This New Year, the atmosphere in Shangjing is not quite right.

First of all, the Prime Minister reported the disappearance of the county lord of Qingyang, and the emperor was furious and severely punished the Tai Hospital, digging three feet into the ground in Beijing to search for people.

Then the king of Jin came up with evidence of the friendship between the prince of An Guo and the prince of the enemy country when he led troops outside the country in the past at the last court meeting at the end of the year, which confirmed the fiasco of causing the Southern Qi to lose three cities ten years ago, and there was another hidden secret, which shocked the government and the opposition.

Then, of course, the Anguo Mansion was raided, and the whole family was imprisoned pending trial. King Jin was praised by the emperor for his great achievements, although there was still no mention of the prince, but many officials privately said that it was his turn to take turns in feng shui.

These things are still being discussed in the mouths of the people, and a large number of imperial doctors were suddenly summoned in the palace, and then the palace banquet before this year's Lantern Festival was canceled. There is gossip that it is because the emperor suddenly fell ill, and I am afraid that he will not die.

All kinds of strange things like this made the people of the whole city panic, and they almost lost the mood for the holidays.

So this year, although the peach charms were hung and fired, the neighbors walked around, relatives and friends were a little absent-minded, and there was no festive atmosphere on the street after the fourth day of the new year.

Everyone's heart hung in the air, and when they sat idle, they looked in the direction of Miyagi, as if they were waiting for something.

This tension lasted until the Lantern Festival, and there was no bad news in the palace, but the news was released that the seal was opened early this year, and the people's hearts were a little calmer.

After that, there was a lot of discussion, all guessing whether the early court would be in order to announce the king of Jin as the crown prince as soon as possible.

King Jin, the people know that he has been hanging on an errand of "rectifying the rule of officials" before, and he has not made much achievements before overthrowing An Guogong this time.

But the strange thing is that now there are rumors in Beijing that His Royal Highness the King of Jin may be made the crown prince, but no upright old minister has come out to say that the King of Jin is not talented and virtuous enough to be worthy of this great responsibility.

Although King Jin has always given a good impression before, the current situation is still quite puzzling.

So there are many people who suspect that they guessed wrong, maybe the emperor didn't mean to make a prince at all?

After that, all the people commented on the character and deeds of several princes, and they all said that no matter from which point of view, the most outstanding prince of Southern Qi should be His Royal Highness King Li, who is suppressing bandits in the north at the moment.

But His Royal Highness King Li has not returned. People are deep in the mountains of the Northland, and they don't know life and death.

And his fateful daughter-in-law is missing.

This is really, the world is in chaos, and people's livelihood is hanging upside down.

Even in such an atmosphere, on the day of the Lantern Festival, the Prime Minister still held a family banquet.

Prime Minister Ruan Wenzhong, who had not gone out for a long time, was helped out and saluted the old lady, and the rules were very thorough.

has lost the scenery of being the prime minister of the dynasty, and the face that has gained a lot of weight but is still pale has a kind expression, and it looks like a filial son and a loving father.

The three daughters and two sons came to greet each other, and when they saw that their father was able to walk, everyone was happy, and they all felt that the day when the scenery of Xiangfu would reappear might not be far away.

The family sat down in groups, staggered and staggered, but also happy.

It's just that this year is still different from previous years.

The first person to notice that something was wrong was Nguyen Van Trung. He looked at Ruan Biyun's side, his brows furrowed slightly, and he sighed for a long time before he sighed: "There is still one person missing, and it is not a reunion." ”

"yes!" Chu Jianniang immediately let out a long sigh, raised her hand to wipe her tears: "Who would have thought that Mrs. would leave at a young age......"

Ruan Wenzhong was stunned for a moment, and his face sank: "She deserves it, what do you mention her for?!" ”

Chu Jianniang was stunned by his yelling for a moment, and then suddenly came to her senses.

It turned out that when Ruan Wenzhong said "there is one person missing", he was not referring to Mrs. Kim, but to the eldest lady Ruan Thanh Zhi, who had never had a reunion dinner with the whole family before.

I forgot about her again.

Chu Jianniang slapped herself heavily and squeezed out a smile: "Look at my mouth, it's really getting more and more uncovered!" I thought that I told the girls yesterday that the master's illness delayed the continuation of the string, and I don't know when we will have a new wife...... Thinking about Mrs. and Mrs. with all her heart, I mentioned it casually, I really deserve to fight! ”

"That's it!" The old lady didn't like to listen to her chatter, waved her hand to give up, and sighed again: "It's not just one less, didn't Yutang come back either?" I don't know what the kid is doing, and I won't say that I will come home to see it during the New Year! ”

Ruan Hongyu muttered softly: "The surname is Luan, and I don't treat myself as a Ruan family at all!" ”

Liu screwed her and didn't speak, and the atmosphere at the banquet was not as pleasant as before.

