Try to rebel today

The little black cat squatted on the table, with a serious round face and a proud expression, he ruled the world, who else but me!

"puff--"

Zhou Yao couldn't hold back, and laughed again.

"Meow!"

The little black cat was very angry, bowed his body, growled in a small voice, put on a threatening posture, and even patted the table a few times in protest.

Zhou Yao quickly admitted his mistake: "I'm sorry, I was wrong again."

The little black cat stared at him closely, with a vigilant and defensive posture.

Zhou Yao knew that it was bluffing, so he must be scared in his heart, and he didn't dare to move much to scare it again.He thought for a while, stopped looking at the cat, and looked down at the book in his hand.

He saw that the little black cat was somewhat familiar, especially like the cat in Jinhua Court who rescued him once by accident, but it was a little far away, so he couldn't be sure.No one in the First Prince's Mansion keeps cats. This cat must be a foreign cat. Maybe it's too cold outside, so I can't bear the cold, so I hide here to escape the cold...

Seeing that Zhou Yao stopped looking at it, the little black cat relaxed after staring at it for a while, slid around the table and jumped to the ground.

Landing steadily, it looked at Zhou Yao vigilantly, but Zhou Yao didn't seem to notice it, and didn't look at it.It just slipped by the wall and slowly rubbed towards this side.

Get closer and look at Zhou Yao. If Zhou Yao doesn't move, it will continue to move forward, take a few steps forward, and look at Zhou Yao again. Zhou Yao still ignores it, so he will continue to rub slowly.

Little by little, he came to Zhou Yao's side.

The charcoal basin is placed on the footstep beside Zhou Yao's bed. The warmest place is next to Zhou Yao's bed.

Seeing that Zhou Yao ignored him, the little black cat boldly jumped in front of Zhou Yao and squatted in the warmest place.

Zhou Yao was very itchy and wanted to pet the kitten, but he also knew that if he touched it at this time, the kitten would definitely run away.He continued to ignore it and read slowly.

On the table is a small three-legged log table with a tea set on it, brewed tea in the teapot, and a small moisturizing pot outside the teapot for boiling water.There is also a plate of red bean steamed buns, the face is particularly well-made, and the appearance is also exquisite. There are only three babies with big fists.

Zhou Yao poured a glass of water and let it dry slowly.

At first, the kitten was startled by Zhou Yao's action of flipping the book and pouring water, and jumped and ran away. Slowly, it got used to it and stopped running. Zhou Yao's movements were getting bigger, and it even twitched it with its tail in disgust. .

Then, it became even more frightened, and dared to rub it to lick Zhou Yao's boiled water and drink it.

But Little Mantou, it didn't move.

It's impossible not to be hungry at night, only water, not food, this little black cat is also very personable and well-bred.

Zhou Yao broke open the steamed bun and handed it: "You're welcome, eat it."

The little black cat took a few steps back and saw Zhou Yao was smiling all the time, so he slowly came back and stared at the fat little mantou——

Zhou Yao swore that he saw longing in the kitten's eyes, but the kitten still didn't eat it, but just put its front paws on his head in vain, twisted its round head—and pushed it away.

"Don't eat? Are you not hungry?"

The kitten raised its paw and took a picture of Zhou Yao's face, next to his mouth.

Zhou Yao was surprised: "Is this for me to eat?"

"Meow--"

Zhou Yao smiled: "This is for you."

Reach out, the kitten still doesn't want it.

Zhou Yao took the other half of the steamed buns in his hand, gestured towards himself with one hand, and handed it to the kitten at the same time, signaling half of each person: "Is this okay?"

The little black cat examined the steamed bun in Zhou Yao's hand.

"Meow-come on-eat it-meow-"

Zhou Yao imitated the meowing of a kitten, trying to get closer to it.

The kitten tilted its head and looked at Zhou Yao for a while, then suddenly rushed over, "Aww", it threw itself on Zhou Yao's hand, and bit half of the steamed bun fiercely!

"Hey, slow down, I'll break off smaller pieces for you!" Zhou Yao then remembered that the kitten is too small, and the steamed bun is too big for it...

