A traitor

In the cold street, a hazy mist gradually rose, shrouding between the buildings on both sides, and it looked like it was going to rain.

Holding a folding fan in his hand, Su Qinglang was walking back to the Shangshu Mansion. He didn't seem to notice the passers-by who were rushing by and trying to avoid the rain. When he reached the end of the long street, he was about to turn into the next alley when he saw Mei Liu Sheng stood there like a tree trunk.

At this time, there were very few people on the street, and even the shops on both sides had closed early. The thick clouds in the sky were like splashed ink, and they were getting tighter and tighter under the raging cold wind. Although it was just after Shen, the light was very gloomy .

Su Qinglang stopped and said, "Brother Mei..."

Mei Liusheng looked at him, and said: "Things have been arranged, I saw that you haven't returned for a long time, so come and have a look."

Su Qinglang raised his lips and smiled, cupped his hands and said: "I was delayed in the Prime Minister's residence for some hours, thank you Brother Mei for your concern."

Mei Liusheng looked behind him, frowned and said, "Brother Su, it's better to bring one or two guards with you when you go out."

Su Qinglang smiled again, and said indifferently: "I'm used to being alone, I don't like to be followed by others, besides, Changshan Wang Lizhi and the little prince Li Ji are responsible for the security in this city, although I, Su Qinglang, have a good reputation Not very good, there are many people who want to kill me, but in this imperial city, as long as there are princes and princes sitting in command, who would dare to commit crimes under their noses?"

Changshan Wang Li Zhi is the father of Wuyang Princess Li Saisai, and the young prince Li Ji is Li Saisai's younger brother.

The five members of the family, except Fenghua's concubine who died young, and Su Qinglang's deceased fiancée, are all powerful in force.

Especially the young prince Li Ji, at a young age, has already become the commander of the [-] patrol troops in the city. Together with his father, he maintains the peace and stability of the Chang'an imperial city.

However, although Li Ji was proud outside, she was very afraid of her sister when she returned home, and Li Zhi doted on her daughter very much.

Although she didn't have a good impression of Su Qinglang because of Li Yanyan, the lord of Qingyang County, she wished that he died cleanly.

But because of Li Saisai, she was afraid that she would be sad when Su Qinglang died, so she had to pay more attention to his safety.

Thinking of Li Zhi and Li Ji, Mei Liusheng's expression froze, he lowered his head, hiding all his emotions in the darkness.

He lowered his eyes and said in a low voice: "Little prince, Liu Sheng has already made arrangements. At that time, Chengying will pretend to be a bandit and lead the guards to the planned location."

Su Qinglang nodded, very satisfied: "I met that child before, and his martial arts looks very good. Since he belongs to you, Brother Mei, I feel more at ease."

Mei Liusheng didn't respond, but instead changed the subject and asked him: "Now that Xu Jingqi is on the case, I wonder if Prime Minister Qin has ever made things difficult for you?"

Su Qinglang snorted softly, tapped the folding fan on the palm of his hand, and replied: "It's just a letter. Besides, I'm not the one who colluded with Xu Jingqi and put himself to death. Things that can be explained clearly in a few words, can he What are you embarrassing me for?"

Hearing what he said, Mei Liusheng felt relieved, and said again: "I'm just worried, because the matter between me and Master Cai will make Brother Su's situation difficult."

Su Qinglang shook his head to indicate that he was fine, and then Mei Liusheng said suddenly: "Speaking of this matter, I haven't thanked Brother Su for your kindness, but I didn't expect that Brother Su is Mr. Song's favorite student."

On that day, Su Qinglang gave him two things, a dagger and an inkstone. Although they were good things that were one in a million, but the only thing that could be related to Mr. Song was that only the world's literati sought after them. The Chengni inkstone called "Drip Guanyin".

