The Sun Estate was located in the center of the western part of Liangzhou City. It wasn't far from the market square, but it wasn't too noisy. The residences around the estate were large and beautiful. Xiao Jue didn't like to travel by carriage, so the two of them rode on horses together. Fei Nu didn't follow them, so they didn't know where he was. He didn't protect Second Miss Song like Chi Wu did, nor did he follow Xiao Jue to the banquet. He Yan guessed that he was probably helping Xiao Jue with something.
Without Fei Nu, only He Yan and Xiao Jue were left. Normally, Fei Nu was a man of few words, but He Yan would at least exchange a few words with him. Being alone with Xiao Jue, He Yan felt inexplicably nervous. Fortunately, they didn't need to talk much as they were riding on horseback. In the time it took to burn three sticks of incense, they arrived at the entrance of the Sun Estate.
The servant at the entrance of the Sun Estate saw the two of them. He must have been notified by Sun Xiangfu in advance, so he immediately warmly greeted them, "This must be Military Governor Xiao, right? And this is Young Master Cheng? Master is already waiting in the front hall. " He took Xiao Jue and He Yan's horses and ordered another servant, "Ying Yue, bring Military Governor Xiao and Young Master Cheng inside."
The maidservant named Ying Yue was also very beautiful. It was already the ninth month, and the autumn nights were already chilly, but she was only wearing a thin gauze dress. If she said she wasn't wearing anything, then she was wearing an extra layer, but if she said she was wearing something, then what could she cover? He Yan almost couldn't control himself and put an outer garment on this girl. The men in their barracks had once said that when they were young, they often fought bare-chested. When they were old, it was inevitable that their legs and waist would hurt. Why bother?
Ying Yue opened her mouth to speak, her voice as mellow as an oriole's, "Martial Governor, please follow this servant." As she spoke, she looked into Xiao Jue's eyes, her eyes filled with tender affection.
Although He Yan was a fool, he knew that this servant girl had taken a fancy to Xiao Jue. Well, there weren't many girls like Song Taotao in this world. Everyone in the world was a normal person. Xiao Jue's face was quite scary. There were countless girls who fell in love with him. He Yan should have expected this.
Xiao Jue didn't even look at the servant girl. Instead, she glanced sideways at He Yan and coldly said, "Why are you in a daze?"
"Ah?" He Yan came back to his senses. Seeing that he had already walked forward, he hurriedly followed. She thought to herself that this person was really sick. He didn't look at such a beautiful young lady, and instead looked for trouble with her.
The two of them followed the maidservant into the Sun Estate.
The Sun Residence was luxuriously renovated.
He Yan had seen the residences of the officials in the capital, but they were just so-so. Although the He Family couldn't be compared to the Xiao Family, they were still considered officials in the capital. The Sun Estate was actually comparable to the He Family's. However, this wasn't the capital, but Liangzhou. Sun Xiangfu wasn't an official in the capital, he was just a county magistrate.
Three years of being a county magistrate, a hundred thousand snowflakes of silver. These words weren't false. He Yan looked at the mountain rocks, bonsai, and glazed jade tiles. He couldn't help but be amazed. How could a county magistrate afford these things with his salary? Who knew how much money Sun Xiangfu had taken from the people. Also, looking at Sun Ling's conduct, the Sun Family's father and son had done a lot of evil in Liangzhou. They were practically half a local tyrant.
She thought to herself, but she didn't know that her appearance was also seen by the person beside her.
Xiao Jue's eyes moved slightly.
The young man was wearing Cheng Li Su's clothes, but he wasn't as innocent as Cheng Li Su. Although it was said that people rely on clothes and horses rely on saddles, a low-level recruit pretending to be the young master of a large family would definitely give himself away. Things done, people seen, would be engraved into a person's body, becoming clear traces.
Everyone's traces were different.
He Yan's eyes were filled with emotion and contemplation, but there was no fear or nervousness. If this was his first time doing something like this and going to a place like this, this kind of reaction wouldn't be justified.
At this time, Ying Yue stopped and said, "Master, Military Governor Xiao and Young Master Cheng have arrived."
