Between the vast sea of ​​clouds

The flat bell rang three times, and the long aftertones echoed outside the Zichen Palace. The wind blew up the sky with snow, but it covered the roof tiles in an instant.The snow fell all over the front of the hall, and before the white jade steps were reached, the huge palace was silent, as if it had fallen into a deep sleep before the first winter snow arrived.

The sound of footsteps broke the calm, a group of people walked slowly along the palace road, the ministers walked towards the Zichen Palace with their brows dyed white, holding a few broken jade-like ice flowers in their arms.

King Gong Chuxuan had already been waiting in the Zichen Palace, and ten people, including six ministers and minister Gu Ming, were standing by the long table. Book titles are used for distinction.Chenzhou Mansion is the champion today, and the area where it is located is full.

The ministers present all looked at the stack of memorials, feeling a little heavy in their hearts. The fact that the news could reach Chang'an showed that this matter had reached the point where it could not be concealed.

Chenzhou mutinied last night, and Zhou Qian had sealed off the state border. After the news arrived this morning, there was no further news.No one can say for sure what the situation is now.

So King Gong received the imperial decree and summoned six ministers and the cabinet to enter the palace to discuss matters.The courtiers also had to put aside their prejudices and once again joined hands with their political opponents to overcome difficulties.

Shen Mingshan and a group of cabinet ministers stepped into the warm and harmonious palace, and when he raised his eyes, he saw Zhao Lingping, Minister of the Ministry of Officials, with a dark face, and turned his head away with a cold snort.

Standing at the end of the long table, Prince Gong bowed his hands to Shen Mingshan, and said: "Boss Shen Ge is finally here, everyone is waiting for you."

These words were slightly flattering, which made several ministers straighten their faces, but with Shen Mingshan's current status in the court and the cabinet, she is the only one who cannot be absent from this morning meeting.Although Yan Minghua took the title of chief assistant, after all, he was in decline, and Shen Cifu had firmly held the real power in his hands.

Shen Mingshan took off his cloak, revealing the scarlet official robe. She wore a plain white jade belt around her waist, which was plain and unpretentious. Around her waist was a purple gold fish bag bestowed by the late emperor when he was in power. Seeing Shen Ge's calm expression, he humbly bowed to King Gong and said, "Thank you for your love, Your Highness, this old minister will never be able to bear it."

There is still something to say on the scene, King Gong said: "The old man can accept it, please take a seat."

Shen Mingshan and a group of cabinet ministers are on the right, and six ministers are on the left. There is a difference in status. For a hundred years, the cabinet has used its power to take over the power, making the cabinet ministers worthy of the name. Although they have false titles, they hold real power and status. Transcendent, above the six parts.

The palace guards closed the palace doors one by one, and lowered the deep purple velvet curtains. The originally spacious hall was only occupied by an inch of space, and the atmosphere in the narrow space gradually became tense. Prince Gong stood back on the stage, coughed lightly and said: "In the early morning, the state government delivered an urgent report. Last night, Chenzhou mutinied. Zhou Shuai sealed off the state border, and there is no other news."

This remark caused an uproar among the crowd, their eyes met, and they all looked at the expression of the person opposite, as if they were testing whether the other party knew about it in advance.

Prince Gong looked at Shen Mingshan who was the first one on the right, and asked: "I don't know how old Shen Ge sees this matter?"

Shen Mingshan said slowly: "The mutiny in Chenzhou is not a big deal. The fifth army under Zhou Shuai's command is stationed in Chenzhou, and Liangzhou Mu is in the town. Thinking about it, it can't cause any trouble. The ministers are thousands of miles away. Other than that, we can't see the opportunity first, we can only wait for the news from Chenzhou, no matter how urgent it is, it's not too late. It's better to wait for the news before making a conclusion."

Prince Gong nodded: "Shen Ge's old words are right."

Shen Mingshan replied: "Your Highness Liao Zan, the old minister is just the director of gathering people, and the knowledge and knowledge of several Shangshu lords here is no less than mine. If His Highness asked them first, I am afraid that the old minister will not be able to answer anything now. come out."

These questions and answers really disgusted the ministers, Mr. Shen Ge is well versed in the way of being an official, neither greedy nor aggressive, she alone said all the good and bad things, and the people behind said neither, nor did they say nothing , simply said in a muffled voice: "Your Highness and Mr. Ge are both right. Mr. Ge has been an official in the court for decades, and the ministers dare not compare them; before, they were all in charge of the cabinet, and the six ministries' suggestions were only mediocre. It is better not to It's clumsy now."

