Chapter 36: Ever-changing and Strange
"Wumian, let's just leave it at that."
Zhao Qi brushed off the dirt on his body and sighed, "He didn't do anything heavy-handed. He didn't touch us. He just destroyed the house to vent his anger. It's just a yard, so it's destroyed. It's just right to move to your uncle Zhang's street, so it's close to him for a drink."
Zhao Wumian turned to Bai Liuli.
There was still a look of fear on Bai Liuli's face. She held Xiaokui and shook her head. She didn't know who that person was.
The neighbors around were pointing and talking, some were gloating, and some were watching the fire from the other side.
During this period, Zhao Wumian repeatedly opposed the nobles, but he was still favored by the emperor, repeatedly rewarded, and promoted step by step, which made the people around him jealous. For them, Zhao Wumian, who refused to kneel, was more unbearable than those nobles who were high above them.
Zhao Wumian turned to the dark place and said, "Thank you, eunuch."
A palace guard dressed in black eunuch's attire stepped out from the shadows.
Zhao Wumian had long known that someone was protecting him in secret.
Whether it is the former personal soldier Zhao Qi or the current rookie Zhao Wumian, both are worthy of Zhu Yuanzhang's attention. What's more, Zhao Wumian is fighting outside, so it is reasonable and moral to protect his family, otherwise it would be too disheartening.
Originally, Lian’s house should not have been destroyed, but now that it has been destroyed, it means that even this father-in-law is not easy to mess with.
He might be wondering who the emperor would favor.
"Our Yuan Rang greets Captain Zhao."
Yuan Rang, the Imperial Guard, bowed and saluted.
Zhao Wumian responded: "Please speak frankly, sir."
Zhao Qi shook his head repeatedly, knowing that this boy couldn't help himself.
Yuan Rang sighed and said with difficulty: "We have failed the trust of the emperor, it is really..."
Zhao Wumian waved his hand: "Don't worry, Eunuch. I don't blame you. I believe His Majesty can understand. I would like to trouble you to tell me what happened before. I may need your help in the future."
Zhao Wumian's sincerity made Yuan Rang feel even more ashamed.
"It's Lu Zhongheng, Marquis of Ji'an."
Yuan Rang pointed at the door and said, "A cup of tea ago, he entered the city from Dinghuai Gate, and walked swaggeringly through Jisufang Street with his personal guards. He slashed someone as he passed by... Marquis Ji'an is the emperor's adopted son, and Princess Runing is going to marry the marquis's son Lu Xian... If he hurts anyone, we will definitely protect him at all costs, but he..."
But he just demolished the house, so it's not worth making a grudge against him.
Once the princess gets married, Lu Xian will be the prince consort, and the Lu family will be royal relatives!
Everyone knows that the current emperor is famous for protecting his children. Even if he only considers the princess's face, the Lu family will be able to rise to a higher level, not to mention that Lu Zhongheng himself is a founding hero.
Zhao Wumian understood the implication of his words. It was unpleasant to hear, but it was also human nature.
If someone else came, they might not provoke Lu Zhongheng just because of a centurion, especially now that he is in the emperor's favor.
After all, no one would have thought that he would be the next person to die after Fei Ju, so naturally he would have concerns.
In fact, Lu Zhongheng did not dare to touch Zhao Qi openly. Zhao Qi used to be the emperor's personal guard, and he had emerged from a mountain of corpses and a sea of blood. Zhu Yuanzhang had feelings for these old soldiers. Hu Weiyong would have to pay with his life for killing a coachman, let alone a man like Zhao Qi. Whoever dared to kill him would have to be buried with him!
But if it's just destroying the family, then it's just a scolding and at most some compensation.
Anyone who kills a Jinyiwei will have his entire clan executed, but you can't destroy a Jinyiwei's family and also have his entire clan executed.
Zhao Wumian understood and nodded: "Okay, I understand."
His expression was calm, but the meaning contained in this calmness made everyone present feel creepy, as if they were being stared at by a poisonous snake or a ferocious beast.
Yuan Rang was shocked. Could it be that Captain Zhao dared to take revenge?
