White Hedge Dream

Chapter 176 Appearance

Gao Twelve stood outside the hall, looking back from time to time.

There were many officials standing outside the palace, talking in low voices.

"Who's in there?"

"The Crown Prince of Dongyang."

"Is there no one here, Your Majesty? Didn't you say that you are here to appreciate a painting today?"

"Maybe Dongyang Hou Shizi alone is enough."

Some people are puzzled, some explain, some have questions, and some are sour.

Some people also looked at Gao Twelve and said, "General Manager Gao, go in and report back, I'll be here soon." As they spoke, they gave Gao Twelve a wallet.

Everyone else also responded, "Yes, yes, let's all join in." "Your Majesty likes fun the most."

Gao Twelve looked helpless and put away his wallet: "It's not that I don't know how to report, I was also kicked out."

When he said this, his face looked a little ugly.

He and the emperor had grown up together, and the emperor trusted him the most. To what extent did he trust him? On the wedding night, he was beside the wedding bed.

Unexpectedly, Dongyang Hou Shizi knelt down and asked His Majesty to clear out the people around him as soon as he opened his mouth. It was too arrogant.

And His Majesty actually agreed.

Why does Dongyang Hou Shizi please His Majesty? Gao Twelve gritted his teeth, didn't he just rely on his face? Sooner or later, his old age will fade away!

But at this moment, the emperor in the palace looked at Zhou Jingyun's face, and he didn't feel the slightest bit happy.

The emperor frowned: "Jingyun, I know you are heartbroken after losing your wife, and it is inevitable that you will have random thoughts, but this incident is really unexpected."

Zhou Jingyun was still kneeling on the ground, looking at the emperor with his shoulders straight: "I know that I would be upset when something happened, so I waited until I calmed down before coming to see your majesty."

Where is the calm? With a pale face and dazed eyes, the emperor thought to himself and advised softly: "The saddest time for a person is not just when something happens, but after it happens, especially when a loved one dies. Don't feel bad when you are busy with the funeral, and wait until after the incident." Many people are distraught when they realize that this person is no longer here.”

Zhou Jingyun shook his head again: "My marriage to Mr. Zhuang was short-lived. Although I am sorry that she passed away at a young age, I am not devastated."

No? The emperor thought to himself, yes, it is true that the marriage was short-lived, but he was a widow for eight or nine years before he found a sweet man and married him...

"Jingyun, something happened suddenly that day. There was indeed something strange. It was the ghost of Empress Chiang who was causing trouble." The emperor could only say, "The emperor wanted to harm Concubine Bai and the heir. With Emperor Zhong and Xuanyangzi guarding her, she failed, but Zhuang Your sanity was affected, and an accident happened. I can't help you. If you want any compensation, just say it..."

Here he paused again.

"I will give you a new wife. I have two princesses and daughters. Although they are still young, if you..."

Zhou Jingyun interrupted the emperor: "My dead wife has not yet laid her eyes to rest, and until the murderer is found out, I will never marry again."

To make it clear, the murderer was a ghost. The emperor was a little annoyed. What could he do? Dig up Empress Chiang’s body and kill her again? Wouldn’t it be known to everyone in the world, and people’s hearts would be in confusion?

Originally, when I saw Zhou Jingyun burying his wife quickly and with a simple funeral, I thought he understood the truth and knew that this matter should not be publicized. Why is it causing trouble again now?

"Your wife died in the imperial city, and I am the murderer." The emperor said angrily, "What do you want me to do?"

This is a serious statement.

Zhou Jingyun kowtowed: "I am not blaming Your Majesty, I am doing this for Your Majesty."

The emperor sneered.

"It's not that I don't believe in your majesty, I just don't believe that ghosts can kill people." Zhou Jingyun said, "I'm worried that your majesty believes this so much that someone will use ghosts to cause trouble. I have been traveling for many years and have seen many strange things. In the end, when I found out, it was all People are doing things behind their backs, using the name of ghosts.”

The emperor was startled, which was true, but Xuanyangzi said...

"So what does Xuanyangzi say? Can he end the world by himself?" Zhou Jingyun interrupted the emperor again, "I saw with my own eyes that my wife was holding on to the railing, and the railing broke and she fell. If we don't find out why the railing broke, how can we Whenever something goes wrong in the future, as long as Xuanyangzi says something is caused by ghosts, the people of the world will accept it with peace of mind. How should the people of the world treat your majesty?"

I understand, he is an upright official who cannot tolerate heresy. Although Xuanyangzi rarely visits the palace anymore, he is respected by the royal family because of his status. The officials are also privately dissatisfied, fearing that the emperor will be tempted to make elixirs and practice Taoism. This kind of thing is not uncommon in history books. , civil servants and military officials will be wary of many monks and Taoists.

The emperor was relieved, but also a little helpless. He was convinced of Xuanyangzi because he saw Xuanyangzi's methods with his own eyes.

