Chapter 128 Chapter 128 Husband and wife are birds of the same forest
The group of people delivering vegetables pushed the cart and headed straight for the city gate. After they walked three miles out of Shuzhou and saw the person standing at the intersection in front of them, they slowed down and went to meet him.
The leader bowed and called out, "Master."
Nan Yicheng nodded, his eyes fixed on the cart. The people in the cart seemed to have heard the noise outside and kept banging on the partition.
Nan Yicheng's gaze fixed, and he wanted to step forward to let the person out, but he was stopped by both sides.
"Master Bo has instructed that we won't be safe until we reach the capital. If we want to save Second Master's life, we must return without anyone noticing and don't show up on the road. Master, please be patient."
As if to confirm what he said, a disguised food delivery man raised his hand and slapped the partition. The martial artist had deep internal strength, and dust was raised on the partition. The person who was struggling hard just now gradually became motionless.
Nan Yicheng really wanted to see his brother, and was also worried that he might have suffered some hardship during his time locked up in the palace. However, Duan Wenpei's words were not entirely unreasonable.
After hesitating for a moment, he finally withdrew his hand silently.
"Thank you all for your help." Nan Yicheng said as he bent down and bowed deeply to the few people.
These people dared not stand for it and quickly moved aside. The leader took his arm and reassured him. The master had instructed that the lady's brother was also their master, and it was their duty to ensure his safety.
It was getting late, so they said a few brief words and then said goodbye and headed east.
Watching the figure gradually disappear at the intersection, Nan Yicheng lightly stepped on his horse's belly and went deep into the dense forest nearby.
*
When the wedding procession appeared in front of Fuze Pavilion, Nan Xu was pouring the pounded herbs into the medicine box.
When he raised his head to wipe the sweat off his face, his eyes met with the man sitting upright on a tall horse.
Duan Wenpei didn't expect her to look at him, and he turned his eyes away in surprise, feeling quite helpless like a guilty thief.
Nan Xu squinted her eyes and looked at him for a long time, her solemn and stern face reddening again and again.
Yin Ruizhu tapped her aching lower back and couldn't help but whisper in her ear: "It's not your first marriage, and you're still like a greenhorn."
Nan Xu wanted to laugh, but when she remembered who she was talking about, she calmed down and said, "Well, I didn't see him blush when I got married."
Yin Ruizhu was slightly stunned. "Then let's find someone who can blush next time."
Nan Xu neatly packed a bag of medicine and smiled at the wedding procession that had already passed by. "Okay."
Duan Wenpei, who was wondering what the look in Nan Xu's eyes meant just now, suddenly sneezed.
His eyes dimmed slightly, and he couldn't help wailing in his heart.
Well, someone must be scolding him...
The sounds of gongs, drums and suonas were deafening in his ears. He just looked down at his bright red wedding dress, his thoughts drifting away.
The wedding dress he wore on the day of his marriage to Nan Xu was redder and more complicated than this one. The marriage was personally granted by the emperor and was handled by the Ministry of Rites, so he hardly asked about it.
I won't ask anything.
After all, at that time, he didn't necessarily like her as his wife.
Therefore, the surprise when the veil was lifted on the wedding night was like the occasional ripples on a calm lake, which could not touch his calm heart.
But later, when he couldn't sleep at night, he could always remember the beautiful face behind the veil...
"Master, it's time to kick the sedan chair."
His thoughts were interrupted by Liu Hui's voice in his ear. He looked carefully and realized that he had unknowingly arrived at the gate of Zhao's mansion.
The bridesmaid looked at him with a smile, and he was surrounded by laughter and joy. Duan Wenpei glanced at the red silk stuffed into his hand, and the smile on the corner of his mouth disappeared silently.
"Has anyone been rescued?"
Liu Hui replied in a low voice: "It has been sent out."
Duan Wenpei walked towards the sedan chair and asked, "Has Yu Rong gone there?"
Liu Hui signaled the people who were carrying the sedan chair to hold it down, "Don't worry, sir, everything will be fine this time."
He raised his foot and kicked lightly, and there was immediate cheering all around. Someone came forward singing a blessing and scattering wedding candies everywhere. The sound of gongs, drums and suona started again, and the newlyweds were escorted over the fire basin and into the mansion.
