in the world of murder

In the inner room, shaded by light gauze, countless candles are placed on the sandalwood shelves on both sides, and the wax oil flows along the candles to the candlesticks, in different lengths.

A memorial tablet is enshrined on the head, and an ever-burning lamp is enshrined in front of the case.

The imperial concubine does not wear hairpins, but wears plain silk clothes, holding candles with her slender fingers, and relights the extinguished lamps one by one.

After doing this, she blew out the candle in her hand, then walked to the desk and took out three incense sticks.The imperial concubine lit three incense sticks, carefully inserted them into the incense burner, and then knelt down on the futon.

"Sister," said the noble concubine, "Your Majesty raised some money and food some time ago. Although this winter is cold, the common people will probably be at ease."

She thought for a while, smiled lightly, and said, "You have chosen a good emperor, better than father and brother."

"Chongming has also brought him back," said the imperial concubine, "his position as crown prince is very secure, and I will not let anyone threaten his position." After speaking, the imperial concubine's expression softened, "He looks very similar to you Like, she behaves just like you. The only bad thing is that she is too cold-tempered, and she is never close to His Majesty."

"He still has someone he likes." The imperial concubine lowered her eyes, "I originally thought that if he fell in love with a girl from a certain family, I would definitely propose marriage for him in person. It doesn't matter whether the girl's background is high or low, as long as she looks and has a temper." As long as Chongming likes it."

"But he fell in love with a man." The imperial concubine was silent for a long time, "He has grown up, he can't control it, and he never listens to what I say. I told him not to like Xizhen, but he didn't listen to me, you Do you know? He said that he likes Xizhen, and he is willing to have no heirs for him all his life."

The concubine's eyes were filled with something she couldn't see clearly, she stared at the memorial tablet, "Sister, Xi Zhen will destroy him, Xi Zhen will definitely destroy him."

A person came out after the memorial tablet, and in an instant, the imperial concubine became that noble and dignified imperial concubine again.

She cupped her hands, bowed respectfully in front of the memorial tablet three times, then stood up and looked at the person coming.

The person who came was Jing Cang, or in other words, the former owner of Jiuyi Mountain.Before Xi Zhen got the Order of Fighting for Flowers and became his new direct disciple, he defected from Jiuyi Mountain and joined the noble concubine.Maybe it was to make up for being a spectator in the past, or maybe it was because he didn't want to stay in Jiuyi Mountain as a high stone statue, Jing Cang regained his real name and became a killer—specially dealing with shady things for the noble concubine.

Jing Cang looked at the imperial concubine, "You want to kill Xi Zhen."

"Xi Zhen can't stay." The noble concubine's face was as cold as Xie Li's.

"Xi Zhen is the young master of the Xi family, and he is a direct disciple. His death will bring immeasurable consequences." Jing Cang wanted to persuade the imperial concubine to give up this idea.

The noble concubine glanced at Jing Cang, "Chongming didn't need the help of his direct disciples. He studied art in Jiuyi Mountain for more than ten years in order not to be restricted by his direct disciples. What Xi Zhen can do, Chongming himself can do." Yes. As for the Xi family, he sent his son to the capital by himself, even if there is an accident, it should be what they want."

Jing Cang frowned and said nothing.

The imperial concubine glanced at him lightly, "I know, you are the master of Xizhen, and you are reluctant to attack him. But let me tell you, Xizhen will not die for a day, and Chongming will be restless for a day. I can't just watch him ruin Chongming. "

"It is the prince who likes Xizhen. Could it be that the prince doesn't like him when Xizhen is dead?"

The noble concubine raised her eyes, she was full of dignity, "It's just a dead person, no matter how much you miss him, he will pass away."

"I can't pass!" Jing Cang said: "Don't forget, I am not only Xi Zhen's master, but also Xie Li's master! I watched him grow up, and I know him better than you!"

Jing Cang's eyes were burning, "If you kill Xi Zhen, it's the same as killing Xie Li. Even if Xie Li didn't die with Xi Zhen, he's just a walking corpse."

The noble concubine's face darkened, "But Chongming is the crown prince, he can't ruin the foundation his parents built for him just because of a man!"

