Man Tang Huacai

Chapter 335 Secret Meeting

In Xingqing Palace, the willow trees by the pool hang down their branches and sway gently in the breeze.

In the sun-warmed veranda, Gao Lishi fell asleep leaning on a recliner. He was covered with a blanket and gradually felt the heat.

Drowsily, I heard someone walking in on the carpet, and there was a slight sound of footsteps.

It was Xue Bai who came.

"King Shou is dead." Gao Lishi sighed, "As you wished, you got your revenge."

Xue Bai said: "If Concubine Wu Hui had not wanted to support him as the heir apparent, how could there have been such a bloody case? Blood debt must be paid with blood, it is fair."

"How can you be sure that the saint will not kill you as well?"

"Because General Gao will protect me."

Gao Lishi hesitated and said, "I don't know whether I should protect you or not. You didn't even tell me the truth."

"You will protect me, you know how extraordinary I am." Xue Bai said, "I am definitely not comparable to mediocre people like King Shou."

"No matter how extraordinary it is, what does it have to do with me?"

"You are sixty-six years old. You have enjoyed all the glory and wealth. You have everything in the world. What else do you want? More power and wealth? No, you want to do something as spectacular as you did when you were young. You have achieved enough achievements in your life, but when you get older, you find that the achievements are not important. What is important is your wonderful life..."

Gao Lishi felt inexplicably excited, and blood was flowing through his old body like a dead tree again.

He opened his eyes, sat up, and looked into the veranda, but he did not see Xue Bai, only a young eunuch catching flies.

It was just a dream.

Gao Lishi felt inexplicably sad and asked another adopted son Li Dayi who was guarding the door.

"Where is the saint?"

"I'm rehearsing a show with Fan Meiren." Li Dayi whispered: "Fan Meiren has been in the studio for many years and has not been able to get ahead. She is very good at singing, dancing and music."

"Did the saint mention the imperial concubine?"

"Never."

"not yet?"

Gao Lishi couldn't help but think about it.

He also read the letter presented by Concubine Yang, and understood the concubine's intention in doing so. Since the explanation of the relationship with King Shou could not be explained clearly, it was better to be frank, pretend to be thinking about the saint, and ask for death. , if a saint takes pity on a noble concubine, he will be more likely to be soft-hearted.

But the saint has not responded yet. If it is delayed for a long time, the courtiers will think that the imperial concubine has fallen out of favor, and the situation will change again according to the world's attitude of downplaying and praising her.

For example, this time Li Linfu sided with Xue Bai, not only because of Xue Bai's ability, but also because Xue Bai had a noble concubine to support him, while Li Longkong had the title of King Shou, so he was actually helpless.

But Gao Lishi then thought that it was not without benefit for the saint to beat the Yang family like this. He could also use this to beat Xue Bai.

"Go to Jingzhao Mansion."

……

Arriving at Jingzhao Mansion, Gao Lishi really saw Xue Bai this time, not in a dream.

"King Shou is dead, as you wished."

"It's a pity that he died young." Xue Bai sighed.

The actual situation was far more restrained than in the dream. Gao Lishi knew that no matter how much he tried, he could not be sure that Xue Bai was Li Qian, so he ignored the matter for the time being and said, "Don't blame me for trapping you in Jingzhao Mansion. I planned to wait for the imperial concubine to return to the palace and say a few kind words for you in front of the emperor."

"General Gao is thoughtful. No matter what, I should thank General Gao."

"If the noble concubine falls out of favor, what are your plans?"

Xue Bai smiled bitterly and said: "I have offended the prince. If I don't have the protection of the imperial concubine, I will die sooner or later without a burial place. I will have no choice but to imitate Li Mi and hide in the mountains to become a Taoist priest."

Seeing that he still refused to say anything, Gao Lishi hit him first and said, "You can't learn from Li Mi. He will definitely return to the court and become a prime minister in the future, but you will only have to hide in Tibet."

Xue Bai, however, would not be easily frightened by him, and asked instead: "General Gao, do you think the imperial concubine will fall out of favor?"

Gao Lishi said: "You are the one who advises the imperial concubine on how to deal with it, right? The thoughts of a saint are not so easy to guess."

