Lanting prelude

Chapter 61 Entrapment
"Just got the information that tomorrow morning, King Wei will hold a banquet in honor of Wang Hongyi at the Zhongnan Mountain Villa. In fact, he wants to trap him. Our chance has come." As soon as Xiao Junmo took his seat, he looked around the crowd and said.

Li Shimin summoned Li Tai alone in Liangyi Hall.

Since Li Feng's case last year, Li Tai has been "forgotten" by Li Shimin. Not only was he not summoned even once, but Li Shimin also politely rejected his proposal to enter the palace several times to pay his respects.Now that the prince has collapsed, Li Tai believes that this summoning must be extraordinary, maybe the emperor will announce him as the prince today.

For this reason, Li Tai was so excited that he didn't close his eyes all night.

Early this morning, Li Tai couldn't wait to turn over and get out of bed as soon as it was dawn. First he cleansed himself and took a bath, then went to the Buddhist hall to burn incense and pray, then changed into a brand new court dress, and entered the palace early.As a result, he arrived more than half an hour earlier than the original scheduled time, so he had to wait in the side hall.Li Tai didn't receive the summons until the sun was shining all over the palace.He hurriedly adjusted his court clothes and crown, took a few deep breaths, and boarded the Hall of Liangyi with excitement and apprehension.

In the main hall, Li Shimin closed his eyes slightly, and sat on the imperial couch, with Zhao Dequan standing beside him.

Li Tai stepped up to the hall, knelt down and bowed his head, and said in a clear voice: "My son kowtows to my father, long live my father, long live my father!"

The hall was empty, and Li Taizhong's energetic voice echoed in the hall, and the lingering sound lingered: Long live, old, old, old...

After the long lingering sound faded away, Li Tai waited for a while, but he didn't hear the expected word "Pingshen".Li Tai didn't dare to raise his head, and turned his eyes, so he had to bite the bullet and say it again.This time, he raised the volume slightly, so the lingering sound was longer.However, the result was still the same, only a dead silence responded to him.

Li Tai finally couldn't help but secretly raised his eyes, only to see his father with his eyelids slightly lowered, sitting upright on the imperial couch like an old monk in meditation.At a glance, Li Tai's heart suddenly thumped, and all the original excitement turned into apprehension.Li Tai moved his eyes and cast his eyes to Zhao Dequan, hoping to get a hint, but unexpectedly the old eunuch's eyes were closed tighter than his father's, what a ghost!
Li Tai knelt on the ground in such embarrassment, cold sweat gradually broke out on his forehead.

I don't know how long it took, when a drop of cold sweat on Li Tai's forehead slipped down the bridge of his nose and fell to the ground and shattered into several petals, Li Shimin's voice sounded slowly: "Qing Que, do you know why I called you into the palace today?" ?"

When Li Tai met the amnesty, he quickly bowed his head lower: "Returning to my father, my son is waiting for my father's call every day, every night, all the time. No matter why my father called my son into the palace, my son feels that it is useless." On grace."

"Well, you are still so eloquent." Li Shimin said lightly, "In this regard, you are indeed much better than your elder brother."

"Thank you for your compliment!" Li Tai breathed a sigh of relief, "But these are words from the heart of my son, not pretentious words."

"In the past few years, you have been fighting openly and secretly with Cheng Qian. Now that he has finally fallen, how do you feel?"

"When I returned to my father, I was deeply shocked and felt sorry for my elder brother."

"Oh?" Li Shimin sneered, "In addition to shock and regret, is there also a hint of pleasure?"

Li Tai was startled suddenly, and raised his head subconsciously: "Father, the emperor's lesson! My son... my son will never dare to take pleasure in misfortune. My son and elder brother are siblings from the same mother. If you have such a heart, how is it different from a beast? My son swears , if you have this heart, you will be thundered and destroyed by heaven and earth..."

"That's all right, all right, I didn't call you here to listen to your swear oath." Li Shimin interrupted him coldly, "I called you into the palace today for an important matter, and I want to hear your opinion."

Li Tai's heart moved, and he hurriedly said: "Please express it clearly, Father."

"Chengqian's rebellion is an unforgivable crime. I have decided to depose him. However, the position of the crown prince cannot be left in vain. Tell me, among your brothers, who is more suitable to be the crown prince?"

Li Taiwan didn't expect his father to ask him like this, let alone figure out what his father meant by this move, he was stunned for a moment, and then said: "Going back to my father, this is a big matter, it should be judged by my father, my son Don’t dare to put your beak.”

"I tell you to say what you say, there is no need to say these routines."

"Yes. My son... My son recommended the third brother."

"Oh?" Li Shimin raised his eyebrows, "What's the reason?"

"The third elder brother is intelligent and brave. He is most like his father back then. Since he returned to Beijing last year, he has made many achievements and is highly regarded by the public. This time the palace change is not chaotic, and he sacrificed his life to protect him. He is daring and brave. Loyalty and filial piety! My son-in-law thought that the new crown prince of the Tang Dynasty must be the third brother."

"Well, although this evaluation is very good, it is generally in line with the facts." Li Shimin's face softened, "Then tell me, besides your third brother, who else?"

Li Tai resisted Mao Sui's urge to recommend himself, and said with a respectful face, "I think there is no other suitable candidate except Third Brother."

