Princess Taiping is ready to mutiny! As soon as Li Dan's words came out, the crown prince Li Xian was completely shocked by this unexpected news, and couldn't help but exclaim: "What! The Taiping Mutiny? When? Why don't we know? The prince blurted out a series of questions, which were all what Zhang Cambodia and Li Sanlang wanted to know most at the moment, and this matter was really too unexpected for the three of them. Princess Taiping has always been domineering and authoritarian, and the three of them are not ignorant, but because she is deeply favored by His Majesty, they are helpless. But Taiping has never been involved in military power, so it is not a matter of concern, but at this moment, Prime Minister Li Dan actually said that Taiping was going to launch a mutiny, if Taiping has the support of the army, how can this be done!

Li Dan looked at the three of them, sighed, and said, "It seems that the three of you really don't know about this matter, but fortunately, I came back in time today, and I should be able to save the matter!" ”

When Li Dan said this, he reminded Li Sanlang, and Li Sanlang then asked: "Father, you were ordered by Your Majesty to fast and worship the Buddha for a month on behalf of the royal family in the White Horse Temple, and the fasting period will expire tomorrow, so you will return so early?" Aren't you afraid that Your Majesty will know about the punishment? ”

Prince Li Xian hurriedly echoed: "Yes, this is a great crime of disrespect!" Brother Wang acts like this, so he is not afraid of telling others the truth? ”

Li Dan looked at the prince and Li Sanlang, and replied: "Brother, San Lang don't know, I heard about what has happened in Shendu in the White Horse Temple in recent days, and I can't be calm at every moment, I can't wait to return as soon as possible, share my brother's worries, but the emperor's life is here; I did return early today, but please rest assured that the time when I entered the Shendu was already past the time of my son, strictly speaking, the period had expired, and presumably His Majesty would not punish him too much; Besides, the person who let me pass tonight is my confidant, and I have told him to delay his entry into the city a little longer, and it should be fine. ”

After hearing this, the prince finally breathed a sigh of relief, but Zhang Cambodia suddenly had a thought in his mind, and hurriedly asked: "May I ask King Xiang, so in this way, she also returned to the divine capital together?" ”

When Zhang Cambodia asked, the three of them naturally knew in their hearts who this "she" was referring to, it was the first talented woman in the Shendu, and the inner house who was deeply valued by His Majesty - Shangguan Wan'er. More than a month ago, His Majesty was ill, she had planned to go to the White Horse Temple to pray for the dragon's health as soon as possible, but His Majesty was old, and it was indeed inappropriate for her to go in person, so she issued an edict to select one of the heirs to worship the Buddha for a month, in order to ask the gods to bless the health of the Holy Body, and also pray for the blessings of all the people.

Later, His Majesty repeatedly considered it, and selected Li Dan, the prime minister, to pray for blessings on his behalf; Shangguan Wan'er was deeply affected by His Majesty's grace, and she didn't want His Majesty to lose, so she asked His Majesty to go together, and His Majesty read his sincerity, and finally let her go to the White Horse Temple with Li Dan, the Prime Minister.

At this moment, Zhang Cambodia's question was naturally her, Li Dan replied: "Since the accident in the gods, she is also worried about Your Majesty day and night, but the fasting period is not over, today she came to me to discuss, return together, I should go, after entering the city tonight, she returned to the palace, and I came here directly." ”

After hearing this, Zhang Cambodia couldn't help but show a sad face, Li Sanlang saw it in his eyes, and hurriedly asked: "Why is Zhang Ge like this?" ”

Zhang Cambodia sighed and said: "According to the old minister, tomorrow's literary test seems to have a result now." ”

"Literary exam?" Li Dan had just returned to Shendu, and he didn't know what would happen tomorrow, Li Sanlang hurriedly told his father about tomorrow's civil and military competition, Li Dan also sighed lightly, shook his head and said: "It seems that this matter is just as Zhang Ge Lao said, and it has been decided." ”

Seeing that the two of them were like this, Prince Li Xian hurriedly asked: "This matter has not yet come to a conclusion, why did the two of you come to such a conclusion?" ”

Zhang Cambodia continued: "Returning to His Royal Highness the Prince, you know this Shangguan Wan'er, although his grandfather Shangguan Tingzhi and his father Shangguan Yi were killed by His Majesty, but His Majesty is extremely fortunate and loves Shangguan Wan'er. As Lao Chen said before, this literary competition, since ancient times, it is difficult to judge, often the judge's preference, now estimate and do not comment on the literary style, as far as Your Majesty's preferences are concerned, let me ask which of the recommended He Zhizhang, Yao Chong, and Zhang Jiuling can be better than this Shangguan Wan'er in the eyes of His Majesty? That's why the old minister said this. ”

Hearing Zhang Cambodia say this, the prince couldn't help but shake his head, not knowing what to say. At this moment, another thought suddenly flashed in Zhang Cambodia's mind, and he couldn't help but look shocked, and immediately bowed to the prince and said, "His Royal Highness the prince, the old minister is confused!" Today's affairs, the old minister's negligence is considered to be unexpected! Seeing Zhang Cambodia like this, the prince hurriedly stretched out his hand to help him up, and comforted: "Elder Zhang Ge doesn't have to blame himself, no one expected Shangguan Wan'er to return at this time, you shouldn't be blamed for this, you are also planning for the palace." ”

