Xu Qi'an went up to her helplessly. Before he could get close, his aunt approached him and grabbed his arm. She said anxiously,
"How can Erlang go to the battlefield? He hasn't even killed a chicken before. He's just a weak scholar. The emperor wants him to go to the battlefield. Isn't he going to die? "
As she spoke, she began to cry.
At that moment, Xu Lingyue was also in the hall. She stood to the side. Her elegant and refined face made a slight frown. She was worried about Erlang's safety.
"Mother, I'm a Level Seven Benevolent. Father is only Level Seven. "Xu Ci was unconvinced.
"What's the use? Your father told me long ago that a Level Seven scholar is also weak. He can't even defeat a Level Nine Warrior, "his aunt said angrily.
Xu Erlang was speechless.
Xu Qi'an patted the back of his aunt's hand to comfort her. He then said, "It's not that there's no solution. We can just resign."
"Resign!" His aunt wiped her tears.
To a woman like his aunt, war was a disaster. As a mother, she would rather her son give up his future than go to the battlefield.
"Impossible!"
Xu Xinnian interrupted. As a scholar from the Academy, how could he retreat because he was afraid of going to the battlefield?
His aunt sat on the chair and said with tears in her eyes, "You came out of my womb. Do you think I don't know what you're capable of? If you were half as capable as your brother, I wouldn't care about you. But you're a useless scholar. You're good at writing, but where did you get the ability to fight with a knife?
"You're the only son of the second branch. If anything happens to you, I, I won't live anymore …"
Xu Lingyue comforted her mother with a sad face.
"Mother, I practice the art of war. The battlefield is my home field. It's the place where I practice. Now I finally have this opportunity. "His tone softened as he tried to defend himself.
"Are you stupid?"
His aunt screamed, "That dog emperor wants you dead. He has a grudge against Ning Yan. He can't wait for our whole family to die. Why are you so stupid as to send yourself to him? "
She was crying. She looked ferocious in her agitation.
Seeing this scene, Xu Qi 'an suddenly froze. Aunt was actually very clear about the situation of the Xu household. She knew that her nephew had offended the Emperor, and that the entire family was being targeted. They were in a precarious situation.
However, she had never expressed her worries in this regard, nor had she ever complained about her "meddlesome" nephew. It was not because she was stupid, but because she regarded her nephew, whom she had raised with her own hands, as a family member and a son.
Some people may not care about you on the surface, but they actually love you in their hearts.
Xu Qi 'an silently left the inner hall. He asked the servants to bring the little mare and galloped towards the night watchman's yamen.
…
On the seventh floor of the Building.
In the tea room, Xu Qi'an frowned and said, "Duke Wei, that dog of a Yuanjing Emperor really hasn't given up on persecuting me. He sees that my reputation is like the sun in the sky and that I have the support of Dean Zhao Shou, you, and the Supervisor. He doesn't want to touch me for the time being, so he has set his sights on Cijiu."
Why didn't Xu Qi'an leave the capital and dare to investigate the Yuanjing Emperor in private? It was because he had the support of these three big shots.
Plus, he was still low-key and didn't court death in front of the Yuanjing Emperor.
But he knew that the Yuanjing Emperor would settle accounts with him sooner or later. This emperor was good at scheming. He had enough patience to wait, like this time.
Xu Qi'an wasn't afraid of the Yuanjing Emperor, but he was worried about his second uncle and Erlang. It was too easy for the Yuanjing Emperor to frame them.
Wei Yuan smiled and said, "What do you think?"
Xu Qi'an probed, "Can Duke Wei block it?"
Wei Yuan shook his head. "His Majesty appointed him, so it's hard to refuse."
Xu Qi'an sighed heavily. "I originally wanted to join the army with Erlang and secretly protect him, but I felt that if I left the capital, my family would be in real danger. So I came to ask Duke Wei.
"Duke Wei is the commander-in-chief of this expedition. Help me take care of Erlang."
The Supervisor and Zhao Shou would protect him, but would the two big shots be his bodyguards and protect his family?
Xu Qi'an didn't have this confidence. He only had confidence in Wei Yuan.
The Supervisor and Zhao Shou treated him like a chess piece, so they only recognized him and not his family. Wei Yuan treated him as a confidant, an important person, so Wei Yuan would take care of his family.
Wei Yuan drank his tea and smiled. "I will arrange for Xu Xinnian to go to the north. Jiang Lüzhong and Yang Yan have the best relationship with you. In addition, Chu Yuanzhen will go to the north. "
Xu Qi 'an was pleasantly surprised. "So you've already arranged everything? You let Chu Yuanzhen join the army just to protect Erlang? "
Father!
