Chapter 43 Chapter Thirteen

Rebellion of Xiaoqiang, Part Two, Chapter Thirteen, Visitors from the Cold Garden On the 16th day of the first month of Jiaxu in the first year of Tongtai in Southern Chu, King Yong traveled far away as his son, and called a banquet for his officials according to the law. Zhe did not attend the meeting. Li persuaded him, and Qing retreated ashamed. ——"The History of Chu in the Southern Dynasties·Jiang Suiyun Biography" I stretched comfortably. In the past few days, I have received news that the crown prince has taken the bait, so I can temporarily put aside these troublesome things.In fact, King Yong's mansion is very busy today, whoever asked the prince to take over as King Yong's vassal? According to the usual practice, His Royal Highness Yong wanted to call a banquet for his officials. I am not interested in this kind of thing, so I told His Royal Highness for leave. I am going to take a good look at some out-of-print ancient books that King Yong gave me in Hanyuan. His Highness forgives me for not liking the lively mood, because many princes and nobles will come to the banquet today. Messy, after all, many of them are qualified to wander in the palace, as long as they don't get close to a few forbidden places, then it doesn't matter. In order to prevent people from disturbing me, His Highness specially sent someone to guard the door for me, and no one else is allowed to enter , In fact, His Highness meant that I might as well hide in the back house, but I did not agree to the melon fields and plums. Anyway, there are guards outside Hanyuan, so what am I afraid of?

Xiao Shunzi knew my temper best, so he opened the doors and windows when he got up in the morning to let out the turbid air that came at night, and then lit a furnace of incense, while I changed into a loose robe and drank the fragrant tea that Xiao Shunzi made for me , What a fairy day.After watching for a while, I accidentally looked up and saw Xiao Shunzi was carving a piece of white jade with a silver knife. This is a habit he has developed recently. Since I forced him to carve a wooden doll for Roulan last time, He suddenly became fond of carving, and would carve with a knife when he had nothing to do. I once asked him why he suddenly liked these things, and he told me mysteriously that he found it a good way to practice qigong. I always feel that martial arts seem to have no progress. Who knows that in order to carve wooden figures well, it turned out that his moves are a little smoother and more natural. Now he has found a new way to practice martial arts. Although I don’t understand wooden figures and martial arts It doesn't matter, but I still understand the reasoning by analogy. Looking at Xiao Shunzi's knife marks from rough and messy to smooth and continuous, I also feel that he seems to have made some progress. At least his carvings are now lifelike, so I simply bought it. Give him a pile of ordinary jade blocks, let him carve and have fun.No, the bookcase on my desk was carved by him a few days ago.

Looking at him, I suddenly smiled and said, "Xiao Shunzi, although you like carving, you don't need to practice every day. Today, His Highness is entertaining guests, and there will be juggling music in front of you. Go and relax." Xiao Shunzi said lightly, "There are too many people outside today, I don't worry about you being alone." I smiled and said: "You are too careful, this is Prince Yong's Mansion, I am just a small surrender, who will come to assassinate me? Well, let's go and have fun, don't forget, you are only twenty years old, Don't act like a little old man all day, then I will be guilty."

Xiao Shunzi glared at me, but he was still young after all, and those jugglers were also very attractive to him, but he was always worried about me, so I smiled and said, "Well, you call Hu Wei in, Let him guard you here, so you can rest assured?" Xiao Shunzi looked at the teacup on the desk and said, "But someone has to serve the tea." I said helplessly: "Xiao Shunzi, don't forget that I taught you how to make tea, okay, go play, you are not allowed to follow me today, the lanterns will be kept on for three consecutive days, it's fine if you protected me last night, Today you go out for a stroll by yourself, don't stay in the mansion all day long, and I won't go out, there won't be any danger."

Xiao Shunzi finally nodded and said: "Okay, I'll go out and call someone right now, young master, you can read the book at ease, I will make arrangements." I looked at his back and smiled gratifiedly, that's right, a child who is just 20 years old, why is he so old-fashioned, he should have fun, although when I was 20 years old, because this brat stole me He had no choice but to take the No. 1 examination because of his troubles, but he didn't have to wrong himself. I sent Xiao Shunzi away, and I continued to indulge in the book. When Hu Wei came in and kowtowed, seeing that I didn’t respond, he followed for a while, until I sometimes forgot everything when I read a book, so I quietly read it. Backed out and didn't bother me.At this moment, I don't know that the closest moment of my life to death is coming soon.

