"Someone has already informed your relatives about the Duke Ping's concealment of the iron mine." Pei Xuanqing replied indifferently.
"Then what do you want to ask me on behalf of the emperor?" Shen Yu asked.
"The emperor wants to know if you want to be yourself again, or start over with a new identity?" Pei Xuanqing then explained, "Although you have performed a meritorious service in faking the Third Prince's death, this matter cannot be made public. Therefore, even if you return to your true self, you will still be guilty. I can create a new identity for you so that you don't have to suffer the hardships of wandering. However, from now on, you can't take the imperial examinations or become an official again, otherwise it will be very troublesome if someone recognizes you."
"I plan to remain myself." Shen Yu made the decision almost without thinking.
"Would you like to reconsider it?" Pei Xuanqing glanced at Wan Xueying with a hint of meaning.
"No! If I have to hide my identity and endure humiliation for the rest of my life, I'd rather die!" He knew it was impossible for him to be with Wan Xueying as a criminal, but he didn't want to live a life of secrecy. Most importantly, no matter which path he chose, he would be unworthy of Wan Xueying. He had to seize this opportunity to fight for himself.
So he said, "Can you tell the emperor that I want to join the army?" Only in the army can one have the opportunity to make meritorious deeds, escape from being a criminal, and have the opportunity to be promoted quickly.
"Have you really thought it through?" Pei Xuanqing asked.
"Yes." Shen Yu nodded. "If possible, please tell the emperor that I want to go to Ningjiang County."
"Why is that? Ningyang County is adjacent to the Beihu Kingdom. The Beihu Kingdom has been restless in recent years and has invaded our Dayan from time to time. There are many opportunities for you to make achievements in the army. Ningjiang County is only adjacent to a small country in Xijiang and a large wasteland. How can you make a name for yourself there?" Pei Xuanqing was very conscientious to tell Shen Yu so much.
Shen Yu glanced at Wan Xueying and said firmly, "I still want to go to Ningjiang County." Just because Wan Xueying's adoptive parents' home is there, she will go back there.
"Okay, I understand. But I still have to remind you that you must return before the exile team reaches Fengyang Ridge. Otherwise, the Third Prince will fake your death, and you won't be able to be yourself again."
"Thanks for the reminder."
"Is his current physical condition suitable for riding a horse?" Pei Xuanqing asked Wan Xueying.
"Not to mention now, it won't be suitable within a month or two." Wan Xueying smiled bitterly, "If I had known earlier, I should have asked the coachman to drive the carriage to take me here." But if that were the case, she would definitely not have time to save Shen Yu.
"I'll send someone to the nearby county town to buy a carriage. Can I ask them to buy one for you as well?"
After thanking him, Wan Xueying asked, "How much money do you need? I'll pay for it."
"No need," Pei Xuanqing waved his hand, "The court will cover everything from now on."
"I have to rush back to the capital to deal with the aftermath of this matter. Before you leave, Shen Yu, you must take off this piece of clothing."
"That's no problem."
Pei Xuanqing did not stay long. After asking someone to prepare the body to be disguised as the third prince's, he took a team of Dark Forest Guards back to the capital to report to the emperor.
Before leaving, he kindly left two Dark Forest Guards behind to help Wan Xueying look after Shen Yu. He also dispatched four men to the nearby county town to purchase two carriages and a fine coffin. One carriage was for Wan Xueying and Shen Yu, while the other was to hold the fake Third Prince's coffin. He also left behind over twenty Dark Forest Guards to later transport the fake Third Prince's coffin to the capital.
"Is everything done?" Late at night, Lian Zong sent away all the servants in the imperial study and gave Pei Xuanqing a seat.
Although they were monarch and minister, because of the relationship with Empress Pei, Lian Zong showed a little more kindness to Pei Xuanqing like an elder to a younger one.
"Yes." Pei Xuanqing replied respectfully after taking his seat, "But something went wrong and Shen Yu almost lost his life."
"How could this happen?" Lian Zong raised his eyebrows, but his tone was indifferent.
"I never thought that the coachman of the Third Prince's Mansion was also bribed. In the end, he drove the carriage with Shen Yu down the cliff, and both sides were killed." Then he told Lian Zong the general course of events.
"Alas!" Lian Zong sighed heavily after hearing this. "That's why they say the third son is unfit to be an emperor. He's too simple, too kind, and due to his health, he rarely cares about worldly matters. He has no ambition and doesn't know how to judge people. Even those people in his house have all had second thoughts, and they think it's good. However," he added, "this is a good opportunity to clean out those around him who need to be cleaned out."
