The Blood Crown

"Teacher Yan, Taifu Yan?"

Yan Sikong, who was sleeping in the carriage, opened his eyes. At some point, the carriage had stopped, and he knew it was almost dusk by the light leaking in through the gaps in the curtains.

That voice belonged to Shen Hexuan's student Fu Zhanqing, Yan Sikong said calmly: "What's the matter?"

"The weather is getting colder and colder, the junior will send some thick bedding and clothes to the adults."

"Come in." Yan Sikong's hands and feet were bound, so he could only support his body on his elbows, and sat up with difficulty.

The car door was locked, and then opened from the outside. Fu Zhanqing brought in a thick stack of things. He looked at Yan Sikong who was nesting in the corner, and said respectfully: "Your Excellency, I will make a thick bed for you." bedding?"

"Ah."

Fu Zhanqing unfolded the mattress, spread it patiently in the carriage, tucked the corners, and smoothed the quilt. Seeing that serious but clumsy appearance, it was obvious that he hadn't done much work.

Yan Sikong couldn't help teasing: "Which family's rich young master are you, why did you follow Shen Hexuan, a lumber?"

Fu Zhanqing smiled: "My father is a cloth merchant in the south of the Yangtze River. Since he was a child, he hoped that his juniors would gain fame, honor their ancestors, and the immortal doctor who saved the teacher. He and my father have been close friends for many years. My father has always admired the teacher's name and can be a student of the teacher. , is the junior three lives lucky."

"Cloth merchant? The Fu family of Luan Embroidery Workshop?" That was a famous big cloth workshop in the south of the Yangtze River.

"Exactly."

Yan Sikong sneered: "Your father is a rich man, you can be at ease, why bother to enter this dirty and sinister officialdom?"

"Everyone is responsible for the rise and fall of the world. At this time, the country is in turmoil. The younger generation hopes to follow the teacher and devote all their wisdom and loyalty to the country."

"Young people are so ambitious, good, very good." Yan Sikong showed a lonely smile on his face.He was born in a scholarly family, and his father's highest ideal was to serve the country as an official in the court all his life, and he was educated in this way since he was a child.But I don't know if his father left his hometown and died of illness on the street, did he ever complain to the emperor of the Chen family who wanted to go through fire and water for him.

Yan Sikong's face was hidden in the dim light, slightly blurred, but his eyes were shining like stars in the nine heavens, and the shadows of the brow bone and nose bridge were like mountains lying on the ground, which was breathtakingly beautiful.

Fu Zhanqing stared at Yan Sikong in a daze, a little bewildered.

Yan Sikong suddenly raised his eyes to look at Fu Zhanqing, Fu Zhanqing shook slightly, and lowered his head.

"How did you recognize me?"

"Actually, this junior has been among the people who came to treat horses for seven full days. The teacher has trouble with his legs and feet, so he told me about your body shape, appearance, temperament, and the most important thing is that you really know how to treat horses." Fu Zhanqing After thinking for a while, he said, "This junior has seen your portrait, but..."

"But what?"

Fu Zhanqing said softly, "But it's not as good as your eleven-year-old demeanor."

"Oh." Yan Sikong laughed at himself, "What you saw was a portrait offering a reward?"

Fu Zhanqing was a little embarrassed: "The younger generation sees you differently from the rumors."

"What's the difference?"

"Rumors..." Fu Zhanqing glanced at Yan Sikong secretly, and suddenly felt his cheeks burning, "The rumors cannot be true, and adults don't want to listen."

"It's rumored how insidious and cunning I am, how can I act according to the wind and seductively?"

Fu Zhanqing bowed his head and remained silent.

"It's okay, it's not like I haven't heard of it before." Yan Sikong said lightly.

"Are you hungry? The junior ordered someone to bring dinner."

"it is good."

"grown ups……"

"You studied under Shen Hexuan, but you are not as rigid as him." Yan Sikong smiled, "Why, are you curious about me?"

Fu Zhanqing said with some embarrassment: "My lord is a famous figure in the world, and he is willing to talk to the younger generation. The younger generation is flattered."

"I'm a notorious treacherous minister and traitor, how do you favor me?"

"Junior..." Fu Zhanqing's eyes flickered, "The junior also listened to the rumors and thought that the adults were so unbearable, but the teacher often talked about the various things about the adults. After seeing the adults, the juniors believed even more. What the adults did It’s definitely not for selfish desires.”

