In this moment, countless unpredictable looks flashed on Xie Fenghua's little face.

Yuan Minzhou looked at her face, and suddenly felt that the world was spinning at this moment, full of incredulity.

This man, cunning as a fox when calculating people, and heroic as a commander when wielding a sword and sword, seems to be able to deal with all kinds of sudden problems at will. But at this moment, I saw that her brows were tightly knit, and her little face was wrinkled, which was like two people she usually saw.

At this moment, he suddenly felt that the scenery of the garden was not as vivid as this face.

Thinking about it like this, the smile on the corner of Yuan Minzhou's mouth became bigger and bigger, and in the end, he actually laughed unkindly.

"You can still laugh?" Xie Fenghua was not in a good mood, his smile was tantamount to adding fuel to the fire, and he was immediately annoyed, so he started with him without saying a word.

For a while, the clothes flew and the fists struck each other, and they were dazzled for a while.

After the two of them landed, Yuan Minzhou asked her with a smile, "Are you in a better mood?" ”

Xie Fenghua was stunned, grabbed his sleeve embarrassedly, and nodded like pounding garlic.

"Then let's go." Yuan Minzhou took her hand and walked towards the main hall.

And Xie Fenghua had something in his heart, and he didn't notice his movements for a while, so he let him lead him like this.

In the main hall, Mrs. Yuan was already sitting on a high seat, and when she saw the two of them walking in hand in hand, her eyes flashed, but she didn't say anything.

Soon, a maid brought a tea cup, Xie Fenghua stretched out his hand to take it, and respectfully gave Mrs. Yuan tea.

Mrs. Yuan replied with a red envelope and said with a kind face: "Although this wedding is in a hurry, I still entered the door and became a family." From now on, the two of you will have to live a good life and start a branch for the Hou Mansion as soon as possible! ”

"Yes. Follow your mother's teachings. Yuan Minzhou and Xie Fenghua hurriedly said in unison.

Seeing this, Mrs. Yuan had a hint of satisfaction in her eyes, and said a few words to the two, then asked her subordinates to serve breakfast, and went to call Yuan Minzhou's younger brother Yuan Mindong to come, and the family of four gathered around for the first breakfast.

During this period, Mrs. Yuan would also ask Xie Fenghua some questions, but fortunately, Xie Fenghua could also answer them, and occasionally if she didn't know how to answer, Yuan Minzhou would also help from the side, and she had a good meal.

After that, Yuan Minzhou took Xie Fenghua to retreat on the grounds that there was something in the study.

Mrs. Yuan took the tea cup handed by Mama Ying and took a sip thoughtfully, but her interest was not very high.

Seeing her frowning like this, Mama Ying hurriedly comforted her, "Madam, Master Hou has finally become a family, and you don't have to worry about it next!" You can wait to hold your grandson! ”

Mrs. Yuan didn't necessarily feel very happy, but asked, "What kind of person do you think Xie Er is?" ”

Mama Ying recalled the demeanor and cleverness of the person at the banquet just now, and couldn't help but say: "The young lady's eyebrows are comfortable and atmospheric, and her temperament is hearty and straightforward, but she is a real and easy to get along with!" Although the slave maid has never seen Marshal Xie's demeanor, she can also get a glimpse of it when she looks at the young lady. ”

Mrs. Yuan's eyes were gloomy, but she sighed: "The appearance is excellent, and the temperament is also good, but I am afraid of ...... Alas, maybe it's because I'm too careful, I always feel a little uneasy in my heart......"

The thought that yesterday's wedding was actually in a prison made her head hurt. Others only saw the emperor's decree, but did not notice the illogic of the matter.

She was in the back house, and Yuan Minzhou did not discuss the affairs of the court with her, and she could not know the causes and consequences of the sudden marriage in detail. But earlier, I also heard some rumors in the market, and I learned that Xie Fu seemed to have committed some crimes. In order to protect this Miss Xie Er, she had to advance the wedding date to yesterday.

But such a ridiculous thing as getting married in a prison has never been heard of in the past, and it is impossible to say that she doesn't have a little dislike in her heart!

What's more, a good family affair turned out to be a means to protect Xie Er, which clearly waded into the troubled waters of Xie Fu!

Mama Ying didn't know that she had thought so much in her heart, so she hurriedly comforted her, "Madam, you don't have to worry too much. According to the slave maid, the Hou Ye and the young lady are both capable people, and they will definitely not suffer. ”

"That's all it can be." Mrs. Yuan frowned.

