Rebellious Minister Part 1

The color of autumn is not weaker than that of spring, especially in the garden of the East Palace, just looking at the clusters of red maples blooming along the hillside makes people feel bright, warm and full of autumn.

After returning from school, Yan came to the garden with Aiqing and walked along the path on the slope. Aiqing also asked Xiao Dezi to set up a chessboard in the Miaobo Pavilion, intending to play chess with the emperor.

However, he was always a little absent-minded, even though Yan kept praising that the maple leaves here grew the best in the palace, he didn't take a second look.

Yan picked another big golden chrysanthemum for him, but it was hard for elder brother Bo to smile.

When it came time to play chess, Aiqing suffered a crushing defeat. His black pieces were not connected to each other. He seemed to have a lot of clues, but was also full of loopholes.

"Let's play another game." Ai Qing put the sunspots back into the jade chess bowl one by one, not annoyed by the loss.

"Let's go down later." Yan frowned and said, "Brother Huang, what are you worrying about recently? I didn't let Jing Tingrui pick you up from school before, although I don't like him, but this really doesn't matter. Like you, I'm so worried."

"..." Aiqing looked at Yan, and suddenly stretched out her hand to grab Yan's sleeve, startling him.

"Qing'er?" Yan looked at Ai Qing in surprise as he tugged at his sleeve, lowered his head and sniffed again and again.

"It doesn't taste right..." Ai Qing quickly let go, and said to herself.

"What's the smell?" Yan couldn't help pulling up his sleeve and sniffing. In addition to the scent of chrysanthemums, there was also a bit of sandalwood incense from the palace.

"It's nothing, it's not from the palace anyway." Aiqing's nose is very sharp. These days, Jing Tingrui's body always has a faint sweet smell that looks like powder and flowers.

At first, he thought it was the maid who made fresh makeup.

However, apart from Jing Tingrui, no other places in the palace had the same smell.

Although the fragrance smells very pleasant and not pungent, it just makes Aiqing feel uncomfortable and doesn't want to get close to Jing Tingrui.Even he himself couldn't figure out what was going on, and he was very confused.

"Let's go, while we're free, let's go see Sister Ke Rou." Yan dropped the chess piece and used his trump card.

"Okay!" Aiqing finally showed a sweet smile. He went to the Yuyingtang to visit the imperial sister from time to time. From being sneaky in the past to being upright now, it was entirely due to the care of his father.

And he knows that whether it is the father or the father, they actually miss Ke Rou very much, but the ancestors set strict rules that the "birth mother" and the emperor's heir should not be in the same room, even the princess, so they can't do whatever they want to visit his daughter.

There is a saying that "an older brother is like a father", and Ai Qing considers herself to take on this responsibility, not only taking care of her younger brother, but also her younger sister.

He didn't want Ke Rou to just kneel down and salute to him when he grew up, otherwise he would die of grief.

+ + + + +

"Ding ding! Ding ding ding..."

As the young man spun quickly on the deck of the painting boat with his bare feet, a chain tied around his waist as thin as silver thread and decorated with golden bells made a very crisp and pleasant sound.

Out of the corner of his eyes, he caught a glimpse of the young man who was walking on the red sampan, and a charming smile bloomed on the corner of Vermilion's lips.

The young man stretched out his arms, and suddenly raised one leg—almost parallel to his shoulders. He stood on one foot and continued to dance. The hem of his skirt flew away, revealing the obscene pants that tightly wrapped his round buttocks, which was boundless in spring.

"Ding Ding~"

The ringing stopped, and the young man walked up to the handsome and stalwart young man panting slightly, and said with a coquettish smile, "Why, the official is free today, so he will come during the day?"

"I passed by here and saw you practicing dancing." The young man said, in fact, whenever the oiran of the "Liulifang" danced on the bow deck, many people would stop and watch by the river bank, and some would applaud and shout loudly. Applause.

This is an appetizing gimmick. The oiran is not so easy to make friends with. Men who can see his dance but can't get him will feel hungry and can't wait.

Smile for Bomei people, money will become dung, and Liulifang's business will always prosper, this is what Yan Hong told the young man.

"It's rare that you're here, go sit inside for a while before leaving." Yun Hong took the brocade handkerchief handed over by the boy servant, and wiped the sweat from his forehead.

