The New Year of the eleventh year of the Xuanli period was a brand new year for the people of the Yu Dynasty.
In the tenth year of the Xuanli reign, more people earned more silver in general, and they enjoyed a more prosperous New Year than ever before.
The red envelopes given to servants by the Ding'an Earl's Mansion this year are also bigger than last year. One reason is that the Xishan property is bigger, and the other is that the Ding'an Earl's Mansion has added two young masters and a daughter.
Starting from the first day of the first lunar month, Fu Xiaoguan, as in previous years, visited relatives and friends with generous gifts. He had meals in Dieyi Palace, Dong Mansion, Xiang Mansion and even the Princess's Mansion.
Everything was normal. Even when meeting Emperor Xuan, the father-in-law and son-in-law were drinking and chatting happily.
In short, the people of Shangjing City did not feel anything unusual, and the dignitaries living in Shangjing City also did not feel that this year was any different from previous years.
Even the eldest princess Yu Shurong secretly breathed a sigh of relief, thinking that after all, they were father-in-law and son-in-law, and the emperor brother would eventually consider the overall situation.
In the vast city of Shangjing, only three people understood that behind the seemingly calm surface, a huge storm was brewing.
They are Yan Beixi, Dong Kangping, and the Monk Queen.
…
…
On the third day of the first lunar month, auspicious snow fell from the sky.
At the Ding'an Marquis's Mansion, Fu Xiaoguan had finally finished his New Year's visit. He was now sitting in Taoranting with Ning Siyan.
"So you have to learn my mannerisms, at least so that people who don't know me well can't tell."
Ning Siyan was very surprised. "We are about the same height, but I am taller than you. Besides, the difference in appearance is so huge, how can it be changed?"
"Don't worry about your appearance, burly. How much bigger can you be than me? I'm also a trained fighter. Just wear something a little looser. The key is to imitate my demeanor and movements... Also, this is between you and me."
So, what is this prince going to do?
Could it be that he wanted to have an affair in Jinling City without knowing about all his wives?
That's not right. With his courage, he could have executed Sima Che and Xu Xinyan in Ningsang County. He was going to be the emperor, so it was normal for him to have three palaces, six courtyards and seventy-two concubines. His current wives and concubines were also mentally prepared. Why would he have to act sneaky and have affairs?
"You'll know when the time comes. Don't overthink it. You only have seven days. From now on, pay more attention to me."
"good."
Ning Siyan didn't understand why, but she found it interesting.
Fu Xiaoguan didn't say anything more. He was waiting for a few people.
Not long after, Su Jue brought several senior brothers and the third senior sister from the Taoist temple to Taoranting.
Fu Xiaoguan stood up to greet them, and when he glanced over, hey, there was one missing——
"Where's Seventh Senior Brother Su Yangyang?"
Su Jue straightened his hat and said, "Seventh Junior Brother left Jinling under Master's orders for something. We don't know where he went."
"Brothers and sisters, please take a seat!"
Gao Yuanyuan sat down with her buttocks raised, almost slapping the stone table with her hands. "Hehe," he smiled apologetically, "Master must have discovered a tomb and asked Seventh Junior Brother to rob it."
Fu Xiaoguan then remembered that his seventh junior brother Gao Yangyang was an expert in mechanical engineering. He didn't think much about what Gao Yuanyuan said, but instead asked, "I heard that His Majesty has designated the Taoist temple as a state religion, and that Second Senior Brother is the first generation leader?"
Gao Yuanyuan grinned, and her small eyes suddenly disappeared. "Master hasn't returned to the temple, the eldest brother is busy, and the other disciples are unwilling. But this is what Master has been looking forward to, and I can't just turn it down. I am the only one who will take on the position. But fortunately, this is not an official position in the imperial court, and it is no different from before."
"So how many temples have been built so far?"
"The Nanshan Taoist Temple hasn't been completed yet. I don't have any money until Master comes back. As for how to practice, I, as the leader, don't have the final say. We have to wait until Master comes back to decide."
During this conversation, Fu Xiaoguan kept paying attention to Gao Yuanyuan's expression, and found nothing unusual, so he felt relieved.
Then naturally they talked about the Six Gates and the martial arts world.
Su Jue lamented, "The martial arts world of the Yu Dynasty has basically dried up. Over 3,000 martial arts masters have joined the Third Divine Sword Brigade as soldiers, and tens of thousands of martial artists have received their badges but have left, saying that there's no future in the martial arts world and they might as well take advantage of this good time to earn some money."
"In addition, the remaining jianghu people who didn't want to receive the badge left the Yu Dynasty, with the majority going to the Yi Kingdom and the Wu Dynasty. Now the Six Gates have shifted from arresting jianghu criminals to assisting the Jinling government in handling cases..."
Su Jue shook his head. "Investigating cases is boring. I plan to resign from this position once the court opens. I'll take your third senior sister with me, or I'll continue to follow you. If you don't want to, we'll go back to the Taoist temple."
"Not happy?" Fu Xiaoguan asked in surprise.
"It's not going well. There are too many things going on. I don't have time to practice. Anyway, I don't feel like I can adapt."
Fu Xiaoguan glanced at his second senior brother Gao Yuanyuan, fourth senior brother Su Bingbing, and fifth senior brother Su Diandian, "Do you think so too?"
The three of them nodded. "It's boring. There are too many rules. It's better to be free in the Taoist temple."
Fu Xiaoguan was silent for a moment, then looked up at Su Jue and said, "Even if you are unwilling, I still ask you brothers to stay in Jinling for the time being and live in my house. I will entrust something to you in a few days."
"Master has already instructed me in the letter to follow your arrangements, Junior Brother."
"good……!"
Fu Xiaoguan thought that after he left Jinling, he would have to ask these senior brothers to help look after the Dong Mansion and the Xiang Mansion, because he was prepared for the worst.
Although Huo Huaijin, the commander of the imperial guards of Shangjing City, and his wife, the third princess Yu Qinglan, had visited him last night, in Fu Xiaoguan's opinion, it was only because of the friendship between the two.
Such friendship seems too insignificant when placed in the context of national justice and the order of Emperor Xuan.
But these senior brothers are different. They are not under the control of the imperial court. If such a day really comes, they will dare to face it with swords in hand.
What Fu Xiaoguan was most worried about was assassination - if it got to the point where the imperial guards came to confiscate his property, it would be a situation where both sides would be doomed.
But if Emperor Xuan resorted to assassination, then both sides would not be embarrassed, but it would still deal a sufficient blow to Fu Xiaoguan.
"Eighth Junior Brother Su Mo sent me a letter, probably around October, saying his wife, Yan Taohua, was pregnant. I originally wanted him to send Yan Taohua back to Jinling because it's so cold in the Min Mountains, but I haven't seen her yet. I guess his wife doesn't want to."
When Fu Xiaoguan heard Su Jue's words, he was stunned... The Third Divine Sword Brigade has already set out, and there is still a dangerous mission ahead -
"Big Brother, please help me deliver a letter to Su Mo!"
"good!"
Fu Xiaoguan took a charcoal pencil and wrote a line of words on the note very seriously: Send peach blossoms to my house as soon as possible, this is an order!
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