Harue Kagetsu - Chapter 113

In the eastern outskirts of Jiankang, a few miles away from the city gate, there is a countryside and a village courtyard.

Shao Fengzhi has been here for more than ten days. The surroundings are secluded, only the villagers come and go, and there are few people during the day. He was told by Shao Yuniang not to sneak into Jiankang for fun. The governor is of great importance, and naturally he dare not act rashly, but in such a day, he who is used to a debauchery life is like going to prison, and he feels like living a life like a year.

Fortunately, in the past few days, he finally got a very interesting place nearby.

It was also a coincidence that on that day, he sent off the Lang Zhong who was returning to the clinic for Shao Yuniang, and when he came back, he was walking on the village road, and occasionally a car passed by. The driver of the car was an old man, and a teenage servant girl was walking beside the car. The car was just a very ordinary green felt chariot in the countryside, but it was hung with a peach-colored curtain, which immediately attracted Shao Fengzhi’s attention. , graceful and graceful, peach blossom winks, seduces people’s souls. The woman and the stunned Shao Fengzhi looked at each other, smiled sweetly, lowered the curtain, and went.

Shao Fengzhi was very itchy at the time, so he secretly followed and followed. The car was parked a few miles away in front of a single house on the river bank, which was small and surrounded by walls. The woman got out of the car, as if sensing something, she turned to look at him from a distance, smiled again, and her figure disappeared behind the door.

How could Shao Fengzhi not see that this woman should have an interest in herself? Looking at her beautiful appearance, dressed like this, and living alone in such a place, it is quite like the outer room where the big men in Jiankang City are placed outside.

Life in the countryside is boring, I don’t know how long I will stay here, and suddenly there is a goal of hunting for beauty, how can he let it go so easily? After wandering around for a long time, I climbed up the wall to spy again, and found that besides the old man and the little girl, there was only a rough servant girl. When I saw no man, I became daring and went up to knock on the door, saying that I was passing by because I was thirsty, and I asked for a bowl of water to drink. . At that time, she was brought in, but the woman did not show her face again. Behind the curtain, only half of her pink embroidered shoes were exposed. She stood up and left immediately.

Shao Fengzhi stayed at that family’s house for a long time, but never saw the woman again, so he could only leave unhappy. Walking on the road, thinking about how to come back tomorrow, the little girl chased after her and handed a handkerchief, saying that he just dropped it. He took over Ropa, who was clearly a woman, and saw that there was a letter on it, and asked him to come back in the middle of the night. He was overjoyed and went back to his residence. As if nothing had happened, he sneaked off to the appointment in the middle of the night.

As expected, the woman opened the door for him and led him in quietly. They met under the lamp, and her appearance became more and more attractive. She called herself A Tao, and as Shao Fengzhi had guessed, it was the outer chamber of an official in Beijing, who originally lived in the city. Unfortunately, she was discovered by his wife a few days ago and could not tolerate her, so she was forced to move to the countryside to hide, and it didn’t take long. The officials were afraid, and only told her to live here with peace of mind, saying that they would come to see her when they were free, but for many days, they could not even see a person.

When Ah Tao spoke of it, she was full of complaints. Shao Fengzhi comforted him with sweet words, and soon he fell in love with his concubine, undressed and went to bed.

This woman is not only beautiful, but also has extraordinary skills on the bed. Shao Fengzhi obtained it like a treasure. In the past few days, every night until midnight, while Shao Yuniang was asleep, she sneaked to a private meeting by herself. Last night, however, because A Tao said that the man wanted to see her, the tryst was blocked. Shao Fengzhi tossed and turned, feeling like a madman. He managed to go tonight, but he couldn’t wait until midnight, when it got dark, he saw the man in Shao Yuniang’s house. When the light went out, he immediately slipped out and came to Ah Tao’s residence again.

Ah Tao not only waited for him tonight, dressed up carefully, but also specially prepared a table of wine and food.

I haven’t seen each other for a night, like every three autumns, the two of them became more and more affectionate after seeing each other, drinking and having fun, while half drunk, Ah Tao suddenly burst into tears and said sadly: “I am a good family girl, but my family is poor, because of a bit of beauty, Occupied by that bad old man, I live a life where no one is a ghost or a ghost. The old man is alive, and I can barely get enough food and clothing. In case he dies one day, or is forced by his wife to abandon me, this world will , I am afraid I will no longer have a place to stand.”

The beauty was so sad and weeping, Shao Fengzhi was so distressed that he opened his mouth and said that he would protect her prosperity and wealth for the rest of her life.

