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Objectively speaking, although Emperor Deqing was arrogant and lascivious, happy with great achievements, and indifferent, he was actually a very diligent emperor.

Since he ascended the throne, except for a few southern tours, the morning court has basically not been interrupted every day, and he will stay in the imperial study for at least an hour to review and review, and all important government affairs of the imperial court will be personally inquired into.

Although Zhao Junchen believes that Emperor Deqing's "diligence" is essentially just a grasp of power - if he shows a slight sign of slackness in delegating power, I am afraid that the entire temple has long become Zhou Shangjing's Yiyan Hall - but it is still undeniable that he is indeed an emperor who is diligent in government affairs.

But this time, because of the lawsuit between the crown prince Zhu Heyu and the vassal kings, Emperor Deqing has not held a court meeting for nearly ten days, but it is the first time in nearly ten years.

Perhaps, Emperor Deqing also knew very well that under the current temple situation, as long as he officially convened the court meeting, it meant that Zhu Heyu's deposition officially entered the countdown, and there was no room for recovery.

Although there are many conceptual conflicts between Emperor Deqing and Zhu Heyu, he will even be jealous of Zhu Heyu's reputation in the government and the opposition, but after all, he once had high hopes for Zhu Heyu, poured a lot of effort, and had some father-son affection, which was inevitably a little unbearable at this time.

However, no matter what Emperor Deqing thought, the court meeting would eventually be reopened.

Just two days after Zhao Junchen hung Li Ru'an, the court meeting was finally held again.

*

Li Ru'an, as the eunuch in charge of the imperial study, naturally understands the significance of today's court meeting - this will be an important moment that will affect the abolition of the storage position.

And the matter of the Seventh Prince Zhu Hejian recruiting him a few days ago is obviously closely related to the abolition of the storage position!

According to Li Ru'an's conjecture, at such an important time for the situation to change, Zhao Junchen will never be indifferent, and there will inevitably be many things that need to be secretly cooperated with by himself!

Therefore, before the official convening of the morning dynasty today, Zhao Junchen should reply to himself anyway.

So, on this day, Li Ruan still left the room early, looking for a reason to stay in the imperial study for a while, and waited until he heard that Emperor Deqing had come to the Taihe Hall to hold a court meeting, and then returned to his room again.

In Li Ru'an's mind, as long as Zhao Junchen attaches a little importance to him in his heart, or has the intention to meddle in the abolition of the prince, this is the last chance to get in touch! If this opportunity is missed, once something happens at today's court meeting, Li Ruan will not be able to cooperate with Zhao Junchen at all.

However, when Li Ruan couldn't wait to open the dark grid again, he found that there was still nothing in the dark grid.

Obviously, Zhao Junchen still did not reply to him.

Looking at the empty dark grid, Li Ruan's expression couldn't help but be cloudy.

He also knew that Zhao Junchen would definitely find that his secret letter contained the meaning of bargaining and taking advantage of the opportunity to blackmail, he knew that Zhao Junchen would definitely be unhappy after realizing this, he thought that Zhao Junchen might promise to improve his status and treatment, and also thought that Zhao Junchen might categorically reject him, he was even ready to meet Zhao Junchen's anger, but he didn't expect Zhao Junchen to ignore him anyway!

This kind of disregard is much more terrible than Zhao Junchen's clear expression of dissatisfaction!

Li Ruan tried his best to calm down, but he still couldn't help but start thinking crankily and suspiciously.

The infinite association space and various possibilities make Li Ruan more frightened the more he makes up his brain!

It's been two days, why hasn't Zhao Junchen contacted him all the time?

Could it be that Zhao Junchen doesn't care about Zhu Hejian's movements at all? No way! Otherwise, Zhao Junchen would not have deliberately reminded himself to be careful of Zhu Hejian!

Could it be that Zhao Junchen does not intend to meddle in the abolition of the prince? It can't be either! Otherwise, he wouldn't have paid so much attention to Zhu Heyu and Zhu Hejian, the two brothers!

