Chapter 195: Liangzhou City is in crisis
"Brother, I'm glad to be your sister too."
After Ye Chutang finished speaking, he let go of Song Jingning and wiped the tears from the corners of his eyes.
She asked curiously, "Brother, when did you first start to doubt it?"
Song Jingning couldn't stop crying, he wiped his tears again and again, his voice hoarse.
"Back when I was at Hua Ting Academy, my father asked about your twin brother openly and secretly, and I became suspicious."
After saying that, he touched Ye Chutang's head, and tears blurred his vision again.
"I'm sorry for not recognizing you sooner and not taking care of you."
What made him most uncomfortable was that while he was being pampered in the Song family, his sister was suffering in the countryside.
It was as if his happiness was built on his sister's pain.
Ye Chutang felt uncomfortable as well when he saw Song Jingning crying.
"Brother, you are not wrong. The one who is wrong is the ungrateful Ye family."
After saying that, she grabbed Song Jingning's arm, looked up at him, and forced a bright smile.
"The past is not important. We have all grown up well now. If mother knew, she would definitely be very happy."
These words made Song Jingning even more uncomfortable.
"Sister, you have suffered."
"Then you should be nicer to me in the future and make me twice as sweet in return."
"Okay, I will work hard and be your strong backer so that no one dares to bully you!"
Ye Chutang took Song Jingning's arm and winked playfully.
"I'm so fierce, no one can bully me."
Song Jingning wiped away her tears and looked at Ye Chutang lovingly.
"My sister is both talented in literature and martial arts. My brother is ashamed of himself."
After saying that, he felt distressed again.
"Sister, you were bullied in the countryside, but you are still good at both literature and martial arts. It must be hard, right?"
Ye Chutang shook his head.
“As long as I think about working harder, I can live the way I want. I won’t feel tired, I will just feel full of energy.
Brother, don’t think about the past. We should all look forward and be happy. ”
Song Jingning looked at the open-minded and optimistic Ye Chutang, and a smile finally appeared on his face.
"Okay, happy!"
Seeing that he was in a better mood, Ye Chutang mentioned Ye Jingchuan.
"Brother, what do you think about the Ye family?"
Song Jingning knew that Ye Chutang hated the Ye family.
The same goes for him.
"Sister, not being able to join you in avenging my mother is the biggest regret of my life."
The only person he wanted to recognize was his sister, not his family.
The Ye family "killed" him, so even if he didn't stay in the Song family, he would not have anything to do with the Ye family.
"We are brother and sister, it doesn't matter who takes revenge."
After Ye Chutang finished speaking, he asked, "Brother, you went to Liangzhou City to check your background, right?"
Song Jingning nodded, his red eyes tinged with smile.
"That was my original plan, but after I met you and used the medicine you gave me, I decided to trick you."
"In the end, every time I cheated, it worked."
"This is the first time and the last time."
Ye Chutang listened to Song Jingning's assurance and joked with a smile.
"Every failure is a learning experience. Even if it's not the last time, you can't trick me anymore."
She thought they had talked long enough, so she started asking about business.
"Brother, are you going directly to Tianshan County next?"
"I will still go to Liangzhou City. I haven't been to my grandparents' house for a long time. The Song family raised me and they are my family for life."
"It's natural. The grace of giving birth is not as great as the grace of raising a child."
Ye Chutang let go of Song Jingning's arm and looked at him seriously.
"Brother, it's a long journey to Tianshan County, and there may be unexpected accidents on the way. I want to send someone to protect you."
She didn't want something like what happened today to happen again.
Song Jingning quickly refused.
"Sister, no need. I will travel all the way to Tianshan County. There will be no danger. You need more people to protect you."
When traveling for study, each time you go to a new academy, you will be escorted by people from the previous academy.
Moreover, he would release the route in advance so that no one would go against his will.
This time he was robbed and killed by the bandits because he was in a hurry to travel and only gave them a pass without revealing his identity.
Otherwise, no matter how courageous Magistrate Zhang was, he would not rob and kill the world-famous Master Haoyue.
Ye Chutang said without questioning: "Brother, these ten secret guards are my sister's gift to you. You are not allowed to refuse."
As soon as these words came out, Song Jingning immediately agreed.
"Okay, I'll listen to my sister."
He took out an amulet from his arms and handed it to Ye Chutang.
