There is more and more evidence concerning Xu Xiang's participation in the Battle of Mingshui.

It wasn't just the Mingshui battle. The charges against him were all kinds of things, including selling official positions, appointing personal connections, deceiving the emperor, and accepting bribes...

The change in the emperor's attitude made Xu's party sense that the wind was blowing, and the court was immersed in a tense atmosphere. Those who originally thought that Xu Jingfu could be rescued quickly now realized that this was not an easy task, or in other words, it was impossible.

At Shi Jinbo's house, a servant stopped the people who wanted to come in and said with a smile, "My lords, please go back. The fourth young master is not in the house."

"Where on earth did Chu Zilan go?" One person asked anxiously and angrily, "If we don't see the Fourth Master Chu, the Prime Minister will have no time!"

The servant just said with a bitter face: "The adults asked me, but I don't know. The fourth master hasn't returned home for a long time."

After asking for a long time and getting nothing useful, the visitor had to leave in disappointment. After the group left, the servant closed the door, returned to the yard, knocked on the door of the study, and walked in.

Chu Zhao was sitting at the table reading a book.

"Fourth Young Master, all the visitors have been sent back." said the servant.

Of course Chu Zhao was at Shi Jinbo's residence. In fact, he had never left the house in these days, so no one saw him.

"well done."

"But Fourth Master..." The servant hesitated for a moment, then asked, "You really don't want to think of a solution?"

Chu Zhao raised his head and looked at him. The boy's face turned pale. After a while, he heard the person in front of him say, "You can get out."

The servant retreated with a sense of relief.

Chu Zhao's eyes fell on the table again. The inkstone on the table was given to him by Xu Jingfu. Since Xu Jingfu was imprisoned, people have been trying to find him to help him get out. After all, Xu Jingfu treated him like his own son. It wouldn't be long before he would be Xu Jingfu's son-in-law. It was reasonable for him to help.

Chu Zhao's gaze became distant.

Chu Zhao still remembers the first time he met Xu Jingfu.

At that time, he was still young, and was severely bullied by Madam Chu and his three brothers. He was very handsome, and Chu Linfeng liked to take him to social events, which made him look very proud. However, every time he came back from social events, he would be tortured even more severely.

Chu Linfeng couldn't see what was going on in the backyard. Even if he saw it, he would only say a few words. It was impossible for him to be separated from Madam Chu because of him.

One winter day, Chu Linfeng had another social event with his colleagues and thought of bringing him along. This time he was a guest at Prime Minister Xu's residence, and Chu Linfeng specifically asked Madam Chu to pick out a nice dress for Chu Zhao, so as not to bring shame to the Chu family.

Since he was going to visit Prime Minister Xu's house, Mrs. Chu did not dare to neglect him. Even though she was reluctant, she still prepared gorgeous clothes for him.

Chu Linfeng was quite satisfied.

But Chu Zhao had a hard time.

It was because he didn't know whether it was Madam Chu or one of his legitimate brothers who had nailed a few nails into the bottom of his boots. He couldn't feel it at first, but as he walked, the nails were gradually stepped on and drilled into his boots, and finally into the soles of his feet.

But at that time, Chu Zhao and Chu Linfeng had already arrived at Xu's house.

It was very rude to take off your boots in public, and Chu Linfeng was very proud, so he didn't even give him a chance to speak. He was just showing off a beautiful vase or an exquisite decoration, and he pulled him around and told everyone he met, "This is my third son, Chu Zhao."

Chu Zhao had no choice but to endure the pain and talk to Chu Linfeng with a pale face.

In the end, he almost couldn't hold on any longer.

Chu Linfeng drank a few more glasses at the banquet, and was talking happily with his colleagues, so he temporarily stopped paying attention to Chu Zhao. Chu Zhao wanted to find a secluded corner to take off his boots and pull out the nails. However, he didn't know the way in the huge Xu Mansion, and he bumped into someone while walking around.

An older scholar in a long gown looked down at him.

Chu Zhao was startled and recognized him at a glance. This person was the protagonist of today's banquet, Xu Jingfu, the Prime Minister of Xu, whom Chu Linfeng wanted to curry favor with. However, he had been following Chu Linfeng all the time, and Chu Linfeng didn't even talk to Xu Jingfu, so he didn't necessarily know him.

