Make peace with the Lord of the Prairie

While talking ill of his own daughter-in-law, Ming Heng desperately poohed in his heart.He is guilty, his daughter-in-law is obviously gentle and pleasant, and she trusts him wholeheartedly, so she is not a scheming man.

Emperor Qianyuan didn't know if he believed what he said, but he just mentioned it at the corner of his mouth and didn't say anything else.

Emperor Qianyuan was not in good spirits, and after talking with Mingheng for a while, he asked Mingheng to go back.Mingheng also resigned, but when he turned around and was about to leave, Emperor Qianyuan suddenly stopped him.

"Let's take a look at your prince brother tomorrow."

"Yes." Mingheng was a little surprised why he only emphasized the crown prince and the second emperor brother?But he didn't talk too much, he obediently agreed, and was thinking about whether he could leave now, but he heard Emperor Qianyuan speak again.

"It's not very peaceful in the womb these days. I heard that you brought a guard from Yerou, which is probably not enough. I will send you some people later. Let them protect you during the days you are in the capital." .”

"Thank you, Father."

This time Mingheng left Emperor Qianyuan and did not keep him.

Ming Heng walked out of the dormitory lightly, while Eunuch Yuan Xi still dutifully guarded the door, seeing Ming Heng coming out, he immediately put on a faint smile.

"Your Highness finished talking with His Majesty? But you want to go back to Chonghua Palace?"

"En." Ming Heng nodded.

Yuan Xi hurriedly called a young eunuch and said that he was taking him back to the palace.Ming Heng didn't refuse either, and called Yuan Xi aside for questioning quietly before leaving.

"What orders does Your Highness have?" Yuan Xi treated Ming Heng very respectfully, without showing a trace of impatience.

Mingheng first glanced around before bending down. He asked in a low voice, "Eunuch, is the coffin of the prince's elder brother going into the imperial mausoleum?"

The smile on Yuan Xi's face froze for a moment, and his expression became ugly.He was silent for a long time before shaking his head in embarrassment.

Ming Heng was very puzzled: "It's been more than a month, why hasn't it been buried yet?"

Yuan Xi sighed deeply before replying: "Your Majesty meant it. Your Highness must know that the prince's death was not an accident, but someone did it on purpose. Your Majesty was very angry and ordered a thorough investigation after the prince's accident. The murderer, at the same time, the murderer will not be allowed to bury the prince's coffin every day in order to find out. Your Majesty said that when the time comes, the murderer's head will be used to pay homage to the prince."

Ming Heng was startled, but at the same time wondered: "But if the murderer can't be caught for a long time, won't the prince brother have no rest for a day?"

"Hey, even though that's the case, it's really a pity that the prince is in his prime, and it's really a pity to encounter such bad luck. Your Majesty loves his son very much. But fortunately, the murderer has been caught..." Yuan Xi changed the topic, "Poison the prince." The murderer has been caught, and the prince can finally be buried in peace. His Majesty has ordered that the prince be buried in the imperial mausoleum in three days."

"The murderer has been caught? Who is it?" Ming Heng felt that his mind was starting to become confused. They originally guessed that Emperor Qianyuan, who was a descendant of the divining ghost clan, was the murderer behind the scenes. Why did another murderer come out now?

Yuan Xi showed a embarrassed expression when he said this, and shook his head: "This slave is not clear, I only know that the murderer was thrown into the prison half a month ago, probably because he knew that his death was imminent, and he will be in the prison soon. He committed suicide in fear of crime. His Majesty has already cut off the man's head, and only waited three days to use it to pay homage to the prince and comfort the prince's spirit in heaven."

Yuan Xi didn't say any more when he said this, and made a show of flirting with the little eunuch, and the little eunuch walked up to take Mingheng back.

Ming Heng left with a heavy heart.

Yuan Xi stood at the door of the bedroom, watched Ming Heng leave, then turned around and opened the door behind him, and walked in.

"Your Majesty, His Highness Six has left."

Emperor Qianyuan was still leaning on the dragon bed, holding a booklet in his hand, flipping through it expressionlessly, and asked without raising his head, "Did he ask you for questions?"

"I asked." Yuan Xi repeated to Emperor Qian Yuan verbatim what Ming Heng asked him.