Wei Yuan sneered. "That's just in passing. Chu Yuanzhen's talent is unparalleled. It's a waste to be an independent person in the pugilistic world. He is still a scholar who cares about the world. It's just that he was dissatisfied with His Majesty's cultivation that he resigned.
"As long as he still has the heart, he won't refuse me. It's a waste not to use such a good talent."
Chu Yuanzhen is also an old tool … Xu Qi'an thought.
Wei Yuan then asked, "Is there anything else you want to say to me?"
He seemed to be looking forward to it.
Xu Qi'an chuckled. He stood up and bowed respectfully. "I wish Duke Wei a triumphant return."
Wei Yuan gave a noncommittal smile, looking a little disappointed.
"Xu Qi'an!"
However, just as he was about to leave, Wei Yuan's voice suddenly came from behind him. "The world of the nine provinces is more complicated than you think. Go, and walk your path. "
Xu Qi'an waited for a moment, but did not get an explanation from Wei Yuan. He looked back at him. "Alright!"
After leaving the Grand Spirit Tower, Xu Qi'an took out the fragment of the Book of the Underworld and sent a private message request to Chu Yuanzhen.
"Three: Brother Chu, I just received news from the Ministry of War. Like you, I have to follow the army into battle."
"Four: Wei Yuan also looked for you? Does your cousin want to go as well?]
Chu Yuanzhen was shocked. At the same time, he was worried about Hengy Yuan. Without Xu Qi'an holding down the fort in the capital, could "One, Two, and Five" really rescue Hengy Yuan?
"Three: I'm different from you. I was handpicked by the Yuanjing Emperor."
Xu Qi'an did not curse the Yuanjing Emperor for his viciousness. After all, Chu Yuanzhen was a smart person.
"Four: It's fine. I'll take care of you."
'I was waiting for you to say that!' Xu Qi'an immediately sent a reply. "I'll temporarily hand the fragment of the Book of the Underworld to Big Brother. Hmm, that's it. I still have something to take care of."
Without giving Chu Yuanzhen a chance to ask questions, he quickly ended the private message.
'Sigh, I still need to be honest. Stop bragging on the internet. If I'm not careful, I'll end up in a difficult situation …' Xu Qi'an lamented.
…
On the other side, in the Xu Mansion.
When Xu Pingzhi received the news from his mansion, he immediately rushed home. His face was dark as he sat in his chair, not saying a word.
"Old Master, quickly talk to this unfilial son. Quickly make him resign." Auntie cried.
"His Majesty is using an open strategy." Xu Pingzhi sighed.
Either get out of the Hanlin Academy or go to war. The former would ruin his future, while the latter would have a slim chance of survival.
Xu Pingzhi had experienced the Battle of Shanhai Pass. He knew that it was pure luck that he came back alive. The war in the north was definitely not as fierce as the Battle of Shanhai Pass.
However, Xu Erlang was not a Warrior. He lacked life-saving methods on the battlefield.
Xu Xinnian sat at the side and said nothing. He had already been beaten by his big brother. There was no need for him to be beaten by his father again.
The whole family was gloomy.
His aunt kept sobbing and Xu Lingyue comforted her.
"I saw Big Brother go out just now. He must have thought of a way. Mother, don't worry. Let's wait for Big Brother to come back." Xu Lingyue said softly.
"We can only wait for Dalang's news."
His aunt wiped her tears and looked out of the hall. She said anxiously, "But what can Dalang do? He is no longer an official. He even offended the Emperor. "
Xu Pingzhi's face was gloomy. He did not say anything.
At this time, they heard Xu Lingyin's crisp and tender voice from outside. "Big pot ~ ~"
The whole family suddenly turned their heads and looked out of the hall. Sure enough, they saw Xu Qi 'an striding back and kicking away his sister, who had come up to him.
Xu Lingyin flew into Lina's arms. She smiled happily and said that the feeling of riding on a cloud was very interesting.
Xu Qi'an used a trick. In the past, the brother and sister had always played like this.
"Dalang!"
"Big Brother!"
The family of four in the hall stood up at the same time and looked at Xu Qi'an.
His aunt said anxiously, "Dalang, do you have a way to stop Erlang from going to war?"
Xu Qi'an shook his head slightly. "His Majesty personally appointed me. How can I refuse?"
Seeing the disappointment on his aunt's beautiful face and the sudden gloominess on the second Uncle Xu's face, he said calmly.
"However, Duke Wei promised me that he would take care of Erlang. Moreover, Renzong's nominal disciple, Chu Yuanzhen, will also go to war with the army. He has a good relationship with me and Erlang. He promised me that he would protect Erlang well. "
"Master?"
