Tang Dynasty

When Liu Wenjing entered the courtyard, Li Shimin was leaning against the stone table, holding a half glass of wine in his hand, silently looking at the bright moon in the sky.

The moonlight hung down in the sky like a tulle, adding a bit of indescribable softness to his handsome and straight face.

Liu Wenjing paused in her steps, and finally walked towards him.

Hearing the sound, Li Shimin turned his head suddenly, raised his eyebrows slightly when he saw him, and then said with a slightly drunk smile: "It was Zhao Ren."

Liu Wenjing sat down opposite him, her eyes reflected the flash of disappointment on the other side, and she already understood half of it in her heart.He picked up the jug on the table, poured himself a jug of wine, and said: "If the people of the world want to use wine to relieve their sorrows, Wen Jing is willing to accompany you." with him.

Li Shimin looked at him for a moment, then slowly lowered his eyes, looking at the half-empty wine glass in his hand.But she shook her head and said, "If it can still be quenched with wine, then it's not true sorrow." After speaking, she felt like a little girl, so she laughed at herself unconsciously, raised her head, and took the remaining Drink half a glass dry.

Liu Wenjing could already see that he seemed to have something on his mind today, and he could probably guess what it was.I have followed him for many years, and I have seen him grow up day by day, until now I am so independent.

Liu Wenjing sighed, she had seen Li Shimin's three armies attack decisively in front of the formation, and he had seen the calmness and composure when planning strategies.But whenever it was about that person, he would lose his composure and return to an impulsive and reckless teenager.

However, what made him quite relieved today was that Li Shimin was not as drunk as he used to be.Although he couldn't hide the sadness in his expression, his gestures were calm and steady, and he didn't lose his mind.

Sure enough, it has grown up.

Thinking of this, Liu Wenjing also put down her wine glass and said: "Shimin, if you still consider me a confidant, you can always be with me... tell me about your elder brother."

Li Shimin smiled wryly, and said: "Sure enough, this matter has never been hidden from Zhao Ren."

Liu Wenjing also smiled and said: "I have been friends with Shimin for many years, if I can't even see this, how can I be worthy of a place by your side?"

Li Shimin smiled, staring at the empty cup on the table, but no longer rushing to refill it.After a long time, he said slowly, "Zhao Ren, do you know what it's like to get what you want?"

Liu Wenjing hung down, smiled lightly and said, "Of course I understand."

How could he not understand?I'm afraid that what he understands is no worse than the person in front of him.

"Zhao Ren, you don't understand," Li Shimin shook his head slowly after hearing this, "There is no one in this world who hides himself more secretly than Big Brother."

But there always seemed to be a forbidden area in his heart, which was never opened, and no one could touch it.Even if they meet each other day and night, so what if they are even skin to skin?There was always a distance between the two of them, and no matter how much he tried, he couldn't overcome it. Thinking of this, I felt a pang of sadness in my heart.

Thinking back in a few days, this was probably the root cause of my fury when I saw him talking and laughing with Wei Zheng.Because it's something he really wants and can't get.

Liu Wenjing felt a little pain in her heart when she heard the words, pondered for a moment, and said: "Shimin, the prince's nature seems gentle, but his heart is hard. He already has the world in his heart, but he doesn't know the word love. To him, it can be regarded as a How heavy is it?"

This remark was exactly what Li Shimin was thinking in his heart, he was a little dazed affectionately, and finally laughed at himself: "... Zhaoren's words are really true."

Liu Wenjing restrained her unbearable heart, watched her words and expressions for a long time, and already had a calculation in her heart.After a while, he opened his mouth and said slowly: "Would the people of the world be willing to listen to me?"

"Zhaoren and I don't have to be cautious," Li Shimin glanced at him, then lowered his head again, and sighed, "It's okay to speak out."

Liu Wenjing lowered his head slightly, looking from behind the broken hair on the forehead of the other party, searching for every slight change in that gaze, and after a short pause, he said: "Actually... If the people of the world want to occupy a place in the prince's heart, they must Not impossible."

