The moon set and the sun rose. In the morning, there was a rather heavy atmosphere in the courtyard of the Wenhui Building.
"… We don't have to do these things now, but it's good to be prepared … The new shopkeeper, how do you see it? Actually, you guys have a good eye for talent. It doesn't matter if they are outstanding or outstanding, the most important thing is to be able to complete the tasks assigned to them. Regarding this, the Prime Minister's Residence will help, so there's no need to worry too much … During this period of time when I'm away, as long as everything goes according to plan, there should be a prototype when I return … "
"… You guys … take care of each other. Visit the Prime Minister's Residence more often, and don't cut off your contact with Madam Qin and Yunniang. Putting Madam Qin aside, Yunniang is actually the one who handles many of the matters of the Office of Secret Investigations. She helped Prime Minister Qin file and deal with many things. Of course, you guys just have to keep in touch with her as usual … "
Sunlight shone into the room. Ning Yi, Yunzhu, and Jin'er sat in front of the table, giving instructions to various matters. Jin'er said, "You said you would leave tomorrow, but you suddenly changed it to today. Is it because of last night's matter … that there will be trouble?"
Ning Yi smiled and shook his head. "Of course there will be trouble, but it's not like what you think. Last night's matter, the Grand Commandant's Residence was in the wrong, and they wouldn't dare to really make a move on me. But once the higher-ups suppress it and start investigating, I might have to stay here for ten days to half a month. I might have to stay here for ten days to half a month. Time waits for no one, so I'll leave the city first. Also, the Right Minister's Residence will suppress it. "
Last night, Cheng Zhouhai suddenly made a move, so Ning Yi didn't make any preparations in advance. But as one of the most important people in the Office of Secret Investigations, Ning Yi wasn't worried that the other party would be a useless teammate.
Things went according to plan that night. When the people from King Chong Manor arrived, Ning Yi came out while protecting Zhou Pei whose clothes were torn and half covered in blood. King Chong, Zhou Ji, was enraged. He drew his sword and chased after Gao Muen, who was in a sorry state, for half a street. During this period of time, Lu Qian could only protect Gao Muen as they fled. Two guards from the Grand Commandant's Manor were hacked to death under the Prince's rage. Lu Qian didn't dare to dodge too much and also suffered a few blows. His head was badly beaten. When Gao Qiu hurriedly rushed over with his men and cried that he deserved to die, the matter had already been settled.
Cheng Zhouhai had been preparing for this for a long time, so there shouldn't be too many mistakes. However, as one of the people involved, Ning Yi did not want to be left behind, so he had to make arrangements to leave as soon as possible. When he came back last night, he told Xiaochan about the arrangements he was going to make for half the night. This morning, he began to remind Yunzhu and Jin'er. Things were suddenly brought forward by a day. Although they had a lot to say in their hearts, they couldn't say it for a while.
At this time, in the imperial study of the palace, the current Emperor, who was in his thirties, was also smashing things in front of him and losing his temper at Grand Commandant Gao Qiu, who was kneeling on the ground in front of him.
"Bastard! Gao Qiu! I've really misjudged you. You didn't teach your son well. How could you do such a thing for me! "
He smashed a glass lamp to the ground and cursed.
"My niece! Come here to congratulate the Empress Dowager on her birthday! I, the Emperor, encountered such a thing in the capital! What a playboy! This morning, the Empress Dowager was furious. How could I be a son and an uncle? Gao Qiu! Do you think you can be lawless just because I appreciate you?! "
Gao Qiu, who was kneeling on the ground, kept apologizing, but at the end, he slightly revealed that his unfilial son might have been framed. Before he could finish his words, a plate was smashed to the ground in front of him.
"Framed! Grand Commandant Gao! Do you think everyone in Bianliang City doesn't know what kind of a man your son is? Do you think I really don't know the affairs of the people, just because I sit in this palace all day long? Your son is full of evil deeds. I didn't kill him because you, the Grand Commandant, have made some contributions and worked hard. But now you still dare to cry injustice in front of me? "
"I dare not …" Gao Qiu didn't dare to explain anymore. "That unfilial son has a bad character. I didn't teach him well. When I go back this time, I will definitely punish him severely. I won't tolerate it …"
While he was being obsequious, the Emperor scolded him angrily for a while, and then scolded him to get out. But when Gao Qiu left, the palace servants came in and cleaned up the garbage and debris on the ground. The Emperor, Zhou Zhe, sat behind the desk, but there was no anger on his face. He even reached out to adjust the tie of the crown.
