Bastards

When the news of Prince Yang Shu's death spread throughout Luoyang, it also covered the entire imperial capital with a layer of haze like the weather on this day.

Yang Shu, the prince, is different from previous dynasties.

Before Da'an was built and the Yuwen Dynasty was not in power, when the previous dynasty was in turmoil, Yang Shu followed his elder brother Yang Meng out to fight.One-third of Yuwen Dynasty's world was conquered with Yang Meng's help, and most of this third was contributed by Yang Shu.

When Emperor Yuwen established his dynasty, he favored Yang Meng, and also rewarded Yang Shu in various ways, which he valued very much.After the death of Emperor Yuwen, Yang Menghe shifted power, sat on the dragon chair, and changed to Da'an... During this period, Yang Shu also made great contributions. If he hadn't suppressed him, the armies and forces would not have been so honest.

After Yang Meng ascended the throne, he began to clean up the mess in the country, how to recuperate, how to ensure the national tax revenue, and make the people's life not hard, how to establish the legal system, how to fight against the aristocratic family, how to manage the corrupt officialdom... There is no time at all. Going out to fight again, outside, it all depends on Yang Shu.

Yang Shu is a righteous man, but because of his emotional injury, he basically stayed on the front line and never came back.With him taking the lead and leading the soldiers to work hard, it is possible to have the territory of Daan today, the peaceful and peaceful Central Plains.

It can be said that Yang Shu made great contributions to the consolidation of Yang Meng's regime.However, he didn't take credit for it, and he also had a good eye. Yang Meng managed the internal affairs almost and freed up his hands to run the army. He used his old age as an excuse to release a lot of military power, leaving only the bases in the west to fight against the Western Turks.

Back then, the Western Turks were powerful, and there were several big battles every year. This place was too dangerous and critical, and he couldn't let go of this responsibility...

Yang Meng has seen everything Yang Shu has done, and his gratitude to this fellow brother is also real.That's why Prince Yang Shuying's hereditary title was conferred, and he was bestowed with an iron certificate of Danshu, which is infinite glory.That's why when he was about to die, he personally gave him the purple gold whip and gave him the special right to "beat the faint king above and the treacherous officials below".

Rather than saying that Yang Meng is favoring Yang Shu, it is better to say that he is looking for a backer for his son!

With Yang Shu's reputation in connections and outstanding ability, as long as he is willing to protect his son, whoever dares to make trouble will be able to make trouble!

Yang Meng closed his eyes and told Taikang Emperor about the ins and outs and why he had arranged them... Taikang Emperor also deeply understood that Yang Shu, an old man, could not be offended, and even extended favors many times after he ascended the throne to show his closeness.

Previously, Yang Shu was the mountain that protected him, but now, Yang Shu is a symbol of the country's prosperity and the people's peace. Even if he dies, he has to be buried with honor and raised high!

Hearing the following news one after another, Emperor Taikang's face turned black. This old man is good at everything, but he is too noisy!

But it is also because of this temperament that there is no threat to his country...

Seeing Emperor Taikang stunned, Eunuch Gao poured a cup of tea and handed it over - the teacup collided with the desk, making a small sound, but a little noise was enough for Emperor Taikang to wake up.

Emperor Taikang squinted at Tong Xiu, the leader of the imperial guards: "The people in the city are empty, the yamen is moved, and even the aristocratic family...is in chaos?"

Tong Xiu always had a serious expression and a cold demeanor: "If you don't care about it, I'm afraid the army will start to move."

Emperor Taikang's pupils shrank.

Yes, in the military!

Yang Shu has been in the army almost as long as he can remember. There is no barracks in the whole place that he has not been to, and the leaders of the armies have no friendship without him.Although he is old now, the leaders of various places have been killed and injured, and they have been replaced, but his residual prestige is still there.Especially west...

He must arrange the funeral well, and make everyone happy and satisfied, so that there will be no troubles!

"The old man committed suicide?"

Tong Xiu: "My people went to see it, and they reported that their complexion was black and blue, their lips were blue and white, and their nails were dark blue. They should have taken poison."

Emperor Taikang tapped on the dragon case: "Did you get mad at Wang Duo?"

