[R18] Will drink wine – Chapter 13 of “About Wine” [English]

Chapter Thirteen Little Cicada

Xiao Chiye didn’t look at Li Jianheng and slowly straightened the tea lid with his fingers.He said: “Be patient and don’t be impatient.”

Li Jianheng sat back in his chair unconsciously, and then heard the Queen Mother ask: “The Holy Master is here, and the patrol is strict. How can he drown someone so well?”

Ji Lei said: “Reporting to the Queen Mother, the ministers have sent people to carry the body away for inspection. We will know the details later.”

“How can I say this?” Emperor Xian De, who had been ill for a long time and was filled with gloomy energy between his brows, said, “Is there something fishy about his death?”

Ji Lei said: “Your Majesty, when he was picked up, he was covered in bruises. It was clear that he had been punched and kicked. Although Xiao Fuzi was an eunuch in the palace, he did not hold an important position in the twenty-four yamen. He was just a close eunuch of the emperor. If he had been beaten before his death, I am afraid that the murderer had a big conspiracy.”

Emperor Xiande stood up, holding on to the table, and said in a cold voice: “I have just left the palace, and some people are so impatient.”

“Your Majesty.” Hai Liangyi came out and knelt down and said, “Today the Jinyi Guards exchanged patrols with the Eighth Battalion. If the murderer really had an agenda, how dare he act in such a careless manner? Xiaofuzi usually takes on many procurement duties outside the palace, so it is not impossible to cause personal hatred.”

Si Qian, the elder of the Huage Pavilion, sat upright and did not move, but said: “Ren Shi’s words are wrong. Anyone who dares to attack in front of the emperor has clearly ignored the emperor and the ministers here. Who among the ordinary people outside the palace has such courage?”

Xiao Chiye sat still, his heart racing.

At three quarters in the morning, Xiao Fuzi was dragged into the forest by the morning sun. It only took a stick of incense for the eunuchs who were holding a banquet and delivering food and the Eighth Battalion who were on patrol to change defenses to pass by.There are all dignitaries here today, and no one can remember leaving the table to change clothes, have tea, or go to the court room.Not only that, the accompanying sergeants and eunuchs all have the right to walk in the garden. As long as someone gently kicks Xiao Fuzi in the gap between a stick of incense, he can drown in the pool.

Looking at the situation now, the tricky thing is not how to explain Xiao Fuzi’s bruises, but that Ji Lei has already taken away the wind and turned this murder case into a suspected case of rebellion.

Xiao Chiye clasped the tea lid with his fingertips.

This fire must not burn King Chu.

Now that the emperor is seriously ill and the hospital is helpless, no one can predict when he will control Long Bintian.However, Emperor Xiande had no heirs. If something unexpected happened, Li Jianheng would be the successor.

Today’s events were all due to he’s lack of thinking. Li Jianheng’s departure was too blatant and he couldn’t get over it with all his tricks.

The Xiao family is walking on thin ice. If they are suspected again of implicating the throne, the 120,000 troops from Libei will be Xiao Jiming’s neck-cutting knife.

This matter is so fierce and urgent that it cannot be rekindled.

Xiao Chiye suddenly smashed the tea cup, making a crisp “ding-dong” sound, which attracted the attention of everyone at the table.

Li Jianheng looked at he uneasily and said: “Ce, Ce’an…”

Xiao Chiye stood up, walked quickly to the front of the emperor, knelt down, and said loudly: “Your Majesty! I don’t dare to deceive you. I asked others to beat you.”

Emperor Xiande stared at him and said: “He is an eunuch in the palace. What does he have to do with you? How can he be so cruel?”

Ji Lei also looked sideways and said, “Mr. Xiao, this matter is of great importance. You must not take care of it for others just for personal reasons.”

“What a big deal this is.” Xiao Chiye said frivolously, “Besides, the humble minister doesn’t think it’s a crime. So what if a despicable eunuch is beaten to death? Is it possible that I, the dignified second-grade governor of the imperial army, have to swallow my anger in front of a arrogant dog slave?”

“Second Young Master is so angry,” Hua Siqian said, “I’m afraid it’s not an ordinary grudge. It’s just that Xiao Fuzi has no contact with you on weekdays, so why are you so angry?”

