Hidden Sky Light

After a short break in the city, Shen Ci took out the concentric knot and put it in his hand to look at it.

Seeing things and thinking of people, it seems that I can still remember when the two were together the night before they separated...

He misses her very much, but he has been on the road day and night, and it has only been more than a month.

He misses her and A Nian...

"General, there are some problems with the horse's hoof. I'm afraid it will take a long time. I have inquired about where there is a blacksmith. I'll take a look first, for fear of delaying the trip later. If the general is convenient, you can prepare some dry food." Xiaowu turned back.

They walk fast, so every time they go, they check the horse's condition in detail. There is a problem with the horse's hooves and it can't run very far.

Shen remarks should be fine.

Seeing Xiao Wu leaving, Shen Ci also paid the copper coins, and asked Xiao Er to inquire about a nearby place to buy dry food.

The market is nearby. Earlier, I was in a hurry to get on the road, so I stopped to feed the horses and drink water. Now I have to wait for a while.

When passing the street market, Shen Ci stopped, and suddenly turned to look at the shop that was just on his way.

Biyunfang, with the word "hundred years" after its signboard, is a century-old shop.

It's a jewelry store.

He didn't know why, but Xu was just thinking of Chen Ling.

Apart from him, no one should give her something for a girl. He suddenly wanted to give her something, whether it was a hairpin or a step, she was born beautiful.

He was short-hearted.

There are many people in the shop, most of them are female relatives, and there are also men next to them.

Seeing him enter, a guy stepped forward to say hello.

This kind of guy is the most observant, especially the clothes and clothes, and the jade pendant sachet he wears can tell the clue. In Beijing, the clothes were all sent to the mansion by Qishan, and the man knew how valuable they were at a glance.

"Master, do you choose women's accessories or children's accessories?" the man asked.

Shen Ci hesitated, unable to think of what to give to Ah Nian.

There is nothing missing from Anian.

Shen Ci whispered, "Woman."

The man immediately understood, "Young master, the woman's head and face are all here, this is the hosta, earrings, chains, bracelets..."

Shen Ci looked at it one by one, his eyes fell on a step and did not move.

The guy sighed, "Young master has vision, this step is a little special."

Shen Ci looked at him.

The man smiled and said, "Biyunfang is a century-old shop. It was formerly known as Biyunfang in Cangyue Kingdom. The Buyao that your son saw was called Golden-winged Butterfly Inlaid Emerald Peony Buyao. It is rumored to be Cangyue. It was a token of affection that Emperor Shun gave to the empress, because there was only one empress in the harem of Emperor Shun, and they were very affectionate. More than a hundred years later, this golden-winged butterfly, emerald and peony buyao suddenly became popular among the people, because it had a very good meaning."

Shen Ci didn't move his eyes, he really thought it was pretty.

Also, I think A Ling will like it...

But he didn't know that.

The guy continued, "Son, this step is very difficult to make, and it requires a lot of people's craftsmanship. There is only this one in the workshop, and it will take a long time."

Shen Ci said warmly, "I want it."

The guy smiled brightly, "Okay, let's wrap it up for the son."

Shen Ci smiled and looked at the place where he had not finished, but he had already seen the bracelet before, and when he arrived at the place where the bracelet was, Shen Ci looked back, "Is there any difference between these two bracelets?"

Buddy Ben is telling Bu Yao about things. Listen to him and know that he doesn't know.

The guy smiled, but he wasn't very strict, and said vaguely, "Young Master, is this a bracelet, it's a foot chain..."

Shen Ci didn't expect that the guy knew it in his heart, knowing that he really didn't know, the guy reminded, "There is a bell on it."

After the guy finished speaking, Shen Ci was stunned, and soon, he seemed to react suddenly.

Fortunately, the guy didn't look at him, and the backs of his ears were all red.

***

Because it took time to repair the horse's hooves, Shen Ci and Xiao Wu were on their way for two consecutive days, and did not stop at night.

Guo Zixiao was already waiting in Hongcheng, the sooner they arrived, the better.

Arriving at Hongcheng at noon, I saw Guo Zixiao on horseback looking around at the city gate, "General!"

Guo Zixiao bowed his hands.

Finally arrived here, Shen Ci's face was heavy, and Xiao Wu and Guo Zixiao's faces were not good-looking.

Lao Xue died in Hongcheng...

Shen Ci dismounted and entered the city with Guo Zixiao and Xiao Wu.

"The general needs to rest for a while." Guo Zixiao saw that his eyes were bloodshot, and he should have rushed the night road.

"No need, tell me first."

