Emperor Que Shaohua

Ji Tinghui was temporarily imprisoned in Prince Jing's Mansion on August 20th. In the next ten or twenty days, he was not executed immediately by his former fellow sect full of hatred as he feared at first, but he also suffered a lot.

Emperor Tianyi had issued an edict at the beginning, if it was confirmed that he was Yue Gan, before handing it over to the Huashan faction, he would be punished for the crime of deceiving the emperor with forty sticks.Later, the situation was urgent, and he was brought out before he had time to perform his duties in prison.But this living crime is unavoidable. When Qin Shuang handled it, he thought that many twists and turns were caused by this person, and King Jing became ill because of it, so he couldn't help being annoyed.So the forty canes were carried out separately, ten blows each time, not to hurt the muscles and bones, but mainly to injure the flesh, so as to prevent Feng Jingyi and his party from being unable to walk when they were about to set off.After the beating, apply medicine to heal the wound, and then give ten more beatings three days later, and so on.

Although Ji Tinghui has martial arts, he has never practiced the iron cloth shirt covered with gold bells.Every time the wound that had just begun to scab was hit with a stick, the skin was torn apart, it was unspeakably miserable.

Being identified by Feng Jingyi, he was mostly discouraged, and when he was sent to Prince Jing's Mansion, he felt that there was no reason for it.Precisely because he had been personally trained and taught by the Yin Envoy, he understood Wei Wuze's disposition and his hatred and fear of Luo Yanhua better than others.I have been in the hands of Sect Master Langhuan for many days, I am afraid that I have already been regarded as a dead person or a traitor.And when he thought of the Kunlun Mansion's methods of dealing with the traitors, he shuddered. In comparison, it would be better to be bullied and exterminated by the Huashan faction, at least he would die happily.

It's not that he never thought about committing suicide, it's better than being frightened and suffering piecemeal, but the more desperate he is, the more unwilling and the desire to survive rises in his heart, which is so strong that even he is surprised.It seems that since he experienced the panic of being almost put on the execution ground in the sky prison, it is difficult for him to get rid of this state of fear of death.

The pain in his flesh pierced his heart and lungs, but it reminded him that he was still alive, and that he had never wanted to continue to live in this world.

After four meals of killing power in ten days, he couldn't get off the ground for a while, and he was ignored for five or six days, but the wound medicine was available, the food was better than in the prison, and there was still a bed.Ji Tinghui lay on his stomach thinking wildly every day: now there is no hope of escape, Huashan School and Kunlun Mansion are absolutely hard to please, but he should still be of use to Luo Yanhua's side, no matter how hopeless, what if he can get a glimmer of life?

While Ji Tinghui was recovering from his injuries, he was waiting to be interrogated. If Langhuan knew his position in the Kunlun Mansion, he should have come to press for information.He made up his mind that if King Jing sent his subordinates to interrogate him, he would not speak up anyway. Only when Luo Yanhua interrogated himself would he be able to exchange terms and win the greatest benefit for himself.

However, after a few more days, he was able to walk around a little, but he was still not cared about by anyone. On the contrary, judging from the words and demeanor of the food delivery guards, in a few days, the Huashan disciples would leave and set off, escorting him on the road.Ji Tinghui gradually lost his composure. He wanted to test the guards with words, and hinted that he had something to talk to His Royal Highness Jing Wang. Panic, it is like a year.

Therefore, when King Jing finally sent someone to take him for interrogation, Ji Tinghui was already worrying about gains and losses, and the process was much smoother than Luo Pingyuan expected.

Naturally, King Jing would not see him in Lancang Residence, so Ji Tinghui was taken into an empty room with bleak walls, with a table and a chair in the first place, and a side seat next to it.He stood inside for more than an hour, only to feel that his legs were sore, his heart was disturbed, and it became more and more difficult to maintain his composure.

