Early the next morning, a special guest came to the Shen residence.
The person who came was none other than Feng Anning.
After the incident of Shen Miao and Luo Tan being kidnapped, Feng An Ning really came to the door to apologize. Shen Xin and his wife were also generous people, and Feng An Ning could not be blamed for what happened at the beginning, only Feng An Ning could be blamed. Those robbers are clever. Although Shen Xin and his wife said that there was nothing serious and Shen Miao and Luo Tan did not take it to heart, Feng An Ning seemed to feel very guilty. Except for some gadgets sent by a few people every now and then, he never came to the door again. Probably because she felt shameless to face Shen Miao and Luo Tan, Luo Tan posted a message to Feng An Ning, and Feng An Ning also politely refused.
Unexpectedly, he came to the door on his own initiative today.
When Luo Tan heard Feng An Ning came, she was very happy and dragged Shen Miao to run to the front hall. In Dingjing, besides Shen Miao, Feng Anning was Luo Tan's only friend. One of them is pungent but straightforward, and the other is more forthright and uninhibited, and they are very like-minded. Because of the previous incident, Luo Tan had not met Feng An Ning for a long time, so she couldn't wait.
When they reached the main hall, they really saw Luo Xueyan talking to Feng Anning. Feng An Ning was wearing a short white brocade jacket, a bun, pearl earrings and glazed hairpins. She looked much quieter than before. Luo Tan was the first to call out, "Feng Anning!" and ran over.
However, Shen Miao noticed that there was a young man in his early twenties sitting beside Feng Anning. This young man had clear eyes and beautiful eyes. He was wearing a straight brocade robe of crow blue. The robe was well-fitting. Seeing Shen Miao looking at him, she nodded lightly to Shen Miao with a very thoughtful manner.
There was a faint resemblance to Feng Anning between his brows.
Luo Tan also noticed that there was another person, and said, "This is..."
Luo Xueyan was a little embarrassed. It was unconventional for the two girls to meet a foreigner for no reason, but when she thought about the reason why Feng Anning came here today, she felt a little embarrassed. She couldn't tell whether she was happy or worried.
It was Feng Anning who took the initiative to say, "This is my brother."
Shen Miao was stunned. Feng Anning and her eldest brother Feng Zixian were the only children born to Feng's marriage. I think this one is her eldest brother Feng Zixian.
Feng Zixian stood up and bowed to Shen Miao and Luo Tan. Shen Miao and Luo Tan hurriedly returned the salute, Luo Tan looked at Feng Zixian with some doubts, then looked at Feng An Ning and asked, "An Ning, didn't you come here today to play with us?"
If Feng An Ning came to look for Shen Miao and Luo Tan, they would not bring Feng Zixian here. But this is also very surprising. I didn't understand what Feng Anning meant.
Feng Anning didn't say anything, just looked at Feng Zixian, Feng Zixian's face was slightly embarrassed, but he still took the initiative to say: "I came here today, I really heard that Brother Shen Qiu of the Ministry of War mentioned that your mansion has recently recruited a son-in-law... I'm here, I'm boldly recommending myself, where it's abrupt, Please also invite the lady, Haihan." After speaking, her face turned slightly red, and she turned her eyes away from Luo Tan's inquiring gaze.
Luo Xue Yan was a little embarrassed, but there was joy in her eyes. Luo Tan opened her mouth wide, as if she did not expect the other party to come here, Shen Miao was stunned for a moment, but she could not tell what it was like.
What Feng Zixian said was very bold. But whoever came up to talk about matchmaking, either invited the Iceman to lobby, or their parents came to see each other for a test, and rarely did they come to the door to talk about it. But even though he came to speak by himself, he invited the elders to the side, he did not lose his etiquette and no one would make irresponsible remarks about Shen Miao's innocence, but he was a person who knew the rules very well.