"Alright." Thinking that the youth would refuse, upon hearing such an answer, Yan Hong was extremely happy.

Back to the upper room on the third floor, the old lady ordered someone to bring Biluochun and refreshments, all of which were the best pastries in the imperial city, almond halva and black sesame cakes from a century-old brand.

"Although the taste is good, it's not as good as the dim sum in the palace, right?" Yanhong asked with a smile while eating the crispy candy that was full of fragrance.

"..." Jing Tingrui looked at the young man. He never said that he was a servant in the palace, and he didn't even tell him his name.

"Recently, when a few officials were drunk, they whispered to each other that the emperor recently had a confidant spy who came out of the palace to handle a case, and everyone should be careful." Yan Hong asked jokingly, resting his chin, "I Think, could this be you?"

"No." Jing Tingrui flatly denied.

"Hehe, I don't really care if you are a spy or not, as long as you come to accompany me more." Yanhong smiled, "In this way, I can tell you what you want to know."

"Don't get involved." Jing Tingrui frowned and warned him, "This is no joke."

"I have to play it to know if it's a joke." Yanhong shrugged, "I am born to love to play, and I have never lost. And those are not good officials, otherwise, I wouldn't be afraid of the emperor's investigation." case."

Jing Tingrui stood up, "I'm going back."

"Huh? You just sat down for a while." Yanhong got up quickly, "Then are you still coming at night?"

"Not coming."

"why?"

"For your own good."

"..." Yan Hong was stunned, and quickly reached out his hand to stop Jing Tingrui, raised his head and said, "It's the first time someone told me that, you really care about me, I'm very happy."

"I just don't want to hurt the innocent." Jing Tingrui looked down at Yunhong. He was not a few years older than Aiqing, but he had a sophistication that pretended to be mature. Is it true that the child of the poor is already in charge of the family?

Yanhong said that he came to the imperial city after traveling thousands of miles to escape the plague with his parents.Because of his good looks, he was sold to Liulifang as a servant.

Unlike other crying children, Yan Hong is very resigned to his fate, and doesn't think there is any shame in having sex with a man.He enjoys the transaction of flesh and money, and the feeling of being sought after by others.He often said that even his parents were not that kind to him.

Even if those things are good, they all have ulterior motives.

"If you want to leave here, I can redeem you." Jing Tingrui once said.

But Yanhong was unwilling, and said, "Unless you want me, I won't leave." He liked everything here, and the gold, silver and jewelry he bought with his body made him feel very safe.

Jing Tingrui didn't force him anymore.

Their interaction was less like that of guests and male whores than that of brothers and sisters.It's just that there is already love in this younger brother's heart.He always tries to keep Jing Tingrui.

"Just sit down for a while longer, I promise I won't talk about those officials anymore." Yunhong said coquettishly, holding Jing Tingrui's hand tightly.

Jing Tingrui wanted to confirm whether the oiran of Liulifang was related to the Jialan envoy?He wanted to steal the envoy's seal and the secret letter he carried with him during their secret meeting, so as to obtain

get vital information.

Because envoy Jialan would not let the guards guard him close to him only at this time.

It's just that the envoy didn't show up for a long time, and as Jing Tingrui got on the ship more times, Yan Hong was obviously involved more deeply, and he didn't want Yan Hong to be in danger.

"Let's talk about your sweetheart?" Yunhong changed the subject on his own initiative, and said with a smile, "How is he recently?"

"He ignores me." Jing Tingrui said with rare authenticity. In the past, no matter how much Yan Hong pestered him, he never mentioned Ai Qing.

"Haha, you must be busy with your own affairs and neglect him, right?"

"For nothing, he will always be the first." Jing Tingrui said carelessly.

"Ah, it sounds so happy, and it also makes people jealous!" Yanhong pouted, looking very dissatisfied.

"I still have something to do, I have to go." Jing Tingrui took out the hand held by Yan Hong, and patted him on the shoulder.

"Hmm..." Yanhong knew that if he tried to force it, it would be annoying, so he said, "Go slowly, officials, but remember to come and see me."

Jing Tingrui nodded in agreement, and under Yanhong's reluctant eyes, he stepped off the boat.

