Chapter 104 Chapter 104
Xie Qingya did not delay and found Xiao Yuanxing the next day.
He invited Xiao Yuanxing to a teahouse.
Xiao Yuanxing was the chief commander of the Shenji Camp, and was also in charge of the Wujun Camp and the Sanqian Camp. He was very busy on weekdays, so Xie Qingya did not see him until the night of the second day.
Send Changfeng to invite someone.
When they met, Xie Qingya was in casual clothes.
He did not go to Shuntianfu Yamen or enter the palace today because of "illness", so naturally he did not need to wear official uniform.
The time when the two met was just dinner time.
The restaurants and hotels were packed with guests, but the teahouses were sparsely populated. Moreover, the place chosen by Xie Qingya was not a busy place.
Of course there are even fewer people.
Even on the street below, there were only a few vendors and pedestrians, and the shouting was sporadic.
As soon as Xiao Yuanxing came in, he saw Xie Qingya holding a cup of tea and standing by the window, looking at something. He didn't know what he was looking at.
I don't know what Xie Qingya wants him to do.
Xiao Yuanxing had no intention of reminiscing with anyone. As soon as he entered, he looked at Xie Qingya's back and asked in a deep voice, "What do you want me to do?"
The door closed behind him.
However, Xiao Yuanxing showed no intention of sitting down, and looked like he was ready to leave at any time after listening to the whole talk.
He really didn't know why Prince Nan'an, who had been absent from home on the pretext of illness since returning from Yutian, suddenly wanted to see him.
If it weren't for Zhao Zhao, he wouldn't be here tonight.
Xie Qingya turned around when he heard the voice.
He was not surprised to see Xiao Yuanxing like this.
Without answering, Xie Qingya walked to the table, sat down again, and poured another cup of tea before saying to Xiao Yuanxing, "Prince Xiao has been busy all the time, come over and have a cup of tea first."
Xiao Yuanxing frowned and looked at people.
I really don't understand why Xie Qingya did this.
He asked himself why he and Xie Qingya had not yet had tea together.
Although he almost became his biological brother-in-law, and now he became his cousin-in-law, they never had much interaction.
When Xie Qingya entered the palace to study with him, he had already gone to the military camp for training. Every time they met, it was because of the relationship between his brothers Xie Jingfeng and Wen Zhao.
The age difference is too big.
Naturally, he had no chance to interact with Xie Qingya.
Even after Baozhu was betrothed to him, he and Xie Qingya had little contact.
But deep down, he was actually not very satisfied with Xie Qingya.
When I was young, I was reckless, arrogant and conceited.
The aunt was attracted by the relationship with the Nan'an Palace and wanted the Xiao family to make friends with it, but he felt that Xie Qingya was not a good match.
If Baozhu marries him, she will definitely suffer in the future because of their unwillingness to admit defeat.
But at that time, the family was very satisfied with this marriage, and Baozhu was also happy about it.
As an elder brother, he naturally couldn't say anything.
Seeing Xie Qingya living a life of debauchery and misbehavior these years, he became even more displeased. He wanted to give him a good beating several times, but he held back and didn't do it.
Firstly, he was concerned about his past relationship with the old King of Nan'an and Jing Feng, and didn't want to make things too ugly.
Secondly, he also thought that if Xie Qingya really remained so foolish and dissolute, he could take the opportunity to settle this marriage.
Unexpectedly, his marriage with Baozhu was finally settled, but it was settled in such an ugly way.
And it harmed Zhao Zhao for no reason.
Thinking of Zhao Zhao, he also thought of what Zhao Zhao had said to him that day in Yutian.
Xiao Yuanxing felt helpless and distressed.
The more I look at Xie Qingya, the more unhappy I feel.
But Xiao Yuanxing still took steps towards the people.
Walk to the opposite side of Xie Qingya and sit down.
Xiao Yuanxing still didn't drink the tea, but looked at the person and said directly: "I have something else to do, if you have something to say, just tell me directly."
Xie Qingya didn't really want to invite people to drink tea.