Ruan Biyun smiled, helped Ruan Suying change her favorite plate of glutinous rice sugar cake to her, and said with a smile: "As long as the family is safe, what does it matter if the reunion is not reunited?" Didn't the ancients say, 'The ends of the earth are like neighbors'? ”

"Tianya," the old lady didn't like to hear these two words, "who is in Tianya?" ”

Ruan Biyun was unhurried, and smiled: "There are so many people in the Jingzhao Yamen Soldiers and Horses Division of Jingzhong Tai Hospital who haven't found my sister, so I guess my sister is probably no longer in Beijing." At this time, His Royal Highness King Li is suppressing bandits in the north, and if my sister leaves Beijing, most of them will go there. - I just don't know if I'm right. ”

Now that Ruan Qingzhi has no trace of life and death, many people speculate that she is no longer alive. Now Ruan Bijun said that she may be in the north, which is a good thing.

The old lady's face softened a little, and she sighed: "If it is really as you say, then that's fine." Brother Tang is in the Luan family, and the eldest sister is outside, although they are not reunited, it is good to be safe. ”

Ruan Biyun obediently bowed her head and said yes, and said: "My sister must be safe and sound, and His Royal Highness King Li will definitely protect her." ”

"Let's eat." The old lady did not want to continue the topic.

Next to him, Liu suddenly smiled and said: "After this year, the eldest lady and the second lady are both fifteen years old." The ceremony must be prepared in advance, and the marriage of the eldest lady is almost ready to start. ”

"There's no rush to get married." The old lady smiled, "Our daughters are not rare enough, we can't marry them just in time, it seems that we are in a hurry to marry our daughters!" ”

"Isn't this a daughter!" Liu quipped, "The four young ladies are all about the same age, if the eldest lady and the second lady stay for another two years, the bottom two will catch up again!" ”

The three of them blushed when they said this, and Ruan Hongyu was dissatisfied: "I'm still early!" I'm only eleven after the New Year! ”

Chu Jianniang glared at Ruan Suying, then raised her head and smiled: "Fourth Miss Eleven is not young, your birthday is in the first month, and it will be in time for another four years!" - According to me, the eldest lady and the second lady were born on the same day, and it would be better if they could marry together! ”

Everyone present already knew that the two were not born on the same day, but no one corrected her words.

Ruan Wenzhong snorted coldly and said, "The marriage of the two of them is in charge of the palace, and it is useless for you to count it behind your back." ”

The old lady continued: "It is a matter of children's lives, and whether it is useful or not is something to think about." Now that the eldest sister has been settled, the second sister has not yet settled, what do you think? ”

It's not appropriate to talk about this topic in front of the children, but tonight is a reunion dinner, and it is not easy for several young ladies to leave the venue early, so they have to blush and bow their heads, hoping that a kind elder will suppress this talk.

Ruan Wenzhong looked a little embarrassed, glanced at Ruan Biyun, and sighed: "It's all because of the stupid things her mother did before, and the matter between her and King Rui is known to the world, and now I don't know how many people are waiting to see the jokes in our house, and the marriage is better to be slowed down." ”

He still hasn't said half a sentence, others don't understand, but the old lady understands: as long as King Rui is there, Ruan Biyun will be talked about and ridiculed no matter who she talks to about marriage.

Therefore, this "slow down", most of the time it will be delayed until the case of King Rui is decided, the killing that should be killed, the sale of the captivity, and the confinement of the captivity, and when everyone forgets the previous stubble in a year or two, they will quietly find the right person to marry the matter.

This is also the most optimistic plan now. After all, it's no longer a phoenix's fate, and it's good to fall from the sky without falling into the mud.

The old lady sighed, a little helpless: "It's all about now." ”

Liu Shi hurriedly continued: "We feel sorry for our daughter and are willing to take a break, but I don't know if those noble young talents in Beijing are willing to let us slow down!" The concubine also heard yesterday that His Royal Highness the Seventh Highness beat the son of Wang Shangshu's family, just because that little overlord said that we have two unpleasant sentences! ”

"Your Highness the Seven?" Ruan Wenzhong frowned, looking very distressed.

The Seventh Prince is also a very good child, but it's a pity that he is a little younger and has a shallow foundation, so it doesn't seem to be of much use.

