The river breeze in the golden autumn is as clear as the unpolluted river water in front of you, with a hint of the fishy smell of water and grass unique to water towns, lapping at the river bank and stirring up tiny white foam.
Princess Gaoyang sat on a stone on the bank of the river, using her pink and jade-like tender feet to stir the slightly cool river water. She lowered her head and listened quietly to Qin Mubai's explanation of what had happened in the past two days. things.
"To put it simply, my brother intends to murder the prince's brother, frame the fourth brother, and even rebel, right?" After hearing this, Princess Gao Yang frowned and said softly.
"Whether he wants to rebel, I think he may not have thought very clearly." Qin Mubai sat next to her, holding a piece of grass in his mouth, and said calmly, "He just wants to clear the obstacles. The prince, the king of Wei, is him The enemy in my eyes.”
"It turns out that my brother is also ambitious." At this time, Princess Gaoyang was completely different from her usual crazy and naughty image. With a hint of sadness on her face, and a bit of confusion and confusion, she asked, "Then why did he detain you in advance?"
Qin Mubai smiled slightly, twirling the grass leaves in his mouth, and said: "Maybe it's because I arranged the security guards for the prince's palace and Emperor Yangdi's mausoleum. They are worried that I will ruin their affairs. !”
"Mubai, you don't have to cover up for my brother." Princess Gao Yang's voice suddenly revealed a hint of sadness. He hugged Qin Mubai's arm, leaned his head gently and said, "He will arrest you first." He is afraid that he will not be able to escape after the incident is revealed, right? You will be able to command all the troops in Xiangzhou. With you in hand, he and his uncle will be more likely to escape. Moreover, they will be able to escape before the incident occurs. If you are detained, they can frame you and accuse you of being accomplices. In this way, if they fail, they will still have a helper like you in the end. My brother is just a newly appointed governor of Dengzhou and does not have many soldiers. Horse strength. But you are different. You have complete control over Xiangzhou's soldiers and horses, and you are very capable and well-connected. Even my father attaches great importance to you. When the time comes, they will treat you as a helper or a helper. It’s very cost-effective to use you as a blackmail... "
At this point, Princess Gao Yang closed her eyes in pain and murmured: "Mubai, am I right?"
For a moment, Qin Mubai was speechless. He did not expect that Princess Gaoyang, who never asked about such military and political affairs, could see such a complicated issue clearly.
He is truly worthy of being a child who was born into the royal family and grew up in the bitter waters of politics! Even if she is not interested in things like military affairs and is not sophisticated, she still has innate knowledge and vision that is superhuman.
Seeing that Qin Mubai didn't speak, Princess Gaoyang's expression became more and more painful, her lips trembled, and there seemed to be some crying in her voice: "Brother, uncle, why are you so cruel and want to drag my Mubai into the water?"
"Don't think too much, Ling'er." Qin Mubai hurriedly took her into his arms, patted her back and comforted her softly, saying, "No matter what, their plan was killed in advance. Fortunately, you are there There are shrewd people like the King of Jiangxia and his third brother, King Wu. They detected the change in advance and made arrangements to crush the conspiracy of King Qi and others. Now, we are all trying our best to narrow down the situation before it gets out of hand. The impact of this incident.”
"There is no airtight wall. There are many people who know about such a big thing. How can we hide it?" Princess Gao Yang frowned and said worriedly, "Actually, I think it is better to hide and evade. Let my brother admit his mistakes openly and go to his father to sincerely repent. I know my father's character. It is best not to play tricks on him. It is best to admit it honestly. It is simply impossible to hide it. . If it is discovered by him through proactive detection, the consequences will be even more serious!"
Qin Mubai shook his head in embarrassment: "Why didn't I know that I should act like this? But the problem is that your brother is still stubborn until now. He keeps saying that he has no regrets and takes all the blame on himself. Go ahead and say that you don’t want to betray your uncle. Hey! Your third brother and I have tried to persuade him, but it’s all in vain!”
