The spring rain fell from the narrow eaves, turning the spacious road into mud. The carriage traveled through the streets and alleys of the East District, slowly heading towards the West District.
Man Tingfang, Minister of the Ministry of War, leaned on the carriage and closed his eyes slightly, feeling exhausted both physically and mentally from the day:
He turned the tide in the Zichen Palace, played both sides of the Xia Mansion, and sowed discord between Liu Bingwen and Wang Su. Although these actions effectively prevented the tragedy from happening, it really cost him a lot of effort.
Sighing deeply, he took out the note he had thrown in in the morning from his sleeve, which stated the place where they would meet in the evening. Seeing this place, he guessed the identity of the person who wrote the letter, but he didn't quite understand it.
, why did that person choose you.
The noise outside the carriage gradually grew louder and the wheels slowed down. Man Tingfang opened the curtain and saw the huge gold-lettered signboard of Xiaoxiang Villa, and then looked at the well-dressed drinkers coming in and out.
He hesitated for a long time, then jumped out of the carriage resolutely.
He stood on the busy street, staring at the restaurant where the aroma of wine and powder wafted out, and couldn't help but sigh: He didn't like having fun, and now that he was already past the age of having fun, it was really embarrassing to walk in.
"This gentleman looks unfamiliar. It must be his first time here!" Just as he was hesitating, Bei Xiaobei came over with a face full of joy.
The smile on Man Tingfang's face was a little stiff, and she could only say politely: "Well, it's my first time here, help me find a private room, I'll wait for a friend."
"Okay, please come inside!" Bei Xiaobei greeted him, so he had no choice but to bite the bullet and follow him through the door, chose a relatively secluded box and sat down.
The sparkling bead curtain half-covered the box, and the outside was filled with singing, laughter and talking. Inside, the courtyard was full of people sitting upright, which seemed out of place here.
There was a sound of the bead curtain colliding, which made Man Tingfang tense up. For a moment, she stared at a graceful girl in a purple shirt, walking lightly through the door with lotus steps.
This was Man Tingfang's first time seeing such a stunning beauty. He didn't feel startled, he quickly stood up and bowed deeply, but he didn't know how to address her and was at a loss for words.
Hua Fangyi bowed to him and asked softly, "Are you the Minister of War, Lord Manchu?"
Man Tingfang was startled, then hurriedly cupped her hands and replied, "It's me."
Hua Fangyi ordered the waiter to bring the wine and food in, and filled the table. Then she smiled slightly and said: "Master Man, please use some wine and food first. Your Highness has something to do today and will be back soon. He ordered me to
Treat you well."
Sure enough it was him!
Man Tingfang secretly breathed a sigh of relief, bowed her hands to her, and said slowly: "It's okay, I'll just wait here for a while, I'll bother you with the reception of the girl and Your Highness!"
Hua Fangyi smiled sweetly at him, turned around and left with the curtain. Watching her graceful back leave, Man Tingfang sat down as if she had just woken up from a dream. He was made a little uncomfortable by the fragrance of powder floating everywhere, but
Thinking that King Yi would be back soon, he had no choice but to wait.
Little did he know that Yu Fengjin was not in the city at this time.
Time goes back to an earlier time.
Mr. Murong set out from Zhuanglou with dozens of caravan brothers, dressed as small traders, and walked slowly and hurriedly to the gate of Shengjing City.
Fulfill His Highness’s instructions!”
Yan Rong smiled heartily and said carefully: "Don't forget His Highness's instructions. No matter what happens on the road, you are not allowed to inquire about this person's identity, you are not allowed to talk to the people inside, and you are not allowed to open the sedan to check."
Mr. Murong nodded, raised his hands and said, "Don't worry, Master Yan. We will always remember His Highness's instructions!"
Yan Rong looked at his brother behind him and asked in surprise: "Why don't you see Toto?"
Mr. Murong smiled and explained: "Toto is responsible for protecting the gang leader in Shengjing, and I will be responsible for the escort this time. Why, Master Yan doesn't seem to trust me?"
Yan Rong touched his nose a little unreasonably, and said with a smile: "Sir, I misunderstood, that's not what I meant. It's just that this escort mission is more difficult and dangerous than the last time. If Toto is here, it can be safer, I don't want to
Let no harm come to sir."
Mr. Murong looked up to the sky and laughed loudly. He patted him on the shoulder and said, "Master Yan is looking down on me. I followed the old gang leader to open up territories and never backed down. This little thing can't stop me!"
Yan Rong quickly clasped his fists and raised his hands, and said solemnly: "Yan made a mistake! Then it's Mr. Lao! When you come back, I will definitely come to your door with a good wine to say thank you!"
