Chapter 298 The Emperor

Liu Xianglian's martial arts skills are indeed strong. When three or five escorts died, he had taken down several times the number of heads with his two swords. But personal bravery becomes insignificant in such situations.

They are not facing a few or dozens of bandits, but hundreds of bandits. These bandits did not retreat because of the death of their companions, but instead aroused their ferocity that should not belong to them.

The escorts are just wandering around the world, even if they have experience fighting with others in the past. But under extreme tension, when the tools in their hands are swung, they always follow the instinct of the body and inexplicably seek to leave a line of leeway.

It is this leeway that killed these martial artists. Under the chaos of swords and guns, compared with these young escorts. Several old escorts, on the contrary, are more courageous. Abandoning the cumbersome skills, they only seek to kill the enemy as much as possible in the swing of the blade.

The two swords took away several lives. Liu Xianglian glanced at them and found that his side was in danger. The only people who could fight in the field were a few old escorts. In a hurry, he turned his horse and ran towards the carriage where Xue Pan was.

"Protect him out. I promise that everyone will be rewarded after your boss..."

Regardless of whether the escorts heard it or not, Liu Xianglian rushed to the side of the carriage on his white horse and called Xue Pan's name anxiously. The fool woke up as if from a dream and got out from under the car in a panic. There was still some fear and terror on his face with mud marks.

"Let's go." Liu Xianglian didn't care too much. He directly freed one hand, grabbed Xue Pan's collar, and dragged him onto the horse's back. Several escorts who were still waving their knives looked at Liu Xianglian's figure going away, and knew that they had no hope of escape.

At this moment, they only hoped that Xue Pan could escape successfully. Only if this boss is alive, the reputation of their escort agency will not fall. The head of the escort agency will take care of the lives of the young and old in each family.

In a few moments, Liu Xianglian's figure disappeared in the distance. There was no sound of fighting in the wilderness. Several leading bandits were discussing the follow-up actions against Xue Pan.

"Boss, let him escape like this. It will be difficult for us to report back."

"Boss, let me take people to chase him. They can't escape far. The brothers are watching over the several escape routes along the way. They can't go anywhere except into the mountains and forests."

The man in the middle thought for a while, but said loudly: "There is no need to pursue him relentlessly. Things have come to this point. It doesn't matter whether this fool Xue is dead or alive. Send people to keep an eye on the important places and don't let him escape from Ping'an Prefecture. The most urgent thing is to hurry back to report to the master."

Seeing that the eldest brother was going to let the fat fish go, everyone was unwilling. But when the other party mentioned the master's name, no one dared to say much. They had to hastily clean up the tragic scene, step on the afterglow of the setting sun, and run towards the nearby forest.

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Liu Xianglian took Xue Pan to hide for a while, and explored several ways in a row, and found bandits guarding in secret. The other party set up such a net, and Liu Xianglian did not dare to take Xue Pan to force it. Although Xue Pan usually showed off his power in front of the people, when he really faced this gang of evil gods, he could only use three points of his martial arts.

They wandered around in the mountains and forests, and finally found a small cave against the mountain to rest temporarily. Xue Pan was honest and obedient along the way, and did not show any young master's temper to Liu Xianglian. Only in the middle of the night, he suppressed his throat and shouted that he was hungry.

Not only was he hungry, but Liu Xianglian himself was also hungry. Although it was a day in July, the deep mountains and old forests were still a little cold at night. Liu Xianglian didn't dare to light a fire, so he had to take some dry food from the horse and hand it to Xue Pan.

The two of them ate a few bites in silence, and Xue Pan couldn't help crying, "Second brother Liu, I was ignorant in the past and offended you a lot. You are magnanimous, please don't leave me here alone."

Xue Pan knew that as long as Liu Xianglian changed his mind. With his martial arts, he could come and go freely whether he was escaping or killing. Liu Xianglian didn't have time to pay attention to Xue Pan's words, he was still thinking about Chen Heng's instructions in his heart.

When leaving Songjiang that day, Chen Heng repeatedly warned: "On this trip to Ping'an Prefecture, first, I want you to be a forward sentinel and remember the small roads and terrain in various places. Second, I want you to keep an eye on Xue Pan. I always feel that something bad will happen to him on this road."

"If something bad really happens, sir, do you want me to save him?"

