Half a month later.
The streets of Kyoto finally became lively again.
But the defense is still tight.
The gates of the outer city and the inner city are guarded by soldiers every day, and everyone who leaves or enters the city will be strictly interrogated.
Common people have freedom of entry and exit.
But as long as they are officials and the family members of the wealthy gentry, it is difficult for them to leave the outer city.
When Qin Wenzheng was transporting cloth, he tried it. He could enter and exit the inner city, but when he wanted to leave the outer city, he was stopped back.
The reason is still that the murderer of Uncle Zhongwu's house has not been found yet.
But everyone knows very well that as long as they are related to the eldest princess's family members, they are all under surveillance.
Those with a little strength and influence were even placed under house arrest.
The Qin Mansion is naturally no exception.
Every day, there are plainclothes Jin Yiwei wandering around on the streets outside.
Therefore, during this period of time, everyone in the Qin family went nowhere except to do business in the inner city.
Luo Qingzhou studied at home during the day and practiced martial arts secretly. At night, he told stories to the eldest lady and chatted with his sister Yue Zhu Yan and other friends.
But he did not relax and was always looking for opportunities to leave this place of right and wrong.
He was fine alone and could leave at any time.
But there are too many people in the Qin family, they are too conspicuous, and they are closely monitored by the Jin Yiwei, so it is difficult to leave without anyone noticing.
But the Chinese New Year is coming soon.
At that time, missions from various countries will come to the capital to congratulate, and people from all over the country will come to the capital to watch the excitement. People who are preparing to participate in the Spring Festival and visit relatives and friends from various places will also gather here.
At that time, there should be a chance.
On this day, the weather was good.
Song Ruyue came back from outside and said that there were a lot fewer soldiers on the street, there were more pedestrians, and there were also many foreign tourists, which was very lively.
Luo Qingzhou kept it in mind, and after finishing lunch, he said something to Miss Qin Er and went out from the backyard.
After putting on a mask and changing clothes in the alley, he got out of his body and looked around, then climbed over the wall and across the house to the south of the city.
When he passed through Alley 18 and saw the empty alley, he suddenly felt a little disappointed.
Although Linghu Qingzhu often told him about Sister Dao's situation in Lingxiao Sect, seeing this empty alley made him feel a little uncomfortable.
No one brought him cakes anymore.
Sister Dao and her father are afraid that it will be difficult for them to show up in front of other people in the future, unless... another day.
I wonder how the eldest princess is doing at the border now.
There has been no news coming back to Kyoto recently, and everything seems quiet.
But he knew that this calm would not last long.
When we arrived at the martial arts hall, the door was closed.
He pushed, but did not push away, and had to knock on the door.
After a while, footsteps came from inside.
"Squeak..."
The wooden door opened, and Nie Yunrong appeared in the door. After seeing him, he was stunned for a moment, and said with surprise on his face: "Junior brother Chu, I thought you wouldn't come, come in quickly."
Luo Qingzhou entered the door and saw that it was deserted and there was no sound of anyone else practicing martial arts. He asked, "Where are Senior Brother Zhang and the others?"
Nie Yunrong sighed and said: "During this period, there are soldiers guarding every intersection and checking everywhere. Especially us warriors, as long as we appear on the street, we will be questioned in various ways. Senior Brother Zhang, Junior Brother Zhou, and Chu Junior sister and the others are all at home and don't dare to come out. Master has also been recalled by the sect, so I am the only one here."
Luo Qingzhou was silent for a moment and said, "Do you know about Senior Sister Dao?"
Nie Yunrong's face was complicated, and he nodded and said: "I heard that her father was a fugitive. I also heard that the father and daughter killed many Jin Yiwei, and I don't know where they escaped. The master was also taken to the Yamen and interrogated for a long time. I Along with Senior Brother Zhang, they were all taken for interrogation. Junior Brother Chu, what about you?"
Luo Qingzhou said: "I'm okay, no one is looking for me."
Mainly because no one could find him.
Nie Yunrong said with envy on his face: "You are a direct disciple of the sect, they will definitely not dare to provoke you."
Luo Qingzhou glanced at the yard full of fallen leaves, and suddenly felt a little guilty.
Nie Yunrong sighed again and said, "I don't know when this storm will stop. Everyone is gone and it's so deserted here."
Luo Qingzhou glanced at her and said, "Senior Sister Nie, why don't you go to the sect to practice?"
Nie Yunrong said with a bitter face: "I still have a younger brother to support at home. What will happen to him if I leave? I'm just an ordinary outer disciple, so I can't take him with me."
Luo Qingzhou shrugged and said, "I also want to be with my family, so I stay here."
Nie Yunrong looked at him and said, "Does Junior Brother Chu have many family members? Normally, as Junior Brother Chu's direct disciple, he can bring a few relatives there."
Luo Qingzhou said: "About a dozen."
