An old voice came from outside the hall, "No need to be so troublesome. This poor Taoist will come by himself!" Amidst the long laughter, a white-haired old man walked into the hall with his hands behind his back and a smile on his face. His long sleeves fluttered and his clothes fluttered. His expression was extremely calm. He walked in front of Shen Shiyun and said, "This poor Taoist has just arrived and heard the younger generation speak ill of others behind their backs. It seems that this poor Taoist's hospitality is not thorough enough and impolite." Shen Shiyun was not to be outdone and retorted sarcastically, "Taoist Zhang came uninvited and eavesdropped on the younger generation's conversation outside the hall. It seems that you are not very thorough in your etiquette."
The Kongtong Sect's leader clapped his hands and laughed, "Good child, good eloquence! This poor Taoist will apologize to you. Is that okay? " He walked to the table and pulled out a round stool to sit down. His right leg crossed over his left knee and his toes trembled slightly. He looked just like the master of the main hall. He smiled and said, "This poor Taoist has something important to discuss with Niangniang. Tell these annoying ears to leave!" Shen Shiyun nodded and the palace maids and eunuchs left one after another.
The Kongtong Sect's leader narrowed his eyes and looked at Luo Jin. He said, "Didn't you hear what this poor Taoist said? Why don't you leave? "Shen Shiyun said," She is my confidant. There is no need to hide anything from her. "She walked to the square table and sat down. She leaned her right arm on the table and looked at him coldly. Luo Jin stood behind Shen Shiyun and put her hands on Shen Shiyun's shoulders. Both of them looked like they were ready to fight.
The Kongtong Sect's leader smiled and said, "Don't be so nervous. This poor Taoist heard that today is Niangniang's birthday and specially came to congratulate her. This poor Taoist has no other intention." He bent his thumbs and lightly pressed them together. A boy in gray walked in with a brocade box in his hand. He lowered his head and walked in. He put the box in the middle of the table and respectfully called out, "Shifu!" The Kongtong Sect's leader replied, "En, you may leave." The boy saluted and said, "Yes, Shifu!" He calmly retreated and closed the door after he left the hall.
Shen Shiyun looked at the man's steady footsteps, apparently he had good martial art skills. He wondered if the Sect Leader of the Kongtong Sect had brought more disciples to ambush outside the hall. If so, it would be difficult to deal with them. Before she could figure it out, the Sect Leader of the Kongtong Sect pushed the brocade box to her side and said with a smile, "This is just a small gift. It's not enough to show my respect. I hope Imperial Concubine Yun will kindly accept it."
Shen Shiyun opened the box with one hand and saw a round, jade-like luminous pearl in the box. Its appearance was sparkling and translucent. Although it was daytime, one could still see a layer of luster on the pearl. His fingers rested on the edge of the box, and he could already feel the coolness seeping out of the pearl. It was indeed a top-grade luminous pearl, and definitely not a "small gift". Shen Shiyun looked at it for a moment and sneered. She closed the box again and said, "Let's get back to the topic. I know what kind of person you are. Let's get straight to the point. I don't have time to play with you."
The Sect Leader of Kongtong Sect smiled and said, "Good, you really have a brain! Poor Taoist likes to deal with smart and beautiful little girls like you … "But then he realized his words were too frivolous and inconsistent with his identity and purpose. He coughed dryly and said," Since Consort Yun is so smart, why don't you guess why poor Taoist actually came? "
Shen Shiyun's countenance sank. The Sect Leader of Kongtong Sect immediately answered with a laugh, "I almost forgot, Consort Yun doesn't like other people asking questions. Never mind, the guest should follow the host's wishes. Poor Taoist will get straight to the point. I know Consort Yun is now the uncrowned Empress behind the scenes, your power is amazing. Poor Taoist is also a person with lofty ambitions. But my appetite is easy to satisfy. I only want the power of the Emperor, not the title of the Monarch. I will never encroach on Consort Yun's position. If Consort Yun agrees to form an alliance and cooperate, I promise to personally lead my disciples to quell the chaos in all directions for Consort Yun. The Manchurians have entered the capital. On the surface, they seem to be sitting on the rivers and mountains. Actually, people with discerning eyes like us can see that the situation has not really been settled. You should also know that since the seventeenth year of Chongzhen, no, the first year of Shunzhi, on the third day of the fifth month, the remnants of the Ming Dynasty, Ma Shiying, Shi Kefa, and others appointed Zhu Yousong, the grandson of Ming Shenzong, to be the regent of the country in Nanjing. On the fifteenth day of the fifth month, the Emperor will ascend the throne. Secondly, the Devil Cult has dominated the Wulin world for many years. They have already set up branches in various places, indiscriminately killing innocent people. You know their situation better than I do. Let's not talk about those far away. Let's talk about the Qing Tian Zhai of the Taihang Mountain in the vicinity of the capital. The Imperial Court has a lot of headaches because of them. If this small spark is not extinguished as soon as possible, it will become a prairie fire in the future. I hope Consort Yun will reconsider. "
Shen Shiyun disdainfully said, "These are just ants, insects, and flies. They are not worth our concern. Bengong will send troops to quell them. There is no need to trouble Daozhang."
