After drinking tea for a while, the housekeeper of the palace arranged Princess Gaoyang's room and asked her to come over to inspect it. Princess Gaoyang took her three maidservants to clean up the room, leaving Qin Mubai and Li Ke in the hall to continue drinking tea.

"What do I think of your bitter and bitter appearance?" Li Ke looked at Qin Mubai and smiled a little.

"Hey, it's hard to put it into words!" Qin Mubai let out a long breath. In the past day, my nerves have not really relaxed, and I am really tired.

"The matter of Gaoyang can be regarded as a thrill and a danger." Li Ke said, "When I saw her appearing in my mansion, I knew that my father would not be difficult for him." After returning to Beijing, I heard that Fang Xuanling expelled Fang Yiai from his home and rushed to the northwest frontier to fill the army. This royal marriage can be regarded as a complete end. It's just that from this, you can be regarded as indirectly offending the Fang family. ”

"I know." Qin Mubai nodded, "Although it wasn't my intention, the matter has something to do with me." The people of the Fang family didn't dare to complain about the emperor and Princess Gaoyang, so they had to be angry with me. Previously, I had a conflict with the eldest grandson, which caused him to be blasted out of the hundred horses; Now I have a gap with the Fang family again...... When the two important ministers of the dynasty, I offended. Haha, I'm a little horseman, and my ability not to cause trouble is not small. ”

"You're capable enough." Li Ke smiled narrowly, "When I was in Jiangzhou, even I admired you very much. At that time, the complicated and tense situation was resolved smoothly under your mediation. To be honest, if it weren't for you, I would have had a hard time handling so many things. The small Jiangzhou actually involved the eldest brother of the prince and the king of Jiangxia...... It's a little scary to think about. If we mishandle it the slightest, it could lead to a dramatic upheaval. When the time comes, I will either be abandoned by my father, or completely offend the people in the prince's camp, or drag King Jiangxia into the water together, or I will not be hated by everyone inside and out. ”

"Fortunately, it's all gone." Qin Mubai's heart lit up and asked, "By the way, His Majesty the Emperor summoned you back to the court, what did you do?" ”

"Haha, I'm going to tell you if you don't ask. It's really interesting. Li Ke stroked his palms and laughed, and then said, "Why else do I admire you so much?" Do you still remember the plan you and I had the right to Wanji, and the three of them conspired together? - I hid the matter of Shengnanhou and didn't report it, you secretly played the emperor, and Quan Wanji fell out with me for some reason to report and expose me. That's a great plan! After returning to the court, my father scolded me in public when he was on duty, saying that I was protecting the royal family because of official duties, ordered me to go back to the house for reflection, and grounded me again. But within two days, Zongzheng Temple and the Prime Minister's Cabinet Department wrote down, remembering that I had made meritorious contributions to the disaster relief in Jiangzhou, restored my food, and gave me a hereditary history of Jingzhou, and I could take office after a year. At the same time, the crown prince was also scolded, and His Majesty reprimanded him for being unvirtuous and careless in making friends, and also punished him for grounding himself and confiscating him for half a year. ”

"Hehe, that's interesting." Qin Mubai nodded and smiled, "On the surface, it seems that the emperor was furious and slapped fifty boards to each of you brothers. In fact, secretly, it didn't hurt you. You, in particular, have just been punished and immediately rewarded again. His Majesty the Emperor is really rewarded and punished, haha! ”

"Haha, it's not!" Li Ke also laughed, "You're still right." Nowadays, His Majesty the Emperor attaches the most importance to us princes, not virtue and merit, but whether brothers live in harmony. This time, I was punished for not betraying the prince, and my father was angry on his face and happy in his heart. He already knew the facts of the case, and he didn't need me to report it to him. Therefore, he hopes that I can protect the prince once, and don't be like the fourth child, in order to compete for the position of the prince, he keeps attacking the eldest brother of the prince. ”

Qin Mubai's brows furrowed slightly: "Hearing you say this, why does it seem that King Wei has made His Majesty unhappy?" ”