Just at the moment of panic, when the door opened, two hidden guards with stern expressions walked in, standing on the left and right respectively, and the person who followed in came in light yellow brocade clothes, with a pure Jun hanging on his waist, who was the recent enemy of the Kunlun Mansion, King Ning Luoping deep.Ji Tinghui's heart trembled, there was a faint aura about the fifth prince, and the sense of oppression was even stronger than the first time he saw it in Qingliang Palace half a year ago.

King Ning's expression was indifferent, he didn't look at him, and he didn't sit down immediately when he walked to the side seat, but turned his gaze to the entrance.Ji Tinghui couldn't help turning his head slightly, and saw Jing Wang Qingyi slowly entering the hall accompanied by Qin Shuang.

Ji Tinghui didn't know why he knelt down, whether it was because the acupoints between his legs were numb, or his feet were a little weak in front of this formation.It was the first time he had seen Luo Yanhua, but after just one glance, he knew that the person in front of him must be the suzerain of Langhuan.

King Jing sat down on the main seat. Qin Shuang took out a crystal hourglass from his sleeve, turned it upside down and placed it on the table. A thin stream of sand immediately poured down from the upper layer to the transparent bottom like a trickle of water, and soon accumulated a small hourglass. sand pile.

"Ji Fuwei, I have a few questions for you today. I will give you some time." Jing Wang said lightly, "If the time is up and I still haven't heard any interesting answers, you will be escorted back to your room." In the middle, there is no longer any chance, can you understand?"

Ji Tinghui was stunned for a moment, he didn't expect such an interrogation method, the falsehood and bargaining prepared in advance seemed to be useless.What shocked him even more was that the other party called out his secret name as soon as he opened his mouth.This was secretly set up by Wei Wuze for several cronies, even in the Kunlun Mansion it was kept secret, how did Luo Yanhua know about it?

He swallowed a mouthful of saliva, wanting to ask what benefits he could get from confessing, but when he raised his eyes, he saw that the hourglass was still flowing non-stop.At this time, Qin Shuang asked: "Ji Wuya and Wen Tianxiao of the Nine Protectors of the Kunlun Mansion, where are they now and what are they doing? To be honest, don't play tricks."

Luo Pingyuan's heart was shocked when he heard that, recently when he visited the Kunlun Mansion with his brother, Jing Wang told him that nine years ago, Xiao Suyu, the right envoy of Langhuan, rushed back to Luo City from Beiliao, and was attacked by Wei Wuze with drugs. First, she was attacked and killed by Ji Wuya and Wen Tianxiao. The empress committed suicide in grief and indignation, and one of the reasons was that she was terribly hurt after hearing the bad news.These two people fought against Lang Huan several times later, they were seriously injured and escaped four years ago, and their whereabouts are unknown. Now the first question for King Jing is their whereabouts.

Ji Tinghui replied: "I don't know much about it. I heard that Hufa Ji was in Zhaolin, capital of Liao Dynasty in recent years. He was recruited into the palace last year and won the trust of the Lord of Liao. After Hufa Wen was seriously injured that year, his skills have not improved I have to recover, so I stay in Kunlun Jade Cauldron Peak to practice temporarily."

Before he finished speaking, Qin Shuang said coldly: "It is true that Ji Wuya entered the palace in Zhaolin. Wen Tianxiao was already in charge of the business road in Hejian Mansion two years ago, and contacted Hu merchants to buy horses for the prince. Isn’t it? Do you think that anyone you meet can talk nonsense and have two sides? Send me a finger first, and if there is another half lie, I will immediately cut off both of your thumbs.”

Ji Tinghui's face turned pale. He really had the idea of ​​leaving room for himself, and wanted to test it out, and deliberately only revealed half of it. At this moment, he couldn't help but his knees were weak, and he kowtowed: "The villain just made a mistake, I dare not hide it. If you talk nonsense, the two Highnesses forgive you."

"Where is Wei Wuze hiding, and how do you contact him?" Qin Shuang stared into his eyes and asked in a deep voice.

