Chapter 101 Flowers Bloom
Xiangyang City calmed down temporarily.

Lizheng Hall was closed. It was not known whether it was a coincidence or because the money from the Ye family had an effect, but for the next two or three days, no people came to the door of Lizheng Hall or the door of the Ye family to cause trouble.

The Ye family settled down, but Tong Zhiyang, the prefect of Xiangyang, encountered trouble at this moment.

"What, the Madam and the Young Master are missing?" Tong Zhiyang slammed the table and stood up.

He and his wife, Madam Tong, seemed to be "respectful to each other", but everyone in Xiangyang knew that he was henpecked. Tong Zhiyang knew it even more clearly that if it weren't for his wife's family's promotion, he would not have been able to become the prefect now. Therefore, for many years, Tong Zhiyang did not dare to disobey his wife's orders.

However, he couldn't bear the loneliness. Although he didn't go to the brothels, he kept a concubine on the edge of Xiangyang City. The concubine was well-behaved, gentle and considerate, much cuter than the tigress at home. Tong Zhiyang also asked the servants to call the concubine "Madam" in private. He was affectionate and loyal to this concubine. For so many years, he took such a big risk to keep her by his side, especially since the main wife in the mansion didn't give birth to a son, but the concubine gave birth to his son. Tong Zhiyang was even more reluctant to abandon them.

He had always kept the mother and son hidden very well, and no one except his close confidants knew about it. Otherwise, he would not have kept it a secret for so many years. When he suddenly heard the news of the mother and son's disappearance, he was so shocked that he almost cried out.

"What's going on? Did He find out?" He was the prefect's wife. Thinking of this, Tong Zhiyang broke out in a cold sweat. If that vicious woman knew about the existence of this mother and son, not to mention the concubine, even his son might be killed.

That was his only incense!
The confidant quickly shook his head and denied: "No! Master, I don't know who the other party is, but he left a letter saying that he would borrow the lady and the young master for a few days and return them after a while."

"How can this be!" Tong Zhiyang was furious. "What do they think of me as? Are they just commodities?" Tong Zhiyang asked again in a harsh voice, "What are they after? Are they seeking money? Or do they have a grudge?"

"This..." The confidant couldn't explain it. If it was for money, there was no mention of silver in the letter. If it was for revenge, why keep it? It seemed like a threat, but no one knew why. Most importantly, the existence of this mother and son was so hidden, how did these people find out? Could there be a traitor?
"They are arresting people on my territory. I think they are tired of living!" Tong Zhiyang snorted coldly and ordered: "Search! Dig three feet deep to find the Madam and the Young Master!"

The confidant took the order, and seeing Tong Zhiyang pause, he continued, "Be gentle, don't let He find out."

He was afraid of the consequences.

……

Jiang Li learned from Ye Mingyu that Tong Zhiyang's mistress Ruan Suqin and her son had settled down.

Ye Mingxuan and Ye Minghui still couldn't return home, but maybe because Jiang Li brought up Jiang Yuanbo's name, Tong Zhiyang didn't dare to treat them impolitely. When Guan and Zhuo went there again, the gatekeeper no longer looked at them coldly, but let them in to see Ye Mingxuan and Ye Minghui.

Although Ye Minghui and the other two were in the cell, they were clean and uninjured. After asking about what happened in the past few days, he knew that Jiang Li was in charge. He was surprised and sighed. He thought that a young lady from an official family would not care about worldly affairs, but he did not expect that it was Jiang Li who saved the Ye family at the critical moment. The previous vigilance and alienation towards Jiang Li disappeared in an instant.

The two of them told the Ye family not to act rashly these days, but to wait and see, waiting for the Zhishi Ling's men to come to Xiangyang, but to be on guard against someone plotting behind the scenes. If the Ye family was really being plotted against this time, that person would definitely not let it go and would find another opportunity.