Li Shimin suddenly raised his eyes to look at him when he heard the words.His eyes lit up, obviously waiting for him to continue speaking, but the expression in it seemed to have regained his childish nature in an instant.

Liu Wenjing calmed down the indescribable feeling in her heart, and finally raised her eyes to meet him, and said slowly: "He wants to fight, and you are the killing blade in his hand. If he wants the country, you hold half of the country in your hands." After a pause, he sighed with a smile, "If you are behind him, he will naturally not be able to see you; only on the day when you are equal to him, will he really see your shadow in his eyes."

Li Shimin was a little stunned when he heard the words, but he didn't say anything, he just kept pouring wine for himself, and then drank it with his head up.Repeated three times, until Liu Wenjing stretched out her hand to hold his wrist, then she put down the jug and said, "What Zhao Ren said is so enlightening, I only hate that people in the past are in the game, but today I have to see through it."

Liu Wenjing saw that his expression suddenly cleared up a little bit, and knowing that he had drunk these three glasses of wine, his heart should also be cleared up a lot.He withdrew his hand, looked at the other side firmly and said: "King Qin, with your talent, you should have stood shoulder to shoulder with the crown prince."

He suddenly changed his title, and his words and expression also added a bit of solemnity.Li Shimin looked at him, but only smiled lightly after a long time.

After being silent for a long time, Liu Wenjing replied, his voice has returned to peace, "Shimin, do you still remember that when my army first entered the pass and was stationed in Chaoyi, I told you..."

"Zhaoren, as I said before, don't bring up this matter again." Li Shimin lowered his eyes and interrupted in a low voice.

When Liu Wenjing heard this remark, she knew that Li Shimin had already understood the implication of what she said just now, so she thought about it too much.It's just that he couldn't tolerate people saying that Li Jiancheng was wrong, and every time he heard about it, he would be furious.However, even though he still interrupted at this moment, his expression hidden in the night was only calm and deep.

It seems that what I said...was not in vain.

The silence between the two lasted for a long time, until Liu Wenjing looked up at the moon that was already slanting west above her head, got up and said, "It's getting late, so I'm leaving. The people of the world should rest earlier."

Li Shimin also stood up at this time, looked at him and said with a smile: "Then Shimin will not send it off."

Liu Wenjing nodded, and bid farewell to him.All the way out of Prince Qin's mansion, he suddenly stopped and sighed.

Just because I was too clear, that person's thin and thin figure was like a mountain standing upright, standing in front of him for decades, obscuring his sight.In the center of his eyes, he will never see him again, and he will not tolerate others.

——Shimin, if you are really an eagle, you should focus on the more boundless sky.Rather than resting on the top of the mountain, a corner of the dwelling.

——I only wish to wait for the day when you really spread your wings and fly high, don’t blame me for what I did back then.

----

In December, Li Mi wrote a letter stating that Dao intends to return to Shandong to recover the old tribes, and persuaded them to return to the Tang Dynasty in order to strengthen the dynasty.Seeing the situation, Li Yuan knew that the other party could no longer restrain himself, so he generously responded to someone's advice to "let the tiger go back to the mountain". However, after Li Mi contacted Wang Bodang to leave Guanzhong, he suddenly issued an edict ordering him to leave half of the troops.

Li Mi was furious, immediately beheaded the envoy, looked east and left.However, this move hit Li Yuan's heart, and he sent generals to ambush him at dangerous places on the way, and finally got rid of the cancer in Li Mi's heart.

When the news came back to Chang'an, Jian Jian was overjoyed, and immediately granted him the post of washing horses as the prince, and awarded him some rewards.However, Wei Zheng had no joy on his face, and he refused to accept the reward. He only said that he would slander the old master, which was not worth showing off.

Li Jiancheng knew that he was upright and stubborn, so he didn't force him, and he had the right to let the matter go without mentioning it.

However, a few days later, due to another incident in the court, there was a wave of waves in Dudu.

