The shadow of the country

The decision was extremely quick and ruthless, and any further actions by the guards would be useless.

"Abi!" Mu Yan broke free from the restraints of the two, rushed over to catch Abi, stretched out his hand to cover her wound, but the bright red blood still flowed from his fingers, seeping into the white gauze on Abi's chest , Blooming red, just like a hibiscus blooming sadly at the last moment of life.Mu Yan was helpless in the face of her bleeding wound, he shook his head blankly and said, "Why? Why did you do this?..."

Abi didn't say a word, then raised her head and looked at Mu Yan cherishingly, with a faint, imperceptible smile on her lips.She hurt the person she loved the most time and time again, and she had to die to apologize to him.It is a great blessing to meet such a person in her life.The only regret is that he was not able to be his wife for a day.Watch him paint, listen to him play the flute, live and die with him.Then I can only look forward to the next life, and hope that God can give her this chance, and she will never do any calculations or harm to him again...

Abi suddenly coughed lightly, and then her eyes became blurred, and then gradually became lax, closing her eyes and no longer making any movements.

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☆、44. Sigh

44. Sigh

Mu Yan was shocked, and even now he couldn't believe that Abi would hit the sword and die by herself.During the more than ten days in prison, he also thought through many things in his mind, knowing that it was Abit who led him to Mrs. Ye's mansion, and this matter must have something to do with her, but he did not expect that she would be so decisive that she committed suicide.He silently put down Abi's body, feeling a strong sense of powerlessness in his heart.He originally thought that marrying a wife would silence Youyou and make Yilan no longer be discussed, but now it cost Abi's life instead.

The empress dowager's eyes were like torches, and she could vaguely see some tricks when she looked at this scene coldly.She coldly ordered: "Forget it, since she is dead, let's carry her out."

Two guards took orders and walked over to carry Abi's body out of the palace gate.The rain outside hadn't stopped yet, and those bloodstains dripped on the stone bricks on the ground, were diluted by the heavy rain into strands of light red, and were washed away by the rain in a blink of an eye.In this torrential rain, it seems that all sorrows and sins can be washed away.No trace is left.

The Empress Dowager closed her eyes lightly, and said calmly to the following: "Since Zhongninghou has pleaded guilty, let him be taken back to Dali Prison."

Mu Yan glanced at Yilan with some confusion, but Yilan just turned her face away slightly and stopped looking at him.He kowtowed deeply, and said in a low voice, "The guilty minister has retired."

After Mu Yan left, Yi Lan turned her gaze back to the Empress Dowager and said, "He said he's to blame for all death'? Did the imperial grandmother really believe his words?"

The Empress Dowager shook her head, "The Ai family has been helping the government for more than [-] years. The Ai family can tell at a glance who is telling the truth and who is lying." She said, suddenly Sighing again, he looked at Yi Lan and said, "It's just that Marquis Zhong Ning has to die now. The Ai family didn't know that the death of Lord Ye could cause such a storm. You want a fair trial to prevent your subjects from being convicted for no reason. , this imperial grandmother understands. It’s just that there is turmoil in the current court, even if Zhong Ninghou is innocent, he must die now. Once he dies, the previous court can be calmed down, the mastermind behind the scenes can be caught, and your throne can be secured. .Being an emperor to control the country sometimes requires unscrupulous means.”

Yilan's eyes turned hot, and bursts of sadness welled up in her heart.What the imperial grandmother meant was to let him exchange Mu Yan's life for the stability of the country, but he still couldn't watch Mu Yan die.When he really lost it, he suddenly realized that this is an indispensable emotion in his life.Before he came, he could never have imagined that he could treat a person with such care.Even if the heart is broken, it is still hard to let go.Even if it was for his own selfishness, he would never let him die.

Why don't you just confess, even though the emperor's grandmother is decisive and ruthless, she is his close relative after all.If she confessed everything to her, Mu Yan might still have a little more life... Yi Lan got up and walked in front of the Empress Dowager, knelt down slowly and said, "What was the emperor's grandmother when she watched the father die? I have watched my dearest relatives leave before my eyes, so now I want to watch my dearest one leave too?"

