The long-term laborer sent by the Changsun family to the Chu State to collect rent has just returned in the past few days. He pulled three carriages, large and small. In addition to the rent account books, he also bought countless rare and rare treasures along the way. I think in a few days, these things will enter Ruoshui
Each shop, once its value has increased, will be able to make a lot of money.
Changsun Yue specially picked two pots of wine and sent them to Lanshan Courtyard, along with a pair of calligraphy and paintings. Su Yan looked at the scene for half a day, but didn't see the value, so he gave it to Fo Zhen as a favor. Here he heard that Lesheng Hall was closed.
On the third day, Jinyun Cheng was happily tinkering with the flowers and plants that were about to freeze to death in his yard. He thought he needed a few glasses of wine to warm himself up. So he grabbed the wine and ran to the fence owner.
There was no one along the way, and it was as quiet as being in a fairyland. The only sound was the sound of Su Yan's feet stepping on fallen leaves.
As the fencekeeper got closer and closer, she slowed down and looked at the place where only half of the eaves were exposed in the gray courtyard wall. She suddenly remembered the warnings of Zuo Qing and Xilou.
They said... Jinyun City is not simple!
What's not simple about it?
Su Yan patted his cold face, and immediately walked in through the moon gate without any further hesitation.
As soon as he entered the door, he saw Jinyun City under the eaves, wrapped in a thick fur cloak and lying on a rocking chair, holding a strange-looking heater in his hand. The cold wind blew through, and powdery carbon ash came out from the gap in the cover.
She spun around, then flew up to the eaves with the wind and disappeared without a trace. Seeing Su Yan's visit, Jinyun City was not too surprised, but after seeing the pattern on the wine pot, he stood up happily and said, "If
If you’re not mistaken, this should be the lychee wine unique to Jiangnan, and I’m afraid you won’t be able to find it even if you look across the entire country of Rong!”
Su Yan strode over and lay down on her rocking chair. He opened the cork of the bottle and squinted his eyes while smelling the aroma of the wine: "It's not in vain that I can make you like it so much. It's a pity that this wine is all I have left."
There are two pots, and now one sip will make you lose one sip. Hurry up and find the right wine cup, and let’s have a drink today!”
The two of them sat in the courtyard, pushing cups to change cups, and in the blink of an eye, the pot was empty. Perhaps because he was drunk, Jin Yuncheng sighed: "I remember three years ago, I stayed in Chucheng for half a year, and all I drank was lychees.
Wine. Later, when I returned to Rongguo, I couldn't find it again." Her eyes fell on the green and white screen windows lined up in front of her, and she muttered something. Su Yan raised his ears and didn't hear it clearly, so he put down the wine cup helplessly.
, asked her: "What's wrong with you?"
Jin Yuncheng came back to his senses and smiled lightly at her, "I just thought of an old friend occasionally, and I felt a little tired."
"Old friend? Old friend of Chu State?"
"They were just sisters in the past, but now we have long been estranged. Ayan, do you have any sisters worth protecting with your whole life?"
"Sister?" Su Yan was lost in thought, and suddenly burst into laughter, "Sister, when I was in Kuai Feng Town, there was one. Although she was a man, she was better than a woman. This person was submissive and vulnerable.
Everyone calls him a follower!"
Jinyun City has seen many men, but has never seen the man Su Yan described, so he is naturally suspicious. Su Yan explained: "There are all kinds of things in the world. When we are all free someday, I will show you
He, tsk, is rare in the world!" Just as he was talking, he suddenly found a purple flower vine sprouting from the flower stand next to him, and it happened to be hanging on the corner of her clothes. Su Yan looked at the flower and looked familiar.
She broke off a section and took a closer look. Only after looking closer did she recognize that it was a kind of flower in Kuai Feng Town, named 'Jiang Hanke'. She remembered that this kind of flower was extremely harsh on the growing environment and generally only grew in the moist and fertile southern land. She did not expect that this flower was extremely harsh on the growing environment.
