Chapter 181 Picking Stars

It was rare to see something new in Shangzhou. Suddenly, a thief who had disappeared for many years reappeared and announced by name that he would come to steal treasures in three days. The news soon spread throughout the city and everyone knew about it. Within a day, the streets and alleys were talking about the Feng family and the mysterious thief.

The Feng family was on high alert, constantly recruiting guards to the mansion, which undoubtedly added fuel to the fire. Amid the controversy, the first and second days of the first lunar month passed peacefully, and in the blink of an eye it was the third day of the twelfth lunar month, the day the thief said in the letter that he would come to take the treasure. The people's enthusiasm for gossip became more and more intense, and for a while the area outside the Feng mansion was full of people watching the excitement. Everyone wanted to know who this thief was and whether he could steal the treasure from the Feng family, who was surrounded like an iron barrel today.

At this point, the theft was no longer a public security issue, but a credibility issue for the government. Li Huazhang had not expected the news to spread so quickly, so he could only strengthen the city gate guards and arrange patrols to prepare for any eventuality.

At the same time, the Feng family was also on high alert. In order to protect the treasure, Old Lady Feng spent a lot of money to hire a security guard and even invited several people from the martial arts world to guard the Zhaixing Tower. They patrolled day and night, and the third floor was truly so dense that not even a fly could get close. Because there were both people from the martial arts world and imperial soldiers in the Feng Mansion, Old Lady Feng was afraid of any problems, so she also sent an invitation to Li Huazhang, asking Prince Yong to come to the Feng family on the third day of the twelfth month.

Ming Huashang wanted to see how Miaoshou Kongkong would perform his magic tonight, so she discussed with Li Huazhang and decided to come together. Time passed by, and it was dusk in the blink of an eye. As the sky darkened, Li Huazhang arranged the affairs of the government office and rushed to Feng's house with Ming Huashang.

When Old Master Feng learned that Prince Yong and Princess Yong were here, he was overjoyed and personally led people to greet them: "I have met Prince Yong and Princess Yong. I am really ashamed to have troubled you and your wife to run around for the scandal of the mansion. I have ordered people to prepare a banquet, and your accommodation for tonight is also ready. This is a Jiangnan garden that I hired a famous artist to build at a high price. It was just completed this year and no one has lived there yet. Prince, do you think you should go to the villa to rest first, or go to eat first?"

Li Huazhang declined, "Don't be polite, Old Lady Feng. We came here after dinner. Don't bother. We can just stay in the guest room."

"How can that be possible?" Old Lady Feng said hurriedly, "The Feng family has troubled Prince Yong several times because of the thieves. I feel very sorry for it. Today, the prince and his family are here. If I fail to entertain them well, I will be guilty."

Li Huazhang climbed the stairs and said coldly, "I am the governor, and catching thieves is my job. Even if it was not the Feng family today, but an ordinary family threatened by thieves, I would come to catch the thieves myself. The newly built garden of Mr. Feng should be left to your family. My wife and I can live in the guest room. The conditions are not important, but it must be close to the Zhaixing Tower."

Li Huazhang's cold expression was quite intimidating. Old Lady Feng thought that he was indeed the grandson of the emperor. This calm and unhurried but decisive demeanor was something that no wealthy family could ever produce no matter how much money they spent. Old Lady Feng smiled and said, "Prince Yong is so righteous that I admire him. Butler, go and clean up the house for Prince Yong and Princess Yong."

The housekeeper hurriedly took the order. Li Huazhang ignored Old Lady Feng's flattery. He glanced at the crowd around him and asked, "Has there been any unusual movement during this period?"

"Not yet." Old Lady Feng said, "Don't worry, Your Majesty, there are always people guarding the Zhaixing Tower. You two have been busy, I have prepared some hot tea, please take a rest, the guest room will be ready soon."

Since Li Huazhang came here, he didn't just want to sleep in a different place. He helped Ming Huashang into the house and said, "Mr. Feng is thoughtful, but I won't feel at ease if I don't watch over it in person. Let's go to Zhaixing Tower first."

