last time

Chapter 104 Murder

Sorrowful clouds were thick, and a grayish white spread from the sky, and then unconsciously spread and blurred, covering the entire imperial city.The red walls and green tiles were eclipsed, and a gloomy and heavy feeling came over us. Even so, it still couldn't stop the worries left by the group of people when they traveled.

Emperor Chongwen wore a crimson gold silk embroidered dragon pattern gown, and the robe was firmly held in front of him. The jade algae half-covered complexion was not as confident as in the past, his eyes were slightly narrowed, and he looked aside inadvertently.Perhaps the cold wind was wanton, and the emperor's little patience was gradually worn away. After a while, he was about to leave, but the people behind him raised their arms to block it. Chu Shiyu barely stopped in his tracks, and cast a puzzled look.

"What is this?" Chu Shiyu smiled and said, "You didn't intend to stop it before, but now that the arrow is on the string, you are..."

Ye Lanyi bowed her head and said, "Your Majesty, I don't understand. The governor just left. Do you really want to rush Xuan Zhuoran into the palace now?"

Chu Shiyu raised his lips and smiled, and said: "Because Chi Yue just left the capital, the opportunity is even more rare. The imperial concubine and Zhuo Ran have a close relationship, and I don't want her to disturb the situation. After I settle these matters, I will give you an explanation. "

The emperor brushed past Ye Lanyi and walked towards the hall, just after taking a few steps, he stopped as if thinking of something, and looked back at Ye Lanyi.Coincidentally meeting Ye Lanyi's eyes, he raised an eyebrow, and Concubine Lan knew it well, so she bent down and bowed, signaling that she would not leak the news, the emperor nodded in satisfaction, and led Yuanlu in a big stride Stepped into the hall.

There was nothing wrong with the morning court, so it ended hastily.Chu Shiyu nodded his fingertips, and Yuanlu kept staring at his expression. It didn't take a moment to notice that the emperor frowned slightly, raised his eyes to look at the carved beams of the pilgrimage hall, and said: "It's almost time, Xuan Zhuo ran into it." palace."

Yuan Lu whispered, "Yes."

***
"My lord, Empress Lanpin is here." The attendant nodded and said.

Tian Wuruo put down the white piece in his hand, Ye Lanyi was already in front of him when he got up, he nodded slightly, and bowed, Ye Lanyi hurriedly blocked it, with a slightly worried expression on his face, and said: "Tianshi..."

Tian Wuruo restrained his expression and said, "You guys step back first."

Ye Lanyi opened her mouth after the screen moved back to the left and right, and said, "Has the Celestial Master ever sent a message to Zhuo Siye?"

"Back to the empress of Lanyi, it is inconvenient for me to meet with Zhuo Siye, and I have dragged the message to a trustworthy person, my empress can rest assured." Tian Wuruo didn't get any reassuring expression from Ye Lanyi, so he frowned slightly, and couldn't help but Think in another direction.

Ye Lanyi smiled relaxedly, and said, "That's not necessary. I'm just a little worried when I see His Majesty's appearance this morning. It would be best if Zhuo Siye took precautions."

Tian Wuruo nodded, and said: "Your Majesty, to tell you the truth, I handed over the secret letter to Prison Fu. If she gets close to Zhuo Siye, nothing will happen."

"I hope so." Ye Lanyi bit her lower lip, suppressing the uneasiness in her heart, and finally said nothing.

The black cover is covered, and the broken rain is falling.

Zhuo Ran breathed out slowly for a while, resisting the ups and downs of his mood, raised his hand to wipe away the remaining tears from the corners of his eyes, and finally opened his eyes.

The room was so stuffy that people couldn't breathe, Zhuo Ran lifted the quilt, opened the door without putting on a coat, was shivered by the cold wind, and had to take a step back.

"Be careful." When Zhuo Ran was almost tripped by the corner of her skirt, Chang Yinyu grabbed her arm to hold her up, closed the door smoothly, and brought Zhuo Ran back to the house.

Zhuo Ran coughed twice, let go of Chang Yinyu, and said, "What time is it? Why are you here?"

Hearing that her voice was weak and a little weak, Chang Yinyu hurriedly took the outer shirt and said: "I thought you were up early, but your majesty asked Yuan Lu to announce you to the palace. I haven't seen you for a long time. You come out. How are you, sick again?"

