incomprehensible

Chapter 8

The location of Dingnan Prince's Mansion is a bit remote, but it is the property of King Bian after all, and the conditions are very good.There are only three entrances to the courtyard, but the garden rockery, covered bridges and flowing water are all available, and the scenery changes with each step, which is unique and elegant.

There are only a few old women who wash and cook in the house, a few handymen who sweep the floor and feed the horses, a porter at the front and back doors, and an old gardener who trims flowers and plants. They are very thrifty and simple.The guard of the palace brought these servants here to meet the distinguished guests, gave some instructions, and then respectfully retreated.

Ye Xuehuan walked around the house, and said with a smile: "Nan Fu really spent all his money, this is not his Bai family's house, it is obviously bought now. It is no wonder that we have to dig the soil and plant flowers in the cold winter months We can only plant red plums."

After a pause, he laughed again: "I'm afraid the servants are bought now. Look at all these dying people. It's fine if they don't have a young and beautiful maid, but they don't even have a guard to guard the house. Xuan Heng This girl is also stingy, knowing that I am bringing guards with me, so I reduced my staff like this. If she gets married in the future, she will definitely be a housekeeper."

Chu Changyue was not in the mood to joke with him, he pursed his lips tightly, with a worried expression on his face.

Ye Xuehuan teased him again: "You said that you are a good General Mo Ling. You were so independent when you were surrounded by barbarians in the wilderness with me. Why are you so timid now, like an old mother who has broken her heart? .”

Chu Changyue curled his lips and said: "How can it be the same? Even if he was trapped to death by the border barbarians back then, he would have sacrificed his life for the country. If he was tricked by the Liu family in the southern border, wouldn't it be a useless death?"

Ye Xuehuan said leisurely: "Liu Ting dared to let me enter the southern border, but he just deceived me that I don't have enough connections in the southern border. I really think that my house is so clean that I can't catch anything?"

He stretched out his hand and pointed in the direction of the Southwest Governor's Mansion, "I'm afraid there is a lot to do in the Youling alone. Zhao Ying is a loyal dog, after all, his surname is not Liu."

Chu Changyue raised his eyebrows: "What do you want to do?"

"No hurry." Ye Xuehuan smiled lightly, "Let's finish this year first."

It is not so easy to say that it is a good New Year.

As soon as his whereabouts were revealed in Luanyang, even if Danlu knew that he had set off early, he could no longer pretend not to know at this time.A long letter came from the Chu family, scolding Chu Changyue all over his head and face. The content was nothing more than accusing him of being unfavorable in admonishing him and accompanying him to make trouble. However, this kind of thing has never stopped since he was Ye Xuehuan's companion. Trivial, nothing new.Chu Changyue took it calmly, glanced at it casually, and threw it aside.

The people who were supposed to accompany them also had to set off in a hurry, traveling day and night, to the southern border to join the third prince.

The worst thing is the officials big and small in the southern border.

If the crown prince came for the Southern Tour, it would be a joyful one, but how could the third prince make it easier for them.Although the Liu family must have been prepared, if these small officials were caught with some mistakes or omissions, they definitely cannot be counted on to rescue them.

The gods above fought, and it was these little fish and shrimp who suffered in the end.

Originally, when the news of the replacement of the Southern Tour came, the official circles in the Southern Territory were already mourning; at this time, they heard that the third prince had already entered the Southern Territory in a subdued manner, and they were even more panic-stricken all day long.The third prince lived in seclusion, no one would see him; some brave ones even came to You Ling to test them out, but Tong Xuan stopped them all.

Zhao Ying, the governor of the Southwest, visited him once in private. Ye Xuehuan smiled strangely when he saw him.

Chu Changyue said that his attitude was too casual, and Ye Xuehuan replied: "When I saw him, I remembered that pair of underwear, and I really can't be serious. I can only blame Lan'er."

Lan Qi lowered his eyebrows and lowered his eyes, pretending not to hear.

Until the day of Shangyuan, Ye Xuehuan never went out, but all kinds of secret letters and letters came in one after another.

No matter how Lu Yao is arranged by him all day long, he is his spy queen after all, and he never neglects in business.Ye Xuehuan stays at home, but he is able to strategize, and now he probably knows the situation in the southern border like the back of his hand, and everything is arranged properly.

