Chapter 271 See you again

It was a really big tree, its thick shade covered most of the yard.

Jia Zheng and Jia Yucun, dressed in casual clothes, were sitting at a stone table under a big tree playing black and white chess.

Jia Yucun glanced at Jia Zheng, who had a worried look on his face, and silently picked up a black piece and placed it gently on the chessboard.

Seeing Jia Zheng in a daze, Jia Yucun picked up the tea bowl on the tea table beside him and took a sip. Then he put it down, stroked his beard and smiled, “It’s rare to have a moment of leisure in this turbulent life. Zheng Gong, please don’t think about those troublesome things.”

Jia Zheng finally came to his senses and smiled bitterly: “State affairs are difficult, and family affairs are also difficult.”

Jia Yucun smiled and decided not to interrupt the family affairs.

Jia Zheng took out a piece and was about to place it when he suddenly remembered, “Hey, Yucun. It’s been more than half a month. When are you going to the Li family?”

Jia Yucun shook his head: “This kind of thing cannot be rushed. We have to wait for the right time. At least the anger in the palace has to subside. Otherwise, it will only add fuel to the fire.”

Jia Zheng nodded, put the white piece on the chessboard, and sighed, “It’s a relief to be free from official duties. I hope to continue like this, but the situation at home does not allow it.”

Jia Yucun: “Don’t worry, Lord Zheng. When the empress in the palace gives birth to a little prince, that will be the day when Lord Zheng will be reinstated.” After saying that, he gently laid the bed.

After hearing this, Jia Zheng stroked his beard and smiled.

At this time, Zhou Rui hurried in and greeted: “Master, someone has come from the old concubine’s palace, inviting the old lady and master to enter the palace.”

Jia Zheng was surprised: “Oh? Do you know what’s going on?”

Zhou Rui: “No.”

Jia Yucun stood up and said, “Since they sent someone to invite us, it shouldn’t be a bad thing. Zheng Gong, go quickly.”

Jia Zheng nodded and said to Zhou Rui, “Where is Baoyu? Let Baoyu come and talk to Yucun.”

Jia Yucun twitched the corner of his mouth and said with a smile: “No, no, I’ve been asking for leave for half a day and it’s time to go back. I don’t know how to find it at home.” Then he said goodbye.

In a hurry to enter the palace, Jia Zheng did not see him off to the ceremonial gate. He watched Jia Yucun walk out of the courtyard and then returned to Rong Xi Tang.

Just as he turned the screen door, he saw a man walking out from the opposite side. He bumped into him. He heard the man yell “Ah!” It was Jia Baoyu.

When Jia Baoyu saw Jia Zheng, he was so frightened that his bones and muscles weakened and he quickly stood with his hands hanging down.

Jia Zheng was originally calm, but when he saw him like this and thought of Jia Yucun’s reaction just now, he became a little angry. His face darkened and he asked, “What’s the matter? Why are you so flustered?”

Seeing that Jia Zheng was angry, Jia Baoyu said quickly, “I am just talking to you, Master. I was just talking in the mistress’ room when word came from my uncle’s house that my uncle had returned to the capital. The mistress asked me to come and invite you, Master.”

Is Wang Ziteng back?

Jia Zheng’s face turned even uglier, and he said coldly, “Go back and tell your mother that I went to the palace.”

Jia Baoyu: “Yes.” He answered and stepped back.

Jia Zheng: “Slow down!”

Jia Baoyu stopped quickly.

Jia Zheng: “You are not allowed to go anywhere. Wait for me to come back and check your homework.” After saying that, he flicked his sleeves and walked towards Aunt Zhao’s courtyard.

When Jia Baoyu heard this, he was stunned and stood there in a daze.

On the other side, Jia Yucun had just walked out of Rongguo Mansion and was about to walk towards the sedan chair.

At this time, a horse galloped down the street.

Jia Yucun looked and saw that it was the family servant.

The servant stopped in front of Jia Yucun, dismounted, and immediately greeted him. Then he panted and said, “Master, I’ve been looking for you for a long time. A message has come from the mansion of the Earl of Loyalty and Bravery, saying that you are to go to Yongding Gate immediately. There is an urgent errand.”

“What urgent errand?” Jia Yucun walked towards the sedan chair.

The servant followed behind him and said, “I only know it has something to do with the Jurchen Tartars.”

Jia Yucun stopped suddenly, then rolled his eyes and said to the four sedan bearers, “Hurry, go to Yongdingmen!” Then he got into the sedan.

Four bearers lifted the sedan chair and trotted towards Yongding Gate.

At this time, Yongdingmen was under martial law.

When the common people heard that the Jurchens had come to redeem people, they stayed together in a distant place, waiting to see what would happen.

In front of the city gate, Li Hu sat on a chair that might have been brought from a restaurant in the city, looking at the post road in the distance.

There was the sound of horse hooves, and Kong Qingxiang arrived, bringing with him twenty guards from the Southern Pacification Office.

A group of people galloped out of the city gate, pulled the reins to stop, and dismounted together.

Kong Qingxiang strode towards Li Hu with a knife on his shoulder. When he got in front of him, Kong Qingxiang smiled and saluted, “Don’t worry, sir, I’ll kill whoever you tell me to kill.” Then he patted the knife on his waist.

