The Demon Soul is Coming

() Baifengguo sets the Marquis as the fourth class, which are the first-class Founding Assistant Yunhou, the second-class Chengtian Jingnanhou, the third-class Fengtian Yiyunhou, and the fourth-class Chenghuangyiweihou.

The fourth-class marquis has a title but no land, the third-class marquis is equivalent to the county marquis, Luming Marquis Xia Qi was originally the third-class marquis, the second-class marquis is equivalent to the county marquis, and the first-class marquis, whose fief is equivalent to a country within a country, decides on his own After Beihou's death, the princes fought against each other, and the court deliberately delayed. Baifeng Kingdom has no first-class princes.

Lord Zhiyu wrote to the imperial court to change Xudong Road to Xudong County, but he wanted Xia Qi to be a first-class marquis. If Xia Qi became a town marquis, where would the rest of his fief come from? ..

Although the Chu faction actually controlled Nanyuan, they were only Shi Husbands in name. Although Shi Husbands also had fiefdoms, they only had the right to collect taxes, and could not hold troops or open a mansion. How to put it, if the name is not correct, the words will not go well. If Xia Qi becomes the first-class founding assistant, the first person who will have trouble sleeping and eating will be Chu Yugong, the leader of the Chu clan.

Of course, Young Yugong also knows that for the imperial court, he is a thorn in the side and a thorn in the flesh. No matter whether it is the Peacock King or the Ao family, it is impossible for him to easily get what he wants.But to him, it was just a letter to Ningyun City, and it didn't cost any money. If the court refused in this way, the Xia family's father and daughter in Ningyun City would only blame Lin Wang and the Ao family.

After careful consideration, the imperial court obviously came up with a compromise plan. It only promoted Xia Qi from the third-class Fengtian Yiyunhou to the second-class Chengtian Jingnanhou, and then gave him the whole Xudong as a fief. Wang Bufeng, these lands have actually been controlled by Xia Qi and his daughter. ..

Liu Sang quickly sorted out the causal relationship in his mind, and at the same time, he also immediately realized why the Chu family was so flattering to the lady. The Chu clan had already realized that Lord Zhiyu was very likely to send troops to Youyi City to capture Nanyuan, and Xu Dongjun might not be strong enough , dare not easily approach Nanyuan, but if you find the right time.Cooperating with Xihai Town and stabbing the Chu Clan in the back, it is hard for the Chu Clan not to have a headache.

Chu Clan knew very well that Ningyun City was really in charge of Xia Yingchen.Therefore, the reason to win over and let Miss Le Ying and Wen Lu receive Xia Yingchen is also to show their intimacy.When Xia Yingchen came to Youyi City, he also expressed that the Xia family in Ningyun City had no intention of becoming an enemy of the Chu Clan.In any case, compared to Xu Dong, the Chu Clan is powerful.If there is a conflict between the two families, it will not benefit the Xia family much.

Liu Sang looked at his wife and was about to say more.

There was a slight sound of footsteps on the other side, obviously someone came to use the toilet, they immediately shut up.

But Wen Lu's voice came: "Sister Qingying came to Hezhou across the sea, just to meet the son-in-law Liu Sang?"

The voice of Qingying Qiu Yuxiang also came: "Well, in fact, I was at the foot of Tu Mountain in Yangzhou in autumn. I had the opportunity to meet him, but unfortunately I didn't know he was there at the time, so I couldn't ask him for painting lessons. Dao, but unintentionally, I got a poem from him."

The two talked while walking.They each entered another room, right next to the hiding places of Liu Sang and Xia Yingchen. After a while, the rustling sound came. Although he knew it was not good to eavesdrop, as a man, Liu Sang's mind Still involuntarily, the picture of Qingying Qiu Yuxiang and Wen Lu squatting there with their upskirts and trousers off.

Turning around again, he found Xia Yingchen staring at him.

Cough, lady, you can't blame me, you dragged me here.

Then again... lady, don't you want to pee?

The two girls went out together after going to the toilet, and there was a maid outside who brought clean water towels.

It wasn't until the two of them were far away that Liu Sang looked at Xia Yingchen in embarrassment, Xia Yingchen glanced at him angrily: "When did you give her a poem?"

Liu Sang scratched his head: "Then, that was an accident, an accident..."

Xia Yingchen said indifferently: "If it wasn't to seduce her, why did you give her a poem? How could she travel thousands of miles to Ningyun City to find you?"

