He galloped out of Lin'an on a fast horse, carrying a crooked letter in Ji Chengfa's own handwriting.
The roadside is densely covered with trees, and countless men in black are hiding in the treetops. They can attack the fast horse when they arrive at the designated area.
The scorching sun was shining on the road, and the flying yellow sand made people's vision blurred. The horse rider suddenly saw a tripping rope on the road in front of him, and it was too late to rein in the horse in time.
One person and one horse fell to the ground hard, and the horse groaned and was powerless. The man in black got up and was killed with a sword, and he didn't even have time to draw the sword around his waist.
The man in black groped around on him and found a letter with immature brushstrokes on the envelope. They looked at each other and nodded.
"What an incredible Beili envoy, he is a child after all, and he sent only one person to deliver the letter. Does he really think that no one in the Dongling Dynasty dares to take action against the Beili people?"
A group of men in black quickly evacuated after finding the letter, and when the birdsong resounded in the forest, they galloped forward on a fast horse again.
This horse was obviously stronger and more powerful than the one that fell down in front, and the man on the horse was more aggressive. Passing by the corpse, the man on the horse glanced at him and left without any hesitation.
Two of them were sent on a mission to deliver a message, one doomed to die and the other to live.
And he is the latter.
Horseshoe ran all the way to the west, the prime minister's mansion in the city, Yin Shuo opened the letter intercepted by the man in black, and immediately changed his face.
"Bastard! What is this thing?"
He slammed the letter on the face of the man in black. The latter carefully picked it up and saw that there was nothing written on the letter inside, but a big pig's head was drawn on the pig's head. words.
Seeing this painting, Yin Shuo couldn't help but think of that kid who looked like a devil in the world, looking at him with mocking eyes.
To be humiliated so far by a child was the greatest failure of his life.
The man in black quickly knelt down and kowtowed, "My lord, spare me, my lord, spare my life!"
Yin Shuo gritted his teeth resentfully, "If you send someone to track down the messenger, you must find out where the messenger has gone. That is most likely where Yufu is!"
…
The team of Beili Chujun and his party suddenly traveled at a frighteningly fast pace.
Along the way, some magistrates wanted to flatter and get close, but they had already left before they had time to go.
Some local officials heard that they were traveling day and night, and they waited outside the city before dawn in order to put on their clothes. They waited for several hours before seeing the huge guard of honor in the distance—
With bright yellow.
The local officials who were waiting were full of energy, and the food and drinks in the city were all prepared. They worked hard to prepare and finally came in handy.
The group of people approached quickly, and the leader of the magistrate, dressed in a conspicuous red official uniform, stepped forward and bowed his hands to the carriage, "Welcome Prince Beili and his party, Your Highness, please rest in the city for a while."
What responded to him was a head full of yellow sand.
"Bah bah."
He spat out the yellow sand in his mouth, looked up and saw that the other party didn't even stay for a moment, and passed by as if he didn't see him.
Billows of yellow dust fluttered behind the team, and a group of local officials standing outside the city gate were choked and coughed, and all of them were ashamed.
"It's unreasonable, this is too domineering, too rude!"
Yu Fu and the others couldn't hear the anger behind them at all, there was silence in the carriage, and everyone was on their way with only one mind.
Yuehu looked at this and then that, "Okay, don't worry. With that little devil Ji Chengfa around, even if the three-day period is up, as long as the knife hasn't landed on his neck, he will definitely have a way to stop it!"
It was Yuehu who disliked him the most before, and now it is Yuehu who puts all his hopes on him.
Gu Shubai frowned, "If it's just His Majesty, I wouldn't be afraid. But now Yin Shuo has clearly seen through our purpose, and he won't let anyone stop his plot."
Yu Fu said: "That's what I'm worried about. Right now there is no way out, so I can only hurry back to Lin'an as soon as possible. Big brother, is your body still able to take it?"
Gu Shubai nodded, "You take this medicine and that medicine in turn every two days. My body has already recovered, but my martial arts have not returned to the original level."
