Jin Fu, the new governor of the river, took Feng Zhiren and Chen Huang to the house of Mrs. Han in Congzun Town. Soon after the discussion, Mrs. Han raised the matter of Chen Huang and Ah Xiu to Jin Fu:

"Lord Jin, there is a girl next to me who is twenty years old this year. Appearance, although it is not painted on the painting, people can see it very well in front of them - I want to borrow the face of you, the official of the frontier, to protect a matchmaker for her and Mr. Chen...... Will you agree? ”

Jin Fu laughed happily, "Such a good thing, what is there that you don't want to accept?" This Baoshan-" Before his words were finished, Chen Huang hurriedly stopped him and said: "Lord Jin, you have to eat and drink, this matter must be discussed in the long run......"

Feng Zhiren saw Chen Huang's blushing face and said with a smile: "Tianyi, it is because Brother Ling is not there, so he doesn't dare to make his own opinions. With Jin Zhongcheng here, what? - You are full of poetry and books, don't you smell 'beautiful herbs, all the likes of gentlemen'? Fan Wenzhenggong cherishes the sorrows and joys of the world, and doesn't he say anything in the words of "Biyuntian": 'Wine enters the bowels and turns into lovesick tears'! ”

Feng Zhiren shook his head and quoted the scriptures according to the canon proudly, and suddenly Ah Xiu came out of the curtain and stood silently in front of everyone, and all of a sudden, everyone was stunned.

Ah Xiu's dress today is really a bit dazzling. I saw that she was wearing a royal blue big-sleeved shirt, and on her apricot yellow shoulders, spots were embroidered with plucked branches and plums. Underneath is wearing a pleated skirt that is green to the end. The beads on his head are green, the bangs are like smoke, and the two big eyes are looking left and right, which stunned everyone. Chen Huang lowered his head and didn't dare to look up, but he heard Ah Xiu smile faintly and said to Chen Huang: "Brother Chen, I am still very happy that you can think of coming back here." ”

Chen Huang hurriedly stood up and gave a deep salute: "Chen Huang greets Han Gege!" ”

This sound made Jin Fu and Feng Zhiren all dumbfounded, and the wine turned into cold sweat. The tears in Ah Xiu's eyes swirled, and Jin Fu said with a smile: "Lord Jin, you don't need to be surprised, I am the daughter of Khalkha Mongolian Tushetu Khan, Baori Longmei!" ”

Jin Fu looked at Ah Xiu without blinking. He had heard the news of the disappearance of the princess of Tushetu from Xiong Cixu. Such a dress. Such a talk, suddenly appearing here, is unimaginable. Jin Fu was stunned for a long time, motioned to Feng Zhiren to close the door of the hall, and asked cautiously: "Ah, you are Tushetu Khan Gege...... But I don't know what the proof is? ”

Ah Xiuluo pondered for a while, then stretched out his arm and wrist closely, "Please check it out Lord Jin!" When Jin Fu stepped forward to look carefully, he saw a dragon-shaped seal, two lines of small characters full of small characters, stabbed on his arm with dansha, and couldn't help but shake his head, why? He couldn't read it.

Chen Huang said softly: "I know, it says 'The Great Khan of the Son of Heaven ordered Tushetu Khan to guard the Khalkha Department'. After Chen Huang finished translating, Ah Xiu stood up again, untied the lotus color from his waist, tore open the lining, and took out a bloodstained yellow silk silk. The large silk banner on the fan is densely covered with Chinese characters, detailing the rebellion of the three Khalkha tribes and the overthrow by Geldan, and asking the imperial court to send heavenly troops to eliminate the traitors as soon as possible...... The bottom is stamped with a red seal: "The Treasure of the Imperial Gift".

