Qinghe Caobang, Yanziwu, Peach Blossom Waterside Pavilion.
The banquet lost its owner, but everyone didn't take it seriously. They chatted with each other for a while, defined the small circle, and then left.
Li Xuan naturally also joined a small circle. As expected, this small circle included Cao Wen, Cao Yi, and several young ladies from the upper-class families in Baihua Mansion.
However, after joining this small circle, he clearly felt a "sense of estrangement" between young men and young men, which was not as harmonious as the chat and banquet showed.
A young man looked at the group of people going away. When they were far away, he snorted coldly: "If you have soldiers in your hands, they are not soldiers of the imperial court. What's the big deal?"
Li Xuan had been visiting Baihua Mansion frequently these days, so he naturally knew that the leader of the group was "Yuan Chaojin, the son of the general in charge of the army."
Obviously, the general and prefect of Baihua Mansion are only in "superficial harmony."
In addition, Li Xuan also noticed that a very small number of people formed another small circle.
It was headed by a girl with extraordinary bearing. He didn't know the girl's identity, but he vaguely heard people call her "Bhikshuni".
After asking Cao Wen, Cao Wen lowered his voice and said: "Bhikshuni Jingzhu, who leads the practice, is from Xinci Temple in the city. She is in charge of a small nunnery here. Looking at the incense, it is said that Xinci Temple gave the place. Experienced.”
Li Xuan nodded slightly.
After half a day of observation, he could be regarded as knowing the autumn leaves at a glance, and he had his first glimpse of the power of Baihua Mansion.
Most of the gentlemen and ladies who came to Yanziwu to participate in the poetry meeting today were just "accompanying", they were dispensable and were invited to fill the role.
As for why?
Of course, it is to ease the "sense of antagonism between circles" and to attract "peripheral members of the circle."
Most of these gentlemen and young ladies have not even figured out their own position, and they are completely in the "happy atmosphere on the surface of the atmosphere."
After excluding these "accompanying young ladies", what remains is the naked epitome of the three "balancing forces" in the "younger generation" circle.
The first one is headed by Cao Shuda, the magistrate of Baihua Prefecture, with the mysterious Mr. Su and the Qinghe Cao Gang in the middle;
The second one is headed by General Yuan of Baihua Mansion;
The third one was headed by Bhikshuni Jingzhu from the "Xinci Temple" in Zhoucheng.
Among them, Bhikshuni Jingzhu was quite aloof, and there seemed to be quite a bit of conflict between the prefect and the general. Li Xuan knew this only from the occasional cold looks from the "general's son" Yuan Chaojin at the banquet.
Li Xuan secretly sighed in his heart: The county towns are all small families, and everyone is married to each other, so they are local snakes; and this kind of prefecture is obviously a projection of power from top to bottom.
However, he is not prepared to engage in specific confrontations.
After all, he is just a young hero who studies hard and wants to go to high school.
Therefore, at this time, many young ladies were criticizing the General's mansion for being domineering, but Li Xuan did not say a word.
Everyone walked outside the door and got into their own carriages.
Cao Yi stared at Li Xuan, but refused to get on the carriage immediately. He ran over from a distance, stepped on his feet, and said with expectant eyes: "Brother Xuan, I have a small meeting in two days, and there are not that many people invited. It won’t be as chaotic as today, do you want to come?”
Cao Yi asked, but Cao Wen didn't seem to hear and went straight into the carriage.
Li Xuan looked at the daughter of the prefect's family in front of him. She had a beautiful face and soft skin, as if she had been soaked in milk.
It's just that as the daughter of the prefect's family and the core figure of the small circle, it's obvious that her thoughts are not as beautiful as they appear on the surface.
But, so what?
He smiled and said: "Of course I will go to Yi Mei's little gathering."
Cao Yi rolled her eyes and said softly: "Can you do it by yourself?"
Li Xuan smiled and said: "Okay."
Cao Yi looked happy, turned around and left, his steps a little brisker.
When she got on the carriage, she glanced at Cao Wen, her eyes still full of unfinished spring.
Cao Wen laughed.
