Chapter 42 Chapter 42 Only a small piece of clothing remains under the cloak
The girl lowered her head, like a puppet. He placed her on the bed and asked her to try on the cloak, so she put it on without moving. Xiao Ye felt inexplicably irritated and angry.
Xiao Ye put the mirror aside and sneered, "Sister, you're not even being perfunctory now."
A cold voice reached her ears, and Shuyun heard a hint of anger hidden in it. The key on the man's waist was hidden under his brocade clothes. She lowered her eyes and hid her thoughts.
"Brother, whatever you want to hear, I'll tell you." Shu Yun tied the cloak's straps, her pale lips moving as she said softly, "I like this cloak. Thank you, brother."
Not only did these words fail to dispel the irritation in Xiao Ye's chest, but it accumulated a little more and even caused a nameless anger to rise.
She smiled, a perfunctory smile that was pale and powerless. Xiao Ye clenched his fists at his sides, suppressing the restlessness in his heart.
He left in a huff, standing by the window, his angry figure cast in the long shadow of the setting sun.
The room was eerily quiet, the atmosphere darkened in an instant, the two people sitting by the window at the head of the bed were in a stalemate, and no one spoke.
Shuyun's eyes were sore and she slowly lowered her head. The fox fur cloak on her body was thick, but after just a while, she felt a little hot.
Untying the laces with her slender fingers, Shuyun took off the fox fur cloak and folded it neatly at the head of the bed.
Shuyun lay down, still with her back to the outside. Her heart was filled with depression, and her nose was gradually sore. Tears welled up in her eyes, blurring her vision. She cried uncontrollably, hitting the soft pillow.
Shuyun bit the back of her hand, unwilling to cry out loud.
Xiao Ye had excellent hearing. The intermittent crying behind him was suppressed and cautious, but it also carried a hint of stubbornness.
After a while, Xiao Ye suddenly turned around, strode towards the bed, leaned over and hugged her who was crying and trembling. The petite body in his arms froze in an instant.
Shuyun was terrified and didn't dare to move. She bit the back of her hand and tears flowed silently. She could taste the saltiness of the tears on her lips.
Tear marks were left on her pale and weak face. She closed her eyes, and her wet eyelashes trembled slightly.
Xiao Ye gently took away the back of her hand that she was biting, wiped away the hot tears with his fingertips, his eyes full of pity.
Xiao Ye rested his head on her shoulder and said softly, "Yun'er, make peace."
Shu Yun slowly opened her eyes, her eyelashes still wet, and turned back to look at him. Her red eyes were devoid of any emotion, like a pool of stagnant water. Her pale lips moved, "But, what brother would want to forcibly possess the sister he has watched grow up."
Xiao Ye's body stiffened in an instant, and her eyes were cold, like a sharp dagger piercing her heart accurately.
Shu Yun looked at his ugly face and said, "I don't like you at all...well..."
Xiao Ye pressed his lips down, and Shu Yun's unfinished words were stuck in her throat.
Xiao Ye grasped her clasping hands with his large hands, pressed them against the pillow, and kissed her deeply. He tasted the saltiness of tears between his lips. He was startled for a moment and slowly loosened his lips. The girl under him had not yet recovered from the cold. There were traces of tears on her pale face. Her eyes were tightly closed, and her eyelashes were wet and stuck together by the tears.
Xiao Ye withdrew and left, bringing with him a gust of cold evening breeze. The hanging curtains fluttered and slowly fell back onto the bed, covering the sobbing girl.
Lanterns were hung under the eaves. Xiao Ye stood on the steps. The cool evening breeze blew his clothes.
He stood outside the house for a long time. The night gradually deepened, and the clear and cold moonlight poured down. The candle in the bedroom was half extinguished. Shuyun had already gone to bed. He turned and went into the quiet house.
A brand new fox fur cloak was hanging on the clothes hanger. Biluo was tidying up the medicine bowl beside the bed. She had just helped Shuyun drink the medicine and went to bed when she saw Xiao Ye come in and left the room.