You can survive in Rongguo! Su Yan placed the flower in front of her eyes. The cold sun's light filtered through the petals, and there was still dew in the stamens. It looked like a beautiful woman crying. She looked at the flower and recalled: "The yard of the follower's house"
The yard is also full of this kind of flower vine, which has a nice nickname, "Jiang Hanke". I remember that in order to please the young lady, his father planted the whole yard with Jiang Hanke, but he didn't wait for the young lady to come and appreciate it.
, but was harmed by his follower son. His father still doesn’t know that his son picked all the Jiang Hanke to please me! A few days later, the little lady married someone else, and my father burst into tears. Now that I think about it...
"
Jin Yuncheng comforted: "You don't need to blame yourself, just sigh that the fate has not come yet."
Su Yan shrugged and said calmly: "Now that I think about it, it's all his father's fault. Who made him go against my family everywhere? Such evil people will have their own destiny!" The sudden change caught Jinyun City off guard. She saw
Looking at Su Yan, I wanted to laugh, but I was afraid of being unkind. I endured it again and again, but finally failed when Su Yan made a face.
While the two were chatting and laughing, the wine bottle in their hands reached the bottom again. Jin Yuncheng shook the wine bottle regretfully and threw it into the flowers.
"Did you know that Jiang Hanke has another name in Rongguo? It's called 'Late Spring'. It was brought back by Mr. Liang Luan when he went to the south of the Yangtze River. It was first planted in the palace, and then it was planted all over Ruoshui for some reason. It's not surprising.
"Jin Yuncheng's delicate lips opened slightly and suddenly sighed, "In late spring, it used to be her favorite flower..."
Su Yan hugged the heater and felt sad, but she didn't know whether it was Jinyuncheng or herself who was sad.
The trip to the fence was really tiring. Su Yan regained his energy and prepared to go to Shuyou Hall. When he arrived at the Plum Grove, he saw a person standing outside the door in the distance, and the students behind him were watching this way as if they were watching a show.
Changsun Yue and Jin Guan looked anxious. When they saw Mr. Su coming back, they ran over.
"Mr. Su, please go back quickly. Changsun Xi is here!" Jin Guan was sweating profusely as he pushed Su Yan away.
Changsun Yue's little face turned pale with fright, and he added tremblingly: "She has been restless since she was transferred to Leshengtang. She is suppressed by Mr. Jin on weekdays. Today, the school is closed, so she has the opportunity to come over."
Make things difficult!"
"Making things difficult?" Su Yan smiled coldly, "What about her? You guys look down on me too. District Chief Sun Xi, this is the Kyoto Academy, at the feet of the Emperor. Look how scared you are!"
A few people were talking, and Chang Sun Xi had already come over. The other students did not dare to join in the fun, and gathered inside the door, sticking their heads out to watch.
"Where are you coming from, Mr. Su?" Changsun Xi had a sinister look on her face, as if she was telling a story, and seemed to be foreshadowing her next conspiracy.
At this time, Su Yan remembered Duan Yunxuan's case. She was a participant in the case, and Chang Sun Xi must have hated her deeply.
Su Yan had the intention of quitting, thinking that doing more would be better than doing less, so he said to her: "The shepherd, I gave you two jugs of wine."
"Mr. Jin?" Changsun Xi said coldly, "First it was Mr. Jin, Mr. Manager, and then Mr. Jin. Cousin, you are really good at pleasing people! If you want to please Mr. Jin, that's all. But not
It’s time to put your feet on the line and think about seducing your cousin again!”
"I think you are young, and I can't speak out because of the fact that you and I were teachers and students, but today you are so pressing, I don't have to keep any feelings for you!" Su Yan saw that she was embarrassed, and also
Unwilling to give in anymore, "General Yan is the eldest son of the singer. Although he resigned from office, people in Kyoto and those in the temple are still willing to honor him as general. This shows the importance of the reputation of the general! Nowadays, the general
The general is not married yet, and all the famous families are interested in him. I heard that several famous families in Kyoto have come to propose marriage. And you have been engaged to the Mo family since you were a child. As a girl, your family should avoid suspicion at all times, not only for your cousin.