"My...the villain only heard that he is in the south of the Yangtze River, but he doesn't know where he is now." Ji Tinghui's forehead was covered with cold sweat. The secret code was also changed." He hesitated for a while, but finally dared not hide it, and said with determination: "If the villain used to have something to report directly, he would write a letter with the secret code and send it to a famous place by the Qinhuai River. The brothel named Yuling was given to a girl named Huo Yan. But the villain has been in prison for half a year, maybe Wei Yinshi has already..."

Although it was expected, Luo Pingyuan was still slightly disappointed, Wei Wuze had probably withdrawn this dark line.However, it is a clue after all.It is easier to find a woman than to find Wei Wuze himself.

"Have you ever seen a girl named Qingluan next to Wei Wuze?" Qin Shuang asked again.

King Ning looked at Ji Tinghui, and saw that he was confused at first, then seemed to think of something, and said hastily: "Wei Yinshi did not announce that he married a wife, but those who are close to him vaguely know that there is someone around him." This woman is always with her wherever she goes, but she doesn’t have a name and is not seen by anyone. When I returned to my mission five years ago, I saw her at the Wei Yin envoy, which was extremely rare.” He is the best at Judging by appearance and color, now I have decided to gamble one time, so I will tell you everything, lest it is not detailed enough.

Five years ago, it should be when Ji Tinghui stole the sword manual from Mount Hua and returned to Kunlun Mansion.Listening to his narration, Luo Pingyuan felt that Qingluan seemed to be relatively safe at that time, and with the news from Brother Huang a month ago, she must be doing well.That's the only way he could comfort himself.

Time passed quickly, and Qin Shuang's next question pointed to both the interior of the Kunlun Mansion and Wei Wuze's Jiangnan forces.When there was still a thin layer left on the upper part of the hourglass, King Jing slightly raised his hand, signaled to stop, and said indifferently, "Ji Fuwei certainly knows a lot, but he dodges every time he reaches a critical point. The one I gave you Time is running out, there is one more question, I hope you cherish it."

His voice was not very loud, and it came to his ears, as if there was still a trace of pure and distant tiredness in the silence. Ji Tinghui knelt on the ground, his heart was sinking.Luo Yanhua didn't clearly threaten what, but he just felt great pressure, not limited to the fear of death itself.Although he was determined to confess, after all, Wei Wuze had been intimidating for many years, and he would involuntarily want to avoid it whenever it touched the core.But at this moment, he suddenly had an intuition that he was at the critical point of life and death, and the chance of survival depended on the other party's change of mind.If Luo Yanhua was willing to move his fingers, he might really be able to survive.

"Sovereign, may I ask, but I know the villain, so I will try my best to answer." He tried his best not to shake his voice, and said in a low voice.

"In addition to you, Wei Wuze still appointed two Fuwei. You were sent to Luocheng, and the other two are hiding in the Jiangnan sect just like you sneaked into the Huashan sect under aliases." Qin Shuang said, followed by word by word. Asked, "Who are these two people now, what are their identities?"

Luo Pingyuan's heart trembled when he heard it, the more he learned the inside story, the more complicated and unfathomable the situation became.For Wei Wuze, this must be a secret among secrets.

Ji Tinghui visibly shivered for a moment, but then he made up his mind, raised his head and said, "Although they are both Fuwei, they each take orders, and their whereabouts are top secret, and they are not allowed to connect with each other. But at the beginning, I kept an eye out and found out in private that the two of them seemed to be, one was mixed with the general helm of Caobang in Taihu Lake, and the other was lurking in Jinling Wanjian Villa."

There was silence, and the hourglass had run out of the last grain.King Jing got up from his seat and said to Ji Tinghui: "Three days later, you will set off with the Huashan disciples. It is a capital crime to deceive the master, destroy the ancestors, and harm the same sect. You have worked so hard to survive, so you naturally know the value of life. Why do you bear the grace of your teacher and kill your teacher and all your brothers? Who of them has ever let you down? Not to mention the friendship and love of Miss Shi Wan. Just because she is sincere to you, you can do whatever you want. Did you use it to hurt her? You deserve everything."

