Cai Mansion, study room.
Cai Yong was writing furiously on the bamboo slips while listening to Cai Yan describing his experience after marrying into the Wei family. After a while, he stopped writing and took Cai Yan's delicate hands and said lovingly: "Yan'er has suffered! It's because of my father. If I had known better, I would have betrothed you to Xianyi. I regret it for my father."
Generally speaking, beauty has a temper, but Cai Yan does not have that. She has arrogance. She is a beauty with both talent and appearance. She came from a prominent scholarly family. While other children were still reading the Three Character Classic, she was already able to recite the Analects of Confucius.
At the age of less than sixteen, she was already well-known in Kyoto. She was a famous actress in music, chess, calligraphy, painting, and cooking. She was praised for her three obediences and four virtues. Cai Yan is a filial daughter. She will do whatever her father Cai Yong wants her to do.
The only thing she regretted was marrying Hedong Wei Zhongdao, who had been courting Gao Yue for a long time but failed. On the day of the wedding, it was said that Wei Zhongdao died inexplicably, which also made Cai Yan bear the infamy of Kefu and endure the criticism of others every day.
Cai Yan felt aggrieved and sad and immediately burst into tears. Imagine a young woman who had just fallen in love with a talented man, and then was suddenly separated by her family, leaving many people behind, and her husband died after paying homage to the church. This was a huge blow to her. It's hard to imagine. Naturally, the Wei family would not take a good look at him and kept staring at her as if they were on guard against thieves.
I don’t know if Cai Yan is a white lotus bitch, but she liked Yuan Xi but married Wei Zhongdao under the pressure of her family, and her love for Wei Zhongdao was still unbreakable after marrying him. How is this different from Zhou Zhiruo in The Legend of Heaven and Dragon Slaying?
If it weren't for Cai Yong's reputation and the Yuan family's revenge, the Wei family might have done something to vent their anger in private. Even so, the Wei family's cynicism towards Cai Yan was inevitable.
Fortunately, Cai Yan had been infected with some of her father's open-mindedness since she was a child, and the social atmosphere at that time was relatively civilized, with many incidents of trysts and affaires and widows remarrying.
After a long time, her mood gradually stabilized. When Cai Yan was feeling extremely melancholy, Cai Yong suddenly said: "Yuan Xianyi shouldn't have come to Chang'an to take risks. I'm afraid he came to Chang'an to pick you up."
Cai Yan's heart was miserable, and Chen Liu said goodbye. Cai Yan secretly promised Yuan Xifang, but the subsequent Dong Zhuo Rebellion caused earth-shaking changes in their fate. He became a world-famous hero, and she became A newly widowed widow.
Cai Yan and Yuan Xi are really in love, and they are inseparable. Fortunately, the protagonist is not Wei Zhongdao, otherwise this brother would be as angry as Song Qingshu. What a couple, they are really a match made in heaven. There was a time when Yuan Xi became the person he hated the most. .
Cai Yan suddenly remembered Yuan Xi's previous instructions, and then asked in confusion: "Isn't my father always sad and angry about what Grand Master Dong did, but for some reason he caters to him in every possible way?"
Cai Yong had a sad look on his face and sighed: "I cater to Grand Master Dong just for the sake of the Han Dynasty. If I can preserve the royal bloodline of the Han Dynasty, it doesn't matter if I am reviled by future generations."
Cai Yan said with some worry: "Xianyi is indeed a little reckless. My father sent someone to find Xianyi and persuade him to leave." The girl is indeed outgoing, which is not the same as Yuan Xi. .
"Let Gao Ping (old servant) take the people there. You said he has met Yuan Xianyi." Cai Yong nodded.
Cai Yan stopped talking and looked at the dim moon outside the window and sighed sadly. Do you still have a fate with Yuan Xi?
She didn't know that now that she was widowed, she might not be worthy of Yuan Xi, and she couldn't help but feel sad when she thought about it.
Gambling room, dark room.
Zhu Ao looked in disbelief at Yuan Xi who was looking through the account books and Guo Jia and others behind him. Although Yuan Xi asked him to make various preparations in advance, he guessed that Yuan Xi would send people to Chang'an to do some big things, but he Unexpectedly, Second Young Master Yuan would come to Chang'an in person.
After Yuan Xi checked the account books and some of the information collected by Zhu Ao, Zhu Ao slowly said: "Thanks to Mr. Shi A'na these days, many of these secret reports and some of Chang'an's plans were done by him. Mr. The vision is indeed vicious”
Yuan Xi once secretly contacted Wang Yue through the secret guards, and Wang Yue also expressed his support, so he sent his apprentice Shi A to cooperate with Zhu Ao Chang'an.