"Really?" Li Shimin played with his expression, "What about you? You have been arguing with Cheng Qian for so long, isn't it because you think you are more qualified to be the prince than him? Now the opportunity is in front of you , why did you get cold feet instead?"

Li Tailue thought for a moment, then hurriedly said: "Father, I have closed the door to thank guests for more than half a year, kept the precepts and practiced, reflected on myself, and have realized the mistakes of the past. For the past, I feel deeply regretful and feel ashamed. That's why from now on, my ministers are determined to change their minds and start a new life, and never dare to covet the position of the crown prince, let alone think about seizing the heir."

"I am very relieved that you can have this understanding. However, you should not overcorrect everything. Now that the reserve position is vacant, people's hearts are uneasy. As a vassal king and the second son, you have an inescapable responsibility. Share my worries for me. If you still have the world in your heart, you can do your part and recommend yourself."

Li Tai was thinking about his father's words, and his brain started to work quickly.

Ordinarily, the words of the father were quite encouraging, especially the emphasis on his status as the "second son", which made him an unexpected surprise.However, after more than half a year of "Xue Zang", Li Tai couldn't help worrying that his father was trying to test him, so he still had doubts in his heart, so he didn't dare to climb up the pole, so he hesitated for a long time, and didn't dare to climb up the pole. Know what to say.

Li Shimin looked at him and smiled faintly: "Get up and answer."

"Thank you, father." Li Tai quickly got up, and found that both of his knees were numb.

"Qingque, to tell you the truth, in recent days, ministers have recommended several candidates for the new crown prince, some of them recommended Ke'er, others recommended pheasant slave, and of course someone recommended you." Li Shimin paused, "You I also know that I have always appreciated you more, if you can learn from the mistakes you made in the past, of course I will not give up on you easily, even if you are crown prince, it is not impossible, but..."

Li Tai didn't expect that his father would take the initiative to express his opinion, so he couldn't help being overjoyed, and quickly raised his head: "Dare to ask my father, but what?" As the crown prince, I am afraid that many people will slander and even openly oppose it. Therefore, if you want to be the crown prince, you must make contributions to the society, so that the government and the people will be convinced."

Li Tai finally realized that his father was giving him a chance, and his eyes lit up immediately: "Please tell me clearly, what should my son do?"

Li Shimin didn't answer right away, but thought for a while, and asked: "I still remember last year, around this time, did you do anything for me?"

Li Tai rolled his eyes: "Father is referring to... looking for "Lanting Preface"?"

"Exactly. At that time you helped the imperial court capture Biancai, and later Biancai confessed some of the secrets of the Tianxing League, and also confessed a person, Wang Xizhi's ninth grandson Wang Hongyi, codenamed Mingzang. This person is ambitious, vicious, and single-minded. To bring chaos to the world, and even overthrow our country of the Tang Dynasty. Do you know these things?"

Li Shimin said, observing Li Tai's expression.

"This..." Li Tai's eyes flickered for a moment, "I'm sorry Father, after you captured Biancai, you didn't let my son continue to participate in the case, so...what happened later, I don't know anything about it. "

"Oh? Could it be that Fang Xuanling and his son didn't disclose it to you in private?"

"Fang Yixie seems to have said something, but the minister knows that these are court secrets, so he dare not listen too much. Even if he heard something, he would have forgotten it long ago."

Li Shimin chuckled: "So, you are quite cautious."

Li Tai also laughed a few times along with him.

"Since you don't know, I'll tell you right now that this Mingzang has infiltrated Chang'an since last year, and is hiding under our noses to make trouble! According to reliable information, this time, he is also responsible for the rebellion. Black hand. I am a great Tang Dynasty, how can I allow such a madman to turn the clouds and rain? Therefore, whoever can catch Wang Hongyi will make a great contribution to the society. Do you understand what I mean?"

Of course Li Tai understood, but his mood also became extremely complicated in an instant.

Father's meaning was clear, if he could take down Wang Hongyi, it would be tantamount to taking down the crown prince. This was like a big pie falling from the sky!Based on the relationship between Li Tai and Wang Hongyi, it was easy to catch Wang Hongyi. The problem was that Li Tai couldn't help muttering: Why did the emperor entrust this task to himself?Did he already know about his secret alliance with Wang Hongyi?
If so, the emperor's actions are "fishing", the purpose is to catch himself and Wang Hongyi with a hook!
Thinking of this, Li Tai couldn't help breaking out in a cold sweat.

However, if the emperor already knew, why didn't he say it clearly?There is only one answer, that is, the father cared about the relationship between father and son, and did not want this matter to be revealed to the world, so he tacitly gave him this opportunity to redeem himself.

At this moment, Li Tai suddenly realized: No matter whether his father knew about his relationship with Wang Hongyi or not, whether it was from the perspective of meritorious service or redemption, he had no choice but to take down Wang Hongyi.

Although Wang Hongyi has been helping him all the time, although his attack on Wang Hongyi will inevitably hurt Su Jinse, but at this time Li Tai can't care so much...

Having made up his mind, Li Tai immediately knelt down again, and said in a clear voice: "Your servants understand, please make an order!"

"Okay, I'll give you ten days. Within ten days, bring Wang Hongyi before me. It's best if he's alive. If you can't catch him alive, you'll have to bring his head to see him!"

"My son obeys the order!"