Yu Fu opened the corner of the curtain and looked out, the long guard of honor was so numerous that the speed couldn't be fast at all.
She suddenly had a bold idea, "The ceremonial guards are too cumbersome, why don't we abandon the car and ride the horses, and rush to the imperial capital first. As long as your body can bear it, you can leave immediately."
"Princess, you can't do it!"
Before Gu Shubai opened his mouth, Chen Jingxing was the first to object, "The speed of the light car is naturally faster, but who will protect the safety of Her Royal Highness? This is in the territory of Dongling, will that Yin Shoufu send someone to intercept him halfway? Even if the princess arrives safely in Lin'an , would Emperor Ning believe in the identity of the princess without a guard of honor?"
Yuehu said: "With me here, and a few guards with strong martial arts, safety is not a problem. As for the second question..."
She looked at Yu Fu, and Yu Fu thought for a moment, "If Chengfa is here, he can prove my identity, so Ning Chengzhi dare not do anything to us."
Chen Jingxing said: "The young master can't prove the identity of the princess now, the princess has forgotten what he said in the letter? Yin Shuo tried to make Emperor Ning believe that he and you have known each other in the Immortal Valley for a long time. As your identity testifies, Yin Shuo will also say that he is lying. At that time, will Emperor Ning believe the young master or Yin Shuo?"
The answer is obvious.
Gu Shubai said: "Master Chen is right. If you can't prove your status as the crown prince of Beili, His Majesty may be against you. I can't let you take risks and watch you fall into the mouth of a tiger."
Ning Chengzhi's thoughts on Yufu have already been clearly revealed, she escaped once, and if she goes back this time, Ning Chengzhi will never let her go easily.
Thinking of this, Gu Shubai fell into a dilemma. Chen Jingxing said, "There is a way to try it out. Let's send people to Lin'an immediately. Tell them that according to Beili's custom, no blood will be seen when receiving envoys." , otherwise it is disrespectful. In this way, even if the young master can't stop him, Emperor Ning will not dare to behead him."
Gu Shubai nodded, "I agree. This is the best way I can think of right now. If Young Master Ji can stop His Majesty's so-called fake beheading in this name, maybe there will be a turning point."
"I disagree."
Yu Fu turned her head and looked at him deeply, "You know that this is a bad strategy, and you are betting on the reactions of Ning Chengzhi and Yin Shuo, which is too risky. Ning Chengzhi is a person who can be easily controlled, while Yin Shuo Shuo is not!"
…
Three days later, the time for beheading all the households in Guhou Mansion was set at noon.
Early in the morning, a messenger rushed into the city, and the official document affixed with the seal of Bei Li Chu Jun was delivered to Ning Chengzhi, causing him to frown frequently.
"Bei Li is breaking the rules so much, and ruining my good deeds."
Eunuch Chi leaned forward, "Your Majesty, what is written in this official document?"
"It's said that His Royal Highness Bei Li is coming soon, even the emperor can't see the blood, and he can't take any life-threatening punishment, otherwise it will be disrespectful."
Eunuch Chi was speechless, "Beili, a young son of a royal family, is so arrogant and domineering. As the heir, doesn't your highness have more rules?"
Ning Chengzhi sighed, wishing he could burn the letter, pretending he didn't see it, and was about to throw the letter into the incense burner, when he saw the emblem of the sword piercing the jade ring printed in red mud on it, and hurriedly took it back.
This emblem is exclusive to the Beili royal family. A slender sword passes through a Chilong jade ring, and the Chilong coils around the sword like a living one.
Ning Chengzhi always felt uncomfortable looking at this emblem, subconsciously awed, and did not dare to underestimate it.
Just like he did to the country of Beili.
After thinking for a long time, he put the official document back on the table, "Forget it, go spread my will and make fun of today's beheading. Anyway, the news that I'm going to confiscate and behead the whole family of Marquis Gu's mansion has already spread, and Yufu must hear about it soon. I will come back, I don’t have to play the show so well.”
