Rebirth's Charm

Chapter 87

Yu Shaoheng took two steps back, looking at the territory map on the wall, with a calm and confident expression, "I won't lose. If the emperor loses, it will be lost by you and me. We have come to Mobei for nothing."

"Understood, the success or failure of this matter depends on King Chengyuan." Speaking of this, Xiao Xun's eyes flickered slightly, "King Chengyuan seems to have restrained himself in the past two days, and his people are not as chasing after me as before. Give it up. It seems that the letter that the emperor asked the empress to write to King Chengyuan worked, and he should be a little hesitant."

"It's only at this moment that he will slowly see the clues. He is the same as Prince Jing now. He will not fail to understand that he has no way out. If he takes risks, he may still have a way to survive. Once he shows weakness, he will die sooner or later."

"I'll hurry up, and so will you. It's fine to live in this damn place for a while, but if it were me, I wouldn't be able to see anyone all day long, and I'd be drunk to death within a few days." Xiao Xun said and laughed , "By the way, I brought you a lot of good wine."

Yu Shaoheng raised his eyebrows slightly, "It's rare."

Xiao Xun's smile grew stronger, "Remember to return it to me in the future."

Yu Shaoheng let out a joyful laugh, "Definitely." Then he asked, "Is it your or the emperor's intention that Xi Zhao came here, why didn't anyone tell me?"

"The meaning of the emperor and the empress dowager is that they are worried that she will not be able to bear the bumpy road. In case of illness or something, it is necessary to stop and recuperate. It's the best in front of you." After Xiao Xun explained, he expressed his position again, "Even if the Emperor and Empress Dowager don't consider this, I will block this news. I'm not afraid of anything else, I just want to give you a surprise."

Yu Shaoheng shook his head helplessly, but said nothing.

Xiao Xun came and went in a hurry, ordered his subordinates to arrange the things they brought, and then ordered them to leave in several directions one by one.He and Joan were last.

Although Ye Xizhao and Qiao An were reluctant to part with each other, they also knew that this was not the time to reminisce about the past, so they smiled and said goodbye.

After they left, Ye Xizhao took a closer look at the extra objects in the room. In the Xici Room that Yu Shaoheng used as his study room, there was another set of Four Treasures of the Study, a large pile of files, and several topographic maps.In the hall, there is a new set of purple sand tea sets, a jug, and several small wine cups.There are a lot of kitchen utensils and ingredients in the kitchen.

As for the things Qiao An gave Ye Xizhao, some were high-quality rouge and gouache suitable for the climate here, some hand stoves, clothing materials, and some embroidery work such as screens with painted patterns.Or take care of some details of life, or let her have a pastime to pass the time on weekdays.

Ye Xizhao was very moved by many things, the only one who laughed was naturally the top ten altars of fine wine, his heart is really rare.

Finally, beside the ear room, she saw bundles of firewood that had been split and neatly stacked.Naturally, Xiao Xun ordered his subordinates to help them.

For Xiao Xun, it is very lucky to be his friend, but if it is someone else, it is a blessing and a disaster.

In any case, Xiao Xun and Qiao An's visit made this new home no shortage.

Ye Xizhao and Yu Shaoheng each made themselves adapt to the life here as soon as possible.Because of the habit of the past years, after the fatigue has been alleviated, I still get up early every morning.Ye Xizhao boiled water for cooking, while Yu Shaoheng went to practice swords elsewhere.He came back and the meal was just on the table.

Every morning, Ye Xizhao washed and cleaned the room, and Yu Shaoheng went to fetch water from a well far away from the courtyard, and then helped her do some things that she didn't know or was difficult for her.

Every afternoon, Yu Shaoheng was busy at his desk, or looked at the territory map and topographic map in meditation.Ye Xizhao was sitting in the dormitory doing embroidery or needlework.

At dusk every other day or two, Ye Xizhao would find carrier pigeons flying to the courtyard, which was the channel for Yu Shaoheng to communicate with the outside world.

After staying here for ten days, the people from Dali Island came over, and in addition to putting down the things they needed, they also brought several letters from the Hou's Mansion.

What Ye Xizhao received was a letter from Mrs. Tai, Mrs. Meng, and Mrs. Meng.Mrs. Tai told her the big and small things in the inner house, and told her in detail not to be strong and not to be too tired, which filled five sheets of letter paper.The second lady's letter is similar to Mrs. Tai's letter.Naturally, Mrs. Meng only talked about the family affairs of the Ye family, and told her the good news that Mrs. Xu was pregnant. After thinking twice, she sent a few capable maidservants to Shu to take care of her.

No matter what it said, whether it was joy or sorrow, Ye Xizhao almost cried when he saw it.

What Yu Shaoheng received were letters from Yu Shaohuan and Yu Shaoqian. Their brothers were all concise and to the point, just a few sentences.

