Emperor Xuanhua had a pale face and looked a little tired, not very energetic. He was of medium build, with an ordinary face, not tall or short, not fat or thin. If he were to be in a group of people, he would probably be an ordinary middle-aged man.
As an emperor who ascended the throne at a young age, he had an unexpectedly good temper. As long as the court officials did not offend him or talk about deposing the concubine, other things were easy to talk about.
What's more, after he ascended the throne, he restored the throne to Emperor Jingde, who had deposed him from the position of crown prince, and redressed many unjust, false and wrong cases of the time. In his early years, he was considered a wise monarch.
For example, as long as the craftsmen who worked for Yu Yongjian could please him, they could get a job and change their family's status, which shows how "kind" Emperor Xuanhua was.
At this moment, when facing his young nephews and nieces, he also smiled and was very warm.
"In theory, the "Yuyong Baojian Tu" has been lost for many years. Previously, the craftsman of the Yuyong Supervisor reported that someone else had secretly sold it. But after you recovered it, you found that it was just a Baojian Tu drawn by the craftsman himself, not the real thing."
Duan Nanqi waited for Emperor Xuanhua to finish speaking before he said, "Yes, Your Majesty is right, but I have found new clues. The Baojiantu was divided into four parts, and one of them seemed to be bought by a painter. The painter finally appeared in Wanping. I have already made arrangements to go to Wanping, hoping to recover part of the Baojiantu."
Duan Nanqi, who was standing in Yu's study at this time, had a calm and capable temperament. His heroic brows were slightly furrowed, and he seemed extremely respectful and reserved, with the air of a Jinyiwei commander.
Emperor Xuanhua said: "Well, as long as there is a clue, you know what to do."
Duan Nanqi bowed and said, "Yes, I accept your command."
"The 'Treasure Guide for Protecting the Soul' has been lost for many years and has been divided into several copies. Even if you can't get all of it back, you don't have to worry too much. After all... after all, without all of the guide, no one knows how to protect the soul."
"It's just that I can't feel at ease when my things are scattered outside," Emperor Xuanhua looked up at Duan Nanqi, his pupils slightly dilated, as if he was looking through him at someone in his memory, "The court and the country, inside and outside the palace, even I want to know the truth of that year."
Emperor Xuanhua sighed and said, "Too many people died back then. I don't like blood. It was all caused by human lives."
He was just talking to himself, Duan Nanqi didn't need to answer.
After Emperor Xuanhua finished speaking, he picked up the soup bowl and ate the longan and meat cake soup with a frown: "Ah, this soup is sweet and salty, it's really unpalatable."
At this moment, Duan Nanqi's handsome face relaxed slightly, and the corners of his lips raised slightly, forming a perfect smile.
"This soup can quench your thirst, nourish your yin and strengthen your lungs. Your Majesty should have a few sips, otherwise it would be a waste of your Majesty's kindness."
Emperor Xuanhua paused holding the spoon, raised his head and nodded at him: "You, you can really guess everything, so I let you join the Beizhen Fusi because you were young, and I wanted you to train in secret for a few years, who knew..."
Who knew that Cen Yu was so unreliable, behaved eccentrically, and was too presumptuous, and was impeached by the historians all day long. In addition, he did do some things that even Emperor Xuanhua could not tolerate, so he was imprisoned.
However, the Beizhen Fusi could not be without a leader for a day, and Emperor Xuanhua no longer hesitated and directly promoted the young and promising Duan Nanqi.
He was young and didn't seem to have much ability, but who among those who knew him didn't respect him? There were so many lieutenants and captains in the Beizhen Fusi, and no one dared to resist him. His methods were much better than Cenyu's.
Thinking of this, Emperor Xuanhua was quite pleased, and his smile deepened: "On the surface, you have only been in office for a few days, don't worry, solve a few more cases in the future, and then slowly get promoted."
Duan Nanqi immediately said, "I am where I am today entirely because of your Majesty's support. Otherwise, with my status, I would have a hard time surviving in Yanjing, let alone serving the country and your Majesty. To your Majesty, I have only gratitude in my heart, and nothing else to ask for."
Everyone likes to hear flattery, and the emperor is no exception. Emperor Xuanhua almost watched Duan Nanqi grow up and taught him personally, so he was very sure of his character and words and deeds.
Therefore, he found these sincere and heartfelt words even more pleasing to the ears, and he felt completely relaxed.
"Oh, you only thank me for giving you the position of town counselor? That's all?"
Duan Nanqi was slightly stunned, but he could tell that Emperor Xuanhua was actually teasing him, so he just pretended to be sad.
"Your Majesty, the governor is a high-ranking official, and many people envy him."
Emperor Xuanhua laughed and teased him: "I will also give you a beautiful and charming lady."
Duan Nanqi: “…”
Duan Nanqi: Thank you, Your Majesty. Is this really a reward?
Emperor Xuanhua saw that he suddenly looked miserable and couldn't help laughing: "Why? Are you unable to defeat the girl from the Jiang family? I heard that..."
Emperor Xuanhua lowered his gaze and asked hesitantly, "Don't tell me you really don't... um?"
Duan Nanqi simply didn't know what to say. It was impossible for Emperor Xuanhua not to know about his family affairs, but being questioned by the emperor in person made him feel bitter.
"Your Majesty, I am in very good health. Besides, I'm sure that the Imperial Concubine knows Miss Jiang's personality better than I do. I have always been content to give in to her, and I have no chance of fighting her."
He used to be very experienced, always acting like a little adult. Although he was not yet twenty, he was never willing to relax.
It was at this moment, when he was talking about being controlled by his wife, that his youthfulness was revealed.
