Huaigui

In Luoyang, night fell, and the lights in the North Hall were dim.

In the past, Queen Dugu's residence had a different temperament after the owner changed. The Shang bedroom has replaced the previous landscape screens and exquisite embroidered objects, and the North Hall has become empty, looking quite deserted.According to Xu Xin's intention, the removed items were collected and put in a private warehouse.

The spring day was gorgeous but short, and Xu Xin, dressed in riding clothes, returned to the North Hall from the royal hunting ground outside the palace until nightfall.As soon as she stepped into the palace gate, the female officials and servants came up to add clothes and serve tea.

Xu Xin took a sip of tea, and suddenly saw a figure not far away.After a pause, she put it back on the tea tray, whispered that there was no need to wait around, put away the long sword and walked towards the man.

"How did you come?"

Wrapped in a black robe, Lu Yi didn't answer when she heard the words, but silently motioned Xu Xin not to enter the door.She glanced at the faintly bright lights in the north hall, and secretly thought that Lu Yi stopped in her tracks because of the ears on the partition wall.

There is a tall weeping willow by the garden road leading to the Yaoguang Pavilion, with new shoots in spring, but it is a pity that too much green color is covered at night.The two of them went around to the weeping willow along the road one after the other, after confirming that no one was following them, and Lu Yi's skills could not detect any hidden lines lurking around, Xu Xin asked the question.

"My lord asked you to come here?"

Lu Yi didn't answer the question, and stretched out her hand that had been hidden under the black robe, holding a crumpled piece of paper: "Today, someone in the streets and alleys of Luoyang is spreading a proclamation, and my subordinates have brought a page, please have a look. "

Suspicions abounded immediately in Xu Xin. After taking a look at Lu Yi, he took it. She recognized the first handwriting in the dim light and said in shock, "Western Army Call? The King of Henan? Who did this..."

"Suddenly appeared in the streets and alleys a few days ago, and my subordinates guessed that they were those who Gao Jing stayed in the capital before." Lu Yi explained, "Although the emperor is abolished, after all, Jian Guo has his own business for several years, and he fled Luoyang before. Due to many inconveniences at the time, they all hid themselves, and they were still sending news secretly—it was the Lin Shang’s handwriting, and I’m afraid there are other people’s strength to help.”

Xu Xin said: "You have found out."

Lu Yi nodded: "Among the six ministries, the Ministry of Rites and the Ministry of Households belong to the abolished emperor's faction. The Ministry of War does not move but has no intention of taking refuge in His Majesty. Since last year, His Majesty secretly wanted to get rid of the ministers several times, and his subordinates secretly protected them."

Xu Xin praised him and said, "Is what written here true or false?"

In the call-to-action, it is written that Gaohong, king of Henan, harbored evil intentions. First, he murdered the heroic Helan clan, and later he disturbed the imperial court and overstepped everywhere. Although there is no evidence mentioned, several questions undoubtedly point to Gaohong's weakness——

Is it suspected of colluding with an enemy country when raising troops as an envoy?

Does peace talks after a big victory have the intention of cede territory and fawn on foreign countries?

Imprisoning relatives, mutilating loyal and good people, disregarding human relations, and killing innocent people indiscriminately, each of these is a major crime that both humans and gods envy.Now that the emperor is still alive, he has changed his year name and announced that he will abolish the crown prince and even deprive him of the title of emperor. The old Helan clan of the Western Army is outraged and raises troops in Pingcheng.

It's not the tone of Emperor Fei, but Gao Jing's style is everywhere. Xu Xin quietly read it without any expression, and asked Lu Yi, "Since you have found out, does Gao Hong know?"

"It's all over the city, and it caused a stir in the army. Your Majesty saw it earlier than his subordinates, and ordered Mei Gong to lead the guards to quell the chaos."

"In the army...?" Xu Xin thought for a while, then laughed, "The general had a high prestige back then, this... I really underestimated Gao Jing, thinking that he only needs to lead people back to Luoyang. It seems that he has a lot of grudges , insists on letting our Majesty fall into a place where everyone is betrayed. Lu Yi, do me a favor."

"You say."

