On April 10, the eighteenth year of Zhenguan, three o'clock in the unitary hour, the sunset has already set in the west, it is time to prepare dinner, the smoke curls up in Chang'an City, under the rendering of the sunset, it seems extraordinarily enchanting, the streets and alleys are full of pedestrians who are in a hurry to return home, and the carriages that come and go are also a little more hurried, however, in such a hurry, there is a four-wheeled carriage that is still considered luxurious to pass through the street unhurriedly, the slow posture is as casual as a leisurely stroll, but the owner who is in it- Li Qianhe didn't have the strength to wait so calmly, Li Qianhe, who was leaning on the wall of the carriage, was full of clouds on his face at the moment, and his eyes were bright and confused in both directions.

Confused? That's right, it's confused, Li Qianhe's long-cherished wish in his life just wants to be a good official, the best to be famous in history, even if he can't, he has to become a clean official who is conducive to the society, but he didn't expect that he would be involved in the battle for succession, and he was so involved that it was impossible to get out, of course, this does not mean that he is not optimistic about Li Zhen, the prince, on the contrary, in his opinion, among Li Shimin's many sons, only Li Zhen, the king of Yue, is truly worthy of the title of successor, It's just that as an authentic Confucian child, Li Qianhe by nature, he really doesn't want to play those conspiracies, but it's a pity that he doesn't have a choice, since he was sent by Li Shimin to the Yue Wangfu as the head of the palace, his body has been deeply branded with the mark of the Yue Wangfu, except for following the Yue Wang, there can be no second way to go, unless he can make up his mind to abandon the official, obviously, this is absolutely impossible, whether it is to realize his ambitions, or for the future of the family, It is impossible for him Li Qianhe to give up his current position, but when he thinks of how many ups and downs he has experienced along the way, and how many bigger ups and downs will be waiting for him, Li Qianhe's heart can't help but be a little gloomy, and a wave of tiredness arises spontaneously.

"My lord, the East Palace has arrived." Just when Li Qianhe was thinking about it, the coachman's voice came through the curtain, which immediately woke Li Qianhe from his contemplation.

"yes, got it." Li Qianhe replied, bent down from behind the curtain rolled up by the coachman, and as soon as he appeared, he was stunned - Li Zhi, the prince of the East Palace, was already waiting at the gate of the palace with a large group of eunuchs and palace maids, looking at the posture, he should have been waiting for a long time.

Damn it! Li Qianhe scolded secretly in his heart, but his face was full of hypocritical smiles, and he walked forward quickly, and respectfully saluted: "Weichen Li Qianhe sees His Royal Highness the Prince." ”

Li Zhi rushed forward, helped Li Qianhe up, took Li Qianhe's hand very politely, and said with a smile: "Li Shilang doesn't have to be so polite, this palace has long wanted to be close to Li Shilang, hehe, it's really according to seniority, this palace still has to call Li Shilang a cousin, you can come, this palace is very happy." ”

Li Zhi's words were rambling, it was pure nonsense without any nutrition, and he didn't talk about it, and he didn't open his mouth to invite Li Qianhe to enter the door, which meant that Li Qianhe knew it in his heart - the master in front of him was naturally deliberate, and the left and right were just for people with a heart, in order to show that his prince Li Zhi is now related to the Yue Wang family, but it is clear that Li Qianhe has no way to break Li Zhi's mind, and there is no way not to follow Li Zhi's pace, Who let this master be the prince, Li Qianhe couldn't afford to offend this master, so he could only laugh and say: "His Royal Highness the prince is polite, Weichen really doesn't dare to be it." ”

"Deserved, deserved, hehe, the starling often mentions Li Shilang to this palace, saying that Li Shilang is a talented person in the imperial court, and he is definitely a person who can be of great use, and this palace also thinks so." Li Zhi giggled and talked nonsense, as if he and Li Zhen were definitely iron buddies.

Bitter smile, in addition to a bitter smile, Li Qianhe really doesn't know how to get rid of this not very faceless His Royal Highness - the whole world knows that Li Zhen, the king of Yue, and Li Zhi, the crown prince, have already parted ways, although they are not incompatible, but there is no brotherhood anymore, this lord has not been a little black hand to the people of the Yue Wang family before, but what bullshit is coming out at this time, that is, the people of the emperor's family have such shameless ability, Li Qianhe in addition to sighing to himself, he really didn't know what to say, so he simply didn't say it, and smiled, Didn't pick up the topic.

"Ah, look at the palace so happy, hehe, I forgot to invite Li Shilang in, come, come, come, Li Shilang, please go in with the palace, today is a good life, not drunk and homeless!" After Li Zhi talked about it without vinegar, he patted his head and said apologetically as if he suddenly remembered the intention of inviting Li Qianhe to come.

