long friend

Ever since Xiao Qichen was able to go to court to discuss state affairs openly, he often ran out. Xiao Yan said a few words indifferently, but did not stop him publicly, so Xiao Qichen became even more presumptuous.

At sunset and dusk, the new military newspaper was sent out, and Shen Chengjun felt uncomfortable all over, and he was bored in the military tent and became angry.Su Yan greeted his surroundings, left Nanyuan, and walked slowly towards Xiashan Academy.

This place seemed to have been regarded as his own by Xiao Qichen. He walked through the intricate alleys based on his memory, and when he opened the gate of the academy and entered, Xiao Qichen was sitting on a stone bench playing chess with Xie Hui.When Su Yan entered the door, Xie Hui looked up and was about to speak out when Su Yan quickly put his index finger on his lips and made a silent gesture towards him.

He walked over lightly, Xiao Qichen turned his back and couldn't see him, and was concentrating on preparing to make a move.

Su Yan knew that the children of the royal family must be exposed to music, chess, calligraphy and painting, but the Xiao Qichen he had been in contact with since he was a child was always lazy, dozing off at school, and running around after school, and felt that this person was not doing his job properly.At this time, seeing that he was not playing chess randomly, Su Yan was a little surprised, and then studied the chess game.

Xie Hui, as a well-known talented man all over Jinling, is naturally not a stinking chess player. Seeing the stalemate in the chess game, the two have obviously been confronting each other for a long time, and Xie Hui didn't take advantage of it.Looking at the expressions of the two, Xiao Qichen didn't even frown, but Xie Hui scratched his head, feeling a little anxious.

This situation surprised Su Yan secretly, he saw a vacancy in the chess game, if Xiao Qichen's sunspot fell there, Xie Hui would be gone.Xiao Qichen picked up a sunspot, thought for a while, and placed it there accurately.

"Brother Zhongguang, you lost." Xiao Qichen smiled, and spread his hand towards Xie Hui, "Bring it here."

There's a chance of winning or losing...?While Su Yan was stunned, Xie Hui reluctantly put five copper coins in Xiao Qichen's hands, just enough for the proprietress to order a side dish and a bowl of Yangchun noodles in the tavern outside the academy.

Xiao Qichen proudly put it away, got a cheap price and said obediently: "Thank you, great talent, don't let me next time."

When he got up, he dodged to the side, Su Yan lost no time in scratching Xiao Qichen's waist.He knew very well that this person had a whole body of itchy flesh, so Xiao Qichen squatted down on the ground with his claws down, furiously wanting to see who was plotting against him, and when he met Su Yan's face, his temper suddenly disappeared.

"Ayan, when did you come?"

Su Yan pulled him up and said, "During the last move, your chess skills have improved a lot—where's my horse?"

Before Xiao Qichen could answer him, Xie Hui said sourly from the side: "So that's your horse! Your Highness doesn't care about trifles, and he tied it to me in the backyard as soon as he came. My two hens were chased up and down. If we don't take them away, they will soon die in this world."

Su Yan couldn't help laughing, and hurriedly went to the backyard to get the horse out, and tied it to the door instead.Xie Hui complained again: "Your Highness came to play chess with me today. I lost three games first, and then I won all the way to you. He won all the coppers on me. How can I have dinner later!"

Su Yan said: "You can go home—alright, what does Ah Chen want from me?"

Xiao Qichen put the chessboard back into Xie Hui's room, stretched his waist, and said, "It's nothing serious. If you have free time at night, let's go to Brother Ping's house. I'll talk to Brother Zhongguang about Zhao Wang looking for me today." Having said that, he also thought it was too weird."

Su Yan was naturally free, so he nodded and heard Xie Hui say, "I'll go home in a few days and confess my mistake to Grandpa. I'll also take this opportunity to ask him about Mu Guanyin. As for His Highness, he said that he had gone to Mrs. Yin , the other party obviously forgot about this matter, and it has little to do with her, so let's focus on the people around His Royal Highness Chu for the time being."

Several people nodded, Xie Hui said: "You two go to His Highness, I will tidy up the room."

As for how Eldest Master Xie returned to the Prime Minister's mansion with two hens, Xiao Qichen could only get a clue from Prime Minister Xie who was beaming with spring at the court meeting the next day.

When he and Su Yan knocked on the gate of Bowang Garden, it happened to coincide with Xiao Qiping's dinner.