Guo Zixiao is no longer familiar with Shen Ci. The general said so, so there is no need to persuade him. Guo Zixiao led Shen Ci to the alley where the accident happened.

Shen Ci walked all the way, watched all the way, and began to grasp in his heart.

Xue Chao would not enter such an alley easily, he was forced to enter, chased and blocked.

Xue Chaoyue has a lot of experience in the place where horses were traded just now, and he knows that to detect pedestrians, he must first check such places.

Xue Chao found someone there.

Shen Ci remained silent.

Guo Zixiao said aside, "General, besides Lao Xue, one person died that day."

Another person died, Shen Ci stopped, "Who?"

Shen Ci continued, and Guo Zixiao followed, "It's a guy from the Mobao shop nearby, because the two things were not checked together at that time, so I didn't talk about it with the general in advance. It's two days in the future. After listening to the local city guard, I found clues."

"Speak." Shen Ci said in a deep voice.

Guo Zixiao said, "I heard from the other guys in the Mobao shop that someone came to the shop that day to buy the Four Treasures of the Study. Listening to the description, he looks like Lao Xue."

Shen Ci was surprised, "Then what?"

Guo Zixiao continued, "It was Lao Xue who was greeted by the dead guy. The other guys were impressed because Lao Xue really wrote with pen and ink. Later, when Lao Xue left the shop, the dead guy also said that he had to go out for a while, so he left. After leaving the shop, the body was found later."

"What's the relationship with Lao Xue?" Shen Ci asked.

Guo Zixiao took a deep breath, "At that time, other guys happened to hear that Lao Xue gave the guy money to send what he just wrote, along with a garrison's waist card to the official residence. General, I think Lao Xue should It was because they found the traces of the Xirong people and knew that they could not deal with them, so when they were cautious, they sent someone to deliver the letter, thinking that they would not lose the trail, but it was discovered later, and the man was silenced, so the last letter did not. I sent it out, and I didn’t notify anyone who arrived at the official residence…”

After Guo Zixiao finished speaking, he sighed in a deep voice, "Later Xue Ying was also targeted and forced into this alley, and finally..."

Guo Zixiao remained silent, unable to speak any further.

Although it has been more than a month since the news of Lao Xue's death, he still can't get over this hurdle in his heart.

Suddenly mentioning it, it will still be stuck in the throat.

Shen Ci stopped, looked back at the entrance of the alley, and simply measured the distance from the horse trading office, to the calligraphy shop, and the alley.

not far.

Shen Ci said solemnly, "Lao Xue was not targeted later, he should have been targeted at the place where the horses were traded, and the other party followed him to the Mobao shop, and then followed him, forcing him into this alley. ."

Guo Zixiao was surprised.

But indeed, when the general mentioned it, he remembered that the distance between these three places is not too far.

Shen Ci remembered that when Miaocheng saw Qu Bianying, Qu Bianying mentioned that he and Chen Xiuyuan met Harmiya in Yaocheng.

Although I don't know why Harmia appeared in Shaocheng, Harmiya stole the waist cards of Chen Xiuyuan and Qu Bianying, and was able to escape from the vicinity of Shaocheng in a short time.

His movement in Yaocheng was so big that the whole Yanhan was looking for him. He knew that his actions were exposed. As long as he was not stupid, he knew that he had to leave Licheng as soon as possible. He would not waste time tracking Xue Chao here for no reason, but the sooner go better.

Unless he knows that Xue Chao is there, it must be a burden. If he doesn't get rid of Xue Chao, there will be problems, so he will take the risk of being discovered and get rid of Xue Chao.

Shen Ci pulled the cocoon in his heart a little bit, and finally said in a low voice, "It's very likely that the other party recognizes Xue Chao, so he will block him here, otherwise he won't take the risk... I'm thinking, we should have met in Xirong before. Harmia, but we don't know him, but he recognizes me and Lao Xue."

Guo Zixiao and Xiao Wu both took a deep breath.

Shen Ci said again, "If Harmiya didn't recognize Xue Chao, they wouldn't kill him here. Zixiao, do you still remember that you and I were in Qucheng?"

Guo Zixiao nodded, he remembered everything about Qucheng.

Shen Ci's eyes darkened, "Halmiya deliberately waited to see me at the herbal tea shop, because he recognized me and knew that I was in Qucheng, so he deliberately provoked, otherwise he would write two Shen Ci in blood. Character?"

Guo Zixiao reacted, yes!

