Emperor Que Shaohua

Chapter 119

The third floor of Juxian Tower was originally full of private rooms, but when Mu Shaoqing and Nan Gongchen stepped on this floor, they looked around in a vacant space. The screens, bonsai and carved boxwood partitions that were usually placed have all been removed.

The only table was set near the window, beside the table was Luo Yanhua in Tsing Yi, accompanied only by Rong Feisheng.

Li Fengxing felt a little relieved, the atmosphere here is elegant and the layout is spacious, it doesn't seem that there is an ambush, and he secretly dispatched some people to guard near the restaurant, it seems that he was too worried.

The rhythm of Guzheng flows quietly in the huge space, like a cold spring that refreshes the heart.Mu Shaoqing stepped forward, perhaps because the surrounding atmosphere was extremely quiet, and when he saw the figure in Tsing Yi waiting silently by the window, his steps slowed down a little unconsciously.There is no need to deliberately identify, the other party's quiet and noble demeanor is so special, as if it is soaked in the air together with the clean music, it belongs to the person who has not met for many years, Luo Yanhua who has been condemned by him for several months, or in other words, Lang Ring Suzerain Jianghua.

In recent years, many companions and subordinates have gone to Los Angeles to pay homage to the suzerain. After returning, they can't help but talk about the process of the meeting, and a few words often reach their ears.

"The lord said that he is very good, so that everyone needn't worry, but when I look at his complexion, he still lacks energy and blood, so we need to supplement more."

"The suzerain has already made up his mind about the overall situation, but he didn't say much; looking at him now, his temperament is becoming more and more calm."

"I don't know why, every time I see the Lord, my heart can be at peace for a while, and I can meditate when doing things."

For these words of worry or admiration, Mu Shaoqing is not as indifferent as he appears on the surface, on the contrary, his mood has always been more complicated than others.Luo Yanhua, who was far away in Luocheng, was his old friend. In recent years, he has been the master enshrined by the Master of Sword Crying, and he also has another identity: Jiang Wanli's beloved cousin who never forgets.

In the past, when they met each other, they were also congenial and became a confidant. He still remembers the future suzerain's impressive talent and understanding, as well as his undisguised talent.Even though he was praised as having excellent bones since he was a child, he can only secretly admit in his heart that Luo Shenhua's future martial arts attainments should be higher than his own.

But that was a long time ago, more than ten years passed like an arrow, and the voice of the young prince who had practiced swordsmanship and lectured on martial arts with him gradually faded away. It was said that he was imprisoned in the palace and lost all his martial arts. His original name was taken away, and he was no longer the expected future prince, but Jing Wang who had been imprisoned in the mansion all year round.

Mu Shaoqing stood still in front of the table, he finally saw the owner of today's meeting clearly.Compared to before, Luo Yanhua's appearance has not changed much, shedding the youthful innocence, her brows and eyes are becoming clearer and more beautiful.It's just that, three points less bright and heroic, and seven points more calm, the spirit and luck are quite different.Where the eyes meet is a pair of eyes that are as quiet as a deep pool of autumn water.

People who practice martial arts often have sharp eyes and ears. Among the fellows in the rivers and lakes that Mu Shaoqing has met, he can count a few with lightning-like eyes and even radiant divine light.King Jing's internal strength has long been lost, but when Mu Shaoqing stared at him coldly, he couldn't feel anything similar to retreat, dodge or weakness. In the ten years of sinking day after day, no amount of attack and oppression has been invisible, and that calmness cannot be disturbed.

For some reason, a strange feeling flashed in Master Mu Shaozhuang's heart.He couldn't tell for a while, where the once dazzling brilliance of the person in front of him went, whether it was worn away by hardships and hatred, or whether it had turned into inner restraint and no longer showed it on the outside.

But this feeling was only fleeting. After a moment of recovery, the hatred and rage that had been entangled for many days swept up again, more violent than before, firmly occupying his reason, and he couldn't help showing a hostile look on his face. .

