"This is the busiest street in this county, look! That wooden pagoda by the side of this alley was built during the last years of the Song Dynasty, it still stands here today. The craftsmanship of this shop is the best in this county, most of the clothes and bedding in this official's residence are made by them, that shop's candied plums … Oh! It's not open today. "
Of course, the door was not open. For safety reasons, Yang Ling searched the entire street all the way to the Blessed Buddha Temple. The pedestrians on the street were all factory guards in disguise, naturally they were not afraid of the Emperor in plain clothes walking on the street. As for the peddlers on both sides of the street, those that had been in business for less than four years and did not have a wife or children at home, all paid the compensation and went home. The owner of the candied plums shop was a foreigner, he had been here for less than two years and had long been kicked out.
Lord Hua beamed with joy as he continued his introduction. It was as if he wasn't talking about a small county town, but a famous place in the capital. Even his bones felt lighter. However, his voice was ridiculously loud. He was mainly talking to Zheng De who was behind him.
Yang Ling, Zhang Yong, Miao Kui, and Lord Hua walked in the front, behind them were Tang Yixian and Cui Ying 'er, the two women. Zhengde and a few personal guards followed behind them. Hong Niangzi thought that Yang Ling was really accompanying her cousin to go shopping, she did not know that the little military officer she met at the Substitute Prince Mansion was the current Emperor. But now that her appearance had changed, Zhengde could not recognize her.
Tang Yixian was petite, her skin fair and tender, just that she had just recovered from a serious illness, there was still a faint smell of sickness. The spirit in her big eyes had yet to recover, two round pearls adorned her small earlobes, making her look very pretty and cute. The weather had turned warm, the breath of spring was in the air. She was still wearing a fine velvet gown with a blue and white bikini on the outside, looking refreshing and pleasant.
Cui Ying 'er had long legs, a slender waist, a tall figure, wearing a white martial outfit, a black belt, and a dark red cloak. Her figure was graceful, her black hair was combed into a coiled dragon bun, heroic and pretty at the same time. She did not use any jewelry at all, looking very spirited. Tang Yixian had a cheerful personality, a likable appearance, and Cui Ying 'er was her savior, so she treated her warmly. The two walked hand in hand, talking in low voices along the way.
While Zhang Yong and Lord Hua were chatting, Yang Ling moved to the side, Liu Biao came up without a trace. Originally, Yang Ling wanted him to stay in the mansion to wait for news from the capital, but seeing him, he knew there was news.
Liu Biao said softly, "Daren, there is news from the capital that everything in Jin Ling is smooth sailing, don't worry about the matter that Daren entrusted to you. Now that everything is going well, the fleet is ready to set sail, only waiting for Daren's order."
Yang Ling felt relieved and couldn't help but smile. Among these matters, only Dai Lou 'er's matter involved Dong Ying and Nippon. If there was a mistake in the middle, the whole thing would be difficult to carry out. Now that Dai Lou' er has sent accurate news, all the plans can be carried out step by step.
Moreover, with Lian 'er's personality, Yang Ling really did not know what she would do. If there was a need, she could even raise a banner and write: "Traveling thousands of miles to the capital to find her husband". Since Dai Lou' er has calmed her down, he can think of a way to bring her back to the capital, he can't let her stay in Jin Ling while pregnant.
Yang Ling nodded with a smile and asked, "Is there any other news?"
Liu Biao said, "We have investigated all the court officials with the background of the coastal aristocratic families. The Imperial Bodyguard has been very cooperative and used all their power to assist in the investigation. We have found a total of 74 officials in the capital and local areas that we can use against them, 29 of whom have a say in the court. With the evidence in our hands, we are not afraid that they won't cooperate fully with us."
Hearing this, Yang Ling remembered that before leaving the capital, Liu Jin and Mou Bin were fighting fiercely and hurriedly asked, "Oh yes, what is the result of the fight between the Imperial Bodyguard and the Bureau of Rites? Is Mou Bin willing to lower his head to Liu Jin? "
Liu Biao hesitated and said, "Originally, Big Hitter Wu wanted to wait for you to return to the capital before reporting this matter. Since you have asked, I dare not conceal it. Now that the Imperial Bodyguard is very unyielding, Shao Jiewu has already been sent to prison by Liu Jin with an excuse.
