Chapter 522: Taifeng and Fang Jingge [Bowing in thanks! Bowing again! Debt of chapters]

East Jingdong Circuit,

In Laizhou City,

Standing on the roof and looking down,

there was a lantern wandering in the alley.

"Clang, clang, clang! 4:00 AM! The weather is cold and the night is chilly, watch out for the charcoal fire!"

"Clang, clang~"

The early morning was very quiet, and the night watchman's voice could be heard in the houses along the street.

Suddenly,

"Woof! Woof, woof, woof~"

The sharp and short warning bark of a dog rang out suddenly.

The night watchman stopped his steps.

The dogs in the city were all used to the sound of the night watchman and would not give a warning for no reason.

After pricking up his ears to listen, the night watchman glanced suspiciously in the direction of the barking, and then he walked quickly toward that side.

Soon, the night watchman carried the lantern to the alley entrance. Just as he was about to turn onto the main street, two black shadows suddenly came toward him.

"Stop!"

The black shadows and the loud shout made the night watchman tremble, and the lantern in his hand almost fell to the ground.

"Official business, bystanders move aside!"

One of the black shadows continued.

By the light of the lantern, the night watchman finally saw clearly that the two people in front of him were soldiers wearing infantry armor, holding spears and carrying swords.

The infantry uniform was black, which made them look like black shadows to him.

Looking at the tall and sturdy figures of the two soldiers, the night watchman hurriedly bowed: "Yes, yes, this little one understands."

Saying this, the night watchman hurriedly walked in the opposite direction.

After walking a dozen steps, when he looked back, the night watchman finally discovered that two rows of torches were lit a few dozen steps behind the two fierce soldiers.

Under the bright firelight were a group of fierce soldiers.

The night watchman looked at this scene in a daze, not even noticing the cold wind blowing into his mouth.

Having been a night watchman for many years, he naturally knew that it was the large mansion of the aristocratic Gao family; otherwise, he wouldn't have hurried over upon hearing the dog barking.

What he was thinking in his heart was that if he discovered any abnormalities related to the Gao family and gave a warning, he might be able to get a reward for wine.

Seeming to have noticed the night watchman's gaze, a soldier under the torch turned his head to look over.

Feeling the gaze that was colder than the surrounding air, the night watchman hurriedly turned his head and walked quickly forward, swallowing a mouthful of icy saliva in his mouth.

In front of the main gate,

The torchlight illuminated the stone lions on both sides of the entrance.

Under the eaves of the main gate were auspicious carvings, and the 'Gao' character on the hanging plaque flickered in the firelight.

"Neigh~"

A horse was reined in.

The rider, who was frozen stiff, dismounted sideways.

After stomping his feet, the rider stepped over the exquisitely crafted threshold, passed through the open heavy door panels, and passed through the two rows of fierce soldiers holding torches standing in the courtyard.

The partition doors of the main hall, which should have been tightly closed on a winter night, were wide open at this time. After passing through, one could see the firelight on the other side.

Entering the inner courtyard,

The rider stopped in front of the main hall with its doors wide open, and after reporting, he stepped into the room.

The room was heated with floor heating, and although the door was open, it was still much warmer than outside.

The rider felt his slightly hot cheeks and the faint smell of blood, bowed and cupped his hands toward the person under the candlelight behind the table: "Chief Manager, the one who escaped has already left the city."

The person behind the table held a letter in his hand, looked up, and said in a deep voice: "Which way did they escape?"

"Replying to the Chief Manager, unlike what we thought, they went west."

"Hmm."

After reporting, the rider stood to the side.

The person behind the table stood up and walked to the side holding the letter.

After bypassing a screen, there was a group of people kneeling here, wearing pajamas, tied up like zongzi, frozen with snot running down their noses, and shivering.

Among these people were old and young, some had ropes tied in their mouths, some had swollen cheeks, and all their teeth had been smashed, which was where the smell of blood came from.

Zhao Taifeng walked up to one person, squatted down, looked at the wealthy-looking middle-aged man in front of him, and said: "Official Gao is truly filial! Your mother worships Buddha and was bewitched by Northern Liao spies. You, as a son, actually didn't stop her, but instead fell into depravity yourself!"

"With what you have done, are you worthy of your ancestor who entered the Zhaoxun Pavilion?"

The middle-aged man's mouth was full of blood, and he said with a trembling voice: "M-Master, we were also coerced! Those Northern Liao spies held our weaknesses. If we didn't do it, they would say we were colluding with Northern Liao. We were forced to..."

Zhao Taifeng's mouth carried a mocking smile: "A few years ago, the father-son incest in your two branches was also forced?"