Or is it that after Zhao Junchen received his secret letter, he was unable to make a decision because of the importance of the matter? It's even more impossible, Zhao Junchen is by no means such a hesitant character!

After thinking about it for a while, Li Ruan suddenly thought of another possibility, and his face suddenly changed greatly!

Could it be that Zhao Junchen already had a certain plan for the abolition of the prince, but he began to doubt his position and loyalty, so he deliberately excluded himself?

Could it be that Zhao Junchen no longer trusts himself, so he no longer needs himself and no longer expects himself to help?

Could it be that Zhao Junchen has begun to be hostile to himself?

If Zhao Junchen has begun to doubt himself, no longer needs himself, or even hostile to himself...... With Zhao Junchen's consistent style and methods...... Considering that he had been in contact with many secrets of Zhao Junchen, his current position is also extremely sensitive......

Thinking of what Zhao Junchen has done openly and secretly over the years, especially Zhao Junchen's decisiveness and resoluteness during the three sides of Shaanxi and Gansu, Li Ru'an gradually turned pale!

For a while, Li Ru'an only felt a chill in his heart, as if a dagger was pressing against his neck and would be inserted at any time!

"No! Zhao Junchen must not abandon me! I can still do things for him! I had no intention of betraying him! The most I can do is ask him for some benefits and status! Why did he, why did he doubt me and abandon me because of such a small thing? Isn't he worried that I will completely throw myself into the Seventh Prince? If he really wants to deal with me, it's a big deal, I can see Emperor Deqing almost every day, and I also have contact with the Seventh Prince, I can tell them about Zhao Junchen's ambitions......"

Li Ru'an muttered to himself about his determination to fight to the death, but his face was still bloodless.

These words are just to strengthen one's own courage.

He said that it was a big deal to take refuge in the Seventh Prince, but in fact, a person like him, who was seriously insecure, had to be in a predictable environment to be calm, and would never take risks unless it was a last resort!

Taking refuge in Zhu He Jianran is a choice, but it also represents the unknown and danger, and Li Ruan's character flaws make it more difficult for him to make up his mind the more he reaches such a time.

What's more, Li Ruan still has some suspicions that Zhao Junchen is deliberately ignoring his own practices now, which is a means to test his loyalty, so he is more and more afraid to make important decisions easily.

Therefore, Zhao Junchen has long seen through Li Ruan! Everything he has is given by Zhao Junchen, his character and ideas are also deeply influenced by Zhao Junchen, his ambition and self-confidence are also due to the fact that he knows very well that he has Zhao Junchen as a backer, once he encounters a problem that he can't solve, he only needs to hand it over to Zhao Junchen, no matter how difficult the situation Zhao Junchen can help him solve...... If he leaves Zhao Junchen, his ambition and self-confidence will become rootless duckweed, and he will not be able to withstand any test at all.

At the moment, sensing that Zhao Junchen might abandon him, Li Ru'an's ambition, which was already gradually expanding, instantly sobered up a lot, and then recognized the reality - it was never that Zhao Junchen needed his assistance, but that he couldn't do without Zhao Junchen's support!

Since entering the inner court, every step Li Ru'an has taken is due to Zhao Junchen's guidance and paving, and after leaving Zhao Junchen, he can't even tell where his future path is for a while!

Thinking of this, Li Ruan gritted his teeth fiercely, and finally made a decision!

"No! Don't let Zhao Junchen abandon me at will! I'm still useful to him! I can keep him informed of the Imperial Study...... That's right! The secret box of the Imperial Study! The Seven Princes want me to steal the secret in the secret box of the imperial study! Zhao Junchen will definitely be interested in this matter! I deliberately hid it from him a few days ago, maybe he got the news from somewhere, and knew that I was hiding the news, so he doubted my position, and I will tell him about it now! ”

Speaking of this, Li Ruan acted quickly, found pen, ink and paper from the room and began to write a second secret letter to Zhao Junchen.

