In order to welcome Xue Bai, Yang Yuyao prepared some objects in the boudoir earlier.

The incense burner is filled with ylang-ylang pollen, and the candlestick is filled with red wedding candles...... But it didn't work.

Only the soft and smooth silk futon in the goose pear tent was crushed and soaked with sweat.

Xue Bai thoughtfully comforted Yang Yuyao, she cried and fell asleep in his arms, and when she woke up the next day, she finally understood his late return, and her resentment subsided a little.

"My boy has grown into a man's husband."

Xue Bai woke up, still a little confused, and felt a little bit when he heard the words, touched her hair, and said, "I will protect you in the future." ”

Yang Yuyao didn't want his protection, smiled, remembered his intentions, and said angrily: "Is it comfortable to go back to Chang'an?" You have to stay in a small county town and not come back. ”

The bed under him is like a cloud, and the beauty in his arms is like jade, Xue Bai is of course comfortable, but he has hidden thoughts in his heart, and he still can't enjoy it with peace of mind after all.

"Is my brother's funeral finished?"

"The funeral was sent, and the spirit tablets were sent to the Great Ci'en Temple." Yang Yuyao sighed, "There are few people in the family, and the funeral is simple." ”

Enlightening this topic, she said that Yang Guozhong often mentioned in front of their sisters that "if Xue Bai returns early, Brother will not die" and so on.

"My cousin probably complains about you, but you can explain it to him clearly, and he is now very trusted by the saint."

Xue Bai had actually found out about some of Yang Guozhong's recent small actions, but he didn't slander Yang Yuyao in front of him, and responded: "It should be ......."

As she spoke, Mingzhu knocked on the door and pushed the door in.

"I didn't dare to disturb last night, but the concubine handed over an edict and invited Yao Niang and Xue Lang to the Calyx Tower for a banquet, saying that it was a family banquet, so there was no need to be too restrained."

"It seems that the saint and Yuhuan are still thinking of you, have you brought them gifts?"

Xue Bai is a person who mixes officialdom, and he should be exquisite, but this time he came back from the local area, but he was not interested in the imperial banquet, and the gifts were not prepared, and there were only some small local products sent by the Yanshi villagers in his luggage.

~~

"Zheng—"

It was a luodian rosewood five-string pipa, and after Li Longji took it, he flicked it casually, making a crisp and mellow sound like a jade bead walking on a plate.

He couldn't help but praise it, turned his head to look at Yang Guozhong, and said with a smile: "Where did Aiqing get the treasure?" ”

"It was specially ordered by the minister to make it, and it took two whole years to finally make this pipa. The so-called 'muddy into red sandalwood gold dust text, make the sound of the pipa into the clouds', so the minister uses the whole body of red sandalwood as the material; the folk pipa mostly uses four strings, but the sage is the ninety-five supreme, the skill is superb, so the minister specially made five strings; these thirteen six-petaled small flowers, the petals are inlaid by tortoiseshell, and the stamen is filled with amber......"

Yang Guozhong got up and talked eloquently about his gifts, which showed his loyalty and carefulness, and Li Longji was very happy.

He couldn't help but be a little proud, and glanced at Xue Bai to observe his reaction.

Xue Bai was sitting at the back of the small table, with a solemn face, and he didn't know what he was thinking, as if he wasn't listening to Yang Guozhong at all.

It wasn't until a little eunuch called out to him that he came back to his senses.

"Xue Lang? Xue Lang? It's your turn. ”

Xue Bai hurriedly came back to his senses and looked at Li Longji who was on the head. As for Yang Yuhuan next to him, he didn't dare to look at it today.

"You kid, are you tired after a trip? No spirit at all. Li Longji held the wine glass and said with a smile: "Yang Qing gave me a pipa, and if you come to compose a song, it will be a gift you brought to me." ”

Xue Bai got up and responded: "Back to the saint, the minister is not tired, but he feels ashamed of his brother, and his mood is heavy, and he is really in no mood to compose a song, please forgive the saint." ”

When he came back, more than half a month had passed since Yang Chen's death, and Li Longji had already walked out of his grief and recovered to singing and dancing.

