When they arrived at the palace of Mengji, He Yan and Xiao Jue got off the carriage and were led in by the servants in the palace. This is not the first time to go to the palace, but I feel much more comfortable than last time. The maid led He Yan and Xiao Jue to the entrance of the banquet hall, and said respectfully, "His Royal Highness and distinguished guests are all inside, and Young Master Qiao and his wife can go in directly."
He Yan and Xiao Jue entered the banquet hall.
Mu Hongjin was leaning on the soft slump, the red robe spread out on one side, with a slight smile on the corner of his lips, he was listening to the piano player playing the piano beside him. In front of the long table, there was still a person sitting, with his back to He Yan, wearing a green bamboo-colored robe and a jade hairpin on his head, his back looked a bit familiar.
She was still thinking about who this person was, but Mu Hongjin glanced at them and said with a smile, "Dudu Xiao is here."
He Yan and Xiao Jue saluted Mu Hongjin. At the same time, the man sitting with his back to the two also stood up and looked back.
His brows were as gentle as orchids and as clear as exiles. He Yan never thought that he would see Chu Zhao in the palace of King Mengji in Jiyang.
He Yan was only shocked for a moment, and He Yan immediately secretly thought that she was not good. She is now pretending to be a woman. Chu Zhao doesn't know what to think when she sees it. The identity of this person is still unknown. Jue is not good for trouble.
She paused in her footsteps and subconsciously took a step back behind Xiao Jue, trying to block Chu Zhao's gaze, but she also knew in her heart that unless she turned around and left immediately, Chu Zhao would discover her identity sooner or later today.
Xiao Jue seemed to feel something, turned her head slightly, glanced at her, and sneered: "What are you afraid of?"
He Yan was about to speak, but Chu Zhao had already saluted Xiao Jue and said with a smile, "Captain Xiao, Miss He."
Come on, he must have seen it. He doesn't even need to cover his face or look in the mirror. He Yan also knows that his face must be ugly at the moment.
Xiao Jue said, "The fourth son of Chu."
"It seems that you are old acquaintances," Mu Hongjin smiled: "Sit down, the fourth son of Chu is a distinguished guest from Shuojing."
Xiao Jue and He Yan sat down in front of the short one next to them.
The maid by his side came to pour tea, and Mu Hongjin raised his hand, letting the piano player who was still playing the guqin retreat. The banquet hall quieted down, He Yan looked down at the tea leaves in the teacup floating up and down. Diseases came in from the mouth and disasters came out of the mouth. There was no disaster in dieting and choosing words without disaster. At this time, it is better to talk less.
Xiao Jue looked at Chu Zhao and said, "What are you doing for the fourth son of Chu to come to Jiyang?"
Straight to the point, without saying anything else, Chu Zhao heard the words, lowered his head and smiled before answering, "The next time I'm here in Jiyang, it's for the Utuo people."
Uto people? He Yan pricked up his ears and heard Chu Zhao say again: "Now there are Uto people in Jiyang City, I am afraid that there will be unrest in the future, I am here to help His Highness and prevent more The people of Jiyang suffered this disaster."
He looked at Princess Mengji.
The corners of Xiao Jue's lips curled slightly, "I don't know how the fourth son of Chu learned that there are Uto people mixed into Jiyang?"
"The Uto man who was conspiring to raise an army was caught in Shuojing City, and he followed the vine, and the person who matched him is now in Jiyang. My father and I learned through the secret letter passed by the other party that the Uto man planned to start a war in Jiyang, and once the canal was cut off , is troublesome for the entire Great Wei. Therefore, my father ordered me to rush to Jiyang immediately to inform His Highness of this matter, and plan ahead."
Xiao Jue raised his eyebrows, and his voice contained a faint sarcasm, "As far as I know, Shi Jinbo has already ignored the affairs of the mansion, and I'm afraid he won't be able to order Fourth Young Master."
Lin Shuanghe also told He Yan that Shi Jinbo didn't care about the big or small matters in the mansion, except for messing around with flowers every day. Mrs. Shi Jinbo took care of the back house, and for the rest, since Chu Zhao had Xu Jingfu's support behind him, Shi Jinbo had long since become Chu Zhao's mansion.
