Under the sky

Chapter 32 The mystery of drug addiction
"Come in."

When Xie Gubai opened the door, Zhu Menshang was still lying on the bed. "You look much better now." Xie Gubai joked, "Can you get out of bed?"

"Okay!" Zhu Menshang turned over and was about to stand up when he fell back onto the bed.He dared to be brave, stood up by holding on to the edge of the bed, steadied himself slightly, and stared at Xie Gubai: "Look, it's pretty good!"

"Don't be brave." Xie Gubai smiled and said, "Drink some porridge." It turned out that he also brought breakfast.He put the dinner plate on the table and said, "I picked some light food for you to keep healthy."

"Shit, I'm about to recuperate now! You asked them to prepare some roasted duck legs, ginseng chicken, boiled fish, boiled cabbage, and too little abalone fin and ginseng. You're degrading the guests and bringing shame on the Tang Sect!"

"You have embarrassed Qingcheng first." Xie Gubai said with a smile, "Eat some."

"I'm serious!" Zhu Menshang's eyes widened, he picked up a pen and wrote a bunch of dish names on the paper, and said, "Serve me according to this menu!" After thinking for a while, he wrote down a few names of medicines, He said, "Go and ask that evil woman for these medicines!"

"Are you asking for medicine from her? Aren't you afraid of being poisoned again?" Xie Gubai said with a smile, "The things she sent are not safe."

Zhu Menshang said: "You are so smart, just tell me, why did she deliberately mess with me? Did I provoke her, or did I save her father and make her unhappy?"

"Maybe I've fallen in love with you." Xie Gubai said, "Your eyebrows are so pretty and adorable." He couldn't help laughing as he said that.

Zhu Menshang heard his joke and said bitterly: "You love to talk! Take it!"

Xie Gubai collected the menu and prescriptions and said, "Do you really want to ask the King of Hell to get the medicine?"

Zhu Menshang said: "Go to the pharmacy outside and buy it for me!"

Xie Gubai shook his head and said, "I'm not an errand boy."

"Then let Xiao Ba do the errands!" Zhu Menshang said, "I see he is quite free!"

As he was talking, he suddenly saw a slim figure approaching the door. He thought it was Tang Jueyan and asked in surprise: "What are you doing here again?"

The person who came was Tang Jingcai, who asked in surprise: "Doctor Zhu, don't you want to see me?"

Seeing that it was Tang Jingcai, Zhu Menshang quickly said there was a misunderstanding.Tang Jingcai asked: "I heard Mr. Shen said that you were sick and came here to have a look. Is it convenient for me to come in?" Zhu Menshang saw that she was very polite and said, "Please."

Tang Jingcai entered Zhu's mourning room and asked, "What's wrong with Doctor Zhu?"

"I don't know." Zhu Menshang said, "But judging from the symptoms, it's not difficult to prescribe a medicine." He added, "You came just in time, please help me grab a medicine." He signaled with his eyes, and Tang Jing took Xie Gubai's hand. The paper looked at it and asked suspiciously: "Ginseng chicken soup, boiled cabbage?"

"That's the menu, and the other one is the medicine list. By the way, prepare the dishes as well."

Tang Jingcai pursed his lips and smiled and said: "Doctor Zhu is really an expert in eating. This medicinal material..." He frowned and asked, "Doctor is poisoned?"

Xie Gubai said: "I went to Neifang yesterday. I was probably greedy and stole two emergency medicines to try out."

Zhu Menshang glanced at him.Tang Jingcai said: "Is my little sister naughty again?" She sighed, "My little sister is not bad in nature, but she lost her mother when she was young, and she can't get along with her father. She is a bit stronger. If she offends her, she will still Please Haihan." She said and bowed with her hands folded.Zhu Menshang was embarrassed and said hurriedly: "It's okay, my sister was just joking with me."

Tang Jingcai asked: "Why does Dr. Zhu associate with my little sister?"

Zhu Menshang thought to himself, I also want to know why your sister keeps giving me trouble, but seeing that Tang Jingcai was polite, he had to say: "I went back to help her see a doctor, maybe I offended her with my words."

Tang Jingcai said: "Maybe it's because it's fun to watch Doctor Zhu. My little sister has a bold personality and is straightforward. I believe she has no ill intentions."

What's so interesting about it?Zhu Menshang was puzzled.He expected that Miss Tang Er's move had a deep meaning, but he couldn't figure it out. He originally wanted to ask Xie Gubai for his opinion, but since Miss Tang was not around, he changed the topic and asked, "Is Miss Tang feeling a little better?"

Tang Jingcai said: "It's just a little cold, just rest for two days. How about Dr. Zhu help me take my pulse?" He stretched out his wrist.Just as Zhu Menshang was about to take a pulse, she withdrew again and said, "Look at me, I forgot that Dr. Zhu is not feeling well, why is he so troublesome?"

Zhu Menshang said, "It doesn't matter if you check your pulse." Tang Jingcai then stretched out his wrist for Zhu Menshang to hold.

Zhu Menshang originally thought that Tang Jing was pretending to be sick and just responded with a few words. Unexpectedly, when he took a pulse, it turned out to be a floating and tight pulse, indicating cold evil. Then he was surprised and said: "Are you really sick?"

Tang Jingcai smiled and asked, "Doctor, what do you mean?"

Zhu Menshang thought for a while and said to himself: "Yes, this sister is really sick. If Tang Jueyan went to the appointment alone, it would be as if she voluntarily promised to Fourth Master Shen, so she pretended to be sick." Then he said, "This It’s a minor illness, drink more water, don’t eat oranges, take some warm tonic medicine, and just rest for a few days.”

Tang Jingcai said: "Thank you, Doctor Zhu. Tomorrow is the big ceremony, and there are many things in the house. If there are no other instructions, I will ask someone to prepare medicine. Please wait a moment, Doctor Zhu."

