Dawn is approaching, and tension is raging inside and outside the Imperial City.

Yuan Laoshangshu never returned to the military formation, but stood under the imperial city, the morning breeze was blowing, the old man's body shook slightly, after all, he was old, even if he only stood for an hour, it was very difficult, Yuan Moxian stood beside his father, looking at his stubborn father, while concerned, there was also a trace of surprise in his heart.

Lao Shangshu has been an official for many years, but in this intricate court, he has always stood tall, of course, because of his high morality and respect, but the most important thing is that Lao Shangshu has never been involved in court disputes.

Lao Shangshu has been in charge of the Ministry of Rites for many years, and everything he does is carried out in accordance with the law of the country, so that people can't find faults, he is an official and fair, even if it is the four hereditary candidates at the beginning, he is also polite to this old Shangshu.

When Sima and King Huainan were fighting to the death, Lao Shangshu stayed in his own vegetable garden, ignoring what was going on outside the window, as if the disputes in the court had nothing to do with him.

Yuan Moxian has been on an errand under his father for many years, and he has also learned the means of pretending to be deaf and dumb, and he will never be contaminated with anything that he has nothing to do, even if it is really related to him, it is only three points in everything.

However, what Yuan Laoshangshu did this time was similar to his previous official affairs.

At this juncture, no matter what happens in the capital, the best choice is to stay at home, as in the past, and ignore the things outside the window, but this time Lao Shangshu learned that the soldiers and horses entered the city, and he actually put on official robes and rushed to the imperial city overnight.

What surprised Yuan Moxian even more was that there were many civil and military officials, and no one took the initiative to step forward, but it was his father who took the initiative to come to the foot of the imperial city and was ready to persuade Qi Ning to leave the city.

Yuan Moxian really didn't know why the old father wanted to take the initiative to get involved in this matter this time, seeing the old man in the wind with his eyes closed and the white whiskers fluttering under his chin, but he didn't dare to say anything.

Hearing the sound of footsteps from behind, Yuan Moxian turned his head and saw Xiao Shaozong walking over with a chair, and hurriedly bowed his hand, Xiao Shaozong smiled slightly, put the chair next to Yuan Laoshangshu, and said softly: "The old man is old, don't stand for a long time, sit down and wait!" ”

Lao Shangshu opened his eyes and glanced at Xiao Shaozong, but he didn't refuse and sat down.

Xiao Shaozong waved his hand, and the shield soldiers around him moved rapidly, forming an ironclad protective layer around them, Lao Shangshu raised his hand to stroke his beard, stared at Xiao Shaozong, but did not speak.

Xiao Shaozong groaned slightly, and finally said: "The soldiers coming to the city are not what Xiao Wang wants, but he has to do it." ”

"The prince wants to put Qi Ning to death, is it really just because he killed the king and rebelled?" Lao Shangshu looked at Xiao Shaozong's eyes and asked.

Xiao Shaozong didn't nod immediately, hesitated for a moment, and then said: "Old Shangshu is very wise, and Xiao Wang admires it." Qi Ning killed the monarch and rebelled, for the sake of my Great Chu's Jiangshan Sheji, naturally damn it, it's just ...... Xiao Wang has murderous intentions towards him, but not just this time, a long time ago, Xiao Wang thought about killing this person. ”

Yuan Moxian on the side was stunned, his lips moved slightly, but of course he knew that it was not his turn to say one more word at such a time.

"The old minister didn't understand what the prince meant." Lao Shangshu seemed very calm: "Could it be that Qi Ning has already rebelled?" ”

Xiao Shaozong shook his head and said: "Xiao Wang doesn't know if he was rebellious in the past, but this person is destined not to live in the world from the day he was born, or ......!" He groaned slightly, and then said, "Or maybe he shouldn't have been born in the Jinyi family!" ”

Lao Shangshu showed a hint of surprise at this time.

Xiao Shaozong looked up at the east and said calmly: "This person's rebellious heart is destined by nature, if he doesn't rebel today, the Ming Dynasty will also rebel." ”

Lao Shangshu naturally heard what Xiao Shaozong said, thought for a while, and then said: "Lord Lu asked a sentence before, why did Qi Ning kill the monarch and rebel? He raised his hand and stroked his beard and said: "Qi Ning attacked the northwest and made great achievements for Dachu, the old minister really can't understand, what is his motive for rebellion?" Staring at Xiao Shaozong's eyes, he said slowly: "Speaking from the heart, although he is from the Jinyi Qi family, he has no strength to rebel at all, the Qinhuai army is not under his control, the soldiers and horses of the Chu State in the northwest are from Xichuan, he led the troops to attack the Northern Han, and those soldiers and horses naturally followed, but he wanted to rebel and make trouble, and those soldiers and horses in the northwest would never be used by him." ”

Xiao Shaozong smiled faintly and said, "Does the boss think he doesn't have the strength to rebel?" ”

"At least the old minister really can't see where his strength is in rebellion?" Lao Shangshu sighed lightly: "If you just say that you don't have the strength to rebel, it's not enough to prove that he doesn't have the heart to rebel, the most important thing is that sentence, why did he rebel?" Looking up at the imperial city: "Now that he is trapped in the imperial city, surrounded on all sides, it is impossible to get out, Qi Ning is not a stupid person, he entered the palace to kill the king, he should think of the consequences." As a result, Lao Chen did not see what benefits he obtained, but completely cut off himself and the Jinyi family. ”

"Xiao Wang said that he was destined to be anti-valent since he was born." Xiao Shaozong sighed.

