At midnight, there were only a few stall owners and shopkeepers on the street, and Le Cong and Xiang Yu walked non-stop through the streets and alleys to the palace compound in the northeast of the city. Xiang Yu has been wandering in Kyoto all the year round, so he naturally knows the name of Qingyang, the evil king in this city, and this palace is also the second only building in the city to the imperial palace.

From a distance, the towering wall door is covered with precious red paint, and the door is painted with a fire phoenix symbolizing auspiciousness, and the right door is a dragon. The gate is planted with ink bamboo on both sides, and although it is old, it is impossible to see the dilapidated wall, and you can see a corner of the huge palace from a corner.

The two continued to move forward, Xiang Yu saw that on the high wall, a few meters away placed a stone statue, the stone statue embedded in the stone wall to reveal a head, the stone lion carved lifelike, the eyes were deep so that Xiang Yu was stunned. The gate and the stone statue alone are enough to show the magnanimity of the palace.

The palace, which was originally forbidden for passers-by to approach, was now firmly surrounded by a group of strong and heavily armed Imperial Capital Guards Iron Armor Army, and the heavy blades showed that no one could enter or exit.

In front of the gate stood an old man in a silver-white robe, his gray beard swayed slightly with the evening breeze, his eyes were as clear as the stars on his face full of vicissitudes, and his cloth dress was simple, and he stood proudly to show the clear conscience of the three generations of the dynasty.

Le Cong and Xiang Yu saluted Doctor Xiran together, and Le Cong said respectfully: "Doctor Xiran is in good health, and today the whole guard doctor is shocked." ”

Hearing the voice, the contemplative Xiran reacted, turned his head and smiled slightly: "It is the blessing of the country to have a good son, and the old man can pave a hand on your growth road, but he is also willing." This palace has a deep foundation and is deeply rooted in the country, although the old man is giving you a sigh of relief today, but the agreement is still there, you can encourage you a lot, and this matter will end up in a good ending. ”

"What the doctor said the younger generation should keep in mind," Le Cong's expression was very calm, "Thanks to the help of the ironclad army, if the girl was indeed captured into this palace, there must be clues to be found." However, this palace is very big, and with Xiang Yu and me, I'm afraid..."

"Don't worry, I didn't bring this ironclad army, it was the princess who brought it. She prefaced the preface and asked the ironclad army to only obey the old man's orders tonight, and if there was an incident, the princess would be in front of it. Tonight, the Iron Armor and the old man will help you."

Le Cong laughed dryly, "I originally thought that the princess meant to send people to surround the mansion, but I didn't expect it to be so grand. It really surprised Lecong."

This ironclad army originally only cared about the imperial guards, and tonight the princess said that she would send someone to help Le Cong and Xiang Yu, and Le Cong only felt that she was helping to surround the mansion, and unexpectedly said that she would help her search the palace. And Xi Ran Deyi was also puzzled by this, and couldn't help but glance at Xiang Yu, who was quiet and silent on the side.

Xiang Yu was much better than the previous embarrassment at this time, his eyes were firm and fearless, looking at Xiran who threw his gaze at him, Xiang Yu saluted himself: "This matter is all because of Xiang Yu's family affairs, thanks to the help of the Lord and the princess, the great grace will never be forgotten." And the previous promise: If this matter really comes to an end, Xiang Yu should be punished alone, and with the whole law, he will be accused of slander. ”

At this time, Xiang Yu dared to do and dare to take responsibility, just like talking to Le Cong on the street a few days ago, and he was more confident. Seeing Xiang Yu having such an awareness, he felt comforted in his heart, "This child has grown a lot in a short period of time compared to before."

"Gu Youyun: It doesn't matter if you succeed or fail. Le Cong put his hand on Xiang Yu's shoulder and said in a deep voice: "Today I am willing to help you, I have never been disappointed in you, seeing you grow up is like seeing your former self go to a different path." It's time for this palace, which has been silent for many days, to stir up. ”

With a wave of his hand, one of the three ironclad soldiers who originally surrounded the palace walked out of the gap, and stood in line at the main gate, moving quickly and quickly, which can really be described as well-trained.

