As dusk approached, in the Mansion of Marquis Gaoxian in Weishi County, Liang County, "Marquis Gaoxian Lu Xin (xin)" was sitting alone in his study, closing his eyes and thinking.
He was still thinking about the "Ode to Sima Song of Marquis of Quliang".
It was at noon today that the magistrate of Weishi County "Xue Ji" specially invited the nobles and nobles in the city to the county government office.
At first, Gao Xianhou Lu Xin thought that the county magistrate Xue Ji had something important to do, but the latter said that he was just ordered to read out the latest official document from Daliang to them, the nobles and clans in the city.
In that official document, the imperial court revealed the secret that Sima Song, the Marquis of Quliang, was not actually dead, and also revealed that the latter had actually had his identity usurped by Wei Shan of the Wei clan of Nanyan twenty years ago.
, which shocked the nobles and nobles in Weishi County who listened to this official document at that time, and then became extremely angry.
For no reason, it's just because what Xiao Luan did is simply shaking the foundation of their noble family. No one wants their family to be inexplicably usurped by a stranger one day like the Sima family of Quliang Hou.
Among them, the most horrified one was probably Lu Xin, the noble lord.
The reason is very simple, because he is also a member of the Xiao family!
But unlike Sima Song, the Marquis of Quliang—to be precise, unlike Weishan, Lu Xin, the Marquis of Gaoxian, is indeed a descendant of the "Lu family, the Marquis of Gaoxian". However, looking back more than twenty years ago, he
It's just that his father's youngest son has another talent and moral character that surpasses his elder brother "Lu You".
Compared to his elder brother "Lv You" who was raised as a heir apparent since he was born, Lu Xin, as the youngest son, had a rather bastard life as a playboy. Due to the indulgence of his father and mother, Lu Xin grew up hanging around with the children of the aristocratic families in Weishi County.
He not only imitated the righteous knights who fought against injustice, but also bullied men and dominated women.
For example, when he was sixteen, he took the concubine Yang into his family. After he got drunk with a group of gangsters, he molested a girl from the county in the street, and then boldly caught her in the house to commit mischief.
In the end, Yang's fiancé came to seek justice after learning about the incident, but Lu Xin and his servants broke his legs.
In the end, the man died of depression, and his family filed a lawsuit with the county government. At that time, Lu Xin's father, Gao Xianhou Lu Jian, in order not to alarm the Ministry of Justice and Zongfu in Daliang, had no choice but to resolve the matter privately with the family.
After a large sum of money was spent on the marriage of the youngest son of that family, the matter calmed down.
Otherwise, Lu Xin would at least be arrested and sent to the prison of the Criminal Department of Daliang for several years.
Afterwards, in order to restore the reputation of his Lu family in Weishi County, Lu Jian, the Marquis of Gaoxian, asked his youngest son Lu Xin to bring the Yang girl, who was pregnant at the time, into the family.
After being a woman, I was able to restrain myself a little. Unexpectedly, Lu Xin still went his own way and continued to hang out with a bunch of bad friends all day long.
Over time, Gao Xianhou Lu Jian finally became disappointed with his younger son. In a conflict between father and son, he kicked Lu Xin out of the house.
As the young son of a former Gao Xianhou, Lu Xin was kicked out of his home and was once impoverished. Although he was cared for by Yang, who was born as a commoner, he could not help but feel jealous of his father and brother.
One day, a man who called himself "Mr. Gong" came to Lu Xin's door. This man told Lu Xin that he had a way to get Lu Xin to return to the Lu family, and even take over all the family business of Gaoxian Hou Mansion.
At that time, Lu Xin was so angry that he signed a contract with the man who called himself Mr. Gong and signed the contract.
Not long after the incident, his brother Lu You died when his carriage accidentally slipped down the mountain due to heavy rain during an outing.
After the death of his eldest brother, even though he was deeply disappointed with his younger son Lu Xin, in order to inherit the family legacy, Lu Jian, the noble lord of Gao, sent someone to take Lu Xin back home.
From then on, Lu Xin became more and more proud, and it didn't take long before the old man was also angry to death - or in other words, Gao Xianhou Lu Jian died for some other reason.
But no matter what, the old man died, and his elder brother Lu You also died. As the second son of the Lu family, Lu Xin inherited the title of Gao Xianhou shortly after reporting the matter to the Daliang court and the clan.
Although this title is just a false position.
However, not long after he inherited the family business, the man who called himself Mr. Gong came to his door and asked Lu Xin to provide them with assistance in accordance with the original agreement between the two parties.