This time, Li Ruan not only confessed that Zhu Hejian asked him to peep into the secret box of the imperial study, but also emphasized his role and importance to Zhao Junchen again, saying that he would have many opportunities to assist Zhao Junchen in the future, but he no longer had the intention of taking advantage of the opportunity to coerce.

Then, Li Ruan put the secret letter into the secret compartment of the room again, and muttered to himself again: "Zhao Junchen, Zhao Junchen...... I have confessed everything and made concessions...... You—you must not push me anymore......"

However, before Li Ru'an's words fell, a knock suddenly sounded in the room.

Li Ru'an's expression changed slightly, and he quickly closed the dark grid, and after spending a moment sorting out his emotional expressions, he finally turned around and opened the door.

Outside the door, there was an unexpected figure - Zhu Hejian's attendant eunuch Jia Lun!

After seeing Jia Lun's appearance, Li Ruxin was a little surprised, but quickly guessed his intention.

After Jia Lun took a deep look at Li Ru'an, he didn't wait for Li Ru'an to speak, he took the initiative to step into the room, sat casually next to the round table in the room, and looked at the room environment.

On the other side, seeing Jia Lun's self-care appearance, Li Ruxin was a little dissatisfied, but he hurriedly closed the door.

Jia Lun's gaze returned to Li Ru'an's body again, and suddenly asked, "Are you nervous?" ”

Before Li Ruan opened the door, he had deliberately sorted out his emotions and expressions, but there were still some traces, but they were seen by Jia Lun at a glance.

Li Ru'an turned to stare at Jia Lun, and a trace of jealousy flashed in his heart because of Jia Lun's keen observation.

He hated Jalen very much, and since he first saw Jalen, he felt that this person was unpleasant everywhere.

Jia Lun is different from those high-level eunuchs in the inner court who are already older, he is a few years younger than Li Ru'an, and he is a cronie who has been with Zhu Hejian since he was a child - so even if Li Ruan is determined to join Zhu Hejian, as long as Jia Lun stays by Zhu Hejian's side for a day, he will never have the day to come out, and he will never have the opportunity to realize his ambitions, so it is better to continue to follow Zhao Junchen to have a future!

If it weren't for Jia Lun's existence, Li Ruan would never have been as scruples as he is today if he wanted to take refuge in Zhu Hejian!

Even, Li Ruan also thinks that if it weren't for Jia Lun's existence, he wouldn't be panicking just because Zhao Junchen ignored him.

"If only this person didn't exist! My options are much greater! Li Ruan couldn't help but think again.

But on the surface, Li Ruan did not show his malicious intentions, and said: "Nervous? Why should I be nervous? It's just a surprise that you'll show up out of nowhere! ”

Jia Lun looked at Li Ruan deeply again, nodded and said: "It's good if you are not nervous, what you have to do next is very important and dangerous, you must not panic, otherwise you will be noticed......

Of course, if you are found to be peeping at the secret box, you must also bear it alone, His Royal Highness the Seventh Prince will never admit that he has anything to do with this matter, Wu Xinquan will also stand on the side of His Royal Highness the Seventh Prince to testify, you will not have any evidence at that time, with the opinion of the Seven Princes, no one will believe you at that time, and you will only die more miserably......

So, don't be nervous, try to be natural, as a eunuch in charge of the imperial study, it is not difficult for you to take a silent peek at the music in the secret box, as long as nothing happens, it is a good thing for everyone...... It's a good thing for you, it's not easy to win the trust of His Royal Highness the Seventh Prince, this is your chance. ”

After Li Ru'an was silent for a moment, he said: "I don't need you to remind me, I naturally understand the depths!" If I am caught, I will splash the dirty water on Zhao Junchen, and then commit suicide on the spot! Anyway, when the time comes, you will die! ”

Jia Lun couldn't help but be a little surprised, because he found that what Li Ruan said was not like a lie, and his attitude was very resolute.