Shen Ci continued, "They have recognized Xue Chao here, and they also know that it is only a few days from here to Licheng, and they will be able to get out soon, but if Xue Chao sends the news out, they may not be able to get out, so they must I want to kill Xue Chao."

Xue Chao is because he met them...

Shen Ci lowered his eyes heavily.

Guo Zixiao and Xiao Wu stopped talking, Guo Zixiao led Shen Ci to the place where Xue Chao was found, "General, it's here."

Shen Ci was silent.

Guo Zixiao continued, "Old Xue's waist card has been given out. I used to go in and out of Xirong from time to time, and I wouldn't leave a sign on my body, so..."

Guo Zixiao said with difficulty, "Lao Xue's corpse was left in Hongcheng for a long time, no one recognized it, and they were all disposed of. It was later..."

Guo Zixiao did not finish.

"General..." Guo Zixiao saw him half squatting down, and the whole person was silent. Originally, his eyes were bloodshot, but now they are more scarlet. Shen Ci said softly, "I'm fine, let me stay for a while."

Shen Ci and Xiao Wu didn't answer.

...

After a long time, Shen Ci left the alley.

Guo Zixiao continued, "There is something strange about the general, and I want to tell the general."

Shen Ci looked at him, "It has something to do with Lao Xue?"

Guo Zixiao shook his head, "I don't know if it is, but it has something to do with Xirong people."

"Speak." As Shen Ci walked out of the alley, he listened to Guo Zixiao, "The journey from Hongcheng to the west is Yangcheng for three or two days. In Yangcheng, several corpses of Xirong people were found."

Shen Ci stopped again, "What?"

Guo Zixiao said, "These corpses were originally dumped in the river outside Yangcheng, but because the flood season passed, they were not washed away by the water. They were from Xirong."

Shen Ci felt more and more that the matter was complicated and confusing, and Xue Chao's death might have an inside story.

"Go to Yangcheng to see." Shen Ci ordered.

***

It took three days to arrive at Yangcheng. The shortest route used by Shen Ci simulated the time when Harmiya departed from Hongcheng to Yangcheng. Guo Zixiao sighed, "It was just the time when the group of Xirong people were found dead. "

That was the one who followed Harmia.

Shen Ci was even more cautious in his heart.

"General, it's here." A local official led Shen Ci, Guo Zixiao, Xiao Wu and others to the place where the crime happened. ,

Not far from Yangcheng, Shen Ci's calculation was good, because he ran the night road for two or three days in a row. For the sake of safety, he settled in Yangcheng for one night, and then prepared to leave the city in three or two days. Just out of Licheng not far from the accident.

The official stepped forward and handed Shen Ci the mask in his hand.

Shen Ci took it, it was a blue-faced fangs mask.

The official said, "General, look down here is the Tuan River, the body was found down the Tuan River, but I followed the clues to find the cloth hanging on the branch, and then confirmed the location of the crime, so it was in What happened here. This mask was pulled by one of the Xirong people. If I guessed correctly, it should have been pulled from the face of the person in the hand."

"Why did you kill a bunch of green-faced fangs masks again?" Guo Zixiao was surprised.

Shen Ci looked at the mask, "Does anyone know this mask?"

All around shaking their heads.

Xiao Wu suddenly thought, "General, is this the mask of other tribes in Xirong? Could it be someone from another tribe who wanted to kill Harmiya, so they came here?"

"Not like." Shen Ci shook his head.

Although there are many tribes in Xirong, they generally have the same customs. This blue-faced and tusk mask is not a custom of Xirong people.

"Are there any other clues?" Shen Ci asked.

The official shook his head, "The one next to me is gone."

"Okay." Shen Ci nodded.

When the officials left, Guo Zixiao and Xiao Wu came forward, and Shen Ci retracted his gaze, "Let's go, this is not an easy matter, let's go back to the garrison first."

"Yes!"

***

In the late twelfth lunar month, Ning Tong returned to Beijing from Fuyang County, and Jianping Hou Shizi and Fan Yu also returned to Beijing with Ning Xiang to return to their lives.

There are still four or five days before the DPRK, and there is not much to do.

When the early morning ended, it was still as usual to leave the palace in twos and threes.

"Have you heard? Jianping Hou Shizi returned to Beijing with Ning Xiang this time."

"I heard that this time the Huaicheng Rebellion was pacified by the Prince of Jianping, and he should be sealed when he returns to Beijing this time, but Jianping's mansion is already a mansion, but it is not enough for the Duke's mansion. To the extent, I am afraid, this can only be awarded the title early, let the prince of Jianping inherit the title early, anyway, the prince's mansion is also the prince who is in charge, and the emperor is a favored man."

