Pihanjin - Chapter 23

As her voice fell, the study suddenly became quiet.

Xie Changgeng was silent for a moment, then said, “Ms. Mu, when you wanted to get rid of me, did you have half of me in your eyes? Now that you have used me, you are so eloquent.”

He smiled, sarcastically.

“What kind of person do you think I, Xie Changgeng, are you?”

Mu Fulan said, “I did offend you in the past, but what I said just now was not a rhetoric, but an insight I learned after I entered Beijing.”

“The queen mother called me today and asked me where I would go in the future. I really don’t want to be held as a hostage in Shangjing, let alone die here.”

Xie Changgeng gave her a cold look. “You know the current affairs. But why should I help you?”

“In the past, if you hadn’t come to ask for a kiss, my fate would not have been like this now. Not to mention so long ago, it was a while ago that you came to Changsha, and at that time you gave me a book at my request, and you and I are gone. The queen mother should not have thought of calling me into Beijing. I am in today’s situation, and the reason is that the queen mother does not trust me in Changsha, but does it have nothing to do with you, Xie Lang? “

Xie Changgeng sneered and snorted, “It’s all my fault.”

Mu Fulan didn’t hear it, and continued, “You never stop me in the morning, and you never stop me in the evening. Now, because you misunderstood the relationship between me and the Prince of Qi, you gave me a book and wanted to clear the relationship with me. If you are known, you Have you ever thought that you are falling into the trap and pushing me into a desperate situation?”

“Of course the country of Changsha is useless to you now. Brother Wang and I did offend you for the sake of reconciliation, but it’s not a deep hatred that will kill you? Besides, my father, the king, was not mean to you back then. .”

She walked over and picked up the piece of paper on the table.

“Xie Lang, you can not help me now, but you can’t do this to me!”

Xie Changgeng couldn’t help but look astonished when he saw her tearing up the book and putting it away.

Mu Fulan tore the book and walked back towards him.

“There is one more thing I want to tell you. Not long after you quelled the chaos in Jiangdu, Wang Xiong learned that Empress Liu wanted to use troops against Changsha, because he had already sinned against you at that time, in order to protect himself, I had to look for Zhang Ban and asked him to say something good for us at Empress Liu. At that time, it was considered a temporary escape. The envoy who sent me to Beijing this time told me before he left that he had already arranged for Zhang Ban. Ban, Zhang Ban promised to take care of me. Now that you are leaving, if the queen mother takes me as a hostage, Zhang Ban should go to the queen mother’s place for me to deal with it. “

She looked at Xie Changgeng.

“I just hope that you will see my father and king. Zhang Banruo intercedes with the queen mother for me, and persuades the queen mother. When the queen mother asks you, you can make it convenient.”

“As for taking me off, when I pass this level, I can do it at any time.”

“For you, these two things are just a matter of life and death, but for me, it is a matter of life and death. Regardless of whether Zhang Ban succeeds in the end, I am grateful.”

After she finished speaking, she gave him a solemn thank you. After the ceremony, she turned around and went out.

Xie Changgeng watched the figure disappear into the doorway. He stayed where he was. He turned around after a while, and his eyes fell on the book that she had torn up. He stared at it for a moment.

…

Two days later, Xie Changgeng was summoned into the palace. After salute, Empress Liu gave him a seat and said with a smile, “I will be leaving the capital tomorrow, is everything all right?”

Xie Changgeng said, “The empress dowager’s care is all in order, and you can leave tomorrow morning.”

Empress Liu sighed, “Seeing that it’s the end of the year, it’s not peaceful over there, and you have to go again. It’s really hard to run around all year round, and I feel very sorry for Ben Gong.”

Xie Changgeng said respectfully, “This minister is deeply favored by the emperor, and he hates nothing in return. This is the duty of the minister, and it is even more honorable. Why bother.”

Empress Liu encouraged him a few more words and said, “Xie Qing, you are going to Beijing, do you have any arrangements for the Mu family?”

