After Li Duozuo returned from Di Renjie's mansion, he was full of joy and excitement, and began to re-establish confidence in getting rid of the cancer of the imperial court and stabilizing Li Tang's foundation. For several days in a row, he kept conspiring and exchanging letters with colleagues and people with lofty ideals in the court, and soon sorted out a complete set of evidence about the crimes of the national teachers who formed a party for personal gain, dictatorship and disorderly government, eradicated dissidents, and sold official positions.

In the past dynasties, above the treacherous court, the eagle claws and ears under the power maker are naturally like carp crossing the river. If a person who disagrees with the political views of the power-grabbers wants to plot a major scheme and give the power-grabbers a blow to the power-makers, the importance of the secrecy of the plan can be imagined. Naturally, several officials who made an appointment with Li Duozuo to share the hoe and treachery plan also knew the importance of secrecy. Otherwise, if the slightest rumor leaks out, the participants of the plan will fall into the cycle of rebirth in the blink of an eye.

One day, Li Duozuo, the general of Yulin, needed to confirm a matter with the Tobe squire about the hoe and rape plan. At that time, he came to Zhufu in a carriage, and the coachman knocked on the door for a long time before the doorman opened the door, and the coachman handed over the name thorn. The doorman originally looked tired, but when he saw that it was General Yulin who was visiting, he was suddenly in good spirits and led Li Duozuo to Zhu Ci's study to wait first.

The doorman told the housekeeper, and the housekeeper went to the bedroom of the Zhu couple and woke up the Zhu waiter who had just fallen asleep.

"What's the matter? As soon as he fell asleep, he woke me up. Zhu Ci yawned and asked a little impatiently.

"Master, it's General Li of the Yulin Army who came to visit late at night, and at this time, he is waiting for you in your study?" The housekeeper said.

"Oh? It's him? "Zhu Ci immediately realized what he was here for." You go and promise it first, and I'll be there after changing my clothes. Also, this matter should not be made public, let alone told to Mrs. Zhu Ci said sternly.

"Yes, sir." The butler turned and left.

Zhu Ci, as the second-in-command of the household department, is in a high position, but he is incorruptible, his sleeves are clean, and he has never accepted any Bing Jing from the people below. He was particularly indignant about the party style of the national teacher Ming Shiyin, but the national teacher was powerful and in the limelight, and he had to keep silent in the cracks of the imperial court.

Zhu Ci and his wife Pei have been married to Qin and Jin for about ten years, but Pei can't have children, and Zhu Ci has no children so far. However, Pei's temperament is pungent and jealous, and he categorically does not allow Zhu Ci to take concubines. On weekdays, his wife Pei Shi is also supported by her mother's family, and Zhu Ci disagrees many times, but Pei Shi turns a deaf ear. All in all, life is quite passable.

Not long after the housekeeper left, Zhu Ci came to the study, greeted him and gave up his seat, and told the housekeeper and the maid to step down.

"Brother Li, can a late-night visit be a matter of hoeing rape?" Zhu Ci asked with a fist clenched.

"Oh, Brother Zhu, there are many interruptions, many interruptions. Li came here for the rape.

"Brother Li, but it's okay to talk about it." Zhu Ci said.

"Since the beginning of our dynasty, we have strictly forbidden the bureaucracy to have the bad habit of selling official positions, because it is a desecration of national civilization and etiquette, and it is a silverfish under the vast buildings of the empire. Since the national teacher left the Western Regions and entered our own dynasty, he favored His Majesty with various foreign ways, causing His Majesty to be blinded, not listening to the words of loyalty, and believing in the charm of ghosts. The powers of the imperial court gradually fell to the party of the national teacher, and in the long run, Li Tangsheji was in danger. The national teacher is in power, and the trend of selling officials and lords is becoming more and more popular. From the local county officials to the six ministries, all of them are blowing this evil wind. As I mentioned to you last time, you have secretly recorded all those who have sold official positions to fill vacancies in a single case file through the convenience of your incumbency in the household department, and have kept them properly so that they can come in handy when necessary. I came here today in the hope that when you have put all the files in order, you can hand it over to another person for safekeeping, and it will be absolutely foolproof to hand it over to him. Li Duozuo said carefully.

"To whom?" Zhu Ci seems to be confused, but also alert.

"Taizong's surviving brother, Li Xian. As the king of the older generation, from his youth to the present year, he only knows how to raise flowers and birds, dance the piano and make ink. The three daughters under his knees are all stupid. I have no intention of political affairs all my life, and I don't care about the situation. Even the current empress not only praised him for his chic forgetfulness, but also treated him with courtesy, and even had a trace of gratitude and awe, because when the empress had the heart to ascend the throne, he also voted in favor of the unprecedented. Li Duozuo paused and took a sip of tea.