Shen Miao did not speak, but Feng An Ning took the initiative to speak, she glanced at Shen Miao, Feng An Ning, who had always been arrogant and arrogant, had now put away the arrogance in her bones, probably because she was still feeling guilty about what happened before, and her tone was full of arrogance. Some tentative delights. She said: "We have heard about the rumors, and now the Dingjing officials are all afraid, but marrying into the East Palace is not your best choice, it's better... It's better to marry my eldest brother. My eldest brother Wen Tao Wulue They are all good, and their temperament is upright. If you marry into our mansion, I will also help you, and there will be someone to take care of you everywhere."
Feng An Ning was naturally a person who would not turn around when he spoke, these words were honest, but they really thought about Shen Miao. Luo Xue Yan's expression softened a lot. Shen Miao asked, "Do Madam Feng and Master Feng know about this matter?"
Feng Anning hesitated for a while, but said, "Father didn't agree at first, but after our persuasion, we let our tempers go. My father is a knife-mouthed tofu-hearted man, but he is just stubborn, and he is very loyal. Yes. This matter will not be hindered any more!"
Shen Miao had no doubts about this point, just looking at Feng An Ning's temperament and not playing tricks, she knew that Master Feng was also a smart person but was not.
She looked at Feng Zixian again and asked, "Young Master Feng also thinks I'm pitiful, so he wants to help me, so did he marry me?"
When these words came out, everyone was stunned.
Luo Xueyan was stunned that when Shen Miao was faced with important matters related to her life, she was not at all shy or had any other emotions. It was strange to treat her so calmly. Feng Zixian did not expect that Shen Miao would ask this question so bluntly.
He quickly regained his senses and said, "Sister She has mentioned the girl many times before, and Zixian admires the girl's talent and temperament... This time, it's just a coincidence, and I dare not say that I will help." After that, his face became more and more complex. redness.
Hearing this, Luo Tan burst out laughing, but Shen Miao was a little helpless, but she did not know how Feng An Ning described herself to Feng Zixian on weekdays, and even said "talent temperament".
Feng An Ning looked at Shen Miao nervously and asked, "My eldest brother is definitely better than the crown prince!"
Shen Miao almost laughed, if these words fell in the ears of others, they would say Feng Anning was disrespectful. However, Feng Anning was able to say these words, but she really took her to heart. Shen Miao looked at Feng Zixian, who was somewhat similar to Feng An Ning, with open eyes and should be an upright person.
Shen Miao smiled and said, "It is impossible to decide my marriage in just a few words. This is too unfair to me and not fair to Young Master Feng."
Luo Xueyan listened to Shen Miao's words and had some thoughts in her heart, Shen Miao's intention was clearly that she had other thoughts about her marriage. But the mother did not know what Shen Miao was planning, Shen Miao was unwilling to marry in the East Palace, and seeing that these young talents were not too concerned, Luo Xue Yan was a little anxious.
I thought that no one would dare to oppose the royal family and come to Shen's house to propose marriage, but I didn't expect three people to come, Luo Ling, Su Mingfeng, Feng Zixian, any one of them would be satisfactory. But Shen Miao saw that there was nothing special about anyone.
Feng Anning said, "But if you're not in a hurry, you won't have time!"
This is true, who knows when the imperial decree will come down, if it was in the past, there would naturally be a lot of time for Shen Miao to think clearly, but now that the imperial decree is read, there is no room for change.
Shen Miao waved her hand and was about to speak when she suddenly saw Jing Zhe hurriedly running in outside and said in a hurry, “Miss, someone has come from the palace!”
Luo Xueyan's complexion turned snow-white in a flash.
Not daring people to find out that the Feng family brothers and sisters were here, Luo Xueyan brought Shen Miao to the front hall to greet them. Only after the little eunuch who came to pass the message did he realize that he was not here to pass the imperial decree, but to let Shen Miao enter the palace alone tomorrow, and the Empress had something to say to Shen Miao.
After the little eunuch left, Luo Xueyan's face became extremely ugly. Although there is no imperial edict, it is not much better. If Shen Miao entered the palace alone tomorrow, if the imperial edict was raised at that time, Shen Miao would not be able to refuse by herself. Even if it is not mentioned, who knows what threatening words the queen will say. For Shen Miao to meet the Empress alone, it was originally a sinister thing.