Mou Bin is afraid that he will secretly harm Shao Jiewu, so he has rushed back to the capital to hold the fort. He sealed the confessions of Dai Xian and the others and refused to alter them. When he hosted a banquet for the Imperial Bodyguard in Tianjin, the Southern Garrison, the Northern Garrison, and the officials of the Imperial Inner Palace, he declared in public that even if Liu Jin removed him from office and chopped off his head, he would not comply. These words aroused the hatred of all the Imperial Bodyguard against a common enemy. Now nearly a hundred thousand Imperial Bodyguards in the world hate the Bureau of Rites very much. Any order issued by the Bureau of Rites will be resisted by the Imperial Bodyguard as a whole. Eunuch Liu is very angry and has ordered Dongchang to find Mou Bin's shortcomings and arrest him. "
That big a fuss? No wonder Wu Jie had misgivings and was not willing to let him know now. Yang Ling was stunned for a moment. Mou Bin was actually such a hot-blooded man. Although he was only fighting for personal pride and had nothing to do with the nation, but to be able to be so unafraid of power and disregard his future and life, he was indeed a person worth befriending.
He thought for a moment and secretly noted this matter down. There were too many things he had to do now. If the Bureau of Rites and the Imperial Bodyguard were to have internal strife, not only would he not have any capable people to help him, it would also be extremely easy for foreign officials to find a flaw in him. The Three Plantations and One Guard were closely related, many things were connected. If someone with the intention of blocking the river with iron chains or burning the boats with fire, his energy would have to be used on internal strife.
He clasped his hands behind his back and thoughtfully thought for a while. He slowly said, "Go back and immediately prepare to pack your luggage. Tomorrow morning, …"
As he said this, Tang Yixian suddenly called out, "Cousin!"
"Oh?" Yang Ling blankly turned his head and asked, "What?"
Tang Yixian helplessly rolled her eyes and said to Cui Ying 'er in a coquettish manner, "Jiejie, look, didn't I say that Cousin is busy with official business all day long, just like he was in Datong, running in and out all day long and didn't even have time to eat. He should have nothing to do along the way. Well, he's still so busy that I called him three times before he reacted."
The corner of Red Madame's mouth crooked, thinking, "Busy with official business all day long? If he's busy with official business, he goes to 'Yan Lai Lou' to drink wine! "
Yang Ling glanced at her and pretended to be annoyed at Tang Yixian, "You this girl, all day long if it's not talking about flowers and birds, it's the flute and guzheng. If not, your Gege is like a duck listening to thunder, he doesn't understand at all. Hehe, why did you call me?"
Tang Yixian's annoyance turned into joy, pointing at the small Blessed Buddha Temple, she said, "Cousin, although that temple is small, it looks quite old. I want to go pay my respects, do you want to come?"
Yang Ling smiled and said, "You go first, don't wander around, I still have a few words to say to Liu Official, I'll go in a while."
"Okay!" Tang Yixian agreed readily, turning her head to Zhengde and said, "Xiao Huang, let's go, didn't you boast about your Buddhist knowledge? Let's go find the old monk to recite Buddhist scriptures, Jiejie, do you want to come? "
Red Madame hesitated for a moment, then said with a smile, "Jiejie doesn't believe in Buddhism, I'll wait for you outside."
Buddhism talked about karma and retribution, her business was killing people, it would be strange if she was willing to believe in Buddhism. Tang Yixian didn't know what was going on, she giggled and called Zhengde into the temple. As soon as they left, how could Zhang Yong, Miao Kui, and Hua Official dare not to chase after them, even the four to five Imperial Bodyguards behind them followed behind.
Yang Ling anxiously said to Liu Biao, "Tomorrow morning, we'll break camp and return to the capital, quickly go back and prepare."
Turning around, he saw Red Madame's charming eyes staring at him, he asked curiously, "In Datong, you have a large entourage, why is that man surnamed Wu also following you into the temple? Aren't you afraid someone will try to assassinate you?"
Yang Ling did not reveal that the streets were filled with pedestrians, and even some of the people selling goods were Imperial Bodyguards in disguise, he chuckled and said, "That's not it, it's just that among these people, your martial arts is the best. With you around, even the Heavenly King Father won't be able to touch a single hair on my head, of course they can rest assured."
Cui Ying 'er snorted coldly, she had a second thought, her heart could not help but jump, "He … could it be that his people are creating an opportunity for the two of us to be alone?"
Seeing Yang Ling's countenance turned solemn as he took a step closer to her, Cui Ying 'er could not help but take a step back in panic. She had just realized that she was blushing, suddenly she remembered her identity, her pretty face could not help but turn pale, she bit her lip and stood still.
