Looking at the mountains and rivers

After the time of You, the lights and shadows in the Nuan Pavilion are full of lights, and the Shangyuan Festival in the Wangfu finally begins.There were no more than a dozen guests in the Nuan Pavilion, and the one seated first was Mu Wang Yang Yan, and the one sitting on the left was the current Zhongshu Ling Xie Ji, and there were Lantai Ling Han Ping, Yu Shi Wen Zhi, etc. People, all sit down first.

Xie Yu was the first to raise his glass: "Congratulations to Your Highness on the joy of Shangyuan, His Highness is a thousand years old."

Everyone at the banquet said in unison: "Your Highness is a thousand years old."

As soon as the banquet started, the musicians played music loudly through a layer of veil.This place is different from Beppu, there are no maids serving at the banquet, they are all handsome servants, all in their teens, wearing white silk shirts, and shuttled lightly between the banquets.The first soup presented was abalone fin soup. The soup was golden in color, dotted with a few fresh mushrooms, served in a green emerald cup, and had a very strong fragrance.

Li Yushan in the seat smiled lightly: "Your Highness always likes light food, why did he change his taste today."

Shi Tangan, the head of the palace behind King Mu, chuckled and said: "It's not that the master has changed his appetite, it's just that the table of burnt tail banquet Xie Xiang set up a while ago was too extravagant, full of hundreds of delicacies, and its name was enough to shake the capital. The master thought that this Lantern Festival banquet was too light, and he was afraid that it would look shabby, so he ordered me to prepare the dishes carefully."

Everyone laughed, and Xie Ao also laughed twice: "Tang Changshi can't make fun of Xie, the banquet before was just a picnic in the country, how dare you compare it with the banquet in the palace." He took a sip of the soup , and sighed, "Even Xie had never tasted such a good shark's fin when he was on business in Danzhou."

"This is a gift from the Nanyang Heling Kingdom. It's not very precious, but it's just a fresh meal." After Tang An explained, he clapped his hands lightly, and the following dishes were delivered to the guests' tables one after another.

As usual, salty and sweet desserts are served first, such as red luoding, xiaotian crisp, cherry biluo, etc., which are necessary in luxury banquets, followed by five raw dishes and eight immortals dishes.Among them is Shengping roast, which was originally roasted from goat tongue, but because the surname of the clan in this dynasty was Yang, and most officials avoided taboos, it was changed to deer tongue.Fortunately, the deer tongue is tender. After the tendons are removed, washed and peeled, it is sliced ​​into thin slices and roasted on the fire. Sprinkled with shredded perilla and pepper, it is still a rare delicacy.The Shengping Zhi was placed on a red gold platter, and the servant brought it up carefully, and was about to send it to King Mu's case as usual, but Tang An quickly stopped him, and he scolded softly: "Master doesn't eat venison, so it's not good!" Take it down."

Xie Gui who was at the side heard it, and was slightly amused, after these days of interaction, he already knew that His Royal Highness Mu Wang had some eccentricities, for example, he didn't like makeup, and he couldn't get close to women.He also hated the alchemist Wu Zhu, and even the Taibu Department didn't bother to deal with it.But he didn't know that he was still so picky about food, and he didn't eat venison.

Yang Yan seemed to be aware that he was looking at her, raised her eyes and looked in Xie Ao's direction, raised her lips and smiled slightly: "My lord, thank you for a cup."

Xie Ao hurriedly stood up: "How dare you do that?" He leaned back and drank the wine, then laughed again, "Now Lord Han and Lord Wen are both holding important positions in the two provinces. When it comes to power, you all have it. I dare not bear the title of thank you."

Yang Yan smiled: "Master Xie is now the order of Zhongshu, and he is in charge of the White Deer Academy, which produces the world's sages. Han Ping, Wen Zhi and the others are just sharing some trivial matters for Mr. Xie. In truth, Mr. Xie is the real Today's prime minister."

Xie Ao waved his hands again and again: "Your Highness, don't mention the words of the First Prime Minister. Xie has been complained a lot by the emperor these days, and he doesn't know what to do. I'm afraid he will retire from office."

