Shortly after noon, Hongze Lake was shrouded in lead clouds. Amidst the wind and rain, waves lapped at the shore of the lake. Amidst the blue-gray rain, the large ship carrying the birthday party and several ships guarding the shore were looming in the field of vision on the shore.
At the same moment, Xuyi was also immersed in a lead-blue rain curtain. The rain was not too heavy, but it had been falling continuously since last night, which made it feel a little less like summer. And due to the continuous precipitation in the past day,
The streets in the county town are already muddy and dirty, but for the people living here, they have already adapted to such an environment and it is not that unbearable.
When the carriage drove out of the pier, Ning Yi was opening the curtain and looking outside. The lunch time had passed, and the destination at this time was to go to Xiyuan to take a walk and relax. There were carriages driving in front and behind, and the one behind
Zhuo Yunfeng should be sitting in the carriage. Because in his carriage, Zhou Peizheng was dressed in men's clothing. He seemed a little cautious but couldn't help but chattered to him desperately.
For Zhou Pei, Ning Yi didn't think there was much need to hide this matter. After all, the girl in front of him was completely trustworthy, and after all, he didn't have enough status on his side to be able to pull off a tiger's skin and use it as a banner when doing things.
It was also a great thing to have the little princess standing next to him. However, it was already close to noon when Zhou Pei got up, and some information came back later. He was not the same as Wen Renbu, the brothers of the Qi family, and even Su Wenyu and others who were following him.
Have a meeting to discuss the development of things.
Under such circumstances, Zhou Pei followed along and noticed clues from some fragments of the conversation she overheard. Knowing that Ning Yi planned to go to Xiyuan in the afternoon, she simply dressed up in men's clothing first, and then followed him all the way.
Seeing that there was nothing going on around Ning Yi at this time, he chose to speak and asked about the doubts in his heart.
"...Have this matter been arranged? I don't know how you persuaded Vice General Chen, teachers. Also, did you expect the teachers I mentioned this morning? Who are the kidnappers?
Man, are you really planning on planning your birthday?"
She was so well-behaved that she was like a little secretary who followed quietly, but then she finally asked the question out loud. Ning Yi looked at Zhuo Yunfeng's carriage behind him and smiled.
"We don't know exactly what happened now, but everything that can be done has been done. I have discussed with Wenren and the others in the past two days. If someone really wants to make plans for the fleet, what is the most likely way.
I have sorted out a few directions. You have already mentioned it this morning. Those jugglers, singers, restaurant waiters, and dragons and snakes who are recruited into the dock are most likely to be exploited. We have made a relative system...
The investigation can be regarded as a training exercise, and I really found a few suspicious guys..."
The girl wearing a ridiculous scholar's hat looked at him and nodded vigorously. This kind of intrigue made her listen with relish: "So someone is really interested in the birthday chapter?"
Ning Yi shook his head: "Someone is monitoring the situation on the ship. It doesn't mean that they are definitely here for the birthday card. It may be more convenient for the kidnappers to get the ransom. It may be that they have a grudge against a second-generation ancestor who has no conscience.
Even if there aren't as many people heading north as the birthday party, there are still a lot of other treasures, so it's always nice to be able to do something. We summarized some methods, such as setting the dock on fire, so everyone can get off the ship quickly, and then think of ways to rob the ship.
property, or simply find a way to defraud a ship or other designs, no matter what, someone has to check the bottom and step on the plate. However, once there is such a person among them, when we tell Vice General Chen, he will also
If you are afraid, you will have to cooperate with us in the end... and if he is willing to cooperate with us, this matter will be easier to handle."
"Speaking of it this way, things are only a little certain?" Zhou Pei thought about it, but was quite disappointed.
Ning Yi smiled and said: "It's not that simple to be sure. Even if you follow the clues and investigate them, it won't be done in a day or two. However, we have already done everything we need to do to show weakness to the enemy and lend flowers to Buddha. The next step is
Let’s see if there are any results. It’s best if no one jumps into this pit. If someone does, everyone will be unlucky..."
Things like someone's birthday plan or fleet idea may be quite interesting to the little princess, but for Ning Yi, it is an unwanted side effect. Zhou Pei was still guessing that he would go to Xiyuan.
Wasn't it also to find clues about the kidnapping? After asking a few more questions, she found out that the teacher really didn't take this matter seriously and was just relaxing in the past. After thinking about it for a while, she felt that the teacher was indeed someone who did big things.
.
Ning Yi has already done everything he can to deal with this matter, so there is no need to keep thinking about it and miss the business. Even at this time, in his opinion, the possibility of something happening to the official ship is still small.
However, dozens of miles away, on Hongze Lake under the rain, a fierce encounter was already underway.
Regarding the situation of the battle on Hongze Lake, Ning Yi didn't know about it until around midnight that afternoon. He had already arrived in Xiyuan before that. Although it kept raining and sewage flowed everywhere in the small county town, as the most important person in Xuyi
One of the best brothels, the environment here does not seem much worse than Jiangning or Hangzhou.
