Huaigui

Gao Hong said "wait for the opportunity", but he waited for almost a year.

In the beginning of summer in the 15th year of Jingming, the Beining army stationed in Jingzhou swept the Nanchu guards with a gust of wind, and then completely occupied Jingzhou, and the navy went down the river, burning the flames of war all the way to Jiangdu.

At that time when the world was divided into two, when Li Ye, the great ancestor of Southern Chu, died of illness, and Li Xuan, Emperor Xuan came to the throne, he could still fight Beining.Then Li Xuan suddenly fell ill, and hastily passed on his nephew, Li Kui, as Emperor Wen.

In his early years, Emperor Wen of Chu made great efforts to govern, and maintained half of the peace with Beining. In his later years, he respected Taoism as the state religion, so that when the current Emperor Li Qi of Southern Chu came to the throne, the whole southern country was full of talkative style.

That's fine, but Li Qi was obsessed with Nine Turns Returning Alchemy, completely ruining the government.Southern Chu has not known how to fight for more than 27 years. When the Emperor Beining was in power, he was able to capture [-] cities and forced Li Qi to pay tribute. Now in the past ten years, Beining's cavalry has become more and more well-trained, and the weak defense line of Southern Chu is vulnerable. hit.

The new year is just over, the battle report comes from the front line, and the victory in Jiangdu——

After taking down Jiangdu, it is only one step away from Jiangning, the capital of Southern Chu, and the unification of the North and the South is close at hand.

Li Qi finally panicked at this moment, and sent three famous scholars from Southern Chu to Luo City to seek peace. The emperor didn't seem to intend to kill them all, so he put forward a series of harsh demands, and the two sides temporarily stopped fighting for a hundred days.

As summer gradually approached, Southern Chu Emperor Li Qi cut off his country and emperor titles, and continued to use the Beining calendar, with a [-]% increase in the annual tribute. show loyalty.

So far, the Beining family has dominated.

The seventh day of the seventh lunar month is Gao Jing's birthday, which must be called double happiness for the emperor.On Qixi Festival again, the city of Luoyang is decorated with lanterns and festoons, red and white two-color silk and satin tie out the Tianhe, and the lights on the surface of the Weihe River.Due to the special day, the curfew was suspended, and the people in the city went to the Fuwei River to watch the fireworks celebrating the imperial city. The excitement was no less than that of Shangyuan night.

It was noisy outside the palace, and there was joy inside the palace.

Although birthday is not an important age, the victory at the front line and the festival are all together to make people happy.The northern hall was brightly lit, and the emperor personally arranged wine and held a banquet. All the royal family and important officials were present, and smiles lit up every cheek as they exchanged cups.

The magpie bridge is slim, and the silver and the Han are far away, and what awaits is a dreamlike wedding.

Gao Jing, the protagonist of the birthday banquet, was not as happy as he had imagined. He looked at the dancing girl in the hall with her waist swaying, without any interest.Aman, who was kneeling behind him, was picking out the fishbone for him. Gao Jing rested his chin with one hand, feeling extremely bored.

The wind is light but the sound is loud, and eating and drinking are no longer interesting, a voice suddenly sounded behind him: "Jing'er, why are you so unhappy on today's birthday? Do you think the emperor is neglecting you?"

Gao Jing turned his head quickly, and saw that it was the emperor holding the jade cup.

He was followed by King Yu, seeing the terrified expression on his face, he couldn't help laughing: "Young brother, you scared Jing Er, the child can't sit still, I guess he is tired."

"Ah... father, uncle." Gao Jing got up and wanted to salute, but was stopped lightly.

"Go out and play." The emperor said suddenly.

Gao Jing was stunned: "Why did the emperor say that? Jing'er didn't..."

Raising his hand to interrupt Gao Jing's words, the emperor smiled tolerantly: "I'm here at your age, so I know what you're thinking. After drinking for three rounds, watching a group of old guys show off to each other must be boring, and I don't care about you today. "

Gao Jing was overjoyed, and the milk swallow threw himself into the emperor's arms like a forest: "Thank you, father!"

The king of Yu next to him said without losing the opportunity: "Jing'er, Uncle has prepared a congratulatory gift for you, it's a coincidence, I'll take you to have a look, how about it?"