"The saint is loving, let the ministers worship, the ministers are afraid and grateful, and regard the uncle as the elder brother and the concubine as the elder sister." Xue Bai said again, "Now my brother has died, and the minister hasn't even seen ...... last time."

Li Longji sighed, looked sideways, and saw Yang Yuhuan wiping the corners of his eyes with a handkerchief, and finally sighed. At this age, he is actually quite afraid of birth, old age, sickness and death.

He originally thought that the skow between the Yang family and Xue Bai was a joke, after all, there was everything behind his back, and the third sister-in-law and Xue Bai were fighting in the name of sister and brother, and it was said that they were playing too much, but he didn't expect to see the deep brotherhood between them today.

"Sit down, it's so hard to get better, and you're making her cry again."

"The minister is guilty."

Li Linfu watched calmly, looked at Yang Guozhong and Xue Bai, and thought that between giving gifts and not giving gifts, he made a judgment.

Although Xue Bai did not make the saint happy, he moved Yang Guifei, and the sadness and seriousness on his face showed his concern for the old feelings. In comparison, Yang Guozhong is a little floating, when he really encounters something, who is more reliable, everyone naturally knows in their hearts.

In addition, Xue Bai really seems to have a faint intention to avoid suspicion with Yang Guifei, and there is no trace of this matter, only after speculating about it, can there be a trace of awareness.

Li Linfu looked sideways at the eunuchs behind Gao Lishi, and saw that Wu Huaishi's eyes were looking between Xue Bai and Yang Guifei. So he thought again, was it because Xue Bai offended Wu Huaishi that he was framed like this, otherwise how could Xue Bai dare to kill himself?

He has framed countless political enemies, and he has never dared to plant such a crime on anyone.

After that, Li Linfu thought of one more thing, Chen Xilie transferred Xue Bai back to Chang'an without authorization, if it wasn't for the concubine's instructions, how could he dare?

……

At the same time, Xue Bai also felt the slightly hostile gazes of Li Linfu and Yang Guozhong, but he didn't take it to heart.

Li Linfu is anxious, and before he deals with Wang Jie, he must not make enemies again.

As for Yang Guozhong, he obviously has a competitive mind.

Yang Guozhong's promotion is fast, he is relied on by saints, he wears many hats, and he almost controls the Yang Party; But Xue Bai didn't take this path at all, he was born as a champion, started as a school scholar, and made political achievements step by step in the appointment of county lieutenant, although the official position of Chang'an county lieutenant is small, it is the attention of the world.

This is the most dignified official career, and the prestige accumulated is far more important than the official rank. There is such a thing as an official rank, which can be degraded if it is said to be degraded, but who can depreciate the prestige of a famous minister?

Xue Bai has come this far, why is it necessary to compete with a fortunate minister? Compare gifts with a courtier? I lost my identity for no reason......

~~

Outside Xingqing Palace.

Diao Bing raised his head and looked at the brightly lit Calyx Xianghui Building, still feeling in a dream.

It was the first time in his life that he came to Chang'an, and he was amazed by everything he saw, the majestic city walls, the straight and broad streets, and the dazzling array of markets...... Before he could recover from the shock, he was taken outside the palace.

"Ah Geng, pinch me again."

"Since yesterday, I've pinched more than ten times, and my brother is not afraid that I will pinch you."

Diao Bing couldn't talk normally, he sometimes looked at the Beiya forbidden army who were patrolling back and forth in full armor, and sometimes looked at the pedestrians in splendid clothes in the distance, and felt that they were living a completely different life from him.

For example, the streets of Chang'an City are all paved with stone slabs, and even if it rains, it will not easily make muddy and dirty shoes, and Diao Bing never thought of such convenience before. He is the one who has to take off the straw sandals and stuff them into his arms on a rainy day, and he doesn't know how much he has to be favored by God to be born in Chang'an.

Xue Bai brought him from the ravine to Chang'an, and the feeling he brought was indescribable, and probably no one in this life could stir his heart again.

What is rare is that Diao Bing is wearing a brand-new martial robe today and stepping on a pair of boots, he can't embarrass Lang Jun.

"The villain asks to see the saint!"

