The rumors about Ji Shuran were raging in the streets, but the person Jiang Yuanbai sent out was not able to find out who said it in the end. This matter seemed to have become an unsolved case, but the ending was truly real, and the Jiang family's reputation was affected in his eyes. At least above the court, the impeachment of Jiang Yuanbai for lax governance is countless.
The rightists took the opportunity to spread various unfavorable rumors to Jiang Yuanbai. At this time, the more clarified, the more they fell into the center of the rumors. Jiang Yuanbo simply said that he was not ill and was silent a lot. Jiang Yuanping was also affected a lot, and Jiang's atmosphere was not very good.
Under such complicated circumstances, the winter solstice of Yanjing City came quietly this winter.
On the winter solstice, the snow is extremely heavy. Tong'er stood at the gate of the yard and said: "Qingcheng Mountain has never seen such a big snow before. It's so beautiful."
The sight of the people in the north is very strange to Tonger. After all, the two have lived in the temple for many years, and it is rare to see such a picture wrapped in silver. Tonger asked Jiang Li, "Girl, do you want to go to Ye Mansion today?"
"Go." Jiang Li smiled: "But before that, let's go somewhere else."
"Other places?" Tonger was puzzled.
Jiang Li smiled without answering.
The snow is extremely heavy outside, and the hawkers who often come out to set up stalls on weekdays have not come out to set up stalls again today. The streets are empty and there are very few pedestrians. On the thick snow, only the carriage passed by leaving two deep rut marks and messy horseshoe shapes.
When Jiang Li was out of the house, the porter's servant moved his lips, but in the end he didn't dare to dissuade him. Everyone knows that now the second lady in the big room has the final say, and the old lady allows the second lady to enter and exit at will without reporting it. Could they stop them from acting
Going out of the house went smoothly. Jiang Li went to the Yanyu Pavilion in Bailu Bay—the place where Xue Zhao slept.
Tong'er and Baixue still have an impression of this place. Jiang Li had visited once before returning to Tongxiang last time. I heard that Yanyu Pavilion saw the best view of Yanyu. It was raining last time. It's not raining now. Could it be that the snow scene of Yanyu Pavilion is good? So today Jiang Li will go there when he is interested
Jiang Li asked the maids to wait outside the yard, and went into the backyard of Yanyu Pavilion. Under the peach tree, Xue Zhao's grave was still lying quietly. Almost covered by white snow, hurry up, if it weren't for the half of the inscription exposed outside, I'm afraid there would be no trace at all.
Since Jiang Li returned to Tongxiang, no one has ever worshipped in this place. Jiang Li watched openly, and couldn't help feeling sour. Leaving Xue Zhao here alone made her feel extremely uncomfortable.
She bent down, looked for a worn-out broom from the side, swept away the snow in front of the tomb, and swept out a small open space. He took the rag in the basket and wiped the stele carefully, and then took out the incense for the fruit and placed it on the vacated space.
Even if she can leave the house at will, she can't come to Yanyu Pavilion at will. Ye family is her maternal grandfather's family anyway, Xue Zhaoke and Miss Jiang Er can't have a relationship. If it is seen by others, it would be bad if something happened in connection with the litigation for Xue Huaiyuan a few days ago.
But on the winter solstice, the past days, Xue Zhao, she and Xue Huaiyuan always lived together in the house. Xue Zhao would roast the venison that he had hunted in the mountains, and Xue Huaiyuan would allow them to drink on that day. So there was a clear plum wine simmering on the stove, Xue Zhao danced and talked about his dreams of the world, and she agreed with a few words, Xue Huaiyuan smiled indulgingly on the side.
Things are not, but it is still winter, but people are dead, scattered, mad. Jiang Li can't bring Xue Huaiyuan to Xue Zhao's tomb yet, she can only come alone.
She sat in front of the tomb, put away the venison wrapped in oil paper, and poured a glass of plum wine for Xue Zhao, just like those in the past.