Alas! He couldn't help but show partiality to this child! Even with this protection, there were still people who wanted to kill him from time to time. He never thought that because of his partiality, it would become Ning Ze's death warrant.
Why did Emperor Lianzong favor the Third Prince so much? It was because Concubine Xian had drunk poisoned wine for him. Later, Concubine Xian was diagnosed with pregnancy, and the Third Prince, born with the poison, suffered from poor health. Emperor Lianzong always felt he owed them both a debt, and inevitably showed him even more affection.
Lian Zong's words made Pei Xuanqing hesitate. How many people born into an imperial family are truly kind? Compared to others, the Third Prince might appear naive and somewhat foolish, but this played to the Emperor's weakness, allowing him to resolve matters without having to think or act. The Emperor would automatically help him solve them.
"So this time it was thanks to Shen Yu that the third brother's life was saved?" Lian Zong brought the question back.
Pei Xuanqing smiled bitterly, "If it is really the Third Prince in the carriage, then I am guilty of a grave crime."
"If that's the case, the third brother's life has nothing to do with you." He said this, but Pei Xuanqing didn't dare to listen to it.
"By the way," Lian Zong suddenly asked, "What do you think of the Wan family's girl's medical skills? Since she was able to save Shen Yu, can she also cure the third brother?"
"Based on my humble observations these days, the second young lady of the Wan family only has a basic understanding of medicine and has learned a few simple prescriptions from others. She is not capable of treating the third prince." Pei Xuanqing did not want to involve Wan Xueying in the royal dispute, so there was an element of derogatory talk in his words.
"Forget it then." Lian Zong had just said that on a whim. Given his partiality for Ning Ze, it was impossible for him to just find someone to treat him. He then asked, "In your opinion, how should the matter of the Duke of Ping's mansion be handled?"
"In my humble opinion, the Emperor, mindful of the contributions made by the Duke Ping's ancestors to the Great Yan Empire, has not publicized the Duke Ping's greatest crime. Furthermore, grave digging is a serious crime throughout the dynasties, and even an emperor cannot issue such an order lightly. That's why he gave Shen Yu this opportunity."
After a pause, he continued, "Your Majesty, why don't you, in recognition of the contributions of the Duke Ping's ancestors, pardon the death penalty for the over 200 people in the Duke Ping's mansion and demote them to commoners? Then, have them voluntarily report the iron mine incident and offer to return to their hometown to relocate their ancestral graves? Wouldn't that be the best of both worlds?"
Lian Zong's lips curled up, feeling that Pei Xuanqing's words hit home. So he said, "Go find Shen Yuanfeng later and explain everything Shen Yu did to him, and see what he thinks." Shen Yuanfeng was Shen Yu's father.
"Then I will go there immediately." Pei Xuanqing stood up.
"Don't be in a hurry." Lian Zong stopped Pei Xuanqing.
Pei Xuanqing hurriedly bowed and asked, "I wonder if the emperor has anything else for me to do?"
Lian Zong smiled and said, "You don't have to be nervous. Your aunt discussed with me a few days ago that she still wants to marry Yan'er into the Marquis Huai'en's Mansion." The Ning Yan he was referring to was Princess Mingxia.
"I feel that my cousin and I are not suitable for each other." Pei Xuanqing's expression was very solemn. What he feared came true.
"What's inappropriate about that? You two grew up together and are cousins, so you're even closer. If you're worried that Yan'er still misses Shen Yu, don't worry. Shen Yu has gone to the Northern Frontier. Even if I agree to let him join the army, he won't be able to return to the capital for ten or eight years, or even longer."
"I'm not worried about my cousin and Shen Yu, but I think we're not a good match. Besides, when the body arrives in a few days, you'll have to punish me. I wanted to tell you I was going to Ningyang County." He was returning to the capital in secret, and would later reunite with the Dark Forest Guards who had transported the fake Third Prince's body. Regardless of how the Emperor announced the Third Prince's death, those with ulterior motives would see the Emperor's beloved son dead as a threat, and it was impossible for them not to punish those who were ostensibly escorting him.
Pei Xuanqing said solemnly, "Your Majesty, the Northern Hu have repeatedly invaded Great Yan in recent years. I have just received a report from a spy that envoys from the Northern Hu and Lingnan have been in frequent contact recently, and it seems that there are plans for a marriage alliance. If these two countries really join forces, Great Yan will be in trouble."
