Ten days later, Yuan Tingyu appeared at the Jinghua Inn. Shen Ruoyu invited Yuan Gaoren into the house, instructed his grooms and maids to take the county lord out to play, and took Nangong Qiu away.

Yuan Heng sat down, opened his mouth and asked, "Say, Lord Yibin Lang, what do you need me to do?" ”

Shen Ruoyu said with a smile: "I have already told the prince in the letter, my grandfather will accompany His Royal Highness the county lord, that's all." ”

Yuan Heng smiled: "If the prince really believes you, will he still let me come?" He appreciates your prudence very much, and he is full of praise for you in Beiping. Don't worry, only King Yan and I know about this matter. Even in front of Master Daoyan and Master Yao, as well as Yuan Zhongche, we haven't revealed half a word. What I should do, just tell me. ”

Shen Ruoyu said: "Then I'll get down to business." Sir, have you heard Mr. Jin Zhong tell the allusion of 'Mo Zhuyan'? ”

Yuan Jue did not answer immediately. He looked at Shen Ruoliao intently, pondered for a while, and said:

"I see. Do you want to do it again? ”

"How do you call the old trick repeated, don't tell me, the old way in the story is your old man."

Yuan Hui smiled. "How is that possible; I'm not him, but I do know him. Do you remember that when the prince gave you his Flying Star Qin, he once said that this Flying Star Qin and his Flying Sun Sword were all given to him by a mysterious Zhou Diandao person in the thirteenth year of Hongwu? ”

Shen Ruoyu asked in a low voice, "Is that him?" ”

Yuan Heng nodded. "Fortunately, this Zhou Dian has always been crazy, and he has never been well-dressed and his hair is disheveled, so even though he made a big fuss in this capital twice, no one can see his exact appearance, let alone remember. Your idea is still foolproof in its implementation. ”

Shen Ruoyu said: "There is still danger. Sir must make a lot of noise in the city, and he must not sacrifice himself, and he must get out of the capital cleanly and leave the capital before the official army dispatches to arrest you. ”

Yuan Jue said calmly: "This is easy. The response of the officers and troops has always been much slower than the rumors. You just wait to see the show. ”

Shen Ruoyu said: "This is just a chess move, how much effect it can play, I don't have a lot of spectrum in my heart." In addition, I stayed in the capital for more than half a month, and I really didn't achieve anything, and I didn't have the face to go back to see the prince. ”

Yuan Jue said: "What's the hurry; By the end of the month, you'll get what you want. ”

"You're telling a fortune again?"

Yuan Jue smiled and said, "Why do you ask so much?" Shouldn't I have already calculated it? A few days ago, the grandson had his second birthday, and the mother ordered me to look at his face, looking like a jade, his eyes like a torch, long live the son of peace. What else do you have to worry about? ”

Shen Ruoyu said with a hippie smile: "Of course I am relieved to have your words." ”

"There is one more thing," Yuan Jue said, "In the future, the days in the capital, your life, including Qiu'er's life, are completely in your own hands." I know you've always cherished it, but don't take it for granted, some things aren't as simple as taking them for granted. Especially in palace politics, officialdom is right and wrong, and it is difficult to say anything. ”

"Sir, you're playing with me again." Shen Ruoxiao frowned and smiled, "You never want to explain, how can I listen to you?" ”

Yuan Jue looked at him helplessly: "You; Forget it, the destiny of heaven cannot be violated. As long as you don't cry bitterly and crawl to me when the time comes, you will regret it. ”

"Don't worry," Shen Ruoyu said, "Even if there is a day, what I regret will never be these two things: one is to follow King Yan, and the other is to marry Qiu'er." ”

Yuan Hui was a little worried and didn't speak again.

The next morning, Shen Ruoyu heard from the store that the mysterious old Tao had reappeared, singing the same ballad. At noon, Shen Ruoyu rode out on horseback to make an unannounced visit, and the people in the streets and alleys were talking worriedly, "Don't chase the swallow, chase the swallow will fly high, fly high and fly high." The government's tolerance patrol and brocade guards have already been dispatched, and there are secret sentinels everywhere, and Shen Ruoyu is a little worried. He didn't know that at this time, Yuan Heng had already passed through the river and was far away from Yingtian. The shrewd Yuan Gaoren only used a cup of tea to sing through the most lively section of the Bell and Drum Tower on the central street, and then quietly changed his clothes, and then went out of Jinchuan Gate as if nothing happened, and went north to return to Beiping. Behind him, there was a big search in the city for the next three days, and rumors that people in the city were panicking.