It's not as good as the five princes......

was in a state of worry, Ruan Biyun suddenly opened her mouth: "Although it is a family banquet, it is better to talk less about the rights and wrongs of the heavenly family behind it." Father, Yun'er's marriage has to be chosen by herself, please don't bother with her grandmother, father and aunts. ”

"This?!" Everyone's faces changed in unison.

The marriage is chosen by yourself, and there are not many people who dare to say this.

The eldest lady Ruan Qingzhi did this, but even if she was such a bastard, she still had to politely say "please ask your grandmother and father to call the shots".

How can the second lady choose by herself?!

Ruan Bijun didn't think she had said anything rebellious. She calmly raised her head and said, "Yun'er doesn't know what happened, and the master of Guanghua Temple refuses to say that Yun'er is a phoenix's life. But despite this, Yun'er always firmly believes in her heart that marriage is not only about one's own body, but also about the peace of the Ruan family and even the whole world. Therefore, Yun'er's marriage must be promised to a person who can help the world and save the people. ”

Her words were as clear as ever, but this time no one was amazed. The old lady and Ruan Wenzhong glanced at each other, sighed together, and said in unison: "In this case, then wait for your sister to get married." ”

Ruan Biyun did not object, and obediently answered yes, and then said: "My sister is not at home, and the minions in her courtyard are still sad and sad." Grandmother, let's send some food to the girl over there. ”

The old lady was quite relieved when she heard this, nodded and agreed to tell Mama Zhou to do it, and then asked the girl: "How many people are there in Xifangyuan now?" ”

The girl replied: "There are two of them with Yun and Yue, and there are four of the guards, but they have been busy looking for the eldest lady outside these days, and I don't know if they have returned home." ”

Ruan Qingzhi raised his head and said with a smile: "I'm back early." Otherwise, how dare I say that my sister must be safe? In the days when my sister just disappeared, the two girls and the four guards were looking for them like crazy, and they were all running around outside on Chinese New Year's Eve. They have really settled down in the past two days, and although they still go out every day, they will definitely return home before dark. ”

Ruan Wenzhong looked at her and frowned: "You know very well about the affairs in your sister's courtyard." ”

"Of course," Ruan Biyun was not flustered, "My dear sister, my sister is gone, of course my sister has to take care of everything for her." ”

"Is this 'everything' including her marriage?" A voice at the door answered coldly.

Everyone was stunned for a moment, and then the old lady immediately smiled. Ruan Wenzhong hurriedly glanced back, and hurriedly looked away.

There are only a handful of people who can break into Chunhui Courtyard without notification, and this one is certainly not an outsider.

"The eldest young master is back!" A few maids cheered, and without waiting for orders, they ran out to find dishes and chopsticks and add chairs.

The eldest young master of the Prime Minister's Mansion, Luan Yutang, is back.

Several young masters and young ladies all stood up. Ruan Biyun called "brother" with a smile, Ruan Suying only lowered her head, and forgot to put down the chopsticks in her hand, and almost broke them.

Without waiting for Luan Yutang to salute, the old lady had already stood up with her cane and stretched out her hand: "Brother Tang, come, come to grandmother." ”

Luan Yutang walked over and didn't look at Ruan Wenzhong, but only greeted the old lady indiscriminately, and the old lady was already crying with joy.

"We just talked about you," she said, wiping away tears, "and your sister." Without the two of you, this reunion dinner is always not delicious, but fortunately you came......"

Luan Yutang lowered his head, his voice was gentle and soft, and he smiled: "It is wrong for me and my sister to have a reunion dinner that my grandmother and father have eaten for more than ten years. ”

The old lady's face turned red, and she hurriedly said, "I didn't know ...... before"

Before she could finish speaking, her face turned even redder.

I didn't know that there was Luan Yutang before, but Ruan Qingzhi had been in the house all the time. It turns out that the reunion dinner in the house has been very fragrant for more than ten years, and this excuse is really impossible to find.

Fortunately, Luan Yutang is not here to fight for this reason. He glanced back at Ruan Wenzhong, and seemed to smile: "Lord Ruan can walk, I think the injury is almost healed." ”

Ruan Wenzhong was already angry enough when he heard the sentence "Lord Ruan", and after listening to the second half of the sentence, he was sure that the other party was mocking him, and suddenly smoked.

Unexpectedly, Luan Yutang added unhurriedly: "Now there is no miracle doctor in this house." Lord Ruan, you have to be careful, no one will come to save you if you take another knife! ”

Ruan Wenzhong was so frightened that he almost wanted to escape, but when he saw that Luan Yutang had no intention of drawing his knife, he quietly breathed a sigh of relief, straightened his chest and said: "Except for you, a rebel, no one else is willing to get along with Benxiang!" ”

Luan Yutang said unhurriedly: "As a prime minister, there is nothing to be proud of. ”

Ruan Van Trung was so angry that he almost didn't catch his breath.

