Rivers surrounded the city. It was already late at night, and the city walls were towering. On the towering walls, there was a little fire. The outline of the city stretched out behind them. Indistinctly, there was the sound of the bell of an ancient temple.
There was only a dim dark yellow light in the courtyard. Beside the stone table and stone bench, there was a towering ancient tree. The night breeze gently caressed the tree, and there seemed to be a white mist in the air. When the tree moved, he looked up. The shadow of the tree moved, covering half of the indifferent starlight. In the cool morning, the blue bird in his memory had returned.
He just sat there with his hands on his lap, thinking about all kinds of things.
"Husband …"
"It's time to eat …"
"… I mended the clothes …"
"I want to be a juggler …"
"… How can they do business like this!"
"… After all, they are family."
There seemed to be the smell of the small wooden building burning in the air. When it snowed, she walked in the snow, dragging her big belly back and forth … "Xi 'er … Lucky boy …"
Between him and Su Tan 'er, they had gone through many things. There were the scheming and plotting in the business world, the joy of settling the situation, and the struggle between life and death. However, when he raised his head, the things that came to his mind were extremely trivial. Eating, mending clothes, her proud face, angry face, angry face, happy face, she held the child, she stood up from the bathtub without anything on her, the way they looked when they were alone … Trivial things also derived from these, but most of them had nothing to do with Tan'er. These were all around him, or the recent events in the capital.
I want to focus on the north, I hope you can help me deal with the affairs in the south …
I trust you the most …
"Son-in-law … son-in-law …"
A soft voice sounded from behind. He turned his head and saw Juan'er standing timidly under the eaves.
Ning Yi looked at her for a moment, his face softened, and said, "… Go to sleep."
"Son-in-law, don't … don't worry about Miss, Miss knows how to swim … Nothing will happen … She will be fine."
The night air was still flowing, but people seemed to suddenly disappear. The illusion faded after a moment. "Mm." Ning Yi responded.
"I'm not worried," he said. "I'm not that worried … Let's wait for news."
Ning Yi's calm expression did not reveal anything, so much so that Juan 'er did not know what to say for a moment. After a while, she said, "About that, Young Master Zhu Biao and Young Master Zhu …"
She told Ning Yi some things. Ning Yi listened quietly and nodded to show that he understood. Not long after, Juan'er left from under the eaves, leaving only Ning Yi in the courtyard. He sat in front of the stone table. At some point in time, he suddenly waved his hands and smashed his fists on the stone table. The stone table broke into pieces and rolled around. Ning Yi sat there and didn't move again.
In this misty night, inside and outside Ning Mansion, there were different scenes. As the master, Ning Yi sat in the courtyard. No one dared to disturb him. In the two courtyards next door, there were many people discussing something intensely. Looking from the street outside Ning Mansion through the layers of high walls, the house was so quiet that it seemed to have entered another world. In some shadows and corners, there were constables squatting in twos and threes.
"How is it?"
A figure hurried over and walked into a small house nearby. The room was brightly lit. Tie Tianying was holding the Gigantic Sword and resting with his eyes closed. However, when the figure approached, he had already opened his eyes. It was one of the seven chief constables of the Ministry of Justice, Liu Qinghe, who was in charge of Gyeonggi.
"Nothing happened yet. How many people did you bring? "Tie Tianying asked.
"I have more than 20 subordinates. In addition, I have informed the Kaifeng government and the City Patrol Department. If necessary, more than 500 people can be mobilized within four hours …"
"What's the use?"
"If it's really useless, you and I should just turn around and run. The City Patrol Department and the Kaifeng government are useless, so we can only alarm the Grand Commandant's Office and the Ministry of War … If it's really that serious, does he want to rebel? Why would he do this? "
"Things naturally won't reach that stage. But I don't know what this person is thinking. I'm afraid that he doesn't care and wants to take revenge. "
Liu Qinghe opened the window and looked outside. "Wives are like clothes. When a person's inner demon acts up, his methods are vicious and fierce. I have seen it before. But with a big family and a big business, he won't be so reckless. This is a person who will do great things. "
"I'm not afraid that he will provoke the higher ups, but that he will seek revenge on you, me, and Zong Feixiao. Although the Right Minister's Residence has fallen, he has benefited from both sides. The Grand Preceptor's Residence, the Prince of Guangyang's Residence, and even Lord Wang want to rope him in. I even heard that the current Emperor knows his name. Now that his wife is in trouble, he wants to vent his anger. If he doesn't go too far, you and I may not be able to handle it. You said it yourself, this person is cruel and merciless. Even if he doesn't act openly, it will be hard to guard against him. "
"His wife may not be dead. They are still looking for her." Liu Qinghe said. "If she is really dead, I will give him three steps back."