Li Tai clasped his fists and replied loudly, at the same time he said in his heart: Of course, I can only bring Wang Hongyi's head to meet him, if he is alive, Wang Hongyi will stab everything, and I will die without a place to bury him.

After receiving the order, Li Tai immediately bowed and retired.

Li Shimin watched his figure disappear at the gate of the hall, his face was as cold as iron in an instant, and he said to Zhao Dequan: "Let's pass on Li Shiji."

Li Shiji had been waiting in the side hall for a long time, and immediately went to the hall when he heard the call.

As soon as he stepped into the gate of the palace, Li Shiji saw the emperor standing with his hands behind his back and facing the screen, only giving him a broad back.Li Shiji knew very well that when the emperor's face was particularly ugly, he usually made this gesture.

Li Shiji stepped forward quickly, knelt down and saluted: "My minister Li Shiji kowtows to His Majesty."

Li Shimin didn't move at all, as if he hadn't heard of it. After a while, he didn't turn his head and said: "Immediately implement [-]-hour surveillance on Wei Wangfu, and closely monitor Wei Wang. Once Wang Hongyi is found, immediately arrest him! Remember, I want to live."

In fact, Li Shimin's purpose for Li Tai was just to use him to lure Wang Hongyi out. Li Shimin would not entrust him with the task of arresting Wang Hongyi.

As for the crown prince promised to Li Tai just now, of course it was just Li Shimin's casual remark - no matter whether Wang Hongyi was captured by Li Tai in the end, he would never be crown prince in his life.

"Your Majesty asked you to arrest Wang Hongyi?!"

In the study of Prince Wei's mansion, Du Chuke was frightened for a moment after hearing Li Tai's story about entering the palace.

Li Tai nodded: "Father also promised to let me be the prince after the matter is completed."

"Do you believe it?" Du Chuke was a little suspicious.

"It doesn't matter if I believe it or not?" Li Tai smiled wryly, "I also suspect that Emperor Father knows about me and Mingzang, but now, what else can I do besides handing over Mingzang's head? If Father If the emperor really knows, I can only use this to pay off the crime; if I don’t know, I still have hope to enter the East Palace. No matter what, Wang Hongyi must die.”

Du Chuke frowned, and sighed: "Then what does His Highness plan to do?"

Li Tai pondered for a while, then suddenly asked: "The annex we built in Zhongnan Mountain, has it been completed?"

Du Chuke didn't know why he asked this question, he was stunned, and said: "The construction has been completed before the festival, and all the interior and exterior decorations have also been completed. I'm getting some furniture added recently, and the front hall, main hall and hatchback are almost tidied up. The backyard..."

Li Tai raised his hand to stop him: "That's good. I'll write a post later and hand it over, inviting Mingzang to the other hall for a banquet at Sishi the morning after tomorrow."

"Ming Zang is suspicious and treacherous, and inviting him to a banquet for no reason may make him suspicious, right?"

"How can there be no reason?" Li Tai smiled confidently, "Of course I have a name."

"What name?"

"There are two things." Li Tai stretched out two fingers, "First, I said that my father has agreed to make me the crown prince, so I hosted a banquet to thank him for his great assistance all the time, and at the same time discuss matters after entering the Eastern Palace. "Secondly, I said, to show my gratitude, I want to give him this annex, so I invite him to have a banquet here. How about these two reasons?"

"That's right, it's sufficient." Du Chuke nodded, "Then, is your Highness planning to...poison the food and drinks?"

"Of course I also want to poison. This is the easiest way, but it's a pity that I can't do it."

"Why?"

"Father has repeatedly told me to catch people alive. If I poison you, wouldn't it be clear that I want to kill someone?"

Du Chuke suddenly said, "That's right, I forgot about this one."

"So, we can't use poison, we can only use drugs." Li Tai thought, "After he has been fascinated, we will take his head, and then we will tell Father that he resisted arrest and was hacked to death in the chaos. Forgive Father The emperor has nothing to say."

Du Chuke deeply agreed: "His Royal Highness really thinks thoroughly."

Li Tai suddenly remembered something: "By the way, have you made the door plaque of the other hall?"

"Of course. I did it long ago, as you ordered."

Previously, Li Tai personally named this villa "Tingfeng Mountain Villa" and wrote four big characters in cursive script. Du Chuke then ordered someone to make a gold-plated plaque with precious wood, which cost a lot of money.

"Make a new one right away." Li Tai said without thinking.

"Why?" Du Chuke was puzzled.

"Change the name to 'Zangfengshan Villa'. I want to make Ming Zang feel that this villa was originally built for him, so the name is embedded with the same word as his name. That's it. Only then can he fully appreciate my sincerity."

Du Chuke smiled: "Your Highness is thoughtful enough."

Li Tai sighed lightly: "To deal with such a treacherous and cunning person as Mingzang, there is no harm in being careful."

Du Chuke was thinking about something, and suddenly stared at Li Tai: "Your Highness, there is one more thing, I don't know if I should ask it or not."

"What's the matter?"

"How does His Highness plan to deal with Su Jinse?"

Li Tai was taken aback, his lips moved, but he didn't speak.

From the moment he received his father's order and decided to get rid of Wang Hongyi, Li Tai has been thinking about this question, but until now, he still has no answer.

Du Chuke looked at him and said vulgarly, "Your Highness, with all due respect, keeping this woman will be a disaster after all."