This was Ming Huachang's first time entering the Zhaixing Tower. There was a guard every three steps and a sentry every five steps. A group of servants who were obviously martial artists were patrolling around the Zhaixing Tower. There were far more people than when she first entered the Feng family. Old Master Feng stopped in front of the entrance with his cane and gestured to the guards, "This is Prince Yong and Princess Yong."

Shangzhou is not more regulated than Chang'an. Ming Huashang did not wear a curtain and nodded and smiled at the guards. The leader looked at Li Huazhang and Ming Huashang with a hawk's eye and said, "So this is the famous King Yong. I have heard of you for a long time. Please come in."

Li Huazhang remained calm, nodded calmly, and walked past the guards toward the Zhaixing Building. The Zhaixing Building was spacious, with three floors, but the stairs were narrow and steep. Ming Huashang held up her skirt and walked carefully. Li Huazhang walked in front, holding her arm all the time, saying, "Be careful, pay attention to the turns."

At the last few steps, Li Huazhang was the first to climb up, turned around, held her hand and pulled her up. Ming Huashang finally landed on the ground, she breathed a sigh of relief and said, "It's worthy of being called the Zhaixing Tower. It's really not easy to climb up."

Old Lady Feng's legs were not in good condition, so she fell behind and had not come up yet. Ming Huashang took the opportunity to look around, and saw that there were several tables and chimneys upstairs, and everything was ready. After packing a few sets of clothes, people could live there directly. At this moment, the curtains were tied to the pillars, and the windows around were open, ensuring that everything within the line of sight was in full view. In the most conspicuous open space, there was a heavy iron box.

The iron box looked old, with a slightly dull color and simple patterns painted on it, giving it a cold and rustic feel. But what attracted Ming Huashang's attention the most were the gears of different sizes on the front of the iron box.

Ming Huashang quietly asked Li Huazhang: "If I turn the wrong mechanism, will this box really shoot out poison needles?"

Li Huazhang saw Ming Huashang's eager eyes and said helplessly, "Don't be curious about everything. I heard from Master Feng that this is a treasure box that he paid a high price to the heir of the Mohist School to customize after he bought the Suihou Pearl. He checks the mechanism and poison needles inside every year, and there has never been a mistake in all these years. The Mohist mechanism should not be underestimated, so you are not allowed to mess around."

"I know." Ming Huashang responded obediently, thinking with regret in her heart that it was a pity that she could not move it to Xuanxiaowei for research. She really wanted to see what the structure inside was.

Old Master Feng, supported by his servants, went upstairs with great difficulty. He saw Ming Huashang looking at the iron box and asked, "Does the princess want to see the Suihou Pearl?"

Ming Huashang waved her hands when she heard this: "No, no, I was just tired from climbing the stairs, so I just stared at something in a daze. Feng Laomo must have misunderstood me."

"It just so happens that I also want to check the accompanying beads inside, so it's okay." Old Lady Feng said to Baozhu, "Help me over."

The two sons of the Feng family followed behind. Feng Kun hurriedly stepped forward to do the work, but was rejected by Old Lady Feng: "Let Baozhu do it."

Feng Kun was rejected in front of everyone and looked embarrassed. Baozhu responded, lowered her head and walked past Feng Kun, supporting Old Lady Feng and walking to the middle.

Old Lady Feng walked very slowly, his solid wooden cane knocking on the floor with each step, making a dull and heavy sound. Baozhu bent over and always supported Old Lady Feng steadily, without showing any impatience.

Old Lady Feng walked to the iron box. Seeing this, Feng Kun stood on tiptoe, wishing his neck could stretch like a snake. Unfortunately, Baozhu pulled open the screen from the side, completely blocking Old Lady Feng's movements. Feng Kun clapped his hands in hatred when he saw this.

Baozhu stood in front of the screen with her hands down, as if she had done it unintentionally, not realizing at all that she had ruined the eldest son's plan. Li Huazhang and Ming Huashang had no interest in the Feng family's treasures. Although there was a screen blocking them, they still walked to the window to look at it, and took the initiative to avoid Grandma Feng from entering the password.