In the main hall, relatives and friends gathered together, with Zhao Mingcheng and Qin waiting to be worshipped at the head.
The ceremonial officer shouted loudly, and the ceremony went smoothly. It was not until the end that Qin's mother and son, who had been waiting to watch the excitement, came to their senses. Just now, when they were paying their respects to their parents, Duan Wenpei did so without saying a word.
Worship her, the murderer of your mother?
Qin felt it was very strange, but couldn't tell what was strange about it.
While everyone was in the bridal chamber celebrating, she grabbed Zhao Huaian and asked him about her confusion.
Zhao Huaian was completely focused on General Chang Yi, who had not yet appeared, so he didn't care about her. He said a few perfunctory words of comfort and slipped out of the main hall.
The poison of Hanshi Powder had penetrated into her bone marrow. Her weak body was almost knocked off balance by Zhao Huaian. Zhao Huaiyou, who was a step behind her, happened to see this and reached out to support her.
"Mother, be careful."
After seeing who was coming, Qin pursed her lips and broke free from his support without hesitation, "Take care of yourself first."
As she spoke, the maids and servants around her gathered around her. Qin did not stop and walked towards the backyard opposite the bridal chamber.
Zhao Huaiyou felt the residual warmth in his palm and couldn't come back to his senses for a long time.
*
"I feel dizzy. Walk faster and ask them to prepare everything." After leaving the crowd behind, Qin could no longer hold on and fell all over the old servant, urging him to go back to his own yard.
The servants were used to it. They just felt that their master had been taking medicine more and more frequently recently, and the attacks were becoming more and more frequent. The old servant couldn't help but ask her, "Madam, do you want to ask a doctor to come and see?"
Before she could finish her words, Qin's harsh rebuke had already escaped her lips. "That's ridiculous! I'm fine, why would you hire a doctor? On this happy day, you're cursing me out of pure anger!"
The old servant quickly fell silent, not daring to persuade her any further. However, Qin seemed to have been enraged and kept cursing.
"Old hag, you're meddling in my business like a dog trying to catch a rat. How can you possibly interfere in my affairs? Why don't you look in the mirror and see how much you weigh... Letting that bastard marry my daughter from the Qin family is really giving him a bad deal. If An'er hadn't come to persuade me, how could I have sat there and watched him get married? A bastard is a bastard, and he's still a bastard even if he bows to me a thousand times—"
Someone bumped into her silently, and the cursing stopped abruptly.
The sound of the sharp blade piercing the flesh was dull and faint. If it were not for the sharp sound of the brocade robe being cut, it would be difficult for everyone to notice that the blood was flowing out of the abdomen of the always noble Qin.
Qin covered her wound, staring at the shadowy figure in front of her, and slid down weakly.
Before she collapsed, only one thought echoed in her mind—Who was it! Who dared to stab her? Find that person, and she would cut him into pieces!
"Doctor, hurry up, send for the doctor."
"Someone, come and save the lady."
......
"Why aren't you going yet?"
"Woo woo, the steward said that there's a big celebration in the mansion today, and the head of the family has specifically instructed that no doctors are allowed to enter the house, let alone the sight of blood. The steward asked us to carry the lady back to the courtyard first, and then we'll go report to the head of the family..."
Qin couldn't hear what was said next.
She clung tightly to the maid who had cared for her just now, as if she had grabbed a life-saving straw that she dared not let go...
*
At this moment, the head of the Zhao family invited all the guests to take their seats. After eating and drinking for a while, he left the table on the pretext of going to the bathroom and quietly went to the study.
He just happened to miss the manager who came to look for him.
In the study, Duan Wenpei, who was dressed in a wedding gown and should have been drinking at the banquet, was sitting upright in the armchair by the window. Opposite him sat a middle-aged man with a burly build but a lovely face.
When Zhao Mingcheng pushed the door open and walked in, the two were talking and laughing. After seeing the person coming in, they both stopped smiling at the same time.
Zhao Mingcheng was surprised, but he didn't show it on his face.
"I've been looking forward to my uncle finally coming. Please don't blame me for the poor hospitality from the Zhao family." He made way for Zhao Huaian behind him and introduced himself, "This is the eldest son of my family. As long as we are related, I should call you uncle."
