Chapter Fifty-two

  A dark green glazed horse carriage slowly drove from the foot of Xiangshan Mountain towards the direction of Beijing. At the foot of the mountain, there was a fairly large market, and in the midst of the bustling crowd, several young men were surrounding and beating up a shabbily dressed monk. The monk stood with his feet spread apart in an eight-character stance, and although he was being beaten to the ground, he didn't move a muscle. His head hung low, making it impossible to discern his expression, but his straight back was clearly visible.

  Quan Pei put down the curtain and said a few words to Xiao Yue. Xiao Yue nodded slightly, got off the carriage and instructed Xiaomantou in front of her for a while. Xiaomantou looked at the crowd not far away and replied seriously.

  The crowd watching heard Xiaomantou ask the monk who was beaten, and those who knew couldn't help but answer enthusiastically: "...... He is a monk from outside, wanting to settle in Xiangshan Temple. The abbot thought he had no enlightenment and didn't want to accept him, so he lingered at the foot of this mountain, and without any business, when he was hungry, he would steal something to eat. Now, he just stole someone's mantou and got beaten!"

  Xiao Mantou remembered Quan Pei's instructions, and hastily pushed through the crowd to intervene, shouting: "Stop fighting! He stole a few mantous from you all, I'll pay for them!"

  An older man waved his hand and the young men who were beating him stopped: "In total, ten buns were stolen, five cents!"

  Xiao Mantou snorted and threw a silver ingot at the person: "This money is for you, and give this master thirty more mantous!"

  Look, there's nothing exciting to see, the people around have all dispersed. Xiaomantou led the monk who was holding thirty mantous to one side, and the few people behind him touched the large pieces of silver in their hands, looking at a loss.

  "What should I call you, Master?"

  Although his clothes were tattered, the monk's face was clean, and his weathered face showed determination. His eyes were calm and tranquil without any ripples: "Clarity."

  "Is Master Qing a martial monk? My master said that looking at Master's appearance, it seems like he knows some martial arts."

  Qing Jue's foot slightly paused, and he walked towards the nearby woods, only to punch a thick tree trunk with one fist. A large hole was left on the tree, and the crowd watching from behind was startled. Even the young man who had just been punched broke out in cold sweat. The monk was a master of martial arts, and if he had counterattacked just now, the situation would have been unpredictable.

  Xiao Mantou's eyes lit up with a smile: "Master, you're quite skilled! My family happens to be looking for a guard like you who knows martial arts. Would you be willing to go? We'll take care of your food and lodging, and you'll even get a monthly allowance!"

  "Alright."

  The temple was flooded, the master fell ill and did not get up. Before his death, he said to him: "Your fate is in Xiangshan, take care of yourself from now on..." He followed the people beside him, gradually moving away, and after a while, when he turned back, even the Xiangshan behind him became blurred.

  Carved beams and painted buildings, brocade clothes and jade food, all of this shows that this family is not ordinary. Qing Jue's eyes are slightly lowered, with still-standing guards at his feet, a young man standing in front of him speaking to him: "Qing Jue Shifu is quite capable, the lady thinks you have some skills so she specially brought you back, I don't know if you're willing to be my personal guard in the future?"

  "Alright."

  It was just unexpected that the one who appreciated him was a woman, and I don't know what kind of person she is. There were several resentful glances behind her back, but Qing Yue seemed to be completely unaware of them. His eyes were calm and peaceful. He had always been grateful for the kindness he received. Those thirty steamed buns were the most delicious food he had ever eaten in his life, and he would never forget it.

  Quan Pei changed her clothes and was resting on the couch with her eyes closed, while a basin of fresh camellias quietly emitted their fragrance beside her. Yongzheng came in from outside, his face full of joy: "Where did you find such a person? The two first-class guards and five second-class guards in the mansion couldn't beat him together, so I'll make him my personal bodyguard from now on!"

