startled autumn

On the day when Shen Zhiqiu followed Xiao Shaoling back to Mo Yi, he received a warm and cold welcome: the warm side was towards Shen Zhiqiu, and the cold side was towards Xiao Shaoling.

As soon as Xiao Shaoling entered the mountain gate, he leaped towards the square with a posture like wind and clouds, holding the Xin Zhai sword and shouting expectantly: "I'm back! Are you still there with the thirty juniors who were going to compete with me earlier?"

No one answered, Xiao Shaoling squatted down sadly.

The crowd receded one after another, leaving only a few ignorant juniors around Shen Zhiqiu who was not far away, chattering and asking, "Second Senior Brother, where were you before?"

Shen Zhiqiu was not good at words, so he could only answer in a general way: "I was in an accident before, and it was thanks to the help of Senior Brother and Brother Yue that I was able to turn the danger into safety."

"Where is Senior Brother Yue? He didn't come back together?"

Yue Yin patrolled Moyi day and night, and had a very high reputation in the sect. He was especially good at controlling Xiao Shaoling's daily whereabouts, so that he would not go to challenge other sects every day and cause trouble everywhere.In this way, Yue Yin's hard work in Mo Yi can be said to be an indispensable existence.

Shen Zhiqiu: "Junior Brother Yue will rush back to the capital after packing up the rest of the matter."

The younger brothers couldn't help but sighed in a low voice: "Brother Yue is not at the door, and the food has not even seen meat in the past few days. The chef, Lao Zhang, is obsessed with sword practice. He only knows how to cut vegetables with a sword every day. No one can control it." He caused us to eat carrots for several days."

Shen Zhiqiu asked: "Where is the head?"

"The head said, stay safe and don't be impatient, just wait for Yue Yin to come back."

Shen Zhiqiu thought for a while, nodded and said, "That's fine."

Xiao Shaoling listened to him from the sidelines, and said with a smile, "What's the difficulty? I'll take care of this little matter for Junior Brother Yue."

"No, no, no." Everyone waved their hands.

Xiao Shaoling was displeased, turned his head rebelliously, and ran towards the kitchen, ready to share Yue Yin's worries.

On this day, Shen Zhiqiu went to the head's residence for dinner, the two of them had very good eating habits, they cleaned up the meal without saying a word, and the two of them went for a walk in the yard to digest.

Since the head of the sect is the one who commands Mo Yi of the Sword Sect, his name is naturally called Master Sword Master, and there is only one senior brother who is still alive and of the same generation as him—the master of Xiao Shaoling and Shen Zhiqiu, Elder Yijian.

Although this Elder Yijian's swordsmanship ranks first in the contemporary era, he has a carefree nature. He took his wife to travel early in the morning, leaving the real swordsman alone to support Mo Yi's family. Respected by the rivers and lakes.

The real person holding the sword is quite tall, with a radiant complexion, no age can be seen, only the temples are slightly white, and there are several fine lines around the corners of the eyes, which are not only solemn, but also revealing a little wind and frost. He said slowly: "Today's meal was prepared by Shaoling?"

Today's carved radishes are extremely exquisite in craftsmanship, and there is a faint winding at the fracture, which is the trace of the Hundred Flowers Snake Grass Sword.

Shen Zhiqiu replied with admiration: "Senior brother said that sword practice should not be limited to the venue, it can be done in the kitchen as well."

Master Sword Master thought for a moment, and asked sincerely, "When will Yin'er return to Beijing?"

Shen Zhiqiu answered honestly, "I don't know."

Master Sword Master sighed softly: "If Mingchuan is still there..."

Zhao Mingchuan is a younger brother of the same generation as Daoist Sword Master. His age is quite different from him, but he is also orthodox in Mo Yi. Going out on a trip, unexpectedly, he has not returned for five years, and has not heard from him since then. Everyone said that he had an accident, but unfortunately even his bones are still missing. Therefore, whenever Master Sword Master mentions the matter of Zhao Mingchuan, All are deeply saddened.

Shen Zhiqiu didn't know how to speak, so he could only squeeze out a comforting sentence: "If Master Mingchuan is still here, we will have meat to eat."

Master Jianjian knew that he had such a temper, so he was not annoyed, he just shook his head and smiled dumbly.

As the night fell, the hustle and bustle of the day gradually receded, leaving only a small sound of clockwork on the side of the street, against the low starlight, flowing in the yard far away, even so, it still failed to disturb the tranquility of the owner , because although the musicians could not be seen in the Han Mansion, the distant Guqin music could still be heard clearly, adorning the night softly.

