cloud temple phoenix hairpin

Chapter 31

Chapter 28

Xie Ruchun stood respectfully in the study, looking at Pei Taizhi who was sitting behind the desk almost holding his breath.

Everyone in the court knew that this young man was a close minister of the emperor. He was favored by the emperor since he was a child, and he became the commander of the imperial guards at a young age.Few people know that he is also the governor of the left army of Qizhengtang.

The Qizhengtang is not under the jurisdiction of the three divisions. It is a directly governed institution established by the late emperor to investigate fraud privately and defend the capital. It is divided into left and right armies.The left army conducted private investigations, and the right army guarded the capital. All the subordinate officials were selected and secretly appointed by the emperor himself.Not only Jinjing, but all provinces in the country also sent left army bureaucrats to secretly investigate local civil officials.Xie Ruchun held two positions, he was the magistrate of the fourth rank in the open, but secretly he was the survey envoy of the left army from the third rank, in charge of the supervision of several provinces in the south of the Yangtze River, and reported directly to the emperor on a regular basis.

"I don't know that Mr. Pei came here, but the officials didn't come out of the city to greet him. I hope you will forgive me."

Xie Ruchun said respectfully.

Pei Taizhi waved his hand and said with a slight smile: "Your Excellency, you are welcome. In terms of seniority, I will also be called your uncle. Before leaving Beijing, the emperor ordered me to pass it on to your lord."

Xie Ruchun's heart trembled, he hurriedly stepped forward two steps, and knelt down straight.

Pei Taizhi stood up and said: "Jiangnan is the most important place of the country. Mr. Xie has a heavy responsibility, and his actions are safe. I am very relieved. I was promoted to the third-rank survey capital supervisor. I hope you will continue to work hard and live up to my entrustment. Chin. this."

Xie Ruchun's beating heart just now settled down, and he hastily kowtowed to thank him, then got up, let out a long breath secretly, and looked at the young Zuo Jundu.Seeing that he did not sit down after delivering the oral order, he pressed one hand on the table and looked at a branch of early spring peach sticking out of the south window. He seemed to be thinking, and he didn't dare to disturb him, so he just stood quietly wait.

"I heard that the Congzhen Hall of Rongyin Hall gathered many scholars from Jiangnan to compile books. Have you paid attention?"

Xie Ruchun heard his sudden question and mentioned Rongyin Hall, her heart skipped a beat, and she hurriedly said: "It is true, and the lower officials have also sent people to investigate in secret. Two books were compiled in three years, one was for The poems among the flowers are just works written by literati to express feelings about spring and autumn. The book has been completed. If you want it, you can find it here. Any words related to the government. Moreover, it took several years and a lot of work and effort to study the records of the scenery. It collected all kinds of customs and customs from all over the south of the Yangtze River. It has all kinds of benefits and no harm. , so the lower official once thought that after the compilation of this book was completed, he would recommend it to the Wenlan Pavilion in the inner court, so that I could show my face in front of the emperor in the south of the Yangtze River."

Pei Taizhi tapped on the table a few times with his fingertips, and said: "Master Xie will take care of it. I'm just asking as a matter of routine. If this book is true to what your lord said, it will be considered a great act of charity. Your Majesty knows that. Long Yan must be happy." After a pause, he suddenly asked, "The Wangshan Tower in Ruan Jiayi Garden caught fire, did you know?"

Xie Ruchun was shocked again, he didn't expect that the Zuojun was so well-informed, he even knew about it when he arrived, and hurriedly said: "I heard about it this morning, and I sent someone over to ask about it, and said that the fire that started in the middle of the night last night actually killed everyone." It's a pity that the Wangshan Tower burned down."

Pei Taizhi was about to say more, when he heard the voice of Xie Zuiqiao talking to the boy guarding the door, he nodded to Xie Ruchun, and went to open the door by himself.The two brothers hadn't seen each other for half a year, and they suddenly faced each other with smiles on their faces.

"You bastard, I thought you wouldn't come here until later. If you don't want to, you'll arrive without making a sound!" Xie Zuiqiao punched Pei Taizhi on the shoulder. Seemingly showing disapproval, he smiled, and then called "Uncle".

Pei Taizhi also laughed and looked at Xie Ruchun.Xie Ruchun knew that the two were close in age and they were cousins, although he didn't quite agree with his nephew's casual behavior, so he didn't want to say much, so he nodded in response, and was about to talk to him, Suddenly, I saw a young man from the mansion coming over, winking at the door, knowing that there was something to do, so he took the opportunity to leave.

