long friend

The time spent in the Luyun Pavilion flew by, Xiao Qichen tasted a little bit of sweetness, and immediately went too far, acting coquettishly and fooling around, he did everything he could, but he refused to let Su Yan go back to the mansion easily - he was confident in the bitter summer, even if Xiao Qiyu sent someone He came to ask again and again, but Xiao Qichen still said: "I'm not feeling well."

It was hot in July, and Xiao Yan himself "retired from the court when there was something to play and nothing to do" every now and then, leaving a group of dedicated pillars of the country speechless. They could only privately lament that the emperor has been working for more than [-] years, and it is normal to be tired .

But Su Yan didn't want to waste time. Knowing that he had been stationed in Xuzhou since sending him back to Jinling, he handed Shen Chengjun's battle report to Su Yan every three days.

They tacitly exposed Su Zhi's inappropriate remarks to offend Xiao Yan, and they only took it as the commander of the Xiao cavalry guards to lightly replace him, and the rest of the military affairs should be dealt with.Su Yan showed it to Su Zhi at first, but later the other party wanted him to be alone, gradually Su Yan stopped bothering him.

Su Heng was still learning to speak, and cried when he saw Su Yan.He was learning to walk crookedly around the Hou Mansion every day. In order not to be annoying, Su Yan simply packed his simple bags and moved to Luyun Pavilion.Xiao Qichen was happy to see it come to fruition, the two of them stayed in the room instead of wandering around Shanglin Garden all day long.

It's autumn by accident.

Xiao Qichen was lying on the couch, the blanket that they had ruined countless times was replaced by a thin quilt, he propped his chin with one hand, and flipped through a book of folk tales in boredom: "Ayan, did you spend Mid-Autumn Festival at home? "

Marquis Pingyuan fought in all directions, and the master was not in the mansion during the annual festival, so the Mid-Autumn Festival was almost the only time for reunion every year.This unwritten practice persisted, and Su Yan's birthday was on the ninth day of the eighth month, which was also around the Mid-Autumn Festival. He was rarely at home in these years, and it was rare to come back this year.

It's impossible for Xiao Qichen to spend the Mid-Autumn Festival with him in the Hou's Mansion, no matter how he is, he is an outsider.

Su Yan sat at the table and read the battle report. Hearing what he said, he knew the meaning of his words after a little guessing. He folded the thin piece of paper and said, "If you don't want to, I won't go back, left and right At the family banquet, Su Heng cried when he saw me."

Xiao Qichen pursed his mouth: "Who made your face so dark?"

Su Yan was wronged by June Feixue, and complained endlessly: "I don't have it! Xie Hui has done the calculations, and he and I are in a relationship!"

These words seemed to be talking about any person, not his blood relatives, Xiao Qichen didn't care when Xie Hui learned fortune-telling, and he didn't care whether he was accurate or not.Su Yan looked extremely depressed, so he said casually: "Father is not in good health this year, and I will go to the empress's side during the Mid-Autumn Festival. I have no father or mother's love. Brother Ping asked me to go to his house... you want Together?"

He didn't know anything about the private exchange between Xiao Qiping and Su Yan, so Su Yan naturally couldn't take the initiative to bring it up. Hearing Yansi and what Xiao Qiping said that day, it is still necessary to explain to him a little more.

What's more, he and Xiao Qichen were still testing each other at that time, although the relationship now is not a substantial leap, it is still different from before.

"Yes." Su Yan said, seeing Xiao Qichen's surprise, he said again, "I'll tell my parents."

His reluctance to spend the Mid-Autumn Festival at home unexpectedly did not cause any shock. Maybe it was because his parents said what they said since he was a child, and he seldom disobeyed his parents. Su Zhi and Mrs. Cao were surprised to say no to this sudden non-cooperation. speak out.

Su Zhi finally said: "It's a good thing to have your own ideas, you can go wherever you like."

On the day of the Mid-Autumn Festival, Su Yan and Xiao Qichen brought gifts to Chu Palace.Along with him is Xie Hui. Since his grandfather passed away, he seems to have calmed down a lot overnight. He is no longer as lazy as he used to be, and he manages the mansion in an orderly manner.

After Su Yan was injured, Xie Hui visited him twice and knew everything about him and Xiao Qichen, but he didn't tease them.Xiao Qichen saw that he was lonely and pitiful, and the Mid-Autumn Festival was a festival, so he simply called him here.