The brief change in expression caught Luo Yanhua's eyes, and the Mu Shaoqing in front of him was no longer the childish young man in those days, with a slender figure, a sword hanging from his waist, and a rather handsome appearance, just the demeanor of a famous man; The tails of the eyes are raised slightly, and the sword eyebrows fly into the temples obliquely. Compared with Tang Yu and Fan Yin's sons, he is naturally more arrogant.

"It's been ten years since we left. Shaoqing Jian Cong sabered his sword and came here as promised, and he really did not disappoint." With a calm expression, he got up to let the guests go.

"You don't need to act like this. I'm just a commoner, and I can't afford the courtesy of the eldest prince." Mu Shaoqing said coldly, not sitting down, "I don't have to eat wine at the same table, but I'd better use your style of winning people's hearts." Use it on others, if you have anything to say, just say it!"

"Shaoqing," Nan Gongchen was embarrassed when he saw him just met, touched his sleeve aside, and said in a low voice, "Since you're here, please rest assured, don't say a few words."

"The reunion after a long absence, but in this situation, it is not a chance to drink freely. I just prepare a little water and wine to refresh my heart." Luo Yanhua said lightly, "Since you have the spirit to go to the appointment with a sword, don't you have to sit and chat Is it magnanimous? Or is it that Shaoqing is not confident, and is afraid that after sitting at the table for a while, I will change her mind if I win over you with a few words?"

Mu Shaoqing snorted coldly, knowing that this person was fighting again, but he didn't want to lose the battle.He had already noticed that Jiang Wanli was not sitting next to King Jing. For a moment, he didn't know whether he was disappointed or a little relaxed. His eyes swept away, and there was a bead curtain hanging on the wall not far away. Qianying was quietly playing the zither with her head lowered.

"Wan Li said that she hoped that the misunderstanding would be cleared up, but she was also afraid of seeing us turn against each other, so she didn't know whether we should meet, and would rather stay behind the curtain and play the zither." Luo Yanhua noticed his gaze, said so, and then raised his head slightly. hand, "Master Mu, please."

Mu Shaoqing's face was dark, he didn't say anything, and sat down on the guest of honor seat, his heart was full of emotions, he felt hostile, mixed with inexplicable melancholy, and was distracted by thinking about Jiang Wanli. Can't tell what it's like.

It was only then that other people could attend to the ceremony with Prince Jing and Rong Feisheng. Li Fengxing felt somewhat embarrassed after being a subordinate for these years. past.

At this time, no one greeted them, and the famous delicacies of Juxian Tower were brought up one after another, and the table was filled with beautiful and beautiful decorations, but the steaming heat could not change the cold and deadlocked atmosphere, and no one moved their chopsticks for a while.Of course Mu Shaoqing refused to take the initiative to speak, and King Jing did not do what he expected. He was eloquent as soon as he came up, understanding it with emotion and moving it with reason, but remained silent, listening to the zither music coming from behind the bead curtain. Hovering and lingering in the building, as if listening intently.

The clear and graceful strings are indeed ethereal and clear, like Xiaoxiang water clouds, sometimes flowing smoothly like white clouds coming out of Xiu, sometimes low and slow, as if wanting to moisten things silently.Mu Shaoqing had heard the melody of Jiang Wanli's fingertips many times, and often ordered the violinist in the village to play it, but he couldn't remember which tune it was.While listening intently, I was still identifying and thinking in my heart, but my manic mood calmed down a little.

Neither the host nor the guest opened their mouths, only Nan Gongchen was fulfilling the responsibility of accompanying the guests, casually talking about the origin and exquisiteness of several famous dishes, so that the atmosphere would not be too cold; Rong Feisheng poured pear blossoms for everyone present, and only Jing Wang still It's a cup of tea.

"Three years ago, Shaoqing's swordsmanship was just completed, and he presided over the sword test meeting for the first time. He specially sent someone to send the post to Luocheng. Unfortunately, I couldn't come to participate." After a pause, before turning to the next song, Luo Yanhua took the cup, paid respects to Master Mu Shaozhuang from a distance, and said leisurely, "Now that we are in the south of the Yangtze River, it coincides with the grand meeting of Wanjian Villa, which attracts the attention of the martial arts. It shows that the status of Shaoqing's swordsmanship is no longer comparable to what it used to be. For this cup, I will replace wine with tea to express my congratulations."

