"Little Ah Li!"
Hearing Adian's voice, Chang Suining knew someone was coming, so he responded, "Here I come."
Seeing Chang Suining bow to him and leave, Yao Yi sighed anxiously and helplessly in his heart, without even finishing his words!
Chang Suining had already said everything she wanted to say. She only needed to clarify her identity to Yao Yi, and there was no need to say anything else.
Looking at the back that walked away calmly, Yao Tingwei, who had a lot of questions and words in his heart, became extremely anxious but did not know what to do. What he said did not care about his life or death at all!
When Chang Suining returned to the front hall without caring about Yao Tingwei's life or death, most of the female relatives had left. Yao Xia, who had just followed his mother to find a monk to interpret the fortune, happened to return.
She called out "Sister Chang" and ran over to take Chang Suining's arm as usual.
"How many days does Sister Chang plan to stay in the temple?"
Chang Suining: "Three days at most."
Yao Xia said, "Then I will go to Xingningfang to meet Sister Chang after she returns to the city!"
Chang Suining just smiled and didn't respond. Instead, he asked her, "How's your riding and archery practice going these days?"
"It's very handy!" Yao Xia said confidently: "Yesterday I shot twenty arrows and hit three of them!"
Chang Suining smiled and nodded. This "ease of handling" was quite extraordinary.
"By the way, Sister Chang, have you heard about the Ming lady being granted the title of princess and going to Tuyuhun to marry?" Yao Xia said, "It was about the court this morning."
"I heard about it." Chang Suining had something in mind.
Previously, in the Confucius Temple, and even before that in the Guandi Temple, Chang had repeatedly called her the "Evil Star". At first, she didn't take it seriously, until that day when Chang was about to continue, Ming Luo suddenly stopped her...
In her opinion at that time, that shout was just an attempt to cover up something.
So, was Chang daring to kill her without scruples because of some kind of "evil star" hint and instigation from Ming Luo? But judging from Ming Luo's reaction that day, he did it on his own, and if we exaggerate it, it can be called deceiving the emperor and hiding the truth from his superiors.
No matter how much the Emperor of Holy Ce does not want "Chang Suining" to die, it is certain that he will not tolerate Ming Luo's deception.
Therefore, this marriage was an inherent political necessity, and it also took into account the use of it to further save and restore the reputation of the Ming family. However, for Mingluo, it was also a true abandonment.
However, Tubo's ambitions were very grand. Even if Princess Dasheng married Tuyuhun, Tubo would at most wait and see cautiously for a while, and it would not be possible for them to truly retreat.
Marriage of marriage is not a long-term solution when the country's strength is declining and internal affairs are turbulent.
The only thing that can truly make a jackal retreat is the knife in one's hand and the tall and strong body of the person holding the knife.
If you want to save Dasheng, you must first quell the civil unrest.
The civil unrest in Yangzhou was getting worse and worse. Was it the result of the long-standing dissatisfaction with the Holy Ce Emperor, or was it someone secretly fanning the flames? Or was it a combination of both? Chang Suining's thoughts drifted away.
After parting with Yao Xia, Chang Suining wanted to go look for Wu Jue, but on the way she met a little monk about seven or eight years old, who saluted her with his hands clasped together and said, "Lady donor, there is a donor named Li waiting for you by the river in the back mountain."
Chang Suining nodded to him: "Thank you, little master."
She had not made an appointment to meet with any donor named Li today, but she could guess who it was.
Chang Suining hesitated for only a brief moment and then walked towards the back mountain.
Now that he has come to her again, if she doesn't accept some benefits, she would be letting him down for what he has done these days.
As soon as I approached the back mountain, I heard the sound of a flute before I saw the person.
Chang Suining walked closer and saw a thin figure wearing a fur coat and holding a flute standing by the river.
She walked over and looked at the green mountains on the other side of the river with him, without saying a word, until the other person finished singing and the last sound of the flute floated away with the river.
"This is where I first spoke to Madam Chang." Li Lu lowered his hand holding the flute to his side and said with a smile, "At that time, I was very curious about what kind of girl the Madam Chang was who dared to fight the divine elephant."
"So it was not a coincidence that I met the prince here that day, right?" Although Chang Suining was asking, he already had a definite answer in his heart.
As early as that time, Li Lu had set his sights on her and the Chang family, or perhaps he had been targeting them even longer, but that was only the beginning of his real action.
"Yes." Li Lu admitted it very frankly. He said, "I had a purpose when I approached Madam Chang at first, but I was convinced by her later, which is also the truth."
Chang Suining was too lazy to listen to the second half of his sentence. After all, it was not important.
Li Lu seemed to sigh lightly, looking at the other side, and said slowly: "Everywhere is becoming more and more unstable. This capital is not a place for Madam Chang to stay for a long time. I wonder what Madam Chang's next plan is?"
