Hall of Supreme Harmony.
"Old minister, I pay my respects to your majesty."
"No need to be so polite, father-in-law!"
At noon, Xiao Guogang came into the palace alone. As soon as he bent down, Liu Xian signaled him to excuse himself.
Liu Xian had said before that it was a family dinner, so Empress Xiao was naturally present.
Seeing that Lin Suyi had not come, she asked, "Father, His Majesty ordered that Suyi come as well. Is there anything wrong with Suyi?"
"Your Majesty, it's just that Lin Lai Suyi suddenly felt unwell, so I didn't let her into the palace. Please forgive me, Your Majesty and Your Majesty!"
"It's okay. Is Su Yi okay? Do you want me to send a doctor to take a look?"
"Thank you for your concern, Your Majesty. I think he has been depressed recently because of Shizhong's matter. The doctor has examined him and it's nothing serious..."
Before Xiao Guogang came, he had already thought of a reason to deal with the situation, which was the most appropriate and justifiable reason.
"I'm glad you're alright. Please take a seat."
Liu Xian did not ask any further questions, but pointed to the seat opposite him and motioned Xiao Guogang to sit down.
"Thank you, Your Majesty!"
Xiao Guogang sat down in fear and trepidation, feeling somewhat suspicious, because Liu Xian's attitude was very smooth, and he didn't seem to care at all that Lin Suyi didn't come.
Moreover, his own queen's daughter also came, and she called him "father-in-law of the state" all the time, it really was the atmosphere of a family dinner...
I really suspect that it was a wrong judgment.
Now that you are here, make the most of it!
May God bless you...
"I have been in poor health these days, and the whole court relies on my father-in-law. The Empress is managing the harem in an orderly manner, and I am very pleased!"
"Also, the Queen played very well in yesterday's Mahjong competition. I am very happy and feel much better. It has been a long time since I had a meal with the father-in-law. This imperial meal can be regarded as a reward for his hard work these days."
Liu Xian's tone was full of sincerity, and the reason why he spoke so frankly and contagiously was partly because he felt a little secretly happy in his heart.
It's very simple, it's because Lin Suyi didn't come...
In other words, Liu Xian didn't believe at all that Lin Suyi was suspected of having a miscarriage. It was actually just a test. If she really came, it really showed that Xiao Guogang had nothing to hide.
Being doubtful and on guard is what he wants, and it may be the prelude to the storm.
So, in this case, Liu Xian has to be even more polite!
To put it bluntly, Liu Xian wants Xiao Guogang. You must not retreat, and you must be brave enough to compete with me...
"Your Majesty, you are too kind. This is what the Empress and I, the old minister, should do!"
Xiao Guogang responded in a proper manner, but his mind was racing. He was silently pondering every sentence and even every word in his heart, and subconsciously he had completely regarded it as the beginning of a confrontation.
However, he didn't hear any hidden motives or meanings, it was basically just casual talk.
I can hear the politeness in it, but it is completely reasonable for an emperor to manipulate power all the time.
"We are one family, so we should keep our differences. Come, let's have a drink together!"
Liu Xian didn't say much and raised his glass first.
Queen Xiao and Xiao Guogang also quickly picked up the golden wine cups in front of them.
"Your Majesty, please!"
Xiao Guogang held the cup with both hands, showing his respect with utmost respect.
The father-in-law is nothing in front of the emperor's son-in-law.
…
After three rounds of drinking.
Liu Xian's face turned slightly red. Ever since his health deteriorated, his alcohol tolerance was not as good as before. After a few glasses of wine, he felt dizzy.
But my mind is still as clear as a mirror.
He did it on purpose.
Because, what I am going to say next must be in this kind of atmosphere.
"I am happy today. Come, father-in-law, drink with me again!"
"Your Majesty is in such a relaxed mood. I am very happy. I wish Your Majesty good health forever."
"Your Majesty's grace does not depend on the amount of wine. Please take the dragon's health into consideration and drink less."
Xiao Guogang naturally noticed that Liu Xian's face had turned red and he looked a little drunk, but he couldn't spoil the fun, so he had to go along with him.
In fact, he also hoped that Liu Xian would drink more. Maybe when he was drunk he would say what he wanted to overhear.
However, Queen Xiao could not just ignore it. After all, he was her husband. She understood what Liu Xian meant and wisely and tactfully advised him to drink less.
This time, Liu Xian just took a sip, then put down the wine cup and sighed.
Although Xiao Guogang is an old man, he has a very good alcohol tolerance. He spends every day drinking wine. He doesn't dare to cheat in front of the emperor.
After he drank the wine in the glass, he heard Liu Xian sigh. He frowned slightly and looked at Liu Xian in confusion.
"Your Majesty, are you... is there something troubling you?"
"I do have something troubling me..."
"It just so happens that the Queen is here today. I have been troubled by Shizhong's matter these past few days, which is why I did not attend the morning court. I am afraid you all know this."
"There are no outsiders here, and the Queen is here today. I know that the father-in-law is embarrassed to talk to me about Shizhong's affairs, so I'd better come and explain it to you."
"Your Majesty, I, your old subject..."
As he spoke, Xiao Guogang's voice suddenly became choked with sobs, but he did not say the rest of the words, because he really did not want to ask Liu Xian for help, but he did not have the face to ask for it.
Because Xiao Shizhong's crimes were not only serious but also numerous, if he spoke out, he would inevitably be criticized and accused of being unfair. Therefore, keeping silent and avoiding suspicion was his best attitude.
Fang Zheng, life is like a play, it all depends on your acting skills!
Liu Xian glanced at Xiao Guogang, paused for a moment, and said, "If you want to cry, just cry. Everything is normal."
Then he continued, "I sent Jing'er to try this case before... I naturally wanted to protect Shizhong, but I didn't expect things to turn out like this. However, after I understand the whole story, I still want to at least save Shizhong's life!"
"But now you see, there are as many impeachment memorials against Shizhong as there are requests for me to deal severely with him. This case has become known to everyone, with all kinds of crimes and bad deeds, and it has angered the heavens and the people..."
"So, Father-in-law, no matter how much I want to protect you, I can only use severe punishments. Otherwise, not only will the court not be at peace, but it will also arouse public resentment, and the people will only have awe but no confidence in the court."
Hearing this...
Xiao Guogang was silent and hesitant for a long time. It was something he had expected, but when he heard that his son was going to be executed, prison break was a matter for the future.
My heart instantly tensed up, and I felt a mixture of discomfort and almost lost my composure.
However, he soon calmed down, fell to his knees with a thud, and his body couldn't help but tremble.
"Your Majesty, it is all because of this old minister's poor parenting. Not only have I failed Your Majesty, I have also failed the ancestors of the Xiao family!"
"Please, Your Majesty, sentence me to death..."
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