Sheng Tang: What is Liu Jianjun going to do today?

Chapter 86 Current Standoff (Part 2)

"Because... this old minister did it for the sake of the Li Tang dynasty!"

This time, Liu Rengui turned to look at the civil and military officials in the court, a cold smile on his face, his expression one of extreme anger: "Demons and monsters! Scoundrels and scoundrels! The whole hall is full of them!"

He slowly scanned the court officials, uttering each word clearly.

Those who were seen by him instinctively avoided his gaze, either looking left and right or bowing their heads.

"enough!"

This time, Empress Wu's voice came from behind the beaded curtain, carrying an unquestionable authority, interrupting Liu Rengui's seemingly out-of-control rebuke.

"Minister Liu, watch your words in court."

Empress Wu's voice was calm, yet carried a chilling pressure: "Regarding the matter of Prince Pei, although His Majesty is benevolent, what you said is also reasonable. This matter concerns the late Emperor's wise decision, and we must be cautious. Let's stop here for today and discuss it again later."

A hammer is fixed.

They neither immediately agreed to the rehabilitation nor completely rejected it; they simply "put it on hold for the time being."

This is consistent with her usual style: leaving room for maneuver, observing the situation, and firmly grasping the initiative.

Li Xian opened his mouth, his face showing disappointment and a hint of barely perceptible grievance, but in the end, under the invisible gaze from behind the beaded curtain, he nodded dejectedly: "Mother... what you say is absolutely right, it was I... who did not consider things carefully."

He looked at Li Xian with an apologetic look in his eyes.

Li Xian felt a mix of emotions: admiration for Liu Jianjun's brilliant strategy, sympathy for Li Xian's predicament, and a sense of relief that the plan was going smoothly.

He maintained that expression of shattered hope and resentment towards Liu Rengui, letting out a heavy snort as he retreated back into the ranks, even deliberately turning his head away to avoid looking at Liu Rengui again.

Liu Rengui remained expressionless, bowing respectfully towards the throne and the beaded curtain: "This old minister has been disrespectful; I thank the Empress Dowager and Your Majesty for your forgiveness."

It was as if his fierce opposition and near-outburst of anger were merely acts of duty, devoid of any personal emotions.

A controversy initiated by the new emperor to vindicate his brother was thus easily suppressed by Empress Wu.

The morning assembly continued, but the atmosphere had changed.

The ministers became even more cautious, fearing they might offend any party.

Li Xian lowered his eyelids, his mind wandering.

He felt he could understand the hidden meaning in Liu Rengui's words—if he was exonerated, then who should be the emperor of the Li Tang dynasty?
This was undoubtedly sending a message to the Empress Dowager: Liu Rengui was still the same Liu Rengui who was loyal to the Li Tang dynasty; he only cared that the country belonged to the Li Tang, and he didn't care who was sitting on the throne.

Exonerating himself could destabilize the Li Tang dynasty, so even if he was indeed wronged, he would not advocate for exoneration.

Liu Jianjun was right after all; no one cared whether the treason case was true or not.

Liu Rengui's intense performance not only accomplished his mission of "stopping" the situation but also further solidified his image as an "upright and honest old minister," and might even have made the Empress Dowager find him more "useful."

Isn't an old minister who is stubborn, inflexible, and even willing to contradict the emperor the best weapon at times?

But... poor Li Xian.

Li Xian slightly raised his head and could see Li Xian's eyes, which concealed anger and helplessness.

……

After the court session ended, Li Xian deliberately lingered for a while, waiting until most of the ministers had left before slowly walking out of Hanyuan Hall.

Just as he stepped out of the palace gate, he heard Liu Rengui's aged yet calm voice behind him: "Your Highness Prince Pei, please wait."

Li Xian paused, took a deep breath, and turned around, his face filled with suppressed anger and aloofness: "Does Minister Liu have any further instructions? Do you think that you have not humiliated me and His Majesty enough in the palace today?"

Liu Rengui took two steps closer, looked around to make sure no one was coming, and whispered, "Your Highness, there are no outsiders here."

Li Xian's expression froze.

Slightly awkward. Liu Rengui walked beside Li Xian as if nothing had happened.

"Why did Your Highness send Liu Neyan to my residence last night? Is it because that 'extraordinary person' by Your Highness's side still doesn't trust this old minister?"

"Liu Ne... you actually went to Minister Liu's residence last night?" Li Xian was surprised, then hurriedly explained, "It's not that Liu Jianjun doesn't trust Minister Liu. In fact, Liu Jianjun told me that Minister Liu would definitely prevent His Majesty from exonerating me. He just..."

Before Li Xian could finish speaking, Liu Rengui suddenly realized: "Is he testing Liu Neyan?"

Li Xian nodded.

These smart people really do understand as soon as you mention it.

Liu Rengui chuckled and said, "Then Your Highness can rest assured in using Liu Neyan. When Liu Neyan came to my residence yesterday, he was covered in ink!"

Li Xian was completely bewildered, but Liu Rengui had already strode away.

……

Upon returning to the Prince of Pei's residence, Li Xian went straight to Liu Jianjun's courtyard.

Upon entering Liu Jianjun's courtyard, Li Xian immediately noticed something was amiss. Liu Nayan was also there, sitting on a stone bench with his back to the courtyard entrance, seemingly...

Looking younger?
Liu Jianjun, on the other hand, held his hand warmly and said something to him.

Upon seeing his son return, Liu Jianjun excitedly shouted, "Xianzi! You're back!"

Seeing Liu Jianjun's reaction, Liu Neyan also subconsciously turned her head.

Li Xian almost burst out laughing.

He now understood why Liu Neyan looked younger.

His hair and beard were originally gray, and even the black parts of his hair and beard had a grayish-white color. But now, his hair and beard have turned quite a bit black, but the black is not a normal black. Instead, it has a dull feel, as if it has been dyed with ink, and it has no luster.

Even his face seemed to have some lingering ink marks.

"Mr. Liu, what's this?" Li Xian asked, suppressing a laugh.

He understood somewhat what Liu Rengui meant by "covered in ink".

Before Liu Nayan could speak, Liu Jianjun interjected, "Your Highness! This time you must reward Mr. Liu handsomely!"

"Do you know how he delivered the letter to Liu Rengui's residence last night? He felt that his white scholar's robe and white hair and beard were too conspicuous, so he specially dyed his entire body black with ink, not even sparing his face!"

"Even so, we were almost discovered by the Imperial Guards!"

"When we finally arrived at Liu Rengui's residence, we were almost driven away by the gatekeepers who mistook us for beggars. If it weren't for Mr. Liu's quick thinking and proof of his identity, he would have been sent back by the Imperial Guards on the spot!"

Li Xian couldn't help but chuckle and asked curiously, "And then?"

"Then Liu Rengui was worried that Mr. Liu would run into the Imperial Guards again when he returned at night, so he kept him at the mansion for the night, and brought hot water for him to bathe and change clothes, and only sent Mr. Liu back in the morning."

"It's just that the ink on Mr. Liu's hair and beard wasn't completely cleaned off, which is why it looks like this now."

At this point, Liu Jianjun stood up and bowed deeply to Liu Nayan: "Mr. Liu's righteousness is deeply appreciated by Jianjun!"

At this moment, Li Xiancai realized what was happening.

Although Liu Neyan's actions last night did not provide any real help to my and Liu Jianjun's plans, I am grateful that he did his best to serve me.

Li Xian's expression turned solemn, and he bowed to Liu Neyan, saying, "Mr. Liu's righteousness is deeply appreciated!"

……

(End of this chapter)