Lu Xin was originally a playboy who didn't learn well, and of course he couldn't fulfill his promise easily, so he pretended to be stupid and refused Mr. Gong's request.
At that time, Mr. Gong didn't say much, just smiled and left.
At first Lu Xin felt very proud, but not long after, his mother, who had loved him most since childhood, passed away without warning.
Two days later, when the funeral was being held at Gaoxianhou Mansion, Mr. Gong appeared at Gaoxianhou Mansion again and asked Lu Xin to provide assistance to them as he did last time.
Lu Xin still remembered that he asked Mr. Gong if the latter sent someone to kill his mother who loved him. Unexpectedly, Mr. Gong pointed out clearly that if Lu Xin continued to violate the original contract, then the next one would
Those who will die are the concubine Yang who never left him when he was kicked out of the house, and their young son.
At this time, Gao Xianhou Lu Xin realized that he had inadvertently provoked a group of extremely vicious thugs, and his father, mother, and eldest brother all suffered accidents.
After this incident, Lu Xin suddenly became much more mature and stable. On the one hand, he shouldered the responsibility of maintaining the Lu family business, and on the other hand, he took care of his elder sister-in-law, orphans and widowed mother to pay off their sins, until now.
In the past twenty years, as time went by, Lu Xin gradually understood the terrifying power of Mr. Gong's gang of thugs. In order to protect his family, he did not dare to violate any more. He could only become a money bag for the remnants of the Xiao family.
The latter provides money and information.
Unlike Sima Song, the Marquis of Quliang, who once "sided" with King Hongxin of Qing, Gaoxianhou Lu Xin was a descendant of the upright Lu family of Gaoxianhou of Weishi County, and had personal relationships with Anpinghou Zhao Tan and other domestic nobles.
Yes, so he became a member of the Su Royal Party nobles very early and joined the "Su Family Chamber of Commerce".
Even among the noble private armies of the Suwang Party under the command of Chengling King Zhao Shen and Anping Hou Zhao Tan, Gao Xianhou Lu Xin also contributed a force - of course, for this reason, he also fought in the "Battle of Song County" and "
"The Battle of the Loop" had many rewards.
In the case of today's Lu Xin, in view of the fact that he has climbed up to the former Prince Su and is now the crown prince Zhao Run, the family fortune of his Gao Xianhou family has more than doubled than when his father and brother were alive. However, he also left behind the largest family.
The hidden danger is the remnants of the Xiao family.
Unlike Wei Shan, who pretended to be Sima Song, the Marquis of Quliang, who was willing to abandon Xiao Ni for the woman he loved, Lu Xin, the Marquis of Gaoxian, had been full of hatred for the remnants of the Xiao family very early on, but he did not dare to show it.
Because Mr. Gong still had the contract in his hand to "frame his father and brother" as a blackmail, and also to protect his family.
Until now, the secret of Sima Song, the Marquis of Quliang, was revealed, and the imperial court pardoned Wei Shan for impersonating the former and granted him protection.
"Husband."
A gentle call interrupted Lu Xin's thoughts.
Lu Xin raised his head and took a look, only to realize that it was his wife Yang. Ever since he returned home with the help of the remnants of the Xiao family, Lu Xin had helped the Yang family who had never left him when he was in poverty.
For the sake of the main wife.
Yang was one year older than him. When she was teased and occupied by him, she was a great beauty. However, twenty years later, even the woman Lu Xin was obsessed with back then was gradually ravaged by time and gradually appeared.
Old.
But even so, Lu Xin still held deep feelings for Yang, not only because he was moved by Yang's persistence when he was in poverty, but also because he missed himself in the past.
He is Lu Xin, the young master of Gaoxianhou Mansion, not a puppet or cash cow for the remnants of the Xiao family!
"I heard from my servant that after my husband came back from the county government, he has been sitting in the study and feeling unhappy...Did something happen?" Yang asked with concern.
"It's nothing, it's just that the imperial court announced a secret, which shocked me..." Lu Xin smiled slightly and stretched out his hand towards Yang.
As if she understood something, Yang glanced at her husband angrily, then walked over obediently, gently put her little hand on her husband's, and sat on his lap.
Lu Xin leaned over and buried his head in his wife's chest, and suddenly asked: "Do you hate me, Xin'er?"
Yang was slightly startled when he heard this, then sighed bitterly, and said quietly: "It's an old thing, why do you mention him?"