Unexpectedly, the kitten didn’t care at all, before Zhou Yao stretched out his hand, it ran away with the steamed buns in its mouth, and used its small teeth and claws to drop a pile of steamed bun crumbs, and it solved it by itself without anyone’s help up!

Awow gnawing very fast!

Zhou Yao thinks that half a small steamed bun may not be enough to satisfy him.

He broke another steamed bun and shared it with the kitten.

With a teacup of water and two steamed buns, Zhou Yao quickly established a friendship with the little black cat. The little black cat initially agreed to let Zhou Yao stroke its fur, but only twice, not too much.

It seems to be able to count, and when it reaches two times, if it wants to touch it, it will slap it with its paw!

Zhou Yao held the little black cat's pink and tender paw pads, and kissed it on the round head: "See if you can feed—"

The little black cat's tender paws smeared its face, and pushed Zhou Yao away in disgust, refusing to drool!

"Hahahaha-"

There was a tsundere, tantrum-losing, soft and tender little thing nestled in his arms. Any troubles, any incomprehensible situations were all thrown aside. Zhou Yao really relaxed now.

The spirit is no longer tense, the headache is no longer painful, and the drowsiness comes soon.

He didn't even remember when he fell asleep. When he woke up, the little black cat was gone, only a few strands of black fur on the bed, reminding him that everything last night was not a dream.

"Go away..."

Zhou Yao put on his clothes and got out of bed, opened the window, looked at the empty courtyard, and sighed.

I don't know if I will come again tonight.

"Would you like to prepare some dried fish?"

"Well, I forgot to name it..."

After tidying up himself, Zhou Yao went to see the First Prince.

Last night's experience, Xu Feng's matter, and the blueprints, he mostly talked about the eldest prince, Chuan Guoyuxi's speculation, and Feng Jiang's appearance, but he kept it in his heart and didn't say anything.

Chuanguo Yuxi is too sensitive, Feng Jiang is now the fourth prince's person, and his positions are opposite. He and the first prince...haven't had that kind of heart-to-heart relationship yet.

The eldest prince was very satisfied with Zhou Yao's ability to act, and was also surprised: "There is still an underground black market?"

"Yes," Zhou Yao nodded, "Xu Feng said that the news of this auction is very secret, and the participants hold special invitation cards, and those who don't have the invitation cards cannot participate."

The eldest prince squinted his eyes, thoughtful: "It seems that this prince has to find a way to intervene..."

"The missing treasure will be revealed, and it will definitely attract the attention of the surroundings. The emperor has issued an imperial decree. Whoever can get the treasure back, he will sit in meditation. After this, the fourth prince will definitely not stand idly by..." Zhou Yao reminded the eldest prince Seeing that the First Prince wanted to think carefully, he didn't stay any longer and stood up, "If the First Prince needs it, I, Zhou Yao, will be by my side, and I will fully support it."

The eldest prince nodded his head and looked appreciatively: "I really need your help with this matter, but there is no regulation right now. I will invite you to come after I think it over."

"Then I will take my leave first."

"Okay, if you need anything, you can mention it to the following."

……

It is rare for Zhou Yao to be free.

But doing things is still a hindrance.

For example, if he wants to check the past of the robber Tu Qi, it's okay, so he doesn't have to worry about it. If he wants to check the Chuanguo Yuxi, it's not good.

He lives in the First Prince's Mansion, alone, all the assistants, guards, and even the servants who run errands are the First Prince's people, loyal to the First Prince, he has no one of his own.

People who don't have their own, some secret things, can't be investigated.

Including the thief who he had been eyeing before, who was carrying his uncle's belongings.

The thief is still locked in the eldest prince's private prison and is under interrogation. As the eldest prince's counselor, Zhou Yao can take a look at the news for his own benefit, and want to get closer. Asking alone is not very good, it is too sensitive.

With Chongbao, news of the blueprints came out bit by bit. These thieves didn’t make any serious mistakes. The things they stole cannot be tested. If they didn’t kill anyone on that day, they weren’t suspected. .

Zhou Yao thought about it, he had to think of a way, how to get along with the thief alone for a while, and asked the relevant details quickly and ruthlessly.

And Shang Zhongji, how can I get rid of it?

It always feels like this guy knows too much.