Emperor Xuanhua said with a smile: "That's right, the imperial concubine said that she is a good girl, and all the beauties in Yanjing are not as good as her. Isn't it time to arrange a marriage for you?"
"Isn't she just a young lady? If you coax her and persuade her well, you can finally get along with her. If it doesn't work, you can just divorce her," Emperor Xuanhua said, and suddenly he became a little weak. "But you have to ask the imperial concubine yourself. I won't speak for you."
Duan Nanqi changed his bitter expression, straightened his chest and raised his head, and said in a resounding voice: "Your Majesty, that won't do. Your Majesty has granted me and my wife a marriage, and we must be happy and content, so as not to let your Majesty down for worrying about us."
These words were so beautiful that Emperor Xuanhua smiled from ear to ear. Even the sweet and salty longan and meatball soup in his mouth didn't feel unpalatable.
The king and his minister talked for a while before Duan Nanqi hurried out of Yu's study. As soon as he came out, he looked up and saw his father-in-law waiting in the elegant hall outside.
Duan Nanqi felt even more bitter.
Jiang Zhisheng was not surprised at all when he saw him. He just sat there waiting for him to come over and greet him. Then he said gently, "I heard from Yaoyao that you guys are going to Wanping to play for a while. Before you leave, please take some time to come back home and let her have a meal with her mother and talk."
Duan Nanqi was even more nervous than before. His face was stiff. Hearing this, he immediately replied without thinking: "Father-in-law is right. I will obey your orders."
After he had cleared the elegant room with his hands and feet, Jiang Zhisheng smiled and shook his head, saying to Zheng Ge, who was beside him, "My son-in-law is really a green hand."
Zheng Ge glanced at him and saw how proud he was. He looked so proud that his tail was about to fly up to the sky.
Before the two adults had time to say a few more words, they were invited into the study by the emperor's companion.
At this moment in the Yongping Marquis's Mansion, Jiang Lingyao was directing the maids to pack up the household items.
Firstly, she didn't know how many days she would have to investigate the case, and secondly, she didn't know how many days Duan Nanqi would be gone. She was a very honest person, and since she had promised Duan Nanqi, she would not give up halfway and go back on her word.
The cleanup lasted until dinner time. Duan Nanzhui returned home early today, so it was a rare opportunity for him to have dinner at home.
Jiang Lingyao was very curious: "My husband, I heard that other Jinyiwei officials are very comfortable, sending their men to do errands all day long, why is it that when it comes to you, you are busy day and night?"
After all, he was at home and was an "acquaintance" of Jiang Lingyao, so Duan Nanqi no longer acted like a polite husband. He held the bowl of rice lazily and ate rice.
After a busy day of preparing for the wedding and "flattering" his father-in-law, Duan Nanqi felt exhausted both physically and mentally.
"Can they be like me?" Duan Nanqi said vaguely, "The Imperial Guard also has to be divided into departments, and only the Beizhen Fusi is the top priority."
Jiang Lingyao nodded thoughtfully. She had nothing to do, so she sat by the side and watched Duan Nanqi eat. She said, "I have packed my belongings. We can leave at any time. Remember to ask Wen Zhu to pack clothes and shoes in advance. Wanping's family doesn't always have these."
Duan Nanzhi paused while holding the bowl. He raised his head and glanced at Jiang Lingyao. His eyes were unfathomable and contained some indescribable meaning.
Jiang Lingyao just felt confused.
"What?" she asked, "Did I say something wrong?"
Duan Nanqi's eyes gradually showed some smile: "No, I just think my wife is very considerate, and I am quite touched."
Jiang Lingyao rolled her eyes at him.
Duan Nanqi coughed lightly and said, "I happened to run into my father-in-law in the palace today. He asked us to go home for a family dinner before leaving. I have already arranged the work for this afternoon. We will leave the day after tomorrow and go home tomorrow."
Jiang Lingyao nodded: "Okay."
Both of them were decisive and quick-witted. The next day, they went back to their parents' home together and had dinner with Zhou Huiniang and Jiang Zhisheng. They set out after noon the next day and headed towards Wanping in a mighty manner.
Wanping also belongs to Yanjing and is under the jurisdiction of Shuntian Prefecture. Jiang Lingyao asked Yao Yuan for permission in advance and obtained Yao Yuan's handwritten seal, which allowed her to go to Wanping.
Jiang Lingyao rode in a carriage, Duan Nanzhuo rode a horse, and the rest of the maids and servants joined in one carriage. Together with the gift and other belongings, there were a total of three carriages and several fast horses for the trip.
This commotion was so huge that it startled many old residents of Wutong Lane.
But when they heard that the two of them were going to Wanping for fun, someone immediately sneered: "Oh, these two can actually hang out together, but they are both uneducated and unlearned dandies."
"How can the two of them live together? I heard they fight at home all day. This time, they were probably rejected by the elders of Yongping Marquis's Mansion and kicked out."
Someone else said, "I heard that the lights in the Huadun Lantern Market are brilliant, and there are so many people going around. Why don't we go there for a few days?"
Jiang Lingyao didn't care about all that. She ate and drank along the way, and finally entered Wanping City when the sky was filled with sunset glow in the evening.
The Jiang family's residence in Longshan Lane was not far from the Huazhodeng Market. A quarter of an hour after entering the city, the convoy arrived at the entrance of Longshan Lane.
Jiang Lingyao got off the carriage and was about to enter the Jiang family compound with Duan Nanqi when she suddenly heard a noise coming from not far away: "Someone's been murdered, someone's been murdered."
Duan Nanqi raised his eyebrows, he looked down at Jiang Lingyao, and Jiang Lingyao was also looking at him.
Without further ado, both of them understood the deep meaning in each other's eyes.
"It's really unlucky to go out with you and run into a dead person."
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