By the early morning of the next day, the dark clouds had finally dissipated, and the sky had taken its place; The heavy rain of three drops and a bowl disappeared, turning into a needle-like drizzle, fine and dense, with a hint of chill, the palace in Chang'an City was washed or a simple thatched house, it was treated the same, the thick black tiles and the bright glass were shrouded in a cyan smoke.

In the afternoon, a carriage passed through Jing'anfang and turned onto Zhuque Street, Li Qing sat in the carriage with his eyes closed, his body swayed gently with the carriage, and Li Lin's words last night seemed to linger in his ears:

"I didn't expect that the curtain turned out to be Cui Qiao's daughter. It was said that he was depressed. ”

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"Go see him! My sister is so fierce that I can't persuade her.

"Liu Liu married Li Yin in October last year."

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Li Linfu is still married to the Cui family, Li Qing sighed for a while, he thought of Cui Guangyuan, killed the new branch of the Jinshi, and finally transferred equally, maybe this is the deal he has to survive this catastrophe, no wonder, the general is too bad, how can the Cui family not please Li Linfu? Others can not ask, but Cui Qiao can't ignore him, if he is allowed to live and die, how will he explain to his wife in the future.

However, thinking of the tigress in his family, Li Qing's head grew again, and he smiled bitterly, after having a son-in-law, her popularity should also drop.

The speed of the carriage began to slow down, and he saw that Cui Mansion was ahead, at this time, a carriage sped past him, and the iron bell-like laughter came through the rain and fog, the laughter was a little wild and prodigal, the laughter was quite similar to Mrs. Cui, but it was much younger, no need to ask, Li Qing had already heard who this person was, and frowned slightly, she hadn't seen her for half a year, why did her voice become so harsh?

"Master, Cui's Mansion has arrived!" The coachman was already sweating profusely, his vest was soaked, he was a novice, and he walked for an hour to find Cui's house.

"Thank you!" Li Qing smiled and comforted him, got off the carriage, but saw that the carriage stopped just in front of him, and the two maids came down first, helping the tall Cui Liuliu out of the carriage, already a woman, she obviously had a skirt that was too long, and hung up the carriage, Cui Liuliu stumbled and almost fell, one of its maids hurriedly supported her, only to see her backhand slap to the maid's face, and when she looked up, she happened to see Li Qing.

Cui Liuliu was stunned for a moment, then his eyes were gloomy, and he didn't say hello, he hurriedly entered the mansion with his head down, and behind him, a person slowly came out of the carriage, but it was Li Yin, I saw that his face was pale, and his body was very thin, as if the meat on his body was given to Cui Liuliu, real life, this is an interesting phenomenon, fat wives are often matched with thin husbands.

He stared at his wife's increasingly fat body from behind, sighed helplessly, and then waved his hand to the two maids in annoyance, ordering them to stand down.

"Brother Li Yin, but he accompanied his wife back to his parents' house to visit?" Li Qing smiled and stepped forward and arched his hand at him.

When Li Yin saw Li Qing, his eyes immediately gave birth to a bit of vigilance, this person was a person who his father repeatedly told not to be underestimated, although he had been deposed, but his father said that his removal was more terrible than not recalling.

He cautiously returned the salute to Li Qing and said, "It is to accompany his wife back to her parents' house, but Brother Li is here to visit Jiayue?" ”

Suddenly, there was a hearty laugh behind him: "Li Dudu, no!" Plum. Long time no see. ”

The person who greeted him couldn't think of a suitable name for a while, Li Qing turned around, but saw that it was Li Linfu's right-hand man, Yang Shenjin, the servant of the ministry, and next to him was a beautiful young * woman, dressed as whitewashed, presumably his wife, several maids held umbrellas to shield the two of them from the drizzle, Yang Shenjin turned around and said two words, the young * woman nodded, surrounded by several maids, went in first.

"Brother Li Xian doesn't have to take it too seriously, how can there be smooth sailing in life, last year's evaluation of you by the ministry was superior, as long as there is a chance, the emperor will definitely promote you again."

Yang Shenjin couldn't help but sigh with emotion: "Some people only know how to stay in the flowers and willows, but they have been repeatedly promoted, and Li Xiandi has made great contributions to the country but has been deposed, which is really incomprehensible. ”

He is naturally referring to Yang Guozhong, the reason why Yang Shenjin became the backbone of the Xiangguo Party is also because of his fame, talent and learning, but others are also arrogant, and he looks down on Yang Guozhong who has risen to prominence by nepotism, if it were not for the party relationship, he himself admired Li Qing.