"It is said that Wang Duo is ruthless, and that Wang Jie's death was all due to the grandson of Prince Ying. The two families are separated by human lives, so they cannot get married. When the old man got angry, he willfully died for death and asked Wang Duo to hand over Wang Ji to his grandson. ..."

"Wang Duo didn't agree?"

"No," Tong Xiu shook his head, "We are confronting each other now."

Emperor Taikang snorted coldly: "The old man is a person who went all the way to the dark, so it's no wonder he would agree!"

Tong Xiu reminded: "It would be great if he agrees, but if he dies he shouldn't... Your Majesty, it's time for you to make a decision."

Emperor Taikang closed his eyes slightly, tapped the dragon table with his fingertips a few times, but did not speak.

Coincidentally at this moment, the guards of the Imperial Guard outside the hall shook their heads, and Tong Xiu knew there was new news when he saw it.

"emperor--"

Emperor Taikang waved his hand: "Go and see."

Tong Xiu went outside the hall, met the guard, came back after a while and replied, "Your Majesty, the prince sent someone to bring a message."

The corners of Taikang Emperor's lips lifted slightly, quite disapprovingly: "What did he bring?"

"The prince said—the key point is Wang Jie's death. Once the case is over, Wang Duo has no reason to say no."

Emperor Taikang slapped the table heavily: "Isn't he in charge of Wang Jie's murder case? He even filed a case in the Ministry of Criminal Justice. If he could find out earlier, would there still be today's matter!"

Seeing that the water in the teacup was splashed out, Eunuch Gao quickly bowed to move the teacup and wiped the dragon case: "The emperor calms down, the dragon's body is important..."

Tong Xiu stood with downcast eyes and didn't speak.

Emperor Taikang was angry with himself for a while, before he asked again: "What else did the prince say? It's not just these two words that are neither salty nor bland and useless!"

Only then did Tong Xiu bow his hands in salute, and replied: "The crown prince also said... he had found the key person three days ago, and he might be the murderer. This person is the guard of the king of Yue. Because of the protection of the king of Yue, he can't go down to investigate. If this person can stand up, the rest will be easy to handle.”

This matter is a little delicate.Tong Xiu didn't want to participate in the prince's dispute, so he didn't answer before.

Emperor Taikang understood very well that his imperial guards should be so measured, know taboos, and be loyal to him forever!

"I know about this," Emperor Taikang straightened his lapel, and got up suddenly: "I will leave for a while, you stay here and wait for my decision."

Tong Xiu: "Yes."

……

Emperor Taikang went to Yuehua Palace.

The corners of his clothes fluttered and he was furious.

Concubine Tian Gui seemed very surprised: "Why did the emperor come here at this time..."

Emperor Taikang sat heavily on the first seat: "It's not that rebellious son, I'm so mad!"

"Angry hurts your body, your dragon body is important, please keep your body tight," Tian Guifei poured out a cup of tea with a pot in her hand, smiled slightly, and stuffed it into Emperor Taikang's hand, "Take a sip of tea first."

Emperor Taikang took a look at Concubine Tian Gui, smiled, and took Tian Guifei into his arms: "It's better for my Ruer, who is obedient and caring - as long as I see you, I will have no troubles."

"Your Majesty—" Concubine Tian Gui gave Emperor Taikang a look, and half-hidden and let him kiss a few times, smiling coquettishly.

After making a fuss for a while, Concubine Tian hooked Emperor Taikang's hand and asked, "What's the matter? Did the Crown Prince offend you again?"

Without waiting for Emperor Taikang to answer, she quickly added another sentence: "It's not that the concubine is involved in politics, and I want to find an opportunity to give the prince eye drops. Concubine, I just don't want to see the emperor so worried and uncomfortable. If you feel uncomfortable, this concubine My heart, it feels like it is being pulled by something, and it’s too uncomfortable.”

"You are the only one who is good." Emperor Taikang nodded Tian Guifei's forehead before he sighed, "Have you heard about Prince Ying's grandson Yang Xu and Wang Duo's grandson Wang Ji?"

Concubine Tian Gui nodded: "The concubine knows that a few days ago when the married woman entered the palace and talked with the concubine, she mentioned that the matter was quite serious. At that time, the old man and Wang Wu of the Wang family also failed—"

"Because there is a human life in between!" Emperor Taikang couldn't help but sigh in his heart, how similar the past is now, "This younger brother of Wang Ji, the grandson of Wang Duo, is also dead!"