Chang Suining seemed to think for a moment, then said, "I haven't decided yet."
"The war situation is difficult now, and General Chang will not be able to return to the capital for a year or so." Li Lu talked about the military affairs: "There are countless voices in the court impeaching Li Yi and proposing to change the commander. At the same time, the King of Huainan passed away, and Li Yi's heart may be shaken..."
He added, "Speaking of this, I remembered something. The servant of my family who went to celebrate the birthday of King Huainan mentioned something to me a few days ago..."
"When he was about to leave the Huainan Palace, the Huainan King was already seriously ill. At that time, Li Yi ordered his attendant to send a message back to the palace to visit his father. The attendant who delivered the message said that Li Yi missed his father and wanted to come back in person, but was stopped by General Chang. The two of them had a dispute because of this."
Chang Suining frowned slightly.
She could understand that Li Yi wanted to fulfill his filial duty, but the commander-in-chief could not leave the team without permission during wartime. This was the most basic military rule. Moreover, the first battle was lost at that time. If the commander-in-chief left the camp without permission, how could the army be at peace? As the deputy general, Lao Chang was not wrong to dissuade him.
"According to my servant, the words of the attendant showed dissatisfaction with General Chang, and the Princess of Huainan was also extremely angry and felt that General Chang was using his power to suppress her and did not take the Huainan Palace seriously—"
Li Lu sighed at this point and said, "If the King of Huainan had recovered from his illness, this matter could have been resolved. But the King of Huainan died within two days..."
Li Yi was unable to see his father for the last time, and he was afraid that he would blame Chang Kuo for this regret.
Some things are neither right nor wrong, but human hearts are uncontrollable.
There is no need to say more - Li Yi is already dissatisfied with Chang Kuo. If Li Yi really becomes disloyal in the future, Chang Kuo, as a deputy general with great prestige in the army, is bound to be the biggest obstacle to him.
By then, Chang Kuo might be in danger of death.
Without having to listen to Li Lu talking about the friction between Chang Kuo and Li Yi today, Chang Suining had already thought of the danger.
But she still asked: "Is what Prince Rong said really true?"
"This is what my servant heard with his own ears, it can't be false." Li Lu said: "If Madam Chang doesn't believe it, you can ask him to come here and let Madam Chang ask it herself - I don't think a mere servant can deceive Madam Chang's eyes."
Chang Suining did not comment, but asked again: "Your Highness, are you telling me this just to let me know?"
"Of course not." Li Lu said, "I want to help General Chang out of his predicament, but I still need to ask Madam Chang's wishes first."
Chang Suining said nothing for a while, just looked at him.
Li Lu: "Sending some money and food may help General Chang temporarily, but it will not stop the real murderous intention."
Was this referring to her sending food and supplies in an attempt to help? Wasn't that meaningless?
Chang Suining was happy that he looked at her this way. "Chang Suining" was indeed just a girl who knew nothing about military affairs. The only way she could think of to help her father was to use up all her family's wealth to send money and food.
Since I know nothing, I have to ask him: "I wonder if the prince has any good plan to save my father?"
"If Li Yi makes any unusual moves, I can send people to help General Chang seize the opportunity to seize the military power of the commander-in-chief." Li Lu said.
Chang Suining laughed in his heart, so that's it.
Therefore, there were also Li Lu's people in the army to suppress the rebellion.
She seemed to think for a moment before trying to ask, "What are the conditions for the prince's help?"
Li Lu looked at her with a smile, but did not rush to answer. Instead, he said, "Actually, I came here today to say goodbye to Madam Chang."
"The prince is going back to Yizhou?"
"Yes." Li Lu said, "My mother has been ill for several months and has not recovered. She misses her son. My father sent someone to the capital to send a message to me to return to Yizhou. The emperor has approved it."
The year is peaceful and clear.
The timing and the reason were both very well chosen. At this time, the Emperor of the Holy Ce no longer had the energy to hold Prince Rong's son hostage, and there was no reason for him to not allow him to return to fulfill his filial duties.
"Lu is no longer a hostage from now on." He smiled as if mocking himself, but also as if relieved, and said: "The land west of Yizhou is vast, I wonder if Miss Chang is willing to go with me?"
"If Madam Chang nods, Lu can shamelessly ask the Saint to grant us marriage. Then you and I can return to Yizhou together to prepare for the wedding, and Madam Chang can leave the capital as it is natural."
The young man looked sincere: "Then Chang and Li will be one family, and the Chang family will no longer have to worry about anything."
Hearing that he even put the surname Chang before the surname Li, Chang Suining really felt some admiration for him.
This person has been trying to "win over" the Chang family again and again, and when one plan fails, he has come up with hundreds of plans. Is there really no other plan behind this persistence? She always feels that behind the other party's clear goal, there must be an equally clear plan.
