Man Tang Huacai

Chapter 337 Hiding it

There are always people who are happy and people who are sad.

The saint took back Concubine Yang, and everyone in the palace breathed a sigh of relief. On the other side, King Di and King Shou had not yet gone to the funeral, and the coffins were placed in the ceremonial courtyard at the same time.

Ordinary people don't have more than fifty children, nor do they have supreme authority, so they can't understand it, but this is the joy, anger, sorrow and joy of the emperor's family.

In the ceremonial courtyard, amid the sounds of mourning and music, paper money is like snow.

Li Heng looked at the musicians in the Taiyue Department. He didn't see Xue Bai and knew that he had been dismissed from office. Maybe the next funeral in Chang'an City would be Xue Bai's.

"Your Highness, news from Xuanyangfang." Li Fuguo stepped forward and whispered: "The saint personally took the imperial concubine back."

"anything else?"

"There is no other news."

"That's it?" Li Heng was a little surprised. He didn't forget to ask Li Fuguo to give Li Quan a stick of incense first, and at the same time asked in a low voice: "Where are Chu'er and Tan'er?"

"In King Di's mourning hall."

"Call them."

Soon, King Li Chu of Guangping and King Li Tan of Jianning came hand in hand. The two brothers were both tall and handsome, which attracted the attention of the officials around them. They secretly thought that with these two grandsons here, no matter how much the saint disliked the prince, he would not. Not easy to store.

"Come, let's pay tribute to your eighteenth uncle." Li Heng called over Li Chu and asked in a low voice: "Did you ask Wang Zhongsi to intercede for Xue Bai?"

Although he arranged for his son to handle the matter, he had been trapped in the palace for a long time and did not understand the details.

"Yes, Wang Zhongsi did agree." Li Chu said.

"I haven't seen the result." Li Heng turned to Li Tan and asked, "What's going on?"

Li Tan had been interested in military matters since he was a child and often asked Wang Zhongsi for advice. The two had a close friendship. Therefore, Li Heng thought that it was Li Tan who should persuade Wang Zhongsi.

However, Li Tan did not answer, and Li Chu still answered: "Wang Zhongsi went to find Feng Shenwei, but it seemed that he was stopped by Gao Lishi. The sage didn't know that Wang Zhongsi had begged for Xue Bai."

"Really? Gao Lishi is protecting Xue Bai? Why?" Li Heng couldn't help but thought, he just got rid of a Shou King, and Qing King might also have to fight for the throne.

Li Tan, however, hesitated to speak.

At this time, a group of young officials came outside the mourning hall, including Zhang Yi, the son of Zhang Qiqiu, the governor of Shuofang. Li Heng then made a look and asked his two sons to go over and make friends.

……

That day, when leaving the ceremony, Li Tan suddenly said with emotion: "It's weird, I heard Xue Bai's name twice today."

The first time he mentioned was Li Heng's question, and the second time was when Zhang Yi mentioned that Xue Bai helped Shuofang's army raise military rations.

Li Chu said: "What's so surprising? Xue Bai often does amazing things. I have heard his name dozens of times a day."

"Brother knows that's not what I want to say." Li Tan said, "Xue Bai helped Shuo Fang's army raise military supplies and contributed a lot to quelling the battle of Nanzhao. Why do I and my brother need to harm him?"

"It's not that I want to harm him." Li Chu said, "It's that he refuses to reconcile with Donggong."

Li Tan said: "Why must he seek refuge with me? As a minister, as long as he can do his best for the country, it is enough."

"Sanlang, you don't understand what I mean." Li Chu said more solemnly: "I tried my best to eliminate the grudge between him and the East Palace, but he rejected my kindness. Just imagine, a person dares to be an enemy of the prince. , what kind of loyal person can he be?"

"Didn't Brother's so-called 'trying to eliminate grudges' ask him to marry the princess?" Li Tan asked, "If he has his own wishes, is he not a loyal person?"