With a cold laugh the Sect Leader of Kongtong Sect said, "Are you really that confident? I don't think so. Consort Yun doesn't seem to be very effective in quelling the rebellion. Otherwise, how could those bandits still be alive and kicking after being encircled for so long? " Shen Shiyun said coldly, "If Bengong didn't guess wrong, what you and the bandits of the Qing Tian Zhai said was nothing more than this. Because the world is in chaos and the political situation is unstable, you can't make up your mind about which side you should choose to settle down. Therefore, you want to win over all sides and leave yourself a few more ways of retreat. No matter which side wins the throne in the future, you will never suffer a loss. "
The Sect Leader of Kongtong Sect smiled and said, "I didn't praise you in vain. Then Consort Yun means … "
Shen Shiyun said, "I refuse." The Sect Leader of Kongtong Sect's face stiffened, but he quickly put on a smile again and said slowly, "Don't be in a hurry to refuse. You'd better think it over carefully. I have already negotiated with the chief of the Qing Tian Zhai. If you don't need my help, I will help them. Driving out the barbarians and reviving the Han Dynasty's rivers and mountains is the aspiration of the people and the hope of the people! When the time comes, the righteous men of the four seas will rise up. No matter how many masters there are in the imperial court, I'm afraid they will be helpless! As long as the people are subdued, the alliance can be abolished and a new king can be appointed! Don't think that just because you have Li Yijie under your control, you can control the heroes of the world forever! "
Shen Shiyun's eyes were gloomy, and she said coldly, "You dare to threaten Bengong? Why don't you go and find out what happened to the old procuress of the Agarwood Courtyard in Jingxi, Madame Ruhua? That will be the precedent for you crazy people! "
The Sect Leader of Kongtong Sect sneered and said, "Madame Ruhua!" She remembered seeing the officers and soldiers burning and killing in the courtyard. She never thought that one day, she would sit at the same table with the real culprit and talk face to face. It was really a trick of the world. Thinking about it, she was so emotional that she raised her hand and slammed it on the table, shaking the teacups on the table. She calmed herself down and leaned forward slightly, saying, "There must be something that Consort Yun doesn't know about. When Madame Ruhua was young, she had a lover who showed up in time to save her. That life-threatening slave contract also fell into that person's hands. "
Shen Shiyun was moved, "Where is that person now?" The Kongtong Sect's leader smiled, "Far away on the horizon, but close at hand." Shen Shiyun frowned, as if she finally realized something about his sudden visit. She said, "It's you? What do you want? "
The Kongtong Sect's leader smiled, "This humble Taoist has no evil intentions. My mouth says that I am loyal to Consort Yun, but empty words have no proof, so it's hard to gain trust. I should at least show something. This humble Taoist has already endured the pain of losing her and killed her. It's just that I secretly took care of such a big disaster for Consort Yun, so I can't do it in vain. I should at least get some benefits. It's only right, don't you think? "Luo Jin laughed on the side. The Kongtong Sect's leader was displeased," What are you laughing at? What's so funny? " Luo Jin held back her laughter and waved her hand, saying, "It's nothing. I just remembered an old saying: 'Birds of a feather flock together.'"