Today's small meeting, of course, has other purposes, but one of them is not to see whether "Li Xuan, his father's disciple" will choose to take sides.
Li Xuan's performance satisfied him very much, and he would truthfully tell his father everything about today.
Before, his father was a little worried that Li Xuan was not strong enough, but today... Li Xuan actually had a master who was proficient in secret martial arts beside him, and that was enough to become his Cao family's son-in-law.
Of course, everything depends on the progress between Li Xuan and Cao Yi.
...
...
On the other side, Li Xuan also got on the carriage.
Caobang originally wanted to arrange for someone to send him off, but he asked for a car in the name of going shopping. At this time, the driver was Wei Yao.
In the car, the second brother stared at him angrily, and then said angrily: "Brother, what kind of sage book did you read! He bullied his brother, humiliated his sister-in-law, and killed wantonly, but the Lin family actually let it go! Everyone was still laughing as usual!
What's the point?
Is this even justified?
Is there any royal method? "
Li Xuandao: "Aren't you always eating? Are you still paying attention to this?"
The second brother said angrily: "Yes, I am eating. I feel panic because I have never seen so many people. The key is that I still can't blend in with these many people."
However, my heart is listening and thinking.
I don’t think my brother should be with those people..."
He gritted his teeth and said sternly: "Come into trouble!"
Li Xuan looked at his innocent and silly brother and was not angry. He just rubbed his head, then put his hands on the pillow, straightened his long legs, leaned back comfortably, and said: "Brother, I think you are right, but... .....Brother will not do what you say."
The second brother didn't expect Li Xuan's reaction, and was stunned for a moment. He wanted to say something else, but he gritted his teeth and remained silent. He leaned against the window alone, looking out the window in a daze.
In my little mind, "theory of sages" and "what I saw and heard today" produced a strong reaction.
On this day, he may have really grown up.
Li Xuan shouted: "Go to Hongshiwu."
Hongshiwu is the dock controlled by Zuo Hong.
Zuo Hong had made an appointment with him before and talked about Kung Fu, so of course he wanted to go.
On the imperial seat, Wei Yao responded: "Yes."
...
...
The carriage was far away, and under the tablecloths of Li Xuan's original banquet table, Yao Xiaoxiao took advantage of the fact that no one was paying attention, quickly rushed out, and hid in the shadow of the tree.
She was extremely embarrassed, but the gratitude in her eyes had not yet dissipated.
She took a deep look at the corridor in the distance where the carriage had gone, then withdrew her gaze, then closed her eyes, and tightly grasped the handle of the knife, as if it was about to break.
An unspeakable anger and murderous intent burned quietly in my heart.
'Today, I am acting on stage.
Tomorrow... kill all the theatergoers. '
The girl who once only knew how to laugh and be a knight glanced at the water dock in front of her, with the seeds of desire buried deep in her eyes, her thirst for strength and power.
She straightened her clothes and left quickly, starting to look for her real husband.
After all, Lin Jianfeng was the eldest son of the Lin family, and his apparent inheritance rights had not changed in any way.
...
...
The carriage drove into Red Stone Pier.
The water village here is completely different from the previous Yanziwu, just like going from a "tourist attraction" to a "bandit's den".
The boss in red was watching the coolies carrying the bags, and he was wondering whether the young man would really go to the appointment today.
Just as he was thinking about it, someone announced that Li Xuan wanted to see him.
Zuo Hong laughed and said, "Bring him to Yicui Hall."
Yicui Hall is the place where Hongshiwu entertains distinguished guests.
When Zuo Hong said this, the disciple understood.
After a while, Li Xuan walked straight away.
This time, his second brother did not follow.
The second brother is not a martial artist after all, and he is already very tired from the journey.
Li Xuan asked Wei Yao to stay in the car with him while he entered the camp by himself.
Under the leadership of the Shuizhai disciples, Li Xuan came to Yicui Hall.
Zuo Hong had already prepared fragrant tea and was waiting for him with a smile.
As soon as Li Xuan entered the hall, he shouted: "Sister Zuo!"
Around the hall, the Shuizhai disciples were still there.