Zhao Qi's face changed drastically. After these few days of contact, he already knew how stubborn his son, whose temperament had changed drastically, was. He would never swallow Lu Zhongheng's warning of destroying his family, but that was Marquis Ji'an. No matter how important you were, you were still an outsider. To the emperor, who was close and who was distant was self-evident!
"Zhao Wumian!"
Zhao Qi said seriously: "This matter ends here!"
"Yes." Zhao Wumian agreed casually, turned to Yuan Rang, clasped his fists and saluted: "Thank you for taking care of me, eunuch."
Yuan Rang said hurriedly: "We will definitely do our best."
Zhao Wumian looked at Shen Weiyang.
Shen Weiyang knew exactly what he was going to do, so without him having to say anything, she said, "Please ask your father and sister to temporarily stay at Zuixian Tower. I will immediately have someone prepare the cold pond. You don't have to worry about their safety."
If Shen Weiyang showed goodwill at this time, she would already be at odds with Lu Zhongheng.
Zhao Wumian clasped his fists and said, "I cannot thank you enough for your kindness. I will repay you in the future."
Shen Weiyang smiled and said, "It's just a small favor, don't worry about it."
Zhao Wumian turned and left.
"you!"
Zhao Qi was so angry that he stamped his feet and said, "Where are you going? Do you know who he is?!"
Zhao Wumian said without even turning his head: "You guys go to Zuixianlou first, I'll be there soon."
……
at the same time.
The Marquis of Ji'an's Mansion is bustling with activity. Marquis of Ji'an Lu Zhongheng, who was guarding Yanmen Pass, has returned.
"Father!"
Lu Xian and Mrs. Lu went out to greet them with their entire family.
Lu Zhongheng sat astride a tall dragon horse, wearing golden flower armor and a scarlet cloak, showing his splendor and luxury.
The dragon colt had two coral-like horns on its forehead, scales on its belly and back, and a majestic body. Its golden horseshoes made crisp sounds as it stepped on the bluestone street, and it looked proud and arrogant as it walked.
The eighteen personal guards behind Lu Zhongheng also had the same dragon horses, the same golden armor, the same red cloaks. Each of them was as fierce as a tiger and their horses were as fierce as dragons. Although there were only eighteen of them, their momentum was as strong as that of thousands of troops. They were the Eighteen Flying Cavalry of Yanyun who had intimidated the wolves and barbarians at Yanmen Pass!
"My Lord, you are finally back!"
Madam Lu was a beautiful middle-aged woman. When she saw her backbone coming back, her eyes turned red. She clutched her handkerchief and cried, "The Pacification Office arrested Changge, saying that he was a member of the Hu Party. I asked him to sue several times but was denied. Poor Changge was seriously injured by the centurion surnamed Zhao when he was imprisoned. He was covered in blood! What kind of place is the imperial prison? If we delay any further, I'm afraid he will..."
Lawrence Lu raised his hand.
Mrs. Lu suppressed her grievances and looked at Lawrence Lu with tears in her eyes.
Lu Zhongheng glanced at the Pingliang Marquis Mansion which was less than a hundred steps ahead. It was surrounded by a large number of Jinyiwei from the Zhenfu Division, and the one in charge was the strongest of the four ministers of the Zhenfu Division, "Qinglong" Lin Jiantao, who had the cultivation level of the fourth realm!
The fact that the superiors sent this person here also indicates some problems.
Lawrence Lu’s face was gloomy.
Something is going to happen to Fei Ju...
This time, the superior sent the son-in-law Ouyang Lun in the name of ancestor worship and ordered his deputy general to guard Yanmen on his behalf and asked him to return quickly. He realized something was wrong, but he thought he had been well-behaved in recent days. Even if some minor incidents occurred, he would only be scolded and fined a few months' salary, which was not a big deal.
What's more, Tang Shengzong is coming back with him. The Yanmen and Liaodong passes face the Mobei wolves and barbarians directly, and are the gateways to the north. Without a general to guard the pass, the risk is too great. Since there is no clear handover, it is obvious that they will go and come back quickly, so there will be no problem...