Bowang Garden still retains the appearance that Su Yan came here before.He was uneasy for no reason, wanted to grab Xiao Qichen's hand but didn't dare, so he stood upright with his hands behind his back, like a human-shaped pillar.

The king of Chu didn't like to live in the palace. Except in winter, he spent time in Bowang Garden.

In the summer of Tongning 32 years, Xiao Qiping got his first daughter, Xiao Wan. The two-year-old princess is talented and intelligent. She speaks more fluently than children of the same age, and her brain is also active. .

As soon as Xiao Qichen entered, the little princess called "Uncle Six" and threw himself into his arms.Xiao Qichen hugged Xiao Wan easily, and pinched Xiao Wan's nose: "I brought you a gift!"

She still doesn't know what a "gift" is, but because of Xiao Qichen's lively tone, she can't see her eyes when she laughs.At first glance Xiao Wan looked like Princess Chu He Zipei, but upon closer inspection she looked very much like Xiao Qiping when she was young. Seeing her smiling happily, Su Yan handed her the thing in his hand: "Little Princess, here it is."

Xiao Wan happily took the string puppet, jumped off the ground, and went to show off to Xiao Qiping, calling "Father King" all the way.Xie Hui shook his head behind them: "You guys are better at coaxing children."

Su Yan said: "I can't do it, the road to Yuanjia is narrow."

A person came out of the speaking room, it was He Zipei, she folded her knees and bowed, her eyes fell on Xie Hui and she smiled happily: "Master Xie is here too, let's just say, how lively we all are, Qiping is in the garden, Come with me."

The princess spoke politely, she didn't seem arrogant or reserved, on the contrary she was quite kind.She led a few people all the way to the depths of the garden, and said, "Ah Chen hasn't come for a while, your brother misses you very much, the other day you sent someone to tell that the Mid-Autumn Festival was here, he was so happy... Although he doesn't like to care about you very much, but in the end he really cares..."

Xiao Qichen didn't know why, and even claimed that it was true, but Su Yan who was next to him vaguely guessed that there was something in the princess's words, and completely kept his mouth shut.

The layout of Bowang Garden is similar to that of Shanglin Garden, with the Jiangnan style of small bridges and flowing water, but the difference is that Bowang Garden does not have a racetrack, and the spacious space behind the atrium is a water area.The artificial lake built by water diversion in the royal garden, with lotus flowers all over the east bank, was nicknamed "Little Dongting" by Xiao Qichen.

The place where the banquet is held to enjoy the moon is called Liubi Pavilion, which is a pavilion built in the middle of the water, with ventilation on all sides, and it is cool at night.At this time, dusk is approaching, the birds are scattered and the flowers are falling, the sidewalks are orange, yellow and orange, with the reflection of the lake and water, the autumn is more intense.

But the moon had not yet risen in the sky, Liubixuan was brightly lit, and Xiao Wan was playing with a few servants on the open-air platform.

Xiao Qiping sat quietly under the eaves, he didn't care about his blindness, and listened intently in the direction of Xiao Wan's playing, as if her laughter could heal the suffering of not being able to see her.

Hearing the sound of footsteps behind him, Xiao Qiping turned his face slightly, with a well-trained smile and a gentle smile: "Is it Qichen?"

"There are also Ah Yan and Brother Zhong Guang." Xiao Qichen said, walked around behind him, squeezed Xiao Qiping's shoulder very affectionately, and said pleasantly, "Didn't you say that your shoulders and neck were uncomfortable in summer, is it better now?"

"At that time, I was playing with Wan'er. I kept my head down all day long, so it was hard not to feel pain." Xiao Qiping seemed to remember something funny, and couldn't help laughing, "Zipei is back too? Today is really lively."

Xiao Qichen said: "Reminds me of the past in the East Palace, Brother Han coming soon?"

When he mentioned those days normally, Xiao Qiping didn't show any dissatisfaction, but nodded: "I invited him to have a drink, and he said that he had to deal with the relatives at home first. Recently, many people talked about marriage for him, and he couldn't take care of himself." .”

The relationship between Han Guang and Xiao Qiping is closer than others. They were monarchs and ministers back then, and they are also good friends now.He is slightly older than Xiao Qiping, and he has never been married.

Xiao Qichen joked: "It seems that there are several dignitaries in Jinling City, but it's not that Brother Zhongguang is alone."

Several people laughed, Xie Hui was used to being teased by him, and he was not annoyed at all, he knocked Xiao Qichen with the folding fan in his hand without any ups and downs: "Your Highness makes fun of this several times a year, it seems that I should start a family sooner, so as not to be under more pressure ah!"