Ji Tinghui's heart suddenly turned cold, but he couldn't reply a word.He has already found out thousands of reasons, and he is even very proud of his ability to plan, his chic, and the last leaf not touching himself.But when Feng Jingyi stood in front of the prison door, looking at him contemptuously and indifferently, he did feel the coming of retribution, just like this moment.His crimes cannot be erased until the price is paid.

Luo Yanhua said: "I asked Jingyi to bring a letter. Head Shi may see that the Kunlun mansion is rampant now, and you are familiar with the situation, and temporarily save your life. What happens in the future depends entirely on yourself. Repent."

"Thank you, Sovereign," Ji Tinghui's ashesy face showed a trace of anger, and with this remark, his life was temporarily saved.But he will definitely be deprived of martial arts, and there are other punishments. Thinking that he will be escorted back to the sect he once betrayed, he lowered his head dejectedly.But when he saw the blue robes passing by, King Jing had already left, and he had an inexplicable thought in his heart that Wei Wuze, the evil envoy that he had always feared from the bottom of his heart, might really not be this person's opponent.

The results of the Wuchen Division Examination are scheduled to be released in early September, which is a big event for the people of Los Angeles every three years, and it also means a series of grand events that will follow.When the morning sun came, it seemed that all eyes were on the outside of the Ministry of Rites, the red wall with glazed tiles where the list of new subjects would be posted, which would be the starting point for four hundred talents to step into the Yuzhou Dynasty Hall.

For many candidates, this day is even more fateful.A few days ago, many people had already stopped tossing and turning during tea and dinner, but when they got together, they took care of their face and showed it, so as not to be laughed at by others.Scholar-bureaucrats should not be happy with things, not sad with themselves, happiness, anger, sorrow and joy should not be shown, and fame and fortune should be regarded as nothing.It's just that after years of hard study and exams, who can achieve such a state in the end.In the early hours of the morning before the release of the rankings, many candidates woke up early. Even if they kept calm, they were still like ants on a hot pot when walking outside.

According to the etiquette system, in addition to posting the list, officials will be dispatched to announce the good news to each new tribute one by one.

It was inconvenient for Zhao Mian and his party to stay in Prince Jing's mansion to wait for the letter, but when they took the exam, they had originally registered with Sun Shushi's house at the Ministry of Rites, so it was obviously not a good place to go.Yang Yue sent someone to take back their luggage for them, and when Chen Yuanfu's illness was almost cured, everyone went to the Ministry of Rites to report their new address and stayed in a time-honored inn.

There were many other candidates living in the inn, so the waiting atmosphere was brewing very intensely.The store has prepared firecrackers and fine wine early, chickens, ducks, pigs and sheep are fully stocked, just waiting for congratulations and celebrations.If there is a new Jinshi in the store this year, it will not only be an honor, but it will also be of great benefit to the business in the next few years.

After a few days, the students who lived with me gradually became familiar with each other, and the exams were released at the time of the exam, and people came to invite them to watch the exams early in the morning.

To the surprise of the students who came to greet them, none of the eight people who had recently stayed in the inn responded, and almost all of them declined politely, saying that they would just wait in the inn.Either staying quietly in their respective rooms, or talking and playing chess in pairs, they seem far calmer than others.When walking away, someone murmured in private: "It doesn't matter if you are talented or famous, they are all people who have failed the rankings several times. Forget it, it is bad luck to follow along."

Zhao Mian heard it through the window and just laughed it off. He was talking with Chen Yuanfu when he said, "He Ling, you and I both passed the exam, but you didn't look at it when it was your turn to release the results. Others must think it's very hypocritical. .”