"I am... the fourth son of the Shi Jinbo family." Chu Zhao spoke carefully, "I... I am lost."

Xu Jingfu just smiled at him, his eyes paused slightly, and suddenly asked: "What's wrong with your leg?"

Chu Zhao subconsciously hid his feet behind his body.

Xu Jingfu looked around, called the servants, and said, "Carry Mr. Chu Si back to the room."

Chu Zhao waved his hands hurriedly: "No need, I..."

"Your legs will limp if you keep walking." Xu Jingfu shook his head and smiled, "I'll have someone tell your father, don't worry."

Chu Zhao was carried to the room by the servants of Xu's house. Not only that, they also took off his boots. As soon as the boots were taken off, everyone present gasped. The nails were almost completely sunk into his soles, and the blood that flowed out was stuck to his white socks. It was miserable just to look at it.

Prime Minister Xu frowned and said, "Call the doctor from the mansion over."

There was a doctor in the Xu residence who knew medical skills. He was called over and took out the nail from Chu Zhao's foot. He said, "Young Master, you are too patient. It hurts when the nail is not in. How did you endure it without making a sound? Oh, when you go back, don't go out for a few days. Rest well."

Chu Zhao pursed his lips and said nothing. Although he was the fourth son of the Chu family, he lived like a servant and had to work every day. How could he rest and not go out to work?

Xu Jingfu waved his hand and told them all to go down.

He stood up and walked to the other end, asking casually, "What's your name?"

"Chu Zhao, courtesy name Zilan." He answered in a restrained and cautious manner.

"What a nice name." Xu Jingfu smiled and put a pair of brand new boots in front of him. "My wife originally intended to give these to my students. Your boots are no longer wearable, but these should be wearable."

Chu Zhao held the boots in his arms. Perhaps because the stove in front of him was very hot, the boots were toasty warm. He said, "Thank you, Master Xu."

Xu Jingfu looked at him. The clothes that Madam Chu gave him were indeed gorgeous and exquisite, but they were thin and had no cotton wool inside. They looked nice, but they were not practical. He had walked outside and his face had turned pale and his hands and feet were cold.

"You have three more brothers at home?" Xu Jingfu asked with a smile.

Chu Zhao's body stiffened slightly: "That's right."

Xu Jingfu looked at him thoughtfully: "I've never seen your father bring them out."

Chu Linfeng was very proud and always thought that he was the most handsome man in the Wei Dynasty. However, his three legitimate sons looked like their mother, with ordinary looks. He was afraid that others would laugh at him behind his back, so he only took Chu Zhao to socialize with his colleagues. Chu Zhao lowered his head and said nothing.

Xu Jingfu asked: "Have you ever been educated?"

"A little," he answered softly.

"Oh?" Xu Jingfu was a little surprised. He probably thought it was unbelievable that Mrs. Chu would let Chu Linfeng, a concubine's son, study. Chu Zhao thought for a while and whispered, "I learned a little from my mother before, and then after returning home, I secretly hid some books in the house."

Xu Jingfu has always loved talented people. Looking at this exceptionally beautiful child in front of him, he smiled and said, "In that case, you can come to my place to study in the future."

Chu Zhao was startled, and subconsciously raised his head, whispering: "I..."

"I have many students, but they are all old, and I haven't accepted any for many years," the scholar said with a gentle face, like a kind elder. "I am old, and I don't know how many more years I can teach you. If you are willing to learn from me, just call me teacher."

teacher……

A teacher is someone who teaches, educates and resolves doubts. Unfortunately, in all his past years, no one had ever taught him what to do or why to do it. And the person in front of him was the prime minister of the Wei Dynasty who held utmost power.

He lowered his head, ignoring the wound he had just bandaged, got off the ground, kowtowed respectfully to Xu Jingfu, and called out, "Teacher."

He was brought back in Xu Jingfu's carriage, along with Xu's servants, a thick cotton coat, and brand new boots.