Nie Yunrong said in surprise: "There are so many, so we definitely can't bring them with us. However, Junior Brother Chu actually has so many family members, so he can definitely go to the sect to practice by himself. After all, there are much richer resources for cultivation there, and there is also master's guidance." At home, it’s okay if there are other people watching.”
Luo Qingzhou said: "I'm not worried."
The two chatted for a while and then went to the martial arts training ground to practice.
In the evening, Luo Qingzhou took a bath, changed his clothes, and left.
He walked carefully all the way back to his mansion.
As soon as I entered Meixiang Garden, a familiar voice suddenly came from inside: "Second Miss, I have to leave before dark. Someone is watching outside the house. I..."
Before he finished speaking, Miss Qin Er next to him smiled and said, "He's back."
Luo Qingzhou looked towards the corridor.
Hua Gu was dressed in a bright red dress, standing gracefully beside Miss Qin Er. When she saw him, her eyes suddenly lit up like stars, and she couldn't help but reveal a happy smile on her face.
She quickly lowered her head and saluted: "Master Luo, Hua Gu is here to disturb you."
Miss Qin Er next to her said: "Brother Qingzhou, Miss Huagu has been here for a long time and has been waiting for you. There should be something important. You guys should go into the study to talk."
Luo Qingzhou's expression condensed and he led her into the study.
Second Miss Qin closed the door outside, then took Zhu'er and Qiu'er out and went to Lingchan Moon Palace.
In the study, the stove burned and cigarette smoke curled up.
Hua Gu took off her shoes, and the pink stockings under her skirt were looming. She bowed and bowed again, and said softly: "Young Master, Hua Gu came to see you today. I want to tell you about His Highness's recent situation."
Luo Qingzhou invited her to sit down on the couch, poured her a cup of tea, and said, "Miss Huagu, please speak."
Hua Gu glanced at Xianggui in the back room, then looked at him and said, "Master, are you okay these days? Have anyone from the government come to trouble you?"
Luo Qingzhou said: "Fortunately, it's just a routine check."
Hua Gu frowned slightly and said: "Sir, Your Highness is confronting the demon clan at the border. The battle was about to break out, but he found that the food, grass and military pay were either withheld or not delivered in time, and the supervisors have been gesticulating in the army, urging Your Highness to hurry up. Attacking the demon army... Some of His Highness's orders were vetoed by the supervisors. Finally, in anger, His Highness beheaded the supervisor and also killed an official who was escorting the grain and grass..."
"His Highness felt that the morale of the army was unstable, and other troops had gathered in the nearby city. The leader was the King of Thailand, but he did not explain the situation to His Highness, so His Highness stood still... Then the news came from unknown sources on the border, saying that His Highness was going to There were rumors that His Highness was going to collude with the demon clan about the rebellion. The news became more and more serious. After reaching the Fire Moon Kingdom, some of the troops left behind in the Fire Moon Kingdom actually gathered together privately and were still recruiting troops, saying that they would cooperate with His Highness in the rebellion... …”
"His Highness sent Yueying back to Fire Moon Kingdom to stop them, but those people didn't know who was inciting them. They still felt that they had already raised their banner and became rebels, so they ignored them and almost killed Yueying..."
"Now everyone in Kyoto is saying that His Highness is going to rebel. Many people and officials are scolding His Highness, saying that they were wrong about His Highness... saying that a woman in His Highness actually wants to be the emperor..."
"His Royal Highness was speechless. Apart from writing a letter to the Holy Emperor and the Queen Mother, he had no other explanation. It was just that Chen Bing was at the border and did not dare to fight against the demon clan again for fear of falling into the spotlight..."
"His Royal Highness asked Hua Gu to ask the young master what to do now..."
After hearing this, Luo Qingzhou frowned and said: "Listen to what you said, someone is trying to force His Highness to rebel. Those rumors that Your Highness is going to collude with the demon clan to rebel must have been deliberately spread by someone in the imperial court, from the Fire Moon Kingdom. Those people are probably deliberately incited... If His Highness really rebels at this time, he will fall into their trap. Now is not the time, at least we have to wait until after the New Year to see the situation."
"The current policy of the imperial court has not aroused public outrage, and there is trouble caused by monsters on the border. Everyone wants to deal with the outside world in unison. They all hope that His Highness can repel the monsters first and save the people on the border. If Your Highness suddenly sends troops to attack his own people at this time, It is true that he will be the target of public criticism. Although His Highness is powerful, it will be difficult if he loses the support of the people and becomes unknown."
"The King of Thailand is setting up troops at the border, probably for His Highness. Once Your Highness makes a mistake, he will summon the army from across the country to kill the rebels. And recently, envoys from various countries are coming to Kyoto. The Holy One will probably promise some benefits and join forces with them. , plus other armies from all over Great Yan, I’m afraid His Highness..."
Hua Gu looked solemn and said: "Young Master means..."
Luo Qingzhou said: "You can't take the initiative, and there is no good chance yet."
