Chapter 384: There is no fragrant grass anywhere in the world
In late March, peach blossoms bloom one after another. Sometimes Zhang Ning doesn't know where the flowers are blooming, but he can smell the fragrance blown by the wind. Not long after the cherry blossoms wither, the peach blossoms bloom again, which reminds people of the saying, "There is no fragrance anywhere in the world."
Grass.
But he still couldn't let go. He kept asking himself over and over again in the past few days, will he regret what he did today one day in the future? He has been wandering alone in the quiet corridor of the Chu Palace for a long time. The past events of the murder of his uncle Zhang's family are vivid.
At present, Emperor Xuande is definitely capable of killing innocent people. Besides, Luo Yaoniang cannot be completely "innocent". Will he send her to the Shura field?
There is no turning back now, we can only wait for the result... It is not polite to come back and not reciprocate. Zhang Ning really believes in some Confucian truths; there are also words such as repaying evil with kindness. The imperial court wants to use a divorce plan, and let Zhang Ning
I personally felt the threat of the cold, so I had to respond with a countermeasure.
It's just that fighting evil with others is like a battlefield. You kill one thousand enemies and injure eight hundred yourself. You often have to pay the price when you deal with others.
He thought on the bright side, maybe the Peach Blossom Fairy could rescue Luo Yaoniang again this time. But even if Luo Yaoniang could escape, he would lose her heart; and he taught this woman a vivid lesson.
It can make her more realistic and mature.
Luo Yaoniang must have guessed that Zhang Ning was the one who brought their family into trouble. If the factory guard wants to check the handwriting, she should be able to remember that she once sent a letter as compensation for breaking an appointment. And why did the Peach Blossom Fairy ask for help in front of her?
After contacting the eunuch Wang Gou'er, she was able to assume that Zhang Ning and Wang Gou'er had caused the incident together.
She was able to write that letter naturally because she trusted Zhang Ning; just like Zhang Ning trusted her. But her sincerity became a handle for others to take advantage of...
"Alas..." Zhang Ning let out a long sigh.
After wandering for a while, he found that Zhang Xiaomei's room was nearby, so he walked over and looked in the door, and sure enough he saw her in the room.
The door was not closed tightly, and he saw that the little girl was concentrating on reading some book. He opened the door and walked in. He wanted to say a few words to the little girl, maybe he could escape from the tangled and troubled emotions.
The wooden door made a "creaking" sound, but surprisingly, Zhang Xiaomei didn't notice it. He asked: "What book made you so fascinated?" This finally woke up Zhang Xiaomei, and she moved very quickly, and immediately
She stuffed the booklet in her hand into the quilt. Zhang Ning promised that she had never seen her move so quickly.
The younger sister blushed: "This is the girl's boudoir, why did my brother sneak in without saying a word?"
Zhang Ning said: "I knocked on the door and called you, but you didn't say not to let me in, so I came in naturally."
Zhang Xiaomei frowned and said, "Did you knock on the door?"
"Knocked it." Zhang Ning said seriously. After saying that, he casually sat down in front of the desk, as if he didn't find anything, let alone glanced at the quilt where the little sister had just stuffed something. "I passed by you and came in for a sip of tea.
, I might as well talk to you, I’ve been so busy lately that I haven’t even bothered to talk to you.”
The little girl looked back and said, "The water on the stove happened to be boiling not long ago. Please sit down for a while."
When she turned around to make tea, Zhang Ning stood up calmly and quietly, reached into the quilt and took out what she had hidden. Looking through it, it turned out to be the kind of pamphlet commonly found in bookstores.
, and also comes with illustrations.
He flipped through a few pages casually, feeling that they were of low quality, and the illustrations were printed with black and white ink lines, which were very poor. He could only distinguish the postures used by two people to do that. He then said: "Who gave you the book?" , this painting is too bad, I remember there was a color painting."
Only then did the little sister realize that she dropped the kettle and ran over, snatching the little book away: "Brother, you are so annoying!"