"As a minister, how dare I speculate on the holy will? I can only believe in the saint and the noble concubine... love is stronger than gold."

Xue Bai answered appropriately, but the ideas he gave Yang Yuhuan this time were more based on his emotional experience, thinking that this could control Li Longji.

But he really didn't think much about the possibility of Yang Yuhuan falling out of favor. As far as he knew, Li Longji had always doted on her until Maweipo, and Xue Bai didn't even know that she had been kicked out of the palace.

After all, many things were different. She had him as her sworn brother, and there was a model girl in the palace. There might be more variables that he could not imagine. If Yang Yuhuan really falls out of favor, his situation will be difficult.

Gao Lishi was the best at observing faces, and saw Xue Bai's worries, and said: "Let me remind you again, don't look at the fierce competition for reserve positions in recent years, but, the more fierce the competition, the more obvious the reserve positions are. Position is not important now, do you understand?"

"clear."

"I heard that you are getting close to Prince Qing. Please be more careful in the future."

Li Longji obviously didn't think that he would die in a short time, so he allowed Li Linfu to deal with Donggong fiercely. Only when you really realize that your life span is not long will you think about cultivating a successor.

When Gao Lishi said these words, he meant, "The imperial concubine can't protect you anymore. Be more honest and be patient."

It’s a knock, but it’s also a protection…

~~

At the same time, a somewhat sneaky figure peeked out from the flower garden and glanced at the official residence where Xue Bai was. He quickly shrank his head when he saw that there were eunuchs and guards guarding the place.

It was Ren Mulan who came.

Because of her young age, she has been taught by Du Jin since she followed Xue Bai to Chang'an. Du Jin has taken in and trained many children in the past few years, and Ren Mulan is the leader of these children.

She usually wanted to help with some things, but unfortunately she didn't have the chance. This time something big finally happened. Du Jin got a piece of news and ordered her to pick up Xue Bai.

As a result, he happened to meet the old eunuch who came to see Xue Bai. He didn't know what he had to say.

After waiting for a while, the sun was gradually turning to the west. Ren Mulan was anxious and thought to herself: "Isn't he a eunuch? Why don't you go back to the palace to serve the saint?"

Complaining, seeing someone running hurriedly on the opposite path, she quickly retreated into the flower garden.

"No! General Gao..."

I only heard the visitor report in a panic outside the official house, then pushed the door open and entered.

Ren Mulan thought to herself: "It's time for the old eunuch to leave this time."

As a result, she waited for a long time, watching several young eunuchs passing messages and delivering objects back and forth. It wasn't until the evening drum sounded that the old eunuch left in a hurry.

"call."

Ren Mulan let out a long breath, came out from the other side of the flower garden, straightened her clothes, and walked to the official residence carrying a food box.

She was wearing a maid's color dress today, which was very inconvenient. She still liked her original short-carded shirt so that she would not be restrained when fighting or running.

When I walked to the courtyard gate, the guard was a guard from Jingzhao Mansion, who had been bribed by Du Youlin.

"Ahem, I am... I belong to the Xue family. I am Xue Lang's maid. I have been asked by my wife to bring him some snacks made by myself."

Ren Mulan felt that she was not lying.

After entering the official residence, it was Diao Geng who was taking care of Xue Bai in shift today. He was sitting on the corridor and picking his ears. When he saw someone coming, he stretched out his hand to stop him.

"Mr. Lang is tired."

"Me." Ren Mulan winked and said, "It's me."

"Then the gentleman also rests."

"I was sent here by my second mother."

Diao Geng then let Mulan in and whispered: "Lang Jun is not here, so he left with General Gao."

Ren Mulan was startled, walked around the screen, lifted up the quilt and saw that there were two pillows inside.

After finally running an errand, she failed. She quickly put down her food box and ran out to report to Du Jin.

~~

Eunuch eunuch, Zuozangku.

Although Yang Guozhong held dozens of positions, he always kept in mind that his own job was to be the Taifu Qing, managing money for the emperor. Once this is done, everything else will fall into place naturally.

On this day, he was looking at the treasures collected from Zuo Zangku.

"Uncle, please look, this is the 'Seven Treasures Tent'."

Yang Guozhong looked around and saw that what was being moved was a huge thing, a bed made of ivory with a curtain hanging on it, which looked extremely gorgeous.