A few days ago, Zhu Hejian reminded Jia Lun that he must be careful of Li Ruan, thinking that Jia Lun may not be able to suppress this person in the future, and Jia Lun also kept Li Ruan in mind at that time, but he didn't attach much importance to it, because Jia Lun also knew Zhu Hejian very well, and understood that Zhu Hejian's words were largely just to beat himself and maintain a sense of crisis - Zhu Hejian hopes that he and the people around him can always maintain a sense of urgency and crisis, which is their comfort zone.

But because of Li Ruan's resolute statement at this time, Jia Lun couldn't help but look at Li Ru'an with admiration, thinking that Li Ru'an was a ruthless person who left no room for it, and he paid more and more attention to him in his heart.

However, Jia Lun didn't know that Li Ruan had left a secret letter to Zhao Junchen at this time, confessing that he would peep into the secret box of the imperial study for Zhu Hejian.

Therefore, Li Ru'an's statement is indeed not a lie, if he is caught peeping into the secret box of the imperial study, he will definitely splash the dirty water on Zhao Junchen, and Zhao Junchen will have no choice but to take out Li Ruan's secret letter to testify for himself at that time!

In the end, Zhu Hejian's instructions to Li Ru'an to peep into the secret box of the imperial study will be revealed, and Zhao Junchen's secret infiltration of the inner court will also be revealed - Li Ruan will drag these two big men who think they are high to bury themselves!

In addition to paying more and more attention to Li Ru'an in his heart, Jia Lun's attitude was a little more polite, and there was a hint of recognition in his always gloomy expression, he reached out and took out a key from his arms and put it on the table, and said: "Today's court meeting will definitely last for a long time, and it is a great opportunity for you to act!" The Seventh Prince, he hopes to receive your exact information by the afternoon. ”

This key is obviously a replica of the secret box key of the Imperial Study.

Li Ruan didn't expect that Zhu Hejian would really be able to get the model of the key that Emperor Deqing carried with him in such a short period of time.

In fact, just like Li Ru'an had something to hide from Jia Lun, Jia Lun didn't tell Li Ru'an everything, and he also hid some hole cards!

The reason why Jia Lun suggested that Li Ru'an act immediately was not only because today's court meeting would last for a long time and Emperor Deqing would not come to the imperial study in a short time, but also because one of the imperial guards who were patrolling the imperial study in shifts today had been secretly bribed by the seventh prince Zhu Hejian, and would secretly cooperate with Li Ru'an's actions.

When Li Ru'an enters the imperial study to peep at the secret box, this imperial guard will try to divert the attention of the other imperial guards! If Li Ru'an is accidentally caught in action, this imperial guard will also kill Li Ru'an as soon as possible, and will never leave Li Ru'an any chance to speak!

With Zhu Hejian's prudence and scheming, of course, he would not bet on Li Ru'an, and while letting Li Ru'an peek into the secret box of the imperial study, he had prepared at least three follow-up plans in his heart at the same time.

Jalen put down the key and quickly left the room.

And Li Ru'an stared at the key on the table, and after his expression changed for a long time, he finally gritted his teeth fiercely, put the key in his arms, and turned around and left the room towards the imperial study.

When Li Ru'an arrived at the imperial study, he saw that there were only two little eunuchs in the imperial study at this time, and there was a team of imperial guards guarding everywhere outside the imperial study.

After Li Ru'an inspected for a while, his face soon turned cold, and he reprimanded: "Zhang Xiaoxiao, Xu Dingke, how did you clean up the imperial study?" Your Majesty will come at any time, why is there still floating dust on the ground? When I came to the Imperial Study a quarter of an hour ago to make my rounds, I saw you cleaning, why haven't you cleaned it for so long? How can such slack stay in the imperial study to do things? ”

Li Ru'an had now initially established his prestige in the imperial study, and as he opened his mouth to reprimand, the two little eunuchs immediately pleaded guilty with sincere fear, and at the same time felt deeply aggrieved, they thought that they had cleaned up very cleanly.

Li Ru'an has always had some resentment in his heart that Zhao Junchen, Zhu Hejian and others manipulated their fate at will, and there was no respect at all, but in fact, when he faced the little people whose status was lower than his own, his attitude was no different.

