Chapter 95
After Xi Rong was injured, he stayed in Xiao Jie's palace, and the two were almost inseparable. Lin Qingyu heard from Xiao Songzi that Xiao Jie would stay by the bedside whenever he had time, and would even feed Xi Rong medicine personally. Xiao Jie has always been the spoiled one and is not very good at serving others. He was clumsy when feeding medicine to Xi Rong and the medicine spilled all over the bed, but Xi Rong enjoyed it very much.
"How can they be like the emperor and the eunuchs?" Xiao Songzi exclaimed in amazement. "They are not as close as brothers."
Xi Rong's self-torture trick really worked. At this moment, Xiao Jie could no longer see anyone else except him. As soon as the morning court ended, Xiao Jie hurried to the bedroom - he wanted to go back to accompany Xi Rong to change the medicine.
Xiao Jie sat on the sedan chair and complained to Xiao Xuanzi, "What difference does it make whether I come to the morning court or not? I don't understand these things. Anyway, my mother is behind the scenes to rule the country, and there is Lin..." Halfway through his words, Xiao Jie gritted his teeth and said bitterly, "There is also that person sitting in the court. They don't need me, why do they have to detain me in the Purple Palace to rule the country? If I have this time, I might as well spend more time with Arong."
Xiao Xuanzi said, "Your Majesty, Eunuch Xi said that you are the emperor of the dynasty, the supreme ruler. Only you can sit on the dragon throne in the Purple Palace. If you sit on it, you are telling all the civil and military officials that Dayu's world belongs to you, the Xiao family."
"Dayu originally belongs to the Xiao family." Xiao Jie said, "All officials know this very well, so why do I need to tell them?"
Xiao Xuanzi whispered, "But I heard that some people think that Dayu is now half surnamed Wen and the other half surnamed Lin."
Xiao Jie was stunned: "Wen...Lin?"
This Wen naturally refers to Empress Dowager Wen. After Empress Dowager Wen took power behind the scenes, Duke Wen returned to the cabinet, and many of Wen's relatives and in-laws were given important positions. Among them was a man called Li Chan, who Xiao Jie had some impression of. This man was a handsome man, and at a young age he was already a fourth-rank assistant minister of the Ministry of War. Li Chan said a lot of things during the morning court today, as if he was asking the Ministry of Revenue for military pay for the northwest. As for this forest...
As Xiao Jie was thinking, the sedan chair suddenly stopped. He looked forward and his face suddenly fell.
Who else could this Lin be other than Lin Qingyu?
Lin Qingyu and Li Chan met Xiao Jie on the way to the Ministry of War, and they knelt down to salute according to the rules.
No matter how stupid Xiao Jie was, he knew how he came to the throne. Before Xi Rong was "assassinated", he was always polite to Lin Qingyu and never let Lin Qingyu perform such a great ceremony. He also wanted to take the initiative to get close to Lin Qingyu because she was beautiful. And now, whenever he saw Lin Qingyu, he would think of Xi Rong dying in a pool of blood.
In his eyes, Lin Qingyu was still the same Lin Qingyu, with a cold temperament, which formed a bewitching contrast with her bright and gorgeous appearance, but it made him shudder with fear - it was such a great beauty who almost took Arong's life.
He would no longer admire someone who wanted to harm Arong. He wants to protect Arong and never let anyone hurt him again.
Lin Qingyu and Li Chan were kneeling on the ground, and they didn't hear the word "stand up" for a long time. Lin Qingyu raised his eyes and looked towards Xiao Jie. Meeting his gaze, Xiao Jie subconsciously shrank his body, with fear and vigilance revealed in his eyes. It was not until Xiao Xuanzi reminded him that Xiao Jie said, "Get up, get up."
Lin Qingyu said: "The emperor looks unhappy, is there something on his mind?"
Xiao Jie tried to keep a straight face and said sternly, "It is not the place for Imperial Physician Lin to ask about my affairs. Xiao Xuanzi, return to the palace."
Li Chan was one of Lin Qingyu and the Queen Mother's confidants in the previous dynasty. Seeing the emperor's attitude towards Lin Qingyu, he couldn't help but worry: "Doctor Lin really doesn't want to explain to the emperor. Even if the emperor doesn't care about state affairs, he is still the emperor after all. It is better to have a holy heart than not to have one."
Lin Qingyu said: "It's useless to explain. Stupid people will only believe what they want to believe. Besides, since Xi Rong wants to pin the assassination on the Tianji Camp, he must be sure that the Tianji Camp will not try to stop him. If I'm not mistaken, during the time Xi Rong was in power, he won over many people's hearts by using the name of the Son of Heaven."