"No." Zhuo Ran woke up a little after hearing this, and said, "Let's go out now, and we'll talk about chores when we come back."

Yuan Lu had been waiting outside the mansion gate for a long time. Seeing Zhuo Ran and Chang Yinyu coming out together, he immediately stepped forward to greet him, and repeated Chu Shiyu's oral instructions to Zhuo Ran, and then made a greeting gesture .

Zhuo Ran nodded and said, "You stay here."

Chang Yinyu saluted, passed an umbrella with both hands, and said in a deep voice, "Master, take the umbrella."

Zhuo Ran held the umbrella handle, looked up at Chang Yinyu, and nodded slightly.

Yuan Lu leaned over and said, "Master Si Ye, don't worry, the carriage is ready."

Zhuo Ran looked up at the gloomy sky, covered her eyes with worry, then lifted her skirt and got into the carriage.

Chang Yinyu watched the group of people drift away, and cast a blank glance at the rainy sky.

Here, Wen Rongxi and Li Yunchuan had already left Gaodu City, and there were not many accompanying guards, and they all arranged by Huo Jie's side.When leaving the capital today, the emperor did not see him off, but acquiesced in allowing the city gates to pass through without hindrance. Because of the unimpeded passage, the group arrived at Weicheng in the northeast of Gaodu in a short time.

Zhushi was led by his attendants, Li Yanchuan lifted the curtain of the carriage, opened the small window and stretched out his hand, the raindrops fell on his fingertips and slid into his palm, and the cold wind followed the rain. He shrank his neck slightly and clenched his hands tightly. Back from Zhuo Ran's side, he heard a muffled cough from the side, and then hastily closed the window.

"I'm sorry," Li Yanchuan collected his expression, nodded and said, "Forget that you can't stand the wind now."

Wen Rongxi covered her lips for a moment, and said: "The governor doesn't have to be like this, this day is impermanent, and I was not careful."

"We're in Weicheng." Li Yanchuan rubbed his hands, wiped off the wetness, and handed over a cup of hot water, and said, "If you want to travel faster, you can get outside Weicheng before dark, let's get someone to build a tent first. It looks like it won't stop."

"Everything is up to the governor." Wen Rongxi drank the water, and took advantage of Li Yanchuan's instructions to Xi Yu and Gu Zhao to look out, the sky was dark and gloomy, and it was really boring.And it must be the same in the palace, he gently turned the water glass, suppressing the inexplicable worry and panic into the bottom of his heart, but still remembered Yan Chengxuan's words before leaving.

"Before, His Majesty said that he would send the governor to Luzhou to discuss the matter of silver and silver, but no matter how urgent Yi Dong's side is, it shouldn't change so quickly." Yan Chengxuan put Wen Rongxi's purse away and said, "I'll let Jing Shan follow me By your side, you can tell him anything."

Wen Rongxi frowned slightly, and said, "Don't you think His Majesty will let the Governor go halfway to Luzhou? Second young master, His Majesty's will can't be guessed."

Yan Chengxuan shook his head, and said, "It's just intuition. By the way, Yan Shu, Jing Shan mentioned that Huo Jie has frequently been in and out of the Right Prime Minister's Mansion in the past few days, all in the dead of night, and he is not a bad person, so you should be careful."

"Rather than the Second Young Master, you can't keep staring at the Right Prime Minister's mansion like this. How can you say that the Right Prime Minister is for Dayu, and it's fine if you have a different position. You must not be impeached to implicate Mr. Wen Rongxi." Wen Rongxi glanced at the couch He said: "This trip is not just for sightseeing, so let's change into such fancy clothes."

Yan Chengxuan picked up the light purple robe, pointed to the cloud pattern embroidery on it, and frowned at him: "Where is it fancy? Could it be that you want to wear plain white all the time?"

"It's changed." Wen Rongxi sat on the side of the couch and said, "You should also pay attention to Li Yushi and Yan Zhi, you and I also know that everything that happened recently is not very clear, especially the relationship between Wuhou's family and Li Chengru , As for Wu Lianyi, don't care for now."

"Yan Shu, I don't want to get involved in their affairs, besides, the news about the princess of the previous dynasty has spread all over Gao, how can you guarantee that these things will not happen together?" Yan Chengxuan narrowed his eyes and said: "He Xiyao and Wang Jitong are not perfect helpers. Once you leave, it will be easier for Li Yushi to do what he wants."

