Chapter 196 Zhao Duan: My Lord Minister, do you still remember me?
Chapter 196 Zhao Duan: My Lord Minister, do you still remember me?
"Priest Jin Jian?"
Dong Da was stunned for a few breaths before he suddenly recognized the girl's identity and subconsciously wanted to stand up:
"How come... uh, you are also Brother Zhao's guest?"
Only then did he remember that according to rumors, Zhao Duan was indeed acquainted with Zhang Tianshi's young disciple and they had a close relationship.
However, he still couldn't hide his surprise at Jin Jian's arrival.
Why such a big reaction... It seems that I am more nervous than meeting a big shot in the court... Zhao Duan complained in his heart, and then he realized it belatedly.
It seems that I have underestimated the status of this cute girl...
Perhaps it is because they have come into contact with him more often that they feel less awe, but for the vast majority of people in the court, the identity of "Tianshi's disciple" alone is already a huge honor.
"..." Jin Jian glanced at him, seemingly not recognizing who this man was at all, and lowered his head to start eating.
Zhao Duan said with a smile: "Brother Dong, there is no need to be surprised."
Dong Da realized that he had lost his composure, looked around, and seeing that few people were paying attention, he lowered his voice and said:
"Brother Zhao, do you have any important plans today?"
Zhao Duan smiled and said:
"Please be patient, it's not a big deal. It's just that there might be a play going on today, so I specially invited Brother Dong and the priest to be witnesses... Hehe, don't worry, I will never embarrass you.
After all, I have some friendship with the Grand Master."
play?
witness?
What does it have to do with grandfather?
Dong Da's eyes were blank and he couldn't understand.
……
……
"Your Excellency, it's right there." The carriage drove through the street.
Inside the spacious carriage.
Xu Mingyuan's butt was only half touching the stool. He was looking at the street view outside the car window and pointing at the building ahead.
Li Yinglong, who was pretending to be asleep, opened his eyes and ordered the driver to stop nearby.
Considering that Chen Zhengru invited me to meet him, I must avoid too many people.
So he only brought a coachman and guard with him, and didn't even take his favorite sedan chair.
He was not wearing any official robes, just a simple long gown.
After getting off the car, Xu Mingyuan took the initiative to walk in front and lead the way. Li Yinglong was not surprised to meet him in such a place.
"The teacher is in the private room upstairs." Xu Mingyuan said.
Li Yinglong nodded, stood with his hands behind his back, and walked up the stairs.
But for some reason, when I arrived at the place, I vaguely felt a little uncomfortable.
But I couldn't find what was weird.
It's very quiet upstairs.
"Sir, it's in that private room. Please go over there. I won't follow you." Xu Mingyuan stopped very "considerately".
Li Yinglong nodded. Since it was a secret talk, it would be inappropriate to let him follow.
Without even looking at him, she walked straight to the quiet private room. Without even knocking on the door, she raised her hand and pushed the door open with a squeak.
What caught my eye was not the door, but an indoor screen.
Through the screen, I could vaguely see a blurry figure behind me. When I heard the door open, I seemed to stand up nervously, wanting to speak, but looking afraid.
Li Yinglong walked around, then suddenly froze and blurted out:
"lady?"
In the room, next to the low couch, stood a woman with an oval face and long brows. Her clothes were plain and simple, and she seemed to be pretending to be a man. Her features were quite similar to those of Madam Lin.
Li Yinglong was confused and didn't understand why his new concubine appeared here.
Looking around, where is Chen Zhengru?
On the other side, Princess Yuan, who had arrived one step ahead and had been sleepless since last night, finally saw her old lover after many years of separation and was in a trance for a moment.
Because of excitement, he did not realize that something was wrong immediately. When he heard the word "Madam", his brain did not react for a moment, or he thought he had heard it wrong.
In an instant, all the thoughts in my mind turned into an extremely complicated call:
"Li Lang...you are here..."
Li Lang...
Li Yinglong was stunned, then suddenly woke up. Although the person in front of him looked similar, she was not Madam Lin.
Then she is...
boom!
A thought flashed through Li Yinglong's mind like lightning, accompanied by thunder.
"Yuan Ru?! Is that you?"
He asked almost incredulously.
Then, without waiting for the answer from the Princess Yuan who was dressed as a man, a strong sense of crisis surged in the heart of the young cabinet minister, who had great ambitions but little talent but was by no means stupid.
Why is Princess Yuan here?
And he looked like he knew I would come?
Where is Chen Zhengru?
What the hell are you doing?
No...that Xu Mingyuan...there's something wrong!
Li Yinglong's expression suddenly changed, and he felt a chill running from the soles of his feet along his spine to the top of his head.
Although it is late summer, it feels like winter.
Although she was dressed as a man, Concubine Yuan, who had put on careful makeup, was in a daze at the moment and realized that something was wrong.
She frowned: "Li Lang, why are you..."
Li Yinglong's face was gloomy, and he suddenly asked: "Why are you here?"
Princess Yuan was frightened by his appearance and said blankly:
"You wrote to me and asked me to come over to meet you..."
As she spoke, she took out Li Yinglong's "token" jade pendant from her waist.
Write a letter...make an appointment...jade pendant...Xu Mingyuan...
At this moment, Li Yinglong's mind was buzzing, and countless thoughts emerged.
In such a hurry, I still can't fully understand the cause and effect, but...
"Fell into a trap!"
The young cabinet minister did not hesitate, turned around and ran out of the room, but he could not find Xu Hanlin leading the way.
At this moment, there was a noise coming from the bottom of the stairs, as if a large group of people broke in.
