Lang Yi

Ning Xingye followed him into the pavilion, stood by the upper wind, and replied: "Brother said, keeping your Highness's ministers by your side as bodyguards is already the greatest reward, and you should be content."

These words sounded like the most common flattery, but Tian Zong knew that Xinghe said it from the bottom of his heart.

He concealed his turbulent mood, sneered at Ning Xingye's flattery, and said with a smile: "Then you kid, are you still satisfied?"

Ning Xingye bowed his hands, raised his head and put on a pious face, and showed his loyalty to Tian Zong without blinking: "Contentment, contentment! I don't want any other rewards, I just want to stay by His Highness's side forever."

Looking at his pompous appearance, Tian Zong couldn't help but knocked a chestnut on his head, and laughed and cursed: "Wild boy, if you don't listen to this Gong's lecture, you must be scolded by your elder brother."

An inner eunuch came up early to wipe the benches clean, and Li Qiu carefully carried the qin, not forgetting to bring the small incense burner to light it.Tian Zong was satisfied, so he sat in the pavilion and played the piano.

The twilight is all together, the evening wind brings fragrance, and the sound of the piano goes along with the water, spreading far and wide.

Tian Zong closed his eyes, pictured the appearance of that person in his heart, poured all his thoughts into his slender fingertips, and played whatever he wanted.

After the song is finished, the lights are already on all sides, and the water on the river reflects the lights, flickering.Most of the depression in his heart has dissipated, and he is still pressing the strings in a daze: the imperial guards will patrol along the palace wall and the river to the Jiuqu Bridge section. Xinghe should have finished changing defenses at this time, and may have already left the palace wall— — I don’t know if he can hear this song or not?

Li Qiu stayed behind for a while, afraid of disturbing Tian Zong's interest; but after a while, seeing that Tian Zong didn't intend to get up, he couldn't help reminding: "Your Highness, it's better not to sit in the wind for a long time, you still don't want to sit in the wind for a long time. There's no need for dinner."

Tian Zong came back to his senses, nodded and agreed: "Alright, let's go back."

Leaving Li Qiu to take the piano into the bag and put out the incense, Ning Xingye followed the sky and walked towards the sleeping hall, he said with a smile: "Your Highness played really well just now, no wonder those elegant people in Qingdu city praised His Highness for his excellent piano sound. "It's a pity that I'm a rough man, so I don't understand what His Highness is playing."

Only then did Tian Zong wake up, so he stopped thinking about it, and remembered that Xinghe was also an idiot.When he was in the palace before, he didn't understand when he heard himself playing the piano, but he stood on the side listening in a daze.Thinking about it this way, it was as if the dangling blade finally cut on the skin, and seeing blood, Tian Zong simply felt much happier: Whether he knew it or not, after all, he did not hide anymore today, and he also confided to his heart's content.

This song is already the limit of what he can do as the crown prince, it is a confession and a farewell.From now on, Ning Xinghe is just a jar of wine in his heart, when he is bitter, he drinks it for himself.

*****

The emperor and the empress were in contention over the selection of the crown princess, and they each persuaded each other with a group of clan and family members, and all the ups and downs were worried about it for a while; He was able to hold his breath, which was greatly appreciated.But after all, this matter could not be dragged on for too long, and finally the emperor and empress each took a step back, giving up their favorite candidate, and selected a woman from the Dou family from the aristocratic family.

Dou's own family has flourished, and it is only now the fourth generation. Although it is not as old as other century-old families, it has the advantage of being vigorous; and the daughter of Dou's family is in her prime, and she was seen by the empress. It is said that she is very beautiful. Satisfied, things are roughly settled.The queen called Tian Zong to explain to him, Tian Zong had no objection and showed appropriate excitement, the queen was very satisfied.

Tian Zong stayed outside the Queen's Palace, so he put the matter aside for the time being: a royal wedding requires a complete set of six rituals; and Da Ying has been following it for 500 years, and attaches great importance to the details of the etiquette. It's been a month, and it will take at least a year to set the wedding date and prepare the big gift.This troublesome thing is not in sight now, and if you want to worry about it, you will worry about it next year.

Ever since he got used to being in the East Palace and accumulated experience in dealing with things, Tian Zong gradually regained some of his former open-mindedness.Now that he is the crown prince, he no longer resists fate, and should do his job well.

Since the farewell in the imperial garden that night, he has never seen Xinghe alone again, nor has he passed a single word in private; he just passes by the front of the hall every day, quietly glances at the opposite side of the Jiuqu Bridge from the corner of his eye, and takes that back into his eyes. fundus.

——Hey, Xinghe, you grew up in a humble family and became the deputy commander of the imperial guard all the way. You are by no means a weak-willed person; even if you are abandoned by me, you can still live as before.Being so far away and staying for a long time, I will naturally be forgotten.

But on this day, Tian Zong looked at the bridge as usual when he was going to court, but he didn't see the figure of Xinghe, and he was worried about it; After taking a few steps, he carefully swept across the two rows of guards who were standing upright, but he still couldn't see Ning Xinghe among them.Tian Zong was concerned, but he didn't want to ask abruptly. After staying for half a cup of tea, he still went to the study.

The scent of gardenias all over the palace has long since faded, and there is a faint smell of sweet-scented osmanthus.