The man stood in front of the bed, quietly looking at the girl who was sleeping with her back turned, feeling melancholy.
==========
Purple Palace.
Wisps of smoke rose from the Boshan furnace, and the scent of ambergris spread throughout the quiet hall.
There were memorials piled up on the imperial desk. Emperor Wucheng used a red brush to write on the memorials. After reading one, he put it aside and picked up the one on top that had not been reviewed to take a closer look.
The capital reported that there was no flood this year.
Duzhou has always experienced heavy rain in the summer, with frequent rainstorms and floods, causing great hardship and displacement for the people. Since the dispatch of Chen Yanzhi to Duzhou to control the floods, the water has been diverted, the flooding has been greatly alleviated, and people's lives have gradually returned to peace. This year marks the sixth year without a flood.
A faint smile appeared on the majestic face of Emperor Wucheng. He was in a good mood. He wrote with red ink and put down the gift.
Emperor Wucheng tapped the imperial desk lightly with his long fingers and looked out the window. After a while, he ordered the eunuch in front of him, "Go and ask about the progress of Tongtian Tower."
"Yes."
The eunuch in front of the emperor held the whisk and bowed as he left the Purple Palace.
Two months ago, the drainage of Tongtian Tower was poor and water was leaking into the building. Liang Meng was transferred to participate in the construction of Tongtian Tower. Perhaps because he came from a poor family, the Langzhong of the Ministry of Works seemed to exclude him and make things difficult for him, as if he wanted to drive him away as soon as possible.
Later, Liang Meng slowly discovered problems with the Tongtian Tower. Several batches of wood used to build the Tongtian Tower had problems. The Ministry of Works passed inferior goods off as good ones. Even the most critical mortise and tenon structures were sometimes broken and some were good.
The wood was replaced secretly and the mortise and tenon structure was destroyed. Even if the Tongtian Tower was repaired, it was destined to collapse. It was just a matter of when.
When Liang Meng was looking carefully in the building that day, his intention was almost discovered by the doctor of the Ministry of Works, and he was watched closely again.
At the moment, he only found problems with the wood and workmanship, but had no conclusive evidence.
I heard that the Langzhong of the Ministry of Works was promoted by the Minister of Works. Liang Meng was not sure whether the corruption was done by the Langzhong of the Ministry of Works or at the behest of the Minister of Works. He was from a humble family and was promoted from Youzhou to the capital. He had no one to rely on in the capital and no power. He could not fight against them, but if he turned a blind eye, he would feel guilty.
That day, Liang Meng handed a letter to Xiao Ye.
Fu Feng instructed Liang Meng to enter the house and take him to the study.
This was Liang Meng's first time visiting Xiao Ye's private residence. Although it was not as big as the Marquis' Mansion, it was bigger than his house.
Liang Meng followed Fu Feng into the quiet courtyard. A red swing came into view and several maids were cleaning the yard.
When passing by the locked house, Liang Meng couldn't help but take another look. Fu Feng turned around to look at him, and he averted his gaze.
"Master Liang, please come this way," Fu Feng gestured, "The young master is waiting for you in the study."
Liang Meng nodded and went straight to the study.
Shu Yun in the room heard the sound and immediately came back to her senses. The window was still open, so she could see outside, and people outside could naturally see inside through the window.
As the man's footsteps approached, Shuyun's heart tightened and she suddenly panicked. She reached out and pulled down the curtains and hid herself inside.
Why did Liang Meng come to see Xiao Ye?
Shuyun was confused and felt a little uneasy.
…
study.
The incense burner was placed on the corner of the table, quietly emitting light smoke.
Xiao Ye sat upright at the table, looked up at him, poured a cup of hot tea and placed it opposite him, and said in a calm voice: "Master Liang, sit down."
The man in front of him had clear features, a cold and noble temperament, and was full of righteousness. Liang Meng had only been in the capital for a few months and had made few friends among the officials. The only powerful person he trusted was Xiao Ye.
