Changle Floating Life

Chapter 37

Taking a bath this day, Pei Zhaoye wanted to relax the nerves that had been tense since the winter solstice.He wanted to go to Xiangguo Temple to meet the returning monk, but halfway he was summoned into the Forbidden Palace by someone sent by the emperor.

Pei Zhan was in a good mood, and rarely said with a pleasant face: "Have you read the picture album I gave you a few days ago?" Pei Zhaoye nodded and said, "I have." "Then which girl do you like?" Special features, the ring is fat, the swallows are thin, Zhaoye really can't choose. I also ask the father to be the master, but the emperor's order is obeyed."

His face was tense, not as if he was about to marry a wife, but as righteous as if he was about to go to the guillotine.Pei Zhan asked suspiciously: "Have you really read the album? Tell me who is the most beautiful and who is the ugliest?"

"When you marry a wife, you should seek a virtuous person, and appearance is not important."

Pei Zhan suddenly laughed out loud, turned to look at Eunuch Gao who was standing beside him, and said with a black beard in one hand, "I don't believe you are so open-minded in the matter of a lifetime? If you dare to pretend, I will point you to a girl without salt."

Pei Zhaoye was unmoved, and kowtowed his head to express his gratitude: "I dare not deceive the king. For those who are husband and wife, they will be married for three generations before they are married in this life. This is the fate of my son."

A hundred years of cultivation can cross the same boat, and a thousand years of cultivation can make it possible to sleep together. "Whoever is a husband and wife, they will be married for three generations, and they will be married in this life." Hearing this sentence, the old emperor's heart was moved, and he thought of the deceased Queen Minhui, and sighed heavily: "The ultimate way is not difficult, but I don't like picking and choosing, right? ?”

Pei Zhaoye also thought of Ye Jianqing who left willfully without saying a word, and said in a deep voice: "Between the two of you, I hope there is no suspicion, not a choice."He didn't keep it because he knew he couldn't keep it.

Pei Zhan was silent for a while, and said weakly: "The daughter of Zhu Kan, Minister of the Ministry of Officials, is about the same age as you. I will make her Princess Duan. The wedding is scheduled for August. Men and women, you should prepare early."

The marriage was so hastily settled.Pei Zhaoye acted as if nothing had happened, he had been patrolling the Forbidden Palace for a day, and when he returned home at night, he could only see the bright lights in the bright hall at home.Steward Zhou and his party put on long gowns and gowns that are rarely seen on weekdays, and kowtowed to him together to congratulate him.It turned out that the imperial decree had been handed down in the afternoon, and a gold book and dowry gift had been given.

Housekeeper Zhou was beaming, rubbing his hands together and said: "Congratulations to the lord. Zhu Shangshu's daughter is the top beauty in Shuyuan, the capital city. She has a charming smile, is knowledgeable and reasonable, and will definitely become the virtuous helper of the lord in the future. If Empress Minhui finds out, the underground will also be happy." I will rest in peace." He cried with joy as he spoke.

These are tears of real joy.King Duan's first Yuan concubine was appointed when he was in Yunzhou Mansion, and she was the daughter of a local Confucian.Pei Zhan hadn't ascended the throne at that time, so he didn't dare to give up the pretext of making friends with local tycoons, and tried to keep his son and daughter marriages low-key.Therefore, although Concubine Yuan is virtuous and virtuous, she is somewhat petty.

This new princess is quite different.Zhu Kan, an official for generations, has lived in Gyeonggi for a long time. He is honest and simple, and he is quite sacred.After her daughter Jiji, the courtship team almost broke through the threshold of the Zhu family.

When Pei Zhaoye heard that Pei Zhan didn't point him to a woman without salt, he was taken aback for a moment.Seeing Steward Zhou's tears and thankful appearance, he wanted to comfort the situation, but his mouth was already grinning, and his smile was condensed by the next sentence.