Looking at the frail young man in front of her, she felt that although he had tried his best to show "equality" and even "held her high", he still could not conceal the aura of a chess player.
Chang Suining glanced in the direction of the maple forest not far away, and the lively face of the girl seemed to flash before his eyes again.
"The prince is so determined to get me. If I refuse to agree, will the prince's men in the army get rid of my father and replace him?"
He just said that he has the ability to help her father seize the command of the commander-in-chief. Isn't this ability also a kind of deterrent?
Li Lu smiled and asked in a warm tone, "If I say yes, will Madam Chang agree?"
Chang Suining looked at him.
Li Lu laughed again: "It's just a joke."
Chang Suining also smiled. Was it a joke? Not necessarily. Even if there was only a one in ten chance, she couldn't risk Old Chang's life, right? What a disgusting chess player.
"I have no intention of threatening Madam Chang." Li Lu's eyes were filled with helplessness and confusion, and he sighed, "Am I really so despicable that Madam Chang would rather fall into a desperate situation and fight for her life than stand by me?"
Chang Suining felt that his definitions of "unintentional threat" and "shoulder to shoulder" must contain some misunderstandings that are beyond the scope of ordinary people's cognition.
After a moment of silence, she looked towards the other side of the river and asked, "The prince just said that I can ask the prince's servant in person?"
"That's right." Li Lu asked in a tone that promised to do so: "Does Madam Chang want to see him?"
Chang Suining hummed, "I want to know more about my father."
"That's perfect. All the military news comes through him. You can let him talk to Madam Chang in detail."
Chang Suining: "I would also like to learn about the situation in Yizhou from the prince."
Li Lu smiled and said, "Mrs. Chang is indeed cautious—"
Chang Suining: "Wouldn't it be better to be more cautious?"
"Very good." Li Lu's smile deepened: "Being cautious means you value me. It shows that Madam Chang is finally willing to try to understand me and Yizhou."
"That's fine. Madam Chang, please give me your answer after we have discussed it in detail."
Now that he has been shaken, he has the confidence to convince the other party.
Li Lu looked at the girl beside him with a smile, not hiding the admiration and love in his eyes at all. If he could bring this girl back to Yizhou, his trip as a hostage would be worthwhile.
At this time, two monks came to the river to fetch water. Li Lu looked at the swaying river surface and asked with a smile, "Madam Chang, do you like boating?"
“It’s OK.”
"Then I will boldly invite Madam Chang to go boating tonight, and have a chat over tea. How about that?"
Dayun Temple is full of the Holy Ce Emperor's eyes and ears, so it is not suitable to sit down and have a long talk about the affairs of Yizhou.
If we want to have a good talk, we naturally need to find a quiet place.
It is perfect for a night cruise where no one can get close to disturb you.
Chang Suining nodded and agreed to the proposal.
After Li Lu agreed on a time with her, the two left the back mountain one after the other.
…
That afternoon, after Chang Suining had arranged everything, he had a long and detailed conversation with Chang Sui'an.
After she left Chang Sui'an, she went back to her meditation room to change her clothes and prepare for the appointment.
“…No, I have to go find Master Wu Jue!”
After his sister left, Chang Sui'an looked solemn and uneasy. He called Jian Tong to push him to see Wu Jue: "I want Master Wu Jue to persuade Ning Ning!"
The sword boy pushed him to look for Wu Jue in a hurry. On the way, the sword boy asked, "My dear, what happened?"
Chang Sui'an looked so anxious that his head was about to fall off: "...The Prince of Rong mentioned again today that he wanted to ask for permission to marry Ningning, and Ningning actually agreed to it and said that she wanted to go back to Yizhou with him!"
The sword boy was horrified: "Isn't the girl interested in Prince Rong?"
"So Ningning must have her own difficulties, but she won't tell me..." Chang Sui'an said, "Now that my father is not at home, only Master Wu Jue can persuade her!"
As he spoke, he quickly looked around and lowered his voice and said, "Don't tell anyone about this. I will definitely persuade Ning Ning to give up this idea."
The sword boy nodded, but his expression was not optimistic: "If the girl has made up her mind, I am afraid no one can persuade her..."
The master and his servant went in a hurry to search for him.
After the two walked away, a trace of a monk's robe quickly disappeared from the depths of a small path beside them.
…
Soon, the news from Dayun Temple was sent to the palace and reached the ears of Emperor Shengce.
The Emperor of the Holy Ceremonies frowned deeply.
(Sui An (Into the Drama Version): Ning Ning is so confused!) This is a daily update of 4,000 words. There will be more chapters later if there are rewards. Please vote for me! In the last few hours, if you don’t vote for me, my monthly tickets will be cleared!
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