The three princes stood up straight.
The third prince's eyes lit up.
Lu Deng had a long memory, and quickly walked over to take the fried dumplings from Gu Ai's hand, held it tightly in his arms, and helped Gu Ai to enter the door: "Sir, the third prince has come down for inspection."
The protagonist's eyes followed the plate of fried dumplings with an attractive aroma for most of the time. When Lu Deng entered the door lightly, he regained his senses. He took a deep breath and saluted Gu Ai respectfully.
"Lu Liang has seen Gu Xiang - Father Huang heard that Gu Xiang was in Yi Wang's mansion. He was very concerned about today's Shangyuan Festival and sent Lu Liang to visit him."
He said that this series of oral instructions was obviously memorized, and he read it smoothly and smoothly without any fluctuations. At the end, he smiled apologetically at Gu Ai, and cupped his hands again: "I just came to pass a message, I didn't even have time to eat when I got home. I asked the imperial envoy to come over. The original words were sent, and it was enough for Gu Xiang to hear it, there is really no need to take it to heart."
This time, Gu Ai was first attacked and accused, and then punished inexplicably. No one believed him if he said there was no resentment in his heart.
The emperor pretended to be low-key these days, but he has been using the family to test his bottom line. Originally thought that Gu Ai was someone who would be tossed as long as he protected the new law, but he didn't expect that today Lu Cheng would rob someone on the way of punishing and kneeling. No.
If you can resist punishment today by resisting the decree, will tomorrow you be unwilling to fight against the imperial power
The emperor's shogi came to this point, all because of his daring spirit of reforming Gu Ai with no regard for life and death. If this lonely minister, who was originally single-minded, suddenly begins to cherish his life, I am afraid that in the end, both sides will not suffer, and even the dignity of the imperial power may be threatened.
Thinking of these, the emperor's feast of Shangyuan is naturally not good. Feeling uneasy to the extreme, I decided to send someone to find out.
After all, he is also a serious uncle, and no matter what, he has to send a decent prince over there.
There may be a lot of troubles that have been disturbed here. The prince can't be put in to stir up this muddy water. The first prince is so domineering that he has no brains. After thinking about it, only the third prince who is inconspicuous and does not make troubles is suitable.
If Lu Liang came back later, he might not even be able to return home, and he would be bombarded by the eunuch at the city gate to Prince Yi's mansion.
These disturbances are clear in their hearts, but they are not broken, just politely take their seats. Gu Ai heard him say "I didn't even eat a mouthful of rice", and with a polite thought, she pushed the plate of fried dumplings on the table that were really not well-fried: "The food at home is rough, three If your Highness doesn't dislike it, then eat a little—"
The third prince's eyes instantly lit up.
When Lu Deng heard this, he sat up straight and was about to speak. Gu Ai held hands soothingly under the table, his face flushed, and he forgot most of what he wanted to say.
He is still young in this world, and his lover doesn't remember the past, even if there is a pull or touch, it will only stop at the wrist. At this time, the table was blocked and it was difficult to see, Gu Ai pulled down a hand, but just put his hand on the palm of his hand.
The little prince, who was protecting the food, had a hot face, and he was gently held by the warm palm, and stopped talking.
The gentle and indifferent third prince should not gobble and act indifferently.
Lu Liang's figure is still calm, and his movements with chopsticks are also elegant, but the speed is almost too fast, and he can't even talk to the two of them.
The glutinous rice balls were fried, the surface was cold, and the inside was terribly hot. Lu Deng looked nervous, but Lu Liang was devoured by the wind. Tears from the corners of his eyes were scorching hot, and he calmly smiled and thanked Gu Ai.
Lu Deng suddenly felt that the character design the system had drawn for him was actually quite good.
At least "warm and free" can't bring Gu Ai back to the warm and warm palace from the front of the kneeling palace gate.
I can't fly when I cry.
A small satisfaction jumped in my heart, and a small, itchy sweetness blossomed.
Lu Deng pursed his lips and looked up.
