Aspirations

Chapter 58
"You go to the Quanyou Inn tonight and end Xia Xiang's life, and the matter will be settled." Gao Jianyuan turned to look at the Gongyuan, and said dissatisfiedly, "Wen Shangshu is so indecisive, how could the third prince consider the imperial examination so important?" Entrusting the matter to him is really inhumane. When something like this happened, he didn't dare to bring Xia Xiang directly for interrogation, and he didn't agree to kill Xia Xiang to silence him. Could it be that he had to wait until the matter alarmed the emperor? How stupid !"

"Yes, Captain." Yan Hao wanted to kill Xia Xiang for a long time, but the third prince has never made up his mind to attack Xia Xiang. Now Xia Xiang wants to kill himself, so don't blame him for being rude. , "Xia Xiang won't live until tomorrow morning."

Gao Jianyuan was very satisfied with Yan Hao's uncompromising execution of his orders: "The things the prince asked us to do have been done, let's go, find a place to have a few drinks and relax. Remember, when you start at night , must be straightforward, don't leave any clues, and don't make people suspect anything."

"Don't worry, Taiwei, Xia Xiang will die peacefully tonight, as if he died suddenly from a sudden illness. Even the most famous master in Shangjing Mansion can't find out the cause of his death." He is one of the top experts, and he is also the best in the use of poison and medicine. He has thousands of methods that can kill people invisible. Killing a mere Xia Xiang is just a matter of effort.

"Why didn't the lord come to the Gongyuan and Wen Changju himself to make it clear? I have to come. The two of us are warriors, and we are not good at dealing with people like Wen Shangshu. If you want to send, you should also send Xiong Shiwang. Yes." Gao Jianyuan was very puzzled by the intention of the third prince, "Jian Wang and King Qing both came forward, and it is not an exaggeration for the third prince to come in person. Why didn't the third prince come forward in person? He was humiliated and killed by Jian Wang just now I also."

Xiong Shiwang was the minister of the Ministry of Personnel, and the Ministry of Personnel was under the jurisdiction of the Three Princes. Xiong Shiwang and Wen Changju became friends again. In Gao Jianyuan's opinion, Xiong Shiwang's appearance was a hundred times stronger than his and Yan Hao's appearance.At the same time, he also felt that the Third Prince no longer had to be afraid of his head and tail.

"My lord is far-sighted, and it's beyond our ability to speculate. I'll just follow orders." Yan Hao did not respond to Gao Jianyuan's complaints, but in fact he was very clear about the third prince's intentions.

Just now in the Gongyuan, King Qing didn't express his and Gao Jianyuan's arrival. The Gongyuan even sent two stewards to inquire about the affairs of the Gongyuan, which is really a big trust.

Although Gao Jianyuan's rank is not high, he is also the leader of the Xingwang Mansion's personal soldiers. He is a well-known general of the seventh rank. How can he be compared with being in charge?Stewards are servants.However, seeing the arrogance of the king is well known in the capital, and he is the respect of the prince, although he is a generation younger than the third prince, he is on an equal footing with the third prince, so Gao Jianyuan can only swallow his anger and dare not refute.

Compared with meeting the king directly, Yan Hao felt that King Qing was the unfathomable person.At first, he also thought that King Qing was obsessed with calligraphy and painting, was obsessed with Buddhism and Taoism, he didn't care about worldly affairs, and wanted to be an outsider. Only after he saw it did he realize that King Qing's name is outsider in the world. Compared with King Jing, he not only has an age advantage, but also has a false reputation, and has such a smooth and easy way of doing things, he is the biggest variable for the third prince to win the heir!
The reason why the third prince didn't come in person was because he was concerned about Li Dingshan, and because he cared about his reputation.The festival between the third prince and Li Dingshan was well known to all senior officials in the capital.It's just that Xia Xiang is Li Dingshan's student, not many people know about it.If the third prince came forward in person, once people knew that Xia Xiang was Li Dingshan's student, he would take the name of the third prince to avenge his personal revenge. In addition, Xia Xiang was an examiner, and all the officials in the court were scholars, so they couldn't tolerate the examination. In the case of fraud, the third prince didn't want to get a big bad reputation for taking down Xia Xiang.