Li Chu said: "Otherwise, what if I lower my profile and he has to compromise. This is a party fight, not making friends. You can't just please him. Do you understand?"

Li Tan said: "On the contrary, brother did not understand what I meant. In the future, I want to govern the world, instead of always being trapped in this party struggle. Only by tolerating the people of the world can we govern the affairs of the world."

Hearing this, Li Chu frowned and glanced at this brother.

Li Tan didn't notice and continued to talk about his thoughts.

"I'm not interceding for Xue Bai, or trying to win over him. I just think that as the prince, I should care about what is good for the country, not what is good for the throne... Keep an eye on who is the enemy, and the enemy will only get worse. Come more and more.”

"You are wrong." Li Chu reminded in a low voice: "Don't let me hear these words, or I will think you are dissatisfied. Also, don't you know how difficult my situation is?"

He believed that Li Tan was too naive and unfit to participate in these political affairs. However, Donggong is currently in a difficult situation, and Li Tan really needs to do his part.

Therefore, Li Chu originally wanted to say something more, but in the end he swallowed it.

The brothers said goodbye at the intersection of Baisunyuan Street.

Li Tan returned home, held the scroll and read it for a while, then suddenly lost his mind.

"What is Sanlang thinking about?" Xiao Mozi came over with a tea cup and waved his hand in front of him.

"I'm wondering whether to save someone." Li Tan said.

"Then why not save him?"

Li Tan sighed in his heart, because his grandfather and brother wanted to harm Xue Bai, so it was really inconvenient for him to help him.

But there was one thing he didn't say today - Gao Lishi couldn't hide Wang Zhongsi's plea for Xue Bai...

~~

Ministry of Internal Affairs.

Feng Shenwei personally brought a basin of hot water to Gao Lishi to soak his feet, squatted on the ground and took off his boots, and said: "I have been working too hard recently. Now that I have finally welcomed the imperial concubine back to the palace, it can be easier."

"The saint hasn't said that everything is over yet." Gao Lishi closed his eyes and responded.

Although it is not settled, in fact, only Xue Bai's disposition has not yet been decided. After all, his threat is far less than that of Li Yan and Li Xuan. The saint did not intervene and Gao Lishi protected him, so he became a fish that slipped through the net.

Feng Shenwei thought for a while and asked: "Master, are you saying that Xue Lang still has to be detained in Jingzhao Mansion?"

"Pay attention to the saint's meaning and don't let Yuan Siyi get involved in slander."

"Here."

Feng Shenwei waited for Gao Lishi to rest and was about to leave when he suddenly saw the porcelain paperweight on the case and remembered an errand.

Taking a closer look, Gao Lishi was fast asleep and there was no one else in the room. He walked quietly to the bed, leaned down, took out a box from under the bed, opened it, and saw a copper paperweight with a Panchi.

Feng Shenwei was a little puzzled, put the box away, and left silently.

He turned back to his resting place in the palace, and immediately a young eunuch rushed over and reported: "The family order from Baisunyuan is here and wants to see General Gao."

"Grandpa just took a rest. If it's not something important, let him come over and talk to me." Feng Shenwei yawned and responded casually.

He was one of the less enterprising eunuchs. Anyway, his official position was not low and he had a lot of income.

Soon, the family order from Baisun Court came in and said, "I have seen General Feng. I am here today to report on the progress of the funerals of King Di and King Shou."

"Go ahead."

Feng Shenwei sent out everyone around him.

The family magistrate then talked for a while and finally said: "There is one more thing. King Jianning would like to thank the general for not sending the little palace maid elsewhere."

"It's just a trivial matter." Feng Shenwei said.

He had a good relationship with Li Tan, King of Jianning, because Li Tan's biological mother was also a palace official and had helped him. In the past few years, Li Tan has gradually grown up. Not only does his talent and character make him very fond of him, but he is also very considerate in dealing with others, and they have a deep affection for each other.

"King Jianning said that on the third day of June, if the general wanted to return to the Weishui River to worship his ancestors, he wanted to go out of town to see the general off."