He has a bright future, and more importantly, his own reputation, but you are always paying attention to him and don't even allow anyone to get close to him. Is this too much?"
After hearing this, Changsun Xi suddenly became ashamed and angry. He suppressed the panic and defended: "My cousin is my closest relative. Of course I have to protect him, but I can't let some despicable people ruin the foundation of the Song family and the Changsun family! Mr. Su,
Do you think so?"
The smile on Su Yan's face froze instantly, sparks burning out inch by inch, "This is the eldest grandson educated by the Changsun family. It seems that the family tradition of the Changsun family needs to be verified!"
"You are spouting shit! You are just a wild girl from the countryside, an inferior person! Who have the right to judge my eldest grandson's family!"
"Wild girl, a lower-class person?" Su Yan glanced coldly, "I would like to ask Miss Changsun, what is a lower-class person and what is a upper-class person?"
"Of course you, a country woman like you, are incompetent and incompetent, but you shamelessly deceived the boss. You know how much it is. Only Ruoshui's important families, royal relatives and nobles can be called 'superior'
"People, you don't need to emphasize which column you belong to?" After saying that, Changsun Xi looked around and found the curious eyes of the students who were hiding in the dark and watching, and couldn't help but feel proud.
Su Yan burst into laughter suddenly, and managed to hold it back: "All living beings in the world, including scholars, peasants, and merchants, all perform their own duties. How can there be any distinction between high and low? Your Majesty has always regarded the common people, merchants, and peasants as one family, but you want to go in the opposite direction and ignore them.
The ideals that His Majesty Guohe has adhered to for decades have been ignored!"
This clever mouth scolded Changsun Xi until his face turned livid, but she still refused to repent and struggled desperately: "Your Majesty is talking about educated people, not rude women like you!"
Su Yan was too lazy to argue with her anymore, and waved his hand and said, "That's all, you are unreasonable, so why should I explain it to you again? Tell me, why are you here?"
Changsun Xi secretly smiled in his heart: You brought this to your door yourself! After thinking about it, he calmed down and glanced at the students around him. His eyes finally returned to Su Yan, "I've been too peaceful recently, and I feel boring.
, and suddenly discovered something very interesting!”
Su Yan sneered: "You don't mean to say that you have something to do with me, do you?"
Changsun Xi raised the corner of his mouth and said with a cold smile: "Actually, I am too lazy to take care of this matter, but the academy has regulations, and those found guilty of theft will be expelled!"
"According to you, it was me who stole the thing?"
"If you want others to not know, you have to do nothing unless you do it yourself."
Everyone gasped, and then started whispering to each other at an alarming speed, and the words they said were certainly not good.
"You, you are slandering me. How can a man like this sir steal?" Changsun Yue had a good heart, but he was also extremely afraid of the darling of the Changsun family, so much so that his scolding voice was trembling.
"Slander?" Changsun Xi smiled proudly, "I have evidence."
"Then you should bring out the evidence. I think if you have evidence, it is also perjury!"
Changsun Xiao glanced at her, and actually went to get something from his sleeves. Changsun Yue suddenly lost his mind and regretted it.
"This is the Yanyu ring of the Changsun family. It is a rare treasure given by the late emperor. It disappeared many years ago, but why did it appear on Mr. Su's body?" The crowd suddenly became excited. Changsun Xi looked at Su Yan and put the ring in his palm.
He raised the ring to signal her to explain.
Changsun Yue looked at Su Yan worriedly, not knowing how to help her for a moment.