If it weren't for Xiao Ye's recommendation, he would still be a minor official in charge of flood control at the mouth of Youzhou. Liang Meng was not a person who forgot his roots. He remembered Xiao Ye's kindness in recommending him and would not hold a grudge against Xiao Ye for the Hou Mansion's cancellation of the engagement.
One thing is one thing.
Liang Meng sat down, took a sip of the tea he poured, and said frankly: "General Xiao is the only person I trust in the capital. I am visiting you today because of an important matter."
Xiao Ye's eyebrows moved slightly, and he picked up the teacup and looked at him leisurely.
Liang Meng told Xiao Ye everything he had discovered, feeling furious because the Tongtian Tower could collapse at any time due to the stolen wood, and human lives were lost under the ruins!
After Xiao Ye heard him finish, he put down the cup in his hand and said, "It's exactly the same as seventeen years ago. The collapse of Tongtian Tower that year was also due to the replacement of the wood."
Liang Meng was shocked. He knew that the Tower of Heaven had collapsed once, but he didn't expect it to be for the same reason.
Xiao Ye stood up, turned his back to Liang Meng, looked toward the window, and began to tell the story. "Seventeen years ago, Lord Shen Yanzhi, the former Minister of Works, discovered that the wood had been replaced. Before he could gather evidence, he was framed by criminals. They framed Lord Shen for corruption. Later, Lord Shen overturned the verdict, claiming it was a subordinate of his, a Deputy Minister of Works. It seems he was just a scapegoat at the time."
"The current Minister of Works is the same Minister of Works who convicted Lord Shen."
Xiao Ye turned around and said to Liang Meng condescendingly, "The person behind this might be the Minister of Works. Do you have any other evidence?"
Liang Meng shook his head. "That day, I took a few glances at the structure inside the building, and the Minister of Works sent me away."
Xiao Ye said, "It is a taboo to report to the emperor without going through the proper channels. Listen to me. Hold your ground for now and secretly gather evidence. It would be best if you can find the account list. Then, follow my instructions and report everything to His Majesty."
Liang Meng knew that he had not trusted the wrong person, and he was no longer isolated and helpless.
He stood up, bowed and said, "Thank you, General Xiao."
Xiao Ye helped him up and said, "You're welcome. Sir Liang is pure and kind, with a sincere heart. I would like to thank you."
Liang Meng was stunned, not understanding why he thanked him, and just thought it was a humble word.
After speaking out the things that had been pent up in his heart, Liang Meng felt much better and said goodbye to Xiao Ye.
Xiao Ye said, "Fufeng, see the guest off."
Fu Feng was guarding outside the study. Wen Shen came in and saw Liang Meng off.
Xiao Ye looked at his departing back, his deep eyes filled with darkness.
The chess piece finally fell.
The words are almost the same, but the ending will be different this time.
Xiao Ye went to the stable and rode away from the house.
==========
Xiao Ye did not return home all night, and Shuyun was restless, always feeling that something bad was going to happen.
Wen Rong came over to take Shuyun's pulse. When the cold is about to recover, the disease is most likely to recur.
Shuyun has been in a bad mood since she fell ill. Wen Rong saw it and tried to persuade her many times, but she was depressed and it would take time for her to open up.
After Wen Rong finished taking her pulse, she warned, "Even though it's a sunny day today, you still can't take off your clothes."
Biluo nodded and was particularly concerned about Shuyun's health.
"Doctor Wen, something's wrong! Hurry, hurry!" The maid ran into the room in a panic, breathless, and said, "A woman fell down the attic stairs. Her head is covered in blood. You, you hurry back to check on her."
"What's going on? Tell me while we're walking." Wen Rong immediately went to the house.
There was only one woman in the house. Shuyun's heart was in her throat. She suddenly got up from the bed and ran outside, forgetting for a moment that she was still in shackles.
The iron chain pulled her and Shuyun tripped and fell to the ground.
"Girl." Biluo was startled and hurried over to help her.
"Please help me check on that woman," Shuyun cried, holding onto Biluo and begging, "Please help me check on her, okay? Nothing can happen to her."
With a tearful face, she was extremely anxious and begged Biluo desperately. Shuyun was panicked, as she felt that was her biological mother and she was not dead.