"I'm afraid it is. By the way, didn't Fan Yu also return to Beijing this time?"

"Yeah, I heard that the Hanlin Academy has already drawn up a decree that His Majesty will let Fan Yu go to the Ministry of Household. Where is this Ministry of Household? The place where the emperor has been staring at recently is the place where the knife is to be used, and now the knife is back. , the Ministry of Household is in danger right now!"

"So it's really hard to say what people's fate will be. Earlier, the spring breeze was proud of Tanhualang, who was removed from the name by the late emperor. He originally thought it was the emperor's direct line, but the emperor didn't even ask a question, so he stayed in a place like Yucheng for a few years. , encountered the Huaicheng Rebellion again, and then was reused by the emperor, with several ups and downs, the book was not so exciting."

"In the end, it's also Fan Yu's ability to raise food, which seems to be a springboard from the emperor, but it's not that easy to do. Yuanwailang can also straighten up."

"Looking at it this way, Shen Ci didn't seal anything. General Liu was recovering from illness. He was originally the actual commander of the garrison at the border. Now that he is the commander of the forbidden army, it is not a promotion."

"Oh, the emperor trusts him a lot right now. His close ministers are more envious than Fengshang."

...

As the New Year is approaching, all the plum blossoms in the palace are blooming.

There is a place in the Hall of Lihe to appreciate plums. In the warm pavilion, Chen Ling and Ning Rutao enjoy plums and play chess together.

After Qi Shan left with tea, Ning Rutao asked, "Your Majesty asked Shen to resign from the border?"

Chen Ling knew that he would ask, "I'm afraid that the border will be unstable recently, so it's safer for Shen to resign."

Ning Rutao was noncommittal, "The Imperial Guard in Beijing has just started to pick up, and Ziyiwei has gradually gained a firm foothold. At this time, it is more meaningful for Shen Ci to stay in Beijing. There are border generals everywhere, and you can send others."

Chen Ling said with a warm voice, "Halmia is not easy to deal with. A general died a while ago, and the military's morale is not stable."

The chess piece that Ning Rutao held in the air did not fall, and said gently, "Your Majesty..."

Chen Ling smiled and said, "Teacher, don't worry, I know what I have in mind."

Ning Rutao frowned rarely, "What about the prince? Your Majesty knows what, does the prince know?"

Chen Ling was slightly startled.

Ning Rutao continued, "Even if the crown prince has a number, how about His Majesty's grandson and great-grandson?"

Chen Ling didn't answer.

Ning Rutao slowly settled down, "Shen Ci is loyal to the emperor. What about Shen Ci's son and grandson? After a hundred years of Shen Ci, what about his great-grandson? Has your majesty ever forgotten that Tan Jin's ancestors and fathers are also very fond of the ancestors and emperors? Loyal, willing to sacrifice his life, but what about Tan Jin?"

Chen Ling took a deep breath, "Shen Ci is not Tan Jin."

Ning Rutao glanced at her and continued, "Old minister heard that on the first day Shen Ci took office as the Imperial Guard, he stuck a saber in Zhao Lunchi's face. How arrogant is this?"

Chen Ling raised his eyes.

Ning Rutao said again, "Yes, the Prince of Jingyang is a bit of a jerk, but Your Majesty thinks about it, if the Prince of Jingyang stuck the saber in Shen Ci's face that day, His Majesty would think that Zhao Lun was arrogant. ?"

Chen Ling was stunned and reached out.

Ning Rutao glanced at her, and then continued, "Whether Shen Ci is arrogant or not, after the old minister said it, His Majesty should be able to judge. The border garrison is different from the forbidden army. The forbidden army is at the feet of the emperor, and there are so many eyes in Beijing. Look, there are some things that can be done at the border, and whether the banned army can do it in Beijing. Would a banned army commander have no idea? If it wasn't for the emperor's close ministers, who would have dared to do this to others?"

Chen Ling remained silent.

Ning Rutao then looked at her, "His Majesty thought that Shen Ci did the right thing earlier, because of his trust in Shen Ci, so he would naturally stand on Shen Ci's side. As a monarch, this would be biased. Prejudice, how to convince the courtiers? Or are the courtiers following suit?"

Chen Ling was speechless.

Ning Rutao said, "Since he is a close minister of the emperor, he should know the importance and not easily place the emperor at the cusp of the storm. Why did the Prince of Jianping make your Majesty sad?"

Chen Ling's fingertips trembled slightly, just as Qi Shan stepped forward, "Your Majesty, the Prince of Jianping Marquis has arrived."