Yuan Xi nodded, "Continue to check the daily whereabouts of Dong Zhuo and others. The retreat routes are also being finalized, and some personnel are preparing to withdraw from Chang'an."
Guo Jia didn't expect that Yuan Xi had laid down these secret outposts in Chang'an earlier. Such planning must have taken more than one or two days. Guo Jia was looking forward to how many more moves and plans he had. Following this young hero might... Quite interesting.
"Evacuate Chang'an? Could there be a big change in Chang'an in the near future?" Zhu Ao said in surprise.
Yuan Xi hummed and didn't answer. At this moment, the darkroom door rang, and Zhu Ao's younger brother Zhu Gongdao, who was unattractive, walked in. His appearance did not change, but his expression became more steady and determined.
Zhu Gongdao knelt down silently in front of Yuan Xi and choked with sobs: "Please kill the Dong thieves and the Xiliang army. Zhu Gongdao is willing to be your pawn!"
"I came to Chang'an this time just to design and kill Dong Zhuo. If you go to see the Xiliang army in person, you may not be able to kill many people with swords and guns. As long as you do what I told Dong Zhuo, I will kill him." Yuan Xi helped him up. he said.
On the side, Zhu Ao's eyes were red, "Don't worry, Young Master, I will wait until everything is ready."
Yuan Xi praised the two people a few more words and then asked them carefully about the details of many major and minor events in Chang'an.
Finally, Zhu Ao said: "Sir, your younger brother Zhu Gongdao knows that although he is dull, he has learned some martial arts and swordsmanship from Wang Yue martial artist, and he is naturally powerful. But here, he is just waiting to eat. It is better to let him follow the young master as a bodyguard."
Yuan Xi hesitated because Yuan Xi suddenly remembered that there was a swordsman in history named Zhu Gongdao who righteously saved Jia Kui, but he didn't know if it was this person.
Zhu Ao had no doubt that he was there, so he explained: "Young Master, I am just a little honest and honest, but not stupid, and he is really powerful. I have been lucky enough to learn swordsmanship from Master Wang for a period of time. Ordinary people are no match for me. When I go to Chang'an We all rely on justice on the way to arrive safely."
Yuan Xi didn't pay too much attention. After all, he felt that it was enough to have Xu Chu, a super bodyguard, by his side. "I will take him with me later, but Zhu Ao, you must know that if you follow me, you will go to the battlefield and dangerous places. You can't help but take your own life."
Zhu Ao sighed and said, "I don't know how I know, but the young master is very kind to my family. If it weren't for the young master's kindness, my whole family would have died of hunger long ago. Furthermore, he is fair, dull and stupid and only knows how to obey my orders, and staying with me can only He will be confused all his life, but he will do his best when he is around the young master."
In fact, it was normal to have the idea of Zhu Ao in the Han Dynasty. At this time, the people and the social atmosphere were pioneering and enterprising. It was with this enterprising spirit that they were not afraid of their lives that people like Huo Qubing and Zhang Qian achieved great success. A career.
Moreover, people at that time also took pride in clinging to the powerful and becoming marquises and generals. It is not difficult to understand that Zhu Ao asked his younger brother to risk his life and follow Yuan Xi. In the Han generation, the character of the Chinese people was enterprising.
Zhu Ao brought several people outside the courtyard, and then Zhu Gongdao also followed. He was a fat but burly young man.
"Justice, come here." Zhu Ao called.
Zhu Ao pointed at Yuan Xi and said: "This is the second young master I told you before. From now on, you will work with the second young master."
Zhu Gongdao looked at Yuan Xi and then at Zhu Ao, "What about you, eldest brother? I can't bear to leave eldest brother."
Zhu Ao was a little angry. "What did I tell you before? Follow the second young master so that you can avenge your mother."
When Zhu Gongdao heard "mother and revenge", a fierce look flashed in his eyes, which were originally naive. He knelt down in front of Yuan Xi and said, "Brother asked me to obey the young master."
Yuan Xi hurriedly asked him to get up, thinking that although Xu Chu was known as a tiger madman, he was calm and rigorous in his work, while Zhu Gongdao was really called a madman, but he didn't know how good at martial arts he was.
Chang'an, in the mansion of Zhengtai, the minister.
Xun You, Zheng Tai, and Shi Zhong Zhongji were discussing some plans after assassinating Dong Zhuo.