Zhao Huaian bowed politely and called him "uncle" affectionately.
The middle-aged man stood still, looking at the man for a moment, then slowly corrected him, "Young Master, please don't address me like that. This general only has one niece, Hui'er, and I cannot bear to have you call me uncle."
Zhao Huaian's wife is the legitimate daughter adopted under the name of her stepmother. This is something that the Qin family and the Zhao family tacitly agreed upon. Zhao Mingcheng didn't expect Chang Yi to refuse so bluntly. His face froze and he explained calmly.
"General, what are you saying? Our two families are as close as one family, and the Zhao family and the general are even closer. Huai'an follows the third brother and calls the general uncle, which shows his respect and admiration for the general. The general deserves it."
"What's more," he smiled meaningfully and waved for the servants to add more tea, "the general has been childless for many years. We children call you uncle because we want to show our filial piety. If you need us in the future, you only need to call us, even if we have to go through fire and water, we will never say a word."
It was a well-known fact in the northwest that General Chang Yi's first wife died early, he never remarried, and had no children.
Behind his back, everyone praised him for his deep love for his first wife, and no one ever dared to reveal this scar in front of him.
Zhao Mingcheng mentioned it suddenly, and it was obvious that there was something else behind his words.
General Chang Yi slammed the teacup in his hand onto the table and said unhappily, "Master Zhao, just speak frankly. Why are you beating around the bush in front of me?"
The fish took the bait, and Zhao Mingcheng was secretly happy, but he didn't show it on his face.
He stroked his beard leisurely, thinking, and was about to speak when he caught a glimpse of Duan Wenpei, who had been sitting silently at the side. He couldn't help but change the subject, "Today is a good day for your wedding. Third brother, go out and entertain the guests. General, I and your eldest brother will accompany you here."
This means to get yourself out of the way.
Duan Wenpei glanced at him and said "OK" calmly. Just as he was about to stand up, General Chang Yi, who was sitting opposite him, stopped him.
"I am the most important guest today. Who does Patriarch Zhao want you to accompany?"
The words of the battle-hardened general carried great weight. After only a few encounters, Zhao Mingcheng and his son were already at a disadvantage and were being led by the nose.
Zhao Huaian had imagined many scenes of meeting General Chang Yi, and even dreamed of discussing important matters together and submitting to him, but it was definitely not the current situation.
Zhao Huaian frowned somewhat unhappily and was about to speak when Zhao Mingcheng glared back at him with a warning look.
Now he needs help from Chang Yi, how can I offend him!
"General, you're right. I wasn't thoughtful enough." He waved his hand with a forced smile and asked Duan Wenpei to sit down. "Since your uncle wants you to stay, then stay."
He emphasized the words "your uncle" so much that it made people feel nervous.
Chang Yi and Duan Wenpei knew what was going on. They looked at each other and silently picked up their teacups and took a sip.
They are not in a hurry, just waiting to see how long Zhao Mingcheng can endure.
Sure enough, Duan Wenpei's decision to stay made Zhao Mingcheng feel wary. He didn't want to reveal his plan to this son who was not on the same page with him, and he didn't want to show his despicable side in front of outsiders.
He stroked the statue of Guanyin on the table and remained silent for a long time.
The constant noise outside made the study even quieter and more depressing.
Zhao Huaian couldn't sit still and couldn't help but say to Chang Yi, "Now that your uncle is sitting here, what else does father have to worry about? In the past few years since Your Majesty ascended the throne, the court has been in turmoil and natural disasters have occurred frequently. Shu has even experienced the worst floods in hundreds of years. These are all punishments sent by heaven as a warning to the world. Uncle, there are traitors around Your Majesty who are harming the country!"
His words were undoubtedly like thunder out of the blue.
Chang Yi ignored his uncle and immediately scolded him in a low voice, "Absurd!"
Duan Wenpei tapped the table and followed suit, saying, "Big brother, be careful with your words."
Zhao Huaian, however, looked disapprovingly at Zhao Mingcheng, who was sitting at the head, and called out in grief, "Father, please say something."
What should he say?
Zhao Mingcheng was silent for a moment, his eyes fixed on the Guanyin statue in his hand.