When Mu Shaoqing came, he made up his mind that no matter what King Jing said, he would always contradict him fiercely.However, there was nothing wrong with these few words, he said coldly: "How can you be sincere if you treat wine with tea? Besides, this sword-testing meeting has nothing to do with you now, it's going to turn into a storm, you Where are you going?"

In fact, he led some of Mingjian's subordinates to announce his departure from Langhuan, and openly wanted to form the Mingjian Alliance at the Sword Trial Conference. It is purely provocative.

Luo Yanhua looked at the jug filled with pear blossoms, and was not angry, as if he remembered something, he smiled lightly: "That's right, Shaoqing's martial arts post was given to Chen Fulingzhu, Mr. Zhen, together with the Gusu Bai family , Many old friends from the past have received them, but they have never been delivered to me. Invitations are still a trivial matter. During this period of time, compared with three years ago, or last year, how much has your attitude changed? Dare you? Ask for what reason?"

He asked calmly, but the others felt their hearts tremble. They couldn't help but look at Mu Shaoqing's expression, and the scene that had just eased up for a while suddenly became tense again.

"What have you done so far, you still have to pretend to ask me!" Mu Shaoqing was furious in her heart, "Every trouble in my village is usually a flattering villain who informs you, why bother to understand? playing dumb!"

This scolding made even Nan Gongchen very embarrassed, it was difficult to persuade and explain, so he could only keep silent.

"There are indeed some hearsay and other people's opinions," Luo Yanhua said, "but I want to hear it from you. I have never done anything indebted to you in these years, and even if I disagree, I have never forced it , why are you so resented, to the point of bitterness? Is it that I, Luo Yanhua, really have a sense of devotion, or is it you, Mu Shaoqing, who changed?"

Mu Shaoqing did not expect that he was not shy, his expression was as indifferent as his voice, and he was taken aback for a moment, not seeing the slightest expected gesture.He made a lot of criticisms in the past few days, but except for Pei Suxue's case, the rest of his remarks were developed on the basis of complaints and dissatisfaction over the past few years, and the original three-point suspicion was enlarged to twelve points, which naturally became a confident conclusion.If there is reason and evidence, it is really not easy to cite what Luo Yanhua has done to him to be sorry for him.

As if to make up for the emptiness left by the brief hesitation, after a moment of hesitation, there was a surge of anger from the bottom of his heart. When King Jing was far away in Los Angeles, he was still on fire, let alone being questioned face to face.

Mu Shaoqing was also a little surprised that he managed not to overturn the table, perhaps because the Juxian Tower was really quiet at the moment, or maybe it was the elegant rhythm of the guzheng in his ears, which flowed through his heart like a clear stream. Being irritable, there is still a ray of clarity, reminding: being angry at every turn means losing, especially under Jiang Wanli's gaze.

"Since you don't care about face, why should I hide it!" He laughed angrily, "Let me ask you, when was the year and month when you were proclaimed suzerain? What was the first order passed down?"

"You..." Rong Feisheng saw that he was extremely rude when he questioned the suzerain so condescendingly, so he couldn't help but want to reprimand him.Luo Yanhua signaled to stop, and said slowly: "In the 14th year of Tianyi, he took the position of suzerain in the lower court, and ordered Langhuan to retreat to the south of the Yangtze River, disperse and live in seclusion, preserve his strength, and don't fight the imperial court again."

That was the beginning of the covenant across the river, and it was also the tacit understanding that he and his uncle Jiang Hengyuan made at the parting meeting after they had just left Chonghua Palace and lived in Prince Jing's Mansion.

"I remember it very clearly." Mu Shaoqing sneered, "A mere twenty characters is not as long as the invitation you gave me. It is very easy to write. Do you know how much everyone paid for it?"

He didn't wait for King Jing to respond, and said directly: "The imperial court said it was keeping the agreement, and it was clear that it would no longer send troops, but secretly attacked and stumbled, the warriors from the Beiliao and Yijin took advantage of the situation to block it, and the enemies in the Jianghu also came to make trouble. The main force of Hengdao is trapped in the northern border, crossing the sea with the help of Cao Gang, and living in the Jianghuai River. Xuanshuang wants to protect the former allies in the court and the opposition. The brothers who stopped at [-] went back to [-] stops, the blood even stained the riverbank, if it wasn’t for the Jiang Zuo envoy’s earlier summons, several master elders and their disciples came to help in time, the consequences would have been disastrous!”

