Painting Doctor Jinhua

Chapter 163: Discussing Heaven's Way and Questioning the Evildoers

"You just said that even if it rains, it may not be caused by me, Xiao Jinyu. What you actually mean is that everyone on the Bronze Sparrow Tower today can pray for rain, but it cannot be me, Xiao Jinyu, right?"

Xiao Jinyu suddenly asked in a stern voice.

Lu Lingxuan still looked at her with a half-smile.

Then she changed the subject again: "Yes, the rain from heaven was definitely not caused by me, Xiao Jinyu, praying for rain alone. This rain was not something I could pray for alone, but it was also not something you, Lu Junjun, or anyone here could pray for!

Since Lord Lu said that the rain is destined by heaven, I, Xiao Jinyu, will discuss this heavenly law with you today!"

These words immediately caused an uproar on the Bronze Sparrow Tower!

Lu Lingxuan's eyes finally showed a hint of surprise and disbelief, and she actually asked, "You want to discuss the Way of Heaven with me?"

"Yes!"

As Xiao Jinyu spoke, he walked forward, facing the emperor and the civil and military officials, and said solemnly:

"Today I will discuss with you and the people of Yecheng why it rains."

"The changes in celestial phenomena such as wind, rain, thunder, lightning, solar eclipses, lunar eclipses, etc., all follow the laws of nature. Laozi also said: Man follows the earth, the earth follows the sky, the sky follows the Tao, and the Tao follows nature.

All things in the world are constantly changing and are everywhere. The eight wildernesses and six directions return to their original state, and all things return to the Tao. This is nature! "

"When will rain or snow fall? When will solar or lunar eclipses occur? All these natural laws can be calculated!"

After saying that, Xiao Jinyu turned to Lu Lingxuan and asked in a very teasing tone: "Lord Lu attributed this natural law to his own merits, thereby fooling the emperor and the people of the world. Isn't this blasphemy against the way of heaven?"

Lu Lingxuan's face suddenly changed color, and her face, which was used to keeping calm under a fake smile, turned pale.

At this moment, all the ministers burst into an uproar, and Gao Zhan stood up in disbelief!

"What did she mean by that? She actually said that Lord Lu was fooling the emperor and the people?"

Amid the doubts, Li Mi also stepped forward, bowed to the emperor from a distance, and said with a sneer:

"Didn't you hear clearly? Princess Lanling said that wind, rain, thunder and lightning, solar and lunar eclipses and other celestial phenomena can all be calculated. They are not something that can be prayed to the heavens. These are the laws of nature. And Lord Lu actually took advantage of the ignorance of the people and attributed these natural laws to his own merits. Isn't this deceiving the emperor and fooling the people?"

At this moment, Mu Ti Po, who had been silent and watching the situation, could not help but stand up and pointed at Li Mi and shouted:

"What do you mean by calculable changes in celestial phenomena? Are you trying to deceive people?"

"Hahaha... Speaking of the words 'bewitching people', I, Li, think it's more appropriate to use them on Lord Lu!"

Li Mi paced back and forth, bowing to the officials, and finally turned his gaze to Mutipo:

"My Zhaojun Li family is also a noble family. The Li family has a collection of more than 100,000 volumes of books. I, Li Mi, have heard about the art of calculating the changes in celestial phenomena from my ancestors. You, Mu Dipo, don't understand celestial phenomena, which only shows that you are ignorant. How can you use your ignorance to slander Princess Lanling and deceive the people!"

"you--"

Mutipo was so angry that he gnashed his teeth and looked to his mother for help.

Lu Lingxuan still said nothing, but her expression was unclear, and she looked at Xiao Jinyu, Lanling Wang, Li Mi, and Cui Heng who came with him with murderous intent.

“If Princess Lanling really wants to deceive the emperor and the people, she can just say that this rain was prayed for by heaven, or she can call herself a goddess sent from heaven like Lord Lu did!”

"But she didn't do that because she wanted to wake everyone up. Don't be deceived by Lord Lu's false words!"

At this time, even Cui Heng bowed to the ministers and said: "The Princess of Lanling is like this, it can only be said that she is more talented than others, but she never uses her talent and knowledge to deceive others, or even to put herself above others.

My dear ministers, isn't such a person worthy of your admiration? "

All the ministers looked at each other, some were speechless, and some looked ashamed.

Amid the sighs, someone finally stood up and said, "Yes, what Minister Li said is very true. Princess Lanling is not only extremely talented, but also has the mind of a great scholar. She does not use her talent to bully others, but is willing to benefit others. This really makes us ashamed!"

Minister Li?

Xiao Jinyu looked at Li Mi in astonishment. Li Mi blinked and explained in a low voice, "Two days ago, I went to ask Your Majesty for this position. Didn't Your Majesty just dismiss Lu Yi, the Palace Attendant, from his post? I took his place!"

Xiao Jinyu nodded with a smile.

At this time, the young man who was speaking had already walked forward. He was well-mannered and had the demeanor of a famous scholar.