"Let me go!" Princess Gao Yang said softly but firmly.
Qin Mubai was silent for a moment, thinking to himself: Li You is neither soft nor hard, and the only weakness in his heart is his mother and sister. Perhaps, Princess Gaoyang's persuasion will really be useful. At this point, it is impossible to exonerate Li You. The best result is that Li Youcheng regrets and puts more blame on Yin Hongzhi. In that case, he still has a chance to survive. Li Shimin's behavior is indeed as Princess Gaoyang said. The emperor is majestic and can allow others to make mistakes, but cannot tolerate deception and concealment. If Li You could take the initiative to admit his mistakes as soon as possible, there might be a glimmer of hope.
"Okay, I'll let you try." Qin Mubai said, "But you have to promise me to do what you can and don't do stupid things."
"What stupid thing can I do?" Princess Gao Yang murmured, "My heart is almost broken now. My brother who is standing on the edge of the cliff, the brother who once wanted to drag you into the water, I really don't like him. It’s better to know whether to feel sad or angry. Mu Bai, do you know how sad I am now? I really want to cry, but I can’t.”
"Hey... When this matter gets complicated, you and Concubine Yin De will be hurt the most. Remember, don't let your mother know about this, otherwise..."
"I know." Princess Gao Yang's mood became extremely low, she nodded slightly and said, "Shall we go back now? Where is my brother now?"
"It's at your third brother's house. Let's go!"
The two of them got back in the carriage and headed to the Governor's Mansion. Princess Gaoyang remained silent along the way, nestling tightly in Qin Mubai's arms like a wounded bird, motionless.
When she got off the car at the Governor's Mansion, Princess Gao Yang looked at the high lintel and took a deep breath, as if she mustered up her courage, and said, "Let's go in!"
Qin Mubai gently held her waist and walked in side by side with her. At this time, he had a feeling - this young and frail little woman had a strength and resilience in her heart that ordinary people could not match. Maybe it was inherited from her mother, maybe it was the experience in the past two years that made him mature beyond his years.
All in all, in just one day, Qin Mubai looked at her with admiration. In his eyes, Princess Gaoyang was no longer the naughty and mischievous little girl she used to be. Her wisdom and courage are buried deep in her heart and are difficult to detect, but they are not inferior to Wu Meiniang.
Li Ke was having dinner when he saw Qin Mubai and Princess Gao Yang walking over, hugging each other side by side. He froze with a mouthful of rice in his mouth and almost forgot to chew.
Because he saw Princess Gaoyang's "peculiar" expression, which was too different from usual. He vaguely realized...this girl might already know!
"You are here! Just in time, let's have dinner together!" Li Ke said enthusiastically.
"Okay, I happen to be hungry." Qin Mubai said with a smile, "Gao Yang, would you like to eat first?"
"My brother should be eating now, right?" Princess Gaoyang said with a smile, "I know him. He can't eat when he has something on his mind, so he has always been thin. Mubai, you can accompany your third brother to eat. I How about going to have dinner with my brother?”
Li Ke's expression suddenly changed, and he said in shock: "Gao Yang, do you know everything?"
"Yes!" Princess Gao Yang nodded and said sincerely and seriously, "Third brother, please allow me to see my brother, okay?"
Li Ke glanced at Qin Mubai, sighed softly, and said, "Since he has brought you here, can I still refuse? I will send a maid to guide you, you go!"
"Thank you, Third Brother!" Princess Gaoyang saluted and walked out quietly with a maidservant.
"Mu Bai, what did you do? How could she let her know?" Li Ke complained angrily as soon as Princess Gao Yang left.
Qin Mubai sat down, sighed, shook his head and sighed: "We all seem to underestimate her too much. I'm not that stupid to want to take the initiative to tell her these things."