Why didn't Li Tai know this?But if he wanted to attack Su Jinse, he would never be able to do it.

"Take care of Mingzang first, that's the top priority." Li Tai thought hard, "As for Jinse, we can hide her for now and think of a way..."

"Your Highness is confused!" Du Chuke was in a hurry, "Once the Holy Majesty catches Mingzang, no matter whether it is dead or alive, he will definitely investigate to the end and find out all his relatives, friends, old ancestors and ancestors for eighteen generations! How can Su Jinse Stay out of the matter? If the news leaks out and let the Holy Majesty know that you have been hiding her, you will not be able to tell clearly even if you have a long mouth!"

"I know all of this..." Li Tai closed his eyes in pain, "I have my own plan, you don't need to say any more."

"Your Highness!" Du Chuke suddenly stood up, angry and impatient, "As the saying goes, children love each other, but heroes are short-tempered. Your Highness is a person with lofty aspirations and a heart for the world. How could he do it for a mere prostitute..."

"Enough!" Li Tai opened his eyes suddenly, and glared at Du Chuke, "Jinse is someone I really like, not some prostitute you say. As I said, this king has his own opinion on this matter, so don't worry about it." Word!"

When Du Chuke saw that he turned against him because of a woman, he couldn't help shaking his head and smiling bitterly.During the stalemate, there was a knock on the closed door of the study, and an eunuch said softly outside the door: "His Royal Highness, Lu Dianjun asks to see you."

"Let him come in." Li Tai replied, flipping open a book on the desk without raising his head, "There are a lot of things to prepare for the day after tomorrow's action, you should go down and make arrangements first."

Du Chuke was helpless, sighed heavily, and walked out.

When Lu Dianjun came in, he saw Du Chuke coming out, so he hurriedly greeted him, but Du Chuke walked out without even looking at him.Lu Dianjun ignored the embarrassment, hurriedly stepped forward, bowed and saluted: "The humble Lu Ben greets His Highness."

"Exemption from courtesy." Li Tai said indifferently, his eyes remained on the book, "Lu Ben, you pick some people who have good skills and strict mouth, and come with me to Zhongnan Mountain in the morning of the day after tomorrow."

"Humble duty. Dare to ask Your Highness, how many people are needed?"

Li Tai thought for a while: "You don't need too many, 50 people are enough."

There is a small garden near the study room of Prince Wei's mansion, where several Samuume trees are in full bloom in this season when all the flowers are withering and all the fragrances are shaking.

Su Jinse and a few maidservants are admiring the plum blossoms under the tree.

During these days, she lived in Chunnuan Pavilion in the backyard of the palace. Today, she wanted to go back to Chongdefang to visit her adoptive father, but Li Tai insisted on persuading her to let her stay for a while longer, saying that she was reluctant to let her go.Su Jinse felt warm in her heart, so she obeyed him.

A maid picked a half-bloomed red plum and was about to put it on Su Jinse's temples, when she caught a glimpse of something from the corner of her eye, she was startled suddenly, and the plum blossom fell to the ground.

Su Jinse was very surprised, and followed her gaze to look back, only to see Du Chuke standing in the corridor not far away, staring at her with a gloomy gaze.Su Jinse was quite confused, but due to etiquette, she still smiled at him and bowed her knees.

However, Du Chuke's eyes did not change at all.

The smile then faded from Su Jinse's face, replaced by the same cold expression as Du Chuke's.

She has never been a weak woman, how can she allow others to stare at her with such provocative and contemptuous eyes?

The two faced each other silently for a while, and then Du Chuke turned around and walked away.Intuition told Su Jinse that something unusual must have happened, otherwise Du Chuke would never have dared to act so rudely towards her.

Su Jinse immediately left the garden and went to the study, but saw that the door was closed, and could not help frowning slightly.The eunuch guarding the door saw it, hurried up to greet him, bowed and said: "Miss Su, please stay a while, His Highness is talking inside."

"Who are you talking to?"

"This..." The eunuch showed embarrassment, "I'm sorry, Miss Su, this slave has no right to tell you."

Su Jinse thought for a while, turned and left without saying anything.

A quarter of an hour later, the door of the study opened with a creak, and Lu Ben hurried out and walked away quickly.After a while, Su Jinse poked her head out from behind a plum blossom tree not far away, looking at Lu Ben's retreating back, with worry in her eyes.

In the Daxiong Hall of Fayin Temple, cigarettes curl up.

Chu Lisang inserted three sticks of incense into the incense burner, closed his eyes and folded his palms facing the Buddha statue, and silently prayed for the blessings of Buddha and Bodhisattva, so that Xiao Junmo could find his mother Xu Wanniang as soon as possible.

That day in Zhilan Tower, Xiao Junmo told her that the person most likely to kidnap his mother and Dai Lisi was Wang Hongyi.After thinking about it for a while, Chu Lisang realized that Wang Hongyi must have sent someone to follow him secretly, only then did he discover Xu Wanniang, and then guessed the mysteries about her.In other words, Wang Hongyi must have known that Xiao Junmo was the flesh and blood of Prince Yin and Xu Wanniang, so he kidnapped Xu Wanniang with the purpose of blackmailing and controlling Xiao Junmo.

Thinking of this, Chu Lisang was filled with regret.

