soy sauce lady

Chapter 26

The imperial study room was brightly lit, and there was only a wisp of smoke left in the censer. His Majesty the Emperor was sitting behind the desk, holding the corner of the bright yellow dragon robe with one hand. After passing several ministers present, it finally fell on the leader Ding Zhengyi.

"Shoufu, what you just said is true?"

Ding Zhengyi had been waiting for his reaction for a long time, and immediately replied after hearing the words: "Your Majesty, the letter was sent by Fu Qingyu. I heard that she has a close relationship with Wen Su, how can it be fake?"

The emperor fell silent again.

Wang Dingyong pondered and said: "This matter is very strange. Wen Shaofu's identity is actually involved in the remnants of the previous dynasty, but why did Fu Qingyu know about it?"

Ding Zhengyi handed the letter to him, "Your Majesty Wang saw it for herself, and it said very clearly that she was entrusted by Wen Su first, and then she saw it and wrote it down when compiling the history books. This matter."

"But what if there is a fake?"

Ding Zhengyi and Wang Dingyong were taken aback by the sudden interruption, and turned their heads to see that it was Liu Ke who spoke.

As a subordinate, it would be impolite to interrupt the superior so hastily, but Liu Ke couldn't care less.He started to panic when he learned that Wen Su had actually got involved with the previous dynasty.

He knew that the emperor had ordered Wen Su to be imprisoned, she had already committed a crime, and now with such an unfavorable status, the prospect was bleak.

Barely suppressing the panic in his heart, Liu Ke raised his hand and saluted the emperor, "Your Majesty, please be aware of the details. After all, it happened a hundred years ago. Wouldn't it be unfair to wrong Lord Wen?"

"I think so too." The emperor sighed, he just wanted to suppress Wen Su's arrogance, he didn't want to do anything to her, but suddenly something happened in front of him.

Seeing the emperor's attitude, Ding Zhengyi was very dissatisfied, "Your Majesty, the evidence is solid, why don't you believe it? This is your good opportunity!"

"Huh?" The emperor was taken aback, "What opportunity?"

"Your Majesty!" Old Master Ding looked around and whispered close to him, "This is a chance to take power into your hands..."

The emperor's expression was startled, and he looked at him with wide eyes, and then a look of suddenness appeared again, and gradually returned to calm.

Yes, this is indeed a good opportunity, Wen Su committed a crime, coupled with this big or small identity, as long as he is willing, he can make her never recover.

But...is it really good to do this?The emperor frowned again.

"Your Majesty, you can't miss this opportunity. You can't miss it. Wen Su has been dealt with at this time. When the regent comes back, you already have the power in your hands. What are you afraid of?"

Several ministers in the hall heard Ding Zhengyi's words, and there was no lack of enthusiasm, and several of them also seconded: "Yes, Your Majesty, the chief assistant is right."

"But the emperor's uncle is in charge of the country's soldiers and horses, just in case..."

"Don't worry, Your Majesty." Ding Zheng interrupted him with a smile, "The regent has always claimed to take care of the people's livelihood, so how could he challenge things after the war has just ended? And he will bear the name of treason for doing so. Don't the kings take the opportunity to suppress him? Whichever is more important, the regent will not be so unconscious."

"I think it's absolutely impossible!" Liu Ke became more and more frightened when he heard it, and hurriedly spoke to stop him: "Your Majesty, absolutely impossible, after this battle, the regent king is gaining momentum, and the chaos of the seven kings has been put down, who can fight with him again?" Fighting for the front? If we really fight against him, I am afraid there is no chance of winning, and the regent has always acted eclecticly, if he really does not care about his reputation, things will not be certain."

"Yes yes yes, what Chao Qing said is true!" Thinking of the threats the regent had made to him before, the emperor hurriedly agreed.

Liu Ke breathed a sigh of relief.

Wang Dingyong also echoed on the side: "Master Shoufu's words are indeed reckless. If there is no definite guarantee, you must not let His Majesty take risks."

Choked by the partnership of these two people, Ding Zhengyi snorted coldly in embarrassment, and remained silent.