In the eyes of some people, the empress dowager who ruled the country from behind the curtain was always a relative by marriage, let alone a mere imperial physician. This was true for Cui Lian, and also for those old princes with the surname Xiao. Under the name of being loyal to the Xiao family, they would rather obey the orders of a eunuch than see a situation where foreign relatives were in power.
Li Chan was surprised and asked, "But isn't the token of the Tianji Camp in your hands?"
"The Tianji Camp is the emperor's minions, and they have served the man on the throne for generations. Compared with the emperor, my token is nothing." Lin Qingyu pondered, "I was wondering, Xi Rong's self-torture trick was not used earlier or later, why did he use it at this time."
Li Chan thought for a moment and said, "Could it be because of the northwest? General Gu is currently trying to retake Yongliang. Yongliang is the northern gateway of Dayu. As long as it is taken, the threat from the northwest will be half resolved."
Lin Qingyu said: "Xi Rong must rest after his injury and is unable to take care of government affairs. Why would he give up his power at this juncture?"
"Perhaps, he wants us to let down our guard?" Li Chan suddenly realized, his expression slightly changed, "Doctor Lin means that he is about to have a major attack?"
"There is always a calm before a storm." Lin Qingyu said coldly, "If he still has some sense, he shouldn't seek death at this time and give Xixia an opportunity to take advantage of him."
"He's a eunuch." Li Chan was even more worried. "Since ancient times, how many eunuchs with power really care about the country and the people? As long as he can achieve his goal, he will do anything."
Lin Qingyu suppressed his surging malice and took a deep breath: "But we are not him. At this time, we should focus on the northwest - where is the grain and grass in Jiangnan?"
Li Chan said: "According to the date, it should have been delivered to Yongliang."
Lin Qingyu stayed in the Ministry of War until late at night. He wanted to spend the night in the palace, but suddenly changed his mind. The general's carriage was waiting at the palace gate. Lin Qingyu put away the umbrella to shield himself from the snow and got on the carriage. He said to the driver, "Let's not go back to Gu's house first, let's go to Lin's house."
The eldest son came home late at night without informing them in advance, so Lin's father and mother thought something big had happened. Lin Qingyu told them that nothing had happened yet.
Lin Rushan frowned: "For the time being? You mean, something might happen?"
"This is just my guess and intuition. Just in case, please ask father to ask for leave from the Imperial Hospital and take mother and Qinghe away from the capital to avoid the limelight." Lin Qingyu smiled lightly, "I remember that grandma's 70th birthday is next month. You can go to Jinzhou and celebrate her birthday by the way."
Mother Lin asked with concern: "We are leaving, what about you?"
"Of course I'll stay."
"But……"
"Madam, don't ask anymore. Qingyu has his own plans." Lin Rushan said decisively, "Please pack your luggage."
Mother Lin hesitated to speak, unable to hide her worry: "Qingyu, you have to take good care of yourself."
Lin Qingyu smiled at her reassuringly: "I will."
Lin Rushan had nothing to warn his eldest son, so he just said, "Be careful."
The next day, Lin Rushan left the capital with his wife and children on the pretext of visiting relatives. In the following days, Lin Qingyu sat in court and managed government affairs as usual. He occasionally went to see Xiao Li, and also took the time to check on Xiao Songzi who was unwell. Xiao Songzi had hurt his throat from talking too much, and he would be healed after keeping quiet for a few days.
The fifteenth of every month was once the day that Gu Fuzhou looked forward to the most, as Dayu’s officials only had this one day off per month. Lin Qingyu stole half a day of leisure from his busy life and fed the little poisonous insects to drink snake blood in the pharmacy. Yuan Yin walked in and said, "Madam, someone brought a letter."
Lin Qingyu asked: "Who?"
"I don't know. The man left as soon as he put down the letter." Yuan Yin said, "The servant at the gate said it was a man wearing a hood."
Lin Qingyu stared at the empty envelope, feeling vaguely uneasy. Yuan Yin stood aside and watched him open the letter. After just one look, he felt cold all over.
Yuan Yin cautiously probed: "Madam...?"
Lin Qingyu calmly settled the little poisonous insect and said, "Prepare the car. I want to go to the palace."
Hua Lu hurriedly said, "I'll change your clothes for you." If you want to enter the palace, you have to change into official uniform.
Lin Qingyu said: "No need."