"I dare not bother King Jianning, because it is difficult for King Jianning to remember this little private matter of the old slave. It is enough." Feng Shenwei showed a smile on his face and asked: "Is there anything else?"

"Yes, but don't force it. King Jianning is of the same age as Xue Bai. He wants to make friends with him, but I don't know if it's inappropriate to ask my slave to ask the general what he wants."

Feng Shenwei then cheered up. He touched his chin and thought about Wang Zhongsi's plea to Xue Bai.

He has not yet told the sage about this matter, because the sage has not asked yet.

The sage sometimes went around to ask General Gao something, but he always reported the truth.

There is also a hidden story here. Feng Shenwei received favors from another eunuch, Yang Sixu, when he was a child. Yang Sixu had more seniority and greater merit than Gao Lishi. He participated in the Tang and Yuan coups, put down the Annan and Lingnan rebellions, fought on the battlefield throughout his life, and made great military exploits. He was the most accomplished eunuch in martial arts.

In the Kaiyuan period, Yang Sixu secretly asked Feng Shenwei to be adopted by Gao Lishi as his adopted son. He didn't have many other instructions. He only said, "When I leave, you can answer whatever the saint asks you." In the twenty-eighth year of Kaiyuan, , eighty-seven-year-old Yang Sixu died of illness, and Feng Shenwei always remembered his instructions.

Fortunately, Gao Lishi rarely hid things from the saint, and it didn't matter if he occasionally neglected to do so. Feng Shenwei didn't feel embarrassed every time he secretly reported to the saint.

This time, Gao Lishi wanted to protect Xue Bai, which was somewhat selfish, but after all, Xue Bai was only a seventh-grade official, so the problem was not that big...

"General?"

Feng Shenwei came back to his senses and said: "I know what King Jianning is thinking about. There is no rush to make friends now. You can wait and see in a few days."

Perhaps because Li Tan guessed Feng Shenwei's question and answer, the family order asked again: "What if King Jianning wants to show favor to Xue Bai?"

Feng Shenwei was just waiting to see what the saint would do to Xue Bai. If he had to judge, Xue Bai should be fine.

At present, it seems that nothing serious has been committed...

~~

Li Longji arrived at Yang Yuhuan's palace and faintly heard her singing.

"That year the snowflakes fell and the plum blossoms bloomed on the branches."

Li Longji had actually heard Wu Huaishi hum a few lines of this strange song, and had pondered it for a long time, and had thoroughly figured out its melody and singing method.

Although he didn't like the song very much, to show his emperor's magnanimity, he still walked to the banjo and reached out to play with it.

He is very good at music. Even if he has only heard a few lines, he can still play harmonious tunes in harmony with Yang Yuhuan's singing.

"The song of colorful feathers has been reincarnated several times, singing and dancing for you..."

At this point, Yang Yuhuan suddenly stopped and came out with Cai Lian on his arm. He asked with a smile: "How can Sanlang play this new song?"

Li Longji stopped his hand, adjusted his sleeves, smiled faintly, and said: "It's not an elegant piece of music, why is it so difficult?"

"Because Xue Bai and Nian Nu only wrote lyrics and music, it has just begun to take shape. Only if it can be modified by the saint himself can it be called good."

A while ago, Li Longji was in a very gloomy mood after hearing Wu Huaishi's complaint. Only then did he realize that Xue Bai was better at everything than he had been when he was young. Even Xue Bai's worst melodies could easily write such lyrics.

Fortunately, Gao Lishi was right, Xue Bai came from a humble background, and Li Longji's jealousy was partially eliminated. This is just like a man who is not easily jealous of the beauty of his woman. A more appropriate metaphor would be that an owner is not easily jealous of the usefulness of an object. The slave is not actually a person, just an object.

When Yang Yuhuan said it again, he was convinced again that Xue Bai was still far behind him in terms of music.

But there is still a thorn in my heart that has not been removed...

"I don't quite understand Xue Bai's lyrics and music."