Lao Shangshu said: "The Jinyi Qi family is a family of meritorious founders, and the two generations of marquis are the pillars of the empire, and the Jinyi Qi family is also one of the extremely glorious families of my Great Chu, so the old minister can't understand what the prince means by this." His eyes showed a suspicious look: "The prince said that he was born with antipathy, with all due respect, this will not only fail to convince the people of Dachu, but will even make everyone feel ridiculous." ”

"Because Qi Ning is not a member of the Jinyi family!" Xiao Shaozong said calmly.

Lao Shangshu's body was shocked, his face changed drastically, and even Yuan Moxian, who was silent on the side, raised his head impressively, showing a look of horror.

After a long time, Lao Shangshu said: "Lord, the old minister didn't hear clearly, what did you say?" ”

"Qi Ning is not a member of the Qi family." Xiao Shaozong repeated: "This person is not the bloodline of the Qi family, so the loyalty of the Qi family naturally cannot be extended to this person." ”

Although Lao Shangshu was shocked in his heart, he was still able to control his emotions, shook his head and said, "Lord Wang, although Qi Ning rebelled, he ..... There are some things that cannot be said. Although Qi Ning is opposed, but the old marquis of Jinyi and the general of Qi are loyal ministers of the empire, they have made great achievements for my Great Chu, although the people are gone, but their heroic names are really not allowed to be desecrated. ”

Xiao Shaozong's claim that Qi Ning is not the bloodline of the Jinyi Qi family is of course an earth-shattering thing.

Throughout the ages, from the royal family to the emperor, to the peddlers and pawns, the inheritance of the descendants is extremely important, such as the Jinyi Qi family and other imperial meritorious families, for the continuation of the family's bloodline is naturally more unusual, Qi Ning inherited the title of Jinyi Hou, in the eyes of the world, it is naturally a very pure Qi family bloodline.

If someone says that Qi Ning is not the bloodline of the Qi family, it is of course a great insult to the Qi family in brocade clothes.

Lao Shangshu sits in the Ministry of Rites, and he is naturally very concerned about Renlungang, Xiao Shaozong said that Qi Ning is not the blood of the Qi family, Lao Shangshu was shocked, but he was also slightly annoyed, if Xiao Shaozong just opened his mouth to attack Qi Ning, then Lao Shangshu was really contemptuous of such words and deeds.

"Of course Xiao Wang knows that this is not a trivial matter." Xiao Shaozong said slowly: "So so far, Xiao Wang has never revealed this matter to others. It's just that Lao Shangshu wanted to know Qi Ning's motive for rebellion, and Xiao Wang had to tell the truth. ”

After a period of silence, Lao Shangshu said: "Since the prince said so, of course there is evidence in hand?" ”

"There is at least one witness who can prove that there is no falsity in this matter."

Lao Shangshu shook his head and said, "In this way, the prince also listens to what people say?" Could it be that the witness that the prince said would not be unbelievable? ”

"No!" Xiao Shaozong's tone was unusually affirmative: "In Xiao Wang's opinion, if there is only one person in the world who can tell the truth, it can only be him, if he knows who he is, Lao Shangshu will definitely not doubt what Xiao Wang said." ”

"Who is the witness that the prince is talking about?" Old Shangshu looked directly into Xiao Shaozong's eyes.

Xiao Shaozong shook his head and said, "It's not that Xiao Wang sells Guanzi. Telling Lao Shangshu the truth today is helpless, but Xiao Wang can't reveal his identity until he gets the consent of that witness. After a pause, he said: "Xiao Wang only hopes that Lao Shangshu can believe what Xiao Wang said, and as a last resort, in order to maintain the reputation of the Jinyi Qi family, Xiao Wang doesn't want to reveal this matter to anyone again." Seeing Lao Shangshu squinting his eyes, Xiao Shaozong said in a low voice: "As long as this quelling is successful, killing Qi Ning, and stabilizing the capital, Xiao Wang will definitely ask the witness, and he will personally tell Lao Shangshu the truth, I don't know what Lao Shangshu wants?" ”

Lao Shangshu groaned slightly, and then said: "What the prince said, the old minister is really difficult to accept, and it is really hard to imagine .....!" ”

"Lao Shangshu has been an official for many years, even if he stays at home, what happens in Beijing, Lao Shangshu will be able to hear everything." Xiao Shaozong said softly: "Others may not know much about the incident that happened in the Jinyi Qi family back then, but Lao Shangshu should not know too little. ”

"What do you mean?"

"General Qi's wife, Liu, was pregnant with Liujia back then, and everyone in the market knew that Liu's imminent arrival." Xiao Shaozong said slowly: "When the Liu family was pregnant, the people in the house were still outside talking about the upcoming future of the Qi family, but as far as I know, in those days when the Liu family was about to give birth, the Qi family suddenly kept silent, and no one mentioned it again, and General Qi suddenly came back at that time, and soon there were rumors that the Liu family saved the child because of dystocia, but ...... But Liu died because of this. Staring at Lao Shangshu, he asked softly, "Lao Shangshu should know more about this than Xiao Wang, right?" ”

Lao Shangshu narrowed his eyes slightly, as if recalling the past, and after a while, he bowed his head slightly and said, "This is indeed the case." ”

"And what happened?" A slight smile appeared on Xiao Shaozong's lips: "The Liu family is also the general's wife, and she is also the daughter-in-law of the Jinyi Qi family, if she dies, she should always be buried thickly, but as far as Xiao Wang knows, the Jinyi Qi family seems to have never held a funeral for the Liu family, Lao Shangshu, I don't know if what Xiao Wang said is right?" ”