Shen Mingshan smiled lightly, and did not take this kind of words at ease, he saluted King Gong and said: "It is rare for everyone to gather together, the old minister has a feeling of disapproval, I have discussed the issue of setting up a princess before, can we bring it up again today?" Proposal?"

Wen Tianfu, Shangshu of the Ministry of Rites, replied: "Your Majesty is still in his prime, and he has only been in the harem for a few months, and he has only one daughter. As we all know, the emperor's daughter will report to the Chenghui Mansion for a jade certificate when she reaches the age of one, but the old man said that he wants to establish a princess. The etiquette system is incompatible with emotion and reason, so it is better to think carefully."

However, Shen Mingshan said: "Last year, there was an emergency at the frontier of Yunzhou, followed by the national war; this March, the floods in Chenzhou affected the three counties, and the summer grain harvest could not be brought in, and the Ministry of Households was required to allocate grain for disaster relief. What you got. There is also something you can’t see in the court. The corruption of ink in Hezhou is the only one in the official circles of the six states, and the other places are clean? The state affairs are so difficult. If even the court is in chaos, there is no need for rules and regulations Now, can this world be peaceful again?"

She bowed to the side and said in a low voice: "The lessons learned from the past are still in front of me. To say something disrespectful, Ni Qiang, the sister of the two kings of Qi and Yue, was heartbroken by the former emperor, and that's why she made the current princess. When things have come to this point, immediately The princess is already the fundamental issue of the country. His Royal Highness, why did the veteran bring up this matter today? It is because of the mutiny of Chenzhou! Think about it, everyone, the first emperor entered Chang'an from Chenzhou, what is Chenzhou?"

The ministers were silent and no one answered.There are many vassal kings in Chenzhou, and even the first emperor came from here. The meaning of these words is self-evident.

The emperor had been ill in bed for several months and hadn't gotten better. The feudal lords were eyeing him. Wasn't it the idea that the emperor would be young and have no heirs?

"Hey, this is also a helpless move." Shen Mingshan sighed, "Etiquette is the most important thing, don't I know the rules in the palace? It's just that the situation is urgent and I can't do it. It is true that as everyone said, His Majesty is in his prime. Originally, there was no need to act like this. But, take precautions before they happen!"

The ministers all understood that what she said was reasonable, how many dynasties caused disasters to the vassal kings, once the vassal kings were in chaos, the world would be torn apart, there is no family and country to speak of.It's just that it's really inappropriate to establish a princess, and the young ministers are strong, and it's not a good thing for the country. History books about the puppet emperor and foreign relatives are not uncommon, and there are lessons everywhere.The cabinet has already surpassed the six ministries, if there is another second assistant who has power over the government and the public to control the young master... the ministers can hardly imagine that kind of picture, the court and the middle have become the cabinet of one voice, the aristocratic families occupy important positions, use power for personal gain, and the court and the court It was a miasma.

However, the benefits of the two powers are the most important, and the harm between the two powers is the least important. Compared with the hidden danger of the vassal king's rebellion, the policy of establishing a prince is much more relaxed.

Prince Gong remained silent for a while, summoned the palace servants to whisper a few words, and then replied: "The old man has worked hard, I have already reported to His Majesty, let's wait for a decision."

However, the Kungfu palace man with a cup of tea came back, holding a red jade scroll in his hand, and the ministers understood at a glance that the emperor had approved the matter of setting up a princess.

Prince Gong took the jade scroll with some hesitation and unfolded it, then smiled wryly and said, "This...all my lords, let's take a closer look at the holy meaning."

She put the jade scroll on the table, and all the officials gathered around to take a look, only to see that the imperial decree was blank, only the seal was printed on the lower left corner, the red clay was still wet, obviously it had just been printed.

Such a blank edict represented the emperor's helplessness and concession.A gleam flashed across Shen Mingshan's eyes, he was determined, but he was hesitant and uneasy on his face: "Your Highness, maybe the old minister is old and his eyesight is blurry, this imperial decree...?"

Prince Gong didn't understand what she meant, and immediately said: "It's not because Ge Lao's eyes are bad, it's because of 'Bai Xuan'!"

