When the house was in chaos, the courtyard of the ancestral hall was also in chaos, and Zheng Qiushan and others had already been ambushed in the bushes outside with a lot of manpower. When Neiying, who was hiding in the house, signaled that Cui Daoyuan had drunk the poisonous wine, he led more than 20 of his subordinates to suddenly rush into the courtyard of the Cui family's ancestral hall. Before the Cui family's more than a dozen attendants could react, they were killed seven or eight. The rest of them rose up to resist, but the entourage led by the south this time was all highly skilled, although Cui Daoyuan also had many good players around him, but there were only two or three good players who came today. As the saying goes, there are many enemies who are heroes, and soon after, more than a dozen people were killed. The courtyard of the Cui family ancestral hall is full of corpses, and the blood is soaring, and the Chinese want to vomit.

When Du and Zheng Qiushan rushed into the house, Cui Daoyuan, Cui Yuanbo, and Cui Yaozu were already lying on the ground with stiff and twisted bodies. Zheng Qiushan stretched out his hand to probe the three of them and confirmed that the three were dead, and breathed a sigh of relief in his heart. Look at Cui Yuanping and Cui Yuanrong again, hiding in the corner with their heads in their hands, stuffing their heads in their crotches, and shaking their bodies like leaves in the wind.

When Zheng Qiushan stepped forward to pull the two of them, the two of them shouted in shock: "Spare your life, Daddy spare your life, we can't help it, we can't help it." ”

Zheng Qiushan smiled and said softly: "Two, the matter has passed, and everything is over." Congratulations to the two of you, you have become the head of the Cui family. The Cui family's guilt has also been written off. ”

……

Two days later, the news of the death of the head of the Cui family, the eldest son and the eldest grandson at the same time shocked the whole city, and then the news came out on the street that Cui Daoyuan, the head of the Cui family, and the eldest grandson of the eldest son went out of the city together and were ambushed by unknown people. The Hangzhou government also confirmed that dozens of unknown people haunted the city of Hangzhou during this time, and on the day of the crime, the city gate guards found dozens of people escaping from the city. The shopkeepers of many liquor stores in the city and the women of the Qingguan also confirmed that there were indeed dozens of locals with different accents who had haunted their place. This further confirms the rumors that three generations of the Cui family were attacked by unknown people.

The Hangzhou government and the state capitals of Jiangnan Province issued an ultimatum to arrest the murderer, but all this was obviously an afterthought. All this was Zheng Qiushan's idea, on the second day of the crime, he deliberately let the degree and their men sneakily haunt the city, and then leave Hangzhou, creating the illusion that the murderer absconded after committing the crime, so as to disguise the cause of death of Cui Daoyuan and others who died violently. Although the whole thing is full of loopholes, and everyone in the Cui family is quite suspicious, Cui Daoyuan's second brother Cui Daocheng wants to check the corpse to determine the cause of death, but Cui Yuanping and Cui Yuanrong resolutely refuse, and Cui Daocheng has nothing to do.

The Cui family, the direct line is the core, and no matter how many generations there are in the side branches, there is no direct permission and nothing at all. So although there are many doubts, they can only listen to Cui Yuanping and Cui Yuanrong's words. In addition, no one would have thought that it was Cui Yuanping and Cui Yuanrong, and they could not suspect Cui Yuanping and Cui Yuanrong at all. I can only bury my doubts in my heart.

……

In the dwarf bushes on the hot Gobi Desert, Cui Ruoyu choked up several times, telling about this earth-shattering change. Wang Yuan was also dumbfounded and frightened when he was listening. This change was so bizarre and strange that it was really unexpected by Wang Yuan.

Wang Yuan comforted Cui Ruoyu softly, and there were many unanswered questions in his heart. The biggest question is how Cui Ruoyu escaped, and how did Cui Ruoying know these things.

