No matter what Li Chaoge asked before, Gu Mingke could handle it with ease. But this time, after she finished talking for a long time, Gu Mingke didn't answer.
Li Chaoge raised his eyes in surprise: "You don't know?"
"Naturally." Gu Mingke put down his hand and slowly stroked his knuckles with his fingers, "I'm just an ordinary person, how could it be possible? I know everything?"
Still playing, Li Chaoge silently rolled his eyes and said, "There is no one else, so you don't have to."
Gu Mingke laughed: "I really don't know."
She actually felt that he was trying to trick her, she thought him too highly.
From birth to death, even until now, he has not understood, what? It is the way of kings.
Li Chaoge stared at Gu Mingke's expression carefully, and found that he was frank and natural, with memories and thoughts in his eyes, but he was not joking. He turned out to be serious
Li Chaoge felt a little strange, and she said half-jokingly: "I thought you knew everything and could do anything. It turns out that there are answers in this world that you don't know?"
"Of course." Gu Mingke held his sleeves and poured tea for himself, "I am also a human being, so I naturally have my own limitations."
This was the first time Li Chaoge heard Gu Mingke say that he had limitations, and she couldn't help being stunned. In her eyes, Gu Mingke has always been ruthless, desireless, and perfect. He never makes mistakes and has no selfishness. Because he is too perfect, he is like a statue placed in a shrine, except that he is not like a person. But now, Li Chaoge suddenly realizes that there are things he can't do, and he also has his own limitations and shortcomings.
After Gu Mingke finished speaking, it was a long time since Li Chaoge spoke. He raised his hand and shook it in front of Li Chaoge. Li Chaoge's eyes focused instantly. Gu Mingke withdrew his hand and asked, "What do you think?"
Li Chaoge's eyes subconsciously stayed on that hand. Gu Mingke's palm was very narrow, his fingers were slender, his skin was as white as jade, and the knuckles were slightly raised, which was well-proportioned and beautiful. I have to say, these hands are very beautiful.
He is indeed a lucky one loved by the Creator.
Li Chaoge shook his head while thinking wildly: "Nothing?"
Gu Mingke didn't pursue it, and said leisurely: "Today, I thought you wouldn't go."
Li Chaoge knew he was talking about the Pei family? Li Chaoge doesn't need to show up, but Gu Mingke is the cousin of Pei's family, so he has lived in Pei's house for so many years, and he has the best food, clothing, housing, transportation, pen, ink, paper and inkstone in everything. No matter how you say it, the Pei family is benevolent to Gu Mingke.
Now that Pei's family is in trouble, what does Gu Mingke do? He doesn't say anything, and he can't justify it both emotionally and rationally. If Gu Mingke came forward, he might offend the empress. If Li Chaoge took the lead to bring him up, the empress would have nothing to say.
Li Chaoge said indifferently: "Husband and wife are one, if your uncle and cousin are in trouble, I can't just sit idly by."
Gu Mingke quietly looked at Li Chaoge under the light. He originally planned to go to the queen tomorrow, but when he returned to the princess mansion, the attendant said that Li Chaoge had gone out. Gu Mingke knew at that time that Li Chaoge had gone to Tingwei Prison.
They were originally married in a fake way. Two adults forced themselves together like children playing house. It was not easy to maintain the harmony on the surface. Gu Mingke never thought that Li Chaoge would do this for him. It would be better if she didn't express her opinion on this matter.
Gu Mingke said: "Actually, you don't have to be like this. The Pei family is kind to me, but it has nothing to do with you."
Li Chaoge looked at him with his chin propped up, and said softly, "You don't really think of me as your own."
Gu Mingke stopped, choked for a while and then gave up: "Okay, you're right."
Li Chaoge smiled. She reached out to put her hand between her eyebrows, and suddenly felt a little tired: "You said, killing innocent people for the sake of power, is it right?"
In her previous life, she thought it was right, so she killed her brother, sister, and mother, and used all means for power, but now, she began to hesitate.
Gu Mingke looked at her calmly and tolerantly, and asked, "What do you want to say?"