The next day, there was still no Xinghe by the bridge.The sun was dazzling, and Tian Zong felt restless, and couldn't help but rubbed his forehead.Li Qiu saw it, and immediately said with concern: "What's wrong, Your Highness? The servant was on duty last night, and heard that His Highness didn't sleep well, why don't you go to the study now, go back to the bedroom to catch up on sleep."

Hearing this, Ning Xingye also said: "Summer is turning to autumn and the cold is rising. It's the time when we need to be careful about disease prevention. Lien Chen's elder brother, who is as strong as he is, suddenly fell ill with a fever the night before. Your Highness needs to take care of himself, Don't be careless."

he is sick?Tian Zong stopped involuntarily and asked, "Is your elder brother doing better now?"

Ning Xingye put away his usual nonchalant smile, and replied: "Thank you, Your Highness, for asking. Brother, he is indeed seriously ill. Although he took the medicine, he is still lying at home today with a high fever."

Tian Zong couldn't help but said anxiously: "What did the doctor say?"

Ning Xingye hurriedly approached and replied: "Your Highness, don't worry, Eldest Brother has always been in good health. He has never been sick for so many years, and he will be fine this time."

He talked a lot again, and said with a smile: "Speaking of which, the illness came like a mountain. The three brothers were chatting at home the night before, and the third brother urged the elder brother to hurry up and start a family. The elder brother only said that he was busy with errands and had no time to take care of him. The minister then Jokingly chimed in, saying that even our highness, the crown prince, who is busy with daily affairs, is engaged in a marriage, and that we will take the Nanman princess into the palace in the future, and the eldest brother should hurry up and find us a sister-in-law. While talking lively, unexpectedly, the eldest brother coughed on the spot, In the middle of the night, my whole body was scorching hot, and I couldn't open my eyes. The doctor went to see it, and he only said that the evil cold invaded the body, and it was good to let it out... Your Highness?"

Listening to Ning Xingye's rambling, Tian Zong felt a severe pain in his heart.

I thought he could see it gradually, but it turns out that he is so stubborn, it must be because of lovesickness and depression accumulated in his heart for a long time, and then he suddenly heard the news that he was going to get married, so he couldn't help but fell ill...

Hearing Ning Xingye calling him, Tian Zong came back to his senses, tried his best to hide the change of expression on his face, and said slowly: "Give my respects to him, he was injured to save me in the past, so he must take good care of him."

Ning Xingye laughed and said, "Thank you, Your Highness, on behalf of the eldest brother!"

Tian Zong nodded, walked steadily to the study room, and finished reviewing and sorting out the memorials full of cases until late at night.

Another day, Li Qiu was so anxious that he was about to jump, and tugged on Ning Xingye's sleeve: "Your Highness has been depressed for several days without eating, sleeping well, and dealing with government affairs non-stop. If this continues, wouldn't it be another day?" Getting sick?!"

Ning Xingye blinked at him, twisted his mouth and smiled slyly, and asked, "Are you really trying to make His Highness happy? I have an idea, but you, Chief Qiu, will take care of you." After speaking, he leaned into his ear and whispered some.

Li Qiu quickly shook his head: "No, no, if there is a mistake, how can you and I afford it? We don't even have enough heads to cut off."

Ning Xingye said, "I know you don't dare, just talk about it."

The two of them were muttering to each other, Tian Zong, who was walking in front, was thinking about something on his mind, and unknowingly dropped them a few steps, turned around, frowned and asked, "You two are sneaking around, what are you planning?" Woolen cloth?"

Ning Xingye hurried forward and replied: "Reporting to Your Highness, the chief inspector Qiu and the ministers mentioned that today's solar term is Bailu, and the common people worship Yu Sheng at the water temple by the Li River in the east of the city at this time every year. After the ceremony, everyone Wearing a saint mask to go to the temple fair at night, it is very lively. It is said that this year because of the flood in the east, the scale of the ceremony and the temple fair will be expanded. I am talking about and want to visit, not only to pay respects, pray for the east, but also to see The excitement of the people; otherwise, staying in the palace all day would be boring." After speaking, he looked at Tian Zong's face expectantly.

Of course Tian Zong knew what he meant, but it hit him right in his arms; seeing that he was peeking at him, he laughed and scolded: "You are the only brat! Do you still want to abduct me out of the palace!"

Ning Xingye said with a cheeky smile: "The Temple of Water is in the east of the city. Let's walk through the wall next to the palace and pass through Huai'en Square. We will arrive there in a few steps. There are ministers protecting you, so don't worry, Your Highness."

The east of the city is mostly the mansions of aristocratic families and the residences of officials of all sizes in the court. They are arranged according to the degree of status and official position, from near to far from the imperial city. There are few idlers and tight security.If you pass through these areas, as long as you hide your face so as not to attract attention, there should be no problem.

Li Qiu originally categorically disagreed, but now that he thinks about it this way, he thinks it is feasible—Although Ning Xinghe seems to be an extrovert, he has always done things meticulously, and he is by no means ignorant of the importance; let him lead the guards, and let His Highness quietly go out to relax also good.

So at dusk, two men dressed as guards quietly walked out of the East Corner Gate, walked for a while in the middle of the wall, and directly entered the Thanksgiving Square, which is full of the grand mansions of the aristocratic family, and then walked into the Wynn Square, where the officials lived.

Tian Zong walked with his head down, thinking hard about how he could make up a reason to go to Ning's house for a look, then he heard Ning Xingye say: "Oh, what a coincidence, it's raining lightly."