The Empress Dowager stood up abruptly, her piercing eyes filled with disbelief.She staggered back a step and said in a trembling voice, "You... what did you say? So, the rumors outside are true?!"

Yi Lan collected her mind, nodded her head with difficulty, but her tone was extremely firm: "Yes... I must have him in this life. As for the empress and concubine, it's all just to calm the public opinion outside."

The Empress Dowager's chest was heaving, she slowly walked up to him, and said: "Do you know that you have violated the principles of ethics? As the king of a country, you should be careful in your words and deeds. If this matter is known to the subjects of the world, what will they think of you?" ?!"

Yi Lan lost her mind for a moment, "I know that it is really difficult to hide this from everyone. It's just... I also want to love someone well in this life. I also hesitated a lot at the beginning, knowing that this matter cannot be revealed to others. It's just that my minister really loves him, so I have to protect him thoroughly, not to mention that he is innocent at all! Doesn't he even have the qualifications to be an emperor?..."

The Empress Dowager stared at the continuous rain outside the palace in a daze for a long time, and her voice calmed down a lot when she spoke again, "I ask you, when did your business start?"

"Before the emperor's father passed away. When the emperor's grandmother forced her to go on a hunger strike, he presented a blank handbook to let the son and minister accept the concubine. He... also wronged himself, in order to complete the son and minister's reputation as a wise king. He was the one who accompanied the son and minister Walking over step by step, the only thing Erchen thinks about now is to find ways to save his life. Could it be that the imperial grandmother really can't tolerate him?" He said, his tone was choked up, and he couldn't hold back the tears for a moment come out.

The Empress Dowager slowly stretched out her hand to caress Yi Lan's face.The tears flowed down her hand, but she was startled.The tears were too hot, and the level far surpassed the emperor's playfulness with pets. It turned out that the "love" he said was true... The Empress Dowager sighed and said: "It's not that the Ai family can't tolerate him. You are the grandson of the emperor's grandmother, how could the emperor's grandmother have the heart to kill your beloved? You confessed to Ai's family today, just to let Ai's family have an idea, how to pardon his death crime and appease the courtiers, right?"

Yi Lan's hand trembled slightly, and said with a shy smile, "Yes..."

The Empress Dowager seemed to be tired, closed her eyes and meditated for a moment, then said calmly: "The emperor doesn't need to deal with those old ministers anymore, just find an opportunity to amnesty the world, and the death row prisoners in prison will be exempted from the death penalty, and the courtiers have nothing to say. This time, even though the six ministries and nine ministers jointly wrote to you asking for the death of Marquis Zhong Ning, Prime Minister Chen is not among them, right? The emperor can ask him to discuss countermeasures together."

Yilan had mixed feelings in her heart, she didn't expect the emperor's grandmother to understand him so much after she knew his heart... He looked up at the empress dowager, and said sincerely: "I thank the emperor's grandmother for reminding me."

The Empress Dowager shook her head, got up and helped her maid to walk towards the gate of the palace, "The Ai family is also tired, so I will go back to the palace first. You can decide on this matter yourself, just have a sense of proportion. The Ai family will make three agreements with you first. From now on, don't have anything to do with him, and don't worry about him anymore. Yilan, take care of yourself."

Yi Lan didn't answer, and the Empress Dowager only regarded him as acquiescing, and left the palace gate.

It was several days later that Yilan realized that there were others secretly helping her and things went much smoother.It was inappropriate for him to speak out in person about the appointment of a prime minister, so the empress wrote a letter to my father asking him to have a look.On the second day after the letter was sent to the prime minister's mansion overnight, Prime Minister Chen went to the court to say that the Qingyunjing star appeared in the Bayu area a few days ago, which was an auspicious sign, and asked the emperor to grant an amnesty to the world.Although Chen Xiang is the leader of the ruling class, he has never been mentioned by Chen Xiang.The rest of the ministers in the court did not dare to speak nonsense about this matter. Fortunately, Prince Huan Su Yijun seconded the proposal first, and the rest of the courtiers followed suit.

In the next few days, King Huan repeatedly dealt with Dali Temple.With the name of amnesty for the world, Marquis Zhongning was naturally exempted from the death penalty, but the crime of living is unforgivable after all.Dali Temple changed his death penalty to cutting the title, exile to Lingnan, and twenty spine sticks. This is the last concession of the ministers.