The boss just tried it out, and Chang Yi's attitude was straightforward and decisive.
As for the third brother, it seems that he is determined to follow Chang Yi.
He looked up at the two men for a moment, thinking to himself, this doesn't look like the first time they've met...
Perhaps some things are out of your control and you need to think carefully.
"The child is rude and all he said was a joke, haha, just a joke..."
"Master, I have an urgent matter to report."
Zhao Mingcheng just showed some signs, but then quickly retreated. Chang Yi and Duan Wenpei were both a little surprised.
I was surprised and couldn't help but admire his keen insight.
It’s better to do it sooner rather than later. Just as I was thinking about how to seduce him and keep going, there was a rapid knock on the door.
The servant who had entered quickly approached Zhao Mingcheng and whispered something in his ear. However, a moment later, a hint of solemnity and surprise appeared on his calm face. He changed his previous attitude of waiting for further comments and looked solemnly at General Changyi, saying with eager anticipation, "Although it was a joke, our Zhao family's loyalty to the court is evident to all. To be honest, General, we wish to return to the capital to uphold justice and save Your Majesty and the court from this dire situation. However, the journey is long and steep, and we fear that the court will be unaware of our intentions and regard us as traitors. Therefore, we beg for your assistance, General."
He stood up and offered tea instead of wine, spoke sincerely, and made the rebellion sound reasonable and logical, which made people look at him sideways.
Zhao Huaian followed closely with a smile.
Both father and son looked eagerly at General Chang Yi, who had a solemn expression on his face.
It didn't look like he was begging, but rather like he was forcing someone to answer.
Duan Wenpei watched the scene in front of him silently, tapping the table with his fingertips, and a slight smile on his lips.
"Uncle, look..."
Chang Yi suddenly raised his hand and cupped his fist towards the east, sternly shouting, "This is truly absurd. I am loyal to my master, and I am the General Chang Yi appointed by His Majesty to guard the gateway to the east. Your Majesty has placed such trust in me, how could I be such a traitor!"
He glared at Zhao Mingcheng and his son angrily, his eyes piercing them like a knife, "If I had known you had such intentions, no matter how much Hui'er resented and hated me, I would never have allowed her to marry into your Zhao family." He snorted coldly at Duan Wenpei and demanded, "You are the Earl of Weiyang, personally appointed by His Majesty. Are you going to help the tyrant?!"
The general had a powerful voice, and Chang Yi's shouts made the eardrums of everyone present buzz, and they dared not look him in the eye.
Zhao Mingcheng had long expected Chang Yi's attitude, but it was himself, the rebellious son... He looked back at Duan Wenpei. He really wanted to know how he would answer Chang Yi's questions.
"I...Uncle, my last name is Zhao after all, and I have my father's blood in my body, I..." He hesitated to speak, with a conflicted look on his face, as if he was extremely distressed.
"Uncle, for Ah Hui's sake, please do me a favor."
"Shut up!"
Chang Yi was completely enraged by his words. He clenched his fists and glared at Duan Wenpei, his eyes filled with disappointment. "You are not allowed to call me uncle. I will take Ah Hui away right now. If you dare to stop me, don't blame me for being ruthless!"
After saying this, Chang Yi stopped arguing with the father and his two sons, and gripped the sword at his waist tightly, ready to rush out.
The servants had been guarding the entrance for a long time, waiting for the master's order to capture this man. Just as Chang Yi was about to push the door open, Zhao Mingcheng behind him finally shifted his gaze away from Duan Wenpei.
He calmly sat down on the chair next to Chang Yi, leisurely lifted the hem of his coat, crossed his legs, and looked at Chang Yi with confidence. "General, if you want to leave, I won't stop you. But before you go, I have a few words for you."
Chang Yi had just opened the door a crack when he heard the words. He turned his back to the three of them and asked coldly, "What are you talking about?"
Zhao Mingcheng laughed out loud, "I wonder if the general knows that when my late wife passed away, she was pregnant with a baby boy, eight months old, and it's a fully grown baby boy."
Chang Yi turned around suddenly, with fire in his eyes, "What on earth do you want to say!"
That's right.
