There are four gates in the forbidden palace of the Great Jin Dynasty, the south is called Xuande Gate, the outside is Panlou Street, here is connected with the Royal Street, Mahang Street, and through Caomen Street, Sangjia Wazi, it can be regarded as the most prosperous place in the capital, the lights are not extinguished all night, and the people come and go in an endless stream.

Hele Lou is on the edge of Panlou Street, very close to the palace gate, relying on the exclusive sale of agar wine and the good skills of the chef, it is full from day to night.

Peng San sat in a box against the street, there were no candles lit in the room, no torches were lit, it was pitch black, only five or six people were next to the window, the black lights were blinding, and several heads were piled up in one place, looking very scary.

The room was quiet, no one spoke, only Peng San leaned in front of the fire Qi in his hand, staring at the corner more than a hundred steps away, his eyes didn't even dare to blink.

There are only eight private rooms on the second floor of the Hele Building, and the wooden windows are all open outward, if the sun is hanging high at this time, someone passes by from below, and glances up, you can see that the wooden windows of each private room are surrounded by several people, although not everyone has such a rare thing as Huoqi, but everyone is looking in the direction of the corner a hundred steps away from the north.

Huo Qi wasted his eyes, in the middle of the night, Peng San stared at it for a long time, and his eyes were a little sour, and the corner was still the same as an hour ago, and there was no movement at all.

He changed his posture, his eyes didn't dare to leave, but he didn't worry about the subordinates beside him, who were entangled, and suddenly a black shadow flashed in his sight

On the glass mirror, several horsemen and horses passed by.

Peng Sanyan, although he only caught a glimpse of it for a moment, still recognized that the horse was the West Horse, and the people on the horseback were wearing the color of the inner service clothes, and two of them were dressed as officials.

He was shocked, and hurriedly grabbed the fire fold in his hand, waved it in the wind, and lit the lantern with the help of the raised sparks, and immediately lifted the lantern.

There was a sudden movement in the shadow of the opposite street under Hele Tower, and more than ten people led out of the horses, divided into eight teams first, and galloped out separately.

After seven or eight sips of tea, the people from the palace around the corner followed and passed by under the Hele Building.

Peng San sat by the window, listening to the collision of tables and chairs in the next room, pushing the door against the wall, and running, all of them rushed downstairs. After a while, many horses sprang out from somewhere downstairs, driving away the pedestrians on the road, and chasing the direction of the people who came out of the palace from a distance.

A servant next to him couldn't help but ask: "Third brother, in the middle of the night, the palace has opened the door, what happened?" Isn't there another place where there is going to be a war again? ”

When the time comes, the forbidden palace will be closed, if there is no major event, the palace gate must not be reopened, how can it be sent out of the palace at night? Thinking of the many courtiers who were summoned into the palace in the evening, I can't help but wonder if this little guy is suspicious.

Peng San said angrily: "I'm not Huang Xianggong, nor Fan Dashen, how can I know?" While speaking, he picked up the fire Qi in his hand as usual, and looked in the direction of Xuande Gate, and said, "You go down and order a little bit, see how many people are left, if there are not enough people, call a few more, and you can't lose it." ”

The little guy hurriedly ran out.

In the past few days, the important ministers of the two governments have been summoned to the palace three times and twice, and the Son of Heaven has not been in court one after another, and there have been discussions among the noble officials, but not everyone can enter the palace to discuss matters, and only vaguely hear that it seems that the palace is preparing to succeed the prince.

At this time, anyone who has some hands will send someone to keep an eye on the palace gate, hoping to hear some news.

Peng San's master is a very wealthy businessman in the capital, although there are people from the two mansions standing behind him, but he knows that this time things are different from the past, because he can't ask something, he has to send someone to guard the Hele Building, waiting for the palace to arrange business.

There are already a lot of stewards in his family, and once the situation in the palace is confirmed, he will have to deal with it. If the Son of Heaven has a bad situation, the many white cloths and linen clothes that have been negotiated in the thirteen counties and towns of Gyeonggi will be transported into Beijing immediately, and if the succession is still being discussed, it is necessary to ask the good students in the shop to prepare valuable ceremonies and fabrics for the gifts of the eunuchs and magnates in the capital, and there are other arrangements, all of which are one day at night, and those who are outdated are not waiting, and every moment is silver.

Peng San and many of his subordinates stayed here all night, and saw that several groups of people and horses came out of the palace, and many people and horses went in, and they were really tossed and turned.

Not only him, but the rest of the people who had to guard the news outside the Xuande Gate were generally not at peace and worried all night.

