Royal Prosperity

Chapter 2 Xinglin
On February [-]th, in the middle of the spring sequence, the grass and trees are green.

The warm wind blows gently, and every household on Taodu Street is decorated with colorful decorations. The girls in costumes hold flower branches in their hands and walk lightly.

"Auntie, I'm going to eat hot cakes..." The pink-carved little boy's eyes were red, he hugged the girl's leg and refused to let go, "I want to eat highland barley dumplings..."

The girl was wearing a goose-yellow jacket and light green trousers. Perhaps she was afraid that the trouser legs would be too fat to walk, so she tied two red strings to the trouser legs, and tied two small silver bells ingeniously, which jingled when she walked.She bent down, patiently opened the little guy's fat paws, and smiled: "If you make trouble again, aunt won't take you out to play next time."

The little guy immediately fell silent, rolled his round eyes around, and looked up pitifully. Although he didn't dare to hug his thigh again, he was still greedy. He held back for a long time: "Auntie, is there food there?"

The girl pinched his face: "Look here, everyone is holding flower branches in their hands. Let's go out to the apricot grove and pick some good apricot flowers for your mother, shall we?"

"But, there are sellers on this street." Looking at the row of wild peach and pear sellers, and looking at the city gate far away, the little boy really felt that his aunt was too unreasonable.

"Is this understanding?" The girl took the little boy's hand and hummed, "Ah Zhuang, my aunt will sing for you."

"The fat baby rides a white horse, the white horse jumps high, the fat baby plays Guan Dao, and the Guan Dao is smooth..." The girl paused, probably forgot the words, and said a few words vaguely: "...the fat baby stumbles Go to sea."

"Auntie, you sang it wrong..." The little baby raised her head dissatisfied.

"Uh..." The girl was slightly annoyed, what a fat baby and thin baby, it's not easy for her to remember these few sentences!

It was so noisy, not far from the city, I saw that the apricot grove was in full bloom, and the pale pink was far away, like the sunset glow, suddenly shining red on the girl's cheeks.

"Let's go, let's pick the branches!" The girl took her nephew's little hand and quickened her pace.

After walking a few steps, the girl slowed down and looked towards the side of the forest with some curiosity.

"Auntie, pick it!" The fat boy was in a hurry, jumping up and wanted to pick the branches, "After picking, go buy cakes to eat."

"Don't make noise, let's go and watch the excitement."

The girl took the little guy and ran quickly, and saw a dispute under a big apricot tree.A tall young man turned his back to him, and firmly grasped the hand of the short black-skinned middle-aged man opposite him.The short man yelled "wronged", but his eyes flicked around, obviously looking for an opportunity to slip away.

The tall young man was calm: "You return the purse to me, and I won't report to the police. How about we just leave it at that?"

"Bah, I was wronged for stealing money!" The short man spat hard, "You look like a son of a rich family, but you can't slander others for no reason!"

The young man was not angry either, he lightly raised his right hand, grabbed a money bag in the man's long sleeve, and said in a deep voice, "What is this?"

"This is mine!" The short man stretched out his hand to snatch it, but unfortunately he was not tall enough, his arms were not long enough, and he couldn't reach it, so he could only dance around with his hands and feet and shouted, "There are some loose coins in here, they are all mine! "

At this moment, the girl happily got between the two of them, and said with a smile: "What's going on here?"

"Miss, come and judge, this son-in-law just falsely accused me of stealing his money bag." The short man was refreshed when he saw someone coming, "There are five taels of silver in my money bag, if you don't believe me, count it! "

The girl's eyeballs rolled around, and she turned to look at the young man.As soon as her eyes touched her, she gave a secret compliment in her heart, this young man is really good-looking.

Men from Taodi are usually short, and their skin is dark because of going out to work. This young man thinks he came from the Central Plains. His skin is slightly lighter, but he is not as fair as the weak Central Plains men she has seen. Slightly hooked, calm and gentle, but very handsome.

The girl looked away from the young man, "Hey, tell me, how much money is in this purse?"

The young master was stunned, and said: "I really don't know how much money is here. Maybe it is six or seven taels."

The girl rolled her eyes and smiled.

But the young man let go, feeling that there is no point in arguing about this matter any longer, and said with a light smile, "It's just a few taels of silver, let's forget it."

The short man laughed, and stretched out his hand to pick up the purse. Before he could touch it, the girl took it over and murmured: "This matter can't be left alone. You are not a local, sir?"

The young man nodded: "It turns out."

"Hmph, if you don't clarify the matter, won't you people from the Central Plains think that I am a land of barbarians because of my rude teachings?" The girl glared at him, raised her jaw proudly, and opened her purse , which is indeed five taels of silver.

"I said this purse is mine, right?" The short man smiled and reached out to take it.

But the girl spread her hands flat: "I'm not an official, and I don't know how to judge cases. I only know that you two are entangled endlessly, so I will separate the money bag from the silver, and each of you will get the same. Is that fair?"

The corners of the young man's lips curled up slightly, thinking that this girl is really young, and she is really muddle-headed for making such a decision.He didn't say much, he smiled and said: "It's very fair."

"Hey, what do you want?" The girl turned to the short man.

"Of course it's silver!" The short man reached for the silver on her left palm.

But the girl flipped her palm lightly, elbowed with her right hand, and knocked the man to the ground with a bang.

"Bah, shameless little thief! How dare you beat us upside down for stealing something, and embarrass us!" The girl put her hands on her waist, "If this purse is really yours, don't you know it's a good thing?" It's made of brocade, ten times more than five or three dollars!" She stepped on the thief's chest, turned around and handed the silver and money bag back to the young man, "Hey, I'll give it back to you. Don't lose it next time .”

There was a trace of surprise in the young man's eyes, he took it over and thanked him, and saw the man lying on the ground eating a mouthful of dust, smiled and said: "I think this little brother is also a mistake, maybe the family is waiting to use the money. Girl, let's forget about it?"

"You..." The girl puffed up her cheeks, looked at the little thief, then at the noble young man in front of her, and finally let go of her feet, "Go away! Don't let the girl bump into you again next time!"

The little thief scrambled away, the girl turned around and cupped her hands to the young man, apologetically said: "My lord, my land is not a place where thieves roam freely, but I was bumped into by you today, that's an exception... Xu It's you, dressed too nicely, and you're here alone." She scratched the ends of her hair, and smiled with the corners of her eyes bent, "Anyway, if you see these rascals next time, you don't need to be polite to them , report to the officer."

The young man smiled politely, "The girl is right."

"Then let's go." The girl stretched out her hand to beckon to the little guy who was standing not far away counting ants, "Ah Zhuang, let's go."

The two figures, one big and one small, gradually walked away, but the young man stood still. Not far away, someone hurriedly approached and asked softly, "Your Highness..."

The young man waved his hand and looked in that direction.

The girl is wearing a light yellow jacket and emerald green trousers, the colors are extremely bright and splendid.He suddenly remembered her smile just now, it seemed that the sky was thousands of miles away and the sunset glow was pouring into the corners of her eyes, it was really bright and glamorous, shining brightly.Only that kind of color can set off such a smile.

There was a smile in the eyes of the young man, but he heard the clear and crisp sound of the ding dong getting farther and farther away, and it disappeared into the spring of apricot blossoms for a long time, and it was finally hopeless.

"Your Highness? Are you alright?" The young man who had just approached was anxious when he saw him standing still.

"It's okay." The young man came back to his senses, "Jing Yun, Taohou doesn't know we've arrived here first, does he?"

"I don't know. According to His Majesty's decree, we should come here to deal with matters in May."

"It's fine if you don't know, you and I keep a low profile. Don't let other people know where we are." The young master smiled, "I can live this carefree life for another month or two."

Jing Yun was a little worried: "If Your Majesty knows that you have sneaked out..."

But the young master just said casually: "I left the soldier talisman in the capital. Although the emperor knows that my sick leave is an excuse, he actually went out to play in the mountains and rivers. He is happy to see me like this, so he won't blame me."

"Your Highness, you have been in the army for three years, and you have been through life and death. You just drove the Huns out of this pass. It took only one month to lead the army back to the court. Your Majesty treats you like this—I, we are dissatisfied as subordinates!" Jing Yun hated Said, "It's really a cunning rabbit, a running dog cooking!"

"Jing Yun, shut up!" The young master's face turned serious, seeing the displeased expression of his subordinates, he finally slowed down his tone, "The emperor's way has always been like this. I don't intend to compete with him for the world, so I just idle away and I can do it." Live this life in peace.”

It's just that the young man with a gloomy tone at that time didn't know how the rest of his life would be turbulent and magnificent.