……

After leaving the main hall, Yuan Minzhou went back to the study to deal with business.

Although the emperor read that he was newly married and gave him a few days to rest, if he wanted to find out the truth for the dead Xie Fenghua, he still needed to prepare a lot of things, and he was a little too busy for a while.

Xie Fenghua also knew his plans, and wanted to go to see if he could help, but then he thought about it, with her current identity, it was really not appropriate to expose too much.

Horizontal and vertical Dou Changke has been found, and some things can only be slowly figured out.

She was walking in the Hou Mansion with all her heart, when she suddenly heard the sound of weapons colliding. followed the sound and looked over, but found that he had unconsciously walked to the martial arts arena, in which Yuan Mindong and Dou Changke were trying to compete with each other with weapons in hand, and they were inseparable for a while.

She leaned against the railing and watched with interest the figures flying in the field.

But seeing Dou Changke's hands turned, the spear in his hand pulled out a beautiful spear flower, and with a leap of his toes, the spear split the rising sun and stabbed Yuan Mindong.

Yuan Mindong hurriedly raised the big knife in his hand and blocked it against the sharp spear tip. Hearing a loud sound, sparks flew everywhere, and he felt that his palm was numb by the momentum, and as soon as his fingers were loosened, the knife fell to the ground.

And the spear was fierce, as if it was out of control, and stabbed straight towards Yuan Mindong.

Xie Fenghua's face changed greatly, and he jumped to Yuan Mindong's side, tore him away, and then said angrily to Dou Changke: "You kid still think it's on the battlefield? It's just a trial play, and the result is still playing really? If it hurts someone, how can it be good? ”

Dou Changke put away his spear a little embarrassed, touched his head, and looked embarrassed.

The eldest sister, is quite imposing when she scolds people. At that moment just now, he thought he had seen the boss again.

At the thought of this, his eyes also dimmed, and the whole person seemed to fall into a sadness.

Seeing this, Yuan Mindong hurriedly waved his hand and explained, "Sister-in-law, it's not that serious. I'm just casually playing with Commander Dou, and it's going to be fine. ”

As soon as he finished speaking, Dou Changke walked over and apologized to him: "Second Young Master, I'm sorry, I was careless just now." I was just...... I just suddenly thought of my boss, and I didn't notice it for a while......"

"It's okay, it's okay." Yuan Mindong's eyes lit up, he wanted to look at him but didn't dare to look at him, he seemed to be a little shy.

Unlike Dou Changke, Yuan Mindong has fair skin, clear eyebrows and eyes, and is upright. He is slightly shorter than Dou Changke, and his body reveals a pampered bearing unique to the son of Tianjing.

If it is said that Dou Changke is a green pine on the cliff that has been soaked in the wind, frost, rain and snow of the border city all the year round, and it is cold and sharp, then Yuan Mindong is a green bamboo in the mountains that has grown through the four seasons, warm and moist like jade, with an elegance and calmness.

This point is a bit like Yuan Minzhou.

Before marrying Yuan Minzhou, Xie Fenghua had never seen Yuan Mindong, and when he saw him like this, he was quite surprised in his heart, and couldn't help but take a few more looks.

And Dou Changke had already looked at her and asked, "Young lady, are you here to find me?" ”

As soon as he heard him shout, Xie Fenghua felt quite awkward in his heart, but he didn't correct him, and then shook his head and said, "I was just passing by, and I happened to see you competing." You seem to be in a hurry......"

Dou Changke immediately nodded, "Before, I hid in Mocheng, and I always hoped to find out the truth about the battle in Mosoul Valley. However, he has a special identity, and he doesn't know who is secretly doing it, and he doesn't dare to appear in front of the world rashly. Now, since the Marquis of Dingyuan has the intention to bring this matter out, I naturally can't ask for it. ”

Xie Fenghua was speechless for a while.

The young man in front of him, dressed in a narrow-sleeved suit, holding a spear, and his body was as tall and slender as a pine and cypress, miraculously overlapping with the back of the snowy day in his memory.

At this moment, his face was slightly tense, his lips were slightly pursed, his eyes were cold, and his whole person seemed to have suddenly grown, and he was a little more mature and stable than the person in his memory.

And he wasn't like that.

Xie Fenghua suddenly remembered that among the soldiers under his command, he was the only one who was most valued by her. Now that this life has been saved, there are some things that can't be taken too risky.

