Chapter 28 Chapter 27

Accompanied by Wei Sibeiler, Wang Qiu came to the Prince's Mansion to report the secret activities of the Tianli Sect. Mianning was shocked——Ha Fenga, a student of the Eight Banners and a Manchu official, actually participated in it. However, it is also a very critical question whether the Eighth Prince's son Ahebao was used as a cover by Hafenga, or whether he was indeed an accomplice. After discussion, Mianning agreed to Wang Qiu's suggestion to not move Mrs. Xi temporarily and continue to monitor closely, because Mrs. Xi's brothel is only one of the contact points of Tianli religion discovered so far, and Mr. Xie Zongyuan and Mr. Dong, who have hidden deeper, are the ones who have not been found. higher level decision makers.The well-organized and hugely distributed underground flower fairs are like octopuses dancing in groups of claws. If one claw is cut off, the other claws may be fiercely counterattacked, and the capital can no longer withstand the turmoil of the Guiyou Change.

Later, when talking about the upcoming examination, Mianning revealed that he had had a secret discussion with the Eleventh Prince, and initially planned to replace all the examiners and examiners from the previous years with new ones, but this decision was delayed until the day before the examination. To catch those behind the scene by surprise; at the same time, Mianning also plans to adopt an anonymous review system, so that those who try to fish in troubled waters can escape the truth. Wei Xie Bei Le asked the Eighth Prince how he reacted, and Mianning said that his old asthma problem had reappeared, and that he had been granted permission by the Emperor Ama not to have to go to the study room every day to wait for orders. The Eighth Prince specially came to the matter of the chief examiner Yi Shuai. Thank you for the Dao Zhezi, and bluntly said that in the past few years, he was exhausted because of presiding over the meeting, and he also offended many people. This time, the Eleventh Prince took over, which made him feel relieved. This also includes anonymous review.

Before leaving, Wei Xibei Le mentioned Wang Qiu and Xie Zongyuan's Xiangshan gambling, the prince said with a smile: "It has been rumored outside, and this king has also heard about it. The grievances and grievances of the rivers and lakes should be resolved by means of the rivers and lakes. If Mr. Wang unfortunately loses The more Mr. Dong and his group regard Mr. Wang as a confidant, the more this king will not let them succeed!" Out of the prince's mansion, Wei Xibei Le patted Wang Qiu and said: "With the reassurance of the prince, Mr. Wang can give it a go!" Wang Qiu said with a wry smile: "If you lose to Xie Zongyuan again, even if the emperor personally keeps him, I will be ashamed Staying in the capital... It's just that the method of gambling with Xie Zongyuan has not been determined yet, how will the outside know? This is really weird."

Going back to Flagpole Lane, Yeletu was arguing with Yu Gege about something, and when he saw him, Yu Gege said: "This time the commotion is so loud that it will almost drive you into a dead end. Xie Zongyuan is really disgusting!" "What do you mean?" Wang Qiu was puzzled. Ye Letu said: "Thirteen gambling houses in the capital released the Xiangshan match between Master and Xie Zongyuan, and offered the odds at the same time. In just two days, they attracted thousands of people to bet, not including the underground flower fair. Bet, I walked around the streets and alleys at noon today, talking about the old things between you and Xie Zongyuan, even Lu Yun was dug out and exaggerated, some people vividly stated the details, saying that the two of you are inseparable in Shandong , stay overnight together..."

"Enough!" Seeing Yu Gege's ugly face, Wang Qiu hurriedly stopped, "Did you spread the word?" "How can I be suspicious of you?" Yeletu cried out, "I've been guarding Aunt Xi's side for the past two days and I dare not leave even a single step. How can I have the time to tell people about this? Besides, I've been with you for so long. Master still doesn't know my temper? It's definitely impossible to do such a gossip." Yu Gege said: "Don't pay attention to his interrupting, you continue to talk about outsiders and talk about what he and Lu Yun are doing in Shandong."

"Ah, this..." Yeletu finally came to his senses, and said in a low voice, "It's all nonsense, it's not credible, it's not credible, hehehe." "Humph!" Yugege flicked his face and entered the room with a "thump, thud, thump" and Yeletu pouted at her, motioning for Wang Qiu to go in and comfort her.Wang Qiu frowned tightly and said: "The game of gambling has always been low-key and secretive, but Xie Zongyuan has publicized it through various channels, deliberately creating a sensational effect, what is his intention? Xie Zongyuan acts strangely, and he always has a plan, especially good at luring soldiers deep in order to kill them all. What kind of wishful thinking are you planning this time?"