"What I'm afraid is that even if she is not dead, he will still seek revenge." Tie Tianying closed his eyes and continued to rest. "When he goes crazy, you have never seen it."
"I have seen it in the capital."
Liu Qinghe looked outside and answered casually. When Fang Qifo was escorted to the capital, three chief constables of the Ministry of Justice participated in it. They were Tie Tianying, Zong Feixiao, and Fan Zhong who arrived later. But Liu Qinghe had seen how Ning Yi dealt with those martial artists in the capital, so he said so.
Then, it became quiet.
Separated by a few high walls, inside the quiet Ning Mansion at night, a group of people's discussion came to an end. The servants brought some food up, and some people took pastries and food to satisfy their hunger. This was the benefit they could have at any time in Takeshi. A figure went to the small courtyard where Ning Yi was. It was Zhu Biao.
He stopped under the eaves and looked at the figure sitting on the stone bench in the courtyard. He opened his mouth and said a few words. The figure did not respond, so he raised his head and said a few more words. The figure on the stone bench turned around and looked at him coldly. He said a few words to him, as if he was scolding him.
The cold wind of the night swept away the words in the darkness. In the capital, nearly a million people gathered, lived, came and went, socialized, and loved. All kinds of desires and thoughts were intertwined, either openly or secretly. That night, there were small areas of tension in the capital, but it did not affect the overall safety of the capital. When a towering tree like the Right Minister collapsed, small areas of friction and small areas of vigilance could appear at any moment. Below the emperor, there were officials and eunuchs. Below the officials, there were advisors and managers. Below them, there were all kinds of idlers, people from the Ministry of Justice, arresters from the yamen, and people from both sides. The words of the person above made thousands of people at the bottom nervous, but it was still not a big deal.
A faint white mist appeared on the horizon. When the first rays of white light appeared on the eastern horizon, the city seemed more and more peaceful and tranquil. Tie Tianying opened his eyes and looked at the quiet Ning Mansion. There were not many people coming in or out. His eyes were serious, and many people were relieved.
"We still have to keep an eye on it today," Liu Qinghe said.
Tie Tianying nodded.
Nothing happened. That morning, Tie Tianying got the news from the Ning Mansion through his connections. He only said that the owner of the Ning Mansion did not sleep all night. He just sat in the courtyard or walked back and forth, as if he was thinking about his wife. But other than that, there was no big movement.
It was the 26th of April.
In the evening, Ning Yi's carriage came out from the back door. Liu Qinghe and Tie Tianying rushed over and stopped the carriage. Ning Yi opened the curtain and saluted them.
"Chief Liu, Chief Tie, what's the matter?" There was not much smile on his face. He was a little tired, but it seemed to show kindness. Tie Tianying looked at him seriously, as if he wanted to read his mind from his face. Liu Qinghe saluted, "Nothing. It's just that after Female Immortal passed away, the capital is not very peaceful. We happened to meet, so I want to ask Mr. Ning, where are you going?"
"The Heavenly Prison of the Ministry of Justice. Can I see the Right Minister?"
"Oh, of course. Mr. Ning, please."
Liu Qinghe smiled kindly and raised his hand.
*****
Waking up from drowsiness, Qin Siyuan smelled the smell of medicine.
The sound of boiling medicine was heard in the cell. The old man opened his eyes and saw Ning Yi sitting not far away. Compared to the jails of other places, the Ministry of Justice's Heavenly Prison mostly locked up criminals and those who had been convicted or not. The environment here was much better than normal jails. However, Ning Yi must have put in a lot of effort to send all these things here.
He took a small fan and was fanning himself by the stove. Through the small window, it was the last ray of sunset.
"Liheng is here."
"He said you are sick, so he came to see you."
"It must have taken a lot of effort to move the stove in, right?"
"If you have enough connections, you can even drive the carriage in. If you don't have enough connections, you may not even have a place to stay here. You are in such a state, if you don't use the power, it will be invalid. "
"Haha." The old man laughed. There was a moment of silence in the cell. "I heard about what happened on your side."
Sitting there, Ning Yi nodded, "Yes, Tan'Er fell into the river."
"Since the news has not been confirmed, you don't have to worry too much. If you haven't found her, there will be a turn for the better."
"She is a strong woman, don't worry. Otherwise, when I insisted on going north, they would have been worried to death. "Ning Yi smiled.
The old man smiled as well. "Li Heng is feeling the same way and is starting to feel guilty, right?"
