Lady Zhao

Chapter 67

In winter, there is a kind of solemn solemnity in front of Daliang Palace City, the cold wind is biting, and when the sun sets, there is no warmth at all.

When Zhao Yuanli came out from the last palace gate, it was already dark, Zhao Zhong watched anxiously from a distance, and saw that his young master was wearing such thin clothes, so he quickly took another spare cloak from the carriage, While handing over the cloak, he carefully observed his eyebrows and eyes, which were extremely stretched, and they were a little different from the previous few days, so he asked worriedly: "Master, are you okay? Why don't you wear a cloak when you leave the palace? The eldest lady knows that the younger one didn't take good care of you, and the younger one may be locked up in the woodshed tomorrow."

Zhao Yuanli couldn't see the waves in his eyes, but his expression was a little unnatural, and it didn't show on his face because of what happened just now, "Zhao Zhong, you didn't talk so much before, I think you just let Wanwan get used to it." Together with Baochan Er Leng let Wanwan train her into what she is now.

Zhao Zhong smiled awkwardly, and changed the subject, "Hey, it's still the eldest lady who has the foresight... Let the little one prepare some more clothes..."

Zhao Yuanli fastened his cloak and boarded the car, "Let's go back."

"Okay, young master, please sit down."

The wheels of the car slowly slid and walked on the wide street. As the curfew time approached, there were fewer and fewer pedestrians on the road, and the shops on both sides of the street were also turning off their lights and closing one after another, except for the squeaking sound caused by the wheels pressing on the road. , seemed extraordinarily quiet.

The horse neighed abruptly, breaking the silence suddenly, and the car body shook suddenly and then stopped.

Zhao Yuanli suddenly opened his resting eyes, opened the curtain, and saw Zhao Zhong pointing to a woman who had passed out in front of the carriage with a face of panic. Zhao Yuanli jumped out of the carriage, frowned and asked, "Did you bump into her?"

Zhao Zhong nodded in a daze, and then shook his head abruptly. Seeing his bewildered look, Zhao Yuanli immediately decided to save the person first, "Hurry up and carry this girl into the carriage and take her to the hospital."

Zhao Zhong hurriedly followed suit, and carefully carried her into the carriage. Zhao Yuanli saw her curled up and trembling, with a pale face under her beautiful face. Zhao Yuanli worriedly called the girl twice, but there was no response, so she lifted her up. Curtain, sitting on the other side of Zhao Zhong's driver avoiding suspicion, "Don't waste time."

There was a medical center not far away, and Xiaotong was about to close the door, but Zhao Yuanli stopped him.Zhao Zhong still acted as a porter, hugged the handsome girl who passed out by the side of the road, and hurried in the door.Zhao Yuanli, who followed closely behind, happened to catch a glimpse of the girl's wrist which was exposed by the slipped sleeve. Inside was a bewitching and blooming peony, outlined by black and gold lines, and its position was very hidden. His posture was awkward and hard to see.

Looking at the attire of a very good family, but going out late at night, with tattoos... Zhao Yuanli paused, staring at the person Zhao Zhong was holding in his arms, his long and narrow eyes widened with deep meaning.

The old doctor was standing in front of the wooden drawer dispensing the medicine, and the young apprentice beside him was busy smashing the medicine. Suddenly, he was shocked to see a big man rushing in with a girl in his arms.

Zhao Yuanli walked in a step too late and said politely, "Please show this girl, doctor."

The old doctor nodded in response, and saw that the boy was wearing a luxurious squirrel-skin cloak and the jade pendant on his waist was jingling. He must be the son of a wealthy family, so he took a second look, and then asked Zhao Zhong to take the unconscious man The girl was placed on the soft couch in the medical hall, and felt her pulse for a long time. She frowned, then put on a smile, stood up and smiled even more. Zhao Zhong was very anxious and lost his patience, "Doctor , you have been pulse for a long time, but tell me what happened to this girl?"

The old doctor asked curiously, "May I ask what is the relationship between this girl and your family?"