At that time, Yushi Zhongcheng's only son Su Qinglang was studying in the Imperial College, and he was fortunate to be under Mr. Song's school. He was very favored by Song Hongru. relationship, but even a close friend who has never known each other for years.

Therefore, when Su Qinglang left the Imperial Academy, the old man specially made a Chengni inkstone as a gift. Because the original material is a strange stone in the shape of Avalokitesvara, after careful carving, it was also water droplets on a lotus leaf, so it was named "Dripping Guanyin".

It's a pity that after the rebellion case happened, the old gentleman felt sorry for what happened to the three students, so he resigned from his positions in the university and the Imperial Academy, and opened a folk lecture in the city to take in those poor students who studied hard, and never interfered with the government. He also cut off contact with Su Qinglang.

Hearing this, Su Qinglang bent the corners of his lips, and said in a self-deprecating way: "Whatever you are not proud of is a matter of the past. It has already passed, and I don't want to mention it."

He lowered his head and gave a wry smile: "Besides, in the eyes of that old gentleman, I'm afraid it's a great shame and ruin his reputation for the rest of his life..."

Mei Liusheng looked at him and listened quietly, but saw him muttering to himself, with a rare look of loneliness appearing in his expression.

"Sir, he has been upright and loyal all his life. He hopes to serve the imperial court and do something for the common people with what he has learned all his life. He gave me the inkstone at the beginning with the meaning of this kind of encouragement. It's just that I didn't live up to it and left with him. It's a completely different path, so I don't deserve to use Mr.'s stuff in the future."

He said, looking at Mei Liusheng again, and slowly opened his smile: "I can see that you and I are different people, and giving you that inkstone is not a disgrace to Mr. Enthusiasm. It's just...Brother Mei must promise me, don't let it follow the wrong master again, and get dusty again."

Mei Liusheng replied: "Since it was a gift from Brother Su, and Mr. Song's painstaking efforts are in it, Liusheng will definitely cherish it. It's just..."

He wanted to comfort Su Qinglang with a few words, but when the words came to his lips, he felt that it was inappropriate to say anything, so he fell silent.

The two held each other silently and walked side by side for a long time before they suddenly heard him ask: "Brother Su really wants to be with Prime Minister Qin, have you never thought of leaving?"

Su Qinglang wondered, "Brother Mei, why do you ask such a question?"

He looked at Mei Liusheng a few times, and said: "Brother Mei should have some understanding of the current situation in the court, the emperor is just a sham, and Pei Yan, although he has some power, is still far behind the Prime Minister. "

"I, Su Qinglang, have a whole body of sins. I'm afraid that no matter who falls into the hands of me in the future, it will end badly. Tell me, with my current situation, who else can I take refuge in if I don't take refuge in the Prime Minister?"

Mei Liusheng stopped in his tracks, and asked slowly: "Brother Su's talent is ten times greater than mine. If you are willing to let go of the present and start over, you will definitely do something in the future... If one day, Liu Sheng can protect Brother Su... Brother Su, is he willing to leave Prime Minister Qin?"

Su Qinglang thought for a while, then shook his head: "I don't want to..."

Looking at Mei Liusheng's slightly surprised expression, he curled his lips into a smile: "I know Brother Mei has treated me well, but Prime Minister has been kind to me, so I can't let him down."

Mei Liusheng fell silent for a long time, then smiled helplessly: "So, Liusheng is taking the liberty."

Su Qinglang said indifferently: "Brother Mei is kind, Qinglang knows well that you and I have different ways, but we are rare confidants and friends. I will not force Brother Mei to do things for the Prime Minister, but I will not betray the Prime Minister because of you. , if that’s the case, don’t say it again.”

Mei Liusheng hummed lightly, and then heard him ask: "Brother Mei, are you disappointed in me?"

Mei Liusheng shook his head and replied: "No, I just regret that I can't conspire with Brother Su."

Hearing this, Su Qinglang turned his head away and looked at the scenery on the other side. The two of them had nothing to say all the way, and soon came to Shangshu's residence.

