The sun shone brightly, and cotton clouds floated in the sky. After traveling for several miles, they entered Bianliang City. Amidst the bustling scene before the festival, Zhou Pei sat alone in the prince's carriage, while Ning Yi, Yao Zunian, and Cheng Zhouhai sat in the carriage driven by Dong Zhu, chatting from time to time. Along the way, Ning Yi kept his hands clasped together, the fingers of his left hand seemingly inadvertently pressing on the web between his thumb and index finger of his right hand. When they passed by a restaurant, he let go and said with a smile, "It just so happens to be lunchtime. If the two of you have nothing to do, why don't we have lunch together and have a cup of tea before chatting? I'll be the host, how about it?"
The pain in the web between his thumb and index finger caused by the saber clash with Lu Qian earlier only now completely disappeared.
In reality, many treasured sabers and swords at this time might not necessarily be comparable to the machetes of the later generations, which were famous for their high-quality steel. They might be sharp, but to say that they could cut through iron like mud would be an exaggeration. When Ning Yi and Lu Qian exchanged blows, he broke the family guard's podao with one saber strike. Both of them had used great strength. When it came to martial arts, Ning Yi was naturally inferior to Lu Qian. During the exchange, he had to take out a bag of lime. After the saber was broken, the web between his thumb and index finger was slightly strained. The injury was normal, but it took a long time for him to fully recover.
The second collision with Gao Muen came abruptly, and they separated immediately. It was not within Ning Yi's expectations. On the way, he was also thinking about this matter, but he did not show it in front of Yao Zunian and Cheng Zhouhai.
Then, he called for the little princess's carriage to stop, and the group of four went to a restaurant to eat. When Zhou Pei was also present, Yao Zunian recounted in detail what happened in the courtyard.
"… Speaking of which, this matter should have been approved by Liheng, but the timing was too good. This old man also discussed it with Prime Minister Qin. These poems of Liheng should not be hidden in the room, and the fame that should be gained should still be obtained. After this incident, I believe that there should not be many people who would dare to question Liheng's talent in learning. This will also save us a lot of unnecessary trouble. I hope Liheng won't blame this old man. "
Among the advisors in Qin's Mansion, Cheng Zhouhai was in his thirties and could be considered the same generation as Ning Yi. Yao Zunian, who was in his fifties, could be considered an old man in this day and age. In terms of knowledge, he and Ning Yi were of the same generation and did not put on airs, but in reality, Ning Yi still had to maintain respect for him. In this era, scholarly elders like Yao Zunian and Qin Siyuan were sincere in cultivating, guiding, and helping the juniors they acknowledged. Ning Yi was not a juvenile, so of course he could see it clearly. He cupped his fists in thanks.
"That would save us a lot of trouble. If it wasn't for Nian Gong, they wouldn't have believed us."
"Haha, it's just a small matter. With Liheng's talent, this old man is just the icing on the cake. It's a pity that after Liheng left, I couldn't hear Miss Shishi sing the Sea Gazing Tide … "
Seeing that Ning Yi had agreed, Yao Zunian changed the topic and talked about Li Shishi's singing with a smile. Ning Yi listened on the other side. In fact, he could think of another layer of meaning.
Yao Zunian and Qin Siyuan must have discussed the idea of announcing these poems. They were upright scholars. Of course, they didn't want young talents to be buried. On the other hand, it was because of the Tyrant's Saber Camp.
Ning Yi had written these poems for Liu Watermelon, who wanted to be in the limelight. After that, he didn't want to take it back. But later, Hangzhou City was broken, and the Tyrant's Saber Camp was transferred. Ning Yi participated in it. Wenren Buer knew about these things, and Qin Siyuan must also know about them. Fang La had been defeated, and hundreds of thousands of people had fled. They might not really care about the release of a stronghold. But knowing and acquiescing didn't mean that they supported it. Announcing these poems, on the one hand, solidified the situation, and on the other, drew a line. It was both a protection and a reminder.
