In Xunyang City, some places are dark with lights out, while other places are brightly lit.
Especially the long street in Xunyangfang on the bank of Xunyang River is lined with restaurants and singing shops, and the red lanterns along the street look like long dragons.
If you look down from the sky, it looks like a red ribbon inlaid with bright gems tied by an immortal to the banks of the Xunyang River.
Xunyang Tower is one of the most dazzling pearls.
The area between Xunyangdu and Xunyang Tower is completely dark, with only a few lights and houses.
On a street leading to Xunyang Tower, a luxury motorcade was moving forward, guarded by a group of Xianbei guards on horseback.
The motorcade had just bid farewell to Rong Zhen and Ouyang Rong, and after driving for a certain distance, in the luxurious carriage in the center, Wei Shaoqi, who had his eyes closed and was concentrating, suddenly asked:
"That boy is Ouyang Lianghan? The upright gentleman who was not afraid of death and was once called the Pearl of the Southeast by my great-aunt?"
His face was calm, and the expression of indifference just now was gone.
"That's right."
Wang Lengran frowned and said:
"But to say that he is a gentleman, it is not necessarily true. This boy is cunning and not pedantic. His so-called outspokenness and courage to give advice cannot be said to be deceiving the emperor and betraying his integrity. Third Young Master will know it if he knows a little bit about him."
"I don't care if he is cheating on you or not."
Wei Shaoqi closed his eyes and asked again:
"Did Ouyang Lianghan serve as the magistrate of Longcheng County?"
"Yes, this man was still in office last year. Later, he was promoted due to his merits in flood control. In the process, he even pretended to resign from the imperial censor Jingguan once."
"Last year, my sixth brother and Mr. Qiu went to Longcheng. He was also in Longcheng, right?"
Wang Lengran glanced at Wei Shaoqi's expression with some surprise. The carriage was driving on the street, and the surrounding lights fell into the car and hit his face, making the light and dark uncertain.
"Yes." Wang Lengran nodded honestly.
"Has he interacted with his sixth brother?"
"I don't know...but the Sixth Young Master should have seen him. I heard Boss Li mention it once before. It seems that this boy was caught and played by the Sixth Young Master, but then he was let go by the third young master of the Liu family, a good-for-nothing but a loser.
…”
Wei Shaoqi listened quietly.
Wang Lengran sighed:
"It would have been better if the Sixth Young Master had killed this son at that time. Now this son has hooked up with Prince Xunyang's Mansion and has become Prince Xunyang's lackey. He is very abominable and has ruined our good deeds many times."
He whispered, somewhat sinisterly:
"Third Young Master, you must also be careful with this guy. Don't underestimate the enemy."
Wei Shaoqi chuckled:
"Wang Lengran, my father sent you here, and you have been the governor for so long, how come you can't even compete with him as a little long history? You still want me to handle it?"
Wang Lengran immediately lowered his head:
"It's a humble position that is useless. I have failed the prince and the young master's expectations. I cannot escape the blame for my humble position! I hope the prince will give me a heavy punishment!"
The young man in brocade robes who was clearly only a fifth-grade Hongzhou official but calmly accepted the governor's begging for mercy said with a sneer:
"Okay, don't be miserable.
"My master is not here to deal with such a small role this time. He is not so free yet."
Wang Lengran said with expectant eyes:
"Could it be... that on Luo Jing's side, the two princes have decided to take action?"
As he spoke, his eyes were vaguely tilted towards the Xunyang Prince's Mansion in Xiushui Fang in the distance, and his palms made a cross-cutting gesture at his neck.
"no."
Wei Shaoqi shook his head and said lightly:
"Everything remains the same at Prince Xunyang's Mansion. Don't alarm others for the time being. The last incident has already put them on guard..."
"I understand my humble position, but what is the reason why the Third Young Master is here..."
Wang Lengran muttered to himself in confusion, suddenly remembered something, and asked in a low voice:
"The prince had previously entrusted his humble position to forward a letter to General Qin... Could it be that it was a matter on the Hongzhou front line..."
Wei Shaoqi opened his eyes, glanced at Wang Lengran, and said nothing.
But the slightly narrowed eyes made Wang Lengran shudder, and he bowed his head deeply, not daring to ask any more questions.
"Third brother!"
At this moment, a woman's gentle voice suddenly came from the carriage next to her dressed as a noble lady.
"What's wrong Qiniang?"
Wei Shaoqi immediately turned his head, showing a kind smile and a gentle tone.
Wang Lengran, who was trembling with fear just a second ago, was stunned for a moment.
The woman who did not show up in the car asked with concern:
"The weather in Jiangzhou is cooler than that in Yangzhou. Third brother, would you like to add some clothes? I prepared some for you when I was in Yangzhou."
Wei Shaoqi shook his head and said in a kind tone:
"No, Qiniang, but if you feel cold, go to your residence first to put away your things and wear warm clothes. Our residence has been prepared by Governor Wang."