The person who sent the letter had already received Zhong Liye's order, so he was very concerned about everything, and before leaving, he told the husband and wife to write a reply letter and prepare it for them to take back when they come next time.

On this day, because of this incident, Ye Xizhao lost the mood to do embroidery in the afternoon, so he turned to Yu Shaoheng, saw him writing, and stood aside to help him sharpen his ink.

Yu Shaoheng glanced at her, "Homesick?"

Ye Xizhao asked back: "Don't you want to?"

"nature."

Ye Xizhao asked again: "You are still busy here, are you planning for a rainy day in the future?"

"Yes." Yu Shaoheng clicked on a pile of files with his chin, "These all need to be read carefully so that we can know what we know."

Ye Xizhao hesitated for a moment, but still asked: "You always receive news from carrier pigeons, do you know the current situation of the court?"

Yu Shaoheng made no secret of her, "Now there are heavy soldiers inside and outside the imperial palace, many of whom are excellent secret guards trained by the Queen Mother and Xiao Xun in various places. There is nothing wrong in the palace. Above the court, King Jing monopolizes the power and guides his minions. Suppress those who are loyal to the emperor."

"This situation..." It couldn't be worse.

"Moreover—" Yu Shaoheng pondered for a moment, "Tang Hongxiao was transferred back to Beijing two days ago, and it is said that the imperial court is going to entrust him with important tasks."

"What?" Ye Xizhao was astonished, "Isn't this clearly embarrassing the emperor? Tang Hongxiao was only sent by the emperor during the summer."

"That's what he meant."

After that, Ye Xizhao began to think about Tang Hongxiao carefully.In many cases, people are not afraid of losing, but of getting it back.Especially the loss and recovery in the official career, I am afraid that it will completely change a person.If it was said that Tang Hongxiao had intended to take advantage of Prince Jing's foundation and power over the years, then if he returned to the capital and regained his fame and fortune in the future, he might be completely devoted to Prince Jing.

"Alas..." She sighed dejectedly, "When my father found out, he didn't know how he felt."

But Yu Shaoheng smiled, put down his pen, and held her hand, "Father-in-law had already guessed a bit about this matter. Although he was not sure at the time, he would not be too annoyed when he found out now. He told me long ago, He is feeding tigers."

Ye Xizhao exhaled, "What are you thinking? If the emperor sends troops to destroy King Chengyuan, wouldn't it be okay?" She really felt that in the current situation, the world is clearly about to change hands, so it's better to fight hard at the beginning. Compete.Such a big country can't deal with a courtier?
"Of course not." Yu Shaoheng explained to her in a gentle voice, "Among the people who impeached me, Xiao Xun, and my father-in-law in the Shangzuo, there were the feudal officials who defended one side with troops. If they work together, the world will be chaotic, and eventually fall into It is the people of the Li people who are in dire straits. The people always think that the sky is high and the emperor is far away, and they don't know what is going on in the court. Under panic, the emperor must lose some of the hearts of the people. It is better to let Prince Jing be rampant for a while, and let the people know about his wolfish ambitions But what the emperor should deploy has already been deployed. When the time comes, there is no need to worry about the relationship with Prince Jing's uncle and nephew, and eliminate him and his accomplices in one fell swoop. If it is not in such a situation, there will always be criticisms about removing Prince Jing .”

Ye Xizhao recognized this.King Jing did not commit any serious crimes first, and it would be even more difficult for the emperor to get rid of him and his forces.The most difficult thing is the relationship between uncle and nephew.In addition, in Prince Jing's mansion, it was Concubine Jing and Zhong Lixuan who were rampant, but Prince Jing always gave people the impression of being magnanimous.

For such a clan, you must first arouse his anger and let him reveal his rampant and despicable side, so that he can have sufficient reasons to kill him.

"This kind of thing is really difficult for you big men." Ye Xizhao sighed sincerely.The one who lives the most aggrieved and miserable life now is the emperor who cannot leave the palace and let others control the government, Yu Shaoheng and Xiao Xun come next.

Yu Shaoheng smiled, "It's worth a gamble, if you can get peace in the world." He rubbed her face again, "Looking at it now, maybe it won't be long before we can leave here."

Ye Xizhao leaned on him, with a sweet smile, "It's good if you think you have a chance of winning, but I actually think this place is also very good. You see, there are only two of us every day, and there are Xiao Xun and Qiao Zongbing outside to help us Looking after the island, I can't think of a more peaceful and comfortable day."

"That's true."

That winter day, Ye Xizhao seldom went out for a walk, because of the cold weather, even if there were beautiful scenery on the island, he had no intention of going to see it.

After passing two letters with relatives, it is almost New Year's Eve.