"When Miss Zhu was a minor, she was as shameless as a closed moon. I heard that the crown prince wanted to ask her to be his side concubine. The empress of the East Palace went to talk to Empress Minhui. Not only did the former empress not agree, but she called the crown prince and scolded her. Why is the prince unable to get off the stage while eating from the bowl and looking at the pot?" Butler Zhou was relieved, and began to talk about the palace gossip that Pei Zhaoye didn't care about at all.

I see.Pei Zhaoye smiled bitterly.The stove was set up, and it was almost time to put him on the fire.

Besides, after Ye Jianqing and Lanshan walked out of the West Mountain that day, they went all the way south.Arashiyama sneaked around and left incomprehensible traces by the side of the road, outside the inn, and behind the temple.Within a few days, someone caught up with them, and the two of them bit their ears mysteriously for a while, and the person who came came said goodbye with fists in their hands, and turned north.

As soon as Lanshan found the safe inn, he handed the things in the iron box to him face to face: "The leader said that if he can't come back for a while, let me give this to you, and you can figure it out."

Ye Jianqing took the cloth bag and took it back to her room to look through it, but it was a pile of old letter files.He opened the first letter and saw that the signature was "Shi Qian, the humble inspector and imperial envoy of salt".The letter was written to Princess Zhen Guo on the eve of the storm 15 years ago.Shi Qian said that he had "fighted it out", and the impeachment memorial had been handed over to Yicheng to be deported to Beijing.If the princess has a sliver of "conscience", she should also follow him and count the corruption in the salt industry.

Ye Jianqing glanced at ten lines, only to feel that a big hole had been dug out in his chest, and blood was gurgling out.

Zuo Fengmian did not lie to him.Seeing Shi Qian's fierce criticism, he couldn't imagine his grandmother's reaction back then.Is it a rage or a blind eye?

He turned to the next letter, but it was written by another irrelevant person, and the content was to beg the princess to ask the emperor for an official for him.Attached to the letter is a gift list of "small gifts", which is full of beautiful things and amazing things. "They dare to sell their officials and nobles blatantly!" Ye Jianqing said angrily.

I tore open five or six old letters in a row, with various contents, whether they were pleading for the sinful ministers or asking for rewards from the officials.Most of these letter writers are now in high positions, whether they are governors of a state or important officials of the court. No one would have thought that there is such a "black history".There is even a handwritten letter from the prince, saying hello to the princess for the retainers passing by Jinling.

In the past, the Zhen Guo Princess's Mansion dominated the world, and the civil and military forces of the Manchu Dynasty were attached to seek advancement.It is not surprising that these things are left behind.Seeing the back, Ye Jianqing's mood gradually became complicated. He asked himself: How did Grandma Princess deal with the shameless demands of these people?What is the grandmother going to do after leaving these letters and evidence?Why did Gu Su hand over this thing to himself?

That night, he had a dream in the inn.In the dream of ice and snow, he stood on the edge of the cliff of Xishan, listening to the whistling wind from the ground.In the bottomless darkness, two groups of red flames suddenly lit up, and a voice resembling Gu Su said: For those who stare into the abyss, the abyss is also staring at you...

As the New Year approaches, the roads are crowded with people rushing home for the New Year.

Because he didn't sleep well at night, Ye Jianqing had two big dark circles under his eyes and yawned all the way.Taking a lunch break at the roadside tea shed at noon, Lan Shan asked him, "Did you have a nightmare last night? I heard you yelling." Ye Jianqing took the bamboo tube she handed over, took a sip of water, and then lowered his head.The tea shed was full of rough men, and no one paid attention to his two young men.But it's not easy to say private words of comfort when there are so many people sitting in the room.

When he was on the road in the afternoon, Lan Shan saw him listlessly riding a little donkey, so he couldn't help but catch up and said, "Hey, don't you be bored, let me tell you a story." Ye Jianqing said curiously: " You can also tell stories?" Lan Shan couldn't help but give him a blank look, and opened his mouth: "Once upon a time, there was a family in Yongcheng, Zhongzhou..."

She started when the two teenagers met under the King Kong Bridge, and the grace of a meal will accompany them thousands of miles away.Linxi subdued the strong and strong, and the road was blue; then he went north to the king to show his talents; the capital refused to marry, and fled north in a hurry; then he sat in Xuzhou and held on to the dangerous city; Beijing, one-third of the world has one...