Li Chaoge sighed, slowly leaned on the bed, closed his eyes and said, "I let myself kill people on the pretext that having power can benefit more people, so after getting power, wouldn't there be more reasons to kill people? For the sake of an illusory righteousness, can you justifiably deprive others of their lives?"
Gu Mingke was a little surprised, he didn't expect Li Chaoge to ask these questions. Ordinary people are in the game, killing each other for their own power and interests, and never doubt themselves. Only by jumping out of this circle and looking down from a high place can you think about whether these behaviors are right or not.
Li Chaoge's thoughts gradually began to separate from ordinary people, and Gu Mingke was very relieved. Only when the mind is detached from petty love, selfishness, and selfishness, the powerful force will have an effect. Otherwise, she would be a powerful princess in the mortal world for the rest of her life.
Gu Mingke said: "It depends on who it is for. Everyone thinks they are independent and rational, but in fact, no one can be completely objective. All our ideas are based on our own position. For the family It is said that the emperor respects the virtuous and the corporals, and governs with the bow is a Mingjun; for the common people, it is the age of sages who lightly tax taxes, and even without an emperor; .What are you asking? It's Mingjun, it depends on who you stand on."
Li Chaoge hasn't moved for a long time, is Gu Mingke's words true? It's a big treason, dare to say that for the common people, the real prosperity is without an emperor. But Li Chaoge also knew that what he said was right. People's desires were endless. Even a grassroots emperor, before he ascended the throne, he was sympathetic to the common people. Once he ascended the throne, his thoughts would change. He wants to enjoy rich clothes and fine food, wants to have three thousand beauties, wants his descendants to be emperors from generation to generation, and even wants to live forever.
Take this vigorous rebellion case as an example, the queen, the aristocratic family, the Li family, and the humble family, none of them did anything wrong. But the final result was that blood flowed for thousands of miles, and countless families were destroyed.
Li Chaoge covered his eyes with a headache and asked, "Has it always been like this?"
Gu Mingke was a little lost in thought, he thought of something that happened a long time ago, and after a long time, he whispered: "Yes, it has always been like this."
"Then who is right and who is wrong?"
Gu Mingke couldn't help laughing, he got up and sat on the other side, took away Li Chaoge's fingers covering her eyes, pulled her up to sit up, and said, "You've given me all kinds of problems today. Go back and rest, and stop thinking about it."
"You are the best at judging cases, and you don't even know?"
"Silly girl." Gu Mingke supported Li Chaoge's shoulder, sighing, "It's easy to judge a person's right or wrong, but it's too difficult to judge a country's right or wrong."
Is it right or wrong to slaughter the subjects of other countries in order to survive? Is it right or wrong to abandon a minority for the sake of the vast majority of the country? Is it right or wrong that merits are in the present and disasters are in the future
Gu Mingke didn't know, and neither did Li Chaoge. Li Chaoge didn't want to face the facts, so he simply closed his eyes and leaned his head on Gu Mingke's shoulder. She struggled for a long time, and she was really sleepy. Gu Mingke waited for a while, then pressed her head and pushed her away: "Go back to sleep."
He wouldn't let her rely on it, but she insisted on relying on it! Li Chaoge controlled Gu Mingke's wrist with both hands, and put his head on Gu Mingke's shoulder aggressively like a fight. He exerted a little force on his wrist, and Li Chaoge grabbed him even more forcefully. Gu Mingke waited for a while, and asked, "Are you comfortable wearing it like this?"
It was really uncomfortable, but Li Chaoge refused to give up, and said righteously: "I slept soundly on the couch just now, but you insisted on pulling me up. Now let me lean on your shoulder for a while, you Still unwilling?"
"Since you're not afraid of twisting your neck, then it's up to you." Gu Mingke didn't bother to care about her, anyway, it wasn't him who felt uncomfortable. Li Chaoge's whole body was tense at first, his neck was stiffly resting on Gu Mingke's shoulders, and after a while, his neck became uncomfortable. Seeing that Gu Mingke's hand was completely relaxed, she slowly relaxed her strength and adjusted the angle quietly, finally feeling a little more comfortable.
