Liangcheng is a land of plenty, and the streets and alleys all have a Jiangnan atmosphere. Because it is very close to the Haihe River, most of the people here eat fish and meat as a staple food. On the west side of Liangcheng is a wharf specially built by the imperial court. All ships, big and small, have to pass here. Traveling around to various places is equivalent to the waterway checkpoint set up by the imperial court.
Not far from the pier, there are several other small piers that were spontaneously established by local people. Due to the cumbersome procedures for the piers established by the court, it was really inconvenient for most people who went to sea to fish and do business. The documents and documents had to go through layers of buckles and seals before they could pass. By the time they could pass, the opportunity to go to sea had been delayed.
The sea, for feudal ancient times, is a mysterious symbol. It is unpredictable and moody. Maybe it is shining brightly at this moment, but the next moment there will be huge waves, swallowing up fishing boats and people's lives. In the eyes of the people, In the eyes, the sea is boundless, and the only way to identify the direction is by the sun. However, many people go to sea to fish and come back. Therefore, the locals call the sea the sea god, and hold a sacrificial ceremony every year. , in order to seek the blessing of the sea god and protect the family so that they can return safely.
Baili Boyi and his party did not go to the pier established by the imperial court, but came to a small pier far away from other piers. The business here seemed to be deserted. There were only two or three small fishing boats floating on the sea surface of the pier. The surrounding reeds were as tall as a person, swaying from side to side in the breeze, and only one of the small wooden houses was lit by a weak candlelight.
The curved crescent moon is reflected on the sea, and as the ripples break into several pieces, a few stars are faintly dotted in the night sky. Although such a night is quiet, it also adds a strange atmosphere.[
Just when Baili Boyi and others arrived at the dock, the door of the cabin opened, and a middle-aged man walked out. He had an ordinary appearance, but there was a hint of capableness between his eyebrows. He was wearing canvas clothes and carrying a bag behind his back. Wearing a fishing hat made of reed grass, he seemed to have been waiting for the arrival of Baili Boyi and others. He hurriedly greeted him, seemingly respectful but also flattering. He walked to the carriage, bowed and smiled: "Hakka , you are finally here. In order to wait for this big deal from you, I have not dared to accept any business for days."
As soon as he finished speaking, the carriage opened, revealing Baili Boyi's gentle face. He looked at the middle-aged man, and then looked around inadvertently with his eyelids. The reeds as tall as one man were shaking slightly. As if the breeze was blowing, he understood in his heart, smiled faintly at the middle-aged man and said: "You're welcome, I am a person who likes peace and quiet, that's why I chose you here, but don't worry, I said I will pay you If it’s three times the price, I won’t treat you badly.”
"Hey, hey, do you dare to ask if the Hakkas plan to set off overnight? I'm sorry, because I only got the news from the Hakkas last night. Yesterday afternoon, the ship was borrowed from someone else, and it was agreed that it would be returned the next day. Can you see if it was delayed? What's your itinerary?" The middle-aged man suddenly said with a guilty look on his face, but he passed the carriage in the corner of his eyes and looked straight at the dense forest not far away.
Baili Yiyi frowned slightly, as if hesitating. He thought for a moment and then said softly: "It won't delay the trip, but, hey," he sighed softly, "It seems that I have to stay in Liangcheng for two more days." .
After hearing this, the middle-aged man immediately knelt on the ground, with a deeper look of guilt on his face, and kept blaming himself: "Hakka, I'm really sorry, I'm really sorry, otherwise, I would have lowered the price. However, you must not leave. Because of you, I have not accepted business for several days. If you were not at my house, I am afraid that my family would have to go to the streets to beg for food this month."
"You don't have to do this. I'm just staying for two days. I'll take advantage of these two days to get a good feel for Liangcheng's Jiangnan customs. You go down and arrange a place to stay." Baili Yiyi peeked at the reeds again. I saw that the reeds were restored to their original state, and I felt relieved.
Fang Hao arranged for Baili Yi and others to stay in a private house not far from the dock. As soon as he entered the room, Baili Yi called Rong You, who was his personal attendant. When Rong You entered the house, Baili Yi called Li Boyi didn't speak, and the two communicated with their eyes. Knowing that Rong You had made arrangements, tightened security around the area, and hid Nangong Ling's people, he ordered: "Go and call Fang Hao."
After a while, Fang Hao followed Rong You into the house. As soon as he saw Baili Youyi, he knelt down on one knee and said respectfully: "Fang Hao meets the second prince."
Baili Yiyi sat on the chair in the center of the room, took a sip of tea, and his eyes suddenly became sharp. He looked at Fang Hao and said solemnly: "Get up, thank you for being smart just now, otherwise, Nangong Ling would definitely be killed. The secret guard saw the flaw."
Fang Hao glanced at Rong You, his eyes deepened, "Second Prince, you may have been a little too impatient this time, which made Nangong Ling suspicious. However, the words he just said can only relieve him for a moment, and wait for them to report. Nangong Ling, I'm afraid I have to come back. How will your plan be implemented then?"
Baili Yiyi sighed softly, a look of ruthlessness flashed across his gentle face. He gently put down the teacup in his hand and sighed: "I also know that the hasty behavior this time will make people suspicious, but, Baili Yiyi You don’t know the situation today. If it weren’t for my strong request and Lian Tianyan’s cooperation, I’m afraid Nangong Ling’s people would have sent our group out of the country. If we turned back to Liangcheng by then, we would have missed our return home. When the time comes, Nangong Ling will definitely have doubts, which will affect the plan."
"What are the second prince's plans now?" Fang Hao thought for a while, looked at Baili Game and asked.
