Funing Hall

In the Palace of Funing, Zhao Cong changed his clothes and took his younger sister out of the palace to watch the lantern.

Outside the palace is the Imperial Street, and to go to the West Street, one must pass through the Imperial Street, but the Imperial Street is forbidden to drive horses and horses, and Zhao Cong has no intention of revealing his identity.Their carriage stopped at the end of Royal Street and waited. They walked to the end and got into the carriage one after another. It was only drawn by two horses, which was not eye-catching.

After Zhao Congfang sat down, the carriage shook again, he raised his head, and Zhao Zongning sat beside him with a smile: "Brother, I will accompany you!"

Zhao Cong smiled at his sister and asked, "Is it cool?"

"It's not cold at all!"

"Yes, you are also like a small stove." Zhao Cong was still willing to laugh in front of his sister.

"Who else is the little stove?"

The speakers were all unintentional, even Zhao Cong. Hearing Zhao Zongning's rhetorical question, Zhao Cong's face turned pale.

Who else……

Zhao Zongning understood immediately, and the inside of the car instantly became cold again.

After a long time, the inside of the car was always silent, but the outside of the car was extremely lively. Under such a contrast, the inside of the car seemed even more desolate.

Zhao Zongning sighed, took his arm, and said softly: "I am an older brother who is willing to come out this year, because I have seen it off."

Zhao Cong did not speak.

Zhao Zongning dared to say these words, and she said again: "Brother, this matter has nothing to do with you. I can never blame you. Xiao Shishi is a good boy. I am also very sad that he is gone. But, brother , the dead are gone, and the living must live well. Even Xiao Shiyi must hope that his brother will be happy every day. Xiao Shiyi has a brother who misses him so much, and he will be able to vote well when he is reincarnated People, you should be happy for him."

Zhao Zongning persuaded him in every possible way, but Zhao Cong lowered his head but gradually lost his mind again.

How would he forget about it, and how would he be happy.

In fact, he knew that Xiao Shiyi was indeed dead, even though he often said, "To live is to see people, and to die is to see corpses."Everyone was afraid that he would be unhappy, never dared to tell the truth in front of him, and was even more worried about him, he knew all this.But he would rather deceive himself than accept the fact that Zhao Shiyi is indeed dead.

His parents died in the sea, taking half his life.

However, Xiao Shiyi also died in the water. He knew that it was his second life, and he also knew that he could not be taken away easily, but most of his mind had followed Xiao Shiyi away.

In the past two lifetimes, he had really cared about these four people, but now only his younger sister is left.

He never dared to imagine the pain, despair, and fear of Xiao Shixi before his death.

He himself died in the sea in his previous life, and he clearly remembered the feeling of every second when the water slowly soaked into his body, and Xiao Shiyi's relic, the belt, was covered in blood.

Just thinking of the blood on that belt made his head ache.He also took a look at the blood at the beginning, and he fainted immediately.

He was never who he appeared to be.

But he must be a good emperor and a good brother.

In my previous life, once I died, it was over.

In this life, with the responsibility of the people and the country, I can't even afford to die.

His palm was cold, Zhao Zongning said for a long time, seeing that he was motionless, he felt abnormal, and immediately stretched out his hand to hold his hand.

Zhao Zongning, like Zhao Shishi, is a small stove.

Zhao Cong's palm quickly warmed up, and the ten fingers were clearly connected to the heart, but the heart failed to warm up.Zhao Cong dragged himself back from that emotion again, raised his head and smiled at her.

He still has a younger sister, and he can continue to act as a good emperor and a good brother.

He said softly, "Don't worry, brother knows."

It was the first time Zhao Zongning heard him say such a thing, and he thought he was really willing to come out, after all five years had passed.Even this year's Lantern Festival, he is willing to come out to watch the lanterns.She couldn't help but stretched out her hand to hold his arm, and even talked about other interesting things with him.

Zhao Cong laughed lightly from time to time when she said it, but he was extraordinarily sober in his heart.

No matter how difficult life is, acting is simple.