She thought for a moment, and suddenly asked, "You just returned to Tianjing, have you ever been home?" ”

Dou Changke was born in the Dou family, a family of Jiangmen in Tianjing. His father Dou Shiqian was originally a loyal and military commander praised by the Liang Dynasty, and Dou Changke had a relationship with Dou Shiqian since he was a child.

Since then, Dou Changke has stayed in her army, accompanying her to fight on horseback and making contributions.

Over the years, under her intentional or unintentional teaching, the father-son relationship between Dou Changke and Dou Shiqian has also eased somewhat, and a month before the expedition, Dou Changke also said that he would quickly defeat the Xilu Kingdom and go home to spend a good year with his father.

Who knows, this year, no one in her army can make it!

For more than half a year, Dou Changke has been hiding in Mocheng and has not been in contact with the people in Tianjing, Dou Shiqian has always thought that his son has died in battle, and he has been closed all day, quite depressed.

Now that Dou Changke is back, it is time to go home.

"Huh?" Coldly asked by her, Dou Changke's face showed a hint of depression, but he still shook his head and said in a deep voice, "Now I should not move around frequently in the Heavenly Capital. Let's wait a little longer. ”

After speaking, he asked curiously, "Young lady, you seem to know my identity?" ”

"My sister once said it in a letter." Xie Fenghua now lied without blinking, and made it up, "My sister once said that you are the most brave and warlike young commander under her command. In time, he will surpass her and become one of the best leaders of the Liang Dynasty. ”

Dou Changke seemed to think of something, his eyes were slightly red, he first bowed down, and made a big salute to the two people in front of him, and then said: "Thank you for your care and acceptance, I am grateful." If there's anything you need help with, just say it. Even if it is a fire, I will not give up. ”

Xie Fenghua looked at him quietly, and suddenly said, "I have one thing, I really need your help." ”

"What?" Dou Changke asked.

"Come here." Xie Fenghua attached it to his ear and whispered.

……

On the third day after Dou Changke lived in the Hou Mansion, the case of the Xie Mansion was re-brought to the front of the civil and military officials.

It stands to reason that Xie Zhengyun secretly built an auxiliary canal and had already been convicted by the emperor. There is no point in interrogating this person at this moment. But the stakes are so high that only the officials who participated that day know what happened. Then, in the eyes of the world, Xie Fu's guilt is only "Xie Fenghua deceived the monarch and disobeyed the holy will".

It is precisely this item that is scheduled to be arraigned by the Marquis.

On the surface, this is just a formality, in order to convict Xie Fu. However, Yuan Minzhou invited several high-ranking officials from the DPRK and China to participate in the interrogation.

The officials in the hall had already arrived, but they didn't see the criminals come to the court for a long time, so Du Hongxin, who was listening, was also anxious and asked, "Why hasn't Master Hou announced that the criminals have passed the court?" ”

Yuan Minzhou raised his eyebrows, "Master Du, there is no need to worry. This is to pronounce the prisoner in court. ”

As he spoke, he patted the shocked wood, and saw two jailers escorting Xie Zhengyun into the public court.

Yuan Minzhou was about to interrogate, when he suddenly heard a drum sound in the distance, loud and powerful, resounding in the sky. His eyes flashed slightly, he looked at Du Hongxin, who was contemplative on the side, and asked lightly: "Lord Du, Benhou should have heard it correctly, right?" This seems to be the sound of a drum? ”

Du Hongxin was a little confused, but he still nodded and said, "Indeed." It has not been sounded for many years, but for some reason it is sounding today. ”

Sun Mingyuan, who was sitting quietly on the side, looked in the direction where the drum came from, and said thoughtfully: "For so many years, the officials inside and outside the court have been strictly governed, and the people have lived and worked in peace and contentment. Today suddenly sounded, I am afraid that the drummer will be greatly wronged. Master Hou, why don't you send someone to find out? ”

"No." Du Hongxin hurriedly stopped, "Xiangye, the most important thing now is to convict Xie Fu of the crime, and put the others aside for the time being." ”

Sun Mingyuan shook his head, with a look of disapproval, "Lord Du, you are also a pillar of the Liang Dynasty, how can you be so indifferent to the affairs of the people?" Although the Xie Fu case is of great importance and should not be delayed, it seems that it is not so urgent compared to the drums of grievances at the moment. According to the appearance, the top priority is to send someone to find out first. What does Hou Ye think? ”

Yuan Minzhou thought for a while, then nodded and said, "What Xiangye said is reasonable. ”

After saying that, he gave Changying a look, and saw Changying walk out quickly.