Speaking of this, his originally raised voice became hoarse: "Before returning to Jinling, my father was attacked and killed. With his skill, if he hadn't been injured too badly before, how could those mere thieves in Kunlun Mansion You can succeed! This kind of bloody feud, when you get the news in Los Angeles, you will only order to back down, order everyone to separate, and go back to their respective sects to hide! If it weren't for the safety of you, a proton who has lost all martial arts, most people would think of the suzerain Empress, with affection and expectations for you, we would rather die together!"

"Disperse hiding and avoid tit-for-tat, that's what Jiang Zuo envoy meant at the time." Rong Feisheng couldn't help but said angrily, "Hiding in the martial arts forest, the court can't figure out the reality, so they dare not make rash moves, so we can gain a breather It's an opportunity. It's a pleasure to fight to the death, but it's a pleasure to show off the courage of the blood, where there is today's Langhuan, and it's your turn, Mu Shaoqing, to spread the martial arts post, what kind of sword test meeting will you hold in Wanjian Villa?"

"In the first few days, it was just to avoid disaster. Even if we had to bear with it, and even tore down the Twelve Orders of Langhuan, I didn't say anything," Mu Shaoqing said angrily, "But after that, it disappeared. It lasted seven or eight years. This mouthful of blood was stuffy in my heart. I couldn't spit it out, melt it, or swallow it. It took only three years for the ancients to suffer. Confinement, playing the zither and planting flowers, kowtowing to the dog emperor! The tree next to my father’s grave has already grown to the height of a person, but everyone is still waiting for the illusory opportunity for revenge!"

Speaking of this, the long-standing depression and resentment surged in his heart. He pointed at King Jing with his finger, and his voice was as cold as ice: "I don't understand what to wait for. Thousands of miles for righteousness, one sword for revenge , This is what people in the rivers and lakes of my generation did. Jiangzuo envoy, my father, and Zhuangzhu Xie all trusted you and spared no effort to protect and preserve you. Your order has survived all kinds of difficulties and dangers until now, but what have you repaid, and where is the day of revenge?"

Rong Feisheng wanted to argue again, Luo Yanhua slightly shook his head at him, and said softly: "Let Shaoqing finish the sentence."

"At first I didn't think too much about it, I was only worried that you would be frustrated by the easy life and lose the vigor of your early years. However, year after year, no matter how much you persuaded, you refused to leave the palace and return to the south of the Yangtze River to join our subordinates ;If it is said that it is because of Langhuan's grievances, and you have not taken action for a long time. This will inevitably make people suspicious. I heard that life in the mansion is not necessarily easy. Is there any other reason or goal that makes you reluctant to leave? ?" Mu Shaoqing spoke up, and simply stood up, staring at King Jing's pale face, and said with a bit of sarcasm in his tone, "Since last year, you finally started to take action, and agreed to serve the court as the suzerain. The emperor With this help, the confinement will be lifted immediately. Not only will you be allowed to enter the palace and return to the court, but you will also be rewarded; and the warrants you have passed to Jiangnan are one after another. If you think there are not enough subordinates stationed in Luocheng to obey orders, it will be very easy for you to enter the palace. Xuanshuang and Qibi, who are recovering their vitality, are summoned to serve the imperial court, help you gain power, and please the dog emperor. It is no wonder, how can you be a mere suzerain of the world who is on the run? To be able to be the emperor's eldest son who will continue to be the king of gold and jade, to be satisfied, Your Highness Prince Jing, am I wrong?"

His words are as thin and sharp as a dagger, and his language is so sharp that everyone in the room does not change their expressions. Li Fengxing is afraid that if he speaks too much, there will be swords and swords in the building in the next moment; Rong Feisheng is shocked and angry, holding back No seizures.