"I... this..."

The middle-aged man didn't say anything, but an old woman with messy silver hair sitting paralyzed behind him spoke up.

This old woman was very well-maintained, but her eyes were a bit possessed. She stared at Zhao Taifeng and said in a crazy tone:

"You stubborn prisoner who deserves to go to the eighteenth level of hell, what do you know? My son was uniting with the Maitreya Bhikkhu to explore the future!"

"That Jin Kingdom will definitely be crushed by the Northern Liao cavalry, and then they will turn around to deal with you! By then, our Gao family will be a top-tier aristocratic family!"

Zhao Taifeng frowned: "Oh? In Great Zhou, your Gao family isn't a top-tier aristocratic family? Is the output of the gold mine bestowed upon your family stones?"

The old woman continued to stare at Zhao Taifeng and asked: "Aristocratic family? What kind of aristocratic family is one that leaves Bianjing? If it weren't for the fact that my muddle-headed parents-in-law insisted on returning to Laizhou back then, how could the Gao family have declined to such a state? Even the gold mine bestowed by the late emperor was divided by them to the second branch!"

Looking at the old woman, Zhao Taifeng glanced at the others in the room and said to the middle-aged man with a mouth full of blood: "Back then, when your Gao family moved to Laizhou, I was still a child and didn't understand why Old Master Gao insisted on returning to his hometown."

"But today, looking at the daughter-in-law of Old Master Gao in your family, I understand! Old Master Gao had foresight! He was afraid that you would cause trouble in Bianjing, but sigh! A good woman brings prosperity to three generations, but your Gao family's one... looking at it now, she is harming three generations, pfft!"

"Nonsense! You stubborn prisoner! You're talking nonsense!"

Just as Zhao Taifeng finished speaking, the old woman stood up suddenly, screaming in anger, wanting to rush at Zhao Taifeng.

But as soon as she stood up, she fell to the ground and was then gagged by the Imperial City Department officials.

The middle-aged man with a mouth full of blood looked back, crawled a few steps on his knees, and said urgently: "Master, Master, listen to me, I... I have a way for you to get rich, to get very rich."

"Only I know this news, no one else in the Gao family knows."

As soon as these words were spoken, the others in the Gao family looked at the middle-aged man in surprise.

Zhao Taifeng looked full of interest: "Oh! Your mother doesn't know either?"

The middle-aged man looked at Zhao Taifeng's eyes and nodded repeatedly: "She doesn't know!"

"Good, come over and tell me."

After Zhao Taifeng finished speaking, he walked out, and the middle-aged man was dragged out by two officials hooking his arms.

Arriving at the inner room on the other side of the main hall,

Zhao Taifeng looked at the head of the Gao family lying on the ground and said: "Speak."

The head of the Gao family looked up at the Imperial City Department officials on both sides.

Zhao Taifeng waved his hand, and the fierce officials retreated from the room.

"M-Master, before, I and the Maitreya Bhikkhu... cough... I once heard that Bhikkhuni say that Prince Yan had the aura of a Son of Heaven, so my mother wanted to let the second branch's cousin go to Prince Yan's mansion to be a concubine."

"But because the Imperial Prince was healthy, my second brother firmly disagreed, even if the Bhikkhuni said the Imperial Prince wouldn't live long, he was afraid that several princes would fight for the throne later, and it would be disadvantageous for our Gao family to take sides too early! And because the first and second branches had already divided the family when our grandparents were alive, my mother thought of a way..."

Looking up at Zhao Taifeng's expression, the head of the Gao family ignored the pain in his mouth and continued:

"One is to let the Bhikkhuni enter and exit the second branch's mansion and find someone to ruin the second branch's reputation. The second is to reveal my cousin's whereabouts, giving Prince Yan a chance to abduct the second branch's young lady, and my mother made the decision to let my cousin marry Prince Yan's heir."

"In this way, my second branch's nephews and nieces wouldn't find good families, and my first branch would have Prince Yan's support, so the gold mine would naturally return to the first branch's name."

Zhao Taifeng said with mockery in his eyes: "Aren't you afraid that your cousin will be favored and turn around to cause you trouble?"

The head of the Gao family's eyes dodged, but he didn't speak.

"Oh!" Zhao Taifeng nodded: "I suppose once the gold mine is in hand, you have plenty of ways to send people below."

"Master's mind is agile and wisdom is profound, I, this little one, admire it very much."

"What about the way to get rich? Even if something happens to your family's gold mine, it belongs to the imperial court. How can I get rich?" Zhao Taifeng asked.