Zhu Menshang thanked her a few times, waited for Tang Jing to leave, then touched his eyebrows and said, "Miss Tang has such a good personality, she is different from her sister."

Xie Gubai said: "It really makes people doubt that they are not born from the same father?"

Zhu Menshang frowned and said, "Why do you also imitate other people's gossip? You are too unstable."

Xie Gubai smiled and said, "I'm not prudent. Why don't you insult the last two sentences and instead speak for them? Doctor Zhu, you are seriously poisoned. Is the prescription you prescribed correct?"

"Fuck you!" Zhu Menshang spat, "I heard about Miss Tang Er's family affairs." Xie Gubai said in surprise: "We even talked about family affairs?" Zhu Menshang scolded: "Don't interrupt us. No!"

Xie Gubai waved his hand and said with a smile: "Okay, you say."

"It seems that Mrs. Lengmian wants to pass the position to her, so she is jealous." Zhu Menshang said, "This girl looks very proud on the outside, but she is not very stable at heart."

Xie Gubai nodded and said, "That's it."

Zhu Menshang asked, "What do you think?"

Xie Gubai raised his eyebrows without expressing any opinion.

Zhu Menshang was puzzled and asked, "What do you mean?"

Xie Gubai raised his eyebrows again, but didn't answer.

Zhu Menshang said angrily: "If you don't say anything, why are you raising your eyebrows?"

Xie Gubai said: "I'm practicing my eyebrows. I'm picking them up like this to see if I can get two horizontal eyebrows that will make people lovable."

Zhu Menshang grabbed the pen on the table and threw it at it. Xie Gubai said "ha", dodged with a smile, and escaped out the door.

Zhu Menshang asked: "What are the two brothers and sisters doing today? Going shopping on the street?"

Xie Gubai hid outside the door and said: "They want to see Mrs. Lengmian and are waiting for the report." He added, "Don't go out and show off as soon as you cure the poison. Of course, if you want to lure the second lady to poison you again, that's a different matter. "

Xie Gubai returned to the outside of his house, saw no one around, then opened the door and entered.Xiaoba was already waiting for him. When he saw him coming back, he asked, "Has Miss Tang come?"

Xie Gubai said: "I am quite concerned about Doctor Zhu."

Xiaoba nodded, thought for a while, and then Xie Gubai asked: "Mr. Xie, do you think something is wrong?"

Xiao Ba said: "I guess Madam Lengmian will announce the heir during the ancestor worship ceremony."

Xie Gubai was surprised and said: "So reckless?"

"Other than that, I can't guess the reason." Xiaoba said, "Miss Tang Er is followed by two people. Besides Yan Qingfeng, have you asked about the other one?"

"The chief male disciple of Emei, Meng Dujiang, is said to be very respected in Emei and is being trained as one of the successors to the next head. As for Tang Ying, Miss Tang's side, his grandfather is Tang Jue's uncle, the same high-ranking man. Grandfather, this relative is far enough away."

Xiaoba asked: "Who is his father?"

"It doesn't matter who his father is. His uncle is Tang Shaomao, the master of the military hall we met at the dinner table."

Xiaoba said "Oh" and seemed to be deep in thought.

Xie Gubai asked: "Mr. Xie, when do you plan to tell Mr. Shen the truth? Miss Shen...is always worried about us."

"It is undoubtedly an advantage to employ people, but it is stupid to be completely unprepared." Xiao Ba asked back, "In the past two months, Shen Yuqing has not even had any suspicion?"

Xie Gubai said: "I didn't show any flaws."

Xiaoba said slowly: "Then you tell Master Shen like this..."

※ ※ ※

"You mean, Mrs. Lengmian is going to announce the heir at the ancestor worship ceremony?" Shen Yuqing said in surprise, "Is it Miss Tang Er?"

Xie Gubai nodded and said, "I'm afraid someone in the clan will be dissatisfied."

Shen Weichen asked: "Why don't you find out the second lady's life experience before announcing it? Someone in the Tang Sect will definitely be dissatisfied."

Xie Gubai said: "Maybe Mrs. Lengmian is in poor health, or maybe Mrs. Lengmian doesn't care whether the child is her biological child."

Shen Yuqing pondered for a while and then said: "Given Mrs. Lengmian's character, maybe she really doesn't care about blood ties. In this case, how can we explain Mrs. Lengmian's weird behavior after entering the Tang Sect?"

"Just tell me, why did you come to my room to talk?" Zhu Menshang had a stove in front of him and was boiling medicine. He said dissatisfiedly, "I'm still a patient."

Xiao Ba said: "Come here to visit the patient, and then come again. Maybe we can wait for the second lady."

Zhu Menshang was dissatisfied and said: "Okay, you can say it, let you go!"

He was usually a poor talker and always looked for opportunities to ridicule him. Now everyone seized the opportunity and took turns to attack him.

Xie Gubai continued: "Mrs. Lengmian agreed to marry her, but she didn't say anything. She wanted the young master to show his sincerity in exchange. Naturally, this sincerity requires Qingcheng to help her keep Miss Tang Er."

Shen Yuqing said in surprise: "Qingcheng is far away and we are an expatriate. How can we help her?"

Xie Gubai said: "She asked the two young ladies to pretend to be sick and asked Dr. Zhu to treat them. Naturally, she wanted Dr. Zhu to better understand the personalities of these two young ladies. Therefore, Miss Tang Er bullied Dr. Zhu. "

Zhu Menshang touched his chin and said, "So that's the reason." Then he asked, "Then why did it happen again yesterday?"

"I don't know. Maybe worrying about you is not enough." Xie Gubai said, "You were cured of the poison in one day. People thought it was because the second lady was showing mercy."