Ahead, suddenly a few people ran in a panic and rushed straight to Tongyangmen.

The forbidden army guarding the palace gate stepped forward with a halberd, blocked these people, and shouted: "Retreat!" Who dares to trespass on the palace gate?! ”

"General, the villain wants to cry out to the saint! My family Langjun is the nephew of the saint, and he was arrested by the Chang'an County Government for no reason......"

"Retreat! Withdraw! Withdraw! ”

The forbidden sergeant shouted, shouted for the third time, and pushed hard, directly pushing these servants to the ground, falling and rolling on the ground, and one of them was rolling to the feet of the Diao brothers.

Diao Bing hurriedly took two steps back, so as not to be pulled by the other party.

At the same time, he furrowed his brows, thinking that this matter was related to the Chang'an County Ya, but it didn't involve his own Langjun, the newly appointed Chang'an County Lieutenant.

The servant at his feet fell to the ground and didn't dare to get up, but shouted loudly: "My family Langjun is the nephew of a saint, and he was taken by Chang'an County for no reason......"

Suddenly, a chariot and a horse came.

"Princess Yongmu and the concubine have arrived, asking to see the saint!"

At this time, many eunuchs had actually been alarmed, and they rushed to the palace gate, and the matter seemed to have been made big.

The Diao brothers were just guards who came to the banquet with Xue Bai, and they were quickly pushed aside. Diao Geng was curious, relying on his tall stature, and stood on tiptoe to watch.

"Let me see it too."

A majestic General of the Dragon Martial Army squeezed in from behind, stood beside them, and asked, "What happened?" ”

"It seems that the saint's nephew was taken."

"Really? Let me see. ”

When Diao Bing first arrived in Chang'an, he didn't know anything, but he didn't expect the general of the Long Wu Army next to him to talk about it very familiarly.

"So that's the case, that is the concubine Wang Xuan, the one standing in the front wearing a red robe, and he is married to the eldest daughter of the emperor, Princess Yongmu. Wang Xuan's life experience is not ordinary, but after the prime minister of the Eastern Jin Dynasty, the Langya Wang family, their family has been a colt from Jin and Chen to now. His mother is Princess Ding'an, do you know who Princess Ding'an is? ”

"I don't know." Diao Bing shook his head, he was a mud leg, and he was already confused when he heard this.

"Princess Ding'an is the daughter of Emperor Zhongzong and has married three husbands in her life."

This General of the Long Wu Army likes to talk about these nonsense things, and he speaks energetically, and his eyes are shining.

"Princess Ding'an married Wang Tongjiao first and gave birth to Wang Jiao, but Wang Tongjiao planned to take advantage of the funeral of Empress Wu in the second year of Shenlong, and ambushed archers to shoot Wu Sansi, and was beheaded for treason."

"Rebellion?"

"Yes. Princess Ding'an then married Wei Hao, a brother of Empress Wei, and gave birth to Wei Hui. Later, after the saint and Princess Taiping killed Wei, Wei Hao was also convicted of treason and killed. ”

Diao Bing was very surprised, and felt that the people in Chang'an City were as simple as eating when they talked about rebellion.

Then, Princess Ding'an married her last concubine, Cui Miao. Hey, here's the fun...... A few years ago, Princess Ding'an passed away before Cui Miao, and Wang Miao hoped to bury his parents together, that is, to bury Princess Ding'an and Wang Tongjiao together, of course Cui Mian disagreed, and the two sides made a big fuss. Then an official in Chang'an said, 'The princess is out of love with the Wang family, and she is in the Cui family, even if she is willing to be buried with your grandfather, I'm afraid that your grandfather is still unwilling!' Wang Xuan was angry and ran to complain to the saint. The sage decided that Princess Anding should be buried with Cui Miao, but thought that the official spoke harshly and was relegated to Luzhou. ”

"But that's right." Diao Bing scratched his head and said, "Even in our countryside, we have to be buried with our last husband, how can we be demoted?" ”

"Each of them has fifty boards, and the saint also has to give face to the Wang family, so it is others who suffer."