After Guan and Zhuo came back, they told the Ye family all the details and conveyed to Jiang Li the gratitude of Ye Minghui and his brothers. Jiang Li accepted it with a smile. Perhaps it was because adversity testifies to true friendship and they had the experience of shouldering the burden together. The Ye family became much more friendly to Jiang Li.

Even Ye Rufeng no longer looked down on Jiang Li, but he was still not as friendly as Ye Jiaer.

But because Ye Minghui's brother was no longer around, Jiang Li's meeting with Old Madam Ye had to be put on hold. If Old Madam Ye knew that the Ye family was in danger, she would be exhausted and that would be even worse, so everyone kept this secret without any prior agreement.

After Ye Mingyu and the others had dispersed, he found an opportunity and whispered to Jiang Li, "It's been done."

"Can Uncle Mingyu guarantee that he will never be caught by Tong Zhiyang?" Jiang Li asked.

"Of course." Ye Mingyu said, "How can he find me easily with my ability to hide people? Besides, Tong Zhiyang is afraid that his wife will know about this, so he dare not look for him in a high-profile manner, which makes it even more convenient."

Jiang Li smiled and said, "Thank you, Uncle Mingyu."

"Why thank me?" Ye Mingyu said, "This is originally the Ye family's business. In fact, it is our Ye family who should thank you."

"We are all family, no need to be polite." Jiang Li smiled.

Ye Mingyu felt very relieved when he heard this. Yes, such a clever and excellent little girl is the niece of their Ye family. He felt lucky just thinking about it. Otherwise, why didn't Tong Zhiyang have such a well-behaved and lovely niece? It was not destined to be her.

As they were talking, they walked to the gate of the mansion. The Ye residence was located on the most expensive land in Xiangyang City. This street was home to the richest families in Xiangyang, so there were very few houses on the street. However, any large house was very spacious and occupied a large area.

At this moment, there was a faint sound of singing opera.

Jiang Li asked: "Is there any opera troupe here?"

Ye Mingyu pointed at the wall of a nearby house and said, "They just moved in. I haven't seen their owner. But he should be a drama fanatic. I have seen people listening to dramas inside these days. Maybe it's his habit." Ye Mingyu was not surprised. He had been in the world for many years and had seen people with all kinds of weird habits. Listening to a troupe performing in the mansion was a very common thing.

When Jiang Li heard this, her heart moved and she immediately thought of it.

Ji Heng is now in Xiangyang. He loves to listen to operas and has enough money to buy a house here. He is mysterious and unpredictable. Could he be Ji Heng?
Don't even think about whether it's Ji Heng. Jiang Li stared at the green stone bricks of the courtyard wall and sighed inwardly. She was most likely certain that the new man that Ye Mingyu was talking about was Ji Heng.

Even though this is the most expensive land in Xiangyang City, Ji Heng doesn't have to move here. With his status, he can find any good house. But it's just across the wall from the Ye family, which makes it hard not to think that Ji Heng came here just for her.

Is this person trying to monitor me?
Jiang Li suddenly felt angry. So far, she knew that Ji Heng and Right Prime Minister Cheng Wang were not as tense and unclear as they seemed. But Ji Heng did not make it clear which side she would stand on. Her future enemy was Cheng Wang Wudi. If Ji Heng stood on Cheng Wang's side, her chances of winning would be pitifully small.

Why is it that all of them are always suppressed by greater power, and even when they become the prime minister, they still have to bow their heads and endure and plot? Or are all the treacherous officials in the court colluding with each other and committing crimes together?

Her heart was cold and her eyes were surprisingly bright.

Ye Mingyu didn't notice anything wrong with Jiang Li. He just stretched and said to Jiang Li, "I still have to tell my brothers something. Ah Li, just walk around the house. If you're bored, go find Jia'er. You two girls are very compatible when talking."

Jiang Li nodded.

After Ye Mingyu rode away, Jiang Li did not return home immediately. She stood at the door, staring at the courtyard wall for a while, listening to the faint sound of opera coming from the courtyard wall, and slowly took a step forward.