The cause of the incident originated from the day when Liu Wenjing promoted Li Shimin as a soldier of the Kwantung Army and was ordered to do so.As soon as this remark came out, Chaozhong was silent for a moment.Even though it is well known that Liu Wenjing is a noble person with an open manner, it is only because there is no suitable candidate for this position that it has been pending.It's just that Liu Wenjing is a member of Li Shimin, which is well known in the court. If he is so blunt in recommending his master, if he is a little careless, he will get angry.

However, to everyone's surprise, Li Yuan was not only not annoyed when he heard the words, but after pondering for a moment, he said with a smile: "Master Liu's words are not unreasonable. Judging from the battle of King Qin's destruction of the Xue family, he is worthy of this task." " After speaking, he turned to Li Shimin and said, "I don't know what the king of Qin wants?"

Standing in the hall, Li Shimin was surprised when he first heard Liu Wenjing's performance.However, at this moment Li Yuan's question has been raised, if he says no, then Liu Wenjing will be sentenced to death.So he didn't dare to hesitate, and immediately cupped his hands and said: "My son is willing to listen to my father's orders."

After finishing speaking, he straightened up and raised his eyes to meet Li Jiancheng's.Calm as water, yet indifferent as ice, there was a sudden throbbing pain in his heart.

However, he had no way out.

Li Yuan laughed when he heard the words, and the next day he made a decree to pay homage to Li Shimin's Shandong Dao Xingtai Shangshu Order, and the Guandong soldiers and horses were ordered to go to Changchun Palace to guard after a few days.

Li Shimin received the order, but there was no joy in his expression.After seeing off the eunuch, he opened the door and went straight to Liu Wenjing.

However, Liu Wenjing was not in the mansion, and the servants only said that he had just left for the East Palace not long ago.

Hearing the word "Eastern Palace", Li Shimin's heart tightened, he hesitated for a moment, but finally he walked to the courtyard and stopped, saying: "The king is here, wait for him to come back."

----

At the same time, in the East Palace, Liu Wenjing sat with Li Jiancheng facing each other with a soft coat.

Li Jiancheng was dressed in a white brocade gown with emerald patterns, and his gestures were rich and elegant without losing his bearing.After the servant serving the tea left, he took a sip from his lips and said, "It's really rare for Master Liu to come to my East Palace."

Liu Wenjing's expression didn't change when she heard the words, but instead she smiled and said, "It's just because if I don't come, His Royal Highness the Crown Prince will also invite me to come."

Li Jiancheng chuckled, put down his teacup and said, "It seems that Mr. Liu has already anticipated the consequences before doing anything."

Liu Wenjing said unhurriedly: "In this palace, when speaking and doing things, it is natural to think in the long term."

"Your Excellency expected that rashly recommending the King of Qin would not offend the emperor, and also expected that the emperor had long since wanted to reward the King of Qin. Not only that, but also... the King of Qin would definitely take over this position because he cared about the life of the Lord." Li Jiancheng The voice was so calm that he didn't wait for any waves. He paused, but a smile appeared on his lips, "My lord will not hesitate to make a risky move and bet with his life to let King Qin hold the military power in the Kanto region in his hands. His heart is really good." Look at the sun and the moon."

After being cleared of his calculations by such a word, Liu Wenjing's expression did not change at all, but said: "Have you ever thought about the original intention of the King of Qin?"

Li Jiancheng was startled, then frowned slightly, and said, "What does Master Liu mean by that?"

But Liu Wenjing laughed loudly, and said: "King Qin should have his own world, but why does His Highness tie him tightly to his side and refuse to let go?" After a pause, before Li Jiancheng could speak, he said again, "In fact, His Highness clearly knows that the ministers are fighting each other to the death, but whether the King of Qin will go or not, His Highness can only say a word."

Li Jiancheng was silent for a moment when he heard the words, and a smile appeared on his face again.He looked at Liu Wenjing, his eyes became sharper little by little, and after a while, he said: "Since King Qin is worthy of this great task, I will not stop him."

Liu Wenjing smiled and said, "I hope Your Highness will remember today's words."

"Master Liu came here today just to ask for this promise from me?" Li Jiancheng said, "How can I forget what I said?"