Mr. Murong waved to the people behind him, and several brothers immediately came over and lifted the sedan steadily. Mr. Murong and Yan Rong said goodbye, looked at each other meaningfully, and then took the brothers with them.
Protecting the sedan chair, he turned around and left.
A group of people carried the sedan and walked toward Yunzhou in a mighty manner. After the spring rain, the scenery outside the city became more green and beautiful. The trees on Phoenix Mountain were lush and colorful wild flowers bloomed on both sides of the mountain road. A gust of wind passed by, and the elm pods on the treetops suddenly bloomed.
Catkins are floating in the air.
Murong Yanzhao was riding at the front on his horse. He could feel without looking back that the people behind him were looking at the dark sedan, and everyone had their own thoughts.
However, he didn't care at all, because he was waiting. He knew that Elder Feng's departure did not make those with ulterior motives give up. Instead, they wanted to turn their backs on guests and try to control the caravan's branch in Shengjing.
Today is a great opportunity, and they will not let it go easily. They will definitely take action!
After walking forward for a while, several people turned around and found that Yan Rong had disappeared without a trace, so they winked to each other tacitly.
Two brothers from the gang, Loach and Huzi, who had followed Elder Feng for many years, came over and surrounded Mr. Murong on the left and right. Mr. Murong, however, remained calm and rode forward pretending not to know.
Loach asked with a smile: "Sir, do you think this sedan is filled with people or objects? Why is it so mysterious? You are not even allowed to look at it!"
Mr. Murong said without moving: "Didn't His Highness King Yi say that these are his friends? Whose friends are objects!"
Huzi chuckled and said nonchalantly: "It's not easy to be friends with the prince! It's such a long way from Shengjing to Yunzhou, and this sedan is so tightly sealed, isn't it afraid of suffocating people to death? Besides, the sedan is so tight
Won’t the person in the middle not eat, drink, or go to the latrine along the way?”
Ni Loach also echoed: "In my opinion, this is probably where the prince received the ill-gotten wealth. He was afraid that the emperor would find out, so he took the opportunity to move it quickly!"
Mr. Murong knew that they were testing, so he smiled softly and said, "It's not good for you to ask so much. The recent unrest in the caravan is all related to this prince. You have to be careful! You are too curious.
Maybe the things in this sedan can kill you!"
After that, he looked at the two of them deeply, both as a warning and as a test. However, the two of them still didn't seem to give up. They exchanged glances with each other and decided to continue to inquire.
Huzi pulled the reins of Mr. Murong's horse, slowed the horse down, and asked pretending to be calm: "Sir, do you know something? Please tell us. I just heard what Master Yan said.
It's quite scary. You might encounter something along the way. Even if you die, you have to let your brothers die clearly!"
Loach also hurriedly joined in: "That's right, sir. Although the young gang leader didn't say it, brothers
I've guessed to some extent, wasn't Elder Feng expelled from the caravan because he revealed the hiding place of a woman? Who was that person? Could it be the one in the sedan? Wouldn't it bring death to us?
Is it a disaster?"
Mr. Murong looked at the two of them thoughtfully, then turned his head to look at the brothers behind him who were pretending to be in a hurry but listening carefully, and said with a cold smile: "You have stayed in Shengjing for a long time, and you are all used to it.
Are you comfortable now? You’re just escorting one person, so are you scared to death? It seems it’s time for you to practice more!”
The two of them were startled, and both said: "Aren't we just asking casually? It's a long journey, and it's suffocating not to talk. Besides, aren't you curious about this mysterious sedan at all?
"
"Not curious!" Mr. Murong said categorically: "I have lived for so long, I have never seen anything strange, and I have no curiosity about anything. However, I would like to advise you two, think about nothing.
Elder Xiangfeng, why were you kicked out of the caravan? You are still young, there is no need to lose your lives for some illusory things!"
The two looked at each other for a moment, and asked in confusion, "What do you mean, sir?"
Mr. Murong pointed to the sedan behind him and said with profound meaning: "Only if you don't ask about some things and some people, don't think about it, and don't pretend to have thoughts that you shouldn't have, can you live a long life. Just like this sedan, the old man
I really hope you can listen to the old man’s words and never know what is hidden here!”
After that, he pulled the reins and walked a few steps forward. But he sighed in his heart: If they can understand what I say, they should not move the sedan, never! There is still a way to go, and we are at the end!
However, he didn't know that after Huzi and Niyi inquired, they walked back to the team and winked at the other people: It seems that this sedan chair is indeed suspicious!
The group walked for a while, and Mr. Murong looked up and saw the corner of a pavilion faintly projecting halfway up Fenghuang Mountain.