"The old palace servants who served Gao Hong's mother and concubine in the past were dispatched to Yeting after the first emperor ascended the throne. Now that their youth is almost exhausted, they must have resentment towards him in their hearts." Xu Xin thought for a while, "I heard that when the late emperor was still in the chat, these people took care of the young Gao Hong, and heard him say some... messy things, but it doesn't matter, the late emperor just kept their lives to suffer according to Gao Hong's wishes."

Lu Yi nodded: "This subordinate understands, let someone you trust to protect them later."

He walked away in the night, Xu Xin let out a breath slowly, the blood that had subsided in his heart seemed to have a sign of boiling again, and unconsciously clenched a jade pendant at his waist.

Jade pendants are not rare items, and their materials are not as good as those seen today.Xu Xin didn't mention her past history to anyone. It has been with her for so many years, from a little girl in the imperial army to the deputy commander of the female guard camp, the military governor of Bingzhou, and the princess... I am afraid that it will not be long before I get to this place. Queen at the end.

On the day when he met Helan Maojia for the first time, Xu Xin nervously listened to him talking to him, and kept dodging stiffly without knowing where to look.

Helan Maojia noticed her gaze and thought she had taken a fancy to the simple jade plaque around his waist, so he smiled, untied it and handed it to her: "Since I've been looking at it, I must like it, so give it to the little girl as a meeting gift." .”

She didn't really like it, she just stared at it for a long time without a place to look.

But without Xu Xin's excuses, He Lanmaojia listened to the inner palace summons and left. Later, no matter how abruptly he mentioned it, he never returned it to the other party until now.

The material of the jade pendant is warm and moist, and green bamboo is engraved on it, just like the spring breeze that day.

Can't be blamed in the end.

Xu Xin went back to the bedroom in the North Hall and changed her clothes. She finally got her mood together and was about to take a rest. When she was about to rest, the servant came to report: Your Royal Highness is here.

Her heart beat suddenly, and when Xu Xin put on her clothes to meet her, she put on her mask again, with a decent smile, and when she saw Gao Hong sitting in the middle, she asked with concern: "Your Majesty is still here?"

The two of them fought each other but respected each other as guests, they knew each other well, at least they maintained the superficial peace.At this time, seeing Gao Hong's face ashen, his eyes blushed with bruises from not having a good rest, and he tapped on the table anxiously, Xu Xin didn't feel refreshed at all, he just felt that he had done it to himself.

People do too many bad things and can't sleep at night, so what if they win the world?

The two of them stood and sat for a long time, and the surrounding was extremely quiet.After a long time, Gao Hong raised his head and looked at Xu Xin, with a sullen tone in his tone: "Gao Jing's escape has nothing to do with Gao Qian, you let him go?"

Sighing secretly that the one who should come will always come, Xu Xin smiled: "It's a concubine."

She confessed so readily that Gao Hong's questioning was like a dumb firecracker, and the expression on her face was not very good-looking, so Xu Xin continued: "The deposed emperor is imprisoned, you go and talk to Rouran." After making the deal, I ordered the Ghost Prison to guard it day and night. It took me a lot of effort to let my people in. But if you come back and see that he is not there, I am afraid you will anger the Queen Mother Dugu and the Fourth Highness, so I have to let Xiaojing suffer a little more. .”

"You..." Gao Hong frowned.

"When you come back, he hasn't revealed the whereabouts of the Pingcheng Iron Guard's soldier talisman, so you will continue to save his life." Speaking of which, Xu Xin even took the time to sort out the broken hair on his sideburns, "The iron guard guarding the old capital is of great significance , Once this team rebels, it will not only be a golden weapon, but also an absolute violation of your authority...so you will not give up easily."

Gao Hong sneered and said: "But Gao Jing's legs are disabled, you have to know that even a disabled person will not be allowed to ascend the throne, this is the ancestral motto left by Emperor Daowu!"

Xu Xin was not afraid of him at all: "Yes, let's talk about it then."

"Xu Xin—!"

"Your Majesty came here late at night, didn't you just want to know how the concubine let Gao Jing leave the ghost prison without a trace?" Xu Xin said with a smile, "Speaking of which, I have to thank Your Majesty for rushing to the throne, so I gave this concubine a chance to take advantage of it." Even if the ghost prison is like this, how many of the six departments, Jiuqing, Yushitai, Dali Temple outside the ghost prison... are devoted to you?"

