Still waiting for Zhaoyang

Chapter 42
Zijin replied: "Prince Huai's concubine's daughter, Princess Jingtan." After a farewell last time, she insisted on going back to Huaizhou, but now she suddenly appeared in the imperial capital.

For some reason, some bad premonitions arose in his heart.

"The princess who is engaged to you?" Xia Yue asked again.

He laughed: "I'm not engaged to her."

After saying that, he restrained his face and sighed: "Actually, Jingtan is also a poor person."

When the sun was about to set, they arrived at Yunjian Temple to meet Liang Wang.

Yunjian Temple is named after Yunjian Peak next to it, and the sound of Yunjian Peak's waterfall can also be heard in the temple.

In the backyard of the temple, there is a row of huts for laymen and pilgrims to live temporarily.

Like Xia Yue in Zhou's house, as soon as she arrived at the temple, she stayed quietly in the layman's dormitory where she was placed, writing medical records, and did not dare to disturb Zijin and King Liang.She knew that although Zijin spoke calmly in front of her, it would be very difficult to bring a group of people out of the imperial capital.

The setting sun was getting dark, and there was no ready-made light in the hut, so she stopped writing and wanted to borrow one from the little master outside.

Standing in front of the house, Xia Yue felt that the sound of the waterfall was very loud, but she didn't know where the waterfall was.Seeing Xia Yue's curious look, the little novice who cleaned the courtyard enthusiastically introduced: "The stream in front of our temple is very beautiful, the benefactor can go and have a look." The group of them entered Yunjian Temple from the back just now, So no view of the front door.

Xia Yue passed by the next guest room and saw that Zijin was still talking with King Liang, so she pointed to Zijin outside the gate from a distance.

Zijin guessed that she was going to see the waterfall, nodded and smiled in agreement.

Seeing this, the King of Liang asked Zijin, "Why didn't you send the girl from the Min family to a safe place first?" Although they went to peace talks, although it was not a bad luck, but their future was uncertain, since Wei Shangrui could hold Min Xiayue first. After the first time, they knew that she was their weakness, and it was inevitable that there would be no second time.

Zijin explained: "I want to keep her close and be closer. Instead of letting her go elsewhere, it's better to stay by my side and let me protect her. But tomorrow's situation is special, and I really can't take her with me. She entrusts it to Uncle Six first."

Liang Wang didn't persuade much: "How to arrange tomorrow's affairs?"

"Chu Qin will contact Ninth Uncle's people tomorrow morning. After I have settled with him, Sixth Uncle can be summoned to the capital to face the saint, to ensure nothing goes wrong."

"No." Liang Wang waved his hand, "Ran Yu, you don't know something. Wei Shangrui is a thoughtful and sweet-hearted man. I'm afraid you can't handle it. I must accompany you."

Zijin disagreed: "If the sixth uncle goes with me, if the ninth uncle really changes, then we have no way out, not to mention, the sixth uncle will take care of Xia Yue for me. Apart from the sixth uncle, I really don't know what to do." There was no second person to be found."

Liang Wang sighed and stopped arguing.

Zijin hesitated and said, "I met another person in the city today, and I need Sixth Uncle to send someone to investigate carefully."

"Who?"

"Wei Jingtan."

"Why is she here?" Liang Wang was slightly surprised.

"I can't figure it out either."

Liang Wang wondered: "Could it be that she begged you for help and came to ask Wei Shangrui again?"

Zijin was thoughtful: "I hope that's all."

Xia Yue walked out of the gate of the temple, and heard the sound of water flow suddenly increased, followed by the rushing moisture. She followed the sound of water and walked around a small path. Before she could think about it after turning the corner, she was caught The sight in his eyes was awe-inspiring.

A torrent of water from unknown sources poured down from the top of the mountain, and the flowing water crashed down several tens of feet from the cliff.She moved closer slowly, and finally stood on a protruding rock.The rock is exactly halfway up the waterfall.

The splashed water drops are reflected by the afterglow of the setting sun. Although there is no rainbow, it is flickering and leaping, which is very fascinating.

She only stood for a while, and then she was covered by the thick water mist, and her whole body seemed to be wet, but she was very comfortable.

At some point, Zijin had already arrived behind her.