It didn't take long for Changying to come back again, and he told the news of the inquiry one by one, "The subordinates have inquired clearly, and the drummer calls himself Dou Changke, who is from Mocheng. This person was originally a commander under Marshal Xie. This drum beating and grievances were also for Marshal Xie's death. ”

As soon as these words came out, everyone in the hall looked at each other.

Du Hongxin's face changed slightly, his eyes swept over the other people present, and a bad premonition suddenly rose in his heart, so he took the preemptive action: "It seems that the conviction of Xie Fu is already on the line." Dingyuanhou, what are you waiting for? If this case is not closed quickly, won't it give others an opportunity to exploit loopholes? ”

actually defined Dou Changke's drumming and grievances as exploiting loopholes.

Sun Mingyuan has always been at odds with him, and seeing that he felt a little like a dog jumping off the wall, he stopped him: "Master Du, why are you in a hurry?" Since it's all about Xie Fu, why don't you pass the drummer through the hall and ask all about it? ”

"Xiangye!" Du Hongxin suddenly glared at him, and said unhappily, "Beat the drum and complain, since someone will report to the emperor, we only need to do our own thing, why bother so much?" Xiangye obstructed the court trial like this, what is his intention? ”

Sun Mingyuan was angry with him, and immediately got up, bowed in the direction of the palace, and retorted to him righteously, "Lord Du, you have been an official for many years, and you have been a courtier in vain. The people sitting here are all the most virtuous and respected people in the court, can't they listen to the complaint of the man who beats the drum? This matter still has to be reported to the emperor, it seems that your previous words about worrying about the emperor are just empty words. ”

"You old horseman......" Du Hongxin pointed at him, and he was about to scold.

Yuan Minzhou patted the startled wood, and the two sides of the dispute glared at each other angrily, but they didn't say anything more. Seeing this, he said slowly: "Xiangye has a good saying. Since it's all related to the Xie Mansion, you might as well ask in the hall. Come and bring Dou Changke. ”

"With Dou Changke—"

A rough and magnificent voice came from the public hall, and not long after, a few people present saw a young man striding in, and it was Dou Changke, who was beating the drum and shouting grievances.

The sharp eyes swept over the people in the field, Dou Changke arched his hand, and said neither humbly nor arrogantly: "The last general will see all the adults." ”

Yuan Minzhou met his gaze and asked lightly: "Dou Changke, you beat the drum and voice your grievances, what are your grievances?" ”

Dou Changke immediately knelt on one knee and said word by word: "The last general is going to sue Du Huaisheng, the eldest prince of Du Mansion, for bullying the king, delaying the military plane, plotting against him, and brutalizing Zhongliang, so that Marshal Xie and his soldiers died on the battlefield!" ”

"Smack-"

I don't know who is the cup in his hand shattered in response to the sound, like thunder on the ground, and suddenly exploded in everyone's ears.

The people present gasped in unison, staring at the kneeling young man in disbelief, and such a thought flashed through their minds - this person, isn't he crazy?

In the dead silence, Du Hong stood up excitedly, pointed at Dou Changke, and was furious: "What nonsense! Such a belie confuses the public, don't you hurry up and drag him down! Someone's coming......"

"Master Du!" Sun Mingyuan interrupted him suddenly, met his fire-breathing gaze, and said with a cold expression, "Whether what this person said is nonsense or not still needs further judgment." The plan for now is to report this matter to the emperor as soon as possible and ask the emperor to decide. ”

After speaking, Sun Mingyuan hurriedly ordered someone to go to the palace to report the news.

And Du Hongxin's face was already as white as paper, he sat down slowly on the table, and when he looked up, his eyes were full of ruthlessness and gloom when he looked at Dou Changke.

……

When the drum sounded, the emperor and queen were playing in the imperial garden.

Zhao Pei was holding a sunspot in his hand, thinking about how to get down.

On the other side, Du Pingfei glanced at his non-angry and arrogant look, and said as if he had no intention: "Your Majesty, today seems to be the day when Xie Fu is convicted." Are you really going to ......"

"What are you going to do?" Zhao Pei's gaze swept over the chessboard, and he gently dropped the sunspot in his hand, his face was light and light.