Feng An Ning and Feng Zixian were both worried, Shen Miao in turn advised them not to take it to heart. After the brothers and sisters of the Feng family left, Luo Tan asked, "Little cousin, what should I do now? Should we decide the marriage in the near future?"
“Marriage is not something that can be settled overnight, it is also necessary to exchange the horoscope and invite the Iceman to come and go. There are so many things that it will be too late before tomorrow.” Shen Miao said.
Luo Tan was stunned: "So there are still so many things." Then: "Little cousin knows everything."
Shen Miao paused for a while, naturally it was clear that because of her previous life, she was full of joy watching these things being completed and she just wished she could marry into the mansion of the person she liked earlier.
But I didn't know that it was a tomb that could eat people without spitting out bones.
Luo Xueyan looked at Shen Miao seriously: "Jiaojiao, tell mother, among these people, who do you like?"
“It’s not like I like it,” Shen Miao smiled, “Choose the most suitable one. Mother, don’t be too anxious, it will not be too late to make plans when I return from the palace tomorrow, maybe there will be more suitable ones. people appear."
Luo Xue Yan was stunned, Shen Miao always seemed to be indifferent to her marriage and did not seem to have any expectations for her future husband, which made Luo Xue Yan a little panicked. It was only after Shen Miao left that she muttered to herself, "Could it be that... Jiaojiao still has lingering affection for Prince Ding..."
These thoughts of Luo Xue Yan, Shen Miao did not know at all. She has already prepared the worst plan, nothing more than to burn with the royal jade. She has the determination to break the wrist of a martyr, but she doesn't know if the Fu family has any plans to give up her reputation.
Even in the worst situation, you can't lose hope, you're still alive, right
She thought like this, but she glanced at the window with a heavy gaze, and finally felt a little irritable, and instructed Gu Yu: "Close the window tightly, I want to rest."
…
The Crown Prince intended to take Shen Miao as his side concubine, so now the official family did not dare to have anything to do with the Shen family, and the rumors about this matter could reach the ears of the official family, and naturally it could also reach the ears of the princes.
In Zhou Wang's mansion, the two brothers, King Jing and King Zhou, were sitting at the table discussing the matter.
"We have been fighting with Lao Liu for so long, but I didn't expect that the prince would take advantage of it in the end!" King Zhou angrily drank the wine: "The prince usually looks honest, but this will be tricky!"
King Jing was more calm than his brother, shook his head and said, "I think this is not only the idea of the crown prince, but also the advice of the royal father. The royal father was originally dissatisfied with us and King Li, and the crown prince is justified in the end. Prince, I just want to help the prince with the military power of the Shen family."
"The royal father is old and confused." Zhou Wang sneered: "It is said that the capable people work hard, and the sick son of the prince, I don't think that the military power of the Shen family has been in his hands, and it can be used for a few years. It's just a slap in the face, and it's cheap for others." These words were so vicious that they almost meant to curse the prince to die early. Even so, King Zhou's tone was very jealous. You must know that if the prince gains the military power of the Shen family, his strength will be greatly increased, and he will not only be able to compete with him and King Li, but he will probably surpass them by a lot.
The Crown Prince already had a unique advantage in terms of reputation, and with the military power of the Shen family, the odds of winning were much better. How could King Zhou not be in a hurry
"In that case, it would be better to let that little girl from the Shen family marry Lao Jiu, which is worse than the prince." Zhou Wang said solemnly.
"Lao Jiu?" King Jing smiled meaningfully: "Fourth brother, Lao Jiu is not as simple as you and I think."
"You said about Shen Wan and King Qin?" King Zhou wondered: "However, there are people behind the scenes. Even if it's true, it's just that he has this ambition. To be honest, we nine brothers, who is right? There is no ambition in that position? Lao Jiu doesn't occupy anyone, he just wants to be his own. He has this ambition and also has this ability. He has not been involved in many court affairs all day long. Which courtier is willing to follow him? "
Fu Xiuyi and Shen Wan were very close in private, and they also had an unclear relationship with Prince Qin. The princes heard about this and were wary of Fu Xiuyi, but they didn't put it first. There is no other reason. Fu Xiuyi has not been involved in court affairs for many years. Even if he has the ambition, he does not have the strength.