"It's not a big deal, why are you hiding?" Zhang Ning said.
When the younger sister saw that he didn't blame her, she raised her lips in displeasure and said, "I got it from Sister Gu. It looked novel, so, so..."
Zhang Ning didn't take it seriously and just said: "There are many people in this palace, so just don't let others see it."
"I know." The younger sister blushed, "I just remembered that it doesn't matter if my brother finds out... Anyway, you have done bad things to others."
Zhang Ning was still thinking about Luo Yaoniang, and there was Zhang Xiaomei in front of him. He thought to himself: Many women are as innocent as Xiaomei at the beginning, and they are extremely ashamed to read a small book, but as soon as she leaves the shelter , being deceived and trampled on, will grow again after seeing the wind and rain.
He couldn't help but stretched out his hand to hold Zhang Xiaomei's little hand. He looked at her emotionally and said: "My surname should have been Zhu and your surname Zhang. Although the world will still criticize us brothers and sisters if we are too blatant, it doesn't matter. Just stay by my side, do you believe I won't betray you?"
Zhang Xiaomei's eyes became gentle, and she nodded vigorously without thinking: "Of course I believe it, brother, why do you still need to ask?"
…
The residence in Yangzhou is not Yang Shiqi's home. His home is in the capital. But as the first and assistant minister, the place where he lives should not be casually broken in by factory guards or swordsmen. This is the minimum dignity and prestige of a minister. But That's exactly what happened. Factory guards brazenly rushed into the house, searched the house, and captured a slave.
Without the emperor's approval, these factory guards would never dare to break into the minister's house; otherwise, if an important minister involved in ruling the empire does not even have basic protection, why should the ministers ask those eunuchs to manage the country?
Yang Shiqi already felt that something was wrong.
Within two days, the attention of the court officials had shifted to the inside, and they started a storm against Yang Shiqi. The first place to attack was Yang Shiqi's son. This start was completely expected by Yang Shiqi, because his son was also his weakness.
He has a son named Yang Ji, who has a bad temper and is arrogant. Perhaps it is because Yang Shiqi has been too protective of his son since he was a child and has not been too harsh in discipline. As this son grows up, he becomes even more arrogant and relies on his reputation, so he naturally does evil things. There are more than a dozen cases of fighting, hurting others, bullying men and women, some of which were maimed. In fact, Yang Shiqi did wipe his butt every time and settled the matter. There was nothing he could do about it. As a father, could he see it with his own eyes? Watching the only son being brought to justice, executed according to law, or embarking on the road of exile to the frontier with a near-death experience?
In fact, Yang Shiqi would teach his son a lesson every time something happened, and even hang him up and beat him. But this kind of punishment obviously had little effect on his son who had developed a habit. Yang Ji knew in his bones that even if something big happened, he would be brave. Lao Tzu, there is nothing to be afraid of when something happens.
Although this kind of thing has a bad impact, it has always been harmless. As long as there is no murder, there is always a way to calm it down. Of course, no one in the court would hold on to Yang Shiqi's son for nothing, and he would give it to him if he could give him face. For the emperor and the court , compared with a virtuous minister and a wicked boy, the former is obviously more important.
But this is only okay when the weather is calm. Once the momentum is bad, everyone will seize this point and start attacking. Yang Ji's evil deeds are indeed documented and proven. If you use this matter to attack, you will be invincible.
place.
In fact, Yang Shiqi disliked his son very much. In comparison, he felt that his adopted daughter was much more well-behaved and sensible. However, after Yang Shiqi's biological mother remarried and lived in his stepfather's house, the most important thing in his heart was his biological son. That was after the Yang family
.
But this time it was Yang Ji who was attacking, but Yang Ji was not the essence of the matter; Luo Yaoniang, who had always attracted his favor, made him even more worried.
The maid captured was Luo Yaoniang's personal maid. After entering the house, the factory guard seemed to have searched Luo Yaoniang's boudoir and took away her handwriting. Various signs indicate that this matter is most likely related to Luo Yaoniang.
