After the death of that person, Liu Zhien did not return to the capital as soon as possible, in fact, it cannot be said that he did not dare - it is because the identity of that person in legal theory is just a guilty body, even if he dies on the road, the court cannot consult anything about it, including his funeral, no one cares. As the prince of Dongchang, of course, he can't bear any responsibility for the death of a criminal, and he doesn't even need to submit a public note, he can directly report to the emperor or the queen mother, so it is enough to have Bao Shiyu to deal with this matter. The reason why he didn't go back immediately was indeed to avoid the limelight, but the second was that the emperor also needed him to go to Nanjing to retrieve some of the charts left by the eunuchs of the Three Treasures when they went to the West. As one of the old ministers who led the ship to sea back then, no one had a better say in this matter than him.

Generally speaking, in order to demonstrate the virtue of the king and establish his authority, the emperor will choose to do some big things in his own office, such as repairing books and sealing Zen, the weaker the monarch, the more yearning for these things, such as Emperor Wen was not properly enthroned, and after he ascended the throne, he revised the "Literature Dacheng", and sent the Three Treasure Eunuchs to the West, including the distant Tatars, moving the capital to Beiping, or some or all of them, all of which had a certain motive to further consolidate their rule. Song Taizong had the discussion of the sound of the axe and the shadow of the candle, and the shadow of the defeat of the Northern Expedition Youyan, and after returning to Kaifeng, he repaired the "Taiping Guangji" - this is also a routine that he is used to.

When the emperor of the dynasty, although the throne is legitimate, there is always a faint shadow of forcing his brother to kill, and now the state of the dynasty cannot be said to be very strong, let alone his prestige. It is also common for ministers to disobey the emperor's will and not listen to commands, and it is normal for them to want to go to the West again in order to smear some gold dust on their faces. Although he doesn't seem to have much money in the past few years, it doesn't prevent him from thinking about it, right? After a few years, the emperor has packed up the ministers who should be cleaned up, the talents that should be cultivated have been cultivated, the position has been secured, and the country has money - in the most ideal state, Warat has also been pacified, and then there will be another dynasty of all nations, then in the history books, who will remember the incident between him and Xizong? I'm afraid it's too late to sing praises and virtues.

Of course, all this is just his idea now, although there are many people who can understand it, but no one will pour cold water on the emperor before he raises this matter, not even Xu Xun, anyway, when he really whimsical wants to do this, the minister will definitely take his life to stop it, he is not as weak as Xizong, it is impossible to suppress all the opposing voices.

Speaking of which, although Xizong is dead, but he has left a lot of trouble for the emperor, there is a precedent of Wang Zhen, and the palace attendants are now shrinking their hands and feet, and they dare not speak loudly, lest they be planted with the hat of a powerful eunuch, which will immediately arouse the anger of the public, and the emperor can only be forced to sacrifice him to calm the situation. At least in twenty or thirty years, there should be no Wang Zhen series of big mink in the palace.

After chatting casually about what he saw and heard in Nanjing, Liu Zhien specially went to Yuhuatai to visit the Xu clan, "Niangniang, please rest assured, all of them live and work in peace and contentment, cultivate and study heirlooms, and within three generations, they will definitely be able to enter and exit the scholars." ”

After studying for three generations, you can produce a jinshi, which is already a very good result for a clan that is not a big family in the imperial examination. When Xu Xun heard this, he was also relieved in his heart, if the Xu clan was overbearing that day, how long would she be able to shelter him? I'm afraid that in less than fifty years, the Xu family will fall, but now, on the line of studying for the imperial examination, there can be some intermittent talents and people in three or four generations, and even a few Jinshi, that is hundreds of years of inheritance.

"It's okay - I've been to the Nanjing Shipyard to see it, are those treasure ships still usable?" She asked again - if all the treasure ships could no longer be used and had to be rebuilt, then it was estimated that the emperor would not need to mention the matter of going to the West in ten years.

"I haven't been to sea in twenty years." Liu Zhien replied very conservatively, "Although the best wood was still used at that time, it must have been lost, and it is difficult to say how much repair it will have to go through before it can go to the sea." ”

Although he kept his head down respectfully, and his tone did not fluctuate, Xu Xun still caught the information in Liu Zhien's words, and she couldn't help but smile, "What should I say, you make your own decisions, I won't care about this matter." ”

Who said that the emperor's words cannot be blinded? That's because he hasn't reached this level yet, like Liu Zhien's level of the big mink, himself is an expert in the field, he said that the ship can be repaired, that is, it can be repaired, said to be rebuilt, no one dares to disagree with him, in the end, what is the situation of the ship, it depends on how the current political situation needs, of course, it also depends on Liu Zhien's own political tendency, whether it is radical or conservative.

"The slave and maid obey the mother's orders." Liu Zhien didn't seem to understand what Xu Xun meant, and still replied so quietly.

Xu Xun snorted, relying on Liu Zhien not raising her head, her eyes wandered back and forth on his figure a few times, and her heart was really mixed. - After these ups and downs, there are really few people and things that can make her emotional, but at this moment, she seems to have returned to decades ago, and her heart fluctuates, I don't know how many regrets, how many regrets, how many unspeakable feelings, and finally a little aftertaste from the unfathomable abyss - just that, it is already bitter like unbrewable tea, which is difficult to swallow.