It's just that although the information is detailed, half of the letters are addressed to Tong Xuan.

Ye Xuehuan teased Tong Xuan again: "It's my fault. I promised to let you be gentle this year, so I returned to Danlu ahead of schedule, but the result is still not safe."

Tong Xuandao: "The subordinate's duty lies, and there is no complaint."

Ye Xuehuan laughed: "You have no complaints, but your Lu Yao must be scolding me now, saying that I don't want to have a good New Year, and I want to drag his man."

Tong Xuan looked helpless, and even Chu Changyue couldn't help but laugh.

Lan Qi has been with Ye Xuehuan for almost half a month, and he understands the relationship between his cronies.Unexpectedly, Tong Xuan, such an upright and upright man, would actually bring home the number one beauty in Danlu, no wonder he would be ridiculed all day long.

Ye Xuehuan was also really kind to his subordinates. Listening to their daily chats, he knew that Lu Yao often had sex with him, and he was never really angry because of it; when there were no outsiders, he would drag Tong Xuan with him. dine.Although the commander of the guards always looked cautious and apprehensive, he seemed quite used to eating at the same table with the third prince.

Knowing that the Liu family and Yunque had colluded for a long time, the Guixin Building became the entry point for the investigation.

According to Lu Yao's information, Guixin Building did have a difficult time five years ago, and the boss was replaced by Hongji.

No one knew where Hong Ji came from, but since she entered the Guixin Building, the governor of the Southwest always visited here and there, and Hong Ji also entertained her in person every now and then, so she didn't shy away from it.After coming and going, even if the adulterous relationship between these two people is confirmed, no one will go deep into Hong Ji's origin.Knowing that Hongji has a strong backing, Guixinlou's business is booming day by day, gradually becoming the number one restaurant in Luanyang.

It sounds like a typical government-business collusion, nothing suspicious, and the cover-up is done brilliantly.

Ye Xuehuan asked Lan Qi: "How much do you know about this Hongji?"

Lan Qi replied: "The feather department and the eye department are independent of each other, and I have only seen her once. She has been lurking here for so long and colluded with the Liu family for many years. I think the original intention should not be to target His Highness."

Chu Changyue became worried again: "But if the Liu family wants to use Yunque's hand to harm His Highness, wouldn't it be very dangerous?"

"Unless the Liu family can really benefit from it, Skylark won't make a move."

Lan Qi shook his head, "Yi Kingdom is a small country after all, and the assassination of Prince Chongyang, no matter whether he succeeds or not, cannot bear the consequences. No matter how well the rumors spread about Skylark, it is impossible for him to withstand Chongyang's iron cavalry. So Lark's work is mostly espionage, he only wants to know himself and the enemy to protect himself, and rarely assassinates."

"That's not necessarily the case." Ye Xuehuan stroked the wrench on his thumb, and smiled meaningfully, "It's not without precedent for us to cooperate with foreign thieves to murder the prince."

"...Your Highness!"

Chu Changyue glared at him, as if he blamed him for revealing such inner palace secrets so easily.Ye Xuehuan didn't take it seriously, and said casually: "In the 16th year of Qinghua, a small island country in the East was dissatisfied with the terms of trade with the Nangong family, and paid a lot of money to the then governor of Jiangdong, Qi Shengguang. Qi Chengguang also bought an imperial doctor to give my fourth brother A dose of poison was administered."

"..."

Lan Qi raised his head, although his expression didn't change, there was something strange in his eyes.

Ye Xuehuan smiled, and continued: "In order to save Nuan Wen's life, the Nangong family had to use a rare plant from the Western Regions called Xuehonglian. This thing can overcome all poisons, but it is also extremely hot poison. In the attack, the internal fire burns the body, and in the worst case, it can even burn the internal organs. It will not cause death, but the pain will last forever and cannot be resolved.”

"...So that's how it is." Lan Qi let out a breath, "This is the reason for the heat and poison of His Highness the Fourth Highness."

"That's right. Outsiders only know that Nuan Wen is riddled with heat and poison, but they don't know where the heat and poison come from."

Ye Xuehuan shook his head, with a sarcastic look on his face, "Because this case involves the inner palace prince, my mother was the one who supervised the trial in person. The stolen goods were obtained at the same time, the evidence is conclusive, and Qi Chengguang also confessed."

