The assassination case was tried by Ge Yishan, so naturally it was settled. However, after this incident, Emperor Rong ordered a strict defense and surrounded the hunting ground into a closed area. He also sent additional guards to guard the three floors inside and outside.
The venue needs to be checked when entering and exiting, which makes hunting less interesting.
Prince Zheng sympathized with Su Yan's injury and allowed her to withdraw from the competition. Su Yan had no intention of continuing and was happy to stay out of it. However, the others still had to accompany him, so she could only walk around alone in the other courtyard.
Go, I'm already starry-eyed after a morning of hunger.
I couldn't help but lick my lips, but my mouth was dry and astringent, so I sighed helplessly.
"This group of people who forget their food must have gone to eat meat. They are so inhumane. How could they have forgotten me!"
"Who is inhumane? Zuo Qing, or me?" Xilou walked towards her from the woods with a plate of venison and said with a smile.
Su Yan smelled the fragrance from afar and instantly felt refreshed, "Of course it's not you! You brought me delicious food, you are really my reborn parents!" As he said that, he trotted over and took the venison.
"I roasted the deer I just hunted. Is it delicious?"
"It's delicious! It's definitely a unique delicacy in the world! Just wait for a while, I'll finish eating before we talk." Su Yan wiped his mouth with satisfaction.
Xilou was immersed in her cute eating posture, passing a piece over from time to time. Finally, seeing that there was not much left on the plate, he muttered: Look at the amount of food, who can feed you in the future.
Seeing her suddenly laughing, Xilou asked, "What are you laughing at?"
"Because I'm full!"
"Is it because of this? Then you are too easily satisfied!"
Su Yan raised his head and looked at the sky that was mostly blocked by the eaves. As far as his eyes could see, there was only a little bit of blue and the crooked-necked tree outside the high wall.
She said: "It is better to have fewer desires. Look at the greedy people in the past and present. Which ones have a good ending? If you live less and less every day, you must be happy every day, so that your life is not in vain!"
Xilou did not speak, but his eyes were filled with light: "There are so many saints in the world. Everyone has selfish motives. Everyone wants to live a better life and get more. It's just that some people just want to get a steamed bun, and some people want to get more."
Rising all the way up to the imperial court..." His gaze crossed the high wall and fell on the distant sky, "It doesn't matter whether you end up good or bad. All they want is the process, live a vigorous life, and die willingly.
"
"Vigorously..." Su Yan thought deeply about his words.
"You are a young gentleman, why do you care about this?" Xilou put his hand on her shoulder casually and said with a smile, "If you have this free time, you might as well take care of your stubborn villains, and you can also make some contributions to the academy.
Speaking of this, I remembered that before Jinyun City went on the hunt this time, I met Changsun Xi...Jinyun City, please be careful."
Su Yan didn't treat Jinyun City any better than ordinary people, so he didn't take Xilou's warning to heart. Instead, he became curious: "You and Jinyun City have a problem?"
Xilou laughed and said: "Celebrating the festival? She and I are not in conflict with each other, so how can we celebrate the festival? It's just that if you look at people for a long time, you will inevitably see their behavior. But you, don't be fooled by certain appearances. Remember, in
In Ruoshui City, especially in Qishan Academy, what you see may not be true, and what you believe may not be reliable. Except for Fozhen and Zuo Qing, you can only believe in me, do you understand?"
Su Yan took his hand away and said, "Master said that no one can be trusted except him!"
"What your master said may not be true..."
Su Yan immediately became more serious, "My master is not just a master who teaches martial arts. He is my savior. He is like a parent. He makes me grow up by shit and piss. What he says is naturally credible!" said
I was so angry that I wanted to leave.
Xilou hurriedly caught up and apologized: "Your master is both civil and military, a hero, and naturally a rare saint in the world. I am short-sighted, don't be as knowledgeable as me!"
Su Yan stared at him for a while, then burst out laughing, "I just said a few words casually, but you are so anxious. That's all, for the sake of giving me venison... let you go! I
Go back and take a nap first, and when your Majesty holds a banquet to reward the officials in the evening, I will go drink again!"
"Ayan!"
Su Yan heard his hurried voice and turned around in confusion.
"Do you still remember what I said to you that day?"
"I don't remember!"
"Did you really forget?"
"When and where did you say it?" She really couldn't remember.
Xilou hesitated to speak, and in the end he just sighed.
The hunting grounds at night are a bit desolate, with palace lanterns hung high and the night wind blowing sharply.
Prince Wei Zixu walked in front, looking back at Zuo Qing from time to time. The road was paved with white jade, decorated with carved beams and painted buildings, and decorated with countless rare and exotic animals. The rare wonders everywhere were even more magnificent than the palace.
Zuo Qing remained silent. Wei Zixu couldn't help but asked, "Sir, are you sure?"
