Embroidered color and fragrance

Chapter 156 Motivation
Su Wanru, Kong Shunyi, Aunt Qian and others explained a few words, please Master Cui send someone to take them to Tianxia Department Store first.

"Master Yang, Master Lin!" Zhu Xun blinked at the two of them, and threw the money bag to them, "Take the brothers to the Cuixiang Tower. If I can come out alive and well today, I will definitely go find you."

"Don't worry, my son." Master Lin said with a smile: "I will take good care of my brothers. Everyone is waiting for you in Cuixiang Tower."

Zhu Xun chuckled, and said, "Brother, let's go first!" As he spoke, he put his hand on Su Wanru's shoulder, and then with a groan, someone twisted his wrist, and he cried out in pain: "Eight... … Mynah, take it easy.”

Shen Zhan shook off his hand and warned, "If you try again, I'll kill you."

"A Jin and I are brothers." Zhu Xun rubbed his arms, jumped away, saw Zhao Yan waiting for them in front, and said in a low voice, "Lord Ning, thank you today."

Zhao Yan smiled slightly and said, "So, do you want to treat me to dinner?"

"Please, do you want to go to Cuixiang Tower?" Zhu Xun said.

Zhao Yan looked at Shen Zhan, raised his brows, and said with a half-smile: "Go to the Marquis of Zhennan, I'll go!"

"I won't go." Shen Zhan snorted, "My wife won't let me go." He said, looking at Su Wanru.

Su Wanru gave him a blank look, and said to Zhao Yan: "Your Majesty Zhu is right, thank you very much today. A few words from you are worth more than what we have said."

"Why are you being polite to me?" Zhao Yan smiled slightly and said, "They will go to Cuixian Tower in the evening, and I invite you to Ruyun Pavilion to celebrate the phased victory."

Su Wanru pursed her lips and smiled, "Okay!"

"Then let Prince Ning spend the money." Shen Zhan said.

Zhao Yan glanced at him and said, "I'm afraid Lord Hou won't be able to go, that's really a pity."

"There is no banquet in the world that cannot be attended." Shen Zhan said, "What's more, if I can't go, it will be inconvenient for my wife."

Su Wanru didn't want to lose face to Shen Zhan, or else she would push him, she put Zhu Xun's shoulders after thinking about it, and said, "Why don't I go to Cuixian Tower with you, I haven't even seen it before, I pretend to be Men are fine!"

"No." That's what Shen Zhan said.

"Not good." It was Zhao Yan who said it.

Su Wanru frowned and looked at the two, smiled, and said, "Otherwise, let's go together."

Shen Zhan squinted at her, with a reminder and warning on his face, Zhao Yan smiled slightly, and said: "It's not impossible to go to that kind of place, why not, I will accompany you for a walk in the daytime."

Who goes to the brothel during the day?Su Wanru is not stupid, she said with a smile: "Go at night, it's more interesting. I'm very happy today."

"You're not allowed to go." Shen Zhan said, "You can't go to that kind of place." Shen Zhan said.

Su Wanru was speechless.

"Hurry up!" Zhao Zhiang yelled in front, "Whispering, what are you making a fuss about, are you happy?"

The faces of the four people all changed, and they all responded: "Yes!"

Following Zhao Zhiang into the palace.

The excitement at Jinshuihe Point dissipated, and the blood was washed away. Three corpses were hung at the west city gate where people came and went.

"These are all high officials of the second or third rank. It's really a crime, to do such a heartless thing."

"What did you do? This is a terrible death."

"You just came to the capital." An old man said: "The three prefectures in the northwest were hit by snowstorms, and the prefect of Yanping sent people to murder the refugees for meritorious service. These three people actually incited the civil officials of the Manchu Dynasty to impeach him in order to conceal his crimes. Marquis of Zhennan. He also said that Marquis of Zhennan killed innocent people indiscriminately, which is too abominable."

"That's right, the Holy Majesty cut these three people himself. The Qinglong Saber that the Holy Majesty used back then was very powerful."

The man from other places was shocked by what he heard, and said: "These people are simply devoid of humanity. Keep it up, let all the corrupt officials and treacherous people see what happened." He said: "Is the Marquis of Zhennan alright?"

"The Marquis of Zhennan is fine. You don't know how lively the Jinshui River is today. Aunt Su fought against the Confucianists and turned the tide by herself. She also led more than 100 generals and warriors to sing military songs. With tears in my eyes, I want to kill these corrupt officials and avenge those innocent refugees."