Eunuch Chi smiled and said: "Yes, Princess Zhenjiang is always in Immortal Valley, and she may be on her way to the imperial capital now! It's more important to appease His Highness Bei Li, he is from Xikun."
Ning Chengzhi trembled when he heard the word Xikun, "That's right, we must not let Beili and Xikun join forces, otherwise my country will be in danger. You go, go and announce the decree!"
…
Prison of Dali Temple.
The guards in the cell delivered today's meal in advance, and everyone in Guhou Mansion watched silently.
The meals are much richer than usual, the color of the vegetables looks extra fresh and tender, there are meat dishes such as chicken legs inside, and there is a jug of wine outside.
The guards carrying the meals were sent to their cells one by one, one, two, three...
There are six copies in total. The father and son will go to Huangquan together today. No one will feel sad after seeing this scene.
"Let's eat."
Gu Huaijiang let out a faint sound, then picked up the chopsticks, Gu Jiuge and the others picked up the chopsticks, and ate the meal silently in the cell.
The jailer closed the cell door again, shook his head and walked out with a sigh.
The way of heaven is not fair, good people do not live long, this is also a helpless thing.
"You all go out and let Hou Ye and his son talk about themselves. If you don't talk now, it's too late."
An old jailer waved his hand, and everyone retreated. Apart from the sound of bowls and chopsticks clashing lightly, there was nothing else in the cell.
Gu Hanmo leaned over to Gu Jiuge's cell, and said through the fence: "Second brother, I'll pour you a glass of wine. It was my fault in the past, and you didn't miss anything when you drank. I shouldn't blame you."
Gu Jiuge smiled and waved his hands, "I haven't drunk for a long time, and I don't want to drink today. Don't worry, I don't hold grudges against you. But you always know how to practice swords, so you should have a good drink today."
Gu Hanmo shook his head, "I don't want to drink either."
When Gu's army went out to fight, there were strict orders, from the general to the soldiers, no one could drink alcohol.
They are fighting a tough battle now, and there are only six of them, father and son.
In the dim light, someone sighed softly, "Fortunately, Big Brother and Yu Fu are not here, the Gu family still has a trace of blood in the world."
They are not afraid of death, but they know that this is a battle they must lose, and seeing their father and brothers die one by one still makes them feel cold.
The sound of the wine being poured into the cup was clear and cold, and the strong aroma of the wine overflowed.
There is no good wine in the cell. This is the best wine the jailers can buy. It tastes strong and strong. It is said that drinking it will not hurt when beheading.
Gu Huaijiang raised his wine glass and said with a faint smile: "Today is my father and son's last banquet, it's like drinking a glass."
There was death in his voice, generosity and calmness, everyone thought they couldn't be as indifferent as him, they still filled their glasses with wine and toasted together.
The hot wine slid down his throat, Gu Xiang and Gu Yi, the two youngest, coughed into a ball.
Gu Huaijiang looked at the two of them, "I have been an upright father all my life, and I have never done anything unfaithful to the king or to others. I only feel that I owe you both."
His gaze shifted from Gu Xiang and Gu Yi to Gu Jiuge and the others, taking a close look at everyone.
"If the father didn't stop your actions back then, at least you don't have to die with the father today. The father also knows that you are not afraid of death, but you don't want to die in an unclear way."
Everyone was silent, they could not be as loyal as Gu Huaijiang, but they knew the word filial piety.
Rather than saying that he died for loyalty to the emperor, it would be better to say that he died with Gu Huaijiang for filial piety.
"Father."
Gu Yi suddenly said: "I'm afraid that when the eldest brother and Xiao Yufu come back, they will see our dead bodies. Xiao Yufu is a girl's family, so she must be terrified. And... and Yunyan, I don't know if she promised a marriage, and she will be married again in the future. Can you find Mr. Ruyi?"
Hearing what he said, Gu Jiuge suddenly thought of Yin Jiyu.
"When a person is dead, there is no need to worry about the living."
The door of the cell was opened at some unknown time. Yin Shuo stood in the light and shadow, with a faint smile on his face. He walked step by step, like a ghost, like Shura.
