Later, I became the prince of the group

A few days later, Chu Yan and Liu Wen made a plan for attacking Huaibei and Jinling, and then returned to Northern Qi with their people.

His style of putting himself in danger at every turn really scared Liu Wen, so he insisted on letting Chu Yan bring Lu Yuncheng and a thousand soldiers with him.

Chu Yan originally wanted to keep Lu Yuncheng. Firstly, Yan's army was not used to life in the regular army, and having an old acquaintance like Lu Yuncheng was there to make them feel at ease; secondly, he wanted Lu Yuncheng to make some military exploits.

But Liu Wen said: "He has done a lot of merit these days, and besides, he is a personal soldier personally assigned to you by His Majesty, if he doesn't follow you, he might be dereliction of duty."

Chu Yan agreed.

It was near the middle of the twelfth lunar month, and they rushed back to Liangzhou. Liu Wen's soldiers turned back and were replaced by Chu Yan's soldiers who stayed in the Prince's Mansion of Liangzhou.

After a day of repairing in Liangzhou, he hurried on the road without stopping.

In Yanjing, Emperor Chengxing knew the news one step ahead, and walked happily in the imperial study for a quarter of an hour.

After thinking and thinking, he decided to drive Fengyi Palace first.

What to do after this, I still have to let the queen know first.

In Fengyi Palace, the Empress calmly listened to Emperor Chengxing's words, and asked after a long time: "Can Your Majesty explain the reason to my concubine?"

Emperor Chengxing didn't discuss with her at all, but informed her. Naturally, he didn't want the queen to question anything. After hearing this, he was a little dissatisfied: "I think the queen should understand the reason."

The queen said softly: "Your Majesty, don't be upset. It's not that the concubine doesn't want to see Ah Yan's success, but just wants to know what Ayan uses to get close to him, so that the concubine can know how to persuade Rui'er to assist his elder brother."

Emperor Chengxing looked at her with some surprise: "You really think so?"

The queen said: "You asked the concubine to reflect on it, and the concubine thought about it carefully. It was true that the concubine was too partial and didn't take enough care of Yan'er. Fortunately, Yan'er... didn't have any quarrel with Rui'er because of my fault, and still Ken sacrificed his life to save Rui'er, he treated his younger brother with sincerity, and he also treated his concubine with sincerity, the concubine only blamed herself for never getting to know him seriously, which broke his heart."

Emperor Chengxing's tone was much gentler: "I can't blame you all before, Rui'er grew up beside you, and it's common sense that you have a deep relationship with him as a mother, but you also need to know that you need a bowl of water Duanping can prevent the two brothers from resenting each other."

The queen nodded to show that she had listened, and Emperor Chengxing explained Chu Yan's achievements in the Southern Jin Dynasty one by one.

The queen had heard a little bit about the front-line attack on Jin, but she didn't expect that Chu Yan would take the lead in it. No wonder Liu Wen's progress was so fast, and within a few months of officially sending troops, he had captured more than half of the territory of the Southern Jin Dynasty.

After Emperor Chengxing left, she was still in a daze.

In fact, she didn't ask for a reason for Chu Rui, but for herself. She wanted to ask for a reason to make herself give up, but now she really gave up, and she was a little at a loss.

Her eldest son was so outstanding, and it has only been less than a year, and no other prince can match him, but she never knew that before Cheng Guogong had an accident, she had never treated this The son had hoped that he could not do it.

How much did she miss, and how much did she push away with her own hands?

What has she done.

In the next few days, people from the prime minister's line went up to ask for the crown prince.

The courtiers who had nothing to do with it watched the excitement one after another.

Not long after Zhu Ting was executed, someone who didn't understand the timing asked to establish the crown prince. Not only was he pushed down, but he was also severely scolded.

Now is the right time, just waiting to see His Majesty's attitude.

As soon as King An's name came out, some courtiers immediately stood up to oppose it.

Although King An did show his hand in Zhu Ting's matter, it can only show that he has a talent for strategy, but he may not know the way of being a king better than Chu Rui.

