On the first day of the first lunar month, the sky was dim.
Ye Jingtang stood in front of the closet, facing the mirror, put on a plain black robe, tied up her long hair with a hairband, hung the fat-headed bird jade pendant given by Yun Li on her belt, and hung a black cloth-wrapped necklace on the back of her waist.
Chilong knife and sword.
After cleaning up, he turned around and opened the curtain to take a look.
Sanniang slept in the innermost corner. As the main force yesterday, the horse-riding cat stretched and fed herself several times. She was very tired. At this time, there was still a touch of blush on her cheeks.
Shui'er was holding Ning'er and was sleeping soundly. Although the two of them were bullied less, their combined fighting power was not as good as Sanniang's. They were equally matched and struggled together. Basically, the dragon king was drowned by the flood, and they were both exhausted.
It hasn't slowed down yet.
This trip is heading to the northwest. He has to ride a BMW and rush there quickly. Sanniang may go to the outside of the customs in the name of opening a hall. Fan Qinghe also has to go back to Dongmingbu, but no matter how fast the horse is, he can't keep up with Yan Zhihu. The arrival time
I'm afraid it will be slow for a few days.
In total, it was another ten days and a half without being able to see each other, and Ye Jingtang couldn't help but feel reluctant to leave. However, the New Year had passed, and the new year had begun again. There were messy things in front of us, and only by completing them as soon as possible could we truly feel at ease.
After staring at Ye Jingtang for a long time, he finally suppressed his nostalgia for Wenwen Township, and quietly kissed Ning'er and Shuishui's foreheads, then leaned forward and tapped Sanniang's lips, and pinched them again.
Watermelon, then closed the curtain and quietly walked out the door.
It's bright and bright outside, and although the scenery is the same as yesterday, it feels like spring has arrived in the first lunar month, as if even the willow branches outside the wall have a touch of green.
Ye Jingtang returned to the room, got the dragon-screaming gun, wrapped it in black cloth and put it on his shoulder. He looked around and felt that something was missing...
By the way, where is the bird...
Ye Jingtang tapped his forehead, feeling that Wenwen Township was indeed the Tomb of Heroes, and that he had become a person who had forgotten the beauty of the bird. Thinking like this, before he could walk out of the side door, he suddenly heard footsteps coming from the verandah.
Ta Ta ~
Looking back, Fan Qinghe, dressed as an exotic beauty, ran out of the backyard with a package hanging on his shoulders. He was rubbing his brows with sleepy eyes. It looked like he drank too much yesterday and was not fully awake now.
Fan Qinghe quickly came to the front and said:
"You're going to Tianlang Lake, right? Why didn't you call me?"
Ye Jingtang turned around and said helplessly:
"The flowers in the snow lake seem to be blooming. We have to get there as soon as possible. I want to send Yuhu back to the capital. I only need one Yanzhihu. I can keep speed with two people, but it will be difficult for three people to leave. You need to rest in the escort office first.
Mother will prepare to leave as soon as possible, and then you and Sanniang will go to the outside of the customs together..."
Fan Qinghe is the clan leader of the Dongming Tribe. How can he stay in such a big thing as Snow Lake Flower? But the only one who can kill from the southeast to the northwest in a short time is the Empress’ Horse King. It’s really hard for her to get together.
Arhats on horseback.
Fan Qinghe thought for a moment and stretched out his hand:
"Give me your waist card. I'll go to the inn and change horses along the way. It won't take many days to get to Heishiguan from here."
Ye Jingtang understood that Fan Qinghe wanted to go back through the inn's express passage thousands of miles away. This method was faster, but with Fan Qinghe's temperament, he must have eaten and drank on the horse. He would not sleep along the way. It was too tiring. He frowned and said:
"If you go with Sanniang, you won't be delayed for a few days. I still have to collect information, so there's no need to be in such a hurry."
"It's okay for Sanniang and I to walk along the post road together. Sanniang must be anxious too. Don't worry, we are all veterans and we have our own sense of propriety."
While Fan Qinghe was talking, he fumbled for his waistband on Ye Jingtang's waist.