Zhao Mingcheng stroked his beard proudly and said slowly, "General, don't you want to know where this baby boy is now?"
*
The sun gradually set and the drugstore became deserted.
Nan Xu leaned on the counter and watched several doctors sort out the pulse records from today's consultation.
Doctor Huo looked at her in a daze, hesitated for a moment and wanted to go forward, but was stopped by another elderly doctor halfway.
The old doctor looked frail, but he was very strong. He pinched people so hard that their arms ached. Doctor Huo could only watch helplessly as the old doctor dragged him to a corner.
"Young man, are you still not giving up?"
Doctor Huo shook off his grip, rubbed the place where he had pinched her, and muttered, "What do you know? I'm leaving soon, and before I go, I want to talk to Miss Nan again."
The old doctor opened his eyes wide in surprise, "Leaving? You're not going to Fuze Hall to see a doctor anymore?"
"Hmm." Doctor Huo sniffed and squatted against the wall. "My mother wants to go to Beijing to look for her relatives. I have to accompany her. I can also visit Kyoto. A man with great ambitions should be far-flung. How can he easily be confined to a small place like Shu?"
After saying this, he turned to look at the old man. Seeing that he was still staring at him with his cloudy eyes, he said with a bit of amusement, "Even if I tell you, you old man won't understand. Anyway, I don't mean to embarrass Miss Nan. After saying goodbye to Miss Nan, I will leave tomorrow." He reached out and patted the old man's shoulder, "You don't have to be on guard against me anymore."
After saying that, he stood up and walked towards Nan Xu on the counter under the astonished gaze of the old doctor.
His brows were relaxed and a calm smile was on his face. Although he was reluctant, he was more relieved.
Five steps, three steps, two steps... Nan Xu also noticed him, stood up and looked at him in confusion. Just as he was about to speak, a cry of surprise was heard from the pharmacy.
The man in black appeared out of nowhere, and rushed towards Nan Xu with his sword filled with murderous intent. The people in the shop had never seen such a scene before, and they all fled in panic.
Yin Ruizhu rushed over upon hearing the sound, picked up the pestle at hand and smashed it on the head of the approaching man in black, then moved towards Nan Xu.
However, the Fuze Hall was spacious, separated by several medicine cabinets, and was densely packed with men in black. No matter how brave Yin Ruizhu was, he could not move forward.
She glanced at Nan Xu and could only place her hopes on the old man and the young man who were protecting her.
The old man didn't say much, he was quick and agile, and every move he made was fatal.
The few who do...have courage.
Nan Xu gave Yin Ruizhu a reassuring look from afar, bent down and took out something from under the counter.
It was the bow that Duan Wenpei gave me.
She knew that things were not peaceful these days, so she carried a bow and arrow with her every day.
Judging from the situation, they are all coming for her, so she naturally can't just sit there and wait for death.
Doctor Huo was too weak to even tie a chicken and had no suitable weapon, so he had to pick up the chicken blood vine that had not been processed on the ground and wave it in the air.
Most of his head was cut off by the man in black in a few strokes. If the old doctor had not pulled him back in time, half of his head would have been cut off.
Doctor Huo was frightened half to death and retreated tremblingly behind the old doctor, but he still forced himself to open his arms and protect Nan Xu like an old hen protecting her chicks.
"Miss Nan, don't be afraid, I will protect you..."
"Swoosh, swoosh, swoosh"
The arrow was like a meteor that died halfway, darting left and right in this limited space. Doctor Huo wanted to turn back, but Nan Xu held his shoulders.
"Don't move. You cover me while I nock my arrows and shoot them."
The woman's voice exploded in his ears. It was not as gentle and easy-going as usual, but more firm and decisive.
Doctor Huo was so obsessed with his work that he was too stunned to dodge and was scratched on the arm by the man in black.
Blood instantly soaked through his clothes. Pain surged over him and he gathered his consciousness. He gritted his teeth and pressed the bleeding wound, took a horse stance, raised his shoulders, and signaled Nan Xu to put the bow and arrow up.
Nan Xu no longer hesitated and shot a few more arrows.
Several people fought and retreated, and for a while the whole Fuze Hall was filled with the sound of smashing and smashing.
This commotion naturally alarmed the passers-by outside.