King Jing shook his head: "Fourth brother, don't underestimate Lao Jiu, I always think he hides deeply."
Zhou Wang waved his hand impatiently: "It's good, why do you always mention Lao Jiu. I called you here today to discuss something with you." Zhou Wang lowered his tone: "We can't just watch the Shen family's military power fall into the hands of the crown prince. Here, if the prince has the military power, and now the grandson of the emperor is also born, the father and the emperor intends to support, the chances of you and me are even smaller. I have fought with the prince for so long, but I don't want to be taken advantage of by the prince. "
"What do you mean by fourth brother?"
"This marriage can't be concluded," Zhou Wang smiled cruelly: "It's best to form an enemy."
"There are thousands of ways to make enemies. Which one do you want first?" King Jing asked.
"Naturally it's a blood feud." King Zhou put down his glass and said, "Then the little girl from the Shen family didn't think about Lao Jiu before, and she definitely doesn't want to marry the crown prince. In this case, our royal family doesn't do anything difficult for a strong man, so it's better to help She was relieved."
“It is not easy to attack Shen Miao.” King Jing said, “After Shen Miao was kidnapped last time, Shen Xin gave her twice as many bodyguards and the guards were heavily guarded, how to do it?”
King Zhou smiled and said, "You can't do it outside, you can stay in the palace." He triumphantly said, "When you enter the palace, no matter what the guards are, you have to wait outside, and when you enter the palace, our world is ours. I've inquired about it tomorrow. The little girl from the Shen family wants to enter the palace alone, and after she enters the palace and meets the queen, it will be our chance, and it is the easiest to do it at that time."
King Jing said: "It's easy to do things in the palace, but it's easy to be suspected when you find out."
"Hey, so it's a matter of killing two birds with one stone." Zhou Wang smiled: "You said, how about the handwriting of Lao Liu?"
King Jing's eyes lit up.
The two brothers and Li Wang’s faction have been fighting for so many years, if something happens to Shen Miao in the palace this time, Shen Xin loves Shen Miao and will definitely put the blame on the Crown Prince, if it is not the Crown Prince’s intention to marry Shen Miao, there will be no accident to Shen Miao, the crown prince and the Shen family will be enmity. In the end, it was found out that Li Wang did it, and Li Wang could not ask for any benefits.
Why not take care of two powerful enemies without a single soldier
King Jing said with a smile: "Fourth brother's method is quite good, but it has to be carefully arranged to avoid more flaws. Come on, invite my staff to come in."
…
Coincidentally, when Zhou Wangfu was discussing the assassination of Shen Miao tomorrow, Li Wangfu was also struggling with this matter.
Li Wang looked at the two brothers in front of him with a smile, and said, "What do you think?"
King Xiang is a cautious and timid character, looking at Wang Li's smiling appearance, he couldn't help but fight a cold war. Li Wang Zilai is a smiling tiger. On the surface, he looks peaceful, but he has done a lot of cruelty over the years. He said, "Will it be too risky?"
King Cheng heard the words, but said, "What's the risk? You can't really let the prince marry Miss Shen, and get the military power of the Shen family for no reason. The sixth brother and Zhou Wang have been fighting for so many years and have not come to a conclusion, then the prince If you are sick, you are not afraid of losing your life."
King Cheng has always spoken rudely and recklessly, and these words are also very presumptuous, but they are obviously very in line with Wang's wishes. He said: "The eighth brother is right. It is indeed not what I want for the crown prince to get the military power of the Shen family. This marriage. If it does, not only me, but also the two brothers will be implicated, but that's not the case. I proposed to assassinate the Miss Shen family in order to avoid future troubles. Although the Miss Shen family is very innocent, in the end, she was also implicated by the crown prince. of."
