Fate with you

A rare sunny day in autumn.

No matter how warm the autumn sun is, it can't get rid of the frosty and desolate feeling.The golden sunlight slanted down and hit the quaint bricks and tiles, reflecting a kind of heavy and dignified time flies by.

Lin'an is an ancient city. Emperor Yang of the former dynasty thought that the south of the Yangtze River was good, and he insisted on moving his capital here despite the dissuasion of all officials.Having the experience of building a capital has added a bit of grandeur to this extremely beautiful and ancient Jiangnan county.

Mu Sheng walked out from the main entrance of the official post, and the gray steps of three or five steps lay in front of her eyes.She took two steps, stepped down the steps, and left the shade under the eaves. The warm sunlight immediately enveloped her body, as if to expel the coldness in her heart.

Mu Sheng raised her head slightly, allowing her warm sunlight to pierce her eyes mercilessly, Mu Sheng narrowed her eyes reflexively, the golden sunlight gradually softened, as if there was a familiar silhouette coming from Mu Sheng's eyes across.

That is the jade steps of Jianzhang Palace.

The ninety-nine and eighty-one jade steps in front of Jianzhang Palace have been standing in that gorgeous and solemn palace for more than a hundred years, regardless of the weather.Mu Sheng has walked there countless times.Sometimes, at the end of the jade steps, there will be a familiar figure waiting. Seeing her, that person will smile gently and extend a hand of acceptance to her. Sometimes, the end of the jade steps is empty, only the autumn wind swirls.

No matter what the situation is, it is a warm memory in Mu Sheng's memory.

Her experience is bizarre, the two lives merged into one, the past fades away with the years, and sometimes, Mu Sheng feels that her past is like a grotesque dream, in which there is the most relaxed and caring stability In childhood, there was the cruelest and most unbearable killing of blood relatives, and the most gentle and comforting smile of a lover.

However, with Pei Bo'an's death, the good and bad of her previous life were completely cut off from her. With that order, she left the capital and traveled thousands of miles away. The love and hatred of this life were also buried in the bustling capital behind her. .

Now, she is alone, without any worries.

King Qi's inadvertent words sounded in his ears again——

"Before leaving, His Majesty once privately said to the King, 'Mu Sheng is very wise, if you are undecided, you can ask for advice', His Majesty has said so, and Mr. Bofu refused humbly. What is the point? But it’s okay to say.”

Mu Sheng sighed softly, the scene of the streets and shops in front of her eyes suddenly seemed distant, and her thoughts flew away.She originally thought that His Majesty would never want to see her again after the transfer order, but she never expected that she would be willing to mention her so naturally.

"Your Majesty, do you want to get on the horse?" The loyal servant behind him led the horse.

The thoughts of running away were pulled back in an instant, Mu Sheng quietly erased them from her mind, nodded behind her, took the reins, stepped on the pedals, and got on the horse neatly.

Because it was a long way to go out of the city to meet the king of Qi, Mu Sheng left the sedan chair and rode her own horse.But at today's dinner party, drinking is inevitable, and riding a horse is inappropriate.

Mu Sheng returned home, washed off the dust all over her body, and changed into a lightweight skirt with intricate and gorgeous embroidery patterns, so comfortable yet formal.

After freshening up, and there was still some time before the banquet, Mu Sheng walked into the study, took out a nanmu box from the case, opened it, and inside was a stack of silver notes, totaling 3 taels of silver.She has one thousand stones of Lumi a year, and three hundred guan in banknotes, which is about 180 taels when converted into silver. 180 taels is enough for her to live comfortably for a year.Naturally, her income is not just the royal salary, the Bo family also has some fields and shops, the shops are rented out, and the fields are rented out, so she lives quite well.

But Zhao Cheng, Lin Tan, and Huang Yongji's generosity still opened her eyes. 3 taels is enough for an ordinary family to live comfortably for a lifetime.

Really, I can't believe that they are law-abiding citizens.

Mu Sheng supported his forehead silently, took out a booklet, made an account, then took out some banknotes from the box, called Bo Lin and said, "Go and buy some land, it must be near the sea."

Bo Lin was puzzled and said: "The fields near the sea are soaked by sea water, so it's not easy to grow crops. Your Majesty..."

Mu Sheng frowned: "Go if you are told! I have my own use."

Bo Lin hurriedly responded.

With this delay, the sky gradually darkened.Mu Sheng put on her makeup in front of the mirror, then went out.

At the banquet, people from all government offices in Lin'an County came, and Min Shijie, the patrol salt envoy, came from the Yan Government Yamen.