It is said that this master is Adou, but this kind of drama is only afraid that Adou can't catch up with the horse, the emperor's house, there is really no trouble-free. Li Qianhe was full of emotion in his heart, but he said with thanks: "The monarch and the ministers are orderly, Your Highness, you invite first, and Weichen will follow." ”

After the play that should be sung was finished, Li Zhi was no longer polite, and said with a smile: "Okay, Li Shilang is invited." As soon as the words fell, he made a gesture of please, and walked one step ahead of the East Palace, Li Qianhe didn't dare to be rude, and cautiously followed behind.

"Li Shilang came just in time today, the palace just rehearsed a song "Crane Xiang Dance" a few days ago, and asked Li Shilang to comment on the first and second?" Li Zhi seemed to be in a very good mood, and as soon as he sat down, he smiled and proposed to sing and dance, and there was no such bad luck as when the court meeting was frustrated yesterday, but it made Li Qianhe mutter in his heart.

Li Qianhe, as the highest civil official of the Yue Wang's family in Beijing, his identity is not comparable to ordinary people, and his every move represents the face of the Yue Wangfu, this time he received Li Zhi's invitation to the banquet, Li Qianhe didn't want to come, and he was going to prevaricate on sick leave, but Nalong came with a word, let him go, but he just confessed a sentence - ignore it, the meaning of this is obviously to let Li Qianhe come with his ears, and he doesn't have to make any promises, Li Qianhe is naturally very clear about Nalong's ability and even his status in the mind of Li Zhen, the king of Yue, since Nalong has explained so, Li Qianhe is relieved to come to the banquet, and he only intends to be a microphone, therefore, no matter how Li Zhi performs, Li Qianhe will never care, since there is singing and dancing to enjoy at this time, Li Qianhe will not shirk, so he bowed down and said with a smile: "Thank you, Your Highness, Weichen obeyed the order." ”

"Haha...... Okay, this palace is happy to listen to this, come to someone, sing and dance! Li Zhi laughed proudly and applauded, and more than a dozen singers with heavy makeup and bright makeup wore light veils and danced with long sleeves floating lightly from outside the hall, but when they heard the music, the water sleeves fluttered, and the light yarn fluttered, like a dream, but there was also a different artistic conception.

"Okay, this dance should only be in the sky, it's rare to see it a few times in the world, okay!" Li Qianhe relaxed his mind to appreciate the song and dance, and he would not be stingy with praise, and when the dance stopped, Li Qianhe immediately applauded.

Li Zhi's other skills are average, but he has a lot of research on singing and dancing, this song "Crane Xiang Dance" is made by him from the song to the dance, this time he took it out for the first time to show off, and he can get praise, he feels that he has extra face, and he can't close his mouth with a smile, and applauded: "Li Shilang praised it falsely, I have heard for a long time that Li Shilang has a deep attainment in the way of composing music, if you don't dislike it, this song and dance team will be sent to Li Shilang." ”

This gift is not light, although Li Qianhe is a child of the Li clan, but unfortunately it is only a side branch, the family background is very average, in addition to the official title of the left servant of the ministry, he did not get the knighthood, Fenglu is really not much, he is not greedy, he really does not have too much savings, although he is good at singing and dancing, he can't afford to raise a singing and dancing team at home, Li Zhi sent such a big gift, obviously touched Li Qianhe's old bottom, and prescribed the right medicine, which made Li Qianhe unhappy and shocked - generous gifts and people, there must be something to ask for! If you have the heart to accept it, but the problem is that the prince is a half-monarch, the king has a gift, and the minister does not dare to resign, Li Qianhe's heart moved, and he hurriedly opened his mouth and thanked him: "Your Highness is loved, and the micro-minister has received it, but the saint has a cloud: the gentleman does not take the favor of others, this song and dance team is the beloved thing of His Royal Highness, and the micro-minister is ashamed." ”

"It's okay, it's okay, although Li Shilang accepts it, tomorrow morning, the palace will let people send Li Shilang to the house, if the starling is really to blame, the palace will say to the starling, come, drink!" Li Zhi waved his hand aggressively, thinking about Li Qianhe's words, picked up the wine bottle, and gestured to Li Qianhe.

"This ......" Li Qianhe hesitated for a moment, thought about it, and after accepting it left and right, he handed it over to Na Long to deal with, so he didn't shirk anymore, picked up the wine bottle with both hands, and said respectfully: "Thank you Your Highness for your generous gift, and Weichen respects His Highness." As soon as the words fell, he raised his head, drank all the wine in the bottle, and lit up the bottom of the bottle.

"Okay, refreshed!" Li Zhi saw that Li Qianhe accepted his gift, he was in a very happy mood, laughed, drank all the wine in the bottle, smiled and waved his hand, and the eunuchs and palace maids who were originally waiting in the hall immediately bowed down and saluted each other, Yuguan retreated and went out, and only Li Zhi and Li Qianhe were left sitting alone in the huge hall.