"When did it arrive, Wenying and the others can see it?"

Xie Zuiqiao looked at Pei Taizhi, and saw that he was wearing a dark embroidered brocade uniform, and he didn't look dusty.

"I arrived the day before yesterday. I just went straight to the Ruan Family Garden you mentioned earlier, and found Gu Xuan's place for a day. He is indeed a rare talent. I was thinking about finding a time to ask someone from the Ruan family. Useful." Pei Taizhi said with a smile, "I've only been here early in the morning, and I've seen a few Wenyings already. When the little girl saw me, she called her brother, but when she heard that she was going to take her back to Beijing, she didn't immediately Give me a good face."

Xie Zuiqiao laughed and said: "She has someone to accompany her here, so she is so happy that she will not go back to Beijing. I just disposed of a garden here a few days ago, and I am planning to move there in a few days. Uncle must have arranged for you Since the emperor has not arrived yet, why don’t you stay in my garden together. It’s been a long time since I fought wine and swords with you. I was defeated by you last time, and I’m still waiting to win it back.”

Pei Taizhi looked sideways, and saw that although this cousin was two years younger than him, he had not seen him for half a year, but he was already as tall as himself, and his hands were itchy for a while, so he smiled and said, "Excellent. Let me see See how you are doing now. The evening will pass."

Xie Ruchun heard that it was Ruan Hongtian who asked to see him, so he vaguely guessed why, looked back at the two cousins ​​who were still talking in the study, hurried to the front hall, and led them into the small study.

Ruan Hongtian was persuaded by Ming Yu a few days ago, he was undecided, so he didn't continue to take care of it.Now that something like this happened, I changed my mind.Seeing Xie Ruchun, he said: "Ruan's heart is holy, if your lord can help me get this honor, Ruan will be very grateful."

Xie Ruchun frowned slightly, and sighed: "Your Yiyuan Garden is the best choice, but at this juncture, the Wangshan Tower accidentally caught fire, I'm afraid I'll miss the opportunity. When the emperor will be here, if there is a good chance to meet the officials There is no main building of the gentleman, I'm afraid it can't be justified."

Ruan Hongtian said with a smile: "Don't worry, my lord. There is still Yunzao Building next to Wangshan Tower. There are still two months before the emperor's holy car. If you can help the governor, Yunzao Building can be remodeled..." While talking, On one side, an envelope containing a bank note has already been handed over.

Xie Ruchun hastily declined, Ruan Hongtian had already pushed the letter into his hand and put it down on his sapphire arm.Xie Ruchun shook his head and smiled and said: "Forget it. I am interested in your family garden, and our two families are relatives, who will not help you? The governor also needs to take care of it, so I will take it for the time being. You go back and wait for my good news That's right."

Ruan Hongtian hurriedly expressed his thanks, then sat down and said something, and was about to leave, when Xie Ruchun suddenly listened to him, and mentioned that the secret envoy of the imperial court had just asked about the Ruan family's compilation of books in Rongyin Hall, Ruan Hongtian was surprised, and a layer of tears appeared on his back cold sweat.

"Don't worry. I've explained everything for you. It's not a big deal. It's just that literati have been troubled since ancient times. If there is any trouble in the future, you will be involved. Now that you have been asked, I just reminded you that you have to be more careful in the future..."

Ruan Hongtian said: "Thank you for your protection, sir. I was careless before. When I got back, I stopped compiling books and dispersed everyone."

"The records of local customs are a good thing that is beneficial to the local area. It is time-consuming and labor-intensive. It is a pity that it has stopped in the middle of the compilation. It is a pity to continue to compile it. Today, the Holy One is doing a lot of literary repair. If I talk about it in the future, I will say yes." Do as I wish, and it will be fine.”

Ruan Hongtian pondered for a while, and probably guessed what Xie Ruchun was thinking.Only he can speak for himself in front of the secret envoy, so it can be seen that he has taken care of him a little bit, so he doesn't mind if he borrows the book from the treasure house to gain a false name for himself, so he immediately responded: "My lord's words are very true. .Then we will wait until this set of books is compiled before distributing them. When the book is finished, it is considered elegant to invite adults to correct the inscriptions and postscripts."

Xie Ruchun evaded a few words, nodded with a smile in response, and then served tea to see off the guests.

A half moon hangs in the sky, the clouds are thin, and a silver light is scattered all over the place.On the open space near the water in the Yu Garden, there are sword shadows flying, whistling, two silver lights entangled in one place, inseparable.

