Misty Rain of the Old Times

The death of the two foreign princes brought an end to Chen Xuan's life. He no longer had to worry about the future. This was the best way.

After all this delay, it was already afternoon and the drizzle was still falling. After working hard for a long time, he still hadn't achieved his main goal.

On the way back, Chen Xuan was thinking, where can I get the "Jade Leaves" in "Golden Branches and Jade Leaves"? I can't go all the way to Rong State, right? Running back and forth is not a big problem, the main problem is that I don't know where to find them.

"Why don't we go to the Rong Kingdom's embassy or hostage house?"

With this idea in mind, Chen Xuan took immediate action. After returning to Beijing, he went straight to the Rong State Embassy. If there was that plant, he would secretly pluck a few leaves. King Luo was so against him and wanted to kill him. Even though he was already dead, what would be the harm in plucking a few leaves? In the end, there was no such plant at all. He also observed the hostage house thoroughly but found nothing.

With his abilities, he can come and go as he pleases in these places, which is more convenient than public places, and no one can discover him.

It seems that the plant is really rare. After all, King Luo said that it is usually given as a state gift. So Chen Xuan can only give up for the time being. It is not a necessary thing. It is just an excuse to find the little princess.

It was getting late and still raining, so Chen Xuan gave up the idea of ​​asking the little princess out, but he was not in a hurry to go back. Since they had already gone out, he might as well stroll around the capital with an umbrella in the rain. The old times in the misty rain were quite interesting.

After strolling around until dark, he found a busy restaurant to have a meal. There was singing and storytelling going on, and it was quite relaxing to eat, drink and listen to the singing and comedy.

The storytellers in the restaurant do not just tell simple vernacular stories. They make a living by talking and are well-informed. Occasionally they tell some gossips about the daily life of the people in the city to entertain people, and they also tell some thrilling stories about the underworld.

During the process, Chen Xuan learned that there would be a military examination in early winter after the autumn examination. The so-called learning of civil and martial arts was a virtue of the imperial family, and the court attached great importance to the civil and military talents.

However, the military subjects do not receive as much attention as the liberal arts subjects. It is a competition among those who practice martial arts, but if you can stand out, the value of your achievement should not be underestimated.

There is no first in literature and no second in martial arts. Martial arts are something that you can do if you are good or not. If you really have the ability, you will have the opportunity to soar to the sky. For example, most of the military scholars in previous years who had good character had the opportunity to directly enter the court as military officers, or even be recruited by the emperor as guards, without having to wait for seniority like scholars. However, after entering the court through the military examination, it is ten or a hundred times more difficult than for scholars to climb up, and it is also very dangerous. It is still a way out.

The imperial examination and the military examination were held one after another. Emperor Shang Xuan was really old and was making plans for the future, so they were usually not held in the same year.

He stayed in the restaurant leisurely until late at night, and only when it was almost closing did Chen Xuan eat and drink his fill, pay the bill and leave.

When they returned to their residence, Gao Jingming and the others had already rested, and Chen Xuan also took a shower and went to bed, but he tossed and turned in bed and couldn't fall asleep. In the end, he simply didn't want to worry about it too much and decided to deal with it later.

Chen Xuan stayed out until late at night before coming back. In fact, he didn't know how to face Xiao Gao. He couldn't hide anything in his heart. With Xiao Gao's intelligence and understanding of him, he could see the clues at a glance. Once Xiao Gao asked, Chen Xuan would not hide it. So he was worried that Xiao Gao would be affected when he learned that his father-in-law would soon be investigated.

Chen Xuan had seen it all over the years. When Xiao Gao first learned of his engagement, he and his fiancée exchanged frequent letters and gifts. Although they had never met, their relationship remained strong. How would he feel if he knew his father-in-law's family was about to face disaster? If it affected his performance in the imperial examination, all his years of hard work would be wasted.

Chen Xuan could probably guess that this was probably another move by the Wu family. Since hard methods didn't work, they would try soft methods. This kind of thing could not be solved by violence, because they were following the formal process and the court system. It was an open conspiracy, so they couldn't just go and stop it. The process had already begun, and even if they broke the rules and killed some people, they couldn't stop it unless the entire court was overthrown.

This is what makes Chen Xuan so upset. Violence can solve most of the problems in the world, but it cannot solve all of them. Although killing everyone can solve the problem, what is the point if he is the only one left in the world?
Damn, all those who play tricks are dirty. Chen Xuan is well versed in martial arts, but he is really a novice when it comes to political strategies.

The Dali Temple and the Ministry of Justice jointly conducted an investigation. That was after discussion in the court. Those who are innocent will be innocent. It is useless to go to the emperor. If Xiao Gao's father-in-law is corrupt and abuses his power, then he can only be brought to justice!
After all, it's easy to tell how many officials are honest. Especially in a department as lucrative as the Cangbu Division, if you don't take it and I don't take it, how will the higher-ups take it? Do you still want to advance? It's impossible for a department like that to remain unscathed.

This is difficult. After thinking about it, facing this situation, Chen Xuan can only think of one panacea method, which is to use the fire dragon to burn the warehouse to settle the accounts!

But they've already openly revealed their conspiracy, so this method probably won't work. Maybe they already have solid evidence and will just pull out a knife and stab Xiao Gao Daoxin at the critical moment...

Chen Xuan slipped out early the next morning without even a word with Xiao Gao. However, he also knew that this matter could not be delayed. His brain was not very good, and this kind of thing required the help of a smart person like Xiao Gao. However, he had not figured out how to say it yet.