"Your Highness, you don't believe me?" Zuo Qing stopped and looked back at him. Under the candlelight, his back was extremely thin, and even his seemingly insignificant smile looked weak.
Wei Zixu immediately greeted him with a smile: "Sir, why did you say this? I am just... a little worried."
Zuo Qing smiled lightly and said: "Your Highness, don't worry, I have made a comprehensive plan, as long as you trust me."
Wei Zixu hurriedly agreed: "I am worried too much. Don't worry, sir, I will cooperate with you well today!"
Zuo Qing looked at the prince of Rong State, and his thoughts suddenly returned to the few times he entered the palace when he was a child. At that time, Wei Zhen was still the prince, and Wei Zixu was just an inconspicuous prince. The children's ignorance made them become
He had become his closest relatives and brothers in this deep palace, but in Emperor Rong's heart, the prince was ultimately inferior to one person and above ten thousand people. Wei Zixu could only bow his head in front of Wei Zhen.
Nine years have passed, and the crown prince's position has long since changed hands. But the lofty leader of the Five Kingdoms in front of him, Emperor Rong, cannot escape the ravages of time.
Zuo Qing followed the prince and performed the courtesy of the king and his ministers in a hurry. Seeing that Emperor Rong had no intention of arranging them, he found a seat and sat down. When Wei Zixu saw this, he couldn't help being surprised and warned him in a low voice. Zuo Qing didn't expect that
Instead of obeying, he pulled him and held him in place.
Emperor Rong looked up and saw this scene but was not angry. He rubbed his temples, seemingly because of the assassination.
"Why did you come here late at night?"
Wei Zixu stood up quickly and saluted, "Father, the emperor is busy with many things, so he shouldn't have disturbed you. However, the master in charge has something to ask for, so I have accepted my request and brought him to see you."
Emperor Rong stopped reviewing and turned his gaze to Zuo Qing. He saw that the young man was not afraid, but could look at him calmly. Seeing that he had such courage, he couldn't help but feel curious.
Wei Zixu thought that Emperor Rong would not agree, so he tried to solicit more, but Emperor Rong stopped him. He said to Zuo Qing: "The prince treats you unusually, I guess there must be something special about you."
Zuo Qing replied respectfully: "Weak minister Zuo Qing is the head of Qishan Academy."
Emperor Rong was stunned for a moment, then suddenly realized, "So you are the Zuo Qing that Mo Qing often mentioned!" He walked up to Zuo Qing, looked up and down and couldn't help but praise, "You are indeed Zhilan Yushu, you are so magnanimous.
Extraordinary.”
When the prince saw that Emperor Rong was very optimistic about Zuo Qing, he was very happy and added excitedly: "Sir, he is not only good-looking, but also talented! Back in the days of Zhao and Chu, they had discussions with Confucian scholars and won every time!
"After that, he looked at the people around him, as if he was praising himself.
When Emperor Rong heard this, he was confused and asked Zuo Qing: "Since you have such ability, why are you willing to stay in the academy? Although you are an official, you are not of sufficient importance."
Zuo Qing replied humbly and politely: "It is my honor for me to be appreciated by my adoptive father. As long as I can stay by my adoptive father's side and help him a little, I will be satisfied. I don't dare to expect more."
"Oh?" Emperor Rong naturally didn't believe it. How could there be people in the world who didn't love rights, especially those taught by Mo Fei. He looked at the young man in front of him without getting angry and asked, "If that's the case, why do you know the prince?"
Emperor Rong's eyes stared straight at him, like a jackal full of power. As long as his answer was slightly wrong, his body and head would be separated. But the prince would never let such a tragedy happen. He only heard
Wei Zixu explained in a panic: "My father is aware that I and your husband met by chance. I just admire his talents and nothing else!" He was so nervous that he broke into a cold sweat. He looked up from time to time to peek, but he was talking to Emperor Rong.
His face was so cold that he knelt on the ground in fright.
Zuo Qing explained to Emperor Rong calmly: "Weichen brewed a lot of wine and hid it under the tree. Because there were too many wine jars, the tree could not take root. Weichen wanted to dig it out, but he was afraid that no one would buy it. Fortunately,
That day, His Royal Highness the Crown Prince came to the academy, and after learning about it, he was willing to spend a lot of money to buy it, which solved the urgent need of the minister." His explanation seemed to have worked, Emperor Rong did not become suspicious, and Wei Zixu breathed a sigh of relief. Left
Qing continued, "I always think about what I can do for Your Highness to repay your kindness. Today I finally have the opportunity. I hope Your Majesty will do it!"
"Opportunity?" Emperor Rong was confused, "Why did you meet me late at night?"
"His Royal Highness discovered many doubts about the assassination case, but because there was no evidence, he did not dare to face the emperor, so he could only discuss it with the minister in private. So..." Zuo Qing folded his hands, raised his forehead, and slowly knelt down, "
The humble minister is bold and wants to ask His Majesty for orders to re-investigate the assassination case."