Even if someone found out something later, the higher-ups would know about Ning Yi and the stronghold. And some reminders and drawing a line meant that you shouldn't give your things to them.
These things could be understood by each other. It didn't matter if they had good intentions. After that, when Yao Zunian talked about the shocked expressions of the people, Ning Yi and the others found it interesting. Maybe by tomorrow, the matter would spread all over Bianliang, and there might even be people visiting Wenhui Restaurant. Ning Yi felt a headache when he thought about it.
Among the few of them, Yao Zunian's personality was originally calm, while Cheng Zhouhai's personality was slightly more of an angry youth. However, this time, it was Yao Zunian who seemed to be the happiest. Cheng Zhouhai, on the other hand, only had a smile on his face and occasionally agreed. No one knew what he was thinking, perhaps something good had happened. There were many things in the Office of Secret Investigations that were not easy to talk about, so no one was surprised.
Zhou Pei didn't look sad anymore. She wanted to say something to Ning Yi, but Yao Zunian and Cheng Zhouhai were beside her, so she didn't know what to say. But she was interested in the matter of Ning Yi becoming famous again, so she asked Yao Zunian about this and that. Not long after, Ning Yi asked about Commandery Princess Qing and the others with a smile. She told him in detail what had happened in the prince's mansion these days …
At the same time, Ning Yi and the others had already had lunch in this restaurant, drinking tea and chatting. In another room of a restaurant in Bianliang, someone was smashing a plate on the ground after eating and drinking.
"Lu Qian — I can't take this lying down! That guy … who the f * ck is that guy! He threatened me! He dared to threaten me! My father is Gao Pi — you guys are the same, you're all so disappointing — "
Gao Yanei, who had finished eating, cursed as he swept the plate beside him to the ground. Then, he picked up a bowl and chopsticks and threw them at the surrounding guards.
"It's fine if you can't beat him! It's fine if you didn't make a move! I just remembered that we didn't f * cking say anything! Why didn't you guys say anything? We didn't even say anything when we left! You guys, are you still the bad guys? You've all lost my face! Lu Qian, where the f * ck have you been — "
To be honest, the conflict that had occurred in front of the courtyard had really scared him. If the other party was a fugitive who wanted to risk his life, he wouldn't have such a feeling. However, the other party's reaction was simply incomprehensible. He had goosebumps all over his body, and a chill ran up his spine. When he was released, he didn't know what to do. At that time, those guards probably felt the same way. They were waiting for Gao Muen to give a clearer order. In the end, Gao Yanei only asked them to leave, so they could only leave. Now that they remembered that they hadn't said anything, they were really annoyed. That was why these guards were unlucky.
He cursed and saw that Lu Qian, who had left for a while, had also come in. He ran to Lu Qian and spread his hands.
"You're finally willing to come over! Let me tell you, I've lost all my face. I can't live on anymore! Lu Qian, tell me, are you no match for that guy? "
Lu Qian lowered his head. "It's not that I can't win against him. It's just that his methods are strange. When we fought back then, the people in the yamen were also present. I'm afraid we won't be able to guard against him …"
"I! Am! Know! Dao! I've already died once! " Gao Muen turned around and jumped onto a chair. "Back then, when he came over and hugged me, I had goosebumps all over my body. He kept saying something … Lu Qian, he was telling me that you're already dead! You're already dead! You're already dead! You're already dead! Lu Qian, don't you understand? It's too much for him to threaten me like this. I merely wanted to get to know those friends of his — girlfriends! I just wanted to be friends with them. I didn't do anything wrong … Lu Qian, tell me, is he really that difficult to deal with?! "
Lu Qian was silent for a moment. "Right now, we still don't know his full background. But looking at the way he does things, to be honest, he's very difficult to deal with. "
"Even you say that." Gao Muen looked at him with a sullen expression.
