On August 10, the fourteenth year of Tianqi, it rained heavily in Qianzhou.
The messenger broke through the rain and delivered the letter from the capital as scheduled.
The letter was delivered directly to Xie Zhiyuan, and it said one thing.
As the crown was about to come, his father Xie Jinan had selected a replacement spot for him and asked him to return to Beijing immediately.
Xie Zhiyuan sighed helplessly.
This matter of yin and yang really requires personal intervention. Even though his father urged him repeatedly, he could not turn a blind eye.
In addition, it’s really time to go back to the Beijing Yingke, Tianxiangge branch, and Miss Mingshi.
Xie Zhiyuan had no choice but to bid farewell to everyone and get up to return to Beijing, agreeing to keep information exchange and see each other in Beijing in the future.
Chen Ping devoted himself to studying again, He Qingxuan was busy running between the academy and the store, and Ye Chongwen planned to study at Jiangxia Academy.
Because Li Yang's health has gradually deteriorated since the death of his old friend Ye Wenchang, and it has become more and more serious recently.
After discussing with Dean Wang, he decided to let Ye Chongwen go to Jiangxia Academy to study with Chen Ping, so that they could take care of each other.
What happened back then now has clues and directions for investigation. Ye Chongwen was naturally more concerned about it, so he agreed to go to Zhengxing Mansion.
......
In October in Qianzhou, winter begins.
I heard that there was heavy snow in the north, the battlefield was in a stalemate, and the news that the imperial court was holding military exercises spread to all state capitals.
Chen Ping and He Qingxuan talked about the war in the north, and then talked about Ye Chongwen.
"Chongwen should be arriving soon, right?"
"Well, I have found a few servants here to take care of the food and daily life of several gentlemen. He will probably arrive in a few days." He Qingxuan replied.
"I think so too. I can ask my parents to come over and take a look on weekdays."
He Qingxuan smiled and said, "Chongwen's coming to Jiangxia also reduces the burden on the teachers."
Chen Ping also smiled after hearing this. It was indeed true. The teachers had worked hard for him alone and it was time to rest.
"Actually, I have another thing to ask you for." He Qingxuan lowered his voice and said, "It seems like someone is watching me during this time."
"Staring at you?" Chen Ping's face changed slightly, "Are you sure?"
"I wasn't sure at first, but in order to investigate Liu Bi, we bought his house. Do you still remember?" He Qingxuan said, "There are strange faces walking around the house. I'm afraid Ling Shu is suspicious."
"Since he didn't do anything, he probably didn't find anything." Chen Ping's eyes darkened, "We will try to meet as little as possible during this period, and we must not let him find out when we meet with Brother Zhao, otherwise all the arrangements will be in vain."
"Don't worry, I know what's appropriate."
Chen Ping felt relieved in the academy all day long, but He Qingxuan often walked around outside, so he was inevitably a little worried.
On the seventh day of October, Ye Chongwen's carriage arrived at He Mansion.
"You're late! My food is almost cold." He Qingxuan stood at the door and teased deliberately.
"Aren't you being sensible?" Ye Chongwen sat on the carriage shaft and raised his eyebrows, "Serve me with cold dishes and cold meals, let's go!"
"Aren't you hungry?"
"Am I the one who bends his waist for the sake of food and drink?"
"Yes."
"...Okay. Congratulations, you guessed it right!"
"Hahaha, I'm not poor anymore. Let's go to Tianxiang Pavilion together, where we have prepared meals."
"Where are Chen Ping and others?"
"Something has been wrong recently, I will elaborate later... Sir, are their health feeling better?"
“It’s much better now that I have someone to take care of me.”
He Qingxuan jumped on the carriage and asked the driver to go to Tianxiang Pavilion.
"What are we going there for?" Ye Chongwen asked in confusion.
He Qingxuan shook the account book in his hand, "Today happens to be reconciliation day, and your dividend has been pending for so long, so it's time to withdraw it."