"It's just that outsiders spread the truth," Chu Zhao replied with a good temper, "I don't dare not listen to my father's words."
Mu Hongjin seemed to have discovered the mystery from the two of you coming and going, but she was not in a hurry to speak, she just drank tea lazily and observed calmly.
"If you want to tell His Royal Highness, a secret letter will do," Xiao Jue sneered, "Why should the fourth son of Chu go there in person?"
"Because there are more important things to hand over to His Royal Highness."
Mu Hongjin chuckled lightly: "The fourth son of Chu brought the Utuo people's defense map."
Xiao Jue and He Yan looked up at Mu Hongjin at the same time.
With the opponent's military defense map, the war is half the battle. But how did Chu Zhao get such an important thing
He Yan couldn't help but ask, "Where did the fourth son of Chu get this picture? How can we be sure that what is drawn on this picture is true or false?"
"How to get it depends on luck." Chu Zhao smiled softly, "As for whether it is true or not, I am not sure. So I can only give it to Her Royal Highness." After a pause, he looked at Xiao Jue again: "But I see Governor Xiao, you can rest assured. With Governor Xiao there, no matter whether the military defense plan is true or false, Jiyang will be able to keep it. After all, it is both a water attack, a great Wei general and a genius, only Governor Xiao has made a mark on the history."
As soon as these words came out, He Yan's heart skipped a beat, and he couldn't help but look at Xiao Jue. The water attack in the Battle of Guocheng Changgu was a hurdle that Xiao Jue could not overcome. Chu Zilan's words were tantamount to stabbing a knife in his wound.
Xiao Jue's expression was calm, she hooked her lips, and also looked back at Chu Zhao: "The fourth son of Chu traveled thousands of miles to Jiyang, and he brought a military defense map that I don't know if it was true or false, would it be a bit of a fuss? Yes..." He paused, his eyes meaningful, "Is there any other important thing to do?"
"It's about the great Wei society, how can we make a big fuss," Chu Zhao shook his head, "I stay in Jiyang, and I can also advance and retreat with you. If the Utuo people really have dissent, I will fight against the enemy with Xiao Dudu, if the news is false, It was also a false alarm, and everyone was happy.”
"To fight the enemy together?" Xiao Jue said lazily, "When the fourth son of Chu is unable to protect himself, no one can save you in time."
Chu Zhao smiled and said nothing.
Second Young Master Xiao's kung fu for laughing at people is unparalleled. Besides, Chu Zilan is indeed weak, and if something were to happen, I'm afraid it will drag her back.
"Captain Xiao," Mu Hongjin had almost watched the play, and had a rough idea of the relationship between the two. She looked at Xiao Jue, "This hall will copy the military defense map brought by the fourth son of Chu. One share for you, all the soldiers in and outside Jiyang City combined, worth 20,000, will be under your command. Listen to the secret letter brought back by the fourth son of Chu, within ten days, the Utuo people will be in chaos, within these ten days, We..." She pondered for a while, "We must make sure the people of Jiyang are settled and safe."
Xiao Jue raised his eyebrows: "Your Highness is considerate."
Mu Hongjin glanced at the smiling Chu Zhao again: "The fourth son of Chu has come from a long way, and you are old acquaintances. These days, the fourth son of Chu also lives in the Cui Mansion. If you have important matters, it is convenient to discuss with each other."
Chu Zhao returned the salute: "Your Highness has a heart."
He Yan: "..."
Mu Hongjin is really good. As soon as he came, he arranged the two mortal enemies together, not to mention that there was an important matter to discuss, He Yan pondered, just relying on the words of these two people can speak with swords and swords, and want to be safe and sound It is not an easy thing to spend these ten days.
After saying some polite words, Mu Hongjin got up and asked to send He Yan and his party back to Cui Mansion. When there was no one else in the banquet hall, the elder maid beside him asked, "Why does Your Highness let Fourth Young Master Chu live in the residence of Lord Zhongqi? Dudu Xiao doesn't seem to like Fourth Young Master Chu."
"These two don't get along," Mu Hongjin said quietly: "If they don't get along, they can check and balance each other. Xiao Huaijin is like a god, but Jiyang City can't be controlled by him alone. After all, no one knows what he is talking about. True or false."