His words plunged Lian Zong into deep thought. If, as Pei Xuanqing had said, the two most powerful states, one in the south and one in the north, joined forces, Great Yan would be in trouble. Apart from anything else, Great Yan had suffered from constant famine over the past two years, and the treasury was already empty. If a war really broke out, where would the food and supplies come from? Where would the military pay come from? They really needed to make plans early.
When his favorite third brother got into trouble, he certainly couldn't leave Pei Xuanqing unpunished. Pei Xuanqing wanted to go to Ningyang County, which would allow him to involve the Northern Hu, and he had originally planned to do so.
Then who should we send to the south?
The Ye family, recently demoted due to Ye Chengyun, can't be revived so quickly, making them a more suitable choice for a hidden chess piece. The Duke of Qin's mansion hasn't produced any talented people in years, and the family is mediocre. The Marquis of Qingyang's mansion hasn't even had a male heir in this generation...
Lian Zong considered several generals' mansions, dukes' mansions and marquis' mansions that had made great achievements by leading troops in battle, and even the slightly inferior earl's mansions.
Finally, his eyes lit up. How could he have forgotten the skilled and warlike Marquis Dexing? His mourning period for the old Marquis Dexing was almost here. The second son of the Marquis Dexing was said to be quite skilled in martial arts, and he had been raised by the old Marquis Dexing. This year...
"Xuanqing," Lian Zongchao said, becoming interested. "What's the name of the second son of the Marquis of Dexing? How old is he this year? It seems that since the old Marquis of Dexing passed away, he still hasn't found a husband."
When Lian Zong asked about Gao Zijin, Pei Xuanqing felt relieved. True to his motto of "I'd rather die than let my friend die," he told him everything he knew and even praised Gao Zijin profusely.
Gao Zijin was only twenty years old, tall, a little dark, but not bad looking. He should have been old enough to get married, but his grandfather had died.
This family, young and old, were very filial. Ever since the death of the old Marquis Dexing, they had resigned from their official positions and retired from the army, keeping a very low profile for nearly three years. If it weren't for Lian Zong's consideration of the situation in the south, he wouldn't have thought of them for a while.
"What do you think? How about marrying Yan'er to this man named Gao Zijin?" Lian Zong asked.
"They are simply a match made in heaven." Pei Xuanqing said this without blushing.
"Then I'll make a decision after discussing it with your aunt. But I have a new idea about your matter."
Pei Xuanqing never expected that he had just avoided the first day, and the fifteenth day would arrive so quickly. "Your Majesty, please speak." He felt a little unhappy.
"Don't you want to go to Ningyang County?"
"yes."
"It would be difficult for you to take over the Dingbei army after you go to the Northern Frontier. General Ji Yun of Dingbei is still in charge there. I think it would be better for you to go to the reserve camp. Not only can you control the food and military pay in the Northern Frontier area, but you can also recruit new soldiers and train them yourself."
Lian Zong thought for a moment and said, "As for the former commander of the reserve camp, I have decided to transfer him to the Dingbei army as a deputy general, and he can help me keep an eye on it. However, I trust you the most. You must quickly contain the Dingbei camp so that I can feel more at ease. So,"
The highlight is coming. "I want you to marry the eldest daughter of the Ningyang County Magistrate. Then, you and the Ningyang County Magistrate, one civil and one military, will be able to check and balance the Dingbei Army. If there is any trouble from the Northern Hu, I will be much more at ease."
The Northern Frontier Reserve Battalion, as the name suggests, provides logistical support to the various armies in the Northern Frontier. Pei Xuanqing truly wanted to thank Lian Zong for managing the distribution of rations and military pay. The treasury was so empty, how could there be any rations or military pay to distribute? When the armies came calling, where would he get them?
But the fact that he could recruit and train his own soldiers was very appealing to him. Who wouldn't want an army that they could command at will? And an army that they could personally train?
Even if some of them are transferred to other military camps later, they will become his network of contacts.
As Ningyang County Magistrate Xue Wanfang, the most powerful official in Ningyang County, held considerable power. Marrying his daughter would be beneficial for recruiting new soldiers and collecting food and fodder. But if he were to marry his daughter...
Seeing that he did not respond immediately, Lian Zong took drastic measures.
"If you feel that the eldest daughter of the Ningyang County Magistrate is not to your liking, then you might as well consider the Third Princess of Beihu. I heard that she is good at archery and has always wanted to compete with you." This means that he wants to bring the two of them together, that is, to get the other party to marry.
If this thing can be accomplished, it can also destroy the alliance between Beihu and Lingnan. So no matter what choice Pei Xuanqing makes, it will be a good thing for Lian Zong.