Seeing him like this, she didn't say much, nor did she directly mention Xiao Yuanfu's matter. Instead, she looked at him and asked, "How is she doing in the villa?"
He knew that Xiao Yuanxing's wife and children had also been at the villa some time ago.
He just brought the person back a few days ago.
Bi Xi has never been there and has no idea about it, but Xiao Yuanxing must know about it.
Although he knew she was definitely doing well there, Xie Qingya still couldn't help but ask.
Xiao Yuanxing had not expected that he would go to so much trouble to ask such a question, and he could not help but look at Xie Qingya a little more.
As a result, my prejudice against Xie Qingya was somewhat alleviated.
It seems that he still cares about Zhao Zhao.
It was worth everything Zhao Zhao did for him.
But he still cared about what happened to Yutian that day.
How could I not care?
After all, Zhao Zhao even gave up his own life for this person!
The more Xiao Yuanxing thought about it, the angrier he became, and he couldn't help but want to stab Xie Qingya.
At this moment, he looked at Xie Qingya and said sarcastically, "With your aunt taking care of you, Zhao Zhao is naturally doing well. The last time I went there, Zhao Zhao's face was obviously showing some flesh. How could he be as haggard and pitiful as he was in Yutian?"
He originally thought that given Xie Qingya's violent temper, he would definitely turn against him after hearing what he said.
Unexpectedly, his expression remained calm throughout.
He was not irritated.
After all, Xiao Yuanxing is not a child.
Seeing him like this, I stopped making sarcastic remarks.
He finally picked up the cup of tea that Xie Qingya had poured for him. He was indeed a little thirsty. After taking two sips, he continued to speak to him in a calm voice: "Zhao Zhao never lets us see whether she is good or bad. Otherwise, she wouldn't have suffered so much injustice."
When he said this, Xiao Yuanxing couldn't help but feel sad again.
If he could see it.
How could it be that he only knew Zhao Zhao's feelings for Xie Qingya at that time? And only then did he know how hard she had been living these years?
He is finally willing to talk to people properly.
He held the teacup and said, "But every time I go back, she asks me about you."
After saying this, he looked across.
In the end, he still had his own opinions and prejudices about people. Xiao Yuanxing put down his tea bowl and his tone became impatient again: "Since you also care about Zhao Zhao, why don't you go to the villa to visit her? You know very well that she will be happy to see you."
This book is exclusively compiled by the LK team. Xie Qingya continued his words: "But Prince Xiao should also know that your aunt will not be happy to see me."
When Xiao Yuanxing heard this, he frowned but said nothing.
The look he gave Xie Qingya was once again filled with scrutiny and examination.
He didn't know if Xie Qingya's words had any other meaning, whether he simply felt that his aunt didn't like him, or if he knew something else...
This made Xiao Yuanxing feel alert.
And in the midst of these vigilant scrutiny and observations, Xiao Yuanxing suddenly heard a sentence: "Sir, do you know what your brother has done recently?"
Without being able to react for a moment, Xiao Yuanxing subconsciously asked, "What?"
After he said this, Xiao Yuanxing came to his senses and looked at Xie Qingya with frowns. He didn't know why he suddenly brought up Yuanfu again.
Xiao Yuanxing's face didn't look good.
Instead of continuing Xie Qingya's question, he looked directly at Xie Qingya and asked, "What do you want to say?"
Xie Qingya also did not hide it.
He looked at Xiao Yuanxing and continued, "Recently, a man named Quan Fangtong contacted your brother privately, hoping to use your connections to get the position of the Salt Patrol Officer. He also gave your brother a lot of money to ask for help."
"What did you say?"
When Xiao Yuanxing heard this, his expression finally changed.
He doesn't know about this.
Although Yuanfu did put people in some positions in recent years, they were all unimportant positions.
Who wouldn't do such a thing if they were in a position of power?
The Xiao family naturally needs to have their own connections and circles so that they won’t be unaware of any problems that might arise.
Therefore, even though he knew about it, he just reminded Yuanfu not to go too far.
