Thoughtful people can avoid many loopholes, whether they do good or bad things.

The knife that Gu Qing made on his back successfully covered up the last trace of suspicion of all those in the know.

Li Longji is a suspicious emperor, he never trusts anyone or anything easily, but he can't justify the wound on Gu Qing's back, Jingzhao Mansion Yin is right, he can't make a wound on his back that is more than a foot long.

As for why King Ji wanted to harm Gu Qing, in fact, the motive is almost universally known.

The matter of Qingcheng County has not passed, and the more than 200 dead soldiers sent by the Jiwang Mansion have all been wiped out, which is a huge loss for the King of Ji, the prince has always been arrogant and arrogant, how can he not be angry after this blow? It is not impossible to transfer Gu Qing under the anger.

The only suspicion in this matter is that even if King Ji is resentful of Gu Qing, he will not openly harm him in the palace, this is obviously to give people a handle, and if King Ji doesn't learn and don't know how to do it, doesn't he even have the most basic city mansion, so he has to do something to Gu Qing in the palace?

Li Longji suppressed the suspicion in his heart, he always felt that things were not so simple, he always felt that Gu Qing's harmless face was just a disguise, and the young man's city was actually not in line with his age.

Suspicion is just an intuition, and Li Longji has no evidence. The context of the whole thing is that King Ji circled and occupied the land of Qingcheng County, the county ordered to kill the gentry and collect the land, King Ji wanted to kill the county order, Gu Qing left Beijing to protect the county order, and was hated by King Ji after returning to Chang'an, Gu Qing took the initiative to apologize, and King Ji harmed Gu Qing in the palace......

From beginning to end of this matter, Gu Qing's approach made it impossible to find his fault, it seemed that everything he did was reasonable, Gu Qing was just a passive person, a victim, and an innocent person in this matter.

So, where does that little doubt come from? Li Longji was puzzled.

"How is Gu Qing's injury? Can you walk? Li Longji suddenly asked.

Fu Yin thought for a while and said: "Gu Changshi was unable to move when he passed through the palace, and he lost too much blood, and after the doctor diagnosed and treated, he said that Gu Changshi's injuries were fine, but he needed to recuperate for a long time. ”

Li Longji snorted and said, "Are people still sober?" ”

"Sober, when the government recorded the confession, Gu Changshi was clear and thoughtful, but his qi and blood were weak, and he was not as good as ordinary people."

Li Longji pondered for a while, then turned his head to look at Gao Lishi next to him and said, "General Gao, tomorrow at noon, Xuan Gu Qing will enter the palace, but Yu Linwei will carry him carefully." ”

Colliers bowed to the order.

At noon the next day, Gu Qing was lying in a soft pocket and was carried to the Changqing Hall of Xingqing Palace by several Yulin guards.

Gu Qing was wrapped in a thick Persian wool blanket and waited for Li Longji to disperse under the corridor outside the Changqing Palace. The cold wind blew by, Gu Qing was still a little chilly wrapped in a thick blanket, but the rules for entering the palace were strict, no matter how cold Gu Qing was, he could only wait in the cold wind, and he could only enter the palace after Li Longji dispersed.

After waiting for about half an hour, Li Longji's Son of Heaven drove slowly from the main hall of Xingqing, and after Li Longji entered the Changqing Palace, Gao Lishi walked out with a whisk of dust, looked at Gu Qing with a smile and said: "Your Majesty has a will, and Gu Changshi will enter the palace." ”

Gu Qing thanked him with a smile, and just as he was about to struggle to get up, Gao Lishi smiled: "Gu Changshi's body is inconvenient, Your Majesty said, Yun Yu Lin Wei carried Gu Changshi into the palace, and he has the right to do things, and he can be exempted from the courtesy of the monarch and the minister today." ”

Gu Qing gratefully bowed his hand in the direction of the palace gate: "Thank you for the grace of heaven." ”

After being carried into the hall by Yu Linwei, Gu Qing saw Li Longji sitting on the top seat, but he still struggled to sit up and barely bowed.

Li Longji waved his hand and said with a smile: "Gu Qing is inconvenient, so he is exempt from courtesy." ”

Saying that, Li Longji got up and walked in front of Gu Qing, leaned over to look at Gu Qing's injury, Gu Qing's thigh had been medicated, it was wrapped in layers of cloth, and the wound on his back was also medicated, Li Longji observed very carefully and did not miss any detail.

"Gu Qing is so seriously injured, it really hurts me." Li Longji sighed with pity.

Gu Qing thought that Li Longji was just caring about him at first, but after seeing Li Longji's face full of pity and those emotionless eyes, Gu Qing chuckled in his heart.

