Ci Jinzhi

 Dai Ze’s request was unexpected by Xin You, but when he thought about it, it was something he would do.

This young man she had interacted with many times had the domineering cruelty of a playboy, but also the purity of his own personal qualities.

There are indeed ten volumes of "Journey to the West". In order to make things difficult for her, King Qing asked for the unpublished manuscripts of the last eight volumes. These eight volumes were returned to her by Dai Ze.

While the boy was waiting silently, Xin You nodded slightly: "Okay."

She started from the story in the third volume briefly and told it all the way to the ending: "...in the end they went through ninety-nine and eighty-one difficulties to see Tathagata Buddha and became the true gods. The golden hoop on Sun Wukong's head also fell off."

“The golden hoop has fallen off, it’s so good…” Dai Ze murmured, “This ending is so good…”

Xinyou listened silently, feeling uncomfortable.

 Jin Linwei came in and reminded: "It's time to hit the road."

Dai Ze glanced at Jin Linwei, then looked at Xin You: "Miss Kou, I'm leaving then."

Xin You looked at him with a magnanimous look: "Master Dai, have a safe journey."

 She has no guilt towards Dai Ze. The end that Guchangbo Mansion ended up with is just the result of today and the cause of the past.

The jailer came over and opened the cell door. Two Jinlin guards put the shackles on Dai Ze and took him out.

Dai Ze was an important figure among this group of exiles. The person who escorted him to the exile was not an ordinary yamen officer, but a Jinlin guard.

Dai Ze walked forward, looked back from a distance, and disappeared around the corner.

Xinyou walked out and saw He Qingxiao standing under the tree.

The two had not seen each other for some time. Their eyes met for a few moments before He Qingxiao strode over.

 “Has Miss Kou recovered?”

“Almost good.” Xin You took a careful look at He Qingxiao.

 He is thinner than before leaving Beijing.

 In He Qingxiao's eyes, she lost more weight than before.

“I heard that Miss Kou returned to live in Shaoqing’s Mansion.” He Qingxiao said as she walked in one direction.

 After he returned to Beijing, he was unable to meet Miss Kou due to his identity and case, but he paid attention to her movements.

Xin You lifted up her skirt and followed, "Well, I'm going back to Shaoqing's residence."

 There is a pavilion in front, which is transparent on all sides, which is perfect for talking.

The two of them walked into the pavilion and sat opposite each other. A Jinlin guard brought tea and then walked away.

Xiao Lengshi was dismissed from office by the court staff, which intimidated many people in Beizhen Fusi who were dissatisfied with He Qingxiao. Now that He Qingxiao has more control over Beizhen Fusi, he is not worried that the news of their meeting here will spread.

 The breeze blew into the pavilion, blowing up their clothes.

He Qingxiao replaced the wine with tea and raised the cup: "I'm sorry, Miss Kou was injured."

Xin You smiled: "Master He, you don't have to be like this. This has nothing to do with you."

"Although Miss Kou feels that I have nothing to do with it, I can't think so. Xiao Lengshi has always been dissatisfied with my sudden takeover of Beizhen Fusi. He tortured Miss Kou because he was eager to make meritorious service and wanted to take this position. I -" looked at the girl With quiet eyes, He Qingxiao suddenly couldn't speak anymore.

His discomfort, self-blame, and heartache were ultimately due to him not controlling his heart and having emotions he shouldn't have.

 Beyond feelings for friends.

This unfamiliar emotion, which he had never intended to experience, made him at a loss what to do.

"If Mr. He feels sorry, please treat me to dinner another day. I want to eat that kind of crispy duck with sweet sauce. Is it available in the capital?" Xin You didn't want He Qingxiao to feel guilty, so she asked him with a smile.

Mr. He, who didn't have much spare money to go to a big restaurant, was asked.

After being embarrassed for a moment, he pretended to be calm: "The crispy duck made by Aunt Gui is more delicious than the ones outside. I will let Aunt Gui cook it later and ask Miss Kou to taste it." "Okay."

He Qingxiao looked at the calm and gentle girl and asked, "Does Miss Kou have any plans to return to Shaoqing's residence?"

Xinyou lowered his eyes and his gaze fell on the cup.

The green tea leaves floated and stretched in the water, some buds and leaves met, and some buds and leaves separated.

The Guchangbo Mansion suddenly collapsed, Concubine Shu was sentenced to death, and King Qing was demoted to a commoner and imprisoned. Regarding this result, her heart, which had never stopped hurting since her mother was killed, finally gained some peace.

If her mother cannot come back, it will be meaningless to her how that person arranges her mother's funeral arrangements.

Perhaps she can also choose to leave the capital?

"I'm just tired and want to take a rest." Xin You replied after feeling shaken.

Seeing that Xin You was hiding something, He Qingxiao did not pursue the question. Instead, after a slight hesitation, he chose to tell her the information he had: "Zhou Tong's daughter Zhou Ningyue, Zhou Tong's sister Ji Zhou, and her daughter Ji Cailan were implicated by Zhou Tong. Official slave..."

Xin You’s face changed slightly.

These days, her thoughts were entirely focused on how that person would deal with Concubine Shu, mother and son, and the Guchangbo Mansion. She did not expect that Zhou Ningyue, who had become an orphan, would be implicated.

Zhou Ningyue is a filial piety person. They haven't seen each other much in the past six months. They do see each other from time to time with Ji Cailan, and they will hear about Zhou Ningyue's recent situation from Ji Cailan.

 “How are they now?”

“The official mission was sudden, and they were taken away before they could do anything. Now they are being kept together with the female relatives of various families who have become official slaves, waiting for further arrangements.”

Xin You breathed a sigh of relief first.

Female family members of officials were turned into official slaves because of men's crimes. Many of them could not accept it and chose to commit suicide. I heard Master He said there is room for change in this matter, as long as the person is still there.

As expected, He Qingxiao said: "Their guilt is not serious. Although they cannot be restored to good status, they can be adopted as domestic slaves after some arrangements..."

Although domestic slaves are still slaves and maids, they are much better than going to the Jiaofangsi and other places.

Xin You did not hesitate and curtsied to He Qingxiao: "I would also like to ask Mr. He to help me make arrangements to buy them as domestic slaves."

He Qingxiao agreed and stood up to see her off: "Miss Kou has lost a lot of weight. It's time to take a good rest."

 After sending Xin You out, He Qingxiao went back to the Changle Marquis Mansion first.

“Why is Mr. Hou back at this time?” Aunt Gui was a little surprised when she saw He Qingxiao.

Since returning to Beijing, Mr. Hou has been very busy. It will be better until the case is settled, but this is the first time he has come back early in the morning.

He Qingxiao glanced at Aunt Gui: "Is Aunt Gui crying?"

Aunt Gui was hiding it well at first, but when He Qingxiao asked this question, tears burst into her eyes.

Now everyone in the capital knows that the empress, who has been missing for many years, was killed by Gu Changbo, and Aunt Gui naturally knows about it.

 The Queen is dead, her sister is dead, and those who had a deep friendship with her are all dead.

Just thinking about these makes me feel heartbroken.

 “In my slave’s heart, the Queen is a fairy-like figure, how could it be so—”

 “My condolences to Aunt Gui.” He Qingxiao comforted her warmly.

Aunt Gui wiped her tears and smiled at He Qingxiao: "Look at me, why are you talking to the Marquis about this? Is there anything going on when the Marquis comes back?"

At this time, it would be better to let Aunt Gui have something to do. He Qingxiao asked: "Can Aunt Gui make crispy duck?"

"Crispy duck?" Aunt Gui unexpectedly asked He Qingxiao, "I don't know how to do this."