After a sound of gears turning, there was a click, and the mechanism opened. Baozhu retracted the screen as if she could foresee what was going to happen, and turned around to help Old Lady Feng push the lid of the iron box. Old Lady Feng took out the sandalwood box from inside with trembling hands, and opened it. The moonlight-like light instantly filled the pavilion. Old Lady Feng nodded with satisfaction: "Sui Houzhu is still here. What kind of thief saint is this? In my opinion, he is just a dog-eat-dog."

Feng Kun looked at Sui Hou Zhu greedily, while Feng Lu stood by with his hands folded, looking calm and not showing much concern. In order to avoid suspicion, Li Huazhang pulled Ming Huashang to stand far away by the window. Seeing that Sui Hou Zhu was intact, he said, "Since Sui Zhu is fine, put it away first. It's not time to relax yet. Don't let others take advantage of you."

Old Lady Feng said, "King Yong is right. However, the thief dared to boast that he would show up at Zishi. I must meet him to let him know that our Feng family is not easy to mess with. Baozhu, there is no need to pack up. I will stay here tonight and watch over Sui Houzhu in person. I want to see if he dares to come again."

When Old Lady Feng said this, everyone upstairs was shocked. Erlang Feng said hurriedly, "Father, no. If that thief really comes tonight, it will be too dangerous for you to stay here."

Old Lady Feng waved her hand and said firmly, "I have made up my mind. He left a letter by my bed last time and came and went as if no one was around. It was really a great shame and humiliation. Although I, Feng Rong, am not talented, the Feng family is one of the most famous families in Shangzhou and will not tolerate provocation by a low-class thief. He came at the right time. The Zhaixing Tower has set up a net. This time, I must catch him with my own hands."

Feng Yu still frowned and said worriedly, "Then I will stay here with you tonight. It's too dangerous for you to be alone."

"No need." Old Lady Feng said stubbornly, "When I was at the top of my game, that thief was still a young boy. How could he be so arrogant in front of me? You don't need to accompany me. I can handle him by myself."

Baozhu also said earnestly: "Then you should at least bring two people with you. How about I stay here to keep watch for the old lady?"

"No need." Old Lady Feng was used to being the boss at home, and was quite arbitrary. She said forcefully, "I want to meet this thief in person. Bringing a group of people with me, wouldn't that be intimidating him? You all go back and do what you need to do. I know what I am doing."

衆人都被封老太爺這一出心血來潮整懵了，但在封老太爺面前最得臉的封二郎和寶珠都勸不動，其他人不敢自讨沒趣。李華章看了一會，說道：“摘星樓外防守重重，滴水不漏，封老睡在閣樓上，說不定比睡在主院裏更安全。只要封老不嫌這裏條件簡陋，倒也無妨。”

老太爺固執，封家其餘人低低嘆了口氣，也只能這樣了。封老太爺慢慢彎腰，将盛随侯珠的檀木盒放入鐵匣中，寶珠欲要上前幫忙，封老太爺止住，說：“你去忙你的吧，這些我來。”

摘星樓一應細軟雖是全的，但要住封老太爺，免不了要增添許多布置，寶珠身為大丫鬟，要做的事還有很多。寶珠給封老太爺行了個萬福，就轉身下樓準備了。封老太爺将随侯珠放入機關中，關鐵匣門時，還不等他開口，封锟就忙不疊跑過來幫忙。

“阿父，這個鐵疙瘩重，您放着別動，我來搬。”

封锟熱情地擠上來，封老太爺面無表情看了他一眼，沒說什麽。還沒等封锟看清，鐵匣咣當一聲落鎖，封锟隐晦地撇撇嘴，難掩失望。

天色已經完全黑了，明華裳看了下時辰，如今是酉時末，距離子時還有兩個時辰。封老太爺見李華章夫妻一直遠遠站在窗邊，主動問：“今日有勞雍王、雍王妃，二位可是乏困了？管家，給雍王的客房收拾好了嗎？”

管家垂着手上前回話：“回老太爺，已經收拾妥了。”

封老太爺倚着拐杖，踉跄道：“好，二郎，扶我下去，我送王爺王妃回房。”

李華章和明華裳一看忙道：“封老腿腳不便，不必麻煩了。今夜興許不太平，您先休息一會，我們自己回去就好。”