"Who is Aunt Su?" the man asked.

Another young man squeezed over and said with a smile, "Aunt Su is the most beautiful woman in Yanjing. Her appearance is the prettiest among the girls I have ever seen."

"You can talk nonsense, Aunt Su." The old man slapped the boy with a slap, the boy stuck out his tongue and retracted, and the old man said again: "Aunt Su is the principal of Xianzhen Girls' School , is the owner of Tianxia Department Store and Yingjinxiufang. We call her Auntie because this title is granted by the sage, and Princess Xiang relies on it."

"There is such a powerful woman, there is no one in the past, and there will be no one in the future." The foreigner said.

The old man nodded, stroked his beard, and said: "Such a strange woman is unprecedented in front of others, and deserves the respect of the world."

Everyone nodded.

"Tianxia Department Store, oh, yes, I remembered, isn't that a shop that has everything?" The outsider finally got on the number, "It is said that it was founded by a little girl. She not only opened an embroidery workshop and Xuetang, and several ships are dedicated to shipping, so there is nothing in her shop."

"Yes. Where are you from? Aunt Su said that she is going to open a branch elsewhere this year." The old man said.

The man replied: "I'm from Dengzhou. I don't know if Aunt Su will open a branch in Dengzhou. My family has a big shop. I can rent it to Aunt Su cheaply."

"Then go to Tianxia Department Store and talk to them. Aunt Su has gone to the palace now, and she may not be able to see her until tomorrow." The old man said.

The outsider said: "Then... let me ask?"

"Go, go. Aunt Su is very talkative, and she smiles when she sees people. If you can't find it, you can just ask anyone on the street. There is no one who doesn't know." The old man said.

The outsider should be, looked up at the three corpses hanging on the tower, spit and left.

In the palace, Zhao Zhiang looked at the four people in front of him, first staring at Zhao Yan, "You also discussed it with them, right? How many people will sing bad faces, and how many people will sing bad faces, to deceive me?"

"Father, my son didn't discuss it with them, but just expressed his feelings." Zhao Yan said.

Zhao Yan didn't lie, but Zhao Zhiang didn't believe it, and sneered, "You think I'm a fool? You can't tell right from wrong, and you're still singing in front of me."

"Your Majesty, you are the Mingjun, the number one Mingjun in all ages." Zhu Xun flattered and said with a smile: "If it weren't for you being the Mingjun, would we dare to make such a fuss? We would have been so scared that we would have hid at home and dared not come out."

"Yes, father!" Zhao Yan also joined in the fun.

Shen Zhan glanced at Zhao Yan, and said: "Your Majesty, Lord Liao and Lord Du, I didn't notice anything wrong at first. If it wasn't for today's probing, they would not have exposed it." He said: "Besides, if I mentioned it to you in advance, I am afraid that your temper will kill people directly, so I really think it will never be clear."

Su Wanru nodded in agreement.

"Collusion!" Zhao Zhiang pointed at the four young men, "I can't even hear the flattery, so I'm really old and faint."

Zhao Zhiang stopped after walking a few steps, glared at several people, and pointed at Zhu Xun, "Making nonsense, cheating, lest the world will not be chaotic."

Pointing at Zhao Yan again, "Keep quiet, it's just suffocating behind your back." Looking at Shen Zhan again, "You are getting more and more courageous, and you actually dig a hole for me. I am too kind to you."

All three of them bowed their heads and did not speak.

"And you." Zhao Zhiang said: "You are a woman, you actually disguised yourself as a man, and behaved mischievously here."

"If I don't punish you today, I won't be able to swallow this breath." Zhao Zhiang said, looking back at Eunuch Du, "Each person takes a broom, let them clean up the Qianqing Palace, Kunning Palace, Fengwu Palace and the Imperial Garden. Sweep up."

"You are not allowed to help. You are not allowed to leave the palace if you don't clean it up."

"After leaving the palace, everyone will be locked up for half a month. If he is dishonest, I will send him to the border immediately."

Eunuch Du was busy and asked someone to get the broom.

Four people filed out of the imperial study room.

Zhao Zhiang watched the four of them go out, his stern look disappeared immediately, and he sat down on the dragon chair with a sullen face!

Today's disturbance, if he hadn't dealt with it well, I'm afraid he would lose the hearts of the people.