Su Yan looked at her with interest, remembering that there seemed to be no movement after she snatched away the Yanyu Ring a long time ago. At that time, he thought she had confirmed the cause and effect to Yan Zhen and then gave up. Now it seems that she is just waiting for the opportunity.
Waiting for Yan Zhen to come and attack when Ruoshui is no longer around!
Su Yan asked calmly: "I remember telling you at that time that this flame jade ring was a gift from Yan Zhen. Have you never checked it out, or do you just don't believe it? In that case, why don't you report it to the official and ask for the witnesses who should be present?
Come, let’s check it out again.”
"Why should a scandal be publicized everywhere? It will lose the face of the academy! I have already reported it to the Prime Minister. The Prime Minister originally wanted the general to come forward, but it is a pity that he is not in Kyoto these days." What a pity? I think it was not easy! Su Yan
With contempt in his heart, he continued to listen to her story, "After much thought, this scandal should be handled by my eldest grandson's family. If Mr. Su has a clear conscience, will he have the guts to follow me to the eldest grandson's ancestral hall to confront me?"
Changsun Yue's round eyes widened even more, and his flower-like face suddenly withered. He secretly grabbed Su Yan's sleeve and whispered: "Sir, that is the dragon's pond and tiger's den. If you go there, you can't explain it even if you have ten mouths."
!”
Su Yan sneered disdainfully, "The world is not his eldest grandson's world. Even if it is a dragon's pond, a tiger's den, a mountain of knives and a sea of fire, I still can't believe it!"
Changsun Xi's carriage rushed ahead, followed closely by a line of well-dressed servants. It seemed that they were well prepared!
Walking outside a quaint courtyard wall and looking at the wooden door that had been in disrepair, Su Yan couldn't help but have doubts in her heart, "This is not the ancestral hall of the Changsun family." She turned to look at Changsun Xi, who had a sinister face, and it suddenly became clear.
, "What do you want to do, revenge, or kill someone with a borrowed knife?"
Changsun Xi showed a hint of cunning and smiled softly, "Mr. Su, please meet someone. Don't panic."
"Who?"
"Mr. Su." A middle-aged maid suddenly appeared at the door and greeted her with a smile. "Tea is ready. My princess has invited you."
Princess? Which princess can Changsun Xi invite? Could it be... Changsun Pingle!
Su Yan's head suddenly heard a buzzing sound. The cold wind was howling, and the sky was pale. Su Yan raised his face and looked at the sky, sighing in despair.
Everything that is supposed to come has come!
That man was a little older and bloated than he was ten years ago, but he exuded an awe-inspiring temperament from his bones. This is something only a wealthy family can have. A small person like Su Yan who grew up in the city, no matter what,
It cannot be cultivated either.
As for the aloof princess, she only needs this kind of aura and that's enough.
The princess is indeed as gentle and kind-hearted as the rumors say, and she speaks slowly, as if she is reciting sutras.
When the eldest son Pingle saw Su Yan arriving, he drank a cup of tea slowly before getting up and walking towards her, holding Buddhist beads in his hand, which matched the green cross-collar skirt very well.
"Mr. Su's maiden name is Su Yan?"
Su Yan reluctantly knelt down to salute and addressed her as princess.
Pingle, the eldest son, did not let her get up and continued to say with a kind face: "I live a Buddhist life and never care about matters other than the palace. Besides, the academy has nothing to do with me and I shouldn't take care of it, but it has to do with my son.
Mr. Su, you should never, never should have dragged Yan Zhen into the water just to get away with it!"
"There is nothing! Princess Mingjian, this thing is said to have been missing for many years. I am a native of the Chu State, and I just came to the Rong State. How can I steal it?"
Changsun Xi stood beside the princess and said to her condescendingly: "Reply theft with justice, Mr. Su is really a good example for students!" She immediately turned around and saluted the princess respectfully, "Princess, I am determined.
We must punish Su Yan well to serve as a warning to others!"
