one yuan

Chunhui Hall in the Dingbei Marquis Mansion is located in the east of the main courtyard and is the most important study area.

In front of the large yellow pear wood desk in the room, the aroma of catalpa wafts through the air, and in the purple jade hollow carved incense burner, fragrant incense pieces burn. The unique smell makes people feel peaceful, and the lingering fragrance in the air is long-lasting and very unique.

Luo Ziran sat on the armchair, tapping the table with his long fingers, his expression difficult to discern. "Sir, are you saying that we shouldn't send anyone to Yangzhou?"

That man did not attend the court meeting today. His secret guards found out that Su Zirui had already set off for Yangzhou. When they got the news, he had already sneaked into a boat on the canal.

"My lord, the issue of military pay has been settled. His Majesty and the people from the Ministry of Revenue are keeping a close eye on the Yangzhou area. Unless absolutely necessary, you'd better not set foot there easily." The person who spoke was gentle and elegant. He was Mr. He, an aide whom Luo Ziran trusted very much.

"Besides, the canal and the Yangzhou area are the White Flame Gang's territory. If they want to stop us, even if they send people, they might not be able to catch up. Why take any more risks?"

Luo Ziran knew that the Ministry of Justice usually acted in secret when they were ordered by the emperor to go out. If he kept a close eye on them, he might get into trouble, but he felt uneasy.

Su Zirui is a man of great thoughtfulness. Just like his father, he is good at planning three steps ahead. His ability should not be underestimated. Now that he has torn the girl out of that man's heart, it is impossible for him to remain calm and not attack himself.

On that first snowy day, he stood in the ancestral hall all night, no one daring to disturb him. The next day, Luo Ziran excused himself from the imperial court, but spies reported that Su Zirui's face was pale, his body covered in frost, just like usual. That same day, Su Zirui met the emperor alone after the court session, and no one knew what they discussed.

This strange calmness made Luo Ziran uneasy.

"This person must be plotting something... What else could Yangzhou hold?" Luo Ziran rubbed his brow. Recently, the Luo family had been divided over the issue of donating all the interest, with many officials even eager to take a share of the profits. Dealing with this had consumed him greatly in recent days.

"There are not many traces of the Marquis' Mansion in the Yangzhou incident. Even if there is an investigation, it will only be related to the military pay case. The Marquis has already reported to the emperor before, and the biggest charge has been revealed, so there is nothing to be afraid of. On the contrary, in the northwest... the Zhenyuan Army is very concerned about the misappropriation of military pay, and I am afraid it will not be easy to resolve. The Marquis should focus on the important things." Mr. He believed that the relationship between the Marquis' Mansion and the Ministry of Justice had not reached the point of breaking up. Now that the case has come to an end, there is no need to waste energy on provoking the Ministry of Justice.

As the head of the six notorious departments of Da Qi, how many secrets are hidden there? They are the ones who always take the initiative. Which good person dares to provoke them?

Luo Yin's death didn't mean the Zhenyuan Army, led by the Ning family, would shoulder the debt. The interest collected from the loans went into the national treasury, compensating the Northwest Army's pay, but who could compensate them for the suffering they endured? Recently, someone in the Northwest had been constantly trying to trip up the Luo family. While the troubles were minor, they were still having an impact. Mr. He had a feeling that the Ning family wouldn't stop at these minor matters.

"Let me think about it..." What else in Yangzhou was there that was worth Su Zirui's personal visit? When Aruo was locked up in the Marquis' Mansion and was seriously injured and unconscious, even though Aruo behaved like Shen Nan that day, she was unconscious the whole time and had almost no time to wake up. Su Zirui just let her go like this?

And Qi Shaozhen, he disappeared after completing the formation that day... Did he return to Yangzhou? Or went somewhere else?

Luo Ziran couldn't feel at ease until he had a clear grasp of these things. His Nan'er was a treasure that had been lost and found again, and he would never allow anyone to take it away from her again!

There was a hurried sound of footsteps, and soon a man dressed as a butler came in with his head lowered. "My Lord, there's news from the backyard. The girl has a fever again."

Luo Ziran's expression changed. "How could this happen? Where's Doctor Guan? Can you send someone to look for him?"

"I've sent someone to invite him, but..." Before the man could finish his words, Luo Ziran stood up and hurried out.

The maid hurriedly bowed and saluted, "My Lord."

"Let's talk while we walk. What's going on?" Luo Ziran took the lead and went to the inner courtyard.

The maid was startled and hurriedly followed, "Doctor Guan had written a prescription before, but for some reason, the girl vomited all over the floor after taking it, and soon after she developed a high fever..."

