There are still three days before the beginning of winter, and the Taishi of Xingyuan is telling Tuoba Hong the specific time of this year's beginning of winter.

Taishi asked Tuoba Hong for an order: "Your Majesty, this year, Lidong is far away from Pingcheng because of the holy drive, and the new palace in Luoyang is still under repair. ”

Tuoba Hong waved his hand and said: "The Lidong sacrifice is not only to sacrifice the ancestors, in order to fulfill the responsibility of the descendants of others, but also to sacrifice to the sky, to thank God for a good year, and to ask for a smooth wind and rain in the coming year for the benefit of the people, so we should not be simple because I am in the middle of the line." ”

Tai Shilian claimed that it was, and Tuoba Hong continued: "I follow the old calendar, from today onwards, fast and bathe, and stop for three days. The inner attendant and eunuch decreed that the harem carriages and horses temporarily lived in Yecheng, and there was no need to come to serve them. The Three Treasures retreated to the outside of the hall to deliver the decree.

Tuoba Hong said to the ministers: "After the winter sacrifice, I will inspect the prefectures and counties, and then stop in Yecheng for a while, and return to Luo in the spring of next year." All daily government affairs are jointly presided over by the King of Xianyang and the Duke of Longxi. "The ministers bowed their heads.

After discussing political affairs, the court meeting ended, and the ministers were about to leave, Tuoba Hong suddenly said: "Gaozhou Mu stays." ”

Gao Yong hurriedly knelt down to obey the order, only to hear Tuoba Hong smile and say: "Luozhou is under the jurisdiction of Gaozhou Muzhi, but the road is not left behind, and the night is not closed. ”

Gao Yong bowed his head and said, "Your Majesty is benevolent, so that the people can live and work in peace and contentment, how can the ministers take credit." ”

Tuoba Hong stepped forward to help Gao Yong with his own hands and said, "After the beginning of the winter sacrifice, all the ministers will return home to gather with their families. The king of Xianyang and the Duke of Longxi stayed in Luodu with me, but their families still stayed in Pingcheng. Qing is the head of Luozhou, and I want to take the two of them to Qing's mansion to have fun with you, which can be regarded as a holiday. ”

When Gao Yong heard this, he was extremely surprised, and hurriedly bowed to the ground again, and said: "Your Majesty succumbed to the cold house, which is really the luck of the minister's three lives, thank Your Majesty Longen!" Gao Rong, who was on the side of the driver, also hurriedly knelt down and kowtowed, thanking his father together.

The holy car is coming, but there are only three days to prepare. Mrs. Gao's Zhou led Lu Liu's second clan and Changfang Tong's family, and several people led the servants of each room to furnish and decorate everywhere, Gao Yi led the kitchen manager to go out every day to purchase the ingredients needed for the festival, Gao Hui and Gao Rong also went to the music department to select the music class dancers, add flowers and birds in the garden, and Gao Fu was busy with a mess.

On the day of the beginning of winter, Gao Yongyin got up and checked the mansion until there was nothing wrong with it, then changed clothes, ate, and then went to the line to wait for the drive, and waited for the car to go out of the city to worship.

Before the time came, after the sacrifice was over, Gao Yong returned to the house first in accordance with the order. As soon as she got out of the car and stepped into the mansion, Mrs. Gao's Zhou hurriedly greeted her and asked, "Lord, when will the holy car arrive?" ”

Gao Yong replied as he walked: "Your Majesty will start driving at the third moment of the first month." You go to inform the rooms, and in half an hour you will go outside the gate of the house to greet you. ”

Mrs. Gao responded, turned around and hurriedly handed over to the nearby servant woman Zhang to inform the rooms. Zhang walked a few steps, suddenly stopped, returned to Mrs. Gao's side, and asked quietly, "Madam, do you want to inform the second lady in the backyard?" ”

Madam Gao frowned slightly, paused for a moment, and said, "She is an ominous person, how can she meet the Holy Driver." Zhang understood, and went to the courtyards.

At the third moment of the first month, the inner chamberlain came to inform Gao Yong: "Your Majesty's dictation, today is the beginning of the winter solar term, Your Majesty travels in micro-clothes, just a banquet, and everyone in Xinfu does not need to go out of the house to greet each other." ”

When Gao Yong heard this, he knelt down to thank him, and was about to give the inner servant a reward of silver, but after the inner servant finished announcing the message, he drove away.

Although the oracle is so, how dare Gao Yong's father and son slack off, and they stood outside the gate of the mansion early to wait.

