incomprehensible

Ye Xuequan didn't know who was pulling her sleeve, but she could roughly guess it, so she couldn't help feeling a little funny.In all fairness, among the four ministers in the room, Minister Hubu can definitely be regarded as the smartest and best at avoiding disasters. Knowing that if the quarrel continues, it will inevitably bring disaster to Chi Yu, that's why he secretly asked him to persuade him to fight.

However, no matter how smart he was, he might not be able to see through the real situation.The two people quarreled naturally, and everyone took it for granted. If Ye Xuequan hadn't known that these two people had secretly communicated with each other, they probably wouldn't feel any difference at this time.

Of course, the word is not very nice to use, but it is absolutely appropriate.

This court situation is really interesting, the prince wants to get rid of his backer with his own hands, and instead relies on his long-standing enemy; the third prince has been rumored to be a wolf for many years, but in the end he stood behind the prince instead.

Ye Xuequan was very much looking forward to Liu Ting's reaction after knowing all this - or, everyone's reaction after knowing all this, especially his father who thought he was in control.

He pressed his knuckles to his lips and coughed lightly.

All eyes were focused on him, but it was a pity that he couldn't see other people in his dull eyes.

Ye Xueji said: "Zhenming, tell me your opinion."

Ye Xuequan responded with a smile: "I believe that the disposal of the southwestern countries is the second priority. The most important thing now is to conclude Zhao Ying's case first and convict the mastermind."

Lu Qiuyan interjected: "The Second Highness's words are justified. This case is still pending because there is no way to convict. Zhao Ying's smuggling of people and private casting of gold and silver are already capital crimes. According to the central law, he should be beheaded and ransacked immediately; But if these children are used by the private army as a reserve force to train and become the military force of other countries, then it involves treason and should be punished by the nine clans."

Ye Xuequan nodded: "That's right, just like Lu Xiang said. Yiguo's document only explained the whereabouts of these children, but did not mention the specific situation. There is still a lack of key information. Moreover, these children are now Is death alive? If dead, why did you die? If alive, where are you? If you can still be saved, will you return to Chongyang? If you do, how will you arrange it?"

After a pause, he said again: "All the countries in the Southwest are next in line, and in the end we cannot wrong the people of our central government; no matter whether they are registered or not, whether they are dead or alive, there should be a clear statement. Yiguo sent The result is indeed a little perfunctory, and it is better to order him to investigate quickly. It's just that Yiguo obviously has the intention of delaying, and it may be useless to question his prince. Why don't we detain that Xie Jianguo and see if Yiwang will do it again. Would not be so negligent."

His voice is elegant and warm, like a spring breeze blowing on the face, but it can directly touch the softest and most painful place in people's hearts.

Ye Xuehuan clapped his palms and smiled, "It's the second emperor brother who has an idea."

"After all, there are so many human lives, so we can't let them go." Ye Xuequan sighed softly, "They are all children, I really can't bear it."

Li Shangshu couldn't help feeling: "The Second Highness has a kind heart."

Then, seeing the crown prince and the third prince all staring at him, they didn't dare to say anything.

The emperor hummed noncommittally, and asked, "What do you think?"

Liu Ting's face was as deep as water, and he didn't speak yet, but gave the Minister of Rites a sharp wink.Minister of the Ministry of Rites complained endlessly in his heart, but he could only bite the bullet and stepped forward and said: "Your Majesty, since ancient times, even if a small country is hostage, they are all relatives of the royal family. Although it is for deterrence, it is a gift of diplomatic relations after all. If you detain Xie Jian The country, using its vassals as a hostage, this... this is equivalent to declaring war!"

"Qin Shangshu's words are serious." Ye Xuequan laughed, "It's just that the case has not been clarified yet, please stay with Jianguo Xie for a while to assist in the investigation. Since Yiguo can find out the private army involved in the case, if he goes further It doesn't take too much time to check one step ahead. As long as you check quickly, you may be able to return to the country as originally planned. My center is a state of etiquette, and Qin Shangshu is the head of the etiquette department, but you must be careful with your words. .”

Qin Shangshu was speechless, the word "detention" was clearly the original words he had just said, but in the blink of an eye, it fell on someone else's head, and he opened his eyes and spoke nonsense because he was blind.But he really couldn't find an excuse to object, so he had to step aside.

