There is snow on the eaves, and the bells hanging on the corners of the eaves move with the wind, making a clear sound.
Xue Bai stood on the steps and watched Ji Wen go away.
Suddenly someone tapped him on the shoulder. He turned around and saw that it was Li Xiu.
"I've met Juro."
"What are you thinking about?"
Xue Bai said: "Ji Wen said he checked my life experience..."
Li Xiu waved his hand to interrupt and said disapprovingly: "How can you believe his words?"
"That's why I thought of something." Xue Bai said: "I was rescued by the Du family after I was in coma. When I opened my eyes, I saw snow all over the ground. They asked me my name, but I didn't react yet.
My mind was empty and I said 'Xue Bai' inexplicably, so they all called me Xue Bai."
"Haha, that's it." Li Xiu laughed loudly.
But after laughing, he shook his head, but a look of regret appeared on his face.
"It's hard to believe that Ji Wen specially found a traitor named Xue for you in order to harm you. These ruthless officials are always guilty of such crimes. I use such people so much, I... sigh."
At this point, he did not continue speaking. He only let out a long sigh and changed the topic.
"It's good that you know how to repay the kindness of the Du family for saving your life."
"We should help each other."
"You did a good job in tracking down the evidence of Dong Gong's crimes. Not only did you force the dead men of Dong Gong to take action, but you also found out the secret contacts between Ji Wen and Dong Gong. I was tired just now. Although I didn't have time to praise you, I must be good to you.
Very satisfied.”
Xue Bai said: "I didn't find out Ji Wen, it's the right minister Ying Ming."
"You will not live if you commit evil." Li Xiu said: "Since the Wei Jian case, countless innocent people have been implicated. Now that I can have talents like you, I am very happy to deal with the facts."
Xue Bai knew that Li Linfu actually had many talented subordinates, but they were all killed by Li Linfu's jealousy in the end.
Although Li Xiu's words were complimentary, they made people uneasy.
"Juro is so complimentary. I didn't do a good job. It's only through comparison that I don't look too embarrassed."
Li Xiu liked this kind of ridicule of the incompetent people under the Prime Minister's Palace. He smiled knowingly and said: "Luo Xiuji only has personal interests in his eyes and cannot be used for big things."
Xue Bai smiled bitterly and said: "To be honest, I really have no intention of getting involved in such intrigues. I only want to study, take the imperial examination, do practical things for the people, and live a peaceful life."
"Oh? Me too!"
Li Xiu was deeply touched and nodded endlessly, feeling like a confidant.
He folded his hands and sighed: "Don't look at me eating, drinking and having fun with Wang Zhun and Jia Chang. It was just a courtesy exchange. Last night was the first time I went to the gambling house. All I want in life is to live a happy life."
This is indeed what is on his mind.
Li Linfu was once judged to have "no talent and no prestige" and was not allowed to be promoted. He climbed to a high position by framing political opponents. Every step he took was to step on the corpses of others. Moreover, he was extremely jealous of talents. Every day, the Right Prime Minister's Office was wary of anyone.
Everything that may pose a threat must be eliminated.
Li Xiu was far-sighted and had tried to persuade Li Linfu many times not to make more enemies. However, the power of the Right Prime Minister had reached this point and it was difficult to control it. The hatred was widespread. Once he showed weakness to others, no one knew how many people would pounce on him and bite him. How could he do it?
give up?
For example, if Wei Jian is not eliminated at the beginning of the year and Wei Jian becomes prime minister, will he violate the wishes of the East Palace and treat Li Linfu favorably because of his in-law relationship?
Li Xiu was worried day and night, knowing that if a storm broke out one day in the future, the descendants of the Li family might be overthrown.
"Others see me as the prime minister's son, well-dressed and well-fed, and at the peak of wealth. But... alas, those who know me say I am worried, but those who don't know me say what do I want."
Xue Bai said: "The moon waxes and wanes, and people have misfortunes and blessings. Don't worry too much. It's better to live in the present."
"You understand me." Li Xiu smiled faintly, patted Xue Bai on the shoulder and said, "Let's go to the flower hall to talk."
"good."
Li Xiu didn't mean anything, and Xue Bai responded to him in a natural manner, neither humble nor overbearing. The two quickly became familiar with each other, as if they had known each other for a long time.
But after sitting down in the flower hall, Li Xiu ordered the maid to serve breakfast, and then she said: "Actually, I also want to talk to you about your life experience."
Xue Bai said: "Shiro, can you believe that I have really lost my memory? I have no memory of my life experience, nor any clue."
He once again gave Li Xiu the impression that even I couldn't find out my life experience, and Ji Wen couldn't even find out.
Li Xiu did not answer Xue Bai's question, but first said on this topic: "You also have to find your identity as soon as possible."
Xue Bai responded: "I understand, and I will find my identity as soon as possible."