Ye Jingtang Qinghe and Sanniang walked along the post road together. Someone looked after them on the way. They felt relieved. After a little consideration, they took out the badge of the commander of the Black Yamen and put it in Fan Qinghe's hand:
"By the way, Miss Fan was drunk yesterday. I carried you into the house, but you had to give me a kiss before you let me go..."
"ha?"
Fan Qinghe was a little depressed at first, but he suddenly woke up after hearing these words. He raised his eyes and looked at Ye Jingtang, looking at his eyes to tell whether he was joking.
Ye Jingtang pretended to be an innocent child and said with a smile:
"I'm just telling you this so that you don't think of anything and misunderstand me again."
?
Fan Qinghe felt that Ye Jingtang was telling the truth, so he was naturally panicked in his heart. His face turned red, but he pretended to be calm and asked:
"Then...have you kissed me?"
Ye Jingtang blinked, his meaning self-explanatory.
?
Fan Qinghe's lips moved slightly, and he was so ashamed that he wanted to turn around and run away, but he couldn't get angry anymore, so he turned around and pushed Ye Jingtang out:
"How could you do this? I was talking nonsense when I was drunk. Should you be a gentleman and kiss you if I ask you to? You go, go, go..."
Ye Jingtang was pushed out of the back door, with smiles in his eyes, and wanted to turn around and wave goodbye, but Fan Qinghe, who was full of embarrassment, closed the back door directly and locked the door bolt.
Click~
Seeing this, Ye Jingtang secretly shook his head and said through the wall:
"I'm leaving, be careful on the road."
"I know, you should be careful...witch! Are you dead? Come out..."
The sound gradually faded away.
Ye Jingtang estimated that Miss Fan wanted to settle a score with Shui'er, and then stopped drinking.
After listening for a while outside the wall, Ye Jingtang sighed softly, shouldered the dragon gun, and walked towards the east of the city in the morning light of the first month.
———
East Lake Bay, Guogong Mansion.
It was just getting dark, it was late on New Year's Day, and the house was still quiet, with not many people in sight.
Outside the side door of the Duke's Mansion, parked was a fierce horse with a body like charcoal. Its breath was as rough as a dragon's python, but it was very docile. It stood motionless.
The empress is wearing a gorgeous red dress, with a sword hanging on her waist. Because she is very tall, she looks a bit fierce. Her temperament is not that of a heroine, but that of a peerless female master who has been at the top of the mountain all year round.
The Queen Mother always goes to bed late and gets up late all year round. Normally she should still be in bed at this point, but today she still got up early, folded her hands on her waist, stood upright in front of the door, and said softly:
"When you go out, be careful on the road..."
Although the empress felt that these daughter-like words of advice were very warm, she really didn't know how to nod her head. After all, the only thing she had to worry about walking with Ye Jingtang was that she might accidentally beat the outsider to death.
"I have my own sense of discretion. The Queen Mother should go back first. She will board the ship back to the capital in a few days. Don't think too much on the way. When we get to the capital, I will go to Jingjie City to patrol the border and then pick up the Queen Mother."
"..."
The Queen Mother was worried about how to bring up this matter. When she saw the empress speaking on her own, she was naturally happy and pursed her lips and said:
"I and my eldest brother have warned them to step up their war preparations in the past few months. If there is a need, Your Majesty, with just one order, the Southeast Navy can immediately break camp and go north..."
The empress would personally communicate with Duke Qin about these matters, so there was no need for the queen mother to remind her. However, the queen mother had this intention, so she nodded gently.
The two chatted for only a few words before a figure appeared on the street.
Ye Jingtang carried a big gun, rose and fell among the buildings, and landed on the street outside the Duke's Mansion. He said hello from afar:
"The Queen Mother."
The Queen Mother went out early in the morning to see her off, just to take a look at the Night Terror Hall. Now that she saw someone, she couldn't say anything in front of the Empress, so she just nodded slightly:
"Night Terror Hall, please remember to pay attention to safety on the road. If anything goes wrong, I will ask you."
Ye Jingtang hung the dragon-screaming gun on the side of the horse, cupped his hands and said:
"Understood. Madam, please go back and rest. Leave the rest to me."
The Queen Mother didn't have much to say. After taking a look at the two of them, she entered the porch with Hong Yu.
Ye Jingtang watched the Queen Mother go away, then turned around:
"Let's go."