"Xiao Du." Zhao Zhiang said: "Speaking of which, they are not children anymore. When they grow up, they should all get married."

Speaking of which, it was said earlier that a marriage would be bestowed, but there has been no suitable candidate, and even in the Deqinghou Mansion, he was unwilling to make such a marriage.

Whether it is Zhao Yan, Shen Zhan or Zhu Xun, they are all smart and ambitious children.

Otherwise, let them spread their wings and fly high, or else, break their wings.

It's not that he is not confident, but that the prince is not capable enough.

He knows this better than anyone.

"That's right, the three masters are not too young." Eunuch Du knew Zhao Zhiang well, "Why don't you ask the officials of the third rank and above in each prefecture to send their daughters to the capital, and ask the empress to help them choose?"

Zhao Zhiang nodded, his brows and eyes widened, "This method is very good." He said again: "Speaking of which, I want to govern the court, you go and ask the prince, when will that boy come back. Zhiting has also reached the age of marriage what."

"Yes, His Majesty is going to be a great-grandfather soon." Eunuch Du joked.

Zhao Zhiang shook his head, said with a sneer, "I hope I can live to that day, and not be pissed off by anyone."

Don't worry about this court.

He needs to get it straight.

In the imperial garden, four people were sweeping the floor, only Zhu Xun was chirping, "Sweep quickly, we still have to go to Cuixian Tower."

"Go, I'll sweep it for you." Shen Zhan said.

Zhu Xun's eyes lit up, and then faded away, "Brother, you hurt me! If I go now, it won't be as simple as being locked up for half a month."

"Then why bother." Shen Zhan snorted coldly, and looked at Su Wanru, "Go and rest beside, no one will see you being lazy."

She is lazy as a woman, no one will be so bored and run to tell Zhao Zhiang.

Moreover, no one dared!
"I'm just pretending." Su Wanru spread out her hands and said, "Hands are the foundation of Xiuniang, I can't do heavy work."

Shen Zhan naturally had no objection, while Zhao Yan nodded and said, "Then don't keep swinging the broom, it's heavy!"

Su Wanru smiled and said yes.

Shen Zhan rolled his eyes at Zhao Yan and snorted.

"What kind of embroiderer are you?" Zhu Xun said unconvinced: "I have never seen you do embroidery work, so I have the nerve to call myself an embroiderer!"

Su Wanru sneered, and said: "Looks like I'm going to tell Yujie tomorrow that she won't come to the women's school anymore. She's doing very well in her studies, so she'll be fine at home from now on."

"What Yujie?" Shen Zhan raised his eyebrows and looked at Zhu Xun.

Zhu Xun's face turned red, and he rushed over to cover Su Wanru's mouth, "If you dare to say it, I'll kill you."

"It's the eldest lady of Ge's mansion." Zhao Yan and Shen Zhan explained: "Recently, Zhu Zhengyan often goes to women's schools, idly arguing with Miss Ge, it seems interesting."

Zhu Xun didn't expect to stop Su Wanru, but he didn't stop Zhao Yan. He blushed, pointed at Zhao Yan and said, "You are too disloyal."

"You and I are not brothers." Zhao Yan raised his eyebrows, "Yomo, you have to call me Mr. Yiyi." If Zhu Xun and Ge Yujie have anything, then you should call Mr. Zhao Yan.

Sir and students, what kind of loyalty should we pay attention to.

Zhu Xun gritted his teeth, "Zhao Zhongyuan, don't think I dare not do anything to you."

"You can't beat me." Zhao Yan said with a smile.

Zhu Xun was furious, and pointed at Zhao Zhongyuan to ask Shen Zhan for help, "Brother, when you were not around, he showed courteousness to Ah Jin every day."

This is to sow discord.

"I will also offer it now!" Zhao Yan said.

Shen Zhan knew that he knew what Su Wanru was thinking, but he simply didn't like Zhao Yan, so he said, "When I marry her, it would be more appropriate for you to be courteous."

"No." Zhao Yan looked at Shen Zhan with deep meaning in his eyes, "Probably, you won't be able to marry her."

He already knew how Su Wanru got her title of aunt.

Therefore, Shen Zhan couldn't get Su Wanru either.

"This is not something you can decide just by saying it." Shen Zhan said: "Think about yourself, after today's incident, you probably won't even be able to marry the young lady of the Deqinghou Mansion."

