That night.
The night is as cool as water, and the wind shakes the shadows.
He Lanzhou and Marquis Xuan Ping were waiting outside the imperial study together. The lanterns under the eaves cast a hazy shadow. The two looked at each other and remained silent.
After all the guards at the door had changed, the eunuch came out to summon him.
"Master He, Master Jiang, the emperor invites you two to come in."
He Lanzhou lifted up his robe and stepped across the threshold when he heard the eunuch remind him in a low voice: "Master He, the emperor is in a bad mood today."
He felt a shiver in his heart, but did not show it on his face. He was one step behind Marquis Xuanping, and after entering, he knelt down and saluted.
"Your Majesty He Lanzhou/Jiang Baichuan, see the Emperor..."
Before he could finish his words, several memorials were smashed down on his face. He Lanzhou knelt on the ground and saw a memorial bouncing from the people around him to him. He took a deep breath and did not dare to look around.
On the contrary, when Marquis Xuanping suddenly encountered this, he was shocked and hurriedly confessed: "Your Majesty, forgive me!"
"Excuse me?" The emperor's tone was uncertain: "What are you guilty of?"
"this……"
Marquis Xuanping was sweating profusely and thought about all the errands he had done recently, but he had no clue.
He had done all his errands well recently. He didn't dare to neglect, and he didn't dare to make any small moves behind the emperor's back. He really didn't know where he offended the emperor.
Marquis Xuanping: "My lord...my lord..."
"Since you can't tell, I'll say it for you." Bian Chen raised his eyes coldly: "He Lanzhou."
He Lanzhou hurriedly said: "I'm here."
"Tell him what happened to you today."
He Lanzhou was confused for a moment.
There was no need to go to court today, so he went to Qingsong Academy when he got up in the morning. Nothing major happened in the academy, and it had nothing to do with Marquis Xuanping. If he really wanted to say something, it would only be in the afternoon. He didn't have to go to class in the afternoon, so he wanted to go to the study room to look for any new books...
A bold idea crossed his mind. He Lanzhou hesitated for a while and said tentatively: "Today, I encountered someone making trouble on the street..."
He paused, and seeing that the emperor did not stop him, he continued incredulously: "It was a shop that was deliberately framed. The group of people who caused the trouble have been caught in the Yamen, but the shop suffered heavy losses. I don't know who it is." With such a vicious heart, he actually harmed the livelihood of ordinary people and their families."
But what does this have to do with Marquis Xuanping?
Marquis Xuanping was also puzzled.
The memorial was spread out on the ground in front of him. He Lanzhou saw a familiar name, boldly picked it up and took a look, and then said in surprise: "That group of thieves was actually ordered by the Xuanping Marquis Mansion?"
"Impossible!" Hou Xuanping retorted without thinking: "How could I have trouble with a merchant?!"
"Master Jiang, it is written clearly in this book. That group of people originally collected money to do things, and the person who gave the money was the steward of your prince's mansion." He Lanzhou served the emperor for a long time and could understand the emperor's thoughts best. What is written in the book These are all things that Xuanpinghou Mansion has done, and today the emperor is going to take action against Xuanpinghou Mansion. He understood and said solemnly: "Not long ago, the emperor issued a decree stating that there should no longer be any powerful people in the capital who use their power to bully others. Mr. Jiang knowingly knowingly committed the crime, didn't he take the emperor's words seriously?"
"Congratulations, Sir!" Marquis Xuanping glared at him angrily, and said to the emperor hurriedly: "Your Majesty, I obey the holy orders and always care for the people. How dare you disobey your majesty's holy will? There must be some misunderstanding."
The emperor said coldly: "Let him see for himself."
He Lanzhou generously handed the fold over.
I don’t know who investigated the contents. It was not just about the trouble in the shop today, but also old events from the past. How can a family in Beijing be kept clean for many years, even if the family's stewards and servants can use their power to bully others? Marquis Xuanping only glanced at it, and he broke into a cold sweat. His legs became weak and he could hardly even kneel down.
"Chen...chen..."
Marquis Xuanping's mind went blank, and he couldn't say anything in defense for a long time until he was pulled down by the guards.
