Qin Mubai stood on the deck of the ship, blowing the river breeze with a slight smell of water and grass, and felt indescribably comfortable.
It turns out that there are some things that you don’t feel comfortable with all day long, but once you lose them, you will feel their beauty.
Like, freedom!
Qin Mubai, who had regained his freedom, now had an instinctive urge to see the people he cared about. Parents, brothers and sisters, as well as Wu Meiniang and Princess Gaoyang, as well as the soldiers who lived together day and night.
Li Ke entered the cabin and did not come out for more than an hour. The sacrifices at Emperor Yang's Mausoleum were over. The prince and King Jiangxia walked out of the sacrificial site surrounded by guards and were walking towards the river bank, preparing to board the boat for the return journey.
Qin Mubai saw it from the boat and got off the boat to greet him.
Li Chengqian's face was glowing, he was chatting and laughing with his left and right ministers, and seemed to be in a good mood. Seeing Qin Mubai coming towards him, he laughed from a distance: "That's right, Mubai! The sacrifice arrangements are very good, I am very satisfied! Look at the reactions of the people and officials in Xiangyang, they are so enthusiastic! By the way, what have you been busy with these two days? I always want to play chess with you, but I can't even meet you? "
Qin Mubai smiled and cupped his hands and said: "Your Highness, please forgive me. I have been busy handling various military affairs and arranging sacrifices and defense for the past two days, so I have been neglectful of Your Highness. Please stay in Xiangyang for a longer time." Give Wei Chen a chance to make amends."
"Easy to say, easy to say." Li Chengqian chuckled, "There are fifteen days before and after the sacrifice, so I won't go back so early. Xiangyang is a good place, and I am particularly interested in the various fish soups here - General Qin, if you have time, come to Gu's cabin for dinner in the evening and try the delicious fish soup?"
"It is better to be respectful than to obey orders!" Qin Mubai smiled and agreed.
"Oh, uncle Huang, you must come too!" Li Chengqian turned back to Li Daozong and said.
"The veteran must come in person." Li Daozong agreed readily.
"By the way, where is the third brother? Why don't you see the third brother King Wu?" Li Chengqian asked.
"Oh, His Royal Highness King Qi suffered some cold and went back to rest early. His Royal Highness King Wu came to express condolences and stayed on the boat for a while without getting off. If His Royal Highness the Crown Prince has an invitation, how about waiting for the minister to invite King Wu?" Qin Mu Bai said.
"No, just let the third brother stay with the fifth brother to take care of you!" Li Chengqian said, "You only need to send a message to him, just say that you can invite his two brothers to a banquet together in the evening."
"Yes." Qin Mubai agreed and glanced at Li Daozong. The little old man nodded with an enigmatic smile on his face.
After saying this, Li Chengqian was ready to board the ship and return to Xiangyang. With Pang Fei leading hundreds of cavalry to guard the area, Qin Mubai could feel relieved, so he excused himself from boarding the ship and returning with him on the pretext that he still had military matters that needed to be sorted out.
After boarding the Shenyu spaceship and entering the cabin, Li Chengqian couldn't wait to call his attendants to change his clothes and robes. After a few hours, he invited Li Daozong into the cabin, pointed to a gold silk garment on the table and said: "Uncle, it seems that you are always worrying too much. This gold silk armor is of no use at all. Wear it on It's thick and heavy, and I'm sweating a little, so I feel uncomfortable. Now the original thing is returned to the emperor."
Li Daozong laughed and said: "If it is not used, it is the biggest use. Xiangyang has just calmed down the water ghost problem, and those thieves are related to the remnants of the former Sui Dynasty. There may be fish that slip through the net, so it is better to be more careful. Too much."
"That's true. Thank you uncle for your careful care." Li Chengqian took a breath and sat down, frowned, and said, "Uncle, how do I feel that Qin Mubai, Li Ke, and Li Ke are all a bit mysterious? Unpredictable?"
