The news of Pei Tan being stripped of his official position spread like wildfire throughout Chang'an, and the officials from the Ministry of Personnel rushed to flatter him as soon as they heard the news, exclaiming with joy: "Minister, this is a double gain for you, truly a great stroke!"

  Not only did the Temple of Dali decline, but Pei Tan also never recovered from then on.

  From beginning to end, those who opposed the Shangshu Fu never had a good ending.

  Zong Chuke's face didn't show any joy, these were not enough, how could they be, his son was dead after all.

  "Your Majesty also promoted a minor official of the Grand Court of Revision?"

  It didn't turn out as expected, and the Temple of Dali was directly paralyzed. Moreover, with the imperial edict punishing Pei Tan, it always made people smell a few points of fishiness.

  The staff's eyes rolled and said slowly, "Your Majesty is also reasonable in doing so. After all, we can't let the Temple of Great Wisdom become an empty temple. Besides, it's just letting that person temporarily take over as Junior Minister, not worth worrying about."

  If Zhong Zong had the intention of promoting him, he could have directly issued an edict to appoint him as a junior minister, and there was no need for this "acting" position.

  Indeed, for Zhong Zong, even if it was a formal enthronement, it would only be an imperial edict. Since this was not done, it really was just this period of time

  It was a temporary measure taken to cope with the shortage of personnel at the Dalai Temple.

  The attendant continued: "Just a little more time and Your Excellency can discuss with the princess, to recommend a trusted person to take up the position of the Grand Temple..."

  From now on, all three departments of Chang'an will be our own people, and there will no longer be any obstacles.

  Although Pei Tan was guilty of killing the young master, given his background, it was impossible to make him pay with his life. Being able to make him stumble in his official career and become infamous throughout Chang'an was already the greatest punishment for this arrogant Pei Tan.

  As for Shen Xingwen, heh, the Ministry of Justice had already investigated him thoroughly. A mediocre young master from a humble family, even if he were to become the Vice Minister of the Supreme Court, could he compare to Pei Tan?

  Zong Chuke's expression was cold and stern, staring at his attendants: "Continue to keep an eye on the Temple of Great Wisdom, if Hu Chao is not caught, we cannot let our guard down for a single day." Even more so, no one related to Pei Tan can be allowed to climb higher.

  The staff bowed their heads: "Yes."

  ——

  Shen Temple, Shen Shaoqing. Pei Tan had thought of making Shen Xingwen his right-hand man, and he once said that sooner or later he would ask Zhongzong to promote Shen Xingwen to be

  The Lesser Minister of the Temple of Great Rites.

  Never thought this day would come so soon.

  Shen Shaoqing, with his new identity, once again stepped into the great prison of Dalisi Temple. The guarding jailer didn't even dare to look at him now. In just two short months, he rose from a small servant to become the vice-minister of Dalisi Temple. What's more, Pei Tan had been stripped of his official position, and only this man who had risen through the ranks so quickly was left, looking so proud and pleased with himself. Who knows if there wasn't some powerful figure backing him up from behind?

  Shen Xingwen's gaze fell only on Hu Chao, his lips curled into a smile, and for the past two days, he had been fed nothing but clear water, Hu Chao's entire person was already gaunt.

  "You're really stubborn, admirable."

  Hu Chao didn't know that the young man in front of him had become the most powerful official in Dali Temple, and he stared at Shen Xingwen with hatred, "Don't dream about it."

  Shen Xingwen nodded and suddenly said: "It seems that keeping you is also useless."

  Hu Chao sneered with a slight smile, "Want to kill me?" He was already a barefooted man who wasn't afraid of wearing shoes. This great temple wouldn't let him leave Chang'an, either way it was death, he couldn't possibly tell Shen Xingwen another word.

  Shen Xingwen shook his head with a hint of a smile: "No, I've decided to let you go."

  。“

  Hu Chao was as if he had swallowed a fly and was choking: "What did you say?"