Now in the court, there are still quite a few people who have expectations for the third prince, not to mention that the third prince asked himself to retreat, which shows that he has awakened, maybe he will become a talent after he comes out?

Emperor Chengxing did not express his position directly, but suppressed the matter, saying: "We will discuss it when people come back."

However, some old ministers directly estimated their attitude from this refusal to express their attitude - the emperor recognized King An, and I am afraid that this performance is another foreshadowing.

Within a few days, even the high-ranking concubines in the harem heard about this matter.

When the queen was visiting the snow scene in the imperial garden, she heard the second concubine chatting and mentioned King An in her words.

Chun Ming was about to step forward to interrupt, but the queen stopped her and signaled the people behind her to be silent.

"If you ask me, the third prince is more worthy of such a position. The third prince has received an orthodox education since he was a child, but that... After all, he can't compare with it. It is said that King An has made some achievements, but I don't think so. How can there be such a genius in the world, who can change from a fool to a normal person in less than a year, who has everything in culture, intelligence, martial arts, and understanding of humanity? I am afraid that His Majesty dotes on him and likes him. It's close to a demon."

"You're right. King An should indeed have some skills, but it's not so mysterious."

"The most capable part of King An is still coaxing people. Originally, His Majesty favored the third prince wholeheartedly, but now? I heard that even Jin Guogong is speaking for him at the court. Jin Guogong and the third prince have been in love with each other for so many years. How many years have you been with An Wang?"

"Yeah, I don't know why, but His Majesty seems to be disappointed with the Third Prince suddenly... It is very good to have treated the Third Prince clearly before. However, King An saved the Third Prince, which is probably the same, which made His Majesty appreciate it even more. King An?"

"Who knows if it's just a show? You think, Wang An has suffered so much from being left out for many years, and you think he can have no resentment? I'm afraid this person is much deeper than you think."

Chunming was very angry at the beginning, but she was faintly moved when she heard it later, and she forgot that the two were talking about the prince.

The queen never went forward to pursue them, but instead said lightly: "Changing the road, so as not to stain your ears."

After turning to another path, the queen asked again: "Who were those two just now?"

Chun Ming said: "The one with your back facing you should be Concubine Du, and the other is Meiren Xue who entered the palace the year before last. She has a low status and is not qualified to see you on weekdays."

The queen didn't speak, so Chun Ming cautiously advised, "Queen, don't take those gossips seriously..."

The queen was indeed immersed in those words for a moment, but when the cold wind blew, she forced herself to wake up again: "I won't take it seriously, these two have lived in the palace for a long time, and they are both powerless women. What happened in the classroom? Someone else must have told them, and they wanted to spread it to my ears, so as to drive a wedge between our mother and child."

"The queen is wise, King An..." Chunming wanted to follow the Queen's words to comfort her, but she couldn't boast when she reached the point of her mouth, and her expression was reluctant, "King An...seems to be a very affectionate person. Not what they say."

"Love love? You want to say, respect the love of his concubine, right?" The queen couldn't help laughing, "It's not wrong, at least he is not a fickle person. Rui'er...maybe he is not as good as his elder brother, I can What I did was to make their brotherhood closer."

Her tone suddenly became severe: "I don't allow anyone to provoke their relationship, let alone my relationship with Ah Yan. In the future, you should know what to say and what not to say in front of the third prince. ,Understood?"

Chun Ming was startled secretly, and quickly knelt down and said, "Your servant understands."

The next day, Chunming heard that Concubine Du and Meiren Xue had committed a crime and bumped into His Majesty, His Majesty directly ordered her tongues to be pulled out, and they were sent to limbo.

Only then did I know that the Queen did not refuse to deal with it, but asked His Majesty to deal with it in person, in order to let the restless people behind him take a good look at His Majesty's attitude and stop those useless thoughts.

The day Chu Yan returned to Yanjing coincided with New Year's Eve.