"Supposedly, it was a major crime of punishing the nine clans, but in the end the sentence was extremely light. Qi Chengguang and the imperial physician interrogated him. The men of the Qi family were sent to Nanhuang, and the female family members were slaves. The queen mother took the eldest lady of the Qi family as a maid, and she is still alive today. Incense is served in the palace. The East China Sea Navy attacked the small Eastern country for three months, and its monarch committed suicide to apologize.

He looked at Lan Qi, his thin lips curved sharply, "What do you think?"

Lan Qi was silent for a moment, pursed his lips, and replied in a low voice: "...Empress Chu Rende."

Chu Changyue frowned, with a complicated expression; Ye Xuehuan even laughed loudly, grabbing Lan Qi's chin with one hand, with such force that he almost crushed the fragile jaw, and there seemed to be a flash of anger in his eyes , "I grew up so big, even if it is flattery, I have never heard the word 'benevolence' attached to my mother. Outsiders say that the mastermind behind this matter is my mother, so it is like this To punish, accepting Miss Qi's family as a maid is even more hypocritical and trying to cover up. You are so powerful that you don't change your face and say that my mother is benevolent?"

"Tell me about it... Where is the benevolence?"

Lan Qi lowered his eyes and replied calmly: "The more the mastermind behind the scenes, the more severe the punishment should be. It is best to kill them all to clear the relationship and prevent future troubles. Even if Empress Chu is really the mastermind, at least there is no Qi Cheng." Just crossing the river and demolishing the bridge, but also saved his daughter, and even gave himself a bad name for this, how can it not be said to be benevolent."

"..."

Ye Xuehuan didn't expect Lan Qi to answer like this, but he seemed to be taken aback for a moment, an inexplicable color flashed in his glass-like phoenix eyes, and then he smiled: "The mouth is so powerful, it really makes you round." came back."

He took Lan Qi into his arms, touched his red chin, and said with emotion, "If my mother heard what you said, I don't know what she would think."

Lan Qi was hugged obediently by him, and asked in a low voice, "Your Highness also thinks...that Empress Chu did it?"

"The parties involved are all dead, who can tell?"

Ye Xuehuan sneered noncommittally, "What's more, a few years after the mother's death, the minister of Dali Temple was investigated for corruption, and this old case was turned over, saying that the minister of Dali Temple had an old feud with Qi Shengguang and provided false evidence to the queen mother. Liu Ting used this to clear the case for the Qi family, clear Qi Shengguang's innocence, and accuse the queen mother by the way. It's also ridiculous. In the end, except for Nuan Wen, who was covered in heat and poison, no one felt pain or itching. "

Lan Qi understood what he wanted to say.

The fight for imperial power involved, even with the help of external forces, would eventually turn into internal fighting; if Skylark really took action against him, the price he would pay might not be as high as imagined.

He thought for a moment, then shook his head and said: "But this matter is still different from the current situation. A small country in the East may be instigated by others for small profits, but Yi country will definitely not. Hongling has been operating in Luanyang for five years For a long time, the plot must be something bigger, and if His Highness has an accident in the southern region at this time, and the situation in the entire southern region becomes tense, she will not be able to act."

"Although there is collusion with the Liu family, after all, each has its own purpose, and will not be used as a spearman for the Liu family. I think, rather than murdering His Highness, the Liu family's purpose is more likely to contain His Highness in the southern border, which is very convenient. Go do something else."

"Tune the tiger away from the mountain?" Ye Xuehuan smiled contemptuously, "The Liu family can't reach the northwest."

"It may not be the northwest." Lan Qi bit her lower lip, "After all, the southern border is not His Royal Highness's territory, and there will be loopholes to take advantage of. Maybe there will be some... things that don't require the Liu family's intervention, nor the Skylark's intervention. Specifically It's hard to say, but I don't think it's the Southern Tour itself, otherwise Liu Jiabu's plan is meaningless, but if His Highness makes any mistakes in the southern border, they will always be unable to escape responsibility."

Ye Xuehuan frowned slightly as he listened to his analysis one by one.

Chu Changyue was also very surprised, he didn't expect him to have such a clear and thorough understanding of the inside story of the Southern Xun, so he couldn't help asking: "In your opinion, how will they act?"