"I know what Sanlang is talking about." Yang Yuhuan suddenly snorted coldly, and said without hesitation, "I'm afraid someone is gossiping in front of Sanlang."

"I don't believe it, so I have already executed Wu Huaishi."

"Although he is a sworn brother, I regard Xue Bai as a biological brother, I swear to God."

Yang Yuhuan had a clear conscience and was frank. Li Longji could see clearly. He finally waved his hand and said with a smile: "I have never believed those ridiculous words."

"Really?"

"It's absolutely true. Taizhen only sang half of the song just now." Li Longji picked up the string and said, "Sing again, I haven't heard the whole song yet."

Yang Yuhuan danced again, but sang it all over again.

This time, Li Longji became more and more proficient in playing music, and was finally able to appreciate the uniqueness of this tune.

In the second half of the song, Yang Yuhuan's singing changed suddenly into a sad and dramatic tone.

"The bright moon is reflected in the chrysanthemum stand, but my love is so cold."

This change of tune was a surprise to Li Longji. He was a little caught off guard, but because the song was already very mature, he closed his eyes and played the following tunes just by feeling without thinking deeply.

In an instant, he was immersed in the exhilaration brought by the music.

Then, Yang Yuhuan poured him a glass of wine and sang the last line.

"Drunk in the king's arms, dreaming of the love of the Tang Dynasty."

~~

Jingzhao Mansion.

A eunuch rushed to Xue Bai and showed a bright smile.

"Xue Lang, I feel sorry for you to cooperate with the investigation. You can go back home."

"Many thanks to the eunuch." Xue Bai had seen the eunuch in front of him several times in the palace, but he had not had the opportunity to talk before. He could not ask the eunuch's name one by one, so he asked: "I think the eunuch looks very familiar to me, but I don't know. ?”

"Zhang Taoguang, official minister of the province."

This official was not a high one, so Zhang Taoguang was quite respectful in front of Xue Bai. He returned the gift and said in a low voice: "This time the noble concubine returns to the palace, my uncle also gave me many suggestions."

"It turns out he is one of our own." Xue Bai also cheered and responded.

The smile on Zhang Taoguang's face became brighter and brighter, and he nodded repeatedly.

Immediately afterwards, Xue Bai asked again: "But I don't know, my official position?"

Zhang Taoguang was stunned and said with an apologetic smile: "I don't know about the affairs of the court either. But Xue Lang is talented and he will definitely be able to show off his talents."

"I'm borrowing auspicious words from my official."

Xue Bai responded politely, his face showing no trace of emotion, but he was thinking in his heart, as Yang Yuhuan said, he occasionally saw eunuchs who bypassed Gao Lishi and reported to the saint alone, and Zhang Taoguang was one of them.

Of course, sometimes the report may be just a trivial matter such as the spittle pot being full.

The so-called "hide your strength and bide your time", Zhang Taoguang's name looks a lot like a secret agent.

In short, these people cannot find out that he is pretending to be the emperor's grandson Li Qian.

……

Xuanyangfang, Xue Zhai.

"Mr. Lang is back!"

A maid shouted, holding up her skirt and running towards the backyard.

Xue Bai walked leisurely, looking at his house all the way, but he couldn't recognize it.

Because there were many servants and maids in the house, as well as various luxurious items, it looked more like Mrs. Guo's house than Xue's house.

When the beauties in front came out to welcome them, Yan Yan, Qing Lan, Yang Yuyao, Nian Nu, Ming Zhu... all fat and thin, like a hundred flowers blooming, Xue Bai felt his head grow bigger.

What's rare is that Yang Yuyao seems to love Yan Yan very much and allows her to run forward to greet Xue Bai as the mistress.

"Husband."

After Wanfu saluted, Yan Yan and others approached Xue Bai and whispered: "After causing trouble again, you escaped unscathed?"

"Are you worried?"

"I'm not worried. I was used to it before I married you."

Xue Bai asked in a low voice: "What about you? Do you get along well with Sister A?"