封老太爺爬一遍樓梯已經很累了，他的體力實在不支持，只能道：“老朽失陪了。二郎，你去送雍王回房，聽憑雍王差遣。把你媳婦叫來，陪着雍王妃說話，若雍王妃累了，就趕緊服侍雍王妃睡覺。”

封铻應諾，這時候寶珠帶着人回來了，上上下下往閣樓上添東西，地方瞬間局促起來。李華章見狀說：“我們就不打擾封老休息了。封老盡管放心，我會在外面盯着巡視的人。”

封老太爺連聲道謝，将李華章、明華裳送到樓梯口，才在衆人的止步聲中回去了。李華章、明華裳帶着一大群人下樓，封铻親自引路，帶着他們去今夜住的地方。

李華章說是住普通客房就好，但封家還是給他們騰出一個院子，離摘星樓很近，沒兩步就到了。封二太太早已等在門口，看到他們來了笑着迎過來：“妾身給雍王、雍王妃請安。外面天冷，王爺王妃快裏面請。”

這是李華章夫妻晚上入寝的地方，封铻不方便進來，便由封二太太領着明華裳進屋看。封二太太給明華裳展示完房間，問：“王妃還有什麽需要的，妾身這就吩咐人給您找來。”

“不必，已經很周到了。”明華裳笑道，“這麽晚了，辛苦二太太，太太快回去歇着吧。”

封二太太熱絡道：“王妃客氣，能為您操辦，是妾身的福分。王爺王妃若有什麽需要的就派丫鬟去找我，或者去前面尋二郎。二郎今晚要守夜，就在摘星樓外的花房裏，随時都能照應。”

明華裳應是，等将封二太太送走後，她慢慢收斂了笑，回頭掃過屋子，低聲對進寶說：“檢查一下房裏。”

進寶點頭，心領神會。進寶她們在房間裏忙，明華裳站在回廊上透氣。她看到李華章站在角落，仰頭不知望着什麽，她特意放輕了腳步，蹑手蹑腳繞到李華章身後，突然撲過去：“別動，江洋大盜！”

李華章輕笑，沒有躲，任由她将自己抓住，說：“什麽小賊，竟敢偷到刺史面前？”

“當然是來偷你的采花賊。”明華裳抱住李華章胳膊，靠在他肩上問，“看什麽呢？”

“看摘星樓。”李華章給明華裳指向前方，“從這個院子裏，正好能看到摘星樓三樓的窗戶。看，那個是不是寶珠？”

摘星樓三樓亮着燭火，裏面人來人往，明華裳眯眼看了一會，不确定說：“好像确實有人。但我不及雍王眼力好，隔着這麽遠都能看到美人呢。”

李華章低眸，十分無奈地敲了下她的額頭：“又胡說。我是怕妙手空空混進去。”

“你想看就看呗，和我解釋什麽。”明華裳掃了他一眼，道，“怎麽，莫非心虛？”

李華章無可奈何，抿住唇不說話了。明華裳看着他直挺的脖頸、清冷的側臉，忍着笑湊到他面前：“生氣了？”

李華章聲音清正平淡：“沒有。”

“随便開個玩笑你就生氣了，你以前不是這麽小氣的人。是不是真的被我戳中了心事，你惱羞成怒了？”

李華章面無表情轉身，這回是真的生氣了。明華裳在背後噗嗤一聲笑了，又趕緊捂住嘴，怕笑得太大聲李華章惱了，那更難哄了。

進寶幾人習以為常地看着娘子将二郎君氣走，再胡攪蠻纏将人哄回來。這半年李華章下放為刺史，真正下地看農桑，登山看水壩，比在長安時更加深致內斂，不怒自威，也唯有明華裳，能讓他露出從容之外的情緒了。

進寶幾人檢查過，确定房間內沒有藏着其他東西後，就識眼色地退下。明華裳打開窗戶，捧着手爐靠在李華章身邊，用肩膀撞了撞他：“你說，今晚盜聖真的會來嗎？”