"Shaoqing, Sect Master Jiang did not behave like this. He helped the imperial court to pacify the Northern Liao Dynasty, and also made the incoming Liao and Jin warriors return with their feathers, so that the people of the Celestial Dynasty can enjoy peace. This is a great righteousness, and the Langhuan will be restored , to restore his reputation between the ruling and opposition parties, these are all seen by everyone." Nangong Chen also had a little sweat on his forehead, and grabbed Mu Shaoqing's arm, trying to pull him to sit down and calm down, "As the saying goes, ten years of sharpening a sword, If you hadn't waited for many years, how could you scare the crowd as soon as you get out of the scabbard? What you said just now was all conjecture, so it's not accurate."

He has always been well-bred, and even in a hurry, he still has a gentle voice, which somehow relieved the tension that was about to explode by three points.

"If I rely entirely on speculation, how did Pei Suxue die? What she said before she committed suicide is not clear enough?" Mu Shaoqing shook off his hand, feeling extremely angry, but when she saw King Jing's pale face, she couldn't help it. There was a kind of indescribable pleasure, and he sneered, "Luo Yanhua, you are so capable, there are always people rushing to speak for you and work hard for you! The meritorious deeds in the northern border depend on bloody and bloody battles, and calling the wind and rain in Luocheng depends on With Qibi and Xuanshuang obeying orders, and Zhu Jin controlling the situation for you in the south of the Yangtze River, you are so capable and have earned a great reputation for yourself, but if you have a little blood, why don't you mention redress for your brother who died The relatives have their names cleared, allowing the enemy to live in the world well?"

He took a deep breath: "The answer is very simple. Langhuan is just a stepping stone for you to return to Qingyun Road and a tool for you to regain power. You were born in an emperor's family and are used to fighting for power and profit. You cannot do without power and wealth! My dear friend and suzerain, I, Mu Shaoqing, don't bother to ask for it, and I don't want to! You don't have to put on airs anymore, I know that you have long wanted to pull out my thorn, so that you can completely master Mingjian! It's ridiculous Yu Lan, Xie Feng, they When you are tricked into working hard, do you know who you have arranged to watch by your side? How many Langhuan orphans like Pei Suxue have been ordered by you? What's even more ridiculous is that you gave up your dignity to cling to the emperor, but the dog emperor didn't use it. He didn't treat you as a human being at all, in his eyes, you, the prince, are a fake—"

Before the last word was finished, everyone heard a broken string, and the flowing guzheng rhyme stopped abruptly.It wasn't just the zither strings that broke. When Jiang Wanli, who was dressed in white, parted the bead curtain and walked out, she might have used too much force and tore a few strings on the curtain, causing the beads to jingle and roll to the ground.

"Mu Shaoqing, you are confusing black and white, and you are unreasonable! What do you think of your cousin and the rest of the people in Langhuan!" Her beautiful face was white with anger, and her voice trembled, "I really misjudged you !"

"Wanli, change a string and play another song." Luo Yuhua said, his mood had calmed down at this moment, and finally he was a little more dumbfounded when he heard the end, "It doesn't matter, I have something to say." Talk to Master Mu Shaozhuang."

He thought it was funny because he thought of King Ning. Compared with Mu Shaoqing now, his younger brother Luo Pingyuan's behavior when he met him after a long absence was simply a good boy.

It was also in the afternoon, not long after the meeting in Juxian Building, Gu Di, the master of the sword hall in Wanjian Villa, encountered unexpected troubles because an unexpected visitor came to the gate of the villa.

"Didn't I tell you that the owner of the villa is going out to do business, you have to guard the door tightly, and all outsiders are kept out of the way, why did you come to tell me?" He looked at the guard who didn't speak very neatly, and said with a frown, "Hurry up, hurry up!" There are no rules, no matter who it is, leave a name card and send it away quickly."

"Master Gu, my subordinates also said the same thing, but the visitor refused to leave, and he would enter the manor no matter what, the younger ones are incompetent, and they really can't be dismissed." The guard replied stammeringly.

"Who the hell is this and how many people are here? But they were sent by Langhuan?" Gu Di asked alertly.

"There is only one guest with four attendants." The guard replied, "He...he said his name is Lu Yuan, and another name is Luo Pingyuan."