Ye Xuequan seemed to have proposed a compromise to avoid direct combat, so even Liu Ting was at a loss for words.Xie Zifang moved from Xiyue to Yiguo, and now he wants to go to Chongyang with the Liu family. Naturally, he will not have any concept of "loyalty"; Judging that the Liu family is not a good branch, it is hard to say what this person will do to protect himself.

This fluffy sentence "Detain Xie Zifang" is really ruthless, threatening King Yi on the surface, but in fact it wants to cut off the Liu family's back, not moving a single soldier, talking about benevolence and morality, but secretly colluding with Ye Xuehuan , sang a play that wanted to be suppressed before rising, dug a big hole, and waited for Liu Ting to dance by himself.Of course Liu Ting was not unprepared, he just didn't want to give up all his cards at once, but being forced to retreat repeatedly made him really displeased.

Thinking about it carefully, his plan has never been smooth since it was disrupted by Yu Wushuang five years ago; There was no letter of pregnancy for a long time, and there was something wrong inside Yunque, and a southern tour caused him to lose Yunshui Pass, and he really retreated steadily.It was hard for him to believe that it was purely bad luck, but if someone manipulated it, he really didn't think that anyone could have such a skill to cover the sky with one hand.

Although it wasn't the worst yet, he had to start thinking about some worst plans—or, in other words, the most extreme plans.

With his silence, no one objected.Ye Xueji never changed his face, at this time he looked at everyone one by one, turned to Ye Xueyuan, and asked, "Quan You, what do you think?"

Ye Xueyuan pursed her lips, as if unwilling to reconcile, and glanced at Ye Xuehuan resentfully, before replying: "I have no objection."

"Since that's the case, let's do it according to Zhen Ming's will." Ye Xueji rested her forehead, frowned and closed her eyes, looking extremely tired, "This case has been dragged on since May, and there should be a result. On the other side of Yiguo, Liu Qing will go to negotiate, and Lu Qing will be in charge of supervising the trial, and the case will be closed before the end of the year. If the case cannot be closed, the matter of punishment will be discussed after the year. I have been ill recently, and I am very tired. Let's all go back."

He didn't mention his own thoughts the whole time, but once he spoke, it was a foregone conclusion, and no one was allowed to comment.

After the discussion was over, everyone filed out.Yan Wu has been waiting outside the door, seeing the door of the imperial study opened, he stepped forward to salute, and helped Ye Xuequan over.

Everyone was thinking of their own, and they had no intention of talking and discussing. After a while, they dispersed.Ye Xuequan lived in seclusion at first, so gentle and low-key, as if he was just an observer today, and slowly returned to the Shisui Hall where he lived.

Together with Lu Qiuyan, Ye Xuehuan had to discuss some details of the case.

Lu Qiuyan is a very thoughtful person. When he was Minister of the Ministry of Punishment, he repeatedly suggested that there are still many loopholes in the current central law. Now that he has become the prime minister of the left, he intends to overhaul the law and politics. However, the person above him dislikes this kind of The drastic style of work can only be discussed in the long run.This time Zhao Ying's case shocked the government and the public. He intended to make a fuss about it, and Ye Xuehuan was naturally happy to see it succeed.

The four ministers looked at each other again, they were all officials of the imperial court, but in front of the imperial study, they were all just ants.Especially the Minister of the Ministry of Rites, who failed to help the Right Prime Minister win back a city, was very upset and extremely anxious at this moment.

Liu Ting ignored him, his expression was indifferent, without showing any emotion, he just called the prince over: "Quan You, send me out of the palace."

Ye Xueyuan agreed, and stepped forward to hold his arm. Just by looking at his movements, he really looked like a pair of close grandparents, but there was a sense of alienation everywhere.

Liu Ting is old and holds a high position, so he has the privilege of riding chariots in the palace.Ye Xueyuan helped him into the car, and the two sat opposite each other in the car, silent for a while.

In all fairness, from the perspective of a grandfather, Liu Ting is definitely competent.Back then, when the Queen of Chu was in full swing, the Liu family was weak, and Liu Ting did not have the status he has today.Both the Chu family and the Nangong family have hereditary titles, and only the Liu family has been ups and downs in the officialdom for generations; although it may not necessarily be superior in practical operations, it is obvious that Ye Xueshi is on guard against the Liu family.

