Qinse is in the imperial court, forgetting both favor and disgrace

That night, Eastern Chu Emperor Li Lang also stayed up all night.

Even if he is away from the palace, as the emperor, he always has too many things to decide. Although he is still far away from unifying the world, half of the country's memorials will consume a lot of his energy. To sleep in peace.

Li Lang was heartbroken that his ancestors read more than 20 words of memorials every day after the founding of the country in the past, but he was also puzzled by the fact that when his father was in power, there were big banquets for three to five days, and he was too lazy to meet with his officials after the early court.

Is there really someone who has ascended to the throne of the emperor, sits on a splendid country, and enjoys the obedience of all the people, who does not plan for a permanent foundation or a grand plan for thousands of years, but takes pride in being a foolish and tyrant emperor, and even does not hesitate to put the people's lives in misery and ruin the country?

Li Lang put down the memorial and sighed lightly.

Since the east of Chu and the south, the state affairs have become more and more difficult, and it seems to have entered a troubled season recently. Li Lang's brows were deeply furrowed. He was keenly aware of the dark forces that were about to move, although he was not very clear about its source. However, chaos occurred frequently in the court, harem, and even northern Xinjiang, as if they were indeed obeying the same force.

Originally thought that the group of noble families headed by the Xie family were unwilling to resign themselves to the growing power of the emperor, and made a desperate fight with all their strength. However, Li Lang received the battle report of Beiliang, saying that Beiliang stationed troops on the border, and according to the spies' report, the Northern Liang king I am currently in the army, and it seems that there is a possibility of a large-scale invasion in the near future. Such a tacit cooperation with the changes in the East Chu territory makes it impossible for him to mobilize the army at will to help the king's capital. If this kind of behavior is said to be Xie and others cooperating with the inside and outside, it seems unreasonable place.

If Xie Lian had this courage and ability, he would have acted first when his foundation was unstable, and he would never allow him to take back Xie Kun's military power easily, even now that Empress Xie is returning west with a crane. , and did not see any movement from that incompetent person.

However, based on Xie Lian's actions, even if he had no resentment, it would definitely not be tolerated by an aspiring emperor.He couldn't sleep at night, it was just a result of waiting for the weeds to be eradicated.

Li Lang clenched his fist unconsciously and put it under his lips: no matter who wants to shake his throne, he will not let him off lightly!

even though--

His thoughts wandered, and he remembered that before leaving the palace, his prince who had just recovered from a serious illness due to the loss of his mother insisted on asking to see him.

Although Li Lang visited from time to time in those few days, firstly he was busy with state affairs, and secondly he really didn't want to see his unpredictable mother-in-law in Tai'an Palace, so every time he was in a hurry, he never stayed long.

The prince's fever persisted for several days, and he fell asleep for most of the day. The father and son did not really meet each other. Now that the prince has woken up, Li Lang didn't know why he wanted to see his father. There was a trace of timidity.

He came to Tai'an Palace in the afternoon. Fortunately, the Empress Dowager's Buddhist prayers had already started at this time, so he didn't need to go to see the prince first, and then visit the prince.

The prince's body was weak, but after this experience, his cheeks no longer had the plumpness and tenderness of a child, and a pair of big eyes that resembled Queen Xie seemed to occupy half of his small face, which was even more pitiful.

Li Lang didn't have much love for his only son, but his mood has changed recently. He couldn't hide his joy when he saw the prince's weakness, and the childish smile made him sit on the bedside, reaching into the quilt to hold the child's hand , softly said: "You don't take more rest, wouldn't it be good to see Father after you recover?"

The prince shook his head slightly on the pillow, turned sideways with difficulty, and stuffed his other hand into Li Lang's palm, then gasped, his eyes became even more radiant.

Li Lang felt something cold and hard in his palm, he was surprised, took it out and saw that it was the jade that he begged for but failed to get from Zhao Rang that night.

Seeing that his father frowned slightly, the prince explained in a voice like a gnat that the little girl from the Zhao family came to visit yesterday and gave him this piece of jade, saying that it was ordered by his father—"This is the father's property, right?" ?”

There were not many doubts in the words, the prince stared at Li Lang who was holding Peiyu silently, and said suddenly: "Father, you don't want Ah Xuan to be my concubine in the future, I don't want it."

Hearing this, Li Lang was greatly surprised. He put away Peiyu, held the prince's hand again, leaned his upper body to the same height as the prince, and asked softly: "Why? That little girl made you angry, don't you like it? "

The crown prince shook his head slightly again, stretched his hands out of the quilt, Qi Qi held Li Lang's extended right hand and counted his fingers, and said with difficulty: "No. I don't want her to be a concubine, that would be too pitiful for Ah Xuan."

As he was talking, he couldn't stop the tears from rolling down his eyes. Seeing this, Li Lang wiped it dry with the back of his other hand, and sighed softly: "Father, I will do whatever you want, as long as you get well soon."

The prince answered "Yes", but he was finally exhausted physically and mentally exhausted. After a while, he fell asleep again with Li Lang's company.

Li Lang pulled out his hand cautiously, ordered the prince's personal attendants and the on-duty imperial doctor to take extra care and pay close attention to the prince's condition, and then left.

When people arrived outside the hall, the emperor unconsciously took out the jade, held it in his palm again, and looked up to the sky.

The prince is so young and precocious, which is beyond his expectations. The death of Empress Xie may have caused the child to suffer, and the fear is indescribable. That's why he was so persistent in rejecting the girl from the Zhao family as his concubine. Does "Ah Xuan" follow the same mistakes as his mother?