Timing, the worst thing about him now is timing!

opportunity……

The cold wind is blowing, and the fragrance of plum is blowing. The year will be over again, and the New Year will be in a blink of an eye.

Chinese New Year... Xiaonian...

Auction is not the time!

There are many people with mixed eyes, you can see many things, and you can also take the opportunity to do many things.If he could think of an idea, he would let the first prince release the thief logically and lead the thief there...

Maybe there is also a situation that can be used, how about subduing the business in one fell swoop?

It's so lively, with so few people, it's hard to find a clue...

That night, the little black cat didn't come.

Zhou Yao had a messy dream all night, and slept very unsteadily. When he woke up, he looked at the plate of dried fish and was stunned for a while.

After a long time, he got up and put the dried fish back away.

……

In the afternoon, Zhou Yao went to Qingxin Tea House.

He has an appointment with Lord Lai Qishulai of Honglu Temple.

Mr. Lai is a good friend of his uncle, he was able to temporarily settle down in the capital of Chu State, and had the opportunity to go in and out of Jinhuating, and it was Mr. Lai's help to deal with it.Ever since he came back from the Jin Hua Ting banquet and moved into the First Prince's Mansion, he has always wanted to see Mr. Lai, but unfortunately, either Mr. Lai was away due to business, or his timing was unlucky, so he has not been able to see him.

He has a lot of things he wants to ask Mr. Lai, especially about uncle...

Zhou Yao arrived at the teahouse two quarters of an hour earlier, and Master Lai arrived a quarter of an hour later.

He is of medium height with a slightly rounded build. He wears a crimson round neck silk satin padded robe and a round cap with a fur edge on his head. He smiles with his hands behind his back. He has a gentle and easy-going demeanor.

Seeing Zhou Yao, his eyes narrowed even more, and he waved his thick palm: "I'm late! Xiao Yao, how long have you been waiting?"

"Master Lai is not too late at all," Zhou Yao got up to greet him, smiling slightly, "I was impatient, I wanted to see you a long time ago, I couldn't bear to wait, so my legs and feet moved faster."

"Hahaha——that's still too late for me!"

Lai Qishu walked up to Zhou Yao, looked him up and down carefully: "It is said that my nephew looks like an uncle, but you are not like your uncle...not as good as your uncle, your uncle has such a generous face Big thick lips, ugly and really stylish, you are still so good, moist, elegant, but too thin. Xiaoyao, you can eat more in the future, you have to learn to take care of yourself when you are outside alone."

A face-to-face meeting, a few words, he showed that the distance is not too close, not too far, just like a normal social gathering.

But Zhou Yao saw a trace of sincerity in his eyes.

Lai Qishu seemed to really... care about him?

But obviously this is the second time they met, and they are not familiar with each other. Lai Qishu wants to be familiar with his appearance, and he also avoids calling him home because of some things. Is uncle's affection so great?

If so, his question will definitely be answered!

Zhou Yao immediately became enthusiastic, and invited Lai Qishu to sit down: "I don't look like my mother very much, I only resemble my father by two points, but I heard people say that I look a lot like the late emperor..." The other party called himself Xiaoyao, and Zhou Yao didn't mind getting closer, "Uncle Lai, drink tea."

"Well, this tea is not bad. The soup is clear and smooth, and the taste is sweet. It seems that Xiao Yao understands it very well."

"I just heard that Uncle Lai has such a preference, and I heard that Dr. Tea recommended one, but I don't really understand it myself."

"That's interesting, you can choose it from several kinds, it's good eyesight," Lai Qishu raised his teacup, looked through the light, and commented as he read it, "Look at its color, it looks yellowish, but it is actually yellowish. It is light green, and the light color makes people appreciate it; after the boiling water is boiled, the tea leaves stretch out like dancing, and the tea leaves turn green gracefully, and the cloud-like soft outline of the rising white mist..."

Lai Qishu was holding a teacup and had a good tea scripture.

Zhou Yao is not very proficient in tea. In his previous life, he exhausted his strength just struggling to survive. After a short period of stability, he plunged into the sea of ​​books, and he read mostly classics and history, and did not specialize in any miscellaneous studies. .

He didn't understand most of what Lai Qishu said.

