Ning Que asked, "What do you mean?"
Chen Pipi said, "Even if the armored cavalry is invincible, Second Brother has legs. Can't he run away?"
Ning Que said, "You just said that he can't run away."
"I'm me, and Second Brother is Second Brother."
Chen Pipi said, "He runs faster than me. I think even your Big Black Horse can't catch up with him."
Ning Que suddenly thought of a question and said, "The problem is, if Second Brother is surrounded by the army, with his character, will he run away?"
Chen Pipi thought for a while and said, "Indeed, he won't."
Ning Que said regretfully, "It seems that no one can defeat ten thousand people."
Chen Pipi shook his head and said, "I think even if Second Brother is surrounded by ten thousand people, he won't run away. But he risked his life to kill two thousand people, and the rest will naturally collapse."
Ning Que said, "That makes sense."
Then he sighed and said, "Such a scene makes me feel hot. It's a pity that I won't have the chance to see it."
They chatted along the way and walked out of the meadow and forest. They came to the side of Vermilion Bird Avenue and were about to part.
Ning Que cupped his hands and bowed to him. He said sincerely, "Thank you, Senior Brother."
Chen Pipi looked at him and sighed.
Ning Que was silent.
Chen Pipi suddenly asked, "Why?"
Ning Que knew what he was asking about.
Why did he kill people? Why did he fight against the Tang army? Why did he seem to be hostile to the general who had not returned yet?
He looked down at the grass in front of his feet and remained silent.
He would not admit anything in front of General Xu Shi. In front of the world, he would definitely say that he was as clean as a little white flower. But he did not want to hide it from Chen Pipi.
So he raised his head and looked into Chen Pipi's eyes. He said calmly, "Xia Hou killed my whole family."
Hearing this answer, Chen Pipi was slightly shocked and his cheeks rippled. After a long silence, he reached out his chubby hand and patted his shoulder to comfort him.
"Then you do have a reason to be angry."
"Xia Hou is not an ordinary person. There is no way for you to assassinate him. With your current level of cultivation, even if you think of something, you won't be able to assassinate him."
Chen Pipi looked at Ning Que and said worriedly, "After all, he is a general of the Tang Empire and a visiting professor of West-Hill. His status and influence are completely different. Even if the Headmaster doesn't care about this matter, Eldest Brother definitely won't agree and Second Brother won't help you. I'm no match for Xiahou."
Ning Que understood his words and was greatly moved.
Finally, Chen Pipi asked, "What do you plan to do when Xiahou returns to Chang 'an at the end of autumn?"
Ning Que shook his head and answered, "I don't know."
…
…
Tang Imperial Palace.
The palace, which had been washed by the rain for a day and a night, looked especially majestic and magnificent under the azure sky.
Xu Shi had been looking at this palace for decades. He was very familiar with it and was not tired of it. Just like his body now, although he was old and his old lung disease had not disappeared, he was still as tall and straight as when he first entered the military camp. He was still full of passion and attachment to the army.
The Emperor put down the bowl and frowned, seeming to dislike the bitterness. He waved his hand to signal the eunuch to leave and looked at the old general beside him. He said, "Although you and I both cough, our diseases are different. I can't give you this medicine. Speaking of which, I should let you rest in the south. Why do you insist on coming back?"
Xu Shi was very grateful for His Majesty's trust in him and even his meticulous care, but it didn't mean that he agreed with all of His Majesty's actions. He said, "The Nanzeng Mountain Tribe submitted their surrender last spring. It's already peaceful there. We can just leave some troops outside the forest to suppress Yuelun Kingdom. Why should I stay there? Although the humidity there is good for lung disease, I'm really not used to that kind of sticky air. "
The Emperor said, "Fine. If you want to go back to Chang 'an, it's up to you. With you looking after the Military Ministry, I don't have to worry too much."
Xu Shi said, "But I have to ask Your Majesty to worry more about this matter."
The Emperor was silent.
Xu Shi said, "Your Majesty, please write a letter to the Academy and ask the Headmaster of the Academy to punish Ning Que."
The Emperor turned to him and asked, "Do you have any evidence?"
Xu Shi said, "No."
The Emperor asked again, "What did you say when I wanted to punish Xiahou?"
Xu Shi said, "I didn't say anything."
The Emperor said, "But my brother, the Prime Minister, the Minister of the Supreme Judiciary, and even the Empress said that it's written clearly in the law of the Tang Empire that it's not a crime without evidence."
He looked at the most loyal old general of the Tang Empire and said in a self-mocking tone, "I thought about it for several nights and didn't object. Neither did you. Are you going to object now?"
Xu Shi was silent for a long time and then said, "Even if it's not a crime without evidence, I still insist that it's a terrible mistake to hand over the God-stunning Array to Ning Que."
"You and Yan Se have been friends for many years."
The Emperor frowned slightly and said, "Why don't you trust his successor?"
Xu Shi didn't explain further and just said stubbornly, "I don't trust him to take over Chang 'an."
The Emperor pondered for a moment and said, "I trust Ning Que."
…
…
In the Old Brush Pen Shop in the early morning.
Sangsang got up early as usual, but she didn't chop firewood, boil water, and buy breakfast as usual. She looked at Ning Que who was sleeping soundly and quietly pushed the door open. She walked to the front berth and squatted down to rummage in a deep drawer under the display shelf for a long time. Then she took out a neatly arranged package.
The package was made of blue floral cloth. She just bought it yesterday. She didn't know what was inside, but judging from the way she held the package carefully, it should be very precious.