The results were immediate. On the evening of the third day, the lockdown was lifted. Fang Xiaoru came to find Shen Ruoyu, took him into the palace with him, and walked straight to the Wuying Palace. Zhu Yunwen was waiting for them there, along with Qi Tai, Huang Zicheng and Xu Huizu on the side.

As soon as Shen Ruoyu entered the hall, Xu Huizu ordered sharply:

"Arrest him!"

The pro-soldiers standing on the left and right immediately rushed up, and without saying a word, they knocked Shen Ruoliao to the ground and held it firmly. After Shen Ruoxiao's initial surprise, he struggled twice, and soon stopped moving, just stayed quietly on the ground, letting them exert himself.

Zhu Yunwen said: "Cheng'an Yibin, what is the relationship between that mysterious Taoist and the Four Emperor Uncles?" How did you calculate, and what conspiracy did you have? ”

Xu Huizu shouted: "Confess honestly, so as not to offend and add to crime." ”

The soldiers pressed his head stiffly, Shen Ruoyu couldn't see Xu Huizu, and smiled softly:

"Grandpa, that's how your good nephew tried me, don't you know?"

Xu Huizu didn't hear clearly: "What did you say?" ”

Shen Ruoliao said: "Your Majesty, if you are talking about the mysterious Taoist who sings ballads, I don't know if he has anything to do with King Yan, anyway, he has nothing to do with me Shen Ruoliao, and I can't talk about any conspiracy with him." If you want to hear me make up a satisfying story, you can throw me in the Jinyi Guard prison and put on a soldering iron. ”

"Who are you getting?" Huang Zicheng asked coldly.

Shen Ruoyu replied coldly: "If you don't believe it, why bother asking? Just send me to prison. ”

Fang Xiaoru said: "You really have nothing to do with him? You really don't know him? ”

Shen Ruoyu said angrily: "It's good that I have that creation." The Imperial Forest Army closed the city for three days and couldn't find anyone, but it was quite quick to catch a scapegoat. ”

Xu Huizu said coldly: "Didn't you Cheng'an Yibin look down on the Imperial Forest Army and think that these soldiers are a bunch of waste?" Why are you so caught now? ”

Shen Ruoyu said: "I don't want to hurt the emperor's face. If you're not ashamed, I can show you right now. ”

Qi Tai said: "You have already broken through the palace once, do you still have the face of long live in your eyes?" Fool whom? ”

Shen Ruoyu said: "Okay, that's what you said. ”

His psoas muscles straightened, and he turned over and jumped up vigorously. Several pro-soldiers exclaimed, fell to the ground together, and couldn't get up for a long time. Those present were dumbfounded; Xu Huizu was immediately furious and rushed up. Shen Ruoyu dodged his swift arm, fell to the ground obediently as he did just now, put his hands behind his back, and said:

"Your Majesty, if you can't trust me, just put me in prison. I didn't mean to hurt your face, but I really can't swallow it. ”

Zhu Yunwen's face was pale. 方孝孺 says:

"In this case, the minister implores Long Live to send Shen Ruoliao to prison for interrogation."

Qi Tai and Huang Zicheng also played together: "What Lord Fang said is extremely true, and the ministers seconded it. ”

Zhu Yunwen was shocked, and said softly: "Okay, just follow the opinions of Qing and others." ”

Xu Huizu was still very wary of him, and his vigilant gaze did not relax for a moment, and he watched closely as his soldiers tied Shen Ruoyu firmly with chains and went to the prison of the Criminal Department. Except for Shen Ruoyu who held on to the autumn wind and did not let go, the rest were at their mercy, and they were obediently dragged to the criminal department and thrown into the cage.

To his surprise, no one put a soldering iron on him, no one interrogated him, and even everyone respectfully served him refreshments when they saw him, except that the cage was uncomfortable, there was nothing bad about it. He spent an hour in wonder before being released from the cage again. Xu Huizu was waiting for him outside, with an indifferent expression, and escorted him back to the palace with his soldiers.