***

is not the same as the businessmen, eunuchs, and magnates in the capital, although Ji Qingling does not recognize those who can enter the palace to discuss matters, and she can't wait for people to take turns guarding outside the palace gate like this, to see who the people in the palace came out in the starry night to find and what they did, but the next morning, she slowly noticed that something was wrong.

One by one, the sister of the governor Sun Bian's mansion, Sun Yunniang, sent someone to send a post.

Sun Yunniang knew the life-saving grace of Gu and Ji in the past, in addition to sending many ceremonies, she often invited Ji Qingling to come over for dinner, go out to drink tea and enjoy flowers, and gossip. However, Ji Qingling had a lot of things to do, and he didn't want to communicate with Sun Fu too often, so he had to find excuses for eight or nine times out of ten.

Sun Yunniang didn't feel embarrassed at all, this Ji Qingling refused once, she invited the second time, ten times discordant, she had to try twenty times, and from time to time she came to the door to talk together.

Although Sun Yunniang suffers from heart disease, she does not feel sorry for herself, her temperament is a little free, the two sides have been going back and forth for a long time, Ji Qingling is not good at doing too ugly, and occasionally picks out the one or two times that she is interested in.

This time the other party invited Ji Qingling to go to Shanglin Yuan to enjoy the chrysanthemums, the two were originally scheduled to be three days later, the day before the little girl also happily called someone to meet Ji Qingling to make an appointment with the exact place to meet, early in the morning of this day, the door of the Gu Mansion was opened, and the people of the Sun family were already standing at the door, and hurriedly handed over the post and went back.

It turned out that Sun Yunniang said that there was something at home, and it was not easy to go out for the time being, and she wanted to reschedule with Ji Qingling to go again, but as for when she wanted to change it, she did not explain.

If it was just a letter, Ji Qingling probably wouldn't think too much, but at this time, the rosin she sent to Zhang's mansion to greet Zhang Bi's situation came back and told her about the things she encountered on this trip, so that she had to think about it.

It turned out that the manager of the Zhang Mansion came to ask for medicine, and Ji Qingling, out of courtesy, was somewhat worried about Zhang Bi's situation, so he wanted to send someone to follow him to say a few words. Rosin Xiang was ordered to go, and when he came back, he came to find Ji Qingling, and replied: "The little one has never seen the little son of the Zhang family, the Zhang Mansion has been closed for many days, although I saw it today, his concierge did not call into the door, but the steward who came to get the medicine came out and said a few perfunctory words with me, saying that thank you Mrs. for your concern, the little boy is fine, and said that the medicine is very useful, and gave some etiquette, so he invited me back......"

He also said: "Madam, I heard that the little prince of the Zhang family has been back in the house for a long time, and the palace has not sent anyone out to greet him, nor has he sent medicine ......."

Rosin acted thoughtfully, and when he came back, he went to the rest of the places to inquire again, and said at this time: "Not only Sun Shenzheng and Zhang Sheren's house, but also Huang Xianggong, Fan Dashen, Li Pingzhang, Ren Shumi, etc., all of them are closed doors, and there are only people in front of the door who are congested and asking to see, but they can't even hand over the post......"

Even though Ji Qingling had expected it, he was afraid that there would be a change in Funing Palace, but after seeing the officials who were called into the palace leaving the palace, the first thing was to close the door and thank the guests, and even the normal communication and personal contacts stopped, he was still a little surprised.

She thought about it, but she felt that something was wrong, so she simply walked to the window and reached out to push the hidden wooden window open.

A few steps away, Gu Yanzhang was boxing.

This Japan is Xiu Mu, he doesn't have to go to the government office to point Mao, because the rain outside may not stop, so he changed his clothes and practiced martial arts under the eaves of the outer wing, at this time the sweatshirt is close to the body, a few feet of eaves outside the shelter, the autumn rain poured down from the sky, and the flowers and trees in the courtyard fell crookedly, and they were also poured into the eaves, and the bluestone slabs that were half a foot long were full of water stains.

Gu Yanzhang's sleeves, trouser legs and even shoulders were wet, I don't know if it was sweat or rain, at this time, I could hear the sound of "squeak" window wood pushing behind him, and I happened to turn around, and saw Ji Qingling poking his head out of the window, looking like he wanted to speak and stopped, so he retracted his fist and asked with a smile: "What's wrong?" ”

As he spoke, he lifted his sleeves above the crook of his arm and walked over to Ji Qingling.

Ji Qingling hesitated for a while, relayed what Rosin said, and replied: "Fifth brother, I'm afraid that something has happened in the palace, do you want to pass on a few words to Mr.?" ”

Since the death of Zhao Dai, Zhao Rui has been in a slump for several months, and finally when he cheered up, he followed the requirements of the Empress Dowager Zhang, and the sons of the two younger brothers and many sons of the clan outside, all under the age of ten were brought into the Zishan Hall to listen to the lectures.