"How can you marry the second young lady to Qingcheng after seeing her character and skill? This marriage will be a dirty deal." Xie Gubai added, "The man next to Tang Er is the son of the head of Huashan and an Emei disciple. This They are all foreign aid, and Mrs. Lengmian is the one who plans to suppress the Tang Clan through external control."

Shen Weichen said: "But it's too difficult for Mrs. Lengmian to be a dumb fan. You expected us to guess?"

"There's no need to guess. If you don't want to marry the second young lady, you will naturally help her get the upper hand. If you look at the second young lady's character and still point to marrying her home, the cold-faced lady will probably treat you as an idiot. Faced with an idiot, she will He has another way of doing it." Xie Gubai continued, "As the young master of Qingcheng, your speech also has weight. I guess Madam Lengmian will meet you today, and you will let out a few words during the dinner."

Shen Yuqing nodded and said, "I know how to advance and retreat." He then pondered, "Is it a good thing that Qingcheng is involved in this turmoil?"

"That depends on whether the young master plans to handle this matter well." Xie Gubai said, "This foreign aid may not necessarily be Qingcheng. If the young master hints that he refuses today, Mrs. Lengmian may wait a little longer."

"What are you waiting for?" Shen Yuqing just finished asking and immediately understood, "Dian Cang?"

"If Dian Cang, Emei, and Huashan all agree with Miss Tang Er's succession, Madam Leng Mian will still have the upper hand." Xie Gubai said, "Madam Leng Mian must have prepared many methods. The young master's reaction is different, and her methods are also different. . We cannot follow the path of the cold-faced lady, we must let the cold-faced lady follow our path."

Shen Yuqing cupped his hands and said, "Please give me some advice, Mr. Xie."

※ ※ ※

After noon, someone indeed invited Shen Yuqing to visit the Madam.Shen Yuqing followed the visitor through five or six courtyards and came to a hall. Judging from the grandeur of the furnishings, it was no less grand than the Juntian Palace in Qingcheng. It was expected to be a meeting hall.After waiting for a while, Mrs. Lengmian came in surrounded by eight guards.

Shen Yuqing had heard of these eight guards.It is said that Mrs. Lengmian does not know martial arts, so she needs several guards around her.These eight people are all top-notch experts, and they are loyal to Mrs. Lengmian. Mrs. Lengmian always takes these eight people with her when she goes out.

Shen Yuqing bowed and said hello. Mrs. Lengmian gave her a seat and said, "The Tang family has a lot of things going on. I have neglected our distinguished guests these past few days. Please don't blame me, sir."

Although she spoke politely, her tone was calm, and her face was as stern as ever. She neither smiled nor showed any expression. It was difficult to guess her thoughts.

Shen Yuqing complimented: "Thanks to the hospitality of the eldest young master and the second young lady, I have learned that Tang Sect Pharmaceuticals is profound, profound and skillful, which has greatly opened my horizons."

The cold-faced lady said: "Tomorrow is the day when our Tang clan will worship our ancestors. I mentioned to Mr. Shen a few days ago that if Mr. Shen doesn't give up, he can come to watch the ceremony. There are many female relatives among them. If Mr. Shen can see it, they are the same as those of the Fourth Master. The marriage is settled."

Shen Yuqing cupped her hands and said: "To be honest with you, Madam, I have seen the eldest young master's two girls in the past two days. They are amazingly talented and beautiful, and they are both beauties. I thought that in this big world, there are not many people like this, but only I knew it was the old lady’s pet peeve, so I didn’t dare to speak.”

Mrs. Lengmian said coldly: "Since you don't dare to speak, why do you speak again?"

Shen Yuqing said: "To be honest, my fourth uncle is middle-aged and widowed and needs someone to take care of him. Dr. Zhu is slightly ill, and the eldest lady greets her attentively. She even cares so much about a doctor from Qingcheng. He is so handsome and smart. I think it would be the most beautiful thing if I could win the favor of the eldest lady and form a good family relationship."

This paragraph of words lightly included the fact that the eldest lady had met Zhu Menshang and told Madam Lengmian, and it was also intended for Tang Jingcai. If Xie Gubai expected it to be true, Madam Lengmian would not refuse her face to face.

Sure enough, the cold-faced lady said: "I still want to keep these two girls for old age. It's just a matter for young people. I can't say anything. It depends on what Jingcai wants."

This was said erratically.In fact, the marriage of the girls from the Jiu Family has always been decided by the boss. Madam Lengmian said this just to ask Shen Yuqing to make the conditions clear.

Shen Yuqing said again: "The ancestor worship in the Tang Sect is an important matter. In the past few days, the mansion has been busy coming in and out. There are more than [-] Qingcheng disciples who came to the Tang Sect this time, led by Master Bai Dayuan and Zhang Qing. Junior brother takes them with them, they live in the outer hall, if the old lady wants to send them, she can also do her little bit to carry goods."

The cold-faced lady said: "Those are your disciples, and they are under your command. There are thousands of servants and disciples in the Tang Sect, and there is no shortage of these 200 people to work."

Shen Yuqing cupped his hands and said, "I have overstepped my bounds."

Mrs. Lengmian said again: "You can't say that." After saying that, she paused and said, "Tomorrow will be the ancestor worship, there are many people and things to do, I'm afraid that Ye Bang will take the opportunity to cause trouble, so you tell them not to slack off. They have to go early that day. Gather together and wait until the ancestor worship is over and everything is settled before making the distribution."

Shen Yuqing said: "It's better for the old lady to think carefully."

The cold-faced lady added: "If there is nothing else, please do what you want, sir."

Shen Yuqing said: "The old lady is in good health, I will retire."