"Where is my brother? I want to see him." Shuyun was uneasy, as if she had grabbed a life-saving straw.
"The master has gone out." Biluo helped her sit back on the edge of the bed, wiped her tears, and comforted her: "Don't worry, young lady, I will go and take a look."
…
At night, Xiao Ye returned home. Upon hearing this, he frowned and said in an unhappy tone, "Why did she fall suddenly? How is she now?"
Biluo replied, "She had a broken head. Doctor Wen has already applied medicine, so her life is not in danger. Doctor Wen was in the bedroom taking her pulse. When she found out, she cried all afternoon."
Xiao Ye nodded and strode into the bedroom.
Beside the bed, Shuyun was wearing the fox fur cloak he had given her. Her petite body was tightly covered by the cloak, revealing only a small section of her slender white ankles.
There was no skirt under her cloak, so it seemed she was not wearing any.
Tear marks were clearly visible on her palm-sized face, and her eyes were red, indicating that she had just cried.
Shu Yun looked up at Xiao Ye, smiled sweetly, and said in a tearful voice, "Brother is back."
"That woman is my mother, right?" Shuyun asked tentatively.
The man said nothing and leaned over to wipe the tears from her face.
Shuyun reached out her hand from her cloak and grasped his wrist. Her arm was slender, and without the cover of her sleeves, her creamy skin was exposed.
Shu Yun's eyes sparkled with tears as she choked and said, "Brother, how is she?"
Xiao Ye frowned slightly, and seeing that he still didn't speak, Shu Yun cried anxiously. She stood up and hugged the man in front of her, tremblingly pulling his hand into her cloak.
His broad palm touched the snowy skin, leaving only a small piece of clothing underneath the cloak.
Only Xiaoyi.
The waist is slender and the waistline is smooth.
Xiao Ye's face darkened. Shu Yun's vision was blurred by tears, so she didn't notice that something was wrong with him. She took the man's hand and stroked Yingying.
Shu Yun cautiously tested the situation and choked up, "Brother, Yun'er was wrong. Is this sincerity okay?"
Xiao Ye suddenly pulled his hand away, tied the messy cloak back on her, and wrapped her up tightly.
Xiao Ye had a cold face and wiped the tears from her face with his fingertips. "She's fine. Her life is no longer in danger."
Just a few words were like the sound of nature, and Shu Yun breathed a sigh of relief. Before she could react, Xiao Ye carried her to the bed and laid her down. He pulled the quilt over her.
"Sister, please remember this night. I owe you this sincerity."
Xiao Ye went to get her pajamas and took off his fox fur cloak to put on her.
Although Xiao Ye had seen her from head to toe, Shu Yun still felt a little uncomfortable when she was dressed in pajamas like this. Her face was hot and red. After she finished dressing, she wrapped herself tightly in the quilt, tucked half of her head in, and turned her back to face him.
At night, Xiao Ye held her in his arms from behind and slept with her. Shu Yun was worried about the woman's injuries and couldn't sleep.
Xiao Ye seemed to know what she was thinking. He stroked her head and comforted her, "Don't worry. Doctor Wen said your life is no longer in danger. Get some good sleep."
Shu Yun was still worried.
…
The woman lying on the bed was unconscious, with white cloth wrapped around her head.
At daybreak, she woke up slowly, with a splitting headache, and remembered everything she had forgotten.
She has a name, Siqin, which was given to her by the young lady.
Later, when the young lady got married, she followed her to the Shen family as a dowry maid.
That year, the Tongtian Tower collapsed and the son-in-law was taken to prison, saying that he would be executed in the autumn. The lady mistakenly believed the dog marquis and asked him for help to save the son-in-law.
The Gou Hou agreed to save his son-in-law, but made a ridiculous request that his wife should follow him from then on.
The lady was so angry that she had a miscarriage and gave birth prematurely.
Just as the lady gave birth to a baby girl, soldiers came to the Shen Mansion to search the house. Siqin was entrusted by the lady to take the girl away through a secret passage to avoid being chased by the soldiers.
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