Li Chaoge was drowsy and drowsy when he suddenly felt his neck itchy. Li Chaoge suddenly opened his eyes, instinctively grasping threats with both hands. After she woke up, she found that it was Gu Mingke who took a feather and gently scratched her neck.
Li Chaoge stared at Gu Mingke, almost out of anger: "What are you doing?"
"I'm afraid you'll fall asleep." Gu Mingke said, "Sleeping here is not good for your spine. If you're sleepy, go back to bed."
"I slept better without you!" Li Chaoge angrily snatched the feather from his hand and threw it away forcefully. The feathers fluttered and fell to the ground, Gu Mingke said unhurriedly: "I'm angry, and then I blame something outside, I'm afraid it's not good."
"Then believe it or not, I will blame you?" Li Chaoge was so excited that he accidentally twisted his neck. Gu Mingke supported her neck from behind, and kneaded slowly: "It's said that sleeping like that will hurt your neck, you must believe it."
Li Chaoge still snorted coldly: "Shut up, who told you to trick me with a feather? I get angry when I see a feather now."
Gu Mingke asked: "Have you found the Chongming Bird yet?"
"No." Li Chaoge sighed, "I sent someone to investigate in other places, and the bird was indeed caught by an old farmer from the mountain. He said that when he caught it, the bird had two eyes, bright feathers, and colorful tail feathers. The voice was crisp and clear. He felt that this bird was something extraordinary, so he dedicated it to the imperial court. So, how could it not be possible to find such obvious features?"
After listening to it, Gu Mingke was quiet for a while, and said: "Trees grow in spring and fall in autumn, weeds wither and grow year after year, and birds and beasts may not have the same color every year."
"You mean..."
"Power is the source, and the appearance of feathers is the appearance. If you are too obsessed with appearance, you may be deceived."
What seemed to flash through Li Chaoge's mind? She thought it was Wu Yuanqing's deception, but the old farmer and the surrounding villagers can testify that King Wei did take a spirit bird away. Li Chaoge circled around and returned to the original point. These few days he was extremely distressed. But if all extraneous assumptions were discarded, and Wu Yuanqing really sent a bird into the palace, and the guards at the palace gate had never seen anyone bring a bird out, then the Chongming bird should be in the palace.
The appearance may change, but the addition of an extra bird will never change. Is there anything in the palace? There are more things in the place... Li Chaoge's eyes widened suddenly, that bald chicken! That's right, how could she be negligent? With the aesthetics of the palace, how could it be possible to raise such an ugly chicken
That is the Chongming bird that has shed its feathers!
Bai Qianhe was already lying under the blanket, but was forced to be dug out. Standing in the dark imperial garden, he folded his arms and shivered: "Princess, it's so late, why? Do you have to work overtime? Don't you and your son-in-law have a nightlife?"
"Shut up!" Li Chaoge stuffed a fire bag into Bai Qianhe's hand, threatening, "Find that bald chicken as quickly as possible. When? When will you find it? When will you go home."
Bai Qianhe yawned, and reluctantly took the booklet to work. Li Chaoge will definitely do what he says, if he can't find it today, he is going to spend the night in the cold wind.
The power of nightlife is strong, and soon, Bai Qianhe carried a bald chicken out of the bushes. Li Chaoge saw its fleshy wings and bald tail, and couldn't bear to look directly at it, so he turned his eyes away. The current Chongming bird is like a broiler chicken that has shed its feathers and is about to be cooked. It is ugly and chic.
Li Chaoge and Bai Qianhe sneaked into the palace, and it's dark and windy at night, so it's not good to wake up the queen to offer a bird. Li Chaoge was worried about leaving it outside, so he simply carried it back to the princess mansion. Gu Mingke had already changed his clothes and was about to rest. At this time, the window next to him moved, and immediately, a woman jumped in with a chicken in her arms.
Even though Gu Mingke was used to seeing big scenes, seeing Li Chaoge come back with a chicken in his arms, he still couldn't grasp it. Gu Mingke was silent, and asked: "Are you going to let a chicken spend the night in your house?"
The Chongming bird chirped, and Li Chaoge defended it: "It's not a chicken."
"There is no difference." Gu Mingke's face was indifferent, "I don't think there is a big difference between a bird and a chicken."