As soon as he stood up, the cold-faced lady suddenly said: "What a pity." Shen Yuqing turned around with a look of surprise, and the cold-faced lady continued, "You are an only son. If I could get married, I would like you as my grandson-in-law. It's a pity. , just like your mother, inappropriate." She slowly closed her eyes and said, "Shen Yongci gave birth to a smart son."

Shen Yuqing cupped her hands and said: "The Tang Sect has a large number of talents, and Mrs. Lengmian has a successor, which is enviable."

The cold-faced lady nodded, waved her hand, and Shen Yuqing said goodbye and left.

After Shen Yuqing left, Mrs. Lengmian leaned on the chair, closed her eyes, and fell into deep thought.

The young master of Qingcheng was smarter than expected. Not only did he see through his intentions, he also wanted to lead him away. "Can Shen Yongci and Xiaojing raise a son like this?" she thought, "This young master of Qingcheng will be a problem."

She thought for a long time, then opened her eyes again and saw a familiar old face.Tang Jue didn't know when he arrived at the main hall and stood in front of her.

"How long have you been here? Why don't you sit down?"

"It's only been a while since I saw you sleeping. I stopped sitting for fear of disturbing you." Tang Jue said, sitting down next to Mrs. Lengmian, "I sent Yun Niang and Xiaofang away."

The cold lady nodded.Tang Jue asked again: "Do you really want to do this?"

Someone needs to be sent to watch over those people in Qingcheng, Mrs. Lengmian thought to herself.She did not answer Tang Jue's question. After more than 40 years of tacit understanding, her non-answer was already an answer.

Tang Jue didn't ask any further questions, waiting for his wife to wake up from her deep thoughts.

The two elderly people said nothing in the empty hall, just sitting quietly, wasting every bit of time that was precious to them in wordless silence.

※ ※ ※

After Shen Yuqing left the hall, her heart trembled.

This conversation with Mrs. Lengmian has reached an agreement. Qingcheng will support Tang Jueyan as the leader, and the eldest lady will marry her fourth uncle, forming a marriage to counter Dian Cang's purpose.

However, Mrs. Lengmian seems to be preparing for a war.On the day of ancestor worship, two hundred Qingcheng disciples gathered. Is this a threat or preparation for a battle?He didn't expect that his visit would actually involve him in the dispute over the Tang clan's heir, but Mrs. Lengmian handled such an important matter as if it were child's play and only made a few words of arrangements.

The Tang Clan's establishment includes about 3000 peripheral disciples. The person in charge of the two thousand guards is Tang Jue's seventh brother Tang Gu, the most powerful supporter of Mrs. Lengmian when she succeeds to the throne.With a total of 5000 people inside and outside, it could be a fierce internal fight.

What kind of preparations has Mrs. Lengmian made?
"They may not be aware of Madam Lengmian's intention." Xie Gubai said, "The Tang Sect has the Guards, the Gongtang, the Punishment Hall, the Soldiers Hall, and the General Affairs Office. There are two thousand disciples in the inner sect in charge of the Guards, and Tang Gu is in charge. The person in charge of the law is Tang Yi, and the second lady is the deputy hall leader. The person in charge of the engineering hall is Tang Liu. The soldier hall does not have military power, only personnel affairs. The hall leader is Tang Shaomao, but the bodyguard beside the eldest daughter is Tang Ying. My uncle, at the banquet that day, he was the only one who kept silent from beginning to end and did not approve of the second young lady’s marriage. We have all seen these people, but there is one we haven’t seen, that is Tang Fei, who is in charge of taxation and expenditure, the General Affairs Office. These few people are the most powerful clan members in the Tang Sect now."

"The nine people in this establishment are not much different." Shen Yuqing said, "There is also Young Master Tang."

Zhu Menshang asked: "This old man's mother and daughter look down on him, how can he be useful?"

Shen Yuqing said: "His title is still the son of Mrs. Lengmian, Tang Jueyan's father, and his words still have weight." Zhu Menshang said: "That's right, otherwise he would be embarrassed everywhere like this."

"Do we really want to help Mrs. Lengmian?" Shen Weichen asked, "This is a family matter."

"If we withdraw, the marriage will be over." Shen Yuqing also hesitated.My own life is at stake, but my little sister, these two hundred disciples, as well as Master Xie Gubai and Zhu Menshang... This matter is big or small. There is no guarantee what will happen, so it is better to let my little sister take them away first...

"Don't want me to leave first." Shen Weichen said, "I'm here to protect you."

Shen Yuqing smiled bitterly and said, "What about Mr. Xie and Dr. Zhu?"

Zhu Menshang said: "I don't care, I will die. It would be a pity not to watch such an exciting show."

Xiaoba said coldly: "Are you worried about Miss Tang Er?"

Zhu Menshang said: "You can talk about me, it's just such a bad burden, let's see how long you can shake it off!"

"If you don't do it, Dian Cang will do it. You have to think clearly. As far as I'm concerned, this matter won't end up like this." Xie Gubai said, "Mrs. Lengmian has scheming plans and will not risk infighting within the Tang Sect. Risk passing. All she wants is someone who can control the situation. The Tang family must also have this plan, so they are in a hurry to marry Miss Tang Er."

Shen Weichen said to Zhu Menshang again: "Why don't you go find the second lady and ask, who among these people will side with her?" She looked sincere, obviously not joking.

Zhu Menshang touched his eyebrows and said, "I'll give it a try."

He just tried it, got up and left.Shen Yuqing said: "I'm going to see Uncle Bai and ask him to be more alert."

"There's no need to tell him the details." Xiao Bahu said, "Young master said that Madam Lengmian doesn't want to cause trouble, just let them be on guard."

Shen Yuqing looked at Xie Gubai, who nodded and said: "Everything is under the control of Mrs. Lengmian. If you let them know more, you are afraid that there will be flaws if your traces are revealed."