Liu Sang burst into tears: "My lady, please don't wrong her, I really didn't seduce her." You really wronged me... The one I seduced was obviously your sister's master.

Xia Yingchen said: "You have never written a poem for me."

Liu Sang whispered: "Next time, next time." The lady's heart is also quite small.

Xia Yingchen glanced at him, let go of this matter first, and said: "I came to Nanyuan, but there is actually another matter."

Liu Sang said: "What's the matter?"

Xia Yingchen said indifferently: "Investigate the gate of the blood prison."

Liu Sang was stunned: "The door of the blood prison?"

Xia Yingchen said: "When I rushed home, Xu Dong was already in a mess. Although it was a mess, the situation was extremely beneficial to Ningyun City. I investigated this matter secretly and found out that Xu Dong was behind the chaos. , it seems to be the reappearing Blood Prison Gate, but who built this new Blood Prison Gate, even Mei Hua doesn’t know.”

He also said: "And what happened is indeed very beneficial to us. For example, when we were fighting with Jingcheng, the guard of Jingcheng was suddenly poisoned and died suddenly before he sent troops. Afterwards, it was found out that it was his newly raised The concubine hated him for being domineering, obedient on the surface, and secretly poisoning him. However, although the case was clear and simple, there seemed to be no doubts, but the timing was too coincidental, especially that the concubine succeeded in poisoning so easily, which was amazing. It's unbelievable, but it's more like what the blood prison gate did."

Liu Sang said in a low voice: "My lady... did you ask Youyou to ask?"

Xia Yingchen said: "I haven't seen her."

Liu Sang was startled: "Didn't you see me?"

Xia Yingchen said: "Exactly the day before I returned home, she left a letter and left home."

Liu Sang was stunned for a while, only smiled wryly.

Xia Yingchen said in a low voice: "Although she doesn't want to see me, she might come to you. It's just that this child has a dark temperament. I know that my husband has adopted her as a foster daughter, but it's better to be more careful."

Liu Sang said helplessly, "I know."

Considering that Chu Leying and Wen Lu found out that Xia Yingchen hadn't gone back, they might look for her everywhere, they naturally couldn't stay here for too long, so they had a quick exchange of views, avoided the maids outside, and separated first...

***

Liu Sang went downstairs and saw Chu Jiaojiao.

Chu Jiaojiao didn't know how close he was with the eldest lady and the young lady, and she didn't dare to stare at him again. In this regard, Liu Sang felt that her sister-in-law was more savage, no matter what backing you had behind her, If you want to be fierce, let's get rid of it first, you're so savage.

The two went back in the same carriage, on the way.Chu Jiaojiao asked him tentatively, wanting to know what he had talked with the eldest lady, young nainai, Princess Ningyun, etc. in Tianmei Pavilion, and Liu Sang answered casually a few times.

Back to the mansion.After some refreshments, they each went to rest.

After sleeping until midnight, Liu Sang got up and changed into black clothes.Quietly slipped out of the house, relying on the eight skills of dragon and snake, rummaged through the layers of the pavilion.The Chu family has two tall buildings.If Chu Tiannan hid any ledgers or the like, it was most likely placed high on these two buildings.

Considering that Chu Tiannan has a certain level of self-cultivation and there are many guards in the courtyard, he naturally has to be more careful, but those guards are guarding against foreign thieves, but now he has become a family thief, these guards are naturally unable to guard against he.

But these guards are not many.Ordinary wealthy families can afford to support them. If the mansion really had an account book with the Cao An Gang, it would not be the only guards, so Liu Sang did not have much hope for finding the account book here.I just thought that there should be some clues more or less, so I took a look first.

With a flash of his body, he turned to one of the floors, and quietly looked in through the window. This should be Chu Tiannan's study.It is the habit of many people to use the study room as an office, so for most people who have **, other people are not allowed to enter their study room casually. Liu Sang doesn't know if Chu Tiannan is the same, But you can take a look inside.

The window is fastened from the inside, but it is not a big problem. When Xiaomei was with Xiaomei, he also learned some simple methods to break the mechanism. He found a piece of iron, stretched it in, hooked it lightly a few times, and the head of the tie was released. Be ticked off.

Push open the window, poke your head in first, observe carefully, then sneak in and close the window.