"A little." Ning Yi nodded, "But this is the way of the world. When one side goes out, the other side always has to worry …" He paused, then said, "Last night, I thought about many things, mostly about Tan'Er, and the days when I was in Jiangning, running and playing chess every day. Old man, if you didn't come up, and I didn't come up, would we not have to worry? "
The old man, who had already sat up by the bed, smiled. His eyes were complicated and kind. Ning Yi didn't need to answer this question. They were both strong people, so it could only be regarded as a sigh, not a question.
"What do you plan to do next, Liheng?"
"There are some things that need to be adjusted. It's not easy for me to leave."
"Kang Xian still has some tricks."
"Grand Tutor Cai, Prince Tong … and other people like that. I originally wanted to benefit from both sides, finally escape, and hug the thigh of Princess Fruit's Mansion, but things are getting more and more complicated …"
"You already expected it, Liheng, didn't you?"
"I expected it. Things always have a way out, but it is indeed getting more and more difficult." Ning Yi tilted his head, "Even the one in the palace, he knows my name … Of course, I have to thank him. A few days ago, someone reported Takeshi and my name. The one in the palace told others that there is a problem with the Right Prime Minister, but don't get too involved. This Ning Yi, Ning Liheng, has a great merit in Xia Village. When you investigate the case, don't hit everyone with a stick … Well, he knows me."
"Jian is in the emperor's heart …" Qin Siyuan's eyes were complicated. He looked at Ning Yi, but there was no joy in it.
Ning Yi smiled, "What do you think … that person is thinking?"
Qin Siyuan shook his head, "… I can't guess the intention of the emperor."
The young man by the stove smiled again, and this smile was much more meaningful.
In the sound of puffing, the room was filled with the smell of medicine, which could make people feel peaceful. After a while, Qin Siyuan said, "So you don't plan to leave?"
"In about ten days, your case should be judged."
"Yes." The old man sighed, "It will be meaningless if it drags on."
"I can at least do some things if I stay in the capital." Ning Yi thought for a while, "After you leave, I will help you pass on the book. I promised before and after, but this seems to be the main thing."
"Yes, with this, this old man can rest in peace …"
"It's only three thousand miles. Go south. It is a little hotter there, and the fruits are good. As long as you pay attention, eat three hundred lychees a day, and you may live to a hundred years old. I will send someone to escort you there. "
The cell was quiet again.
After a while, Ning Yi said, "Elder Qin, think about it. You have put in a lot of effort along the way, but it has always been ineffective. You took the blame for the Blackwater Alliance, and hoped that the rest could pull themselves together, but they didn't. After the revival, you worried about the northern expedition, and you have offended so many people. The soldiers sent to the north can't fight. In the battle of Bianliang, in the battle of Taiyuan, you have always struggled to find a way out. Finally, there is a way out, but no one took it. Everything you have done, in the end, turned to zero. People hit you with stones, splashed you with dung. How do you feel in your heart? "
The white-haired old man sat there and thought for a while.
"This old man … is very sad." His voice was low, but his eyes were calm. He just said word by word in a low voice, "For the things that may happen to them in the future … My heart is like a knife."
His answer was sincere, without any sarcasm. Ning Yi nodded. Soon, the medicine was ready. Ning Yi poured it into a bowl. The old man suddenly asked, "What about Liheng?"
"Hmm?"
"How does Liheng … feel?"
The two looked at each other. There was inquiry and calmness in their eyes.
"People have to fight for their own lives." Ning Yi paused. "I will leave the book for you."
He cooled the bowl of medicine and handed it to Qin Siyuan. The food box was also put aside. The two chatted for a while. Soon, Ning Yi said goodbye and left.
The setting sun had long disappeared. The city was gorgeous, and the people were weaving.
*****
Unknown lines rose from different places and extended in different directions.
Some orders issued by Takeshi were only digested internally. Near Bozhou, both Six Fan School and Takeshi's forces were looking for people along the river. It was still raining, which made it more difficult to find people. So there was no result for the time being.
On the 27th of April, about five hundred miles away from Bianliang, on the post road of Queshan County near Runing, a caravan transporting goods to the north was moving slowly. There were six carts in the caravan. The whole caravan escorting the goods was about thirty people. They were dressed differently. Several men with weapons looked tough. It was obvious that they were often on the road.
After the disaster of the Jurchen's army, the capital was short of supplies and people. In recent months, a large number of caravans were rushing to the capital to fill the shortage of supplies, so the trade road was unusually prosperous. This caravan was ready to go to the capital to make a fortune.
