In the end, Ning Yi didn't knock on the door when Xiaochan and Yunzhu met — he wanted to see what they could do.
By the time Ning Yi left the big ship where Yunzhu and Jiner were, the sky had already turned gloomy. Below them, there was a brightly lit acrobatic performance. Ning Yi stood aside and watched for a while. Not long after, sounds of quarreling could be heard. Not far away, on the railing of the main ship, Deputy General Chen was arguing with the steward of the prince consort's residence as they walked down.
"… We haven't found the young duke yet, and the bailiffs in Xuyi are unreliable. Mr. He, I, Chen Jingui, am responsible for the safety of this trip north. If we're late, I'll naturally give you an explanation. We're not in a hurry right now, so why can't we stay for a day or two …"
"… If the bandits' goal is really the birth plan, can you bear the responsibility if something goes wrong?! They want to keep us here and waste manpower. Clearly, they're plotting something. General Chen, do you want to be led by the nose by the bandits … As long as the things get to Huai An, everything will be fine. You can stay here for a month … "
"What kind of bandits would be so bold? Steward He, when did bandits dare to rob the birth plan on this sea route?! You're just guessing … "
"I want nothing to go wrong!"
"If you let one or two ships go first, we'll be split up. Wouldn't that be falling into the bandits' trap?!"
"General Chen, you said that the bandits wouldn't dare to attack by force. I've also asked others. If someone really wants the birth plan, their plan wouldn't be to attack by force. In any case, I'm not at ease leaving the things at Xuyi … I want a ship and a ship of soldiers. Also, I can transfer people to accompany me here. We'll reach Huai An in half a day! When you find young duke Lu, I'll come back and cooperate with you … What else do you want … "
The two of them quarreled non-stop. Chen Jingui naturally didn't wish for the forces in his hands to be divided at this moment. During this period of over a day, he'd already sensed that the bandits who'd kidnapped Young Noble Lu seemed to be intentionally leading them in circles, causing their attention to be constantly diverted. However, if someone wanted to rob the birth plan, it would be too much of a worry.
As for Steward He, as long as he was certain that the other party wouldn't forcefully snatch the items, once the items were delivered to Huai An, he would naturally be able to rest easy. The authorities there knew the severity of the matter, so they would naturally send people to keep a tight watch. Even if someone really wanted to do something, it would be much easier to deal with them in a big city like Huai An. As a result, the Princess's Residence's business was spread all over the place. In Xuyi, by using some connections, they were able to mobilize dozens or even hundreds of people to follow the ship to Huai 'an. Even though their fighting strength was not strong, they were still powerful in numbers.
When they walked past, Steward He and Ning Yi exchanged glances, then left while arguing with Chen Jingui.
That night, at around eleven o 'clock, the boatmen and labourers on the main ship began to move, moving or lifting large chests from above to the ship at the back. The person in command was none other than Steward Ho. In the end, Chen Jingui might not be able to change his mind, so he could only agree to his idea. At this time, most of the people gathered at the pier below to watch the show were the sons and daughters of officials with some status. They didn't pay much attention to this matter and just smiled as they watched the show.
However, when the things were half moved, it began to rain. At first, the rain wasn't heavy, but in an instant, it became chaotic below. Ning Yi stood on the ship and watched the people below run around. The group of servants was extremely busy, and he found it a little funny. Although it was not yet eleven o 'clock, it was already late. The sons and daughters of the nobles below gathered their carriages and horses, wanting to go to some nearby inns to sleep. After a period of chaos, it was finally quiet. Then, the people who moved the things continued to move. The people who were performing below, or the people from the restaurants and inns who were called over, also began to dismantle the stage, move the tables and chairs, and clear the place.
Xiaochan stuck her head out to look around for a while, then opened an umbrella and jogged back. Ning Yi smiled and hid. Then, he went back to his room and called his servants to bring water over to prepare for a bath. At this time, there were many people moving things in the corridor, and it was bustling with people coming and going. After Xiaochan returned, Ning Yi dragged her along. Although Xiaochan said that she wanted to tidy up the things and come back to clean his back later, once Ning Yi insisted on this kind of thing, she couldn't be stubborn. Seeing that she couldn't refuse, she lowered her head and took off her clothes while Ning Yi was undressing. Although she was already Ning Yi's concubine, in her heart, she probably still saw herself as a servant. Although it was natural for her to let Ning Yi take off her clothes, if she could do it herself, of course, it was better than letting her Husband do it.
