Yan Cigui.

Cheng Xi stopped and turned to look at Eunuch Tong.

Eunuch Tong's jaw was very tense, and his mood was very uneasy and tangled.

After looking at his arm being grabbed, Cheng Xi took the initiative and said, "What's wrong? Did you remember something?"

"No," Eunuch Tong shook his head, "I just feel really uneasy.

It's still what we agreed on last time. If, if the master really has any ideas, you must let me know in advance.

I couldn't run away, so I just wanted to pack up and leave with dignity. "

The trembling tone showed the fear in his heart.

Cheng Xi was also infected, and his heart pounded.

But now is really not the time to be afraid. Cheng Xi comforted him and said: "You have never dealt with Feng Chang, and the investigation can't find you. Feng Chang said he was 'Eunuch Tong', but your family name is not Tong at all." . The only ones who know your original surname are my master and me. Feng Chang doesn’t know anything about you, so what can the palace find out about you?”

Eunuch Tong comforted himself and nodded repeatedly: "Yes, that's the truth! Even I almost forgot my surname. The man named Cao couldn't find me even if he searched the palace."

Cheng Xi asked again: "I've seen you outside...Su Chang has seen you, right?"

Eunuch Tong frowned and said in a deep voice: "Su Chang worked for Su Yi, where did he go to betray me? No matter how hard Duke Fuguo bit him, he couldn't bite Su Chang."

These few words were spoken loud and clear, not because he was absolutely sure, but because the weaker his heart was, the louder his voice would inevitably be. He relied on this method to embolden himself.

Even though he was daring, he couldn't really get strong. Eunuch Tong asked tentatively: "Isn't it possible?"

Cheng Xi thought about it seriously and said: "Wang Qi borrowed Su Chang's shop to attack Dao Heng. That was almost a year ago. If there is really news about Fu Guogong, Su Chang can still do a good job. Annual sales? I heard that he made a lot of money in the past two months!"

Only then did Eunuch Tong let out a long sigh of relief, and his heart dropped halfway: "If you say that, I feel relieved."

"Don't scare yourself first," Cheng Xi patted Eunuch Tong on the arm, "You haven't even mentioned your horoscope yet! Anyway, I promised you that once the master has any instructions, I will definitely inform you quietly, no. It will make you walk in a mess."

Eunuch Tong wiped his face and let go of Cheng Xi.

As soon as the people left, he sat down on the hoe again and stepped on the grinding wheel.

Having lived to this age, he has seen quite a few dead people. Some died tragically and were buried decently. Most of them were not dignified at all. They could just get a mat and they would be fine. There are very few people who look decent in front of you and look decent after you leave.

However, Wang Qi was doing pretty well when he left.

It's better to change yourself into better clothes and take the initiative to hang yourself, than to die if you make a fuss.

He also wanted to learn from Wang Qi.

He had made new clothes a year ago, but he purposely never wore them once. He kept them in a cage, expecting to wear them only when needed.

Eunuch Tong looked at Yaonan again.

He knew many prescriptions, including one that was fatal, and he had secretly prepared some.

Based on his friendship with Cheng Xi, if he doesn't struggle or resist, and walks honestly, and if he leaves some money for Cheng Xi, Cheng Xi will probably buy a coffin for him.

His lifeblood has also been taken back. When the time comes, he will be buried together, and he will not have to be a disabled person in the next life...

On this side, Eunuch Tong was thinking about arrangements for his death. On the other side, Cheng Xi returned to the front, and his master happened to return home.

Not bothering to look through old books anymore, Cheng Xi followed his master and waited on him to change his clothes and cleanse his face.

Jin Guiren wiped his hands with a handkerchief and glanced at Cheng Xi: "If you have something to say, just tell me, don't hide it."

"Yes," Cheng Xi was extremely worried and said bravely, "Feng Chang opened his mouth about the news sent by Wang Gouzi and mentioned the 'child eunuch'. It's unclear how much he mentioned specifically."

Jin Guiren stopped wiping his hands, remained silent for a moment, and said, "He mentioned the child eunuch?"

Cheng Xi nodded and quietly looked at his master's expression.

The master seemed expressionless, but he couldn't tell what he was thinking about.

Compared to Dao Heng and Wang Qi, Cheng Xi was naturally closer to Eunuch Tong, who was also an eunuch, and he also had a strong fear of lip death and tooth cold.

Therefore, he boldly said to Jin Guiren: "I don't understand, where did Feng Chang hear about Eunuch Tong? They must have had no contact with him at all. Master, if you tell me if it is him, you will know that there is someone beside you." Eunuch Tong, who doesn’t understand anyone else, deliberately made up stories in order to take a breather in Eunuch Cao’s hands?”

Jin Guiren threw the veil back into the basin: "When he said one sentence, there would be a second and third sentence."

Cheng Xi lamented silently: "Then what do you mean..."

Jin Guiren said nothing and turned to look at the yard.

