The snow in the north had always been thicker. When Xie An of the Eastern Jin Dynasty was talking about the heavy snow with his children, Xie Daoyun said that the snow was like willow catkins. However, such snow could only be found in the south. The heavy snow in the north was sometimes like " sprinkling salt in the air ".
The snow had cleared up and the temperature had dropped a lot. However, the ministers of the Supreme Court of Chang 'an were still burning with gossip. Their eyes were shining and they were talking excitedly in private. Today, the Supreme Court had welcomed the most important guest since the founding of the country, the Crown Prince of Tang, Li Chengqian.
Unlike the prison of the Ministry of Justice, the prison of the Supreme Court was much cleaner. Speaking of which, it was quite interesting. Those who could be locked up in the Supreme Court had status and status. Ordinary people could not be locked up.
However, a prison was a prison. No matter how clean it was, it would not be much better. Although it was winter, there were still cockroaches struggling in the Supreme Court's prison. Li Chengqian, who originally loved cleanliness, was not as flustered and helpless as he was when he failed. The bearing that he had trained for decades as the Crown Prince was now vividly displayed.
The past was already in the past, and the future would come later. He only paid attention to the present and used what he could do now to do what he should do now. This was what Li Chengqian was thinking and doing at this moment.
He straightened his body and sat cross-legged in the cell. Like an old man, he recalled the past few decades and tasted the bits and pieces of time. The ups and downs were all in his heart.
As the eldest son of Li Shimin, he was born in the Chengqian Hall of Taiji Palace in the second year of Wude. Li Shimin named the hall after him, which was Li Chengqian.
He was also considered intelligent and sensitive since he was young. Although he was not as monstrous as Zhi Nu, he was still deeply loved by his father. Later on, when his father ascended the throne, he was promoted from father to father. Naturally, he was also appointed as the crown prince.
Seven years ago, his grandfather, who loved him the most, passed away. His father was in mourning for his grandfather, and he made all the decisions in the court.
At that time, he was so high-spirited. He just wanted to perform well in front of his father and get his father to acknowledge him. Speaking of which, he had never worked so hard before. He would only rest in the middle of the night every night. He handled the state affairs in an orderly manner. Whether it was the ministers in the court or his father who came back later, they all praised him.
However, good times didn't last long. He didn't know when it started, but his father started to hate him. Sigh, how could he not know that as the Crown Prince, liking a catamite was against etiquette? But he loved Chenxin, he loved her to the bone.
Sometimes, he really envied Ninth Brother. He could ignore everything and wander around Chang 'an with his wife and concubines." Chang' an's number one silkpants "?
If he had obtained this reputation, he would probably be scolded to death by the government and the people. Xiao Jiu would be much happier. He had done business and obtained a lot of wealth.
Although it was a lowly profession, he did not ask for a single cent of salary from the court. He spent the money he earned and sang and danced every night. Even Wei Zheng, who had always been upright and upright, could not say anything. He only muttered a few words of dissatisfaction sometimes.
Sigh, I really envy Xiao Jiu.
Thinking about it carefully, these decades felt like a dream. Now, he had finally woken up from the dream. Would he be beheaded like No. 5?
Thinking of this, Li Chengqian couldn't help but be dazed. His unfocused eyes stared straight ahead. His mind was filled with fear and he couldn't think any further.
A burst of extremely sorrowful and loving cries suddenly came from the silent Supreme Court prison. Li Chengqian's numb heart felt as if it was being ruthlessly grabbed, and his breathing seemed to be about to stop.
"Qian 'er, your mother is here to see you."
She was no longer as graceful and elegant as before. At this moment, in front of Li Chengqian was a mother with tears all over her face. The pain, sadness, and desolation in her eyes seemed to be overflowing.
After many days of twists and turns, Li Chengqian could no longer take it. Like a child, he threw himself into the arms of the noble lady who walked in.
"Mother, Mother!"
Li Chengqian no longer called her mother as he usually did. Perhaps only this one call, the most common call in a commoner's house, could make Li Chengqian put away the grievances, anger, and despair he had felt for decades, as well as the fear and despair he felt now…Let it all out.
The person who came was none other than Li Chengqian's biological mother, Empress Zhangsun.