Their carriage passed through the crowd and stopped beside Suzaku Gate, and several people got out of the carriage one after another.

Zhao Cong let go of Zhao Zongning's hand, and said with a smile, "Go and play with An Niang and the others."

"I want to be with my brother!" Zhao Zongning acted like a baby.

Zhao Cong smiled and pulled her nose: "Go, look at the street, every little lady is so beautiful, you are dressed so gorgeously today, you should be seen by others. There are also handsome men on the street Many, if you see one you like, my brother will give you a marriage."

Zhao Zongning was not shy at all, and stuck to him for a while and said, after all, he was going deep with Zhao Shuan and the others.

"Your Majesty, where are we going?" Rantao asked in a low voice.

Zhao Cong showed a smile on his face: "Just walk around as you like, don't call me that when you are outside."

"Yes, sir."

Zhao Cong raised his feet and walked forward, passed through Zhuquemen, crossed the West Bridge, and walked towards West Street. I wonder if the glutinous rice ball shop opened by that mother-in-law is still there?

West Street has always been lively, with many shops, all kinds of teahouses, restaurants, steamed stuffed bun shops, incense shops, and so on.Today is the Shangyuan Festival, and there are more people on the West Street. In addition to the shops with front doors, there are many small stalls on the street, selling lanterns, guessing lantern riddles, selling some snacks, fried sandwiches, pan rabbits, and hot steamed buns. There are also those who sell incense powder, rouge, and silk flowers during the Lantern Festival.

The young lady and the gentleman shuttled among the lanterns, and the children held the hands of their parents and lingered in front of the vendors.

Snowflakes were still falling in the sky, but it did not reduce people's joy at all, but added to it.

On West Street, the most famous teahouse is Yuanjia Teahouse.

The first floor of the Yuanjia Tea House is an open room with a dozen tables, where everyone can sit, and because there are so many people, there are some people sharing tables.Upstairs are private rooms, all of which are small independent rooms.The location of the Yuanjia teahouse is very good. In front of the window on the second floor, looking east, you can just see the turret at the Xuande Gate, so this teahouse has been thriving.

The private room on the second floor has already been reserved by some big families, and it is good to sit here drinking tea and see the Xuande Building, since I have no blessing to go to the Xuande Building with the officials.

The Yuanjia teahouse was also very lively at this time, and hawkers from outside came in from time to time to sell lanterns, and the shopkeeper didn't stop them. For a while, the building was full of laughter and laughter.

It was in the midst of the laughter that behind the Yuanjia teahouse, a carriage suddenly stopped in front of the overly quiet and abrupt backyard door.

The driver was a middle-aged man with a white face and beardless height. He jumped out of the car and went to knock on the door.

After a while, a strong man came to open the door. He had a fierce face, but when he saw the face of the person through the light, he immediately laughed: "Mu shopkeeper! Why are you back!" Fierce, suddenly showing a flattering smile, very weird.

Mu Fu didn't care, just smiled.

The big man said again: "I haven't seen shopkeeper Mu for several years! Shopkeeper Mu, come in quickly!" He said as he was about to step back, and when he turned to one side, he saw a carriage parked outside.Don't blame him for being blind, but this carriage is too damn unlucky!

He had never seen anyone's carriage wrapped in a layer of black cloth, and it was Chinese New Year's Eve.

But Mu Fuji said: "You unload the threshold and go."

"Yes yes yes!" The big man was not stupid, he had already seen Mu Fu stepping forward to pull the horse.Shopkeeper Mu is a formidable person, don't look at him always smiling, but he never blinks when he kills, and there are many ways to kill, he is also afraid.Shopkeeper Mu went to be a groom himself, and he didn't know who was sitting in the carriage.

He didn't dare to look any further, he lowered his head and removed the threshold, then stood obediently aside, and after they entered, he installed the threshold again and closed the door.When he straightened up again, he saw that the carriage had stopped in the yard, Mu Fu stepped forward to lift the curtain of the carriage, he couldn't help being excited, he stared at the side to see who was inside.

Today is the Lantern Festival. Although the backyard is deserted, a few lamps are lit.

