Chapter 404: So Pampered]
Another person also said, "That's right! My fourth son was a well-known good man in the village, how could he die in such a horrible way! That's right! It must be those bodyguards who were careless with their swords and knives, and that's why they accidentally injured my man! Village chief! You have to stand up for us orphans and widows! Make them pay! Otherwise, we will definitely go to the government and file a complaint!"
In fact, the few bodyguards who had just stayed behind to serve as witnesses had already made it clear to Village Chief Wu that Zheng Laosi and Captain Li were spies secretly communicating with the Northern Rong, and it was they who led the Northern Rong bandits here. The families of these two had also heard about it, but now that their men were dead and there was no evidence, they naturally wanted to take advantage of the opportunity to make some money. I think these bodyguards who served as village guards were all roaming around, with some dirty hands. With a little intimidation and the threat of reporting to the authorities, they would naturally give them some funeral expenses to keep the peace...
After hearing this, Village Chief Wu said, "Madam Zheng, Madam Li, the men from your two families, I'm not saying anything bad, but they came from unknown backgrounds and suddenly came to the village a year ago and stayed in your two families. I thought it was inappropriate at first, but then I saw that they were diligent, so I didn't say much. However, although they behaved honestly and diligently in the village, how much do you know about their background? Can you really guarantee that these two people are not spies from Beirong who have infiltrated our Dayu? Now Chen Zhuang "The scholar brought people to rescue our entire village and caught these two people in the act. Do you dare to go to the government? I remind you, it's not that I don't help the villagers, but I help outsiders. If this really goes to the government, you can't explain the origins of these two people, or you just make up a story and let the government find out the flaws. Then you may be charged with secretly communicating with the Beirong bandits! In that case, it won't just be your two families that will suffer. I'm afraid our whole village will be implicated! Think carefully!"
After hearing this, the two families turned pale.
Of course, they couldn't explain where Zheng Laosi and Li Qianhu came from.
One of them was a widow, the other an old maid. It just so happened that the two men came to the village one after another a year ago and hooked up with them. If this were really investigated, if they really were the Beirong thieves...then they would be killed!
Collaborating with foreign enemies is a serious crime punishable by death!
When the two thought about the consequences, they became frightened.
"Village... Village Chief, what should we do... Are all our villagers really going to be imprisoned as Beirong spies?"
Village Chief Wu said, "That's easy. We can just insist that Zheng Laosi and Captain Li were killed by the Northern Rong bandits just like Zhu Dazhuang, and we can get away with it."
After the deal was settled, the government also sent the captain of the police and the bailiffs over.
Village chief Wu and several bodyguards who stayed behind to testify recounted the entire story. The captain of the police and the yamen runners then went over to take away the surviving "Beirong" thieves.
When they went over to take a look, they found that those people had already bitten through the poison hidden in their mouths and died from the poisoning.
The captain of the police and the yamen runners didn't suspect anything and kicked the men several times, cursing, "Damn you Beirong thieves! You knew you'd be executed by slow slicing if you were caught, so you committed suicide out of fear of punishment! Village Chief Wu, your village has been credited with killing the Beirong bandits. I will definitely report this to the Lord and have him reward you."
This matter is over.
When Xiao Yunshuo heard that those people committed suicide out of fear of punishment, he was not surprised.
The secret guards trained in the palace were always prepared to die if they failed. If their mission failed, they would commit suicide after being captured to avoid being tortured and revealing their master's affairs.
"Your Highness, the secret guards in the village who were pretending to monitor the two ladies and the secret guards who pretended to be bandits from the Northern Rong to 'massacre the village' have all been caught this time. Will the palace become suspicious?" Yuan Xu was still somewhat worried.
Xiao Yunshuo said calmly, "It's okay. The ones involved this time were all Second Prince's men. Chen Xu's men have made a name for themselves in the martial arts world over the past year, and they also planned to interact with Sixth Prince's men. Therefore, even if Second Prince has suspicions, they won't suspect us, but Sixth Prince..."