The ministers saw that Shen Ge was stunned. After a while, he wiped the corners of his eyes with his sleeves, and said with a sob: "Your Majesty, Your Majesty has agreed to appoint a princess? Your majesty is wise, and I am very grateful!" Kneeling down to salute, Prince Gong didn't even have time to help.After the second assistant knelt down, the cabinet ministers also knelt down to participate in the grand ceremony.

Prince Gong said: "Since that's the case, please follow the old rules and write down the sacred meaning on the white declaration."

The bachelor bowed his head, picked up his pen and ink, and finished writing in a short while.If there is no emperor's order, the imperial decree has always had a fixed format, and it only needs to be copied and stamped with a jade seal.Next, this decree will be sent to the cabinet first, and the cabinet ministers led by the chief assistant will read it. The cabinet will stamp a small seal under the seal of the emperor. , placed on the high cabinet, as a symbol and certificate, showing that the state has successors.

After the cabinet stamped the seal, the ministers present signed and pledged another document. After it was carefully checked by Prince Gong, it was verified that it was correct, and then it was put into a wooden box and sealed, and then sent to the emperor by the palace servants. Look there.

Who would have thought that the palace man knelt down after receiving it and said: "Just now His Majesty gave an order to the servants, saying that if the imperial decree is finished, there is no need to send it, just pass the decree."

Prince Gong was taken aback, looked around, no one objected, and said: "Then follow what your majesty said, pass the decree."

The palace man promised, and stepped out of the palace holding things.

Shen Mingshan frowned slightly. If it was as she imagined, King Xinyang would occupy Chenzhou, but since the empress was established, she would lose her morality and be ineligible to aspire to the throne unless all six states were brought down, but this is it possible?No matter how stupid people are, they all know how to keep a low profile, and she will definitely take advantage of the chaos and return to the fief.And that is that Chenzhou Zhou Mu has replaced her student Liao Jingjie. She holds the evidence of King Xinyang's rebellion in her hand, and almost points out that King Xixinyang is the mastermind of Chenzhou's mutiny. No matter how arrogant and domineering King Xinyang is, Still have to listen to her.

As for the imperial daughter-in-law who is young, the cabinet assists the government to take over the power, so there is really nothing to worry about.Now just wait, wait...

Shen Mingshan felt that something was wrong. According to her understanding of the emperor, could it be that such a compromise was really made?

But this step of Li Tainu was so important in her plan that she had to temporarily put down her doubts and firmly grasp this opportunity.

After a while, the door of the hall opened, and there seemed to be a wind blowing outside, the chill poured into the hall, and the blown velvet curtain swayed back and forth.

One lifted the curtain and looked calmly at the ministers present.

Shen Mingshan was shocked all of a sudden, why did Yan Minghua come here?

Yan Minghua saluted Prince Gong with a smile, turned around and said to the cabinet ministers: "I'm old, I never thought that it's snowing today, so the sedan chair will move slower."

She patted the snow that didn't exist on her body, and said with a smile: "Mr. Shen Ge is also here, just in time, please come here, there is something that you need to look at."

Liao Jingjie opened the mouth and said: "Why is Mr. Shoufu here? I have already reported for this morning's meeting, and I didn't see you on the list."

Yan Minghua's expression remained unchanged: "I'm not here to discuss government affairs with you, but I just brought something to Mr. Shen Ge, and I want to ask her to look at it. This thing can only be seen by her alone, so I don't ask you to take a look at it together." gone."

Liao Jingjie still wanted to argue, and Shen Mingshan looked at Yan Minghua fixedly: "Okay, the chief assistant is ordered, how can Shen refuse to obey? It's just that His Highness Prince Gong is discussing government affairs with the ministers, and I'm afraid I can't get away now."

King Gong said: "Since Mr. Yan Ge has urgent matters to find Mr. Shen Ge, it doesn't matter if Mr. Shen Ge goes first."

Shen Mingshan looked at Prince Gong suddenly, as if she couldn't believe it. After decades of official career, how could she not understand the meaning of Prince Gong's words.She has gone through no matter how dangerous the road is, so is she going to be planted here today?

No, never!Quickly calculating the stakes in her mind, she walked towards Yan Minghua.

Elder Yan Ge smiled leisurely, and said: "Master Shen, please use a place in the hall, let's go back quickly."

They walked through the main hall and went around to a side hall. Yan Minghua pushed the door and entered, and Shen Mingshan followed her in. They saw a simple room with a gorgeous jade screen. Yan Minghua said solemnly: "Zhi Minghua Jiang, until now, are you still unwilling to tell me the truth?"

