Hedier smiled softly.

The smile was like a spring breeze, revealing a bit of uninhibitedness in the free and easy.

The tense confrontation just now was just a game in his spare time in the afternoon.

His fingers caressed the scabbard, as if caressing his lover's long hair, tender and deep.

"Zhao Gongzi, today's matter, let's stop here."

"If he is destined to do so, he will drink three hundred cups with you."

Zhao Rang stood up and stared at this Western Regions sword master with a complicated gaze.

Hediye's martial arts and bearing made him have to reevaluate this opponent.

This swordsman is not an ordinary person, and behind him lies even more unfathomable power.

"There will be a date later."

Zhao Rang's voice was as calm as water, but his heart was turbulent.

Today's business is not over, but the beginning of a more complex dispute.

Heydier nodded and turned to leave.

His back looked more and more lonely and mysterious in the afterglow of the setting sun.

The fifth prince stood in place, his face gloomy as water.

Today's events were undoubtedly a failure for him.

He thought that he could get rid of Zhao Rang and Hediye in one fell swoop, but he didn't expect to put himself in an even more embarrassing situation.

With a wave of his hand, he motioned for the forbidden soldiers to put away their weapons, and he left the teahouse gloomily.

Zhao Rang watched the back of the fifth prince disappear at the corner of the street, and sighed secretly in his heart.

He turned to Fauber beside him and said:

"Fu Bo, immediately inform Ximen Dazhuang to go to the academy!"

Fauber nodded, and immediately turned to leave

。 Zhao Rang immediately turned over and got on his horse, and a fast horse went straight to Yangqi Academy.

His heart had already flown to Qingqing's side.

The ruins of Yozaki Shoin are covered in smoke, and the former seowon has been reduced to ruins.

Above the ruins, the disciples of the academy were busy cleaning up the wreckage.

Seeing Zhao Rang coming, they stopped their movements and bowed.

One of them cautiously stepped forward and whispered, "Your Excellency is Zhao Gongzi?" ”

Zhao Rang restrained his emotions and nodded:

"It's me. Where can the young girl and her father be? ”

Zhao Rang tried his best to make his voice sound calm, but the anxiety in his heart could not be concealed.

The man shook his head and said:

"Sister Qingqing and her father have left here, and they don't know where to go. She only left a message for me to pass on to Zhao Gongzi. ”

As he spoke, he took out a letter from his arms and handed it to Zhao Rang.

Zhao Rang took the letterhead, his hand trembling slightly, and opened the envelope.

The letter contained only a few lines, but it struck him like lightning. The letter reads: "My father and I have left the college to go elsewhere. Green. ”

After reading the letterhead, Zhao Rang only felt at a loss in his heart, not knowing where Qingqing had gone, and not knowing why she left suddenly

He looked at the academy disciple in front of him and said:

"Thank you for informing. Feel free to come to me if you need to. ”

With that, he turned and left, leaving the disciple to bow and salute him and see him off.

After returning to the courtyard, Zhao Rang sat in the study, pondering for a long time but still confused.

He had countless questions in his mind that he wanted to ask, but he didn't know who to ask.

Just then Fauber walked in and whispered:

"Young Master, Young Master Ximen is back and is waiting in the front hall."

Hearing this, Zhao Rang immediately got up and walked to the front hall.

As soon as he stepped into the front hall, he saw that Simon Dazhuang was anxiously waiting for him.

"Brother Jean, there are some things in the business at home in front of me, and I have been delayed, I think it is better to come directly to the other courtyard to find you!"

As soon as Simon Dazhuang saw him, he hurried up to meet him.

"What the hell is going on over there at the Academy? How could Qingqing and her father leave suddenly? ”

Zhao Rang waved his hand to signal him to be calm:

"I don't know the specifics. But since Qingqing left a message, it means that she is at least safe. ”

He handed the letterhead left by Qingqing to Simon Dazhuang:

"Look at this is the letter Qingqing left me."

Ximen Dazhuang took the letterhead and read it carefully, and his brows furrowed:

"What the hell is going on? Could it be that someone forced her to fail? Qingqing is also a member of the Investigation Department after all! ”

Zhao Rang shook his head, saying that he didn't know the specific reason:

"I believe that Qingqing must have her troubles, and we can't act blindly."

At this moment, a rush of footsteps came, and a man dressed in the uniform of the Investigation Division broke into the front hall:

"Zhao Gongzi, Lord Zhang is invited!"

Zhao Rang and Ximen Dazhuang glanced at each other, and they both saw the surprise in each other's eyes.

He didn't dare to delay, and immediately followed the comer to the Investigation Division.