Li Ke also shook his head helplessly and said: "That's right. This girl is smart and clever! If she smells something, she will always find a way to get to the bottom of it. Forget it, I don't blame you. In fact, she is smart. …Maybe she can really persuade Li You?”
"Now that things have come to this, we can only hope so much..."
"Forget it, let's not talk about it. Let's eat first. The two of us will go there later to see what happens."
After dinner, Qin Mubai and Li Ke came to the back house where Li You was under house arrest, but Princess Gaoyang still did not come out. The two of them stayed close to the door and listened for a while. Their low voices came from inside, but they couldn't hear clearly. So they waited patiently outside.
After a long time, when it got dark, Princess Gaoyang opened the door and walked out.
Her face looked extremely haggard, as if she had been seriously ill. Qin Mubai immediately felt distressed and walked over to hold her shoulders, asking with concern: "Are you okay?"
"It's okay..." Princess Gao Yang smiled palely and said with a little bit of joy, "I convinced my brother!"
"Really?" Qin Mubai and Li Ke were overjoyed together.
"Yes." Princess Gao Yang nodded gently, motioning for the two of them to go farther away, and then said, "Actually, my brother is also hard-spoken and soft-hearted. Even now, he is still worried about his uncle's safety. I said to him , if you repent and admit your mistake and ask your father to give you a lighter sentence, maybe the outcome for everyone will be better; if you continue to be stubborn, he and his uncle will be dead, and it will also affect my mother and concubine. That's it, he agreed. ”
Li Ke nodded and asked, "How did he agree?"
"I said that I would accompany him to Beijing to admit his mistake to my father. He was willing." Princess Gaoyang said.
Qin Mubai suddenly frowned: "But now your uncle is still missing. Just for your brother to admit his mistake... I'm afraid it won't work. Unless we can arrest Yin Hongzhi as soon as possible!"
"No need..." Princess Gao Yang's face became even paler, her lips trembled, and she murmured, "For such a big thing, people will definitely die... If I have to choose, I hope to die less. After all, They are all my dearest relatives!”
As soon as these words were spoken, Qin Mubai and Li Ke could not help but tremble in their hearts. The meaning of Princess Gaoyang's words is that she has already figured out that her uncle should bear all the blame, thereby alleviating Li You's fault... Princess Gaoyang has always had a very good relationship with her uncle Yin Hongzhi. She has spent a lot of time at Yin Hongzhi's home in Bingzhou every year since she was a child, even longer than in Chang'an.
The decision she made now seems... tragic!
Qin Mubai gently patted Princess Gaoyang's shoulder, not knowing what to say for a moment. She just shook her head gently and showed a strong smile: "I'm fine, don't worry about me. In fact, my brother also understands in his heart, but he just doesn't want to accept this fact. No matter what he does, there can only be two results. One is that if my uncle dies and he lives, my mother and concubine will be less involved; the other is that if he and his uncle die together, my mother and concubine will only be in pain for the rest of our lives. He chose the former. It's not because he's afraid of death, or he's heartless, but... the reality is that there is no other choice."
Li Ke looked at Princess Gao Yang in surprise, nodded and said, "Gao Yang, you have really grown up."
Princess Gaoyang looked up at the gloomy and gray sky and murmured: "Actually, I have grown up a long time ago, but you just didn't notice. Now I just hope that I don't grow old like my mother and concubine. …”
Qin Mubai has never faced such a decision - at least one of the two closest relatives must die.
In fact, everyone knows how to choose, that is, it is best to have one less person die.
But at this time, how should I cool down and comfort my heart that is like a knife? How can the pain left behind be healed
And this incident happened to the weak and young Princess Gaoyang.
At this moment, she didn't even cry. Perhaps it is in line with that sentence, no sorrow is greater than heartbreak. How will her young heart endure this inhuman torture and harm
Qin Mubai and Li Ke both fell silent. The eyes that looked at Princess Gao Yang were full of pity and sadness.
