When Pei Ji and the others arrived at the dock,
The rain was already a little heavy,
The luggage that should have been transported and packed before Pei Ji and the others arrived was delayed by the rain,
There were still a few things left that were being moved,
The maids and servants held their own packages and waited to board the ship.
Naturally, they couldn't let their masters wait like this,
Fortunately, there was no lack of places to rest on the dock,
The butler had already booked a private room. The Pei family, who had arrived before Pei Ji, were drinking tea inside,
They would wait for the ship to be properly loaded before going up, saving them a few more moments of turbulence.
Outside the teahouse,
Pei Ji looked at the signboard above and stepped onto the dry steps. The person behind him carefully closed the umbrella,
The manservant who was leading the way in front of him froze when he entered the door. He stood there stiffly, blocking the way.
Pei Ji frowned slightly,
The butler coughed. The manservant suddenly came back to his senses and hurriedly moved aside to make way for the door,
He turned around and asked, "Sir."
As soon as he moved aside, Pei Ji saw that person, Lin Ruo.
There were many people in the hall, and he was not in the most eye-catching position,
But this person..,
No matter where..,
There was no way not to see him at first glance.
That person..,
His face was like a painting, and his charm was like an immortal. Even when he was in the narrow and gloomy prison, he looked happy and at ease. His every move carried a bone-deep indifference and calmness. He was excessively beautiful, and even more excessively clean. He was clearly in the mortal world, but he was not moved by the mortal world. He was like a clear stream flowing far away from the mortal world, making people who were close to him temporarily forget the hustle and bustle of the mortal world and feel that they were a little cleaner … how could people not yearn for such a person?
Pei Ji actually felt a little regretful in his heart. If he had known this person earlier, understood his temperament earlier, and not treated him as an obstacle, perhaps they could have become friends?
The youth, who was still wearing a white scholar's robe, was sitting by the window in a relaxed posture. He leaned lazily against the back of the chair, his elbows on the armrest, supporting his head. His ink-like long hair was casually tied up and draped down, quietly lying on his shoulder. The young man's gaze fell far away into the depths of the mountains outside the window, leisurely listening to the pitter-patter of the rain, that kind of tranquil and peaceful … The heavens loved this young man so much that wherever he was, it was as if time had frozen, turning into a beautiful still picture.
Pei Ji was absent-minded for a moment, then he smiled faintly and walked towards the stairs.
Pei Ji left the capital today, and everyone in Chang'an knew about it. He did not believe that Lin Ruo's appearance here at this moment was just a coincidence. Since he deliberately came to wait for him, but deliberately pretended to treat him as if he did not exist, he, Pei Ji, did not have such a good temper to cater to him, nor was he interested in listening to what he had to say. In this kind of situation, could he still expect him to say anything nice?
Pei Ji looked straight ahead and led the people to the stairs unhurriedly. Although he decided to ignore Lin Ruo, when he passed by him, Pei Ji could not help but glance at him.
Just this glance made him stop in his tracks.
There was a painting on the table in front of Lin Ruo. The ink on it was still wet. It was probably his new work. Because of the admiration of the Emperor, Lin Ruo's painting was now very valuable. But obviously, the owner of the painting did not cherish it and only used it as a pastime to pass the time. Now that it had completed its mission, it was abandoned on the simple table. The cheap tea provided by the hotel was casually pressed on the painting paper, making a corner of the pavilion in the painting faint.
This pavilion … Pei Ji was a little surprised. It looked so familiar!
Pei Ji could not help looking at it attentively. In the painting, the pavilion was not the only familiar thing.
The pavilion was just the background. The protagonists of the painting were people, many people. He had to admit that Lin Ruo's painting skills were really good. Everyone in the painting only had a few strokes, and some even only showed a shoulder or a bun. But from these simple strokes, he could recognize that this was Lord Zhang, this was Lord Li, and this … Everyone's expressions and postures in the painting were vivid and lifelike. Some were reluctant to part, some were sincere and attentive, and some were indignant. Even if it was just a back view with a bow, he could see the reverence in that person's heart from the bowed waist and lowered shoulders …
In the center of the painting were two people. The old man in the blue robe was handsome and had an outstanding temperament. The young man under the dark cloak was handsome and in high spirits. It was him and the King Of Qi, Yuan Ji.