While dealing with his colleagues, Qin Qing was thinking about something. Today he came to the banquet instead of his father, but he didn't want to chat with those old foxes, so he hurriedly congratulated King Yong and ran outside to the colorful shed. Looking at the juggling performances on the high stage, but he didn't look into it at all, his mind was full of the shadows of Princess Changle and Jiang Zhe. Back then, he asked the princess to elope, but he was sternly rejected. At that time, he was young and reckless, accusing the princess of being forgetful and greedy for the honor of Queen Nanchu. , Unfortunately, he didn't have a chance to say sorry, and then he was thrown into the barracks after being severely punished by his father. He killed this fourth-rank General Huwei with one knife and one gun. After fighting in Nanchu, the princess came back. Knowing this, he was both happy and sad. What he hoped most was to lead the army to break through Nanchu, and then kneel in front of the princess to plead guilty, but now there is no such opportunity.

After the princess came back, he once begged his mother to enter the palace to convey his heart, but it was a cold water, and the princess had no affection for him.His heart ached like death, holding on to the last hope, he participated in the martial arts show, but he fought to a draw with that little boy. Although he knew that this did not mean that he was inferior to Xiahou Yuanfeng, Qin Qing knew that he had completely lost hope of reconciling with the princess. , and after the martial arts competition, he was imprisoned by his father in the ancestral hall and punished to kneel because of the dispute between himself and the Southern Chu surrender. Qin Qing hated Nan Chu deeply, and even the people of Nan Chu hated him under his anger. , Jiang Zhe is a man who has gained a false reputation, and he is justified in surrendering on his knees. It is nothing to ridicule him, but his father actually violated the family law. Now Qin Qing still remembers the situation where his father reprimanded him with a livid face.

"Bastard, I don't blame you for your unreasonable behavior in the past, and I don't blame you for venting your anger for no reason, but you insulted the sages in public. If this continues, what future is there for my Qin family? Do you know what a big mistake this is. Jiang Zhe This man is not a mediocre man, he is the counselor of Prince De, Southern Chu took the middle of Shu lightly, he killed the king of Shu with a long song, and made my people with lofty ideals in Dayong tremble with fear, this man is a national scholar, You actually humiliated him because he is a surrender, do you know that if this person is a little narrow-minded, your life will be in his hands in the future."

Although I was dissatisfied, I still had to bow my head and admit my mistake to my furious father. It was not until yesterday that my father let me out, sighed and said: "Little slave, King Yong will hold a banquet tomorrow, and you go to congratulate the prince on his behalf. Remember , we must find an opportunity to meet Jiang Sima and apologize to him. If this person hates you, I am afraid it will be a disaster after all. I have inquired that His Highness King Yong regards this person as a confidant, and His Highness King Qi also thinks highly of him , both of your Highnesses are not mediocre people, so it can be seen that this person is powerful, if you can't ask for his understanding, your siblings will probably be implicated by you in the future."

So I came to Prince Yong's Mansion full of resentment, I thought it would be fine to just admit my mistake, but just now, I got a piece of news that almost made me dizzy.Princess Changle actually had an affair with that shameless surrender. Knowing the news was a coincidence, after seeing King Yong, he expressed his congratulations on behalf of his father. Although he was awkward, he still offered to apologize to Jiang Zhe. King Yong readily agreed, but said that Jiang Sima was always weak, and he might have to wait until Sishi. Seeing the guests, let myself go to relax first, I reluctantly agreed, while slandering that useless scholar while watching the scenery in Prince Yong's mansion, but after walking for a long time, I found two eunuchs whispering behind a pine forest, what I originally wanted He didn't intend to eavesdrop, but he was immediately stunned by a sentence he overheard.