李華章面上還在生氣，但身體卻不由自主拉過明華裳的手，從外面包着她的手指，仔細替她取暖。李華章半垂着眼睛，看不出神情，清聲道：“不好說。你帶着人在屋裏休息，一會我再去摘星樓看看。”

明華裳天天在嘴上調戲兄長，遇到事時她想都不想就道：“我陪你一起去。”

“外面太黑了，你出去危險……”

“就是因為天黑了，我才要去呢。”明華裳直接打斷他的話，蠻橫說，“我還怕你遇到危險呢，畢竟我夫君這麽好看，我不多看着點，被賊人盯上了怎麽辦？”

李華章明知該拒絕，但理智終究敗給了糖衣炮彈，看着她無奈地笑了：“你啊，就會哄人，嘴上說的比什麽都好聽。”

“哪有？”明華裳頗覺冤枉地環住李華章脖頸，一張嬌豔明媚欺霜賽雪的臉立即逼近，“莫非我行動上冷落了夫君？”

明華裳如願看到李華章怔了下，下意識掃過四周，臉上的表情又忍耐又無奈。明華裳再一次成功調戲到他，得意地哈哈大笑，李華章接住東倒西歪的她，心裏頗為無可奈何。

她啊，就是仗着在外面才敢口出狂言，等動起真格，她色膽比芝麻都小。

明華裳在屋裏調戲了一番自家最正經不過的兄長，越發神清氣爽，神采奕奕。李華章見她十分精神，正好也亥時了，就帶她一起去摘星樓檢查。

摘星樓外，巡邏隊伍不斷，封锟、封铻帶着人坐在摘星樓外的花房裏。花房是兩間小平房，坐落在花叢掩映中，穿過一條小路就是摘星樓，只要打開窗就能看到摘星樓全貌。這裏原本是給園丁照料花園及存放工具用的，鬧出盜寶的事後，就成了巡邏隊伍的休息點。

看到李華章來了，封铻等人忙站起來：“雍王，雍王妃。”

李華章淡淡擡手，示意他們不必多禮，問：“有異常嗎？”

封铻搖頭：“進出都是熟人，沒有生面孔靠近摘星樓。”

李華章往樓頂望了眼，花房和他們住的院子在一條直線上，看來他看得沒錯，封老太爺确實打開了一扇窗，從外面影影綽綽能看到裏面的人。李華章問：“封老呢，都安置好了嗎？”

封铻正要說話，寶珠從樓裏出來了，封铻眼前一亮，說：“雍王這話可問對人了。寶珠，父親那裏一切可好？”

寶珠提着一個茶壺，聽到有人叫她，趕緊折步到花房裏面，福身道：“見過雍王、雍王妃、二郎。老太爺累了一天，精神頭熬不住，命我沏一壺熱茶來。等換了茶應當就沒事了。”

李華章掃了眼寶珠手裏的瓷壺，問：“封老困了？我看三樓開着窗，小心封老着涼。”

“那是老太爺特意要求的。”寶珠聲音爽利，脆聲道，“老太爺嫌悶，特意讓奴婢将窗戶打開提神醒腦。雍王和二郎放心，奴婢在裏面放了好幾個炭盆，不會凍着老太爺的。”

明華裳聞言關心問：“摘星樓全是木頭做的，晚上沒人看着，炭盆不會失火吧。”

寶珠麻利道：“王妃放心，奴婢都檢查好了，不會走水的。”

明華裳松了口氣：“那就好。寶珠不是要給封老換茶嗎，快去忙吧，別耽誤封老的事。”

寶珠道謝，正要出去，一個侍衛跑過來，隔着門問：“寶珠姑娘在嗎？一個丫鬟找你，說老太爺養的鹦鹉飛出籠子了，她們都捉不回來，請你趕快回去呢。”

“啊？”寶珠擰起眉，看着自己手中的壺左右為難，“它又出來了？老太爺十分喜愛那只鹦鹉，它要是跑了就麻煩了。可是茶水……”

封锟待在花房裏，一直像個隐形人一樣不說話，聽到這裏他激動起來，說：“寶珠你去捉鳥，我去幫你沏茶。”