Just as he was about to open his mouth to push the door, a wail came from inside the door, and the sound of whip waving reached everyone's ears. The magnificent gate was opened from the house, and when he looked intently, he saw a man on the ground being beaten by four or five family members, and the man who fell to the ground with the whip was torn open and cried and cried.

The housekeeper dressed in the royal palace uniform stood at the door and greeted Xiran and the others, and arched his hand: "The wine and brew that your lord lost in the past have all been prepared in the mansion, and the people of the mansion who made a big mistake are being punished, and I implore the lord to surrender his guilt in court." ”

Xi Ran sneered for a while, waved his hand, and said: "Today I came to the palace to find your master, and this unreasonable servant will be handed over to the old man, you can lead me to meet your master."

The palace steward promised, stretched out his hand and led the way: "Please enter the mansion, and I will take you to meet my master." After that, he glanced at the whip-throwing family, and a group of whip-throwing kneeled on the side of the road, while the beaten almost airless family was lifted and stored by the ironclad army.

Xiang Yu saw that the big man who had a quarrel with him was beaten until his eyes lost his mind, and he couldn't even hear the sound of panting, and he couldn't bear it in his heart. Le Cong said to the soldier who was supporting: "Although this person behaves badly, his brain is as simple as a child, you two will take him to the pharmacy for treatment, and another day Lord Xiran will put a pen to interrogate." It seemed that he had already been breathed well, and the ironclad sergeant, who usually only served the royal orders, nodded and ignored it, and lifted the big man out of the door to seek medical treatment.

Xiran Deyi followed the housekeeper into the inner mansion, and Le Cong and Xiang Yu did not follow, but took a group of people and horses to start searching the palace. The Ironclad Army also knew the purpose of this trip, and in an instant, people were running from all directions and corners.

Except for a few housekeepers and housekeepers I had seen before, there was no other figure in this huge palace for a while. It's like deliberately avoiding tonight's search. Le Cong and Xiang Yu nodded and went to the buildings one after another, not intending to let go of any clues.

Speaking of the Xiran doctor, the three ironclad soldiers followed Xi with equipment and walked on foot for a long time, and finally stopped in the inner hall.

The two sides of the place were full of people, old and young, men and women, and there were more than 200 servants looking at it, plus the royal family, a group of nearly 300 people, standing on both sides of the inner hall.

"My lord, this is the ancestral hall of the palace, dedicated to the heads of the royal family, weapons are ominous things, I hope that the lord will not let the souls of the dead be disturbed. ”

This rule is not unique to the royal palace, every big family has this kind of rule, and it is forbidden to carry weapons in the place where the spiritual seat is enshrined and the burial place, which conflicts with the deceased. As an old minister, Xiran naturally knew about this ancestral system, so he ordered the ironclad army to stand and wait outside.

"Please. The butler made a gesture and strode into the inner hall with his head held high under the gaze of the entire royal family.

This ancestral hall is magnificent, the surrounding layout is orderly, and the window carvings symbolize the natural climate of the four seasons of life and death, or raindrops symbolize rainy days or bamboo shoots, and young shoots represent recovery and vitality.

And Mangguo has always been said that 'the higher the ancestral hall is cultivated, the more you can get the blessing of the ancestors in the future', in this height the palace is even more painstaking, and high pillars are set up on both sides as support points, and the whole ancestral hall is a luxurious scene. The golden makeup hall, even if you have seen countless winds and waves, you can't help but sigh at its luxury.

At the innermost end of the palace was originally a high platform where the spiritual seats were set up, and they were arranged from the top to the bottom of the backup, but the one in this palace was a little different. The spiritual position was only placed on both sides of the inner end with an even eye on each other, and there was a stone chair on the high platform, and Wang Qingyang, who had recovered his complexion, was sitting on the high seat.

Seeing this scene, Xiran frowned, Wang Qingyang stood up and saluted: "Welcome Dr. Xiran to visit the palace, and the whole family will welcome you here." The servants on both sides of the door knelt down together and shouted, "Welcome to Dr. Xiran!"

Xi Ran frowned, and said: "Lord Wang is so powerful, and this palace is extremely gorgeous, if he didn't know that this trip is the palace, the old man would have thought that he had entered the palace in an instant." ”

"Doctor Xiran is polite, because it is the ancestral hall of a clan, so he ordered the craftsman not to cut corners, and poured the strength of the clan into building this, except for the spaciousness, how can it be compared with the holy dwelling.