Since Xiao Qiping was abolished as the prince, it can be said that he has become more and more relaxed, and started to be lazy in an open and honest manner.After moving out of the imperial city, Xiao Yan gave him a palace and a royal garden. His time in the mansion was short, and he basically spent his time in the garden.In Xiao Qichen's words: "Brother Ping has no ambitions now, he only understands his wife."

Princess He of Chu, who was crying on the bridal sedan chair, was not born stunningly beautiful, but her features were picturesque and her face was like a peach apricot. She looked like a traditional lady when she was just standing there. How could she look self-willed?Seeing Xiao Qichen arrived, she first pulled Xiao Qiping's hand to indicate that he had a guest, and then said softly: "Uncle is here."

Xiao Qichen quickly waved his hands and said, "Sister-in-law Wang, don't do this, I'm embarrassed to shout."

Xiao Qiping at the table turned his head in his direction. He hadn't covered his eyes with a ribbon recently. Seeing that those eyes were dim and out of focus, Su Yan felt a little depressed when he thought about King Zhao's current situation.

"Qichen came by coincidence. Today Zipei personally cooked the osmanthus cake. You came just after it was served." When Xiao Qiping said this, he patted Wangfei's hand with his right hand a few times, There was a smile on his face unconsciously.That smile was really pretty, and he lowered his eyelids, shy like a teenager.

Xiao Qichen coughed twice, and said: "Ayan is here too, he said he hasn't come to see you for a long time, let's have a meal together - sister-in-law is good at cooking, Brother Ping likes to eat this."

He Shi said angrily: "What a good craft. The osmanthus tree in the backyard fell a few days ago. When the prince passed by, he sighed that there was an osmanthus cake in the palace, and he hadn't eaten it since. I was still thinking about what it was, so I asked Cuiyu Auntie, I asked Miss Wan Qing again, and learned how to do it myself several times, fortunately, my lord...it doesn't look ugly."

When she spoke, she revealed her true nature, and her ladylike aura dissipated. Hearing this, Xiao Qiping smiled even deeper, and pulled her sleeve: "Okay, Zipei, sit down quickly."

When the newlyweds were singing in harmony, Xiao Qichen couldn't bear to look away, staring at the appalling osmanthus cake on the plate, desperately pretending that he didn't exist.Su Yan was at a loss by the side. From the time he could remember, there was a child stuck between his parents. He was very affectionate, but he was not so greasy.

He quietly moved the stool closer to Xiao Qichen, always feeling that he could be at ease this way.

Su Yan couldn't be satisfied with the meal. He saw that Xiao Qiping was indeed living a more chic life, and he was in love with his wife, so he was inexplicably envious.After the end, Mrs. He didn't stay with them any longer, and said he was going to embroider. After tidying up the dining table, he got up and left. Xiao Qichen then slowly walked over and sat next to Xiao Qiping.

Just as he was about to speak, he suddenly smelled a familiar fragrance at the tip of his nose, and the greeting on his lips turned around: "Brother Ping, why do you smell like red sandalwood?"

Xiao Qiping raised his eyebrows, and said: "What's the matter? Wan Qing prepared it for me. She said that red sandalwood helps me sleep, so that I won't have a bad night's rest. It was like this in the East Palace before. Today's new clothes may have a stronger smell ——The clothes that Zipei sewed, she is a boudoir lady, she can wash her hands and make soup, and she can also sew and mend, I am really wronged to marry."

In the second half, Xiao Qichen didn't listen at all. He and Su Yan looked at each other silently, and their expressions became serious.

Xiao Qichen tentatively asked: "...Did Miss Wan Qing prepare all the clothes when I was in the East Palace?"

Xiao Qiping answered logically: "Yes, she handles things properly. Everyone in the East Palace is registered, only Wanqing and Ruiqi...Because I like it, I don't worry, and I have been with you for so many years."

When he mentioned the name, his expression dimmed slightly. Seeing this, Xiao Qichen asked again: "How are your eyes doing now? I have tried many remedies over the years, if I am poisoned, there is a way to draw out the toxin, but I still can't see anything?"

Xiao Qiping didn't know what he meant, and said truthfully: "At the beginning, I could indeed see some shadows, like at night. After a while, it became more and more serious, and I couldn't even see the shadows. It's just that in the past few years I have Aunt Cuiyu is always there to help you with your actions, now that you are married, Zipei is even more concerned about this, Qichen, you don't have to worry."

"Your Highness, he ruined your entire life, don't you want to know who it is?"

Xiao Qiping was taken aback for a moment, then he understood what Su Yan said, and said with a faint smile: "The deal is done, so there is no need to mention it."