"This errand is difficult for you." She whispered, in the end, she still revealed the main topic.

"The slave is still the same sentence half a year ago." Liu Zhien was as calm as water, he raised his head and looked at Xu Xun and said, "The slave and maid act according to their own hearts, not for anyone. If the slave and maid are unwilling, the mother will not move, since she is willing to do it, then what are the consequences, the slave and the maid themselves are willing to bear. ”

His words were almost rebellious, but how could Xu Xun not understand the meaning of Liu Zhien's words? She inhaled hard, also feigning tranquility, and whispered, "Yes, you have always been very good...... What's been going on in Warat? ”

"I probably don't know about that man's death." Liu Zhien said, "After all, they are also prepared to make the person's whereabouts a mystery after returning to China, and the news from the imperial court will take more than four months to reach the Warat royal court." ”

In other words, four months later, Warat received news that the dynasty had officially held a funeral, given Xizong a temple number, and made his son a vassal king, so that it could be inferred from these news that the person might indeed be dead. As for whether to make trouble in the future, claiming that what was sent back was genuine, and Xizong was actually killed, then it's up to them, anyway, the court's statement is confirmed, and Warat can't make much splash.

Xu Xun nodded with a deep groan, at this moment, her sentimentality gradually faded, and the queen mother, who had watched politics for many years, returned to her heart. "How did you go around to Ulju and bring an extra bag of Shiyu?"

The order she gave to Liu Zhien was just a sentence, and Xu Xun didn't know about these details on the way, of course, these little things couldn't shake her trust in Liu Zhien at all, and she could guess the reason behind some arrangements. It's just that she didn't figure it out anyway when she went to Ulzhou.

"At that time, the weather was not good, and I was afraid that there would be wind and snow on the edge of the Great Wall," Liu Zhien replied quietly, "If it is snowing, stay in the post station for too long, and take the usual Guangling line, I am afraid that there will be too many officials there." ”

Xu Xun also thought about it, she was afraid that it was because of this, she didn't doubt him, "I see." Bao Shiyu is the witness you chosen? ”

"Bao's person is the least courageous, looking forward and backward, and he will not dare to violate the arrangement of the peak." Liu Zhien said, "The slave maid has been selected in Datong for a few days, and I think he is the most suitable, and Liao Shijiu, who was originally optimistic, replied to Ma Shi, so he simply didn't tell him." ”

Xu Xun has already understood everything, in fact, because Datong is an important border town, I am afraid that there are Wara spies in it, at the beginning, she also meant not to start in Datong, anyway, it was okay not to let Xizong arrive in the capital. Where and how to start, she asked Liu Zhien to arrange it, but she didn't expect Liu Zhien to have outstanding ability, and it really seemed to be like he died of illness, and because of this, the rumors in the court now are just shadows, and they have not reached the point where she has harmed Xizong.

As for what kind of medicine Liu Zhien used, Xu Xun was not interested, so he didn't ask more. Anyway, during the period of the suspension of the spirit, more than ninety percent of the officials who have found various excuses to visit Xizong's remains have seen him in person, and she only needs the whole court to understand and recognize that Xizong has passed away.

"That's very good." She said from the bottom of her heart, "This errand has worked hard for you, and no one else can do it so properly except you." ”

"The mother praised it falsely." Liu Zhien said simply, and then he didn't speak, but he didn't mean to say goodbye, but sat there silently, waiting for Xu Xun's next words.

I should have expected it a long time ago...... Xu Xun's heart was also bright - how could he not have thought of it? It's just that he promised too lightly that day, which made her hesitate a little. With Liu Zhien's mind, how could he not expect this day to appear?

"When you go back to Nanjing, do you feel comfortable in the weather?" She asked, "Speaking of which, it's been more than thirty years since I'm away from Nanya...... The glazed pagoda of the Great Mercy and Grace Temple, which was not built when I left, how brilliant should it be now? But it can no longer be seen. ”

A smile escaped from Liu Zhien's lips, and he said calmly, "If you go back to your mother, the slave's hometown of Yangzhou has been home for many years. In the hearts of the slaves and maids, they often think about the scenery of their hometowns, but they are busy with official business, and they don't know when they will be able to go back to their hometowns to see. ”

These two people are people who have been immersed in political affairs for many years, so why should they say so bluntly? In other words, when it comes to this level, it is actually very straightforward. Xu Xun knew in his heart that she didn't have to confess more, and she didn't need any explanation, and Liu Zhien would also understand what she meant.

Although the emperor has now expressed his attitude and received this love, he is the emperor after all, and people will change, and the emperor will change, especially faster.

Xu Xun is his adoptive mother, the queen mother he personally respects, no matter how the emperor regrets it in the future, how he needs to confess that he has no intention of killing Xizong, he can't move Xu Xun's head, he can't cut her treatment, maybe in the future, the emperor will respect the holy queen mother better than Xu Xun, in order to express his attitude, but does Xu Xun care about this?