Of course, he knew that this son was here to find him bad luck, but he couldn't help it. He can't win a quarrel, and he doesn't even think about a fight.

The old lady saw the doorway, grabbed Luan Yutang's hand and sighed: "Brother Tang, your father doesn't care about your sister's affairs." As you know, there are not many people in our house, and we have been inquiring about the news a few days ago, but no one is lazy. Just now, your second sister was still saying that the eldest sister may have left the city and gone to the north. ”

"Second sister?" Luan Yutang laughed mockingly: "Is that the second Miss Ruan who occupies the magpie's nest and has been trying every possible means to murder my sister?" ”

Ruan Biyun was so angry that her face was red, and her apricot eyes were round: "Brother, how can you say that......"

"How else can I say?" Luan Yutang asked rhetorically, "Praise you for your friendship and siblings, have you taken a lot of care of Qingzhi over the years?" ”

"Enough!" Ruan Wenzhong slapped the table and roared: "Under the New Year's Festival, why are you so noisy?!" Yun'er is also your sister, you sneer as soon as you meet, where do you have the slightest look like a brother! ”

Ruan Biyun hurriedly wiped her tears: "Father, don't blame my brother." Over the years, my sister has been mistaken for a bad fate, and she has indeed suffered a lot of grievances, and her brother has been upset for her, and Yun'er does not dare to complain. ”

Ruan Wenzhong snorted heavily, and the more he felt in his heart, Luan Yutang was ignorant.

was about to scold, but saw Luan Yutang suddenly smile: "It's the same, anyway, it's half my sister." Miss Ruan Er, don't say that I don't love you as an elder brother, I have good news for you here, you will definitely be interested. ”

Ruan Biyun hurriedly wiped away her tears and smiled: "What my brother said in person must be good news." ”

Luan Yutang nodded and said with a smile: "This news was just brought back from the palace by my grandfather, and it's still hot!" ——The edict of canonizing King Jin as the crown prince in the palace has been prepared, and it will be announced to the world early tomorrow morning. ”

"Really?!" The first to jump in amazement was Nguyen Van Trung.

Ruan Biyun's expression did not fluctuate much, only expressing surprise appropriately, and then she still sat upright without caring about herself.

Luan Yutang looked at her and said: "King Jin is humble and rich, if the second sister can achieve a marriage with him, it will not be a grievance." ”

"Brother," Ruan Biyun frowned, with a disapproving expression: "Your Majesty is in charge of King Jin's marriage, how can we talk about it!" Besides, he is 'a humble man and rich and noble', do I have to like him? ”

The first half of the sentence is still a high-sounding official language, but the back is a clear expression of unwillingness.

Even if King Jin will become the crown prince tomorrow, she doesn't want to marry.

Luan Yutang sneered: "It's really interesting." What is the reason why a person who has regarded himself as a phoenix for more than ten years and is determined to marry the future king does not want to marry the crown prince? ”

Ruan Biyun lowered her head and stood calmly, pretending not to hear.

Ruan Wenzhong hurriedly said for her: "How can a girl's family plan this by herself!" What's more, there were already words in the palace before, and Yun'er's marriage was arranged by His Majesty and the Queen Mother! ”

"Oh. So half a year ago, pretending to fall into the water and hooking up with King Rui's skin-to-skin blind date, it was also arranged by His Majesty? Luan Yutang asked.

Ruan Wenzhong and Ruan Biyun's faces changed at the same time.

Luan Yutang stood up with his sleeves brushed up and sneered: "Since you call me brother, I will remind you one more sentence: it's okay to be smart, don't treat others as fools!" You don't look down on King Jin, you just think that his credit is not big enough, the crown prince is not stable enough, or you now know that you are not a phoenix, and you have already hit the idea on Qingzhi's head, right? ”

Ruan Biyun was anxious and angry, and cried: "Brother, I don't understand what you're talking about!" ”

"You don't understand?" Luan Yutang sneered, took out a small bamboo pipe from his sleeve and threw it to her: "What is this?!" ”

This bamboo pipe is clearly tied to the leg of the carrier pigeon to transmit the message, and everyone can see it.

Ruan Biyun took it with both hands, took out the note inside, and then her face changed greatly: "This, this is not my ......"

On a narrow piece of paper, the fly-headed Xiaokai Juanxiu is clearly Ruan Biyun's handwriting.