After sitting for a while, she stood up, patted the snow particles on her clothes, and turned to leave.
Tong'er and Baixue were waiting outside with chills. It was easy to see Jiang Li come out, and they didn't ask where the bamboo basket that Jiang Li had brought when he came. They only said, "Have you gone back?"
Jiang Li nodded.
"Let's go then. I really can't stay outside this day." Tonger plugged the heater into Jiang Li's hand and helped Jiang Li onto the carriage.
Next, Jiang Li went to Ye Mansion.
In Ye Mansion, Ye Mingyu and his Jianghu brothers were eating large pieces of meat and drinking alcohol. When the concierge came to report that Jiang Li was here, Ye Mingyu was panicked for a while, and the house was in a mess. How could he see people? Ye Shijie shook his head when he saw this, and got up to see Jiang Li first.
Jiang Li didn't see Ye Mingyu in the room, but Ye Shijie came up alone and asked, "Why isn't your uncle here?"
"Drinking, I know you are here, and I am changing clothes." Ye Shijie had a headache. Listening to the sound of chanting the wine order coming from the room, and looking at Ye Shijie's helpless look, Jiang Li was clear in his heart. Ye Mingyu was a rough temper, but Ye Shijie was extremely restrained. Now that Ye Mingyu has moved all the rivers and lakes to the mansion, for Ye Shijie, it is naturally not a thing to be happy about.
Jiang Li looked at the back and smiled: "Uncle is open-minded by nature, so you can bear it more."
"I know." Ye Shijie replied, "San Shu has always been like this." He looked at Jiang Li, "Why did you come here so early?"
"Today the winter solstice, come and see you." Jiang Li asked Bai Xue to bring out the desserts she prepared in advance, "I will give you some cakes by the way."
Ye Shijie took it, a strange feeling surged in his heart. Jiang Li's expression is very gentle, and his attitude is very natural, as if he was treating his family. When the word "family" was reflected in his mind, Ye Shijie was agitated, as if he had been hit by something.
Just when he was a little startled, Ye Mingyu changed his clothes and came out. When he wanted to be with his brothers before, he should have been drinking hot, although he had changed his clothes, he still smelled of alcohol. Fortunately, I was sober, saw Jiang Li and said, "Ali, you are here! Go in and sit down?"
"Uncle still has guests, I won't stay too much." Jiang Li also smiled. She is a girl's house, and here are all strong men. She doesn't care, I'm afraid these men will be uncomfortable.
"I brought some things for you, and I will take a look at Xue Xiancheng by the way." Jiang Li smiled and said, "After seeing it, I will leave."
"Why..." Ye Mingyu wanted to persuade, but was interrupted by Ye Shijie, and Ye Shijie said, "Well, it is indeed not convenient for you to be here today. You will come back when there are no outsiders in the mansion another day."
He bit the words "no outsider" very hard and glanced at Ye Mingyu.
Ye Mingyu felt his reason and touched his nose, haha said: "Then what, then go and see Xue Xiancheng? In the past few days, little girl Situ has been given several injections. The old man is much better. Everyday It’s good to be able to eat a bowl of rice!"
While talking, he took Jiang Li to Xue Huaiyuan's yard.
Xue Huaiyuan was watching people doing shadow puppets attentively. It was probably something Ye Mingyu specially found for him. He watched it very enthusiastically and laughed happily from time to time. Jiang Li couldn't help but feel a little disappointed when he saw it.
There are no traces of sanity.
Ye Shijie seemed to see what she was thinking, and said, "You don't have to be too impatient, Miss Situ said, Xue Xiancheng's disease is not cured, so I have to take care of it. And as Sanshu said, these days Xue Xiancheng's body has improved a lot. When he first came to Yanjing from Tongxiang, he was extremely weak. Now he is almost fully raised."
Jiang Li slowly calmed down, shook his head and said, "I am too impatient."