Han Biduan sat under the lamp to check the accounts. He disappeared for a while. There were too many things waiting for his instructions to deal with. Before he knew it, it was night. He breathed a sigh of relief and called Han Banbu to enter the door.

Han Bi first ordered: "You go to Moyi and build a yard."

Han Banbu was always sensible, first he accepted the order in a low voice, and then asked in a serious manner: "How long will the yard be repaired? Do you want to build a secret passage for you so that you can visit your friends at any time?"

"No need." Han Bi replied lightly.

Han Banbu was very surprised: "Young master, why have you changed?"

Han Bi pondered for a moment, then made a decision in a low voice: "Sooner or later, I will live here. Instead of building some secret passage, it is better to open up the main and guest rooms here."

Han Banbu said with admiration: "You really have great foresight."

"Young master, I have something to say." After a while, Han Ban took two steps closer and reported, "Before you return to Beijing, the master sent someone to send you a visit to Bijing in the next few days." Luxing Palace."

The Bilu Palace is located in the western suburbs of the capital. Because the former Empress Han liked the hot springs there, the emperor ordered the construction of the Bilu Palace, which became a good place outside the Forbidden Palace. Even now, the emperor often goes to Bilu alone. Rest in the palace to relieve fatigue.

"I see." Han Bi rubbed his tangled brows, then spread out the ledger and asked, "What happened in the capital recently?"

On the ledger, businesses such as banquets and gouache, which are exclusively for dignitaries and nobles, are not as good as before.

Han Banbu: "It's strange to say that this matter, since these days, three court officials have been assassinated. The perpetrators' methods are clean and neat, and their footprints come and go without a trace. They have not been able to solve the case."

During the days when Han Bi was trapped in the Fuluan Sect, there were many suspicious cases in the capital, and everyone was in danger for a while. In order to protect themselves, senior officials and their families seldom went out. Check it out.

Therefore, in just a few days, the commander of Jingchengwei almost turned gray with worry.

Han Bi glanced at the death list, but there were only three of them, but they were all important officials of the court, especially Yu Shi Zuo Lan, who supervised the government and was upright and upright. He was always used by Emperor Nanjiang, but now he died in an assassination for no apparent reason. No wonder there was such an uproar. .

"Zuo Lan...he has always been at odds with the crown prince, and he often finds excuses for His Majesty to reprimand the East Palace. As for the Ministry of Households and the Ministry of Punishment, where there are also accidents, the crown prince has been coveting for a long time, and has always wanted to insert people there." Han Bi pondered.

Han Banbu scratched his head: "Young master, what do you mean, the prince did this?"

"Even if he is stupid, he would never dare to act so blatantly."

Han Banbu: "Your Majesty has never reprimanded the East Palace for this matter."

Han Bi smiled and said, "Your Majesty has a mirror in his heart, and the crown prince is the heir apparent of the country, so he will not be wronged for no reason."

"What if there is real evidence?" Han Banbu frowned.

Staring at the flickering lights, the smile on Han Bi's face became more and more blurred, "Believe it or not, it's just a matter of a thought. If Your Majesty doesn't believe it, how can there be any real evidence in this world?"

Two days later, Bilu Palace.

The steam from the hot springs made the entire palace misty, and the road was surrounded by green mountains and waters, carved with white jade and hibiscus. Although it is luxurious and majestic, it does not hear the slightest noise, and it is faintly quiet and clean everywhere, like a spot on the edge of Xia Ye. Bi Lu, always stopped at the moment when the next thing was about to go down, entangled in thoughts that were about to be broken.

Han Bi also came here before, when Empress Han was still there, Bilu Palace was still a scene of singing and dancing; until Queen Han passed away suddenly, Bilu Palace no longer played music, and it has been silent until now.

Since Han Bi was crowned, very few people called him by his nickname again, but the one in front of him relied on his status and never refused to correct it. According to Yu Gong, this man is the Son of Heaven, and all the people in the world regard him as the master; Personally speaking, this person is Empress Han's husband and Han Bi's most prominent elder.

The emperor sat alone in the pavilion, with a mess in front of him. He was in his prime and in good spirits. Although he was dressed like an ordinary dignitary, he could vaguely look majestic.