At the first moment of the first month, twenty horsemen and feather forest guards escorted the royal chariot from the north, and the royal car was followed by the car of Tuoba Xi, the king of Xianyang, and Li Chong, the prince of Longxi.

Gao Yong hurriedly asked people to enter to inform Mrs. Gao and others, and knelt on the ground with his third son to greet him. Tuoba Hong got the royal chariot and entered the Gao Mansion under the guidance of Gao Yong. All the people in the house were already kneeling in the courtyard, and Tuoba Hong motioned for everyone to get up and entered the main hall.

The main hall of the north courtyard is full of bead curtains and jade curtains, and the flowers are colorful. Due north, a brand-new ebony collapse is placed, and a crane-shaped copper incense burner is erected on the side of the collapse, and the light smoke is swirling, and the room is full of incense.

After Tuoba Hong sat down with his back to the north, Gao Yong led Mrs. Gao and her three sons into the hall to offer tea, and the rest of the family members knelt outside the door.

Tuoba Hong took a sip of tea, motioned for everyone to get up, and said slowly: "Gaozhou Mu, today I came to your house for a banquet, I don't need to treat him with courtesy, and the female relatives of the family can also enter, I can't disturb your opportunity to enjoy your family." ”

When Gao Yong and his wife heard the holy words, Xie Baen ordered Gao Yi to summon the others in. The Lu family, the Liu family, the Tong family, and Gao Ling entered the main hall with the Jiang family and Yuan'er, and were about to salute again, but the inner chamberlain was ordered to stop them, so everyone took their seats and played drums in unison. Tuoba Hong looked around at everyone, but he didn't see He's figure, so he signaled the Three Treasures to approach, and then whispered to him, and then enjoyed the music and dance with everyone, and drank and enjoyed together.

Sanbao gently pulled the corner of Gao Rong's clothes, Gao Rong understood, and followed Sanbao out of the main hall. Sanbao walked to the corner of the wall, and when he saw that there was no one around, he stopped and asked Gao Rong: "Master Gao, is there another courtyard in the house?" ”

Gao Rong was puzzled, looked at Sanbao hesitantly, and said, "Why did the eunuch ask?" ”

Sanbao replied softly: "Don't hide it from Lord Gao, the slave is looking for someone on the orders of His Majesty." ”

Xin Rong became more and more confused: "My Gao Mansion is in the North Courtyard, who is the eunuch looking for?" ”

Sanbao sneered and said, "It's someone who lives in another courtyard, can Master Gao understand?" ”

When Gao Rong heard this, he was shocked in his heart, although he had guessed that the person the eunuch was looking for was He, but he couldn't understand how His Majesty could know about He's existence.

Seeing Gao Rong's words, Sanbao patted him on the shoulder and said, "Lord Gao, don't miss Your Majesty's business, lead me there quickly." ”

Gao Rong responded and led Sanbao straight to the backyard, and along the way, Gao Rong was full of doubts, but he didn't dare to say a word.

Before Sanbao and Gao Rong stepped into the backyard, they had already heard He singing to the sound of the piano: "Qingqing Zijin, leisurely my heart." Even if I don't go, I'd rather not make a sound? Qingqingzi Pei, I think about it. Even if I don't go, Zining won't come? Picky and embarrassed, in the city. Not seen for a day, like March. Sanbao paused outside the courtyard gate, straightened his clothes, and blended into Fang Suigao.

Gao Rong knocked lightly on the door, and the sound of the piano stopped abruptly. Jixiang opened the door, saw that it was Gao Rong and Sanbao, was stunned, and after two flicks of his fingers, he suddenly came back to his senses and shouted into the house: "Little, little lady, come quickly, come quickly." ”

He and Wang Shi rushed to the door when they heard the sound, and when they saw the two people outside the house, He also froze, but it was Sanbao, who took a step forward and made a gesture to He, and said, "Mrs. He, the master asked me to look for you." ”

Hearing Sanbao's words, He Fang came back to his senses and was puzzled: "Where is your master now?" ”

Sanbao smiled and said: "The master is now in the main hall with Lord Gao Yong and Gao Mansion, and the special slave is here to pick up the lady." ”

He looked at Gao Rong in surprise and suspicion, as if asking him, Gao Rong was about to speak, and Sanbao hurriedly said: "The little lady will go with me, and you can know everything." ”

He hesitated: "Where are you going?" ”

Sam Bao replied, "The carriage that picks up the little lady has stopped in the back alley. ”

Gao Rong grabbed Sanbao's hand and asked in a lost voice, "Where is the eunuch going to take her?" ”

"Eunuch? Who are you, Sambo? Why is your master in Xinfu? He was more and more puzzled.