  Shen Xingwen patiently repeated: "Let you go."

  Hu Chao found that every time he wanted to be at odds with the Dalit Temple, he would have a handful of dog shit stuffed into his mouth, poisoning him until his seven orifices bled.

  "Dali Temple doesn't have the extra energy to raise a useless idle person." Shen Xingwen said, "Now is a busy autumn, Ben Shaoqing doesn't want to waste time on you."

  Hu Chao heard Ben Shaoqing, and his eyes, which had originally lost their energy, widened again.

  Shen Xingwen ordered the prison guard: "Remove his handcuffs."

  Hu Chao was hung up straight for five days, now with handcuffs and shackles on him, his whole body collapsed to the ground.

  Shen Xingwen, standing opposite him, looked even more condescending.

  Hu Chao raised his head: "You actually... really want to let me go?"

  Shen Xingwen smiled slightly: "You've been here for a few days, and you still don't know that the sky of Chang'an City has changed. Well, I'll let you out to take a look."

  Hu Chao's heart trembled: "What do you mean?"

  Shen Xingwen slowly squatted down in front of him, his eyes looking at him, "One"

  Hui'er saw Ben Shaoqin personally see you off at the main gate of the Temple of Great Rites. The Ministry of War is now sending people to ambush at the gate of the Temple of Great Rites day and night, as soon as you go out, they will see you.

  Shangshu Fu? Hu Chao's pupils constricted.

  "What's wrong? Freedom is right in front of you, aren't you happy?"

  Hu Chao suddenly spat: "Damn your mother..."

  Shen Xingwen didn't dodge at all, letting him spit on his face, while coldly laughing and watching him start cursing.

  Then Shen Xingwen stood up again, glanced at Hu Chao and said to the prison guard: "If he doesn't leave soon, drag him out and take him directly to the supervisor in front of the Ministry of Works. Consider it a big gift from Ben Shaoqing."

  Just as Shen Xingwen was about to step out of the prison gate, Hu Chao shouted loudly from behind: "Don't go! Wait..."

  …

  After listening to Hu Chao's "plea", Shen Xingwen smiled and said, "Hu Chao, now in the entire Tang Dynasty, there is only one person who can protect you."

  Hu Chao stared at him for a long time before saying: "You can hand me over to Gong Yu."

  Anywhere but the Ministry of War.

  That's the difference between dying with dignity and dying in agony.

  Shen Xingwen shook his head and smiled even more deeply: "I, Shen, always keep my word. If I say I'll let you go, I definitely will."

  Hu Chao's face twitched violently: "You..."

  Just as he was about to say that Shen Xingwen was sinister, Shen Xingwen said: "Don't you ask, who is the only one who can keep you safe?"

  Hu Chao stared at Shen Xingwen and didn't speak for a long time before saying, "You want me to beg you?" It seemed that at this moment, Hu Chao had nothing left to care about.

  Shen Xingwen knew he had misunderstood, and suddenly smiled: "The person I'm talking about isn't me. Although the Empress Dowager has retreated to the inner palace and no longer holds power, if she wants to save an ordinary person's life, it would still be very easy for her."

  The Empress after all is the Empress, now in the harem she is also the Empress Dowager, decades of accumulated prestige, there's a phrase that can't be spoken out loud, which is that she is still the Heaven of Great Tang.

  Zhong Zong made great efforts to suppress the powerful families, support the Da Li Temple, and cultivate his left and right arms. Everything he did was just hoping to slightly surpass the prestige that his mother had already established.

  Hu Chao was stunned again, "You, you're willing to let me meet the Heavenly Emperor?"

  It's hard to believe no matter who it happens to, just like being reborn in a desperate situation. And Hu Chao obviously didn't dare to believe it.

  "I will not only let you meet Tian Hou," Shen Xingwen smiled, "but also give you the opportunity to regain Tian Hou's favor."