Zhang Cambodia waved his hand and continued: "Back to the prince, the old minister is not referring to Shangguan Wan'er, but to suggest a civil and military competition!" When the old minister made this proposal today, the old minister just had the mentality of giving it a try, thinking that His Majesty would not agree, after all, after the last time he bowed, although the court saved face in front of everyone, it was the prince who benefited in the end; The old minister never expected that His Majesty would readily agree to this matter on the spot, which really surprised the old minister, and there must be something strange in thinking about it like this. ”

After hearing this, the prince hurriedly asked: "Elder Zhang Ge, please speak clearly, what's wrong with this?" ”

Zhang Cambodia replied: "Since Your Majesty has agreed so readily, you must have sufficient confidence in this matter, and hope that through this matter, the prestige previously established by the prince will be transferred to Your Majesty again; Now that the old minister has learned that Shangguan Wan'er has returned, he finally understands that His Majesty readily agreed to this matter, and must have made a plan in his heart at that time. ”

Li Dan woke up like a dream, and then said: "No wonder Shangguan Wan'er took the initiative to find this king today and wanted to return together, according to her heart, it would not be so, it turned out that she received a secret order from His Majesty and returned to Shendu to prepare for this matter." ”

The prince was silent for a long time, and said slowly: "Elder Zhang Ge doesn't have to blame himself too much, Your Majesty's thoughts are far-reaching, and ordinary people can guess, Elder Zhang Ge's plan is also for the sake of this palace, how can this palace blame you?" Besides, even if we lose the civil duel, we still have a military duel, and the great thing is a tie, and we will not lose our prestige. ”

Zhang Cambodia said tremblingly: "His Royal Highness the Crown Prince doesn't know, this is what the old minister is really worried about, that day the Royal Horse Farm Competition, the strength of Pei Min under the command of the prince was seen by His Majesty, and even the title of Sword Saint, how could she not know Pei Min's strength, but why did His Majesty still agree to this?" Could it be that Your Majesty still has someone by his side who is better than Pei Min in martial arts? If there really is, then the enemy is in the dark, I am in the light, and if Pei Min really misses the battle, won't this battle be a complete defeat. ”

After Zhang Cambodia said this, the prince was shocked and muttered: "Is it possible that there are still people in this world whose martial arts are better than Pei Min?" ”

Li Sanlang showed a hint of a smile at this moment, and arched his hand and said: "His Royal Highness the Prince, Zhang Ge Lao, father, I think you don't have to worry, I am convinced of Pei Min's strength." Taking a step back, even if he loses, it doesn't matter, if someone can really beat Pei Min, don't you think this person is suspicious? ”

Zhang Cambodia understood what Li Sanlang meant, so he asked: "I know what Li Sicheng means, do you want to say that a person with such profound martial arts must be Keduo?" ”

Li Sanlang nodded and said: "Even if it is not Keduo himself, he will definitely have an inextricable relationship with him, and no matter who it is, we will continue to investigate according to this clue, and I believe that there will be a gain; Your Majesty, perhaps she will gladly agree to this matter, and it may be that she must have this intention. ”

After hearing this, Zhang Cambodia nodded lightly and said, "I hope so!" Otherwise, the old minister's sin will be great! ”

Li Sanlang looked at his father, suddenly remembered the purpose of his trip, and hurriedly said: "His Royal Highness the Prince, why have we forgotten the most important thing when we have been discussing the civil and military competition tomorrow for so long?" The matter of the Taiping Mutiny has not yet been decided! ”

As soon as Li Sanlang reminded him like this, everyone woke up like a dream, and actually forgot about this stubble, and the prince hurriedly asked: "Brother Wang, tell me quickly, what is the Taiping Mutiny?" ”

Li Dan said: "Since the accident in Shendu, I have arranged for people to investigate in Shendu, but the perpetrator has never had a clue, but by mistake I found out about the Taiping Desire to mutiny on the Shangyuan Festival. ”

When the prince heard this, he suddenly felt a little chill in his spine, it turned out that Taiping had already begun to prepare, if it wasn't for Li Dan coming back to tell him at this time, he really didn't know how it would end when it came to Shangyuan Festival.

Li Dan looked at everyone and continued: "Taiping had nothing to do with the army before, but recently he has begun to carry out large-scale activities in the forbidden army and the Yulin army, using coercion and temptation to win over cronies; According to reliable sources, General Qiler, the deputy commander of the forbidden army, who was slaughtered a few days ago, was poisoned by the Taiping because he refused to give in. ”

"What! Taiping is so vicious! There is conclusive evidence for this! When the prince heard this, he said angrily.

Li Dan shook his head and continued: "There seems to be a master behind Taiping, and what she did did did not leave the slightest evidence, and I only knew about it when I told it. ”

Zhang Cambodia asked: "Who is that henchman?" Is it reliable? ”

Li Dan didn't say the name of his confidant, just nodded and continued: "This person and I will be born and die, and they will be reliable. Now I have got accurate news, many of the families of the Yulin Army and the Forbidden Army have been secretly controlled by the Taipings, if they do not respond with troops on the Shangyuan Festival, the family will be in trouble, I also heard about this, and I was shocked, so I came to report to my brother to discuss countermeasures! ”

Taiping actually acted like this, which greatly surprised everyone, everyone pondered for a long time, Li Sanlang finally spoke: "His Royal Highness the Prince, father, it seems that this matter can only bother you two to enter the palace to face the saint, maybe only she can resolve this crisis!" ”