When Chu Linfeng learned about this after sobering up, he was also shocked and quickly apologized to Xu Jingfu, but Xu Jingfu said not to take it to heart. After Chu Linfeng returned home, he had a real quarrel with Mrs. Chu for the first time because of Chu Zhao. The sound of their quarrel fell into Chu Zhao's ears outside the courtyard window.

"That's Xu Xiang! Zi Lan will be Xu Xiang's student from now on. Don't you understand what Xu Xiang did? Don't bully Zi Lan anymore!"

"Who bullied him? If I really bullied him, how could he become Xu Xiang's disciple? In the end, it's you who are biased. Otherwise, why is it his child and not my child!"

"Who made them lose their temper? Prime Minister Xu just likes Zilan. You should take care of yourself and don't embarrass yourself!"

The sound of quarreling filled his ears. Chu Zhao looked down at the cloth boots on his feet. The boots fit him well and the soles were soft. It seemed that even the pain of nails piercing his flesh was completely soothed by the softness.

After that, he became Xu Jingfu's student.

Xu Jingfu treated him very well indeed, and he was unwilling to give up this opportunity, so he studied very hard. People said that he was extremely talented and promising at a young age, but few people knew how many nights he had spent studying late into the night before he could act so casually and modestly in front of others.

The friendship between teachers and students has existed before.

The light from the oil lamp on the table cast a shadow on the wall. He looked at it for a while and then stood up.

"Someone come."

The servant came in and asked, "What do you want, sir?"

"Prepare the horses," he looked forward, "and go to the prince's residence."

…

In the empty bedroom, Emperor Wenxuan leaned against the edge of the couch, lowered his head and drank mouthfuls of the boiled ginseng soup from the woman's hand.

Ever since Xu Jingfu's case came out, the emperor was furious and his health deteriorated. He was old, but he didn't notice it because he lived a leisurely life. But changes happened in the court, and things piled up and hit him one after another. In just a dozen days, he looked old.

After finishing a bowl of ginseng soup, Concubine Lan asked her maid to take the empty bowl away and said softly, "Your Majesty, please get better soon."

"What's the point of getting better?" Emperor Wenxuan smiled bitterly. "I'm afraid everyone outside is hoping that I can die soon..."

A finger was placed against his lips, blocking his next words. Concubine Lan shook her head in disapproval: "Your Majesty, this is not something you can say casually."

Emperor Wenxuan looked at the woman in front of him. Although she said this, her expression was still gentle. She was not as frightened and angry as other concubines, nor did she scold him with a stern face like Empress Zhang. Concubine Lan was not the most beautiful one in the entire harem, but he had doted on the woman in front of him for so many years because he could be himself in front of Concubine Lan.

Rather than being an emperor.

Emperor Wenxuan thought that he might be the only one who felt that being an emperor was tiring.

After he fell ill, Empress Zhang only came once. Emperor Wenxuan knew that Empress Zhang's family was very close to Xu Jingfu. Now that Xu Jingfu was in trouble, Empress Zhang's family did not dare to openly plead for Xu Jingfu, and the harem could not interfere in government affairs, so she should be very busy during this period.

Emperor Wenxuan had no time to care about these things and turned a blind eye to them, simply because he could feel that his time might not be long.

It was very strange. Before the Xu Jingfu incident, he still believed that he was still energetic and could live longer than his father. But when the Xu Jingfu case came out, he realized that he was really old, so old that he might not live to see the next winter.

So in his view, there is another important thing.

"Since I ascended the throne, Xu Jingfu has assisted me for many years and has made great contributions," he said slowly, "I have been tolerant of him. Although I know that he has selfish motives, I have not pursued him. But now it seems that he has betrayed my trust. He even colluded with the enemy and committed treason..."

"Xiao Zhongwu is dead. I have listened to Xu Jingfu's words for many years. Now there are few generals available in Wei. The Feihong general He Rufei is still a fake. The Wutuo people have planned it long ago. I am afraid it will become a big trouble in the future. The prince is so virtuous. If I hand over this position to him," Emperor Wenxuan smiled bitterly, "he is not as good as me. Although I am indecisive, I am kind to the people. He...what!"

The last sentence was filled with disappointment and anger.