Pei Ji took a deep breath, closed his eyes, and looked up at Lin Ruo. He said, "Prince Lin is really worthy of the title of a talent. You paint well."
At this moment, speaking first would be equivalent to admitting defeat. But he had to speak.
Lin Ruo was not unaware of Pei Ji's arrival. He was just too lazy to move. Hearing this, he turned to look at him with displeasure. His expression was still lazy. "Lin Ruo is a commoner and was born in a humble family. This is the first time he has seen so many high officials and nobles gathered together. Oh, no, they are all gathered in the wilderness. So, I couldn't help but paint it. Since Lord Pei also thinks that it is a good painting, why don't I give it to His Majesty? Perhaps His Majesty will recall Lord Pei when he sees the painting and thinks of Lord Pei's reputation. Perhaps he will recall Lord Pei as soon as possible? "
Lin Ruo had been disturbed by Pei Ji for no reason. Naturally, he had to make him uncomfortable.
Pei Ji said coldly, "I have been an official for many years. I am one of the founding ministers of the Tang Empire. It is normal for many colleagues to send me off when I leave my post. Prince Lin thinks that this painting can drive a wedge between His Majesty and me?"
Lin Ruo smiled faintly and did not reply. This person seemed to have forgotten that he had resigned and returned to his hometown only because of one sentence. If one sentence was like this, how could a painting be like this?
If this painting was really useless, why would Pei Ji stop to talk to him? It was true that it was not strange for an important official to leave his post and return to his hometown. However, it was one thing to know about some things and another to see it with one's own eyes. Especially under his painting, the expressions and attitudes of these court officials were so sincere. One could see that they respected him from the bottom of their hearts. It was as if they could go through water and tread on fire for the person in front of them at any time.
Pei Ji clenched his hands into fists. There was anger in his eyes. When they were sending him off earlier, there were indeed many people who revealed their true feelings and showed a sincere attitude. However, there were even more people who were either calm and reserved or perfunctorily responded to the story. How was it like the painting in the painting, where all of them were sincere and attentive? This was clearly a blatant slander. However, how could he refute this kind of slander?
He knew better than anyone how easily His Majesty was swayed by emotions. If this painting was really hung on Li Yuan's desk and constantly reminded him of how much influence a certain person had in the imperial court, especially when this person had used his trust in him and his authority to oppose him in public but secretly plot against him. Would he be so easily recalled to the imperial court?
Just this painting alone was enough to make his journey back to the Heavenly Dao Realm extremely difficult!
Although Lin Ruo did not speak, Pei Ji could easily read the ridicule in his smile. He took a deep breath and said, "Prince Lin, if you want to send me off, then send me off. Why do you have to deliberately inform a frustrated person like me? However, I am very curious. Scholar Lin, haven't you always been aloof and proud? Don't you look down on riches and power? Why are you now using the Emperor's power to strut around? "
Lin Ruo said indifferently, "After receiving Lord Pei's teachings, how can I not improve?" There was no anger in his voice.
Pei Ji looked at Lin Ruo. He suddenly did not dare to accept it. Could one round of training really change someone so much? The overly clean young man he saw in the Supreme Court had transformed so thoroughly in just a few days. It was as if a pure and harmless stream had suddenly turned into an iceberg and a sea of snow. His entire person exuded a biting cold and sharp aura, causing people to feel a chill in their hearts.
Lin Ruo had no intention of continuing to argue with him. He changed the topic and said, "Lord Pei, you are on your way today. I have also prepared a gift to send you off. I originally planned to have it delivered later, but since we coincidentally met here, I will give it to you in advance. Lin Chuan. "
The coachman and attendant Lin Chuan, who had been standing quietly behind Lin Ruo, made a sound of acknowledgement. He carried the tray forward and said, "Lord Pei, please kindly accept it."