Wang Daniu, who was standing aside, curled his lips and said, “You are even more shameless than me!”

Li Hu glared at him unhappily.

Kong Qingxiang smiled, looked at the post road in the distance, and then said to Li Hu: “I just got the news that the man surnamed Mei has surrendered to the Third Prince.”

Li Hu smiled. In just half a year, this old fellow had defected to Prince Zhongshun, the Fourth Prince, and the Third Prince one after another. He was so careless and shallow that his character was even worse than Lu Bu’s.

Kong Qingxiang: “The boy resigned from the Infantry Office without any trouble. It was unusually smooth. In my opinion, there must be something fishy going on between the Third Prince and Prince Zhongshun.”

Li Hu: “Just keep an eye on it.”

Kong Qingxiang said “hmm”, then smiled and said: “Kong Xiaoer is so anxious that his hair is about to fall out. He doesn’t know whether to stand with the crown prince or the third prince. He is worried about standing on the wrong side and is afraid of missing out on the merit of following the dragon and being unable to restore the former glory of Yanshenggong.”

Li Hu smiled. How did that saying go? Oh, that’s right, “We are not afraid of the second generation of rich people losing their ambition due to playing with things, but we are afraid of the second generation of rich people being complacent.” This kid is not as cruel and ruthless as his father, let alone his grandfather. If he honestly guards the Yansheng Mansion, he may be able to survive for a few more years.
Wang Daniu said: “Second Master, it seems that Jia Yucun is here.”

Li Hu looked back and saw four sedan bearers sweating and panting as they carried the sedan towards them.

The sedan chair stopped and the four bearers could no longer hold on. They collapsed to the ground, gasping for breath.

Li Hu frowned. This old guy really doesn’t treat people as human beings.

Jia Yucun lifted the curtain and walked out. Seeing Li Hu’s unhappy expression, he immediately understood. He hurriedly took out a small silver ingot from his pocket and handed it to a sedan chair bearer: “Go buy a pot of cold tea and eat something.” After that, he walked straight towards Li Hu.

Walking up to him, Jia Yucun bowed and said, “My Lord.”

Li Hu smiled: “You are here.”

Jia Yucun: “Master, why are you calling me here so urgently? Is there something important?”

Li Hu: “The Jurchens are here, please receive them.”

Jia Yucun was delighted, but he pretended to be silent for a long time before he said, “Thank you for your support, Master. But I am waiting for the election at home now. Isn’t this inappropriate?”

Li Hu waved his hand: “If I say yes, then it’s OK.”

Jia Yucun wanted to say something polite, but Wang Daniu spoke again: “Here I come!”

The sound of horse hooves was urgent, dust was flying, and a group of cavalry appeared, rolling towards Yongding Gate!

The horse team was getting closer and closer. Riding in the front were the guards from the Imperial Household Department, followed closely by the Jurchen envoys. The leader was none other than Qian Xiaosi’s younger brother, Prince Heshuo He, Hongzhou. The young man behind him should be the future Emperor Jiaqing, Yongyan.

Jia Yucun glanced at Li Hu, who was still sitting on the chair, and immediately understood, but did not go forward.

The cavalry galloped to the moat and stopped.

The people from the Imperial Household Department recognized Li Hu, looked at each other, dismounted, and made way for the Jurchens.

Hong Zhou also recognized Li Hu, his eyebrows raised, and his eyes immediately shot out hatred!
Yongyan glanced at Li Hu, who was wearing casual clothes, and then looked at Hong Zhou: “Fifth Uncle, who is that person? So arrogant!”

Hong Zhou took a deep breath, “Li Hu.”

Yongyan’s eyes flashed. He was Li Hu, the one who led a group of rabble to severely injure the elite of the Plain White Banner and swept across the Hetao area? He looked too ordinary, far from what he had imagined, and he couldn’t help but feel a little disappointed.

Li Hu still sat there quietly looking at the distant sky.

Yongyan: “Fifth uncle, father’s mission is more important. Let’s wait until we recover, then we can settle the score with him.”

Hong Zhou then got off the horse, threw the reins to the guard beside him, slowly walked onto the suspension bridge, and walked towards Li Hu who was sitting on the chair.

Yongyan led the others to follow.

After Hong Zhou got off the suspension bridge, Jia Yucun went to meet him.

The two were old acquaintances, and after a few pleasantries, Jia Yucun led Hong Zhou over.

Without waiting for Jia Yucun to speak, Hong Zhou clasped his hands and said, “Lord Zhongyong.”

Li Hu then slowly stood up and clasped his hands together: “Prince Heqin.” He glanced at Yongyan behind him, and then saw Bai Hongzhi who was mixed in the crowd.

Bai Hongzhi avoided Li Hu’s gaze and turned to look at the people watching nearby.

Li Hu smiled. This little bastard has matured!

Hong Zhou: “Mr. Zhongyong, when can we meet He Shen?”

Li Hu: “No hurry, you guys take a good rest first.” He then glanced at Kong Qingxiang.

Kong Qingxiang took a step forward holding the hilt of the knife and said loudly: “Please!”

(End of this chapter)