He bowed respectfully to Xiao Jinyu and said, "I am Pei Ziye from the Hedong Pei family. I have heard of the name of Princess Xiao Jinyu for a long time. Princess Xiao Jinyu was able to open the Lanling Xiao family's clan school in the south and lead poor scholars from all over the world to study together. This kind of mind has made me admire her for a long time. Today, I have seen that the princess's talent and virtue make Ziye admire her even more!"

"I hope the princess will accept Pei's greetings!"

After Pei Ziye's opening remarks, several famous scholars stepped forward and saluted Xiao Jinyu.

Although some old ministers were unwilling to submit to a woman as a sign of respect, they all remained silent and did not refute.

At this time, even Zhaojun Wang Gao Rui, who served as Shangshu Ling, stood up and said: "The princess is indeed very talented, and she can definitely serve as the Grand Historian!"

Gao Zhan was also somewhat moved. Amid the discussion of the ministers, he suddenly raised his voice and called out, "Lord Lu, do you have anything else to say?"

"I have also read your note. What is your explanation?"

Lu Lingxuan immediately knelt down before the emperor and said in a serious tone, "Your Majesty, I admit that the rain and snow phenomena can be calculated, and I also admit that I used this to fool the people. But Your Majesty, what I want to say is that the people are ignorant. The people of this world do not understand astronomy and calendar, nor do they understand the great and small ways. They just need rain when there is a severe drought, and to be able to escape when a flood comes, so that they can have food to eat and clothes to wear. That is enough!

In this world, knowledge is priceless. If not, how could aristocratic families have stood firm for hundreds of years, enjoying luxurious living and controlling power? Aren't you using your knowledge and talents to gain supremacy over these ignorant and incompetent people?"

These words were spoken in a torrent of words, and were obviously specious, yet impossible to refute.

After Lu Lingxuan finished speaking, she actually looked at Emperor Gao Zhan and said in a sign language, "Your Majesty, I am also helping you consolidate your imperial power and win the hearts of the people!"

Gao Zhan understood what she meant and fell silent.

Cui Heng's face changed drastically. He had met countless strong opponents in debates throughout his life, but he had never met anyone as sophistry and specious as Lu Lingxuan. She was clearly using the emperor's power to intimidate and suppress people so that they dared not resist!

"It's ridiculous. How can Lord Lu speak so confidently of fooling and oppressing the people? The people of the world are your majesty's subjects. Even if they are ignorant, you should tell the world like Princess Lanling did. How can you conceal and humiliate them like you do? You are not only fooling the people, you are also fooling the emperor!" Pei Ziye continued angrily.

Lu Lingxuan frowned immediately. At the same time, Gao Zhan shouted, "That's enough! Today's rain-praying ends here!"

"My words are as good as gold. Since Princess Lanling prayed for rain, I will grant you the position of Grand Historian!"

"The Ministry of Personnel will issue the appointment document to Princess Lanling tomorrow!"

After he finished speaking, he looked at Xiao Jinyu without blinking, and he even looked at her very seriously, as if he took in every part of her body.

But he didn't say he would fulfill her wish!

Prince Lanling felt the encroachment of his gaze, so he pulled Xiao Jinyu to his side and even stood behind him.

"Your Majesty, I want to hold a wedding in Yecheng. Whether you and the Queen Mother agree or not, I want to let everyone in the world know that she, Xiao Jinyu, is my Gao Changgong's wife!"

Gao Zhan looked annoyed, but Empress Dowager Lou sighed.

"Chang Gong, now that things have come to this, what else is there to disagree with? She is already your wife, and it is only right for you to marry her! Grandmother has already agreed!"

Such a proud and intelligent woman, with such a stunning beauty, must not be allowed to be with Gao Zhan, otherwise she will become a disaster for the country. It would be better to let her go and put Chang Gong's mind at ease!

Gao Changgong had no idea what Empress Dowager Lou was thinking, he just bowed with joy and said, "Thank you, Grandmother!"

Empress Dowager Lou turned her gaze to Zheng Yue, who was still kneeling on the stage with a look of despair, and sighed, "Zheng Yue, Princess Lanling no longer blames you for what happened today, so you can go back now!

If you fall in love with a man from another family in the future, I am willing to help you find a marriage!"

After hearing this, Zheng Yue just shook her head and cried loudly, unable to utter a word. Zheng Daozhong sighed and dragged her out of the Tongque Tower!

"Now that the rain-praying business is over, let's all go!"

The Queen Mother said something else, but Gao Changgong interrupted her: "Wait a minute——"

"Chang Gong, do you have anything else to say?" asked Empress Dowager Lou.

Gao Changgong knelt down on one knee and said, "My wife was praying for rain today and was nearly killed by a villain. If it weren't for the loyal men around me who tried their best to save her, I don't know what would have happened to Ah Yu now... Changgong really can't bear this. If this villain can't pay with his life to atone for his sins today, Changgong will not be able to sleep all day and will not let it go!"

Lu Lingxuan's face suddenly darkened, and Empress Dowager Lou also turned her gaze to Gao Zhan and sighed, "Your Majesty, you should give Princess Lanling an explanation. You carried out such an assassination under the emperor's nose. Where does this put the emperor's dignity?"