After hearing this, Emperor Qianyuan asked without changing his expression: "Then what did you say?"

"The servant did as His Majesty ordered."

"Well, well done." Emperor Qianyuan nodded with satisfaction, "Also, let Lin Qiong lead a team to Chonghua Palace to protect Mingheng's safety."

"Slave complies with the order." Yuan Xi immediately left the bedroom to go to work.

When Ming Heng returned to Chonghua Palace, Mo Jia had already returned one step ahead of him.Ming Heng pulled him into the bedroom, closed the door and asked quietly: "Have you been to Jinghe Garden?"

Mo Jia nodded: "Da Khan and the others have already gone back, and Zexi will stay in Jinghe Garden tonight."

Only then did Mingheng feel relieved.

Mo Jia said again: "By the way, I met Wu Meng in Jinghe Garden just now, and he brought back a shocking news."

"What news?" Mingheng asked.

"It's about the second prince. Wu Meng will go to the second prince's mansion every night these days to spy." Mo Jia lowered his voice when he said this, with a cold tone that didn't fluctuate, and the second half of the sentence was quite scary .

"I heard that there is only a body in the coffin of the second prince, but no head."

Mingheng was taken aback for a moment, and asked again: "Only what?"

"Only the body." Mo Jia repeated, "The second prince's head is gone."

Ming Heng's expression was terrified, and he recalled what Yuan Xi told him just now - His Majesty will put the murderer's head in front of the prince's tomb on the day of the prince's burial, to comfort his spirit in heaven.

However, the head of the second prince disappeared mysteriously again...

Mingheng's heart was beating rapidly, and his whole body was immersed in great shock.

Is it a coincidence or...

Seeing that Ming Heng didn't respond for a long time, Mo Jia reached out and patted him on the shoulder: "Your Highness?"

Ming Heng was so frightened that his body trembled, and he hurriedly regained his composure.

"Your Highness, what's wrong with you?" Mo Jia asked.

Ming Heng shook his head habitually, but his legs were a little weak, and he fell down on the chair behind him.

Ming Heng's face was pale at the moment, and there was a thin layer of sweat on his forehead, as if he had been frightened.Mo Jia became a little nervous: "Did something happen?"

Ming Heng didn't answer, poured himself a glass of water, and felt calmer after drinking half a glass of cold water, suddenly grabbed Mo Jia's sleeve, and said with a serious expression: "We must go to Jinghe Garden, I have important Tell them about it!"

Mo Jia didn't ask much, nodded, and prepared to sneak out of the palace with Ming Heng.

However, as soon as the two of them left the dormitory, they saw Xiao Fan running in from outside with a pale face, shouting loudly: "Your Highness, it's not good."

Ming Heng frowned and asked, "What happened?"

The little fan ran up to Ming Heng, pointed in the direction of the palace gate, and said out of breath, "Outside the gate, the Imperial Forest Army, Commander Lin led the Imperial Forest Army to guard outside the palace gate, and won't let us go out!"

"What!" Ming Heng was surprised, exchanged a glance with Mo Jia, and walked quickly towards the palace gate.

Outside the door, Lin Qiong, the commander of the Imperial Forest Army, was wearing black armor and carrying a knife, and was commanding dozens of Imperial Forest Army to guard the surrounding area of ​​Chonghua Palace.

Mingheng adjusted his expression, walked over with a smile, and said hello: "Commander Lin."

Lin Qiong stopped commanding, turned around and saluted Ming Heng respectfully, "I have seen His Royal Highness King Hui."

Ming Heng nodded, stood in the middle of the gate, and looked condescendingly at the Imperial Forest Army outside the gate with his hands behind his back, asking: "What are you doing? Why are they all surrounding the gate of my palace?"

"Oh, these are all sent to protect His Highness." Lin Qiong said calmly, "His Majesty learned that His Highness only brought one guard with him when he returned to Beijing this time, so he specially asked the general to bring some people to protect His Highness. Don't worry, Your Highness." , everyone is usually guarding outside the palace, so it will not affect His Highness's rest."

"That's it, then Commander Lin will have to work hard." Ming Heng's smile was not sincere.

"This is where the last general is blaming." Lin Qiong smiled slightly, but this smile made Ming Heng feel a little uncomfortable.