The girl picked several apricot blossoms, and when she was about to enter the city, her little nephew was a little tired from walking, so he sat on the ground to rest, but refused to get up.

"If you don't get up, I won't buy you cakes!" The girl was also angry, and simply sat down, "We won't go back either!"

The little boy hummed twice and turned his head.

The two confronted each other until a gentle male voice broke the silence: "Girl, we meet again."

"Ah? It's you?" The girl jumped up and gave her little nephew a hand, "What a coincidence?"

The little baby looked at the two of them inexplicably, turned his head, and sat still.

"Who is this young master?" The young man asked politely with a gentle smile on his lips.

"My nephew." The girl smiled coyly, "I'll take him out for an outing."

"Little brother can't walk, can he?" The young man squatted down and said kindly, "I heard before I came here that Taodi Xiao Erlang is very good at walking, but looking at it today, he is no more than that, similar to the little girl in the Central Plains. Why don't I carry you?"

The little guy immediately sat up straight: "I'm not tired, I can walk." After saying that, the little fat leg waved and almost ran towards the city gate at a trot.

"Hey—" the girl stomped her foot before she could stop him, "Why are you walking so fast!"

But the young master stopped her and waved his hand. Jing Yun, who had been silent beside him, walked up quickly: "Dian—"

He looked at the young master's face, then said, "I'll go and see the young master."

The girl looked at the two people who were going away, shook her head and smiled: "This little idiot, I can't be excited!"

"In Xiajiangzai, I came here from Kyoto, and my family has been doing brocade business. I don't know what to call the girl?"

"My surname is Han, well, you can call me Awei." Awei looked him up and down, "Young Master Jiang, you really came here to do business. I don't know where you live?"

Many years later, Jiang Zaichu still remembered the day when he first met.

It was his first time to Jincheng, and because he had nothing to do, he wandered into the apricot forest and met Han Weisang.

When they walked back to the city side by side, his steps were still steady, but she walked beside him, bouncing around like a little rabbit.

With every movement and stillness, his heart beat faster along with the tinkling silver bell.

At that time, they all used pseudonyms, but when they thought about it later, when they used pseudonyms with each other, it was the time when they treated each other most sincerely.

It can be seen that this world is really ridiculous.

When Awei and Jiang Zai entered the city for the first time, Jing Yun had brought the little guy to buy several packs of hot cakes, and they had a great time eating sour plum soup.Awei was about to sit down, but raised his head to look at the time, and suddenly jumped up: "Ah Zhuang, let's go! You will be grounded any later!"

Ah Zhuang looked up and looked around, and said dejectedly, "Okay."

Wei Sang hastily bowed his hands to Jiang Zaichu and Jing Yun, and said anxiously, "See you next time."

"Girl, I live in Yuchi Street. If you are free, you can come and find me. Let's tour Jincheng together." Jiang Zaichu stood up and shouted after the girl.

Jing Yun looked sideways slightly, a little surprised, but saw the girl turned back in the midst of her busy schedule and replied: "Certainly come, definitely come!"

"Your Highness." Jing Yun was thoughtful, "You can see the silver bracelet that the young master is wearing, and the totem on it is the Golden Crow."

Jiang Zaichu thought about it for a while, and said lightly, "Really?"

"Your Highness, it's better to be careful..."

Wei Sang led Ah Zhuang to the side door, and the door was indeed ajar.

"Come in." Wei Sang patted Ah Zhuang. The two were about to enter the door furtively, but they heard a heavy sigh.

The hairs on Weissang's body stood on end, and he turned around bravely: "Nurse."

As expected, the nanny had been waiting for the rabbit for a long time, looked Weisang up and down for a long time, then stretched out her arms and hugged A Zhuang, shook her head and said, "Princess, you slip out to play by yourself, the marquis doesn't say anything, and the old lady has nothing to say." .But you still took the little grandson out..."

Wei Sang rolled her eyes secretly, counting with her fingers, she would listen to it several times almost every month, and she could almost memorize it: "...the concubine's health is not good, and the son is not here, if something happens to the little grandson , how do you explain to Lord Hou?"

However, Mammy changed the subject today, but she didn't nag her, she just said: "Hurry up to Lord Marquis, your son has a letter."

"Really?" Wei Sang smiled happily, and ran to the front hall, seeing Mammy shaking her head again and sighing again and again.

After bypassing the veranda by the side door, Wei Sang almost bumped into another maid who was approaching. In fact, she was too reckless, but the maids knelt down on the ground, bowed their heads and said, "Princess."

Wei Sang saw the imperial concubine standing behind the maids at a glance, looking at him with a smile: "Princess, the eldest son has sent a letter."

"Sister-in-law, I'll help you." Wei Sang motioned the maids to get up, walked around to the Crown Princess, and stretched out his hand to support her, "Big brother, did you say when you'll be back?"

The imperial concubine's natal family was a prominent family in Taodi, she was born soft and weak, with a gentle and generous temperament, Weisang liked her very much.It's just that she is not in good health, and she seldom goes out after giving birth, and only Weisang and her little nephew are fooling around in the house.

"I haven't seen it yet, let's go there together." The Concubine Shizi was supported by her, and suddenly said, "Ah Zhuang is greedy, don't let him go all the time."

"Ah...haha!" Weisang was suddenly poked at the center, feeling a little guilty, "The nuns will watch."

The concubine Shizi just smiled, the sunlight came in from her side, and the green bamboos flowed through the veranda, making her profile soft and beautiful.Weisang was a little dazed watching, and couldn't help but praise: "Sister-in-law, you are so pretty."

Her eyes turned, and the concubine Shi Zi snorted: "Don't say something flattering, you want to fool me."

Wei Sang chuckled, and simply kept silent.

Because of her own body, the imperial concubine always hoped that her son would grow up to be lively and healthy. Wei Sang took him around, and she knew it well.So they blocked the mouths of the nuns, and sometimes even said a few good words in front of the old Hou Ye. The concubine always helped Weisang, both openly and secretly.

"Sister-in-law, be careful on the steps." Wei Sang carefully led sister-in-law to step over a step, and said happily, "I see that brother is coming back soon? I don't know if I asked him to bring me something from the capital, but he found it." No."

Taohou Han Yu's complexion was heavy, he was standing by the window with his gray beard twirling, and when he saw Wei Sang's attire, he became annoyed: "Sneaked out again?"

Wei Sang was not afraid, stuck out his tongue, and rushed to say: "Father, I caught a thief outside the city today!"

Han Yong did not praise his daughter as fondly as in the past, and sighed: "Taxes are increasing day by day, people's livelihood in Taodi is so difficult, that's why thieves are everywhere... Sigh."

The concubine was silent for a moment, looked at the snow-white letter paper on the table, and asked in a low voice: "Father, what did the son say in the letter?"

After reading the letter, the only blush on Shi Zifei's face faded little by little, as if she couldn't believe it: "How could the imperial court be so ridiculous?"

Weisang was impatient, so he quickly picked it up and read it. Before reaching the last line, he said angrily, "Didn't he just win the battle? Why did the emperor want to conquer the Xiongnu himself? It's fine, why should we pay for food and grass? Do you want big brother to accompany you?"

Han Yong smiled wryly: "Taodi has always been a land of abundance, rich in food and grass, but the force is weak. If you don't squeeze here, where will you go to ask for military expenses? When they asked your elder brother to supervise the transportation of tributes to Beijing, I'm afraid they have already done this. Intend."

The concubine, however, quickly put away her worried look, and hurriedly bowed to the old master and said: "Father, the letter said that the queen mother likes the small koi screens that were presented as tribute, so I will make a few more. Over there, I can always live more comfortably..."

"Sister-in-law, if you continue to embroider, you will lose your eyesight!" Wei Sang panicked, his eyes turned red.The concubine Shizi's skill in Tao embroidery is really few people in this world can compare to, those embroidering women can't learn those superficial and complicated embroidery methods, but it's her who can master them at a glance.All the tributes specially offered to the Emperor and Empress Dowager these years were made by the Crown Princess herself.

"Little sister, these days the doctor gave me injections every day, but my eyes have improved a lot." Shi Zifei smiled slightly, "You can watch Ah Zhuang for me, and sister-in-law will thank you."

Sister-in-law looks weak, but when something really happens, she is stronger than anyone else.Wei Sang didn't know what to say for a moment, so he could only change the subject and said, "Father, I heard people say that Zhou Jinghua will leave his post soon, and a new transfer envoy will come in May, but I don't know who it will be."

"Yes, the imperial decree will come next month." The old Hou Ye sighed, "The emperor is determined. The grain, grass, silver and money subsidies that he personally confiscated will be taken from us."