Yeletu said: "In my opinion, either he thinks he has a sure chance of winning, or he has other plans." "Sure chances of winning?" Wang Qiu smiled indifferently, "What is the bet on Xiangshan's covenant has not yet been determined, why does he think he will definitely win me? It seems..." He muttered to himself, and said suddenly, "You have been staring at Aunt Xi for two days, Did you find anything?" "This time I came back to report to the Lord," Yeletu said, "Aunt Xi's side has been quite abnormal in the past few days. From time to time, four horse-drawn carriages entered, and some brothers took the risk to check on the street. The ruts are very deep. It means that there are many people in the carriage, or it is loaded with very heavy things, but the carriages are empty when they come out," he took out his notes, "seven carriages came in and out yesterday and today alone, and another anomaly It’s because Hafeng’a hasn’t shown up to Mrs. Xi for five consecutive days, and I think the two things should be related.”

"Really?" Wang Qiu fell into deep thought and said after a while, "Based on the observations of your brothers, what do you think is in the car?" Yeletu said without hesitation: "The ironware is probably a weapon or something." It coincides with Su Kezi's information. Wang Qiu took a breath, and briefly introduced the cooperation between Mrs. Xi and Tianlijiao. Ye Letu turned pale when he heard this, and rubbed the back of his head and said, "Be darling, we have been dealing with a group of traitors for a long time." , this matter... I'm afraid it's quite dangerous..."

Seeing that he wanted to retreat, Wang Qiu quickly encouraged him: "The crown prince already knows that you are watching day and night, so he specially expresses his appreciation. In the future, he will defeat the remnants of the Tianli sect in one fell swoop, and your contribution will be indisputable." "Oh——" Yeletu became happy again, "I'll go over now and tell the brothers to work hard, and try to understand what Madam Xi is playing." "Pay attention to safety, and don't reveal the situation about Tianli Sect for the time being." Wang Qiu urged.

Watching Yeletu's figure disappear into the night, Wang Qiu stood alone in the courtyard, sorting out the messy thoughts in his head, and only slowly entered the house until the cold wind soaked his body and made him feel cold all over his body. Pushing open the door, the room was silent and dark, Wang Qiu subconsciously touched Huo Yizi on the table by the door, but heard Yugege say softly: "Don't light the lamp...you come here." "Garge..." Hearing that she was lying on the bed, Wang Qiu already guessed what she was going to do, and said not without worry. Suddenly there was a gust of fragrant wind blowing towards his face, followed by a smooth and soft carcass pressed against him, the whole body was hot to the touch, her lips pressed against his ear, and the voice was low and inaudible:

