However, the habit of being alert and alert that he developed in the army made his sleep very shallow. When he vaguely heard the sound of light footsteps, he woke up quickly and looked at the screen with sharp eyes.

Yan Yan was walking over with a handkerchief in her arms, looking at him with bright eyes as she walked.

Xue Bai's eyes quickly softened, and a smile appeared at the corner of his mouth.

"Um?"

"Don't let you catch a cold." Yan Yan said, "Come out and wipe it clean."

Xue Bai stood up and was about to take the square towel, but before he stretched out his hand, Yan Yan had already picked up her feet and wiped his hair and back.

When he turned around, the two looked at each other.

Yan Yan was not shy and looked at Xue Bai's body with curiosity in her eyes.

After all, he is her own husband-in-law, and getting along with him is natural and not a bit awkward at all.

"Does it look good?"

Xue Bai was quite satisfied with the physique he had developed in the army, which was well-defined. He couldn't help but ask this question. It was not to seduce this little girl, but just to share this feeling of self-appreciation with her.

Unfortunately, Yan Yan was not interested in any of this. She flattened her lips and said, "I have suffered so many injuries."

"Actually, they are all inexplicable injuries, and few of them are military medals."

"snort."

Yan Yan gently scratched Xue Bai's back with her fingers and asked, "Does it hurt?"

"It's good. It's because my foot slipped and fell from the stone wall. It's abraded some skin. It's really embarrassing. It's incomparable with those fierce generals. That Yada magic skill is much braver than mine.

.”

Xue Bai got along well with Yan Yan and was willing to talk to her. She also liked to listen to his stories. But today, she had no intention of listening to the stories and retorted at him.

"Still laughing, such a dangerous thing."

She put clothes on Xue Bai, and her body was half hanging on him due to this movement. The two hugged naturally.

Especially after returning home after a long journey, her clean, soft and slightly fragrant hug made Xue Bai's heart tremble.

He couldn't tell what he felt, because the person in his arms was too petite and weak, and he felt a little distressed, so he didn't dare to take any further action.

"You've been gone for so long." Yan Yan hesitated and said intermittently: "I realized that I couldn't do it without you. It was because I thought you would come back that I waited for so long."

There was a bit of complaint in her tone, more of dependence, but there didn't seem to be any lust.

Probably because of her young age, she was slow to realize this, so now she is more close to Xue Bai.

In short, after the little emotions caused by parting were soothed by this hug, Yan Yan left Xue Bai's arms and said: "Look, I am much healthier, right? Teng Kongzi has been taking care of me."

"I know."

"Can you save her?" Yan Yan was also sincerely close to Li Tengkong and asked with expectation.

"good."

Yan Yan originally wanted to say that after Li Tengkong's adjustment, she might be able to have a child with Xue Bai in the future, but she held back her words because she promised Du Jin that she would adopt a child from Du Jin, and she still took her promise very seriously. , and sometimes it even seemed like she didn't care about Xue Bai that much.

This matter seems ridiculous to ordinary people, but this is how she thinks at this age, and she believes that loyalty is the most important thing.

Maybe when she grows up and has more experience, she can learn to weigh the pros and cons and stop talking about this silly loyalty, but anyway, she was more loyal when she was young.

The couple were talking when Qing Lan came in holding Xue Bai's robe. She only looked into Xue Bai's eyes and seemed to have a lot of communication.

Xue Bai then spread his hands and hugged her.

"Langjun." Qinglan called out, expressing her longing for you with just two words. After a pause, she said, "Ji Lanzi wants to see you."

Xue Bai also had a headache when he had to see so many young ladies just after returning home. In fact, he had already received the thoughtful poem written by Li Jilan.

But today, he was anxious to see each other, and he did not hesitate to disturb his long-awaited reunion with his wife. Li Jilan not only wanted to express his lovesickness, but also had something serious to say.

"..."

"Yang Qixuan told you this? The only way to save Teng Kongzi is to redeem her?"

"Yes, Xue Lang, isn't this right? Jiao Nu said he had bad intentions."

Although Jiaonu is not considered smart, he has seen the dangers of human nature. Together with the unexperienced Li Jilan and the ignorant and confused Mian'er, he actually became a wise man.

Xue Bai nodded, knowing what he was thinking, and said: "Don't worry, there is no need to let Teng Kongzi become an official slave, she will be safe and sound."

"Yeah!" Li Jilan nodded vigorously, "I knew Xue Lang could do anything."

After being separated for so long, she had many things to ask, but she knew that she was not qualified, so she glanced at Xue Bai with her affectionate eyes.

Although he was talking about business, Xue Bai couldn't bear it anymore and pretended to yawn.

"Go to sleep and we'll talk tomorrow."

~~

The saint was understanding and waited until the next day to send someone to summon Xue Bai into the palace to ask about the details of the battle in Nanzhao.