Unexpectedly, Zhang Zong was at the gate of the other courtyard, standing with his hands in his hands.

His face was no longer calm and calm, but replaced by a touch of solemnity and anxiety.

Zhao Rang bowed his hand and said:

"What is the urgency of Lord Zhang?"

Zhang Zong took a deep breath and said in a deep voice:

"The Investigation Department has received news that someone is secretly investigating the whereabouts of the young girl and her father, so their father and daughter have left the imperial city."

Zhao Rang's heart was shocked when he heard this, his Zhang Zong's sources have always been reliable, and they are by no means groundless.

"Who is it?"

There was a thick killing intent in his voice.

Zhang Zong shook his head, saying that he didn't know either:

"The identity of the other party has not yet been clarified. But I've sent more men to protect the young girl and her father in the hope that they will be safe. ”

As he spoke, he looked at Zhao Rang and Ximen Dazhuang:

"I know that you have a lot of relationship with the young girl, and this matter is not trivial, I hope you can help me."

Zhao Rang and Ximen Dazhuang nodded in understanding.

After sending Zhang Zong away, Ximen Dazhuang immediately ordered all the men of the Ximen family in the imperial city to put down their business and make every effort to inquire about the news.

Unfortunately, things didn't go as smoothly as they thought.

The people in the imperial city were panicked, all kinds of rumors were flying all over the sky, and they did not find any valuable news despite all their efforts.

As night fell, Zhao Rang returned to the courtyard and sat on a chair tiredly.

Even Ximen Dazhuang knew that it was not a way to look for it aimlessly, but he didn't know how to persuade Zhao Rang.

"No, you don't."

Zhao Rang closed his eyes and said suddenly.

"I don't have to say anything, I understand."

Zhao Rang opened his eyes, turned his head to look at Ximen Dazhuang and said.

The corners of his mouth were hooked vigorously, wanting to show a relaxed smile, and said:

"Can you please lend me some money?"

Simon Dazhuang was stunned.

He grew up with Zhao Rang since he was a child, and he knows best what Zhao Rang's personality is.

Don't say it, Zhao Rang has always said something, straight to the point, today he would use this word in order to borrow money!

"Brother Jean, what are you talking about? My money is your money! ”

Simon waved his hand boldly:

"I know you want to rebuild the academy for Qingqing, no matter how much silver you need, just ask!"

When Zhao Rang heard this, he stood up and patted Simon Da Zhuang's shoulder:

"Good brother! Since you say so, then I'm not welcome. But rebuilding the academy is not a small amount, you ......"

"No problem!"

Simon Dazhuang agreed without thinking about it:

"I'll go and ask people to transfer all the treasury silver stored in the imperial city in a while, and all the people in the imperial city can come to help, and when the materials are finished, recruit some craftsmen, and it is estimated that it will be completed soon."

Before Ximen Dazhuang's words had completely fallen, the sound of horses' hooves and the rolling of chariots suddenly came from outside the gate of the courtyard.

For a while, the entire courtyard seemed to be surrounded by this sudden lively atmosphere.

Zhao Rang and Ximen Dazhuang both showed doubts in their eyes.

Walking out of the front hall, I saw two gorgeous carriages, with their own guards, parked at the gate of the courtyard.

The carriage in front of him was a noble prince in a yellow brocade robe, who was none other than the fifth prince.

He walked into the courtyard with an expressionless face, his eyes fell directly on Zhao Rang, and he said coldly:

"Zhao Rang, I came to you for that jade pendant."

Zhao Rang understood that the fifth prince was referring to the jade pendant that Hydiye had returned to him.

He sneered in his heart and said quietly:

"Your Royal Highness the Fifth Prince, that jade pendant is no longer on me."

The fifth prince frowned, and said coldly:

"And where is it?"

Zhao Rang glanced at the five princes lightly.

The reason why the five princes are so obsessed with this jade pendant is because it is a symbol of the qualifications to attend the Spring Festival Night Banquet, and the Five Princes who have two jade pendants will undoubtedly rise in the limelight at the Spring Festival Night Banquet.

The men in the latter carriage also walked down. that

It is a handsome prince in a white robe, who is none other than the seventh prince Yuan Mingkong.

He walked into the courtyard with a smile, his eyes swept between Zhao Rang and the five princes, and then said:

"Brother Huang, Brother Zhao, what are you doing here?"

When the fifth prince saw Yuan Mingkong appear, a trace of displeasure flashed in his eyes.

He snorted coldly and said:

"Brother Seventh Emperor, you came just in time. I'm asking Zhao Rang for that jade pendant, you have to give me an explanation. ”

Yuan Mingkong smiled slightly and said:

"Fifth Emperor Brother, since this jade pendant was returned to Brother Zhao by Hediyah, it is Brother Zhao's thing. Why do you have to be strong? ”

The fifth prince's face sank and said:

"Seventh brother, are you going against me?"

