That night, all the people who belonged to the Five Families and Seven Wangs in Chang 'an City disappeared.
As the sun rose, the streets were already filled with all kinds of hawking sounds.
Usually, the court session would be almost over at this time.
However, Li Rui had just woken up. When he saw the tea and pastries that Violet Girl brought over, he could not help but sigh."Sigh, it's the last day of the holiday. We have to start the court session tomorrow.”
Violet Lady burst into laughter and quickly covered her mouth to help him put on his clothes.
Stretching his back, Li Rui casually asked,""How did the Network handle it?"
Violet Girl smiled and said,""Don't worry, Master. Chou Shi has returned to report that all the members have been eliminated. You were sleeping, so I didn't disturb you."
Hearing this, Li Rui nodded in satisfaction." Not bad."”
By the way, where is Han Fei?"
"He left Chang 'an yesterday, saying that he was going to settle down the Mo family. If Master is looking for him, I will summon him back.”
"No need. I want him to arrange for Qin Huaiyu and the others. Since he's not here, we'll talk about it when we have time.”Li Rui waved his hand and stopped Violet Maiden.
At this moment, Nongyu knocked on the door and reported,""Master, Sister Violet, an imperial edict has arrived at the Ning Imperial Residence.”
Hearing this, Li Rui could only stand up helplessly. He hadn't swallowed the pastry in his mouth and said vaguely,"It's only been a day. Why is there another imperial edict?”
Although he said that, Li Rui still rushed back to the Ning residence.
After receiving the imperial edict, Li Rui knew that it was Li Shimin who had summoned the princes to the palace for lunch.
Li Rui knew that it was Empress Zhangsun's intention without thinking.
A family banquet was arranged to relieve Li Shimin's worries and comfort those princes who were frightened in Weishui River a few days ago.
Before the eunuch left, he did not forget to ask,"Why did Your Highness Ning come back from outside? Did you leave early in the morning?”
He raised his eyebrows. It seemed that this person was still here to scout for information.
"I'm just coming back from Purple Orchid Pavilion…" Li Rui quickly explained.”
As he spoke, he even yawned, looking exhausted." Eunuch, are you alright? This Prince has to go back and catch up on sleep."”
"As you wish, Your Highness Ning Wang.”
He knew that the Palace had asked him to ask, but Li Rui did not hide it.
Anyway, he was just listening to music. Outsiders could believe it or not.
Right after the eunuch left, Qin Huaiyu and the others came over.
"Your Highness, your servants are here. Do you have any plans for today?"”
Li Rui stopped in his tracks and sighed in his heart."I almost forgot about them, but I still have an excuse today.”
Then he turned around and said seriously,"Brothers, I'm attending a family banquet in the palace today. I can't accompany you."”
Yuchi Tielin patted the bag on his body and laughed heartily."Your Highness, you just need to be busy. Arrange a room for this humble servant. In the future, we will take care of Your Highness in the Ning Imperial Residence.”
At the thought of being taken care of by four burly men.
Li Rui was speechless.
…………
When noon arrived, Li Rui arrived at the Great Ming Palace.
As for the burly men who had to take care of him, they were arranged to stay in the Ning Imperial Residence.
Li Rui was led to the Political Hall.
As it was a family banquet organized by Empress Zhangsun, it was chosen here instead of a formal place to entertain the ministers.
Many people had already arrived. Crown Prince Li Chengqian, King of Shu Li Ke, King of Wei Li Tai…
After greeting Empress Zhangsun, Li Rui also took his seat.
He listened as they discussed their views on the Turks, how they managed the disaster, how they were praised by the Grand Scholar for yesterday's article, and so on.
Li Rui was not interested at all. He kept quiet and started to eat.
Not long after, Emperor Taizong arrived.
Her face was haggard. She had been anxious for the past few days.
After he took his seat, the princes bowed before lunch officially began.
Looking at the dishes that were served again, Li Rui put on the posture of a person who had just finished eating, even though he had already eaten a lot.
During the banquet, Crown Prince Li Chengqian was the first to toast and report the recent happy events in various places.
The weather in this state was good, and the people lived and worked in peace and contentment. The bandits in another county were solved, and the people were grateful.
In any case, it was just to pick a good word to say, the purpose was to make Tang Taizong's mood better.
Almost all the princes stood up to express their gratitude. Only Li Rui didn't care and continued to eat with his head lowered.
No, she was already full. She was bored and fiddled with the fruits on her plate.
Empress Zhangsun looked at Li Rui more than once, hinting at him to stand up and express his gratitude.
However, Li Rui pretended to be dumb and did not speak. He lowered his head and infinitely lowered his sense of existence.
At this moment, Zhangsun Wuji walked in quickly. With his status as the country's uncle, it didn't seem inappropriate for him to attend this banquet.
However, from his anxious look, it was obvious that he was not here for the banquet.
"Your Majesty, something bad has happened.”
Li Shi Min sat up straight and quickly asked,"My dear minister, you are so flustered. What happened?”
He had thought that he had found some clues regarding the Turks, but the next words left him stunned.
"Your Majesty, a third-grade official, Cui Yi, was found dead in the residence. None of the 130 people in the residence survived! Official of the third rank, Lu Yong, official of the third rank…"
Zhangsun Wuji suppressed the shock in his heart and reported several names in a row. They were all important officials of the court.
Without exception, they were all killed.
Li Shi Min's eyes were burning with anger. He clenched his fists and was on the verge of exploding.
Empress Zhangsun covered her mouth in shock.
The princes below exclaimed in disbelief.
Li Shimin asked coldly," Where's the murderer?”
Cold sweat trickled down Zhangsun Wuji's forehead as he hurriedly knelt down and apologized,""I am incompetent and have yet to find the murderer.”
"What's the use of having you!"
" I don't know!" Li Shimin cursed angrily." Several court officials died mysteriously at home, and we don't even have any clues!”
"I know my crime. The Ministry of Justice has already sent people to investigate, but there are indeed no clues that can help in the investigation.”
Li Chengqian's body trembled as he suddenly remembered the mastermind of the Wei River. He couldn't help but say,""There's no clue again. Could it be the forces that massacred the Turkic army? They…they've come to Chang 'an!”
Hearing his words, all the princes looked terrified.
"What should we do? And why did they kill my ministers?”Li Tai felt a chill run down his spine and didn't dare to continue thinking.
Speaking of Weishui River again, Li Zhi couldn't help but recall the scene at that time. His stomach was boiling, and the smell of alcohol was all over his body.
"Ugh ~"
"Zhi 'er!" Empress Zhangsun exclaimed.“
"What are you all still standing there for? Quickly help Jin Wang to the side hall and call the imperial physician.”
After Li Zhi was sent away, the rest of the princes were silent out of fear.
Looking at their disappointing looks, Li Shiming's face turned ashen, and he wanted to give them a few slaps.
As a member of the royal family, how could he have any dignity of the royal family?
Only Li Rui curled his lips and didn't take it seriously.
It was just that there were no more officials with the five surnames and seven Wangs. There was no need to make such a fuss.
As he thought about it, he casually picked up a grape from the table and threw it into his mouth.
"Yes, it's quite sweet."
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