Chapter 196 Zhao Duan: My Lord Minister, do you still remember me?
"Priest Jin Jian?"
Dong Da was stunned for a few breaths before he suddenly recognized the girl's identity and subconsciously wanted to stand up:
"How come... uh, you're also Brother Zhao's guest?"
Only then did he remember that according to rumors, Zhao Duan was indeed acquainted with Zhang Tianshi's young disciple and they had a close relationship.
However, he still couldn't hide his surprise at the arrival of Jin Jian.
As for such a big reaction... It seems more nervous than meeting a big shot in the court... Zhao Duan complained in his heart, and then realized it belatedly.
It seems that I have underestimated the status of this cute girl...
Perhaps because they had more contact, they felt less awe, but for the vast majority of people in the court, the identity of "disciple of the Heavenly Master" alone was already a huge honor.
“…” Jin Jian glanced at him, seemingly not recognizing who he was at all, and lowered his head to start eating.
Zhao Duan said with a smile: "Brother Dong, there is no need to be surprised."
Dong Da realized that he had lost his composure, looked around, and seeing that few people were paying attention, he lowered his voice and said:
"Brother Zhao, do you have any important plans today?"
Zhao Duan smiled and said:
"Don't worry, it's not a big deal. There might be a play going on today, so I've invited Brother Dong and the priest to be witnesses... Hehe, don't worry, I won't make things difficult for you.
After all, I have some friendship with the Grand Tutor."
play?
witness?
What does it have to do with my grandfather?
Dong Da's eyes were blank and he couldn't understand.
…
…
"Your Excellency, it's right there." The carriage drove through the street.
Inside the spacious carriage.
Xu Mingyuan's butt was only half touching the stool. He was looking at the street view outside the car window and pointing at the building ahead.
Li Yinglong, who was pretending to be asleep, opened his eyes and ordered the coachman to stop nearby.
Considering that Chen Zhengru invited me to meet him, I must avoid being surrounded by too many people.
So he only brought a coachman and guard with him, and didn't even take his favorite sedan chair.
He was not wearing any official robes, just a simple long gown.
After getting off the car, Xu Mingyuan took the initiative to walk in front to lead the way. Li Yinglong was not surprised to meet him in such a place.
"The teacher is in the private room upstairs." Xu Mingyuan said.
Li Yinglong nodded, stood with his hands behind his back, and walked up the stairs.
But for some reason, when I arrived at the place, I vaguely felt a little uncomfortable.
But I couldn't find what was weird about it.
It's very quiet upstairs.
"Sir, it's in that private room. Just go over there. I won't follow you." Xu Mingyuan stopped very "thoughtfully".
Li Yinglong nodded. Since it was a secret talk, it would be inappropriate to let him follow.
Without even looking at him, she walked straight to the quiet private room. Without even knocking on the door, she raised her hand and pushed the door open with a squeak.
What caught my eye was not the door, but an indoor screen.
Through the screen, I could vaguely see a blurry figure behind me. When I heard the door open, I saw the person standing up nervously, wanting to speak but looking afraid.
Li Yinglong walked around, then froze in shock and blurted out:
"lady?"
In the room, next to the low couch, stood a woman with an oval face and long drooping eyebrows. Her clothes were plain and simple, and she seemed to be pretending to be a man. Her eyebrows and features were quite similar to those of Madam Lin.
Li Yinglong was confused and didn't understand why his new concubine appeared here.
Looking around, where is Chen Zhengru?
On the opposite side, Princess Yuan, who had arrived earlier and had been sleepless since last night, finally saw her old lover after many years of absence and was in a trance for a moment.
Because of excitement, he did not realize that something was wrong immediately. When he heard the word "Madam", his brain did not react for a while, or he thought he had heard it wrong.
In an instant, all the thoughts in my mind turned into an extremely complex call:
"Li Lang...you're here..."
Li Lang...
Li Yinglong was stunned, and then he suddenly woke up. Although the person in front of him looked similar, she was not Madam Lin.
Then she is...
boom!
A thought flashed through Li Yinglong's mind like lightning, accompanied by thunder.
"Yuan Ru?! Is that you?"
He asked almost in disbelief.
Then, without waiting for the answer from the Princess Yuan who was dressed as a man, a strong sense of crisis surged in the heart of the young cabinet minister, who had great ambitions but little talent but was by no means stupid.
Why is Princess Yuan here?
And he acted as if he knew I would come?
Where is Chen Zhengru?
What the hell is going on?
No...that Xu Mingyuan...there's something wrong!
Li Yinglong's expression suddenly changed, and he felt a chill running from the soles of his feet along his spine to the top of his head.
Although it is the end of summer, it feels like winter.
Although she was dressed as a man, Concubine Yuan, who had put on careful makeup, was still in a daze and realized that something was wrong.
She frowned: "Li Lang, why are you..."
Li Yinglong's face was gloomy, and he suddenly asked, "Why are you here?"
Princess Yuan was frightened by his appearance and said blankly:
"Didn't you write to me and ask me to come over to meet you..."
As she spoke, she took out Li Yinglong's "token" jade pendant from her waist.
Write a letter... make an appointment... jade pendant... Xu Mingyuan...
At this moment, Li Yinglong's mind was buzzing, and countless thoughts were rising and falling.
In this rush, I still can't fully understand the cause and effect, but...
"We've fallen into a trap!"
The young cabinet minister did not hesitate, turned around and ran out of the room, but he could not find Xu Hanlin who was leading the way.
At this moment, there was a noise coming from the bottom of the stairs, as if a large group of people broke in.