Concubine Tian Gui also knew this: "Hmm...it seems to be what happened the night Yang'er was assassinated."

"I asked Tong Xiu to investigate Yang'er's assassination. I left all the trivial matters of the Wang family to the prince. You have seen him jumping up and down these days." Emperor Taikang snorted coldly, his expression very unhappy.

Concubine Tian Gui's expression became a little cautious: "What did the prince do again... to make you angry?"

"Three days ago, he insisted on investigating one of Yang'er's guards, saying that the man was a murderer, and Yang'er refused to give it to him, so he made a fuss, and I personally suppressed it, but he stopped making trouble, but he also quit! Such dereliction of duty, inaction, really promising!"

Emperor Taikang slammed the table down, his face livid: "Prince Ying has a violent temper, so after such a delay, it's okay, I can't hold back anymore, arguing with Wang Duo in the street is not counted, and I'm gambling my life! Now taking poison Suicide, the last words said one life for another, stopped in front of Wang's coffin, and forced Wang Duo to hand over Wang Ji!"

Concubine Tian Gui was taken aback, her eyes flickered slightly, she covered her lips with her slender hand: "Now...how can it be? Did Wang Duo agree?"

"If he agrees, he won't be a hard rock to give me a headache!" Emperor Taikang's eyes were dark, "He didn't answer! Right now, he is fighting with Prince Ying's personal guards. All the people in Luoyang have gone to watch, and the aristocratic families have also gone over. Now, even the soldiers and horses of the five cities and the Xishan camp are about to move!"

Concubine Tian Gui's complexion was tense, and the color of her eyes changed: "This... how can this be good? The Prince of England is extremely beloved, if this matter is not handled properly, it will damage the prestige of the emperor."

Emperor Taikang patted the table again: "It's not that traitor! If he had solved the murder case of Wang Jie earlier, how could such a thing have happened!" After scolding people, he closed his eyes slightly, took a few deep breaths, "It's a big deal, I personally Go out to the palace and settle this matter."

"The emperor is busy with state affairs, how can he have this time? It is better to take a break and take care of the dragon's body in a little time?" Concubine Tian Gui caressed Taikang Emperor's face very distressed, "The concubine let Yang'er go."

Emperor Taikang held her hand, his eyes were gentle: "Yang'er was assassinated before and was frightened. My heart aches before it's too late. How can I send him?"

"Your Majesty's words are wrong," Concubine Tian Gui lowered her eyebrows slightly, hiding her misty eyes slightly, as if she didn't want Emperor Taikang to see, "You love the children, and the children love you too. Yang'er has grown up , I should be filial to you and help you, not to mention that this matter has something to do with his guards...Let him take the guards to the Wang family."

Emperor Taikang frowned: "I still don't want the children to work too hard..."

"Chen Qie knows that you should have told Yang'er to let him have a good rest recently, but how can he waste so much time at such a young age? Chen Qie went to tell him in person... You also know that he is the most capable, It will definitely solve the problem!"

Emperor Taikang patted Concubine Tian Gui's hand with great comfort, "In this world, only your mother and son care about me so much."

Concubine Tian Gui leaned into his arms, and circled his chest with her bare hands: "Look at what the emperor said, the concubines and concubines can only rely on you. Everything is enough."

After a while, Emperor Taikang didn't stay any longer, Concubine Tian Gui didn't show any pretense, and immediately went to the Yue Palace.

King Yue had a slightly different opinion when he heard his mother and concubine's intentions: "The prince must have tricked me, so I won't go!" Besides, his injury is still not healed!

Concubine Tian Gui inspected his injuries carefully, and after making sure that it was okay to go for a walk, she just slowly sipped tea with the teacup: "This is your father's intention, you have to go if you don't want to go."

King Yue frowned, his eyes full of thought.

"Can't figure it out?" Concubine Tian Gui slowly put the teacup on the table, her eyes slanted over, reflecting the bright light in the room, enchanting and taxing, "This country belongs to your father, you want to be favored by him, you want to accept it." For his seat, you have to follow his expectations in everything. Troublesome, disgusting, and what he doesn’t want to do, if you push it to you, you have to do it, and you have to do it beautifully. If you don’t do it, you have your own The others are waiting on the side, and can stand up to you at any time."

