At the Wukang Earl's Mansion, Qin Pengxuan got off the carriage but was still feeling uneasy.
The words Su Huaijing said before he left lingered in my mind and gradually overlapped with a vague picture in my memory.
The autumn leaves were covered with frost and fell all over the yard. In front of the yard were people who had heard the news and came from all directions to watch the show.
Officials from the Dali Temple stood in front of the court. The youngest and most handsome Shaoqing of Yujing held a list in his hand and stood in front of the door, comparing them one by one until all 128 people from the Wukangbo Mansion were shackled and taken to the prison.
Watching him feasting in a high building and seeing it collapse in one day, the most deadly and lively, the most absurd and the most beautiful thing in history, a century-old prominent family becoming desolate in one day, was enough to attract half of the people in the capital to come and watch this dramatic house raiding.
Qin Pengxuan looked at the strange or familiar faces, listened to their whispers, watched them chattering, and then saw a face in the crowd that should have no intersection with him, but was inexplicably familiar.
His eyes widened, his heart was filled with grief, and his anger devoured his reason without warning. He pointed at the crowd and wanted to shout, "One was missed! He is also from my uncle's house!"
But when the words came out, all they came out was a dull "ah".
He lost his voice.
He was speechless.
He looked at the man standing in the crowd, watching the Wukangbo Mansion being completely wiped out with indifference and satisfaction, then raised his hand, gently pinched his wrist, moved his head slightly, and turned his gaze in another direction.
—The two princes who came with the Dali Temple to search their property.
Qin Pengxuan raised his head and saw their faces, the third prince Sheng Chengxing and the fifth prince Sheng Chengli.
The autumn season in Beijing was getting thicker and colder. He was unable to speak. He watched the man move his gaze from the Bo Mansion to Sheng Chengxing. Suddenly, a clear understanding emerged in his mind that almost did not need to be verified:
—That was his next goal.
It was this man who brought disaster to the Wukang Marquis's mansion, leading to the confiscation of all property and execution, and then he changed his target to the two princes.
Qin Pengxuan's face showed panic, shock and confusion. He didn't understand how things had developed to this point, and he didn't understand why that person had such a strong hatred for them.
distinct…
It was obvious that she had even dismissed all the concubines in the house for him.
It's clear that they are compatible enough to fall in love.
Qin Pengxuan was confused, and he kept recalling the image of a bright pink crabapple flower blooming.
Then the flower turned into Su Huaijing.
The Crown Prince's Consort of Ningxuan Palace was singled out by Emperor Renshou at the palace banquet on New Year's Eve and was admitted to the Censorate as an up-and-coming noble of the dynasty.
Qin Pengxuan didn't understand why this scene suddenly appeared in his mind, just as he didn't understand why the Wukang Earl's mansion was confiscated and the person was executed.
He was eager to find out, but there was a voice in his heart that kept reminding him: Stay away from Su Huaijing!
A little further away, a little further away, it is a man-eating evil ghost, who will tear off his hypocritical and warm mask at any time, and send others to hell without any expression.
His instinctive desire to survive made him stay away, but the doubts that kept emerging in his heart prompted Qin Pengxuan to subconsciously want to find Su Huaijing for an answer.
Were they ever that close? Was it him who caused the destruction of the Wukangbo Mansion? Why? What revenge did he want? How could he go to such lengths
More importantly, how
Even though these doubts have now been denied along with the non-existent crabapple birthmark, he still can't help but ponder them.
The winter snow in Beijing gradually melted and the sun rose in the sky, but he was still confused by this problem.
My father was a great contributor who had helped the emperor. Even if he was framed, he would never end up having his property confiscated and being executed.
Did Su Huaijing do something, or...
What did father do
Qin Pengxuan frowned tightly, feeling annoyed. On his way to the yard, he was bumped into by a servant holding clothes without paying attention.
Without thinking, he raised his foot and kicked him, shouting angrily: "Don't you have eyes?"