Just at this time, Fugui's voice sounded outside the door: "Your Majesty, King Pingyang is asking to see you."

"Prince Pingyang?" Several people present were a little surprised, and Mr. Ding was even more flustered. He is the closest person to the Prince Regent. If he came here at this time, did he know something?
The emperor glanced at a few people to show comfort, and said loudly: "Let him come in."

The palace door was gently pushed open, and what came into everyone's sight was a different black robe.

Xiao Duan was dressed in a solemn dress, his pale complexion contrasted with his picturesque eyes, when he walked into the hall, he stunned all the officials present for a moment.

Everyone knows that King Pingyang is weak and doesn't show his face easily, so it is rare to see him in formal attire, but they never imagined that seeing him today would be so unparalleled.

After scanning all the people in the hall, he bowed to the emperor, and then said in a negotiating tone with a smile: "I wonder if you can please go out first, my king has something to say to your majesty alone."

Everyone looked at each other in blank dismay, and turned their attention to the emperor. The latter pondered for a moment, then nodded, "Let's all go out, and continue the discussion later."

Several people said yes one after another, and all of them retreated in an instant.

There were only two people left in the hall, one sitting quietly and the other standing calmly.

"What does King Pingyang want to say to me?"

"I just want to talk to Your Majesty about Wen Su." Xiao Duan stared at him with a smile, "How does Your Majesty plan to deal with Wen Su? Should he take the opportunity to take away the power in her hands, or punish her with a salary, give her a slap in the face, or demote her position? But the Regent Wang Yin is in her hands, I am afraid that no matter how much she is demoted, it will not change anything, right?"

The thorn in the emperor's heart was provoked by him again, and his face suddenly turned pale, "What are you talking about?"

"I just want to help a group of His Majesty." His voice was soft and gentle, as if he was trying to comfort a restless child, "Your Majesty, it's not impossible to want power, as long as you let it go, there's nothing wrong with it."

"You...what do you mean by that?" The emperor felt uncomfortably stared at by his deep eyes, but his words seemed to have a kind of magic power, which was attracting him to keep sinking.

Xiao Duan approached him step by step until he touched the edge of the table, leaned slightly, and smiled, "Your Majesty, don't worry about the emperor's uncle's troops. At that time, I will go and tell the emperor that Wen Su committed a crime by himself, and there is another one." Naturally, the identity of the remnants of the previous dynasty cannot be reused."

The emperor looked at him suspiciously, "Why are you so kind all of a sudden?"

"It's not kind." Xiao Duan shook his head with a smile, "I just hope that His Majesty will give you the title of prince after taking power. You also know that Weichen is just a county king now, and the emperor's uncle is strict, and he has too many demands on Weichen, a nephew. , so it’s hard to fulfill your wish..."

"I see." The emperor felt at ease, as long as he asked for something, the most feared thing was that he didn't know his purpose.

"Your Majesty, can you rest assured?"

The emperor was already moved, but he pretended to be calm on his face, "Then, in your opinion, how should we deal with Wen Su?"

There was a trace of hesitation in Xiao Duan's eyes, but it was fleeting, and then a smile appeared on his lips, bleak and serious, "Naturally... get rid of it."

"What?" The emperor stood up from his seat in shock, "You mean..." He couldn't utter that word, so he raised his hand like a knife and stroked it lightly between his neck, his eyes were full of disbelief doubt.

Xiao Duan folded his arms and looked at him, with a calm expression, "What other methods can we use to take away the power in her hands? With so many confidantes under the emperor's uncle, is there a way for His Majesty to ensure that they will not try to rescue her?"

The emperor was slightly taken aback.

"Since we know her identity at this time, it's a good time, isn't it?"

That's right, a good time, a once-in-a-lifetime time, but how can he do it?

That was the teacher who had taught him. Although he didn't get along very long, she was still a woman worthy of respect. How could he do such things to deceive teachers and destroy Dao?
"Your Majesty, what is this?" Xiao Duan took out a roll of yellow silk from his sleeve and handed it in front of him, "This is an edict issued by the Emperor Taizu at the beginning, offering a huge reward for the head of his ancestors, which clearly stated If you want to punish his nine clans, how can his descendants survive in the world?"