Zhao Zhong shook his head, "It doesn't matter."

The old doctor stroked his beard, and turned his eyes to Zhao Yuanli. His eyes were full of knowing. It is not uncommon for children from rich and noble families to seduce girls from good families indiscriminately outside. Such a situation should be sent to the hospital There were quite a few, the old doctor sighed in his heart, first said nothing, and finally said bluntly: "This girl is pregnant, why don't you think about it?" He meant to ask whether to stay or not, and finally the old doctor was kind He said, "She is weak and can't stand the toss, you...you can take care of yourself."

Zhao Zhong was confused, Zhao Yuanli didn't explain, his eyes staring at the girl became more and more serious, Zhao Zhong didn't know what to do, "Master, what should we do?"

"Give her all the money and money on your body, and we will leave." Zhao Yuanli ordered Zhao Zhong in a deep voice, and then went out first wearing a cloak.

"Oh." Zhao Zhong took an ingot of silver from the money bag and gave it to the two masters and apprentices as instructed, so that they could take good care of them, and then went out with Zhao Yuanli, leaving your master and apprentice sighing in dismay. , the old doctor sighed, "Another fickle man."

The little master who was pounding the medicine also had the same desolate tone, "It's really pitiful." The money in the hands of the man was stupefied, and a sneer slipped from the corner of his mouth, "That girl is like this, and she just left this little money to make people laugh." How will she and her child survive in the future."

While the two were talking, the comatose beautiful woman woke up and looked for someone as soon as she woke up. After learning that the person had left, she cried heartbroken.

The little master comforted, "Girl, let's take care of yourself first, this is the money he left for you."

The girl didn't even look at her, she was talking about the young master, she had an infatuated expression on her face, she didn't want to believe that she was abandoned, she was about to drag her weak body to Dingguo's mansion, but she fainted again due to exhaustion .Seeing her pitiful appearance, the little master felt even more sympathetic. It turned out that the heartbroken man turned out to be the young master of Dingguo Duke's mansion.
As soon as Zhao Yuanli went out and boarded the carriage again, he inquired carefully about the situation of the girl who just fainted outside the carriage. Zhao Zhong calmed down at this moment and was sure that he didn't bump into her at all. It was the girl. Stumbled and rushed over.Zhao Yuanli hummed, then leaned back on the carriage, closed his eyes, and the corners of his mouth curved slightly.

In the blink of an eye, it was the day of the winter solstice. Dingguo's mansion was bustling with activity early in the morning, and the servants were busy making arrangements.Zhao Wenwan was so cold that he shrank into a ball and refused to get out of the bed. Bao Chan and Xue Yan were very interested in pasting and painting the nine-nine-nine-nine cold-dispelling picture in the Xiangzhu Garden. Zhao Wenwan looked at the ancient customs and found it fresh. Just squinting and still wanting to sleep, Baochan hummed a song, disturbing someone loudly, "In the cloudy sky, clear snow, wind from left to right, you have to distinguish between wind from left and wind from right, ninety-nine and eighty-one are all over, spring returns to the earth and the grass is green. "

Zhao Hongsheng and Zhao Yuanli both went to participate in the ceremony of offering sacrifices to heaven in the southern suburbs of the city. Zhao Wenwan struggled a few times to get up and send them off. After the two left, his right eyelid twitched abruptly, and he felt a bad premonition inexplicably.

As soon as he turned around, he saw Zhao Yuanjin, who was not qualified to participate, standing not far away with a gloomy face, and met Zhao Wenwan abruptly, with complicated complacency in his eyes. Sleeve left, leaving Zhao Wenwan standing still and meditating silently for a long time.

It was the first time that father and son went together to sacrifice to heaven. Zhao Hongsheng seemed very excited. He met his colleagues on the road, and he made friends with him. He praised the tiger father for having no sons. Zhao Hongsheng was even more happy.