"There is no Princess tonight, only your woman." "But," Wang Qiu sighed, "Xiangshan is unpredictable in gambling. If you lose, you will leave the capital and bid farewell to the rivers and lakes. I can't... stain my innocence..." "My innocence is for you..." The more Yugege said, the more embarrassed he became, he simply blocked his lips with his lips, leaned back, and the two fell onto the bed. The air in the room suddenly burned. Wang Qiu is a person who walks the rivers and lakes, and he doesn't pay much attention to the defense of men and women. That's why he has a good time with Lu Yun.As for Yu Gege, she was mainly worried about her unmarried status, and worried that she would be blamed if she married into a wealthy family in the future, but the refusal last time obviously hurt her self-esteem and caused a series of troubles.Now that she has just experienced life and death, and the two have just reconciled, under such circumstances, she has summoned up the greatest courage to make a naked promise. If she refuses again, Yugege may have to commit suicide in shame. On the other hand, he also understands the little girl's inner thoughts. Yeletu's description of him and Lu Yun in Shandong just now stimulated her, and coupled with her bad relationship with Yehenala, she misunderstood that to keep a man's heart, she must use Body promise. "Garge..." She covered his mouth: "I...have made up my mind, just please...be gentle..." She couldn't help being ashamed at the last word, and buried her head deeply in his arms. The north wind whistled outside the window, rustling the flowers and trees in the courtyard, and the cold wind rushed left and right in the alley, making sharp whistles; the house was as warm as spring, and intermittent murmurs and groans could be heard from time to time in the darkness Gradually, everything returned to calm. For the Eleventh Palace, this late night was not peaceful. At three o'clock, a terrified scream resounded throughout the Eleventh Palace, and then a woman with disheveled hair and only obscene clothes ran out of the bedroom, stood in the courtyard and shouted: "Hurry up, my lord... My lord passed out!" Soon, the princesses including Yehenala, Chu Fujin and Shu Fujin arrived one after another.Prince Cheng's bedroom was full of mess. He was lying naked on the bed, with blood dripping from his mouth. There were spewed blood all over the quilt, pillow, and beside the bed. There was a broken celadon bowl at the foot of the bed. Some dark brown dregs remain. Seeing this, the princess was so frightened that she was on the verge of falling, her face was pale, and she couldn't speak a word, and the other side Fujin and Shu Fujin were all stunned, completely lost their opinion.It was Yehenala who calmed down, first ordered someone to call for the imperial physician, and then asked the experienced guards of the palace to give first aid, then pointed at the woman and shouted: "Who are you? Why are you here? Why did you harm the prince?" The woman huddled into a ball and said in a trembling voice: "Why... how dare you hurt the lord? The lord wants to drink the medicine, and he said that he drank the heroic hero. The servant doesn't understand this. Looking at the lord... after drinking it, he will die." Squirting blood wildly, then, then passed out..." Yehenala asked people to put away the bowl and the leftovers immediately, and continued to ask, "Who are you? How did you get in?" "Slave..." The woman looked at Yehenara in fear, but hesitated and dared not speak. "Someone is here, drag her down and beat her up!" Yehena yelled, baring her teeth and claws. The woman kowtowed in horror, and said in a crying voice: "I really don't know anything, everything was arranged by a housekeeper surnamed Jin in the palace..." "How can there be a housekeeper surnamed Jin in the palace?" Yehenala looked around and frowned and said, the room was quiet for a moment, a Shufu Jin timidly said: "Last time I heard that there was a guard named Jin at the gatehouse. One eye is small?" "That's right, that's him!" The woman nodded hastily, "He claims to be the steward of the palace, and he sent a sedan chair to pick me up at night, saying that he has obeyed the prince's secret order... The servant is from Yuhuatang, and the prince went to play last month Time……" Speaking of this, the people present here basically understand it. Prince Cheng fell from a horse and hurt his waist. Since then, he can no longer perform the etiquette of human relations, and he has a heartbroken heart. He wants to revive his glory from the brothel woman. The potion he drank must have the effect of strengthening yang. Maybe the potion is too strong and the body cannot bear it. Something went wrong, leading to tragedy. Afterwards, several sons of Prince Cheng arrived one after another. On the one hand, they accompanied the imperial physician for treatment, and at the same time interrogated the woman on the spot, asking about the details before and after the incident. Send the guards of the palace to surround Yuhuatang, and ask for an order after dawn, and the Ministry of Punishment will arrest everyone in Yuhuatang. After hearing the news, Emperor Jiaqing immediately asked Mianning to come to express condolences, and at the same time summoned the best imperial physician in the palace to participate in the rescue.The Ministry of Rituals was in a mess, because the preparations for the examination had just begun, and some details, links, and steps had to be decided by Prince Cheng. When Mianning came to the palace, there was a lot of crying and noise in the palace, and those who calmed down began to think about other ways out. Prince Cheng was still in a coma, and a group of women stood around crying.Mianning inquired about the more valuable situation that the woman who caused the trouble did not explain, and