Li Qing listened to his sincere tone, and hurriedly returned the salute and thanked: "Thank you Yang Shilang for your concern, as you said, there are always ups and downs in life, and I have been really tired in the past few months, so it's not bad to have this time to rest." ”

Li Qing looked around, only to find that there were more than 20 carriages parked in front of the mansion, all of them rich and luxurious, and he couldn't help but be surprised: "Could it be that the Cui Mansion is having a treat today?" ”

"Today is Jiayue's birthday, and I invited some colleagues to celebrate."

Li Yin, who was next to him, greeted Yang Shenjin and explained to him with a smile: "It was supposed to be tomorrow, but today is a day off, so I went ahead of schedule, the two of you chatted slowly, and I went first." ”

He climbed the steps, smiled and nodded inside, Li Qing saw that there was a long table on the inside of the mansion door, more than a dozen housekeepers lined up on both sides, and a young man about thirty years old was smiling and greeting the guests, presumably he was Cui Qiao's premature child, he looked quite similar to Mrs. Cui, and also had a pair of thin fish eyes, which made people have to sigh at the tenacity of her eye genetics.

Cui Qiao's son is called Cui Zhe, his fame is not, he was shaded as a petty official from the eighth grade, he was a small county official in Shannan Road (now Hubei), and he also served as his father's birthday when he went home for the New Year.

At this time, I saw Cui Qiao running out like a gust of wind, looking around on tiptoe, presumably he saw Yang Shenjin's wife, so he came out to greet him in person. Cui Qiao's purpose for this birthday is also to find a way for his son to transfer him to Beijing.

Yang Shenjin also saw Cui Qiao, so he confessed to Li Qing: "Brother Li Xian, the master has come out, I have to go." ”

He patted Li Qing on the shoulder, turned around, he and Cui Qiao exchanged a few words, nothing more than spring rain, fat and thin, etc., the two looked up to the sky and laughed together, Cui Qiao held him intimately and invited him into the mansion, but at the moment when he was about to enter the mansion, he suddenly felt something, turned his head to look down the steps, and finally found that there was a lonely person standing behind the stone lion, wasn't it Li Qing?

Cui Qiao was stunned, and hurriedly rushed out, but his footsteps suddenly slowed down, and he remembered that he didn't give Li Qing an invitation, not that he forgot, but that his wife casually crossed out Li Qing's name from the guest roster, "An idle official who has been dismissed, what do you care about him!" ”

"Is there something wrong with the virtuous nephew?" Cui Qiao's mouth was bitter and astringent, and he was ashamed.

"It's nothing, I heard that Uncle Cui Shi is doing his birthday, congratulations!"

Li Qing smiled slightly: "Uncle Cui Shi has a guest, although he is busy, I will come back in a few days." ”

With that, he bowed and bowed, turned and left.

Even if Cui Qiao is no longer in the bag, he understands the most basic principles of life, besides, Li Qing is the husband of Lian'er, at this moment, how can he pull this face and let Li Qing leave.

Cui Qiao stepped forward. Grabbed Li Qingdao and said: "Virtuous nephew Hugh is leaving, since you are here, give me a face, go in and sit down." ”

Li Qing smiled lightly, "I'm afraid I'll embarrass Uncle Cui Shi." ”

"If you're gone, I'll be even more uncomfortable."

Li Qing remembered what Li Lin said to him, and sighed secretly in his heart, looking at the face of the curtain and not bothering with him, he nodded silently, "In this way, I will disturb Uncle Cui Shi." ”

On the steps, I saw that the main gate of Cui Mansion was holding a corner lamp, hanging high on both sides, there were street lamps hanging everywhere, the upper and lower people were dressed up and down, and they entered the gate, only to hear the voices of the people, the laughter was noisy, and the fire broke out in the courtyard, and the sound was endless. The house has changed the door god and the new oil peach charm, and it has a new look.

After passing the door, it can be seen that the hall is full of people, and Yang Shenjin at the door is surrounded by more than a dozen people.