The emperor loves children, but it is a pity that Empress Han had no children at the time, so she often ordered Han Bi to accompany her in the palace. At that time, she was very favored, even no less than half a prince. Until now, Nanjiang Emperor is still a king and a father to him The presence.

Han Bi bowed to him, and the two began to play against each other.

"Ah Xuan, you have won." The emperor smiled.

The black chess hangs between the fingers for a moment, and finally falls into the cage sadly.

Han Bi picked up the chess pieces with ease: "I know I'm ignorant, so I know how to play piano, chess, calligraphy and painting, which makes Your Majesty laugh."

The emperor sighed: "You really don't plan to become an official?"

Han Bi hesitated for a moment, but still smiled and shook his head in thanks: "You also understand that I get a headache when I look at government and opposition affairs, so doing business is more suitable for me."

"Tell me, what reward do you want to ask me for this time?" The emperor has always been lenient to him, and he was not displeased when he heard the words, but there was a smile in his words.

Han Bi: "I'm going to open a new restaurant. If I can get His Majesty's imperial brush, it would be great."

The emperor laughed: "You've been thinking about blackmailing this little thing all day long, and it's useless."

The two parents had a brief chat for a while, which was somewhat like an ordinary father and son in the folk. After a while, the emperor changed the subject and asked about his disappearance: "I heard that your safe return this time is all thanks to one of Mo Yi's family members." Swordsman protection, what is his name, Shen Zhiqiu?"

Han Bi knew that the emperor was all over the capital, so naturally he couldn't hide this matter from him, so he could only reply calmly: "Thank you for your concern, I am preparing to thank him properly."

The emperor smiled and said, "It should be so."

Not only did Han Bi have an excellent memory, but he did not waste any time in his movements. However, during the conversation, he restored the chessboard to its original endgame appearance without missing a piece. Seeing this, the emperor gradually softened his expression and whispered: " At the beginning when I played chess with your sister, you watched from the sidelines. Although you are still young, as long as you ask you about the chess record afterwards, you can always restore the same. At that time, I thought, if your sister and I have a prince in the future, Probably just like you, smart and good-looking."

Han Bi pursed his lips tightly and didn't say a word.

The emperor watched him grow up and had deep feelings, so naturally he would not blame him for his silence, but just smiled and said, "Ah Xuan, do you want to see your elder brother?"

Han Bi didn't know why he suddenly mentioned Han Yuan, so he had to answer truthfully: "Return to Your Majesty, I went to the south to collect scenery the year before last, and I met him once, but now I don't really miss it."

"I ordered him to return to Beijing to take over the post of commander of the capital guards. If we hurry up, he will arrive in a few days." The emperor laughed.

The commander of the capital guard who wants to thoroughly investigate the unsolved case in the capital?

It was like a person sitting at home, and the pot came from the sky, Han Bi could not help but mourn for his elder brother in silence.

At this time, the inner eunuch reported, saying that the prince had come.

Han Bi didn't want to disturb, but the emperor didn't say anything, so he had no choice but to leave, so he had to stand aside. Unfortunately, he was very handsome, and just standing there became a rare sight. No matter what, he couldn't be ignored. So, after seeing the ceremony to the emperor, he joked: "Mr. Han plays chess with his father. I don't know who wins and who loses?"

The emperor smiled indifferently and said, "Your news is so fast, doesn't anyone tell you whether you won or lost?"

The prince's eyes flashed, and he answered with lowered eyes: "Father should have won."

The emperor smiled lightly at first, then asked the prince to sit across from him, ready to play a game of chess, then waved for Han Bi to go home and rest, and at the end he did not forget to add a sentence to him: "The gift the prince gave to your father, I know Now, go back and tell Han Xun, let him keep it carefully, and don't worry about the rest."

Han Bi stayed away from the capital for a while, and he didn't know that the relationship between the monarch and his subjects had become so indifferent and indifferent. Fortunately, this matter was out of his hands, so he responded in a low voice, and then slowly retreated.

Only a pair of father and son remained in the pavilion, as well as a black and white mess.

The matter of the crown prince giving gifts to the Han family was pointed out on the spot like this. Fortunately, he seemed to be standing still on the surface, but he did not show any flaws; After playing chess for a while, it seemed peaceful.

In the end, the prince lost his hand, and the prince sighed softly: "Father, I have lost."

The emperor stared at him for a while, then sighed vaguely: "Yes, you have never been good at chess."