"These two people's words are half true and half false. You can always hear some clues when you compare them to each other. Besides," she sighed, stood up, and looked at the sky outside the hall. "Time is running out."
If the Utuo people really want to move Jiyang, from tomorrow onwards, they will arrange for the people of Jiyang to evacuate the city, and the father and the king will hand over the city of Jiyang to her. For so many years, she has been protecting Jiyang very well, and it is coming to an end. Not to be missed.
And Mu Xiaolou.
She turned around, her eyes were red and deep, and said coldly, "Go and call the small building."
…
He Yan and Xiao Jue left the palace together, and Chu Zhao stood beside them. When the three of them left the palace, they didn't say a word, but He Yan secretly thought about how to make this lie seamless.
It's better to just insist that he is a man. This time, pretending to be a woman, Yu Xiao Jue went to Jiyang. Chiwu has followed them for so long, didn't they find it? Thinking of this, I felt a little more relaxed in my heart.
"Miss He." Just as she was thinking, someone beside her called her name, He Yan looked back, Chu Zhao stopped and was looking at her with a smile.
Xiao Jue also stood still and did not go far.
With his boss by his side, He Yan felt a little comfort in his heart, looked at Chu Zhao and said with a smile, "Fourth Young Master doesn't need to call me that, in fact, I..."
"I didn't expect that since the last time I saw Miss He in red makeup, I would be able to see Miss He as a woman again today." The young man smiled softly, and even his praise was sincere. Lin Shuanghe closed his eyes and sounded sincere: "This dress is very suitable for you, and Miss He is very suitable."
He Yan's thoughts came to an abrupt end. What is "the last time I saw you"? Since she entered the military camp, this is the first time she has dressed up as a girl. Where did Chu Zhao see it? He Yan glanced at Xiao Jue subconsciously, Xiao Jue raised her eyebrows slightly, and seemed to be waiting for her to speak. Wait, shouldn't Xiao Jue think she and Chu Zhao have been together for a long time
You can eat rice indiscriminately, but you can't talk nonsense, He Yan said: "Brother Chu, I don't quite understand the meaning of what you said, when did I... Hong Zhuang appeared in front of Brother Chu?"
"At the Shuojing Racecourse," Chu Zhao smiled slightly, "In order to protect her father and younger brother, Miss He personally went into battle and taught Young Master Zhao a lesson. She was so valiant and unforgettable. At that time, the wind blew the white veil on the girl's face," he said. He bowed his head and smiled: "I accidentally saw the girl's face. At that time, I already knew the girl's identity as a woman."
Shuojing Racecourse? What is this about Chen Zhi's rotten millet, Chu Zhao still remembers it, doesn't it mean that Chu Zhao knew she was a woman early on? He Yan was surprised: "So Brother Chu recognized me when he was in Liangzhou last time?"
"At that time, Miss Kanhe didn't seem to want to be discovered by others, and she was a guard house, so she didn't tell the truth." Chu Zhao said, "But since we met here today, there is no need to hide it." Chu Zhao looked at it. To He Yan, he said in a warm voice, "The meaning of these words here is not for other reasons, I just hope that Miss He will relax. Before in Liangzhou, I did not reveal the identity of the girl, and now in Jiyang, I will not tell others. After the Jiyang incident, Chu Zhaohui pretended not to have seen Miss He, and Miss He could still go back to Liangzhou to make a fortune and not have to worry about talking too much."
He probably saw He Yan's scruples when he was in the banquet hall just now, and he deliberately said these words at this moment to reassure He Yan.
No matter what Chu Zhao's identity is or what his relationship is with Xu Jingfu, just from the convenience of his speaking etiquette, he is really considerate and thoughtful, and it is difficult to make people feel bad, He Yan smiled and said, "Then I will thank you first. Brother Chu."
"Between you and me, there is no need to say thank you." Chu Zhao smiled and said, "I don't want Miss He to be worried because of her appearance. As for the matter of whistleblowing, Chu Zhao is not that kind of person."
Xiao Jue has been standing beside He Yan, listening to him with cold eyes, a sneering smile appeared on the corner of his lips when he heard that, "Fourth Young Master Chu is so nice to say that he came all the way to Jiyang, isn't it just to inform?"