Hua Gu sighed: "But what should your highness do? Now the news of your highness's rebellion has spread throughout Kyoto and other places. We can't wait any longer. I'm afraid that the longer we wait, the more unstable the army will be, and the soldiers will slowly disperse by then. …”
Luo Qingzhou frowned and pondered for a moment, then looked at her and said, "Does Your Highness dare to return to Kyoto?"
Hua Gu was stunned when he heard this, and then he was surprised: "Sir, you actually have the same idea as His Highness."
Luo Qingzhou said: "Your Highness thinks so too?"
Hua Gu nodded and said: "Your Highness means the same thing. The Holy One has issued an order to summon the princes from all over the country to return to Beijing for the New Year. His Highness can come back with them. In this way, the rumors that His Highness is going to rebel will naturally be dispelled." With His Highness’s achievements and prestige, as well as envoys from neighboring countries coming to Kyoto to visit, and troops at the border, no one dares to choose to touch His Highness at this time.”
"His Highness said that after she came back, she took the initiative to tell the Queen Mother and the Holy One that she wanted to relinquish her identity as the leader of the Fire Moon Kingdom and lay down her military power, and then get married with peace of mind..."
Luo Qingzhou frowned and said, "Your Highness... gave up?"
Hua Gu was silent for a moment and shook his head: "The slave family doesn't know what His Highness is thinking. Your Highness just asked the slave family to ask the young master, if she does this, is it right?"
Luo Qingzhou was silent for a moment and said: "Let His Highness make his own decision. Maybe His Highness saw the cruelty of the demon clan at the border and saw the pity of the people, and no longer wanted to kill each other. But... forget it, let's not talk about it. Your Highness has his own ideas, and he must have decided long ago. However, those people in the Fire Moon Kingdom..."
Hua Gu said: "His Highness said she would solve it."
Luo Qingzhou nodded and said no more.
The two talked for a while.
Seeing that it was getting dark outside the window, Hua Gu stood up and said, "Master, it's time for Hua Gu to leave. Someone has been watching us outside during this period. Hua Gu was afraid of bringing trouble to the master, so he didn't come. Today..."
She paused, bit her pink lips, and whispered: "Hua Gu dreamed of the young master last night. I really missed him, so I came today... I hope the young master won't take offense."
Luo Qingzhou also got off the couch and said without saying much, "Then I'll see you off."
"Um."
Hua Gu lowered his head, walked to the door, and put on his shoes.
Luo Qingzhou stood behind him, looking at her round buttocks as she bent her slender waist, smelling the sweet smell wafting from her body, and couldn't help but think of the scene when she was bathing in the palace that night...
"Master, let Hua Gu serve you for once, okay?"
Hua Gu put on her own shoes, picked up his shoes, then bent her knees and knelt at the door, looking at him with watery eyes and a face full of pleading.
Luo Qingzhou was stunned, but did not refuse and nodded slightly.
Hua Gu's face suddenly filled with joy, he lowered his head, held his feet with a gentle expression, slowly helped him put on his shoes, then raised his pretty and charming face and said: "Master, thank you. In fact, Hua Gu doesn't What extravagant wishes are there? As long as I can come and serve the young master once in a while, Hua Gu will be satisfied..."
Luo Qingzhou sighed in his heart, helped her up, and said, "Let's go, it's getting dark soon."
Hua Gu nodded slightly: "Yes."
The two of them left the small courtyard together.
Luo Qingzhou sent her to the gate and watched her get on the carriage.
The carriage left slowly.
Hua Gu suddenly opened the curtains, stuck out his head, looked at him and said: "Master, when Hua Gu comes next time, can I have Hua Gu? The doctor said that Hua Gu can live to be twenty years old, but Hua Gu I feel that Hua Gu’s time is running out... Hua Gu wants to serve the young master a few more times..."
Luo Qingzhou looked at her innocent and charming face and remained silent without answering.
The carriage gradually moved away.
Hua Gu kept sticking his head out of the window, looking at him reluctantly, until he disappeared into the alley in the distance...
Luo Qingzhou was stunned at the gate again, then turned around and returned.
Night falls.
Hua Gu took the carriage and quickly entered the inner city, turned into an alley, and then stopped in front of a mansion.
As soon as she got off the carriage, an old eunuch suddenly walked out of the house.
Behind the old eunuch were several palace guards.
When Hua Gu saw the old eunuch, his expression suddenly changed.
This old eunuch was called Eunuch Wei. He had grown up watching the Holy Sage. He had always been with the Holy Sage and seemed to have never left the palace.
Hua Gu looked at the smile on his face, and his heart suddenly tightened.
Eunuch Wei stopped on the steps, looked at her all over with a smile, and said with a smile: "This should be what the palace maid said, a fairy-like beauty, even the way she speaks, she has her own breath." Are you a flower-bone girl with sweet flowers and honey? Girl, please come with us to the palace. Our master has heard about the girl's beauty and strangeness and wants to see her."
(End of chapter)