Jin Fu's face turned pale, and he bowed down and left his seat: "It's very disrespectful!" The old aunt asked Fu Gege to sit down, and let me pay a big salute! ”

Ah Xiu's tears fell like beads, and he didn't wipe them, let them flow, and said in a trembling voice: "No need." Geldan robbed me of my land and killed my people, just to send a congratulatory table to the court, and the emperor acquiesced in his claim to be called king and khan. The emperor and the court have forgotten about me! Don't mention the word Gege again. Now I'm a beggar who doesn't even deserve Mr. Chen, a weak woman that no one cares about......"

Hearing this, Chen Huang was stabbed as if he had been stabbed by a steel needle, his face was as pale as paper, and he bowed down and said: "The aphorism is heavy, I ......"

Jin Fu sighed: "Alas! Gege didn't know that when I went to Beijing this time, I was summoned by the emperor three times, and both times I talked about Khalkha. Now the country is using troops in the southeast, and it can't take into account the northwest, so it has to deal with Geerdan. Speaking of this, the emperor was very emotional, and asked me to cure the Yellow River within a few years, ensure the submarine transportation, and prepare for the urgent use of grain, and wait for the capture of Taiwan, that is, the Western Regions. The Junggar and Mongol vassals are different from the Korean, Ryukyu and Nanyang countries, and they have been on the Chinese Celestial Empire for thousands of years. ”

"You're talking about...... It's true? ”

"How dare you speak up?" Jin Fu slowly stood up and lowered his voice, "...... The emperor has secretly instructed the cardinal to draft a plan for the western expedition. This winter and next spring, the emperor will also tour Fengtian in the north, contact Monan Zhumeng, and discuss the plan-" Speaking of this, he suddenly stopped, remembering that the matter involved top secrets, Kangxi instructed that "the law does not pass on the six ears", and felt that he had said too much in order to comfort Ah Xiu.

But with just a few words, Ah Xiu was already very satisfied, smiled with tears, and stroked his hair: "Please Lord Jin to play the emperor, Geldan dug up a lot of gold in Zhungeer and gave it to the kings of Eastern Mongolia, don't let the emperor believe them easily!" ”

"Of course, it must be played, and even Gege's things here must also be played one by one."

Ah Xiu bit her lip, turned around, and glanced at the cramped and restless Chen Huang with resentment: "Please leave my matter aside for the time being, and wait until the matter with Chen Huang has a result!" For a time everyone was silent.

Jin Fu hurriedly came out to play a round: "Ah, ah, this matter is considered in the long run...... Let's take our time. It's getting late, and it's cloudy again, so let's go back to the post station. Tianyi, haven't you found your manuscript yet? Tonight, you just stay! After saying that, he took his entourage and left.

Han Liu also avoided going out by sending off guests. There were only two people left in the house, Chen Huang and Ah Xiu. Ah Xiu sat and ate tea without saying a word, and Chen Huang felt that there were thorns in his body and fidgeted. After a while, I heard Ah Xiu say:

"Mr. Tianyi, you ...... When will you leave for the south? ”

Hearing Ah Xiu call him "sir", Chen Huang hurriedly got up and bowed and replied, "Don't dare, I'll leave tomorrow." Alas, Chen Huang is a scholar at the end of the year, and he is destined to know the county lord Gege, and Gege is deeply affectionate, and I should always remember it. From this corner of the world, people are on each side, and they want to be good at taking care of themselves. ”

Before he finished speaking, Ah Xiu interrupted him with a sneer: "I don't want you to call me 'Gege'!" After coming to the Central Plains for a few years, I have gradually understood. In Shaanxi, you rescued me, but it was also upside down, you said the word 'name', in Huangliang Dream, you and I lived in the same room, if this matter was publicized, where would I be? ”

Chen Huang was also full of emotion at this time, and sighed: "Alas, people are not plants and trees, how can they be ruthless." You treat me like this, and I can't be indifferent. But Gege thought about it carefully, if you really marry me, will I go to Mongolia with you, or will you follow me to Jin Fu's subordinates to govern the river? The princess can't forget revenge and family hatred, Chen Huang wants to show his ambitions in the cause of river defense, and there is no perfect thing in the world - as for these things in Shaanxi and Huangliang Dream, Chen Huang has forgotten, even in the face of his father and brother and friends, he will never mention a word! Please rest assured. ”