Shen Shiyun sneered, "Why does Daozhang think that Bengong will agree to your ridiculous conditions? I can kill you right now, then your so-called evidence will naturally cease to exist. "
Luo Jin moved her feet outside. The Kongtong Sect's leader laughed, "Don't be in a hurry to call for help! This humble Taoist certainly knows that you have the authority to decide life and death. However, since this humble Taoist dared to come alone, naturally I have made full preparations. Such an important item, how could he easily bring it with him into a dangerous situation? I have kept it in a safe place, under the watch of a special person. If I don't return in three hours, they will present this beautiful contract to His Majesty. "
Shen Shiyun's lips had just moved when the Kongtong Sect's leader interrupted, "I also know that with your power in the Palace, if you go through the proper channels and wait for the ministers to submit a memorial, you won't be able to deliver it to His Majesty for a lifetime. If I use this to threaten you, it will only be in vain. Qing Tian Zhai's leader also advised me the same. "Shen Shiyun sneered," It's good that you know. Why don't you listen to your friend's advice? "
The Kongtong Sect's leader smiled and said, "Listen to me, I racked my brain and really came up with an idea. If I don't follow that set of procedures, but directly send someone to break into the Palace of Compassionate and Peaceful at night, and put this important evidence next to the Empress Dowager's pillow, what will happen? My friend's martial art skill is high, and he didn't enter the Palace to attack at night. He just came quietly and left quietly, so it shouldn't be difficult for him to escape unscathed. Even if His Majesty doesn't care, how can Empress Dowager, who has always valued a woman's family background and lineage, not care? Moreover, the new Emperor's foundation is not stable, so many powerful ministers are doing things their own way. Once they get hold of this weakness, they will question you face to face. Will His Majesty protect you, or will he abandon the beauty to protect the country? Even if he can still sit firmly on the throne, your title of Imperial Concubine will definitely be taken away. On the other hand, if you cooperate with Penniless Priest, you will have a strong ally, and the old matter can be forgotten. It will bring you a hundred benefits and no harm. Don't tell me you can't see it clearly? Very well, Penniless Priest has finished speaking, you can summon people to come in and chop me into eight pieces. But even if you chop me into sixteen pieces, you won't be able to change the direction of the situation. "
Shen Shiyun saw he was awe-inspiring and fearless, and what he said was indeed reasonable. For a moment she didn't know what to do, so she bit her lower lip hard. The Kongtong Sect's leader waited for a while, but seeing she didn't respond, he knew he had the upper hand in this first round. He smiled and changed the topic, "Is it really that difficult? Ay, I won't mention it, I won't mention it. I heard Niangniang was assassinated at the banquet. Aiya, how could this happen? That group of people was too arrogant! Are you alright? "
Shen Shiyun's eyes were suddenly gloomy, and then suddenly confused. "Why ask when you already know the answer?" The Kongtong Sect's leader smiled and said, "Niangniang is still so impolite to people, this is not good, not good. Do you know that assassin? "Shen Shiyun said," What does it have to do with you? " The Kongtong Sect's leader smiled and said, "Penniless Priest was on the side, I saw everything clearly. He is one of the most famous assassins in the Devil Cult."
Shen Shiyun said, "So what? Did you order him? "The Kongtong Sect's leader smiled and said," Niangniang thinks too highly of Penniless Priest, how could I order him around? In fact, you hate the Devil Cult because they killed your whole family. But now you have a lot of blood debts on your hands. Who knows when and where, the surviving orphans of Agarwood Courtyard and Chen Mansion will come to seek revenge. When that time comes, how will you deal with it? Young people all pay attention to appearance. I have two little disciples, one hates you to the bone, the other loves you to the bone … "
Shen Shiyun heard that he was talking nonsense, even talking about how young people cared about appearances. She said coldly, "You're talking nonsense with this consort. Have you had enough?" The Kongtong Sect's leader smiled and said, "Although Penniless Priest is old, I still have some self-control. You and I are neither relatives nor friends, I won't drag you to talk endlessly. Every sentence and every word I say is closely related to the following words. I have said so much to hint to you: the Devil Cult's witch Chu Menglin, whom you did not hesitate to destroy the Chen Mansion, is now in Penniless Priest's hands. "
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