Cui Ruoyu seemed to know Wang Yuan's thoughts, and after wiping away her tears, she continued: "The things they thought they had done secretly about poisoning my grandfather and father and brother, but in fact, all of them were known by one person. That is my Cui family's housekeeper Uncle Cui. When Grandpa and the others went to the family ancestral hall to worship that day, Uncle Cui Qi also followed. But on the way to the ancestral hall, there was something to deal with at home, so Uncle Cui Qi turned back to the house to deal with the affairs, and then rushed to the ancestral hall to serve. But when Uncle Cui Qi came to the family ancestral hall, it coincided with the tragedy in the family ancestral hall, and Uncle Cui Qi hid in the dark to witness the tragedy in the family ancestral hall throughout the whole process, and also saw the second and third uncles colluding with Zheng Qiushan, and saw the scene where they carried out the corpses of my grandfather and my father's brother and sorted them out. Uncle Cui Qi knew that he couldn't show off at all, so he pretended not to know anything and pretended to know nothing. That night, Uncle Cui Qi secretly left Hangzhou to report to me in Yangzhou, because he knew that they would never let me go. ”

Wang Yuan suddenly realized that it was Cui Qi, the housekeeper of the Cui family, who inadvertently witnessed and understood everything. That Cui Qi himself has several faces, and he has the impression that he is a shrewd and amiable person. Being able to become the butler of the Cui family and get Cui Daoyuan's respect is naturally not an ordinary person. Needless to say, he witnessed everything, but as long as he knew the slightest clue, he was afraid that he would immediately deduce what happened. After learning everything, he naturally wanted to go to Yangzhou to report the news.

Cui Ruoyu continued in a low voice: "At that time, the second and third uncles had already sent people to Yangzhou to report the funeral and asked me to go to Hangzhou for the funeral. is to trick me into going to Hangzhou, and then poison me. I didn't know anything about it, and when Uncle Cui arrived in Yangzhou, I was receiving the bad news that my grandfather and father and brother had been attacked, and I was desperate to rush back to Hangzhou overnight. As soon as I got on the boat from the dock, Uncle Seven suddenly appeared from the boat and told me that I couldn't go back to Hangzhou. ”

Wang Yuan's mind was fast, and when he heard this, he nodded and praised: "Steward Cui is really fine, he must not have dared to report to you directly, but hid in the boat in advance and waited for you to reappear after you got on the boat." Because he knows that Yangzhou is by no means safe, then Shen Zifang, the Taishou of Yangzhou, must have sent someone to keep an eye on you.

Cui Ruoyu nodded slightly and said: "You are right, Shen Zifang has long been Zheng Qiushan's person, and the news has already reached Shen Zifang, and he was ordered by Zheng Qiushan to ensure that I get on the ship and return to Hangzhou to throw myself into the net." Uncle Cui Qi expected this, so he didn't show up beforehand, and after arriving in Yangzhou, he didn't rush to my Yangzhou house to report the news, but hid on my Cui family's big ship in advance. The boatmen of my Cui family are all his acquaintances, and he is hiding on the ship waiting for me, which is much safer and more reliable than meeting me directly. Fortunately, Uncle Cui Qi was shrewd, so I didn't fall into the net. On the boat, Uncle Cui Qi told me everything he saw and what he had speculated, and he expected that the second and third uncles colluded with Cui Qiushan, and I was also the target of their killing, because if I were alive, I would definitely find out about this matter. ”

Wang Yuan frowned and said: "Of course, the grass must be eradicated, and your father naturally can't keep any of them." Let's talk about the relationship between you and me...... and the reason why they will kill you. But how did you escape? Your ship is under close surveillance, and if you don't go to Hangzhou after leaving the city, you will be poisoned on the way. It is also very dangerous to stay in Yangzhou, if you don't go back to Hangzhou, Shen Zifang will definitely search for you all over the city, and you will have no place to live. ”

Cui Ruoyu's body trembled slightly, as if she remembered the vicious situation of the day, and said in a low voice: "Yes, what you said is very true." My ship never departed, and that had already caught the attention of the stalkers. Uncle Cui Qi didn't know what to do. He couldn't think of a way out. Later, Uncle Cui decided to show up on his own and kill the people on the dock to attract attention, so that I could take advantage of the chaos to leave the big ship and quietly find a place to hide. ”

Wang Yuan was stunned: "He showed up? Isn't that self-defeating? ”

Cui Ruoyu said with tears in her eyes: "I said the same thing, but Uncle Cui Qi said, grandpa is dead, my father and brother are dead, he should have died with them, but he must save my life, and I want to escape, so that I can avenge my grandfather and father and brother in the future." I couldn't persuade it, Uncle Cui Qi knelt and kowtowed to me to beg for help, I was flustered and had no master, and I didn't know what to do. Later, Uncle Cui Qi appeared from the big boat and disembarked and took seven or eight boatmen to the dock. Those stalkers were surprised when they saw Uncle Cui Qi, and Uncle Cui Qi suddenly made a move and killed several people who were stalking on the dock. Those people called helpers to come before they died, and Uncle Cui Qi ordered me to change ships and leave immediately, and he led people to guard the dock and fight with those who came. I had no choice but to change a small boat and get out of there. Fortunately, it was at night, and the light was dim on the surface of the canal, so I was able to leave the pier safely. ”