Everything really depends on comparison, just like Wan Xueying and Shen Yu’s marriage was also due to the help of Princess Mingxia.
In the end, Pei Xuanqing had no choice but to agree to marry the eldest daughter of the Ningyang County Magistrate.
The reason this woman registered with Lian Zong was because she was one of the candidates for the Third Prince's wife. However, Ning Ze was only focused on marrying Xue Jiaying, wasting Lian Zong's good intentions.
Lianzong had asked Pei Xuanqing to marry her because General Dingbei, Ji Yun, had recently been seeking her on behalf of his youngest son. Lianzong didn't want Ningyang County to be out of his control, so even if it wasn't Pei Xuanqing, he would have chosen someone he trusted to grant the marriage. This was the balancing act used by emperors since ancient times.
Finally, Lian Zong stepped forward and patted Pei Xuanqing on the shoulder, sighing, "I know I've wronged you, but right now, Great Yan is facing internal and external troubles, and I have to consider Great Yan more." He added, "If you had gone to Ningyang County this time, I would have had someone prepare an antidote for you for three years. Unfortunately, you were infected with the Qiansi poison and there is no antidote. I wonder if you regret having insisted on joining the Dark Forest Guard to work for me."
"I have never regretted it." Pei Xuanqing answered very straightforwardly.
"That's good."
The difference between the Dark Forest Guard and the Imperial Guard is that the Dark Forest Guard always walks in the dark, and needs to do some shady things for the successive emperors. Recently, the people that Pei Xuanqing has been with are all Dark Forest Guards.
To join the Dark Forest Guard, one must be an absolute confidant of the emperor. However, since ancient times, human hearts have been unpredictable, so everyone who joins the Dark Forest Guard must consume a poison called "Drawing Silk." There's no antidote for "Drawing Silk," and one must take a suppressant pill every year to avoid the poison's effects.
That medicine is actually a poison, and its purpose is to fight poison with poison. If you take it for a long time, the toxins will accumulate. When the toxins exceed the level of the toxicity of the silk thread, you will also die from the poison.
This is also the reason why those who have stepped out of the shadows and become the chief or deputy commander of the Imperial Guards never live past the age of forty.
Although Pei Xuanqing was the eldest grandson of the Huai'en Marquisate, he was not the biological son of the current Marquis's wife. He was born to the Marquis's first wife, but his mother died of a hemorrhage after giving birth. His childhood in the Marquisate was not smooth, and many unknown harms were involved.
In order to survive, he took up a knife to kill people early on, and was later noticed by the leader of the Dark Forest Guards, and eventually embarked on this path.
It was just because of Empress Pei that Lianzong did not let him stay in the dark for long. He was promoted to deputy commander of Yulin Guard at a young age. What no one knew was that he was also the deputy commander of the Dark Guard.
Perhaps due to his distinguished background, he always exudes an innate nobility that makes people overlook his sinister side. Of course, there is no lack of deliberate acting in this, which is why Shen Yu warned Wan Xueying not to get too close to this person.
As the third prince's study companion, Shen Yu had already known Pei Xuanqing's hidden identity from Ning Ze.
Coming out of the imperial study, Pei Xuanqing, dressed in black, a black cloak, and a silver hollow mask, went to the Heavenly Prison under the moonlight.
It is guarded by the Dark Forest Guards.
"I greet the Deputy Commander!" He didn't even need to show his badges; he could tell who they were from the silver masks. It wasn't hard to guess that the Commander-in-Chief was wearing a golden mask.
"This commander is going to see Shen Yuanfeng, the Duke of Yuanping."
"I'll take you there right away."
Outsiders often believe the Sky Prison is even more eerie and terrifying than the Open Prison, but this is not the case. Besides holding high-ranking criminals and serious offenders, it also sometimes incarcerates individuals for their own protection. Aside from specialized cells like the Water Prison, the Dark Prison, and the Sun-Exposed Cell, all other cells are very clean.
The Sky Prison wasn't very large, so it was impossible to hold all of the 200-plus people from the Duke of Ping's residence. Currently, only a few powerful figures from the Duke of Ping's residence were imprisoned, including Shen Yu's father, Shen Yuanfeng.
Pei Xuanqing didn't say much nonsense. He just told Shen Yuanfeng everything Shen Yu had done for the Duke Ping's Mansion, and then told Shen Yuanfeng what he and Lian Zong had discussed, letting him make the final decision.
How could Shen Yuanfeng refuse to save the lives of the Duke of Ping's family? However, he still made a new request.
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