People gathered and dispersed.
After a while, the man in black discovered that the arrows shot by Nan Xu were just for show and had no killing power, so he could not help but increase his offensive, and every step was a killing move.
Seeing that they had reached the medicine cabinet and had nowhere to retreat, the old doctor was gradually losing the upper hand. Nan Xu couldn't help but feel anxious. She was about to ask the men in black to stop and let everyone go. When she followed them, many people rushed into the pharmacy, led by Yu Rong who was beside Duan Wenpei and... Li Zhan who was accompanied by several yamen runners.
With their joining, the leader of the men in black knew that his plan to kidnap Nan Xu would probably not work. He resisted for a while, threw down a few smoking bullets, and then withdrew.
Yu Rong was the first to rush over to check if Nan Xu was injured, and asked someone to quickly bandage the injured old doctor and Doctor Huo.
Yin Ruizhu was also slightly injured. Nan Xu took the gauze on the counter and was about to apply medicine to her, but was stopped by Yu Rong.
"This group's target is Madam. The pharmacy is not safe. Madam, please follow me first."
Nan Xu said nothing, just squatted down and applied medicine to Yin Ruizhu.
"lady!"
"You should be staying with Duan Wenpei right now instead of saving me."
Yu Rong was a little anxious. "My master is very skilled and has people to look after him. I was just worried about Madam, so I sent me here. Madam, you should understand me."
Nan Xu paused, "If this place isn't safe, where is safe? Where are you going to take me?"
Seeing her relax, Yu Rong leaned over and whispered, "Master means to return to Kyoto, leave now."
Nan Xu carefully bandaged Yin Ruizhu and said without looking up, "My brothers are all here, my husband is here too, as well as Ruizhu and Fuze Pavilion. Isn't it too late to return to Beijing now?"
This was a matter of life and death, and Yu Rong, a stubborn man, couldn't understand why Nan Xu was still hesitating.
"Madam, the Second Master has been rescued by our people and sent to Kyoto. You don't have to worry. As for the First Master... our people will keep him safe. Now it's only Madam who is at our side. If you leave quickly, the Master will have nothing to worry about. Please leave immediately."
Time was running out, Yu Rong didn't care about Nan Xu's identity and immediately asked someone to escort her away.
She didn't want to, so he tried to force her to leave. "Madam, I'm sorry."
How could Nan Xu obey? She raised her hand and drew the bow, pointing the weapon at Yu Rong.
"lady!"
"Ah Xu, no!" Li Zhan couldn't help but take a step forward, "We can talk it over."
Li Zhan's behavior surprised Yu Rong, and so did Nan Xu.
"When did you become so close to Duan Wenpei's people?"
"No, I happened to meet Master Li on the way here. He heard the news and came to rescue the lady."
Yu Rong was eager to distance himself from the matter.
Li Zhan remained calm. "Ah Xu, although I dislike Duan Wenpei, I agree with him when it comes to protecting you. Shu is in turmoil. If we stay here any longer, who knows what will happen. Returning to the capital is at least safer than here."
I haven't seen Li Zhan for some time. Now taking a closer look, he looks thinner and more haggard, but his eyes are surprisingly bright.
Nan Xu was now able to face him calmly.
"I still say the same thing. As long as Duan Wenpei is here, I won't go alone." She slowly put away the arrow, her attitude still firm. "He and I are husband and wife. We were, we are, and we will always be. Husband and wife are one, sharing happiness and hardship. I will not abandon him and return to Beijing. Never!"
The powerful words echoed in the ears for a long time, and the way people looked at Nan Xu changed from confusion and anxiety to understanding and admiration.
Yes, husband and wife should support each other and never leave each other.
Yu Rong was a little hesitant, but because of his master's order, he didn't know what to do. He hesitantly advised, "But Madam, what can you do to help me? Forgive my disrespect, but your archery skills can't protect you at all, and will only distract me."
Nan Xu looked down at the bow and arrow in his hand, then looked around at the arrows that either shot into the pillars or fell to the ground. For the first time, he faced the fact that his archery skills were really not good.