Along with the rebuke, "We have received a report that there are rebels hiding here. Anyone who obstructs the investigation will be tantamount to treason and will be killed without mercy!"
There was chaos downstairs and screams were heard everywhere.
The footsteps were approaching this side quickly.
"Oops……"
Li Yinglong, who had feminine features and deep eye sockets, felt his heart sink suddenly.
He decisively returned to the room, closed the door, and blocked it with a screen.
"Li Lang...where are you going? Take me with you." Princess Yuan was also panicked at this time. She was already scared pale when she heard the noise of the officials downstairs.
Her strong desire to survive made her grab Li Yinglong as if he was grabbing a life-saving straw.
"Go away!"
At this time, Li Yinglong was like a clay Buddha crossing the river, so how could he still care about the old friendship?
He pushed Princess Yuan to the ground in a hurry, ran to the window and pushed it open.
This is the second floor. Behind the window is an alley paved with blue bricks.
Li Yinglong climbed onto the windowsill without hesitation, with his boots already extended out. He gritted his teeth and jumped down in a panic but decisive manner.
"Li Yinglong! How dare you abandon me..."
Princess Yuan pushed him and he fell to the ground. Her eyes turned red on her graceful and depressed face.
Hearing the footsteps of the officers getting closer, she hurriedly got up and tried to escape by jumping out of the window.
But when I looked down at the height, my legs felt weak.
As a result of this delay, the door behind him was kicked open with a loud bang, and the screen fell down with a loud bang.
"You guys stay outside." A lazy voice sounded.
Then, Princess Yuan was horrified to see an officer in brocade clothes and with dark circles under his eyes walking in, holding the hilt of a knife.
Shen Juan glanced at the open window, smiled, and didn't chase after him.
Instead, he closed the door behind him and held up the screen.
Then, he pulled a chair and sat down, saying in just the right voice:
"Hush, keep your voice down. Madam, you don't want anyone other than my master to know that you are having a secret meeting with the Minister of Works."
When Princess Yuan's identity was revealed, she was so frightened that her soul flew away. How could she still maintain her former harsh and mean airs as a queen?
Slumped by the window, his lips trembling:
"Whose subordinates are you?"
Shen Juan said in a gentle voice:
"Lihua Hall, Zhao Jisi ordered me to say hello to the queen."
Zhao Duan... Princess Yuan’s face turned pale.
……
……
In the alley.
Li Yinglong fell to the ground. Although his legs were numb, he still had some basic knowledge in martial arts.
Although he was not a cultivator, he would not get hurt as the height was only two stories.
He quickly got up and ran towards the entrance of the alley without any hesitation.
This alley is the gap between the teahouse and the inn.
Therefore, it is very narrow and only two people can walk side by side. The tall buildings on both sides block the sunlight and cast large shadows.
Li Yinglong held his breath and ran a few steps, but saw that the "alley entrance" in front of him, which seemed as bright as hope, was suddenly blocked.
The Lihuatang officials who had been hiding in the dark for a long time just walked out at this moment had an expressionless face and blocked the entrance of the alley.
The leader had a defiant look on his face, carrying a ring knife on his shoulder with the blade already unsheathed.
Hou Ren suddenly raised his head, looked at me with disdain, and said with a fierce smile:
"Master Li, where are you going?"
Imperial Court... Li Yinglong did not recognize this general from the Lihua Hall, but he recognized the brocade clothes, and his face changed drastically.
He turned around and tried to run to the other side, but saw in despair that the other side was also blocked by the Jinyi officers.
The leader was an old official who was short in stature and almost at retirement age, but he was as fierce as an old wolf.
Zheng Laojiu smiled and said:
"Minister Li, I'm sorry, this road is blocked."
Li Yinglong stopped, fell silent, slowly stood up, and actually calmed down in this desperate situation.
Without any nonsense, he said:
"You are just a mere official. You recognize me, but you still refuse to move aside. Do you want to commit an insubordination? Believe it or not, I can use this to send you to Lingnan to grow lychees."
Zheng Laojiu used his little finger to pick his ear:
"What did you say, sir? I am old and my hearing is not good. I didn't hear it clearly."
Li Yinglong had a blank expression on his face. He turned to Hou Renmeng and tried to persuade him kindly:
"Why gamble your life for such a meager salary?"
Hou Renmeng's answer was unusually concise and powerful, and the knife in his hand suddenly swung out through the air.
"Chichi-"
Where the sword energy pointed, hideous scars appeared on the walls on both sides of Li Yinglong, and the wall paint fell off.
His crown was blown off, and his hair was blown back in a messy manner.
Li Yinglong stood still.
There is a wolf behind and a tiger in front. There is no way to heaven and no door to enter the earth.
The young cabinet minister stood motionless in the alley, dark clouds gathering in the thin sky above his head.
"You, were you sent by Ma Yan, or..."
Li Yinglong finally gave up his fantasy and closed his eyes. When he opened them, he only asked this question.
"The governor has no time to trouble you. Yes, it's me."
A voice came late.
Hou Renmeng stepped aside, and the officials of Lihua Hall also stepped aside tacitly, leaving a narrow path that was only wide enough for one person to pass.
Zhao Duan, handsome and dressed in fine clothes, walked leisurely while picking his teeth, as if he was strolling in the garden.
Behind him, Dong Da followed closely with a serious look on his face, but the golden tablet had long disappeared.
Zhao Duan walked closer, smiled, looked at the "young cabinet elder", and bowed gently:
"Mr. Minister, do you still remember me?"
Li Yinglong felt dizzy and squeezed out three words from between his teeth:
"Zhao! Du! An!"
(End of this chapter)