Lin Qiong wanted to continue to arrange his subordinates, Ming Heng stood at the door for a while and then went back, and let the small fan close the palace door by the way.

Mo Jia walked beside him and asked softly, "Surveillance?"

Ming Heng nodded sullenly.Lin Qiong was single-handedly promoted by his father, so he is loyal to his father, and is usually responsible for his father's safety.At that time, the emperor thought it strange that he would send Lin Qiong to protect him, but it turned out that he was monitoring him in the name of protection.

The two returned to Mingheng's bedroom. Mo Jia walked around the room, making sure that no one came back outside the window or on the roof and asked Mingheng: "Did Emperor Qianyuan know something? Why did he send someone to watch you?" ?”

Ming Heng pursed his lips, and said hesitantly: "I'm not sure, he asked me a lot about Tuoba Hong, and I always feel that there is something in his words."

Mo Jia's expression also became serious.

"By the way," Ming Heng turned his head and asked Mo Jia, "under the current situation, can you still sneak out with me?"

Mo Jia showed a rather helpless wry smile on his cold face, and laughed at himself: "I'm just an ordinary person who knows how to do things, not a fairy who can fly into the sky and escape from the earth."

Ming Heng looked at him wronged: "So, we can only stay in the palace, can't we go out again?"

Mo Jia folded her arms and analyzed calmly: "That Commander Lin is good at martial arts, probably on par with me, not to mention that they have a large number of people..."

Ming Heng was a little anxious: "But I have something urgent, I have to go to Jinghe Garden!"

"What is it that makes you so anxious?" Mo Jia asked.

Mingheng glanced at him and hooked his fingers.Mo Jia came over cooperatively.Ming Heng whispered something to him, and saw Mo Jia's eyes slowly widen, and the original cold expression was replaced by shock at this moment.

"Are you serious?" Mo Jia's tone was a little unsteady.

Ming Heng said: "This is just my guess, but I don't believe it will be such a coincidence."

Mo Jia nodded and said, "If it's what you said, then it's really important, and you should tell Dahan and Zexi."

Ming Heng held his face and sighed: "But now we can't even get out of the palace, how can we tell them?"

Mo Jia was also in a dilemma, frowning and trying to find a way.

At this moment, a girl's crisp voice came from the yard.

"elder brother!"

Ming Heng was stunned for a moment.

flourishing?

Ming Qianqian's voice became louder and louder, but the distance never got closer.After yelling for a few times and Heng didn't get a response, Ming Qianqian's voice suddenly became harsher, as if she was losing her temper with someone.

"I'm going in to find my brother, get out of the way!"

"Father asked you to protect brother, but he didn't forbid him to meet other people!"

Ming Heng walked to the gate of the palace just in time to hear these two words, and couldn't help raising the corners of his mouth.

Although Qianqian is usually well-behaved and smart, but as the only golden branch and jade leaf, she was spoiled and spoiled since she was a child, so she still has a bit of a petite temper.

Soon, Lin Tongling's hurried voice came from outside the door. "Of course the last general doesn't dare to stop the princess, it's just..."

"Just what!" Ming Qianqian interrupted him, "I just went in to talk to my brother for a while, isn't that okay?"

"It's okay, of course it's okay." Ming Qianqian felt that Lin Qiong was not her opponent at all, and immediately threw down her helmet and armor.

Standing in the yard, Ming Heng saw two vermilion doors being slowly pushed open.At the same time, a charming figure rushed in.

Ming Qianqian trotted in with her skirt in hand, shouting excitedly: "Brother!"

Ming Heng smiled slightly, and when his sister ran up to her, she reached out to gently support her, lest her stand unsteadily and fall to the ground.

"Why are you here?" Ming Heng asked while arranging his younger sister's messy forehead hair.

"I missed you, so I came to look for you." After Ming Qianqian finished speaking, she turned her head and stared angrily at Commander Lin outside the door, and complained to her brother, "But Commander Lin won't let me in."

Lin Qiong stood outside the door, hastily waved her hand in denial, with an aggrieved expression on her face.

Ming Heng patted his sister's head lightly, and explained: "The palace is not peaceful recently, Commander Lin was sent by my father to protect me." After explaining, he said to Lin Qiong again, "Commander Lin, I'll chat with Qianqian for a while."