With her chin pressed against Li Chengqian's head, Empress Zhangsun kept letting out mournful and suppressed cries from her chest. She was like a mother wolf who had lost her wolf cub, helpless and sad.
" Qian 'er, Qian' er, how can I save you? How can I save you?" She hugged Li Chengqian, her first son. When he was born, he brought her so many tears and laughter. But how can I save you, my son?
Looking at his mother's tears dripping onto his face, Li Chengqian felt that his heart was breaking bit by bit. He forced himself out of his mother's embrace and wiped his mother's tears away from his face. He forced a smile and said,""Mother, don't be sad. Since Qian 'er has done something wrong, he should take responsibility. Didn't Xiao Jiu always say,' If Buddha doesn't save me, I will become a devil'?
Even if everyone wants me to die, I'm not afraid because my mother still loves me and misses me.
From the day I swore, I had a vague feeling that such a day might come, but I don't regret it, not at all.
Everything in this world comes with a price. Seizing the throne naturally comes with a price. Now that I've lost, the price is my life. Since I dare to gamble, I dare to take out the gambling capital that I've long prepared. However, I hope that mother can persuade father to let my two children go. They are still young and don't know what I'm going to do. Moreover, they are also of the royal bloodline. This is my last plea to mother.”With that, Li Chengqian's face was full of tears. He forced a smile and knelt in front of Empress Zhangsun.
Empress Zhangsun shook her head and her nose was choked. However, her eyes were filled with a determination that Li Chengqian had never seen before."Qian 'er, you don't have to say anymore. Even if I have to risk my life, I won't let your Imperial Father kill you. If your Imperial Father insists on killing you, I will kill myself in Taiji Palace.”
After she finished speaking, Empress Zhangsun gritted her teeth and stood up. She rushed out of the prison door aggressively, ignoring Li Chengqian's call from behind. At this moment, Empress Zhangsun had the bearing of her predecessor, Empress Dugu, and her good friend, Madam Fang.
Sigh, the women of the Great Tang are all fickle. It looks like our Li Dada is going to have a headache.
Staring blankly at Empress Zhangsun's departing figure, the prison door closed again with a clang. However, Li Chengqian felt his heart relax. It was a kind of hope that pervaded Li Chengqian's heart.
"Xiao Jiu, Xiao Jiu, you're right. He looked at the starry sky, but he did not find anything more brilliant than his mother's face or more vast than his mother's love. He had lived his entire life and only now did he understand this principle.”
The lovely dividing line.
It was already dark, but in Taiji Palace, Li Shiming was like a lion that had fallen into a trap. He paced back and forth on the steps, his hair and beard standing on end. His eyes were like lightning, and he would occasionally glance at the officials standing below the steps.
However, whether it was the civil officials led by Zhangsun Wuji and Fang Xuanling, the generals led by Li Jing and Li Ji, or even Kong Yingda, who was usually full of poetry, all of them were silent.
"How should we deal with the Crown Prince? Say something. Are all the civil and military officials mute?”Li Shi Min looked at the ministers and said angrily. The anger of the emperor had caused millions of corpses and blood to flow. Although it was not that exaggerated, the ministers were still shocked and their breathing slowed down.
He was afraid that Li Shimin would ask him questions. What could he say?
The Crown Prince's rebellion was the most serious, vile, and sensitive incident in the Empire's politics. Who dared to make decisions for the Emperor in such a matter?
Kill?
After all, he is the Emperor's own flesh and blood. Regardless of whether he agrees to your remonstrance or not, even if this impression is extremely bad, if you offend the Emperor, do you still think you can continue to mingle in the Great Tang's political court?
Don't kill?
Alright, then what should we do? This is a real attempt to incite the leading ministers to rebel. If we don't kill them, how can we calm the hearts of the people? If we don't kill them, I'm afraid that the hearts of those vassal kings and military chiefs who have been enfeoffed all over the world will be chaotic.
Kill? Don't kill? None of them worked. Alright, then he could only shut up and pretend to be confused.
For a moment, the ministers looked at each other, but no one dared to speak.
The court was silent.
After a long time, just as Li Shi Min was about to explode in anger again, a small official finally stood up from the last position of the officials and broke the unbearable silence.
This small official was called Ji. He was the son of a famous general of the Sui Dynasty who came to protect his son. He was then an interpreter.