King Yue remembered what his mother and concubine had taught him in the past, and he couldn't help saying: "If you want to maintain this first position, you can't miss it once."

"Who told him to be the emperor?" Concubine Tian Gui looked at her newly dyed nails and said casually, "I couldn't read his eyes or understand his words once, maybe twice, but I couldn't notice it the second time and the third time." , there will be no more chances. There are many people who are waiting around and looking forward to wanting him to use..."

"Whenever you sit in that position, you can do whatever you want."

King Yue got up, and made a deep bow to Concubine Tian: "The child is self-willed, and the concubine mother is worried."

"You've always been sensible, and I just mentioned things occasionally." Concubine Tian Gui personally helped King Yue up and comforted him, "Don't worry, when have you ever seen your mother and concubine suffer?"

King Yue's eyes lit up: "Mother Concubine means—"

Concubine Tian Gui clung to King Yue's ear and said a few words, the more she said, the more excited King Yue's eyes became.

Concubine Tian Gui patted King Yue on the back: "Didn't you always want the power of the aristocratic family? This time, let's see that the concubine mother will get you a daughter from the aristocratic family as a side concubine..."

In the Zichen Palace, Emperor Taikang waved Tong Xiu back: "The king of Yue will go to this matter, don't meddle in this matter, just watch quietly, if there is any accident, come and report to me."

……

The prince personally helped the Prince of Ying, and his morale soared. Wang Duo was so angry that his face was black and his beard trembled, and he was speechless for a while.

In front of the morgue Wang's house, he didn't agree, so he kept stopping, and he was able to protect the body, and no one could move. That old lunatic and this group of little lunatics really did it!

Just thinking about how to fight back, the Xie family came.

Xie Yan, the old fox, came over with his two grandsons and yelled, "Where's my grandson? Where's my poor and lovely grandson Wang Ji? Why don't you let him out, you old man!"

Wang Duo: "His surname is Wang! Not Xie!!"

"Bah!" Xie Yan blew his beard and stared, "He belongs to a girl from my Xie family, half of my Xie family's blood! You don't want him to have smallpox when he was seven years old. It was Wu girl who was kind-hearted and raised him. Over the years, he I didn’t take any money from you, Wang Duo, and my Xie family protected me when I went out, you don’t love me, and you don’t support me, what kind of thing are you, how can you have such a big face, blocking his way forward!”

People still have this thing when they hear it?Immediately scolded: "Before talking about filial piety, first talk about family kindness! You don't want anyone anymore, and you still care about whether someone is married or not, what will you do in the future!"

"That's right, where is such a big face!"

Xie Yan got on it himself, and the other aristocratic families followed behind him.

Without it, at the beginning Wang Duo made a high-profile statement, saying that there were no second-married daughters in his royal family, and no unfaithful people. While showing that he was powerful, he also stepped on others.The aristocratic family disliked him a long time ago. In this generation of the Wang family, he should not be the head of the family, and should be replaced by the king!

The atmosphere became even more heated, Wang Duo's forehead was sweating suddenly, and he subconsciously looked at the prince, could it be that this was deliberately arranged by someone?

The prince just smiled lazily and waved at him.

The absurdity obviously did not reach the bottom of the eyes, a pair of eyes were very cold, and the meaning couldn't be more obvious: Is it worth it to be enemies with so many people for a little thing?

Wang Duo looked at the dark crowd in front of him, everyone looked like a ghost, as if they wanted to bite his muscles and bones, gnaw his flesh and blood, and would not let him go no matter what!

He won't have helpers, no one will help him... But he can't lower his head!

It's hard to be at a high place, since he has made a decision, since he has reached a high position, and others don't understand, he should persist. One day, these people will know that he is right!

"I don't care about other people, but my Wang family will never allow such a thing!" Wang Duo narrowed his eyes, "If you want Wang Ji, just step over the old man's corpse!"

Everyone looked at him with pity.

So stubborn, but really...

Just then, the king of Yue arrived.

Yang Xuan glanced at the figure of King Yue from a distance, and immediately smiled, and smiled at Wang Duo: "You are talking too seriously, what's the big deal? Isn't it just the death of Wang Ji? The truth is with you, I have already checked it out, and this matter has nothing to do with Yang Xu." It has nothing to do, now that the suspect involved in the case has arrived, you will know as soon as you hear it."