The dull sound of sticks hitting people came in together with the miserable cry of Xuan Pinghou for mercy. He Lanzhou picked up the folds on the ground and sorted them out, his eyes slightly lowered and he said nothing.
You could hear a needle drop in the royal study, and there seemed to be a world of difference between the movement outside. He had seen the miserable state of Marquis Xuanping, and felt a little worried.
Marquis Xuanping has always been smooth and careful in his actions, and he is highly valued by the emperor. Today, he was also implicated by his family members. If it were normal, the emperor would not be so heavy-handed, but today, for some unknown reason, he did not show any mercy. But I don’t know if it will also implicate him.
Feeling the emperor's eyes on him, He Lanzhou could almost hear the heartbeat in his chest, thump, thump, thump, as if a hammer was hitting his heart. He didn't know how much time had passed before he heard the emperor say: "Get up."
"Thank you, Your Majesty."
He thanked him and stood up, and respectfully returned the zhezi to the emperor's desk. When he left, he caught sight of something out of the corner of his eye and was stunned for a moment.
Without it, someone would have slapped a bruise on the forehead of His Majesty's cold and solemn face. The emperor's face was pale, and the bruise was particularly obvious, lying on his forehead with teeth and claws. As if noticing his gaze, the emperor glanced at him gloomily with a sullen face.
He Lanzhou quickly lowered his head.
Bian Chen mentioned lightly: "The prince has made a lot of progress in his studies recently. These days have been really hard for you."
He hurriedly said: "His Royal Highness is talented and intelligent, and has always been diligent and hard-working. The ministers just gave a little mention and did not dare to mention the hard work."
The emperor nodded and said: "Mr. Zhang Ge has been compiling a set of books recently. He complained to me a few days ago about the lack of manpower. You have always been knowledgeable and knowledgeable. If you have free time, go and help him."
He Lanzhou was stunned: "What?"
"You don't want to?"
It’s not that I don’t want to. It's just that compiling books has always been tedious and laborious. He usually takes care of court affairs and education, and also finds time to make up lessons for His Highness the Crown Prince. If he goes to help Mr. Zhang Ge again, I'm afraid he won't have any free time...
But the emperor did not give him a chance to make excuses: "I have already met with Mr. Zhang Ge, so you can go tomorrow."
He Lanzhou had no choice but to accept it.
The great eunuch was holding the teapot. He took a step back and watched Liang Yong bend down to refill the tea for the emperor. From his point of view, most of the emperor's body was blocked, and only his sharp jaw was exposed.
He paused for no reason
It feels familiar.
Before I had time to think deeply, I heard the emperor say: "Step back."
"yes."
Marquis Xuanping's punishment with the rod continued, and he could hear it more clearly after stepping out of the imperial study. He Lanzhou couldn't bear to look, but when he heard it, he quickly remembered the trouble that happened at the powder shop today.
But how could this matter be mentioned before the emperor?
And the people from Dali Temple, how could they be the ones Master Di ordered to arrest?
"Master He."
When He Lanzhou came back to his senses, he saw the guard commander Chen Xuan appearing beside him at some point: "Master Chen."
Chen Xuan lowered his voice and asked him: "Master He, what happened outside the palace today? It's rare for the emperor to get so angry. This is the first time I've seen Marquis Xuan Ping so unlucky."
"It's not a big deal." When it came to Wen Yiqing, he said vaguely: "It's just that the emperor was angry. Maybe he was unlucky and happened to run into it. Mr. Chen just needs to be more careful."
Chen Xuan nodded: "With...in front of me, I always act cautiously."
The screams of Marquis Xuanping over there gradually stopped. Chen Xuan listened to the emperor's order to keep an eye on people, so he went to check at this time.
He Lanzhou also looked over. For no reason, he remembered what Shen Yungui had said to him today.
His gaze condensed and slowly moved to the bodyguard commander.
"If I remember correctly, Mr. Chen should not have a family yet?"
Chen Xuan didn't know why he suddenly mentioned this, but he stopped and answered honestly: "It's because he has never married a wife."
"Does Mr. Chen have a sweetheart?"