Zhao Yan raised his eyebrows, "With the Marquis of Zhennan and Prince Zhu accompanying him, Zhao is not lonely."

"I won't, I can go home and farm." Shen Zhan said calmly, "I wish King Ning a happy marriage."

Zhao Yan frowned and laughed.

"It's very exciting." Su Wanru looked at the scene of the three people coming and going and fighting, "I didn't expect that they could talk about it."

Zhu Xun glared at her, and it was she who started it, "Who is better than you, you made Master Liao spit blood out of anger."

Su Wanru gave him a blank look, then hummed twice, "It seems that I'll go to Ge Mansion after I leave the palace."

"Master Ge is not bad." Shen Zhan commented solemnly: "But he may not be willing to marry his daughter to you."

The implication is that you are not worthy of Ge Yujie.

"I won't sweep anymore." Zhu Xun threw the broom on the ground, "You guys bully me together."

Su Wanru laughed loudly, and said to Zhu Xun: "If you are banned for a month, you will not be able to go to the girls' school for a month." She also said: "In this spring, the grass is lush, the mountain flowers are blooming, the night is like water, and the night is long... It's really hard people."

Surrounded by silence, the three audience members stared at her dumbfounded, as if they couldn't believe that she could say such a thing.

"See what I do." Su Wanru said, "Don't you guys?"

Shen Zhan sweeps the floor.

Zhao Yan swept the floor.

Zhu Xun picked up the broom and buried himself in sweeping the floor!

Su Wanru chuckled and acted as if following behind, but remembered something, and thoughtfully said: "Have you checked, what are the contacts and contacts between Lord Zhou, the prefect of Yanping, Lord Liao, Lord Du, and Lord Zhu?" ."

"No relationship." Shen Zhan said: "At least on the surface!"

Zhu Xun said: "That's strange, why did they help the prefect of Yanping?"

"Is there anything in common?" Su Wanru stopped, tilted her head and thought for a while, "For example, once worshiped under one person, for example, once was an official in one place, for example, the wife at home gave handkerchiefs?"

Shen Zhan stopped and looked at her, "None of them. But they do have one thing in common."

"They are all officials left over from the previous dynasty." Zhao Yan answered the words, and after finishing speaking, he and Shen Zhan exchanged glances, obviously both of them found out this.

Su Wanru was stunned, and then she understood that after the fall of the previous dynasty, the two forces were opposing each other, and many state capitals were constantly changing ownership in the tug-of-war between the two sides. Over time, no matter which city was conquered, no matter it was the Later Song Dynasty or the Great Zhou Dynasty. Only the imperial guards were left to guard, and the people were not disturbed and local officials were not replaced.

Therefore, after the defeat of Zhao Zhi'ang in the Later Song Dynasty and the establishment of the Great Zhou Dynasty, there were still many officials from the former dynasty who remained in office, and some of them made great achievements.

For example, Master Du, when he led troops to fight against pirates in Fujian, his reputation was so loud that even Su Zhengxing praised him.

"I remember that Lord Lu who was greedy for ink in Jingzhou is also an official left over from the previous dynasty, and that Lord Qi seems to be too." Su Wanru looked at Shen Zhan, Shen Zhan nodded, and said: "Indeed!"

Could it be that these officials from the former dynasty secretly formed an alliance to become corrupt officials and destroy the great Zhou Dynasty?

Not really, what's the use of having a hammer here and a stick there?

"I checked. At the beginning of the dynasty, among the officials left over from the previous dynasty, there were 15 people in the court and five people who were released." Zhao Yan said: "But according to my opinion, not every official from the previous dynasty is related to Mr. Liao. They have a relationship."

Indeed, the performance of many people in the civil service today, at least they did not see unnecessary emotions.

"It's so weird." Zhu Xun said, "It's hard to find out. Moreover, there is no correspondence or contact between them. Even if someone has evil intentions, we can't find out."

Zhu Xun said again: "Do you want to talk to the Holy One?"

"No need." Shen Zhan glanced at Zhao Yan, "There is no conclusive evidence for this matter, and it is useless to talk about it."

Zhao Yan said sarcastically: "You don't have to be the Marquis of Zhennan. If today's incident didn't hurt the refugees, I wouldn't be involved in the interrogation." That means, if I knew it or not, I wouldn't tell my father.

"It's best." Shen Zhan said.

