Tianjin Wei, the streets are bustling with people everywhere.
Since the Ming Dynasty opened the sea, ships have entered and left the port every day. Driven by shipping and trade, a new city has been built in just three years.
In the most famous local restaurant, Song Guxi sat alone in a private room on the second floor, looking at the passers-by on the street with a hint of loneliness in her eyes.
The fleet heading to the Drifting Ghost Country is ready and will set off early tomorrow morning.
And that person...should not come...
As she thought about it, she couldn't help but giggle.
He is a rebel and he is the emperor, how could it be possible...
Knowing that it was impossible, before leaving, she still sent a note to Jin Yiwei with the number 18 marked on it.
Although I don’t know what the deep meaning of this symbol is...
"What are you thinking about?"
A familiar voice sounded from behind. Song Guxi was startled for a moment, then turned around suddenly, her eyes already moist.
He actually...really came!
Zhu Qizhen was wearing a blue and black gown and holding a folding fan in his hand. This kind of dress was not uncommon on the street, so Song Guxi was sitting alone on the railing and didn't even see it.
"The slave family goes to see the emperor!"
She came back to her senses, hurriedly leaned over and knelt down, taking advantage of the opportunity to secretly wipe away the tears from the corners of her eyes.
Zhu Qizhen had already sat down minding his own business and said, "It's just you and me today, so don't be too restrained and sit down!"
Song Guxi said yes, and then stepped forward to pour the wine. She looked up behind him and saw that no one was following him.
Even Fan Zhong, who was always close by, was nowhere to be seen today.
"Your Majesty, you... came alone?"
"If a beautiful woman wants to date, it's natural to be with someone!"
Zhu Qizhen touched the blunderbuss on his waist, smiled lightly, and acted very relaxed.
Song Guxi was very puzzled. At this time, he had no majestic air about him at all, and he was almost completely different from when he was in prison.
At that time, it felt like his eyes could kill people.
But now, it's like two good friends who have known each other for a long time. They meet up for a sit-down. It feels very cordial.
"Your Majesty... aren't you worried that the slave family will take advantage of the opportunity to cheat?"
"Don't trust those you employ, and don't trust those you doubt. Besides, if you want to harm me, what good will it do?"
Song Guxi suddenly realized that since he came here, he has been talking about me, not me.
I am so high up that I can decide between life and death with just one word.
I just have a few drinks with my close friends, chatting about daily life and reminiscing about old times.
For some reason, her eyes became moist again.
I have tried to murder people again and again, but because the agencies were so clever, it was all in vain.
Seeing her like this, Zhu Qizhen thought she had resentment in her heart, so he said: "If I come to Tianjin to see you off with great fanfare, the officials will not be able to explain it, so I have to change into casual clothes and sneak out. Let's talk about it, so
Why are you so anxious to come over to me?"
Song Guxi glanced at him resentfully and said softly: "The slave family just wants to say goodbye to the emperor."
"Okay, I'll treat you to this meal today, and we'll say goodbye!"
Zhu Qizhen raised his glass and drank it in one gulp.
Song Guxi stepped forward to fill the bowl and said, "The emperor's free and easy character is really enviable."
Zhu Qizhen smiled and said: "What is there to envy?"
Song Guxi continued: "The slave family has something to say... After much thought, I decided to tell the emperor personally so that I can feel at ease when I leave."
"Oh? What are you talking about?"
"The emperor's kind heart is a blessing to all people, but some people have sinister hearts, such as the slave family..."
After saying this, she actually felt a little embarrassed.
"The slave family has realized their mistake and will serve the emperor wholeheartedly from now on. I just advise the emperor to be careful when encountering people like the slave family in the future."
Zhu Qizhen was shocked: "This is the first time I've seen someone talk about me like that!"
"Your Majesty, please don't joke, I really have something to tell you."
"Okay, no joke, just tell me!"
Song Guxi frowned slightly, moved the corners of her mouth, and then said: "Actually, the Nu family is not very sure whether those people are still there, and how powerful they are..."
"Which people?"
"This... the Nu family doesn't know either. These people are very mysterious. The Nu family only knows that they are active in the Jiangnan area, and they also rely on some businesses in Fireworks and Willow Lane as a cover. Their purpose behind them is still unclear..."
Zhu Qizhen asked in confusion: "Who are you talking about?"
"Well... Your Majesty can understand it as another White Lotus Sect. However, they seem to have only appeared in the past two or three years. Moreover, their actions are extremely secretive and are a hundred times more mysterious than the White Lotus Sect."
"Is there such an organization in Ming Dynasty?"
Zhu Qizhen began to take it seriously, because he had Jinyiwei, Dongchang, and Jueshengwei under his command. If such an organization really existed in the world, why didn't he know about it?
Song Guxi nodded lightly and said: "At first, the Nu family was beaten like a lost dog by the emperor and disappeared for a while. At that time, someone came to their door and wanted to take the Nu family with them on the grounds of cooperation.
The remaining members of the White Lotus Sect will be annexed together."
"You refused?"
"Of course, the slave family is the defeated general of the emperor. Even if they want to surrender, they are surrendering to the emperor. How can they surrender to others?"
Zhu Qizhen thought for a while and asked: "What else do you know about this organization?"
"Well..."
Song Guxi frowned and thought for a moment, then said: "Judging from the accent, it seems that he is not from the Jiangnan area, but rather from the north."
"Where in the north? Gyeonggi?"
"That's not right..."
Song Guxi shook her head and said: "Probably the Liaodong area, or further north."
Zhu Qizhen was very puzzled. Liaodong is developing very well now. After exterminating the Jiannu slaves, a large number of Central Plains people migrated there. It is said that the people there now speak with a Henan accent...
"How much contact have you had with them, and what is their purpose?"
Song Guxi shook her head again and said: "The Nu family refused on the spot, and later came to the capital. They are thinking about how to make money every day, and they have long since stopped caring about those people."
"If that's the case, why do you think of it again now?"
"The slave family just feels that the emperor should pay more attention to it and send some people to investigate. If it is allowed to develop, it will always be a hidden danger just like the White Lotus Sect of the slave family."
Zhu Qizhen was speechless. He could even use himself as a counterexample. This was the first time he had seen such a conversation.
"Well, when I return to the capital tomorrow, I will ask the Jin Yiwei to check. Thank you for the reminder!"
"Your Majesty said this, which really hurts the slave family. The slave family is just..."
Song Guxi was suddenly stunned for a moment and asked: "Your Majesty, did you just say... that you will return to Beijing tomorrow?"
Zhu Qizhen nodded and said: "Yes, they have already slipped out. Why are you so anxious to go back?"
Song Guxi's cheeks suddenly turned red, she lowered her head and said, "I don't know where the emperor is going to sleep tonight. I have decided to serve you..."
The expression on Zhu Qizhen's face was stunned. I'm not going back today because I want to see you off early tomorrow morning. That's not what I meant!