Gu Ai's eyes just came over, candlelight filled the dark pupil light, and he was polite with the third prince, but his eyes always fell on him, with a warm smile in his eyes.
Lu Deng's face was faintly hot, and he raised his head and smiled at him. He didn't feel so sad when he didn't eat the fried dumplings.
Things made from glutinous rice have always been full, even hot and sticky. Lu Liang swept the plate very quickly, and he couldn't eat even the slightest bit of food. Holding his stomach, he suppressed the urge to burp, and thanked Gu Ai gratefully, "I almost starved to death in the snowstorm along the way, thanks to Gu Xiang for saving my life, I am very grateful..."
His lips and tongues were hot, and he gasped when he spoke. Gu Ai still seemed to be unaware, she raised her hand slightly to signal that you were not polite, and said patiently with a smile, "Have the third prince been full?"
Lu Liang blinked and nodded blankly.
"it is good."
Gu Ai nodded happily and suddenly got up and left the study.
Lu Deng was about to get up and follow, but he smiled and pressed him back to the table to sit down, and went around the door by himself.
It's been almost a quarter of an hour.
It happened strangely. The two grandchildren of the royal family who were left in the room looked at each other, feeling a little dazed in their hearts. Just when Lu Deng's system had already started to slap the host's protagonist, Gu Ai had brought back a plate of freshly fried dumplings.
The fried dumplings that were just out of the pan were still making a small crackling sound. It was sprinkled with crushed sesame seeds and sugar, a small dish of honey, and a small dish of thick milk.
It is even more golden, more glutinous, more oily and brighter than the previous one, with a sweet and delicate aroma.
Lu Liang: "..."
"The last plate was just a hand-practice - the glutinous rice balls in the house are freshly packaged, unlike the folks who use ice and snow to freeze them, and they don't taste good when fried. I originally wanted to persuade His Highness to eat less, but seeing that the third highness really eats it sweetly, I just Couldn't bear to stop it."
Gu Ai smiled at him, put the freshly fried dumplings in front of the little prince, and then made a bowl of rosy and attractive honey-water hawthorn from behind: "And this, I just told the kitchen to make it, I guess the third highness can't eat it. , don't force it."
Lu Liang: "..."
Lu Deng raised his head, his small satisfaction suddenly turned into unbelievable joy, he raised his hand and grabbed his sleeve tightly, the corners of his lips curled up uncontrollably.
So lovely.
Putting the surprise look of the little prince in her eyes, Gu Ai rubbed Lu Chengru's head, smiled and nodded lightly at him: "Okay, eat slowly."
The third prince ran away crying.
After the seventeenth day of the first lunar month, this year is over.
After a winter of heavy snowfall, the weather has finally turned to sunny. Every household shovels the snow to welcome the spring, and the street market is bustling again.
It has been several years since the promulgation of the new law, and the changes in the common people can clearly be seen. The crowded streets that used to be full of sewage have become clean and tidy, lively but not cluttered. People have settled in their own places, and there are no bullies who bully others, and there are few refugees who drag their wives and children to beg.
Although there is a reason why the land of Gyeonggi is indeed rich, it is far better than the old decadent state.
After all, Gu Ai still had official business to do, so Lu Chengru couldn't always keep the prime minister in a remote palace in the corner of the palace. When Gu Ai's legs were completely healed, she personally sent the person back to the prime minister's residence, and lived with her.
After these days of training, he has become more and more perfect in his domineering and arrogant posture. No matter how unreasonable he is and firmly protects Gu Ai, no one can do anything to him.
On the contrary, the prime minister, who had never been involved in power and conspiracy in the past, seemed to have been led a little by the little prince. He began to know how to use the name of a powerful minister to eliminate dissidents and gain a firm foothold, and gradually had contacts with those officials in the court who also supported the new law.
The power of the rich and powerful family was weakened layer by layer by his involuntary explanation, and the charges imposed on him were also lifted one by one.
I heard that the emperor couldn't sleep every night, and he has already fallen several times in the study.
Regardless of this, Lu Deng used his identity to protect Gu Ai, while quietly approaching the protagonist to discuss usurping the throne. It's a pity that the main character's family system is strictly controlled, and there are not many opportunities for the two to speak in private.
