Ninefold above

Chapter 55
Xie Jiuxiao was stunned for a while, Lu Chengfeng looked at him, quietly waiting for an answer.

"I..." Xie Jiuxiao hesitated to speak.

Lu Chengfeng said calmly, "Can you tell me, what do you want? It's worth your effort to please me. It's really strange to say that there is only you and Tan Chengyi, and I have nothing on me. But there is always an illusion that I am carrying the treasures of heaven and earth, Tan Hualang, a famous official in Jinxi, shows his favor to me again and again, and you..."

Lu Chengfeng's eyes were full of inquiry, and he lacked the usual connivance: "The descendants of the Xie family, who are all first-class in appearance and talent, actually bow down and act obedient in front of me, which makes me very puzzled. If you say It's because of my kindness to save you, and the reason is too far-fetched, I don't believe that a person who decisively issues a killing order is a good person who knows how to repay you."

When she said these words, she downplayed Cheng Yi and Xue Feng just like she did on weekdays or even last night, her tone was obviously ordinary but alienated and cold, Xie Jiuxiao's heart twisted, and said: " ……no."

not what?

Lu Chengfeng wanted to ask in detail, but she held back.After all, he is not different from Jinnian, and it is inappropriate for him to transfer his feelings to him. What is he trying to do?Lu Chengfeng didn't really want to know the answer anymore, she replaced the well-behaved and obedient Xie Jiuxiao in her mind with Xie Cen, his loose and indifferent voice, and even the corners of his eyes showed a hint of arrogance and coldness.

Thinking of this, Lu Chengfeng couldn't help asking himself, what does he want if he does this and pretends like this?
But Lu Chengfeng still waited for a moment, but Xie Jiuxiao kept her eyes down, so she had no choice but to look away and step forward. Just after taking two steps, the person behind her moved, stepped forward to grab her, and said in a very pitiful tone. Said: "...you don't want me too?"

also?don't want?

Lu Chengfeng frowned, she turned around, and then saw Xie Jiuxiao's watery eyes under the moonlight.

Lu Chengfeng: "..."

Lu Chengfeng's restraint and calmness can always be inexplicably compromised by Xie Jiuxiao.

Lu Chengfeng felt that most of Wuming's anger was extinguished in an instant, and she said, "No one wants you."

"...you have." Xie Jiuxiao insisted and complained: "You just had it!"

Lu Chengfeng stared at the relationship between the two of them, just like before, he was pestering himself like this, not letting him go, Lu Chengfeng breathed out lightly, and his tone slowed down unconsciously: "I just now I was asking you, but you didn't answer me."

"No." Xie Jiuxiao answered simply.

Lu Chengfeng paused, then withdrew his hand, Xie Jiuxiao couldn't help but raise his head, his eyes became even redder.

Lu Chengfeng didn't understand why such a grown-up person would always turn red-eyed, as if she had done something, she took a deep breath and said, "If you don't have it, you won't. You...why are you crying..."

"I didn't cry."

"Oh? Didn't you cry?" Lu Chengfeng leaned aside to look at him, and said mercilessly, "Did the night wind blow your eyes?"

Xie Jiuxiao lowered his head in desperation. Lu Chengfeng couldn't see him being so wronged. He was speechless for a moment, then changed his breath silently, and said, "Okay, it's my fault, I just guessed wildly."

Xie Jiuxiao just raised his head, looked deeply at Lu Chengfeng, and said, "It's all me! Whether it's the well-behaved me in front of you, or that me, I won't deny it, sister, you are very good! I admire you You like you, unlike others."

Lu Chengfeng listened to this confession, then looked at Xie Jiuxiao's tense expression, couldn't help but smile, breaking the slightly tense atmosphere between the two, and said in a teasing tone: "Why didn't I see it before, you actually Admire me and worship me?"

Xie Jiuxiao's eyes were burning: "It's not too late to know now."

"It's not too late." Lu Chengfeng looked at the sky: "It's time to pass, otherwise your elder brother should be in a hurry."

Xie Yunqian was waiting in the corridor outside the hall, his eyes flickered when he saw the two people coming side by side, after a polite meeting, the three of them entered, Zhou Lihua also took their seats, and the dishes were served one after another.

Xie Yunqian poured the wine, raised his glass and said to Lu Chengfeng, "Miss Lu."

Lu Chengfeng has a good capacity for alcohol, so he held a glass to each other, "Thank you, Mr. Xie."

"The Xie family has been helped by you. Xie Yunqian is very grateful. I don't want to say polite words. The Xie family owes you a kindness. If there is a need in the future, the Xie family will definitely help you."

Lu Chengfeng accepted this sentiment and said, "You're welcome."

Both of them drank in one gulp.

After drinking a glass of wine, Xie Yunqian refilled it spontaneously: "This second glass is for elder brother, I want to thank you for taking care of my younger brother, Jiu Xiao is young and ignorant, if you do something wrong, just reprimand me, I will never Appease!"

What Xie Yunqian said made Zhou Lihua and Lu Chengfeng startled.