Min Shijie is a gentleman in his forties, with gentle eyes and a warm smile, like a piece of jade that has been smoothed over the years, round and smooth, making him amiable.He served as the inspector of salt for seven years. He was sent to the south of the Yangtze River because of his familiarity with salt affairs when the first emperor was in power.

Mu Sheng sized him up a few times, and couldn't help being vigilant in secret. The round and gentle temperament of Min Shijie reminded her of a person——Pei Bo'an.

This person is not easy to deal with.If he knows what's interesting, that's all. Otherwise, I'm afraid there will be other troubles.Mu Sheng thought.

Pushing a cup to change a cup, Min Shijie smiled steadily.At the banquet, the purpose of King Qi's trip to the south was slightly mentioned. Min Shijie listened with a smile, and said righteously: "Although the officials are far away from the capital, they are also ministers of His Majesty. They obey His Majesty's edict, but all His majesty's holy wishes are obeyed." .If your Highness has an order, just do what you say, and I will never give up!"

King Qi nodded in satisfaction, and with the help of patrol envoys, things would naturally be much easier.

After the banquet, the Lin'an officials' attitudes were mixed.

The sun was shining during the day, but it started to rain suddenly at night.

The autumn rain is cold, the thin rain hits the face, and the hairs on the arms stand up.

Because of this sudden autumn rain, the dinner ended earlier.

Everyone watched the king of Qi leave, and they got on the sedan chair one after another according to the size of their official positions and walked away.Mu Sheng and Min Shijie were about the same rank, and they went out together.

The sedan chairs of the two families were parked side by side, and the bearer saw his lord coming out, he hurriedly pressed the sedan chair, and raised the curtain of the sedan chair carefully.

"Master Min, take your leave." Mu Sheng cupped his hands and said.

Min Shijie nodded and said, "The road is slippery in rainy days, so please go slowly, Your Majesty."

Mu Sheng smiled and was about to bend into the sedan chair when he suddenly heard Min Shijie talking to himself behind his back: "This rain will fall as soon as it is said, and I don't know when it will stop. We have umbrellas and sedan chairs. We are not afraid, but it is hard for the people." , just suffered a disaster last year."

Mu Sheng paused, and got on the sedan chair calmly.

Min Shijie will not burst into emotion for no reason, there must be deep meaning inside.Mu Sheng sat in the sedan chair and thought about it.The rain, the umbrella sedan chair, and the common people should all have their own references.

Is it implying that someone wants to start with the common people?Mu Sheng meditated.

It's different from her thinking hard.Min Shijie, who said the false and true words, was at ease.

After returning to Min Mansion, the gatekeeper approached and said in a low voice, "My lord, Mr. Zhou has been waiting at home for a long time."

Min Shijie frowned slightly, but in an instant his expression remained normal, and he walked in calmly.

In the hall, there was a man dressed in silk pacing back and forth irritably. When he saw him coming in, he hurriedly stepped forward and made a bow: "Lord Min."

Min Shijie smiled and said, "It's so late at night, why is Xiaocheng here? Come on, sit down and talk." After finishing speaking, he went inside

His demeanor was calm and gentle, very calming Zhou Xiaocheng's restless and frightened mood.

The two sat down as guests of honor, Zhou Xiaocheng said with a sullen face, "Have you met King Qi? How is it? How far will the court go this time?"

Which official in the Yanzheng Yamen didn't have unclean hands?In the past, eating delicious food, drinking hot food, living wantonly and happily, once the court came, everyone would be as frightened as a bird.Min Shijie was contemptuous in his heart, and said gently: "No matter what the court wants to do, you and I will obey King Qi's orders. Is it the king's land in the whole world, and the king's ministers on the shore of the land? Is it possible that you and I can still resist orders?" ?”

Zhou Xiaocheng frowned, timid and flattering: "That being said, what if the King of Qi wants to make an example of others? Not everyone is as transparent as your lord, if there is trouble..."

"When there is trouble, there are county guards, assassins, and those salt merchants. What is Xiaocheng afraid of?" Min Shijie smiled and shook his head, "You and I have been in the south of the Yangtze River for many years. We have devoted ourselves to the court. If there is no credit, there will be hard work, Your Majesty." You are a saint, how can you not sympathize with our sincerity for the country and the people?"

Those around Zhou Xiaocheng didn't listen, they just remembered that even if they want to kill the chicken to make an example to the monkey, it doesn't need him to be that chicken.He swallowed his saliva and said, "My lord..."

Min Shijie waved his hand: "It is the time when the Yanzheng government needs to work together to share the worries of His Majesty, so Xiaocheng must not worry unnecessarily."

Zhou Xiaocheng froze, cupped his hands and said, "Yes, I will obey."

It's getting late, and there will be a curfew if you don't leave.Zhou Xiaocheng was about to leave when he heard a servant report that Lin Tan had arrived.