Yuan Mingkong shook his head and said:

"Brother Huang is serious. I just think that everything should come first and come first. Since Brother Zhao has already obtained this jade pendant, it seems that it is not suitable for you to get it again. ”

When the fifth prince heard this, he was furious, he stepped forward suddenly, approached Yuan Mingkong, and said sharply:

"Seventh brother, don't think I don't know what you have in mind! You just want to take this opportunity to win over Zhao Rang and increase your influence at the Spring Festival Night Banquet. Don't think that this time my father asked you to host the Spring Festival Night Banquet, you can your tail to Tianshan District, let me tell you, I am determined to get this jade pendant! ”

Yuan Mingkong faced the aggressiveness of the five princes, but he did not show any panic.

He smiled lightly, took a step back, elegantly flicked his sleeves, and said indifferently:

"Fifth Emperor Brother, you misunderstood. I'm not interested in the power struggle of the Spring Festival Feast. I'm just trying my best to do what my father has arranged for me. I agree with every jade pendant sent by Brother Zhao. What's more, I originally entrusted this matter to Brother Zhao. Not to mention that Hediye didn't receive the jade pendant in the first place, where did he get that jade pendant, I think the imperial brother naturally knows it.

"Now that the people of the Western Regions have returned to Zhao, it is up to Brother Zhao to consider it again, and then it is up to me to decide, and finally report directly to my father. You have taken it so forcibly, I am afraid that it will not be good for your reputation if it is spread out. ”

The fifth prince sneered and said disdainfully:

"Fame? In this imperial city, strength is the most important thing! As long as I get this jade pendant and have the qualifications to attend two Spring Festival Night Banquets, I think who will dare to point fingers at me? ”

Yuan Mingkong shook his head and sighed:

"Brother Huang, strength is important, but the people's hearts and minds cannot be ignored. If you forcibly take away the jade pendant today, not only will your father be held accountable, but I am afraid that you will lose the support and support of more people. ”

The fifth prince was furious when he heard this, he waved his sleeves violently, and shouted:

"Enough! Yuan Mingkong, don't you preach to me here! I'm here today, just for the jade pendant, and don't talk about other nonsense! ”

As he spoke, he turned his gaze to Zhao Rang again and said sharply:

"Zhao Rang, let me ask you one last time, where is that jade pendant? If you know each other, hand it over obediently, otherwise don't blame me for being unkind! ”

Zhao Rang faced the threat of the five princes, but his face was still calm. He glanced at the Fifth Prince lightly, then turned to Yuan Mingkong and said:

"Your Royal Highness the Seventh Prince, thank you for coming forward to break the siege today. But this jade pendant is a business business, and it is not afraid of threats. Five princes, no matter how princely you are, you can't violate the justice of the imperial court, right? ”

Yuan Mingkong nodded and smiled when he heard this:

"The public is public, the private is private, and the prince is guilty of the same crime as the common people, which is what I have always done."

As he spoke, he turned his head to look at the Fifth Prince and continued:

"Brother Huang, did you hear that?"

The fifth prince was already carried away by anger at the moment, where could he still listen to Yuan Mingkong's words?

He sneered and said:

"Good! Good! Good! Since you are so ignorant of lifting, then don't blame me for being unkind! ”

"Someone! Search for me! ”

With his order, a team of forbidden soldiers suddenly rushed in outside the door, surrounded the entire courtyard, and began to search through the entire courtyard.

Zhao Rang and Yuan Mingkong looked at each other and saw the chill in each other's eyes, but they didn't stop it.

Even if he stops the actions of the five princes today, he will definitely find other opportunities to retaliate in the future.

Rather than this, it is better to let him search for it today, so that he can understand more reasonably, this is not a place for him to go wild.

The guards of the five princes searched the courtyard for a whole hour, but found nothing.

Seeing this, the fifth prince's face became even more gloomy.

Within one day, he was deflated in front of Zhao Rang twice in a row, which had already made this prince who had been in the army for a long time and had military achievements angry to the extreme.

The eyes of the five princes were like knives, and they hated to swallow the entire courtyard.

At this moment, a guard ran to the five princes in a panic and whispered a few words.

After hearing this, a trace of surprise flashed in the eyes of the fifth prince, and then his face changed several times, and finally turned into a sneer.

"Good! Very good! Do you think this will stump me? ”

The fifth prince said, turning around sharply, but he wanted to pull out the saber on the guard's waist.