The empress had a sword hanging on her waist, which was equipped with the same equipment as the Night Terror Hall. Standing in front of her, she felt like she was a match made in heaven. She glanced at the saddle:
"Are you sitting in the front or in the back?"
As a man in Ye Jingtang, what's going on when he's sitting in front and being held by a girl? He immediately stood up and sat on the saddle, patting himself in front of him:
"Come."
The empress didn't hesitate. She took off the weapon from her waist and hung it on the side of the horse. Then she lightly jumped up and sat sideways on the horse, naturally using the Night Jing Hall as a backrest:
"Drive~"
Hooves, hoofs, hoofs~
The charcoal-red horse immediately started trotting down the street.
Ye Jingtang's warm and fragrant nephrite was in his arms. The girl was not restrained, but he was more restrained. He didn't know where to put his hands. Seeing that Yuhu was wearing a long skirt that was inconvenient for riding a horse when he was traveling far away, he asked:
"It's inconvenient to wear this skirt. It's very tiring to sit sideways on the road. Do you want to go back and change clothes first?"
"No, I'm used to it. It's cool to wear a skirt."
Cool?
Ye Jingtang pondered for a moment and turned his head to look at the white ankles under Yuhu's skirt:
"You're not wearing pants again, are you?"
The empress blinked her eyes and turned around:
"you guess?"
Ye Jingtang felt that Yuhu was capable of doing nothing and running around outside. In order to dispel the suspicion, he pressed his hand on the side of his buttocks and felt - well, there is a bow tie, and he is still wearing panties...
Pa~
The empress patted the back of Ye Jingtang's hand and narrowed her eyes slightly:
"Where are you putting your hands?"
Ye Jingtang didn't touch it randomly, just pressed it on the side. He quickly stopped his hand, tightened the hem of the skirt and clamped it with his legs to prevent it from being exposed when he ran too fast:
"Okay, let's go."
"snort……"
Rouge Tiger is the empress's royal horse, the only one in the world. Its endurance and speed are extraordinary. The two of them chatted for only a moment before they galloped out of the city gate and arrived near Dongling Port.
On the first day of the Lunar New Year, almost no one travels far, and it’s not the right time to visit relatives, so there are naturally no people at the ferry.
Ye Jingtang slowed down his horse outside the ferry. He looked up and saw two horses parked outside the market inn.
Bird, stood nearby and said something.
The sound of horse hoofbeats reached outside the market inn. Xue Baijin turned around and saw the empress on the horse. Without saying anything, she turned around and entered the inn.
When Xiao Yunli saw Ye Jingtang preparing to go out, her eyes were a little surprised, but the empress was on horseback, so she couldn't get close to her, so she just raised her hand and waved:
"Cousin Jing~ Where are you going?"
Ye Jingtang hooked up his hand to signal Niaoniao to come over, and responded at the same time:
"I'm going to the northwest. You should go back early and be with Sanniang and the others."
"Oh, cousin Jing, slow down."
…
The bird didn't sleep at night, and it was just the time to feel sleepy in the morning. When it flew up to him, it didn't even chirp, and then it dived into the bag on the horse's side without making any movement, which showed an example of self-discipline.
Ye Jingtang shook his head and smiled, waving his hand for Yunli to return to the inn, and then drove his horse along the vast land of Jiangzhou towards the Central Plains.
Hoof-tapping hoof-tapping...
The sound of horses' hooves galloped like thunder as they galloped across the straight official road in the fields.
The empress leaned in her arms, the cold wind blew her black hair and soothed Ye Jingtang's cheeks.
Perhaps it was because she had been in a high position since she was a child, and for the first time she experienced the freedom of wandering around the world. The empress's eyes were a little more emotional, and she didn't even say anything, but quietly experienced the wind and freedom that belonged to the people of the world.
Ye Jingtang sat in the back, because Yuhu was relatively tall, his chin was basically resting on his shoulder, and he was originally enjoying the scenery.
But after walking for a while, I found that Yuhu's collar was not very close-fitting.
Looking down from the top, you can see a small slit at the neckline, which is full of white and soft skin.
The horses are running around, and the plump clothes are shaking rhythmically...
?
