Harue Kagetsu

Gao Qiao rushed all the way to the military camp that was temporarily stationed outside the north of the city. After getting closer, he slowly slowed down.

Yuanmen was not far ahead, but the distance was only a shot, but Gao Qiao stopped his horse, looked in the direction of Yuanmen, and pondered.

"Everyone?"

Gao Qi had just been chasing his horse behind him, but now he finally caught up. Seeing that Gao Qiao stopped, he asked.

"Go back! Order Li Mu to come forward and deny it." Gao Qiao said.

Gao Qi hesitated: "If he doesn't want to..."

"I can't help him."

Gao Qiao said coldly, while talking, he turned his horse's head, and was about to urge the horse to leave, when he heard a familiar laughter coming from the wind behind him.

"Depth of field! Just in time for you to come! Brother Yu is looking for you..."

Gao Qiao looked back at the sound and saw how many people came out of the Yuanmen. The one who took the lead was Xu Mi? Afterwards, along with Yang Xuan and the others, all of them smiled and walked towards him quickly.

Gao Qiao frowned slightly, hesitatingly, turned over and got off the horse.

"Jingshen, brother Yu just came to the barracks just now, but he just happened to hear some great news. Dao Li Mu asked for a kiss, Jingshen generously agreed with the words he promised that day, and promised to marry his beloved daughter to him? It was a promise, and brother Yu admired it. Extremely. Those soldiers in the army heard about it, and they were even more excited. Although Li Mu’s request is abrupt at present, I expect him to be extraordinary and will do great things in the future. Jingshen is such a good son-in-law, congratulations!”

Xu Mi laughed after speaking. In the laughter, many soldiers were attracted nearby.

The soldiers slowly gathered around and looked at Gao Qiao with joy on their faces.

Yang Xuan suppressed all the doubts in his heart, hesitated for a while, stepped forward to greet Gao Qiao with a smile on his face: "The last general will replace Li Mu, thank you Xianggong..."

Before he could finish speaking, Gao Qiao waved his hand and interrupted him.

He raised his eyes, looked around slowly, and raised his voice: "This is an untrue statement, and there must be some misunderstanding. I don't know who contributed to it, so that it has spread to this point!"

After he finished speaking, he turned to Yang Xuan.

"General Yang, please convey my words to your subordinates on your behalf. I hope you will know. I appreciate Li Mu very much, but the idea of ​​marrying a daughter is really out of nothing, and there is no such thing."

Yang Xuan was stunned.

The surrounding soldiers, the smiles on their faces gradually disappeared, and they discussed each other, and there was a low buzzing sound.

Li Mu was extremely prestigious in the eyes of these ordinary soldiers.

This morning, when they heard the news that they didn't know where it started, they were all excited, and even felt a sense of pride in their hearts.

Scholars are strictly separated, and their status is clear at a glance.

But Li Mu broke the ice. He did things that these people had never even dreamed of before.

That's why they were doubly excited about the news, but within a long time, the entire barracks knew about it.

"Situ, I have something else to do, I will retire first!"

Gao Qiao didn't say more, got on his horse and walked away.

Xu Mi looked at the back of Gao Qiao's departure, squinted her eyes, and the smile on her lips became more and more meaningful.

…

Gao Qiao left the barracks, and immediately rushed into the city to go home.

Over the years, people in Jiankang City have rarely seen high-ranking officials riding horses on the streets.

Those nobles always ride in ox carts, thinking they are graceful, and riding horses is regarded as the behavior of inferior warriors. Suddenly I saw Xianggong riding in through the city gate, who didn't recognize him? Surprised, they stopped to watch.

Gao Qiao was so anxious that he wanted to rush home immediately, where did he take care of this? Before he drove his horse to the gate of Gao's house in one breath, the concierge was standing on the steps, looking left and right, with a scorched face, when he suddenly saw Gao Qiao riding a horse from a distance, he breathed a sigh of relief and hurried forward.