There were only the two of them in the room, Shen Mingshan also settled down, and said: "Master Yan, I don't know what you are talking about."

Yan Minghua seemed to feel a little regretful, and sighed: "Chenzhou mutiny, is it not your handwriting? I don't believe it. I know you too well. Last year, King Xinyang came to Beijing to express condolences. I left to go to you I have paid a visit to the family, so is this also a fake?"

Shen Mingshan replied: "It's true. King Xinyang didn't only call on me at that time. She sent invitations to anyone who could talk to me. It seems a bit bad for Mr. Ge to talk about me alone. Bar?"

Yan Minghua grieved and said: "It is true that she visited others, but after returning to the fief, she only had correspondence with you!"

Shen Mingshan's face changed greatly: "How did Mr. Ge say this? I am a minister of the imperial court, how can I have correspondence with a vassal king? I am afraid that someone is obstructing it, trying to fabricate accusations and frame me!"

Yan Minghua said: "The cabinet bears the heavy burden of the court. You are the second assistant, and I am the first assistant. We have been in the same boat for more than 20 years. What do you think, don't I know? You want the position of the first assistant, naturally You can take it, but you have to be able to carry it! Instead of playing tricks behind the scenes, you can't lead by example, how can you lead the cabinet to go on?"

Shen Mingshan looked at her wearing a first-class court dress, with colorful birds embroidered from shoulders to neckline.She has seen this dress for countless years, and she is very familiar with it, but she doesn't know when she will be able to put it on.

Yan Minghua is really old, he was out of breath after saying a few words, he found a chair to sit on and leaned on, and said: "For so many years, I have said that I, Yan Minghua, played with power and indulged my subordinates wantonly. Greedy ink, buying and selling official positions, and doing all sorts of evil things, but what about the truth? My family doesn’t have thousands of hectares of fertile land, and I don’t have tens of millions of money. With such a reputation, in the end, I have nothing to lose, nothing to lose.”

"To be disrespectful, I am carrying this reputation for the imperial court and for the late emperor." Yan Minghua half-closed his eyes, and said sadly: "There is no way to be a minister, and every step is not easy for everyone. It's difficult for anyone, do you think the title of Shoufu is good enough? Everyone is eager for this position, and if they are a little careless, they will lose everything. That year you recommended Liang Pu to be the shepherd of Chenzhou. I tried my best to recommend her to the top position. There are also Hengzhou, Yunzhou, and Minzhou. I have reconsidered all important positions. It is said that I am nepotism, but it is related to the foundation of the country. I have never been sloppy. Who can take it What burden, I know very well!"

She coughed a few times and said, "The chief ministers of the two dynasties, the late emperor did not abolish me, and the present majesty has not abolished me. Is it just luck? Zhijiang, I don't rely on flattery, flattery, or clique formation! I rely on great things The government never thinks of selfishness, employing people takes the lead in ignoring state affairs, this alone is the foundation for me to gain a foothold in the cabinet! Don't you understand?"

Shen Mingshan was silent after hearing this, but said: "Just now the old Caige said he wanted to show me something, but what is it?"

Yan Minghua showed disappointment uncontrollably, knowing that Shen Mingshan was determined to go all the way to the dark, she couldn't persuade her to come back, so she could only say that.

She stood up tremblingly, and at the same time, a person walked out from behind the screen.

Behind the screen was a window, which had been open there for some unknown time, a thin layer of snow had accumulated on the edge of the window, Shen Mingshan's pupils shrank slightly, reflecting a touch of red in the broken jade.

Chu Jun took the time to look at her, and said calmly: "Just now I heard Mr. Yan Ge say a lot about state affairs and court affairs. Now, I want to hear what Mr. Shen Ge said."

It was already dawn when I came out of the mountain, the morning light was dim, the sky was not yet clear, everywhere was like a gray mist, and everything turned into blurred shadows.Being here is like a dream when you are about to wake up, and your soul is also muddy, as if you are lost.

Qingping wrapped himself in a robe and sat on the horse, looking at the messy hoof prints on the ground, stretching north along the official road.The city gate of Guancheng in Qiannan County was wide open, and there was no bloody scene as imagined before. The city wall was cracked and scum kept falling down.

She looked around strangely, except for the city gate that was blown open, there was no corpse here. It seemed that it was originally an empty city, and even the city gate that weighed more than a thousand catties seemed like a decoration.