Ah Tao pouted: “That’s nice! I’ve devoted myself to you, and I’m so infatuated with you, but you don’t take me seriously at all. Until now, I only know your name and live nearby. I come and leave at night, and I haven’t even stayed with me all night! There must be someone at home, and I don’t have to expect anything else. Besides, don’t you think I just came here, don’t you know? As a rural household, you have a few acres of land at home, how can you protect my prosperity and wealth for the rest of my life?”

Shao Fengzhi’s belly swelled with alcohol, and he rushed up: “There is no one in my family, but an elder sister, who is strict with me and does not allow me to spend the night outside. Don’t underestimate me! Don’t say that my ancestors used to be in Jiangbei. The surname everyone, just because of bad luck, is now down. It is me, and soon, I will also rise to the top again, and the wealth and honor are limitless! “

Ah Tao was still weeping just now, but now she couldn’t help laughing, she pointed to Shao Fengzhi and said, “Oh, you brag about it, you are about to overturn my roof! Stop it. You and I We have a good relationship, firstly, I didn’t want your money, and secondly, I didn’t want your status, I just admired your talent, and I didn’t expect you to be wealthy, so why do you use this to deceive me?”

Shao Fengzhi was on the rise. Seeing her appearance, it was obvious that she didn’t believe in him. How could he hold back, his face was red and he said: “King Xin’an heard of it? A big man in Jiankang City! My sister-in-law is the confidant of King Xin’an. , is helping him with great things! When things are done in the future, glory and wealth will be at your fingertips! Where did I lie to you when I said this?”

Ah Tao’s eyes moved slightly, and she asked with a smile what was the big deal.

Shao Fengzhi hugged A Tao and said with a smile, “What do you care about? In short, you can rest assured that I have me. In the future, when I become rich, you will not be without your benefits.”

Ah Tao finally showed a happy expression on her face, becoming more and more charming. Shao Fengzhi was complacent, and unknowingly got drunk. When he woke up, it was already in the middle of the night. Although he was still reluctant to leave, he knew that he had slipped out early tonight, for fear that Shao Yuniang would find out and dare not stay until dawn. I parted with A Tao Yiyi, made an appointment to come back tomorrow night, left in a hurry, went back to the residence, did not go through the courtyard door, climbed over the wall from the low wall, and was about to go back to my house, when the light in Shao Yuniang’s house was on, and the door opened , The old woman who followed him from the prison, who was both serving and guarding, came out and told him to go in.

Shao Fengzhi reluctantly entered. Shao Yuniang sent the old woman away and ordered him to close the door.

Shao Fengzhi saw that she was sitting on the bed, her injury was not yet healed, her face was ill, but she stared at him with extremely severe eyes, and asked him where he went.

He wanted to hide it at first, but said he couldn’t sleep, so he went out to admire the moon and get a haircut. How could Shao Yuniang believe it? Ask again. Shao Fengzhi knew that he couldn’t hide it, and finally hesitantly admitted that Dao had met a woman who was in the outer room by chance a few days ago.

Shao Yuniang forcibly held back her anger, struggled to get off the bed, and quietly went to the door and window to inspect it first, then turned around and scolded in a low voice, “That old lady came here from prison, Gao Qiao didn’t know, but I knew that she It must be from the King of Xin’an. As soon as I have an abnormality here, he will know about it! I have suffered for so many years, endured humiliation and burden, and I have finally come this far, and there is hope. I think you are my own brother. , I have to rely on you for things in the future, and that’s why I kept you by my side. How can you be so unsatisfactory? In just a few days, you are actually making trouble for me? I’m not familiar with this place. Where are you going? Do you think that after this incident, the head teacher can still tolerate me? If it doesn’t work here, can we go back to the heavenly teacher to teach like before?”

Shao Fengzhi knew that about half a year ago, his sister had been secretly sheltered by a big man in Jiankang City, so that she could still stay in Jiankang under the ban of the imperial court.

That big man was Xiao Daocheng, the king of Xin’an.

Xiao Daocheng has always believed in the teaching of heavenly teachers. When the new emperor ascended the throne, Wu Cang, the head of the teaching, was also able to enter the Jiankang Dynasty to congratulate him. Later, Gao Qiao restricted the activities of Tianshi teachers. In addition to issuing restrictions in various counties and counties, Jiankang issued a strict ban, and these people had to leave Jiankang.

Over the years, King Xin’an has been in contact with Tianshijiao in the name of being a teacher, and then gradually exerted influence secretly. The current leader, Wu Cang, was the one who rescued Shao Yuniang and Shao Fengzhi in the river. At that time he was already the altar master. It was with the support of King Xin’an that he only ascended to the position of the leader a few years ago.

Because of the special relationship between Shao Yuniang and Wu Cang, Shao Fengzhi was also able to know some secrets about Tianshijiao.