Wang Yuan frowned and said, "But how can you escape from the city?" As soon as Cui Qi showed up, it was tantamount to telling everyone that their conspiracy had been exposed, and they would definitely search for you all over the city, how could they let you leave alive? How did you get out alone? ”

Cui Ruoyu said quietly: "I really have no way to leave Yangzhou, after leaving the dock, I floated down the river in a small boat and didn't know where to land." Seeing the crowd of people and horses on the shore and the shining torches, I knew that the news must have reached Shen Zifang's ears, and he sent soldiers and horses all over the city to search for me. I didn't know what to do at the time? Suddenly, for some reason, I remembered someone. I thought maybe she could help me get out of the way. I also had the mentality that a dead horse should be a live horse doctor, so I rowed a boat to find her. ”

Wang Yuan was puzzled: "Who are you talking about?" Who can save you in Yangzhou City? ”

Cui Ruoyu said: "You can't even think of it, you also know that person, it is Jiang Qiaoqiao girl from Cuifang Building." Although I only have one relationship with her, it is the time I accompanied you. But for some reason, I thought she might be able to help me. When I secretly ran to Cuifang Building to find Jiang Qiaoqiao, after explaining the reason, I actually had a mentality of being betrayed and dying. But what I didn't expect was that Miss Jiang Qiaoqiao actually took me in and hid me in her room. ”

Wang Yuan was also surprised, he didn't expect that Jiang Qiaoqiao would have such a righteous act, and he would dare to take a big risk to take Cui Ruoyu at this time.

"In those days, there was a commotion in the city, but I hid in the boudoir of Miss Jiang Qiaoqiao in Cuifang Building, but I was safe. I heard Jiang Qiaoqiao say that after that night, the soldiers and horses in the city dug three feet into the ground to arrest me, and there were also soldiers and horses who came to search in the Cuifang Building, but Shen Zifang didn't seem to dare to make a mistake to Jiang Qiaoqiao. In addition, Jiang Qiaoqiao responded properly, and it seemed that he had satisfied his desire to sing for Shen Zifang alone, but Shen Zifang did not send someone to search the boudoir. They searched for seven or eight days but did not find me, and later it was said that a female corpse was found at the mouth of the river south of the city, which had been eaten by fish and shrimp beyond recognition, and her clothes seemed to be similar to mine, so they said that I had thrown myself into the water and died. So Miss Jiang Qiaoqiao took the opportunity to go to Xuyi County to perform, hid me in her flower boat, and secretly took me out of Yangzhou City. That's how I escaped. When I left, I learned that Uncle Cui Qi ...... that night was killed on the dock, and Miss Jiang Qiaoqiao didn't dare to tell me after finding out the news, for fear that I would be too sad and show my whereabouts. It is said that Uncle Cui Qi was hit by dozens of knives, and everyone was cut into several pieces. Uncle Cui died to save me...... Woooooooo ”

Cui Ruoyu's shoulders trembled, and she covered her face with her hands and whimpered again.

After listening to this whole thing, Wang Yuan's heart was depressed and unspeakable. He gently hugged Cui Ruoyu in his arms and silently let her cry in his arms. Don't ask about the rest of the matter, Cui Ruoyu must have rushed to Chengdu to find herself after a lot of hardships. After the wives and concubines in the family knew what happened to her, they must have asked Gongsun Lan to accompany her to the army to report to her. Because this matter is not only the Cui family's business, this change is related to the reversal of a general pattern, Gongsun Lan and the others must also understand this, so they worked tirelessly to lead Cui Ruoyu to find themselves.

Cui Ruoying was crying, and even Wang Yuan's chest was already wet, and she was sobbing and choking, and she seemed to faint. Wang Yuan hurriedly persuaded and comforted her, coaxed her to drink some water and eat some dry food. Cui Ruoyu was also very tired, and after seeing Wang Yuan, her mind relaxed, and she actually fell asleep in Wang Yuan's arms in a daze. Wang Yuan looked at her face with great pity in his heart. A noble girl from a wealthy family, suddenly such a change, this kind of blow is not something that ordinary people can bear. Cui Ruoyu can grit her teeth and insist on coming to herself, what a powerful belief it is.