Ming Yuyan drove the horse to her side, with a grass in his mouth, his eyelids drooping, he looked half asleep and half awake.Her horse is quite obedient, as if it knows its master's state at this time, and walks briskly.

Probably sensing Qingping's gaze, the horse turned its head, blinked its long eyelashes, and looked at her curiously.

Ming Yuyan on the horseback shuddered, poohed off the grass and stretched, subconsciously touched the weapon in his pocket, and then said to Qingping: "Master Li, good morning."

Qingping thought it was getting late, and he was going to leave Qiannan County.

Ming Yuyan yawned, shook his head, looked around, and said curiously: "Wow, they attacked the city last night, and there was such a big battle, didn't they play it loudly? Here... where are the people here? "

Only then did Qing Ping open his mouth: "The guards don't know where they went. They can't even see the corpses here. General Ming, according to what you see, why is that?"

She said this with a tentative meaning in it. Ming Yuyan suddenly remembered the team of hidden guards who had sneaked into the lamp sender before. Among the rebellious soldiers who attacked the city last night.But this matter is very confidential, she dare not tell Qingping easily, she can only vaguely say: "Didn't they have some kind of sea-watching banquet yesterday, maybe they all went to see the excitement."

Qing Ping was also very tactful, knowing that it was inconvenient for her to confide, so he changed the subject and said, "After leaving the mountain just now, when we arrived in Qiannan County, why did you let Master Jin and the others stay in the inn first, and we go first?"

Knowing how to answer this question, he said honestly: "Master Yuan ordered that if you come out of the mountain, no matter what the situation is, you will be brought to meet her first."

Qing Ping let out an oh, guessing that it was Yuan Sui's arrangement.She touched the inside of the sleeve, and the thing was still there. She was so hot that she couldn't feel it.

As soon as she moved, Ming Yuyan asked nervously: "Master Li, do you feel cold, does the wound hurt badly?"

The corners of Qingping's mouth twitched slightly under her terrified eyes. Those who knew she was injured, but those who didn't know thought she was made of ceramics. It would crack when touched, and it would be broken into slag when touched again. She said helplessly: "This You have asked me many times, and I have answered you many times, General Ming, I may not be a piece of paper, I will die if I poke it."

Ming Yuyan opened his eyes wide, and said in surprise, "Isn't it?"

Qingping closed his eyes and breathed a sigh of relief, opened them and replied: "No, I didn't die when I was in Yunzhou, how could I die in Chenzhou?"

Ming Yuyan looked at her cautiously, and said, "To be honest, Mr. Li, you civil servants—" She stretched out a finger and poked the air forward, "It falls down as soon as you push it, it's almost as good as a piece of paper. Not much."

Qingping smiled: "Since that's the case, do you still dare to lead me on the road alone?"

Ming Yuyan looked around casually, and said: "For this kind of thing, I alone is enough. There are more people, and there are more movements."

Qingping asked: "Won't there be rebels on this road?"

Ming Yuyan shook his head, looked at the sky above his head, and said confidently: "Probably not, Zhou Shuai should—"

Before he finished speaking, there was a faint sound of horseshoes ahead, as if many people were coming this way.

Qingping looked at her subtly, speechless for a moment.

"Ah!" Ming Yuyan screamed in disbelief, almost fell off his horse, with an unbelievable look, "Can someone run away from Zhou Shuai's hands?"

Ming Yuyan drove the horse a little farther, and then hurried back.Qingping climbed up the parapet wall and climbed the steps to the guard platform, while Ming Yuyan hid in another place, the two of them were separated by several feet, their backs pressed against the cold wall, and they did not dare to move.

The sound of horseshoes gradually approached, mixed with the sound of footsteps rubbing against the armor, and then stopped before approaching the pass. Immediately, someone entered the city to search, and the sound of footsteps fluctuated from far to near.

This well-trained behavior will obviously not be a refugee, most likely an army.

Qingping guessed, could it be that the Yunce army came here to chase the rebel army?

As soon as this idea came out, one person said: "Master, there is no one here."

A woman's voice sounded: "Have you searched everything?"

The previous person replied: "Yes, they have been searched."

Qingping listened attentively, and felt that this person's voice was somewhat familiar, as if he had heard it somewhere before.

The woman said coldly: "I didn't expect that group of people to be trash. After entering the cloud, they never came out again."