"Of course." Yan Yan said matter-of-factly.

In front of everyone, the couple only joked with each other hastily. After that, everyone entered the hall and saw many boxes in the hall, which contained various precious medicinal materials.

A strong medicinal smell hit his nostrils.

"Before you come back, we were looking at which of these collections can be used to nurse Yan Yan back to health." Yang Yuyao said, "Don't worry, we won't use them indiscriminately. We'll invite some imperial doctors later."

Xue Bai was not polite to her and said: "Thank you very much, sister."

Yang Yuyao smiled and said, "Don't thank me in a hurry. It won't be too late to thank me after Yan Yan can give you a fat son."

Xue Bai was slightly startled, and when he looked around, he saw Yang Yuyao smiling fondly at Yan Yan, as if to say that as a head wife, she had to have her eldest son to convince the public, and she supported her.

However, he knew that Yan Yan was still young and her body could not be recuperated in a short time, so he did not want to put too much pressure on her.

In addition, I just hope that Yang Yuyao will come to stay this time and not ruin the atmosphere of Xue House...

Unexpectedly, that night, the atmosphere of Xue House was ruined.

In the middle of the night, everyone was enjoying the cool air together in the yard, laughing and chatting happily. Xue Bai and Yan Yan both called Yang Yuyao "Sister".

In the second half of the night, because Xue Bai and Yang Yuyao hadn't seen each other for a long time and had a lot to talk about, they rested and fell asleep, talking all night long.

"..."

"The world has already criticized you and me, and now that you are temporarily staying in my home, I'm afraid there will be even more gossip."

"Are you just saying it now?" Yang Yuyao said angrily, "I have thought about this for you. When you and Yan Yan have a child, our rumors will naturally disappear."

"She is young and frail, so she takes her time."

The two talked about family matters for a while, and then the conversation gradually turned to business matters.

"Ms. Yao, do you know how the fire started?"

"The fire started in Li Qiwu's house." Yang Yuyao responded casually, "Who knows how the fire started."

Xue Bai turned his head and looked at Yang Yuyao through the weak candlelight in the room.

The flush on her cheeks had not faded, her hair was disheveled, and her eyes were filled with joy and fatigue.

He stared carefully for a while and even saw her shyness, but he didn't see her dodge.

"Didn't Yao Niang set the fire?"

Yang Yuyao heard this interestingly and asked with a smile: "Why me?"

"Seeing that the saint was slow to take the concubine back to the palace, you came to her rescue." Xue Bai said, "You set fire to your own house. You have such courage."

"If you say so... then you should think that I was the one who let it go." Yang Yuyao hooked her foot on Xue Bai's calf, and her face became proud, "I am cruel and ruthless, are you frightening me?"

"Is anyone living in Li Qiwu's house?"

"It seems to be an official recommended by him. He was his retainer and temporarily lived in his house. His surname is Cui."

In this matter, it seemed that no one really wanted to kill Yang Yuhuan, so Xue Bai felt a little relieved...

~~

In the next few days, Xue Bai lost his official position and spent most of his time at home with his wife, concubines and family, and did not forget to prepare gifts for the imperial concubine on her birthday.

Just ask some craftsmen to knock and make some props.

Yan Yan was very curious about what he was doing. She could follow him all day long and never get tired of watching the monotonous work.

"looking at what?"

"Wood shavings."

"What's there to see?"

"I feel happy to see it." Yan Yan said, "I feel like my body has gotten better."

"Yes, you can cure your illness by looking at wood shavings." Xue Bai laughed casually.

But when it gets dark and all the craftsmen go home to rest, he will also plan wood flowers himself to show Yan Yan. He didn't know how to do woodworking, he just planed wood, and gradually he found wood planing very relaxing.

He used to stay with treacherous people for a long time, and people would become deep-seated. But if you spend too much time with Yan Yan, you will easily become so stupid.

"Husband, you like being an official so much. Now that you don't have one, aren't you very annoyed?"