"Indeed... I probably can't help him..." A moment of confusion flashed across her eyes, but she quickly regained her resolve. "But once I leave Shu and return to Beijing, those who want to capture me will no longer have the leverage to threaten Duan Wenpei. If they force him into a corner and risk everything, they might even kill your master without hesitation."
"Better to stay still than to move. You've already escorted my second brother out of the city. How do you know King Yi and Zhao Mingcheng haven't noticed? If they do, they'll definitely seal the city gates. We'll be trapped then. Even if we do get out, we probably won't get far." Glancing around, Nan Xu smiled confidently. "I'm the owner of Fuze Pavilion. I won't abandon you all and go alone. Yu Rong, or anyone at Fuze Pavilion, if escorting me puts you in danger, I'd rather stay in Shuzhou City."
"But Master said..." Nan Xu's words had convinced Yu Rong, but he was still a little hesitant. After all, he didn't dare to disobey Duan Wenpei's orders.
"Listen to your wife. I don't think Wei Yangbo will blame you." Li Zhan looked at Nan Xu quietly, the light in his eyes brighter than the stars in the dark night.
Nan Xu turned her face away, pretending not to see it.
*
Fukuzawakan closed that night and put up a sign saying it was closed.
After Nan Xu and Yin Ruizhu comforted everyone in the pharmacy and repeatedly warned them not to wander around in the next few days, they went to the villa under Yu Rong's escort.
Although Yu Rong temporarily obeyed Nan Xu's arrangement and secretly sent a message to Duan Wenpei, Li Zhan, who was walking behind, saw the messenger leave, turned his head and looked deeply at Nan Xu who was protected by everyone, then quietly left the team and walked in the opposite direction.
He took a few quick steps but couldn't move his feet. He turned around and looked at the figure that was getting farther and farther away. Complex emotions kept surging in his heart, making him feel uncomfortable.
The fingers hanging on both sides slowly curled up, he smiled bitterly, and finally left without looking back.
There are not many people in the villa.
Only Ruyi and a few maids were still guarding the courtyard where Nanxu lived. Nanxu asked if Princess Jingyi, who had been recuperating since her miscarriage, was there. Ruyi and the others shook their heads and said that the princess had been taken away by the prince consort's men early in the morning.
Only then did Nan Xu realize that Li Zhan was nowhere to be seen.
Yu Rong wanted to ask someone to chase after him, but was stopped by Nan Xu.
"Let him be."
"I'm afraid he might do something bad to my Lord." Yu Rong gestured to the left and right to chase him.
Nan Xu stopped trying to stop them and just told them to pack up quickly. "People who are forced to do things for themselves can at least live for themselves. I'm afraid your people won't be able to catch up with him."
Just as Nan Xu expected, the people who were sent out came back after a while and said that they could not find any trace of Li Zhan.
Although Yu Rong was surprised that Li Zhan, a scholar, ran so fast, after all, protecting Nan Xu's safety was his mission, so he did not delve into it any further and just urged everyone to pack up and set off quickly.
They didn't want to leave Shu, but they also couldn't be found by anyone. Nan Xu and Yu Rong discussed it and finally decided to stay temporarily at the inn at the foot of the mountain leading to the secret passage.
It is a remote and secluded place with not many people coming and going. You can go in or out, so it is the best choice at the moment.
Ruyi and several other servants were left in the villa by Nan Xu. On the one hand, those people would not make things difficult for the servants sent by the prefect, and on the other hand, it could create the illusion that they were still in the villa to confuse the other party.
After everything was arranged, everyone changed into simple and inconspicuous clothes and left the villa under the cover of night, heading west.
*
The night was dark, and Nan Xu and Yin Ruizhu rode side by side on horseback.
"You didn't lock the warehouse behind the pharmacy, did you?" Nan Xu tightened her cloak and leaned down to minimize the invasion of the cold wind.
Yin Ruizhu glanced back and replied briefly, "Don't worry."
Those boxes of muskets were still placed in the innermost warehouse. The two men had agreed long ago that if the situation changed, they could lock any of the rooms, but the one at the back must be left open to make it convenient for the prefect's men to take things.
Nan Xu was naturally relieved when she saw Yin Ruizhu doing things.
Just as everyone was heading west under the cover of night, Duan Wenpei, who was supposed to enter the bridal chamber, was also heading towards the western suburbs camp under the cover of night.