Among the three concubines in the harem, Concubine Liu has the most temper and the most arrogance, but on the contrary she is the least scheming, let alone assertive. Naturally, she is unable to seek any practical benefits for her prince.Needless to say, Empress Chu, Nangong Yayu would often give her soft nails, but in terms of means, she was absolutely invincible, and it was even more impossible to go to the emperor to file a complaint, so she often had to swear by herself in the bedroom .

Ye Xueyuan sometimes looks back and thinks that the years of quarrels between himself and Ye Xuehuan probably came about because of this, because he has been influenced by his mother and concubine, and subconsciously feels that he is not as good as him, so he always opposes him when he is unwilling; Ye Xuehuan's crazy temperament back then naturally wouldn't let him, so the two gradually became annoyed with each other.

Ye Xueyuan was not well received by the court when he was young, but Liu Ting was indeed kind to him.He personally chose a companion for him, and personally took him to visit the Taifu at the Taixue Institute. Concubine Liu couldn't teach him how to behave in the world, and he learned everything from Liu Ting.He once regarded this grandpa as extremely tall, thought he was funny, wise, and caring about the world, and regarded him as a pillar in his unsatisfactory life; however, after he became the prince and Liu Ting became the right minister, he gradually became He realized that Liu Ting's expectation of him was not simple, and the various teachings he had given him in the past were always somewhat subtle, and this sense of disobedience finally broke out after his big marriage.

Liu Ting kept urging him to give birth to an heir in order to secure his position in the East Palace; but the Crown Princess reminded him that before he really took power, heirs would also become a threat.It's not a matter of right and wrong, it's just the pros and cons of the same thing; but after Liu Xian was convicted, Liu Ting returned home to think about his mistakes because of his bad upbringing. Hearing him and Concubine Liu say "they are Yexue family", he suddenly felt chills in his heart.

He finally understood that no matter how close he was to Liu Ting, no matter how much the Liu family gave him, his surname would always be Ye Xue.Yexue's family is the king, and the Liu family is the ministers. If they make mistakes, they will naturally be punished. Therefore, although Liu Xian was exiled, he felt sorry, but he didn't feel wronged.At the court meeting, Liu Ting removed Liu Xian's family tree in public to show his determination. Ye Xueyuan originally thought that he was really righteous in killing relatives and holding righteousness in his heart. In fact, his heart was full of hatred.

Of course, Ye Xueyuan also understands the change of place. As a parent, it is sad for children to suffer; but as a subject, the monarch punishes him according to law. If he has resentment in his heart, it is arrogance, disrespect, and disloyalty.

Ye Xueyuan is the crown prince, his mission is to guard the Ye Xue clan's country, and to benefit the people of the Ye Xue clan, not for the Liu family and Liu Ting.

Therefore, he is an outsider to Liu Ting, "they Yexue family", and even a tool he uses to benefit the Liu family.On this point, the princess is more transparent than him. Once he gives birth to an heir, Liu Ting will have a new tool that is easier to control, and he will no longer be needed.

Once he realizes this, Liu Ting's brilliance will no longer be in his heart; the former amiability has become ulterior motives, the former lofty ambitions have become wolf ambitions, the former strategizing has become scheming, and the former handsome man has become Sanctimonious.

Between him and Liu Ting's blood relationship, there is always an insurmountable relationship between monarch and minister, but Liu Ting wants to subvert or even reverse this relationship-this is his heart.

The fundamental goals they pursue are different, so they can never go the same way.

—— Ye Xue is the master of the world, and no one can try to shake him.

He raised his eyes and looked at Liu Ting in front of him. No matter how well maintained he was, he couldn't resist the erosion of time.There are frost and snow on the temples, wrinkles at the corners of the eyes, spots on the face, and even a slightly bent back, but his ambition is expanding day by day, which forms a sharp contrast with his aging appearance.

To grow old without dying is to be a thief.

"Quan You."

Liu Ting closed his eyes slightly, and asked in a low voice, "What do you think of this Yiguo incident?"

Ye Xueyuan also replied indifferently: "It's time to fight."

"Ridiculous." Liu Ting glanced at him unceremoniously, "Your youngest is a warlike warrior, and you follow suit?"