"It should be because Zhou Shuai is in charge. It is only natural that they lost to Zhou Shuai."

"Zhou Qian? She has already handed in the soldier talisman in her hand. A person who is half buried in the soil has no soldiers in his hand, how can he guard Duanyan Pass?" The woman replied, "If there is no reinforcements, I am I don't believe it."

The man said: "This is the end of the matter, the master doesn't need to worry too much. If there are reinforcements, the Qiannan and Yunzhong passes will not be broken so easily."

The woman sighed: "At the beginning... what you said is true. Yunzhou will be gone when it is gone. As long as Zhou Gan falls, the army will be ours, so we don't have to be so afraid."

When Qingping heard her mention about Yunzhou, he immediately felt his heart beat faster.

Not knowing what she heard, the woman sneered and said: "They are very happy that Sun Congshan died, but this person's death is not wronged. Her way of promoting the new law is not good for the family, and she wants to cut down the feudal clan in disguise. Death is also deserved. It's a pity to accompany a county, it's really self-inflicted!"

For a short moment, Qingping even wanted to come out from behind the wall, forcing the person who spoke just now to explain everything clearly from beginning to end.Yunzhou, the army, Xinfa, Sun Congshan... She bit her lip and calmed down for a while, then turned her head away, Ming Yuyan seemed to know what she was thinking, and shook her head eagerly.

If you go out now, you will be outnumbered and you will be dead.What's more, she still holds extremely important physical evidence in her hand, so she has to be cautious.

She kept admonishing herself in her heart, unknowingly her lips were bitten, and the tip of her tongue tasted blood.

This team was also on their way, since there was no one in the city, they left quickly.

After they left, Ming Yuyan came over stooping, and the two of them turned down from behind the wall together to retrieve the horse.

Ming Yuyan said silently: "Those people just now should not be rebels. If they were rebels, Commander Zhou would never let them go like this."

Qingping let out a breath to relieve the tension just now, she finally remembered who the woman who spoke was, and said: "It's not the rebellious army, the one who can be so unscrupulous in Chenzhou is none other than the feudal lord."

She got on her horse and said in a low voice: "...King Xinyang."

The wind whistled past her ears, the rising sun was hidden behind the mountains, and the rolling mountains were plated with gold.The shadows of the mountains overlapped, the sea of ​​clouds surged, the horses crossed the mountains and ridges like walking on flat ground, and the gust of wind rushed towards his face like waves, Qingping could barely open his eyes.

Why do you need to open your eyes?

They took a short cut through a large forest.The forest is dark, with only light spots falling through the gaps in the leaves. She kept urging the horse, as if she was chasing the bright light of the rising sun, as if she could catch up with time and go back to the past.

The leaves kept brushing against her face, the light and shadow in the dark forest intertwined, the sky gradually brightened, the gray background faded away from her side like a tide, and everything became clear.She thought of the snow in Yunzhou, the plain she saw from the beacon tower, the Erlan grassland, Xirong, and the snow-white tent under the autumn sun.

The future is uncertain, but there is no need to think about it.After peeling back the cocoons, it turns out that under the original mystery, there is another mystery.

There was a breeze blowing, and those gloomy past seemed to be left behind. The horse jumped out and escaped from the forest. A few leaves fell behind her and were swept away by the mountain wind.

Qingping reined in his horse and stopped, the sun rose from behind the mountains in the morning light and clouds, and the clouds scattered all over the sky. In a distant place, the outline of the city appeared in the mist.And at her feet, an incomparably brilliant golden river flows through the mountains, rushing to the unknown distance.

Maybe it's the way back, maybe it's the way back.

In Duanyan Pass, Yuan Sui was reading the files in the tent. She hadn't slept all night, she was absent-minded, and couldn't help but listen to the movement outside.

After dawn, the noise became much quieter. She expected that the rebellious army would hit Zhou Qian with a pebble, needless to say about the end, so she never went to investigate the situation. What she was worried about right now was another matter.

After so many days, whether Ming Yuyan found Li Qingping, or what happened to them in the mountains, she didn't know anything about these things, so she could only wait here.

Thinking of this, Yuan Sui regretted a little, Li Qingping should not have been used as a bait at that time.In her opinion, human life is more important than everything else. Although the things hidden in the mountains may be crucial, they are still not comparable to human life.

"Since you are proficient in the criminal law, you need to keep in mind one thing. You must know that human life is at stake, and you should not be sentenced to an unjust, false or wrong case due to a momentary oversight. The ink pen in your hand is a sword, which can save people and kill people..."