Princess Gao Yang instead smiled calmly and said: "What's wrong with you? You are all grown men, aren't you as sensible and strong as me? The matter has come to this point, there is no choice. That's it. Please make proper arrangements for me. , I want to set off as soon as possible and accompany my brother to Chang'an! "
"I'll go with you." Qin Mubai said firmly.
"No." Princess Gaoyang refused and said, "A ceremony is being held in Xiangyang. You have heavy responsibilities, how can you walk away? The same goes for third brother. You can send some capable people to escort you. Believe me, there won't be any questionable."
Qin Mubai and Li Ke looked at each other and nodded helplessly.
"We'll make arrangements for you."
Later, Qin Mubai sent Princess Gaoyang back to Jiangxia Wangxingyuan. Along the way, Princess Gaoyang remained taciturn, as if she was extremely tired, and actually fell asleep in Qin Mubai's arms.
When they arrived at the King's Palace of Jiangxia, Qin Mubai sent Princess Gaoyang in. She didn't say much, she just said goodbye to Qin Mubai, said hello to Li Daozong, and went back to her room to rest early.
Li Daozong's eyes were very sophisticated. Before Qin Mubai could speak, he said, "Ling'er already knows?"
"Well..." Qin Mubai nodded and told Li Daozong the cause and effect of what had just happened.
"Hey... you can't escape what is coming. God's will is like this, what can people do?" Li Daozong sighed and said slowly, "Ling'er is actually much smarter and more mature than she looks on the outside. In comparison, After all, Li You's unscrupulous brother is not as good as his sister. In fact, I had previously thought that perhaps only Ling'er could persuade Li You to admit his mistake. In that case, the situation could be eased. At most, the damn Yin Hongzhi can be killed to eliminate this trouble. But doing this... would be too cruel for Ling'er."
"Yes! In fact, everyone knows in their hearts that Yin Hongzhi will definitely die; whether Li You dies or not, we still have to discuss it." Qin Mubai said, "No matter what the outcome is, in fact, the most injured ones will be Princess Gaoyang and Yin De Concubine."
"I have pity on this miserable mother and daughter, hey..." Li Daozong sighed helplessly and shook his head, saying softly, "Mubai, from now on, be kind to Ling'er."
"I will." Qin Mubai nodded, his heart heavy.
"That's right. The trip to Beijing must be properly and carefully arranged." Li Daozong said, "Yin Hongzhi has always been at large. This old fox is not that incompetent. Moreover, don't ignore his ability to influence Li You and Gao Yang. In fact, speaking of , this brother and sister spent most of their time with Yin Hongzhi. It is not an exaggeration to say that they were raised by Yin Hongzhi. The status in the hearts of the two brothers is extraordinary."
"Yes, I understand." Qin Mubai nodded and said, "What the prince means is that he is a little worried that Yin Hongzhi will appear halfway and the demon will cause trouble?"
"Of course it's best to prevent problems before they happen." Li Daozong said, "Actually, it's safest and safest for you to escort Ling'er. But at this juncture, you can't get away. So I have to select some of the most capable people. It is only appropriate for someone to be responsible for escorting you along the way.”
"Okay. I will handle this matter seriously and carefully." Qin Mubai nodded solemnly.
Li Daozong cut his hands behind his back, furrowed his thick eyebrows and said with a solemn expression: "What His Majesty the Emperor always hates the most is that his next generation of brothers will fight against each other... Li You, Li You, you are so obsessed! You are not worthy of death by yourself. Alas, why do these poor people have to suffer along with you? "
Qin Mubai couldn't help but feel tight in his heart, remembering that his father Qin Shubao seemed to have said something similar to him before: After the Xuanwu Sect Incident, the words "blood and flesh" almost became Li Shimin's heart. A piece of haze and taboo. From then on, he was extremely worried and hated that his children would imitate the "Xuanwu Sect"...
Does that also mean that Li You's trip to Chang'an to plead guilty this time is not optimistic