Su Yan and Xiao Qichen were choked by his words at the same time, and were thinking about how to respond, Xiao Qiping suddenly turned to Xiao Qichen and said, "Qichen, you are my younger brother, even if you were not born of the same mother, I watched you grow up, these Nian is also indebted to you to take care of him—you are my younger brother in the final analysis, so if you want to do something, you don't have to ask me."

Xiao Qichen: "..."

"If you... have other plans for this matter, don't worry about me. Do you understand what a brother said?" After Xiao Qiping finished speaking, he clenched his hands tightly and then let go, and said calmly, "As the crown prince, the first 20 All I have learned in the past year is self-cultivation and governing the country, but I have never contributed to the people's community. I feel ashamed. I didn't have the opportunity to tell you this before, but today's opportunity is just right. Now that my brother has this ambition, I should do my best."

Xiao Qichen was slightly moved, and said, "Brother Ping, I..."

Following his voice, Xiao Qiping caught his hand, and gently twitched the corner of his lips: "Needless to say, when I was your age, I used to have mountains and rivers in my heart, but now I'm trapped in a small garden, and I can only accept my fate." "Qichen, you can't accept your fate."

At the end of the words, there was a hint of sternness, Xiao Qichen heard it like thunder, and a thousand words rushed to get out of his mind, but he didn't say anything.

Xiao Qiping pressed his palm, and said: "It's getting late, you and Ayan should leave first, and come back later if you have something to do. Since you are in court, don't be ignorant of the world. Qichen, you are a good boy, I That’s all it says.”

When he came to this point, he obviously didn't want to point too clearly, Xiao Qichen said: "Okay, come back another day, I'll play chess with you."

Xiao Qiping nodded, picked up a bell on the table and shook it, and soon a maid entered the door, it was Wan Qing.She obediently helped Xiao Qiping up, saluted Xiao Qichen and Su Yan, and left with them.

Xiao Qichen was still immersed in what he said just now, his mind was in a mess and he didn't know what to do.Xiao Qichen didn't recover until he walked out of Bowang Garden.He didn't notice Su Yan leaning over, so when Su Yan spoke, he was suddenly startled.

"Wan Qing was that girl just now?" Su Yan asked, "I think she has a problem."

Xiao Qichen asked doubtfully, "What's wrong with her?"

Su Yan pursed her lips and whispered in his ear: "I don't understand, I just heard what His Highness said so much. If the problem is not with the little eunuch, then she is the most suspected one. Besides, His Highness's illness was not so serious at the beginning. It was only later that the opportunity to turn things around gradually disappeared... No matter what, this person should check it out."

Xiao Qichen put those trivial things aside for the time being, and agreed: "I'll send someone to send a letter to Brother Han later. He has his own connections, so it's better not for you and me to handle this matter ourselves. I always feel that Brother Yu is beginning to value Me, or trying to pull me into his team..."

The two whispered and walked along the official road to the city.The night wind was slightly cold, and seeing that the other party was only wearing a single suit, Su Yan took off his outer robe and put it on for Xiao Qichen. He still had a sword at his waist, and after taking off his outer robe, he became eye-catching.

Xiao Qichen said with a smile: "Is that a famous sword? I see you have been carrying it."

"One... from Wangnian." Su Yan also smiled back, and was about to explain in detail how he was tortured by Ran Qiu back then, when he heard the wind, he quickly grabbed Xiao Qichen's arm, " ...Shut up!"

He was about to ask what happened to Su Yan, but he caught a glimpse of a silver light flashing in the dark behind him, and then two people in night clothes appeared out of nowhere, and came towards them——

It's an assassin!

The light of the saber was suddenly close at hand, Su Yan dodged to block in front of Xiao Qichen, raised the scabbard in his hand, and there was a buzzing sound when the metal touched.But in the blink of an eye, another person also came with a knife, and his target was pointed at Xiao Qichen.

Judging the situation, Su Yan immediately pushed Xiao Qichen's back, and hurriedly said: "Hurry up! There will be Jinwu Guards in front, show them your badge and let them come over!"

Xiao Qichen was pushed out by him and stumbled a few steps, and when he turned his head, he heard the sound of swords and swords intersecting again, he took two steps back, but said: "Ayan, what about you?!"

"Don't worry about me, I can handle it." Su Yan had drawn his sword out of its sheath while speaking, Xiao Qichen turned around and ran away without doubting him.