"Hehe, Master, the way I'm talking about is even richer than the gold mine. When Prince Yan abducted my cousin, he actually... actually also abducted the Chai family's legitimate daughter."

Zhao Taifeng's eyes narrowed slightly: "Nonsense, the Chai family's legitimate daughter has been in Cangzhou and only entered the capital two years ago. How could she have been abducted as you say?"

"Master, it's absolutely true!"

"After I revealed the whereabouts of my nephews and nieces, my mother was anxious and urged me to inquire. As a result, when I arrived at Prince Yan's fief, I only received the news that Prince Yan had entered the capital."

"Later, Prince Yan passed away, and because of this incident, my mother was so scared that she didn't dare to leave the Buddha hall, so we stopped. But the second branch only returned my nephews and nieces, while the servants accompanying them were people none of us recognized."

"Seeing this, I had an idea in my heart. I used a trick to test my cousins and nephews and nieces, and then I knew."

"How did you test them?"

The head of the Gao family was speechless for a moment.

"Speak!"

"Uh, I... lied and claimed I knew people from the Imperial City Department..."

Zhao Taifeng nodded: "Then why didn't you find anything related to your family in Prince Yan's secret room?"

"Replying to Master, we never intervened in these matters; they were all passed on through the Northern Liao Bhikkhuni."

"Master, you have such a handle on the Chai family. As long as you reveal a little bit, with the Chai family's wealth, just a little bit is much stronger than our family's gold mine!"

"Master, this little one only asks to use this matter to save my life. I am willing to be exiled or tattooed, as long as I don't die."

Zhao Taifeng said softly: "Then why didn't you go to blackmail the Chai family?"

The expression on the head of the Gao family's bleeding and swollen face froze.

"Did you tell Northern Liao about this matter?"

"This little one... the Northern Liao Emperor asked personally, so I naturally told him."

Zhao Taifeng smiled and nodded: "Good, thank you Official Gao for clarifying! Your life can naturally be saved through this matter."

"Thank you, Master! Thank you, Master!" The head of the Gao family squirmed on the ground.

Zhao Taifeng: "Hmm! But the matter of you letting Northern Liao people use gold nuggets with marks to track me and set an ambush for me, we haven't settled that yet."

The head of the Gao family's eyes were full of horror, only feeling a warmth between his legs, his soul leaving his body: "M-Master, it wasn't me, it was..."

7:00 AM

The sky was bright,

The elite archers standing on the roofs around the Gao family were slowly coming down from the roofs to change shifts.

The neighbors and passersby around, seeing the street entrance guarded by fierce soldiers, someone poked their head out and asked: "Military gentlemen, what happened?"

"Northern Liao remnants and sea pirates entered the city and looted the Gao family last night!"

Hearing this, everyone showed expressions of surprise and fear.

"Oh my~ Is the Gao family alright?" someone asked.

The fierce soldier shook his head: "The first branch of their family is all gone."

The onlookers gasped.

At this time, two horses breathing white air walked over.

One of them, covered in morning frost, pointed to the Gao family's main gate and said: "Whether the Chief Manager is here or not, you'll know at a glance."

The other rider, equally dusty, nodded.

Soon, the two passed through the report and entered the heavily guarded Gao family mansion.

In the courtyard,

The trusted officials were standing in the room beside Zhao Taifeng.

Zhao Taifeng was sitting on a chair, just opening a bamboo tube and unfolding the letter paper. He looked up, looked at the cavalryman of the Imperial City Department bowing in front of the table, and asked suspiciously: "You said where the urgent report came from?"

"Replying to the Chief Manager, it was sent by pigeon from Bianjing to Weizhou!"

Zhao Taifeng: "So the pigeon sent from Weizhou to Dengzhou has already been released, and you are taking the land route to ensure the information is delivered?"

"Yes! I met our colleagues from the Imperial City Department on the way and heard you were in the city, so I entered the city."

"Hmm, go down and warm up."

The cavalryman saluted and retreated.

Zhao Taifeng nodded and read the letter in his hand.

Looking at Zhao Taifeng's expression, the subordinate to the side asked suspiciously: "Chief Manager, what's wrong? Is there a problem with that cavalryman?"

Zhao Taifeng shook his head and said: "No! The letter says that the Fifth Young Master of the Yongyi Marquis Xu family will follow the Dong family's funeral procession north to Beizhou today."

The subordinate to the side asked suspiciously: "What relatives does the Dong family have with the Xu family? To actually send a legitimate son to follow!"

Zhao Taifeng shook his head: "Junior brother said that the Fifth Young Master of the Xu family entered the palace last night. His Majesty was already in a bad mood that night, and as a result, the Fifth Young Master of the Xu family said that the Beizhou Assistant Prefect died suspiciously, which made His Majesty fly into a rage."

