Ximen Dazhuang listened to Zhao Rang's explanation, and couldn't help but crack the corners of his mouth and laugh insolently.

Wei Shihan's gaze was cold and redundant.

Through the crowd and the firelight, her heart suddenly tightened, and she immediately said to Zhao Rang:

"Zhao Gongzi, Ximen Gongzi, I just thought about it, there are still important things to do, I have to go back to the house, I can't continue to accompany the two, and please Zhao Gongzi and Ximen Gongzi don't blame, when the coming day is free, I must come with the piano and play a solo song for the two sons!"

Zhao Rang could naturally hear the evasion in Wei Shihan's words, but he didn't know what she was hiding.

As a famous talented woman in the imperial city, there is a prince standing behind her, and there are really few who can make her retreat.

Ximen Dazhuang was very disappointed by Wei Shihan's sudden farewell, and was about to say something to save him, but he heard Zhao Rang say:

"Delaying the girl's time for most of the day, we are already embarrassed! The girl has something to do, even if she is busy, don't worry about idlers like us. ”

Wei Shihan saluted, then turned around and left.

Ximen Dazhuang's words were blocked in his throat by what Zhao Rang said just now, and he couldn't go up or down, after all, he sighed, and that's it.

In a short time, a column of horses came through the firelight.

"Brother Jean, it seems that I am here for you!"

Zhao Rang nodded.

Not only did he see that the caravan was coming for him, but he also recognized who the leader was.

It was the commander of the forbidden army who had an old relationship with the Investigation Division, Commander Wei.

"Commander Wei...... Also surnamed Wei! ”

Zhao Rang muttered to himself.

Immediately remembering that Wei Shihan suddenly left just now, he couldn't help frowning slightly.

Commander Wei waved his hand, and the horse team immediately surrounded Zhao Rang and Ximen Dazhuang. His gaze was grim, sweeping over the two of them, and the corners of his mouth hooked up with an imperceptible sneer.

"Two sons, I'm sorry. Tonight, you'll have to come with me. As Commander Wei spoke, his soldiers had already stepped forward, and without saying a word, they put Zhao Rang and Ximen Dazhuang on horseback, and their movements were extremely rude.

Simon Dazhuang was shocked and angry, and struggled and shouted, "What are you doing here? Why arrest people? ”

Zhao Rang's face was calm, as if he had expected all this. He glanced at Commander Wei deeply, and he already understood seven or eight points in his heart.

Commander Wei turned a deaf ear to Ximen Dazhuang's shouts, and just coldly ordered his subordinates:

"Blindfold them, plug their ears, and don't let them snoop on half of the secret."

The soldiers responded and quickly blindfolded Zhao Rang and Ximen Dazhuang with black cloths, and plugged their ears with strips of cloth.

For a moment, the two fell into darkness and silence, and only their own rapid breathing could be heard.

The team set off again, galloping into the night. Zhao Rang and Ximen Dazhuang were tightly tied to their horses, unable to move.

They didn't know where they were going to be taken, and they didn't know what fate awaited them, but they could all feel that all of this was inextricably linked to the sudden departure of Wei Shihan.

The horse team traveled for a long time, and finally stopped. The soldiers untied Zhao Rang and Ximen Dazhuang from their horses and shoved them into a gloomy prison.

The cell was dark and damp, and the air was thick with the smell of musty and blood.

There was a mess of straw and rags in the corner, and a few rats were scurrying around in them.

Zhao Rang and Ximen Dazhuang were put in a prison cell. After the soldiers left, they were finally able to remove the black cloth from their eyes and ears.

Simon Dazhuang looked around and couldn't help but shudder:

"Brother Jean, where are we? Why did they arrest us? ”

Zhao Rang shook his head gently:

"I don't know what they're trying to do. However, I'm sure it all has to do with Wei Shihan. ”

Ximen Dazhuang was stunned when he heard this:

"Miss Wei? Why would she do it? ”

Zhao Rang sighed:

"I don't know. Perhaps, she has something unspeakable. ”

The two of them were relatively speechless in their cells, their hearts full of doubts and uneasiness.

It was as if time had become incredibly long in this moment. The occasional sound of soldiers patrolling and the groans of prisoners outside the cell made the prison even more eerie.