“I don’t know, Mr. Ge.” Xiao Chiye said, “A few months ago, I was riding to the school grounds, and this bullshit’s sedan blocked my way. I saw that he was so powerful, and if he hadn’t lifted the curtain, I would have thought it was Eunuch Pan. I scolded him a few words, but he actually said arrogant words. A manly man, actually humiliating a wretched eunuch in the street, this tone, I’m afraid no one else would be able to bear it.”

Pan Rugui also served outside, and the whole house listened to “eunuch” every mouthful of “he”, and everyone wiped his sweat for him.

When Emperor Xiande was thinking about it, the Queen Mother first said: “Even so, killing people frequently is not the behavior of a gentleman.”

Pan Rugui seemed to have hit the mark, and he knelt down with gray hair and tears in his eyes, saying: “All slaves are despicable, how can they be compared with the Second Young Master? The Queen Mother is so compassionate. Little Fuzi has always been spoiled and unruly, but she didn’t know the etiquette when meeting the military attachés in the court, and she didn’t repent after being taught by the Second Young Master… It’s all my fault that I was careless in teaching my son!”

He spoke so submissively, but when an eunuch meets a minister of the court, the law stipulates that he must dismount his horse, retreat, kneel and kowtow to greet him.

The Queen Mother bowed to the Buddha and was very displeased with the killing, so she said to Emperor Xiande: “It has been said since ancient times that the emperor’s crime is the same as that of the common people. Xiao Chiye is so wild and violent, both emotional and rational, and cannot be spared lightly. Besides, the Xiao family is loyal and good. King Libei sent his son to the capital to raise him in front of the emperor. If he is used to it, he will not be able to trust the king of Libei in the future.”

Ji Lei was a little angry and refused to let the matter go easily, so he said: “The second young master has always been on good terms with His Highness the King of Chu, and he did such a thing, Your Highness…”

“Wei Chen still has something to say. I beat him, but I didn’t kill him. Your Majesty, Wei Chen originally wanted to kill him.Yi Ping was angry, but when His Highness the King of Chu learned about it, he urged Wei Chen not to kill people.Today, Wei Chen called the guards to do it secretly, but His Highness the King of Chu saw the clues and left the table in person to save Xiao Fuzi’s life.Xiao Fuzi’s horse.As for how the person drowned, Wei Chen was also surprised. Who wanted to vent his hatred for me and do such an unknown thing?Master Ji.”Xiao Chiye turned to Ji Lei, with a hint of joy in his eyes, “Jin Yiwei is usually very strict, but today he was lying on the roadside, but he escaped the inspection and fell into the pool… Maybe it was.He himself, with his head covered and unable to find his way, just get out.”

Hai Liangyi said: “That’s right. Such a big person fell into the pool, and the Jin Yiwei patrolled back and forth without noticing it at all. If there were any assassins mixed in in Xiyuan today, the Jin Yiwei probably wouldn’t have noticed it either!”

How could Ji Lei dare to stir up the troubled waters again? He kowtowed several times in a panic and said, “Your Majesty! The Jinyi Guards are helpless. Today, we will alternate patrols with the Eighth Battalion. When changing defenses, we must arrange our personnel carefully. Don’t dare to neglect even a single step!”

Xi Gu’an, the commander of the Eighth Battalion’s Seal Command, also knelt down and said: “This is the rule, and the Eighth Battalion dare not neglect it. The intervals between alternating inspections are fixed, and if someone is careful, it is possible to take the opportunity to kill Xiao Fuzi. This is a private feud among eunuchs, and it is time to let someone carefully investigate how many people this Xiao Fuzi has had grudges with.”

“Check.” Emperor Xiande sneered, and suddenly threw the tea cup on Xi Gu’an, furious, “People died under your noses, and they didn’t want to reflect on themselves, but just wanted to shirk responsibility! I actually left my safety and danger to you… You guys…”

Emperor Xiande’s throat was hoarse, and he covered his lips and coughed again.He seemed to be so angry that he actually supported the table and leaned back.

“Your Majesty!”

The surrounding palace family members screamed in surprise, and the whole table was in chaos.