the Yuhuatang was also sealed up, including the old bustard, who was beaten to death, but apart from saying that the woman was personally appointed by Prince Cheng, he sent a golden guard to come to contact her. Other than that, I don't know anything else. It's fine if it's normal, but when Prince Cheng took office as the chief examiner of the next year's exam, something like this happened. Mianning was full of doubts, so she arrested the woman and interrogated her carefully. Just like Yuhuatang, she pushed everything away. To the golden guard.Mianning immediately ordered a thorough investigation of the golden guard, and found out that he had worked in Shanpuying for several years before, and that Shanpuying was in charge of Ahebao. If it were someone else, they would definitely have tracked down Shanpuying, but Mianning, like his father Emperor Jiaqing, was as forbearing and clumsy. He just sneered and gave up, privately ordering his subordinates to investigate secretly. At dusk of the next day, Prince Cheng was still unconscious, and Emperor Jiaqing had to reconsider the candidate for the examiner. The Eighth Prince could not be mentioned, and the good horse would never turn back. To go, he had to hand over the heavy responsibility to his younger brother, Prince Qing Yonglin.In fact, Emperor Jiaqing was not willing to use this pawn. As a brother, he placed considerable trust in Yonglin. He had previously been appointed as the general of Zhenxi, commanding the elite Eight Banners Army and the garrison in the Gyeonggi area, with tens of thousands of troops. If it weren't for the emperor's own brother, no one else would be able to sit in this position for a moment.Even so, Emperor Jiaqing was still wary and did not want Prince Qing to interfere in the government, so in recent years he has been running around the border fortresses and rarely showed up in the capital. After the news spread, the odds of the Underground Flower Club dropped significantly. The gamblers originally hoped that after Prince Cheng fell into a coma, Prince Yi would be the chief examiner, and Ahebao was a well-known channel. The big drop, many gamblers even asked to withdraw their bets, which made Ha Fongah jump in a hurry. On the contrary, more and more gamblers are betting on Wang Qiu and Xie Zongyuan, and the odds are also changing with the various gossip in the market. Betting is everywhere in teahouses, hotels, streets and alleys. In the place of betting, it is said that the Six Departments of Yamen also had heated debates about which of the two is stronger and weaker in addition to their official duties. The funniest joke is that when several ministers in the study room were dealing with the memorials from various places, someone suddenly said, "I heard that Xie Zongyuan is ill." Several other people jumped up and hurriedly changed their bets. The impact of this battle even went deep into the boudoir's embroidery room. Those young ladies and nobles who sat in the boudoir with nothing to do all day saw the embroidery portraits of Wang Qiu and Xie Zongyuan-both of them were handsome white-faced scholars, with a smile on their face. Somewhat delicate and tough, even more fond of putting it down, often bet heavily on personal preferences. The deep-seated reason is that in recent years, it is rare for Jianghu sects to fight openly alone. The two not only represent the highest level of their respective sects, but also relate to the ebb and flow of status in the Jianghu. The well-recognized beauty - Lu Yun, made this game more interesting. Seeing more and more bettors, the thirteen gambling houses felt a little guilty: they were not sure whether Xie Zongyuan could win this battle, but judging from the odds, Xie Zongyuan was three points higher than Wang Qiu. Lost everything.However, the situation in the market has become unstoppable. Whether high-ranking officials or peddlers, bets range from tens of pennies to tens of thousands, and underground flower clubs will reap even more. Eight days before the decisive battle, Mr. Dong sent someone to contact Wang Qiu to discuss specific gambling matters.Unexpectedly, Wang Qiu proposed to use the horse tag (that is, mahjong) to determine the outcome. Both sides nominated one person to participate in the battle, but in the end the victory was determined by the points in the hands of himself and Xie Zongyuan.Mr. Dong was very surprised, thinking that the four-person gambling had too many variables and took a long time, which was not conducive to open gambling.On the other hand, Wang Qiu pointed out that the open VAM was not in the scope of the original consideration, it was Mr. Dong's unilateral action, and it could not be used as a factor affecting the VAM.The two sides fought back and forth for several rounds, and finally Mr. Dong compromised and agreed to Wang Qiu's proposal, sending Xie Zongyuan and Lu Yun to fight, while Wang Qiu invited Xiao Dingqin, the notary who played against Dao Yanming last time, to join the battle. Xiao Dingqin is one of the eight major gambling sects - the senior master of the Huo Sect. He once set an astonishing record of winning 46 games in a row in the capital. Keep a low profile, but deep in my heart I still resent the dominance of Xie Zongyuan and others.Wang Qiu asked him to take action because he wanted to rely on his experience and stability to control the situation, and beware of Lu Yun's release of water and Xie Zongyuan's outstanding soldiers. The location of the game is located at Xieshui Pavilion at the southern foot of Xiangshan Mountain, where the view is wide. First, it is convenient for gamblers to watch the battle. Second, it prevents Xie Zongyuan and others from playing tricks. evacuate. Two days before the decisive battle, Wang Qiu, accompanied by Yugege, Yeletu and guards, went to Xiangshan to survey the terrain.