Zuo Hong's smile became even brighter, but she waved her hand to signal the disciples to leave, and then said: "We, sister and brother, will talk for a while, and you go prepare the dinner. Ten kilograms of fresh ice-striped carps were picked up from the Qinghe River today. Put the above into the pot."
The water village disciples responded respectfully and then left.
In Yicui Hall, only Li Xuan and Zuo Hong were left.
Zuo Hong is the dock master of Hongshiwu, but she is only one of the twelve chain dock masters. Even though she associates with big names, there are very few people she can really make friends with.
To put it bluntly, the Lin family's Twelve Links Store and Parkson Chamber of Commerce are subordinate forces of Magistrate Cao.
As for her, she is just a subordinate of Magistrate Cao. Even if she is capable, it is extremely difficult to take the lead.
And if she wants to be in a position of power, she must not only choose a certain big shot, but also serve him with all her heart, and also offer her own body and humiliate him to serve him like a slave, then maybe there will be a chance.
However, this risk is also extremely high, and this choice is only available once.
Unless absolutely necessary, Zuo Hong didn't want to directly use her body as a bargaining chip, nor did she want to be someone else's slave girl.
Thinking of this, she turned her wonderful eyes, waved directly, and shouted: "Brother Xuan, I call you so presumptuously, won't you be unhappy?"
Li Xuan smiled and said, "Sister Zuo and I hit it off as old friends. Meeting Zuo is like meeting my own sister. How can I be unhappy?"
Zuo Hong was overjoyed, but then said: "I only served as the young master's coachman for once, how can I be like old friends at first sight?"
Li Xuandao: "I have an eldest sister who has taken good care of me since childhood. Sister Zuo is quite similar to her, so we are close to her."
Zuo Hong smiled boldly and said: "Then I will also be the eldest sister who entertains the young master someday."
Li Xuan said sadly: "She came back to visit relatives last winter, but she was suspected of being possessed by a demon and disappeared halfway. No one was found alive, and no body was found after she died..."
Zuo Hong:......
Li Xuan raised his head and said sincerely: "So, I really regard Sister Zuo as my sister."
Zuo Hong was silent for a moment and said: "If you really treat me as your sister, then I will also take you seriously."
After saying that, she said: "I asked Leader Lin about the exercises. In my Caobang library, there are indeed two master-level exercises. He asked me to judge whether I can show them to you.
How can you be an older sister than a younger brother? After dinner, your elder sister will take you there.
However, Gang Leader Lin said that you can only read it in the library, but you can't take it away... I'm really sorry, Brother Xuan. "
Li Xuan smiled and said: "If so, I have to thank Sister Zuo."
...
Then...
Wei Yao sent his second brother back to Yulan Pavilion in advance, and then drove his car to the woods outside the Caobang headquarters, holding a gun and sitting quietly, waiting for Li Xuan.
After the dinner, Li Xuan took Zuo Hong's carriage to the Caobang headquarters and stepped into the library.
...
...
Baihua Mansion, a secret room somewhere.
An old man with white hair was holding a scalpel and staring coldly at a huge leopard carcass.
The leopard corpse had vague patterns of clouds on its fur, but the whole body was extremely rotten.
This secret room was also filled with a strong pungent corpse odor.
The old man saw the leopard corpse and suddenly said angrily: "It's gone! Why is this demon's demon blood gone?"
Suddenly, there was a knock on the door outside the secret room.
The old man frowned, then put away the knife and came to the door. The mechanism was activated, revealing a small window leading outside.
"What's wrong?"
"Mr. Su, Lin Jieniu is out of town."
"Why are you leaving the city?"
"Today at the Yanziwu banquet, Lin Jianniu pretended to be Lin Jianfeng. After that, his sister-in-law disappeared and he suddenly left the city."
The old man was silent for a moment and said: "Take my token, go to some people and call him back."
"Yes, sir."
The person outside the door bowed in response and then retreated.
The old man gently closed the small window and sat at the small table in the secret room.
On the table, there are two pieces of silk paper, which are the names of "Xiongshan County Magistrate and County Lieutenant".
It's just that... this lawsuit has a seal and an official name, but the name and content are still empty.