"I know." Ye Mingyu scratched his head. "You think Old Man Xue is more important than your father, and of course you take care of him. Don't wait for Old Man Xue to get better, you can recognize him as a foster father. You do. He paid so much, he would not refuse. As for your father, you don’t have to worry, I’ll go tell you!” He said bitterly after he said, “I haven’t asked him to settle accounts about Ji Shuran. , The red mouth and white teeth all relied on Ji Shuran alone to say, where do I put my Ye family?"
Speaking of this, Ye Mingyu gritted his teeth again.
Ye Mingyu and Ye Shijie naturally learned about Ji Shuran's events back then. Undoubtedly, Jiang Yuanbo was scolded severely. If it weren't for Ji Shuran's death, he would have to go to the house and ask Ji's family for an explanation. In the end, Jiang Li came forward to comfort Ye Mingyu.
But knowing that Jiang Li had been wronged so much, Ye Mingyu didn't want to see Jiang's family any more, and even gave birth to the idea of wanting Jiang Li to leave Jiang's family and return to Ye's family, but in the end he was stopped by a more sensible Ye Shijie.
"Foster father?" Jiang Li's heart moved. She had never thought of this, but Ye Mingyu walked the rivers and lakes, and it was not uncommon for Ye Mingyu to worship a target and recognize a godfather, so she had long been accustomed to it. The speaker had no intention of the listener, Ye Mingyu also said casually, but Jiang Li secretly wrote it down. She is too attached to Xue Huaiyuan, and it will inevitably be gossip in the future, but when it comes to her adoptive father, everything seems to be solved.
But before that, unless Xue Huaiyuan was first restored to his sanity, no matter how the Jiang family felt guilty towards him, Jiang Li would not be allowed to recognize a man without sanity as a foster father.
Thinking of this, the road ahead seems to have a new direction, and Jiang Li's mood is much easier. When I talked with Ye Mingyu, the smile became more real.
Ye Shijie faintly noticed the change in Jiang Li's attitude, but he didn't know why. Just looking at Jiang Li smiling like a flower, the rare relaxed appearance that he has never had a scheming plan, he paused, and he swallowed the doubts in his mouth.
Until he left Ye Mansion, Jiang Li was in a very good mood.
Bai Xue asked: "Girl, are you going back to the house now?"
"Go back." Jiang Li looked at the sky. In fact, it was still early, and I should have stayed in Ye Mansion for a longer time, but because Ye Mingyu's brothers and guests were there, Jiang Li was inconvenient, so he left first. The snow hasn't stopped at this moment, and it's too cold to stay outside. Since there is nothing wrong, it is better to go back first.
Tonger happily responded, thinking about going back to Fangfeiyuan, surrounded by a warm stove, much stronger than being exposed to the cold outside. Several people were about to get on the carriage, and suddenly they heard an eager voice behind them: "Ms. Jiang Er?"
Jiang Li looked back and saw that it was Wen Renyao and Situ Jiuyue who had seen him not long ago. It was Wen Renyao who called Jiang Li.
As soon as he saw Jiang Li, Wen Renyao leaned forward and said with a smile: "Second girl Jiang just came out of Yefu?"
Jiang Li nodded, and said to Situ Jiuyue, "Is Situ girl going to Yefu to treat Xue Xiancheng?"
"No." Situ Jiuyue replied, "Acupuncture is not necessary for the past three days."
Jiang Li smiled and said, "I was wrong. Where are the two of you going?" When I met Situ Jiuyue in front of Yefumen, Jiang Li really thought that Situ Jiuyue was here to treat Xue Huaiyuan. It was not expected.
She just asked casually, but didn't really want to know the answer. After all, Situ Jiuyue Wen Renyao and Ji Heng had a very close relationship. Jiang Li didn't care about what they were going to do, and couldn't care about it.
Who knew Wen Renyao immediately replied: "We are going to the Guogong Mansion."