"I guess the saint is just tired of me being the censor. He spends his days impeaching this and admonishing that. He might as well just give up my official position. When I give him a congratulatory gift this time, he will give me the official position again."

"Then wouldn't you become an Aphen again?"

Xue Bai was stunned for a moment.

In the end, he didn't answer Yan Yan's question, changed the subject, and asked the cook to take away the wood flowers she dug out and use them as a starter.

……

This boring day didn't last long. On May 22, a visitor suddenly came to visit.

"King Jianning?"

When Xue Bai received the invitation, he was playing checkers with his wife and family, and was quite surprised when he heard this.

"Do you recognize him?" Yang Yuyao asked.

"I met him once or twice." Xue Bai recalled: "It must have been Tianbao Wuzai. I met him when I was dealing with Li Jingzhong. I was not very happy at the time."

"Then he is here to cause trouble?"

Xue Bai thought of something and said, "I'll go see him."

He asked someone to bring Li Tan to the hall and meet him in person.

When they met again this time, the two looked at each other and found that not only were they similar in age, but they were also the same tall, handsome appearance, and they were somewhat close to each other.

Speaking of which, Xue Bai and Li Chu had some closeness at first, but later they were gradually worn away by Li Chu's strongman.

"King Jianning is here, what's the matter?"

"My sister and you are neighbors, and I just went over to visit her." Li Tan said, "I've heard about Xue Lang's name for a long time, so I stopped by to pay a visit."

"Can the emperor's grandson befriend courtiers in private?"

"You are no longer an official, aren't you?" Li Tan asked jokingly, with a more sincere expression, "I was young and ignorant in the past, and I didn't know the grudge between Xue Lang and Li Jingzhong, so I forced myself to come forward. Now I'm here to tell you Sorry, I feel slightly ashamed."

Xue Bai said: "Everyone has his own position. King Jianning must not be like this."

Li Tan said: "You have many opinions that coincide with mine. I only hope we can have the opportunity to discuss them in the future."

We were not familiar with each other yet, so it was his first time to visit, so there was no need for a brief exchange of words. He expressed his good intentions and quickly stood up to leave.

Li Tan left Xue's house, got on his horse, and returned to Baisun Courtyard.

In Xue Baizhai, a vendor selling buns was clearing away the dishes on the table. He glanced up at Li Tan's leaving figure and reported the news that day.

……

"King Jianning met Xue Bai."

"I know." Gao Lishi took a drink from the tea bowl and said, "Keep exploring."

Since he couldn't find out Xue Bai's details, he could only send people to keep an eye on him.

People came and left in a hurry. Feng Shenwei stood on the railing on the second floor of the Chamber of Commerce, watching the scene, sighing slightly, with some bitterness on his face.

After thinking about it, Feng Shenwei calmed down his expression and went inside to meet Gao Lishi.

"Grandpa, your concubine's birthday is approaching, and the lychees haven't arrived yet, so the saint has urged her again."

"It's almost time. In preparation for the war in Nanzhao this year, something happened in the uterus in the front line, so it will inevitably be delayed."

"Yes." Feng Shenwei thought for a while and asked, "Are you sending someone to keep an eye on Xue Bai?"

"How did you know?"

"Li Dayi didn't do things secretly, and the child heard about it."

Gao Lishi waved his hand lightly and said, "It's nothing. That Zhuzi always causes trouble, so we have to keep an eye on him."

If it were normal, Feng Shenwei would believe him if he said this, but everything that happened recently made Feng Shenwei feel uncomfortable.

Wu Huaishi's complaint, Gao Lishi's private copper paperweight...

Feng Shenwei couldn't help but wonder, could it be that King Jianning suddenly wanted to make friends with Xue Bai for some other purpose?

~~

If one always keeps an eye on the enemy, the number of enemies will easily increase.

And if you always have doubts, some things will become more and more true.

Some things are like a put out fire. As long as the wind blows the sparks in the embers, it is likely to burn again...

(End of this chapter)