Yang Ling looked at this Red Madame, who was once calm and composed in front of the Capital's army, but now she was distressed and helpless like a little girl, he did not know why his heart tightened, an indescribable feeling of tenderness rose in his heart. He gently walked closer and said in a low voice, "Tomorrow morning, we'll be departing for the capital."
Red Madame's heart was relieved at first, then she felt relieved, she said in a somewhat dazed manner, "Congratulations …"
"Hmm? Congratulations? " Yang Ling was somewhat astonished, Cui Ying 'er blushed and said in embarrassment, "No, take care on the way …" She stomped her foot, suddenly flew into a rage out of humiliation and said, "Why are you telling me this? If I had not been treating Miss Yixian's illness, when Black Sparrow Hawk's injuries were better, I would have already left. "
Yang Ling fixed his gaze on her and suddenly said, "That day, when you and Black Sparrow Hawk were talking, I heard it all from outside the door."
Cui Ying 'er's expression immediately changed. Yang Hu's actions angered both man and god, but she was Yang Hu's wife. Such an ugly action was known by the people of the imperial court, who they had always reviled as shameless. That kind of shame was like a poisonous snake biting at her heart.
Yang Ling sighed and said, "I … have something to tell you. If your esteemed father is willing to accept the imperial court's offer of amnesty, you can come to the capital to find me. I will definitely ensure that your entire family is safe. Yang Hu's rebellion will definitely fail, don't implicate him and his entire clan!"
Cui Ying 'er suddenly raised her head to look at him. Yang Ling confidently shook his head and said, "I am not lying to you, he absolutely has no chance of success! If he kills me, he will not be able to achieve great things! If he kills the current emperor, he will also not be able to achieve great things! With Yang Hu's ability, he can only be a hero of one side, he will never be able to achieve the hegemony of an emperor, he will not be able to become a hero of the world! "
He saw Cui Ying 'er's pale face and could not accept such a direct reprimand and could not bear to continue. He saw an abject scholar sitting on the street with a few rolls of paper on the table. He smiled and said, "I don't know if it's a fortune teller or a calligraphy seller. Yixian should be coming out soon. Let's go over there to sit and rest and wait for them to come out."
Cui Ying 'er followed him to the writing table without any idea. Today, the foreigners had combed through the entire Tian Street, and now the pedestrians and customers were all new faces. This abject scholar had already noticed that something was wrong with the situation. In addition to the rumors in the streets and the fact that the emperor was in Yangyuan, he could not help but guess that the group of people that just entered the temple were probably imperial envoys, and even the current emperor was among them.
Then the person in front of him must be a high-ranking official of the imperial court, so he quickly stood up and said, "This gongzi, do you want to buy a fist painting?"
"Fist painting? What is a fist painting? "Yang Ling asked.
The shabby scholar smiled somewhat reservedly. Although he was poor, he had his own pride when it came to what he was good at. The scholar pointed to the rice paper on the table and clenched his fists, "I don't need to use a brush. I can draw mountains and rivers with my hands. I guarantee that it will be vivid. Does gongzi want to try?"
Yang Ling smiled and said, "Alright, then I'll have to trouble you to draw a picture. I'm looking forward to it."
"Gongzi, what kind of painting do you want to draw?" The shabby scholar did not expect that there would be business today, and the buyer was a high-ranking official of the imperial court. If the painting was good, there would naturally be a lot of rewards.
Yang Ling looked around and could not find anything that could catch his eye. Suddenly, he had an idea and said, "Please draw a painting for the lady next to me. If the painting is good, I … I will reward you."
"Ah!" Cui Ying 'er let out a soft cry. She was a little surprised and a little excited. Since she was young, she had been playing with knives, spears and sticks. She had never drawn a portrait before. Although she wanted to refuse, she was also eager to try.
The scholar nodded his head, stroked his beard and looked at Red Madame for a moment. Then, he rolled up his sleeves and opened a small jar. He dipped his fists into the ink. Sometimes the edges of his palms, sometimes the tips of his fists, he started drawing on the paper.
Cui Ying 'er felt a little nervous and wanted to pretend to be disdainful. However, she was afraid that the scholar would make her look ugly. Her eyes became dazed for a moment. This scholar's painting was similar to a modern sketch. It only sought to be realistic and did not have any artistic conception. However, the old man only used his fists to draw. He did not even need to draw a draft. His skill was definitely not ordinary.