Here we go, let's get to the point! Li Qianhe's heart sank, but there was nothing else on his face, pretending to know nothing, just looking at Li Zhi with a smile, waiting for Li Zhi to show his hole cards.

Sure enough, as Li Qianhe expected, the group of subordinates had just retreated, and the smile on Li Zhi's face had already been put away, and he sighed and said: "Now how difficult the state affairs are, wars are frequent, and the palace is ordered to supervise the country, although I want to be excited, how can I ......, alas, now my father is about to conquer a foreign country, if you can't feel at ease, this ......, alas, this is all the fault of the palace, Li Shilang, as the pillar of the imperial court, should help the palace." ”

As soon as Li Zhi's seemingly heartfelt words came out, it really made Li Qianhe cry and laugh, what is this matter, but since the prince opened his mouth, he didn't answer but couldn't, Li Qianhe had no choice but to make a respectful gesture and said vaguely: "Your Highness's filial piety is known to the world, and with Your Highness's talents, Your Majesty will be able to rest assured." ”

"Oh, then it's up to Li Shilang to say it, it's just ......" Li Zhi stopped when he said this, and looked at Li Qianhe with a look of anticipation, which meant that he was waiting for Li Qianhe to ask questions, but he never thought that Li Qianhe would continue to pretend to be confused, just bowed down, and looked like he was listening, but he didn't open his mouth to ask about the following.

Li Zhi waited for a while, and when he saw that Li Qianhe just didn't speak, he scolded in his heart: I don't know how to lift! But there was no way to take Li Qianhe, so in desperation, he had to pick up the wine jug on the table, and use the moment of pouring wine to hide his embarrassment and annoyance, and adjust his mentality, which seemed to be intentional or unintentional...... Ah, don't talk about this, come, Li Shilang has worked hard for the court for many years, and this palace admires it in my heart, come, come, come, this palace will respect you again. ”

Li Qianhe has been in the officialdom for many years, how can it be easy to be with his peers, when he heard Li Zhi's words, his heart immediately shook wildly, although his face did not change color, but his hand couldn't help shaking a few times, and when he hurriedly borrowed the wine, he took a deep breath, forced himself to suppress the shock, raised the wine bottle with a slight trembling, and said in a hoarse voice: "Your Highness, please." Then he raised his head, drank all the wine in the bottle, put down the wine bottle, and said with a smile: "Your Highness, Weichen is not good at drinking......

Li Qianhe is going to say goodbye here, but Li Zhi doesn't plan to let Li Qianhe go like this, without him, although the words that should have been passed have been passed on, but if you want to make people think that you and Li Qianhe are getting together to discuss secretly, this time is definitely not enough, therefore, without waiting for Li Qianhe's words of resignation to come out, Li Zhi immediately interrupted: "Tomorrow is the day of Xun Holiday (Tang Dynasty officials take one day off every ten days, called Xun Holiday), Li Shilang but why sit, come to someone, and sing and dance to help the wine." ”

Since Li Zhi's words have come to this point, even if Li Qianhe has the heart to leave, he can't get it, and he has no choice but to accompany Li Zhi to drink and laugh. Don't look at Li Zhiwen's failure, all of them, but after all, he has studied the art of Li Jing for many years, and he knows all kinds of allusions, wild history anecdotes and the like, but he knows how to be young and old, as soon as he drinks this wine, the words will gush out, what astronomy and geography, the secrets of the previous dynasty and the like one after another, poor Li Qianhe is complacent, but he also has to deal with it with his spirit, and a wine is drunk from the fourth quarter of the time to the end of the time, which is the end of the matter. Li Zhi, who was in a good mood, even ignored his small body that was already a little upside down, and was supported by the eunuchs, and personally sent Li Qianhe out of the East Palace, until Li Qianhe had already gotten into the carriage, and Li Zhi was still at the gate of the palace reluctantly waving, his face was full of joy like he had been done.

"Old Liu, go to Yue Wangfu." After Li Qianhe waited for the carriage to stay away from the East Palace, he whispered an order through the curtain.

Lao Liu Tou was originally the "Rising Sun" master specially sent by Li Zhen, the king of Yue, to protect Li Qianhe's safety, and at this time, he listened to Li Qianhe's order, and didn't ask much about it, but just answered, walked on the East Street, which was already empty, turned into the alley, and went around for a while, after making sure that no one was following him, he came out of the chaotic alley and drove towards the Yue Wangfu......

