He smiled at her reassuringly and said, "I just told you, these are things a man should think about. Don't worry about it. Just get some sleep. It's okay." Since he dared to take this step, he must have a plan.
After he finished speaking, he stretched out his other hand and pushed aside the hair covering her eyebrows: "Close your eyes and don't think about anything. I'll protect you."
She turned over and lay on her side, looking at him for a long while. Suddenly, she felt that the young man who needed her care and protection had grown into a mature man without her noticing.
Both soft and hard.
She closed her eyes obediently, her nose smelling the scent of holly in the yard, and her palms feeling the touch of his fingertips, light and soft, caressing her heart like goose feathers.
Click—I felt relieved and fell asleep.
After Xia Yue fell asleep, Zi Jin carefully put her hand back into the quilt and left the room. Chu Qin had been waiting in the front hall for a long time. When he saw Zi Jin appear, he told him everything that happened today in detail.
After listening to this, Zi Jin said to the woman next to him, "Mrs. Zhou, please go to the room to check on Miss Min. She seems to be frightened. I am worried about her sleeping alone in the room."
Mrs. Zhou Qin was the woman who had brought Xia Yue here just now, and she was also the hostess of this house. Qin and her husband Zhou Qi were the prince's disciples in the past, and the couple had been living in seclusion in the imperial capital, waiting for the day when Zijin would employ them.
Xia Yue slept almost till dusk, and when she woke up and saw Madam Zhou, she thought of He Xiang. She was annoyed that He Xiang did not listen to her and left early, and then she became worried. That day, he said in front of her that he would cut off He Xiang's flesh piece by piece, and he said it so cruelly and ruthlessly that it was frightening.
Xia Yue covered her face, feeling somewhat desperate.
Zi Jin came over after hearing the news, and seeing her expression like that, he asked, "What's wrong?"
"nothing."
He looked at her and saw the clue: "You are worried about He Xiang's safety, I will think of a way."
"What method?" she demanded.
"It just takes some effort." After learning from Xia Yue during the day that the master and servant had been staying at Li Ji's residence, he had placed spies around the residence today. He just learned that He Xiang had been taken directly into the palace.
The palace is under the tight control of Wei Shangrui. In the past, the Xu family was there, but now no one can get into the palace except Shangrui himself, let alone save a living person.
But as long as it was what she wanted, he would try it even if it meant his death.
But how could Xia Yue not see his thoughts? She said sternly, "No. If you keep thinking of using your life to exchange for He Xiang, then I absolutely don't agree. I don't want her to die, and you must be safe and sound."
His thick eyelashes moved slightly, but he poured her a cup of tea without commenting.
Xia Yue was a little worried, so she held his hand and said, "Zi Jin, remember, if you die for me, I will never live alone."
She looked into his eyes and spoke word by word. He was slightly startled, his eyes were filled with ripples, and he held her hand in return.
"I know my limits," he said.
The sunset outside had faded, and the light in the house gradually dimmed.
Zijin lit the lamp, closed the window, and turned back holding the candlestick: "Come with me."
Xia Yue followed him to the inner room where she had just rested, but she didn't expect that there was an entrance to a secret room next to the bed frame.
Zi Jin held the lamp and led her inside.
The secret room is not big, with only a soft couch and a table and chairs.
"If soldiers come to search the house, you can just hide quietly in here." Zi Jin said, "Don't worry, we only need to endure for a few days and then we can get you out of the city smoothly."
"Why?"
"According to the previous itinerary, Xu Jingye's coffin should arrive within three days. When Xu Zizhan carries the coffin back for burial, there will naturally be some commotion in the capital," he said.
seven
In the imperial study of Kangning Palace, Helan Xun came to report that someone from the Xu family was already preparing to make a move.
The Xu family has been sidelined in this way, and the empress dowager has now moved to the palace and no longer cares about state affairs. Naturally, some people are dissatisfied and want to take the opportunity to cause trouble.
After hearing this, Wei Shangrui remained silent. Ever since Xia Yue disappeared, his personality has become even more difficult to understand.
Tian Yuan complained to Helan Xun: "Brother Boluan, you shouldn't have come up with this idea in the first place."