Wen Rongxi didn't continue what he said, but the Luzhou he just mentioned was also a problem during this trip.Chu Shiyu had no other instructions. If the order could not be changed day and night, Li Yuchuan might have another mission to go to Luzhou.

When Li Xunchuan came back to his senses, he saw Wen Rongxi staring straight at Xiao Ji, and called him a few times before he could react.

"If you really don't feel well, let's find a doctor first." Li Xunchuan brought a cloak beside him to him, and said, "Put on some, it will get colder the further you go north."

Wen Rongxi was stunned for a moment, and took the cloak with both hands. He had heard some things about him in Gaodu. It has changed.

***
Ruofei has been restless ever since Li Xunchuan left, and Wu Song couldn't keep an eye on it when he stayed in the mansion alone. Wu Song ran out after it broke free from its chains and circled up to the sky.

Originally suffocated, Wu Song was almost crying and chasing, exhausting himself to the point of dying.Ruofei spread his wings and spun around the clouds twice, dyeing the original gray and white into black and blue, before swooping down and bumping headlong towards Wu Song.

Seeing this, Wu Song squatted on the ground with his head in his hands, and shouted: "...don't come over!"

Ruofei raised his head proudly, walked around Wu Song twice, and yelled a few more times, Wu Song poked his head out, saw the carriage turning in front of him, saw Yuan Lu again, and suddenly remembered Li Xunchuan had told him to pay attention to the carriage entering the palace, so he gently touched Ruofei's head and followed quietly.

Zhuo Ran held the umbrella in her hand, and then tapped the unusual umbrella handle, frowning slightly, but before she could think of the deep meaning, Yuan Lu called outside and arrived at the gate of the palace.Zhuo Ran shook his head and declined Yuan Lu's support, and got out of the carriage with both hands holding the oil-paper umbrella. Seeing that the rain had stopped, Yuan Lu wanted to take the umbrella from Zhuo Ran's hand, but Zhuo Ran was smiling, but he was not facing himself.

"Elder-in-law, I have something to say to him." Zhuo Ran pointed to Wu Song who was not far away, and said, "I wonder if you can accommodate me?"

Yuan Lu also met Wu Song, he took a look at Wu Song, then smiled back and said: "Of course, it's just that Mr. Si Ye must not make His Majesty wait too long."

Zhuo Ran nodded slightly, then walked towards Wu Song.Ruofei stopped not far away, Zhuo Ran handed the umbrella to Wu Song and said, "I didn't bring an umbrella when I went out, what if it rains?"

Wu Song took the oil-paper umbrella with both hands, and said, "Master Si Ye is going to enter the palace?"

"Your Majesty has something to call. If you are bored, you can go to the prison for me and make an appointment to pay the prisoner." Zhuo Ran raised his hand, and Ruofei flew towards Zhuo Ran slowly, and stood firmly on her on the arm.

Wu Song raised his eyes to look at Zhuo Ran, saw her smile slightly, and immediately lowered his head and said, "I see."

Yuan Lu glanced at Zhuo Ran, took advantage of the moment Zhuo Ran turned around, and immediately changed his face, and said with a smile: "Master Si Ye, please."

There was no incense burning in the pilgrimage hall, and the parrot that often accompanied Emperor Chongwen disappeared. After Yuan Lu brought Zhuo Ran into the hall, he bowed and retreated, leaving only the two standing up and down, indifferent and strict.

"Chen Zhuo Ran kowtows to Your Majesty." Zhuo Ran bowed down and knelt down, but after waiting for a while, he didn't hear Chu Shiyu's words "flat body", so he could only bow his head and silently clenched his hands into fists.

Chu Shiyu looked down at Zhuo Ran through Yuliu, and just stared at her worshiping appearance for a quarter of an hour.

"I've been thinking," Chu Shiyu leaned back on the dragon chair, Liuzhu slid from his forehead to his temples because of his upward posture, but he closed his eyes and said, "What if there is One day the person kneeling in front of me is not my person, how should I deal with it?"

Zhuo Ran maintained this posture, his back was numb, but he didn't dare to raise his head, so he could only say in a muffled voice, "...I don't understand."

Chu Shiyu let out a long sigh.

"At the end of the Nanhuan period, the palace was in turmoil, the Nancheng fire passed away, and the company of ministers appeared for the first time. The only prince cherished, pityed and mourned..."