  Hu Chao's whole body trembled, and he didn't dare to think about it, let alone get lucky again. After all, for Hu Chao now, what was more important than staying alive?

  Shen Xingwen's face was smiling, "With Tian Hou as a backing, the humble Shangshu Fu Zong Chuke, you naturally don't have to be afraid."

  Hu Chao suddenly thought of something and widened his eyes: "You want me to go to the Shangshu Mansion and steal the prince's letter for you?"

  Before Shen Xingwen could respond, Hu Chao coldly said: "Do you think I'm crazy? Just because of you? Can you get me to see the Empress?"

  Shen Xingwen said faintly: "There is no need for any prince's handwriting, you are already a living handwriting."

  ——

  The first ceremony of worshiping heaven after Zhongzong's restoration will take place next month. At that time, Zhongzong will lead the imperial family to Qinglong Temple. The Empress of the Central Palace

  There is also the "empress dowager" of the harem, as the orthodox imperial family, who must appear at the ceremony to worship heaven.

  Even if Zhong Zong didn't want "some people" to appear at the ceremony, he would suppress this idea and wouldn't risk disrupting the proceedings. Moreover, he was now the Emperor of Tang Dynasty; how could he establish his authority if he showed a hint of cowardice?

  Recently, every letter from the border has been about Tubo's wolfish ambitions, harassing the Tang Dynasty's borders. With internal and external troubles in the previous dynasty, Emperor Zhong was already extremely shocked and disturbed, and Pei Tan happened to arrive at a time when Your Majesty was in the worst mood.

  In the Da Li Temple, Jing Wanyi's eyes were gazing at some unknown place as she said, "Normally, when offering sacrifices to heaven, it wouldn't be chosen at this time."

  It can be seen that the border situation has a great impact on the imperial court. They seem to be enjoying wealth and luxury in Chang'an, but in fact, this wealth is also extremely precarious.

  Everything depends on this worship of heaven, protecting and blessing the prosperity and peace of the Great Tang Dynasty, with clear seas and rivers.

  At this point, Shen Xingwen looked at Jing Wanyan and was about to speak.

  Suddenly, a shout came from the front: "Temple... Young Master Shaoyang"

  "Someone is coming."

  Shen Xingwen narrowed his eyes and caught sight of the newcomer, immediately stopping all conversation.

  Someone rushed into this courtyard.

  A dozen or so fierce and evil spirits, dressed in eunuch attire from the palace, collectively surged into this courtyard.

  Jing Wan'er wasn't surprised at all, she was certain this day would come.

  The first eunuch stepped forward, his expression cold on his pale face. "Guilt woman Jing Yuanyuan," he sneered, "you are extremely arrogant and your virtues have been ruined. His Majesty has said that you can no longer be allowed to stay outside and harm others, and ordered us to bring you back to the palace immediately."

  Jing Wan'er slightly lowered her head, seemingly without any reaction.

  The eunuch raised his neck: "Do you have anything else to say?"

  Jing Wan'er's eyes were calm as she spoke: "The guilty woman has nothing to say."

  The eunuch behind him coldly said, "I suppose you have no excuse, come and take him away!"

  The rest of them waited for a signal and immediately took out handcuffs to approach Jing Yuane.

  Jing Wan'er's hands were handcuffed when she slowly turned her head back.

  In the familiar Da Li Temple courtyard, Shen Xingwen was taken away, standing behind with his arms around him, speechless and staring at Jing Wanyan.

  Jing Wan'er turned her head back, and the eunuch, fearing she was dawdling, gave her a push from behind.

  Until Jing Yuanyu disappeared at the gate of Dali Temple, Shen Xingwen didn't say a word. He wasn't Pei Tan, and he didn't care about whether Jing Yuanyu stayed or left. Or rather, he didn't care that much.

  He watched as the bailiff relocked the large gate and then walked calmly in the direction of the main prison.