In fact, Mrs. Yang hated Lu Xin very much at first. After all, it was this playboy who forcibly took possession of her and killed her fiancé, who had a matchmaker agreement at the time.
But because she was pregnant with Lu Xin's flesh and blood at that time, and finally gave birth to a son for this playboy, the hatred in her heart gradually faded away.
What's more, after the death of his kind mother-in-law twenty years ago, this handsome young man suddenly seemed to have changed. He had become mature in a real sense, and he took on the responsibility of the entire family like a responsible man.
Just like before, he knows nothing but drinking, fighting dogs, and playing with women.
In general, the Yang family was unfortunate to be occupied by the playboy Lu Xin, but she was also lucky. The playboy who later became his husband finally became someone he could rely on.
"But I don't regret it." Holding his beloved wife in his arms, Lu Xin chuckled and said, "If I had to choose again, I would still snatch you over and make it my own!"
Seeing her husband's long-lost playfulness, Ms. Yang couldn't help but laugh and said angrily: "The children are already married, and you still say these things..."
"So what?" Lu Xin curled his lips. Although his age did not match his age, he still had a hint of the dandy young master back then.
Seeing this, Ms. Yang was very surprised. After all, over the years, her husband had been depressed and worried almost all the time. He was completely different from when they first met.
"Husband, are you okay?" Yang asked with concern.
"It's okay, I'm fine." Lu Xin chuckled, as if a heavy burden had been lifted, and said with a smile: "I have never felt so comfortable in the past twenty years..."
After that, he lowered his voice and said: "Xin'er, tomorrow, my husband wants to go to Daliang to visit His Royal Highness the Prince. Why don't you come with me by the way? I will take you to see the prosperity of Bolangsha Port City and buy you some jewelry.
.”
"Your Highness the Crown Prince?" Yang covered her mouth with her hand in surprise and asked unexpectedly: "Can your husband see His Highness the Crown Prince?"
"Of course, I've seen you several times." Lu Xin said somewhat complacently. After that, he seemed to have thought of something and warned: "We will leave tomorrow. We don't need to bring anything with us. Our family also has a house in Daliang...
…Remember, don’t let the news leak out.”
Hearing her husband's advice, Ms. Yang felt a little strange: why should the news not be leaked when visiting the prince Zhao Run?
However, as a woman who regards her husband as her first priority, she did not ask any more questions.
That night, when the couple fell asleep, Lu Xin hugged his beloved wife Yang and couldn't fall asleep for a long time.
"...It is said that Xiao Luan has fled abroad. Now is the best time to rebel. But...is the incident about Weishan true? Has the imperial court really pardoned this person's crime?"
When he thought that he still had the leverage to "frame his father and brother" in the hands of the remnants of the Xiao family, Lu Xin felt extremely uneasy.
After all, to a certain extent, his crime is not much better than Wei Shan who impersonated Sima Song, the Marquis of Quliang.
The next day, Gao Xian Hou Lu Xin took his wife, concubines and children, and went to Daliang under the protection of a group of guards.
At the same time, in the Prince's Mansion in Daliang, Zhang Qigong, who had been promoted to "Captain of the Prince's Mansion", was meeting with Yang Ji, one of the three leaders of the Black Crows, and Qu Liang, who had followed Yang Ji to Daliang this time.
Hou Sima Song, or Wei Shan.
"...Lord Captain, this time a certain person has come to Daliang with a crowd of 200 people, waiting for your orders."
When he saw Zhang Qigong, Yang Yi cupped his hands and said, making the former slightly surprised.
After all, as one of the leaders of the Black Crows, Yang Yi behaved too low-key. It is no wonder that his status among the Black Crows was far less prestigious than that of the Black Spider and the Mourning Crow.
However, Zhang Qigong was very happy, because all the Black Crows were not mentally normal, except Yang Ji, who seemed to be able to communicate normally.
So he smiled and returned the greeting: "From now on, I will ask Chief Yang Ji to assist me."
"Your Majesty, Captain, you are serious." Yang Yi replied with a smile.
In general, the process of handing over the affairs of the Black Crows with Yang Ji is not complicated. It is actually just a meeting between the two parties. Of course, Zhang Qigong also understands that Yang Ji is the most talkative among the Black Crows, and the Black Crows
Among the people, many are unruly and lawless. Whether he can tame these people and use them for his own use will test his methods.
After chatting with Yang Ji for a few words, Zhang Qigong turned his attention to Sima Song, the Marquis of Quliang.