Wei Sang gritted his teeth. This week Jinghua relied on being the empress dowager's nephew, doing evil here, seeking people's favor, if he really wanted to leave... She rolled her eyes, but she heard her father sternly say: "Don't cause trouble for me again, Did you hear me?"

Wei Sang nodded obediently, but began to calculate in his mind.

Yuchi Street is the most bustling street in Jincheng. Vendors are carrying food and hawking all the way. Stores open their doors, and passers-by come in to drink tea and drink at will.

Jiang Zaichu lived in a small courtyard at the end of Yuchi Street in Jincheng.It may seem ordinary, but it is wonderful. The courtyard is triple deep. There are elm trees planted in the front and rear atriums, with dense branches and leaves, and the canopy covers most of the courtyard.Sitting under the tree reading and playing chess on weekdays, it is really quiet, which means seeking tranquility in the busy city.

This day he was playing chess at the stone table, defending himself, when the fighting was getting intense, there was a movement outside the door.Jiang Zaichu lightly raised the end of his eyes, and it was Jing Yun who walked in with a gloomy expression: "The emperor is going to conscript himself."

"Really?" Jiang Zaichu concealed a trace of disappointment, and lightly dropped a sunspot, "Teacher and Sima can't persuade him?"

"I don't understand. After all, the Xiongnu was driven to Mobei by us. He just took advantage of the past few years to recuperate. How could he be so stubborn? If he is good, he will waste people and money." Jing Yun said angrily, "Besides, our Majesty, can we Not being able to fight is still a problem. Isn't he just to prove that he is better than you, Your Highness—"

Jiang Zai Chu dropped sons one after another, as if he didn't hear.

"I sent you here to urge the conscripting of food and soldiers. Didn't this intentionally cause you to resent Taodi?" Before Jing Yun finished speaking, Bai Zi had already lost. He asked, "Has anyone come to look for me these days?"

"No." Jing Yun spoke bluntly, and saw through his thoughts at a glance, "Is your Highness talking about that girl? I think she has long forgotten."

For some reason, His Royal Highness Ning Wang, who has always had a calm expression and rarely gets angry, turned dark this time, and went back to the back room without saying a word.Jing Yun didn't know where he had offended him, and muttered, "What's so good about this girl from Taodi, she's far inferior to our gentle and virtuous people from the Central Plains."

Before he finished speaking, a hidden weapon was shot out from the window lattice, although the speed was fast, the aim was not very good.He didn't care, he blocked it casually, and counted his move without thinking, the hidden weapon suddenly turned its direction, and hit the center of the eyebrow impartially.This blow was really fast and hard, and Jing Yun grinned his teeth in pain, so that on this day, when he saw Wei Sang, the little girl looked at the red mark between his brows with wide eyes, and was really a little surprised: "Why don't you?" Did you follow the girl's house and order flowers?"

She didn't mean to turn Jing Yun's face red and white on purpose, but when she turned her head to see Jiang Zaichu, she was very happy: "Brother Jiang, long time no see."

Jiang Zaichu stood behind Jing Yun, when he saw her, he smiled faintly: "Miss."

"Well, I really wanted to come to you a few days ago, but there were some things at home, so I really couldn't come out." Wei Sang originally sighed, but then smiled, "Fortunately, I went out for a stroll today. What a coincidence, I met you on the street. arrive."

Jiang Zaichu originally had a calm expression, but now he smiled slightly and said, "It's okay."

"By the way, how is the business doing?"

Jiang Zaichu only said that it was okay, seeing that she was carrying a small bundle in her hand, he couldn't help asking: "What did the girl buy?"

Wei Sang was quite vigilant, and put the small bundle behind him, pretending not to care, and said, "It's nothing, it's just some girl's makeup and lipstick." As he spoke, he saw a peddler selling incense on the side of the road, so he approached , said: "Let me take a look at this champagne."

Jiang Zaichu was stunned. The incense sold by the roadside was for ordinary people's household. It was rather poorly made and had a strong smell, far less elegant than the faint and pervasive fragrance of jasmine on her body, but he didn't know why she acted like this. excited.

Weisang quickly picked some champagne, paid for it and put it in a small bag, and said with satisfaction: "This is complete." When Jiang Zai saw her for the first time, he picked some strong smelling ones, such as sweat grass, dogwood and so on. , and there are bottles and cans in the small bundle, I don't know what it is, and I frowned slightly.Weisang didn't notice anything different, turned his head to look at Jiang Zaichu and said with a smile, "Brother Jiang, are you free today? May I invite you to a bar?"

"If I'm free, I'm free, but I'll be the host." Jiang Zaichu pondered, "It's just that I'm not familiar with Jincheng, girl, you can choose a place."

Wei Sang didn't refuse, he chuckled: "Then come with me."

After three detours and two detours, we arrived at the entrance of a restaurant. Wei Sang was about to step in, but Jiang Zaichu paused, Jing Yun looked embarrassed, and kindly reminded: "Miss Awei, this is, ahem, Hualou."

"Jichunlou, I know it." Weisang turned his head, with a sly look in the corner of his eyes, "Batao is famous here, the girls sing well, and the cakes are delicious. I specially brought two Come to see and see."

It was only then that Jing Yun discovered that today she specially dressed as a man, with a green shirt and white marble around her waist, she looked like a young gentleman.He wanted to speak, but was blocked.

Jiang Zaichu saw her messing around, changed her address and said with a smile: "Brother, let's go in and have a look."

Wei Sang was not polite to him, he asked for the private seat on the second floor as soon as he entered the door, ordered the beauty singing by the way, and three other people accompanied him.

Jiang Zaichu and Jing Yun seldom come to such a place, so they are unavoidably cautious, but Wei Sang is very familiar, and asked the beauty serving the wine with a smile, "Why is it so deserted today?"

The beauty covered her face and smiled: "Young Master, I don't know. Master Zhou has booked this building tonight. Many regular customers know about it. The left and right drinkers are not satisfied, so they simply won't come this afternoon."

"Master Zhou? But Master Zhou, the transfer envoy?" Wei Sang rolled his eyes, as if it was very fresh, "Will Master Zhou come here too?"

"Acquainted customers." The beauty smiled, "Hands are generous, but it's a pity that he will be leaving soon."

Holding the glass of wine in his hand, Wei Sang didn't drink it down, but heard the woman beside Jiang Zaichu exclaim softly: "Master, this injury... must have hurt at the time, right?"

Weisang was curious for a moment, and craned his neck to look. Jiang Zaichu had already covered the wrist bone with his sleeve as if nothing had happened, and she only had time to see a very deep and long scar on it.

"I ran into a robber on the way and was hacked." Jiang Zaichu said lightly, "It's been a long time."

"Brother Jiang, people say that Tao Road is difficult, and it is difficult to go up to the blue sky. Although I am a Taoist, I have never walked it. Is it really so difficult and dangerous?" Wei Sang sketched the dangerous scene in his mind, slightly embarrassed.

"Although Taibai's poem is a bit exaggerated, it's not far from it. It's just that the more difficult the road, the more magnificent the natural scenery, which is worth seeing."

Wei Sang is very yearning: "One day, I can also go for a walk, and this life will not be wasted."

Jiang Zaichu sat on her right hand, but looked at her lightly with a smile in his eyes, "Why don't we go together next time?"

Wei Sang agreed with a smile, and just as he was talking, the singing girl tuned the strings and began to sing softly.

"The bride's eyebrows are sad, and her daughter's eyes are Boqiu..."

The song "Huanxisha" really sang the woman's indeterminate thoughts. Even Jiang Zaichu seemed to be listening very attentively. Only Jing Yun kept watching with cold eyes. He saw that although Wei Sang was sitting quietly, his mind was in a state of uncertainty and his eyes were wandering. Wandering, I don't know what I'm thinking about.Not long after, she stood up, cupped her hands and said: "Two elder brothers, I still have something to do at home, so go back earlier today. How about next time, my younger brother will be the host and invite you two to drink."

Jiang Zaichu was not surprised, and he didn't hold her back. When she looked around and went downstairs, she still lowered her head, as if she had already been absorbed in studying the wine cup in her hand.But Jing Yun lazily stood up and went out as if nothing had happened.

Jiang Zaichu was the only one left in the Accord, and he was idly leaning against the desk until Jing Yun came back, the beat of Qin Ji in his hands continued.

Jing Yun's expression was a little strange, he bent down, and whispered something in Jiang Zaichu's ear.

Jiang Zaichu didn't show much surprise, he just asked the beauty beside him: "Master Zhou came here, did you leave after nightfall?"