When Wei Shaoqi's smiling face turned around and cast a gentle questioning look, Wang Lengran nodded and led the way:
"Yes, yes, princess, young master, please follow me and turn left ahead."
"Thank you for your hard work, Mr. Wang. If the autumn night is cold, you can tell me that I have prepared some more men's clothes."
"Not cold, not cold. The gentleness of the young master makes the humble position feel like a spring breeze."
"That's good."
There was a woman in the carriage who smiled slightly.
Wei Shaoqi also smiled at him, keeping his smile and squinting at the Xunyang night outside the car...
An hour later.
In Xunyang Tower, the brightly lit hall lost the hustle and bustle of the past. There were only two tables of wine and food, and the other tables were empty.
The food and wine on these two tables were rich to the point of luxury. They were all rare ingredients shipped from Yangzhou and Qiantang, as well as some delicacies that were out of season and out of region.
The last time Xie Xue'e entertained Qin Jingqin, the Xie Qin family banquet was probably not so rich.
There are two tables of wine and food, the first table is for men and the second table is for women.
Sitting around the first table, in addition to Wei Shaoqi, who was the main guest tonight, there were also Wang Lengran and his close subordinates, as well as some officials from other places who had taken refuge in the Wei family and had also come specially to attend the banquet tonight.
The second table is occupied by the female dependents of the former people. The female dependents who used to be wary and frightening are now all honest and quiet. I don’t know if they received strict instructions from the male hosts before coming to the banquet.
Wei Shaoqi is sitting at the top of the first table.
The top position on the second table is vacant.
"Sorry, Qiniang may be late for changing clothes. If you are hungry, you can eat first."
Wei Shaoqi looked around and said in an embarrassed tone.
Everyone laughed, but no one moved their chopsticks.
Wang Lengran turned his head and looked outside the door from time to time.
Shao Qing, an official in green who often followed Wang Lengran, hurriedly walked into the building, holding a small wooden box in his arms. Next to her was a team of big Xianbei guards, protecting her closely.
"The thing has been delivered, sir, please take a look, it is this thing."
Wang Lengran took the small wooden box and handed it to Wei Shaoqi carefully.
Wei Shaoqi casually opened the wooden box with two fingers and took a look.
I saw an emerald jade ring lying inside.
There was a dried blood stain on the jade ring, but for some reason no one wiped it off.
Wei Shaoqi clicked his tongue and asked:
"Is this what it is?"
"That's right, Third Young Master."
Wang Lengran said seriously:
"These days, our people are walking around in Hongzhou. Fortunately, with the prince's face, the generals such as General Qin on the front line acquiesced and let us investigate, and we found Zhu Yuheng's body. This ring was in his
It was found near the body and was hidden by the people guarding the body. Fortunately, our people were quick to find it..."
Wei Shaoqi glanced at the dried blood on the jade ring and nodded:
"What a miserable death."
He turned around and nodded with a bright smile:
"You really deserve it. Zhu Lingxu and his son did not surrender to the enemy sooner or later, but at that juncture, they did such an animal thing, which is a waste of my father's trust!"
Wang Lengran sighed and stopped talking.
Wei Shaoqi suddenly pointed at the jade ring and asked everyone:
"But, tell me, this man is so good, why did he lead the vanguard to defect to the Hongzhou rebels?"
Everyone was silent about this.
"Is it because you have an itchy skin and lit a lamp in the toilet, seeking death?"
Wei Shaoqi laughed again and said:
"It's fine if they colluded with the rebels. The funniest thing is that they were beheaded in public by Cai Qin's rebels who defected. It's really the most ridiculous thing in the world."
As everyone around them listened, they noticed that something was wrong with the tone of the third son of the Prince of Wei.
Wang Lengran asked cautiously:
"Young master, you mean that there is something fishy in it? By the way, I remembered it. I think I have seen this jade ring with Zhu Lingxu before, and I don't know when it was given to Zhu Yuheng."
Wei Shaoqi lowered his eyes, stared at the jade ring coldly for a while, and chuckled.
He suddenly turned around and asked:
"Why hasn't Qiniang come yet?"
Wang Lengran immediately called to the official in green next to him and asked him to go check it out.
The official in green trotted out the door, but his figure did not disappear for a while. He ran back through the door again, returned to the table, and reported with a strange expression:
"Third Young Master, Mr. Wang, the princess's carriage is on the street not far from the building."
"Why don't you come?" Wang Lengran asked curiously.
"It seems that a group of beggars stopped the carriage and begged for food. The princess was handing out food and clothes. She also gave... and..."
"What else should I give up?"
Wei Shaoqi nodded and asked, looking at his face as if he was not surprised.
"She asked her subordinates to come over and call Third Young Master, could she ask the kitchen in Xunyang Tower to prepare more food and send it over to those poor people?"
