The door curtain was lifted, and a disheveled man walked out, who looked like he had just gotten up.
"Master Xiang, catch a cold carefully." So quickly, the housekeeper shook his arms around the mink cloak, and wrapped it around Chen Ruoyin under the eaves. Wrapped tightly, Chen Ruoyin stood stiffly, and said slowly: "This winter is really cold."
The butler hurriedly responded: "There is nothing left and right, why don't you sleep a little longer, Mr. Xiang?"
This sentence "nothing" hit Chen Ruoyin's sore spot, he raised his eyes, and his tone immediately became colder: "Of course it's nothing, the emperor is suspicious of me right now, checking me, and almost arresting me, there is no need to do errands, you can What's the matter?"
The housekeeper said: "There is news from the palace that the emperor has been suffering from severe illness these past few days, and even the early court has to be managed by the prince." Seeing Chen Ruoyin's expression relaxed, "The prince is in charge of the overall situation, and the prime minister can relax."
Chen Ruoyin snorted softly: "The truth is very generous, this little storm wants to overthrow me, isn't it all these years of living in vain?"
He looked at the bricks and stones in the courtyard, which were destroyed by masked men on the night of the Mid-Autumn Festival and replaced with new ones, covered with patterns of copper coins and lotus patterns. As for the two masked assassins, one is estimated to be Huo Linfeng's subordinate, and the other is probably Rong Luoyun from the extraordinary palace.
The secret guards sent to Xiganling reported that Rong Luoyun had left the palace for a few days, so there should be nothing wrong.
A person came in from the corner gate, not wearing official clothes, but dressed like a Jiang Hu, obviously just returned from going out. Before reaching the steps, he bowed and said, "Master Xiang, Huo Linfeng's team has arrived at Xiliu Village."
Chen Ruoyin sneered: "As expected of a military background, the pace is really fast." The phoenix eyes were half closed, covering a small piece of shrewdness, "Where's Azhatai?"
The other party replied: "Azhatai was in the carriage with Huo Linfeng's relatives all the way, so we couldn't do anything."
The follower must be Rong Luoyun. After hearing this, Chen Ruoyin was upset and waved the other party back. The physical evidence has been submitted, and now the witnesses are getting closer and closer. The former can be said to be forged, and the latter, what can be done other than silence.
Chen Ruoyin was so annoyed that she turned around and walked towards the house, staggering and asking the butler to help her. The housekeeper persuaded: "Master Xiang, don't be too sad, just sleep again."
Lifting the curtain and entering the room, Chen Ruoyin said angrily: "Why sleep, that old man Huo Zhao fell into my dream and disturbed my peace!"
The curtain fell slowly, and the shouting and cursing inside could not be heard clearly.
Thirty miles away from Chang'an City, at Xiliu Village, the Xiaowei Army guarded the post house, preventing all idlers from entering or leaving. In the post house, the Dingbei Army team had just eaten and was resting.
There was a pot of brewed tea on the table, Huo Linfeng poured two cups, and glanced at the door.
Rong Luoyun picked up another cup and asked, "It's only thirty miles away to reach Chang'an, why bother to rest for a while?"
Huo Linfeng said: "No rush, just arrive before dusk."
As soon as the last sentence was finished, Zhang Weiren came in from the door, took off his bamboo hat, and strode to the table. He left Saibei two days ahead of schedule, walked quickly alone, and had already searched Chang'an City.
Huo Linfeng poured his third cup of tea: "Sit down and talk."
"Thank you, General." Zhang Weiren sat down, took a drink to moisten his throat, "General, everything in Chang'an City is as usual, there are no suspicious persons in inns, restaurants, brothels and other places."
Previously, Chen Ruoyin recruited Jianghu people to lurk in Saibei City, this investigation is to prevent that guy from repeating his old tricks. Zhang Weiren said again: "Chen Ruoyin has been staying in the prime minister's mansion recently and has never gone out. As for the palace wall, the emperor's health is not good..."
Huo Linfeng laughed: "You can even find the palace?"
