Li Wei agreed to the King of Shu and his wife, allowing them to stay temporarily to take care of her illness, and then return to Shu after Princess Qi recovered.
After Zhao Qian heard the news, he broke into Li Wei's palace without fear of Chongqing Palace's obstruction.
"What did I tell you before, telling you to be careful? Why did you think about agreeing to stay in the capital? Have you ever thought about what to do if something happens? Have you forgotten what happened before?"
Seeing her angry look, Li Wei just said calmly: "I have my own ideas, the regent doesn't have to worry about it."
"You, I know you won't listen to anything I say. If anything happens, I will be the only one to take care of you, but I don't want you to be hurt in any way."
"Prince Regent, please come back. By the way, I also want to persuade the Prince Regent to come to my place less often. I'm afraid that someone with intentions will use it to make a fuss, otherwise the world will really be in chaos. Now what I want It’s just a matter of stability. Please respect yourself, Prince Regent.”
Even though he was standing in front of her, she always looked at him with such indifference and distance.
The warmth and sweetness of the past seemed to have become a passing cloud. Facing the indifferent Li Wei, Zhao Qian couldn't hate him at all. When I feel grateful, I just sigh that fate is playing tricks on people.
Li Jian was going to Yunnan and sent someone to the palace to deliver a message to Zhao Qian. The two have been close friends for many years, and I don’t know when they will see each other again.
After leaving the Yamen, Zhao Qian took a carriage and went to the Shangshu Mansion.
It was getting late at this time, and the lanterns were already lit on the gate of Li Mansion. The door was open, and people came in and out from time to time.
Zhao Qian's car stopped slowly. Seeing that it was the Regent's car, the servants on the doorstep hurriedly came up to say hello. Another servant had already gone to the outer courtyard to announce the news.
"It's so late, why is the prince coming here?"
Zhao Qian did not get out of the car immediately, but asked through the curtain: "Is Mr. Liu of the Li family here?"
The servant hurriedly replied: "Go back to your lord, the sixth master has just arrived home."
Zhao Qian got off the carriage after hearing this. The young eunuch in front of him stepped forward to hold him firmly, but Zhao Qian took the initiative to pull away his hand, straightened his waist, and walked quickly towards the door.
His steps were steady and brisk, and his entourage could not keep up with his steps.
After being notified by their servants, the men of the Li family all went to Jiashan Hall to wait. Li Jian didn't even have time to change into his official uniform, so he hurriedly came out to greet him.
"My lord, why are you here?" Li Jian said and wanted to salute Zhao Qian, but Zhao Qian grabbed him and whispered: "I came to talk to you."
Li Jian accompanied Zhao Qian all the way to Jiashan Hall. The two masters and young masters of the Li family saluted Zhao Qian one after another. Zhao Qian said: "No courtesy."
The crowd gathered around him and headed towards the nave.
When they all arrived at the house, Li Shao invited Zhao Qian to sit down. The maid brought tea. Li Shao personally served it to Zhao Qian. Zhao Qian leaned over to catch it and put the tea bowl on the table beside him.
Li Shao was the late empress's biological father. He was in his fifties, but his hair and beard were gray and already weathered by time. After the late empress passed away, the late emperor took pity on Li Shao and granted him the title of Duke Cheng'en. Li Shao served as Minister of the Ministry of Industry for three years, and later as Minister of the Ministry of Household Affairs for four years. He was also a practical man and made many political achievements. In the spring of the 16th year of Xikang, Li Shao resigned because of his old age and lack of energy. Emperor Chengzong accepted his resignation after careful consideration.
Sitting next to Li Shao was his younger brother Li Yi, the biological father of Queen Mother Li. Li Yi is slightly taller and slimmer than Li Shao. He wore an azure-colored Taoist robe with a dark pattern and a slanted skirt, a Taoist bun, and a long red gold hairpin. Li Yi was once a famous scholar, but now he is a bachelor's lecturer in the Hanlin Academy and does not have much real power.
Now the Li family official who does the best job is the eldest brother Li Shi, Li Wei's eldest brother. Li Shi is in his early thirties and is now the governor of Guangdong and Guangxi.
Li Shao said respectfully: "I didn't know that the prince's arrival was not welcomed at a distance, so please forgive me."
Zhao Qian said: "Don't be nervous, I just stopped by to take a look and talk to Mr. Zhu."
Zhujun is Li Jian's character.
Li Yi glanced at his son, but he knew very well that the prince's visit must have been a matter of release.
Li Jian's study was named "Ru Shi" by himself, and it was a small pavilion.
The lights were on in the room, and Li Jian asked Zhao Qian to sit on the armchair made of huanghuali wood.
"The prince seems to be looking good these days. I think he is in good health?"
In the past, Zhao Qian was a sickly boy who could not walk very steadily. After more than ten years of training there, his body has become much stronger. He nodded and said: "The weather is getting warmer, and my body seems to be stronger."
Li Jian said with a smile: "There is nothing more important than the health of the four bodies. Now that the prince is in charge, everything is complicated, so we must take care of our bodies more carefully."
"Mr. Zhu is right..." Another person Li Wei called his brother appeared in Zhao Qian's mind. That young man was also a talented man, spoke politely, and was a doctor who saved lives and healed the wounded. It's just that Dr. Li has always been very dismissive of him, as if he has never taken him seriously.
"Mr. Zhu, why do you want to go to Yunnan?"
Li Jian nodded with a smile and said: "Although it is a bit far away, it is said that the folk customs are simple and the scenery is picturesque. It is a paradise. After staying in the capital for so many years, I have long wanted to go out and see it."
In that era, even the other side of the earth was not far away. Advanced transportation greatly shortened the distance. No matter how far away it was, it only took a day to reach it. We are thousands of miles apart but can travel for months on the road.
Zhao Qian had lived there for more than ten years and had seen a lot of the world. If Li Jian wanted to go abroad, he had to ask for Li Wei's permission. Since the Queen Mother nodded, there was nothing wrong with him as the regent. Easy to say.
"Since the Queen Mother has given her permission, I have nothing to say. The Yunnan side is still a bit remote, so you should take care of yourself."
"Yes, please rest assured, Your Majesty."
Li Yi had someone bring a simple table over, but considering that Zhao Qian was still serving, he didn't bring any wine. Finally, Zhao Qian offered tea instead of wine to Li Jian.
"I don't know when we two brothers will meet again. I hope you are safe and well."
Li Jian stood up holding the tea bowl and drank with Zhao Qian.
Zhao Qian took a few bites of food and then talked to Li Jian about what happened that year. Li Jian was a knowledgeable and interesting person, and Zhao Qian cherished this friend very much. Xindao still had no problem communicating with Li Jian. He was really frightened when facing Dr. Li, who was someone he couldn't handle.
Although there was no wine, the two still chatted happily. It was almost the second watch when Zhao Qian was about to say goodbye.
Li Jian put him in the car and sent his own nursing staff to escort Zhao Qian all the way back to the palace.
It was already approaching late spring in Beijing in early March, but the night wind was still a little cold. Li Jian is about to usher in a new life of his own.
(End of chapter)