……

Unlike the bright and grand Ye's house, the entrance of this neighboring house looks strangely solemn. The colors are mainly black and white, and there is not even a lantern hanging at the door. Jiang Li walked to the door and saw that the gatekeeper was a handsome young man.

When she saw the young man's face, Jiang Li could conclude that the master was indeed Ji Heng, otherwise how could a doorman have such good looks? Such good looks would make her stand out even in a brothel.

When the concierge saw Jiang Li coming, he opened the door without saying anything, pretending to welcome her, and called her "Second Miss Jiang", as if he had known that Jiang Li would come to visit. Needless to say, this was another instruction from Ji Heng.

Jiang Li usually disliked people who played with people's hearts, and she disliked evildoers like Ji Heng who controlled everything in the palm of their hands and could see through people's hearts even more. Therefore, she was not happy to be treated as a guest of honor, but rather felt a little surprised.

After entering the door, another beautiful maid came to lead the way. Jiang Li saw that there was no decoration in the house, black bricks and white stones, and it was extremely solemn. It was hard to imagine that someone as charming and gorgeous as Ji Heng would live here, but on second thought, it seemed to be a good match. His appearance and color could make poppies bloom in the solemnity. If it was more gorgeous, it would be like the red dust, a little frivolous.

When we walked to the courtyard, we could see from afar that there was a high stage in the square courtyard. On the stage, someone was singing an opera with eyes moving, wearing gorgeous clothes and ornaments. But there was only one audience member below the stage, a young man in red, leaning on a bench, with a quiet back, sipping tea leisurely.

The maid smiled and said, "Sir, the second Miss Jiang is here."

Jiang Li walked forward slowly.

Ji Heng did not look back, as if he was immersed in the play, and waited until Jiang Li walked up to him.

"The Duke has come to Xiangyang to listen to opera." Jiang Li said with a smile, and it was unclear whether there was sarcasm in her words.

"They came on their own." Ji Heng smiled nonchalantly. Jiang Li looked towards the stage and saw that although the actress on the stage had her face painted with oil paint so that her appearance could not be distinguished, her graceful figure and soft singing voice showed that she was the little Taohong who had sung "The Case of Jiuer" in Jin Mantang's performance.

Why did Jin Mantang come to Xiangyang? Jiang Li glanced at Xiao Taohong on the stage. She and the young men around her were singing non-stop, but the affection in her eyes was undoubtedly directed towards Ji Heng.

Jiang Li suddenly realized that Ji Heng could make Jin Mantang sing in a place like Wangxianlou, and Ji Heng could also make Jin Mantang, a troupe that had just taken root in Yanjing, famous. For the people in Jin Mantang, holding on to Ji Heng's thighs was much faster than singing well and working hard. As for Xiao Taohong, such a powerful sponsor, so young and so beautiful, girls are always easy to fall for him.

But... Jiang Li sneered in her heart. Before they decided to rely on Ji Heng, they probably forgot what kind of person Ji Heng was. If they had asked about how the Acacia Class, which was once famous in Yanjing, fell into decline, they would not have made such a hasty decision.

Ji Heng is not a kind-hearted person. He is cruel, ruthless, treacherous and ruthless. If anyone plots against him, he will probably end up with them crying.

The song sung by Xiao Taohong on the stage was "Hearing the Bell at Jiange". She was singing: "It is the heart-breaking sound that the heart-breaking people hear! Such an unpleasant bell sound and unpleasant rain. How can I deal with my endless longing and love. The drops of water on the window lattice knock on my heart and the sound of falling trees makes it difficult for me to dream. The terrifying clanging sound comes from the eaves, and the bone-chilling cold comes from under the quilt..."

Jiang Li looked at Ji Heng and said, "The Duke seems to like listening to tragedies very much."

First there was "The Case of Jiu'er" and then there was "Hearing the Bell in Jiange", both of which were such tragic dramas. Could it be that Ji Heng couldn't stand others doing well and even refused to listen to good dramas?