She always thought that her every move was very secretive, but unexpectedly, Wang Hongyi had already fully grasped it.In this regard, I actually acted as Wang Hongyi's "guide" invisibly, not only helping him find Xu Wanniang, but also helping him see through all the secrets.Now that Fang Bo's family of three had been brutally murdered, and the whereabouts of Auntie and Dai Lisi were unknown, the biggest "culprit" was actually himself!
That night, the strong guilt and remorse made Chu Lisang unable to hold back anymore, and tears burst out of his eyes immediately.

"Don't worry, Sonny." Xiao Junmo gently held her shoulders, and said softly, "I am the one Wang Hongyi wants to deal with, and he will not hurt my mother."

"It's all my fault, I'm so stupid!" Chu Lisang choked up and couldn't make a sound, "I thought I could spy on some information by staying with Mingzang, but...in the end, I messed up everything."

"Don't say it, don't say it." Xiao Junmo suppressed the sadness in his heart, and hugged her into his arms, "With Wang Hongyi's means, he will find out everything sooner or later. You can't stop it, and neither can I. But, we must You can find my mother and Doris, trust me."

That night, they dug a big pit in the corner of the yard, buried Fang Bo's family of three, and cleaned up the scene a bit.By the time the work was over, the sky was already dawning.Xiao Junmo asked Chu Lisang to go back to Lanlingfang with him, but Chu Lisang shook his head and said, "It happened because of me, I can't just hide like this."

"You still want to go back to Wang Hongyi?" Xiao Junmo smiled wryly.

"Yes." Chu Lisang looked at him with a stubborn look in his eyes, "Only by returning to him can I have a chance to find out the whereabouts of my aunt and Dai Lisi, right?"

Xiao Junmo originally wanted to say, "Wang Hongyi is such a cunning person, he will definitely not show his feet", but he swallowed the words.Because he knew that Chu Lisang was a woman who would never admit defeat.Xiao Junmo has known this since he first saw her in Yique.

"Okay then, but you have to be careful about everything."

"Don't worry," Chu Lisang smiled self-deprecatingly, "He won't do anything to me. If there is anyone in this world he dare not harm, it is me. Therefore, only I can use With this, we can find out the whereabouts of Auntie and Doris."

However, what Chu Lisang never expected was that after she returned to the king's house in Bird Clothes Lane, she never saw Wang Hongyi for several days.He, Wei Laoliu and other confidantes seemed to have disappeared and never came back.Those who stay in the palace are all young people who don't know anything.

Chu Lisang was disappointed, but there was nothing he could do.

In the past few days, Xiao Junmo recklessly mobilized all the forces of the Tianxing League under him——Xiyan's Donggu sub-helm, Xuanguan's Chongyuan sub-helm, Li Anyan's Linchuan sub-helm, Yuan Gongwang's Wu Wu Yu divided the helm into the rest of the team—they searched for Xu Wanniang day and night inside and outside Chang'an City, but they found nothing.

There are nearly a million people living in Chang'an, and trying to find one or two people without the slightest clue is tantamount to finding a needle in a haystack!
In the past few days, Chu Lisang saw Xiao Junmo for a few times, and found that his face was pale, his whole body was obviously thinner, and his eyes were covered with bloodshot eyes that had not slept for days.

Chu Lisang was very distressed, but she also knew that any words of comfort at this time were useless.At this difficult moment, all she could do was to stand beside him silently and face all this with him.

Early this morning, Xiao Junmo suddenly sent someone to inform her, asking her to meet up with Xuanguan and others at Fayin Temple, saying that there was something important to discuss...

After Chu Lisang worshiped incense in the Daxiong Palace, he came out from the back door, turned to the right, bypassed the Ksitigarbha Hall, and came to a relatively secluded Buddhist temple.The Xuanguan disciple who was standing outside the gate recognized her and immediately led her in.

As soon as I entered the Xuanguan meditation room, I saw that there were seven or eight people sitting there. Besides Xuanguan, Xiyan and their confidantes, there was one of Yuan Gongwang's subordinates, everyone called him Laogu; the other two were Linchuan Duo. The backbone of the company, the superficial identity is the tea doctor of Wangchuan Tea House.

Everyone stood up to greet each other, and after saluting each other, they sat down again.Chu Lisang glanced around, everyone's faces were gloomy, obviously annoyed by the futility of the past few days.Chu Lisang took the initiative to open up the chatter box, chatted with Xuan Guan about the Buddhist finger relics in Dajue Temple, asked Lao Gu about the silk business, and asked the two tea doctors about the tea ceremony. Gradually aroused everyone's interest in talking, and the originally depressing atmosphere was finally relaxed.

After half an hour, Xiao Junmo finally arrived.

His complexion was still grim, but there was a gleam of joy in his eyes.Chu Lisang knew at a glance that there must be a turning point in finding Xu Wanniang.

"Just got the information that tomorrow morning, King Wei will hold a banquet in honor of Wang Hongyi at the Zhongnan Mountain Villa. In fact, he wants to trap him. Our chance has come." As soon as Xiao Junmo took his seat, he looked around the crowd and said.

As the saying goes, capture the thief first and capture the king, as long as you take this opportunity to capture Wang Hongyi, you will not be afraid that he will not hand over Xu Wanniang and Dai Lisi.

Hearing this, everyone's depressed mood for the past few days was instantly wiped away, and everyone was gearing up.