Most of the troops traveled slowly, so he took Liu Qi, Xin Qing and Lu Yuncheng's fast horse one step ahead after halfway through the journey, and finally arrived in time for New Year's Eve.

It's not all because of the agreement with Emperor Chengxing, it's human nature to be delayed when going out, and the emperor wouldn't really blame him, it's more about seeking a reunion.

Liu Wen was guarding the south and couldn't go home, so Mrs. Liu must see Liu Qi.

When he arrived in Yanjing, it was already late and the city gate was closed, so he had to send out signal flares outside the city, only then did the soldiers guarding the gate open the gate for them.

Chu Yan sprinkled the last bit of silver on his body as a reward, and left amidst congratulations.

Although the city gate is closed, there is no curfew in the city, there are no people on the avenue, every family is reunited at home, the lights are on all night, it is quiet and peaceful.

Liu Qi rode on another horse and asked, "Shall we go back to the palace first? Or go directly to the palace?"

Chu Yan stretched out his hand to him.

Liu Qi moved closer in confusion, and put his hand on it.

However, Chu Yan took advantage of the situation and moved his hand forward, grabbed his arm and approached with strength, and rolled onto his horse in an instant.

Chu Yan wrapped his arms around the waist of his own princess, and buried his face on his back.

I just heard King An say shamelessly: "I can't ride anymore, you take me away."

The brows and the corners of Liu Qi's mouth curled up at the same time, and he raised the rein very chicly: "Then don't let go and fall."

Xinqing and Lu Yuncheng looked at each other, feeling that they were full early.

On the horse running ahead, Liu Qi heard Chu Yan say, "Enter the palace."

Liu Qi asked, "Why?"

"It's cold, I don't want to make troubles." He sniffed the winter of the homeland, and felt that such a bitter breath was not bad, and it was the most suitable for a bold drink.

"Traveling thousands of miles, wrapped in cold clothes, I will enter the palace to ask for a glass of wine."

At the palace banquet at this time, Mrs. Liu was sitting in the inner hall, both restless and looking forward to it.

Now that she is the mother-in-law of Princess An, she naturally has the opportunity to attend the palace banquet, but the people sitting in the inner hall are all the relatives of the emperor and the emperor's close ministers. When she was able to sit near the inner hall, she was said to have won the holy favor, and her status was really not qualified.

There was no one around who could speak, so she could only look at the first vacant position on the emperor's right hand while pretending to be casual.

The food and drink were set up at that position, as if waiting for someone.

Is King An coming back?

Who else could take that seat except An Wang?

What about Liu Qi?Will Aki come back with him?

Mrs. Liu was fidgeting for a long time, but suddenly she heard someone calling her, and she looked around.

Mrs. Liu came in without knowing it for a while, but fortunately the maid who was close to her reminded her in a low voice: "The queen is calling you."

Mrs. Liu hurriedly got up and stepped forward, saluting.

The queen smiled and said: "There is no need to be too polite. You and I are in-laws. Renting Houyuan made great contributions in the Southern Jin Dynasty and could not return to reunite with his family. Although it is regrettable, it is admirable. Madam Liu, you are the wife of a hero. I'll have a drink with you."

This was the first time that the Empress took the initiative to hold up the wine glass other than respecting the Empress Dowager and Mrs. Jin, and her words were full of protection and intimacy. The people at the banquet were secretly shocked and guessed what this meant.

After Madam Liu made a toast, she was still a little dazed when she returned to her seat.Previously, her surroundings were deserted and there was no one who could talk to her, but now they all started chatting with her.

Before he recovered, a servant hurried in and said something beside Emperor Chengxing, and Emperor Chengxing and the empress immediately got up and walked outside the hall.

Others didn't know what was going on, and most of them also got up.

As soon as he went out of the gate of the outer hall, he saw light snow falling outside, someone came striding through the thin snow, with a dusty appearance, but a joyful expression on his face.

Chu Yan and Liu Qi knelt a few steps away, and said in a loud voice: "My son, Chu Yan, kowtowed to my father, my son came back late, I hope my father will forgive me."