The brother and sister wanted to chat, Lin Qiong naturally couldn't stop him, he could only nod silently, and closed the door behind him.When the door was closed, the expression on his face was still a little gloomy.

Ming Heng glanced at it, raised one corner of his mouth lightly, put his arms around his sister's shoulders, and led him into the house.

As soon as he entered the room, Ming Heng waved away all the servants, leaving only the small fan to serve everyone.

Ming Qianqian endured all the way, and as soon as he entered the room, he couldn't help asking in a low voice: "Brother, Commander Lin was really sent by the emperor to protect you? Why do I feel that he doesn't seem to be protecting you, but rather monitoring you? Just now He stopped me outside and said nothing to let me in. He also said it was an order from my father."

The more Ming Qianqian spoke, the angrier she became, and she puffed up her cheeks: "Brother, what does Emperor Father mean?"

Mingheng smiled without saying a word.

Ming Qianqian waited for a long time but didn't get his brother's answer, and sighed a little discouraged, but she was always big-hearted, so she calmed down after a while, and pulled Mingheng to ask: "Brother, let's go out to the palace for a few days Well, I heard that a new street has been opened in the east of the city. The whole street is full of snacks, and there are many exotic delicacies. It's very lively. Brother Guan Ze said that he would secretly take me there some other day, so you can go too, there are many people It's fun."

"Gourmet street?" Ming Heng was a little interested, thinking that it would be good to take Tuoba Hong to have a look someday, but it doesn't seem to be very suitable right now.Thinking of this, he shook his head and refused, and then scolded his sister with a straight face, "Brother Prince's funeral is coming soon, so don't run around at this time, so as not to annoy father."

Unexpectedly, Ming Qianqian tilted his head with a blank expression and asked, "Brother Prince is going to have a funeral? Why haven't I heard? When?"

Now it was Ming Heng's turn to be surprised: "You don't know?"

Ming Qianqian shook her head innocently: "I didn't get any news. I visited the Crown Princess a few days ago, and I didn't hear her mention it."

Ming Heng frowned slowly: "Have you visited the Crown Princess?"

"Yes." The Crown Princess is five years older than Ming Qianqian, and she is the only woman in the palace who is relatively similar in age to her. Therefore, the sister-in-law and sister-in-law are very close. When the Crown Prince was alive, Ming Qianqian often went to the East Palace to visit the Crown Princess and her nephew .

Ming Qianqian told Ming Heng: "The princess was overly sad because of the death of the prince's brother, and also fell ill, so I went to visit her."

Mingheng then asked: "Have you seen the coffin of the prince's elder brother?"

Ming Qianqian shook her head, pursed her lips, and lowered her voice: "As soon as the prince brother died, the emperor put his body in the ice coffin in the secret room, and sent heavy guards to prevent anyone from entering."

Unexpectedly, the prince's body was placed in the secret room, Ming Heng was a little surprised.He knew that Emperor Qianyuan always loved the crown prince, but he didn't expect that he loved him to such an extent.

However, if the prince's body was placed in a secret room and no one else was allowed to enter, why did the emperor specifically ask him to offer condolences to the prince?

Ming Heng feels that today's father is the most unpredictable and fearful for him in these years.At the same time, his eyes were also covered with layers of fog. The words his father said to him before the dragon bed, his obscure attitude towards Tuobahong, the murderer who killed the prince, and the revelation of the second prince's mysterious disappearance, a This fog seems to be scattered yet connected, covering his eyes, making him dizzy, but Tuobahong is not around, not even a person to help him sort out his thoughts.

Ming Qianqian saw his brother pressing his forehead, and asked worriedly: "Brother, what's wrong with you? Are you feeling unwell?"

"No, I just didn't sleep well." Mingheng put down his hands, took a deep breath and continued to ask his sister, "Qianqian, have you visited the Second Emperor?"

Ming Qianqian nodded: "On the day the second brother died, people from the palace came into the palace to report. On that day, several other royal brothers and I went to see the second brother for the last time."

Ming Heng interrupted her and asked: "What was the second brother like at that time?"

"What does it look like?" Ming Qianqian didn't know why, "It's just what a dead person should look like, lifeless, with a blue face, and probably because the poison is too overbearing, it tortured the second brother so badly, his whole cheek was sunken Going down, it was a bit scary anyway. That night, I had a nightmare."