A woman in the Empress's palace dress came from behind with soup in her hands and said with a smile, "Your Majesty is so angry."
"His son is a mess. He won't dare to do anything to the Commandery Princess. I don't know who is behind him, but he has to suffer the loss. " The man in the imperial robe looked calm and composed. "It's good for civil and military officials to make a scene. After all, the way of the Emperor is to balance. I don't care who's behind this plot, but if I still speak for Gao Qiu, he'll be dead if I still speak for him when the royal family is involved. I scold him is to save him, and he will understand … What do you think, Empress? "
"Your Majesty is wise. But this time, who is involved in the little Commandery Princess? Do you really not need to figure it out? "
"What if we figure it out?" The Emperor smiled, took the spoon from the Empress's hand, and took a sip of the sugar water, "Although the royal family is made up of my relatives, most of them are stupid. But inside and outside the court, there are smart people playing. They may not even know when they are involved and when they are expelled. If each of them is used, I have to intervene, won't I die of exhaustion? I care about the affairs of the world. As for the struggle in the court, I don't care what the truth is. It's fine as long as they are balanced. "
What happened last night was related to the lives of many people, but to the Emperor, it was like a small wind chime passing through the eaves of the palace and was drowned in the wind in the blink of an eye.
Around noon, Ning Yi walked into Prince Chong's Mansion and entered the courtyard where Zhou Pei lived. The girl with a bandage on her head was waiting for him under the eaves. In the fight yesterday, Zhou Pei wanted to kill Gao Muen. After Gao Muen's two fingers were chopped off, he called for help and fled. He also tried to fight back, causing Zhou Pei to suffer some minor injuries. But such a bandage was definitely used to win people's sympathy. It was just that the bandage on her head and the smell of medicine made the girl in front of him look particularly delicate.
"Why did you do such a thing?"
"Zhou Pei is going back soon. I want to help teacher do something. This matter … Zhou Pei has thought about it before and after. I hope I didn't cause too much trouble to teacher. "
"It's fine. It's just that you're only 15 years old. You shouldn't take such a risk, and you shouldn't get involved in these matters … You shouldn't trust people so easily. "
The sun was shining brightly. The two of them sat down in the shade of the courtyard. Zhou Pei blushed and smiled.
"Actually … I'm going to get married when I go back. Before that, I want to do some things for teacher. Most importantly, to be able to do this kind of thing, to Little Pei herself, is also … very meaningful. "
Previously, she called herself 'Zhou Pei'. Now, she changed her name to 'Little Pei'. Ning Yi listened to her words and looked at her expression. He vaguely felt that after yesterday's incident, the girl before him seemed to have changed a little. It was as if she had made some kind of decision and obtained some kind of comprehension.
"Have you decided to get married?"
"Mhm." Zhou Pei's expression dimmed slightly. After that, she smiled again. "After all … I can't drag it on any longer. I haven't found … a suitable man. But I have to face it eventually. It's not a solution to drag it on. Teacher, what do you think? "
"It's not good to do things for the sake of doing things. But since you can think it through, do as you please."
Zhou Pei smiled and said, "Oh yes, teacher and Mistress Tan'Er, what were they like before?"
"Didn't you know all along?"
"I know a little. Teacher, can you tell Little Pei about it?"
The Little Canton Princess had a longing expression on her face. Ning Yi thought for a while and said, "Ah, when we first got married, we actually didn't know each other at all. I was hit on the head and she ran away …"
He recalled those things and roughly told Zhou Pei about the entanglement between him and his wife. "Actually … as long as everyone is willing to sincerely understand each other, they can eventually find a good place between each other. I feel that this is the foundation for getting along. After you go back, you don't have to reject living with others too much. At least half of the reason why people get along with each other is because of you. "
"Mhm." Zhou Pei nodded. When Ning Yi was about to leave, she sent Ning Yi to the gate of the courtyard and tried her best to smile. "Teacher."
"Mhm?" Ning Yi turned around.
"In the future … will we not see each other anymore?"