There are two bookshelves, a desk, a jade chair, a cone-shaped lamp post, a jade vase for long objects such as scrolls and large brushes, paperweights, pens and inks, etc. on the table...

He first swept everything in the room into his eyes, and then quickly thought about it in his mind to analyze any incongruities.

Nothing seemed wrong though.

Then he searched one by one.

After Fang hadn't been looking for a long time, his heart suddenly moved, his body flashed, and he jumped onto the beam above.

Looking quietly, there is already a shadow outside the window sill on the other side.

The night was dark and the wind was high, and the shadows were extremely thin. If it weren't for his amazing perception, and he had been secretly using the wind-stealing rabbit-sighting technique, he wouldn't have been able to spot that person in advance.

The man was obviously also looking through the crack of the window to see if there was anyone in the house. After a while, something protruded from the crack, and he hooked the bolt head open at once, and his movements were much more skillful than Liu Sang's.

The windows opened by Liu Sang and this person were on the east side and the other was on the west side. Since Liu Sang walked in first and noticed this person in advance, this person would naturally not be able to find him.

I saw this person sneaking in quietly, but he touched every object, and he didn't know what was hidden in his hands. Wherever he touched, he made a "buzzing" sound, which was very small and thin, almost the same as Mosquito humming, even with Liu Sang's perception and hiding in the same room, he could barely hear it.

Unlike Liu Sang, who needs to search bit by bit carefully, this person touches with his hands and listens carefully, and he is no longer interested in what he touches.

After touching the desk, the man went to touch the jade bottle next to the table, squatted down suddenly, and flicked lightly on the curved lower end of the jade bottle, and somehow, a small click popped out. Box.

It turns out that there is a shadow box at the lower end of the jade bottle?

Liu Sang actually touched the jade bottle just now, but he didn't find this cassette at all. Of course, one of the reasons is also because he subconsciously felt that if there was something inside the cassette or the secret door, it was either on the desk or in the bookcase. , I just checked the jade bottle casually.

However, this person just touched it, listened to it, and found out the location of the cassette at once. The stealing skills are really good.

He poked his head cautiously over the beam and looked at the cassette.

The man flipped through the contents of the box lightly, but all he found were jewels.

Liu Sang retreated quietly again.

The man put the cassette back and stood up slowly.

Liu Sang lay on the beam with his back, motionless.

However, there was a sudden sound of wind from below. He secretly had a bad way, and slid to the other side. A sharp light flashed, and a small hole was cut in his clothes.

The man hit the ground with one blow, then put his hands on the beam, his legs were like lightning, he kicked Liu Sang in a row, soundlessly, but all the kicks were Liu Sang's vital points.

Fortunately, Liu Sang's reaction was astonishing, he blocked this man's attack with his arms.Use force to fall and hit the ground.

That person also fell down, although the two had already changed their moves quickly.But no sound came out.

In the darkness, the two looked at each other, the man let out a strange laugh, and slowly backed away.

Liu Sang has also seen it.This person is actually "Cai Bo".

Although it is not known who this "Cai Bo" is, he obviously has some kind of relationship with the Blood Prison Gate.

And Liu Sang couldn't figure out whether this person was an enemy or a friend.

But Cai Bo obviously didn't want to get entangled with him here, so he slowly backed away.

Liu Sang simply started to retreat.

The two retreated to the windows they had come in from.They glanced at each other, flashed out, closed the window, and quietly put the hitch back to its original position.

Liu Sang turned around and jumped down.

***

Liu Sang slept comfortably for a long time. At dawn, a servant came.Tell him the master asks him to speak.

After washing up casually, Liu Sang was brought to the study room he had visited last night. He was secretly vigilant, wondering if Chu Tiannan found out that someone had broken in.Then suspect him?

But the fact is obviously not the case, Chu Tiannan sat on the jade chair, put down the brush in his hand, and said, "Is my nephew still used to it?"

Liu Sang said: "Fortunately, thank you Uncle Shi for your concern."

Chu Tiannan nodded, and said again: "I heard that Miss Le Ying and Wen Shao nainai invited you to Tianmei Pavilion to talk about painting in Meiyuan yesterday..."

Liu Sang said: "It's just that my nephew tasted a painting by Concubine Qingying in the studio. Concubine Qingying wants to talk more with my nephew."