"This is the amulet I personally asked for at Pudu Temple. It can bring peace. You must carry it with you."
Yellow and white things are too superficial. The amulet obtained by kneeling on ninety-nine steps is more meaningful.
Of course, this is not a meeting gift.
When he arrives in Tianshan County, he will hold a family reunion banquet and give everything he has to his sister.
Ye Chutang took the amulet and put it in his arms.
"Thanks bro, I'll always carry it with me. We've been talking for a long time, it's time to get going."
Song Jingning felt a little reluctant and hugged Ye Chutang gently.
"See you in Tianshan County."
Ye Chutang hugged Song Jingning back, "Okay, see you in Tianshan County!"
The two siblings let go of each other and smiled at each other.
Then he calmed down and returned to the kitchen in the backyard of the government office.
Song Jingning said goodbye to everyone.
"I promised the students to teach in the teahouse, so I'll go ahead."
"Mr. Song, take care."
After Song Jingning left, Wu Chenggang said, "Find a place to rest and leave on time at 3:30 pm."
Although a lot of time was wasted today, we took a section of official road, which saved us some distance and did not delay our progress.
The county government office is large, so it is easy to find a place to rest.
The Qi family rested in the court.
Ye Chutang just lay down and then stood up.
Qi Yanzhou immediately asked with concern: "Atang, is the floor too hard and uncomfortable to sleep on? I'll go get you a mattress."
"No, I just feel a little uncomfortable in my stomach and want to go to the toilet. You rest first, I'll be back soon."
After saying that, she asked the yamen runner about the location of the toilet and went there alone.
Qi Yanzhou thought that there were many men in the county government office, so he followed them.
Ye Chutang noticed it, but didn't say anything.
Because she knew that Qi Yanzhou followed her because he was worried, but he would keep his distance wisely.
There were many people in the county government office, and there were three toilets, all with "No One" signs hung on the doors.
Ye Chutang chose the innermost one.
After entering, she went into the space, changed into men's clothes, then put on a mask and teleported to the bandits' lair.
There are still quite a few people in the village, but most of them are women.
They looked numb, and must have been kidnapped to the mountain village for the bandits' entertainment and use.
Ye Chutang thought that the police would come soon to suppress the bandits, so he did not meddle in other people's business.
She used her earth-related abilities to sense the layout of the village and quickly found the village owner's room.
As soon as I emerged from the soil, I heard the man panting heavily.
"Lian'er, I've already made plans. Please bear with me for a while."
This was followed by the woman's broken moans.
"Second Master, you have to hurry up. If the village chief knows that the baby I'm carrying is yours, we'll both die."
"In a month at most, I can take over as the village chief!"
"Also, stay away from those bitches. It's exhausting to find excuses to beat them up every few days."
Ye Chutang's eyes were slightly cold as he came to the bed.
A person suddenly appeared beside the bed covered with animal skins, and scared the two people who were exercising to death.
The second in command wanted to call for help, but was afraid of being discovered doing something scandalous with the wife of the bandit leader.
"You...you...who are you?"
Ye Chutang killed the second in command without saying a word.
Blood splattered all over the wife's face, and she screamed in fear...
Before the sound could escape from the throat, the blood-stained dagger landed on the slender neck.
She immediately shut up and burst into tears.
"Please spare my life, sir!"
Ye Chutang pressed the mute xue of the wife of the chieftain and disassembled her limbs.
She looted all the valuables from the village chief's room.
The wife of the bandit leader fainted from fright when she saw that things disappeared wherever Ye Chutang passed.
Soon, she was awakened by the scalding hot tea.
She couldn't make a sound, only darkness, pain and hideousness.
Ye Chutang pressed his index finger to his lips, "Shh, don't shout, or I will stab my dagger into your stomach and kill you both!"
After saying this, he freed the wife from muteness.
The wife of the chieftain bit her lower lip tightly to prevent herself from groaning in pain.
"The village chief must have stolen more loot than what's in the room. Where are the others? Just tell me and I'll spare your life."
"In the cave in the back mountain, there are many people guarding it. The key to open the stone door is in the hands of the village owner."
"Where is the second-in-command's room?"
"Diagonally opposite."
As soon as the wife of the bandit leader finished speaking, Ye Chutang cut her neck.
She looked at the woman with eyes as big as copper bells, felt the increased merit, and smiled brightly.
"I never talk to trash."
After saying this, in order to avoid any further complications, she buried the second in command and the chief's wife deep underground.