"I probably won't see much of it." Looking at the smiling young girl standing two steps away, Ning Yi smiled and said, "In the future, perhaps you will be in Jiangning and I will be in Bianliang. But I will eventually go back, and you may also come back. The fate between teacher and student, as long as there is a will, will not be completely broken. "
"Mhm … Teacher, take care." She looked at Ning Yi and after saying this, she bent down and bowed deeply. It was almost the perfect etiquette of a lady. Under the sunlight, Ning Yi felt that it was as beautiful as water.
As expected … I can't teach such a disciple …
With this thought, he left the Prince's Mansion.
After Ning Yi's figure left, Zhou Pei sat under a tree in the courtyard, waiting for the sun to move to the west. There were some things that she could not see, but she knew in her heart. When the sun was slightly lower, Ning Yi and his group of carriages and horses said goodbye to people by the hill outside the city. Yunzhu and Jin 'er did not come, and Xiaochan was also left in the city. At this moment, his heart was still full of Xiaochan's crying face when she packed his luggage for him. "Husband, can't you take me with you …" His heart was filled with the taste of tears.
This time, in addition to a few skilled guards from the Prime Minister's Mansion, the three brothers of the Qi family, and Su Wenyu of the Su family went to Shandong. As for Su Yanping, she was left in Bianliang to take care of the situation. After Tan 'er came up, she would go to Shandong to inform him and meet him.
Monk Jueming, Yao Zunian, Cheng Zhouhai, and the others came out to see them off. Not long after, a carriage came over, and the one who came out was Qin Siyuan. He went to the side to talk with Ning Yi.
"The matter in Liangshan is not easy. I know that you are eager to take revenge, but it's fine if you can't solve it. No one here dares to say that they can solve the Liangshan bandits. Shanyue's personality is extreme. If possible … you should keep an eye on him. "
"I know." Ning Yi nodded. "Yunzhu, Jin 'er, Xiaochan, and Tan' er, who is coming up, are very important to me. Please take care of them. Usually, I'm not afraid, but after this incident, I hope Gao Muen will not cause any trouble."
"I understand the importance of this matter. I will arrange people to take precautions. This matter will be handled by Ji Kun. He is the most meticulous in his work, so Liheng can rest assured. No one in Bianliang can touch them. " Qin Siyuan paused for a moment. "Zhouhai's plan this time is indeed feasible. I have also secretly agreed to it. It might catch Liheng off guard. I will be responsible for settling the aftermath. It's not that Zhouhai's personality isn't good, but he still lacks tempering. After this matter is settled, he will probably be sent to the north to be in charge of supervising the grain supply … "
"Er … hehe …" Ning Yi laughed. "It seems that he won't be able to kill Gao Muen …"
"If the Grand Commandant comes down, I will also kill this Huahua Taisui in passing …" Qin Siyuan sighed and shook his head.
Not long after, he bade farewell to everyone.
"I am confident that after living for 200 years, I will be able to hit the water from 3,000 li away. All of you have important matters to attend to. Go back … Take care."
The carriage whipped the whip and left Bianliang, heading east.
The sun was setting. Not long after, bright red clouds were burning in the horizon. After the sun set and the stars rose, Cheng Zhouhai walked into King Chong's manor. After entering the courtyard, he saw the little princess sitting under the moonlight.
"Mister Cheng …"
"In the afternoon, Young Master Ning has already left Bianliang. I thought … I should come and inform Princess."
"I know."
Zhou Pei nodded and replied. Cheng Zhouhai stood there for a moment.
"Forgive me for being blunt, but if Your Highness likes Young Master Ning …" When Zhou Pei's sharp gaze landed on him, he smiled calmly and said, "Why don't you try to fight for it?"
Zhou Pei looked at him for a while before a smile appeared on her face. "Mister Cheng, so what if I try to fight for it?"
"If you want to drag it out, there are still ways. For example, becoming a monk … or suffering from the shock this time …"
"If Zhou Pei tries to fight for it, will Teacher fall in love with me?"
"Er …"
"Teacher won't fall in love with me. I've thought it through. Teacher … has many women by his side, and he's not a fickle person, but … that's fate. I've known Teacher for more than two years, and I've slowly come to know him, understand him, and admire him, but I might not truly understand him. Teacher is still Teacher, and I'm still his disciple. Two years … this is all fate … "
As she said this, Zhou Pei lowered her eyes. Her eyes were clear. "… I've suddenly grown up. This fate has come to an end."