He instantly understood that Li Longji didn't care about him, but was suspicious of his injury, Li Longji was still doubting whether Gu Qing's injury was made by himself, and maybe even wondering if Gu Qing's injury was real.

Gu Qing suddenly showed a panicked expression, and forced himself to sit up and bow his hand to Li Longji: "The minister's carelessness caused injury, and His Majesty is worried, what is the crime." ”

As he spoke, Gu Qing secretly tightened the muscles in his back.

Injured yesterday, the wound was not completely closed, the muscles tightened, and the wound suddenly burst open, Gu Qing endured the pain, and his back gradually felt a little wet.

Li Longji saw that Gu Qing was so dignified, sweat suddenly broke out on his forehead, and he couldn't help but say with concern: "What's wrong with Gu Qing?" Is the wound painful again? ”

Gu Qing's face turned pale, and he forced a smile: "The minister is guilty of capital crimes, and the wound seems to have a little attack......

Li Longji hurriedly said: "Quickly remove the outer clothes, don't miss the diagnosis and treatment." ”

Saying that, Li Longji said to Gao Lishi: "Go to Xuan Taiyi, go quickly." ”

Gu Qing hesitated and said: "At the moment of the holy drive, the minister does not dare to lose his honor. ”

Li Longji said unhappily: "When the courtesy of the monarch and the minister also has power, how can I be a pedantic and faint monarch and ignore the lives of the courtiers?" Take off your coat quickly, I will not sin. ”

Gu Qing hesitated for a while, thanked Li Longji first, and then laboriously untied his belt and slowly removed the official uniform outside.

Inside the official uniform was a white undershirt, Li Longji walked behind Gu Qing, and found that the back of the white undershirt had been stained red with blood, Gu Qing's shoulders twitched with pain, and cold sweat slid down his forehead.

The imperial physician quickly entered the hall, and in front of Li Longji, the imperial physician carefully removed Gu Qing's underwear, revealing a smooth and white back, Li Longji clearly saw that the white cloth strip wrapped around Gu Qing's back had turned blood red, and the blood bursting from the wound slowly flowed down the skin on his back.

The Imperial Physician untied the strip of cloth, revealing a wound about a foot long on Gu Qing's back, and then the Imperial Physician frowned and said, "This injury is not light, if you haven't closed it, it is still not suitable to move, it is easy to burst." ”

Saying that, the imperial doctor cleaned up the medicine on Gu Qing's wound, sprinkled a layer of medicine powder of unknown texture to stop the blood, and then applied a layer of black medicine mud to him, and finally wrapped a new cloth strip.

Li Longji has been behind Gu Qing, quietly watching Gu Qing's wound until the wound is completely exposed to his sight, and after determining the authenticity of Gu Qing's injury, Li Longji's brows gradually relaxed, and his acting skills became more and more distracted.

"Does it still hurt? Alas, Gu Qing, you don't let me worry about it too much, how could you be so seriously injured? If Concubine Taizhen knew, she would be distressed to death. Li Longji sighed affectionately.

After stopping the bleeding and reapplying the medicine, Gu Qing was still convulsing in pain, but his face had recovered a little blood, and he smiled weakly: "It's the minister who was careless, he was too reckless on Chang'an Road yesterday, and he fell hard, and I don't know what scratched me." ”

Li Longji said slowly: "You injured yourself?" ”

Gu Qing said categorically: "Yes." Yesterday, the minister heard rumors about the government and the opposition, saying that His Royal Highness King Ji committed murder in the palace and caused the ministers to be injured, these are all rumors, there must be traitors who maliciously frame His Royal Highness King Ji, and divide the relationship between the father and son of the heavenly family. ”

Li Longji raised his eyebrows and said, "Oh? However, isn't it contradictory to your statement that the Jingzhao Mansion recorded your injuries in a document, saying that your injuries were caused by sharp weapons? ”

Gu Qing said categorically: "It must be a mistake, how the minister was injured, I know best, the minister's injury has nothing to do with outsiders, it was caused by the minister's own carelessness." Your Majesty, even if His Royal Highness King Ji has a grudge against the minister and wants to kill the minister's life, it is impossible to do it in his palace. ”

Li Longji's eyes showed a thoughtful look.

After being silent for a long time, Li Longji suddenly asked, "What did Gu Qing do when he went to Jiwangfu yesterday?" ”

Gu Qing said in a low voice: "The minister doesn't dare to bully the king, Your Majesty should know the affairs of Qingcheng County, although the minister's actions are to save the lives of his friends, after all, he still offended His Royal Highness King Ji, after His Majesty summoned the ministers yesterday, the ministers felt uneasy when they left the palace, after all, the ministers are only a mere six-grade long history, and they are still a little afraid of offending the prince, so they took the initiative to come to the door to ask His Royal Highness King Ji for guilt......"