Ye Jianqing slowly heard the clues, and knew that she was talking about the old affairs of the Bai family in the previous dynasty.The road is long and long, and he has heard others talk about these unofficial histories before, but they are not as eloquent and immersive as what she said, as if she herself had lived a hundred years ago.

He heard all the way to the end in silence.Seeing the unsatisfactory expression on his face, Lan Shan suddenly asked: "Do you know that Qi Wang Bai Yanfeng was falsely accused of treason, why didn't he defend himself to the young emperor, but chose to die together with the princess?"

Ye Jianqing said: "Young Emperor is suspicious of uncle, so it's useless to justify."

Lanshan didn't seem satisfied with his answer, and asked again: "Do you know why Princess Xiliu chose to surrender instead of surrendering when Pei Shao's soldiers approached the city?"

It was hard for Ye Jianqing to guess the woman's mind.

But Lan Shan persisted and asked: "Do you know why Princess Zhen Guo left without saying a word when she saw Pei Zhaoye and Gu Tingrang? Is there anything they want to protect even if they give up their lives?"

Ye Jianqing's face changed drastically, she never expected that she would mention her.Lan Shan had no taboo, looked at him, and said firmly: "They all have one thing in common, they have children and descendants. Qi Wang and his wife are for the eldest son, Princess Xiliu is pregnant with Qingjun, and your grandmother is for you."

She stopped looking at him at this point, turned her head to stare at the sky, and said leisurely: "Your grandmother is a real princess, a great hero. It is the true nature of a hero to be both good and evil. If you peek into this little bit of shady Then you become a frightened bird and begin to doubt your life, then I advise you not to go to the south of the Yangtze River again, and go back to King Duan's arms to hide."

If you don't want to live in a daze, you have to face the abyss bravely.

Ye Jianqing looked at her instantly taller back, and with a thought, asked in a low voice: "You said your surname is Bai, are you..."

"Ah? Little Ye Zi, if you slow down like a bitch, I'm going to slap your ass!" She turned her head and said loudly.Seeing her tough expression, Ye Jianqing immediately swallowed the rest of the words.

Could it be a descendant of the Bai family from the previous dynasty?Think too much.

The two hurried to Xuzhou in a few days.When they entered the city, both of them were disheartened, and Xiao Lanshan stole two guides from somewhere, and managed to sneak into the city for them.

There are 36 Hualiu Lanes and 72 orchestra buildings in Xuzhou City.Ye Jianqing was so familiar that he took Xiao Lanshan all the way through the streets and alleys, and found a house with a "Lilac Xiaozhu" lantern hanging on it, and entered from the backyard.

The backyard is actually a small plum grove, rockery and rocks, and a row of young women with lanterns and fragrant breeze are walking under the verandah.The last girl at the end of the line seemed to hear something, she left the line and walked into the courtyard.Ye Jianqing had nothing to hide in the plum grove for a while, and in desperation, "Meow Meow" meowed twice, as if he was going to die.The girl chopped off her feet, turned around and returned to the team.

The two hid behind the rockery, and Lanshan gave him a thumbs up, signaling: "Good job, worthy of the word "dandy"."

After everyone left, Ye Jianqing took her into a small boudoir facing Mei Lin.As soon as the two entered, before they could see the furniture clearly, someone pushed the door and entered.

The person who came in was Dingxiang Xiaozhu's bustard, she had just closed the door, before she could turn around, she was covered by someone covering her mouth and nose, and dragged into the inner curtain.Sitting on the bed was a man in gray, dusty, but he couldn't hide his handsome look, and said with a smile: "Mother Ding, long time no see, you are still so young and beautiful, and you are the most beautiful."

Xiao Lanshan was disgusted by him being "young, beautiful, and beautiful" when he came up, patted the acupuncture points of the old bustard, stood aside, and prepared to knock her out if she screamed.