One side of the house was originally covered with floor-to-ceiling window panels. With the advent of spring, the window panels were closed and hanging curtains were hung up as usual.

At this time, the curtain was rolled up, connecting the verandah outside, and the greenery of the yard came into view.

Cheng Xi followed Jin Guiren's line of sight and saw shoot tips sprouting from the small patch of bamboo on the ground.

After a while, Jin Gui finally said slowly: "Please ask Eunuch Tong to come over."

"Master?" Cheng Xi called out in a low voice. Seeing that Jin Guiren had no extra reaction, he could only agree.

When the sunset was about to disappear, Eunuch Tong saw Cheng Xi who had left and returned.

Cheng Xi said: "Master lets you go."

Eunuch Tong tremblingly held the back of the chair: "Is it time?"

"I'm not sure," Cheng Xi said in a low voice, "Since you don't recognize Feng Chang, you can have a good talk with the master."

Eunuch Tong had no idea: "Wang Qi and the others are all dead..."

"It's different," Cheng Xi said hurriedly, "The relationship between you and the master is always different. You have served Master Zhang."

Both of them were silent.

It's been so long, so long, that for many, many years, no one has mentioned Master Zhang again, and even the Master will not talk about it.

After a long while, Eunuch Tong said with a sad face, "When I followed Master Zhang, I was less than ten years old. How could I be expected to serve him?"

"But the master is concerned," Cheng Xi added, "otherwise, why would there be a piece of bamboo in front of the window?

Flowers change from season to season, but that patch of green bamboo remains unchanged for many years. Wasn’t it the half-year-long period before Master Zhang left that only a few green bamboos could be seen?

Just before I came over, the master was watching again. I thought he was also thinking about your past achievements. "

As the conversation started, old memories slowly came back.

Thinking of Master Zhang's frail body, thinking that she would occasionally admit the wrong person when she was seriously ill, thinking that in order to comfort the confused Master Zhang, he would pretend to be the master's voice to "cheat" her...

Eunuch Tong wiped his eyes: "Master Zhang passed away early, which is pitiful. He never lived a good day."

Cheng Xi actually has never met Master Zhang.

When he followed his master, Master Zhang had already passed away, and it was only later when he was working for his master that he finally figured out all the grudges from the past.

"You wait outside," Tong Gongzheng said, "I'm going to change my clothes. Master really wants to leave me alone..."

Cheng Xi didn't dare to agree with him and went out as promised.

The sunset has gone and the sky is getting dark.

Cheng Xi's heart sank a little bit, and he hoped that Eunuch Tong would be well.

If Dao Heng, who has made a lot of contributions in recent years, cannot survive, and neither can Eunuch Tong, who has an old relationship with his master, then Cheng Xi will be the one who makes mistakes one day, can he still survive?

When Father Tong comes out with dignity, the two of them will go there together.

Along the way, Mr. Tong explained the affairs behind his death to Cheng Xi in detail.

Cheng Xi wrote down where his personal money was hidden and where his life was kept, and he didn't stop talking until he reached the master's house.

Cheng Xi stayed outside, and Eunuch Tong went in alone.

After walking around the floor covering, he saw his master. Just as Cheng Xi said, he was standing under the connected verandah. The stone lanterns in the yard were lit, reflecting the shadows of green bamboos.

Eunuch Tong stepped forward, knelt down and saluted: "Master." Jin Guiren turned to look at him and saw that he was wearing new clothes and his hair was combed shiny. He couldn't help but be stunned: "What? Are you in a hurry to go out?"

When Eunuch Tong heard this, his face turned pale and his forehead rested on the ground: "I don't want to go out. I won't try to escape with Dao Heng and cause you trouble."

Only then did Jin Guiren react, and his tense face became even more ugly.

"You want to die?" he said coldly, "Did I say you could die?"

Eunuch Tong trembled all over. It was neither an answer nor a no answer.

But the master didn't say a word after that, only that cold gaze fell on his back, making the young father-in-law feel like a gleam on his back.

Thinking of Cheng Xi's words, Eunuch Tong became emboldened.

All great things are dead!

"Master, I don't want to die," Eunuch Tong choked, "Feng Chang told me, although I can't figure out why such a flaw happened, but, I understand the rules..."

The master will not spare anyone who is caught.

Whether he or Cheng Xi, they have followed their master for so many years, how could they not know?

"The younger one was thinking that if he goes on the road today, he should dress up in a decent manner," Eunuch Tong said again, "so that it won't stain your eyes."

Jin Guiren lowered his eyes and looked at Eunuch Tong for a moment.

Many images flashed through his mind, images that were buried deep in his memory and that he thought he would never recall again.

For a long time, he said word by word: "You don't have to be so active. Feng Chang doesn't know you, so why are you worried about him? I'm not worried at all."

Eunuch Tong was overjoyed and suddenly raised his head: "Master?!"

"Go back and stay there," Jin Guiren said. "Don't do unnecessary things, and you can live for a long time. Let Cheng Xi come in."