At this time, the sky suddenly began to rain heavily.

Su Qinglang stood at the door, looking at the pouring rain outside, and said happily: "It rained heavily just after we got home, if you and I were a little later, I'm afraid we'd be drenched on the road."

Then, he looked at Mei Liusheng and said, "It's raining so hard, it's not convenient to walk on the road, brother Mei should stay here for now."

Mei Liusheng looked at the scene outside, it was windy and rainy, the sky was dark, it seemed like the end was approaching, if he went back at this time, let alone soaking his clothes, he would probably be seriously ill.

At this time, the housekeeper of the Shangshu Mansion, seeing that Su Qinglang hadn't come back for a long time, just wanted to go out to check, but also saw that his lord had come back and was blocked at the door and couldn't get in, so he hurriedly brought a few servants to greet him.

The crowd was over umbrellas and ginger tea, and after a long time of hassling around, the two of them sat safely in the living room.

Because of the heavy rain, there was nothing to do, so he could only sit in the living room and talk, Su Qinglang asked: "Then what happened to Zhao E?"

Mei Liusheng replied: "After returning to the mansion, Zhao E found a few capable subordinates, and soon there should be actions."

Su Qinglang snorted, and said: "This rain has provided him with a good opportunity. I guess he wants to do it, and it will be tonight."

Whenever it rains, especially in such rainy weather, the number of soldiers patrolling the city will be half less than usual.

Moreover, due to the bad weather, the officers and soldiers in charge of patrolling would be somewhat neglectful, and there were many people looking for a warm place to drink and gamble. Therefore, if Zhao E wanted to transfer money, he would definitely seize the opportunity tonight.

Mei Liusheng smiled: "Based on Zhao E's current situation, tonight is indeed a rare opportunity, but he certainly didn't expect that our stolen goods would be targeted by us before he left the house."

After a pause, he cupped his hands to Su Qinglang and said, "Thanks to Brother Su's careful arrangements for all of this, otherwise, relying on Xu Jingqi's testimony alone, even if we obtained the power to search, it would be very difficult for us to make him obey the law."

Su Qinglang snorted: "You want to solve this case, I want Zhao E to die, although the purpose is different, but the way is the same, there is no need to say thank you, the plan is only half successful now.

Next, I have to be more cautious, and I will ask Brother Mei to cooperate with me when the time comes, but I put my wealth and life on it. "

Mei Liusheng nodded, and replied, "It's natural."

The two talked for a while in the living room, but the rain still didn't abate. Su Qinglang looked at the sky outside, except for a little light in the Shangshu Mansion, it was pitch black everywhere.

So he turned to Mei Liusheng: "Brother Mei, I think you should stay here overnight."

Mei Liusheng also looked out, sighed helplessly, and said, "That's the only way, thank you Brother Su for taking me in."

Su Qinglang waved his hand, signaling that he is not welcome, and then called the butler to prepare the guest room.

The two of them ate something in the living room, and just got up to leave the table when they saw the housekeeper rushing over.

"My lord, the lotus pond beside the west chamber is full, and now the road is full of water, I'm afraid I can't get through it."

Su Qinglang wondered: "Brother Mei is my distinguished guest, how can he live in the guest rooms in the west wing and east wing?"

The housekeeper gave a hiccup, and lowered his body a little: "A few days ago, the old pagoda tree behind the East Wing was broken, and hit the roof, breaking a big hole, which will not be repaired in time."

Su Qinglang fell silent, and after a while, the folding fan tapped on the palm of his hand and exclaimed: "The honored guest has come, and there is no place to live. You are a housekeeper, you can do it."

The butler was taunted by him, and Mei Liusheng was about to say that if he went back in that case, he saw Qinglang turned to him, and said apologetically, "Brother Mei, I'm really rude. If you don't mind, I'll go with you tonight." I'll sleep."