Under the lamp, first stretched out a slender hand, the strong man swallowed, he hadn't seen the little lady for a long time.Ever since he was assigned an errand, he has been watching people in this backyard.He thought to himself, I don't know which family's young lady it is, and the eyes are shining more and more.

The jade hand opened the curtain, supported the carriage, and then a little lady stepped out of the carriage.

The little lady was very white, her eyes were even blacker, and she was wearing an autumn green cloak, but she couldn't see what she was wearing.With a smile on her face, she looked sweet, and the strong man couldn't help swallowing again.

Before he could finish his swallowing, the little lady turned to the carriage again, stretched her hand in, and said: "Your Majesty, hold the maidservant's hand and get down."

The strong man woke up immediately, hi!It turns out there is a gentleman inside!It turned out to be a female envoy, so there must be nothing to do, such a beautiful envoy, which gentleman would not accept it?

He no longer had crazy dreams, and all his interests disappeared immediately, no matter who was in the carriage!His standing posture immediately relaxed.

When he was indifferent, the "Lang Jun" in the mouth of the female envoy finally came down.

He really came down with the hand of the female envoy, the big man felt disdainful, so he raised his eyes and waited to see the gentleman.

The corners of the big man's eyes were still twitching, one leg was bent, and he was standing against the wall.

When the man stood up straight, withdrew his hand, and glanced back at him.

He couldn't help but immediately stood up straight, with his hands next to his legs, and he lowered his head a long time ago, never daring to raise his head again.

With just one breath, the big man was sweating all over, and the cold wind blew, and his back was cold.

But the gentleman only glanced at him, then looked away, and walked into the house silently.

The female envoy also went in with him earlier, Mu Fu turned his head and looked at the big man with a half-smile, and the big man almost collapsed.That gentleman's eyes just now are too frightening, there are whites in his eyes, but it looks like there are no whites in his eyes!In the middle of the night, it is really scary to watch!No wonder even the carriage is black, all dressed in black, even the eyes are black!He looks like he is still young, but he is taller than Shopkeeper Mu, not to mention his aura.

Can he not be scared? !

Mu Fu said: "That's Lord Sanlang."

"Yes yes yes!!" The big man nodded quickly.

"Go and bring that man, Lord Sanlang wants to see him."

"Yes yes yes!!" The big man didn't know anything else except Ying Yes, he turned around and went to another room to get someone.

Only then did Mu Fu lift his foot to go in.

Yan Mo was carrying a pot of tea, and complained: "It's a tea house anyway, there are quite a few tea pots, and I can't find any good tea!" Mu Fu came in and said again, "Uncle Mu, look, what kind of tea are these!"

Mu Fu smiled: "The tea here is not as good as that in Jiangnan, the good ones will be kept in the palace first." After he laughed, he said to the person in the first place, "Mr. back."

Zhao Shiyu, who was in deep thought, came back to his senses, and said indifferently: "I grew up in Kaifeng Mansion, so I can't get used to these things." He took the teacup handed by Yan Mo, took a sip, "Bring me here." This is the serious matter, if not for this, he would not come back.

"Li Da has gone to pick someone up!"

Zhao Shiqi nodded.

Yan Mo said again: "Really don't come back after a night's rest? How can you be so rushed, today is Langjun's birthday anyway, the servant girl should serve him a bowl of noodles..."

As she was talking, General Li brought someone in. He was also holding a tall man in his hand.After entering, he threw the man to the ground, knelt down politely and said, "Mr. Sanlang, the little one brought him here!"

Zhao Shiqi nodded, Mu Fu said: "You go down first." After finishing speaking, he threw a bag of silver to Li Day, "Sanlang Lord rewards you."

Li Da quickly took it in his hand, knelt down and thanked him again and again, then got up and turned around to run.

Mu Fu stepped forward and pulled the cloth stuffed in the mouth of the big man on the ground, but he was still fainted, and he didn't know whether he was really fainted or pretended to be fainted.