Xiao Wan stood aside holding the puppet that Xiao Qichen had just sent, blinking her big eyes, as if she didn't understand what they were laughing at.Xiao Qiping called her name, and she ran over, sat down beside Xiao Qiping, and put her hand into his palm.Their harmonious relationship fell into his eyes, Xiao Qichen couldn't help turning his head away, and there was a trace of indescribable envy on Su Yan's face.

"He still cares about Su Heng." Xiao Qichen thought to himself.

Turn back to the lights and have a banquet, after three rounds of drinking, the moon will rise to the climax, the day will clear up, and the moon on August [-]th is particularly beautiful.

Xiao Qichen quietly leaned towards Su Yan, and said in a low voice: "Beyond the Great Wall...Is the Mid-Autumn Festival also like this?" He was reluctant to mention Su Yan's sad events last year, and the death day of Li Rong was also in August.

"The fifteenth day of every month is so round." Su Yan smiled, "Next time you pick a winter, the stars will be brighter. Now there is no threat outside Yanmen Pass. If it snows in winter, you will gallop away after the sun clears. The sky and the earth are vast, all white, and the heart will be involuntarily peaceful."

"I can't tell, Su Yan, you still have the potential to be romantic?" But Xie Hui, who heard their conversation, interjected, "But it's strange to say that there has been a recent personnel change in the northern border. Is your majesty worried? ?”

It's not good to talk about state affairs at a family banquet. Everyone here is a person who listens to the changes in the four worlds every day in the Tai Chi Hall, so the topic will inevitably turn to this.Xiao Qichen heard something from Xiao Qiyu, but he couldn't say much, he could only pretend to be stupid.

Xiao Qiping sat in the main seat, and after hearing Xie Hui's words, he put down his chopsticks: "I know a little bit about this."

He couldn't see everyone's earnest gazes, and he didn't intend to show off. After being quiet for a while, He Zipei couldn't bear it anymore, and patted Xiao Qiping's exposed wrist lightly: "Then tell me!"

"Ah, I heard what my father said." Xiao Qiping smiled, "Yesterday I entered the palace to greet my mother, and happened to meet my father was also in Mingfu Palace, so I exchanged some pleasantries. He suddenly asked me what I think about military affairs, You also know that I have always been ignorant of this, and I have not been in touch with state affairs for almost three years, so I can't say anything."

Xiao Qichen continued: "Father has always wanted to cut military power, otherwise he wouldn't be so ruthless to Marquis Pingyuan this time, and directly put him under house arrest in Jinling to prevent him from going to the battlefield. He is a little afraid of his achievements."

As soon as these words came out, the eyes of several people fell on Su Yan tacitly.

Now that the words have come to this point, Xiao Yan's thoughts are not difficult to guess. Su Zhi has led the army for more than [-] years and has a high prestige in the army.In addition, he is a person who always talks about "the general's life is not accepted", which will only make the monarch feel more difficult to control.Su Zhi's dismissal was not because Xiao Yan was really angry that day, but because he took the opportunity to attack after careful consideration.

But now Xiao Qiwei really only depends on him?

Su Yan said: "My father's character is indeed prone to extremes. I heard what happened that day. He was too impulsive, but it's not unreasonable for His Majesty to do so—even ordinary people think that Xiaoqiwei's surname is Su, let alone others?"

Xiao Qiping said: "That's why my father mentioned it that day, and I advised him to think more about it. After all, I used military force to build a country. During the Tongning period, there were many wars in the northern border. Now Huyantu is watching, and at this juncture, he is mobilizing the cavalry. It's really not good. I don't know if he listened to it, but I will do my best."

Su Yan lowered his eyelashes and said softly, "Thank you, Your Highness."

The Marquis of Pingyuan was the first to bear the brunt of weakening the military power. Su Yan knew that he was speaking for himself, so there was no need to do so.

Seeing that the atmosphere was not right, Xie Hui turned around and teased Xiao Wan.He is a good eloquent master, and it is easy to coax little girls, and Xiao Wan can be amused with just a few words.But after saying a few more words, something suddenly went wrong——

"Father!" Xiao Wan spoke articulately, her big eyes were extremely bright, she pointed at Xie Hui and said to Xiao Qiping, "I want to marry him!"

The audience roared with laughter, Xie Hui froze in place in bewilderment.Su Yan's tense nerves finally completely relaxed, He Zipei and Xiao Qichen laughed together, even Xiao Qiping rolled his eyes because of the childish words.