Yan Sikong stared at Fu Zhanqing, sighed softly: "It's rare that you have a clear mind."

Fu Zhanqing smiled.

Recalling the past, Yan Sikong couldn't help laughing, "Back then, we were all other people's students, but now he has become a teacher."

"Teachers and adults studied under Yan Zilian, the chief assistant of the cabinet, and the juniors feel ashamed."

"You are more liked by 'teacher' than your teacher. My teacher appreciates Shen Hexuan's talent, but has some criticisms about his straightforwardness and rigidity. However, he chose you as a student who is exquisite and quick-witted. Really enlightened." Yan Sikong sneered, "But how did you stand him, huh?"

Fu Zhanqing said sincerely: "The teacher taught me, 'If one's body is upright, one does not follow orders; if one's body is not upright, one does not follow orders'. The teacher sets an example and teaches by example. In the hearts of the younger generation, the teacher is a model for people and officials. The energy efficiency of juniors is one or two, which is enough for a lifetime."

"Shen Hexuan has a student like you, I am very pleased." Yan Sikong sighed inwardly, because he couldn't help thinking of his only student, but now he has turned against each other.

-

After traveling for a month, they finally came to Guangning.

At this time, Guangning had already fortified its walls and cleared the country, and the whole city was on guard, and they were strictly interrogated when entering and leaving the city, lest spies be mixed in.

Yan Sikong looked at the city with high walls and deep moats from a distance, feeling a little dazed before his eyes.Is this his Guangning?In the past, Guangning was just a small city, but now there is no trace of it 20 years ago.

At that time, he and Yuan Mao stood on that city tower, resisting the [-] troops of the Jin Kingdom three times, and making the small Guangning City resound throughout the world. It is a pity that Yuan Mao retreated from the foreign enemies, but it was difficult to defend against the internal thieves, and he was able to protect Guangning. Ning [-] soldiers and civilians, but they can't protect a small home.

How many people in Guangning now remember the bloody battle 20 years ago, remember Yuanmao?

Yan Sikong got off the carriage, Shen Hexuan was sitting in a wheelchair, and Fu Zhanqing pushed him in front of him: "I have sent a secret letter to Zongbing Liang, telling him that I am coming to Guangning, but I didn't mention you."

Yan Sikong understood Shen Hexuan's concerns. It has been 20 years, and even though Liang Huiyong still remembers him, he is no longer the second young master of the Yuan family back then, but a criminal subject and rebel, it is hard to predict how Liang Huiyong will react when he sees him.

Yan Sikong nodded: "I will tell General Liang when I see him."

Shen Hexuan gestured to Fu Zhanqing, and Fu Zhanqing said: "Untie the torture device of Taifu Yan."

The guards released the shackles on Yan Sikong's hands and feet.

"We have to keep a low profile when we enter the city, so let you be free for the time being." Shen Hexuan stared straight at Yan Sikong, "But don't try to escape in vain, the guards will always follow you."

Yan Sikong shook his hands and feet that had been restrained for too long, feeling that his limbs were not his own, stiff and painful, he said: "I was going to come to Guangning, now that Guangning is in front of me, I can still escape where to go."

"Okay, let's go to town."

A group of people disguised themselves as cloth merchants and entered the city smoothly.

At this moment, Yan Sikong really understands what it means to be close to home and feel timid.When he listened to the familiar Liaodong accent and looked at the familiar street scene, the memories of his youth rushed to his face and almost overwhelmed him.He remembered that he walked through the streets and alleys in the city countless times, where he bought rice, where he listened to music, and where he could see vendors from other places selling fresh things on the street. When he was young, he and Yuan Nanyu, Running across every inch of the small city of Guangning with two legs, for them at that time, Guangning was the whole world.

And his "world" did collapse in Quang Ninh - at the moment when his adoptive father was sent to the guillotine.

Once again set foot on this hometown that made him love and hate, Yan Sikong only felt his heart surge and mixed feelings.

They found an inn and planned to take a rest first.

Yan Sikong asked the store owner to call for hot water, and took a good bath.

The inn he lives in looks old now, but 20 years ago, it was the largest inn in Guangning. He and Yuan Nanyu often ran outside the inn, and the waiter in the school shouted loudly: "Tianzi one Room No., honorable guests." Then he ran away laughing amidst the shopkeeper's scolding.