寶珠無聲掃了封锟一眼，似有難色，封铻見狀說：“大兄你歇着吧，我派人跟着寶珠去。”

封锟看到封铻替寶珠說話，臉色拉下

來，不高興道：“二弟你要保證摘星樓安全，身兼重任，離不得。反正我是個閑人，我陪寶珠去就行。寶珠，你莫非只想讓二弟幫你，卻不願意讓我幫？”

寶珠哪敢應這種話，忙道：“大郎說笑了，大郎肯幫奴，是婢子的榮幸。”

封锟臉色這才好看了些，他大步走向門外，越過封铻時冷冷哼了聲。寶珠福着身，等封锟出去後，才低頭向屋裏其他人行禮，快步出去了。

等寶珠和封锟走後，封铻嘆了聲，對李華章、明華裳拱手：“大兄無狀，草民替兄長請罪，王爺、王妃勿怪。”

明華裳搖頭說“無妨”，她眸光動了動，問：“封大郎似乎很喜歡寶珠姑娘？”

封铻露出難以啓齒之色，道：“說不上，大兄見寶珠受父親倚重，曾想把寶珠納為妾室，被父親否了。說起來是家醜，讓雍王、雍王妃見笑了。”

明華裳輕輕哦了聲，似有所思。明華裳對封家不算了解，但依這兩次所見，寶珠很受封老太爺重視，連封老太爺的財物都是她在打理。封锟身為家中長子卻不受重用，他想納寶珠，未必真的多喜歡寶珠，而是想借此得到封老太爺的錢袋子吧。

寶珠是當着衆人的面和封锟出去的，封锟再不要臉，也不至于趁黑對她做什麽，寶珠暫時是安全的，至于更長遠的，明華裳是外人，也管不了。

明華裳好奇問：“寶珠娘子可真是個妙人，大小事情她都處理得妥妥當當。不知封家是如何教養出這麽得力的丫鬟的？”

封铻笑了，自謙道：“不敢當。寶珠是父親從外面買來的，并非我們家的家生子。不過她确實能幹，不光機靈、記性好，還會針灸，懂詩文，父親說過的事她一遍就能記住，遠比我們得用多了。”

“原來如此。”明華裳笑着颔首，道，“二郎君自謙了，您也很能幹，商州誰不知封家二郎豐神俊逸，乃是城中數一數二的少年英才呢。”

李華章默默看着明華裳誇別的男人，曾經在洛陽長安有謝濟川，如今都成婚了，居然還有封二郎。同為男人，封铻很快感受到雍王的不悅，他心領神會，立刻說道：“雍王妃過譽，草民愧不敢當。雍王殿下比我年輕卻比我有才，論起少年英才，誰比得過殿下？”

明華裳這才想起來還有李華章在，她飛快瞥了李華章一眼，笑道：“那是當然，殿下才是商州最豐神俊逸的人。我這不是看你成婚了，沒好意思帶你麽，免得說我偏袒自家人。”

明華裳順毛頗有一手，李華章明知道她在哄他，眼中還是忍不住露出笑意。封铻莫名被秀到了，他默默想到果然是新婚夫妻，蜜裏調油，膩歪得讓人牙酸。

不過，真是想不到，雍王看着高冷清貴，在女人面前居然是這樣的。

不到一個時辰就是子時了，李華章繞着摘星樓走了一圈，再次核對了一遍巡邏人手。期間封锟提着一壺茶回來了，和守衛說了聲，李華章就讓人放他上去了。

明華裳覺得放個茶壺能花多少時間，但過了有一會封锟都沒下來。連寶珠都回來了，她急匆匆跑過來，一見面就問：“大郎沏茶回來了嗎？”

封铻點頭，指向上面：“回來了，大兄已經給父親送上去了，還沒出來。鹦鹉捉到了嗎？”

寶珠搓着手在嘴前呵了口氣，來不及取暖就要上樓：“捉到了。大郎君怎麽還不下來，莫非老太爺另有吩咐？二郎君，我上去看看。”