"You...you actually have this?" The emperor was very surprised, and he didn't open it for a long time.

"As long as you look for it with your heart, you can find anything." Xiao Duan raised his finger and pointed in the direction of the palace gate, "Besides, don't all the ministers outside have the same meaning?"

The emperor suddenly realized, yes, what Ding Zhengyi meant just now seemed to be the same. So Wen Su has become an obstacle that has to be removed?

The palace door slammed softly, he raised his eyes and saw that Xiao Duan had already walked out of the door, and then the previous ministers poured in, all of them looked inquiring towards him.

The emperor took a few breaths, sat down slowly, restrained his emotions, and asked the people present with lowered eyes: "Wen Su...should we get rid of it?"

As if something exploded in his mind, Liu Ke suddenly raised his eyes to look at him, his eyes were full of shock and pain.

How could this be……

As night fell, the heat dropped slightly.

The atmosphere of the Prince Regent's Mansion without Wen Su suddenly changed. Zhao Quan paced back and forth in the room, and after passing on Wen Su's confession to King Pingyang, he has been doing such things.

He has asked King Pingyang for help, but King Pingyang has not returned since he entered the palace, which is really anxious.In case something happens to Mr. Wen, how will he explain it to the prince!

At this time, King Pingyang, whom he was thinking of, was meeting with a group of the regent's cronies in a restaurant.

After all, Xiao Zheng might be implicated in this move, and those officials were very worried, so they had to come and ask.

After everyone left, Lu Fang expressed his feelings about being detained by Wen Su in shock: "Oh my god, seeing that Mr. Wen is usually very kind and gentle, why is he so fierce? He took the subordinate away without saying a word. , It was really shocking at the time!"

"Running around for the person you care about, naturally spare no effort." Xiao Duan looked gloomy and his voice was a little erratic.

Lu Fang saw that something was wrong with him, and asked, "What's wrong, my lord?"

Xiao Duan slightly raised his eyes to look at him, and sneered: "This king encouraged the emperor to do something to Wen Su."

"Do it? How to do it?"

"Except for her..."

Lu Fang was shocked, "Prince Pingyang, why do you..." He no longer knew how to ask.

"Why?" Xiao Duan glanced at him contemptuously, "Thanks to you being with me for so long, even Wen Su can see it, you still don't know my intentions."

When he heard the words Zhao Quan brought today, he knew that Wen Su understood.But it was too late, and it was impossible for him to stop.

Lu Fang didn't know how to answer the words for a while, so he just looked at him blankly.

"Didn't you keep asking me why I want to match Wen Su and my uncle? It's actually for this day."

Xiao Duan leaned back and leaned on the seat, as if he was drunk, showing a chic and unrestrained attitude, and his light tone with a trace of undetectable meaning explained the whole thing.

"You don't know enough about uncle's nature. He seems indifferent, but he really cares about affection, and Wen Su is the most important thing. Otherwise, he won't respect Ruo Si for her. He has been tempted for a long time and has not revealed it. It’s not that he hasn’t lost people who he valued, but he has endured them one by one, and now that his wings are full, if someone touches the most important treasure in his hands, guess what will happen?”

Seeing a faint flash of surprise in Lu Fang's eyes, Xiao Duan couldn't help curling his lips, his black eyes were shining brightly under the candlelight, but he couldn't hide the faint coldness in them all the time.

"What if the person who removed his treasure is the current emperor?"

Lu Fang suddenly realized.

Xiao Duan's plan has been carried out step by step from the beginning, neither fast nor slow, not lukewarm, but the timing is right, the right time and place have created the current outbreak.

He worked hard step by step, and almost everyone who could be used was used once.Now, by buying the Minister of the Household Department and instigating Lu Fang, using Wen Su's worry about Xiao Zheng to force her into committing a crime, exaggerating her identity, and finally using the emperor's longing for power, he can lead her into the abyss.

On the day of Xiao Zheng's triumphant return, what will it be like when he learns that his beloved has died at the hands of the emperor?
It's not that Xiao Duan never thought about changing candidates. When the Queen of Qinghai Kingdom expressed good feelings for Xiao Zheng, he even thought about intensifying the conflict between him and the emperor. success.Xiao Zheng could only see Wen Su in his eyes, and this made her a crucial pawn.