Immediately, Sun Xiangfu's exaggerated voice sounded from inside, "Military Governor Xiao has arrived! This official was afraid that they wouldn't come. It's good that they're here, it's good that they're here! "
He Yan looked up. This person's appearance was filled with fear and trepidation. He didn't have the awe-inspiring aura he had when they first met at the inn a few days ago. Being an official like this, he wasn't afraid of being laughed at.
Sun Xiangfu didn't wait for Xiao Jue to speak and turned around to reveal the person behind him. He smiled and said, "Lord Yuan has also arrived."
This was Yuan Baozhen? He Yan looked at him. He saw a middle-aged man with a white face and no beard smiling amiably at them. In an instant, this person overlapped with the person in He Yan's memory.
The first time she saw Yuan Baozhen, it was outside the He Family's study. At that time, He Rufei had already gone to receive his meritorious service, taken off his mask, and truly became "General Feihong". And she, as the young miss of the He Family's second branch, was waiting for the day she would marry into the Xu Family. When she saw this person, she was stunned for a moment. She didn't expect He Rufei to make friends in the imperial court so quickly.
Later, when she asked He Rufei who that person was, He Rufei said that it was the current Imperial Censor, Yuan Baozhen.
"You're with him, what are you doing?" He Yan had only asked casually at the time.
He Rufei looked at her and smiled strangely. He said, "What you need to do now is embroider your wedding dress and not care about these things. He Yan, "He Yan moved closer, his tone was unfathomable." You have to remember, you are now the young miss of the He Family's second branch, a woman. "
He Yan didn't think much of it. She didn't know how to embroider, and she wasn't the one embroidering the wedding dress. But she understood the meaning of He Rufei's words. He Rufei was warning her not to have any contact with General Feihong.
Was he afraid that the truth would be discovered? He Yan sneered in her heart. It was ridiculous that she didn't notice the murderous intent in He Rufei's words at that time.
Now that she suddenly met her cousin's friend, how should she get the information she wanted?
Before He Yan could think clearly, Yuan Baozhen had already stepped forward. He first cupped his hands in greeting to Xiao Jue. "Governor." Then he looked at He Yan. "This is Cheng gongzi, right?"
He Yan stared at him and revealed a surprised smile. "Lord Yuan."
"I've long heard that Cheng gongzi is young and valiant, with an extraordinary appearance. Now that I've met you, it is indeed true." Yuan Baozhen smiled. "Heroes indeed come from the young!"
He Yan: "… …"
Wasn't Cheng Li Su the famous "good-for-nothing gongzi" in the capital? Fortunately, this person continued to speak. He understood that if he wanted to become an official in Da Wei, the first thing he had to do was to learn the ability to "speak human language when meeting people, and speak ghost when meeting ghosts."
He Yan could only say, "You flatter me, you flatter me. This one is ashamed. "
As the two of them chatted politely, Sun Xiangfu rubbed his hands and said uneasily, "Governor, this official has a presumptuous request."
Xiao Jue: "What is it?"
"Didn't my son offend Governor and Cheng gongzi some time ago?" Sun Xiangfu appeared to be very uneasy. "Although this official has taught him a lesson, this child feels very guilty and wants to personally apologize to Governor and Cheng gongzi. This official thinks that since he knows that he was wrong, this official will thicken his old face and beg Governor to give this unfilial son a chance to apologize. "
"Everyone makes mistakes," Yuan Baozhen chimed in from the side. He smiled and said, "Moreover, this is only a misunderstanding. As long as the misunderstanding is resolved, the Governor will not take it to heart. Quickly call Sun Shaoye over and clarify things with Military Governor Xiao. "
"Really?" Sun Xiangfu excitedly ordered the servant, "Quickly call Sun Shaoye over!"
He Yan saw that the two of them were singing the same tune and did not even ask for Xiao Jue's opinion before finishing the show. He knew that the two of them must have discussed this beforehand. This Yuan Baozhen seemed to be the same type of person as Sun Xiangfu. How could someone who could be so close to He Rufei be a kind person?
Sun Ling seemed to have been waiting outside the hall. Not long after he finished speaking, he came in with the servant. As soon as he came in, he knelt down in front of Xiao Jue. He Yan almost bit his own tongue.