"Then it's just hypocritical," Chen Yuanfu smiled, stretching his waist. Yesterday Xu Jimo and the other two came to ask if they wanted to see the list, but seeing that he and Zhao Mian were not very enthusiastic, who could choose? I didn't go either.He thought for a while and said: "Fanxi, I really don't like the scene where there are so many people on the list, everyone is sweating, and there are people who are crazy in both the middle and the wrong places. I have passed it twice, and I really don't want to see it again. "

Zhao Mian smiled. When the rankings were released, he had seen people crying out of joy when they won the rankings. He had also seen gray-haired people who still failed in the rankings.An imperial list, divided into worlds of difference, accompanied by various situations in the world, and the world is hot and cold.He also tasted the loneliness of being unknown on the list, but today, he is much more indifferent.

"Then play chess and read books, and just spend the day in peace. No matter what the result is, let's go have a drink in the evening." He said, "Actually, you should have great hopes for this subject. As for me, if I still don't In the middle," Chen Yuanfu dropped a sunspot, and said seriously, "Go to the academy to teach, do you think it's good? I thought about it, if you are destined to be born at a bad time, retreating to teach and educate people is also a way to help the world."

"Heling is willing to come to the academy. Uncle must be very happy. There is absolutely no problem. But let's wait and see." Zhao Mian laughed and gave birth to a son.There was a touch of relief and sadness in his heart. After being killed and sick, Chen Yuanfu seemed to be at peace a lot. Perhaps the few days of recuperation in Prince Jing's Mansion gave him some warmth; .He didn't argue with Mr. Sun Shu, and he didn't even ask more questions, but he should be the same as himself, thinking of the clue.

King Jing and King Ning will not stand idly by, but scientific research is the sphere of influence of civil servants, and it is difficult for even the prince to get involved in it.Zhao Mian looked at his friend on the opposite side who was picking up the chess piece and thinking. He couldn't tell this level, otherwise, if he still refused to take it, Chen Yuanfu would be even more disappointed and uncomfortable.All we can do now is to wait together.

After chatting for a while, I didn't realize that the time had passed. There was a sudden commotion outside, only the sound of firecrackers was heard, and then the storekeeper hurriedly knocked on the door next door, and even the voice could be heard happily: "Young master is inside!" , Congratulations to you, come out quickly to receive the good news, you are in high school!"

Both of them were startled, then Xu Jimo barged in without even knocking: "Fanxi, Heling, let's go to the courtyard to have a look, Zixing has passed the exam."

Chen and Zhao didn't care about continuing to play chess, and walked out of the room together, just in time to see Wang Zixing, who looked like he was in a dream, surrounded by shopkeepers and clerks outside, and a small group of happy messengers in red just entered the courtyard , Reported in unison: "Good news, the master of Huzhou Prefecture, Zixing High School Wuchen Division Examination, the top 290 seven tributes, conferred the honor of Zichen Palace!"

The rest of the companions also hurried over at this time, and stepped forward to congratulate. Seeing that Wang Zixing was in a daze, Zhao Mian quickly took out the silver taels and gave them one by one to Xichai who was waiting to receive the reward, and said with a smile: "Zixing, this experience can be written down." The letter announces the good news to the teacher, his wife and children."

Wang Zixing is 33 years old. He has not returned home for six years after being dropped the second time. He stood there in a daze for a while, and his eyes suddenly turned red: "Fanxi, I..." He couldn't continue for a while, and felt a little embarrassed, so he quickly lowered his head and used Sleeve wiped his eyes.

Compared with the title of the gold list, this reaction can only be regarded as small and normal. After a while of excitement, everyone was about to go back to the room, when suddenly the sound of drums and drums outside the courtyard rushed into the gate, and the leader was a group of happy friends. Loudly said: "Master Luo Xiaoxuan is here?"

Everyone was pleasantly surprised again, Luo Xiaoxuan took a step forward, cupped his hands and said, "It's next."