He stretched out his hands to cover her eyes, lowered his head and whispered in her ear, "Close your eyes."

She obediently closed her eyes.

Wet water vapor filled the air, and the sound of the waterfall became deafening because you couldn't see.The passionate sound of water seemed to wash over my heart, and my whole body was thoroughly washed.

She moved his hand away, exposed her eyes, turned her head with a smile, and said, "Listen, this voice is really..."

In the middle of speaking, Xia Yue's voice stopped abruptly, and she lost her word.

But he raised his eyebrows indifferently and said, "I've heard it. It must be the same as before, and it won't change."

Xia Yue smiled when she heard the words, stretched out her fingers, and pinched his face vigorously.

He frowned: "You bullied me."

"What's wrong with bullying you?" Xia Yue smiled.

"Then I definitely want to get it back with interest." Zijin replied.

When he said this, a pair of eyes as clear as mountain springs firmly locked on Xia Yue, almost capturing her soul.Then, he held Xia Yue's chin with his hand, bent down, and kissed her without hesitation.

This time was different from before, he kissed very passionately, but after successfully prying her lips open, he was a little stiff and out of control.

Xia Yue was forced to retreat by him, and he pushed forward again, finally confining her in the narrow gap between him and the stone wall.

There was no way she could retreat, so she had to lean against the wet stone wall with her back.

Because the stone wall is next to the waterfall, there is a trickling mountain spring soaking through it, so it is cold and humid, and it is still painful.

After he realized it, he quickly hugged her to his chest and switched the two of them.

This action interrupted the kiss, and she hurriedly buried her face in his arms, while subconsciously stretching her arms around his waist.

He himself was also upset, and he didn't continue, but just let her embrace him like this.

The two of them maintained this posture and did not speak for a long time.

Xia Yue put her ear against his chest, listening to the violently beating rhythm inside, her heart became softer than ever.

She withdrew her right hand and slowly wrote a few words on his chest with the tip of her index finger.

After she finished writing, he didn't reply aloud, but grabbed her hand, and with her fingertips, he continued to write another sentence on the chest where she left the words just now.

She wrote: It starts with curly hair.

He replied: As far as the white head.

It was the words he engraved on the desk back then.

three

The next day, Zijin received a letter from Chu Qin.

"Where did he ask you to meet?" Xia Yue asked.

"A restaurant on the east side of the official road in the Imperial Capital."

Xia Yue's complexion changed slightly: "Is it not far from the Black Cliff?"

Zijin checked the blueprint in his hand: "Not bad."

Xia Yue paused, then asked in surprise, "Why did you choose that place?"

"Uncle Jiu wants to show his sincerity, so naturally he would not choose to be in the imperial capital or the palace in Gyeonggi. That would be very bad for me. Chu and Qin have already gone to investigate. This inn is a must for people coming and going from the east to Beijing. On the road, it was very lively, but it couldn't be more suitable."

Looking at the picture unfolded on the table, she hesitated and said, "I went to this store with him before." It was self-evident who the "he" was referring to.

At that time, because she was not going to tell him the pain of that night, she deliberately concealed this experience.

After hearing the words, he didn't curiously ask the cause and effect of this sentence, but asked unexpectedly: "How do you think the food and wine taste after eating?"

"Not much." She shook her head.

"Then should I suggest another one?"

Xia Yue gave a "puchi" smile, and then said angrily, "I'm telling you something serious."

Before leaving, Xia Yue grabbed his rein and told him again: "I said that if you die, I will not live alone." She didn't insist on going with him, she knew that if she went, it might delay her life instead. His hind legs keep him bound.

What's more, she felt that there was no need to meet Wei Shangrui again.

Zijin rode on the horse and nodded.

She ordered him dissatisfied: "Speak to me with your mouth."

He smiled: "Wait for me to come back."

After leaving Yunjian Peak, a group of people rode their horses eastward, and when they arrived at the inn, it was just in time.

Chu Qin, who was lurking not far from the inn, secretly nodded towards Zijin.

Zijin got the signal and led Chu Zhong straight into the gate of the inn.

Yao Chuang came towards him, recognized Zijin at a glance, and said in a low voice, "Mr. Min, please follow me, my master has just arrived."