Only the elders can reprimand, Xie Yunqian said so, could it be that he regards her as a close friend?Or more bluntly, half of the Xie family?
Lu Chengfeng smiled, drank his second glass of wine, and said, "You're welcome."

Xie Yunqian drank it down in one gulp, filled it up again, and said sincerely, "This third cup is to congratulate you on being the Commander of Jinyiwei. I have a lot of business and I haven't been able to visit the door in person, so I punish myself with one cup!"

Lu Chengfeng drank three glasses of wine with him.

Xie Jiuxiao said quietly: "Brother, do you have people come to eat or drink?"

Zhou Lihua also echoed: "Use your chopsticks, today's dishes are rich, don't just focus on the wine glass."

All four of them smiled and moved their chopsticks.

After the meal, Zhou Lihua was pregnant and went back to the garden to rest, the servants changed into fragrant tea, and Lu Chengfeng and Xie Yunqian sat at the table.

Holding the teacup, Xie Yunqian began to talk about the real purpose of tonight's banquet: "Miss Lu has not been in office for a long time, but after thinking about it, I also know that Jin Yiwei took over Suidong Liu Fei's case."

"heard."

Xie Yunqian said: "The emperor suddenly ordered Jin Yiwei to investigate, I think you know it well."

Lu Chengfeng looked at Xie Yunqian in doubt, pondered for a moment, and said, "I thought it was just an ordinary case."

Xie Yunqian shook his head: "No, this case is not as simple as it appears on the surface. Apart from being concerned with the literati and the people, it is also involved with the Suidong Ganzhou aristocratic family."

Lu Chengfeng swallowed his tea and listened quietly.

Xie Yunqian said: "I won't mention the details for the time being. I'll open up about the intention. I'm afraid it's just a temptation by the new emperor."

Lu Chengfeng put down the teacup: "Exploring?"

Xie Yunqian's tone was low: "Do you know where Subei is now?"

Lu Chengfeng shook his head: "I've been in Yanjing for nearly a year, and I haven't inquired about Subei's current situation. What's wrong with Subei?"

Xie Yunqian said: "Chaos."

Lu Chengfeng raised his eyebrows slightly.

"Since the Subei incident, Subei seems to have lost its backbone. The generals of the five cities are all concerned about their own affairs. It has become the biggest headache for the court today."

Lu Chengfeng pondered for a moment, and asked: "No general in the court can take over the position of Subei's coach?"

Xie Yunqian said: "You have been in the army for many years, you should be familiar with their temperament, they are all veterans who have fought for many years, how many people can look up to these people in the inner court, and how many of the people sent can bear this anger, Subei Now it’s a mess, and anyone who mentions it will have to shake their heads. After the last battle, a great plague suddenly broke out at the border, and the enemy lost the best time to attack, so Subei was able to breathe.”

Lu Chengfeng's eyes darkened: "What you said is indeed true."

She thought for a while, and then said: "What do you mean, the emperor sent me to the Jinyiwei for a test?"

Lu Chengfeng had no choice but to make a bold guess, even if the guess was absurd, she carefully chose her words: "...Could it be that he wants me to control the chaos in Subei?"

Xie Yunqian nodded: "I guess that's what I mean."

Lu Chengfeng looked startled, she knew that since Xie Yunqian's speculation, according to his understanding of the current new emperor, not to say [-] percent, maybe [-] percent sure, and even if only [-] percent sure, if Subei's predicament is delayed Understandable, she will indeed go back because of this.

Lu Chengfeng stood up involuntarily, pacing and meditating.

Xie Yunqian also got up and said: "So the case of Liu Fei is the emperor's throwing stone. You live far away in Subei. Few people know about it, I have confidence in you, but Subei's current chaos is uncertain, how sure are you if you really come back?"

Lu Chengfeng couldn't answer, she had never thought about it.

Xie Yunqian sighed: "Since my grandfather left, the cabinet has been without a new leader. The elders of the six ministries have their own thoughts, and the court is in chaos. I understand him and understand that his situation is not easy. Now is the time to employ people." , if you investigate Liu Fei's case beautifully and handle it properly, I think there are nine out of ten possibilities for the Subei case, if you don't want to go through this troubled water, then you can handle the case as you like."

Lu Chengfeng understood what he meant: "Thank you."

Xie Yunqian smiled slightly, and the two stepped out of the hall. Xie Jiuxiao was sitting by the artificial lake not far away, wondering what he was thinking.

Xie Yunqian smiled and said: "You don't need to say thank you, Jiuxiao treats you as close as a family member, which surprised me, but as long as he is there, there will be friendship between the Lu family and the Xie family."

Lu Chengfeng smiled faintly, she and Xie Yunqian had almost the same thoughts.

Before leaving, Xie Jiuxiao sent her out of the mansion, and the two walked slowly along the path of Xie's mansion. Xie Jiuxiao didn't ask her what she had talked with Xie Yunqian, but only chatted. He was very familiar with his own way, but Walking along, she said, "San Niang has researched new cakes for the past two days, and when she makes them, I'll bring them to you to try..."

Eleven is already in the middle of the month, and the night wind in late autumn is cold, her fingers are a little cold, and she smiled and said, "Okay."