Shao Fengzhi was far from being a smart person, but he wasn’t stupid either. There are many disciples of the Heavenly Teachers, and even more popular believers. He knew that King Xin’an wanted to control Tianshijiao for his use. On the surface, Wu Cang is respectful to King Xin’an, but Wu Cang is far from being as simple as he looks on the surface.

Wu Cang’s family background, traced back, is similar to that of the Shaw Brothers and sisters. In the past, he was in the north, and he had a head and face. After the court moved south, the family quickly fell. By this generation, they are already unknown and completely excluded from the official career path.

In such a chaotic world, the court is weak, but whoever has some ability, who doesn’t want to do something big?

Wu Cang is also an ambitious character. On the surface, he was attached to King Xin’an, and with his help, he finally became the head of the Tianshi Sect, but in the past few years, he has been accumulating strength secretly. It’s ridiculous that King Xin’an didn’t realize it, and thought he had always been in control of Tianshijiao.

At the beginning of the year, Gao Qiao began to attack Tianshijiao. King Xin’an did not dare to fight with Gao Qiao, and secretly ordered Wu Cang to follow the imperial court temporarily and reduce his power. Wu Cang was very dissatisfied with this, but knowing that the time was not ripe, he did not dare to make trouble, so he could only agree and leave Jiankang with hatred.

But Shao Yuniang refused to leave. It was at that time that he secretly went to find Xiao Daocheng. Xiao Daocheng learned about her and Gao Qiao’s previous relationship, and was ecstatic, and kept her secret in Jiankang.

At that time, Shao Fengzhi understood that his elder sister took the opportunity to completely abandon the teaching of the Heavenly Teacher and go to Xiao Daocheng.

She has been teaching for many years, and she has served Wu Cang again, and she knows many secrets of Tianshi’s teaching.

Once Wu Cang knew that she had overtaken him and voted for Xiao Daocheng, how could he keep his siblings alive in the world?

Shao Fengzhi was suddenly awakened by Shao Yuniang’s words, and he was so frightened that he hurriedly admitted his mistake.

Shao Yuniang asked with a sullen face, the details of the woman with whom he had a tryst.

Shao Fengzhi didn’t dare to hide it any more, and said it honestly.

Shao Yuniang frowned and scolded: “How dare you hook up with this kind of Beijing official’s outer room? When someone finds out and comes to the door, how will it end? If something goes wrong, how can you explain it to King Xin’an?”

Shao Fengzhi was in a cold sweat, and he kept swearing that Dao would never dare to go again.

Shao Yuniang asked him again if he had revealed his identity to the woman.

Shao Fengzhi hurriedly said, “Don’t worry, sister, even the name I gave her was a fake…”

He said, suddenly remembered something, his face changed slightly.

Shao Yuniang noticed it immediately and asked him if he had said anything to the woman that should not have been said.

Shao Fengzhi didn’t dare to admit it at first, but was repeatedly pressed, and finally hesitantly said: “I drank a few more drinks tonight, and I made a slip of the tongue. In front of her, it seemed that I had mentioned the relationship between my sister and King Xin’an…”

Shao Yuniang was furious and slapped him hard.

Shao Fengzhi covered his face and hurriedly said: “Sister, calm down! I just mentioned it like that. I never said another word! It should be fine!”

In order to win Gao Qiao’s sympathy, Shao Yuniang was tortured in prison before, and later suffered from illness. At this moment, his anger attacked his heart, and the person stood unsteadily for a while, and was on the verge of falling, and was supported by Shao Fengyi.

She calmed down, turned her face slowly, and a cold look flashed in her eyes.

“No one can stay in that family. Go back tonight and get rid of the matter for me while they are not prepared!”

She said it word for word.

…

In the middle of the night, the door of the Qin Building was knocked open by an old man.

Not long after, a small car quietly left from the back door of the Qin Building and went to the Gao family’s mansion.

At the end of Zi Shi, the car stopped at the entrance of the alley at the back door of Gao’s house, and Lu Niang got out of the car and hurried to the door.

She came in person late at night to deliver the letter. The letter was given to the little lady of the Gao family.

The concierge here at the back door had been ordered by Luoshen a few days ago, saying that if someone came to deliver a letter to him, no matter when it was in the middle of the night, he would immediately notify him.

The letter that was sent was quickly transferred to Luoshen’s hands.

After sending the letter to Lu Niang that day, Luoshen has been waiting for her news these days.

A few days ago, a piece of good news finally came, saying that the person she arranged was going well, and once she found out something, she would send it to her immediately.

After waiting for a few more days, I finally got new news tonight.

Luo Shen was awakened from his sleep, got up in a hurry to open the door, took the letter handed in by A Ju, read it again, and was surprised.