"So, His Majesty ordered the Fifth Young Master of the Xu family to go to Beizhou and let him see for himself whether there is the suspicion he spoke of!"

The subordinate to the side widened his eyes: "Ah? This winter is so cold, this Fifth Young Master is going to suffer!"

"Just right, the escaped Northern Liao spies went west, let's lean toward Qizhou (modern Jinan)."

"Yes, Chief Manager!"

Just as the Imperial City Department crowd was handing over to the Laizhou Prefecture Yamen,

More horses entered the city from the east,

It was someone sent from Dengzhou to deliver a letter, and the content was exactly the same as what Zhao Taifeng saw.

4:00 AM

Xingguo Lane,

Ningyuan Marquis Mansion,

Inner courtyard,

Gu Tingye sat in front of the dining table, stirring the meat porridge in the bowl with a spoon.

After glancing at his sister-in-law Pingmei, who had a worried expression, his gaze turned between his father Gu Yankai and his mother Bai Shi.

Pursed his lips, Gu Tingye opened his mouth to speak, but looking at Gu Yankai's straight-faced expression, he suppressed his words again.

Gu Tingyi sat to the side, her expression changing along with her brother Gu Tingye's movements.

Seeing Gu Tingye wanting to speak, her eyes relaxed; then seeing her brother close his mouth again, there was a hesitant expression in Gu Tingyi's eyes.

Gu Yankai stood up, took the handkerchief handed over by Chang Mama, wiped his mouth, and said in a deep voice: "Hmm, I'm going to court."

Bai Shi hurriedly stood up and walked to the side, helping Gu Yankai put on his winter clothes together with Chang Mama.

"I'm full too." Gu Tingye stood up and said.

The father and son put on their winter clothes and walked toward the door.

Looking at Bai Shi who was following, Gu Yankai waved his hand and said: "The wind at the door is cold, don't follow."

"Yes, Marquis."

Bai Shi lowered her head and replied. After raising her head, she looked at Gu Tingye, who was following out the door, with worry in her eyes.

It was still early, and the morning was dim.

Fortunately, lanterns had already been hung in the corridors along the way out.

Gu Yankai walked with his hands behind his back, bringing his personal attendant Qi Sheng, and listening to the footsteps behind him, said: "I thought you weren't exercising this morning."

Gu Tingye hurriedly walked a few steps faster and came to Gu Yankai's side: "No, Father, I... Father, I..."

"A real man, speak if you have something to say, why are you being so twisty?" Gu Yankai stopped, his tone carrying some reprimand: "In school, is this what the scholar taught you?"

Gu Tingye stood in front of his father. Although he was not old, his figure was already slightly taller than his father Gu Yankai.

Gu Tingye pursed his lips, bit his back teeth tightly, bowed and cupped his hands, and said: "Father, I want to go to Beizhou with Jingge'er!"

After saying this, Gu Tingye looked up at Gu Yankai.

"Hmph! Your news is quite well-informed! I thought you would leave without saying goodbye and secretly follow!"

Gu Tingye pursed his lips; he did have that intention.

"No." Gu Yankai began to walk forward.

"Ah? Father, why!"

"Why? Think more about your mother! In such weather, can she be at ease if you go out? Besides, we don't know the situation over there yet!"

The father and son walked and talked.

"Father, you often say I lack experience. Today I want to go get experience, and you block me! Why can Jingge'er go but I can't? Am I worse than him or what?"

Hearing this, there was a slight approval in Gu Yankai's eyes, but it was quickly hidden in the bottom of his eyes. He stopped and looked at his younger son.

Gu Tingye continued:

"Father, Jingge'er went to the Northwest battlefield. Would Aunt Sun not be worried back then?"

"The Guangrui Army under your command is stationed in the north! Beizhou is still within our Great Zhou territory. If your son doesn't even dare to go there, can't go there, are you... are you going to let your son be a tender cucumber who has never seen blood for the rest of his life!?"

"Jingge'er could risk his life to save Eldest Brother in Bai Gao. I knew about this but didn't accompany him! Ungrateful and greedy for life and afraid of death, this is not what a Gu family descendant should do!"

Gu Yankai looked at his younger son, who was clenching his fists and whose chest was heaving, tried hard to suppress the corner of his mouth, and said in a deep voice:

"Hmph!"

"Let Gao Puyu follow you. If you drag your feet, I'll break your legs when I get back."

After saying this, Gu Yankai strode forward.

The long-term attendant Qi Sheng bowed to Gu Tingye, who raised his head in surprise, and quickly followed.