"If that's the case," Xi Ran looked around, "I heard that the royal palace has been filial piety and helping the country for generations, and after I came to this mansion today to visit you, if I want to ask An Lingzun Wang Jianbai.

When my father returned, the adults were busy with government affairs and did not mourn, and Qingyang was deeply saddened. Wang Qingyang's eyes seemed to be red, he walked down the high platform for a few steps, and knelt down on Xiran's left hand, the slightly decorated Xuanpai turned out to be Wang Jianbai's spiritual seat.

Xi Ran sighed, bowed deeply in that direction, and said, "Brother Jianbai has been alive for thirty-five years, and he has been frugal all his life, and has made a lot of contributions to the country. When begging, he will give it, and when he encounters a disaster, he will be vibrated for the people, and he will express his gratitude to Brother Jianbai. However, on top of this ancestral hall, I am afraid that there will be sins today. ”

"Qingyang, based on my age, it's okay to compare your father with your generation in the past, right?" Counting this generation, Xiran Deyi is Xiran can be Wang Qingyang's father, and Wang Qingyang understands this meaning, and then nods his head.

"In that case, I will ask you, in the name of your elders, do you admit or disagree with the deliberate theft of alcohol?"

"In the first half of the night, they were already asking each other, and Qing Yang recognized that the wine was robbed by a momentary heartbeat, but he didn't do it knowingly. Now the wine has been cleared and will be taken away by the doctor at regular intervals. ”

"Then, you answered truthfully about robbing the Xiang family's Xiang Jirou girl, did you do it?"

Wang Qingyang replied with a sneer: "It turns out that the doctor is still worried about the matter of obedience, which really makes me envious." The doctor wants to be happy to win, but he unknowingly heals me of injustice. ”

Xi Ran Deyi's face was heavy, and he said word by word: "The old man is not to be happy, but to give you another chance, your Wang family has been meritorious for generations, and I don't want to see your clan decay in my lifetime." The old man will ask you again for the last time, is it you who robbed Xiang Yu's closest relatives?"

Asked again and again, Wang Qingyang's face seemed disdainful, and he shook his head and replied with the same meaning as before, "Adults don't have to ask, the outcome of this matter will be determined sooner or later." What I, Wang Qingyang, have never done, I have a clear conscience, and I can tell the truth in the future. ”

Wang Qingyang was firm in his remarks, and Xiran Deyi no longer pursued it, and left the message of 'good self-reliance' was to leave the ancestral hall of the palace, the ironclad army caught it, and the housekeeper led Xiran to the place where the wine was placed.

Looking at Xiran leaving, Wang Qingyang sneered at the corner of his mouth, and said fiercely: "Within five days." A house can be searched, a city can be searched, but how can you search a country!"

The royal palace was uneasy all night, and all the family members still stayed in the ancestral hall until dawn, and the ironclad army finally searched the palace after dawn.

Xiang Yu's face was tired but he refused to stop, his hands were not even a bluestone brick or green tile were unwilling to give up, Le Cong stopped Xiang Yu and sighed lightly: "It's true that nothing has been found, and there is no one in the whole house."

"Where's the clue? I'm looking for clues." Asking and answering himself, Xiang Yu said this, after looking for so long, Xiang Yu ran all over the entire Wang family compound, all rooms, all corners, and finally did not find Xiang Jirou's shadow, so he was unwilling to find clues in the bricks, and he couldn't wait to turn the entire palace upside down.

Looking at Xiang Yu's crazy state, Le Cong said: "Even if you find a clue that you are familiar with, or your sister's hairpin, or personal belongings, this will also be blamed for the use of the women in the house, and there is no actual evidence." Be sober, don't work in vain."

"But... However, if you can't find it, it means that the bet will be lost, I obviously saw with my own eyes that Wang Qingyang led someone to kidnap my sister, but now I can't help him!"

Le Cong's tone softened, "Don't be discouraged, the five-day appointment is still the first day, and I already have other methods." After saying that, Le Cong turned his head and walked outside the palace gate, followed closely by Xiang Yu.