Su Wanru waved her hand, interrupted the conversation between the two, frowned and said, "Why do I feel that this matter seems to be different from what we thought."

"What?" Shen Zhan looked at her and asked.

Su Wanru shook her head, "I didn't think of it at the moment. But there are a few suspicious points, let me tell you, listen to it and see if it makes sense."

The three nodded and listened while sweeping the floor.

"I think the biggest doubt is their motives." Su Wanru said: "If it is said that the other party dug a hole to make Zhennan Hou jump, but they didn't chase after them, they could actually do it, but the fact is that they didn't. "

Su Wanru walked a few steps, looked at the three people and said, "Instead, I feel that they are not harming Zhennan Hou, but warning him." She looked at Shen Zhan, "Do you feel that the other party is warning you, as for the warning? What I don't know, but there's a sense of motivation and impeachment coming to an end."

Shen Zhan thought of Lu Shi's warning, his lips straightened, and he didn't say it in front of Zhao Yan.

"It makes sense." Zhao Yan nodded, "Go on."

Su Wanru said again: "If you consider framing the Marquis of Zhennan, on the surface they have two purposes. The other is to help the prefect of Yanping cover up his murder of refugees, or to help the prefect of Yanping Killing the refugees, because what happened in Dezhou was actually what Mr. Zhu and Hujia did."

Shen Zhan nodded, "Indeed."

"If this matter is successfully covered up, the prefect of Yanping will definitely be transferred to the capital because of its outstanding political achievements and Master Liao's operation. But, don't you think their actions are a bit too big for their political achievements and transfer to the capital? .”

"The magistrate of Yanping has been in Yanping for more than ten years, and he should have made a lot of political achievements. Even if it is fabricated, he can fabricate some." She looked at the three people and said: "I mean, if he wants to come to the capital, it is actually not difficult. With political achievements and internal connections, returning to Beijing is only a matter of time."

Killing people for disaster relief is by no means the best means or timing.

"I don't understand." Zhu Xun said strangely: "You mean, besides these two purposes, they have other purposes?"

Su Wanru didn't expect it, "I think so, but I can't guess."

"You can't guess because you don't know who they are and what their real purpose is." Zhao Yan said: "Now, if you find out what the purpose of these people is together, then all problems will be solved. What will they do next? , it is logical to guess one or two."

Indeed, Su Wanru nodded, looked at Shen Zhan and said, "Have you sent someone to Jianjian to monitor the prefect of Yanping?"

"Yeah." Shen Zhan said: "I sent someone there after returning to Beijing. However, there is no news yet."

Everyone didn't speak, because they knew that even if they sent people to go, they would probably get nothing.

"That's right, that's right." Zhu Xun said, "I thought of sending someone to monitor, and I thought of Si Sanbao. I found out that he has made some big moves recently."

Su Wanru raised her eyebrows and asked curiously: "What big move, did you see anything?" She was also curious about what Zhao Zhiang asked Si Sanbao to investigate.

"I'm not sure, but I feel that it has something to do with Han Ziyang." Zhu Xun said, "It seems that the water inside is very deep, and what Si Sanbao did was also extremely secretive."

Su Wanru was taken aback, and said in surprise, "Han Shizi? Did he do anything in Yingtian?"

"I sent someone to inquire. He is honestly in Yingtian. He is in charge of the family's general affairs. He doesn't interact with people often, so he doesn't see anything unusual." Zhu Xun said: "Perhaps, I feel wrong. Si Sanbao may Still thinking about Zhu Gonggong's hatred, it is unknown if he does not want to let Han Ziyang go."

"It's impossible." Su Wanru said: "Si Sanbao is all about flexing his muscles now, and he doesn't have the energy to deal with the hatred of a godson who has been dead for several years."

That's weird.

"However, it is certain that Han Ziyang's matter in Yanping Mansion has nothing to do with it." Zhao Yan said: "Since it has nothing to do, let's wait and see what happens!"

Everyone thought it was right, so they let the matter go. Si Sanbao should not offend the inquirer for the time being. This is different from others. After all, he is working for Zhao Zhiang.

To spy on Si Sanbao is to spy on Zhao Zhiang, so don't touch him unless you have to.

"When will we be able to finish sweeping?" Zhu Xun frowned, and swiped the broom indiscriminately. After a while, the fallen leaves and dust were all over the yard. Go tell Eunuch Du.