At this moment, Shang Rui, wearing ordinary clothes, was standing in front of the window of the private room last time, looking at the mountain scenery outside.After hearing Yao Chuang's knock on the door, he turned around.

When he and Zijin met each other, both of them were taken aback.

Both Chu Zhong and Yao Chuang stayed outside, and after closing the door, only Shang Rui and Zijin were left in the private room.

Zijin silently looked at the person in front of her without saying a word.

It was this person who caused him to lose his husband's widowhood when he was young, his family was ruined, and he became disabled.It was also this person who made the entire Yu family hide, making Xia Yue adrift until now.

All of this, even if it wasn't from Wei Shangrui's original intention, was still started by him.

It is easy to say it with a smile, but Zijin's heart is unavoidably complicated at this moment.

It was Shang Rui who broke the silence first, and he called out calmly: "Yu'er," with no emotion in his eyes, "I haven't seen you for more than ten years."

Zijin lowered her eyes.

After Shang Rui sat down, he pointed to the round table and signaled Zijin to sit down.

Zijin lifted his clothes and sat down, and said, "The last time we met was probably when Uncle Jiu saved my life from the pool."

Shang Rui poured him a cup of tea noncommittally, and smiled lightly after a while: "When you were young, you were the most obedient child in the palace. .”

Zijin answered, "Ran Yu is not filial, and has never kowtowed in front of the emperor's grandpa's mausoleum."

The reasons are well known to each other.

Shang Rui said: "Another day, you also go to Beiling to pay homage to his old man."

Having said that, Shang Rui simply cut to the chase and opened the ebony wooden box that was prepared on the table earlier.There were several sheets of paper lying horizontally in the box. He picked up the top one, handed it to Zijin and said, "This is the posthumous seal of your father, mother, concubine, and empress. I owe them. I have someone draw it up below." Several honorary titles, you as a son, see which one is suitable. After it is approved, it will be announced to the world together with your conferment."

"Thank you Uncle Jiu." Zijin took it, and when he stretched out his hand, there was a faint breath wafting from his sleeve with his movements.

The smell was very faint, and suspended in the air, it was exactly the same as what Shang Rui smelled from Xia Yue when he first saw her.When you get close to her, you don't wait to sniff it and enter your nose, but if you smell it again deliberately, you will find it has no fragrance, ancient and quiet, completely unlike the things that ordinary women are used to.

Thinking about it now, the two of them even used the same incense, and Shang Rui became irritable for no reason.

After Zijin read the scriptures written by him, Shang Rui said: "The posthumous title also involves moving the mausoleum, and the relationship is very complicated. When Qin Tianjian sets a date, we can discuss it in the long run..."

Speaking of this, Shang Rui paused slightly. From the first word he said, he felt that something was wrong with Zijin, and he didn't realize it until now.As soon as he opened his mouth, Zijin would stare at him non-stop.Because on weekdays, not many people dare to look at him directly like this, so he is particularly sensitive about it.Then I remembered those secret reports and Xia Yue's obsession with Li Ji for treatment, and then I was sure that he really had ear problems, and it was not a trick to make people lower their vigilance.

Thinking up to this point, Shang Rui couldn't help but sighed: "You have suffered a lot outside these years, and I was negligent."

Zijin knew what he meant, but couldn't take it.How can he answer?Said that these are all thanks to him?Venting anger verbally or politely begging for mercy?The former is unnecessary, as for the latter, he can't do it.

So he avoided answering, and continued with the previous topic: "My nephew knows that there are a lot of things involved in the matter of the father moving the mausoleum, so I can't rush it for a while. Thank you Uncle Jiu for your kindness. If the father and the emperor's grandfather know about it, they can also rest in peace." Alright." The words said thank you, but the tone was not humble.

After saying that, Zijin picked up the teacup and took a sip calmly.

Seeing his movements, Shang Rui asked, "Aren't you afraid that I will poison you?"

Zijin said: "Uncle Jiu stands up to the sky, he must not be such a villain."

Shang Rui smiled lightly, Wei Ranyu was indeed smart.It's not difficult to kill him now, but if the soldiers who defected from King Huai's account don't mention how to deal with the aftermath, if the people don't mention it, I'm afraid even I won't be able to pass the test.Compared with the two, it is better to keep him.

