As soon as he stepped into the gate of Ningshou Palace,
The Emperor saw that the Retired Emperor and Wang Yi seemed to be arguing about something. All the palace servants had already retreated.
Only Dai Quan was by his side.
The Retired Emperor, who was sitting at the top facing the door, did not care about the Emperor's arrival.
At this moment, he was like an emperor who had been defeated in a battle. He was depressed.
He did not say a word.
Wang Yi, who was so bold that he dared to "defeat" the Retired Emperor, comforted him with a calm face, "The child has grown up.
We have to let him see the outside world.
He couldn't possibly be trapped in the capital for the rest of his life!
"
When he gets tired of playing outside, he will know how to go home.
"
The Retired Emperor sighed softly, "I'm afraid I won't be able to wait until the day he comes home!"
In all fairness, the Retired Emperor was already seventy years old. In this era where the average age was less than fifty, he could be considered old.
After saying that,
He glared at Wang Yi, "It's all your fault!
If it weren't for you, old man, not being a good example and leading him astray,
How could he have such an idea! "
"
Wang Yi did not chat with the jealous (angry) old Emperor. He turned to the other good-tempered and sensible Emperor and bowed.
After the Emperor personally helped Wang Yi up, he took out the memorial in his arms.
He handed it to the Retired Emperor with both hands.
He said anxiously, "Father!
Jingya, he... "
"I already know about this... Jingya is lively and active.
He likes to move and doesn't like to be quiet.
He has been a person who can't sit still for a quarter of an hour since he was young.
With his master's example, it would be extremely difficult for him to stay quietly in the capital! "
The Retired Emperor flicked his sleeves and did not take the memorial in the Emperor's hand. He said with waning interest.
The Emperor and Wang Yi could hear the meaning of giving up in the Retired Emperor's words.
Wang Yi's eyebrows widened. As long as the Retired Emperor did not insist, Jingya's resignation and travel around the world was almost a foregone conclusion.
How could he give up like this!?
The Emperor's bellyful of complaints almost burst out of his mouth.
Everyone knew that the Retired Emperor had an incomparable influence over the Li Lian. As long as the Retired Emperor was determined not to allow the Li Lian to resign, no matter how much the Li Lian longed to travel the world and make his way in Jianghu, he had no choice but to submit to the small corner of the capital.
Therefore, Li Lianyi had sneakily asked his master to persuade the Retired Emperor in advance. And Wang Yi was indeed worthy of being the Retired Emperor's good friend for several decades. He knew the Retired Emperor's every reaction like the back of his hand. Under the circumstances where he was fully prepared and unsuspecting, he used both the carrot and the stick to successfully make the Retired Emperor relent.
"Imperial Father!
You haven't even tried, how do you know that you can't keep him here? "
In a heavy voice Retired Emperor said, "You can keep his body, but can you keep his heart?
If you want to keep the Li Lian, it's actually very simple. All you need to do is to issue an imperial decree.
"But … Imperial Father, there are foreign enemies in our country, and foreigners are eyeing us covetously. Da Zhou can't do without Jingya, the marshal …" Although the generals recommended by Li Lian were all proficient in military affairs and had won countless battles, when he thought about the fact that Li Lian wasn't here, the Emperor felt that he didn't even have the confidence to fight the foreigners.
"Forget it, forget it!
Thinking about it, an idiot like you definitely won't believe my empty words!
After a pause, the Retired Emperor opened his mouth and said, "Just give it a try. Father wants to see if you have the ability to keep Jingya here!"
With these words, the Retired Emperor handed the heavy responsibility of keeping the Li Lian here to the Emperor.
Wang Yi could see that the Retired Emperor hadn't completely given up and was making a final struggle.
"Yes!"
The Emperor nodded seriously and thought hard about how to make the Li Lian stay in the capital obediently and not have the intention to leave.
He thought about it for half a month.
The Li Lian couldn't sit still anymore!
If it's allowed, then it's allowed. If it's not allowed, then it's not allowed. What's the meaning of dragging it out like this!
Half a month ago, after Wang Yi left the palace, the Li Lian inquired about the news from his master.