His aunt cast an inquiring look at her husband.
The second Uncle Xu smiled. "With Duke Wei's protection, Erlang will be safe. Moreover, Chu Yuanzhen is comparable to a Rank Four master. He can fly on a sword. Even if there is danger, he can protect Erlang well. "
When his aunt heard that, even her husband said so, she felt relieved.
She sobbed and said, "It's all thanks to Dalang."
…
Every time there was a war, in addition to the mobilization of troops and the requisition of provisions, the corresponding ceremony was also indispensable.
The court would ask the Celestial Commissioner to choose an auspicious day to worship the heaven, the earth, and the ancestors. These were the three rituals.
The standards of the three rituals were strict. They were held on different auspicious days by the emperor and the civil and military officials.
The soldiers and generals who were going to war with the army would also worship their ancestors on this day.
It was necessary for the descendants to worship their ancestors when they went to war.
The Xu family's ancestral grave was in a place with good Feng Shui outside the capital. The Celestial Commissioner's warlock was asked to look at the Feng Shui. Of course, the big families in the capital would ask warlocks to look at the Feng Shui.
Everyone's ancestral grave was a place with good Feng Shui …
The two brothers, Xu Xinnian and Xu Qi'an, were the golden phoenixes of the Xu family. They were the core members.
Hanlin Academy's Xu Erlang was going to war was a big event. Almost all the members of the family came, including two white-haired elders.
One of the elders had a healthy body. He was tall and thin, but his white hair was a little sparse.
The other elder's mind was not very clear. His eyes were dull, but his white hair was very thick.
After presiding over the ancestral worship ceremony, the white-haired elder said with emotion:
"Back then, no one believed the warlock of the Celestial Commissioner. The capital was only so big. How could there be so many places with good Feng Shui? It was just for luck. Now it seems that this is indeed a place with good Feng Shui. Otherwise, there wouldn't be two dragons and phoenixes among men. "
The surrounding clansmen laughed.
At this time, the muddle-headed elder trembled as he searched the crowd. He muttered, "Where is Dalang? Where is Dalang? Where is our Xu family's Literati Star? "
Xu Pingzhi pulled Xu Erlang over and said with a smile, "Uncle, our Xu family's Literati Star is Erlang. The martial star is Dalang."
The elder's murky eyes stared at Erlang. After a while, he kept shaking his head. "No, not you. You are not Dalang."
"Of course he is not Dalang. I already said he is Erlang. He is our Xu family's Literati Star." A clansman explained loudly.
The clan elder ignored him and continued to search the crowd. "Dalang, where is Dalang?"
Xu Qi'an could only walk over and said with a smile, "Grandpa, I am Dalang."
The elder narrowed his eyes and looked at him carefully. He also smiled. "It is Dalang. It is Dalang. He is our Xu family's Literati Star."
The elder's son explained awkwardly, "I used to tell my father about Dalang's deeds. He heard so much that he only remembers Dalang."
…
Imperial Palace, Imperial Garden.
Wei Yuan was sitting in the pavilion, playing chess with Emperor Yuan Jing while playing chess with a black chess piece.
After a few rounds with the old emperor, Wei Yuan said lightly, "I heard that the Empress has come in unwell?"
The Yuanjing Emperor glanced at him and said expressionlessly, "It is autumn. Perhaps she has caught a cold. We have been busy with government affairs and neglected the Empress. Official Wei, please visit the Empress on our behalf. "
Wei Yuan stood up and left with his hands in front of his chest.
He had walked the road to Phoenix Perch Palace countless times, but this time, he walked very slowly. The person he cared about the most was at the end of the road, but he was afraid to walk too fast. He was afraid that if he was not careful, he would finish the road.
In Phoenix Perch Palace, the beautiful Empress stood in the hall with one hand folded up and the other burning incense.
"Why are you here?"
She said with surprise when she saw Wei Yuan enter the hall.
"We are about to set off, so I came to see you." Wei Yuan smiled warmly.
The Empress led him to a seat and ordered the palace maids to serve tea and pastries. The two sat in the room. Time passed quietly. They did not talk much, but there was an indescribable harmony between them.
After drinking a cup of tea, Wei Yuan sighed and said, "The palace has always prepared the pastries you made?"
The Empress chuckled and said, "I don't know when you will come, but I know that you like to eat the pastries I make the most. So, every afternoon, I will personally cook some. "
Wei Yuan nodded. "Thank you."
The Empress looked at the plate. She had only eaten two pastries. She said softly,
"In the past, Ah Ming always competed with you for the pastries I made, and you were never willing to let him. In the Shangguan family, you are more like a legitimate son than a legitimate son, because you are my father's most valued student and the son of his savior … "
"Stop talking!"