  Quan Yu slightly nodded and sat down: "When I came back from Xiangshan, I saw it, looking not bad, didn't expect the work to be so good."

  Yin Zan slightly lifted the headrest behind Quan Pei, so that she could sit more comfortably, and asked in a low voice: "What do you think about having him become a dark guard?"

  "If he's capable and useful, it wouldn't be a bad idea to have him manage the Imperial Guard. I can bring him along with me for now and take a closer look."

  Yin Zhen nodded slightly: "Just let him dress up as a monk first and say that I like Buddhism."

  "This is a good idea."

  A maid outside called out as she lifted the curtain and entered: "Second Young Miss has a bit of a fever."

  Quan Pei waved her hand and asked Xiao Rong to take out the sign: "Go invite a doctor."

  These past few days have been going smoothly, and Yongzheng's mood has also been decent. Seeing the maid take out a sign to invite a doctor, he got up himself: "I'll go take a look, you've been busy all day, rest for a bit."

  Quan Pei responded with a sound, the golden sunset poured in, and under the warm sunlight was Yongzheng's tall figure. Quan Pei's slender hand supported her chin, and her gaze was filled with a dazzling serenity...

  Ergong suddenly felt hot and called Li Shi extremely worried, his face turned pale, seeing Yongzheng coming in, he seemed to have found the mainstay: "Suddenly I got a fever, my whole body was burning like fire, it's really scary..."

  Yongzheng bent down to check on his daughter's condition, slightly furrowing his brow: "The imperial physician will be here soon."

  Jin Yu Garden is spacious and bright, with two large rooms connected to provide ample light. Naiya is constantly wiping down Er Ge's body to cool her down, while Li Shi paces back and forth anxiously. Yin Zhen sits nearby, furrowing his brow. Occasionally, Li Shi catches a glimpse of him and can't help but think that since moving out, Yin Zhen has not left Fu Jin's house for over a month, wondering if he will stay with her today...

  Under the dim candlelight, Mr. Qing thought for a moment before writing hastily again. The Fourth Master wanted to establish a secret guard and hoped he would write a charter first as a reference. It had to be kept secret, but it must play a crucial role at critical moments. He hoped that this secret guard he was involved in could become the emperor's weapon in the near future.

  He thought and wrote, sometimes with blood boiling. Such a quiet night, seemingly calm, but perhaps many years later it will be a night with historical significance, maybe it was destined to be extraordinary.

  Nalan Mingyue had just let down her hair and was sitting in front of the dressing table, carefully examining her eyebrows and eyes. Behind her, a pink figure carried a basin of hot water and walked in. Nalan Mingyue saw it from the mirror and hummed coldly, turning around: "I don't know what kind of trick you used to get Madame Fu to let you come back."

  The butterfly perched on the hot water with its head down and didn't say a word.

  The maid outside came in and said: "Master will be staying at Li Gege's place tonight."

  Nalan Mingyue waved her hand impatiently, as if she wasn't interested in the news at all. She got up and walked to Fen Die's side: "Don't think that just because Fugui let you off, I won't do anything to you. You dare to wrong me, I'll make you remember me for the rest of your life!"

  She said, stretching out her hand to knock over the water basin, hot water splashing all over Fen Die's body: "Go stand outside, you're not allowed to sleep for a whole night!"

  "Yes." The butterfly bowed and slowly backed away.

  The empress dowager let her return to find out the whereabouts of the remaining few people, temporarily she still has use, if waiting for her to be used up, don't know if she can leave a life.

  Wu Ruoxi hadn't slept yet, and she heard a commotion from across the way. After a while, she saw Fen Die standing in the courtyard, being punished. Yatou whispered to her about Yongzheng's whereabouts. She stroked her belly and spaced out for a moment. As for the matter of being framed by Fen Die, she didn't know much about it. This was the most secretive thing in the mansion that others had no chance of touching. The reason why Furen was different lay not only in her being Furen but also in her holding the power to decide life and death in this mansion, while they were just concubines for pleasure...