Outer courtyard,

After getting into the carriage, no one saw Gu Yankai in the dim carriage, and only then did a gratified smile appear on his face.

Gu Tingye's courtyard,

Chang Mama and Pingmei were supporting Bai Shi, looking at Gu Tingye packing his luggage, and said with worry:

"Ye Ge'er, why don't we not go! It's freezing cold, aren't you going to suffer!"

"The Marquis is also something, not stopping you a bit! You're still a child!"

Gu Tingye looked back at his mother Bai Shi, who was full of worry, and said: "Mother..."

Bai Shi took a deep breath and said firmly: "You should go! Jingge'er is even younger than you, and he went to the Northwest. You should go to Beizhou too!"

"You've been practicing martial arts for so many years, if you don't see real swords and guns, that's just a show! You should go."

Seeming to be convincing herself, after Bai Shi said two 'should go's, she said to Gu Tingye's maid: "Wipe away all your tears, what does this look like!"

Pingmei to the side looked at Bai Shi with apology and said: "Mother-in-law, I... I shouldn't have begged Father-in-law to write a letter to the Gu family's old acquaintances... otherwise, Yi Jie'er wouldn't have heard it and told Erlang."

Bai Shi patted Pingmei's hand: "Jingge'er went to the Northwest to save Erlang's elder brother, so this time he should accompany him! There is no reason for relatives to risk their lives for our family, and for our family to stand by when they need us."

Pingmei pursed her lips and nodded repeatedly: "Hmm! Actually, Mother-in-law, they are just going to Beizhou to take a look, it's still under our Great Zhou's rule! We shouldn't be like this."

Gu Tingyi behind the three nodded repeatedly.

7:00 AM

Northwest of Bianjing,

Xinfengqiu Gate,

The bright red morning sun was just appearing on the horizon.

Xu Zaijing, Qingyun, and Alan, each with two horses and a flatbed carriage, walked out of the gate tunnel.

After crossing the bridge over the Hulong River,

Xu Zaijing saw Gu Tingye, Zhao Meifeng, He Guan, and others beside the bridge.

Xu Zaijing knew the manpower brought by He Guan and Zhao Meifeng,

but Gu Tingye and the others were unexpected.

Riding forward, Xu Zaijing cupped his hands: "Erlang! Brother Gao! What are you doing?"

Gu Tingye looked proud: "Jingge'er, this time I'll accompany you to see the world!"

Xu Zaijing nodded with a smile, then looked at He Guan and Zhao Meifeng with an apologetic expression and cupped his hands: "This time..."

He Guan pointed at Xu Zaijing and said loudly: "Eh eh eh, Fifth Young Master, you better think clearly about what you're saying! Lest you get beaten by us."

Xu Zaijing smiled and nodded: "Then I have nothing to say."

"Hahahaha!" Zhao Meifeng patted him on the shoulder.

Just as everyone was about to set off,

Rong Xian chased after them on horseback, he and his mount both panting heavily: "Oh my, I'm exhausted! Here, Jingge'er, this is a list of people in the two Hebei circuits who are on good terms with my family. Use it as you see fit."

Xu Zaijing thought for a moment, reached out to take it: "Thank Consort Rong for me."

Rong Xian smiled and nodded repeatedly.

After traveling for a distance,

He Guan walked to Xu Zaijing's side and said softly: "Her Highness and His Highness ordered me to tell you, Fifth Young Master, that you have been wronged."

Xu Zaijing shook his head with a smile: "No grievance, I'm just hoping there's nothing wrong in Beizhou!"

He Guan also laughed.

Chai family,

Qiusheng Garden.

At some point,

A beautiful large tank also appeared in Chai Zhengzheng's room,

And there were extremely beautiful fish swimming inside.

The fish swam,

Making the reflection of the noble lady to the side sway.

A sprinkle of fish food made the reflection sway even more violently.

"Young Lady." Miss Yun Mu's voice sounded behind Chai Zhengzheng.

"Was the message sent?"

"Yes, Young Lady. I didn't spare the horses and sent it at full speed to the shop in Beizhou. The shops of our family around Beizhou also received the message."

Chai Zhengzheng nodded.

Outside the city,

Xu Zaijing, He Guan, and the others looked at the riders in the distance who were galloping past them without sparing their horses, kicking up a mist of snow, and looked at each other in dismay.

Gu Tingye, full of excitement, rode his horse to Xu Zaijing's side: "Jingge'er, what are they doing? Aren't they afraid of running the horses to death?"

Xu Zaijing shook his head suspiciously: "Maybe there's some urgent matter!"

(End of chapter) ===== CHAPTER 523 =====