Chapter 16 The dust finally settles 1
On September 20, the princes and royal relatives from other places arrived in Chang'an City one after another. Most of them had their own residences in Chang'an City, and the capital was bustling for a while. Hexi Tower was the favorite place for the royal relatives and nobles, and it was always full these days.
"Hey, kid, how come you're so tanned after not seeing you for a year? If it weren't for the lights on in this building, I wouldn't be able to find you."
"Do you think the Northwest is a good place to stay? It would be great if we can return to Beijing alive."
"We went with the prince to experience life. When we come back this time, His Majesty will definitely not send you away again. If there is anything good in the capital, don't forget us brothers."
"Okay, okay..."
There was a table in the middle of the Hexi Tower, which was made up of several tables put together. A circle of people sat around it, making a lot of noise, drinking and playing finger-guessing games. They did not have the dignified air of the royal relatives in Chang'an City.
"Most of these princes were crowned kings because of their military merits. They are soldiers who have been around in the barracks. Naturally, they are unruly when they get together." Cheng Jue saw Zhou Zhenzhen's confusion and explained to her in a low voice.
"But His Royal Highness Prince Min is not like that."
"That's a very small number. People are different. Ordinary soldiers can't be compared with natural generals." Cheng Jue thought of something and laughed again, "But if you saw my mother, you would also find it hard to believe. She usually calls my father a brother when she is drunk."
Calling each other brothers? Princess Fengjue and her husband are calling each other brothers?
Zhou Zhenzhen didn't even dare to think about it.
In the past few days, Cheng Jue has been taking her everywhere, as if he wanted to take her to all the restaurants and restaurants in Chang'an City. At first, Meng Fan and his friends were happy to eat and drink for free, but seeing the newlyweds being so affectionate at the table, they were really hurt and felt that they were not tactful, so they stopped coming after two days.
After eating several meals in a row, Zhou Zhenzhen couldn't eat much, so Cheng Jue said he would take her to a different place. Zhou Zhenzhen didn't expect that the place he was talking about was actually Hexi Tower.
She had come with Du Rufeng to look for clues before, and she still remembered the arrogant look of the royal relatives in this building, and she didn't like them very much. But soon she found her interest, and whenever a stranger came to the building, Cheng Jue would introduce this person's life to her. He was sometimes sharp-tongued, and was really good at belittling people. Zhou Zhenzhen's eyebrows curved when she heard him, and she thought he looked particularly charming.
The food and wine were served one after another. Zhou Zhenzhen didn't drink, so Cheng Jue poured her a glass. As soon as the glass touched her lips, the chopsticks in Zhou Zhenzhen's hand rolled onto the table with a "click".
At this time, a clear voice came from outside the door, before anyone arrived, "Hey, everyone is here! It's been a while, I hope you are all well."
Cheng Jue glanced sideways and saw a man in gorgeous clothes walking in. His narrow and long phoenix eyes were raised, and he looked very romantic and unrestrained.
The people sitting at the big table in the middle stood up and greeted him with a smile: "My Lord, you have been busy enjoying yourself in Gaizhou City, but you still want to come back. No, you have to punish yourself with three cups of wine first."
Song Youan said nonchalantly, "I drank this wine like water in Gaizhou City, so I'm not afraid of you. Come on, I'll drink you three at a time."
"This is what the Marquis said. Come on, we can't let him go."
…
For a moment, the whole hall was filled with noise. Zhou Zhenzhen's face was pale, and her thin back couldn't help shaking. She gritted her teeth and endured it. She didn't know how much effort it would take to control herself from rushing to Song Youan.
Cheng Jue said nothing and drank the whole pot of wine by himself. He saw from the corner of his eye that Zhou Zhenzhen was no longer trembling and was gradually calming down before he took any action.
He asked the waiter for a jar of wine, walked to the middle table with the wine in one hand, and put down the wine pot with a "bang". The noise was so loud that it attracted the attention of a group of drunk people. Seeing that it was Cheng Jue, no one said much. Song Youan opened his still clear eyes and looked at Cheng Jue with a smile: "I haven't been to Chang'an City for several years. I don't know who you are?"
A familiar young man said, "This is the current Dali Temple Minister, Chengjue Chengsama."