There were several thousand Fuhu troops stationed here. In addition to the Fuhu troops, there was also the Zhenbei army that had just arrived. In the central army tent, Wang Songqing was surrounding the King of Wings to check the sand table. Unexpectedly, the curtain was lifted from the outside, and Zhao Mingcheng, Duan Wenpei and others walked in.
King Yi first noticed the somewhat reluctant General Chang Yi.
In the past, when they were in Kyoto, Chang Yi came to Beijing to report on his work, and the two had met. At that time, the late emperor was still alive, and he was the most favored prince and the one with the greatest hope of becoming the crown prince.
Many years have passed, and when we met again, everything had changed.
King Yi pushed Wang Songqing in front of him aside and walked towards Chang Yi.
Chang Yi was very well-behaved. Even though he was under duress and even though he knew what these people wanted to do, he still performed the ritual of king and subject to King Yi.
"The dust has settled. Your Highness should not harbor any more unreasonable thoughts. If nothing else, you should also think about the Concubine Dowager trapped in the palace."
Chang Yi still wanted to try his best to persuade him.
Who among these generals stationed at the border would not want to follow a wise ruler to expand the territory?
In his later years, the late emperor had the intention of maintaining the status quo, and he made large-scale military cuts and placed more emphasis on civil officials. Although Prince Yi was young, his thinking was also younger than that of the late emperor.
It was just a twist of fate. Who would have expected that Emperor Xuanwu, who had always been ignored, would ascend the throne smoothly.
Although this Majesty cannot match the military strategy of King Yi, he is much better than the late emperor.
The emperor is in his prime and the government is stable. The consequences of launching an uprising to purge the court at this time are difficult to estimate.
Not to mention the loss of manpower and money, if the year is bad and there is a famine like the one in Shu, the barbarians in the north will take advantage of the domestic unrest to march south, and if things go wrong, they will be attacked from both sides.
Those in power abuse their power for personal gain, bringing suffering to the country and the common people.
Chang Yi didn't want to see this scene.
He couldn't bow deeply, and ignored Zhao Mingcheng and others behind him, only pleading: "Your Highness, please think twice before acting, for the sake of the hundreds of thousands of people in the northwest!"
Think twice before acting?
King Yi was about to go forward to help him up, but after hearing this, he looked at Zhao Mingcheng and others behind him with some displeasure.
That look seemed to be asking for censure. Didn't they say they had persuaded Chang Yi to serve them? Why did they look like a minister coming to make a remonstration?
Zhao Mingcheng gave King Yi a look that urged him to stay calm and nudged Duan Wenpei with his elbow.
Zhao Huaian would naturally not be allowed to do anything that would offend the prince.
These little movements did not escape the eyes of King Yi. He put his hands behind his back and watched with a cold face how the Zhao father and son would deal with the current embarrassing situation.
Duan Wenpei understood what Zhao Mingcheng and King Yi were thinking.
He raised his eyelids, stepped forward, took Chang Yi's arm and helped him up, and said with a smile: "The general is also thinking about His Highness. His Highness is magnanimous and will naturally not embarrass the general."
His words undoubtedly put King Yi in a difficult position.
Now that he needs people, King Yi hopes that Chang Yi will obediently open the door to the east and will not offend him.
Being angry and unhappy is just an act to maintain one's dignity.
What King Yi wanted was for Duan Wenpei to warn Chang Yi and give him a way out, not to put him in a predicament like this.
He squinted his eyes and looked at this 'former cousin-in-law' seriously for the first time.
"Hahaha, Huaizhou still understands me." King Yi's expression changed several times, and finally laughed. "General, what you said makes sense. As the son of the late emperor, how could I not understand this truth?"
"It's just..." He paused, pushed Duan Wenpei aside, took Chang Yi's hand and walked into the tent, "Your Majesty is really suspicious of me. We are brothers, and for the sake of the country and the people, or for the sake of brotherhood, I must always consider myself. Clearing the court of Your Majesty means clearing out the ministers around Your Majesty who are slandering you and protecting our dynasty for a hundred years." He reached out and patted the back of Chang Yi's hand, speaking earnestly, "General, you can't even show me this little bit of favor, right?"
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