It was an eunuch who triumphantly announced to his companions that Princess Changle met Jiang Sima privately when he arrived at the palace, but it turned out that the two had an affair in Southern Chu. If he hadn't been ordered to serve Jiang Sima, he might not have known about it. What about such a big thing?He was still bragging that Jiang Sima had given him a thousand taels of silver, and that if he was willing to keep his mouth shut, when he became a son-in-law in the future, he would ask this eunuch to be the chief executive. Qin Qing became dizzy with anger when he heard this, and it took him a while to wake up. When he wanted to ask questions, the two eunuchs were no longer there.Qin Qing stayed there, thinking about it, if the princess married Wei Ying or Xiahou Yuanfeng, he would be convinced even though he was sad, if the princess really had an affair with that frail scholar, he would never be reconciled, after thinking about it Go, the princess has been virtuous and gentle since she was a child, it must be the surrendered minister who seduced the princess, if King Yong hadn't said something first, I'm afraid he would have gone to question Jiang Zhe, so the next time, whether it's watching juggling or doing something else , Qin Qing was absent-minded. When it arrived at Sishi, Qin Qing saw that the middle and lower-level officials had basically arrived, so he found a guard to lead the way to Jiang Zhe. Those guards had already been ordered by King Yong, so they brought him Follow Qin Qing to the cold garden. Although Qin Qing was full of anger, he was a general after all, and he was curious along the way. Since Jiang Zhe was the Sima of Tiance Commander's Mansion, and Chang Shi Shiyu was going to Youzhou to assist the eldest son, so in Yongwang Mansion This person is a person who is less than one person and more than ten thousand people, but this place is getting deserted, it seems to be an extremely remote guest house.Involuntarily, Qin Qing asked the guard who led the way: "Why does Jiang Sima live in such a remote place?" The guard smiled and said: "General Qin doesn't know something, Jiang Sima likes to be clean, so he specially chose Hanyuan to live in, there is nothing to do, even the gate of the garden seldom goes out?" Since Qin Qing had suspicions in his heart, he couldn't help thinking wildly, this man lives in a remote place, could it be that he wants to have a private meeting with the princess for convenience? When he arrived at Hanyuan, Qin Qing found that the security here was really tight. There were more than a dozen guards just as he saw. He led his guards to explain the situation to the guards in front of the gate. After the guard entered, he came out after a while and said, "Sima has Please, General Qin." Qin Qing walked into the cold garden, but saw that the inside was quiet and desolate. It seems that Jiang Zhe really likes to be quiet. He saw Hu Wei standing outside the door of a Yaxuan at a glance. Hu Wei was a close follower of King Yong. Qin Qing is very clear, it seems that King Yong really attaches great importance to Jiang Zhe, maybe Jiang Zhe and the princess are supported by King Yong, Qin Qing's anger is even hotter. I was just reading a book, when suddenly Hu Wei came in and reported that General Qin Qingqin had come to see me, I was taken aback, this man was rude to me in public, why did you come to see me today?I wanted to see him, but I thought that if it was not an important matter, why would King Yong arrange for him to come to see me, so I had to put down the book and didn't bother to change clothes. After a while, Qin Qing came in, and stared at me blankly as soon as he came in. I was surprised, waved Hu Wei out, and asked: "What's the important thing here, General, please excuse me for being casually dressed, in the living room. Feel free to take a seat, General." Qin Qing sat down silently, looking at the young man opposite, wearing a loose and comfortable green robe, his long hair was not tied up, but just tied with a hairpin, his expression was leisurely and calm, Qin Qing had a strong feeling that the young man in front of him He is not a worldly person at all, does he really have an affair with the princess?Qin Qing thought to herself. Seeing that this handsome general has been silent all this time, I couldn't help feeling a little annoyed, so I said coldly, "What's the matter, general? If there is nothing wrong, please forgive me for being weak and inconvenient to sit for a long time." Tea bowl, I took a sip of this superb Mengshan tea, which is the best among the tributes. Even His Royal Highness King Yong only has a few taels. I gave half of it to me. It is my favorite. I only brew it on such a leisurely day. Have a drink.Who knows that just after I took a sip, Qin Qing said coldly: "Are you really having an affair with Princess Changle?" "Puchi." All the tea in my mouth spewed out, I looked at Qin Qing in a daze, and asked somewhat stammeringly, "General Qin, what did you say?" Qin Qing looked at me coldly and said, "I'm asking if you have an affair with Princess Changle." I subconsciously made use of my