"You can do it according to your ability. I only say one thing, you have to come back safely."

Thinking of Chen Heng's last concerned expression, Liu Xianglian was slightly moved in his heart. He couldn't help but be curious, how did the sir know that Xue Pan would encounter a disaster?

With this question, under the cover of the moonlight. In the gloom, Liu Xianglian turned his head and looked at the shivering Xue Pan, and asked aloud: "What exactly did you send? Is it really just spices?"

He suspected that Xue Pan's carts of goods also contained other valuables.

Hearing this, Xue Pan shook his head quickly. Although he was careless, he was careful about his brother-in-law's affairs.

"I checked the inside and outside of the box myself. There is absolutely nothing smuggled..."

Liu Xianglian didn't know whether what Xue Pan said was true or not, so he nodded to believe it. Since it wasn't because of the goods, why would the robbers want to kill him? How did they know Xue Pan's route?

The dead shop assistants and escorts were naturally not suspected. Liu Xianglian thought for a while and asked Xue Pan: "Who else knows the route you took besides you?"

"Besides me, the other one is Mr. Chen..." Xue Pan took a careful look at Liu Xianglian and continued, "There are also second brother Lian, my sister and brother-in-law, and the Zhao Dong family with whom we are partners."

Xue Pan heard that something was wrong with Liu Xianglian's question. In the dark night, there were some different emotions hidden in his slightly flashing eyes.

Suddenly hearing the name of a stranger, Liu Xianglian quickly asked about the origin of Dong Zhao's family.

Xue Pan explained for a long time, and finally said the key point: "This person was introduced to me by Brother Feng."

"Who are you talking about?" Liu Xianglian's eyes widened suddenly.

"Brother Feng Ziying and Feng." Xue Pan spread his hands. He didn't know why Liu Xianglian reacted like this. The relationship between the other party and Feng Ziying cannot be said to be bad.

How could it be him? Liu Xianglian didn't know how to describe her feelings. She clearly felt that the person introduced by Feng Ziying should have no big problem. But hearing it at this time makes people unable to help but think about it.

Seeing Liu Xianglian deep in thought, Xue Pan was worried about his own safety and couldn't help but inquire: "Do you think people outside will come to save us?"

"Yes." Liu Xianglian had no time to pay attention to him, and she was afraid that Xue Pan would lose all hope and start giving up on herself. Just say something to appease him.

Suddenly having hope of survival, Xue Pan immediately cheered up and asked hurriedly: "Brother Liu, do you have a way to communicate with the outside world?"

Liu Xianglian shook her head and explained aloud: "I made an agreement with you, sir, to report back in a few days. When the day comes and you don't see me, you must know that I am in danger."

grown ups? It's Chen Heng. After Xue Pan reacted, he couldn't help but feel a surge of hope in his heart. If the other party knew about it, and Liu Erlang was always with him, he really wouldn't be afraid that the other party wouldn't come to rescue him.

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Not long after the Ghost Festival, many relatives of the emperor in the capital began to go to the palace to pay homage to the saint according to the customs and etiquette of the past. This matter is established on the first and fifteenth day of every month. It is intended to deepen the relationship between the palace and the nobles and officials.

The ladies who have received the good fortune will go to the palace to pay their respects to the empresses. The nobles of various families can take the opportunity to meet the Supreme Emperor and His Majesty. Take the opportunity to show your face, lest your family members whisper and your superiors forget about you.

As a prince with a different surname, Beijing Wang Shuirong naturally had the privilege of entering the palace. His biological mother is the princess of this dynasty. Although he and the Supreme Emperor are not from the same compatriots, they are not bad in terms of feelings.

If it hadn't been for this opportunity, it would have been impossible for the old Prince Beijing to become the right-hand man of the Supreme Emperor together with Prince Yi Zhong.

Since his abdication, the Supreme Emperor has been living in the Qianqing Palace. This place once served as one of the royal palaces and was greatly restored by the Supreme Emperor. When Wang Shuirong of Beijing walked among them, he could not only see the grandeur of the royal palace, but also feel the comfort of living.

Under the guidance of the eunuchs, the young Shui Rong, with the grace of his father, was able to enter the temple alone to meet the saint. As soon as he entered, Shui Rong bowed to the ground and greeted the Supreme Emperor respectfully.