"Not bad." Li Ke nodded, "I also heard about it after returning to the dynasty." Just when the Jiangzhou case was the most urgent and we found out that the news of Shengnanhou was the most urgent, before your secret performance was sent to the emperor, the king of Wei had already sent someone to the secret music and told the emperor the original Jiangzhou case. The fourth child did a very good job, and invited a local local official in Jiangzhou to sue the case directly to the Yushitai in an anonymous manner. Because of the victory over the national relatives like Nanhou, the people of Yushitai did not dare to transfer it directly to Zongzheng Temple and informed the prime minister of the cabinet. After playing a few reincarnations again and again, the traces of his fourth child were hidden without a trace. But after all, His Majesty the Emperor is a man with hands and eyes, how can such a little trick hide from his old man's eyes? It didn't take long for the petty official who was secretly invited to Chang'an by the people of Dali Temple, and His Majesty the Emperor personally interrogated. After three or two rounds, he honestly confessed, and it was sent by King Wei to order him to play. ”

"In this way, although the emperor will not attack the king of Wei, he will definitely be angry in his heart." Qin Mubai said, "This matter is not about him King Wei, just because it involves the prince and you, he stretched out his hand to Jiangzhou far away." King Wei made a mistake this time. In the case of Jiangzhou, His Majesty the Emperor's real intention was nothing more than to impeach the local bureaucrats who had formed gangs and factions, and at the same time to alert the crown prince and knock the king of Jiangxia to the tiger. The king of Wei was good, thinking that a great opportunity had come, and the emperor was really going to abolish the prince, so he hurriedly made a secret move. As soon as the emperor found out...... His future is bleak. ”

"That's right." The corners of Li Ke's mouth rose slightly, and his smile was a little mysterious and profound, and he said, "After returning to Beijing, I heard that when the Jiangzhou case was investigated deeply, His Royal Highness the Crown Prince suddenly found the emperor to ask for guilt. said that his grandmother's younger brother was Shengnanhou, who did a lot of evil in the Jiangzhou area, and used his banner to abduct and deceive the tiger. He painfully admitted his mistake to His Majesty, drew a clear line with Shengnanhou as quickly as possible, and fell into the well for Shengnanhou. In this way, it will not be of much significance to investigate this case further, because His Majesty the Emperor has already achieved his goal. Looking back now, you immediately decided to kill Su Gan Chengji and the others, what a brilliant move! ”

"Huh!" Qin Mubai smiled, "I was in a hurry at the time." After killing Su Gan Chengji, I sent someone to deliver a letter to the prince in the starry night. He was really not stupid, understood what I meant, and immediately entered the palace to admit his mistake to the emperor and cut off his relationship with Shengnanhou. It's good for him and good for us. In this way, we will not be caught between the camp of the crown prince and His Majesty the Emperor. ”

"yes, it's a stroke of genius!" Li Ke took a long breath and said with a smile, "Fortunately, there is a resourceful and decisive person like you by my side to give advice, otherwise I would definitely capsize this time." Not to mention anything else, I can't do it just by killing Su Gan Chengji. Mu Bai, this time I really admire you so much. From now on, I will obey you. ”

"Including asking you to invite me to dinner? After a day of tossing and turning, I'm really hungry now. Qin Mubai said with a smile.

"What's so hard about that? Ha ha! Li Ke laughed, then clapped his hands, "Come on, prepare for the banquet!" Wash the dust for Princess Gaoyang and General Qin! ”

The servant answered the promise and immediately went to prepare.

"By the way, there's one more thing." Li Ke said, "I heard that the king of Jiangxia has resigned from the post of governor of Jinzhou and asked to return to Chang'an for retirement. ”

"What, why haven't I heard?" Qin Mubai said with some surprise.