"I don't like watching comedies." Ji Heng played with the folding fan in her hand and said with a smile, "Too fake."

Jiang Li stared at him, not knowing what to say for a moment. Ji Heng thought the comedy was too fake, and this sentence also revealed some clues.

What kind of person is he?

Throwing away these random thoughts in her mind, Jiang Li said, "I just didn't expect that the Duke would live near the Ye family." She said jokingly, "If you don't know, you might think he came for me."

"What if I say that I came here just for you?" Ji Heng asked back.

Jiang Li was stunned.

There was a relaxed smile on the corners of his lips, and his eyes were like deep and shallow amber, passionate and ruthless, more attractive than gold, jade, pearls and stones, making people unable to stop.

"Then I can only stay away from you." Jiang Li said indifferently.

Ji Heng laughed silently. He propped his chin on the handle of his fan. His eyes were filled with evil innocence. He said, "Second Miss Jiang is well aware of the principle of keeping a low profile."

"When the weak try to survive, they always have to take every step with fear." "Miss, don't underestimate yourself," he narrowed his eyes, "the weak will not set traps to lure you into them."

Whenever he was with Ji Heng, they always exchanged witticisms, which was not easy, and Jiang Li was also confused. He had nothing to do with her life, but because of a series of coincidences, he was repeatedly involved. Now he couldn't avoid it even if he wanted to - he had begun to doubt himself.

You have to take one step at a time.

Jiang Li smiled and said, "You've been talking for so long, aren't you tired, Duke? Little Taohong's voice is priceless, don't let her down."

The words she said were very rude and blunt, but her attitude was natural and gentle, as if she was completely unaware of it. Ji Heng couldn't help but look at her for a second longer, then turned her head with a smile and said, "That's absolutely right."

When Xiao Taohong on the stage saw that Ji Heng finally stopped talking to Jiang Li and turned to look at her, she immediately sang more vigorously.

Jiang Li just found it funny. It is said that the best actors can only sing well if they are immersed in the play. However, Xiao Taohong was singing while her eyes were clearly looking at Ji Heng. She was absent-minded, but the girl's heart was broken into dust because she didn't know that the beauty in red was used to watching the play and never immersed in it.

"It's a pity that your fragrant soul is scattered by the wind, but it makes me shed thousands of tears like rain. In the face of danger, your starry eyes are staring, your white teeth are creaking, your body is trembling, and your face is pale."

Xiao Taohong sang non-stop, and the wind from her sleeves carried a bit of sadness, but Jiang Li could hear some murderous intent in her voice.

She thought she had heard it wrong. This was a genuine tragedy. The miserable singing was real, but Jiang Li was probably more sensitive to people's subtle emotions now, so she felt a subtle chill in the misery.

She raised her eyes and looked at Xiao Taohong.

Xiao Taohong still sent Ji Heng a nonchalant look of tenderness and love. Her eyes were full of tenderness and looked so pitiful. However, Jiang Li felt that the way Xiao Taohong locked onto Ji Heng was like a wild beast.

Her back straightened involuntarily, and she curled her fingers in her sleeves, as if she had smelled some kind of conspiracy.

"I can neither save you nor take your place. How can I repay you for my grief? What is most sad is that the pear blossoms only bloom once a year. From now on, every time I see pear blossoms, I will feel sad."

When she sang the last word "love", Xiao Taohong's voice suddenly became sharp, which made people frown. Jiang Li's heart tightened. Before she could react, she saw Xiao Taohong, who was wearing a white costume, suddenly jumped up from the stage, her sleeves fluttering, a silver light on her palm, and rushed straight towards Ji Heng!

It turned out to be the assassin who assassinated Ji Heng!
Before Jiang Li could scream, she saw the actors and actresses who had just acted with Xiao Taohong on the stage suddenly appear from all directions. They all looked ferocious and fierce, and there was no trace of the vivid performance they had just now.

