Chapter 412 Timing

Xiuxuefang is a house with an inconspicuous facade.

The gray walls and old tiles are hidden in the shadows of several old locust trees. The two black lacquered wooden doors are closed, and the copper rings are dim and old.

Li E explored the surroundings and then sneaked in quietly.

After climbing over the wall, you will find a different world.

Facing you is a cloud wall screen, the center of the wall is hollowed out, and inlaid with a bluestone carved picture of pine and crane for longevity.

Turning around the screen wall, the view suddenly opens up.

Although the courtyard is not very large, it is exquisitely laid out, with every blade of grass, every tree, every stone and every drop of water showing ingenuity.

The winding path paved with fine white pebbles passes through a miniature landscape, mottled with moss and silent stone lanterns.

On one side, there is a half pavilion built against the wall, with eaves covering dark blue tiles.

On the other side is a small water pavilion, and from the railing you can see several koi fish wagging their tails leisurely in the clear water.

The water surface reflects the sky and clouds, quiet and elegant.

There are no luxurious or dazzling things around, but whether it is the few green bamboos planted in the corner or the quaint paper lantern hanging in the corridor, they all reveal the owner's taste and financial resources.

Sure enough, this place should be the private residence of the imperial eunuch Su Quan.

Li E's figure was elusive, falling silently like a falling leaf, and he flew towards the backyard at a high speed.

He quietly released his perception and soon locked onto a small courtyard outside the wing room.

Zhao Hengjiang was playing with guns in the yard with his son Zhao Qingshan.

He looked very powerful, but in Li E's eyes, his aura was only that of the sixth rank.

But... the outline of his face and eyebrows vaguely shows his blood connection with the general.

There was a very slight sound from the window frame, like the wind blowing, or like a night cat jumping on the eaves.

Zhao Hengjiang raised his head suddenly, his eyes becoming as sharp as an eagle's in an instant.

He held his son tightly behind him, his body tense, and shouted in a deep voice, "Who?"

Li E fell down lightly, and the sound was actually made intentionally by him.

Zhao Hengjiang frowned, "Who are you? Why... do you look familiar to me?"

Li E's chest heaved, and he clasped his fists and bowed, still following the old military etiquette. His voice was particularly hoarse and low as he tried hard to suppress the surging emotions:

"Li E, formerly under the command of General Zhao Polu."

"Li E?!"

Zhao Hengjiang's pupils suddenly contracted, and his face was instantly filled with shock and disbelief.

He almost stumbled forward half a step, carefully identifying the face that was both familiar and unfamiliar.

"You...you're still alive?"

"Yes, I'm still alive. There's no time to reminisce. Listen to me..."

He lowered his voice and spoke the truth that had been buried for many years in the simplest language.

How General Zhao Polu was secretly framed by Cao Cheng'an and the Shuofeng Dynasty, how he was lured into a desperate situation at the border and brutally murdered, and how he was later framed for embezzling military funds...

Every word was like a poisoned ice cone, piercing Zhao Hengjiang's heart.

He stood frozen on the spot, as if struck by lightning, and all the blood in his body seemed to freeze instantly. The young man Zhao Qingshan beside him was also stunned.

The incident happened suddenly that year, and the father and son were quickly taken away from the army.

I only learned later that my father died in a bloody battle with the Shuofeng cavalry.

Afterwards, the heinous crime of embezzling military funds was brought down upon him, his property was confiscated, and his family was ruined.

He went from being a military prodigy to a prisoner, sentenced to exile, and has been surviving ever since...

Zhao Hengjiang never thought that the truth would be so unbearable!

My father’s injustice, the defeat of the Zhaoyi Army, and half a lifetime of suffering all originated from a despicable betrayal!

"Uncle Li..."

Zhao Hengjiang's voice was so hoarse that it almost broke, and his eyes turned red and bloodshot in an instant.

The immense grief and pain almost tore him apart, and his body trembled uncontrollably.

"Now then..."

"We must leave Fengjing immediately!" Li E said firmly, his tone leaving no room for doubt.

"Where are you going?"