The head steward of the Pei family glanced at Pei Ji and stepped forward to receive it. "Lord Pei?"
Pei Ji narrowed his eyes. With this young man's temperament, he naturally would not really give him a gift. However, he also believed that no matter how naive and willful Lin Ruo was, he would not dare to give him poison in front of so many people to harm him. He was a scholar, after all. At worst, he would use some metaphors to mock him. To him, this painting was more worthy of his attention.
At this moment, he came back to his senses. This young man had a proud and aloof personality. How could he really give this painting to the Emperor to accuse him? If he really had such intentions, this painting would not have appeared here.
The so-called gift was probably just to embarrass him for a while. What was wrong with satisfying such a naive wish?
He smiled faintly and reached out to lift the cyan satin covering the tray. He said, "In that case, I will smile..."
When the satin was lifted, a length of hemp rope appeared in front of him. It was old and worn, as if it had just been untied from a stable or something. There were even uneven dents on it.
Pei Ji had not finished speaking when his expression changed. He said coldly, "Prince Lin, what is the meaning of this?"
Lin Ruo's gift was not unexpected. Pei Ji's change of expression accounted for most of it. Lin Ruo did not seem to notice and said faintly, "The ancients said that the wrath of the Emperor would cause millions of corpses to fall. The wrath of a commoner would cause blood to flow five steps away."
"I am..." He smiled faintly and said lightly, "a nobody."
Pei Ji looked at Lin Ruo for a while and sighed. He said, "I know that Prince Lin has been wronged this time. However, Prince Lin, you are unharmed, and your servant did it on his own accord... Now, dozens of people have died in the Supreme Court, the Crown Prince has been reprimanded, the King Of Qi has been grounded, I have been dismissed from my position, and the Emperor has personally buried your servant. Is this not enough to appease the hatred in your heart? You are just a servant who has signed a death contract. You are just like an ant. What are you trying to do... "
Lin Ruo suddenly looked up. Pei Ji could not continue his words. The originally formless gaze fell on Pei Ji as if it weighed a thousand catties. Pei Ji's heart thumped wildly, as if a heavy burden had been placed on him. It was as if a sharp blade was at his throat. The chill penetrated from the top of his head and spread along his back to his entire body. For a moment, Pei Ji did not speak. Even his breathing stopped, and a thin layer of sweat slowly appeared on his back.
Pei Ji's heart trembled, and he was even more stunned. This young man was of ordinary birth, and he was a commoner. However, his aura seemed to be inferior to that of Li Yuan and Li Shimin. Li Yuan was the ruler of a country, and he held the world in his hands. Li Shimin led an invincible army and swept across the world. Naturally, their auras were astonishing. However, this young man had an aura that made people tremble in fear. Where did it come from?
Lin Ruo's aura rose and then disappeared. His gaze returned to calmness. He said faintly, "This is my retribution for being too disrespectful to this world. It has nothing to do with others."
"Being too disrespectful to this world …" Pei Ji frowned. He could not bring himself to say the word "arrogant".
Lin Ruo paused for a moment before continuing, "However, you have to pay the price for what you have done. No matter how many others die, what does it have to do with you, Pei Ji?"
In Pei Ji's silence, Lin Ruo got up and walked past him. He took the paper fan in Lin Chuan's hand and slowly walked into the rain.
Lin Chuan grinned at Pei Ji, revealing a mouthful of white teeth. "Lord Pei, have a safe journey!"
He jogged a few steps and followed behind Lin Ruo.
Pei Ji watched the two people's backs disappear into the distance. His face was as calm as water. The head butler reminded him in a low voice, "Lord, this painting … do you want me to take it and burn it?"
Pei Ji's gaze fell on the "farewell painting" that had been abandoned by its owner like a worn-out broom. He said, "Keep it."
This painting might be of great use to him. Lin Ruo would never have thought that the thing he used to threaten him would be a great gift to him.