"I think Wang Situ is so confident this time that he must have some complete plan. We will pay close attention to the affairs of the DPRK and China. Once successful, we will immediately cooperate with Wang Situ to control the secret." Zhong Ji said.
"I don't know what Wang Situ's plan is, but I still feel uneasy. Dong Zhuo is so closely guarded, how can he bribe Dong Zhuo's adopted son Lu Bu?" Zheng Tai worried.
Xun You remained silent. He vaguely guessed Wang Yun's plan, which was nothing more than buying Lu Bu with money, goods, and beauty, and then luring him to benefit Xiao Zhi.
Xun You was worried about the situation in Chang'an if he succeeded in killing Dong Zhuo. Although he had said it lightly before, if there was no decisive, wise and loyal person in charge of the government, the country would still be in trouble.
Just then, there were sounds of horse hooves and soldiers shouting and cursing from outside the courtyard. A servant stumbled in and said, "Sir, it's not good. There are many soldiers outside surrounding us."
"No, the plot to assassinate Dong Zhuo must have been leaked. Let's escape quickly." Xun You reacted immediately.
Zheng Tai also knew that something was wrong, so he led the two of them to the back door. Fortunately, the Xiliang soldiers did not outflank the rear, and Xun You and the other three mounted their horses and fled for their lives.
Grand Master's Mansion.
Dong Zhuo angrily tore up a secret report and roared: "Those self-proclaimed fools always want to use some despicable tricks to murder me. If I don't kill them all, it won't be enough to satisfy the hatred in my heart!"
"There is no need for the grand master to be angry. All he needs to do is send a sergeant to arrest these people and put them in prison. But what is worth worrying about is which of them are plotting secretly and have not surfaced. It is difficult to guard against the hidden arrows behind the scenes. Li Ru advised.
Dong Zhuo snorted and said: "Whoever he is, kill every one you find."
Li Rudao: "Let them be imprisoned first, and then they will be killed after their accomplices are revealed."
Dong Zhuo's eyes were filled with murderous intent, "I don't know how many of the people I sent have caught them."
Just in the market, Xun You galloped anxiously. He was now looking for a trustworthy person to defect to to avoid being hunted by the Xiliang soldiers. Just when he was thinking about where to go, several Xiliang cavalrymen behind him had already caught up with him, "The people in front should not run away, otherwise they will be shot to death!"
Xun You ignored him and kept his horse low and galloped away. The Xiliang cavalry got angry, stepped forward quickly and threw the noose. Xun You felt his neck tighten and he was pulled off the horse. After rolling on the ground, he felt indescribable pain all over his body, and his bones seemed to be falling apart.
Several Xiliang soldiers were not polite and tied up Xun You in an embarrassing manner regardless of his injuries.
Xun You sighed in his heart. He was not afraid of death, but he believed that he should die well. The only thing he could do now was to keep the secret strictly so that Wang Yun and others could seize the time to assassinate Dong Zhuo. After thinking about this, he had no other thoughts but an expression of indifference.
In the Tingwei Yamen, a jailer looked at the calm Xun You and felt very unhappy. Everyone who came here, whether they were civilians or generals, were either terrified or screaming and wailing. This was the first time that Xun You looked so indifferent. See, but this also arouses his tyranny even more.
"Sir, it seems that you don't know the various punishments of this Tingwei Mansion. Not to mention that you are such a scholar, even an eight-foot strong man cannot survive five sets of punishments." The jailer sneered.
Xun You still sat calmly on the ground, and the jailer continued to ask: "Just recruit other accomplices. If Grand Master Dong is in a good mood, he might let you live. Don't you see the consequences of going against Grand Master? Cramps and skinning or It’s light.”
After a long time, Xun You still didn't move. The jailer got angry and picked up the whip to beat him.
"Wait a minute, do it!" An unruly and arrogant voice came from outside the cell door.
The jailer looked at the visitor's clothes and immediately knelt down and kowtowed, "This little man didn't know that the grand master was here, and it's a sin."
Dong Zhuo ignored the jailer and walked straight to Xun You, "Xun Gongda, I have always relied on your Xun family's reputation and your talents, and entrusted you with Huangmen and other confidential positions. I didn't expect you to collude with Zheng Tai in plotting to assassinate me. .”
Xun You smiled lightly and said, "I'm afraid the Grand Master may have misunderstood. You are not one of their party. Zheng Tai and others tried to win over You and said they had a confidential discussion. However, when they heard that they intended to assassinate the Grand Master, you firmly opposed it and said that the imperial court Without the Grand Master, there will be turmoil.”