Accompanied by scolding:
"We have received a report that there are rebels hiding here. Anyone who obstructs the investigation is tantamount to treason and will be killed without mercy!"
There was chaos downstairs and screams were heard everywhere.
The footsteps were approaching this side rapidly.
“Oh no…”
Li Yinglong, who had feminine features and deep eye sockets, felt his heart sink suddenly.
He decisively returned to the room, closed the door, and blocked it with a screen.
"Li Lang...where are you going? Take me with you." Princess Yuan was also panicked at this time. When she heard the noise of the officials downstairs, she was already scared and her face turned pale.
Her strong desire to survive made her grab Li Yinglong as if he were grabbing a life-saving straw.
"Get out of here!"
At this time, Li Yinglong was like a clay Buddha crossing the river, so how could he still remember the old friendship?
In a hurry, he pushed Princess Yuan down, ran to the window and pushed it open.
This is the second floor. Behind the window is an alley paved with blue bricks.
Li Yinglong climbed onto the windowsill without hesitation, holding out his boots. He gritted his teeth and jumped down in a messy but decisive manner.
"Li Yinglong! How dare you abandon me..."
Princess Yuan pushed him and he fell to the ground. Her eyes were red on her graceful and depressed face.
Hearing the footsteps of the officers getting closer, she hurriedly got up and tried to escape by jumping out the window.
But when I looked down at the height, my legs felt weak.
As a result of this delay, there was a loud "bang" and the door behind him was kicked open, and the screen fell down.
"You guys stay outside." A lazy voice sounded.
Then, Princess Yuan was horrified to see an officer in brocade clothes with dark circles under his eyes walk in, holding the hilt of a knife.
Chen Juan glanced at the open window, smiled, and didn't chase after him.
Instead, he closed the door behind him and held up the screen.
Then, he pulled a chair and sat down, saying in a just-right voice:
"Hush, keep your voice down. Your Majesty, you don't want anyone other than my master to know about your secret meeting with the Minister of Works."
When Princess Yuan's identity was revealed, she was terrified. How could she still maintain her former harsh and mean queen's attitude?
Slumped by the window, his lips trembling:
"Whose subordinates are you?"
Shen Juan said softly:
"Lihuatang, Zhao Ji Siming, I send my regards to the Empress."
Zhao Duan… Princess Yuan’s face turned pale.
…
…
In the alley.
Li Yinglong fell to the ground. Although his legs were numb, he still had some basic knowledge of martial arts.
Although he was not a cultivator, he would not get hurt as the height was only two stories.
He quickly got up and ran towards the alley entrance without any hesitation.
This alley is the gap between the teahouse and the inn.
Therefore, it is very narrow and only two people can walk side by side. The towering buildings on both sides block the sunlight and cast large shadows.
Li Yinglong held his breath and ran a few steps, but saw that the "alley entrance" in front of him, which seemed as bright as hope, was suddenly blocked.
The Lihuatang officials who had been hiding in the dark for a long time just walked out at this moment had an expressionless face and blocked the entrance of the alley.
The leader had a defiant look on his face, and he casually carried a ring knife on his shoulder, with the blade already unsheathed.
The marquis suddenly raised his head, looked down at me with a stern smile, and said:
"Master Li, where are you going?"
Imperial Court... Li Yinglong did not recognize this general from the Lihua Hall, but he recognized the brocade clothes, and his face changed drastically.
He turned around and tried to run to the other side, but saw in despair that the other side was also blocked by the Jinyi officers.
The leader was a short old official who was almost at retirement age, but he had an aura as fierce as an old wolf.
Zheng Laojiu smiled and said:
"Minister Li, I'm sorry, this road is blocked."
Li Yinglong stopped, fell silent for a moment, slowly stood up, and managed to calm down in such a desperate situation.
Without any nonsense, he said:
"You are just a mere official, and you recognize me, but you refuse to move aside. Are you trying to commit treason? Believe it or not, I can use this as an excuse to exile you to Lingnan to grow lychees."
Zheng Laojiu used his little finger to pick at his ear:
"What did you say, sir? I am old and my hearing is not good, so I didn't hear clearly."
Li Yinglong turned to Hou Renmeng with a blank expression and tried to persuade him kindly:
"Why gamble your life for such a meager salary?"
Hou Renmeng's answer was extremely concise and powerful, and the knife in his hand suddenly swung through the air.
“Squeak—”
Wherever the sword energy pointed, hideous scars appeared on the walls on both sides of Li Yinglong, and the wall paint fell off.
His crown was blown off, and his hair was blown back in a messy manner.
Li Yinglong stood there stiffly.
There is a wolf behind and a tiger in front. There is no way to go up to heaven and no door to enter the earth.
The young cabinet minister stood woodenly in the alley, with dark clouds gathering in the sky above his head.
"Are you sent by Ma Yan, or..."
Li Yinglong finally gave up his fantasy and closed his eyes. When he opened them, he only asked this question.
"The Governor has no time to bother you. Yes, it's me."
A voice came late.
Hou Renmeng stepped aside, and the officials of Lihua Hall also stepped aside tacitly, leaving a narrow path that was only wide enough for one person to pass through.
Zhao Duan, handsome and dressed in gorgeous clothes, walked leisurely while picking his teeth, as if strolling in the garden.
Behind him, Dong Da followed closely with a serious look on his face, but the golden tablet had long disappeared.
Zhao Duan walked closer, smiled, looked at the "young cabinet minister", and bowed gently:
"Mr. Minister, do you still remember me?"
Li Yinglong felt dizzy and squeezed out three words from between his teeth:
"Zhao! Du! An!"
(End of this chapter)
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