It's a pity that not everyone could see the forced abortion at that time, and it couldn't be widely publicized.

The emperor looked at the young official who was kowtowing to the ground. His official hat was crooked, his hair was messy, his expression was sad and angry, and he was also lost. That's all. He thought that he had lost his wife and was mad with grief. If he had to give an explanation, he should be comforted.

The emperor sighed: "Okay, then I will conduct a thorough investigation for you."

Zhou Jingyun leaned over, kowtowed and sobbed: "I thank your Majesty for your kindness."

Alas, no matter how sad he is, he still cried. The emperor looked at the man leaning on the ground.

At that time, this son had the appearance of an immortal, but he did not want to accompany his father. He was dissatisfied with his father's favor and trust in the Demon Queen and disdained to enter the court.

Now that he is the emperor, Zhou Jingyun finally returns to the dynasty. He must not return to the dynasty. Not long after, the immortal turned into a madman. This not only failed to prove that he was a holy king and wise master, but was even worse than his father.

In fact, the Jinwu Guards Internal Affairs Bureau and others checked that night. Since Zhou Jingyun didn't believe it...

"I ordered the Board of Supervisors to investigate." The emperor said, "Are you relieved?"

When the Board of Supervisors acts, they can find out things even if they don't have any problems. This can be regarded as giving Zhou Jingyun an explanation, so that he won't think about it day and night, and he will really go crazy.

"I thank you Lord for your kindness." Zhou Jingyun raised his head and shouted with tears in his eyes, "Your Majesty is wise."

…..

…..

"Someone, someone, come."

Accompanied by the calls from inside, the officials outside the palace became energetic and it was finally over.

Gao Twelve put away his gritted teeth and went in with a smile on his face. He saw Zhou Jingyun still kneeling on the ground.

"Your Majesty..." He hesitated.

"Go and call Zhang Ze." The emperor said, reaching out and pressing his forehead.

Gao Twelve's heart skipped a beat and he didn't react for a moment.

"What are you still standing there for?" the emperor said angrily, and looked at Zhou Jingyun again, "And you, are you done? Just step back when you're done."

Gao Twelve hurriedly leaned over to answer, and Zhou Jingyun also saluted and stood up. Officials did not need to kneel in front of the emperor unless it was a festival or ceremony. He had been kneeling on the hard brick ground for so long, and his knees were probably red and swollen. .

He staggered slightly, but when Gao Twelve looked over, he quickly stood up straight again.

Gao Twelve seemed to be smiling but not smiling. Instead of offering support, he leaned over and saluted: "Your Majesty, please come first."

Zhou Jingyun nodded slightly and walked out slowly.

Gao Twelve walked behind him deliberately. Even if Zhou Jingyun thought his steps were dignified, he could still see the stiffness. Also, the official hat was crooked, the official robe was wrinkled, and the hair was scattered from under the official hat...

Tsk tsk tsk, this is the first time I have seen Zhou Jingyun in such a miserable state. He looks like an immortal, but he is no different from an ordinary person.

Zhou Jingyun was surrounded by officials when he came out, asking what was going on.

"Private matter." Zhou Jingyun said, "My wife died unexpectedly in the palace. I ask your Majesty to investigate carefully to see if the building is in disrepair to avoid another tragedy."

Well, the death of his wife was indeed a tragedy, and it was reasonable to have such a request. The officials nodded sympathetically, and Zhou Jingyun stopped talking and walked away.

The officials grabbed Gao Twelve again and urged him to report the matter.

Gao Twelve looked at them: "His Majesty sent Zhang Ze."

These words were like a curse, and everyone surrounding Gao Twelve immediately dispersed.

"...Do you still want to go see His Majesty now?"

Of course it's gone.

Too unlucky.

Zhang Ze was open-minded and had evil intentions. If he deliberately asked them questions in front of the emperor and answered inappropriately, it would be terrible if he was caught. That's all, it's not a good time to meet the Holy Spirit today.

Everyone stepped back and watched Gao Twelve ask someone to pass the news. Zhang Ze quickly came over, entered the palace and came out quickly. The next moment, officials from the Board of Supervisors rushed over and took the guards to the harem... .

"What's going on?" Everyone hurriedly asked Gao Twelve again.

When the emperor spoke to Zhang Ze, he did not let Gao Twelve avoid him.

Gao Twelve's expression turned even more ugly: "His Majesty asked him to find out if the railing of the adjacent building was broken."

Several officials looked stunned. What do you mean?

Shouldn’t the broken railing belong to the Ministry of Internal Affairs? Even if the Ministry of Industry comes to investigate, what can the Board of Supervisors investigate?

Then it's not about inspecting the construction of the railings.

This matter cannot be hidden, and His Majesty will not hide it, and Zhang Ze will not hide it either. Gao Twelve gritted his teeth and said: "Because Zhou Jingyun, the crown prince of Dongyang Hou, said that his wife was murdered, and in order to give him an explanation, Your Majesty, Order the Board of Supervisors to investigate."