He wanted to push her to his uncle, make them fall in love with each other, and then use the emperor's hand to get rid of Wen Su.It was like gouging out the flesh from the heart, and the pain pierced the bone marrow, completely arousing Xiao Zheng's past resentment and depression, and pulling down that child who shouldn't be sitting on the golden palace!Then the yellow robe was added to the body, and the foundation of eternal life was achieved.

There is nothing wrong with Wen Su, but the fault lies in being deeply loved by Xiao Zheng.

After the words were finished, there was silence all around.

Lu Fang was almost petrified.He knew that King Pingyang had a deep mind, but he didn't expect it to be so deep, and such a plan had been laid out for such a long time, just to close the net at this moment.He was so ruthless that even his own uncle took advantage of it. Every step was linked together. If there was even the slightest deviation in it, it might cause unforeseen consequences.

He secretly swallowed his saliva, and couldn't help but wonder in his heart, such a person has such a mind, why doesn't he seek the throne by himself?
"I know what you're thinking, but I'm afraid I'm going to disappoint you. I'm not interested in that seat. The throne is for those who are capable. Only a king like uncle is worthy of it. As for Xiao Yi..." He sneered and snorted, "Too unqualified!"

tuk tuk-

Three soft knocks on the door made Lu Fang wake up in a jerk, cleared his throat and said loudly: "Who is outside?"

A young servant's thin voice sounded outside: "My lord, news came from the palace that His Majesty could not withstand the persuasion of the chief assistant and others, and has decided to get rid of Wen Su..."

Liu Ke wandered outside the sky prison for a while, saying a lot of good things to the prison boss, stuffing money and smiling, but it didn't have the slightest effect.

The head of the cell was also helpless. Seeing his anxiety, he comforted him: "Master Liu, please go back. After all, he is a repeat offender specially ordered by His Majesty to be guarded. The villain really dare not be accommodating."

Liu Ke was extremely disappointed and had no choice but to return angrily.

Wen Su had been imprisoned for several days. He ran around and begged everyone he could, but to no avail.

Although the emperor struggled and wavered before, he finally succumbed when the chief assistant asked, "Does Your Majesty have to be under the regent's despotic power all the time?"

He didn't know what King Pingyang said to the emperor that day, but his intuition told him that there might be no good things, so he never asked Pingyang King even after begging so many people.

However, he still went to the Prince Regent's Mansion to find Zhao Quan.

So far, there may only be one person who can turn the tide.

The war in the south of the Yangtze River is in full swing. Among the seven anti-kings, only the King of Guangling has the most troops, with 20 people. Therefore, the battle in Yangzhou is very difficult. If Zhou Xianda did not escort the supplies to arrive in time, the situation of the battle may be out of control.

The King of Guangling was not good at managing the army, and it was a bit like talking about war on paper, but he had a very powerful military adviser by his side, and Xiao Zheng's carefully arranged battles were repeatedly found out by him, and the two sides were once in a stalemate.

It wasn't until the Jiang family, a noble family in the south of the Yangtze River, came forward and won them over on the condition of a daughter's promise and a generous dowry, that the situation was reversed.King Guangling has relied on others for a long time, and at this point he has nothing to do, and he is about to be defeated.

The two sides fought in a scuffle, and the communication was not as closed as before.Not long after, the Jiang family sent someone to look for Xiao Zheng and put forward a condition.

Xiao Zheng listened quietly in the tent, and refused without even raising his eyelids: "Go back and tell the patriarch of the Jiang clan, thank you for his kindness, but it's a pity that the king has someone in mind, so I'd better ask him to find another son-in-law." Bar."

The person who came to send the letter was a young man, Xu Shi had developed a bad temper in the big family, and when he heard the words, he couldn't get angry, so he contradicted: "Your lord is a sensible man, you know how much the Jiang family has put in this battle. The Jiang family also shared in the matter of eradicating corruption along the river, and now the patriarch promised his most precious daughter to the prince, how could you just answer it with a single sentence?"