Li Longji smiled and said, "Has King Ji forgiven you?" ”

Gu Qing smiled bitterly: "The minister doesn't dare to deceive, His Royal Highness King Ji still has some disgust with the minister, after the minister asks for guilt, King Ji still hasn't forgiven the minister, and the minister has to retire." ”

Li Longji sighed and said, "Is that the case?" ”

Gu Qing looked directly into Li Longji's eyes and said in a firm tone, "Yes." ”

In a few sentences of dialogue between the monarch and the minister, Gu Qing's words were half-true and half-false, and Li Longji's expression was also half-true, the strange thing was that Li Longji knew which of Gu Qing's words was true and which of his words was false, but he knew that Gu Qing's lies were to maintain the dignity of the royal family, and in order not to embarrass Li Longji, he endured the humiliation and took the responsibility alone.

As for Gu Qing, he knew that he hadn't told the truth from beginning to end, but some of the falsehoods had become ironclad truths under the corroboration of the words of the public and his own injuries, and even Li Longji had to believe it.

On the premise that Li Longji already believes, say a few words that everyone knows is false, maintain the royal dignity with a sincere and obedient attitude, and win Li Longji's favor, why wouldn't Gu Qing do it?

After the two of them talked, their hearts and eyes flew.

Having said this, there is naturally nothing to talk about next, how to deal with King Ji is Li Longji's business, Gu Qing believes that Li Longji will not spare King Ji this time, even if he favors his son, the imperial historians in the court will not let him go.

As a party concerned, the attitude of the statement has already shown that since yesterday's interrogation in Jingzhao Mansion, Gu Qing bit to death and was injured by himself, and he did not admit that he had anything to do with King Ji.

The bitter meat plan is done, and the next thing to look at is the result.

How to deal with King Ji, of course, Li Longji couldn't tell Gu Qing, but Wen Yan told Gu Qing to recuperate and take care of his body, and gave Gu Qing some good medicinal materials to replenish qi and blood, and ordered the imperial doctor to be responsible for treating Gu Qing's injuries until he healed.

Gu Qing thanked him gratefully, and then was carried out of the palace by Yu Linwei.

After Gu Qing left, Li Longji sat in the huge and empty hall, twisting his eyebrows and pondering for a long time.

After a moment of silence for a stick of incense, Li Longji spoke slowly and said: "General Gao, let the people draw up the decree, the twenty-second son of the emperor, Ji Wanghuan, is rebellious, cruel and immoral, greedy and forgetful, maliciously encroaches on people's property and good land, and destroys the reputation of the Heavenly Family. deposed the title of the prince, demoted to the common people, exiled to Jiangzhou, and was not allowed to return to Chang'an for ten years. ”

Gao Lishi next to him was shocked when he heard this, and couldn't help but say, "Your Majesty, the punishment is too heavy, right?" The matter hasn't been clarified yet, Your Majesty, you haven't even listened to His Royal Highness King Ji's explanation in person......"

Li Longji sighed: "Do you know how many courtiers and imperial historians have impeached King Ji at today's court meeting?" The entire Imperial Observatory is about to be turned upside down. This matter has been known to the government and the opposition, to this point, the truth of the facts is no longer important, the important thing is to cover up the mouths of the people, don't hurt the reputation of the Heavenly Family because of this matter, even if King Ji is wronged, I have to deal with it like this, understand? ”

Gao Lishi nodded silently, and then couldn't help but say again: "However, why is the reason for deposing the prince to encroach on the people's fertile land?" Gu Qing was stabbed, but ......"

His own son was demoted to a commoner by him, Li Longji did not feel distressed at all, but showed an unpredictable smile, and said: "Gu Qing was stabbed, this matter cannot be put on the table, and the embezzlement of people's property can be used as a legitimate reason......

Gao Lishi was a little confused, but Li Longji had his own plans, and Gao Lishi didn't dare to say more.

Who knew that Li Longji's next words perfectly explained why the king of Ji had to encroach on people's property as a reason.

"General Gao, let the people draw up the decree again. From now on, the princes and princesses will report the accounts of the fields and food under their names to the Zongzheng Temple, and they shall not conceal it in the slightest, and if the fields under their names exceed the system, they must be sold and returned, and the violators will be prosecuted......"

Colliers' eyelids jumped, as if he understood something, and bowed down to write it down.