Zhu Yunwen and the three ministers were still discussing in the Wuying Palace. Seeing him come in, Zhu Yunwen said:

"I've wronged Yi Binlang, Xu Aiqing, please untie him."

Xu Huizu loosened the tie for Shen Ruoyu. Zhu Yunwen asked:

"Cheng'an Yibin, I and a few Aiqing misunderstood you just now. You and the Four Emperor Uncles have nothing to do with that mysterious Taoist, you are innocent. However, the song of that Taoist man sang meaningfully, 'Don't chase the Yan, the Yan will fly high, fly high and fly high', he meant, if I continue to cut the feudal domain and force the Four Emperor Uncles, he will usurp the throne. Do you think you should look at it that way? ”

Shen Ruoyu said: "If someone buys that Taoist, of course he can sing like this." ”

"Buy-through? What do you mean? Several of them asked suspiciously.

Shen Ruoyu said: "I don't believe that this thing is so coincidental, when Emperor Gao was in a hurry to establish an heir, he came to sing this song, and when Emperor Gao died, he ran over to sing it again, and now the Son of Heaven has cut the domain, and he has come to stage it again, which is obviously a heart." If he can really understand the gods and sing the destiny of heaven, then why should he run? After singing, he slipped away, obviously because he had a ghost in his heart, and someone must have bought him off if he had calculated the conspiracy in advance. ”

Huang Zicheng said coldly: "He sings for King Yan, who can this person who buys him besides King Yan?" ”

"Then maybe," Shen Ruoyu shrugged, "Maybe someone wants to see the excitement of the Son of Heaven's house and resort to such a trick." Anyway, now, there are many people who are looking forward to King Yan capsizing. ”

"Do you think King Yan is innocent in this matter?" Fang Xiaoru said, "As far as I know, King Yan has a large number of master warlocks who are proficient in divination and fortune-telling, like Dao Yan, Yuan Tingyu and his son, and Jin Zhong. He wanted to do it, but it would be easy. ”

Qi Tai said: "Didn't Lord Yibin Lang just write a secret letter to your father-in-law not long ago, asking him to send Yuan Gaoren to Yingtian as soon as possible?" ”

Shen Ruoxiao frowned and smiled: "My letter was sent to Beiping in an open and honest manner, and you know the content in such detail, how did it become a secret letter?" ”

"If you want to play tricks with the court, it's impossible." Xu Huizu said coldly, "Let's be honest, did you call Yuan Tingyu and let him play this play?" ”

Shen Ruoyu said lazily: "Since you still don't believe me, then why bring me out of the cage, don't give me the best food and drink, wouldn't it be okay to starve me to death." ”

Fang Xiaoru said: "If you are wronged, the Son of Heaven will never wronged you." Do you really know anything about it? ”

Shen Ruoyu was helpless: "Mr. Fang, I invited Yuan Tingyu to come, so what?" Qiu'er misses her grandfather and troubles me every day, can I not invite him? Mr. Yuan did appear at the same time as the Taoist who sang, and he left after a day, and it is estimated that the Taoist also left at the same time as him, otherwise he would not have been unable to find it. Don't you think I'm supposed to be unlucky? ”

Xu Huizu said coldly: "There are no unintentional coincidences in the world; Your suspicions are clear. ”

Shen Ruoyu said: "Grandpa, when Huang Lizi met me in Jinguan City, he said that if I don't have a day, there will be a disaster of blood and light, and later he also said it. You're right, there are no unintentional coincidences in the world; I was attacked in Xiangyang, and Huang Lizi also disguised himself as a Jinyi guard, falsely claiming that he was ordered by the Son of Heaven to investigate King Yan. If you told me a year ago today that there could be someone in this world who has the courage and ability to calculate the court and the king of Yan at the same time, I don't believe it. As a result, three months later, I was so tormented by such a god that I almost died. ”

Qi Tai said sharply: "Cheng'an Yibin, don't sophistry anymore. Your original lie has been exposed; The people and horses sent by the imperial court to Xiangyang to investigate and collect evidence reported that the Han River searched all over the river for thirty miles, and never saw a house and a house alone on the riverside on the wilderness and mass graves, let alone prisons. How long do you want to continue to deceive the king? ”

The Son of Heaven hurriedly stopped Qi Tai and said:

