Flowers bloom and fall, winter turns to spring, and twenty years pass in the blink of an eye.
These days, Beijing is in turmoil. It looks peaceful on the surface, but in fact there are always many horrifying rumors.
Legend has it that the Tianxiao organization, a powerful rising star from the Central Plains, intends to collude with a certain minister of the imperial court to not only dominate the martial arts world, but also to unify China.
It's not a big deal to boldly say that coveting the throne is actually just seeking power to usurp the throne, and it's easy to change the country!
This is by no means alarmist. Because many memorials have been sent to the emperor from all over the country, saying that the Tianxiao organization has frequent activities, disturbing the chickens and dogs in the prefectures, cities, counties, and counties. When the officers and soldiers encircled and suppressed them, they seemed to be like dragons but not the end, which was a headache.
But there are also some predictions that the Tianxiao organization may have entered the capital... This made the civil and military officials of the Manchu Dynasty, including the emperor, restless.
Seeing that the emperor was in a panic, Lv Wenzheng, the Minister of the Ministry of Justice and a first-rank official, left his post. This Lu Wenzheng can be said to be a very important figure in the current imperial court.
A few popular sayings in the current dynasty can prove it: "The court of the Song Dynasty is the pillar of the country: Wen has the Minister of Punishment, and Wu has the King of Guangling in Sanguan."
The meaning is: As long as Lu Wenzheng, the Minister of Punishment, and Zhao Rui, the Prince of Guangling, assist the government, the country of the Song Dynasty can be protected.
If we say that the prince of Guangling, Zhao Rui, is now the commander-in-chief of the Three Passes, he has well-equipped soldiers and brave generals under his command; his son Zhao Xu is even more versatile in both civil and military affairs, has outstanding talents, is proficient in the art of war, and is brave enough to champion the three armies. A rare general with great talent. The father and son guarded the border and resisted the barbarians. For many years, the country was peaceful and the people were peaceful, and the world was at peace.
Lu Wenzheng, the Minister of Punishment, was a high-ranking official in the imperial government. He was regarded as the "Tai Chi Beidou" by the courtiers. He served the country with loyalty and his achievements were of course unparalleled.
Now let’s get back to business. It is said that Lu Wenzheng was out of work and advised the emperor to be calm. He also said: In the past few days, he has asked his right-hand man, Ling Yun, the commander of the third-rank bodyguard of Shangshufu of the Ministry of Punishment, known as the "No. 1 Sword in the World", to investigate. , and roughly know:
Li Ruiyun, the leader of the Tianxiao organization, is a young and promising man with unparalleled martial arts skills, strategizing, cunning, fierce and difficult to deal with.
There is another point that needs to be noted: Li Ruiyun's identity is confusing and elusive. Not to mention the people in the organization, even the people around him, only a few have seen his true face. Therefore, be careful to guard against this person appearing in any way, at any time, in any place, or doing anything unbelievable.
The emperor said: "Isn't it impossible to guard against it?"
Lu Wenzheng said: "There are many masters in the imperial palace, and our capital is also full of soldiers. No matter how brave he is, Li Ruiyun will not take the risk of coming here; not to mention that the Tianxiao organization is still in its infancy and will not take action yet."
The emperor asked: "How do you say this?"
Lu Wenzheng said: "Because external attacks must have internal responses."
The emperor raised his eyebrows and said, "Oh? Lu Qing is saying that there are people in our court who are disobedient and want to collude with thieves?"
Lu Wenzheng said: "I am just inferring based on reason. Your Majesty only needs to be on guard."
Lu Wenzheng can be said to be an important minister in the court. The emperor has always trusted and respected him very much. His words have always been proven correct by facts.
The words at this time responded to the emperor's speculations for many days, and they were answered immediately.
At that moment, the emperor struck a blow at the case: "This is unreasonable! If I find out about it, I will cut him into pieces with a thousand knives and destroy the nine tribes!"
The emperor's thunderous wrath made everyone in the civil and military court hold their breath and not dare to move. There was a terrible silence in the court.
After a long time, the emperor calmed down and then said to Lu Wenzheng: "Go on."