"You talk nonsense, isn't it my destiny!?"

Xu Xin paused for a moment, then asked doubtfully, "The destiny? If it is said that killing the emperor's heirs and framing Zhongliang is the destiny, but Emperor Jingwen didn't choose you as the eldest son, and even the mother family, the Helan family, never supported you. Have you forgotten, Your Majesty?" ?”

This sentence directly touched his rebellious scales. Since his ascension to the throne, there have been faint voices of opposition from all over the country. Once the letter is released today, the future will be like a hot potato.

Gao Hong stood up suddenly: "Come here! The queen is crazy, lock her in the North Palace!"

The servants on the left and right appeared outside the door and were about to enter. Xu Xin waved them away, laughing more and more wantonly: "Haha! So Your Majesty is also afraid? I thought you wouldn't be afraid! Why, guilty conscience...?"

"Why should I be guilty! It's you—"

"Just now, my concubine said that she had made up her mind, but why didn't your majesty?" Xu Xin suddenly became quiet, her phoenix eyes were full of quiet gaze, "The concubine's marriage and then going to Yuzhou to perform military exercises. Maximize the benefits. Your Majesty has never considered a concubine, why do you still blame me?"

As soon as the question came out, Gao Hong's back who was about to leave suddenly stopped. He made a gesture, and the servant who wanted to support Xu Xin stopped moving.He turned his head slowly, his face was a little unreal by the candlelight.

"I never thought about you?"

It seems that he has not yet reached the year of knowing his destiny, and the two temples are full of stars, and the high spirits of a year ago have completely disappeared.

Xu Xin was a little taken aback.

Gao Hong said slowly: "It's not that I don't know why you married me. You are Gao Pei's confidant and Dugu's boudoir friend. Staying by my side will do more harm than good. The doormen persuaded me...but I still chose you. Firstly, for the military power of Bingzhou, although I failed, I don’t regret it; because secondly, I have you in my heart after all.”

Xu Xin turned his head away, and smiled as if he didn't hear anything, feeling miserable.

"At first I thought you were... the same." Gao Hong pursed his lips, "It doesn't matter what the outcome is, you and I are not only at odds, it seems that there is no fate...Master Xu, General Xu, when you promised to marry me, Don't you feel a little bit moved?"

He didn't want an answer when he asked this question, Gao Hong was about to walk away as soon as he finished speaking, but just as he took a step, the woman behind him sighed softly: "Aren't you tempted?"

"..."

"Under the corridor deep in the garden that day, the prince came in a blue robe wearing flowers and blowing willows in the spring breeze. He was so romantic and romantic. I am not a heartless person. After seeing it with my own eyes, Is it true that I have never been tempted?"

"..."

"But it was also that day, after I came out of the North Hall, I learned that the general had died in prison. After many investigations, I found out that the prince had just left the prison of Dali Temple before he came to the palace? I regard the general as a brother and a teacher, If you don't reciprocate the kindness and admiration, then heaven and man will be separated forever. How can the prince want a concubine?"

After finishing speaking, after Gao Hong's silence, Xu Xin said: "You don't need to imprison me, I won't leave the North Hall from today on—Gao Hong, how much blood have you stained, don't make yourself so innocent again!"

With a cry of please come back, the door of the palace behind him was closed with a loud bang, and under the jade steps, two rows of attendants with palace lanterns were still waiting.Gao Hong raised his head and looked at the vast night outside the North Hall, where the moon was cloudless.

The leading servant boldly asked: "Your Majesty, do you want to go back to the Ming Hall to rest?"

Gao Hong thought for a while and said a place name.

The harem has just experienced an extremely fierce conflict. Perhaps after dawn, it will spread to every corner of Ziwei City, and different versions will be produced to satisfy all imaginations about the "mountain rain is coming".

But at this moment, West Palace is still quiet.

Aqiu stood at the side with a bowl in his hand, looking up at the black-robed man who had just opened the door: "Lord Lu... Your lord, he won't drink medicine today."

"Give it to me." Lu Yi took the white porcelain bowl and stirred the thick concoction that was still slightly steaming.