Zhuo Ran had seen these few words written by Han Congzhong, which were recorded in "Nan Huan Ce", and she also knew how Chu Lian came to power, but she knew very little about the period of Emperor Nan Huan, especially the end period, and Chu Shiyu specifically picked As for this matter, it must be because of the displeasure with Gaodu's recent rumors.

"You are a smart person, you should know why I asked you to come."

Zhuo Ran shook her head slightly, and said: "I'm stupid, I don't know..."

"Princess of the former dynasty...the orphan of Nanhuan..." Chu Shiyu interrupted her, and said, "I didn't believe it at first, but I suddenly found out when I asked someone to investigate the matter of General Zhuoting's residence." Do you want to hear a lot of things?"

Only then did Zhuo Ran use his strength secretly, standing up with his hands on the ground, Chu Shiyu also sat up straight, looked down at the man's eyes, and then slowly said: "It is said that the reason for the death of the general's wife is The birth of the youngest daughter, but I discovered that these things did not happen at the same time."

"Return to Your Majesty." Zhuo Ran calmed down and said, "I have never heard of this, and my father never told me about my mother."

Chu Shiyu raised his eyebrows slightly.

Zhuo Ran realized that this time entering the palace might really be a back-and-forth, and these rumors were meant to damage the royal family, so she was chosen as a scapegoat.It's just that no matter what, you can't lose your life here today.After thinking for a while, Zhuo Ran raised his head and said, "Your Majesty must know about Rouge. Li Yushi tried his best to find the princess of the former dynasty. Only Lord Yushi knew more clues, but Xiaqiu never found out." entry, so there is no way to know its ins and outs.”

The emperor raised his lips and smiled when he heard the words. Although Zhuo Ran and Li Chengru had no official relationship, the two always wanted to kill each other. Zhuo Ran did not shy away from it, and Li Chengru did not hide it, but it was reasonable.

"I want to come..." Chu Shiyu hid his smile and said, "You haven't seen your master for a long time."

Zhuo Ran's heart trembled violently.

Chu Shiyu frowned and looked at Zhuo Ran, who had not changed his face, clapped his hands twice, and Yuan Lu led the two of them into the hall through the curtain.

Zhuo Ran's pupils shrank suddenly, Han Congzhong and Zhou Yu were put on iron chains, and pushed to move to Zhuo Ran's side.

"Your Majesty...you..." Zhuo Ran frowned and looked at Chu Shiyu, but the emperor kept smiling, raising his eyebrows to signal Zhuo Ran to watch their movements.

"Your wish has been fulfilled, so why bother to pretend now?" Han Congzhong's appearance was changed to that of when he was in Zuixueting again, with a pair of eyes showing through his gray and messy hair, staring at Chu Shiyu like this.

Zhuo Ran stood in front of the two of them and said, "Your Majesty just wanted to find a reason to kill Zhuo Ran from the beginning. Taifu and Uncle Zhou should not be regarded as bridges..."

"Ran'er!" Zhou Yu raised his hand to pull Zhuo Ran to his side, and said, "Listen to Uncle Zhou, the emperor doesn't want your life, he just wants to stabilize his Chu clan! He doesn't deserve to kill you! "

"Uncle Zhou..."

Chu Shiyu laughed loudly for a long while before ordering Yuanlu to step down. At this moment, there were only four people left in the hall.

"Teacher and Mr. Zhou seem to have misunderstood me quite a bit." Chu Shiyu sat up straight and said, "Isn't it just that I want you to meet? Zhuo Ran, I think you have a lot to say, and I will give you this opportunity." .”

"Chu Shiyu!" Han Congzhong took two steps forward, dragging the iron chain, and said, "If you touch Xiaqiu, I, Han Congzhong, would rather commit suicide than fulfill your wish!"

"Master..." Zhuo Ran held Han Congzhong's arm tightly, and said, "Master can't do this, Xiaqiu can be reborn because of Master's kindness, Xiaqiu must not let Master have any danger..."

Han Congzhong's expression froze, he shook off Zhuo Ran's hand suddenly, and said seriously: "You are confused! Have you forgotten what I told you?"

"Shanzhong!" Zhou Yu supported Zhuo Ran who was barely standing still, looked at Han Congzhong, and said, "You..."