But what he didn't expect was that something happened to his old brother Fei Ju.
From clearing the name of the Huaixi people and helping Hu Weiyong to take revenge, it gradually developed to Fei Ming pretending to be Yipintang and assassinating the Jinyiwei, and was caught by the prince and the chief eunuch. There is no way to defend himself now, and the Fei family will suffer a lot if they don't die!
This was certainly because the Fei family underestimated the enemy, but there was also a reason why the Jinyiwei named Zhao deliberately set a trap.
Zhao Wumian!
During this period, news from the capital continued to be transmitted to the border, and he heard this name many times.
Huang Bin, Marquis of Yichun, was stripped of his title and dismissed from office.
Zhou Dexing, Marquis of Jiangxia, led his troops to the battle.
Pingliang Hou Fei Ju wanted to tackle the tough problem of Yunnan, but now he is implicated and escorted back to Beijing.
If it were before, the higher-ups might have given him some leniency out of consideration for friendship, but Hu Weiyong actually colluded with the Japanese, and Yipintang became a rebel party, and colluding with them... Fei Ju's crime would surely be more serious and more difficult to save.
Let’s not talk about the fact that Hu Weiyong was colluding with the Japanese for now, this matter is full of weirdness.
What he found most difficult to understand was that this kid surnamed Zhao actually dared to attack Gu Changge.
Everyone in the capital knows that Gu Changge is Lu Zhongheng's nephew, and touching him would be a slap in the face of the Marquis of Ji'an's Mansion.
The Pacification Office is actually holding on to the words "Hu Party". What does this mean?
I'm not dead yet!
In a few months, he will be a royal relative. Even if His Majesty is angry for a while, these lackeys should not add insult to injury. This is really unreasonable!
Let’s cut it first today, and we’ll settle the rest later!
"Leave this matter to me, I won't let Changge down."
Lu Zhongheng turned over and got off the dragon colt, and immediately a servant came forward to lead the horse.
Mrs. Lu breathed a sigh of relief. Gu Changge's parents died early, and he lived in the Marquis' Mansion when he was young. He was very well-behaved and followed Lu Xian's instructions in everything. He was also very filial to his aunt. She couldn't bear to see him in trouble. Now that the Marquis is back, those people in the Pacification Office should finally give in.
As for the centurion named Zhao, I must ask the emperor to punish him severely!
Lu Xian stepped forward and bowed, "Father, aren't you going to see the emperor first?"
Lu Zhongheng took the long sword in his hand and said: "The superior understands my hard work on the way and ordered me to enter the palace tomorrow. Go to the mansion first." Lu Xian said: "Yes."
Madam Lu hurriedly asked the butler Lu Bai to prepare a banquet to welcome the Marquis!
The Marquis's Mansion suddenly became lively.
Zhu Yuanzhang's attitude towards nobles went through a gradual decline. When he first founded the country, his favorable impression of them was full. Not only did he confer titles of nobility, dukedom, and earldom on these meritorious old friends who had helped conquer the world, he also gave them various rewards, and even issued dozens of iron certificates of immunity from death, which showed how much he trusted them.
However, this trust began to diminish as the arrogant and powerful generals became increasingly domineering.
The Marquis of Ji'an Mansion was the mansion built when he was most favored. It covers a vast area and is solemn and magnificent!
After entering the door, there are three halls in the front yard, five halls in the back yard, and a back garden after the five halls.
The main courtyard is divided into two courtyards, east and west. The east courtyard has a shooting range, a horse farm, an animal pen, a knife-testing platform, etc., where all kinds of rare animals and exotic flowers and plants are raised. The west courtyard has Hong'e Pavilion, Zhongshu Hall, study, alchemy room, flower hall, and Shangshanzhai, which are quiet, pleasant, simple and elegant.
As soon as Mrs. Lu spoke, housekeeper Lu Bai immediately ordered the servants to start the meal.
The mansion was filled with servants, and maids in their prime brought fine wine and delicious food from the Shangshanzhai and streamed into the first hall in the backyard, Jiale Hall. Behind the screen, musicians and dancers began to sing and dance to entertain the guests.