The person introducing the treasure to him was his confidant Dou Hua.

Dou Hua stepped forward with an exaggerated gesture and opened the curtain, saying: "My uncle, I saw that the mat on the couch is made of rhinoceros horn; the mattress is made of mink skin; the felt is made of cricket hair and mosquito hair; The bed mat is woven from dragon whiskers from Fenjin and phoenix feathers from Linhe."

Yang Guozhong looked hesitant when he saw such a gorgeous treasure.

"Uncle, how are you?"

"Does a saint really like this?"

Dou Hua was stunned, then hurried back to Yang Guozhong and whispered: "Didn't Uncle Guo say that the saint wanted Fan Meiren to give birth to a child? It is easiest to get pregnant if you have sex in this Qibao Tent."

Yang Guozhong said: "Isn't the Qibao Tent the one Zhang Yizhi dedicated to his mother?"

"Uncle, this Seven Treasures Tent is not the Seven Treasures Tent of the past, but the workmanship and materials are the same..."

Dou Hua quickly explained, but Yang Guozhong still shook his head.

Unbeknownst to others, his biological mother was Zhang Yizhi's sister, so she knew about it. Zhang Yizhi's brothers were killed in the Shenlong Coup. Although Yang Guozhong and Zhang Yizhi were nephews, they always looked down on others and favored others, and did not like to interact with the Zhang family.

At that time, Zhang Yizhi dedicated the Qibao Tent to his mother Wei Azang. However, Wei Azang had been a widow for many years and it would be a waste to sleep on such a good bed alone. So he fell in love with Li Jiongxiu, the minister of Fengge. Zhang Yizhi asked Wu Zetian to issue an edict. Let the young and handsome Li Jongxiu marry the old and shabby Wei Azang... Although Wei Azang is his grandmother, Yang Guozhong felt that she did not handle the matter honestly. When he put himself in his shoes, he sympathized with Li Jongxiu's situation.

There is another thing. Recently, seeing that Yang Guozhong has gained power, the Zhang family has come over again and is still living in Yang Guozhong's house.

There are inevitably some poor relatives in every family, and it is difficult to get rid of them. Anyway, the Zhang family makes him dislike them.

"Giving this thing to a saint will definitely make him unhappy. Let's look for some more elixirs."

"Don't you dare to look for elixirs again?" Dou Hua's face turned pale when he thought of the Xingyang Centipede Bag last time.

Suddenly, a servant of the Yang family hurried over.

"Uncle Guo, it's not good!"

"Why are you panicking? The sky hasn't fallen yet."

"It's leaked! The Guoguo Madam's house has been leaked!"

"What?" Yang Guozhong said in shock: "Has my mansion been burned down?"

"I don't know, but...but the fire is very strong, and now...it seems that the imperial concubine hasn't run out yet."

Yang Guozhong was stunned, and without caring about anything else, he hurriedly left the Zuozangku and rushed to Mrs. Guoguo's house in Xuanyangfang.

When we arrived at Pingkangfang, we could already see thick smoke billowing in the distance. When we got closer, we could see the firelight and the setting sun dyeing the sky red.

There were shouts, cries, and coughs everywhere.

Fortunately, most of the people living in Xuanyangfang were high-ranking officials and nobles, so there were enough manpower to put out the fire and the spread of the fire had been controlled.

"what happened?"

Yang Guozhong drove away the crowd and rushed to the place where the crowd gathered. He glanced around and saw that the three ladies of the country were there, surrounded by the servants who had escaped from Mrs. Guo's house. He couldn't help but breathe a sigh of relief.

"Where is the imperial concubine?"

Yang Yuyao was anxiously directing the firefighting. She didn't respond when she heard the words. She just shouted: "Quick, go and find this person."

Yang Guozhong observed the crowd carefully, saw Zhang Yunrong, stepped forward and grabbed her, and asked: "Now that you have escaped, where is the noble concubine?"

"Uh-huh... I don't know."

"What do you mean?" Yang Guozhong had a premonition that something was not going to happen and yelled angrily: "Even you are alive, but you tell me that so many people can't protect a noble concubine?!"

