In the second spring breeze, in the small tub, Xue Poye made Xiao Suzhen's whole body limp, so she had no strength to stop.
The two hugged and rested in the bathtub for a while, then got up and wiped each other's bodies, changed into clean clothes, and then went out.
Xue Poye remembers how the gang of traitors were dealt with last night. When he was about to enter the palace, he walked halfway in a sedan chair and ran into You Shaoqing.
You Shaoqing recognized Xue Poye's sedan chair, hurriedly got off the horse and came over, respectfully said: "Master Hou, I'm going to the mansion to invite you."
Xue Poye lifted the curtain and said calmly, "What's wrong?"
"The Holy Majesty is very happy to know that Lord Hou is back." You Shaoqing said with a smile, "It's just that a big event happened just now. The Holy Majesty has already summoned Cheng Lan and others, and now he is waiting for Lord Hou to discuss matters together."
"Oh?" Xue Poye frowned and said, "Big event?" Seeing You Shaoqing smiling all over his face, he snorted coldly: "Since something big has happened, you are still smiling, are you in a good mood?"
You Shaoqing was taken aback for a moment, and hurriedly put away his smiling face, but the sudden change of expression seemed a little blunt and extremely embarrassing.
"Come up!" Xue Poye said calmly, "I have something to ask you."
You Shaoqing hurriedly said yes, got into the car, and sat down beside Xue Poye.
"Those rebels were all detained last night?" Xue Poye asked while rubbing his nose. After leaving last night, he didn't know how the imperial court dealt with Xuan Yang, Yang Yao and others.
You Shaoqing said respectfully: "The Taoist priests of Wanxian Temple were all detained in the prison of the Ministry of Criminal Affairs, Xuanyang Guoshi... well, Xuanyang was also abolished by Qin Gonggong and thrown in the prison."
Xue Poye was startled, the majestic martial artist was actually deprived of martial arts, this is probably worse than death for Xuanyang.
"Are the people in the tunnel from Gongsun's family?"
You Shaoqing shook his head and said, "According to the confession, there is only one person from the Gongsun family who participated in this conspiracy. Those people in the tunnel are all the people Zuo Zixuan placed in Wanxian Temple a few years ago to wait for the Gongsun family. dispatched, has been digging tunnels."
"A person?" Xue Poye was a little surprised, and immediately thought of the person who sat on the tree trunk last night. This huge project could be designed by only one person, and the mechanism skills of the Gongsun family were too powerful.
"But...!" You Shaoqing sighed: "That guy has already escaped, and he has been searched all over the capital, but there is no trace of him."
Xue Poye frowned, thinking about it, since that guy is proficient in mechanics, he must have thought of a way out when he was in charge of this project. With his ability, it shouldn't be difficult to escape from the officers and soldiers.
"Gongsun's family built a mechanism city beside Kunlun Mountain, which is in the northwest of Yongzhou...!" Xue Poye frowned and thought, "It seems that they also made the move for the sake of King Mingyue. Since the mechanism city is in Under the protection of Yongzhou, if the imperial court wants to destroy them, it will have to wait until Yongzhou is recovered."
Without waiting for Xue Poye to ask, You Shaoqing continued: "Zuo Zixuan and Yang Yao were also imprisoned in the prison of the Ministry of Criminal Justice, Lord Wei personally guarded them, presumably in a few days, these people will be escorted to the execution ground*."
Xue Poye was still concerned about whether Yang Yao would reveal his true identity, and asked, "Have you been interrogated?"
"I have interrogated a few young men, but those big guys haven't been interrogated yet." You Shaoqing said in a low voice, "This matter must have something to do with Mingyue King. Zuo Zixuan is a member of Mingyue King. The Holy One and Prime Minister Lan It was discussed early in the morning that if Zuo Zixuan is to be interrogated, King Mingyue can be invited to sit in the Ministry of Punishments, Zuo Zixuan is his subordinate, so naturally he will come."
Xue Poye nodded secretly, this hand is really good at playing, it will make King Mingyue lose his face, and most importantly, once King Mingyue goes to trial, no matter whether he defends Zuo Zixuan or not, it will be extremely difficult for him. Adverse.
Once it is maintained, the imperial court will definitely direct the spearhead of this silver theft incident directly at King Mingyue. If King Mingyue ignores it, that's even better, and it will soon spread in the capital that King Mingyue does not care about the life and death of his subordinates. Rumors that don't live up to the name.