If a place like a brothel is just to satisfy the carnal desires, some mid-range places can basically meet all requirements. Going higher up, there are businesses that are suitable for both refined and popular people, including poems, songs, and spiritual pleasure. Compared with flowers in ordinary places,
The sales are ten times and a hundred times higher. Just like not many people go to heaven and earth simply to find prostitutes to vent their anger. Although there is a thousand years between this time and the future, as long as you have money, you can do whatever you can and enjoy what you can think of.
, there will still be no shortage.
Xiyuan is such a place. The backer behind it is the Xuyi County Magistrate. In the past, it received all kinds of travelers and high-profile dignitaries. This is the only place where it can be really used. The song and dance of the oiran Ji Lianhong
Her skills are all good, and it is said that when she goes to Huai'an, she will be one of the top beauties. It's just that her standard of receiving guests in the past few days seems to be a little lacking.
In the final analysis, the people who came on board this time were either second-generation officials or third-generation emperors. No matter how powerful Ji Lianhong was, she could only receive one or two people. During the day, she would talk and play, and at night, she would have to do her best to make the other party comfortable.
When it comes to accompanying so many people and keeping the level of her friends at the same level without letting everyone go crazy, she can't control such a situation.
Fortunately, when Master Li came here this time, he passed by the magistrate of Xiyuan County and begged his grandfather and grandma to ask for help. After the news of Master Li's presence was released, everyone's attention was finally diverted. She was able to deal with many things in the capital.
Among the dignitaries and literati, he was also known as a courteous person. When many people came to visit, they acted like elegant and talented people making friends, so as not to cause trouble.
"... I thought you would be quite busy, but I didn't expect you to be so free.
The rain was pouring down, and water formed a curtain between the eaves outside, almost flooding half of the courtyard. The room was exquisitely furnished, with wooden shelves, antiques, bonsai, screens, bead chains, and valuable-looking musical instruments.
There was an incense burner burning on one side, and the faint green smoke was charming. Ning Yi drank the tea brought over, looked at the furnishings in the room, and said smoothly.
"Brother Ning happens to be going north, and Master is also on the way. Why not come and meet him first? The rest of the things are not urgent."
The person making tea opposite is Li Shishi, who is the oiran of the capital. After not seeing her for a year, her temperament has become more and more attractive. At this time, she is wearing a dress like a white lotus, long hair shawl, and a bright red headdress. Every move is impressive.
He is pleasing to the eye and has an impeccable appearance. He said with a smile: "When I returned to Jiangning last year, I thought about when Brother Ning could go to Bianjing, and I must do my best to be a landlord. After returning, I followed my brother Yu and Chen Sifeng.
They also often talk about how great it is to finally make the trip this time and maybe we can go north together."
The relationship between Li Shishi and his childhood friend has always been good. In Hezhong, Chen Sifeng may not miss Ning Yi, but she is still quite sincere when she talks about it. Ning Yi smiled and nodded: "I shouldn't stay in the capital for too long.
, but we must get together if we have the chance.”
The two of them were talking like this, and Zhou Pei, who was sitting upright and enjoying tea at the side, rolled his eyes a few times and was quite interested: "Master and Miss Li have known each other before?"
Ning Yi knocked her on the head: "Follower, please don't interrupt."
"oh"
Zhou Pei shrank his head and answered, Master Li over there was very kind and said with a smile: "I have known Brother Ning since we were young." Zhou Pei then nodded: "Oh, that's right."
When Ning Yi came over just now, Ning Yi introduced Zhou Pei as just a follower with no rules. Zhou Pei was quite amused and did not refute. But in the eyes of people like Li Shishi, her poor dressing up naturally had no effect. After a while,
, Zhou Pei got up and walked around on the second floor, actually to see who was coming from other courtyards. When there were only two people left in the room, Master Li smiled and said: "She seems to be a young girl with a lot of status, Brother Ning."
Isn’t it a problem to bring her to a place like this?”
"One of the students I teach ran away from home, but it's not a big problem."
Li Shishi laughed for a while, poured tea for Ning Yi, and asked softly: "Is Brother Ning going to Beijing for something this time?"
"There are some things." Ning Yi smiled and nodded, "After finishing it, I will probably go to Shandong for a walk."
"Ah? It's not peaceful over there..." Master Li exclaimed softly, but Ning Yi just echoed: "Yes." and said no more. In fact, Master Li had no idea what he wanted to do in Beijing.
The matter was quite interesting, because most people had to go through various channels no matter what they wanted to do in Beijing. She could probably help, and she was willing to help. But since Ning Yi was tight-lipped, she stopped asking any more questions.