.
Yang Shiqi no longer cared about his adopted daughter's self-esteem or face, and once again called for Luo Yaoniang to go to the study for questioning.
"Are you in contact with Zhang Ning's people?" Yang Shiqi asked directly, his tone much harsher than usual.
Luo Yaoniang was a little frightened, hesitated for a moment and finally nodded and admitted.
Yang Shiqi sighed, and suddenly felt that he had made a wrong step. He should not have cared about Luo Yaoniang's opinion in the first place, and should have married her long ago... Perhaps the emperor's suspicion of him was largely due to Luo Yaoniang's opinion.
Luo Yaoniang was previously engaged to Zhang Ning, the leader of the rebel army. Although it was later dissolved, it is strange that a big girl is still raising her at home after she is over 20 years old. Could it be that the old relationship is still there?
Yang Shiqi was never confused about big things, but he often made mistakes about small things at home. This time it was the simplest mistake.
Yang Shiqi's tone became more severe: "What did you see his people doing?"
Luo Yaoniang has always been courageous and very independent. The only person she fears and respects is her adoptive father Yang Shiqi. Faced with such a question from Yang Shiqi, she became confused and timidly replied: "He sent someone to Yangzhou to do something.
By the way, I brought a letter over here, and those people who are unfamiliar with Yangzhou also want me to help them settle down."
"What are you doing?" Yang Shiqi was not as calm and kind as usual today, and his questions were short and stiff.
Luo Yaoniang replied: "I don't know either... and I was just bumped into by them accidentally. Later, I was afraid that my father would be implicated, so I was unwilling to meet him, let alone help. I just felt that I should say something, so I sent him
Xiaocui went and told them not to keep the appointment."
Yang Shiqi said: "Did you ask Xiaocui to send me the words, and did you write them yourself?"
For a moment, Luo Yaoniang felt that the responsibility for the entire disaster would fall on her shoulders, and she really couldn't bear it. Her coldness and arrogance in front of outsiders was not enough to prove her strength. How much ability can a woman in her early twenties have to shoulder the responsibility?
Such a major event concerns the future of the Prime Minister, his family, and even many bureaucrats in the DPRK.
How can one be held responsible? Should one be held responsible if one dies?
"No!" Luo Yaoniang shook her head vigorously, tears already in her eyes.
Yang Shiqi suddenly hardened his heart and remained unmoved. He emphasized again: "Really not?"
"No, really not! I don't know those people, so I sent Xiaocui over to say something, saying that I won't go to the appointment, just for Zhang Ning's sake." Luo Yaoniang called him by his name, and suddenly she felt in her heart.
I felt great hatred for this man.
As Yang Shiqi suspected, the factory guards captured Xiaocui and took away Luo Yaoniang's handwriting. Luo Yaoniang also realized that the letter she brought there should have fallen into the hands of the factory guards... and the Peach Blossom Fairy asked Wang Gou Regarding Wang Gou'er's matter, he also told her that if she wanted to find Wang Gou'er, she should first go to the eunuch Wang Zhen and how to find Wang Zhen. But at that time, she did not pursue it further. Why did the Peach Blossom Fairy want to find Wang Gou'er? How did Zhang Ning's people get along with her? Are there any collusions among the imperial factory guards?
Luo Yaoniang's hatred is that all the blame fell on her alone, but there is an even more uncomfortable emotion in her heart, and that is betrayal. If you are wary of him to begin with, you won't be like this even if you are plotted against. Sad; but being betrayed by someone you trust is probably one of the saddest feelings. My whole view of time and everything seems to have changed in an instant.
Yang Shiqi sighed again and softened his attitude slightly, "Actually, you are not to blame for this matter after all. What is supposed to come will come sooner or later, but a small thing can trigger it early and give others an excuse."
"My father asked me to die to apologize. I can only use my life to repay the kindness of raising her for many years." Luo Yaoniang's face was ashen, and her despair and despair were fully reflected on her face.