"This is very good." Xue Poye rubbed his nose and said, "Have you sent someone to invite King Mingyue?"
"Yes, someone has been sent."
"Then the Holy Majesty called me to participate in the trial?" Xue Poye asked, "Could it be that the Holy Majesty tried Zuo Zixuan personally? To interrogate him, there is no need for the Holy Majesty and Prime Minister Lan to intervene, right?"
You Shaoqing shook his head and said, "Master Hou, I was about to tell you that this... Zuo Zixuan might not be tried."
"What?" Xue Poye frowned: "What happened?"
"Zuo Zixuan... just committed suicide by biting his tongue in the prison."
Xue Poye was startled.
"He... committed suicide?" Xue Poye was really shocked. In his opinion, Zuo Zixuan didn't act like a man of integrity last night, but he committed suicide.
There is no proof of death, even if King Mingyue still can't get rid of the suspicion, but there is no direct confession, let alone King Mingyue is in a dilemma.
Zuo Zixuan obviously also thought of the predicament Mingyue King was facing, so he committed suicide to repay Mingyue King.
It has to be said that King Mingyue has a lofty status in the hearts of his subordinates, and they are ready to sacrifice their lives for King Mingyue at any time.
…
…
When Xue Poye arrived at the Taihe Palace, Lan Wuqing and the six ministers had already gathered here, everyone's face was very gloomy, and the little emperor's face was also gloomy and terrifying.
Seeing Xue Poye coming, the little emperor finally showed joy, stood up and said: "Master, you... you are back...!" He was about to come up to him, but he knocked on the ministers standing in front of the desk, but they still didn't get up .
After seeing the ceremony with all the officials, Xue Poye said: "Thanks to your Majesty's concern, I am very grateful."
"Master." The little emperor called his master directly, without using his official name: "Something happened."
"I know. Didn't Zuo Zixuan commit suicide?" Xue Poye said indifferently, "It doesn't matter, isn't there still a large group of rebels who are still alive, and there will always be something in the trial."
Lan Wuqing sighed: "Lord Xue, we just received another news. Compared with Zuo Zixuan committing suicide, this is the real big deal."
Xue Poye glanced at everyone, all with serious expressions, and an unexpected premonition rose in his heart: "Prime Minister, what happened?"
"Early this morning, the Holy Majesty sent someone to Liuheyuan to invite King Mingyue to enter the city to listen to Zuo Zixuan's case." Lan Wuqing said with a solemn expression, "But the person sent to Liuheyuan just reported back, and the Habayashi guards searched all over Liuheyuan. But the Mingyue King was not found, and the Mingyue King has disappeared."
"What?" Xue Poye's expression changed drastically.
The little emperor said very seriously: "Master, King Mingyue...I'm afraid he escaped."
"How is it possible?" Xue Poye frowned and said, "Liuheyuan is heavily defended, with eyes inside and outside, how did he escape? Could it be like the lost Ku Yin, hiding inside, waiting for us to relax, So take the opportunity to leave?"
Xi Muquan, Secretary of the Ministry of War, said: "Master Hou, the garrison and the Habayashi guards have searched the Liuhe courtyard, and they have not seen King Mingyue at all. With his temperament, if he is still in the courtyard, he will definitely not hide. "
He Ruhui, Minister of the Ministry of Officials, suddenly said: "This time, this group of rebels stole money from the treasury. According to those young people, people from the Gongsun family participated... Since they can dig out such an underground passage to the Ministry of Households Bank, is it possible to dig a passage from the outside of the Sixth Courtyard to enter the Sixth Courtyard, and the Mingyue King escaped through that tunnel?"
Lan Wuqing immediately shook her head and said: "It's impossible, the passage to the bank of the household department took at least half a year, and Mingyue King has only lived in Liuheyuan for a few days. It is absolutely impossible to dig through the tunnel. .And Mingyue King always has eyes and ears to follow, and we will know if there is a slight change."
He Ruhui also frowned: "Could it be possible to fly?"
Mo Yi, Shangshu of the Ministry of Justice, said: "I have already sent the most powerful messenger to check, and there will be news back soon."
The little emperor suddenly said, "If King Mingyue really leaves Liuheyuan and returns to Yongzhou...will he rebel?"
In fact, everyone present was thinking about this question, and the answers in everyone's minds were extremely unified. If King Mingyue really returned to Yongzhou, he would probably rebel in all likelihood.