When Ye Chutang took away all the treasures in the second in command's room and the cave and returned to the toilet in the county government office, only an incense stick of time had passed.
She changed into the smelly clothes that she had deliberately placed in the toilet, opened the door and came out.
Qi Yanzhou hurried over and asked, "Is your stomach feeling better?"
Just as Ye Chutang was about to answer, he dry heaved.
“It stinks.”
In ancient times, toilets were generally dry toilets, and only the homes of high-ranking officials would have special people arranged to clean them.
If no one cleans it, and the temperature is high in summer, you can imagine the smell.
Qi Yanzhou took Ye Chutang's hand and said, "I'll take you somewhere."
There is a small garden in the backyard of the county government office, which is elegantly built. It is where Magistrate Zhang's concubine spends time.
There is a small pond in the garden, full of lotus leaves.
White lotus buds are dotted among them.
The scorching summer breeze blows through the lotus pond, bringing the refreshing smell of lotus leaves.
Ye Chutang came to the pavilion beside the pond and saw the lotus pods at first sight, which made him salivate with desire.
Just as she was about to pick them, Qi Yanzhou took action before her.
He tiptoed and flew over the lotus pond. With one hand he plucked two lotus pods and landed them on the opposite side.
When he returned to Ye Chutang, he was holding eight lotus pods.
"Atang, you eat first, I'll go pick some for you."
Ye Chutang quickly pulled Qi Yanzhou back and said, "We have to eat fresh lotus pods. It's not too late to pick them before we set off."
After saying that, she gave four lotus pods to Qi Yanzhou.
Qi Yanzhou was not interested in the lotus pod, but he took it and peeled the lotus seeds.
Ye Chutang looked at the plump white lotus seeds handed to him and refused, "Lotus seeds are cold in nature, I shouldn't eat too much, you eat it."
Qi Yanzhou gave the lotus seeds to Ye Chutang and took away her lotus pod.
"I don't want to eat it. I'll give it to mom later."
After eating the lotus seeds, Ye Chutang moved to Qi Yanzhou and leaned on his shoulder.
"You saw it before, didn't you?"
She asked without any context, but Qi Yanzhou knew what she was talking about.
"I see. So Song Jingning is your twin brother?"
He saw that Ye Chutang and Song Jingning had been away for too long, so he went to look for them.
I just happened to see the two of them hugging each other.
He knew that Ye Chutang was not a fickle person, and he immediately figured out the reason.
He then quietly stepped aside and kept watch for the two of them.
Ye Chutang hugged Qi Yanzhou's arm and slid her chin across his shoulder, causing a ticklish feeling from the friction.
"Well, so I want to arrange the ten best 'Night Furies' to secretly protect my brother until he arrives in Tianshan County."
Now "Night Demon" is managed by Qi Yanzhou's people, and people can only be transferred through him.
"Okay, I'll tell Nan Xiao later. Ten Night Furies and I'll provide ten of them to ensure your brother's safety."
Ye Chutang felt that this was safer, as it prevented the "Night Fury" from holding Song Jingning hostage and threatening her in turn.
"Just do as you say."
***
The exile team set out on time at 3:30 p.m.
Before leaving, Qi Yanzhou picked all the lotus pods in the lotus pond.
He also picked some lotus leaves according to Ye Chutang's instructions and made beggar's chicken in the evening.
Then I filled a bucket with water and put the lotus pods and leaves in to keep them fresh.
Ye Chutang went to the toilet again, teleported to Magistrate Zhang's house, and took away all the valuables.
Then continue on the road to exile.
When leaving, many people gave gifts to the Qi family.
Qi Yanzhou couldn't refuse the kindness, so, just like before, he picked out some useful things to take away.
When leaving the city, Song Jingning, who was waiting at the city gate, got off the car and handed Ye Chutang a bundle.
"Thank you for the medicine, Madam Qi. This is a return gift. Please accept it."
Ye Chutang knew that the bundle contained Song Jingning's love, so he accepted it.
"Mr. Song, see you again if we are lucky."
Song Jingning suppressed his reluctance and put on a smile.
"See you again if we are lucky."
After saying that, he got on the carriage and headed towards Liangzhou City along the official road.
The exile team continued to circle back to the trail.
Three days later, they arrived at Liangzhou City.
Whenever the officials escorting the exiles arrived at a prefecture, they had to report to the government and rest for a day at the post station.