Saying that, General Long Wujun looked at the quarrel over there, and said: "I can see it, it turns out that Wei will be taken by the Chang'an County Ya, and his half-brother Wang Xuan has come forward." ”

Diao Bing asked, "But why was it taken?" ”

"I must have gone to the teaching workshop to flirt with the musicians again, let me tell you, Wei Hui is a prodigal, this is famous in Chang'an City, about a year ago, there was a case in this matter......"

While speaking, Wang Miao and Princess Yongmu were finally summoned by the saint and entered the Xingqing Palace. After that, one of the great generals glanced over to the side where they were, and drank.

"Guo Qianli! Stand there muttering something? ”

"Here we are."

Only then did Guo Qianli remember to make a "shhh ”

After that, he lifted his belt, strode into Xingqing Palace, climbed the calyx tower, and continued to watch the excitement......

~~

In the tenth year of Kaiyuan, Princess Yongmu married Wang Xuan, and Li Longji ordered the Rite House to prepare according to the specifications of Princess Taiping's marriage.

In the following years, there were fewer opportunities for the father and daughter to meet, and I didn't want Princess Yongmu to suddenly break into the royal banquet tonight.

"My eldest daughter is here." Li Longji said gently: "But how wronged? ”

"Back to my father, my daughter is fine. It was the Chang'an County Ya who arrested Wei Hui for some reason, and his wife went to his daughter's house to plead for mercy......"

Hearing Wei Hui's name, Li Longji was a little displeased.

It is true that Wei Hui is his cousin, but when Tang Long coup d'état that year, Wei Hui's father Wei Hui was killed by him because he led the forbidden army to protect Wei Hou.

"Since the Chang'an County Ya has taken people, it must have been Wei Hui's mistake. Although you are my daughter, how can you show favoritism? Li Longji smiled: "Now that you are here, give me a seat and drink a glass of wine." ”

As a father and a king, his attitude is actually a little indulged in pleasure, but in the glory of this prosperous era, no one realizes this.

"Saints." Wang Jian hurriedly stepped forward to bow down and said: "It's not that I'm favoritism, but Wei Hui's wife said that the Chang'an County messenger wants to put Wei Hui to death, and if he doesn't save him, he will be worried about his life." ”

Li Longji was displeased and glanced at Li Linfu.

Li Linfu then said calmly: "The horse is serious, how can the government have to worry about his life in handling the case?" Please also wait until tomorrow, Chang'an County has its own judgment. ”

"......"

Wang Miao hesitated, and finally fell to the ground and said, "Please save Wei Hui's life!" ”

Although he and Wei Hui are not the same father, they have the same experience, their fathers died early, they have the same bloody childhood, they grew up with their mother Princess Ding'an, and their feelings are deeper than that of their own brothers.

Li Linfu said: "The horse might as well tell me, what did Wei Hui do and was taken down by the Chang'an County Ya?" ”

"He didn't do anything."

"Is that the Chang'an County government persecuting him?" Li Linfu's tone was solemn, and he already carried a warning.

Wang Miao responded: "Yes." ”

As soon as the scene was quiet, the atmosphere of the banquet was completely destroyed.

Anyone with a discerning eye can see that Li Longji is not very happy, but it is none of his business, and no one wants to get involved.

"Sage."

After a brief silence, Xue Bai spoke.

He thought about it, he just returned to Chang'an and such a thing happened, and it must be impossible to avoid it, so it is better to take it straight in front of the emperor.

"Since the minister is the lieutenant of Chang'an County, this is a matter of duty, and the minister is willing to find out this matter for the saint overnight."

Finally, a banquet was set up, the singing and dancing were not watched, there was no opera, the novelty had not yet been seen, and it had been stirred up like this, Li Longji was completely interested, and he agreed lightly, and returned to Xingqing Palace to summon the concubine to play cards.

Wu Huaishi bowed down to send the saint, deliberately took a few steps behind, and looked at Xue Bai.

Xue Bai understood, got up and went over, and said, "I've seen General Wu." ”

"Remind Xue Lang." Wu Huaishi had a warm smile on his face and said, "Xue Lang knew to offer some interesting things to the saint before he entered the office, but he has become more and more slack recently, and the saint is a little disappointed tonight. ”

"Thank you General Wu for reminding me." Xue Bai said, "When I was in Yanshi, I had some ...... with Lu County Order."