Ding Meiniang, who was over forty years old, was fixed on the ground, and she recognized the person opposite, with a look of shock in her eyes: "Little Lord, is that you? Why did you come here without saying hello?" In fact, she also But three or five years ago, I met Yuan Shangqiu at a drinking party, and didn't say much, but acted warmly like a relative.People who live in prosperity and snobbery will never forget the dignitaries they met once, and they have their own ways to deal with them.

Ye Jianqing nodded and said, "Thank you, Mom, for remembering me, a poor Lord."

Ding Meiniang was a little embarrassed, but she was very sophisticated, and said softly: "This breaks the bones and connects the tendons. The emperor will figure it out in a few years. Lord Hou is a true relative of the emperor."

Ye Jianqing didn't take it seriously, and said, "Mom's place is so lively before it's time to light the lanterns. The business is good."

A fallen phoenix is ​​not as good as a chicken.Didn't he come to rob?Ding Meiniang's heart rang loudly, she shot her eyes all over the place, and she kept smiling and said, "It's all gentlemen who value it. They often come to play tea circles and listen to ditties. Young Master, I'll ask someone to prepare food and drinks for you. How about two girls to accompany you?"

A slap came over, not very strong, but enough to make Ding Meiniang look pale.Lan Shan leaned forward and threatened, "Listen to Master Hou's question honestly, save the food and wine for yourself, and save those fancy intestines."

Ye Jianqing got off the bed and went straight to the point: "Mother Ding, I heard that you have a water pavilion called Hongye Water Pavilion? Who did you buy this place from? How much money did you spend?"

Ding Meiniang's pupils constricted violently, and the smile on her face couldn't be maintained anymore, white powder fell down rustlingly. "Master Hou, this Shuige slave's house is reserved for the elderly and not for sale." "Why does Ning Bancheng give you a sum of money every year?" "Master Hou, he is my good friend, and sometimes he comes to drink flower wine. .”

Ye Jianqing's face turned cold: "This pollen money doesn't come with you, it's a little bit every year?" He stretched out his hand to pinch the old bustard's neck and glared at him: "More than 20 years ago, Ning Bancheng hadn't made a fortune, and it hadn't even reached Xuzhou. , you start to take the money, and the account is recorded in the public account of the Yanyuan Yamen. I advise you to tell the truth."

The old bustard was lifted up by him, kicking his toes on the ground and waving his arms wildly.Seeing that her face turned blue, Ye Jianqing let go of her hand again.Ding Meiniang coughed for a while, Xiao Lanshan slapped her cheeks fiercely, and shouted fiercely: "Stop pretending to be stupid, speak up!"

"Don't slap your face, I'll tell you what to say." Ding Meiniang said with a sad face: "Young Lord, I am taking care of this Red Leaf Waterside Pavilion for the officials. Even if I am old, I can't rely on it to live. I'm afraid you don't know, the late emperor and Today, everyone has visited Xuzhou privately in their micro-services, and this Red Leaf Waterside Pavilion is where they lived, so they must not let outsiders know about it."

Ye Jianqing and Xiao Lanshan were taken aback, and they asked in unison, "What are they doing in Xuzhou?"

Ding Meiniang's eyes became active, and she said: "It's not about choosing songs for sex, spending time and drinking. The two queens in the palace are too strict. Men, they always want to have fun."

As soon as she said that, Ye Jianqing understood.The emperor lived in the palace for a long time and wanted to do some activities. Yuan Huaike, Li Zhiwei and his gang followed suit and seduced him with the scenery of the south of the Yangtze River.He asked again: "Fifteen years ago, there was a patrolling salt censor, Shi Qian, who died while serving in Xuzhou. Did you know?"

Xiaolanshan raised his hands in protest. "They said don't slap your face!" Ding Meiniang screamed: "He was ordered to patrol the salt at that time, but he clung to the account book. Yuan Huaike didn't get a response after several knocks, so he wanted to get rid of him. They At that time, we discussed this matter in Hongye Water Pavilion, so I know a thing or two."

"Is Princess Zhen Guo involved in this matter?" Ye Jianqing asked tremblingly.