Hearing this, Ming Heng and Mo Jia looked at each other.That is to say, the second prince was intact when he died, and his head should have been cut off later.

Mingheng pretended to be casual and finally asked: "Qianqian, I remember that you have a good relationship with the second emperor's wife, have you visited her these days?"

"No," Ming Qianqian said, "Second Brother Huang will be encoffined in three days. In order to avoid any accidents, Father has sent guards to guard around the palace these days, and no one is allowed to enter."

Ming Heng was startled: "Second Brother Huang will also be encoffined in three days?" Why didn't he hear Father Huang mention it?

"That's right." Ming Qianqian thought about it with him, "That's why I was surprised when you told me that the elder brother of the crown prince will be buried in three days. The two royal brothers are going to be buried on the same day, but they didn't tell me."

Mingheng was completely in a mess.Why did the second prince tell Ming Qianqian that the funeral would be in three days, but the one who told himself became the prince?So who was going to the funeral that day?The second prince or the prince, or the two of them together?

Mo Jia's complexion at the moment was no better than his.This matter is very important, and their top priority is to get in touch with Tuoba Hong as soon as possible and inform them of this matter.

Mingheng also thought of this point, holding his forehead while thinking about how to leave the palace to find Tuobahong.Now that Lin Qiong follows him wherever he goes, of course he can't go to Jingheyuan, and he can't even meet anyone. Meeting anyone will attract Lin Qiong's attention.Naturally, you can't entrust the small fan to send messages. Now, as long as anyone who goes out of Chonghua Palace, I'm afraid they will inevitably be searched by Lin Qiong.Unless, it is someone Lin Qiong dare not offend.

Wait, those who dare not offend...

Ming Heng suddenly set his eyes on Mo Jia's younger sister who was secretly looking at Mo Jia.

If it was Qianqian, Lin Qiong would not dare to search her...

Ming Qianqian was full of curiosity about Mo Jia. It was the first time he had seen a man with blond hair and blue eyes who looked like a monster and a fairy, so he couldn't help but take a few more glances.It's just that this beautiful foreign man has always had a cold expression, and it seems that he is not easy to get along with. Ming Qianqian is a little scared, so he can only glance at him from the corner of his eye from time to time, secretly watching.Just as he was watching, he felt a strange look from the other side.

Ming Qianqian turned her head, and saw her brother was staring at her in a daze, and from time to time let out a few smirks with malicious intentions.

Ming Qianqian felt a little nervous, rubbed his arms, and asked nervously, "Brother, why are you looking at me like that?"

Mingheng put away his weird smile, reached out and touched his sister's head, and looked at her lovingly: "Qianqian, brother, can I ask you something?"

Ming Qianqian stayed in Chonghua Palace for an hour before leaving.Lin Qiong was still guarding in front of the palace gate, and when she saw her coming out, she hurriedly saluted.

Ming Qianqian still hated him for blocking her, glanced at him, snorted unhappily, and said coquettishly: "I'm leaving, Commander Lin, do you want to search again?" His hands and mouth are indifferent, but the expression on his face is fierce, as if to say - if you dare to touch this princess, you will be beheaded by the emperor!

Lin Qiong didn't dare to search Ming Qianqian's body at first, so she hurriedly lowered her head and said, "I don't dare, the ninth princess walks slowly. I will let someone send you back to the palace."

"No need!" Ming Qianqian shook her face and left triumphantly, the golden steps on her head swayed and made a clear and crisp sound, her small appearance was arrogant and complacent.

After Ming Qianqian walked away, Lin Qiong let go of the panic expression on his face, turned his face cold, and looked at the jumping figure seriously, recruited a soldier at random, and whispered to him: "Follow Princess Ninth, look at her Where did you go after that?"

Xiaobing nodded in understanding, and followed quietly.

Half an hour later, Xiao Bing came back and reported to Lin Qiong in a low voice: "After leaving Chonghua Palace, the princess went back to her own bedroom, and then played with the maids and didn't come out again."

Lin Qiong nodded, waved to signal the soldiers to return to their posts, and gave no other orders.

And not long after Xiaobing left, Ming Qianqian finished playing with the maids, changed into the clothes of the maids, got into a carriage, and quietly left the palace.