Sanbao stretched out his other hand and gently removed Xin Rong's hand that was holding him, and ignored Gao Rong, only smiled and said to He: "The little lady will understand everything when she arrives at the place." The master asked the slave to tell the little lady that what he promised the little lady would be fulfilled. After saying that, he took out a jade pendant from his arms and handed it to Yu He with both hands.

He carefully took the jade pendant, and knew that it was the one that Hong had given her before, and she couldn't help crying. After hesitating for a moment, He said: "It's just Sister-in-law Wang and Jixiang, I can't leave her two." ”

Sanbao nodded and said: "Little lady, don't worry, the master has already arranged the affairs of the two of her, but it is not convenient for them to travel with you tonight, and the slave still needs their strength to succeed." The little lady will be reunited with her in a few days. ”

Wang walked in and said to He in a soft voice: "Second lady, you have been looking forward to this day for a long time. It seems that my worries were too much, let's go, don't worry about us. He turned his head to look at Jixiang, and when he saw that she also nodded in agreement, he said to Sanbao: "Okay, I'll go with you." ”

Seeing this, Gao Rong hurriedly said: "Sister-in-law, don't go!" As soon as the words fell, Sanbao stopped: "Lord Gao, the head is above the main hall, and Lord Gao is back to the family members of the mansion!" Gao Rong was shocked, he immediately understood Sanbao's words, if he stopped He again and called her "sister-in-law", it would mean that his father had committed the crime of defrauding the king. He didn't dare and couldn't speak out again, which was related to the lives of one hundred and sixty people in the Gao Mansion.

Sanbao respectfully sent He to the carriage, and after seeing the carriage go away, Fang turned around and said, "Gao Rong, Wang, auspicious, Your Majesty's message." ”

When the three of them heard this, they hurriedly leaned over and knelt on the ground. "The weather is dry and dry, the backyard of Gaofu accidentally walks on the water, and the second lady of Gaofu is buried in the fire, and the bones cannot be found."

After listening to the commandment, the three of them were stunned. Sanbao smiled and said to Gao Rong: "Lord Gao, you understand the stakes in each one. You are Your Majesty's Zhonglang and a close minister, and you can consider Your Majesty's wishes. Gao Rong was speechless for a while, and he couldn't answer.

It was auspicious, and while frightened, he urgently asked the Three Treasures: "That son is actually the saint today?" Sanbao smiled and helped Jixiang and Wang up, and said, "The two of you just do what I tell you to do." Then he whispered to the two of them.

The main hall has been lit up, and the fire is bright, illuminating the hall as if it were day. A group of maiko are waving their long sleeves to their heart's content, and the music and dancing are really lively. Sambo quietly returned to Tuoba Hong's side, and reported the previous events to Tuoba Hong, who listened and drank, with a satisfied smile on his face.

Not long after, a male servant in the family hurriedly walked to Gao Yong's side and whispered to Xin Yong. Gao Yong's face changed for a moment after hearing this, and he whispered to him, and the manservant left immediately.

Gao Yong got up from his seat and walked in front of Tuoba Hong, bowed to the ground, Tuoba Hong waved his hand to signal Song and Dance to retreat, and asked with a smile: "What happened to the Gaozhou Pasture?" ”

Gao Yong kowtowed and said, "The minister's capital crime has disturbed His Majesty Yaxing." Just because the backyard of the minister's house suddenly went into the water, the minister was afraid that once the fire spread, it would endanger His Majesty's safety, so the minister dared to ask His Majesty to move. ”

Tuoba Hong pretended to be surprised and said, "How can the backyard of the house go to the water for no reason? Someone check it out quickly. After speaking, he left his seat and walked out of the hall. When everyone in the hall heard this, they also got up and followed the holy car out of the hall.

I saw thick black smoke rising from the southeast corner of Gaofu, and there was a faint fire flickering. Because of the holy drive, the ladies did not dare to speak out even if they were frightened.