It's just that Xia Xiang's provocation was first, and he was not willing to fall off the list. He insisted on posting a black list to make things worse, and finally angered the third prince.Before, he wanted to persuade the third prince to get rid of Xia Xiang as soon as possible to avoid raising tigers, and finally let Xia Xiang sit up and become the second Li Dingshan.As a result, the three princes did not listen. First, he cherished his own reputation and did not want to arouse dissatisfaction among scholars all over the world. Second, he pity Xia Xiang's talent and thought that Xia Xiang and Li Dingshan were different. Maybe Xia Xiang did not know who Li Dingshan was, and Xia Xiang only followed Li Dingshan. Dingshan's learned knowledge is not necessarily similar to Li Dingshan's character.

Later, the three princes still listened to Wen Changju's words. This year, Dabi won Xia Xiang's fame, so as to avoid Xia Xiang's high school, after the high school, there will be extracurricular branches.It is also because the third prince learned that Li Dingshan was in the capital, and he had been in close contact with King Jing.If the third prince was a person before, in order to prevent future troubles, he would have killed Xia Xiang long ago.Every year of the Great Competition, there are many scholars who die due to overwork due to the cause. Xia Xiang's accidental death is not a big deal.It's just that the third prince, for the long-term plan of recruiting talents after inheriting the throne in the future, couldn't bear to kill Xia Xiang and leave him to serve the country.

Let Xia Xiang fail the exam, and take the exam again in three years. By then, the third prince will have already become a great treasure without accident. After Xia Xiang went to high school, he will be the disciple and subject of the third prince.The third prince took such painstaking efforts because he just wanted to bring Xia Xiang under his door, but Xia Xiang didn't know what to do, so he insisted on putting up a black list, which finally annoyed the third prince.

The third prince didn't send Xiong Shiwang, but sent him and Gao Jianyuan to meet Wen Changju, because the third prince knew that things had already disturbed Jian Wang and King Qing, and they could no longer calmly end the matter.He and Gao Jianyuan were different. After explaining how Wen Changju dealt with the aftermath, he and Gao Jianyuan secretly took action to get rid of Xia Xiang, and the matter could be uncovered without any trace.Wen Changju did a good job on the test paper, and Xia Xiang died again, and there was no proof of his death. Even if Xia Xiang had a big grievance, he could only go to the underworld to cry.

It's a pity that Gao Jian Yuanbai has been with the third prince for so many years, and he can't even guess what the third prince is thinking. He is really stupid.Yan Hao sneered in his heart, sooner or later, he could replace Gao Jianyuan and become the most trusted confidant of the Three Kings.

Gao Jianyuan didn't pay attention to Yan Hao's twinkling and unwilling eyes when he bowed his head and obeyed his orders. He looked down at Yan Hao and said lightly: "That's the case, it's always a good thing to think about the prince's thoughts." , so that I can do my best for the prince."

"Yes, what the Taiwei said is very true." Yan Hao replied respectfully, "Why don't the two of us go to the Quanyou Inn to rest for a while, and then attack Xia Xiang after dark..."

"That's very good." Gao Jianyuan nodded in agreement, and then the two rode away.

After walking a long way, Yan Hao kept looking back and saw Ye Shisheng standing at the gate of the Gongyuan, like an iron tower, he couldn't help shaking his head, Ye Shisheng owed the third prince a favor, and today's matter was paid off.It's all to blame for Xia Xiang, a black list has caused such a big mess, so that the third prince had to invite Ye Shisheng.It would be great if Ye Shisheng's favor was used in other important matters.

Soon after the two left, King Qing and King Jian left the tribute courtyard one after the other, and Wen Changju, Gao Hai, Chen Feng and others sent them out respectfully.After King Qing got on his horse, he didn't forget to wave to Wenchang and others, but when he saw that Wang was leaving on his horse, he didn't even look at them any more.

Sending off King Qing and King Jian, Wen Changju breathed a sigh of relief, exchanged a few words with Ye Shisheng, and then returned to the Gongyuan with Gao Hai and Chen Feng.Sitting down in the meeting hall of the Tribute Court, Wen Changju glanced majestically at Gao Hai, Chen Feng and Zhang Ze, and said unquestionably: "Just now His Royal Highness King Qing and His Royal Highness Jian Wang ordered this matter to end here, and no more public opinion is allowed." Make a statement. If I let the official know who leaked the news, hehe, don't blame His Royal Highness King Qing...cough cough, His Royal Highness Jian Wang will not be forgiven."

Gao Hai repeatedly said: "I would like to follow the words of Wen Shangshu."

Chen Feng and Zhang Ze also nodded.

"Let's not mention the matter of the black list, let's go here today, go back first, and release the list tomorrow morning." Wen Chang raised his body, and several people also stood up at the same time, crossed their hands in a salute, and left separately.