According to reason, the army should have taken back Xu Jingye's coffin when the war in the southern region was settled and the three armies returned to Beijing in triumph. However, Helan Xun strongly opposed this.
Helan Xun explained: "General Hong and Lord Sima were the first to pacify the Southern Region. If Xu Jingye's body is still there, is he a defeated general or a victorious hero?"
If the Southern Region had not been settled, the King of Huai had not been executed, and the Xu family father and son had already returned to the capital, the entire imperial capital would have been filled with mourning and no celebration, which would have directly dampened the Xu family's spirit. From the Southern Region to the imperial capital, Xu Jingye's coffin would have traveled a long way, and Xu Zizhang, as a filial son, would have to escort it in person. If he left, he could hand over the remaining military power, which would be like killing two birds with one stone.
Tian Yuan added: "Then the emperor should at least order Xu Zizhang to take off his armor and enter the capital."
He Lanxun bowed to Shang Rui and said, "Lord Tian agrees with me on this point. When Xu Jingye's coffin arrives 300 miles from the capital, he should be allowed to take off his armor and helmet."
Shang Rui's fingers fiddled with the white ancient jade left by Xia Yue. After listening to the two people arguing for a while, he spoke: "Let him be. This is the Davidic etiquette. If I issue an order to remind him, it would make me look petty and guilty. I promised the Queen Mother that if Xu Zizhan is worthy of me, I will let him go." The rest of the sentence was self-evident.
After saying this, Tian Yuan hesitated and said, "The emperor ordered General Li Bingli to assist Yao Chuang in sealing off the city this morning. We all think it is inappropriate." After Hongwu left, Li Bingli took over the imperial guards and the garrison of the capital. Although Li Bingli was old and in poor health, he was a very upright person, which made Shang Rui feel at ease. However, it was this character that made Li Bingli feel very sad that Shang Rui went to such great lengths to close the city gates because a woman had escaped secretly.
"The Imperial Capital was originally a hub for communication between the north and the south, with prosperous trade routes and peaceful people. Now, even if Your Majesty closes the city for a day, it may disturb the people's hearts." Helan Xun said, "It will also make the vassal kings think that the political situation is different."
Shang Rui taunted: "I am only arresting an assassin. Do you think you are questioning me?"
Helan Xun was about to speak again, but Shang Rui stopped him calmly, "People who talk too much usually don't live long."
At this time, Minglian sent another secret report. After Helan inspected it, he said to Shang Rui: "The secret line reported that King Ping of Yan and King Liang have arrived at the border of Jizhou. It will take a few days for them to reach the capital."
Shang Rui sneered, "He is really good at pretending to build a plank road but secretly attacking Chencang."
Ming Lian was relieved to see Shang Rui sarcastically mocking others while wrapped in coldness. When Xia Yue suddenly disappeared in the morning, Shang Rui sat in her room with red eyes and said nothing, which frightened others.
At this time, Yao Chuang followed Li Bingli into the palace to report that Xia Yue's portrait had been rushed out overnight and posted in all the streets and alleys of the imperial capital. In the afternoon, the whole city began to strictly check inns and other places where people could stay overnight in the name of arresting assassins.
Afterwards, Shang Rui asked Ming Lian to take out a city defense map of Dijing and asked Yao Chuang to mark the areas that had been searched on the map.
Shang Rui looked at the carefully marked map spread out on the desk and listened to Yao Chuang's talk about tomorrow's plan. He slowly reached out his hand and used his slender fingers to lightly draw a few dots on seven or eight places on the map: "I think you can check these places carefully."
Li Bingli followed his movements and looked at the map, with a look of surprise on his face: "Your Majesty, this is..."
Helan Xun took over the conversation and said, "This is the secret report about the unusual movements of the Xu family." After saying that, he looked up at Shang Rui.
Li Bingli suddenly realized and blamed himself: "I didn't know the emperor had such a plan."
Shang Rui raised his eyebrows: "I have been blinded by lust, and I don't know what's going on with the Xu family."
Helan Xun and Tian Yuan smiled at each other at the same time, bowed their hands and apologized, saying: "Your Highness is ignorant and can't think as far as he can."