"Sometimes I stay overnight."

Jiang Zaichu nodded, ordered Jing Yun to settle the bill, got up and left.

Because of his generous spending, the old bustard in the building chased the two of them and said with a smile: "Young masters, come back next time."

Jiang Zaichu nodded and smiled: "I will come."

At night, Zhou Jinghua, the envoy of the Jinzhou Waterway Transshipment, listened to the most popular ditty and casually chatted with his colleagues, while the bustard lost no time in getting close to her, and said with a low laugh, "Master Zhou, how long have you been away? You have a baby."

Although the emperor has been in power for two years now, the queen mother is still powerful. When she sent her nephew here, she saw that Jincheng's water and land transfer envoy was a lucrative job.Zhou Jinghua was over forty years old, he was pampered, his body was still strong, he was holding a beautiful woman in his arms, but when he saw someone approaching, he asked cautiously: "But I don't know if King Ning is easy to get along with?"

Zhou Jinghua smiled and spit out: "You guys are well-informed." He squinted his eyes and thought for a while, "I've only met King Ning a few times, and I don't know what his temper is. He's just a young man who just returned from a victorious battle in the north. In the court, arrogance is unavoidable."

The officials below all listened carefully with their ears up, and they had their own thoughts in their hearts, but they were thinking about how to please the new boss. As for this one, they must not offend them. I am afraid that they will be able to help and support them after returning to Beijing.

After drinking for three rounds, Zhou Jinghua got tired and went to the back room first.

Sure enough, there was a girl sitting in the room, she was only thirteen or fourteen years old, her appearance had not yet matured, but her appearance had just begun to show her beauty.For a virgin of this age, the charm has not yet been revealed, but the waist is thin and tender, and she really looked for it according to her own taste.Zhou Jinghua twirled his beard in satisfaction, and stretched out his arms without saying much.

The girl timidly stepped forward to help him undress, and waited for him to lie on the bed, her cheeks were so red that they were about to burst: "My lord, I'll go and blow out the candles."

Before she could take half a step, Zhou Jinghua ruthlessly pushed her down on the bed. Impatiently, he tore off her clothes, and the girl's undeveloped breasts were exposed under the light. Knead it down.

From such a top-down angle, he could clearly see the girl's distorted expression due to the pain, but he tried his best not to show it—this kind of abusive pleasure always made Zhou Jinghua feel that he was in the position of power. At the top, he was enjoying himself, and the candle went out with a whoosh.

Zhou Jinghua paused, and when he turned around, he saw the window was open.

There was no moonlight at night, and the darkness was rather creepy. He got up from the girl in disappointment, and was about to call the servant to light the wax, when a long piece of cloth suddenly floated in from the window.

Zhou Jinghua was stunned for a moment, and felt that the cloth looked familiar.It took a while to realize that it was, that was the brocade pattern that a dead concubine Yu Pei'er liked to embroider during her lifetime.

Thinking of this, he felt pimples all over his body, and shouted inarticulately, "Come on, come..."

But before he finished speaking, a white figure floated in front of him, with long haggard hair hanging down, holding a sharp snow-cold blade in his hand, with a pale face, sticking out a long red tongue, and said quietly: "My lord, you have a new love, but Forget about Yu Peier?"

A strong smell of dogwood came to his nostrils, Zhou Jinghua remembered the day she committed suicide, it was the Double Ninth Festival, and the smell of dogwood was everywhere in the house, his eyes darkened, and he almost fainted.

Yu Pei'er moved closer, with a light swipe of the dagger, a long gash was cut in Zhou Jinghua's face instantly, and blood seeped down.She smiled softly: "I haven't seen you for a year, why don't you come with me?"

"I don't, let's go, don't go—" Zhou Jinghua trembled all over, "You, you go find someone else."

Yu Pei'er swung the dagger at him vigorously, but Zhou Jinghua was really frightened. He ignored it and shouted loudly: "Help me! There's a ghost!"

In an instant, Jinchun Building was brightly lit, and there were chaotic footsteps outside the door.

The "female ghost" frowned, knocked Zhou Jinghua unconscious with a punch, and jumped out of the window before the guards rushed over.

Running on both sides of the quiet long street, the "female ghost" cursed fiercely in her heart. She figured out the topography and location of Jinchun Building early on. She originally wanted to scare him, but she didn't expect this person to be so afraid of death. I went to a brothel but brought so many guards.

Hearing more and more footsteps behind him, half of the street was illuminated by torches, and there was another dead end in front of him, and he didn't know where to go.She was exhausted from running, but she didn't dare to stop, when she suddenly saw a black figure rushing towards her, her heart sank, she was only a three-legged cat, if someone blocked her, it would be difficult to escape.

It's just that the black shadow passed by him, but it clashed with the pursuers behind him.

Just as she was about to look back, another person flashed out, pressed her ear, and whispered: "Follow me quickly."

She nodded vigorously, and was dragged into the alley in a daze, but before she could run a few steps, the man stopped and said helplessly, "Why is it a dead end?"

She turned her head to the side. Although the man in black was covering his face, his eyes were narrow and bright, as if he had absorbed the starlight in the sky.

"What should I do?" The "female ghost" cried sadly, "Can't you escape?"

"I can only type it out." The man in black patted her face even in his busy schedule, and the white powder fell down layer by layer. The smile in his eyes deepened, and he said in a deep voice: "Follow me, don't be afraid."

He didn't hold a weapon, many pursuers bypassed the man in front and ran towards them.The man in black punched and kicked, and the guards lay on the ground, moaning and rolling, it was horrible.

It's just that the delay was too long, so Zhou Jinghua personally led someone to chase after him, and stood far away, jumping angrily: "Shoot and kill!"

Seeing more and more people, the man in black put his arms around the female ghost's waist and said with a light smile, "I won't play with them anymore, let's go."

When the female ghost was taken by him, she felt her body lighten, and she couldn't help but sprinted towards the wall.

But when she looked back, a row of shining arrows lit up behind her, "Be careful!"

Before he finished speaking, arrow clusters flew towards him like rain, and suddenly a dagger was added to the man in black's hand, and he swung his backhand to block the arrows.

The power of the sword, the sharpness flashed, but she saw the scar above his wrist, and couldn't help but stunned: "You—"

The man in black led her up and down a few times, paused, and said in a low voice: "There is too much movement, and the Jincheng defense envoy also brought people here..."

Sure enough, a black armored army was galloping not far away, and the torches illuminated half of the night sky. The young general headed by him rushed to the neighborhood where the accident happened.

He took her down quietly, and said in a low voice, "Send you here, hurry back."

The female ghost looked around, what a coincidence, not far away was the side gate of the Hou Mansion.

She breathed a sigh of relief, and turned her head, only to see that there was still an arrow stuck in the arm of the man in black, bleeding profusely.

"Are you injured?" She was shocked, "You, will you go home with me?"

The man in black looked down at his arm, gently folded the shaft of the arrow, and said indifferently: "It's okay." After a pause, he finally felt helpless, and said gently: "Next time, don't mess around again. gone."

The mansion was brightly lit, it seemed that there were many people coming and going, and Weisang did not sleep well that night.

When it was dawn, she couldn't wait to get up, and happened to meet Xiao Rang, a city defense envoy in armor, in the vestibule.

After a night of running around, the young general looked quite tired, Wei Sang called him and asked, "General, are you here to find my father so early?"

"Lord Zhou was assassinated last night. After a whole night of investigation, the three assassins still ran away." Xiao Rang stepped forward. He and Wei Sang had known each other since they were young, and he did not avoid suspicion. "Now he is furious and says he wants to seal the city. , searching for assassins from house to house.”

Weisang felt a little guilty for a while, and said in a low voice, "Jinzhou City is so big, who knows what an assassin looks like?"

"One of them was injured, maybe we can find clues." Xiao Rang explained deeply, but there was a hint of disdain in his handsome brows.

"This old thief, why didn't the assassin kill him completely!" Weisang said in a low voice angrily.

Xiao Rang laughed out loud, "Don't talk nonsense, your father will be punished if he hears it."

In order not to delay him for too long, Weisang went back to the room alone.The nanny came to help her wash up and saw that she was digging through the walls and cabinets to find something, and said "Oops": "Princess, what are you doing again?"

Weisang said vaguely, "Look for something."

The nanny pushed her down on the chair and sighed: "Little ancestor, don't go out to play these few days, it's messy outside, hunting assassins everywhere."

With a lock of long hair wrapped around his finger, Wei Sang paused, "Huh?"