Wang Yuan secretly vowed to avenge her and find justice for her.

Wang Yuan decided to postpone the departure and let Cui Ruoyu sleep well for a while to recover her mental and physical strength. So he spread the cloak in the shade of the tree and put Cui Ruoyu on the cloak to sleep. When he turned around, he saw that all the guards and Gongsun Lan and the others were looking at him from a distance, their faces were extremely serious, and he knew that everyone must have gotten the truth of the matter from Gongsun Lan's mouth. The seriousness of their expressions was not because of the personal tragedy of the Cui family, but because they were all aware of the great impact of this incident.

Wang Yuan stood up and walked over slowly, and the guards looked at him silently without speaking. Gongsun Lan asked, "How is Miss Cui?" ”

Wang Yuan smiled and said, "It's okay, she slept." I am afraid that I will not be able to move forward today. Zhao Qing Tan Ping, you arrange for the brothers to do a good job of vigilance and reconnaissance, and spend the night here tonight. ”

Zhao Qing Tan Ping said in a deep voice: "Obey." ”

……

Wang Yuan was full of thoughts, turned around and slowly walked to the edge of the bush, and looked into the distance with his hands. Under the scorching sun, the heat wave on the Gobi Desert is full of steaming, and it is a scorching scene. The brown hills are undulating, the heavens and the earth are unbounded, the sun is scorching, and the air is lifeless. There were a few patches of green plants spread on the ground, looking lifeless, as if they would be dried up in the scorching sun at any moment. The barren ground is like a sea of death.

The footsteps behind him were gentle, and a faint fragrance hit the end of his nose, and Wang Yuan didn't have to look back to know that it was Gongsun Lan who came behind him.

"Erlang, are you okay?" Gongsun Lan stood quietly beside Wang Yuan and asked softly.

Wang Yuan glanced at Gongsun Lan with a smile, reached over and held Gongsun Lan's slender and soft hand in the palm of his hand. Gongsun Lan smiled faintly, let Wang Yuan hold his hand, and looked at Wang Yuan with some concern.

"Cousin, you see, how cruel this world is. The sun is shining, and the heat is like fire. This world is simply a dead land. But even if heaven and earth are unkind, they cannot resist the multiplication and growth of life here. Look at the patches of greenery, although they look wilted, they all look like they are going to be sunburned. But I can tell you that they don't die, they will continue to grow here until they complete their mission of flowering and sowing. Also, you see in this hot sandy soil, where it is difficult for people to settle down, but there are ants crawling, just now I saw pikas running among them, and the flies in the air, they can still survive here, this is the greatness of life. Wang Yuan said softly.

Gongsun Lan chuckled and said, "Why did you suddenly let out these feelings? Erlang, don't be depressed in your heart, don't be unhappy. ”

Wang Yuan smiled: "Am I unhappy? ”

Gongsun Lan sighed lightly: "I don't know you yet? Although you are smiling and seemingly nonchalant, I know that you are very depressed right now. The matter of the Cui family is very serious, it has disrupted the plan in your heart, and we are not stupid, how can we not see it? ”

Wang Yuan smiled bitterly and nodded: "You are my Wang Yuan's confidant, how can I hide it from you?" This incident really shocked me. To tell you the truth, it even made me a little at a loss. ”

Gongsun Lan said softly: "Yes, when I first heard about this, I was also surprised. That's why I brought Miss Cui to meet you, just to let you know about this change and prepare early. ”

Wang Yuan nodded and said, "Thank you cousin for your hard work, this matter is indeed too important, so important that I seem to have to adjust the whole plan to deal with it." ”

"How is Jiro going to deal with it?" Gongsun Lan said on the side.

Wang Yuan said with a smile: "I'm afraid my cousin has thought a lot along the way, about the impact and countermeasures of this matter, doesn't my cousin have any suggestions for me?" ”

Gongsun Lan said softly: "Of course I thought a lot along the way, and when Erlang asked, I will talk about it." Of course, I have shallow knowledge, and where it is inappropriate, Erlang will decide for himself. ”

Wang Yuan pulled Gongsun Lan to sit in the shade of the tree, nodded and said, "Listen to me." ”

Gongsun Lan smiled and said in a low voice: "Erlang, this tragedy of the Cui family is obviously a premeditated plan in which the imperial court participated. Cui Daoyuan was unwilling to obey the holy decree, and even made a private agreement with you