Liu Wenjing immediately stood up when she heard the words, cupped her hands and said, "The minister will take his leave."

Li Jiancheng nodded slowly and watched him go.

He understood that what he just said was a bet with Liu Wenjing and himself.Bet on how far you can put the silk thread in your hand, and bet on whether you can pull the thread back when the paper kite flies high.

Why bet?Could it be... In this life, after all, there is still a glimmer of fantasy?

Laughed self-deprecatingly.At this moment, a person slowly walked out from behind the screen and said, "I really don't understand what your highness is doing."

Li Jiancheng's eyes still fell on the door, without moving his expression, and asked in his mouth: "Then what do you think, what should Jiancheng do?"

Wei Zhengdao: "Then Liu Wenjing knows very well that if King Qin stays with His Highness, he will definitely obey His Highness's orders. Even though he has tried all kinds of scheming this time, he must leave His Highness and go elsewhere temporarily." After a pause, he asked , "Why didn't your Highness stop him, but let his plan succeed?"

Li Jiancheng then withdrew his gaze and sighed: "Don't you know, sir, that the reason why Liu Wenjing dared to recommend the King of Qin is because he knew what the emperor intended." There was a vague self-deprecation on his lips, , "Since father intends to promote the people of the world, even if I stop this time, I will not avoid the next time."

Wei Zheng looked at him quietly, but when he saw a very rare gloomy flash across the other's eyebrows, he couldn't help but move.In fact, he knew that among Li Yuan's three older sons, Li Jiancheng was peaceful and graceful, Yuan Jishang was still young, only Li Shimin was talented and talented, like a sharp edged blade, showing his sharpness, and taking everyone away with a powerful force. look.

Li Yuan is no exception.Judging from his recent actions, it can be seen that his preference for this son has become more and more obvious.They are of the same flesh and blood, there is no superiority or inferiority in talents, but there is a distinction between closeness and estrangement, which is really embarrassing.

Thinking of this, he sighed and said, "What will your Highness do next?"

Li Jiancheng's eyes had regained his calm. He lowered his eyes and said silently for a moment, "This Liu Wenjing is insightful, but he thinks too highly of himself and doesn't know how to restrain himself."

Wei Zheng could already hear what he meant, but as smart as he was, he knew Li Jiancheng had plans in mind, so he didn't ask any more questions.

I know that Liu Wenjing's words today have been planned by Li Shimin, and he will fight against the East Palace in the future.Regardless of whether Li Shimin had such intentions at this time, as far as the prince is concerned... he has committed a big taboo.

He didn't say anything, Li Jiancheng was also silent.He looked back at the teacup on the table, stretched out his hand, and held it slowly and firmly, with a lot of thoughts in his heart.

——Shimin, this time I will give you a moment of high flying, let's see what you can do.

——It’s just that before that, you can’t keep your right-hand man.

----

A few days later, Li Shimin ordered the troops of Prince Qin's mansion personally, and went to Changchun Palace together with the important ministers around him.

On the eve of his departure, he hesitated again and again, and finally came to the East Palace alone.

Li Jiancheng's room was the same as in the past. At night, it was deserted and cold, only the orange candlelight flickering in his window from time to time added some warmth to it.

Li Shimin stood outside the door for a long time, until the sound of footsteps came from inside, he came back to his senses, not knowing whether to advance or retreat.

The door opened from the inside, and Li Jiancheng stood tall in an outer shirt, with shadows of different shades intertwined beside him.And the moonlight was like frost, covering his face with a layer of silvery white, and at a glance, it was as inconspicuous as a jade carving.

No see in one day, like every three autumns.

Li Shimin looked at him for a long time, then smiled and said: "Brother, Shimin will leave tomorrow to guard the Changchun Palace, so today I come here to say goodbye."

"It's only a day's journey there, but there are several mountains and rivers separated." Li Jiancheng nodded, turned around, and said, "It's cold outside, come in and talk."

However, as soon as Fang stepped into the room, hurried footsteps sounded behind him.Then a warm body covered him, a pair of arms were strong and powerful, but they wrapped around his waist with extra care.