"Someone went to assassinate Mr. Zhou last night, alas, that Mr. Zhou is now in Master Hou's study."

Wei Sang slapped the table and said angrily, "He has misbehaved himself, and it is common for him to be hated by others. Why are you looking for my father?"

"I think they want to make another fortune before leaving."

Wei Sang clenched his fists, feeling angry and regretful at the same time. If he had known that he would not have been so impulsive yesterday...or he would not have been so soft-hearted, it would be better to just kill him...

After combing her hair, the nanny ordered the maids to serve breakfast. She felt that the princess was very well-behaved today, so she took her to wash her mouth, and then she took her away with satisfaction.

Thousands of ants were gnawing on Weisang's heart, and he was restless.It wasn't until the evening that I found the opportunity and slipped out.Sure enough, martial law was enforced on the street, even if pedestrians passed by, they all lowered their heads and walked in a hurry.

Weisang went around to Yuchi Street and knocked lightly on the door.

Jing Yunlai opened the door, seeing her, he couldn't help frowning: "Girl, what are you doing here today?"

Wei Sang didn't answer, but worried, "Where's Brother Jiang?"

"... resting in the back room."

She went straight to the back room, and sure enough, Jiang Zaichu was sitting at the desk, reading a book in his left hand.He only wears plain plain robes at home, but his eyebrows are picturesque, far more gorgeous than plain robes.When she looked up, she saw that she was coming, with a warm smile on her lips: "Why are you here?"

Wei Sang suddenly dumped the bottles and cans in his arms on the table, and murmured: "These are wound medicines."

Jiang Zaichu stood up, but kept his right hand behind his back, and said with a light smile, "I'm fine."

"I'm scared to death. I'm afraid you've already been caught by that old thief." Weisang finally let go of his heart, and cold sweat was still dripping on his forehead, "Last night, I... I'm really, really sorry."

Jing Yun held back a smile and said, "You are so reckless, you dare to be an assassin with just this three-legged cat skill."

Wei Sang was dejected, and it was hard to refute the savior, so he said: "I didn't think about being an assassin, I just thought about him leaving, I have to scare him."

Jiang Zaichu took a slow look at Jing Yun, stopped him from saying any more sarcastic words, but comforted her: "Everyone is safe, and you don't need to be sad."

"He has brought people to search around, I'm afraid I will find this place." Weisang said anxiously, "How about—"

Before the words fell, there was a heavy knock on the door.

Weissang suddenly stood up: "Is it really checked?"

Jing Yun smiled faintly, "I'll go and have a look."

Wei Sang followed Jing Yun to the door, and when he opened it, there were indeed a group of guards with long knives, banging on the door.

Before Jing Yun could ask, the leader stepped in arrogantly, looked around, and finally sized up the two of them: "There was an assassin in the city last night, and they seemed to be running here, have you seen them?"

"Never."

"How many people are there?"

"My son and I are two."

"Then who is this woman?" The man looked Weisang up and down, with a malicious smile on his face.

"My son's friend came to visit him specially." Jing Yun replied politely.

"Visit?" The man immediately became alert, "The three of you, are you the assassin from last night? Where is your son? Is he sick or injured?"

"My lord, how can you trespass on a private house?" Jing Yun moved his footsteps lightly, standing in front of the man, "We are both from the Central Plains, how can we be assassins for nothing?"

"Hmph, I'll know if it's true or not." The man pulled out half of his knife fiercely, "Are you going to let me go or not?"

Jing Yun was still standing, tall and straight, unmoving.

The officer looked at the young man and woman, and he might not believe that they were assassins, but today Master Zhou ordered that this city search was to hunt for assassins in name, but in fact, he saw rich families and blackmailed them. It's also good to get a lot of votes before leaving.Seeing that these two people were dressed in extraordinary clothes, this thought had already occurred in his heart, and his face became more and more fierce: "Call your son out."

Jing Yun smiled lightly, with a contemptuous voice, "It's up to you?"

The officer couldn't hold back his face, and shouted: "Copy the guy!"

There was a sound of scoffing, and the sharp icy blade dazzled Weisang's eyes.She retreated behind Jing Yun, seeing a disagreement, he had already knocked the leading officer to the ground, and panicked: If this continues, there will be too many of them, and they will definitely enter the back room.If you see his right arm...

Jing Yun had easily knocked five or six people to the ground, stopped, and looked down at the officer with a bruised nose and swollen face: "Do you want to fight again?"

This scene was very similar to the man in black charging through the crowd yesterday. The officer ran out and shouted loudly: "Surround here, it's him! It's them!"

With a sarcastic smile on his lips, Jing Yun pulled Weissang into the room, proudly inspected the guards in the courtyard, and said coldly, "Who dares to come in and try."

As soon as he entered the room, he changed his appearance and scratched his head at Jiang Zaichu, "My lord, I couldn't help it, so I decided to do it."

Jiang Zaichu shook his head, as if he had foreseen this, and did not open his mouth to blame.

"Why are you so reckless?" Wei Sang stomped his feet anxiously, "Now they're going to bring in reinforcements, and they will definitely come in to check. Brother Jiang's arm is still injured!"

Jing Yun laughed, and jokingly said, "You say I'm reckless?"

Wei Sang didn't have the heart to joke with him at this moment, his heart was full of worries, the matter had come to this point, after much deliberation, there was only one last resort left.She gathered herself together, and said to Jiang Zaichu: "Brother Jiang, I am so sorry that you are too tired to do business. But, but, don't worry, yesterday's misfortune was caused by me, and I will bear it myself."

Jiang Zaichu turned his head to the side. Hearing her speak so solemnly, he suddenly couldn't help laughing, and coughed: "But how are you going to bear it?"

"Actually, actually I'm—"

There was another sound of footsteps outside the courtyard, and someone kicked open the door of the study: "What is it? Get out!"

Jing Yun stepped forward a few steps, looked coldly at the person who came, and said, "What are you?" Taking advantage of the situation, he kicked the person in the chest and kicked him out of the door.

In the courtyard, a man with a cloth bandage on his face, with a strong figure and a ferocious expression, said fiercely: "No one of the three assassins is missing, kill me!"

A row of crossbowmen in front of him was full of bows, waiting for an order to strike.

Jing Yun still stood quietly, his voice was soft, but full of menace: "You are going to kill people indiscriminately - I want to see if there is any law in this world!"

Zhou Jinghua heard that the assassin had been caught, and hurried to this place, but saw the young man standing upright, he couldn't help being a little puzzled, and immediately became more angry: "Do it!"

With the longbow fully drawn and the arrow on the string, Wei Sang suddenly took a step: "Stop, I'm—"

Before she finished speaking, Jiang Zaichu had already stopped in front of her, blocking her view, with his right hand behind his back, and said shallowly, "Zhou Jinghua, who are you going to attack?"

Even though it was dusk, the last ray of light did not stop.

Zhou Jinghua suddenly saw this handsome and indifferent face looking at him coldly, and his brain exploded with a bang.

At the beginning of the year, he came to Beijing to report on his duties, just as King Ning returned from the Northern Expedition. Among the ministers, he saw His Highness wearing black armor walking in the main hall. Although he was young, his brows were calm, his steps were steady, and the killing intent that could not be relieved from all over his body made him stunned. Withdrew his gaze.

Unexpectedly, at this moment, the "assassin" actually captured King Ning!
Zhou Jinghua only felt that his legs were weak, and with the last bit of strength he shouted back at the archer, he turned around and gave the officer a slap in the face, and knelt down on his knees: "Your Highness, Your Highness..."

The guards behind him didn't know why, but they also huffed and knelt on the ground.

Jiang Zaichu looked away lightly, but he only remembered to turn around in his heart.

Han Weisang stared at him blankly, "Are you the new transfer envoy, His Highness King Ning of the Luo Dynasty?"

There was shock in her eyes, but also an uncontrollable trace of disgust.

Jiang Zai saw it clearly at the beginning, but he sighed in his heart...

Someday, they will have to face each other for real - but when that day comes, I hope I will speak first.At least, this is the sincerity that I can do.

Jiang Zaichu looked away, and said apologetically, "I'm sorry for keeping this from the girl earlier."

Before Wei Sang could speak, some people cheered from the courtyard, and the leader was Xiao Rang.

He didn't recognize Jiang Zaichu, he only saw Wei Sang standing there, and hurriedly half-kneeled, "Princess."

Zhou Jinghua raised his head in a daze, but saw the girl standing there in a daze, and suddenly realized that his arrest not only captured King Ning, but also captured Han Yu's precious daughter, Princess Jiahui.Even though he was always domineering, he couldn't help breaking out in a cold sweat.

