Greenbird Garden.
Zhao Xiu was locked up in the wing room where the servants lived. The dim light from the sky that came in was like a flame, burning him and making him panic.
There was a drumbeat outside, it was the You hour.
No matter how calm he pretended to be in front of Prince Ying, he couldn't help but feel anxious at this moment. He just hoped that Lou Yunchun had made thorough arrangements so that Prince Ying and Minister Kou wouldn't notice any flaws. Otherwise, his life would be lost in Qingque Garden.
He touched his chest and still felt a dull pain. In addition, he had not had any water for a day, so his mind was a little dazed.
He slapped his face and cheered himself up. It was a matter of life and death, so he couldn't let his guard down.
At this time, footsteps were finally heard outside, and then the door lock was opened. Two guards pushed the door open and helped him up from the ground.
Zhao Xiu's heart suddenly settled down.
"The prince wants to see you."
"Where?"
"Feihongxuan."
Inside Feihong Pavilion, Prince Ying reclined on a couch, playing with a jade tiger. Seeing Zhao Xiu enter, he waved at him, his expression completely different from before.
Zhao Xiu didn't dare to take it lightly.
Prince Ying ordered someone to bring a low table, cover it with cushions, and asked two beautiful maids to help Zhao Xiu sit down.
Then the meal was served and two beautiful maids were asked to serve. They poured wine and served dishes for Zhao Xiu, showing great consideration.
Zhao Xiu didn't pick up his chopsticks.
Seeing this, Prince Ying smiled and said, "Eat! We've changed the chef from Dexiang Garden today, and the dishes are delicious."
Zhao Xiu picked up his chopsticks and started eating. He was very hungry and quickly finished most of the dish in front of him.
Seeing Zhao Xiu enjoying his meal, Prince Ying raised his eyebrows and said slowly, "If I say there's poison in this food..."
Zhao Xiu paused and continued eating until she was full. Then she stopped and said to him, "If the prince wants me dead, why waste this delicious food?"
Prince Ying suppressed his smile and looked at Zhao Xiu.
He had always regarded this person as a pair of scissors, used to break up the seemingly peaceful court, and then thrown away after use.
But he never thought that the scissors would be pointed at him now, plotting against him.
I really underestimated him.
Prince Ying asked, "If you go to Beiting, how will you avoid being investigated?"
There were checkpoints in every town in Kyoto. For a wanted criminal like him, it was simply a fantasy to think that he could catch up with Lou Yunchun from the northern road of Liangzhou without a pass issued by the government.
Zhao Xiu responded calmly, "Earlier, when I was preparing for the Wanjuan Tower, I formed a caravan under the guise of a Mo merchant. I had all the necessary documents, such as registration books, travel permits, and certificates of ordination."
Prince Ying raised his eyebrows. "Why are you organizing a caravan?"
Zhao Xiu replied: "Leave a way out for yourself."
He is telling the truth.
Even though he was ordered by Minister Wang to frame Du Hui, he never thought that this matter would shake the new system of the court, because the emperor's favor was not on the side of the gentry.
For the emperor, it is easier to control the newcomers from humble backgrounds than the wealthy and powerful aristocrats.
Moreover, since the founding of the country, the gentry, relying on their own contributions to the enthronement, have disregarded the government system and repeatedly offended the majesty of heaven and threatened the imperial power.
The late emperor had made great efforts to reform the imperial examination system, which had curbed the gentry from the root, reduced their influence in the court, and consolidated the imperial power. How could he allow them to waver so easily?
However, the gentry who were used to enjoying wealth and splendor were still dreaming of a great future, thinking that they were still the founding heroes and could influence the monarch, but they did not know that they had already brought disaster upon themselves.
At the same time, Zhao Xiu also knew that when the aristocratic families were destroyed, he, as an accomplice, would not be able to escape the day when old accounts would be brought up, so he formed this caravan just in case.
But he didn't expect that this day would come so soon. Perhaps if he had left Beijing earlier, he would not have fallen into Lou Yunchun's hands.
I'm still unwilling to accept it.
He was unwilling to accept that after ten years of hard study and thousands of miles of wind and snow, he ended up in disgrace. He was even more unwilling to watch the culprit who had brought him to such a situation enjoy wealth and glory.
That's why I want to stay, give a push to the collapsing building, and add fuel to the fire of sin that is burning me.
Prince Ying was about to ask more questions when Zhao Xiu interrupted him.
"Your Highness, Lou Yunchun will probably be in Binzhou tomorrow. Since you have already decided to let me go to Beiting, why hesitate and waste such a good opportunity?"
The two looked at each other for a long time, and Prince Ying finally nodded.
He summoned his attendants and handed Zhao Xiu a letter from a fish, then said to Zhao Xiu: "Since this is the case, I order you to take this secret letter and set off immediately to Beiting."
Zhao Xiu stood up, then knelt on his knees, raised his hands and respectfully accepted the fish book, "Zhao Xiu will definitely fulfill your mission."
"Okay, I believe you."
King Ying stepped forward and handed the jade tiger in his hand to him, "This jade tiger is a reward for you. If you help me succeed, you will be awarded a title with it."
"Thank you for the reward, Your Highness." Zhao Xiu wanted to put down the fish book to accept the reward.
Prince Ying gestured for him to stand up and personally put the jade tiger on his waist.
"This jade tiger is my token of loyalty. Only after seeing it will Guo Yuanzhen believe you are my man. Don't lose it."
"Don't worry, Your Highness. Zhao Xiu will take good care of it." Touching the jade tiger on his waist, for some reason, a chill ran up from the soles of Zhao Xiu's feet.
That night, Zhao Xiu sneaked out of Qingque Garden.
King Ying had prepared horses and gifts for him, but he refused them on the grounds that they were too ostentatious and would arouse suspicion.
After leaving Qingque Garden, Zhao Xiu headed straight for Qingmenli to reunite with his caravan. After meeting the caravan, Zhao Xiu did not stop, but followed Lou Yunchun's footsteps all night long, chasing westward.
Here, Xu Si woke up in a room filled with junk, feeling a bit disoriented. After regaining consciousness and looking around, he realized that this was the Wanjuan Tower.
He and Feng Miao stopped here a few days ago.
He moved, and immediately felt a sharp pain in the wound. He cursed Xu Jiang and the mad dog she kept in the shop. Then he stood up with difficulty, limped to the door, and went outside to find a place to relieve himself.
This chapter is not over yet, please click on the next page to continue reading!
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