Lu Zhongheng sat at the top of the high seat, with Madam Lu and Lu Xian sitting beside him, and two chairs opposite him.
The Eighteen Flying Riders of Yanyun were not qualified to take a seat, so wine and food were prepared in the front yard. However, there were two people in the marquis's mansion who were his invited guests and senior officials stationed in the mansion, so they were treated with great courtesy, and the two chairs were prepared for them.
These two people are the famous predecessors in the martial arts world - Tianlong and Dima.
Tianlong and Dima's martial arts were not top-notch, but the former was good at cultivating various spiritual plants, and the latter was good at refining various elixirs. The combined efforts of the two, coupled with the natural treasures bestowed by the court, enabled Lu Zhongheng's martial arts to advance by leaps and bounds.
Madam Lu smiled and said, "When the deaf old man heard that you were back today, he cooked the dish 'Braised Bear Paw' himself. The mute old man also cooked a dish 'Eight Immortals Crossing the Sea'. It will be ready soon if we calculate the time."
Lawrence Lu laughed loudly and drank the cup in one gulp: “I’m so lucky today.”
As they were talking, two old men walked in through the hall.
The old man in white is deaf, and he is dragging a clay pot in his hand. In the pot is stewed bear paws, and the aroma of meat wafts in the air; the old man in black is mute, and he is also dragging a clay pot in his hand. In the pot is a medicinal meal made from eight kinds of magical herbs, one meat and one vegetable, which complement each other.
Lawrence Lu said with a smile: "Thank you both, please take a seat!"
"Thank you, Lord Marquis."
Tianlong can neither hear nor speak, so he can only read lips and use sign language, and occasionally point at the void and turn his breath into words; Dima can hear but cannot speak, but can use ventriloquism. The two depend on each other, and he has always been responsible for external communication.
The two men sat down. Di Ya noticed Lu Xian and smiled. Without moving his lips, he spoke in ventriloquy, "The most important thing in practicing martial arts is the foundation. Don't use [Fire Cloud Pill] too much, otherwise your realm will become superficial and your skills will be unstable. Your Highness, please pay attention."
Lu Xian was stunned.
Lawrence Lu’s face changed, he put down the wine glass heavily, smashed it on the table, made a clang sound, and said angrily: “Didn’t I tell you! You are not allowed to use medicine! If you practice "Shura Sword Art" and still use pills to break through the realm, it’s simply a joke!”
Lu Xian was both afraid and aggrieved: "Father, I didn't! Old Ya, when did I ever ask you for the Fire Cloud Pill?"
Di Ya was stunned.
Tianlong can read lips, and his face changed when he saw it.
Di Ya hurriedly said, "You went to Shangshanzhai to ask for medicine just now, saying that you were not focused on your cultivation recently and were afraid of being punished by the Marquis. You wanted the [Fire Cloud Pill] to stabilize your realm. I was busy with the medicine and gave you the token of the alchemy room."
"impossible!"
Lu Xian cried out loudly: "Don't accuse me, Old Mute. I have been waiting for my father at the gate of the mansion. My mother can testify that I entered the mansion and have never left until now!"
Madam Lu nodded and said, "That's true. Old Mute has misunderstood."
She didn't know martial arts and hadn't noticed anything was wrong.
The faces of others changed drastically!
Lawrence Lu's mind raced, his expression extremely ugly: "The Actor's Treasure Mirror?! How dare you!!"
Di Ya was shocked: "Oh no! Alchemy room!"
Everyone turned into shadows and rushed out of Jiale Hall in a hurry, heading straight for the alchemy room in the west courtyard. Before they could leave the courtyard, they heard a commotion coming from the west courtyard. Several servants were screaming inside, "The alchemy room is on fire! Hurry up and put out the fire!"
The servants were in chaos.
When Lawrence Lu and Tianlongdimu arrived, they saw a raging fire in the alchemy room, with billowing black smoke!
All the medicinal materials, pills and pill recipes in the alchemy room were burned!