  The Seventh Prince married his secondary consort, followed by the Eighth Prince's grand wedding.

  It's been a long time since I've entered the palace, and Madame Wu saw Guan Pei coming over and grabbed her arm: "......You're not in the palace, I don't even have anyone to talk to. You don't know how arrogant Zhang Jia Shi is in our courtyard, every day with a flirtatious expression, seducing our master, not even going to others' side..."

  She seemed to have been holding it in for a long time, and as soon as she saw Quan Pei, she started complaining nonstop. San Fu Jin rushed over and interrupted Wu Fu Jin: "Don't start talking about those trivial matters as soon as you see me. Don't think I don't know that just the other day, you scratched Fifth Brother's face. If it weren't for Fifth Brother covering for you, what do you think would have happened to you? You're born into a wealthy family and yet you don't appreciate your blessings!"

  Wu Fu Jin rolled her eyes and muttered: "Who said it was me who tore it?"

  The Fifth Brother had a lot of patience with the Fifth Lady, if it weren't for meeting the Fifth Brother, someone like the Fifth Lady wouldn't know how her life would have turned out. Quan Pei smiled and said: "I see that you're doing well, your complexion is even more rosy."

  Wu Fu Jin's smile grew as she asked about Quan Pei's situation after leaving the palace, no longer complaining and instead asking together with San Fu Jin.

  Firecrackers sounded in the courtyard, and the bride was escorted into the bridal chamber. The sisters-in-law walked towards the new house, saw several big wives who had not been seen for many days, as well as the seven new wives who had just entered the palace, only smiled and greeted them before entering the new house. The majestic Eighth Prince laughed and lifted the veil, revealing a shy face. Everyone was familiar with each other, so they smiled and praised: "The bride is really beautiful!" Several younger princes surrounded her, teasing, but were chased away by the Third Prince. The noise outside could still be heard: "Want red envelopes! Want candy!"

  Among the ladies, she naturally met the pure and noble Princess Consort Dong E of Prince Fu. The three consorts spoke in hushed tones with Quan Er: "I saw it myself... a large gift was sent... a box of gold, a box of jewelry, and several other things that I couldn't quite make out..."

  Yinre helped the Prince of Chunge and said a few words in front of Emperor Yongzheng, and then he naturally got along with the Prince of Chunge. Even if Fuer's matter was resolved perfectly and had nothing to do with Yinre's words, it is clear that the Prince of Chunge remembered Yinre's "kindness".

  Behind the new house is the most beloved granddaughter of Empress Dowager Cixi, and in the Cining Palace sits a kind-hearted empress dowager like Maitreya Buddha. Who knows what kind of person Consort Liang is, who has risen from humble origins to become a legendary figure as a consort?

  October's Beijing was already freezing, Quan Pei wore a large red fox fur cloak with white fox skin inside, and her cheeks were even more pale. When she came out of the palace, it was already completely dark. Yi Zong was still drinking with several brothers, and did not come together. The imperial son's Fu Jin's ceremony was opened, and the road was quite smooth, but only halfway through, they stopped on the main street. Xiao Yue got out of the carriage, and the guard in front came back and said: "There is a bag in the middle of the road ahead, I don't know what's inside."

  A faint voice came from inside the carriage: "Don't look, just step on it."

  The guard hesitated for a moment, then nodded and ran out of the front, and after a while, the carriage started moving again. The bag was likely to contain living things. With so many horses passing by, it was trampled into a mess, and from the broken bag, a slender body protruded. It turned out to be a bag of snakes. If it had been suddenly opened, who knows what would have happened? Fortunately, Fu Xing was wise and cautious.

  Furong stood in the dark, gritting his teeth, and indeed it was ruthless and vicious enough. Let's wait and see, there will be plenty of good shows later!

  Author has something to say: Deep-sea fish 5 consecutive gave several votes, great love! o(n_n)o~ Only saw today that we can follow each other, so I followed you too!