"You were probably on your way at the time, just the last few days." Li Ke said, "I have resumed the court shift and have been in court every day to listen to the government." Although this matter has not been discussed by the court, several core ministers have known about it, and I have heard a little rumor. It is said that the emperor refused three times in a row, and the king of Jiangxia insisted on it four times, and asked for resignation on the grounds of illness. His Majesty the Emperor had no choice but to agree temporarily. It may not be long before King Jiangxia will return to Chang'an. ”

Qin Mubai nodded, thinking to himself, after the Jiangzhou case, he didn't know how the Jiangxia King and the emperor negotiated and competed. At that time, the biggest backstage of that major case was King Jiangxia. Although he is not the direct mastermind and black hand, if he hadn't helped support him and hold the flag, Sheng Nanhou and the others would never have been so arrogant. Although he was only taken advantage of, as the lord of one party, he was so lax and indirectly aided in abuse, which can be regarded as a major negligence. Moreover, King Jiangxia also understood the emperor's intentions, and he was afraid that he would have some meritorious achievements. Now that Torrent is retiring from his official position, there is nothing wrong with having a quiet and comfortable life for a few days.

"Mu Bai, this time you can be regarded as both fame and fortune, both people and goods!" Li Ke smiled maliciously.

"I don't understand that." Qin Mubai smiled, "I've never cleaned up except for the troubles of my body, what did I get?" ”

"Why, don't you tell the truth in front of me?" Li Ke said with a smile, "First of all, the emperor must be quite satisfied with the outcome of your handling of this case, because the stability of the court is what he values the most, and he has achieved the goal of impeaching the crown prince and the king of Jiangxia." Isn't it nice to have the best of both worlds? Therefore, the emperor must have greatly appreciated and satisfied you in his heart; Second, the prince has to be saved from a catastrophe with your help, although you killed his henchman Gan Chengji, he must secretly clap his hands, and I wish you killed a few more to help him a few more times. Now, you are his great benefactor, and he may celebrate in the mansion every day, waiting for you to thank you in person at the banquet; Third, I don't have to say anything about King Jiangxia's side, right? If it weren't for your clever plan to think that this matter was related to him earlier, and to report the news in advance, it would be difficult to say what kind of situation he is in now. This is also a great favor for him, it depends on how he pays it back; Fourth...... Not to mention. You kidnapped Gao Yang out of the palace and eloped to my house, isn't this a double win? ”

"Elopement?" Qin Mubai's eyes widened and he pretended to be shocked, "Don't talk nonsense, I was ordered by Concubine Yin to escort the princess's car to your mansion." I'm a hundred horsemen who work for the royal family, and you don't know it! ”

"Load! You can really pretend! Keep loading! Li Ke shook his head in jealousy and sighed for a while, and said, "Sometimes I really envy you a little, if I can exchange skins, I would rather not be this prince and change identities with you." Look at you, how nice! Now the three characters such as the emperor, the crown prince, and the king of Jiangxia all regard you as fragrant and sweet, what a glory this is, and how bright the future is; And besides...... Look at the little beauties around you, one is more beautiful than the other, and one is more amorous than the other. There is not only my persistent and hot living treasure royal sister, but also the heroic heroine Chen Yan, and a smart and capable Wu Meiniang - hey, that's right! Wu Meiniang seems to have returned to Chang'an? When I was practicing archery in the backyard, I heard that there was movement in the Wu Mansion, and it should be that she was back. ”

Qin Mubai smiled: "You know a lot of things. Yes, Wu Meiniang came back from Jiangzhou with me. ”

"Yo, are you still having a private meeting in Jiangzhou?" Li Ke pursed his lips jealously, "Okay, while I'm gone, you'll be so merry and happy!" Hmph, but don't get complacent too soon. After a while, Wu Meiniang and Gao Yang will meet sooner or later. These two women, neither of them are fuel-efficient lamps. If these two people are jealous, it must be a big movement of heaven and thunder and earth fire. I'll see how you take it! ”

Qin Mubai's heart also burst out, and he said secretly: It seems that there will never be a shortage of troubles around me...... Yes, the emperor and Concubine Yin have already mentioned to me the matter of marrying Princess Gaoyang; Wu Meiniang's side, how should I tell her?