Cheng Zhouhai was stunned. After all, he was a warm-hearted person. For a moment, he didn't know what to say. In the end, he could only give up. "Then … after you go back, you should get married, right? I wish Your Highness a happy and blissful life with your horse. "
Zhou Pei smiled. "Actually … getting married is not a big deal. Mr. Cheng, I'm very happy to be able to do something like this for Teacher before I get married. But last night's experience suddenly told Zhou Pei that Zhou Pei is a member of the royal family. She's really too petty to always bother about getting married. I also hope that she can be happy in the future. But what this matter really tells me is that there are still many things that Zhou Pei can do. "
The young girl looked at Cheng Zhouhai and stood up. "For example, there's another Gao Muen who is acting tyrannically. For example, there are corrupt officials who are ruining the foundation of my Wu dynasty … In the past, I always wanted to do something, but I always felt that I was a woman and couldn't do anything. So, I always lost my temper at my lazy younger brother. But this matter tells me that as long as one wants to do something, there's always a way to do it. This time … Zhou Pei wants to thank Mr. Cheng for your help. If there's a chance in the future, I'll thank Mr. Yu generously. "
"Uh … No problem." Cheng Zhouhai cupped his hands. He didn't know if the situation before him was good or bad. He saw this fifteen-year-old girl standing there and looking at the night sky. She wasn't taller than him, but there was a faint sense of pride in her figure. He knew that this was the aura brought about by the royal family's power.
Cheng Zhouhai took his leave.
Zhou Pei stood there for a long time. The air cooled down and there was no one around. Only then did she feel a tear slide down her face.
Her tears were cold … Teacher had already left …
From last night until today, she had thought about many things. There were many things that she could do in the future, but there were also many things that she couldn't do in the future. But the things that she had thought through could only be put aside for the future. It didn't help to take care of her current emotions.
She just didn't want to appear weak in front of others.
Fate had ended … She couldn't see him anymore … Teacher had finally left …
When she met him, she was thirteen years old. When she discovered that she liked him, she was fifteen years old. But he was going to leave and she was going to get married.
Thinking clearly, she couldn't suppress the sadness in her heart. After tonight, youth would be gone, like a corpse buried in the soil. New trees would sprout, and old bodies would die. People could pretend to be strong, but no one knew what was waiting for them in the future.
She stood there, holding on to the trees in the courtyard. She lowered her head and covered her mouth as she cried silently. In her mind, there was a carriage that left Bianliang in the afternoon and headed east. In the carriage was the teacher that she liked when she was fifteen years old. Then, the carriage didn't stop for a moment, and it was getting farther and farther away from her …
In the sky, a meteor streaked across.
*****
Mount Luliang, Greenwood Village.
Lu Hongti raised her head and looked at the meteor streaking across the night sky. Then, she stroked the hair by her ear and walked into the small house in front of her. In the room, an old man was studying something with a brush in his hand.
"Grandpa Liang, I'm coming in."
"Oh." Liang Bingfu tilted his head and tidied up the things on the table. After a while, he nodded. "Oh, Hongti, you're here …"
"Grandpa Liang, you said you had something to do. Is it something important?"
"Let's go out for a walk." Liang Bingfu thought for a while, then stood up with his walking stick and went out. Lu Hongti followed beside him. Looking down from the small hill, she could see people coming and going in the Greenwood Village. This was one of Lu Hongti's favorite scenes.
"Hongti, what do you think about the Meng Water Village's marriage proposal?"
After walking for a while, Liang Bingfu suddenly asked. The woman was slightly stunned. "Grandpa Liang, why are you suddenly asking about this …" There had been more than one marriage proposal, and the Meng Water Village's proposal wasn't special. She didn't understand why the old man specifically brought it up.
Liang Bingfu supported himself with his walking stick and smiled. "It's just a casual question. What do you think?"
"I think … it's not … uh …" Lu Hongti was a little hesitant because she wasn't old enough to reject too many people. Liang Bingfu stood by the side of the road on the mountainside and looked down at the scene below.
"Actually, Lu San, Li Li, and the others went south together."
"Huh?"
"Hongti, you should pack your luggage too. Let's head south again."
"Grandpa Liang, what's going on?"
Speaking of this, there was finally an atmosphere of serious business. Lu Hongti was puzzled. Liang Bingfu stood there, holding his walking stick and looking serious.