"When it comes to whistle-blowing, it is also necessary to distinguish between friends and enemies."
"People from the Nanfu Army, don't bother Fourth Young Master Chu." He raised his eyebrows and said indifferently, "Even if her identity is revealed one day, this commander will keep her."
Chu Zhao was stunned for a moment and looked at He Yan: "Miss He joined the Nanfu army?"
He Yan: "... Right."
Xiao Jue had already promised that if he pretended to be a husband and wife to solve the Jiyang matter, he would teach her to enter the Nanfu Army. Although the matter has not been completely resolved at the moment, but not getting in is a matter of the master's words. Since he said that he will enter, he will enter.
Chu Zhao's eyes moved slightly, and after a while, he laughed: "Then I'll congratulate Miss He first... No, it's Brother He."
He Yan nodded.
Xiao Jue looked at him calmly: "Nothing else, just ask the fourth son of Chu to find a carriage by himself. The husband and wife room is not suitable for riding with outsiders. The fourth son of Chu, please do it."
He didn't hide his disgust towards Chu Zhao at all, and Chu Zhao was not annoyed, he just said with a smile: "Captain Xiao, see you in the Cui House." He smiled at He Yan again.
He Yan smiled awkwardly.
Chiwu came over with the carriage, He Yan and Xiao Jue got into the carriage, and before they sat down, Xiao Jue's indifferent voice sounded: "You are the one who rides the horse with the surname Zhao on the Shuojing Racecourse?"
He Yan was crying in her heart, and she came here. When Chu Zhao spoke about the racecourse, she almost forgot that Xiao Jue was also present at the time. Moreover, Xiao Jue also gave He Yunsheng a horse, which was named "Xiangxiang" by He Yunsheng.
"...Yes." He Yan didn't wait for him to speak, but he spoke first, "The younger brother likes the horse that the governor gave to his younger brother, and he cuts grass and feeds it every day! I have never had time to thank the governor. , If it wasn't for the Governor's rescue, I don't know how our family would have been embarrassed by the surname Zhao. He Yan couldn't repay the great kindness and virtue of the Governor."
Xiao Jue's eyes were slightly cold: "So you recognized me early in the morning, didn't you?"
He Yan was speechless.
It's not just early in the morning, I've known each other in my last life, but what should I say.
"You are the Governor of the Right Army, General Feng Yun, who can be more handsome than you in the Wei Dynasty? I do know you. But at that time, you were a high cloud, and I was a little ant beside your boot. Even if you know you, you don't know me. After entering the military camp, I guess the governor has long forgotten about it. After all, the governor has a lot of troubles, so where can he remember a small ant. " He Yan approached him. : "How do I know, the Governor still remembers this?"
He knew that this guy would come when he opened his mouth to lie and flattery, but when she saw her sitting beside her with bright eyes and white teeth and performing hard, even if she was a little unhappy, it became funny. Chu Zhao actually knew this person's identity as a woman earlier than he did. It sounded as if he had been kept in the dark.
Xiao Jue looked away and said indifferently, "Have you met him before?"
"No, no." He Yan quickly replied: "I met him twice in Shuojing." After that, he complained, "How do I know it was so coincidental, he was also at the racecourse at the time and saw my Face. If I knew, I would definitely cover my face tightly and wear an iron mask. I don't even know who I am by looking at his eyes."
"You don't want him to see your face?"
"Of course I don't want it anymore," He Yan said inexplicably, "Leaving others a loophole, who knows if something will happen."
Xiao Jue chuckled: "It's not too stupid."
"Commander," He Yan asked, "Do you think Fourth Young Master Chu will tell others about my identity?" Although Chu Zhao said so, but He Yan really didn't dare to believe him easily, especially This person's own identity is subtle, and it is now unknown whether he is an enemy or a friend.
"Are you afraid now?"
"It's not too scary," He Yan said, "If he wants to talk, I'll just pack up and run away." He Yan said and sighed, "It's just that I stayed in Liangzhou Wei for so long, really I can't bear to part with the Governor, it will definitely be very difficult to separate from the Governor."
"What you can't bear is the opportunity to enter the Nanfu soldiers." Xiao Jue remained unmoved.