It was written: "The fake county lord has arrived in the north and accompanied King Li to suppress the bandits." Punish it. ”

Ruan Biyun hurriedly crumpled the note into a ball and threw it into the brazier, but the old lady had already seen it with sharp eyes, and asked her in a deep voice: "If you didn't write it, what are you panicking about?" What's the deal with the 'False County Lord'? What is the reason for 'punishment'? Who are you going to 'fire'? ”

"I, no, not me...... Brother, why did you frame me! Ruan Bijun cried so hard that she could barely stand on her feet.

Luan Yutang didn't answer her.

No one believes that "framing and framing" is unbelievable. If it is framed, it doesn't make sense for her busy destroying evidence.

This is clearly conclusive evidence.

Ruan Biyun realized this, and hurriedly changed her words: "Father, grandmother, I ...... In fact, two days ago, I heard that someone disguised herself as a sister and served with His Royal Highness King Li, and I was worried that she would be unfavorable to His Royal Highness King Li, or she was deliberately trying to divide the relationship between His Royal Highness and his sister, so I sent someone to hunt down and kill ......."

"But you just said, you guessed that your sister is in the north." The old lady interrupted her coldly.

Ruan Biyun froze: "That's just speculation." ”

"Humph!" The old lady knocked on the crutches heavily: "Where your sister goes, you are just guessing; You know exactly who is there around King Li! I don't think your heart is in a serious place! Now that the year is over, go and kneel in the ancestral hall! ”

Ruan Biyun cried and knelt down to admit the punishment, but Luan Yutang sneered and pressed her shoulder to prevent her from standing up: "Grandmother, your partiality is too obvious, right?" ”

The old lady frowned and did not answer.

Luan Yutang sneered: "King Li is no stranger to his sister, if someone pretends to be, how can he not recognize him!" If someone pretends to be her sister, how dare she go to King Li! Grandmother, if there is a Qingyang county lord by King Li's side, then she must be real! Ruan Biyun's move is not 'in the wrong place', she is sending someone to kill my sister! Are you really going to punish her for kneeling in the ancestral hall? ”

The old lady was told that she was broken, and her face turned red and she couldn't answer.

Ruan Wenzhong slapped the table and stood up, and said sharply: "So what do you want?" Are you angry about killing your second sister? The carrier pigeon has been intercepted by you! Ruan Qingzhi, she can't die! Are you too vexatious! ”

"Vexatious." Luan Yutang gritted his teeth, his face turned pale: "Someone wants to kill my own sister, I came to the murderer to ask for an explanation, you say I am unreasonable?!" ”

"Your sister isn't dead!" Nguyen Van Trung was also angry.

Luan Yutang glared at him fiercely, and after a long time, he suddenly sneered: "I didn't dare to believe what my sister said about you before, but now it seems that she still hasn't said it all." Say that you have a wolf's heart and a dog's lungs, and neither the wolf nor the dog agrees! ”

"You ......" Ruan Van Trung raised his hand and pointed at him, trembling with anger.

Luan Yutang stood tall and met his finger: "Ruan Wenzhong, how do you know that this has only sent a pigeon, how do you know that my sister will only be calculated by her this time, and how do you know if my sister is safe at the moment!" Now I want to ask you: In the past 14 years, how many times have you shielded this? How many times has my sister been counted by your litter of brutes! ”

Ruan Wenzhong was so embarrassed by him that he wanted to show his majesty as a father, but the wounds on his body that had not yet healed were still faintly painful, reminding him that this son could not be provoked.

So the atmosphere in the hall gradually froze, Ruan Wenzhong lowered his head and gritted his teeth, and did not speak.

The old lady sighed: "Don't fight and kill in the New Year's New Year, and besides, this note alone really doesn't mean anything." Brother Tang, even if you want to punish your second sister, you have to wait for your eldest sister to come back! ”

Luan Yutang said coldly: "In the New Year's New Year, my 'second sister' is already sending people to hunt down and kill my sister!" ”

Listening to his aggressive tone, Nguyen Van Trung deeply felt that his majesty had been provoked, and finally mustered up the courage to take a step forward and shouted: "Enough! You keep accusing your second sister of guilt, but I want to ask you, how did you intercept this letter? What are you going to do when you intercept the carrier pigeons of the Prime Minister's Mansion?! ”

Luan Yutang took a deep breath, looked at him, and said word by word: "Of course, I want to get rid of your litter of pigs and dogs!" ”

"You...... You rebel! Nguyen Van Trung was so angry that he almost fainted.

Luan Yutang flicked his sleeves fiercely, raised his feet and left: "If you want to protect her, then continue to protect her." At most, wait for half a year for the whole family to go on the road together, and continue to take care of her when she arrives in the underworld, that is the pearl of the palm of the living phoenix that has a beginning and an end! ”