He is only 15 years old, and he is very curious, and he became interested immediately after hearing the words.Gao Jing said, "Aren't those coral pearls that my uncle sent are very good", but he let King Yu put his arms around his shoulders affectionately, and took him out of the hall.

Looking at their figures going away, the emperor was thoughtful.

"Brother Huang, what are you thinking?" Suddenly a voice sounded, and he followed the sound. Gao Qian was holding a mountain and water folding fan, and was admiring the dancing posture of a dancer like a flying swallow intently.

"Brother Yu and Jing'er have a very good relationship, and they are like father and son." The emperor said, feeling quite disappointed, "And I have been busy with government affairs these years, and I haven't talked with Jing'er for a long time... I can't be a qualified father .”

Gao Qian said: "Brother Huang is the ruler of a country and the master of the world. How can you take care of this task? There are gains and losses. Jing'er is not young, and will eventually understand your painstaking efforts."

The emperor sighed: "I hope."

Gao Qian smiled softly: "What's more, it's not a bad thing to ask Brother Yu to befriend him, lest Brother Yu hang around the fireworks place all day long, take care of the children, and cultivate his patience."

Hearing this, the emperor couldn't help laughing and said: "You yourself used to be a half-grown child, and you were young and old when you spoke. Now that you are getting older, you have started to get entangled in Brother Yu's family affairs! It seems that I should replace you sooner. Looking for a ladylike woman..."

"Your brother doesn't need it." Gao Qian looked at him with light in his eyes, and said softly, "Your brother is doing his best for the emperor, how can he have any other thoughts? Besides, I don't know how long this sick and disabled body can last...Forget it, Royal brother."

The second half of the sentence fell in the increasingly intense sound of the pipa, and the silver bottle broke suddenly, and there was a buzzing sound.

The emperor didn't know whether he didn't hear it or pretended to be deaf. He lamented for a moment, patted Gao Qian's shoulder, and sat down on the empty seat beside him: "Today is a good day, don't mention anything else, Brother Huang will accompany you for a drink."

"Thank you." Gao Qian said, his eyes fell on the cup again.

The music lingered for three days, but he stared at a candle reflected by the fine wine, and took a peek at the bright yellow figure beside him by the light.As if aware of it, the emperor turned his head: "What's wrong?"

Gao Qian shook his head, with a smile on his lips: "I was just thinking...Brother Pei, you and I haven't had a drink together for many years."

The galaxy hangs in the sky.

The north hall is next to the imperial garden, and it is amazing that there are still a lot of flowers in the late summer and early autumn.Maids in apricot dresses and dancers with light skirts shuttled down the corridor. Evening make-up has just begun, jade bones and icy muscles, and the phoenix flute blows through the water and clouds.

Gao Jing was unintentionally beautiful, and asked blindly: "What good gift did uncle prepare for Jing Er, do you have to go and see it in person?"

Hearing this, King Yu smiled slightly, and made a fool of himself: "You'll know when you go, you must like it. It's not convenient for him to see this thing in front of your father, otherwise you have to ask me to look good."

"Father and uncle are deeply in love with each other, how can it be! Besides, if uncle gave it to nephew, nephew should take care of any mistakes, shouldn't he?" of a shadow.

The lights in the cloister are no brighter than those in the hall, and a bit dim.There was no moon on the seventh day of the lunar new year, and the starlight was like broken jade, falling on the pond in the imperial garden, sparkling, and there was a bit of sea scenery.

King Yu stood by the pool with his arms around him, and said, "Jing'er close your eyes."

Gao Jing laughed and said that his uncle was playing tricks again, but he also covered his eyes as he said.He was undefended, with an innocent smile on the corner of his lips, very hazy under the light of the stars and lights, almost distorted by the light, King Yu's eyes were deep, the fingers holding his shoulder moved slightly, the pond was close at hand——

The koi swam past, the red tail fin broke out of the water, and there was a "crash".

King Yu woke up suddenly and grabbed Gao Jing's shoulder.

"Uncle? Hurry up." The young man pouted dissatisfiedly, muttering and complaining, "You are the best at torturing Jing'er."

"Isn't this coming soon?" King Yu smiled, restraining the haze on his face.