The carriage left the palace and headed east, and finally stopped in front of Jinghe Garden.

Ming Qianqian got out of the carriage, asked the groom to wait outside, walked up the steps alone, and knocked on the door.

After a while, someone came to open the door.It was an old man with gray beard and hair, Ming Qianqian immediately put on a sweet smile, and said obediently: "Uncle, I want to find your master."

The old housekeeper's expression was a little wary, but probably Ming Qianqian's appearance was too obedient. His tone was quite gentle, and he asked her, "Who are you? What can I do with my master?"

"Well," Ming Qianqian scratched his face in confusion, took out a jade pendant from his purse and handed it over, "Auntie, please show this jade pendant to your master, he will understand after reading it. "

The old housekeeper took the jade pendant suspiciously, looked at Ming Qianqian several times, and finally went to pass it on.

Ming Qianqian waited outside for a while, and the old housekeeper came out again.This time, he didn't make it difficult for her anymore, he opened the door and let Ming Qianqian in.

Ming Qianqian followed the old housekeeper to the courtyard where Tuobahong lived.Passing through the courtyard gate, she saw a tall and straight figure sitting on a stone bench in the middle of the courtyard with her back facing her.The man's back was slender and straight, his neck was slender, and his black hair was slightly curly, half tied into a bun and half loose.A slender and white wrist was resting on the stone table, and the slender fingertips were twirling the jade pendant she handed over.

The old housekeeper brought her behind that person, and whispered back to that person: "Master, the guests have arrived." After speaking, he introduced to Ming Qianqian, "This is my master. Then I will go out first, and you can order anything. "

Ming Qianqian nodded, thanked the old housekeeper sweetly, watched him leave the yard before turning his gaze back, subconsciously lowered his voice and asked, "You are the owner of this garden? Who are you?"

The man turned his back to her and let out a chuckle: "You came to find me, but you asked me who I am?"

Ming Qianqian curled her lips and muttered: "My brother asked me to come to you, and I don't know who you are?"

"Who is your brother?" the man asked.

"Uh..." Ming Qianqian kept his eyes open and asked, "What do you think?"

The smile in that person's words was even bigger, and he praised: "The little girl is quite clever, she is indeed Ming Heng's younger sister."

Only then did Ming Qianqian feel relieved, and sat down on the stone bench familiarly, and asked curiously: "How do you know I'm Ming Heng's younger sister? You haven't even met me?"

The man held up the jade pendant and said, "I'll know it when I see this."

"So amazing? Just a piece of jade pendant can know my identity?" Ming Qianqian swayed left and right behind the man, wanting to see the man's appearance, "Who are you? Turn around and let me see Look at your true face. Are you my brother's friend or someone? Why have I never heard my brother mention you?"

Ming Qianqian seemed to have endless questions.She is not afraid of strangers, as long as she is Ming Heng's friend, she is very enthusiastic.

Tuobahong also didn't expect that Mingheng's younger sister was actually a lively little girl. Although she was a little familiar with her, it didn't make him feel uncomfortable. He even thought that the series of little girls in this question were quite interesting, and he was in a good mood. , he agreed to her request, and slowly turned around.

Ming Qianqian's eyes widened, waiting to see the true face of this mysterious man, but when the man turned around completely, he was stunned.

Because what she saw was not that person's face, but a mask, gilded, with exquisite patterns carved on it, the pattern was a bit weird, but very beautiful.

Ming Qianqian exclaimed from the bottom of her heart, and this exclamation was due to the mask, and of course, to the lower half of the person's exposed face.The bridge of the nose is quite neat, the chin is slightly pointed, the lips are a little thin, but the corners of the mouth are slightly upturned, and she naturally smiles.

Ming Qianqian only saw half of his face, but he could almost be sure that this was a handsome man, and most likely he was as good-looking as his brother.

Thinking of this, Ming Qianqian became a little excited. While admiring the half face and the gilt mask in front of her eyes, she asked, "Who are you? What's your name? What's your relationship with my brother?"

The corner of Tuobahong's mouth curled up, and he said unhurriedly: "My name is Tuobahong, and I'm your brother's husband. You should call me...brother?"

The author says:

Mingheng: Nonsense, it’s sister-in-law! [Serious face]