"Your Majesty." Eunuch Du smiled and said, "The three masters and Aunt Su have also been fined. I'm afraid they are still thinking about the banquet at the Cuixian Tower, so please let them go. Don't you want to be grounded tomorrow. "

Zhao Zhiang was too lazy to listen and waved his hand.

Eunuch Du should be, let the little servant to pass the message.

The four of them got the order and went to Cuixian Tower together. Su Wanru wanted to go because there was Yang Ertong and Yanjing's Deputy Commander of the Forbidden Army there, and she needed to get acquainted with them.

Shen Zhan couldn't screw her, so he had to accompany her.

At this moment, the Yanping Mansion did not know the news from Yanjing, and it took at least four or five days for the message to come from a distance of nearly a thousand miles.

"My lord." Seeing that Mr. Zhou has been busy packing his things, the steward could not help but offer tea and persuaded him, "It's sure everything is safe, so you don't have to worry."

Lord Zhou nodded, and said: "I can rest assured that the adults in Beijing are handling things. But be careful to sail for thousands of years. I will never make a mistake if I do more." All the poems I wrote were burned.

Don't keep it or keep it, so as not to become a disaster.

"Move the bookcase." Master Zhou called out to the steward, and the two moved the bookcase to the side. Master Zhou swept it carefully with a broom, and he was completely relieved after making sure that no paper scraps or letters had fallen. , sat down on the chair with a sigh of relief, and drank half a cup of tea, "It's getting late, you don't have to spend time with me here, go back and rest."

The steward was worried, in fact, his eyelids were twitching today, and he felt very bad, but everything around Yanping Mansion was as quiet as before.

He felt that it was caused by his overthinking.

"The villain has gone back." The steward said, "You should also rest earlier."

Master Zhou nodded, got up and checked again, flipped through the books he read most often, and turned off the lights and went back to the backyard after seeing nothing unusual.

He has only one wife, who gave birth to two sons and two daughters, and they are all married.

The two sons are studying in Songjiang, and now one is a Juren, the other is a scholar, and the two daughters are married in different places. Since they got married, they have not seen each other for two or three years.

Therefore, the house is deserted, and there are not many servants.

If you don't know him well, you will think he is an upright official, because after so many years in Yanping Mansion, he only has this small house, and the furnishings inside are not luxurious.

Mrs. Zhou returned to the main courtyard. Mrs. Zhou was very thin, her face was sallow, and she was not in a good mood. Seeing him coming back, she asked the mother-in-law to pour tea and water to wash and change clothes. The husband and wife sat down in the bedroom and talked.

It was still cold in Yanping in February, and Mrs. Zhou was more afraid of the cold than ordinary people, so the room was burning with earth dragons, and it was very hot. thing?"

"No. Take care of your body with peace of mind. When the weather warms up, you'll head back to Songjiang first." Mr. Zhou said: "After I settle down in the capital, you can bring the children here."

The husband and wife have said this many times, and they have also made strict plans for their future life in the capital.

"Understood." Mrs. Zhou was not at ease, she thought for a while and asked: "Is the matter about the snow disaster already done?"

Master Zhou's expression froze, he nodded, and said, "It's all settled, and the common people are grateful for your porridge and disaster relief, saying that you are a living Bodhisattva."

"That's a living Bodhisattva. It's all about doing something within your power." Mrs. Zhou looked at Master Zhou adoringly, "It's worth it for me to follow you all my life!"

Master Zhou shook Mrs. Zhou's hand and smiled.

"My lord." The steward went back and forth, calling through the door.

It must be a big deal to come so late, Master Zhou hurriedly got up and opened the door, whispered a few words with the steward at the door, and hurried back, grabbed the cotton jacket and put on the squirrel fur hat, "Ma'am, There is something wrong with the yamen, I'll go and see, you should rest early, I will rest in the yamen tonight."

"Be careful to keep warm. If you don't sleep in the middle of the night, remember to eat something." Mrs. Zhou sent him to the door. Master Zhou responded perfunctorily, and he had already walked away.

Looking very anxious, Mrs. Zhou stood for a while, feeling a little cold, and then went back to the room.

There is an alley opposite the Zhou Mansion. There is a donkey meat shop in the alley. Usually there are many people here when it is not cold, but today it is extremely cold. After putting your hands outside for a while, you will lose consciousness from the cold, so the people on the street There are few people, and the business in the shop is also deserted.