"Yes, of course, it is a good thing, why not?"
Wei Shaoqi smiled and shook his head, stood up, sighed and explained to everyone:
"My cousin's personality is that she has always followed her biological mother, Princess Zhao of Prince Liang's Mansion, who is gentle and amiable, with a good nature. His Royal Highness, Uncle Wang, Prince Liang, also loves her very much.
"Hey, Qiniang is really the jewel of my Wei family. It fits the family tradition of our good family. I really don't know which brat will be lucky enough to marry my cousin in the future. I'm really envious."
"Yes Yes Yes."
"What the Third Young Master said is absolutely true."
"I have heard for a long time that Princess Anhui has a pure nature and treats the poor well. There are also poor people in Luojing who burn incense and pay homage to her. It's really a beautiful story..."
Everyone nodded in agreement.
"Well, there's really nothing we can do against her."
Wei Shaoqi smiled and shook his head. In a good mood, he led Wang Lengran and others out to the street.
Immediately, he saw a luxurious carriage surrounded by beggars. In the carriage, a young lady wearing a purple veil was squatting, and together with the maids, distributed cakes and clothes to the beggars surrounding the carriage.
At this moment, a gust of night wind blew away the veil, and everyone immediately saw the face of this gentle and amiable daughter of the Wei family.
I saw her with a round face, dimples showing when she smiled, a gentle temperament, and an ordinary appearance, about twenty years old. Although she was not stunningly beautiful, she was still very kind.
The beggars around who were swallowing their jujubes knelt down one after another and shouted "Living Bodhisattva".
"Third brother."
Seeing Wei Shaoqi approaching with people, Wei Anhui asked with concern:
"Can you get some more food from the restaurant? The pastries are almost out."
"Let them prepare it and deliver it later. Cousin, you go in first. It's cold outside. I'll wait here and help you distribute it. It's not convenient for you to live with a daughter."
"Okay, third brother, remember to give them more hot rice. They have been hungry for a long time. They cannot eat greasy fish and meat suddenly, as it will easily spoil their stomachs."
"Okay, Qiniang, come in quickly."
Some of the nagging Wei girls walked into Xunyang Tower surrounded by maids.
Watching her enter the building, Wei Shaoqi turned around.
While distributing food and clothing to the beggars, he sighed:
"You guys are so lucky to have met my cousin. My cousin is embarrassed to mention it, but as a brother, I have to say that this cannot be given away for free. You still have to repay her."
"Noble sir, what should I repay to the Bodhisattva?"
A beggar asked cautiously.
Wei Shaoqi smiled and turned around, calling to the cold-faced guards on the side:
"Goug out all their eyes and throw them into the river. Those who picked up those who had touched Qiniang's veil cut off their heads and threw them into the river."
"yes."
"By the way, stay away and don't disturb Qiniang." He did not forget to warn her.
"As you command, sir!"
The Xianbei guards pulled all the howling beggars out, and their clothes and food fell to the ground.
One of the beggars struggled to get away and ran away. After three breaths, he was stepped on by a Xianbei qigong practitioner who came out of the guards. His sternum bones cracked and he vomited blood.
Wei Shaoqi walked over, pulled out a precious scimitar from the waist of the Xianbei Qi practitioner, and cut off a head.
He casually threw it into the arms of Wang Lengran, who was sweating profusely next to him, and asked curiously:
"Prince Wang, I didn't break the law, did I?"
"No...no, these unsightly things have offended a noble lady of the clan and should die according to law."
"That's good. You have to act impartially and don't open the back door."
"Third Young Master, please rest assured..."
Wei Shaoqi smiled, took a red satin-gold silk handkerchief, wiped his hands, walked towards Xunyang Tower, and said casually:
"A daughter of the Wei family, a noblewoman who has not yet left the imperial court, is she lucky enough to be seen by the dog eyes of you people? Well, I have finally discovered that these things like you will shine brightly if you give them a little sunshine."
Wei Shaoqi threw away the blood-stained handkerchief with a sigh on his face, Shao Qing, and returned to his seat in the hall on the first floor.
He turned around with a smile and said concernedly to his cousin who had re-covered her veil:
"Qiniang, the food is getting cold. Eat it quickly. I'm waiting for you."
"Third brother, please wait for a long time. What's wrong with third brother's hand? Why is it bleeding?"
"Oh, other people's blood."
"who?"
"It should be the blood on the ring. It was touched just now."
"I thought Third Brother was injured. By the way, why is there blood on this ring?"
"They belong to the owner of the ring. They are a pair of trash."
"Third brother, please don't curse."
"I'm sorry, I couldn't help it, but the owner of this ring is really stupid. Hey, Qiniang, even if you say that the father and son are stupid, why is the blood still splattered on our family?"
"What is the third brother talking about...what splashed on us..."