Shen Yuqing nodded, and Shen Weichen praised: "Xiaoba, you are so smart. Every time your master misses something, you make up for it."

Xiao Ba said: "Don't look at the young master's carefulness. Without me to handle the tasks, there would be many omissions."

Shen Yuqing smiled and said: "Only you master and servant have such a tacit understanding. My little sister and I are not so familiar with each other."

Xiaoba just smiled, with a distant smile.

After Shen Yuqing left, only Shen Weichen, Xie Gubai, and Xiaoba were left.The three of them rarely get along alone. Xie Gubai said: "If there is nothing else, I will go back to the room and wait for news."

Just as he was about to stand up, Shen Weichen suddenly said: "Mr. Xie, I have something to ask. Don't be surprised if you are abrupt."

Xie Gubai sat down again and asked, "What's the matter?"

Shen Weichen asked: "What is your purpose in helping my brother and getting involved in such a big thing?"

Xie Gubai said: "This is Master Shen's intention. He doesn't want to disrupt the Kunlun discussion."

Shen Weichen said: "Even so, it was you who led him on this path. There are so many young masters of the Nine Families, why did you choose my brother?"

"Perhaps Mr. Shen is the only one among the nine great families who is willing to take this risk." Xie Gubai replied, "Tomorrow the Tang clan will worship their ancestors. Maybe nothing will happen, but there may be something big involved. Even the young master of Qingcheng will not be safe. Gentleman. Standing under a dangerous wall, why is Mr. Shen standing at the bottom of a crumbling beam, willing to help each other with one hand?"

He paused and then said: "Kunlun's decision on who to be the leader of the alliance has nothing to do with Mr. Shen. Even if he bows down to the world, Mr. Shen can still live a prosperous and prosperous life. Miss Shen understands Mr. Shen. Let me ask Miss Shen again, don't you In my heart, Mr. Shen will stay in Qingcheng, be the master of his whole life, and guard the so-called middle way of wealth and glory for decades, even if he is afraid that after his death, there will be a flood?"

Shen Weichen pondered for a long time and then said: "I know you are hiding something from my brother. I trust you. I just hope you don't harm him."

Xie Gubai cupped his hands and said, "I will not let you down."

※ ※ ※

Zhu Menshang asked the servants and asked to see Miss Tang Er, and the servants went to report.I waited for an hour before someone reported back, saying that Miss Tang Er was busy, so they only replied "No time."Zhu Menshang didn't see anyone when he went to her room, so he simply waited until dusk when he saw Tang Jueyan coming, followed by Yan Qingfeng and Meng Dujiang.

Tang Jueyan seemed quite surprised when she saw him. Zhu Menshang was about to step forward, but Meng Dujiang Hengjian blocked him in front.Zhu Menshang said, "I have something to ask you. It's important."

Meng Dujiang said: "Second Young Lady can see whoever she wants to see, but not everyone can see Second Young Lady."

Zhu Menshang looked at Tang Jueyan and saw that she ignored her and went back to her room with a very cold attitude.Zhu Menshang said loudly: "I'm just here to show you that the Tang Sect's poison is nothing more than this! It's not even night, and I'm already alive and kicking!"

There was no sound from the room. Zhu Menshang was bored and worried about important things.He knew that both Yan Qingfeng and Meng Dujiang were young masters, and he thought they were no match, so they had to use some underhanded tactics.He walked up to the two of them with a smile on his face and said, "Master Yan, Master Meng, my master has something to report to me, and I really can't delay it. Look..." As he spoke, he stretched out his palms to invite the two of them to take a look.

Yan Qingfeng and Meng Dujiang couldn't help but look at his palms, and saw a pill on each of his palms. Just as they were wondering, Zhu Menshang clenched his hands, and two silver needles came out from between his fingers, one on the left and the other on their shoulders. Pierce the well point.This move was fast and accurate, and it caught him by surprise. Even if the two of them didn't get hit, he could still break into the room by just dodging to the left and right.

But he didn't expect that he had just extended his hands halfway, as if he was trapped and unable to move.These two young men were far better at kung fu than he thought and had caught his hand long ago.

Now he was under the control of others, and the situation was very embarrassing. Zhu Menshang secretly screamed in pain, and just as he was thinking about his defense, he heard Tang Jueyan order from inside the room: "Throw him into the pond."

There happened to be a pond in the middle of the courtyard. Before he could object, he felt two powerful blows to his chest, knocking him away and falling squarely into the pond.

Zhu Menshang scolded his mother for a long time, but there was no sound in the room.Knowing that he would never see Tang Jueyan again today, he climbed out of the pond, went back to his room soaking wet, and told Xie Gubai and Shen Yuqing the whole story.

Everyone still knew nothing about Mrs. Lengmian’s arrangement.

※ ※ ※

The Tang family's ancestor worship ceremony is held in the Tangmen Ancestral Hall.The ancestral hall is located on the west side of the Tang family compound. It is four or five times larger than the main hall of an ordinary temple. According to Xie Gubai, it is almost the same size as the main hall of Shaolin Temple.

However, although the ancestral hall is large, only the head can enter when worshiping ancestors, and other participants have to stand outside the hall.Shen Yuqing and the other five were informed early that they were not allowed to carry weapons when entering the ancestral hall, for fear of offending their ancestors with their violence.

The group walked around several garden ponds before arriving at the west side of the ancestral hall.Zhu Menshang complained that the Tang clan was too big, and told some jokes to lighten the atmosphere. Everyone knew that there would be a big event today, and they felt a little uneasy. They didn't know how Mrs. Lengmian could make Miss Tang Er successfully become the heir.

When we arrived at the arch outside the ancestral hall courtyard, we saw that the ancestral hall wall was more than ten feet high. It was different from the walls in other places in the Tang family compound and was quite solemn.The group passed the inspection and entered the courtyard. There were two people standing on each side of the door of the ancestral hall, but weren't they the two ladies of the Tang family?