"Are all the servants dead? Take my badge and go into the palace to find Chen Yuanzheng and Doctor Lu... Go quickly!" Luo Ziran couldn't hide his anxiety, and several of his followers hurriedly responded.

Mr. He stood at the door of the study, frowning as he watched the bustle fade away. He pondered for a moment, "This girl... is she the one from Liangzhou before?"

The person who had just reported nodded and gestured for permission. "The Marquis and Minister Su of the Ministry of Justice are arguing fiercely, and it's said that it's all because of this young lady. The Marquis values ​​her very much."

Mr. He's eyes were deep and thoughtful.

On a winter evening after the first snowfall, the bustling canal slowly fades into obscurity. The massive cargo ships are nowhere to be seen, leaving only a few boats gliding slowly by, occasionally accompanied by a few bamboo rafts. As the sun sets, the water gleams with a golden phosphorescence, the orange-yellow sunset mingling with the horizon, creating a magnificent painting.

Yi Yuan, dressed in a monk's robe and looking dusty, closed his eyes patiently, suppressed the foul language that was about to burst out of his mouth, and tried to maintain the demeanor of a famous monk. "Master Su, what did I do wrong to deserve your treatment?"

After all, we knew each other. It's fine if they didn't treat him well when he came near the capital, but why did they tie him up like they were going to torture him? Yiyuan glared at the man in front of him. As soon as he moved his shoulders, two people pinned him down, holding him still. The force was so strong that the entire boat shook.

The young man in royal blue robe with gilded cloud-colored round flowers was handsome and elegant. His lowered eyebrows had a coldness that made people dare not approach him. His long eyelashes trembled slightly, casting a layer of gloom on his fair face, and his whole body exuded a suppressed gloom.

"Master Yiyuan is the abbot of Dayin Temple. Why did he put down his miscellaneous duties in the temple and suddenly go to the capital?" Su Zirui did not raise his eyebrows, and his graceful hands gently twisted the chess piece in his hand.

Yiyuan's breath choked, "Visiting a friend."

"What kind of friend is that enough to let the Qin family use the power of the White Flame Gang to help you cover your tracks?" The soft voice was emotionless, and it was cold in the light night after dusk.

He raised his cold eyes and looked over indifferently. The oppressive feeling of a superior made Yiyuan feel a little nervous.

The man before him looked considerably thinner, a lingering frost between his brows, completely failing to conceal the imposing aura of a superior. Even when he'd learned he was Meng Batian's son, he'd never seen him so uninhibited. Yiyuan's expression darkened. "Did that idiot Aruo really fall for that formation?"

Suddenly, those black eyes showed a murderous look, but Yiyuan was no longer afraid. He smiled faintly and said, "It's useless to tie me up. That formation was left by Old Shen. Apart from Qi Shaozhen, I'm afraid no one in the world has mastered it. Even that old man Huiming can only open a passage. If Aruo really... accepts it, there's no way to change it."

The black chess piece landed on the chessboard, Su Zirui's expression remained unchanged. "Before returning to Beijing, she went to Yangzhou and met you at Dayin Temple. What are you planning to do?"

Yiyuan's heart skipped a beat, and he closed his eyes calmly, countless curses stammering in his throat. This person... could he still have the energy to send someone to monitor Aruo's whereabouts while he was being impeached and escorted back to Beijing?

"Sir Su, didn't your people find out clearly? She is looking for Jing Lan because she is afraid that you will suffer in Beijing. She wants to find Jing Lan to find evidence against Chen." Yiyuan took several deep breaths, calmed himself down and sneered.

Su Zirui casually dropped the chess piece in his hand, and the person standing behind him took the chessboard. Under the chessboard was a set of thin, sharp knives.

Picking up a thin dagger, Su Zirui said with a dull expression, "Our Ministry of Justice's interrogations are renowned for their efficiency in Great Qi. Master, you are saving all living beings, so I think you wouldn't mind experiencing a bit of hell on earth."

The hands pressing on his shoulders exerted force, and Yiyuan was lifted up and placed on the small table with his head held high. The ship shook a little, and the dagger was quietly in front of his eyes.

"Sir Su, when did your temper become so bad? Aren't you afraid of revenge from the Qin family for touching me on the canal?" Yiyuan still wanted to struggle and spoke as calmly as possible.

"The Qin family..." Su Zirui smiled slightly, his eyes ironic. "They're harboring the descendants of Menghuzhai, running a private salt business, and colluding with the Lianghuai Salt Transport Commissioner. If I really want to investigate, do you think the Qin family can stop it?"