“What? What did you hear?”

Aju held up a lamp beside him to illuminate and urged Luoshen, looking a little excited.

The person Lu Niang used was said to be extremely clever. Sending a letter in the middle of the night like this, the news you get must be important. What’s more, seeing the little lady’s expression is definitely not a trivial matter.

Luoshen reacted, and the surprise in his heart was beyond words.

She really did not expect that asking people to learn about Shao Yuniang’s life experience through Shao Fengzhi would lead to such a big person who she hadn’t paid much attention to on weekdays.

Xin’an Wang Xiao Daocheng!

Lu Niang said in the letter that things may not be accurate, and it may be that Shao Fengzhi was bragging in front of Ah Tao. But due to the importance of the matter, A Tao did not dare to delay, and while Shao Fengzhi fell asleep, he sent the old man to deliver the letter overnight, and she also forwarded the letter overnight for Luoshen to decide for himself.

If Shao Fengzhi’s words are true, the situation is beyond Luoshen’s original imagination.

She read it again, suppressing her fast heartbeat, holding the letter, and immediately went to her parents’ residence.

…

In the middle of the night, Gao Qiao was still unable to sleep.

He was very preoccupied. He listened to his wife beside him, and finally let out a sound of even and light breathing, quietly got up, went out of the room to the study, lit the candle, sat behind the desk, took out a letter again, opened it, Read it again.

This letter is from Li Mu. It was sent by him after the successful rescue of Lu Jianzhi last time. There were two at the time. A letter to my daughter, this letter to myself.

In the letter, Li Mu told him the situation in Chang’an and the situation in Longxi, and expressed his plan to pacify Longxi next.

These were all within Gao Qiao’s expectations.

What surprised Gao Qiao was a paragraph he attached at the end of the letter.

Li Mu said that before sending the troops, after the three discussed the matter that day, King Xin’an had a private conversation with him again, stating the interests and interests. During the conversation, there are many meanings to persuade yourself to be wise and protect yourself. King Xin’an must also have good intentions. But he is stupid, and as a foreign minister, he has never cared much about the disputes between the nobles and the royal family, nor can he understand it. When I wrote this letter, I suddenly remembered this old incident, and I still didn’t understand it, so I added it in an essay, hoping that if there is a chance in the future, I can get Gao Qiao’s guidance to show my confusion.

At the end of the letter, it seems that he is really just adding notes to Gao Qiao for advice.

But with what Gao Qiao knew about him, how could he believe it?

At first glance, I knew what Li Mu said.

He was clearly reminding himself euphemistically that Wang Yang of Xin’an violated the yin and deliberately took this opportunity to weaken the family and profit from it.

If the family is completely lost, who will be the biggest beneficiaries?

Gao Qiao knew this.

For Gao Qiao, he would not be surprised even if he knew that King Xin’an and even the emperor behind him had such intentions.

He has been an official in the court for decades, and he has seen too many such conspiracies and calculations.

If this is true, his only feeling is despair, utter despair.

He knew that Li Mu would not fabricate it out of thin air. But he really didn’t want to believe that Xiao Daocheng and the young empress, like the Xiao family before them, put the struggle for power between the royal family and the aristocratic family above the family.

The newly enthroned emperor and their subsequent words and deeds made Gao Qiao’s tired heart, which had already started to retreat, slowly recover again, and even hoped, and once again gave birth to a kind of Southern Dynasty that might be able to rejuvenate it. fantasies and expectations.

It is precisely because of this hope and expectation that even if he is tired, he is content.

However, it was Li Muxin’s seemingly light words that pierced a thorn in Gao Qiao’s heart.

On the surface, he was calm, but after that day, facing Xiao Daocheng and the empress who obeyed his words, he always unconsciously felt a faint sense of despair in his heart.

He hoped that this was just Li Muduo’s heart, and that the private conversation between Xiao Daocheng and him that day was just a pessimistic insistence caused by Xiao’s misjudgment of the situation.

After all, in front of his own face at that time, he also opposed sending troops.

But in the bottom of my heart, that vague sense of ominousness still lingers. Especially the recent incident, such a coincidence, happened to be related to Xiao Daocheng.

Gao Qiao’s eyes fell on the letter, and his brows were furrowed. Suddenly, he heard a few soft knocks from outside the door, and then the door was pushed open.

Gao Qiao raised her head and was surprised to see her daughter standing at the door. She put away the letter and asked, “It’s so late, why haven’t you slept yet?”

Luoshen entered, looked at his father, and said, “Aye, my daughter did something to be blamed without telling you a few days ago. But my daughter has inquired about a piece of news. The stakes are very important, and my daughter does not dare to make a rash judgment. , please Aye decide.”

She presented the letter.