Why is he here so late?Min Shijie thought of Wanniang, and asked, "He came alone?"

"Yes, not even the servants."

Min Shijie thought about it, and said, "Please come in."

Zhou Xiaocheng understood it, and hurriedly said: "The lower officials will avoid it for now."

Min Shijie glanced at him and nodded slowly.

Lin Tan came quickly, entered from the main entrance, and walked to the front of the hall in three steps at a time.Min Shijie stood up, took two steps towards him and said, "Master Lin."

"How dare you." Lin Tan bowed his head humbly, "I've seen you, sir. I'm really sorry for bothering you late at night."

Min Shijie shook his head with a smile, grabbed Lin Tan's wrist, and said angrily, "You and I are so friendly, what are you doing with such a vain gift? You can come whenever you want. I don't have one next to Min's Mansion. A bowl of tea is always for you." I can afford it." While speaking, he waved his hands outside, and after a while, a servant girl brought tea.

The closer he was as always, the less Lin Tan dared to take it lightly. They had been dating for five years, and Min Shijie had never suffered a disadvantage.He picked up the teacup, swept the tea leaves lightly, and took a sip slowly. The warm tea released heat from the stomach and intestines and spread to the limbs and bones.

"Good tea." Lin Tan praised.

Min Shijie smiled and said, "I'll send Wanniang back to you." Lin Tan was about to speak, but Min Shijie stopped and said, "Don't worry, don't worry, I don't mean anything else. It's just that Wan Niang has served me for three years and has done her best. Now, she is not too young, so I can't keep delaying..."

Every word he said was like a sharp knife cutting Lin Tan's heart.

"I wanted to marry her with someone, and let her live the rest of her life in peace, but when I thought that Wan Niang is yours, how can I make my own decisions? So I sent her back to you."

Lin Tan thought it over and said: "In the early years, I sent Wanniang's body deed to the mansion. She has already belonged to an adult, so it is natural that the adult has the final say."

Min Shijie took a deep look at her, and said, "Where is the word? The body deed is just a piece of light paper, how can it be worth the extraordinary feelings."

Lin Tan quickly thought and calculated in his heart: "My lord loves Wanniang, it is really her blessing."

Min Shijie laughed softly: "Where is it that I love her? She should thank you for buying her from that place of fireworks, so as to save her from falling into pieces."

It made him see it.Lin Tan felt a chill in her heart, but when she thought of the purpose of coming here today, she hurriedly collected her thoughts and said, "That being said, I have been taken care of by adults for the past three years. I will be grateful for your kindness.”

At this point, both of them knew it in their hearts.

Min Shijie said happily: "When I sent Wanniang back, I forgot to ask her to bring back the body deed. Since you are here, you will save me from sending you off again."

Lin Tan felt very uncomfortable, and said with a smile on his face, "Thank you, my lord."

Soon, a maidservant sent a wooden box, obviously prepared for it long ago.

Let the old fox do another trick, but it's about Wanniang, even if she knew it was a trap, Lin Tan had no choice but to step into it.She was ruthless, stood up and said: "It's up to me to thank you for taking care of me over the past few years." After that, she bowed respectfully and bowed.

After she bent her waist to the lowest point, Min Shijie helped her up. He took the wooden box, but did not give it to Lin Tan immediately, and said solemnly: "I give you the body contract, and from now on, it will have nothing to do with me. .”

Lin Tan smiled and took it with both hands: "I understand."

After a quick call, the matter was over.Lin Tan didn't stay any longer and left immediately.She will probably never come in this Min Mansion again.

Zhou Xiaocheng came out from behind the screen, and said thoughtfully on his face: "This Lin Tan, did he not understand what your lord means?"

A trace of disgust flashed across Min Shijie's eyes, and he remained patient: "Of course he understands. He can afford it and let it go. It's no wonder that he has expanded his business to the current scale in just five years." The mother sent it back with the idea of ​​being alone, and then withheld the deed to let Lin Tan himself guarantee that he would not say anything that should not be said in the future. They have been dealing with each other for a day or two. What did he think, Lin Tan? Tan is naturally clear, even if he is clear, he also knows what it means to agree, and for the sake of the body contract, he still bears it.

Seeing Zhou Xiaocheng's shocked face, Min Shijie said indifferently: "It's a pity that a hero is saddened by beauty."

What happened in the autumn rain that night fell into the dust with the fine autumn rain.

Early the next morning, the sky cleared up again, and the already blue sky was as clean as it had been washed, with no clouds in the sky.Cui Yunji was ordered by the King of Qi to send the official documents of the salt government to the Yan government yamen and the prefect's mansion. Mu Sheng immediately had several copies copied and posted at the gate of the city.