"That's it!" Xi Yan slapped his thigh, "Take this monster down, and we won't have to look for a needle in a haystack."

"That being said, it's not easy to get him." Xiao Junmo said, "Wei Wang is afraid that his previous collusion with Wang Hongyi will be revealed, and he will definitely kill people tomorrow; In addition, Wang Hongyi has always been suspicious and will definitely ambush people around the villa; plus us, there will probably be four groups of people on the mountain tomorrow, and it will definitely be a scuffle."

"That's just right!" Lao Gu laughed, "This subordinate hasn't eaten meat for many years, and his hands are already itchy, and this is the day he's been waiting for."

"According to what the leader said, we have to be cautious." The old and prudent Xuan Guan stroked the beard on his chin and said slowly, "There are four groups of people, some want to kill, some want to arrest, some want to protect, and we want to rob. What kind of chaos will it be?! We have to plan carefully, and we must not take it lightly."

"The mage is right. That's why I invited everyone here..." Xiao Junmo said, coughing suddenly.Chu Lisang immediately looked at him with concern.Xiao Junmo smiled at her, and then said to everyone: "First of all, let me introduce the location and surrounding terrain of King Wei's annex to you..."

Then, Xiao Junmo drew materials on the spot, compared with the teapot, tea bowl, pen, ink, paper and inkstone on the table in front of him, and explained it to everyone in detail.During the process, he coughed from time to time and had to pause several times.Chu Lisang kept looking at him, his brows gradually tightened, and finally got up quietly, and walked out of the meditation room.

Xiao Junmo didn't realize it.

After half an hour, Chu Lisang returned to the meditation room.At this time Xiao Junmo had finished speaking, and everyone was discussing heatedly, Chu Lisang gave Xiao Junmo a wink.Xiao Junmo understood, got up and walked out of the meditation room with her.

"What's the matter?" Xiao Junmo hurriedly asked as soon as he came out.

Chu Lisang said nothing, walked straight across the courtyard, and walked towards the kitchen.Xiao Junmo had no choice but to follow.As soon as he entered the room, he smelled a strong medicinal fragrance, and immediately understood what was going on.

A bowl of medicine was handed in front of him: "You are such an adult, don't you know how to take medicine when you are sick?"

Looking at Chu Lisang's worried and concerned eyes, Xiao Junmo couldn't help feeling warm in his heart, so he took the medicine and drank it down.

Zhongnan Mountain, also known as Taiyi Mountain and Zhounan Mountain, is located [-] miles south of Chang'an City, across the south of the Guanzhong Plain, stretching for hundreds of miles from Qinlong in the west to Lantian in the east. It is known as "the danger of Kyushu".Because Zhongnan Mountain is adjacent to the imperial capital and has beautiful scenery, from the Han Dynasty to the Sui and Tang Dynasties, many royals, nobles, dignitaries and eunuchs built villas here. Firstly, they are used for entertainment, banquets, leisure and summer vacation, and secondly, they are also for status. symbol.

Wei Wang Li Tai's Zangfeng Villa is located on the mountainside of Bixiao Peak in Zhongnan Mountain. It is built against the mountain and has an extraordinary momentum.

At the end of the hour, Wang Hongyi, wearing a bronze mask, arrived on time with more than ten attendants, and Li Tai personally stood at the door to greet him.After the two parties exchanged a few pleasantries, Wang Hongyi fixedly looked at the four gold-plated characters "Zangfeng Mountain Villa" on the gate plaque, and said, "The name of this villa, Your Highness, is so elegant!"

"This villa was originally built for the husband, so naturally it must be worthy of the husband in every way." Li Tai said with a smile, "It is my greatest comfort that the husband is satisfied."

"Your Highness's actions really flattered this old man. It's a pity that I won't be able to enjoy such a blessed place and fairyland on earth."

"Why did you say that, sir?"

"It's too eye-catching." Wang Hongyi said indifferently, "Your Highness knows best that this old man is a person who walks in the dark, how dare he live in such a ostentatious place?"

"Sir, what you said is wrong. This villa is a few miles around and there is no one inhabited. It is not an exaggeration to say that it is lonely and self-admiring. How can it be called ostentatious?" Li Tai approached him, and said in a low voice, "Besides, my father has personally agreed to make me the secretary. Prince, now that the important matter has been done, you don’t need to walk in the dark all the time in the future, don’t you?”

"Your Highness, it's not the old man who poured cold water on you. Even if you enter the East Palace as you wish, you can't say that the big thing has been done." Wang Hongyi squinted at him, "Unless you can get on the throne in one go, there will always be variables. For many years, prince, isn’t it the end of the game now?”

"Yes, yes, sir, you are very worried!" Li Tai laughed a few times, and turned his body sideways, "Everything is ready inside, sir, please, let's have fun with wine, and talk while drinking."

Wang Hongyi walked in with Li Tai, looked around, and saw pavilions, terraces, waterside pavilions, mountains, rocks, forests, and springs interspersed with each other, halls and pavilions complement each other with pines and cypresses, and the whole architectural style is luxurious, rich, exquisite and delicate, which is rare to see. Wonders of the world.In particular, the site selection of the villa is even more discerning - it leans against the rolling mountains, faces the majestic Qinchuan land, and has a panoramic view of the entire Chang'an city.No matter from the perspective of Feng Shui or from the perspective of viewing, it is breathtaking enough.