"I know you don't like sweets, but Sanniang said it's not sweet, and it's made with wild honey, just for novelty."

"Okay." Lu Chengfeng responded, paused, and reminded: "Walk well."

Xie Jiuxiao frowned: "I'm so familiar, I can't fall."

After returning to the mansion to take a bath, Lu Chengfeng sat at the desk with his clothes on, quietly thinking about the case of Liu Fei that Xie Yunqian had mentioned.

Lu Chengfeng thought this was just an ordinary case, but now that it was given a certain possibility, she had to think deeply.

If Xie Yunqian's conjecture is true, and the emperor intends to test it out, what kind of result does he want to give him?

She leaned aside and looked at the bare sycamore tree outside the window. Lu Chengfeng witnessed with his own eyes that the tree had experienced spring, summer and autumn, and now the leaves were withered and yellow, which also hinted that winter was coming.

How fast!
She sighed secretly in her heart, unexpectedly June flew to the window.

Lu Chengfeng took off the letterhead, without even thinking about who wrote it. She never expected that Xie Jiuxiao would use it for silly things when feeding the pigeon.

Thinking of the boy's appearance when he wrote the letter, Lu Chengfeng unconsciously smiled a little, and unfolded the letter paper, and the handwriting was exactly as she thought.

Reached?
Lu Chengfeng replied with a pen.

It's getting late, go to bed early.

I don't know how long it took, when Lu Chengfeng turned off the lights, June came back with a reply, Lu Chengfeng took off his shoes, and went to open it to have a look.

it is good.

Early the next morning, Lu Chengfeng went to Zhen Fusi by car, but was blocked before reaching the gate, Qing Feng frowned and said: "Master, I can't make it through, there are many people kneeling at the gate."

Lu Chengfeng got out of the car and walked to the gate of Zhenfusi on foot. As soon as she arrived, someone immediately informed Wang Ning. Lu Chengfeng didn't wait too long, and Wang Ning came to see her soon.

Lu Chengfeng said in a casual tone, "I heard that the case of Liu's family in Ganzhou, Suidong, will be reviewed by you."

Wang Ning has been very busy with this matter for a while, and replied: "It is indeed the Zhenfu Department who is in charge of the investigation."

Lu Chengfeng looked at the scenery in Zhenfu Division and said, "How is the situation?"

Wang Ning lowered his hand: "This subordinate is about to go to the lord for this. Liu Fei's case has been dragged on for half a month. The evidence of the Liu family's rebellion is solid. However, Liu Fei is a state magistrate, and the sentence needs to be read by the lord."

Lu Chengfeng raised his eyebrows lightly: "Is the trial over?"

"Just after the trial last night, Liu Fei pleaded guilty."

Lu Chengfeng smiled when he heard the words, turned around and said, "Where's the confession?"

Wang Ning ordered someone to fetch Liu Fei's confession letter. After reading it, Lu Chengfeng raised his eyes and said, "Take me to meet someone."

"This……"

Wang Ning hesitated for a moment, Lu Chengfeng had already stepped out the door, he had no choice but to follow and lead the way.

Yanjing is well-known for the Imperial Prison of the Zhenfu Division, and the punishments of burning and whipping are even more severe. Anyone who enters here will have half his life if he does not die. Lu Chengfeng saw the wounded Liu Fei.

There was no obvious light in the prison, and the dampness and gloom filled people's vision and perception. She stood outside the prison door and ordered people to open the door.

Liu Fei was covered in cuts and bruises, and his prison clothes were stained with blood. He raised his eyes when he heard the movement, and only saw a piece of blue robe. He opened his mouth weakly, but couldn't say anything.

Lu Chengfeng knew that he still couldn't die, so he looked at it for a while, then turned to Wang Ning and said, "Is this how you recruited?"

Wang Ning said: "The rules of the Imperial Prison have always been like this."

Lu Chengfeng suddenly understood what Xie Yunqian meant when he said that we should do whatever we want.

Lu Chengfeng said: "Okay, let's say he wasn't tortured, but how do you appease those Ganzhou scholars who are kneeling outside?"

Wang Ning looked hesitant: "It's just a group of scholars. When they see Liu Fei's confession and recognize his face, they will naturally leave."

Lu Chengfeng remained expressionless: "What if they ask to meet Liu Fei?"

Wang Ning frowned, and said: "How can the imperial court repeat offenders so easily!"

"If the people kneeling outside were Liu Fei's family, the reason that the court could not see a repeat offender would still be valid, but the people kneeling outside were Ganzhou scholars who followed all the way from Suidong, including Yan Zhihua, who was respected by the people of Suidong. Liu Fei's Wanmin Umbrella, you want to openly offend everyone?"

Lu Chengfeng sneered: "Lord Zhenfu, should I praise you for your courage, or should I say that you are brave and foolish?"

Wang Ning quickly glanced at the dying Liu Fei lying on the ground, hesitated for a moment, and gritted his teeth, "Then what should I do?"

Lu Chengfeng withdrew and said, "Get him a doctor first, if he's really dead, I guess you, the governor, have done it too."

(End of this chapter)