In the Daming Palace in the northern suburbs of Chang’an, the ceremonial officials arranged properly early on. The complicated and lengthy ceremonies such as sacrificial sweep, ascension to the majesty, laying jade and silk, initial offering, sub offering, Nuo dance and praying for blessings lasted for several hours.Today, the Holy Majesty presides over it in person and ends with a sacrificial oration.

"We dress in Chinese clothes, follow the regulations of our ancestors, and worship Haotian. I pray for the prosperity of the country, the well-being of the people, the harmony of the society, and the harmony of the world. I hope that the humanistic glory of our bridge for hundreds of years will spread to all nations."

"I hope that the humanistic glory of our girder for hundreds of years will be spread across all nations." The officials below echoed loudly, and the echo echoed.

After the ceremony was over, the imperial guards and palace guards opened the way to escort the sage back to the palace, and the rest of the officials walked in twos and threes. There was a small distance from the carriage stop where the servants were waiting, and it was this distance that could just witness the grand occasion of offering sacrifices to heaven. , crowded with ordinary people watching the excitement, they only gave way when the officials came out, maintaining their excited expressions and not dissipating.

Zhao Yuanli followed behind Zhao Hongsheng, caught a glimpse of a familiar figure out of the corner of his eye, paused slightly, but felt indifferent in his heart that he had finally come.Zhao Hongsheng seemed to notice his distraction, turned his head and asked in concern, "Is Yuan Li tired?"

"Father, this road is congested, why don't you change it?" Zhao Yuanli suggested in a serious voice.

There is no reason for Zhao Hongsheng not to follow Zhao Yuanli's precious love, but the crowd closest to the two of them suddenly broke out in commotion, dispersed a little, and yelled vaguely that someone had fainted or something, Zhao Hongsheng glanced over unconsciously , I saw an aunt supporting a beautiful woman with a slightly protruding belly. After Yoyo woke up and turned around, she rubbed her belly nervously with one hand, while looking straight at her side.

"Hey, I saw this girl at Dr. Lu's place before. She was pregnant, and she was abandoned by the rich man. She left a few money and didn't care about her life." Look at that girl for a long time The mother-in-law finally remembered suddenly, and couldn't help gossiping.

"Which family's heartless man, how could he do such a thing!" Some people immediately complained, and there was a bit of pity in the girl's expression.

In the crowd, every word you say and I say are crusading against the heartbroken man, only the woman stood silently with tears in her eyes, staring in one direction foolishly.

Zhao Hongsheng's eyes were shocked, and he was about to take Zhao Yuanli away when he heard the woman call out, "Young Master Zhao..."

"Girl, think twice before you speak." Zhao Yuanli had an indifferent expression, but his eyes fell on the woman with a bit of hidden power.

The woman trembled suddenly, and subconsciously hid behind the aunt, bit her lip showing a trace of fear, opened a pair of wet eyes and stared affectionately, and said in a crying voice, "Young master's oath that day is still in my ears, it is Minglan's mistaken faith. Are you okay?" This appearance made others feel even more angry, how could they bully others like this, and they all spoke out in support.

In addition, when someone was picking up medicine in Doctor Lu's medical clinic that day, he saw a handsome young man who sent the girl to the medical clinic and left money. Zhao Yuanli's appearance was too "ostentatious", and someone recognized him immediately , He bluntly said that he was the heartbroken man.People echoed what they said, and they all liked to agree, and the commotion became even louder all of a sudden, which attracted some of Zhao Hongsheng's colleagues to ask questions.

The woman just held her belly and wept without saying a word.

"Young Master Zhao, you did it and don't intend to admit it. It's useless for you to be a scholar and do such things in human skin!"

"Girl, don't cry, we will seek an explanation for you!"

"Yeah, so what about the officials, the emperor broke the law and committed the same crime as the common people. I didn't expect to look so gentle, but so cruel."

"..."

Zhao Hongsheng was surprised when he heard it, and asked in a hoarse voice, "Is this girl telling the truth?"

