Stranger and Chen in the Palace

On this day, the emperor asked Eunuch Xu to summon Ling Yichen, and he followed Eunuch Xu to the imperial study room, and saw the emperor writing quickly with a pen. The large characters on the rice paper were powerful and imposing.

"My son bows to the emperor." Ling Yichen saluted.

The emperor said happily: "Chen'er, your birthday will be in a few days, and the emperor wants to give you something. I wonder what you like?"

Ling Yichen was slightly taken aback, birthday, this day that has always been neglected, he almost forgot.

Ling Yichen subconsciously wanted to refuse, but then he thought of something else, and said, "I heard that my father has a painting of Qian Fen's "Looking for Mountains and Stepping on the Moon", can you give it to me?"

The emperor laughed loudly after hearing this: "My son has good eyesight. I have treasured this authentic painting of Qian Fen for decades, but it is rare for Chen'er to fall in love with him, and the emperor has to give up his love." This is Ling Yichen's first time. It made him happy to ask him for something for the first time.

"Thank you, Father." Ling Yichen said.

In the past two days, Shunde has been very busy. As Ling Yichen's birthday is approaching, many civil and military officials rushed to give gifts. He was the only one who received people and treated guests. Even many local officials outside the imperial capital also asked people to send gifts. There were so many gifts. , is spectacular.

Whoever the emperor holds in his palm is the darling of the world.

All kinds of rare treasures and antiques are so rare that Shunde and a group of eunuchs and maids are drooling.

But Ling Yichen didn't care about these things, he accepted what others gave him, but as soon as the person left, he didn't even bother to look at it, and just asked Shunde to take it down and put it away.

As soon as Xue Zimo came in, he saw that Shunde and a group of eunuchs and maids were very busy, moving and carrying the things sent by the officials out of the hall one by one.

"You're late..." Ling Yichen looked at him and smiled.

Xue Zimo was apologetic, leaned forward and said: "Zimo was caught up in some things temporarily, I don't know why His Highness asked me to come here, but what difficulties did you encounter in the book?"

"There are some problems, but let's not talk about that for now, you come and see something." Ling Yichen got up and waved at him.

Xue Zimo followed Ling Yichen to the desk suspiciously, and saw him take out a long box on the bookshelf, and then took out a painting from it and spread it on the desk.Xue Zimo took a closer look, his eyes were immediately attracted, his eyes slowly burst into light, and he couldn't believe it: "This is Qian Feng's "The Picture of Seeking Mountains and Stepping on the Moon". His original work was lost as early as 300 years ago." I didn't expect it to be hidden in the palace."

Ling Yichen began to pay attention to Xue Zimo when he came over, seeing his expression now, he felt very happy: "Do you like it?"

"Well, I didn't expect to see Qian Feng's magical brush in my lifetime. He is the founder of the school of freehand brushwork. He really deserves his reputation when he sees him today. Just looking at this painter, no one in the world can surpass him." Xue Zimo praised without hesitation. Dao, eyes never leave the painting.

"You can't either?" Ling Yichen asked.After visiting Xue Zimo's study, he learned from Taifu Qu that Xue Zimo's attainments in calligraphy and painting are particularly high. No wonder he, who has no interest in calligraphy and painting, fell into the painting at a glance.

Xue Zimo finally pulled his eyes away from the painting, and said with a smile: "Your Highness is too flattering to Zimo, not to mention Qian Feng's superb painting skills, it's just that he stayed in the mountains for three full years to make this painting, and only by This dedication to painting and calligraphy is beyond Zimo's reach."

Ling Yichen could see that Xue Zimo loved this painting sincerely, he finally let go of his hanging heart, Xue Zimo never cared much about anything, before this he was really not sure that he would like this painting.

Ling Yichen slowly rolled up the ancient painting and put it back into the box.Xue Zimo wanted to look at it for a while, after all, there are not many opportunities to taste this kind of master's masterpiece, but seeing that Ling Yichen had already collected the painting, he couldn't say much.

Ling Yichen saw his reluctance, smiled and handed him the painting: "For you..."

Xue Zimo was stunned, and asked in surprise, "Why did you give it to me?"

"Don't you like it?" Ling Yichen asked back.

Xue Zimo lowered his eyes slightly when he heard the words, and said, "This gift is too expensive, Zimo cannot accept it."

Ling Yichen put down the hand holding the box, and said with a smile: "In my opinion, there is nothing valuable about this painting. It's only because you like it that I think it has some value."

"How does Your Highness know that I like painting and calligraphy?" Xue Zimo was a little puzzled.

The corners of Ling Yichen's mouth slowly curled up into a smile: "Didn't he tell me the last time I went to the Second Emperor's place?"

Xue Zimo didn't expect that he cared so much about him, and couldn't help but think of the last time Ling Yichen saw him off on a snowy night, hesitated for a while, and asked for no reason: "Is it because of father?"

"What?" Ling Yichen was stunned.

Xue Zimo continued: "Is it because of your father that you are kind to me?" This is the question that has always been in his heart. He knows that Ling Yichen is kind to him, but every time he thinks about the relationship between Ling Yichen and his father, he will subconsciously reject this kind of thing. good.