Xiao Zheng finally raised his eyes to look at him, without saying a word, the sharpness in his eyes had already made him take half a step back, and he was faintly afraid of what he just said.

"Did the Jiang family make a mistake? This king came here to suppress the rebellion, to save the Jiang family and other big families from the fire and water. I will remember everything the Jiang family has done, and I can talk about everything in the future, but now... ..." He pulled out the long sword in his hand and threw it towards the man's toes, and when the young man screamed out in shock, he slowly finished the second half of the sentence: "It's best not to fight with this king. Talk about terms!"

The young man couldn't say a word, his face was as pale as paper, and he scrambled back out...

Frogs sounded outside the tent, the summer wind blew in, and the candlelight flickered, reflecting Xiao Zheng's face, flickering bright and dark, just like his state of mind at this time.

The moment the supplies arrived, he knew that Wen Su might have resorted to means at such a fierce and swift speed, and if he did so, he might be tricked.

He sighed, leaned back on the back of the chair and closed his eyes to rest, but his thoughts had already flown back to the capital.

Since Lu Fang deliberately withheld the weapon, it must have been Xiao Duan's instigation, and since he had the intention to commit a crime by citing the text, it should be to force himself.

I hope Wen Su is safe and well.

The curtain was suddenly lifted vigorously by a person, breaking the tranquility.There was a soft noise around, and several black shadows quickly attacked the door, and when Xiao Zheng opened his eyes to look over, they retreated quietly.

A person strode in, dusty and scorched.

"Zhao Quan?" Xiao Zheng was astonished and stood up all of a sudden, "Why are you here?"

Zhao Quan didn't care about saluting, and hurriedly said: "My lord, something is wrong, Mr. Wen's life is in danger..."

Generally, the questioning and cutting are arranged after autumn, but if there are many nights and dreams, there are many early ones.

Wen Su is such.

The last meal in the prison was all Jiangnan famous dishes, she ate with peace of mind, without leaving a single vegetable leaf, and then arranged her clothes, insisting on wearing the official uniform before boarding the prison car.

She knew she would be removed, but as a victim of conspiracy, not malfeasance.She stands in the world, open and frank, why can't she wear official uniforms?

Wang Dingyong, who was in charge of beheading the official, glanced at Wen Su's official robe, and wanted to say that it was unreasonable, but he apologized: "Master Wen, I have begged for mercy, but Your Majesty has been instigated, so I can't listen to it at all." Go in, and I hope you will forgive me."

Wen Su laughed, "It is already a great kindness for Mr. Yushi to plead for mercy from his opposition at the beginning. How can he ask for anything else? Wen Su has nothing in return. Please accept my next obeisance." Because of the shackles, she It is difficult to move, and the movements are also a little clumsy.

Wang Dingyong stopped him and sighed: "If my lord doesn't have that status...it's all easy to talk about. It's a pity, it's a pity..."

"identity?"

Wen Su was puzzled, and was about to ask, but the deputy supervisor in charge had already reminded Wang Dingyong: "Lord Wang, the time has come."

Wang Dingyong was taken aback for a moment, then raised his eyes to look at Wen Su, and saw that her face turned pale instantly.

It is impossible not to be afraid, in fact she has been afraid these past few days, listening to Liu Ke's faint pleas from outside, she hopes again and again that someone can rescue her.At last it was the last day, Qiang Zuo was so relaxed, but in the end he still couldn't help the fear in his heart.

It was a beautiful time, and her ideal had not been realized. Why did God let her take such a step?
What's more, she hasn't held that person's hand yet, and the promise of white hair will never be fulfilled, how can she be willing?
Her fingertips trembled slightly, she resisted the urge to shed tears, and said to Wang Dingyong in a hoarse voice: "Please, my lord, please bring a word to the Regent, saying that there is no fate in this life, and we will meet again in the next life..."

Before the words were finished, the person was dragged forward by two people, one on each side, and was pressed to kneel on the dead stone.

The people below knew that this was about to start, and they all exclaimed in surprise.