There were two people standing outside the gate of the palace, one was a girl in a white robe, the girl's face was pretty, and she looked a little red in the warm morning sun. And there is another person wearing an official uniform, a dark robe with an unfazed face, this person seems to be close to half a hundred years old. These two people are the princess Chu Ziyi, who has a relationship with Xiang Yu, and the protector Dong Qing, whom Xiang Yu has never met.

Le Cong knew about the arrival of the princess, after all, he was coming to take charge of the ironclad army, but Dong Qing's arrival made Le Cong unexpected, and hurriedly bowed and saluted, saying: "Minister Yang Lecong, meet the princess and Lord Dong Qing." ”

Xiang Yu's tired face looked straight after seeing the two of them, and he also saluted: "Junior Xiang Yu, I have seen the princess and the protector." naturally recognized the princess Xiang Yu, and when he heard what Le Cong said, 'Lord Dong Qing', he also had a number of Dong Qing protecting the country in his heart.

Chu Ziyi looked at Xiang Yu with a pair of charming eyes for a while, and stuck out his tongue: "You two are so embarrassed, it looks like you just came out of the demolition team." Especially you, you're like black charcoal coming out of a furnace. Meaning something, pointing at Xiang Yu, Xiang Yu was stunned.

Dong Qing's face was flat, and he said: "I felt uncomfortable last night, so I went back to the house first, and the old man had already heard about it." Lecong, you are reckless in provoking this incident, a little irrational. ”

Hearing this, Xiang Yu felt a pain in his heart and lowered his head.

Le Cong grinned and said: "Le Cong has a bad relationship with many people in the court, and the contradiction between this palace and me is not overnight. ”

"Alas," Dong Qing sighed lightly and said with regret: "Then the Wang family is too domineering and domineering in Wang Qingyang's generation, Wang Jianbai gave birth to such a son, I really don't know that Wang Qingyang has been cultivating for several lifetimes."

"It's a pleasure to follow, what is the gain of the search?"

"Nope. The paper fan shook gently, and Le Cong's face was also extremely tired, "In my opinion, Xiang Yu's sister is no longer in the palace." ”

"What should I do now?" Dong Qing asked Le Cong, but the corner of his eye glanced at Xiang Yu.

"Search the whole city, and put up notices throughout the city to find people. No matter how bad it is, it is the four cities around the national capital, the distance between these four cities is inconsistent, but it is the four points that must stop after leaving the national capital. ”

The four cities of the national capital surround the four directions of the national capital, which can be said to be the last stop to supply the outside, and it is necessary to walk a long way outside the four cities to meet the towns again, so Lecong dialect 'After leaving the national capital, you must stop in the four cities'.

Dong Qing didn't comment on this matter, but only warned Le Cong a few words, "You only have five days to live, and the matter of searching the city is more serious, and the matter of searching the four cities is very serious." If you really want to do this, you have to do it as soon as possible. ”

"There is no way, I have to be cheeky to visit the city guards of the Three City Gates. Le Cong squeezed a smile and looked at Xiang Yu, but saw that Xiang Yu had lowered his head and had not raised it yet.

patted Xiang Yu on the shoulder, and said with a smile: "If Yu'er is too tired, go back to the house to rest first, and you can't help with visiting the Three Cities Guard." ”

Chu Ziyixiu's forehead frowned, his eyes looked at Xiang Yu, and said, "I can still borrow you for a few days, but if you don't have the confidence and motivation yourself, then I think borrowing it won't help."

"I'm going to find General Chu at the North City Gate. Xiang Yu raised his head and saluted the princess and Dong Qing with a pair of dark circles under his eyes, "The situation is urgent, let the junior retire first." ”

Dong Qing nodded Xu Zhi, Xiang Yu ran towards the north city gate, and Le Cong shook the fan and sighed, "Young people are good, it seems that I am about to faint."

"It's been a long time since I've seen you take it so seriously, and I don't know why, but I think there's something unusual in that kid's eyes. ”

Dong Qing looked at Xiang Yu's running back, and had thoughts in his heart for a while. Chu Ziyi's face was confused, and he said in a low voice: "There seems to be something different from ordinary people in your eyes, dark circles?"

The music came to an abrupt end from the paper fan and happily retired.