Ling Yichen finally understood what Xue Zimo meant. Did he always think that he was treating him well just to please Xue Jingting?This thought made him frown slightly: "Do you believe me?"

Xue Zimo didn't know why he suddenly changed the subject and didn't answer. Ling Yichen didn't seem to want him to answer, so he said, "If you don't believe me, it won't help if I give the answer..."

After saying this, he stared at Xue Zimo again and said, "If you believe it, then you don't need to ask!"

Xue Zimo's hands clenched tightly. Ling Yichen's last words clearly did not answer any of his questions, but they were like a stone thrown into the lake of his heart, causing ripples...

Ling Yichen handed him the painting again, and Xue Zimo looked at him for a while before taking it over.

Ling Yichen suddenly said: "Will you take me to the night market tomorrow night?" Seemingly afraid that he would refuse, he quickly added: "Tomorrow is my birthday, I have never seen a night market when I grow up, I heard from Shunde that it is very good , I want to go and see."

Xue Zimo didn't speak, as if hesitating whether to agree or not.

"Two hours is enough..." Ling Yichen softened his tone, for fear that he would refuse.

Xue Zimo finally nodded: "Okay."

As soon as the sun went down the next day, Ling Yichen couldn't wait to change into casual clothes and went to meet Xue Zimo at the gate of the palace.

Seeing that he didn't bring anyone with him, Xue Zimo said worriedly: "Your Highness, outside the palace is no better than inside the palace, why don't you bring some people?"

Ling Yichen naturally knew what he was worried about, and said with a smile: "It's okay, there are forty hidden guards."

Xue Zimo knew that these hidden guards were all top-notch experts, so he was relieved and let Yue'an drive the carriage out of the palace.

At the entrance of the night market, the carriage stopped, Ling Yichen stepped out of the carriage first, then stretched out his hand to lift the curtain, smiled and made a gesture of invitation to Xue Zimo who was on the carriage.

Xue Zimo smiled and got out of the carriage gracefully.

The two were about to go to the night market when Yue An followed, Ling Yichen turned to him and said, "Stay here and watch the carriage."

Yue'an also wanted to go shopping at the night market, so she didn't give up and said, "But young master—"

"I will take good care of him." Ling Yichen cut off, without looking at Yue'an after speaking, he took Xue Zimo away.

Yue An pursed her lips, and secretly slandered: Didn't you ask the young master to take you to the night market? Who is taking care of whom?But the other party is the prince, no matter how courageous he is, he dare not say it.

The night market was far more lively than Ling Yichen had imagined. The street was bustling with lights on both sides, shouting, selling, and playing. There were all kinds of stalls selling a wide variety of things. Holding hands, singing and dancing in a circle.

Ling Yichen couldn't hear what they were singing, but those childish and cheerful voices made him feel a little envious. I'm afraid no one would believe it. A prince's childhood was not as good as theirs...

Because of their outstanding looks, the eyes of passers-by on the street lingered on them, especially Xue Zimo.

Ling Yichen discovered this not long after he left. He whispered in Xue Zimo's ear: "Did you notice that many people are looking at you?"

"Young master, how do you know they are not looking at you?" Xue Zimo smiled slightly.

Looking at Xue Zimo's faint smile, Ling Yichen felt very comfortable.Of course, it would be better if there were no strange eyes from those pedestrians, but Ling Yichen also automatically filtered them out in his heart.

Ling Yichen found that there were many couples in the night market. This knowledge made him even more happy. He couldn't help but glance at the people beside him, and the corners of his mouth unconsciously raised.

The two walked for a while, and saw sparks swaying on the surface of the moat from a distance, reflecting the white moonlight. When they got closer, they realized that it was a river lantern set by someone else.There are many people around the river, and they are constantly putting lights into the water. There are also many small vendors selling river lights beside them. It is a lively scene...

"What are they doing?" Ling Yichen asked.

Xue Zimo was a little surprised: "You didn't let go of the river lantern?" Then thinking of the prince who grew up in the cherry garden, he explained: "It's a way of praying. People write their wishes in one piece. On a small piece of paper, put the small piece of paper into the river lantern, put it into the water, and pray for the wish to come true..."

"It's interesting." Ling Yichen smiled slightly.

Xue Zimo suddenly thought that today is his birthday, so he said, "Why don't you go and put a river lantern and make a wish?"

"Okay." Ling Yichen nodded.

Xue Zimo bought a river lantern from a peddler. Ling Yichen took a pen and wrote a line on the note, then folded it up and handed it to Xue Zimo, saying: "You put it for me."

Xue Zimo helped him put the river lantern on the water according to his words, and the two of them watched the river lantern swinging away on the water.Xue Zimo asked casually, "What wish did you make?"

Ling Yichen looked at him, and said very seriously: "I celebrate your birthday with you every year."

Xue Zimo was stunned for a while when he heard the words, then he looked away uncomfortable for a long time and said, "My lord hasn't eaten tonight, why don't we eat something first."

Ling Yichen nodded with a smile.