After a while, a portrait of a woman appeared vividly on the paper. Red Lady looked closer and saw that the person in the painting had the same eyebrows and eyes. Her appearance was gentle and beautiful. It was exactly the same as what she usually saw in the mirror. Red Lady could not help but be surprised and happy. She stretched out her hand, but just as her fingertips touched the paper, she suddenly withdrew her hand.
Yang Ling also turned his head to take a closer look. He had a shocked expression when he first saw it. The old man had just smiled in satisfaction when Yang Ling suddenly shook his head and said, "No, no, this painting doesn't look like it."
The scholar's old face turned red and said with embarrassment, "Young master, which part does not look like it? Please point it out and I will correct it."
Yang Ling said, "Old mister, the person in the painting has a body like a weak willow. Her waist is thin and her eyebrows are like a painting. There is nothing that does not look like it. However, her expression and temperament are soft and charming, delicate and lovely.
This girl's forthright aura surpasses her charm. Her valiant and heroic appearance does not conceal her gentleness. Although her appearance is beautiful, and there are many beauties in the world, her spirit of looking down on the world is unparalleled. If your painting lacks this kind of spirit, it will be greatly inferior. "
Red Lady was stupefied for a moment. She didn't understand the meaning of every word that Yang Ling praised her, but it sounded like Yang Ling was praising her very highly, especially the phrase 'no one in the world can compare to me'. She could clearly hear the meaning behind it. Am I really that outstanding? Her eyes could not help but become misty.
The old scholar glanced at Cui Ying 'er. Her facial features were exquisite and delicate. Although she was dressed in a warrior's attire, there was a hint of sadness in her eyes. It was not false to say that she was gentle and charming, but where was the heroic spirit? But who would say no to money? No matter how virtuous a scholar was, he still had to eat with money, right?
The Old Master said, "This old man has overlooked it. Wait for this old man to draw another one." As he said this, he roused his spirits and brandished his fists, looking as if he was gnashing his teeth. Not long after, another painting of a beautiful woman appeared. Cui Ying 'er glanced at it and was immediately startled.
It was still the same appearance and there was not the slightest change in her facial features. However, the cloak of the person in the painting was fluttering in the wind. Her long hair fluttered in the air, and her delicate and beautiful face was full of heroic spirit. That kind of imposing manner made people who took a glance at her feel the entire image assaulting their faces and straight into their hearts. It was the same image, but different spirit. Unexpectedly, there was a world of difference.
Yang Ling picked it up and looked at it. He smiled in satisfaction and blew a few times on the part of the painting where the ink had yet to dry. However, the one who blew was unintentional, but the one who looked was interested. The place he blew on was the person in the painting's bulging breasts. Red Lady's heart jumped and she suddenly felt an itch in her chest. She hurriedly snatched the painting.
Yang Ling felt strange and said, "Don't stain it. The ink has yet to dry."
Cui Ying 'er's face bloomed into a smile and she somewhat proudly said, "I am the one in the painting. What does it have to do with you?"
Since that night when she kidnapped him from the capital, Yang Ling had never seen her reveal such a beautiful expression. Although she was very beautiful, her heroic spirit was extremely strong. Normally, she rarely showed a bashful smile. Therefore, when she occasionally smiled, it was like the clouds parting, the moonlight suddenly appearing, and the flowers swaying with the shadow. Yang Ling could not help but look at it.
Seeing his expression, Cui Ying 'er's smile suddenly froze and her complexion gradually sank. After a long time, she lowered her gaze and gently returned the painting to him. With a straight face, she said, "After we part tomorrow, if we meet again, I am afraid it will be the time when you and I meet with weapons. I don't want your things and I will chop you to my heart's content."
Old Master's eyes almost popped out of his head. After looking for a long time, he still could not understand the relationship between these two people. Yang Ling took out a silver ingot from his bosom and placed it on the table. Picking up the two paintings, he said, "I will ask someone to frame them later and give them to you. Just take it as a deduction from your consultation fee. You don't owe me anything."
Cui Ying 'er snorted and turned to leave. Yang Ling chased after her and walked shoulder to shoulder with her. After a moment of silence, he suddenly said, "You don't owe me anything. I owe you. If we meet again, you can come and chop me. I, Yang, will not use my saber against you."
Cui Ying 'er looked at him suspiciously and said, "Oh? Are you really willing to die under my sword? "
Yang Ling thought for a moment and very seriously said, "That won't do. I only said that I will not use my saber to chop you. I did not say that I am willing to die under your sword. I can use a weapon that does not harm people. For example … a fishnet!"
