The second spring breeze came, and in the small bathtub, Xue Poye made Xiao Suzhen soft and weak before he stopped.
The two hugged and rested in the bathtub for a while, then got up, dried each other's bodies, put on clean clothes, and then went out.
Xue Poye was thinking about how he had dealt with the rebels last night. When he was about to enter the palace, he sat in a sedan and walked halfway down the road when he met You Shaoqing.
You Shaoqing recognized Xue Poye's sedan chair and hurriedly dismounted and came over, respectfully saying: "Master Marquis, I was about to go up to the mansion to invite you."
Xue Poye opened the curtain and said calmly: "What's wrong?"
"Your Majesty is very happy to know that the Marquis is back." You Shaoqing said with a smile: "It's just that a big event happened just now. Your Majesty has summoned Prime Minister Lan and others, and is now waiting for the Marquis to come together to discuss the matter."
"Oh?"
You Shaoqing was stunned and hurriedly stopped his smile, but the sudden change in his expression seemed a bit stiff and embarrassing.
"Come up!" Xue Poye said calmly: "I have something to ask you."
You Shaoqing hurriedly said yes, got in the car and sat down next to Xue Poye.
"Were all those rebels detained last night?" Xue Poye asked, touching his nose. After leaving last night, he didn't know how the court dealt with Xuanyang, Yang Yao and others.
You Shaoqing said respectfully: "All the Taoist priests from Wanxian Temple were detained in the Prison of the Ministry of Punishment, and Imperial Master Xuanyang...well, Xuanyang was also abolished in martial arts by Eunuch Qin and was thrown into the prison."
Xue Poye was shocked. The eight powerful warriors were actually deprived of their martial arts. For Xuanyang, this was probably more uncomfortable than death.
"Are the people in the tunnel from the Gongsun family?"
You Shaoqing shook his head and said: "According to the confession, only one person from the Gongsun family participated in this conspiracy. Those people in the tunnel were all people placed by Zuo Zixuan in Wanxian Temple a few years ago to serve the Gongsun family.
At my command, we have been digging tunnels."
"A person?" Xue Poye was a little surprised, and immediately thought of the person sitting on the tree trunk last night. This huge project could be designed by just one person, and the Gongsun family's mechanism skills were too powerful.
"But...!" You Shaoqing sighed: "That guy has already escaped. I have searched all over Kyoto City, but there is no whereabouts of him."
Xue Poye frowned, thinking about it, since that guy is proficient in the art of mechanism, he must have thought of an escape route when he was in charge of this project. With his ability, it shouldn't be difficult to escape the pursuit of the officers and soldiers.
"The Gongsun family built the government city on the edge of Kunlun Mountain. Kunlun Mountain is in the northwest of Yongzhou...!"
Under the protection of Yongzhou, if the imperial court wants to annihilate them, it will have to wait until Yongzhou is recovered."
Before Xue Poye could ask, You Shaoqing continued: "Zuo Zixuan and Yang Yao have also been imprisoned in the prison of the Ministry of Punishment. Mr. Wei is personally guarding them. I think within a few days, these people will be escorted to the execution ground for execution."
Xue Poye was still worried about whether Yang Yao would reveal his true identity, and asked, "Have they all been interrogated?"
"We have interrogated a few young men, but the big ones have not yet been brought to trial." You Shaoqing said in a low voice: "This matter must have something to do with the Mingyue King. Zuo Zixuan is a member of the Mingyue King, and the Holy Lord and Prime Minister Lan are the elders.
We discussed early in the morning that if Zuo Zixuan is to be interrogated, King Mingyue can be invited to come to the Ministry of Punishment to listen. Zuo Zixuan is his subordinate, so he will naturally not fail to come."
Xue Poye nodded secretly. This was a clever move. It would make King Mingyue unable to step down and his face would be greatly damaged. The most important thing is that once King Mingyue hears the trial, no matter whether he defends Zuo Zixuan or not, it will be extremely difficult for him.
Adverse.
Once it is maintained, the court will definitely direct the spearhead of this silver theft incident directly at King Mingyue. If King Mingyue ignores it, even better. Soon it will spread in Kyoto that King Mingyue does not care about the life and death of his subordinates, and is benevolent and righteous.
Rumors that are not worthy of the name.
