Author: Shangtang Doumiao

In the seventh year of Kaiping, October 27th, afternoon.

Liu Xian came to Jingren Palace to pay his respects to Empress Dowager Wu as usual.

Empress Dowager Wu had a gentle look on her face, looking at Liu Xian's undisturbed expression, and said with concern: "The emperor has been busy with government affairs recently, so there is no need to come over to pay his respects at noon every day. The Ai family knows that the assassination of Duke Wei has made you very embarrassed. If you don't tell me,

If this matter is found out, it will most likely cause controversy between the government and the public. But if some people are really found out, there is no guarantee that the situation will be more complicated."

Liu Xian smiled bitterly and said: "I know there is something wrong with this matter, and I hope my mother can clear up my doubts."

Empress Dowager Wu pondered: "Have there been any clues found in Xiangguo Mansion?"

Liu Xian shook his head and said: "The day before yesterday, Chen An reported to Erchen that Luan Yiwei had not gained anything. The blood stains on the back wall of Xiangguo Mansion have long dried up, which cannot prove that it is related to the assassin. As for the two swords in the grass beside the street behind Xiangguo Mansion

, after identification by Pei Yue's personal soldiers and the people who witnessed the assassination on Gushui Street that day, it was indeed the weapon used by the assassin."

"So, Xiao Jin is indeed suspicious?"

"How could your mother, the Marquis of Xiangcheng, make such a simple mistake? If the assassin was really assigned by him, he would not be able to return to the vicinity of Xiangguo Mansion afterwards, let alone discard the bloody swords there.

"I really don't believe it. The Xiangguo Mansion has been inherited for nearly a hundred years, and the Marquis of Xiangcheng has a deep foundation in the army. Is it possible that he can't even produce a loyal soldier? Therefore, I have asked Xiao Jin to leave the palace and return to the mansion."

"It is indeed full of flaws. This kind of evidence is child's play. Logically speaking, this problem is not difficult to solve. Why is the emperor so unhappy?"

"Mother, this is the strangest thing. Even my sons and ministers can see that there is something fishy. There are actually some people who persist in impeaching Xiao Jin."

He sighed softly and frowned: "What do these people want to do?"

Empress Dowager Wu remained silent.

After a while, she asked softly: "Since someone wants to frame him, he will naturally add fuel to the flames later."

Liu Xian's heart tightened: "The queen mother refers to Pei Yue?"

Empress Dowager Wu nodded and said: "It is possible. Emperor, have you ever thought that the so-called assassination was actually Pei Yue's trick to deceive the world?"

"I didn't hide it from my mother. I did have such suspicions at first, so when I went to visit Pei Yue that day, I brought the imperial doctor with me. After checking, they told me that Pei Yue's injuries were not fake."

Liu Xian stared at the solemn face of the Queen Mother and continued to explain: "The Queen Mother, Luan Yiwei and Taishitai Pavilion all have eyes on Pei Yue. They restrict and monitor each other so that nothing will go wrong. The assassin's martial arts skills are extremely high.

Gao is by no means an idle person, and he is not a soldier raised by Pei Yue, so this assassination should not be a pretext by Pei Yue."

Empress Dowager Wu did not argue about this issue and said slowly: "Then how does the emperor plan to deal with it?"

Liu Xiandao: "No matter what, I must find out the mastermind behind the assassination."

A complex emotion appeared in the eyes of Empress Dowager Wu, and then she changed the topic and said: "Although Xiao Jin is suspected of sending someone to assassinate Pei Yue, he has been loyal for so many years, so there is nothing wrong with the emperor taking care of him, otherwise he will be cold.

The hearts of those loyal ministers. However, at the moment he cannot leave the capital, and his inspection of the Southern Army can only be postponed."

Liu Xian asked in confusion: "What does the Queen Mother mean?"

Empress Dowager Wu said: "Although Xiao Jin cannot leave the capital, the southern border should be unimpeded. After all, the Tiancang River separates the north and the south. Now the Southern Zhou Navy is no longer as strong as it used to be. Even if the Southern Zhou Dynasty wants to use troops, as long as the navy has not recovered its strength,

We will not act rashly in a short period of time. However, the western border is different. The Gaoyang Plain cannot stop the Xiwu cavalry, but for them, it is a smooth sailing."

Hearing the words "Xiao Jin can't leave Beijing", Liu Xian felt like a thunder struck in his mind.

Following Empress Dowager Wu's suggestion, he asked Gu Liang to go to the western border to inspect defenses, and Xiao Jin to go to the southern border to check on the military situation. This way they could deal with possible wars on the border without further aggravating Pei Yue's authority.

But if Xiao Jin fell into this incident, the person who went south would naturally be Pei Yue.

Is this really his conspiracy?

Seeing that Liu Xian was absent-minded and silent, Empress Dowager Wu said softly: "Emperor, Gu Liang's inspection of Daitian cannot be delayed any longer."

Liu Xian came back to his senses and said with a slight hesitation: "Mother, I think it is safer to let Gu Liang stay in the capital temporarily."