"Xiang Gong! The eldest princess is just looking for her husband! It's just right for her to come back!"

Gao Qiao's heart skipped a beat.

Last night he kept the matter from Xiao Yongjia because of Xiao Yongjia's temper. Afraid that she would know and overreact, in case it would make things bigger.

After thinking about it, he looked for Gao Yin, told the matter, and asked him to come forward to meet Li Mu on his behalf.

In the end, this matter was quietly resolved, Li Mu retreated, the matter stopped at himself, and it was over.

What he didn't expect was that this matter developed to such a degree in just one night.

I just came back all the way back, and I still had a slight hope in my heart, hoping that the news would not reach my home.

Sure enough, it was still a step too late.

Gao Qiao frowned, turned over and dismounted, and hurried to the back hall. He didn't see his daughter, but bumped into two glances from Xiao Yongjia.

Xiao Yongjia sat there with a gloomy face, and when he saw himself, he immediately stood up.

"You come with me!" The tone was extremely blunt. After speaking, he turned and walked in.

Aju looked over with a look of apprehension in her eyes.

Gao Qiao followed silently and walked to the inner room. Before the door could be closed, Xiao Yongjia shouted angrily: "Gao Qiao! Are you in a daze? You did such a thing! Marry my daughter to a man Wufu?"

Gao Qiao hurriedly waved his hand: "A-Ling, listen to me! There is absolutely no such thing!"

Aju, who followed her, hurriedly closed the door on her behalf, and walked farther by herself, ordering her servants not to approach.

At this point, Gao Qiao didn't dare to hide it anymore, so he was busy going through the incident and said it again.

"...When he rescued Zi Le, I was unprepared and made a promise. At that time, I never thought that he would ask for Ami now? So today I called him to Zhuangzi in Quehu, originally to tell him to give up his thoughts. , this matter has passed. I didn't expect..."

"Clap" sound.

Xiao Yongjia was furious, and slapped the table with his palm, Liu Mei stood upright, interrupting Gao Qiao's explanation.

"Where did the arrogant person come from! I don't know how high the sky is, and relying on saving Rokuro, he dares to think of my daughter!"

"And you! When something like this happened, you didn't tell me! If it weren't for the big trouble today, would you just hide it from me?"

Gao Qiao didn't say a word and let Xiao Yongjia lose his temper. After a while, he suddenly remembered: "Where's Ami? Does she know that too?"

Thinking of the reaction her daughter might have when she heard the news, she couldn't help feeling guilty.

Xiao Yongjia sneered: "You still need to ask? I told people to hide it from her for a long time, and I couldn't let her know at all! From the Lu family's side, they also sent someone to pass on the message!"

Gao Qiao breathed a sigh of relief and said in a low voice, "It's really my fault for not thinking carefully about this matter. Whatever you scold is right. You calm down, don't let your anger break down. I'll go out first to get a thorough understanding of the matter."

"Don't worry, this time there will be no trouble again!"

"What can you do?"

Xiao Yongjia sneered.

"I don't need you anymore! What is Li Mu's name? I'd better go meet him in person. I want to see how he has three heads and six arms, and he is so overbearing that he dares to attack my daughter! "

What Gao Qiao was most worried about still happened, and he hurriedly stopped: "A-Ling, don't go, I'll come. You are at home, just wait for my news with peace of mind."

"My daughter's reputation is so abused, how can you make me feel at ease?"

Xiao Yongjia was furious and pushed Gao Qiao away.

"I go by my own!"

"Arling!"

Gao Qiao was blocking Xiao Yongjia, and another servant ran outside the door, shouting across the door: "Xianggong, eldest princess! A word came from the palace, saying that your majesty ordered Xianggong to enter the palace, and he has something to see."

The couple looked at each other and stopped.

…

To celebrate the Jiangbei Victory, the imperial court rested for three days.

Gao Qiao rushed to the palace again.