Ye Chongwen looked greedy for money and snatched the account book away, "How much money is it? Show me."
"What's the hurry? Let's eat first." He Qingxuan couldn't help laughing.
The carriage went directly around to the alley behind Tianxiang Pavilion, and the two walls just covered the carriage entering and exiting.
A few steps away is the inner city river, which is very quiet.
"This is another entrance to Tianxiang Pavilion."
The two got off the carriage and asked the coachman to tie the carriage farther away.
The back door was ajar, and no one was guarding either side of the steps. The smell of perfume flowed over the high wall, making Ye Chongwen take a deep breath subconsciously.
"This is a good location. Is this the same pattern in the capital?"
"It should be about the same. Zhao Jin helped me look at the location, so it must be about the same."
The branch in Beijing is preparing for the future. With Xie Zhiyuan helping behind the scenes, there is definitely no need to worry.
The two stepped forward and were about to open the wooden door and go in, when they suddenly heard a scream in the distance.
It was like someone was roaring, but his mouth was blocked halfway, and his voice suddenly became dull.
The two of them looked at the sound reflexively, and their expressions suddenly changed.
Deep in the alley, Chen Tianrui had his mouth covered from behind and fell to the ground. Two men were trying to lift him up.
"What are you doing!"
When Ye Chongwen and He Qingxuan saw this, they immediately ran over to save people.
However, the moment they entered the alley, there were rapid footsteps coming from outside the alley.
Before the two of them could react, several big men rushed out at lightning speed, covered their mouths and dragged them out.
He Qingxuan felt cold all over and struggled desperately to attract attention.
"Damn it! You can't even do this!"
A rough voice approached, and a man clenched his fist and punched him in the stomach without hesitation.
"Ugh!" He Qingxuan took a breath, and his body instantly lost strength.
The veil covering their mouths must have been drugged, and after a while the three of them stopped moving.
"I told you to keep watch, what the hell are you going to do?" the leader in the alley cursed in a low voice.
"Boss, don't be angry. We didn't expect them to come here. Then... what should we do with these two people?"
"What else can we do? Take it away together!"
A group of well-trained people picked up the three of them, quickly jumped on the carriage and disappeared.
The alley quickly returned to calm, as if nothing had happened.
A few hours later, Ye Chongwen woke up in the cold.
It was pitch black before his eyes, and there was a sweet and fishy smell coming from the damp ground. He calmed down before he remembered what happened before.
"Is there anyone? Qingxuan? Tian Rui?"
Ye Chongwen's face turned pale and he struggled subconsciously, only to find that his hands and feet were tied.
After calling several times, I heard rustling noises.
Accompanied by two muffled hums, He Qingxuan's voice came from the corner: "Chongwen?"
"It's me!" Ye Chongwen breathed a sigh of relief, "Are you okay?"
"I'm fine too... Why are you here too?" Chen Tianrui's voice was hoarse.
The space in this place didn't seem to be big, but there was still an echo. Ye Chongwen frowned.
Suddenly, the sound of a wooden door opening was heard, and then several oil lamps slowly approached.
Due to the reflection of light, I couldn't see clearly the appearance of the person coming. I could only hear a low and cold voice above the three of them.
"Why are there three people?" the man asked in surprise.
The three of them were shocked, and Ye Chongwen asked: "Who are you?"
Another voice cursed: "You little bastard, tell me your name if you know how to do it!"
Another voice spat, "You'd better stop playing tricks to deceive us. Otherwise I'll cut out your tongues!"
His tone was cruel, with a hint of murderous intent, and he was obviously a ruthless character.
People under the eaves have to bow their heads.
He Qingxuan quickly answered: "My name is He Qingxuan, and this is Ye Chongwen."
The light above the head dimmed a bit, and after a moment, the low-pitched and cold man spoke jokingly.
"Hey, I didn't expect that it's Mr. He from the He family, another rich man."
"Get rich!"
"Hahaha!"
.......
Thanks to book friends and book friends for their monthly support!