He clapped his hands three times, and Gao Jing vaguely heard the sound of footsteps coming like waves, which were incredibly light.A strange feeling suddenly surged in his heart, he seemed to have expected it, the fingers covering his eyes curled up for a moment, and let go, only to see the brilliance passing by quickly, and then hid in the darkness again.

Gao Jing couldn't help but raise the corners of his lips, and heard King Yu say in his ears: "Jing Er, let's have a look."

Heavy curtains densely cover the lights, a little solitary light.

Gao Jing blinked as the face that had been lingering in the sea of ​​consciousness for some days was close at hand.This time he didn't kneel, his eyes were on the same level as his own, his slender figure was almost a head taller, his expression was indifferent, and he was holding a sword.

Facing his eyes, Mingyue bowed/bent her knees: "I have seen Your Highness."

"Forget it." Gao Jing held his arm to prevent him from kneeling, and his tone was obviously brisk, "Uncle, is he the one you want to send me? I kept saying that I refused with the order of my father before, and now I send it again... ...Aren't you afraid that your father will blame you?"

King Yu coughed lightly: "It's not him, He Lan, explain yourself."

Responding to "yes", Mingyue bent down, held the long sword above her head with both hands, moved her fingers slightly, and three points out of the sheath, it turned out to be a blue light, like snow and moon.

Although he hadn't started yet, Gao Jing had already exclaimed: "What a sharp sword!"

Mingyue said: "One year ago, the prince got the cold iron from the top of the mountain, and he found a famous craftsman from Mobei to make it for his highness. The scabbard is inlaid with pearls from the South China Sea. It is three feet and three inches, but it is compatible with the world. It is suitable for your highness/identity. Today is your highness's birthday. Your Highness, please give this sword a name."

As the saying goes, a sword is given to a hero. Gao Jing is still young, but he is still happy when he sees this sword.He rolled up his cuffs, took the long sword, and saw that there was a gap in the inscription, and the scabbard was meticulously carved, and there were thousands of miles of mountains and rivers.

"Uncle puts his heart into it, the meaning of this sword... is truly ashamed!" Gao Jing held the hilt of the sword, dragged half of it away, looked at it carefully and said excitedly, "Gu likes it so much."

King Yu half-covered his mouth and said: "On weekdays, this king is nothing more than romantic, it's the first time to make a sword, and I am satisfied with Jing'er's love - by the way, you should stay with this person in the future, brother When you ask, he said that this king sent you to serve the sword, so that he won't blame you."

Gao Jing smiled and said, "Uncle is thoughtful."

The person beside him still kept his bowed posture, King Yu patted him on the back, and left on the pretext of having something to do.Out of the corner of his eye, he caught a glimpse of a black shadow on the corridor, and seemed to feel something, and his smile deepened.

Gao Jing casually handed the sword to Mingyue, seeing that he was in a hurry to pick it up, he said slowly: "Helan Mingyue, I haven't seen you for a year, I never thought that Uncle Huang could really cut love."

Mingyue said respectfully: "What cut off love, His Highness is absurd."

Gao Jing raised his eyebrows: "You are Lu Yi's subordinate, so you will naturally belong to the Shadow Guard. Uncle Huang sent you here, maybe it's not just as simple as serving the sword... Don't be nervous, don't ask, you just stay here .”

"Yes." Mingyue replied.

Seeing that he was still bowed, Gao Jing suddenly sighed: "This posture is very uncomfortable, just stand up straight, I'm not used to it."

Mingyue did as soon as she heard the words, her lips moved slightly as if she wanted to say something, but she said, "Thank you, Your Highness."

He looked hesitant, in the past he would never have caught his eye, but this time Gao Jing had to be patient: "Do you have something to hide?"

Mingyue raised her head: "Your Highness...you have misunderstood this slave, what His Highness thinks...to serve you sword this time is proposed by the slave, not Captain Lu Wei and the prince's thoughts."

"Oh?" Gao Jing became interested, and walked with him to the Beidian residence, "Why do you want to come?"

"When I saw it in the palace that day, His Majesty's celestial appearance... I dare not forget."

"Hypocrisy!" Gao Jing feigned anger, but he couldn't hide the smile on his brows and eyes - he hadn't reached the age of self-control, and the thoughts in his heart were honestly displayed in every expression.