Gu Ai's life was dragged down like this.
"Isn't your lord not studying today?"
Finally had the opportunity to raise his eyebrows, the officials were all smiling these days, and seeing Lu Chengru felt even closer. As soon as he saw him entering the door, he hurried over to pick up the cloak: "Your Excellency said, when you come back from the next court, you will personally test and teach the prince's knowledge..."
"Sir said—when?"
Lu Chengru's expression changed slightly, he took the handkerchief and wiped his face, and quickly walked over to the study.
The little wang ye has taken good care of the lord, and the attitude of an official is no longer what it used to be, so he smiled and helped him carry things: "The lord said in the morning, seeing that the wang ye was sound asleep, he did not wake the wang ye, just pretended that the wang ye was accepted."
Lu Deng paused, coughed twice, sighed heavily, and plunged into the study resignedly.
He has been raised in the Xiangfu's residence these days, and all his injuries have been completely healed. I've been interested in spear art in the ancient world for a while now. I've been learning from a good player in the army for a few days, and now I'm in good shape. I go out to practice every morning and come back, but I don't know that today I have an exam again.
Gu Wen's tongue-in-cheek language is even more of a headache than his modern schoolwork. Even with the help of the system, it may not be able to pass smoothly.
The subordinate official went to make tea for him refreshed, while Lu Deng cradled his head and immersed himself in reading, only to memorize an article, and heard the movement of Gu Ai coming back outside.
There are still lingering cold in March, but it has turned to spring. The time of the early morning has moved forward a little, and the end has also been early.
Lu Deng couldn't help but put the book down, got up and walked out quickly. Gu Ai was handing the cloak to the servant, smiled when he saw him, beckoned and said warmly, "What did you do at home, everyone is boring?"
"I practiced martial arts, and I was just studying."
Lu Deng blinked his eyes in response, and greeted the smile that could not be seen in his eyes. He went over to let him lead him and walked back to the mansion together.
Gu Ai's expression was calm and his tone was gentle, and at first glance, there was no clue. Lu Deng walked with him, hesitating for a while before he tried again: "Do you want to teach me, sir?"
"Um?"
Gu Ai was in a trance, she stood up straight after listening to his question, greeted him with clear eyes, smiled at him, and shook her head gently: "I'll let you go today, I'll let you relax."
The little prince is smart. Although he doesn't like reading very much, he is far more talented than those who have studied hard for decades. Gu Ai was reluctant to let him go to waste, and taught him his homework every day.
On weekdays, Lu Chengru would unconsciously show joy and relaxation when he heard about not taking the test, but today he didn't see any clues. Gu Ai was surprised, she raised her eyebrows and was about to open her mouth, but Lu Chengru raised her hand and grabbed her sleeve: "Sir, is the courtship not going well?"
Gu Ai was stunned, looking at the overly sensitive young prince in front of him, and slowly stopped.
Lu Deng looked at him, his hand gripping his cuff unknowingly tightening.
Originally, according to the plot, it was supposed to be Ling Chi in March, because the major families were too busy to take care of themselves and didn't even have a look, Gu Ai was still alive and well, and also cleaned up those aristocratic families. In his hands, he still has the fiefdoms who were given by the late emperor, and he has a solid foundation in the court and is supported by the people. Once he started not following the rules, none of those aristocratic families would have a way to deal with him.
Logically speaking, at least for now, there shouldn't be any problems...
"It's okay, don't worry."
Gu Ai was silent for a moment, then smiled at him, raised his hand and rubbed the top of the little prince's hair: "It's just that I'm a little tired these days, and I just lost my mind."
Lu Deng frowned and didn't speak again.
Since he showed interest in the affairs of the DPRK and China, Gu Ai has always patiently taught him, and usually does not shy away from the struggle between the DPRK and China.
It might be a serious matter to make Gu Ai unable to do anything now.