After Aqiu did so, she left silently. She knew that Gao Qian didn't like to be disturbed, and besides, Lu Yi should be safe here, so she went to other palaces to prepare things for the next day.

Lu Yi turned off the lights and walked to Gao Qian's bed.He still couldn't get out of bed, weak and cold, this winter was hard to get through, even Gao Hong didn't come to torture him, he was lucky - Hanzhangdian didn't find what he wanted, and everyone knew him inside and outside Gao Qian was placed under house arrest as if to vent his anger.

Lu Yi tried the temperature of the soup: "You can still drink it, it will be more bitter when it gets cold, should you drink it?"

Gao Qian hugged the quilt with his arms full and kept covering his chin, which was childish. He blinked: "I don't want to drink."

"Then don't drink it." After saying that, Lu Yi opened half the window, poured the soup outside, turned her head to see Gao Qian smiled, and explained, "It's okay to drink less."

He sat on the side of the couch and held Gao Qian's hand, trying to pass on the warmth. He narrated in detail the proclamations that had been passed around, and recited to him what he had heard from Xu Xinna.Gao Jing's last letter was delivered after arriving in Cangzhou, and it has been several days since now, and it is unknown whether he has arrived in Pingcheng.

Gao Qian felt a little tired after listening to it, but Lu Yi stopped talking immediately after realizing it.

"What's wrong?" He opened his half-closed eyes.

Lu Yi was worried, and stopped for a moment before saying: "Lang Lang, you've been sleeping more and more recently."

Gao Qian said "Oh": "It seems so."

He didn't understand what Lu Yi meant, but some words changed when they came out. Lu Yisi thought about it and said, "It's good to keep your energy up, don't be groggy all the time... I will worry."

"Worried about not waking up after falling asleep one day?" Gao Qian saw that his face had changed, reached out and pressed the corner of Lu Yi's mouth into a smile, and asked a strange question, "Have you ever wondered why I told Lu Yi Your name is 'Gao Lang'?"

Lu Yi was pinched by him and her voice was vague: "No."

"My name was not given by my father. He was not there when I was born. The emperor's brother was young, so it is not proper etiquette. According to the family tree of the Honglu Temple, the word 'Qian' was found after searching many calendar books. They worked hard , but I don’t like it. Divers, wading in the water, are extremely deep and sinking, but the deeper you go, the darker it becomes, and you can’t see anything.”

"Lang Lang?"

"They want me to be used by the emperor without showing my edge. I have assisted the emperor's brother for more than ten years, and I think I am worthy of this surname." Gao Qian's cold fingers moved in Lu Yi's palm, "You can brighten the world and the sun and the moon , I have never really seen it... If one day, can you take me to see it?"

Lu Yi quickly agreed, Gao Qian turned his head to look at him, his eyes were very bright: "Amur, don't go back on your promise."

He froze for a moment, as if he hadn't heard this forgotten name for half his life.

Outside the city of Moling, a boy from a foreign ethnic group who had just started enlightenment picked up a brick and smashed the back of Ren Yazi's head. On the way to be escorted to the government, he met an arrogant and noble little prince who was visiting his uncle's house and sat on a sedan chair, blocking his way.

He didn't sleep enough, and there was still a bit of childishness between his brows, but his words were beyond doubt: "It's useless for you to arrest Gao Che, put the other children back, and give the leader to me."

After he finished speaking, he turned his head and asked for his name. He paused for a moment, not knowing much Chinese. The person next to him patiently spoke in Gaoche, so he said, "Amur."

On a bright summer day, Gao Qian, who was still young, said with a smile, "This name is too hard to remember. From now on, I will call you 'Lu Yi'."

Lu Yi will always remember that day.

He coaxed Gao Qian to fall asleep before pulling out his hand, helping the person cover the quilt, putting the extra pillow aside and blowing out the lights.After all this is done, he should return to his position as the guard outside Hanzhang Hall.

Lu Yi closed the door and turned her back, suddenly the lanterns in the courtyard rushed from all directions.

Among them stood his master of 26 years.

Gao Hong's face was gloomy: "I'm so affectionate, I was almost deceived by you - take it!"

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Oh huo