Li Wang smiled and talked about the assassination, although he was very sympathetic to Shen Miao's innocence, but there was no sympathy in his tone.
"But how should this be counted on King Zhou?" King Xiang asked in a low voice.
"King Zhou acts presumptuously on weekdays, and it is reasonable and reasonable to make such a move on impulse. The royal father was quite critical of him. When he wanted to support the prince, the military power of the Shen family was lost because of King Zhou, and the royal father would only blame him heavily. ." Li Wang pondered.
"It is a good idea to kill two birds with one stone." King Cheng said carelessly: "I support Brother Six!"
King Xiang didn't speak, but it didn't matter whether he spoke or not. Both he and King Cheng follow King Li, and King Li's decision also represents the two of them. If you succeed, you will naturally ascend to heaven. If you fail, you will be unlucky together. This is the "share the joys and sorrows" that was understood from the beginning.
He sighed slightly in his heart, he could only hope that the assassination of Shen Miao tomorrow would proceed smoothly.
…
The night was like ink, and the winter wind was blowing on his face, all of which were cold and cold, as if someone was shaving his face with a knife. The water that was made during the day freezes at night, and as the wooden barrels hang outside the house, it sticks to the ground the next day and cannot be moved.
Upstairs in the inn, in front of the window, the young man in purple stood with his hands behind his back, his brows furrowed, and he was lost in thought. A snow-white pigeon flew in suddenly from the outside and landed on the windowsill in front of it. It was covered with a thin layer of ice. It was surprisingly cold when it was still flying outside in such a cold weather.
Xie Jing Xing took a small silver tube from the pigeon's leg and threw the pigeon behind him. The charcoal fire was burning in the house, which was warm and warm, and the pigeon cocked its body and flew to the desk in the room, tilting its head to peck at the corn kernels placed in the small bowl on the table.
Xie Jing Xing took out a small scroll from the silver tube and unfolded it to read. Throw it into a charcoal stove and turn it into ashes. Tie Yi walked in from outside the door, walked behind Xie Jing Xing, and said, "Master, the carriage and horses are ready, we will leave for Beijing tomorrow morning."
Xie Jing Xing gave a "hmm".
Tie Yi did not retreat, but looked at Xie Jing Xing's back and seemed hesitant to speak.
"Speak up if you have something to say." Xie Jing Xing said without looking back.
Tie Yi was shocked, and quickly said: "Master, there is news from Dingjing that Shen Xin is looking for suitable young talents for Miss Shen Wu these few days, and it seems that he intends to marry."
Xie Jing Xing didn't turn his head, Tie Yi looked at the back of the other party's lithe and pine trees, for some reason, he only felt his scalp tingling. He also didn't know if this should be said inappropriately, and he felt bitter in his heart, Ji Yushu and Gao Yang from Dingjing didn't mention this in the letters they sent back, but Tie Yi mentioned it now, Xie Jing Xing would blame them in the future. The two of them were like iron clothes provoking them.
But let’s not talk about it, this matter is of great importance, if Xie Jing Xing knew about it himself, he would have made a big mistake, and he would not have to be a close guard, maybe his life would be lost.
Between loyalty and life, Tie Yi decisively chose the latter.
He said, "Su Mingfeng from the Su family, Luo Ling from the Luo family, and Feng Zixian, the son of the family's family, all came to the house."
"Feng Zixian?" The young man turned around, stared into Tie Yi's eyes, and asked, "Why did Feng Zixian come to the door?"
Tie Yi's back was chilled, and he said bravely: "Because Shen Xin is in a hurry to marry Fifth Young Miss Shen, because there is news in the palace that the Crown Prince intends to marry Fifth Young Miss Shen as his concubine. The Shen family does not want Fifth Young Miss Shen. Marrying into the East Palace, I want to marry the fifth Miss Shen before the imperial decree comes down. Miss Feng family and Miss Shen Wu are good friends, so I specially asked my brother to come over to solve the trouble... "
“When did the news spread from the palace?” Xie Jing Xing asked slowly, but his voice seemed to be coated with ice.