After hearing this, Yuan Xu said, "Your Highness has made a thorough plan. I was overthinking it."
As he was speaking, someone outside announced, "Your Highness, Elder Xie is here."
Xie Gao was still somewhat frightened, and bowed to Xiao Yunshuo when he saw him.
Xiao Yunshuo then smiled and said, "I'm sorry to have frightened you, teacher."
Xie Gao waved his hands and said, "I'm an old man, and death is not a pity. But these people... could it be that they are coming for Your Highness?"
Xiao Yunshuo shook his head and said calmly, "Only a few trustworthy people in the world know that I'm still alive. The palace probably doesn't know yet. As soon as they entered the village, they went straight to the Yun family. They must be coming for my mother, my Crown Princess, and... my ninth brother."
Xie Gao couldn't help but look shocked when he heard this. "The Empress and the Ninth Prince and the Crown Princess have already requested to live permanently in this mountain village. Why is the palace trying to kill them all..."
Xiao Yunshuo said, "I guess the palace learned that the teacher had come to this village to become the ninth prince's enlightenment teacher by chance, so someone in the palace is afraid that the ninth prince will return to the palace in the future..."
After hearing this, Xie Gao didn't know what to say for a moment.
Xiao Yunshuo didn't say much, simply saying, "Teacher, it was providential that we were able to escape this time. If it weren't for the exceptionally skilled bodyguards the village had hired, I'm afraid everyone, including you, would have died. However, it can be considered a blessing in disguise. The secret agents left here by the palace have been eliminated, and while it's likely only a short window, it makes things easier for us."
Xie Gao perked up after hearing this, knelt down and saluted, then asked solemnly, "Your Highness, are you finally going to take action? If Your Highness needs any help from me, I will gladly help you."
Xiao Yunshuo went over and helped Xie Gao up, saying with a smile, "Thank you very much, Teacher. I was just about to discuss this matter with you..."
The two of them talked in the room for the whole morning. After a while, they asked someone to prepare writing brushes, ink, paper and inkstone. It took them two hours to finish.
Breakfast had already been prepared in the kitchen. After breakfast, Xie Gao went to the village school accompanied by his servant and taught the children to read as usual.
In the following days, Chen Fenghe noticed that many secret letters were sent out from the Yun Mansion.
Although Xiao Yunshuo has the support of the Dark Pavilion intelligence network in the underworld and is able to keep things quite secret, the Gu's business, especially the logistics, is also developing well. At least she can get some information from Youzhou even if it does not pass through the Gu's route.
Of course, she had no way to find out the contents of the secret letter.
The secret chamber is not just for show. It would be fine if she heard some superficial news, but if she wanted to find out more deeply, she would probably alert Xiao Yunshuo.
Therefore, Chen Fenghe decided to quit while he was ahead.
Moreover, even if you don't know the content of the secret letter, just knowing who the letter is sent to can probably guess it.
The letter was sent to some local civil servants in Dayu.
These civil servants were all disciples of Xie Gao.
After Shen Fenghe learned the news, she stopped paying attention to it.
This time, they tricked the Second Prince's spies into pretending to be "Northern Rong bandits" and temporarily removed the spies planted around them. Chen Fenghe guessed that he would take action.
It seems that these secret letters are one of the actions.
Although she knew rationally that Xiao Yunshuo could not live in seclusion in this small mountain village forever, when he really started to take action, she still couldn't help feeling depressed.
In the evening, Xiao Yunshuo saw that she was a little depressed, so he raised his hand and touched her forehead, and asked with a smile: "What's wrong with you lately? You look so depressed. Are those little guys mad at you?"
Chen Fenghe could only smile and said, "What are you imagining? Yichuan Hao'er and the others are very well behaved. How can they make me angry?"
"If it's not them, then it could be me?" Xiao Yunshuo stared at her and smiled.
“How could it be… hehe…” Chen Fenghe felt a little guilty.
Although it was indeed due to him to some extent, it was not his fault.