Lan Qi didn't seem to notice the subtle change in the attitude of the two people. He lowered his head and pondered for a while, then replied: "I can't think of it, and I don't want to make wild guesses. But since the Liu family has not made any moves for the time being, Your Highness might as well start with Hongling." Keep her in check, and the Liu family will be somewhat affected."

Ye Xuehuan's smile deepened, and he asked again: "How to contain it?"

Lan Qi didn't think for too long, and then replied: "His Royal Highness can tell Governor Zhao that he likes the Baihua Niang in Guixinlou, and that Hongling will serve wine during the southern tour, and you can even invite her to meet. Fortunately, I was in Guixinlou before. I also mentioned it when I was upstairs, and it wasn't too abrupt. Hongling probably didn't expect that I would recognize her, so she couldn't guess whether His Highness had other intentions. Even if she didn't do anything afterwards, it would be a suspicious strategy, enough to knock mountains and shake tigers. If Hong Ling is more suspicious, maybe their cooperation will break down, and the Liu family's conspiracy will be self-defeating."

"..."

Chu Changyue and Tong Xuan were both dumbfounded. This move of four or two thousand jin was extremely clever. If it wasn't for Lan Qi's sensitive identity, Chu Changyue would even want to clap his hands and applaud.

When Ye Xuehuan was in Guixinlou, he just praised Hongji casually, and he could actually be used by him. With such a delicate and flexible mind, even the generals in the Northwest Army would feel ashamed.

Chu Changyue has the same amount of information as him, but he knows that he can't give such a suggestion. It's hard to describe his mood for a while. Just stay with me.

Ye Xuehuan was obviously also very satisfied, kissed Lan Qi hard on the cheek, and said with a smile, "How many surprises do you want to give me, little cat?"

Lan Qi has gotten used to his kisses and hugs these days, with a slight flush on his face, he said in a low voice, "It's good if I can help His Highness."

"Good boy." Ye Xuehuan stretched out his hand to caress his right knee, "After these days, it's almost healed. Can I take you out to the Lantern Festival tonight?"

The topic jumped too fast, and Lan Qi couldn't react for a while. After a moment of stunned, he nodded and said: "I will follow His Highness's arrangement."

Although there was no serious problem after spying in the governor's mansion that day, he walked a lot when he came back, and the scab was torn by the fabric on his trousers, and he still saw blood in the end.Ye Xuehuan did what he said, forcing him to lie on the bed until the wound was completely healed, and then directly laid him down.

He has torn this wound too many times, and finally left a scar, which stretches below his knees and becomes the only blemish on his body.Ye Xuehuan felt sorry when he applied the medicine for him. Such a top spy had never been injured by a mistake for many years, yet he was chased and killed by his former master so embarrassingly.

Ye Xuehuan wanted to treat him kindly, but with the preparations for the southern tour, he really had no time for fun. Except for a New Year's Eve dinner on New Year's Eve, there was no celebration at all.If it weren't for the strong atmosphere of the New Year in Youling City, and the servants in the house were considered clever, posting new peaches, hanging red cages, and lighting firecrackers, this small courtyard that was already deserted would have been isolated from the world.

Lan Qi didn't really care much about it. As a secret agent, he never had the concept of "holidays"; the Shangyuan Lantern Festival, which sounds like a luxurious scene, only existed in those distant and vague memories.

So when Ye Xuehuan took his hand and shuttled through the crowd, he even felt unreal.

The Lantern Festival at Youling Flower Market is naturally very lively. The entire street, from tree branches to eaves, is filled with lanterns wherever they can be hung.All the shops on both sides put their stalls on the road, and the originally wide street became crowded, and the breath was full of hot and humid human smell.All kinds of laughter and shouting went straight to the sky, even if they were standing side by side, they had to shout.

It is said that fireworks will be set off at the turn of the night tonight, which is the highlight of the lantern festival.

Even in the territory of political opponents, Ye Xuehuan couldn't help but feel very relieved to see such a scene of singing and dancing, peace and prosperity, walking along with the crowd, stopping from time to time to look at the little people on the street who obviously wouldn't catch his eyes. Things are becoming more and more interesting.

But Lan Qi in his hand became more and more uncomfortable.