The night was already a little deep, and the Yue Wang's Mansion, which had always been deserted, was even darker at this time, only the light was still on in the inner study, but under a dim lone lamp, Na Long leaned on a rocking chair with a pair of eyes half open and half closed, his brows were slightly wrinkled, and his pale face was particularly haggard under the reflection of the lamp, and he sat there silently, just blindly contemplative, until a light footsteps sounded outside the door, and Na Long suddenly opened his eyes, although his body did not move, but a trace of complicated look quickly passed through his eyes.

Yan Da walked in from outside the study, walked up to Nalong, and saluted respectfully: "Mr. Na, Li Shilang is here." ”

"Oh?" Na Long frowned, didn't ask anything more, just gestured and said, "Then please let Li Shilang come in." ”

"Yes." Yan Da hesitated slightly, but still responded respectfully, exited the study, and led Li Qianhe to go, and after a while, a sound of footsteps sounded, Li Qianhe followed Yan Da into the inner study, and when he saw that Na Long had already gotten up to greet him, Li Qianhe did not dare to hold it up, grabbed a step forward, and took the lead in greeting him very politely: "Mr. Na, I'm really sorry to come to disturb so late." ”

"Li Shilang is polite, come, sit down." Na Long smiled and returned the salute, made a gesture of invitation, and let Li Qianhe into the study, sitting opposite each other. Yanda personally made tea for the two of them and quietly withdrew from the room.

"Mr. Na, I went to the East Palace for a banquet this time...... Li Qianhe recounted the matter of going to the East Palace banquet tonight in detail from beginning to end, only talking about the facts, and did not add his own judgment.

"So, the prince is going to do something to Liu Shizhong?" Na Long frowned and thought about it, glanced at Li Qianhe, and said unhurriedly.

"I thought it should be so." Li Qianhe didn't hide his opinion, nodded and said: "Liu Shizhong is an auxiliary government this time, and his actions have indeed offended the prince, and it is normal for the prince to take revenge, not to mention that the prince wants to take advantage of the opportunity to cultivate wings, and Liu Shizhong is a hurdle that cannot be bypassed." ”

"Hmm." Na Long replied noncommittally, shook his head and said, "Zhu Suiliang, this villain, seems to be planning to take advantage of the situation?" Hehe, Donggong's thighs are not so easy to hold, this person is quite scheming, Li Shilang must be careful. ”

Zhu Suiliang is a famous smiling tiger in the court, a slippery character who does not leave his hands, and everyone looks very compatible, but this person has a black hand behind his back, but it is ruthless and spicy, once he starts, he must be the other party to death, the officials who have been rectified by him, all have no good end, the reputation among the courtiers is really not good, but he is good at being a man, and his kung fu is first-class, and the generation of emperor Li Shimin is comfortably photographed, and he has won the favor of Li Shimin, and the official position is gradually good, this time as a Huangmen squire, Unexpectedly overwhelmed many high-ranking officials and became one of the three auxiliary politicians, which shows the power of his people, Li Qianhe is in constant contact with Zhu Suiliang because of his appointment as the left servant of the Ministry of Officials, and the relationship between them is reasonable, and he didn't feel how wrong in the past, but at this time, seeing Na Long so cautiously mentioning the general, Li Qianhe didn't dare to slack off, and hurriedly responded: "A certain province can be done, please rest assured Mr. Na." ”

Na Long didn't say anything about this matter, just nodded casually, thought for a while, and said: "This matter is very important, please don't leak it easily, and wait for His Highness to make a decision before making a decision, it's not early, Li Shilang is tired from a day's work, please go back to the house early to rest." "Na Long has already issued an eviction order, Li Qianhe didn't dare to stay any longer, got up, sued for a crime, left the palace on his own, and returned to his own house without mentioning it.

"Sir, do you really want to do it at the other end of the East Palace? There is fraud in it, otherwise why should you tell me? As soon as Li Qianhe left, Yan Da quietly flashed into the inner study and asked with a puzzled face.

Na Long was silent for a long time, shook his head, and did not answer Yan Da's question, but changed the topic and said, "What news is there in the palace?" ”

Na Long didn't say anything, Yan Da didn't dare to ask more, and when he saw that Na Long asked about the things in the palace, he hurriedly said: "There is no movement in the palace, only the martial artist had a private meeting with the prince yesterday, and in addition, he seems to have a bad temperament today, so he found an excuse and punished his personal maid, for unknown reasons." ”

"Oh? Is there such a thing? Na Long was stunned for a moment, his eyes flashed, and he instructed lightly: "Yan Er will go and check it in detail, see what the inside story is, and report it as soon as there is news." As soon as he heard Nalong's words reveal the intention of expelling guests, Yan Dazi did not dare to slack off, nodded in agreement, and turned around and exited the inner study.

"Good calculation, hey, really good calculation!" Na Long muttered a few words softly in his mouth, walked to the window, looked at the bright moon in the sky, and fell into deep thought, the expression on his face was extremely complicated......

Finishing (full book)