Son of Song Dynasty

Chapter 160
In Liu Lexian's view, Zhao Pu's statement was flawless and impeccable.

But he still smelled something wrong. Could it really be such a coincidence?Zhao Xiangguo didn't get sick early or late, but why was he seriously ill at this time?This is too suspicious!
Liu Lexian pondered for a moment and said tentatively: "Xiangguo Zhao, the Queen has invited you to enter the palace. Please reluctantly support your illness and enter the palace..."

Before Liu Lexian finished speaking, Zhao Pu coughed violently, his hunched body trembling like a leaf in the autumn wind, he looked so miserable, as if he was about to burp at any moment.

Seeing this, the suspicion in Liu Lexian's heart did not decrease but increased, because Zhao Pu was actually not very old, and he had never heard of any serious illness before, how could he become seriously ill overnight like a dying old man?

Zhao Pu seemed to have guessed what Liu Lexian was thinking, and after panting for a moment, he said slowly: "The old man is seriously ill, and his life is at the end of the day. Right now, he is in a daze. Even if he enters the palace to have an audience, it will not be of any benefit to the empress. more trouble."

Hearing this, Liu Lexian was basically certain in his heart that the old man's condition was probably faked in order to protect himself wisely, and this person has always been cunning and wise, and it is very likely that he has already guessed his purpose, so he first Pushing things to the outside, but no matter how well Zhao Pu's calculations are made, Liu Lexian can't do what he wants.

The real tricky thing about this matter is that even if Liu Lexian sees through Zhao Pu's pretending to be ill, he has no good way to do it. Even if the empress of Song comes personally, he can't fight him hard.

After thinking for a while, Liu Lexian deliberately lowered his voice, and said solemnly: "Zhao Xiangguo, to be honest, the Holy One has just woken up. This matter is very confidential and is not known to outsiders. Right now, the Holy One is secretly summoning Zhao Xiangguo. I also ask the Prime Minister not to worry too much and go to the palace reluctantly."

According to the court system of the Great Song Dynasty, the emperor had an imperial edict, and the ministers absolutely could not refuse it. Zhao Pu could excuse his illness to refuse the Queen Song's summons, but he could not use this method to refuse the emperor.

Sure enough, after Liu Lexian said this, Zhao Pu's eyes suddenly widened, a strange light flashed in them, how could he look seriously ill?

But he didn't ask the question right away, his eyes revealed an inquiring look, and after glancing at Liu Lexian who was sitting opposite him, a sneer appeared on the corner of his mouth, and he said with a sneer, "Mr. It’s a eunuch! Your Majesty’s illness is so important, you dare to use such words to deceive the old man, do you think you’re tired of life?”

Now that the words had come to this point, there was no way out, so Liu Lexian simply changed his mind, gritted his teeth and grimaced.

"Xiangguo is right. The old slave is indeed just a mere eunuch who is despised by others. No matter when he is buried in the ground, and whether he is ruined or praised after his death, it is not a big deal."

"But Xiangguo, you are the head of the imperial court and the famous prime minister of the Song Dynasty. You pretend to be sick to protect yourself, and you only seek to protect yourself, not the community. Seeing that the world is going to be turned upside down, you just want to live behind closed doors. I am afraid that the end may not be better than that of the old slave. Wherever you go, you will even be laughed at by future generations!"

This phone call by Liu Lexian is equivalent to seeing him, tearing off all the hypocrisy and politeness in person, and pointing out that Zhao Pu's actions will not end well in the end.

Zhao Pu's face changed suddenly when he heard the words, he suddenly stood up and said sharply: "Are you threatening the old man?!"

As a famous minister of the Song Dynasty who once held a high position and held a lot of power, Zhao Pu was angry because of his intimidating power, even the two maidservants who stood beside him serving tea couldn't help but tremble.

Liu Lexian knew that he had hit the opponent's vital point, so instead of being intimidated, a smile appeared on the corner of his mouth, and he lowered his eyelashes and said indifferently: "Even if the old slave is reborn ten times, how can he be worthy of a threat?" I am the prime minister of the Song Dynasty? But this old slave also knows a word: the heights are too cold, and misfortunes and fortunes cannot be controlled. With Zhao Xiangguo's prestige and fame, even if he wants to keep himself clean and wise, he is destined to be unable to escape!"

Zhao Pu seemed to have punched the air, full of anger and unable to vent, he couldn't help but snorted, and sat back in the chair resentfully.

Liu Lexian waited for Zhao Pu's anger to subside, and then said slowly: "When this old slave just entered the mansion, I heard idlers on the street talking in the carriage, saying that Xiangguo, you must not be able to escape this turmoil, whether it is in the palace or not. I am still King Jin, and sooner or later I will definitely find you here."

Zhao Pu raised his head slightly, his expression changed a bit, revealing a thoughtful expression.

"The idlers in Tokyo can understand the truth, Xiangguo, why can't you understand it? How can King Jin not understand it?!"

While Liu Lexian was talking, he observed Zhao Pu's expression, and the latter's expression changed visibly with the naked eye.

"If you insist on refusing to enter the palace, this old slave can't force it. He has no choice but to go into the palace and report to the empress, saying that you have already voted for the king of Jin!"

After saying this, Liu Lexian got up immediately and walked out without hesitation, but he was counting silently in his heart: "One, two, three..."

Finally, when Liu Lexian silently counted to five, he finally heard Zhao Pu's voice shouting from behind: "Mr. Liu, please stay!"

……

After it got dark, a carriage quietly drove out from the back door of Zhao Pu's mansion under the cover of darkness.

The matter of Zhao Pu secretly entering the palace to meet with Empress Song is extremely important, once the outside world finds out, it is likely to lose the upper hand.Therefore, in order to prevent Zhao Guangyi and others from spying on famous people in the palace, Liu Lexian specially invited Zhao Pu to ride with him in a carriage. Fortunately, the carriage was quite spacious, and the two of them did not seem crowded, so it was quite impolite That's all.

When the new moon was rising, the carriage drove into the imperial gate and stopped in front of the sleeping hall of Daphne Palace. The imperial guards and palace servants who were waiting inside and outside the sleeping hall were all sent away early, lest Zhao Pu's arrival be a nuisance. known.

After a while, in the bedroom.

Zhao Pu bowed to Zhao Kuangyin, who was sleeping on the imperial couch, and then met Song Empress.

Empress Song didn't mention Zhao Pu pretending to be sick in order to protect herself, and said straight to the point: "Zhao Xiangguo is the important minister Yuansu of the Great Song Dynasty. The Holy Majesty was able to establish a foundation and establish a career, and he was able to control the world. In the autumn of crisis, my palace is in charge of the middle palace, but I don't have much knowledge, so I have to ask Xiangguo for advice!"

This opening statement not only complimented Zhao Pu's merits and talents, but also affirmed the justice of his own side, and established a firm foothold for the following conversation.

Empress Song paused for a moment, and continued: "Zhao Xiangguo must not be clear about the current situation in the court. In recent days, some ministers have been colluding with each other to conspire to elect King Jin to supervise the country. Know what Xiangguo thinks?"

(End of this chapter)