When he got the order to get up, Shui Rong stood for a moment and saw the old and decrepit Emperor holding a boy with bubbles blowing from the corner of his mouth.

"Look at him." The Supreme Emperor said cheerfully to his old friend, "Does he look like Zhi'er when he was a child?"

Shui Rong didn't dare to respond casually to such disrespectful words. After just a brief glance, he recognized Jia Yuanchun's son and said with a smile: "Your Majesty, I think the emperor's grandson looks more like you."

When the Supreme Emperor heard this, he only raised his eyebrows and pointedly said: "What's so good about me..."

Shui Rong couldn't tell for a moment whether the Emperor meant that this son was treated coldly by Li Zhi because he looked like him. Or because of his own situation, he ridiculed himself in the name of his grandson.

But no matter which one it is, don’t take it too seriously. After all, he was the only son of the old King Beijing, and the Supreme Emperor handed his grandson into the hands of Dai Quan. He reached out and called Shui Rong in front of him, letting him hold his hand while they walked together on the corridor outside.

It has been some time since Xue Pan disappeared in Ping'an Prefecture. Naturally, there was indispensable discussion of this matter in the palace and in the government and the public. The Supreme Emperor picked up a few words and used them to joke with Shui Rong. When he arrived at the imperial garden, he sat on the pavilion and said to Shui Rong, "This errand was done well."

Shui Rong didn't dare to take credit, he bowed down respectfully and said to the Supreme Emperor: "This is what a humble minister should do."

"It's a pity, I didn't expect him to survive." The Supreme Emperor stopped Shui Rong, who was about to plead guilty, and chuckled, "You are smarter than your father. But there is no need to think that everything can be calculated one by one."

Even though the Supreme Emperor is so loud and angry now, Shui Rong knows. Before abdicating the throne, the Supreme Emperor had the most eccentric temperament. It is not an exaggeration to say that the emperor's heart is unpredictable. The front leg even smiled and comforted the minister, while the back leg also ordered people to kill.

After all, it is men who have lost their power. He had no choice but to show off his courtesy as a corporal and use it as a means to win over people's hearts.

After Shui Rong finished saying his words of gratitude, the Supreme Emperor motioned for Shui Rong to take a seat. By acting like this, it's obvious that he hasn't forgotten his past glory of conquering the world.

"What does Wang Ziteng mean by this matter?" The Supreme Emperor knew that Shui Xun could sneak into the Wang family's discussion circle. As expected, the latter immediately said: "Your Majesty, Mr. Wang intends to request an order to send troops to suppress the bandits as soon as possible."

After hearing this, the Supreme Emperor finally smiled. Perhaps he was smiling too happily, and he couldn't help but cough slightly. Seeing this, Dai Quan on the side quickly called for someone to bring a cloak and put it on the Supreme Emperor.

"Your Majesty, you have just recovered, but you still need to take care of your dragon body." Dai Quan knew the body of the Supreme Emperor. He had just suffered a serious illness last winter. Throughout the spring, I spent the whole spring recuperating in the Yangxin Hall of Qianqing Palace.

"Old is old, no matter how much you take care of yourself, it's just the same thing." The Supreme Emperor shook his head disapprovingly, and then asked Shui Rong, "They all say that my end is approaching, come and see me. He raised his hand and pointed at his wrinkled skin, "How long do you think I can live?"

Shui Rong trembled and immediately said: "Long live your majesty."

"Long live." The Supreme Emperor sighed briefly and subconsciously glanced in the direction of Fengtian Palace. If he could really live for so long, wouldn't his filial son jump in anger?

"After tomorrow..."

Shui Rong, who had always been cautious, suddenly heard the Supreme Emperor's words and quickly stood up from his position. The Supreme Emperor was even more satisfied when he saw him being so respectful. He directly ordered: "You don't have to go to the palace."

"Your Majesty, are you going to let the news out?" Shui Rong asked tentatively.

"Didn't he train his precious prince a few days ago?" The Supreme Emperor clapped his hands lightly, "Let the people in Prince Teng's house start spreading the word."

"Yes." Shui Rong responded quickly. He didn't expect this step to come so quickly, and he didn't expect that a first-grade minister would throw it away just as the Emperor said.

After all, it's the prince's fault. Since he was promoted, he has not been in the palace for more than half a year.

This is the result of your own fault.