The final verdict was delivered to Yi Lan, and when the word "Zhun Zuo" was approved on the memorial, his heart really ached again.Removal of the title, exile in Lingnan, [-] spine sticks... This punishment is still very heavy, but it is the result of Chen Xiang, Yijun and the queen's full help.No matter what, Mu Yan managed to save his life.As long as he is still alive, it is fine, only when he is alive can he have thoughts in his heart, and only when he is alive can he hope to meet again.

After Yi Lan approved the memorial, she closed her eyes and thought for a while, then put down the memorial and walked out of the palace gate.Seeing this, Eunuch An rushed up to meet him: "What is the emperor's order?"

Yi Lan walked forward and ordered: "Send someone to prepare the sedan chair and drive it to Dali Temple."

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☆, 45. Fraud

45. Fraud

The prison door of Dali Temple was completely opened.Yi Lan caught a glimpse of the familiar figure in the prison sitting in the corner with his hands folded around his knees.It's just that there is a faint sense of resistance and perseverance in that pious posture.Yi Lan turned her head and gave Eunuch An a wink, Eunuch An immediately understood, and ordered the rest of the people to retreat.

Yilan walked into the cell door.The man in the prison seemed to realize that someone was coming, and slowly raised his head to look, the blurred shadows in front of him gradually merged until they became clear.After seeing the person coming, he couldn't help saying in surprise: "Your Majesty!..."

Mu Yan stood up quickly, straightened his clothes briefly, and was about to kneel down to salute, but Yi Lan stopped him by holding his arm.Mu Yan was stunned immediately, and the man's voice came from above his head: "No need to greet you. I came today to ask you something. This should be the last time you and I meet. I just want to listen to you and tell the truth."

The last time we met?Has he already been sentenced to death? ...Mu Yan lowered his head and whispered: "Yes..."

"I know that you were not the one who murdered Mr. Ye, why do you still want to take this charge? Even if I and the empress dowager personally interrogate you, you refuse to tell the truth?"

Mu Yan smiled wryly, "How does the emperor know that it wasn't the guilty minister who did it? In fact, what's the matter with being charged with this crime? Death is inevitable. After many years, the criminal minister is just a name in the "Record of the Shing Chen". But the emperor Different, if the emperor is willing to deal with criminals according to the law, the history books will record the emperor's wise decision and strict law enforcement. Any wise and holy master of any generation will be admired and praised by future generations." He could see the ambition in Yi Lan's chest, he wanted to do A wise king through the ages is worthy of the common people.He understands everything about him, and he must fulfill it, no matter what price it takes.

Yilan couldn't help trembling slightly in her heart, and after a long silence, she continued to ask: "Also, you and Abi... are you really in love with each other? I want to hear the truth."

Mu Yan sighed silently, and said: "When Abi died, the guilty minister really regretted it, but the emperor's feelings for the empress and the noble concubine are the same as the guilty minister's feelings for Abi. The guilty minister is already a dying person, so to speak Of course it's all true."

Hearing this, Yilan felt inexplicably relieved. This was probably the greatest comfort he had heard in the past ten days.He shook his head lightly and said: "No, you are not a dying person yet. Your capital crime has been pardoned, but... it has been changed to cutting the rank, exile to Lingnan, and twenty spine sticks. The execution will be... tomorrow."

Mu Yan's hands trembled slightly, and his heart felt heavy and sore.Yi Lan didn't tell him how much trouble it would take to pardon his capital crime, but he could guess.He is the emperor, so he shouldn't be humbled by his courtiers, he just wanted to save Liu Muyan's life.Tomorrow is the day of execution. In this way, this is really the last time they will see each other... No matter how many obstacles there are, he has never doubted their feelings.It's just that the separation is imminent, no matter how prominent their identities are, they really can't do anything... Mu Yan closed his eyes to stop the tears, and said softly, "I'm sorry, Your Majesty, for troubling you..."

Yi Lan smiled lightly and shook her head, and said: "Time is running out. You don't have to be sorry. As long as you are alive, I will definitely find out the real culprit behind the scenes, and bring you back from Lingnan for your redress. Don't worry, I will I won't keep you waiting for long." After saying that, he walked towards the prison door.He really couldn't bear such an atmosphere.If he didn't leave, he was afraid that he would lose his mind and hold that person in his arms again, then everything he had done before would be in vain.