The crowd was his best cover, but that was only during missions and escapes.The oversensitive five senses became extremely redundant at this time. He could hear every voice of parents around him being short-tempered and flirting. His nose was filled with the smell of various foods, mixed with the smell of men's sweat and body odor and the smell of women's rouge powder. Nauseous to the point of throwing up.Not to mention the pervasive messy atmosphere around him, the subtle malice was like the tip of a needle, and it would pierce him from time to time, causing him to feel chills intermittently.

The third prince said it was a micro-service, but the definition of "micro" is definitely different from that of ordinary people.On her head is a crown of dark blonde hair, a dark red brocade with a black fox cloak, a suet jade belt three fingers wide around her waist, and a string of brightly colored pearls hanging from it. written on the face.

It’s fine for me to be high-profile, but I have to dress up Lan Qi to be gorgeous. Under the bright red fox fur cloak is a moon-white brocade, and two coral jade rings are slightly tied at the end of the hairband. As he walks, he jumps around on the back of the waist, like It's for sale.

Lan Qi has already waved away several pickpockets who wanted to take out the third prince's pockets without any trace, and also avoided several wolf claws who tried to touch his waist, legs and buttocks, carefully preventing himself from having physical contact with others, only feeling Physically and mentally exhausted.

Tong Xuan also dislikes this kind of occasion. He is also sensitive to the malice in the crowd, and these malice are undoubtedly amplified by him infinitely, as if everyone who passed by the third prince might have the chance to see him from his sleeve. Pull out the knife and stab.

The more Chu Chang looked at his nervous appearance, he felt sympathetic, and at the same time a little funny, and he didn't know who was more like a broken-hearted old woman.

However, the third prince didn't seem to be aware of their thoughts, and he didn't know whether he was really too interested, or he was too reassured about his cronies.

After shopping in the middle of the night, there were more and more people on the street, probably all of them came for the last fireworks.Ye Xuehuan wandered from the street to the end of the street, and finally showed mercy, decided to take a rest, sat in a restaurant, and planned to eat a bowl of Lantern Festival, which can be regarded as a complete Lantern Festival.

The Baihua Niang is the most famous in the southwest area, and the Lantern Festival is also unique. It is paired with Baihua Jiuniang and sprinkled with a handful of dried rose petals, which is sweet and mellow.The owner of the food shop has sharp eyesight, and seeing the clothes and temperament of the four of them, he knew that they were either rich or expensive, so he sent a plate of white rong cake in a very doggy manner.

Tong Xuan had never asked for food, so he ate a bowl with him; Chu Changyue ate two bowls with intoxication, and it seemed that he could continue to eat; You Lanqi didn't move.

Ye Xuehuan asked in surprise, "Don't you like sweets? Why don't you eat them?"

Lan Qi replied: "I can't touch alcohol, it will paralyze my nerves and affect my concentration."

Ye Xuehuan laughed: "This is fermented rice, not wine."

Lan Qi still shook his head.

Seeing that he insisted, Ye Xuehuan didn't force it, but Shangyuan's tradition must be followed, so she gave him a bowl of ordinary sesame dumplings.

After Lan Qi thanked her, she began to eat slowly.

"It is said that the meals in Yiguo are mostly wine and meat, and the way of eating is bold. Why do you have such a refined look?"

Ye Xuehuan looked down at him, with a half-smile, "I wanted to say before that you really don't look like a Yi country person, and you don't have an accent from the southwestern area. You are so handsome, and you look like a scholarly family from Jiangdong. "

Lan Qi paused his hand, and said lightly: "I was originally from Chongyang. When I was six years old, my parents passed away and I was abducted by human traffickers. Most of Lark's spies are orphans, helpless, so I can teach them to be at ease. use."

What he said was without waves, but it made people feel uncomfortable.

Chu Changyue brought a spoonful of wine to his mouth, and he didn't eat it or let it go, feeling inexplicably embarrassed.

Ye Xuehuan reached out and stroked the top of his hair, and asked softly, "What about before the age of six?"

Lan Qi lowered his head, his eyes were so dim that he seemed to lose his spirit in the blink of an eye, the lights all over the street illuminated his bright red clothes, but it seemed that nothing could be reflected in his exquisite heart.

"I... have no impression."

Chu Changyue and Tong Xuan looked at each other, seeing the difficulty in each other's eyes.