"Fortunately, Lord Xue found out the conspiracy of this group of rebels, so the official bank of the court will be preserved." Lan Wuqing said slowly: "With this money, we can at least make preparations to counter the rebellion. Lord Wang, from today onwards, your household department will start to purchase food, grass and equipment, and send them to Qingzhou, Yizhou and Huizhou. That’s right, Lord Xi, you have to start drafting documents, and together with the Privy Council, prepare to mobilize troops and horses to go to the three states Got it."
The two agreed hastily.
Xue Poye sighed: "It seems that we are really going to fight."
At this moment, the eunuch reported: "Your Majesty, Ximen Leizang, the deputy general guard of Yulinying, and Yue Ling, the servant of the Ministry of Punishment, are asking to see you."
The little emperor said: "Let them in quickly."
After Ximen Leizang and Yue Ling came in to meet, the little emperor immediately asked: "How is the investigation? Did King Mingyue run away?"
"Report to Your Majesty." Yue Ling said respectfully: "The subordinates have checked carefully and interrogated the eunuch and maid who monitored King Mingyue. Master Ximen also led his troops to search the Liuhe Courtyard several times. Now it seems that King Mingyue has indeed escaped. gone."
The ministers had already expected it, but they couldn't help but take a breath when they heard Yue Ling was so sure that King Mingyue had escaped.
It wasn't the Mingyue King who escaped, but a bane, a trigger for a war.
Xue Poye said coldly: "What do the eunuchs and maids say?"
"Last night, King Mingyue was playing chess with Lord Consort in his room. Lord Consort left in the middle of the night. After Prince-in-law left, the eunuchs went in to have a look, and saw that King Mingyue had already gone to bed, so they didn't dare to disturb him. The decree was sent to let King Mingyue enter the city, and the eunuchs called King Mingyue twice, but there was no answer, so they went in to look, only to find that King Mingyue had long since disappeared." Yue Ling spoke slowly, as if worried about missing something.
"You mean, the son-in-law went to Liuheyuan last night?" Xue Poye frowned.
"Yes!" Ximen Leizang replied: "My son-in-law was invited by Mingyue King at dusk yesterday to go to Liuheyuan to compete with Mingyue King in chess."
"Did you check carefully when he came in and out?" Xue Poye asked coldly.
Ximen Lei Zang hurriedly said: "My lord, the son-in-law only brought eight guards, and the eight guards did not enter the courtyard. The son-in-law came in and out in a simple carriage, and my subordinates have seen that when entering and leaving, there were only The son-in-law is alone, and the groom who drives the carriage is also the same person back and forth, so you can't pretend."
When everyone heard this, they were even more puzzled. According to this, the disappearance of King Mingyue has nothing to do with the son-in-law.
Wang Dezhao asked Xue Poye cautiously: "Master Hou, you... are you suspecting that King Mingyue's escape is related to the son-in-law?"
Xue Poye smiled coldly and did not speak.
The little emperor also asked: "Master, no way. My aunt belongs to us, and the son-in-law is my aunt's husband, so she shouldn't help King Mingyue, right? If he helps King Mingyue, what good will it do him? Uh... no, no !"
"The princess is the princess, and the king of the moon is the king of the moon." At this moment, Xue Poye didn't care about breaking the taboo: "There are many couples who share the same bed and different dreams." Then he asked Yue Ling: "Where is the room of the king of the moon?" Have you checked carefully? Are there any organs or tunnels?"
Yue Ling said affirmatively: "If you go back to Lord Hou, I can assure you. I personally took people to check both sides of the room. There are no organs and tunnels. Master Ximen also arranged Habayashi guards around the room. With their abilities, if King Mingyue If they leave in the middle of the night, they will definitely find out, but according to what the Habayashi guards said, after the son-in-law left, there has been no movement in the Mingyue King's room."
"That's right." Ximen Leizang suddenly remembered something: "In King Mingyue's room, we found bloodstains."
"Bloodstain?" Xue Poye and all the officials were stunned, and the little emperor was also very puzzled, asking: "What bloodstain? Whose bloodstain? Someone died in the house?"
Ximen Leizang said: "It's just a puddle of blood. I also searched the house carefully, but there is no body."
"Is it human blood?"
"yes!"
Everyone is even more surprised, why is there a kind of weirdness in this matter.
Xue Poye pondered for a while, and then asked: "When King Mingyue played chess with his son-in-law, how many people were there in the room?"