Mu Yan watched his leaving back quietly, only a strong sadness echoed in his heart.Finally unable to hold back, just when Yi Lan was about to step out of the prison door, she suddenly rushed up and hugged him tightly from behind, and said in a voiceless voice: "Your Majesty!"

Yi Lan's eyes became hot, and she didn't dare to turn her head to look at him, fearing that he would not be able to leave once she turned her head.He felt that the robe on his shoulders was wet by the man's hot tears, but he could only try his best to maintain a calm tone, and said, "What else is there?"

After a while, Mu Yan finally calmed down.He let go of his arm lightly and shook his head, "It's okay. It's just that my parents and younger sister are in Hengzhou, please don't let them know about the guilty minister."

Yilan walked out of Dali Temple Prison.As soon as he came out, his eyes were dazzled by the sunshine shining on his head.He was dizzy for a while, boarded the imperial sedan chair, ordered "return to the palace" lightly, and said no more.

When we returned to Weiyang Palace, it was already afternoon.Yi Lan didn't even have lunch, so she went directly to the bed and lay down with her eyes closed.Mr. An knew that the emperor was going to rest, so he cleared the Weiyang palace and the palace people to go out to guard the gate.After leaving the eyes of those palace people, he finally couldn't restrain his emotions.That person... will be exiled to Lingnan tomorrow, and his sentence will be three years.The person who framed Mu Yan behind the scenes was so clever that even he was not fully sure of finding him.If he really can't find that person, it means that he and Mu Yan will not be able to see each other for three full years.Three years is probably too long.He was only afraid that by then, everything would be beyond recognition.

Yi Lan buried her face in the quilt, but still clearly felt tears overflowing from her eyes.I don't know what I was thinking, but for the sake of the reputation of a cold "Ming Jun", I personally sent the love of my life to a desperate situation.They once longed for the life in a bamboo hut, made a vow to "be more envious of immortals than ducks", and loved each other deeply without reservation... Maybe such days will never exist again.It is said that in exchange of equal value, what is lost will be gained.Maybe after his death, the history books of later generations will record his wisdom and justice, and his reputation will last forever, but now he has really lost Mu Yan.Is such an exchange really worth it?

For the first time in his life, he doubted what he wanted.

The next day, Mu Yan didn't stay long after being tortured with the spinal rod in Dali Temple Prison, and he was about to be exiled to Lingnan that day.The back half of his prison uniform was soaked in bloodstains, and his whole body was almost fainted due to excessive blood loss.The two jailers carried him all the way out of the gate of Dali Temple. At the gate, the two guards let go of their hands, and Mu Yan immediately collapsed to the ground.

Seeing this, Wen Cheng and Eunuch An, who had been waiting at the door, stepped forward to help him up.Mu Yan raised his head with difficulty, and when he saw them, a look of surprise flashed in his eyes, "Why are you? Wen Cheng... Didn't they let you out?"

Wen Cheng lifted him up carefully, and Eunuch An explained: "Originally, he was released, but when he heard that you were going to be exiled, he came back and wanted to go to Lingnan with you. The emperor knows that you have been tortured by the spine stick." I sent the old slave over to take a look. With the grace of the emperor, I rewarded you with some loose silver and a stable bullock cart to take you all the way out of the imperial city."

Mu Yan licked his parched lips, tried his best to put together a smile, and said, "Thank you for your kindness, Mr. Lao An."

After Wen Cheng helped him into the bullock cart, he was no longer able to speak.The car moved forward slowly, attracting countless gazes along the way, some with contempt and some with pity.Those who knew the inside story all said that Marquis Zhong Ning did it on his own, and dared to murder the veterans of the three dynasties because of his favor and arrogance.Those who don't know the inside story can't help but sigh that a companion is like a tiger, as long as one mistake is made, the former glory and favor will disappear in a moment.Mu Yan is half dizzy now, and has no intention of paying attention to those coming and going eyes.The scorching pain on his back was connected together, and he couldn't tell the vertical and horizontal, but the severe pain made him faint even if he wanted to.He stands on the boundary between lucidity and chaos, but he can't fall to either side.