Wang Hongyi couldn't help but secretly marvel.

Before coming, he had already made up his mind to decline Li Tai's gift, but now that he saw it, he couldn't help being moved by it.

Maybe it's okay to accept it first.Wang Hongyi thought, even if he doesn't stay here for a while, it's not a bad idea to come here to spend the rest of his life after he becomes successful and famous in the future.

"By the way, why didn't Wei Zuo envoy come with Mr.?" Li Tai noticed that there was no Wei Laoliu among Wang Hongyi's entourage.

"I have something to do at home, so I didn't let him come." Wang Hongyi said, "Besides, I'm going to His Highness's appointment, and I'm not going to some grand banquet. Why do I need to be with so many people?"

Li Tai was slightly taken aback, and then laughed a few times: "That is, that is, sir, it can be said that it is absolutely safe with me."

According to Li Tai's original plan, he originally planned to get rid of Wei Laoliu, but now it has failed, and he feels a little disappointed.

In fact, Li Tai never imagined that at this time, Wei Laoliu was hiding in a cypress forest on the west side of the back hill of Zangfeng Mountain Villa with dozens of capable men. mountain villa.

For Li Tai's invitation this time, Wang Hongyi was always vigilant. For this reason, he specifically met Xuanquan yesterday and asked whether the emperor had really promised to make Li Tai the crown prince.Although Xuanquan gave a very positive answer, Wang Hongyi did not completely dispel his doubts, so he took Wei Laoliu and others up the mountain today.

However, in order to maintain the superficial relationship with Li Tai, Wang Hongyi didn't want to be too wary, so he let Wei Laoliu and others hide on the back hill, closely monitor the situation below, and if something happens, they can respond at any time.

Li Tai and Wang Hongyi were talking, and soon came to the main hall, where four guards of Prince Wei's residence stood at the door.

Du Chuke came out respectfully, and after greeting each other with Wang Hongyi, he said to the attendants behind him: "Everyone will accompany me, please follow me to the East Wing."

Hearing the words, the two leading followers asked Wang Hongyi for instructions with their eyes.Wang Hongyi returned a wink.Those two people understood, and immediately stood on both sides of the main hall gate, standing side by side with the four palace guards.Seeing this, Du Chuke exchanged glances with Li Tai, then said nothing, and led the other followers to the east wing.

Li Tai and Wang Hongyi entered the main hall.As soon as he was seated, Wang Hongyi suddenly remembered something, and said, "Your Highness has nothing to discuss today, why didn't you bring Jinse with you?"

"I wanted to come here together," Li Tai sighed, "I didn't want Jinse to catch a cold last night and complain of a headache this morning, so I had to let her rest in the mansion, and didn't dare to bring her up."

"Caught a cold? Is it serious?" Wang Hongyi was concerned.

"Don't worry, sir, I have ordered the doctor to see it, and he said that as long as you take a few doses of medicine, you will be fine after a few days of rest."

Hearing this, Wang Hongyi felt relieved.

While talking, a group of maids came in one after another with food boxes in hand, filled the food table for two people with plates and delicacies, and poured wine for them.Li Tai waved his hand, motioning for them to back off.All the maids backed out gently and closed the door.

Li Tai looked at Wang Hongyi and said with a smile: "Sir, there is no one else here now, you should take off your mask, it's so inconvenient to wear that thing."

Wang Hongyi was silent for a moment, then took off his mask.

Li Tai picked up the wine cup and said with a smile on his face: "Sir, thank you for your great help this year. I, Li Taiming, feel very grateful, and hereby prepare a small drink to show my heart. Come, let me toast you!"

"Your Highness is serious. It is a great honor for a commoner Wang to meet His Highness as old friends and join hands in a great cause. Let me respect Your Highness." Wang Hongyi raised the wine cup to his lips politely.Suddenly, his gaze was fixed on the screen behind Li Tai, as if he had noticed something, he frowned slightly, and at the same time unconsciously put the wine cup back on the table.

Seeing this, Li Tai couldn't help but feel his heart tighten.

The wine had already been dosed with Mongolian perspiration medicine, and Du Chuke said that as long as he drank three cups, Wang Hongyi would be kept unconscious.Now Lu Ben is hiding behind the screen with ten elite soldiers, only waiting for Wang Hongyi to fall, he will rush out and chop off his head.But this old fellow Wang Hongyi is suspicious by nature, could it be that he has already noticed that there is someone behind the screen?

On the mountain road a few miles away from Zangfeng Mountain Villa, a horse-drawn carriage is galloping towards.

A woman's anxious voice came from inside the carriage, urging the driver to go faster.

"My lady, don't rush!" The coachman held the reins tightly in his hand, and said displeasedly, "This Bixiao Peak Mountain is high and dangerous, and there are many sharp turns. If you push me harder, we will go over the ravine!"

As soon as the words fell, the carriage passed a steep and narrow sharp bend, and the body tilted sharply to the side of the cliff. The woman in the carriage let out a suppressed exclamation.The coachman skillfully reined in the reins, and the galloping horse slowed down instantly, and the carriage rounded the curve without any danger.

The coachman just breathed a sigh of relief, but the woman behind him said coldly: "Listen, I will give you another joss stick time, if you arrive on time, I will make you a small fortune; If something big happens, I'm afraid you won't be able to bear the consequences."

