early morning.
It was just dawn.
It was extremely cold on the streets of the capital.
The frost and snow did not melt, the sky was gloomy, and the cold wind blew, hitting my face and making my skin feel painful.
The streets were deserted and the sky was gray in the distance.
As the year draws to a close, there are already signs of the New Year in Beijing.
Spring Festival couplets have been posted in the prosperous places, restaurants, teahouses, and other romantic places in the capital. Big red lanterns are also hung on both sides of the streets, which is quite festive and dilutes the loneliness in the capital after the heavy snow.
During this heavy snowfall, countless people froze to death outside the city, and the number of people dying of starvation and freezing continued to increase. The imperial court kept suppressing the news, but it still couldn't conceal it.
Even in several remote areas outside the capital, considerable unrest broke out. Although they were suppressed in a timely manner, the news still reached the capital, sparking heated discussions among the people and casting a shadow over the hearts of the officials in the court.
Everyone vaguely anticipated that this year's New Year might not be easy!
His Majesty has been in seclusion for over six months, with no news. His Royal Highness, the Crown Prince, who serves as Regent, is seriously ill and frail. The power dynamics at court are complex and complex, and the Daning Dynasty is on the verge of collapse.
Apart from the relatively stable capital, the various states and regions of the Daning Dynasty had already received a lot of intelligence information, and the states and counties were also ready to move and were in a wait-and-see state.
Undercurrent!
Under the imperial city.
The dark red gate of Mi Tian Si, covered in snow, stood tightly closed, giving people an inexplicable sense of oppression.
The snow on the eaves had not melted yet, but the area in front of Mi Tiansi's door was in a mess. There was no snow left, only countless hurried and chaotic footprints.
These days, Mi Tiansi is extremely busy.
The Secret Department mobilized almost all available personnel in the capital to search for the whereabouts of their protector.
The dignified guardian of the Mi Tian Division was attacked in the street, which was undoubtedly a slap in the face for the Mi Tian Division.
This news had already spread in the capital and reached the ears of many ministers.
Upon hearing this news, most people applauded and were very happy!
This Secret Secretary usually relied on his position as the emperor's private guard and the order to execute first and report later, and he acted recklessly in the capital. Ordinary officials did not dare to offend him and could only be angry but not speak out.
Now that something had happened to the Secret Heaven Division, everyone was naturally relieved. However, some people with ulterior motives realized that the matter was not simple. To be able to assassinate the Secret Heaven Division's guardian in the street in the capital, the murderer must be very brave.
And those who can do this...
But not too much!
For a time, there was a lot of discussion and speculation in the capital, and many different opinions.
At this moment, it was just dawn and the sky was dim.
The door to the Mi Tian Si Yamen was slowly pushed open, and two black-robed Mi Tian Si walked out. As soon as they stepped out of the door, they smelled a bloody smell.
The two men's expressions changed slightly. Mi Tiansi has been dealing with people from the underworld for many years and has taken many lives under his hands. He is particularly sensitive to the smell of blood.
Where does the smell of blood come from outside this Secret Heaven Division?
The two of them pushed the door open cautiously, and the next second, they both froze in place.
The cold wind was howling fiercely, and a corpse was hanging under the eaves in front of the Mi Tiansi Yamen.
The corpse was in tattered clothes and was unrecognizable.
But the two of them recognized at a glance that the corpse was wearing the brocade robe of their Mi Tiansi.
What’s going on?!
Someone from their Mi Tian Si was killed and even hung at the door of Mi Tian Si?!
The murderer is really too much!!
The two men were furious and were about to go back to report when one of them moved a little closer and soon saw the face under the messy hair of the corpse.
The next second, his whole body turned cold, as if he had fallen into an abyss.
"C-Protector Chen?!"
“…”
The atmosphere in Mi Tiansi was depressing.
The silence was eerie.
Chen Changqing walked quickly through the pavilion in the front yard and came into the front hall.
At this moment, many masters of the Mi Tiansi had already gathered in the front hall. They surrounded the front yard and did not say a word.
There was usually a lot of discussion, but today it was strangely silent.
Even the air seemed to freeze.
"The leader!"
A path parted in the crowd.
Chen Changqing walked into the front hall. There, on the floor, lay a corpse. The body was in a disarray, covered in blood, which had quickly solidified in the winter.
It's disgusting!
Just one glance can make people feel uncomfortable.
But Chen Changqing still saw at a glance...
Chen Feiyang!
It's him!
He is dead!
The moment he saw Chen Feiyang's body, Chen Changqing felt as if a certain feeling that had been hanging in his heart for a long time had finally come to an end.
Although he had known for a long time that Chen Feiyang was doomed to die, and had received a definite answer from Prince Lin, he still felt different when he saw it with his own eyes.
This is an indescribable feeling of relief.
Chen Changqing took a deep breath, hiding the excitement in his eyes, raised his head and glanced around, and said in a deep voice: "What's going on?"