Tie Yi didn't dare to look into Xie Jing Xing's eyes at all, his head was lowered to the ground and said, "Five days ago."
“The news from five days ago has only arrived now?” Xie Jing Xing smiled instead of being angry, his beautiful peach blossom eyes seemed to be angry, he said, “This king doesn’t even know when he raised a bunch of trash.”
The air in the room suddenly cooled down, and it seemed to be colder than the outside. Even with the warm charcoal fire, the pigeons on the table croaked softly and retracted their heads into their feathers.
Tie Yi wanted to cry but had no tears, but he had to finish what he didn't say, and said, "The palace will send a message to the Shen family today. Tomorrow, Fifth Miss Shen will enter the palace alone.
Before he finished speaking, he saw the handsome young man in purple with a flash, and he had already arrived at the door. He ripped off the hanging fox fur and put it on, and said coldly, "Prepare a horse."
Tie Yi was taken aback: "Master, it's not tomorrow morning..."
Xie Jing Xing glanced at him indifferently, Tie Yi fought a cold war and did not dare to say anything.
This night, the wind and the snow were blowing, and the chill was piercing to the bone. Some people were tossing and turning in the warm bed and couldn't sleep peacefully. Some people were discussing the conspiracy of killing people and stealing goods in the gorgeous mansion. Some people take it for granted that they live in the nine palaces and guide the country, and some people ride a BMW thousands of miles away, covered with stars and moon, wind and snow.
Some are happy, some are sad, some are anxious, some are triumphant. Mingqinuo's big rivers and mountains are picturesque, Dingjing is singing and dancing, and everyone is laughing and laughing at the New Year's Day, but no one can see the wind and clouds under the calm lake.
In Ding Wang's mansion, in a certain room, there are people who are playing games against themselves.
The man's blue shirt is falling down, the chess game on the table is scattered, and the white characters and black children are intertwined, and the appearance is extremely complicated. Every step he took, he had to think for a long time, and it seemed that he had reached the bottleneck, but the sunspot in his hand couldn't make it.
The light flickered slightly and was about to go out. He got up and continued to put on the lamp oil, and the light returned to the house. This man's eyes are bright and bright, and he has a humble and gentleman style. He seems to have arrogance in his heart.
This person is Pei Lang.
Pei Lang looked at the snowy night outside the window and sighed deeply.
Fu Xiuyi's move was indeed a good move. Misfortunes are drawn to the east, whether it is success or failure, it has nothing to do with Fu Xiuyi, and no matter what the result is, whether the prince is unlucky, the Zhou Wangli Wang is unlucky, or the Shen family is unlucky, for Fu Xiuyi, it is a matter of good thing.
In such a chess game, Shen Miao had almost no other way to go. Even if there were, it would be the next best thing. Fu Xiuyi would win without losing in this game.
Pei Lang was somewhat worried about Shen Miao.
He also did not know why he was worried for Shen Miao, if Shen Miao died, he would be able to follow Fu Xiuyi righteously, Fu Xiuyi relied on him very much, if he was not mistaken, this person has the talent of an emperor, and he will also in the future. Chickens and dogs ascend to the sky, and there is endless wealth and glory, and it can also better protect Liu Ying in the dark.
However, he still did not want Shen Miao to lose.
These days, Fu Xiuyi suspected that there was a traitor in the mansion, and doubled the number of guards in Prince Ding's mansion, so that not even a fly could fly in, let alone spread the news. He had no way to communicate with Shen Miao by letter and could only be anxious in the dark.
It was heard that Shen Miao would enter the palace alone tomorrow, and it happened that he would also enter the palace tomorrow, although he was Fu Xiuyi’s staff, he was also a small official.
Shen Miao has no way out, will there be other opportunities when she is at the end of the road
After a while, Pei Lang looked at the chess game in front of him, it was already a difficult situation, and there was no need to play any further. He put one hand against the corner of the table and suddenly backhanded.
With just a slight lift, the full board of chess pieces fell instantly, and the big and small fell to the ground with a crisp sound.
The ground was a mess.
In the original situation, nothing could be seen.