After that, the room was filled with tenderness, and no more words were said. At this time, Xiaochan didn't talk much. She was hugged by Ning Yi, and her naked body was pressed against Ning Yi, covered with a thin sheet. The two of them listened to the movement outside gradually die down. The boat swayed gently with the waves. When the things were almost moved, there was a soft sound of footsteps outside the door for a moment. After a while, it went to the next room. It was the young Commandery Princess who had just returned. She probably thought that Ning Yi and Xiaochan had fallen asleep or were doing something shameful, so she didn't want to disturb them.
In the sound of the rain, Ning Yi and Xiaochan fell into a deep sleep. But after midnight, there was a sound of footsteps on the boat for a while, and there was some dense and lively talking. This was a part of the children of the officials who went to the brothel but didn't stay overnight came back. Ning Yi woke up for a moment and heard them talking excitedly outside. Some of them were probably drunk, reciting poems and laughing. He didn't know what interesting things they had experienced.
"… the jade of Kunshan shattered, the phoenix cried, the hibiscus wept, the fragrant orchid smiled. The cold light melted in front of the twelve doors, the purple emperor was moved by twenty-three threads … Wonderful, wonderful, only this poem by the ghost genius Li Zhangji can describe it … A hand on the Chinese harp can shock ghosts and gods … "
"Although it's a small place like Xuyi … it will become a legend in the future …"
"Small places have spiritual energy … like Huai An, Jiangning, Dongjing, although it's lively, it's full of wine and meat, no wonder …"
"… The person who can sing with her today is also very powerful …"
The crowd was noisy, and some even wanted to write poems on the spot. Ning Yi heard voices coming from the window next door, "It's the middle of the night, why don't you sleep?" The voice wasn't loud, low and quiet, but the people who passed by the window were probably drunk. Then he heard those people shouting, "Don't pull me, who, who …"
"Do you know who I am …"
"Come out, come out, what did you just say …"
As he spoke, he began to knock on the window next door. The young Commandery Princess put on her clothes and opened the window. After a moment, there was another chaos. Some people recognized her, and some people were incoherent. The window was closed again with a bang. Ning Yi found it funny, and then he hugged Xiaochan and fell asleep again.
Perhaps because of the torment, Zhou Pei woke up very late the next morning. It was still raining outside, and because she had announced her identity yesterday, there was already a servant girl of the royal family waiting outside the door this morning. She washed up in a daze, and when she went out to the side of the ship to get some fresh air, she saw that the big ship that was parked behind her had disappeared in the rain.
At this time, Zhuo Yunfeng came over to greet her, but she stood there in a daze, thinking about what she wanted to say to Ning Yi yesterday. At this time, she asked Zhuo Yunfeng how long the ship had been sailing, and found out that it had left not long ago. She hurriedly ran to the cabin, "Don't follow me, I have something important to do."
The young girl was already wearing an expensive dress today. She lifted the hem of her dress and ran very fast. Zhuo Yunfeng followed behind, "What is it? Have you had breakfast? "
"Don't follow me!" The young girl in front of him, with one hand still holding the hem of her dress, suddenly turned around and pointed at him. Zhuo Yunfeng was stunned, and then he saw her run towards Ning Yi's room.
At this time, Ning Yi was still in the room sorting out some things he had written. When he welcomed Zhou Pei, he didn't stand on ceremony, "Have you had breakfast? Pour the tea yourself, why are you in such a hurry? "
"Teacher, why do you think that it will be fine if we let the ship go first?"
"Huh?" Ning Yi held a brush in one hand, and waved a piece of Xuan paper he had just finished writing on a few times, looking at her with some doubt.
"The current situation in the world is different from the past. In the past, perhaps no one would dare to take the risk to touch the Birth Code, but that may not be the case now. I know that Steward He has gathered more than a hundred shop workers and guards, and these are the people that can be mobilized from the princess's estate, but what's the use of so many people? If we fight in the water, they will only be a burden! "
Zhou Pei walked over and placed her hands on the table, her almond-shaped eyes wide open as she looked at him seriously. Ning Yi looked at this serious young girl and gradually smiled. Then he turned around and dipped the brush in ink, continuing to write. "You also think that someone will steal the Birth Code?"
"I … Teacher, you think it's possible …" Zhou Pei was stunned and looked at Ning Yi for a while. "I wanted to talk to Teacher yesterday. Even if you don't want the Birth Code to go wrong, you shouldn't have sent a ship to Huai 'an. So what if there are more people? If someone really wants to steal it …"
"Steward He doesn't want to follow the bandits' pace. The ship is fast, and we can reach Huai 'an in half a day. They won't be able to react in time."
Ning Yi answered casually. Zhou Pei thought for a moment. "What if they are already prepared? What if someone has been watching here for a long time!"