The boy was kicked and fell to the ground, choking violently. Qin Pengxuan glanced at him and looked away: "Bad luck!"
His attitude was arrogant and domineering, without any of the hesitation and fear he had when facing Su Huaijing just now, wanting to step forward but trying hard to restrain himself.
He walked into his own courtyard, where his concubines were surrounded by them.
Qin Pengxuan glanced lazily at their faces and lost interest.
I didn’t find it so amazing before, but those inexplicable memories took root in my head, not to mention that in front of the Censorate, with the majestic and dignified Bi’an behind me, and a face like Su Huaijing, every raise of his lips and every frown were captivating.
Even if he has a cold face and shows self-respect, he can be described as cool and outstanding, which makes people salivate.
Qin Pengxuan felt a slight heat in his abdomen, so he grabbed a maid and asked, "Where is Li?"
The maid shuddered all over, lowered her head and said, "To answer the prince, Miss Pan Yan was called by the Madam to the Buddhist temple to chant."
Qin Pengxuan frowned.
Lady Bo is not his biological mother and has always disliked him. Last year, she was even more angry with Li Panyan because she was pregnant. She spent all day in the Buddhist temple chanting Buddhist scriptures and copying sutras, which was the most bloodless way of torture. Li Panyan was definitely not the only one in the mansion who had suffered this pain.
Qin Pengxuan didn't want to care about it, and turned around to go out for some fun. As he took a step out, he thought of Su Huaijing's smiling words "Please take care of me, Young Master", and he paused and changed the direction of his destination.
They are cousins, so they should have some similarities.
Qin Pengxuan thought so and had long since thrown away the sense of crisis that he had picked up with great difficulty.
-
The official of Dayujing was just off duty. To prevent injuries, carriages and horses moved slowly in the city.
The golden sun set in the west, casting a half-sky of orange-red clouds.
Su Huaijing had been suppressing his emotions all the way, but when the carriage stopped, he had adjusted his expression and put on his usual calm smile. Holding the snacks he bought for Rong Tang on the way, he slowly walked towards the mansion.
It is now the end of the first lunar month, the weather is warming up, and a few snow-white buds have formed on the top of the pear tree in the yard.
Su Huaijing looked up and felt that these flowers could be picked to make some non-intoxicating wine for Tangtang.
A drunkard.
He curled his lips and subconsciously walked towards the study. On the way, he happened to see Shuangfu coming out with a pot of hot tea and walking hurriedly towards the garden.
Su Huaijing stopped him and asked: "Where are you going?"
Shuangfu paused, first greeted him, then said: "The young master is meeting guests in the pavilion, I will go and change the tea for him."
Su Huaijing: "What guest? Why not meet in the living room?"
Although the temperature has warmed up, it is only compared to the coldest days. It is cold in Beijing in spring, and Rong Tang will definitely catch a cold if he stays outside for a long time.
Su Huaijing turned around and walked towards the garden without thinking, but he heard Shuangfu say behind him: "The young master said that there is a fire in the house and it makes him dizzy after being heated for a long time. Although there is wind outside, at least he can be more awake."
He paused, then continued, "It is His Royal Highness the Fifth Prince who has come."
Su Huaijing paused, and stopped walking. After getting the answer, he confirmed it again, which was rare: "Who did you say is here?"
Shuangfu didn't check and almost bumped into his back. He took a half step back holding the teapot, and managed to steady himself. He said inexplicably, "It's the Fifth Prince."
Su Huaijing was silent for a moment, then exchanged the snacks in his hand with the teapot held by Shuangfu, and said, "Ask the kitchen to prepare dinner, and add a dish of cordyceps soup to warm the body. Dinner will be served at 2:55 pm."
Shuangfu agreed, then hesitated a little and pointed at the teapot: "Then this..."
"I'll go and take it." Su Huaijing said, "Ask the kitchen to boil some more hot water, and get a handful of aged mugwort ready. Let Tangtang smoke it after dinner."
