The film and television world begins with the battle for the throne in Kowloon

Chapter 645: Duke of Wei Fang Xuanling
When Cheng You was bringing Ma Si back home, a thin young man who was drinking tea in a teahouse at the intersection of the street where Cheng's mansion was located saw the passers-by. A gleam of light flashed in his eyes, and then he hurriedly paid the bill, went downstairs and walked into the street.

Yongxingfang is a street near the imperial city. The young man just now kept walking on the street and came to a house that was no less magnificent than Duke Lu's Mansion. He entered the mansion through a secluded small door on the side where servants went in and out to buy vegetables.

When I arrived at the backyard, I saw a man who looked like a housekeeper and he whispered something in his ear.

The housekeeper nodded, then came to a study room and knocked on the door gently, then pushed the door open naturally and walked in. An old man with a clear face was writing in the room. The old man had a ruddy complexion, half white hair, and was over fifty years old. He looked dignified and it was obvious at a glance that he was a powerful figure.

The housekeeper walked up to the old man and said respectfully, "Master, Fang Ping has sent a message."

"Ok!"

The old man didn't even raise his head, snorted slightly, and lowered his head to continue fiddling with his brush.

The butler received the signal and continued, "Master, the horsemen who left the city yesterday at noon have returned. Before the city gates closed this evening, they drove a carriage into the Duke of Lu's mansion, exhausted. The leader was Cheng You, the chief guard of Cheng Yaojin's second son Cheng Huailiang."

The old man frowned slightly, his expression solemn, still without speaking, but stopped writing, leaned back in his chair, and looked up to think.

When the old man was thinking silently, he closed his eyes, calm and steady like a mountain, breathing calmly and slowly, and tapping the armrest of the chair with his fingers. He exuded a solemn aura, which made the butler Fang Sheng next to him stop involuntarily. He did not disturb him and silently stood by, waiting for the master to think and judge, weigh the pros and cons. The atmosphere in the room began to become heavy.

This man was the Shangshu Zuo Pushe of the court, known as Fang Mou Du Duan, and was the Duke of Wei Fang Xuanling, who was trusted by Li Shimin as the best assistant minister of the Tang Dynasty.

"Fang Sheng?"

After a long while, Fang Xuanling suddenly opened his eyes, the gleam in his eyes instantly faded, and he ordered decisively: "Change clothes, prepare the sedan chair."

"master?"

Butler Fang Sheng asked, "Are you going to meet a guest?"

"No, I want to go to the palace."

"master?"

Fang Sheng looked at the setting sun in the sky. It was about to set. In a little while, the palace gates would be closed. So he reminded him, "Master, it's getting late now. I'm afraid it's too late. Should we wait until tomorrow to enter the palace to see the emperor?"

"No, I'm not meeting the emperor, I'm meeting the queen."

"I suddenly remembered that when the court was dismissed in the afternoon, I heard the eunuchs and maids in the palace say that the queen was not feeling well. I was about to go visit her, but I was pulled aside by the old man Changsun to chat for a while, so I forgot about it."

Fang Xuanling stood up with a bit of worry and explained, "Your Majesty is not in good health. As a subject, how can I be disrespectful?"

"Besides, the Queen has always valued her old ministers. Her health is related to the stability of the court. Even if the palace gates are closed, I will go. Have you forgotten that the Queen once gave me a token of passage, which allows me to enter the palace to see you at any time."

"Okay, I'll arrange it right away."

Seeing that his master had made up his mind, Fang Sheng called the servants outside to come in and help Fang Xuanling change his clothes, and then hurried to the front yard to arrange the carriage and horses.

Fang Sheng was thinking as he walked, the master came into the palace so late, it must be related to the news just now, it must be something very important?

But why not go to see the emperor, but to see the queen?
Besides, the master has always been grateful for the queen's kindness. If he had really heard in the palace that the queen was unwell, he would definitely not ignore it.

Fang Sheng thought about it over and over again but couldn't figure it out, so he had to arrange everything as quickly as possible.

Fortunately, it was gradually approaching summer and the sky was getting dark late. Fang Xuanling entered the Taiji Palace before the palace gate was locked under the setting sun, passed through many gates, and arrived in front of Empress Changsun's Qiyun Palace.

After reporting, he was led in.

Empress Changsun was having dinner when she heard Fang Xuanling asking for a meeting. She quickly ordered the maid to clear the food and tidied up a little before going to the front hall for the meeting.

Empress Changsun had been dealing with Fang Xuanling, the Shangshu Zuo Pushe, who was the first strategist of the Qin Palace and now appointed as the head of civil officials, for more than ten years. She was well aware of Fang Xuanling's wisdom and talents and relied on him very much. She had instructed the palace servants that as long as Fang Xuanling asked for a meeting, no matter what time it was, the message must be passed on immediately.

Upon seeing Empress Changsun, Fang Xuanling bowed and said, "Old minister Fang Xuanling, I pay my respects to the Empress. May the Empress live a thousand years."

"Xuan Ling, get up!"

"Don't be so polite." Empress Changsun greeted him gracefully and asked in confusion, "Why are you still coming to the palace so late? I wonder what Xuanling wants?"