In the fourth year of Yuanxi reign, Emperor Luo decreed that Ning Wang Jiang Zaichu went to Taodi to serve as the envoy of water and land transport in Jinzhou. He took office in May, and supervised the collection of grain, grass, taxes and offering brocades, and also served as the supervisor of Taodi.

The decree has not yet officially arrived in Jinzhou, but King Ning has already appeared in front of Jinzhou's various forces in such a way that he was caught off guard.

When Han Yong learned of this, he immediately came to connect King Ning to his house.His Royal Highness King Ning thanked him briefly, and then stopped declining.

When Taohou walked out of the small courtyard with His Highness King Ning, he took a special look at his daughter. Weisang felt guilty and subconsciously moved to the side.Jiang Zaichu kept this scene in his eyes calmly, bent down in front of the sedan chair, and seemingly casually said: "Master Hou, I'm afraid the princess hasn't recovered yet."

Han Yu was startled, and then gave his little daughter a hard look: "My little girl has always been naughty, please forgive me, Your Highness."

"When Xiao Wang first entered Jinzhou City, he really concealed his identity. The princess just came to help Xiao Wang when he was in great distress. It's just that Xiao Wang didn't have a chance to reveal his identity, which surprised the princess." King Ning thin lips After taking a sip, he looked at Zhou Jinghua, who was following suit with a half-smile, and said, "I have to thank Mr. Zhou."

Zhou Jinghua's back shivered, although he was so scheming, he couldn't think of any excuses at this moment, he just wiped his sweat, half crying and said without laughing: "I have disturbed His Highness, I really deserve death."

Jiang Zaichu said indifferently: "I first entered Jinzhou, the city is very busy, but I don't know what kind of assassin Master Zhou is looking for? He actually disturbed a whole city to death."

"Yes, there was an assassin last night—" Zhou Jinghua hurriedly explained.

"In my opinion, the so-called assassins are just a few people. Master Zhou is quite popular in Jinzhou." Jiang Zaichu said quite meaningfully.

"Yes, yes, Xiaguan was also worried that His Highness might be disturbed when he came here for the first time. Thinking about it this way, Xiaguan has done it before." Zhou Jinghua hurriedly said, "I immediately asked someone to lift this ban."

"Master Zhou is very kind to his subjects." King Ning smiled and got into the sedan chair with his sleeves swept up.

At this point, the matter of tracking down the assassin was settled, and Zhou Jinghua didn't dare to mention a word until he left Taodi.

On that day, Marquis Tao hosted a banquet in his mansion and invited King Ning in.Because his predecessor, Zhou Jinghua, hadn't left yet, and the mansion of the transfer envoy hadn't been repaired, Marquis Tao tried his best to invite King Ning to live in the mansion first.King Ning declined briefly, then agreed.

He lived alone in the East Garden of the Hou Mansion, and officials from Taodi came here in an endless stream in the past few days, and it really took a lot of energy to interview him in turn.This afternoon, His Royal Highness King Ning finally got tired of it, leaving Jing Yun alone, and went out by himself.

Although the garden of Hou's mansion is not as good as the imperial garden, even smaller than the garden of his mansion in central Beijing, it is more exquisite.Jiang Zaichu walked along the path, admiring the strange bamboos and rocks all the way, and suddenly saw a large and a small sitting in the stone pavilion under the big willow tree in front of him. There were no maids and maids around to serve them, but the two of them were not quiet, far away. I feel lively when I listen to it.

"Niao Niao—" Tong Yin.

"That's not right." The older one flicked his finger on the little doll's forehead.

"Cuckoo Chicken..."

"wrong--"

"Auntie, I want to go out to play—" The little guy finally started not to cooperate, kicking his calf and making noise.

"Shh, keep your voice down! Do you want my aunt to be scolded to death?" Weisang quickly stuffed a piece of pastry into the little guy's mouth, "We'll talk about it after a while."

Suddenly soft footsteps sounded behind him, Wei Sang turned his head, only to see Prince Ning, whom he had not seen for several days, standing behind him with his hands behind his back and a smile on his face.

She hurriedly stood up and saluted: "I have met His Highness King Ning." Along the way, she lightly kicked her nephew.

"Huh?" Ah Zhuang looked up and said happily, "Is it Big Brother?"

"Call Your Highness." Wei Sang coughed heavily.

After all, he came from a family. Although he didn't know the difference between His Highness and his elder brother, Ah Zhuang still stood up very politely, and saluted decently: "Your Highness."

"No." Ning Wang picked up the little guy and put it on his lap, flipped through the comic book he threw aside, and asked in doubt, "What is this?"

"My aunt is teaching me how to read." Ah Zhuang tried to explain, "She insisted that I was wrong."

Jiang Zaichu took a closer look, and it turned out to be a poem, the first sentence of which was... Goose goose goose.He laughed and raised his eyes slightly. Weisang was sitting opposite the stone table, but he was not as natural as before, but instead showed a faint vigilance and alienation.

Ah Zhuang didn't like the adults sitting upright like this, and felt bored being hugged by Jiang Zaichu, struggled a few times, and went to play under the tree by himself.Weisang looked at his back, thinking that it was a good time to leave, and when he was about to stand up, His Highness King Ning lowered his eyes slightly, sighed, and said, "Are you planning to end up just like this? After all, we have lived together with the girl." The friendship of fate."

Wei Sang was stunned, and silently glanced at him: "I appreciate you very much for that matter. But... I don't want to hide it from you, I can't be friends with you like before."

Her voice was soft and soft, and she still refused to look at him. Jiang Zaichu only felt sore and itchy in the apex of his heart, and he was stunned for a long time before opening his mouth: "Is it because I kept it from you?"

Weisang shook his head: "No, it's not because of this. But you are the transfer envoy sent by the imperial court."

Jiang Zaichu's brows suddenly widened, "You don't have to be so polite."

"Uh?"

"You hate people sent by the court." The corners of his lips curled up slightly, his eyes were clear, "But Miss Han, you don't hate me."

Wei Sang choked, "Aren't you sent by the court?"

"Well, King Ning is a water and land transfer envoy sent by the imperial court, but I am not. I am just a friend you met in Xinglin outside the city." His voice was firm and solemn, "Do you think I like the transfer envoy very much?" Title? I was sent here to collect grain and grass taxes. Which of the farmers and traders here would not scold me? But the taxes are set by the imperial court, but they are sent by me. Does it have anything to do with me?"

Wei Sang was taken aback for a while when he spoke in a long line, subconsciously wanting to refute: "But Zhou Jinghua—"

"I know you want to talk about him." He pursed his lips thinly and sharply, and only said a word in a light tone, "But do you want to compare him with me?"

Weisang unconsciously curled her drooping hair, she knew that every word he said was correct, but...they still couldn't get along like before.She lowered her eyes, stood up without saying a word, and wanted to take her nephew away.

"Miss Han, my family's mansion in the capital is probably bigger than your mansion."

But he didn't seem to notice, and just spoke softly.

"When I was very young, I was still living with my mother and my father. At that time, he set up this property for me. My mother is not the real wife, but my father is very good to us, so good that my aunt always thinks that I will split up. Her son's property." Looking at the green willow branches, he said slowly, "My mother doesn't like to fight, and she never thought about it that way. But Dad likes her too much, or maybe he is afraid that if he leaves by himself It's too early, our mother and I will be bullied sooner or later."

What he said was clearly about the emperor's family affairs, but his tone was as leisurely as if he were talking to the parents. Weisang was fascinated by this, stopped in his tracks, and asked softly, "What happened next?"

He didn't answer, and said sadly: "My mother left before my father, and within two days, my father also left. My aunt's son inherited all the family property, but my aunt has always been worried about me. So she sent me to It is a very dangerous business in a far away place. If there is a slight mistake, I will not be able to go back."

"But I have a lot of life. I met a group of brothers in that place for a few years. The food and food there are not as exquisite as at home, and the daily life is a matter of life and death, but everyone is broad-minded. Don't plot against each other. When you want to fight with others, you will be loyal and trust your life; when you are free, you will sit around the stove, eat wine and meat, and live a very happy life."

"Probably because they were afraid that I would take root there, so I was called back home and came here."

Jiang Zaichu smiled faintly: "When you come here, you are the first friend I made. You deliberately distanced yourself from me, so I have nothing to say. Just listen to the princess's wishes."

The warm spring breeze blew over, gently brushing the hair and the corners of the clothes of the two of them. Weisang suddenly felt a twinge in his heart when he thought about Jiang Zaichu in that story.If one says that he is under the protection of his father, brother, and elder sister-in-law, in the final analysis, he is just a prince who is suspected by the emperor and empress dowager and has to live cautiously. too much.