"Oh?" Yang Yan raised his eyebrows, "Now that the rebellion has been settled, the frontiers have been settled, and the emperor is enjoying peace, what worries do he have?"

Xie Xie clings to the wine cup and chuckles: "Your highness is such a transparent person, how can he not know why the emperor has been worried all these years."

Yang Yan lowered his eyes: "Listening to Mr. Xie, it seems to refer to the emperor's old troubles. Could it be Donghu?"

Seeing that he made it clear, Xie Xie sighed again: "Since your Highness understands, you must also know that the emperor resisted all opinions last year to appoint His Highness as the Northwest Metropolitan Protector. Duke Tuoba's illness has been dragging on for nearly a year. Everyone in the court is in panic. I heard that the Donghu guards who guarded the border have transferred their troops to the Liangzhou area, completely disregarding the will of the court. This is no different from treason. If His Highness does not mediate this matter, I'm afraid that one day the government will start a war with Donghu!"

What he said became more and more frightening, until the tone of his voice rose unconsciously, the bustling banquet suddenly fell silent, and everyone looked towards this side in silence.

"Master Xie, don't panic." Compared with the other people who were looking at each other, Yang Yan seemed calm and composed, he smiled calmly, "I have already taken care of Donghu's matter."

Xie Yu was slightly startled: "Your Highness is saying..."

He was about to ask carefully, but he heard the sound of "cracking" firecrackers outside. This is the custom of the Shangyuan, and it seems that it has reached the second watch.After the firecrackers were set off, the lanterns were to be set off as usual, as expected, Fang Ming, the chief steward of the palace, walked into the Nuan Pavilion after a while, bowed and said: "My lords, the auspicious time has come, all kinds of lanterns have been prepared in the courtyard of the mansion, please sir Let's go enjoy it."

Yang Yan took the lead and said with a smile: "Since everyone is full of wine and food, why don't you go to the court to watch the lanterns, get some New Year's joy, and sober up along the way."

Everyone responded with a smile, and stood up drunkenly. Immediately, servants put on cloaks for them, and then led them out of the warm pavilion.

The long corridor outside the Nuan Pavilion is hung with broken small lights like sparks. There are water channels passing through the corridor, and there are scattered lotus lanterns on the water. The lights and water shadows form an interesting contrast.Walking further, we arrived at the back garden of Prince Mu's Mansion. Looking from a distance, we saw a huge silver and white lantern hanging obliquely in the sky, like a full moon falling, reflecting the lanterns on the treetops and branches all over the garden.

When the laughter outside was one after another, the Nuan Pavilion suddenly fell silent. Only Han Ping did not follow the crowd out.He seemed to be quite drunk, he couldn't stand up anymore, so he bowed his hands to the seat, and said vaguely: "Your Highness, Yun Chen, please rest for a while."

Yang Yan nodded silently, raised his hand, and immediately a clever servant stepped forward and spread a brocade quilt and warm fur behind Han Ping, waiting for him to lie down and rest.

For a while, Yang Yan and Xie Gui were the only ones left in the warm pavilion who were still sitting quietly at the banquet. The servants removed the leftovers, served some fine tea, and then quietly retreated out.

Xie Ao quietly looked at the chief seat, hesitant to speak.

"Why, Master Xie, do you want to ask me something?" Yang Yan raised the teacup and asked casually.

"Could your Highness tell me what you care about the Donghu matter?" Xie Ao was obviously worried about this matter, and stood up and knelt before Yang Yan's case. However, the several aristocratic families did not give up. They tried their best to deal with His Highness and his ministers. If His Highness mishandled the Donghu matter, it would undoubtedly give them an opportunity. I am afraid that the old clans will fabricate crimes to frame them in no time. Your Highness!"

Yang Yan patted the back of his hand in a good-tempered manner: "This king knows Lord Xie's worries, so I might as well tell you that this king not only has countermeasures to resettle Donghu, but also has ways to appease the resentment of those aristocratic adults."

Xie Yu was stunned: "The Li family holds a very important position in the family. Last year, the Li family and other families were implicated in the treason incident. Later, Li Zhi committed suicide in prison, which made them even more angry. Under such circumstances, Your Highness Is there any way to appease their resentment?"