This person used to be arrogant and insufferably arrogant. Now, in just a few days, he looked much more haggard, as if he was seriously ill. He was dressed very simply. He bowed to Xiao Jue and said weakly, "Previously, I was insensible and had an argument with Cheng gongzi. Now, I know that I was wrong. I hope that Governor and Cheng gongzi can forgive me for being young and frivolous. I will definitely turn over a new leaf and never do it again."
Was this how young and frivolous was used? Looking at his appearance, he was not young anymore. He Yan did not believe that this person would be able to not do it again in just a few days. She looked at Xiao Jue. Xiao Jue's expression was indifferent. She did not say yes or no. The atmosphere froze for a moment.
He Yan still had to mediate. In any case, it was an opera. If they did not continue, wouldn't the banquet be awkward? She smiled and looked at the top of Sun Ling's head. "What are you saying? That day was just a misunderstanding. Young Master Sun, you don't have to take it to heart. Just don't recognize the wrong person in the future. It's fine that you met me and uncle this time. If you met someone who acted arbitrarily, even if you apologized a hundred times, nothing would happen. "
As soon as he spoke, Sun Xiangfu breathed a sigh of relief. He quickly scolded Sun Ling, "Why aren't you thanking Cheng gongzi? Cheng gongzi is younger than you and much more promising than you! " He probably had nothing else to praise, so he said dryly, "Learn more from Cheng gongzi in the future!"
Sun Ling quickly said a bunch of good things to He Yan. He Yan almost vomited her dinner from last night. She really did not like hearing these words. How could this fake be used to scare people?
After finishing this act of "the county magistrate's young master brings a bramble to ask for punishment", Sun Ling went back to his room. According to his father, Sun Ling was punished when he came home last time. He fell seriously ill and could not get out of bed. Today, he forced himself to come to Xiao Jue to ask for punishment. Now that he had done so, he had to go back to bed.
He Yan smiled and said, "Young Master Sun, go quickly. Don't hurt yourself."
He was afraid that something bad would happen at the banquet. After all, his son looked like a troublemaker.
After Sun Ling left, Sun Xiangfu said, "Military Governor Xiao, please take a seat. Young Master Cheng, please take a seat. When the sky turns dark, there will be singing and dancing in the residence. At that time, we can enter the banquet and enjoy the dance."
He Yan sat down next to Xiao Jue. After that, it was Sun Xiangfu who did all the talking. There was nothing special about the conversation. It was nothing more than asking He Yan and Xiao Jue if they were used to living in Liangzhou City. The weather in Liangzhou City recently … In the end, it was just some meaningless small talk.
He Yan's thoughts were always on Yuan Baozhen.
Yuan Baozhen and He Rufei could be considered friends, right? At least, she had seen Yuan Baozhen enter and leave the He Residence more than once. Moreover, he did not seem to be acquaintances with He Yuansheng and his son. Then, did He Rufei know that Yuan Baozhen was coming to Liangzhou City this time? He must have known. If they were good friends, perhaps they would bid each other farewell before leaving. Then, Yuan Baozhen should know about the He Residence's situation and He Rufei's plans for the next few days.
However, how could Yuan Baozhen say so much to her, "Cheng Lisu"?
He Yan was lost in her thoughts and forgot to hide her gaze. Yuan Baozhen was not an ordinary person. He glanced around and noticed that He Yan had been staring at him. He did not say anything and continued to listen to Sun Xiangfu's conversation with a smile. Occasionally, he would say a few words. At first glance, he looked very normal.
After a while, the sky was completely dark. Sun Xiangfu stood up and said with a smile, "I think it's about time. Let's go to the main hall to enjoy the banquet."
Of course, there was no objection. Sun Xiangfu walked in the front and led the way. He Yan and Xiao Jue followed behind. Yuan Baozhen was on her right. He Yan thought about He Rufei and could not help but look at Yuan Baozhen.
Just as she was thinking about this, Yuan Baozhen suddenly turned his head around. He was an official and was very shrewd. At this moment, he was no longer smiling. His pair of eyes flashed with a frightening light. It was really frightening. He actually caught He Yan red-handed.
He Yan was shocked. She had been discovered. Before she could say anything, she felt her arm being gently pulled. The next moment, a person stood in front of her.