So as to avoid being criticized.
But Xunyan Yushi——
How dare Xiao Yuanfu!
"Who is Quan Fangtong? How do you know about this?" He stared at Xie Qingya and asked, with the scrutiny in his eyes becoming even deeper.
He knew that his aunt had always been wary of Xie Qingya, fearing that he was pretending.
But they had never been able to find evidence.
The way Xie Qingya behaved today was completely different from the way he behaved before.
It was difficult for him not to think deeply about it.
But if he had been pretending all these years, why did he suddenly tell him all this today? What did he want to do by saying this?
Xiao Yuanxing was a little confused for a moment.
"Quan Fangtong is the Jiangning Textile Factory." Xie Qingya did not directly point out the relationship between Quan Fangtong and Cao Da.
While talking, he was also looking at Xiao Yuanxing.
He wanted to know whether Xiao Yuanxing knew about this Quan Fangtong.
In fact, until now, he still doesn't know whether the Battle of Nagano was the work of Shoukang Palace.
Although from the situations he had checked in the past, he had not seen any trace of that person.
But who knows the details?
When Xiao Yuanxing mentioned this name, he didn't make any other movements, but just frowned deeply, as if he didn't know this person.
Xie Qingya couldn't help but look at him again, then he looked away and continued to talk to others: "From what I know, Quan Fangtong has a good relationship with Cao Da, and he gives Cao Da a lot of money every year. He probably wanted to use Cao Da's hand to take the position of the Salt Patrol Officer, but he didn't succeed, so he went to find Mr. Xiao Er."
Xiao Yuanxing did not respond to Qingya's words. He just stared at him and asked, "How did you know that?"
Xie Qingya looked at him and said with a smile: "Prince Xiao, I am a prince after all, and the prefect of Shuntian Prefecture. It shouldn't be difficult for me to know something, right?"
"If you are willing, you can find it naturally."