Wen Su raised her neck and glanced down, her cheeks were sunken and she was extremely haggard, but her flustered expression just now gradually calmed down.

She saw that there were many women onlookers, some of whom were even about the same age as her.Maybe some of them still have hopes for her current high-ranking position, but after today, it will completely fall into the bubble.

It's no wonder that so many people support her removal. At least since then, no woman will disturb the court and take away the limelight that belongs to men like them. The New Deal will be a thing of the past, and because things happen for a reason, Qinghai Kingdom will have nothing to say.

She is a victim of the New Deal, a victim of a conspiracy to seize power, but she has ideals and ambitions, which is really wrong.

Across the crowds of people, there was a person standing quietly on the teahouse diagonally opposite. He was dressed in white and snowy, and his eyes were frosty.

He turned his gaze to the guillotine, looked at the woman in official robes, and tightly clenched the teacup in her hand.

Scenes of the past flashed through his mind like lightning, and the tip of his nose seemed to be filled with the faint fragrance of acacia flowers that escaped from her hair when he accidentally threw her down for the first time.

They are not familiar with each other, but they have a tacit understanding.Even though she has plotted against her since the first time they met him, even though she has never dared to agree with the "best friend" he called, but later, when there is something to help, she is still the first to think of him.

He even thought of the scar that was accidentally exposed when he snatched the letter that night, but she just glanced at it lightly, as if nothing happened.

Xiao Duan sometimes thought that if she was just her, without this calculation, he might even fall in love with her.

Unfortunately, he is a ruthless person after all.

In fact, he knew that Zhao Quan had gone to rescue the soldiers, but it would take a lot of time before and after. When Xiao Zheng came back, everything would be settled...

Suddenly there was a shout on the guillotine, and the executioner swung the broad-backed broadsword and swung it a few tricks. He raised his neck and took a sip of wine, and sprayed all the wine on the blade. It was regarded as a cut, and then he walked towards Wen Su step by step.

The cup in Xiao Duan's hand was gripped even tighter, and even made a soft noise. Finally, when Wang Dingyong finally slowly raised the sign and was about to throw it down, it finally shattered under the pressure, and the broken porcelain pierced his finger , immediately dripping with blood.However, he was awakened suddenly, secretly cursed "Damn it", and quickly turned around and rushed out.

There was a horse parked outside the teahouse, he stepped forward to untie the rope without saying a word, turned over in the astonishment of Xiaoer, and quickly ran towards the opposite side.

Wen Su's head had already been pressed on the stone, the big man rubbed his hands together, and raised his sword...

Before Xiao Duan came to him, he hurriedly opened his mouth when he saw this, and just as he uttered the word "knife", he heard a long howl piercing the air, a feathered arrow pierced the sky sharply, and shot straight, the arrow hit the executioner's wrist.

The executioner screamed and took a few steps back. Everyone was shocked by the sudden scene and couldn't react for a while.

Xiao Duan turned his head to look at the direction where the arrow feathers shot out. Two fast horses came galloping. The leader was wearing black armor. Even though they were so far apart, he could feel the majesty, like a god of war descending from the sky.

Wen Su stared blankly at the figure approaching from far away, her vision gradually blurred...

Before Wang Dingyong could speak, the deputy prison officer beside him was already furious, and he slapped the table and said, "Dare to rob the court? Come here, and execute the criminal right away!"

The crowd was scattered by the horseshoes, and a figure in black armor jumped directly onto the guillotine from the back of the horse, threw away the long bow in his hand, drew out the long sword at his waist, and stood in front of Wen Su, "I see who dares!"

"Regent, Prince Regent?"

The deputy supervisor was taken aback, and following his exclamation, everyone knelt down hastily, and the mountain shouted one after another: "The regent is a thousand years old, a thousand years old..."

Xiao Zheng's eyes scanned the past little by little, and finally fell on Xiao Duan who was still riding a horse in the distance, his eyes were painful, and the long sword in his hand was tightly grasped.But in the end, when he looked at Wen Su in front of him, all the coldness was gone, leaving only guilt and pity.

He bent down to help her up, opened his mouth, his voice was hoarse, "I'm sorry for you..."

(End of this chapter)