"Xue Lang underestimated me, how could I be so stingy?" Wu Huaishi became more and more intimate with Xue Bai, patted his waist, and said in a low voice: "Don't worry, the concubine has confessed, and she will definitely take care of Xue Lang." ”

Xue Bai hurriedly thanked him, and Wu Huaishi had already walked away in small steps.

Exiting the Calyx Tower, Yang Yuyao was slowly boarding the car with the help of Mingzhu, and at the same time looked at Xue Bai's side, he was thinking about it, and suddenly caught a glimpse of Guo Qianli standing aside.

"General Guo, I haven't seen you for a long time."

"Xue Lang is back, Chang'an City is as boring as if it lacks color."

Xue Bai asked, "General Guo has been watching the excitement tonight?" ”

"I am the Northern Ya Forbidden Army, and it is my duty to guard the palace, how can I say that I am watching the excitement?" Guo Qianli patted his chest and said: "But if you don't know these people, just ask me, I am an old man from Miyagi, and I know a lot." ”

Xue Bai waved his hand and said, "I'm afraid that it will affect General Guo's future, so I don't have to do it for the time being." ”

If it was really difficult to inquire, Guo Qianli would not be this muddy expression.

"Then if you have a place for me, just say it."

"Okay, if there is, I will not be polite to General Guo......"

During this conversation, Yang Yuyao knew that Xue Bai still had official business, so she went back first, and Xue Bai rode to Chang'an County.

It was in the southwest corner of the Longevity Workshop, and he was very familiar with it.

~~

Back then, it was difficult for Xue Bai to even walk under the curfew, but when he came back this time, he was already able to hold torches and take the emperor's relatives to Chang'an in the night.

"Thank you, County Lieutenant Xue."

Wang Xuance immediately stepped forward, walked side by side with Xue Bai, and said: "Xue County Lieutenant made a righteous move, I will not forget this kindness." ”

Xue Bai turned his head to take a look and found that Wang Xuan, like him, did not like to wear a hat, but tied his hair and wore a crown. He is disgusted with dirty heads, and Wang Miao is because of his noble status and attention to appearance, after all, the Langya Wang family used to be the crown of the gate valve family, and the Chen Jun Xie family was collectively called "Wang Xie".

Wang Miao does have a famous demeanor, although he is over forty years old, his temperament is as warm as jade, and his gestures can be seen in the romantic state of the Wei and Jin dynasties. It's a pity that generation after generation is a colt, and power is weaker from generation to generation.

"You don't have to be polite, it's just your duty." Xue Bai said: "But I don't know why I said that Wei will be worried about his life?" ”

"He was very out of shape last night, and said to his wife, 'When a catastrophe comes, I will die', and in a blink of an eye, he was taken by the Chang'an County government today, how can it not make people worry?"

"Did you fall into a trap, or did you offend anyone?"

Wang Miao said: "I don't know this. ”

On the way, they didn't ask more for the time being, and when everyone arrived at the Chang'an County Ya, Xue Bai showed the card charm and said, "The new Chang'an Lieutenant Xue Bai." ”

"Xue Lang is back, who doesn't know you? Hurry up please. ”

For Xue Bai, returning to Chang'an County is like returning home, when Yan Zhenqing was in the past, he often came over to ask questions, or help take care of some official affairs, with this qualification, the appointment is bound to be much smoother than in Yanshi.

At the feet of the Son of Heaven, everything is done according to the rules, at least no one dares to assassinate him.

"Tonight was supposed to be a royal banquet, and the saint asked me to interrogate Wei Hui."

The miscellaneous servant who guarded the door hurriedly went to inquire, and learned that the county government did not order the arrest of Wei Hui, so he said: "It must be taken by the handsome man temporarily, and the county lieutenant Xue will wait for a while." ”

The name of the bad handsome in Chang'an County is Wei Chang, who worked in the county government when Yan Zhenqing was the county lieutenant, and Xue Bai has also met him a few times, and he is a very calm forty-year man.

After waiting for a while, Wei Chang came from outside, he lived in Changshoufang, he should have fallen asleep, and was temporarily awakened.

