my demon

Chapter 38

Cheng Enhou looked gloomyly at Ouyang Consort and the Eldest Princess and said: "Everyone, it will change sooner or later. What if the criminal sets fire inside? When the criminal escapes in the chaos, can the Princess Consort bear the responsibility of indulging the criminal? Originally, the Marquis thought that the princess consort didn't know about it, but now it seems that the snitch here really has something to do with the princess consort?"

Princess Duanrou chuckled: "Here we come, Tuqiong dagger has appeared. With Marquis Chengen's ability to play tricks at the moment, if he had ordered Jing Zhaoyin and Wucheng Bingma Si to arrest the criminals from the very beginning, they would have been caught sooner." Stop it, why do you have to choose such a time, and suddenly bring someone over here? It’s convenient to frame... Marquis Cheng En is really good at tricks! Golden branches and jade leaves are not as powerful as this foreign relative!"

Cheng Enhou finally couldn't bear it anymore, and waved his hand: "Come on! Break the door!"

Princess Duanrou scolded lightly: "Come on! Who dares?"

The guard behind him took a step forward and protected the door behind him.

Sparks shot out from both sides, and they were about to explode. Under the eyes of everyone, the door of the room that had been locked up suddenly opened.

Ouyang concubine stood in front of Princess Duanrou at the first time, pressed his sword and looked into the door, but was stunned when he saw it, he saw a handsome young man inside, with a face like a powder, smiling shyly, First, he made a bow to Tuantuan: "My son has invited Her Royal Highness, Prince Consort, and Lord Marquis to come in."

Behind the boy stood a very tall guard with a knife in his hand and a stern face.

The people outside were a little stunned for a moment, Cheng Enhou's eyes showed a fierce look, and he thought to himself, could this be the actor who abducted and sold his daughter?The guard behind Cheng Enhou reminded in a low voice: "Master Hou, the one who forced us back with a knife just now is the guard behind him."

Marquis Cheng En gritted his teeth, but he heard Princess Duanrou hesitantly say: "You are... that kid from Duke Ang's mansion?"

The young man smiled again, his eyes were bent, and he was amiable: "Wei Fanjun has met the eldest princess, but it is rare that the eldest princess remembers the boy."

Cheng Enhou's mind flashed, and he gritted his teeth: "Mr. An? You pretended to be crazy last time... What's the matter with him tonight?"

Wei Fanjun just bowed again; "Please come in, the eldest princess, son-in-law, and Lord Hou, and everyone else please stay outside the door."

Princess Duanrou turned her eyeballs, and suddenly reacted, the corners of her lips curled up, and she walked in, Ouyang concubine saw her like this, and quickly followed her in, Cheng Enhou was full of doubts, hesitated for a while, his eyes were like knives General gouged out Wei Fanjun a few times, seeing his calm expression, he was surprised, after thinking about it, he strode in, and the door of the room was closed.

As soon as Cheng Enhou entered, he saw a young man with a quiet face sitting upright on the main seat in the front hall, but he was actually the young emperor of today, and the person standing beside him was dressed in gorgeous makeup, wasn't he just right? own daughter?

I only saw Sun Xuexiao saw his eyes flickering, his face was full of timidity and anxiety, but the eldest princess Duanrou and her son-in-law had already paid respects: "Long live the emperor, long live, long live."

Cheng Enhou couldn't, so he could only pay respects first, but he was at a loss in his heart, why is the emperor here?How did he leave the palace?

Xiao Yanwen said: "Please get up, you are all my elders, today is my mistake, which caused you to have suspicions, mobilize the teachers, and disturb the people's unrest."

Princess Duanrou got up and said with a smile: "The emperor's presence is magnificent. If my son-in-law and I knew, we would have come to meet him earlier. We are all one family. How come we didn't say anything when we got to our own village?" She looked again. Turning to the woman beside Xiao Yan, she smiled: "So the eldest girl from Cheng Enhou's residence is also there."