When the King of Yue approached, he found that there was no sound, and offered to give him the way. At the end of the road was the smiling prince, and he realized that he had been tricked by the prince again.

King Yue is also a person who has wandered in the power field for many years, and he still has some time to restrain himself in front of people, so he immediately put on a smile and walked in front of people.

He first bowed to Prince Ying's coffin, and then said hello to Wang Duo, then sighed and said: "Actually, this king is also responsible for this matter."

As soon as he opened his mouth, everyone's ears pricked up. Is there something inside?

"Everyone knows that Wang Jie of the Wang family died at night. During the day, the Wang family held a birthday banquet for guests. This king also came and was assassinated."

This matter is too big, almost the entire Luoyang city knows.

King Yue smiled bitterly: "I don't know why the assassins ambushed the Wang family. Things happened that day too fast and too fast, and there were many clues. At night, the people who were sent out to chase and kill did not dare to neglect. They searched for clues everywhere. My guard ——" He pointed to the guard behind him, "That's when I met Wang Jie."

The guards came out with a solemn expression: "I did meet Mr. Wang Jie at Kui Ye, and I was indeed found out by the crown prince. I wanted to invite you to the lobby of the Ministry of Punishment for questioning, but because of the busy work recently, I have no time to assist in the investigation. But Wang Jie is indeed If I kill him, I can see clearly how he died."

Impatient people asked, "Why?"

"It's not just the rumors before. The grandson of Prince Ying met Wang Ji at night, and he bumped into him, so he was silenced. I was at the Wang's house when I was chasing the assassin that night. The grandson Yang Xu never came to the Wang's house. He was sick, and fell asleep early, but Wang Jie, who was very active, went in and out frequently, and didn't know what he was busy with... Maybe he had too much fun and drank too much wine, he accidentally knocked over the cabinet, The cabinet toppled over and landed on his chest... I was busy with errands, and saw him snoring, thinking that since he was asleep, he would be fine, but when I came back after a round of work, I wanted to help, but found that he was out of breath It's..."

The people were surprised: "It turns out that he died like this..."

The guard cupped his hands: "What I have said is true, if anyone lies, I hope that I will die without a place to die!"

The king of Yue also apologized: "This matter is also an omission of the king. Earlier, the death order was issued, and the subordinates were headed by tracking down the assassin, and they could ignore other things. This...caused today's tragedy." He told the king. Duo saluted, "I am sorry for you."

Wang Duo gritted his teeth angrily.

Why didn't he know that Wang Jie's death had nothing to do with Yang Xu?He just wanted to use an excuse not to let the two men be together!Now King Yue came to the door and explained the cause of death in this way, can he deny it?If you don't admit it, the Yang family will have to investigate the question of 'Why did the assassins assassinate your Wang family'.

The current Yang family is no longer the previous Yang family. The world is stable, the emperor holds great power, and no one dares to disobey the imperial edicts issued!

The current Wang family is no longer the previous Wang family. You can look down on the royal family, you can consider yourself superior, and you can even stand up to the emperor. Now if he makes a fuss, the emperor will ignore him. he!

"So that's how it is..." Wang Duo could only cover his face, tears streaming down his face, "This is how the old man's festival went!"

It's a pity that his acting is useless, and acting again will not quench the enthusiasm of the prince and the people.

The prince smiled and said, "Now that the truth is out, do you still have any doubts? Shouldn't it be time to call Wang Ji out?"

People: "That's right! The Prince Ying's family doesn't owe you life, and they all begged you with death. How dare you not agree!"

Under heavy pressure, Wang Duo's footsteps trembled, but he still didn't let go: "There is no second-married daughter in my Wang family, and likewise, there will be no female male! You are so persecuting, well, the old man will ask Wang Ji to come out." , let him choose by himself! If he is sensible, he shouldn’t follow your wishes, if he insists on going his own way, his name will be crossed out from my royal family tree, and he will be kicked out of the house!”

Until this time, Wang Duo still believed in the importance of family background to Wang Ji, and he believed that Wang Ji would not dare to betray the Wang family.

However, Wang Ji really dared.