"I've seen Xue Lang and Xue County Lieutenant, and I hope that the county lieutenant will take care of the villain in the back." Wei Chang was overjoyed when he saw Xue Bai, and bowed respectfully, "When County Lieutenant Yan was here, I admired Xue Lang." ”

"It's been a long time since I saw Wei Shuai." Xue Bai patted Wei Chang's shoulder and asked, "How did you take Wei Hui?" ”

"He pestered the musicians in the palace, and if he took him, it was considered to give him face."

"Take me to see it."

Xue Bai did not interrogate, because there was no need to release Wei Hui, so he simply went to the prison to see in person.

"County Lieutenant, please."

Wei Chang deliberately didn't ask who the middle-aged couple who followed Xue Bai was.

In fact, his eyes are extremely vicious, just by looking at the clothes and dressing, he knows that their identities are extraordinary, but in Chang'an County, he has encountered a lot of ghosts, snakes and gods from all walks of life, and if he asks everyone, he can't do it.

Chang'an County Prison is the rumored "Tiger Prison", which was built by digging into the ground, and Xue Bai once came once.

I opened the cell door and went down the stone steps, and the prisoners in the dimly lit cells on both sides lay hungry and chirping, like weak maggots.

"Wei Hui is ahead."

"You are so daring, dare to lock up the saint's nephew in such a place."

"The county prison is so big, I have to let Dr. Wei ...... it."

The torch flickered forward, and a figure in the prison fell into everyone's sight.

They were all stunned for a moment.

"This ......"

Wei Hui was hanging there and swaying slightly.

"Ah Hui?" Wang Miao was incredulous and muttered, "Come down!" ”

Xue Bai took the torch from Wei Chang's hand, took a few steps forward, and stared at the cell.

Wei Hui was hanged by a belt, which hung from an iron ring on the roof of the prison, which was presumably used to hook the chain to tie the prisoner.

There was also a bed in the prison, and it looked like Wei Hui stepped on the bed, hung up his belt, and hanged himself.

But in terms of Xue Bai's experience in prison, most of the time he slept on thatch, when did he ever have a bed?

In any case, Wei Hui died, and on the first day of Xue Bai's tenure as Chang'an Lieutenant, he died in the Chang'an County prison.

Xue Bai didn't speak, but there was a chaotic cry in his ears.

"Ah Hui! If you kill Ah Hui, you will kill him. ”

"Hold the horse, quick, put Dr. Wei down."

~~

The mortuary was brightly lit.

The clerk who was hurriedly shouted spread out his pen and ink and recorded the life of the deceased.

"Wei Hui, the doctor is discussing the matter, the Sima of the Mao Wangfu, and the mother is Princess Ding'an. great-grandfather Wei Hongbiao, the governor of Yangzhou and the Duke of Wei; Zu Wei Xuanzhen, Taishi, Yongzhou Mu, Yizhou Governor, Shangluo County King; Father Wei Hao, Wei Wei Shaoqing, and Horse Captain ......"

Xue Bai held the candle flame and leaned over to look at Wei Hui's corpse.

He had seen Wei Hui.

It was in Tianbao for six years, when he and Wang Zhongsi went to the workshop to cast, and met Wang Zhun in the workshop to find fun, and there was a conflict, at that time, there should be a beautiful Zhang Siniang let Wang Zhongsi take away, Wei Hui because of his friendship with Zhang Siniang, and Wang Zhun and others went to the palace to sue him and Wang Zhongsi.

Xue Bai's impression was actually not deep, he tried hard to recall, and finally remembered that when he came out of the palace that day, he also saw Wang Zhun beating Wei Hui.

Wang Zhun is also a figure who has been on the cusp of the storm recently, and Xue Bai's early transfer back to Chang'an is also related to this storm.

Back to the present, is Wei Hui's death because he did not change his dead nature and provoked the musicians, and he felt ashamed and hanged himself?

Xue Bai stretched out his hand and used his fingers to break Wei Hui's eyelids open.

He saw a cloudy, dim eyeball, but there seemed to be a hint of horror and anger in it......

(End of chapter)