Sun Xuexiao took a step forward timidly: "Xuexiao has met the eldest princess, the son-in-law—the father."

Cheng Enhou Sun Heng's face could almost squeeze out ink, as if a firecracker was about to explode: "Why are you here?"

Sun Xuexiao's face was pale, and Princess Duanrou said: "Master Hou, my daughter needs to be pampered. Don't you understand why Miss Sun is here? Naturally, she came here with her."

Cheng Enhou's face turned pale, Xiao Yan smiled warmly and said: "Uncle, don't blame my cousin. It was in the Cifu Palace the day before yesterday. I saw that Mrs. Hou and my cousin liked to listen to the stories told by the female husband of the Jiaofang Division. My cousin also liked it at the time. Tell me, I heard that it’s better outside. At that time, I agreed with my cousin and said to find a chance to bring my cousin out to listen. The Lvyangzhuang here, the son-in-law, has a clean and exquisite food, and there are many things to play, so it has a good reputation. Today, I Since I had free time, I ordered someone to pick up my cousin, but my cousin was afraid of my uncle, saying that my uncle and aunt would definitely not allow me, so I just came quietly. I thought it was just a stroll around Zhuangzi, have a meal and listen to a story, so I sent my cousin back. It is definitely not worrying, so I only ordered the guards to pick it up, but I did not expect that my uncle misunderstood it, and came to search the building with great fanfare, it is really my fault."

Marquis Cheng En couldn't get up and down in one breath, looked at Xiao Yan for a while, and then at Princess Dachang, and said angrily: "The emperor is out of the palace, but he has reported to the Empress Dowager? So unruly..."

Princess Duanrou interrupted: "Master Hou, pay attention to your status. Your majesty can teach you a lesson? My aunt, who is justified, is still standing here. If you are in a hurry, you have to shake up the prestige of the father-in-law first." Can you be so disrespectful, the late Emperor?"

Marquis Cheng En was so choked by Princess Duanrou that he couldn't get down on his face. Princess Duanrou continued: "Yu Gong, Miss Sun is the future empress appointed by the court, but she is short of six ceremonies to complete the ceremony." Forget it, for personal reasons, the emperor is Miss Sun’s cousin, a childhood sweetheart, who grew up together, and my cousin invited my cousin out to listen to a book, have a meal, stroll around the garden, and it was my own family’s garden, the girl I invited... ..."

Princess Duanrou glanced at the Oiran lady who was standing beside her and minimized her presence: "Your lady, please, is also a well-known and well-known member of the Jiaofang Division. It is the role of the Jiaofang Division to serve the Lord, so what is wrong with that?" Are you well behaved? Oh, I didn’t tell you, Cheng Enhou, what are you, the emperor above ten thousand people, and I have to ask you for instructions? Miss Sun is a girl from Cheng Enhou’s mansion, yes, but she is already The emperor is a man, and I told you, surely you disagree? My cousin and cousin have such a good relationship, I said, Lord Hou, what are you dissatisfied with?"

Ouyang Prince Consort nodded and praised: "The emperor and empress are harmonious, the blessing of the world!"

Xiao Yan glanced at Cheng Enhou and said gently: "Uncle, you don't have to be too harsh on my cousin, this is all my fault, I will go to my mother to receive the punishment later, Aunt Huang, my cousin is frightened, please help me Take my cousin back home, okay?"

Princess Duanrou naturally smiled and said: "The emperor has a decree, and the slave will naturally obey it. Don't worry, the emperor. I will definitely send Miss Sun back to Chengenhou's Mansion. I just said to the outside world that today I invite Miss Sun to enjoy flowers and eat at Zhuangzi. Xi, what do you think of Marquis Cheng En?"

The magistrate of Cheng Enhou's heart involved the emperor, and the matter was such a big deal, so naturally he could only cover it up with such colorful flowers, which was better than the scandal of the future queen accompanying the emperor to visit the flower house.