The only response to him was Zhang Yunrong's cry. The tears washed away the ashes on her face, making her originally beautiful face a mess.

Yang Guozhong was furious, turned around and cursed at others: "Are they all trash?!"

He was about to have an attack, but he was surprised to find that the person standing on the fire watch tower not far away was actually Gao Lishi.

Yang Guozhong quickly climbed up the stairs and said, "General Gao, why are you here?"

"I just arrived."

"This fire..."

Gao Lishi said: "The fire started from the vacant Li Qiwu house in the east and spread to Mrs. Guo's house. At that time, Mrs. Guo was playing polo in the west courtyard, so she escaped immediately, but... the imperial concubine was missing. ”

"I don't understand, why is it missing?"

Gao Lishi sighed deeply and murmured: "I'm afraid the imperial concubine is discouraged and doesn't want to escape."

"impossible."

Yang Guozhong shook his head repeatedly. He knew very well that the imperial concubine's petition to plead guilty was just to retreat in order to advance. She did not really want to die at all. This matter was strange.

He thought about it over and over, and suddenly a thought came to his mind, and then a chill ran down his spine.

Back then, Concubine Wu Hui made a mistake and died of illness not long afterward; now Concubine Yang Guifei made a mistake and died in a sea of ​​fire not long after?

It was getting dark and the fire was finally out.

However, Concubine Yang was still not found.

~~

The east side of Madam Guo's Mansion was half burned, and people were searching among the ruins. In the darkness, a figure left the ruins and walked eastward, but was stopped at the gate.

"who?"

Wu Hou, who was guarding the square gate, took a torch and shined it. Before the other person's face could be illuminated, a token was handed to him.

"Open your eyes and see clearly. If such a big thing happens, don't delay the Ministry of Internal Affairs' communication."

"Yes, please."

The man quickly left Xuanyangfang. Across the long street, opposite was the East Market. He still entered the East Market with his token and went straight to Fenghui Bank.

He stepped forward and knocked on the door knocker.

Soon the door was opened, and a head popped out, it was Ren Mulan.

She looked at it warily, first seeing the eunuch's robe.

"This internal official...eh, Mr. Lang? How did you find him?"

"The fact that I can find him means that your affairs are full of mistakes."

Xue Bai walked straight into the door, with a calm face, and said: "Who made the decision on such a big matter without authorization?"

Ren Mulan rarely saw him so unhappy, and said: "I don't know either. I just followed Er Niang's instructions to invite you, but I didn't. I didn't expect Lang Jun to come over."

"Where is the man?"

"This way."

~~

At the end of the corridor, Du Jin walked alone to a secret house and pushed the door open.

She frowned slightly, with a thoughtful look in her eyes.

Upon entering, you first smell a light fragrance, not strong, but very comfortable.

The candlestick glowed faintly, and a man in a polo suit sat behind him. Although he was dressed in a men's robe, he showed a slim figure.

Even Du Jin felt a little moved when he saw the silhouette without seeing his face clearly.

"he came?"

"No." Du Jin said, "Unfortunately, when I sent someone to ask for him, he was talking to Gao Lishi and was later taken away by Gao Lishi. I'm afraid he's still looking for you at the fire scene."

"Send someone to talk to him?"

"On the one hand, the curfew is inconvenient, and on the other hand, it would be too dangerous if you were discovered." Du Jin said, "I'd better take you back at night..."

Halfway through, she heard the whistle outside the courtyard, bowed and said, "Your Majesty, please wait a moment."

Yang Yuhuan was about to speak when he saw Du Jin turning around and walking away.

She couldn't stay any longer. After thinking about it, she got up and was about to walk out when she saw Xue Bai walking over.

"I heard they didn't pick you up. How did they find you?"

"Sister left many traces, and I have erased them all." Xue Bai asked: "Why do you do this? Let the saint think that you died for Li Xuan, it will only be counterproductive."

Yang Yuhuan smiled slightly after hearing the first sentence, but was stunned when he heard the second sentence.

She did not answer immediately, but sat down again, glanced at Du Jin, and motioned for her to go out.

The door was closed, and the faint firelight no longer swayed.

"Do you think I set the fire?" Yang Yuhuan asked.

"no?"