Dong Zhuo stared at him coldly, "Can I believe you?"
Dong Zhuo, who was regarded as an alternative by the wealthy family, was destined to be isolated.
"Whether you are sincere or not depends on Xun You, and whether you believe it or not depends on the Grand Master." Xun You said calmly.
Dong Zhuo tried to see something in his eyes, but he gave up after a while. Before leaving, he told the jailer: "Mr. Xun is not allowed to be tortured. Please take good care of him."
It's a pity that Dong Zhuo, who was born in a poor family, was destined to be abandoned by the wealthy family. Even Cao Cao, who was talented and resourceful, almost fell into the hands of the wealthy family.
On that day, Huangmen Shilang Xun You, Shangshu Zheng Tai, and Shi Zhong Zhongji were exposed for conspiring to kill Dong Zhuo, and the news was leaked. Xun You was arrested and imprisoned, and Zheng Tai escaped and defected to Yuan Shu. And all of this has the shadow of the Yuan family.
If you still say that Yuan Shao is a fool, then we people are just scum. Yuan Shu inherited the Yuan family's legacy and became big, while Yuan Shao started his own business with the aura of a nobleman. We must not underestimate him.
Wang Yun knew about Xun You's arrest immediately. However, Xun You remained calm in prison, talking and eating as usual. Dong Zhuo felt strange and did not persecute him.
Dong Zhuo still cherished talents, but at that time the scholar-bureaucrats looked down on him and refused to cooperate with him. But Wang Yun felt that the plan to assassinate Dong Zhuo was imminent.
Just when Wang Yun was thinking hard about the details of assassinating Dong Zhuo, a servant came to Wang Yun and said respectfully: "Sir, there are three people who said they are from Shandong and want to meet you."
Wang Yun asked with some confusion: "Didn't the informant just go to Guandong half a month ago? How could he come back so soon?"
"They are three strangers, but the codes are correct. They said they are old acquaintances of the adults."
Wang Yun was a little wary but still received the envoy from Guandong.
As soon as Wang Yun entered the study, his eyes were attracted by the three people standing in the study. He saw a handsome and elegant young man and two strong men like iron towers behind him.
Wang Yun looked at the young master and was stunned for a long time. At this time, the young master saluted and said, "It's been two years, uncle. Are you okay when you come?"
After Wang Yun stayed for a while, he recognized the young man as Yuan Xi, the second son of the Yuan family. He was a little surprised and then said sadly: "Why did you come to a dangerous place like Chang'an? Alas... I am sorry that your aunt died of illness half a year ago and went to the west."
Yuan Xi did not expect that Wang Yun would tell him this news as soon as he opened his mouth. He sighed secretly in his heart, and then selectively told Wang Yun what happened after leaving Luoyang and going to Jizhou.
After listening to Yuan Xi's narration, Wang Yun muttered: "It's rare for you to have such courage to eliminate tyranny, but the current situation between the government and the opposition is not optimistic. We still need to find some help."
Yuan Xi knew that Wang Yun was going to use a beauty trick, but in order to get Diao Chan, he had to cooperate with Wang Yun, so he quickly said: "I have brought some people who dare to die this time. As long as I find an opportunity to trick them out, I will definitely kill Dong Zhuo." In the street market.”
"This is very good. We are short of men willing to die to assassinate Dong Zhuo. It is timely to show Yizhen." Wang Yun said happily.
But during the interview with Yuan Xi, Wang Yun's expression changed subtly. He was a little panicked at first, but after the conversation, Wang Yun's expression seemed to have an imperceptible cunning.
Wang Yun is an old fox, how could he not see what Yuan Xi was thinking, but Diaochan planned to be promoted to the emperor, so that he could become a relative and become a powerful minister. The politics of the Eastern Han Dynasty was an era in which relatives, eunuchs, and ministers alternated in power. This is okay. It can be avoided.
However, Wang Yun was used to taking advantage of women, and he also wanted to use Diao Chan to drive a wedge between Dong Zhuo and Lu Bu. At least Yuan Xi could not stand his behavior.
Wang Yun then asked Yuan Xi where he was staying. Yuan Xi was also haunted and said with some hesitation: "I haven't found a secret place yet. I'm staying at a guesthouse next to Dongshi."
"Xianyi, please come live with me. It will be convenient for us to contact you, and Dong Zhuo still trusts me very much now. There will be no danger." Wang Yundao said with concern.