After some time, the door of the cell suddenly opened, and a man dressed in black walked in.

He carried a lantern in his hand, and the dim light reflected an eerie face.

"Which of you is Zhao Rang?"

The man in black asked coldly.

Zhao Rang stood up and replied calmly:

"I am."

The man in black looked him up and down a few times, and a sneer hooked up at the corner of his mouth:

"Good. Come with me, someone wants to see you. ”

Zhao Rang glanced at Ximen Dazhuang and signaled him not to worry. Then, he followed the man in black out of his cell.

Through a long hallway, they came to a secret room.

The man in black pushed open the door and motioned for Zhao to let in.

The moment the door opened, Zhao Rang realized that this was not a secret room.

Or rather, the door that looked like a secret room gave him the illusion that there must be a secret room behind the door.

Behind the door is a spacious yard.

During this season, it is cold in the open yard.

Although the courtyard wall can block most of the north wind, if people stand in the courtyard, they will still be exposed to the cold air.

"You really shouldn't have set that fire tonight."

An extremely familiar voice sounded by Zhao Rang, it was the Seventh Prince, Yuan Mingkong!

Zhao Rang didn't show much surprise, as if he had expected to see Yuan Mingkong here.

He smiled faintly and said:

"Seventh Prince, you shouldn't let people arrest me."

Yuan Ming stood in the middle of the courtyard with his hands in his hands, the moonlight shining on his body, but it could not illuminate the deep darkness in his eyes.

He said coldly:

"If I hadn't arrested you, how would you have come here obediently?"

Zhao Rang smiled noncommittally, his eyes looking around the courtyard.

This courtyard looks ordinary, but it exudes an eerie atmosphere.

Seeing that Zhao Rang didn't speak, Yuan Mingkong continued to ask:

"Do you know why I'm arresting you?"

Zhao Rang shook his head and said:

"I don't know. But I don't think it's because I set that fire. ”

The chill on Yuan Mingkong's face was even better:

"Of course that fire doesn't matter to me, the question is why did you arrange for the fifth brother's people to do it?"

Zhao Rang shrugged his shoulders and said with great ease:

"I was going to go in person, but this man just happened to pop up and say he could help. You know I'm lazy, and when I hear someone helping, I can't wait to kowtow to him three times and beg him to do it immediately. ”

Yuan Mingkong sneered and asked:

"When you kowtowed to him three times, how did you become diligent again?"

Zhao Rang pouted and said:

"Kowtowing is not a hassle for me. I'm not a prince, I've learned to kowtow and bend over since I was born in this life! ”

Hearing this, Yuan Mingkong slowly turned around.

Zhao Rang saw that his shoulders suddenly began to shake violently.

"Haha......"

"Hahaha!"

"Brother, or you! Commander Wei, Shihan, come out, I'll just say that the Spring Festival Night Banquet will not be managed by my brother for me, and it will never work! ”

It turned out that all this was the design of Commander Wei.

Ever since he knew that the emperor had handed over the work of this year's Spring Festival Banquet to the Seventh Emperor Yuan Mingkong, he immediately sent someone to contact him.

Commander Wei is in control of the entire forbidden army, and the secret guard of the forbidden palace is in one thought.

Even if the five princes have returned to the dynasty now and are jointly acting with him to ban military objects, the emperor's secret decree is still quietly placed in his drawer.

It is clearly mentioned in the secret decree that once an accident occurs in the forbidden palace, except for the emperor himself, everything in the forbidden army will be decided by Wei Commander alone.

Therefore, after hearing Yuan Mingkong tell him that Zhao Rangxiang had invited Zhao Rangxiang to help him about the Spring Festival Night Banquet, Commander Wei expressed great concern.

The main reason is because of the relationship between Zhao Rang and the Investigation Division.

As the commander of the forbidden army, Commander Wei has always been hostile to the Investigation Division.

In his eyes, the Investigation Division is a group of bastards who rely on the special power of the emperor and act extremely arrogantly.

Of course, the deeper reason, he never said.

Even if everyone knew, he wouldn't admit it.

Yuan Mingkong's laughter echoed in the night sky, with an indescribable mockery and pride.

Zhao Rang stood there quietly, without the slightest expression on his face.

