Return of the Swallow

Just when Qin Yining was deep in thought, Tao Hanshan also returned to the main hall and sat at the front with a gloomy expression.

"Brother Tao, what's going on?" A middle-aged counselor with a long beard carefully observed Tao Hanshan's expression and asked cautiously.

This man's name is Chen Jing, and he is also a counselor under Pang Xiao, but his status is far inferior to that of Tao Hanshan. Over the years, he has always followed Tao Hanshan's lead in acting, and he has become his confidant.

Tao Hanshan shook his head.

Seeing that he seemed to have something to say, Chen Jing turned around and signaled several counselors and guards to retreat.

When there was no one else in the room, he lowered his voice and asked, "Princess, what has angered Brother Tao?"

Tao Hanshan frowned when he heard this and said: "The princess is a rich person. Even if there is any disagreement, it is because we, as subordinates, handled it improperly and angered the princess. How can we say that the princess has angered us?"

Chen Jing smiled and said, "Brother Tao, there's no need to be so nervous. There are no outsiders here. It's just you and me. What else can't be said between you and me?"

In the past, Tao Hanshan would never have allowed Chen Jing to say such words in front of others. But just now he was really angry with Qin Yining, and he couldn't get angry with the princess beyond his temper, so he was angry about this matter.

Seeing what Chen Jing said, he snorted, "A woman's opinion is not enough to make a plan. Thanks to the prince for praising her, Wolong is still alive, but now she seems to be a man with long hair and short knowledge. What a wise man the prince is, but in the end It’s so sad that the beauty is about to pass.”

Chen Jing said with a smile: "Since ancient times, heroes have struggled with beauty. Is it any wonder? It would be fine if the princess was just an ordinary harem woman. She only has beauty and can serve the prince. The problem lies in how smart she is. , and being smart, such a woman is the most difficult to deal with. If she goes to talk to the prince, it will affect his decision to some extent. If she goes to the prince to tell someone's fault, the prince will most likely believe it. "

"Exactly, the bad thing is here." Tao Hanshan said, "Just like what happened today, in such a crisis situation, of course we have to ensure that the prince acts correctly! The prince is devoted to the country, but the emperor is very jealous of the prince. , How much mistreatment did the prince receive when we were in the capital? This was not only seen by us as subordinates, but also by the people of the capital!

"It is an indisputable fact that the prince's achievements are so great that he is feared by the Holy One. Under such circumstances, we should act more carefully and carefully, and we must not be caught by the Holy One. But what is the 'original intention' that the princess is talking about with me today? , you don’t agree with me ordering troops to put down the rebellion of the people in Danford County, do you think this is ridiculous?”

Chen Jing raised his eyebrows pretending to be surprised: "Have you ever told me why the princess thinks so?"

Tao Hanshan sneered,

"It's not that the people are innocent. At this moment, she is only thinking about those untouchables, but she doesn't think about how the Lord will blame the prince after the incident, let alone what big things the prince will become. If you ask me, the woman should just stay here. It’s just a matter of doing things in the inner house. Isn’t the princess just a living example of being spoiled by the prince?”

Chen Jing also sneered when he heard this, and joked: "So since ancient times, women who are too beautiful have been the material to bring disaster to the country and the people, and this is not something that can be blamed on the prince. So how does Brother Tao plan to deal with this matter?"

When asked about the key matter, Tao Hanshan immediately became cold-faced and quickly tapped the table with his fingers. The tapping sound stopped suddenly after a cup of tea.

"This matter cannot be left to a woman."

Tao Hanshan propped his elbows on the small table between the two armchairs, approached Chen Jing and whispered: "Those like you and me are not like Brother Xie and Brother Xu who can be counted among the princes and princesses. If For the sake of the future, what should we care about most? If the prince becomes a big problem, you and I can at least be a member of the court. But if the prince fails to succeed, we may not even be able to escape."

Chen Jing nodded repeatedly, "Brother Tao is right. You and I follow the prince, firstly because we value his character, and secondly for these reasons. If we don't have any selfishness, we will become Bodhisattvas."

"That's right. I believe it's not just you and me, but everyone thinks the same way. Your Majesty is a benevolent and righteous person. He tolerates the suspicions of the Holy Emperor, and even makes up his mind to resist, just for the sake of loyalty. Your Majesty is like this His character really makes you and I admire him, and it also makes followers like you and me even more devoted.”

Chen Jing nodded in agreement upon hearing this.

Tao Hanshan added: "There are some things that the prince cannot do. If we, the subordinates, don't do it, things will develop in an uncontrollable direction in the end. So we must try our best to help the prince achieve his goals. The prince is now dedicated to the Holy One. But once something forces the prince to take that path, the prince will not be able to resist."

Chen Jing nodded again.

He agreed with Tao Hanshan's idea, but after listening to Tao Hanshan's words, he had some bad premonitions and felt a chill down his spine.

Tao Hanshan carefully lowered his voice: "The princess is involved in this matter, and she really can't play any good role. If you want the prince to agree to suppress the rebellion of the people in Danfu County and draw attention away, you have to give the prince a way to get his approval. Reasons for, say, hatred.”