Yang Shiqi hurriedly said: "Absolutely not! If you can't look away, what use will it make?"
"Then what should we do now?" Luo Yaoniang said in confusion.
"What should we do..." Yang Shiqi rubbed his hands and said helplessly, "Since we haven't found a way to deal with it, it's best to remain unchanged in response to all changes."
Now that we have reached this point, what can Yang Shiqi do? His energy comes from prestige, fame, connections and the status he has accumulated over the years. But now the emperor wants to take back his status, and his colleagues in the court are all making gestures to attack his son Yang Ji in order to avoid suspicion. , the connections are no longer reliable, so what ability is left to solve the problem... In the past, if something happened, for example, it was within the scope of Yang Rong's management, it could be solved by just saying hello. Now, just say hello to Yang Rong and see if he buys it.
At this moment, the housekeeper walked outside the study and coughed lightly. Yang Shiqi called him in to talk.
The housekeeper reported: "There is a woman outside the door asking to see her. The old slave doesn't recognize her, so she asked for a name card."
Yang Shiqi said casually: "Who would send someone to visit at this time?" He took the name card and read, "Peach Blossom Fairy?"
When Luo Yaoniang heard this, she hurriedly said: "I know this person..."
Yang Shiqi quickly realized something. He stretched out his hand and twirled his beard. After some hesitation, he said: "These people don't know whether to live or die. They come directly to visit. Are they to be killed or to be punished? Hurry and drive them away!"
But Luo Yaoniang didn't think so. She felt that even her father couldn't do anything about it now, so he just sat there and waited for death. Why not listen to what the people over there had to say? And she also had doubts in her heart, and she really wanted to question the Peach Blossom Fairy face to face.
Then Yang Shiqi gave some instructions, strictly ordering Luo Yaoniang not to go out without authorization and not to cause trouble again. He could not lock Luo Yaoniang at home. Yang Shiqi would not do such a thing, and it was against Luo Yaoniang... If Luo Yaoniang were a Perhaps the daughter who is deceived and ignorant of world affairs can be locked up.
Naturally, Luo Yaoniang's temporary residence in the Yang's residence could not stop her. A few years ago, she could go to and from Nanjing alone to do dangerous things, and it was easy to get in and out of the familiar Yang's residence.
Late that night, when there were no moon or stars, she found an unlit corner and slipped out of the courtyard wall alone in night clothes.
Not far from the north of the city, there is a place where you may not necessarily see the Peach Blossom Fairy right away, but you can find Zhang Ning's people. It is a shop that sells all kinds of calligraphy and ink papers. The person who sells the shop is named Jiang, and he seems to be a father and son.
There was also an accountant and a handyman. The Peach Blossom Fairy had stopped sending signals through antiques before, but she had sent her a message about the Wenmo shop, and Luo Yaoniang also took the opportunity to visit the shop.
She walked down a secret alley and quietly approached the shop, but she saw a faint light peeking out from the crack in the door. Luo Yaoniang lurked in the dark for nearly half an hour (an hour).
After making sure there was no movement around, he walked to the door and knocked gently.
The weak light inside was immediately extinguished, and there was silence. Luo Yaoniang took the initiative and said, "It's me, Luo Yaoniang. Fairy Peach Blossom recognizes me."
After a while, a piece of the inlaid wooden door panel was removed, and a voice said: "Come in quickly and talk about it." It was still so dark inside that I couldn't see my fingers.
"The matter is urgent. I went to see you during the day. I wanted to see Mr. Yang." Peach Blossom Fairy's voice came out. When someone reinstalled the door panel, they heard the sound of "whirring" blowing several times, and the fire fold was blown.
Then he lit a lamp. The wick of the lamp was so short that the flame was only slightly larger than a grain of rice. The weak light prevented people from hitting things in the room.
Luo Yaoniang was full of words and didn't know where to start, so she kept a straight face and said nothing.
Peach Blossom Fairy said: "Let's go inside and talk, while Jiang Hai stays by the door and watches."