The old criminal officer's words were still in his ears, Yuan Sui was upset, he really didn't know whether his move was right or not.

She sighed, and felt that she was really like Master Shangshu said, that she still didn't have a deep understanding of the world and the world, and still needed more training.Thinking of this, she put down the file in her hand and stood up, wanting to take a breath.

But the curtain was lifted before her, and a gray-faced man broke in, who was Ming Yuyan who hadn't seen him for a long time.

Yuan Sui was very excited, stepped forward and said: "General Ming, you are finally back!"

Ming Yuyan clasped his fists and said, "Fortunately, I did not disgrace my life, Mr. Yuan."

Another person came in behind her, looking at her with a smile.

"Lord Li!" Yuan Sui was no longer excited this time, his eyes turned red, he held her hand and said, "You and Master Jin are going, I really can't sleep or eat! Where is Master Jin?"

Qing Ping said: "Your Excellency is staying in Qiannan today, and General Ming has left someone to protect her, so bring me back to see you first."

Seeing that the two of them had something to say, Ming Yuyan said: "You two are talking, I have to report to Zhou Shuai, so I won't bother you."

After she left, Yuan Sui pushed aside the messy files on the table, brought out a teapot from nowhere, poured tea courteously, and invited Qingping to sit down.

Qing Ping hurried on the way, also extremely thirsty, picked up the cup and drank a few cups, Yuan Sui just watched from the side, waited for her to recover before asking: "Did Master Li go into the mountain?"

Qingping wiped the water from his lips, and said: "Someone led the way, so I entered naturally. It is not far from what the adults speculated. The hinterland of this mountain is wide and can accommodate thousands of people. It is comparable to a small country. The water flooded and the houses collapsed, only the higher places still have some houses, the adults will find out when they have time to take people to look at it.”

The original follower listened carefully and filled another cup of tea for her.Qing Ping said: "Bi Luocheng also saw it, and there is nothing unusual about it. Master Yuan wanted to hear it. When Master Jin comes to ask her, she knows a lot about it."

She pulled out a thin booklet from her sleeve, and said softly: "The thing is brought out, let me say something unpleasant first, it's better not to read this thing, Mr. Yuan, and submit it directly to His Majesty for decision."

Yuan Sui was stunned: "Since it is evidence, why can't I see it?"

Qingping didn't notice for a while that he drank too much water, shaking like a water bag, propped his head up and said: "With this thing, you can take off the fig leaf of the aristocratic family. But if you really take it off, they will ask I hate you, and I can't let people who have seen their ugliness live."

Yuan Sui vaguely guessed what she meant, and couldn't help but said: "But you and I set up this game, such an important thing, how can they believe that I haven't seen it?"

Qing Ping said: "They will believe it, because they are sure that if someone gets this item, they will hide it well and keep it for their own use. Mr. Yuan, just think about it, if you get one day you will command the world Are you going to share your treasures with someone?"

Yuan Sui couldn't answer, but what Qing Ping said was right, things are indeed so according to common sense.Then, in a sense, this evidence has lost its role as evidence at this moment, because it can only play its greatest role in the hands of one person, and it can only be used as evidence in their hands. Yu used the peerless sword to chop firewood.

Seeing that she had thought clearly, Qingping took the brochure and said, "I don't know if Lord Yan Jinghan Yan is here, can Lord Yuan let me see her?"

Yan Jinghan was still sleeping when she stepped into the room. Although this room was simple, it had everything that should be there, and it was indeed in line with the treatment of a prisoner.

As long as Yan Jinghan is not convicted, she will still be an official.Because of this reason, the guards are not too harsh, so Yan Jinghan can live a comfortable life besides eating and sleeping every day.

Qing Ping sat by her bed and pushed her, somewhat regaining the feeling when he was studying.Yan Jinghan's skill in lying in bed is not comparable to that of ordinary people. Qingping is not good at writing, and sometimes he has to come to martial arts.

But Yan Jinghan woke up instantly, sat up holding the quilt and looked at her for a long time, before saying: "Qingping? Why are you here?"

She yawned, as if she hadn't woken up: "You were locked in too?"

Qingping didn't know whether to laugh or cry: "You are still staying comfortably, but the outside is in chaos."

Yan Jinghan snorted, shook his head like a horse, sat on the edge of the bed bored, and scratched his hair.