Cui Ying 'er was extremely angry and took off again. Yang Ling chased after her while smiling bitterly and said, "I was just joking with you to make you happy. One's life is a hundred years in a hurry. If one is always thinking about troubles, how can one live in vain?"
Cui Ying 'er did not say anything. Her jade-like hands clutched her cloak tightly. Her heart palpitated incessantly. Yang Ling wanted to say something but hesitated. He dejectedly stopped walking. The woman in front of him, no matter how much he owed her, how could he compensate her? He could only sigh.
At this moment, Tang Yixian pulled Zhengde's ear and walked out of the temple. She coquettishly said, "You little brat, I say, you are sneaky. You wrote your prayer banner. Why did you write 'Xiaohuang' and 'Yixian'? What do I have to do with you? "
With a bitter face, Zhengde said, "Miss, let go of me. It hurts so much. I did not write about you. I wrote 'Xiaohuang Yixian'. I am good at fortune-telling. Everyone calls me 'Huang Yixian'. Am I right, Wu Daren?"
Tang Yixian snorted and coquettishly said, "Huang Yixian? You still call me 'Huang Daxian' and 'Weasel'. "
Hua Daren, Zhang Yong, Miao Kui and the rest followed behind. They all looked helpless. The four of them saw Yang Ling. Yang Ling also had a bitter face. The four of them looked at each other. Each of them had their own thoughts. They shook their heads and sighed.
Tang Yixian saw her cousin. She quickly let go of her hand and stuck out her tongue in embarrassment. But when she thought about it, she was unwilling. While Zhengde was not paying attention, she fiercely stomped on his foot. Only then did she ran towards Cui Ying 'er with a face full of smiles.
※ ※ ※
The Emperor's ceremonial procession was about to return to the capital. Pu County Magistrate and a group of gentry rushed to the front of the residence. They stood beside Hua Daren to send the Emperor off.
The Emperor slowly rode out. The large ceremonial procession passed by. There was a carriage parked in front of the residence. Wu Hanchao and a dozen bodyguards waited at a distance. Yang Ling led the horse and stood in front of the carriage. Opposite him was Cui Ying 'er. The two of them looked at each other without saying a word.
After a while, Yang Ling turned around and took a pouch from the saddle bridge. He placed it on the shaft of the carriage and said, "Inside this, half of it is pure gold and the other half is silver. It is for Miss's consultation fee."
He then took out two scrolls of painting from his sleeve and said, "These two paintings have already been laminated. The women in the paintings, although they have the same appearance, are completely different people. I hope that Miss will be able to gain some enlightenment from them. You will be able to maintain your valiance and elegance. Miss, please remember what I said yesterday. Yang Hu will definitely not succeed. Since the Cui family's old stockade has such a great influence in the Northern Lulin Forest, I hope that Miss can use this influence to persuade him to rein in his horse before it's too late! "
Cui Ying 'er knew that her old father was getting on in years and his personality was extremely stubborn. She was afraid that his enthusiasm was not below Yang Hu's. It was easier said than done to persuade him to turn back. However, she had her own difficulties and could only sigh softly and say, "I will do my best …"
Her curved eyelashes trembled slightly and there seemed to be light flowing in her eyes. She gently sized up Yang Ling for a moment before saying softly, "You are a good official. I wish you success in your affairs. The people of the world will all be prosperous. At that time … at that time, there will be no more people like us who want to rebel …"
Her soft tone carried a hint of melancholy.
Yang Ling turned his head to look at the carriage in the distance and said in a low voice, "Take the painting. I have to go."
Cui Ying 'er slowly lowered her eyebrows and stretched out her hand to take the painting. Their fingers suddenly touched. In that instant, it was like lightning flashed. At that moment, the two of them seemed to have touched a thread of bitterness in the other's heart.
Cui Ying 'er tilted her head and said in a low voice, "From now on, I hope … we will not see each other again!" She did not want to see each other. Naturally, she did not want to see Yang Ling with swords and weapons.
It was as if their hearts were connected. Without turning his head, Yang Ling flipped over and mounted the horse. He waved the horsewhip and said in a hurry, "I hope that after today, we will not see each other again!"
The sound of horse hooves was swift. A dozen bodyguards whipped their horses and followed Yang Ling. Cui Ying 'er looked into the distance for a moment and raised her eyebrows. Suddenly, a sense of heroism that she had not felt for a long time reappeared, "No matter what, I must return to the old stockade and give it a try. I cannot let father fall into Yang Hu's trap!"
The carriage also left the Hua Residence and drove into the distance …
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