A half-truthful joke.
After he finished speaking, he put away the smile on his face before Xiao Yuanxing could ask him any more questions.
"To be honest, Prince Xiao, I have actually been keeping an eye on Quan Fangtong all these years, so I know all these things."
Xiao Yuanxing simply couldn't understand him more and more.
At this time, I couldn't help but continue his words and ask, "Who is this Quan Fangtong? Why are you staring at him?"
這點，謝清崖沒有隐瞞，他看着蕭元星說道：“他曾任戶部度支科郎中，當年長野之戰，就是他運送的物資。”
陡然聽到“長野之戰”四個字，蕭元星瞳仁微睜。
太久沒有聽到這四個字了。
“長野之戰……”
他低聲呢喃，面上卻有不解：“所以？”
心中卻并非沒有猜測。
他其實也一直覺得當年的長野之戰，有些不對勁。
當年本是必勝之戰，就算謝清崖莽撞了一些，但驚風和老王爺的本事是毋庸置疑的，怎麽會全都死在那邊？
他甚至還去查過。
但的确沒查出什麽不對。
因此這份疑慮也只能留在心中，直到此刻聽謝清崖說起此事，又聽他提到物資一事，不由猜度起來。
難道竟是當年的物資有問題？
他看着謝清崖先問了一句：“當年究竟怎麽了？”
謝清崖在他的注視下，沉聲回道：“不久前，曾有人找到我，告訴我當年全方同送來的那批盔甲有問題。”
“怎麽可能？！”
蕭元星皺眉說道：“若盔甲有問題，豈會無人告發，反而到現在才同你說？何況你當初身在軍營，難道沒查過？”
“是，我查過，所以我一直都以為是我的問題，是我行事莽撞害了我阿父和阿兄，陷入別人的陷阱！”
即便到現在，謝清崖說起這些，語氣還是控制不住變快、變重。
神情也沒法保持先前的沉穩。
但好在他已不是從前的少年郎。
如今的他，已經學會控制自己的情緒了。
未讓自己長時間處于失态之中，很快，謝清崖便拿起茶盞先喝了一口。
再開口時，他的情緒明顯已經平複了許多。
“因為來告訴我的人，是從烈火地獄裏爬出來的，他也是當年那場大火，唯一留下的英魂。”
餘光瞥見蕭元星張口，但最終還是閉上嘴巴，沒有多問。
謝清崖自然也不會多言。
他只沿着先前的話，繼續往下說道：“從他口中，我方才知道當年的物資有詐，只可惜，我沒有太多的證據，只能一直秘密追查全方同到現在。”
蕭元星知道。
他這是在解釋，他是怎麽知道那個全方同找上元福的。
都說到這了。
蕭元星對這件事，也沒有太多的疑問了。
其實早在最開始，在謝清崖說那句話時，他心裏就已知道，這事是真的。
他自己的弟弟，是什麽樣的品性，他比旁人更清楚！
心中惱他膽大妄為，平時一些芝麻小官，也就算了，現在居然還想沾染巡鹽禦史的位置！
便是姑姑做這些事，都得三思後行。
免得被旁人拿捏住了把柄。
他倒好，輕輕松松就敢應承了出去，他是真不怕他們蕭家死得不夠快！
心裏已是怒火滔天。
但蕭元星并未表露出來。
他很清楚，謝清崖不可能單單因為這件事，而找上他。
甚至可以說。
謝清崖為這事找上他，應該是有所求。
他帶着審視的目光，重新落在謝清崖的身上，只是比起先前的猜測，如今他明顯已十分清楚，他這些年的纨绔都是僞裝出來的。
“屈老若知曉自己的學生，竟有如此謀算，應該會很高興，也就不至于至今還在抱憾，覺得自己失去了一位好學生。”他看着謝清崖，忽然似是而非說了這麽一句。
屈老也是他的老師。
當年他跟文昭、驚風一起在宮裏學習，屈老便是教導他們的老師。
後來屈老又教導謝清崖。
如今他還是少帝的老師。
這些年，先帝年間的老臣，或是主動、或是被迫離開了許多，這其中自是不乏有姑姑的手筆。
但屈老——
因為他是文昭授業恩師的緣故，姑姑一直沒動過他。
甚至在他提出要教導少帝的時候，姑姑也沒說什麽。
而蕭元星此時提到屈老，自然不單單只是為了說這麽一句。
這點。
謝清崖也清楚。
“我知世子在想什麽。”
“我要說不是，世子也不會信。”
“不過那個老頭子，世子倒是多慮了，他要是有這麽好的演技，當初也不至于樹那麽多敵。”
未等蕭元星盤問，謝清崖便看着蕭元星，主動說道：“我的确不滿曹達和昭裕太後把持朝政。”
“若可以，我一定會扶持陛下，重新拿回大權。”
幾乎是他這番話才說完，蕭元星的臉，便迅速變得難看起來。
“謝清崖，你是真不怕死！”他沉着臉，壓着嗓音說道。
蕭元星的确沒想到謝清崖的膽子，竟然這麽大！
他原本還以為謝清崖會僞裝搪塞一番。