Could it be that... he has seen through the clues?
Xiao Yunshuo took her into his arms, kissed her hair, and whispered, "I've been a little too busy recently. I have some free time tomorrow, so I'll take you out for a walk."
Chen Fenghe thought about the recent weather and couldn't help shivering.
More than a month has passed since the big drop in temperature after the last autumn harvest. Now it is winter and we have already had several snowfalls.
In such cold weather, the most comfortable thing to do is to stay indoors, light a charcoal brazier, lie on a chaise longue and read some storybooks.
However, when the words of refusal came to his lips, Chen Fenghe swallowed them back.
Thinking about how the time I spend with him is getting shorter day by day, even though we live under the same roof these days, he's either busy or there are other people around, so there's almost no time for me to be alone...
Let her get through the cold... She'll get over it...
Thinking of this, Shen Fenghe nodded and said with a smile: "Okay."
Early the next morning, Yuan Xu had already given orders and arranged the carriage, including fur and brocade mattresses, charcoal basins and hand warmers, and even fox fur and crane cloaks to keep warm after getting off the carriage. Everything was ready.
In addition, the kitchen was asked to prepare various snacks, sorghum wine, rice wine, wine warming utensils, tea and tea sets, etc.
In addition to the carriages for travel, there was even a carriage specifically for transporting spare items, such as charcoal, firewood, furs for warmth, etc., and even fresh ingredients such as mutton, game, radishes and cabbages were prepared.
Seeing Xiao Yunshuo and Shen Fenghe coming out, Yuan Xu hurriedly came forward and said, "Master, Madam, time is running out, so we can only prepare these for now..."
Xiao Yunshuo supported Chen Fenghe and said with a smile: "In a place like this, we can only make do with it."
Chen Fenghe: “…”
There was a charcoal brazier burning in the carriage, and there was also fine sable fur for warmth. If it weren't for the white snow scene outside the window, Chen Fenghe would hardly feel the cold.
Last night she came out feeling cold, but now it seems that she was superficial.
It turns out that people with power, whether in ancient times or modern times, always know how to enjoy themselves.
The mere sight of the carriage leaving the village attracted the envious gazes of countless villagers.
Someone approached and asked where they were going. Yuan Xu, who was driving the car himself, smiled and said, "We're going to Youzhou City. It's getting colder, so we have to buy some winter clothes. We can also go out and relax."
When the villagers heard this, they couldn't help but laugh enviously, saying, "Your young master's outing is even more elaborate than the prefect's!"
Yuan Xu immediately laughed and said, "We are just ordinary people. How dare we compete with the prefect? It's really because my son is weak and can't stand the cold. He can't ride in the mule cart. Otherwise, he can't use this carriage, right?"
After hearing this, the villagers stopped talking and agreed, "That's true. Your young master's health really needs to be taken good care of."
After the carriage drove away, the villagers looked at it and couldn't help gossiping again.
"Hey, you said, this young master of the Yun family went to Miss Shen, it has been more than half a year, why is there no movement in Miss Shen's belly?"
"Who said it wasn't? Logically speaking, Miss Shen's figure is the material for giving birth to a son. Who knew that I was wrong."
"That's what I thought. They've been married for over half a year and still haven't gotten pregnant. If it were any other family, they'd be terribly anxious. But Young Master Yun is so patient. He still dotes on her and even took her to the city to buy winter clothes!"
"Isn't Miss Shen a doctor? Why doesn't she prescribe a prescription for herself and take care of herself..."
"That's easy for you to say. This hen doesn't lay eggs. Maybe it's her nature. Even a miracle doctor can't do anything about it..."
"You always doubt Miss Shen. Look at how sick the young master of the Yun family looks. Maybe it's because he's not a man enough?"
At this time, Madam Yang passed by and couldn't stand it any longer. She said, "You guys are really rude. Master Yun and Madam Shen are usually very nice to the people in our village. Aren't you ashamed of gossiping about them behind their backs?"
