The atmosphere in the hall suddenly became solemn, especially for those palace ladies who were with them. After Li Ling suddenly confessed his relationship with Li Tong, they were at a loss. How could such a thing be heard by such a lowly person?

Fortunately, Wei Tang, who had been standing behind the emperor at this time, also quickly gave instructions and just took his eyes to scan it casually. The palace ladies immediately understood the meaning and silently withdrew from the hall. Finally, the two people who went out carefully closed the door of the hall so that the dialogue between the king and the minister would not be spread again.

It was also this interruption that made the emperor and Xiao Chengzhi come back to their senses one after another. One stared at Li Ling who was kneeling there thoughtfully, and the other quickly knelt down after being shocked, saying that he said he was guilty: "I made a mistake for a moment, so I would like to ask Your Majesty to punish him."

However, the emperor ignored his apology and continued to look at Li Ling. He was very clever in taking the blame for his own crime. He took retreat as an advance, but instead threw the problem to the emperor, which made him feel embarrassed.

Judging from the hundreds of bullet stamps sent to the Silver and Taiwan Division every day in the court, Li Ling is indeed difficult to escape this time. After all, the words of the people have ruined the bones, and the impeachment of them is still true. Li Ling is indeed the son of Li Tong, the elder of Luotian Sect.

Even if the latter was captured by Li Ling's son, this involvement is inevitable. After all, what else can be compared to the father-son family relationship? Li Tong is the senior leader of the Luotian Sect whom the court hates deeply. He is the real leader of the rebellious thief. According to the law, the three clans should be destroyed by the barbarians. Li Ling, the son of Li Ling, was naturally implicated and the top priority.

But the problem is that Li Ling has made great contributions. The Luotian Sect’s rebellion under Huguang was extinguished under his leadership, and Li Tong was taken down by him personally. It was a real act of destroying relatives for justice. If the court convicted him of this, especially the emperor was unwilling to let go of the matter and refused to let go of the other side, it would seem too harsh and would be a heartbreaking thing for the whole world.

If something similar happens in the future, no one will be willing to put the overall situation of the world first, but choose to join the traitors. This is obviously not the result that the emperor is willing to see.

So after looking at Li Ling for a long time, the emperor finally said quietly: "Li Ling, you have really raised a big problem for me. You have made contributions, and I can't bear to do this in my heart; but if I just let you be an official like this, I'm afraid that all the officials in the court may not be able to accept it.

"Although I am the emperor, I cannot decide such a major matter based on my own likes and dislikes. How do you ask me to deal with you?"

"I know I am guilty and dare not make any extravagant requests... Thunder, rain and dew are all the kindness of the king. No matter how Your Majesty plans to deal with me, I am willing to bear it." Li Ling spoke again, but still gave the initiative completely, without defending himself any words.

"Your Majesty..." He did not defend himself, but Xiao Chengzhi couldn't help but feel a little bit uncontrollably. Even if there was something wrong with the emperor just now, he couldn't care about it at this time and said loudly, "Your Majesty, I think Li Ling is loyal to the country and is dedicated to the court, and he will never have any connection with the Luotian Sect."

"Take this Li Tong as an example, he not only took the risk of arresting the person himself, but also did not have any idea of ​​letting him go. Moreover, he had never even mentioned the relationship between Li Tong and him to anyone. Even Chen had just learned that Li Tong was his father...

"Your Majesty, Li Ling is aware of his loyalty to His Majesty and the court. I hope His Majesty will show mercy!"

Hearing these heartfelt words, Li Ling felt warm in his heart. This was his true friend and a true brother. No matter when and where, no matter whether he had concealed him before, at this deadly moment, Xiao Chengzhi was still willing to speak for himself, completely ignoring himself and would be suspected of being implicated.

But the more he did this, the less he wanted to be implicated, so he couldn't help but want to say something. As a result, the emperor stole the first: "Xiao Qing, I don't know what you said. Li Ling could escort all the prisoners back to Beijing, and there was no mistake in the middle, which shows that he was loyal to the court. Otherwise, as his imperial envoy in Huguang, it would be easy to use Li Dai Tao Zombie if he had no evidence to die."

As he said that, he looked at Li Ling again: "It is precisely because of this that I see him here and want to hear what kind of explanation he can give."

This is a way for Li Ling, just to see if he can walk out by himself along this path.

Li Ling bowed again and said, "Your Majesty, I dare not deceive the king. The reason why I took Li Tong this time is indeed because he is the leader of the Luotian Sect. I have received the emperor's grace and should fulfill the responsibility of the ministers; in fact, I have some selfish intentions."