Yiyuan was speechless. Has this kid made up his mind to refuse to talk to anyone?

He was taken as soon as he came up, and he was also annoyed. "What's the point of you dealing with us alone? If you are so powerful, go and kill Luo Ziran. Old Shen's last wish was to complete the formation, and Qi Shaozhen had no choice. Why do you think Aruo has not met Luo Ziran in the past four years? If it wasn't for you, why would she come to the capital at this time? Moreover, if she hadn't been so seriously injured, why would Luo Ziran be afraid of her death and set the formation in advance, you..."

The girl's charming smile in her wedding dress that day overlapped with her suddenly pale face. Su Zirui closed his eyes and let the piercing pain in his chest spread freely like a self-torture.

It was his carelessness that caused her to get hurt, and he failed to protect her, allowing Luo Ziran to take her away. The date of the four-year appointment was the third day of the twelfth lunar month, Aruo's eighteenth birthday. They all thought that Luo Ziran would not do anything to Aruo before that date...

Unexpectedly, a serious injury would make him decide to start the battle early. It was him... who had pushed his girl to this point.

"Sir!" the two people who were betting on one yuan exclaimed.

His black pupils trembled slightly as Yiyuan watched the bright red blood flow down the dagger, soaking half of his face. Looking up, he saw the large, graceful hand tightly grasping the dagger, the sharp blade carving into his palm. There was a strange, demonic allure amidst the blood.

"Lord Su...are you...trying me or yourself?" Yiyuan sighed, and lightly broke free from the restraints. With a shake of his arm, the hemp rope that was supporting him broke instantly.

Qi Qi and Bei Li's expressions changed slightly, and their hands unconsciously pressed on their swords.

Yiyuan shook his hands and sat down slowly on the chair, completely ignoring the two people behind him. He just stared at Su Zirui, whose expression was indifferent and hard to understand.

"Aruo... I wish I could face this calamity. Even if it's not today, Qi Shaozhen will open the formation with her when she turns eighteen." That was a promise made to the Shen family long ago. Yiyuan lowered his eyes, clasped his hands together, and sighed. "When Qin Shuang found out about this, he was furious and wanted to divorce Qi Shaozhen. He didn't dare return to Yangzhou for fear of losing his wife. Even so, he still did it because it was Old Shen's last wish. Aruo... she entered the formation of her own free will."

She volunteered... Why? For Shen Nan? What about him...

She had clearly said she wouldn't give up on him! Unwillingness and guilt, mixed with an unknown despair, nearly overwhelmed him. He approached the monk she trusted, and asked in a low voice, each word clearly.

“Is Shen Nan so important to her?”

At that moment, Yiyuan felt that the person in front of him was no longer the normal noble young man. All his calmness, composure, and impartiality were shattered... The cruelty of the living Yama seemed to be displayed in some strange place.

Those terrifying black eyes pressed in, and Yiyuan felt a chill down his spine. According to the common sense of the world, this was simply a jealous husband! The words he said were like the tone of someone who had been abandoned by their lover!

He finally discovered the key point of her stubbornness!

Su Zirui suddenly turned his head to look at the end of the river, and only by taking a deep breath could he suppress all the negative emotions that were disturbing him.

Seeing him hide all his emotions in a few moments, Yiyuan couldn't help but worry about the reckless brother and sister. However... thinking of his own fear during this period, he didn't mind throwing a few stones to his friend's future disasters, making her long journey of coaxing her husband even more difficult.

"In this world, there are two people who will never give up on Aruo. One is Shen Nan." Yiyuan held onto the table and said meaningfully, "For Aruo, it was her promise to Shen Nan that allowed her to live to this day. If Shen Nan hadn't finally made a four-year agreement, she might have accepted it long ago. These four years were won by Shen Nan, and it can also be said that Shen Nan allowed her to live so firmly until now. You, like Qin Shuang, can't stop that pair of brothers and sisters."

Because they can't and won't give up Shen Nan. This is also the reason why Qin Shuang is going crazy now.

"Why did you come to Beijing?" Su Zirui was silent for a while, his expression relaxed a little, and asked in a deep voice.

"Ah... because of a crazy woman..." Yiyuan said with a hint of self-loathing, but he really couldn't defeat that woman. "The other person who won't give up on Aruo is Qin Shuang. She wants me to team up with Huiming to steal her out, no matter who she is now..."

Yiyuan unconsciously confessed that Qin Shuang didn't care what other people thought, or whether to exchange souls or not. In her opinion, once the person was in her hands, she would always find a way to get the girl she wanted back.