Li Chaoge lowered his head and glanced at the Chongming Bird in his hand, okay, it's really nothing? The difference. But this is the object of her case, if it is released, it will be troublesome if it is lost. Li Chaoge said: "It has lost all its hair, what if it freezes to death if it is left outside?"
"You can't die from freezing." Gu Mingke was unmoved, and said coldly, "Throw it out."
Under the oppression of Gu Mingke's eyes, Chongmingniao huddled pitifully into a ball. Li Chaoge couldn't bear it: "I know you like cleanliness, but it's quite clean, you can bear it for a night."
The cleanliness Gu Mingke couldn't accept it at all. In the end, Li Chaoge and Gu Mingke made an agreement to keep the chicken. No, the Chongming bird stayed in the house overnight, but it had to be locked in the Jiadian.
Li Chaoge sat on the bed, watching Gu Mingke put down her tents layer by layer with his own hands, pulled the screen to the maximum, and then closed the door tightly. After he went out, he was still warning the Chongming Bird who was locked in the palace: "Stay in this room and don't move around."
Chongming Bird called out cautiously, as if he could understand Gu Mingke's words, and was very well-behaved. Sitting in the bedroom, Li Chaoge heard the door of the outer hall close. After that, Jiadian was as quiet as if there were no living things.
Li Chaoge thought to himself, Gu Mingke's deterrence is indeed very high, and all spirits are afraid of him. Including the little peony from last time, who cried when she saw Gu Mingke.
interesting.
The next day, after the imperial court released the yamen, Bai Qianhe brought two other people to the Princess Mansion to value Mingniao. Sitting on the cattail mat, Mo Linlang was speechless for a long time looking at the white chicken.
Bai Qianhe leaned over and said, "Look, I'm right, it's ugly."
"Keep some virtue in your mouth." Li Chaoge said lightly, "It can understand human speech."
Bai Qianhe was startled, his eyes widened. Only Zhou Shao was always thinking about the business: "Does it really have two eyes?"
Li Chaoge took a sip of tea and nodded casually: "Look carefully, there are."
Zhou Shao was amazed that the rare and exotic beasts in the legends actually existed, and he would not be surprised if a dragon appeared in front of him one day.
Mo Linlang didn't know what to say? It was better: "So we tossed and tossed for more than half a year, and finally it was actually under our noses? Why did it become like this?"
"This is the natural cycle of the Chongming bird, just like cats and dogs shed their hair in a certain season, but it sheds a bit completely."
Mo Linlang was speechless, and after a while, he asked again: "Then why? It escaped from the cage?"
"Because of Wu Yuanqing's key." Li Chaoge said, "He once opened the birdcage in front of everyone, and his key was swallowed by Chongming Bird at that time. It's a pity that fool never found out."
Bai Qianhe stuffed the pastry into his mouth, clapped his hands, and asked, "Princess, what shall we do next?"
"Gu Mingke said that it will be unhinged in a few days, and it will grow hair soon. When it grows a little better, it will be presented to the queen. Don't pass it on now, and those people will ask for it again." Nag us for cheating."
In fact, this is only one reason, and there is another more important factor-the queen used the pretense of Chongming Bird to have an attack, but in fact she took the opportunity to eradicate dissidents. Otherwise, if Li Chaoge hadn't found the Chongming Bird for six or seven months, why wouldn't the Queen be in a hurry or rush
Li Chaoge planned to wait for a few more days, and when the Queen's seizure was almost over, she would present the Chongming Bird to end this long political reckoning.
The others all nodded, but Bai Qianhe grasped the point: "What did the son-in-law say?"
Li Chaoge was slightly taken aback, and then said without changing his face: "He reads a lot of books, and he found them from ancient books."
Bai Qianhe let out a long cry, not sure if he believed it or not. He blinked, and suddenly moved closer and winked at Li Chaoge: "Princess, I heard that you went to the Tingwei Prison to arrest someone yesterday, and locked them in the Imperial Prison, and no one was allowed to visit them. Now that the Chongming Bird has been found, what about those two people? "
"Shut it up, what's the rush?" Li Chaoge didn't care, "Wait for Chongming Bird? When will the fur grow? When? When? Let them out."