"No." Yang Yuhuan shook his head and said, "I was getting ready to play polo with my third sister. I was changing my clothes when the fire spread from the east. The palace people embraced me and fled. They were all wearing colorful skirts and couldn't run as fast as me. I ran to the flower garden, but when they didn't follow me, I got into the flower garden, wiped my face with cigarette ashes, and ran out alone."

Xue Bai didn't believe it and asked: "Why?"

"Isn't your house next door? I have something important to talk to you about." Yang Yuhuan said: "At that time, everyone was busy running out of the third sister's house. It was a mess. No one could care about me. I arrived At your house, he said he had news to tell your wife, so he met Yan Yan."

"Yan Yan asked Du Jin to pick you up later?"

"Do you believe it?"

Xue Bai nodded and said, "Believe it. Although it sounds unreasonable, it may not be impossible."

"Aren't you angry anymore?"

"I'm not angry with my sister at all. I just think this approach is inappropriate." Xue Bai pondered: "How did the fire start?"

"I don't know, but it was the vacant house next door that burned down first." Yang Yuhuan said: "You just have too many thoughts and think everything is man-made. But most of the fires in the world are accidental."

Xue Bai still planned to investigate the cause of the fire, but now was not the time to pursue this with Yang Yuhuan, so he asked: "Why take such a big risk to meet?"

"I didn't know there was such a big risk?" Yang Yuhuan complained, her every frown and smile were breathtakingly beautiful, and she said angrily: "I thought it would be quick to meet in the chaos, but who would have thought that I couldn't invite you."

"Sister, what's the matter?"

At this time, Xue Bai thought that Yang Yuhuan was a little ignorant, and felt that this woman was too beautiful, but too willful. If they meet again at this time, if they are discovered, they will both die.

As for what could happen to her? It was just that Wu Huaishi had wrongfully accused them of having an affair, so he could just clear it out without any discussion.

Thinking like this, he heard Yang Yuhuan ask.

"Tell me honestly, are you Li Ying's son?"

Xue Bai looked intently and met Yang Yuhuan's concerned eyes. He froze for a moment, shook his head and said, "No."

"Okay, I believe you. But Li Chen said that he will testify in front of the emperor about your identity as Li Ying's son. Regardless of whether you are the son of Li Ying, it will arouse the suspicion of the saint. Don't think that it is enough for Gao Lishi to protect you. The saint secretly We will also send others to secretly investigate.”

"Who?"

Xue Bai felt a slight chill on his back and realized that he had only placed his hope on Gao Lishi and underestimated Li Longji.

Thinking about it again, Gao Lishi can never fully represent Li Longji's meaning, not even half of it.

That is to say, the threat to him is too small at the moment, otherwise he would be dead.

"I'm not sure, but I know that some people in the Ministry of Internal Affairs occasionally bypass Gao Lishi and report to the saint alone." Yang Yuhuan said: "I will write to you."

She raised her hand, dipped her fingers in the tea cup on the table, and wrote two names on the table.

Xue Bai came forward and looked at it, keeping it in mind.

He felt that he had wrongly blamed Yang Yuhuan just now. She took a big risk to tell him that it was indeed a piece of news that was very important to him, and it could only be discussed in secret in person.

The writing on the table gradually disappeared.

Xue Bai raised his head and looked at her again, this time the distance was very close.

"You are different from the men next to you." Looking at Xue Bai's eyes, Yang Yuhuan suddenly said.

"Ok?"

"The man next to me looked at me with the word 'possession' written in his eyes, but you didn't."

"Where's General Gao?"

"He is not a man."

"Li Linfu and Yang Guozhong also have it in their eyes?"

"Yes, they want to possess it but don't dare. They hide it very deeply and are sneaky. You are different. The way you look at me is...pity?"

After Yang Yuhuan uttered a word, he seemed unsure, but after thinking about it, he nodded.

She knew very well that Li Chan's so-called devotion to her was nothing more than self-pity for his life experience and asking her to compensate him; Li Longji's so-called doting was nothing more than pretentiousness and asking her to be his embellishment. Every time they gave, They all need to be rewarded, and she needs to please them with her beauty and talent. To put it bluntly, what they want is for themselves to be happy.