Xie Hui thought helplessly: "Come on, I risked my life to coax a gentleman."

The full moon shines on the lotus leaves, a little dew is shining with silver light, and the fragrance of the lotus is gone with the wind.The lights in Liubixuan are brightly lit, and there are joyful faces and laughter in the interlacing of cups and cups, and the blue sea reflects the circle every year.

The wine during the banquet was Baiyunbian, which was tributed from the fiefdom of the king of Chu. The taste was sweet and mellow, but the aftertaste was particularly strong.Xie Hui has never been bad at drinking, and Su Yan has trained in the Xiaoqiguard, and he is better than before.The two of them were fond of wine, and when they drank half of it, they forgot about the rest, and gradually brought the topic to the beautiful scenery of rivers and mountains.

Xiao Qichen drank the wine and let the wind blow, and left the table with the excuse of being dizzy, and went to the porch outside Liubixuan to rest.His mind was a little confused, and he couldn't help remembering that Xiao Qiyu said he had something important to discuss with him a few days ago, but he didn't agree, so he regretted it at this time.

There were clear footsteps behind him, Xiao Qichen turned his head to see the person coming, but was startled: "Brother Ping?"

"I have something to tell you." Xiao Qiping walked over with his support on the wall. He dared to do this only because he was familiar with the terrain of Bowangyuan, but he absolutely couldn't do it in other places.

Xiao Qichen quickly supported him, and the two walked to a gazebo connected to Liu Bixuan and sat down.Xiao Qiping was thin red on the face, he didn't look so upright after drinking, Xiao Qichen asked: "What's the matter?"

"Yesterday, I entered the palace to pay my respects. The Empress Mother wanted me to play more with Xiao Qiming." Xiao Qiping had a clear mind and was not affected by the alcohol at all. "What my father told me was not only about military power."

Xiao Qichen pinched himself under the table to stay awake without any trace: "Is it related to me?"

Xiao Qiping said calmly: "Father's illness has been going up and down since last year. After all, he is almost sixty... The position of the East Palace is vacant, and he must think about an heir as soon as possible."

And if one wants to find the most suitable person to confide in, it can only be Xiao Qiping, even if it is too cruel to him.

"He only said that I don't care about world affairs, but he never knew that I have a close relationship with you. In the final analysis, he didn't care about you too much. You did practical things a few years ago, but you have done too many practical things this year. It's eye-catching." Xiao Qiping's words were rarely so sharp, "Qichen, what are you thinking?"

Xiao Qichen's throat was dry and he couldn't speak.

Xiao Qiping continued: "I asked my father if there is someone I like in my heart. He replied, 'Qiyu is too conceited, Qiming can't see what talent is, only Qichen, I am really worried, but it's coming soon When dying, the world of Nanliang will never be handed over to Qi Chen, it's too dangerous'."

If you can't rest assured, it's not easy to hand over the country to him. If you can't guess what he wants, it is the most difficult and risky choice.

The autumn wind in August passed by, Xiao Qichen sat in the small gazebo beside Liubixuan, his hands and feet were cold, but a trace of warmth slowly surged in his heart, revived by the murmur of water.

He looked at Xiao Qiping: "What the father is worried about... I don't know either."

Xiao Qiping finally sighed: "It's better not to make wild guesses in the emperor's mind, lest he be like Xiao Qiyu and be in constant anxiety."

In fact, it is possible to know more or less, because Xiao Yan can't guess or see through him, so he instinctively feels that it is dangerous.Maybe there are other reasons, but who knows the old things?

When he told Su Yan this, the other party showed a clear expression: "Ran Qiu said the same about me back then. He said that I am not like 15 years old. Normal people carefreely think about girls or good wine all day. But he kept digging into the horns."

Xiao Qichen: "Then what happened next?"

Su Yan pondered for a moment, and said: "It's always right to insist on yourself. If His Majesty can't see through you, let him see through. As long as you know what you want to do, everything in between can be done slowly."

He thought the same as himself, Xiao Qichen nodded, and finally showed his first smile since he talked with Xiao Qiping: "I understand, go to sleep."

So Su Yan hooked his little finger under the quilt and pulled it to the palm.

After drinking, he fell asleep until the sun was up, and Xiao Qichen was still lying in bed. Naturally, he would not have known that in Jinling City separated by a city wall, Da Sikong Zhongmi was secretly summoned into the palace in the early morning of August [-]th. .