Situ Jiuyue took a look at Wenren Yao, and thought that his careless attitude was really unpleasant. Jiang Li was also surprised for a moment, and then said: "So, then it won't delay you." She stepped aside and wanted Situ Jiuyue and Wen Ren to leave first.
Unexpectedly, Wen Renyao has a handsome face with a very enthusiastic smile. He said: "No delay, no delay. We are just going to the Guogong Mansion. Today is not the winter solstice. It was just a meal in the past. Miss Jiang. Is this going back? It's so early, why don't we go to the National Palace for dinner together?"
Jiang Li: "..."
She wondered how Wen Renyao's brain grew. Does the relationship between her and Ji Heng seem to be familiar enough to go to the other side's house at will? Of course, Ji Heng could come to Jiang's house to walk around. It was because of Ji Heng's willfulness, not because of their personal relationships.
Jiang Li politely refused: "No need."
"What are you polite to do?" Wen Renyao continued to smile: "Let’s go, let’s go, it’s better to hit the sun if you choose a day. Since we meet on the road, we are destined. We are all friends. It’s not a big deal to eat together. I think Jiang The second girl is also refreshing in her affairs, so you don't have to stick to these."
Jiang Li: "... I think the son might have broken my relationship with the grandfather of the country. We are not friends."
I thought that this sentence had already clearly expressed my attitude, who knew that I heard Renyao but seemed to be accustomed to it, saying: "I understand his temper, no one in the world wants to be friends with him. But just be you. It’s not his friend, it’s my friend! Don’t be polite, don’t think that Ji Heng didn’t invite you to the mansion, so you’re embarrassed to go. Ji Heng didn’t invite me either! I still didn’t go. Up?"
Jiang Li: "..."
She really had nothing to say about this son of Wenren.
On one side, Situ Jiuyue really couldn't see it. He glared at Wen Renyao, then looked at Jiang Li, thought for a moment, and said, "If you are all right, you can go to the Guogu Mansion. A few days ago, your mansion. I have heard about the incident, and Ji Heng is also involved in this matter privately. Maybe you can talk about it."
Situ Jiuyue's words reminded Jiang Li of something. It is why Li Yan is safe and sound, and where is Dao Chang Chongxu now, did Emperor Hong Xiao know that Dao Chang Chongxu is a liar. She originally planned to ask Zhao Ke about this, but now think about it, it might be more convenient to ask Ji Heng. Zhao Ke guarded Jiang Mansion day and night, but Ji Heng could know the news in the palace.
At the moment when Wenren meets, she can take advantage of the situation to go to the Guogong Mansion, that is... Uninvited, she really can't be as casual as hearing people.
"It's okay, you can say that Wen Renyao tied you up." Situ Jiuyue said lightly as if she could see what she was thinking in her heart.
Wen Renyao's spirits lifted up, and instead of refuting Wen Yan, he smiled and said, "I am happy to help."
So things were decided so inexplicably, Jiang Li was abducted on the road to the Guogong Mansion as soon as he left Ye Mansion.
In order to avoid people's eyes, Jiang Li did not ride in the carriage of Jiang Mansion, but in the carriage with Situ. Along the way, Wen Renyao was very talkative, and changed the way to talk to Jiang Li. In contrast, Jiang Li seemed much silent. It was not a long journey, and Jiang Li felt very tired. Even compared with Wen Renyao, Jiang Jingrui, the most noisy in Jiang Mansion, was really "demure". I really don't know how this handsome-looking young man is such a passionate temperament. Jiang Li swears that as long as Wen Renyao shuts up and stands on the street without saying anything, he will attract more eyes than he would have to talk to the girl himself.
When the carriage arrived at the gate of the Guogong's Mansion, Wen Renyao jumped down, Tong'er and Bai Xue helped Jiang Li get out of the carriage, and they saw that Renyao had become familiar with the concierge and asked the concierge to open the door quickly.
You are as welcome as in your own home.
The gate of the National Palace was opened.