Emperor Rong was confused: "The case has been closed, and the murderer has been killed. He was just a charlatan killer who hated Rong Guo."
"This case is by no means as simple as your Majesty saw it, and the mastermind is still at large!" the prince added at the opportunity.
Emperor Rong's brows were furrowed, and his heart, which had finally been relaxed, suddenly became tense again, "How can I trust you?"
"On that day, in addition to Your Majesty, the ministers will also go to the same destination. Come to think of it, the assassin's target is not just your Majesty, but also the ministers! Therefore, there cannot be only one assassin in this assassination, there must be a mastermind!"
"Did you guess who it was?"
"No matter who it is, for the safety of His Majesty and all ministers, this case must be investigated thoroughly!"
Emperor Rong raised his eyebrows, looked at Wei Zixu, and asked him, "What good advice does the prince have?"
Wei Zixu cupped his hand and replied: "The assassin can easily sneak into the heavily guarded hunting ground. His ability is absolutely extraordinary. This person should be among us. As for who he is, I will find out when I test him."
Emperor Rong looked sad, nodded and said, "I'll let you investigate thoroughly."
Wei Zixu immediately bowed his head and said yes, and then said: "However, I need Zuo Qing's help. We will investigate in secret together so as not to alert the enemy."
"I'll give you two days. If there is really a murderer, I will reward you heavily! If not, I will convict you of deceiving the emperor."
"My son, I will definitely live up to His Majesty's expectations."
Just after the instructions were given, there was a loud noise outside the palace. Through the window, they saw fire in the distance. Zuo Qing and Wei Zixu looked at each other and rushed out immediately. At the same time, a large number of soldiers poured into the palace and surrounded Emperor Rong.
in front of me.
I saw thick smoke billowing out of the courtyard, and the unpleasant burnt smell filled the air. Everyone fled in panic, and Su Yan and Xilou also fled with the crowd.
Emperor Rong's face was solemn: "Go and investigate as soon as possible. I will ask Xuanting to help you secretly. If you find out who it is, I will punish you severely!"
At the entrance of the courtyard, Ge Yiyan was directing the fire extinguishing. The Imperial Guards had surrounded them, and Changsun Wuzheng was leading several people from the Criminal Department to search near the fire point.
Zuo Qing walked up to Nangong Qing and asked about the situation. Nangong Qing said it was strange three times before saying, "The banquet has just ended. Before I fell asleep, I heard someone shouting that the water is running out. When I came out, I saw that your room was on fire."
But the strange thing is that you are not in the room." He was stunned for a moment and looked at Zuo Qing, "It can't be your servant Yansheng..."
"Yansheng was not in the room, but went out with me to get some fresh air. Unexpectedly, he escaped unharmed."
"There is something in the manager's words."
Zuo Qing sighed and said with a smile: "Who knows if it was an accident or if someone set the fire deliberately. Looking back on the past two days, there have been frequent troubles in the hunting ground, which is unlucky."
Nangong Qing comforted him: "Don't think too much. The flies can't fly out of the three floors above here. I think if someone really sets the fire, they should be able to find out." After saying that, he left him and ran towards Changsun Wuzheng.
, dogleg-like: "Can you find any clues, sir?"
Changsun Wuzheng kicked the door frame that was burned red by the fire, feeling a little depressed: "I questioned the people on patrol and said that Zuo Qing did not return to the room after the banquet. Since he did not come back, it was impossible to light the candle. As for whether it was an accident now.
It’s still unknown.”
Nangong Qing glanced at the mess inside and said, "Maybe someone set the fire on purpose. Have you forgotten the assassination that happened to the west of the hunting ground?"
"The murderer has been brought to justice long ago. Everyone is dead."
"It's not simple, it must not be simple!"
After hearing what he said, eldest grandson Wu Zheng couldn't help but wonder: "What do you think Mr. Nangong has to say?"
"I don't dare to take it seriously. I just find it strange that since I could sneak into the hunting ground to assassinate His Majesty, how could I be captured alive so easily and confessed so quickly? The most suspicious thing is the identity of the murderer."
"Human?"
Nangong Qing nodded: "It's not like the story in the book. How could it be so easy to sneak into His Majesty's side? Someone from the hunting ground must have brought him here to ambush..." At this point, he shut his mouth in horror and looked.
Looking at Changsun Wuzheng, he saw an expression on his face as if he was watching a show, and couldn't help but ask: "I'm just guessing, sir, just pretend you didn't hear, haha!"
Changsun Wuzheng left here thoughtfully.
Because only Zuo Qing's house caught fire, although the neighbors were affected, the fire was extinguished in time and no major losses were caused.
Zuo Qing moved into another room, and happened to meet Su Yan coming to see him. Their eyes fell on the place that was completely burned by the fire again.
"Isn't it Ge Yiyan again?" Su Yan was still worried.
"Whether it is yes or no, you have to pay the price." He said coldly.