Everyone was in an uproar.

"Let the Board of Supervisors investigate! Then we can find out something if nothing happens!"

"Is Zhou Jingyun crazy?"

When there was a huge uproar behind him, Zhou Jingyun had already walked out of the imperial city, and the guards outside the door came to greet him.

Seeing him, the guard hesitated and asked: "Is the prince riding a horse or riding a car?"

Are you looking very embarrassed now? Zhou Jingyun was thinking about what he was going to say when a voice came from the side.

"Zhou Jingyun, you are so ridiculous like this..."

Zhou Jingyun turned his head and saw someone slowly walking out.

Shen Qing.

This was the first time I saw him since that night at the palace banquet.

There was chaos that night. Zhou Jingyun took Zhuang Li's body home, followed by the funeral, and paid no attention to Shen Qing.

However, the two servants in the palace told him that Shen Qing stopped going crazy not long after he left that night, just hugged Qin without talking, and then disappeared after the banquet.

At this time, Shen Qing was no different from before except that his face was slightly haggard.

He approached Zhou Jingyun.

"Whether your wife is dead or not, you know it in your heart. In order to make a fake show, you provoke His Majesty to use the Board of Supervisors." He whispered, looking Zhou Jingyun up and down, with a sneer in his eyes: "It turns out that you are not a good person. For Self-interest makes waves.”

Zhou Jingyun's hands hanging by his sides were clenched tightly, and his fingernails dug into his palms, causing a stinging pain.

The pain can remind him whether the vision in front of him is an illusion or reality, so as to avoid being confused and saying things he shouldn't say.

Shen Qing noticed his movements and smiled sarcastically: "No need to do that, I'm too lazy to look at you now!"

Then he threw up his sleeves and left.

Zhou Jingyun let go of his clenched hands. Although Shen Qing didn't go crazy like that night, he still didn't look normal.

He probably didn't believe that Zhuang Li was dead and didn't know what to do next.

"Your Majesty." The guard held down the saber in his waist and asked in a low voice, "Are you okay?"

Zhou Jingyun lowered his eyes: "It's okay, don't pay attention to him." After saying that, he took the reins and got on the horse.

…

…

"Your Majesty, do you want to eat first or wash up first?"

Chunyue walked in and saw Zhou Jingyun standing in front of the dressing table, looking in the mirror.

The prince is looking in the mirror?

Zhou Jingyun looked at himself in the mirror. Has his appearance changed? Isn't it just that his face is paler, his eyes are darker, his hair is a little messier...

In those years when he was patrolling the school outside, he looked much more embarrassed than he did now.

This is nothing.

These people in the Imperial City have never seen him like that.

Gao Twelve gloated over the misfortune, Shen Qing looked contemptuous, and the guard... also made a fuss and even let him ride in the car.

Later, they will get used to it.

But before going to see my mother, I'd better sort it out first. This year has brought too many things to my mother.

Zhou Jingyun stood up straight and looked away from the mirror.

"Wash up first," he said.

…

…

"Mr. Shen, you are back."

In the small building of Sanqufang, looking at Shen Qing walking in, a woman standing on the second floor greeted him with a busy smile.

But Shen Qing went straight into the building without raising his head.

The woman who said hello put down her hand, and the woman next to her giggled.

"Mr. Shen and Mrs. Huang had a quarrel and were in a bad mood. In the past few days, I often saw Mrs. Huang crying and heard the sound of piano being smashed in the house." She said in a low voice, "It's better to stay away."

As the women discussed, Shen Qing stood in front of the door of the house, stretched out her hand to open it, and saw Lady Huang sitting inside, lowering her head and wiping tears.

"You're back." Madam Huang said, her tears falling again, "The butterfly still doesn't move."

Shen Qing looked at the bamboo cage in front of her. The once colorful butterflies had turned gray and were as motionless as wood sculptures.

Shen Qing looked dull: "This butterfly is dead and was killed!"

Madam Huang chuckled: "Who killed him?"

Is she laughing? Shen Qing was slightly startled. Was he crazy because of the excessive sadness? From the corner of his eye, he looked at the mirror aside, his expression suddenly froze, and the mirror reflected him and his side.

The person sitting next to me is not Lady Huang—

This is a plump girl, wearing an apricot-yellow skirt, sitting cross-legged and looking at him from the mirror with a smile.

"He can kill your butterflies. This person is so powerful." She continued what she just said and raised her hand to touch her palm.

Shen Qing slowly turned around and looked at the person in front of him.

With a crisp caress beside her ear, Huang Niangzi shattered, and the girl in the mirror appeared.

"Bai Li." Shen Qing slowly spit out two words.

Bai Li smiled and nodded: "Yes, remember my name and call me by my name. After that night, you finally became a polite person."

(End of chapter)