Standing there contemplating for a while, she finally turned around and said tentatively: "Father grounded me, Your Highness, can you...well, take me and Ah Zhuang out for a walk?"

Jiang Zaichu pondered for a while, and there was a gentle smile on his lips: "Since the princess has spoken, Xiao Wang should do his best."

"Jiang Zaichu, will beating the Huns kill a lot of people?" I don't know when, as long as the two of them were alone, Wei Sang no longer called His Highness, but only called him by his first name.

She was probably the only one who would call him that in this huge empire—even when the late emperor was alive, it seemed that she seldom called him that.However, Jiang Zaichu, who was regarded as the "Black Rakshasa" by the Xiongnu tribe, readily accepted her name, and even felt that when she uttered these three words, her tone was brisk, with an intimacy that others could not match.

They were sitting in a restaurant by the street, waiting for the boss to bring the soup. Jiang Zaichu looked at her worried face and pondered for a moment: "The strategy and tactics of the Huns are far inferior to those of the Central Plains, but their cavalry is too powerful. As soon as soldiers from the Central Plains face each other, they are overwhelmed by momentum and often lose."

Weisang's face turned pale when he heard this, and she didn't bother to take a bite when the boss brought her her favorite scallion oil noodles.

"Are you worried about your elder brother?" He reached out and put a strand of fallen hair behind her ear, and said with a smile, "Don't worry, he is following the imperial conquest, and he is the son of Taohou—the emperor is just If you want to keep him by your side, relying on this to urge your father to collect more food and grass, you will never put him in danger. Besides..."

"And what?"

"Besides, the Shence Army was trained by me. I have fought against the Huns for three years, and they have rarely lost. The emperor will bring them, and I think it will be fine."

Hearing his calm tone, Weissang vaguely sensed something strange.She knows that he is not a man who likes to care.In many things, he is far more free and easy than ordinary people, but this time, he seems to be a little concerned.

Xu Shi noticed her surprised eyes, Jiang Zaichu lowered his head and picked up some noodles, and said softly: "Those are the same robes who ate and slept together for three years. When I took them with me, I was only afraid that I would make a mistake with an order. , Thousands of people will die. Now it's someone else... I'm just a little worried."

"So, it's still bad for the emperor." Wei Sang puffed up his cheeks and spoke quickly.

Jiang Zaichu smiled lightly, then patted her head, but sighed: "Let's all live in peace."

The spring day of the fourth year of Yuanxi was destined to be a restless season.

Regardless of the opposition of the court ministers, Emperor Luoming insisted on going to the Xiongnu.The Ministry of War and the Ministry of Households urgently mobilized troops and raised food and grass across the country. Within a month, they dispatched 20 elite soldiers, claiming to be 50 people, and marched in person.

That year, the emperor had only been in power for two years, and he dared to use force so much, but it was also because the Luo army defeated the Xiongnu at the border in the third year of Yuanxi.The confrontation outside the Great Wall lasted for half a year, and there were dozens of battles, big and small, without a single defeat. King Ning Jiang Zaichu was the governor of the frontier at that time, so he became famous all over the world.The Xiongnu cavalry, known for their bravery, retreated hundreds of miles after seeing King Ning. The soldiers even secretly called him "Ge Muhong", which means "Black Shura".The emperor just wanted to take advantage of the power of this battle to lead his army to completely wipe out the troubles of the Huns.

The capital, the imperial study.

After the disintegration of the dynasty, the young emperor left only a few people.

It is not surprising that the six ministers and other important ministers of the court are among them. The royal conquest requires the Ministry of War to mobilize the whole country, and the Ministry of Households has been busy for more than a month, and has been making food allocation.However, a young man stood quietly among them. The official uniform on his body showed that this young man was a sixth-rank official. Among this vast group of first-rank officials, his qualifications and rank were extremely low.But he was standing a little far away from the emperor, his figure was straight, his handsome face even had a bit of elegance, and his expression was extremely solemn.

Jing Guan, Minister of the Ministry of War, is discussing with the emperor which elite troops to send as the emperor's direct army, "...so we will send Liaodong iron cavalry into the pass..."

Before the words were finished, a clear and pleasant voice came straight in.

"Your Majesty, the Liaodong Cavalry is not as good as the Shence Army."

There was a strange silence in the imperial study room, and no one dared to speak for a while, until the emperor said indifferently: "Hao Xing, Liaodong Iron Cavalry has been stationed in the frontier fortress for more than a hundred years. Can't compete with that."

Yuan Haoxing's face remained unchanged: "Although the Liaodong iron cavalry has a century-old reputation, it has been fighting with the Jin people outside the pass. The Jin people and the Huns fight in very different ways. Now Your Majesty is personally conquering the Huns. The Shence Army is familiar with the enemy's warfare. Law--"

"Okay, I know very well that the Shence Army once defeated the Huns." The emperor interrupted him with some displeasure, and went straight to the next topic.

Although being reprimanded by the emperor, Yuan Haoxing didn't see how depressed he was, he just shook his head lightly, a trace of disappointment flashed across Wenxiu's face, he was very clear about the emperor's true thoughts, so he didn't want to bring the Shence Army, It is to prove that what King Ning can do, so can the emperor; as for the second, I am afraid that the emperor does not trust the cronies trained by King Ning himself...

Until late at night, Xiao Chaoyi finally broke up.The Minister of the Ministry of Officials, Wang Tinghe, the greatest Confucian in the world, walked to Yuan Haoxing's side, and said softly, "Young man, you are too sharp today."

Yuan Haoxing paused, looked at the old man who shook his head slightly, "I just want to have a clear conscience."

The old man also looked back at him, smiled and said: "If it weren't for you, you would have lost your official and been imprisoned if you said that sentence."

Yuan Haoxing was startled, looked at the official uniform on his body, and suddenly smiled wryly.

At this time, Yuan Haoxing still didn't know how the emperor's seemingly insignificant decision would profoundly affect the Luo Dynasty's national destiny.Looking back on all this more than ten years later, this iron-blooded official who was called the prime minister in black by later generations only remembered that night, the stars in the sky above the imperial city flickered strangely, which was faintly disturbing.

The emperor slowly stretched out his arms, and Concubine Yan carefully and gently replaced him with the court clothes, her hands were wrapping around his waist, when suddenly he grabbed his chin firmly.

Concubine Yan was startled, and raised her eyes to look at the Son of Heaven.

Thin lips, phoenix eyes, and long eyebrows slanted up - in fact, he really looks like that person, but the expression in these eyes is completely different from that person.He was fiercer than that man, and he had an impatient aura.

The emperor clasped her soft chin, and said sternly: "A sixth-rank speaker dares to talk to me like this. You Yuan family are really bold."

Concubine Yan was startled, she broke free from the emperor's hand and knelt down, earnestly said: "It must be the concubine elder brother who has said something presumptuous again, please His Majesty the emperor forgive me."

The emperor stared at her snow-white and soft nape, looking again and again, with an uncertain expression on his face, and suddenly said: "He insisted on bringing the Shence Army with me, what about you? Are you still thinking about that person?"

Concubine Yan's originally calm expression turned pale, but she pursed her lips tightly and said nothing.

The emperor sneered a few times, and hated him again, but the forbearance and viciousness of the royal children kept him from blurting out that desire. He knew that he couldn't do it right now.

Yuan Haoxing was famous all over the world at a young age. After winning the imperial examination, he became a speech official. The first person to be impeached was Yang Wen, the elder Yang Ge who was in power at the time. Scholars from all over the world jointly supported him. Mr. Ge fell down.

Being able to do this is not dependent on luck, but behind the Yuan family is an invisible but undeniably frightening force.Since the founding of the Luo Dynasty, there have been two major power groups, one civil and one military.

Yuan Haoxing's father was Jijiu of Guozijian.Although this position does not have real power, the disciples of the Yuan family are all over the world, and Yuan Haoxing, as the leader of young scholars, is even more popular.

——Father, this is why you were afraid that after your death, Jiang Zaichu would have no one to rely on, so you married Yuan Weiyan for him, right?
It's a pity that women, the Yuan family, and even the world are still mine.

There was an undetectable sneer on the emperor's face, and he stretched out his hand to help the shivering Concubine Yan: "This matter has nothing to do with you, you are still pregnant, get up."

At this time, the official residence of the Jinzhou Transit Envoy was renovated. Jiang Zaichu issued an imperial decree at the beginning of his tenure. He said coldly: "Your Highness, my Han family has guarded Taodi for generations. Although Taodi is a land of abundance, the imperial court has never imposed such a heavy tax."