封锟單獨和老太爺待了這麽久，也不知道在幹什麽，封铻順勢點頭，讓寶珠叫封锟下來。這畢竟是封家，李華章沒發表意見，示意侍衛放行。

寶珠提着裙子上樓，沒過一會，樓梯上傳來腳步聲，寶珠和封锟一起下來了。寶珠給李華章福身，說：“勞煩雍王、雍王妃等這麽久，婢子罪大惡極。”

李華章淡淡搖頭，問：“封老可還好？”

“老太爺沒事，就是有點乏了。”寶珠笑道，“請雍王關門吧，老太爺想安心養神，一會也好去會盜聖。”

李華章親眼看着侍衛從外面鎖上摘星樓大門，守門的是封家自己的侍衛，李華章就讓官府士兵繞着摘星樓巡邏，再不允許任何人靠近摘星樓。衆人領命散開，李華章繞着外圍走動，檢查是否還有巡邏死角。

哪怕是商州，十二月的深夜也頗有寒意。封铻再三勸李華章回去休息，這裏有他盯着，李華章最後檢查了一遍，确定沒有問題，和封铻約定好子時再來，然後就帶着明華裳回房了。

走前，明華裳回頭，從窗戶上看到封老太爺起身喝了口茶，然後就到躺椅上休息了。躺椅也是封老太爺要求的，他不肯睡床榻，非要在躺椅上守着随侯珠，親自等盜聖來。

從這個角度只能看到封老太爺的頭，看封老太爺的架勢，當真有要守一晚上的架勢。明華裳心想可真是一個固執的老頭，這時寒風襲來，冷意幾乎要鑽到人骨頭縫裏。她被凍得打了個哆嗦，李華章見狀替她攏緊衣領，攬着她道：“走吧，我們先回去。”

明華裳點頭：“好。”

明華裳回屋後，立刻跑去火盆前烤手。李華章熟練地倒了盞熱茶，讓她拿着暖手，然後給手爐裏添了炭，放在毯子裏，說：“小心被火燒到衣服，這裏暖好了，你來榻上休息一會吧。”

明華裳看着李華章幫她暖好的被窩，由衷道：“二兄，你真賢惠。”

李華章正在整理毯子，聞言擡頭，淡淡掃了她一眼：“那你還視而不見，總惦記着外面的少年英才？”

明華裳一聽，火也不烤了，撲過去理直氣壯地将手伸到他衣袖裏取暖：“他都成婚了，我惦記他幹什麽？野花哪有家花香，他們哪能和二兄比？”

李華章敏銳地捕捉到一個字：“他們？”

還有“們”？

“沒有沒有！”明華裳不小心嘴瓢，連忙補救，“二兄才是天底下最好的，有你在，我根本看不見其他男人。真的，我發誓！”

明華裳抱着李華章又是發誓又是撒嬌，可算把他哄好了。沒一會，明華裳坐在暖烘烘的毯子裏，腳底是暖爐，手裏是熱茶，後背倚着賢惠的人形靠枕，舒服地啜了一口茶。

完了，她本來想熬一宿，一鼓作氣抓住盜聖的，但她現在竟然困了。

李華章仿佛能看出明華裳的想法，溫聲說道：“困了就眯一會吧，我在這裏盯着，有異動就叫你。”

“啊？”明華裳飛快地動搖了，“可是說好了我們一起捉賊……”

“沒事，你休息好了，一會才更有精神。如果我累了，還要你替我呢。”

明華裳馬上就被說服了，她一邊自欺欺人地說着“我就眯一會，不睡”，一邊靠在李華章的腿上，幾乎才一碰到他的衣服，她就睡着了。

明華裳被熟悉的雪松香包裹着，睡得十分安心。她夢中隐約惦記着什麽事，在她努力想自己到底有什麽事沒完成時，忽然一陣炮竹聲炸響，打碎原本寂靜無垠的夜空。李華章連忙來捂明華裳的耳朵，可是已經晚了，她睜開眼睛，茫然無措了片刻，水澤氤氲的眼眸很快清明起來。

明華裳爬起來，啞着嗓音問：“二兄，什麽時辰了？剛剛外面怎麽了？”

李華章看了眼沙漏，說：“快子時了，外面不知是誰在放煙火。”