The women were the typical harsh ones in the village. They sneered, "Mrs. Yang, your family has received a lot of favors from others, but we haven't! Can't you even say a few words?"
Upon hearing this, Madam Yang glanced at her with contempt and said, "Li Dacui, you are making up stories about Madam Chen like this. Do you think I don't know your intentions? Aren't you trying to matchmake your distant niece into the Yun family as a second wife? You are so eager to make your niece a concubine, aren't you ashamed..."
Li Dacui, whose thoughts were exposed, was so angry that she stood up and said, "Mrs. Yang, why are you saying such harsh words?"
Madam Yang laughed and said, "Is it unpleasant to listen to? If you think it's unpleasant, then stop talking nonsense about others. You can criticize others, but you can't have others criticize you? Humph!"
After Madam Yang finished speaking, she no longer paid any attention to these gossipy women and just walked away.
Chen Fenghe had probably heard people in the village say that she hadn't been able to get pregnant, but she had always turned a deaf ear to it.
Now he knew nothing about what the group of people at the village entrance said, so his mood was naturally not affected at all.
Xiao Yunshuo handed her a piece of sweet-scented osmanthus cake and said with a smile, "Where do you want to go? The theater? You like reading storybooks. There's a play called The West Chamber. I heard it's very good. Or what do you want to eat? The Dongpo pork at Yingkelai is a must-try. And the white tea and white plum tea snacks at Linjiang Tower are very popular in Youzhou City right now..."
Chen Fenghe was holding a hand warmer in her hand and was too lazy to free her hands to take the osmanthus pastry, so she simply lowered her head slightly and took the osmanthus pastry from his hand and put it into her mouth.
The sweet osmanthus flowers were picked in autumn when they were in full bloom, dried in the sun and preserved. Yesterday, I asked the kitchen to use lard, white sugar, glutinous rice flour and sweet osmanthus flowers to knead into a filling, and then spent a lot of time and effort to make the pastry, and finally made the pastry.
In the middle of winter, eating a sweet food that is crispy on the outside and glutinous on the inside is quite satisfying.
Chen Fenghe couldn't help but admire the craftsmanship of her family's chef once again. She even unconsciously licked Xiao Yunshuo's fingers like a kitten, and rolled the crumbs of the pastry into her mouth.
Xiao Yunshuo's heart moved inexplicably, his eyes darkened, and he stared at Chen Fenghe, who was wrapped in a white fox fur coat, with some burning gaze.
It was a cold winter day, but her palm-sized face, hidden under the white fox fur, was still as white as ice and jade, not inferior at all. Instead, it was a little red because of the cold, making her look even more bright and beautiful.
He couldn't help but regret going out in such a cold weather.
Isn't it better for the two of them to chat and cuddle in front of the fireplace in the room than to be out in the cold now?
Chen Fenghe was completely unaware and asked with a smile, "How did you know there were so many delicious and fun things to do in Youzhou City?"
Logically speaking, he pretends to be sick and stays in the house every day. Even if he goes out, he must have important things to do. How does he know so much?
Could it be that... he has a close female friend in Youzhou City?
After all, women love theaters with delicious snacks and plays like The West Chamber!
Thinking of this, Chen Fenghe felt a little sad.
Xiao Yunshuo's thoughts were pulled back, and before he could open his mouth, Yuan Xu, who was driving the carriage outside, smiled and said through the carriage door: "Madam, this is all what the young master specifically asked to find out yesterday, and he reported it back early this morning."
Xiao Yunshuo blushed slightly and coughed twice, saying, "Stop talking too much."
After listening to Yuan Xu's words and looking at Xiao Yunshuo's reaction, Chen Fenghe's sour feeling in her heart instantly turned into sweetness. She couldn't help but slightly curl the corners of her lips and looked up at Xiao Yunshuo.
I didn't expect that he, an ancient man, was so capable.
Dating seems to just be about eating, watching movies, and drinking milk tea.
There were no movies in ancient times, so theaters were a better way to entertain yourself.