When it comes to benevolence and compassion for others, the prince is far above Li Lang, and even his mother cannot.

Li Lang smiled wryly, it turned out that his timidity was due to the guilt that his parents and children could not grow in the love of father and mother, and it was the nature of father and son that had only grown a little bit since the birth of the prince.

And isn't the person who awakens this nature the young military general he met for the first time that year?

Li Lang once again realized that he couldn't get rid of Zhao Rang, no matter how Wei Yixiao and other subordinates tried to persuade him, he still couldn't do it, so he could only tolerate that person who kept his secrets by his side until——

Wei Yixiao had the privilege of being notified when he asked for an audience. The emperor's servants did not dare to be negligent, and rushed into the inner room, awakening Li Lang who was still in deep thought. The leader of the forbidden army knelt down and said: "I have fulfilled your majesty's high hopes."

Li Lang's heart sank, he raised his hand and said, "Get up and talk. What's going on?"

"Xie Lian has escaped." Wei Yixiao replied simply and concisely, "I have ordered the guards at the gate of the city to investigate strictly. If there is any suspicion, they will not be let go. It is expected that he will be hard to fly."

"...Didn't you also send heavy troops to guard Xie's mansion, or let Xie Lian slip through the net, and you will not be careless in the future." Li Lang snorted softly, seeing Wei Yixiao standing with his hands down, he no longer spoke harshly, and turned around. Then he asked, "What about Xie Kun? Don't let his father and son go out of the city to meet with the soldiers. Then Xie Kun has served as the general of the North for many years and has his own power in the frontier army. It will be troublesome to tidy up again—and Beiliang is about to move, I don't want Cao Lin to be distracted from other things besides defending the enemy."

Wei Yixiao replied that Xie Kunzhen was only in Befu on a daily basis, thanking guests behind closed doors, so far no changes have been seen, and no connection has been found between this person and the concubine Nanyue.

After a short pause, Wei Yixiao asked bluntly: "Your Majesty really wants to cancel the original arrangement?"

Li Lang was stunned for a moment, and immediately realized the meaning of his confidant, and couldn't help curling the corner of his mouth slightly.

This so-called "arrangement" was proposed by Wei Yixiao. Before training in the parade of sailors in the lake, Zhao Rang was forced to kill the old people of South Vietnam, including the tyrant princess and the father of the princess, on the grounds of offering sacrifices to heaven and earth to show martial virtues. As a self-proof that he is faithful and never changes.

After hesitating for a long time, Li Lang, who was reluctant to be persuaded to agree, changed his mind immediately. He did not change his mind at the Lianhu sacrifice, but he did not want Zhao Rang to be present. However, no matter how suspicious he is, he still doesn't need Zhao Rang to show his allegiance to him in the way of "killing relatives with righteousness".

Seeing the emperor's ambiguous expression, Wei Yixiao said bluntly, "Your Majesty beheaded the traitors in South Vietnam. Even if Zhao Rang hadn't seen it with his own eyes, how could he have no hatred or resentment in his heart once he was trusted? Why should Your Majesty keep this person?" By your side? Your Majesty, please think twice."

"I don't know," Li Lang smiled wryly, "It's just... that's all, don't mention it. Is there anything unusual about the Empress Dowager?"

Wei Yixiao was hesitant to say anything, and with a slightly heavy tone, Fang replied: "No. The last time the Empress Dowager recruited monks into the palace was the day before the Empress's death. Since then, she has been devoutly fasting, reciting sutras and Buddha for the crown prince's recovery. Today in Da Chong'en The temple did not see any strangers approaching the Imperial Palace, nor did the Empress Dowager send any maids to leave her body."

"That's good, don't relax." Li Lang said, he admitted that he was secretly relieved, if the mother didn't get involved, it would definitely be a great thing.

Wei Yixiao listened to the emperor's order, stepped back and left, returned to his own room, Yuxian and his three confidants were already waiting inside, he didn't look at the three of them, and said in a deep voice: "Everything will be done according to plan."

The three of them answered "yes" in unison, Wei Yixiao turned to Yuxian and asked, "Then Xie Lian has really caught all the dead men raised by Xie Lian?"

Yuxian hesitated for a while, but still shook his head and said: "I can't confirm. I only saw Shangshu's personal guards in Xie's mansion, but I didn't find anyone like a quack, like Xie... Shangshu really has other help, and he didn't show up tonight. "

"He has." Wei Yixiao said decisively, "The people who Changlian set up a trap to kill Zhao Rang must be dead men in the rivers and lakes. Once these villains know that the Xie Mansion is in trouble, they are likely to come to the city to make trouble. We must be careful Just do it."

"Then..." Yuxian asked suspiciously, "Since the leader wants to get rid of Xie Lian, why did he pretend to join hands with Xie Lian to deal with Zhao...uh, the tyrant of Nanyue?"

Wei Yixiao didn't pay attention to the subtlety of his subordinate's tone, and said impatiently: "It's not that I want to get rid of Xie Lian, it's His Majesty's intention. As for Zhao Rang, that person is too serious, and His Majesty can't be cruel to him. Without Xie Lian's assistance, I would also eradicate him to avoid future troubles for Your Majesty."

After saying that, he glared at Yuxian, and said angrily: "According to plan, don't ask any more questions!"

Yu Xian was afraid that Chief Wei would see the clue from her strangeness, and that she would break the order to save people tonight, so he quickly bowed his head and agreed.