Jiang Zaichu slightly closed his eyes, as if he had never heard: "Master Hou, accept the order."

The old Hou Ye trembled slightly, but he never took it, he said: "In the rich land of Jiangsu and Zhejiang, the taxation has always been equal to that of the Tao land. Dare I ask King Ning, although the emperor personally levied it, but the taxation over there has been changed. Is it gone?"

Jiang Zaichu rubbed his brows, and said in a low voice: "The tax is heavy, so I don't know it. It's just that it's not normal during the war, and it will be exempted when the emperor returns."

"The people's grievances are boiling, so what should His Highness do?"

Jiang Zai lowered his eyes, and after a while, his voice was pleasant but cold: "Before I came here, Your Majesty gave me an order to transfer troops from Sichuan and Shaanxi. Lord Hou, this king does not want to go to that step. The common people are so innocent. "

"The emperor really wants to squeeze every drop out of this place." Taohou accepted the decree, and said softly, "Let me bear the sinners who are taxed. I just hope that after your majesty returns, you will take pity on me." I've collected the power of the land and the people...how innocent are the common people."

Because of this incident, Weisang went to the transfer envoy's mansion angrily, "The emperor wanted to fight a war, so he took my elder brother as a hostage and imposed a heavy tax of five to one. He, he doesn't treat us as human beings. What!"

It's just that Jiang Zaichu was not in Jinzhou, and the new tax order had already been promulgated. Sure enough, people's grievances arose, and he had to go out to appease them.

"Jiang Zaichu knew that Taodi had suffered from drought and flood in the past two years, and doing so was helping the evildoers." Wei Sang clenched his fists, unable to tell whether it was the emperor or King Ning who was angry at the moment.

Seeing that her little face was flushed with anger, Jing Yun said unhurriedly: "Princess, if you know that before we came here, the tax set by the court for Taodi was four to one, and it was His Highness who changed it to five." Bi Yi, maybe we shouldn't hate him so much?"

Wei Sang was startled: "The emperor knows?"

"The emperor has left the customs, so I can't control it for a while." Jing Yun lowered his eyes, hiding the trace of worry, "It's okay to say that the battle he came back to fight is a victory. If he loses, I'm afraid His Highness still has someone who can't supervise the transportation of food and grass. charge."

Weisang fell silent, and suddenly felt that Jiang Zaichu, the prince of the Daluo Dynasty and the younger brother of the current emperor, had a really difficult life.

"Jing Yun, you always say that the girls in the Central Plains are beautiful, so what are the beauties in the capital like?" Weisang changed the subject and asked cautiously.

Jing Yun squinted at her, but saw that the corners of her eyes and brows were full of curiosity, and couldn't help but smile: "Wouldn't you know if you go and see next time?"

"Then, what about the number one beauty in the capital?"

It turns out that the person who was beating around the bush was asking this.

Jing Yun was slightly embarrassed, and said vaguely: "The number one beauty in the capital? Why have I never heard of it?"

"Isn't the first beauty a lady from the Yuan family?" Wei Sang didn't intend to let him go, and asked, "Is she really as good-looking as the rumors say?"

Jing Yun didn't answer immediately. Although he knew the meaning of Weisang's question, he couldn't answer it.

Because, this Miss Yuan was once the wife of the late emperor who proposed marriage to King Ning.

Now, she is the Concubine Yan of the Holy Family Jinlong.

This not-so-nice-sounding "brother seizing brother's wife" royal anecdote has become known all over the world. Although he knew the twists and turns, he never dared to say anything more.

Fortunately, Jiang Zaichu is back now.

Xu knew that Princess Jiahui was at the mansion, and King Ning's footsteps seemed a little hurried. When he saw Wei Sang, the corners of his lips twitched slightly: "Why did the princess come here? Does the Marquis know?"

"My father doesn't care about me now." Wei Sang's eyes were sharp, but seeing the mud stains on his official robe shoulders, he couldn't help asking, "Did you fall?"

He brushed it indifferently: "I'm going to change clothes." The slender figure walked to the inner hall, but turned around and said, "Weisang, why don't you stay at the house for dinner?"

"Oh, yes." Wei Sang replied, but turned his head and looked at Jing Yun, and saw dark clouds in each other's eyes.

As long as the imperial court gave them a chance to survive, the people of Taodi would always be able to live tenaciously and diligently, which could even be called "submissive".But this time, Jiang Zaichu, as the imperial envoy of the imperial court, went on a tour as a new transfer envoy, but was thrown by the people with dirt, which shows how outraged the people are.Weisang thought in his heart that if Zhou Jinghua, his predecessor, was insulted by this, and he insisted on suing the court, he would have to peel Taodi again.

She herself knew that this was where her conflict with him lay.

Knowing that he came to exploit on behalf of the imperial court, but also knowing that his intention was not so, he was forced to come this time and suffered all kinds of humiliation.

In this way, she wanted to lose her temper with him, but she also felt that she was too unreasonable.

The girl was struggling with herself, but she saw that His Royal Highness King Ning had come out after taking a bath and changing clothes.The dark hair was probably simply brushed, and it fell behind quite casually, with a wet and pleasant smell of spices on her body, against the sword eyebrows and starry eyes, she seemed to be a leisurely and lazy person she had never seen before. youth.

Xu Shi realized that he had been staring at him for too long, Wei Sang looked away, took a sip of tea indiscriminately, and asked, "Has the tax been collected?"

"Last year and this year, the drought continued. I went to many villages. It was difficult for every household to even eat clear porridge." Jiang Zaichu pondered, "I will explain to His Majesty, if it can be avoided, then it will be avoided."

"The emperor won't listen to you." Wei Sang also had a sad face, "What should I do?"

He leaned forward, flicked Weisang's forehead with his middle finger, and said with a firm smile, "I have my own way."

The servant served two or three simple dishes and two bowls of noodles. Weisang looked around: "Where's Jing Yun?"

"I'll send him to do something." Jiang Zaichu said with a calm expression, "Let's eat first."

After taking a bite of food, Jiang Zai Chu fixedly looked at the girl beside him, and said suddenly, "I heard that Shang Jinghou's son has reached the age of marriage, and Shang Jinghou is looking for a suitable official lady."

"Uncle Shang Jinghou and my father are very good friends." Wei Sang said casually, "I also know Brother Shang." She raised her head and met Shang Jiang Zaichu's slightly meaningful eyes, her cheeks suddenly flushed, she shook her head and said, "But what you said, I don't know."

He was only probing lightly, but when he saw her reaction like this, he suddenly felt warm in his heart.

"Jiang Zaichu, you have also reached the age to get married, so do you have someone you like?" In fact, Wei Sang didn't know where he got the courage to say such a sentence.

Maybe, or maybe it was because he heard his father talk about things in the capital at the mansion in the afternoon, so he knew that he once had an excellent marriage - his fiancée was a well-known Miss Yuan family, and the two were childhood sweethearts since childhood.

It's just a trick of God.

He thought that he would be able to marry a beautiful woman when he came back after being famous on the battlefield, but in the end she entered the inner courtyard of the deep palace, and he was demoted here sadly.

The chopsticks in Jiang Zaichu's hand paused, as if he didn't expect her to ask such a question, but when the soldiers came to block him, his voice was calm and solemn, and he said word by word: "I didn't have it before I came to Jinzhou; but I met it when I came here."

"Ah?" Wei Sang was startled, and just now he understood what he said, his cheeks were even more red like cooked shrimp, his usual eloquence was completely gone, and he just looked back at him blankly.

In the past, he looked at her with gentle and warm eyes, but at this moment, the hidden passionate emotions surged out, probably because he was afraid that she would be frightened and refused, and he was still faintly apprehensive and vulnerable.

Even the liveliest and most daring girl in Taodi had a blank mind at the moment. She managed to choke out a sentence, but almost bit her own tongue. Weisang heard himself say in the softest voice, "Then you go Ask my father."

Shura, who was murderous and aggressive on the battlefield outside the Great Wall, instantly melted into a twisted finger. He just felt that he had never been so relieved in his life. Just one word, but the promise was as heavy as a weight: "Okay."

At this time, Wei Sang's heart is like a deer bumping wildly. The girl's love is just beginning, and the person she loves also loves her. Perhaps this is the most beautiful thing.She always thought that as long as her father agreed, there would be nothing in this world that could separate herself from him.

But at that time, she didn't know that it was not the two of them who were in charge of all these things in the dark, but also the emperor who was far away in the capital, whom she complained about every day, but who had never met, and the world, thousands of sons. civil.

(End of this chapter)