royal palace.

On the tallest tower, Emperor Tianxi saw the banners at the northern city gate fluttering and heading north.

Ming Zhong and Ying Zhu followed.

For a long time, Emperor Tianxi was still looking at the north in a daze, Ming Zhong and Ying Zhu looked at each other, no one dared to disturb.

After a long silence, Emperor Tianxi finally said: "Have all the accompanying officials assigned to him go to the post together?"

Ming Zhong replied: "General Han Linmo was appointed as the governor of the Western Region, and he was already a step ahead. The civil servants were appointed as the governor of Pingchuan, Mei Yun, Yue Xi, the procurator Jia Zongru, and the governor of Xizhou, Zhou Xu. They were all from among the officials who voluntarily voted.Most of the candidates were old acquaintances of the governor. They went to the official department early in the morning to get the badge and official seal, and drove away with the governor's car today. In addition, they also brought Wen Yan who was demoted to a commoner.Build it well. These are elite soldiers and strong generals, and they must be able to catch them easily and turn danger into good fortune.”

However, Emperor Tianxi teasingly removed the jasper bracelet in his hand, as if he didn't believe it.

He turned to ask casually: "You didn't tell Xiao Qi about the crime of abolishing the Empress?"

you?

Ming Zhong trembled, his face turned pale instantly.This matter involved the assassination of Empress Roujia, in which there were many obstacles and the depth of the involvement was incalculable.

Ming Zhong knew that this matter had nothing to do with him, and the so-called "you" refers to Ying Zhu and Zhou Ci, but he still glanced at Ying Zhu worriedly.

Ying Zhu knelt down facing the hard ground, and said: "Return to Your Majesty, there is no servant."

Emperor Tianxi sneered: "I'm afraid your Highness will be very angry and come to seek revenge on me for my mother and concubine? Or do you want to save this matter and wait for another good opportunity to persuade him to force me to abdicate?"

Such rebellious words are fatal to listen to.

Ming Zhong was so frightened that he knelt down, trembling.

Ying Zhu was so frightened that her face turned livid, and she slammed her forehead heavily and said: "Your Majesty, forgive me! This servant... just feels that His Highness is too bitter, and I don't want to trouble His Highness any more."

Emperor Tianxi snorted coldly: "You all have your own ideas, very good, very good."

Ying Zhu was so frightened that she kowtowed again and again.

Ming Zhong also yelled in his heart that it was not good, and quickly kowtowed to accompany him.

Emperor Tianxi looked at the two attendants indifferently, and when he saw the blood from his forehead trickling down the cracks in the bricks, he said: "Stop."

Ying Zhu and Ming Zhong are full of blood.

Ming Zhong was fine, his forehead was not seriously injured; Ying Zhu knocked with all his strength, and blood dripped from his forehead all over his face.

Emperor Tianxi glanced over them indifferently, but still turned to the north and said, "Ask Zhou Ci to go west with him, and if he returns, I will promote him to be an envoy of the Imperial Hospital."

No one could understand whether it was a reward or a punishment, and no one dared to thank Zhou Ci for his kindness.

Ying Zhu's body was already weak, so he couldn't bear the knocking. Blood blurred his eyes and flowed into his lips. He stubbornly looked up at Emperor Tianxi.

Just when he was almost unable to hold on, Emperor Tianxi turned around as if he had just received his gaze, and the emperor looked down at him and said: "Look at your bloody face, it's just a matter of breaking my body."If you are interested, let's go."

When Ying Zhu heard this, his face suddenly became like a dead person. He was shaky with horror, and asked in panic, "Where does Your Majesty want your slaves to go?"

Emperor Tianxi looked at him with unpredictable emotions and said: "Didn't you always want to serve your highness? Follow to the western region."

"The servant will not go." Ying Zhu was extremely firm, "The servant will follow His Majesty."

Emperor Tianxi sneered.He seldom laughed, this sneer made even Ming Zhong feel horrified.Ying Zhu has seen it between the beds, and it is precisely because of seeing it that she is even more frightened.

Emperor Tianxi bent down condescendingly, and raised Ying Zhu's chin: "I gave you a chance, if you don't leave, then stay forever."

"Slave..." Ying Zhu was overjoyed and said, "Thank you, Your Majesty, for your kindness."

Emperor Tianxi said nothing meaningfully.

Another long while, just when Ying Zhu and Ming Zhong thought that Longyan was going to be exposed this time, Emperor Tianxi's words made them fall into an ice cave: "After Xiao Qi returns to Beijing, you go to abolish the queen's crimes, and say that you have nothing to do with him."He listens."

Ying Zhu looked up in horror, tears streaming down his face, dripping the blood on the ground, he begged bitterly: "Your Majesty, please, don't treat Your Highness like this, Your Highness is really suffering too much!"

Emperor Tianxi was indifferent: "I want to see, he knows, does he have the guts to kill the king and father?"

Ming Zhong was also terrified, and boldly persuaded: "Father and son love is rare, the emperor—"

"As the Emperor of Chaotic Times, how can we be sympathetic? Let him hate me." Emperor Tianxi said in a deep voice, then paused for a moment, and waved his hand to make them shut up.