There were only three tables of people, a young couple chatting and laughing as if no one was there, there were three soldiers dressed as guards who had just changed their shift, and the other was an old man.

Coincidentally, there were only three tables in the store. Mr. Zhou and the steward glanced around, and the owner greeted him casually, "Let's join a table, eat quickly, and it won't be a problem."

"That's the only way to go." Master Zhou and the steward sat down opposite the old man. The old man ordered a bowl of hot and sour soup, which was steaming and misty. It is fire.

"Two fires, two bowls of hot and sour soup." The steward smiled and said to the owner: "The hot and sour soup is more spicy, and it will be warm today."

The owner nodded his head, put the dry smoke on the table, brought soup for the two of them, and said with a smile: "It's going to be cold soon, there are still ten days at most, and the weather will be warm." He clasped his hands together again. Standing outside and looking at the sky, "When the weather is not cold, this day will definitely get better. Since ancient times, we ordinary people have been the most powerful."

Can the common people not be amazing? As long as they are given time, they can turn their barren homes into vibrant gardens, make the wheat seedlings heavy, and make the cattle and sheep fat!

The steward smiled and nodded, and said, "Yes, it's too cold today, if we get through the winter early, we'll pass this difficulty." As he spoke, he sipped the soup.

"In the past, there were no seeds, and the common people were three-headed and six-armed, and they couldn't produce wheat." One of the three imperial guards opened his mouth and said, "I just hope that the imperial court will send the seeds immediately, otherwise everyone will not be able to survive this year." .”

"Yes, yes." The steward nodded, "The imperial court also has difficulties with the imperial court!"

In the small shop, a few of them were talking loudly about the weather and people in Yanping Mansion, occasionally laughing...

And inside against the wall, Mr. Zhou was drinking soup with his head down, holding a bowl with a big fire in his hand, just blocking his face, "My lord, why did you come in person in such a cold day, if you have something to do?" Letter, I will see you."

"I'm doing business, just passing by." The old man opposite had gray hair, a gray beard, and a gray face. He was wearing a half-worn jacket and jacket. He looked like a childless man who had tried many times. A down-and-out scholar.

There are a lot of people like this, so it's not noticeable at all.

"Where do you live tonight? It's been arranged. Do you want students to arrange it?" Master Zhou looked very excited as he spoke.

The old man said: "You don't need to worry about it." After a pause, he said: "The matter is almost done, you don't need to worry too much."

Master Zhou looked happy, and said: "Then the student can rest assured." Then he said: "After the student goes to the capital, will I still keep in touch with you as before?"

"En." The old man glanced at him and responded lightly.

Master Zhou thought of something, "Your Majesty, you need to use some silver, and the students still have some money."

"There is no shortage of money, you can settle down at home." The old man put down the bowl tremblingly, lowered his eyebrows and eyes as if he was about to fall asleep, "Have you brought the things?"

Master Zhou hummed, and passed the letter to the old man across the table.

"Eat slowly." The old man put away the letter, "I just came to see you, I haven't seen you for many years, I'm thinking about it."

Master Zhou had a sore nose, nodded and said, "It's because the students are incapable, otherwise I wouldn't have made you so wronged, sir."

"It has nothing to do with you." The old man coughed twice, carefully counted twenty coins and put them on the table, got up and walked out slowly, blending into the night.

Mr. Zhou was in a great mood, he drank the soup in two or three gulps and ate the fire, and then he paid the money and came out with the steward. The two didn't go back, but went directly to the yamen.

The old man walked very slowly, walking unsteadily on the street, after a while he entered a yard, the lights in the yard were turned on, the reflection of the old man was moving on the window, and after a while it froze, Head down, as if reading a book.

Time passed bit by bit, until an hour later, two figures suddenly appeared in the yard, they landed silently, they quickly approached the window, and listened quietly for a moment, then they pushed open the door, only to see the person by the window There was indeed a person sitting on the kang, but it was a dead person, his body was supported by the quilt, his head was bowed, and a book was placed in front of him.

"Escaped." One person said: "We were careless, the master said that this person is extremely shrewd and vigilant, so we must be careful."

Annoyed, the two left the courtyard and chased towards the city gate.

Mr. Zhou returned to the yamen with the steward. Although the court didn't say anything, Mr. Zhou said that he could go to the capital, and that was a certainty, so he had to handle the matter in hand properly so as not to leave any clues.