It was obvious that he was very nervous. After taking a few steps, he knelt down with a thud.
He mustered up his courage and said to Li Shiming,"Your Majesty, I have a humble opinion. His Majesty is a loving father. He is famous all over the world. He is the crown prince…You can also live out your days."
His words were very simple, and his meaning was very clear. He wanted to save his son's life, but as for the aftermath and the bad effects that would be brought about, this humble subject did not know.
Li Shiming wanted this answer, but he didn't answer immediately. He just looked at the kid and said,"I'll remember you. Wait for your promotion and let him return to his class."
Finally, Li Shi Min sat back on the throne and said to the ministers expressionlessly,"It's getting late. Let's go."
"Here."
What else was there to discuss? The truth was obvious. The Emperor wanted to let the Crown Prince go. Lai Ji's words were the only remonstrance for the Crown Prince's punishment today. Enough. Li Shiming had gotten what he wanted. There was no need to ask anymore. Go back to where you came from.
The officials took their leave one by one. At this moment, the official in front of the hall stepped forward and said,"Your Majesty, Prince Jin is outside requesting an audience.”
"Young slaves?" Li Shi Min frowned.
As for Li Zhi, who had no choice but to produce evidence to prove his innocence because of the rumors spread by the King of Wei, Li Shimin was both proud and loyal.
There were so many ancient quatrains that could not be written overnight. In other words, in the past ten years, he, the ninth brother, was not as silkpants as he appeared to be. Then why did he behave like this? Looking at the throne on his left hand, he thought about Li Chengqian, Li Tai, and himself from more than ten years ago. Li Shiming smiled bitterly. How could a prince not have his eyes on this throne? Wasn't he the same in the past? Compared to Chengqian, Green Sparrow, and Zhinu, he was much smarter and knew how to hide his strength and bide his time. What was he doing here now?
Dressed in the imperial robe of a vassal king, Li Zhi slowly stepped into Taiji Palace. He was already 14 years old, but he was 1.78 meters tall. He was elegant and had an imposing appearance. He looked more like his mother, Empress Zhangsun. He had the aura of a scholar, a standard gigolo, and a lady killer. It was definitely not an exaggeration.
"Xiao Jiu greets father.”Li Zhi smiled and bowed. It had to be said that Little Li's smile was quite infectious. At least when Little Li showed his six big white teeth, Wu Mei Niang would always look confused and blush.
Although Li Shiming was not so infatuated with Li Zhi, he was in a much better mood. He seemed to be more or less infected by the confidence and sunshine of his ninth son.
"Stand up. Why? Why aren't you accompanying my wife to the night market at night? Why are you in my Taiji Palace?”Li Shi Min looked at the ruffian in annoyance. Li Zhi laughed and scolded.
Li Zhi also smiled." Isn't it? It's almost the new year. Mei Niang said that she wanted to calculate the family's income this year. Sigh, these days, we have to be careful. Otherwise, the landlord's family won't have any surplus grain.”
Li Shi Min didn't know whether to laugh or cry at Li Zhi's words. Although he didn't know how much business his ninth son had done in the past ten years, he knew that his ninth son was the richest person in the Tang royal family, judging from the strange things that appeared in the market and the dividends that he received every year. Even his father might not be as rich as him.
"Alright, alright. Lai Xi, bring a chair for Prince Jin. Zhi Nu, you don't have to be witty. Today, you're not here to cry about poverty, right? If you want to say something, say it."
Li Zhi took the chair handed over by the officer and sat down without hesitation. After that, he twisted his body and changed into a more comfortable position. Then, he smiled at Li Shiming and said,"Of course not. Isn't it because of my brother?”
Hearing Li Zhi mention Li Chengqian, Li Shiming's face darkened and he became silent. The father and son sat on the steps and the other sat below the hall. It was a very strange way to talk.
"What opinions do you have?”Li Shi Min said to Li Zhi in a low voice.
Retracting his smile, Li Zhi lowered his eyes and said,"Big Brother is after all, Father's flesh and blood. If I kill him, Mother will probably fall out with Father first. If I don't kill him, the vassal kings and provincial governors in the world will have disagreements. At the same time, it will also leave a bad influence on future generations.”
"Kill and not kill? What do you mean?" Li Shi Min looked at Li Zhi in confusion.