Bai Qianhe clicked his tongue, and secretly exchanged glances with the others. Li Chaoge's work?... is really ruthless and ruthless.
So many aristocratic families in the capital were implicated, but the Pei family was taken to a safe cell because of their relationship with Gu Mingke, but that was all. Lai Junchen is so arrogant, yesterday Li Chaoge was in charge of leading people, Lai Junchen didn't dare to fart, and the queen didn't say anything.
From this point of view, Gu Shaoqing is the most annoying person in Dongdu.
The New Year's Eve in the first year of Chuigong passed silently and tastelessly. Every household is in fear, how can they prepare for the New Year. In the early spring of the second year, the momentum of liquidation finally slowed down. In February, Princess Sheng Yuan sent back the lost and recovered Chongming Bird. The Chongming Bird was as red as fire, and its tail feathers were even more gorgeous than before. Li Chaoge didn't use a cage, but naturally brought Chongming Bird to the hall. She waved her hand lightly, and the Chongming bird spread its wings and flew high, with a clear and high-pitched cry.
The crowing of the Chongming bird is like a phoenix, and the birds outside respond one after another. For a moment, all the birds are facing the phoenix, and auspiciousness appears together. The monarchs and ministers were stunned by this scene. After circling the palace a few times, the Chongming bird rushed out of the palace and flew towards a high place with flapping wings.
When Wu Yuanqing saw it, he quickly yelled: "Catch it quickly, don't let it get away."
Li Chaoge raised his hand and said to the queen: "Your Majesty, the Chongming bird is a spirit bird just like the Luanfeng. The spirit bird should not be caged, it is better to let it return to the mountains and forests and let it be free. After that, it soared over the land of Dazhou, Naturally, it is protecting the Wu Zhou Dynasty."
Wu Yuanqing was still dissatisfied, but the queen looked at the Chongming bird fluttering its wings and did not force it anymore, but said: "Forget it, it was raised by nature, and it doesn't like to be restrained, so let it be free."
The queen gave the final word, and Wu Yuanqing could only shut up. He thought about what happened just now, and the more he thought about it, the more angry he became. He originally offered the Chongming Bird, why? Li Chaoge let it go as soon as he said it? It was a good trick to borrow flowers to present Buddha, she took the initiative to release the living bird, but it seemed that Wu Yuanqing didn't know the general idea.
The reason why the empress wanted to liquidate the court was that the Chongming bird was lost. Now that the Chongming bird has been found, it would be too stalking to pursue treason. As the Chongming Bird flew away from the sky above Luoyang, the violent rebellion case during the Chui Gong years also came to an end.
Many princes and princesses were given to death in the process, and the ministers were better, but there were countless exiled and ransacked homes. Chang Sunyu was released from prison, and he was convicted of treason. Fortunately, the emperor was sympathetic and did not behead him, but was exiled to Qianzhou. His sons were all exiled as well, and there were differences in different places.
The conditions in other places are not as good as those in Chang'an and Luoyang. Is it true that their father and son are separated? It may not be possible to see each other again. The eldest grandson's family was preparing to leave with a sad face. Among other families, there were no longer those who were shrouded in clouds? A few.
Although the Pei family was cleared of the charges, they were also implicated by the eldest grandson's family. Pei Silian was demoted to be the governor of Yunzhou, and he will be appointed soon. Gao Zihan's family was not spared either. Princess Dongyang and her son-in-law were demoted to Wuzhou, and their children and grandchildren went with them. Gao Zihan was worried about the hard work on the road, so he insisted on sending his parents to Wuzhou.
The day Gao Zihan left Beijing was a sunny day. She sat in the carriage and waited to leave the city. The team moved slowly. Gao Zihan heard people outside saying intermittently: "The empress ordered that 30% of the tax be exempted this year. If there are elderly people over 50 years old in the family, they can go to the county government to receive longevity allowances."
"That's right, the queen also opened a nursery hall. Those who are sick, disabled, or have too many children can be sent to the nursery hall. I heard that in a few days, there will be a girls' school in Dongdu, free of charge." Recruit female students, if they are talented, they can enter the palace to serve the queen, maybe they can make a female official as..."