strengths. Yes, Hu Wei is far away, so I shouldn’t be able to hear him. Why is there such a problem?I looked at Qin Qing and asked, "General Qin, with all due respect, what is the relationship between you and the princess?" When Qin Qing heard this, her face flushed and she said, "No?" I felt the hairs on my body stand up, and knew that this person had murderous intentions, but after much deliberation, I couldn't let Hu Wei in. If such rumors spread, King Yong might not be able to keep me.I calmly said: "Since the general has nothing to do with the princess, it would be a bit inappropriate to ask about the princess's affair, but since the general asked, if I didn't answer, I would feel a little guilty, but this matter can be done once and never again. I also hope that the general will use his brain more before asking questions." I looked at Qin Qing's face and felt that there was still room, so I continued: "Zheben is a surrendered minister of Southern Chu, and it is understandable for the general to despise me, but the only advantage of Zheping's life is to clean himself and love himself. I have never had an affair with other women. If the general reprimands Jiang Zhe for bowing his knees and surrendering, Zhe has to listen no matter how angry he is. Only this kind of foul language, although it is just passing through my ears, I cannot tolerate your nonsense. ." Qin Qing's face changed again and again, and he said coldly: "Do you dare to swear?" I smiled contemptuously, and said lightly: "General, Jiang Zhe is a person who can face the gods above and the people of Li. I swear that I will not do this kind of thing. One time, one was in Southern Chu, I was ordered to meet with you, and the other time was a few days ago, I met in Prince Yong's mansion. The princess is a golden branch and jade leaf, and she was once the queen of Southern Chu. If General Qin regards such things as personal affairs , there will be no innocent people in the world." Qin Qing calmed down, he could tell that although I spoke harshly, I didn't say a single lie. Thinking of how I would apologize to Jiang Zhe according to my father's order when I heard the rumors and came to question me, I had to cup my fists and say : "I was wrong. This is what I heard from two eunuchs in the palace. Please forgive me, Lord Sima." I felt a chill in my heart, and immediately raised my voice: "Hu Wei." Hu Wei immediately pushed the door open and walked in. I said coldly, "Someone spoke nonsense and angered General Qin. You go and bring them to me immediately. General Qin, what do these two look like, and where did you meet them?" Qin Qing didn't want to say anything at first, but when he saw the coldness in Jiang Zhe's eyes, his heart froze, and he said the age and appearance of those two people.After hearing this, Hu Wei thought for a while, and said, "My lord, these two subordinates know that they are the father-in-law sent by the palace. Excuse me, my lord, will you bring them here?" I thought about it for a while and said, "Your Highness is hosting a banquet today, so don't disturb the guests. You have arrested the two of them and imprisoned them, waiting for His Highness to dispose of them." After Hu Wei left, I looked at Qin Qing and said calmly: "General Qin, listen to my advice, the reason why your father has been honored and favored so far is not due to his power over others. The most admirable thing is that the general is just and decisive. If there is no fault, even the pawns will not be contemptuous. If there is a fault, even the royal family will not be condescending. There is something worthy of boasting about his actions, but I cannot bear to see the descendants of the great general wither unless I have said so lightly and profoundly." Qin Qing should have been angry at first, but he felt that what Jiang Zhe said was similar to what his father said every day, and he dared not refute it. Thinking of being dazzled by anger and jealousy for many days, the more he thought about it, the more ashamed he became.He was originally a descendant of the general family and was taught by his strict father. Although he was confused for a while, he was not natural after all. After thinking about it, he felt empty in his heart, and respectfully bowed down: "Thank you for your teaching, sir. Qing Xiangri offended Please forgive me, sir." I was surprised, I didn't expect this person to be so knowledgeable and able to change, so I couldn't help but help him up and said: "The general is such a big gift, I can't bear it. If there is any offense, I ask the general to forgive me." Qin Qing said calmly: "Sir, at first Qin Qing wanted to listen to the teachings of the master, but he was ordered to come here to congratulate, and the banquet will be held soon, so Qing had to go out to congratulate His Royal Highness King Yong, if there is a chance in the future, please give me your advice ." I couldn't help but feel happy that he unexpectedly turned hostility into jade silk, so I sent him out of the cold garden with my own hands.After seeing him go far away, he suddenly heard someone yelling: "Who trespasses in Hanyuan without restraint."