Chu Tiannan smiled and said: "I have heard that my nephew is quite talented in Jiuyue City before. Concubine Qingying is a famous talented woman in Zhongyanzhou. It is not easy for my nephew to get her to look at me differently." He added: "Before Wen Shao Nainai married Master Jian, although she was also known as a talented woman, in the Chu family, she and Master Jian were not in charge of things, but Miss Le Ying was the real person in charge. If the nephew can give Miss Le Ying If you leave a good impression, you can easily gain a foothold in Nanyuan."

Liu Sang said: "Thank you, Uncle Shi, for your guidance."

Chu Tiannan sighed and said: "I also know that my nephew probably didn't like these worldly things and human feelings in the past, but things in the world are like this. Although Lu's family is famous in Jiuyue City, now only the virtuous Nephew's incense, nephew wants to revitalize Lu's family, these things must be contacted, fortunately, nephew is always from a famous family, as long as he is willing to work hard, there is always a chance to make progress, unlike me..." With a wry smile, But he didn't say much.

Liu Sang naturally knew that in this kind of aristocratic family, bloodlines were extremely valued. Whether it was the imperial court or a local prince, if he could use a virtuous person, he must first show his acquaintance, and look at what the eighteen generations of this person's ancestors have. People, even if the Lu family is run-down, it is still an orthodox family no matter what. If you can show a certain amount of talent, the princes of the family will always use it.

As for a concubine like Chu Tiannan, no matter how talented he is, in the Chu Clan, he can only get rich at best, and cannot be distinguished. Even if he is unsuccessful, he is still a member of the Chu Clan, betraying the family is the most despised thing among the aristocratic family.

To a certain extent, when Chu Tiannan married the Lu family, he also hoped that his daughter could become a nainai in such a famous family as the Lu family, and he followed suit.But on the other hand, now that Lu's family has encountered such a catastrophe, it is doomed to become a poor family. Not only does he not have the slightest dislike for his future son-in-law who came to join him, but he also speaks so earnestly and sincerely, his character is also rare.

Chu Tiannan pointed out and explained to him the interpersonal relationship in Youyi City. Liu Sang responded obediently, neither acting too smart, nor making himself look like he was completely stupid in reading. Acting too smart may make Chu Tiannan suspicious and defensive, but if he really becomes a fool, he will also be bound by himself and can't do anything.

His current behavior is like a young man whose family has just started to run down. Although he wants to struggle to make progress, he has just stepped into society and has no idea where to start. Responsibility, on the other hand, without much confidence.

Chu Tiannan can understand this. It is rare for a child of an aristocratic family not to give up on himself when encountering such a thing suddenly. How can it be so easy to grow up all at once?

The two were talking to each other when a servant came in and said, "Master."

Chu Tiannan said: "What's the matter?"

The servant said: "Master Wei Xu from Ximen's family and Concubine Qingying from Zhongyanzhou came to talk to Master Xiong."

Chu Tiannan looked at his "nephew" in astonishment...

***

Liu Sang came to the living room and saw Qingying Qiu Yuxiang and Ximen Wei Xu sitting there. Chu Jiaojiao served melon and fruit snacks and sat beside Ximen Wei Xu, showing hospitality. Ximen Wei Xu responded without a word. with.

Liu Sang looked, and saw that Qingying Qiu Yuxiang had changed into a honey-colored butterfly wearing flowered half-arm jacket, inside a goose-yellow jacket with gold silk, and a pomegranate red butterfly lower garment, with a comb on her head It was still a twisted snake bun, but a rose-shaped pink forehead was pasted on the forehead, an auspicious wishful knot was tied around the waist, and pink embroidered shoes were worn on the feet.

Just looking at it gives people a sense of cleanliness like a lotus in the water, which can't be played with from a distance.

Liu Sang never thought that she was just talking casually last night, but the concubine Qingying actually came here early in the morning. Then again, she just came here, what is Ximen Wei Xu doing here? ?

Seeing him coming in, Qingying Qiu Yuxiang stood up slenderly, saluted slightly, and said happily: "I talked with Mr. Lu yesterday, after going back and thinking about it, I felt that there were many things I wanted to ask for advice again, so I asked him a lot earlier. Please forgive me for disturbing you, Mr. Lu."

Liu Sang said: "Concubine, you're being polite." She glanced at Ximen Wei Xu again, it's always good for a beautiful woman to come to her door, but what does a man come here for?

... (To be continued.)