"Qi Aiqing can't say that; Although no prison house was found on the Han River, the prefect of Xiangyang confirmed that he had received a report from an official that his companion had been abducted by a group of robbers disguised as officers and soldiers at the head of the city, and that the investigation of eyewitnesses had also been confirmed, and that a boatman had testified that he had fallen into the water and was injured. Moreover, Wudang Daoist also sent a handwritten letter to me, confirming that what Cheng An Yibin said earlier was not false. Lonely houses in the wild can always be easily demolished; Qi Aiqing can't wronged Cheng An Yibin because of this detail. ”

Qi Tai's anger did not subside, but he had nothing to say to refute the Son of Heaven, so he stopped making a sound, and only glared at Shen Ruoyu with disdain.

Xu Huizu looked at Shen Ruoliao calmly and said:

"Cheng'an Yibin, what do you mean, the farce in the capital a few days ago was that someone deliberately framed King Yan. The court cannot produce evidence to prove your guilt; And so far, you haven't been able to produce any evidence to prove your innocence. Today's interrogation can be temporarily suspended; It is a waste of time to continue to envisage debates without any evidence. The Imperial Court will continue to investigate the matter, so you can go back to the inn for the time being and rest and wait for the results. ”

"Grandpa, don't be busy and invite Cheng'an Yibin back to the inn." Fang Xiaoru stopped: "Your Majesty still has something to ask Cheng An Yibin." ”

Shen Ruoyu looked up at the Son of Heaven, and Zhu Yunwen saw him cast his gaze, but looked at Mr. Fang hesitantly.

Fang Xiaoru understood and said: "Ruoxiao, long live I want to ask what you mean, if you let the three princes of His Royal Highness King Yan go home, what do you think?" ”

Shen Ruoyu was slightly stunned. "Really—why?"

Zhu Yunwen said timidly: "'Mo Zhuyan', I really have no intention of persecuting the Fourth Emperor Uncle, and I have never taken my three younger brothers as hostages. It's better to let them go home. What do you see? ”

"Why do you ask me?"

Fang Xiaoru said: "You are by King Yan's side, and you are very close to King Yan, so the Son of Heaven wants to hear what you mean, what does King Yan think." ”

Shen Ruoyu said: "King Yan said himself last time, let the three princes stay in the capital until they die. ”

Huang Zicheng said coldly: "Passers-by know that King Yan is acting on the spot, and he is duplicitous. ”

Shen Ruoyu said: "Of course, the world knows it. King Yan has a total of three sons, and I wish they would go home immediately. Your Majesty, the three princes are the biggest chips in your hands; Once they go home, King Yan will no longer have any worries, and you will no longer have any bargaining chips. ”

Zhu Yunwen hesitated: "However, I don't want to force the Fourth Emperor Uncle to a dead end." ”

Shen Ruoyu said: "You have detained the three princes for so long, if King Yan can go to a dead end because of this, he will have left a long time ago, and he will not wait until today." As long as the three princes are still in the capital, King Yan will never raise troops, and you will be absolutely safe. ”

Huang Zicheng asked suspiciously: "Cheng'an Yibin, so far, you are still a member of King Yan; You keep persuading Your Majesty to detain the three princes, what good is it for you? ”

Shen Ruoyu said: "I told Mr. Fang that I came to the capital and wanted to stay by the side of the Son of Heaven, not because I wanted to fight King Yan, but precisely because I was unwilling to fight King Yan, let alone face him again, what I was most afraid of was to meet him on the battlefield, so I was more reluctant to see King Yan raise troops than everyone present." As long as the three princes are still in Jingshi, King Yan will not raise an army, and I myself will be safer. ”

Zhu Yunwen was silent for a long time, sighed faintly, and asked, "How many Aiqing look?" ”

Qi Tai played: "It's true that the minister thinks that Cheng'an Yibin has a sentence, all the scruples of King Yan now are on his third son, and he must not be left without worries." ”

Fang Xiaoru groaned: "Weichen thinks that at this time, it is better to put the three princes back. ”

"Mr. Fang?" The Son of Heaven and the other three courtiers were taken aback.