He learned from his master that the Emperor had finally relented, but the Emperor was "obstinate" and was thinking of ways to prevent him from leaving the capital!
Could it be that the Emperor was planning to leave a memorial and not send it? Could it be that he could pretend that nothing had happened?!
The Li Lian had already packed his luggage. He was just waiting for his resignation memorial to be approved. Then, he could immediately take Xiao Zhi (wife) and Ben Xiao (concubine?) with him.
He could leave the capital and travel freely.
In his impatience, the Li Lian decided not to wait any longer!
Who knew if the emperor was really planning to use the delaying tactic until he forgot about it!
The Li Lian was also a man of action. He directly rode on his old companion (concubine?)
— Ben Xiao went straight to the Imperial Palace to ask for an explanation.
According to the 《Bo Le Xiangma Sutra》, the golden age of a warhorse was between 5 and 15 years old, while the lifespan of the vast majority of horses was between 20 and 35 years old.
When the Li Lian first saw Ben Xiao at the racecourse, Ben Xiao was only half a year old. In the blink of an eye,???
Cang Xie??
Dong Qiao?
Huo Huo Suo Huo??
Huo Huo Huo Mu Shu
Although Ben Xiao could be regarded as a group of older horses, but his appearance didn't look old at all. He was as handsome as when he was young, and his speed was still much faster than those "grandsons".
In addition, the Champion Marquis' Mansion was not far from the Imperial Palace. In less than the time to drink a cup of tea, they arrived in front of the Imperial Palace.
The two imperial guards standing on the left and right of the Imperial Palace heard the sound of iron hooves trampling on stone slabs from afar. They looked up and saw a horse galloping towards the Imperial Palace. They couldn't help but clench their weapons and shout: "The Imperial Palace is an important place!
Stop! "
"Stop!"
The Li Lian stroked Ben Xiao's mane. Ben Xiao understood and stopped.
He jumped off Ben Xiao's back with ease, threw the reins and five taels of silver to the imperial guard on the right, and strode into the Imperial Palace.
Who would have thought that the guard on the left would move sideways and block the path of the Li Lian.
The guard has delicate features, and there is some worry in his eyes. His complexion is unnaturally pale, but his straight back gives people a feeling of tenacity.
The Li Lian asked in surprise: "What's the matter?
You also want money for tea?
But is your muddle-headed father going to deduct your salary and your mother's dowry?
If that's the case, don't be afraid, Little Orchid. Just tell me, after I leave the Imperial Palace, I'll call your uncles to beat up your father! "
"Stop!"
The Imperial Army has always been made up of the children of good families near the capital. They were all carefully selected and had clean backgrounds. They had no criminal records in the past three generations.
Other than a small portion of them being the sons and nephews of the Emperor's trusted officials, a portion of them were the sons and nephews of old soldiers. The majority of them were farmers and were all loyal to the Emperor.
It is not easy to live in the capital.
Although the monthly salary of the Imperial Army is quite generous, who doesn't need to raise a large family?
Therefore, most of the Imperial Army are frugal people.
The Li Lian was once an Imperial Army guard and even a Commander. In addition, he was willing to help others and was lazy. He was a fake money-grubber. Every time he entered the Imperial Palace, he would throw a few taels of "money for tea" to the guards at the Imperial Palace as a way of thanking them for taking care of Ben Xiao.
The Imperial Army didn't accept money from everyone. They only dared to accept money from the Li Lian if the Emperor Emeritus and the Emperor Emeritus agreed.
General of Light Carriage, Wei Heng's son, Wei Ruolan, had an awkward expression on his face.
His family was not ordinary. His father was a third-rank general and his mother was the daughter of the Li Imperial Family. When she got married, she was conferred the title of County Princess. He could be considered a true son of the Emperor.
However, his mother gave birth to him prematurely. In the following years, her health was not good. When he was seven years old, she passed away.
Two years later, his father, Wei Heng, married a second wife from a noble family. Within three years, they had a son and a daughter. Together, they formed a good family.
As the saying goes, "If you have a stepmother, you will have a stepfather."