At this time, Tang Jueyan was dressed in elegant plain clothes, which was completely different from her previous dress. She was obviously very serious about worshiping her ancestors. However, even though she was tightly wrapped, her exquisite curves could not be concealed, or in other words, they were trying to hide them.

Tang Jing just saw everyone and stepped forward and said, "Master Shen, please come this way."

As expected, Mrs. Lengmian had other plans and placed the group of people in the right seats in the first row.In addition to them, Yan Qingfeng and Meng Dujiang were also at the banquet. It seemed that they were not only the escorts of the second lady, but also stayed in Tangmen as guests.

Shen Yuqing looked inside the ancestral hall and saw a large hall, quiet and solemn, with tablets on the left and right sides.He counted a little and found that there were nine floors up and down, with about thirty tablets placed on each floor.There are four such shelves on the left and right, and they should be memorial tablets dedicated to important figures in the Tang Sect's history.There are only three levels of tablets on the front. There are more than a dozen tablets placed on the top, middle and bottom. That is the main tablet, and only the leaders of the past dynasties will enshrine it here.

A huge pillar was erected in the middle of the ancestral hall. Shen Yuqing recognized it as the longevity incense he had seen the day before yesterday. It was nine feet nine feet tall and nine inches nine inches in diameter. It stood on a huge incense burner, connected to the incense pillar, base and incense burner. The total height is about one foot sixty seven.It seems a bit abrupt and obscures the view.Zhu Menshang whispered in Shen Yuqing's ear: "Burn such a big stick of incense, no wonder the guests can only watch the ceremony outside, but they won't be inhaled when they walk in? Mrs. Lengmian is old, don't let it get ruined."

"Say a few more words so that those with good ears can hear you, and you will be buried in Guan County. This is the Tang Sect." Shen Yuqing said, "If you feel that the hardships you have suffered in the past three days are not enough, you can just talk."

Shen Weichen asked: "This incense is nearly one foot long. When it is inserted on the incense burner, I see it is about one foot or seven above the ground. It is so thick. How should I light it?"

Zhu Menshang rolled his eyes and said, "No need to ask! The incense head is specially made, containing sulfur, phosphorus powder and other flammable substances. I moved a ladder up and lit it with a torch." It's familiar.

Shen Weichen said: "Sulfur phosphorus powder? No wonder no one can stand inside, it's uncomfortable to choke. It's hard for Mrs. Lengmian to do so at such an age, what if she chokes?"

Zhu Menshang said: "Keep talking, your brother is going to beat you."

Shen Yuqing glared at the two of them, and Shen Weichen hurriedly kept silent.

Soon, people from the Tang clan arrived one after another.The first person I saw was Tang Jinyang, sitting on the left side of the first row. After a while, Tang Liu and Tang Yi also arrived.As soon as the three of them sat down, they whispered to each other for a while. Several guards came and greeted them a few words. Tang Yi and Tang Liu then stood up and left the table.After a while, a tall, thin, middle-aged man with narrow eyes and a pointed nose, and a somewhat mean look came over. He sat down two seats away from Tang Jinyang. He was expected to be Tang Fei, the head of the General Affairs Office whom he had never seen before.When about a hundred people arrived, a middle-aged man holding a folding fan walked in. It was Tang Shaomao.

Shen Yuqing felt familiar to Tang Shaomao when he first met him, and now that he met again, it turned out that there was a slight resemblance between his eyebrows and Tang Ying's face.Another person came over and whispered a few words to Tang Shaomao. Tang Shaomao got up and left.When there were about hundreds of people who arrived, the three people still didn't come back.

Then there was another person, with a straight back and a majestic gaze, who strode in and sat in the seat closest to the middle. It was Tang Gu.

Later, Tang Jue arrived. At this moment, he was unsupported by his concubine, and his steps were a little staggering. He sat next to Tang Gu.

"Guess whether he will be asked to leave?" Xiaoba asked, "Three people left just now and haven't come back. Will he have to be held by someone when he comes back next time?"

Shen Weichen asked in confusion: "What are you holding? What do you mean?"

Xiao Ba made a gesture of holding the tablet. Shen Weichen immediately understood and couldn't help being surprised.Shen Yuqing also knew the danger and whispered: "Could it be that Mrs. Lengmian killed them here?"

"She is the leader, a few people are missing, it's nothing." As soon as Xie Gubai finished speaking, Xiao Ba said: "Tang Gu also got up."

Shen Yuqing turned around and saw that Tang Guzheng and Tang Jue stood up together and walked to the back of the ancestral hall.

Everyone looked at each other, and Shen Yuqing said: "If we deal with it this way, it's not a bad thing."

"Find someone to knock Tang Jinyang unconscious." Xiao Ba said, "If Dr. Zhu looks like he is causing trouble, I see him there, looking like he is doing bad things."

Zhu Menshang rolled his eyes at him and said, "When did I cause trouble?"

Seeing that the crowd was almost gone, Tang Jinyang got up and walked towards the back of the ancestral hall.

"No, I'm afraid something bad will happen when this person leaves." Xiaoba said, "Find a way to stop him."

Shen Weichen said: "I'll go!" She just stood up when she suddenly heard a voice saying: "I want to invite the leader!"

I saw Mrs. Lengmian walked in from the gate followed by eight guards, and everyone stood up to greet her.If Shen Weichen wanted to move at this time, he would inevitably attract attention, so he had to stand still.

Mrs. Lengmian walked to the front of the ancestral hall, and everyone bowed their heads in respect.The eight guards were divided into four groups, two by two, and stood around the two sisters at the entrance of the ancestral hall, sandwiching the two sisters in the middle.