If she was really unforgivable, such a loud rebuke would make people happy, but Changsun Xi clearly wanted to avenge her private life. Changsun Pingle would not be blind to such a state. The only possibility was to escape from the person who cleared her son's obstacles.
Well, for now, this obstacle is just mine. It's only because I and Yan Zhen walked around too much and behaved too closely that the princess misunderstood, giving Changsun Xi an opportunity to take advantage of it.
Su Yan looked up and saw that the entire wall in the north of the nave was covered with Buddhist scriptures, and there were Zhan Tan tribute offerings on the table. Smoke filled the air, and the three of them were surrounded. At this time, it seemed really ironic.
Changsun Pingle's smile remained gentle: "Let's not mention the theft for the moment, let's talk about Mr. Su's daily behavior. When you first arrived in Ruoshui, you lingered in the brothel. That's all. At first, you came with Zuo Qing. Student
They all said: Mr. Su is Zuo Qing's beloved, but in the blink of an eye you are having an affair with Xilou. Parting and reuniting are common in love, but what happened to my son? Mr. Su, don't tell me it's because of Xi
I framed you because my son had a problem with you. There is no wind without waves, and these winds and waves have all reached the palace!"
Su Yan smiled bitterly, and he had to explain this matter by himself? It was nothing more than a frame-up plotted by someone with ulterior motives. It was obvious who this person was! Although he thought so in his heart, he still had to be respectful and said: "I have heard that Princess Su lives in seclusion.
I think I am also interested in these stories, but... since they are stories, they cannot be taken seriously. I actually have more interesting anecdotes here, is the princess interested in hearing them? "
"Stories? You think those are slander?"
"It's not slander, but it's still adulterated."
"Which ones are true and which ones are false?"
"It is true that I admire Zuo Qing, but it stops at admiration. It is also true that I have the same interests as General Yan, but it stops at being a close acquaintance!"
The eldest son Pingle couldn't laugh or cry. What kind of sophistry is this? Do you think we have to build a chastity monument for her? Su Yan caught her look of contempt and hurriedly added: "If the princess wants to question Yan Yujie, why not invite her here?"
General Yan, everything will be solved easily. It is not worth bothering you to come here in person just because of some idle talk."
When Changsun Xi heard these words, he was scared and angry: "Auntie, don't listen to her nonsense. It's obvious that she has a guilty conscience, but she is still thinking of lying now. It's simply intolerable!"
The princess knew that Changsun Xi was too selfish in his daily life. If he really did something extraordinary, she would be slanderous. But when we are facing enemies, there is no reason to protect others, not to mention that Yan Zhen really likes this Su.
If Yan Zhen is not killed, no matter what Su Yan's attitude towards Yan Zhen is, the consequences will not be what she wants to see.
Changsun Pingle adjusted his expression and pretended to be sorry: "The thief who stole the Flame Jade Ring back then had a different appearance than you. He should not be you, but this thing was really found from you. If you can explain it,
Because, maybe I can be a little more lenient."
"Princess, you'd better ask General Yan to come and listen to his explanation." Su Yan still refused to give in.
"The Yanyu Ring is enshrined in the Changsun Ancestral Hall and is guarded by a special person. On the day it was stolen, my son was far away in the army. It can only be the crime of that thief. As for your relationship with that thief, I still have to investigate.
Check it out. My son is young and ignorant, and has a very good relationship with you. It is understandable for me to excuse you, but you should not ignore right from wrong. This is not what a teacher should do." The princess' words were pressing, but she did not say anything.
Give in.
Su Yan said calmly: "Princess Mingjian, this matter is too strange, and it involves the eldest son's family and the academy. If we want to be fair and clear, it is better to go to the Ministry of Punishment."
When Changsun Xi heard that he was going to the Ministry of Punishment, he hurriedly put pressure on her: "What can you say to defend yourself? The things were collected from you. If you plead guilty, I can be kind to the princess, and you will just leave the academy."
.”