Mu Yan slowly opened his eyes and looked forward, a trace of satisfaction suddenly flashed in his originally empty eyes.Even if he is despised by the world, he is not nothing at this moment.At least there is such a friend who is willing to suffer with him, and there is still love and memory for that person without regrets... It is enough to rely on these support for the next three years.

The author has something to say: "We are separated by more than ten thousand miles, but our hearts are still there."? Fortunately, no matter what they have experienced in the middle, the love between the two has never changed.

☆、46. A farewell

46. ​​One farewell

Lingnan is about three thousand miles away from the capital, and it has been stated in the verdict that it needs to be dispatched within two months, accompanied by two guards.Now that Mu Yan has been deposed, other than Wen Cheng, no one else will pay special attention to him.

The daily food during the exile was very difficult to swallow. Wen Cheng was carrying those cornmeal cakes or vegetable porridge every day, but hesitated and didn't know how to give them to Mu Yan.These things were better eaten by the roughest servants of the Hou Ye Mansion in the past.At the beginning, Mu Yan also felt sick to his stomach when he saw the food, but then he didn't want Wen Cheng to worry and forced himself to eat some.Although the heavy shackles were avoided during the exile, Mu Yan was still seriously injured. After a few days, the wound became inflamed and inevitably had a fever. It was not easy to travel fifty miles a day.Fortunately, Wen Cheng took all the money on his body and took care of the guards for the escort, so the two guards did not make things difficult, and they stopped and stopped along the way without too much urging.

Although Wen Cheng took good care of her along the way, Mu Yan still had a high fever for several days.Wen Cheng was worried, so he pawned all his valuables in exchange for some good food.He also begged the two guards to invite a doctor to look at Mu Yan's injuries.Mu Yan was in a drowsy sleep, but when the doctor washed his wound with salt water again, he woke up from the pain, unconsciously avoiding the pain.After a lot of tossing, the doctor cut Mu Yan's pulse and left some medicine.Finally, he called Wen Cheng outside, and said: "The person in charge probably got a hint that his veins and bones are fine. It's just that the wound infection has caused a high fever, and he needs to take medicine every day to get better, but If you want to leave no scars in the future, I'm afraid it will be impossible."

After the doctor left that night, Wen Cheng decocted the medicine and fed it to Mu Yan, then sat by the bed and reapplied the medicine to him.It's just that the golden sore medicine left by the doctor is not a good medicine, and it doesn't feel any better when rubbed on the wound than when you are beaten.Mu Yan clenched his teeth and tried not to make a sound.In such a barbaric and desolate place, it is not easy to invite a doctor to get medicine for golden sores. How can you complain and make Wencheng worry?

Wen Cheng seemed to have noticed his patience, and his movements became more gentle.It's just that I can't help but feel sad for him, his wound must be very painful now... It turns out that overturning is so easy, falling from the high clouds to the ground is only a matter of an instant.It's just that he was used to living a life of wealth and splendor in the past, but now he is so desolate, can he accept it calmly?

Just as he was thinking, Mu Yan suddenly turned his head and said softly: "Wen Cheng, I'm afraid I won't be able to repay your kindness in this life. I remember that you took care of me a lot before, but now you have to be with me. Go to Lingnan to suffer."

Wen Cheng was taken aback for a moment, and then said calmly: "I came to Lingnan voluntarily, why did you say 'you're hurting me'? Now you just need to take good care of your wounds, don't think too much about the rest."

Mu Yan smiled palely: "Okay. I will live a good life and repay your kindness." After that, he closed his eyes lightly and said nothing.He will live, waiting for the day to repay Wen Cheng's kindness, and also looking forward to the day when he will meet Yi Lan again.Having made this awareness, even though all kinds of suffering will come one after another in the next three years, I will have no regrets or complaints in my heart.