He had expected all of this, and there was not the slightest hint of surprise or fear in his heart.

Commander Wei and Wei Shihan walked out of the shadows.

Commander Wei's face was gloomy, and his gaze was as cold as a knife.

And Wei Shihan had a complicated expression, looking at Zhao Rang with both apology and helplessness in his eyes.

"Zhao Gongzi, I'm sorry."

Commander Wei said coldly.

"Tonight's events are a last resort. Please also Zhao Gongzi Haihan. ”

Zhao Rang smiled lightly and said:

"Commander Wei said seriously. I'm just a nobody, how dare I bother the commander so much? ”

Yuan Mingkong walked over, patted Zhao Rang's shoulder, and said:

"Brother, don't blame Commander Wei. He also did this to ensure that the Spring Festival Night Banquet was foolproof. ”

As soon as Yuan Mingkong's words fell, the courtyard fell into a brief silence.

Zhao Rang turned his head slightly, his gaze slowly swept over the faces of Yuan Mingkong, Wei Commander and Wei Shihan, and finally landed on a dead tree in the corner of the courtyard.

The tree had been dead for a long time, and its bare branches swayed gently in the cold wind, revealing an indescribable desolation and strangeness.

"Foolproof?"

Zhao Rang gently repeated these four words, and the corners of his mouth hooked up an imperceptible sneer,

"In order to make sure that nothing goes wrong, you have to arrest nobodies like me here and put on this good show?"

Yuan Mingkong didn't seem to expect Zhao Rang to ask such a rhetorical question, he was slightly stunned for a moment, and then laughed:

"Brother Zhao, not only are you very wise, but even this courage makes Yuan admire him tightly. Yes, tonight's incident was indeed planned by me and Commander Wei. However, we are forced to do so. ”

Speaking of this, he paused, and his gaze became deep:

"Brother Zhao, do you know what this Spring Festival Banquet means to my great power?"

Zhao Rang smiled noncommittally: "I would like to hear about it." ”

Yuan Mingkong took a deep breath and said slowly:

"Since the founding of Emperor Taizu, the annual Spring Festival Banquet has been one of the most important events of our Great Wei Dynasty. This is not just a palace banquet, but also a political game. In this game, all forces will do their best to show their strength and wisdom. And this year's Spring Festival Banquet is particularly important. ”

He paused, then continued:

"Because at this year's Spring Festival Night Banquet, the next heir to the throne will be decided."

Zhao Rang's heart moved when he heard this, but his face was still as calm as water:

"Oh? In this way, whether it is the third prince or the fifth prince, they must want to take the opportunity of this Spring Festival banquet to win the heir in one fell swoop? ”

Yuan Mingkong nodded, and a hint of fierceness flashed in his eyes:

"Not bad. The third prince and the fifth prince are both popular candidates for succession. They have their own forces behind them, and they have been fighting openly and secretly. And this Spring Festival Night Banquet is the place where they will finally fight. ”

As he spoke, he suddenly turned to look at Zhao Rang, and his gaze became extremely firm:

"Brother Zhao, I know that you have a close relationship with the Investigation Division, and the Investigation Division is a sharp sword in the hands of His Majesty the Emperor. I don't ask you to be on my side, but I just ask you not to let me fall into a place of no return. ”

Zhao Rang couldn't help frowning when he heard Yuan Mingkong's words. He knew that he had been drawn into the whirlpool of this battle for succession. Whether he wants it or not, he can't stay out of it.

He glanced at Yuan Mingkong deeply and said slowly:

"Your Royal Highness the Seventh Prince, you think too highly of me. How can I, Zhao Rang, have the ability to influence the overall situation? ”

Yuan Mingkong smiled when he heard this, and said:

"Brother Zhao is too modest. Your resourcefulness and courage have been seen by someone in my own eyes. I believe that if you want to, you will be able to play a pivotal role in this game. ”

Zhao Rang didn't speak, just stood there quietly, as if thinking about something.

Yuan Mingkong didn't speak again, just quietly waited for Zhao Rang's answer.

Zhao Rang is a smart person, and he must be able to see the stakes of this game.