Princess Duanrou smiled and clapped her hands: "Since that's the case, tonight's matter is just a misunderstanding. Don't worry, the emperor, I will keep my mouth shut. Tonight's matter is just Cheng Enhou's mansion arresting the thief, but it turned out to be wrong." , it was a misunderstanding, and the Marquis of Cheng En will invite the son-in-law to dinner tomorrow, and the matter will be over."

Cheng Enhou's face was full of expressions like eating shit, but he could only hold back his breath and said: "Thank you, the eldest princess and the son-in-law, I will personally escort the emperor back to the palace."

Only then did Ouyang Prince Consort say: "I'm here to arrange a car to drive and escort the emperor back to the palace with Marquis Cheng En."

Marquis Cheng En knew that Ouyang Shuwen, the son-in-law, had worked in Dali Temple for many years, although he gave people the impression of being gentle, refined and easy-going, but when he was in Dali Temple to settle lawsuits and prisons, he was known for his talent and must not be underestimated.

At the beginning, the eldest princess took the initiative to come forward, and Emperor Xiandi promised her to marry the young minister of Dali Temple who was 12 years older than the princess.On the surface, everyone thinks that the son-in-law is very fond of the young and noble eldest princess, who obeys her words and never disobeys, but in fact, it is clear that the eldest princess lost her mind because of Ouyang Shuwen's obsession, and took the initiative to help Ouyang Shu. Wen offers everything.

Ouyang Shuwen insisted on personally escorting the emperor, this move was clearly worried that he would scold the little emperor.He was disdainful in his heart, but he knew that he had the status of a monarch and a minister, and he really couldn't leave any excuses in the public, so he could only report to the Queen Mother.He looked gloomyly at Wei Fanjun, who had been standing behind him and looked like a dandy—and An Guogong, when did these people get connected together, what did they want to do?When the time comes, we will have to settle them one by one. Today, let's settle the issue of my daughter first.

As soon as Cheng Enhou thought about this, he could only bow down, Xiao Yan said: "Since that's the case, let's go out and arrange things properly, and then I will have a few words with my cousin."

Princess Duanrou smiled and said: "Look at the child who was so frightened that his face turned pale. The emperor should appease him. Don't be so reckless next time. It's easy to meet. Just tell Aunt Huang that I will offer you a reward." For the flower banquet, it’s okay for the emperor to come to the house and have a drink?”

Xiao Yan said: "What Aunt Huang said is very true, I will pay attention next time."

As expected, Princess Duanrou and Ouyang Consort went out to arrange sealing, driving and other matters. Cheng Enhou could only look at his daughter again, and then walked out full of doubts and anger. The door was closed again. Rufeng stood guard at the door.

Sun Xuexiao came out and immediately knelt down on the ground, her forehead pressed deeply against the ground: "My daughter deserves to die for her crimes. Thank you Your Majesty for saving my daughter's face. My daughter has no face to see the emperor again. After returning, she will kill herself to thank the emperor." They were in the room. When there was a stalemate inside, the inner door of the room was suddenly opened, and the little emperor suddenly walked out from inside. She was so ashamed at that moment, but she never thought that the emperor would relieve her of the siege.

Maybe it was to protect the face of the royal family and Cheng'enhou's mansion, but she still wanted to ask the crime in private. In order not to implicate others, she was willing to die alone to save others.

Xiao Yan sighed, and glanced at Gan Rulin who had also come over and knelt down without saying a word: "No need to be like this, I met today by a coincidence, my cousin is in love with this gentleman, and I am also willing to be beautiful as an adult, but my cousin I also know that I can't help myself, today's matter, let's just temporarily wipe it off, my cousin will just insist on going back that it is indeed the guard who ordered you to send a letter to make an appointment, you dare not report it, so come out on your own, don't talk about details, and just push everything to you That's it for me, if it's not good for Marquis Cheng En to ask me, I will perfunctory the Empress Dowager."