On the day when Lord Ye was buried, the whole Ye Mansion cried out in unison, paper money filled the sky, and all the people wept and mourned.Wan Lu was also sobbing at her uncle's funeral, heartbroken.Ye Tong just knelt quietly in the mourning hall in a white filial piety without saying a word.The Empress Dowager knew that Mr. Ye's family had been officials for generations, and his loyalty and uprightness can be shown in the world, so she persuaded Yi Lan to pay more for Mr. Ye's family and relatives.Yilan ordered to bury Lord Ye generously, and Concubine Wan Gui also received all the awards and favors because of Lord Ye, and she was very beautiful for a while.Only Ye Tong refused all pensions and titles, and went to mourn for his father for three years.

It has been nearly two months now, and the wound on Mu Yan's back has healed.These days, he has been traveling day and night, and his body is no longer so delicate, so he can gradually adapt to such an environment.It's just that there is almost no silver left on him, and now he is on the way to be exiled to Lingnan, and he has to use silver everywhere.Wen Cheng had no choice but to pawn off a few of the better quality clothes brought out from Hou Ye's mansion.But it is not enough to manage two servants again.Seeing that no more silver was delivered, the two servants began to make things difficult again.

One night, while Wen Cheng was out fetching water, two guards went into the tent to rummage through their luggage.Inside were found two exquisite boxes of rosewood.The two knew that the prisoner escorted this time used to be a marquis, and the things they brought out must be treasures.He wanted to take the wooden box away, but Mu Yan snatched it away and held it tightly in his arms, no matter how they kicked and beat him, he refused to hand it over.Fortunately, Wen Cheng came back in time to protect Mu Yan, and handed over his personal jade pendant to the two guards, begging them to be lenient.The two of them saw that the jade pendant was transparent and flawless, and it was a high-quality jade, so they didn't continue to embarrass Mu Yan.

After the two guards took the jade pendants and left, Wen Cheng silently put away the pair of jade flutes for him.Then he said, "How are you? Did you get hurt just now?"

Mu Yan shook his head, and said after a long silence: "I'm sorry to cause you trouble again. Tomorrow, tomorrow, I will pawn one of the jade flutes and exchange your jade pendant."

Wen Cheng shook his head and said: "No need, after all, the jade pendant is a possession outside of the body, and it is good to meet the temporary needs just now. Settle down in Lingnan first, and then redeem the jade pendant later. That pair of jade flutes is your only thought." Well, let's keep it."

A carriage slowly stopped at the Dongzhi gate of the palace, Ye Tong hurriedly got out of the carriage, and was about to enter the palace gate.But he was stopped by the guards at the gate of the palace, and he scolded: "Who dares to break into the gate of the palace?!"

Ye Tong glanced coldly, "Get out of the way! I have something important to see the emperor!"

Hearing the words, the guard shouted again: "Is it possible that the emperor will see you as soon as you say he sees you? Go away!"

When the two were arguing, a young and slightly older officer walked out from the Dongzhi Gate, frowned and said: "The palace is important, why is it so noisy?"

Just now when the guard saw the officer, he whispered a few words to him, then bowed and stepped aside.The officer looked back, first looked Ye Tong up and down, and then said: "Who are you? Why are you forcing your way into the palace gate?"

Ye Tong gave him a cold look, and said, "Your imperial concubine's younger brother!"

The officer's heart sank, "Then... isn't he the young master of the Ye family?..."

Ye Tong frowned slightly, and said impatiently: "Stop being so wordy. Go in and let me know that I have something to see."

The officer pondered for a moment, finally bowed and turned into the palace gate to announce, and came out again after a long while, "The emperor calls you to have an audience, Mr. Ye, please follow me."

After a body search, Ye Tong followed the officer into the palace gate, bypassed the carved beams and painted buildings, and finally stopped in front of a palace.The officer led just now bowed and retreated, and Ye Tong walked into the hall alone, knelt down and kowtowed: "Ye Tong kowtows to the emperor, long live."

Yi Lan lightly put down her vermilion pen, stretched her sore wrist, and said, "Get up. Let me ask you, you have always been at odds with your father, why did you refuse all the pensions and titles a few days ago, and insisted on guarding Xiaosan?" Year?"

Ye Tong stood up and said: "Returning to the emperor, no matter how much resentment and hatred there were in the past, it is a thing of the past. After all, he is also my father. As a son of man, it is only natural to keep filial piety for the deceased father for three years."