Ye Jingtang didn't want to take advantage secretly, but with Nephrite in his arms in the wilderness, what could he pay attention to? After walking for a while, he felt it was inappropriate, so he took the cloak from the side of the horse and covered it in front of Yu Hu:
"It's cold, don't catch a cold."
The empress came back to her senses, gathered her cloak a little, and said with approval:
"You are quite considerate, no wonder you have deceived so many girls."
"Oh, how can you say you're lying..."
"What do you usually say when you ride horses with a girl? Or do you just move your hands and feet?"
"How could I be frivolous with women on the street, just talking about quacks?"
"What's going on in the world? Let's talk about it."
"Well... it's my experience of wandering around the world when I was a child. I remember one time I went to Shazhou and met a female village leader from Hongshan. She was seven feet tall and had a strong back and waist. She had the appearance of a typical northwest gentleman..."
Hoof-tapping hoof-tapping...
The two of them and one horse were walking further and further away on the plain. Wherever the eye-catching red dress passed by, it seemed that even the sunshine was a little brighter in spring...
…
——
Outside the Black Market Pass, there is an unknown town.
During the first lunar month, the cold wind was still blowing in the wilderness, and the road was blocked by heavy snow. In addition to the New Year's Eve, birds and animals were banned on the original business road, and there were few people even in the town.
Under the overwhelming wind and snow, Cao Aning was wrapped in a cloak and bamboo hat, pacing back and forth outside a tea shop in the town, taking a look at the snow outside the town from time to time.
After Cao Aning was frightened out of her inner shadow by Ye Jingtang and surrendered, her contact person in Guan was Hu Yanjing, the leader of the Black Flag Gang under King Liang.
After returning last time, because only three of the six who went out came back, and traces of Hai Gang leader Tian Wuliang were discovered, King Zuo Xian did not hold them accountable, but Cao Aning and others were still in the review stage and did not allow them to go to the northwest capital.
Instead of protecting the government, he stayed in Pingyi City and was responsible for the intelligence work of various ministries in Xihai.
Since I can't go to the Xihai Protectorate, I naturally can't investigate the situation in Xuehu Forest. Cao Aning has been basically busy in Pingyi City these days. I received news today that the Black Flag Gang's caravan will pass through here. Cao Aning
So I waited here, wanting to inquire about the court's movements and see what Yama King Ye's plans were.
After standing in the wind and snow for a long time, a caravan and the sound of horse bells appeared on the snowfield outside the town.
Jingle bell, jingle bell——
The caravan consisted of more than ten large vehicles, trudging forward in the snow, led by more than ten warriors carrying weapons. Hu Yanjing was at the front, wrapped in a sheepskin coat and his face covered with a felt hat.
When Cao Aning saw this scene, he rubbed his hands to feel the cold air and hurried to the entrance of the town:
"Lao Hu, why are you so stupid? Isn't there a small caravan? How come there are more than a dozen cars..."
Hu Yanjing, who was sitting on the horse, glanced at Cao Aning for a few times, did not speak, but drove the horse to the side.
The dozen or so coachmen who were escorting the car behind them also got off the ground at the same time and came to the snow to stand in silence.
When Cao Aning saw this scene, he originally thought that the King of Hell had arrived, but when he found a few familiar old secret guard commanders among the figures standing still, his face suddenly turned pale. He looked like he wanted to run away, but he didn't dare to move.
Creak, creak, creak~
A carriage rolled over the snow and slowly arrived in front of Cao Aning. The secret guard stepped forward and respectfully lifted the curtain of the carriage. The more than ten people who stopped outside all raised their hands:
"Mr. Cao!"
?!
When Cao Aning heard the sound, it was like being struck by lightning. He didn't dare to look into the carriage. His knees softened and he knelt on the ground, touching the bottom with his head:
"My son meets his adoptive father!"
On the carriage, Eunuch Cao, dressed in a bright red robe and a gauze hat, sat cross-legged in the carriage. His originally wrinkled face had regained its firmness, and he looked like a middle-aged man in his early forties with a slightly sinister look.
Although his manners were meticulous and he did not show any ferocious aura, as a "nine thousand years old" Wei who served the emperor from the founding of the country to ten years ago, it still gave those who saw it a bit of a chill.
"Aning, come here."