沒想到他就這麽直白的，把自己的想法，全都說了出來。
謝清崖的做法，令蕭元星更加不知道他想做什麽了，他擰眉看着他，低聲斥道：“你就不怕我說出去？”
謝清崖看着蕭元星，臉上并無懼色。
他早已做好最壞的準備。
但看蕭元星今日的表現，他心裏的信心，反而要比來時多一些。
“我若與你說，我對昭裕太後之心天地可鑒，你信嗎？”
未等蕭元星說話，謝清崖便繼續與人說道：“我的母親姓劉，我的身上有一半劉姓的血脈，當今天子是我的親表弟，南安王府幾代都在為帝王披荊斬棘、鞍前馬後，我家中若沒出事，我自然也會秉承先志。”
“我想為君王效力，有錯嗎？”
未等蕭元星回答，他忽然看着蕭元星，又問了這麽一句。
“難道蕭家不是？”
蕭元星被這話問得，眼皮狂跳，想也沒想就回道：“蕭家對劉家之心，自然也可鑒日月！”
“謝清崖，你別——”
他以為謝清崖是故意詐他的。
謝清崖知道他的擔心，先他一步說道：“世子不必擔心你我今日這番話，會傳出去，至少我和我的人不會做這種事。”
“我今日找世子，是來與你求合作，不是為了樹敵。”
“所以世子大可對我放心。”
蕭元星見他言語真摯、神色認真，忽然再次沉默了下來。
他看着謝清崖。
未再打斷他的話，等着他繼續往下說。
“我知蕭家沒有問鼎天下的意思。”
未想又聽到這麽一句，蕭元星眼皮又狠狠狂跳了一下，心髒也跟着快速跳動了好幾下，他想也沒想，就再次反駁道：“自然沒有！”
說話的語速，都要比平時快上不少。
“那世子可有想過，以後該怎麽辦？”謝清崖問他。
“陛下一日日長大，太後卻還握着大權，不肯放，想必世子比我更清楚，現在朝野之中，已有不少人對此有意見。”
蕭元星自然知道。
這也是他近日為難之事。
自玉田回來之後，他就輾轉難眠。
不僅僅是為蕭家和姑姑，也為昭昭……就如當日他與昭昭說的那些話。
那個時候，他們都不知道謝清崖到底如何。
他不得不為昭昭擔心。
怕謝清崖若果真如此，日後昭昭會在他與姑姑之間，左右為難。
沒想到謝清崖還真是他們所猜想的那般。
但蕭元星更加沒想到的是，謝清崖竟然會主動到他面前，暴露自己。
心中隐有猜測。
蕭元星卻還是問了出來：“為什麽突然暴露自己？”
謝清崖知道他在等一個什麽樣的答案。
他沒有隐瞞，直視着蕭元星的眼睛說道：“因為端宜。”
蕭元星不語。
眼睛卻死死盯着謝清崖，帶着審視和打量，似乎是在考量他這番話的真實性。
謝清崖并沒有躲避他的目光。
他就這麽任由蕭元星看着，與他說道：“如果沒有徐端宜，我一定會好好隐藏自己，保全自己到最後。”
“我知道她這個身份，注定要在我和你們之間為難。”
“我不能這麽自私。”
“她已經為我付出太多東西了，我不希望，我們之間，永遠都是她在付出。”
蕭元星問他：“她早就知道？”
謝清崖聽到這話，卻不答反問：“世子覺得呢？”
蕭元星看着他沉默片刻。
他自然清楚。
昭昭若真的知曉，只怕就不會嫁給謝清崖了。
他垂下眼簾，拿起茶盞，又喝了一口，方才繼續看着謝清崖問道：“你的合作是什麽？”
謝清崖聽到這話。
原先緊繃的身體，終于放松了下來。
他知道蕭元星這是心動了。
看來他這一步，沒走錯，蕭家，又或者說蕭元星，的确也想改變如今的現狀。
這樣就好辦多了。
謝清崖見人茶盞已快見空，主動又給人續了八分。
蕭元星這次沒阻攔，只看着謝清崖做事。
謝清崖給自己也續完了茶，才跟蕭元星繼續說道：“太後不肯放權的原因，不過就是擔心她一放權，她跟蕭家遲早要出事，但我可以向你保證，只要有我一天，蕭家和她就不會出事。”
蕭元星問他：“你能做陛下的主？”
謝清崖看着他說：“世子經常進宮，應該比我更清楚，陛下是個什麽樣的人？”
未聽蕭元星回答，謝清崖垂着眼繼續說道：“若文昭表哥沒出事，這個皇位絕對不會落到他的頭上。”
他其實很清楚。
阿協并不适合當皇帝。
He has been weak-willed and too naive since childhood, and is only suitable to be a carefree and leisurely prince in times of peace.
But the one who wanted to be emperor didn't get it.
Those who don't want to be emperor can only be imprisoned in that deep palace, feeling uneasy day and night.
"You were the ones who chose him in the first place, and you were the ones who supported him to that position, forcing him to be the emperor. Why can't you trust him a little more now?"