Yuan Xi quickly declined, but Wang Yun repeatedly persuaded him to stay with him pretending to be reluctant. However, Wang Yun still restricted Yuan Xi's movement in the palace, saying that it was to hide and avoid some trouble.
Wang Yun was a little surprised when Yuan Xi appeared, but as he talked and thought about it, he gradually cleared up some ideas. He felt that Yuan Xi was not just trying to assassinate Dong Zhuo, and Wang Yun felt that King Yuan Shaoqin should not send so few people come.
Moreover, he knew that Yuan Xi asked for Diao Chan a few years ago, but originally Diao Chan was what he planned to donate to the emperor as a bargaining chip for him to become a powerful relative.
However, the appearance of Dong Zhuo and Lu Bu later broke Wang Yun's original plan. Although he couldn't stand Dong Zhuo, it didn't mean that Wang Yun didn't want to be a powerful minister, so he naturally wouldn't give it away easily. Moreover, Diao Chan is still the most important part of her current alienation plan, so she cannot help Yuan Xi. To help him, he cannot help himself or the big man.
In the back hall of Situ Mansion, Wang Yun invited Diao Chan. He did not mince words but said directly: "Yuan Xianyi came to Chang'an and is now at his house. They intend to assassinate Dong Zhuo."
As if struck by lightning, Diao Chan heard the joy and sorrow of Yuan Xi's arrival, but when she heard that he was about to assassinate Dong Zhuo, her face immediately turned pale and her delicate body trembled uncontrollably.
Wang Yun, who stared closely at Diao Chan's autumn eyes, had deep eyes. After a while, he sighed and said: "That's all, I wanted you to go into the palace to accompany His Majesty, but now, now you and Yuan Xianyi go."
Diao Chan's beautiful eyes widened and she looked at Wang Yun in panic and surprise. She couldn't see clearly what Wang Yun was going to do.
Wang Yunqiang smiled and said: "How could I not know that when Yuan Xi asked for you a few years ago, he clearly had affection for you. The fourth and third prince of the Yuan family was a good home, but I didn't want you to be a concubine in that wealthy family at that time. I was wronged, so I didn’t agree.”
It's really hypocritical. I don't see how Wang Yun is any better than Dong Zhuo. At least Dong Zhuo doesn't have so many tricks and goes straight to the point, unlike Wang Yun who is too clever in his calculations.
Diao Chan shook her head with tears in her eyes and said: "Chan'er has been brought up by Sir and Madam only now. I know that Sir and Madam treat me as if they were one of their own. After Madam goes away first, Sir, you will be Chan'er's only relative. Chan'er will not be able to repay Sir's kindness even if she is broken into pieces." If anything happens, how dare Cicada go so far as to ignore your children's personal relationship, Cicada is willing to give you some help."
Wang Yun also shed tears and stroked Diao Chan's hair and couldn't help saying: "I've wronged you, I've wronged you..."
Thinking that Yuan Xi was not far away but the distance between him and her was like a world away, Diao Chan was really filled with grievances and sadness. In the end, she didn't know why she returned to the boudoir in a daze.
Princess Wannian happened to come to Diao Chan's boudoir. She was surprised to see Diao Chan looking haggard and with tears in her eyes. She looked at the girl aside to express her doubts. The girl shook her head and Liu Yan asked, "Sister, what's wrong with you?" "
Diao Chan looked at Liu Yan with blurred eyes and immediately thought of Yuan Xi. She was full of words and didn't know where to start, so she just took out a silk handkerchief to wipe the tears.
Liu Yan didn't know what happened to her, she was just worried. Diao Chan silently thought to herself, alas, the princess in front of her has a noble status, but she doesn't understand the helplessness of us people. Maybe only a noble princess deserves to have the power of her own choice, maybe.
Diao Chan loves Yuan Xi? Not necessarily, but I still have a crush on Yuan Xi after not seeing each other for several years. If Yuan Xi was not the second son of the Yuan family, but just a down-and-out scholar, what would Diao Chan do? hehe.
Although the Wannian Princess Liu Yan was a bit naughty and romantic, she came out of the deep palace after all. Naturally, she could tell that Diao Chan was hiding something from her, but she didn't dare to ask further questions and just kept it in mind when comforting Diao Chan.
Wang Yun told his servants that Liu Yan was his niece from his hometown in Bingzhou, and Wang Yun took great care of her, so she had a high status in the Wang family. It was certainly not difficult to find out some clues.