Lu Deng asked the system to help him see what was going on. He accompanied Gu Ai back to the study, and it didn't take long for a mechanical voice to rush back in his mind: "Host, before someone in the court impeached the host, he rode a horse in the street. The matter - at that time, I still owed fifteen canes, and some people used this impeachment target for lax law enforcement and self-defeating rules..."
Lu Deng's heart skipped a beat, and then he remembered what he had forgotten.
It's been so long that he doesn't even remember it. At that time, Gu Ai just said that he will be punished after he recovers from his injury. The injury took him nearly three months to recover. Now he has no obstacle to even practice martial arts.
If you are wrong, you will be punished. Since the regulations are formulated in this way, it is only natural that you will be punished yourself.
Looking at the contemplative figure at the table, Lu Deng hesitated for a moment, but quietly went over: "Sir, did you forget about the caning before—"
"Who told you that?"
Gu Ai's heart sank, and she met the young prince's apparently startled gaze, took a light breath to suppress her thoughts, and said warmly, "We'll discuss this later, I'm practicing martial arts today, do you get up early? Go take a nap and get up. Time for lunch."
The more he avoided talking about it, the more certain Lu Deng felt in his heart, and he straightened up and said anxiously, "Sir! If someone uses this to criticize the new law—"
"That's also Mr.'s business, not yours."
Gu Ai cut off his words again, her expression sank: "Chengru, this matter is directed at me, you don't have to worry about it, just go."
Seeing his unmistakable expression, Lu Deng was silent for a moment, then nodded obediently, got up and went back to the bedroom.
The day goes by in a hurry.
The embankment of a thousand miles often collapses in the ant's nest, and the fifteen-stick torture is by no means a big deal, but it has become the most vulnerable loophole for the Xiangye, who has always been upright and upright.
For two days in a row, the DPRK and China were at a stalemate because of the mere 15 boards.
Gu Ai was silent, but he was bitten to death and refused to execute the sentence. The aristocratic family only said that in order to cover up, he must be executed on the street as an example. The two sides quarreled endlessly, and the emperor did not care about left and right, and it seemed that there was a tug of war.
"If you let the people know, the unselfish and selfless Gu Xiang also has selfishness, and the law enforcement is not strict and the punishment is unfair. I don't know how much you still believe in the new law?"
Jiang Yanghou sneered, and stood above the court with his arms folded, with a faint look of cruelty in his eyes: "If this matter is made public, can Master Xiang sit up straight? Do you still have a clear conscience?"
"Master Xiang also said, but it's only fifteen sticks. Since this etiquette has been set, it can't be abolished."
The Minister of Rites twitched his beard, nodded and said, "I've been arguing about this trivial matter for so many days. Wouldn't it be a big joke to say it out..."
"After all, I know that I should be punished. It would be inappropriate for Xiangye to do this again. If you say it, people will think that Xiangye is covering up for favoritism—"
"In the past, the prime minister punished the courtiers and the royal family, but he didn't show mercy. Why do you shirk like this today?"
"If this one can be avoided, ours can also be avoided? After all, the law enforcement is not strict, how can we just punish us!"
…
North Korea insisted on this point, and kept attacking. Gu Ai's expression darkened, and her eyes turned to the figure on the dragon chair.
The emperor never interrupted, but his eyes fell gloomily on him, and the corners of his lips evoked a coldness that was half a smile but not a smile.
Gu Ai's heart sank more and more.
He knew what these people were doing.
When the emperor was still a prince, he was punished for breaking the law. He was beaten with a four-clawed dragon robe in the street, and was once exiled to the mountains and countryside for several years. Because of this incident, the emperor has always held a grudge against him. He has been criticized in the past few days, and it may not be that the emperor is behind it.
In the eyes of these people, if there is no Lu Chengru, they will naturally have their arm broken.
Calling the Ministry of Punishment to punish was no problem, but the executioners who were selected were waiting at the street corner. All of them were skilled hands in the yamen, and they were holding old wooden torture sticks stained with blood.
Gu Ai could almost imagine what kind of strength these fifteen boards would be.
Lu Chengru would die.
It was right to have been punished, but when countless people were determined to take Lu Chengru away from him through this cane torture, he really couldn't let it go.