Spending the New Year's Eve outside is something Yu Shaoheng has long been used to.For Ye Xizhao, it was the first time in his life.

It was at this time that the servants on the island brought the calligraphy and painting screens and some books she wanted, as well as some new clothes specially invited by Mrs. Tai.

Ye Xizhao thought that the saddest person was actually Mrs. Tai.She only has one pair of sons and daughters, but this year one is in the palace and the other is thousands of miles away, so they cannot be by her side during family reunions.

The same is true for her parents. Their children have their own places to go, and they cannot be filial to their knees.

Raising children, it turns out, also has such a bleak side.

Yu Shaoheng naturally thought the same as her, but he was always rational, so he had to put aside the unsolvable things for the time being and focus on other things.

On the 26th of the twelfth lunar month, Xiao Xun brought a few people to the island again, and this time, Qiao An also came with him.

Qiao An has not seen Xiao Xun for as long as he has been away from here.When they arrived on the island and walked to the residence together, she felt that he was thinner than the last time they met this time, so she asked, "Did you suffer from some incurable disease?"

"How to say?"

"Being thinner and thinner is one of the signs of an incurable disease."

Xiao Xun rubbed his face and said with a smile, "If I'm really about to die, will you stop making trouble with me?"

Joan looked at him coldly, "Who is making peace with you? What I want is for you to divorce me. Getting divorced is more troublesome than being divorced."

Xiao Xun looked at her getting more and more radiant, and was really worried in her heart—seeing this, she was about to throw herself out of the sky.Frustrated, he whispered: "I'm sick, lovesick."

"Oh?" Joan looked at him, "So I'm busy meeting new people these days? Why, it's tricky? Tell me, I'll help you match."

Xiao Xun looked at her seriously and sadly, "Why are you pretending to be confused? I've been so busy all day that I almost forgot my last name, how can I have the time to find new people? I'm too busy thinking about my past mistakes for a while. .”

Joan lowered her eyes and smiled ironically, "Where did you make any mistakes, it's all my fault." Then he quickly changed the topic, "I heard that my parents politely asked you when you came to the door last time. Please leave? I didn't expect that I wanted to see your blood splattered on the spot."

Xiao Xun is not someone who is easily distracted, he looked at her with a little more serious eyes, "I really know that I have done too many stupid things, you wait a while."

"Wait for a while, wait for you to be warm and affectionate to me, and spend time with me?" Qiao An said, feeling funny to herself, "Xiao Xun, why bother? After all, do you have any affection for me? If you think You owe me too much, after you divorce me, just give me some more money."

"Look in the future, it's useless to talk about it now, it's just talk on paper." Xiao Xun only answered her last sentence emphatically, "Don't worry, no matter what happens in the future, everything in my hands is yours. I only ask you for one thing ——Don’t ask me to write a letter of divorce when you see me.”

Joan no longer mentioned the divorce letter, and even stopped talking to him.

In the past, Xiao Xun had already been irritated by her anger, but now, he can only accept it silently.

He entered the courtyard listlessly, but Yu Shaoheng and Ye Xizhao were not there, and he didn't know where he went.He asked his subordinates to put the things away, went out and sat on the steps, and took out the silver jug ​​to drink.Looking at Qiao An who was standing in the courtyard, there was always pain in his eyes.

Joan finally paid attention to him, and glared at him angrily, "Aren't I dying? What do you think I'm doing?"

Xiao Xun had no choice but to stand up, not to bother her anymore, and turned to look for Yu Shaoheng.

He didn't find Yu Shaoheng, but met Ye Xizhao.

When Ye Xizhao saw him, the first thing he said was, "Have you seen Lord Hou?"

"I just arrived, I didn't see you."

"I don't know where I went to practice swords, and I didn't come back to eat." Ye Xizhao muttered, and then asked him with a smile if Qiao An was with him.

Xiao Xun nodded, "Of course I came to talk to you. She looked annoyed at me, so I hid."

Ye Xizhao originally wanted to go back to see Qiao An sooner, but saw that he looked more haggard and thinner than last time, so he changed his mind and walked back slowly with him.After thinking about it for a long time, I recounted to him what Joan had told me.In the end, Ye Xizhao asked him: "You don't know these things, do you?"

Xiao Xun was silent for a long time before he said: "I really don't know. It was only when I saw those crystal beads that I remembered that she saved me. In my whole life, besides Shao Heng, she was the only one who saved me. But I couldn't see her clearly." appearance, but I always remember this matter. I never thought that she is that person. Then I married her...don't mention it, I have always wronged her." Afterwards, he looked at Ye Xizhao in a daze and bewilderment, "In your opinion, should I make amends to her wholeheartedly, or fulfill her wish and give her freedom? I'm really not sure which way is best for her. I know myself , some mistakes, not everyone can forgive."

(End of this chapter)