Zhao Yuanli was tall and tall, unmoved by those words, met his father's complicated eyes, and said in a cold voice, "I haven't done it yet."

"Sir, don't say such cruel words anymore." The woman seemed to be unable to bear his unfeeling, with tears streaming down her face, she took out an object from her bosom and handed it tremblingly, "Minglan's poor family should not drag you down. Legs, the young master and the princess are in love, Minglan...Minglan wishes the young master all wishes come true, and this jade pendant of love...is returned to you."

As soon as these words came out, even Zhao Yuanli's expression changed, and there was a hint of anger in his eyes, because the princess' reputation was actually involved.There were many officials in the crowd who hadn't gone far. When they saw the jade pendant engraved with the word "Rite" on the woman's hand, they had no doubt that it was Zhao Yuanli's personal property. Then they looked at him with more meaning. Zhao Jiaerlang originally planned to do so, he is really a person who can't be judged by his appearance.

Zhao Yuanli stared heavily at the identity jade pendant lying in her palm, which 'just happened' to be the one that had disappeared a while ago.

It was cold, but Zhao Yuanli's eyes revealed the sweat on the palms of the woman's hands, and she didn't shrink back because of the voice of the helper behind her.

Unafraid of the rumors behind him, Zhao Yuanli walked towards the woman who claimed to be Minglan step by step, stood still in front of her, and said in a deep voice, "What's the advantage of the girl accepting Wang Bowen, so spare no effort to smear me?" .”

Immediately, her gaze fell on the close-fitting jade pendant in her hand, and a trace of disgust flashed across it as if it had been tarnished, and she frowned, "Maybe it's not just Wang Bowen."

"My lord... the little girl doesn't understand what you're talking about." Ming Lan couldn't help taking a step back, and muttered with tears in her eyes, a hint of guilt was already visible on her face.

Zhao Yuanli originally planned to see who was the mastermind behind it, but he didn't expect that person would dare to involve the princess, and it was precisely this that touched Zhao Yuanli's rebellious scales, and he was ruthless.

"I don't understand? The small courtyard on the outskirts of the city is your residence, but the owner is Wang Bowen. Although I had a good relationship with him before, we had a falling out a few years ago. Doesn't it mean that he is taking care of you for me? "

The woman's face turned pale, as if she didn't expect him to find out this point, she hoarsely said, "I... I don't understand what you are talking about?"

"Perhaps, I can speak more clearly... Is your name really Ming Lan?"

The woman couldn't help but panic when she heard this, and started searching around for something.

Seeing this, Wang Bowen, who was hiding in the crowd, glared at the woman fiercely, and cursed secretly, how could he be so stupid to use the yard under his own name, but he couldn't stop the woman's weak heart, and Zhao Yuanli cheated with just a few words Come out and fall into such passivity.

Afterwards, Zhao Yuanli pressed on every step of the way, asking when did the woman meet him for the first time?When and where was the jade pendant sent?The woman obviously didn't expect it to evolve to this point, and she gradually lost her defense. She started talking at odds, and fell into the eye sockets of people who were filled with righteous indignation and helped to vent their anger. It also made people see that the woman was the one who lied. I feel a little embarrassed.

Zhao Hongsheng was furious, Zhao Yuanli managed to recover a little bit, the Wang family bullied him like this, did he really think he was dead, and immediately had the woman arrested and sent to the yamen for interrogation, and sent his cronies to go with him, as if to investigate to the end.

Some people came forward to apologize to Zhao Yuanli, most of them were people who just spoke out to attack, Zhao Yuanli didn't care about it, he went around and found Wang Bowen who was hiding in the crowd.The two looked at each other, and there was a faint spark, but the latter seemed to be more concerned about the person who was sent to the Yamen, and left in a hurry.

"That boy from the Wang family?" Zhao Hongsheng followed Zhao Yuanli's line of sight, only saw the back of Wang Bowen leaving in a hurry, and snorted, "Sneaking away quickly."