The driver of the second cart in the caravan waved his whip. He was a one-armed man wearing a bamboo hat, so no one could see his expression. The goods on the cart at the back were stacked together. A woman's figure was lying on her side. She wore a light blue floral dress that belonged to the Miao people. Under the skirt was a pair of blue embroidered shoes. She closed her legs and curled up her body. She rested her head on a few boxes and used the bamboo hat with a veil to cover her head. The long boxes under her head bumped along with the caravan. No one knew how she could fall asleep with her seemingly weak body.
Soon, a galloping horse came from the front. The rider on the horse was travel-worn. When he passed by, he stopped.
The knight got off his horse and said a few words to one of the people in the caravan. Then, he was led over to the second carriage and handed over a slip of paper. He said something to the one-armed man, and the words "goods" seemed to be mentioned in his words. Unknowingly, the girl at the back had already sat up. The one-armed man passed the note to her and she read it.
The few people in the caravan who came over were the core members. Because of the message just now, everyone was whispering to each other. Some of them looked incredulous but most of them looked happy.
She was unexpectedly happy.
The flowery dress girl sat there and thought for a while. Finally she called over a man carrying a knife and passed him the note and instructed him. That man immediately turned back and packed his luggage. Not long after, he spurred his horse and galloped away. He would travel nearly a thousand miles towards the south in two days' time. His destination was a village called Lan Huandong in the Miaojiang mountains.
The caravan continued forward. In the evening, they stopped at an inn by the roadside. The girl wearing the veil and bamboo hat walked up a hill. Behind her, a man carrying a rectangular box followed her.
As the sun set, the young girl stood on the hill and took off her bamboo hat. She gazed towards the north. The brilliant rays of the setting sun shone on the side of her face. On that side of her face, there was a complicated yet clear smile. The wind blew over, causing the dust and grasses to dance in the air like dandelions in the spring breeze. In the brilliant sunlight, everything became beautiful and tranquil …
On the evening of the 27th of April, a man and two women walked into a small town near Bozhou.
The rain had stopped. After the rain, the streets of the town were muddy. The man and the two women were dressed in plain clothes. One of them looked like a farmer in the mountains. They were humble, honest, and somewhat rustic. Even though the other woman was dressed in plain patched clothes, she still had a calm and generous temperament on her face. As she talked to the two of them, she led them forward. Finally, they found a cloth shop.
The leading woman said a few words to the shopkeeper of the cloth shop and turned to point at the man and the woman outside. The shopkeeper immediately welcomed them in warmly.
The woman had already walked to the back of the shop and written down a message. Soon, the message was sent out to the north.
In Bianliang, the 27th of April passed. In the Ministry of Justice, Liu Qinghe and the others looked at the feedback. No news came from Takeshi, Wu Ruiying, or Ning Mansion. They were more or less relieved.
On the 28th of April, the news that Su Tan'er was safe first came to Ning Mansion. Then, the other parties also received the news one after another.
In the evening, Zhu Biao walked into the courtyard where Ning Yi lived. In the room, Ning Yi was sitting behind the desk, reading and slowly drinking tea as usual. He knocked on the door and waited for a while.
"Brother Ning, the proprietress is fine. Shall we … continue to prepare to leave?"
Ning Yi glanced at him. "… Am I old?"
"Hmm?"
"I feel a lot older this morning. Look, do I look like 50, 60, or 70?"
"Brother Ning, of course … you are not old."
"… Then why do you always want to take charge for me recently?"
Ning Yi asked. Zhu Biao was speechless. Then he saw him raise his head. "What did you say just now?"
…
In the Ministry of Justice, Liu Qinghe let out a long breath and then said something to the chief arrester Fan Zhong who hurried back with a smile. Fan Zhong also smiled and nodded. On the other side, Tie Tianying was still thinking with a gloomy face. He then went out without saying a word.
In the Prince's Mansion of Guangyang. Tong Guan summoned his trusted general, Li Bingwen, who was now in charge of Wu Ruiying, and asked him about many things in detail.
In the Imperial Palace, Zhou Zhe looked at the chief eunuch Wang Chongguang, thought for a moment, and then nodded.
He smiled with a little regret and sarcasm. Then he lowered his head to deal with other political affairs.
He had important things to do, and it was impossible for his eyes to stay on a small thing to pass time.
After a small delay, a part of the city continued to run as usual. The eyes of the bigwigs returned to the serious issues of the national economy and the people's livelihood.
After that, there were three heavy rains. The weather changed. After the rain, it was cloudy or sunny. There were also thunder and lightning in the rain. Outside the city, the Yellow River roared and surged. Between the mountains and the fields, cars drove by and footsteps walked by. People who had left here gradually came back. In May, the trial of the treacherous official Qin Siyuan in the capital city finally came to an end. The weather had become completely hot. Midsummer was coming. Many of the previous torments seemed to be coming to an end in such a season.
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