As an adopted son, Cao Aning knew the character of his adopted father very well. He betrayed the Dongfang family. As long as his adopted father came out, he would definitely clean up the family. At this time, everyone was already confused.
Hearing the call, Cao Aning walked to the carriage on his knees, put his head on the bottom and said:
"Haier is aware of his crime. He has completely changed his past and has been helping Duke Ye in recent months..."
After Eunuch Cao came out, he already knew the situation from King Jing. He had no intention of raising an army to accuse him, so he calmly asked:
"Xue Hulin, how is the situation?"
"Well……"
Cao Aning knelt on the ground. She was really afraid that her foster father would raise his hand and give him some ideas. She was nervous and a little incoherent. After sorting out her thoughts for a while, she responded:
"I retreated from Yun'an. King Zuo Xian must have been suspicious and did not let me return to the Xihai Protectorate. However, I have been investigating around these days and have determined that the flowers in the Snow Lake are in bloom, and the people of Beiliang are removing the snow from the lake.
Hu flowers are transported back to Hudong Road..."
"Can you tell us how much harvest we have this year?"
"I don't know. Before the snow lake flowers are dried, they cannot be squeezed and stacked. They can only be laid flat on the pallet to avoid being stuffy and losing their medicinal properties. It takes up a lot of space to transport. In addition, there are many people watching the convoy. I guess
We cannot send them all to Yanjing in a short time..."
"Where are the Snow Lake Flowers stored?"
"It should be within several large warehouses in the Xihai Protectorate. The defenses are very tight. In the past few days, King Zuo Xian has caught several waves of snitches and hung his head on the city gate to show the public. He is secretly watching the Jianghu people waiting for the opportunity. I am afraid there will be more
many……"
…
After hearing the general situation, Eunuch Cao nodded slightly:
"Let's go to the Xihai Protectorate."
"ah?"
Cao Aning knew that her adoptive father was here for the Snow Lake Flowers, but when she heard that her adoptive father was about to go straight in, she was still shocked. She got up and followed the carriage:
"Father, please think twice. You can defend the city, but if you attack the city and encounter King Zuo Xian, you have no chance of winning. We can let Duke Ye come to do this. We can delay the attack in the east and cooperate with it..."
"The Duke of Ye State is very angry, and we are willing to die to pave the way for him, but instead he is restrained; he is deep into the enemy's territory alone, and if he wants to leave, only King Zuo Xian dares to chase him. The chance of success is much greater than if we help him."
Cao Aning knew that if you have mastered martial arts to the level of Ye Da Yama, the more people you bring with you, the more burdens you will have. If you act alone as a lone wolf, your combat effectiveness will be the strongest. But he still advised:
"Then we should wait for Duke Ye to come over and take care of this matter. Our foster father is no match for King Zuo Xian. If we run away, what's the difference between running away and dying?"
Eunuch Cao closed the curtain and said calmly in the carriage:
"Time is of the essence. Duke Ye cannot take much with him. We are not ruthless gangsters who cannot be beaten. Can't we sneak in and steal?"
"The Protectorate of the West Sea is currently crouching tiger, hidden dragon. If it is discovered..."
"If they are discovered, our family will arrest King Zuo Xian. You can take the Snow Lake Flowers back to Yunan. Even if you only send back a few, your adoptive father will be regarded as having died for the Dongfang family. This trip will lead to a near-death experience. Those who have any hesitations will
, immediately dispersed into the snowy fields to collect information for Duke Ye, and they were also loyal to the imperial court."
When Cao Aning heard this, he subconsciously stopped, and half of the dozen or so secret guards accompanying him stopped where they were, cupping their hands and saying:
"As commanded."
The remaining five old secret guards bowed their hands and said goodbye, then drove their horses and followed the carriage towards Tianlang Lake.
Cao Aning was not punished by her adoptive father, and she felt ashamed in her heart. She wanted to go with him, but this time, he would most likely have to accompany his adoptive father to die in the line of duty. It was not easy to die calmly.
After Cao Aning gritted his teeth and struggled for a long time, he finally knelt on the ground again and touched the bottom with his head:
"My child sends my adoptive father my sincere greetings. I wish my adoptive father a successful victory and a triumphant return without any surprises."
Creaking, creaking...
The heavy snow fell silently, and the carriage and the five fast horses drifted away in the wind and snow...