Liu Zhien is different, no matter how virtuous and respectful, he is just an internal servant after all, and he is in charge of the notorious secret service department of Dongchang, even if he is in power, Dongchang has no bad deeds, but the position is already his original sin, and the identity of the internal servant is even more of a crime, a person like him has been created into the straw paper of imperial power, and when he needs to wipe the dirt, who does not use him?

Now remove all his positions and return to Yangzhou, in the future, the emperor will think of him and want to convict him, the emperor is far away, he has already left the capital, faded in everyone's field of vision, compared to staying in the capital, continue to be in the whirlpool, and may be turned over at any time because of another **, which is more risky? Leaving the capital as soon as possible is also the protection of Liu Zhien.

As early as the day she made up her mind, Xu Xun predicted the arrival of this moment, and she only assured that Liu Zhien would do it, although the price was to ruin Liu Zhien's political life, she still had no choice. Killing a monarch is not a child's play, and who can get out of it all? Yoo Ji-eun is just the first price she has to pay.

"When you get back to Yangzhou," she said, choking on her breath. "The mountains and rivers are north, but I am afraid that it will be difficult to see each other again in this life."

In fact, this day will come after all, Liu Zhien is over fifty years old this year, even if he doesn't leave today, in another ten years, it will be difficult for him to stay in the yamen of Dongchang, which is full of affairs, or, not ten years at all, the emperor who is gradually full-fledged will also need his own henchmen to take charge of this important institution.

The inner servant who has no job will either quit to retire or go to Nanjing to serve as an idle post, and as Liu Zhien, he will not go to Shangbao to take up the idle errand, no matter what, even if he does not go to Nanjing, he will not be able to enter the inner court to say hello, and one day, she will be difficult to see this again...... This confidant. Now it's just a few years ahead of this parting, since this has been expected in advance, what is there to be sad about?

Xu Xun cleared his throat and tried to continue casually, "Liu Zhien, although you and I are masters and servants, I actually owe you a lot of ......."

"The mother is overrated." Liu Zhien was still very calm, and a smile even appeared on his lips, "It is an honor for a slave to be able to serve Niangniang." ”

He raised his head quietly, and told Xu Xun humbly, "Niangniang will have a smooth road and enjoy the blessings of the evening from now on, and there will be no need for the service of slaves and maids. ”

Xu Xun looked deeply at this face that did not show any flaws, took a deep breath, and said with a forced smile, "Okay, I must be quiet and self-conscious, and take care of myself." You ......"

She was about to say, 'You should also find a companion and adopt an adopted son', but halfway through the conversation, she remembered Liu Zhien's repeated responses, so she stopped it again and said softly, "You can rest assured and take care." ”

With her one day, there will be no criticism against Yoo Zhien in the court, even if it is not clear, both sides are well aware of this.

The smile on Liu Zhien's lips gradually expanded, and Xu Xun suddenly realized that it was the first time she had seen Liu Zhien with such a cheerful and pleasant smile in all these years. He didn't kowtow, just nodded slightly to Xu Xun, stood up and took a few steps back, then turned around and slowly walked out of the house.

His pace was not fast, but every step was so easy and relieved, he was leaving—he was leaving this court, Xu Xun understood that Yoo Ji-eun was happy about it.

And she sat here, sitting in this beautiful Qingning Palace, watching another person in her life leave the palace, Concubine He Hui, Emperor Zhang, Empress Dowager, Emperor An, Princess Shunde, Princess Changde, Princess Shanhua...... So many people came and went, leaving this palace one by one, and she was the only one who was always here.

"Mother." Hua'er lifted the curtain and entered the back room, and she asked in a low voice, "Do you want tea?" ”

Xu Xun glanced at her and suddenly asked, "Hua'er, do you want to leave the palace?" ”

Unprepared, Hua'er was immediately taken aback by her question, and she blinked in confusion, "What do you mean—"

"I intend to change the palace system slightly, and after that, the maids in the palace can be released and returned home after serving for more than ten years." Xu Xun said, "The same is true for female officers, naturally, if there is nowhere to go and are willing to stay, they can continue to stay and serve." ”

In these moral policies, the emperor will never go against her, and now in the palace, she is really decided.

Seeing the change in Hua'er's expression, Xu Xun forced himself to smile, "When you leave the palace, it's not that you can't come in in the future...... Go down and consult with your sisters, and let me know if you want to go. ”

Hua'er quickly exited the room, leaving Xu Xun with a quiet moment, she raised her head to look at the gorgeous caisson, and ordered herself to maintain the curvature of the corners of her mouth.

This palace was not a good place to stay for a long time, although she could never leave, but she could let others out.

Just let them all fly out, Xu Xun thought, this is a very happy thing.

That night, she had a dream, in which she returned to her very young age, holding her father's hand and walking in the neighborhood, walking, her father suddenly disappeared, Xu Xun turned around and wanted to go home, but she had forgotten the road.

The author has something to say: if today there is a feat of two more that has never appeared since the beginning of this article......

Then there will be two updates in this article!

If not today...... That's the only article I've written before I finish it......