Li Xiu said: "After you have recovered your life experience, you should return home as soon as possible. It is not right to stay in Du's house for a long time. By the way, I heard that you are very close to the two daughters of the Du family?"
Xue Bai felt Li Xiu's scrutiny and restraint on him, and responded calmly: "Du Wulang and I are brothers and sisters, so I regard the two ladies of the Du family as sisters."
"That's good." Li Xiu was obviously a troubled person. He pondered for a while and said, "There is a good thing. My grandpa has already told you. I don't need to repeat it again, right?"
"Yes, I know." Xue Bai smiled, showing a little joy.
Li Xiu was very satisfied with his attitude, nodded and said: "If you can't find your life experience, or your family background is not worthy of the prime minister's house, you will be in trouble."
Xue Bai was deliberately dazed and waited for the next step.
"I don't need to say how important family status is. Apart from that, marriage has always been about being of the right family since ancient times." Li Xiu said: "Let's just say it. Are you willing to marry me?"
"As far as I know, a son-in-law cannot be an official, right?"
"As long as I am here, it is not difficult for me to be at a low level or to leave my post, but my official position is useless." Li Xiu wrote lightly, "You work in the prime minister's house, but you are much more prestigious than the officials of the imperial court."
Not long ago, he and Xue Bai talked about each other's ambitions, expressed their worries about the future, and showed his foresight.
But when it comes to important matters, of course he still thinks like a man of power.
As long as ordinary people can get a little reward from the prime minister's government, it will be enough for them to become prosperous.
As for Xue Bai’s ambition? No matter how great the ambition is, can it be greater than the arrangements of the Prime Minister’s Mansion?
Of course, Li Xiu had good intentions after all.
Seeing that Xue Bai was silent, he spoke again very sincerely.
"Family status is very important. If you don't have a good family background, you will not be able to go far in becoming an official. You have talent, but do you know how many talented people are stuck in the examination hall until they are gray-haired and fail to pass? Passed the exam.
, it’s just that you only have the qualifications to be appointed as an official. To be appointed an official, you still have to go through a selection process, and it still depends on your family status, whether you have connections or not. There are many people who pass the exam but fail to become an official."
"Just look at the few officials you know. Ji Wen, the son of the former prime minister Ji Xu; Luo Xishi, whose uncle was promoted to Honglu Shaoqing; Yang Zhao, the son of the Yang family of Hongnong, who joined the army of Xuanzhou
; Yang Shenjin, not to mention. If you don’t have a family background worthy of the prime minister’s daughter, even if the right prime minister’s mansion provides you with a backer and you enter the officialdom, you will be in a much better position than a tong, a lucky net, or a spitting pot.
what?"
"When the time comes, you will be scheming and deceitful every day, but will you be able to take care of your wife? What's the use of wasting your time among flies and dogs in your prime of life? It's better to enter the Prime Minister's house. I will make the best arrangements for you and protect your health.
Your splendor and wealth are not inferior to those of high-ranking officials, and you are not trapped by the rules of the officialdom. You can live a free and unrestrained life, like a couple of gods and immortals. It is just like Li Taibai's poem said, "The same is true for pleasure in the world. From ancient times, everything will flow in the east."
"You are still young and high-spirited, and you don't know how difficult things are in the world. You will definitely not believe what I say today. But you might as well take a look in the future and see how many talented people there are in Chang'an City.
One official, half job."
"..."
At the end of the conversation, Xue Bai nodded and responded: "I have written down Juro's heartfelt words. But, is this the intention of the right minister? Or is it the intention of Juro?"
Li Xiu was stunned.
Xue Bai understood better. Both the Li family and his son asked him to marry into the family. The difference was probably that Li Linfu wanted him to become a minor official or a steward of the Prime Minister's Mansion and continue to deal with the East Palace; Li Xiu wanted him to marry into the family.
If he is a good person, he is willing to let him become his wife and live a leisurely life as a layman and take care of his wife.
It is inevitable to pay some price if you want to climb up to the powerful.
If you want to board a big ship, of course you have to buy a ticket. The only question is, is it worth it or not?
Li Xiu thought for a while and promised: "Don't worry, I can still speak in front of grandpa."
"Thank you Juro." Xue Bai already handed over the steps and said: "This matter cannot be decided by you and me after a few words of conversation. I still have to find out my life experience first."
Li Xiu heard him talk about his ambitions and thought he was too ambitious. Seeing that he was still calm and showed no intention of rejection, she was very satisfied. She nodded and said with a smile: "Yes, it's important to find out your life experience first. Maybe your family is worthy of the prime minister."
Mansion."
"I don't dare to dream about it. It's just a matter of marriage. I still have to inform my parents."
"Yes, yes, it's a matter of marriage, parents' orders, and the matchmaker's words." Li Xiu felt that Xue Bai was really calm and measured, and he appreciated it more and more. He nodded repeatedly and said, "Well, how about you give me an answer before the Lantern Festival?