Du Pingfei glanced at the chessboard, the white son in his hand fell, and he hesitated: "Although Sister Xie has buried her bones in Mocheng, her achievements in life are eternal. If Xie Fu is condemned in this way, is it not appropriate? ”

Zhao Pei raised his eyes lazily, glanced at her coldly, and said with a smile: "What does the queen think is wrong?" ”

He squinted at her, his eyes were narrow and sharp, but the color of his eyes was as deep as a winter night, with a cold feeling.

Du Pingfei's heart trembled, remembering that he had seen such a look too much over the years, and he endured it every time.

At this moment, she wanted to be bold, and she inexplicably gave birth to a courage in her heart, looked directly at those piercing eyes, and said with a smile: "The emperor may have misunderstood the meaning of the concubine." The concubine felt that death was like a lamp going out, and some mistakes should not be investigated. When I was young, Sister Xie also had an acquaintance with us, and if she learned that the family members were not taken care of, the spirit in the sky would not rest in peace. ”

"Really?" Zhao Pei looked at her quietly, but a bright and bright smile appeared in his mind.

He lost his mind slightly, but at this moment he heard a rhythmic drum beat, distant but also clear, and one could feel the strength and determination of the man as he struck the drum.

He then came back to his senses and asked, "What's the matter with this drum?" ”

Father-in-law Lu hurriedly sent someone to inquire.

At this moment, Xi Lu, the guard with a sword in front of the emperor, strode over and knelt on one knee to report: "Your Majesty, Prime Minister Sun Cheng sent an urgent report, saying that Marshal Xie's former commanders beat drums and sounded grievances, accusing the eldest prince of the Du family of bullying the monarch and delaying the military aircraft, and causing Marshal Xie and his soldiers to die on the battlefield. At this moment, Prime Minister Sun Cheng, Marquis Dingyuan, and several other adults are still waiting for your decision. ”

When Zhao Pei heard this, his eyes seemed to gather stormy waves for a moment, and they quickly disappeared silently.

He raised his eyes and looked at Du Pingfei, whose face was pale, and suddenly pulled the corners of his mouth, "What the queen said just now, I think it makes sense. Xie Fenghua is loyal to the country and buried his bones in the battlefield, and he should not be deprived of rest. This crime really can't be condemned like this. ”

As he spoke, he dropped the chess pieces in his hand, stood up, and said lightly: "Set up the Diligent Palace." Xi Lu, passing on my will, ordered Prime Minister Sun Cheng and Marquis Dingyuan to bring Xie Zhengyun and the drummer into the palace, and I will interrogate them personally! ”

"Yes." Xi Lu then strode away.

Du Pingfei stood stunned, sending the bright yellow back away. After a while, she slowly came back to her senses, remembering the news she had just heard, and she was dizzy in front of her.

Did she do something wrong?

……

Inside the Hall of Diligence.

Zhao Pei sat on the throne, looked at Dou Changke who was kneeling below, and asked coldly: "Dou Changke, who do you say you want to sue?" ”

Dou Chang Ke Lang said: "Back to the emperor, Weichen wants to sue Du Huaisheng, the eldest prince of Du Mansion, for bullying the king, delaying the military plane, plotting against him, and brutalizing Zhongliang, so that Marshal Xie and his soldiers died on the battlefield!" ”

"Since you have struck the drum of injustice, do you know the rules of the drum of injustice?" Zhao Pei asked.

Dou Changke said fearlessly: "Back to the emperor, Weichen knows." Fifty lashes for those who overstep the lawsuit; Whoever makes a false complaint shall be punished with 100 rods, and if the false accusation is heavier than 100 rods, he shall be punished as a felony of false accusation. What Wei Chen said is true, and he is not afraid of flogging and punishment. ”

Zhao Pei looked at him for a long time, and said unclearly: "In this case, let's follow the rules and laws!" ”

Soon, someone from the palace took Dou Changke down, and the sound of wooden planks hitting the flesh suddenly came from the door of the hall. But from beginning to end, Dou Changke's shouting was never heard.

The fifty flogging sentence ended soon, and Dou Changke was carried in, but his face was indescribably pale.

Zhao Pei lowered his eyes and looked at the courtiers who were standing respectfully below, and said in a cold voice: "Dou Changke, tell me how the eldest prince of the Du family deceived the king, delayed the military plane, and killed Zhongliang. ”