But he could tell that Lai Qishu really understood tea and loved tea.

In his memory, Lord Lai has no intention of political affairs, he is a dawdler, and there are countless things to enjoy at home, but Lord Lai does not advocate the word "precious", and he likes small objects that are inconspicuous and not exquisite in materials. He is willing to study and understand the story, which has a sense of beauty.

Such a temperament, coupled with this slightly round figure, and the gentle smile always on his face, how can people not want to get close?

Needless to say, just for a while, Zhou Yao has a good impression of this uncle's friend.

But how could such a person get involved in the dispute of the eldest prince and the four princes in his previous life, and lose his life?

Zhou Yao couldn't figure it out.

He didn't interrupt Lai Qishu, just smiled and listened to him talk about tea for a long time.

It's not that there's no rush, it's just that you have to know how to respect people.

"It's a bit boring to just listen to me." After Lai Qishu had a long conversation, he looked at Zhou Yao more kindly.

Zhou Yao shook his head: "No way, I have gained some knowledge! If Uncle Lai doesn't feel tired, just teach me a lot. My uncle always said before that I am just too young and know too little."

Lai Qishu smiled: "Okay, what do you want to know, just tell you Uncle Lai, Uncle Lai will teach you, if Uncle Lai can't, find someone who can teach you!"

"Uncle Lai is too polite, I, that's all I want to know now."

"Which one?"

"My uncle is missing—"

Zhou Yao looked at Lai Qishu: "Do you know the clue?"

Lai Qishu raised his eyes sharply, looked at Zhou Yao for a while, and then said: "Your uncle is not missing, but has something to do."

Zhou Yao raised his eyebrows slightly, and flicked his fingertips on the table: "He...hasn't heard from him for a long time."

"No news doesn't mean you're missing. It's freezing cold and communication is difficult. You have to understand this winter routine." Lai Qishu returned to a smile on his face, picked up the teacup leisurely, and slowly sipped the tea.

Zhou Yao observed and thought about Lai Qishu's various performances for a long time, then smiled softly: "Well, my uncle just has something to do, as you said, it's cold and it's hard to communicate, but I miss him very much, can you Tell me where he went and what he did?"

Lai Qishu shook his head: "I don't know."

Zhou Yao: ... "Then when will he come back?"

Lai Qishu still shook his head, taking it for granted: "He didn't tell me."

With such a simple and rude answer, I couldn't even make it up. Zhou Yao couldn't help wondering whether Lai Qishu really didn't know, or did he know something, and he just didn't want to tell him?

He was a little anxious, thinking this way, and asked directly like this.

Lai Qishu didn't shake his head or nod this time.

He directly reached out and took off the jade buckle decorated on the hat: "Xiao Yao, look at my earthen pottery, how is its condition?"

The topic changed a bit suddenly, but Zhou Yao had no choice but to pick it up. Moreover, Lai Qishu said that the thing was earthenware, which was enough to distract him.

The jade buckle is a hat accessory, a small piece, round and round, bright emerald color, clear water color, very exquisite workmanship, he always thought it was jade, but it was earthen pottery?

Lai Qishu handed a small piece to Zhou Yao.

Zhou Yao held it in his hand, looked at it carefully and played with it a few times, only to find some differences. It is very bright, beautiful, and has its own flavor. It is a beautiful little thing, but it is really not jade.Looking at its exquisiteness, Zhou Yao didn't know how expensive this earthen pottery was, whether it was expensive or cheap compared to jade, but in terms of ornamental value, it was not inferior to jade and gemstones.

"Don't look down on this small piece of clay pottery. It must be made from the high territory of Chuxiong, Jingzhou. From it, a yellowish-gray kind is carefully selected. It is beaten to the size of an egg, pounded into powder, washed, and removed from the pottery. , sedimentation, kneading with both hands for ten thousand times, drawing the blank, demolding the printed blank, repairing and glazing, and firing in the kiln. Kilns with different seasons and climates, if the temperature and humidity are slightly different, the color of the kiln will change. You The fineness of this piece in my hand may be done thousands of times, decades of hard work, but it may not be finished. Even if there is another day, the shape and texture will be different. This is the only piece in the world.”