After Yi Lan listened, she nodded lightly, "Listen to them, do you have something important to report to me today?"

After a long while, Ye Tong nodded slowly: "Yes. Marquis Zhongning was wronged, I know who killed my father. I want to see him today, and I want to report this person to the emperor."

After Ye Tong left the palace, Yi Lan pondered for a long time alone in the palace, and then said in a deep voice, "Come here!"

At this time, a man in black flew in from the window, knelt on one knee and asked, "What is the emperor's order?"

"Just now someone reported to me that it was not Zhong Ninghou who murdered Mr. Ye, but someone else. You order, let the four secret guards of 120 all investigate this matter."

The man was a little surprised, "The whole army is investigating this matter? Please think twice, Your Majesty!"

Yi Lan waved her hand and said, "It's okay. It's just that we must intensify our investigation at this time. We should start with Concubine Wan and that Abi, as well as Ye Tong. Let's see if we can find some clues from him."

"Yes. My subordinates obey."

The author has something to say:

☆, 47. Solitude (1)

47. solitude (1)

To this day, Mu Yan and Wen Cheng have been exiled for exactly two months, and they finally arrived in Lingnan after a long journey.The guards who escorted them obviously didn't want to stay here for a long time, so they sent the two to the local government, changed the judgment document into a palindrome, and then returned to the capital.The government should have confirmed that Mu Yanwen Chengzheng had arranged for them to serve three years of hard labor in the local area, but the people in the government were very polite to them and said that they could let them go tomorrow.Wen Cheng was suspicious, so he asked someone to find out that the law in south of the Five Ridges had been relaxed for a long time, and someone spent a lot of money to redeem the two of them, so it was convenient for the government to do so.Although Wen Cheng didn't show it on the face, his heart was full of surprise.Lingnan was desolate, he and Mu Yan had never been here before, let alone knew anyone here, so who was the one who paid for them to manage the government?

In the early morning of the next day, the government released Mu Yanwencheng and the two of them. As soon as they walked out of the yamen, they saw an ordinary couple waiting at the gate of the yamen.Seeing them come out, the woman immediately pulled the man beside her to meet her, and said, "Master Hou!"

Mu Yan hadn't heard this title for two months, and now he couldn't help being a little startled when he heard it again.He looked up at the woman, only to realize that she was the maid of the Lanling Palace, and he couldn't help saying in surprise: "Lan Yu? Did you order the government to let us out?"

The woman knelt down and solemnly kowtowed to Mu Yan, and said: "A few years ago, the late emperor passed away, and the palace had to choose maids to be buried. It was Lord Hou who begged the emperor to spare us the maids from dying, and left the servants in Lan Waiting in the Palace of Ling. Later, Lan Yu was released from the palace by the order of Lord Hou, so she no longer had to live in fear in the palace. Lan Yu was selected into the palace as a maid since she was a child. She thought she would die of old age in the palace. She didn't want to have another chance in this life. Marry. In the past when serving in the palace of Lord Hou, Lord Hou gave a lot of rewards to the slaves. Lord Hou is very kind and virtuous, and Lan Yu just wants to do something for Lord Hou to repay him."

Mu Yan was taken aback for a moment, he never thought that an unintentional move many years ago would be rewarded like this today.He forced a smile, and said: "I'm no longer a Marquis, now I'm just a guilty minister in the court, and I can get you to take the risk to help me. I really don't know what to say other than a word of thanks..."

The man said from the side: "Young Master is Yu'er's lifesaver, and this repayment is also due. Yu'er and I came here from Huangyao immediately when we heard that you were exiled here. It is difficult to find a place to stay in the remote south of Lingnan. Yu'er still has an inn in Huangyao, if you don't dislike it, you can stay in our inn temporarily."

Mu Yan hesitated, but said in a low voice, "Then I'll have to work."

Yijun entered the imperial study, and the hall was unexpectedly empty.Yi Lan was wearing a dragon robe and sat firmly on the dragon chair, while Eunuch An was sorting out the approved notebooks.Seeing King Huan entering the palace, Eunuch An bowed and retreated.

Yijun pulled up her clothes and knelt down, "My brother sees the emperor."

Yi Lan raised her hand, beckoning him to sit on the next stool, and said in a low voice, "Yi Jun, you don't need to be polite. How is the matter I entrusted to you? How is he... now?"