“啊？”明華裳大驚，還殘存着一絲睡意的腦子霎間警醒，“可能是妙手空空，我們快去看看。”

明華裳披上鬥篷，和李華章快步趕向放煙花的地方。他們動作很快，但趕到時只看到一地燃燒過的爆竹殘骸，封二郎帶着幾個家丁左右環顧，十分詫異：“是誰幹的？”

李華章走近，問：“怎麽回事？”

封铻同樣茫然搖頭：“不知道。我聽到這裏有聲音，立刻帶人趕過來，但什麽都沒看到。”

這時候，寶珠提着一盒糕點，急匆匆從回廊上跑下來，問：“參見雍王、二郎。郎君，奴婢聽到這裏好像有人放爆竹，怎麽了？”

Everyone looked at each other in bewilderment. Li Huazhang turned around and saw the Zhaixing Tower standing quietly in the darkness. Suddenly his expression froze: "Oh no, the tiger has been lured away from the mountain!"

Ming Huashang quickly followed Li Huazhang back to the Zhaixing Tower. As soon as Li Huazhang arrived, he immediately went to the door to ask the guards, but the guards shook their heads and said that they did not see anyone approaching and everything was normal.

Feng Kun and Baozhu also came over. Feng Kun yawned and came back from the greenhouse. Li Huazhang frowned when he heard that no one was approaching.

How could everything be normal? If there was no action, why would the other side set off fireworks to distract the view?

Li Huazhang paced around the Zhaixing Tower, looking up at the sky, trying to see something. Others also looked up, and the guard said, "If Prince Yong is worried, why don't you just go up and take a look!"

Li Huazhang shook his head: "This display of fireworks is strange. Maybe the other party wants us to open the gate so that he can sneak in and steal something. If we go up now, we might fall into his trap."

The other yamen runners nodded and said it made sense. Feng Kun seemed to be woken up, yawning and walking over bored. Feng Kun frowned and kept looking up, with a doubtful expression. At this time, Baozhu suddenly cried out in surprise, saying, "Strange, it's been so long, why hasn't the old lady moved?"

This sentence was like a drop of water falling into a frying pan, and the crowd suddenly burst into laughter. Baozhu's face changed and she said quickly, "Open the door quickly, the old lady may be in danger."

As this matter involved human lives, Li Huazhang did not dare to be careless and immediately asked the guard to open the door. The guard hurriedly unlocked the door, and before the door was fully opened, Baozhu rushed in first, and the others followed in a mess, looking for lights and pushing and shoving.

In the chaos, Li Huazhang held Ming Huashang tightly and did not let her leave him. The chaos lasted only a moment, and Li Huazhang quickly stabilized the situation, asking the soldiers to walk in front with lights, and the rest of the people entered in turn, and no one was allowed to cut in line.

The man holding the lantern went first, followed closely by Li Huazhang, and Ming Huashang followed beside Li Huazhang. When they climbed to the third floor, they saw Baozhu kneeling beside Old Lady Feng in panic, pushing the old lady away. Feng Lu stood beside them, his face pale and panicked, and he was completely stunned.

After Li Huazhang came up, he quickly scanned the third floor and immediately asked someone to turn on the lights. The lights gradually lit up, and the darkness receded like a tide. Only then did everyone see clearly that the old lady Feng, who had been so arbitrary not long ago, was lying on a recliner, spitting black blood from her mouth, motionless, and her situation looked very bad.

The crowd was stunned, even the two sons of Old Lady Feng were speechless. At the critical moment, Li Huazhang was the calmest. He signaled Ming Huashang to be careful, and walked steadily to the recliner, leaning over to smell Old Lady Feng's breath.

Li Huazhang trembled his fingers, stood up, and said with a serious expression: "Master Feng has died of suffocation."

At this moment, someone suddenly reacted and shouted, "Look at the jewelry!"

Baozhu barely stopped crying, and she hurried to the iron box, not caring about the password being seen by others, and quickly turned the gears. She pushed open the iron cover with great effort and took out the sandalwood box. Ming Huashang had already sensed it, and sure enough, when the sandalwood box was opened, it was empty.

Old Lady Feng died, and the priceless Suihou Pearl disappeared.