It has to be said that the look he looked at the latter was quite complicated: "Marquis Qu Liang... I really don't think we will meet again in this way."
Of course Sima Song, the Marquis of Quliang, knew what Zhang Qigong meant. He cupped his hands and apologized, saying, "Wei couldn't help what happened back then. I hope the captain will not care about it."
Zhang Qigong nodded silently.
To be fair, when Zhang Qigong advocated wooing Sima Song, the Marquis of Quliang from Qing Wang Zhao Xin's side, he didn't expect that this person turned out to be a traitor planted by Xiao Ni in the country. This incident was one of Zhang Qigong's few scandals - he was rarely seen by others like him.
Playing around like that.
However, given that the two of them currently have the same stance, even though Zhang Qigong still has some grudge against Quliang Hou Sima Song, looking at the overall situation, he has to put aside his prejudice. After all, he is in charge of Prince Zhao Run regarding the arrest of Xiao Luan.
With a military order in front of him, whether Xiao Luan can be captured will directly affect Prince Zhao Run's evaluation of him and the height of his career he can achieve in his life.
Thinking of this, Zhang Qigong took a breath and asked the Marquis of Quliang, Sima Song said: "My dear wife and son, I think the Marquis of Quliang has settled down well."
Sima Song, the Marquis of Quliang, nodded and said, "Thanks to His Royal Highness, the family has been properly settled."
Currently, his wife and children are all settled in Shangshui County, which is both the base camp of the Shangshui Army and the nest of the Green Crows. Not to mention Xiao Ni, who is now losing power in Wei State, even Xiao Ni in his heyday,
It was almost impossible to harm his wife and children under the eyes of the Green Crows, so Sima Song, the Marquis of Quliang, had no worries.
"That's good." Zhang Qigong nodded, and then said to Sima Song, the Marquis of Quliang: "Also, let me tell the Marquis of Quliang that a few days ago, I have exposed the events of that year in the name of the imperial court, saying that the Marquis of Quliang
He was dissatisfied with Xiao Luan's troubles in the Wei Dynasty, and wanted to report it to the court, so he was killed by Xiao Ni, and he only escaped by luck... Don't let it slip."
"I know the pros and cons." Sima Song, the Marquis of Quliang, nodded repeatedly.
What's the stakes? It's just that the real culprit behind the massacre of the Quliang Hou Mansion was actually not Xiao Ni, but the Wang family who was the empress.
But this truth was destined to be concealed. Even if Sima Song, the Marquis of Quliang, was heartbroken over the sacrifices of his old servant Gao Ruo and his son, he could only grit his teeth and keep the truth in his stomach, so as not to implicate the Queen and the Queen and create complications.
"I don't know what needs to be done. I would like to ask Sir Du Wei to give me some instructions." Sima Song, the Marquis of Quliang, asked.
Zhang Qigong shook his head and said: "Marquis Quliang doesn't need to do anything. He just needs to live in the mansion arranged by us in the city. You can rest assured that I will send people to protect you day and night..."
Having said this, he turned his head and glanced at Yang Yi. He originally planned to let the Black Crows protect Sima Song, the Marquis of Quliang, but after thinking about it carefully, it was not very reliable. So after thinking about it, he changed his words and said: "I
I will apply to the sect to send someone to protect you."
The Zongfu sent someone to protect him, and the one he sent was undoubtedly Zongwei Yu Linlang. As a guard, he was definitely more reliable than the Green Crows. Of course, Sima Song, the Marquis of Quliang, would not refuse, but considering that he was not the real Sima Song,
He couldn't help but feel a little uneasy.
He guessed right. When Zhang Qigong's application was sent to the clan, Zongzheng Zhao Yuanyan of the clan was furious.
It's no wonder, after all, Si Weishan pretended to be Quliang Hou Sima Song and usurped the family property and inheritance of Quliang Hou Sima's clan. This behavior was simply heinous in Zhao Yuanyan's eyes - Xiao Luan was a serious threat.
When it comes to the foundation of the Wei State (Zhao Yuanyan believes that nobility and aristocratic families are the foundation of the country).
But now, the clan government actually wants to protect the fake Quliang Marquis Sima Song. This is simply unreasonable!
Seeing that Zhao Yuanyan was furious, Zhao Sheng, the prince of Zongling Yao, advised him: "This is also to instigate Xiao Ni's remnant party. Zhao thinks that our clan should make an exception as appropriate... Didn't His Highness the Crown Prince also say so? Now Qu
The Sima family of Lianghou
Zhi has cut off the incense inheritance. If Na Weishan can instigate Xiao Ni and let him inherit the Sima family's incense, the ancestor of the Sima family, "Qu Lianghou Sima Fang", will not cut off his descendants. This will also be beneficial to the Sima family.