"He's a prince, but he's also a human being!" Jing Cang looked at the imperial concubine, almost heartbroken, "Have you been high above the ground for too long, forgetting that people have feelings. Since the death of Princess Wannian, have you been relieved? You Why don't you think about how painful it is for Chongming after Xizhen's death? Do you have the heart to let him suffer the pain of losing his loved one for the rest of his life?"

The imperial concubine was stunned for a moment, the arrogance in those beautiful eyes faded away, she fell into deep thought, and did not speak for a long time.

The winter morning was getting colder and colder, and the vines on the rocks in the courtyard were covered with a layer of frost.Xi Zhen put on his cloak, got up early and went to the East Palace to order his hair.Passing by a palace gate, Cheng Lian stood at the leeward side, seeing Xi Zhen coming, Cheng Lian hurriedly stepped forward to salute, "Hello, Mr. Xi."

Xi Zhen raised his eyebrows and returned a salute, "I haven't congratulated Mr. Cheng on his promotion, and he has been promoted to three ranks in the past six months, which is hard for others to catch up with."

Cheng Lian smiled and said, "Master Xi was joking."

The two walked on the palace road together, Xi Zhen asked, "What do you want from me?"

Cheng Lian also cut straight to the point, "I have something to ask for your help."

Cheng Lian was newly transferred, and his immediate boss couldn't understand his appearance of being able to do anything, and denounced him as an inferior.Cheng Lian couldn't help it, so he asked Xi Zhen for help.

Xi Zhen raised his eyebrows, "The thing that makes you feel embarrassed, it must not be an ordinary difficulty."

Cheng Lian took a deep breath, "Master Helian is a fellow student of Jiuyi Mountain. When he was on the mountain, he disliked me, saying that I am not incapable of self-protection, but he wants to take some heresy ways. He is very contemptuous of me."

"Oh?" Xi Zhen said: "He was also born in Jiuyi Mountain, so his current official position is higher than yours?"

As far as he knew, Cheng Lian was considered to be second to none among poor officials.

"He is different. He was arranged by His Royal Highness the Crown Prince."

Xi Zhen frowned, "How did His Royal Highness get to know the disciples of Jiuyi Mountain?"

"I don't know about that." Cheng Lian said: "I only heard that he is serious in his work, has a straightforward personality, never flatters others, and is a rare honest official."

Xi Zhen sneered, "It's just that his back doesn't hurt when he's standing and talking, if he doesn't have a backer, let's see if he can still say such a shameful thing."

Cheng Lian glanced at Xi Zhen, a little surprised.

Xi Zhen said, "Why, do you think I'm one of those people who don't feel back pain while standing and talking?"

Xi Zhen was born in the Xi family and is a direct disciple, so he is naturally different from Cheng Lian and others.Before he said this, Cheng Lian had always thought this way.

Xi Zhen laughed a few words, without hesitation, said: "How can I help you, it is better to demote him as your subordinate, and let him taste the warmth and warmth of human beings."

"No," Cheng Lian hurriedly said, "just transfer me away, don't provoke him."

Xi Zhen glanced at Cheng Lian, and Cheng Lian smiled, "Speaking of which, he is also a gentleman, but he just doesn't like me, and he didn't do anything wrong."

Xi Zhen looked at him again and said, "I've made a note."

Cheng Lian cupped his hands, "Thank you, Mr. Xi."

"Don't be in a hurry to thank me," Xi Zhen said, "I also have something to ask you to do."

"Master Xi, please tell me."

Xi Zhen said: "You have always been exquisite, I would like to ask you to ask if any officials have seen the true face of His Highness the Crown Prince? Or start from the palace and look for maids or eunuchs who have seen the Crown Prince?"

Cheng Lian asked, "What are you looking for?"

Xi Zhen remained silent, he didn't believe that Xie Li was dead, and he still felt that Prince Chongming was Xie Li.Although he used Fugui to test Prince Chongming last time, but Fugui saw that Qian's eyes were wide open, so what he said may not be credible.

