No one is willing to give up the power in their hands until they have to, because everyone has desires.

On the way to the backyard where Empress Xiao temporarily lived, Li Xuanba figured out something: Dou Jiande was willing to surrender to Nansui, not only because he cherished the people, but in this matter, the eldest grandson Wuji or Empress Xiao must have played a great role.

During the conversation, the eldest grandson Wuji said that he did not persuade Dou Jiande to surrender to Southern Sui, so he could only be Empress Xiao.

Dou Jiande and his wife did not accompany him, because Empress Xiao wanted to meet Li Xuanba alone, and the eldest grandson Wuji and others walked to the courtyard gate, made a gesture towards the courtyard, and then waited quietly outside the courtyard.

The pavilions and pavilions in the courtyard are towering, and the stream is clear and murmuring, without the slightest sense of dilapidation. Under a towering giant tree, Queen Xiao's thin figure looked so lonely and lonely.

Looking at Empress Xiao's increasingly gray sideburns, Li Xuanba's eyes wet for no reason.

"Weichen Li Xuanba, meet the Empress Dowager." Li Xuanba walked to Empress Xiao's side and bowed down. He bowed his body very low, and he had never bowed so low in the nearly four years he had lived in Dasui.

"You're here." When Empress Xiao heard the voice, she leaned sideways slightly, and whispered with a smile. A very ordinary sentence came out of her mouth, but it was like a different world, experiencing the vicissitudes of life: "Raise your head and let this palace take a good look." ”

The wanderer has been away for many years, and finally returned home, waiting for the old woman at home, touching the wanderer's cheek, and said with tears in her eyes: "Raise your head, let my mother take a good look." ”

Empress Xiao didn't shed tears, nor did she show too much excitement, and when Li Xuanba raised her head, Queen Xiao stretched out her hand and wanted to touch Li Xuanba's face. Li Xuanba grew taller, and Empress Xiao sat on the stone bench, but she couldn't touch his face.

Li Xuanba half-squatted down. He leaned his face up, letting Empress Xiao's slender jade fingers slide across his face.

"Sit down." After a long time, Empress Xiao sighed. At her age, she should have had a full house of children and grandchildren, but because she was born in the royal family. The fact that the children and grandchildren were almost slaughtered was a big blow to anyone. Seeing Li Xuanba will undoubtedly make her think of some people.

After a long absence, reunion will naturally reminisce about the past, of course, most of the time, Li Xuanba is talking endlessly about the situation of Nan Sui, and Empress Xiao just listens calmly. Occasionally, a smile is revealed, which is like a spring breeze.

"With you by Dong'er's side, what else is there to worry about in this palace?" How could Empress Xiao not know about the situation in Southern Sui? She just wanted Li Xuanba to tell him personally: "Xuanba, this palace also wants to thank you for reserving some reputation for the first emperor." ”

At the beginning, before Li Xuanba arrived in Jiangdu, he sent someone to send a few letters, and he wrote down what he learned from Empress Xiao in the letters.

Dou Jiande received a letter and gave Yang Guang the nickname "Min". It means "heartless mercy".

Yang Guang's reluctance to lead the Xiaoguo army north was an act of mercy for the people. However, he repeatedly conquered Goguryeo, which made the people miserable.

And Li Yuan gave Yang Guang the nickname "Yang", which means that Yang Guang's feats such as opening canals and building the Great Wall are comparable to Shang Tang, but Emperor Tang has a gentle temperament like water, while Yang Guang has the opposite temperament like fire. Rush one's fences.

In general, the two of them gave Yang Guang a mixed reputation, but it is also appropriate.

"This is what Wechen should do." Li Xuanba said respectfully, he actually didn't expect that Yang Guang did not escape the title of "Emperor Yang of Sui" in the end: "The Empress Dowager." Are you really planning to leave the Central Plains and go to the Turks? If you are willing, Xuanba asks you to return to Jiangdu with Wechen, even if the Turkic army attacks, Wechen will swear to protect you to the death. ”

"Silly boy." Empress Xiao shook her head slightly, and said with a smile: "Princess Yicheng is the imperial sister of the first emperor, can she still bully this palace?" The reason why she did this was nothing more than that she felt that Gao'er was coerced by Wang Shichong, and Dong'er was just your puppet. ”

The authorities are confused, the bystanders are clear, Li Xuanba has always been unable to understand the purpose of Princess Yicheng, but now when he heard Queen Xiao's words, he instantly understood.

"Weichen and His Majesty are like brothers, how can they do anything to support the army and respect themselves?" Li Xuanba sighed: "If it weren't for the young age of King Zhao, Xuanba was worried that he would not be able to make his courtiers return to his heart, and he would definitely not be greedy for the military power in his hands, but it's a pity."

"Gao'er's matter, the royal family is sorry for you." Empress Xiao nodded and apologized: "Fortunately, you escaped the catastrophe, otherwise the first emperor would not be at ease in the spirit of the sky." ”

Thinking of Yang Guang's death, the two fell silent at the same time.

As time passed, the sun shifted westward, and the light shone on the stone table.

"Princess Yicheng's side, this palace will try its best to convince her." Seeing that Li Xuanba bowed her head and was silent, Empress Xiao said lovingly: "Although she has a strong temperament, her heart is still good, as long as this palace asks for help from her, when he goes north one day, she will definitely send troops to help you." ”

"You have done enough, King Xia is willing to surrender, and it is also your credit to think about it." Li Xuanba shook his head and said: "Just as Princess Yicheng doesn't believe in Xuanba, Xuanba doesn't believe in the Turks either, letting their army enter the Central Plains is undoubtedly luring wolves into the house, Weichen just wants to ask the Empress Dowager to persuade her not to let the Turks get involved in the battle in the Central Plains, and buy enough time for Weichen." ”

Empress Xiao's determination to go to the Turks was very strong, and she didn't want Princess Yicheng to suspect that she was forced to stay in the Central Plains.

Writing a letter can indeed make it clear, but will Princess Yoshinari believe it? She can also think that Empress Xiao wrote the letter under duress, so Empress Xiao must go to the Turks in person and tell Princess Yicheng in person that the Duke of Zhou of Southern Sui has no disobedience.

The dignified Empress Sui had to accept the blessing of the Turks, which was a great humiliation for Empress Xiao. But in front of Jiangshan Sheji, Queen Xiao couldn't care about these anymore.

Li Xuanba also understood this truth, so he did not continue to persuade anything.

"The first emperor once said to the palace that you are a god of heaven who came to protect the Great Sui River and mountains for him." Empress Xiao thought about it and felt that Li Xuanba's words were very reasonable: "This palace is just a woman, I don't understand the political affairs of the imperial court, Xuanba, you can do it yourself, the first emperor and this palace both believe in you." After a pause, Empress Xiao smiled and said, "Ling'er is almost eighteen years old, when do you plan to marry her?" ”

Li Xuanba's face turned red, scratched his head, and replied embarrassedly: "Back to the Empress Dowager, Xuanba originally wanted to take you to Nansui for another wedding ceremony, which is also a matter of your heart and the first emperor." ”

"You have a heart." Empress Xiao laughed from the bottom of her heart, and her doting color was even stronger: "As long as you can treat Ling'er well and don't let her be wronged, with your current status, it is also appropriate to have a few concubines, but this palace hopes that you can remember that Ling'er is the one who has always been devoted to you." "Shizuka's matter, Empress Xiao really still knows.

"The princess's affection, Weichen can't repay it, so he can only promise it with his body." It was rare to see Empress Xiao so happy, Li Xuanba replied with a shy face, and sure enough, Empress Xiao scolded him with a smile. (To be continued.) )