After a long time, Zhao Rang finally raised his head, looked into Yuan Mingkong's eyes and said:

"Seven Princes, I can promise you that I won't let you fall into a place of no return at a critical moment. However, I also have one condition. ”

When Yuan Mingkong heard this, a hint of joy flashed in his eyes, but then he regained his calm.

"Brother Zhao, please say, as long as Yuan can do it, he will do his best."

Zhao Rang said lightly: "My condition is very simple, that is, I hope that the Seventh Prince can ensure the safety of my family and friends. ”

Yuan Mingkong couldn't help but be slightly stunned when he heard this condition.

He obviously didn't expect that Zhao Rang would make such a request.

But soon, he understood Zhao Rang's concerns.

In this kind of competition, either side is likely to take extreme measures to achieve its goals, and it is reasonable for Zhao Rang to worry that his family and friends will become victims of this game.

Thinking of this, Yuan Mingkong nodded and said solemnly:

"Brother Zhao, don't worry, I will definitely agree to this condition. Not only promise, but definitely will do! ”

Zhao Rang heard this, and the worries in his heart were slightly lightened.

At least the Yuan Mingkong he knew was a man of his word.

So, he nodded and said:

"Okay, then I promise you the same."

Yuan Mingkong was overjoyed when he heard this, and stepped forward and held Zhao Rang's hand tightly:

"Thank you, brother! I won't let you down! ”

Zhao Rang smiled faintly and didn't say anything.

After all, he knew very well that there wasn't much he could do.

As the night deepened, the cold wind in the yard grew colder.

Yuan Mingkong was in a good mood, he pulled Zhao Rang, walked back to the room, and ordered someone to bring wine and food, and at the same time, he also invited Ximen Dazhuang, to have a drink with these two old friends from the Western Regions.

Zhao Rang did not refuse.

From this moment on, he was officially involved in the fray.

Yuan Mingkong suddenly asked:

"Brother Zhao, do you think who will win in the end in this battle for succession?"

Zhao Rang put down his wine glass and said lightly:

"Your Highness, this is a question you should ask yourself."

Yuan Mingkong was stunned for a moment, and then laughed:

"What Brother Zhao said is that this question should indeed be asked to myself."

He paused, and his face suddenly became serious:

"However, Brother Zhao, there is one thing that I have never been able to understand."

"Oh? What could make His Highness so confused? ”

"It's the existence of the Investigation Division."

Yuan Mingkong said,

"I have always felt that the Investigation Division is a sharp sword in the hands of my father, which is used to balance the forces of the court. However, the sword was too sharp. Once out of control, it is likely to injure itself. What does Brother Zhao think about this? ”

When Zhao Rang heard this question, he felt his heart pierced.

Yuan Mingkong was testing his attitude towards the Investigation Division.

He thought for a moment, and said like mud:

"Your Highness, the existence of the Investigation Division is indeed a double-edged sword. But as long as it is properly mastered, it can become an important force in maintaining the stability of the imperial court. ”

Yuan Mingkong listened to this answer and couldn't help but nodded.

Zhao Rang is not lying, the Investigation Division is indeed a double-edged sword, and this is one of the reasons why he has high hopes for Zhao Rang.

Because Zhao Rang has a close relationship with the Investigation Division, one day, he will definitely have the ability to influence the movement of the Investigation Division.

A glimmer of light flashed in Yuan Mingkong's eyes, and he seemed to hear a deeper meaning in Zhao Rang's words.

Zhao Rang is not a simple man of wisdom, his mind is deep, and it is not so easy to be seen through.

"Brother Zhao, there seems to be a lot of mystery hidden in your words."

Yuan Mingkong said with a smile, with a bit of playfulness in his eyes.

Zhao Rang shook his head slightly, his smile was a little mysterious:

"Your Highness, how can there be so many mysteries in this world? I just think that the existence of the Investigation Division is both a threat and an opportunity for the imperial court. ”

"Brother Zhao, I remember your words."

Yuan Mingkong said, a hint of firmness flashed in his eyes,

"I'll be careful with the Investigation Division."

Zhao Rang smiled slightly, he knew that Yuan Mingkong had understood what he meant.

The power of the Investigation Division is not so easy to control.

But as long as Yuan Mingkong has enough wisdom and courage, he may not be able to control this double-edged sword.