The emperor, who had already stood at the peak of Da Jing's power, looked to the north, recalled some ancient memory, and said nostalgicly, "Xiao Qi will follow me in everything, but this is pure-hearted, and he followed his mother. If you want to blame him, blame him for being born."In troubled times, he joined the emperor's family, since he can't be an idle king, he doesn't have the life to be a good person, so just follow me."

Ming Zhong and Ying Zhu didn't dare to speak again after Emperor Tianxi waved his hand.

Emperor Tianxi continued: "For the past five years, he has been exactly the same as I was back then. The only difference is that I dared to kill the first emperor back then. I hope he will not disappoint me in the future."

Ying Zhu felt a violent palpitation in the frenzy, his blood was still flowing, his eyes were red, his heart was throbbing, he was in so much pain that he finally fell down unable to support himself.

Yan Xi and his party walked for a day.

When it was time to enter the western region, Yan Xi ordered everyone to change to the merchant's head, abandon the official road, and take the small road instead.

Yan Xi was sitting in a coarse cloth carriage, which was supported by a guard, and there was a place at the front of the carriage for the accompanying officials to talk with the carriage.

Wen Yan only got the news of Chunyu Nanyan before leaving Beijing.

At that time Chunyu Nanyan asked him: "Do you know why the four surnames were cut off, but the Han family was left alive?"

"Because the Han family stopped in time, no major mistakes were made." Wen Yan said at the time, "Thanks to the Crown Princess for reminding me in time."

"It seems that Mr. Wen still doesn't understand." Chunyu Nanyan said under the lamp the day before yesterday with a half-smile, "Why don't you ask me this way, why did I make a special trip to Hangong's mansion before the incident happened?"

It was only then that Wen Yan realized in horror that what he thought was self-examination and self-help, but someone was extra merciful, and quickly kowtowed to thank him.

That night, Chunyu Nanyan took the hand of Princess Linger who was traveling with her, got up and wanted to leave, and finally said to him gently: "Mr. Wen was originally from a poor family.Number one, all these years of working hard at every step will be in vain in the end. Because of your crimes, it will be impossible to become an official. With your talent, it is more than enough to be a teacher, but right now everyone is eager to get rid of the four surnames, that isYou are willing to let go of your dignity, and no local yamen dares to use you. Bengong and Mr. Shang pity your talent, and now the imperial court is in the midst of employing people, so go find a new owner."

Wen Yan knew who the new owner was.

Without hesitation, he packed his bags overnight, stood guard outside the city gate, and with Wei Chifeng's acquiescence, sneaked into the team of the governor of the western region.

In Wen Yan's life, there are many unavoidable things. In just forty years, he has experienced several ups and downs.This time, he didn't have to put another family's surname in front of his own, and he didn't have to rely on someone's power to return to Wen Yan in an upright manner.

Wen Yan followed the team, and everyone treated him politely, but they couldn't see Yan Xi all the time, and they became more and more anxious.

Originally, he was not in a hurry, knowing that everyone must have talked before it would be his turn.But seeing that the accompanying officials were almost finished talking, Yan Xi still didn't send him to speak.

Wen Yan became anxious.

He was left alone for a day, and he became embarrassed in the team. He waited restlessly for half a day, and when he saw that there was no one in the front seat of the governor's carriage, he boldly came to ask to see him.

Wei Chifeng politely invited him to sit in the front of the car, Wen Yan turned sideways, and saluted inside through the car curtain: "The criminal, Wen Yan, has met Lord Dutai."

Wen Yan waited for a while, but there was no answer from inside, so he asked nervously, "Master Dutai?"

"Master Dutai has been tired for the past two days." Wei Chifeng explained, he heard the movement inside finally, and carefully hung up the door curtain, revealing the governor in plain clothes inside.

Yan Xi's faint voice came: "You are Tianxi's Tanhua for twelve years. I have read your papers. You are outstanding in both literary talent and classics. If the aristocratic family was not in power at that time, the number one scholar should have been in your pocket.”

Wen Yan had learned how powerful Yan Xi was at the court meeting, so he didn't dare to raise his eyes to look in, and listened with his head down.When he heard that Yan Xi didn't call him "Mr.", a literati, he felt cold at first, but when he heard Yan Xi praised him for his talents, he felt a little complacent.

He is egotistical.

The Han family members who were still alive were all registered as lowly. Only he was raised as a commoner together with his wife because of his fame and fame, and he survived.Even though he is down and out at this time, his literary talent is obvious to all.Boldness of execution stems from superb skill, he has noble capital, not to mention he has been in the Inner Pavilion for several years, his prestige and qualifications cannot be erased.Besides, he didn't commit an adulterous crime by himself, but was dragged down by the Han family to get to where he is now, Wen Yan was not reconciled.

Wen Yan cleared his throat and said, "Your Excellency Dutai is too well-respected. The Master Dutai is the number one scholar that everyone expects. Your number one scholar papers are circulated throughout the court, and everyone praises you. You deserve the number one."