Four years ago, Shen Nan wanted Aruo to live, and now Qin Shuang wants Aruo to stay. These two women will not give up Aruo whether they are dead or alive.

After saying this, Yiyuan saw the surprise on Su Zirui's face, and his heart trembled. The surprise was not in Qin Shuang's thoughts, but in the fact that Qin Shuang's thoughts were the same as his... To some extent, these two people had very similar personalities.

Once again, Yiyuan silently decided to light a candle for the brother and sister after returning to the temple. Especially that idiot Aruo, who provoked these people and then abandoned them so casually...

He would rather die than let his friend die. He did his best.

Su Zirui raised his eyes to look at the river blending into the night. A layer of light mist began to cover the river, and the swaying lights of the boats in the distance also became dim.

"It's useless. Luo Ziran won't let go easily." With the Luo family in his hands, his connections and influence were more than a mere merchant could contend with if things got serious. Furthermore, there was the long-favored Consort Luo in the palace. Su Zirui understood the connections of the powerful better than they did. The Luo family... represented a noble family that neither he nor his father could easily touch. He could take Aruo away, but that would inevitably provoke a full-scale counterattack from Luo Ziran. And...was Aruo still the same person now?

"So, you give up?" Yiyuan chuckled.

"You never intended to confront Luo Ziran head-on. What do you want to do?" Su Zirui asked instead of answering.

Yiyuan's body stiffened, and he subconsciously lowered his eyes to avoid the overly sharp gaze, "Didn't I confess because..."

"Oh, I've never seen a monk as good at lying as you, Master." Su Zirui raised his eyelids, his dark pupils filled with unfathomable depths and a cold expression. "Or do you think the Dingbei Marquis Mansion is just a small house on the side of the road, something you can just wander around?"

That was a place of honor and nobility, and Luo Ziran had even dispatched the Marquis's personal guards to guard it. Even if Yiyuan was on good terms with Huiming, he wouldn't have the confidence to break into the Marquis's mansion. Su Zirui didn't think he was lying about taking Aruo away, but that was definitely not the purpose of his trip.

His heart trembled when he was looked at by those eyes. Yiyuan was wavering between his friend and his own safety. It took him a while to calm down and he decided to spend the night safely.

"Aruo... suddenly told me about the Qiao family before returning to Beijing. It was the Qiao family that Luo Ziran killed to refine Shen Nan's soul-calling flag. Her birthday is the same as Shen Nan's." Yiyuan glanced at his still bleeding hand and sighed slightly. "Luo Ziran believed that he was deeply in love with Shen Nan. He kept collecting women who looked like Shen Nan, but he only looked at them out of nostalgia and never touched them. Over the years, the only person he touched was the Qiao family and who was pregnant with his blood. But it was not a good thing. In the end, he didn't want both mother and son. Aruo always felt that there was something behind this, but you know she was too busy to investigate four years ago. Later, she said that she saw a woman who looked a bit like the Qiao family in Furong Tower in Beijing..."

"Are you going to Furong Tower?" The moment these words came out, not only Su Zirui, but also Qi Qi and Bei Li's expressions became a little strange. The man before them, dressed in monk's robes and with a calm demeanor, looked like a kind and gentle monk. He was going to... a brothel?

Yiyuan calmly put his palms together and said, "I was asked by donor Qin to capture someone."

Qin Shuang wanted Aruo, but also Qi Shaozhen, who could activate the formation. Originally, Qin Zhi was more suitable than him, but Qin Zhi was now too busy to do anything else, so he had to come.

"Besides Mingguang, Huiming is probably the only one who knows something about what happened back then. Nothing in this world is absolute, and that formation... is not certain to be irreversible. As for the brothel, Lord Su has many talented people under his command, and the Ministry of Justice has been in the spotlight lately. It's time to reward them."

Qi Qi and Bei Li's expressions flickered slightly. If they dared to go, their mothers at home would probably break their legs and then quickly arrange marriages for them.

Su Zirui pondered for a moment, his dark eyes slightly cold. "He's just Master Huiming, why does Master Yiyuan need to come in person? The master is an otherworldly expert, he should be doing something more valuable."

That doesn't sound like a good thing... Yiyuan looked at him expressionlessly, "For example?"

"It is often said that people will always miss their hometown after being away for a long time. Master has never been to his hometown since he became a monk, so I think he misses it too... It's rare for him to leave Dayin Temple, why not go back for a walk?" Su Zirui tilted his head and smiled softly.

This... is asking him to go to the northwest? This is not good, right? Yiyuan has never thought about going back in his life...