"Chu Shiyu." Han Congzhong took two steps, facing Emperor Chongwen, but still raised his head, and said, "I will never agree to what you mentioned to me, and Zhuo Xiaqiu's life and death are not very important to me." It doesn't matter, if she dies, it will be regarded as the old man who has nothing to inherit in his life, if you want to kill or cut, you should hurry up!"

"What nonsense are you talking about, Shanzhong!" Zhou Yu's eyes widened.

Zhuo Ran couldn't stand anymore after hearing the words, but Han Congzhong didn't turn to look at her.

Chu Shiyu was a little tired from watching, he braced his arms for a while, and then said: "I understand everything the Taifu said, but I have some secrets to share with you alone, let Xiaqiu and Lord Zhou go out first. "

"What exactly do you want to do?" Zhou Yu was almost tripped by the iron chain under his feet. He frowned and looked at Chu Shiyu. What the emperor thought and did was incomprehensible.

Chu Shiyu said patiently: "It's just a secret, you and Xiaqiu should leave the palace first."

Han Congzhong was still standing in front of the hall, Yuan Lu brought some attendants to take them out, the door of the hall slowly opened and closed from both sides, when Zhuo Ran looked through the gap, there was only one scene left.

Emperor Gaotang Chongwen was sitting upright, with the jade beads hanging down, he couldn't see his expression clearly, he could vaguely feel the murderous intent only by feeling.However, the old man standing under His Highness refused to show any respect to the emperor. The two were in opposition. In Zhuo Ran's eyes, at the moment the palace door opened and closed, the aura in the palace suddenly formed a stronger barrier.

Yuan Lu didn't lead the way again, Zhuo Ran didn't realize something was wrong until they reached the big square in front of the pilgrimage hall.

There are turrets on both sides of the big square, and there are Habayashi Guards stationed there on weekdays, but today it was a little strangely quiet, Zhuo Ran helped Zhou Yu to walk quickly, but was stopped by Tian Wuruo who rushed over.

"Tianshi..." Zhuo Ran looked at Tian Wuruo with a frown, and said softly, "It's not suitable to stay here for a long time. Don't get involved with Master Tianshi and Sister Fu, and leave quickly."

Tian Wuruo shook his head and said, "No, have you seen Sisi?"

Zhuo Ran took the opportunity to look around, the sword and crossbow at the corner of the turret were already on the string, she could only bite her lip and said, "Master Tianshi, Uncle Zhou is the master of Sister Fu, Sister Fu and Xiaqiu said they want to see Zhou Uncle, please ask Master Tianshi to take Uncle Zhou there."

"You..." Tian Wuruo squeezed his fingers tightly and said, "This..."

"Ran'er!" Zhou Yu also sensed something was wrong, he held her hand tightly and said, "You go first, don't delay any longer."

"Master Tianshi, why are you delaying here?"

The three of them looked back, Ye Lanyi relaxed her expression, and followed one of them to walk straight here.

"Why are you here?" Tian Wuruo looked at Ye Lanyi and said, "Your Majesty, he..."

"Everyone, don't panic." Ye Lanyi smiled lightly, motioned for the people behind to stand up, and said: "I will hold Habayashi Wei back, someone is already waiting outside the palace gate, let's go quickly."

Chang Yinyu put on his official hat, handed over the umbrella to Zhuo Ran just now, and said softly: "I know what the master thinks, whether to go or not is entirely up to the master."

Zhuo Ran hesitated for a moment, put her hand on the umbrella and rubbed it for a moment, then said softly after a moment of pause: "Let's go."

Ye Lanyi frowned and said, "Follow me."

Just after passing the turret, Zhuo Ran raised his hand and slapped Zhou Yu on the back of the neck. Chang Yinyu quickly supported Zhou Yu with his eyes, and called out urgently: "Little master, what are you doing?"

Zhuo Ran snatched the umbrella from Chang Yinyu's hand, and said, "Thank you, Empress Lanpin and Master Tianshi for saving me, but the master is still in the hall, I have to go and rescue him."

"No!" Chang Yinyu hastily grabbed Zhuo Ran's arm.

"Let's go, if you implicate Empress Lan and Master Tianshi, it's not your life!" Zhuo Ran bent down and bowed, stretched out his hand, and the paper umbrella in his hand had turned into an ancient pine shade.

(End of this chapter)