Zhang Weiren said: "The general praised me, but I heard that many famous doctors in the city were invited into the palace. I guessed from this."
Inviting famous doctors from outside the palace to enter the palace shows that the imperial doctors in the palace are helpless, which shows that the emperor is seriously ill. Huo Linfeng and Rong Luoyun looked at each other without saying a word, and each drank a cup of tea.
After a while, Huo Linfeng asked, "How is Prince Rui?"
Rong Luoyun lowered his eyes, as if the matter had nothing to do with him, but his ears stood up, and his heart began to feel weak again. Zhang Weiren reported: "Perhaps because the general wants to stay temporarily, Prince Rui's Mansion has strengthened its manpower, and there are guards patrolling all the time."
This was expected, Huo Linfeng asked again: "Then, does Prince Rui have any contact with others?"
Zhang Weiren replied: "Prince Rui acted meticulously, and his subordinates did not detect it."
When things were revealed one by one, Zhang Weiren left in a hurry and did not follow the Dingbei Army's team. Huo Linfeng and Rong Luoyun set off a little later and left Xiliuzhuang.
In the carriage, Rong Luoyun was guarding Azhatai. The Qiji who was driving was originally a small soldier. He was very brave in the Battle of the Blue Lake. Coincidentally, this man's name is Tian Che, and his family lives in Yancuogang. When Rong Luoyun went to Saibei, he took a break at his house, and Mrs. Tian was his mother.
Along the way, Dingbei Army has a total of 30 elite soldiers, and they are approaching Chang'an now, the Xiaowei Army who came to greet them followed behind, looking very impressive.
When the sun was about to fall, they arrived in Chang'an mightily.
The last time he came, he was still father and son, but now they are separated by yin and yang. Huo Linfeng's expression looked lonely. For a moment, when the horse's hooves stepped into the city gate, all the emotions in his eyes were covered.
Many people gathered beside the road, watching curiously and longingly, and couldn't help whispering.
"That's General Huo, the second son of Marquis Dingbei, he's really majestic."
"Look at the Dingbei Army. I heard that a hundred guards are no match for one Dingbei Army. Is it true?"
"Who is in the carriage, is it the general's wife?"
…
Sitting in the car, Rong Luoyun could clearly hear what the general's wife is, the people in Chang'an are used to talking nonsense, he pushed the window lightly, peeked secretly, and recognized this long street.
Walking to the end of the street, a group of guards were waiting, they were personal soldiers of Prince Rui's residence.
Turning around, the street has been cleared, and there are no noisy onlookers. Huo Linfeng looked at the gate of Prince Rui's Mansion from a distance, and saw a person standing with his hands behind his back. The prince was uniformed. It was Prince Rui Meng Tingyuan.
When the sunset was at its brightest, all the carriages and horses stopped, Huo Linfeng jumped off his horse, and faced the third prince who was coming down the steps. As a courtier, he was the first to salute with fists together: "Prince Rui has to wait for a long time, forgive me."
Meng Tingyuan smiled: "General Huo is polite, you have traveled hard all the way, let's go to the mansion and settle down." He said, his eyes lingered in the ranks of the Dingbei Army. The thirty elite soldiers were all cast in copper and iron, and they had new faces. No one knew him. of.
Huo Linfeng noticed it and asked, "Who is Prince Rui looking for?"
Meng Tingyuan was startled: "It's nothing... why don't you see Azhatai?"
Huo Linfeng said: "In the carriage." After finishing speaking, he walked towards the carriage, opened the wooden door of the carriage, Tian Che dragged Azhatai off, and escorted him to Meng Tingyuan.
This is a very important person, Meng Tingyuan ordered: "Shut him into the mansion first, and take good care of him."
When the soldiers brought Azhatai in, Meng Tingyuan looked at the carriage, under the fiery red glow, Rong Luoyun leaned out of the carriage, ran all the way, but his tiredness couldn't cover up his demeanor, he jumped off the carriage with Huo Linfeng's hand on his hands.