Ah Xiu was silent for a long time, and said coldly: "Hmph! Of course you are a gentleman, I can trust you - if you are looking for flowers and asking willows, will I be able to look down on you? The emperor promised to raise troops to destroy the thieves, and I was more relieved. I only tell you one thing, even if you go all over the world, I will always find you, follow you, I will watch you marry someone else! ”

Ah Xiu's words were so decisive that Chen Huang opened his mouth, but he was speechless. There was a deathly silence in the room, and outside, the cold wind gradually rose and the cold rain fell. The vines on the side of the wall swayed gently in the rain, making a rustling sound.

Chen Huang felt sad in his heart, slowly got up and walked to the window, looked at the flowers and plants in the wind and rain with amazement, and said slowly without looking back: "Ah Xiu, you said that you like me and want to marry me, why don't I Chen Huang love you?" However, if you think about it carefully, you and I are so far apart in terms of identity, roots, aspirations, and experiences, alas, ......"

Ah Xiu walked over slowly, standing side by side with Chen Huang, looking out the window. The clouds in the sky were so low that they turned into a cloud of mist, and the drizzle gradually drained, and the heavy drops of water on the plantain leaves fell to the ground like tears. Ah Xiu's heart was sour, and tears were already raining down. But I heard Chen Huang say again: "Our business, like Naihe, have you heard of it?" The Nai River does not build bridges for the living, it can only be crossed after people die. Now that you and I are standing on the banks of the Nai River, how can we ......" He choked up and said no more.

Ah Xiu listened to his desolate and sad tone, and knew that this scholar's unhesitating mind was so broad and deep. Her heart was broken.

Jin Fu returned to the station, did not dare to slack off, and immediately wrote a letter about meeting Ah Xiu in Congzuka Town and sent it to Mingzhu. In the letter, the emotional entanglement between Ah Xiu and Chen Huang was naturally mentioned. Mingzhu received the letter and knew that this matter was not trivial, so he immediately sent someone to Cong Zun to pick up Ah Xiu. Unexpectedly, it was a step too late, not only Ah Xiu disappeared, but the Han family also moved away. I asked the neighbors and said that they probably went to Anhui, but no one could tell what the specific address was. When Mingzhu heard this, she had no idea. Ah Xiu is a dignified Mongolian princess, some time ago in the city of Beijing, was recognized by Geerdan's envoys, made a big life, and when the emperor sent a message to find out, she suddenly disappeared. Now, I finally got the news, and I missed it again. Look at this, should you play the emperor? If it is not played, if the emperor finds out, it will be the crime of defrauding the king; After playing, the emperor wants to track down Ah Xiu's whereabouts immediately, where can he go to find it? Well—it seems that we have to go to Gao Shiqi and ask him to help me get an idea.

Mingzhu's temperament has always been "Wu Dalang opens a store - he can't tolerate a master". Gao Shiqi went out from him and entered the upper study. Although Mingzhu fell into the name of "recommending people with merit", in his heart, he was really jealous. At the beginning, I still wanted to find trouble, so I read Gao Shiqi's book. However, he slowly saw that Gao Shiqi's intelligence and wit were far above himself, and his own ability was not Gao Shiqi's opponent at all. Looking at the emperor's face, his trust and reuse of Gao Shiqi have surpassed all the ministers. Since Gao Shiqi entered the upper study, the emperor asked him to specially draft the holy decree and transcribe the imperial approval. He doesn't care about the specific affairs of the six ministries, but Gao Shiqi has the right to intervene in all the major affairs of the cardinal. The emperor said that this was to lighten the burden on Xiong Cixu and let him take time to teach the prince. But in fact, he divided half of Xiong Cixu and his Mingzhu's errands. It's just that this Gao Shiqi has an extraordinary ability, he can follow the emperor every step of the way from morning to night, without eating, drinking, or sleeping, and never miss things. Documents, musicals, unforgettable. Ask one answer ten, no dropping. With such a person by the emperor's side, can he still think of others? The six members of the capital, the imperial family, the imperial history, and the Hanlin are all snobs. Although Gao Shiqi has not yet been edicted by the emperor to enter the cabinet, they chased after Gao Shiqi's ass one by one, and the left voice "Gao Xiang" and the right voice "Gao Tang" were hot. Mingzhu knew in her heart that what to do with Jin Fu's letter today had to be discussed with Gao Shiqi. In the future, if something goes wrong, it's good to find a backer. Thinking of this, he immediately ordered someone to prepare a sedan chair and go to Gao Shiqi's new house in Caijia Hutong.