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According to the usual practice, after going to Yangxin Hall, Shui Rong would also go to Linjing Hall to meet the saint. Both emperors were important people. If he neglects any part of his body, Shui Rong is afraid that it will lead to the disaster of killing himself.

When King Beijing arrived, Li Zhi was handling the memorial in the palace. After letting him wait for half an hour, Li Zhi remembered the young people in the hall. Over the past two years, Gu Zaiyong's accomplices were gradually eliminated from the court. Li Zhi's good temper, which he had suppressed for many years, is gradually revealing his cold and tough side.

I asked Shuirong a few details about the meeting, and saw that there was no hesitation or mistake in the other party's answers. Li Zhi gave a rare compliment: "I am usually busy with state affairs, but the Yangxin Hall should work hard for you to move around more."

Who doesn't know who your father and son are? If a knife were really thrown away, the two of them would go crazy and stab each other. Shui Rongqian said a few words and bowed respectfully with Li Zhi's hand.

After finally dealing with the troublesome matter, we came to the square in front of the palace gate. Looking back at Fengtian Temple under the clear sky, Shui Rong sighed subconsciously in his heart. To put it nicely, he is a prince with a different surname, but to put it badly, he is just a dog raised by the Li family and his son.

Fight, keep fighting. If you don't continue to fight, how will the world become chaotic?

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Strange to say, the people in the capital were still discussing how ferocious the bandits in Ping'an Prefecture were. Within two days, some gossip was circulating in the city. It was really disrespectful to say this, because the people involved were His Majesty and the Crown Prince in the palace.

I don't know who killed a thousand swords and spread rumors that the prince was dissatisfied with his increasing age and often complained in the East Palace. Others said that the emperor was dissatisfied with the prince's interference in politics and was deliberately trying to beat him up.

How can such words about killing the Nine Clans be said openly? People in the streets only dare to gather in front of a lamp with their relatives at home to chat after dark.

There is no airtight wall in the world. Those censors who lived in the neighborhood heard this by chance and reported it directly to the court the next morning.

Li Zhi was furious and found it difficult to punish the people who gossiped. We can only arrange for the Five Cities Military and Horse Division to investigate the source of this rumor.

Lu Yingxiong was such an unlucky man. When he received this order, he was so frightened that he lost his mind and stared at his subordinates to investigate closely.

After checking again and again, the final location turned out to be Prince Teng's mansion at the capital inspection point of the nine provinces and the governor's mansion of the fifth army.

He also wanted to find out who his grandmother was. Lu Yingxiong wanted to find a rope to hang himself. But this matter has already been revealed, if it is not reported. It's easy to fool someone who doesn't do things well. If he is accused of not reporting the knowledge...

Lu Yingxiong didn't dare to think about it carefully, so he had to find a place where no one was in the palace and quietly handed over the sacred book.

When reporting to His Majesty, Lu Yingxiong did not dare to look up. After Li Zhi listened, he remained silent for a long time and then said in a deep voice: "Is the news absolutely true?"

Your Majesty, if this is not true, how dare I retaliate against you? Lu Yingxiong thought for a long time, and then said cautiously: "I heard that the servants in the mansion were talking nonsense. It should be... just... it's..." Lu Yingxiong couldn't even read the book clearly, and he thought about several words in a row. Then he said, "The people in Mr. Wang's house are chaotic, and the servants made some unsightly remarks."

"Ha." Li Zhi chuckled. This was the first-rank minister he appointed.

"Go down, there's no need to tell outsiders about this." Li Zhi waved his hand. The bandits are now being suppressed, as long as the Wang family is not directly rebellious. For the sake of the overall situation, Li Zhi would not attack him at this time.

"Yes, Your Majesty." Lu Yingxiong didn't dare to stay any longer, so he rolled up his robe and ran out of the palace.

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Li Zhi deliberately suppressed the matter, but Wang Ziteng still found out about it.

His source of information is even more ridiculous. He actually learned it from his own incompetent son.

Wang Ziteng sat in his seat and said angrily: "What did you say? Did this matter come from our house? Who said it? Who told you?"

Seeing that his father, who was always well-mannered, had already started to smash the bowl. The two sons looked at each other, each wanting the other to speak. After a stalemate, the eldest son finally spoke up: "Brother Feng Ziying told me."