"Is there one?" Li Daozong looked astonished, "Why didn't I see it?"
"Really?" Li Chengqian blinked in confusion, "Since the emperor didn't notice anything strange, then I must be worrying too much. By the way, the fifth brother has caught the cold, and I happen to have the palace supplies here. I’ll send someone to deliver some good medicine later.”
"That's fine." Li Daozong didn't say much. He folded the gold soft armor and wrapped it carefully. He changed the subject and said, "This soft armor was found by your father in Wang Shichong's private treasury after Wang Shichong was pacified. It was given to me. Don’t underestimate this soft armor, it has saved my life at least twice, it’s very meaningful!”
The prince's ship had already sailed away, and Qin Mubai returned to the ship again. He saw that Li Ke had left the cabin and was standing by the rail, watching and thinking from a distance.
"How?" Qin Mubai walked to him and asked.
Li Ke frowned slightly and shook his head.
"Hey!" Qin Mubai sighed and said, "What should we do now?"
Li Ke was silent for a long time and said: "Secretly send people to arrest Yin Hongzhi with all our strength. Block the news and put King Qi under house arrest."
"House arrest?" Qin Mubai said, "He is the governor of Dengzhou, and the military affairs of the whole state are waiting for him to handle. How long are you going to put him under house arrest?"
"At least we have to wait until the prince leaves Xiangzhou." Li Ke said.
"That's troublesome." Qin Mubai said, "The prince just said that he would like to invite you and King Qi to come to his palace for a banquet."
Li Ke also showed a hint of embarrassment and said: "When I return home later, I will ask Quan Wanji for help. He has a unique skill and is good at imitating other people's handwriting. I asked him to imitate Li You's handwriting and write a dictionary. He just said that he was in poor health and hurried back to Dengzhou for treatment. Please forgive me. Anyway, the prince and the King of Qi have never been on good terms. If he is not too much or not, the prince will not care. "
"That's fine. It seems that this is the only way." Qin Mubai sighed and said, "I just don't know what will happen if Princess Gaoyang asks about it after I go back? Her uncle and brother suddenly disappeared overnight. Farewell."
"That's your mission." Li Ke said, "Isn't it your specialty to deceive women? Just lie and deceive her. In short, you can't let her know the truth. Otherwise, if this troublesome girl gets angry, it will be hard for anyone to resist. ”
"Ah? I... since when did I have such a good show? This is obviously your specialty!" Qin Mubai cried out feeling aggrieved.
"Don't be ridiculous, it's obviously you who led me astray. At least, when I was twelve years old, I wouldn't peek at a woman taking a bath." Li Ke said seriously.
Qin Mubai's face twitched when he grinned. He was speechless and could only smile bitterly.
Later, the big ship also set anchor and headed towards Xiangyang. Qin Mubai and Li Ke had been standing on the deck of the ship and did not return to the cabin. It wasn't until the ship was about to dock that Li Ke called Qin Mubai and arranged for two people to go and forcefully change Li You's robe into an ordinary sergeant's uniform. Then he escorted him ashore and stuffed Li You into In Ke's carriage.
During this process, Li You was very quiet and did not do anything out of the ordinary. It's just that he was unusually silent, and his eyes also had a lifeless look, an expression of despair and indifference.
Qin Mubai followed Li Ke to the Governor's Mansion and took Li You to Li Ke's room. At this time, the three of them came together.
"Third brother, what are you going to do with me?" Li You finally spoke, "Among so many brothers, you are the only one I admire. I don't want to embarrass you. Just say the right thing and I will do it. ”
"I just want you to stay in my house quietly until the prince leaves Xiangzhou." Li Ke said.
Li You nodded: "Okay. I understand your hard work, thank you. However, I have no regrets about what I have done. I will not betray my uncle and put all the blame on him alone." On the body. Please understand this."
"I know." Li Ke nodded helplessly, "For these days, just stay here and rest in peace, and don't think too much about anything!"