"How can you think of me so much?" He Yan sternly said, "With my skills, I will be reused under any general. The reason why I never forget the soldiers of the Nanfu is not because the soldiers of the Nanfu are the soldiers of the commander-in-chief." Xiao Jue often said flattery, and before she knew it, when He Yan said flattering words, she could no longer blushed or panted.
"Commander, what you just said counts?"
"What?"
"Even if my identity is exposed and everyone knows I'm a woman, can you keep me?"
Xiao Jue sneered: "Don't worry, no matter how long the Chu family's hands are, they can't reach my Nanfu soldiers. However," his beautiful eyes fixed on He Yan, and he said calmly, "Miss He is like this. Trouble, why should I bother and take so many risks for you?"
"Because we have seen the picture together, an extraordinary friendship." He Yan replied calmly.
Xiao Jue's calm face suddenly cracked: "...What did you say?"
"Don't worry," He Yan put her index finger in front of her mouth and made a silent gesture, and said, "I will never tell others, the first day the governor came to Jiyang, he looked at the picture with me. Yes."
…
The carriage stopped at the entrance of Cui Mansion. He Yan and Xiao Jue had just entered, but before they reached the courtyard, they saw Lin Shuanghe hurriedly approaching. Seeing the two of them, Lin Shuanghe folded his fan: "It's back, do you know..."
"The fourth son of Chu has come to Jiyang." Before he could finish speaking, He Yan said.
"You already know?" Lin Shuanghe was stunned, "I arrived just a moment ago. I heard that it was arranged by Princess Mengji. He is now living in Cui Mansion. What's going on?" He looked around and no one was there. , leaned closer and said in a low voice: "There won't be any conspiracy, right? And you, Sister He," Lin Shuanghe had a headache, "I can't let Chu Zilan see you like this, what if your identity is revealed?"
"We just met in the palace." He Yan was relieved: "The fourth son of Chu also agreed to us, and he won't tell others about it for the time being. Brother Lin can rest assured."
"Have you met?" Lin Shuanghe looked at Xiao Jue, then at He Yan, and after a little bit of understanding, he only asked, "Princess Mengji asked you to enter the palace, isn't the person who met Chu Zilan?"
He Yan nodded.
"Why did Chu Zilan come to Jiyang?" Lin Shuanghe asked curiously, "Young master from Shuojing, you don't want to run so far to swim in the mountains and water, why don't you come early or late? The back foot is here, so coincidentally?"
He didn't know about the Utuo people yet, so He Yan said, "It's a long story, what about my master?"
"Mr. Liu just came back," Lin Shuanghe asked, "what?"
He Yan looked at Xiao Jue and said, "When I rescued the little prince before, my master also mentioned that he came to Jiyang City to track down a group of Uto people. Since the news brought by the fourth son of Chu is related to the Uto people, It's better to call my master together, and once we compare the news, we may find something else." After a pause, she was afraid that Xiao Jue would not trust Liu Bufu, and said, "My master is definitely not a bad person, and the governor can rest assured. ."
Xiao Jue nodded slightly, "Call Mr. Shang Liu, let's go to the room together and talk."
…
In the yard, the servant moved the things unloaded from the carriage into the house one by one, from clothing to food, even mattresses and incense, everything. All these things were prepared by Miss Xu before Chu Zhao came to Jiyang. This kind of thoughtful and caring preparation, if it was someone else, would have been very moved and gratified. Chu Zhao sat in the room and looked at the empty space on the table, but his expression did not change.
Ying Xiang came over.
Because of the terrain and rivers, the Jiyang women have deep eyebrows and are inclined to be glamorous. Even so, Yingxiang is still the most eye-catching one. Holding the tea tray, she walked to Chu Zhao's side, put down the teapot, poured a cup of tea for Chu Zhao, and said softly, "Sir, the house has been tidied up."
Chu Zhao nodded and looked outside the courtyard.
The house arranged by Cui Yuezhi was not far from Xiao Jue's house.
"Dudu Xiao has just returned to the mansion," Ying Xiang said, "At this moment, I entered the room with the swordsman in white and Young Master Lin. We should talk together."
As for what to say, there is no doubt that it must have something to do with him.
However, he wouldn't take it to heart.
Chu Zhao took a sip of tea and asked, "Is there any whereabouts of Chai Anxi?"