"I've asked you about this humble position." Yue Ling said: "According to the eunuchs, there was only one servant in the room besides King Mingyue and the son-in-law at that time. But when King Mingyue left, that servant also came out with the son-in-law , leaving only Mingyue King inside."
"I see." Xue Poye couldn't help sneering.
Seeing Xue Poye's solemn expression, the little emperor couldn't help asking: "Master, did you think of something?"
Xue Poye bowed slightly: "My lord, according to my opinion, Mingyue King's escape from Liuheyuan is probably related to the son-in-law." After a pause, he shook his head and said: "The blood in that room is probably the The flesh and blood of the person under his name."
Several ministers looked at each other, and the little emperor wondered: "Master, what...how do you say this?"
Xue Poye said slowly: "If I guessed correctly, the servant who left with King Mingyue may have been disguised by King Mingyue, and the real servant...has turned into blood."
"Ah!" Several ministers were taken aback, even Ximen Leizang and Yue Ling were a little surprised.
Lan Wuqing looked solemn, and said softly: "Master Xue, the son-in-law has lived in seclusion for more than ten years and has never participated in any disputes... Besides, the son-in-law is a person who knows the seriousness of the matter. If the matter of King Mingyue's escape is really related to He is involved, that is a heinous crime, the son-in-law will not be so stupid as to not even know about this, right? The Holy One just said, letting go of the Ming Yue King seems to be of no benefit to the son-in-law, right?"
Xue Poye sighed: "If I can think of a reason why the son-in-law let Mingyue King go, I won't say that he did it in all likelihood, but I'm sure it's him."
Everyone fell silent for a moment.
If it was really the son-in-law's act at this time, how should we deal with it
He is the husband of the eldest princess, and the influence of the eldest princess in the court has not been shaken in the slightest because of the reorganization of officials. It is said that His Majesty Deqing gave the eldest princess a sacred artifact that only princes can have. The role of the artifact is much more useful than the holy artifacts of the princes.
The holy artifacts of the princes are only a symbol of dignity and status.
But the sacred object of the eldest princess is a sacred object that is cut first and played later. In other words, Emperor Deqing gave her the right to life and death.
Who dares to offend the royal princess who owns such a holy vessel.
"Lord Hou!" Ximen Leizang saw that Xue Poye's expression was not good, and said cautiously: "But when the son-in-law came out of the yard, I personally saw that there was no other person in his carriage, and we didn't even see him in the carriage. All checked."
Xue Poye sighed: "Master Ximen, maybe you don't know that sometimes, people can be invisible."
"Invisibility?" Everyone's eyes widened.
"Of course it's not really invisible." Xue Poye smiled bitterly: "Everyone should also know that there is another place in the carriage that cannot be seen."
At this time, the little emperor suddenly said: "Master, I understand, it is... it is a car seat!"
"Not bad!" Xue Poye was very satisfied with the little emperor's intelligence: "I don't think it would be difficult to hide a person under the buttocks of the son-in-law, or under the wide car seat, once it is empty?"
Only then did everyone suddenly realize.
"But...!" Pan Yue, who was newly appointed to the stage by the Ministry of Rites, frowned and said, "Would the majestic Mingyue King willingly hide under the seat of the son-in-law regardless of his status?"
Before Xue Poye could answer, Lan Wuqing had already sighed: "When King Mingyue quit the battle for the throne, he was able to bend and stretch. Today, of course, this flexible method has not been forgotten."
"By the way." Xue Poye suddenly thought of someone: "Where is Dou Andao who is with King Mingyue? Has he left too?"
Ximen Leizang's expression was extremely ugly: "The King of Mingyue sent Dou Andao to invite his son-in-law, but after he left, he never came back. He deserves to die for his lowly position, and he begged His Majesty to punish him."
The little emperor waved his hand and said: "Everyone has run away, what's the use of blaming you now." Xiang Lanwuqing said: "Prime Minister, Mingyue King must not have gone too far, should we send someone to chase after him? "
"Since he intends to escape from the capital, he must have already figured out the route. If he wants to catch up with him, it may be more difficult than climbing to the sky." Lan Wuqing said slowly: "However, Lord Mo will send people to inform the road to the northwest All the states and counties along the way are trying their best to arrest Mingyue King, and if he is caught, he will be escorted to Beijing immediately." Sighing, he waved his hand and said, "Master Mo, let's do it quickly." Moy agreed and stepped back immediately.
Lan Wuqing turned to the little emperor with a solemn expression: "My lord, it seems... we are going to prepare for war!"