Huo Linfeng held it calmly, and said in a neutral tone, "Prince Rui is looking for you."
Rong Luoyun pursed her lips, unable to do so, she bit the bullet and followed the other party forward, and after three or four steps, she met Meng Tingyuan again in full view. With just one glance, he lowered his eyes and said "I'm not familiar with this person" all over his face.
Meng Tingyuan was silent for a moment, and said: "Come into the house quickly, General Huo please."
Huo Linfeng made a "please" gesture, followed Meng Tingyuan up the steps into the mansion, and Rong Luoyun followed behind him, stepping on the soles of his boots over and over again, perhaps to bother him or coax him.
In a garden, the door of the hall is open, Yishui'er's maid bows her head and salutes, and when they enter the hall, the door is closed, and no one else is left to wait on them. Meng Tingyuan took the main seat, while Huo Linfeng and Rong Luoyun sat down in the armchairs on one side. The tea was poured and was steaming.
"Warm up first." Meng Tingyuan said, "This winter is quite cold, and the people in Chang'an City don't go out very much. They flocked to the street to see the heroic appearance when they heard that General Huo was coming."
This is a fluffy word of greeting, but Huo Linfeng had no intention of being polite, and said: "The people in Chang'an are blessed, unlike Saibei, who only suffer from frost and snow, and have to endure war and displacement."
Meng Tingyuan sighed: "It's just Chen Ruoyin's treachery, he set up an ambush in Saibei City, implicating the people." His eyes wandered, and stopped on Rong Luo Yuncha's hand, "Still tying up the troops, otherwise Dingbeihou might..."
As if he couldn't bear to finish speaking, he changed his words: "This king shouldn't mention the general's sad things, the general should not be blamed."
Huo Linfeng smiled faintly: "Prince Rui's words are serious."
The two of them talked back and forth, nothing more than surrounding the fierce battle not long ago. During this period, Rong Luoyun listened quietly, never making a sound. When the sun was setting and it was getting dark, the steward of the mansion announced that dinner was ready.
Meng Tingyuan stood up: "This king welcomes General Huo, let's have a few drinks."
Huo Linfeng naturally agreed, and walked out with him. When he opened the door, he saw a dark night and the lights in the corridor were not too bright. .”
Rong Luoyun gave a barely audible "hmm", but Huo Linfeng held the hand beside him, firmly helping him take that step. Quietly let go, the palm of the hand is still warm and tender, clenched into a fist, the warmth is reluctant to let go.
Arriving at the Nuan Pavilion where you eat, as soon as you enter the room, Rong Luoyun immediately feels familiar. He sits at the table, the table is covered with embossed brocade, the edge is hanging from the edge, and there is a round golden pot with wine between the dishes... It was the room where he talked to Meng Tingyuan the night he visited Prince Rui's Mansion.
Such a huge palace, why did you choose this place to entertain
As soon as he raised his eyes, Rong Luoyun met Meng Tingyuan's gaze. He turned his eyes away and stared at the shining porcelain plate in front of him.
Huo Linfeng was cleaning his hands with a hot towel, he didn't know the reason, he just felt that this warm room was not spacious. The table was opened, the maid filled the wine, he held up the wine cup to do his duty as a courtier: "Prince Rui, I respect you."
Meng Tingyuan drank it all, waved back the serving maid, and refilled the wine cup himself. "There is no one else at the moment, let's talk more casually." He said, "After all, we have been in contact with each other for a long time."
This "each other" implies that he and Bufan Palace, and Bufan Palace and General's Mansion, did not expressly say about the alliance, but it really meant a real draw.
Huo Linfeng listened, Yu Guangning was at Rong Luoyun's side, and said: "My lord has a lot of contacts with the Second Palace Mistress, so I can only be regarded as an outsider."