Hearing his doubts, Yang Yan smiled lightly: "It seems that Mr. Xie doesn't really believe what this king says."

"No," Xie Ai hurriedly said, "Since I have a relationship with Your Highness, His Highness has never broken his promise in one matter. The two things of setting up Donghu and pacifying the family may be difficult for others, but His Highness must be able to do it with ease."

Yang Yan laughed loudly: "Since you believe in me, don't worry about it." He turned his head to the outside and said, "Come here."

The one who came in was not a servant, but Chief Shi Tangan. He was holding a lacquer plate in his hand, which contained no complicated and expensive snacks, but a small cup of thin white porcelain, filled with thin white soup Soup.

"This is... a bird's nest?" Xie Ao was a little surprised.

"I heard the rules in the palace. Only the emperor's confidantes can go to the side hall to enjoy the bird's nest after the court is over every day. In the past two years, only Mr. Xie has been so favored. Therefore, this king also wants to invite Mr. Xie to taste my house. How is the bird's nest in the palace different from the one in the palace?"

Xie Ao was startled at first, and soon relaxed again. Although he had already noticed that the prince was thinking a lot, he didn't expect him to be so impatient.He couldn't help but secretly figured that if the two of them turned against each other in the future, these words would be an ironclad proof that King Mu had a heart of disobedience.He didn't show any clues on his face, he just smiled and said: "It turns out that His Highness also has the habit of giving bird's nests to others. I think about it, maybe the bird's nests in the palace are of higher quality than those in the palace. I don't know." Drink up the bird's nest inside.

Yang Yan seemed very relieved, patted him on the shoulder and said: "Thank you for your intelligence, you really don't want to disappoint me." He paused for a moment, as if thinking of something, "By the way, I still have something to ask."

"Your Highness, please speak."

Yang Yan approached him, and asked very softly in his ear: "At the beginning, when you poisoned Wei Changxuan's adoptive father, Eunuch Tian, ​​did you use Hedinghong?"

Xie Ao's smile froze along with the blood all over his body, and a chill ran down his spine to the back of his head. He suddenly knocked over the small white porcelain lamp in his hand, and stood up abruptly.

"Master Xie, don't move around," Yang Yan leaned back, still smiling slightly, "If you move quickly, the poison will go faster."

"You really poisoned me?" Xie Ao froze there like a puppet held by a puppet artist. He stared straight at Yang Yan, trying to see some intentions from his face, but that There was not a trace of ups and downs on Zhang Duanzheng's face.

"Didn't Mr. Xie just say that it's not easy to appease the resentment of the old clans. Since their resentment originated from the case of Li Zhui's treason, it is natural that this case should be appeased. After thinking about it, the king can probably only catch this Only when the initiator of the case is handed over will it be appropriate."

"It's obviously you!" Xie Ao rushed forward, wanting to grab him, but suddenly fell down in unbearable pain, the veins on his forehead were bulging, his lips were already a little purple, and he murmured, "Yes You... are the letter you got, your mastermind..."

"It is believable that the rebellious statement 'his son is young, should be the new emperor' was drawn up by Lord Xie," Yang Yan still smiled, "Besides, Lord Xie handed this letter to the emperor himself, right? ?”

Xie Ao was stunned for a moment, then suddenly coughed violently, as if he wanted to spit out what he had just swallowed, but it was useless.He coughed until he burst into tears, raised his face and sobbed to Yang Yan as if begging for mercy: "Your Highness...Your Highness..."

Yang Yan lowered his eyes and said in a calm tone: "To tell you the truth, this king has already written the whole matter and handed it over to the palace. Presumably the emperor will issue an edict to vindicate Li Zhi's case in the next few days. After tonight, thank you Sir, the news that you committed suicide in fear of crime will spread throughout Jian'an, you don't have to suffer in prison, and you don't have to implicate your family, isn't it a worthy death?"

"You...you..." Xie Yu's eyes darkened for a while, and he clutched his chest and couldn't help panting, "I have the emperor's trust, and I have many disciples in the court. Do you think you can still deal with the aftermath if you poison me to death?"