Liu Boshan has taught books for decades, and has his own set of methods for educating people, and he is very strict with students, and he will not change because of the identity and status of the other party. It is precisely because of his style of acting that Zhao Rui values him very much, and often asks him about the things in class, and rarely asks about the temperament, qualifications and conduct of the children in Zishantang.

At present, although Ji Qingling doesn't know what happened in the palace, he also knows that nine times out of ten he is inseparable from the imperial heir. Gu Yanzhang's official rank is not high, no matter how much he discusses in the palace, it will not be his turn to participate, but Liu Boshan is different, if the Son of Heaven suddenly has a heart and wants to summon him into the palace for questioning, once he is not prepared, it is easy to have an accident.

No matter what the situation in Liu Boshan is, Gu Yanzhang, as a disciple, reminds one or two in advance, but it is his duty. Hearing Ji Qingling say this, he only thought about it, then nodded and said, "I'll go now." ”

As he spoke, he raised his voice and told Rosin to prepare the horse, but he raised his hand and wiped the sweat on his head with his arm, while walking into the house, wanting to scrub it briefly, and changed his clothes and went out.

He had only been in the room for a while, and the sound of the water inside had stopped, but the rosin outside had hurriedly run back, and when he saw Ji Qingling, he hurriedly said: "Madam, I don't know where the official is now?" A few internal officials came, saying that the Son of Heaven had a summons and wanted to invite officials into the palace to face the saints. ”

Ji Qingling was stunned when she heard this, and in this matter, Gu Yanzhang wiped his hair and came out of the room.

Rosin hurriedly stepped forward, and before she could speak clearly, a small servant ran in quickly. The little guy was covered with rain, and when he saw Gu Yanzhang, he hurriedly said: "Official, there are a few people from the palace outside, saying that there is an urgent matter to see you, and the gatehouse does not dare to stop it, and it will be there immediately." ”

Sure enough, as soon as he finished speaking, there was a chaotic sound of footsteps in the sound of rain outside, and the person who came led two or three entourage, as soon as he entered the door, he first looked around left and right, found Gu Yanzhang, and hurriedly stepped forward and saluted: "Deputy Envoy Gu, Your Majesty has an edict, please follow the officials to see you." ”

Yiyi was originally a half-familiar Yellow Gate official.

Gu Yanzhang didn't know much about the harem, so he naturally didn't know the other party, but the waiter recognized him at a glance, and urged him at this time, as if there was a dog behind him.

Ji Qingling stood aside and watched, and saw that several people were already wet, and even their hair was knotted into strands, dripping water, standing in place for a while, and the ground where several people were standing was full of water traces. She looked out, the sky was stormy in the distance, the rain did not stop, this group of chamberlains came out of the palace in the early morning in the torrential rain, and it is estimated that they may not have time to bring all the rain gear, so they are all drenched in this appearance.

She stepped forward and asked with a smile, "I wonder how many of them have a robe with them?" This place to change clothes, no matter how fast it will take a few breaths, rather than waiting, you might as well wipe the rain on your body first, at this time the climate is different from the past, if it is dyed with cold, but it is troublesome. ”

Ji Qingling's words fell, the rosin fragrance was eye-catching and abnormal, and he had already led a few small servants forward, each holding a large and small towel in his hand, and wiping the body of a few waiters.

Ji Qingling had a lot of inconvenience, so he didn't accompany him here, and he had already retreated into the room.

A few small servants helped to dry the rain on the bodies of the waiters one-on-one, and the head of the head frowned at first to refuse, but was persuaded by Rosin: "You are waiting here and waiting, we all say outside that sharpening knives is not wrong to chop wood, and a few boots are full of water, even if the horse is not good to hook the pedals!" You might as well clear it first, the officials on the left and right also have to change their clothes, my wife has already gone in to help urge! ”

As he was talking, someone outside came in with several robes.

Rosin personally gave the head of the chamberlain the whole crown and belt, with a dry towel seriously wiped twice, his hands and feet fell, the movement was fast and smooth, the chamberlain was about to refute, this place has been wiped up, is putting on his coat.

Who wants to run out in the rain if there is something in the way?

The other party simply stopped refusing, and put on the robe with rosin's waiting, and let him take care of it.

When everyone was cleaned up here, Gu Yanzhang walked out of the room, and his clothes were indeed approved.