Lu Wenzheng said: "The deputy leader of the Tianxiao organization is a woman. Her real name is Lian Nanchun, and she is also a terrible female evil star. There are many heads of other sub-rudder branches, to name a few."
The emperor asked: "Is there anything else?"
Lu Wenzheng said: "It is still under investigation. As soon as I have any news, I will report it immediately."
The emperor nodded and said "Okay"; then asked: "Dear sirs, do you have anything else to report?"
Seeing no one answered, he waved his hand and announced his retreat.
The court dispersed, and all civil and military officials withdrew in order. Although everyone in the court looked downcast and worried, there were still the majority of people who felt that "it has nothing to do with them, and caring about them will lead to chaos."
What kind of Tianxiao organization, I have no enmity or enmity with it, so how can I be so unlucky, but let this ghost organization hit me on the head.
Most people believe that they will be blessed by good luck, heaven and earth, and be protected by gods. Otherwise, how could they be so lucky to be in such a prestigious and elegant place?
At this time, Ding Jinzhi, the second-rank official of the imperial court and the Minister of Rites, walked up to He Yuting, the first-rank official residence of Xinping Marquis and the old consort He Yuting, and said, "Brother He, on the ninth day of the next lunar month, Quanzi will succeed Wu Yi as the magistrate of Zhongmou. Tomorrow, I will set up a trap at home." At the banquet, Brother He, can you deign to condescend to come to my place and enjoy it together?"
Everyone in the court knew that Ding Jinzhi and He Yuting had been close friends for many years; now, Ding Jinzhi's eldest son Ding Jiwu was promoted to a noble title, and the family held a banquet to celebrate. Of course, Ding Jinzhi could not forget to be the first. He Yuting was invited.
Unexpectedly, He Yuting frowned and said in a low voice: "Brother Xian, Brother Yu has some things to do in the house tomorrow, let's wait for another day."
Ding Jinzhi was stunned for a moment, and suddenly thought of something, he couldn't help but blame himself deeply, and hurriedly said: "Brother He, I made a mistake. The past is over, why bother..."
He Yuting let out a long sigh.
Ding Jinzhi regretted even more and said hurriedly: "I deserve to die, I shouldn't have said anything out of the blue..."
Seeing Ding Jin's embarrassment, He Yuting said: "Brother Xian, why do you say this? Brother Fool has something to do at home, so I'll leave first."
When Ding Jinzhi heard the pardon order, he hurriedly said: "Brother He, please go slowly, my younger brother has gone ahead." After saying that, he saluted and turned around.
He Yuting stood on the steps, silently lost in thought. The son who was promoted by Ding Jinzhi, he thought of his long-lost son whose life and death were uncertain, and his heart couldn't help but feel cramped.
Other people’s sons have become talented, but my own son is...
At this time, there was a sudden sound of "rustling" footsteps at the bottom of the steps. A handsome young man wearing a light blue brocade official uniform with a hundred flowers walked over lightly and shouted: "Lu Sir, Sir Lu!..."
Judging from his age, this young man is in his twenties, eight feet tall (converted to the current height of more than 1.8 meters), with a face like a crown jewel, eyebrows of eight colors, a pair of eyes with clear black and white, and a charming look; His body is tall and strong, his movements are nimble and quick, his clothes are flying and dancing, like a jade tree in the wind, his posture is heroic and unrestrained.
What a handsome young man. But He Yuting felt a sense of disgust in his heart.
He knew this young officer. He was Lu Wenzheng's right-hand man and Ling Yun, the third-rank bodyguard of the Ministry of Punishment.
Lu Wenzheng was upright by nature and had always been at odds with him, so He Yuting naturally didn't have a good impression of the people in the Lu family. His face darkened and he said coldly: "You don't know etiquette, is this a place where you can run wild?"
Ling Yun was stunned, knowing that this high-ranking official was looking for trouble, so he bowed slightly and said, "My lord, please forgive me."
Just as He Yuting was about to speak, Lu Wenzheng came over and said, "My subordinates don't understand the rules. Please, Master He, please don't get along with him. Commander Ling, you won't back down yet."
