Luo Yao visited Chongwu as the prince of Daze, and came and went in a hurry, without even staying to eat a meal or go back to his former residence to see.

The next day, Qing Ling also went to Tang Ting to bid farewell to Mo Qian.

Chongwu's sect suffered heavy losses one after another, and only four of the seven disciples were still left in the mountains. One of them doesn't know when he'll wake up.

At the end of the day, every ordeal seems to have been caused by her.

The former lively Tang Ting is empty. The second senior brother Zhenglang has half of the Terran blood, and now Shouyuan has reached the limit, and after hearing about Yuanqing's death, he can't afford to be seriously ill. Most of the puppet attendants in Chongwu Mountain were made by him, and now they have all dissipated their aura and turned into puppets again. The third senior brother, Ling Feng, has always regarded Yuan Qing as his biggest competitor, but now that the opponent has died suddenly, he feels extremely lost, and he is locked in the house all day long, silent.

Guarding Mo Qian's side, only Chenyue was left.

Qing Ling knelt down in front of the master and kowtowed, "Master, I'm leaving." ”

Mo Qian, who was sitting in the center, seemed to be closing his eyes to recuperate, and nodded slightly when he heard the words, "Go ahead." ”

Qing Ling raised his eyes to look at him, and saw that he had a trace of old age in his haggard expression because he had spent his divine power to heal Li Zhong for days, and he couldn't help but reddened his eyes, and finally shouted out after enduring it for several days: "Master, are you blaming me?" Then punish me! Scold me! Don't ignore me like that......"

Mo Qian slowly opened his eyes, pondered for a moment, and said indifferently: "Master didn't blame you. ”

Qing Ling took a few steps forward on his knees, "But you haven't talked to me......"

Mo Qian's gaze fell on the void behind Qing Ling, "I have already said what I should say. I promised to let you choose the path you want to take, so no matter what decision you make, Master has nothing to say. Yuan Qing went to Fanye with you, sacrificing his life to save you, it was also his own choice, it has nothing to do with others, and you don't have to blame yourself. ”

Qing Ling suppressed her emotions and her voice was slightly hoarse, "But I can't help but blame myself." ”

Mo Qian's gaze moved to her face, dark and clear, "The person who blames yourself should not be you, but me." I have raised you with my own hands, but I have not been able to teach you all the skills that will make you humiliated in front of others. Hundreds of years of master-apprentice relationship can only make you rather take risks yourself than trust me, the master......"

Qing Ling's eyes filled with tears, "Master......"

Mo Qian raised his hand and stroked the top of Qing Ling's hair, "Actually, your thoughts are not wrong. Master has been such a person all his life, he doesn't like entanglements, he doesn't like disputes, and he meets people he likes...... I won't fight for it, and if I lose it, I won't seem too sad. The reason why your master chose me back then was because he thought that such a temperament was easy to cultivate quietly and could become a great weapon. After a pause, he let out a long sigh, "Qingling, life is like this, if you gain one thing, you must lose another." If you want to reach the pinnacle of power, you will have to pay an equivalent price. What happened in Yinzhou is just the beginning. The higher you climb in the future, the more suffering you will endure. ”

He stared at the apprentice he had brought up with one hand, and a moment of compassion and melancholy flashed in his eyes, as if he had seen through her whole mind at the moment, "You, have you really thought about it?" ”

Qing Ling clenched his fists, raised his head and said, "I don't believe that the world can't have both!" I want to get the results I want, and I don't want people to take away everything I hold dear! ”

～～～

Qing Ling took the palace maids and guards who served with him, and left Chongwu by the imperial court, and returned to the long-lost Suzaku Palace.

She rested in her dormitory for a while, and then planned to go directly to see Emperor Hao.

The person sent to the Chengji Hall to deliver the message replied that His Majesty was receiving the two fathers and sons of the Baili clan, and asked the emperor to come over after dinner.

Qing Ling sat in the dormitory and waited.

Ru Xiang and Yashuang took the palace maids in and out, sorting out the items they had brought back from Chongwu.

They all knew about Yuan Qing and Li Zhong, and they also understood that Qing Ling had been depressed recently, and she was cautious in her words and actions, for fear of disturbing the emperor.

Qing Ling stared coldly at the backs of the palace maids shuttling through Xu Xing, several times, wanting to unseal the imperial organ and use sound illusion to lure them to tell the truth.

Who has been doing things for the queen and delivering messages for the queen?

As soon as she plucks the strings, she'll be able to find these people in no time!

But what if you find out?

They are just like the heavily armored sergeants who died under their own swords in the Casting Tower, they are just nameless pawns in the hands of the manipulators behind them, and the most powerless ants in the power struggle......

After dinner, Qingling sorted out his emotions and went to the Chengji Hall to meet Emperor Hao.

The maids in the Chengji Palace seemed to have heard something to be excited about, and took advantage of the night to gather under the trees and corridors in the courtyard, chatting and laughing in groups.

Qing Ling stepped into the hall and saw that Emperor Hao seemed to have just finished his meal and was sitting on the purple bamboo couch by the window drinking tea.

