Chapter 144

Chapter 144

After appreciating the painting, Yuanying followed Chu Suiliang to collect some manuscripts. Chu Suiliang couldn’t handle the boy and had to do give him some good quality work.

“I remember you practicing Ouyang’s calligraphy style earlier.”

“Initially yes, but when I heard that the Ouyang family wanted back their late father’s manuscripts and was willing to pay for it, I collected all I have and gave it back to them.”

Chu Suiliang remembered that when Ouyang Xun’s wife wanted the manuscripts back, Li Yuanying not only sent his, he also ran around looking for others with a box to collect more. This kind of shameless behavior, no one else can replicate for a hundred year!

Unexpectedly Yuanying didn’t ask for any reward but gave away everything, leaving nothing behind.

Chu Suiliang gave him a pile of manuscripts he had sorted out.

The boy happily carried them back to the palace, ready to share today’s harvest with Wei Shu tomorrow. After running a short distance, he saw Hou Junji being supported out. He was obviously drunk and his steps were unsteady and he had to lean entirely on others while walking. The person supporting him wore the uniform of the imperial guards and looked a little familiar.

He remembered the guard being someone from the East Palace serving his eldest nephew, named Helan Chushi. Li Dejian mentioned before that he was Hou Junji’s son-in-law.

Yuanying is not acquaintance with Helan Chushi and he was holding a pile of manuscripts. He decided not to greet them but stepped aside pretending not to see him.

The pair didn’t see Li Yuanying.

Hou Junji walked crookedly, muttering to Helan Chushi: “I have made many contributions to the country, but now I am not even comparable to Cheng Yaojin, who is a fool. I see it. When the rabbit dies, the running dog is cooked! When the birds are gone, the good bow is hidden! Look at Zhang Liang who also made contributions, sent away to Luoyang...”

Helan Chushi nervously covered Hou Junji’s mouth. After ensuring no one heard them, he sped up his steps. Yuanying leaned against a tree, thinking about what Hou Junji had just said. On the surface, the king and his minister seemed to have reconciled, but in fact, Hou Junji is still full of dissatisfaction.

People are greedy! After the battle of Gaochang, brother didn’t give Hou Junji any good opportunities because these are peaceful times. There were not many wars to fight after all. Yuanying criticized Hou Junji but didn’t take it to heart.

Who doesn’t complain when drunk? Maybe Hou Junji will forget what he said when he wakes up!

A few days after Li Yuanying happily shared Chu Suiliang’s poems with Wei Shu, Dai Ting sent a letter to the Imperial College saying that he had an important matter to discuss with him.

Yuanying borrowed Kong Yingda’s room to meet Dai Ting, and asked curiously: “Why did you come back suddenly? What can’t be written in letter?”

Dai Ting didn’t stay in Hu County for long but went to Luoyang instead for work and to prepare for the next trip to the west.

Dai Ting was the best at getting information; especially skilled seeing the big picture from the small evidences. During this period, he discovered unusual movements in Luoyang that were related to Zhang Liang, the new governor of Luoyang.

When things are involving the military commander, it cannot be a small matter.

This is no joke. This meritorious official doesn’t look like he’s doing good things, it’s better to no get involved!

Li Er watched Li Yuanying run away and closed his eyes again.

Zhang Liang and his people had followed the Emperor since the Qin Palace. Before the Xuanwu Gate Incident, Zhang Liang was accused by Li Yuanji of plotting something but he withstood the torture and did not reveal the plot.

Before Zhang Liang left for Luoyang, he told the Emperor that Hou Junji felt that he was being sidelined and asked if he wanted to rebel together.

When Li Er heard this, he brushed it off as a private conversation with no solid evidence. Now looking at the evidences in front of him, Li Er leaned on the table with fatigue and gently rubbed his eyebrows.

Li Yuanying didn’t understand Zhang Liang’s action but the Emperor understood.

He adopted many sons to accumulate power. He believed in evil magic and is raising sorcerers. Soon he will want to write about articles relating to destiny or prophecy.

Zhang Liang is planning to rebel!

Both Zhang Liang and Hou Junji are people who have followed the Emperor since his twenties. As people grow older, will their ambitions grow too? Or do they think that the Emperor is in poor health and is time for them to be the new King?

Li Er opened his eyes, slam his armrest and ordered someone to call his confidants. Investigate this matter in secret.

After giving the order, Li Er picked up the evidence again and read them. This Dai Ting is meticulous and quick-witted. I’m afraid he won’t be content with his duty. Is such a person suitable to stay by Li Yuanying?

Li Er spent more time caring for his younger brother than for his own sons. Even if it’s just a pet people develop bonds with them, what more a human.

He don’t want Li Yuanying to be too involve in these troubles.

Li Yuanying looks heartless but is in fact the most protective. If he were to make someone who has followed him for so long dissapear, the boy will kick up a big fuss to topple heavens.

Li Er thought for a moment and gave up the fleeting thought.

This annoying brother thinks too little, so it would be good to have someone with him who thinks more. I believe, a eunuch, can’t cause much trouble.

Notes from the author:

Little Prince: That was a close call ! ! !