"Miss Changsun, there is no need to worry. I am willing to go to the Criminal Department to confront you. I will make my own decision on the right and wrong!"
Changsun Xi saw that he was so firm and didn't know how to deal with it, so he hurriedly asked his aunt for advice. Changsun Pingle smiled and put away the Buddhist beads in his hand, helped Su Yan up, and said kindly: "Actually, the things given by the late emperor were lost and recovered.
It's just a happy event. There is no need to get to the bottom of it. Come to think of it, the thief passed on the Yanyu Ring and my son got it by chance and gave it to Mr. Su. My son grew up as a singer and knew about the Yanyu Ring.
There are very few, let alone the opportunity to see the real face, they are just treated as fun objects. If I really go to the Ministry of Punishments, my son can still explain clearly, but Mr. Su... you were famous for solving crimes before, and together with the West Tower
A good story has been known to others. If we go to court and the cause and effect of Yan Yujie are clarified, how can you and my son make it clear? Mr. Su is very smart and should know the pros and cons. I am doing this for you.
reputation considerations.”
"My cousin has a noble status, how can he be involved with a woman like you who is always in a hurry? If you have self-awareness, you should retreat from the difficulties!" Changsun Xi's words were to the point. Changsun Pingle talked a lot of nonsense, which is not as simple and crude as hers.
The few words came so quickly. Su Yan felt melancholy in his heart. As soon as the two of them sang and harmonized, they were on the verge of being put on the stage. He was attacked from both sides and it was almost fatal!
"I understand what the princess meant. Don't worry, I have never had any bad thoughts about the general." He said, bowing to the princess. "It's my fault that I came from a small place and didn't know the complicated things in Kyoto."
The rule is, when you meet someone with similar interests, you should talk more, so as not to let the friendship fade away. Thanks to the princess, I woke up in time, so I won't make mistakes in the future without knowing where I made them."
Changsun Pingle didn't expect that she would say these words, and he didn't react for a while. It wasn't until Changsun Xi cursed and said slowly: "Good boy, you are a smart person. In this case, I won't stop.
Talk too much."
After that, he called his servants and asked Su Yan to leave.
As soon as Su Yan left, Changsun Xi immediately became angry: "Aunt, Su Yan stole the royal gift from the late emperor enshrined in the ancestral hall. This is disrespectful. Why did you let her go? If she went out and talked nonsense, wouldn't she be harming the Changsun family!"
Changsun Pingle threw the beads away angrily and angrily said: "You don't know the height of the world, you don't know whether Su Yan has stolen or not? Do you know the consequences of deceiving me for your own personal gain? You are really stewed in lard, and you almost committed a heinous crime.
wrong!"
"What's wrong? I did this for my cousin's benefit. Even if she didn't steal it, she was deceiving her cousin. She wanted to seize the Yanyu Ring so that she could stick to her cousin." Changsun Xi is a dead pig and is not afraid of boiling water.
Hot, gritting teeth and forcing reasoning.
"If she insists on going to the Ministry of Justice to ask for an explanation, what should you do, and how should I deal with it? You are short-sighted and extremely stupid!" Changsun Pingle shook his head with hatred, "She is also a smart person, she knows what to do.
What shouldn't you do? Unlike you, you are obviously engaged and yet you still break the rules repeatedly. Sooner or later, you will marry into the Mo family, so you should calm down."
As soon as Changsun Xi heard about the Mo family, he became even more angry and was about to complain. Changsun Pingle had already summoned his personal maid and advised her before leaving: "That woman is not worthy of Yan Zhen. If you really care about your cousin, then
Keep an eye on her for your aunt, and don't let her break the rules. Of course, although the Mo family's engagement cannot be broken, I can also find a way to say a few words to your grandfather for you. After all, the Mo family originally married the eldest grandson's family in times of crisis.
, now that his power and position are stable, how can he look down on businessmen?"
Changsun Xi turned his anger into a smile and immediately saluted: "Thank you so much, aunt!"