Suddenly, Yuan'er sobbed and said, "Auntie, that's my aunt's residence." Tong's face turned pale with fright, covered Yuan'er's mouth, leaned over and shouted softly: "Don't talk nonsense!" ”

Tuoba Hong pretended not to hear, walked to the eaves of the porch, stopped to watch, and then asked Gao Yong sideways: "Can this fire place be inhabited?" ”

Gao Yong was speechless for a while, and he didn't know how to answer, "Minister, minister" happened to be Gao Rong at this time to lead Wang and Jixiang to the front yard. The three of them kowtowed to the ground, and Gao Rong said: "Your Majesty, the backyard of the minister's house accidentally walked into the water, and it has been extinguished at this moment." shocked the holy driver, and the minister was guilty of death. ”

Tuoba Hong said loudly: "It's okay! Motioning for Gao Rong to get up, Fu asked again, "Who has been hurt?" ”

Gao Rong glanced up at Tuoba Hong, and then lowered his head and replied: "There is a female dependant in the house who is recuperating in the backyard, she, she died due to inhaling smoke. When everyone in Gaofu heard this, they were all stunned, and they all set their eyes on Gao Rong.

Tuoba Hong said lightly: "That's it, you can't slack off when you wait for a good life to appease the relatives of the deceased." I also have no intention of feasting and drinking again, the Three Treasures, and start driving. The Three Treasures responded and hurried to the door.

Gao Yong knelt on the ground and kowtowed repeatedly: "The minister's capital crime, the minister's capital crime, disturbed the holy drive, and whipped His Majesty's interest." ”

Tuoba Hong helped Gao Yong up with his own hands, and said with a smile: "Gao Zhou Mu, tonight is so wonderful. Then he looked around at everyone, but his eyes stopped at Gao Hui, and said, "The past is gone, and the past is not to be mentioned." The eyes were scorching, Gao Hui knelt on the ground in shock, his heart was shocked and suspicious, and he didn't dare to come out again.

I only heard Tuoba Hong say again: "Gaozhou Mu, from tonight, I will grant you the envoy to be the governor of the festival, from the second grade." Tomorrow, the Chinese book province will announce the decree. Gao Yong was both surprised and delighted, and for a moment he was so confused that he couldn't speak, so he just blindly bowed to the ground and kowtowed. The old and young of the Gao Mansion knelt outside the gate of the mansion to send the royal chariot away, and then got up and returned to the house.

In the hall, Gao Yong sent everyone away, leaving only his wife Zhou and his three sons.

Gao Yong anxiously asked Gao Rong: "Why is the backyard watery, come quickly." ”

Gao Rong raised his eyes to look at his father with a suspicious face, and replied calmly: "My son heard Wang's Tao is charcoal fire that led the curtain. ”

Mrs. Gao continued: "The charcoal fire should be in the charcoal basin, how can it burn to the curtain, and it happens to be the time when the holy car comes?" ”

Gao Rong replied: "When my son arrived, the fire had already spread. The side room where my sister-in-law lived had all burned down. ”

Gao Yi pondered and asked Gao Rongdao: "I saw you leave with the eunuch at the banquet, and when the eunuch returned, the backyard was gone. Shuda, why? ”

Gao Rong never lied in the past, but when Gao Yi asked him like this, he couldn't answer for a while, and his face turned red. After listening to Gao Yi's words, Gao Yong and his wife set their eyes on Gao Rong, and when they saw him with such a look, they felt even more strange.

Gao Yong has been up and down in officialdom for many years, and now he has gradually calmed down, so he asked Gao Rongdao: "Shuda, what are you unspeakable?" ”

Gao Rong suddenly realized his gaffe, and hurriedly knelt down in front of Gao Yong and said, "Father, the son and the eunuch went together to convey His Majesty's message to Yu Linwei, the eunuch came back first, and the son settled everyone to eat. When his son returned, he happened to see the water in the backyard, so he hurried to the backyard. The eldest brother just asked his son, but the son just didn't have time to come back to his senses. ”

Gao Yong nodded, and asked the general suspiciously: "Then where is He's body now?" ”

Gao Rong got up, sat down, and replied, "Yu Linwei was frightened and has already carried him away. Gao Yong stopped speaking and looked thoughtfully at the ebony collapse.

"Father, just now His Majesty looked at his son and said, 'The past is gone, the past is not mentioned' Your Majesty's eyes are burning, staring at his son, this seems to be said to his son, does Your Majesty know who the deceased is?" Gao Hui suddenly said with a slight horror.

Gao Yong's face changed, and it took ten fingers to flick his fingers, and Fang said: "Today, I suddenly went out of the water, and Your Majesty promoted me to my grade for no reason, and He also died and didn't see the body, are these just coincidences?" ”