After he finished speaking, he waited for the movement inside, but he didn't wait for any expression from the governor, but he listened to the inside and continued: "You have been an official in Beijing, from the seventh-rank official to the second-rank official, and then to the entry-level official.Pavilion, the evaluations all the way are excellent, even in the first few years without the help of the Han family, what he did in the Imperial Academy is also well-known. He is a person who can do things."

Hearing this, Wen Yan keenly sensed something unusual.Yan Xi obviously checked his background thoroughly, and this book is also reasonable, every family should check it carefully before going to the family.

To Wen Yan's surprise, His Royal Highness the Crown Prince actually read all the papers he wrote more than ten years ago, and he was familiar with his experiences, which surprised, delighted and frightened him.

Wen Yan replied in a grand manner without daring to breathe: "Don't dare to be a criminal, don't dare to be a criminal."

Inside, Yan Xi went on to say: "You still have a brother and sister-in-law left in your family. Except for those who violated the criminal law and were imprisoned, all the innocent ones were taken care of. My officials took care of both sides."

Wen Yan was taken aback, this time he heard something was wrong.

Yan Xi even checked his family and sent someone to "take care" of him!

Wen Yan's heart tightened suddenly, and a chill ran up his spine. He has been in the officialdom for many years, and based on his experience, it is common to make decisions based on the safety of his family.From this point of view, what Yan Xi meant by "care" is self-evident.

After thinking through this verse, for a while, his arrogance and conceit seemed unrealistic, and he was bound by layers of nets.

He thought that Yan Xi had ruined the four surnames in less than a year, presumably because of the deep city and vicious methods, he must have taken it lightly.

Wen Yan's cold sweat rolled down.

However, what Yan Xi said next shocked Wen Yan.

Wen Yan heard Yan Xi say: "Both Shang Cifu and the Crown Princess strongly recommended Mr. Wen to this official. I saw that Mr. Wen accompanied him all the way, and I also wanted to stay. It's just that you are guilty, and you can't be used in front of the court. It just so happens that you are behind the court."If Mr. Wen doesn't mind the lack of manpower, you can see what can be done first. If you like it, you can stay; if you don't like it, don't force it. "

Mr. Wen?

Wen Yan froze for a moment.

His cold sweat was still hanging on his forehead, and his paper-white face turned red.

Years of intrigue in the officialdom made him think about utilitarianism in everything, but he alone forgot that Shang Baiheng and Chunyu Nanyan recommended him out of pity for talent, and Yan Xi's willingness to use him was just because he knew people and was good at responsibility.

He was blindfolded by conspiracy and tricks, but he couldn't see the way to be upright.

How pathetic he is.

Wen Yan was so ashamed for a moment, wishing he could kowtow 100,000 yuan to plead guilty, but when he was about to move, he heard Yan Xi say: "I heard that Mr. Wen's wife, the Han family, is a good housekeeper, and he is also a good manager of the store. Put your wife and children away."I also pick it up, because I want to do things for this official, but also tell your family to separate, this official can't bear it."

Wen Yan froze on the spot, as if he had passed through heaven and earth in an instant, and the huge ups and downs of his heart made him choke up for a moment.

In fact, he knew in his heart that the decency he insisted on these days is a fake handle, and if he pushes lightly, he will lose his armor and armor.Wen Yan is at the end of his rope, and Yan Xi is his last hope.

Now, the person who is in charge of his future and life has arranged everything for him.

Wen Yan was grateful and sweated profusely, his complexion turned ugly due to emotion and shame.

In this short conversation, he seemed to have passed through life and death, seeing through the relationship.

Along the way, Wen Yan has never really convinced anyone in his heart. He believes that what he has gained is the result of his hard work.Today, he made him understand that there is a kind of person who has already stood in the position of turning clouds and rain, but can be a real corporal of courtesy.

Wen Yan no longer dared to underestimate the young Crown Prince, and was so impressed by his future master that tears filled his eyes, and he was about to kneel down in the car.

Wei Chifeng quickly supported him.

Yan Xi said: "Since I use Mr. Wen, I will not doubt Mr. Wen. Everything behind the court is cumbersome and involves the interests of all parties. Mr. Wen has been in the officialdom for a long time and is experienced. I will rely on Mr. Wen from now on.".”

Wen Yan burst into tears, he was helped out of the car by Wei Chifeng, and when he landed, he knelt down and kowtowed heavily: "Master Dutai knows that the grace of sinners is like recreating life, Wen Yan is grateful, and will do his best in the future,Ten thousand deaths will be rewarded!"

After Wei Chifeng sent Wen Yan away, he couldn't calm down for a long time.

His little master asked questions in a set way, first suppressing and then raising, to understand the pros and cons.If he hadn't seen and heard it with his own eyes, he couldn't believe that someone could manipulate people's hearts so skillfully at this age.

Wei Chifeng's cold sweat was worse than Wen Yan's.

Wei Chifeng rode the horse thoughtfully, a deep chill crept into his heart.Just now, in the gentle tone of the little master, he thought of the unpredictable Emperor Tianxi in the deep palace.