Fortunately, Wei Ruolan still had two uncles in his mother's family. Although they were not very talented, they were enough to make his stepmother not dare to do anything to Wei Ruolan. However, she could still whisper pillow talk to Wei Heng.
Although Wei Heng didn't mistreat his eldest son, he was still slightly biased towards his youngest son when it came to his two sons. He tended to suppress his eldest son.
There were many reasons. For example, his eldest son was the eldest son of the First Wife. In the future, most of the family business would belong to him. His youngest son wouldn't get much. His eldest son had his uncle's family to help him. His youngest son could only rely on himself.
Otherwise, with Wei Ruolan's status, even if he became an Imperial Army guard, he would be standing guard by the Emperor's side. He definitely wouldn't have to guard the gate.
"Great … Great General …" Wei Ruolan stammered. She couldn't finish her sentence even after a long time.
"If you have something to say, then say it!
Why are you stammering?! "
Li Lian was anxious to enter the palace. However, he was stopped by Wei Ruolan outside the palace gate. He didn't curse or directly push Wei Ruolan aside to enter the palace. His temper had already become much gentler in recent years.
"Great General … please … please … show me the token to enter the palace!"
After Li Lian said this, Wei Ruolan could only close his eyes and blurt out the words he wanted to say.
Li Lian was dumbfounded. "Oh!
Little Orchid, did you eat a bear's heart and leopard's guts, or did you lose your soul? "
He actually dared to stop the Little Overlord of the palace?!
Wei Ruolan didn't want to stop Li Lian. He could even imagine that after today, there would be many more obstacles in his path to becoming an official.
You, Wei Ruolan, are so daring. You're just a small Imperial Army guard, yet you dare to embarrass the Great General in front of everyone!
Forgive my Heavenly Policy Mansion (Lantian Barracks) (Fengtai Barracks), this small temple, for not being able to accommodate a great Buddha like you, Lord Wei!
Otherwise, you'll be wronged! "
Even though he was extremely unwilling, Wei Ruolan still resolutely chose the former when he thought about the meaning of the higher-ups. He smiled bitterly and said, "Great General, it's not that this lowly one wants to make things difficult for you. It's just that the Commander has recently reorganized the Imperial Army. He caught a few colleagues who didn't follow the rules and gave each of them 20 lashes.
This lowly one's body has never been strong, so I really don't dare to take 20 lashes. Please understand! "
In other words, this was an order from the higher-ups. He definitely didn't deliberately target Li Lian.
Li Lian also knew that if there wasn't a reason, Wei Ruolan wouldn't dare to stop him. However, he also knew that the Imperial Army wouldn't be reorganized for no reason.
It was obvious that the Emperor didn't want him to enter the palace!
"Fine!
You're also following the rules. I won't make things difficult for you. "
Li Lian seemed to be reasonable.
Wei Ruolan immediately let out a sigh of relief. He cupped his hands and thanked, "This lowly one thanks the Great General for understanding!
"
Logically speaking, since Li Lian had already guessed that this was the Emperor's intention, he should return to his residence and think of a solution.
However, this wasn't the daring Li Lian.
"I'll return to my residence to get the token to enter the palace!"
Don't think that this will stop him from entering the palace!
As the unofficial godson of the Niu family, the stubborn Li Lian thought that he had to enter the palace today!
When Li Lian was young, he was personally led in and out of the palace by Dai Quan. When he was a little older, the Emperor Emeritus directly gave him a token to enter the palace.
However, because the guards in the palace all recognized him and the Emperor Emeritus greatly favored him, he didn't have many opportunities to show the token.
Later on, Li Lian became a member of the Imperial Guard and even a Commander of the Imperial Guard. He didn't need to show the token anymore.
Now, he only needed to show his face to enter the palace. Feng Zizhi put away the token to enter the palace and put it aside.
This was the first time Li Lian failed to show his face.
Wei Ruolan's face turned green when he heard this.
Without waiting for him to react, Li Lian said he would take it. His left foot stepped on the stirrup, and his right foot took advantage of the situation to firmly sit on Running Night's back.
"Ben Xiao, let's go home.
"
Without needing any further instructions, Ben Xiao blinked his eyes and turned around to run back in the direction of the Marquis of Champion's residence.