But Sun Xuexiao knew how to deal with it in her heart. The Empress Dowager monitored everything in every detail. Even so, the emperor still went out of the palace suddenly at night, and was still at the eldest princess Zhuangzi. This must have ruined his plans and plans. arrange.If the emperor left the palace without permission, he would definitely be punished by the queen mother, and he would suffer a lot of grievances. He was originally incapable of doing things on his own, and he must be subject to stricter monitoring in the future.

Her face became more and more ashamed and uneasy, and she said in a low voice: "My daughter is ashamed, and I have brought trouble on the emperor."

Xiao Yan said: "As for Mr. Gan Lang, I see that you are very skilled in martial arts and have amazing arm strength. I will arrange for Duke Anguo's mansion to give you a background as a guard. You will go with Mr. Wei Xiaogong later. , I wish Rufeng you to arrange, don't let him appear in the capital again in the near future, so as not to arouse the suspicion of Cheng'en Mansion, you can arrange it in the army first, and then select him from the army to enter the palace."

Zhu Rufeng cupped his hands and responded, "Observe the order."

However, Gan Rulin knew that this was also to cover up his identity. He had appeared tonight as the emperor's bodyguard, and his identity could not stand the investigation, so he could only really go to the An Guogong's mansion to be a bodyguard. He didn't say much, just knelt there. He kowtowed: "Caomin thank the emperor for his kindness."

Xiao Yan said: "In this way, everything has been properly arranged. Cousin who has been wronged has to be patient for a while, and when I can be more independent, I will consider breaking up our engagement. After all, it is a major event after the establishment of the marriage, so it is not good to dismiss it lightly."

Sun Xuexiao kowtowed and said: "At the age of ten, I went to the street to watch the lanterns with my servants, but was abducted by a kidnapper. She was tied up and brought into a boat, so as long as she was taken away from the capital for abduction, she met Mr. Gan Lang on the road. Seeing the injustice, she swung a knife and killed the kidnapper. Rescued the courtier's daughter. He escorted the courtier's daughter back to Cheng'enhou's mansion overnight. For fear of polluting the chastity of the courtier's daughter, he sent the courtier's daughter to the gate and left without leaving her name. The courtier's daughter visited for several years before returning to Beijing I met by chance, because I admired him for his righteousness, and I had a private love, and later... I made a marriage contract, and my courtiers were afraid of the strict rules in the palace, so they wanted to withdraw, so they wanted to elope, but they were strictly rejected by Mr. Gan Lang."

She raised her head, and tears rolled down her face: "The emperor is kind, and the courtiers are ashamed. After this night, I realized it completely. I dare not make mistakes with personal affection, and I dare not miss Mr. Ganlang's future. They are all slaves." One person mistakenly misunderstands others, and the crime is serious. After returning to the mansion, the slave will tell his parents, convert to Buddhism, and become a nun. From then on, the ancient Buddha of Qingdeng will be the slave's home."

Xiao Yan was a little surprised, but saw Sun Xuexiao turned to Gan Rulin again and said: "Mr. Gan lost and damaged the saber when he saved me. Later, when I found Mr. Lang, I had a private intention and named the sword as a gift. Sir, now that I have made my decision, I ask you to return this saber to me, and from now on, we will not see each other in the world, and we will be separated from each other."

Gan Rulin was silent for a while, and sure enough, he took off the saber from his waist, and took it back with both hands. Sun Xuexiao took the saber, tears rolled down his eyes, but he just bowed slightly and bowed again, got up and retreated.

Xiao Yan wanted to redeem her, but it seemed that they were going to elope before, and Gan Rulin also refused. It is not easy for outsiders to intervene in matters between men and women. Seeing her being so decisive at this moment, it is better to wait until she is in charge.He said: "The word love is difficult to break, and there is no right or wrong. Cousin, let's calm down first, and don't have to do irreparable things. This strong man, with strong martial arts, will have a great future in the future. I Judging by the looks of your men and women, you are worthy of a match, and you have a bright future, so don't be too discouraged."