The five congratulatory messengers said in unison: "Great news, Master Luo of Jiaxing Prefecture taboo Xiaoxuan Senior High School Wuchen Division Examination Top 210 and two tributes, conferred the honor of the top saint of Zichen Palace!"

It shouldn't be a coincidence that the two people passed the exam together. Zhao Mian and Chen Yuanfu looked at each other, and even though they had put it down, they couldn't help feeling a little more nervous at this moment. Could it be that in the current Wuchen Branch, they finally waited for the fairness of each other?

For the eight students who took reference together, several hours in the morning of this day were like being in a dream. The good news from high school came one after another. Among the 33 winners in the second class, only Zhao Mian and Chen Yuanfu have not been heard yet.

The shopkeeper of the inn has gone from being beaming to watching his eyes stare. He never imagined that because of rushing in, he didn’t even get a room for the eight candidates, but he won six; moreover, the six Xinke Gongshi all Ignoring joy, she continued to wait with the other two, and the two who seemed to have missed the match were the leaders of them.

The courtyard was already full of people, and other tribute scholars who passed the exam came to pay a visit. Some of them wanted to be happy when they were frustrated, and they were more interested in watching the lively neighbors. Standing crowded together with firecrackers all over the floor, the noise was extraordinary.The shopkeeper just thought dizzily, last year a beam was replaced in the store, could it be that the wood was wrong, and the sycamore wood was used instead of pine?

After waiting for half an hour, no one came to the door to report.Xu Jimo said: "Could it be that they are afraid that we have given too much money today, and that we will be too embarrassed in the end, so they are embarrassed to come again?" Several people laughed, and Master Sun Shu even sold the article and took in 350 taels of silver. Manager Yang bluntly confiscated them, and ordered him to add another 100 taels of compensation, all of which gave them a few daily expenses, so now they have a lot of money in their hands, and they are also very generous when giving rewards.

Zhao Mian knew that everyone wanted to liven up the atmosphere, so as not to be too tense and embarrassing to wait like this. Even he was sweating from today's scene, and Chen Yuanfu beside him was obviously not much better, sighed He said in a tone: "Everyone, go into the room, don't wait, if there are any, it should have come long ago. Fanxi, you and I haven't finished playing chess just now."

Before the words fell, someone outside the door suddenly shouted: "Come, come!"

The sound of gongs and drums was sounding, and the sound was getting closer and closer. Everyone looked towards the gate. At the same time, they rushed in, saw that the courtyard was full of people, and didn't bother to find the right owner, and reported loudly at the same time:

"Great news, Mr. Chen of Shaoxing Mansion taboos the No. 3 tribute of the Wuchen Division of Yuanfu High School, and confers the face saint of Zichen Palace!"

"Good news, Mr. Zhao of Xiaoxiang Mansion, the No. 2 tribute of the Wuchen Division of Myanmar High School, bestowed the face saint of Zichen Palace!"

The next moment, the sound of firecrackers resounded all around, and there was a din of people around. I don't know how many people rushed in to witness the demeanor of the top three in the test. In the deafening noise, only Zhao Mian and Chen Yuanfu were stunned. It was heard, but it was still too sudden.

It was Xu Jimo's push that made Zhao Mian remember that the silver was kept by his side, and hurried over to give silver rewards to ten smiling officials from the Ministry of Rites.

"Heling," Chen Yuanfu was also pulled by Luo Xiaoxuan, and pointed out, "Look, if there is another Huiyuan today, the store owner will be able to directly ascend to immortality."

Looking intently, Chen Yuanfu saw that the shopkeeper, who had been busy all morning, was holding up a wine jar for serving guests, pouring it directly into his mouth, and couldn't help but smile, gradually gaining a sense of reality.In the past, there were all kinds of setbacks and displacements, but everything in the present will actually happen.

He wandered around, surrounded by laughter and noise, but he did not see the people from Prince Jing's Mansion.The smile hadn't faded away, and his eyes, like Wang Zixing's earlier, were unapologetically wet.