Ding Meiniang thought about it carefully, then shook her head and said, "Yuan Huaike only said that Shi Qian wanted to drag the princess to participate in impeachment, but the princess didn't buy Shi Qian's account. Shi Qian died later, and Yuan Huaike wanted to get rid of him." The only son, I chased him all the way, but I heard that he was rescued by an unknown knight. Young Master, even Yuan Huaike fell, why do you ask these old things?"

Ye Jianqing's heart was pounding and he suppressed his emotions, and then asked: "Who killed Ning Bancheng? Was it Yuan Huaike? Why did you rely on Princess Zhenguo's mansion?" On the day Ning Bancheng married his daughter, It was Yuan Shangqiu who told him to go to the Weiwan Shanfang.He sent someone to deliver a letter to himself, saying that Zhao Nanxing had something to say to him.But when he arrived at the foot of the mountain, the whole hill was already in flames.That note, he thought about it later, must have been forged by Yuan Huaike.

Ding Meiniang sighed and said, "Little Marquis, you are so smart, you should have guessed it. Ning Bancheng has been a little arrogant these years. The people above have long wanted to kill the donkey and get someone else to make money. But the deficit in the account books has to be Someone should recite it, it’s not the best to push it to the dead, it’s all over?! But Mr. Yuan is just following orders. Who knows what a coincidence, someone bumped into Mr. Yuan and you on the mountain that night? As for leading the princess, This is absolutely something Master Yuan did not think of."

This is not a coincidence, someone set up a trap and pointed their sword at Princess Zhen Guo's mansion from the very beginning.Ye Jianqing knew it all in his heart, so he didn't need to say anything more.Xiao Lanshan interjected, "Who is above Yuan Huaike? The crown prince or the emperor?"

"There is a saying: be a rich man with a black heart, and be an emperor with a murderous heart. Do you want me to tell you who the Jiangnan Salt Industry is trading for today? The son's crimes are not supported by the father." Ding Meiniang finally couldn't help it. retorted.

Xiao Lanshan gave her a fierce look, and the old bustard drooped her eyelashes in fright.At this time Ye Jianqing asked again: "Where is King Duan? Does King Duan know everything?"

When old bustard Ding frowned, Lanshan raised his palm, and the old bustard said quickly, "I really don't know. I just heard from Yuan Huaike that King Duan came here for something, and we can cooperate." Allies. He also laughed and said that Princess Zhenguo is a Guanyin Bodhisattva made of mud, which cannot be supported by a thousand hands, and ten thousand hands are not enough."

All kinds of people, with all kinds of desires, flock to Princess Zhenguo, who has always lived in the center of power.A small opportunity will form a huge conspiracy vortex.The princess who took refuge in the feudal land may have a peaceful sleep for a day.There is no Taoyuan in the world, and there is no escape in the world!

Ye Jianqing winked at Lanshan and said, "Mother Ding, please don't tell me about my visit here. Your acupoints will automatically untie after half an hour."

Ding Meiniang nodded again and again: "That's that. I will never reveal the whereabouts of Master Hou to anyone."

Ye Jianqing turned around and walked towards the door.Lan Shan walked around the old bustard a few times, and asked curiously, "Your name is Mei Niang? You look plain, who gave you that name? Why are there so many plum trees planted in your yard?"

Ding Meiniang's head was as big as an ox at this time, and she wished she could get rid of the two gods of plague as soon as possible, so she always answered every question: "When I was young, a good friend gave me a poem, in which there is a line of "a smile, a hundred charms and a beautiful appearance". , so I changed my name to Mei Niang." When she said this, her cheeks flushed slightly like a girl in Huaichun.

"Is this benefactor a handsome young man from Yushu Linfeng, who likes plum blossoms to clear the air the most? You met about 15 years ago?"

Ding Meiniang was stunned for a moment, terrified: "How do you know? You know him?"

"I know how to read faces." Xiao Lanshan instantly turned into a blind fortune-teller and said in a spirited voice.

Ye Jianqing kept peeping at the outer courtyard from the crack of the door, and pushed the door out after making sure there was no one there.He walked in a hurry and didn't hear the conversation behind the two.

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