Qing Ling stepped forward and bowed, "Father, please forgive my daughter for making the decision without permission and moving back to the Vermilion Bird Palace from Chongwu." ”

Emperor Hao raised his hand and made a gesture to get up, slowly took a sip of tea, and slowly spoke: "I heard about your senior brother's matter. If you feel sad to stay in Chongwu, move back in. ”

Qing Ling stood up and dug his nails into his palms, "Oh, my father has already heard?" "Control your tone," Mu Han told you? ”

Emperor Hao was noncommittal, his sharp gaze swept across Qing Ling's face, and he said with a little displeasure: "Our father and daughter haven't seen each other for more than half a year, as soon as you meet, do you plan to question your father and the king?" ”

Qingling said: "I also want to say hello and Cheng Huan, but my most beloved senior brother died at the hands of my own brother, and I feel uncomfortable and can't pretend to be smiling." ”

Emperor Hao put down the teacup, knocked his fingers on the desk rhythmically, and then said slowly: "You are the one who broke into the Yinzhou Prison, you are the one who released the rebels, you were the one who killed dozens of Chaoyan Xuantie soldiers, and you were the one who destroyed the Casting Ding Platform and caused hundreds of felons to escape." ”

He raised his eyes and stared at Qing Ling, "Each one is enough to condemn you to death." ”

Qing Ling knew that Mu Han had already listed his crimes, and he was not afraid, and said calmly: "Then why didn't my father ask, why did I go to the Yinzhou prison?" Who was the one who persuaded my father to send me to Chongwu? Who is the person who made the children of the Ye clan commit a felony? Who is the person who spread the news and lured my fifth senior brother to Fanye? Who is the one who has already led the soldiers and waited inside before I entered the Casting Stage? ”

Emperor Hao was silent for a moment.

He is also a person who ascended to the throne of God with the blood and tears of his relatives, how can he not understand the mystery of this?

However, when he opened his mouth, he replied very indifferently: "The crimes of the Ye clan are self-inflicted, and it is also the duty of Mu Han and Mo Nanninghao to inspect the Casting Ding Terrace. As for the others you mentioned, the queen, as your mother-in-law, cares for you and sympathizes with you, and persuades me to send you to Chongwu, or arrange for her cronies to be by your side, and I have no reason to ask her for sin. ”

Qing Ling's fingertips trembled, "What does Father mean...... Even if you know that the queen and Mu Han are plotting against me behind my back and want to kill me, you don't care? Father knows that if it weren't for my senior brother sacrificing his life to save him and dying under Mo Ninghao's arrow, it would be me! Could it be that Mu Han is your son, and I am not your daughter? ”

Emperor Hao's expression became stern, "I am your father, and I am the emperor of Chaoyan. I can't do things out of selfishness alone, but on facts and fairness! What if everything you say is true? Facts that are not supported by evidence are not facts! The fact I saw, the fact that the courtiers saw, and the fact that the people saw was that you used the Qingyun Sword to kill Chaoyan's soldiers and collapse the Zhuding Platform. ”

Qing Ling sneered, "Yes, it was my carelessness and credulity that allowed me to fall into the trap of others, not to mention, I couldn't even find a reason to appeal." ”

She knew Emperor Hao's demeanor, and she didn't expect him to really punish Queen Fangshan and Mu Han for herself before she came, but she didn't want to give up so easily and return in vain. Then he said:

"But Father, don't you think it's a bit too hard to live in such a family, always on guard and always vigilant? I'm a descendant of the Yan clan, and I've been tricked by people with the surname of the minister! I have suspected that the so-called rebellion case of Brother Wang was designed by a group of people with ulterior motives! Now that I have experienced the danger myself, I know that my previous speculation is true. Today they can join forces with the Monan clan to murder the emperor of a country, and tomorrow, I don't know what they can do! ”

Emperor Hao stared at Qing Ling for a long time, the sharpness in his eyes faded a little, and he stretched out his fingers and knocked on the table, "Come here." ”

Qing Ling sat opposite Emperor Hao as he said.

Emperor Hao personally poured a cup of tea, pushed it in front of Qing Ling, and then said slowly: "I said a long time ago, if you just want to be a well-behaved and docile daughter, you should be honest and peaceful, and your father will take care of you for a worry-free life." But you have a big heart, and you want to get involved in the battle of the princes! ”

Qingling had just picked up the teacup when he heard the words and opened his mouth to speak.

Emperor Hao raised his hand to stop her, "Okay, the queen is there, I have my own plans." Mu Han's impeachment of your crimes, I will also press back. There are also ......" paused, "Now that there is a mess in the leaves, I also intend to appease the people and amnesty the world, and your senior brother's family will be exempted from the death penalty!" This matter is in the past. You are a wise child, and you should understand what your father meant. ”

Qing Ling bit her lip and lowered her head to drink tea.

Fan Ye is dead, of course he no longer needs those "rebels" in the Casting Ding Stage, he simply gives himself a favor and can win the name of a benevolent monarch!

However, it is a great luck to save Li Zhong's family. It seems that Mu Chen's analysis is good, and if he takes a step back, he will be able to save more people......