"How will they watch?"
"There are many ways. Look, they invited so many singers and jugglers down there yesterday. They even set up a feast and made so much food. Wouldn't it be very easy to sneak in? Uh … "The young princess's face gradually darkened as she thought about this." These guys, at times like this, they just want to ruin things. If it were me, I would give them a good scolding. Teacher … "
As she spoke, there was a low knock on the door. Ning Yi got up and walked over. He pointed at Zhou Pei with a smile. "You're right." He opened the door, and Zhou Pei stuck her head out to take a look. She was a little confused because it was Chen Jingui outside the door. This deputy general said a few words to Ning Yi in a low voice and looked around the room. When he saw Zhou Pei, his expression instantly became complicated and evasive. Then he smiled and handed Ning Yi an invitation and quickly left. Ning Yi took the invitation and looked at it. He turned around and said, "You haven't had breakfast yet, right? Hurry up and eat. I have something to do and have to go out."
Ning Yi picked up the umbrella by the door. Zhou Pei trotted out of the door in confusion. When Ning Yi locked the door and left, she followed him all the way. "What's going on? Teacher, you don't know this Deputy General Chen, right? Steward He will definitely listen to you. This Deputy General Chen should be your enemy. "
Ning Yi laughed and hit Zhou Pei on the head with the invitation in his hand. "You are so young. Why are you thinking so much?"
Zhou Pei covered her head with her hand. Her face suddenly turned red as she stood there. Ning Yi took a few steps and turned back. "But you are quite smart." Zhou Pei hurriedly followed him again. Her face was red with a little excitement. She almost jumped up and down. "What is going on?" She had always wanted to do something big. At this time, she finally felt that she was involved in a conspiracy and was very excited.
"Let's go eat something first. I will tell you later." After Ning Yi finished speaking, Zhou Pei nodded like a chick pecking at rice and ran to the side to eat breakfast. Not far away, Zhuo Yunfeng looked at the lively little princess with a frown. He scratched his head in distress. He saw that Ning Yi was walking outside, so he followed him.
It was still raining outside. He followed to the side of the boat and watched as Ning Yi got off the boat with an umbrella. He went to the gate on the other side of the dock and met with two women wearing bamboo hats and veils. The woman in the lead looked a little familiar. Zhuo Yunfeng stared at her for a long time before he finally recognized her. She should be the top courtesan, Li Shishi, who had been staying in the West Courtyard for the past two days. She was the number one courtesan in the capital, and Zhuo Yunfeng was also very fond of her and somewhat admired her. He had seen her in the West Courtyard the night before. It was said that Miss Li had played the Konghou in the West Courtyard the night before. It was clear and ethereal, moving and sad. Afterwards, a man had sung along with her, and their skills had amazed everyone. However, Zhuo Yunfeng had to accompany Zhou Pei, so he couldn't go. When he heard about it this morning, he was very disappointed.
Although he had seen Miss Li the day before, she hadn't shown her face for long. It was only a few friends who knew her in Jiangning who chatted with her for a while. But this Li Shishi also had an outstanding temperament that made people fall in love with her. He just didn't expect that she would come out like this to meet Ning Yi alone. Zhuo Yunfeng thought about it and understood. Ning Yi was good at poetry and was the number one scholar in Jiangning. Since ancient times, this was the saying between a scholar and a beauty. That was why this Li Shishi came to see him.
Looking at Li Shishi and thinking of the little princess, he couldn't help but feel a little jealous. But what was the use of having good poetry? Most of the famous prostitutes in the brothels ended up marrying into rich families. If there was a chance for him to show that he was better than Ning Yi in other aspects, it would be great — he knew in his heart that he couldn't beat him in poetry for the time being. If he overestimated himself, he would only become a laughing stock. Normally, if he could use the nobility to suppress him and let others realize that this guy was ultimately a son-in-law with no status, it would be great. But with Zhou Pei here, he also knew that the nobility couldn't suppress Ning Yi. Thinking of this, he couldn't help but feel a little bitter.
At the same time, the big ship moved forward in the wind and rain. Under the protection of a few small boats, it gradually approached the mouth of Hongze Lake. In the forest by the mouth of the lake, some people on horses and wearing straw raincoats watched from afar.
"In this kind of weather, that steward and the deputy general quarreled and finally lost face. Even if it's raining, they have to go to Huai 'an. I've long said that in the imperial court, even if there are some capable people, when they gather together, they can't do anything well. Hahahaha … Come, let's follow them! "
*****
I recommend an urban supernatural novel, "Demigod". I've already read it before recommending it. I think it's pretty good ^ _ ^
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