"Master." A servant appeared at the door, "Madam brought you dumplings, wrapped in cotton cloth, and they are still warm, you can eat them while they are hot."

Master Zhou looked at the food box handed by the boy, nodded, and cleared the table, "Why haven't I seen you before?"

"Niu Er just got married, Madam asked him to rest for half a month, so I called the little one out of the stable to run errands tonight." The boy placed dumplings and poured a plate of vinegar.

Master Zhou didn't care about family affairs, nodded after listening, chewed and ate ten dumplings slowly, put down his chopsticks and said, "Go back and tell Madam, let her go to bed early."

"After you finish eating, Madam will be able to sleep in peace." The boy smiled and left with the food box.

Mr. Zhou touched his stuffed stomach and felt a little sleepy. He leaned back on the chair and closed his eyes. The steward saw him like this, so he took a blanket to cover him, and he himself also nestled on the chair beside him, making do with a night's rest. .

The sky was getting bright, and the yamen gradually became lively. The steward was woken up and yawned. He looked at Mr. Zhou and saw that he was still sleeping, so he washed up and drank a cup of tea. He came back with two meat buns and found Mr. Zhou Still sleeping.

"My lord." The steward called out cautiously, Mr. Zhou didn't respond, so the steward pushed, but unexpectedly, this push, Mr. Zhou was like a puppet with a broken leg, and he fell hard to the left.

The steward shouted in shock, "My lord!" When he touched it, Master Zhou's whole body was icy cold, obviously he had been dead for a long time.

The yamen of Yanping Mansion suddenly became a mess.The common people also got the news, and they didn't reveal much, but there were more pedestrians on the street, and the business in various shops also improved.

But this morning, the door of the donkey meat fire opposite the Zhou Mansion was closed.

Someone knocked on the door and yelled for a long time, but the owner didn't come to open the door, so the diners had to leave angrily.

Zhao Xu also went out for a few days, visited several state capitals, and he did everything he should do, but he couldn't go back so early, so he found a house with a hot spring to rest.

I plan to stay here for ten days, then change to another place, and then return to Beijing in March.

"Sir, I like this place." Zhao Xu looked at the old man in front of him, and said with a smile, "There is a pool in Mr.'s room. I also take a dip in the pool before going to bed at night. It can exercise my muscles and bones, and I can sleep soundly."

The old man nodded and said with a smile: "Your Highness, thank you so much for your kind words." Then he said, "Your Highness doesn't have to stay in the northwest until March. I think I can go back on February [-]th."

Zhao Xu didn't doubt that he was there, and said with a smile: "Okay! Then listen to the master."

"Your Highness." While talking, Qin Sui from Zhao Xu outside the door came in, "Your Highness, something happened."

Zhao Xu was slightly stunned and asked, "What happened?"

"Master Zhou, the magistrate of Yanping, died yesterday morning!" The visitor replied: "The one who died in the yamen fell asleep and never woke up again."

Zhao Xu frowned, his heart skipped a beat, and he asked, "Do you know how he died?"

"Poisoned." The visitor replied: "But the strange thing is, Mr. Zhou only ate a plate of dumplings sent by Mrs. Zhou at night!"

Murder her husband?Zhao Xu immediately vetoed it. Mr. Zhou should be transferred back to the capital because of his outstanding political achievements. The family's happy life is about to come. Mrs. Zhou killed her husband because she was out of her mind.

"Did you eat anything else?" Zhao Xu asked.

The visitor shook his head, "The personal steward next to him said that he didn't eat anything except dumplings."

Zhao Xu couldn't figure out why someone would kill Mr. Zhou. He paused and asked, "Has there been any changes in the capital recently?" There is no more news.

I don't know how Zhennanhou's killing of the forbidden army was handled.

However, even if something happened, such a short time could not be passed on to him.

"I don't know yet. Why don't the subordinates go check it out?"

Zhao Xu nodded, and Zhuangzi waited restlessly in the hot spring for two days, and finally got the news.

After listening to Chang Sui's reply, he didn't realize it for a long time, "...Hit and kill the refugees?" He broke out in a sweat.

Chang Suiying said that Mr. Zhou looked dull and honest, he never thought he would do such a thing.

"Not good!" Zhao Xu thought of something, stood up suddenly, and said, "Prepare the car, go to Yanping Mansion!"

(End of this chapter)