Cui Qiao led Li Qing through the path next to him, entered his study through the side door, the two sitted, Cui Qiao personally poured him a cup of tea, and apologized first: "Today is nominally my birthday, but in fact, I want to transfer the dog to Beijing for activities, so I didn't inform the virtuous nephew, please understand." ”

Li Qing waved his hand and said with a smile: "I know Uncle Cui Shi's difficulties, I won't take it to heart, it's actually not a big deal to come today, one is to give Uncle Shi a New Year's greeting, and the other is to tell Uncle Shi that the curtain has given birth to a little girl, and the mother and daughter are safe." ”

Speaking of Curtain, Cui Qiao's eyes flashed with extremely complicated emotions, and after a while, he said: "I want to recognize Curtain, I wonder if the virtuous nephew agrees?" ”

Li Qing was silent, yesterday Li Lin also persuaded him to let the curtain return to the sect, but he didn't agree, the people are warm and cold, how can he not know, he was silent for a while, he said slowly: "I can take a step and tell the truth to the curtain, but she can't return to the sect, this is good for Uncle Shi and for the curtain, I hope Uncle Shi can understand." ”

Cui Qiao sighed, it stands to reason that it is best for the two parties to maintain this tacit understanding and not hurt each other, but the unhappiness of the marriage and the aging of the marriage made him more and more sorry for his other daughter, this time Cui Liuliu married Li Yin was promoted by his wife, and his strong opposition was to no avail, he also took the opportunity to use this matter as a quid pro quo, and finally Mrs. reluctantly promised that he could recognize the girl, but he had not yet told Mrs. that the girl was Li Qing's wife.

"I understand, you can do this thing!"

After hesitating, he explained: "Liu Liu married Li Linfuzhi, I can't stop it, don't blame the virtuous nephew!" ”

Li Qing smiled bitterly, the wood is already in the boat, what can he do, he is a junior, can he still teach an elder not to do this, not to do that? He gently persuaded: "Actually, it's not a big deal, as long as Uncle Cui Shi grasps some major things well, even if Li Linfu has something to do in the future, he won't be too involved in Uncle Shi." ”

Cui Qiao nodded and said, "I'll be careful of this." ”

At this time, Er called him outside the door, it was estimated that another important guest was coming, Cui Qiao got up and smiled at Li Qing: "I have too many guests, so I won't accompany the virtuous nephew, the virtuous nephew may wish to go to the lobby for a light meal before leaving, you are my special guest, you don't need an invitation." ”

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The seats in the lobby are divided into two rows, and there are a few next to each seat, and there are three things on the stove bottle, and the lily palace incense given by the emperor is burned. There are also small bonsai that are eight inches long and three inches high, dotted with mountain stones, all of which are fresh flowers. There are several small bottles of various official kilns, all of which are filled with fragrant plums, and the beams on both sides are hung with three poly five glazed spike lamps, and there is an inverted hanging lotus in front of each seat.

It's still early now, it's not yet time to eat, it's cold outside, but the hall is very warm, there are about five or ten people, half of men and women, three or three are surrounded by a few small ***, talking about things they are interested in, of course, it will not be mundane things such as firewood, rice, oil and salt, this is a gathering of high society, and they are talking about interesting topics.

Li Qing walked into the lobby and immediately attracted the discussion of several people closest to the door.

"Who is this man, do you know him?" A noblewoman in her thirties quietly pointed at Li Qing and asked the person next to her in a low voice.

Everyone shook their heads, and the noble lady sneered, "This person is the one who can't do it."

The Man Who Was Removed. ”

The people next to him were all 'Oh! As soon as she understood what she was referring to, countless contemptuous glances shot towards him together, and several people on the side hurriedly walked a few steps inside, for fear that Li Qing would be unlucky when he passed by.

Li Qingxin sneered and passed through countless contemptuous and mocking eyes, his ears were filled with all kinds of comments about him, his tone was mostly unfriendly, and his words were full of ridicule and ridicule.

"Congratulations to Governor Li for his ascension! Ha ha! ”

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"If you ascend to the top, you will fall heavily, I predicted last year that he would be deposed, and now it is so, hehe!"

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"Do you know why he was demoted? It's so tender! Is it true that no one cares about Datang? ”

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Li Qing didn't bother to pay attention to them, he went straight to a corner and sat down, grabbed a pot of wine and poured himself a drink, when a low voice came from behind him, "You, are you blaming me for not waiting for you?" ”

Li Qingshen was surprised, and looked back with a wine glass, but it was Cui Liuliu, and I didn't know when she arrived behind her, only to see that she had changed into a red pomegranate-dyed dance dress, with her head down, and her eyes had a hint of sadness.