"After Lu San and Li Li were chased out of the village, they haven't been peaceful. They went south to find trouble with Ning Liheng. These people have never left Lu Liang in their lives. The south is prosperous, so they don't know many things. They asked Tian Liu to lead the way. Do they think I don't know where they are going? "
In the wilderness of Lu Liang Mountain, many things were solved with a knife. To survive, the rules were different. Although these people seemed to be free, they had lived in their own land all their lives. They might not be able to adapt to other places. If they wanted to go far away, there were always people who had been to the outside world who could guide them and teach them the customs. The Tian Liu that Liang Bingfu mentioned was one of these people. Lu Hongti hesitated for a while. "Grandpa Liang, this …"
"They have been gone for a few days. You can't stop them in Lu Liang."
"But I … can't leave now. Grandpa Liang, everything is just on the right track … How can I leave Greenwood Village like this? "
"I have also thought about this." Liang Bingfu closed his eyes and shook his head. He sighed. "But … it's okay for a while. I can still help you for a while …"
"No, Grandpa Liang …" The woman shook her head. After a while, she said, "That … that Ning Liheng, he learned my martial arts. He is very powerful. Lu San and the others can't beat him. In terms of scheming, they are just going to die. I don't have to worry about him at all …"
Liang Bingfu looked at her. "Are you really so sure that you're planning something?"
"I …" Lu Hongti was speechless. After a while, she looked at the old man in front of her. "… Why?"
"You should … live for yourself." The old man looked at her and smiled. "You rejected these and those people. They are indeed not very good, but even if there are good ones, I won't say anything. That Ning Liheng, you like him … Ha, don't say it in front of an old man like me. You should also like someone. There is nothing shameful about liking him. I am already old. It will be difficult for me to help you support this village for a few more years. But while I am still able to support it, I hope you can go and do something else. You may not have this chance in the future … "
Lu Hongti was silent for a while and smiled. "We are friends. I really think … he is very powerful, but I can't bring him back to the mountain …"
"Of course, bringing him back is the best thing," the old man said with a smile. "But even if you can't bring him back now, you can go and see him more. Maybe something will happen. You have to go first before you can think about the future. Hongti … take the opportunity now. Even if there is no result, you will be very happy when you think about these things in the future. You have carried so much for the village. You should leave something good behind … "
"I think it's good now …"
"Ha, Grandpa Liang is not urging you to get married. Lu Liang Mountain is like this. If you really don't want to, then just wait. Go and see him, talk to him, talk to him about … what happened in Lu Liang Mountain, and then see what he has done. As for whether it will work or not, Grandpa Liang will not say anything after you come back, okay? "
Hongti stood there and looked at the light below. She twisted her fingers together. "What about the village? It has only just been like this … "
"There are no rules in Lu Liang Mountain. The things that Ning Liheng wrote are a little too strict. You must implement them. It will be fine for now, but if you want it to last, you have to do it slowly," the old man said. "When you go out, I will do the strict things and keep things under control. When you come back, you can make some changes. They will all be grateful to you. I have thought about these things. Although I am old, I can still keep it under control for half a year or a year. "
After a moment of silence, Hongti suddenly said, "Grandpa Liang, you and Master, is it …"
Before she could finish her question, Liang Bingfu's walking stick paused. He looked down and his expression changed. In the end, he only said, "It was your master who saved me back then. I came here … There are some things that I have not said or done. When you are old, you might regret it."
Lu Hongti looked at him for a long time before she nodded. "… I will think about it."
"Okay, think about it."
After saying this, Lu Hongti walked down the hill. She did not know what she should do. When he turned around, the figure on the mountainside was still standing there, leaning on his walking stick, looking into the depths of the night in the distance.
In her impression, her master was much older than her. When she was young, Grandpa Liang was a gentle and elegant middle-aged scholar. When her master died, Grandpa Liang quickly aged.
In the past, she thought that Grandpa Liang suddenly became old because he could not help the village. When his master saved him, it seemed like he originally had this idea in mind. Grandpa Liang did many things. Some were useful, but some were useless. In the end, he only managed to preserve the village until the people who were still alive strengthened it.
What was the relationship between the Confucian scholar and the heroine back then? Now that some of the people who participated in it were dead, those who were still alive were probably unwilling to talk about it. Hongti stood there and looked at the figure. She thought about what he was looking at.
Starlight fell from the sky.
What was drowned in the darkness was probably their story.
Thinking about it, she felt a little sad.
*****
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