However, when women from wealthy families wanted to watch a play, they would usually invite a troupe to their house, or keep a troupe at home. They rarely went to the theater in the city.
Although she was fascinated by the performance, and the singing, reciting, acting, and movements were all quite interesting, Chen Fenghe had no interest in it per se. She smiled and said, "Let's just watch the show. Instead, we should buy some winter clothes and daily necessities. The other three little ones are clamoring for candied haws, so we should buy some for them too..."
Xiao Yunshuo interrupted her and said with a smile, "Yuan Xu will send people to take care of the purchases, so you don't have to worry about it. Today, you and I can just relax."
Chen Fenghe thought about it, then nodded and said, "Well... okay. Then let's go to that Linjianglou you mentioned for tea and try their white plum tea."
As they were talking, the carriage had already entered Youzhou City.
They both had some snacks on the way, but they were not hungry, so they went directly to Linjiang Building, asked for a seat on the second floor overlooking the river, and sat down to drink tea.
In the dead of winter, there is no river view, but the surface of the river is frozen three feet deep, solidly frozen. The trees on both sides of the river are covered with snow that has frozen into ice chips. It is a rare sight of rime.
The clear, dry and cold blue sky, set against the snow-white branches, is so beautiful that one can't help but hold their breath.
"Sir, you've arrived at the right time today. This rime scenery is rarely seen even on ordinary days. This location in our restaurant is also the best place to enjoy it. Please enjoy it slowly."
There was a small red clay stove on the table, with charcoal burning hot inside. On the stove was a ceramic teapot, with tea boiling in it.
In addition, a few dim sum dishes were served, including the restaurant's signature white plum tea dim sum, as well as egg yolk pastry. It was surprising that they also had salty Cantonese dim sum such as shrimp dumplings, barbecued pork buns, and steamed chicken feet.
It is incredible that people in ancient times had to travel so long that dishes from Lingnan appeared in the north. It is possible that the restaurant owner was a guest here.
Chen Fenghe had some sweet-scented osmanthus pastry on the way, so she ordered a few savory dishes, which filled the table with a dazzling array of them.
Xiao Yunshuo couldn't help but laugh and said, "You eat so much, aren't you afraid of getting fat?"
Although he didn't quite understand why Chen Fenghe was afraid of getting fat, he had heard her mutter a few times before, so he started to tease her.
Chen Fenghe raised her eyes and glared at him, saying, "It's just a meal occasionally, that's why you won't get fat!"
Having said that, she still felt a little guilty.
After all, even though it was passed down from ancient times, at least she had food to eat, and she had never treated herself badly.
Xiao Yunshuo pursed his lips and smiled, then suddenly leaned close to her ear and whispered, "It doesn't matter if you're fat, you'll be softer when you're hugged."
Chen Fenghe's face flushed instantly.
Although there were not many people in the teahouse, there were waiters coming and going. Why did he say everything?
Chen Fenghe pushed him unhappily, poured a cup of tea, held it in her hand, and turned to look at the scenery outside.
At this moment, there was a sudden commotion downstairs. It turned out that several horses galloped downstairs and stopped.
Leading the group was a handsome and heroic young man, followed by two tall men in plain clothes.
The handsome young man dismounted his horse quickly and walked straight into the building, saying crisply, "Waiter, please clear out the best seats upstairs. I... I want to enjoy the view!"
Following his voice, the two men in plain clothes dismounted and followed him into the shop. One of them raised his hand and threw out a five-liang ingot of silver, adding, "This is for tea and a reward. Hurry and arrange it!"
The waiter took it with a smile on his face, and immediately came up to lead the way while singing and drinking.
After a series of footsteps on the stairs, the young man came up to the second floor.
"Sir, please sit here. This is the best place in our restaurant to see the river view." The waiter said attentively.
Chen Fenghe looked at the new guest with some curiosity, and then couldn't help but smile slightly.
Although the handsome young man had a mustache, she could still tell at a glance that he was probably a woman disguised as a man.
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