Meng Tingyuan's face was calm, and he couldn't help hesitating, because Huo Linfeng's words contained refusal. He remembered that when Rong Luoyun came to look for him before, he confessed that he and Huo Linfeng were life-and-death friends, why did he remember so much, what was so sincere, why was Huo Linfeng's attitude so cold
But the same sentence sounded cold to Meng Tingyuan, but Rong Luoyun could hear a sour smell, thinking, Huo Linfeng was beating him, because he suspected that he was in contact with Prince Rui back then, and the pigeons were kept in several cages.
He picked up a piece of meatball and ate it pretending to be stupid, intending to get over this, but unexpectedly, a large prawn was caught on the plate. Looking along the tip of the chopsticks, you can see the jade fingers, the clothes trimmed with dark patterns, and then Meng Tingyuan's face.
Meng Tingyuan thought that Huo Linfeng didn't know Rong Luoyun's identity, so he couldn't call his real name "Tang Heng", so he said, "Xiao Rong, try to see if this shrimp is cooked to your liking."
Huo Linfeng frowned slightly, without saying a word, he reached out and caught one.
Meng Tingyuan looked at it, thinking that they are both shrimps, are they going to compete with him? According to first come, first served, you should eat what he gives first.
However, Huo Linfeng put the prawns in his plate, put down his chopsticks, and peeled off the shells of the prawns, before handing the clean prawns to Rong Luoyun. He didn't put it on the porcelain plate, but put it directly in Rong Luoyun's bowl.
"Try something new." The cloth towel was placed, but Huo Linfeng took out a gray handkerchief from his bosom to clean his hands, doing it slowly enough for Prince Rui to see the ginkgo tree on the handkerchief.
In the past, the Tang Mansion planted many ginkgo trees. After the family was destroyed, it was natural that there would be things from Tosi. Meng Tingyuan saw it and guessed who gave the handkerchief.
Rong Luoyun moved his chopsticks, ate a shrimp given by Huo Linfeng, picked up a piece of fish with his hand, and put it into Huo Linfeng's bowl like a courtesy. Not to mention putting it down, he stretched out his left hand and squeezed out a small thorn, and on his little finger was a delicate white jade ring.
Meng Tingyuan couldn't show his expression: "Xiao Rong, this is not the ring I gave you."
Huo Linfeng said, "I gave it to you."
Nuan Pavilion fell into a dead silence, Rong Luoyun curled his hands, and put down his low-hanging sash. Suddenly, Huo Linfeng held him under the table, and the palm prints touched each other, which was even more perfect.
"My lord," Huo Linfeng said, "Don't call him 'Xiao Rong'. If people know that he is Rong Luoyun, wouldn't it make people suspect that you are colluding with Jianghu sects?"
This made sense, but Meng Tingyuan couldn't say "no".
Huo Linfeng said again: "It's not appropriate to be called "Xiaoheng". If people know that he is Tang Zhen's orphan, wouldn't it be more troublesome?"
Meng Tingyuan's body trembled slightly, and he stared at him with wide eyes. He didn't expect that Huo Linfeng already knew Rong Luoyun's identity. I was stunned, my heart was sour, and I didn't know what to say.
Rong Luoyun held back for a long time, and replied, "I'm full."
Meng Tingyuan came back to his senses: "General Huo, clean up the Zhe Garden in the mansion, you can rest there." Now that he has identified himself, although he is flustered, he adds some confidence, "Xiaoheng... how about you live in the main garden, we Talk about the old days?"
Rong Luoyun thought to himself, don't hurt me...
He refused: "It's fine if I live in Zheyuan too. The past has been dusty for many years, so it's inconvenient to talk about it."
Speaking of this, Meng Tingyuan gave a wry smile, unable to hold back any longer, Huo Linfeng and Rong Luoyun got up to leave, and were led by the butler, out of the Nuan Pavilion to Zheyuan.
The lights were dim and the alcohol was smoky, Rong Luoyun secretly tugged at Huo Linfeng's sleeve.
As he expected... It really wasn't very good.
The author has something to say: Meng: Neither Xiao Rong nor Xiao Heng can be called, so what should I call him
Huo: Big brother.
The next morning, Meng saw Xiaorong and asked: Brother, did you sleep well last night