couldn't help but gasp for breath. She pretended to be calm and said to the gatekeeper, "The prince consort is here to pick me up. Open the door."
The gatekeeper naturally knew that Li Rong's grounding was just for show. The news of the morning court had already been sent to Northern Yan Pagoda several times. These soldiers hurriedly opened the door for Li Rong.
The red door creaked as it opened. Pei Wenxuan heard the sound and turned his head. He saw the red door open inch by inch, revealing a slender figure behind the door.
She wore a white gauze with blue edges and a white plum blossom wide-sleeved dress. Her long hair was loose and only a small part of it was tied up with a jade hairpin. She looked elegant and otherworldly, like an immortal descending to the mortal world.
She looked at him with a smile and a teasing look in her eyes. Her entire person fell into his heart and melted, making his entire heart soften.
No matter what kind of emotions he had, whether it was depression, panic, uneasiness or fear, all of them were forgotten the moment he saw that person's smile. He stared at her in a daze, like a mortal looking at an immortal.
Li Rong looked at Pei Wenxuan in front of her. The youth was wearing a blue cloth robe and had stubble on his face. He looked like he rarely had a difficult time in his life, but for some reason, it made him look more real and touched people's hearts.
Li Rong smiled at him. Then when she saw the mud on his body, his red and swollen palm, and the wounds on his face, she couldn't help but slowly withdraw her smile.
There was a silent heartache that spread in her heart. She suddenly wanted to hug him, but she felt that it would be too inappropriate.
She called out in a hoarse voice, "Pei Wenxuan."
At that moment, the youth seemed to be awakened. Without waiting for Li Rong to say anything, he quickly stepped forward and took her into his arms.
Li Rong was slightly stunned. Then he heard Pei Wenxuan rejoice and call out in a low voice, "Rongrong."
"I'm back. I'm taking you home."
You've already exceeded your reading limit for today. If you want to read more, please log in.
Login
Select text and click 'Report' to let us know about any bad translation.