Xie Changgeng had already learned the news that Empress Liu had met Zhang Ban. Zhang Ban said there was no need to hold people hostage. He was very eloquent, and Empress Liu seemed to be hesitant to persuade her, but she still did not agree.

He replied, “Thanks to the Queen Mother, I brought her to Beijing earlier. I originally planned to call her back to Xie County, but my mother was very displeased with her. The reason why she returned to Changsha before was not only because she was not acclimatized to the soil and water, but also because of the situation. My mother was disgusted. My mother did not want to see her face, and there was no shortage of servants in the family. Since the minister wanted to leave the capital, he planned to take her to Hexi. Although the appearance of the Jiedu envoy’s mansion is not large, the local welcome There are also a lot of things to come and send, and she has passed, and it is useful.”

Liu Hou nodded, “This arrangement was originally very good, and you really need a deacon on your side. It’s just Xie Qing, if this palace wants to keep her in Shangjing, what do you think?”

Xie Changgeng said, “Please make it clear to the Queen Mother.”

Liu Hou said, “You are Ben Gong’s confidant, and Ben Gong said it directly. Ben Gong wants to keep the Mu family as a hostage in Changsha, what do you think?”

Xie Changgeng listened, as if hesitating, and did not reply immediately.

“What, you don’t want to?”

Empress Liu cast two eyes on Xie Changgeng’s face, with a hint of exploration.

Xie Changgeng hurriedly said, “This minister does not dare, if the Queen Mother really wants to hold her as a hostage in the country of Changsha, the minister has nothing to say, just leave her.”

Empress Liu stared at him, “Xie Qing, you are deceiving this palace! You clearly have other ideas!”

Xie Changgeng hurriedly knelt down, “This minister is guilty! The minister did indeed have other selfish intentions.”

“Say. This palace forgives you not guilty.”

Xie Changgeng thanked him and said, “The minister dared to speak out. If the queen mother approves, can I allow the minister to take her with me?”

“Why?”

Empress Liu squinted and asked.

“The Queen Mother kept her in Beijing, although she wouldn’t make it clear that she would be held as a pledge, but how would the courtiers not know? Everyone was talking behind their backs, and the Taoist ministers relied on the king of Changsha to get into office. Being left in the capital as a pledge, the minister will be discussed by the world again, and the Taoist minister once gained power and betrayed his righteousness.”

“When the Queen Mother wants to get rid of Changsha in the future, the Changsha state has a definite charge of treason, the minister is loyal to the court, and the Mu family is cut cleanly. , and become stigmatized again.”

“I came from a humble background, and what I wanted in my life was, first, to be loyal to the imperial court and the Queen Mother, and second, to honor my ancestors for the glory of the sect. People say it is fearsome, and I have carried a lot of burdens in recent years. Although I am not afraid, I am also afraid of affecting the name of my ancestors. “

“The crime of the minister deserves ten thousand death, the loyalty to the queen mother is not enough, and there is selfishness. Please punish the queen mother!”

He kowtowed to the ground for a long time.

When Liu Hou heard that he didn’t agree with her holding Mu’s family in Beijing at first, she was surprised and displeased, and even more doubtful in her heart. She wondered whether he had listened to Mu’s scolding, so she spoke for her, and after listening to him Accusing the crime, Fang Suran, not only did his doubts disappear, but he became angry, and said bitterly, “The court keeps those officials, and I can’t solve the problem for the palace. I will give you a little reward, and each one’s eyes are red. Slander you! It’s really hateful!”

When she finished, she hesitated.

Xie Changgeng has already expressed his concerns in this way. If he insists on keeping the Mu family in Beijing as a pledge, he will be disgraced.

Remembering that Zhang Ban also persuaded himself before, saying that now, since the priority is to appease the country and the national strength of Changsha, there is no need to keep hostages, so as not to arouse the vigilance of Mu Xuanqing and the people of Changsha, and the hearts of more enemies. Taking more precautions will be detrimental to future actions.

Now that Xie Changgeng cherishes his reputation and has such concerns, he might as well push the boat with the current to show his gratitude to him.