As he said that, he looked up slightly, looked at the emperor above, and continued, "Actually, I have a lot of grudges towards Li Tong, because before I took the imperial examination, Li Tong had abandoned me and my younger sister and went away. Moreover, when he left, he still owed a huge sum of money, which almost made my brother and sister slaves in the creditor's family. If it weren't for the fate of heaven, I found a way to write books and make money, and then I got someone to give in to the guidance of the imperial examination. I am afraid that my sister and her sister would have been killed by the irresponsible father.

"So although he is my father, I have no affection for him. As for what he says to destroy his relatives for the sake of justice, it is a bit too much of a reputation. Of course, I also know that even so, it is impossible to cut off the relationship between father and son and blood. Therefore, no matter how the court deals with me, I will never dare to have any complaints."

"Is there any such twists and turns?" The emperor was also surprised by the previous love and sighed. When he looked at Li Ling again, his eyes became softer, "In other words, before this, were you completely unaware of Li Tong's rebel traitor of Luo Tiansect?"

Li Ling replied: "Yes, I was also shocked when I learned the truth. But in fact, I couldn't change it. I just wanted to be loyal to the country and solve hidden dangers for Your Majesty. I never thought I would be implicated. It was not until later that everything was settled that I understood this. But I dared to assure Your Majesty that I never thought of releasing Li Tong privately, even if I had a father and son in my heart."

The emperor nodded: "I believe in your loyalty, but..."

"Your Majesty, Li Ling's death of relatives for such a righteous reason is that in my opinion, only merits but no mistakes. Please ask Your Majesty to be kind!" Xiao Chengzhi heard the meaning of the subsequent turning point and quickly asked for another sentence.

The emperor glanced at him and then looked solemn: "But the country has its own laws, so I should not be neglected by the emperor. Merit is merit, and fault is merit. I will naturally record Li Ling's merit. As for the fault, even if I don't want to pursue it, I can't block the mouths of everyone.

"Li Ling, do you know that during this period, the statement in the court that you are the first descendant of the Luotian sect has become rampant. Many censors and censors have memorials and impeachments, and even officials at the ministry and above have many doubts about you. Even if I want to protect you, I have to convince them first.

"So, today I can only feel wronged. Wei Tang..."

"I am here." The old eunuch hurriedly stepped forward a few steps and bowed to respond.

"Let me leave it to your Imperial City Office for preservation first, don't let him down. Also, the truth of this matter is needed, and you need to help me ask, the more detailed the question, the better."

"I obey the order." Wei Tang said, then smiled at Li Ling and made a gesture of inviting him, meaning that he would leave with him.

Seeing this, Xiao Chengzhi was anxious and shouted again: "Your Majesty, I have something to say. Li Ling..."

Before he could say it, the emperor waved his hand to stop it: "I am tired, so let me say anything later. So, go back to Beijing from Huguang, and rest for two days..." As he said that, he stood up from the imperial throne with the help of Wei Tang and walked out slowly.

Li Ling could only follow them, wink at Xiao Chengzhi while walking out.

Xiao Chengzhi was both unwilling and a little confused. He couldn't figure out whether Li Ling was trying not to implicate him or had other backs. With his understanding of Li Ling, even if this person was not considered a complete plan, he was still a very smart person. He could never really put himself in such a passive situation.

After thinking about it, there was no way to say anything afterwards, so he could only watch them push the door out of the hall with some confusion. At this moment, he couldn't even ask Li Ling what plans he had.

In this way, while the emperor returned to the harem, Li Ling and Xiao Chengzhi also left the palace together, and then the two separated. One returned to his mansion with full of doubts, and the other, under the arrangement of Wei Tang, was taken there by the people of the Imperial City Department to guard the situation.

Before Li Ling was taken away, Wei Tang talked to him separately: "It's really dangerous to retreat and advance, but have you thought of a solution for the next step?" Or is this a helpless plan to make Your Majesty feel good to you and to be gentle? He didn't say the last sentence.

Li Ling glanced at him and then said in a deep voice: "I dare not hide it from my father-in-law. I do have a way to get out of this matter. However, some things are not good for me and are not easy to be accepted, so I can only use the help of the Imperial City Seizure to say it."

"Oh?" Wei Tang smiled with satisfaction, knowing that this guy is not simple, so he felt relieved, "Then you can go there with peace of mind, and someone will help you. By the way, do you need me to pass on the message at home?"

"It's a good father-in-law." Li Ling really forgot about this. Originally, without Lu Zhen's reminder in front of the palace gate, he wouldn't have taken the risk of retreating and advancing, so he didn't arrange for anyone to report the message to his family. Now, Qingxiao and the others would definitely feel uneasy after receiving the news that they were taken down by the Imperial City Department.
Chapter completed!