She walked out of the Old Brush Pen Shop and boarded the horse carriage that she had arranged yesterday. She went to the House of Red Sleeves.
As the most luxurious and romantic place in the world, the House of Red Sleeves was full of nobles. It was elegant and clean, but it was still a romantic place. It didn't close at midnight, so there was no reason to open the door early in the morning to welcome guests. Therefore, when Sangsang got off the horse carriage with the package, both the front and side doors of the House of Red Sleeves were closed. The street was quiet and there was no one. Only the sound of sweeping could be heard from afar.
Sangsang looked around to make sure that no one noticed her. After the horse carriage left, she ran to the side door of the House of Red Sleeves. Before she knocked on the door, the corner of the door was opened and Xiaocao's face appeared.
The two maidservants looked very nervous, as if they were thieves. However, Xiaocao didn't need to use any secret signals or exchange pleasantries. Xiaocao welcomed her in.
…
…
Dewdrop, who used to be the most popular girl in the brothel in Chang 'an, had turned over a new leaf. Although the Chicken Soup Calligraphy's copying business was not as good as before, she still had a great fortune. Moreover, someone on Lin 47th Street had already made an agreement with Mistress Jian for the sake of the dignity of his sect.
Dewdrop still lived in the House of Red Sleeves. Every day, she would read, play the guqin, or play in Chang 'an City. When she was free, she would teach the Kabuki. She lived a happy life. She still slept late and woke up late. Usually, she would not get up until noon, which was no different from previous years.
But today, before dawn, she got up from the bed and dressed herself with the help of the maidservant. Then she sat at the table with her hands on her cheeks, waiting for someone to come.
The maidservant looked at her, suppressing her tiredness and yawning. She wondered what kind of important person she was waiting for. If Mistress Jian or the person on Lin 47th Street knew about it, there would be big trouble.
The door was pushed open. Sangsang walked in, but Xiaocao stayed outside.
Dewdrop looked at the blue floral package in Sangsang's arms. Her eyes suddenly brightened. She stood up and asked, "You are so bold. You even dare to come alone."
Sangsang put the package on the table and said, "If he really asks about its origin, you can tell him that I stole it."
…
…
The sky was getting brighter.
A small sedan with green curtain left the House of Red Sleeves and came to the lake in the south of the city.
The lake was quiet, and there was a restaurant named Victory House. The name of the restaurant was written by the Libationer himself. It was the most noble restaurant in Chang 'an City.
Opposite the restaurant, there was a house with black eaves and green tiles. It was quiet and beautiful. It was called Stone House, which specialized in selling antiques and calligraphy. It was said that it was owned by the same owner as Victory House.
Compared to the Victory House, the Stone House was much less famous. Only a few people in Chang 'an knew about it. However, all the rich nobles and tycoons knew that this humble house was the place where antiques, famous calligraphers, and painters gathered the most in the world.
The small sedan didn't stop in front of Stone House. Instead, it was led into the inner yard by a steward respectfully.
Dewdrop walked out of the sedan with the blue floral package in her arms.
The boss of Stone House welcomed her in the yard in person. He was very gentle and polite.
Being able to establish Victory House and Stone House, the boss was not an ordinary person. He had a powerful background. Although Dewdrop used to be a famous girl in Chang 'an City, she knew that her status was far from the boss's. The only reason why she was treated so politely was because of the package in her arms.
She didn't say anything more. She put the package in her arms on the table.
The boss of Stone House looked at the blue floral cloth used in the package. He could tell that it was a cheap thing at first glance. He couldn't help but be stunned. How could there be someone in the world who used such coarse cloth to carry such precious things? Thinking of this, he became a little vigilant. However, thinking of the rubbings from the woman in front of him and the rumors in the calligraphy and painting industry, he finally decided to take a gamble.
Dewdrop looked at the boss of Stone House in front of her and suppressed her nervousness. She said softly, "Ten days. I'll wait for your good news in the House of Red Sleeves."
The boss frowned slightly and said, "Miss Dewdrop, you should be very clear that we have to bear a lot of responsibility for this kind of business. It's the servants …"
"Don't talk to me about the commission."
Dewdrop smiled and said, "I'm just an errand girl. There's no need for you to talk to me about this. Moreover, we all know what it means to Stone House if these things are sold to the world through your hands. Not to mention the commission, I really want to collect some money from you on behalf of that person."
Hearing this, the boss knew that Dewdrop was a transparent person. He said with a smile, "After the business is done, I will naturally reward Miss Dewdrop. What I said earlier was really unnecessary."
Dewdrop sat in the small green curtain sedan and left.
The boss dismissed all his subordinates, leaving only the old boss of Stone House, who was of good character and prestige.
The old boss looked at the blue floral package and said with a slightly trembling voice, "Is it really … that person's authentic work?"
The boss said with emotion, "If not for the guarantee, I wouldn't have to put up such a big show."
The old boss thought of the few great appraisers in the calligraphy and painting industry in the side yard and thought that it was true.
He looked at the blue floral package and sighed while stroking his beard, "Sir Ning is such a distinguished person, but the little handmaiden in his house is so greedy. It's really sad. I even feel that it's not worth it for him."
…
…
(That's all for today. Tomorrow is a rest. Have a good weekend.) (To be continued.) If you like this work, please come to Qidian.Com to vote for me. Your support is my biggest motivation.)
You've already exceeded your reading limit for today. If you want to read more, please log in.
Login
Select text and click 'Report' to let us know about any bad translation.