"I heard that Your Majesty was not feeling well, so I came to visit you. The temperature has been rising recently, and it's sometimes warm and sometimes cold. There are big temperature changes between day and night. Your Majesty, please take care of your health and don't be careless." Fang Xuanling looked a little serious and greeted her earnestly.

Empress Changsun was stunned. She had suffered from respiratory disease since she was a child. She always felt uncomfortable when the seasons changed. She used to worry about Li Shimin's future. Since the Zhenguan period, the world was stable, Li Shimin was promoted to the throne, and she became the empress mother of the country.

The prince was filial and sensible, and the emperor was quite satisfied. Empress Changsun was in a good mood and her symptoms were alleviated a lot. Sometimes she even refused to call the imperial physician. A long illness makes a good doctor. She just asked the maid to adjust the diet.

Once the seasons change and the climate stabilizes, things will return to normal.

These outsiders may not know, but Fang Xuanling, as a close minister, must know it, right?

He would never rush over to greet someone when the palace gates were locked, with a serious look on his face, as if he was taking matters into his own hands.

Empress Changsun was also a very smart person. After a moment's thought, she raised her hand and said to the palace maids and eunuchs, "All of you please leave. I have something to tell Lord Fang."

The maids and eunuchs around the hall bowed silently, took light steps, and retreated in an orderly manner.

When there were only two people left in the palace, Empress Changsun asked with concern: "Xuanling, there are no outsiders here. If you have anything to say, just say it!"

Fang Xuanling said hesitantly, "My queen, I have no other intentions. I just feel that the weather has changed too quickly recently, and I can't see clearly. I just feel a little uncomfortable and may catch a cold easily, so I am concerned about your health."

"If your majesty is feeling unwell, please do not force yourself to stay. You can summon the prince to Qiyun Palace to serve you for a while. Your majesty's environment is comfortable. The prince is young and weak. If he stays by your side, he can be protected and recuperate with you."

Empress Chang Sun's face suddenly became serious and heavy. She stared at the old minister who was bowing his head in front of her with his hands clasped.

The two have been dealing with each other for more than ten years and have a tacit understanding. They can understand each other's intentions without saying anything.

There is no doubt about Fang Xuanling's wisdom. Since he made special instructions, he must have sensed some crisis that was unfavorable to the prince, but he did not say it clearly. If he had some concerns, it would be better to be cautious.

After a long while, Empress Changsun stopped making things difficult for Fang Xuanling and nodded silently: "I know your intentions, Xuanling, thank you for making this trip. It's getting late, and the temperature will drop quickly after the sun sets. You should go back and rest early!"

"Yes, Your Majesty, I'll take my leave!" Seeing that the Queen understood what he meant, Fang Xuanling slowly took a few steps back, turned around and left.

Cheng Yaojin stood at the door of the woodshed and heard creepy screams coming from inside, but they were blocked by the rag in his mouth, and he could only make a whimpering sound that made his scalp itch. The sound did not travel far, but anyone who heard it knew what kind of pain the screaming person was going through.

About half an incense stick of time later, Cheng You came out with a confession in his hand. From the gap in the door that was immediately covered, one could see that Ma Si, who was lying on the ground, was covered with bruises and looked horrible.

"Master, everything has been checked."

Seeing Cheng Yaojin still looking at the setting sun in the distant sky in silence, Cheng You said with a guilty look on his face: "This man is called Ma Si, Wu Qing's nephew. When the young master rushed to the breach of the Dragon King Temple that day, he did not fall into the water. Instead, several big men in black clothes and masks rushed out from the bushes. After a fight, they kicked the young master into the flood."

"During this time, the young master kept begging for mercy, not only telling them his position but also the master's name, hoping that they would spare him. But they ignored him and still threw the young master into the water. After watching him sink, Wu Qingcai and Ma Si pretended to jump into the water to rescue him."

"This is what I saw when I arrived at the scene."

Cheng Yaojin was furious. He turned around and kicked Cheng You to the ground, causing him to roll to the side. Cheng You groaned, spat out a mouthful of blood, and immediately got up again. He didn't even dare to wipe the blood from the corner of his mouth and knelt on the ground.

"You are such a waste, what's the point of me raising you?"

Cheng Yaojin was filled with rage, panting like an ox, staring at Cheng You, and asked sternly, "Any clues?"

"Master, Ma Si heard Wu Qing and those men in black only exchange a few words."

Cheng You paused for a moment, then quickly said, "Wu Qing's original words were, 'There is a road to heaven but you don't take it, there is no door to hell but you insist on breaking in. Who told you to go somewhere else but come here and block our way? If you don't die, who will?'"

"The leader of the black-clad men who was very skilled in martial arts and who was thrown into the water by the famous general said, 'The one we killed was the Lieutenant General of the Left Guard Yifu.'"

"Ma Si said that Wu Qing seemed to be planning something big, but he didn't know. Wu Qing always avoided him. He didn't know who was behind Wu Qing. It was the first time he saw those men in black. He didn't know who they were, but Wu Qing must know."

(End of this chapter)