"Miss? Really? Fake?"
"Of course it's true. Isn't Princess Sheng Yuan a female official?"
"Hey, my mother has been strong since she was a child, but it's a pity that the family has no money, so his elder brother can marry a wife. If the girls' school doesn't stop, can I send my mother to try?"
"Yes, as long as you can pass the exam, you can enter the women's school. If you enter the palace as a female official in the future, you can also exempt your family from corvee."
The maid whispered in Gao Zihan's ear, "Miss?"
Gao Zihan came back to his senses and asked, "What's wrong?"
"The eldest princess just sent a message that it will be our turn to leave the city soon, my lady, get ready."
Gao Zihan nodded. Sitting in the carriage, she suddenly felt unspeakable.
To them, the empress was undoubtedly a usurper and tyrant, and how many members of the Li family died because of her unreasonable suspicion. She is also not a good person to courtiers and aristocratic families.
Her hands were covered with blood, but the people at the bottom and poor families were praising her merits. Gao Zihan was at a loss, what is this world like
The carriage started in a hurry, stopped three times at one step, and finally drove out of the city gate. She was about to leave Luoyang, and Gao Zihan felt an unspeakable sense of sadness. At this moment, the sound of horseshoes came from outside.
Gao Zihan accidentally opened the curtain and saw a woman riding a horse through the city gate. Gao Zihan was startled, and immediately pushed the door out: "Sheng Yuan?"
Li Chaoge stopped in front of the Gao family's convoy, she reined in her horse, and jumped off lightly: "I heard that my aunt and cousin Gao left Beijing today, and I'll see you off."
Gao Zihan didn't expect that once she was full of friends and guests, she was immediately left out in the cold after she was in trouble, and the one who came to see them off at the end was nothing? Li Chaoge who was dating.
Gao Zihan sighed, she knew her identity was sensitive, it was kind of Li Chaoge to send her off, but if she talked for a long time, it would inevitably arouse the Queen's suspicion. Gao Zihan said: "Thank you, we have taken your heart, let's go back quickly."
The eldest princess Dongyang heard the movement in front of her, and opened the curtain to watch. Li Chaoge cupped his hands in the direction of Princess Dongyang as a farewell: "Aunt, cousin, this trip to Wuzhou is bumpy, everyone take care."
I don't know why Gao Zihan's eyes were a little wet. She tilted her head to wipe away her tears and said, "I will take care of my mother. You and Gu Shaoqing are in the capital, so take care too."
Li Chaoge nodded in response, took one last look at them, turned around and mounted his horse, and left as gracefully as when he came. Gao Zihan wore a curtain and stood in front of the carriage, looking at the back of the woman in front of him for a long time.
Many years ago, it seemed to be such a spring day, she invited some friends in her boudoir to play Fushi. At that time, Pei Chuyue and Li Changle were as close as sisters, and Changsun Sanniang and Changsun Wuniang were proud and arrogant. When the girls gathered together, their eyes were full of unworldly pride.
Today, Gao Zihan insists on going to Wuzhou with his parents. Her husband and mother-in-law are very dissatisfied and are on the verge of reconciliation; When I visited her, her eyebrows did not change, but the fire in her eyes could no longer light up, and she never mentioned Li Changle during the whole process.
Changsun Sanniang and Changsun Wuniang were implicated by their natal family, one reconciled and the other complained of illness. How carefree were the girls when they played Fushi together back then, but now they are drifting apart.
Only she has never changed. Back then, she jumped up the tall building alone without any weapons, but now she leaves Beijing empty-handed, just to say goodbye to her old relatives.
"My lady..." the maid called timidly from behind, Gao Zihan put down the curtain, took a last look, turned and got into the car, "Let's go."
The spring of March when the grass grows and the warblers fly, the tall and majestic Luoyang city gate, and the plain-clothed girl riding alone on a horse, all together turn into distant shadows behind Gao Zihan. Gao Zihan sat in the car, silently said goodbye to the back.
Farewell, Dongdu, Imperial Palace, Li Chaoge.
Her teenage life, her Luoyang years, are over.
—The end of "Chongming Que".