Sun Xuexiao closed her eyes with tears in her eyes, Gan Rulin only bowed silently for two times, then stood up and retreated, Zhu Rufeng got up and went out to inform Qijia to return to the palace.

When Xiao Yan returned to the palace that night, the Empress Dowager Sun was really furious. Xiao Yan knelt in the Cifu Palace for three hours, and it was not until dawn that the Empress Dowager Sun ordered someone to send the emperor back to Ziwei Palace.He also sent Wu Zhishu to Ziwei Palace, arrested all the servants in Ziwei Palace and questioned them one by one, asking how the emperor got out of the palace, and sent the general of the imperial guards to strictly investigate the guards on duty who let the emperor out of the palace.

But the emperor just kept silent. The servants on duty in Ziwei Palace had been guarding outside the inner hall that day. The emperor had no idea when he would leave the palace. They were on duty in pairs, and the key to the palace gate was not in the hands of the guards, so no one would leave the palace.

How the emperor got out of the palace became a mystery. The empress dowager was furious and ordered the commander of the imperial army to punish all the guards who were on duty that night. The key is also in the hands of the eunuch who is in charge of the palace. After the key is released, no one enters or exits. The guards of the imperial guards on duty are innocent, so how can they be easily accused? Please follow the laws of the country, the Queen Mother!"

Empress Dowager Sun was furious, and asked Qin Huaigang through the curtain: "I am the mother of the Son of Heaven, can't I issue an order to deal with sinners who dereliction of duty?"

Qin Huaigang sneered: "The empress dowager can announce the edict on behalf of the young emperor, but now that the emperor is silent, the holy will does not want to pursue the guards who loyally serve the emperor. This is the emperor's will. The emperor is kind, is the empress dowager Do you want to violate the order? If you must deal with the guards on duty of the forbidden army and meddle in military affairs, please ask the empress dowager to wait for the assistant prince Duan Wangye to return to Beijing before issuing an order!"

Empress Dowager Sun sneered: "Commander Qin insists on going his own way and refuses to comply with the edict, so wait for King Duan to return to the palace before dealing with it. The Ai family wants to see how long you can be the commander, as long as you don't hurt your family and the nine clans!"

The Empress Dowager left in a rage, but Qin Huaigang was not afraid, and only ordered around after leaving the palace: "Immediately write a letter to Prince Duan, and write this matter clearly. According to the top-secret urgent military situation, send it by starry night. Please return Prince Duan to Beijing."

The deputy general quickly responded by ordering someone to send a letter to his confidant military adviser, and asked Qin Huaigang with a smile: "It's really weird to say, according to this situation, how can the emperor leave the palace unless he can fly into the sky and escape from the ground? The inner city has nine gates. They are all our confidants and soldiers, it is absolutely impossible for them to have the guts to let the emperor out of the palace, who would dare to take such a huge responsibility? It is also impossible for others to intervene to bribe them."

Qin Huaigang snorted coldly: "What are you talking so much about? The little emperor is trying to get along with the Queen Mother, and there is also the matter of Duke An and Princess Duanrou in the middle. Duke An was also in charge of the army back then. It's not that simple. Let's not To be cannon fodder, please ask King Duan to return to Beijing as soon as possible. I see that there are one after another problems in this palace. If King Duan does not come back, he is afraid that something serious will happen. The emperor’s departure from the palace is a confidential matter, and it is not allowed to be leaked. Brothers, shut up and be careful of losing your head. In addition, order someone to communicate with Ji Xiangye. The empress dowager wants to save me? She really thinks that the little emperor is in her hands, so she can really intervene in military affairs. Appointment and dismissal of the general?"

"Mom, even the little emperor is not afraid of her daring to walk out of the palace. How long can she use the power of the little emperor? Without our lord, can she abolish the emperor again?"

Qin Huaigang spat hard: "I am!"