Yao Chuang didn't quite understand. He looked at Li Bingli, then at He Lanxun: "What is this?"
Li Bingli explained: "The emperor is using the name of arresting Min Xiayue to take the opportunity to purge Xu Jingyou's party before Xu Zizhang enters the city."
Yao Chuang seemed to be thinking about something, and wanted to ask, "Will Miss Min still be arrested?" He glanced at Shang Rui and held back the words.
After receiving the orders, everyone left the hall.
It was late at night and the Corning Palace returned to its tranquility.
Shang Rui lost the expression on his face and rubbed the Gao Xin jade in his hand with his fingers. He had never let it go since he got it in the morning, and the jade had long been stained with the warmth of his palm.
After returning to the palace, Shang Rui was busy with affairs, but he returned to normal and there was nothing unusual.
But Ming Lian had been with him for so many years, how could he not understand his personality? The more turbulent his heart was, the calmer his face was.
Unexpectedly, after a while, Yao Chuang returned alone.
"Your Majesty." Yao Chuang lifted his robe and knelt on the ground.
Shang Rui glanced at him: "What?"
"I deserve to die, and I just remembered something today." Yao Chuang said in annoyance.
"You talk." Shang Rui said.
Yao Chuang hesitated for a moment, then knelt down and replied, "These words concern the innocence of a girl. I am not sure and should not have said more. But now that I think of it, I dare not hide it from the emperor."
Shang Rui's right hand, which was playing with Yu Chan, slowed down slightly, and he said in a deep voice, "Continue."
Ming Lian had a strange premonition and looked at Shang Rui with great uneasiness.
Afterwards, Yao Chuang told the story in detail about how he and He Chuyi rescued a weak woman from Wang Gan outside Jinluo City.
"It was dim in the forest at the time, and the girl was in rags. We didn't dare to look at her because of the difference between men and women, so after her family came to look for her, I and He Chuyi continued to do our business. I didn't take this matter to heart until today when Miss Min saw Wang-"
Before he could finish his words, he felt a fierce murderous aura suddenly coming towards him, and at the same time he heard the sound of a sword being unsheathed.
In a rage, Shang Rui drew out the sharp sword hanging on the wall and slashed at Yao Chuang. The blade slid across Yao Chuang's head, close to his scalp, and cut off his hair crown.
Fortunately, this ancient sword was originally an ornament hung in the imperial study to ward off evil spirits, and it had not been sharpened. Otherwise, not only Yao Chuang’s hair but also his scalp would have been lost.
But even if Shang Rui wanted to cut off his head at this moment, he didn't dare to hide.
"I am guilty. I shouldn't have thought of this now." Yao Chuang said regretfully.
Shang Rui's hand holding the sword began to tremble. He first felt his whole body numb, and then his whole body shook more and more violently. Amid the pain and rage, he suddenly felt a sense of suffocation, as if someone was pressing him into the Liubo Lake in the palace, which was only half a person deep. He could clearly come out of the water to breathe if he raised his head, but he didn't have the strength to resist.
The person Yao Chuang saved must be her.
So, her words were not meant to confuse him, but were the truth.
Ming Lian panicked when he saw that his face was pale and he knelt on the ground with a plop. He quickly crawled to Shang Rui and called him "Your Majesty" several times.
Shang Rui's eyes were dull and he did not respond to him.
Ming Lian had never seen Shang Rui lose his composure like this before, and was so frightened that he almost lost his soul. Now that the Queen Mother was not in the palace, his first reaction was to ask someone to invite the Queen. However, he remembered what Yao Chuang said, and it was inextricably linked to the Queen, so he was afraid of adding fuel to the fire, so he said on his own initiative: "Master Yao, Master Helan may not have gone far, please go and ask him to come back and have a look."
Some of Yao Chuang's hair was shaved off, and the rest was scattered messily on his shoulders, making him look very disheveled. But he didn't care about all that at the moment, nor did he care whether Shang Rui was going to execute him on the spot. He hurriedly got up from the ground and ran hastily out of the hall.
But before he could run a few steps, he heard Shang Rui behind him say, "Come back."