Seeing that Xi Zhen was silent, Cheng Lian stopped asking, and said, "I'll do it as soon as possible."

Xi Zhen nodded, and separated from Cheng Lian at the gate of the East Palace.

He walked into the East Palace, and the young eunuch from afar came to pick him up, and all the way to the flower hall, the maid brought hot tea and snacks.Xi Zhen didn't use any snacks, but only held hot tea to keep warm. Tang Zhi personally brought a Mrs. Tang over, and asked someone to add some charcoal to the charcoal basin, and said with a smile, "Your Majesty Xi has worked hard."

"Where is it?" Xi Zhen said.Holding the tea in his hand, he took a sip and suddenly felt the fragrance in his mouth.

"These are Gu Zhu's purple bamboo shoots from Jiangnan, there are not many in the palace, and they are all in the East Palace." Tang Zhi said with a smile: "Maybe it will enter Master Xi's mouth?"

Xi Zhen said with a smile: "It's too tricky not to drink such good tea."

He glanced at the clear tea soup and asked, "Does His Royal Highness also like this kind of tea?"

Tang Zhi nodded, "His Royal Highness does not drink the purple bamboo shoots unless it is Gu Zhu."

Xi Zhen pursed his lips, Xie Li had very little desire for material things, he could drink all the rough tea from the mountain, but he was not like Prince Jingui of Chongming Dynasty.

At this moment, Crown Prince Chongming has not come yet, Xi Zhen put down the teacup and looked at Tang Zhi, "Eunuch Tang, how long have you been with His Highness the Crown Prince? Do you know His Highness's preferences?"

"This old slave grew up watching His Highness," Tang Zhi said, "Of course I know His Highness's preferences."

"Then..." When Xi Zhen wanted to ask again, Prince Chongming walked behind the screen and asked, "What are you talking about?"

Tang Zhi smiled and said, "Master Xi is talking about the tea His Highness likes with this old servant."

"Oh?" Prince Chongming picked up the teacup and looked at the ups and downs of the tea leaves, "Master Xi is asking about Gu's preferences? It's a serious crime to inquire about inner chambers."

Tang Zhi's face panicked, Xi Zhen smiled and said: "A minister should relieve the emperor's worries. If a humble minister doesn't inquire about His Highness's preferences, how can he please His Highness and share his worries?"

"Really?" Prince Chongming said leisurely, "Master Xi has changed his mind and plans to change his court."

Xi Zhen's complexion was gloomy, and he said with a sneer, "Xie Li has only been dead for more than a year, even if I have this plan, I have to wait another two years. Otherwise, when Xie Li turns into a ghost and catches me, I can't expect His Highness to come and save me. "

Every time when Xi Zhen dispelled the idea in his heart, Prince Chongming would add fire to this idea.Is he Xie Li?If he is Xie Li, is he trying his best to conceal his identity, or is he hoping that Xi Zhen will recognize him?

Prince Chongming did not speak, Xi Zhen looked at the blurred figure of the prince through the screen, and suddenly said: "Your Highness, do you know why I don't like Xuan Yunhuai?"

Prince Chongming paused while playing with the teacup, "Why?"

Xi Zhen raised the corners of his mouth, "I hate two things the most in my life, one is threatening me, the other is deceiving me, Xuan Yunhuai has both, so I hate him very much."

Prince Chongming was silent for a moment, and said, "Master Xi, do you know what Gu hates the most?"

Xi Zhen raised his eyebrows, "I would like to hear the details."

"I hate people who are heartless, heartless, and treacherous." Prince Chongming's eyes are deep, fixed on Xizhen, "I hate being compared and chosen by others."

Xi Zhen's face turned pale, and his eyes were fixed on the figure behind the screen, almost confirming his conjecture.

Prince Chongming looked at him and asked, "Lord Xi, if you were asked to make a choice now, which one would you choose compared with your family?"

The author says:

Xi Zhen: choose you

Prince Chongming: So what you value is the respect of the prince, not Xie Li

Xi Zhen: ...Choose my family

Prince Chongming: So I will be abandoned by you no matter what

Xi Zhen: ...

Xi Zhen: Do you have cat cakes?