Wen Changju was the last to leave. Before leaving, he thanked Ye Shisheng again: "There is a commander in Lao Dian. Tonight, guard the Gongyuan to prevent traitors from causing chaos. This is a serious matter."

Originally, Ye Shisheng did not need to come forward to protect the Gongyuan in person, but since Ye Shisheng promised the third prince, he must do what he said.He is a person who keeps his promise, he owes the third prince a favor, and if it is a favor, he must pay it back.

Wen Changju got into the carriage and returned home with a heavy heart. He had just entered the door and sat down, before he even had time to take a sip of tea, he heard a servant report that there was a visitor.I didn't want to see guests at first, but when I heard it was Lian Ruohan, I hurriedly asked the butler to invite me in.

After meeting Wen Changju, Lian Ruohan only said a few words to Wen Changju and left.After leaving the gate of Wen Mansion, she said to Ling'er, "Send the letter back, Wen Changju is an abandoned son."

Ling'er was extremely surprised: "Ah, little lady, is it too hasty to give up Wen Shangshu because of a Xia Xiang?"

Lian Ruohan shook his head lightly: "It's not because of Xia Xiang, but because Wen Changju still thinks that this is the end of the matter and there will be no further follow-up. He really listened to King Qing's words, so short-sighted , either being used by others, or being treated as an abandoned child, which is useless. Thanks to Xia Xiang, a black list made Wen Changju mess up, and he was really too high in the past..."

On the way back, Lian Ruohan happened to pass by Cao Mansion.Coincidentally, she happened to see Cao Yongguo leave Cao's mansion, get on a carriage and head south.Lian Ruohan thought for a while and said, "Ling'er, send someone to follow Cao Yongguo to see where he goes. Tonight, I'm afraid many people in the capital will have trouble sleeping."

Ling'er sent Chang Shuxin to follow behind Cao Yongguo. Chang Shuxin followed Lian Ruohan for many years. He had good martial arts skills, was loyal and reliable, and was not very good-looking. If he was thrown into the crowd, no one would notice. , it is the best choice for tracking, tracking and tailing.

Chang Shuxin quietly followed Cao Yongguo's carriage, walked through the streets and alleys, and saw Cao Yongguo came to a mansion.Not long after handing over the name sticker, the butler came to welcome him.After staying in it for more than half an hour, when Cao Yongguo came out, the host personally went out to see him off, and they had a happy chat with Cao Yongguo.

The owner, Chang Shuxin, also knew him, and it was Gao Hai, the servant of the Ministry of Rites.

Chang Shuxin went back and told Lian Ruohan, Lian Ruohan pondered for a long time, and suddenly smiled: "Mr. Xia Lang is really a great talent, if Gao Hai takes care of this matter, it will be a great success."

It was night, and winds were blowing in all directions in the capital, and countless carriages went back and forth between the various high-ranking official residences.Thanks to the fact that there is no curfew in Daxia, and people can pass freely at night, otherwise so many high-ranking officials would be busy destroying the soldiers protecting the capital's law and order.

It was night, Li Dingshan and Song Chaodu had a long secret talk in King Jing's mansion.Li Dingshan and Song Chaodu simply lived in the palace and did not go back.Li Dingshan is fine, anyway, he has no fixed place to live in the capital, but Song Chaodu seldom spends the night outside.

It was night, Cao Yongguo returned to the Cao Mansion, and talked with Cao Shuli and Cao Shujun in the study for a while.After hearing Cao Yongguo's words, Cao Shuli was full of joy and anticipation, and Cao Shujun was [-]% happy but also [-]% disappointed, and said, "Why did Mr. Xia Lang agree with you again? Gao Hai is really a villain who knows how to adapt to the wind! "

"It's human nature to see the wind and turn the rudder. It's just that some people fall into trouble when they see the wind and turn the rudder, and some people just change the direction." Cao Shuli was very happy to see Gao Hai being persuaded by her father, and she was willing to test for the world, especially Xia Xiang. Seek justice.

Cao Yongguo smiled slightly, stroked his beard and said, "A gentleman deceives him, and a villain lures him for profit. Although Gao Hai is a villain, if he can uphold justice on the basis of right and wrong, he is still a gentleman."

It was night, and the third prince performed a set of boxing skills and a set of sword skills in the back garden of the palace, sweating profusely.When someone asked to see him, he would never see him, and thanked the guests behind closed doors.

Later in the night, another visitor came.The third prince said impatiently that he didn't see him at all, but the servants said that it was the fifth prince, King Yun.The third prince's eyes lit up when he heard it, he hurriedly tidied up and greeted him out the door.