"That's very good." Xue Poye touched his nose and said, "Did you send someone to invite King Mingyue?"
"Yes, we have already sent someone."
"Then the Holy One summoned me to participate in the trial?" Xue Poye asked: "Could it be that the Holy One is interrogating Zuo Zixuan himself? If he is to be tried, there is no need for the Holy One and Prime Minister Lan to intervene?"
You Shaoqing shook his head and said: "Master Hou, I was just about to tell you that... I'm afraid Zuo Zixuan won't be able to stand trial."
"What?" Xue Poye frowned: "What happened?"
"Zuo Zixuan... just bit his tongue and committed suicide in prison."
Xue Poye was shocked.
"He... committed suicide?" Xue Poye was really shocked. In his opinion, Zuo Zixuan did not behave like a very backbone person last night, but he committed suicide.
Without any evidence, even though Mingyue King still cannot clear away the suspicion, there is no direct confession, which will not put Mingyue King in a dilemma.
Apparently Zuo Zixuan also thought of the difficulties faced by King Mingyue, so he committed suicide to repay King Mingyue.
It has to be said that Mingyue King has a lofty status in the hearts of his subordinates, and they can sacrifice their lives for Mingyue King at any time.
…
…
When Xue Poye arrived at the Taihe Palace, Lan Wuqing and the six ministers had already gathered here. Everyone's face was very gloomy, and the little emperor's face was also gloomy and terrifying.
Seeing Xue Poye coming, the little emperor finally showed joy, stood up and said: "Master, you... you are back...!" He was about to greet him, but after knocking on the ministers standing in front of the case, they still
Didn't get up.
After Xue Poye and all the officials had seen the ceremony, he said: "Thank you for your condolences, I am deeply grateful."
"Master." The little emperor called the master directly without using his official name: "Something happened."
"I know. Didn't Zuo Zixuan commit suicide?"
Lan Wuqing sighed: "Master Xue, we have just received another news. Compared with Zuo Zixuan's suicide, this is the real big deal."
Xue Poye glanced at everyone with solemn expressions, and an unpleasant premonition arose in his heart: "Prime Minister, what happened?"
"Early this morning, the Holy One sent people to Liuheyuan to ask King Mingyue to come into the city and listen to Zuo Zixuan's case." Lan Wuqing looked solemn: "But the people sent to Liuheyuan just reported back, and the Yulin Guards searched all over Liuheyuan.
But the King of Mingyue was not found, and King Mingyue has disappeared."
The little emperor said extremely seriously: "Master, King Mingyue... I'm afraid he has escaped."
“How is that possible?”
Just take the opportunity to leave?"
The Minister of War: "Master Marquis, the garrison and the Yulin Guards have searched the entire Liuheyuan, and they have not seen King Mingyue at all. With his temperament, if he is still in the courtyard, he will not hide."
Li Bu Shang: "This time, this group of rebels stole money from the bank. According to the gangsters, people from the Gongsun family were involved... Since they can dig out such an underground passage to the bank of the household, then
Is it possible that a tunnel can be dug from outside Liuheyuan into Liuheyuan, so that Mingyue King escaped through that tunnel?"
Lan Wuqing immediately shook his head and said: "This is impossible. The passage to the Treasury of the Ministry of Finance took more than half a year at least. King Mingyue has only lived in Liuheyuan for a few days. It is absolutely impossible to dig a tunnel.
.And Mingyue King always has ears and eyes following him, and we will know if there is any slight movement."
He Ruhui also frowned: "Could it be that he still flew?"
Xingbu Shang: "I have sent the most capable police officers to check, and news will come back soon."
The little emperor suddenly said, "If King Mingyue really leaves Liuheyuan and returns to Yongzhou...will there be a rebellion?"
In fact, everyone present is thinking about this question, and the answer in everyone's mind is extremely unified. If King Mingyue really returns to Yongzhou, there is a high probability that he will rebel.
"Fortunately, Mr. Xue has discovered this gang's conspiracy to rebel against the party, so the imperial court's official silver will be preserved." Lan Wuqing said slowly: "With this money, we can at least make preparations to put down the rebellion.
Mr. Wang, starting from today, your household department will start to purchase grain and equipment and go to Qingzhou, Yizhou and Huizhou. Yes, Mr. Xida, you will also start drafting documents and prepare to mobilize troops and horses to support the three states."