Yijun cupped her hands and said: "Brother Huang, I have secretly arranged for people to follow along the way. Those people sent back news that he had arrived in Lingnan. It's just... I suffered a lot along the way, and I needed to take care of it many times on the way. The guards seem to have pawned a few pieces of clothing after they ran out of money. It is not easy for the people sent by the younger brother to come forward to help. But fortunately, the two escorts have not done anything excessive except asking for money It's a matter. After all, it's polite to be able to do this to a Marquis who has lost his title." As soon as he said the words, he immediately felt that something was wrong, and hurriedly bowed: "My brother is a fool! I hope the emperor will forgive me."

Yi Lan shook her head, and suddenly smiled self-consciously, "You didn't make a mistake. After all, it was I who wrote the word 'Zhun Zuo' on the judgment document, and put him in dire straits. Even if you want to blame it, you can't blame others, can you? As he said, he put the white porcelain cup in his hand on the table and continued: "Now that I have found out everything, the people you sent don't need to be in the dark anymore. Let them... take him back Right. I have already decided. When he comes back, I will pass on the throne to you."

Yijun was so startled that she quickly knelt down and said, "Brother Huang, don't do it! Is it a joke to abdicate? Brother Huang knows how much he has sacrificed to inherit the throne, so I really dare not covet Brother Huang." For those who have earned the throne through hard work, the emperor's brother is busy with the country's affairs and toils only for a while, and the ministers will definitely assist with all their strength, but I beg the emperor's brother to never think of the Zen throne."

Yilan stood up, sighed tiredly, and said, "Yijun, let's go to the imperial garden with Brother Huang."

In the imperial garden, Yilan walked slowly ahead, while Yijun silently followed behind.Suddenly, Yi Lan turned around and said: "Father was in this imperial garden to discuss with me the succession of the throne, today I also want to discuss this matter with you here. Don't worry, the emperor is not tempting Do you have two minds, but really intend to pass it on to you."

Yijun shook her head, but still declined and said: "I understand what the emperor said. But even if the emperor insists on passing on the throne, the incompetent ministers will not be able to take on this important task. I hope the emperor thinks twice."

Yilan smiled lightly, feeling that the current Yijun was very much like herself back then, and he patted Yijun on the shoulder, "You can afford it. Do you think that the decision made by Brother Huang today was not considered carefully?" ?You have a calm temperament and the ability to govern the country, if you can really pass it on to you, it can be regarded as the worry of the emperor's heart, and it can be regarded as recommending a benevolent lord for me Panyun."

Yijun was silent for a long while, and when she spoke again, she was still embarrassed: "The emperor's brother is absurdly praised, and the ministers don't dare to inherit the throne...The emperor is still in his prime, and he has already registered a queen and a noble concubine. How many more should I add? A prince is also just around the corner. It is too early to discuss the reserve now."

Yi Lan shook her head, smiled lightly and said: "No - I have never touched them since I married them. There are many princes in the court, but you are the only one who can bear the burden of the throne. The ancestral system stipulates that the emperor has no heirs. It will be passed on to his younger brother. Since Brother Huang has decided to pass on the throne to you, he must protect your reputation in the future... Therefore, Brother Huang must not have a son."

"Brother Huang..." Yijun's voice was a little trembling. Brother Huang won't be criticized for taking the throne from his nephew after he ascended the throne, so he would rather not have a son—it turns out that Brother Huang has already arranged everything for him up.Yijun stabilized her mind and continued: "My brother still thinks it's impossible..."

"Yijun, I've made up my mind, so there's no need to persuade me anymore. I still have some things to deal with, so you can go back to the mansion first. You should think about what the emperor brother told you today, and come to me at any time after making a decision. "

Yijun wanted to say something else, but now she can only bow her head and say "My brother complies with the order, please leave first", and exited the imperial garden.

The author has something to say: I have always felt that I should not abandon my long-standing ambition for the sake of feelings.When others asked me before, I would answer that if I could only choose one, I would choose career over love.Looking at it now, if I really have such a relationship, I am willing to make the same choice as Yilan. (*?︶?*)

☆, 47. Solitude