“Quickly call the imperial doctor!” The Queen Mother supported the person and scolded.

*****

When Li Jianheng saw Xiao Chiye again, it was as if he were meeting his own mother and said, “Brother! You just scared me!”

Xiao Chiye said: “I’ve been kneeling for too long and I’m so hungry that I brought some snacks.”

Li Jianheng waved people to go quickly, and he and Xiao Chiye stood under the Xiyuan Corridor, looking at the bright lights in the hall.

“If the emperor wakes up, he will have to tell you.” Li Jianheng said, “How come this person is dead? I am really unlucky!”

Xiao Chiye drank herbal tea and ate snacks.

It’s hard to say.

Xiao Fuzi has always been favored by Pan Rugui. If someone deliberately wanted Xiao Fuzi’s life, how could he happen to be beaten by Li Jianheng so coincidentally.If it was not a deliberate attempt to kill Xiao Fuzi, but an impromptu decision to kill him, killing him would be far more beneficial than untying the rope for him.

It’s just that Pan Rugui and Ji Lei reacted too quickly. Since the person was already dead, they simply used it to the end.If it can be done to the king of Chu, it will kill two birds with one stone.

“Has your Majesty been sending people to your bedside lately?” Xiao Chiye asked casually.

“It’s passed on.” Li Jianheng replied, “The most favored one recently is the daughter of the Wei family, and the Queen Mother also likes her.”

Xiao Chiye was thoughtful.

It was already dark now, but no one dared to leave. They all stood in groups in the corridor, waiting for Emperor Xiande to wake up.

Xi Gu’an left the hospital on the way. When he came back, he got the order from the Queen Mother and went directly into the house to wait.Another half hour later, Xiao Chiye suddenly saw the guards of the Eighth Battalion leading in a clean servant from the side door.

“Who is that person?” Xiao Chiye asked.

Li Jianheng probed his head and said, “Common servants, there are not many handymen in Xiyuan. But why do you want a handyman here?”

Xiao Chiye used the dim light of the lantern to see with sharp eyes that the servant’s face was ugly and had burn marks.he I don’t know why, but my heart is beating suddenly, and a bad suspicion lingers.

“A handyman from Xiyuan.” Xiao Chiye said, “Xiyuan is a noble place, and everyone who serves is required to have a handsome appearance. Where can such a person come from?”

After another long while, I saw Pan Rugui stepping out of the door and said loudly: “The eighth son of the Shen family, come and see you soon!”

The ministers immediately became excited and the discussion became louder.

The guilt of Shen Wei’s treason has not yet been determined, but Shen Wei’s name has spread all over the country.The damage caused by Zhongbo has not been healed to this day, and the responsibility for the defeat still remains.The survival of the remnant of the Shen family has caused dissatisfaction in the border areas, why should he be allowed to live now?

“What’s going on?” Li Jianheng said in confusion, “Did he find out something else? Ce’an, he has a grudge against you, and you are extremely jealous when you meet. For the sake of the Xiao family’s face, you shouldn’t let him come out!”

Xiao Chiye didn’t speak, he just moved his eyes to the door and stared at it closely.

In less than half a stick of incense, the guards stepped in first, followed by others at a short distance or close behind.

Five years later, this man’s hair has grown down and is picked up with thick wooden hairpins. He does not wear a crown.The old wide shirt covers the wrists, and the color that extends out is like white porcelain.The lantern blocked Xiao Chiye’s gaze. When the man came out, the tea cup in Li Jianheng’s hand rolled away first.

Li Jianheng recited absentmindedly: “You never told me that he looks like this…”

Xiao Chiye clasped his thumb slightly.

Shen Zechuan passed by the corridor, and the moment the two of them crossed paths, Xiao Chiye looked at this man indifferently, and in the electric light and flint, he met a pair of eyes that he remembered deeply.

The eyes are long and narrow, with the ends of the eyes raised upward, creating a slight arc.Containing divine light, it is like a hidden star in the dim light of a lantern.

In this hurried moment, Shen Zechuan seemed to smile at Xiao Chiye.But it’s so light, after passing by, it’s like the traceless wind at night, thin and cold.