"Brother Tao, what do you mean..."

Tao Hanshan made a gesture with his palm on his neck.

"Are you talking about... the princess?" Chen Jing also gestured with him. Seeing Tao Hanshan nod, he immediately became excited and the hairs on his back stood up. "Isn't this inappropriate? The princess is the prince's favorite child. If the prince knows about it, even if you are thinking about the prince, I am afraid that the prince will only be furious and will not appreciate it."

Tao Hanshan smiled and said, "There are so many beauties in the world. When the prince ascends to the throne in the future, there will naturally be beauties from all over the world to serve him. Do you still worry about not being able to choose someone better than Qin? What's more, when the prince is sitting on the throne and has the greatest wealth in the world After that, many thoughts will naturally change, and he will naturally no longer care about the current governor. He will miss the princess, but he will not vent his anger on me."

At this point, Tao Hanshan whispered a few words in Chen Jing's ear. When Chen Jing nodded, he added, "Besides, what's there to worry about? Doesn't the princess have a ready-made top cylinder with her? When the time comes, The prince has determined that it was someone from Danford County who killed the princess. With his temper and deep love for the princess, not to mention quelling the rebellion, even the prince can do it. Then you will have the best of both worlds."

Chen Jing hesitated for a moment, then nodded slowly and said, "What Brother Tao said makes sense. So you have already decided on this method?"

Tao Hanshan smiled and did not answer immediately.

%

Qin Yining's expression changed from the initial anxiety and worry to calmness.

She stood up, walked slowly to the window, quietly opened the window a crack and carefully observed the situation in the courtyard.

Today is the middle of July, and a bright moon hangs high, illuminating the silent courtyard. Perhaps due to the differences between men and women, there were no guards arranged outside the courtyard where she was, and there were only figures walking around in front of the courtyard door.

Qin Yining was a little funny. She has already arrived at the place where Pang Xiao's men are. Although Tao Hanshan does not agree with her cutting down, he still respects her as a princess. Why is she so careful?

She simply opened the door and walked into the courtyard, carefully observing her surroundings.

When the young man saw Qin Yining going out, he quickly followed him.

The yard was spacious, and the night wind blew Qin Yining's hair on her temples. She could smell the strong smell of dried blood on her body.

This is why Qin Yining is on guard.

If it was Xu Weizhi or Xie Yue, even if there was no maid around, they would find a way to find a village woman to help them change clothes and wash themselves. But Tao Hanshan only asked for a pair of clothes that he found somewhere and a basin of hot water.

Tao Hanshan didn't pay enough attention to her, but now Qin Yining can't break up with the people left behind by Pang Xiao.

She wanted to find Meng Qin. If it were Xie Yue, she would directly ask someone to look for him outside, but Tao Hanshan's actions and words made Qin Yining unable to trust him.

But the signal arrow she used to communicate with the Blue Sky Alliance was too eye-catching in the night sky. When the red light rose, Zhuangzi's guards might have been attracted before Meng Qin came.

Qin Yining lowered his eyes, hesitating on what to do.

Is it possible to go looking for Meng Qinlai in an honest manner? Presumably, Tao Hanshan also knew that she was the leader of the Blue Sky Alliance, so he probably wouldn't stop her from communicating with the outside world. After all, a person like Tao Hanshan who is good at maneuvering is more concerned about his status in front of the prince. Even if they disagree, they are still from the camp of Pang Xiao, so they will not be so defensive.

Thinking of this, Qin Yining walked out, looking for someone to go find Meng Qin.

When the young man saw Qin Yining walking towards the door, he followed him holding the bamboo stick.

Unexpectedly, the two of them had just taken two or three steps before they heard a slight knocking sound as a pebble fell to the ground behind them.

The young man reacted quickly and turned around suddenly, the sharp blade in his hand already unsheathed.

But when he saw who it was, the young man stopped temporarily.

Qin Yining also looked back and saw someone lying on the wall of the backyard. Isn't it Meng Qin?

Qin Yining didn't dare to speak for fear of attracting people's attention, so he hurriedly walked in that direction.

Meng Qin climbed over the mud wall and landed easily.

Qin Yining hurriedly waved to Meng Qin and the young man.

The courtyard was not a place for discussion, so Qin Yining hurriedly followed suit, and the three of them hurriedly entered the house.

Meng Qin lowered her voice and said, "Leader, it's too remote for you to live in this location."

Qin Yining smiled and said, "Mr. Tao and I have different opinions. I guess Mr. Tao wants me to calm down in a remote place?"

"He is the prince's adviser, how dare he do this to you?" Meng Qin almost couldn't help but jump up.

Qin Yining smiled bitterly, "I am just a useless woman after all. Many people despise women, and you don't know that."

Meng Qin shook her head: "Aren't those who look down on women the ones raised by my mother?"

Qin Yining didn't want to dwell on this topic and asked in a low voice: "How is the situation at the prince's place?"

Meng Qin said: "I got the information and told the leader of the alliance. The prince is still surrounded, but there is no conflict now. The prince has restrained his men very well."