To appease Xie Changgeng and let him be loyal to himself, compared with the threat from Changsha, it is self-evident.

Empress Liu pondered for a moment, then quickly made a decision and said, “Xie Qing, to tell you the truth, Ben Gong originally wanted to keep the Mu family in Beijing to avoid trouble in Changsha, but since you are so concerned, Ben Gong naturally Put you first. You can take people with you.”

Xie Changgeng solemnly bowed his head to express his thanks, and said, “The grace of the queen mother to the minister, even the death of the minister, is not enough to repay one of them!”

Empress Liu said with a smile, “That’s it, be flat. The last time you quelled the rebellion against the King of Jiangdu, and made such a great contribution, you only gave your mother an appointment. Ben Gong felt that it was a little meager, and this is a reward for you. “

Xie Changgeng was respectful, thanked again, and then withdrew.

…

At sunset, Mu Fulan was leaning against the window, looking out the window at a bunch of banana leaves that had withered in the winter, feeling a little uneasy.

Early tomorrow morning, Xie Changgeng was about to leave the capital, and at this moment, his whereabouts were still unknown.

There was news from Zhang Ban during the day that he was persuading Empress Liu, and Empress Liu’s attitude had loosened. Even if you can’t tell her to change her mind right now, wait for him to speak slowly and say it a few more times, it will work sooner or later, and tell her to wait patiently.

Although Zhang Ban spread the word, Mu Fulan was a little worried. If he fails to convince Empress Liu in a short period of time and speaks for himself again and again, he may lead Empress Liu to suspect. Once Zhang Ban realized this possibility, even if he wanted to capture Xie Changgeng’s evidence, he would not risk being suspected by Empress Liu as a lobbyist for himself.

Although there is hope, the variables are also very large, and she can’t be completely relieved.

As for Xie Changgeng, there was absolutely no response in the past two days. He still went out early and returned late, and when he came back at night, he didn’t seem to see himself in the room, sleeping alone on the couch.

As if nothing had happened.

But according to Mu Fulan’s guess, after the conversation he had with him in the study that day, he shouldn’t be so mad that he did something to obstruct Zhang Ban’s lobbying at Empress Liu.

When Xie Changgeng leaves tomorrow, I hope Zhang Ban can successfully lobby as soon as possible, so that he can get out of Beijing.

It was getting dark, and the maid came in with the lamp, and the room lit up.

The wind blew in from the window, and the lights flickered.

“Master Weng, the wind is strong, be careful it’s freezing.”

The maid came over to close the window and persuaded in a low voice.

Envoy Xie Jiedu will leave the capital tomorrow morning, but Lord Weng is very likely to be left as a hostage by the Queen Mother.

In the past few days, everyone’s mood has been very low, and even walking and talking are more careful than usual.

Mu Fulan suppressed her messy thoughts and turned to go in. The door was suddenly pushed open, and it was Mu’s mother who walked in with a smile on her face.

Since Weng Zhu got married to Xie’s family at the beginning of the year, the maids never saw Mu’s mother show such a smile on her face. They all stopped and looked at her.

“Master! Good thing! Good thing!”

She ran towards Mu Fulan and grabbed her hand excitedly.

“Just now, the manager said that there was a message from Jiedushi, and he would take Weng Zhu to Hexi tomorrow morning and tell us to pack up!”

Xie Changgeng took Weng Zhu to Hexi, which meant that Empress Liu had changed her mind and stopped taking her as a hostage.

The maids reacted, and they all breathed a sigh of relief, all of them were happy, and the atmosphere that had been suppressed for many days suddenly became relaxed.

“Quickly pack up!” Mu’s mother said.

Everyone responded and got busy.

Mu Fulan watched Mu’s mother and the maids busy packing up the luggage for tomorrow morning’s departure. After the initial daze, she gradually realized something.

Zhang Ban has already met Empress Liu today, and it is unlikely that he will enter the palace to lobby again for the same matter. But now suddenly such news came.

She pondered for a moment, and slowly let out a breath in her chest.