His tone sounded like an elder admonishing a junior, just like before, but his words made Ye Xueyuan's lips twitch involuntarily.

——After all, it is still "your home".

So it's no wonder that he was eccentric, after all, he and Ye Xuehuan are a family.

"Grandpa's excuse of laboring the people and wasting money is really untenable." Ye Xueyuan argued calmly, "In the battle of Mobei, the soldiers of Yanbei King were sent, and the Nangong family's salary was paid. Affecting the national treasury, if you really want to fight, the imperial court will certainly be able to afford it. What's more, Xia Li is the new commander in office, and he must invite the war to make meritorious service, not to mention that most of the main fighters are now in the court. Rong Cai's words are not unreasonable, Zhen Ming's proposal No matter how you look at it, this battle is a foregone conclusion, but it will be sooner or later, if Grandpa insists on going against the trend, it will be difficult to convince the public."

Liu Ting snorted and said, "Yes, Chongyang builds a country by force, and every king must have meritorious service. Now it is reasonable to attack the Yi Kingdom. But have you ever thought about it, if the southwestern countries were defeated now, After you take the throne, where else can you fight?"

Ye Xueyuan was stunned for a moment, a complex look flashed in his eyes, and the sword lines between his brows seemed to deepen a bit.

He didn't expect that Liu Ting could give a good reason for him.He actually didn't know what Liu Ting was planning, but he knew very well that in Liu Ting's mind, the interests of the Liu family were always above all else, and that must be the reason why he wanted to stop sending troops.By now, he couldn't believe that Liu Ting would think of him, but there was no trace of fraud on that old face, and he felt even more desolate in his heart.

"Grandpa, is there a way to turn things around?"

Liu Ting's face turned pale, but he didn't say much to him, and hummed noncommittally.He would never tell these things, and Ye Xueyuan didn't dare to ask, for fear of being seen as a temptation.Now that he is forming an alliance with Ye Xuehuan, he is naturally more cautious than before; Ye Xuehuan is right not to tell him in detail, the more he knows, the easier it is to show his flaws.He just needs to be a puppet obediently as before, let Ye Xuehuan stand in front of him, and when the time comes, he stabs a fatal knife in the back.

Even at this juncture, he still wasn't sure if he was really ruthless enough to stab this knife.

——After all, that was the grandfather he had admired for many years and who had been extremely close to him.

"You don't need to pay attention to the Southwest matter for the time being." Liu Ting said slowly, "Your Majesty's health is getting worse day by day. Among your brothers, you are the only one who has married so far. If you have no more children, it will be difficult to strengthen the rule."

This is really a big embarrassment for this dynasty. Among the five princes, four have reached the age of marriage. The second prince bluntly refuses to marry. The prince has not had any heirs for five years, and he still does not want to marry another concubine; Yexue's family is not prosperous, and none of the four princes has any offspring, so why should they count on the youngest fifth prince?However, the emperor himself is not in a hurry, and the princes are invulnerable, so they can only spend so much time.In the early years, Yushitai often went to impeachment, but now he doesn't bother to mention it anymore.

Liu Ting's cliché was so straightforward, and Ye Xueyuan also responded in a way that the soldiers came to stop him: "Hua'er is weak, and I can't force it. If I lost her body for the sake of an heir, I can't explain it to Yu Shuai. Why don't I wait for the Imperial Medical Court to give it to her?" Let's recuperate for a while."

He has used this excuse for five years, but he has to say it is really useful.Liu Ting frowned, stopped talking, and asked instead: "I heard that you went to the third prince's residence a few days ago?"

Ye Xueyuan's heart tightened, but his face was full of disdain, and he scoffed: "His little boy favorite has been widely rumored in the city recently, and it is said that he is still very close to that boy from Nangong's family. I won't go and have a look."

As he spoke, he seemed to think of something extremely shameful, and said with a sneer, "As expected of Ye Xuerong's pet boy, he has no rules at all."

Liu Ting never became suspicious, probably just like what Ye Xuehuan said, no one would have thought that the two of them would join hands, so he said in a deep voice: "His male favorite is not simple, it is better for you to get in touch less."

Ye Xueyuan said casually: "As for male favorites, seventy-eight out of ten are lowly, what is there to be afraid of? Just find any excuse and you can get rid of it. No matter how much Rong Cai loves him, he can still go beyond the rules and do things." ?”