"Let's just wait and see what happens tonight. After a while, go and make arrangements quickly. If Nangong Ling's people are still there tomorrow, then the day after tomorrow. If they are still there the day after tomorrow, at most we can find another reason to stay here. However, , no more than five days at most, I’m afraid my father will be suspicious if it’s too late.”
"Yes, I will do it now." After Fang Hao walked out, Baili Yiyi stood up and came to the door. Looking at the fragrant flowers all over the yard, he frowned slightly and said calmly: "Nangong Ling They have been secretly fighting with Nangong Yu for many years, and there is only one trigger left. I hope I got it right. Shui Lianyue is the best trigger. If the two can be induced to put the fight on the bright side, Jin Xi Chao Gang's turmoil is my best proof to my father."
Rong You looked at Baili Yiyi's thin back, with a touch of sadness flashing in his eyes, and said softly: "The second prince's ability is well known, but the emperor's delay in deciding on the candidate for the prince is indeed disturbing. The eldest prince Watching with eager eyes, the third prince and the fourth prince support the eldest prince. The fifth prince remains neutral. The sixth prince is still young and soft-spoken. He can only prove his strength by following the emperor's wishes. I believe that the emperor will definitely express his feelings towards the second prince if he knows about it. ”.
As soon as Rong You finished speaking, Baili Yiyi shook his head slightly and sighed: "My father is suspicious by nature, and I tried my best to get him to look at me differently. This is the time when I can't be troubled. My eldest brother follows my father." He has been with the emperor for many years, but he does not understand his father's thoughts. He is short-sighted and only wants to win more favor from his father, but he does not understand the long-term way. As an emperor, who does not want to dominate the world, and which emperor is willing to surrender? Under the knee of others, my father wants to resist Jin Xi. It will not happen overnight. If this can be done, I must not show my edge. Otherwise, I will be jealous of my father. If there is a trace of suspicion, then, the prince My position will only get further and further away from me."
Rong You nodded in understanding. There was only silence in the house, and the fragrance of flowers in the garden was fragrant. However, Baili Game paid no attention to it. He looked at the stars in the night sky, stood with his hands behind his hands, and more thoughts came to his mind. It's Shui Lianyue's beautiful and proud face.
It is indeed a pity that such a rare woman in the world has become a victim of the regime.
In the Imperial Study Room in the Jinxi Palace, Nangong Ling was deep in thought as he listened to the information sent by the secret guards at full speed. Perhaps, his suspicious mind made a mistake? Suddenly, he shook his head again and said with Baili As a human being, what he wants to do will never be that simple.[
"Keep staring at him and report anything to me immediately." After a while, Nangong Ling came back to his senses and ordered the secret guard in a deep voice.
"Yes, my subordinates take orders." The secret guard quickly exited the imperial study. In the huge imperial study, there was only Nangong Ling. He was sitting on the dragon chair, looking at the half of the memorial, but he had no intention of continuing. After reviewing, I suddenly remembered the news brought by the secret guard at noon. It was said that Nangong Yu sent people to Luchang County. I don’t know what happened. Although he sent people to follow him, he didn’t expect that Nangong Yu’s people were extremely smart and easily got rid of them. He killed his secret guard, it was really abominable.
However, it can be seen from this that Nangong Yu is afraid that he will take action.
"Little Lingzi", suddenly, he looked out the door and shouted coldly. He saw the door opened, and Little Lingzi slowly walked in and knelt on the ground, "What are your orders, Your Majesty?"
Nangong Ling's eyes immediately flashed with a sharp look, and she asked in a deep voice: "Have you found out the identity of the woman living in Prince Yu's Mansion?"
"Replying to the emperor, I found out that she is the youngest daughter of the lord of Uge City, Princess Lu Yuan."
"Oh"? Nangong Ling suddenly looked surprised, "Hiss, why did Princess Lu Yuan come to the capital? That barbarian land is far away from the Central Plains, but King Yu sent someone to pick her up"?
Xiao Lingzi shook his head and replied respectfully: "Replying to the emperor, I bribed the guard of Prince Yu's Mansion and learned the news. I heard that he went alone and accidentally fell off the cliff at Taifo Mountain outside Suzhou City and was killed by Yu. The king’s men found and rescued him.”
"Is the news reliable?"
"The slave didn't ask any questions at that time, so it didn't arouse the guard's suspicion. Therefore, he shouldn't tell lies to fool the slave."
Nangong Ling suddenly frowned slightly. Since Princess Lu Yuan, the daughter of the lord of Uge City, has come to the capital, how can he, the master, lose his etiquette and not go to receive her? In a flash, he raised the corner of his mouth and revealed With a strange smile, he said Cancan: "Go to Prince Yu's Mansion according to my instructions, and bring some good ginseng, deer antler and other nourishing medicine, and tell me that I have learned that the princess has come to the capital, and that she has been injured and ordered a special person." I will send you the tonic, and when the princess recovers from her serious illness, I will hold a banquet in the palace to cleanse the princess."
Xiao Lingzi was slightly startled, and said with some surprise: "Your Majesty, you are a noble person, do you think you should lower your noble status for a little barbarian princess? I ordered someone to send me some nourishing medicine. It’s the Emperor Long En, she couldn’t even shed tears of gratitude.”
Nangong Ling raised her hand and interrupted Xiao Lingzi's words, with a gloomy look on her face, "I have my own plans. As my brother, I have never been close to women. Now, I just married a stunning woman. Princess, but you brought a princess into the palace, do you know what it means?"
Xiao Lingzi was stunned immediately, shook his head and said: "I am stupid, I hope the emperor will make it clear".
"If I knew, would I still have to lower my status to hold a banquet for a barbarian princess? I will have a hand in everything Nangong Yu does, and I will make him uneasy and mess up." .
Xiao Lingzi looked at the ferocious look that flashed across the emperor's face. His heart trembled slightly, and he quickly accepted the order and exited the imperial study.