Suddenly, he frowned slightly as he recalled the conversation between Lin Ruo and his servant. It was a normal conversation, but now that he thought about it, he felt that there was a sense of foreboding. "Be on your way, send you off, have a safe journey …"
"Pass down the order. Tell them to speed up. Once the boat is loaded, we will set off immediately."
"Yes."
*****
The rain was still falling, but it was gradually getting lighter. The pier did not become deserted because of the rain. Travelers were still getting on and off the boat. The goods from the north and south were also being loaded and unloaded. It was just that the rain made it seem more hurried and messy.
Lin Ruo stood on the embankment with an umbrella and watched the people coming and going at the pier. Lin Chuan stepped forward and said in a low voice, "Pei Ji has boarded the boat."
Lin Ruo tilted his head and saw Pei Ji, who was wearing a green robe, stepping onto the wooden plank under the escort of a group of people. He softly grunted in acknowledgment.
The Pei family's boat was very large. The plank was wide and long, sturdy and stable. Pei Ji's steps were also very steady. He was surrounded by skilled imperial bodyguards. The head butler, who was closest to him, was personally holding an umbrella for him.
Pei Ji turned his head and glanced at the pier. The corner of his mouth twitched slightly. When an ordinary man gets angry, he will bleed 500 times. However, it would be better if he was an ordinary man with ability. That person only had the Emperor's appreciation, but he had no strength to truss a chicken. He had no power at all. What did he have to make him bleed 500 times? He was just saying some harsh words.
Speaking of which, this popular man was not even as good as him, a loser. His Majesty had at least granted him 300 imperial guards to escort him. What did that person have?
Pei Ji turned his head and continued forward.
The strange sound of a man carrying a bag could be heard from the dock. Pei Ji didn't know where the accent came from, but it made people laugh. Before the smile on Pei Ji's face disappeared, he suddenly lost his footing and fell heavily to the ground. His heart, however, seemed to have been left behind in the air. The sudden weightlessness made him cry out in alarm. Before he could finish his cry, he had already fallen into the water.
Pei Ji's heart calmed down, and he heaved a sigh of relief. Although he wasn't very good at swimming, it wasn't difficult for him to swim ten feet away from the shore. Moreover, it was summer now, and there were so many people around … Just as he was thinking, before he could clearly see where the shore was, he felt something cold wrap around his ankle …
"Oh no, Sir has fallen into the water! Save him, quickly save him! "
"Where is Sir? Why don't I see Sir? "
"Sir is still in the water. Quickly, go down and look for him!"
"Sir! Sir! Sir is missing! Sir! "
"Father … Quick, quick! Go and look for him! Find Father and reward him! Reward him handsomely! "
"…"
Lin Ruo turned his gaze from the fisherman who was playing with the rope on the small boat to the noisy scene. On the boat on the shore, people were throwing people into the water like boiling dumplings. The imperial guards who knew how to swim also took off their armor and jumped into the water.
There was a lot of noise on the other side. The voices gradually changed from anger to fear, and finally, there was fear and despair. Those who knew how to swim plunged into the water and floated up again and again. Those who did not know how to swim cried in a mess on the shore, "Sir … Sir … Sir …"
No matter how much he thought about it, he just couldn't understand how a perfectly fine person could disappear right under his nose.
Not far away, on the lonely small boat, the fisherman who did not find anything threw the rope into the water and slowly sailed away.
Lin Ruo retracted his gaze from the big boat and looked at the surface of the water not far away from him. The surface of the water was churning violently, as if there was a deadly whirlpool at the bottom of the water that was swallowing life, or a fish trapped in a net that was struggling desperately. The surface of the water was violently undulating, rippling, and churning, with a sense of hysteria and despair.
Lin Ruo looked at the surface of the water and said, "At this moment, I want to ask, do you regret forcing me to spend my time on things other than music, chess, calligraphy, and painting?"
Naturally, no one answered him. The surface of the water gradually calmed down. After a few bubbles, there were no more waves. Lin Ruo raised his head and looked into the distance. These people were always proud of killing innocent people, but they did not know that their own lives were just as fragile. It was just killing people. It was so simple that it was boring. What was there to be proud of?
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