The fire was obviously started from the inside, and was fueled by magic. The fire was fierce, the flames were dancing wildly, and it was unstoppable!
Seeing this scene, Lawrence Lu was furious, his eyes were bloodshot.
After he had just chopped down their family with a knife, he turned around and set a huge fire in the mansion.
Lawrence Lu hadn't been this angry for a long time. He was filled with murderous aura and spoke word by word:
"court death!"
Di Ya trembled all over, this was the result of his years of hard work.
Tianlong acted quickly, using Yin-Yang magic to set up a formation to put out the fire.
The strength of the fourth realm master is truly terrifying. The Yin-Yang formation covers an area of nearly a hundred feet around. As his hands make seals, they resonate with the heaven and earth. The power of the five elements transforms rapidly, and huge waves form in the blink of an eye, like a huge water dragon swooping into the alchemy room.
But it was too late.
All the books and elixirs inside were destroyed...
"Okay, okay! Stop right there!"
Lawrence Lu roared loudly, and a powerful murderous aura enveloped the four directions. The servants who were busy putting out the fire in the courtyard became stiff and trembling.
Lawrence Lu swept his sharp eyes over these people and said coldly: "Anyone who dares to move will be killed without mercy! Zhao Wumian, you are so bold that you dare to set fire to my mansion. You are simply courting death! I will chop you up now, and you can't blame me for getting promoted!"
stomping on...
Footsteps were heard from behind, and the eighteen guards who were eating in the front yard rushed over after hearing the sound.
Lu Zhongheng's eyes emitted golden light as he scanned these people. They were all at the peak of the third realm, and he felt slightly relieved.
"The Actor's Treasure Mirror" can only simulate a state lower than its own, but cannot simulate a state higher than its own.
Zhao Wumian is only at the second realm, and these people are all at the third realm, so it is impossible that he is pretending to be someone else.
Lu Zhongheng said, "You've come just in time. Zhao Wumian is probably hiding among these people to watch me make fun of myself. Arrest these people! Interrogate them strictly!"
"Yes!"
The eighteen guards responded in unison and were about to take action when suddenly bursts of painful screams came from the direction of the east courtyard.
It’s Longju’s voice!
Lu Zhongheng looked in the direction of the sound, shocked and angry. Was it not enough to burn down the alchemy room, but he dared to attack Longju? !
The faces of the eighteen guards changed drastically, those eighteen dragon horses were their lifeblood!
"quick!"
Lu Zhongheng rushed towards the East Courtyard Horse Farm with murderous intent.
When he saw the scene inside, even he couldn't help but gasp.
——In the entire horse farm, the thirty-two horses and eighteen dragon horses were all foaming at the mouth and falling to the ground. Their skin was covered with colorful poisonous spots and they were struggling in pain. Large mouthfuls of blood spurted out of their mouths. It was obvious that they had been poisoned and were not far from death.
Even his mount [Fanyun] was hit.
There was a pop.
The huge body could not hold on and fell to the ground.
Blood gushed out of Fanyunju's mouth and nose, and its internal organs were ruptured. It seemed to know that it would not live long. When it was dying, it looked at its master, its eyes revealed a sad expression of love for its master, and slowly closed its eyes.
"..."
Lu Zhongheng saw it.
Looking back on the past decade or so, I have ridden it in battles all over the country, never leaving it alone, but I never expected that I would die at the hands of a villain today!
His heart was bleeding, his hands were shaking, and his chest was filled with hatred!
"Master Hou..."
Tianlongdimu and the eighteen personal guards arrived shortly afterwards and were all shocked.
Di Ya whispered: "【Five Poison Soul Destroying Powder】..."
Poison in the alchemy room.
I will use your poison to kill your horses!
If you dare to destroy my home, I will burn down your mansion!
If you dare to kill my horse, I will bury all your horses with you!
There was dead silence in the racecourse.
The cold wind blew past, making a whimpering sound like a ghost crying.
Everyone saw it with their own eyes and hated it in their hearts, but in addition to being shocked and angry, they also felt a chill in their spines...
(End of this chapter)