Zhao Shiqi stepped forward with a teacup in his hand, raised his foot and stepped on him, turned his hand over, and poured the whole cup of tea on the man's face.The tea was hot after all, and the man was so hot that he immediately opened his eyes and cried out in pain, but Zhao Shiqi stepped on half of his mouth again.

He stared at Zhao Shiqi above his head in panic.

Zhao Shiqi was no longer silent, but put on a smiling face: "Master Zhou, do you still recognize me?"

Zhou Da is in charge, but he would rather he not laugh!He was so scared that he immediately said: "Mr. Sanlang! The little one doesn't know anything! Just let the little one go!"

"I haven't said anything, and you say you don't know, so do you know or don't know?"

The eldest Zhou immediately cried bitterly: "The little one really doesn't know anything!"

"You don't know, but I do know something. I'll tell you, okay?" After finishing speaking, Zhao Shiqi smiled again, and the smile became brighter and brighter.

Zhao Shiqi was born in the cold, but at the age of 16, he looks like purple golden flowers blooming on the branches in summer. Just looking at his face, he is more beautiful than summer flowers, but he always has a cold face, and he looks like himself To be buried in blackness.Unexpectedly, with such a smile, it was like the rumored flower of the other side.It is both beautiful and dreadful, let alone approaching.

Master Zhou has been tortured for half a month, seeing Zhao Shiqi smiling like this, thinking that everyone said that Mr. Sanlang is going to kill someone when he smiles, the more beautiful the smile, the more vicious the killing will be.He cried until his tears fell, and he could only keep saying in fear: "The little one doesn't know anything! Mr. Sanlang, you have to be careful! The little one doesn't know anything!"

"Why should Master Zhou be like this? Let's just talk about things. I'm not a man-eating ghost, so why do you hide me in Kaifeng Mansion? In order to see you, I have to sit on a boat for several days. It's hard work. Now I'm just a little confused, and I want to ask you, since we meet again today, you should also explain my doubts. It is said that Mr. Yang Yuanyang's uncle bought a five-year-old mansion in Suzhou. Do you know? A few days ago, more than a dozen salt households escaped from the Yancheng Supervisor. Does the head know about this? And..."

The head of the Zhou family cried and interrupted Zhao Shiqi: "Mr. Sanlang, please spare the little one, the little one really doesn't know!"

Zhao Shiqi smiled again, and said to Yan Mo with a smile: "Bring me the teapot. After all, I am young, and I have no official position, let alone errands. I am not as good as Mr. Yang. The head of the Zhou family looks down on me and is unwilling to tell me the truth." Woolen cloth."

Yin Mo responded with a smile, and handed him the copper pot.

Zhao Shiqi held the copper pot in his hand, and said softly: "Look carefully, the head of the family, this is boiled from the snow on the plum petals. A girl who is only ten years old next to me goes to the garden every morning to pick it herself. I came from Hangzhou. Bring it, would you like to taste it?"

Before the leader could react, Zhao Shiqi tilted his hand and poured hot water on his face.

The copper pot was kept warm on the stove, and the water was extremely hot. In an instant, countless blisters appeared on Zhou Dadao's face. He wanted to howl in pain, but Zhao Shiqi stepped on his mouth, so he couldn't make a sound.Zhao Shiqi poured water calmly, until the head of Zhou's house was so painful that he grabbed his shoes with his hands and silently begged for mercy, then he poured the copper pot into the ink again.

He suppressed his smile, retracted his feet, and said in a deep voice, "Say."

Master Zhou twitched, but he didn't dare to touch his face, he just panted and said, "I bought the house for Yang Yuan's uncle, and his uncle's name was written on the house deed. I will change it back next year. I did this, and I also gave the money. He said that the salt system will change this year, and the government will issue salt bills, so he can buy it for me earlier, and then he will share [-]% of the money.”

"He's just a salt tax collector, what's his skill?"

"The younger one also said the same thing, but he said that he was acquainted with Mr. Lin, the transfer envoy. When Mr. Lin's husband celebrated his birthday, Mr. Yang took me with him. Mr. Lin talked and laughed happily with him. The younger one... Mr. Lin Over there, the younger one gave double the amount of money, and Yang Yuan sent it on my behalf. Out of the [-]%, [-]% belonged to Mr. Lin."