At the door stood a long and smiling King Yun.

After the third prince and King Yun met, the two chatted and laughed, and entered the palace hand in hand.

It was night, and when Zhang Hou and Shi'er returned to the inn, it was already the third watch.After the two returned, Shi'er went back to the room to sleep, and Zhang Hou knocked on Shen Bao's door.

Shen Bao was sleeping soundly, and was awakened by Zhang Hou, who didn't know what happened, Zhang Hou motioned him to keep quiet.The two sat opposite each other in the dark without lighting a candle.

Zhang Hou's low voice was accompanied by the murmur of autumn insects outside the window, like a whisper in the middle of the night: "Brother Shen, I told you to listen and don't talk. I went out with Shi'er and wanted to visit the third prince, but was caught Turned me away. I walked around outside the Gongyuan again, and met an examiner named Shi Yixin. Shi Yixin recommended King Chongqing to me, saying that His Royal Highness King Qing was a virtuous and kind man, so I went to celebrate with Shi Yixin. Prince's Mansion. I didn't hold out hope at first, but unexpectedly, His Royal Highness Prince Qing actually received the two of us..."

"His Highness Prince Qing is so handsome. Shi Yixin and I have already paid homage to His Highness Prince Qing. I also recommended Brother Shen to His Highness Prince Qing. After the list is released tomorrow, Brother Shen will follow me to King Qing's Mansion to pay a visit to King Qing, okay?"

Shen Bao couldn't bear it any longer, and said in a low voice: "I still have to take part in the palace examination. After the palace examination, I'm a student of the Son of Heaven. How can I worship under His Royal Highness King Qing?"

"I'm afraid it won't last long..." Zhang Hou said in a serious tone, "I should wait for it to make plans early, don't wait for the new emperor to take the throne, there is no good position."

"Let me think about it." Shen Bao was ambiguous and didn't directly give Zhang Hou a clear answer.

It was night, Xia Xiang went to bed early and slept very peacefully.Xia Xiang didn't bother to think about tomorrow's release of the rankings. The so-called planning is up to people and God is up to it. What should be done has been done, and he can't predict what the situation will turn out to be, let alone control it.Instead of worrying uselessly, it is better to sleep peacefully and wait for tomorrow.

Xia Xiang has a calm temperament, doing his best to obey the destiny, and after the hard work he should have put in, he has the patience and calmness he deserves.

Xiao Wu shared a room with him and slept soundly.After the third watch, the two turned over and fell asleep again, and no one noticed a figure flashing past the window.

It was night, Mantuo lived on the third floor, which was the most remote corner, but Xia Xiang was on the first floor, tens of feet away.She has traveled the rivers and lakes for many years and developed the habit of going to bed late.After the third watch, she felt drowsy, and fell asleep when she lay down, but she couldn't sleep well, thinking repeatedly about Xiao Wu's martial arts practice.

Xiao Wu has a clear skeleton and a unique talent. He is a prodigy in martial arts. Based on her judgment, Xiao Wu must have learned martial arts before, and his skills are not weak, but he just forgot about it for some reason.Xia Xiang said the name of the move, and he was able to use it. It can be seen that he just forgot the move, but he still remembered the name of the move.

What kind of strange disease is this?Man Tuo couldn't figure out what disease Xiao Wu had to become what he is now, but he became more curious and confident about Xiao Wu.She has been a prodigy in martial arts since she was a child. When her master taught her martial arts, she said that she has the rare potential to be a master, and she will be successful in the future.Although she only wants to avenge her father, she is also obsessed with martial arts.Meeting the simple-minded Xiao Wu, she was as happy as Bole discovering the Maxima. She wanted to pass on all her abilities to Xiao Wu, and she would not be in vain of her master's teachings to her.

It's just that the more you think about it, the more puzzled you become, and the more puzzled you become, the more curious you become, and the more curious you become, the more excited you become. Maybe Xiao Wu remembered the martial arts he learned before, and combined them with the martial arts she taught him. In a short time, he will become the top master in Daxia.

After an unknown amount of time, when Mantuo was about to fall asleep in a daze, she suddenly heard a slight "click" sound coming from outside, the sound was extremely small, if it wasn't for her excellent hearing, she would not have heard it at all.Like a mouse biting something, or a night cat stepping on a tree branch, she woke up as soon as she was excited, grabbed the sword in her hand in an instant, came to the window in a flash, and looked outside...

The outside is empty, the yard is empty, the leaves are shaking, and the moonlight is shining all over the ground. Where is there any shadow?
(End of this chapter)