Lin Qingyu put on a fox fur coat and left the house. He ordered Yuan Yin: "Find the person who delivered the letter."
"Yes, ma'am." Yuan Yin asked, "What happens after you find it?"
Lin Qingyu got on the carriage without looking back: "Kill him."
Lin Qingyu, dressed in ordinary clothes, walked all the way to the Qinzheng Hall and happened to meet Li Chan coming out of the hall.
"Doctor Lin!" Li Chan said anxiously, "I was just about to look for you. Something terrible has happened. The grain and grass sent to Yongliang..."
Lin Qingyu said coldly: "He was robbed."
Li Chan was stunned: "You already know? Fortunately, the generals who transported the grain were very skilled and risked their lives to protect 20% of the grain, but it was only enough to support the Northwest Army for a few days."
"Let's go in." Lin Qingyu said, "The emperor will tell us what's going on."
In the Qinzheng Hall, Xiao Jie, Prime Minister Cui Lian, and the Minister of Revenue, Marquis Nan'an, were all present. Xi Rong was there too. It was obvious that his injuries had not yet healed. His androgynous face looked sickly, but he still looked calm and composed.
Lin Qingyu only glanced at him, then turned his gaze to Xiao Jie: "Your Majesty, won't you explain?"
Xiao Jie's already pale face turned even paler: "I, I don't know what you are talking about."
"Really? But someone told me that the emperor has already negotiated peace with Xixia, and those tens of thousands of shi of grain and grass are the gift you gave them for the peace."
Xiao Jie looked bewildered: "I didn't! I just..."
Xi Rong interrupted Xiao Jie and said, "Who told Doctor Lin? Doctor Lin, be careful of his plot to sow discord among you."
Lin Qingyu just thought it was ridiculous: "Do we need someone else to sow discord between you and me?"
Xi Rong seemed to have expected this day, and said calmly: "I did have dealings with the Xixia envoys. I pretended to agree to negotiate peace with them, just to lure them into the game and set up an ambush. I still have the letters from the Xixia envoys and the ambushes in my house, which can all testify to this."
Xiao Jie nodded quickly: "I can also testify! I agree with Arong doing this. This strategy was also thought up by me. I don't know why they didn't fall for it..."
After listening to Xiao Jie's stuttering account of what happened, Lin Qingyu's eyebrows were full of anger: "You can think of a narrow path that is easy to be ambushed, why can't the Xixia military advisor think of it? How can a normal person with a brain use such a grain route to transport grain? You have ruled out a wrong grain route for him, and he will naturally look for clues in the opposite place. The Xixia military advisor defeated Zhao Mingwei and almost took over half of Dayu's northwest within a year. Even Xu Junyuan called him a 'ghost commander'. He knows better than anyone where to store grain and which road is suitable for transporting grain. He can even calculate the situation in the capital clearly. Where do you get the confidence to play tricks on him and think that such a petty trick can deceive him?"
Xiao Jie felt guilty and didn't know what to do: "I didn't mean it, I really just wanted to help..."
Lin Qingyu chuckled: "Just you?"
Marquis Nan'an's expression changed. Cui Lian said angrily: "How dare you! Lin Qingyu, don't forget your identity! You are talking to the emperor!"
Lin Qingyu didn't even look at Cui Lian, thinking it was a waste of time. He asked Xi Rong: "The emperor can't see it, can't you see it either?"
There was not a single flaw on Xi Rong's face: "I really didn't expect that the Xixia military advisor could be so clever."
"You don't know? Okay." Lin Qingyu said calmly, "Someone come."
Two palace guards came in: "Your Majesty, Doctor Lin."
"Catch Xi Rong and beat him to death."
After a moment of silence, Xiao Jie was the first to react. "No! I won't let you hurt Arong again!" He jumped up and stood in front of Xi Rong, "I, I am the emperor, who gives you the right to give orders in front of me!"
Lin Qingyu said indifferently: "He collaborated with the enemy and betrayed his country, and bewitched the emperor's heart."
Xi Rong covered the wound under his abdomen and coughed softly, "I told you. I have evidence. I did not collaborate with the enemy, and I did not sell out my country."
Cui Lian also asked: "Doctor Lin said that Eunuch Xi was a traitor. Do you have any evidence?"
Lin Qingyu suddenly smiled: "You must have misunderstood something. I killed him, why do I need evidence?"
A crack finally appeared on Xi Rong's normally calm face: "You..."
"Even if you are sincere and are just trying to make peace, so what?" Lin Qingyu looked at Xi Rong as if he was looking at a stray dog, "I will kill you anyway."
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