Xue Bai then read Gao Shi's poem first, and then, speaking truthfully, he occasionally mentioned Wang Zhongsi's loyalty several times in his words.

He believed that Li Longji cared more about the loyalty of his subordinates than merit.

"We bypassed Cangshan Mountain and saw Geluofeng building Longwei Pass. Our morale suddenly dropped. Wang Zhongsi insisted on attacking the city, saying that he would offer Geluofeng to the saint to appease the saint's anger, so he ordered the three armies..."

Words are useful, but Li Longji has listened to too many slanders from Wang Zhongsi in recent years, and he still doesn't believe that Wang Zhongsi is the one who talks about him all day long.

In his heart, as long as Wang Zhongsi gets closer to Li Heng, it is original sin.

Finally, he raised his hand and said, "I have read all your excerpts. Let me tell you another thing, why did you protect Li Linfu?"

"I did not want to protect Li Linfu. I have always had a grudge against him. But I did not want the achievements of the soldiers to conquer Nanzhao to be covered up because of this incident."

"No selfish motives?" Li Longji drank a glass of wine and asked casually.

Xue Bai hesitated for a moment and responded slowly: "Yes, I and Li Linfu's daughter are close friends..."

"I remember that we only talked about this at the Longchi Banquet."

"I am ashamed. I and Li Qiniang are indeed innocent."

Xue Bai didn't need to look at it to know that Li Longji definitely didn't believe it. He thought for a while, lowered his head and explained again.

"It may not be appropriate to say they are close friends. In fact, I admire Li Qiniang in my heart, but I just don't want to get involved with Li Linfu, so I can't marry her, and I don't dare to go beyond etiquette."

Xue Bai was telling the truth. He now knew Li Longji very well and knew that this emperor was very smart and loved to guess the minds of his ministers. Therefore, he would never hide anything from him unless necessary.

But it was precisely in this situation that he spoke what was truly in his heart. He spoke the most heartfelt words in front of the most powerful and ruthless person in the world.

Li Longji smiled knowingly and said, "I know you have selfish motives."

Xue Bai looked ashamed and did not dare to quibble. He was in a daze, not knowing what he was thinking.

Seeing him like this, Li Longji thought that although he was rebellious, he had always been a straight minister, and said, "Are you trying to get involved in this matter again?"

"The saint is wise and can see through the mind of the minister at a glance." Xue Bai said frankly, "I thought that Yang Guozhong also had selfish motives and wanted to establish his own prestige by dealing with Li Linfu. Li Linfu brought the blame on himself, but I did not want Yang Guozhong to deceive the saint.

.”

"Oh."

Li Longji chuckled, showing slight disdain.

But it is true that Xue Bai has a grudge against Li Linfu, and it is indeed possible to give him a more honest answer on this matter. This answer may not affect the final result, but Li Longji wants to know.

"I allow you to investigate this matter...General Gao, give this son a decree."

Unexpectedly, Xue Bai said again: "I have the courage to make one more request."

"I think you are extremely brave."

"I want to take out Li Qiniang." Xue Bai said: "Li Linfu is also a member of the clan. Even if he is guilty, it is not appropriate to involve innocent family members. If Li Qiniang is fine, I will not have this concern, and I will be able to investigate the matter impartially.

.”

"That's nonsense." Li Longji said, "Tell yourself, do these words make sense?"

"I have made little success in conquering Nanzhao. This is my only wish, and I sincerely ask the saint to reward me."

"You are arrogant because of your merits. Besides, haven't I rewarded you? I forgot that I was just promoted to Zhongshusheren. This official doesn't want to take it easy!"

The "just" mentioned here actually means dismissal from office.

Xue Bai is the most obsessed with officials, and this incident obviously directly touched his sore spot.

However, what he didn't expect was that after hesitating for a while, he actually bowed his head and responded: "I am willing to exchange the official position of Zhongshusheren in exchange for Li Qiniang's freedom."

"presumptuous."

Li Longji scolded him again, but it was impossible to dismiss Xue Bai's official position at this time. If he conquered Nanzhao, he would be rewarded. This was what he had promised, and everyone in the world was watching.

Therefore, after scolding him, he waved his hand.

"Pleading for mercy for a woman, you are a coward, just take the decree and get out of here."

In this way, he actually agreed.

Xue Bai pretended to be surprised, praised Li Longji's generosity, and followed the order to exit the hall.

During this interview, he did not see Yang Yuhuan until the end. It seemed that the relationship between them as brother and sister had faded over time.

After all, we haven’t seen each other for a year.

But the adopted sister is just an adopted sister, and now he has to rescue his confidante first.

~~

No one in the Dali Temple Prison was dragged out for interrogation anymore. Prison meals and wound medicine began to be distributed. Clothes, bedding and other items were also allowed to be brought in. The jailers also cleaned up the dirt in the cells.
To be continued...