Jiang Li entered the government office for the first time in the previous two lives. The rumors about the Guogong Mansion were either gloomy or frightening, or fragrant and romantic. It was a mansion that looked like a sacred place for gods and the abyss of hell. It was legendary. When Jiang Li walked in, there was only one feeling, which was beautiful.
Different from the rich wealth of the Ye family, and the elegance of the Jiang family, the Guogong Mansion is just like its owner, gorgeous and colorful. In the cold winter, the garden of the mansion was still colorful. Snow covered the branches, and there was about the residual snow that was carefully brushed off and bends the petals. The more white the snow, the brighter spring colors in the silver suit. Early spring is still severe winter, so people are stupid to distinguish. Just like his master, whether passionate or ruthless is always confusing.
Wen Renyao had already been surprised by this. Seeing Jiang Li carefully staring at the flowers along the way, he said: "This mansion is full of Ji Heng's precious flowers. Don't step on it. To them. Oh, it's definitely not because they are too precious and Ji Heng flowers are transplanted at a high price. , I’m afraid there is a life worry."
"Poisonous?" Jiang Li turned around in surprise.
"Yes." The answer was Situ Jiuyue, "The more beautiful things are, the more poisonous, and the same goes for flowers."
Jiang Li didn't speak anymore, and then thought about it, this seemed to fit Ji Heng's temperament very well. Ji Heng was not willing to spend a lot of money to support him just because he didn't. Besides, he himself said that he only needs things of value. Toxicity is the value attached to these flowers.
Go through the promenade, flower beds, and bypass most of the walkways. Jiang Li even saw a martial arts training ground. It was very rare to open up such a large martial arts training ground in the Guogong Mansion. A few weapons and archery targets were scattered sparsely beside. Wen Renyao introduced like a master: "This is the site of the old general. Ji Heng was afraid that the old general would hurt his Huahua by playing a knife at home, so he specially made a piece of land for the old general."
Jiang Li: "..." The Guogong Mansion is big enough.
There seems to be no female relatives in the house, but it is true that all the young servants who come and go are bright and handsome, looking very seductive. But these subordinates should have been rigorously trained. They didn't squint their eyes when they saw people bringing them here. They did what they were doing, and didn't take a second look.
Finally, walked to the main hall.
This mansion is also very big, and as soon as I walked into the main hall, I heard a burst of laughter from inside, which sounded like a bell, which was exciting to hear.
"Master—" Wen Renyao shouted affectionately.
Jiang Li stepped into the door and saw an old man in armor sitting in the middle, holding a spear with a red tassel, holding a flower. Hearing Wen Renyao talking, the old man turned around. The barrel of the gun was so long that he almost pierced Wen Renyao in the face.
"Boy Yao, when did you return to Yanjing?" The old man widened his eyes, looked at Situ Jiuyue again, and said, "Oh, September is here too!"
Wen Renyao whispered to Jiang Li, "This is the old general, Ji Heng, his grandfather."
Suddenly, Jiang Li, for the old general, she only hears his name but does not see him. What she can know is the story of the old general's bravery and good fighting when she was young. At the moment, the rumors are true, at least this old age can still be full of anger, should not be a fake tough guy.
But... The old general, Wen Renyao, and Situ Jiuyue also seem to be very familiar. Jiang Li has another understanding of the relationship between these two and the Ji family.
The actions of Wen Renyao whispering to Jiang Li, but all fell into the palm of the old general's hand. He saw that there was another person next to Wen Renyao. He walked a few steps closer, looked at Jiang Li, and suddenly said, "Boy Yao, I haven't seen you in a few years, do you have a wife? Which girl is this? Looks very smart, why do you look at you?"
Wen Renyao: "..."
Jiang Li: "..."
The old man was really rude.
Wen Renyao said: "What are you always talking about! Why do you look at me? What's wrong with me? Don't show this look. There are countless girls Beiyan wants to marry me. , How come I am not decent in your old mouth?"