The difference between Xue Bai is that he seems to be clinging, trading, or using, but he often makes her feel inexplicably... He seems to hope that she will be well.

This made Yang Yuhuan feel that he couldn't understand him.

"I've wanted to ask you for a long time, do you think I'm pitiful?"

"A little."

Xue Bai leaned back a little. His attitude towards her was always to keep a distance. Unless necessary, he rarely leaned forward to oppress her.

"I am a person who likes to take destiny into my own hands."

"So you think I can't decide my destiny?"

"Yes, but it's not all pity." Xue Bai said: "I just feel a little pity."

Yang Yuhuan felt that the word "unfortunately" was indeed more appropriate. She could have lived a happier life, but it was a pity that she did not.

"You are so young, do you still feel sorry for me? On the contrary, I think you are weird."

"It wouldn't be surprising if sister sees me as someone in my thirties. I'm just too mature."

"Not only are you mature, you must have many secrets hidden in you."

Yang Yuhuan rarely had the opportunity to be alone with Xue Bai, but she still had many questions to ask about his life experience, his talents, and his many weird ideas.

She was about to ask one by one, but Xue Bai asked: "I killed King Shou, do you blame me?"

"No wonder." Yang Yuhuan shook his head without hesitation and said, "I have nothing to do with him for a long time. How can I blame my sworn brother for an unrelated person?"

At this point, she lowered her head and said again.

"But there is still sadness. A person I have known for a long time has died, and I know that his life was not happy... He lived in pain because of me. He is dead, but I still have to pretend to be indifferent about my future. Look."

Xue Bai could understand this feeling and said: "If my righteous sister wants to cry for him, she can cry here. After crying, don't show such emotions again."

"I can't cry." Yang Yuhuan smiled instead and said, "Who lives without pain?"

Xue Bai couldn't tell whether her smile was sad or sweet. After a moment of daze, he said: "Then let's go. We have to send Sister back at night."

Yang Yuhuan didn't ask any of the many questions. He was stunned when he heard this and said, "Let's go."

~~

The moonlight illuminates the city of Chang'an.

After leaving Fenghuixing, I could faintly hear someone singing in Dongshi.

“Sauvignon Blanc, in Chang’an.”

"The autumn cries of Luo Wei are in the golden well, and the frost is desolate and the mat is cold."

"The lonely lantern is filled with deep thoughts. It rolls up the curtains and looks at the moonlit sky, sighing."

"..."

Yang Yuhuan was wearing black trousers and walking behind Xue Bai. She was very interested in the singing and turned back several times, but Xue Bai kept walking forward with his head down.

She had no choice but to follow quickly.

It's like a girl who ran away from home was found and taken back by her family before she had enough fun.

When passing through the gates of Dongshi and Xuanyangfang, Yang Yuhuan was still worried about whether there would be an accident.

But everything went smoothly. Xue Bai took out the token given by Gao Lishi, and every time he shouted back Wuhou who came to inquire.

"The chamberlain is doing business, get out of the way."

"Here."

Gradually, there was a lot of noise ahead, as people were still looking for the imperial concubine in the ruins after the fire.

Suddenly, a group of people came over holding torches.

Xue Bai and others went over and whispered: "It would be better if you wait a day or two to be found. There is a dry well in the southeast corner of Yaoniang's house. I will take you there."

"it is good."

Yang Yuhuan, with the dignity of a noble concubine, listened to Xue Bai's words at this time. She covered her crotch tightly and followed him quickly.

People around were either moving fallen beams or calling for "the noble concubine."

But the real imperial concubine hurried past them, walking in the dark among the ruins... and finally fell to the ground.

"Hey."

A sweet cry.

Xue Bai turned around and saw someone on the other side of the ruins being disturbed and waving a torch.

"Is she a royal concubine?"

"No, I am looking for the imperial concubine with my palace attendants."

"Who are you?" Someone still came over from the other side.

"Minister of Internal Affairs, General Gao sent me here."

"You don't sound like you're a chamberlain. Are you trying to take all the credit for finding the imperial concubine?"

"Don't be ridiculous, find someone quickly."

Xue Bai responded calmly, and at the same time reached out to hold Yang Yuhuan, helped her up, and used his body to block the light of the torch that was getting closer...

(End of this chapter)