"Captain, this morning, while we were out on patrol, we discovered the body of Guardian Chen, hanging outside the gate of the Secret Heaven Division..."
"No trace was found outside the door, and the other party did not leave any clues..."
This statement caused a commotion around.
Many people showed expressions of shock and anger on their faces.
This is too much!
Ever since the day that Protector Chen was attacked and his whereabouts were unknown, many people had a vague idea in their hearts... Protector Chen was most likely killed!
But they never expected that their protector Chen was not only killed, but his body was also hung directly at the gate of Mi Tiansi by the murderer.
What does this mean?
Demonstration?
provocative!
This is a naked provocation!
It is a serious provocation to the Secret Service and an absolute contempt for the imperial power!
Not only did they kill their Dharma protector, they were so arrogant as to hang his body outside the door.
If this gets out, how will the Mi Tiansi still have face in the capital?
How could he retain any dignity in the future? How could he gain a foothold in the capital?
This is clearly a murder and a heart-breaking attack on their Mi Tiansi!
"How can this be possible!"
After hearing the report from his subordinates, Chen Changqing's gloomy eyes burst into intense anger.
"They are provoking us and the imperial power. We must not let them off lightly!"
Chen Changqing said coldly: "Pass my order, block all the streets in the city and search for any suspicious people... It is better to kill the innocent than to let them go!"
"yes!"
Inside the Secret Heaven Division, Chen Changqing stood there, a look of sadness on his face. He stared at the corpse on the ground for a few moments and said in a deep voice, "Send Protector Chen down. I'll report to the Grand Protector and then bury him properly!"
"yes!"
Then, Chen Changqing straightened his clothes, slowly raised his head, and walked towards the backyard.
…
Capital, Zhao Mansion!
The snow in the courtyard gradually melted. Zhao Xi, wearing a light blue silk skirt, was standing quietly under the eaves, admiring the snow in the courtyard.
She seldom goes out on weekdays, and rarely wears such thick and formal clothes as today.
Her waist-length black hair was slightly tied up and supported by an exquisite white jade hairpin. She had a snow-white, elegant and delicate oval face, which was beautiful and charming. Every frown and smile of hers seemed pleasing to the eye.
As the eldest daughter of the Zhao family, Zhao Xiang had a daughter in his later years. This Miss Zhao has been loved since childhood, and her innate temperament is indescribable.
She was wrapped in a thick mink coat to block out the cold winter wind. Occasionally, one could catch a glimpse of her long, beautiful legs wrapped in a long skirt between the coat.
Although I couldn't see her true form, I could still tell she was exceptionally slender. She was wearing a pair of embroidered green shoes, wrapped tightly in a veil.
Zhao Xi stood quietly under the eaves. The cold wind made her face slightly red, and her snow-white and delicate skin was like a winter plum blossom.
There was no emotion on her face, and she looked calmly at the courtyard in front of her.
The snow on the swing in the yard melted, the vines withered, the bridge was covered with ice and snow, and the stream under the bridge had long since frozen into ice.
In the depths of winter, there is no trace of spring.
After an unknown amount of time, a figure suddenly appeared on the outer wall of the courtyard. He nimbly climbed over the wall, landed silently in the courtyard, and walked under the eaves.
"Miss, I have already sent Chen Feiyang's body to the door of Mi Tiansi!"
Zhao Xi glanced at her and asked, "What's Mi Tiansi's reaction?"
"The Secret Service is furious and is preparing to seal off the capital and conduct a massive search for the murderer... It seems they're planning to make this a big deal!"
"Block the capital?"
Zhao Xi scoffed, her beautiful eyes gleaming with contempt. "They're dreaming. Do they really think their Secret Service has complete control over the capital? If they want to blockade the capital, they need to see if others agree."
"Miss, do you need me to tell the master?"
“No need!”
Zhao Xi shook his head calmly: "My father doesn't need to intervene in this matter yet... Let's wait a little longer."
"Since they want to make a big fuss, let them do it!"
Zhao Xi slowly collected his thoughts and glanced at the figure under the eaves. "You should withdraw first. Keep a close eye on the movements of the Secret Heaven Division. Report any unusual movements to me at any time!"
"yes."
After the figure disappeared, Zhao Xi stood under the eaves for a while.
At this time, Xiaoyue's voice came from behind: "Miss, it's cold outside, do you want to go back to your room first?"
Zhao Xi came back to his senses and shook his head gently: "I want to go out for a walk today."
"Go out for a walk?!"
Xiaoyue was a little surprised. The young lady actually wanted to go out for a walk for the first time?
She opened her eyes wide with excitement: "Miss, where do you want to go? To the south or north of the city?"
“Neither!”
Zhao Xi shook his head slightly, as if remembering something, and a faint smile appeared on the corner of his mouth: "Go to the west of the city!"
"West of the city?"
Xiaoyue was stunned. What fun things are there in the west of the city?
The west side of the city is home to some powerful and influential officials. When it comes to entertainment, it cannot compare to the south and north sides of the city.