Liangzhou is adjacent to the capital, and is large and prosperous.
Qi Yanzhou thought that his elder sister Qi Qingyu would come to meet him at the city gate, but he didn't see her.
Wu Chenggang gave the document of exile to the general guarding the city.
After reading it, the general returned the document to Wu Chenggang and arranged for his men to send the exile team to the prefectural government.
After Ye Chutang took a few steps, he looked back.
The Ye family and the National Protection Army blocked her view and she saw nothing.
But her intuition told her that Liangzhou City was not safe!
After seeing Ye Chutang's actions, Qi Yanzhou held her hand.
"Don't worry, it'll be fine."
He was not worried about the safety of his family, but he was worried about his sister who was married to the second son of Chen, the magistrate of Liangzhou.
Ye Chutang noticed that Qi Yanzhou's palms were sweating and knew that he was worried about Qi Qingyu.
"Sister will be fine."
Qi Yanzhou nodded slightly, "Sister is smart and kind, she will definitely be rewarded."
The group walked for about two quarters of an hour and finally arrived at the prefectural government.
The Zhizhou Mansion is the largest government office in Liangzhou, and its grandeur is comparable to the Jingzhao Mansion in the capital.
The officers and soldiers guarding the city explained the situation to the yamen runners and then left.
The bailiff entered the government office to report.
After half an hour, the bailiff came back.
Accompanying him was the Tongpan Zhishi.
The magistrate bowed to Wu Chenggang.
"I am Yuan Ting, the prefect of Tongpan. Please forgive me, my lord. The prefect was just trying a prisoner. I am sorry to have kept you waiting for so long. Please come in."
Wu Chenggang couldn't figure out whether it was true or just a deliberate show of power from Cao Zhizhou.
He nodded seriously and walked into the prefectural government.
The Zhao family was stopped by Yuan Ting.
"Prisoners are not allowed to use the front entrance."
He called the yamen runners and led the three families in through a small door.
Zhao Mingxu had never been humiliated like this before, and said coldly: "I'm not a criminal!"
"Commoners cannot use the front gate either."
This left Zhao Mingxu speechless. After glaring at Yuan Ting, he reluctantly entered through the small door.
Ye Chutang didn't care about these rules, but she saw one thing from Yuan Ting's attitude.
The gate of this prefectural government is easy to enter but difficult to exit!
After entering the government office, Yuan Ting said to Wu Chenggang, "Sir Wu, the post station was flooded this morning and is being repaired. You will all stop by the prefectural government office."
As soon as these words were spoken, everyone noticed something unusual.
Wu Chenggang frowned, "What a coincidence?"
Yuan Ting looked apologetic, "Accidents are unpredictable. Don't worry, Lord Wu. Magistrate Cao said that he will not neglect you."
"Can I see Lord Cao?"
"Once I have settled everyone down, I will take Lord Wu to see Magistrate Cao."
Wu Chenggang nodded, "Okay, you arrange it."
The Qi, Zhao and Ye families were divided into three places.
The Ye family was a real group of exiled prisoners and was put in prison.
After all, the Zhao family was a royal family and got a side courtyard.
The Qi family, who requested exile, were sent to a dilapidated courtyard.
The yard had been simply cleaned, but was still dirty.
In order to prevent the prisoners from escaping, Han Chong sent thirty National Defense Army soldiers to guard the courtyard.
Every two hours, a new group of people will be on duty to ensure that everyone can maintain their combat effectiveness.
Although the Ye family members were in prison and it was difficult for them to escape, he still sent ten people over.
The Zhao family also hired ten people to take turns to guard the place just in case.
Those who did not need to be on duty were arranged by Yuan Ting to stay in the guest house.
After everything was settled, he took Wu Chenggang and Han Chong to meet Governor Cao.
Cao Zhizhou was about fifty years old, very thin, and had sharp eyes.
Wu Chenggang had dealt with him before, but this was the first time he felt oppressed.
"Master Cao, we meet again."
Magistrate Cao did not greet Wu Chenggang as usual.
"Master Wu, let's get down to business first."
Wu Chenggang immediately took out the documents and together with Cao Zhizhou checked and reported the list of exiled prisoners and escorting officials.
After confirming that it was correct, Magistrate Cao stamped his seal on the document.
"Master Wu, please go and rest first. Someone will notify you to eat later."