Song Youan stood up, curled his lips and smiled, "When I was in Gaizhou City, I often heard that Master Cheng was wise and brave, and he could solve cases like a god. It is my honor to meet Master Cheng in Hexi Tower today."
"It is my honor to meet you today, Lord Marquis." Cheng Jue's expression was indescribably cold, but his hands were steady. He took the bowl from Xiao Er and filled it with mellow Bamboo Leaf Green. "I am here to welcome you, Lord Marquis. I hope everything goes well for you in Chang'an City and that this trip is worthwhile."
"Hahaha... Lord Cheng, you are too polite." Song Youan raised his head and drank the wine in one gulp, laughing wantonly, "Thank you Lord Cheng for your good words. This trip will definitely be worthwhile."
"Then I won't bother you any more." Cheng Jue turned around and left the crowd, returning to Zhou Zhenzhen's side, "Let's go!"
The atmosphere in Hexi Tower quickly returned to its previous state of drunkenness and carefree living. Song Youan drank so much that his eyes became wild and he smiled relaxedly.
That's really interesting.
Zhou Zhenzhen was more tolerant than Cheng Jue had imagined. There was nothing unusual on her face on the way back, except that she did not talk to Cheng Jue while walking like she usually did.
Cheng Jue did not send her back to the Full Moon Teahouse, but took her home. Zhou Zhenzhen did not come to her senses until she entered the house, and asked him silently with innocent eyes what he meant.
"Although I have tried and you don't act impulsively, you can't be sure about the future. When the Marquis of Huainan arrives in Chang'an, I need you to be by my side all the time, so that I can feel at ease. Madam, you don't want your husband to worry about you day and night and lose his appetite after your wedding, right?"
What he said was well-reasoned and Zhou Zhenzhen couldn't refute it.
But...but they sleep together...
Cheng Jue seemed to see through her thoughts: "I'll live in the wing room."
Zhou Zhenzhen blinked her eyes, looking a little dazed. Cheng Jue teased her unscrupulously, "Madam, you look very disappointed. Why don't we consummate our marriage tonight?"
"No...no...that's not what I think."
Cheng Jue took a step closer and rubbed her hot cheek with his hand: "So what do you think?"
"I...we...are adults, but you...are not yet ready, I..." She stammered for a long time and couldn't utter a complete sentence.
Cheng Jue saw that she was no longer so worried, so he stopped teasing her: "I'll still sleep on the narrow couch in the outer room. You should have some rest early and don't think too much. I'll be there for you in everything."
Zhou Zhenzhen's eyelashes moved rapidly, suppressing the tide back into her eyes, and she nodded obediently.
Cheng Jue pecked her on the temple, then stood up and walked out.
The yard was quiet. Cheng Jue sat under the tree for a while. A white dove flew in with a "cooing" sound and landed beside his hand.
He took out the letter tied to the pigeon's leg, and wrote on the paper as fast as a flying dragon, just like the person's flamboyance and wantonness. He remembered that she always complained: "I thought you would be more lively with my good personality, but who knew you would take after your dull father. It really pissed me off."
The content of the letter was almost the same as what he had imagined. When the candle burned up the paper, he looked up at the person who was already fast asleep.
Winter is coming, and spring is not far away.
It was particularly cold in the Ministry of Punishment that night, and to prevent people from freezing to death, the head officer added an extra quilt to each torture room. Song Ji curled up in the quilt, still shivering.
The moonlight stretched the man's figure, like a ghost from hell, and even his voice was chilling: "Your Highness Prince Xin's frail body is suffering in a place like the Ministry of Punishment. It's really heartbreaking to see you."
Song Ji gritted his teeth and looked at the face so close to him: "Why am I still here now? Didn't you promise that as long as I do what you said, I can get out in two or three days?"
"If we continue investigating this case, there will be endless doubts. It will be easy to pick you out in the midst of all the confusion. But Cheng Jue is worthy of being Cheng Jue. He never plays by the rules. He does nothing. If we do anything, we will be asking for trouble."
"So I have to stay here forever? With the reputation of being the killer of the imperial concubine? Song Youan, you can't betray me!"
The face under the hood still had a cynical smile. Song Youan said with a tut-tut sound, "People should really see how anxious our most obedient and timid Prince Xin is now. I promised you before because we have cooperated for so many years. Now I won't save you because there is no need for me to save you."