Gao Zhan's expression changed, and he asked Gao Anagong who had already returned here: "Has the murderer been caught?"

"Your Majesty, I... didn't. The person who shot the arrow from behind came and went without a trace!"

"Of course you can't catch him, because you were the one who arranged him!"

At this time, Lu Yu brought Zhao Wu and Yang Zhi, and escorted another person over and pushed them in front of Gao Zhan and the ministers.

"This Bronze Sparrow Tower has been surrounded by the Imperial Guards. No one except the Imperial Guards dares to bring a sharp blade here. If it weren't for Gao Anagong, the commander of the Imperial Guards, who would dare to shoot an arrow here and assassinate Princess Lanling?"

"And there are imperial guards everywhere here. Don't they know that Zheng Yue has come to the Bronze Sparrow Tower?"

"Ledger Gao, what do you think?"

Lu Yu's repeated accusations against Gao Anagong immediately caused the onlookers around him to think deeply.

The person being escorted by Zhao Wu was also forced to raise his head.

Lu Yu reported to Gao Changgong: "This man is the murderer who shot an arrow at the princess just now. We just happened to catch him!"

Gao Zhan looked over, and some ministers recognized this face.

"This person is indeed a subordinate of General Gao. Could it be that General Gao really assassinated Princess Lanling?"

"General Gao, what grudge do you have against Princess Lanling? Why do you want to assassinate her?"

"Or were you instructed by someone else?"

The words "someone else ordered me to do this" made Gao Zhan's face change instantly.

You should know that originally the Imperial Guards were commanded by the emperor himself, and those who led the Imperial Guards were also his confidants. However, there were various Xianbei forces in the Imperial Guards of Northern Qi. They were originally factions, with different positions, and were not completely loyal to the emperor. When Gao Zhan and Gao Yan launched the "Qianming Coup", they took advantage of the various factions and lack of loyalty in the Imperial Guards, and secretly recruited Gao Guiyan, the commander of the Imperial Guards at the time, to serve them for their own purposes. Only then did they easily force the palace and depose Gao Yin together with Empress Dowager Lou!

However, since Gao Zhan ascended the throne, he has been reforming the malpractices, changing the imperial guards to a recruitment system, and abandoning the practice of using clan members to serve as commanders of the imperial guards, in order to ensure the absolute loyalty of the imperial guards.

Gao Zhan was suspicious when he heard that Gao Anagong had secretly arranged for someone to assassinate Princess Lanling without his order. He said angrily, "Gao Anagong, who gave you the courage to assassinate Princess Lanling without my order?

Whose orders do you take?"

Gao Anagong was so frightened that he immediately knelt down on his knees and said, "Your Majesty, I only obey your orders. I did not send anyone to assassinate Princess Lanling. This matter has nothing to do with me. It was done by these two Wei people!"

Wei Er, who was kneeling on the stage under the orders of Lu Yu, raised his head and looked at Gao Anagong. He suddenly whimpered and kowtowed repeatedly on the ground. Without saying a word, he rushed straight towards Emperor Gao Zhan.

Zhao Wu wanted to pull him back, but unexpectedly, a guard of the imperial army beside Gao Zhan drew his sword and stabbed Wei Er through!

This sudden change made all the ministers shocked again!

Blood was splattered on the spot, and many civil servants were frightened. Most of those gathered here today were also civil servants.

Gao Zhan's expression also changed. After this incident, he no longer wanted to stay here, so he cast a fierce and impatient look at Gao Anagong again.

"Gao Anahong, I don't care whether this was done by you or not, it was also your fault. From today on, I will remove you from your position as the general. Go back and reflect on your past!"

"Let's end today's business here! Disperse, all of you! I'm tired and I want to go back to the South City Palace!"

"Yes! Your Majesty!"

"Get off and drive back to the palace!"

At the eunuch's shrill whistle, Gao Zhan lazily got on the imperial sedan chair and headed towards the harem in South City. Before leaving, he did not forget to look back at Xiao Jinyu.

Feeling his gaze, Xiao Jinyu couldn't help but clench her hands secretly.

At the same time, Gao Changgong also stretched out his hand and clenched her fist which was clenched due to nervousness.

"Ayu, don't be afraid, let's go home!"

"it is good!"

Xiao Jinyu nodded and smiled: I didn’t expect that it was his turn to comfort her now!

When the two were about to leave, they saw Lu Lingxuan looking at them with a sinister smile and hidden anger.

Xiao Jinyu's expression froze slightly. When Lu Lingxuan and Mu Tipo were about to lead the others to leave, she suddenly called out, "Lord Lu, please stay. I have something to tell you!"

Lu Lingxuan turned her head with a curious look.

"You have something to say to me?"

She seemed to think this was extremely funny.

"Yes!"

Xiao Jinyu walked towards her.

"Ayu..." Gao Changgong called out worriedly.

"nothing!"

Xiao Jinyu said something soothing with a smile, then walked up to Lu Lingxuan.

"Lord Lu, did you kill my mother?" she asked.