"Your Highness, we can discuss the matter of the Investigation Division slowly."

Zhao Rang said.

"Now, let's have a drink first."

Yuan Mingkong laughed, he raised his glass and clinked glasses with Zhao Rang:

"Okay, drink!"

The glasses of the two collided in the air with a crisp sound.

Ximen Dazhuang looked at the two of them from the side, and there was a little envy in his eyes.

The dialogue between Zhao Rang and Yuan Mingkong has already touched the core of the imperial court. Since he was present, the Simon family could not stay out of this storm.

"Brother Zhao, in fact, I came to you tonight, in addition to the Spring Festival Night Banquet, I have one more thing I want to ask."

Zhao Rang smiled slightly and said, "Your Highness, please speak." ”

"It's about Wei Shihan."

"What's wrong with Miss Wei?"

He asked deliberately.

"Brother Zhao should also see it, Shihan her...... She has some affection for me. ”

Yuan Mingkong said, with a look of embarrassment on his face.

"However, I never accepted her. I don't want to miss a big thing because of my children's affection. ”

"It is indeed wise for Your Highness to think like this."

Zhao Rang said.

However, Miss Wei is a woman after all, and she also has her own feelings and thoughts. His Royal Highness has been rejecting her like this, I'm afraid it's not a solution. ”

Yuan Mingkong sighed and said:

"Why don't I know that?"

As he spoke, he suddenly looked at Zhao Rang, and a trace of determination flashed in his eyes.

"Brother Zhao, I want to ask you to do me a favor."

"Your Highness, please speak."

"I want to ask Brother Zhao to persuade Shihan to give up her thoughts about me."

Yuan Mingkong said.

Zhao Rang was stunned when he heard this, and then smiled bitterly.

"Your Highness, I'm afraid I can't help with this favor."

He shook his head and said:

"Miss Wei's mind is not something I can control."

Yuan Mingkong looked at Zhao Rang's smile and suddenly understood.

He smiled self-deprecatingly and said:

"It seems that there seems to be a lot of friendship between Brother Zhao and Miss Wei."

Zhao Rang didn't answer, just smiled slightly.

Yuan Mingkong didn't ask again, he raised his wine glass and drank it all.

"That's it, that's it. Children are long, heroes are short-breathed. ”

He muttered to himself, putting down his glass, a hint of determination flashing in his eyes.

Zhao Rang looked at Yuan Mingkong's appearance, and couldn't help but sigh secretly in his heart.

Yuan Mingkong is an ambitious person, and what he wants is not only the love of his children, but also the supreme chair.

But on this path, there are bound to be countless sacrifices and choices.

Yuan Mingkong stood up suddenly, he walked to the window, looking at the night outside the window, his back looked a little lonely.

"Brother Zhao, do you know? Actually, I envy you sometimes. ”

His voice was a little ethereal, as if he was talking to himself.

"Envy me?"

Zhao Rang couldn't help but be a little amused, he shook his head and said:

"What do I have to envy?"

Yuan Mingkong turned around and looked at Zhao Rang, with an indescribable complex emotion in his eyes.

"I envy your freedom, I envy your unrestrainedness."

He said.

"You can do what you want and don't have to think too much about the consequences. And I'll never be like you. ”

Zhao Rang listened to Yuan Mingkong's words, and an inexplicable feeling suddenly surged in his heart.

The freedom that Yuan Mingkong said is not real freedom, but in this chaotic world, he can still maintain his original intention and not be bound by the world.

And this kind of freedom is exactly what he has always been pursuing.

The two looked at each other speechlessly, and for a moment, the room fell silent.

Zhao Rang took a deep breath, and his gaze fell on the distant sky through the window lattice.

That sky seemed to be the free land that his heart longed for.

"Brother Yuan, maybe you only see my superficial freedom, but you don't know the restraint in my heart."

He spoke slowly, with a hint of helplessness in his voice.

"Everyone has their own shackles, and no matter where they are, they can't really get rid of them. All you want to pursue is a moment of peace of mind. ”

When Yuan Mingkong heard this, a trace of amazement flashed in his eyes, but he was quickly replaced by firmness.

Zhao Rang is right!

True freedom is never something outside the body, but a liberation from within.