Song Ji's face turned livid, and he stood up suddenly. He was already in a state of disgrace after being imprisoned for many days, but at this moment he was just trying to maintain his pride as a prince: "Don't forget what you have done. You and I are in the same boat. If you abandon me today, I will take you with me when I go to hell someday."
"I am the only one in this world who can help you. How can you, a person who cherishes life so much, throw away everything with me?"
Song Youan brushed away Song Ji's hand that had grabbed his shirt and said quietly, "You are His Majesty's biological son, and it is legitimate for you to be the emperor. But when I came to Chang'an, I suddenly thought, if you and Song Huaishi died together, then I, who was prepared, would be the best candidate for the crown prince. Tell me, why should I save you at this time?"
"You... have you had this idea in mind for a long time?" Song Ji is not a fool. Although Song Youan said it lightly, he was well prepared.
It turned out that he bribed Liu Yu, a servant in Prince Min's palace, and his desperate efforts over the past few days were just to help others.
Song Youan was right. Song Ji was afraid of death and was unwilling to give up, so he formed an alliance with him. It was only then that Song Ji realized that Song Youan had seen through him, and he only began to understand Song Youan's thoughts today.
Song Youan straightened his clothes and said, "Since we have known each other for many years, I can save you this time. As long as you do one thing for me, I will find a way to release you after the Crown Prince is determined at the Queen Mother Qing's banquet. Without someone as annoying as Prince Min, when I ascend the throne, you will be the most honorable prince of Dayu."
Song Ji leaned against the moldy wall dejectedly, gritting his teeth.
He knew very well that he had reached this point and there was no turning back.
Song Youan was still patient. After leisurely walking around the torture room, he waited until Song Ji nodded in resignation.
The next day, Emperor Xuanhe issued an edict, summoning Cheng Jue and Zhou Zhenzhen to the palace for an audience in the afternoon.
Zhou Zhenzhen was in awe of Emperor Xuanhe from the bottom of her heart, and she didn't dare to say much. She answered whatever he asked. After a while, she came out of the imperial study. Emperor Xuanhe had something to say to Cheng Jue.
She was not familiar with the imperial palace, but she had walked the road to Ciqing Palace once, and her feet unconsciously moved towards that direction.
Since the incident, Cheng Jue has been very calm, and except for the night of the incident, he has hardly mentioned the case again. She doesn't know what he is thinking, but she trusts her Master Cheng and knows that everything he does has his reasons.
Emperor Xuanhe kept the death a secret, and Ciqing Palace looked normal from the outside. Zhou Zhenzhen stood at the palace gate for a while, and was about to go back. At this time, a young eunuch ran out and bumped into her in a daze.
"Ouch!" The young eunuch got up with a start. Seeing that Zhou Zhenzhen was wearing the official uniform of the Dali Temple, he bowed and said, "I didn't mean to do that. Please forgive me, sir."
"Nothing, what is this eunuch in such a hurry for?"
"Sister Feixin hurt her arm in the small kitchen. The wound was very deep. Aunt Ruyi ordered me to go to the Imperial Hospital to ask a doctor to come and see Sister Feixin."
Slaves in the palace who were injured or sick were usually not qualified to be examined by the imperial physician.
This Ruyi aunt is a good person, Zhou Zhenxin said sincerely, and then made way for the young eunuch.
She turned around and took a few steps, then suddenly stopped, her fingertips trembling slightly, and she used all her strength to suppress the surging blood. She raised her head and saw the bright light of the afternoon.
Whether you like it or not, September 23rd is coming.
In the past, the birthday banquet of Concubine Qing was held in the Changqing Pavilion in the palace. This year, everything was supposed to be the same. However, as soon as the princes and nobles who came from afar entered the palace, they were led by the palace servants to Ciqing Palace instead of Changqing Pavilion.
He looked around the prince and nudged the person next to him with his elbow: "Why do I feel something is wrong? There are no lights or decorations in the palace, and there is not even the slightest joy of celebrating the dowager's birthday."
"Not only that, in previous years, the first guests at the birthday banquet were always princes and princesses, but this year, only Princess Changping was there. I have been in Chang'an for a few days, and I haven't even seen Prince Min and Prince Xin."