Zhao Yuanli was noncommittal, since Wang Bowen dared to do it, he must have the consciousness to bear the consequences. "Father, this fact is a personal grievance, and the child wants to resolve it by himself."

Zhao Hongsheng paused when he heard the words, and then showed a hint of understanding. He patted him on the shoulder and was quite satisfied with Zhao Yuanli's responsibility.

"Thank you, Father...Father." Zhao Yuanli raised the corner of his mouth, asking for the right to make the decision first, only for the other person involved, fearing that his father would intervene...

It was evening when the two of them returned to the mansion. During the winter solstice, there was a custom of arranging family banquets and being seniors. The juniors had to pay homage to their elders. Mrs. Zhao was sitting on the main seat wearing new clothes, beaming with joy. The eldest, third and fourth wives came one after another Offering shoes and socks, one by one was rewarded by the old lady, and the family began to have a family reunion dinner. Neither father nor son mentioned what happened during the day.

After the meal, Zhao Wenwan followed Zhao Yuanli step by step. He had already seen something wrong with the elder brother's expression at the dinner table, and asked, "What happened to the elder brother at the ceremony?"

Zhao Yuanli turned his head and met Zhao Wenwan's worried eyes. He didn't hide anything, and explained the matter in general, "Someone framed me for climbing a high branch and playing with my feelings. Oh, that person has my child."

"..." Zhao Wenwan listened to him in a flat tone, and said the matter in a few words, but it exploded. Put yourself in the shoes and think about it, what kind of occasion was the ceremony, and even the emperor was there, and the trouble was that Zhao Yuanli would never be able to turn it over body!The one who used this kind of deceit...Suddenly remembered the person he met when he sent his father and brother out in the morning, Zhao Wenwan gritted his teeth and said, "He must have done it!"

Zhao Yuanli raised his eyebrows and looked at her, who explained, "The one who can take away the elder brother's personal jade pendant must be a member of the family. Zhao Yuanjin has always been against you, who else but him!"

"Father has entrusted me with full authority over this matter, Wan Wan, only with conclusive evidence can people be invincible." Zhao Yuanli said meaningfully.

Zhao Wenwan understood by heart, even if it is a false accusation, it has to be "substantiated"!Zhao Wenwan, who found out that his elder brother had a dark side, expressed that he was very educated, and blinked his eyes, thinking about it.

"There is a Town God's Temple Fair today, do you want to go out and have a look?" Zhao Yuanli asked afterward.

Zhao Wenwan naturally wanted what he wanted, so he hurriedly changed into Zhao Yuanli's clothes, and followed him out the door.On the way, Zhao Zhong and Baochan murmured, and even Zhao Wenwan listened to what happened to Zhao Yuanli today, which was much more detailed than the version that the elder brother said.Mentioning Wang Bowen, Zhao Wenwan immediately thought of Wang Xueyuan, who was in the hands of the princess. The two brothers and sisters were all good friends, and neither of them was good.

"It turns out that my eldest brother already knew that the woman was Wang Bowen's love child in captivity."

Zhao Yuanli shook his head when he heard the words. Wang Bowen was cautious in doing things, but he chose the wrong partner. When he found that something was wrong with the woman, he asked people to investigate secretly, but nothing was found out. Only once in a while, his subordinates saw her and went back there. It wasn't long before Wang Bowen also came out of the other courtyard, connecting the two together.

"I cheated it out." Zhao Yuanli frowned. The woman was pregnant and probably belonged to Wang Bowen, but he used it for this purpose. It was pitiful, but he didn't have any sympathy.

The Town God's Temple Fair was very lively, and those who worshiped the Great Immortal burned high incense, filled with the smell of incense ashes and various spices.Zhao Wenwan followed Zhao Yuanli for a long time. She was not as excited as she was when she first went out. She just glanced at the trinkets sold by the hawker. Instead, she clung to Zhao Yuanli tightly, as if she was afraid of losing him.

Zhao Yuanli led Zhao Zhong to buy warm roasted sweet potatoes from the old farmer, wrapped them in oiled paper and handed them to Zhao Wenwan, "Don't rush to eat, warm your hands first."