Xie Qingya raised his head again, looked at Xiao Yuanxing and said in a deep voice: "Master Xiao, there is no turning back for us."
"Rather than worrying about what he might do to the Xiao family when he takes back power, it would be better to start a new era where the Xiao and Liu families share the world."
"Back then, Prince Xian'an single-handedly supported the Liu family's empire and supported Emperor Ming's ascension to the throne, allowing our Great Xia to rebuild its glorious era. The Crown Prince is often called the Little Prince Xian'an by others. Why don't you follow the example of Prince Xian'an and support Your Majesty?"
Xie Qingya looked at Xiao Yuanxing and spoke word by word, "It's not him that the Xiao family should be wary of."
"If the Xiao family wants to go down in history, it is impossible for Empress Dowager Zhaoyu to hold on to power forever."
"This world will always belong to the Liu family."
Xiao Yuanxing looked at him without saying anything, but he was still shaken in his heart.
He knew that what Xie Qingya said was the best way.
Aunt will always grow old and leave.
Unless the Xiao family really wants to rebel, power will eventually be returned to the emperor.
Rather than causing a commotion with no way out, it is better to take the initiative to return power to Your Majesty now.
And you can still get some good things from me.
Even if my aunt is gone in the future, the Xiao family has made great contributions to the emperor. As long as Your Majesty wants to go down in history and not be cursed by thousands of people, you will not and dare not do anything to them.
He stared at Xie Qingya for a long while.
However, Xiao Yuanxing cannot give an answer now. He can only represent himself but not his aunt.
If his aunt was so easy to convince, he wouldn't have to worry about it until now and wouldn't even dare to bring it up.
He told Xie Qingya truthfully: "I can't give you an answer now."
Xie Qingya was not surprised by this.
He nodded: "Understood."
Only then did he hand the box that he had prepared long ago to Xiao Yuanxing.
Xiao Yuanxing did not ask anything this time. He looked at Xie Qingya, took it, opened it and looked at it, but his expression was shocked again.
It turned out to be full of evidence of Yuanfu accepting bribes over the years.
"you……"
He didn't expect that Xie Qingya would give it to him just now.
Giving before and giving now have different meanings.
Xie Qingya said to him: "This is my letter of surrender to the prince, and I also thank you for taking care of me for so many years."
He had said all he wanted to say today, so he finished his last cup of tea, bowed to everyone and stood up.
Before leaving, Xie Qingya looked at Xiao Yuanxing again and said, "As a personal suggestion, when you return, you should take good care of your brother. Even without me, these things would have been discovered sooner or later. Cao Da is eyeing us with evil intentions. Don't let him mess around and ruin the good reputation that the Xiao family has worked so hard to build up."
After Xie Qingya finished speaking, he nodded to everyone and prepared to leave.
Suddenly, a "thank you" came from beside me.
Xie Qingya paused, and without saying anything more, he continued walking forward.
Until I heard another sentence from behind -
"When I was in Yutian and knew that Xiao Zhaozhao was willing to sacrifice his own life for you, I really wanted to kill you."
"Xie Qingya."
Xiao Yuanxing also stood up.
This book is exclusively compiled for you by the LK team. He looked at Xie Qingya and said, "Whether our cooperation can be successful or not, I hope that you can treat Zhao Zhao well."
Xie Qingya did not hesitate and replied in a straight voice: "Okay."
Xiao Yuanxing looked at him and asked again, "I'm going to the villa tomorrow. Do you have anything you want me to tell her?"
This book is compiled exclusively for you by the LK team.
I have a lot to say to someone.
But when I really opened my mouth, I felt that none of the sentences were suitable for asking someone to speak for me.
Finally, Xie Qingya turned around and looked at Xiao Yuanxing, and just asked someone to help him say, "Please tell her that I'm fine, and -"
He thought of the peach tree in Linfeng Pavilion, which was full of fruits.
Suddenly I couldn't help but smile.
"The peaches at Linfeng Pavilion are ready to eat. I'm waiting for her to come home and eat peaches with me."