Why did the lady go to the west of the city for no reason?
etc……
Xiaoyue quickly remembered!
The Jiang Mansion seems to be on the west side of the city...
Xiaoyue suddenly realized why her daughter was dressed so formally today?!
"Miss, are you going to look for the Prince of Lin?"
"Any questions?"
Zhao Xi glanced at her and said, "Prince Lin has helped me so much this time. It's such a big favor. Shouldn't I thank him properly?"
Zhao Xi's beautiful eyes moved as she smiled softly:
"Since he doesn't want to come to me, then I have no choice but to... go find him!"
“…”
Capital, West Gate.
At noon, the weather gradually improved, the gray sky gradually faded away, and the sky and the earth gradually became clear.
There was a lot of noise inside and outside the city.
At the city gate, the city defense soldiers were strictly checking the people entering and leaving the city, among whom there were many figures of the Mi Tiansi.
Lin Jiangnian sat in a teahouse opposite the city gate, drinking tea and quietly looking at the scene of the city gate outside the window.
After an unknown amount of time, I smelled a familiar fragrance. Then, I caught a glimpse of a familiar red dress from the corner of my eye.
“Here?!”
Lin Jiangnian raised his head and looked at the increasingly familiar cold and beautiful face. He chuckled, "I thought you would stand me up!"
"I never break my promises!"
Liu Su snorted softly.
People in the underworld never speak in a sloppy manner.
Lin Jiang smiled young: "Would you like to sit for a while?"
Liu Su didn't sit down, nor did she move. She stood quietly in front of Lin Jiangnian, looking down at her. A complicated look suddenly appeared in her beautiful eyes: "Have you really decided?"
"What a coincidence! I never break my promises!"
Lin Jiangnian smiled at her.
Liu Su snorted again, turned her head away, and looked towards the city gate not far away. Her eyes were a little complicated, and she was silent for a while: "In that case, let's go, don't waste time!"
"OK."
Lin Jiangnian drank the last cup of tea in the cup and then slowly stood up.
"Let's go. Your leader... must be getting impatient, right?"
“…”
The two men left the teahouse and left the capital. They rented two fast horses outside the city and headed west. After about half an hour, they arrived at a small town.
The town is quite prosperous, with people coming and going along the way.
However, when Liu Su arrived in the town, his mood obviously changed a lot.
"What's wrong?"
Lin Jiangnian noticed her change and asked about it.
Liu Su sat on the horse, took a deep breath, turned his head and looked at Lin Jiangnian: "Have you really decided?"
"how?"
Lin Jiangnian looked at her quietly and chuckled, "Are you worried about me?"
Liu Su lowered her eyes slightly and said nothing.
But, it’s considered as a default!
"Don't worry, I know what's going on."
Lin Jiangnian naturally understood what Liu Su was thinking. He looked up at the town ahead and said, "Since we're here, we have to meet... What if your leader really likes me and decides to befriend me? Isn't that right?"
Liu Su said coldly: "It's already this time, and you still have the mood to joke?"
"What else?"
Lin Jiangnian asked back, sighing softly: "You weren't like this before... Didn't I learn all this from you?"
Liu Su was a little angry. What was the situation before?
What is the situation now?
How could she be relaxed when his life was at stake?
However, seeing Lin Jiangnian's nonchalant look, Liu Su couldn't help but said angrily: "Whatever you want..."
"If anything unexpected happens, don't blame me if you die!"
After saying that, Liu Su walked into the town with a cold face.
Seeing Liu Su's angry expression, Lin Jiangnian couldn't help but sigh. Even if Liu Su didn't admit it, she had indeed subconsciously changed a lot in front of him...
I followed Liu Su into the town, got off the horse, and walked along the street through several alleys.
As they were about to reach the end of the alley, Liu Su, who had been keeping a cold face and not speaking to Lin Jiangnian, finally couldn't help but glanced at him coldly and said through gritted teeth, "Wait, don't talk nonsense. Follow the plan we agreed on before. Everything depends on me, understand?"
"If anything goes wrong or unexpected, you must find a way to leave immediately... I will help you, you must leave as soon as possible, understand?"
Looking at Liu Su's cold face filled with anxiety, Lin Jiangnian felt a little warm in his heart. He stopped joking and nodded: "Don't worry, I'll listen to you."
"Absolutely no messing around!"
Liu Su then breathed a sigh of relief, turned around, took a deep breath, and continued walking forward.
Not long after, several figures suddenly appeared silently around them and blocked the two of them.
"Saint!"
A low and respectful voice sounded, and at the same time, several eyes were fixed on Lin Jiangnian behind Liu Su.
"He is?"
At this moment, Liu Su was wearing a fiery red long dress. She had a cool and elegant temperament. There was no emotion on her cold face, and she exuded a kind of coldness that made people feel cold in their hearts.
"According to the leader's orders, I have brought Prince Lin here to meet the leader!"
…
P.S. I wish you all a happy New Year’s Eve and a great New Year!!
“…”
Thank you for the reward from Dingdang Boss!!!