Wei Yuan interrupted calmly and said in a low voice, "The grudge between me and the Shangguan family was settled after Shangguan Ming's death. I'm here to tell you something … "
He looked at the Empress' beautiful face, which was as stunning as it was in the past, and said, "I have been with you for half of my life. Now, I am going to do what I want to do."
After saying that, Wei Yuan got up and walked out of the hall.
"You have been with me for half of your life, but you never know what I want."
Behind him, the Empress shouted.
Wei Yuan paused for a moment and left resolutely.
A gust of wind rose up from within the palace walls, fluttering his green robe and ruffling his grizzled sideburns.
There was a long road outside the Phoenix Palace, with tall red walls on both sides. He walked forward in silence and finally finished this road, which also finished half of his life.
This year, it was the end of the world. Xiao Xiao's temples were beautiful.
…
Lin An, who was wearing a red dress like fire, walked toward the Imperial Library with two personal maids and the guards of the Shaoyin Palace.
"Hey, why did Wei Yuan come to the palace?"
Lin An saw a green dress coming out from the direction of the harem from a distance and muttered curiously.
She had never liked Wei Yuan because the Great Green Dress was a hardcore supporter of the Fourth Prince, and the Fourth Prince was the Crown Prince's biggest threat.
It was not until she met Xu Qi 'an that she had a little bit of a good impression of Wei Yuan, and it was purely because she loved the house and its crow.
After watching Wei Yuan's figure leave, Lin An did not delay her own business and continued to walk toward the Imperial Library.
The Imperial Library had a total of seven pavilions, and it was the library of the royal family. It had a rich collection of books, and it was all-inclusive.
Lin An accurately entered the third pavilion and called the official in charge of the Imperial Library. She said, "I want to read books related to the Dragon Vein in the capital. Go and find them."
As a princess, she did not need to find books by herself in the sea of books. There was a "local snake" administrator to help her.
After obtaining the book that recorded the Dragon Vein, Lin An went to the sixth pavilion and also called the administrator. She ordered, "I want to look up the information of the first Earl of Pingyuan."
The administrator quickly found the corresponding file of the first Earl of Pingyuan.
This time, Lin An did not borrow the book. She opened it and glanced at it. The first Earl of Pingyuan was a person from 170 years ago. He was originally a general in the north, and because of his many military achievements, he was later conferred the title of nobility.
"The Earl of Pingyuan's mansion was bestowed by the Emperor …" Lin An muttered in her heart.
…
Late at night.
In an area near the Imperial City in the inner city.
The Earl of Pingyuan's mansion was quiet, and the mansion door was sealed. Ever since Earl of Pingyuan's family was destroyed by Heng Hui, this mansion was taken back by the imperial court.
In fact, at that time, Earl of Pingyuan had two illegitimate sons who were having fun outside and were not in the mansion, so they escaped. However, illegitimate sons had no right to inherit the title of nobility, so naturally, they had no right to inherit this mansion that was bestowed by the Emperor.
A black shadow calmly avoided the watchman on the roof and the patrolling Imperial Sword Guards. Taking advantage of the watchman's end of his watch, she quickly climbed over the wall and sneaked into the Earl of Pingyuan's mansion.
The black shadow wore a tight-fitting night suit that was convenient for movement, and it outlined her voluptuous curves.
It was impossible for a man to have such exaggerated chest muscles, and it was impossible for him to have such a slender waist, so there was no doubt that it was a female cat burglar.
The Earl of Pingyuan's mansion was dead silent.
The black shadow looked around for a moment, then quickly moved along the wall. In the process, she took out a hand-drawn map of the Dragon Vein and a Celestial Commissioner's Eight Trigrams Feng Shui compass.
Her beautiful eyes narrowed slightly, and her gaze was as sharp as a knife. Using the dim moonlight, she observed the map of the Dragon Vein while examining the Feng Shui compass in her hand.
After a bit of comparison and analysis, she finally arrived at her destination — the backyard garden.
The backyard garden of the Earl of Pingyuan's mansion had a unique layout. There was a large artificial hill, but because no one took care of it, it was overgrown with weeds and looked very desolate.
The black shadow leaped lightly and stepped on a piece of the artificial hill. She looked down for nearly a quarter of an hour, then silently floated to the ground and searched around a few of the artificial hills for a while.
When she reached the last target, she finally found something. This three-meter-tall artificial hill was hollow, and when she tapped it lightly, it made a hollow echo.
She walked around the artificial hill, looking for clues. Suddenly, she reached out and pressed on a certain spot.
With a "kacha" sound, the side of the rockery automatically slid open, revealing a dark, slanted hole that led downward.