Yanhong waited for three days, but Jing Tingrui didn't show up. He didn't pick up any guests these days, and he was always in a low mood.

During the daytime, the Emerald River is dead silent, but at night, when the lights come on, the colorful boats come back to life, and the colorful boats come back to life.

However, Yanhong stayed alone, in the luxurious dormitory burning with incense, showing his toes, twirling and dancing, entertaining himself.

"Go away! Damn bitch!"

"boom!"

Suddenly, the door was violently knocked open, and the old lady said "Ouch!" and almost fell in.

Yanhong stopped his feet abruptly, his forehead was dripping with sweat, and his wide eyes were full of surprise.

"Hmph, isn't Hong'er here?! How dare you lie to me that he's not here!" The intruder staggered in holding the door, reeking of alcohol.Although he wore a silver crown on his head and was wearing brocade embroidered clothes, but the crown was crooked and the skirts of his clothes were torn open, he looked like a prodigal son.

"Mr. Du." Yan Hong didn't give him a good face, helped the old lady up, and said coldly, "I'm not feeling well today, and I don't see any guests."

Du Rongcai is twenty-eight this year. His father, Du Jiangui, is the Royal Taishi, second only to the Prime Minister. The Du family married Tong Junwang the year before last. The youngest son, Du Rongcai, married the daughter of the county king. A pair of children.

Originally, Du Rongcai was the old son of Du Jian, and he was very favored. He had four older sisters, all of whom were married. I don't know if it was because he grew up among women. Although he looks handsome, his behavior is always lacking. masculinity.

At first, when he came to Liulifang, he doted on Yan Hong in every possible way, and gave him all gold, silver and jade articles.

Thinking of his kindness, Yan Hong naturally treated each other with courtesy, but later, as the time spent together grew, he realized that he was cunning, hypocritical and an asshole!

Relying on the fact that his father is a high official in the court, he has repeatedly skipped the banquet, not to mention that he was just drinking tea and chatting with the wine, but he drugged the wine and took the opportunity to violate the unconscious Lin Hong.

When Yan Hong woke up, he found that his clothes were disheveled, his body was dirty, and he was very angry. He immediately told the old lady. Although the old lady scolded Mr. Du with a straight face, he was a relative of the emperor after all, so he couldn't take him seriously. In the end, Mr. Du only got a scolding, not even a little flesh injury.

But Du Rongcai restrained himself for a while knowing that he had broken the rules of Huajie. Later, he gave Yunhong a box of deep sea pearls as an apology.

He also said that he had brought a distinguished guest to Yanhong, the peace envoy of Jialan Kingdom, a man in his early forties, with dark and rough skin, wrapped in a white silk turban, tall and strong, he was not good-looking, but he was generous, or he could make money. people stunned!

The Jialan people nodded outwards the first day they saw Yanhong.

Yanhong looked outside, there was a boat on the river, the second floor, with a boatman, he looked at the man with some confusion.

"This boat is given to you." The man said in an unauthentic local dialect.

It was the first time for Yanhong to receive such a big gift. Not only was the furniture complete on board, but also gold, silver and emeralds. Even the old lady was stunned and didn't know how to serve this distinguished guest.

However, this man didn't come here many times, only about three times. He was cautious, and even the wine he drank and the food he ate had to be tested for poison with silver needles first.

And unlike the other guests who survived overnight and loved not to leave, when this man came, he basically rushed to do things like a monkey, with no mood at all, and only then, those masked guards with knives , will retreat to the door.

If the man finished venting, he would leave immediately. He didn't have any nostalgia for Yuhong. After receiving such a guest who didn't even have a word, Yanhong really felt that he had become a thing, or that he was not even as good as a thing.

Du Rongcai hadn't seen him for a long time since he introduced this wealthy customer to Yanhong, as if he was deliberately avoiding him.

Yan Hong was also happy to be at leisure, because he didn't want to see him either.

"Hong'er, I think you're thinking so hard!" Du Rongcai exclaimed exaggeratedly, beating his chest with his hands, and tears actually flowed out.

The old lady was hesitant to call someone to come, but even if the thugs from the boat came, she would not dare to touch Mr. Du in the slightest.

"What on earth do you want? This is not a place where you can run wild!" Seeing the difficulty of the old lady, Yanhong let her go out first, and whispered, "I am here."