Liu Ting glanced at him again, seemingly thoughtful.Lan Qi's identity is a sensitive point, but it is also a buffer zone between him and Ye Xuehuan; Ye Xuehuan wants to protect Lan Qi, and Liu Ting wants to cover up his connection with Yunque, and no one can easily mention the bright side Otherwise, it would be hard to deal with both sides, so he never thought of making a fuss about Lan Qi.Hearing Ye Xueyuan's "woke up" so casually at this time, he suddenly realized this blind spot all along, and had some thoughts in his heart.

Seeing his expression, Ye Xueyuan pursed the corners of her lips indistinctly.He naturally knew that Lan Qi was not a simple person, but he didn't know the details, and no one would tell him.He didn't want Liu Ting to see the clues, so he could only point the finger at Ye Xuehuan.Although I am a little sorry for Lan Qi, Ye Xuehuan will definitely not be completely unprepared.

——What's more, Ye Xuehuan must also want to see what cards are left in Liu Ting's hand.

…………

"... Check your registration?"

Ye Xuehuan took a funny look at the trembling Hubu Shangshu, "Why, Master Li suspects that my house is harboring black households?"

Li Shangshu forced an apologetic smile and said, "Third Highness, your words are serious. It's just that your family... has added new personnel, but it has not been reported to the Ministry of Household Affairs. It is also a routine matter for me. Please forgive me, Your Highness."

Ye Xuehuan raised his brows slightly, and this hearing was aimed at Lan Qi.It was only yesterday that Liu Ting was placed in the imperial study, and the Minister of the Household Department came to check Lan Qi's registration early this morning, so there is no need to ask who ordered it.

Of course, this is indeed a routine matter, but all such concubines who dote on concubines are basically slaves because they have no status. files.Lan Qi is already a dead person in terms of household registration, and he is also the center of smuggling in, so he is a veritable black household.He himself had never considered the matter of household registration, and Ye Xuehuan had never mentioned it either; at this moment when Li Shangshu wanted to investigate, he was really guilty, but his face was expressionless, and he seemed to be caressing the young master on his knees. Very enigmatic.

Ye Xuehuan didn't panic at all, put one hand on Lan Qi's back, and asked with a smile: "Who does Master Li want to check?"

Li Shangshu listened to him knowingly asking, and there was murderous intent in his tone, obviously implying that he retreated despite the difficulties, and his heart was as bitter as Coptis chinensis, but the right minister also had to give an explanation, so he could only reply without confidence: " It is the young master Lan next to His Highness."

Ye Xuehuan's smile deepened, and she nodded noncommittally.In fact, he knew very well that Liu Ting's move was just a test, reminding him that he still has weaknesses around him, don't do it too badly, not really want to touch Lan Qi, otherwise he wouldn't just let Li Shangshu be this poor cannon fodder.

Liu Ting started to make plans for Lan Qi, which meant that he really didn't have many cards in his cards, so he started to make dangerous moves, and wanted to threaten him with annihilation.

Who in this world doesn't have a heart, but who will really expose the heart?

He looked at Li Shangshu, and said slowly and meaningfully: "Master Li's duty is, of course I should cooperate."

Li Shangshu was stunned, but Ye Xuehuan was too cooperative, which turned out to be very strange; sure enough, he called Tong Xuan over and ordered: "Take Master Li to the Xuanfeng Camp, and get Lan'er's shadow book , Show Master Li a look."

When Li Shangshu heard the word "Yingji", he trembled all over.Ye Xuehuan is the prince, and has his own bodyguard, Xuanfeng. Although the rank is not high, its nature is equivalent to that of the forbidden army. He enjoys privileges in many aspects, one of which is household registration.The royal guard only guards one person, and the organization is streamlined, but there are many hidden guards that cannot be put on the bright side.Once you become a secret guard, your household registration will also change from clear to dark, and only keep files in the guards to which you belong. In principle, even the household department has no right to check.This kind of household registration that does not exist on the surface is called "shadow registration", but the general shadow registration is the top secret, unless it is absolutely necessary, you must never show your face. How can you put it directly by your side like Ye Xuehuan as a male pet.

How dare he read the shadow book of the third prince's bodyguard, as a household secretary, his voice trembled: "Since it is a shadow book, I won't, I won't read it..."