"If you can think about it for the living, you shouldn't wait for death. Why don't you rebel?"
He walked past everyone's cell door and looked over one by one, "Do you still expect Ning Chengzhi to find out that he will not kill you? Let me tell you, no matter whether it was the eldest prince or the second prince who came to the throne at the beginning, they are all equally afraid of Gu Hou's mansion." .”
He finally walked outside Gu Huaijiang's cell, slowly squatted down, and looked at Gu Huaijiang.
"You were doomed to lose a long time ago, long before the late emperor was assassinated. I never stopped you from investigating the truth about the late emperor's assassination. That's because I knew that no matter who ascended the throne, there would be no place for Gu Hou's mansion. It's ridiculous that you Lord Hou was a hero in his first life, if he was so foolish and loyal, he would have lost his family's lives in vain."
Gu Huaijiang raised his head, "You are right. Whether it is the first prince or the second prince, it is impossible for any emperor not to be afraid of the military power of the Marquis Gu's mansion. The same is true for the first emperor. But the three of them have one thing in common, do you want to hear it?" ?”
Yin Shuo raised his eyebrows, "I would like to hear the details."
Gu Huaijiang put down his chopsticks, stood up slowly, wearing a prison uniform, which couldn't hide the prestige of the Confucian generals who were slaughtering on the battlefield.
He smiled and said: "The fear is the fear. As long as there are no treacherous ministers to instigate, as long as there are loyal and upright ministers like Mr. Ji assisting in the court, no matter which of the two of them is, they can become a generation of Mingjun. The first emperor is the last one." Good example."
Yin Shuo was stunned for a moment, then smiled sarcastically, "Master Gu is really lenient, you think such a person can be a wise king. If they can, what about me?"
He finally told the truth in his heart, and everyone's eyes fell on him, but he didn't care.
In his eyes, these are already dead.
Gu Huaijiang smiled distantly, "You are far behind them, whether it is His Majesty or the eldest prince of the past. They may be inferior to you in talent and wisdom, but they always have a benevolent side in their hearts. You are cold-blooded and ruthless. You murdered the late emperor and intended to usurp the throne. Rebellious officials and thieves can be punished by everyone."
Gu Huaijiang seldom used such strong words to judge a person, Yin Shuo's complexion changed, and suddenly he heard footsteps outside.
Eunuch Chi came in from outside the prison and saw Yin Shuo coming up to salute with a smile, "Yin Shoufu, it's just right for you to be here, and His Majesty has an order to tell you, the beheading officer."
Yin Shuo frowned, "What oral order?"
Eunuch Chi laughed and said: "Hey, it's not His Highness Bei Li. He said that it is not appropriate for the prince to see blood when he is on an envoy, and he cannot be punished for murder. So His Majesty ordered to cancel today's beheading, anyway, it is false, as long as Zhenjiang If the eldest princess doesn't know, then it will be done?"
Gu Jiuge hurriedly said, "What did you say is false?"
Eunuch Chi thought that as long as Yu Fu came back, Gu Hou's family would still be the king and uncle of gold and jade, so it would be better not to offend him, so he said: "Today's beheading is fake, Your Majesty doesn't intend to take your lives, just I just want Princess Zhenjiang to come back after hearing the news."
A gleam of joy flashed in Gu Jiuge's eyes, and he quickly looked at Gu Huaijiang, who also had a smile on his face.
He knew that he was not mistaken, Ning Chengzhi was not a vicious and faint king, he was just deceived by Yin Shuo, otherwise why would he destroy them all without conclusive evidence
"It turned out to be false. His Majesty didn't want to kill us. Father was right!"
Gu Yi thought that Su Yunyan would not be a widow without marrying, and couldn't help but feel happy, when suddenly he heard a puff, and blood splashed on the fence of his cell.
It was Eunuch Chi's blood.
He looked at Yin Shuo in disbelief, the latter plunged into Eunuch Chi's abdomen with a dagger in his hand, and smiled cruelly—
"Sorry, I didn't hear His Majesty's oral order."
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Xiaoyufu will come out tomorrow~