Fang Xiaoru said: "'Mo Zhuyan'; although the minister does not believe this proverb, there is also some truth in it. The third son of King Yan was detained in Beijing, and he always had an excuse to say that the court was unkind to him, so he had an excuse to raise troops. Now put the three princes back, and he will have no excuse to raise an army, and at this time, if he has any more rebellion, we can justifiably strike him. ”

Huang Zicheng said suspiciously: "Lord Fang, this is too risky, right?" If King Yan has antipathy, then his antipathy will not be eliminated because the three princes go home, but will become more unscrupulous because of this, and the situation will be out of control. ”

Xu Huizu said: "Your Majesty, the three sons of King Yan must not leave the capital division. The minister's three nephews, the minister knows them well. The boss is high-spirited, calm and scheming, and he will become a great tool; The third Gao Sui saw the wind and made the rudder, treacherous and changeable; The second eldest Gao Xu is a demon king of the world, brave and cruel, and as ambitious and unscrupulous as his father. No matter which of these three boys can make King Yan like a tiger, so absolutely none of them can be let go. ”

Zhu Yunwen hesitantly looked between several courtiers. Finally, he looked at Fang Xiaoru and asked:

"Mr. Fang, what do you think of Huang Aiqing and Xu Aiqing's words?"

Fang Xiaoru said: "Weichen thinks that what the two adults say is very reasonable. But after all, King Yan is well-versed in scripture and history, and he understands no less truth than us. If he really wants to usurp the throne, he can't ignore the two things of popular will and morality. If the three princes stay in Jingshi, the people of the world will sympathize with King Yan to some extent, and we will not stand on a morally stable footing. But if the three princes are sent home, there are at least two obvious benefits: first, it will make King Yan lose all excuses to raise troops to resist, and the court will have an absolute advantage in morality and popular support; Second, it can also show him that the Son of Heaven and the imperial court have no suspicions about Yan Fan, so that he can relax his guard, and it will be easier to show his horse's feet, so that we can seize the handle. ”

Qi Tai questioned: "What if the three princes go back and King Yan immediately raises troops unscrupulously?" ”

"In that case, he would be digging his own grave." Fang Xiaoru said, "You know, we have long known his antipathy, but we are not unprepared. Whether he raised troops immediately, or waited a few months to raise troops, for the imperial court, he calmly dispatched troops and annihilated them in one fell swoop. Banzai is prepared, and there is no need to worry at all. ”

Xu Huizu said: "Your Majesty, unless you select troops now and surround Beiping." Otherwise, you must not let the tiger return to the mountain, please think twice. ”

Zhu Yunwen covered his forehead and said, "Okay, Rong Zhen should think about it again." A few Aiqing should also go back to rest first, it's already late. Mr. Fang, help me send Cheng An Yibin back to his residence. ”

When Shen Ruoyu returned to the inn, it was already late at night, Nangong Qiu was still waiting for him with the lamp, fidgeting, and when he saw him, he cheered ecstatically, threw himself into his arms, and shouted:

"You're back, you're scared me to death, I thought the Son of Heaven had arrested you."

Shen Ruoyu put his finger on her lips and said softly:

"Shh——!h Be quiet, you're going to wake up all the guests in the inn. ”

Nangong Qiu said: "What's wrong, why did you come back so late?" ”

Shen Ruoyu whispered in her ear: "I went to beg the Son of Heaven to let your three brothers go back to Beiping, and the debate lasted until late." ”

"Did the Son of Heaven agree?"

Shen Ruoyu shrugged: "No; Who knows, a person like him, no matter what, has to think about it for three days and three nights, hesitates and hesitates, and finally decides that he will suddenly change his mind, and it is difficult to say what will happen in the end. ”

The next day was uneventful, and no one came to Shen Ruoliao. He counted the money on his body, and there was not much left, even if he paid the store money, he could only last until the day after tomorrow. The day after tomorrow, if they don't return to Beiping, they will even be penniless on the road.

In other words, within two days, if the court does not release people, he Shen Ruoyu will only have one way, that is, to forcibly rob the three princes from the palace and send them across the river desperately. As for himself, it goes without saying that he will naturally be unable to escape death, and maybe he will die from the ten thousand arrows of the army under Wei Guogong on the riverside. Qiu'er, he doesn't have to think about it.

He didn't dare to tell Nangong Qiu this, so he could only secretly hope that he would have good luck.