"How can I do that?" Ye Xuehuan pretended to be serious, "People's words are terrible, how many people regarded Lu Yao as my male favourite, even Lord Li was no exception, but we know that he is commanded by the third-rank guards lady?"

When he said this, Tong Xuan was standing behind him, although his face was calm, but his eyes were very cold, he glanced at Li Shangshu inadvertently, and he just shivered at this third-rank court official.

Ye Xuehuan continued: "Lan'er is a shadow book, and I can't get it on the table, but it's not without a book, let alone a cheap book. I also ask Mr. Li to be a witness, so that no one will spread that my family's Lan'er's origin is unknown. accuse him of crimes."

How could Li Shangshu fail to hear the meaning behind his words, he was on the verge of crying, but he could only say yes again and again.

Ye Xuehuan let Tong Xuan listen to him, and whispered some instructions; Tong Xuan nodded in response, and turned around to signal Li Shangshu to follow him to the Xuanfeng Camp.Li Shangshu had 1 reluctances in his heart, but he didn't dare to refuse.

He hadn't planned to really investigate Lan Qi's identity. How could he afford to offend the evil spirit of the third prince? He originally thought that as long as Ye Xuehuan was tougher, he would take advantage of the situation and retreat, and the right minister would be able to explain it. But now Ye Xuehuan forced him to stand in a disguised form.He didn't dare to check whether Lan Qi was a shadow register, and even if he did, he didn't dare to let Lan Qi's identity leak from him. He could only fool the right minister by saying that Lan Qi's household registration was normal, and he had to To "be a witness" to rectify Lan Qi's name.

Originally, he didn't want to offend both sides, but now he has offended both sides, and he is worrying about his future with a sad face, but Tong Xuan sighed with him while walking: "Master Li, why did you bother to touch Mr. Lan? You know that His Highness On the southern tour, you have been in danger several times, and it was all thanks to Mr. Lan that you saved yourself from danger, do you really think he is just a male favourite?"

Li Shangshu's face froze, thinking of all the previous rumors about Lan Qi, he couldn't help swallowing, and asked stiffly, "This Mr. Lan... who is it?"

Tong Xuan stopped suddenly, with a serious face, and lowered his voice and said, "Lord Li also has some friendship with Ah Yao, so I won't hide it from you, you can figure it out yourself."

He looked around and seemed to confirm that there was no one around, so he whispered to Li Shangshu's ear, "Young master Lan...is from Empress Chu."

Li Shangshu felt as if struck by lightning, if Tong Xuan hadn't helped him in time, he would even have fallen to the ground.He is indeed a smart man, all the things since the southern tour became logical in his mind instantly, Lan Qi is the secret guard left by the Queen of Chu to Ye Xuehuan, naturally he is the elite of the elite, only because of the danger of the southern tour made him The identity of the male favorite stands on the bright side; and the right minister now wants to move Lan Qi and get rid of the most powerful hidden guard around Ye Xuehuan, the purpose is simply revealed.

He thought he had seen these causes and effects clearly, and he was so frightened that he hated why he got involved in this muddy water, and why he asked Lan Qi's identity so much.He is still young, and when Empress Chu was alive, he was only a small official, and he had seen him a few times from a distance, but he didn't have a deep impression on him; but thinking about it carefully, Lan Qi's deep and indifferent eyes were exactly the same as Empress Chu's?Since he is the queen of Chu, how could Ye Xuehuan let others touch him?

And the guard commander in front of him had an upright and upright face, said "some friendship", but told him such secrets without any explanation, wouldn't that just push him into the fire pit?

How can a small boat like him withstand this kind of turmoil in the court and the struggle for imperial power?

"Tong, Commander Tong..." Li Shangshu grabbed Tong Xuan's hand, his face turned pale, "Please tell Your Highness that the subordinate officials will not check Mr. Lan's affiliation, and the right minister...the subordinate officials also know what to say... Your Highness, please don't worry about the official's abruptness today..."

He and Tong Xuan were of the same third rank, and Tong Xuan was a bodyguard rather than a court official, supposedly half a level lower than him, but he was so frightened that he called himself a "lower official".Tong Xuan was full of sympathy, and with a few words of comfort, he sent him away from the back door, seeing his staggering, distraught back, finally couldn't help laughing.