Another carriage arrived.

It looked much simpler than the two princes, but the people who got out of the car, even the fifth prince saw it, and let go of his right hand that had already held the handle of the knife.

Li Shenglin walked into the courtyard, and after seeing the five princes and Yuan Mingkong, he bowed and said:

"The two highnesses are originally here to make it easy for the old minister to find."

Seeing this, the fifth prince and Yuan Mingkong hurriedly returned the salute:

"I've seen the Prime Minister."

Li Shenglin waved his hand, indicating that there was no need to be polite, and then said:

"The old minister came this time on the orders of the emperor to mediate the dispute between the two highnesses."

He took out a bright yellow scroll of the holy decree from his bosom and unfolded it and read it:

The emperor's edict said: The fifth prince and the seventh prince had a dispute over the jade pendant of the Spring Festival night banquet, which was not dignified by the royal family, and ordered the prime minister Li Shenglin to mediate. Both sides take a step back, and they must not cause trouble because of this matter again, so please do this! ”

After hearing this, the five princes and Yuan Mingkong responded in unison:

"The retainers obey."

Li Shenglin put away the holy decree, looked at the two of them and said:

"The two highnesses are smart people, and they should know what the emperor means. Although the jade pendant of this Spring Festival Night Banquet is important. But the face of the royal family is even more important. Lao Chen hopes that the two highnesses can take into account the overall situation and stop arguing over this matter! ”

The Seventh Prince, Yuan Mingkong, nodded and said:

"Don't worry, Prime Minister, the kid knows the severity."

The fifth prince also said politely:

"I will definitely obey the emperor's orders and never do anything more."

When Li Shenglin heard this, he nodded with satisfaction, and then said:

"That's very good. Then the old minister took his leave. ”

With that, he turned and walked towards the carriage.

Before getting into the car, he glanced back at Zhao Rang again.

Zhao Rang was stunned by his gaze, and secretly cursed the old fox in his heart, but he still said goodbye respectfully and quietly on his face.

Yuan Mingkong also bowed and said:

"Prime Minister, go slowly."

The emperor's order was on top, and the five princes left angrily, not even a cruel word left.

Crossing the river will not be a king after all.

No matter how reckless he is, he also knows the truth that the name of the king cannot be done, even if he is the prince.

said death, but it was just a matter of my father's words.

Yuan Mingkong watched the back of the fifth prince disappear at the door, turned around and said to Zhao Rang:

"Brother is rude, I'm really embarrassed today......"

Zhao Rang shook his head and said disappreciatively:

"It doesn't exist, I still have to thank Your Highness for breaking the siege!"

Yuan Mingkong smiled and said:

"Brother Zhao is polite. In fact, I came this time to invite Brother Zhao to live in my mansion for a while. ”

Zhao Rang was slightly stunned, not knowing why Yuan Mingkong invited him to live in the mansion.

Yuan Mingkong seemed to see his doubts and explained:

"I heard about the academy and the young girl, and I was worried that Brother Zhao would act impulsively. And I'm also worried that other forces will come to trouble Brother Zhao, so I ......"

Yuan Mingkong didn't finish his words, he knew that Zhao Rang would definitely understand what he meant.

If you say it completely, it will lose Zhao Rang's face, especially in the courtyard of his Zhao family, in front of so many people.

Zhao Rang's heart warmed, he knew that Yuan Mingkong was sincerely thinking about him, and said:

"Okay, then I'll go to His Highness's mansion and bother for a few days."

As night fell, the streets of the Imperial City were lit up with people.

Zhao Rang and Yuan Mingkong sat side by side in the carriage, the scenery outside the window of the carriage receded like flowing water, but they each had different thoughts in their hearts.

Yuan Mingkong's gaze fell on Zhao Rang's face, as if he was looking for something.

Zhao Rang's brows were tightly locked, and his heart was full of worries about Qingqing, as well as worries about the upcoming Spring Festival Night Banquet.

"Brother Zhao, you don't have to worry."

"I will send someone to secretly protect the young girl and her father and ensure their safety. Speaking of which, Yang Wenyuan is also my husband. ”

"Thank you, Your Highness."

Zhao Rang's answer was not emotional.

After a moment of silence, he said slowly:

"Your Highness, do you really think that this game can bring peace to Dawei?"

A hint of complexity flashed in Yuan Mingkong's eyes:

"Brother Zhao, you and I both know that this country needs not only tranquility, but also a wise monarch. And this monarch must have enough wisdom and courage to face all challenges. ”

Zhao Rang listened to Yuan Mingkong's words and was noncommittal.

He had already discovered that this Seventh Prince was no longer the same as when he was in the Western Regions.