Shuangfu suddenly became nervous: "Master, is your body in pain again?"
Su Huaijing's expression was slightly cold: "No."
Shuangfu: “?”
"Get rid of the bad luck." Su Huaijing said.
He dismissed the servants and walked towards the octagonal pavilion at such a fast pace that he didn't even notice it.
With every step he took, the murderous intent that he had suppressed with great difficulty would gradually emerge, threatening to engulf him.
In the octagonal pavilion, Rong Tang, wrapped in a cloak and holding a hand warmer, looked up and quietly looked at the person standing in front of him.
As the most important protagonist of the book, the author has mentioned more than once that Sheng Chengli is handsome and elegant.
She was delicate and pretty when she was young, and later she became handsome and refreshing.
A cinnabar mole at the corner of his eye looks like a fascinating living creature. Every character in the original novel, even if they initially disliked and despised him, would either be used by him willingly or be severely slapped in the face, losing all the capital they were once proud of, and kneeling at his feet in tears, begging for his forgiveness and forgiveness.
From his appearance to his mind, everything about him is extraordinary.
After experiencing death in the previous life and rebirth in this life, Rong Tang realized that the man in front of him was so ruthless that no one could compare to him.
He looked at Sheng Chengli and was the first to speak to break the silence: "I wonder what important matter has brought you here, Your Highness?"
His tone was calm and natural, with an innate dignity, yet a sense of alienation that kept people a thousand miles away. He asked in a calm and even tone, without a trace of humility or any unnecessary emotion.
Sheng Chengli's face flashed with surprise, but he calmed down and said softly, "I heard that my cousin was in good health. I wanted to visit him, but Chengli was still in the cold palace at that time and it was inconvenient for him to go out. He was infected with the disease at the flower-picking party. It was not easy to see him, but he fainted. Chengli blamed himself. He wanted to see you many times, but he could not leave the palace. He saw you in a hurry at the palace banquet and did not have time to talk."
He paused, Rong Tang's figure reflected in his shallow pupils, and he was so focused that it seemed as if he was the only person he could see in the world. He asked softly, "I will leave Beijing in a few days. I don't know how long it will take for me to come back. I don't know if my cousin will still remember me when I come back. That's why I asked my father to come and see you before I leave the palace. I wonder if my cousin has been doing well this year? Is he feeling unwell?"
The sunset glowed on the horizon, the wind blew through the willow trees by the lake, the clouds moved slowly, and the ice-broken surface of the lake reflected many images.
Rong Tang looked puzzled, as if he didn't understand why he was so familiar with him. He frowned slightly, then quickly relaxed and said politely, "Thank you for your concern, Your Highness. I have always been weak, and I've gotten used to it."
Sheng Chengli hurriedly stepped forward, his expression showing hidden sorrow: "Cousin, remember not to worry too much, and take good care of yourself is the most important thing."
Rong Tang nodded and poured himself a cup of tea. He frowned at the coldness as soon as he poured it out. He was not in a good mood and said perfunctorily: "There are doctors taking care of me regularly in the mansion, and Huai Jing handles all the matters at home. I don't need to worry about anything. I have been taking good care of myself. Thank you for your concern, Your Highness."
He paused, and then continued, "Your Majesty respects my grandmother and values my father, so he allowed us to continue our royal relationship. Your Highness calling me cousin is a sign of respect, but it is actually not in accordance with etiquette. It is better to call me by my name."
It's disgusting.
Rong Tang looked back absentmindedly, wanting to see why Shuangfu hadn't come back for so long with the pot of hot tea. When he raised his eyes, he saw a man in a turquoise robe appearing at the corner. His body paused for a moment, and his eyes immediately lit up. Just as he was about to get up to greet him, he heard Sheng Chengli speak behind him. His voice sounded aggrieved and pitiful, and a bit like he was about to cry.
"Cousin, don't you want me anymore?"
(End of this chapter)