This Du Rongcai is a paper tiger, the old lady looked at Li Hong who was actually in the upper hand, and Mr. Du who was in a drunken madness, then withdrew and closed the door.

"Hong'er, wow!" At that moment, the old lady couldn't help shaking her head when she heard Du Rongcai's cry again.

+ + + + +

"Autumn...what's good about autumn?"

The East Palace bedroom was deep, spacious and cool. Chunyu Aiqing had already changed into a lake-colored silk nightgown with dark patterns, and stood with her arms folded facing the window. This round window carved with seven fairies was facing the corner of the garden.

The moonlight was bright and clear, and the almost withered willows and the autumn chrysanthemums that were as white as snowflakes reminded him of Wen Chaoyang asking him to recite a poem about "the beauty of autumn" during the day.

"Plant one grain of millet in spring, and harvest ten thousand seeds in autumn." Aiqing replied, but the master said to be more elegant, not so rustic.

But besides the harvest in the fields in autumn, Aiqing really can't think of anything else to look forward to, just like this garden, there were fireflies earlier, he and Jing Tingrui had a lot of fun catching them.

But now, there is nothing.

"The fireflies in the evening palace fly away and think quietly, and the solitary lamp is exhausted and I can't sleep."

"By the way, there are also autumn flowers that are bleak and autumn grass yellow, and autumn nights are long." He couldn't recite his poems about "the beauty of autumn", but there are many ancient poems that can be quoted in his melancholy and lonely mood at the moment.

Ai Qing did not deny that he couldn't sleep because he missed Jing Tingrui, and the more he couldn't sleep, the more he missed him.

"Ah, Ah Chiu!" After standing in front of the window for a long time, he felt the chill invade. Aiqing rubbed his nose. Sure enough, he shouldn't follow the example of the ancients. What's wrong with reciting poems? Depressed mood, but cold enough to choke.

Ai Qing decided to give up obeying Grand Master Wen's advice. His elegant style is really not suitable for him. If the master tests him again tomorrow, he can only pretend that he can't answer.

Autumn or something, let it go with the wind, because now there are more headaches.

Aiqing just turned around, and saw Xiao Dezi shrunk his neck, hesitating to speak and standing beside the pillar, holding a thick sable cloak inlaid with sea dragon skin in his hand.

He probably wanted to put it on for the prince, and heard him muttering poems, so he didn't want to disturb his study.

"What's the matter, Xiao Dezi?" Aiqing asked, walking towards him.

"That, that, Guard Jing asked me to bring it to you..." It turned out that Jing Tingrui told him to come, and Xiao Dezi seemed to be quite afraid of Guard Jing, and he obeyed his words even more.

"What about others?"

"Just wait outside the hall."

"Show him in." Ai Qing said immediately.

"Yes!" Xiao Dezi looked very happy!Holding the cloak and running away without touching the ground.

"Hey...?" Aiqing's hand was still outstretched, wanting to take the cloak, but forget it, Xiao Dezi has always been so forgetful.

"What should I do...?" It was all due to the cold weather, which made Ai Qing's heart feel cold.

In the past few days, he clearly wanted to see Jing Tingrui, but he was terrified of seeing him when he thought of not thinking about food and drink and having trouble sleeping.I was very worried that as soon as I saw him, I would shake off his hand and let him go.The mood is so contradictory, full of worries.

After a while, Aiqing heard Jing Tingrui's calm and powerful footsteps.Echoing in the empty hall, his heart was beating wildly, he swallowed his saliva, then turned around suddenly, and fled in three steps at a time.

"This subordinate kowtows to His Highness the Crown Prince." But it was still a step too late!

"Ah? So it's you, excuse me." Aiqing said haha, and stopped in embarrassment, but refused to turn around and look at Jing Tingrui.

"Where are you going?" Jing Tingrui asked, his voice sounded slightly lower, "Didn't you summon me?"

"Oh, yes." Aiqing looked down at the dark blue brick floor, and said sternly: "Actually, I have nothing important to do. I just want to greet you when I see you back to the palace. It's cold, so be careful to protect yourself from the cold." .”

"Thank you, Your Highness, for your concern." Jing Tingrui's voice was still so pleasant. It should be said that this is a voice that people will miss if they don't hear it.