The weather was still rainy, and Chen Xuan, who was already in a bad mood, became even more irritable and wandered around aimlessly.

However, when he went out, he clearly felt that the entire capital city was in turmoil, with constables and yamen runners running around everywhere, as well as the Imperial Guards and even the army!

In fact, this situation started yesterday afternoon, but Chen Xuan was preoccupied with other things and didn't pay much attention to it. He probably knew in his heart that it was the matter between Prince Luo and Prince Yu that was beginning to ferment.

After wandering aimlessly for the whole morning, Chen Xuan somehow came to the street outside the princess's mansion. It was his legs that brought him there, not his intention.

He glanced at the gate of the princess's mansion. It was heavily guarded and he didn't recognize anyone there. He hesitated for a moment and did not go forward. He strolled away. Half an hour later, he turned back from another direction, stayed for a moment and left.

It wasn't until he passed the Princess Mansion's gate for the third time that two of the Princess Mansion's guards stepped forward to stop him. The others were on alert, ready to provide support. The guard who stopped him said with a cold look, "Sir, this is the third time we've seen you lingering around. If you don't provide a convincing reason, we suspect you have ulterior motives and may even have to send you to Jingzhao Prefecture!"

As the guards of the princess's mansion, they have such sharp eyesight that they can even tell the difference between male and female flies flying by. How could they not notice Chen Xuan when he passed by him several times? It was their duty to find out just in case.

Feeling both amused and helpless, Chen Xuan said speechlessly, "I have no ill intentions. I just happened to pass by by chance."

"How can you pass by three times in a row? And you stop every time? If that's the case, then accompany us to Jingzhao Prefecture. No matter how hard you talk, we will explain everything. I advise you not to resist and be obedient, otherwise there will be no place for you in heaven or on earth!" said the guard in a tough tone.

This happened so unexpectedly that I just happened to pass by accidentally.

There are so many people in the princess's mansion, but Chen Xuan has only met a few of them, and not everyone knows him.

It was his job, so there was no need to bother about it. Just as Chen Xuan was considering whether to just leave without a care or send someone to visit, a dumb voice said at the door: "Mr. Chen, what are you doing?"

The one who spoke was Xia Mei, the little princess's personal guard. She was probably there to check on Chen Xuan because someone had reported him to her. With her around, everything would be fine. Chen Xuan smiled and said, "Meeting Lady Xia, I was just passing by. They came up to question me, it's all a misunderstanding."

Xia Mei was speechless. You said you would come, so come on. The princess had already instructed us to do that. There is no need to reveal your identity. Why not just invite you in politely? Why do you have to create some misunderstanding?

"Greetings, Commander Xia," the two guards who stopped Chen Xuan saluted Xia Mei immediately. They were feeling uneasy. It seemed that there really was a misunderstanding. They secretly resented, "Look, you, a big shot, have nothing better to do than to make fun of us, right?"
Commander Xia? Xia Mei was also the commander of the guards at the Princess's residence? That was not surprising.

Waving her hand, Xia Mei said, "It's okay. This is Master Chen, the princess's... friend. Remember him. Next time you come, invite him in and treat him to good tea."

"Yes, sir," the two guards said hurriedly, looked at Chen Xuan seriously and continued to do their duty. It was estimated that after this, no one in the princess's mansion would not know Chen Xuan.

Chen Xuan was a little surprised when he heard this. No, he had already entered the room?

Didn’t you hear what Xia Mei said? Next time you come, please come in and have tea. This is the princess’s mansion. How many people get such treatment?
"Mr. Chen, are you here to see the princess? Please follow me," Xia Mei said with a smile. Her attitude was extremely nice, how could it be bad? If things continued to develop normally, there was a 90% chance that this person would be the one she would need to obey in the future.

Actually, I didn't want to play with the princess today, but Chen Xuan looked at the gate and said, "Sorry to bother you now that I'm here."

"Mr. Chen, please tell His Highness if you want to be polite," Xia Mei smiled and made a gesture of invitation.

Following Xia Mei into the princess's residence, Chen Xuan had been here before, though only once, but he was familiar with the place. Noticing that Xia Mei was half a body length behind him, he asked, "How has the princess been these past few days?"

"Not very good," Xia Mei said hesitantly.

Hearing this, Chen Xuan stopped and turned around to ask, "What happened to her?"

Seeing him so nervous, Xia Mei felt amused and said tactfully, "The princess has been feeling unwell these days and is unable to see guests. I'm afraid Master Chen will be disappointed this time."

"Are you sick? Have you seen a doctor?" Chen Xuan didn't move and continued to ask.

Shaking her head, Xia Mei extended her hand and said, "The princess is fine, she's just feeling a little unwell. Mr. Chen, please follow me and have a cup of tea first."

Originally, the palace maids should have been responsible for entertaining guests, but it was Chen Xuan who caused the misunderstanding at the door. As the commander of the guards in the princess's mansion, Xia Mei naturally had to inquire about it.

Following Xia Mei to the living room, Chen Xuan had already realized that the little princess was pregnant. No wonder she said she was not feeling well and was not convenient to see guests.

After serving the fragrant tea, Xia Mei said, "Mr. Chen, wait a moment. I will go and inform the princess that you are here."

"Trouble"

Not long after, Xia Mei came back, but she was alone. She looked at Chen Xuan helplessly and said, "Mr. Chen, the princess said it's not convenient to see you today. Please don't misunderstand. I will apologize to you another day."

Xia Mei was also very melancholy when she said this. A princess actually cared so much about one person. Due to health reasons, it was inconvenient for them to meet. She was reduced to the point where she had to explain and apologize... (End of this chapter)