Mingyue followed him half a step away: "Your Highness, before you, no one has ever cared about the life and death of slaves."

Gao Jing paused, laughing at the absurdity in his heart.But he was born to be very useful for such words. Maybe he grew up among the stars and the moon since he was a child. If he occasionally expresses a little kindness, others will remember it for a lifetime-this sudden gratitude is absurd, but Gao Jing's heart softens because of it. .

"Gu said it casually because you saved Gu." Gao Jing turned half of his face, glanced at the handsome young man, and suddenly smiled, "Forget it, as long as you are happy—don't be a 'slave' from now on, 'slave' Yes, Gu’s ears are uncomfortable.”

Mingyue followed kindness and said: "This subordinate obeys orders."

Starlight twinkled, and half of the lights in the corridor reflected on his face, which made his skin whiter, as if it had the color of snow.But different from those dancers with flowers on their brows and towering temples, although this person has not grown up, he is not like a daughter's family, and he is not at all feminine.

Under the dim light in the corridor of the North Hall, Gao Jing could clearly see those gray eyes that were as transparent as glazed glass.

"By the way, that sword." His eyes flickered, "Do you like it? He Lan, if you like Gu, I will give it to you."

"Subordinates dare not!" He leaned over to kneel.

Gao Jing scolded: "Don't kneel!"

He hurriedly stood up straight again, brushing his fingers unconsciously over the sword hilt at his waist, and heard Gao Jing whispering softly: "I understand what Uncle Huang means, you don't need to worry, just answer one question, do you like it?"

Helan Mingyue thought for a while, then just nodded and didn't answer.

Gao Jing knew what he meant, and found this man even more interesting.The gloom of the banquet was swept away, he raised his hand to caress the jade-like profile of the man, touched his eyelids with his fingertips, and saw himself reflected in the gray eyes.

With an ambiguous tone, Gao Jing said softly: "This sword is called Yanshanxue, and it is perfect for you."

The night banquet in the North Palace was not over yet, and the important ministers resigned one after another. Only the royal family and nobles were left, and they were already a little drunk after drinking the mellow wine.The maid stood by the door, listening attentively to what the guards said, her face paled, and she hurried into the hall.

She straightened her clothes and moved lightly in lotus steps, leaning against Gao Qian in a posture of crossing her neck, making others think she was throwing herself into her arms.Gao Qian stroked the maid's temple hair, and said in a deep voice, "What's the matter?"

The maid said in a low voice: "Just now King Yu gave His Royal Highness a sword, alone."

"Understood." Gao Qian lazily said, "The sword is not the point. Brother Yu Wang sent this person, go and find out the origin, and then report to the king."

"You don't need to search too much, this servant recognizes him." The maid has been by Gao Qian's side for many years and is already a confidant, "This servant met him once, five years ago in Prince Yu's Mansion."

She said that half of the high potential was fully understood, her half-drunk eyes suddenly sobered, and the jade cup fell to the ground: "It's him?"

The maid said: "Do you need to inform Your Majesty?"

King Yu wanted to do something, this thought lingered in his mind, Gao Qian rarely relaxed and then tensed suddenly.He has a serious disease, and he will get sick when he is overworked. At this time, when he got excited, he suddenly coughed.

The music couldn't conceal his panic. The emperor turned around and saw Gao Qian's face turned pale. He immediately asked with concern: "What's wrong with Brother Qian? But the food and drink are not to your taste?"

Covering her mouth with the big sleeves of the toga, Gao Qian waved her hand and said, "It's not in the way."

"I told you not to drink so much wine. If something happens right now, how can I make Brother Huang feel sorry for you!" , just say that King Ji is ill—if he is not here, he will be arrested and brought into the palace, no one else is needed, hurry up!"

"How good is it to work..." Gao Qian was about to stop him, when suddenly his heart ached, and he opened his mouth and coughed again and again.

He hurriedly covered his face, and swallowed the bloody smell of rust in his mouth.The emperor had already sat in the empty seat beside him, and poured him a cup of hot tea himself: "Come on, brother Qian, drink slowly."

Gao Qian held the cup of tea in his hand, his face sank like water, looked at the worried maid, and shook his head very lightly.