Longevity: I am in the quiet garden, the sun and the moon

Hall of Supreme Harmony.

"Old minister, pay homage to Your Majesty."

"The head of the state does not need to be polite!"

At noon, Xiao Guogang came into the palace alone, and as soon as he bent down, Liu Xian signaled him to excuse him.

Liu Xianyou said that it was a family banquet first, and naturally Empress Xiao was also present.

Seeing that Lin Suyi didn't come, she asked: "Father, His Majesty's order is for Su Yi to come too, what's the matter with Su Yi?"

"Your Majesty, it's just that Su Yi suddenly felt unwell, so the old minister didn't let her into the palace. Please forgive me, Your Majesty and Empress!"

"It's okay, Su Yi is fine, don't you want me to send the imperial doctor to have a look?"

"Your Majesty is worried. I think it's because of Shizhong's matter recently. The doctor has already seen it. It's nothing serious..."

Xiao Guogang had already thought of the reason to deal with it before he came, and it was also the most suitable and understandable reason.

"It's fine, take your seat."

Liu Xian didn't ask any more questions, but pointed to the opposite seat to signal Xiao Guogang to sit down.

"Thank you, Your Majesty!"

Xiao Guogang sat down in trepidation, still a little bit guilty in his heart, because Liu Xian's attitude was very smooth, as if he didn't care much about Lin Suyi's absence.

What's more, my queen's daughter also came, and she called her the head of the country one by one. It really was the atmosphere of a family banquet...

There are some doubts that the judgment is wrong.

They come, the security!

I hope God bless...

"I'm not in good health these days. The whole court relies on the head of the state, and the empress in the harem is well-organized. I'm very pleased!"

"Also, the queen of the mahjong competition yesterday was very impressive. I am very happy, and my body feels much better. Maybe it has been a long time since I had a meal with the king. This imperial meal can be regarded as a reward for the hard work of the king these days."

Liu Xian's tone was full of sincerity, and part of the reason why he spoke so openly and contagiously was because he was secretly happy.

It's very simple, because Lin Suyi didn't come...

In other words, Liu Xian didn't believe that Lin Suyi's so-called suspected fetal gas was actually a kind of temptation. She really came, which really showed that Xiao Guogang was open-minded and had no ghosts in his heart.

Doubt and preparedness are what he wants, and it may be the prelude to the storm.

Therefore, in this way, Liu Xian will be even more polite!

To put it bluntly, Liu Xian is Xiao Guogang, you must not back down, boldly compete with me...

"Your Majesty, you are too serious. This is what the empress and the old officials should do!"

Xiao Guogang played against each other in a well-regulated manner, but his mind kept turning rapidly, every sentence and even every word was silently pondered in his heart, and the subconscious had completely regarded it as the beginning of the confrontation.

However, he didn't hear any hidden motives and meanings, which were basically commonplace words.

The meaning of politeness can be heard, but it is completely reasonable for an emperor to play tricks all the time.

"One family does not speak two languages, come, let's have a drink together!"

Liu Xian didn't say much, and raised his glass first.

Empress Xiao and Xiao Guogang also quickly picked up the golden wine cup in front of them.

"Please, Your Majesty!"

Xiao Guogang held the cup with both hands, showing respectful respect.

The old father-in-law of the state is nothing in front of the emperor's son-in-law.

...

Three rounds of wine.

Liu Xian's face turned a little red. Since his health has deteriorated, he has not been able to drink as much as before. After a few glasses of water, his head feels a little dizzy.

However, what is clear in my heart is still like a mirror.

He did it on purpose.

Because, the next thing to say must be this kind of atmosphere.

"I'm happy today, come, Master, have another drink with me!"

"Your Majesty is in such a relaxed mood, the old minister is really happy, and I wish your Majesty the dragon body will always be healthy."

"Your Majesty's kindness does not lie in the amount of wine. I also ask Your Majesty to put the dragon's body first and drink less."

Xiao Guogang naturally could also see that Liu Xian's face was flushed, and he seemed a little drunk, but he couldn't let it pass away, so he had to cater to it.

In fact, I also hoped that Liu Xian would drink more, maybe he would be able to say what he wanted to overhear when he was drunk.

However, Empress Xiao couldn't just ignore it, she was her husband after all, so she was very clever and tactful to persuade Liu Xian to drink less.

Liu Xian just took a shallow sip this time, then put down the wine cup and sighed.

Although Xiao Guogang is an old guy, he can drink very well. It can be said that he soaks in the wine tank every day, and he doesn't dare to cheat a little in front of the emperor.

After he drank the wine in the glass with his neck raised, he frowned slightly when he heard Liu Xian's sigh, and looked at Liu Xian suspiciously.

"Your Majesty, this is...but what's bothering you?"

"I, there is indeed one troublesome thing..."

"It just so happens that the Empress is here today, and the troubles I've had for Shizhong these days are also the reason why I can't go to the early court. I'm afraid you should all know about it."

"There are no outsiders here, and it happens that the queen is here today. I know about Shizhong's matter, and the king is too embarrassed to speak to me, so I should come and find out."

"Your Majesty, old minister, I..."

While speaking, Xiao Guogang's voice suddenly choked up, but he still didn't say the rest of the words when he reached his mouth, because he really did, not because he didn't want Liu Xian, but because he didn't have the face to open his mouth.

Because Xiao Shizhong's crimes are not only large but also numerous, it is inevitable that he will be criticized and it would be unfair to say so, and keeping silent to avoid suspicion is his best position.

Fangzheng, life is like a play, all depends on acting skills!

Liu Xian glanced at Xiao Guogang, paused for a moment, and cried if he wanted to, everything was normal.

Then he continued: "I sent Jing'er to try this case... Naturally, I wanted to save Shizhong, but I didn't expect it to be like this. However, after I understand the cause and effect, I still want to at least keep Shizhong alive!"

"However, now you see, as many impeachment papers as there are for impeaching Shizhong, there are as many requests for strict handling. This case is well known to everyone, with all kinds of crimes, bad deeds, and anger..."

"So, my father, no matter how much I want to protect you, I can only use harsh punishments. Otherwise, not to mention the lack of peace in the court, I'm afraid it will arouse public resentment. The common people only have respect for the court but no confidence."

heard...

Xiao Guogang hesitated for a while in silence, it was expected, but he really heard that his son was going to be executed, and that robbery in prison was another story.

My heart tensed up instantly, with mixed feelings of discomfort, and I lost my composure.

However, soon, he settled down and fell to his knees with a plop, trembling uncontrollably.

"Your Majesty, they are all old ministers who are incapable of teaching their children. Not only have they failed His Majesty, but they have also been ashamed of the ancestors of the Xiao family!"

"Please, please Your Majesty, punish the minister to death..."