Xiao Jue's cold voice fell into her ears, "Watch where you're going."
She looked over in surprise. Xiao Jue was taller than her, so Yuan Baozhen's horrifying gaze was completely blocked by him, and he couldn't see anything at all. Xiao Jue also looked at Yuan Baozhen and smiled, "Lord Yuan, why do you keep staring at my nephew?"
Yuan Baozhen was stunned for a moment. Then, he smiled and said, "Nothing. You probably saw wrong." He turned around and no longer looked at He Yan. It was as if what had just happened was just an insignificant joke.
Xiao Jue continued to walk forward. He Yan was stunned for a moment before following her. However, she felt a little strange. Although the words "my nephew" were referring to Cheng Lisu, he was protecting her. She had not felt this kind of protection in a long time.
Perhaps, she had never felt it before.
When they arrived at the main hall, the banquet had already been set up. There were long and short tables in all four directions. He Yan sat down next to Xiao Jue. The empty space in the middle of the main hall was probably for the upcoming singing and dancing. He Yan did not understand. Why would such a banquet invite beautiful women to sing and dance in the middle to liven things up? It should be known that a true master would not bother with such things.
However, Sun Xiangfu was not a true master.
When he looked at the dishes on the table, He Yan could not help but be speechless. There were auspicious dragons flying in pairs, buddha's hand golden rolls, phoenix-tailed shark's fin, dried sea cucumber. The banquets held in the residence of a third-rank official in the capital were just like this. It seemed that the Sun family was living a very comfortable life.
She turned her head to look at Xiao Jue again. It had to be said that Xiao Jue usually had a cold expression on her face. She could not do this or that. However, when she sat at the banquet and lazily sat down, she lost some of her indifference. The leisurely nature in her bones was all outlined. He Yan suddenly remembered that this person was originally the real young master of the capital. When he was young, he was also like this. Today he went to the banquet, tomorrow he would have a good night banquet. The young master's style was perfect. Thus, when he was at the banquet, he immediately had the shadow of the young master of the Xiao family.
"Why are you looking at me?" Young Master Xiao's lips curled up. His voice was low and fell into He Yan's ears. "Be careful not to expose yourself."
He Yan coughed lightly. "I was shocked by Uncle's grace and was distracted for a moment."
She was used to flattering. Xiao Jue was too lazy to pay attention to her when she opened her mouth to speak inexplicable words. At this time, Yuan Baozhen opened his mouth. He said, "The relationship between Military Governor Xiao and Young Master Cheng is very good."
"He's one of us. Of course it's good." Xiao Jue replied indifferently.
Yuan Baozhen originally wanted to find a topic to talk about. Of course, he did not care about Xiao Jue's attitude. He picked up the wine cup on the table and smiled. "I don't understand. Liangzhou is a bitter and cold place. Military Governor Xiao is much better in the capital than here. Why is he stationed in Liangzhou?"
When He Yan heard this, her heart moved. She was also curious about this question. Xiao Jue was now the Commander-In-Chief of the Right Army. The entire Nan Fu Army was under his control. There was no need for him to bring a new soldier here. He Yan originally thought that he was demoted. However, looking at his arrogant appearance in front of Sun Xiangfu, it did not seem like he was demoted.
Xiao Jue looked at Yuan Baozhen. He did not answer his question. Instead, he smiled and asked, "What does Imperial Censor Yuan think I am?"
Why did this person kick the ball back to him again?
Yuan Baozhen was also a smart person. The smile on his face did not change. He immediately used the ability that everyone in the bureaucracy had. He said, "I think that the Commander-In-Chief must be worried that the new soldiers will be difficult to lead. Other generals may not be able to lead them well. The Commander-In-Chief has never been afraid of hardships. That's why he volunteered to be stationed in Liangzhou."
After a while, Xiao Jue said, "Is that so?" He asked casually, "Does Imperial Censor mean that I am here in Liangzhou is a good thing?"
"Of course."
Xiao Jue glanced at him and smiled indifferently. "I thought that was not what Imperial Censor Yuan wanted to say."
"Oh?" Yuan Baozhen smiled and asked, "What does Military Governor Xiao mean by this?"