Xie Zuiqiao suddenly withdrew his sword and stepped back, dropped the long sword in his hand with a ding, turned around and pulled out two thick back knives from one side of the halberd, threw one at Pei Taizhi, and said: "Swords are too light, I never like to use them. Since both of them are sword guards in front of the imperial court, they simply fight with swords!"

Pei Taizhi took it backhanded, stepped forward, and the two swords met each other. Pei Taizhi felt that his arm sank, and his own sword was slightly pressed down. He was a little surprised, and he opened it with all his strength. Some have improved!"

Xie Zuiqiao's eyes shone brightly under the moonlight, and his forehead was dripping with water. He slashed at him again, and then he said with a smile: "Cousin, I said that I always remember to win the round. If you are afraid, Just admit defeat!"

Pei Taizhi also scolded with a smile: "You brat, think I'm afraid of you? Wait and see if I don't kick your ass hard!"

Xie Zuiqiao laughed: "That depends on whether you have the ability!"

The blade is heavy, and it dances vigorously.Pei Taizhi gradually gained the upper hand, forced Xie Zuiqiao to the corner of the rockery, and was about to fly the scimitar in his hand, when suddenly he was startled, seeing that instead of avoiding him, he came up obliquely, and turned the back of the knife abruptly, with a sound The sound of gold and iron colliding, the tiger's mouth numb, the handle of the knife was about to come out, took a step back, just stabilized and was about to fight back, but the opportunity was lost, Xie Zuiqiao's knife was as fast as lightning, and was forced to panic for a while, blocking After a dozen stabs and slashes, he gradually stabilized.

Although the spring is cold, the backs of the two of them are already sweaty, and they are fighting vigorously. Suddenly, they heard a voice laughing next to them: "My lords, the wine has been warmed up. How many cups should we drink first before we fight?" He brought a little girl over Qingqiaoqiao, with a tin pot in his hand, leaned over to set wine cups and dishes on the stone table.

With a sound of "clang", the hilts of the sabers clashed for the last time, Pei Taizhi and Xie Zuiqiao met their eyes, laughed loudly at the same time, withdrew the saber and put it back into the halberd stand, and then went to the pavilion side by side.

"Zuiqiao, I really underestimated you, if you keep fighting, I'm afraid I might lose."

Pei Taizhi took the cloth towel from the little girl's hand, and said while wiping the sweat from his forehead.

With a smile on her face, Yuhan also took a cloth towel and went up to Xie Zuiqiao, raising her hand to wipe it for him.Xie Zuiqiao dodged slightly, took the cloth towel in her hand, wiped it himself, and threw it back into the lacquer tray, then turned around and smiled: "It's not necessarily true. You are too busy with business and neglected to practice art. I am here to spend time with you." There is nothing to do in the day, so naturally you have more time to touch the knife than you, so it's easier."

Pei Taizhi originally thought that this cousin would be very proud of his final tie with him this time, but he didn't expect that he would take it so lightly, which was a bit surprising.The two sat down relative to each other, and asked Yuzan and the little girl to step back. Looking up, Xie Zuiqiao leaned back on a wide chair casually under the shadow of the mottled moonlight. His shoulders were broad and his arms were long, his eyebrows were stretched, his expression Yi Ran suddenly laughed, picked up the glass in front of her and drank it all, shook her head and said, "I thought you were still young, it seems I was wrong."

Xie Zuiqiao smiled and said nothing, just leaned over and took the tin pot to fill his glass with wine, and then filled his own.

"Yiyuan caught fire last night, you must know? I was there last night, but something strange happened."

Pei Taizhi also leaned back on the chair, and said casually. Seeing Xie Zuiqiao raised his eyebrows and looked over with interest, he continued: "I couldn't sleep in the middle of the night last night. I remembered seeing the noodles on the side of the Wangshan Tower during the day. It is very vast, and the moonlight is good, so I took a pot of wine and climbed over the wall, drinking alone in front of the moon shadow, which is not interesting. Only for a moment, Wuxin saw that there seemed to be a fire shining through the mountain tower, and then Get up and go to check, what do you think I saw?"

"The arsonist?" Xie Zuiqiao frowned, and immediately spoke up.

"Although I didn't see that person set the fire with my own eyes, it should be close to ten." Pei Taizhi took another sip of wine, and the eyes of the little girl who stared back at him last night appeared in front of him, which made him unable to describe what it felt like. , the bitten wound on the wrist seemed to be throbbing at the moment, "If I didn't tell you, you probably wouldn't have dreamed that the one who set the fire was just a girl one or two years older than Wenying!"

(End of this chapter)