These two words spoken slowly in a light tone came out of Shang Rui's mouth at this moment, which made Ming Lian and Yao Chuang breathe a sigh of relief at the same time.
Shang Rui sat down slowly, threw the sword on the table, and then spread out his hands. The jade cicada that was originally held in his right hand had been broken into several pieces by the hilt of the sword. The edges of the fragments cut his palm, which did not bleed because he held it tightly before. Now that his palm was spread out, the wound was exposed and bleeding instead.
Ming Lian didn't dare to say anything and took some medicine to apply to Shang Rui.
Yao Chuang originally wanted to explain what had just happened, but he didn't have the courage to speak again.
Watching Ming Lian bandaging him, Shang Rui's expression gradually returned to normal. After a while, Shang Rui glanced at Yao Chuang and asked, "Are you still standing here, waiting for me to give you an intact body?"
Yao Chuang was stunned. It was clearly Shang Rui who called him back just now, but he dared not argue. He could only kowtow obediently and retreat silently.
Ming Lian couldn't help but persuade him: "Your Majesty, Lord Yao just said that he was not sure whether that person was Miss Min, so..."
Shang Rui said: "But there is someone here who may know. You can go and ask him in person tomorrow." There seemed to be a layer of ice between his brows.
Ming Lian realized that Shang Rui was referring to He Xiang who was brought back to the palace, and quickly agreed.
In the remaining time, Shang Rui thought about Yao Chuang's words again. In fact, there was no need to interrogate He Xiang again, the matter was clear at a glance. This was why Wei Ranyu vowed to kill Wang Gan.
First, last time he led people from the Southern Region to Jinluo at night, his target was also Wang Gan, but he didn't expect to run into He Chuyi.
Then this time, he used Wang Gan's death to send a signal to Xia Yue, and included him in the plot.
Late at night, word spread outside that the queen had arrived.
Shang Rui said coldly: "Tell her that I'm going to rest."
After Wang Xiaoxiang received the reply, she looked at the bright lights in the Kangning Palace, remembered the task her father had given her, and said to Ming Lian, "I made some peach blossom wine. I heard that the emperor had not been sleeping well recently, so I sent it to him."
Ming Lian hesitated for a moment and went to deliver the message again.
Shang Rui suddenly felt extremely annoyed, knowing that Wang Xiaoxiang came here for two reasons. The first was Wang Gan's death, and the second was that Wang Ji asked her to find out the truth of the massive search in Beijing today. "Go out and tell her that if the prime minister wants to know, please ask the prime minister to come and ask me tomorrow. She is a member of the harem, how can she be a hen crowing at dawn?"
After hearing what Ming Lian relayed, Wang Xiaoxiang's face turned pale and then blue, and he left in embarrassment.
Seeing Ming Lian coming back to report, Shang Rui asked, "Are you gone?"
Ming Lian nodded and said, "The queen is gone."
A hint of sarcasm appeared on Shang Rui's lips as he stared silently at the fragments of Gao Xinyu on the table.
He was rich and had everything he wanted, but he couldn't find anyone in the world who was sincere to him.
After a while, he did not continue to review the memorials, but asked someone to grind the ink and began to practice calligraphy standing in front of the imperial desk.
Lieutenant.
Shang Rui wrote his last name over and over again. He was active since childhood, and when he couldn't stand it anymore, he would force himself to practice calligraphy and painting. But now his heart was in turmoil, and he couldn't even copy books, let alone paint. He could only write the same word to calm his mind.
His writing is vigorous and his style is unconstrained. Although he only repeats one word throughout the whole article, it is still vivid and lively.
The windows in the hall were not closed tightly. At the turn of spring and summer, the leisurely night breeze blew into the room, slightly stirring the papers on his desk. He casually picked up a paperweight from the corner of the table to weigh it down.
The paperweight was made of jade, with dragon and lotus patterns carved on it. The simple patterns were very similar to Xia Yue's jade cicada. For a moment, he was a little distracted and wrote accidentally. When he came back to look, he actually wrote the word "Zhao" in "Zhaoyang".
He stared at the word, his eyes paused, anger suddenly rose between his brows, and he threw the paperweight fiercely. The paperweight hit the window frame on the wall and fell to the ground, breaking into two pieces.