One of the assassins moved when he heard the sound, and when he was about to pass Su Yan, the blue sea of ​​long sword swept towards him like a piece of snow. In desperation, he had to dodge first, and got another kick in the lower body.The assassin instinctively turned around and stabbed, and was overjoyed when he heard the sound of the blade cutting through flesh and blood, but Su Yan ran two steps forward, took out something from his bosom, and quickly buckled the mechanism.

A white light shot up into the night sky, illuminating the sky so brightly that anyone on duty within ten miles could see it.

In the distance, the torches of the Jinwu Guards who watch the night are also approaching here.Su Yan held his long sword in front of his chest, the corners of his lips were pursed tightly, and he didn't say a word. The two assassins didn't talk nonsense even if they didn't succeed in a blow. They winked at each other and disappeared in the night in an instant.

Su Yan's body was unstable, and he stuck his long sword on the ground, barely standing still.He let out a long breath, only feeling that his vest was soaked in cold sweat, and when he looked back, he saw that a guard from that side was rushing over.

The Jinwu Guard arrived late, and the leader was an acquaintance.

Su Yan put his sword back into its sheath, and said in surprise, "...Zhou Hongpu?!"

"Young Lord! Fortunately, you are fine. Just now, His Highness ran over and dragged us away...Who are those people?" Zhou Hongpu and Su Yan had been separated for a long time, and when they met at this time, they talked a lot as usual.

Xiao Qichen ran out from the team, and looked at Su Yan worriedly by the light of the torch: "Are you okay? Did they hurt you?"

Su Yan raised an arm. At this moment, his sleeve was cut from the elbow, shaking tremblingly in the wind.He joked to Xiao Qichen: "Inadvertently, they made a broken sleeve."

Seeing him like this, Xiao Qichen was furious: "... When will you pay it back! Can you say that casually! Are you guards all idiots? Quickly search the vicinity for anyone suspicious!"

He was so anxious that he tugged on Su Yan's cuff and shook it for a while. Xiao Qichen tore off the crumbling sleeve. Su Yan burst out laughing, which made Xiao Qichen even more annoyed. He punched him directly and said without regard for his image A vulgar saying in the market: "Smile!"

It seemed that he was really frightened, Su Yan naturally put his uninjured arm around Xiao Qichen's shoulder, and dragged him to the city in front of the guards, while comforting him, he kept laughing in his heart .

Xiao Qichen was still wearing his outer robe. He was much thinner than Su Yan, so he was just hugged in his arms, keeping his head down and not saying a word.Su Yan comforted her a few words, then felt something was wrong, she slightly lowered her head and approached Xiao Qichen's eyes: "...What's the matter, Your Highness?"

His Highness Six's eyes were red. Seeing that this person showed no repentance and didn't care about his own situation at all, he quickly gave him a look. Not only was there no deterrent effect, but because of this action, two tears flowed out of his moist eyes.

Su Yan: "..."

Xiao Qichen shook off him, and said irritably, "Look at that! Get lost!"

Naturally, Su Yan couldn't get out, walked over and continued to coax without complaint, thinking in his heart: "Why is Xiao Qichen who is so frightened to tears when he speaks so much foul language, so much cuter than Xiao Qichen who talks about benevolence and morality and has four books and five classics in his belly? "

The news of the assassination of His Royal Highness the Sixth Prince spread all the way to the Tai Chi Hall, and at this moment, the forbidden army led by Wang Zhen personally came to meet him.Seeing this, Su Yan was relieved, and just about to push Xiao Qichen over, he realized that his hand was tightly clenched by the other party. He softened his voice and said, "Your Highness, Ah Chen, I'm fine, go back and have a good sleep."

Xiao Qichen, who was silent all the way after saying "Get out", sniffed, and then spoke with a crying voice: "...I'm not here...I'm afraid that something will happen to you...you..."

He wanted to say something, but his lips were trembling, he could only let go, and followed Wang Zhen to leave.

Su Yan froze on the spot, looking down at his hand, there were white marks on it.The half of the sleeve that had been broken off had been thrown away for a long time, and now the left hand was blown by the wind, making it a little cold.

Only then did Su Yan take a closer look by the light of the fire, and there was a clean cut on his forearm by the assassin's knife. It shouldn't be too deep, but the bleeding continued, and his shirt was already stained red.

He raised his head again to look at the majestic Taicheng, and felt pain after knowing it.

The author has something to say: the strength of the elder brother is naturally far inferior to that of the younger brother...

Please take a leave of absence tomorrow, the timeline of the last few chapters is so messed up that I collapsed