"What about the Yancheng Supervisor?" Zhao Shiqi asked again.

Master Zhou was reluctant to say anything at first, but when Zhao Shiqi lifted his chin, Mu Fu stepped forward and stepped on his face.

The blister was crushed in an instant, he cried bitterly again, moaned and wiped out, and even told where the account book of the money sent out was, and after he finished speaking, he begged: "Mr. In the future, the little one will definitely change his past mistakes and do a good job for the lord, begging the lord to let me go."

Zhao Shiqi laughed again: "When did I lack cattle and horses?" Then, he walked up to Zhou Dazhang, looked down at him, and asked him softly, "Do you know what kind of person I hate the most?"

He remained silent for a while.

"I hate unfaithful people the most."

"Lang Jun..."

"You used to be a low-class salt family, and you were forced to go up the mountain to become a bandit. I gave you money, gave you manpower, and helped you build a village. Once you turn around, you can bribe the officials in the court. How dare you do it the other way around? , Colluding with the officials, withholding capital, and then bullying other salt households. This alone is enough to kill you a hundred times!"

"Lang Jun, the little one knows his mistake, the little one really knows his mistake! The little one won't dare again!"

"Not to mention, you actually used the money withheld to bribe officials!" Zhao Shiqi stretched out his hand, and Yin Mo handed him a sharp short knife, "You are the first person my lord uses, but you are also the first The one who betrayed me still betrayed me because of such a thing. Today, I will personally teach you what 'loyalty' is!"

The head of the Zhou family has not yet understood what he is going to do.

Until Zhao Shiqi carved words on his face with the tip of a knife, he was in so much pain that he wanted to die immediately, but his mouth was already covered by a cloth scarf again, and his body was also tightly imprisoned by Mu Fu.

Zhao Shiqi carved the character "loyalty" on his right cheek and the character "cheng" on his left cheek.

After the engraving, he threw away the knife, got up, and said coldly: "Take him back to Hangzhou, kill him, hang his body at the gate of the stockade to dry, let everyone take a good look at it, let them know what loyalty is, and let everyone know what loyalty is." They know the fate of betraying me, let them know the fate of killing the same kind!"

"Yes!" After Mu Fu said that, he dragged Zhou Dadao, who had fainted from the pain, out.

When engraving just now, a lot of blood was shed, and after the door was opened again, the bloody smell dissipated a little.

Yin Mo frowned and said: "My servant fetches some water, San Lang, wash your hands."

Zhao Shiqi was noncommittal, sat back in the first seat, and continued to remain silent.

Yan Mo quickly brought a copper basin and waited for him to wash his hands, but he still didn't give up: "It's very interesting in the city today, sir, come back tomorrow? You are always like this, the lady has said many times, you always have to go out Look at something interesting, you're only sixteen!"

If Zhou Li hadn't caused too much trouble this time, if he didn't stop, they might be exposed, Zhao Shiqi really didn't want to go back to Kaifeng Mansion.

Since he had already left and "dead", Zhao Shiyi was really dead.

As Zhao Shiqi, he should not return to Kaifeng Mansion.

In essence, he still fears and rejects this place.

But when Yan Mo persuaded him like this, he also faintly wanted to go out for a walk, even though he knew he would never meet that person, he still wanted to take another look.It was precisely because he would never meet that person that he dared to take another look.

After all, if I leave this time, I don't know when I will come back.

And he also had doubts, before he left, he clearly told Jixiang to send a letter to him every ten days, but in the past five years, there has never been any news!

He thought for a while, nodded in response, and he also wanted to figure this out.

Yan Mo was happy: "The servant girl will go clean up and go out with you!"

Zhao Shiqi called her to stop: "Ask someone to get the account book back."

"Don't worry, Mr. Lang!" Yan Mo smiled and went out to prepare.

Zhao Shiqi lowered his head and smiled self-deprecatingly, and took out the end of the knife from his sleeve to look at it. The red and sapphire inlaid on the handle was still as dazzling.