Li Longji looked at the bleak winter scenery outside the hall expressionlessly, was silent for a moment, and suddenly added: "...... Especially the East Palace. ”

Gao Lishi was taken aback, he finally understood Li Longji's true intentions.

…………

Gu Qing took advantage of the situation and finally cleaned up King Ji, but unfortunately he couldn't take King Ji's life, for the prince, if there was no crime of rebellion, the emperor's most severe punishment for the prince was nothing more than demotion to the common people.

After Gu Qing came out of the palace, he knew about Li Longji's treatment of King Ji, although he was still unwilling in his heart, but he could only do so.

What Gu Qing didn't know was that Li Longji also took advantage of this case to take advantage of the situation, and suddenly pointed his sword at the prince of the East Palace.

is worthy of being a forty-year-old son of peace, he can't do things, but he has cultivated the art of seeking people, and the angle of his shot can be described as very tricky, which is very unexpected.

Li Linfu basically only has one breath left, Yang Guozhong is fledgling, the princelings of the East Palace have recently jumped up and down, and the court and China have been pulling courtiers around to form a party and stand in line, Li Longji's will has poured a basin of cold water on the princelings' heads, so that they can calm down.

In short, I will not die for a day, and I will always be just a chess piece that I use to balance the situation, whoever I want to be beautiful, who will be beautiful, and whoever I want to lose power, who must lose power.

Dissatisfied.

After being high-profile, it must be low-key, and after Gu Qing came out of the limelight this time, he immediately retracted his head and behaved in a low-key manner.

An peace of mind recuperated in Zhang Jiuzhang's mansion, and the days were painful and happy.

Three meals a day are taken care of by special subordinates, and the imperial doctor in the palace comes to diagnose and treat injuries every day, the only thing that makes him uncomfortable is that Zhang Huaijin, this girl, is too enthusiastic.

She almost completely took over the work of serving Gu Qing, and no one was allowed to interfere, and she did everything herself, Gu Qing was originally quite moved, and felt that the brotherly love was really as pure and beautiful as the mountains and rivers.

However, after Zhang Huaijin took care of him for two days, Gu Qing suddenly felt bad.

He suddenly found that he was a fish on the chopping board, and Zhang Huaijin was a knife.

"Zhang Huaijin, give me a good time, you and I are still good brothers in the next life, otherwise we will cut off our robes and break our righteousness." Gu Qing was lying on the soft couch, and he said weakly.

Zhang Huaijin pouted, holding a bowl in his hand, and in the bowl was a bland and tasteless white rice porridge.

"Brother Gu, no, the doctor said, during the recuperation period, you can only eat light food, not meat, last time I secretly gave you a roast leg of lamb, and gave you wine to drink, and I was scolded by the second ancestor Weng to the blood."

Gu Qing didn't even look at the bowl of white rice porridge, and said with a dying breath: "I'm on a hunger strike, you and my brother will see you in the next life." ”

Zhang Huaijin scooped the rice porridge with a silver spoon, stretched it out to Gu Qing's mouth, and said softly: "Brother Gu is not willful, when you are injured, I will accompany you to eat roast lamb legs, be good, open your mouth." ”

Gu Qing turned his back and didn't bother to pay attention to her.

"Brother Gu didn't move, and carefully opened the wound again." Zhang Huaijin said hurriedly.

Gu Qing turned his back to her and sighed: "It's better for your sister, she never pays attention to anything light diet, I had a fever when I was in Shiqiao Village, and she also persuaded me to drink alcohol and sweat to cure my illness, I am simply a confidant." ”

Behind him, Zhang Huaijin's voice was a little strange: "Sister, she ...... Is it obedient to you? ”

Gu Qing was stunned, is it obedient? This one...... Not really. How can Zhang Huaiyu be a person who is obedient? is so romantic and so touching that a confession can be rejected ruthlessly, which shows how hard-hearted she is.

However, men are meant to save face.

In front of the third brother, her sister must be obedient, otherwise where will the second brother's face go?

"Of course, although your sister is strong in martial arts, but after all, she is a woman, and women naturally have to be obedient to men, it is no exaggeration to say that as long as I appear in front of your sister, her piece of steel will instantly turn into a soft finger, so gentle that she will almost pinch out the water, so that she will never dare to go to the west, and my sharp eyes can make her tremble."

Zhang Huaijin's voice behind him became more and more strange, but Gu Qing still didn't hear it.

"Brother Gu, are you ...... I like Sister A's like that, or do I like it...... Like a woman like me? ”

Gu Qing turned his back to her and said without thinking: "Of course I like your sister, you and I are not brothers but brothers, what does it have to do with the love between men and women?" It simply tarnishes our brotherhood, and it is very rotten. ”