Li You fell into silence for a long time, and then he said: "You'd better... take me to Chang'an as early as possible and hand me over to my father!"
Li Ke frowned: "Why should I do this?"
"If you don't do this, you are shielding and conniving me. When the time comes, you will also be implicated. One person is responsible for the work, and I don't want to implicate you." Li You turned around and turned his back to Li Ke.
"You think too much, Fifth Brother." Li Ke sighed, walked behind him, patted his shoulder, and said, "Even if Brother Yu is implicated in the slightest, he will at most be scolded, and at most he will be scolded. That is to say, you will be dismissed and your title will be removed. On the other hand, if I hand you over to Chang'an, everything will be ruined for you."
"The country's laws are strict and disciplines are ruthless. Third brother, you don't deserve to be treated objectively for me," Li You said.
"The rules of the world are nothing more than 'emotion, reason and law'. Isn't this emotion still placed before reason and law?" Li Ke said softly, "Human beings are not grass and trees, how can they be ruthless? It's not just because of you alone. How can I tolerate the rest of your life, your concubine, Gao Yang, and your concubines and children?"
Li Ke's body trembled slightly, and his eyelids suddenly became moist. He forced himself to calm down and said calmly: "I'm tired and want to rest. Third brother, you all should go!"
"Have a good rest..." Li Ke shook his head, asked Qin Mubai to leave the room with him.
Outside the door of the room, there were twelve of Li Ke's close personal soldiers guarding the palace, and next to it was the palace's soldiers' camp, so he could rest assured.
After going out, Li Ke sighed: "The fifth brother is actually not a bad person. He seems to be obsessed with things and can't figure it out for a while. I really hope that during this time, he can reflect and repent. Otherwise... I even... Even though I wanted to help him, I was powerless.”
"Yes! When doctors save people, they must also have the desire to survive." Qin Mubai said, "Maybe it has left many shadows in his heart since he was a child, plus Yin Hongzhi's instigation and instigation over the years Instilled, his heart has been lost. This time, he attempted an assassination, and the matter was big or small. Fortunately, it was you who met him. If it had been anyone else, it would have been a dead end. By the way, how did you do it. Sent something strange and sent Su Lianqing to rescue me? "
Li Ke smiled mysteriously: "Recently, I have learned some divination techniques from some strangers in the world. As long as I count all the big and small things, I can make an accurate guess. How about it? , magical, right?”
"Tch! Just blow it!" Qin Mubai curled his lips in disdain.
"Haha!" Li Ke laughed proudly and said, "That's because I know you too well. In such critical days, no matter how busy you are, you will definitely take time out of your busy schedule to come to my house. Come and talk to me about the ceremony. I'm surprised that you didn't show up for two days in a row. I sent someone to check, but you were nowhere to be seen by the prince and the king of Jiangxia. That's even more abnormal. . So I became suspicious and sent people to the military camp, but there was no news. It must be something wrong! So I sent many people to look for you secretly. . However, this woman is very smart and very lucky. She first guessed that you were hiding in Wu Meiniang's house to have fun and forget about business... Then, she found you step by step. "
"I... Damn, am I that kind of person?" Qin Mubai called Chongtian Qulai.
"Of course not." Li Ke blinked and said seriously, "But it's strange that Su Lianqing found you like that."
"..." Qin Mubai was speechless.
"Actually, this is also a blessing that you have planted for yourself." Li Ke chuckled, "Dragon walks in the clouds, rats and ants dig holes, all kinds of people have their own specialties and methods. Su Lian Qing, this enchantress who once roamed the world, really surprised me with her abilities. She can actually drive snakes and bees away - do you think this is a talent? "
Qin Mubai curled his lips: "It seems that Li You has always liked to make friends with such talents."
Li Ke's face changed with embarrassment, he coughed twice, put his hands behind his back, and said seriously: "The princess has passed away, and it is not appropriate for her as a maid to stay in my house anymore. In this way, she will go back to where she came from. Where to go!”