Zhao Wenwan smiled awkwardly, and found that he had been staring at the stall for a long time, but he was greedy. Unlike the sweet potatoes eaten in modern times that were repeatedly roasted and shriveled, the one in his hand was the right size, roasted evenly, and he gently pulled the top A layer of skin reveals the golden melon flesh, which smells very fragrant.

Next to the old farmer was a little girl, who looked as big as Wen Xue, with a sallow and thin face, and her eyes were as bright as grapes. When Zhao Wenwan looked at her, she grinned and said sweetly, "Beautiful brother, just buy another one. My sweet potatoes are delicious!"

Zhao Wenwan narrowed his almond eyes, and also curled the corners of his mouth, and bought three more, one for everyone. "Little sister really knows how to do business."

After the interaction in this room, someone approached the door with an unfriendly expression. Zhao Yuanli pulled Zhao Wenwan without a trace, and pulled him aside.

"Hey, old man, pay back the money!" The visitor said aggressively.

"Master, please allow two more days, I... I really can't afford that much at once." The old man tremblingly begged for mercy while protecting the panicked little girl.

"Two days or two days, Lord's money is not for nothing. If you borrow money, you must pay it back. Do you understand the rules?" After finishing speaking, he was about to grab the old farmer's money pocket, which was given by Zhao Wenwan. A tael of silver, and reward money.

"Master, I beg you, save some for the old man. My son is lying on the bed relying on medicine to continue his life. It can't be stopped." The old man cried and knelt down on the ground, and the little girl knelt down too, wiping away her tears. Weeping and howling, he kowtowed to others as if he was used to it.

"Tsk, what does your short-lived ghost son care about me, don't make it up and get frustrated, anyway, I don't care, I just want to say something today, if the deadline is over, there will be no good fruit!" The man said. He took out the worn-out money bag and left, glanced at Zhao Wenwan who looked angry, deliberately showed a fierce look, snorted and led a group of people away.

"Old man, are you okay?" Zhao Wenwan went over to help the old farmer up, Zhao Zhong and Baochan also helped pick up the scattered sweet potatoes, with worried eyes.

The old farmer sighed and shook his head, full of sadness, but he couldn't tell the outside world that those who collect money are not easy to deal with.It turned out that the son who was the pillar of the family was sick whenever he was sick, and the whole family relied on him to live. He suddenly collapsed and naturally refused to give up. When the family's savings were exhausted, he asked someone to borrow it. Although the amount borrowed was not small , but somehow it got bigger and bigger, and the hole couldn't be filled, and the son's illness didn't improve. There are frequent disturbances in three days, every bit of money is searched away, and life is extremely difficult.

Zhao Yuanli looked at those who left. At Yihualou, the leader grabbed the shoulders of a man dressed in the clothes of the Wang family's servants, and entered together with great affection, and couldn't help but darken his eyes.

Seeing that the old farmer refused to speak, Zhao Wenwan had no choice but took out a handkerchief and carefully wiped the gravel on the little girl's forehead next to the wound, and secretly stuffed a bag of silver in the little girl's hand, making a shh gesture, Whispering quietly in her ear, "Don't let the bad guys see it, save this for yourself and your father to see a doctor, you know."

There were tears in the little girl's eyes, and she was a bit afraid to accept it, but thinking about the situation at home, she still secretly hid it, and pretended to kowtow to Zhao Wenwan, but she quickly grabbed her. "Nayun will definitely repay his benefactor in the future."

Zhao Wenwan patted her head, but didn't take it seriously, pulled Zhao Yuanli, who was still in deep thought, and planned to go back for a while, but he didn't notice that there was an extra tail when he went back.

Xiaowei stayed for a long time after seeing the two of them enter the gate of Duke Dingguo's mansion, thinking about the boy who had a distinctly female voice, and the young lady who said that.

The benefactor is a woman, how should I repay her?

(End of this chapter)