Shen Yuqing thought that it would be okay if these eight guards could not enter the ancestral hall. They were also standing in a strange position, with two girls sandwiched between them, as if they were protecting them.

※ ※ ※

Tang Gu followed Tang Jue to the back of the ancestral hall, where there was a large house with four bedrooms, also known as Lengxiang Courtyard. In the past, it was used by widows who were determined to keep festivals in the Tang family.If any of the important figures in the Tang Sect died young and their wives wanted to stay away from the secular world, they would come here to take refuge, and all their living expenses would be paid by the Tang Sect.

Tang Gu asked as he walked: "You said there is evidence to prove that the second girl is your biological child. You want me to see it. What evidence is it?"

Tang Jue said, "We'll find out when we get here." After saying that, he opened the door.

As soon as Tang Gugu walked in, he saw Tang Liu, Tang Yi, and Tang Shaomao sitting on chairs, with a man holding a knife on their necks next to them.When Tang Liu saw Tang Gu, he hurriedly shouted: "Uncle Qi, save me!"

Tang Gu was startled and turned to leave, only to see Tang Jue guarding the door, surrounded by more than twenty well-dressed guards.Tang Gu was sad and angry, and said coldly: "Second brother, do you really want to do this to me?"

Tang Jue lowered his head with a very helpless expression: "Didn't I advise you? We are all old, so it's not good for young people to worry about young people's affairs, like me?" He paused and said again, "When the ancestor worship ceremony is over, I will keep you here for a few days and then let you go back."

Tang Gu said: "Sister-in-law is so partial and insists on letting the second girl be the heir?"

Tang Jue said: "I don't know what her plan is, so I'll just do what she said and bring you here. I don't care about the rest."

Tang Gu said angrily: "Second brother, at this point, do you still listen to her? The foundation of the Tang Sect is about to fall into the hands of a foreigner! Is this still the Tang Sect? You are so afraid of your sister-in-law that you don't dare to resist her even once ? She was raised by you with one hand, so you can control her!"

"Why should I care about her?" Tang Jue said, there was no unwillingness or anger in his eyes, just calmness, as calm as his tone, "In the past 40 years, the most important thing I have learned is to listen to her. "When he said this, there was no sense of humiliation or humiliation in his tone. This was a kind of equal obedience. This equality comes from understanding and respect.He believes that his wife will make the best decision, and this decision must take his mood into consideration. If something makes him sad, it will be her last resort.

"From the day your sister-in-law became the leader, everything she did was for the Tang Sect."

"What if you don't accept it?" Tang Gu raised his chest and said, "You want me to die?"

Tang Jue remained silent. Not answering was already an answer.

Tang Gu said: "I am also sixty. I have lived to this age and I am unyielding!" He clenched his hands into fists and cracked his knuckles, which was a sign of profound internal martial arts.Although the Tang Sect is famous for its poisonous and hidden weapons, it has long been recruiting top martial arts from the sects within its jurisdiction, either practicing or studying them, and forming a unique martial arts.Among Tang Jue's brothers, Tang Gu has the highest martial arts, far surpassing the other brothers.

"We will fight later. Second brother, please stay away. I don't want to hurt you." Tang Gu said, "I just want to see how you can stop me?" His eyes were like lightning, and he looked around. More than [-] well-dressed men saw his eyes. , can’t help but feel awe-inspiring.

Tang Jue said calmly: "Your sister-in-law had expected that you would not submit. She said that if you took action, you would kill your three nephews first." Tang Gu was surprised. He never expected that Tang Jue would use his own nephew's Life is threatened.

"That's the son of fourth brother and fifth brother, your nephew!" Tang Gu said angrily, "Second brother, are you crazy?!"

"I'm not crazy, I just understand your sister-in-law better than you do." Tang Jue said, "You also understand her. These are your sister-in-law's subordinates, and I can't control them."

Tang Gu was so angry that he gritted his teeth and glared at him angrily. Tang Jue avoided his eyes and found a seat to sit down.

※ ※ ※

Just as Zhu Menshang said, a platform was set up in front of Changshouxiang.Zhu Menshang said: "This staircase looks dangerous to the elderly."

Shen Yuqing said: "Just focus on your Miss Tang Er, don't bother looking elsewhere, there's not a good word anywhere you look." He looked at the empty seats in the front row again, and those who left didn't come back. , Tang Fei made no movement.

Mrs. Lengmian first recited a prayer and saluted to the ancestral tablet. Then she turned around and said to everyone in the audience: "Thanks to you, we have several guests here for this family ceremony. The brother and sister of Mr. Shen from Qingcheng ." After hearing her roll call, Shen Yuqing's brother and sister hurriedly stood up and returned the greeting. Everyone present did not know that their brother and sister came to propose marriage, and they couldn't help but let out a surprised sound.

Mrs. Lengmian continued to introduce: "Master Yan from Huashan." Yan Qingfeng also stood up and saluted.He has been in Tangmen for a long time, and many people already know about it, so the voices of surprise have become quieter.

Mrs. Lengmian continued: "They are the legitimate sons of the Qingcheng and Huashan sects. Taking the time to come here today has really given the Tang clan a great deal of face." After she finished speaking, everyone nodded.Mrs. Lengmian continued to introduce: "There are two other distinguished guests, both under the Tang Sect. Brother Meng from Emei."

Meng Dujiang stood up and said: "Emei Meng Dujiang, I would like to send my regards to all the seniors of the Tang Sect."

Emei belongs to the Tang Sect. Although they are both guests, their status cannot be compared with the brothers and sisters Yan Qingfeng and Shen Yuqing.

"The last one is the witch leader of the Five Poison Sect." After Mrs. Lengmian finished speaking, a woman suddenly jumped up on the eaves. She was extremely short and fat, only about six feet tall, with a waist circumference of not more than seven or eight feet, and a face full of freckles. , thick lips and garlic nose, all the facial features are squeezed together.When everyone saw her jumping onto the eaves, they were extremely rude and cursed one after another.