For a moment, Aiqing was intoxicated by it, but felt that her heart was blocked and uncomfortable, as if her chest was pressed tightly by a huge rock.

"Your Highness, it's late at night, and you have to be careful of catching a cold." Jing Tingrui got up and approached, but he couldn't hear his footsteps at this moment, so he probably used his internal strength to hide.

So, when the low and mellow voice appeared behind Aiqing's ears, he almost jumped up in fright!

In fact, he really jumped for a while, but Jing Tingrui put on the sable cloak for him and put his hands on his shoulders, so he didn't jump three feet high.

"Thank you, thank you..." Ai Qingfei blushed and said in a low voice.Not only was he ashamed of his strange reaction like a frightened bird, but he also felt that Jing Tingrui was next to him, which was very warm and made him a little embarrassed.

"Do you hate your subordinates?" Jing Tingrui didn't force Aiqing to turn around, and asked softly.

"How could it be?" Aiqing became anxious when she heard it, and suddenly turned back, clenched her fists and said, "I never hated you! I won't in the future."

"Then why do you keep avoiding me? You don't even want to see me?" Jing Tingrui frowned slightly, really confused.

"Avoid you? Haha, how is this possible?!" Aiqing denied it vehemently, and waved her hands again and again, "You haven't done anything wrong, and you haven't made me angry. Why should I avoid you? Don't see you?"

"These days, my subordinates haven't been able to accompany you, and have been doing business for the emperor outside the palace." Jing Tingrui reflected on himself, "You have reason to be angry with me."

"I said I'm not angry anymore! I don't care whose fragrance you bring back!" Perhaps because of Jing Tingrui's constant questioning, Aiqing really became a little annoyed and yelled.

"Scent?" Jing Tingrui was taken aback, looking at the prince who was gnashing his teeth.

"It's that sweet scent!" Aiqing went all out and pointed out, "You're so used to her—you don't even know that you're covered in her makeup?"

Jing Tingrui was taken aback, his expression seemed to have changed, but Aiqing thought it was just her own illusion, how could someone still smile after being accused?

But Jing Tingrui's next expression clearly showed that he was smiling, and he was in a very happy mood.His chin was raised slightly, the corners of his mouth curved so gracefully and smoothly, and his black eyes were even more dazzling. Those court ladies who usually called him a "big iceberg" must have never seen Jing Tingrui's smile, right? .

That's really awesome!

This made Aiqing forget to be angry, she just looked up at Jing Tingrui's face foolishly, and even forgot what she wanted to say.

"Your Majesty, the scent of a humble person." Jing Tingrui looked at Aiqing and said leisurely, "It's just because I went to the rouge gouache shop to investigate the case."

Jing Tingrui lied about calling a brothel a shop, not at all unnatural, and he didn't think the crown prince needed to know about that kind of place.

His body was only smeared with a bit of makeup and powder, but His Royal Highness was so concerned that he didn't want to let him get close. If he knew the truth, he didn't know how he would be rejected.

For this reason, Jing Tingrui chose to hide it. In front of the innocent prince, he is such a bad adult.

"Oh, that's it..." Aiqing's head was still a little dull, and she said like a parrot, "So you went to the powder shop to investigate the case."

"I made you feel uncomfortable, I'm sorry, I should take a shower and change clothes, and see you again." Even though he said so, Jing Tingrui kept smiling on his face.

"I'm sorry, I don't know what's wrong with me... You don't need to apologize to me, there is nothing wrong with you! It's all about me." Aiqing lowered her head and said sullenly.

Obviously he has always cared about that strange scent, but as soon as Jing Tingrui explained it, the uneasiness and heaviness in his heart disappeared immediately, and he even found it hard to understand that he cared so much about that smell.

"Your Highness, it's getting late, let this subordinate take you back to your room to rest." Jing Tingrui said.

"No, I still want to be alone for a while." Ai Qing didn't even have the courage to raise her head at this moment, and said in embarrassment, "You go back first."

"Then, please look at me, call my name, and give me the order to step down." Jing Tingrui was a little bit reluctant.

"Hey?"

"It's been a long time since you called me by my name."

"Here, it's just you and me here, why bother..." Aiqing muttered, her cheeks were as red as the palace lantern above her head, and she turned her head to see if Xiao Dezi was there.