As soon as the sedan chair arrived at the door, he saw Gao Shiqi walking out in a bright court dress. As soon as Gao Shiqi saw Mingzhu, he hurriedly stepped forward and bowed his hand: "Oh, I don't know if I am driving to Mingxiang, I am not welcome, please do not see the crime." Hey, I said, what's the matter with you, send someone to inform me, won't I go? Why bother to come all the way to it in person? ”

"Hey, Brother Shiqi, you're out of sight. Now we are on an errand in the study together, regardless of each other, why do you always call me so clearly and publicly, which makes people strange and insensitive, and call me Lao Mingde in the future. Oh - it's a misfortune that I'm here this time, you look like you're out of the house? ”

"Yes. Just now, Cha Shenxing came to pass the decree, saying that the emperor gave a banquet in Xiyuan, entertained Hongru in the examination, and asked all the officials of the ministry to accompany him, I am afraid that at this moment, Brother Cha has already gone to the house to pass the decree. Let's go to Xiyuan together and talk about it while walking? Saying that, he ordered his family to prepare horses, and Mingzhu hurriedly said, "Brother Shiqi, let them prepare one more." Wouldn't it be better for us to walk together? ”

Riding on the horse, Mingzhu felt that Gao Shiqi was indeed different. He didn't sit in a sedan chair when he went out, and his entourage also followed behind on horseback, which not only looked arrogant, but also did not show the posture of a minister, and couldn't help but sigh and praise: "Senior brother, you are different in big and small things, compared to you, I am really old......"

"Hey, why did Brother Ming say this, you are only in your early forties, how can you say that you are old? Suo Laosan can only be called old. Hey, you came to me today, what's the matter? ”

"Oh, Jin Fu has a letter, in addition to the matter on the river work, there is also unexpected news." Mingzhu said as she handed over the letter.

Gao Shiqi took the letter, skimmed it on the horse, and returned it to Mingzhu: "Alas! What a couple of lovers! ”

"Huh? What, what? ”

Gao Shiqi didn't want to talk to Mingzhu about Chen Huang and Ah Xiu, so he changed his words and said: "Oh, it's nothing, about Ah Xiu Gege, what does Brother Ming think to deal with?" ”

"I sent someone to pick her up, but she and the Han family have been relocated and their whereabouts are unknown. I can't make up my mind about this matter, whether I should play the saint immediately, and I ask my brother for advice. ”

Gao Shiqi glanced at Mingzhu slyly: "I thought you didn't have to worry about this matter." Now, the emperor doesn't want to fall out with Geerdan, and he is wishing that Ah Xiu would disappear. However, it's not good to hide it all, and I'm afraid. In my opinion, you take an opportunity to quietly say it to the emperor, that's it. Hey, do you know, Suo Laosan took sick leave? ”

Mingzhu was taken aback: "Ah, really, wasn't it good to see him a few days ago?" What's wrong with it? ”

"Hmph, as far as I can see, he's not sick at all, it's just a trick. I heard this news from He Guizhu. The emperor is not allowed to take leave, and it is okay to do both. However, the rumors came out, and it turned out that those pugs under Suo Laosan's door should turn around and scold you. If you don't believe it, when you get to Xiyuan later, you'll just look at their style, haha-"