After Han Bi left Bilu Palace, someone came to pick him up on the road. He lifted the curtain of the carriage and found that sitting inside was his father—Prime Minister Han Xun.

Han Bi is Han Xun's old son, the two are very old, and Han Xun is busy with official duties, the two have never been very close, especially when Han Bi opened a mansion after he became an adult, he went out to do business on his own , completely away from the political circle, Han Xun even turned a blind eye to him, and didn't even intervene in the matter of marrying a wife, which meant that it would be okay even if he was lonely for the rest of his life.

Since Han Xun was able to give birth to siblings like Han Jue and Han Bi, his appearance is not bad, especially his eyes are full of wisdom, and he doesn't look old at all. That is the style of the family.

Han Xun: "What did Your Majesty tell you?"

Han Bi roughly talked about the chess game, and finally mentioned the crown prince's visit. The emperor turned his face on the spot, and couldn't help laughing: "Brother is going to take over the capital guard, and thoroughly investigate the assassination of high officials. Now that he hasn't returned to the capital, the crown prince will Hurriedly sending gifts to our house, no wonder His Majesty wanted to warn him."

"It seems that His Majesty has no intention of abolishing the Crown Prince for the time being." Han Xun murmured, "If someone doesn't care, Your Majesty may not even bother to say a word."

Han Bi said in a low voice: "The fourth prince born by Empress Zhao is only three years old, so His Majesty will naturally have to wait."

Han Xun asked again: "You played chess with His Majesty, did you lose or win?"

Han Bi: "Of course I won."

"That's great." Han Xun nodded approvingly, "What His Majesty likes most is your arrogance, and you stay away from official career, the more frank and natural you are, the more at ease he will be."

Han Bi smiled and said, "Since Your Majesty let me do it on purpose, of course I have to listen to him."

The emperor was superb at chess, but occasionally he would give in when playing against others.

In this regard, Han Bi is well aware: Sometimes the sense of superiority brought about by simply winning chess is definitely not as good as deliberately giving in. The more proud he is, the more he appreciates it.

Han Bi has often entered the palace these years, so he has a good understanding of the emperor's temperament.

Han Xun shook his head and sighed: "Your Majesty once told me that a king must have a strong wrist in order to be able to lift up the country and the country."

It's a pity that the prince doesn't know anything about such a clever idea. If he is willing to think more, why is there such a situation between father and son.

After talking about the business, the Han family father and son looked at each other for a while, but were speechless for a moment.

Han Xun cleared his throat, and asked for something to say: "I heard half a step, you want to open up the main guest room? Who wants to live?"

"Of course I want to live." Han Bi replied blankly.

Han Xun also asked blankly: "Who else wants to live?"

After all, this matter is still a matter of horoscope, and it is the first time to discuss a private matter with his father. It is clear that the words have already been put on his lips, but Han Bi suddenly finds it difficult to speak, so he can only say with difficulty: "Do you really want to listen to me?"

Han Xun also felt very tired, waved his hand and said, "Next time."

Han Bi breathed a sigh of relief: "Oh."

The carriage first arrived at Han Bi's mansion. Han Xun lived in the prime minister's mansion, and Han Bi's house was located in two places in the city. Naturally, the two had to part ways.

Han Xun ordered: "You should go home and stay for a few days. Your mother will not be able to see anyone, so she feels uneasy."

Han Bi has always been an outlier outside the aristocratic family, and has always had a family but can't return to it. Now that he has this opportunity, he naturally accepts it.

The wheels are rolling and moving gradually.

Han Bi pondered for a moment, then stopped his father, and asked solemnly to the small window next to the car: "If I bring someone home, is there a guest room?"

"No." Han Xun said indifferently.

Han Bi was kind and generous: "It's fine to live with me."

Han Xun snorted unhappily: "When you go back to Beijing for a few days, would people be willing to come and see you? I'm just afraid that you will be sentimental and go home crying."

When he said this, Han Bi was powerless to refute for a moment. After all, he was indeed wishful thinking, so he could only wave his hands and say, "Hurry up and go home for dinner."

Han Xun looked at this son to whom he owed a lot, and couldn't help but think of Empress Han who died young.

The Han family seems to be affectionate, but in fact they are long-term. As a daughter of the family, Empress Han is naturally a little more respectable than Han Bi today. At that time, she raised an innocent smiling face like morning dew, and said to him firmly: I feel that His Majesty still lacks a queen, what do you think?"

The carriage drifted away, Han Xun closed his eyes, still feeling troubled.