Even if they have not let down their guard, this heavy topic is enough to make them uneasy.His upbringing since he was a child made Chu Chang feel that he should say a few words of comfort from the bottom of his heart, but seeing Lan Qi's calm expression, he felt that comforting such a worthless thing was purely futile for him, and he didn't know what to do for a while.

But Ye Xuehuan obviously didn't have these entangled thoughts, and asked with a smile: "I'm curious, what kind of human traffickers will provide Yunque with human resources."

Lan Qi replied: "The heart department is responsible for this aspect. I don't know, but it is said that there is a fixed source."

Although it was a very unpleasant question, it pulled him out of his depressed mood in an instant.

Ye Xuehuan hummed, with the flickering lights reflected in her phoenix eyes, she didn't know what she was thinking.The hand that was caressing the top of Lan Qi's hair slipped down, twisting a lock of hair and playing with it between fingers.

Lan Qi was so played that he lost the mind to eat, and they got up and left.

At this time, the night was getting late, and the fireworks show was about to start, and everyone began to squeeze into the street.Lan Qi was a little absent-minded. As the crowd slowly moved forward, she didn't notice Ye Xuehuan's dexterous figure and Chu Changyue and Tong Xuan who were getting farther and farther apart.

When he came back to his senses, he was pulled into a dark and deserted alley.

Lan Qi has a slender figure, and the top of his head can only match Ye Xuehuan's shoulder line. With his arms bent around, his back against the alley wall, and his cheek against his chest, he is isolated from the noise, as if separated from the world. open.

"It's not like you." Ye Xuehuan whispered in his ear, "The disciples couldn't touch you just now, so why are you easily pulled over by me now?"

Lan Qi sighed, those seemingly idle wanderings before were really testing him, the surrounding environment was all in his eyes, and he didn't miss anything.

The alleys are narrow, and no matter how bright the lights on the main street are, they can't shine in. In the darkness, the pair of glass-like phoenix eyes are even more bright and sharp, as if you can see the depths of people's hearts at a glance.

Deliberately dismissing Chu Changyue and Tong Xuan would definitely not lead to anything good.Lan Qi asked, "What would your Highness want to tell me?"

"You must have something to say to me." Ye Xuehuan stretched out a finger and raised his chin, "Lan'er, I'm very dissatisfied with your performance just now."

He curled the corners of his lips, but there was no smile in his eyes, his tone was soft and gentle, but with a deep coldness, and that day in Luanyang's folk alley, he pinched his neck and asked him how to prove that he would not Exactly the same expression at the time of betrayal.

"You have been by my side for more than half a month, Mo Ran and Chang Yue don't believe you, Tong Xuan has not completely let down his vigilance, but I have never doubted you. Do you know why?"

He held Lan Qi's face in both hands, his narrowed phoenix eyes were deep and dark, and he looked straight into those dark eyes, "Because your eyes can't lie to me."

Lan Qi's eyes flashed unconsciously, and he bowed his head in silence.

Ye Xuehuan saw that he was still stubbornly resisting, so she smiled silently, wrapped his arms around his waist with one hand, pressed the back of his head with the other, and whispered into his ear: "Look, you just told me a little Lie, to be so distraught. Being so misbehaving...but you will be punished."

"I..." Lan Qi forcibly stabilized his mind, and replied as calmly as possible, "I didn't..."

"No?" Ye Xuehuan's voice became softer, but the coldness became more pretentious, with a bit of bloodthirsty, "Do you really have no memory of before the age of six?"

Lan Qi's body trembled uncontrollably.

It is naturally impossible not to have an impression of what happened before the age of six.

No matter what, I used to be well-clothed, well-fed, and decent-looking, but it's a pity that I was still too young at that time, and I didn't know what prosperity and wealth were.

Before the age of six and after the age of six, they are two completely different lives, and it is not an exaggeration to say that they are two completely different people.

If Ye Xuehuan hadn't insisted on asking, I'm afraid he would never have said it.

But he was perfunctory, but he was so perceptive, we got along for nearly a month, you came and tested every day, and the only little lie that didn't matter could not escape his eyes.

For a moment, he almost thought that he had seen through all the causes and consequences.

Lan Qi took a deep breath and said slowly: "I..."

His voice trembled so badly that he couldn't speak at all.

I didn't have the courage to speak up at all.