Wei Ruolan was stunned by Li Lian's swift and decisive action.
Seeing Li Lian leave, Wei Ruolan quickly glanced at a blind spot above the palace gates.
A middle-aged man wearing the uniform of an Imperial Guard commander quickly passed through countless passageways and arrived at Yangxin Palace Hall.
"Reporting to the Emperor, the Marquis of Champion was stopped outside the palace gates. He is returning to his residence to get the token that the Emperor Emeritus gave him to enter the palace."
The Commander of the Imperial Guard, Chang Liang, bowed his head and reported.
The figure who was writing furiously on the table paused and sighed. "In the end, he still came.
"
He waved his hand and had Chang Liang leave Yangxin Palace Hall.
"Bi Yu."
"Yes."
"This old servant is here."
Under the shadow, Bi Yu stepped forward and responded.
"We know that you have a close relationship with Jingya. We can pretend that we don't know if you leak some small news to Jingya …" The Emperor was still reviewing the memorials and didn't pay any attention to Bi Yu.
However, when he heard those words, it was enough to make Bi Yun's face turn pale with fright. With a plop, he knelt on the ice-cold ground.
"This servant deserves to die!
This servant deserves to die! "
Bi Yu didn't ask for the Emperor's forgiveness. He just kept kowtowing until his head was dripping with blood. He had the intention of kowtowing himself to death.
He didn't dare to beg for mercy. Leaking the Emperor's will and seducing a foreign official were two serious crimes. They could be considered the two biggest mistakes that a palace servant serving the Emperor couldn't commit.
The Emperor had the intention to give you some advice. Or if you wanted to do a favor for someone, just a few words of advice would be enough.
For Bi Yu to communicate with a Li Lian from time to time, it could be said that he was colluding with a foreign official and plotting against the Emperor.
What was an Imperial Guard?
No matter how awe-inspiring they were outside, they were still nothing more than servants of the Heavenly Sons.
Servants colluding with outsiders and plotting against their own property and even their own lives. Which master would turn a blind eye to this?!
If Bi Yu didn't leak any important information …
If the person that Bi Yu wanted to 'collude' with wasn't a Li Lian …
If the Emperor didn't know about Li Lian's loyalty and patriotism …
If Bi Yu didn't have the merit of helping the Emperor …
If any of the above four conditions were true, the Emperor would have already sent Bi Yu to guard the Imperial Mausoleum!
Thinking about Bi Yun's meritorious service in supporting the Emperor, and also thinking about the various benefits Bi Yun had received in the past, his ears echoed with the sound of the kowtows getting louder and louder. The Emperor's hand holding the brush paused, but in the end his heart softened.
"Alright!
Seeing that you have served the Emperor wholeheartedly in the past and are loyal to the Emperor, I'll let bygones be bygones!
"
"This servant thanks the Emperor for his grace!
In the future, I will be careful with my words and actions. I will serve the Emperor wholeheartedly and work hard for the Emperor! "
Bi Yu kowtowed again and thanked the Emperor with a bloody face.
He had been complacent these past few years.
Ever since he became the head eunuch of An Fuhai's Yangxin Palace Hall, his life had been too smooth and he had become more and more careless.
After beating Bi Yu, the Emperor calmly continued to read the memorials.
"In a while, no matter who requests an audience, just say that I am reading the memorials and will not see them."
"Yes."
"Yes."
Bi Yu respectfully acknowledged.
After reading the memorials for a while, the Emperor didn't hear any movements from the side. His hand that was holding the brush paused and he couldn't help but turn his head and scold: "Why aren't you going to bandage your wound?!
My head eunuch position hasn't been changed yet! "
If Bi Yu's wound continued to bleed like this, he would die from blood loss if it wasn't treated.
"Thank the Emperor for being considerate. This servant will go now."
After understanding the Emperor's meaning, Bi Yu was overjoyed and tried his best to maintain a respectful expression as he retreated. After repeatedly reminding his adopted son, Bi Da Xia, to serve the Emperor well, he avoided the other palace servants in Yangxin Palace Hall and returned to his room to bandage his wound with the help of his other adopted son, Bi Da Yong.