Chen Xuan scratched his head, with a bit of shyness on his rough face: "It is true, but she doesn't like me. Speaking of this, Mr. He has always liked the girl, can you teach me a thing or two?"
"..."
He Lanzhou took a deep breath and looked at him with burning eyes.
I just connected him with the mandible I accidentally glimpsed today, but I felt that there was no similarity between the two.
But I heard that Chen Xuanya and Mr. Di of Dali Temple have been drinking together all year round...
The commander of the guards is the emperor's confidant, so it is indeed best to file a complaint...
…
midnight.
Marquis Xuanping was sent back to his residence by the palace officials.
He was lying on the load, his back dripping with blood and sweat, and his face was drained of color. The entire Xuanping Hou Mansion was in panic. Mrs. Jiang came out to take a look, and almost fainted when she saw her son's miserable condition.
She supported the maid and hurriedly called for the doctor. Blood and water were brought out in basins. The lights in the Marquis' mansion were brightly lit.
"Where's Madam?" Marquis Xuanping was sweating from the pain, but he didn't faint. His eyes burst out with overwhelming anger: "Where's Qi Wenyue?!"
He shouted angrily: "Tell her to get over here!"
Qi Wenyue had already rested and heard movement outside. She heard that Marquis Xuanping was being punished by the emperor's rod, and that he was looking for her, so he hurried over.
"Master Marquis." She knelt down beside the bed in panic, "Master Marquis, what happened, why did the emperor..."
Seeing her, Xuanping Hou forced himself to stand up, and with lonely anger, he threw his big palm hard on her face.
"You stupid woman!"
…
Early in the morning, Shanshan woke up by himself without having to be called by the wet nurse.
She had many dreams at night, but when she woke up, she couldn't tell a story. She only remembered that she and Shitou went to the streets to be beggars, and were beaten and scolded, and they didn't even have enough to eat. When I woke up, I felt exhausted and couldn't get up my energy.
When it was time for breakfast, she looked around and asked the wet nurse: "Where is my mother?"
"There's something going on in the shop. Miss went out early in the morning." The nanny held the bowl and coaxed her to take another bite.
What could happen in the shop?
She heard from her wet nurse that her shop had been smashed, and her mother must have been very sad. She didn't put her to sleep before going to bed last night, but stayed in the study all night.
Shanshan thought of the half piece of mutton scone yesterday and took another look at the breakfast. The breakfast was no different from usual. There were many plates, carefully prepared by the imperial chef. Even though she was full of sorrow, she couldn't help but eat two big bowls.
Before leaving to go to school, she stood in front of the carriage and hesitated: "Nanny, can I not go to school today?"
Nurse: "That's not possible. The young lady told you before she went out that you and Shitou should study hard today. When she comes back at night, your homework will be randomly checked."
Shanshan thought for a while and ran back again.
When the wet nurse and others chased after her, they saw her taking out a large box from the house and struggling to drag it out with her butt sticking out.
"Brother Shitou, please help me."
Shi Shi walked over quickly and helped her pick up the box.
She wiped her sweat and put her schoolbag back on her back. After a while, the slightest trace of sadness on her face disappeared. She held her head high and carried her big box to school with high morale.
When she arrived at the school, she asked Shi Shi to help her carry the box to the classroom.
Before the class started, many students had already arrived. Seeing her coming with a big box, the children gathered around her curiously.
"Wen Shan, what did you bring?"
Under everyone's curious eyes, Shanshan opened the box and took out everything inside.
Her clockwork puppy, kaleidoscope, diorama... Sun Wukong's storybook, clay figurines, masks... and even wooden birds made for her from stones, straw butterflies... She brought all her treasures.
She said to everyone seriously: "My family seems to have no money."
The children looked at each other.
Shanshan's eyes were nostalgic, looking at all his precious toys, and he felt extremely reluctant to part with them.
But when she thought about the smashed shop at home and her mother, she still made up her mind and raised the little knot on her head.
Her mother used to help her, but now her mother is in trouble, it's her turn to help her!
She...she also wants to be like Sun Wukong, and she also wants to be upright and kind!