This Jin Mantang was actually a front for an assassin. It seemed that the person behind him knew Ji Heng well enough and knew that Ji Heng liked to watch and listen to operas, so he set up such a troupe, but the opera they performed was "The Banquet at Hongmen".

What an unexpected disaster!
There were assassins coming from all directions, and facing Xiao Taohong who was full of murderous intent, Jiang Li had no way to avoid it. Even if she was not the target of the enemy, Jiang Li knew very well that once Ji Heng died, the enemy would not spare her. Moreover, knives and arrows had no eyes, even if Ji Heng was not dead, it was possible that she was killed by mistake.

She was reborn and was cautious in every step, not to die here because of such a ridiculous misunderstanding!

Jiang Li immediately felt the whistle in her sleeve, but it turned out that Xiao Taohong's martial arts skills were beyond her imagination. She saw that there were several daggers hidden in her sleeves, which were approaching her, and it was a critical moment!
at this time.

My eyes lit up as a peony suddenly bloomed from the side.

The dagger sank into the gorgeous peony, as if it was also stunned by the peony and did not move forward.

Jiang Li looked closely and saw that it was not a peony, but Ji Heng's folding fan. He unfolded the folding fan and blocked Xiao Taohong's attack.

The next moment, she felt her body lighten. Ji Heng supported her back and pulled her back. The beautiful gold-thread folding fan was placed across her chest, revealing a stunning and complete pattern.

Xiao Taohong was also stunned.

Her dagger, which could cut through iron like mud, was easily blocked by the gorgeous folding fan, as if her attack was vulnerable. The peony on the golden folding fan, with its petals curled and stretched, was so beautiful that it seemed to be mocking her insignificance.

Jiang Li was still in shock.

No matter how calm and composed she was, at a critical moment of life and death, especially with the sudden robbery today, she could not face it with a smile as before.

The one who responded with a smile was Ji Heng.

He held the folding fan horizontally in front of him, his bright red robe reaching the ground, spilling out beautifully. The sunlight outside was dim, but he seemed even more dazzling in the darkness, and even the peony on the folding fan was blooming desperately.

His hands were loosely placed behind Jiang Li. Jiang Li was not as tall as him, so from a distance, it looked like he was holding her in his arms. As long as he lowered his head, his chin would touch the top of Jiang Li's head. However, he did not look at Jiang Li at all. His narrow and long phoenix eyes smiled slightly, with endless sparkling colors, and looked at Xiao Taohong.

Jiang Li turned her head to look at Xiao Taohong.

The woman's face was covered with ink, so naturally her expression could not be seen. Only her eyes were as cold and hard as iron. She no longer had the graceful and charming look she had when she was singing just now.

"Who sent you?" Ji Heng asked softly.

His voice was also very soft, as if he was speaking to a friend, or as if he couldn't bear to disturb such a beautiful woman, and it was filled with infinite pity.

Xiao Taohong didn't say anything.

"I know even if you don't tell me." He smiled faintly, with a strange temptation, and said, "Tell me, and I'll make your ending a little easier."

Jiang Li felt a chill in her heart. This person was really scary, saying such terrible words in such an intimate tone.

At this moment, looking at the actors gradually approaching, Jiang Li suddenly realized something. How come there was not a single guard in such a big mansion? She would never believe that Ji Heng had no guards.

Just as he was thinking about it, Xiao Taohong snorted coldly, and rushed towards Ji Heng together with the other actors around!

There were powerful enemies everywhere. It was impossible to escape or stay. Jiang Li made up her mind and simply threw herself to Ji Heng's side. She believed that a cunning person like Ji Heng would definitely not wait to die on the spot. There would always be a way, but she couldn't hold Ji Heng and leave her back to Xiao Taohong. If she was pushed out by Ji Heng as a meat target, it would be too unfair!

In a trance, she heard Ji Heng seem to laugh, and Jiang Li felt that her body suddenly moved with Ji Heng. She saw behind Ji Heng, an actor with a white face was raising a sword and stabbing Ji Heng in the back.

"Be careful!" Jiang Li exclaimed.