Yang Yan Shi Shiran stood up: "Mr. Xie was still awake just now, but now he is confused. Yes, Mr. Xie is the emperor's confidant, and he probably doesn't want you to die. But the life of a favorite is compared with the stability of the throne. Get up, which one will he choose?" He put his hands together, shook his head and said, "Now the situation in Donghu is unclear, and he has trouble sleeping and eating because of it, and you know that he still counts on this king to take care of Donghu for him. How could he blame the king for what happened to you?"

"As for your disciples..." Yang Yan lowered his eyes and chuckled, "Since the spring examination last year, Mr. Xie has been in charge of the White Deer Hall and has recruited a wide range of students, but he doesn't measure these sages by their talents, but only by their gifts. Appointment. Most of the new batch of officials appointed last year were mediocre, and only a few experienced people were selected by Mr. Lantai Commander Han from the idle jobs of copying books in Bailu Pavilion. Guess, these students of yours secretly Should I respect you more, or Master Han more?"

When he mentioned this, Xie Xie couldn't help but turned his head to look at the corner of the Nuan Pavilion, and saw that Han Ping, who was drunk just now, had already sat up, his eyes were clear, and he was not at all drunk, just watching the play in his spare time.

"You...you set up this game long ago!" Xie Ao's face muscles twitched violently, dark red blood dripped down the corner of his mouth, and he suddenly laughed grimly, "Yang Yan, I still don't Understand, you obviously have many ways to block the mouths of the clansmen, you still have a lot of use for me, my life is of great benefit to you, why...why do you want to kill me. "

After hearing what he said, Yang Yan was silent for a while, and then bent down to him: "You are right, if I save your life, there will be many uses for me. There is only one reason for me to kill you, and that is for Wei Changxuan. He said in a serious tone, "I want you to pay for his adoptive father's life."

"Wei Changxuan..." Xie Ao repeated the name in a low voice, as if dying, "You clearly said that he is just your companion..."

"Yes, I said that he is my companion, and Mr. Xie, you are the best friend I want to make. The two of you must not be compared. This is not a false statement." Yang Yan paused and sighed softly, "Because in this world , there is no one who can compare with Wei Changxuan."

After the third watch, new incense was installed in the Nuan Pavilion, which greatly diluted the strong smell of blood just now. Only Yang Yan and Han Ping were left in the room, sitting opposite each other across the table.

"This matter is over, I wonder what your Highness's plan is in the future?" Han Ping raised his glass and said softly.

"Donghu's side can't be delayed anymore, I want to go there myself."

Han Ping seemed a little surprised: "Going to Liangzhou?"

Yang Yan nodded, then shook his head: "No, go to Ganzhou first."

Han Ping lowered his head and drank with a half-smile: "Alright, when are you leaving?"

"I've asked Fang Ming to pack up his luggage, and we'll be leaving in a few days," he coughed softly, "After I leave Beijing, I'll have to rely on my husband to take care of Jian'an."

Han Ping smiled: "Xin Xiang died suddenly, and King Mu left Beijing again. I'm afraid there will be chaos in the court for a few days. But don't worry, Lan Yu and I can handle it."

Yang Yan didn't smile, he straightened his clothes silently, sat up straight, and saluted Han Ping: "Thank you sir for these years."

Han Ping was startled, put down the wine cup, and sat up: "No, I want to thank Your Highness," he sighed in a low voice, "I'm afraid there is no one else in the world who can make me realize my ambitions except Your Highness."

Yang Yan raised his eyes, looked at Han Ping, and said slowly, "Yang Yan will definitely not disappoint Mr.

In the middle of the night, Tang An walked into Moxue Pavilion covered in thin snow. Yang Yan hadn't rested yet, when she heard footsteps, she turned her head slightly: "Is everything done?"

"Yes."

"Go back and pack up, and go to Hexi with me in a few days."

This order was a bit abrupt, but Tang An didn't ask any more questions, he just responded in a low voice, turned around and was about to leave.

"Wait," Yang Yan called him again, and he raised his lips, "Get my warrant before leaving, and go to Zongzheng Temple Prison to bring someone out."