Today, Emperor Xingping met Gao Qiao in the Taichu Palace, with Xu Mi next to him, who had already entered the palace before him.

Emperor Xingping and the eldest princess were born to the same mother. When they were young, they were nearly murdered in the palace. They were protected by the eldest princess, so they were close. In addition, Gao Qiao was known as a prestige leader of the gentry. Emperor Xingping treated him very well. Always very polite.

After Gao Qiao bowed to meet him, Emperor Xingping immediately went to the bed in person, lifted him up, and said with a smile, "There are no outsiders here, why would you have to bow to me like this? Sit up."

Gao Qiao even said that he did not dare, but Emperor Xingping stopped reluctantly, looked at Gao Qiao, and said with a smile: "I woke up early in the morning and heard magpies crowing in the imperial garden. Only just now can I know why Que Ming is. Listening to the palace staff, you are willing to let go of the door and marry Ami to Li Mu. I called Xu Qing to ask each other, and I found out that this is true. I am very pleased. This time Jiangbei In the war, Li Mu has made great contributions. Looking at my great Yu, who can match it? It is even more rare that the minister does not forget the words of the day, and promises a lot of money, and is willing to marry Ami to Li Mu and make a good story."

"I would like to be the officiant of Li Mu and Ami's marriage, what do you think?"

"Jingshen, don't blame my brother for being so talkative. It's really His Majesty's question, and my brother has to say it. Besides, it's a good thing."

After Emperor Xingping finished speaking, Xu Mi said with a smile.

Before entering the palace, Gao Qiao had already guessed why the emperor suddenly wanted to summon him on the day of rest.

In his heart, there has always been a hidden worry.

At this moment, because of the emperor's words, the long-standing worries in my heart have become more and more clear.

After Dayu's southward crossing, the imperial power was in tatters, and the gentry were almost as important as the emperor.

It has been fifteen years since Emperor Xingping ascended the throne as a teenager.

Compared with the emperors before him, let alone talent, but he obviously has more desire to be a hero of ZTE.

Gao Qiao had already noticed that Emperor Xingping was secretly guarding himself everywhere.

Many years ago, the young and vigorous emperor appointed two ministers from the sect family as his cronies, trying to use the power of the sect family to fight against the gentry, causing Xu Mi and Lu Guang dissatisfaction, looking for Gao Qiao and discussing the removal of those two people. .

Gao Qiao did not participate at the time, but did not object.

It doesn't matter what personal inclinations are in his position.

Before long, the prefect of Guilin County, on the grounds that the two were bewitching the emperor's heart and causing turmoil in the world, launched an army to stir up chaos, and demanded that Emperor Xingping get rid of the two. At that time, the rebels were very powerful and threatened to go north. The young emperor was helpless and helpless. He had no choice but to kill the two with tears, and the rebellion disappeared.

Afterwards, he led the Northern Expedition, and the reason why he returned home was not one of the reasons except for the secret constraints of the gatekeepers at the rear, and the acquiescence of the emperor.

These things have been in the past for many years. Today, Emperor Xingping also gets along peacefully with Gao, Xu, Lu and others.

But Gao Qiao knew that in the past few years, with the growing popularity of himself, the emperor's fear of himself has become deeper and deeper.

This is also the reason why, this time he fought hard, led the army in the end, and won the glorious victory in the battle of Jiangbei, but in the book of merit, he did not mention the merits of himself and his younger brother Gao Yun.

In his heart, it is not that he never thought of taking the opportunity to retire.

At this moment, when Emperor Xingping suddenly opened his mouth and looked at him with a smile, Gao Qiao was silent.

He pondered for a moment, knelt down, and kowtowed: "I am very grateful. It's just that this happened out of nothing. Even today, Li Mu has withdrawn his request for marriage in front of the minister. The minister has no intention of marrying his daughter to Li. Mu. Your Majesty please look into it."

Emperor Xingping gave a slight pause.