…”
Zhao Yuanyan said angrily after hearing this: "Who said that the Sima family has lost its heirs? The Sima family in Tianmenguan is also a descendant of the same clan as Sima Fang, the Marquis of Quliang..."
Zhao Sheng, Lord Yao, said with a strange expression when he heard this: "Master Zongzheng means to let Master Sima An inherit the incense of the Sima family of Quliang Marquis?"
"Uh..." Zhao Yuanyan was suddenly speechless.
You should know that although Sima An, the governor of Hexi Province, was married long ago, because he was stationed in Dangshan all year round, he only had a son and a daughter when he was thirty-five years old. Needless to say, his daughter was already married, and his only son Sima Zan, some time ago,
He was fostered in the clan for years to learn skills, and now he is serving under Lu Zhan, the guard general of Tianmen Pass. He is destined to inherit the Sima clan of Tianmen Pass. How can he adopt the Sima clan of Quliang Hou?
Or should Sima An himself be adopted into the Quliang Marquis Sima clan?
Seeing that Zhao Yuanyan was at a loss for words, Zhao Sheng, the king of Yao, smiled and said: "It's better to do this... I checked the genealogy of the Sima clan of the Marquis of Quliang and found that Sima Gui, the Marquis of Quliang, had a daughter who married Daliang.
The eldest son of the Li family, and then gave birth to a son
A daughter, whose daughter later married the Shang family in Pingqiu, and gave birth to a son and a daughter. Currently, the Shang family's daughter is in her prime but not yet married. If Wei Shan has made great achievements this time, he might as well marry the Shang family's daughter.
, the son born between them will inherit the incense of the Sima family of Qulianghou."
"This..." Zongfu Zongzheng Zhao Yuanyan stroked his beard and thought for a while, then nodded slowly.
After all, it is better for the daughter of the Shang family to still inherit the bloodline of the Qulianghou Sima family than Weishan, a person who has nothing to do with the Qulianghou Sima family, to inherit the family that has been passed down for decades.
Two days later, Zhao Sheng, the king of Yao, went to Pingqiu in person and explained the matter to Shangshi Pingqiu. Shangshi Pingqiu initially disagreed with the matter, but after the persuasion of Zhao Sheng, the king of Yao, in the end, Shangshi Pingqiu agreed.
Still relieved, after all, the name of the Quliang Hou Sima clan is still quite resounding. If the grandson can inherit the family's incense, it will also be a good thing for the Pingqiu Shang clan.
After receiving Pingqiu Shang's reply, Zhang Qigong and Quliang Marquis Sima Song looked at each other - Zhao Yuanyan and Zhao Sheng both mistakenly thought that Sima Song's family members had died in the massacre that night, but in fact, Sima Song
Song's wife and children are still alive and well.
What can I do?
On that day, in the residence arranged by the imperial court for Quliang Marquis Sima Song, Zhang Qigong came in person to convey the clan's request.
"...The clan government sent a summons to order you to marry the daughter of the Pingqiu Shang family, and in the future, the son born by this daughter will inherit the Sima clan. In this way, the clan government will no longer pursue your crimes."
Hearing this request, Wei Shan couldn't help but be dumbfounded: "Does the clan know that my wife and children are safe and sound?"
Zhang Qigong shook his head: "For the purpose of protecting your wife and son, the court only said that you escaped by chance."
"This..." Wei Shan couldn't laugh or cry when he heard this. He had never thought that by coming to Daliang this time, he could actually get a marriage.
But the problem is, he doesn't need this marriage!
At this moment, someone suddenly came to announce from outside the study: "Master Marquis, Marquis Gao Xian wants to see you."
"Gao Xianhou? Gao Xianhou Lu Xin?!"
Zhang Qigong and Wei Shan looked at each other, feeling quite shocked.
At this time, Gao Xianhou Lu Xin suddenly took the liberty to visit Quliang Hou Sima Song. This was already a very clear message.
"Gaoxianhou Lu Xin, this nobleman who was in the camp of His Highness "Prince Su (Prince) Zhao Run" many years ago, is actually a member of the remnants of the Xiao family?"
Looking at Zhang Qigong, Quliang Marquis Sima Song gave his orders in a deep voice.