Shang Rui said again: "You don't need to vacate the land in the cloud. I've made up my mind and I will give you the fiefdom of King Yanping. In the future, you and King Liang can take care of each other."

The topic turned to King Liang, and Zijin said, "I hope Uncle Jiu will be kind to you about King Liang."

"You don't have to say, I will never equate him with King Huai's party. But you can forgive him for watching the fire from the other side and then launching troops privately. As for him, I am the king and he is the subject. Unforgivable." This sentence was said lightly by him, but it revealed a sharp and murderous air.

After a short pause, he changed the subject and said again: "However, besides the monarch and ministers, he and I are blood brothers. I think he was also eager to protect you at the beginning, so he made such a bad move. I will punish him with three years' salary so that he can do it for himself. "

"Then my nephew will thank Uncle Jiu for being lenient on King Liang's behalf." Zijin knew that Wei Shangrui's words to punish King Liang were false and to remind himself were true. He was corrected, but if there is a disagreement in the future, it is only a matter of talking and laughing.

The seemingly peaceful conversation between the two was turbulent.

Shang Rui faintly smelled Zijin's breath again, and the irritability in his heart began to stir again.

He got up from his seat impatiently, walked to the window, and pushed the window open, but he didn't want to catch a glimpse of the soft couch in the corner from the corner of his eye.

The same room, the same couch.

He was lying on it, delirious.

She takes care of him.

Almost killed him too.

Shang Rui's thoughts turned, and after turning around, he looked at Zijin calmly, and said, "There is also Yu Sheng."

Zijin bent her fingers slightly, waiting for his next words.

"The Empress Dowager once dismissed his official position and ordered him to be arrested. I checked it before, and the arrest warrant is still registered by the Tingwei Mansion. Now that the crime has not been released, his wife and he have passed away unjustly. I feel uneasy."

As he spoke, he walked back and took out the last will from the box just now.

"I heard that he recognized you as his adopted son and brought you up. I am very pleased. The court returned him innocent. The second is that he has only one daughter named Zhaoyang. I want to recognize her as my ancestor." Chu's adopted daughter, in the future, you will be called a sister and younger brother, and let her be included in the Wei family's jade plate. I have already written the decree, and according to the order of the previous jade plate, I will be named Yanning Princess, you have a look."

With one hand behind his back, Shang Rui handed the imperial decree to Zijin with the other.

Zijin glanced at Shang Rui's hand, but didn't answer it.

He knew that this trip was not easy, and he also expected that Wei Shangrui would not let Xia Yue go easily, but he didn't want him to do it like this.If Xia Yue entered the jade certificate and became his father's legitimate daughter, then she would become his real sister.In the David Dynasty, although cousins ​​and nieces and uncles could intermarry, it was absolutely impossible for brothers and sisters to be relatives.

Shang Rui raised his eyebrows slightly: "I heard that Yu Sheng treated you like his own life. How can you not repay such a kindness?"

Zijin didn't answer, nor did she move.

The two were at an impasse.

One person handed over the imperial decree, but the other did not accept it.

Zijin's hand under the table was tightly clenched into a fist.

If he accepts it, how will his obsession in this life end well.

If he doesn't answer, Wei Shangrui will be furious, and the people in the southern region and the king of Liang... the consequences will be disastrous.

Shang Rui's eyes were sharp, and he called out again calmly: "Yu'er."

At this time, Zijin got up from the stool, moved back a few steps, lifted up his robe and knelt down on his knees: "My lord, please take back your order."

There was a hint of sarcasm in the corner of Shang Rui's mouth: "Which fate did King Yanping refer to just now?"

Knowing that he said this on purpose, Zijin bent down and put her head on the cold ground, knocked her forehead heavily, then straightened up and said, "I want to marry Yu Zhaoyang, the daughter of Yu Sheng, and I hope the emperor will make it happen."

When Shang Rui heard the word "begging to marry", he became even more angry, but instead smiled on his face and said, "You don't kneel or worship me when you see me, and you don't kneel or worship me when I bestow you with grace. At this moment, you have suddenly realized gone."

Zijin ignored his sarcasm, kowtowed again, and repeated again: "I hope the emperor will do it."

(End of this chapter)