"
"Lang Yuan Festival? Is it too soon?"
"Just before the Lantern Festival."
Li Xiu immediately finalized the decision without giving any explanation.
He just sighed imperceptibly, thinking that time waits for no one. After the New Year, that stubborn sister will become a sixteen-year-old old girl...
~~
Outside the lobby of the Prime Minister's Mansion, Wang Fei was about to leave when he heard someone behind him shouting in a low voice.
"Wang Fei."
At that time, only Yang Shenjin dared to call him by his first name.
Wang Zhun immediately became angry and was about to speak, but was glared at by Wang Zhen.
"Wait for me over there with your second uncle."
Wang Zhun didn't respond. He and Wang Weld walked to a small pavilion aside and cursed: "Old dogs don't have eyes, so why don't they gouge out a pair of eyes!"
Wang Wen was also unhappy and complained: "I am the legitimate son of the Wang family, why doesn't my cousin talk to me?"
"well."
Wang Zhun rolled his eyes and thought to himself that it would be easier to find someone to kill all these relatives.
…
Yang Shenjin looked ugly, patted Wang Xian on the back and said: "Now that it has been found out that Ji Wen colluded with the East Palace and my house was robbed, what does the right minister say?"
Wang Fei hesitated for a moment, deliberately showing a look of embarrassment.
If it were another person, even if it was Zhangchou Jianqiong, the Minister of the Ministry of Finance, seeing his expression, his heart would tremble, and he would have to hold back any nonsense he said.
Yang Shenjin looked at Wang Xian with the eyes of an elder.
"Isn't it suspicious that Yang Zhao helped Ji Wen ransack his house?"
Wang Fei was still in a dilemma and said thoughtfully: "So... my nephew will go and persuade him and let him return the things he took away to his cousin, so that the grudges can be put aside. How about that?"
"snort!"
Yang Shenjin threw down his sleeves heavily and strode away.
When Wang Zhun saw it, he stepped forward and asked, "Master, what will happen to the old dog?"
"I want the right minister to give him an explanation." Wang Fei seemed amused.
"My grandpa is so disrespectful to him!" Wang Zhun hated the fact that iron cannot be made into steel. He frowned and stared at Wang Hu, and said angrily: "With my current status as a holy family, it is not an exaggeration for him to apologize to my grandpa. Why?
Give him a good face every day?!"
"Shut up, don't let the saints and right ministers think that I am ungrateful, and don't let them turn their backs when they gain power."
~~
The front yard of the Prime Minister's Mansion.
The Du sisters waited for a long time and were not summoned, so they became more and more panicked. Du Jin ignored the rules of Suo Douji Mansion, pushed open the door and looked in the direction of Yimen.
"Er Niang, go over and wait."
Du Wei was afraid of the power of the right prime minister and reminded her in a low voice.
She also looked inside the Yimen, thinking that if Xue Bai could come out, she would be relieved.
Suddenly I heard someone calling from behind me.
"Is it Aunt Du?"
Du Wei didn't like this title, so she turned around and said a blessing. She saw a middle-aged man wearing a crimson official robe coming from the east side door.
She was stunned for a moment, then remembered that it was Yang Shenjin, the censor Zhongcheng whom she had met in Dali Temple.
"May Yang Zhongcheng be blessed."
"I saw my aunt again...it turns out that Du Liangdi is here too. I'm sorry."
When Yang Shenjin saw Du Jin turning around, he quickly said hello. They had met him from afar at the emperor's banquet.
"No longer Liangdi." Du Jin responded calmly, "Now I am seeking an official position for my grandfather under the right minister's door, so of course I am here."
After hearing these words, Yang Shenjin felt embarrassed for the East Palace even though he was also a disciple of the Right Prime Minister.
I didn't know how to respond at the moment, and I couldn't agree to seek an official position for Du Youlin.
He glanced at Du Wei again and said politely: "If you two ladies are here to testify, you can go back."
Du Wei looked at Yimen, wanting to ask something, but she didn't know how to ask, and she didn't dare to ask.
Yang Shenjin looked at her and saw that her behavior was really dignified. This movement was not twisting her neck and looking forward, but turning her waist in a graceful manner.
Looking from the side, you can see that her eyelashes are very long, and her eyes are caring and gentle as water.
"You two ladies, you can take my carriage back. I'm on my way to my villa in Qujiang. I'm on my way." Yang Shenjin couldn't help but smile and said, "If there's anything you want to know, maybe I know a little bit about it."
His carriage is very luxurious.
"No need." Du Jin said, "I heard that something happened to Yang Zhongcheng's house last night. It would be better for Yang Zhongcheng to go and have a look as soon as possible."
Yang Shenjin was embarrassed again.
The next moment, the Du sisters suddenly turned around, showing surprise, and even couldn't hold back a cheer.