"Some people think that it can be fake jade, and they are complacent and show off in the market, but in fact, its value is not lower than that of jade. Jade is also divided into grades, and it is contemptuous to compare this clay pottery with inferior jade. .”

After Zhou Yao listened, he pondered for a while, but didn't understand what he meant: "Uncle Lai means——"

"I mean, these," Lai Qishu pointed at the pottery, and then at the teacup, "I understand, besides, no one else told me, no matter how much you ask, I don't know."

He looked at Zhou Yao with a smile, implying: "You think too much!"

Zhou Yao felt powerless for a while.

Waited for a long time, just waited for this?

He looked at Lai Qishu carefully.

Lai Qishu didn't feel unnatural at all, he buckled the clay, and the old god was drinking tea, without any pressure.

Zhou Yao still felt wrong.

It can't be that simple.

Lai Qishu behaved like a person who is free from power, and is also very smart.It doesn't look like he hates him or rejects him. He should want to know more about it, and more importantly, he wants to take care of his uncle's passport...

If you don't tell him, probably because you feel that you can't tell him in the current situation?

Zhou Yao was a little frustrated. In the eyes of the other party, he should be a person who is not enough to be trusted.

This distrust does not refer to character, but ability.

If a person's ability is not enough, knowing too much is definitely not a good thing.

He sighed: "I've been living a good life recently. In the First Prince's Mansion, everything is going well..."

He wanted to hint to Lai Qishu that he was no longer the weak Zhou Yao before, that he could take care of himself and plan his future.

However, Lai Qishu sipped his tea: "Well, the eldest prince, I know, is quite capable and capable of being a director, but he always likes to argue with the fourth prince... He is still a kid who loves to be lively and needs to grow up."

Zhou Yao choked on the words that came out of his mouth.

In people's eyes, the eldest prince is still a child who needs to grow up. What kind of status can he have if he hangs around the eldest prince?

I can't leave for a while, and if my uncle is really in danger of his life, Lai Qishu will not be like this. Zhou Yao thought about it and decided to wait a few more days. The underground auction in the next year is over. Besides.

At that time, he should show some of his abilities again, let Lai Qishu see that he is more powerful, Xu will say it.

After making up his mind, he continued to ask: "Uncle Lai, there is a staff member in the First Prince's Mansion named Shang, named Shang Zhongji, does my uncle know him?"

Lai Qishu's complexion changed slightly at this time, he glanced at Zhou Yao, and said just now: "I'm not sure."

Zhou Yao then understood that even friends are not together all the time, let alone uncle in Da Zhou and Lai Qishu in Chudi, Lai Qishu probably really doesn't know if uncle knows Shang Zhongji or not.

"Then Uncle Lai, you—" He sculpted his eyebrows and slightly raised his eyes, "Do you know him?"

Lai Qishu: "I know there is such a person, but I'm not familiar with him." As he spoke, he winked at Zhou Yao, "Just now I said that I was doing well in the Prince's Mansion—why, I was bullied, and I can't beat him? Do I help?"

Zhou Yao laughed.

His eyebrows stretched, and he looked at Lai Qishu with a smile, with a meaningful expression on his face.

Such transparency, such natural language logic, where is a person who is free from power and doesn't care about anything?

He did it on purpose, he knew everything!

Maybe even have their own news channels.

No wonder, when I cast myself to the First Prince's Mansion, there was no movement at all from him...

Lai Qishu drank tea calmly, as if he didn't notice Zhou Yao's gaze, and seemed to understand everything, deliberately.

Smart people don't have to repeat and ask too many questions. Zhou Yao stopped asking questions and poured tea for Lai Qishu with his own hands: "I am sensible now, would uncle want to see me grow?"

Receiving Zhou Yao's kindness, Lai Qishu didn't avoid it, but he didn't wait carelessly like a gentleman. Instead, he held the teacup with both hands, and accepted the cup of tea in a respectful gesture.

"Naturally. What the elders want to see most is the growth of the younger generation."

"Then I have something to ask, can Uncle Lai agree?"

"Look what it is, if you want Tutao, I can bear the pain and give you one."

"It's not that expensive, I want a secret house, two or three servants, a month's time, it's all mine - Uncle Lai, can you help me?"