But Xiao Dezi is not in the hall, he is probably waiting outside.

Jing Tingrui bent down, stretched out his hand, and fished that slender body into his arms. Ai Qing couldn't help but tiptoed and raised her head. When the light in front of her eyes dimmed, something soft covered his lips.

The big black eyes blinked, and it was undoubtedly Jing Tingrui's face that was in front of him. His thick eyelashes, seen from such a close distance, were really very long, as beautiful as moth wings!

etc!What is this doing? !

Ai Qing blinked quickly again, and stared wide-eyed. At this moment, she seemed to have seen this scene before her father and father.

"This, is this a kiss?!" Aiqing's cheeks were hot, and she belatedly remembered that her father had pushed her father and queen away roughly that time, as if she had said, "Don't kiss in front of the children... ..."

At that time, Aiqing was with Yan, Tianyu, and Tianchen, and he didn't feel that there was anything wrong, because the father was always laughing, and the father didn't seem really angry, so this "kiss" should be a good thing.

However, why did Jing Tingrui...? !

Seriously speaking, this so-called kiss is just lips overlapping, but what is this crazy heart palpitation?I feel dizzy, my hands and feet are shaking, and I can't control it.

Ai Qing timidly wanted to retreat, but Jing Tingrui was very strong, with his arms tightly around his waist, he could only struggle weakly.

"Please call me by my name." After a while, Jing Tingrui said again, "Your Highness."

"Hmm..." The lips that came up again were soft and hot, and as if wanting to force Ai Qing to speak, she gently sucked his lips.

Feeling a little itchy, and an indescribable feeling, Aiqing wanted to speak, when she opened her mouth, Jing Tingrui's tongue ran in and rolled around in it, which made Aiqing's body hot in one breath When he got up, he was red from the base of his neck to his forehead, and his body was shaking unbearably. He moaned vaguely and panickedly, "Rui...Ru Rui..."

The tongue finally came out, Jing Tingrui straightened his waist, but still did not let go of his arms.

Aiqing's eyes were red, she thought she was going to cry, but she was just panting, and buried her reddened face on Jing Tingrui's chest, her feet were so weak that she couldn't stand, thanks to Jing Tingrui holding him all the time.

"Do you hate it?" Jing Tingrui asked after Aiqing's breath calmed down a bit.

"No, I don't know." Ai Qing didn't look up, as if he suddenly fell from a height, he was on the ground, but his heart was still dangling in mid-air, he couldn't calm down no matter what.

"Your Highness, this is proof of my loyalty to you." Jing Tingrui gently stroked the back of Aiqing's head, as if explaining this behavior, "It's like the emperor is loyal to the queen, so he kisses him."

"That is..." Ai Qing raised her head, eyes flickering, and said in surprise, "Is this normal? Isn't it only between father and father?"

"Yes. However, please only accept my allegiance." Jing Tingrui said, "Can you agree to a humble position? This kind of thing can only be done by a humble position, not others."

"Isn't it all about loyalty?" Aiqing sighed, "Xiao Dezi is also very loyal to me."

"No!" Jing Tingrui sternly refused.

"Well... that's fine." Ai Qing said hesitantly.The feeling just now was really fresh and wonderful, but since Jing Tingrui said it was a pledge of allegiance, he should be right.

Anyway, he never thought of letting anyone take Jing Tingrui's place.

"If you despise your humble position and are not qualified to be loyal to you, then your humble position can only be loyal to others, for example—His Royal Highness Yan." Jing Tingrui said, without any joke in his tone.

"No! I didn't say it's bad." Aiqing was anxious, grabbed Jing Tingrui's arm and said, "You said, you will always be with me and protect me!"

"Yes, Your Highness." Jing Tingrui nodded with a smile, "In this life, except for you, I will not be loyal to anyone else. Therefore, please accept the loyalty of this humble minister to you."

"Okay...Ruirui, I accept it, but you can't go back on your word in the future," Ai Qing added a little uneasy, always feeling that she had found a great bargain.

Who made Jing Tingrui so popular?He wants to go to Yan, Yan will definitely not refuse.

"Yes, Your Highness." Jing Tingrui hugged the prince and whispered tenderly in his ear, "Until death."