"Bring you down." The old general ruthlessly poked Wenrenrenyao's lies, "Just you, let alone other, my grandson is better than you, he has no daughter-in-law, you have a daughter-in-law, this Isn't the girl blind?"
Seeing that the conversation became more and more crooked, no one actually explained his identity. Jiang Li had no choice but to stand up and said helplessly: "Old General, I am not the insider of Young Master Wenren."
The room was silent for a while. Suddenly, Old General Ji burst into a burst of laughter, which could be heard loudly across the courtyard of the house. He said: "Let me just say it!"
Wen Renyao's face is red.
"Girl, who are you? How come you come to the mansion with Yaozi? Are you a friend of September?" General Ji asked.
"Not my friend." Situ Jiuyue denied very simply, "It's someone Ji Heng knows."
"Ji Heng knew..." General Ji's eyes lit up, and he looked at Jiang Li as if a poor man saw a pile of gold. He moved a few steps closer and asked, "Girl, what are you and Ji Heng? relation?"
"Grandfather." Just when Jiang Li was confused by the eager attitude of Old General Ji, an indifferent voice came to mind outside the door, but when he looked back, Ji Heng walked in blankly.
On weekdays, he either smiles rather than smiles, or simply smiles seductively, even if it is fake, he has never put on such a cold posture. However, in this posture, there is a kind of ease that one's own talent has, and it is easy to undefense.
"Oh, why did Miss Jiang Er also come?" A voice came out from behind Ji Heng, this man Jiang Li knew, it was Kong Liu. He was holding a plate of snacks, and Lu Ji was immediately behind him.
Why are all people here? Jiang Li only felt a headache. Didn't she read the almanac when she went out today? If she really wanted to talk to Ji Heng, it would be private, and she didn't want others to know. But what is going on? The Guogong Mansion was hosting a family banquet, so now everyone knew that she had come to Ji Heng uninvited.
"Girl, what are you looking for, Ah Heng?" Old General Ji refused to forgive him.
Ji Heng flicked the plate in his hand, threw it on the table, and said, "I asked her to come." Before General Ji could say anything, he said with a cold face: "Ask more, I don't have to eat."
Old General Ji stopped talking immediately.
Jiang Li took a look at Ji Heng, and felt that he was very weird today, as if he was in a bad mood. Kong Liu saw Jiang Li staring at Ji Heng in a daze, and he leaned close to her and said, "What's wrong with Miss Jiang Er?"
"It's nothing," Jiang Li said, "I just think that Grandpa Guo seems to be very unhappy today. Is it because of my coming?"
"No." Kong Liu clearly knew the reason and enthusiastically explained Jiang Li's confusion: "When he was cooking, he was always in a bad mood."
"He is cooking?" Jiang Li was shocked.
"Yes." Kong Liu said it for granted, as if it were a matter of course, it was natural, he pointed to the table: "He did it all, the old man picked it up, and you have to do it if you don't like it. "
Jiang Li only noticed that the long table in the middle of the main hall was filled with various dishes, which looked good in color, fragrance, and flavor. It was about time to eat the rice, Kong Liu motioned to Jiang Li again for the plate in his hand, "The dim sum made by the grandfather of the country, taste one?"
Jiang Li involuntarily followed Kong Liu's movements and looked into the plate, but saw that the desserts on the plate were so exquisitely made, the colors were lovely, and they exuded an attractive aroma. They were even more beautiful than those made by the most popular pastry shop in Yanjing City. .
She felt all this was ridiculous, and even gave birth to the illusion that everything was not real.
She looked at Ji Heng again. Ji Heng noticed her gaze and glanced at Jiang Li faintly.
The smile that was not used to disguise, even called a light and breezy, made Jiang Li feel cold.
Uh, she seems to know another secret of Ji Heng, will she be silenced
－－－－－－Off-topic －－－－－－
Yes! You read it right! The skill points of Lord Guo cover cooking! Sao Langjian's heart is whether there is a good man at home!
By the way, I suddenly discovered that General Ji = General Gay