Li Qing shook his head and smiled: "Everyone has their own fate, what do I blame you for?" ”

"It's because you don't like me that I married him, and if you treat me well, I, I will go to the Western Regions to find you like a goose." Cui Liuliu's voice trembled, and her eyes turned red.

"It's the past, don't talk about it." Li Qing suddenly felt very depressed, he didn't want to hurt Cui Liuliu with the words 'self-inflicted', but he didn't want to bear an inexplicable emotional debt.

At this moment, there was a sense of oppression next to him, followed by a cold sound, which was a little more piercing than the wind of the three moons.

"Liuliu, why don't you stay with your husband and come here to talk to him?"

Without looking back, Li Qing knew that it was the tigress who came, Cui Liuliu was most afraid of her mother, and she was so frightened that she took a step back, turned around and ran away in a panic.

The cold aura around him was still there, and the piercing gaze was still staring at him, "I didn't invite you, what are you doing?" ”

If Mrs. Cui was the luckiest last year, then she didn't recruit Li Qing as her son-in-law, then she topped the list, from the third rank official, hum! After only half a year, he was deposed, and now thinking back on his enthusiasm for him, it really made her embarrassed, how could she be blind to him, fortunately it didn't work, otherwise she would have to hang herself now.

"Today is Dali Siqing's birthday, and the people invited are all famous and promising people, I advise proprietor Li to still have self-knowledge, don't let me order someone to drive you out, then everyone will not get along."

Mrs. Cui's big powder fist began to clench, if Li Qing didn't go out again, she would be rough.

Li Qingxin sneered, he was about to say that it was the dignified Dali Siqing who invited me here, when a series of laughter came from outside.

"Lee Sang-kook has arrived!" The master of ceremonies raised his name, only to see Li Linfu smiling and stepping into the threshold, he accompanied his master Cui Qiao on the left, Yang Shenjin on the right, followed by a long list of officials and their wives, bowing down, with a flattering smile on his face,

Xiangguo actually came, the hall suddenly became chaotic, everyone dropped the conversation, and rushed to the door like a tide, beckoning and coughing, greeting loudly, hoping to leave a good impression in Xiangguo's heart, Mrs. Cui was even more panicked, and couldn't pay attention to Li Qing anymore, dragged her fat body to greet her, and used the host's psychological advantage to push the guests away one by one, squeezing out a girlish smile in her throat, and warmly greeting the current court.

Li Linfu was already surprised, he smiled and waved to everyone one by one, and responded a few words from time to time,

'Zhang Lang is also here, can Ling Zun's illness be better?' ”

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"Hehe, Wang Shaoqing, you are becoming more and more blessed!"

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Suddenly, his eyes flashed, but he saw Li Qing standing alone in the corner, raised a glass to him, smiled silently, Li Linfu's eyes smiled even more, he laughed, no longer paid attention to others, walked straight to Li Qing, took his hand and said with a smile: "Congratulations to Li Shilang for regaining his new position, the emperor's approval has come down, and it will be announced by the officials tomorrow, I will give you a cup here first." ”

He took a glass of wine casually, saluted Li Qing, and complained: "The old man invited you yesterday, you said you didn't have time, why are you free today, I don't care, you must go back with me later." ”

Li Qing gave Li Linfu a glass in return, and said with a slight smile: "Since he was caught by Xiangguo, how dare Li Qing disobey." ”

There was silence in the hall, and all the people stared at this young man who was ridiculed and ridiculed by themselves in disbelief, and Xiangguo actually called him a squire, and everyone looked at each other, "He, wasn't he dismissed?" How did you become a squire, which ministry is it? ’

Yang Shenjin took a step forward and asked with a smile: "Xiangguo, I don't know about this?" ”

Li Linfu replied with a smile: "You will know when you return to the office now, I have already forwarded it to you, Li Shilang is now my Datang's money bag, and I can't afford to offend!" ”

"Tobe!" Everyone suddenly realized, seeing Li Qing's eyes suddenly became hot, Mrs. Cui reacted very quickly, she pushed her husband, Cui Qiao hurriedly announced loudly, "It's not early, everyone please take a seat!" ”

Everyone humbled me and entered the table one after another, but Li Qing couldn't find his place, Mrs. Cui had already added a chair beside her, beckoned to Li Qing and said with a smile: "Li Shilang, please come here, you sit here!" ”