She was partly frustrated, but also partly appreciative. If it were people like Yu Hezhong and Chen Sifeng, they probably wouldn't be able to hide what they said in front of her, but sometimes she also felt that men who couldn't hide their words might not be able to do great things.
.
After chatting like this for a while, and reminiscing about old times, I realized that Ning Yi had been to Hangzhou in the past year, and probably experienced the war and danger. Miss Li thought about it, frowned and said: "I just came back from Hangzhou and went back to
Let's run to Shandong, over there... Well, Brother Ning doesn't want to do business related to the war, right? Those things... are not easy to do, and they are not worth doing... After all, she is well-informed
I heard all kinds of news from various people. Then I told some interesting stories about Shandong area, and I couldn’t help but talk about Liangshan: “I heard that their reputation is quite good, saying that they are doing justice for heaven.
Although this may not be true, it seems that they tend to attack corrupt officials more often. To be honest, in the capital, my little sister is used to seeing the dirty deeds done by those with power and status. Sometimes she feels that there are some such heroes in the world.
It’s not necessarily a bad thing…”
She smiled bitterly, and then waved her hand, which was quite heroic. Ning Yi smiled and nodded in agreement. Only to hear the other party say again: "But that being said, if you go there, you still have to be careful. In fact, the capital is there
There are also a lot of people running around in the world, so you might as well invite one or two to accompany you, Fanlou also has these connections..."
Li Shishi was sincere and enthusiastic, and he was not lying. Ning Yi nodded and thanked him. Then he talked about the things that happened along the way. After the matter of the little marquis here is settled, Li Shishi will probably go north with the fleet, so he said.
, the maid Chunmei appeared under the eaves outside the door. Li Shishi just got up and walked over. Chunmei said something in her ear, and subconsciously looked at Ning Yi. Amidst the sound of rain, Ning Yi could hear
What she said was: "That prince came to visit."
With Li Shishi's reputation, it is not strange for someone to come to see him at any time when he lives here. However, Li Shishi and Chunmei had previously told Chunmei to politely refuse anyone who came over. Chunmei still came to pass the news at this time. Obviously, this "Prince Gongzi"
"His identity is unusual. But Li Shishi frowned and said softly: "Is there something wrong with him?"
"Uh... I said I wanted to ask Miss... for advice on music..."
"Why should I see him? Yesterday when he sang that song while I was playing the harp, Ji Lianhong saw that my expression was wrong. I was really ignorant... so I refused."
The conversation was a bit subtle - although both of them lowered their voices, Ning Yi could hear it clearly. He finished drinking the tea in the cup and stood up: "If something happens, I won't disturb you, you..."
When he said this, he was slightly stunned as he thought of something.
Li Shishi turned around and shook his head: "No, it was just Chunmei passing it on..." Before she could finish her words, she saw Ning Yi looking over, with a complex and cautious expression, and then smiled slightly.
He smiled and asked: "I heard that...last night there was a young master who sang in harmony with his master while he was playing the harp, and his skills astounded everyone. Is that so?"
When he asked about this, Chunmei who was about to go out also stopped. Li Shishi smiled and frowned: "Brother Ning also heard about it?"
"Oh, a group of people came back in the middle of the night, making a lot of noise... That's the man outside. His speech and behavior are quite outstanding. If Brother Ning wants to get acquainted, the younger sister can introduce him to him. Although he is quite popular with Miss Ji Lian and Hong Ji.
." Master Li pursed his lips and chuckled, "I heard that the prince is also going to Beijing this time. He is very charming and well-spoken. This time, many people in Brother Ning's fleet have made friends with him and invited him to go north together.
There must be some place to interact with him later... Well, Chunmei, go and invite him in."
Chunmei was about to nod, but Ning Yi shook his hand: "No, no need, I'm just curious to ask. I heard that my master's harp skills are unparalleled, but I didn't expect anyone to be able to match it. That... Mr. Wang,
Does he really sing well?"
"Although others have probably overrated my little sister, that Prince Wang Xian... really sang very well." Master Li nodded sincerely, and then said with a smile: "I'll be free another day, little sister.
Let Brother Ning listen to it." As she spoke, she waved to Chunmei, apparently telling her not to call the prince in. Chunmei nodded and went out, looking a little sad. At this time,
Zhou Pei's voice sounded from the other end of the courtyard: "Teacher, teacher..." She ran all the way and was quite surprised. When she arrived at the door here, she said excitedly: "The fight is starting, the fight is starting, the fighting is really starting...
"Master Li thought someone was jealous and started a fight outside, but he heard Zhou Pei say: "Hongze Lake, there are really water bandits robbing the birthday card. Thousands of people have been plotted, and now they are being scattered everywhere.
Escape. That's awesome, teacher, how did you fight? I...oh, it was your cousin named Su Yanping who sent the news. Uh, where did he go...
…”
Zhou Pei looked behind him, but there was no sign of Su Yanping, and he looked around excitedly...rs