The chamberlain didn't care that the straps on his feet were not tied tightly, let alone how a few little yellow doors were dressed at this time, so he took the lead and walked out, saying, "Deputy Envoy Gu, have the horses been prepared?" ”

As he spoke, he hurriedly looked back to see if Gu Yanzhang had followed.

Several little yellow men hurriedly ran and followed.

When the person walked cleanly, Ji Qingling walked out of the room, turned to Rosin and asked, "But what have you seen?" ”

Rosin Xiang hurriedly said: "There is a sign in the sleeve of the inner attendant, I just touched it with my hand, and the word on it should be 'Ciming', I am afraid that it is the inner attendant in the Ciming Palace." ”

One of the other little ones also stood up and said, "The little one also touched the word 'Ci'." ”

Ji Qingling's face condensed slightly.

The chamberlain said that he was summoned by the order of the Son of Heaven, so it must be His Majesty's will, unless something big happens, no one will dare to use it. However, there are dozens of attendants in Funing Palace, and Zhao Rui doesn't use any of them, but he just runs to use the Empress Dowager Zhang in Ciming Palace, how do you think about this thing and feel that something is wrong.

She thought for a moment, although she knew that if there was an accident in the palace, Mo said that the wife of one of her deputy envoys, that is, Hu Quan, the criminal officer, was here, and it was estimated that it would be useless, but even so, she couldn't sit still, so she ordered her head to prepare a carriage and braved the heavy rain to go to Liufu.

***

On the edge of Xiwazi, Gu Yanzhang was riding on a horse, galloping towards the palace with the eunuch.

He was not familiar with the other party, so it was naturally difficult to ask, but fortunately, although it was raining heavily at this time, it was daytime, and he could barely see the road clearly.

Half an hour later, I saw that I was under the Xuande Gate, and the inner servant in front of him pulled the reins, and was about to take out the wooden card in his sleeve, but he saw that there were already many people lined up at the palace gate, and the guards were surrounding those individuals one by one. ”

Gu Yanzhang slowed down his horse's speed.

Here is about three or two feet away from the palace gate, there are about a dozen people standing in that place, all dressed in different clothes, some dressed richly, some in coarse cloth and rotten clothes, some standing and bowing their heads, each following behind an inner attendant, and there are guards watching next to them, and I don't know what the situation is.

It took a lot of tea to test the front before letting everyone go.

Gu Yanzhang followed behind the chamberlain, turned over and dismounted, took off his coat and waited for the front to verify his identity.

The chamberlain took the wooden card for the guards to inspect, and then turned his head and pointed in the direction of Gu Yanzhang, not knowing what he was talking about.

At this moment, Gu Yanzhang suddenly heard the sound of horses' hooves behind him, turned around, but saw a few fast horses galloping not far away, and when they reached the front, they also stopped.

In addition to the palace attendants, there was another court official, the other party had a dry face, looked up and down fifty, and when he saw Gu Yanzhang, he said "Huh".

Gu Yanzhang has always had an excellent memory, and he recognized the other party at a glance, arched his hand, and said, "Zheng Guanren." ”

One by one, this person is Zheng Lin, who was being sentenced in Yanzhou when Gu Yanzhang and Ji Qingling returned to Yanzhou a few years ago.

When the other party saw Gu Yanzhang, he only replied hastily, and replied perfunctorily two sentences, and then the matter was settled.

The two entered the Xuande Gate one after the other, but saw Zhu Baoshi, who was in charge of the Imperial City Division, leading a team of people to stop behind, and checked the faces of the two again, and then put the people in.

Gu Yanzhang has occasionally entered the palace recently, but he has never been as strict as this time, and then he looks at all the things in front of him, and Zheng Lin, although he knows that things are complicated, he can't think of what the situation is.

The two of them each followed behind the attendant who led him, and did not speak to each other.

When I entered the Funing Palace, I saw that the outer hall was full of people, full of inner servants, yellow doors, and palace maids, and then went inside, only to see that the small bedroom of the Son of Heaven was full of people, and there were more than ten people kneeling who could not see the history.

The rest of the people were standing among the officials, none of them stood in front of them, pointing to the kneeling person in the middle, facing Zhao Duo, the king of Wei not far away, and said, "Your Highness, do you know this person?" ”

Zhao Duo's face was not very good-looking, and he only said: "Wu Yushi, although I am only a vassal king, I also have serious things on weekdays, and I don't just pull someone from the road to know everything!" ”

The tone was already very reluctant.

Wu Yi sneered: "Your Highness doesn't know this person, but this person knows Your Highness!" ”

As he spoke, he said to the man who was kneeling in front of the place: "Tian Fu, when you arrive in front of Your Majesty today, don't you tell you what you know in your heart!" ”