"I'm just speaking the truth."
"Then hurry up and check his background! Let's see if we can afford to offend him first! Then, we'll see if there's any other way. If he's putting on an act, I'll kill him. Ah, I'm not happy! I want women … "
Gao Muen couldn't take it anymore and started to make a ruckus when she recalled her hesitation and cowardice at that time. Lu Qian nodded and turned to leave again.
*****
They drank tea and chatted in the restaurant, killing time in the afternoon. After midnight, the weather turned gloomy. The four of them went to the teahouse and bade each other farewell.
Yao Zunian and Cheng Zhouhai were the first to leave. Then, Ning Yi sent Zhou Pei to the carriage. Zhou Pei felt complicated about what happened today, but she didn't say anything more. "Teacher, will you go to see the dragon boat tomorrow?"
"I should go and take a look." There were more and more things to do, and he didn't know when he could finish them. However, Xiaochan, Yunzhu, and Jin 'er were all there. Ning Yi would still take time out to accompany them to watch the dragon boat race during the Dragon Boat Festival.
"Then … I'll be on the viewing platform in front … Teacher, remember to call me …" She smiled shyly. When the carriage arrived, she bid farewell and boarded it. Then, because of something, she couldn't help but turn around. "Teacher?"
"Hm?"
"Uh …" Zhou Pei thought for a while and finally shook her head. "It's fine, I'll be leaving … See you tomorrow, Teacher."
After saying that, she entered the carriage and lowered the curtain.
Ning Yi watched the carriage leave, and his gaze gradually became deep.
He didn't mention Gao Muen's matter in front of Yao Zhouhai and Cheng Zhouhai.
In Bianliang City, whether it was Xiaochan, Yunzhu, or Jin 'er, even if he left, he could ask the Prime Minister's Manor and the Office of Secret Investigations to take care of them. In theory, there shouldn't be a problem with their safety. He wouldn't be overly worried because of what Gao Muen said today. Gao Muen was a little reckless, but he might not be a truly ruthless person. If both sides revealed their backgrounds, at the very least, Lu Qian would know that he couldn't make a move. The family of an advisor of the Prime Minister's Manor had a completely different meaning from the family of an Imperial Army instructor with no background.
But even if he understood this, he wouldn't let his guard down. If there was something he could do, he would consider doing it. Even though he didn't know which part of the city Gao Muen was currently considering killing him, a similar situation would definitely happen. After that, it would be time to investigate the background. If possible, he was still willing to make things safer, such as eradicating the focus of the disease.
'If I can really find a good way, I'll get rid of this guy,' he thought in his heart. Of course, he didn't have much influence in the capital that he could make use of at the moment, and it wasn't good to get the Office of Secret Investigations to handle this matter. Whether it was feasible or not, he still had to first gather information and see if he could find any loopholes. For these matters … he could probably only look for Li Shishi.
What kind of news he would receive and whether it was possible would depend on his luck. But at the very least, he should prepare for such matters in advance and make more preparations. It was just that in this way, there were indeed more and more things piled up on his hands. Thinking of this, he couldn't help but sigh in his heart.
It was just that at this moment, even he hadn't thought about what kind of movements and changes this sudden and fleeting conflict would bring in the future. The ripples it would cause, the tangible and intangible effects would sprout because of this matter, directly or indirectly affecting countless lives for decades. When he recalled these things many years later and traced them back to this inadvertent little cause, he could only sigh softly and smile.
At this time, the cotton clouds covered the sky and the light was not visible. The scene changed to the other side. Yao Zunian and Cheng Zhouhai's carriage was passing through the streets and returning to the Prime Minister's residence. Cheng Zhouhai sat there with his head lowered in thought, a smile on his face. At a certain moment, he lifted the curtain and called for the carriage to stop.
"I suddenly remembered that I still have some matters to attend to. Duke Zunian, please return to the Prime Minister's residence first. This disciple may have to go for a walk and will return after I finish my business."