The two agreed hastily.
Xue Poye sighed: "It looks like we are really going to fight."
At this time, the eunuch reported: "Your Majesty, the Deputy Chief Guard of the Yulin Camp, Ximen Lei Zang, and the Minister of Punishment, Yue Ling, are asking for an audience."
The little emperor said: "Let them come in quickly."
After Ximen Lei Zang and Yue Ling came in to see him, the little emperor immediately asked: "How was the investigation? Did King Mingyue run away?"
"Your Majesty." Yue Ling said respectfully: "My subordinates have carefully inspected and interrogated the eunuchs and maids who were monitoring Mingyue King. Lord Ximen also led troops to search Liuheyuan several times. Now it seems that Mingyue King has indeed escaped.
Already."
Several ministers had already expected this, but when they heard that Yue Ling was so sure that King Mingyue had escaped, they couldn't help but take a breath.
The one who escaped was not a Mingyue King, but a source of trouble and a trigger for war.
Xue Poye said coldly: "What did the eunuchs and maids say?"
"King Mingyue was still playing chess with his consort in his room last night. The consort only left in the middle of the night. After the consort left, the eunuchs went in and took a look. Seeing that King Mingyue had gone to bed, they did not dare to disturb him. Today's Holy Day
An order was sent to let King Mingyue enter the city, but the eunuchs called King Mingyue twice, but there was no answer, so they went in to take a look and found that King Mingyue had long since disappeared." Yue Ling spoke slowly, as if he was worried about missing something.
"You mean, the prince-in-law went to Liuheyuan last night?" Xue Poye frowned.
"Yes!" Ximen Lei Zang replied: "The prince-in-law was invited by King Mingyue at dusk yesterday to go to Liuheyuan to compete with King Mingyue in chess skills."
"Did you check carefully when he came in and out?" Xue Poye asked coldly.
Ximen Lei Zang said hurriedly: "Returning to your lord, the prince-in-law only brought eight guards with him, and the eight guards did not enter the hospital. The prince-in-law entered and exited in a simple carriage. My subordinates saw that when he entered and exited, there were only two people in the carriage.
The prince-in-law is the same person, and the groom driving the car is the same person going back and forth, so there is no way of pretending."
When everyone heard this, they were even more confused. According to this, the disappearance of Mingyue King had nothing to do with the consort.
Wang Dezhao asked Xue Poye cautiously: "Master Hou, you...do you suspect that Mingyue King's escape is related to the consort?"
Xue Poye smiled coldly and said nothing.
The little emperor also asked: "Master, no. The aunt is one of ours, and the consort is the aunt's husband, so he shouldn't help the Mingyue King? What good can it do to him if he helps the Mingyue King? Well... No way!"
"
"The eldest princess is the eldest princess, and the Mingyue King is the Mingyue King." At this moment, Xue Poye did not care about violating taboos: "There are many couples who share the same bed and have different dreams." He asked Yue Ling: "How about Mingyue King's room?
Have you checked carefully? Is there anything like an underground tunnel?"
Yue Ling affirmed: "If I go back to the Marquis, I can guarantee that I will personally lead people to check both sides of the room. There are no traps. Mr. Ximen has also arranged Yulin guards around the room. With their ability, if King Mingyue is
If you leave in the middle of the night, they will definitely be able to find you, but according to the Yulin guards, there has been no movement in King Mingyue's house since the prince's consort left."
"Yes." Ximen Lei Zang suddenly remembered something: "In the room of King Mingyue, we found blood stains."
"Blood stain?" Xue Poye and the ministers were stunned. The little emperor was also extremely confused and asked: "What blood stain? Whose blood stain is it? Someone died in the house?"
Ximen Lei Zang said: "It's just a pool of blood. We also searched the house carefully, but there was no body."
"Is it human blood?"
"yes!"
Everyone was even more surprised, why was this thing so weird?
Xue Poye pondered for a moment and then asked: "When Mingyue King and the Prince Consort were playing chess, how many people were in the room?"
"I've asked about my humble position." Yue Ling said: "According to the eunuchs, in addition to King Mingyue and the consort, there was only one servant in the house at that time. However, when King Mingyue left, that servant also came out with the consort.
, only King Mingyue is left inside."
"That's it." Xue Poye couldn't help but sneered.