This was not because she was too kind-hearted to bear seeing blood, but because of her own consideration. If Ji Heng died here, she would not be able to live. Just as she was about to put her hand into her sleeve again, she saw the white-faced man holding the sword suddenly paused, as if someone had pressed an acupoint, a stream of blood flowed from the corner of his mouth, and he slowly fell on his back.

A long silver arrow pierced his chest.

"Rustle", Jiang Li looked up in the direction and saw black-clothed guards appearing on the eaves of the four corners of the house. They held bows and arrows, with expressionless faces, and they kept shooting arrows.

Suddenly, screams broke out one after another in the courtyard.

But the screams were much quieter than those of ordinary people, so no one around noticed them. Jiang Li guessed that the people in Jin Mantang were all death warriors, and they were specially trained, so the noises they made before they died were quieter than those around them.

Xiao Taohong was determined to assassinate Ji Heng, but she never expected that Ji Heng had already made arrangements outside. Seeing her companions falling one by one, she felt uneasy, but she was also blood-thirsty and rushed towards Ji Heng regardless of everything.

Jiang Li sighed in her heart.

I couldn't see Xiao Taohong's expression, but from her actions, Xiao Taohong was confused. But no one expected that Jin Mantang's men were assassins who came to assassinate Ji Heng, which was surprising enough. Ji Heng had already prepared for an ambush, which was even more surprising. Xiao Taohong's performance was exquisite, but I didn't expect that Ji Heng had seen a lot of plays, and could see clearly whether it was true or false.

The people in Jin Mantang thought they were putting on a show for Ji Heng, but Ji Heng really treated Jin Mantang as a show.

The handsome, lazy and coquettish young man moved very gracefully. His body was not as fast and fierce as Xiao Taohong, but he approached his prey slowly like a hunting beast. Jiang Li didn't even see them fighting. She only felt that Ji Heng easily cut off the dagger in Xiao Taohong's hand with the golden folding fan.

Without hesitation, he broke Xiao Taohong's limbs and dislocated her jaw.

Jiang Li felt cold all over just by looking at it.

Even though she had died once, even though she was tortured by Princess Yongning and Shen Yurong, she was like Ji Heng, who felt nothing and even seemed to enjoy being in such a bloody environment. Jiang Li could not be as comfortable as him, and she just wanted to leave.

Xiao Taohong was restrained. The jade-like beauty collapsed to the ground without any image, like a pig or dog waiting to be slaughtered. In her current situation, she couldn't even commit suicide.

Ji Heng took two steps forward and came in front of Xiao Taohong. Xiao Taohong's body was covered in blood and mud, but the corners of Ji Heng's gorgeous robe were not stained with a speck of dust.

He is still high above everyone else, still a spectator who is detached from the world.

"I gave you a chance." Ji Heng leaned forward slightly, as if she had sympathy, and said softly, "It's a pity that you refused."

A trace of fear suddenly flashed across Xiao Taohong's eyes, and Jiang Li saw it clearly.

Even for the death warriors, their last resort is to have no fear of death, but having no fear of death does not mean that they have no plans for things other than death. When they lose their last trump card - ending their own lives at will, they will face something that is ten thousand times more terrifying than death.

This has been true since ancient times.

Jiang Li recognized the guard named Wen Ji and walked over to Ji Heng and said, "Sir, leave ten alive."

The fear in Xiao Taohong's eyes became even worse. Under such circumstances, Ji Heng was able to leave ten people alive. This was too scary. Most importantly, what did ten people alive mean? It meant more opportunities to take advantage of. Human nature could not stand the test. Ten dead men in the private prison could reveal much more truth than one dead man in the private prison.

Ji Heng will not let go of this opportunity.

"You guys sang well." Ji Heng smiled, "What a pity."

　Only the peony is the true national beauty, and the capital city is moved when the flowers bloom!
　　I really like the Duke using the peony gold folding fan as a weapon! So cool!
　　
　
(End of this chapter)