Qing Ping joked: "The bald head is shorter."

Yan Jinghan replied: "Well... I'm so lustful." She sat cross-legged as if complaining, "I feel like I'm crying, I hate to be frightened. I don't have so little hair yet, why did it start? Have you read this poem?"

Qingping suddenly felt a little sentimental and looked at her sadly.

Yan Jinghan yelled, and hurriedly took her hand and said: "Is she really imprisoned by the former servant? She doesn't have a separate room, and the small bed in this room is too small, it can't fit two people."

Qingping looked at her speechlessly, his sentimentality was swept away, and he said: "I don't sleep with you, you always rob people and get caught."

Yan Jinghan said in surprise: "There is such a thing, how come I don't know?"

Qing Ping waved his hand and said: "...Forget it, let's not talk about these things, Jing Han, I came to tell you that I have found the thing in the mountain."

Yan was startled, turned her head unconsciously, and said slowly, "Really?"

Qingping looked at her side face and said: "Yes, Jinghan, don't you have anything to say to me?"

Yan Jinghan said bluntly: "No, you can go, I have nothing to say."

Qingping lowered his eyes and sighed softly: "How long are you going to keep that roster?"

Yan Jinghan couldn't bear to look into her sad eyes, turned his back to her and said, "Don't ask, I won't tell."

"You don't have to say it," Qingping said behind her, "but I can't just watch you die like this."

Yan Jinghan scratched his hair impatiently: "I'm not afraid of death!"

With Qingping's hand on her shoulder, she thought of Wu Ying, and many people. If possible, she always hoped that they could live. Living is much better than dying. If they die, there will be nothing.

"I can't let you die." She choked up, the wound on her back hurt, and the hand on Yan Jinghan's shoulder slipped off.

Yan Jinghan couldn't help but turned around, caught her slipping hand, and whispered: "Go back, don't worry about this matter, I beg you, okay?"

Qingping shook his head, Yan Jinghan lost his temper and could only let her rely on himself.

The emotions that had been suppressed in Qingping's heart for many days finally erupted. How can a person not be afraid in a dangerous situation? When life and death are at stake, who can face death calmly.How much courage does it take to even give up on yourself?

Death is not such a simple matter, so why belittle life and death?Her life is a continuation in exchange for another person's sacrifice. Every time she thinks of this, she has to grit her teeth and warn herself.

Yan Jinghan looked at the mottled wall with mixed feelings in her heart. She didn't know whether to say sorry to Qingping or thank her.She took the wrong path, she couldn't turn back and couldn't turn back, but she didn't expect that on this road, there was a sincere friendship and unreserved trust accompanying her.

It's a pity that she couldn't speak, and the thoughts in her heart could not be expressed in words.

But she finally said: "There are some people in this world who live and work diligently, or recommend them from humble beginnings, and manage them tremblingly for officials; , live in this land. But one day, someone suddenly told them that they are not the people of this land, but they are descendants of a foreign race, not this race. You say, they can still be as good as before alive?"

"It must be living in fear, and it's hard to be safe day and night." Yan Jinghan said indifferently, "I can only tell one person to go up to the court, and down to ordinary people, that is His Majesty over there, and I just wait for Lord Yuan to take me to the court." Escorted to Beijing. Other things are not interesting, I don't want to repeat it, so I won't tell you."

Qingping clenched the things in his sleeves, and said silently in his heart: "Me too."

They kept their secrets in their hearts like this, and they leaned together temporarily, which was no different from when they were studying in the past. Qingping leaned against her and wanted to say a few more words with her, but his consciousness became more and more blurred.

The wound on the back was still hurting, Qingping didn't want to care about it anymore.She was thinking drowsily, and fell into Yan Jinghan's arms.

She fell into a quiet and dark dream, and heard someone talking in a trance.

"Why is this, how can you...?"

"By holy order, send...back to Beijing..."

"When Master Li wakes up... Yuan cannot escape the blame. If you want to punish, please His Majesty also punish you..."

She tried hard to open her eyes, but she could only see nothingness. She opened her mouth, and a vague idea told her that she might be leaving here.

Her last thought was that she hadn't said goodbye to Yan Jinghan yet, and hoped that she would take care of herself.

Even if there is no way to find in the mountains and rivers, as long as you go on, you will be able to find a way to turn the peak and return to a bright day again.

The author has something to say: Sorry for being late, sorry!