After saying that, he looked at Han Chong.
"Master Han, I have something to discuss with you."
When Wu Chenggang heard this, he stood up immediately.
"You two adults can chat slowly. I'm going to rest first."
His official position was not as high as that of a prefect, but because he was a Beijing official, Cao Liang spoke politely.
When Yuan Ting led Wu Chenggang away, he closed the door considerately.
Cao Zhizhou's eyes suddenly became sharp when he looked at Han Chong.
“Master Han, how come the Qi family has been unharmed since they were exiled?”
As the deputy commander of the Dragon Guard, Han Chong has endured the pressure from the emperor too many times and has long been calm.
The oppression deliberately unleashed by Magistrate Cao seemed like a joke to him.
He looked at him coldly, "Master Cao, are you questioning me?"
"I am asking on behalf of the Emperor!"
The emperor has woken up, but his health is not as good as before. He has not attended court and the crown prince is temporarily acting as regent.
But the actual situation is that Eunuch De has complete control over the court.
In other words, even if Magistrate Cao received an order from the capital, it was the intention of Eunuch De.
Han Chong looked at Cao Zhizhou who was holding a chicken feather as a token of authority and stretched out his hand.
"Master Cao, please take out the object that represents the emperor."
Magistrate Cao snorted coldly and took out the gold medal bestowed by the emperor that read "As if I were present in person".
"Master Han, is this object heavy enough?"
Han Chong immediately knelt on one knee.
"Long live the emperor!"
Magistrate Cao took back the gold medal with satisfaction and a haughty look on his face.
"Tell me, why did the Qi family make it to Liangzhou City intact?"
Han Chong stood up and sat down below Cao Zhizhou.
“Because the Emperor’s plan to collude with the Northern Barbarians to assassinate the Qi family not only failed, but it also became known to everyone.
Later, they ambushed in the canyon under the guise of bandits, but were discovered by the Qi family and the crisis was resolved.
Soon after, he encountered real mountain bandits who robbed Master Haoyue, so he went to Xun County to help the emperor fill the treasury.
It only took three days to get from Xun County to Liangzhou. I don't have the ability to set a deadly trap for the Qi family in such a short time. ”
What he said was well-reasoned and even if Magistrate Cao had doubts, he could not find any fault with it.
So, he deliberately asked: "Master Cao, if it were you, could you do better than me?"
Without waiting for Cao Zhizhou to answer, he added another sentence.
"If possible, please give me some advice, Lord Cao, and help me complete the task of eradicating the Qi family. I promise to promote Lord Cao to a higher position!"
Han Chong retreated to advance, leaving Cao Liang speechless.
"The Emperor sent Lord Han to deal with the Qi family because he is so capable that I cannot even begin to compare to him."
Han Chong picked up the tea that had long gone cold and drank it all in one gulp.
"Lord Cao is too modest. I am just being more cautious. The Qi family is very alert now. If I can't kill them with one strike, I won't take action.
Now, the people all feel that the emperor is willing to collaborate with the enemy in order to scheme against loyal ministers and generals, causing the prestige of the Qi family to rise rapidly, so they must act with caution. ”
Cao Liang nodded in agreement.
But he still didn't trust Han Chong.
He narrowed his eyes, stared at Han Chong's face, and asked again.
"Master Han, what do you think about Ye Chutang helping the Qi family openly or secretly?"
In fact, his deeper meaning is.
The Dragon Guard was saved by Ye Chutang. If she disobeyed the emperor's order and protected the Qi family, who would the Dragon Guard side with?
Han Chong understood the hidden meaning behind Cao Liang's words.
He said seriously: "I asked Miss Ye, and she said that if you want to successfully backstab the Qi family, you must first gain their trust."
"What if she doesn't intend to deal with the Qi family, and is just saying this to delay the war?"
"Then she will die from having her tendons broken because she doesn't have the antidote for the Broken Bones Powder!"
Cao Zhizhou withdrew his gaze, picked up the purple clay cup, and took a sip of tea.
He asked casually, "Master Han owes Ye Chutang a life-saving favor, will he watch her die?"
Han Chong's eyes were filled with murderous intent, "If she betrays the emperor, she deserves death!"
Cao Liang knew Han Chong's identity as a Dragon Guard and nodded with satisfaction.
“Sir Han, let’s talk about the plan to keep the lives of the Qi family in Liangzhou City.”
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