But the leader of the Wu Cult shouted: "Today's Tang Clan's grand ceremony, the old lady favored me and sent me to lead the disciples to see them. Don't blame me!" After saying that, dozens of disciples jumped on the surrounding eaves, including men, women, old and young. , all holding weapons.

Everyone in the Tang Sect below saw this situation and thought that the Wu Du Sect was so bold and dared to cause trouble at the ancestor worship ceremony.But no one was heard to stop. Only then did he realize that except for Tang Fei, several important figures including Tang Gu were not present. They couldn't help but look at each other in shock and confusion.

The cold-faced lady raised her cane and knocked on the ground, saying, "Didn't I say you are not allowed to carry weapons?"

The leader of the witch cult said: "We forgot for a while, so we didn't enter the ancestral hall, so it doesn't count as a violation of the precepts. Old lady, you are tolerant, don't blame the disciples."

The cold-faced lady nodded and said, "Put your weapons away, don't scare people."

With just these few words of conversation, everyone knew that the Five Poison Sect was under orders from Madam Leng Mian.Are you afraid something big is going to happen today?Some people know it well, some are suspicious, and some even secretly regret it. If they had known that they would burn incense at home today, why would they come to pour this muddy water?If I can go back alive this year, I won’t be able to come back even if I die next year!

Shen Weichen asked in a low voice: "Brother, there are only about fifty people on the roof. There are at least 500 people down here, most of them know martial arts. Can these 50 people be controlled?"

Shen Yuqing said: "Without the leader, it is impossible for more than 500 people to oppose the old lady. The fifty or so people are just threats. Whoever comes forward first will be killed. If you kill a few, no one will dare to come forward."

Shen Weichen nodded and said: "Mrs. Lengmian is indeed very scheming."

Shen Yuqing whispered: "Later, Mrs. Lengmian appointed the second young lady. Let's say a few good words and stand by the second young lady Tang. Just as Mr. Xie said, this matter has been resolved like this. But it is inevitable to have to deal with it again afterwards. After some...clearance, Miss Tang Er can sit firmly in her position." As he spoke, he couldn't help but frown deeply.Although he knew this, he couldn't help but feel unbearable when he thought about how many people from the Tang clan would suffer in the future when Mrs. Lengmian was purged. Although these people had nothing to do with him, he couldn't help but feel sad.

Mrs. Lengmian took control of the situation and added: "I was appreciated by my ancestors and took over the position of being in charge as a female. I have been working hard for a long time. In the blink of an eye, 30 years have passed. Now my teeth are white and I am old. Today, while I am worshiping my ancestors, I have something important to announce to you."

As she was talking, a guard came up and gestured to the audience. The cold lady nodded, and another guard held a torch and handed it to her respectfully.Mrs. Lengmian took the torch and said: "The time has come, everyone sincerely prays. It will never be extinguished and will never be extinguished. My ancestors protect the Tang Sect and protect my glory."

I saw everyone in the Tang Sect clasping their hands together, and the cold-faced lady shouted in unison: "Nine-nine will not be extinguished, life will be immortal, ancestors bless the Tang Sect, protect my glory!" After saying this, he bowed his head and prayed, and even Yan Yan Qingfeng and Meng Dujiang also prayed.Shen Yuqing and others had no choice but to clasp their hands and bow their heads in prayer.

Mrs. Lengmian climbed up the ladder and stretched out the torch to the longevity incense. Sure enough, there were sulfur and phosphorus powder and other flammable substances hidden at the top, which burned immediately.The cold-faced lady held up the torch and said, "Ancestor protects the Tang Sect, protect my glory!"

Everyone below also shouted in unison: "Zuyou Tangmen, protect my glory!"

After everyone finished shouting, they opened their eyes and saw Mrs. Lengmian standing on the stairs. Suddenly her center of gravity was unsteady and her body was swaying, as if she was drunk.Tang Jueyan only shouted: "Be careful, madam!" With the words still ringing in her ears, Mrs. Lengmian shook her head and fell off the stairs.The eight guards rushed to catch her, but they were still a step too late. With a "dong" sound, the cold-faced lady fell heavily to the ground.

Tang Jueyan exclaimed: "Doctor Zhu!" Her voice was very anxious.Zhu Menshang rushed towards him, but before he could get close, one of the eight guards saw him approaching and stretched out his claws to stop him.This claw was so sharp that Zhu Menshang felt a strong wind blowing against his face, fearing that he would be seriously injured with just one claw.

At this time, Tang Jueyan's second sentence just came: "Don't stop him, he is a miracle doctor!"

As soon as the three words "Don't stop him" came out, the guard's tiger claws turned sharply, Zhu Menshang passed by the guard, and the last four words came.This sentence was really timely. If he had been slower, Zhu Menshang would have been injured.

But in hindsight, maybe it would have been better if Zhu Menshang was injured.The claw was pulled back quickly, but it still hooked the cuff of Zhu Menshang's right hand, and with a hiss, the cuff was torn off.Zhu Menshang was slightly hindered, but still stepped forward to see Mrs. Lengmian's condition.

He was running so fast just now that he couldn't help but take a big breath and suddenly felt dizzy. Just as he was wondering if the poison in his body had not been resolved, the bodies of several guards around him swayed. One of them seemed to be shocked and shouted: "Yes." 'Five Miles of Mist'! Changshou Xiangli was caught in 'Five Miles of Mist'!"

At this moment, a small purple pill slowly rolled out from Zhu Menshang's torn cuff pocket. It was the "Five Miles of Fog" pill that he stole from the inner workshop that day.

(End of this chapter)