Zhao Hengjiang took a deep breath and forced himself to suppress the surging emotions that were about to burst through his chest.

I have been through so much time and have experienced so many ups and downs that I know that any hesitation at this moment may lead to eternal damnation.

"The Western Regions, though bitterly cold, are far away."

"Okay!" Zhao Hengjiang was also decisive. Hearing this, he said without hesitation, "Qingshan, let's go."

There was nothing to pack, and I had nothing of value.

The group of three quickly left the mansion, while the rest of the old group split into several groups.

Some left first, some guarded secretly, and went straight towards the city gate.

If it were a moment ago, it would not be easy to leave Fengjing quietly, which was heavily patrolled, not to mention that he had committed Xuan Gesi's crime.

However, at this moment, due to a sudden change in the palace, all the forces of the Xuanji Guard were withdrawn to guard the imperial city.

They left easily without causing any commotion.

…

At the same time, in the west city of Fengjing, there was a three-story mansion.

The house has white walls and black tiles, a neat layout and a deep courtyard.

A few late-blooming osmanthus trees are emitting lingering fragrance, and the chrysanthemum bonsai placed under the corridor are graceful in shape, exuding a low-key yet decent atmosphere of prosperity.

For the wealthy businessman Li Dajing who had just settled down, such conditions were considered simple.

The son didn't know he was coming, so he naturally occupied the upper room in the main courtyard.

Li Dajing had no intention of asking him to move out, so he moved into a slightly more remote room in the east courtyard.

The furnishings in the room were simple, with just a couch, a table, two chairs and a cabinet.

Only a very faint wisp of incense smoke rose from the mouth of the ancient-looking Suanni incense burner.

The fragrance is very special. At first, it smells like cold plum blossoms after the snow, clear and cold. But when you smell it carefully, you can feel a subtle warmth within it.

It seems like the message of spring is quietly hidden under the ice and snow, restrained and condensed, so clear and pure.

The smell of it makes one's mind clear and all distracting thoughts disappear. It is an extremely rare and exquisite product in the art of incense.

Li Dajing closed his eyes slightly, half leaning on the couch, as if he was resting.

In front of him, the personal bodyguard "Gui Qi" in gray was kneeling on one knee.

"Situation" quietly enveloped him, and he reported in a voice that only the two of them could hear:

"The Xuanji Guards patrolling the streets have all retreated back to the vicinity of the Imperial Palace."

"Can you see the strange phenomena in the sky and the earth?" Li Dajing did not open his eyes, and his voice was steady and calm.

“No.”

Li Dajing was silent for a moment, and his fingers resting on his knees gently stroked a shiny and warm black jade ring on his thumb.

To be promoted to the first level is when a warrior questions the heavens and the men, causing the qi of heaven and earth to resonate.

It is normal for the situation to change suddenly, and it should never be so silent.

No matter how far the distance is, there should be some slight sense of it in Fengjing City.

There is only one possibility in such silence.

There was no trace of strange expression on Li Dajing's face, neither happy nor sad.

After a moment, he simply said:

"In that case, we can deploy the prepared manpower."

"Yes!" Gui Qi accepted the order in a deep voice.

Since we have decided to stay in Fengjing City temporarily, we naturally have to set up an intelligence network. Now is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

The huge spy network operated by the aristocratic families for many years has been wiped out by 80 to 90 percent by the Xuanji Guards with thundering means.

The core strength of the Xuanji Guard must be firmly tied up in the dramatic changes in the palace at this moment, and has no time to take care of other things.

The vision of all parties is confused, and the original order and balance are temporarily broken. This is the perfect time to make secret arrangements.

Li Dajing waved his hand lightly and turned the black jade ring around as usual.

"You will be living in Fengjing for a long time. The emperor has many eyes and ears, so you should be more cautious."

His eyes swept over the Suanni furnace that was still emitting fragrance.

"Put it away, you don't have to order it again in the future."

"yes!"

Gui Qi responded again, immediately stood up, carefully picked up the priceless incense burner, and retreated quietly.

Inside the house, the lingering aroma lingered on the tip of his nose. Li Dajing raised his eyes, his eyes were filled with unfathomable depths...