"What do you mean?" Qin Mubai asked confused.
Li Ke looked back at him, with a "natural" expression, and said: "Of course, I will hand the person back to you! Which wealthy family doesn't do this? If the master dies, all the servants and maids who serve him will be dismissed. Go home or resell her. You gave Su Lianqing to me in the first place. Now, of course, I have no choice but to hand her back! Do you want me to keep such a witch as my concubine? ?”
The corners of Qin Mubai's eyes twitched several times, and he smiled dryly: "That's... that's not a bad idea!"
"Huh, I'm not Li You!" Li Ke straightened his face sternly and strode away.
Qin Mubai suddenly couldn't laugh or cry, and said to himself: Li Ke is getting better and better at acting now! It was clearly Su Lianqing who asked to switch jobs to Wu Meiniang, but he bluffed and offered the person to me. Haha, it seems that you are afraid of losing face in front of me!
After being detained in Li Ke's house for a while and having a meal with him, Qin Mubai said goodbye and went directly to the palace of the King of Jiangxia.
This big event comes and goes like a strong wind, and goes away like the ebbing tide of a river and sea. It can be said to be extremely thrilling, or it can be said that there is no danger at all.
In the midst of this storm, Qin Mubai was certainly at the center of the storm and extremely dangerous. But the one who really steers the ship is the old and strong King of Jiangxia, Li Daozong.
If it weren't for this old man sitting here, it would be difficult for Li Ke to be so calm and calm. If he hadn't helped stabilize the prince, the situation would not be as peaceful as it is now.
Therefore, Qin Mubai felt that it was necessary to meet Li Daozong now. Firstly, it is necessary to express gratitude to him; secondly, it is also possible to test his tone and ask what is the appropriate way to deal with Li You.
When he arrived at the king's residence in Jiangxia, Li Daozong had just returned from the prince's residence and was sitting in the main hall drinking tea alone, as if he was waiting for Qin Mubai.
"Here we come!" When Li Daozong saw Qin Mubai, he smiled and waved to him, "Come, sit down and drink tea with me."
"Okay." Qin Mubai smiled and walked over to sit across from him without being polite.
"Try my skills, how do you compare to Li Ke?" Li Daozong smiled and handed him a cup of tea.
Qin Mubai took it respectfully, tasted it carefully, and said with a click of his tongue: "The prince's tea art is unique and outstanding."
"Oh, what should I say?" Li Daozong asked with a smile.
Qin Mubai took another sip, as if he had some aftertaste, and said seriously: "This tea can also produce the spiciness of old ginger, which is really unheard of!"
"Haha, you brat!" Li Daozong burst into laughter.
Qin Mubai put down his tea cup and bowed to Li Daozong: "Thank you so much, Your Majesty, for saving me! Your great kindness will be rewarded in the future!"
"Forget it, what kind of kindness can I bestow on you?" Li Daozong chuckled, "It's the lucky star in your life that is protecting you."
"Oh, what did the prince say?" Qin Mubai asked curiously.
Li Daozong smiled, and then accused Princess Gaoyang of being jealous and angry, which aroused his suspicion, and then he went to Li Ke's house. In the end, the two of them plotted the entire rescue and defense plan together and told Qin Mubai.
Qin Mubai was immediately surprised: "Could it be that just because of Princess Gaoyang's casual words, the prince felt the crisis and made all these arrangements?"
"Actually, I'm not as magical as you think. Many things were arranged by Li Ke in advance. He is more alert and smarter than me. As early as a day or two ago, Li Ke was aware of it and took action long ago. . Otherwise, how could he have rescued you so quickly? He had even sent people to secretly control the inn where Li You was staying, but it was a pity that Yin Hongzhi escaped." Li Daozong said.
Qin Mubai nodded and thought to himself: The lucky star in my life, Ling'er... But this time, although she "protected" me, she indirectly caused his brother to fall into trouble. What would she do if she knew the truth