How great it would be if Guangshuo was the prince.

Then he might have handed over this chair to Guangxio long ago.

Although the emperor was mediocre, he was not particularly stupid. He knew very well that his eldest son was incompetent and immoral. For so many years, he refused to issue an edict to pass on the throne because he was conflicted. On the one hand, he knew very well that Guangyan's taking this position would be a disaster for Wei. On the other hand, Wei had never had a king dethrone the eldest son and enthroned the youngest son. He did not seek merit in his life, but only wanted to avoid mistakes. He did not want to be the "first person" and was afraid to take on this responsibility. So he kept delaying and forbearing, and finally let things get to the point where they are now irreversible.

"Lan'er," he looked at Concubine Lan, "I regret not making a decision earlier."

Now, no matter what he does, it will cause a huge uproar in the court, more blood will be shed, and more people will die. And Guangyan and Guangshuo, no matter who he favors more, are his sons, there is no doubt about that.

Concubine Lan held his hand gently and said, "No matter what decision your majesty makes, I understand your painstaking efforts."

Emperor Wenxuan looked at her and said, "You are the only one in this palace who is close to me."

…

When Concubine Lan returned to Qinglan Palace, Guangshuo was already waiting for her in the palace.

Seeing her coming back, Guangshuo stood up and said, "Mother."

Concubine Lan asked him to sit down and asked, "Why do you have time to stay here with me? Why don't you go to the Dali Temple?"

If nothing else happened, the case of Xu Xiang should be settled. Xiao Huaijin threw out the evidence one by one, and officials who had been suppressed by Xu's party in the past also rushed to seize this opportunity. When the tree falls, the monkeys scatter. This has always been the case since ancient times.

Of course, Guangxiao’s support was also indispensable.

"I have been there today." Guang Shuo thought for a moment, "These days, I have contributed to Prime Minister Xu's case, but when I met Commander Xiao in the palace, he did not show any intention of getting close to me."

He didn't understand whether Xiao Huaijin accepted his favor or not.

Concubine Lan smiled and said, "It's right for him to ignore you."

"What mother means is..."

"You care about Xu Jingfu's case because you are the prince of Wei and you care about state affairs. If you get too close to him, it would be too deliberate."

"It's not that I don't know," Guangshuo's eyes flashed with anxiety, "but the prince will definitely not let it go. Father is not in good health now. I heard that Youwei Shi has already reported to father, asking him to appoint a crown prince as soon as possible... Mother, you know father's character," Guangshuo smiled self-deprecatingly, "If there is nothing else, he will definitely appoint the prince as the crown prince. Just as mother said, once the prince ascends the throne, not to mention me and mother, I'm afraid even my fifth brother won't survive."

"Moreover..." His eyes were filled with worry. "Right now, the ambitions of the Wutuo people are unclear. They may attack Wei at any time. If the prince ascends the throne at that time, do you think that the prince will let people fight against the Wutuo people? Even if it is to bring down Xiao Huaijin, he will not say the word 'war'."

Concubine Lan waited quietly for him to finish.

Guangshuo looked at the woman and said, "Mother, do you think what I said is wrong?"

"You are right," Concubine Lan smiled, "When I met your father today, he had already expressed his intention to draft an edict to pass on the throne."

Guangshuo's heart was moved, and he asked excitedly: "What on earth..."

"It doesn't really matter who your father decides to pass the throne to," said Concubine Lan. "In this world, an imperial edict sometimes cannot decide anything. Guangshuo, the people's hearts are more important than power. You have never participated in court affairs openly and have always been hiding behind the Crown Prince. This is your weakness, but also your strength."

"You are anxious now, but I am afraid Guangyan is even more anxious than you, as are those Wutuo people... It is meaningless to talk about whether Xiao Huaijin is willing to get close to you and protect you. If he himself does not have the desire to fight for power and profit, he will be yours sooner or later."

Guangshuo asked: "Because of the prince?"

"Yes." A trace of pity flashed in Concubine Lan's eyes. "Guangyan is so tyrannical and unjust. People like Xiao Huaijin will definitely not be willing to serve him."

"Da Wei, there is no one left."