"Small things are bound to fall. Big things are bound to fail." He said meaningfully. "Could it be that Imperial Censor Yuan did not personally come to Liangzhou because of this?"
The atmosphere immediately froze. Sun Xiangfu did not dare to say a word. He kept his tail between his legs. Yuan Baozhen almost could not maintain his smile. He Yan turned to look at Xiao Jue. He could not help but praise Xiao Jue in his heart.
You compliment me, and I compliment you. This kind of talk was really meaningless. It was all a lie. Nothing useful would come out of a banquet at the end. Look at how powerful Second Young Master Xiao was. One sentence was enough to make others speechless.
The hidden secrets of this banquet should have been laid out on the table a long time ago.
Yuan Baozhen paused for a moment, then smiled. "Military Governor Xiao really knows how to joke. I came to Liangzhou only because I was ordered to patrol."
Xiao Jue did not comment.
"How is the training of the new soldiers at the Commander-In-Chief's Guard?" Yuan Baozhen asked again. "Are there good soldiers and strong formations?"
Xiao Jue looked at him with a half-smile. "This is also one of the tasks of Imperial Censor Yuan's patrol?"
Although Yuan Baozhen had heard of Xiao Jue's reputation in the past and had met him face to face, this was the first time they sat down and talked. Thus, for the first time, he truly experienced the arrogance of this young killing general. No wonder when he killed Zhao Nuo, no matter what he said, it was useless. Just sitting down and talking with this young master was enough to make him physically and mentally exhausted.
He could not maintain his usual smile for the first time. He only said, "I'm just concerned."
"I'm afraid Imperial Censor Yuan is not only concerned about the new soldiers of Liangzhou," Xiao Jue said slowly. "The South Mansion soldiers and the Nine Flags Battalion. Why don't you show some concern as well?"
Yuan Baozhen could not respond.
Sun Xiangfu looked left and right. Both of them were people he couldn't afford to offend, but he couldn't let a perfectly good banquet be filled with the glint of blades and shadows of swords. So, he nervously came out to mediate. "I say, the two of you must be tired of talking. Why don't you stop and enjoy the song and dance? Eat something. This wine is from Grape Spring, newly brewed. Please have a taste. "He then ordered the servant beside him," Quickly call Ying Yue over. "
Not long after, several beautiful girls stepped into the hall. The one leading them was the servant who had led He Yan and the others into the hall. At this time, she had changed her clothes. Her red dress was embroidered with plum blossoms, and her sleeves were long. Her makeup was done again. Just now, she was just a delicate beauty, but now, she looked at Xiao Jue with a dazzling radiance. Just like before, she was still looking at Xiao Jue with deep affection.
There were so many people sitting here. He Yan aside, Yuan Baozhen was an official. Why was this girl staring at Xiao Jue alone? Wasn't her target too obvious? He Yan thought to himself. He looked at Xiao Jue and saw that her eyes were as cold as ice. She was not moved at all.
He Yan felt that the way he looked at Fei Nu was gentler than the way he looked at this girl. Was there something wrong with Xiao Jue? For example, did she hate women?
While she was thinking this, Ying Yue had already led the other servant girls to bow and said, "We servants have embarrassed ourselves."
The girl playing the zither was playing 《Longing for a Long Lovesickness》. The lingering melody, coupled with the beautiful girl, was a beautiful picture. He Yan was a girl. Xiao Jue was not interested in singing and dancing. After being scolded by Xiao Jue, Yuan Baozhen's mind had already flown to other places. The person he was most satisfied with was probably Sun Xiangfu himself.
Sun Xiangfu himself was probably very fond of this dancer, but this Miss Ying Yue might also be someone who judged people by their appearance. Her long sleeves were always swayed in the direction of Xiao Jue. Her coquettish eyes could melt a person's bones, but they were always aimed at Second Young Master Xiao.
He Yan was bored to death. He even counted that Ying Yue had thrown five coquettish eyes at Sun Xiangfu, three at Yuan Baozhen, seventeen at Xiao Jue, and none at him.
She was actually at the bottom. What right did she have to look down on others?
Coming to a banquet was just coming to a banquet. Why did she have to attack people's confidence like this? He Yan thought to himself. Maybe it wasn't her fault. Who told her to wear the wrong clothes today? This color was too dark.