Empress Dowager Wu frowned and said: "Since you trust Pei Yue so much, you cannot ignore the hidden worries he raised before. It is very likely that Western Wu and Southern Zhou will jointly send troops. Now the Western Army of Daliang is much weaker than before, and the four camps have been changed.

As the third battalion, most of the military stronghold has been dismantled. Once there is a war, it may fall into a crisis. At this time, you may not send an imperial envoy to the southern border to inspect the border defense, but you must not underestimate the threat of the Xiwu cavalry."

Liu Xian disapproved in his heart, especially after the idea that frightened him appeared. However, he had not dared to go against the Queen Mother's ideas since he was a child. He could only hesitate and said: "I will accept the teachings of my mother and will let Guangping Marquis as soon as possible."

Go to the West."

Queen Mother Wu nodded approvingly.

Liu Xian was so preoccupied that he did not notice the sharp look in Empress Dowager Wu's eyes. He just lowered his head slightly to hide the panic in his heart.

Pei Yue was both a teacher and a friend to him, and he had always helped him a lot.

Without Pei Yue's support, he would never have become the crown prince so easily, not to mention that when Wang Pingzhang rebelled, Pei Yue tried his best to turn the tide and help the country. After he ascended the throne, several crucial reform strategies came from Pei Yue.

Due to Yue's handiwork, various places in Daliang began to glow with vitality, and he was extremely pleased in his heart.

But if the assassination on Gushui Street was really Pei Yue's own fault, and then he targeted Xiao Jinxing for his frame-up, wouldn't it mean that Pei Yue wanted to monopolize power?

Would he really do this?

Why did he do this?

…

October 29th is the day of the New Year.

Eleven days have passed since Pei Yue was assassinated, and the assassin has still not been arrested. The differences in the court have become increasingly obvious.

When they saw the figure of the young Duke appearing in Chengtian Hall, many courtiers could not help but frown quietly.

At present, there is no evidence from either side. Those who impeach Xiao Jin cannot produce evidence that he is related to the assassins, and those who impeach Pei Yue cannot prove that this is his conspiracy, so the situation has fallen into a fierce stalemate.

In fact, most courtiers have a clear mind, and at this point it doesn't matter whether there is evidence.

There is no room for two tigers in one mountain. The fight between Pei Yue and Xiao Jin has been made public. It seems that only one of them hand over their power and leave the court can calm the turmoil.

After the routine, several ministers came forward to impeach Xiao Jin, and the content of their impeachment had nothing to do with the assassination. They pointedly accused Xiao Jin of nepotism, such as Pei Cheng becoming the deputy commander of the Kyoto garrison at a young age.

He was also said to have enriched his own pockets by deducting military pay, and made countless fortunes during his ten years in Hucheng.

Some people even accused him of bullying the people and coercing women into concubines.

There are many kinds of them, just to name a few.

Different from the previous appearances where mostly middle- and lower-level officials appeared, today there were actually two important ministers in purple robes.

The situation was not one-sided, and soon civil and military officials who supported Xiao Jin came forward.

The hall was like boiling water, and the atmosphere was extremely tense.

Liu Xian sat upright on the dragon chair, seemingly unaware of the noise below. His gaze stayed at the head of the martial arts class, looking at Pei Yue, who was wearing the imperial uniform of the country and became more and more serious.

At this moment, Pei Yue suddenly left the class and moved forward, walking step by step to the center.

This scene seemed to make the passage of time slow down, and those arguing voices disappeared.

Everyone looked at the young Duke in unison.

Pei Yue faced the emperor on the dragon throne, bowed and saluted calmly, and then said: "Your Majesty, I have something to report."

Liu Xian cleared his throat, raised his hand and said, "Tell me."

Pei Yue raised his head, looked at Liu Xian with clear eyes, and said slowly: "Your Majesty, during the days when I was recuperating in the palace, I also heard about the disputes in the court. Now the whereabouts of the assassin are unknown, and it seems that this matter has something to do with the Marquis of Xiangcheng.

It’s relevant, so I want to express my opinion.”

Not far to the right, Xiao Jin, who had always been silent and calm when facing criticism from a small number of courtiers, turned to look at Pei Yue.

The courtiers in the palace had different expressions. Some expressed expectations, while others expressed worries.

They couldn't help but think of Xiao Jin's aggressive confrontation with Pei Yue in the court two months ago after the Yanzhi incident broke out.

According to the temperament shown by the young prince in the past, I am afraid that he will have to retaliate in kind today.

Pei Yue seemed not to notice the commotion behind him. He kept looking at Liu Xian and said in a higher tone: "Your Majesty, I am determined not to believe that the assassination case is related to the Marquis of Xiangcheng. This is just a case of those treacherous people driving a wedge between the king and his ministers.

A despicable plan!"

There is a sound when it hits the ground, just like the sound of metal and stone.

It is also like the yellow bell and the big Lu, which plays suddenly.

Liu Xian met Pei Yue's gaze and quietly understood these words. The heartstrings that had been tense for days finally relaxed.
Chapter completed!