Ling Yun had no choice but to turn around and leave. Seeing this, He Yuting didn't want to do anything, so he flicked his sleeves and turned away...
But He Yuting returned to the mansion with a lot of worries. He happened to meet the housekeeper He Luwei and asked, "How is the princess? Is she feeling better?"
He Luwei shook his head, sighed softly and said, "It's still the same. The old slave wanted to say some words of relief, but the princess got annoyed and kicked the old slave out. Otherwise, Lord Marquis, you can go and see... …”
He Yuting waved his hand and said, "I understand, you go down first."
After sending He Luwei away, He Yuting did not go to Princess Chang Qing's room, but turned and entered his study.
Sitting silently at his desk, thinking about his long-lost son and what had happened in the past few days, he just felt that his mind was in a mess.
At this time, his personal attendant He Zhong came in and said: "Lunch is ready. Please come over and have a meal."
He Yuting said: "Go and invite the princess to come and have a meal together."
He Zhong said: "I have already gone to invite the princess. The princess's maid Biyun said that the princess has no appetite and does not want to go there."
He Yuting waved his hand and asked him to go out and pick some food to bring to the study. The princess was listless and had no appetite; he was also weak and lazy about eating and drinking.
It's not like he didn't want to go to Princess Changqing to comfort her injured heart, which was as cold as ice, but would it be useful?
After so many years, all the tears that need to be shed have been shed, all the things that need to be said have been said, and all the sins that need to be apologized have been made. Isn’t it still the same as before?
Her son He Chenglin could not be found one day, and her heart shrouded in haze would never see the light of day.
Of course, Princess Changqing was not the kind of unreasonable and jealous woman. After her son disappeared, Princess Changqing thought about it and finally agreed to He Yuting and allowed him to take another concubine in order to continue the heirs of the He family.
Because she knew that she would never have the time and energy to give birth to a child for He Yuting in this life, and she couldn't just watch the He family cut off their heirs.
Therefore, He Yuting took Yu Shi Siyao, the daughter of the Dingyuan County Prime Minister, as his concubine two years after his son He Chenglin disappeared. A year later, he had his second son He Chengqi.
He Yuting felt upset when he thought about the messy past events.
In the afternoon two days later.
At about noon, He Yuting was sitting in the study without thinking. The butler He Luwei walked in and reported: "Master Ding is here to visit."
He Yuting said feebly: "Please."
After a moment, Ding Jinzhi walked in excitedly. After meeting He Yuting, he said with a happy face: "Brother He, I have brought you good news. The eldest son has been found!"
He Yuting's spirit was lifted up, and his originally gloomy eyes immediately burst out with a moving look: "Oh, really? Say it quickly!..."
Ding Jinzhi said: "About twenty miles east of the capital, there is a Taoist temple called Taiqing Temple. There is a Taoist priest in the temple. His Taoist name is Taoist Master Xianyun. This man is an expert outside the world and knows astronomy. He is knowledgeable about geography, literary and military, and is proficient in everything. He is also very good at divination in the Book of Changes, and he is also proficient in medical skills. He is known as the 'Exiled Immortal'..."
He Yuting smiled bitterly and said, "Brother Xian, is this Taoist Master Xianyun you are talking about? Is he Zhuge Kongming?"
Ding Jinzhi couldn't help but laugh.
He Yuting said: "Brother Xian has been talking for a long time, but what does this Taoist priest have to do with the whereabouts of my son?"
Ding Jinzhi said: "Brother He, don't be anxious, listen to me slowly. A few days ago, I went to his temple to ask for advice about my son's future, and got to know him formally. Yesterday, I went to see him again in the temple for some matters. Whenever he went out for business, his younger brother would sit and chat with his disciple Qingjing Sanren.
"Later, a young Taoist priest outside called Qingjing Sanren that something was wrong, so he went out. After the young Taoist priest left, I found a forgotten treasure on his seat - Brother He, guess what it is ?”
He Yuting looked at Ding Jinzhi intently: "What?"
Ding Jinzhi's voice was trembling: "It's the jasper unicorn jade pendant that our eldest son used to wear!..."