Eunuch Tong kowtowed repeatedly and withdrew with great gratitude.

Cheng Xi was outside, but he didn't hear what was said inside. Seeing Eunuch Tong's happy expression at this moment, his eyes couldn't help but light up: "Is everything okay?"

"It's okay!" Eunuch Tong was very excited, but he still remembered to suppress his voice, "Master asked me to stay here. I will go back soon. Also, Master asked you to come in."

The steps are heavy when you come, and the steps are light when you leave.

Cheng Xi was also very excited when he saw it in his eyes.

He took a deep breath and calmed down before pushing the door open and entering.

Jin Guiren asked: "Let someone ask Wang Gouzi carefully what else Feng Chang said."

When Cheng Xi heard this, he murmured in his heart.

Wang Gouzi will definitely report everything he knows, and he will take the initiative to report if there are any gains in the future. There is actually no need to come forward and ask.

Just as he was thinking about it, Cheng Xi shrank his neck when he saw his master looking down at him.

"You just have to do whatever I tell you." Jin Guiren said.

Cheng Xi: "I understand, little one."

After exiting the room, Cheng Xi scratched his forehead.

Yes.

The master has his own considerations.

He couldn't figure it out because he was stupid. There was no need for the master to explain everything to him one by one.

A few more days.

Li Shao's tenure in the Ministry of Rites officially ended.

In the afternoon of this day, Feng Shangshu of the Ministry of Rites followed Li Shao and Xu Jian to the imperial study room to make a summary of His Highness's observation of politics during these days.

Feng Shangshu is an old man. Six points are good, three points are even, and there is still one point to improve. He said it appropriately and steadily.

Even if Li Shao thought he was a good person in his heart, he would not boast about it in the imperial study room, and he still humbly accepted Feng Shangshu's "fair" evaluation.

The Holy Emperor asked Li Shao a few more questions and then asked Li Shao to return to Yuqing Palace first.

After that, he asked Feng Shangshu again: "I and Duke Fu are the only ones left here. Let Feng Aiqing say whatever he wants."

A drop of sweat almost fell from Feng Shangshu's forehead.

Fortunately, he had been an official for many years and had rich experience. He considered the Holy Spirit's attitude and added some content before passing the test.

Feng Shangshu stood up and resigned, and Xu Jian was kept by the emperor.

Knowing that there must be something important, he was not in a hurry, and drank tea slowly, waiting for Eunuch Cao to send Feng Shangshu back.

The day before yesterday, he went to find Eunuch Tong, who was in charge of the palace banquet, and asked everyone in the palace who had the same surname as Tong. He also asked if he knew who "Monkey Face" was. Eunuch Tong thought hard for a while and then shook his head.

I had no clue about that, but fortunately, Eunuch Tong knew the importance very well and even took the initiative to tell him that he wouldn't say a word to anyone else.

Not long after, Eunuch Cao came back.

The Holy Master nodded slightly and motioned for him to speak to Xu Jian.

"My lord," Cao Gong said impartially, "everyone who has anything to do with Wang Gouzi points to Yongji Palace in the end."

Xu Jian frowned.

There are many considerations in letting Wang Gouzi stay with Li Shao. The two most important points are naturally "not to alert the snake" and "to follow the clues".

Just this result...

Surprising, but not that surprising.

"Eunuch Cao has been investigating for so long, so there should be no mistakes." Xu Jian said.

Eunuch Cao smiled softly.

Keeping track is not an easy task. You have to be unnoticed, not only if you are too close, but also if you are too far away.

After watching him for so many months, Eunuch Cao gave simple orders, but the people working underneath were really hardworking. Who knew when that bitch would come to do this?

Besides, just saying a few words to someone in private is not just conveying a message. You have to eliminate the wrong ones and focus on the right ones.

Find a joint, and then comb along the next one.

After going through four different hands, they determined the identities of these four people, found out their names, whereabouts, and what jobs they had held, and finally found Yongji Palace.

Seeing Xu Jian's solemn expression, Eunuch Cao asked, "Do you have any doubts, Eunuch Guo?"

"It's not a question of doubt," Xu Jian said. "If Eunuch Cao completes the investigation, he won't be mistaken about the other party's origin. However, it may be a cover-up."

"A blind trick?" The Holy Master raised his brows slightly, "How do you say it?"

Xu Jian thought about it and said, "I still have my original thoughts. It has been more than ten years since you ascended the throne and became the emperor. It doesn't seem like Zhu Chang would be so stupid as to come against you for the sake of Yongji Palace.

If Wang Gouzi is from Yongji Palace, it would make sense to find out like this.

But if he is the subordinate of the person behind the scenes, and that person dares to directly ask His Highness to transfer the dog from Yongji Palace, then the series of arranged contacts will definitely point to Yongji Palace.

He doesn't draw fire and leaves a distinct tail for you to catch. "

See you tomorrow, book friends~