At this time, Li Ru'an did not soften his heart at all because of the plea of the two little eunuchs, and said: "This time you are a first-time offender, I won't drive you out of the imperial study, but I can't let you go easily...... Now, you will first go to the inner prison to receive the punishment, and each of you will receive ten lashes! After being whipped, continue to come to the imperial study to sweep! If I had seen you slack off again, it wouldn't have been as simple as being whipped! ”

In this way, after a few words, Li Ru'an broke away from the two little eunuchs, and for a while, Li Ru'an was the only one left in the imperial study.

However, there are still imperial guards outside the imperial study, because the door of the imperial study is still open, if Li Ru'an peeks into the secret box at this time, it will be easy to be discovered.

And just when Li Ru'an was seriously thinking about how he should avoid the eyes of these imperial guards, he saw that the guards outside the imperial study gradually gathered together and secretly discussed something with each other.

Perhaps because Emperor Deqing was not in the imperial study, these guards did not dare to exceed the rules as usual, and their attitude was a little casual.

Faintly, Li Ruan seemed to hear discussions such as "I heard that the Beizhen Fusi is expanding its manpower", as if someone had received gossip and aroused everyone's interest.

In the Ming Dynasty, the Jinyi Guard was divided into two parts, one part was responsible for the imperial escort and the emperor's honor guard in the palace, obeying the orders of the pro-army Governor's Mansion, and the other part was responsible for the investigation of the prison outside the palace, and obeyed the orders of the South and North Town Fusi - these palace guards were also from the Jinyi Guard, but they were not as oily as those Jinyi Guards outside the palace, and such gossip naturally attracted everyone's attention.

Li Ruan only regarded all this as a coincidence, thinking that it was a great opportunity, and hurriedly walked behind Emperor Deqing's imperial case, opened the secret box under the imperial case with a key, and then pretended to sort out the imperial case, but in fact, he secretly flipped through a few notes in the secret box.

Soon, Li Ru'an had already found the secret letter of the prince Zhu and Yu, because of the urgency of time, he didn't care about speculating on the meaning of the content of this secret letter, but he just glanced at ten lines, read it quickly, and memorized the general content in his heart.

After doing all this, Li Ruan couldn't help but secretly breathe a sigh of relief when he saw that no one had discovered his abnormality.

Just as he was about to re-lock the secret box, Li Ruan suddenly looked up, but saw that the gathering and discussion of the guards outside the imperial study had not ended, and he couldn't help but feel a move in his heart.

Li Ruan knew very well that each of these notes in the secret box of the imperial study was extremely confidential and important, and the content of any note would shake the government and the opposition if it was transmitted outside.

In the eyes of Emperor Deqing, the content of these notes is either not conducive to the stability of the government and the opposition, or can be used as hole cards to wait for the right time to come out, so they have been hiding in the secret box and deliberately suppressing the news.

Therefore, Li Ruan saw that there was still time, so he couldn't help but want to watch a few more copies of the notes in the secret box, so that he could also have more hole cards.

So, with apprehension, Li Ruan took out another copy of the note from the secret box and quickly flipped through it.

As a result, Li Ruan just flipped through the first page of another note, and couldn't help but shake his hands and change his expression slightly!

I saw that on top of this note, it was written-"...... Minister Li Chunchen asked His Majesty, and after the minister's personal investigation, he had already found tangible evidence, impeaching Zhao Junchen, the secretary of the household department, for His Majesty to supervise the construction of the palace, repeatedly favoritism, deception, not only deliberately delayed the progress of the construction of the palace, but also wantonly embezzled and embezzled the silver money of the palace with greed, and the wood, stones, etc. used in the palace were shoddy......"

*

And just when Li Ru'an was peeking at the recital in the secret box in the imperial study, on the other side of the Forbidden City, the court meeting of the Taihe Hall gradually entered a climax.

The theme of today's court meeting is two words - "impeachment"!

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