Qing Ling is already very familiar with Emperor Hao's way of slapping and then rewarding the candy. According to the previous pattern, the next step is probably to ask himself to do something for him, right?

Emperor Hao rubbed the corners of his eyes, "Have you heard that the Imperial Marquis of Daze and the prince have come to Lingxiao City?" ”

Qing Ling remained alert, "Hmm. What did my father do when he summoned them to the capital? ”

The Marquis of Daze is sick all the year round and rarely goes out, if it is not for something important, Emperor Hao will not summon him to enter the palace in person.

Emperor Hao said: "You also know the situation in the south now. Jiuqiu has always been a big problem for my Chaoyan, and if I don't get rid of it, I can't settle down for a day. You also know the relationship between Daze and Jiuqiu. I am now calling Baili Yu over, because I plan to marry the Baili clan and stabilize the relationship between Chaoyan and Daze in advance, so that he will not sway from side to side in the future. ”

Qing Ling's heart tightened, and he unconsciously clenched the teacup, "Father is ...... Miss Baili ......"

Luo Yao once said that Ning Yan has a special identity, and the person who is qualified to marry her must be the future emperor. If her father asked her to marry Mu Han, the implication would be......

Qing Ling raised his tone, ready to speak out against it at any time.

But Emperor Hao said, "Hmm." I originally planned to marry Baili Ningyan with the honor of a queen......"

Qing Ling choked on the breath in his throat and coughed loudly, "What...... Father, you ...... Ahem, ahem......"

She took a sip of tea, stopped coughing, and stared at Emperor Hao in disbelief, "I thought...... My father always wanted Miss Baili to marry Mu Han. ”

Emperor Hao nodded lightly, "I did think about it this before. ”

It's just that Mu Chen's deposition made him realize that the Fang Shan clan's powerful position was already large enough to deter the royal power. The four major families of the Eastern Continent are already dominating one side, and their forces are intertwined, if Mu Han, who obeys his mother's orders in everything, marries Baili Ningyan, I am afraid that the royal power of Chaoyan will always be in the hands of the family.

He looked at Qing Ling, "What, do you think your father is too old and ugly, and he is not worthy of the young lady of the Baili family?" ”

"Not really." Qing Ling pondered for a moment, "Although my father is much older than Miss Baili, his appearance is still very heroic. ”

Emperor Hao didn't care, and smiled, "The marriage of the royal family, appearance and age are actually not important. The mother of your sixth brother is only about the same age as you. ”

Qing Ling felt a little embarrassed, and changed the topic: "My father already has a queen, how can I marry Miss Baili again?" Also, did the prince agree? ”

"Although Chaoyan already has a queen, there are not many precedents for one emperor and two queens in ancient times and previous dynasties. These are all secondary ......" Emperor Hui rubbed his teacup, "At first, I only mentioned it implicitly, but as soon as the words came out, Baili Fuyao suddenly got up and knelt on the ground, and asked me to marry Ajing. That kid has always been calm and shrewd, but I didn't expect that he actually has weaknesses......"

Qing Ling imagined the scene at that time, and his heart jumped a few times unconsciously, "Then, did the father agree?" ”

Emperor Hao raised his eyes and stared at Qing Ling, "In your opinion, should my father agree?" ”

Qing Ling hesitated.

In the past, even if she was afraid of the help that this marriage might bring to Mu Han, she would not speak out against it. After tasting the pain of not being able to love, it is not easy to love each other. Neither Ah Jing nor Luo Yao had done anything to hurt her, and she had no reason to stop the two people who loved each other from being together.

However, right now, she is bent on letting Mu Han die, how can she watch anything happen that is beneficial to him?

The two faces of Ah Jing and Mu Han appeared alternately in Qing Ling's mind. is so similar, but it makes her experience completely different feelings......

Emperor Hao frowned at Qingling and was silent, already knowing it in his heart.

He said slowly: "From the perspective of marriage, the value of Baili Fuyao is naturally far greater than that of his sister. I used to think that he was really weak and incapacitated, so I didn't pay much attention to this aspect. Unexpectedly, the truth is quite the opposite...... It's just that Ah Jing's child, simple-mindedness is secondary, and the true feelings for Baili Fuyao are what I'm really worried about. In this kind of political marriage, both parties take what they need, but she is moved by her true feelings, and she only thinks about each other, so it will be difficult to help Chaoyan restrain Daze and Jiuqiu. ”

Qing Ling pulled the corners of his mouth abruptly, "I thought that what my father minded would be Ah Jing's Fangshan clan bloodline......"

Among the many children of the royal family, Emperor Hao is the most spoiled by Ah Jing's daughter. But even if he loves this daughter again, he still won't make concessions on major matters because of her personal preferences.

"That's one aspect, too." Emperor Hao paused and said word by word: "Therefore, Ah Jing is not the most suitable person for this marriage. ”

An ominous premonition rose in Qing Ling's heart, and he raised his eyes in a panic.

Emperor Hao's black eyes stared at her, "Do you want to marry the prince of Daze?" ”