Licking his lips, Li Zhi looked straight at his father and said seriously,"What Little Zhi means is to imprison Big Brother.”
"Trap?"
Old Man Li was a little confused when he suddenly heard this new term.
"As the name suggests, confinement is to confine and prohibit free movement. His father could imprison his eldest brother in a mansion and never allow him to leave the mansion. He could provide him with good food and drink. Not only could he set rules for the vassal kings and future generations, but he could also avoid his eldest brother's death penalty.”
After saying that, Li Zhi looked at Li Shiming calmly. This was already the most lenient and appropriate way.
Li Shiming frowned and didn't say anything, but he looked straight at Li Zhi. The father and son kept looking at each other. Finally, Li Shiming nodded silently, agreeing with Li Zhi's idea.
Li Zhi smiled slightly and said," Father, to be honest, after a hundred years, Father will leave behind a posthumous edict. He can let the prince who succeeds the throne release my brother after he has locked him up for ten to twenty years. He can also give my two nephews a title of nobility under the pretext of brotherhood. I believe that when the time comes, the emperor will have his courtiers. No one will risk offending the emperor and making things difficult for my brother who has disappeared from everyone's sight for ten to twenty years." A rebellion and more than ten years of imprisonment. It's not light but not heavy either. Moreover, it's enough to warn the vassal kings of the world. This is not perfect."
"Good! Alright! Zhi Nu, I can see that you really care about your big brother. Let's do it this way, let's do it this way, okay! Li Shimin was overjoyed. He didn't care about Li Zhi's death at all. He stood up and clapped his hands. He quickly walked down the steps and patted Li Zhi's shoulder with a loud laugh.
It could be seen that he was quite satisfied with Li Zhi."Yes, Zhi Nu, your big brother has you as his younger brother. It's his blessing that he has cultivated for several lifetimes. That bastard actually wanted to assassinate you. I wonder if he will die of shame after knowing that you are so considerate of him.”
Li Zhi looked at the happy Li Shiming and smiled,"Actually, what's really fortunate for Big Brother is that he has a good father who never abandoned him. That's why he's still alive and why Xiao Jiu is standing here now.”
Li Shi Min was stunned for a moment. He looked deeply at Li Zhi, who was almost as tall as him. He patted Li Zhi's shoulder. The father and son looked at each other and smiled silently.
The connection between father and son was nothing more than this.
"Fourth brother, I wonder what you will say.”Li Zhi was looking forward to it.
The lovely dividing line.
After seeing Li Zhi off, Li Shiming sat on the dragon throne happily. He thought for a while and then suddenly patted his head. He was going to tell the Empress his decision and make her feel relieved. These days, Li Shiming didn't know how to meet the Empress.
Just as he was about to get up, the eunuch came forward to report that the King of Wei was seeking an audience.
"I couldn't tell that these two brothers really have a tacit understanding on this matter. Hmm, let's see how the green sparrow's method is compared to Zhinu's. Xuan "
"Here."
Unlike the handsome and elegant young master Li Zhi, the King of Wei, Li Tai, had the figure of a sumo wrestler. He was really tired. He was sweating profusely and staggering a little.
Even Li Shiming, who was in line with the mainstream of the Tang Empire and believed that fatness was beautiful, felt that this son of his really needed to lose weight. Otherwise, he wouldn't need to walk in the future. Wherever he went, he would need to be carried. Moreover, he would need at least eight people to carry him. Otherwise, he really wouldn't be able to carry him.
"Green Sparrow, don't kneel. I'm afraid that you won't be able to get up after kneeling.”Li Shi Min was in a good mood.
" There." Li Tai also smiled embarrassedly. He couldn't even see his eyes. Kneeling down was really a tough thing for him.
"Tell me, why did you come to my son? Are you here for your big brother?" Li Shi Min looked at his fat son with a pleasant expression.
Unexpectedly, Li Tai's expression changed, and he said seriously,""Imperial Father, how can this be? That Li Chengqian plotted a rebellion and committed a heinous crime. He even sent assassins to kill Imperial Father and my son. How can such a disloyal, unfilial, heartless, and shameless person be Qing Que's eldest brother? Qing Que is even more ashamed of him and has long since disowned him. She is even more irreconcilable with Li Chengqian and can't wait to eat his flesh and drink his blood.”