I don't know if his Yu'er can still remember.

After taking a shower and changing into dry clothes, Yan Sikong wanted to go for a stroll in the city. There were too many memories in his mind, which made him want to search for those places in his memory.

But as soon as he opened the door, he was stopped by the guards at the door.

"I want to see Lord Shen."

"My lord, please wait a moment." The guard went to report.

After a while, Fu Zhanqing came: "What orders does the Tai Tuo have?"

Yan Sikong said: "I want to go for a stroll in the city to relieve my nostalgia."

Fu Zhanqing said softly: "The teacher will not agree."

"You can follow me, I... just on this street, not far away."

Fu Zhanqing hesitated for a moment: "Then junior, let's go with Master Taifu, and let the guards follow behind, only in this street."

"Thank you." Yan Sikong said and was about to leave.

"Wait." Fu Zhanqing stared at Yan Sikong's face, "Please make some disguise, sir."

"I've been away for 20 years and no one will recognize me."

Fu Zhanqing looked at Yan Sikong without blinking, "My lord's appearance is refined, it is inevitable that he will attract attention."

Yan Sikong had no choice but to put on a hat and glue on his beard.

"Sir, please."

The two went downstairs, followed by several guards, and they wandered along the street of the inn. This street is the main street of Guangning City, and it is still the busiest place in the city.

In 20 years, time has passed, and the street style has changed a lot. Yan Sikong's memory is so good that he can almost completely outline the picture of that year. He pointed to those storefronts: "This used to be a rice shop, and that one sold shoes. That one used to grind tofu, but this area is a new building, and there was nothing there before.”

Fu Zhanqing listened carefully: "My lord remembers it very clearly."

"I walked this street countless times when I was young..." Yan Sikong stretched his neck and looked forward, "At the end of the street, there is a bun shop called Zhang Xiazi Baozi, which is a time-honored brand in Guangning. My father often buys it for him. Let's eat." As he said, his pace suddenly slowed down, he was afraid that he would walk to the end and find that the bun shop was gone.

"It seems to be still there." Fu Zhanqing saw through Yan Sikong's mind, squinted his eyes and looked forward, "Let's go over and have a look."

The two walked over, and seeing the banner of the steamed stuffed bun shop hanging on the small building, Yan Sikong was overjoyed, even a little excited: "It's still there, this steamed stuffed bun shop is still there." He walked forward three steps at a time go.

Before he got close, the smell of steamed stuffed buns was already in his nostrils, making his mouth water. Yan Sikong walked into the shop and looked around. There was not much change in the shop. In a daze, he seemed to have really returned to 20 years ago. .

Fu Zhanqing took out his silver bag and bought several kinds of buns: "Take it home and give it to the teacher to taste."

Yan Sikong took one of his favorite pork buns in the past. The buns had just come out of the pan, and they were still a little hot. He held them in his palms and dispelled the winter chill. He moved them to his mouth tremblingly, and bit down Take a big gulp.

The smell of fresh fragrance outlines the distant memories more clearly, Yan Sikong's eyes appeared in front of the harmonious scene in Yuan's house, his whole body was trembling, tears filled his eyes, and he tried not to let them fall.

He returned to his hometown, but he no longer has a home.

The world is so big, he, Yan Sikong, has no home anymore.

Fu Zhanqing looked at Yan Sikong who was about to cry, and felt embarrassed.

Yan Sikong walked out of the bun shop with his head down.

"My lord." Fu Zhanqing walked to Yan Sikong's side, "If your lord likes to eat..."

"Go back to the inn." Yan Sikong whispered.

"what?"

"Go back to the inn." Yan Sikong said again, he couldn't go down any further, crossed this street, and turned another corner, it was the execution ground of Yuanmao Xingyun, that was the beginning of his nightmare. He didn't have the courage to go back yet.

"……it is good."

The two walked back along the way they came from, and when they passed a big tree, several children were playing around the ancient well under the tree, chanting and singing nursery rhymes.

At first they didn't pay attention, but when they passed by, Yan Sikong froze when he heard "Three Lords Sitting on the Wall, Swallow Thief Thinking of Kong" rushing into his ears.

Fu Zhanqing also heard it, his face changed slightly: "My lord, let's go back to the inn."

Yan Sikong stopped in his tracks.