Yao Zunian nodded. He didn't know what Cheng Zhouhai was thinking along the way, but of course, it wasn't a sudden thought. However, he wasn't interested in delving into it. He nodded with a smile and bid farewell.
The carriage drove away. Cheng Zhouhai looked at the pedestrians on the street, then chose a direction and leisurely walked forward, passing through the streets of the city …
*****
The weather was overcast. Zhou Pei returned to her room in the Prince's residence. She dismissed the maids and closed the door. She plopped onto the bed and buried her head in the blanket for a moment. Then, she hugged the round and long pillow and knelt up.
She looked at the pillow with a serious expression. Then, she hugged it with both hands and moved her head to the side of the pillow. If someone saw her at this moment, they might think that her expression and gaze were strange.
"None of you know who I am … Why are you doing this … Do you know that when I first saw you, I knew that we could be friends … You disappoint me too much …"
Her tone was low, slow, and neurotic. She raised her chin and looked at her with cold and disdainful eyes. After a moment, she changed her posture and expression and said some harsh words that she had heard or imagined. She hugged the pillow and thought, "Teacher is really amazing."
She lay on the bed and turned over. She opened her mouth and looked at the ceiling with a sigh. After a while, she rolled around on the bed.
When that lovely rolling finally stopped, she lay on her back and raised the pillow in her hands. She looked at it, her gaze cold, and looked at it for a long time.
"You really deserve to die …" She tilted her head and muttered. Then, she hugged the pillow again and began to recall what she had seen. Until … a maid came and knocked on the door.
"Your Highness."
"What's the matter?"
"A Mister Cheng wishes to see you."
"Ah? Mister Cheng? "
"It's a scholar in his thirties. He said that his name is Cheng Zhouhai. He said that Your Highness knows him."
"Uh …" Zhou Pei was stunned. They had just separated not long ago. She already knew this Cheng Zhouhai. Today, they didn't talk much on the way. Except for a few words on the way to the courtyard, the two of them didn't talk much. Why did he come to the Prince's Mansion to visit her alone? She was puzzled, but she naturally asked the maid to bring him in and serve tea and snacks. After greeting and sitting down, Zhou Pei asked him about the purpose of his visit. Cheng Zhouhai took a sip of tea and then looked at the maid in the room with a smile.
"You can leave first. I have something to say to Mister Cheng." Zhou Pei asked the maid to leave. After the door was closed, Cheng Zhouhai put down the teacup and stood up. Because she knew that he was an advisor of the Prime Minister's Mansion, Zhou Pei didn't have a bad impression of him. Cheng Zhouhai walked to the door, opened it, and looked outside again. After confirming that there was no one, he closed the door. "I came here this time because I have something important to discuss with Your Highness. Of course, if I said something wrong, I hope Your Highness didn't hear it."
"Mister Cheng, please say it. Zhou Pei knows the pros and cons." The fifteen-year-old girl replied with a smile.
Cheng Zhouhai looked back at her for a moment. "Your Highness, do you want to do something to that official?"
"Ah?" Zhou Pei was stunned. After a while, she said, "Mister Cheng … why do you say that?"
Cheng Zhouhai, who carefully looked at her expression, smiled again. "Today, when Your Highness hid behind the carriage and saw that thing, I happened to be behind and saw the whole thing."
Zhou Pei's expression changed, and her face gradually turned red. Fortunately, Cheng Zhouhai didn't look at her at this time. He just bowed slightly. "I just want to say that I have been in the Office of Secret Investigation for many years, and I know a lot about Huahua Taisui's evil deeds in Bianliang. If Your Highness wants to do something to Huahua Taisui, but you don't know how to do it, I can help Your Highness to … get rid of this evil for Bianliang City!"
*****
OK, the MT is here. I should be able to go to the Qidian ordinary dungeon.
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