She reached out with her chopsticks and picked up a piece of dessert. This was Sun Xiangfu's family banquet. Sun Xiangfu probably did not have the guts to poison the food. He Yan tasted it and found that it tasted pretty good.
After one song, Ying Yue's forehead was covered in sparkling sweat. The sweat of a beauty was even more moving. Her face was red as she bowed to everyone.
"Good, good, good!" Only Sun Xiangfu was watching the dance seriously. He clapped his hands and said, "Wonderful, wonderful! What do you all think? "
Xiao Jue naturally did not answer him. Yuan Baozhen also just smiled. He Yan said, "It's really difficult to chase after a group of flowers. Heavenly fragrance and beauty of the country!"
"Little Young Master also thinks it's good?" Sun Xiangfu looked as if he had found a confidant. He said, "Then how about giving Ying Yue to Young Master Cheng?"
That would work? He Yan's body stiffened. He waved his hand and said, "No, no, I already have a fiancée. I'm afraid it's not appropriate."
"Ah." Sun Xiangfu immediately felt regretful. He said, "That's a pity."
Nowadays, when officials attend banquets, it was fashionable to give beauties to the other party at any time. Was there something wrong with his head? He Yan was still in disbelief when he heard Sun Xiangfu say with a smile, "Ying Yue, then you should go and serve Military Governor Xiao."
He Yan was speechless.
She suspected that Wan Hua Pavilion was opened by County Magistrate Sun. Otherwise, why would his tone and demeanor be so similar to that of a brothel keeper? Even if he was a brothel keeper, he should still have a discerning eye. How could an ordinary person not see that Xiao Jue's entire body was filled with rejection?
Some people were blind, but their hearts were as clear as a mirror. Some people were still able to see, but they were already blind.
Fortunately, Miss Ying Yue knew her limits. She did not do anything stupid like touching Xiao Jue's hand. She only stood beside him and served him food.
There was also a maidservant beside He Yan, who was serving her food. She raised her head and saw Yuan Baozhen sitting opposite her. The person serving the food behind him was not a maidservant, but a person who looked like an imperial bodyguard.
Strange, could it be that he was the one who hated women?
He Yan looked at the imperial bodyguard behind him. Originally, he was bored to death, but at first glance, he felt as if his blood was about to freeze. His entire body froze on the spot.
The imperial bodyguard was not very tall. In fact, among the imperial bodyguards, he could be considered thin and short. His facial features were also extremely mediocre. When he hid behind Yuan Baozhen, he was almost hidden in the darkness, making it difficult for people to notice him. He had been silent all this time. He Yan did not notice him from the moment she saw Yuan Baozhen. Now that she saw him, she felt as if she was struck by lightning.
In the blink of an eye, all the dishes on the table disappeared, and the scenery flashed back to that day. She was sitting in the Xu Residence. Her personal servant served her a bowl of medicinal soup. She said that the kitchen specially brewed this soup for her to nourish her body. She only hoped that she could become pregnant with Lin 'er as soon as possible and add a son to the Xu Family.
The scenery was just right. The sun was shining brightly. She sat at the table and looked out of the window. She saw a manservant pass by. The servant smiled and explained that the medicinal ingredients used to brew the soup today were sent by this manservant.
This was He Rufei's manservant, a member of the He Family.
He Yan was newly married at that time. Although he was occasionally disappointed because of Xu Zhiheng, he did not take it to heart. He still had a trace of warmth towards the He Family. She would never have thought that the medicinal ingredients sent to nourish her body were for her eyes.
That was the last time she saw sunlight in her previous life. The next day, she had a high fever that did not recede. After that, she went blind.
It was only a very short glance, but she had already memorized this person's face. Now, even if he changed into an imperial bodyguard's uniform and followed beside Yuan Baozhen, she could still recognize him at a glance.
"Let's drink together." Sun Xiangfu raised his cup and smiled.
The sparkling wine was poured into the white jade cup. She saw the man beside her raise the cup to his lips. In an instant, the past flashed before her eyes. He Yan was extremely frightened. He only felt that the previous scene was about to repeat itself. Shocked and angry, he slapped away the wine cup in Xiao Jue's hand.
"Don't drink!"
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