"Hey, you bitch, how dare you threaten me!" The coachman was furious, stopped the carriage immediately, turned around to the back of the carriage, opened the curtain with a slam, and was about to go mad when a gleaming dagger suddenly hit on the tip of his nose.

"A stick of incense." The woman in the car only repeated these three words.

The coachman looked at this seemingly weak but cruel woman in astonishment. He was stunned for a moment, and then forced a smile: "Yes, yes, I will listen to you, and I will listen to you."

Su Jinse slowly put the knife back: "Then why are you dawdling?!"

The driver hurried back to the carriage and restarted the carriage.

Since the day before yesterday, Su Jinse smelled an ominous smell in the Wei Palace, so she rushed back to the house in Bird Clothes Lane that day, wanting to remind Wang Hongyi to be careful, but when she went back, she heard that he hadn't returned for several days, and no one knew where he had gone.Su Jinse stayed overnight, but still did not see Wang Hongyi coming back. Knowing that it would be useless to wait any longer, she had to go back to Prince Wei's mansion and ask Li Tai if he had been in touch with her adoptive father recently.

There has always been a secret communication channel between Li Tai and Wang Hongyi, but Li Tai has categorically denied any contact with Wang Hongyi.Su Jinse asked him if he had any important activities recently, and Li Tai said no.Su Jinse knew that he was lying, and became even more suspicious that he was planning something ulterior.

Early this morning, Su Jinse had breakfast with Li Tai as usual, but halfway through the meal, she realized that she was too careless, so she used the excuse of going to the latrine and vomited out all the food she had eaten in her stomach.But even so, Su Jinse was still hit. As soon as he returned to the room, he felt top-heavy and his limbs were weak, and then he fell headfirst on the bed.

Obviously, Li Tai drugged the meal.

However, because Su Jinse vomited out the contents of her stomach in time, the effect of the medicine weakened a lot, and she woke up after only sleeping for an hour.Li Tai had long since disappeared.Su Jinse was angry and anxious, so she ran to the Dianjun duty room to find Lu Ben, and when she learned that Lu Ben had gone out with Li Tai, she became more and more convinced that Li Tai must do something that would be detrimental to Wang Hongyi today.However, she didn't know where Li Tai went or what he wanted to do.

When he was at a loss, Su Jinse accidentally discovered that a group of soldiers from the royal residence were playing with scorpions, so he hid nearby and eavesdropped on their conversation, and finally learned that Lu Ben had brought fifty soldiers to follow Li Tai to Mount Zhongnan. I also learned that Li Tai was going to entertain a certain distinguished guest at the Zangfeng Mountain Villa today.

Su Jinse understood everything in an instant, immediately hired a carriage, and hurried over...

"What's the matter, sir?"

Li Tai looked at Wang Hongyi nervously.

Wang Hongyi remained silent, his gaze remained motionless on the screen behind him.This is a red sandalwood screen, engraved with a five-character poem written by Li Shimin in his own hand. Respect yourself to the four poles, hang your clothes to control the eight wastes. The frost halberd is the alchemy, and the silk and bamboo rhyme corridor..."

This kind of wood carving screen is different from the silk screen with paintings of flowers, birds, insects and fish.That kind of screen is usually translucent, and people can easily be spotted hiding behind it, but this kind of screen is tall and thick, and Lu Ben and the others didn't make any movement. How could Wang Hongyi notice it?

Just when Li Tai was doubtful, Wang Hongyi said slowly: "Your Highness, do you really intend to give this Tibetan Wind Villa to this old man?"

"Of course." Li Tai hurriedly said, "I give you a gift with sincerity, how can you go back on what you say?"

Wang Hongyi nodded slightly, and then looked away.

Li Tai secretly breathed a sigh of relief.

Wang Hongyi didn't know what he was thinking, his eyes were a little blurred, and he began to chant leisurely: "Madam's friendship, I look up to the whole life, or take all the embraces, and understand the words in the room; or because of the entrustment, let the waves go out. Although There is a lot of interest in giving up, but it is different from calmness. When you are happy with what you meet, you get it for yourself temporarily, and you are contented quickly, and you don’t know that old age is coming..."

Everyone knows that this is Wang Xizhi's "Lanting Preface".But Li Tai became more and more confused, not knowing what Wang Hongyi meant when he suddenly recited this article.

"Since His Highness is sincerely gifting you this gift, I would rather obey your orders than be respectful." Wang Hongyi said indifferently, "It's just that this house is very good, but there is only one place that doesn't suit the old man's wishes..."

Li Tai thought for a while, and suddenly realized.

It turned out that he had been staring at the screen just now, because he didn't like the screen.No, to be precise, I don't like the poem on this screen.Because it was the father's poem, and Wang Hongyi had always disliked the father, Li Tai knew it well.

That being the case, things are much simpler.Li Tai couldn't help but secretly smiled, and said: "Don't worry, sir, I'll have someone remove this screen later and make a new one, with Wang Xizhi's "Orchid Pavilion Preface" engraved on it, what do you think sir?"

Wang Hongyi smiled in satisfaction, and picked up the wine cup on the case: "Then the old man will stop talking, the words are in the wine, please!"

"Please!"

The two respected each other from a distance, and then each drank the wine in one gulp.

(End of this chapter)