Feng Ziying? His father seems to be the great and powerful general Feng Tang? Wang Ziteng heard this, still frowning, and scolded: "Speak nicely, if you miss a word, you two brothers don't have to go out in the future."

"We went to Brother Feng to drink today, originally wanting to talk about the affairs of the Xue brothers. Everyone was worried about his safety, so they drank some wine. Brother Feng got drunk and told us the news he heard."

Wang Ziteng was a very experienced person, and asked directly: "Did he say how he heard it?"

"Of course I asked. He didn't want to say it at first, but I couldn't resist asking again and again. It turned out that he had a very good relationship with the son of Commander Lu. That night, Lord Lu returned home. He complained to his wife and children, saying that his family was about to be in great trouble. His son was worried, so he summoned the soldiers of the Military Department to ask, and then he found out about it. He also set up a trap and revealed this to Brother Feng."

After listening to this, everything was perfect. Wang Ziteng was furious, and he directly asked the steward to summon all the servants in the mansion. After repeated questioning, he really found three culprits.

Among these three people, one was a kitchen boy, one was a servant in the eldest lady's courtyard, and the last one was a servant in the gatehouse. Wang Ziteng immediately ordered people to find out the origins of the three people. Except for one family-born child, the other two were bought from outside and stayed in the palace since childhood, which was not a short time.

There is nothing to say about this, just beat them to death and report to the officials. Oh, our Wang family is the official.

Then there is no need to inform Jingzhao Prefecture. Just roll up the straw mat and throw it to the mass grave outside the city overnight.

After cleaning up this group of scoundrels, Wang Ziteng walked into the lady's room with some remaining anger and asked her how she managed the family. His good lady was also very puzzled and said directly: "Feng girl dared to say to the outside: I am not afraid of accusing our family of rebellion. Why is the master afraid of this and that when the servants say some gossip?"

"You..." Wang Ziteng looked at the lady's indifferent face and really didn't know what to think.

Fortunately, he was usually very dignified. Seeing his extremely angry look, his wife hurriedly apologized and said, "I have neglected to discipline him these days. Since it is difficult to say, I will keep a closer eye on him in the future."

With such a vague attitude, how can Wang Ziteng ask his wife if she has ever spoken inappropriately?

With a sigh in his heart, Wang Ziteng returned to the study and hurriedly thought about countermeasures.

It is necessary to apologize to His Majesty. No matter who is on the head of this shit pot, Wang Ziteng knows that he must clear his suspicion first.

Who asked his good niece to give birth to a prince? Who asked this child to be white and fat, and it seems that he will grow up little by little?

Even if he really has this idea in his heart, it is too early to say it now.

It is really too early!!!

Yuanchun's child has not started to read and learn characters yet.

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"How is it? Is there any new news from Lord Chen?"

As soon as Baoyu came back, Baochai couldn't help asking. When the couple heard the news of Xue Pan's disappearance, they were already at a loss. They asked Baoyu to come to the house again and again, just to ask Chen Heng for a word.

Seeing his wife so anxious, Baoyu shook his head with great difficulty. If he had known this, he should not have agreed to his brother-in-law's request. Just send an ordinary manager to go out, and there is no need to make everyone worry and work hard now.

"What can I do? What can I do?" Baochai was anxious. Now she was in a foreign place and there was no one to discuss with.

Lian's second brother was wandering around Yuhang with Shi's uncle, and he didn't know when he would come back.

Baoyu had no choice but to comfort him: "Don't worry, wait until tomorrow, I will go to the county government to inquire."

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"Husband..."

When Daiyu walked into Chen Heng's study, he was thinking deeply at the table. Seeing her husband's worry, Daiyu put down the ginseng tea in her hand and asked quietly: "What are you thinking about, husband?"

"I'm thinking, why must it be Xue Pan?!"

Chen Heng's mind was also in a mess. Now Liu Xianglian and Xue Pan were missing together, which was not like what happened in the original book at all.

He didn't know what happened to these two people, which led to this result.

Daiyu didn't know the confusion of Chen Heng. She just heard that these words were a bit strange, and couldn't help asking: "Husband, if it's not Xue Pan. Can it be someone else?"

Chen Heng was awakened by a word, and suddenly looked up at Lin Daiyu. The couple looked at each other in a daze until Chen Heng showed a bit of joy on his face and said repeatedly.

"I know, I know."