Jiaochu

Chapter 284 On the Rewards for Deeds
  It was approaching noon and the city gate was in sight.

When the army entered the city, the people in the city lined the streets and cheered. The teahouses and taverns along the road were crowded with people, clapping and throwing flowers, as lively as a festival.

Luo Jinxiu and two maids were guarding the railing on the second floor. One of the maids raised her finger and pointed in one direction and said, "Miss, look quickly, that's Young Master Yan."

Yanfei was wearing silver armor and a red cape, looking like a young general wearing bright clothes and angry horses. He attracted the attention of many little girls along the way.

When Yan Fei passed by, Luo Jinxiu waved her handkerchief and called Brother Fei. Yan Fei didn't look at her, but she blushed first.

Someone in the restaurant opposite snorted, it was none other than Zhao Ce.

"Why are you so arrogant? He didn't win this battle alone. I think he's just a faker, and he still has the nerve to show off on the street."

Zhao Ce angrily picked up a piece of pastry and stuffed it into his mouth, but ended up choking. The boy quickly poured a cup of tea and handed it to him. Zhao Ce drank it in one gulp, only to choke again. The boy was helpless about this.

……

"Princess, princess, people are here~" Lingdang pointed excitedly in the direction of the army. Ye Lingxi stood up from the ground and immediately ran downstairs. Both Hehe and Lingdang followed behind to tell her to slow down.

"Brother Yan."

Seeing those big, watery eyes, Yan Fei was stunned for a moment and thought it was an illusion.

"The princess is waiting for you, why don't you go and say hello." Yan Jiang patted Yan Fei on the shoulder with a fatherly smile, and then left happily.

Yanfei dismounted and walked over. They hadn't seen each other for more than two months, and they were a little shy.

"Brother Yan seems to have grown taller again." Ye Lingxi said first, then stood on tiptoes and stretched out his hand to show how tall he was. Unable to stand still, he fell forward and hit the armor on his chest.

Yan Fei hurriedly asked her if she was okay. She covered her forehead and said she was okay, and asked him to go see her father first so as not to be late. Then she pulled him up and left.

A reception banquet had been prepared in Qingliang Hall, and Eunuch De led the group there.

Ye Lanchen and all the civil and military officials are here, as are the three princes Ye Qingran, Ye Lingjue and Ye Xingye, as well as Murong Min and Rong Xian. The vassal kings and Jiedu envoys all returned to their fiefdoms and prefectures and counties under their jurisdiction. Liu Xin, the supervisor of Xiuzhou, was delayed for some time because of a cold. After recovering from the illness, he set off and was the last one to leave Beijing. , just a few days before the victory news came from the army.

At the banquet, Ye Lanchen discussed meritorious deeds and rewards. Murong Min, the Princess of Beining, thanked the King of Zhenbei for the rewards he deserved. Murong Ze, the prince of the Northern Territory, was unwell because of his physical condition. Did not attend the banquet.

When it was Yan Fei's turn, Ye Lanchen asked him what reward he wanted. General Yan said that it was his duty to be loyal to the country and no reward was needed. Qin Min praised in a strange way, "If everyone is as noble and upright as the old general, the emperor will have a lot less worry in the future." Yan Jiang said, "It is the duty of ministers to share the emperor's worries. The emperor is aware of every detail and has clear rewards and punishments. General Lao Qin is worried."

The atmosphere at the banquet became a bit tense, and there seemed to be a smell of gunpowder in the air.

Some ministers were waiting for a good show. Prime Minister Zhou tried to smooth things over and said: "This time we were able to defeat the enemy, both generals have contributed a lot. We will work together to share the emperor's worries in the future." After speaking, he raised his wine glass and toasted to the two of them. He also picked up the wine glass and drank it all. After all, the Prime Minister still has to give him face. After all, the other party is inferior to one person and superior to ten thousand people.

After Ye Lanchen thought about it for a while, he appointed Yanfei as the royal guard in front of the palace, which is equivalent to the imperial guard. Although he is only a sixth-grade official, he is with the emperor every day, and he has a high chance of promotion in the future. Such a good job will not even attract the princes. The disciples are also jealous.

From then on, Yan Fei worked as an errand in the palace. The happiest person was Ye Lingxi. The smile on his face was as bright as a sunflower, which happened to be caught in Yan Fei's eyes. He unconsciously raised the corners of his mouth, but he had to be more subtle. , the next moment he saw a winking face, Yanjiang had a gratified but obscene smile on his face, seemingly saying "Come on, nephew, uncle, take good care of you~", he looked away as if he had done nothing. see.

That sunflower-like smile was also seen by another pair of eyes. Ye Lingjue poured himself a glass of wine and drank it.

After the banquet ended, Yan Jiang left with Commander Wu.

In the underground prison of Yetingsi, Yanjiang met Zhou Guiren who had become a prisoner.

On the way, Commander Wu told him the cause and effect of the incident. During the interrogation and investigation of Zhou Guiren, Commander Wu found out that Zhou Guiren was not in good health before entering the palace. He was recuperating in a village outside the city and lived there for more than two years. , during this period, a nanny and a maid serving her had accidents one after another. Commander Wu found out that the nanny and the maid were bossing her around in private and did not treat her as their master. Later, the nanny was killed by a robber on her way back to visit her relatives. The girl lost her life when she accidentally slipped and fell into the well while fetching water.

After many investigations and visits, Commander Wu got a clue. This week, Guiren met a mysterious man, who was seen by a nearby villager.

This villager went into the city to sell goods and did not leave the city until evening. It was already dark when he passed by Zhuangzi. At that time, he saw a carriage parked outside the yard. A man and the eldest lady of the Zhou family were standing together talking. He thought the other party was He was the young lady's lover. He didn't stay long before he got on the carriage and left. He didn't see what he looked like, but he should be a young man from a wealthy family.

But among the relatives and friends who have contact with the Zhou family, there is no one worthy of suspicion.

However, Commander Wu had other reasons for asking Yanjiang to come with him. When the two sides fought before, Commander Wu discovered that the killing move used by the other party was one of the unique assassination moves of a killer organization: Falling Rain and Blossoms.

And the name of this killer organization is Jackdaw.

No matter how she was interrogated, Zhou Guiren refused to reveal the person behind her.

When Yanjiang and Commander Wu came over, Zhou Guiren was tracing his lips and ignored the two people standing outside the cell door.

The fingertips with bleeding beads were gently spread on the lips, adding a touch of bright blood color to the pale and dry lips.
  "The noble man is now hanging on to his last breath. Does he still want to see anyone if he still has one life left?"

Zhou Guiren stared at Yanjiang with a cold and angry expression, and smiled again. He stood up and walked over and said, "Don't you know who I want to see, general?" As he said this, he stretched out a hand to touch Yanjiang's face. Jiang took a step back to avoid it.

"Don't you, the general, also want to see me? Why are you so shy now? Is it because there are outsiders who want to avoid suspicion, or because you are tired of the old and have a new love." Zhou Guiren said charmingly.

Commander Wu couldn't stand hearing such flirtatious words and left first, leaving Yanjiang to deal with it on his own.

(End of this chapter)