After that, he put down the teacup and continued: "Five years ago, Li Xian was seriously ill, and the empress actually went to visit him in person, which shows the empress's admiration for him. Now that time has passed, the empress is getting older and older, and she is even obsessed with men and immortality, and the number of visits to Li Xian is becoming less and less, not to mention the people in the court. Therefore, it is basically impossible for the national teacher to pay attention to an old man in his twilight, and even if he has a heart, he will retreat because of Li Xian's status in the eyes of the empress. Although Li Xian didn't ask about the government, his heart was bright. He didn't want to provoke Hongchen trivial matters, but he would never want to see the Li family's world change hands. Therefore, it is most appropriate and safest for us to hand over all the evidence in our hands to him. Take 10,000 steps back, even if we fail and are caught, the fruits of our hard work will still be there. Li Duozuo shared his inner thoughts and thoughts, and looked at Zhu Ci with expectant eyes.

"Brother Li, you are still thoughtful, when I have summarized the case file, I will ask you to hand it over to Li Xian's old county king for safekeeping." Zhu Ci said.

After the two finished talking, Zhu Ci personally sent Li Duozuo outside the house.

At this time, the housekeeper was chatting with Li Duozuo's coachman outside the door, and the housekeeper saw the owner of the house sending the guests out, so he was busy lighting Li Duozuo's light. Zhu Ci stood at the head of the door and saw Li Duozuo's carriage disappear into the night, before turning back.

At the north end of Qinglong Street, a gorgeous tavern, in a private room on the second floor. Shangguan Wan'er was chatting with Pei Baohu, and under the Zhu window opposite the wine table, a woman from the Western Regions who played the huqin and chanted Hu Qu loomed in the curtain of the evening wind.

"Miss Shangguan, I can't imagine that you are so partial to the rhythm of the Western Regions." Pei Baohu said.

"I grew up in the Western Regions, I have a soft spot for the music and rhythm of the Western Regions, when my parents were bullied to death, I was sold to the eunuch's house as a child, because of my excellent singing skills, I was dedicated to the palace as a singer, until I was appreciated by His Majesty, I only sang to her alone. Until now, if Your Majesty is in a bad mood, I will sing a song for her to relieve her sorrows. Shangguan Wan'er recalled her tragic childhood experience in the rhythm of the Western Regions, and at the end of her words, a layer of silver light flashed in her eyes.

Pei Baohu looked at this, and couldn't help but take out his brocade and gently hand it to her.

"Hehe, let Pei Gongzi smile." Shangguan Wan'er took the Jinpa and gently wiped away the tears from the corners of her eyes.

"Miss Shangguan, there is a peerless treasure in my mansion, which I accidentally obtained when I went to the Western Regions to destroy the demon clan last year." Pei Baohu suddenly changed into an excited tone, and deliberately betrayed Guan Zidao.

"Treasure, what treasure?" Shangguan Wan'er asked.

"Midori." Pei Baohu said leisurely.

"What? Luqi? I've heard that Lu Qi is a famous piano in the world, and you are really blessed to be able to get it. Shangguan Wan'er said in surprise.

"The best piano in the world, only the most beautiful people in the world deserve to play it. Therefore, Miss Shangguan, when will you be willing to go to our house with a face, and play a song with Luqi in person. If the bullet satisfies my son, I will give the green qi to the girl. Pei Baohu seemed to be teasing, as if he was affectionate, and his eyes looked straight at Shangguan Wan'er.

When Shangguan Wan'er heard this, her cheeks suddenly turned crimson. didn't answer Pei Baohu, but stood up and walked to the window, staring at the full moon hanging high, thinking, still...

Is this a heart-warming feeling? Why never had it before. The Empress regarded me as her own daughter, and I found the warmth of my long-lost mother from her. I began to wonder if I chose to meet the person in front of me at this moment in order not to make her happy. Or maybe it's because I want to protect my sense of superiority forever, and deliberately keep a close distance from the person in front of me.

Originally, I didn't want to think about anything, I just wanted to be by the side of the Empress's mother. I am so afraid of the outside world, because I have been sold and hurt by it again and again, as if my soul has been stripped away again and again. Am I going to stand by the Empress's side forever, or... It's better for me to stand there alone, because my mother will go before me one day. Only when I am at the top of my power can no one hurt me anymore, and the world can no longer abandon me, because the whole world is turning in the palm of my hand......

"Miss Shangguan, what's wrong, is it my words, a little abrupt, offending the girl." Pei Baohu walked to the side of the Shangguan girl and asked softly.

"No, Childe, I just saw the full moon and remembered my former parents." Shangguan Wan'er said,

"When I have a chance in the future, I will take you to your homeland and go around." Pei Baohu gently put his arm on Shangguan Wan'er's graceful waist, and Shangguan Wan'er didn't shirk it.

"Well, okay. You have to say what you say. Shangguan Wan'er said.

"That's natural, when did my eldest son Pei deceive someone?" Pei Baohu said with a smile.

"I mean, didn't you just say you wanted to give it to me?" Shangguan Wan'er said delicately, her eyes were full of the girl's soft autumn waves.

"I said I would give it to you, but only if you go to my house and play a beautiful song for me yourself." Pei Baohu joked word by word.

"Okay, this girl will wait until the autumn rain will continue another day, and then I will stroke a song for you." Shangguan Wan'er said arrogantly.

"Why do you have to wait until it rains, isn't it nice to have a bright sun?" Pei Baohu said.

"Don't you think it's raining to match the sound of the piano?" Shangguan Wan'er turned around and returned to her seat, continuing to listen to the singer of the Western Regions in front of the other window.