"Gu Xiang—but you made up your mind that you won't be punished?"
Seeing that the stalemate between the DPRK and China has become a dead end, the emperor slowly sneered, lowered his eyes and said slowly: "Since this is the case, I will decree to avoid the punishment of the emperor, and it is not a big deal..."
"emperor!"
Gu Ai's heart was agitated, her blood was almost retrograde, and she stepped forward abruptly: "Your Majesty—do you have to do this?"
The reason why he has not competed with the emperor over the years is precisely because he knows that although the new emperor is detrimental to his personal morality, he is not stupid and absurd, and he is ambitious. Even if this life is handed over, the new law will not hurt.
But once this will is released now, it means that the rule of man can still override the rule of law and destroy the rule of law. No matter what happens in the future, it can be pardoned with a light will. No matter how carefully compiled the new law, it will become a pile of waste paper.
The emperor looked at him with a cold look in his eyes: "This is what Gu Xiang forced me, isn't it?"
Gu Ai's throat was full of sweet blood, and she took a deep breath and slowly exhaled: "Okay."
Since it is him who is hindering the new law, it will be fine as long as he disappears.
Gu Ai took off his official hat, put the letter in his sleeve under the steps, and slowly removed the official robe. The emperor's eyes were always cold, and fell on him, still with a ruthless smile that was not a smile.
The court gradually quieted down.
Gu Ai untied the official robe in half, and a figure suddenly flew in from outside the door, staggering and kneeling at the foot of the steps: "Your Majesty - Lord Yi went to the street and was punished!"
Following his voice, the Chaotang was completely silent, and everyone looked at each other in dismay.
Gu Ai's heart was shocked, and she didn't care about the rest of her thoughts.
will die.
If Lu Chengru really had an accident, what would he do? Will be discouraged and hang up the crown and go to live in seclusion in the mountains and forests, and spend the rest of their lives in ignorance, or—
The vicious gaze of the emperor in the court still appeared clearly in his mind.
In his hand, there was an imperial edict that he had never used.
It was related to the country, and it was originally intended that even if this edict was brought into the ground, it would never be taken out for use easily.
I thought that personal morality would not harm the overall situation, but now it seems that this is not the case. Gu Ai's eyes darkened, and regardless of the horse galloping, a horse was snatched out of nowhere and spread its hooves to walk with him.
While urging the reins, the third prince lowered his voice and said, "Don't be in a hurry, Gu Xiang! The executioner has been secretly changed by me. The little prince said hello, and everything will be fine..."
Gu Ai heard his words with certainty, her heart stagnant gradually eased, and she gradually turned back: "Your Highness, is it true?"
"Really, the little prince is afraid that Gu Xiang will be in a hurry, so teach me to tell me."
Seeing him calm down, the third prince finally breathed a sigh of relief, dragged him off the horse, and walked quickly to the downtown streets where horses were not allowed: "Gu Xiang rest assured, everyone is chosen. Those people have them. We also have our own means - it's just that Gu Xiang is too upright, and these means can't be imagined anyway..."
Gu Ai's heart was still churning and it was hard to calm down. He only listened to what he said. He just walked forward in a hurry. Just as he saw the thin figure surrounded by layers of people, the torture rod was raised up and slammed down hard. .
Lu Deng had a pain shield, and the torture rod was thunderous and rainy, so he didn't feel any pain at all. While bowing his head and being tortured quietly, he suddenly heard a commotion in the crowd, looked up, and suddenly met Gu Ai's dark eyes like a pool.
The third prince still tried his best to pull him, trying his best to comfort him: "Don't worry, Gu Xiang, I'm looking for people, they are all measured, and nothing will happen—"
Before he finished speaking, the little prince who hopped out of the house after tying up all the elite soldiers in the prime minister's mansion who was in charge of taking care of him was too guilty, so he gritted his teeth and bowed his head to meet the gaze of the prime minister, just as the board fell high, his tongue couldn't hide. Right.
With a groan, a thin line of blood seeped down the corner of his mouth.