Zhao Daoyun and her younger brother Zhao Daosheng came in a few years ago. They were a pair of poor siblings that Li Siwen met when he was the governor of Runzhou. Later, Li Siwen met Zhao Daoyun because of a case and took her as his concubine. His younger brother also came to Chang'an.
After Zhao Daoyun entered the house, he acted very low-key, simply too low-key.
In Li Qinzai's impression, in the past few years, he had seen her only a handful of times in the huge palace. As Li Siwen's concubine, she almost deliberately minimized her presence.
After the Zhao Daoyun siblings entered the Duke's Mansion, Li Qinzai gradually discovered that something was wrong with the siblings. Their identities were more than just siblings from a poor family.
Of course, Li Qinzai noticed something was wrong, and the cunning Li Jicai felt it earlier, but neither his grandfather nor his grandson pointed it out, and instead allowed the siblings to continue living in the house.
The British lineage is so prominent. Whether in the military or in the court, the words spoken by the grandfather and grandson carry great weight. It is understandable that some people are worried about the grandfather and grandson.
This requires worldliness and officialdom wisdom.
Li Ji and Li Qinzai have never done anything wrong, let alone rebel, and they can tell others everything they do. So, what's the harm in keeping these siblings?
Whether it's life or being an official, it's always easier to protect yourself by pretending to be confused than by living clearly.
As long as the siblings do not cause damage to the Duke's palace, it is more cost-effective to keep them, which at least reassures the people behind them. Otherwise, if this pair is found, new informants will sneak in. People in the court, Whose house can be clean?
In this way, the grandfather and grandson acquiesced to the existence of the siblings in a very tacit understanding. The Duke's mansion was large enough to accommodate them, and they lived in peace and harmony.
What surprised Li Ji and Li Qinzai was that Zhao Daoyun actually took the initiative to ask for a meeting today, which was rare.
Li Ji and Li Qinzai looked at each other quickly, and then Li Ji said in a deep voice: "Come in."
The door to the study room opened, and the graceful Zhao Daoyun walked in.
Li Qinzai curled his lips. Although his father's vision was a bit blurry and he wore a pair of eyeliner when he entered the house, it was undeniable that his father's aesthetics were still very good.
In terms of beauty alone, although Zhao Daoyun is not a beautiful woman, she is the kind of beauty who becomes more and more charming the more you look at her. Whether she is pretending or not, at least she has a gentle and cowardly personality on the surface, like a bird that can be frightened at any time. The deer's appearance can easily arouse a man's pity.
This is probably how my father fell into a beauty trap, tsk!
Zhao Daoyun entered the study door and was not surprised at all by Li Qinzai's presence. First, Yingying paid homage to Li Jixia, and then nodded to Li Qinzai.
According to seniority, Li Qinzai should pay tribute to her. Although the concubine's status is not high, she is still considered an elder. The Li family has a good upbringing, so Li Qinzai cannot be too uneducated.
Crossing his hands reluctantly, Li Qinzai just bent down, and Zhao Daoyun said hurriedly: "Fifth Young Master, there is no need to be polite."
Li Qinzai smiled and straightened up.
It's not that I'm uneducated, it's that people don't let me bow.
Li Ji glanced at him lightly, his eyes full of warning, but Li Qinzai ignored him fearlessly.
"Dao Yun, it's rare for you to come to my study. Is there something wrong?" Li Ji went straight to the topic.
Zhao Daoyun's knees suddenly softened and he knelt in front of Li Ji.
"I forgive you, Dao Yun and my brother have unknown origins and have different ambitions. Today I confess to my brother and sister. I only ask him to spare the lives of my brother and sister for the sake of my brother and sister's duty in recent years. .”
Li Ji and Li Qinzai quickly looked at each other in surprise.
This operation is really difficult for the grandfather and grandson to do.
Isn't it good for everyone to maintain the tacit understanding over the past few years? What happened to the sudden showdown?
Ignoring Zhao Daoyun, Li Ji turned his head to Li Qinzai's ear, lowered his voice and said, "Nie Zhan, did you pierce this layer of window paper?"
Li Qinzai looked innocent: "My grandson has just returned to Beijing from Jiangnan and has done nothing."
"I didn't do anything. It's neither you nor me. Why is this woman so frank?" Li Ji gritted his teeth.
Li Qinzai hurriedly sent a flattery: "Grandpa used the power of victory in the Eastern Expedition. The whole world was frightened by Grandpa's reputation. All the ugly people in the world appeared, including the hidden piles buried by our family. They were also frightened by Grandpa's power." It must be like this because of its reputation!"
Li Ji curled his lips and immediately returned to normal.
Listening to the selfless conversation between his grandfather and grandson, Zhao Daoyun's heart trembled, and his pretty face became paler.
At this moment, she understood that it turned out that the identity of her sister and brother had been discovered by her grandfather and grandson for a long time. They just didn't reveal it. It was ridiculous that she thought she had hidden it perfectly and quietly reported the happenings in the Duke's Mansion on time every month.
Li Ji straightened his posture, stared at Zhao Daoyun and said: "Since you took the initiative to come to see me today, it seems that you no longer intend to hide it? Tell me, who is behind you."
Zhao Daoyun lowered his head and said: "I was assigned by the current queen to sneak into the British government as an informant."
Li Ji and Li Qinzai frowned at the same time when they heard this. Li Ji took a deep breath, anger flashed in his eyes, but he still restrained himself.
Li Qinzai was not surprised by Zhao Daoyun's answer. When he discovered something was wrong with the siblings a few years ago, he had already speculated that the biggest suspect was indeed Empress Wu.
It is unlikely that Li Zhi would do this. Whether it was state affairs or personal friendship, he and Li Zhi were rare friends of emperors and ministers in ancient and modern times. Although the emperors were ruthless, the minds of several emperors in the early Tang Dynasty were still very broad and tolerant. , it is unlikely to do something that involves employing people and making people suspicious.
The only remaining suspect is Empress Wu.
This woman really didn't disappoint him, it was indeed something she was capable of.
The atmosphere in the study was a little stagnant for a moment. Zhao Daoyun lowered his head and waited anxiously for Li Ji's answer. Li Ji's eyes were angry, and he was obviously very dissatisfied with Empress Wu. On the contrary, Li Qinzai still had a smile on his face, since the answer was expected. Yes, why are you angry?
Li Qinzai said curiously: "I heard that you are from a poor family outside Runzhou City. I once asked people from Baiqisi to verify it. Your siblings' backgrounds are true. Our ancestors have lived in Runzhou for four generations. Therefore, Did the queen bribe you, or did she use some leverage to hold you hostage?"
Zhao Daoyun shook his head with a bitter expression: "I and my brother are just chess pieces. As early as when my husband Runzhou was the governor, the queen had laid out the chess pieces in advance."
"Later on, a case involving my father was involved. My sister and brother came to court at the governor's house. My husband personally intervened and tried the case. After the case was concluded, he took me into his concubine. Everything was planned in advance and happened naturally."
Li Qinzai suddenly realized and bared his teeth at Li Ji: "You are worthy of being a queen, grandpa, isn't she awesome?"
Li Ji snorted coldly and stared at Zhao Daoyun expressionlessly.