"But, he... He's your big brother." Li Shi Min couldn't believe his eyes as he looked at his beloved son. He was going to eat his elder brother, his other son, and drink his blood. He couldn't believe his eyes. Li Shi Min couldn't breathe properly. He couldn't speak smoothly.
As the saying goes, if the heavens want you to die, they will make you crazy. Once Li Chengqian stepped down, the position of Crown Prince would naturally fall on his head. Li Tai was already half crazy, and no one could hear Li Shiming's tone.
Yes, he had to be serious and not laugh. Although he was very proud of himself, Li Tai still replied according to the lines he had thought of when he came,"Imperial Father Rong Bing, everyone has the right to kill rebels and traitors. Green Sparrow has learned the Dao of Confucius and Mencius since she was young.”
"Putting righteousness before family?" Li Shi Min murmured, his face pale.
Seeing that there was a chance, Li Tai quickly went forward and tried his best to persuade him,"Yes, Imperial Father. You must not be merciful to this traitor.”
Closing his eyes, Li Shiming tried his best to suppress the anger in his heart and asked,"What if it's your son? What would you do?"
Li Tai thought that Li Shimin was testing him on what he should do in the face of such a situation if he became the emperor one day. Although this was not part of the lines prepared by his aides, Li Tai himself would answer. The emperor, if he was not fierce, how could he be an emperor?
Li Tai raised his chest and replied loudly,""Imperial Father Bing, if it's Green Sparrow, we'll naturally kill one of the rebellious sons. If there are two, we'll kill two. If they all rebel, we'll kill them all. There are so many women in the world, we can just have more, but the world can't be in chaos.”
"Ah!"
Li Shi Min suddenly stood up and roared at the sky, his anger soaring to the heavens," Get out of Taiji Palace! Get out! I don't want to see you again! Have you forgotten who was your ride when you were young? Who was the one who played with you and coaxed you? You were bullied by your cousin, and who was the one who got beaten black and blue to avenge you?" He's the traitor big brother that you can't wait to eat his flesh and drink his blood. Get lost, get lost, get lost!"
Li Tai had never seen Li Shiming so angry. Even when he was humiliated by Jie Li at the bank of Wei River and formed the White Horse Alliance, he was not as angry as he was today.
Terrified, Li Tai stumbled out of Taiji Palace, but Li Shiming's roar was still heard.
"Hahaha, eat its flesh and drink its blood? One kill one, two kill two? Good, good, this vicious heart is really good. He is really my good son.”Li Shi Min dropped his crown, his hair was disheveled, and he was laughing and crying crazily.
Li Shi Min gradually quieted down, because a clear figure had appeared in front of him, his pale face full of tears.
"Guanyin, when did you come?”Li Shi Min looked at Empress Zhangsun in a daze.
Slowly shaking her head, Empress Zhangsun suddenly spat out a mouthful of blood. The illness that had been cured by Sun Simiao had relapsed after being provoked by Li Tai.
Li Shimin was shocked. He rushed down the steps like a gust of wind and caught Empress Zhangsun's tottering body." Guanyin Maid, don't scare me, Guanyin Maid."”
" Your Majesty, retribution, retribution!" After saying that, he spat out another mouthful of blood.
"Imperial Physician, Imperial Physician, where the hell did you all go? Hurry up and get out here for zhen. Quick, Guanyin Maid, don't scare zhen, Guanyin Maid!"
Li Shi Min's crazy roar echoed in the entire Taiji Palace, and then spread far away.
The lovely dividing line.
Li Zhi, who had already returned to the Prince Jin's Mansion, was wondering what his fourth brother, Li Tai, who had just entered the palace, would say. Li He knocked on the door and asked to see him.
"What is it? You're so flustered." Li Zhi said with some dissatisfaction.
Li He didn't say anything, but he handed over a piece of paper. Li Zhi glanced at Li He and opened the paper. The Arabic numbers and code were translated into Chinese characters. There weren't many words."The King of Wei angered the Empress, and the Empress is critically ill.”
Li Zhi's face was livid. He clenched the paper tightly and said to Li He,""Prepare a fast horse and enter the palace."
After saying that, he rushed out first.
"King of Wei, Li Tai, you deserve to die."
This book comes from：m.funovel.com。