Xu Mi snorted: "How could this happen? I don't know who spread it out, but now in the entire military camp, everyone is ignorant, and everyone is vying for it. Dao Gao keeps his promise and is willing to break the door and marry his daughter to Li Mu. Li Mu. Mu Ben has a lot of heart in the army, and now, I am afraid that those soldiers will find out, it will be chilling."

Xu Bi's tone was very regretful.

"Lu Zuopushe asked to see His Majesty—"

At this moment, the outside palace person stretched his voice to spread the word.

Lu Guang hurriedly entered, and after paying homage to Emperor Xingping, he turned to Xu Mi, and in front of Emperor Xingping, he said coldly: "Situ, you should also know that my Lu family and Gao family are married. Yue. Li Mu is a member of your military mansion, and so blatantly humiliated me and Duke Gao, as Lord Li Mu, didn’t you even know about it beforehand?”

Xu Mi's expression did not change, and smiled: "I really don't know. It's just Lu Zuo Pushe, your words are not right. Li Mu's request to marry Gao's daughter, of course, is beyond his own power, but how can it be considered a humiliation? He single-handedly that day, Entering the enemy line and saving Gao Gong's nephew, Gao Gong promised in front of everyone that he would ask for something in the future, and he would not refuse. Every word is still in my ears. Now that Li Mu wants to marry, I know in advance , how can I stop it?"

He gradually sneered: "What's more, you keep claiming that you have entered into a marriage with the Gao family, have the two parties ever performed three marriages and six betrothals? If not, they are all just an excuse to push back! Thousands of soldiers are for me. Dayu strives to protect the country, but if he loses his military heart, who will be willing to fight for Dayu in the future?"

Xu Mi also knelt down solemnly: "Your Majesty, Li Mu is a subordinate of the minister, and the minister shares the honor and disgrace! If your majesty thinks that Li Mu's actions are humiliating and offensive, please ask your majesty to blame him, and the minister is willing to share the blame!"

Lu Guang was furious, took a step forward, pointed at Xu Mi and said, "Xu Mi! What are you trying to fan the flames from?"

Xu Mi sneered: "Your Majesty, how dare you be so rude? Do you still have half of His Majesty's Longwei in your eyes?"

The corners of Emperor Xingping's eyes drooped, his expression tense, and he did not say a word.

Lu Guang was angry for a while, pointed at Xu Mi, and while gnashing his teeth, Gao Qiao, who had been silent for a while, suddenly spoke.

The two stopped arguing and looked at him.

"Your Majesty, that day, the minister did promise Li Mu, and the minister dare not forget it. Li Mu now asks for the daughter of the minister, and your majesty also knows that the scholar is not married..."

He frowned slightly, pondered for a while, and finally seemed to have finally made up his mind, raised his eyes, and looked at the emperor.

"I only have one daughter under my knees, and I cherish it like my life. I can't take my daughter if you are not a handsome man! I would like to give him a chance as a fulfillment of the promise of the day."

Three pairs of eyes looked at him in unison.

"If Li Mu can pass the examination of the minister, the minister will marry his daughter to him."

After Gao Qiao finished speaking, he turned to Lu Guang and smiled apologetically: "Brother Lu, I have offended you. What do you think?"

Lu Guang was stunned for a moment, but suddenly seemed to have an epiphany, the dark clouds on his face dissipated, and he nodded: "Alright! Lest those who have a heart say that my Lu family is overpowering others!"

Xu Mi was also surprised at first, but he didn't expect that Gao Qiao would have such a trick in the end, and he said, "Shenzhen, you have a meaning, I'm afraid it will be unfair at that time."

Gao Qiao smiled lightly: "I will invite you to be the judge."

He turned towards Emperor Xingping: "Please, Your Majesty, choose a good day for the minister."

Emperor Xingping nodded: "That's fine. Chongyang will arrive soon, you can choose Chongyang as a test, and then I will personally go there and watch Gao Xiang test my son-in-law."