Seeing Xue Poye's solemn expression, the little emperor couldn't help but ask: "Master, have you thought of something?"
Xue Poye bowed slightly: "Your Majesty, according to my opinion, the Mingyue King's escape from Liuheyuan is most likely related to the Prince Consort." He paused, shook his head and said, "The blood in that room is probably that
The flesh and blood of the person under my name is gone."
Several ministers looked at each other, and the little emperor asked curiously: "Master, this...how do you say this?"
Xue Poye said slowly: "If I guess correctly, the servant who left with King Mingyue is probably pretended by King Mingyue, but the real servant... has turned into blood."
"Ah!" Several ministers were surprised, even Ximen Lei Zang and Yue Ling were a little surprised.
Lan Wuqing looked solemn and said softly: "Master Xue, the consort has been living in seclusion for more than ten years and has never participated in any disputes... Besides, the consort is a person who understands the seriousness of the matter. If it is true that Mingyue King escaped,
It's a heinous crime related to him. Wouldn't the Prince Consort be so stupid that he doesn't even know about this? The Holy Master also said that letting King Mingyue go would not do any good to the Prince Consort?"
Xue Poye sighed: "If I could figure out the reason why the Prince Consort let King Mingyue go, I wouldn't say that it was him who did it in all likelihood, but I would definitely say that he did it."
Everyone fell silent for a moment.
If it is really the consort at this time, how should we deal with it?
He is the husband of the eldest princess, and the eldest princess's influence in the court has not been shaken in the slightest by the reorganization of officials. It is said that His Majesty Deqing gave the eldest princess a sacred artifact that only the prince can possess, and this sacred artifact
The function of the weapon is much more useful than the holy weapons of the princes.
The holy weapons of the princes are just symbols of dignity and status.
But the eldest princess's sacred weapon was a sacred object that was to be beheaded first and then revealed. In other words, Emperor Deqing gave her the power of life and death.
Who dares to offend the royal princess who owns such a sacred weapon?
"Master Hou!" Seeing Xue Poye's bad expression, Ximen Lei Zang said cautiously: "But when the consort came out of the yard, I personally saw that there were absolutely no two people in his carriage, and even we were all under the carriage.
Checked."
Xue Poye sighed: "Master Ximen, maybe you don't know yet, but sometimes people can become invisible."
"Invisible?" Everyone's eyes widened.
"Of course it's not really invisible." Xue Poye smiled bitterly: "You should also know that there is another place in the carriage that cannot be seen."
The little emperor suddenly said: "Master, I understand, it's... it's a car seat!"
"Not bad!" Xue Poye was very satisfied with the little emperor's intelligence: "I don't think it will be difficult to hide someone under the emperor's butt and the wide car seat once it is empty?"
Only then did everyone suddenly realize.
"But...!" Pan Yue, who was newly appointed in the Ministry of Rites, frowned and said, "Would the majestic Mingyue King be willing to hide under the consort's seat regardless of his status?"
Before Xue Poye could answer, Lan Wuqing had already sighed: "When King Mingyue withdrew from the struggle for the throne, it was because of his ability to bend and stretch. Today, he has naturally not forgotten this ability to bend and stretch."
"By the way." Xue Poye suddenly thought of someone: "Where is Dou Andao who is following Mingyue King? Is he gone too?"
Ximen Lei Zang's expression was extremely ugly: "King Mingyue sent Dou Andao to invite the consort, but after he went out, he never came back. He deserves to be punished for his humble position. Please be punished by the Holy One."
The little emperor waved his hands and said: "Everyone has run away, so what's the use of blaming you now." Xiang Lanwuqing said: "Prime Minister, King Mingyue must not have gone too far yet. Should we send someone to chase him?
"
"Since he is determined to escape from Kyoto, he must have already planned the route. To catch up with him is probably more difficult than climbing to the sky." Lan Wuqing said slowly: "But it is still up to Master Mo to send people to inform the northwest of the road.
All the states and counties along the way are trying their best to hunt for King Mingyue. Once captured, he will be escorted to Beijing immediately." He sighed and waved his hand: "Master Mo will handle it." Mo Yi agreed and immediately withdrew.
Lan Wuqing turned to the little emperor with a solemn expression: "Your Majesty, it seems... we are going to prepare for war!" dd